Life After Virginia

A call to action for Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Impact

We all dedicated a good portion of our lives to a dream—hours in the gym, the weight room, the film sessions, the relentless pursuit of excellence—only to wake up one day and find it all gone. The final whistle blows, the locker room empties, and the identity that once defined you suddenly feels uncertain.

For student-athletes, the transition from sport to life beyond competition is one of the most significant, yet most overlooked, challenges they will ever face. While they leave their sport with discipline, resilience, and teamwork, they often step into the world with uncertainty, anxiety, and self-doubt. Who am I without my sport? What’s next? How do I translate my experiences into success in the professional world? And, for too many, these questions come with a silent battle against mental health struggles that go unspoken. Sound familiar?

This is where WE step in.

We have a responsibility—not just as former players or mentors, but as a family—to ensure that every current and former student-athlete is prepared not just to compete, but to thrive beyond the game. We must build a bridge between who they were on the field and who they can become in life. We are always Wahoos!

Join the Network

By Wahoos. For Wahoos. For Life.

LAVA is a nonprofit foundation built to stand with UVA Football student-athletes—past and present—as they navigate the challenges of college, life after the game, and everything in between.

This Network will serve as a central hub for all news, and services tailored exclusively for current and former UVA Football players. The LAVA Athlete Network offers a platform for interaction and communication, ensuring that current and former student-athletes stay connected with the program and one another. It's the go-to source for resources needed for event programs, updates, reunions, highlights, and much more.

The Foundation: A lifelong community of support

The Life After Virginia Foundation exists to support the whole athlete—helping current and former UVA football student-athletes navigate life beyond the game with confidence, connection, and clarity. Our mission is to light the path forward, every step of the way.

We are enhancing many of the programs launched over the years by building a comprehensive foundation that will serve as a lifeline for both current and former student-athletes. This initiative will provide:

✅ Career Development & Professional Training: Helping athletes translate their skills into meaningful careers through mentorship, internships, networking, and real-world preparation.

✅ Mental Health & Transition Support: Addressing the emotional toll of leaving the game behind with access to counseling, peer-to-peer support, and wellness programs.

✅ Alumni Connection & Lifelong Mentorship: Building a strong network (LAVA NETWORK) where former student-athletes can connect, engage, give back, mentor, and invest in the brotherhood and those following in their footsteps.

Why Alumni must get on board... Now.

Because you’ve been there. You know the feeling of stepping away from the game. You know how hard it was to adjust, to find your place, to redefine your purpose. Many of us have struggled navigating our way off the football field; this is your chance to help someone else.

Because someone once helped you. Maybe it was a coach, a mentor, a teammate, or an unexpected supporter. Now, it's your turn to be that person for the next generation.

Because this is your legacy. Your impact doesn’t end when you stop competing—it grows when you reach back and lift up those who are walking the same path you once did. The greatest teams are built on the foundation of those who came before. Don’t forget what it felt like to be on the field, in the huddle, in the locker room!

Because the need is urgent. Too many athletes struggle in silence, feeling isolated and uncertain. If we don’t step up, who will?

This is not about wins and losses, coaches or administration, this is about US!

TONY ELLIOTT

Head Football Coach

"Being a part of the University of Virginia Football program is about more for our scholar-athletes than just winning games. The Number One thing that I desire for each of my players is to earn their degree. By serving their hearts and not their talents we can build the best 30-year-old versions of themselves. The Alumni Club's 'Career Kickoff' is a foundational element of our Cavalier Code Player Development Program, and it's through events like these that we will build true Champion Men on and off the field."

RON CAREY

CEO, Tilt Creative + Production

1990 UVA Graduate

"As a former player and now an employer, I know the value that our student-athletes provide. Virginia Football produces resilient, hardworking and team-oriented players."

DAVID DEAN

Greentech Renewables

2015 UVA Graduate

"As a former NFL and CFL player facing the transition to a new career, their invaluable assistance, mentorship, and vast network of professionals played a pivotal role in helping me secure a jpb that perfectly aligns with my skills and interests. I'm thankful for the dedication and impact of the Career Networking group, ensuring that other alumni can also benefit from this incredible resource. I am truly grateful to VFAC for providing such a supportive and empowering platform for us as we navigate life beyond football."

DEREK DIVINE

2022 UVA Graduate

"I want to express my gratitude for the Virginia Football Alumni Club's Career Networking group. As a former UVA Football player transitioning into the professional world, their support and guidance were instrumental in heling me secure a position at a prominent consulting firm. The networking opportunities and mentorship provided by this incredible group were invaluable in honing my skills and connecting me with like-minded professionals."

Sign up online to get help finding a job you're excited about.

Current and former players submit some basic information about their background and interests that helps us understand what they want to do next. A member of our team works with each recent grad to review their interests, resume, and more.

Other Virginia Football Alumni are contacted to help.

After the requestor receives mentorship from a member of our team, we send out information about them to our network of alumni. These alumni can then help the individual find job opportunities in their areas of interest.