Good Monday Morning Monarchs. Just two days into the calendar year, we were all sent into shock when Damar Hamlin’s injury captured the attention of, not just sports fans, but people from all walks of life.

Thankfully, we’ve seen him return and continue to remover, but the sports world was sent into a frenzy with questions being asked.

How can we protect the athletes? Is there a way to get ahead of the curve? What more can be done?

Our Monarchs have a generous helping hand for years now in that area and we’ve got an in-depth look at that relationship today. We’ve got alums headed to the pros and much more!

What else is stirring in today’s edition of the Brew? Check it out!

💛 Heart of Gold
⚾️ Fitz To the Farm
🏈 Countdown to Kickoff
👑 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Heart of Gold. It’s amazing how sports can bring people together.

Several years ago, Dr. Wood Selig’s children were playing tennis and started playing locally. Selig starts chatting up some of the parents and becomes friends with the Sarris family.

And that’s where the heart of gold comes in.

Ever since a few of those initial conversations, Dr. Sarris and members of the Sentara Heart Hospital have been giving almost nearly all ODU athletes, including every one in a contact sport, a full cardiac exam before stepping on the field of competition.

It proved crucial this past year in two incidents for the ODU family.

This is a story, you don’t want to miss!

🔼 Fitz To The Farm. Make it two Monarchs heading to the minors after ODU standout Hunter Fitz-Gerald signed a non-drafted free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. 

An All-Sun Belt First Team selection and a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, Fitz-Gerald was ODU's leader in home runs (22), hits (72), RBIs (70), runs (56) and total bases (150) this past season.

He owned a .316 batting average with a .658 slugging percentage and posted 22 multi-hit games, 21 multi-RBI games, and four multi-home run games.

His production at the plate helped the Monarchs become the first NCAA Division I program to hit 100 home runs in three straight seasons since the start of the BBCOR era in 2011.

His signing follows teammate Sam Armstrong, who was selected in the 13th round of the MLB draft earlier last week by the Chicago Cubs.

🔼 Aces Aplenty. Not only is the ODU volleyball team serving up aces on the court, it’s acing up the classroom as well.

ODU was recently named one of the program winners for the 2023 USMC/AVCA Team Academic award as they finished in the top-20 percent of all Division I teams.

This marks the fourth straight year that ODU has made the Honor Roll as the Monarchs have earned the Team Academic Award every year in program history.

The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. The accolade also honors teams who have matched their dedicated to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom.

🔼 Top Ten. Looking for a fifth straight 20+ win season, the ODU women’s basketball program is reloaded and ready to roll.

The squad will have plenty of new faces for fans to get to know as DeLisha Milton-Jones and her staff welcome nine new signees to join Ivana Nikolova for the incoming 2023-24 class.

Coming to Norfolk this year will be De’Shawnti Thomas, En’Dya Buford, Maya Cunningham, Halima Salat, Jenny Nkem Womsi, Makiyah McCollister, Lanetta Williams, Ladajah Huguley and Nnenna Orji.

"This group of signees is a class of versatility, athleticism, and shooting the basketball," said Milton-Jones. "Being from the high major Division I programs and the top of JUCO ranks, this group has the ability to be special offensively and tenacious defensively. At the end of the day, the quest is to win a championship and we have filled this roster out with talented players to align us with that vision."

🔼 Head Of State. Coming off a fourth straight 30+ win season, the ODU baseball program has regained its form as one of the top programs in the state.

That status was honored this week as the Monarchs had four players earn All-State accolades, the second highest total by any school in the state (next to UVA’s nine).  

Sam Armstrong earned First Team honors, while Hunter Fitz-Gerald, Jake Ticer and Ben Moore were selected to the Second Team.

⏰ TICK, TICK, TICK…

The Clock is Ticking! ODAF Members and season ticket holders, jump on your chance NOW to purchase mini plans and single game tickets.

We are just TWO DAYS AWAY from all mini plans and single game tickets being on sale!

Stay tuned to upcoming Monarch Brews and ODUSports.com for more details!

🏀 MONARCHS IN MOTION

Episode 2️⃣ Has Droped. Before we know it, basetball season will be here!

We’ve got lots of new faces and new excitement. Get the inside look with episode 2 of “Monarchs in Motion.”

🤔 MONARCH TRIVIA

Early last week, ODU right-hander Sam Armstrong was selected in the 13th round of the MLB amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs.

He became the seventh Monarch since 2000 drafted by the Cubs, including six in the past nine years.

Can you name the Monarch outfielder that the Cubs picked in last year’s MLB draft?

Think you’ve got it?

Scroll down to the bottom of this email and see if you had the right answer!

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 47 DAYS

Who loves a little sibling rivalry, right?

With 47 days left to kickoff, we’re highlighting our redshirt LB Koa Naotala, who earned All-State accolades while playing his senior year at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.

He is the younger brother of JMU LB, Seth Naotala.

Even though they won’t face each other on the field at the same time, we’re sure some trash talk will be had prior to the Oct. 28th showdown in Harrisonburg.

📬 STICK WITH US

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🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Andy Garriola.

Garriola was a 17th round selection last season by the Cubs after hitting .322 with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs, along with 18 doubles. He ranked seventh in the country in RBIs and ninth in home runs.

He became just the third player in program history to record 80 or more RBIs in a season and the first to do it since Todd Azar set the single-season program record in 1986.
 
Garriola graduated ODU as the all-time home run king with 49 career blasts.

He is currently playing with Single-A Myrtle Beach with 7 HRs and 36 RBIs for the Pelicans in 2023.

Have a great Monday, ya’ll!