Davenport Field Project Takes Shape - Upgrades Planned

By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Fall practice starts in about two weeks for the UVa baseball team. Before fall ball ends, the sounds of construction may make it difficult at times for players and coaches to concentrate at Davenport Field.
They won't mind at all.
In mid-October, an enhancement project is scheduled to begin at Davenport, home of the reigning ACC champion Cavaliers. The work, funded entirely by private donations, will cost about $4.5 million. And when it's completed -- no later than early April, if all goes as planned -- the 3,600-seat stadium will be one of the jewels of college baseball.
With memories of Virginia's first trip to the College World Series still fresh, interest in and enthusiasm for coach Brian O'Connor's program never has been higher. The project is testament to that.
"I believe it sends a message to college baseball and recruits that the University of Virginia is very serious about its baseball program winning championships, to make this kind of investment moving forward," O'Connor said.
"The timing of it couldn't be more perfect. It's all kind of coming together."
Davenport has served the Cavaliers exceedingly well for most of this decade. Before the 2002 season, a $5 million renovation transformed a tired, old stadium into one of the ACC's better ballparks, and that home-field advantage has helped UVa win 265 games in six seasons under O'Connor.
Even so, Davenport lacks some important elements that the enhancement project will provide.
The additions will fit into the stadium's current footprint. They include: a locker room for the visiting team, a locker room for the umpires, a weight room, a hall of fame room to honor former UVa teams and players; a team meeting room, a training room, a meeting room for the coaches, a film room, storage areas for equipment, a kitchen, an expanded clubhouse for the team, and a climate-controlled indoor hitting and pitching facility.
"I feel like everything together is going to really help the player development," senior catcher Franco Valdes said.
Fund-raising for the project, which began about a year ago, gained more momentum as the 2009 season progressed. After the Cavaliers made a stunning run in Durham, N.C., to capture the ACC tournament, they were shipped to Irvine, Calif., for the opening weekend of the NCAA tourney.
On the West Coast, Virginia did the unthinkable in its opening game -- beat San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg -- and went on to win the regional. Then the 'Hoos headed to Oxford, Miss., for a best-of-three super regional with Ole Miss.
Before that series started, former UVa star Ryan Zimmerman pledged $250,000 to the Davenport project. More donors stepped forward after UVa prevailed in Oxford to advance to the CWS for the first time in school history.
"The baseball alumni, they're very excited," O'Connor said. "They are definitely a big part of this in giving back. Obviously, Zimmerman's lead gift was one of the them, but there's other former players that have given, too. Really, former players that played here 25 years ago. But it's also people in the community and supporters of our program."
To O'Connor, the importance of the project is two-fold. First, he said, it helps with player development. Virtually all of the team's baseball-related activities will be conducted at Davenport, which will make more efficient use of the players' time. The enhancements also will allow UVa to match what other top baseball programs can offer recruits.
The players currently lift weights at the McCue Center, and there "are certain things from a training-room standpoint that we can't do now up at Davenport that we will be able to do after the completion of the project," O'Connor said.
The Cavaliers' skipper is especially excited about the indoor hitting and pitching facility, which will allow his players to train comfortably year-round.
Perhaps more important than improved working conditions for players, though, is this: The renovations will improve UVa’s chances of being selected to host NCAA regionals and super regionals.
"In the past," O'Connor said, "not having a visiting team restroom, an umpires' locker room, a visitors' locker room, things like that, has been a knock on our facility. Overall, these are things that are being built in all the new stadium that have been built in the last three or four years."
That Davenport lacked some of those features was one reason, many believe, that the NCAA did not award UVa a regional this year.
Virginia hopes to one day add more private suites and increase Davenport's seating capacity from 3,600 to 5,000. That will make the stadium even more attractive in the eyes of the NCAA and enhance the experience for fans. The project scheduled to start this fall, however, will do much to help O’Connor as he tries to get the 'Hoos back to Omaha.
"There are things that must happen for our program to continue to sustain where we're at," he said.
Those improvements are imminent, and for that he's thankful. Still, O'Connor stressed that more money -- several hundred thousand dollars -- must be raised for the enhancement project to get university approval.
"We're not done yet," he said.
* * * * * * * * *
For more information about the project, contact Shooter Starr of the Virginia Athletics Foundation at (434) 982-5555 or shooter@virginia.edu.

O’Connor has eye on stadium expansion
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 27, 2009

At numerous stops along the way last year en route to the College World Series, Brian O’Connor thought of the possibilities.

Many of those internal features at numerous opposing venues could soon be added at Davenport Field.

A project with a price tag of $4.5 million could start in October, O’Connor said, should the necessary money be raised and the project given university approval.

The current venture would bring the program a state-of-the-art weight room, a film room that would double as a team meeting area, a visitor’s locker room and an umpire’s locker room.

The proposed plan will also increase the size of Virginia’s locker room and the capacity of the training room.

Many of those features are needed to improve the Cavaliers’ standing for hosting an NCAA tournament event.

“This project is very important for two reasons,” O’Connor said. “It will have a major impact on player development and recruiting, and the upgrades, in addition to this project, are becoming standard in facilities across the country.

“The second part is to enhance our ability to host a NCAA regional, and a number of the additions that we could make will make that happen should we perform at the needed standard on the field. This will truly help enhance our chance to host a regional.”

One of the biggest impacts with the initial part of the mission, which should be completed by April, should regulate the temperature in the batting cages.

“That is the best part of the project,” said former Virginia standout Ryan Zimmerman, now with the Washington Nationals. “This will make the playing experience at Virginia that much better and, that is what the top-notch players are looking for in the recruiting process.

“When this plan has been completed, Virginia will compete with some of the top facilities in the country.”

 

White: Training Camp Notebook
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 08/26/2009
By Jeff White

