UNC Pembroke Braves football

UNC Pembroke Braves
First season 2007
Athletic director Dan Kenney
Head coach Pete Shinnick
5th year, 34–18  (.654)
Home stadium Grace P. Johnson Stadium
Stadium capacity 4,000
Stadium surface Grass
Location Pembroke, North Carolina
Conference Division II Independent
All-time record 34–18–0 (.654)
Postseason bowl record 0–0–0
Colors Gold and Black            
Website UNC Pembroke Braves Football

The UNC Pembroke Braves football team represents the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in the NCAA Division II, competing as a Division II Independent. Pembroke plays its home games at the 4,000 seat Grace P. Johnson Stadium at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Field, which is located on-campus in Pembroke, North Carolina. Although only fielding a team since the 2007 season, Pembroke previously fielded teams between the 1946 and 1951 seasons as Pembroke State.[1]

History

Pembroke State fielded their first team in 1946.[2] Having played only five games in the inaugural season, James Sampson served as head coach.[2] Sampson served as head coach through the termination of the football program following the 1950 season.

Without sanctioned football since the 1951 season, on December 1, 2004, the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees voted unanimously to proceed with the development of a football program to begin play by the 2007 season.[3] With stadium expansion complete by summer 2005, Pembroke announced the hiring of Pete Shinnick as the reinstated program's head coach on December 13, 2005.[4] With the inaugural team in place, the Braves lost their inaugural game on the road to the Davidson Wildcats 21–31 on September 1,[5] and notched their first win in their first home game after they defeated Greensboro College 26–20 on September 8 en route to completing the 2007 campaign with a 4–7 record.[6]

Pembroke improved upon their 2007 record through and finished the 2008 season with a record of 9–1. The 2008 squad featured a defense that lead all of Division II in scoring defense that only allowed 11.20 points per game; was second in total defense with 226.60 yards per game; and was fourth in rushing defense with 71.60 yards per game.[7]

Seasons

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
UNC Pembroke Braves (Independent) (2007–Present)
2007 Pete Shinnick 4–7 Independent
2008 Pete Shinnick 9–1 Independent
2009 Pete Shinnick 9–2 Independent L 41–13 vs. Arkansas Tech Division II First Round
2010 Pete Shinnick 5–5 Independent
Total: 27–15–0
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title
†Indicates BCS bowl game. #Rankings from final Coaches' Poll.

References

  1. ^ McGhee, Khary K. (January 22, 2005). "Revitalization project". The Fayetteville Observer. 
  2. ^ a b The Indianhead. Digital North Carolina Library. 1947. pp. 39–40. http://library.digitalnc.org/u?/yearbooks,2860. Retrieved November 8, 2011. 
  3. ^ McGhee, Khary K. (December 2, 2004). "Football returns to UNCP". The Fayetteville Observer. 
  4. ^ Pope, Tomas (December 14, 2005). "Braves hire Shinnick as coach". The Fayetteville Observer. 
  5. ^ Friedlander, Brett (September 6, 2007). "Time to celebrate at UNCP". The Fayetteville Observer. 
  6. ^ Graff, Michael N. (September 9, 2007). "Home, sweet home: Braves win". The Fayetteville Observer. 
  7. ^ NCAA. "UNC Pembroke Football Ranking Summary". http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2008&org=537. Retrieved December 28, 2008.