Football season is quickly approaching, and fans are starting to make the mad scramble to stock up on items for the season. Whether you're looking for stadium cushions, window flags for your car, decals, hats, t-shirts, outerwear or whatever, TheSabreShop.com has what you're looking for.

Shopping online from TheSabreShop is safe and easy. And to make things easier on the wallet, we're running a Summer Sale where dozens of our items are marked down considerably. Be sure to also check out the Gifts & Souvenirs section, which includes everything from stadium cushions to watches and wallets to flasks and other miscellaneous items.

And by purchasing officially licensed products from our store, you not only support the efforts to keep TheSabre.com running, you are supporting UVa athletics.

Support the Hoos this season by showing your true colors.

Tuesday, Coach Groh and company received their third offensive line commitment of the 2003 class when Jefferson Forest standout Eddie Pinigis pledged to the Cavs.  Pinigis, Gordie Sammis, and Marshall Ausberry make the future Cavalier O-line look bigger and brighter... with emphasis on bigger.  

Towering at 6'8" 285-pounds, Pinigis has worked hard to gain weight over the past year.  His hard work has helped him turn into a very good collegiate prospect, as he has gained 20 pounds since around a year ago.  He hopes to continue his progression in the weight room on the way to Charlottesville.  

"My goal is to get up around 290," said Pinigis.  "Last year, I weighed about 265.  I have worked hard to gain the right kind of weight.  I have gained 20 pounds of muscle and want to gain a little more."  

It appears Pinigis has offensive tackle written all over him at the next level.  His pass blocking ability and physical characteristics make him an excellent tackle prospect and an accomplished pass blocker.  Pass blocking indeed is one of his strengths, and he admits he needs to work on his run blocking next season.   

"My pass blocking is better," said Pinigis.  "I have good technique, long arms, and good feet.  I do want to improve on my run blocking though.  I have improved my run blocking [over the last season], but I want to get better."  

Pinigis's commitment came as a surprise to many Cavalier fans, as he had earlier mentioned Tennessee and Florida as favorites.  His early commitment was even a surprise to his mother, although she is happy with the way things happened.  

"Eddie grew up liking the Cavaliers," said Ms. Pinigis.  "It is funny how things worked out.  I'm happy with what happened."  

Eddie was happy as well, although his reasons for picking the Cavaliers were more than because they were his childhood favorite.  In fact, there were many reasons why Pinigis decided on the Cavaliers.  

"UVA is only an hour and a half away," said Pinigis.  "My family can come see me play pretty easily.  Plus, the ACC is a great conference.  Coach Groh really recruited me well.  I felt like they wanted me more than anyone else.  They worked the hardest.  I know all of the coaches at Virginia.  I can't say that about any other college.  

"Plus, Coach Groh came from the NFL.  He has NFL connections, and that is what I want to do.  My goal is to get to the NFL."  

Pinigis expects that he may receive playing time early in his Virginia career.  Whether he does or not, however, it doesn't matter.  He wants to do what is best for himself and the team.  

"Earlier, when the Cavaliers offered me, they said that they do redshirt some players," said Pinigis.  "But when I went to Virginia's camp, Coach Prince said I had improved.  Coach Groh spoke with my father about me possibly playing early.  But, it doesn't really matter to me.  Whatever is best."  

Hello again fellow Hoos. Here's a friendly reminder to seek the services of Hilldrup Moving & Storage if you're in the market for a moving or storage company for your home or business.  

Hilldrup is a proud sponsor of TheSabre.com and are experts in all varieties of relocation, including domestic, international and commercial. Hilldrup also specializes in warehousing and storage.  

Virginia Football Meet the Team Day

Here's the scoop on the UVa Football Meet the Team Day.

The event will be held at Scott Stadium on Wednesday, July 31st from 4:30 through 6:00. It will be held in conjunction with Media Day, just like last year.

Parking is available in the South and East parking lots around the stadium. Fans may enter only through the East Gate (off Whitehead Rd).

The event is free to the public, and concessions will be available. There is no 'meal with the team' this year.

Other highlights include.

• Free promotional items including 2002 schedule poster
• Chances to win door prizes
• Get autographs from your favorite players
• Football uniform try-on station for kids (bring your camera)
• Mascots and cheerleaders

TV for CSU game

UVa's season opener against Colorado State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 22nd. This game will be televised by Comcast SportsNet and Fox SportsNet. Check your local listings for details.

Jon Ward done with football

Jonathan Ward, projected as a starter at fullback for the upcoming season, has decided to give up football for medical reasons. Ward experienced a succession of concussions throughout his career and has elected not to return to the field. Ward was one of the top running back recruits in the nation a few years ago.

For more details, see the Richmond Times-Dispatch report.

Gillen hires new assistant

The Cavalier basketball program has a new assistant coach. Gillen named Rod Jensen, former Boise State head basketball coach, as his new assistant coach. Jensen has a reputation for his defensive philosophy, something the Cavaliers definitely need.

Other changes include the promotion of Alexis Sherard to assistant coach. Sherard will now be allowed to jump on the recruiting trail along with assistant Walt Fuller. Scott Shepherd will replace Sherard as Director of Basketball Operations on the staff.

Free email accounts no longer valid for registration

Due to the increase in message board abuse by people who register with free email accounts like Hotmail, we are banning the ability for message board users register using these accounts. Any attempted registration from these account will be kicked back by the system. Registering for SabreMail with free mail accounts is still accepted.

Future registrations for themessage boards will only be accepted with real email accounts. What we mean by 'real' is any email account that is provided from a legitimate Internet Service Provider, or AOL and MSN. Accounts from Mail.com, Yahoo.com, Excite.com, Hotmail.com or any other free email service that allows anonymous registration will not be considered an acceptable address for registration on our boards.

There is one situation where free email accounts can be used, and this is mainly for those who like to use these accounts to prevent others from knowing their primary email or work email when they check the 'include email address' feature while posting a message. We would still require a poster to register with their primary email account, but they can go into the USER PREFERENCES area (linked at the top of the message boards) and change their email address to another account, such as Hotmail. Our system retains the original email for accountability purposes, but will only print the newest email address if the 'include email address' feature is selected when posting. So, if security of your primary email account is needed, we have you covered.

For those who simply do not have a legitimate email address, we will require some sort of verification of your identity in order to process your registration. There are several ways to provide this verification. You may subscribe to the Sabre Newsletter. You may purchase a product through TheSabreShop.com. Or, you may send a copy of your driver's license to the following address and request registration with our message boards. Other than that, you will need to retain a valid email address through an ISP in order to establish an account with us.

Since the free email account rejection feature is not currently active, we are currently suspending every new account that is registered using free email addresses. The only way to avoid this is to register with a legitimate email address.

We work hard to keep the discussion on our message boards at a high level. It is always our goal to provide forums where everyone can enjoy responsible discussion of UVa sports. We appreciate your patience and understanding with our policies. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Oh, and as usual, before registering please read the Terms of Service (linked at the top of the message boards) for message board conduct. This is also linked at the top of the message board.

Check out our user preferences area

If you are signed up for multiple accounts with TheSabre.com, and have had some trouble learning where to go to change your account information, then we've got good news. We've set up a page on the site that can direct you to every place where changes may need to be made. Want to change your email? No problem. Now you can easily change all of your information without having to email us.

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