Dear UMW Community,
As of today, Sept. 23, the Athletics Department will report directly to me. This realignment recognizes athletics vital role in student success, from recruiting and retaining student-athletes one by one, to creating an inviting campus environment where we can cheer each other on.
Around 20% of our students pursue intercollegiate sports as part of their Mary Washington experience, exemplifying our ASPIRE values through athletics and becoming champions in the classroom and beyond. Our coaches are teachers and mentors, experts and leaders in their fields. They are often one of the first connections to campus for a prospective student, role models to our current students, and lifelong friends to our alumni. I’m looking forward to working strategically with Director of Athletics Patrick Catullo and departmental leadership to further efforts to advance UMW’s mission in this area.
Mary Washington is a leader among our conference competitors, with our students earning weekly nominations, annual awards, and national honors. Through my role as the board chair of the Coast to Coast Conference and service on the NCAA Presidents Council, I’ve seen first-hand how we can step up our game, including investments in our students and our athletics facilities, with opportunities for our campus and the extended community.
Go Wash!
Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D.President
