To the University of Virginia Community,
I want to extend my thanks and gratitude
for the unbelievable strength and support you all have offered
in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
When I first came to Charlottesville,
I immediately realized how special it is.
That unique identity,
the connections that hold us all together
from the Range and the Lawn
to the halls of academia
to its athletic grounds
it's not just the place, but the people.
Its true foundation
and over the past several months
your actions have highlighted
what was once only a hope
That there exists a genuine passion
an authentic connection
and a true love for every aspect of Virginia Athletics
The events of that November night
transcend football, transcend sport.
Beyond what any individual
or even team has the capacity to shoulder
and you all showed up.
You were there for D'Sean,
Lavel
and Devin.
from student-athletes honoring them during competition
to classmates paying tribute through vigil
You were there.
for us.
You shared our grief
You gave us strength
and helped us stand
on a foundation of faith.
Beauty from tragedy
We have cried together.
We have laughed together.
We have held each other tight
and now we will move forward with each other.
We will greet the morning
but never forget our stars that shone through the night.
Our grounds will never be the same.
but therein lies our opportunity
to take both moments of the valley
and of the mountaintops
meeting each with honor
and strengthening our unbreakable bond
as we move from spring to summer
to the games of the fall
I couldn't be more proud to be wearing
the orange and blue.
We play for the fallen
We play for the University
We play
for you.