Hello and welcome back to Wurster Hall, where we examine all the off-field factors that could factor into the on-field performance through storytelling, statistics, and chortles. This week, we’re here to learn about the University of (Western) Virginia in Charlottesville, VA.
Review
We start this week learning about where the game will be played at Scott Stadium, named for Frederic William Scott, a university donor and rector, which is a word I just had to look up. Scott Stadium is well-reviewed on Google at an average of 4.5 stars across 1,113 reviews. Let’s take a look at some of those reviews!
Interestingly, concerts are one of the highest appearing words throughout all reviews. Many in particular focus on one Lucas Combs.
Oh boy! That bodes well for this football game! But enough about moderate music, lets look into the concessions scene at Scott Field.
Noted! Avoid the hot dogs! If you’re going to this game, I hope you have a good time and a good game!
Citation Needed
Now to the usual stuff! Let’s take a look at how these Universities compare where it counts, Wikipedia citations!
UC Berkeley made up some ground, increasing the number of Wikipedia Citations by two to a nice 309! Thanks new citations! Meanwhile, University of Virginia sits at a tight 217. You know what they say, Wikipedia is the source of all knowledge and more citations is better!
Homeward Bound
Next, let’s learn more about the University of Virginia Cavaliers Wahoos Hoos! One particular incident is worth exploring just a bit more!
In the 1920s, the student Greek life somewhat adopted a stray dog aptly named Beta, named after the Beta Theta Pi members that adopted him. The dog roamed campus, appearing at parties and tailgates where he was lovingly fed hamburgers and beer. What a life!
One particular weekend, the student body felt that Beta’s presence was required in Athens, as the Cavaliers were set to square off against Uga and the Georgia Bulldogs. We don’t know which game it was, but in the 1920s UVA went 1-3 against Georgia. Personally I think it was the 1925 game where Virginia barely squeaked by Georgia winning 7-6. I’d like to think they got so drunk that that it what caused this next part.
After what I assume was an incredible party, the students left the next day and WHOOPS WE FORGOT BETA. Somehow, someway, these students cross THREE SETS OF STATE LINES AND FORGET THEIR DOG. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN.
BUT THEN IT GETS CRAZIER. SOME WEEKS LATER, BETA JUST SHOWS UP BACK IN CHARLOTTESVILLE! A little thinner, a little tired, but just shows up again at the Beta House back door! AND THEN HE GOES ON TO LIVE FOR ANOTHER LIKE 10 OR 12 YEARS! HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Thankfully, we here at Write For California, using the latest in imagery software have compiled this 27 minute video so that you can pretend to be Beta and fly from the University of Georgia Sanford Field to the Beta House in Charlottesville, Virginia. Put on the headphones, put it on full screen, and pretend to be a little dog with a jetpack flying across the American South. Like a Snoopy-esque chasing the Red Baron.
Nothing but the best for our readers!
Bear Power
Let’s take a look at another interesting statistic, distance to nearest bear!
UC Berkeley and the Oakland Zoo haven’t moved yet (we’re watching you Hayward Fault!) so the distance remains fixed at 11 miles. Meanwhile, the closest bear to the University of Virginia is the Asiatic Black Bear at the Norfolk Zoo, a staggering 164 miles away. I’d hate to be a parent driving from Charlottesville to the Zoo. Just two more hours child of mine! This one could very well tip the scales as we know our Golden Bears draw power from the proximity to the closest bear. Here’s hoping we can find a way to win.
And with that, we’ve learned everything we need to learn about the University of the Virginias. Hope this made you a smile or laugh. Here’s hoping for a Cal Bears victory this weekend. Thanks for reading, and Go Bears!