When top Division I schools courted Alex Anderson ’15 for a swim scholarship in 2006, the high school senior wasn’t ready. Recruiters for such schools as Alabama, Arizona and Indiana universities saw a record-setting competitor who took two state titles in the 500-yard freestyle. Anderson saw a commitment to academics he wasn’t ready to make. He turned his back on school, and for a few years he lost his way - and his sport. Seven years later he’s making a name for himself as a UMW student-athlete on the Eagles swim team. In February, the sophomore was named Capital Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year at a meet in which he broke four individual school and conference records and swam in four record-breaking relays. On March 21, he broke the NCAA Division III record in the 400-yard individual medley at the NCAA Division III Championships in Texas. He became the fourth individual in UMW history to break an NCAA record. He,narrowly missing a second national title when … [Read more...]

The action on the Anderson Center court may have paused, but high in the stands the new University of Mary Washington Pep Band is charged with keeping up the excitement. The instrumental group, complete with cowbell, bursts into song, and UMW mascot Sammy D. Eagle dances with the halftime crowd. A trumpet solo gives way to a fist pump from the band and a rousing chant – “Eagles!” “A pep band has been absent from sports [at UMW] for all these years and now it’s a reality,” said faculty band leader Jim Ford. The pep band, the brainchild of Ford and faculty adviser Kevin Bartram, director of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, recently became an officially recognized student group with about 20 student musicians. Although it has only been operating for about a month, the group has stayed busy, attending every home basketball game so far this year. No matter the score on the board, members of the pep band are there to show their support – cheering on their fellow … [Read more...]