Football Team Opens Spring Practice

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March 17, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va .–The University of Virginia football team begins its 1998 spring practice period on Wednesday, March 18. The Cavaliers have 32 lettermen, including 15 starters, returning from last year’s 7-4 team.

Nine starters return on defense led by All-American safety Anthony Poindexter, All-Atlantic Coast Conference tackle Antonio Dingle and middle linebacker Wali Rainer, the team’s leading tackler last season.

Quarterback Aaron Brooks leads a Virginia offensive unit that returns six starters from a year ago. In 1997, Brooks became the fifth UVa quarterback in the last eight years to lead the ACC in passing efficiency and he finished 11th in the nation in that department.

George Welsh is in his 17th year as head coach of the Cavaliers. His 16 Virginia teams have compiled an overall record of 112-72-3 (.607) and are 69-43-3 (.613) in the ACC. Welsh has won more conference games and more games overall than any other head football coach in the history of the ACC.

The Cavaliers’ annual spring game is scheduled for April 4 at the Carl Smith Center, home of David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.