ATHLETICS AT UMW

One of the top NCAA Division III athletic programs in the nation, the University of Mary Washington has become known as an institution that succeeds both athletically and academically. Since 1976, UMW has expanded its program from six sports to 23. Over that time, the Eagles have produced 215 All-Americans, played in 155 NCAA Tournament events, and developed the Battleground Athletic Complex, where four NCAA National Championship events have been held. The Battleground, one of the finest outdoor facilities in the nation, features three stadium facilities.

An immensely successful broad-based program, UMW prides itself on the achievements and successes of each of its 23 teams, rather than concentrating on a few sports and neglecting others. This philosophy has proven quite attractive to many student-athletes, as 22 of the school’s teams have advanced to NCAA National Tournament action. Three women’s tennis teams have brought home national championships, and field hockey, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer have advanced to and hosted national championship events. The 2001 and 2002 women’s lacrosse teams also advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

UMW’s success in the Capital Athletic Conference is beyond compare. The CAC, which was formed in 1990, is a coalition of four-year, co-educational institutions with similar educational and athletic philosophies. In the 16-year history of the league, UMW has won the all-sports award, given to the top all-around program, 11 times, including in 2004-05. Of the CAC’s 18 sanctioned sports, the Eagles have brought home league titles in 17 sports. The Eagles also have garnered a lion’s share of individual hardware, including countless league most valuable player, rookie of the year, and coach of the year awards.

Fourteen UMW athletes have gone on to play professionally, and many more have played on touring and semi-professional club teams upon graduation. Numerous others have used the teamwork and contacts they developed at UMW to be successful doctors, teachers, businesspeople, and virtually every other occupation. Recent UMW graduate and student athlete Aaron Altscher appeared on the NBC television series The Apprentice: L.A.

The success UMW athletes have achieved after graduation also is a testament to the quality education one receives at the Fredericksburg institution. As a public, state-supported university, UMW has been identified as one of the top educational values in the nation. The Fiske Guide to Colleges, Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges, and U.S. News have all cited Mary Washington for its strong liberal arts and sciences education as one of the nation’s best.

Mary Washington is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a Division III member institution. Athletic scholarships are not available to NCAA Division III student-athletes; however, many financial aid packages are available for academically gifted and need-based students wishing to attend UMW. This aid is in addition to the already-low cost of tuition and fees, which keeps UMW near the top of best values in education.

With one of the strongest faculties in the nation, student-athletes learn from some of the top professionals in their respective fields. Similarly, the coaches at UMW rank among the best anywhere. All coaches at UMW are full-time faculty members, and most have at least five years of collegiate coaching tenure to their credit.

A strong combination of academics, athletics, facilities, and administration make the University of Mary Washington a perfect place to further one’s academic and athletic career.