The Washburn Ichabods are the athletic teams that represent Washburn University, located in Topeka, Kansas, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since the 1989âÂÂ90 academic year. The Ichabods previously competed in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976âÂÂ77 to 1988âÂÂ89; in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972âÂÂ73 to 1975âÂÂ76; in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968âÂÂ69 to 1971âÂÂ72; in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIC) from 1940âÂÂ41 to 1967âÂÂ68 (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1923âÂÂ24 to 1932âÂÂ33); as an Independent from 1933âÂÂ34 to 1939âÂÂ40; and in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) from 1902âÂÂ03 to 1922âÂÂ23.
The "Ichabods" nickname is named after the university's contributor Ichabod Washburn, who was also the founder of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Prior to the 2013âÂÂ14 season, the women's athletic teams were known as the "Lady Blues". On May 24, 2013, the Lady Blues nickname was dropped. President Farley stated that "From the moment a student arrives on campus, until the time they graduate and are alumni, they are "Ichabods", not a "Lady Blue"."
Washburn competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.
Washburn claims one national championship. Washburn won five straight games to claim the 1925 AAU National Championship, becoming the fourth school to claim an AAU title (joining Utah (1916), N.Y.U. (1920), and Butler (1924). They defeated St. Phillips Athletic Club, 34âÂÂ11, in the final. In 1987, the Washburn men's basketball team defeated West Virginia State 79âÂÂ77 to win the NAIA national championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
Coached by Ron McHenry from 2000 to 2022, the Ichabods posted a record of 35âÂÂ2, setting a school record for wins and capturing the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball National Championship by defeating Seattle Pacific University 70âÂÂ53.
Washburn began playing Football in 1891 with a record of 1 win and 4 losses. In 1907, under Garfield Weede the team completed a perfect season of 8 wins and 0 losses to be declared champions of the Kansas Conference, forerunner to the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The program has won 8 conference championships in its history.
The current head coach is Craig Schurig, who has held the position since the start of the 2002 season and led his team to a victory in the Mineral Water Bowl in 2004. Former coaches at Washburn include John H. Outland, Garfield Weede, Bert Kennedy, Dick Godlove, Ellis Rainsberger, Harold "Bud" Elliott, Tony DeMeo.