Devil-Goat Day 100th Anniversary Challenge
For 100 years, Mary Washington alumni like you have carried a unique badge of honor: You are either a Devil or a Goat, determined by whether you graduated in an odd or even year. This beloved tradition began in 1926, when competing classes chose the red devil and green goat as their symbols—and the friendly rivalry has thrived ever since.
Now, as we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Devil-Goat Day, we’re taking this tradition to the next level.
From December 2025 through April 2026, we’re challenging YOU to prove which team reigns supreme.
How the challenge works:
It’s simple: earn points for your team by engaging with Mary Washington in meaningful ways. Whether you graduated in an odd year (Team Devil) or an even year (Team Goat), every action you take adds to your team’s score.
Refer a prospective student, post a job opportunity, attend an alumni event, make a gift, share your Eagle pride on social media—it all counts!
And while you can complete all activities at ANY time during the challenge, each month features a spotlight category that we’ll focus on:
- December: Be an Admissions Advocate
- January: Life After Mary Washington
- February: Spread the Word
- March: Give Back
- April: Show Up
What You’ll Win
- All Participants: Commemorative Devil-Goat 100th anniversary felt pennant
- Category Completers: Exclusive premium gift for completing at least one activity in all five categories
- Winning Team: Bragging rights, glory, and a prize that is to be determined
Plus, you’ll be reconnecting with your alma mater, supporting current students, and celebrating a century of UMW tradition.
Ready to Join the Competition?
We’ll have a form available in January for reporting what activities you participate in. Check this page then!
We’ll share monthly standings via email and social media, so you can track how your team is doing. And we’ll operate on the honor system–we trust our alumni to accurately report their participation as we celebrate together.
So, Devils and Goats, it’s time! Show your Mary Washington pride and help your team win the ultimate anniversary showdown.
Engagement Activities
- Refer a prospective student through Refer An Eagle
- Encourage someone to schedule a campus visit
- Host a prospective student for a campus conversation
- Contribute to a scholarship (any amount)
- Ask or answer a career question on Network MaryWash platform
- Join the Eagle Connections and/or Young Alumni Council LinkedIn group
- Post a job or internship opportunity in Handshake
- Participate in a career mentoring session
- Serve as a guest speaker for a class or student organization
- Engage with alumni social media (follow, like, comment, share)
- Update your information with the Alumni Office
- Submit a class note or update your contact or employment information with UMW
- Write a Google review or social media review of UMW
- Display UMW pride (wear gear, display diploma, etc.) and share photo with #UMWDevils or #UMWGoats
- Make a gift to UMW
- Express interest in becoming a volunteer with UMW (as a Class Agent, Network Leader, Affinity Group Leader, Reunion Committee member, etc)
- Become a Mary Wash Day Ambassador
- Submit your “why I give” story or testimonial
- Check to see if your company participates in corporate matching
- Attend a Regional Network event or register for a future Regional Network event
- Attend an Affinity Group event or express interest in connecting with an Affinity Group
- Attend (or register to participate in) an on-campus event (Reunion Weekend, Homecoming, Eagle Crawl, Multicultural Fair)
- Attend a Mary Talk (virtual)
- Participate in an alumni volunteer activity including helping at the big event, Devil-Goat Day!