Virginia Offers Numerous Open Practice Dates

Check out Christian Olsen and the Cavaliers before the season kicks off.

UVa has released the open practice schedule for fall training camp and there are a ton of opportunities for Hoo fans to see the team prepare for the 2006 season. Here's the list of remaining open dates:

Training Camp Open Practices
Date - Time Practice Begins

• 8/11 Fri. - 2:30 p.m.
• 8/12 Sat. (2) - 8:45 a.m.
• 8/12 Sat. (2) - 6:45 p.m.
• 8/13 Sun. - 2:30 p.m.
• 8/18 Fri. - 2:30 p.m.
• 8/19 Sat. (2) - 8:45 a.m.
• 8/19 Sat. (2) - 6:45 p.m.

As in years past, all media and fans attending an open practice are asked to check in at the reception desk in the football office of the McCue Center to pick up a pass for access to the practice field. If no one is at the reception desk, go to the designated gate at the practice field to pick up a pass. Visitors must stay in the designated areas assigned for media and fans.

Vic Hall during last year's Meet the Team Day event.

Also, don't forget that the popular "Meet the Team Day" is set for Thursday, Aug. 17. At "Meet the Team Day", Cavalier fans will have the chance to interact with the players on Virginia's 2006 squad and head coach Al Groh. The event is being held at Scott Stadium. Players will be available for photos and autographs from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. Gates to the stadium will open at 3 p.m. The UVa Cheerleaders, the Cavalier, and his horse, Sabre, will be in attendance as well.

There will also be copies of the 2006 Cavalier Football schedule poster, schedule magnet, and schedule cards available for fans. The latest UVa gear and merchandise will be available for purchase as well. Plus, concession stands will operate to accommodate fans in attendance. Door prizes will also be given away.

Parking is free for the event and fans are encouraged to use the west side gate, which will serve as the entrance for the event.

Kris Wright
TheSabre.com
Editor

UVa lands two commitments .

Virginia commitments QB Peter Lalich RB Max Milien WR Chase Minnifield TE Mark Ambrose OL Brad Hallick DT Nick Jenkins LB Jared Detrick LB Terence Fells-Danzer LB Aaron Taliaferro DB Dom Joseph S J'Courtney Williams ATH Andrew Devlin OL/DL Anthony Mihota

After a strong spring, UVa football recruiting had been stagnant for most of the summer. Until last week, that is. The Cavs picked up two more commitments at the end of the week to bring their total to 13 verbal commitments for the 2007 recruiting class.

The first to commit was Massaponax (Fredericksburg, VA) OL/DL Anthony Mihota. Mihota is a 6-5, 270-pound prospect who played along the offensive line and defensive line last season as a junior. From the defensive tackle spot, he recorded four sacks against Hampton's Tyrod Taylor in the Division 5A semifinal contest.

Mihota participated in UVa's camp earlier this summer. He was placed then at defensive end, but is being recruited more as a jumbo athlete at this point. This means he could end up at either offensive line or defensive line once he gets to Virginia.

On Friday night, Andrew Devlin became the second commit of the week. The 6-6, 252-pound Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh, PA) standout is rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com. He chose UVa over Pittsburgh and also had offers from Boston College, Iowa, Stanford, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin, among others.

Devlin is being recruited by UVa initially as a tight end, but there is a possibility he could end up at defensive end or offensive tackle. As Devlin says, he is being recruited "as a football player." A good overall athlete, he averaged 18 points per game in leading the Mount Lebanon basketball team to a WPIAL championship last season.

Both players are in great shape academically, which continues the trend of UVa's 2007 recruiting class.

Practice visitors .

Marvin Austin, who is one of the top overall prospects in the country, checked out UVa's practice Sunday along with teammates Dwan Thornton and Romale Tucker. Austin, a defensive tackle recruit, is rated the No. 1 overall player in the nation by Scout.com and the No. 2 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com.

The 6-3, 300-pound Austin, who has transferred from Coolidge High School to Ballou High School (both in D.C.), has been to UVa several times before. The Hoos made his initial cut to 10 schools and very much hope to land an official visit as well, but the competition is tough as you might expect. Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, and USC are among the other programs to make the cut.

Tucker is a 6-4, 210-pound outside linebacker recruit. He does not have an offer from UVa yet, but don't be surprised if he gets one this fall. If UVa offers, it has a great shot to land him. Illinois and Syracuse are the only official offers at this time.

Stay tuned to the EDGE this week for an update on the kids from Ballou.

