What a privilege it has been to join the American University community this past year. From my very first day on campus, I’ve felt the energy, tradition, and pride that define AU Athletics. This department is filled with passionate student-athletes, dedicated coaches and staff, and an incredibly supportive alumni and donor base. It’s been an exciting year—and I know it’s just the beginning.
ON THE FIELD
Our department saw outstanding success on the field, on the court, in the pool, and in the classroom. Field hockey went undefeated in Patriot League play and hosted the conference tournament as the No. 1 seed. Both the men’s soccer and volleyball teams finished in the top three in the Patriot League regular-season standings.
We witnessed our men’s basketball team cut down the nets in Bender Arena after winning the Patriot League Championship. In front of a sold-out crowd, our Eagles defeated Navy to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years. The energy in the building was electric as players, students, alumni, and fans all came together for a moment that reminded us what makes college athletics so special.
Women’s swimming and diving standout Mimi Watts wrapped up her career as a 12-time Patriot League medalist, earning three more golds this season and graduating with nine school records to her name. On the track, juniors Kaden Kluth and Carver Morgan became the first AU men’s qualifiers in six years for the NCAA East First Round. Carver captured Patriot League titles in the 800 meters both indoors and outdoors, while Kaden won gold in the outdoor 1,500.
OFF THE FIELD
Our department’s spring semester GPA was a cumulative 3.52, and 131 student-athletes—44 percent of our total—earned Dean’s List honors. It’s a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes in the classroom.
Our AU Athletics family made history during our annual Giving Day campaign. With the support of over 2,500 donors, we raised more than $400,000—accounting for nearly three-quarters of the university’s total donor participation. That kind of commitment speaks volumes about the pride we all share in this department.
NCAA v. HOUSE SETTLEMENT UPDATE
As you may be aware, college athletics is entering one of its most transformative eras. Just last week, a federal judge gave final approval to the settlement in the House v. NCAA class-action lawsuits. At its core, the ruling allows universities to directly compensate student-athletes through revenue sharing.
While American University—along with our Patriot League peers—does not plan to opt in to this model immediately, the ripple effects across Division I athletics are significant. The need to provide meaningful resources and remain competitive on a national scale is more critical than ever.
We are asking for your continued support through the following avenues:
Champions Fund: Our annual giving fund that supports the operations of all 16 varsity teams and more than 300 student-athletes.
Sport-Specific Giving: Direct funding to the team of your choice, helping to meet operational needs that directly impact performance and competitiveness.
Eagles Rising NIL Collective: A new initiative focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience by identifying and securing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities that align with each athlete’s personal and professional goals. (To learn more, please visit https://eaglesrisingnil.com.)
Your support not only strengthens AU Athletics—it empowers our student-athletes to succeed in the classroom, in competition, and beyond.
Thank you to all our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and supporters who make this journey possible. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together next.
Go Eagles,
JM Caparro
Director of Athletics & Recreation
American University
