MURFREESBORO – The Chowan College Department of Athletics kicked off their fall sports season with the Second Annual Fall Sports Media Day. Over twenty-five coaches, media, college representatives, and college friends attended the event to listen to the new direction that the college and the athletic department are heading.

&uot;We have what could be the largest class in four-year school history so it’s a very exciting time for the college,&uot; stated Dr. White, President of Chowan College. &uot;We look at this summer as pivotal one and we are poised to fly after a few years of struggle. Our numbers are up and looking good.&uot;

Dr. White continued to speak on the success of the athletic department this past year.

&uot;Every team has the potential to be better than last year which is cause for excitement with all the success we experienced last season,&uot; he said. &uot;This new period of reclassification to Division II is a great thing for our school.&uot;

The Braves will be the only NCAA Division III school making the reclassification to NCAA Division II this year. Athletic Director Jim Tribbett remarked on the school’s future.

&uot;It is truly a process. There is paperwork to be done, fees to be paid, new rules to comply with,&uot; Tribbett said. &uot;While being at the NCAA Division III level was an adventure for us, we as a school and as a department are looking forward to what NCAA Division II will bring. It’s going to be a huge challenge. There will be new teams on all of our schedules but at the same time we will be bringing in a higher caliber of student-athlete, both academically and athletically.&uot;

After welcoming remarks from both White and Tribbett, each fall sport coach was given the opportunity to speak on their upcoming seasons and the expectations that come with it. &uot;With four preseason practices under our belts, it’s evident that we have an entire new attitude on the court,&uot; Becky Roak, Head Volleyball Coach stated. &uot;We hope to be more competitive this season and have the foundation to do it with.&uot;

Newcomers Georgina Donnelly and Rob Battisson, who coach women’s and men’s soccer respectively, spoke highly of the newly renovated soccer complex just behind the Helms Center. &uot;Dr. White and Coach Tribbett offered me a vision when I first accepted the position at Chowan of what the new stadium would look like. That vision now has tangible effects and I am thrilled with the facility,&uot; stated Battisson. Equally as excited Donnelly stated, &uot;The new facility is great. The team is pleased with the complex and are excited about playing there this season.&uot;

Newly hired Adam Fellers spoke on the upcoming women’s cross country season. &uot;We have four meets scheduled now with hopes of having six total. I am really excited about the new challenge ahead and look forward to building a program here.&uot; Fellers will lead the women’s team into their third season of competition this fall.

The school introduced a new sport to their already existing ten-varsity program in men’s tennis. Former Chowan player Brian Surface will head up the program and looks forward to getting the season started. &uot;My expectations are extremely high. I am excited about my recruiting class and my roster will look much like one from the United Nations. I have players from coming Spain, England, Texas, and parts of Europe.&uot; The men’s program will compete as a team in the spring but will make individual play this fall. Tennis at Chowan is back after a three-season rest period. It is in the plans to add a women’s program next fall.

Head Football Coach Lorick Atkinson took time away from two-a-days to speak to the crowd.

&uot;We dressed 109 players this morning, 80 of them are newcomers. We will be playing a lot of freshman this year but you have to start somewhere,&uot; he insisted. &uot;Our goal is get to the NCCAA’s Victory Bowl. The kids are playing towards that and the coaches are coaching towards that.&uot;