UVa QB commitment Peter Lalich, St. Anne's-Belfield 2008 star OL/DL recruit Kyle Long (Chris's brother) and St. Anne's TE/DE Brian Linthicum (who has committed to Clemson) were also in attendance at Sunday's practice.

Basketball .

UVa made a tremendous impression on 6-4 guard Jeff Jones during a visit he made to Charlottesville last week. The 4-star prospect out of Monsignor Bonner High School (PA) says he will narrow his list in the coming week or so and, as of now, plans to take a few official visits before committing. He discussed his visit in today's article on the EDGE.

Chris Horne, our resident recruiting expert, provides updates throughout the week for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week ...

UVa Makes Great Impression on 4-Star Guard
4-star guard Jeff Jones returned to the University of Virginia last week. Jones, who was accompanied by his father, toured a finished John Paul Jones arena and sat down with head coach Dave Leitao and staff, who he says "laid out" why he should join the University of Virginia basketball program.

Devlin's Decision: 'I'm a Cavalier'
Andrew Devlin, a 6-6, 252-pound tight end/defensive end recruit who is rated a 4-star prospect by Scout.com, has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. The Mount Lebanon (PA) star becomes Virginia's 13th commitment for the 2007 recruiting class.

OL/DL Mihota Joins UVa's 2007 Class
UVa landed its 12th commitment of the 2007 recruiting class when Anthony Mihota, a 6-5, 270-pound offensive and defensive line prospect out of Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg (VA), committed to the Hoos.

Lalich Performs Well at Elite 11
West Springfield (Springfield, VA) quarterback and UVa commitment Peter Lalich joined 11 of the nation's top 2007 class quarterback prospects in last week's Elite 11 quarterback camp. Competing with an outstanding assembly of talent, Lalich, who is rated a 4-star prospect and the #2 prospect in the state by TheSabre.com, performed well and seems to have had an excellent experience.

Also from the past week ...

• 4-Star WR Smith Sets Two Official Visits
• Devlin Nears Decision
• UVa Remains in Hunt for NJ Speedster
• Star Athlete Hill Reflects on Visits
• Will UVa Offer Top Camp Performer?

PicksPal, a FREE, online service, is a new type of site where anyone can get together and compete for Sports knowledge Supremacy. If you really know your stuff, there are prizes available such as a portable DVD player, an iPod, or a TV.

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There is already a Sabre league formed that you can join to take on your fellow Sabre-ites. You can pick the NBA, NHL, NCAA hoops, and more! Then: Win your league and proceed to rub it in.

Thank you again for supporting our sponsors. Please remember that TheSabre's sponsors are your sponsors! They directly contribute towards our ability to bring you a better Web site.

Posts of the Week

We know Virginia coach Al Groh is excited to start the season. How about you?

With so many new faces expected to get playing time, many Sabre users aren't sure what to make of this year's team. Here are a few thoughts from the posters:

Subject: The more I look at our roster I see the potential
Posted by: VaBeachHooFan on Thu Aug 3 2006 9:10:41 PM
Message: for a jeckyl and hyde team personality. We have potential at all positons. We could have disappointments or surprises everywhere. However, this is most optimistic I've been yet. If a couple of guys rise above their yrs, and on-field experience, we could have the surprise team that others have suggested. Just hope the determination and "take it to them" attitude is there.

If our OL can protect QB, and open holes for the bevy of RB's we have, we will have as balanced an attack as ever that could really put some points on the board. If D matures quickly and the middle solidifys we should be in every game, which means with a few breaks, anything can happen.

I could feel differently on Sept. 17th, but right now the season looks very interesting. I still say no one in league is head and shoulders ahead of us. GO HOOS GO!!!!

Subject: I think we may be under the radar, I see us scoring a lot of points
Posted by: sarmartig on Sat Aug 5 2006 5:29:00 PM
Message: but the D may give up some, too - depends on how hungry they are and how mature they are with the 3/4 - the O has a lot of potential, depending on how the line holds - we will know by the 3rd game

Subject: Flashback to Welsh years?
Posted by: Comm95Hoo on Fri Aug 4 2006 12:00:49 PM
Message: Looking at our sched., anyone else thinking we could be one on the verge of one of those patentend George Welsh "start-out-hot-and-get-tons-of-national-pub-and-then-seem-to-fall-apart-when-the-schedule-gets-tough-at-the-end" years? I can see 7-2 or 8-1 or even 9-0 (as a remote possibility). Then I can certainly see 0-3 to finish the reg. season even though the team gets better week to week. In fact, we could be 6-3 and hitting the panic button over the strong chance of playing our hearts out and finishing 6-6.

