Coach Parker

 Coming off back-to-back CIAA championships, Virginia Union enters the 2025 football season with its sights set on a rare three-peat — and a roster reshaped by the transfer portal. 

The Panthers open Aug. 31 in Canton, Ohio, against Miles College before playing their home opener Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. against Edward Waters University. Head coach Alvin Parker said the team lost 17 players to transfers but has added about 15 newcomers. 

“When you bring a guy to the portal, he has to be an impact guy,” Parker said. “He has to kind of be an add and stir guy. That’s kind of what we’re looking at.” 

Virginia Union also won consecutive titles in 1982 and 1983. Only a handful of CIAA teams have ever claimed three straight. 

“It’s a lot of expectations,” Parker said. “We’re ready to live up to them. … It’s been one or two times that a team has three-peated, not that we’re looking that far … we’re focused on the next game.” 

Parker pointed to quarterbacks Mark Wright and RJ Rosales, center Joe Rounds, linebacker Lamumba Howard and defensive end Zachary Weaver as proven leaders. 

“[Those] guys can put on two championship rings and [have] been to the playoffs three times,” Parker said. “We’re expecting those guys to help the rest of the guys get to where we’re trying to go.” 

Wide receiver and kickoff returner Zy’Aire Tart said the Panthers locker room has a different feel this fall. 

“I haven’t been around guys that are so determined and focused on also making it to the next level, not just being in college, but also trying to push their brothers,” Tart said. “They’ll talk about plays all day and what they can do to make each other better.”