Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Following an incredible debut season in spring 2025, Radford University and its Softball Head Coach Kevin Fagan have agreed to a five-year contract extension through the 2030 season.
“I’m very thankful after one year to get an extension,” said Fagan. “I would like to thank President [Bret] Danilowicz and [Radford University Athletic Director] Robert Lineburg for the confidence they have in my staff and myself to lead this program for several more years. With the addition of our new field and scoreboard that Nancy and Dr. Pat Artis have made possible, I believe the future of our softball program is extremely bright.”
Fagan, the reigning Big South Coach of the Year, is coming off a rejuvenated 2025 campaign that saw the softball program back atop the Big South standings. The Highlanders posted a 14-4 record in conference play, earning the regular season title for the first time since 2012. Radford checked in multiple weeks in the DI Softball Mid-Major rankings, placing as high as 24th which marked their highest and first rankings in program history.
The Highlanders saw multiple marked improvements in just one year under the guidance of Fagan. Radford’s offense improved multiple notable team stat categories such as batting average, runs scored, total bases, walks, fielding percentage and shaved a full run off their team ERA.
RU downs Hokies in volleyball
The Hokies were defeated 3-0 by Radford on Friday afternoon. Despite a close first set and 14 lead changes, Virginia Tech couldn’t hold on as the Highlanders took control of each set.
The Highlanders’ offense came from a balanced attack with five different players finishing with 5-plus kills led by Sloss’ third straight match in double figures.
Sierra Moore nearly missed a double-double with her nine kills and 11 digs.
Gabriela Smolenska was perfect on the attack with three kills on three total attacks while also tallying a solo block and four block assists.
Radford held their opponents to a sub-200 hitting percentage in both their matches at the Virginia Tech Classic.
The victory over Virginia Tech is the second straight for Radford, last beating the Hokies by a similar 3-0 finish in 2017.
The victory is also the first over a power foe by head coach Savanna Hammond, in her first full season guiding Radford.
Wisconsin date moved
The Virginia Tech football team will open the 2031 season against Wisconsin in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 30, 2031, the university announced Wednesday. The Hokies and Badgers were originally scheduled to face off at Lane Stadium on Sept. 12, 2031, but will now kick off on college football’s opening weekend.
The originally scheduled Lane Stadium contest will be replaced by an additional home game later in the season.
This schedule change allows the Hokies to keep six home games and schedule marquee matchups, while adding an attractive opening weekend to maximize viewership and visibility.
Tech is scheduled to play Wisconsin in Madison in 2032. The Hokies and Badgers have never met on the gridiron.
Big South honors Highlander
The Big South Conference announced Friday morning that Radford University’s Mckenzie Weddle has been named the Golfer of the Week after her individual championship at the Elon Invitational earlier this week.
Weddle led the Highlanders’ efforts at the Elon Invitational with her first-place finish at 3-under par that led the pack of 78 total student-athletes competing. The title was Weddle’s first in her career, and the weekly award is the second in her career after earning the Freshman of the Week nod in her debut season in 2023-24.
Beeler’s contract extended
Following a historic 2024-25 season, Radford University and women’s golf head coach Jeff Beeler have agreed to a contract extension through the 2030 season.
Beeler just completed his 17th season at the helm of the women’s golf program in 2024-25, culminating most recently in guiding the Highlanders to their first Big South Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
