Howard Senior Profile Featuring Latroya Pina,
A talk with future Olympian Latroya Pina
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Derek Bryant 04.22.20 (Photo Credit – Howard Athletics Media
Relations)
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  Howard
swim captain comments about the squad and completive
differences among HBCUs at the HBCU Swim Meet
vs. the North Eastern Conference Championship
(NEC). File
Video Report |
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WASHINGTON (April 22, 2020) – Howard University junior broadcast
journalism major Tiffany Hunt reached out to her women’s lacrosse
teammate Latroya Pina (Seekonk, Mass.), who is also a former member
of the swimming & diving team, asking a dozen questions for the
2019-20 Senior Profile series.
About Pina
Latroya Pina hails from Seekonk, Mass., and is currently a HU
graduate student. She is undergoing her second degree at Howard,
pursuing a master’s degree in biology.
During her undergraduate years at The Mecca, Pina was a dual
student-athlete, competing for HU’s swimming and diving team, as
well as, playing on the women’s lacrosse team.
Towards the end of her undergraduate career (2018), Pina had the
opportunity to participate at the 14th annual FINA World Swimming
Championships, that took place in Hangzhou, China.
Aside from being a star on the lacrosse field, her primary focus is
training for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games. Due to the
coronavirus (COVID-19), The Games were postponed until 2021.
Along with her many swimming and lacrosse accomplishments in
competition, Pina strived in the classroom. In 2018, Pina was named
to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) President's Honor
Roll and was selected to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Commissioner's All-Academic Team twice (2018 & 2019).
Currently, Pina is continuing to complete her master’s degree in
biology and plans to resume her training for the upcoming Summer
Olympics. After the Olympics, the Massachusetts native will continue
her education, applying for medical school. |
| Christian Angulo Agrees To NFL Agent Contract
with New York Giants Jim Heath 04.25.20 , Photo
courtesy Hampton
 HAMPTON,
Va. – It was announced late Saturday night that Hampton University
defensive back Christian Angulo had agreed to terms on a NFL free
agent contract with the New York Giants.
“I am very excited for Christian and his family,” said Hampton
University head coach Robert Prunty. “I think the New York Giants
not only got a good football player, they got an outstanding young
man.”
Angulo was the Defensive MVP of the Chicago Football Classic with
five pass breakups, three tackles and one interception in the win
over Howard. He finished fifth in FCS with 14 pass breakups with a
season high four tackles against Monmouth. Angulo was also named to
the Big South All-Academic team, along with being a second team
All-Big South Conference honoree.
For more information on Hampton University football, visit the
official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com. |
VUU Launches Search for New Women's Basketball
Coach
VUU Sports 4/24/2020 | Women's Basketball, Photo courtesy VUU
 (Richmond,
VA) - Virginia Union University's Department of Intercollegiate
Athletics and Wellness has launched a national search to replace
former head women's basketball coach AnnMarie Gilbert. Assistant
Coach Danielle Dawson will serve as the team's interim head coach,
effective immediately.
"Our women's basketball program has enjoyed outstanding success,
both academically and athletically, under Coach Gilbert's
leadership. I extend my thanks and appreciation for her many
contributions," said Athletic Director Felecia Johnson. "Coach
Dawson will help us build on that success as our team prepares for
next season."
"We wish Coach Gilbert all the best as she joins the Division I
University of Detroit Mercy athletics program," said Joe Taylor, VP
of Intercollegiate Athletics and Wellness at VUU. "We thank her for
her valuable contributions to our athletics program,"
Danielle Dawson has served as Assistant Coach of the Lady Panthers
since 2019. She has also responsible for recruiting, player
development, and scouting. Previously, she served as assistant coach
at Delaware State and Radford University.
"Our Lady Panthers have made history with back-to-back CIAA
championships and NCAA DII championship appearances," said Dr. Hakim
J. Lucas, President & CEO of Virginia Union University. "They are in
good hands with Coach Dawson and I am excited to see the teams
continued success under a new leader."
The national search for the next Lady Panthers head coach will begin
immediately. A search committee will be appointed and will include
women's basketball player and captain Bianca Lockamy.
During Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's five seasons at VUU, she guided the
Lady Panther basketball program back to national prominence. The
2018 and 2019 CIAA championships were the first back-to-back titles
for VUU since 1981 and 1982. Three CIAA Championships. Gilbert
won135 of 153 games, lead the Lady Panthers to five straight NCAA
appearances, a National Championship game appearance, and celebrated
five straight 20-win seasons. She was named the CIAA Coach of the
Year in three of her five seasons at VUU and coached the CIAA Player
of the Year for four straight years (Kiana Johnson, Lady Walker,
Alexis Johnson, and Shareka McNeill).
"We all know Coach Gilbert will continue a successful career," said
Coach Taylor. "We will always call her a Lady Panther." |
VUU Announces 2020 Football Schedule
VUU Sports 4/20/2020 | Football Photo courtesy VUU
 Virginia
Union University will open the 2020 football season when the
Panthers take on Hampton University at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday,
September 5, VUU announced on Monday, April 20.
This will mark the second straight year where VUU will open on the
road against the Pirates. Virginia Union will have five road games
and five home games for the 2020 season.
The next week will see the Panthers travel to Hickory, N.C., to face
Lenoir-Rhyne University, which finished 13-1 and ranked fourth in
the nation last season.
"Our 2020 schedule will be very challenging. Any time you face an
FCS and a DII power house in the first two weeks of the season you
definitely have your hands full. Those opening weeks along with a
very tough CIAA slate means your team has to be ready week in and
week out," said Virginia Union Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.
"We were very fortunate that after a late cancellation we were able
to schedule Elizabeth City State University in the Down East
Classic. Although playing twice wasn't Ideal it does give our
student-athletes and additional in-region and Division II game. I
thought our guys were having an exceptional off-season until it was
shorten due to the pandemic, we are eager and ready to get to work
for what is expected to be an exciting 2020 season."
VUU will travel to Rocky Mount, N.C., to face Elizabeth City State
University in the Down East Viking Classic on September 19 before
travelling to Charlotte, N.C., to meet Johnson C. Smith University
on September 26.
This will mark the first time since 2005 that the Panthers will open
with four straight road contests. VUU will have five road games to
go with five home contests in 2020.
Virginia Union will kick off the 2020 home season with the Willard
Bailey Classic on October 3 against Shaw University.
The Panthers will then face Lincoln University on Homecoming 2020 on
Saturday, October 10.
After travelling to Murfreesboro, N.C., to face Chowan University on
October 17, VUU will return to Hovey Field on October 24 to face
Bowie State University in the Annual Dr. Lucille M. Brown Community
Youth Bowl.
VUU will host Elizabeth City State on Veterans' Appreciation Day on
October 31 and will finish out the 2020 regular season with the
Panthers' traditional Senior Day match-up with Virginia State
University on November 7.
The CIAA Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, November 14. |
Howard Senior Profile Featuring Latroya Pina,
A talk with future Olympian Latroya Pina
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Derek Bryant 04.22.20 (Photo Credit – Howard Athletics Media
Relations)
WASHINGTON (April 22, 2020) – Howard University junior broadcast
journalism major Tiffany Hunt reached out to her women’s lacrosse
teammate Latroya Pina (Seekonk, Mass.),
who is also a former member of the swimming & diving team, asking a
dozen questions for the 2019-20 Senior Profile series.
Q: What’s your favorite part about lacrosse?
A: My favorite part about lacrosse is being able to play defense and
to participate in a full contact sport, where I can showcase my
athleticism.
Q: How did you get started in lacrosse?
A: The lacrosse program was looking for prospects who were
interested in trying out. Immediately, I appreciated what the sport
had to offer, and I instantly connected with everyone on the team,
creating an everlasting bond.
Q: What kept you motivated?
A: No doubt, my teammates kept me motivated. Although I was new to
the sport, I wanted to master it and make an impact immediately.
Q: If you were not competing in lacrosse or swimming, what other
sport would you do?
A: I would run track because swimming has a lot of similarities.
With both sports, you can compete individually, and I love the
responsibility and pressure that is put upon a track runner, since
they’re representing them self.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
A: My favorite athlete is Alia Atkinson. Despite being a super-fast
swimmer, she is very down to earth and gives other swimmers advice
and tips to become better athletes.
Q: How has being invited to the Summer Olympics changed your life?
A: Well, it’s an opportunity that most people dream about. It’s
changed my life because I never expected that I would get this
opportunity.
After qualifying, I proved to the people of my country that there
are no limits and you can achieve anything. Having this once in a
lifetime opportunity is something I will truly cherish forever, and
I’m extremely grateful to be a black face in a predominantly white
sport.
Q: How do you balance your Olympic training with your lacrosse
training?
A: Well, I get up at 3:30 a.m. to drive 25 minutes away to jump in
the pool at 4 a.m. and swim until 6 a.m. Then, I drive back to
campus and run on the Greene Stadium turf and join lacrosse practice
until 8 a.m.
I have a love and passion for both sports and I’m extremely
dedicated to making both work.
Q: What’s your favorite memory at Howard?
A: I’ve had so many great memories, it’s hard to choose one.
Overall, I would say enjoying my time with friends.
Q: Plans after graduation?
A: My immediate plans after graduation is to continue my swim
training in preparation for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
After the Olympics, I will continue my education by applying for
medical school.
Q: What or who will you miss at Howard?
A: I will miss my teammates for the amazing bond and vibe we have
created. Also, the friends that I made along my collegiate career at
The Mecca.
Q: What advice would you give future Bison?
A: My advice to future Bison would be to enjoy your freshman year
but stay focus. Freshman year is a great way to give yourself a
strong platform, starting with a high grade point average. So,
during your time at Howard, you have built a strong foundation to
rely on.
Q: Who would you like to thank?
A: I would like to thank Mr. B (Paul Bowden, Howard Associate
Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Support Services & Women’s
Lacrosse Interim Head Coach) because he has always been there for
me. He was always someone I can go to for advice, especially with
any personal challenges.
About Pina
Latroya Pina hails from Seekonk, Mass., and is currently a HU
graduate student. She is undergoing her second degree at Howard,
pursuing a master’s degree in biology.
During her undergraduate years at The Mecca, Pina was a dual
student-athlete, competing for HU’s swimming and diving team, as
well as, playing on the women’s lacrosse team.
Towards the end of her undergraduate career (2018), Pina had the
opportunity to participate at the 14th annual FINA World Swimming
Championships, that took place in Hangzhou, China.
Aside from being a star on the lacrosse field, her primary focus is
training for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games. Due to the
coronavirus (COVID-19), The Games were postponed until 2021.
Along with her many swimming and lacrosse accomplishments in
competition, Pina strived in the classroom. In 2018, Pina was named
to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) President's Honor
Roll and was selected to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Commissioner's All-Academic Team twice (2018 & 2019).
Currently, Pina is continuing to complete her master’s degree in
biology and plans to resume her training for the upcoming Summer
Olympics. After the Olympics, the Massachusetts native will continue
her education, applying for medical school.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
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