Getting Involved at UMW
Athletics
The UMW Department of Athletics finished 69th this year among 322 NCAA Division III schools (top 21%) in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings for the 2023-24 year. ALL 19 varsity sports at UMW have competed in national championship events, and the Eagles have brought home national titles in six sports. UMW athletics also sponsors three team sports in men’s and women’s rugby, where both teams have advanced to national championships, as well as the recent addition of Esports. As a charter member of the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, the Eagles have won the league’s All-Sports Award 13 times in the 33-year history of the league. UMW’s men’s and women’s swimming teams accepted membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2023-24, and the men’s lacrosse team competes in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference. UMW also has produced more than 350 All-America selections and countless all-region and all-conference picks as one of the elite traditional broad-based programs in all of NCAA athletics.
As a DIII institution, we do not offer athletic scholarships, nor do we utilize the national letter of intent program. However, all of our sports are very competitive, and roster spots must be offered and earned. Have a thorough and complete conversation with your head coach about where he or she sees you on the team. There may be an expectation of some level of tryout. All roster spots are evaluated annually based on criteria such as academic and athletic performance, team commitment, and social responsibility. If you have any questions about where you stand or what the expectations will be, please direct them to your head coach.
All potential student-athletes must meet NCAA eligibility, complete mandatory athletic training and NCAA forms, and register for the PHYD 400-level course corresponding to their sport. Please contact the head coach directly if you have not received instructions to complete the paperwork.
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Intramural Sports:
Intramurals are a great way to stay active in sports and socialize! Activities range from one-day tournaments to month-long sport leagues. Sport offerings range from traditional basketball, soccer, and football to your less traditional offerings such as dodgeball and canoe battleship. There’s a bit of everything for everyone at Intramural Sports. Winners of activities will receive a coveted IM Champ Shirt.
Sport Clubs:
Sport clubs are a great way to stay active and involved in the UMW community without a large time commitment. Students compete locally, regionally, and nationally. Clubs are student-run, practice two to three times per week, and compete a minimum of three times per year. See our website for a complete listing of sport clubs.
Outdoor Recreation:
Outdoor Recreation is the perfect way to explore surrounding Fredericksburg, and Virginia outdoors and experience fitness and wellness from a different perspective. Activities are seasonal and can range from trips such as hikes, indoor rock climbing, and caving to on-campus special events. The activities are designed to not just build an affection towards the outdoors; but to promote, preserve, inspire and create an ethos of sustainable environmental stewardship through application of Leave No Trace principles and other practices.
Fitness Programs:
Campus Recreation offers over 30 group fitness classes each week, including Zumba, Yoga, Cycle, Cardio Kickboxing, Barre, Strength, and more. Students have the opportunity to purchase an annual fitness pass that grants access to every class on the group fitness schedule, which changes each semester. If you’re looking for a more individualized fitness experience, personal training is also available at an affordable rate.
Student Employees Welcome!
Campus Recreation is the second largest employer of students. Students work for Campus Recreation as Fitness Center attendants, group fitness instructors, personal trainers, intramural officials, outdoor recreation trip leaders, lifeguards, swim instructors, and more. There are also opportunities for students to become certified personal trainers or group fitness instructors! Applications are available on our website.
Arts at UMW
Whether you take a studio art class, join the orchestra, audition for a play, or sing and dance, you can be part of a vibrant aspect of life at UMW. Contact Prof. Gregg Stull (gstull@umw.edu) about theater, dance, or music; or Prof. Carole Garmon (cgarmon@umw.edu) about studio art or art history.
Campus Ministries
As a public institution, the University of Mary Washington does not have a denominational affiliation. We know, however, that religious traditions are important to many students and encourage students to reach out to the leaders of several vibrant campus ministries and student organizations listed here:
| Organization | Contact |
|---|---|
| Center for Faith & Leadership 1514 College Avenue |
Director: Becca Bennick Email: thecenterumw@gmail.com Web: www.umwcenter.org |
| Campus Christian Community (Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal – but welcomes all faiths) 1213 Dandridge Street |
Elizabeth J. Snader elizabeth@campuschristiancommunity.com Web: campuschristiancommunity.comEmail: info@Campuschristiancommunity.com |
| The House: Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry 820 College Avenue |
Chaplain: Pastor Anne Jones Email: anne@christ-lutheran-church.org Web: https://www.facebook.com/thehouseelcm (540)373-5087 |
| Catholic Campus Ministry 1614 College Avenue |
Chaplain: Father Rich Miserendino Email: frrich@umwccm.org Web: https://www.umwcatholic.org/ (540)373-6746 |
| Intervarsity Christian Fellowship | Email: ivmdub@gmail.com Jessica Molzahn jessica.molzahn@intervarsity.org |
| Islamic Student Association | Email: isa.eagles@gmail.com |
| Jewish Student Assoc./Maxine and Carl D. Silver Chabad Center | Rabbi Shaya rabbi@jewishumw.org |
Love community service?
In the Community Outreach and Resources office, (COAR), students organize service opportunities for students. COAR has nearly 20 weekly ongoing programs that include tutoring and mentoring children and teens, building with Habitat for Humanity, spending time with the elderly and animals, and working on environmental projects. COAR also sponsors on-campus service programs for the community such as a trick-or-treat in the fall and an egg hunt in the spring. Whether volunteering on your own or with a group, COAR is a great place to start!
Clubs and Organizations
Be the president of your own club – it’s easy to start a special interest group. Or, be an officer or member of an established club – they’re open to all interested students. Club members develop leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills that can translate into experiences that can be listed on your future resume. Visit Student Activities and Engagement in the University Center, 3rd floor.
Concerts! Movies! Traditions!
Student Activities and Engagement (SAE) is the place to go if you want to get involved on campus. More than 120 different organizations create events – from weekly bingo to major concerts. Want to apply some of those things you learn in the classroom? Join one of our multiple academic-based clubs!