University of Mary Washington Athletic Director Dr. Edward Hegmann has announced that he will retire at the end of the school year, his 36th as an administrator at the Fredericksburg university. During his tenure, Hegmann built UMW Athletics into one of the nation’s top Division III programs and leaves a lasting impression as one of the most influential people in the 100 year-plus history of the school.

“Ed Hegmann has left an indelible mark on this university,” said UMW President Richard V. Hurley. “He will be sorely missed but remembered for his contributions to the success of our athletic program for years to come.”

“Mary Washington Athletics staff members and student athletes have given me 36 years of thrilling memories that will bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart forever,” said Hegmann.

A Pittsburgh, Penn., native, Hegmann earned his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University, his master’s degree from Springfield College and his doctorate from Temple University. Since 1976, he has overseen the expansion of the program at UMW from six sports to 23, acted as a major catalyst in the development of the facilities at UMW and watched 22 of the school’s 23 programs advance to national championship competition.

Hegmann also directed the women’s tennis team for 23 years and led the Eagles to three national championships, including the AIAW national title in 1982 and NCAA Division III titles in 1988 and 1991. He gained eight Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards and captured nine straight CAC championships after the league was formed in 1990 through his retirement as coach in 1999. He was named the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year in 1988 and again in 1999.

A master of planning facilities, in addition to the Battleground Athletic Complex, the UMW outdoor facilities where five national championships have been held, Hegmann was instrumental in the planning for the UMW Indoor Tennis Center, built in 2005. In addition to the school’s top-notch 12-court lighted outdoor facility, the six-court indoor complex has allowed UMW to host both men’s tennis and women’s tennis national championships in the past six years.

Hegmann also oversaw the construction of the state-of-the-art William M. Anderson Center, a basketball/volleyball arena that seats nearly 2,000 fans and will allow UMW to host NCAA competition at the highest levels in those sports.

A national search will be conducted by the school to hire a new athletic director.

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News release prepared by:  Clint Often