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- During Ron Prince's first stint as a UVa assistant, he and Al Groh were close, and they continued to speak regularly after Prince left to become head coach at Kansas State.
Now that Prince is back on Groh's staff, their relationship is even stronger.
Groh said the other day that Prince, the Cavaliers' special-teams coach, is a "very good sounding board. Ron was always, when he was here first, a source of some very insightful suggestions, particularly in the area of players and dealing with players and understanding the things that go on with players.
"On a football team, clearly, we have such a diverse grouping of people geographically, socio-economically, racially, religion-wise, position-wise, that it really takes a lot to pull a group together in harmony. Most likely, probably, if lots of other elements of society could come together the way a football locker room does, we would have probably the most cohesive circumstance we could have.
"Ron's got a really good feel for a lot of the dynamics that go on in the overall life of many of the kids, and he's always been able to give me some very good insights in terms of some particular players. And plus he understands me, he understands how I think, and his suggestions are always in line with that. And now that he's been the head coach, he also has the all the insights that go with that and the understandings of what the head coach deals with. So he continues to be a very good resource for me."
* * * * * * *
With the opener looming -- UVa hosts William and Mary on Sept. 5 -- the battles are some positions have been all but decided.
On his teleconference this morning, Groh said that kicking responsibilities are likely to be split this way: 6-6, 238-pound sophomore Jimmy Howell will be the punter, sophomore Robert Randolph will handle extra points and field goals, and Randolph or sophomore Chris Hinkebein will kick off.
As a true freshman in 2008, Howell was Virginia's punter, and he averaged 39 yards per kick.
"We've had a lot of live kicking situations," Groh said. "He has progressed with that. Clearly, we're anxious to see what happens in a game, but based on the best pressure we can put on him under our circumstances, [Howell has gotten better]."
* * * * * * *
At UVa's media day this month, quarterback Jameel Sewell talked about his reaction to being declared academically -- and suspended from school for two semesters -- in January 2008.
"I cried, because I was very hurt," Sewell told reporters. "I felt like everything was taken away from me because of my decisions, so it really hurt me. It bothered me, but if you sit there and [dwell] on that, nothing is going to get better. You have to do what you can to make things better. You have stuff you have to take care of. It's life. You're going to go through all these bumps and everything."
A year after his suspension began, Sewell was re-admitted to UVa. He's now a fifth-year senior who's battling Vic Hall for the starting job. In 2007, Sewell started every game for a Virginia team that won nine games and played in the Gator Bowl.
* * * * * * *
The Cavaliers' first scrimmage was Aug. 15. Their second was scheduled for a week later, but lightning ended the scrimmage early.
The players got Sunday off, as planned, then gathered at Scott Stadium late Monday afternoon for another try at the scrimmage. Mother Nature cooperated this time, but Groh said he had "a long list of concerns" afterward.
"I would say that had everything gone beautifully, which probably is a pretty low-odds circumstance for most teams, I would feel swimmingly about things," Groh said this morning. "But not everything went beautifully."
* * * * * * *
Like most college football teams this time of year, UVa has several players out because of injuries. Groh, however, isn't inclined to issue medical reports any more often than the ACC requires him to.
Asked this morning about senior tailback Mikell Simpson's health, Groh said, "I think our first injury report will come out by conference regulations the Thursday before the first game."
* * * * * * *
Safety Matt Leemhuis, who missed much of last season with a thumb injury, is pushing for playing time.
"Matt's had a nice five or six days," Groh said. "We've given him increased responsibilities on the sub teams [in passing situations], and he's done a nice job with them. So as his possibilities there expand, then obviously we're going to also see him as somebody who's got more application on special teams."
Leemhuis, a 6-1, 195-pound junior, is from Bethesda, Md.
* * * * * * *
Chase Minnifield's days as a return man for UVa appear to be over, at least for now.
Groh said the top candidates to return kickoffs this season are Simpson, redshirt freshman Torrey Mack, sophomore Corey Mosley, true freshman Javanti Sparrow and senior Chris Cook.
The punt returners, Groh said, will come from this group: Hall, Sparrow, redshirt freshman Javaris Brown and true freshman Tim Smith.
Sparrow, who also plays cornerback, starred in track at Chesapeake's Western Branch High.
"When we said this class would, amongst other things, make the team faster and be one of the faster classes we've had here, he certainly was one of the players in mind," Groh said. "We knew that by numbers and by video, but to see that with our own eyes, he's legitimately fast."
Minnifield ran back 21 kickoffs, for an average of 23.3 yards, as a redshirt freshman last year. He also had one punt return, for 10 yards.
Groh said he won't hesitate to let Hall, who's expected to start at quarterback against W&M, return punts. Hall started at cornerback for UVa's first 11 games last season.
* * * * * * *
After a recent practice, Chris Slade stuck around to talk to Virginia's players. Slade, a former All-America defensive end for the Cavaliers, lives in Atlanta, but he'll around the program a lot this season. He was hired recently as the sideline reporter for radio broadcasts of UVa games.
Slade spent eight seasons with the New England Patriots and played outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. His position coach from 1993 to '96 was Groh, who also served as the Patriots' defensive coordinator.
Having Slade around "certainly benefits the overall team, No. 1," Groh said. "Chris is, as we all know, one of the all-time great players here, and he's one of the all-time great guys. And he's got a great affinity for football and for the University and for competition. To have somebody like that be able to convey his feelings to the players about what it takes to be successful and what it means to play for Virginia is a very significant thing.
"I think it's really important for players in any program to have an appreciation for the legacy of the program and those who have gone before them."
Moreoever, Groh said, given Slade's success as a pass rusher, "just to have him around where players could go to him, and ask him questions about how to do different things, is very helpful."
* * * * * * *
At about 255 pounds, junior John-Kevin Dolce is small for a nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme. But the 6-2 Dolce is strong and quick, and those assets helped him record five sacks in 2008.
Dolce, whose first sack came last year against the University of Richmond, plays primarily in passing situations.
"It was unreal," he said. "The thing I can compare it to is winning my first wrestling match [at St. Anthony's High on Long Island, N.Y.] ... It's an awesome feeling. I look forward to third downs every game."
Virginia tried Dolce at outside linebacker and then inside linebacker before moving him to nose. His lack of bulk notwithstanding, Dolce fit well on the line.
According to Groh, the coaches' position on Dolce was this: "Look, here's a kid who deserves every opportunity, and let's just keep working it till we find a place that he feels the most comfortable."
Nose tackle "was just one of the stops along that experiment to find out where he might be very comfortable, and it just worked out well," Groh said.
* * * * * * *
The media guide lists Dolce as the second-team nose tackle, behind sophomore Nick Jenkins. Dolce isn't big enough to be an every-down player at that position, though, so if Jenkins were out for an extended stretch, Nate Collins would probably replace him, Groh said.
Collins, a 6-2, 290-pound senior, is a starting defensive end. But he played nose tackle in 2006, '07 and '08 before shifting to end this year.
The team's No. 3 defensive end? Zane Parr, a 6-6, 275-pound sophomore who missed the final five games of the 2008 season with a knee injury.
"Zane is one of the players here who in the last 10 days has come on strong," Groh said Monday. "His game has really picked up in a number of different areas. He's certainly moved himself much more into the picture than he has been in the past."
--30--

Brandon brings new look offense to Charlottesville
Offensive coordinator introduces spread attack, aims to add versatility to stagnant system after successful coaching stint at Bowling Green
Andrew Seidman, Cavalier Daily Senior Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, August 27 2009

It has been seven years since Virginia offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon sat in the press box, calling plays from above. That was for a man named Urban Meyer, then coach at Bowling Green, now known for the two national championships he won at the helm of a high-powered Florida offense.

A lot has happened since then. The Red Sox finally won the Series — twice. Brett Favre has floated in and out of retirement. America has crowned its first king: James — Lebron, that is.

Even through all of that, Brandon still gets bubbly when he talks about his dynamic spread offense.

“Getting a chance to be back in a situation to run an offense is very exciting for me,” Brandon said. “I’m really up for the challenge.”

Brandon makes it quite clear what his spread offense is designed for: a versatile quarterback who can stretch the defense and scramble out of the pocket to make a play if need be.

“The offense is built for a quarterback who can run,” Brandon said. “[Senior Jameel] Sewell, [senior Vic] Hall — they’re all nifty on the perimeter.”

Brandon did throw a bone to Virginia’s third potential starting quarterback, junior Mark Verica, praising his ability to “make a guy miss out there and get yards.”

But even Verica acknowledges his limitations when the pocket closes.

“In the pocket, two hands on the ball,” Verica said. “If you’re out scrambling, just throw it away.”

That does not sound like the appropriate mantra of Brandon’s spread offense.

“The element of the quarterback running — I think that’s one of the X-factors of the offense,” Brandon said. “’Cause if you line up in the shotgun, a lot of defenses don’t account for it — so it’s the 12th guy.”

That formation is certainly reminiscent of Hall’s all-time best performance against Virginia Tech last year, during which the quarterback rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard breakaway thriller. Hall did not complete a pass in that game, however, which begs a question: Can a guy who has not been a full-time quarterback since high school make smart decisions in the passing game; or, quite simply, can he move the chains with his arm?

“He’s come a long way from the spring,” Brandon said. “Just with his footwork, who he’s supposed to be looking at on the throws we’re asking him to make.”

Perhaps even more importantly, it’s unclear whether the 5-foot-9 quarterback can even see over the line of 6-foot-6 giants who protect him from the pass rush. If he does manage to find passing lanes, it will be up to an inexperienced receiving corps to get open and generate first downs.

The Cavaliers have lost their top two leading receivers from last season — NFL-bound Kevin Ogletree and graduated senior Maurice Covington — who combined for 1137 receiving yards in 2008, leaving sophomore Jared Green as the only returning wide receiver who grabbed double-digit receptions last year. Green totaled 144 yards on 12 catches while appearing in all 12 games.

