The Pros of Sporting Events

Photo from Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Next to Greek Life, sports are one of the biggest social experiences at the University. And not just because you get to experience the joys of singing “The Good Old Song” at football games. Maybe you’re a lifelong fan, or maybe you just want to go for the experience. Either way, here are a few things you might want to know about sporting events at UVA.

Pro: you earn Sabre Points by going to any sporting event.

If you plan on going to the basketball games, this is a huge one. Since there's limited space in the JPJ arena, there's a raffle for the order in which you're allowed to enter the arena. This only happens for basketball, so all of you baseball fans have nothing to worry about. The basketball games themselves are still free with your student ID - like any other sport - but if you want your choice of seat you want to get as many points as possible. Every other sporting event (excluding the basketball game) is worth some number of Sabre Points (usually 5 or 10). To see the exact worth of each event (and keep track of what's happening when) sign up for the Hoo Crew's mailing list!

Pro: you can get free stuff

Who doesn't like new UVA-branded swag? Some sporting events, like football, have a t-shirt cannon. Others, like Women’s Soccer, regularly raffle off swag packs for answering trivia on Twitter. But for students, in addition to getting free entry by showing your student ID, you can receive everything from free pizza to a cowbell to a free t-shirt. You can keep track of what's being offered at which event by signing up for the Hoo Crew emails, or by following some of the official sporting Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts.

Pro: hang out with your friends & support your fellow Hoos!

Our sports teams are pretty good, and what better way to end a week of hard work than having a good time with your friends? Come for the swag or Sabre Points, but stay for the vibes. Who doesn’t like to join hands and give a yell for good old UVA, or jam along with the marching band? There are unique traditions at each game, from stomping on the bleachers to shaking your hand and chanting ‘Hoos’. Just follow the lead of the upperclassmen and go along with it; you’re sure to have a good time. Go Hoos!