The 1968 Cavaliers delivered UVA their first winning season in 16 years.
Welcome back, sports fans, to Throwback Thursday, a time to look upon our past with equal parts nostalgia, pride and a healthy dose of shame. For as casual style goes through awkward changes and redesigns, so do football uniforms and logos.
This week we take a look at the 1968 Virginia Cavaliers:
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Charlottesville, Va., in 1968 wasn't too hopeful about their Cavaliers. And, you couldn't really blame them. After all, the last time the Hoos had a winning season was 1952. But, head coach George Blackburn had led UVA to two 5-5 seasons in three years; so, he had to feel like he was getting close.
The Cavs, dressed in gorgeous, classic uniforms with an iconic V logo on stylish orange helmets, wouldn't just get close in 1968. They would finally break through and deliver a winning season for the first time in 16 years.
Since '68, UVA football has had only a couple of bright spots: some nine and 10-win seasons in the '80s and '90s and a pair of ACC titles in 1989 and 1995. But, the '68 breakthrough remains a symbol of hope for Cavs fans, a fan base who hasn't seen back-to-back winning seasons since 2004, and current head coach Mike London resurrected the '68 uniforms to bring a little bit of that hope and resilience from the past to the 2012 squad, who was looking to break the streak after finishing 8-4 in 2011.
Sadly, 2012 wasn't the Hoos' year, but the Cavs will play on with that hope and resilience remembered still in Charlottesville today.
And, perhaps, the final ingredient needed for another Virginia resurgence is a return to the style of '68.
