Pages

November 10, 2016

The foundation is being built.

We're in a hole, and it's dirty and ugly...
but dammit, something is finally being built.


A quick excerpt from:



With a bowl game that had long been a remote possibility now a mathematical impossibility, one might wonder what’s at stake for 2-7 Virginia over its final three games. 
Center Jackson Matteo is glad you asked. 
For Matteo, a fifth-year senior, the stakes are nothing less than continuing to lay the foundation of a program that can thrive long after he and the other seniors are gone. It’s a process that, this season, anyway, is about more than wins, he said Monday. Virginia hosts Miami on Saturday.

This is a complete and total reboot of University of Virginia’s football program,” he said. “And that starts with the culture. That starts with building good habits and setting a good foundation for the future of the program. That’s what’s at stake.” 
Despite U.Va.’s record, Matteo said he’s confident a foundation is being built. He points to the selflessness of this team compared to recent years, and said players have wholeheartedly bought in to new coach Bronco Mendenhall’s approach. 
I think in the past, the type of guy that we had in our locker room, generally speaking, (were) kinda ‘me’ guys, and it’s really tough to be successful when you’ve got those guys,” he said. “This year, and I’ve told you guys this, I haven’t been tighter with a group of guys in my life in a locker room, and we’re 2-7. 
Remember that. This locker room, the habits that these coaches are building here, it’s going to carry and it’s going to break through.” 
Even if that breakthrough happens after Matteo’s gone, he’ll feel as though he played a part, he said. Although those outside the team might not understand it, there’s more to play for than a bowl, Matteo said. 
I’m not going to a bowl. I’ve never been to a bowl at the University of Virginia. And it’s not going to change the way I’m doing anything,” he said.


7 comments:

  1. Good sound bite but trust me these kids wanted to go bowling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No shit. Of course they did. The point is, while fans may see it as a lost year, those within the program do not.

      Delete
  2. The kid is speaking for himself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you seen the videos of Sheppard, Reinkensmeyer, and Le getting their jersey numbers this week?

      Maybe Matteo was speaking for himself, but I see way more good happening with this program than bad.

      Delete
  3. I didn't say good things weren't happening. The kids love the coach and the new direction of the program, but they did want to go bowling.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Several people also said they would be happy with a VT victory - I would rather have gone bowling, but a VT win would still make this a great season!

    ReplyDelete