Dear Friends of Tribe Athletics, 

As we get ready for the new semester, I hope everyone's holidays were exactly what they wished for and that your 2026 is off to a great start!  After my very restful time off that featured some exciting Tribe hoops, I am more than ready to embrace the terrific things that will be coming our way this spring semester.

Since my family was in Williamsburg over the break, I did manage a few visits to campus and our great new Mackesy Sports Performance Center, or the Mack, as it's been nicknamed.  What a facility and one that will pay dividends for our coaches, staff, and student-athletes well into the future.  For a sneak peek, check out the photos below. More images and video will be released as we prepare to dedicate the building on Charter Day Weekend in February.
 
Welcome to the Tribe!
One of the latest additions to the Tribe family is planning on taking full advantage of the outstanding volleyball court in the Mack.  Kellie Catanach Johnson is our new VB head coach and she is full of plans for her upcoming practices.  In case you missed it, Kellie was hired in late December and is in the process of moving her family to Williamsburg from Duke, where she was the associate head coach.  Please join me in welcoming Kellie, husband Dezmond Johnson, nine-month-old daughter Evie and their dog Bentley to W&M!
 
Notable

• All-America cornerback Jalen Jones (pictured below) recently participated in the inaugural NFL-FCS Showcase Jan. 4-5 in Nashville. The event featured 50 FCS prospects who are eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.  He has also accepted an invitation to the American Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 22.

 

• Linebacker Luke Banbury (second team) was named to the Phil Steele FCS All-America team along with teammate Jalen Jones, who was named to the first team. 
• Offensive lineman Ryan McKenna joined in the parade of honors when he joined Luke Banbury and Jalen Jones as members of the Associated Press FCS All-America Team, all as honorable mention. 
• Three Men's Gymnastics standouts, (pictured below), were selected for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Preseason Gymnasts to Watch List.
   
  
• Women's Basketball had a perfect record (5-0) in December and won seven of their last eight games.  The team is at home vs. Charleston tomorrow at 7 p.m.
• Guard Monet Dance (pictured below) was announced as CAA Co-Player of the Week on Dec. 22. She scored 20 points in the win over Stetson before becoming the first Tribe player to have a 10-assist double-double since 2020 the following day in a win against Bethune-Cookman.

• Not to be outdone, Men's Basketball matched the second-best start in program history through 14 games, improving to 11–3 with a New Year's Eve win over Stony Brook. The only better start in school history came nearly 80 years ago, during the 1948–49 season!
• Patriot League Premiere
• Football's inaugural season in the Patriot League begins Aug. 29 at Villanova and features a 12-game slate. The team will play against all nine league opponents with five conference match ups against Fordham, Holy Cross, Georgetown, Lafayette and Bucknell at home. The first home game of the 2026 season is Sept. 5 vs. Delaware State. It's not too early to buy your season tickets (RENEW/ NEW)! 

Fun in the Sun!
The Men's and Women's Swimming programs recently completed their annual training trip to Jacksonville, Florida. Over the course of a week, the teams focused on building speed and endurance for the season ahead while strengthening team bonds. 

Despite the Florida sunshine, temperatures dipped into the low 40s during a few early-morning sessions, making for spirited swims! A highlight of the trip came on New Year's Eve, when three generous local alumni—Bill Weihs '81, Curt Whittaker '82, and Scott Gehsmann '84—treated the team to a food truck serving a variety of tacos. Surprisingly, the most popular choice was cow tongue!

Pictured below are Ian Cullicot '27, Bill Weihs '81, Nate Kellogg, Curt Whittaker '82, and Thor Dyke '27 – also pictured are a few views from the pool deck during an invigorating sunrise swim.
 
Playoffs? Playoffs!
Former NFL Coach Jim Mora is remembered for his historic rant when asked if his team might make the playoffs. However, these W&M alumni and former coaches have nothing to worry about as their teams have already punched their tickets to the playoffs— Sean McDermott '98, Buffalo Bills Head Coach; Mike Tomlin '95, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach; Joe Brady '13, Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator; DJ Mangas '12, Buffalo Bills Assistant Wide Receivers Coach; Christian Taylor '07, Buffalo Bills Offensive Advisor and Defensive Assistant; Ted Monago, Assistant Coach, 1998-00, Los Angeles Rams Senior Personnel Executive; Christian Parker, Assistant Coach, 2017, Philadelphia Eagles Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach; Danny Smith, Assistant Coach, 1980-83, Pittsburgh Steelers Special Teams Coordinator.  Good luck everyone, and if you happen to be aware of someone with W&M ties that we might have missed, please let us know! 

Calendar Time
Take a look at our composite calendar for the month and you'll see more days with games than those without.  It's a terrific time to come out and see the Tribe in person, or to follow them online.  Whether it's gymnastics, basketball, track, swimming, or tennis and lacrosse (which is right around the corner!), I'm sure one of your favorite teams is in action! And for those of you who can't wait for baseball season, the First Pitch Dinner is scheduled for Jan. 24. I hope to see you soon

Go Tribe!




Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics