John Paul Jones Arena - Virginia Cavaliers

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00

John Paul Jones Arena 295 Massie Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903

Virginia Cavaliers website

John Paul Jones Arena website

Year Opened: 2006

Capacity: 14,593

---

Virginia is for Wahoos

Founded by the United States’ third president, Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is known as not just one of the top public institutes of higher learning, but also for having a formidable men’s basketball program in both the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and nationally, a few years ago even capturing the 2019 NCAA National Championship.

Basketball’s start on the Charlottesville campus began just after the turn of the 20th century. Henry “Pop” Lannigan founded the program in 1905 and guided the Virginia basketball program until 1929, when he left due to illness. He is still the longest tenured coach in Virginia basketball history and set the standard for victory, with a .727 winning percentage in his tenure.

 The Cavaliers would see ups and downs in their program history, but it was under Terry Holland in the mid-1970s and throughout the 1980s when UVA’s success was highlighted by Virginia basketball legends Jeff Lamp and Ralph Sampson. The Cavaliers would then only see blips of success over the next two and half decades, until under coach Tony Bennett Virginia basketball would return to the elite status it had seen with Holland, Lamp, and Sampson.

The Cavaliers have called John Paul Jones Arena home since 2006, when it replaced their previous home, University Hall.

Food & Beverage   4

Most concession stands here serve typical arena options; Pick and Roll Snacks keeps it simple with hot dogs, popcorn, nachos with cheese sauce, and pretzels, while Full Court Press adds barbecue sandwiches, and “Eat, Drink, Nacho” offers several nacho and taco options, including smoked chicken and beef. One of the more curious stands is the Wahoo Cork & Co. wine bar, which pours Virginia Red Foothills and Virginia White Five Forks along with cheese boards, cured meats, and pressed paninis.

Concessions at John Paul Jones Arena are boosted by Cavalier Chicken, which serves chicken tender baskets and sandwiches that can have a variety of sauces added. Burgers include a 1/3-pound burger, bacon and cheddar, a double, or the meat substitute Beyond Burger.

Possibly the most popular stand for sweet treats is not the Dippin’ Dots stands that typically have lines stretching across the concourse, but the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream stand instead, which serves several of its signature scoops.

Soft drinks come from the Pepsi family, including Gatorade Orange or Cool Blue. Beer is sold around the stadium, and beyond the basic domestic beers you can find Starr Hill Northern Lights IPA, Guiness, Juicy Moves IPA, and Evil Stnta Milk Stout. The university also has two branded branded brews from Starr Hill Brewery, Saber American Light Lager and Wahoowa IPA.

Atmosphere   4

John Paul Jones Arena’s brick exterior, white columns, and pergolas blend seamlessly with the architecture across campus, a staple of Thomas Jefferson’s architectural vision when he designed many of the university’s original buildings. The use of brick continues inside the arena, where it forms massive arches at the far end of the main seating bowl.

While the interior of the arena does display references to John Paul Jones, the founder of the United States Navy, that reference is just a coincidence – the arena was really named in honor of the father of University of Virginia benefactor Paul Tudor Jones II.

Upon entering the arena, fans are greeted by the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship trophy, as well as the center court from that championship game. The Virginia “V” with underlying crossed sabers is inlaid into the floor of the entrance, while two large video boards display a live feed of the game. The main level concourse promotes Virginia’s athletic programs while recognizing their ACC and national accomplishments.

Above center court hangs a large four-sided video board that provides the primary game feed. A lower ribbon display shows the game score, team statistics, and individual player point and foul totals. Closed captioning is incorporated into the ribbon board along the facade of the upper-level seating.

There really is not much by way of a bad seat in John Paul Jones Arena, but fans looking to get closer to the action sometimes stand behind the seats in the lower level. For those who can tolerate standing throughout the game, that area provides a solid vantage point.

Neighborhood   5

Charlottesville, Virginia is often recognized as one of the best college towns in the United States (# 10 by Business Insider). There is no shortage of ways to spend time in Charlottesville, whether that means taking in the traditional college town experience, exploring American history, or simply enjoying what the area around the university has to offer.

