University of Virginia Library

U Hall Circus

Even before the Cavaliers started their late
season win streak, University Hall always gave
you 100 cents for your entertainment dollar.
Patrons never had to be dismayed if the
basketball team was dropping another one; it's
a three-ring circus over there and if you don't
like the action in the center ring (i.e. the
basketball game) you can watch the peripheral
acts or the menagerie displays. U Hall always
leaves you laughing.

Like daredevil acts in your circus? How
about the courage of 10 basketball players
slipping, sliding and ruining their knees trying
to avoid the debris tossed to the court by the
spirited home crowd? For those who prefer
epic battle scenes, U Hall provides the sight of
hundreds of screaming little kids mauling and
attacking the cheerleaders when they bring
the miniature basketballs out onto the court at
halftime. And speaking of halftime - what
feature could top the pathos to the two little
kids the Athletic Department allows (asks?
hires?) to bashfully shoot baskets while the
big guys are in the dressing room. The typical
ACC referee makes a great clown, even though
his makeup and costume leave something to
be desired. The animal acts are superb. Just
last night, some thoughtful Cavalier supporter
threw a dead squirrel out onto the court. It
entertained the fans, and it certainly must
have given the team a big boost.

Yes, its certainly loads of fun to watch the
circus over at University Hall. But it occurs to
us that the place was built for basketball; it
appears that a basketball team indeed plays
there. The sooner the circus act departs, the
sooner the University will lose its deserved
reputation as a whistle stop on the bush
league circuit.