Good Morning, FAU Family.

What else do we have mixed into today’s Brew? Check it out below!

👀 Looking ahead
⛳ On the green
🦉 And much, much more

🔼 Season Opener. FAU softball opened a new season with a bang last night, defeating Indiana, 8-0, in five innings. McKenna Mulhollan went 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Jesiana Mora went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Kylie Hammonds added a home run and an RBI, while Destiny Johns and Kiley Shelton each added an RBI. FAU continues its new season tonight against Ohio State at 6 p.m.

🔼 Looking Ahead. Florida Atlantic football enters 2026 with strong roster continuity as 54 players return under Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley, including star QB Caden Veltkamp and WR Easton Messer. The Owls lost the second-fewest snaps to the transfer portal in the American Conference and return more than half their touchdown production from 2025, with the QB unit alone returning over 90% of its output. FAU strategically added Power Five transfers like Kelby Valsin (Texas Tech), Tucker Holloway (Virginia Tech), and Division II rushing standout Leonard Farrow (1,438 yards at Fairmont State), while linebacker Leon Hart Jr. and DL CJ Doggette Jr. anchor the returning defense.

📖 Plus: Kittley’s Inaugural Coaching Staff Returns

ADT Salutes Area First Responders at Owls Basketball Games

ADT, the most trusted name in smart home security, is proud to partner with FAU Sports Properties and Florida Atlantic Men’s basketball to recognize area first responders at select Florida Atlantic Owls Men’s basketball games.  During each Sunday home game, ADT will sponsor a First Responder Salute—reinforcing the role ADT plays in providing support to our first responders and recognizing those who selflessly dedicate their lives to protect others. On Sunday, Feb. 1, ADT was proud to salute Deputy Charity Rainey of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.  Thank you, Deputy Rainey, for your service of more than 20 years, and thank you, ADT, for your continued support of our “first responders.” Go Owls! 

🔼 Meet Amar. FAU redshirt freshman guard Amar Amkou grew up playing basketball with his father, a former player and coach in Senegal, before training with the NBA Academy after it partnered with the SEED project. Amkou spent his first season at FAU injured and sidelined, using the time to support teammates and study American basketball's more physical, aggressive style. He's now applying those lessons learned from watching last season, adjusting to the different competition and culture while staying mentally strong through the rehabilitation process.

🔼 On The Green. Florida Atlantic women's golf finished eighth at their home Paradise Invitational on Wednesday at Osprey Point Golf Club, with Nancy Cox leading the Owls in a tie for 11th at -1. Graduate senior Carolin Alblas provided the tournament's highlight, holing out from 71 yards for eagle on the par-4 15th hole en route to a final-round 67 (-5). Cox extended her strong form with her fourth consecutive Top 15 finish dating to the fall, while Alblas and Charlotte Perkins tied for 28th. Tennessee won the team title at -10.

Owls fans, enter the Milner Office Owl-Star of the Game Sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP Game Experience to a Florida Atlantic Owls home game.

One winner will be chosen for each of these three games (Feb 15, 26 and March 1) and receive two game tickets, Pregame Hospitality, a $50 Gift Card for Owls Gear, a free Cybersecurity Health Check for your office from Milner, and an in-game introduction on the video board. Don’t miss your chance to be the Milner Office Owl Star of the Game.

How many tackles did linebacker Leon Hart Jr. record in 2025 to lead the Owls?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

🤝 HERE TO HELP

From the first moment you contact our friends at Shiner Law Group, you’re treated like family. But don’t take our word for it—see what their clients are saying about their experience in Shiner Law Group’s Google Review Profile.

When you contact Shiner Law Group to help you after an accident, you’ll get a team of top-rated lawyers and professionals ready to fight on your behalf and give you the individualized attention you deserve to maximize your recovery.

No matter what type of accident case you may have, Shiner Law Group will always be available to help—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2026 Florida Atlantic Football season are now on sale through the Owls Ticket Office. Season tickets to support your Hometown Team start at just $75. Purchase 2026 season tickets and renew your season tickets now!

🦉 ONE BIG THING

FAU men's soccer head coach Joey Worthen has been nominated for the Palm Beach County Sports Coach of the Year award after leading the Owls to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. Worthen guided FAU to a 12-4-2 record and swept both the American Conference regular season and tournament championships, with graduate senior Mamadou Diarra earning back-to-back Offensive Player of the Year honors. The coaching staff was collectively named American Conference Coaching Staff of the Year, and the awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15.

The Week Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Sage Dental, who are creating a modern, family-friendly approach to dentistry with one thing in mind—you. From pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to teeth cleanings and oral surgery, they work to provide you and your family with the best dental care all in one place.

*All Times Are in ET

Friday, Feb. 6
👟 WXCTF @ Celebration Pointe (Gainesville, Fla.)
🥎 Softball vs. Ohio State @ 6 p.m. | Live Stats | Tickets

Saturday, Feb. 7
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. UAB @ 2 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
🥎 Softball vs. Wisconsin @ 6:15 p.m. | Live Stats | Tickets

Sunday, Feb. 8
🥎 Softball vs. Stonehill @ 1:30 p.m. | Live Stats | Tickets
🥎 Softball vs. Delaware @ 4 p.m. | Live Stats | Tickets

Tuesday, Feb. 10
🏀 Women’s Basketball @ Wichita State @ 7 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+

Wednesday, Feb. 11
🏀 Men’s Basketball @ Rice @ 8 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Listen: Fox Sports 640 South Florida

Friday, Feb. 13
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Florida Gulf Coast @ 12 p.m. | Live Stats 
🥎 Softball vs. Texas Tech @ 4 p.m. (Clearwater, Fla.) | Live Stats
⚾ Baseball vs. Notre Dame @ 6:30 p.m. | Watch: FAUSports.com | Tickets

🦉 Go here for the complete Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

Paradise Trivia is brought to you by Choice Mortgage Group, the Official Mortgage Lender of Florida Atlantic Athletics.

Answer: 96 tackles!

🦉 Have an amazing weekend, Owl Fam!