– Hampton University Director of Athleticsand Head Football Coachannounced the 2018 football schedule this afternoon. Hampton will have an 11-game non-conference schedule, with six home dates and five matchups with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)."Despite opposition from certain quarters, it is with great pleasure that we can announce our 2018 football schedule," said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. "We appreciate the patience of our fans and the assistance of many people to get a schedule for the fall.""I want to thank the following people who rallied behind Coach Prunty and myself to make this 2018 schedule happen," said Marshall. "Dr. William R. Harvey whose visionary leadership and support was critical in making this schedule possible. I would also like to thank the "Team Behind The Team" who supported us during this transition has been pivotal in the move from the MEAC to the Big South."Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert – Chancellor and ProvostAttorney Paul C. Harris – Senior Vice PresidentMrs. Doretha J. Spells - Vice President for Business Affairs and TreasurerAttorney Faye Hardy-Lucas – Vice President and General CounselDr. Barbara L. Inman - Vice President for Administrative ServicesMs. B. Da'Vida Plummer - Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Media/Dean of Scripps Howard School of JournalismMs. Brint M. Martin – Director of Alumni AffairsMr. Matthew A. White – Director of University RelationsMr. Marshall and Coach Prunty would also like to our faculty/staff, student, student-athletes, fans and alumni for their patience and understanding as the 2018 schedule was being developed."This schedule has relationships written all over it, as you acquire and develop good relationships with people you can get things done," Prunty said. "We play five HBCU schools, reaching alumni from Connecticut to Philadelphia in the East, to Chicago in the Midwest playing Northern Iowa and in the Deep South playing Mississippi Valley State. This schedule will get us prepared to start our conference schedule in 2019."The season opener will be at Armstrong Stadium against CIAA member Shaw University. The Bears were 3-7 in 2017. Hampton holds a 24-9-2 lead in the series having last played in 1978.A rematch of last year's 30-23 OT loss to eventual NCAA Tournament qualifier Monmouth. This will be the first of three Big South opponents for Hampton in 2018.A matchup with the first HBCU school to leave a HBCU conference as Tennessee State visits Hampton to start a home-and-home series. Tennessee State has won the previous two meetings in 1983 and 1984.This matchup will pit Hampton against perennial NCAA Tournament participant Northern Iowa for the first time in school history. Northern Iowa was 8-5 last season and advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs.The one home Big South matchup brings in Charleston Southern for the first ever meeting between the Pirates and the Buccaneers. Charleston Southern was 6-5 in 2017 and went 3-2 in the Big South.The NCAA Division II Dragons come to Hampton to start October with Parents Weekend. Lane was 2-8 in 2017.Another first-time meeting as Hampton ventures to South Carolina for its third Big South matchup of 2018 taking on the Blue Hose. Presbyterian was 4-7 in 2017 and 1-4 in Big South matchups.The Dragons of Virginia University of Lynchburg visit Armstrong Stadium for Homecoming 2018. This will be the first-ever matchup with Virginia University of Lynchburg who are member of the National Christian College Athletic Association and are another HBCU opponent.A first-ever matchup heading to just outside New York City as Hampton visits SUNY Maritime. The Privateers were 9-2 last season and advanced to the ECAC New England Bowl.Hampton visits Itta Bena, Mississippi for the first time as the Pirates take on the Delta Devils of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Mississippi Valley State was 2-9 in 2017 with these teams having met only once before in 1989 at Hampton.The 2018 schedule closes with a first-time matchup with the Knights from Laurinburg, N.C. St. Andrew's is a member of NAIA and finished 2-8 in 2017. This fall will be the fourth year of football for the Knights.For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com