Fondest GW Memories: Student-Athletes, Dance and Cheer Team Members
Overtime thrillers, tournament championships, upsets over top-ranked opponents are among the fondest memories of current and former GW student-athletes, dance-team members and their supporters.
Lauren Bennett Class of 2022
“My fondest GW memory so far has been the 2019 GW Invite, a rowing regatta that invites a ton of competitors for two days full of racing on the Potomac River! It was an amazing feeling to launch from our boathouse (next to the Watergate Hotel and Kennedy Center) and see all the amazing friends, fans and alumni cheer us on from the shore. The best part, by far, would have to be Colonial Brass’s 'Crazy in Love' performance on the steps in front of the river!”
Tirzah Budiman Class of 2022
“My fondest memory is joining the GW Cheer team where I found my family away from home. It also gave me the opportunity to be part of the larger GW athletics community among many inspiring and determined individuals who I call my friends here at GW.”
Ryan Cedeno Class of 2023
“The first game of my sophomore season, we won our first game back playing in over a year. The difficulties that all of our athletic teams faced during the challenging times of COVID have really brought out a lot of character and have allowed our men’s soccer team to show our determination, commitment and respect to ourselves and to the program. While setting a great tone for our season, winning our home/season opener in overtime only made the win that much sweeter.”
Jakob Coombes Class of 2020
“My fondest GW memory was finishing first, second and third in the conference mile my sophomore year on the GW varsity track team. It was amazing seeing the hard work pay off and being able to represent the buff and blue.”
Dave Earl, B.A. ’09 and M.A. ‘16
“My fondest memory was men's basketball win over UNC-Charlotte on March 4, 2006. GW had been ranked as high as No. 6 in national polls. The team sealed the win on an improbable last-second put back in overtime. It was the team's Senior Day, and the team was such a source of joy and community for all of us in my first year on campus. I even brought an inflatable whale pool toy into the student section in honor of senior Pops Mensah-Bonsu, whose name meant ‘King Whale Killer.’ When GW secured the win (and a 16-0 record in the regular season), the students rushed the court and danced on the floor while the team celebrated on the scorer's table. I still think about that game all the time.”
