Hall Of Fame
Donald M. Forsyth
Men's Basketball
Hired in 1969 as the first full-time employee in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics, Don 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 the College, he served as mentor and friend to athletes on and off the court. In men's basketball, he 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 Sport Club Director's Award.
Coach Forsyth and his wife Dianna moved to Pennsylvania after he retired from the University in 1998.
Today, the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins compete on the Donald M. Forsyth Court in TowneBank Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. It is because of his leadership during the infancy of our program that the Marlins are a powerhouse in many sports today. Coach Forsyth will always be remembered for his commitment and dedication to VWU and thankful for leadership and showing what it means to be a Marlin.
