UVA uses game day to rally support for hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WV) – By 9 a.m., the University of Virginia grounds were filled with fans who began to leave. At three locations near Scott Stadium, where the Cavaliers were preparing to play UNC, UVA Athletics spent the morning cheering on its rival’s home state, Helen-hit North Carolina.

The department reached out to the Charlottesville community asking fans to make donations before the game. The community responded in a big way, delivering nearly $10,000 worth of relief supplies to collection sites on Friday alone.

Members of the athletics department who volunteered, such as Ryan Moody and Gordon Scholler, said finding time to help out Saturday morning was easy.

“So many people, whether it’s in this community or communities around here, give back to Charlottesville and come back to UVA,” UVA Athletics volunteer Moody said. “So we want to come back when we can.”

Game day will be a good opportunity to reach a lot of people, Schoeller added.

“I think on the day of a football game it’s obviously an easy way to get a group of people coming into town together with supplies,” Scholler said.

Truckloads of donations will go directly to Western North Carolina to those in need.

“I know the athletic department wanted to support as best they could,” Moody said. “We came up with big things, little things, anything we can do to help.”

Donations included food, toiletries, baby supplies and first aid items. Athletes joined staff in collecting supplies.

“You have to be able to help in any way you can, like just showing a little compassion and seeing how people are struggling,” UVA baseball player Joey Colucci said. “I want to come here and help.”

Colucci spent both Friday and Saturday volunteering and said the community turnout was huge.

“We connected with the United Way of North Carolina, North Carolina, and then they sent us a list of items that they needed,” Associates senior athletic director Tony Belt said. “That’s why we’re sending this list out to the Charlottesville community, who we know are always willing to play their part and help where they can.”

Belt said he was grateful to the Charlottesville community for being so involved, as well as the student-athletes who showed up to help.

“At this point in the semester, he could definitely have a good time before today’s game,” Belt said. “And you know, for him to be here until eight or nine o’clock last night, you know, it just speaks volumes for all the people who are willing to take part.”

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