For 96-year-old William Patterson, age is no barrier to cheering on the University of Virginia Cavaliers. On a brisk Saturday in Charlotte, Patterson—affectionately known as "Gigi" to his family—was spotted in a wheelchair-accessible section of the Spectrum Arena, decked out in a bright orange puffer jacket, a navy UVA hoodie, and a Cavaliers cap.
While many might find a cross-state double-header exhausting, Patterson was just getting started. His grandson, Jeffrey Witt, who lives with Patterson and often leads their road trips, was by his side ensuring the "young 96" fan made it to the game.
A Marathon Day for a Loyal Fan
The dedication required for this specific trip was immense. Patterson’s day began in the middle of the night to ensure they arrived on time for the “rare Hoo, out-of-state, basketball-football doubleheader”.
"I woke up at 2 o'clock this morning," Patterson shared before the basketball game. “I went to bed around 8:30. I woke up and didn't go back to sleep. I had to take my pills, eat my breakfast and get going. We left at 6 o'clock”.
Prepared for the long haul and the cold weather awaiting them at the football game later that evening, Patterson had packed accordingly. "For later," Patterson said, “I got long johns, got a scarf to go around my neck, I got gloves. I got Virginia gloves”.
The crew, which included Patterson's uncle David Witt and cousin George Jones, has a strict policy regarding their attendance. As Jeffrey Witt explained, “We don't leave games early. We always stay to the end”.
Finding Purpose in the Journey
Patterson’s connection to UVA sports runs deep, stemming from his late son-in-law, Marshall Witt, whose family had been attending games since the 1940s . Although Patterson is a University of Richmond alumnus, he shifted his loyalties to the Cavaliers naturally over time.
According to his family, these trips are about much more than just the score on the board. "I'll be honest with you," Jeffrey Witt said, “traveling to these games is what keeps him going. It gives him purpose”.
This zest for life became particularly pronounced after Patterson’s wife, Jeanne, passed away in 2016. While he initially stayed close to home, his mid-80s sparked a new chapter of adventure. "And then he got to his mid-80s," Jeffrey said, “and he started wanting to do everything. In the last 10 years of his life, he's done more traveling than he did in his first 86”.
Despite his age, Patterson physically holds his own against his younger relatives. "His knees are better than ours," his cousin George Jones joked. “He can walk better than both of us”.
Looking Toward the Future
Patterson’s calendar remains full. Beyond UVA sports, he has traveled to Hawaii to complete his goal of seeing all 50 states and plans to visit Egypt in the spring to see the pyramids . He is even making plans for August 2026 to see UVA open their football season in Brazil .
"I can relax traveling," Patterson said. "I hate to sit at home and do nothing but twiddle my hands around".
Through wins and losses—like the basketball victory over Dayton and the close overtime loss to Duke that day—Patterson’s spirit remains high.
"We get a lot of enjoyment going to the games," he said. "We always like to see them win. We're happy when they win. We're a little displeased when they lose. But they're doing pretty good this year" .
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