An Insider’s Look at Virginia

The official nickname of Virginia is Cavellier but they are also known as the Wahoos or just ‘Hoos. According to the UVa media guide, “legend has it that the Washington & Lee fans dubbed the Virginia players “Wahoos” during the fiercely contested rivalry that existed between the two teams in the 1890s. Over time, “Wahoo”s has come to refer to University students or events relating to them, and has been shortened to the more popular “Hoos” of recent years.

According to Cal team videographer James, a graduate of Virginia, a wahoo is a fish that can drink twice its body weight in water and the fans were termed “Wahoos” because they were quite inebriated during a Virginia sporting event.

Here are some more random facts about Virginia that James shared with me:
There’s an honor code at Virginia which extends to the town and county. If anyone is caught lying, cheating or stealing, they are expelled from school (following a hearing that is). It stems from a murder of a professor in the late 1800s that no one would fess up to)

Thomas Jefferson designed the heart of campus, which is affectionately known as the “lawn.”

There are no freshmen, sophomores, junior or seniors but first through fourth years. Credit to Jefferson on this one again for he thought that one never stopped learning.

UVa is home to the JAG school.

The original colors of the school were maroon and silver.

The logo was designed by the son of a former football coach.

Virginia Notes Q&A Style

Q: How Did They Get Here?
A: The Cavs earned an at-large berth after finished tied for fifth in the ACC (8-6) and advancing to the quarterfinals of the league tournament.

Q: What does Virginia forward Lyndra Littles think of Cal?
A: “I think California is a good team. I think they are a little more athletics. I think they are a more up-tempo team. I think they match up well against us.” (Quote from Saturday night press conference)

Q: What did UVa do in last year’s NCAA Tournament?
A: It advanced to the second round, but lost at ODU, 88-85 in overtime.

Q: Is there any history between Virginia and California?
A: Yes, the ’Hoos hold an 2-0 all-time advantage over the Bears. The teams last met In 1998.

Q: What’s the coaching and staff connection between the Cavs and Bears>?
A: Cal first-year assistant coach Jennifer Hoover spent a years as the director of operations for Virginia before being promoted to assistant coach, a position which she held for three seasons (2004-07). Cal team video coordinator James Rogol attended and worked at UVA for six years combined.

Q: Have both teams taken any trips abroad recently?
A: Yes! Both teams have traveled to the continent of Africa in the past two years. The Golden Bears went to Senegal and Tunisia in 2008, which you can read about here in the blog archive on CalBears.com. The ’Hoos took a 10-day trip to Senegal and the Canary Islands in May of 2007.
http://www.calbears.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/cal-wbaskbl-africa-blogs.html

Q: What’s Virginia’s history in the Tournament?
A: Virginia, making its 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance, improved to 33-22 all-time in the tournament.

Q: Can you give me some notes about UVa in the first round this year?
A: Absolutely!
Virginia is looking to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2000.

Senior center Aisha Mohammed had her 14th double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Her 14 boards were her 15th double-digit rebound effort of the season and the eighth with at least 14 rebounds.

Virginia trailed at the half for the 15th time this year and came back to win for the ninth time in those 15 games.