Honoring a Virginia institution

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Published: June 7, 2008

Who knows just how many thousands of lives Frank McCue has touched over the past 45 years?

The good doctor served not only the University of Virginia’s athletic teams and the general community here over that span, but also made regular trips to William & Mary, Richmond, VMI, even what was then Ferrum Junior College many moons ago. He would travel the state helping high school and college athletes recover from serious injuries suffered in their respective sports.

Dr. Frank C. McCue III was one of the pioneers in sports medicine beginning in 1961 and has given all he’s got to helping others.

Now it’s time to return the favor.

McCue’s “guys” give back

The McCue Society, comprised of former colleagues, fellows, athletic trainers, students and friends, is on a mission to raise $2 million to fully endow a “professorship” at UVa in Doc’s honor. One of his “guys,” Michael Redler, M.D., is spearheading the drive. More information will follow for those choosing to contribute.

McCue, now 78, was the center of attention on Friday night at Bryant Hall during the annual McCue Society dinner, which attracts as many big names back to town as perhaps any annual event. It was almost a Who’s Who of Wahoos in the house.

Former UVa basketball player, coach and favorite son Jeff Jones, now the head coach at American University, was the keynote speaker, following Wake Forest football coach Jim Grobe from last year’s dinner.

Gallery of UVa stars

Others gracing the room were former UVa and U.S. Olympic and national soccer coach Bruce Arena, former UVa and pro basketball star Marc Iavaroni (now head coach of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies), UVa football coach Al Groh, Hampton High School football coach Mike Smith (the winningest coach in state history). Also, a ton of former players were on hand: Terry Gates, Ricky Stokes, Jimmy Miller, the legendary Buzzy Wilkinson (Doc’s roommate at UVa), Shawn Moore, Keith Lee, Chris Luzar, Pete Allen, Junior Burrough, Mark Cooke, Kenny Turner, Cornel Parker, Yuri Barnes and Jason Williford.

Some of the event’s record crowd was there for Doc, some for Jones and some for both. But the evening was all about Frank McCue and his good deeds.

As Jones, who led his AU team to the NCAA Tournament this past March, aptly pointed out, if everyone who wanted to thank McCue showed up, a much larger room would be required. Perhaps a stadium wouldn’t even do the job.

Certainly an evening honoring Doc would not pass without his trademark humor. So after UVa defensive line coach Levern Belin thanked the Lord during the benediction for sending this angel, Dr. McCue, to help us all, it was all the setup Jones needed.

“Doc, I’ve got to ask you ... during the benediction, was that the first time you’ve ever been referred to as an angel?” Jones deadpanned, bringing down the house with laughter, mostly from McCue.

There are certainly a lot of football and basketball referees out there who might dispute Berlin’s remark.

One of Jones’ favorite stories about Doc was from the 1993-94 season when the Cavaliers lost a tough, 70-68 decision at Maryland in the regular-season finale.

Jones was none too pleased when he made his way to Virginia’s dressing room at Cole Field House after the game. His frustration boiled over, resulting with him smashing his fist into a blackboard against a cinderblock wall.

“I punched the wall and I heard a crack,” Jones said. Note: it wasn’t the blackboard. “But I wasn’t about to let those guys have the satisfaction of knowing that I hurt myself.”

Jones walked out the door and whispered to trainer Ethan Saliba “I need ice and pain pills ... fast.” The coach arrived at the post-game press conference and knew his injury wasn’t good. Sportswriters could see the hand swelling by the minute as Jones stood at the podium, trying to mask the pain.

“The next day I go in and see Doc,” the coach said. “He puts a cast on it, said it was a clean break and said it should heal in about four weeks.”

The break coincided with a great postseason streak and each week when Jones would go in to see if the cast could come off, McCue would tell him to “Leave it on,“ even after Jones believed it had already healed.

“It’s amazing to me how quickly after we lost to Arizona [in the Sweet 16], that I was healed up,” Jones said. “I had no idea how superstitious Doc was.”

The legendary verbal assaults on refs from Doc and his running mate, head trainer Joe Gieck, led to Jones’ other story.

As a sophomore point guard, Jones required knee surgery and Doc used to take all the athletes to his house as they healed. One morning, Jones was awakened by a loud commotion, shouting and cursing that “would have made Bobby Knight proud,” the coach chuckled.

Jones made his way outside to make sure everything was okay and there he found “Little Frank,” Doc’s son, playing basketball alone in the driveway.

“Well, it was Little Frank making all the noise,” Jones laughed. “He was letting the imaginary officials know his displeasure. I wonder where he got that?”

On a more serious note, Jones reflected on his final days as head coach at UVa.

“April of 1998 wasn’t the best month for me,” he said. “It was a tough time. But often in difficult times things are revealed that make a meaningful impact that stick with you a long time. I received a letter from Dr. McCue on April 6 of that year, a letter I still have.”

Jones pulled the letter from his pocket and shared a small portion with the audience. Doc wrote:

“Many people have come and gone in the athletic department and the athletes are part of my family ... I really think of you as another son. If I can ever do anything for you and yours, let me know.”

Jones has treasured that letter and treasured his relationship with McCue as have so many athletes at UVa and around the state.

If Doc, the “miracle man,” as he is known in many medical circles, has touched your life and you’d like to give back, here’s how to do so. Contact Matt McKinney at 924-8432 or email for more information.

What better way to honor a legend?