Rebirth in Virginia

Old Dominion University, long a regional basketball mid-major power, will field a division I-AA program starting in 2009. The Monarchs made the announcement today after a long fund-raising campaign that netted $6 million. The Monarchs at one point had a football program, but after eleven seasons and dropping attendance, it was shut down back in 1940. ODU will play in the Colonial Athletic Conference, where they currently play their other intercollegiate sports. The coaching staff will start to be assembled during the 2007-08 year as a head coach and assistant athletic director will come on board. The Monarchs will play at their old field, Foreman Field. Foreman Field has recently hosted lacrosse and field hockey. Those programs will move to a new facility as Foreman Field undergoes renovations to host football. ODU remains Title IX compliant as women's crew, softball, and volleyball will get varsity status by 2015.