Dear Friends of William & Mary Athletics,

Homecoming is getting close!  Pardon the pun, but when alumna Glenn Close, one of the world's greatest actors is returning as the grand marshal of the Homecoming parade, I'm pretty fired up! 
 
Close will join President Katherine A. Rowe for a Presidential Conversation on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. in Phi Beta Kappa Hall, but that will just be one of the MANY great events taking place during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 19-22.  The university has put together events and programming to fit a wide range of interests (complete schedule).  If you are going to the Presidential Conversation, I recommend heading to the tailgate at the Sunken Garden afterward to get your Green & Gold spirit in high gear for our football game vs. Towson at 3:30 p.m. 
 
Another notable event during Homecoming features Tribe Athletics Hall of Famer and volleyball alumna Kristen Jones. She has had a distinguished career as a motivational speaker and is the author of the book "Raising Empowered Athletes" and is part of the Women in Action event at the Williamsburg Inn on Friday, Oct. 20.  Come enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with us!
 
Much like the university's schedule of activities, our Tribe Athletics calendar is equally packed as we will host nine home contests, including volleyball, soccer, field hockey, men's and women's swimming, and, of course, football.  Check our athletics event calendar to make sure you catch all the action!
 
Hooping it Up
We are less than a month away from the start of basketball season on Nov. 6, when we open the season with a doubleheader.  The women's team plays Norfolk State, followed by the men vs. Regent.  Men's head coach Dane Fischer and women's head coach Erin Davis will be sharing insights with our alumni in Richmond on Wednesday, Oct. 25, and I am looking forward to an informative and fun event. For more details just reply to this email.  Then we host our annual Tip Off Banquet with coaches and players on Friday, Oct. 27 at the Williamsburg Lodge.
 
Notable Performances
·      Volleyball reeled off its fourth straight win last weekend and owns a 6-2 record in league play, which ties it with Towson for the best league mark.  Our Tribe will travel to Hofstra this weekend, then return to campus for a pair of Homecoming matches vs. NC A&T.
·      Women's soccer really celebrated Senior Day by beating Hampton 7-0, scoring the most goals since 2003.  It currently owns a CAA record of 5-1-2, which ties it for 4th place in the league standings with just four games remaining.   The top six make the postseason CAA field, so every outing is a chance to secure - and improve - its seeding.
·      Men's and women's swimming opened the season with victories over Johns Hopkins.  Their home opener is this Saturday vs. UNCW and the programs will host CAA foe Towson on Saturday of Homecoming weekend.
·      Cross country had a terrific showing at the Paul Short Run with the women finishing 13^th in the 44-team field and the men placing 14^th in the 43-team field.  Both squads beat 11 regionally ranked teams.  We are just under two weeks away from the CAA Championships, which will be held Friday, Oct. 27 in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
 
·      Graduate student Alexandre Leblanc of men's tennis won the Universal College Tennis Circuit event, while freshman Nikita Bortnichek led the way at the River City Open, going undefeated in singles action.
 
What a Circus!
After former men's gymnast Neil Coulter '17 graduated with degrees in chemistry and French, he headed to Las Vegas and signed on with Cirque de Soleil.  The former Tribe gymnast is performing in Cirque's ECHO, which will be in Tyson's Corner through Oct. 22.  A couple of weeks ago our gymnastics team and other members of the W&M community caught the show on the appropriately named William & Mary Day.  Check out Tribe Scribe Dave Johnson's story on Neil's journey from audience member to performer.  
 
Hail to Our Alumni!
The William & Mary Athletics Foundation is accepting applications for its second class of 40 Under 40 outstanding young alumni.  The program recognizes individuals for their professional accomplishments and their embodiment of Tribe Pride.  Applications are due by Friday, Nov. 3. You can nominate your candidate here.

When W&M offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal was drafted by the Detroit Lions this past spring,  he brought with him more than his football skills.  In fact, a trick play designed by the W&M coaching staff made its way onto the NFL field last week when quarterback Jared Goff used W&M's between-the-legs snap to get a first down in a game vs. the Carolina Panthers!  Click the image below for the full story!
 
The men's soccer team recently held a reunion of its 1983 team, which finished 14-6-2 and the program's first (of eight) CAA Championship.  The squad made the program's second all-time appearance in the NCAA Championship field and featured a pair of future W&M Athletics Hall of Famers in Mike Flood and Scott Bell, as well as a guy many of you might remember, named Jon Stewart!  All were back and enjoyed a weekend of camaraderie, stories and Tribe soccer!
 
Coast to Coast
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica last night. I had a wonderful time with our California alumni and friends!
 
On Nov. 15, the W&M Athletics Foundation is hosting a get-together at the New York Athletic Club.  I'm looking forward to the trip and talking with the Tribe faithful in the Big Apple.  If you will be in the area and can join us, please RSVP to Jenna Beattie at jbeattie01@wm.edu.
 
Seeing It for Yourselves!
Just a quick reminder that if you can't make it to watch the Tribe in person, many of our games and matches are streamed live.  You can always find out if a live stream is available by checking your favorite program's schedule pages and looking for a 'watch live' link!
 
Go Tribe!

 Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics