UVA Lacrosse Death: Fans Buy NCAA Tickets in Memory of Yeardley Love
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS/WCAV) With the University of Virginia's lacrosse opener for the NCAA tournament days away, ticket and t-shirt sales have surged in support of both the men's and the women's teams. Once again, UVA supporters have banded together after the death of UVA lacrosse player Yeardley Love.
The top-seeded UVA men's lacrosse team is slated to host Mount St. Mary's Saturday in the first-round of the NCAA Championships inside Klockner Stadium. Although the team's 14-1 record speaks for itself, it is hard to predict how the team will cope with the of Love, as well as former teammate George Huguely, who is accused of murdering Love over a domestic dispute.
The sixth-seeded women's lacrosse team begins tournament play Sunday against Towson.
"I think now, especially, they're going to show their support and their love for the teams and all the players and support what they're going through right now," student Michael Parente told CBS affiliate WCAV.
The UVA ticket office has been busy since tickets for the tournament went on sale Monday morning.
Although there has been overwhelming support for both teams, spokespeople for the UVA athletic department have said that they are unsure whether or not the games will sell out because there are many students that usually fill the stands who will choose to leave right after final exams.
Sherry Hendricks, an employee at a UVA sportswear retail store, told WCAV, that she thinks "that come Saturday night, it's going to be crazy here. I think those people that are coming in on a Saturday night, they're going to stay over and support their women."
In addition to the men's and women's lacrosse teams who are dedicating their post-season play to Love, all of the other UVA spring sports teams that are still playing will wear a patch in honor of Yeardley Love.
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PICTURES: Yeardley Love Murdered; George Huguely Charged
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May 10, 2010 - UVA Men's Lacrosse Team Gets Top-Seed in NCAA Tournament After Death of Yeardley LoveMay 10, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Hundreds Gather at Funeral to Celebrate Life of Yeardley LoveMay 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: School Not Aware of George Huguely's Violent Past
May 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Friends Say George Huguely "Out of Control" When Drinking, Says ReportMay 7, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Yeardley Love Funeral to be Held in BaltimoreMay 6, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Murder Suspect George Huguely Had Run-Ins With Law in Florida, Says Report
May 6, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Police Find Bloody T-Shirt and Letter to Yeardley Love in Huguely's Apartment, Says Report
May 6, 2010 - Lacrosse Death: Candlelight Vigil for Yeardley Love Brings Thousands Together
May 5, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: George Huguely's Neighbor Describes Suspect in Murder of Yeardley Love
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May 5, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: George Huguely Tasered During 2008 Arrest, Say Police
May 4, 2010 - UVA Lacrosse Death: Huguely Admits He "Shook Love and Her Head Repeatedly Hit a Wall," Says Court Document
May 4, 2010 - Yeardley Love's Death Was "Accident," Says UVA Lacrosse Player George Huguely's Lawyer
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May 3, 2010 - Yeardley Love Murder: Fellow UVA Lacrosse Player George Huguely Charged