Moments That Mattered: Top 10 Moments from UVA Sports in a Challenging 2024–25

10. Football 10/5/24: UVa 24 Boston College 14

Checking in at number 10 on the list is a home win over Boston College. This win marked the high point for the Hoos and got them off to a 4-1 start. Boston College would hop in front 14-0 in this game only to see the Hoos come roaring back to score 24 unanswered. The big plays in this game belonged to now Notre Dame Wide Receiver Malachi Fields with a 30 yard touchdown catch, and recently drafted to the New Orleans Saints Jonas Sanker, with a 40 yard fumble return for a touchdown. Following this game, the Hoos would lose six of their final seven games and finish 5-7.

9. Men’s Basketball 11/6/24: UVa 65 Campbell 56

What most assumed would be a ho-hum win to start the year for a team coached by Tony Bennett, ended up being the first game coached by someone other than Tony Bennett for UVa since 2009. Coach Ron Sanchez would lead the Hoos to their first win of the season against an overmatched Campbell team. As for the game, first year Jacob Cofie burst on to the scene with 16 points and led a balanced scoring attack that saw four players finish in double figures. The Hoos would get off to a 3-0 start before losing back-to-back games, in blowout losses to Tennessee and St. Johns.

8. Women’s Basketball 3/2/25: UVa 78 UNC 75

Coach Mox’s crew makes the list for pulling off the road upset as 16.5 point underdogs at then 8th ranked UNC. It was the first win for the women’s program at UNC since 2001. Trailing by 18, the Hoos stormed back behind 23 points from Latasha Lattimore, and of course the always steady Kymora Johnson with 15.

A great win, but a disappointing season overall for the Lady Cavs, as they would finish 16-14 and miss out on postseason play. With a generational talent like Kymora Johnson in the fold, Coach Mox better find a way to win in the 25-26 season, or her seat will more than likely be very hot.

7. Baseball 5/17/25: UVA 3 VT 1

At the time, this game seemed like the win that would lock the Hoos into the NCAA Tournament. With a 16-11 ACC record, it was unimaginable the committee would leave out a team that had been to Omaha two straight years. Instead, UVa would lose to Boston College in their first game at the ACC Tournament (a game that ended after 2am, do better ACC), and be left on the wrong side of the bubble for the tournament. This ended up being the last win in Coach O’Connor’s illustrious career at UVa.

On the diamond, Tomas Valincius would pitch his best game of the season, going 6 ⅔ innings giving up only 1 run, while Aiden Teel and Jacob Ferrence paced the offense with three hits each.

6. Men’s Basketball 2/15/25: UVA 73 VT 70

Coach Sanchez’s team would pick up their most important win of the season in Blacksburg (at least if you ask me), avenging a devastating one point loss at home only two weeks prior. IMac would lead the way with 22 points, and Anthony Robinson let everyone know how good he could be with a 15 point, 7 rebound effort.

It was a third straight ACC win, and many Hoo faithful had hoped that the Hoos could work their way back on to the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, Virginia would drop five of their next seven, finishing Coach Sanchez’s only season at the helm with a 15-17 record.

5. Golf 5/27/25: Defeated Auburn and Florida to Advance to the National Championship

For two days in May, every Hoo was suddenly a HUGE college golf fan, myself included. Suddenly Ben James, Paul Chang, Bryan Lee and others were household names for Hoo fans. Head Coach Bowen Sargent deserves a ton of credit for making UVa a perennial championship contender. The Hoos would beat Auburn first 3-1, then Florida 4-1 before falling to Oklahoma State on 5/28. The Golf Network coverage definitely left me wondering why we don’t have more college golf on TV. To be honest, I was hanging on every shot, and it was a ride I won’t soon forget.

4. Football 12/5/24: Anonymous Donation

Honestly, this could be too low on the list. To have a football team that can compete in this day in age, it takes cash. A transformative development for Virginia football: a multi-million dollar anonymous donation that significantly enhanced the program's ability to compete in the modern college football landscape. This unprecedented gift marked the largest one-time cash contribution and the largest non-capital gift in UVA football history

This substantial infusion of resources provided the Cavaliers with the financial flexibility to aggressively pursue top talent in the NCAA transfer portal. Head coach Tony Elliott and his staff were able to engage in conversations with high-caliber players they might not have previously been able to access. Notable additions included defensive end Mitchell Melton from Ohio State and wide receiver Jayden Thomas from Notre Dame, both of whom had experience in the College Football Playoff championship game, as well as the assumed starting Quarterback Chandler Morris. Just as important as top end talent, the roster lacked playable depth. Well, welcome in, I believe last count, was 32 new transfer Hoos. Talent and depth at every position, and with it comes the weight of the world on Coach Elliott. If the 2025 team doesn’t reach a bowl, and maybe a good bowl, Coach Elliott could be on his way out.

