The Barber ChallengeThe University of Virginia prepared us to meet many life challenges. To show our appreciation, we make yearly gifts to U.Va. Do you? If you are among the 75 percent of U.Va. alumni who currently do not make gifts to U.Va., or if you aren’t in the habit of making gifts every year, then we challenge you to start. Today. — Tiki & Ronde Barber |
Who Are These Guys?
After gaining acclaim as stars on the Cavalier football team, Ronde and Tiki Barber received their undergraduate degrees from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce in 1997. Post-graduation, they shined equally brightly: Ronde remains a cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tiki Barber was a running back with the New York Giants; he left the NFL at the close of the 2006-07 season to become a national correspondent for NBC's Today Show.
Tiki and Ronde have distinguished themselves for their work on literacy issues. They have served as co-captains of the National Education Association's "Read Across America" literacy celebration, and they have written three children's books: By My Brother's Side, Teammates and Game Day.
The Barbers actively support the University as donors and volunteers. For example, as a member of the Young Alumni Council, Tiki founded MY-D-CAV (My Yearly Dollars Count at Virginia), a program to encourage young alumni to begin a tradition of giving to U.Va. In 2006, Ronde and Tiki served as emcees of the gala that helped to launch the University's $3 billion campaign. They also served as honorary co-chairmen of their 10-year reunion committee, and launched The Barber Challenge to increase the number of undergraduate alumni donors.