VCU fall sports

By Katherine Schutt
Division of University Relations

Ambling across the Compass, a tall student wears his school pride on his sleeve – literally. His black T-shirt reads “I bleed black and gold,” and the sentiment is one shared widely by the undeniably passionate Ram fan base.

The Virginia Commonwealth University community — on campus and beyond — loves its Rams. But does it know exactly how good the Rams are, even beyond the basketball court?

VCU Athletics recently launched a new strategic plan to help achieve its vision of being recognized as a premier NCAA Division I athletic department. And the numbers show it’s already well on its way. Last year, VCU Athletics posted the highest winning percentage in Virginia at .655, stopping the University of Virginia’s six-year streak at the top of that list.

This fall, the Rams are presenting an impressive encore, racking up team wins and individual accolades in six sports as they head toward Atlantic 10 Conference tournament play in November.

It’s not just about hoops around here — VCU is making a statement on turf, court, field and trail. It’s time to get to know these dedicated, hard-playing teams.

10 things every Ram should know about VCU fall sports

1)  VCU’s six fall teams feature more than 270 student-athletes from 16 different states and 14 different countries.

2)  So far this fall, the Rams have piled up 14 A-10 Player of the Week and three A-10 Rookie of the Week awards.*

3)  The student-athletes also have visited more than 25 Richmond-area schools and spent more than 100 hours visiting local hospitals.

4)  VCU volleyball sophomore outside hitter Romana Kriskova has swept up three A-10 Player of the Week awards on her own. The Bratislava, Slovakia, native is averaging 4.87 kills per set, which ranks sixth nationally. The volleyball team is 4-0 at home and 5-1 in conference play so far.

5)  During training and races this fall, the VCU men’s and women’s cross country teams have run a total of nearly 330 miles — the distance from the Siegel Center to the Statue of Liberty. Leading the charge is junior Mohamed Adam, who has three top-10 finishes already this fall.

6)  Facing the toughest non-conference schedule in the country, the VCU men’s soccer team has beaten three opponents in the Top 25 this year. Earlier this season, the team ranked as high as No. 8 in the country, the first Top-10 ranking in nearly a decade for the Rams.

7)  For the second straight year, VCU field hockey ranks among the nation’s best in attendance, with crowds filling up a newly resurfaced Cary Street Field. Many are showing up to see seniors Stephanie DeMasi, who broke a program record this season with her 25th career assist, and Emilie Soares, who has posted a hat trick (three goals in one game) twice this year and ranks among the nation’s best in goals and points scored.

8)  VCU women’s soccer entered the month of October with an unbeaten streak of seven games, thanks to an offense that has scored nearly three goals a game over that stretch. VCU also hosts the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships for the first time at Sports Backers Stadium Nov. 7-10.

9)  Rams fans are no joke: The Rowdy Rams, VCU’s student athletic support organization, sold out their 1,500 memberships in less than 12 hours this fall.

10)  VCU Athletics knows it’s important to keep those fans happy — and well-fed. The department has provided free transportation and more than 70 pizzas for VCU students at men’s and women’s soccer games this fall.

*Facts and figures in this article are accurate as of Friday, Oct. 11.

Get in on the action Conference play is heating up. Here’s where you can catch the Rams at home: Women’s volleyball Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. — vs. William & Mary VCU can koozies for the first 100 students in attendance Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. — vs. La Salle Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. — vs. Rhode Island Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. — vs. Duquesne Free popcorn for the first 100 students in attendance Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. — vs. Ohio Men’s soccer Sports Backers Stadium Friday, Oct. 25 — vs. La Salle Free shuttle from Cary St. Gym starting at 6 p.m. with return service throughout the night Free pizza for the first 100 students in attendance Wed., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. — vs. Old Dominion Free shuttle from Cary St. Gym starting at 6 p.m. with return service throughout the night Free VCU soccer T-shirts for the first 100 students in attendance Sunday, Nov. 3 at noon — vs. Fordham Free shuttle from Cary St. Gym starting at 11 a.m. with return service throughout the day until the conclusion of the women’s game Women’s soccer Sports Backers Stadium Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. — vs. University of Richmond Free shuttle from Cary St. Gym starting at 6 p.m. with return service throughout the night Free pizza for the first 100 students in attendance Free VCU Soccer scarves for the first 150 fans in attendance Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. — vs. Saint Louis Free shuttle from Cary St. Gym starting at 11 a.m. with return service throughout the day until the conclusion of the women’s game Women’s field hockey Cary Street Field Friday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. — vs. St. Joseph’s Sunday, Nov. 3 at noon — vs. La Salle