3. Men’s Basketball 3/21/25: Coach Odom is Hired to Replace Coach Sanchez

Some hires just feel like they are meant to be. From watching his dad coach at UVa with the legendary Terry Holland, to being a huge part of our National Championship story in 2019 (Head Coach of 16 seed UMBC that beat the Hoos as the 1 seed in 2018). Coach Ryan Odom’s journey has always been intertwined with Virginia basketball. His deep ties to the program and respect for its tradition made his return feel like a full-circle moment. Beyond the emotional connection, Odom brings a proven track record of building competitive teams and a modern offensive mindset that should energize the fan base. Since taking over, he’s wasted no time reshaping the roster through the transfer portal, landing several high-impact players who are expected to make immediate contributions. Rumor has it Coach could potentially be adding another huge piece in the next week. His early success in the portal signals a clear vision and an aggressive approach to returning UVA to national prominence. As he steps into the role, expectations are high—but so is the belief that he’s the right person to guide the Hoos into its next great chapter.

2. Baseball 6/1/25-6/10/25: Coach O’Connor Leaves for Mississippi St and Coach Pollard Joins from Duke

It was a bittersweet moment for UVA baseball fans when longtime head coach Brian O’Connor announced he was leaving Charlottesville to take the head job at Mississippi State. After two decades, including a 2015 national championship and countless Omaha memories, O’Connor’s departure signaled the end of an era—one defined by consistency, class, and elite player development. While fans understood the pull of a new challenge in the SEC, it didn’t make the goodbye any easier. Nor did the fact that his thank you letter to the fans took longer than most expected to surface. With that part behind us, his legacy at UVA is secure, and he’ll always be celebrated as the man who built the program into a national powerhouse.

As one chapter closed, another promising one just began. In a swift and decisive move, much maligned by some, UVa AD Carla Williams, hired Chris Pollard away from Duke—a respected coach who turned a once-struggling program into a perennial ACC contender. For UVA fans, the hire signaled that the standard isn’t changing. Pollard brings with him a reputation for maximizing talent, building tough, disciplined teams, and competing at the highest level. With UVA’s facilities, recruiting base, and a winning culture already in place, Pollard inherits a program built to win now, even though he may have to do it with almost a completely new roster. The hope is that he’ll not only carry on O’Connor’s legacy—but build one of his own. With several high impact Duke Baseball players and recruits entering the portal after the announcement, rebuilding the roster may not take as long as some think.

1. Men’s Basketball 10/18/24: Coach Bennett retires, Sanchez Named Interim Head Coach

No doubt, the biggest story of the UVa sports year is living legend, Head Coach Tony Bennett stepping down from his position to retire. While everyone knew Coach Bennett was wearing thin with the new era that can only be characterized as chaos, no one was expecting his announcement in October. After signing an extension that would have taken him out through the end of the 2031 season, most assumed Coach was all in. But in true Tony Bennett fashion, the decision was made with humility, grace, and a deep love for the program. He walked away not because he had to, but because he felt it was time—for him, for his family, and perhaps for UVa to begin a new chapter. The legacy he leaves behind is almost impossible to measure: a national championship, multiple ACC titles, and a culture rooted in humility, unity, and defensive excellence that redefined what winning could look like at Virginia. Fans across the country paid tribute to one of college basketball’s classiest and most successful figures of the modern era.

In the immediate aftermath, UVA turned to a familiar face to steady the ship—naming associate head coach Ron Sanchez as interim head coach. Sanchez, who returned to Charlottesville after a head coaching stint at Charlotte, had long been viewed as a potential heir to Bennett. His deep understanding of the Pack Line defense, the program’s culture, and the expectations of UVA basketball made him a natural choice in the moment, although the fan base seemed split, with many believing Jason Williford deserved the opportunity. In any event, it’s all history now, and while Coach Bennett may not be pacing the sideline anymore, his spirit will live on in the program as long as they are rolling the ball out every November.

So that’s it—the top 10 moments in a season that tested UVA Athletics in ways few could have predicted. It was a year of emotional goodbyes, surprising twists, and quiet resilience. While the wins may have been fewer, the stories were richer, and the people—coaches, players, and fans—showed up with the kind of heart that can’t be measured in standings. From the Hill to the hardwood, and the gridiron to the greens, it was a reminder that being a Hoo means more than just rooting for wins—it means showing up, no matter what.

As we turn the page to 2025–26, there’s reason for hope. New faces, fresh energy, and the chance to rebuild and rise again. It might not happen overnight, but if this past year proved anything, it’s that the people who wear orange and blue never stop believing. Here's to the journey ahead. GO HOOS!