Good Morning, Owl Nation. It’s admittedly uncommon for a university's president to join the football team at practice, especially on a balmy August morning. But Tuesday morning ended with Florida Atlantic University President Stacy Volnick, a three-time FAU alum, joining the team.
 
President Volnick addressed the team, spoke of its importance to the University, and participated in the team's closing breakdown, yelling "FAMILY" on three.
 
While President Volnick ended the practice, the day began with the announcement of team captains, as voted upon by the team. The 2024 captains are Jackson Ambush, Cam Fancher, Federico Maranges, and Jayden Williams.

What all do we have stirring in the Brew today? Check it out below!

💙 Student-athletes were welcomed back to campus
🏈 Join us for Military Appreciation Day at the football home opener
🦉 And much, much more

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🔼 Scout’s Honor. Sports fans are familiar with sayings like "The best offense is a good defense." Another is, "Our team is only as good as the scout team." On Monday, the Florida Atlantic football team began implementing its scout team.
 
The scout team will be charged with not only their personal development but also learning and implementing the upcoming opponent's offense and defenses to prepare the team for their next game.
 
The Owls also began their first game prep week with a Monday practice, a trend that will be used throughout the 2024 season.

Of course, the coaches know enough to give this crew a break to have some fun, too! See them above, “putt-putting” their best feet forward.

🔼 Stands Out Among the “Heard.” Florida Atlantic freshman safety CJ Heard has been named Preseason True Freshman All-America, as announced by 247Sports on Tuesday.
 
Heard joined the Owls after graduating from high school in late May. Since then, the newcomer has done nothing but impress and has earned a spot on the Owls' two deep.
 
He can now play in his first collegiate game when the Owls travel to East Lansing, Michigan, on Friday, Aug. 30, to face Michigan State at 7 p.m. ET. That game will air on the Big 10 Network.

🔼 Back to Boca. Class began on Monday for Florida Atlantic student-athletes, whom FAU's Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White welcomed to Paradise and challenged to raise the bar in 2024-25.
 
As an email from Florida Atlantic President Stacy Volnick stated earlier today, "This fall — which marks 60 years since Florida Atlantic opened its doors — we welcome our largest incoming class in university history. From a record 47,000 applicants, 4,200 impressive students will become the Class of 2028.”
 
Many of these freshmen joined their teammates and coaches at FAU Stadium to kick off the year with food, drink, and friendly competition.

🔼 No Baby Blues. Florida Atlantic's women's soccer team hosted the University of Miami last Sunday in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw. While no team came away with a victory on the pitch, there was still a winner—The Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach.
 
As part of the team's ongoing efforts to give back to the community, a diaper drive was held in conjunction with the Taking Care of Our Babies program. Thanks partly to the record opening week crowds, the Owls delivered nearly 75 diaper packages to the Boynton Beach location on Monday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez, Midfielders Noa Olivia Ganthier and Madison Villanti, and Defender Lelia Etemadi were the lucky diaper delivery team.

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 9 DAYS

Number of the Day: 9

That’s right; we are just nine days away from the return of
FAU Football under the Friday Night Lights in East Lansing
with Michigan State on August 30.

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🦉 ONE BIG THING

Here to Serve. We appreciate all who serve and have served!

Watch Coach Herman thanking those in the military from his and the Owl Family.

Join us at the FAU Football home opener vs. Army on Saturday, September 7, at Noon. Two complimentary tickets are available exclusively to current and former service personnel by going here.

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🦉 PARADISE TRIVIA

⇢⇢⇢ How many head football coaches (not counting interim head coaches) has the FAU Football program had before Coach Tom Herman took the helm?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, August 22
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. FIU @ 7 p.m. EST | FAUSports.com | Watch Live | Live Stats
⚽️ Men’s Soccer @ Creighton @ 7 p.m. EST

Saturday, August 24
🏐 Volleyball vs. Palm Beach Atlantic (EXH) @ 6 p.m. EST

Sunday, August 25
⚽️ Women’s Soccer @ Louisiana @ 1 p.m. EST | Live Stats
⚽️ Men’s Soccer @ Omaha @ 7 p.m. EST

Friday, August 30
🏈 First football game of the season @ Michigan State @ 7 pm. EST | Big Ten Network | Fox Sports 640 South Florida | Live Audio | Tickets

🦉 Go here for the full Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

TRIVIA ANSWER 🦉

The Answer: Since the program began playing during the 2001 season, it has had six head coaches, so the answer to the trivia questions is five!

Current head coach Tom Herman was hired in December of 2022.

🦉 Let’s get over this hump, y’all