Thursday, December 17, 2020

High School Winter Sports To Stay In Confines Of County

If winter sports occur in the new year, it will be a "county family affair", as Hanover County Public Schools announced late Wednesday that all activities should resume on Monday, January 4th, but any games or meets involving winter sports teams (basketball, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, indoor track and field) would be limited to competition against fellow Hanover County high schools.

Middle school winter sports have been canceled.

Conditioning, practices and other activities which were suspended earlier this month will be able to proceed on January 4th, the first day of classes after the conclusion of winter break.






Thursday, December 10, 2020

ODAC Releases Football Schedule For Spring

 Friday night games, four-game schedules, with a fifth week scheduled to determine an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Champion. The Randolph-Macon football schedule was released on Wednesday, seeing the Yellow Jackets beginning the abbreviated season at home, ending regular season play with the trip to Farmville originally planned for last month. 

Game start times will be announced at a later date.

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26: Guilford at Randolph-Macon

FRIDAY MARCH 5: Bridgewater at Randolph-Macon

FRIDAY MARCH 12: BYE

FRIDAY MARCH 19: Randolph-Macon at Shenandoah

SATURDAY MARCH 27: Randolph-Macon at Hampden-Sydney


On Friday April 2nd, the conference will host four "end of season" games, pitting the #7 and #8 seeds, the #5 and #6 seeds, the #3 and #4 seeds, and the top two seeds squaring off in an ODAC Championship Game. Sites and times are to be determined.



Tuesday, December 08, 2020

NEWS: County Sees "Community Spread" As "Very Concerning"

 In a release Tuesday from Hanover County Public Schools, division superintendent Dr. Michael Gill discusses the sweeping increase in COVID-19 cases and spread in the area, mirrored across the country, and addresses the possibility of in-person learning being affected. 

Dr. Gill's full message is below.

In addition, all county sports/activities are still on "pause" pending a December 18th decision on the future of a winter sports season.

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"I am writing today with an important message regarding COVID-19 and our ability to keep our schools open and maintain our face-to-face learning option.

As I shared with you recently, we are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported in our county and in our schools, particularly at some of our middle and high schools.  The data continues to indicate that many of these cases are a result of community spread, and the uptick in positive cases remains very concerning.  Additionally, the number of individuals required to quarantine after being identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive person is increasing.  This impacts our educators as they continue to offer instruction both face-to-face and virtually simultaneously. 

The increase in COVID-19 cases in the school division is starting to interfere with our capacity to continue providing in-person instruction due to staffing concerns.  More specifically, employees who are unable to work remotely, such as bus drivers, custodial staff, and food services workers, are critical to fulfilling our daily mission.  Their absence, due to illness or quarantining, causes significant strain on our ability to sustain in-person operations. 

To be frank, we need your help to keep our schools open, especially as we enter flu season and the holidays.  On our current path, the option of face-to-face learning — one we are immensely proud to offer — is at increased risk of being suspended.  

Keeping our school buildings open depends on our collective effort.  Let’s all do our part to stop the spread so that we may continue to offer our face-to-face instruction option without interruption.  Let’s continue to show that we are Stronger Together. Thank you."

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

ALERT: Old Dominion Athletic Conference Announces Season Plans; Emory & Henry to Depart Conference

 The Old Dominion Athletic Conference released an update on the status of all sports for the 2020-2021 academic year on Tuesday. The following statement was released on its website:

Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) leadership has continued its thorough review of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on athletic opportunities throughout the league’s membership. The ODAC Presidents’ Council, in consultation with the ODAC Board of Directors, has endorsed a plan for a return to collegiate competition during the 2021 spring semester.

“Every institution in the ODAC has been focused on ensuring the best possible student experience throughout the pandemic and the role athletics plays in that is an important one,” commented Dr. David Bushman, President of Bridgewater College and currently serving as chair of the ODAC Presidents Council. “As we have all learned over the past nine months, prudent planning and the capacity to respond quickly to changing circumstances go hand in hand. We believe putting detailed plans in place now for a return to competition beginning in January is the best way to honor the commitment we make to all of our students.”

The first priority of the conference leadership is ensuring the well-being of all individuals involved in collegiate competition and its member campuses. As such, the ODAC Presidents’ Council committed that the conference will follow all established NCAA testing recommendations. A Standard Operating Procedures for Competition has been completed. The document was developed by the ODAC Board of Directors and a number of member working groups including athletic training and sports medicine personnel.

