CNU Sailing Builds for the Future With November Fundraiser

We previously reported the exciting news that CNU Sailing is back on the water as a varsity team. While the program’s return is worth celebrating, its long-term future is still being built.

I caught up with Mary Catherine McAllister, a 2014 Christopher Newport graduate and former sailing team member who now serves as president of the Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation, to talk about the team’s comeback and what comes next.

The team’s return followed a successful Title IX lawsuit brought by the women of the CNU sailing team, alongside significant support from alumni and the broader sailing community. With sailors back on the water and 2026 CNU alum Grace Watlington stepping into the head coach role, the program is working to rebuild and move forward.

The University has committed to maintaining varsity sailing through August 2030. For the CNU sailing community, that commitment provides a runway, but it is not the finish line. The Foundation is working to establish an endowment that can provide lasting financial support and help protect the program from future cuts.

On November 14, the CNU Sailing community will come together to celebrate the team’s return and invest in its future.

The oyster roast at Hampton Yacht Club runs from 5–9 p.m. and will feature a silent auction with prizes ranging from Tito’s gifts to Washington Nationals tickets. It’s a chance to reconnect with fellow sailors, catch up with alumni, and support the effort to keep CNU Sailing thriving for years to come.

You don’t have to be a CNU alum to join the fun. The event is open to anyone who wants to support the team and college sailing. If you’re in the area, consider joining the CNU Sailing community for a great evening in support of the program’s future!

Get tickets to the CNU Sailing Oyster Roast

CNU Sailing’s comeback is a reminder of what a committed group of sailors, alumni, and supporters can accomplish together. The Foundation is proud of the sailors who navigated this period of uncertainty and grateful to the wider sailing community that stood behind them.

August 2030, should be a milestone for CNU Sailing, not another deadline.