Athletics at W&L

Washington and Lee University provides its students with a unique athletic program that allows them to pursue athletic excellence without sacrificing their educational experience.

W&L follows the NCAA Division III guidelines of awarding financial aid based only on family need and academic merit. The result is a strong, diverse program in which participants are motivated by their love of the game and their desire to excel.

Washington and Lee offers 23 varsity sports, 12 for men and 11 for women. A 24th sport, Women's Golf, will begin competition in the fall of 2012.  All sports compete at the NCAA Division III level and most participate in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).

Over the years, W&L teams and students have been impressive on and off the playing fields. Below is a list of their accomplishments:

  • Since 1970, W&L has had 57 athletes earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and countless others have been named to CoSIDA Academic All-District teams.
  • Since 1970, W&L has had 33 athletes earn prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.
  • The 1988 Men’s Tennis team and the 2007 Women's Tennis team each have won a NCAA Division III National title and several other teams have finished in the NCAA Top 10 in Division III.

During the 2010-11 school year, the Washington and Lee athletic program again saw many successes. Below is a brief sketch of the many accomplishments by W&L’s teams and athletes.

  • W&L posted an overall winning percentage of better than 63 percent (188-108-4)
  • W&L claimed six Conference Championships (Women's Cross Country, Football, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Swimming, Men's Tennis & Women's Tennis)
  • W&L won the ODAC Commissioner’s Cup for overall athletic excellence and has won the award in 15 of the last 17 years and captured women’s overall cup for the eighth-straight year
  • Seven different Washington and Lee athletes were named to Division III All-America teams
  • Five teams participated in the NCAA Division III National Championships
  • W&L athletes were named first team all-conference a total of 81 times
  • Seven individuals were selected to participate in NCAA Championship competition as individuals
  • Three athletes were named the conference athlete of the year in their sport
  • A total of 11 different athletes were named the scholar-athlete of the year in their respective sport
  • Four different athletes were named the rookie of the year in their sport
  • Six coaches were named the coach of the year in their sport
  • A total of 222 athletes were named W&L Scholar-Athletes for having achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher in either the fall or winter term
  • Football player Greg Kurkis '11, earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and was named a Capital One First Team Academic All-American
  • Field hockey and lacrosse player Kate Donnelly '11, earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and was the recipient of the Division III Community Awareness Award from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA)
  • Kurkis received the Doc Jopson Award as the top male scholar-athlete in the ODAC, while field hockey and lacrosse player Emmy Mathews '11 was awarded the Majorie Berkley Award as the top female scholar-athlete in the conference
  • Mathews also received the IWLCA's Division III Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award
  • Swimmer Chris Washnock '12 and wrestler Sam Campbell '12 both earned Capital One Third Team Academic All-America honors