The ODAC considered several different scheduling models as part of its return to competition plan. The resulting framework provides regular season and conference championship structures for fall and winter sports in addition to the unaltered previously established spring sport schedules and championships. Basketball, indoor track & field, and swimming will maintain their opportunities to qualify for NCAA championship participation. Second semester competition is scheduled to begin on January 23 with men’s and women’s basketball. All other sports will begin later as the semester progresses.

“The conference has worked diligently to create a plan for all our student-athletes to continue their collegiate athletic experience in the spring,” explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. “I am pleased with the progress we have made and the plans we have created. While no one can control the pandemic, we can continue to follow local guidance, implement well-documented best practices regarding health and safety, and prepare for competition following the recommendations presented by the NCAA. I thank all the student-athletes, parents, coaches and fans who have been patient with us during this difficult time. We’re all living in an environment where we must continue to closely monitor recommendations from health professionals and pivot when and where needed.”

Conference leadership will meet on a regular basis between now and the end of 2020 and continue with its planning for competition in 2021.  Leadership will track the progress of COVID-19 and subsequent health and safety recommendations provided by local, state and national public health authorities.

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Of note is the announcement that the 2020 football season will begin on Friday February 26 and will consist of up to five games, with additional information to come soon.

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In other conference news, Emory & Henry College announced on Tuesday it will depart the ODAC as a result of their decision to move up from NCAA's Division III to Division II. The Wasps plan to move to the South Athletic Conference as part of that upward move. That conference features the likes of UVA-Wise, Mars Hill, Catawba, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Queens University of Charlotte.

The move leaves the ODAC with twelve basketball members for both men and women, but the move reduces the number of football schools to seven, after the pending move of Southern Virginia University, a short-term football member, out of the conference after the 2020-21 season.




Saturday, November 14, 2020

WELCOME MUSTANGS!

Congratulations to Mechanicsville High School, unveiling their new nickname on Friday, choosing the Mustangs at an exciting ceremony in the school gym.

Colors for the Mustangs will be purple, orange, silver and black, giving them a "Clemson" type feel.

We look forward to the debut of the Mustangs in December!



Wednesday, September 30, 2020

FOOTBALL: 2020-21 Six-Game Schedules Released

We now know when, if football returns, we will have the excitement of Friday nights back with us.

Hanover County high school teams released their six-game schedules on Wednesday. They are listed below.


PATRICK HENRY:

2/26: vs. Henrico, 7pm

3/5: vs. Former Lee-Davis (Tomato Bowl 62), 7pm

3/12: at Varina, 7pm

3/19: at Hanover, 7pm

3/26: vs. Highland Springs, 7pm

4/2: vs. Atlee, 7pm


HANOVER:

2/26: vs. Armstrong, 7pm

3/5: at Atlee, 7pm

3/12: at Highland Springs, 7pm

3/19: vs. Patrick Henry, 7pm

3/26: vs. Varina, 7pm

4/2: at Lee-Davis, 7pm


ATLEE:

2/26: vs. Highland Springs, 7pm

3/5: vs. Hanover, 7pm

3/12: at Henrico, 7pm

3/19: at Former Lee-Davis, 7pm

3/26: vs. Armstrong, 7pm

4/2: at Patrick Henry, 7pm


FORMER LEE-DAVIS:

2/26: at Varina, 7pm

3/5: at Patrick Henry (Tomato Bowl 62), 7pm

3/12: vs. Armstrong, 7pm

3/19: vs. Atlee, 7pm

3/26: vs. Henrico, 7pm

4/2: vs. Hanover, 7pm


Tuesday, September 29, 2020

New School Names Proposed By School Board

 After the names "Twin Rivers High School" and "Mechanicsville Middle School" were scuttled as possible successors to Lee-Davis and Stonewall Jackson respectively, the Hanover County School Board held a retreat this past Friday and discussed the issue.

Hanover County Public Schools released the following statement midday on Tuesday:


At its planning retreat Friday, the Hanover County School Board reached consensus on new names for the schools formerly known as Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School.

The board signaled support during open discussion for Mechanicsville as the new name for the high school and Bell Creek as the new name for the middle school. A formal vote is expected at the board’s October 13 meeting. 

The board also voiced its appreciation for the input it received from families, staff, and the broader community over the past several weeks, as well as the work of the School Renaming Committee.

School Board policy stipulates that schools cannot be named after any person, living or deceased.

Once the board has voted, new mascots will be chosen for the two schools. That is a school-based decision and we will communicate more information about the mascot selection process as it becomes available.

