The University of Mary Washington's championship soccer field has long been associated with Roy Gordon, founding coach of the men's soccer team. Now efforts are underway to name the field in his honor, while funding future improvements for the competition field and soccer stadium as a whole.
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.
"UMW Athletics is excited to announce that the UMW soccer stadium is getting an upgrade through a multi-year fundraising effort led by our alumni. Our goal is to raise $600,000 and we are halfway there," said UMW Director of Athletics Patrick Catullo. "The improvements will help elevate the program, ensure first-class facilities and attract the best future players."
Upon completion of the fundraising effort a proposal to name the facility goes to the UMW Board of Visitors for approval.