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In Memoriam

“When youth dies for loyalty’s sake,
the hallowed memory of love abides.” 

A marble tablet in the University of Virginia Chapel bears this inscription. It was given in honor of Archer Christian by his teammates following Christian's untimely death on November 13, 1909 of head trauma sustained in a game against Georgetown University. His passing would forever change the rules and safety of the game. 

May it never be that we forget the brothers who lined up shoulder to shoulder alongside us during our years at the University. 

Below are members of the Virginia Football Family who have passed, but whose memories and legacies on and off the field carry on in perpetuity thanks to the generous gifts made by former teammates on their behalf. These gifts also help ensure that no teammate, coach, manager, trainer, or friend is ever forgotten.

 

Read below for more information on this program. 

Bill Dudley '41

Bill Dudley '41

1921 - 2010

Graham, VA

Given in memory, by his teammates

Charlie Mott '51

Charlie Mott '51

1929 - 2020

Huntington, WV

Given in memory, by Chip Mark '79

E. Paul Rogers '68

E. Paul Rogers '68

1946 - 2000

Atlanta, GA

Given in memory, by Chip Mark '79

Andy Selfridge '71

Andy Selfridge '71

1949 - 2019

Cleveland, OH

Given in memory for his devotion, by a friend

Leigh Drewry '79

Leigh Drewry '79

1956 - 2017

South Hill, VA

Given in memory for his devotion, by a friend

Kevin Bowie '79

Kevin Bowie '79

1957 - 1976

Plainfield, NKJ

Given in memory, by his teammates

Al Alvarez '79

Al Alvarez '79

1958 - 2008

Colonia, NJ

Given in memory, by his teammates

James Chaplin '91

James Chaplin '91

1969 - 1991

Pullman, WA

Given in memory, by Chip Cathey '91

Bryan Heath '94

Bryan Heath '94

1972 - 2013

Kernersville, NC

Given in memory, by a friend

Tyrone Davis '95

Tyrone Davis '95

1972 - 2022

Halifax, VA

Given in memory, by a friend

Ljubomir Stamenich '01

Ljubomir Stamenich '01

1979-2005

McLean, VA

Given in memory, by Scooter Clark '01

Jared Woodson '01

Jared Woodson '01

1978 - 2025

North Garden, VA

Given in memory, by Vivian Yancey, Allie Miller, Thomas & Gail Oltmanns

D'Sean Perry '23

D'Sean Perry '23

2000 - 2022

Miami, FL

May his friendship and memory always be a blessing

Lavel Davis, Jr '24

Lavel Davis, Jr '24

2002 - 2022

Ridgeville, SC

May his friendship and memory always be a blessing

Devin Chandler '24

Devin Chandler '24

2002 - 2022

Huntersville, NC

May his friendship and memory always be a blessing

Danny Wilmer

Danny Wilmer

1947 - 2025

Buena Vista, VA

Given in memory, by his players

Gene Corrigan

Gene Corrigan

1928 - 2020

Baltimore, MD

Given in memory for his devotion, by a friend

  • Aspirationally, it's a way for us to honor our collective history and to remember those who helped shape Virginia Football through a variety of outlets. 

     

    Tangibly, it's an avenue for alums to make financial contributions in memory of a deceased teammate, coach, manager, staff or friend of the program.

  • It's origin is three-fold:

    1. An alum stepped forth in Winter 2019 and presented the idea. He felt strongly about honoring past teammates, coaches, and friends of the program, and ensuring that they were never forgotten.

    2. As a Club, we were then quick to recognize that there wasn't a proper vehicle thru which to do that, nor did we have a reliable way to know when folks pass. Some of these updates eventually got to us, but far too many were slipping thru the cracks. 

    3. As a group that genuinely believes in and seeks to nurture our common bonds, it was easy to see that this was an area where we were falling short. 

  • Funds can be designated by the Donor for a variety of purposes. Unless otherwise specified, funds are held in a separate account and earmarked for paying respect to surviving family members thru cards, flowers, etc. as appropriate. 

    By reserving funds for these purposes only, we create a measure of accountability to act when Family members pass away.

  • Absolutely. Just leave a note in the 'Memo' field.

  • Certainly. Recurring gifts help ensure that we can support this effort properly and in perpetuity.

  • Absolutely. Send a note to vfac@virginia.edu if you learn of someone's passing so we can follow-up accordingly. ​

  • We've established Homecoming as the annual time and place to recognize those within the Family who passed in the preceding year. An in-game tribute—including names, headshots, and a moment of silence—scrolls on Hoo Vision. 

The lists below are a work in progress. 

Contact vfac@virginia.edu with any errors or omissions.

2025

Danny Wilmer

Van Krebs '68

Kevin Morgan '89

Mark Krichbaum '94

Jared Woodson '01

Corey Mosley '11

2024

Edwin Hansen '51

Gordon Granger IV '52

Meb Turner '54

Robert Gunderman '57

Al Cash '59

John Barger '61

John Marlow '61

Henry Massie '64

James Donley Jr. '66

Ken Poates '67

Greg Shelly '68

John Luderman '83

Lenny Lumpkins '86

Robert Toney '90

Kenneth Miles '92

Eddie Robertson '96

2023

Rick Lantz

Lew Hansen '51

Eugene Schroeder '51

Arnold Dempsey '61

John Linn '64

Jimmy Massie '80

Tyrone Davis '95

Fady Chamoun '99

2022

Peter Gay '54

James Pugh '55

Carlton Schelhorn '55

Rives Bailey '56

Jim Bakhtiar '58

Frank Call '59

Wayne Ballard '60

Ronald Gassert '62

James Shoch '63

Richard Myers '65

Steven Shawley '74

Fred Miles '85

D'Sean Perry '23

Lavel Davis Jr. '24

Devin Chandler '24

"In the name of the University of Virginia I accept with solemn pride this memorial tablet which his comrades and those who loved Archer Christian have cause to be set up in this quiet chapel. This tablet, I am glad to see, has distinction and beauty as a thing of art. The spectacle of the brooding, fostering figure of learning, guarding and guiding the way of dauntless and steadfast youth appeals to our imaginations and drives straight to our hearts.

 

With tenderer and nobler symbolism, however, the tablet possesses the power to keep forever green and vivid in this dim religious spot the memory of a brave, pure-souled Virginia boy who died doing his duty eagerly in an honorable context in the service of his alma mater. Here Archer Christian shall dwell always in immortal youth, cherished by unnumbered generations of his kind who will read this inscription, absorb this symbolism and come to understand more clearly the beauty of clean living, loyal acting and whole-hearted self-forgetfulness.

 

In this way may it please the dear God who rules and guides us all to transmute pain into gain and grievous loss into abounding and glorious victory."

--

Edwin Alderman

President University of Virginia

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