“We’re not thin at receiver but we’re young there,” Brandon said. “Those guys will continue to mature and grow.”

Brandon has a fresh crop of receivers to pick from for his offense, including the speedy redshirt freshman Javaris Brown, an unproven Dontrelle Inman — who played in each game last season but only caught two passes for 22 yards — and sophomore Kris Burd, who nabbed seven receptions for 65 yards a year ago.

In addition to the possible holes at wide receiver, Virginia also will have to try to fill the void left by the departure of John Phillips, the last in a long line of Cavalier tight ends to make the jump to the NFL. Heath Miller of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tom Santi of the Indianapolis Colts come to mind. The legacy these powerful offensive anchors have left behind has led many to refer to Virginia as “Tight End-U.” Brandon insists he is committed to continuing the trend.

“We’re playing with a tight end and the tight ends are doing a nice job,” Brandon said. “It’s really about getting the best people on the field and then spreading the field and taking advantages of mismatches that way.”

Junior Joe Torchia, who played in seven contests last season without a single reception, is expected to start the season at tight end. His lack of experience splitting out wide to the perimeter raises questions about Virginia’s potential downfield options.

Be that as it may, Brandon does not seem reluctant to employ a variety of formations.

“I’d like to see Sewell and Vic out there together,” Brandon said. “That’s another package that [we are] kind of thinking through a little bit.”

Indeed, the key to Virginia’s success on offense this season may be Brandon’s ability to manage his trio of quarterbacks in unorthodox ways.

“If you have a quarterback that can shift into the slot and throw him the ball — I mean that’s a whole different deal,” Brandon said. “Or you can just use him as kind of a decoy.”

 

Former star still shines at UVa
Anthony Poindexter made big plays for the Cavaliers at cornerback. Now he finally gets to coach the position.
By Doug Doughty
981-3129

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- By now, most of Virginia's defensive backs are familiar with the playing career of Anthony Poindexter, a former All-American safety who will be coaching that unit for the first time this year.

"I grew up watching him," said cornerback Ras-I Dowling, who indicated that his appreciation for Poindexter was one reason he considered himself a UVa fan. "I think I was in middle school at the time. He was a great player."

Poindexter appreciates the compliment, but forgive him if he's a little skeptical.

"If he saw me play in college, he must have been a baby," said Poindexter, who played for the Cavaliers from 1995-98. "Some of these boys weren't even born till the '90s."

Dowling, a 21-year-old junior, is older than many of his teammates, but Poindexter is no longer the fresh-faced kid who came out of Jefferson Forest High School and had an immediate impact on the Cavaliers' program.

Poindexter often is given credit for the touchdown-saving tackle on Warrick Dunn that preserved Virginia's 33-28 victory over then-No. 2 Florida State in 1995. It was the Seminoles' first loss after winning their first 29 football games as an ACC member.

Several of Poindexter's defensive backs were at his house recently and asked to watch the play.

"My son, he's got the Florida State tape from '95," Poindexter said. "That's his favorite tape, so he threw it in. Everyone talks about that one [play]. I can't remember half the night, to be honest. I took so many hits, I've got to see it on TV even to remember the situation."

Poindexter's college career ended prematurely when he suffered a horrific knee injury in the seventh game of the 1998 season.

He was selected by Baltimore in the seventh round of the 1999 draft but still was in the process of a lengthy rehab.

He spent the 1999 season on the injured-reserve list but was active in 2000, when he played in 10 games for the Ravens' Super Bowl championship team.

Poindexter was released shortly after the Super Bowl, then picked up by Cleveland, which waived him prior to the 2001 season.

"Our first year, Anthony was still in the NFL," said Groh, who was hired by Virginia following the 2000 season.

"I knew well of Anthony as a player. I mean, anybody who followed Virginia football knew of Anthony as one of the greatest players who have played here.

"But, actually, Michael [Groh] came to me and said, 'Coach, Anthony Poindexter's your kind of guy and you're going to want to find a way to get him in the organization.'"

Poindexter joined UVa's staff prior to the 2002 season as an assistant in the weight room.

He was a graduate assistant with the football team in 2003 before becoming a full-time assistant in charge of the running backs in 2004.

Cornerback Chris Cook spoke for a legion of Virginia fans when he said earlier this summer that he had always wondered why Poindexter didn't coach defensive backs.

That move came this past winter, when assistant Steve Bernstein resigned and Poindexter took his spot coaching the secondary.

"Coaching is different than playing," Poindexter said at UVa's annual Meet the Team Day. "Just because you can play DB in college doesn't mean you can coach it. It's a process. My whole coaching career has been a progress. I'd never coached till I got back here.

"I don't know it all. I'm far from knowing it all."

Poindexter, 33, has not lacked for mentors. First, there's Groh.

Poindexter also mentions Bernstein and former defensive coordinator Bob Pruett. More recently, Poindexter has come under the watchful eye of new linebackers coach Bob Trott, a longtime secondary coach comfortably positioned in an adjoining office.

Poindexter has studied the position, but what he brings more than anything is a passion and accountability.

As one-time Virginia defensive coordinator Rick Lantz put it: "If he was a Marine and a grenade came in the foxhole, he's the kind of guy who would dive on it to save the unit.''

Poindexter also has the kind of charisma that makes him one of the most popular ex-Cavaliers, a target for young autograph-seekers and older alums wanting to relive the good ol' days.

"How many coaches get to play at a school, have success at a school and be able to come back and start your career at a school and still be there eight years later?" Poindexter asked.

"This is where my roots are. I can't picture myself being in another shirt and doing what I do right now.

"How could I go recruit for somebody else? I'd be telling lies, I guess."
 

Poindexter Returns to the Secondary -- as Coach
By Zach Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- After the 2005 season, Virginia Coach Al Groh needed to hire a defensive backs coach. His running backs coach, Anthony Poindexter, was one of the most accomplished defensive backs in the program's history, but Groh did not consider Poindexter for the opening, instead hiring veteran assistant Steve Bernstein.

In December 2008, Groh searched for Bernstein's replacement. This time, Poindexter was the ideal candidate. Groh offered Poindexter the post, and Poindexter happily accepted.

"At that point, I probably wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility yet," Poindexter said. "Two more years of coaching, I'm ready to take on the responsibility of doing it."

Poindexter emphasized that his status as a former standout in the secondary does not automatically make him a good defensive backs coach, and that he needed to prepare for the new job.

He has turned to Groh, former Virginia assistants Bernstein and Bob Pruett, and current Virginia linebackers coach Bob Trott for guidance. Each offered dozens of years of experience.

"I played it," Poindexter said, "but I ain't coached it."

Luckily, Poindexter inherited the team's best unit. He said his job is not to "mess them up." Most of the players do not remember Poindexter as a player at Virginia from 1994 to 1998 -- "These boys were born in the '90s, man!" he said -- but they visited his home during training camp and wanted to watch old game film.

Poindexter, 33, has left his career in Groh's hands. He played for former Virginia coach George Welsh -- not Groh -- but was friends with Groh's son, Mike Groh, who recommended Poindexter. Al Groh hired Poindexter as a graduate assistant in 2003 after Poindexter retired from the NFL.

His entire career has been with Virginia, and he said he could not imagine wearing another team's shirt while recruiting. Poindexter scouts the Washington region and said the area -- and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference in particular -- is a prime target for the Cavaliers.

"Most of these kids are two, two and a half hours from us," Poindexter said. "So when you get into that area, it ain't like they're going that far from home. So we try to go there, but we got to find the guys that fit into our program. All of them don't fit, but we found some guys in the D.C. Catholic league that fit our system, fit what we like to do, and fit our school and the people, too."

Delayed Scrimmage

A lightning storm halted Virginia's scheduled scrimmage on Saturday, postponing the best opportunity for the coaches to configure the depth chart. The Cavaliers scrimmaged Tuesday, and Groh expects the final spots to be determined soon leading to the Sept. 5 opener against William & Mary. . . . Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, a junior with 19 career catches, has been limited because of an injury throughout training camp and has slipped down the depth chart.

