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.
Conference affiliations Virginia Union has played as both an independent and conference-affiliated team. Independent (1900–1911) 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.
1979First RoundDelawareL, 28–581980First Round North Alabama L, 8–171981First Round Shippensburg State L, 27–401982First RoundNorth Dakota StateL, 20–211983First RoundNorth AlabamaL, 14–161986First RoundTroy StateL, 7–311990First RoundEdinboroL, 14–381991First RoundIUPL, 7–562022First RoundWingateL, 7–322023First RoundKutztownL, 15–382024First RoundSecond RoundQuarterfinalsWingateLenoir–RhyneValdosta StateW, 34–31 W, 44–12L, 14–492025 First RoundCalifornia (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. 1917Colored Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationWesley A. Daniel4–02–0 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. 1981 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern Division North Carolina Central W 45–71982Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern DivisionNorth Carolina CentralW 33–261983Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern DivisionWinston-Salem StateW 34–71986Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern DivisionWinston-Salem StateW 14–71999Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern DivisionVirginia State2000Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern DivisionVirginia State2001Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern DivisionWinston-Salem StateW 31–242023Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern DivisionFayetteville StateW 21–10
Notable former players Pete Hunter Mike Brim Malcolm Barnwell Tony Leonard Herbert Scott Bob Jones Cornelius Johnson Roger Anderson Brady Myers Curtis Allen Jada Byers
References
External links