MILESTONE CELEBATION

The Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) honors each of its donors who reach their 40th and 50th consecutive years of giving to the Foundation. Donor giving histories have been officially recorded since 1971, with the first donors reaching their 40th consecutive year of giving in 2010 and their 50th consecutive year of giving in 2020.

The weekend celebration includes a Milestone Dinner and recognition during a football game. To date, 1,045 VAF donors have reached their 40-year milestone, and 276 donors have reached their 50-year milestone, many of whom gave for years before giving histories were officially recorded. These VAF members have been loyal supporters of the student-athletes and coaches who represent the University of Virginia and its athletics program. The Foundation is grateful for their extraordinary loyalty.

This year, the VAF was thrilled to host the event on Friday, September 13 at Boar’s Head Pavilion. This year’s event recognized sixty-seven 40-year donors and sixty-three 50-year donors who reached their consecutive giving anniversaries in 2023. The 40-year donors received a glass clock etched with the 40-year anniversary mark to represent their longtime contributions. The 50-year donors, the third group to be inducted into VAF’s Golden Sabre Society, received a medieval champagne sabre with the 50-year mark embossed on a keepsake wooden box. Using a champagne sabre to kick off celebrations is a growing trend known as Sabrage and originated with the Cavaliers in the 1700s. After winning a battle, the Cavaliers celebrated with champagne and used their sabres to pop the cork and toast victory. The following day, these milestone donor classes were also recognized onfield during halftime of the UVA vs. Maryland football game.