University of Mary Washington Then & Now

UMW has a number of athletic teams, including a variety of sports. Mary Washington’s rugby club was formed in 1984 and quickly became a beloved sport, dubbed as “Mary Washington’s football”. ¹ Within the first few years of the club’s formation, it routinely beat the teams of larger schools like Duke, North Carolina State, Penn State, and Georgia. In 1991, the team ended an undefeated season with a win at the Virginia State Championship. The women’s Rugby team is also popular and equally successful, placing 4th nationally in their division in 1994.

The school’s basketball program in particular has evolved significantly from its humble beginnings and  become an important part of UMW life. The 2013-2014 men’s basketball team had the greatest season in the history of the school.² The team’s success led to a significant increase in spirit school-wide, and students packed the Anderson Center to its capacity for the boys’ last two games. This change in school-spirit did not go unnoticed by the team, and senior guard Marcellus Holley stated that “Seeing the atmosphere on campus the past two days, and knowing we did something historic this year – together – is something I’ll always take with me.”³ The Eagles closed out the season at the NCAA Sectional Final with a 25-6 record .

As demonstrated by the photographs below, Mary Washington has a long tradition of established sports. In addition to these traditional sports, newer activities have also gathered considerable traction on campus. Quidditch, based on the game featured in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, is a new addition to UMW student activities. Yet, in a short time, it has developed a devoted following which regularly meets for practices and games, including traveling to compete against teams at other schools.

Men's Rugby, 1979 "Men's Rugby, 1979", 1979, The Centennial Collection, UMW Digital Archives, University of Mary Washington	Men's Rugby 2013 From left to right for UMW: Matt Bursely, Ryan Miller, Pat Byrne "Mothers vs. ODU", November 2013, Personal Collection of Kaitlynn Wickersham, University of Mary Washington	Women’s Rugby, 2014 No names listed “Women’s Rugby,” April 2014, University of Mary Washington Media and Public Relations, http://www.umw.edu/news/201 4/04/21/umw-womens-rugby-team-headed-to-nationals/.
Basketball Team, 1925 "Basketball Team, 1925, " 1925, Centennial Collection, UMW Digital Archives, University of Mary Washington.	Women's Basketball, 2012 Players from left to right: Back row: Emily Piazza, Amanda Witmer, Claire Haeuptle, Sam Partonen, Erin Drumheller Front row: Caitlin Ciniero, Aubrey Howland, Caitie Geoghegan, #50, Carol Dye, Brieneke Matthes, Aby Diop, Amy Bowden “Women’s Basketball 2012-2013,” 2012, University of Mary Washington Athletics, http://www.umweagles.com/sp orts/wbkb/2012-13/roster.	2013-14 Men's Basketball Team From left to right: Back row: Isaac Blue, Ryan Greer, John Lutkenhaus, Kevin Sullivan, Tyler Snow, Asa Scott, Mike Sniezek Front row: Dom Morra, Taylor Johnson, Dajon Daniel, John Yoxthimer, Dylan Farinet, Marcellus Holley, Bradley Riester "2013-14 Men's Basketball" 2013, Personal Collection of Clint Often, University of Mary Washington.
Field hockey team, 1940s From left to right, first row: Mary Miller Crigler, Virginia Davis, Marguerite Fortman, Lois Loer, Jeanne Rogers. Second row: Lavinia Ellit, Peggy Thompson, Susan Johnson, Mildred MacPherson. Third row: Nancy Brooker, Betty Jeanne Pitman, Nancy Fawcett, Virginia Urbin, Ann Smith. "Field hockey team, 1940s," 1940, The Centennial Collection, UMW Digital Archives, University of Mary Washington.	Women's Field Hockey, 2012 From left to right: Back row: Coach Lindsey Elliot, Hunter Causey, Jenna Steele, Sarah Rankin, Emily Badis, Claire Gianelle, Amy Abernathy, Mallory Peebles, Haley Kane, Taylor Rotsted Front row: Nicole Guinn, Courtney Rampey, Christine Downie, Lisa Charnie, Florence George, Amy Stevens, Maura Flynn, Caitlin Baker, Mikaela Barton “Field Hockey 2012-2013,” 2012, University of Mary Washington Athletics, www.umweagles.com/sports/fh/2012-13/roster.	Quidditch Team, 2014 From left to right: Quinn Ogden, David Vocal, Riley Starrs, Chris Baker, Zoe Page, Melissa Westfall, Dakota Peacock, Ted Stanton, Shona DiPaula, Lauren Meyer, Roni Cena, and Megan Joslin Jessica Reingold, "Quidditch Team," February 19 2014, Personal Collection of Jessica Reingold, University of Mary Washington.