Meet the team day with UVA football

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - UVA football fans got a chance to meet the players and get autographs Sunday at Virginia’s annual “Meet the Team Day.”

“We try to come every year and get everyone’s signature,” says Michelle Schaitberger. “It’s great to see their faces so when we see the game, we put a face to the number.”

Fans were feeling optimistic about the season.

“We got the people here, we got the coaching staff,” says Larry Scott. “We’re going to put it all together like you make a cake. Put in all the ingredients and it comes out great.”

UVA football fan Peter Wrightmyer was excited about the new scoring screen.

“They are going to outperform because of the new stadium, the new big screen,” says Peter Wrightmyer. “It’s going to turn them on. The big screen is going to do it”

This was coach Tony Elliott’s third Meet the Team Day at Virginia.

“It’s just awesome to see the love that they have for our players and it also puts it into perspective for them,” says Elliott. “They get to see the guys without their helmets on. They get to make a personal connection which helps me as a coach to remind these guys what they play for, they play for something bigger than themselves.”

And what does the team need from the fans?

“Show up, be there early,” says Elliott. “I think they’re going to enjoy the improvements to the stadium. The experience is going to be enhanced but I need them to show up early and be loud.”

Virginia’s season opener is Saturday of Labor Day weekend at home against Richmond at 6 p.m.

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