UVa. football to host free preseason events

The Virginia athletics department has announced the dates for two popular fan events as well as the football team’s open practice schedule prior to the start of the 2013 season. UVa will host Movie Night at Scott Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 3, and the football program’s Meet the Team Day will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Fans will also have a chance to attend three open practices when the Cavaliers begin their fall camp. Practices scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7 will be open to the public. Practices are scheduled to start at 3:40 p.m. and will last approximately two hours. Fans attending those practices can park in the University Hall and John Paul Jones Arena parking lots.

“The support of our fans is so important to us and we look forward to these events that allow us to interact with our community,” head football coach Mike London said.  “Providing opportunities for our fans to experience coming to Scott Stadium, meeting our players, and watching us practice are important in the on-going effort to increase support for Virginia football.”

This year’s Movie Night at Scott Stadium will feature the family film Madagascar 3. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the movie is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Fans will be able to sit on the field at Scott Stadium and enjoy the movie on the stadium’s Hoo Vision video board. The football team’s locker room will be open for tours before the start of the movie.

Virginia’s Meet the Team Day will take place at John Paul Jones Arena. Players and coaches will be available for photos and autographs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The main entrance as well as the arena’s southeast and garage entrances will be used for Meet the Team Day.  Each entrance will open at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Fans will be able to pick up copies of the2013 Cavalier Football schedule poster, schedule magnet and schedule cards.  The first 500 youth in attendance will receive a free Nike mini football. The Cavalier Team Shop in the arena’s lobby will be open and concession stands featuring beverages and snacks will be available on the arena floor. All fans in attendance also have the opportunity to win door prizes, including season tickets, tickets to 2013 home games, and autographed Virginia football helmets and jerseys.  The Cavalier and his horse, Sabre, will be in attendance along with members of the Virginia spirit teams.

Virginia opens its season Aug. 31 at ScottStadium against BYU at 3:30 p.m.  Season tickets, mini-packages, and single-game tickets are on sale for the Cavaliers’ eight-game home schedule that includes match-ups with BYU, Oregon, VMI, Ball State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Virginia Tech.