Hello, and welcome to another edition of This Week in VMI Athletics!
Let's open with track...Hopefully everyone was able to follow along with the blog from Charleston! The men's team finished fourth at this past week's Big South Championships, a performance that wasn't quite as high as last year's (second) but did have many strong outings. Felix Kitur's meet record in the 800 (on his birthday, no less!) was certainly a highlight, as were the two all-conference steeplechase performers.
The women's team didn't quite perform to expectations, as the squad has suffered through injuries for the majority of the year, but Chandale Williams did run under 56 seconds for the first time in her career, breaking her 400-meter record by more than a second. Also, Zipporah McCann broke the Keydet heptathlon record with her outing at the meet.
Track now heads to the Penn Relays and High Point, meets which were previewed just a few moments ago.
It's been a rough week for baseball, and who would have expected that a week ago tonight? That's because seven days ago, the Keydets topped then-#1 UVA 12-3 in front of a record crowd at Gray-Minor...But it's been a slide since. Four straight losses, including three at conference rival Liberty, send the Keydets into William and Mary tonight on quite the skid. See if they can turn it around by clicking here.
Lacrosse lost to Siena 13-8 Saturday, falling despite leading 6-5 at the half and 4-0 early in the game. Improvement is taking place, and the Keydets certainly hope it continues into this weekend's game versus Wagner. Notes and a preview for that should be up Friday, but fans should note the game time has been changed to 2 p.m. due to a football intrasquad scrimmage (most of the scrimmage will take place in Foster Stadium, hence the LAX time change).
That'll do it for this week...Check back next week for more news from Post.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Blog Tomorrow
Look for this week's blog tomorrow...Make sure to come out and support VMI Baseball tonight versus VCU, with a 6 p.m. start. If you can't get there, the game will broadcast on 96.7 3WZ, with Wade Branner on the call.
Monday, April 12, 2010
This Week in VMI Athletics - April 12
We'll open with something other than baseball, just to give this week a bit of variety. It's been announced within the last hour that VMI's Stephen Robarge is the Division I leader in face-off percentage (63.8%). As a team, VMI ranks second in D-I in that stat, trailing only Hartford...Robarge is also second in D-I in ground balls per game (8.09) trailing the face-off specialist from, you guessed it, Hartford.
For all fans wanting to see if the Keydets can get back on the winning track, you can go here to watch the game for a $5.95 fee.
Track has perhaps its biggest weekend of the year, starting Thursday in Charleston as CSU hosts this year's Big South Outdoor Championships. As we were last year, the VMI Athletic Media Relations office will be on hand to live blog and otherwise chronicle the events...The blog was a no-doubt, rousing success last year and should be a similar venture in 2010. You'll also be able to follow along the Big South Network's video streaming, as well as live results. The full preview on VMIKeydets.com, evaluating the Keydets' chances in particular events, should be up either Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Also from track, an alumnus wrote up a perspective on late March's Military Championships. Please check that out at the bottom of this post.
Wade Branner did an audio interview with Head Football Coach Sparky Woods earlier this week, and you can check that out here.
Now, baseball :-)...Rankings haven't come out yet for this week, but the Keydets are expected to remain ranked for the fifth consecutive tabulation after sweeping Gardner-Webb to run their win streak to eight. There is a chance VMI could move up to 27th in a matter of moments (Baseball SID Christian Hoffman, sitting right behind me, is pressing refresh on his web browser every couple of minutes).
Back to the on-field action...Alex Haitsuka had a huge week, including a 4 for 5 Sunday and a cycle Tuesday versus Longwood. Jordan Ballard tied the VMI record for career home runs Saturday, and Cory Spangenburg had a nice week as well. This is quite the roll...And now the Keydets draw UVA. Virginia comes into Gray-Minor Wednesday night for a 6 p.m. tilt, in a game that will be the first matchup between two ranked teams ever at the Keydets' home facility. The Hoos are currently ranked #4, but could move up as high as #1 in some polls after taking two of three from second-ranked Georgia Tech...Notes and a full preview should be up tomorrow.
IMPORTANT NOTE - The Virginia game is expected to draw one of the largest crowds in the history of Gray-Minor Stadium. Fans are strongly encouraged to park on the parade ground and walk to the stadium, as parking down the hill will be severely, severely limited and congestion will be high in that area. Also, we recommend that you purchase tickets in advance, just in case (540-464-7266).
That'll do it for this week...Check back next week for another update from Post, and hopefully more ranking updates from baseball!
