UNCW Athletics Accomplishments Add Up

Men’s Tennis Continues CAA Winning Streak

The men’s tennis program captured its fourth straight conference title on April 21 with a 4-1 win over Elon, sending the Seahawks to the NCAA tournament for a 10th time, all under head coach Mait Dubois. UNCW, which has reached the championship match in eight consecutive seasons, became the first team to win four straight CAA men’s tennis titles since VCU reeled off nine in a row from 1996-2004.

UNCW swimmers, divers and coaches making waves

It was all teal at the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association Swimming and Diving Championships as UNCW swept the men’s and women’s championships for a second straight year. For the men, it was their third consecutive conference title and 16th overall and the fifth for the women. 

Head coach and UNCW alum, Bobby Guntoro ’12 was honored as Coach of the Year for both the men and women. In his first year with the program, Gavrilo Blijden earned Men’s Diving Coach of the Year and Ethan Badrian, a sophomore, was honored as the Diver of the Meet.

Diamond Hawks Claim Two CAA Titles at Home

The UNCW softball team won its second Coastal Athletic Association Championship in three seasons with an epic seventh-inning comeback over Campbell University at Boseman Field. The Seahawks won four games in four days, including a pair of victories over top-seeded Campbell. 

Soon after, the UNCW baseball team claimed its eighth CAA title overall and second straight following a 6-4 win over top-seeded College of Charleston at Brooks Field. With its eighth conference tournament championship, the Seahawk program passed ECU for the all-time lead. The championship was also UNCW's first at Brooks Field since 2006. 

Men's Basketball Makes Hoops History

UNCW stunned the college basketball world with an 80-73 win over nationally ranked University of Kentucky in front of a sellout crowd in Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Leading the Wildcat program was Seahawk basketball alum and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member John Calipari, who was recently named head coach at Arkansas. Calipari attended UNCW from 1978 to 1980, lettering twice for the program under the direction of head coach Mel Gibson.

The Seahawks got out of the gate fast in a state known for horse racing, leading by nine points in the first five minutes and gradually building a 14-point advantage in the first half. Kentucky opened the second half with a blitz and tied the game with a little over 10 minutes left on the clock. The Seahawks, like they had done all game, used a three-pointer to grab the lead with just under 10 minutes to go and never trailed again. This was UNCW’s first win against a ranked opponent since 2002.

Going for Gold

UNCW alum Todd DeSorbo ’99, ’00M was named head coach of the USA Women’s Swim team. He will lead the team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The former UNCW Swim and Dive coach also guided the University of Virginia women’s swimming and diving program to its fourth straight NCAA Championship this spring.