Thank you for your time and input throughout this process.

Monday, August 10, 2020

Catch Up On "In The Red Zone"!

 Above through August 20th you will find the latest editions of "In The Red Zone", heard live every Monday evening from 6 to 7pm on 102.9 The Mater (102.9 FM/1430 AM), here on our website at the link to the right, and on the TuneIn radio app on "Radiall".


August 3: Former Atlee and current Duke softball standout Peyton St. George discusses her recent article on mental health issues, which can be read HERE. A fascinating conversation!

August 10: Randolph-Macon head football coach Pedro Arruza joins us to discuss the suspension of fall sports for the school and Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and what he, his staff, and his players have been doing to still advance the program forward despite COVID-19!


Tuesday, July 21, 2020

POSTPONED: No Fall Sports at Randolph-Macon

The following was announced by the Randolph-Macon College Athletic Department on Tuesday afternoon.

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ASHLAND, Va. - After extensive deliberations, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Presidents Council voted to postpone conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year (December 31). The ODAC remains focused on providing meaningful competition for all student-athletes in 2020-21, which includes an intention to sponsor conference competition for fall and winter sports in the spring semester.

"We know how disappointing this news is for our fall athletes, their families, the R-MC community, and Yellow Jackets everywhere. We share in your disappointment," said Robert R. Lindgren, President of Randolph-Macon College. "The College remains committed to a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program and the wonderful student-athletes who represent the College with distinction."

After consulting with conference officials and medical personnel the Presidents and Athletic Directors decided that the perceived risks and financial burden associated with the resumption of intercollegiate travel and competition proved too great. Athletics and the student-athletes that comprise it play a crucial role in our college community and we look forward to working to provide a positive and meaningful student-athlete experience amid the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The collegiate athletic experience at Randolph-Macon College is a valuable part of our co-curricular educational mission to develop the mind and character of our students," said Jeff Burns, R-MC Director of Athletics. "However, the health and safety of our campus and communities must be our highest priority."

Seasons are postponed for Yellow Jacket football, field hockey, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball, as well as fall schedules for men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis. Men's and women's basketball as well as men's and women's swimming will not compete against outside competition prior to Jan. 1, 2021.  When it can be safely done, student-athletes can participate in allowable team activities.

To help the ODAC and its member schools provide their student-athletes with the most complete athletic experience possible, NCAA Division III is considering a blanket waiver that would provide unprecedented scheduling flexibility. The scheduling change would provide all conference sports more time for individual and team skill instruction, strength and conditioning, leadership development, and other athletically related activities during the academic year as health and safety conditions allow.
"These are certainly unprecedented times and we are developing plans to have athletic competitions early in the spring academic calendar," Burns said. "In the meantime, our coaches are organizing ways to utilize the fall semester for greater personal and player development, varied strength and conditioning opportunities, and team building exercises. Our players will benefit from the extended time and we will be prepared to play when competition resumes."
Randolph-Macon will begin classes on August 24 with two seven-week sessions comprised of two classes each with final exams taking place online after Thanksgiving. 

For more information on the upcoming year and campus policies please visit https://www.rmc.edu/campus-life/protect.

Click here to view ODAC release.


Randolph-Macon College NCAA Athletics Fall 2020 Return to Campus Q&A
Last Updated 7/21/20
This document will be updated as new information becomes available.

1. What sports will be able to compete during the fall semester?
Randolph-Macon College will not be competing in any sports during the 2020 fall semester due to college policies restricting travel and visitors on campus.

2. Will fall and winter sports compete at all in 2020-2021?
No athletic competition will occur until at least January 1, 2021. The College, the athletic department, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, infectious disease experts, and the NCAA will work together to evaluate any options for fall/winter sports competition in the winter and/or spring.

3. When will students know if winter and spring sports are happening?
We know that there will not be any athletic competition until at least January 1, 2021. No decisions have been made about the January or Spring Terms yet. The College, the athletic department, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, infectious disease experts, and the NCAA, will make a determination about winter and spring sports at a future date.

4. Will fall and winter season teams be able to compete during the January or Spring Terms?
We are investigating opportunities with the NCAA to shift our competitive season for fall and winter sports to the January/spring terms. We are committed to trying to provide meaningful competitive opportunities to our fall and winter teams during the January/spring terms.

