Charlottesville stores celebrate Virginia Basketball’s rise to No. 1

Virginia Cavaliers fans could have more dates to memorize in the coming months as the UVA men’s basketball team embarks on the NCAA Tournament journey that could potentially take them to San Antonio and the Final Four. But until then, they will remember where they were on Feb. 12, 2018, when the Hoos climbed to the top of the AP Poll for the first time since 1982.

Corner landmark Mincer’s is marking the team’s rise to the top of the chart with a t-shirt that has been waiting in the wings for three years, store owner Mark Mincer told Streaking The Lawn in a phone interview Monday.

“You never know [when reaching the No. 1 spot happen],” Mincer said. “It’s been a long time. When you think back to when we were No. 1 in football—which was the last time—it can be fleeting. It’s subject to a vote every Monday, so you don’t really know how long it’s going to last.”

Mincer said around 3:00 on Monday that the store, which UVA fans have flocked to for generations to buy gear celebrating big wins and top rankings, had “a lot of phone calls,” and had its shirt online and on shelves Monday evening. The UVA bookstore and the Cavalier Team Shop all released various designs in orange, blue, and white as well.

“I think people are eager to have something tangible they can touch to help them feel this moment,” Mincer said. “I think a lot of fans, for this season, have higher hopes than just being ranked number one in February.”

For here on Streaking the Lawn, you can also purchase our Defense Lives Here and Not Boring shirts, both available through BreakingT in The Charlottesville Collection, specially curated for STL. Using the affiliate link to The Charlottesville Collection generates a little bit of revenue to help keep our site running. Read more.