Baseball coach sets record for most career victories

Longwood baseball coach Buddy Bolding recorded his 900th career win on May 10, 2011, giving him the most victories of any active college baseball coach in Virginia.

The 6-4 road win over James Madison University brought Bolding’s career record to 900-492-4. The 2011 season represented Bolding’s 30th 20-win season, including 24 straight 20-win seasons from 1981 to 2004, and his 23rd season with at least 25 wins.

Bolding has coached Longwood’s baseball team since 1978, leading the Lancers to six appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament and two trips, in 1982 and 1991, to the Division II College World Series. The 1991 squad completed a school-record 41-8 campaign while advancing to the final four of the Division II national championship. Longwood’s baseball facility is named for Bolding.

Men’s rugby team wins national championship

The Longwood men’s rugby team won the national championship for its division on May 1, 2011. The squad captured the national title in Men’s College Division III of USA Rugby by defeating Occidental College of California, 36-27, in Virginia Beach.

Longwood men’s rugby team and fans after the national championship

Rugby is a club sport at Longwood. The 2010-11 team was one of 138 from across the country competing at this level, which has no connection with Division III in NCAA-sanctioned intercollegiate athletics. Longwood defeated Salve Regina University, which was ranked No. 1, to get to the championship game.

Undefeated during the regular fall season, Longwood first won the state championship in November 2010, then won the regional championship in March 2011, which led to a berth in the national championship tournament.

The most valuable player of the national tournament was Longwood freshman Ben Smith. Longwood professor Dr. John Graham coached the team.