Spring practice nears for Cavaliers

By: Jerry Ratcliffe | Daily Progress
Published: March 06, 2010

When Mike London was introduced as Virginia’s new head football coach a couple of months ago, he was asked about the talent on hand in the Cavaliers program, to which he essentially said he’d get back to us on that.
Ten days before UVa’s spring football practice begins, the same question was posed to London during a chat with state media on Friday and his answer had a familiar ring.
“I’ll get back to you on that,” London chuckled. “Some guys are shorts team All-Americans, but then you put the pads on and you’ve got to hit and people hit back. We’ll see how they react to someone physically getting after them. We’ll be able to tell real soon.”
The new coach and his staff have spent the last several weeks evaluating film of returning personnel, but there’s nothing like the real thing, seeing their players in practice and scrimmage situations in order to make a true evaluation.
Spring practice begins March 15 and the first seven practice sessions are open to the public, including a March 27 scrimmage that will be held at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. The spring game will be held on April 10 at Scott Stadium, although the final practice (closed) is scheduled for April 12.
The open practices in Charlottesville are all set for 3:50 p.m. with one exception: March 15, 17, 19, 20 (10:20 a.m.), 22, 24. A starting time for UVa’s scrimmage at ODU is set for 1:30 p.m.
Moving one scrimmage to another part of the state was part of London’s brainstorm to gain more exposure around the Commonwealth. Essentially, the Cavaliers will scrimmage one another that day at ODU’s facility and hold a clinic in conjunction with the event.
ODU will likely scrimmage after UVa’s practice and also take part in the clinic. London said he hopes to move the scrimmage around the state to other FCS schools in the years to come, but that starting in Norfolk was by design.
“The Tidewater area is very important to us,” London said, clearly referring to his intentions of recruiting more players from that talent-rich region of the state.
London and members of his staff will host a free “Meet and Greet” for Cavalier fans today at John Paul Jones Arena, following Virginia’s men’s home game against Maryland. The football event will start approximately 3:30 p.m. and London will address the crowd at 4 p.m.
Fans attending the basketball game will have the opportunity to meet the football coaching staff on the arena floor after the game. Fans without tickets to the game will be admitted to the football portion following the conclusion of the basketball game.

Spring practice nears for Cavaliers

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