November 3, 2009

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University Director of Athletics Troy Austin has announced a special “Meet the Teams Night” for the school's NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball programs. The free event, open to the public, will take place on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:15-7:45 p.m. in Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville. Fans will have a chance to meet the two teams, including both the coaching staffs and players, while gathering autographs and the opportunity to take photos (bring camera) as well. There will be special giveaways for those in attendance, including game tickets to the season-opening home contests for the two teams: Longwood plays Navy in men's basketball on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. while the Lancers play USC Upstate in women's basketball on Monday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m..

“There are a great deal of supporters who have proven to be passionate and committed to the Longwood men's and women's basketball,” said Austin. “This event will provide our student-athletes the opportunity to thank some of those fans and supporters personally.”

The Longwood men, under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Mike Gillian, returns four starters among 10 lettermen from last year's team that finished 17-14, the program's highest win total since beginning Division I scheduling in 2004-05, and the most wins overall since 2000-01. The +8 turnaround from the previous season tied for 18th-best in Division I last year. The four returning starters include three seniors: sixth-year standout Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) who led the team with his 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a year ago, Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) who averaged 10.9 points with 63 three-point field goals, and Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond) who averaged 7.2 points last season.

The Longwood women, under the guidance of third-year head coach Kristin Caruso, returns two starters among six letterwinners from last year's team that finished 8-21, and has added five newcomers to the program. The two returning starters include senior and fourth-year starter Becky Fernandes/Fort Belvoir (Bishop Ireton) who led the team with her 8.9 points a year ago, adding 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists, and junior Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) who averaged 8.3 points with 37 three-point field goals last season.

Longwood's men open the 2008-09 campaign on Friday night, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at the University of Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, while the Lancers' women open the same night (Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.) at Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.