Virginian-Pilot: Larry Rubama: Will Virginia Wesleyan be forgotten? Former athletes think so because of name change.

From Virginian-Pilot on September 8, 2025

Brandon Adair, a former Virginia Wesleyan basketball All-American who led the Marlins to a national title in 2006, is now an NBA referee. He was so displeased to hear that the school is changing its name to Batten University that he plans to sever all ties. (Billy Schuerman/Staff)

Virginia Wesleyan University’s decision to rebrand as Batten University in 2026 has sparked anger and heartbreak among alumni, especially former athletes who feel the change erases the school’s legacy. Basketball star Brandon Adair, who led the Marlins to a 2006 national title, severed ties after learning of the decision online and receiving what he viewed as a dismissive response from the university. Fellow Hall of Fame athletes Lindsey Williams, Julia Green Marks, and Anne Marie Nash Burroughs voiced similar frustration, citing a lack of transparency, pride in the Virginia Wesleyan name, and fears that future generations won’t recognize the school’s history. Opponents argue athletics put the university on the map, pointing to multiple national championships, while a growing petition with more than 5,600 signatures and recent protests highlight widespread alumni resistance to the name change.