Although they were familiar with the main attractions, the fan club story opened the Deckers' eyes to the fun opportunities beyond Scott Stadium, John Paul Jones Arena and DeSharon Park.
“It gave us an opportunity to expand our horizons,” Rob said. “We have this great asset in Charlottesville with top-notch athletes and facilities throughout. Why not take a peek under the hood and check it out?”
Susan, who has been coordinating her sons' away baseball schedules for years and is well trained as a professional planner, began filling her calendar with games in late summer. Their first trip was to Turf Field on Aug. 25, where they watched the No. 6 ranked UVA field hockey team defeat No. 5 Penn State, 2-1.
On October 6, at Memorial Gymnasium, Deckers spotted a UVA student-athlete after a competition, asked him to take a photo with him holding a piece of paper showing a stop with a destination number written on it, and decided to take on the challenge with his own. I added some ideas. .
Cavalier volleyball player Ashley Lee was the first to respond to the couple's request after the University of Virginia-Clemson game.
“We struggled a little bit at first,” Rob said. “We didn't know how to document that. But then we came up with the idea of having the student-athletes provide actual numbers for each event, and the student-athletes bought into that 100%. They were very polite and courteous. I was really impressed.”
Cavaliers participating in the photo ranged from men's cross country runner Wes Porter (Deckers stopped 6th) on October 14th, women's squash athlete Erin O'Connor (stopped 11th) on February 17th, and women's tennis player Erin O'Connor (stopped 11th) on February 17th. It ranges from player Melody Corrado. Meggie Navarro on March 24th (Stop 17) male golfer paul chan April 8th (stop 20).
“It was so cool to go all over the place and see all the talented athletes,” Susan said. “Like golf, it was at an elite level and something I had never seen in person. And tennis, my goodness. I've been to the U.S. Open, and you can go to Boar's Head for free. You can watch high-level tennis there. And you're right next to the court. And I didn't know about it at all. And I'm a tennis fan. !
“So it was really amazing. Like, how in the last 24 years have I ever not been here to see this? That's how I felt about squash as well, unbelievable. It was at such a high level.”
The Deckers saw social value in their adventures, not just as spectators. A conversation with the father of field hockey player Adele Iacobucci later led to a visit to his restaurant in the Philadelphia area. They also came away amazed by the dedication of the mother of a volleyball player who is a surgeon in Texas and attended her daughter's games.
“Our sons played college baseball (at Roanoke College and Salisbury College), so we're good at identifying sports parents in the stands,” Rob said. “We were able to step into their shoes at one point and feel what they were going through – how intensely nervous they were.
“But after the competition, we got to see them meet their kids, and that was nice. I liked the aspect of seeing the game through their eyes. It brought us back. .”
From feelings of nostalgia to a newfound appreciation for the many great teams and venues UVA has to offer, Deckers leaves the journey completed grateful for the experience.
Following the fan club route is “not for the weary,” Rob said. “But you'll be glad you did.”