For the most authentic University of Virginia experience, keep any visit centered around The Grounds and The Corner. The Corner, a strip of restaurants and bars, sits just off campus and has long served as the social hub for students, alumni, and fans on game days.

The Virginian is a popular way to start the day, a longtime staple where UVA tradition plasters the walls with decades of history. Boylan Heights offers rooftop seating overlooking the area, while Littlejohn’s New York Delicatessen has been a late-night stop for UVA students for generations.

The university itself is one of the most historic campuses in the country. A walk down The Lawn toward The Rotunda highlights Thomas Jefferson’s architectural vision and the layout which defined the university for more than two centuries – the space blends historic design with everyday student life.

For those wanting more than the college lifestyle, about ten minutes south sits Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop home, which ties the history of Jefferson and the university together. The surrounding countryside is also dotted with wineries that make for an easy afternoon trip. Altogether, the area does an excellent job of blending the city’s history with the college-town atmosphere.

Fans   4

The ACC is often noted as one of the most basketball-frenzied conferences in the country. The Cavaliers more than hold up their end of that reputation, averaging more than 13,000 fans per game, which routinely places them among the top 20 programs in NCAA Division 1 attendance. Even during holiday breaks when students are away from campus, John Paul Jones Arena often approaches capacity.

Virginia consistently ranks among the top 20 NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball programs in attendance, typically drawing between 12,000 and 13,000 fans per game. The Virginia student section, the Hoo Crew, fills much of the seating behind the benches, while the pep band along the visiting baseline helps create a definitive home-court advantage for the Cavaliers.

Access   3

Even with Charlottesville’s location somewhat off the beaten path, Interstate 64 runs from western Virginia at I-81 in Staunton to the eastern side of the state at I-95 in Richmond. This makes travel to Charlottesville more direct than relying solely on US highways or state roads.

There is some parking near the facility, but many of the free lots require roughly a 15-minute walk. A shuttle runs from those lots to the venue, however, which helps make the trip a bit easier.

The upper-level concourses can feel somewhat narrow along the sidelines, although the concourse space behind the baselines offers more room to move around. The lower-level concourse ceilings also create a somewhat cramped feeling.

Getting around the arena itself is straightforward. The concourse completely encircles the seating bowl, and stairs lead down to the lower-level seating. The entry on Massie Road provides direct access to the lower seating area.

Return on Investment   4

Ticket prices begin at a reasonable $25 for upper-level seats behind the baselines, while upper-level seats along the sidelines run closer to $30. Lower-level seats can be difficult to obtain directly from the university ticket office; they can become quite expensive on the secondary market.

Parking near John Paul Jones Arena can cost around $10, though free parking options are available at The Park and at North Grounds. Concession prices are generally in line with what would be expected at many higher-tier programs in the nation’s major conferences.

Extras   4

The highlight inside the arena is the Wally Walker Hall of Fame, which highlights trophies won by both the men’s and women’s basketball programs, headlined by the men’s 2019 National Championship trophy. In addition, there are exhibits featuring player hand and shoe sizes, along with displays on the ceiling that highlight some of the biggest shots in Virginia basketball history.

The concourse celebrates the accomplishments of all the university’s athletic programs, with banners recognizing both Atlantic Coast Conference championships and NCAA titles, and as with many basketball arenas, the rafters are decorated with retired numbers along with conference and NCAA honors.

A tradition that stretches over two centuries at the University of Virginia is the mystery surrounding the Seven Society. Not long after passing into the main foyer, a black rectangle bearing a white “7” is accented by smaller Alpha, Omega, and infinity symbols, representing the university’s most secretive and prestigious honor society, founded in 1905 and known for revealing its members only at graduation or upon their passing.

Final Thoughts

The University of Virginia basketball program has a long history in the ACC, one of the most successful conferences in college basketball, yet it often flies a bit under the radar when discussing the top college basketball experiences in the country.

John Paul Jones Arena is a beautiful facility that blends modern amenities with the historic architectural feel of the UVA campus. It might not rank among the elite college basketball environments, but it still offers visitors a quality ACC basketball experience in one of the nation’s premier conferences.