Photos: UVA Football Welcomes Special Guest to Early Morning Workout

Amid the still of a dark winter morning in Charlottesville was a buzz generating from Massie Road. 

The next University of Virginia football season is months away, but the Cavaliers aren’t wasting any time. For two hours Friday morning, the team, led by strength and conditioning coach Adam Smotherman, wrapped another week of workouts.

A community of change makers. Where professional learners lead, Fairfax
A community of change makers. Where professional learners lead, Fairfax

After lifting weights in the Robert Hardie Football Operations Center, the Wahoos moved next door to the George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility for conditioning drills. That’s where a special guest, UVA President Jim Ryan, joined them.

Ryan experienced for himself what it’s like to grind through a series of full-field runs at 7 a.m. UVA Today senior photographer Matt Riley was on hand to capture the action. 

Portrait of UVA’s football facilities glow on an otherwise dark winter morning.

UVA’s football facilities glow on an otherwise dark winter morning. Inside, the Wahoos were hard at work in preparation for next season.

Candid portrait of President Ryan with the UVA football team during a morning workout.
Ryan addresses the huddle of Cavaliers before a series of conditioning runs. “I have a great deal of respect for what you do for UVA,” he told the players. “Sports are a huge part of the UVA community.”
Candid portrait of President Ryan with the UVA football team during a morning workout.
Flanked by quarterbacks Grady Brosterhous, left, and Daniel Kaelin, right, Ryan approaches the halfway point of a full-field sprint.
Candid UVA football team during a early morning workout.
Opened in 2013, the George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility is a 78,000 square-foot structure serving many purposes for the football team, including a place for conditioning drills during the winter months.
Portrait UVA football team during an early morning workout.
While you might not see them until the fall, the football team’s run toward the season begins in January.
Portrait of Carla Williams with President Ryan.
UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams lends a supporting shoulder to Ryan following Friday’s workout.
Portrait of UVA football team during an early morning workout.
It’s early, but the UVA football team is an energetic bunch on a Friday morning, eager to attack another winter workout.