The University of Mary Washington’s championship soccer field has long been associated with Roy Gordon, founding coach of the men’s soccer team. On Friday, February 21, the UMW Board of Visitors formally approved naming the field in his honor.
Gordon served the University of Mary Washington and its intercollegiate athletics program, especially the men’s soccer program, with distinction, dedication and loyalty for 34 years. His men’s soccer teams captured 386 total wins, won eight Capital Athletic Conference titles, and advanced to nine NCAA tournaments. Since the Eagles made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1985, their cumulative record under Gordon’s leadership was 329-133-33, for an outstanding .698 percent.
One of the most respected college soccer coaches in the nation, Gordon repeatedly earned regional and national awards. He was named the Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year eight times, selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Regional Coach of the Year on five occasions, and named Virginia State College Division Coach of the Year an impressive four times. Gordon became one of only eight head coaches in Division III history to surpass 400 career wins, in 2007. Gordon received the NSCAA’s prestigious Honor Award in 2009, and was named to the NSCAA Hall of Fame in 2023.
“My guess is that playing soccer at Mary Wash was a deeply meaningful experience for many of you, and that the lessons learned and friendships made continue to influence your lives years after leaving Fredericksburg,” said UMW Hall of Fame alumnus Scott Karr. “This is certainly the case for me, and I am incredibly grateful to Coach Gordon for all I took away from my time at Mary Wash. He was a phenomenal coach, team-builder and teacher.”
The first coach in Mary Washington soccer history, Gordon oversaw the development and transition of the home field, from the site of the current recreation field on Alvey Drive, to the development of the Battleground Athletic Complex in the 1980s. Gordon’s Eagles hosted the 1997 NCAA Division III national championship.
Current coaches have also created nationally competitive teams and the enhancements to this facility will continue to attract the high-quality student athletes. The 1992 NCAA Division III women’s national championship and the 1997 NCAA Division III men’s national championship were decided on the Eagles’ home pitch, and the field has been the site of dozens of conference tournament and NCAA Tournament competitions over the years, including hosting conference and NCAA Tournament action in each of the past two years.
That momentum has brought larger crowds to games and the need for additional enhancements to the experience for players and audiences.
Over the past two years, Athletics has worked closely with University Advancement and Alumni Engagement, alongside a dedicated group led by our alumni, to engage supporters of men’s and women’s soccer. Thanks to the generous contributions from alumni, parents, families and friends of UMW soccer, over $385,000 in direct donations and multi-year pledges have been raised, marking the start of field upgrades.
“Our goal is to maintain this momentum and reach $500,000,” said UMW Director of Athletics Patrick Catullo. “These improvements will elevate the program, provide top-tier facilities and attract the best future talent. Additionally, the success of this project will help drive future fundraising efforts across other UMW Athletic facilities.”
A ribbon cutting and celebration to honor Coach Gordon is being planned and will take place in Fall 2025.
LEARN MORE about the project and make your gift electronically. The Office of University Advancement can explain customized giving options. Call 540-654-1024 or email advance@umw.edu for more information.
This story can also be viewed on the UMW Athletics web site.
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