“It’s only fitting that the outdoor facility bear Ed Hegmann’s name,” said Ken Tyler, who took over as UMW’s athletic director after Hegmann’s retirement in 2012. “Dr. Hegmann has left a strong and lasting legacy at UMW.”
Hegmann was instrumental in the design and construction of the multi-venue outdoor Battleground Athletic Complex, which includes the 12-court tennis complex and the indoor University Tennis Center. Completed in 1999, the outdoor tennis complex consists of 12 lighted hard-surface courts with seating for 600 spectators. UMW has hosted the men’s 2006 NCAA national championship, the 2005 and 2010 women’s national championships as well as 10 regional competitions.
During Hegmann’s 36-year tenure, he also oversaw the expansion of the athletic program from six to 23 sports and was a major catalyst in the development of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the William M. Anderson Center multi-use convocation center completed in 2011. Under Hegmann’s direction, 22 sports advanced to the national championships with five different teams competing in the Final Four.
Hegmann directed the women’s tennis team for 23 years and led the Eagles to three national championships, including the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national title in 1982 and the 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. He was named the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year in 1988 and again in 1999. In addition, he was inducted into the MWC/UMW Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Tennis National Hall of Fame. In 2012, the Board of Visitors awarded Hegmann one of the university’s most prestigious awards, the Washington Medallion, given for extraordinary service.
“Dr. Hegmann’s contributions to this university are significant in number and impact,” said President Richard V. Hurley. “He will always be remembered for the transformative role he played here.”