« Football 2011

Chase Minnifield

School
Virginia
Position
Cornerback
Major
Sociology

Classroom

Minnifield obtained his undergraduate degree in Sociology after just three and a half years and is now pursuing a graduate degree in the School of Education. He is a very dedicated student who possesses impeccable integrity, ambition and character, and understands the importance and value of an education. Minnifield exemplifies the term “student-athlete” because he takes great pride in both his academics and athletics.

Character

Minnifield is on the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, an award given based on an athletes’ Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. He is also a nominee for the 2011 AFCA Good Works Team. True character is revealed in the midst of failure and Minnifield possesses this quality. The past few seasons there have been tough losses for the Cavalier football program and Chase has faced the media and interacted with the fans with class, dignity and maturity beyond his age.  Whether the team has known high achievement or a setback, he treats those around him with same mutual respect and class.

Community

Minnifield is actively involved in Virginia’s Athletes Committed to Community and Education (A.C.E.) program. A.C.E. was designed as an in-school program for young students to promote classroom success and achievement through a partnership between UVa athletes and local schools. He works with students at Walker Upper Elementary School on a weekly basis and always makes time for the kids, despite his academic and athletic demands. Minnifield also participates in other community-service projects, such as the football team’s annual Bone Marrow Drive, The Shoot Out for Cancer and an Easter egg hunt at a local rehabilitation clinic for children. When team community-service opportunities arise, he always makes sure to be involved.

Competition

As a junior, Minnifield finished second in the ACC and tied for fifth in the nation with six interceptions. For his efforts, he was selected as an All-ACC performer and entering his senior season he’s the lone Cavalier on the preseason All-ACC team, receiving the most votes from the media at the cornerback position. He’s also on the preseason watch lists for the Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.