Ratcliffe Book Highlights Football History

Virginia football fans have an exciting opportunity in 2008 thanks to a brand new book on the market that chronicles the history of UVa football. The University of Virginia Football Vault®: The History of the Cavaliers, written by Jerry Ratcliffe, takes you through the century-plus history of Virginia football from the first game in 1888 through the 2007 season. The "scrapbook" style book contains never-before-published photographs, reproductions of old game programs, historic tickets, numerous postcards and photos, a foreword by current Cavalier coach Al Groh, and an afterword by Hall of Fame Virginia coach George Welsh.

The Sabre caught up with Ratcliffe recently for three quick questions about "The Vault" ...

The Sabre: Why did you decide to write a book? Was it as much work and as much fun as you expected?

Ratcliffe: Every since I entered the [sports journalist] profession decades ago, one of my goals was to some day write a book. I actually had a three-book deal with another company about six years ago, all about UVa sports. However, when I heard that group had been less than honest with writers about their compensation, I backed out of the deal. That was difficult to do at the time, but it turned out to be a wise decision. That company recently went belly-up and owed a whole lot of money to a whole lot of writers.

When this new publisher came to me late last March, I was eager to try again. I can tell you that the Whitman people are great to work with and believe in putting out a quality product. They have been great every step of the way.

Yes, it was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Putting together this book required a ton of research. Thanks to Michael Colley, UVa's archives are probably in the best shape they've ever been and he helped a lot as did Brian Morrison, assistant commissioner of the ACC. I spent countless hours going through old yearbooks, old clippings, microfilm, internet newspaper archives, anything I could get my hands on relating to UVa football going back to 1888. While some of it would lead to dead ends, there was no other way to research the material. Of course, there were lots of interviews conducted and both George Welsh and Al Groh were terrific to work with in terms of going back over their careers here and offering some behind-the-scenes material.

All that said, it was incredible fun as well. I am a history nut and a football nut, so digging up all this was both interesting and fun. I actually had enough material to write twice as much, so some had to be condensed and some had to be saved for perhaps another project down the road.

The Sabre: You've covered Virginia for more than 25 years, but was there a story that jumped out to you as 'Wow, I didn't know that but what a great story!'?

Ratcliffe: Several stories actually. One was how Virginia dominated the South in football for many years and influenced the success of what is today many of the strongest ACC and SEC teams into beefing up their programs, believe or not by academic means. The backgrounds of some of the coaches was interesting and UVa's rise and fall, then rise and fall, and rise again had a lot of interesting sidebars. For years there has been a debate about whether an institution with such academic standards could succeed in big-time football and basketball and a strong debate about whether or not UVa should join the ACC or remain an independent. Lots of interesting stuff, not to mention how Welsh turned everything around.

The Sabre: I'm sure the research for the book brought up plenty of memories from your time covering the team. Did you hear from any former players or have you heard from any former players that you covered about the book?

Ratcliffe: Yes, the book did stir a lot of memories. I actually came to Charlottesville at the same time as George Welsh, so I got a close look at the reversal of football fortunes here. George and his staff were very open with me all of those 19 years and perhaps I knew a lot more than a sportswriter is supposed to know, but it helped me have a greater understanding of how they accomplished something akin to a college football miracle here. I have been fortunate to not only get to know many of the coaches and athletes that I have covered over my 26 seasons here, but equally fortunate to get to know coaches and players from yesteryears, some great people, and they have shared a lot of their stories with me over time. I have heard from several former players and hope to hear from even more now that news of the book is spreading.

Unfortunately, I don't have a big PR machine behind me pushing news of the book, but have to depend on word of mouth. However, many of the stores carrying the book have already had to reorder at least once and report that sales are going well.

If this book does sell well, then I'm hoping it leads to several more books about UVa football and basketball in the not-too-distant future. Thanks for allowing me to have some space on your web site so that Wahoo fans will know this book is available. So far, I have received great feedback from those who have bought the book and I hope Wahoos will enjoy reading it as much as I did putting it together.

Interested in the book? You can buy it right now from long-time Sabre sponsor UVA Bookstores! Just click here. Remember, Sabre EDGE subscribers get 10% off with your subscription! And TODAY ONLY (Dec. 15, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. EST), you can get free shipping from Patrick Perkins and the UVA Bookstores Staff! Just enter use the code ship08 when checking out.

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

Like all other Division 1A football programs, Virginia is in the stretch run in 2009 class recruiting. Only a handful of weekends remain for prospects to take official visits, and this past weekend was an important one for Virginia football recruiting.

Lafayette (Williamsburg, VA) defensive William Hill, who committed to Virginia on Dec. 5, made it to Charlottesville for his official visit. Hill, a 6-4, 260-pound defensive end, had expressed concern with the letting go of defensive line coach Levern Belin, but the official visit experience seems to have put his concerns to rest.

Check out an EDGE article for more on Hill, who plans to enroll at the University of Virginia next month.

Also in town over the weekend was Xaverian (Brooklyn, N.Y.) offensive line recruit Oday Aboushi. The 6-6, 300-pound prospect, a 2008 UVa camp attendee, returned to Charlottesville over the weekend for an official visit. We'll check in with him this week for comments on his most recent Virginia experience as well as a look at his overall recruitment.

Aboushi verbally committed to Boston College in late November, but he decided last week to step back from that decision. He is still considering Boston College, but Maryland, Rutgers and Virginia are now back in contention.

We'll have more on Aboushi as well as other top remaining targets this week on the EDGE.

This week, we'll also continue to get in touch with Virginia's 22 commitments for postseason updates. An update on Florida TE Paul Freedman will come out on Tuesday. The 6-6, 243-pound senior is firm in his commitment to Virginia, especially after talking with primary recruiter Bob Diaco last Monday.

