Hampton, Va. – Hampton University announces the release of its 2017 football schedule as the official launch of the University's celebration of its 150^th year and that of Dr. William R. Harvey's 40^th year as University President. 
 
Hampton University was founded on April 1, 1868 as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute by Brigadier General Samuel Armstrong. Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degrees programs. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations.
 
President Dr. William R. Harvey arrived to Hampton in 1978 and has served with distinction as President and created a monumental legacy. During his 39-year tenure -- one of the longest tenures of any sitting president of a college or university in the country -- Dr. Harvey is described as "one of the most focused individuals that once can meet. He is relentlessly single-minded" when it come to the advancement of the University.
 
During his tenure, Dr. Harvey has made countless contributions to the University, our state and the nation. Few individuals have demonstrated the dedication to education and service that Dr. Harvey has throughout his distinguish career.
 
Hampton will play 11 games during the 2017 season. The schedule features three non-conference games, including one against a BCS (Bowl Championship Series) team and one FCS opponent from the Big South. Hampton's final non-conference matchup will come against an old foe the Pirates have not faced since 1994 from the CIAA.
 
The Pirates will open the season at Ohio University on Sept. 2, serving as the season opener for the Bobcats. This will be the first meeting between the two schools. The following week, Hampton will head to the nation's capital for the 2017 AT&T Nation's Football Classic to face their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponent in Delaware State on Friday, Sept. 8 at RFK Stadium.
 
Hampton's first home game is on Sept. 16 against Livingstone, a former CIAA opponent as the Pirates welcome back all alumni for Alumni Day 2017 at 6 p.m. inside Armstrong Stadium. The Pirates hold 9-0 series advantage of the Blue Bears. Hampton will return home on Sept. 23 for Parents Weekend/Greek Day as they welcomes Monmouth to Armstrong Stadium for a non-conference matchup. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
 
Following a bye week, Hampton will hit the road and travel to Savannah, Ga. on Oct. 7 for a matchup against Savannah State under the direction of second-year head coach Erik Raeburn. Hampton holds a 7-0 series lead of the Tigers, having won all three meetings in Savannah.
 
The Pirates will return to the Tidewater area when they face Norfolk State for 2017 edition of Battle of the Bay on Oct. 14 at William "Dick" Price Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff. This will mark the 55^th time the Spartans and the Pirates have meet on the gridiron, with Norfolk State leading the series with 28-25-1 record.
 
Hampton will return to Armstrong Stadium when the Pirates host the Rattlers of Florida A&M for Homecoming on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. The Rattlers lead the all-time series 14-9 but have not won at Armstrong Stadium since 2003. The Pirates will then travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. the following week on Oct. 28 to take on Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2014, when the Pirates won at home 40-35. The series is tied at 10 each, but the Wildcats have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
 
The Pirates will then welcome three-time MEAC champion North Carolina Central to Armstrong Stadium on Nov. 4 for the Pink Game/Breast Cancer Awareness Day at 1 p.m. and will face the Eagles for the first time since 2014. The Pirates lead the series 18-6 since their first meeting in 1924 and have won eight of the last 10 meetings.
 
Hampton will then head to Orangeburg, S.C. on Nov. 11 to face South Carolina State. The Bulldogs hold an 11-10 advantage in the series over the Pirates. Hampton snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs, defeating them 28-26 at Armstrong Stadium this past season.
 
The Pirates will close out the 2017 season when they welcome Howard back to Armstrong Stadium for the first time since 2013 for the 93^rd edition of the Battle of the Real HU on Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. for Military Appreciation/Senior Day. Hampton leads the all-time series 49-42-1 having won six of the last 10 meetings.
 
Hampton will bring back the Fan Zone for all home games this upcoming season. Entrance into the much anticipated Fan Zone will be the cost of a game ticket, plus parking fees where applicable.
 
All information regarding ticket pricing will be available within the next few months. All information regarding the University's Sesquicentennial and President's 40^th years of celebration will be announced at a later date.
 
Hampton will hold its spring football game on Friday, March 31 at 3 p.m. inside Armstrong Stadium.
 
For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5757, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.