NOTE AFTER PUBLISHING - Keydets are ranked 26th in Collegiate Baseball poll...Release to follow later today.
__________________________________
It’s Saturday in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The air is cool and clear. Miles away from major cities and sports arenas, a few spectators stand and sit in the chill for hours to watch a great and sadly unheralded sports event.
The press and media presence is minimal. There is no wide video screen. There are no instant replays. There is no loud music. America is tuned into March Madness when sixty four teams will compete before screaming fans in massive arenas. There will be Cinderella stories and close games, but none of that can inspire one as the competition which unfolded last weekend at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Here was held the 2010 Military Track & Field Championships. Present were teams from all the Federal Academies- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine together with the Citadel and VMI. Over 350 athletes competed over two days. These athletes do not aspire to be professional stars; most are to become second lieutenants and ensigns and some, future generals and admirals.
It was a privilege to spend several hours at this meet watching athletes, some of national stature and many more competing for the joy of competition. I sat next to Bobby Ross VMI Class of 1959, a career college and professional football coach who started his coaching career at VMI and concluded it at West Point. Along the way he won a national championship at Georgia Tech and took the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl. This man knows intercollegiate athletics, its purposes, its successes and its challenges.
He also knows what it means to be a member of the military. His son Kevin was a distance runner and captain of the Navy track team in the 1980’s. With a daughter-in-law serving in the Army in Afghanistan and a daughter married to a Navy Captain, just back from Afghanistan, the Ross family knows well the sacrifices our service men and women and families make defending our country.
Together, we watched race after race. We marveled at the competition and incredibly “squared away” young men and women in the races and field events. They were uniformly trim, athletic and fiercely competitive.
Yet the true majesty of the meet was not lost as we watched and talked. These were not just athletes; they will be the future leaders of America. More importantly, they would soon be responsible as young line officers for America’s greatest treasure- its young men and women serving throughout the world in its most dangerous places. They will place their own lives at risk and will be responsible for the lives of those they will command. They will undertake whatever mission they are given no matter how dangerous it might be. How they have been trained to endure pain and lead amidst adversity will determine whether men and women die, are wounded or return to their families safely.
Just when we thought it would not be possible to be more proud of a group of young Americans, the track meet hosted two races – 100 and 200 meter events. This time young military veterans would be the runners. This time they would be not just runners, but wounded warriors running with artificial legs. They gave all they had to run those meters with grit and courage- the same grit and courage that, no doubt, had helped them overcome the pain of their wounds. Other wounded veterans refusing to give in to their injuries and showing the same determination the runners displayed competed in field events.
As the last race was run and the loud speaker system announced the order of team points, we focused not on who won or lost, but that from these fields of friendly competition, these Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen would one day serve as comrades in arms defending our nation. On those occasions, they may reflect with pride on one spring weekend in Virginia when they met, competed and prepared to lead our Armed Forces in their defense of our freedom and liberty.
Certainly the commentaries and press will describe with much fanfare another brand of sacrifice, leadership and courage throughout March Madness. Yet if they wanted to see a much different level of collegiate athletics, sacrifice, courage, commitment and leadership and one vital to our nation, they should have been in Lexington, Virginia this weekend.
May God bless and protect this very special group of American athletes and patriots.
George. H.”Skip”Roberts, Jr. is an attorney practicing in Lexington, ran cross country and track at VMI 1964- 1968 and served in the United States Air Force. He may be reached at sroberts@wawlaw.com.
For all fans wanting to see if the Keydets can get back on the winning track, you can go here to watch the game for a $5.95 fee.
Track has perhaps its biggest weekend of the year, starting Thursday in Charleston as CSU hosts this year's Big South Outdoor Championships. As we were last year, the VMI Athletic Media Relations office will be on hand to live blog and otherwise chronicle the events...The blog was a no-doubt, rousing success last year and should be a similar venture in 2010. You'll also be able to follow along the Big South Network's video streaming, as well as live results. The full preview on VMIKeydets.com, evaluating the Keydets' chances in particular events, should be up either Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Also from track, an alumnus wrote up a perspective on late March's Military Championships. Please check that out at the bottom of this post.
Wade Branner did an audio interview with Head Football Coach Sparky Woods earlier this week, and you can check that out here.
Now, baseball :-)...Rankings haven't come out yet for this week, but the Keydets are expected to remain ranked for the fifth consecutive tabulation after sweeping Gardner-Webb to run their win streak to eight. There is a chance VMI could move up to 27th in a matter of moments (Baseball SID Christian Hoffman, sitting right behind me, is pressing refresh on his web browser every couple of minutes).
