Feature Stories

Last week the campus community learned of the passing of Donald M. Forsyth, a founding father of Marlins Athletics. Hired in 1969 as the first full-time employee in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics, Forsyth served as men's basketball coach, golf coach, and athletic director. He was instrumental in the formation of 14 varsity sports programs and guided the development of the athletic fields and the construction of Cunningham Gymnasium (now known as the CMAC). He was also a member of the inaugural class of the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

 

In his more than 29 years at Virginia Wesleyan, Forsyth served as a mentor and friend to athletes on and off the court. In men's basketball, he coached the Marlins for 20 years and led Virginia Wesleyan to two conference championships in 1978 and 1979, three NCAA berths, nine consecutive winning seasons, and two 20-plus-win seasons. His awards include being named three times as Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, and the Virginia Beach Sports Club Director's Award.

 

After retiring from Virginia Wesleyan in 1998, he and his wife Dianna moved to Reading, Pennsylvania, but they remained actively engaged with Virginia Wesleyan and Marlins Athletics. When he was still able to travel, Forsyth often came to basketball games, alumni games and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. He was a steadfast supporter of many areas of VWU Athletics and always an avid Marlins fan.

 

Today, the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins compete on the Donald M. Forsyth Court in TowneBank Arena of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. His legacy lives on at VWU, and we are grateful to have benefitted from his pioneering spirit and visionary leadership. The many successes of VWU Athletics today are a direct result of the strong foundation he helped to build during the early years of this institution. 

 

Please keep the Forsyth family in your prayers during this difficult time.