March 29, 2024

UMW Student Athletes Team with Local Children’s Program

The University of Mary Washington basketball game didn’t start until the afternoon, but by 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, the action at the Anderson Center had already started. The basketball stadium was filled with shouts of laughter, as children and college students alike raced up and down the court in relay races, shooting basketballs and giving out high fives. A grant has partnered UMW Athletics and UMW Center for Honor, Leadership and Service with Stafford Junction, a nonprofit, faith-based enrichment program that works to empower children and their families residing in Stafford County. The grant provides youth from Stafford Junction the opportunity to visit and interact with UMW student athletes to engage in physical activity and skill building. The UMW Women's Basketball team works with children from Stafford Junction to teach them about healthy living and college life. IMG_1259 IMG_1294 The UMW Men's Basketball team also participated in the day's events, teaching children about basketball. IMG_1771 IMG_1363 “We are thrilled and feel blessed to be partnered with the University,” said Gladys Castellanos, Stafford Junction program director. “We are always happy to see that the kids enjoy their time there.” Each month during the school year, children from Stafford Junction visit a different UMW sports team and spent time with student athletes, experiencing some of college life and learning about staying active and healthy. On Saturday, the men’s and women’s basketball teams visited with Stafford Junction before a game against Penn State Harrisburg. The children saw how the team prepares for the game and discovered what it’s like being a student athlete. “The kids look up to them, and they send a positive message to kids in the community,” said Philip Pierce, director of athletic development and promotions. “It makes you feel like sports aren’t just about wins and losses. Student athletes have the ability to change lives and put smiles on kids’ faces” So far, Stafford Junction has met with the UMW swimming, soccer, baseball and basketball teams. “At UMW we pride ourselves on being a Fredericksburg team. It’s always nice to give back to the community.” said Senior Biology Major Claire Haeuptle, as she takes a break from leading a dribbling game. “It shows the kids we take pride in not only our athletics, but also our academics.” Before the big game started, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Marcus Kahn sat the team and kids down together for a pre-game pep talk. “Don’t ever let anybody else tell you what you can or cannot do,” said Kahn, encouraging the kids to take lessons they learned back to their schools, friends and communities. “Stay active, confident and positive every day. Don’t let people put boundaries on you.”  

A Win for Wesley

Senior Tyler Carey gives UMW Athletics a touching mission.

UMW Breaks Food Donation Record

The University of Mary Washington collected 4,729 pounds of food in its 2014 STOP Hunger Food Drive, breaking last year’s record of 3,500 pounds of donated food. The food drive donations are given to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank to help feed the local community.   UMW Dining Services collects food donations UMW Dining Services, Sodexo, has sponsored the STOP Hunger Food drive every November since 2005. As part of Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow commitments, the Stop Hunger program mobilizes Sodexo’s employees, consumers, clients and suppliers to join forces to end hunger. As part of the food drive, UMW’s Department of Athletics collected 3,242 pounds, a new record for the department. The softball team alone contributed over 1,100 pounds, the largest contribution from any UMW organization this year. UMW Athletics has been a partner sponsor since 2008 and also participates in a conference-wide food collection competition to see which university’s student-athletes can collect the most pounds of food in a one week time period. Collection bins were placed in all campus dining facilities, the Simpson Library and the UMW Bookstore. The bookstore supported the drive by giving discounts to customers who make food donations in the store. UMW Dining Services also sold discounted canned food items during the drive, and coordinated a curb-side collection outside Seacobeck Hall. Student-athletes solicited donations at local food stores and from neighborhood residents, in addition to weighing the donations and loading them into trucks for transportation to the food bank.

College Hunks Founder to Give Honor Celebration Lecture

Nick Friedman, president of College Hunks Hauling Junk, will give the keynote address for the University of Mary Washington’s second annual Honor Celebration on Wednesday, September 10, in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. The 7 p.m. event is free and open to the public.   Nick Friedman Honor Celebration is a series of events designed to highlight UMW’s Honor System. The celebration gives students the opportunity to consider their own values in a real-world context and illustrates the university’s commitment to integrity in education. Friedman’s lecture will focus on entrepreneurship and integrity.  Friedman founded College Hunks Hauling Junk, which is the largest and fastest growing U.S.-based junk removal and moving franchise. Friedman was recently named among the “Top 30 Entrepreneurs in America Under 30” by INC Magazine and the “Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35” by Bisnow.com. He also is an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist. The event is co-sponsored by UMW’s Center for Honor, Leadership, and Service, the Athletic Department, and the College of Business. For more information, contact the Center for Honor, Leadership, and Service at (540) 654-1364.

Anderson Wins National Championship in 400 IM

University of Mary Washington sophomore Alex Anderson became the fourth individual NCAA national champion in UMW school history by breaking the NCAA Division III record in the 400-yard individual medley on March 21 at the National Swimming and Diving Championships in Shenandoah, Texas.  Anderson finished with a time of 3:50.55. Seeded fourth in the event entering the championships with a time of 3:57, Anderson destroyed his career best by seven seconds in the final. He led the race from start to finish. He shattered the previous NCAA Division III record of 3:51.45, broken in 2009 by Alex Beyer of Washington University. “Alex represented all of the Eagles in the best way possible tonight,” said UMW head coach Abby Brethauer. “We could not be more proud of his national championship. To do it in record setting fashion makes it even more special.” Anderson joins Shannon Hutcherson (women’s swimming, 1993), Myra Simpson (women’s track, 1996), and Paul Bristow and Dan Uyar (men’s tennis doubles) as an individual national champion at UMW. Also in the weekend NCAA competition, Anderson finished second in the 200-yard butterfly, narrowly missing a second national title by .07 of a second. He was a member of several relay teams that finished well in Division III competition. The 400-medley relay team, also made up of Michael Yelmgren, Peter Slattery and Nick Eckhoff, placed 12th with a record time of 3:21.72. The men’s 800-free relay, including Eckhoff, Jack McHugh and Sean Mayer, finished in 18th place at 6:52.20.  The 400-free relay team, including Mayer, McHugh and Eckhoff, finished 21st with a time of 3:05.70. In other competition, junior Amber Kerico picked up her second All-America title an 11th place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:20.25. Overall, the Eagle men finished the championship in 19th place with 47 points, while the women placed 38th with 10 points.