Hailing from Passaic, New Jersey, Tommy Vigorito arrived in Charlottesville in 1976 and quickly made an impact as a running back and kick returner. Known for his toughness as equally as his quickness, Vigorito left Virginia in 1980 ranking No. 2 all-time on the Cavaliers career rushing list behind only John Papit, who had set the mark from 1947-50.
Vigorito, who finished with 2,913 rushing yards, is still No. 7 on that list, having only been passed by Thomas Jones, Tiki Barber, Terry Kirby, Kevin Parks and Wali Lundy.
He toted the mail for 648 carries, still the fifth-most ever by a UVA back, and is also 12th on the school’s all-time, all-purpose yardage list with 3,922, including 587 yards in kickoff returns.

From Virginia, he was drafted in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins and Don Shula, and amassed a five-year career NFL. His 87-yard, game-winning kickoff return against Pittsburgh still ranks as one of the league’s top plays of Thursday Night Football.