5. What impact would only being able to practice or play a limited number of games have on my eligibility with the NCAA?
Under NCAA rules, students will not use a season of eligibility if their team does not compete during the traditional sport season. On July 9, the NCAA issued a blanket waiver that states that student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA also approved a second blanket waiver which permits student-athletes to receive a two semester extension of eligibility if the student-athlete is unable to participate in their sport during the 2020-21 academic year due to the impact of COVID-19 or if the student-athlete's team completed 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to COVID-19. This waiver applies to all sports (fall, winter, and spring).

6. Will all sports participate in a non-traditional season this fall? 
For those students who are on campus and who are members of our fall, winter, and spring varsity programs, practices will be permitted in accordance with institutional, state, and NCAA safety protocols, including physical distancing. Pre-participation forms (medical and NCAA), concussion baseline testing, and COVID screening will be required and reviewed prior to participating in team activities.
The NCAA is currently considering a waiver that would provide institutions flexibility in their sport seasons during 2020-21. This will most likely allow schools to count their playing seasons in 114 days. The NCAA's current structure requires a weekly sports calendar and does not provide as much flexibility as offered in the proposed waiver. A final decision on the waiver is expected following the Division III Management Council Meeting on July 20-21.

7. Has the NCAA announced any changes to the 2020-2021 championships?
There have been no announcements regarding any adjustments to the NCAA championships.

8. When will student-athletes arrive on campus now that the fall preseason has been canceled?
Fall sport student-athletes will arrive in shifts, as assigned by Residence Life, between 9am-3pm on August 18th.
Winter and Spring student-athletes will arrive with the rest of the student body, in shifts assigned by Residence Life. New students will be assigned a day and time on August 19th or August 20th; returning students will be assigned a day and time on August 21st, 22nd, or 23rd. Assignments will be forthcoming shortly from Residence Life.

9. Will all fall athletes be subject to testing for COVID-19 when they arrive on campus as originally planned in the campus reopening plan?
No. Testing protocols for student-athletes will be determined by the College's COVID-19 Health and Safety squad (including the Director of Sports Medicine) in consultation with the athletic department, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and infectious disease experts, and with consideration of NCAA recommendations.

10. Will student-athletes who are on campus for the fall have access to the services and support provided through athletic training services?
The athletics administration is continuing to work on specific protocols regarding athletic training services. More information will be provided as soon as possible.

11. Will all athletic facilities be open?
Facilities will be open for the campus community while observing state and institutional guidelines, including physical distancing. As this is a fluid situation, we cannot guarantee what will be available or when. We are working on plans to enable safe usage of these spaces as well as increased cleaning and sanitizing. Access to facilities may change during the semester, depending on changing state and institutional guidelines.

12. Will student-athletes have access to locker rooms?
Student-athletes will not have access to locker rooms.

13. Will intramural sports be able to practice and/or compete?
Intramural sports will not be able to practice or compete in the fall semester.


For additional information please visit https://www.rmc.edu/campus-life/protect.

Wednesday, July 08, 2020

Division III: ODAC Hopeful, Centennial Calls It Off For Fall

The Centennial Conference, whose members include Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Dickinson, announced Tuesday that their 2020 football season will not be held in the fall, but held out for the possibility of spring play in 2021.
Randolph-Macon football was supposed to open their 2020 season September 5th at home against Dickinson. That game was postponed last week when the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) announced no fall sports could begin regular season play before September 11th, and now is likely canceled.
At this time, there is no word on whether the football season would now begin September 12th when the Yellow Jackets are scheduled to play at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. An issue would be the feasibility to be able to have enough practices, and possibly a scrimmage, safely ahead of the September 12th date.
The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to begin ODAC play on September 19th at Emory and Henry.
Meanwhile, men's soccer's Labor Day Weekend season opening home doubleheader on September 5th and 6th is postponed, as is women's soccer's first four contests, including a scheduled home opener with Mary Washington September 9th. Women's volleyball has five matches slated prior to the 11th, and are scheduled to be in Lexington on the 11th for matches on that Friday and Saturday. Field Hockey will have their first four matches postponed, all scheduled between September 1st and 9th.
You can track updates on schools and conferences across Division III Football as to their status for 2020 at the link below from our friends at D3Football.com by clicking HERE.


