Men's basketball head coach Tony Bennett and women's basketball head coach Debbie Ryan announced today that they would each be giving away 50 2010-2011 season tickets as prizes to an essay contest, following the suit and success of Mike London earlier this season. The tickets, in section 108 for men's games and 115 for women's games, will be a part of the Tony Bennett's Fanatic Cavalier Club and the Debbie Ryan's Fanatic Cavalier Club, respectively. Each coach will award to the tickets to 25 fans.
"I thought the essay contest and fanatic fan club Mike London created leading up to football season was a great idea," Bennett said in Virginia's release. "Our fans really made a difference in some of our home wins last season with their vocal support. I want to help create the best home court advantage for our team."
"Our fans provide the cornerstone for our program," Ryan said. "Their energy and enthusiasm often carry our team to victory at home. I'm excited to help create a great home court advantage for our team this season by awarding fans with these season tickets."
To enter the contest fans must submit an essay that answers these questions: why are you crazy about Virginia basketball and how do you show your Cavalier spirit?
The submission must be 1,000 words or less. A picture of the fan in his or her best Virginia gear must also be submitted to support the essay with the entrant's name, age, address, phone number, and e-mail address. All submissions will be made through e-mail to fanaticcavalier@virginia.edu for men's basketball games, and wbbfanatic@virginia.edu for the women's games.
Tony Bennett's Fanatic Cavalier Club entries may also be submitted by mail to:
University of Virginia Sports Marketing and Promotions Office
Attention: Tony Bennett's Fanatic Cavalier Club Essay Contest
P.O. Box 400854
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Debbie Ryan's Fanatic Cavalier Club entries may also be submitted by mail to:
Universityof Virginia Sports Marketing and Promotions Office
Attention:Debbie Ryan's Fanatic Cavalier Club Essay Contest
P.O.Box 400854
Charlottesville,VA 22904
The submission deadline is Friday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted.
A committee, including Coach Bennett and Coach Ryan, respectively, will judge the submissions and determine the 50 winners (25 from each coach). The contest winners will be announced on Friday, Oct. 29. Each winner will receive two 2010-11 Virginia men's, or women's, respectively, basketball season tickets.
Here are the full contest details for the Tony Bennett's Fanatic Cavalier Club and for the Debbie Ryan's Fanatic Cavalier Club.