Hampton’s 2003 Football Schedule Includes Season Opener Against I-AA Semifinalist
February 26, 2003
Hampton, VA - Hampton University Director of Athletics Malcolm
Avery along with Head Football Coach Joe Taylor released the
Pirates’ 2003 football schedule today. After playing 12
games in 2002 (7-5, 5-3 MEAC) the Pirates will embark on an
11-game mission with the possibility of adding a 12th game to
an already challenging schedule that may very well be the toughest
Hampton has faced since Taylor’s arrival.
For the second consecutive year the Pirates will open the season
against a foe from the Atlantic 10 as they travel to Philadelphia
on Thursday, August 28 to battle the Villanova Wildcats who
fell one game shy of reaching the 2002 Division I-AA National
Championship Game.
“It’s always important to start with a strong opponent,”
stated Taylor who will be entering his 12th year at the helm
of the Pirate program. “It allows you to get an early
barometer of where your team stands and in order for you to
be the best, you have to play the best.”
Tabbed as the most improved Division I-AA football conference
by The Sports Network following the 2002 season, Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference play begins for the Pirates on September
13 with the “Battle of the Real HU” against rival
Howard University.
As in years past Hampton will showcase its football program
on a national level by participating in the River Front Classic
in Cincinnati (Sept. 20) and the New York Urban League Classic
(Sept. 27) at Giants Stadium. In Cincinnati the Pirates will
take on the Tigers for the first time since 1993, while the
Bears of Morgan State will be the opposition in the Urban League
Classic.
“Hampton University has a strong alumni base throughout
the country and by participating in those games it gives our
fans the opportunity to enjoy Pirate football outside of the
Tidewater area,” said Taylor. “It also serves as
a great recruiting tool when you can show a young man that he’ll
have the chance to play in NFL venues.”
Hampton will not see the home field at Armstrong Stadium until
October 4 when Delaware State comes to the Home By The Sea.
The “Battle of the Bay” against cross-town rival
Norfolk State will take place on October 18 following the Pirates’
second Open week of the season on October 11.
Homecoming festivities have been set for October 25 and the
Bulldogs of South Carolina State will try to put an end to Hampton’s
Homecoming winning streak.
The Pirates close out their conference schedule in November
with Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T
State University before ending the regular season with their
first ever meeting against Savannah State on November 22.
