As the University of Mary Washington men’s basketball team prepares for its first NCAA Division III national championship game, support has surged across campus and throughout the surrounding community. City streets lined with UMW flags and school colors point to a community fully behind the Eagles’ historic run.
In recent weeks, downtown has been adorned in Mary Washington blue as the City of Fredericksburg rallied residents and fans to follow the Eagles’ journey through the NCAA Tournament – a show of support for a season that has brought national attention to UMW.
Local media outlets have closely followed each step of the postseason run, documenting both on-court achievements and the stories behind them. Coverage in The Free Lance-Star and Fredericksburg Free Press has highlighted key performances and defining moments, while the FXBG Advance has offered game coverage and a broader perspective on the value of Division III athletics, emphasizing competition driven by passion rather than pay, and the role sports play in shaping character and community.
The outpouring reflects a strong connection between the University and the Fredericksburg community – something recognized nationally, with UMW ranked among the top institutions in The Princeton Review’s 2026 edition of The Best 391 Colleges for town-gown relations.
“I want everybody that comes to [UMW’s] Anderson Center to watch us play to feel like they are part of it, too… it’s about relationships right here at the Division III level, especially here on campus within our department and within the Fredericksburg community,” Head Coach Marcus Kahn said in a video interview with the FXBG Advance. “It has been very rewarding to take the floor at game time and see the home stands filled and loud and feeling the energy.”
That support has extended beyond the local community, with regional outlets telling the story through individual players. The Daily News-Record in Harrisonburg profiled junior Jadon Burgess, highlighting his role in the team’s postseason success. The Fredericksburg Free Press featured junior Hasan Hammad, whose contributions during the tournament were shaped by his observance of Ramadan. And InsideNoVA.com plans to highlight three former Patriot High School teammates from Bristow, Virginia, now competing together at the college level.
Regional radio and television coverage has further amplified the team’s run, including features and interviews on NewsTalk 1230 WFVA and ESPN Richmond 106.1 FM, as well as coverage from Washington-area outlets such as WJLA-TV and 97.1 WASH FM. At the national level, Division III-focused outlets such as D3hoops.com have chronicled the Eagles’ run, including their semifinal victory over defending national champion Trinity College. Beyond traditional audiences, coverage has also included mentions on national sports podcasts, including The Tony Kornheiser Show, as well as game recaps in out-of-market publications such as The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Indiana, site of the national semifinals.
On the court, the Eagles have delivered a season to match the growing attention. Mary Washington enters the championship game with a 29-3 record, including a 16-point semifinal comeback win to secure the program’s first national championship appearance – a first for any UMW team since 1993.
The Eagles will face Emory University for the title on April 5 in Indianapolis, carrying with them the support of a community that has followed their run from campus to the national stage. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required). Fans can find streaming, ticket information and more at umweagles.com.
Leave a Reply