The men’s and women’s basketball teams are on a roll heading into Basketball Alumni Weekend later this month.
Guilford's men are 14-3 (7-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference), having won 14 of their last 15 games. The women are 14-3 (7-3) and have won eight straight games.
With five championships since joining the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in 2001, Guilford’s women’s basketball team has a long history of success. Coach Sarah Mathews wants to make sure today’s players understand and appreciate the Quakers’ accomplishments.
That’s one of the driving reasons behind this month’s Basketball Alumni Weekend. Former men’s and women’s players are invited to attend Guilford’s Jan. 28 games. The women play Randolph College at 2 pm in a doubleheader at Ragan Brown Fieldhouse. The men follow at 4 pm again Eastern Mennonite University.
After the women’s game current and former players will gather in the Forbes Sports Center for a meet and greet and share stories about the program’s history.
Because of the pandemic, this will be the first alumni weekend since 2019. Sarah is excited about its return.
“I think a lot of players are unaware of the winning tradition we have here at Guilford,” says Sarah, who took over as the program’s 10th head coach in 2021. “I want them to understand they’re part of something bigger.”
Sarah envisions alumni weekend growing into more than just a meet and greet. Next year she wants to match current players with alumni working in their major to help mentor them during their four years at Guilford.
After current and former players meet at Forbis, alumni and families are invited to walk or drive over to House Divided at 616 Dolley Madison Road.
The men’s alumni weekend kicks off Saturday morning at 10:45 with an annual pick-up game among former players. Players and families will bring food to share during the game.
“It’s a great chance for players and families and recruits to come together,” says Men’s Coach Tom Palombo. “I think the (former players) keep in touch with each other but they appreciate the chance to come together.”
Former women’s players who want to attend can contact Sarah to receive free tickets to the game. Men’s players can contact Tom for tickets as well.