The Time Has Come: Saddle Up, Let’s Ride

A week ago, I reunited with an old friend to talk about a new life. Dave Scarangella and myself had worked together in the mid-1970s as we began to carve out careers in the newspaper business.

Although we had kept in touch, we hadn’t seen each other in a while, and so upon our meeting at the Black Bear Bistro in downtown Warrenton, well, it was like old times. I had just lost my job after 36 years of covering University of Virginia athletics amongst other sports and was exploring the next step. Dave, who had been semi-retired after successful stints in newspapers and the furniture industry, showed up with encouragement and a helping hand.

I had previously explored the idea of a website by talking with the ever-so-kind Chris Graham and Scott German in Waynesboro. By then I had convinced myself to begin my own company, and so my subsequent meeting with Dave, being the marketing genius he is, confirmed my desires to “go for it.” We decided to join forces and came up with a game plan somewhat similar to Napolean’s, who was once asked what his strategy to win battles was all about and he said, “Show up and see what happens.”

After leaving our lunch meeting, I walked out of the restaurant door with confidence, but yet a little fearful. It’s not easy starting your life all over again.

As I was strolling down the rain-soaked sidewalk, a poster in an antique shop caught my eye. It was a weathered John Wayne poster that read: “Courage is being scared to death – but saddling up anyway.”

I sashayed into the store just like “The Duke” would have and asked the storekeeper, “How much for that poster in the window, pilgrim?”

Was the best 17 bucks I ever invested. The sign now has a permanent spot on the wall above my desk as a constant reminder that no matter how dark the day, no matter the obstacles, there’s always a way.

Welcome to JerryRatcliffe.com, a brand I’ve been building with honest, fair and accurate reporting of UVa, ACC, and other athletics for a lifetime. If you jump on the bandwagon, we’re going to have a blast.

A month ago, I found myself unemployed for the first time in my life. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I knew I was going to do something, something that I loved.

Thanks to the overwhelming love, support, and encouragement that I have received from countless readers from over the years, I’m starting anew with a little help from my friends and family. Your messages to me touched all my emotions and I am so humbled by your kind words.

Many of you have read my scribblings all of your life. You grew up with me at your breakfast table. You’ve scattershooted (is that a word?) all over the ACC with me, from South Beach to Beantown, from the shadows of the Golden Dome through Tobacco Road and beyond. Letters from some of you brought a tear to my eye when you revealed that reading my columns from Virginia games stirred memories of you and your fathers, attending Cavaliers games over the years, then taking in my analysis. Those fathers have gone but in a good way, my stories from UVa games have helped keep those warm moments, those memories of good times together alive.

I can never truly repay the kindness you all – yes, y’all, I said it, I’m a Southerner, but more importantly, I’m a Virginian – that you’ve shown to me as I’ve rebounded strongly (Tony Bennett would be proud of me) to something better, something more fun, but something I take very seriously. I offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you, whether you subscribe to my new venture or not, I still love you all.

I hope you come along for the ride. I have lots of new ideas and some old ones that will be featured on this brand new website dedicated to covering UVa athletics and some cool ACC stuff thrown in for good measure. We know that the Cavaliers are our bread and butter and that is our focus.

Thirty six years of covering your Wahoos has been an amazing stretch. I was at George Welsh’s press conference when he was introduced as the new hope in Wahoo football. I had a front row seat and behind the scenes access to documenting one of the most incredible coaching jobs in college football history.

Speaking of history, I was privileged to author “The University of Virginia Football Vault, a History of the Cavaliers,” and also was honored to have several appearances in friend and filmmaker Kevin Edds’ documentary titled “WAHOOWA,” also about the history of the program.

I was there to cover the Ralph Sampson era of Virginia basketball, an incredible span in the athletic program’s history. I’ve personally known the last six Cavaliers head football coaches and the last five basketball coaches. I’ve covered the Bruce Arena years, the Debbie Ryan years, the Dom Starsia and Jim Adams years, the Brian Boland, Dennis Womack and Brian O’Connor years, along with the rest.

So come on along. There’s greatness lying ahead for UVa athletics. We’ll have some fun.

Time to saddle up.