Quayle family gifts UVA Athletics $5 million

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Frank Quayle has always come through for the University of Virginia, and he’s done it again.

An outstanding running back and lacrosse player for the Cavaliers, then later the color analyst for the UVA football radio network, Quayle always delivered. His contribution continued this week when Quayle and his family announced a $5 million planned gift to Virginia Athletics.

Quayle was one of the greatest football players in UVA history, having his No. 24 jersey retired after a sterling career capped off in 1968, when the running back was voted ACC Player of the Year. He was also elected ACC Athlete of the Year the same athletic calendar year.

Setting more than 20 ACC offensive records during his three seasons at Virginia, perhaps his greatest achievement was, at the time, the league’s single-season rushing mark of 1,213 yards. His average yards per carry in 1968 was an eye-popping 6.93 yards. Quayle also led the nation in all-purpose yardage in 1966 as a sophomore.

The Garden City, N.Y., native returned to Charlottesville in 1973 after a stint in the NFL and Canadian League to start an ultra successful real estate career with the Roy Wheeler group.

According to UVA, the lobby of the upcoming Olympic Sports Complex will bear the name of Frank J. Quayle III, which has special meaning to Quayle, who was close friends with the late Dr. Frank “Doc” McCue, who was UVA’s team doctor for more than four decades. The Olympic Sports Complex is connected to the McCue Center.

Quayle married wife, Peggy, at UVA Chapel in 1971 and the McCue’s hosted the couple’s reception in their backyard.

The idea of the family’s gift to Virginia came from Peggy and the couple’s three children: Jay, Willie and Kelly.

“For our family, UVA athletics is woven into the fabric of our lives,” Peggy Quayle said. “We wanted to honor Frank in a way that reflects the values of humility, perseverance and gratitude that he has carried forward.”