Virginia Honors Tony Bennett as Cavaliers Face Georgia Tech

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — John Paul Jones Arena will host a celebration of Tony Bennett’s illustrious career as the Virginia Cavaliers honor their former head coach during a special ceremony Saturday. The event, held during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Georgia Tech, will include the unveiling of a banner commemorating Bennett’s contributions to the program.

Bennett, who unexpectedly retired before the 2024-25 season, led Virginia to unprecedented success, including a 2019 NCAA Championship. His teams were particularly dominant against Georgia Tech, with a 19-2 record against the Yellow Jackets, the best win percentage against any ACC opponent during his tenure.

The ceremony is part of Virginia’s Men’s Basketball Alumni Day, with many former players and staff expected to attend. Fans will receive commemorative banners upon arrival, and tributes to Bennett will be featured throughout the game.

‘Tony Bennett is the person who brought Virginia basketball back to prominence,’ said John Freeman, the voice of the Cavaliers. ‘I don’t think anybody doubts this program will reach elite status again.’

The Cavaliers enter the game on a high note after a dominant win against Pittsburgh. Virginia will face a Georgia Tech team that has shown recent improvement, with consecutive victories over Louisville and Clemson.

‘Georgia Tech’s pretty darn good,’ Freeman said. ‘This is about the Virginia basketball community. It’s alumni weekend, so it’s much bigger than just the players on the roster.’

The game tips off at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on The CW Network. Virginia Athletics has noted that the Cavaliers hold a 12-game win streak in the series and a 10-game home win streak against the Yellow Jackets.

Reece Beekman, a standout player during Bennett’s final season, led Virginia to a 72-57 victory over Georgia Tech in their last meeting on March 9, 2024. Beekman scored 21 points and added nine assists in the game, showcasing the defensive and offensive prowess that defined Bennett’s teams.

The ceremony and game serve as a tribute to Bennett’s legacy, which continues to inspire the program he transformed into a national powerhouse.