The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Meet Head Soccer Coach Gray Kendall
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Cross Country & PG Football
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Fork Union Announces the "125 for the 125th" Campaign
- Alumni Spotlight:
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Meet Head Soccer Coach Gray Kendall
M. Gray Kendall
New this year, Coach Kendall joined the FUMA family in the summer of 2022. He will teach foreign language and English this year. Kendall is a graduate of Virginia Tech and Ferrum College with a Master's at Norwich University.
Get to know Coach Kendall:
College Attended & Degree:
- Virginia Tech - B.A. German
- Virginia Tech - B.A. International Studies
- Ferrum College - B.A. Russian
- Norwich University - Master's Military History
Years of Coaching Experience: 3 years.
Did you play a sport in college, if so what sport? Intramural Soccer.
Describe your current role at the Academy: I teach German I, English II, World Literature, German III and German III Honors.
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy? A good friend recommended FUMA as a great place to serve as a teacher and mentor.
What made you want to become a coach? I missed coaching soccer and it was fun to help players improve their skills and to develop team leaders who can serve as servant leaders to help other team members.
Do you have a coaching mentor? Yes, my professor of German, Dr. Mellen. He was a great mentor. My high school soccer coach, Mr. Schley, and my fellow soccer coach from years ago, Kurt Buchanan.
What makes Fork Union special to you? Fork Union Military Academy's mission aligns with my own mentoring and teaching goals.
What other responsibilities do you have at FUMA besides your current role? I hope to help with the rifle team after the soccer season.
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you? I like to cook. Everything from stir-fry to stew and Schnitzel. I like to bake, primarily because I like to eat. I bake my own oatmeal, raisin, coconut, chocolate chip cookies and bread. I also like to hunt, butcher and cook wild game, mostly deer. Also, I liked running over things with my M1 tank back in the day.
Welcome to FUMA, Coach Kendall!
Scores from the past two weeks:
Saturday, October 15
- Prep Football vs. Trinity Episcopal School • L, 0-47
- Prep Soccer vs. Woodberry Forest School • L, 0-11
Sunday, October 16
- PG Football vs. CIC • W, 42-7
Wednesday, October 19
- Prep Soccer vs. Trinity Episcopal School • L, 0-8
Thursday, October 20
- Junior Prep Football at Collegiate School • L, 6-28
Friday, October 21
- Prep Football vs. Collegiate School • L, 20-23
Tuesday, October 25
- Prep Soccer vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • L, 1-9
- Junior Prep Football at Trinity Episcopal School • L, 20-33
Wednesday, October 26
- Reds Soccer at Saint Anne's Belfield • W, 3-0
Thursday, October 27
- Prep Soccer at Veritas School • L, 2-6
PG Football Defeats CIC at Home
Sunday, October 16, 2022
FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Postgraduate football team defeated Central International College, 42-7, on a Sunday afternoon.
The win improved the Blue Devils to 5-2 overall.
"It was exciting to have our first game for 2022," said head coach Frank Arritt. "It was a solid win and we are looking to build off of it. The offense, defense, and special teams all played extremely well."
The Blue Devils will return to action Monday, Oct. 31 when they travel to Delaware Valley University to play its Junior Varsity squad at 4:30 PM.
Reds Soccer Defeats Saint Anne's Belfield in Season Finale
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Reds soccer team defeated Saint Anne's Belfield, 3-0, this past Wednesday in its season finale.
The win improved the Blue Devils to 1-1 on the season overall.
"It was a great team win," said head coach Gary Leydig. "We had outstanding play by our defenders Cameron Gray, Kadin Stremlau, Branden Arenella, Matthew Spittle and Destyn Romain, who had a steal curtain-type defense the entire game. I am proud of all the hard work, effort, and progress that I have seen from all the guys throughout the season."
The Fork Union offense was led by Jose Romero who scored two goals, while Milo Bello found the back of the net as well. Goalkeeper Kellen Colevas recorded the shutout for the Blue Devils.
Cross Country Places 4th at Collegiate Invitational
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
GOOCHLAND, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy cross country program placed fourth overall at the Collegiate Invitational this past Thursday.
"Everyday, we get a little better," said head coach Winston Brown. "We are looking forward to the two championship meets!"
The Blue Devils were led by Jackson Pretus who placed 11th overall with a time of 19:06.82. Nic Willis followed with a 20th placing, coming in at the 20:27.48 mark. Nicholas Coleman placed 26th overall with a time of 21:14.52.
Wesley Lay, Hunter McDonnell, Kendall Coard and Robert Callahan rounded out the top-32, coming in under the 22-minute mark.
With 98 points, Fork Union placed fourth overall, defeating Trinity Episcopal (121) and John Marshall High School (160). The host, Collegiate, won the meet with 19 points.
The Blue Devils return to action Friday, Nov. 4 when they travel to the Virginia Prep League Championships at Pole Green Park. The Boys Race will begin at 2:30 PM.
Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.
If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!
