I attended my first football game at the University of Virginia when I was three months old. My grandpa, a UVA alumnus, was on the coaching staff at the time. It became my childhood dream to attend UVA like he did. Eighteen years later, I found myself watching our football team from the student section at Scott Stadium, proudly wearing his UVA tie. I cherish memories of college tailgates with friends, standing on “the Hill” in the stadium, and calling my grandparents after every game.

Years have passed, and though I can no longer call my grandparents after games, the ‘Hoos remain a significant part of my life. I proposed to my wife, whom I met at UVA, after attending a basketball game in Charlottesville in 2020 (despite the game loss, I felt like a winner that day!). Every holiday season, we decorate a tree with UVA ornaments, many of which belonged to my grandma. Although we now reside in North Carolina, we proudly hold Virginia basketball season tickets and make the trip for as many games as possible. My orange and blue blood is just as warm today as it was at that first game in 1989.