 

For Cavs, Many Happy Returns
Suspensions Over For Key Players
By Zach Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Vic Hall tries to avoid speculating how Virginia's football team would have finished last season had it not lost eight players because of disciplinary and academic suspensions. Among the players who missed the Cavaliers' 5-7 season were quarterback Jameel Sewell and cornerback Chris Cook -- Hall's close friends who were starters in 2007 before missing 2008 because of academics.

"I can say what it could have been, but that past is the past," Hall said. "It's all a big 'What if?' or 'What could have happened?' "

He does not need to wonder this season, as Coach Al Groh welcomed back Sewell and Cook, both seniors. Junior linebacker Darnell Carter also returned from academic suspension.

Cook is slated to start at cornerback and was elected captain by his teammates. Sewell is battling for the starting quarterback job with Hall and junior Marc Verica. Their returns have provided a boost for Hall, who has lived with Cook and Sewell throughout much of college. The same long dreadlocks flow from each of their helmets, a shared hairstyle since freshman year.

"It was a tough position, but it would be selfish for me to say it was a tough position for me," Hall said. "I can't imagine how they felt. But I was in a position where I wouldn't bring things up to make it worse, so I kind of fell back a lot to keep as positive as I could."

Ask any Virginia player about the 2009 season and he will quickly explain that the theme is "redemption," that the goal is to bounce back as a team from a disappointing season. For Sewell and Cook, though, such redemption is of a more personal nature.

"Every second of every day of my life I was gone I thought about that," Sewell said. "Because it was football season. I thought, 'That's supposed to be me out there with the guys,' or, 'I can do that.' "

Earlier this summer, Groh read an article in Sports Illustrated about the return of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady from the knee injury that ended his 2008 season in the first game. Groh thought about Sewell, his starting quarterback for most of 2006 and all of 2007.

"All the things he used to wonder: 'Why do we have to do this?' or 'How come we're doing that?' " Groh said. "Now it's like: 'Hey, Coach, what do you want me to do? I'm just glad to be back.' When that kind of a mentality hits a player, then I think it enriches their outlook on the game."

While he was suspended, Sewell lived in Charlottesville with three teammates, including Hall. He tutored middle school students. He worked with a high school football team. He resisted much media exposure and watched with pain when Virginia's quarterback situation deteriorated.

"It was just difficult because I feel like I started all that, basically," Sewell said. "I was the cause of so much instability. I'm not saying it was all me, but I did start at quarterback."

The quarterback who admitted that he was careless in the classroom now has aspirations to graduate. Questions about whether he would emerge eligible from summer courses have been answered. One final season and 20 more credits remain in his college career.

While Sewell kept near campus during the suspension, Cook stayed in his home town of Lynchburg, Va., and worked in a merchandise store factory. He ventured to Charlottesville only after home games to see Sewell and Hall. He watched two games on television, but they left a "sick feeling."

Cook often thought about football and how he would follow a different path if Groh welcomed him back on to the team.

"That's what coaching's about, and particularly what college coaching is about: Developing young people," Groh said. "I've made plenty of mistakes from which people gave me another chance. I'm just trying to give him the same thing that people gave me and that I've seen other people give. And if there's any goodness in a person or a willingness to be successful, then those are the people that you go with. There was never any decision."

Cook changed his number to No. 2, reportedly representing the second chance he received. He has worked with teammates and made more of an effort to remain eligible in class. Those teammates responded by picking Cook as one of the defense's four captains -- a tribute that Groh said speaks to Cook's rededication.

"I was going to be a leader regardless because of my situation," Cook said. "Trying to push everyone to better themselves and not slack off and not follow the same path I went through. Me being a captain, it made me realize what everyone thinks of me."

Sewell and Hall still live together; Cook moved but remains close. They have kept their long hair and their close bond, and disappointment about 2008 has given way to excitement for 2009.

"It might have been different," Hall said. "A couple outcomes may have been different. But they're back this year."

 

Making up for lost time
By Norm Wood
247-4642
August 27, 2009

As soon as Denzel Burrell saw Aaron Clark churning away on his freshly rehabilitated right knee on Virginia's practice fields during spring practice, Burrell knew he was going to be playing alongside a man possessed this coming fall.

Two days before the start of spring practice, Clark had been cleared to return to contact drills with the team. It had taken him just seven months to fully recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee — four or five months ahead of schedule for the average athlete. Clark clearly was trying to make up for lost time in the spring.

"I was just a little bit in his ear about 'Hey, slow down. Don't push it too much. This is only spring ball. We've got the season coming up'" said Burrell, who like Clark plays outside linebacker for the Cavaliers. "He was trying to go full-go. When he knew he couldn't, he would slow down and take himself out of the drills, but for the most part, as soon as he was ready he was out there going hard."

Clark's pace hasn't slowed down in August.

He's on target to start at outside linebacker in the Sept. 5 season opener against William & Mary. Though he's beginning his fifth-year senior season, Clark is still a neophyte in many ways. His on-field experience in his freshman through junior seasons was spent mainly on special teams and playing an occasional back-up role.

Clark's fortunes looked like they were about to change heading into last season. He earned the starting nod over Burrell for U.Va.'s season opener against No. 3 Southern California, but Clark's joy was short-lived. After recording five tackles, his season came to a halt when his right cleat got caught in the ground and his knee failed.

"For anybody that goes through something like that, it's always devastating," said Clark, a 6-foot-5, 248-pound native of Fairfield. "You work with your teammates through the whole offseason, just grinding and going so hard and pushing for something you expect is going to be there for three-to-four months. When it's gone, it's pretty hard to deal with."

Fortunately for Clark, he had never taken a redshirt season and he qualified for a medical redshirt because he hadn't played in four or more of U.Va.'s games last season. Being granted the extra season was the biggest gift he could've ever received.

"That was definitely comforting," said Clark, who added some of the toughest parts of his rehab involved strengthening his hamstring, a portion of which was used by doctors to rebuild his knee ligament. "I know if I'd have been in the same situation without having another year to fall back on I would've been probably completely devastated. I don't know what I would've done, but the fact I knew I would have a chance to play again was a big mental motivator to get back in the weight room and push and try to be a presence on the sideline as much as I could."

Clark stayed close to Burrell, who wound up starting in Clark's place, throughout the season. Burrell, a senior who also will start this fall, has a good idea of what Clark went through last season. In 2006, Burrell played in two games before blowing out a knee and missing the rest of the season. He wasn't back at 100 percent in time for '07 spring practices, which makes Clark's quick recovery all the more amazing to Burrell.

"I was definitely surprised how quickly he was back," Burrell said. "I know he wasn't really good about slowing down, because he's the type of guy you can't really tell him much."

U.Va. coach Al Groh witnessed how hard Clark played in the spring, but Groh wanted to see Clark do it this month, too. After the first few days of preseason practices, Groh was able to give an unequivocal evaluation on Clark's endurance and stamina.

"No issue," Groh said.

Though Clark doesn't have the benefit of ample experience, linebackers coach Bob Trott thinks Clark's time on the roster is an asset. In addition to Clark and Burrell, U.Va. will start another senior in Darren Childs at an inside linebacker spot right next to redshirt freshman Steve Greer. Clark, Burrell and Childs should be able to aid Greer's progression.

"I think these older players they understand the culture of Virginia defense," Trott said. "It's a big step up. They know how things work, so they can move their game to a higher level, and I think Aaron has done that and I think all of them have … Aaron has gone through the tough times. I'm really glad he's here."

 

Virginia linemen grow apart
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 27, 2009

In the week that led to Virginia’s duel with Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day 2008, much was made of the Red Raiders’ spread offense.

Those that manned the scout team for Virginia were noticing something different.

