University of Virginia Library

From The Sidelines

Booters,
Hooters,
& Turtles

By Hugh Antrim

Paul Reid (60) Voted 'Have Helmet Will Hit' Award By Teammates For Third Time

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS from which to choose in
attempting to fill this space, and most appropriately the Virginia
soccer team comes to mind first. The booters have just concluded
a brilliant campaign, 9-1-2, that included an Atlantic Coast
Conference championship, co-championship of the State, and a
trip to the much NCAA Soccer Championships.

Coaches Burris, Faulconer, and Lewis have done an incredible
job with the individuals on the soccer team, developing that
squad into a regional power a feat somewhat uncommon in
Charlottesville. The soccer team boasts youth; and with the whole
front line returning next year, the future is bright. A replacement
for Danny Abramson in the goal is of prime importance, however.
Abramson, behind a solid defense, has done much to stymie
opponents all season, most notably that 2-2 tie with Maryland.

The upshot of it all is that the minor sports will be getting
some of the credit and publicity they deserve. The soccer team,
dressed in baseball sox and lacrosse pants, have finally pointed
out to the rest of us that athletes (not on scholarship) can get the
job done, and probably have a good time in the process.

* * *

AND THE BOOT THE HOOT campaign is off and running.
It's not that we couldn't forecast it. It's just that the whole
gesture is so poorly timed and so sadly unfair.

Last year this page gave vent to much criticism toward Coach
Gibson, but last year was indeed last year. If Bill Gibson is on the
line, some new evidence might help the new attack to a little
more legitimacy. Those civic minded geniuses initiating the
campaign have neglected to consider the impact of their fun.
Supposedly the button producers, by dismissing Mr. Gibson,
would be treating the University to a better basketball program.
Maybe, maybe not, but to submit a coach to such controversy,
two weeks before the season even begins, is a bit on the ridiculous
side.

NO ARGUMENTS ARE forthcoming; apparently those
sporting the 0.25 buttons (somebody trying to make money)
seek to display their opinion in silence. The members of the
basketball team, in the meanwhile, are being betrayed. They have
been working and working hard in preparation. What team unity
the coaching staff and players have been trying to establish could
be easily and needlessly jeopardized by all this civic-mindedness.

* * *

AND LAST, BUT HOPEFULLY not least, the Wahoos travel
to College Park Saturday to try to salvage what they can from a
disappointing season. One of the few winning traditions around
here as far as football goes concerns the Maryland game, but
traditions are becoming increasingly fragile. A win Saturday
would do much to foster the hope that all the misery and
misfortune suffered over the several past weeks is a result of hard
luck and ill-timed mistakes, not as a consequence of a lack of
basic talent and desire.

It's a pretty corny thing to talk about "getting up for a game.
After all, the argument goes that college football is professional.
and that professionalism leads to indifference. But if "getting up"
inspires confidence and concern, then it's probably a good idea.

Paul Reid, noted linebacker, simply stated, "We're just getting
mad ... come to Maryland Saturday and you'll see us win." Well,
with this in mind, we will cross our fingers, forget the last five
weeks, smile, and trip on up to College Park.