Back to the on-field action...Alex Haitsuka had a huge week, including a 4 for 5 Sunday and a cycle Tuesday versus Longwood. Jordan Ballard tied the VMI record for career home runs Saturday, and Cory Spangenburg had a nice week as well. This is quite the roll...And now the Keydets draw UVA. Virginia comes into Gray-Minor Wednesday night for a 6 p.m. tilt, in a game that will be the first matchup between two ranked teams ever at the Keydets' home facility. The Hoos are currently ranked #4, but could move up as high as #1 in some polls after taking two of three from second-ranked Georgia Tech...Notes and a full preview should be up tomorrow.
IMPORTANT NOTE - The Virginia game is expected to draw one of the largest crowds in the history of Gray-Minor Stadium. Fans are strongly encouraged to park on the parade ground and walk to the stadium, as parking down the hill will be severely, severely limited and congestion will be high in that area. Also, we recommend that you purchase tickets in advance, just in case (540-464-7266).
That'll do it for this week...Check back next week for another update from Post, and hopefully more ranking updates from baseball!
NOTE AFTER PUBLISHING - Keydets are ranked 26th in Collegiate Baseball poll...Release to follow later today.
__________________________________
It’s Saturday in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The air is cool and clear. Miles away from major cities and sports arenas, a few spectators stand and sit in the chill for hours to watch a great and sadly unheralded sports event.
The press and media presence is minimal. There is no wide video screen. There are no instant replays. There is no loud music. America is tuned into March Madness when sixty four teams will compete before screaming fans in massive arenas. There will be Cinderella stories and close games, but none of that can inspire one as the competition which unfolded last weekend at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Here was held the 2010 Military Track & Field Championships. Present were teams from all the Federal Academies- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine together with the Citadel and VMI. Over 350 athletes competed over two days. These athletes do not aspire to be professional stars; most are to become second lieutenants and ensigns and some, future generals and admirals.
It was a privilege to spend several hours at this meet watching athletes, some of national stature and many more competing for the joy of competition. I sat next to Bobby Ross VMI Class of 1959, a career college and professional football coach who started his coaching career at VMI and concluded it at West Point. Along the way he won a national championship at Georgia Tech and took the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl. This man knows intercollegiate athletics, its purposes, its successes and its challenges.
He also knows what it means to be a member of the military. His son Kevin was a distance runner and captain of the Navy track team in the 1980’s. With a daughter-in-law serving in the Army in Afghanistan and a daughter married to a Navy Captain, just back from Afghanistan, the Ross family knows well the sacrifices our service men and women and families make defending our country.
Together, we watched race after race. We marveled at the competition and incredibly “squared away” young men and women in the races and field events. They were uniformly trim, athletic and fiercely competitive.
Yet the true majesty of the meet was not lost as we watched and talked. These were not just athletes; they will be the future leaders of America. More importantly, they would soon be responsible as young line officers for America’s greatest treasure- its young men and women serving throughout the world in its most dangerous places. They will place their own lives at risk and will be responsible for the lives of those they will command. They will undertake whatever mission they are given no matter how dangerous it might be. How they have been trained to endure pain and lead amidst adversity will determine whether men and women die, are wounded or return to their families safely.
Just when we thought it would not be possible to be more proud of a group of young Americans, the track meet hosted two races – 100 and 200 meter events. This time young military veterans would be the runners. This time they would be not just runners, but wounded warriors running with artificial legs. They gave all they had to run those meters with grit and courage- the same grit and courage that, no doubt, had helped them overcome the pain of their wounds. Other wounded veterans refusing to give in to their injuries and showing the same determination the runners displayed competed in field events.
As the last race was run and the loud speaker system announced the order of team points, we focused not on who won or lost, but that from these fields of friendly competition, these Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen would one day serve as comrades in arms defending our nation. On those occasions, they may reflect with pride on one spring weekend in Virginia when they met, competed and prepared to lead our Armed Forces in their defense of our freedom and liberty.
Certainly the commentaries and press will describe with much fanfare another brand of sacrifice, leadership and courage throughout March Madness. Yet if they wanted to see a much different level of collegiate athletics, sacrifice, courage, commitment and leadership and one vital to our nation, they should have been in Lexington, Virginia this weekend.
May God bless and protect this very special group of American athletes and patriots.
