Good Morning, Owl Nation. “There can be a lot of adversity throughout your life, but sometimes it can be a humbling moment for you,” said Florida Atlantic football safety Courtney Lamas-Lanier. “Get yourself back up and do what you want to do in life despite the hardships that you go through.”

Any adversity that occurs on the field pales in comparison to the challenges in Lamas-Lanier’s personal life. He was born in 2001 to a mother struggling with substance abuse and being separated from his father. His mom’s life was cut short by a hit-and-run accident when he was just eight years old, and much of his childhood was plagued by further tragic deaths of two aunts and multiple cousins. 

In June of 2024, Lamas-Lanier was named a recipient of the Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, given to those who have overcome significant challenges on and off the field. Lamas-Lanier attended a ceremony in Las Vegas to receive the award.

♥️ Go here for more on Lamas-Lanier and the prestigious event. 🏈

What a Brew we have for you! Check it out below!

🏈 FAU Football puts in the work in the last pre-pads practice
📚 Center Federico Maranges named to William V. Campbell Watch List
🦉 And much, much more

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🔼 Owl Around Greatness. Florida Atlantic's sixth-year senior center Federico Maranges has been named to the William V. Campbell Watch List.
 
The award honors the late William V. Campbell, the former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University, and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal. The William V. Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
 
Maranges is preparing for his sixth collegiate season, all at Florida Atlantic, and will serve his fourth year as the Owls' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's President. The native of Puerto Rico earned Bachelor of Science degrees in neuroscience and behavior science in May of 2023 and is currently working on a master's degree with medical school as a goal.

🔼 Doing Gridiron Good. Florida Atlantic's football home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, at FAU Stadium versus Army West Point, and the Owls will celebrate Military Appreciation Day as the Black Knights come to Boca Raton.

As a thank you, the university is offering two free tickets, plus the opportunity to purchase additional discounted tickets, to any military veterans or active service personnel.

Various military appreciation-themed festivities are planned for inside and outside the stadium as we celebrate those who serve or have served. Veteran and military groups of 15 or more may contact the FAU Ticket Office ([email protected]) for further discounted group ticket information.

Go here for more info, including the Military Appreciation Tailgate details.

🔼 Goals? Accomplished. ✅ The Florida Atlantic women's soccer program started the season with a preseason exhibition win against Stetson on Sunday evening in Deland. 

The Owls played three 35-minute thirds against the Hatters and took the 3-0 victory to kick off the 2024 season. 

On Thursday, Aug. 15, the Knights of Central Florida will make their way to Paradise to open the Owls' season. The match will be played at the FAU Football Stadium.

🔼 A Right Hand Man. Florida Atlantic women's basketball Head Coach Jennifer Sullivan announced the addition of Jason Rasnake as the program's new assistant coach on Thursday.
 
Rasnake joins the Owls after serving as the head coach at Louisburg College for the past five seasons. He led the Canes to an impressive 25-5 record during the 2023-24 season. Under Rasnake, the Canes earned multiple all-conference selections and made noise on the national level with an NJCAA All-American Third Team selection.
 
Before joining the Canes, Rasnake served as an assistant coach at USC Upstate, where he supported coach Tammy George and helped lead the Spartans to a 22-win season and a pair of postseason appearances.

Go here for more on his impressive background.

🔼 Practice Makes Pretty Perfect. The primary focus for the Florida Atlantic football team, who practiced for the final time before donning full pads on Monday, was a 20-minute scrimmage.
 
Much like every practice, the element of competition was added, and the defense won by a 12-10 score.

"The leaders are holding their position groups accountable,” redshirt junior defensive back Jayden Williams said. “We harp on that we are only as strong as our weakest link, so if somebody who is the fourth string is falling off, we have to keep him to the standard. Holding everybody to the standard is what we really enforce in the program, and we take pride in it.”

Go here for more quotes from players and coaches, and hear Kahzir “Buggs” Brown wired for sound.

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday, August 30 
⚽️ First Women’s Soccer Game @ Stetson @ 6 p.m. EST

Friday, August 30
🏈 First football game of the season @ Michigan State @ TBA

⇢ Go here for all the information on the various FAU Athletics Summer Camps. 🌞

🦉 Go here for the full Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

🦉 PARADISE TRIVIA

⇢⇢⇢ Florida Atlantic Athletics recently announced that a former FAU football player who was with the team from 2007 to 2011 has joined Ken LaVicka and Mike Mreczko as part of the 2024 broadcast team. Who is this former player?

Think you know the answer?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

🦉 ONE BIG THING

Once an Owl, Always an Owl. Join us on Friday, Sept. 20, for the alumni volleyball game as the Owls face off against the Mercer Bears at 7 PM! For more information and to RSVP, contact Coach Brooke ([email protected]).

🏈 COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: 25 DAYS

Number of the Day: 25

That’s right; we are just 25 days away from the return of FAU Football
under the Friday Night Lights in East Lansing with Michigan State on August 30.

TRIVIA ANSWER 🦉

The Answer: Florida Atlantic Athletics, in conjunction with multimedia rights holder Playfly, has announced that Chris Newbold, who played offensive line for the Owls from 2007 to 2011, joins Ken LaVicka and Mike Mreczko in the booth as part of the 2024 broadcast network team.

🦉 Let’s get this week started, y’all!