Paradise Brew 3/18: They'reee Backkk

Kittley, Owls Hit The Field As Spring Ball Gets Underway

March 18, 2026

Good Morning, FAU Fam. The boys are OFFICIALLY back to work!

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

🏈 They’ree Bacckkk
🏊 Head Of Class
🦉 And much, much more

🔼 They’re Backkkk. The whistles were blowing. The sweat was pouring. FAU Football was officially back to work this week as spring ball got underway under second-year Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley on Tuesday.

The Owls moved through their paces with leadership and familiarity returning for year two with all position coaches as well as redshirt senior starting QB Caden Veltkamp back for the 2026 season. FAU is the only FBS program to bring back all of them.

While Veltkamp will be sidelined for much of the spring, the signal caller participated in practice when allowed and served in a leadership role during the contact sessions.

More than 50 newcomers participated in practice on Tuesday, following the lead of key FAU returners like senior DTs CJ Doggette Jr. and Wilky Denaud.

🧼🚗 FREE CAR WASH FOR NATIONAL CAR WASH DAY 🧼🚗

Stop by Boca Car Wash from 11AM to 1PM on March 28 and say the code word “FAU” at the wash to receive a FREE car wash, courtesy of our friends at Boca Car Wash, the Official Hometown Car Wash of Florida Atlantic Athletics.

🎟️ The first 50 cars also get two FREE tickets to FAU Softball vs. UTSA at 5PM. 🎟️

🦉 Come get your car shining and support the Owls 🦉

🔼 Head Of Class. Senior swimming standout Daniel Laureyssens received the Atlantic Sun’s highest honor this week, being named the ASUN’s Men’s Swimming Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Laureyssens, currently has a 3.800 cumulative GPA, majoring in International Business. The Belgium native had a historic conference championship meet, totaling six medals, five of them being gold. He became the first male owl since 2006 to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championship meet.

Five of his teammates were recognized as well, earning spots on the Academic All-Sun team. Laureyssens was joined by Gianni Carlino, Taylor Eaton, Trevor Kuhn, Payne Smith, and Christoffer Weiss.

🔼 Power Pair. For the second time this season, a pair of Sandy Owls took home Conference USA Pair of the Week accolades.

Olivia Standberg and Ava Koehl were honored this week, marking the first career recognition for the pair.

The duo had a career weekend during the Florida Atlantic Beach Invitational. The pair finished the weekend 3-1, earning wins over No. 7 Florida State, No. 6 TCU, and Tampa.

🔼 Autuman’s Accolade. It didn’t take long for Autumn Courtney to make an impact on the FAU softball program.

After arriving at FAU for the '25 campaign, Courtney became the fifth All-American in program history, finishing nationally ranked among the top 40 in ERA (2.03, No. 31), strikeouts (172, No. 31), and wins (24, No. 14).

For her accomplishment, Courtney was awarded Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame this past Sunday.

🚙 EVERYTHING AND MORE

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And their locally owned dealerships support the local community—building up South Florida’s education, healthcare, and so much more.

🤝 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.

FAU second baseman John Martinez earned Honorable Mention honors from the American Conference after going 8-for-17 with two doubles and three RBI last week for the Owls.

In 77 career games at FAU, how many hits has Martinez racked up over the past two seasons?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

Florida Atlantic University Athletics is excited for Golf Tournaments in Paradise!

The Phil Smith '69 Invitational will be hosted at Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, May 4, 2026. To view the tournament website, please click HERE.

The Captain's Cup Classic will be hosted at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton on Monday, May 18, 2026. To view the tournament website, please click HERE.

🦉 ONE BIG THING

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!

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

Wednesday, March 18
🏊 Swim @ NCAA Women’s National Championships (Atlanta, Ga.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. James Madison @ 12 p.m. | Live Stats
🎾 Men’s Tennis vs. East Tennessee State @ 5 p.m. | Live Stats

Thursday, March 19
🏊 Swim @ NCAA Women’s National Championships (Atlanta, Ga.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. East Tennessee State @ 10 a.m. | Live Stats

Friday, March 20
🏊 Swim @ NCAA Women’s National Championships (Atlanta, Ga.)
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. Stetson @ 8 a.m. (Jacksonville, Fla.)
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. North Florida @ 10 a.m. (Jacksonville, Fla.)
🎾 Men’s Tennis vs. South Florida
⚾ Baseball vs. UTSA @ 6:30 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
🥎 Softball @ Wichita State @ 7 p.m. (Wichita, Kan.)

Saturday, March 21
🏊 Swim @ NCAA Women’s National Championships (Atlanta, Ga.)
👟 Women’s Track & Field @ UM Hurricane Invitational (Coral Gables, Fla.)
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. North Florida @ 9 a.m. (Jacksonville, Fla.)
🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Harvard @ 11 a.m. | Live Stats
🏖️ Beach Volleyball vs. Saint Leo @ 11 a.m. (Jacksonville, Fla.)
⚾ Baseball vs. UTSA @ 4 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
🥎 Softball @ Wichita State @ 5 p.m. (Wichita, Kan.)

Sunday, March 22
⚾ Baseball vs. UTSA @ 12 p.m. | Watch: ESPN+ | Tickets
🎾 Men’s Tennis vs. Memphis @ 12 p.m. | Live Stats
🥎 Softball @ Wichita State @ 1 p.m. (Wichita, Kan.)

🦉 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: 94

🦉 Have a great one, Owl Fam!