CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERY  The Chowan University athletic department hosted Roanoke –Chowan community members for an evening of fun, family and fellowship during their annual Community Night on Thursday, August 20th.  Thursday night marked the seventh consecutive year of the event.

The night featured Chowan's men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball teams who interacted with local community members and conducted mini skills camps for the children.   The event also featured a live radio remote hosted by Gattis Hodges and his radio show "Talkin' Sports with Gattis Hodges" (CBS/WDLZ), allowing coaches and student-athletes to give insight into the upcoming seasons while giving fans a sneak peek at the year ahead. Other activities included live music, bounce houses, face painting, games and giveaways. 

Deputy Athletic Director, Meredith Long, noted, "This event is in its 7th year and with each year we have had the opportunity to grow the event in many ways. We are thankful to our University administration for continued support and more importantly to the Roanoke-Chowan Community for helping us host these events each year. We have had so many compliments on how our student-athletes worked with the youth and engaged the community. And that is why we will continue to host these events."

Ozzie McFarland, Vice President/Director of Athletics stated, "Meredith Long and her staff once again did an outstanding job. Even with the weather issues, they helped display the compassion, caring, and community spirit that has come to represent Chowan University and our athletic program."

Long added, "As the University continues to thrive, the athletic department will continue to sort out ways to engage our community. That's why we are here. We make that one of our missions in athletics".

Each year, Community Night precedes the start of the fall athletic season for the Hawks.  The men's and women's cross country teams are the first to compete this fall as they travel to Laurinburg, NC, to participate in the St. Andrew's Invitational on August 28th at 7:00pm and 7:30, respectively. 

The women's soccer team will host Methodist University on September 1st at 4:00pm, while the men's soccer team takes on the University of Mount Olive at home on September 3rd at 5:00pm.

The volleyball team will open their season with a road match against West Virginia Wesleyan at neutral site, Winston-Salem, NC on September 4th at 7:00pm and the Chowan football team opens up the season with an away game on September 5th at 6:00pm versus Fayetteville State University.