Dear Friends of Tribe Athletics, 

Let me begin with a heartfelt thank you to all of our friends and fans who remembered us on Giving Tuesday.  We know there are many recipients worthy of your generosity, so when you give to W&M Athletics, we understand how special it is. Our team is still processing gifts, and thankfully it's keeping them busy!  Again, we appreciate all that you do as a member of the Tribe!

The Pride of New York (And Williamsburg!)

Congratulations to Jennifer Tepper Mackesy '91 and D. Scott Mackesy '91, who are part of the ownership group of Gotham FC, the team that just won its second National Women's Soccer League championship in three years!  A record 1.2 million viewers watched the final between the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC, in which Gotham prevailed 1-0.  New York City celebrated the team with a parade, a rally at City Hall, and buildings lit up in blue!  For more on the Mackesys, their first title, and their tremendous support of Tribe Athletics, click here.
  Notable

• The Women's Basketball team recorded a gritty road win at previously unbeaten ACC foe Wake Forest 67-64!  The Tribe had four players in double figures, led by junior center Jana Sallman's (pictured below) game-high 17 points. The team will look to grow their win streak to three at American on Sunday at 2 p.m.

• Not to be outdone, Men's Basketball is off to a sizzling 8-2 start, the program's best through 10 games since 2009-10! The Tribe won its sixth in a row Tuesday, beating the A-10's Duquesne University 83-79 on the road. The team plays at George Washington on Saturday at 6 p.m.
• Football's early signing period class brought in 10 newcomers who signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Tribe. More details are here.
• Eleven Football players are All-CAA selections. Named to the first team are Ryan McKenna, Luke Banbury, Jalen Jones, and Stephon Hicks (pictured below). The second team honoree is Kadin Lynch, while Tyler Hughes, Sean McElwain, Jackson Blee, Justin Krueger, and Carter Boyd made the third team. Deven Thompson was chosen for an honorable mention.

• Five Men's Soccer players were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team--Diogo Branco, Evan Rabush, Webb Kosich, Sam Delgado, and Landon Cartwright.
• Women's Soccer had six players on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. They are Nora Green-Orset, Leila Greene, Sheridan Brummett, Ivey Crain, Molly Widderich, and Lindsay Wilson.
• Kudos to cornerback Jalen Jones and linebacker Luke Banbury for being named finalists for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the top defensive player on a Division I FCS team.  The winner will be named Jan. 3.
• Julie Addison of Women's Swimming broke the school record in the 100 backstroke at the West Virginia Invitational. The Tribe recorded 10 victories over three days of action, with the women's team finishing second to the host team, WVU.

Volleyball Coach to Resign

Head Coach Ryan Adams is saying goodbye to the Tribe after a three-year stint. He is heading back to the West Coast, where his family still resides. I'm disappointed that we are losing Ryan but we certainly understand the importance of making decisions that are in the best interest of our families, as well as ourselves. While we search for our new coach, Tribe alum Emma Minnick '23 will serve as interim coach. I know you all join me in wishing Ryan the best, as you continue to support Emma and the team.

Fun Football Fact

He may be #6 on the roster, but junior quarterback Tyler Hughes is #1 in the Tribe Football record books!  The senior from Marietta, Georgia is the first person in 132 years of Tribe football to throw for more than 2,000 yards and rush for over 600 yards in the same season.  Additionally, Tyler set a new standard for protecting the football, throwing a school-record 266 consecutive passes without an interception from the opener at Furman through the win at Hampton.  Congratulations, Tyler! 
  End of Semester

Tomorrow marks the final day of classes, followed by reading periods and exams, with the semester concluding on Dec. 16. The Tribe still has several competitions ahead, and your support is always appreciated. Our basketball teams will be active throughout the month: the women host Coppin State on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m., while the men play three home games in Kaplan on Dec. 18, 29 and 31 . Tribe Football Season Ticket Holders are invited to an exclusive opportunity to cheer on the men's team against Towson on Dec. 29 from the Baseline Club, alongside Head Coach Mike London. Details on reserving seats will be shared soon, and availability will be limited.

Both gymnastics programs will be in action tomorrow evening in the annual Green & Gold exhibition meet. The action will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Kaplan Arena, and admission is free! 

Additionally, our Track & Field teams will compete in three away meets, and both Swimming programs will visit George Washington. As always, stay connected through TribeAthletics.com and our composite calendar.

Go Tribe!




Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics