University News

Offering a ‘Seat at the Table,’ UVA Launches Football Fan Experience Council

The University of Virginia athletics department is recruiting football fans from “a broad spectrum of fandom” to meet periodically throughout the year and provide valuable feedback regarding their experiences at Scott Stadium.

“Our most valuable resource to make meaningful changes to our game-day experience is our fanbase,” Eric Ward, UVA’s assistant athletics director for marketing, said. “This council gives our fans a seat at the table with key stakeholders in our athletic department.

“Our priority is to provide the best experience possible for every fan at Scott Stadium, and there is no better way to move forward into the 2025 season than having collaborative and transparent discussions about all facets of our experience with the Cavalier faithful.”

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A first of its kind at the University, the fan council will have direct access to a committee of athletics personnel who each represent a different component of the football fan experience. Members of the council will meet monthly to engage in wide-ranging discussions.

In addition to Ward, the council’s chair, the committee will include Jess Armistead, Virginia Athletics Foundation’s senior director of donor experiences; Jen Madden, Virginia Sports Properties’ general manager; Mike Szlamowicz, UVA’s assistant athletics director for sport and broadcast production; and John Welch, UVA’s associate athletics director for facilities and game operations.

Others from the athletics staff and administration will also be involved during the year. The council will meet throughout the 2025 football season.

More information is available here.