A New Sports Club is Rising: The North Grounds Football League

Photo Credit: Author

It’s a bird . . . it’s a plane . . . it’s a perfectly spiraled football zooming across the Law School’s Holcombe Green Lawn, thrown by Henry Hughes ’27 straight to Jackson Trout’s ’27 hands! Yes, that’s right, we’re here to talk about what you’ve all seen right in front of the Law School steps—The North Grounds Football League (NGFL).

No, we are not a group of uncoordinated, peaked-in-elementary-school-recess former athletes—we are the finest football players this Law School has to offer. And we want you to join us.

While to the passers-by it may look like we are playing a poorly-run game of tag or just farming for Law School website clout, in fact, we are a serious institution looking to play serious football. The games are coordinated in the highly secure platform of GroupMe, where no so-called “journalists” (besides me) may infiltrate, in a group chat called “North Grounds Football League,” and anyone is welcome to join.

After all, people from all walks of the Law School have joined our roster, and we don’t question anyone’s motives. As Chris de Grandpre ’27 joked, “I heard a bunch of people yelling ‘hike’ and figured OVAL was planning a trip, so I wandered over. Next thing I know, I’m being tackled by Simon Sefzik ’27 wearing full pads.” While de Grandpre did not experience the “hike” for which he was hoping, he sure has summited the depth charts and is now a favorite wide receiver of yours truly.

The games are planned anytime from days in advance, to the morning of, to even just thirty minutes before kick-off, so this means that if you are the kind of person who can be ready on a moment’s notice to dedicate two hours to fun-filled flag football in a busy law school semester, then this is the group for you.

What started as two-hand touch has now turned into legitimate flag football with flags and cones donated by generous benefactor and star player Dan Cummins ’27. With each passing day, we are becoming more and more organized and effective in our play—we just need more players.

It is the sad truth that we sometimes have odd-numbered games with “automatic” offensive players, and for a group of our caliber, this is truly not ideal. Our roster is plagued with ailments, the most common being the all-too-contagious “Law School Fatigue,” and as finals are approaching, our numbers are dwindling, and we need fresh recruits now more than ever.

If you don’t think you have the time, perhaps the words of our learned brother and school founder, the right and honorable T.J., can give you some motivation: “Give about two of them [hours] every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong.” That’s right, NGFL will help you top the curve, so what’s your excuse now?

If you are worried about being injured, don’t be; the University of Virginia is wholly liable for any claims and will settle any grievances with a full-tuition scholarship and loan forgiveness. Just kidding, but it’s flag football and we have not had any injuries reported . . . yet. Even if we could make you sign a waiver, it wouldn’t be valid in Virginia! At least we know that, unlike NGSL.

You may be thinking, “I should just join the UVA Law Wahoopers or the North Grounds Softball League,” and while you are perfectly entitled to make any decision, here’s what the leaders of NGFL have to say to anyone hesitant to join, “Phooey, we say to all those white-cleated law students who umpire their grounds’ softball games—give us an honest athlete any day.”

If we haven’t convinced you yet, here are some words directly from our players, and you can see how much NGFL has meant to them: “Even if we look silly out there sometimes, playing after school has been one of my favorite activities all year. It’s been a great way to relax with my friends, and to make new friends in the process,” said Simon Sefzik.

In a similar vein, Henry Hughes quipped, “Suspect plays, great people, and a game that makes you zone in on the fun.”

Lastly, Jackson Trout added, “It’s a great way to decompress after class and get together with friends and play a game we all love.”

There is no experience or equipment required; just bring a good attitude and a few light-hearted chirps, and you will fit right in. We look forward to seeing you at our next game!

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Contributing Writer — Adam Slocum ’27

wnq3me@virginia.edu