Check out postseason updates last week on defensive end Brent Urban and wide receiver Tim Smith, who both are very solid in their commitments. Smith, a 6-1, 190-pound prospect out of Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA), was fresh off of a 6-reception, 200+-yard and 4-touchdown performance in the Group AAA, Division 6 State Championship win over Osbourn.

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 ...

Postseason Check-in: WR Tim Smith
Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) wide receiver Tim Smith turned in an outstanding senior season, hauling in 73 receptions for 1,681 yards and 24 touchdowns in helping the Tigers to a 15-0 record and a Group AAA, Division 6 state championship. Smith excelled on special teams as well, earning first-team all-Southeastern district honors at kick returner.

Recruiting Overview: Signing Day Approaches
Just under two months until Signing Day 2009, so the letters of intent will be faxed before you know it. TheSabre.com checks in here with an overall look at Virginia's 2009 football recruiting class, including a look at the top remaining targets and needs and more.

More recent recruiting updates on The Sabre ...

• Postseason Check-In: DE Brent Urban
• Kuechly Reflects on UVa Visit
• Cavs Offer All-Tidewater OL
• Hill Remains Solid in his Commitment

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Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• Eugene Monroe Named Second-Team All-American by Rivals.com: Virginia senior offensive tackle Eugene Monroe has been named a second-team All-American by Rivals.com. Monroe continues a tradition of outstanding offensive linemen at UVa. His selection marks the fourth time in the last five seasons a Virginia offensive lineman has received All-American recognition. Last year guard Branden Albert earned All-American honors from CollegeFootballNews.com and The Associated Press.
• Walter Camp names Eugene Monroe to All-America squad: Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe has been named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Monroe is the fifth player, and third offensive lineman, named to the Camp squad under head coach Al Groh since 2001. Elton Brown was Groh's first offensive lineman named to the team in 2004, while D'Brickashaw Ferguson was selected the following season.
• Cavalier Grid Stars Recognized by CollegeFootballNews.com: Virginia defensive standouts Matt Conrath and Ras-I Dowling have been named to postseason squads by CollegeFootballNews.com. Conrath was named to the CFN All-Freshman Second Team, while Dowling was named to the CFN All-Sophomore Second Team.
• Virginia Rowing Announces Recruiting Class: Virginia coach Kevin Sauer announced the signing of Molly Frear, Erin Friedlander, Reva Geier, Ellie Goodman, Taylor Levine, Erin Metcalf, Betsy Nilan, Kristine O'Brien-Carroll and Emily Scott to National Letters of Intent to row for the Cavaliers beginning in 2009. "We are quite pleased with this class," Sauer said. "They are passionate about their pursuits with rowing being an important part of their lives. All of them have had significant success already and we look forward to them contributing to the University of Virginia rowing program."
• Tchani and Ownby Earn NSCAA All-Region Honors: Freshmen Tony Tchani and Brian Ownby earned All-South Atlantic Region honors, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced Thursday. Tchani was a first team selection, while Ownby was a second team honoree.
• Selenski, Vittese Selected for U-21 Australia Tour: Virginia field hockey player Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese were recently selected by USA Field Hockey to participate in the 2009 Youth Olympic Festival. The event will be held Jan. 14-18 in Sydney, Australia. "They both work extremely hard to become the best they can be," Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. "We are very proud to have Michelle and Paige represent the University of Virginia in Red, White and Blue."

For more Hoo news or to read full releases, check out Virginiasports.com.

V-Sabre Basketball
Retail price: $24.99, Sale: $18.74

The composite Baden basketball is an offical size ball (great for indoors or outdoors) with the V-Sabre and Virginia on seperate composite panels. It is one of many items featured in the UVA Bookstores Holiday Sale - check it out. And TODAY ONLY (Dec. 15, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. EST), you can get free shipping from Patrick Perkins and the UVA Bookstores Staff! Just enter use the code ship08 when checking out!

Issue No. 118 - Dec. 19, 2003

UVa breaks bowl game ticket sales record

The UVa ticket office announced this week that Continental Tire Bowl ticket sales have surpassed any previous UVa bowl tickets sales in the past. That includes all 13 previous bowl contests. UVa has sold over 22,000 tickets through their office since the announcement was made, and they are getting credit for at least 2,500 other tickets sales purchased by UVa fans through other venues. These numbers blow away the previous ticket sales totals of 18,500 for last year's Tire Bowl and the 1998 Peach Bowl.

If you have not yet purchased your bowl tickets, please contact the UVa ticket office today. The UVa ticket office phone numbers are 800-542-8821 and (434) 924-8821. Prices are $27.50 to $67.50 per seat, depending on location.

For information regarding the bowl game, please refer to TheSabre.com's Tire Bowl Game News page, linked below. Closer to the start of the contest, we will load this page with weather information, stats, depth chart, roster card and full media notes as well as tons of pre-game articles. Stay tuned.

Coming Soon

The Sabre has you covered when it comes to Hoo news. Here are a few of the articles to expect on the site soon:

• Basketball Returns: The basketball men's basketball team is back in action this week and The Sabre will have coverage of the Cavaliers.
• Jed Williams: Columnist Jed Williams is working on his next article for the site.
• Looking Back At Football Season: JHoo and Greg Waters look back at the 2008 football season with their exclusive Sabre features plus we have a jam-packed roundtable in the works.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

Answering Popular Basketball Questions
Six games into the 2008-09 season, the Virginia men's basketball team has posted a 3-3 record. Interestingly, the Hoos arguably looked better in the losses away from Charlottesville than they did in the victories at the John Paul Jones Arena. No matter where the contest was played, however, there have been plenty of opportunities to take a closer look at these Cavaliers. While the team takes an exam break, The Sabre tries to examine some of the common fan questions about the Cavs.

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