Dear Friends of William & Mary Athletics,
 
When the temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s, it's hard to say fall is in the air, but the season is definitely changing!  Our fall sports are now officially getting geared up for the regular season with the majority of the student-athletes now on campus. The first regular season competition will be tomorrow evening (Thursday, August 18) as our women's soccer program will host Virginia Tech at Martin Family Stadium. While this will be your first opportunity to come out and support our Tribe, it certainly won't be the last - and we hope to see you on campus! 
 
As our student-athletes filter back to campus, I know they share my sense of anticipation and eagerness. It's great to witness the camaraderie and hear about their summer activities.  Speaking of which, a shout out to Suzie Sterrett who shared her vacation photo with the Mannuscript.  What can I say except that I love this photo!



With nearly 150 newcomers to the Tribe this fall, we have over 500 student-athletes competing in 23 intercollegiate sports. Already, I've been lucky enough to spend time with a few of our teams including a visit with women's soccer with my wife Hilary, my son Russell and my brother Chris. Ever since I was a kid, sports have been a family affair for the Manns and I am so grateful it continues with such a great group of Tribe student-athletes!



Every student-athlete is working hard to prepare for the academic and athletic rigors ahead.  And some of them will be such standouts that in a few years we will be considering them for election to the W&M Athletics Hall of Fame.  
 
That particular honor is on my mind as, after a several year hiatus due to COVID, we are preparing to honor the class elected for 2020.  It includes 10 Tribe student-athletes with the following six currently confirmed to attend the event:  Derek Cox '08 (football), Scott Estes '93 (tennis), Ian Fitzgerald '09 (track, cross country), Peel Hawthorne '80 (field hockey, lacrosse), Mindy Wolff '75 (swimming) and Sebronzik Wright '95 (men's gymnastics).  The other four members of the Class of 2022—Allison Evans Kwolek '03 (lacrosse), Lou Holtz (football coach), Sean McDermott '98 (football) and Claire Zimmeck '09 (soccer) have deferred their inductions. 
 
I know some of our Hall of Fame class personally (one works with me every day—looking at you Peel!), and I am looking forward to meeting the entire group on Sept. 9 when we will hold the ceremony and celebration for this great group of Tribe athletes.  Tickets are available now and we'd love to see as many members of our community as possible attend the event.  Plus, there's a football game vs. new CAA-member Campbell the following day, which will round out the weekend in what I predict will be a winning way!
 
Now that we are ramping up for the semester, you will be seeing the Mannuscript more frequently.  I continue to be amazed and gratified by how many of you read it—thank you! We are planning to mix it up a little with some more videos and new content, such as the occasional job posting.  I got my start in college athletics administration by chance when I saw an opening at my alma mater Dartmouth when I was living in Washington, D.C.  I applied even though I was not thinking of changing jobs or moving to New Hampshire and here I am today!  Check out the great career opportunities at W&M.  You never know! 
 
Enjoy the rest of your summer and Go Tribe!
 
Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics