In a stroke of good fortune, the editors of Bachmannalia were given the opportunity – quickly snatched up – to watch the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team play host to Georgia Tech at the brand spankin’ new John Paul Jones Arena yesterday.  In addition to watching a come-from-behind win, the editors had the distinct privilege of watching from a comfy luxury box.

Truly gentle reader, the editors at this humble forum of astute opinion receive loads of endorsement money, but not enough to have a box to themselves.  Thankfully, we also know the right people.

The box was awesome – comfy leather seats, free drinks and food, a little button in the wall you push when you want service (we were too self-conscious to do so) – in other words, fabulous.  And the view was of course excellent.

That being said, the editors did find such extravagance somewhat unseemly for a public university.  In consultation with one of our regular readers, the idea came up (well said Zeno) that universities should institute some rule that all donors must give a portion of their donations to purely educational programs.  While athletics are fun for students and alumni alike, and do serve as an excellent conduit for some people to earn a degree, the marquee sports are more show than substance.

Don’t get us wrong – we love it, we love it.  Read below for more glowing stories of Cavalier triumph (and heartache).  But it seemed a little funny.

PS.  Interestingly, the arena was named for a private (and still living) donor named, fortuitously, John Paul Jones.  Despite the lack of any connection with the actual naval hero, the University was not past conflating the two by emblazoning “We have not yet begun to fight” in stone at one end of the court.  Sheesh.