NEWPORT NEWS, VA- Let there be lights! The 2011 Christopher Newport University football schedule was released today, and for the first time in the program's history, the Captains will be playing night games at POMOCO Stadium.
CNU Director of Athletics C.J. Woollum and Head Football Coach
Matt Kelchner made the announcement today as the Captains head into their second decade of football.
“Adding lights will give our program an added dynamic,” Kelchner said. “We're very excited about the atmosphere that night football will create. Our fans have been so supportive over the years, and I think this is something they will really enjoy.”
The 2011 season will be the 11th since the inception of the football program at CNU, and the Captains are coming off their 7th trip to the NCAA Tournament in ten seasons.
“Last year was really special,” Kelchner continued. “We got off to a slow start, but turned it around and won our last five games. We want to build on that momentum and carry it into this season. ”
The Captains will open the 2011 season on September 3rd at POMOCO Stadium hosting Waynesburg University. It will be the first-ever meeting with the Yellow Jackets and the game will kick off at 1 pm, the only home afternoon game of the season.
CNU's first night game will come during the University's 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend. The Captains will host Salisbury on September 17th with kick off scheduled for 7 pm.
Christopher Newport will open defense of the USA South title on the road on October 1st, playing at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. CNU's first home conference game will be played against Shenandoah during Family Weekend on October 8th at 7 pm. CNU's final seven games will be USA South battles.
Homecoming Weekend will feature the Captains hosting North Carolina Wesleyan on October 22nd at 7 pm. The regular season will conclude at POMOCO Stadium on November 12th with a 7 pm game vs. Maryville.
The Captains football program has posted an overall record of 68-37 record over the first ten seasons for a winning percentage of .648. CNU is 54-12 all-time in conference games for a .818 winning percentage.
The complete 2011 CNU football schedule:
September
3 Waynesburg University 1:00 p.m. POMOCO Stadium
10 at Stevenson University 7:00 p.m. Baltimore, MD
17 Salisbury University 7:00 p.m. POMOCO Stadium
50th Anniversary Weekend
October
1 Methodist University* 1:00 p.m. Fayetteville, NC
8 Shenandoah University* 7:00 p.m. POMOCO Stadium
Family Weekend
15 Averett University* 1:30 p.m. Danville, VA
22 NC Wesleyan College* 7:00 p.m. POMOCO Stadium
Homecoming Weekend
29 Greensboro College* 1:00 p.m. Greensboro, NC
November
5 Ferrum College* 1:00 p.m. Ferrum, VA
12 Maryville College* 7:00 p.m. POMOCO Stadium
* USA South Athletic Conference games
