Hegmann Wins Again
Just before his 36-year Mary Washington tenure came to an official close, Athletic Director Ed Hegmann captured yet another victory – the Washington Medallion.
The school’s most prestigious honor, the medallion is reserved for individuals whose extraordinary service has had a lasting impact on the University. Board of Visitors Rector Daniel K. Steen ’84 and President Hurley presented the award during the May 12 commencement ceremony. In his remarks, Steen noted the extraordinary influence Hegmann has had on generations of students.
Hegmann joined Mary Washington in 1976 as the school’s first athletic director. Since then, he’s scored big for UMW, playing an integral role in shaping its ever-improving athletics and athletic facilities. The Pittsburgh native expanded the UMW program from six sports to 23 – with 22 of those making national championships. He catapulted UMW into the nation’s top Division III play.
“Ed Hegmann has left an indelible mark on the University,” President Hurley said. “He will be sorely missed but remembered for his contributions to the success of our athletic program for years to come.”
Hegmann took his spot in UMW’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, the same year he received his second recognition as NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year; the first came in 1988. During his 23 years as director of women’s tennis, he was an eight-time Capital Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and led the team to three national championships. Before he retired as tennis coach in 1999, he also snagged nine consecutive CAC championships. In 2010, he was named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.
Hegmann led and oversaw the development of the Battleground Athletic Complex, the Fitness Center, the Indoor Tennis Center, and the William M. Anderson Center, which opened last year.