Up Next in FUMA Athletics:
Friday, October 28
- Prep Soccer vs. Fishburne Military School • 4:00 PM
- PG Basketball at Navy Prep School • 6:00 PM
Saturday, October 29
- PG Basketball at Navy (JV) • 11:00 AM
- Prep Football at Blue Ridge School • 3:00 PM
Monday, October 31
- PG Football at Delaware Valley University • 4:30 PM
Wednesday, November 2
- PG Basketball at Miller School • 5:30 PM
Friday, November 4
- Prep Football vs. Woodberry Forest School • 3:00 PM
- Cross Country at Virginia Prep League Championship • 2:30 PM
- PG Basketball vs. Franklin Prep Academy • 6:00 PM
Saturday, November 5
- Junior Prep Football at Woodberry Forest School • TBA
- PG Basketball vs. Franklin Prep Academy • 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 6
- PG Football vs. Queen City Prep • 1:30 PM
Eighth-Grader David Eaton Qualifies for the Middle School Cross Country Nationals
FORK UNION, VA -- Eighth-grader David Eaton has qualified for the 2022 Middle School Cross Country Nationals, head coach Winston Brown announced this past Thursday.
"While perhaps David wanted to do a little better at the State meet this past Sunday, he soldiered on despite being sick and finished with a personal best and a 12th-place finish in a very competitive meet," said Brown. "I believe you will see him excel at Nationals."
Eaton is the son of Jennifer and Gary Eaton of Madison Heights, Virginia.
The 2022 Middle School Cross Country Nationals meet is set for Saturday, November 5 at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Kentucky. E.P. Tom Sawyer Park is the same course that hosts the NCAA Nationals.
Eaton will run in the 8th Grade and Under Division 4k which begins at 9:30 AM. Live results can be found here.
Congratulations, David!
Fork Union Announces the 125 for the 125th Campaign
Fork Union Military Academy is proud to announce the start of the public phase of a fund-raising campaign, “125 for the 125th,” in honor of the school’s 125th anniversary, which will be observed the weekend of October 13-15 in 2023.
The Academy was founded in Fluvanna County, Virginia, by Dr. William Hatcher in 1898, and the school is seeking 125 special gifts towards either its endowment or a targeted list of infrastructure projects created within the school’s campus master plan in celebration of the school’s founding. To be included in this campaign, donations must be of at least $12,500 in size, with some programs and projects, including some infrastructure naming opportunities, requiring a larger commitment.
According to the Academy’s 11th President Colonel Dave Coggins, USMC (Ret.), “The goal of this campaign is to celebrate Fork Union’s first 125 years by positively impacting its ability to attract and retain the talented students, faculty, and staff that will lead it into the future.”
The Academy seeks to grow its endowment through such areas as The Chain Family Fund for the Growth of the Endowment, established by the estate of General John Chain, class of 1952, the former commander of the Strategic Air Command, as well as through new and existing scholarship funds, and the establishment of Chairs of Excellence.
The Chairs of Excellence program honors significant contributors to FUMA’s history and provides the salary and benefits for the honored position. Micky Sullivan, class of 1967, was the first individual to be so honored with the creation of the H. M. Sullivan Chair of Excellence for Prep Football which was announced by Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, class of 1991, at Coach Sullivan’s induction into the Academy’s Sports Hall of Fame in June 2022. Subsequently a Chair of Excellence for the Academy’s Chaplain position has been established by another donor and is now approaching fully funded status.
The campaign’s targeted infrastructure projects include the completion of Sabre Square, a multiple purpose outdoor area that sits on the former location of the Sabre Shop, which was the mailroom, snack bar and gathering spot for generations of cadets, as well as upgrades to academic areas, and the restoration of the Academy’s Alumni House. Of special note, also included in the campaign are outdoor areas for cadet activities such as an obstacle course, a leadership reaction course modeled after those found at our nation’s Military colleges, and outdoor weightlifting and basketball facilities. There will also be cadet gathering spots created outside the Academy academic buildings.
FUMA, long known for its successful athletic teams, will also look to renovate its outdoor track, as well as create a football playing area that honors the impact of long-time postgraduate football coach Red Pulliam.
Mrs. Paige Lester Pruett, Chair of the Fork Union Military Academy Board of Trustees, explained the potential impact of the campaign. “This campaign is so important. While the Academy has educated young men for generations and already made a lasting impact on the world, Fork Union has never been more relevant or important in the lives of families and their sons than it is today. We owe it to the young men of today and the future to make this campaign wildly successful.”
Mr. Dave Barrett, both a Board member and the past parent of a cadet added: “Now is the time to dramatically support this amazing institution. We must preserve and grow this place that produces strong, disciplined, and well-educated young men who have been influenced by Christian values and a love of God and country.”
Individuals or groups with an interest in participating in the “125 for the 125th” campaign may visit forkunion.com/125 to learn more or may call the Academy’s Advancement office at 434-842-4232.
Being a member of the Athletic Directors Club helps the department with buying new equipment and uniforms, post-game meals, partial scholarships and much more!
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Credits:
Kristin Firewicz and Dan Thompson