ATHLETICS REPORT
INTRODUCING NEW TEAMS This spring, Guilford will compete in
Over the summer, National championship appearances, conference tournament berths, new varsity staff and teams, plus renovated spaces highlighted a banner calendar year for Guilford Athletics. The College’s continued commitment to excellence and equity in the fields, gyms and diamonds bears fruit in the over 500 studentathletes competing for 22 varsity teams, the most in school history. After hiring the School’s first full-time director of athletics since the mid-1990s, President Jane Fernandes teamed with senior leaders to pave the way for two new teams, renovated athletics facilities and a softball field. The investments showed early dividends as the Quakers’ basketball teams enjoyed successful seasons and Guilford’s golf team turned in another top-five national finish.
Jane announced
Tier 2 of the National Intercollegiate
the addition
Rugby Association (NIRA) under the auspices of USA Rugby. Emily
of women’s
Record, a former Assistant at Queens
rugby and women’s triathlon to the Quakers’ list of varsity offerings. Since
E M I LY R E C O R D
University in Charlotte, was named the team’s Head Coach.
2002, women's rugby has been considered
"Emily is ideally suited to lead and build
an emerging sport by the NCAA, which means it is intended to help schools provide
an outstanding rugby program as we usher
more athletics opportunities for women
in a thrilling new era in women's athletics,"
and more sport-sponsorship options for the
said Jane. "The experience and enthusiasm
institutions, and also help that sport achieve
she brings as a highly respected coach and
NCAA championship status.
mentor will be a winning combination."
Also an NCAA emerging
Aquatic Center. Cycling training will take
sport, women’s triathlon
place on bike-friendly roads in Guilford County.
starts competition
Marty Owens, Guilford’s Director
in the fall of 2020.
of Track and Field and Cross Country
“We are proud to welcome Guilford to the women's collegiate
Operations, serves as the Quakers’
triathlon family, as the sport
first Director of Triathlon. Marty is
achieves another milestone on its way to full NCAA inclusion," said Rocky
MART Y OWENS
a certified triathlon coach, a 2015 USA Triathlon All-American and has twice competed in the IRONMAN World
Harris, USA Triathlon CEO. "Guilford
Championships in Hawaii.
is well-placed to compete regionally
Brad Herndon, in his second
while offering an education that will
season as the Quakers’ Women’s
attract talented student-athletes."
Swimming Coach, serves as the
Guilford received a three-year grant from USA Triathlon in support of
BRAD HERNDON
triathlon team’s Head Coach. He has
the new program. The Quakers will run on
three IRONMAN finishes under his belt and
campus trails and swim at the Greensboro
is a Level 4-certified swim coach.
Guilford Strong After unveiling new locker rooms in August 2018, the College embarked on a renovation of the Mary Ragsdale Fitness Center in 2019. The $250,000 giftfunded project titled ‘Guilford Strong’ provides new flooring, equipment and branding in the College’s primary fitness space for the benefit of all community members.
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