It's been a little more than two months since I became interim AD. How best to encapsulate these hectic, yet fulfilling first weeks? I've long been part of the Tribe, but new to this level of engagement with the W&M Athletics team – and it's a big team with hundreds of student-athletes, dozens of coaches and staff, and thousands of alumni, family and friends. It's a highly committed group, and I've enjoyed spending these initial weeks getting to know, listen to and learn from everyone.
Reaching out to our many constituents has been among the most rewarding parts of the job. Yes, there have been frank conversations – at times those are needed among teammates. These discussions have focused on values that matter deeply to us at William & Mary: the scholar-athlete, excellence in Division I athletics, and the stark reality of the issues facing W&M Athletics. In the end, we have emerged with greater shared understanding of the magnitude of our challenges and our interdependence in addressing them as we seek the optimal path forward for the department.
At William & Mary, we rise to meet challenges. We have for 327 years as an institution. Allow me to share some updates on how our incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff are rising to the occasion.
Excellence in the Classroom and Beyond
- For the 16th consecutive year, W&M Athletics led all NCAA Division I public institutions in the federal graduation rate (FGR) for student-athletes. The Tribe's FGR (86%) is nearly 20 points above the national average for all student-athletes and ranks 14th among all Division I schools. Six teams at W&M achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate, including men's basketball, men's & women's gymnastics, men's & women's swimming, and men's tennis.
- Every eligible student-athlete registered to vote for the 2020 election. William & Mary was the only school in the Colonial Athletic Association to reach 100% thanks to the leadership of our Student-Athlete Advisory Council on this department initiative.
- If you are a fan of the NFL, once again, this season, two of our own will be squaring off against each other on the sport's highest level, as Mike Tomlin's '95 Pittsburgh Steelers will face Sean McDermott's '98 Buffalo Bills on December 13. Like last year's contest, the game will be featured on NBC's Sunday Night Football and kick off at 8:20 pm EST.
Returning to Competition
- Our basketball teams, within extensive NCAA and conference public health protocols, were the first to return to action. The men's and women's teams look promising, though this season will present challenges unlike any before it. As you may have read, we paused activities on the men's side in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, but expect a safe return to play in the near future.
- In keeping with guidance from the commonwealth and university, our first home games at Kaplan Arena will be without in-person fans. We'll continue to evaluate our options as the season progresses. Virtual season tickets, which provide insider access leading up to games and a personal cutout placed in the stands, are available. Viewing options, including broadcast and streaming information for each game, are shared via the men's and women's teams' schedule pages.
- We continue to work with all our programs on competition schedules – in keeping with available NCAA and conference health protocols and within W&M Athletics' fundamental operating principle amid pandemic: to train and compete as safely and fiscally responsibly as possible. Stay tuned to TribeAthletics.com for schedules and updates.
- Just as this year is unlike any other, this spring will be unlike any that has come before it. We expect to have 21 teams actively competing during the spring semester – an enormous feat. Our sports medicine, facilities, sports information and broadcast teams are driving factors in our success in this endeavor. Our entire department is grateful for all their work to allow our student-athletes and coaches to participate in the sports they love.
Supporting the Tribe
- Giving Tuesday once again demonstrated the remarkable generosity of our alumni, family and friends. From all of us in W&M Athletics, thank you to the 1,000+ donors who gave more than $278,000 to support the Tribe!
- Fundraising remains a pressing issue. This year, we need to raise $4 million in current-use funds, of which $2.8 million needs to be received by March 1. Each program has a giving page to guide you towards our fundraising priorities:
- Scholarship/Student Athlete Support Funds. These donations, which can be directed to the sport of your choice, afford opportunity for William & Mary's talented student-athletes. They boost our programs' competitiveness and strengthen our entire university community.
- Excellence Funds. These donations go to enhance our programs' operating needs and are directed to the sport of your choice.
- Athletics Impact Fund. These donations allow the department to meet our most pressing needs, boosting our ability to support all our teams.
I hope this message finds you healthy and well. My goal is to provide regular updates to keep you apprised of all that is happening to advance W&M Athletics. Thank you for staying connected and for your ongoing support. Go Tribe!
All the best,
Jeremy
