Virginia AD Craig Littlepage expressed concerns about Gator Bowl ticket sales in a letter that boosters received via e-mail Tuesday.

Virginia (9-3) will meet Texas Tech (8-4) on Jan. 1 in the Gator Bowl.

As of Monday, Littlepage said that UVa had sold 8,451of the Cavaliers’ allotted 13,500 tickets.

"A school’s ability to sell out its ticket allotment is an important factor in the selection process for future bowl games," Littlepage wrote, "so it’s important that the tickets allocated to us are sold."

Littlepage noted that Virginia sold more than 20,000 tickets for the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. UVa sold more than 25,000 tickets when it returned to Charlotte in 2003.

"As you may recall, we had hoped to return to Jacksonville on several occasions during the last 15 seasons, but a perception that Virginia fans didn’t ‘travel’ well hurt us in the bowl selection process," Littlepage said. "We have collectively worked hard to overcome that reputation."

Fans unable to attend the game may purchase proxy tickets that will be given to the Jacksonville Children’s Commission to benefit area youth identified as at risk. The Jacksonville Children’s Commission is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and each proxy ticket ordered is tax deductible.

Tickets also be purchased by phone or in-person at the UVa athletics ticket office. For more information, call 800-542-UVA1.