Former UVA Midfielder Dox Aitken has announced that he will be returning to the University of Virginia for his 5th season with the team. After four years in Charlottesville, Aitken decided to switch sports and attend Villanova University as a wide receiver. Aitken was able to transfer to Villanova due to a decision made by the NCAA, allowing spring athletes an extra year of eligibility due to mid-season cancellation caused by the Coronavirus.
However, Aitken’s football career ended before it even started, as the Big East Conference cancelled their fall football season, late last summer, in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. With this announcement, the former Virginia midfielder had an important decision to make: would he stick with football, or return to Charlottesville to defend his National Championship. His decision was revealed Tuesday, with Villanova WR Coach Nate Pagan confirming Aitken’s return to UVA via US Lacrosse Magazine.
In his four years in Charlottesville, Aitken was a 3-Time USILA All-American, and broke the single-season record for points by a midfielder on two separate occasions. Additionally, he is the first midfielder in UVA history to eclipse 100 career goals.
Last season, Coach Lars Tiffany held high praise for his Senior, saying: “College athletes are certainly amateurs. But describing Dox’s approach and preparation to everything we do on and off the field is best characterized as professional.”
Aitken will return to a roster that is set to defend their 2019 National Championship and is currently ranked No. 5 in Nike/US Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Top 20. The Cavalier Men’s Lacrosse team has yet to announce their 2021 Schedule, but expect the Wahoos to compete for their second straight National Championship when they return to play later this year.
