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March 16, 2007
Columbus, OH – One of the classic images during March Madness is the shot of the end of the bench, players arms hooked together as they agonize over the final seconds of a close ball game. A lot of time those players are the team’s walkons who only have a chance to step on the court if the game is lopsided and only in the closing moments. That would be just fine for Virginia’s Damin Altizer, Bob McCormick or David Noel. They are very grateful to just be along for the ride.
All three of the Cavalier walkons who had to go through a try-out process to make the team, are in their first season playing for coach Dave Leitao. A year ago they could only dream to be in this position.
“I’m pretty sure I was sitting on my couch with a two-liter Coke and Domino’s pizza just watching all the games with my friends,” Noel said. “As far as thinking about playing in the tournament, let’s just say it was not something that I had planned in my future.”
How things have changed for all three UVa undergrads. Altizer, a 5-11 guard, is a second-year from tiny Millboro in Bath County. He lettered four times for Bath County High School and was an all-state selection as a senior. McCormick, a 6-5 forward, is also a second-year from Chicago. He prepped at Francis W. Parker High School where he also played baseball and soccer. Noel, a 6-3 first-year guard, hails from Houston, Texas. He was the team’s MVP as a senior at St. John’s High School.
All three had opportunities to play at smaller college levels of basketball, but instead opted to pursue their academic goals at Virginia. Trying out and making the basketball team as a walkon was strictly a bonus.
Now they find themselves in the middle of March Madness.
“It is definitely exciting to be here,” Altizer said. “You get the chance to watch some of the best basketball in the country right up close. It is a once in a lifetime experience, so you have to make the most of it.”
“It is weird because it is something I grew up watching and is something that has always been really special, McCormick said. “To all the sudden be a part of it, you almost have to step back for a moment and think about how far you have come. It has been a dream of mine since I was little. Coming to Virginia, I knew it was a long shot, but has all been great and I’m happy to be here now.”
All three players have appeared in at least two games this season. McCormick is the only one to have scored, tallying a field goal in a home win against Miami.
The trio, who have yet to be labeled with a lasting nickname from their teammates are not just along for the ride. They all work hard in practice to help prepare the team for the next opponent.
“We had a couple of good back-to-back practices,” Noel said. “It seems like everyone is locked in and focused on the business we have at hand. Coming off the loss against NC State last week has gotten a fire under everyone. I think it made everyone really focused for this week.”
They laughed about getting some “face time” on television during Thursday’s open practices at the Nationwide Arena and said they never think about it during the games until the phone calls and text messages pour in after the games from friends and family members.
The trio would all cherish the chance to step on the court and get some actual game time during March Madness, but they are content with cheering on their teammates from the bench, even if it means crossing arms in unity during a tight game.
“Oh, we would probably do that,” McCormick said. “After all, we have an image to maintain as walkons.”