Introduction to Mike

I figured I’d give you a little insight into who I am just to put some of my points into perspective. I'm actually a transfer student to UVA this year from the University of Miami in Florida. The biggest thing I’ve noticed in coming here is how differently the athletics are handled at this school than they were at Miami, and I’d like to highlight a few of them for everyone. 
          First off in listening to local sports talk radio I learned that the academic support system for the athletes here is a little lack-luster. This was shocking to me as being a tutor of the football players was the highest paying student job on campus at Miami, and let’s faces it that's not exactly Harvard down there. The second glaring difference I’ve noticed is the connection the football team has with the students. I lived in the Pearson Dorms at Miami which hosted the infamous "7th Floor Crew" as well as the rest of the football team. Every day I would eat lunch with one of my best friends down there Chaz Washington, a 6-3 315 pound defensive tackle. That's something that could never ever happen at this school because all the football players live off grounds and eat at JPJ (which says something to the quality of the O-Hill food). The lack of interaction with the team was something I needed to adjust to. I really think that Randy Shannon requiring the football players to live in the dorms the first 2 years of school was one of the greatest ideas he's had down there. You can say all you want about the recruiting classes he can bring in but I noticed it's very hard to boo someone that you eat lunch with every day.
          That connection with the student and even the community that the entire athletic department at Miami had was really a testament to how much the school and its sports team are intertwined. Sure everyone see's the U as a team full of thugs and bad dudes but it really was the unifying spirit of the school. I don't think that Craig Littlepage understands that, or if he does knows how to go about achieving it. Your football and basketball teams in my opinion at an ACC school represent your entire university. Whether Craig likes it or not they need to be given a bit of favoritism. I'd be lying if I told you football wasn't a factor in me choosing to go to Miami. When the teams are nothing special they can't get the national publicity and generate interest in the school from people who otherwise wouldn't think about coming here. Having strong athletics don't just benefit current student and fans, but it also helps generate interest in the university as a whole. I left Miami in the midst of a rapid change in school policy, attempting to move from "Suntan U" to a prestigious university based completely on football money, or money from alumni who became interested in the school because of the success of the football team in the 80's and 90's. I think for Craig to effectively run the athletic department for the benefit of the university he needs to take a peek 1000 miles south of here to a place where I really think they know how to play the game (pardon the pun).