Welcome to the refreshed Streaking the Lawn! To celebrate the new look and feel of our sports communities, we’re sharing stories of how and why we became fans of our favorite teams. If you’d like to share your story, head over to the FanPosts to write your own post. Each FanPost will be entered into a drawing to win a $500 Fanatics gift card [contest rules]. We’re collecting all of the stories here [https://www.sbnation.com/why- we-are-fans] and featuring the best ones across our network as well. Come Fan With Us!
On Tuesday, the Virginia men’s tennis team picked up its third consecutive national championship, becoming only the fourth school to win three or more in a row, and the only team outside of the Pac 12. For Virginia fans, it was more than just a national championship in a sport that’s not particularly well-followed among the masses. It was an affirmation that the Virginia Athletics program is among the most well-rounded in the country. It was an affirmation of why they’re Virginia fans.
Tuesday was Virginia’s 25th NCAA team championship, which includes 18 on the men’s side and seven on the women’s side. Virginia’s most successful sport is men’s soccer, in which the Hoos have seven titles, followed by men’s lacrosse with five. Virginia also has NCAA titles in men’s tennis (4), women’s lacrosse (3), women’s cross country (2), women’s rowing (2), baseball (1) and boxing (1).
In fact, the Virginia Cavaliers have won a national championship at least once a year dating all the way back to 2009, including two in 2015. I’m a Virginia fan — despite over a decade of losing in football to our rival — because all of this matters. You read this site, so you’re probably in a similar boat. Yes, despite the heartbreaking losses to Syracuse, the poor clock and time-out management in fourth quarters, the pep and marching band rivalry drama, and all the other knucklehead moments that really make you cringe, you’re still a fan of your beloved Virginia Cavaliers.
Tell us why! As mentioned above, we’re running a great contest here to give away a $500 gift card to Fanatics, so you can buy fan gear for your entire Streaking the Lawn editorial staff here, or for yourself! In 800 words or fewer, write a FanPost on why you’re a fan of Virginia. It can be a story from your childhood, a story from a parent, an experience with a player -- let your imagination run wild! SB Nation will compile all of your great stories to share in a section as we invite everyone to Come Fan With Us!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. SB Nation Why Are You a Fan Contributor Sweepstakes starts on 8:00am ET on May 25, 2017 and ends at 11:59pm ET on June 8, 2017. Open only to authorized SB Nation contributors who are legal residents of the United States, 18 years or older. Click here for Official Rules and complete details, including entry instructions, odds of winning, alternative method of entry, prize details and restrictions, etc. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor: Vox Media, Inc.