A Legacy of Excellence: The History of Christopher Newport University Athletics

Christopher Newport University (CNU), located in Newport News, Virginia, boasts a rich history of athletic achievement and academic excellence. From its early days as a two-year branch of the College of William & Mary to its current status as a leading liberal arts and sciences university, CNU has consistently emphasized the importance of both intellectual and physical development. The Christopher Newport Captains, as the university's athletic teams are known, compete in NCAA Division III and have established a tradition of success across a variety of sports.

Early History and Growth

Christopher Newport's journey began with its establishment and authorization by the Virginia General Assembly as a two-year branch of the College of William & Mary. Over the years, the university has undergone significant transformations, marked by key leadership changes and expansions in its academic and residential offerings.

Early Leadership: Dr. James C. Windsor, a psychology professor and dean of students, served as president during the university's formative years. He was followed by Dr. John E. Anderson, who later retired as a distinguished professor of psychology.
Transition to a Residential Campus: Dr. Anthony R. Santoro's presidency marked a pivotal moment as Christopher Newport transitioned to a residential campus. The first residence hall, dedicated to Santoro and his wife, Carol, opened in 1994.
Transformation into a World-Class University: Senator Paul S. Trible Jr. spearheaded wholesale improvements to academic programs and a complete transformation of the campus into a world-class liberal arts and sciences university.

These early developments laid the foundation for the university's commitment to providing a well-rounded educational experience, where athletics would eventually play a significant role.

The Rise of CNU Athletics

The establishment of various sports teams marked a new chapter in CNU's history. The Captains quickly gained recognition for their competitive spirit and commitment to excellence.

Football

One of the newer sports teams at Christopher Newport, CNU Football, was started in 2001 under head coach Matt Kelchner. The team made it to the NCAA play-offs 10 times between 2001 and 2014. The Captains were the first team in NCAA history to win a conference title and advance to the NCAA playoffs in their first year of play - and finished the regular season no lower than second place during their entire tenure competing in the USA South Athletic Conference. The Captains football team began competing in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in 2015. The Captains suffered a postseason drought upon joining the NJAC, not making the NCAA playoffs until the 2023 season, their first playoff appearance in nine years.

Read also: Employment at CNU

Baseball

The Captains baseball team has made 10 appearances in the NCAA Division III baseball tournament, notably finishing in 3rd and 2nd place in 2002 and 2003, respectively, under the coaching of John Harvell.

Basketball

The CNU Men's basketball team holds an impressive .683 percent victory percentage (as of the end of the 2021-22 season) and 16 All-American Athlete honors over its almost 60 years of existence. The men's team has reached the final four of the D-III tournament twice, in 2016 and 2019. CNU has also produced NBA player Lamont Strothers. The Women's basketball team, started in 1971, sports an overall win percentage at .669 (as of the end of the 2021-22 season) and has fielded 7 All-American Athlete honors.

Cross Country

The CNU Men's Cross Country team holds an impressive historical roster with over 110 first team All-Dixie/USA South Conference awards and 65 All Mason-Dixon Conference awards. The CNU Women's Cross Country team holds over 50 First team All-Dixie/USA South Conference awards and 42 All Mason-Dixon Conference awards.

Field Hockey

The women's Field Hockey Team has been coached by Carrie Moura since 2003.

Lacrosse

CNU men's lacrosse inaugural season was 2007 and was competitive from the start. In 2013, the Captains reached the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time. CNU reached the NCAA D-III 3rd round in 2018, and most notably, the final four in 2021.

Soccer

Seth Roland was head coach of the soccer team from 1982 to 1987. The women's team has an impressive win percentage of .849 since their inception in 1997 (as of the end of the 2021-22 season). Women's soccer won the NCAA Division III national championship. The Captains were undefeated all season.

