CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – University of Virginia Athletics Director Carla Williams took time with Charlottesville Radio Group stations wanting to thank the Charlottesville and UVa communities for the love and support over the past several months following last November’s unspeakable tragedy.

“We need you… we need the support of the University community, we need the Charlottsville community, we need the surrounding communities to come out and support these young men and the families that will be back here,” Williams told WINA Morning News.

“Some of the family members started coming in on Monday.”

Williams said all want to be loved, appreciated, and acknowledged… to feel a sense of security especially in times of uncertainty.

“I think the community, the University community, the Charlottesville community has done that for our student athletes, for our coaches, for our staff.”

She said it would have been very easy for many of the athletes to leave. However, they’ve chosen to stay and go through this.

“Them being able to feel a sense of support and security from those around them has meant a lot.”

She’s urging the community to come out to the commemoration events that start Friday. At 3pm Friday, there’s a tree planting ceremony on the Arts Grounds on Culbreth Road between Ruffin Hall and the Drama Education Building. UVa President Jim Ryan will speak as well as Rector Robert Hardie and Williams. She says the football team will be there, as will the Devin’s, D’Sean’s, and Lavel’s families. A remote viewing area will be set up in Campbell Hall rooms 158 and 160. If it rains, the memorial will still take place outside, but the reception will be moved to the lobby of the Drama Education building. For severe weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Culbreth Theatre with overflow seating in the Helms Theatre. The reception will remain in the drama building lobby.

You will be able to click here for a live stream.

The community is also invited to start gathering at Ting Pavilion Friday night at 8 for Paint the Town Orange that starts at 8:30. This annual night-before-home-football-opener pep rally starts with the cheer squad and marching band traversing the Downtown Mall to Ting. It’s there the football team will be, and usually the head coach says a few words.

Saturday morning, Williams encourages people to gather around 9:30 on Whitehead Road for the Wahoo Walk. That’s a ceremonial team walk into the stadium before the game. She says Lavel’s, D’Sean’s, and Devin’s families will be part of the walk.

Then at 11:30, Williams says it’s around than a pre-game commemoration ceremony will happen honoring the players we lost and their families. Fans are encouraged to wear orange for an “Orange Out”… and the first 35,000 will receive free orange “UVa Strong” t-shirts. James Madison University’s Athletics Director Jeff Bourne has urged his university’s fans to be seated and share in the commemoration as well.

Click here for his note to the JMU community.

Kickoff for the first regular season game at Scott Stadium since the November 13 incident is noon.

Click here for WINA Jay James’ complete Morning News interview with Carla Williams.