Happy Monday Morning Monarchs. We know, we know… another summer Monday and all you want to do is be at the beach. What better to snap you out of it than an All-American honor, another new hoops addition, and you might recognize that guy in the Jets uniform?

What have we stirred up in today’s edition of the Brew? Check it out yourself!

⚾️ No Moore Problems
🏀 Eight Is Great
🏈 Hey, We Know That Guy!
👑 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 No Moore Problems. The bright lights of college baseball didn’t phase ODU baseball standout Ben Moore, who was named a Second Team Freshman All-American late last week by Perfect Game.

The southpaw from Frederick, Maryland, Moore finished the spring with a 2-1 record and a 1.88 ERA in 21 appearances, including one start. Only six of his 19 runs allowed were earned and he recorded 24 strikeouts to just 12 walks in 28.2 innings pitched.

It marks the fifth straight season the Monarchs have had a Freshman All-American. Andy Garriola (2019), Chris Dengler (2020), Carter Trice (2021) and Blake Morgan (2022) all earned accolades during their debut campaigns in Norfolk.

🔼 Eight Is Great. The Welcome sign is getting good use at the Convocation Center this summer as the ODU men’s basketball team added its eighth new addition for the upcoming 2023-24 season with Leeroy Odiahi set to join the Monarchs.

Odiahi, a 6-11 center from Tralee, Ireland comes to Norfolk after two years at Indian Hills Community College.

He played in 28 games this past season, helping his squad advance to the national semifinals of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I championships. He also played for Mercy Mounthawk in his home country and led his team to the All-Ireland National Championship. In addition, he competed at the European Championships for Ireland.

Odiahi joins Sam Hood, R.J. Blakney, Tyrone Williams, Yamari Allette, Vasean Allette, Devin Ceaser and Daniel Pounds as members of the incoming class for Jeff Jones and company.

🔼 Hey, We Know That Guy! NFL teams are preparing for the highly anticipated 2023 season, especially fans of the NY Jets.

You might recognize someone in this video… Hint: he wears No. 81.

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 75 DAYS

Seven years later, still doing his thing. NFL fans may know him as a hard-nosed, gritty slot wide receiver.

ODU fans know him as a dangerous weapon that dominated opponents for three years in Norfolk.

This fall will be Zach Pascal’s seventh in the NFL with five different teams.

But before the current Arizona Cardinals player was roaming NFL sidelines, he punished ODU’s opponents, including the second-longest run in program-history a 75-yard touchdown score in a 2015 showdown at FIU.

It was his lone rushing touchdown of his career at ODU… but those 24 receiving scores were pretty nice. 

🤔 MONARCH TRIVIA

The One Who Started It All. Despite entering just its 15th season (of the modern era), the ODU football program continues to have strong ties and connections to the NFL.

In those 15 seasons, 32 former Monarchs have signed NFL contracts, either for training camp or regular season deals.

Can you name the first Monarch to sign an NFL contract? Hint: he still works in the NFL.

Think you’ve got it? Scroll down to the bottom of this email and see if you had the right answer!

🏈 WE WORKIN’

Before we know it, the parking lots will be filled with tailgaters, the stands will be buzzing’ and Monarch football will be BACK.

Until then, our boys are putting in work to make some noise this fall!

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Monarch Brew? Subscribe here and get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Deron Mayo!

We tried to throw you off a little with the hint as Mayo is currently a member of the strength and conditioning staff for the New England Patriots.

The Hampton, Virginia native returned home after time at Hofstra to finish his career with the Monarchs. In 2011, he signed with the Denver Broncos to become the first ODU player to ink an NFL deal.

He spent the 2011 season as a member of the Broncos practice squad, before spending six years with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders.

Have a great Monday, y’all.