Monarch Brew 8/27: Three Days Away!

Three Days Away From the Return of Monarch Football

Author

Monarch Brew Crew
August 27, 2025

Good Morning, Monarch Nation. It’s so close we can almost taste the tailgate spreads!

We’re just three days away from ODU Football!

What all do we have stirring in today’s Brew? Check it out below!

🏈 Three Days Away!
🙌 Helping Hands
⚽️ All Tied Up
​🦁 And much more!

🏈 THREE DAYS AWAY!

Got your menu ready?
Got your outfit laid out?

It’s almost that time! We’re just over 72 hours away from kickoff in Bloomington and we CAN’T WAIT!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Helping Hands. Over the past four years, ODU alum Imo Essien used his hand to dish out plenty of assists and make plenty of baskets on the court for the Monarchs.

But it was the work he did with his hands off the court that made the biggest impact.

This week, Essien was recognized for that work as he was named to the inaugural All-Sun Belt Community Service Team. The program recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service. Each school nominated someone who demonstrated excellence in community service, particularly in the leadership and execution of these efforts.

During the 2024-25 academic year, Essien contributed over 150 hours of service despite being unable to compete due to a medical emergency he experienced the year before. The Wylie, Texas native put on a free basketball clinic for elementary school children in his hometown.

Additionally, he led an after-school clinic for a Norfolk area elementary school and handled parking for a diversity in aquatics event that taught minority youth how to swim. He also spent time volunteering at a downtown homeless shelter, played bingo and served at the Union Mission shelter, and painted shoes with youth cancer patients to bring awareness to juvenile cancer.

🔼 All Tied Up. Two games in, no goals allowed.

That’s how the ODU men’s soccer team has kicked off their 2025 season as the Monarchs hit the road on Monday night and earned a 0-0 draw with the Phoenix of Elon University.

Michael Statham picked up his second consecutive shutout, tallying three saves in the contest.

🔼 That’s Our VP! We tried to tell y’all that he was getting hot!

Former ODU standout Vinnie Pasquantino was named the AL Player of the Week after a red-hot week for the Royals as they surge into the playoff battle heading into the final month of the regular season.

This marks the third time in his young career that Pasquantino has won the honor.

🦁 MONARCH TRIVIA

How many career shutouts does veteran keeper Michael Statham have during his time with the Monarchs?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find the answer!

🗓️ ON THE DOCKET

Friday, August 29th
🏐 Volleyball vs. Fairfield @ 12:30pm
🏑 Field Hockey vs. VCU @ 5pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. West Virginia @ 7pm
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. VCU @ 7pm

Saturday, August 30th
🏈 Football at #20 Indiana @ 2:30pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. Towson @ 4pm

Sunday, August 31st
🏑 Field Hockey vs. William & Mary @ 1pm
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. Liberty @ 6pm

📬 SHARE THE BREW

Do you know a friend or family member who is a Monarch fan?

Simply forward them this email and they can sign up to receive the brew by clicking the link below to subscribe. The Brew is sent every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and is completely free!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 17

🦁 Have a great one, y’all!