CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Virginia athletics, and its fundraising arm, the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF), has received a $2.2 million anonymous gift to provide scholarships for male athletes on the Cavaliers swim team.   

“The incredible generosity of this commitment will have an immediate and long-lasting impact for UVA men’s swimming which in turn benefits our entire athletics program,” UVA Athletic Director Carla Williams said in a statement.   

Ahead of the 2025 season, the Hoos will be adding the top-ranked recruiting class in men’s swimming.  Three of its incoming first years are ranked in the top 10 nationally, Maximus Williamson of Texas, Richmond native Nathan Szobota, along with Western Albemarle grad, Crozet native, and 2024 Paris Olympian Thomas Heilman.   

The talented class will join a group of strong upperclassmen, headed by Jack Aikens, fresh off his races at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore. 

When paired with university matching funds, the anonymous gift totals $2.7 million dollars in scholarship funds for Todd DeSorbo’s team.   

“This support will help us continue to build a team that competes for championships and represents the University at the highest level,” DeSorbo said in a statement. 

Several members of the current men’s squad are competing at the TYR Summer Championships in Irvine, California.