W&M Players In the Major Leagues
Former Tribe baseball standout Chris Ray '04 continues to pitch well for the Baltimore Orioles in his role as the team's closer, according to the Baltimore Sun. By mid-August, Ray had won 27 of 29 save opportunities, surprising many who thought the closer role was too much for such a young pitcher. The Sun cites his 96-mile-an-hour fastball as a major piece of that success.
Ex-William and Mary pitcher Bill Bray '05 was traded to Cincinnati July 13 in an eight-player deal with the Washington Nationals. Shortly after that, Bray won his first two saves for the Reds against Houston and Atlanta -- with no advance notice that he'd be pitching that night at all. He is considered by some to be the closer of the future for the team. The Nats-Reds trade also sent infielder Brendan Harris '02 to the Cincinnati system, where he played for the AAA Louisville Bats.
Walsh '97 Named Harvard Women's Soccer Coach
Erica Walsh '97 returns to the Ivy League as the head coach of women's soccer at Harvard. Previously, Walsh had coached Dartmouth to two Ivy League championships and three appearances in the NCAA tournament. She most recently spent a year as an assistant coach at Florida State University where she helped the Seminoles reach the NCAA College Cup semifinals. While at W&M, Walsh played an important role in bringing Tribe soccer four CAA championships and four NCAA tournament berths.
Cox '95 Appointed Men's Basketball Director at Pitt
On July 17, head coach Jamie Dixon announced David Cox '95 as the new director of operations for University of Pittsburgh men's basketball. Cox has a background in education, having served as assistant principal at St. John's Preparatory High School and as a coach at Archbishop Carroll High School, both in Washington, D.C. As director of operations, Cox will oversee Pitt basketball's day-to-day business, coordinate schedules and serve as liaison to athletic department officials. Cox holds numerous records as a Tribe basketball player, including a ninth-place rank in 3-point field goal percentage (.352) and two of the 10 best assist totals in a season.
W&M Makes New Radio Affiliations
Local radio stations 92.3 FM "The Tide" and 107.9 FM WBACH will carry William and Mary sports on the airwaves this year with the Tribe Radio Network. The stations' broadcast ranges include parts of the Richmond and Norfolk areas, keeping the entire Peninsula covered for W&M football and men's basketball action. Fans can also tune into 1450 AM WCLM in Richmond or WBRG AM 1050 in Lynchburg for the broadcasts. Jay Colley and Bob Sheeran will continue to call Tribe football games; Colley will handle the basketball contests.
Cole Named Trainer of the Year
In June, Steve Cole was named the College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). Cole has served as assistant athletics director for health services at the College for 23 years, earning honorary alumnus status in 2000. Cole is a 1976 graduate of West Virginia University and earned a master's in sports medicine at the University of Virginia in 1978.
