Virginia Union University's football team has been picked to finish second in the CIAA for the 2024 season, it was announced at the 2024 CIAA Football Media Day held on Wednesday, July 17, in Salem, Va.

"I want to thank God for all the accolades and putting us in the position that we are," said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  "But I'm a little more happy as to where we're going.  When we finished the season last year, our focus was on retention, recruiting and repeating.  We had the number-one defense, coach (Edward) Pointer was the Assistant Coach of the Year, and we didn't give up one rushing touchdown during the entire regular season.  So we had the number-one defense and we have nine starters returning from that defense."

Since there are now only 11 schools sponsoring football, there is no more Northern and Southern Division.  The two teams with the top overall conference records will meet in Salem, Va., for the CIAA Championship Game on Saturday, November 16.

The predicted order of finish is:

1. Virginia State
2. Virginia Union
3. Fayetteville State
4. Johnson C. Smith
5. Bowie State
6. Winston-Salem State
7. Shaw
8. Lincoln (Pa.)
9. Livingstone
10. Elizabeth City State
11. Bluefield State

Eight members of the 2024 Panther football team was also named Preseason All-CIAA:

• Kalen Carver, Tight End
• Jamaree Moyer, Offensive Line
• Mathias Nielsen, Offensive Line
• Jada Byers, Running Back
• Brady Myers, Place Kicker
• Isaac Anderson, Defensive Line
• Shamar Graham, Linebacker
• Larry Hackey, Punt Returner

Virginia Union will start the 2024 season when it meets Kentucky State University on Saturday, August 31, in Frankfort, Ky.