Norfolk, VA — School basketball followers within the 757 have one thing particular to look ahead to. Norfolk State College (NSU), a historic HBCU, and Outdated Dominion College (ODU), a outstanding PWI, are reigniting their crosstown rivalry with a home-and-home collection.
A Lengthy-Awaited Return
The collection begins within the 2025–26 season with ODU internet hosting the primary recreation at Chartway Area. The rivalry continues the next yr when NSU hosts at Joseph G. Echols Memorial Corridor.
These usually are not simply video games however a celebration of basketball heritage in Norfolk, VA.
Pleasure from Each Sides
NSU Director of Athletics Dr. Melody Webb expressed the importance of the collection:
“That is large information not just for Norfolk State and Outdated Dominion followers, however all basketball followers within the Hampton Roads neighborhood… I’m assured that our fanbase’s presence will likely be heard loud and clear in each arenas.”
NSU Head Coach Robert Jones added:
“Two storied basketball packages will now compete for the subsequent two years… at the least. We’re enthusiastic about this crosstown rivalry.”
From ODU, Head Coach Jeff Jones shared his enthusiasm:
“This can be a nice alternative to compete in entrance of our followers within the 757… GAME ON! GO MONARCHS!!!”
A Historic HBCU Rivalry Renewed
The rivalry started in 1965 and has been marked by intervals of intense competitors. ODU at the moment leads the collection 15–6, however the final recreation was performed in 2017. The renewed matchups supply a recent chapter within the long-standing collection. Through the years, the collection has seen intervals of dominance by each packages. Within the late Nineteen Sixties and early Nineteen Seventies, Norfolk State College held the higher hand, whereas Outdated Dominion College took management within the late Nineteen Seventies by the Eighties. Since 1981, nevertheless, the groups have met solely 4 instances, with the latest encounter occurring on the neutral-site Norfolk Scope in 2017.
Extra importantly, they highlight HBCUs like Norfolk State’s important position in shaping faculty athletics and neighborhood id.
This rivalry does extra than simply put two native groups on the courtroom. It brings collectively fanbases, showcases regional expertise, and celebrates a shared sports activities tradition in Norfolk.
With the return of this historic HBCU vs PWI rivalry, pleasure is constructing throughout Hampton Roads — and basketball followers received’t wish to miss a second.
