Ivy league still doesnât allow for athletic scholarships though.
2 Likes
Not at all. But I think lacrosse may be an early case
study in what happens if the private funding dries up for other non revs. Wrestling was probably the first example. They used to be nationally competitive and are now essentially a club team because they only have the minimum level of funding needed to exist as a program. On the other hand, sports like Tennis and Golf and well funded by private donors and the results show.
Maybe Cassese has a ton of success despite any real or perceived funding issues, who knows.
You just described literally every non-rev / Olympic program at every school. Name me another school whoâs non-Big-4 sports (FB, MBB, WBB, BSB) thrive financially without big time donor dollars? Like, this is just the reality everywhere.
4 Likes
Some other schools already have more endowed scholarships for non-rev sports. When there was a lower scholarship cap for those sports, it was easier for us to be competitive. Maybe weâll still be equally competitive but itâs not a given anymore.
Anecdotally I hear more people acknowledge UVAâs success in swimming than lacrosse. Mostly due to the Olympics, but itâs still like âman it seems like the whole womenâs team went to UVA.â
I really like lacrosse and I hope they continue, or reestablish themselves as excellent. But I donât really think itâs particularly important to the success of the whole athletic department.
6 Likes
How much of softballs support comes from Palmer specifically? She obvious is very successful but can she self fund the entire program lol?
Agree with you 100% JBHoo about Carla. Definitely seeing this from the âinsideâ view as well. Sheâs outstanding (and made a very nice and much needed adjustment with her Inside Virginia Athletics podcast) in general, but particularly in this volatile climate of college sports.
6 Likes
We were 6th in Directors cup standings after winter sports. Donât anticipate we will fall much when spring sports are factored in after the Tennis national championship and the anticipated high finish in golf
3 Likes
If we retain most of the current players with eligibility and are able to refill a couple spots that open up from graduation, weâll be a top 5 lax team next year. Kevin will be fine as HC.
I wonder if this change makes it possible to keep Connor and/or get Kip back? Either would be a great development (goal tending has not been as strong since Kip left)
We could really use a strong defense assistant too.
3 Likes
This will do next to nothing to quiet the âcoupâ rumors, but was told this weekend that alumni and current players would be very happy and comfortable with this hire. I think this is a much more complicated situation than almost any of us can grasp though. Message boards and Twitter rely on absolutes and there are too many shades of gray here.
9 Likes
This tracks with everything I have heard. Thereâs still some folks disappointed itâs not Sean but by and large this is popular with the players and many alumni.
4 Likes
His record at Dartmouth wouldâve made the optics of his hiring completely untenable.
6 Likes
Agreed, but there are still a decent number of pro-Kirwan folks out there. I am fine with this move and think it gives us the best shot at retention. He has his first chance to prove his mettle by hiring some quality assistants.
3 Likes
Alumni I chatted with at the game Monday were not particularly thrilled with the prospect of KC.
Found myself in a convo with Lars and Bill Tierney pregame. Didnât dig at all, just listened to two national championship coaches chat. Was awesome.
Lacrosse is very much behind almost all of its peers schools financially. There was a big alumni fundraiser at Klockner on Saturday night. Carla has basically said that any funding needs to be secured by the staff through donors. So they are trying to pass the hat right now.
Also probably why we ended up w KC. Any outside coach being offered the job probably wanted more financial help from the AD and thatâs not happening.
9 Likes
So was the Lars fire/release justified? X hasnât been too insightful and neutral on the situationâŠ.
1 Like
The UVA womenâs swimming success on the world stage is truly unprecedented. Not many here probably noticed, but last weekend, UVA 2nd year, Anna Moesch, swam the second fastest 100m freestyle ever in the world, making her one of the top favorites at the 2028 Olympics in that event and possibly the 200m freestyle as well. We are very likely going to hear Moeschâs, Gretchen Walshâs and Katie Douglasâ names a lot in two years.
Former UVA tennis player, Rafael Jodar, is likely to become one of the top 20 players in the world at age 19 this year. Both UVA womenâs swimming and menâs tennis are also the heavy, early favorites to win Natty âs again next year. So, yeah, menâs lacrosse has been a bit disappointing by our usual standards the last couple of years. But, no, our non-revenue sports programs are not in decline.
10 Likes
All correct.
Moesch is the talk of the swimming world. UVA women now own all three American Records and 2 of 3 World Records in the 100 Free for SCY, SCM, and LCM. With 3 different women. Crazy.
Tennis signed the top recruiting class, with the #1 overall recruit, Jack Kennedy, and a former #5 junior in the world from Romania, Luca Preda. That they won the National Championship after Jodar left is incredible.
5 Likes
Itâs early, but as of now, no Hoos are in the portal according to Inside Lacrosse. Portal closes June 9.
https://twitter.com/terencefoy/status/2059612291750875529?s=46&t=vkjgQUekzGC7z44tIfnIRQ
2 Likes
Given discussion of non-rev sports overall, curious for a general vibe check from those who follow closely.
Below is my completely ill-informed vibes-based assessment of the direction each program is trending, but interested to see what others think:
Menâs Soccer: 
Womenâs Soccer:
Menâs Lacrosse:
Womenâs Lacrosse:
Menâs Swimming: 
Womenâs Swimming:
Field Hockey:
Rowing:
Baseball: 
Softball:
Wrestling:
Volleyball:
Menâs Tennis:
Womenâs Tennis:
Squash:
Track and Field:
Menâs Golf:
Womenâs Golf:
5 Likes
There are a lot of ifs and buts to this statement BUT if lax retains the roster and the recruiting class they will be ranked in the top 4 heading into next season. Maybe they trend down long term but next year should be a competitive one
7 Likes