Dear Friend of William & Mary Athletics,
 
The other day a friend asked how my family and I are settling into our new home and community.  Truthfully, Hilary, Russell and I couldn't be happier and we have settled in more quickly than we could have hoped.  But the question made me think about community.
 
The Sum of Our Parts
The Mann family is adjusting to life in the beautiful city of Williamsburg, as well as learning about the university community.  
 
In Athletics, we are a thriving community of 500 student-athletes and 120 staff and coaches, and many thousands of friends and supporters.  
 
As a group of individuals who love William & Mary in all its facets, we are truly One Tribe, but we represent many communities.  Which is exactly why W&M is one of the world's great institutions.
 
The Power of Community
There's no question that the past 18 months have been trying for everyone, and in our Athletics department we have battled the pandemic and its attendant changes to our lives. We have also seen a transition in leadership and we are working diligently to find the best path forward for our department.  While these many challenges may have rattled some, I'm proud to say that our Tribe community continues to stand tall.
 
As we work together it is important that we come together on as many occasions as possible.  Recently we hosted an all-staff meeting and then a department-wide lunch. As I watched the various staffs mix and mingle, it struck me that it had been a while since this kind of interaction was possible. Old and new colleagues connected, and you could feel the positive energy within the room. We are scheduling both events to be held monthly, and we will continue to find ways to foster an environment of engagement and interaction across all corners of W&M Athletics.
 
Of course, our important communities reach far beyond the W&M campus.  In the past couple of weeks, I met members of the Van Clan (a group of travelers living the van life en route to W&M away games), the Lord Botetourt Planning Committee and Carolina Panthers Offensive Coordinator and W&M alum Joe Brady. I started this week with a great get-to-know you meeting with the Student Assembly and before it's over I will attend several meetings with the William & Mary Foundation Board of Trustees, not to mention the Board of Visitors just a few weeks ago.
 
Strategically Speaking….
While we are a tight-knit group in Athletics, every one of us cherishes our standing as a member of the university community.  Our department is called out in a positive way in President Katherine A. Rowe's recent strategic planning document—Vision 2026.  One of the goals she lists is that in the next five years we distinguish W&M Athletics in ways that are equitable, more financially stable and in which the Tribe can excel.  We are All In!
 
Mark Your Calendars--Homecoming and More!
The community of fans who support W&M Athletics have a smorgasbord of games and matches awaiting them this month.  October is full of fun with the Tribe participating in more than 70 events!  Check out our schedule and make plans to root for your favorite team in person.  We'd love to see you on campus and of course I'm looking forward to my first W&M Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Oct. 7-10. 
 
Speaking of Homecoming, the Mann family will be tailgating and at multiple events and we are looking forward to meeting new and old friends.  On game day, the first 4,000 fans at Zable will receive a really cool t-shirt.  As you can see from this photo, lots of us are All In and we want to welcome even more of you!  
 
 
Tomorrow is another event to note.  Carl Fowler is the featured speaker at the Scholarship Luncheon which is held during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.  The gathering brings together donors who support scholarships at William & Mary and students who receive those scholarship funds. Carl plays on the defensive line for the football team and is a second year law student.  Last summer he interned at the public defender's office in Newport News and I know Carl and his talk will be something special, as is this great W&M student-athlete.  
 
A quick note about the university's COVID-19 protocols to let you know that they were amended this week so that masks are no longer required outdoors, though indoor masking is still mandatory.  For more details see COVID-19 Director Amy Sebring's full message. 
 
Finally, let me close with this photo because it is so awesome, it perfectly captures the spirit of our terrific Tribe student-athletes and we're excited because women's and men's basketball practice has started!
 
 
Enjoy Homecoming weekend with whatever version of the Tribe Community you call your own, and please send along pictures showing the Green and Gold on display!
 
Go Tribe!
 
Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics