Aug. 26, 2004

Winston-Salem, NC-The Winston-Salem State University Department Of Athletics announced on Friday that the football game between the Rams and Virginia Union University that will take place on September 18th, 2004 at Bowman-Gray Stadium has been moved up to a 1:30 pm start time.

The game, originally slated for a 6:00 pm kickoff was moved up four and a half hours so as not to conflict with the start time of the cross-town Demon Deacons football contest versus North Carolina A&T State University which will kick off at 6:00 pm.

The decision was not made hastily as WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell examined all the pros and cons of moving the game up. When reached for comment, he said the following:

"There was a definite alumni interest in trying to attend both our game and the WFU game, and we wanted to try to accomodate our fans. So after much deliberation between myself, Kermit Blount, and Arrington Jones III we have decided to move the game time up. WSSU Director Of Athletics Dr. Chico Caldwell

"There was a definite alumni interest in trying to attend both our game and the WFU game, and we wanted to try to accomodate our fans. So after much deliberation between myself, Kermit Blount [WSSU Head Football Coach] and Arrington Jones III [Virginia Union's Head Football Coach] we have decided to move the game time up. Our primary concern was that the heat of playing at mid-day would put our players at risk, but after consulting with our Sports Medicine staff and making plans for additional training and medical staff to be at the game, we have decided that it would be the best move to push the kickoff up. We hope that our alumni and fans will appreciate this, and will come out and support us, and then be able to go across town to Groves Stadium to watch the Deacs."

The Rams and Panthers, a heated CIAA rivalry that always produces an exciting contest will now be a 1:30 pm start time.

For additonal information, contact the WSSU Office of Sports information at (336) 750-2143.