Craig Littlepage, UVA’s athletics director, announced today by press release that he is repealing the policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all UVA athletics venues.
"The policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all UVa athletics venues has become a distraction and has taken the focus away from supporting our student-athletes," Littlepage said in the press release. "Our football team needs our support right now and that should be our collective focus. With that in mind, I am repealing immediately the policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all athletics venues. I encourage all of our fans to be in attendance at Saturday night’s football game with Maryland. My hope is our fans will wear orange and be prepared to support the Cavaliers."
On Wednesday, the athletics department upheld the sign ban because it "promotes a positive gameday environment." Immediately in response, multiple UVA student groups, including the student council and the Hoo Crew, announced they would protest at the Maryland game by wearing blue instead of orange.
"By vacating the student section of ‘official’ orange wear, we can make it clear that we will no longer buy into their vision of what makes a ‘positive gameday environment,’" said an announcement from the UVA student council.
Students protested at the last home game against Richmond by holding up blank pieces of paper.