Friday, May 08, 2020

COMMENCEMENT 2020

The following information was released by Hanover County Public Schools on May 8th:


We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well.  We are writing to share some important news about our plans to celebrate your remarkable accomplishments over the past thirteen years.  Our team has invested significant thought, time, and effort into developing a comprehensive graduation plan that we believe will honor and recognize our seniors in the most meaningful and memorable way possible under such extraordinary circumstances.  While many contributed to this effort, we are especially grateful for the important feedback we received from our students, families, principals, faculty, staff, senior class officers, and others who helped to guide us in our decision-making.
Based upon the ongoing COVID-19 public health concerns and the uncertainty moving forward, we do not believe it is realistic or responsible to hold our traditional graduation ceremonies at the VCU Siegel Center on June 13 as originally scheduled.  However, we are pleased to offer three unique ways that we will be celebrating the Class of 2020—individually, virtually, and in-person.  We sincerely hope that this demonstrates our strong commitment to honoring you in the best way possible.  The details for each celebration are as follows:               
Celebration 1:  Individual Graduation Experience (Early June)
·         High school staff will schedule appointments with all seniors to arrange for an individual graduation experience with up to five family members or special guests.  The appointments will take place within the first two weeks of June. 
·         Each senior will be called by name to walk the stage in a cap and gown to receive a diploma. 
·         Staff will be on-hand to take keepsake pictures of seniors with their guests.  Seniors will also receive a gift. 
·         Staff and guests are required to follow all official social distancing and related guidance. 
·         Each high school principal will communicate more specific details and instructions soon.
Celebration 2:  Virtual Graduation (June 13)
·         On June 13, each high school will release a graduation video that will include remarks from the principal, the superintendent, the valedictorian and salutatorian, as well as a photomontage of the graduating class. 
·         The videos will follow a consistent format.  Each high school will also include their own unique touches to make the experience more personable and memorable. 
·         Each high school graduation team will share further details regarding the graduation video.
Celebration 3:  In-Person Graduation (August 8)
·         If permitted by officials, we are actively planning to hold modified in-person graduation ceremonies on Saturday, August 8, at The Meadow Event Park located in Doswell.
·         The ceremonies will be live-streamed and recorded for those who are unable to attend.
·         This plan is fluid and may change due to the unpredictability of COVID-19.
·         The ceremonies will follow the most up-to-date COVID-19 health and safety guidance provided by local, state, and federal officials, including limiting the number of attendees to ensure appropriate social distancing.
·         Each high school principal will communicate more specific details and instructions in the coming weeks and months.
·         The graduation ceremonies will be held as follows:​
o    9:00 a.m.—Hanover High School
o    12:00 p.m.—Patrick Henry High School
o    3:00 p.m.—Atlee High School
o    6:00 p.m.—Lee-Davis High School
The Class of 2020 will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to honoring you in the coming weeks and months.  We sincerely hope that each moment will make you feel special, unique, and valued.  We also hope it will remind you that you are loved, supported, and celebrated by an entire community.   
In the meantime, significant work is still underway.  Our team will continue to work with great care and compassion to finalize our plans.  Our principals will share more details in the coming weeks as they become available that will answer many of your questions.  However, if you have urgent questions regarding Celebration 1 and Celebration 2, you may contact your principal.  If you have general questions about Celebration 3, you may contact Dr. Robert Staley, Director of Secondary Education, at rstaley@hcps.us

Monday, April 27, 2020

IN THE RED ZONE: New Randolph-Macon Women's Basketball Coach Lindsey Burke

Randolph-Macon College announced the hiring of Lindsey Burke as their new head women's basketball coach on Monday, replacing Carroll LaHaye, who retired last month after 38 seasons.

Burke has been an assistant at both Bucknell and the University of Mary Washington, spending the last three seasons as an assistant at the University of Rochester.

Rob Witham will interview Coach Burke LIVE tonight on "In The Red Zone", at 6pm, on 102.9 The Mater (102.9 FM and 1430 AM). You can also listen live at the link to the right on our website, or on the TuneIn Radio app on "Radiall"!

(Photo Courtesy Coach Burke/Twitter)


Monday, March 30, 2020

IN THE RED ZONE: Carroll LaHaye

CLICK HERE to listen live online or join us live on 102.9 The Mater tonight at 6pm for "In The Red Zone".

We are honored to be joined by Carroll LaHaye, who announced this past week that she is retiring as head women's basketball coach at Randolph-Macon College after 38 seasons and 647 victories.

We'll talk about her career, how a Maine native found Ashland, the big moments on and off the court, and, what's next for her!

It's all live from The Mater studios tonight at 6pm. Please join us!


Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Help Vote Kelly Williams To All-Star Game!

ATLANTA – Randolph-Macon senior Kelly Williams is on the cusp of becoming a Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-Star, it was announced Tuesday morning. But the Garysburg, N.C. native, needs your help! Williams is one of five nominees for two remaining positions on the All-Star teams that will be voted on by fans.

Williams will exit Randolph-Macon with a host of records, including for most career rebounds in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference record books, as well as second in scoring in Randolph-Macon history. She had the second-most double-doubles in Division III Women's Basketball this season, finishing with 22 on the year. She was the ODAC Player of the Year and the ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Outside of the two fan-selected All-Stars, the other 18 All-Stars were chosen by a committee of head women's basketball head coaches. Voting is now open. Click here to access your all-star ballot. Fan voting ends at noon ET, Sunday, March 15. The final list of all-stars and team rosters will be announced Monday, March 16.
The second annual Beyond Sports Women's Collegiate All-Star Game will be played at the Capital Center Performance Arena on the campus of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, on March 21 immediately preceding the NCAA Division III women's basketball national championship game. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. ET.


Friday, March 06, 2020

NCAA SCOREBOARD

Men's First Round: Randolph-Macon 81, Wesley 69 (Buzz Anthony with 21 points, 18 for Miles Mallory)

Second Round: TCNJ at Randolph-Macon, Saturday, 6:30pm

Tickets are available for the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship in Crenshaw Gym.
Third-ranked Randolph-Macon will host TCNJ on Saturday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Students can pick up tickets beginning at 2 p.m. in the lobby of Crenshaw Gym.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with tickets available to the public at that time. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students, youth and senior citizens.


Women's First Round: Randolph-Macon 78, Transylvania 68 (Becca Arrington scores 24 points while Michal Ross adds 17 points in the victory)

Second Round: Randolph-Macon vs. Oglethorpe, Saturday, 5pm, Lexington, Kentucky

NCAA FIRST ROUND FRIDAY:

MEN: Wesley at Randolph-Macon, 6:30pm

Tickets are sold out!  CLICK HERE to watch the game as Marty Wilson and Andrew Price bring you all the action.



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WOMEN: Randolph-Macon at Transylvania, 6pm, Lexington, Kentucky

CLICK HERE to watch the game live!


Monday, March 02, 2020

NCAA Tournament Information For Randolph-Macon

MEN:

Hosting first two rounds of tournament this Friday and Saturday.

First Round (Friday 3/6):

Marietta vs. TCNJ, 4pm
Wesley vs. Randolph-Macon, 6:30pm

Second Round (Saturday 3/7):

First Round Winners, 6:30pm

CLICK HERE for ticket information.



WOMEN:

Randolph-Macon travels to Lexington, Kentucky for the first two rounds.

Transylvania vs. Randolph-Macon, 6pm
William Peace vs. Oglethorpe, 4pm

Second Round (Saturday 3/7):

First Round Winners, 5pm

The Yellow Jackets face the hosting and ninth-ranked Transylvania Pioneers in the opening round on Friday, March 6. The other two teams in the pod are the eighth-ranked Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels and William Peace Pacers. The Stormy Petrels and Pacers will face off at 4:00 PM, while the Pioneers and the Yellow Jackets square off at 6:00 PM. The winners of the two games will meet on Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 PM.
All games will take place on Transylvania's campus at the Clive Beck Center. The Beck Center is on the corner of North Broadway and West 4th Street in Lexington. Parking is available around the Beck Center, with visitors encouraged to make sure the parking lot is marked as a Transylvania University lot.
Tickets for each day's tournament session are $8 for adults, $5 for students (9th grade up to seniors in college), and $4 for children in eighth grade and under. Children aged 2 and under are admitted for free. Tickets will be sold at the door and cash and credit cards will be accepted. 
All three NCAA Tournament games will be broadcast live on the Transy Sports Network.
For more information on Lexington, Transylvania University and the Lexington Region, you can visit the Lexington Regional website HERE.



Saturday, February 29, 2020

Yellow Jackets Survive Maroons In ODAC Semis

Korey Turner's layup after a steal at midcourt by Josh Talbert with nineteen seconds remaining lifted top-seeded Randolph-Macon, who trailed by as many as ten points in the second half, to a 60-59 win over #5 Roanoke in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Basketball semifinal at the Salem Civic Center.

Buzz Anthony (pictured), who scored eleven of his seventeen points in the second half, went nine-of-ten at the free throw line while Josh Talbert and Ian Robertson each had eleven points, Robertson with two key three-pointers in the comeback effort.

