Virginia Union Panthers football
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6th season, 39–13 (.750)
(capacity: 10,000)
| Virginia Union Panthers football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1899 | ||
| Athletic director | Joe Taylor | ||
| Head coach | Alvin Parker 6th season, 39–13 (.750) | ||
| Stadium | Hovey Field (capacity: 10,000) | ||
| Location | Richmond, Virginia | ||
| NCAA division | Division II | ||
| Conference | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | ||
| All-time record | 593–392–50 (.597) | ||
| Bowl record | 0–2 (.000) | ||
| Conference championships | |||
| 12 CIAA (1917, 1921, 1923, 1973, 1979, 1981–1983, 1986, 2001, 2023, 2024) | |||
| Colors | Maroon and gray[1] | ||
| Website | vuusports.com/football | ||
The Virginia Union Panthers football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Virginia Union University located in the U.S. state of Virginia. The team competes at the NCAA Division II levels and are members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Virginia Union's first football team was fielded in 1899. The team plays its home games at the 10,000 seat Hovey Field in Richmond, Virginia.
Virginia Union has played as both an independent and conference-affiliated team.
- Independent (1900–1911)[citation needed]
- Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association / Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1912–present)
Postseason appearances
NCAA Division II
The Panthers have made twelve appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 2–12. After ten consecutive losses, VUU won its first playoff game in 2024.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | First Round | Delaware | L, 28–58 |
| 1980 | First Round | North Alabama | L, 8–17 |
| 1981 | First Round | Shippensburg State | L, 27–40 |
| 1982 | First Round | North Dakota State | L, 20–21 |
| 1983 | First Round | North Alabama | L, 14–16 |
| 1986 | First Round | Troy State | L, 7–31 |
| 1990 | First Round | Edinboro | L, 14–38 |
| 1991 | First Round | IUP | L, 7–56 |
| 2022 | First Round | Wingate | L, 7–32 |
| 2023 | First Round | Kutztown | L, 15–38 |
| 2024 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals |
Wingate Lenoir–Rhyne Valdosta State |
W, 34–31 OT W, 44–12 L, 14–49 |
| 2025 | First Round | California (PA) | L, 24–27 |
Championships
Conference championships
The Panthers have won twelve conference championships, they had a championship-drought of 22 years between 2001 and their 2023 championship.
| Year | Conference | Coach | Overall record | Conference record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 | Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Wesley A. Daniel | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| 1921 | Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Harold D. Martin | 6–0–2 | 3–0 |
| 1923 | Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Harold D. Martin | 6–0–1 | 5–0 |
| 1973 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 9–1 | 9–0 |
| 1979 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 10–2 | 8–0 |
| 1981 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 11–1 | 7–0 |
| 1982 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 8–3 | 6–1 |
| 1983 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 9–2 | 6–1 |
| 1986 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Joe Taylor | 11–1 | 7–0 |
| 2001 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Willard Bailey | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 2023 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Alvin Parker | 10–2 | 7–1 |
| 2024 | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Alvin Parker | 10–4 | 7–1 |
Divisional championships
The Panthers have won eight division titles, in 1981 through 1983, 1986,1990, 1991 and 2023: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern Division and in 2001: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern Division.