The splits that Texas tech used on the offensive line were enormous.

“It was scary at first, because we are on an island and you really don’t have anybody next to you when you are in a tight situation,” said right guard B.J. Cabbell. “But mainly it is all about confidence. If you are confident in your ability, you shouldn’t have a problem.”

Jack Shields had similar concerns initially.

“It was baffling at first,” said Shields, the Cavaliers’ starting center. “I had no idea how it would actually work.”

It certainly did for Texas Tech, as the Raiders upended the Cavaliers with a late-game rally.

Now in place at Virginia, new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon’s scheme moves the lineman apart, creating an added opportunity for plays to be made.

It is not something that is completely different from what Cavalier fans witnessed at times last year, according to Virginia offensive line coach Dave Borbely.

“We were in some of those splits a year ago,” said Borbely. “The conversion has not been burdensome at all. I don’t know that they are Texas Tech splits. They are big, but I have looked at Tech on film and when you watch them on film six years ago, [they were enormous].

“They have constricted and I would say we are similar, but not exact.”

Virginia welcomes back four starters on its offensive line, something that helps in the transformation.

The biggest issue in the new system, Borbely said, resides on the shoulders on the interior players that have limited experience.

“For some guys it is merely a confidence issue,” he said, “It puts you out there a little bit, but we always have someone accounted for what could happen.”

Blocking, regardless of the system employed, will be needed throughout the field, something that has been apparent with the wideouts.

“Our wide receivers have done a great job this year setting the edge and blocking downfield and breaking off patterns to block a guy and stay in his face,” Shields said. “If we can make blocks on the line and they continue to do that, the ball is going to pop and we are going to continue to get some big plays.”
 

Breaking down Virginia’s offensive line
By Jay Jenkins
Published: August 27, 2009

Left tackle
Landon Bradley
Sophomore — 6-foot-7, 275 pounds
The skinny: Jumping into a major role, Bradley replaces former All-American Eugene Monroe. He has a keen sense of understanding the field and defenses, according to teammates.

Left guard
Austin Pasztor
Sophomore — 6-foot-7, 315 pounds
The skinny: Few saw it coming, but Pasztor stole a starting spot last year and never let go. As a youngster, further progression is expected in his second season. “He can be tremendous,” said Virginia offensive line coach Dave Borbely. “He has all the tools.”

Right tackle
Will Barker
Senior — 6-foot-7, 320 pounds
The skinny: Barker has started 37 straight games, 12 more than any other player on the roster. A reliable player, Barker has added to his frame during his career and has been projected as high as the second round in next year’s draft.

Right guard
B.J. Cabbell
Junior — 6-foot-6, 305 pounds
The skinny: A new starter last year, Cabbell played in every game and continued to progress. He has drawn rave reviews from teammates for his improved footwork. “It is obvious,” said Barker. “He really has paid attention to it.”

Center
Jack Shields
Junior — 6-foot-5, 285 pounds
The skinny: Shields started 11 of Virginia’s 12 games last year. He missed the Virginia Tech contest but has reclaimed the starting spot.

Anthony Mihota
Sophomore — 6-foot-4, 275 pounds
The skinny: The former star at Massaponax High started Virginia’s game at Virginia Tech last year. He will continue to serve as the top reserve at center.

Billy Cuffee
Sophomore — 6-foot-5, 320 pounds
The skinny: Cuffee did not appear in a game last year, but provides depth at guard for the Cavaliers.

Isaac Cain
Junior — 6-foot-4, 300 pounds
The skinny: Having appeared in just two games, Cain would appear to be a roster body. Not so. He continues to impress and could see time at guard this year. “He has really stepped up his game,” Virginia offensive line coach Dave Borbely said.

Lamar Milstead
Sophomore — 6-foot-5,
285 pounds
The skinny: A prized prospect upon entry, Milstead continues to climb the depth chart. His biggest impact, however, is likely to come in 2010 after the departure of Barker.

Aaron Van Kuiken
RS Freshman — 6-foot-5, 305 pounds
The skinny: Knocking on the playing-time door, Van Kuiken has all the tools. He is running reps with the second team and could push for meaningful time before the season ends.
 

Matt Schaub discusses his relationship with Michael Vick
09:53 AM08.26 Posted By: Andrew Perloff SHARE COMMENTS (15)

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub joined the show to discuss his relationship with Michael Vick and more.

Schaub said that he got along well with Vick in Atlanta. "It was a good relationship," Schaub said. "We really worked well together getting ready for games. ... He's such a great guy."

Dan asked Schaub if recent reports that Vick didn't work hard.

"There were definitely signs of that," Schaub said. "He's such a phenomenal athlete. No matter what happened on the field, he could always overcome it with his athleticism. That was always his fall-back."

Dan asked if that bothered Schaub when he was in Atlanta.

"Definitely," Schaub said. "It got to that point, in my second or third year, where guys took more notice of it. We were in a position to have a really successful season."

Schaub said that he wanted to say something as early as his first season, but at first, couldn't.

"When I was a rookie, I wasn't going to say anything," Schaub said. "I'm a rookie, what do I know?"

Later, Schaub said he tried to encourage Vick to stay a bit longer at practice and in the video room. But it didn't necessarily work. "You can only say so much to someone until a light clicks in their brain," Schaub said.

Schaub also commented on his former teammate Sage Rosenfels. Schaub said that Rosenfels will handle the Brett Favre situation very well in Minnesota.


 

Ex-Virginia standout Canty used new blood treatment for hamstring
By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer
5:51 p.m. EDT, August 26, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty, a former standout at the University of Virginia, was so frustrated that his torn hamstring wasn't improving after more than two weeks that he turned to a relatively new medical approach -- platelet rich plasma therapy.

The treatment has gained notice in the past year after Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward used it on his sprained right knee to help him play in the Steelers' Super Bowl win over Arizona in February.

During the 30-minute procedure, a tube of a patient's blood is taken and put it in a centrifuge and spun, producing concentrated platelets, which contain growth factors that accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.

The platelets are then injected into the injury site.

"Normally what happens in the body when you tear a muscle, there is some bleeding at that site and the muscle knows it is injured and sends signals to the body to bring in added blood supply and nutrients to that area to heal," said Dr. Victor Khabie in a telephone interview.

"With this, we give a more concentrated dose of these cell mediators in that spot and hopefully, it accelerates healing and brings more of the healing cells to that area," said Khabie, who is co-chief of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

Canty had the treatment on Monday and was jogging on the sidelines on Wednesday as the Giants returned to their headquarters to resume training camp after more than three weeks at the University at Albany.

"It (the hamstring) wasn't as painful, it wasn't as tight, and particularly when you're moving around because that's when you can really tell," said Canty, who signed a six-year, $42 million contract as a free agent in the offseason. "You can maybe feel all right walking, but you don't play football walking. You have to sprint and you have to be able to do athletic movements, that's the real test."

Canty, who has not practiced since Aug. 8, discussed the treatment with the Giants medical staff last week and they decided to take the aggressive option.

"I just wanted to exhaust all options," Canty said. "I understand that the body needs time to heal and I wanted to do as much on my end and they wanted to do as much on their end to get me back on the football field."

Canty said the worst part was having the blood drawn.

"I was a little squeamish when I saw the tube of blood they took out of me. That thing was huge," Canty said.

Khabie said the treatment costs about $1,000, and that most insurance policies do not cover it for the average weekend warrior.

The big concern for Canty and the Giants will be how the 26-year-old feels on Thursday. He is not used to missing football games. He didn't miss a game in four seasons with the Cowboys, and now he already has missed two preseason contests with New York.

He also is learning a new defense (4-3) for the first time in a decade.

Canty remains hopeful that he will be ready for the season opener against Washington on Sept. 13 and for Week 2, when the Giants travel to Dallas to face his old team.

Khabie said that the success Ward had with platelet rich plasma therapy has helped the treatment catch on.

