CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW- It’s no secret that there has been a massive shift in how college football operates with the infusion of revenue from NIL and now the House Settlement authorizing Universities to compensate student athletes directly.  While it may be a shock to the system for those who love amateur athletics, the proverbial saying rings true “We are where we are” and the task for UVA was to adjust to the new landscape and be proactive as opposed to being reactive.  Virginia Athletics Director Carla Williams has indicated publicly and also in her podcast with Voice of the Cavaliers John Freeman that her department has been researching their next moves for the last couple of years, and she recently named Tyler Jones, the new General Manager for Football and Women’s Basketball.  However, one concern that many fans have is whether the integrity of developing young people will be lost in a “pay for play model” and the Executive Director of the official collective for the Athletics Department, Lo Davis, says UVA is committed to the same values even though money is now involved.  “NIL ( Name Image and Likeness) that’s what it’s all about not just who has the biggest bag, so I think there is a situation now where student athletes who are performing on and off the field, they’re gonna get rewarded for that and so now, yes, it is still part of the recruiting process because these are opportunities that go above and beyond the salary cap but at the same time I think it levels the playing field for now what is true use of the student athlete’s name image and likeness.  There is going to be a return on investment for both the student athlete and the corporate partner that works with them.”

Davis went on to say that the environment at the University is now what makes the difference in this new landscape, and he is confident that UVA is competitive not only with compensation but also with athletics culture to recruit top student athletes. ” Well, I’ll say it, it’s about culture and I’ll just be honest and transparent from the Cav Futures side, if it wasn’t for the money, we wouldn’t have even attracted these student athletes here to get a meeting.  The recruiting process has changed now, so when you get a student athlete based on just an offer sheet to come and visit to see that you’re serious, and they meet with coach Elliott and his staff and they see the investment in football, that’s what’s flipped it for a lot of people and we’ve talked to a lot of these transfers who have said wow I would have never known that Virginia had this, I would have never known that Coach Elliott had this mission.”

Davis also referenced the fact that not only is the University trying to emphasize culture, but that student athletes are also getting financial management education from a large reputable investment firm and the fact that two football players already have investment properties.  So, the goal as Davis frames it as the philosophy of Cav Futures is a “forty-year decision” not a four year one.  Although the business of football is in full swing, the Cavaliers are currently preparing to open their season at home against Coastal Carolina on August 30th, and coverage on WINA will begin at 4 p.m.