Happy Hump Day Monarchs. Pretty soon we might start serving up deep dish pizza at the Bud and maybe we’ll even put in ivy on the wall if this continues.

We can tell you one thing, we’re going to start getting some vouchers for trips to Chicago with the rate we’re going.

Another Monarch is headed to the Windy City and our crew is truly putting the “student” in student-athletes.

What else is stirring in today’s edition?

⚾️ Norfolk to the North Side
🎾 Serving Up Plenty of Aces
🏈 Countdown to Kickoff
👑 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Hope Sam Likes Deep Dish. Coming soon to the Bud will be deep dish pizza and Portino’s sausages.

Well, that might not be true, but it sure seems like it could be after the Chicago Cubs drafted their seventh Monarch since 2000 with the selection of right-hander Sam Armstrong in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. 

It’s the sixth time in the past nine years that the Cubs selected an ODU player and Armstong’s selection follow’s last year’s draft, which saw Chicago select outfielder Andy Garriola.
 
ODU's Saturday starter throughout the season, Armstrong went 9-4 with a 3.51 ERA through 15 starts. He allowed 33 runs (30 earned) on 69 hits and 28 walks while recording 72 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched. That effort earned him a spot on the All-Sun Belt Second Team. The Wangtage, New Jersey native finished fourth in the conference in wins and was also seventh in batting average against (.231).
 
In his two seasons as a Monarch, Armstrong went 12-6 with a 4.36 ERA.

🔼 Serving Up Aces. ODU women’s tennis has built itself into one of the best programs in the region. They’ve been serving up aces on the court for years.

Those aces aren’t limited to the court as the Monarchs have also aced the classroom and this week, they were recognized for just that earning All-Academic Team accolades, as well as five student-athletes earning Scholar-Athlete honors.

As individuals, Shahar Brian, Sofia Johnson, Tatsiana Sasnouskaya, Alexandra Viktorovitch and Alesya Yakubovich all were recognized for their achievements.

🔼 Kings of the Classroom and the Court. Not to be outdone, the ODU men’s tennis squad was also recognized like the women, earning All-Academic Team recognition and four student-athletes earning Scholar-Athlete accolades. 

As individuals, Luca Maldoner, Brandon Perez, Cosme Rolland De Ravel and Oliver Tobisch were all named ITA Scholar-Athletes.

🔼 And Some Aces On the Course? We’ll Take Those Too. Our Monarchs really know how put the “student” in student-athlete.

On top of the tennis teams’ success in the classroom, three members of the women’s golf squad were also recognized for their academic prowess.

Federica Torre, Leah Onosato and Pilar Muguruza were all named 2022-23 Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars.

To receive the distinction, honorees must have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, be an amateur and on their respective team's roster through the conclusion of their season, and have played in 50 percent of their school's regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.

🔼 You Think You’re Tough? Rocky ain’t got nothing on Ryan Yarbourgh.

Just two months after taking a 106-mph line drive to the face, Yarbrough returned to the mound for the Kansas City Royals for the first time.

All he did? Just toss six innings, allowing just one run, striking out five and walking just one to help KC to a 4-1 win over the division leading Cleveland Guardians.

Welcome Back Ry, we’re excited to see you back doing what you dreamed of!

⏰ TODAY’S THE DAY!

Beware The Monarchs: Tickets Are Coming. The ticket storm starts TODAY!

Our special VIP pre-sale starts TODAY with ODAF Members and season ticket holders able to purchase mini plans and single game tickets.

Mini plans and single game tickets go on sale to the public next Wednesday, July 19th.

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

🏀 FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

A Lasting Legacy. Nikki McCray-Penson was only in Norfolk for three seasons, one of which was cut short by COVID, but her impact will be felt forever at ODU.

Late last week, the former ODU head coach passed away.

"It's a challenge to put into words how devastating the news of Nikki McCray-Penson's death is for all of us associated with ODU. Nikki had a lasting impact on the game of basketball across the globe as she enjoyed the pinnacle of success on the world's biggest stages both as an athlete and a coach," ODU Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig said. "From the first day I met Nikki, I knew she would experience the same success as a coach that she experienced as an athlete. Her drive, passion, enthusiasm and love for the game made everyone around her better and motivated everyone to work harder to achieve the high standard of excellence that Nikki always expected. It is such a shame that the world and future student-athletes will never get to enjoy Coach McCray-Penson fulfilling her coaching career. Nikki's husband Thomas and son Thomas, Jr. are in all Monarch's thoughts and prayers at this time. The ODU women's basketball program is better today because of the many contributions made by Nikki and her family while they were here in Norfolk."

🤔 MONARCH TRIVIA

Last night was the 94th edition of the MLB All-Star game in Seattle.

Over the years, 17 Monarchs have reached the big leagues, one of those have been named an MLB All-Star.

Justin Verlander, a possible future Hall of Famer, was first named an All-Star in just his third MLB season (2007).

In his 18 seasons, how many times has Verlander been named an All-Star?

Think you’ve got it?

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

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 52 DAYS

The Date: Nov. 21, 2015
The Opponent: Southern Miss
Location: Hattiesburg, Miss.

In just their second year in Conference USA, the Monarchs were challenging one of their perennial powers, Southern Miss and had tied the game early in the second quarter.

The Golden Eagles were driving the ball back down the field and were inside the ODU 10 when Fellonte Misher came up with a huge interception and returned it 52 yards to set up a Monarch field goal and a 17-14 halftime lead.

That INT return remains the fourth longest in program history to this day.

Now? You can find Misher working on his master’s of social work degree and helping address the mental health on the streets of Washington, D.C.

📬 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: Nine.

That’s right, Verlander has been named an All-Star in nine of his 18 seasons.

2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2022

He is currently tied for the fourth most All-Star selections by active players.

Have a great Wednesday ya’ll!