"I believe Hines Ward injured his medial collateral ligament in his knee several weeks before the Super Bowl and wasn't healing," Khabie said. "He had this injection done I believe a few weeks before the Super Bowl and reports and in interviews with him, he said it was the reason he was able to play in the Super Bowl."

Khabie said the treatment is not blood doping and that the NFL considers it medical treatment to be used by team physicians at their discretion.

"This sort of takes things a step up, where you are giving a shot of your own cells that are concentrated into a healing mode and are injected to stimulate the body to heal," he said. "That's why this is becoming attractive to sports doctors and athletes, and not just pro athletes. We are starting to see weekend warriors, tennis players, golfers, various athletes come in and ask about it."

Khabie, however, warned the treatment is still experimental.

"The early results and case reports, it appears it is promising," he said

Hoops schedule soft for VT, U.Va.
David Teel
August 27, 2009

Practice doesn't start for more than a month, games for more than two. But with late summer's football clamor in full-throated roar, Tuesday's unveiling of the ACC basketball schedule was blessed relief for incurable hoops hounds.

Parsing schedules of any ilk is perilous, of course. Injuries, suspensions, mystery transfers: You never know.

A seemingly harmless home game against North Backwater Polytechnic could become more perilous than a road test at North Carolina. Well, maybe not, but you get the picture.

Regardless, it's still intriguing to examine schedules, especially the non-conference portions, for trends, philosophies and motives.

Generally, most ACC programs — scheduling is a joint venture between coaches and administrators — seem to understand that quality of non-league opposition is paramount to the NCAA tournament selection committee, a priority that's unlikely to change.

Specifically, the most drastic potential changes occurred at Virginia, North Carolina State, Boston College and Wake Forest. North Carolina and Duke, meanwhile, continued to schedule ambitiously and imaginatively.

First, Virginia and new coach Tony Bennett. After an 11th-place finish that prompted Dave Leitao's exit, the Cavaliers had every reason to scale back. Sure enough, they did.

Last season, Virginia's outside schedule ranked 39th nationally, second to Duke's among ACC teams, according to Collegerpi.com. This season's lineup will pale, unless New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rider, Oral Roberts, UNC Wilmington, Texas-Pan American, South Florida, Stanford and Longwood are worlds better than a year ago.

Conversely, Virginia Tech appears to have mirrored its pedestrian non-conference schedule of 2008-09, which ranked 160th among 343. The highlights are Temple, which made last season's NCAA tournament, and Penn State, which returns three starters and five reserves from its NIT champions.

Those games are on the road, and I can't imagine any season-ticket holders inspired by home dates against Brown, UNC Greensboro, Georgia, VMI, Charleston Southern, Maryland-Baltimore County, Longwood and North Carolina Central.

No ACC team played lamer outside competition last season than North Carolina State (No. 317). But this season, perhaps defining for Coach Sidney Lowe, the Wolfpack hosts Florida and ventures to Marquette and Arizona, the latter coached by former N.C. State assistant Sean Miller.

Wake Forest, No. 268 last season, faces seemingly difficult games against Purdue and Gonzaga on the road, and Xavier at home. Boston College, 211th last season, plays credible games against Providence, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Saint Joseph's and Michigan, and could encounter Purdue at a tournament in Puerto Rico.

Recession notwithstanding, ACC teams will travel extensively, and not by Greyhound. Virginia and Virginia Tech, more than a month apart, head to Cancun, Mexico; Maryland plays in the prestigious Maui Invitational, Clemson at a tournament in Anaheim, Calif., Georgia Tech at an event in Puerto Rico — not the same one as Boston College.

All that said, the conference's heavyweights scheduled the most intriguing games.

In addition to its assigned Final Four rematch against Michigan State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, reigning national champion North Carolina faces Ohio State and either California or Syracuse in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Moreover, the Tar Heels travel to the College of Charleston, guided by former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins, and Texas. The Heels and Horns play Dec. 19 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, where presumably Jerry Jones' video screen won't impede any Deon Thompson jump shots.

With games against St. John's, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Long Beach State, Georgetown and Tulsa, Duke crafted the ACC's most eclectic schedule. In his standard nod to big-city donors and recruits, Coach Mike Krzyzewski has his Blue Devils headed to New York (Gonzaga) and Chicago (Iowa State).

Presuming it advances two rounds, Duke could have a second trip to New York, for the NIT Season Tip-off. Possible opponents would include Connecticut and Arizona State.

Also typical of Krzyzewski: The Blue Devils, hoping to prepare for the NCAA tournament, are the only ACC team to play a meaningful non-conference game after mid-January: at Georgetown on Jan. 30 and home against Tulsa on Feb. 25.

Just don't forget Dec. 21. NJIT, 1-30 last season, at Virginia. Game tips at 7 p.m. Plenty of tickets available.

 

Gelnovatch snags conference’s top recruiting class
Team ranked second in ACC behind UNC; Promising stock of freshmen aim to upstage last season’s stellar rookie group
Nick Eilerson, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, August 27 2009

Sophomore Tony Tchani garnered ACC Freshman of the Year honors last season after leading Virginia with nine goals in an injury-shortened fall. This year’s freshman class will look to pick up where Tchani left off. When the nine ACC men’s soccer head coaches ranked Virginia second in the preseason poll, ahead of the likes of Wake Forest and defending national champion Maryland, they had to be thinking about the return of the Cavaliers’ top six goal scorers from a year ago. They also must have realized Virginia only graduated two players and that one of the nation’s top midfielders, sophomore Tony Tchani, is fully recovered from his knee injury and poised to back up his ACC Freshman of the Year performance. What they might not have considered when ranking Virginia behind North Carolina in the preseason polls is the Cavaliers’ incoming recruiting class, a group capable of making immediate contributions to an already talented team.

After landing one of the country’s top recruiting classes last year — one that included Tchani, forwards Chris Agorsor and Brian Ownby, midfielder Jimmy Simpson and defender Hunter Jumper — coach George Gelnovatch once again used his recruiting prowess to bring in the conference’s highest rated group of incoming freshmen this year. Will Bates, Ahkeel Rodney, Shane Cooke, Sean Murnane, Marcus Douglas and Will Whorton all appear to possess the outstanding credentials to make them some of the most highly touted soccer players on the East Coast.

One of central Virginia’s most promising talents, forward Will Bates, was instrumental in leading Thomas Dale High School to two state championship titles. He tallied 47 goals and 46 assists in his high school career and dominated opponents with a rare combination of size, strength and speed. Having played for the U-15, U-17 and U-18 U.S. national teams, Bates has what it takes to quickly become one of the Cavaliers’ top players.

“When I come in, whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I just want to bring excitement to the team, bring energy on the field and score some goals,” Bates said.

Like Bates, 6-foot-1 forward Ahkeel Rodney, is used to putting up big numbers, notching 74 goals and 52 assists in high school. A 2008 All-American selection and Newsday’s Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, the Elmont, New York native is known for his blazing speed, powerful shot and incomparable work ethic. He was a member of the U-18 U.S. national team and was even invited to play with the U-20 national team in a tournament in Mexico in January. He totaled three starts in the five-game tournament and scored a goal in the team’s 2-0 win against Mexican club team Santos. Although capable of playing just about any position, Rodney is expected to make immediate contributions as either an attacking midfielder or forward for the Cavaliers.

Shane Cooke, the lanky 6-foot-2 forward from Warrenton, Va., completes the trio of incoming Cavalier strikers. Known for his strong technical ability and size, Cooke holds the Liberty High School record for most goals in a season and in a game and was named the 2007 D.C. United Academy Player of the Year. Also a member of the U-18 national team, he traveled with the team to a tournament in France, where he scored his first international goal against Turkey.