Subject: We just don't know what to expect at this point.
Posted by: CritzerCav59 on Mon Aug 7 2006 10:46:44 AM
Message: It's best if we take all the "what if's" and put them behind us. I confident that this team will give us at least another winning season and another bowl game.

So what do you think? Share your thoughts:
EDGE Message Board | Football Message Board

The Sabre's Opponent Sites' Directory

Pittsburgh (Official) Panther Lair Panther Digest

With football season approaching fast, many Virginia fans might be interested in what the Cavaliers' opponents are up to this summer. Well, the Sabre has saved you some research time. Much like the Pittsburgh example seen here (the Panthers are the Hoos' opening opponent), all of the Web sites for the football and basketball teams' opponents have been linked in our Other Sites section. That makes it easy to check up on UVa's opponents before the opening kickoff!

Fan of the Week

Every week, theSabre.com features a Fan of the Week photo on the front page of the Web site. (Archives are available in the Wahoowa! section.) So you want to be the fan of the week? It's easy - be the loudest Hoo at a live UVa event, wear some crazy Cavalier gear, or do something else to catch our attention. If Mike or Kris spot you and take your picture, you'll be in the running for Fan of the Week honors!

Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

Coach Dave Leitao is participating in "Operation Hardwood III."

• Leitao To Participate in USO/Armed Forces Entertainment Tour To Japan: University of Virginia men's head basketball coach Dave Leitao is one of seven current or former basketball coaches scheduled to participate in "Operation Hardwood III," a tour to Japan sponsored by the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment.
• Four Cavalier Golfers Open Play at U.S. Amateur: Sophomore Jennie Arseneault, junior Lauren Mielbrecht, and seniors Sally Shonk and Leah Wigger tee off today in the last major amateur tournament of the season at the 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.
• Six Cavaliers Named to USA National Lacrosse Teams: Six Virginia Cavaliers, including four members of the 2006-2007 team, were named to the US Lacrosse National Team Squads after final tryouts were held this weekend in Catonsville, Md. Amy Appelt and Nikki Lieb were both named to the US Elite Team while current student-athletes Jessy Morgan, Megan O'Malley, Blair Weymouth, and Jen Holden were all named to the Developmental Squad.
• Virginia Field Hockey Appoints Spice as Associate Head Coach: Virginia head hockey coach Michele Madison has announced the appointment of Chris Spice as the Associate Head Coach for the Cavalier program. Spice, who has been a part of the successful Olympic and World Cup hockey programs in both Australia and Great Britain, adds more international experience to the Virginia hockey program. He is coming off a five-year term as the Director of High Performance for the England Rugby Union.

To read the full stories or gather more information on Virignia athletics, check out Virginiasports.com.

Issue No. 169 - December 17, 2004

Big E, Big Money make All-America team

Neither Elton Brown nor Heath Miller came to UVa four years ago as a blue-chip recruit. Neither was rated among the top 10 prospects in the state by various recruiting services, much less among the top prospects in the country.

Heath Miller

Well, look at 'em now. Both Brown and Miller were named to the Walter Camp All-America first team this week as the nation's top players at their positions. The 6-6, 338-pound Brown, a fixture at right guard for four seasons, has played a large role in helping the Cavaliers lead the ACC in rushing this season. He won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC's top blocker for the second straight year.

Miller also earned the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end. He has 36 receptions for 475 yards and five touchdowns - numbers that pale next to his monster stats last season - but he has been the main receiving threat on a run-oriented team and also made a significant impact as a blocker..

Sophomore linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who leads the team with 85 tackles, was named a second-team All-American. Now the question is whether Miller, a redshirt junior, and Brooks will stick around or apply for the NFL draft.

Coming Soon

With August ready to heat up the calendar, The Sabre is in full stride with lots of content planned. Here's a sneak peak at some of the articles to expect on the site in the coming days:

Jason Snelling and the Hoos keep practicing this week.

