Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The University of Virginia’s athletics landscape took a major shift recently, with Tony Bennett, one of the school’s all-time greats and the leader in career wins, announcing his retirement. Speaking on WINA Morning News, UVA’s official athletics collective executive director Lo Davis shared his perspective on Bennett’s decision and the influence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) on the university’s athletic programs. 

“When I heard the news, I was actually at Keswick and happened to be putting on a golf tournament for our baseball team,” Davis recalled. “I literally was in shock, like the rest of the world.” He described Bennett’s departure as both a surprise and a reflection of the evolving priorities within college sports. 

Davis highlighted Bennett’s complex view on NIL, emphasizing the former coach’s support for student-athlete compensation while also critiquing the lack of consistent rules. ” What Tony struggled with was the lack of rules and the lack of an even playing field,” Davis noted, stressing that while Bennett valued player opportunities, he was concerned about the impact on program integrity. 

As Davis explained, UVA Athletics and the CAP Futures collective are working to establish a competitive presence within the NIL landscape, ensuring the program’s commitment to student success while navigating an increasingly complex sports environment. 

Listen here for the full conversation: