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1892

Col. William Lamb introduces motion to construct pavilion for a modest gymnasium.

1893-95

Football and baseball programs established.

1899

W&M joins the Eastern Virginia Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

1905-06

Men's basketball and track & field programs established.

1918

Women students admitted to W&M. Intramural activities for women begin immediately.

1920

In February, the first intercollegiate women's bsketball game is held. Over the summer, W&M withdraws from the EVIAA and joines the Virginia Collegiate Conference.

1921

Women's tennis program established.

1922

Men's tennis program established.

1925

First intercollegiate women's field hockey game. Men's cross country program established.

1926

First Homecoming celebrated.

1928

The 3-3-3 Committee of three faculty members, three students, and three alumni established to direct men's athletics policy. Men's golf and men's swimming & diving programs established.

1930

Men's fencing program established.

1932

Women's fencing program established.

1936

W&M joins the Southern Conference, and officially joins the NCAA.

1941

Women's lacrosse program established, playing Sweet Briar in what is believed to be the first-ever women's lacrosse game in the United States.

1950

Riflery program established.

1953

Women's lacrosse re-established as a varsity program.

1963

Wrestling and men's gymnastics programs established.

1964-68

Women's swimming & diving, women's golf, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse programs established. Men's fencing re-established as a varsity program.

1970

W&M Hall opens. Millie West becomes the Director of Women's Athletics after 11 years as a professor and coach at W&M.

1971

Women's volleyball program established.

1974

Women's track & field and gymnastics programs established.

1977

W&M leaves the Southern Conference. Women's cross country program established.

1979

W&M begins competition in the ECAC South Conference in men's basketball and baseball.

1980

Women's soccer club formed. After one year, the program is elevated to varsity status.

1981

Following the fall season, the NCAA forcibly shifts W&M and dozens of other schools from I-A to I-AA in football.

1982

Over the next five years, the Women's Athletics are moved from the AIAW and NAIA to the NCAA, with several teams shifting to Division I as well.

1983

W&M, Bucknell, Lafayette, Holy Cross, Colgate, and Lehigh announce a new conference, the Colonial League, with high academic standards.

1984

Five programs proposed for elimination: women's golf, men's and women's fencing, men's swimming & diving, and men's lacrosse. Increased alumni support leads to the re-instatement of men's swimming & diving, men's fencing, and women's golf.

1985

W&M withdraws from the proposed Colonial League due to concerns about spring football, post-season play, and grants-in-aid. The Colonial Athletic Association is chartered. Women's fencing and men's lacrosse are discontinued.

1986

The Men's and Women's Athletics Departments combine under John Randolph.

1991

Women's basketball, men's and women's swimming & diving, and wrestling are proposed for elimination but the proposal is not adopted.

1993

Football begins competition in the Yankee Conference, which continues over the next 25+ years through governance changes into Atlantic 10 Football and CAA Football. Cary Field Stadium is renamed Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field.

1994

Wrestling and men's fencing programs discontinued.

1995

Terry Driscoll named Director of Athletics.

1999

Plumeri Park opens.

2003

Albert-Daly Field opens.

2005

Permanent lights and artificial turf installed at Zable Stadium.

2011

Competition in men's and women's diving is suspended, with the saved resources remaining with the men's and women's swimming programs. Martin Family Stadium opens, bringing permanent locker rooms, grandstand, press box, and restrooms to Albert-Daly Field.

2016

W&M Hall renamed Kaplan Arena in honor of Jim and Jane Kaplan.

2017

Samantha K. Huge named Director of Athletics.

2018

Mike London named head football coach, first African-American to coach a men's sport in school history.

2019

Dane Fischer named the 31st head men's basketball coach in school history.

W&M Athletics Strategic Timeline