George. H.”Skip”Roberts, Jr. is an attorney practicing in Lexington, ran cross country and track at VMI 1964- 1968 and served in the United States Air Force. He may be reached at sroberts@wawlaw.com.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
This Week in VMI Athletics - April 6
As the temps begin to rise in the Lexington area (85 degrees is possible this week), baseball continues its amazing run. Ranked 29th for the second straight week, the Keydets are now 23-5 on the year and 7-2 in the Big South. This weekend will send VMI down to the Carolinas to take on Gardner-Webb, in three games that will NOT be played in Boiling Springs. Rather, the three-game set will be in Spartanburg, S.C...But first, the Keydets have a pair of mid-week games, with Longwood coming to Gray-Minor Stadium tonight and James Madison to follow Wednesday. Internet audio will be available for both games.
After a two-week road trip, lacrosse is back in town to take on the Saint Joseph's Hawks. SJU sits at 0-10, while VMI comes in having been on the wrong end of six straight results. As they say, something's got to give...The Keydets and Hawks always have close games, and this one should be no exception.
Track had a great meet down at Liberty last weekend, with Kate Collins and Chandale Williams setting new VMI records. James Alexander posted two IC4A marks and moved himself into position to possibly qualify for the regional meet, while Felix Kitur triumphed in the 400-meters. Next up, a trip to UVA on the 9th and 10th with the Big South Championships to follow the weekend after...It's VERY likely (but not officially set yet) that we'll repeat last year's coverage at the conference meet by blogging, etc.
In something you may have noticed on pretty much all of our sport sites, nominations are now being accepted for the distinguished coaching award. Read more about that here.
Of course, what would an update be without Reggie Williams news...Here's our latest capsule on him. Finally, VMI football announced three additional signings this week...Check those out here.
That's it for now...Make sure to catch VMI baseball vs. Longwood tonight on VMIKeydets.com!
After a two-week road trip, lacrosse is back in town to take on the Saint Joseph's Hawks. SJU sits at 0-10, while VMI comes in having been on the wrong end of six straight results. As they say, something's got to give...The Keydets and Hawks always have close games, and this one should be no exception.
Track had a great meet down at Liberty last weekend, with Kate Collins and Chandale Williams setting new VMI records. James Alexander posted two IC4A marks and moved himself into position to possibly qualify for the regional meet, while Felix Kitur triumphed in the 400-meters. Next up, a trip to UVA on the 9th and 10th with the Big South Championships to follow the weekend after...It's VERY likely (but not officially set yet) that we'll repeat last year's coverage at the conference meet by blogging, etc.
In something you may have noticed on pretty much all of our sport sites, nominations are now being accepted for the distinguished coaching award. Read more about that here.
Of course, what would an update be without Reggie Williams news...Here's our latest capsule on him. Finally, VMI football announced three additional signings this week...Check those out here.
That's it for now...Make sure to catch VMI baseball vs. Longwood tonight on VMIKeydets.com!
Monday, March 29, 2010
This Week in VMI Athletics - March 29
Welcome to the latest version of This Week in VMI Athletics!
VMI baseball continues to roll, staying in Collegiate Baseball's top-30 (#29) after taking two of three from Charleston Southern this past weekend. The only loss was to CSU ace Tyler Thornburg, who allowed just two hits in a thrilling 1-0 CSU win two weeks after pitching a CG against the Florida Gators. That kid can pitch. Jason Farley answered with a CG of his own in the second game of Saturday's twinbill, pitching VMI to a win. Tuesday sends the Keydets to Virginia Tech, in a game that will be broadcast on 1450 AM WREL in the Lexington area (as well as VMIKeydets.com).
VMI football announced three new recruits today, and you can check out that article here.
Track comes off a solid weekend at the Military Championships, which were hosted here in Lexington. Hannah Granger smoked the field in the 5K, setting a new school record by some 20 seconds, and Felix Kitur hung on late to win the 800. Both teams finished fourth, which was a strong result, and now the squads will prepare to head to Liberty next weekend for a meet there. We'll be on hand with some twitter updates on Saturday, although we'll not sure how much or when yet.
Lacrosse lost to Detroit-Mercy 11-8 Saturday, falling to 2-7 overall and 0-2 in the MAAC. Keith Long continues to show improvement, as he posted three goals and an assist, while Sean McCoy appears to be back to his normal self as he stopped 11 shots in defeat. Manhattan is up next for the Keydets, in a game which is set for noon on Saturday.
