April 25, 2024

Coach Pens Lyrics to New UMW Fight Song

The University of Mary Washington now has a fight song to call its own, thanks to the lyrics of Corey Hewson, coach of the women’s soccer team. Hewson beat out 10 other submissions to a recent contest sponsored by the Department of Athletics and the Office of Student Activities. The winners were announced at Devil-Goat Day on Thursday, April 24. Cedric Rucker, associate vice president and dean of student life, presents awards to Corey Hewson (right) and Ronald May (left). Hewson, who received a master’s degree in education from UMW in 2005, and runner-up Ronald May, a sophomore business major, contributed the lyrics to “Soar, Eagles, Soar,” a composition by Paul Murtha, a world-class composer and arranger for the United States Army Band. Murtha has long been associated with UMW as a member of the UMW Faculty Brass Quintet and an arranger for the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra. Philip Pierce, director of athletic development and promotions, Jim Ford, director of the UMW Pep Band, and Kevin Bartram, maestro of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, reviewed each anonymous submission and voted on their top choice. Freshman Hannah Morgan, an English and computer science double major, received third place and Garrett O’Brien, a sophomore economics and anthropology double major, received an honorable mention. The fight song will be heard at university athletic and student events. “We want the song to last and be a part of the UMW culture and tradition,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Searcy.

UMW Coach and Psychologist Appear on Radio Program

University of Mary Washington faculty members Corey Hewson, coach of the women’s soccer team and athletics instructor, and Holly Schiffrin, associate professor of psychology, will appear on the public radio program “With Good Reason” beginning Saturday, Jan. 11. Corey Hewson During the show, “Start the Year Off Right,” Hewson will share advice for new runners and those training for a half-marathon, based on his own experience as a runner and his “Training for the Half Marathon” course at UMW. Later in the show, Schiffrin will encourage listeners to cultivate strong relationships with family and friends, rather than focusing on the effects of a less than ideal economy. Schiffrin’s portion of the program originally aired in January 2011. Holly Schiffrin The program also will feature commentary from faculty at the Virginia Military Institute and Christopher Newport University. Audio files of the full program and its companion news feature are available online at http://withgoodreasonradio.org/2014/01/start-the-year-off-right/. “With Good Reason” is a program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. The show airs weekly in Fredericksburg on Sundays from 1-2 p.m. on Radio IQ 88.3 Digital. To listen from outside of the Fredericksburg area, a complete list of air times and links to corresponding radio stations can be found at http://withgoodreasonradio.org/when-to-listen/.

UMW Raises Funds for Marathon Victims

The run at the University of Mary Washington’s Battleground Athletic Complex Saturday morning started as the final exam for the 22 runners in Corey Hewson’s half-marathon training class. It evolved into more than 250 members of UMW and the area community joining in a Run for Boston.  So far the group has raised nearly $1,000 for The One Fund to support victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Excitement permeated onlookers, who formed a human chain as they cheered the runners at the starting line. After members of the class got a running start, the mass of participants, most of them donning Run-for-Boston T-shirts, followed sprinting behind them along the 3 1/2-mile route. “This was the first race many of the members of my class have ever participated in,” said Hewson, coach of the UMW women’s soccer team who helped organize the Run for Boston. Hewson created the training class to encourage students of any experience level to adopt a healthy lifestyle through running. “The smiles on all of their faces will be etched in my heart for a long time,” Hewson said. “I have participated in and have been a spectator in some of the bigger road races in the country – this by far was one of the more unique and special starts I have ever seen.” That enthusiasm will be hard to beat when the class takes on its ultimate challenge ­– the Marine Corps Half-Marathon– on May 19 in Fredericksburg. A limited supply of “Run for Boston” T-shirts is available for purchase, with proceeds donated to The One Fund. Medium and large sizes are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Contact Corey Hewson at (540) 654-1871.