This Week in VMI Athletics - Aug. 25

Hello, and welcome to the third edition of This Week in VMI Athletics, published for the week of Aug. 25, 2009.

As mentioned on our Twitter account, we do have a scoop of sorts...I've been told the basketball schedule should be released within the next several days. No details on a precise time, but it is forthcoming.

Since we last published, we saw the first official, regular season athletic event of 2009-10, as women's soccer took on George Mason. Mason prevailed 3-0 in a contest at W&L's Watt Field, and the Keydet women are scheduled to return to action this coming Friday at Jordan's Point Park, as VMI will face Elon. Weather could play a factor in that contest, as the field at Jordan's Point is suspectible to rain. Stay tuned to VMIKeydets.com, and the Keydets' Twitter feed, for any updates regarding the timing/scheduling of Friday's contest.

In other news, it's preview week in the VMI Athletic Department. With less than two weeks before the first football game, the Institute's other sports are in full swing. Men's soccer just wrapped up a week of intense preseason practice, and Ben Freakley's team continues to prepare for its Sept. 1 opener versus Mount St. Mary's. Look for a full preview of the Keydet men's soccer squad later this week.

The cross country rats had their pictures taken last Friday, and the returning runners, including Felix Kitur and Hannah Granger, will have their photos snapped Wednesday afternoon. That should lead to a full preview of the upcoming cross country season, which has been delayed slightly to push it closer to the Sept. 4 opener. That preview, including a near-20 minute interview with XC Coach Paul Spangler, should run sometime this week as well.

On a related note: The VMI track program, both on track and in cross country, has been one of the up-and-coming programs on Post for the last 2-3 years, and this recruiting class has a chance to be very special. We've been spoiled the last couple of years, with some of the great recruiting done by Keydet coaches (in all sports), but a freshman class with this much potential does not grow on trees. Certainly anything can happen in Division I athletics, but watch out for this group, even if it takes them a year to gel.

Finally, a sport you don't hear a lot about in the fall, VMI lacrosse, announced its 2010 schedule today. That can be viewed here: http://www.vmikeydets.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9800&ATCLID=204780686

That about does it from Post this week...11 days until Robert Morris.

Upcoming home schedule:
Friday, Aug. 28: Women's Soccer vs. Elon, Jordan's Point Park (6 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Women's Soccer vs. Howard, Currently Scheduled for Patchin Field (2 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept. 1: Men's Soccer vs. Mount St. Mary's, Currently Scheduled for Patchin (4:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Sept. 3: Football "Kickoff" Show at Salerno's Restaurant in Lexington, broadcast live on 96.7 3WZ

Friday, Sept. 4: Cross Country Season Opener, Virginia Horse Center (4 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 5: Women's Soccer vs. UNC Wilmington, Patchin Field (11 a.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 5: Football vs. Robert Morris (1:30 p.m.)