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Starting in April, the list of juniors in our database will start to grow, and Chris will release TheSabre.com's Top 40 in-state recruits. As you know, recruiting never stops (though it does sometimes take a breather), and we'll stay on top of it for you.

So far in his research, Chris has uncovered two verbal offers to in-state players. The Hoos have offered scholarships to Culpeper safety Kent Hicks, who is 6-3, 215, and runs a 4.4 forty. Hicks was unranked on the Roanoke Times list of the top 25 juniors last December, but he was recently ranked 18th in the state by TechSideline.com and will no doubt debut in TheSabre.com's ranking of the top in-state players when it appears next month.

Also offered is Kecoughtan linebacker Jerod Mayo, also 6-3, 215. Mayo is ranked #4 by the Roanoke Times and #2 by TechSideline.com, and he is surely bound for top 5 status in TheSabre.com's rankings, as well.

Every month, Sabre Edge provides you with exclusive articles, columns, special features, interviews and recruiting news, including weekly recruiting updates. There's even a special message board just for subscribers. And to top it off, you get 10 percent off all of your online purchases through TheSabreShop.com during your subscription.

Still not convinced? Well, we've made it even easier for you to subscribe. We offer three subscription options, including a yearly rate of $34.95, a quarterly rate of $10.95 and a 'what the heck is this thing all about' monthly rate of $4.95. So, if you're unsure, check us out for a month and see what we are offering.

If you're a true Wahoo, then the Sabre Edge is right for you. Check it out!

Virginia football begins spring training Friday

Well, now that basketball is officially over for Hoos' fans, it's time to focus on football. Tomorrow, the Hoos will take the field for spring practice (training camp). Fans will be eager to see super recruit linebackers Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks in action.

There's a lot of optimism coming into this year's camp, especially considering that the Hoos are returning just about every starter on both sides of the ball, including Heisman Trophy Candidate, All-ACC Quarterback, and ACC Player of the Year Matt Schaub. After some quarterback juggling early in the season, Schaub excelled and set or tied at least 10 school records. Schaub completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,751 yards, 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions. UVa legend Shawn Moore's record for career touchdown passes is in jeopardy. Schaub already has 36 passing touchdowns over the past three seasons, and just needs 19 to tie or 20 to break the mark of 55 set by Moore from 1987-90. Schaub currently stands in second place, just ahead of Scott Gardner and Aaron Brooks with 33.

But Schaub is not the only veteran returning this season. The Cavaliers are returning 41 lettermen and 19 starters from a team that came out of nowhere to finish second the ACC (6-2) and 9-5 overall with a blowout win over West Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl. The Hoos finished 22nd in the final AP poll, the first time since 1998 that the Cavaliers have finished in the Top 25.

Several practices are open to the public. Fans attending practice are asked to pick up an admission credential at the reception desk at the football office at the McCue Center. If no one is there, you can pick up the proper credential at the table at the entrance to the football practice fields located behind University Hall. All spring events are free.

Open Practices

Friday, March 28 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 10:45 a.m.
Sunday, March 30 2:15 p.m.
Monday, March 31 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 6 2:15 p.m.

Spring Festival and Game

Saturday, April 19 activities begin at 11 a.m., game at 12:30 p.m.

Virginia men's basketball ended its season Monday evening when they lost to St. John's in the NIT, 73-63. The Cavaliers were led by Devin Smith with 19 points, followed by Todd Billet and Travis Watson with 15 each. Virginia could not contain the Red Storm's Marcus Hatten, who led all scorers with 30 points. Hatten hit on four of his eight three pointers and shot 50 percent from the field overall.

The Cavaliers end their season at .500, 16-16 overall. With new recruits J.R. Reynolds, Gary Forbes, T.J. Bannister and Donte Minter on the way, the Hoos hope to perform better next season, even with the loss of senior forward Travis Watson.

For news on all of UVa's 2002-03 games, please refer to UVa Basketball Schedule.

Virginia lacrosse drops first game of the season

Virginia's incredible run this year was temporarily put on hold, as they fell to 4th-ranked Johns Hopkins in Maryland last Saturday, 8-7. The Cavaliers played the Blue Jays in front of 7,200 fans at Homewood Field.

The Cavaliers will suit up again this Saturday for a conference contest against Maryland. The game is scheduled for 1:00 PM and will be played at Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville.

For more info on the UVa-Hopkins contest, see the full report.

Women's hoops fall from NCAA Tourney

The Virginia women's hoops team was defeated by top-seeded Tennessee last Monday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 81-51. The Hoos were led by Charrise Graham with 14 points. No other Cavalier scored in double figures. The Hoos were plagued by 23 turnovers and 24 percent shooting while facing a tough Volunteer defensive squad.

Full report

Nine Virginia men to swim at NCAA Championships
From VirginiaSports.com

The ninth-ranked Virginia men's swimming and diving team is sending nine swimmers to compete in the 2003 Men's NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin, Texas. The meet will be held at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at the University of Texas, Thursday March 27 through Saturday, March 29. The Cavalier men are looking to improve upon their 11th-place performance in 2002, the best finish in school history.

Click here for the full report

Football 101 for women

The following is a notice from the Central VA Chapter of The National Football Foundation.

"Football 101 for Women" returns to Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium on Saturday, April 5, 2003.

Anne Groh, wife of Virginia football head coach Al Groh, will be hosting the event along with Margaret Littlepage, wife of Virginia's Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage.

"We want all women in our community to be able to enjoy the success of the University of Virginia football program," Anne Groh explained, hoping to build upon the success of last year's program. "Understanding the basics of football undoubtedly will increase enthusiasm for the game."

For $30.00, women of all ages will have the opportunity to learn more about offense, defense, penalties and official's signals, as well as how football affects the lives of coaches and players on and off of the field.

"Football 101 for Women" will begin at 10 a.m. in the Alumni Room (second floor) of Bryant Hall at the south end of Scott Stadium and will run until 3 pm. Lunch will be provided.

The proceeds from this event will fund scholarships to be awarded at the NFF banquet.

It is time to celebrate the arrival of spring by offering you some fantastic bargains. T-shirts less than $8.00! $12.99 Etched Glassware, $29.99 Fleece outerwear, and the list goes on.

Many of the items in our sidewalk sale are at or BELOW cost!

We need to make room for the new gear arriving for the summer, so we are letting YOU reap the benefits. Take some time and look around, we're sure you will find something you want in here!

Sabre Edge subscribers, be sure to check out the site for frequent reports on spring training. Your first installment is an outstanding position-by-position break down by John Galinsky, one of the best Virginia football writers in the business. John's spring football preview was posted this morning.

Sabre Edge will provide an almost daily account of the happenings of spring workouts, interviews with players and recaps of Coach Al Groh's teleconferences. Jeremy Williams will be at every practice, and on the phone for every teleconference throughout the spring. Yours truly will be out there taking photographs and providing them within the photo gallery of Sabre Edge.