When Mike Sapnar '88 enrolled at William & Mary in 1984, he had already decided on his career path. Years of watching the Prudential College Scoreboard confirmed that his future would be as a sports journalist.
 
As often happens, those aspirations took a different turn and a bachelor's degree in economics (with a minor in English) helped launch a career in international business. Though now a senior executive with the Stone Ridge Holdings Group, which includes serving as Global Head of Insurance Solutions for NYDIG, Mike's skill in play-by-play remains strong.
 

When he recalls two memorable games in Tribe history, he flawlessly describes the 19-foot buzzer beater by Scott Coval that helped W&M beat UVA in a huge upset during his freshman year, as well as the jubilation around the Tribe's football victory over Richmond during his junior year. 

His love for W&M shines through in every reference to his college days.  "I have so many warm memories, but my memories around athletics events and friends are the brightest and most vivid," he says.  That affection has spurred Mike to continue his philanthropy to the university with a significant six-figure donation toward the renovation of Kaplan Arena.
 
"For years, when it comes to Athletics, we have done more with less.  Now I'd like to see us do more with more," he says.  "It's wonderful that the university is committing to, and supporting, the Kaplan project and the entire Athletics Complex, but private gifts are a necessity.  And every gift is important."
 
While Mike's memories of his days at William & Mary are instrumental in his decision to support the Kaplan renovation, he knows others have their own cherished remembrances of the school.   To that end he is challenging those who were on the field after the Richmond game, watched Coval's shot go in, had a friend who was a student-athlete or just loves the Green & Gold as he does, to give something toward the Kaplan project.
 
"For me, there are two things that attract me about the Kaplan project," he adds.  "One is that it will benefit both men and women student-athletes, plus the facility will be much more than a sports arena and can host concerts and speaking engagements for the entire William & Mary and Williamsburg communities."  
 
He also hopes that an upgraded Kaplan will spark an uptick in school spirit.  "Athletics can enhance the entire collegiate experience for the student body.  It's a great way to pull together as you support your school colors and your community for a couple of hours."
 
A favorite memory from attending football games in the old stadium involves a quirk in how the scoreboard operated.  "When it was time for 'Go Tribe' to roll out, it initially appeared backwards to the crowd as Ebirt Og.  Before it righted itself to Go Tribe, everyone in the stadium chanted Ebirt Og, Ebirt Og," he recalls. 
 
As a student, Mike was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, along with several student-athletes from swimming, wrestling, basketball and football.  "We would support our fraternity brothers by going to their events.  Plus, we had lots of friends on the women's soccer and lacrosse teams, so we saw a lot of those matches, too," he says. "It's so important for all of our student-athletes to be part of a unified student body."
 
His ties to William & Mary remain strong.  He visits at least twice a year to meet up with friends, often at Homecoming.  He is on the William & Mary Foundation Board and his daughter graduated from the school in 2020.  He supports the Native Studies Program and is a contributor to the Ebirt Og football scholarship.  Every Memorial Day weekend since 1987, he and dozens of fraternity brothers gather for a barbecue.
 
Mike loves what the university has meant to his life and he is excited about the future of Tribe Athletics.  He does have one suggestion though.  "Wouldn't it be nice if Ebirt Og slipped into the new Kaplan in some way?"
 
Go Tribe!