CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– The Virginia athletics department announces they are canceling the Cavaliers’ home game against Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
The decision was made following the tragic shooting of five students, killing three members of the Virginia team – Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler, and D’Sean Perry. The shooting also injured two other University of Virginia students, UVA running back Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan.
The game against Coastal Carolina was set to be senior day and the final home game of the 2022 season.
During the Tuesday press conference, UVA athletic director Carla Williams and football coach Tony Elliott said there was still no decision on either game, and that the players’ input would be considered.
On Wednesday morning it was decided that the game would be canceled.
“Our program is heartbroken for the University of Virginia, the victims’ families, loved ones, friends, and the entire community of Charlottesville. While our football team was looking forward to competing against the University of Virginia, we support their decision not to play,” said Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell in a statement. “Our program will continue to uplift their program, University, and community in our prayers as they continue to navigate this difficult time. We all stand in solidarity with UVa.”
Virginia has not made a decision about the final game of the season, the Cavaliers’ Nov. 26 game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
The UVA staff have been focused on the players and helping them grieve the loss of their brothers. The team has not held practice the last few days, instead of focused on meeting together to celebrate the lives of Davis, Perry and Chandler.
“Iin our first meeting with the student-athletes we had a lot of counselors on hand that were there and available to work with the student-athletes,” said Williams. “Not only our football student-athletes, but all of our student-athletes we had counselors available for.”
“For me the best coping mechanism for me is the young men. Having a chance to be around them and to see them, and to see their pain, to see their hurt just inspires me to keep pushing forward each and every day. There’s no — you prepare for this job. There’s no chapter on a situation like this,” said Elliott during the press conference. “So I’m trying to figure out step-by-step how to be strong for these young men. I’m really relying on my faith, the foundation that I have there, trying to use that to inspire me every minute of the day.
“Today started probably how the last two days have started, but it ended a lot better. I think the guys are on the road to healing, but it’s going to take some time,” added Elliott. “Our approach is to keep them together as much as we possibly can to make sure we have eyes on them, because nothing can prepare you for this situation, and we just want to be there to support the guys. “
We’re slowly trying to process and move forward, but we’re looking for the positive and keeping close rings on each other so we can grieve together.
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