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cavalier sports DECEMBER 2017 7 T im Knighton attended his first UVA football game in the fall of 1980. "I remember the great Tommy Vigorito leading the Cavaliers against NC State at Scott Stadium," he said. The Hoos lost 27-13, but Knighton said, "That was my first experi- ence at a major college football game, and despite being young, I was hooked on UVA sports and UVA football." Knighton grew up during the George Welsh era, a time he calls an incredible ride. "With Dick Bestwick leaving and George Welsh coming in, watch- ing the rise of that program was just miraculous," Knighton noted. "Especially culminating in the 1984 Peach Bowl win over Purdue. I was 11 at the time. My childhood was George Welsh football as UVA rose to prominence and Ralph Sampson. "Coming from such a poor football history, it was fun to see UVA football emerge. The euphoria of going to that first bowl game was something." A UVA class of 1995 graduate, Knighton attended high school at St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va., and arrived in Charlottes- ville in the fall of 1991. "I didn't really go to many live games, but I watched games on televi- sion," Knighton recalled. "I did go to the 1990 game when we finally beat Clemson 20-7. That was a fantastic moment. It was awesome to watch." Knighton began his partnership with Virginia Athletics Foundation as a sophomore in 1992 and has been an active supporter ever since. "They had a drive to sign up," he said. "You gave 10 or 20 bucks. I've always enjoyed giving to the VAF and helping student-athletes. It's given me joy over the years, helping with their experience at the university." Knighton sees his donations to the VAF having an impact through- out the entire athletic department, and that is critically important. "We've seen the development of the baseball program as it has become one of the top five programs in the country, culminating in the 2015 World Series Title," he said. "Plus, the implementation of the squash program which will be a national power very soon. The success of the tennis program. "The commitment to the full athletic program has just been awesome to see. The commitment of the university and the VAF to make the experience great for all athletes, not just the basketball players and football players like you see at every university, but the entire group of student-ath- letes whether it's baseball, tennis, squash, whatever sport." Knighton said he is excited to see what new University of Virginia's director of athletics Carla Williams can do. "Obviously, the university and the athletic department are in a fan- tastic position with our sports," he said. "Carla comes from a football powerhouse like Georgia where she was in charge of the football pro- gram, it's great to get someone like that and see what she can do. "We all want football to do well," he added. "I think Bronco is pointing the program in the right direction. It's been fun to see their development this season." — Greg Waters Knighton has raised his sons, from left to right, Henry (age 11) and Charlie (13) to be UVA sports fans. PHOTO COURTESY TIM KNIGHTON Tim Knighton WAHOO NATION DE'ANDRE HUNTER • Basketball In 24 minutes off the bench during Vir- ginia's 73-53 win over Monmouth Nov. 19, the redshirt first-year guard exploded for 23 points and eight rebounds, both team highs in the game and career bests. It was a significant uptick from his first three appearances, when he totaled 15 points and two rebounds in 38 minutes of action. The Wahoos trailed 15-8 when Hunter's first shot fell, leading to a 14-0 run that featured 10 of his points. "Man, I didn't know he was that good!" Monmouth head coach King Rice, a former North Carolina standout, exclaimed after the game, but it was no surprise to UVA head coach Tony Bennett. "I told you guys from the get-go, you're going to see flashes from De'Andre and [fellow redshirt first-year] Jay [Huff ]," he said. "They're going to show you their upside and exciting things." BETH LILLIE • Golf The first-year from Fullerton, Calif., debuted this fall by tying the Virginia freshman record with a 4-under-par 68 in her first round of colle- giate golf Sept. 15. She fired another 68 to open The Landfall Tradition tournament Oct. 27, and then claimed the record all for herself by taking a stroke off her final score the following day and tallying a 5-under 67. The third round of the event was cancelled due to inclement weather and unplayable course conditions, which gave Lillie co-medalist honors after 36 holes and made her the first-ever rookie in program history to win a multi-team tournament. Lillie played in all four events this fall and finished with a 71.09 stroke average, second on the team to third-year Anna Redding's 71.00. She carded four rounds in the 60s, while seven of her 11 rounds played finished at par or better. TARA VITTESE • Field Hockey The fourth-year midfielder capped her UVA career by being named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight cam- paign, becoming the first in school history to earn repeat honors and the first in league history to do so since 2009-10 (Maryland's Katie O'Donnell). Vittese was one of two from UVA to earn a spot on the all- conference first team. She was joined by ACC Freshman of the Year Pien Dicke, while UVA's Michele Madison was named the league's top coach. Vittese becomes the third player in UVA annals and 14th in 35 years of ACC field hockey to be a four- time all-conference pick. Vittese finished the year tied for second nationally with 1.25 goals per game and was alone in second with 2.32 points per contest, while she helped the squad win the league's regular- season title and earn the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Champion- ships. Her career ends with 195 points to rank third in program history. HOO'S HOT Recognizing the "Who's Hoo" in UVa athletics — Cavalier student-athletes, past, present and future who are making news around the world of sports.