On Saturday, the University of Virginia and James Madison University football teams will face off in the two schools’ first meeting in 40 years. As they get ready to take the field in the Cavaliers’ home opener, the University is preparing multiple events to remember the tragedy that took place on Grounds last November and to bring the community together as this year’s season begins.
The first event will take place on Friday at 3 p.m. on the Betsy and John Casteen Arts Grounds on Culbreth Road between Ruffin Hall and the Drama Education building. UVA leaders, athletes and community members will gather for a memorial tree planting and plaque dedication honoring Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. The student-athletes were killed by a gunman on Grounds last fall. Also recognized in the ceremony will be Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan, who were wounded in the attack. Chandler, Perry and Davis were all UVA football players, as is Hollins.
They, along with other classmates, were on a bus Nov. 13 that had just returned to Grounds from a field trip to Washington when another student began shooting. He was later arrested.
UVA President Jim Ryan will speak at the memorial, along with Athletics Director Carla Williams and Rector Robert Hardie. The event will be streamed live. A remote viewing area will be set up in Campbell Hall rooms 158 and 160. If it rains, the memorial will still take place outside, but the reception will be moved to the lobby of the Drama Education building. For severe weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Culbreth Theatre with overflow seating in the Helms Theatre. The reception will remain in the drama building lobby.