The Yellow Jackets are now 25-2 and will play either Virginia Wesleyan or Lynchburg Sunday at 3:30pm for the ODAC title. Randolph-Macon, winners of the last three regular season titles, seeks their first tournament crown since 2015 and first under head coach Josh Merkel, who won his 100th career game as Yellow Jacket head coach in the victory.


Ross Powers Randolph-Macon To ODAC Final

Senior Michal Ross (Glen Allen, pictured, left) poured in a season-high 27 points, just two shy of her career high, while senior Kelly Williams, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Player of The Year had 24 points and fourteen rebounds as #4 Randolph-Macon eliminated top-seeded Emory and Henry 72-68 in an ODAC Championship Semifinal Saturday at the Salem Civic Center.

After leading by a point after a period, the Yellow Jackets (17-9), outscored the Wasps 20-7 in the second period, as Ross hit her only three-point attempt of the game at the buzzer to give Randolph-Macon a 37-23 halftime lead. The Wasps turned to Sydney McKinney, who scored a game-high 30 points helping Emory and Henry launch a furious comeback in the final minutes.

It wasn't until Aimee DeBell hit a free throw with :08 left to give the Yellow Jackets a four-point lead that Randolph-Macon fans could breath a sigh of relief. DeBell scored seven points, while Cheridan Hatfield (pictured, bottom) had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

The win puts Randolph-Macon in the ODAC Championship Game on Sunday at 1pm against either Guilford or Roanoke. Tip-off is at 1pm. Live Twitter Coverage will be available on @hanoversports.

The Yellow Jackets will be playing for their tenth ODAC title, second in three seasons, and fifth in the last twelve years.

NOTES: Today's final score is the exact same final score of the 2018 ODAC Championship Game, won by the Yellow Jackets over the Wasps. Head Coach Carroll LaHaye won her 645th career game as Randolph-Macon head coach.



Monday, February 17, 2020

Yellow Jackets to #2 Nationally

With a 72-50 win Saturday over Washington and Lee, Randolph-Macon moved to 22-1 on the season. Thanks to the results of two other Saturday affairs, the Yellow Jackets are in prime position both in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and nationally.

Emory and Henry's stunning defeat of Virginia Wesleyan in double overtime gave Randolph-Macon, 14-0 in ODAC, their fourth consecutive regular season championship. #4 St. Thomas knocked off #2 St. John's in Minnesota on Saturday, paving the way for the Yellow Jackets to move up from #3 to #2 in the latest D3Hoops.com Top 25 released Monday afternoon.

Randolph-Macon earned two first place votes behind #1 Swarthmore, who has held the top spot the entire season and is the lone unbeaten left in Division III. The Yellow Jackets host Hampden-Sydney at Crenshaw Gymnasium on Wednesday night at 7pm.


Monday, February 10, 2020

In The Red Zone: Eric Kolenich and Charles Gray

Use the link to the right to listen to "In The Red Zone", Monday night at 6pm live from Sports Page Grille Ashland! The show is also heard on 102.9 The Mater, at 102.9 FM and 1430 AM, and on the TuneIn Radio app on "Radiall"!

GUESTS:

Charles Gray, Director of Tennis, Randolph-Macon College

Eric Kolenich, Richmond Times-Dispatch




Monday, February 03, 2020

In The Red Zone: Ray Hedrick

CLICK HERE to listen live to "In The Red Zone", live from Sports Page Grille Ashland, on 102.9 The Mater, 102.9 FM or 1430 AM.

We're previewing the 2020 Randolph-Macon baseball season, which begins Friday, with head coach Ray Hedrick!




Wednesday, January 22, 2020

ODAC Men's Basketball: Yellow Jackets Move Past Marlins

A 23-point night from point guard Buzz Anthony wasn't enough. But coupled with a 20-point effort, a career high, for Terry Woods (pictured), and a double-double from freshman Miles Mallory, #3 Randolph-Macon survived a key Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) road test at #18 Virginia Wesleyan 67-61 Wednesday night.

Mallory scored eleven points and grabbed fourteen rebounds as Randolph-Macon improved to 8-0 in ODAC play, 16-1 overall, while the Marlins, led by Daniel Spencer's 19 points, fell to 6-2, 14-3.

The Yellow Jackets hit the road again on Saturday, this time to Roanoke to battle the Maroons (5-3, 11-6) at 4:30pm. Randolph-Macon's next three games after Saturday, home to Shenandoah, home to Emory and Henry, at Bridgewater, are all against teams currently under .500 in conference play.

