Across the Grounds with Steve Brindle: Beyond the Recliner: Bringing Wahoo Nation Back to the Stands

Summer is coming to a close, Labor Day will see most swimming pools covered for winter, pumpkins will replace watermelons, and college fall sports will be front and center. Scott Stadium, Klockner, the Turf Field, and Mem Gym have all been desolate since May or before. Hopefully, they will soon be filled with loud Hoos.

Some locals and students alike will be content to watch fall sports from their mancave recliners, full game coverage provided by ESPN et al. No ticket cost, no parking hassles, no inclement weather, and the concession is the nearby refrigerator. The problem is that the Hoos players don’t hear those voices.

For another group of students, GPA is the singular focus. Weekends and weekday nights provide the time necessary to review notes, write papers, and prepare for tests. The thought of leaving the dorm or apartment for several hours of sports viewing that they don’t understand nor care about is very seldom a reality. The “Ivy of the South” is a prestigious center of learning where demands are high for those who wish to graduate with high honors. I respect that and realize that there will be empty seats throughout the sports year. Win one for the Academical Village but so sad to have such a limited college experience.

UVA sports include 14 women’s sports and 13 men’s sports. (I will dedicate future blogs, beyond bball and baseball, to so called “minor sports”.) I want to feel like I’m right there in the trenches with the football players as often as possible because that experience is so much more exhilarating when we’re winning. It also means more to those on the field to receive my loud support. Although I’m only one voice, a packed stadium with those like me will incent the players to reach for that 110%. That extra effort may mean the difference between winning and losing a close one on Saturday afternoon! I was passionate in 1969; at age 74, I am more so. We filled JPJ during Tony Bennett’s reign, Brian O’Connor filled the Dish for regional and super regional play, Rolling Stones and Dave Matthews filled Scott Stadium, and upstart women’s bball drew almost 12,000 fans for a home game with VA Tech. The famous line in Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come” is a critical component of building winning programs. Expanded athletic facilities are important to the coaches, the players, and the Hoos fans who pay the bills. Carla Williams directed construction of the new $80 million football facility as part of the Master Plan, which also includes the $75 million Olympic Center. With the portal explosion, players with 1-4-year eligibility are looking for schools with a commitment to constant athletic improvements in facilities. Tony Elliott has recruited 54 portal transfers, most of whom are capable of winning on and off the field. (The Admissions Office will see to the latter.)

How many gridiron wins would please this audience? Would 7-5 be considered a success in light of a comparatively soft schedule? Will it take several winning seasons to bring the fans back? Coach Elliott’s and AD Carla Williams’ jobs may be on the line but depth now at every position says that this football team is capable of 7 wins, including the Hokies, and a decent bowl bid. We will never be a football factory as the Admission’s Office requires football players to truly care about the classroom.

As for bball and baseball, new coaches are instituting new approaches with better overall talent. I think we will surprise the ACC and the NCAA with postseason runs in both sports.