• Practice Updates
  The Virginia football team continues practice this week with the first full pads session set for Tuesday. The Sabre will keep you updated on the what's happening.
• Who Are the ACC's Impact Players
  Greg Waters brings you the ACC's impact players by class. So who are the seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen to watch?
• Sabre FanWatch: Big Hoo
  Our FanWatch series rolls on with Ed Wooldridge, aka Big Hoo.
• Checking in with Ballou
  What did Marvin Austin and his Ballou teammates Dwan Thornton and Romale Tucker think of Virginia's practice this weekend?
• How I Would Fix Virginia's 3-4
  Sabre poster and contributor JHoo weighs in with his thoughts about the Cavaliers' 3-4 defense.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles from the past week

Photo Gallery: Cavs Open Fall Practice
Virginia opened football practice on Friday with a marathon session into the evening hours. The Cavaliers followed that up with two more open practices Saturday and Sunday. While the Hoos aren't in full pads until Tuesday, the tune-up days gave Andrew Pearman and the other players a chance to get in the routine of daily practice. Check out some photos from the weekend in this exclusive EDGE photo gallery.

Fall Practice 2006: Recruits Create Buzz Sunday
The beginning of practice Sunday was abuzz with recruiting as Marvin Austin strolled in with Romale Tucker and another teammate just as things were getting under way. Austin, a defensive tackle, is one of the top prospects in the country. The excitement created by the recruits in attendance capped a good opening weekend of practice for the Hoos.

Fall Practice 2006: Passing Game In Gear Early
If my recollection is accurate, the passing game on day two of the past five of six fall training camps have generally not included the description "crisp". What I recall from the second practice of 2005 was dropped passes, balls consistently thrown behind receivers, or 10 miles over their heads. Now I'm not suggesting Saturday's practice was Cindy Crawford level perfection, but it was pretty good for a second day effort.

Fall Practice 2006: Franklin Happy To Be Back
When Virginia wrapped up practice late Friday night outside of the McCue Center, one player was at the center of the media's attention - Tony Franklin. The senior safety was dismissed from the team prior to the spring practice period and at the time, he was not expected to return. However, Franklin met with coach Al Groh and worked his way back on to the team. Without question, he's happy to be wearing the orange and blue again.

Groh Ready to Answer Questions in Camp
Virginia football coach Al Groh sat down with the media Friday just hours ahead of his team's first practice of the fall and a familiar theme carried through - there are plenty of questions to answer and training camp is the place to answer them. With that said, Groh did have updated information on some players of interest: Nate Lyles, Tony Franklin, D.J. Bell, and Eugene Monroe.

Best Seat in the House: Al Groh, Fall Practice
Al Groh joined Jed Williams for an interview for The Best Seat in the House. Groh talked about the upcoming fall preseason practice period, which starts today at 6:15 p.m. Make sure to tune into The Best Seat weeknights at 6 p.m. And don't forget, the Best Seat goes to a 2-hour format starting August 14. That means you'll be able to talk football on weeknight from 6 to 8 p.m.!

Best Seat in the House: Nate Lyles
Safety Nate Lyles injured his neck last November against Georgia Tech, leaving the game on a stretcher. He eventually missed the rest of the season and spring. Lyles joined Jed Williams for the Best Seat in the House and talked about his injury and the play that caused it. He also discussed his surgery, rehab, how he feels after last season's injury, and on seeking final clearance to play this season for the Hoos.

Sabre Roundtable: Ready For Fall Practice?
Finally, the time has arrived! Virginia's football players reported for training camp today and practice starts Friday as the Hoos prepare for the 2006 season opener at Pittsburgh. The Sabre tackles some of the pressing pre-practice questions with the first fall roundtable. Editor Kris Wright, football writer Nick Sauer, EDGE guest Zeropointzero, and ESPN radio's Wes McElroy answer questions about Michael Johnson, season predictions, the kicking game, and the most important Cavaliers on offense and defense.

Lundy Settling In With Texans
HOUSTON - If a running back is going to be selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, there are not many, if any, teams better to join than Gary Kubiak's Houston Texans. Kubiak's offensive system turned two other sixth-round draft choices into 1,000-yard running backs for the Denver Broncos in their rookie seasons. Enter Wali Lundy, Virginia's all-time touchdown leader.

Did The Media Get It Right?
For years, football in the Atlantic Coast Conference was referred to as Florida State and the eight dwarves. Expansion was supposed to change all that. It did. With the release of the 2006 Preseason ACC media football poll last week, we learned that with the addition of Miami, Boston College, and Virginia Tech the conference is now Florida State, Miami, and the 10 dwarves.

Sabre Q&A: Craig Littlepage, Part II
University of Virginia Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage sat down with the Sabre late last spring for a one-on-one interview about Cavalier sports. In Part I, Littlepage talked about the new John Paul Jones Arena, facilities, and the process of hiring coaches. In Part II, Littlepage discusses scheduling, the Commonwealth Challenge, future department plans, and the progress toward the department's 10-year goals.

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