The long game: Lowe’s 4 years of loyalty at William & Mary

Chase Lowe '26 arrived at William & Mary with a simple vision: excel in the classroom, impact the basketball court and immerse himself in a community that values both.

Chase Lowe '26 was named the winner of the CAA's prestigious Dean Ehlers Leadership Award. (W&M Athletics photo)

The following story originally appeared on the website for W&M Athletics. Get information on the upcoming CAA basketball tournaments on the March On Tribe site. - Ed.

Chase Lowe '26 arrived at William & Mary with a simple vision: excel in the classroom, impact the basketball court and immerse himself in a community that values both. Four years later, he has done all three - and stayed remarkably steady through a college basketball landscape defined by constant change.

When weighing his college options, Lowe cared deeply about three pillars: academics, basketball and culture. William & Mary checked every box.

"Academics was my priority," he said. "William & Mary and Cornell are both prestigious universities, so I was taken care of either direction. I also wanted a strong basketball program and a good team culture."

He found the culture he was looking with the Tribe and later watched it strengthen under Head Coach Brian Earl.

"Coach Earl has done a great job of building a positive culture and recruiting high-character guys," Lowe said. That culture - along with the university's academic reputation and a loyal fan base - became the foundation for his uncommon decision to stay rooted in one program for his entire career.

On Friday, Lowe was named the winner of the CAA's prestigious Dean Ehlers Leadership Award. The honor recognizes the player that, "embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity and sportsmanship in conjunction with his academic and athletic achievement."

Staying the course

Lowe's loyalty stands out in an era of widespread transfers. He admits he considered it after his sophomore year, especially when close friends on the team chose to leave.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about transferring out my sophomore year," he said. "But I ultimately decided to stay here because of the prestige of the school and because I love that people show up for this team year after year."

His trust in William & Mary's leadership solidified his decision. When the program underwent a coaching transition, Athletics Director Brian Mann assured Lowe that the next hire would uphold the university's values. Days later, the school announced Earl as head coach - a familiar face Lowe already respected having been recruiting to Cornell out of high school.

"I was super excited because I already knew him," Lowe said. "He's a great guy and obviously a basketball genius. I also love the assistant coaches he brought along."

That continuity helped Lowe and his teammates build a tight-knit group, even as rosters changed around them.

"We hang out every day," he said. "Sometimes I can't even tell who's been here for two years or who's been here for one year or me who's been here for four years."

A team-first leader

Lowe's impact on the court mirrors his personality: steady, selfless and intentional. He describes his playing style as an extension of his leadership.

"I try to not think about myself while I'm on the court," he said. "I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to win - diving on loose balls, passing to my teammates, putting them in positions to score or scoring myself if that's the best shot we can get."

Statistically, Lowe is one of only three players in W&M history with 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 300 assists in a career. He is enjoying his best season as senior, averaging 9.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, the latter two numbers leading the team.

With a senior-heavy roster and the CAA Tournament on the horizon, the urgency is real. "There's a heightened sense of urgency," Lowe said. "We have eight seniors, and this is our last chance to accomplish something like this. Everyone just wants it desperately."

The dream is clear: make history as part of the first William & Mary men's basketball team to reach the NCAA Tournament. "That would mean the world to me," Lowe said. "It would be such a full-circle moment because I started my career coming off the bench for a team that wasn't very good. To end my career at the pinnacle of what we've been trying to achieve would mean everything."

Balance beyond basketball

Off the court, Lowe is just as intentional about finding balance. A public policy major, he has begun charting his path beyond basketball.

"I'm not 100% sure what I want to do, but I most likely will work in estate planning," he said. "I have a job lined up that I'm excited about." He credits the university's support network for helping him prepare for life after graduation. "We have such a great support team - academic advisors, career advisors, coaches, alumni, donors - so many people who want to see you succeed. I feel like I've been set up for success post-grad."

Music provides another outlet. Lowe plays guitar and performs in a campus band called Recess with a few friends from the track team and another student.

"My favorite hobby outside of basketball is guitar by far," he said. "We perform at house parties, and we've played at College Deli a couple of times. It's a great hobby to just get away."

The band's setlists range from indie and rock to country, pop, and even a little reggae.

"We play a little bit of everything," he said.

Performing in front of a crowd gives him a different kind of adrenaline.

"We performed for homecoming at College Deli, and it was packed," Lowe said. "At that point, I was more nervous for that show than I am for some basketball games. I've played over 100 college basketball games now, so I feel confident and prepared, but for that show, I was a little nervous."

Family, faith and the finish line

Family has always been Lowe's anchor. He remains especially close with his brother, Carl, and his father, Carl Jr. "

My brother and I are very close," he said. "My dad coached me up until about middle school, and he's been the best coach I've ever had - on and off the court. I attribute all of my success to him."

Though not all his family members can make it to every game, they plan to be there for the CAA tournament.

"Everyone in my family should be making it to CAAs," he said.

Their support - along with the friends and mentors he's found at William & Mary - have shaped his experience in Williamsburg.

When he wants to clear his head, he gravitates toward familiar campus spots that hold special meaning.

"I would say College Creek was that place for me," Lowe said. "Freshman year, we used to go there all the time - hang out, throw the football, chill out on the beach, play guitar. That's a really special place to me."

As his senior season winds toward its closing chapters, Lowe remains focused on the present - on winning, leading, and enjoying the final stretch with teammates who have become like family. If the moment comes when William & Mary punches its first-ever ticket to the NCAA Tournament, he knows exactly how it will feel.

"It would mean the world to me," he said. "That's what we've been working for all along."

Pete Clawson, W&M Athletics

• share by email
• share on Facebook
• share on X
• share on LinkedIn

• share by email
• share on Facebook
• share on X
• share on LinkedIn

Related Stories