Tony Elliot:

To the University of Virginia Community,

I want to extend my thanks and gratitudecfor 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.