Women's soccer will hold a skills clinic April 24, and you can check out more info on that here. That'll wrap up this week's blog, check back next week for further update!
VMI baseball continues to roll, staying in Collegiate Baseball's top-30 (#29) after taking two of three from Charleston Southern this past weekend. The only loss was to CSU ace Tyler Thornburg, who allowed just two hits in a thrilling 1-0 CSU win two weeks after pitching a CG against the Florida Gators. That kid can pitch. Jason Farley answered with a CG of his own in the second game of Saturday's twinbill, pitching VMI to a win. Tuesday sends the Keydets to Virginia Tech, in a game that will be broadcast on 1450 AM WREL in the Lexington area (as well as VMIKeydets.com).
VMI football announced three new recruits today, and you can check out that article here.
Track comes off a solid weekend at the Military Championships, which were hosted here in Lexington. Hannah Granger smoked the field in the 5K, setting a new school record by some 20 seconds, and Felix Kitur hung on late to win the 800. Both teams finished fourth, which was a strong result, and now the squads will prepare to head to Liberty next weekend for a meet there. We'll be on hand with some twitter updates on Saturday, although we'll not sure how much or when yet.
Lacrosse lost to Detroit-Mercy 11-8 Saturday, falling to 2-7 overall and 0-2 in the MAAC. Keith Long continues to show improvement, as he posted three goals and an assist, while Sean McCoy appears to be back to his normal self as he stopped 11 shots in defeat. Manhattan is up next for the Keydets, in a game which is set for noon on Saturday.
Women's soccer will hold a skills clinic April 24, and you can check out more info on that here. That'll wrap up this week's blog, check back next week for further update!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
No blog this week
No blog this week, as we prepare to host the Military Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday at Foster Stadium. Follow along through a live blog on VMIKeydets.com, as well as periodically updated results at this link. In addition, Charleston Southern comes to town for a three-game series at Gray-Minor Stadium, the final two games of which will be on the Big South Network. Make sure to follow along!
Friday, March 19, 2010
This Week in VMI Athletics - March 19
Not long ago, the #30 Keydet baseball team ran its record to 17-1, improving on what was already the best start in VMI history. A two-run home run by Graham Sullivan in the top of the ninth broke a 3-3 tie with High Point, and VMI held on to win 5-4. That came after sweeping The Citadel in a two-game midweek series (game one here, game two here). Of course, Jordan Ballard had a banner week award-wise, as he was not only the Big South Player of the Week, but also earned co-ECAC Player of the Week honors and was tabbed one of the National Players of the Week.
The series with High Point will continue tomorrow evening, and it promises to be another interesting game offensively (both teams came in to tonight's game in the top-five nationally in batting average). Tune in via the VMI Sports Network on www.vmikeydets.com.
Speaking of broadcasting, tomorrow's lacrosse game at Foster Stadium is going to be streamed on the Big South Network. The Keydets, led by current MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Tim Moran, will take on Marist in the MAAC opener for both teams, and the stream can be viewed for a $3.95 cost. Check out the full preview here.
Track's outdoor season will begin next Friday, as the Keydets host the second Military Championships at Foster Stadium. Check out the meet information here, and be aware that there will be no charge for admission. Our coverage from the meet is still being worked on, but that'll certainly be put out there when we figure out what's viable.
Believe it or not, that's it from Post this week...Things have been slow as the cadets have been on Spring Break. We're excited for lacrosse tomorrow and track the next week, and once again, congratulations to baseball on its 17th win of 2010!
The series with High Point will continue tomorrow evening, and it promises to be another interesting game offensively (both teams came in to tonight's game in the top-five nationally in batting average). Tune in via the VMI Sports Network on www.vmikeydets.com.
Speaking of broadcasting, tomorrow's lacrosse game at Foster Stadium is going to be streamed on the Big South Network. The Keydets, led by current MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Tim Moran, will take on Marist in the MAAC opener for both teams, and the stream can be viewed for a $3.95 cost. Check out the full preview here.
Track's outdoor season will begin next Friday, as the Keydets host the second Military Championships at Foster Stadium. Check out the meet information here, and be aware that there will be no charge for admission. Our coverage from the meet is still being worked on, but that'll certainly be put out there when we figure out what's viable.
Believe it or not, that's it from Post this week...Things have been slow as the cadets have been on Spring Break. We're excited for lacrosse tomorrow and track the next week, and once again, congratulations to baseball on its 17th win of 2010!
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