NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Christopher Newport University Athletics announced it will discontinue Sailing beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.
"This action is being taken after great deliberation, a full consideration of alternatives, and a sober analysis of what is best for the future of the University, as outlined in our Strategic Compass and its priority to Build a Foundation to Thrive," said Christopher Newport President William G. Kelly.
"I know many people are affected and that includes student-athletes, their families, coaches, alumni, and supporters of the program. I want to acknowledge our Captains for Life who did so much to build the team and establish its record of successes. Our hearts go out to them and I am grateful for all they have given through their passion for the sport and their pride in representing CNU."
Dreugh Phillips has been the head coach at Christopher Newport since 2021-22. He will remain on staff to assist the currently enrolled recruits with the transition.
Phillips helped guide the Captains to back-to-back ICSA Women's National Semifinal appearances in 2024 and 2025. Highlights have also included
Grace Watlington's historic top-ten finish at the MAISA Women's Singlehanded Championships in 2024 and eight ICSA All-Academic Team selections over his four and a half years at the helm. CNU has won 13 regattas and finished second another seven times during his tenure.
"The difficult decision to discontinue the Sailing program at Christopher Newport University has been made after much thought and consideration," said director of athletics
Kyle McMullin. "We are saddened to have to make this decision, but it's one that was made with the long-term best interest of the athletics program in mind."
CNU has sponsored sailing since the early 1970s as a club team that was established as a varsity program in 1980. The program was led by the late Dan Winters from 1992-2012 when the Captains transitioned into the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA). CNU made history with the first national championship appearance in program history when the 2016 version of the team qualified for the Women's National Semifinal Championship. Then, in 2018 and again in 2019, Vir Menon became the first CNU Sailor to qualify for the ICSA Singlehanded National Championships. He finished 13th in his first championship appearance and was named the MAISA Sportsman of the Year in April 2019. Then, in his senior season, Menon captured an 8th place finish at the Singlehanded National Championship to wrap his storied career.
In September 2021, CNU announced a partnership with Youth Sailing Virginia as the Captains relocated to the Hampton sailing center for practice and competition events.
Dreugh Phillips took the reins as head sailing coach in January, 2022, and remains the head coach to this day. CNU Sailing again made history with another Women's National Semifinal Championship appearance in 2024, where the Captains would finish 15th at the ICSA Eastern Women's National Semifinal.
With the change, Christopher Newport continues to sponsor 21 NCAA sports along with the CNU Cheerleading and CNU Storm Dance Team as varsity options.