Lynchburg now stands all along in second place at 7-1 after a 78-52 win over Ferrum Wednesday night. The Hornets host Washington & Lee, 5-3 in conference play, on Saturday afternoon. (File Photo)


Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Randolph-Macon Men's Basketball Up To #3 Nationally

The new d3hoops.com National Division III Top 25 rankings were released Monday night, and the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets made a big jump. After falling last week from #4 to #6 after their first loss of the season at Mary Washington on January 8th, Randolph-Macon, with a pair of big Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) victories last week, including a 64-39 triumph over defending ODAC Tournament champion Guilford, move up three slots to #3 in the latest poll.

This is the highest ranking for the program since their last visit to the #1 spot in the rankings, which took place at the conclusion of the 2015 regular season during the Yellow Jackets' 25-game winning streak that carried them all the way to the Round of Eight in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.

The Yellow Jackets face a stiff test Wednesday, traveling to #18 Virginia Wesleyan, who stand at 6-1 in conference play, 14-2 overall, jumping five spots from last week's poll where they were at #23. The game is set to tip off at 7pm.

See the latest poll by CLICKING HERE.


Thursday, January 09, 2020

GAME OF THE WEEK DOUBLEHEADER: Patrick Henry at Hanover

CLICK HERE to listen live to the Patriots and Hawks exclusively on the RVA Sports Network on our podcast site at Podbean!

Download the Podbean app now to listen to all Game of The Week broadcasts!



Wednesday, January 08, 2020

UPDATED: #4 Randolph-Macon Goes Cold, Falls At Mary Washington

Once leading 50-40 with 13:34 left, #4 Randolph-Macon watched as Mary Washington hit three straight three-pointers, changing the complexion of the game with pressure defense in the backcourt, then went cold from the field late as the Yellow Jackets lost their first game of the 2019-2020 season Wednesday night, the Eagles victorious 70-65 at Ron Rosner Arena at the Anderson Center in Fredericksburg.

Randolph-Macon (4-0 ODAC, 12-1 overall) held the lead for most of the first half, taking a 38-32 lead into intermission. It took the Yellow Jackets nearly three minutes to score their first points of the second half, as senior guard Korey Turner came off the bench for a critical five point stretch to help the Yellow Jackets build the aforementioned ten-point advantage.

But after the barrage of three-pointers made by the Eagles, Mary Washington employed a trap pressure backcourt defense which helped to both shake the offensive rhythm of Randolph-Macon, and create transition opportunities for a team who is much better than their 10-5 overall record indicates.

Leading 56-53 with 7:08 remaining, the Eagles went on a 7-0 run to take the lead, holding on to it for nearly five minutes before two Buzz Anthony free throws tied the game at 65 apiece. But those would be the final Yellow Jacket points as two three-point shots in the final minute did not fall, and freshman Josh Talbert missed a pair of free throws in a double bonus situation.

In the loss, Anthony registered his second triple-double in the last four games, and only the third in program history, leading with 16 points, grabbing eleven rebounds and dishing out ten assists. Corey Bays scored all 15 of his points from beyond the arc while freshman Miles Mallory scored 13 points and added seven rebounds.

Randolph-Macon returns to Crenshaw Gymnasium on Saturday to face Ferrum, as their non-conference schedule came to an end tonight. Tip time will be at 2pm in Ashland.

"One loss doesn't change this group. We need to be ready to go on Saturday. We win or lose as a team, and we won't let a loss beat us twice," head coach Josh Merkel said on the postgame online radio show after the contest.

In women's action Wednesday night, Randolph-Macon fell at Bridgewater 69-61 despite double-doubles from both Charlotte Woods and Kelly Williams. Both had 16 points while Woods had 16 rebounds and Williams 10. Michal Ross led the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 19 points, and return to Crenshaw Saturday to face Guilford at 4:30pm.


Monday, January 06, 2020

In The Red Zone: Randolph-Macon Football Head Coach Pedro Arruza

UPDATE: Did you miss "In The Red Zone" with Pedro Arruza? Listen on demand right now at the top of our page!



Listen live, or join us live Monday night at 6pm at Sports Page Grille Ashland for the first edition of "In The Red Zone" for 2020!

Our special guest will be Pedro Arruza, head football coach of Randolph-Macon, as we look back to the 2019 Yellow Jacket season, talk Division III and ODAC football and what lies ahead for the program!

Listen LIVE at 6pm on 102.9 The Mater, at 102.9 FM or 1430 AM, or CLICK HERE to listen online. You can always listen online on the TuneIn radio app on "Radiall" each week as well!