A midfielder capable of playing almost any position, Sean Murnane is currently training with the Cavaliers as a defensive midfielder. The Centreville, Va. native was a Virginia State Gatorade Player of the Year nominee in 2008 and was a captain of the D.C. United Academy U-18 squad. Listed on TopDrawerSoccer’s “Players to Watch in 2009,” Murnane is another player expected to make immediate contributions to the Cavaliers.

Despite his credentials, Murnane admits to being relatively unaccustomed to the high level of competition prevalent in Division I soccer and has already noted the difference in speed and physicality.

“We’re playing some big guys out there,” Murnane said. “The ball speed, how fast you have to move it around and everything, has picked up a lot.”

Marcus Douglas, a midfielder from Washington, D.C., is a versatile player who played forward all four years of high school but was recruited to play as a midfielder for Virginia. Douglas was a two-time first team all-conference selection, second team all-metro selection in high school and recently co-captained the Virginia State team that travelled to Germany.

Rounding out Virginia’s outstanding recruiting class is Will Whorton, a 6-foot-1 goalkeeper from Atlanta, Ga. Whorton was the starting keeper for his Norcross Fury club team which is currently ranked as No. 1 in the state of Georgia. He is training alongside current Cavalier keepers junior Diego Restrepo and sophomore Matt Owen.

Thus far, the consensus among the freshmen is that their older teammates are doing their best to make them feel right at home.
“I just try to demonstrate good leadership and a good work ethic to freshmen so that they can see what’s going to be asked of them the next three years of their lives,” senior team captain Ross LaBauex said. “I just try to pick people up when they make mistakes and I think that helps a lot with the young guys. If I do that, I think they’ll respect me and we’ll respect each other, and that’s how teams win championships.”

Two exhibition shortcomings — a 1-0 loss to George Mason and a 3-1 loss to Old Dominion — might not seem promising to a team with championship aspirations, but Cavalier players, particularly the freshmen, remain optimistic that they are making significant progress in the preseason.

“We’re trying to learn a new system, which has been tough,” Murnane said. “There’s been good things that have come out of both games, minus the score. We’re working on it everyday, so by the time the season rolls around, and hopefully by the WVU game, we’ll be ready to go.”

The young group’s next test comes Saturday at 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium when they face the Mountaineers of West Virginia. Though it is only an exhibition, the Cavaliers are taking the game quite seriously, as it has the potential to set the tone for the upcoming regular season, which begins Sept. 4.
 

Virginia shoots for consistency, road success in rebuilding year
After erratic conference play last fall, team looks to improve in second season with coach Lees Maes; departure of three starters will hinder squad’s offense
Abbey Lou Hendricks, Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, August 27 2009

Sophomore Simone Asque was named to the preseason All-ACC Team this fall. The outside hitter earned All-Freshman Team honors during her debut season. As the Virginia women’s volleyball team gears up for the Texas A&M Invitational, the squad hopes to put together a more consistent season than its last. In 2008, the Cavaliers only won slightly more than half their games and finished a disappointing 9-11 in the ACC, but with the addition of three promising freshmen, fans are looking for a marked improvement.

To accomplish this, the Cavaliers will need to translate their consistency at home to gyms outside Charlottesville, after winning just one-third of their road games last fall. Despite its 17-15 record last season, Virginia managed to boast impressive statistics on both offense and defense — and also will need to keep those numbers up to see success in 2009.

The Virginia offense contributed 12.1 kills per set last year, and the Cavaliers tallied 162 aces, averaging 1.3 aces per set. Defensively, Virginia spent quality time diving across the floor, recording 16.3 digs per set. The tall front line, meanwhile, acted as a dominant wall, blocking 2.4 attacks per game.

This year, though, the Cavaliers will be forced to rebuild their offense after losing a setter, middle hitter and outside hitter from last year’s squad. Part-time setters Marlow Bruneau, who managed 689 assists in only 18 starts, and Kelly Irvin are no longer with the team. A regular setter, middle hitter Shannon Davis, also will be severely missed after notching 251 kills last year. Outside hitter Beth Shelton, who also was on the front line, contributed 245 kills of her own.

Virginia coach Lee Maes will look to several prominent freshmen to fill in the gaps. Rachel Gray will take on the open spot at setter, making opportunities for big plays from the new middle hitters, freshmen Tobi Farrar and Jessica O’Shoney. At 6-foot-3, Farrar adds height that Virginia has lacked previously. She and O’Shoney could form a powerful blocking combination.

The 2009 recruiting class is ranked No. 15 nationally, the highest-ranked nationally recruiting class Virginia volleyball has ever drawn.

“They have shown incredible attitude, incredible effort,” Maes said. “These freshmen will contribute significantly in the quickly approaching season.”

Now in its second season using Maes’ system, the team hopes to see fewer erratic performances.

“We have a lot more confidence coming into practice,” sophomore outside hitter Simone Asque said.

A great deal of communication between teammates and coaches also could offer benefits, as the players spent a “very, very productive preseason together,” Maes said. Before conference play begins, the team will travel to Texas and Nebraska for tournaments, which Maes said should help the team come together. Later this year, the Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup Tournament will present another challenge for the squad to overcome. Additionally, the team also will host the Marriott Cavalier Invitational, which will showcase Villanova, Albany and ACC rival Virginia Tech.

Because of the recruiting class’s high ranking, the Cavaliers hope they are prepared to tackle a grueling stretch of ACC games at the end of September, even without several of last year’s team’s vital cogs.

“Our main goal is [winning] an ACC championship,” senior outside hitter Lauren Dickson said.
 

Boo Hoos
Paul Montana
Published: Thursday, August 27 2009

Like several of you, I went to the Girl Talk concert Saturday night. I was hoping to make it in time to hear Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett and football coach Al Groh speak to the crowd; I did not.

I was disappointed to miss Bennett. I was happy to miss Groh. And probably not for the reason you think.

It’s not that I’m glad to miss Groh, per se. It’s the reception he received — or so I have been told — by those in attendance at John Paul Jones Arena that I am relieved not to have witnessed. From what I heard, the boos were as loud or louder than the cheers. Frankly, I am appalled.

I, too, am frustrated by the performance of the football team in recent years. I, too, expect better than 5-7. But to show such disrespect for a man who lives and breathes Virginia, for a guy whose life achievements as a coach are awe-inspiring, for someone who wants the Virginia football team to win as much as or more than anyone, and moreover, for an alumnus of this University, is entirely unwarranted.

I could make a heck of a case that, in fact, Groh’s best year as Virginia’s coach during the last three years was 2008, when Virginia went 5-7, not the year before when the Cavs went 9-4 and made the Gator Bowl. But that is irrelevant to the point.

How would you like to walk into an arena filled with the students whom you spend your life representing, and they simply dismiss you like the scum of the Earth? I don’t care how many millions of dollars Groh makes. I don’t care how bad his teams have been. Just because he has been to the NFL and back doesn’t mean he’s invincible and can’t get his feelings hurt.

Let me be clear: I am in no way saying that we should never be critical of a coach. Heck, I have on several occasions disagreed in this newspaper with his decision-making. For example, I don’t think Peter Lalich should have started against Richmond last year. And let me add to that: I think Groh should redshirt his freshmen more. Yesterday on a media teleconference, he said he has no reservations about quarterback Vic Hall also returning punts; I have many.

But there are ways to voice your criticism, and there are ways not to. Booing Groh when he is going out of his way to address you, the student body, is immature and unbecoming of a University student. You want to make your voice heard? Post on one of numerous free message boards. Write an e-mail.

It’s the same reason that on Virginia’s weekly radio show with Al Groh, the University has elected to no longer take callers. It’s because rather than asking respectful questions, fans were calling in and simply berating Groh. They decided to drop the callers, and I don’t blame them.

And you know what is the most laughable part about it? That this blatant disrespect is coming from Cavalier fans.

