Virginia Football Alumni Club celebrates the life of Betty Goodman

By Jerry Ratcliffe

When Betty Goodman became the first woman recipient of The Order of the Crossed Sabres at homecoming a few weeks ago, she wasn’t physically able to attend the game.

While her eyesight had faded in recent months, her caretaker let it be known that Betty listened over and over to a special tribute by numerous former UVA football players who let her know how much she meant to them and the program. The Crossed Sabres award is the highest honor given by the Virginia Football Alumni Club.

Betty passed this past Sunday, breaking the hearts of all those players whose lives were touched by her love and care. She served as a surrogate grandmother to so many Cavaliers for decades.

The Crossed Sabres Award is presented to someone who has helped shape or supported Virginia football.

A service is being planned for December to celebrate Betty Goodman’s life.

She always greeted players with hugs and cookies, opened her home for dinners to players and gave them someone they could talk to about anything. She was a big part of the Virginia football family.

Click here to hear how much she meant to so many players, including Stephen Phelan, Mike Frederick, Patrick Kerney, Paul London, Kase Luzar, Chip Mark, David Sloan, Alvin Pearman, Marquis Weeks and more.

Saturday’s Flag Bearer

At each home game, the Virginia Football Alumni Club features a flag bearer before the game, and this week’s selection couldn’t have been any more appropriate.

Eli Hanback, whose fumble recovery for a touchdown in the final minute sealed the victory over Virginia Tech in 2019 at Scott Stadium.