Tennis

The CNU men's tennis team has recently come onto the Division III tennis scene after years in the shadows. The men won the USA South Conference title for the regular season and the Conference Tournament for the first time in almost a decade in 2017. The team players had several wins over Division I opponents and sophomore Eddie Glidewell finished in the Top 35 in the Nation.

Track & Field

The CNU track has an impressive historical roster with 62 national championship titles held by 31 different athletes.

Volleyball

The CNU women's volleyball team was established in 1977, and has enjoyed considerable success in recent years under head coach Lindsay Birch. The Captains have appeared in every NCAA D-III tournament since 2006 (with the exception of 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID-19).

Club Sports

CNU also supports a variety of club sports, providing students with opportunities to participate in athletics outside of the varsity level. These clubs include:

CNU FC: Officially recognized as a school club in 2005.
CNU Ice Hockey: A member of the ACHA and BRHC, winning its first Conference Championship.
CNU Rugby: Founded in 2000, the team has achieved success as 2009 DIII State Champs and 2012 V.R.U. champions.
CNU MAC: A competitive mixed martial arts team established in 2009.
CNU Men's Volleyball: Holds practices and attends tournaments.
CNU Swimming: Competes with other swim clubs around Virginia.

National Recognition and Conference Affiliations

The Christopher Newport Captains have garnered significant recognition for their athletic achievements, both within their conferences and on the national stage.

NCAA Division III Success

Christopher Newport leads all Division III programs in Virginia with 15 NCAA titles - that’s nearly four times more than the closest competitor. Softball won the NCAA Division III national championship. The Captains were dominant all season, finishing with a 47-1 record.

Conference Affiliations

The Captains compete as members of the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) for the majority of varsity sports. Football plays in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Men's lacrosse plays in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference.

Academic Excellence and Student-Athlete Success

Christopher Newport University places a strong emphasis on academic achievement, and its student-athletes consistently demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the classroom.

All-Academic Team Honors

The Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference recently named 217 Captains to the 2024-25 All-Academic Team, which means over 60 percent of Christopher Newport athletes achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.2 this past academic year. That's the highest percentage since the 2020-21 season. It also continues CNU’s long-running history of student-athlete academic success. Additionally, another 48 Captains were selected by the College Sports Communicators for the Academic All-District Selection. Three of these scholars were named Academic All-Americans in repeat selections: Alyssa Dozier (Volleyball), Hanna Heaton (Women’s Soccer), and first-time pick Jamie Martin (Softball). 19 Christopher Newport football players have earned All-Academic Team honors from the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). The entire Women’s Lacrosse team was recognized for its scholarly endeavors by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). The team was selected as an Academic Honor Squad for the ninth time since 2016, a distinction reserved for programs that achieved at least a 3.2 team GPA during the academic year.

Facilities and Resources

Christopher Newport University provides its student-athletes with state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support their athletic pursuits.

TowneBank Stadium: The Captains football team plays its home games at the 4,200-seat TowneBank Stadium, located on campus.
Ferguson Center for the Arts: Designed by I. M. Pei's firm, the Ferguson Center provides cultural attractions.
Paul and Rosemary Trible Library: A resource for academic and athletic research.
Mary Brock Forbes Hall: Home to science departments.

A Focus on Leadership and Community Engagement

Christopher Newport University's commitment to developing good citizens and leaders extends to its athletic programs. The university emphasizes leadership development and community engagement among its student-athletes.

President's Leadership Program (PLP): A nationally respected program focused on leadership development.
Community Captains Program: In partnership with Newport News Public Schools, this initiative offers local students special programming and guidance.
Community Service: Students perform thousands of hours of community service.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

Christopher Newport University continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of higher education and athletics.

Tech-Talent Investment Program: The university is participating in Virginia's Tech-Talent Investment Program, a multimillion-dollar investment in students, facilities, faculty, and staff.
Online Teaching Format: The university adapted to an online teaching format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leadership Transition: Rear Admiral (Ret.) William G. Kelly became president.

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