Editor’s Note: longwoodlancers.com has added a new feature to the site, a monthly update from the Director of Athletics, Troy Austin. Troy will use this forum to keep Lancer family and friends informed on department strategies, current events, and insights into the overall department environment. Your feedback, comments, or questions in regard to the column’s viewpoints are encouraged and should be sent to austints@longwood.edu.
August 2008
Hello Lancers,
A recent discussion with our Director of Strength and Conditioning, Lisa Martin, left me eagerly anticipating the new school year, which is practically upon us.
We were talking about the end of summer and the arrival of the fall student-athletes. She said, “I am really excited about this year!” I asked her what in particular she was looking forward too, and she noted, “Nothing in particular, I just think it is going to be a great year.”
After assessing what we have planned for the fall, I would echo Lisa’s sentiments.
Three of our fall programs will closeout the season by hosting their respective conference championship tournaments. Longwood women’s soccer will host the United Soccer Conference (USC) Tournament November 1-3; November 6-9 the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac) Tournament will take place; and the Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Tournament is November 12-16. This combination of events will have the Athletics Complex packed full of events for three-straight weekends. The men’s and women’s cross country programs will start the fall season with the 2nd Annual Longwood Invitational, September 13, at the Longwood Golf Club. Each of our fall sports programs has displayed improvement in their respective competitive stance, and I am sure that there will be a positive carry-over effect this year.
Our student-athletes will also be involved in great events off the field, too. On September 15, Shaun Powell will be on campus talk to discuss his book Souled Out?. Souled Out? addresses diversity issues in athletics. The talk promises to be an enlightening experience for both our student-athletes and staff that will be in attendance.
On October 8, we will bring MVP Sports Media Training to Longwood for a presentation to not only our student-athletes but also the entire athletics department staff. It promises to be an effective and interactive media training experience for everyone, as projecting a positive image is a valuable life skill that reflects well for everyone, regardless of the audience.
These are just some of the highlights for the upcoming fall as we enter our second year of official Division I status, and it already appears that it will be better than the last. I look forward to seeing you on campus to join in all of the excitement.
Go Lancers!
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008