The Future of ODU Football: Touchdown in 2009

Somehow in 2005, the time was right. On June 14, 2005, the ODU Board of Visitors unanimously approved a plan to begin NCAA Div. I-AA football at a remodeled Foreman Field. Obstacles still to overcome included funding, facility renovation and maintenance, increase in Title IX athletic programs, additional athletic practice fields, finding a coach and players. It all fell into place over the next five years with hard work and diligence on the part of students, alumni, the university administration, the Board of Visitors, and many others.

Bobby Wilder was introduced as the new coach on February 12, 2007 and immediately began recruiting his team. All the other pieces began to fall into place with funding coming in and the renovation of Foreman Field, including a new game day building, field surface, scoreboard, sound system, field enclosure and parking garage.

On September 5, 2009, ODU's new football season will kick off against Chowan University.

Click on the bold links and images below for full page images.

Mace and Crown
The Virginian-Pilot

Mace and Crown Articles February 2, 2005 -- Football at ODU sees many obstacles (page 2) September 7, 2005 -- Students huddle over ODU football Preview 2006 [Summer Issue] -- Football returns to ODU in 2009 February 14, 2007 -- Bobby Wilder kicks off ODU football as new head coach (page 2 - page 3) February 28, 2007 – With football looming, school spirit is on the rise March 28, 2007 – Letter to the Editor: Not all students are feeling the “spirit” April 4, 2007 – Comic about ODU football September 3, 2008 – 79 Years Later: Monarchs Hit the Field (page 2) October 28, 2008 – Football arrival affects more than students November 5, 2008 -- Wilder discusses daily routine, expectations for future February 11, 2009 -- Signing Day for Monarch Football (page 2)

The Virginian-Pilot January 26, 2005 -- ODU weighs football after poll suggests wide support April 28, 2005 -- Football fever back at ODU May 12, 2005 -- With ODU's growth and momentum, it's time for football to bloom June 15, 2005 -- Board votes 14-0 in favor of reviving football June 16, 2005 -- ODU faculty tackles football proposal ( page 2) November 27, 2005 -- ODU president thinks football could be a uniting force May 31, 2006 -- ODU gung-ho over football, but will the fever spread? (page 2) September 13, 2006 -- Wanted: A head coach -- soon ( page 2) October 24, 2006 -- ODU plans and publicizes its 2009 football program February 10, 2007 -- Bobby Wilder named football coach at ODU April 15, 2007 -- ODU president lit a fire where interest and inertia met November 24, 2007 -- Monarch football will hit the turf to the sound of a marching band August 15, 2008 -- It's just practice, but ODU's first was a real hot ticket March 1, 2009 -- City Council begins countdown to ODU's first football season June 11, 2009 -- The search is over: Ted Alexander is 'voice' of ODU football

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