Old Dominion University Athletics: A Legacy of Monarchs
The Old Dominion Monarchs represent a storied athletic program with a rich history dating back to the university's founding in 1930. Over the decades, Old Dominion University has built a strong athletic foundation, earning national recognition for its consistency, competitive spirit, and commitment to excellence. The Monarchs have achieved success across various sports, including football, basketball, field hockey, and sailing, producing exceptional talent that has left its mark on professional sports.
Early Years and the Rise of Basketball
In its early years, Old Dominion University was known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. During this time, the athletic teams were known as the Braves, a derivation of William & Mary's nickname, the Indians. In 1961, the athletic teams were renamed the Monarchs. The name Monarchs evokes much of the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and of Old Dominion's mother institution, the College of William & Mary. The nickname "Old Dominion" was first coined to the Virginia colony by King Charles II after Virginia's loyalty to the crown during the English Civil War.
The Old Dominion basketball program quickly became a powerhouse, particularly under the guidance of legendary coach Paul Webb. Between 1976 and 1981, the Monarchs captured five consecutive conference championships and appeared in multiple NCAA and NIT tournaments. This era marked a period of significant growth and recognition for the university's athletic programs.
In 1975, Sonny Allen's Runnin' Monarchs won the NCAA Division II national championship in men's basketball, defeating New Orleans 76-74 in Evansville, Ind.
The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs basketball team has won three national championships. In 1979 and 1980, the Lady Monarchs were AIAW Champions. In 1985, they won the NCAA Division I National Championship after defeating the Georgia Lady Bulldogs 70-65.
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Football's Remarkable Journey
The Old Dominion football team also holds a remarkable legacy. The first iteration of the team created in 1930 was known as the William & Mary Norfolk Division Braves, the team played for 11 seasons (1930-1940), with a record of 42-36-4. The program was discontinued due to a rule against freshman players, a $10,000 debt, and accreditation issues.
The football program was reinstated in 2009 after a brief absence, quickly gaining attention for its dynamic style and strong fan support. Founded in 2009, the current Monarchs team competed as an FCS independent for their first two seasons. In the 2011 season, they joined the Colonial Athletic Association and added conference games to their schedule, playing there until joining Conference USA of the FBS in 2014.
In their first competitive season in 68 years, the Monarchs finished the season with a 9-2 record. That was the best winning record ever for a first-year program in college football's modern era. The Monarchs were outscored by a total of only eight points in their two losses. Wilder's inaugural team finished the year ranked in the top ten in five FCS statistical categories, including second in sacks allowed, third in scoring offense, turnover margin and net punting.
By 2018, the team had transitioned into the FBS level, competing in Conference USA and later joining the Sun Belt Conference. The 2022 season had some big changes. As the Monarchs across all sports moved into the Sun Belt Conference in July of that year, leaving C-USA (along with Southern Miss and Marshall).
On September 22, 2018, Old Dominion shocked then No. 13 Virginia Tech by defeating them 49-35 at home in front of a record crowd of 20,532. This game marked the first Monarch victory over both a Power 5 and ranked opponent.
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In 2024, Old Dominion again went 6-6 in the regular season, highlighted by a win over Appalachian State that secured bowl eligibility.
National Titles and Conference Championships
Throughout its proud history, Old Dominion University has collected 11 national titles across multiple sports and 24 conference championships since joining Division I in 1975. The ODU Monarchs field hockey team is second to the North Carolina Tar Heels for being the winningest NCAA college field hockey program with nine national titles. Overall, the team has won 17 regular season conference titles and 15 conference tournament titles with eight straight CAA regular season and tournament titles from 1996 to 2003.
The Old Dominion University Monarchs men's basketball team have captured six CAA championship titles (1992, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2010, and 2011) since their conference admission in 1992, which is the most among all CAA schools.
Notable Athletes
Beyond championships, the Old Dominion Monarchs are celebrated for developing exceptional talent. The university has produced standout athletes who have made their mark in professional sports. Stars like NBA legend David Robinson, MLB All-Star Josh Hamilton, and NFL receiver Zach Pascal all share roots with the Monarchs.
Leo Anthony, star of the 1957-1961 men’s basketball team, was Old Dominion’s first basketball All-American with 2,181 points.
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Anne Donovan was named first Naismith Women’s Basketball Player-of-the-Year in March 1983.
Samantha Salvia became the first Rhodes Scholar at Old Dominion University (ODU) in 1995. When Samantha Salvia arrived at ODU in 1992, she was an all-star standout in field hockey and lacrosse.
Facilities and Venues
Old Dominion University's athletic facilities have evolved over the years to accommodate the growing needs of its programs.
When the Norfolk Division began in September 1930, the only building on campus was the old Larchmont School, which did not contain a gymnasium for athletics. From 1930 to 1936, the athletic teams at the division, known as the Braves, held their games at several sites across the city.
The football team played at Bain Field on East 20th Street near Church Street; the men’s basketball team held their games at James Blair Middle School and Maury High School; and the baseball team’s home games were played at Lafayette Park on Granby Street, Bain Field, and the open field just south of the old Larchmont School.
The Administration Building, complete with a library, offices, six classrooms, two gymnasiums and a swimming pool, opened in September 1936. Located across Bolling Avenue from the old Larchmont School, the basketball and swimming teams moved their events to the Administration Building along with other intramural sports.
Foreman Field was dedicated on October 3, 1936 in honor of A.H. Foreman for all his efforts in securing the stadium for the school and the city. The last game at Foreman Field occurred in 2018, and with the original structure torn down, the current S.B. Ballard Stadium took its place for the 2019 season.
In 1970, the Health and Physical Education (HP&E) Building opened with classrooms for the Physical Education program, a recreation center for the students, and a new gymnasium, dubbed the “Fieldhouse,” where the basketball teams would compete. Both men’s and women’s basketball teams held their home games here from 1970 to 1977, when the men moved their home games to the larger Norfolk Scope arena, and then moved back to the HP&E Building on a part-time basis in 1990.
Completed in 2002, the Ted Constant Convocation Center includes Chartway Arena, home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and rooms for conferences and workshops.
Other athletic facilities at Old Dominion University include the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, the Old Dominion Soccer Complex, the J.C. Scrap Chandler Natatorium, and the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
Traditions and Rivalries
The Old Dominion Monarchs have several traditions that contribute to the university's athletic culture. The Big Blue Beast was an advertising campaign run by Intercollegiate Athletics at Old Dominion University (ODU) during the 1982-1983 academic year, mostly at men’s and women’s basketball games.
Old Dominion shares a rivalry with the William & Mary Tribe. The all-time football series between the two schools is tied 2-3, dating back to their days in the CAA. A declared rivalry with the William & Mary Tribe lasted two years before the Monarchs began their FBS transfer process in 2013.
The Modern Era
Today, the Old Dominion Monarchs continue to uphold a tradition of integrity, teamwork, and success. Old Dominion officially joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2022.
Camden Wood Selig is the athletic director. The Old Dominion Monarchs are composed of 18 intercollegiate athletic teams representing Old Dominion University. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, sailing, soccer, swimming, and tennis. Women's sports include basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, golf, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis, rowing, and volleyball.
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