Dear Friends of William & Mary Athletics,
 
In just a few hours it will be Thanksgiving.  My family and I have so many reasons to be grateful that having an entire day to give thanks seems just right. 
 
A single list can never be long enough for everything both the Mann and Tribe families are grateful for, but here are a few examples of what is bringing us happiness:
 
• Witnessing a historic season for W&M football!  With a victory over Richmond, the Tribe became the first team in the 129-year history of the program to win 10 games in a regular season.  The win not only secured the Tribe a 10-1 record, but also brought home the Capital Cup and the team's first Colonial Athletic Association Championship since 2015!  The victory also assured us a first-round bye in FCS football playoffs, as we were selected fifth out of the top eight national seeds in the 24-team NCAA Playoff bracket.  We have earned the right to host a second-round game, which will be on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. in Zable Stadium. Make sure you're there to cheer on the Green and Gold!
 
• For the 17^th time in the last 18 years, our outstanding student-athletes have the top Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) of any Division I public institution.
 
• Recognizing tremendous individuals like Jean Beall and David Murphy, who represent the entire Tribe nation in such a terrific way.  Jean is retiring after providing generations of Tribe fans and donors with exceptional friendship and service for the last 45 years. Murph, who passed away this past summer, was a remarkable individual who represented the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete at W&M throughout his life. To ensure David's legacy lives on, his teammates and friends have started the David Murphy Memorial Football Endowment.
 
• Student-athletes who go above and beyond in service to the community.  This month, cross country/track raised more than $15,000 for the Massey Cancer Center, members of our gymnastics teams walked with Heal W&M in the National Eating Disorders Walk on campus, and women from basketball, volleyball, and swimming are serving as campus captains in a national effort called The Hidden Opponent, which is dedicated to raising mental health awareness among athletes.
 
• A community of friends, fans, alumni, and supporters who wear their hearts on their sleeves and Green & Gold on their backs when it comes to W&M Athletics.
 
As we count our blessings, please take a moment to remember our friends in Charlottesville, who suffered unimaginable losses last week.  All the Division I football teams in the state of Virginia, including the Tribe, wore a special UVA decal on their helmets on Saturday in honor of the victims of the senseless violence.
 
On behalf of the W&M Athletics Department, I want to offer an enormous thank you to all of you.  It is your support that allows us to flourish as a department and gives us the knowledge that our aspirations for even more success are eminently attainable.  Next week is Giving Tuesday (Nov. 29), a national day dedicated to philanthropy, and W&M Athletics has numerous funds that support our 23 sports and 500 student-athletes.  Thank you in advance for considering a gift.
 
Before signing off, we have several shout-outs to our Tribe student-athletes, past and present.  As we wrap up the fall season of competition, congratulations go out to men's and women's soccer for making the postseason, and to volleyball, which turned in a remarkable performance in the CAA Championships and earned the program's first semi-final appearance since 2001!  Both our cross country programs ran at the NCAA Southeastern Regional events, and freshman swimmer Sophia Heilen continues to turn in record-breaking performances!
 
Also, one more shout-out to the football program, as we had 13 individuals earn 15 total all-conference honors in the recently released CAA All-Conference teams.  W&M's impressive group of honorees featured a school-record tying seven first-team all-league selections and was highlighted by linebacker John Pius, who was chosen as the defensive player of the year, and cornerback Jalen Jones, who was named the defensive rookie of the year.
 
Plus, huge kudos to a W&M alum who may have the coolest nickname ever – Michael "Pinball" Clemons, whose Toronto Argonauts won the CFL's Grey Cup earlier this week.  Michael, a CFL legend, is vice president and general manager of the Argos and a former Tribe All-American, as well as a member of our Hall of Fame.
 
I could go on and on about all the great things happening at W&M, but it's time to start cooking and to wish all of you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Go Tribe!

Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics