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Virginia received a huge commitment this week from Phillip Brown, arguably the state's top high school recruit and one of the nation's best defensive backs. Brown chose the Cavaliers over Clemson, Maryland and Virginia Tech.

"This is something I've felt in my heart for a long time," said Brown about his commitment. "Coach [Mike] London and Coach [Al] Groh did a great job. They believed in me when everyone was talking about me and when there was talk about my grades. They stuck with me. Coach Groh called me all the time and never backed off."

Brown, a 5-11, 185-pound cornerback from Phoebus High School in Hampton, is rated four stars by Rivals.com and listed as the 8th best at his position nationally. Brown is a SuperPrep All American who can play multiple positions.

"I can play many positions for my team. running back, wide receiver, and kick returner," said Brown. "I like having the ball in my hands. But my favorite position is cornerback."

Brown's talent and speed (4.4 in the forty) are undeniable. The big question mark may be his academic status, but Brown has stated that he's sticking with his commitment to UVa even if he cannot qualify to attend college next fall. Brown is scheduled to take his official visit to UVa this weekend.

For more quotes from Phillip Brown, including our full report and recruiting card, please see the Sabre Edge. The Sabre Edge is a subscription-based service of TheSabre.com.

Updated visitor list for this weekend
By Chris Horne

Greater Atlanta Christian (GA) RB Micah Andrews verbally committed to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons earlier this week and has cancelled his previously scheduled visit to Virginia for this weekend. Andrews' decision means that there will be one less visitor for this weekend.

The list of uncommitted visitors is now as follows:

Robinson (VA) athlete Chase Anastasio
Plantation (FL) linebacker HB Blades (Pitt soft Commitment)
Hackensack (NJ) linebacker Jermaine Dias
Bethel (VA) defensive end Chris Ellis
Ocean Lakes (VA) athlete Daniel Hammett (no offer from Virginia)

UVa Commits on campus are as follows:

Phoebus (VA) cornerback Philip Brown
Ragsdale (NC) wide receiver Emmanuel Byers
Floyd Kellam (VA) safety Robbie Catterton
Charlottesville (VA) defensive tackle Chris Johnson
Pine-Richland (PA) quarterback Kevin McCabe
Forest (VA) offensive lineman Eddie Pinigis III
Bishop Francis (NJ) linebacker Marvin Richardson
Somerville (NJ) offensive lineman Gordie Sammis

Virginia releases 2003 football schedule

Games in bold are home contests.

Aug. 30 vs. Duke
Sept. 6 at South Carolina
Sept. 13 at Western Michigan
Sept. 20 bye
Sept. 27 vs. Wake Forest
Oct. 4 at North Carolina
Oct. 11 at Clemson
Oct. 18 vs. Florida State
Oct. 25 vs. Troy State
Nov. 1 at N.C. State
Nov. 8 bye
Nov. 13 (Thurs.) at Maryland (ESPN)
Nov. 22 vs. Georgia Tech
Nov. 29 vs. Virginia Tech

Click here for the official media release.

Hoos defeat Heels

The Virginia men's basketball team won their first ACC contest of the season by defeating North Carolina last Saturday, 79-72. Todd Billet led the way for the Cavaliers with 24 points and hit six three-pointers in the contest. Travis Watson acquired yet another double-double for his career when he scored 18 points and snagged 12 rebounds.

For box score and post game articles, please see UNC Game News.

Hoos falls to Duke in Cameron

Virginia fell to Duke, 104-93, Wednesday night. The Cavs gave it a great effort, but were unable to overcome the shooting of Duke freshmen J.J. Redick, who scored a career-high 34 points.

The Hoos were led by Travis Watson, who scored 26 points on 7 of 11 shooting. Elton Brown, Keith Jenifer and Todd Billet also scored in doube figures.

For box score and post game articles, please see Duke Game News.

Next up?

Virginia will face three opponents this week. The Cavs travel to Clemson Saturday. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00 PM and will be aired by the Raycom-Jefferson Sports Network regionally. Tuesday, the Hoos travel to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech in an out of conference matchup. Game time is 7:00 PM and will be aired by ESPN2. Virginia will finally return home to University Hall on Thursday for a meeting with Wake Forest. Game time is 7:30 PM and will be aired by ESPN2.

For notes leading up to each game, including post game articles and box scores, please see the Basketball Schedule.

Virginia hires new strength coach
Official UVa Media Relations Release

University of Virginia Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage announced Friday the hiring of Evan Marcus as head strength coach and director of the McCue Center weight room. Marcus replaces Tony Decker, who resigned prior to the 2002 football season.

Click here for full report

Three Cavaliers to play in postseason all-star games
Official UVa Media Relations Release

Linebacker Angelo Crowell, safety Jerton Evans and linebacker Merrill Robertson are participating in several postseason all-star games in the upcoming weeks.

Crowell has been selected to play for the North squad in the Senior Bowl this Saturday (Jan. 18) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game begins at 2 p.m. (EST) and is being televised nationally on ESPN.

Evans is playing for Team USA against Team Florida, a collection of Florida natives and athletes who played collegiately in Florida, in the Rotary Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 25. The fifth annual game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and kicks off at 2:00 p.m.

Robertson is on the South roster for the Hula Bowl Maui at War Memorial Stadium in Kahului on the island of Maui in Hawaii on Feb. 1. The game is being televised by ESPN beginning at 9 p.m. (EST).

Virginia ranked 18th in Sears Cup standings
Official UVa Media Relations Release

The University of Virginia intercollegiate athletic program is ranked 18th with 172 points in the final fall standings for the 2002-03 Division I Sears Directors' Cup. The fall standings are based on the completion of the seasons for women's and men's cross country, field hockey, football, women's and men's soccer, and women's volleyball.

The final standings will be published upon completion of the spring sports seasons. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 20 sports, 10 for men and 10 for women. Each national champion receives 100 points.

Four of Virginia's fall athletic teams were involved in postseason competition. UVa's women's cross country team finished 20th at the NCAA Meet, the football team defeated West Virginia 48-22 in the Continental Tire Bowl, the women's soccer team advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and the men's soccer team also participated in the NCAA Tournament.

Stanford is ranked first in the final fall standings with 443 points followed by Penn State (364) and Notre Dame (319). Other Atlantic Coast Conference schools ranked in the Top 25 include Wake Forest (5th, 277 points), Maryland (6th, 244 points), North Carolina (10th, 229 points) and Duke (24th, 150 points).

There are four Sears Directors' Cup Awards, one to honor the institution with the best all-around athletic program in each of the NCAA's Divisions I, II and III, and the NAIA.

Sabre Edge subscribers, you can now access CavTalk's archives through the Sabre Edge. If you miss a show, not to worry. As an Edge subscriber, you now have access to the most recent archives of CavTalk's shows.