The majority of Wahoo students, in my estimation, don’t go to the football games because they have a thirst for football. They go because it is a social event. They go so they can tailgate and wear sundresses and shirts and ties. There are University students who really do know the team, but I would venture to say that they are in the minority.

So, of the people that jeered Groh, I would guess that many of you don’t know that Vic Hall may start at quarterback this year, or even who Vic Hall is. I would bet you can’t pull the name of Virginia’s new offensive coordinator or special teams coach — Gregg Brandon and Ron Prince, respectively — and no, I did not just look up those names. Fans are booing Groh for what they see as a flawed past, and yet many don’t know how he has already addressed many issues with his team.

I have never been too enthusiastic about the Virginia fan base. I wish more people around here would treat athletic events as opportunities to follow their teams as opposed to opportunities to socialize. I prefer chest paint to formal wear. That’s the culture of this University, and I have come to terms with that. But to then turn around and be disrespectful and degrading toward the football coach is nothing short of two-faced. You don’t care most of the time, but when the head coach comes to speak to you, you care enough to degrade him.

I’m not Al Groh’s personal cheerleader. I have my own opinions that differ from his, too. But when I am critical, I try to have a certain amount of respect for a guy who has been coaching football for longer than I’ve been alive — never mind the kind of respect that one University alum might show another.
 

Colonel now coach and cop
Former William Fleming and UVa standout Jermaine Hardy is in his second year of lending his expertise to his old high school football team.
By John A. Montgomery
Special to The Roanoke Times

As a Roanoke County police officer working the night shift, Jermaine Hardy responds when called upon. He patrols his assigned area, makes his required security checks, offers backup when needed.

He hopes for the best, but prepares for the worst.

In many ways, it's not much different than his days as a cornerback and safety -- roles in which he performed admirably at William Fleming High School, Hargrave Military Academy and the University of Virginia. Hardy also played professional football -- cups of coffee with Arizona and Carolina in the NFL, a stint with the Rhein Fire in Dusseldorf, Germany, a 10-game run with an Arena Football League team on Long Island, the New York Dragons, before calling it quits.

His fondest NFL memory? Playing three games for Carolina in 2005 and forcing a fumble on a kickoff in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Now back in Roanoke, Hardy is a recent police academy graduate. He formally became an officer at the start of this year after completing a 22-week program. He works from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m., sleeps a few hours and then joins the Fleming football team for its afternoon football practices.

Hardy serves as running backs coach and assists with the DBs. It's been 10 seasons since Hardy wore the blue and gold, but he remembers the experience well. The Colonels, particularly head coach Rob Senseney, believe Hardy can bring a message to the team that few other coaches can share.

"I think they know that I played football at the highest level," Hardy said.

Most importantly, Hardy shares his experience of learning the hard way.

"I don't think I could have made it [academically] in college without going to Hargrave because I wasn't mature, I didn't know how to study, I wasn't taking care of business in the classroom," he said. "I talk to these [current Fleming players] and tell them they need to get their act together and get what they need to be successful here at Fleming.

"I want to give them a better direction. They can come to me and talk any time after practice."

This is Hardy's second year on the Colonels staff. He coached part-time in 2007, but then missed last year while enrolled in the police academy.

"My coaching style is that you don't ever want to back down," he said. "Never give up."

Hardy lettered in track and basketball twice each at Fleming, earning all-Northwest Region honors in basketball.

But it was in football where he became a two-way star for the Colonels in the late 1990s. His senior year, he was named the Group AAA defensive player of the year for his aggressive nature and simultaneously led the state in his classification in rushing (2,081 yards on 260 carries).

His offensive stats, under the tutelage of George "Kila" Miller, were outstanding: 8 yards per carry, 26 total touchdowns, 12 receptions for an average of 18 yards per catch. He also participated in 123 tackles and intercepted three passes.

No wonder Hardy was the only player in the state of Virginia that year to make first-team Group AAA at two different positions.

He committed to UVa while George Welsh was the head coach. But when Welsh retired, Hardy "de-committed." UVa had long been a dream, but he wasn't sure Virginia was for him without Welsh, who had been a mainstay for nearly two decades.

It wasn't long before the Cavs' new coach, Al Groh, visited Hardy at Hargrave and convinced him to change his mind again.

"Coach Groh said all the right stuff," Hardy said.

The concept of putting players' names on the backs of jerseys was just one of the tweaks Groh brought to Charlottesville from his prior years of NFL experience, but it had particular appeal to Hardy.

"He had me right there," Hardy said.

Hardy said Groh was "a hard coach, a stern coach."

"It was his way or the highway; he wanted things right," Hardy said.

Hardy played cornerback his first two years at Virginia. When safety Jerton Evans graduated, Hardy went to Groh and asked for the chance to fill Evans' position. Groh told Hardy that if he thought he could do it, he would earn a shot. Hardy made the most of his opportunity and started at safety his last two seasons.

Hardy had posters in his locker at Virginia of two players he admired -- Deion Sanders and ex-Cavalier Anthony Poindexter.

"I always said I wanted to hit like Anthony Poindexter and cover like Deion," he said. "But when UVa hired Poindexter as a graduate assistant while I was still playing, I took his poster down before he got to the locker room."

As a policeman, Hardy is able to use his physical training and also draw on his academic background; he was a psychology major.

"That helps you talk to people," he said. "It allows you to calm people down a little bit."

In his eight months on the force, most of Hardy's police work has been of the routine variety -- responding to disturbances, domestic disputes, the occasional DUI.

But he said his physical shape is comparable to the best it's ever been.

"The training is different than football," he said. "In football, you know you're going to do 20 push-ups or whatever. As a policeman, you're trained for endurance, not to quit, to fight for your life if necessary. There's also a big emphasis on teamwork. You've got to watch your partner's back."

Fleming players can be confident this season that during practice and games, Hardy will be doing just that.
 

Brandenburg headed to Colgate
By Whitey Reid
Published: August 26, 2009

Former Virginia big man John Brandenburg, who left the school in July for unspecified personal reasons, is transferring to Colgate, The Daily Progress learned on Wednesday.

Brandenburg could not be reached for comment, but Colgate coach Emmett Davis confirmed the move.

“We’re really excited,” Davis said. “I watched John play when he was a rising senior and was very, very interested in him as a player, as so many people were.

“He’s a kid who has a terrific upside. We need some inside help, so we expect him to be a real fine player for us.”

As a freshman for UVa last season, Brandenburg was beaten out for playing time by 7-foot teammate Assane Sene, a fellow first-year.

Brandenburg, a 6-foot-11, 241-pounder, averaged just 1.0 points and 0.8 rebounds in eight games, averaging only 3.3 minutes of action.

However, the St. Louis native was a 4-star recruit coming out of

De Smet Jesuit High and was viewed as a player with a ton of potential. At the time, Brandenburg, a very good student, selected Virginia over Stanford.

The most notable play of Brandenburg’s Cavalier career came in the waning minutes of an ugly loss at Clemson when he blocked the shot of the Tigers’ Demontez Stitt, then was hit with a technical foul for taunting Stitt.

Colgate finished 10-20 last season, including a 5-9 mark in the Patriot League. The school’s most heralded player in recent years was former star center Adonal Foyle, a first-round draft choice of the Golden State Warriors in 1997.

Davis has some experience in developing talented big men. When he was an assistant coach at Navy, he worked with former Midshipmen star David Robinson, who went on to a Hall of Fame NBA career.

“I think he can be an impact player for us,” said Davis, referring to Brandenburg. “We were in the [Patriot League] championship two years ago. We feel a player like John can help us get back there and maybe this time get over the top and push us into the field of 64.”

Per NCAA rules, Brandenburg will have to sit out this season, but should be eligible for the 2010-11 campaign.

Davis wasn’t exactly sure why things didn’t work out for Brandenburg at Virginia.

“I think he’d be the person to talk about that,” he said. “I expect him to be a terrific player for us … I really don’t know what the situation was down there.”