University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports Center on St. Thomas buzzed with excitement Friday night as UVI hosted its Athletics Meet and Greet, an event that proved to be nothing short of inspiring for the crowd of fans, faculty, and future Buccaneers.
The evening kicked off with high energy as UVI’s dance team, the Dazzling Sapphires, took center stage to hype up the enthusiastic audience. Their electrifying performance set the perfect tone for what would become a celebration of athletic talent and community spirit.
One by one, members of the track, cross country, and basketball teams took their turn at the microphone, introducing themselves to thunderous applause. Each student-athlete shared their role on the team, hometown, and a fun fact about themselves, showcasing personalities that had the crowd laughing and cheering throughout the night. The genuine camaraderie was on full display as teammates and coaches playfully cracked jokes with each other, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a family reunion than a formal introduction.
Head coaches took moments to highlight their teams’ recent successes, including dual athlete Ariana Renault’s gold medal performance in the Sunrise 5K and the women’s basketball team’s successful completion of their grueling pre-season bootcamp.
Among the standout stories was that of cross-country athlete Abigail Pruitt, an Alaskan native pre-dental and dance double major. Pruitt, who is visiting UVI through the National Student Exchange Program, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm about the island experience.
“I love the people here, and I love the sunshine,” Pruitt said with a bright smile. “There’s tropical weather and live music. I’m just living it up on the beach!” The atmosphere, she noted, is a welcome change from her home university in Idaho, and her teammates have made her feel like she’s been part of the UVI family forever.
Julie Cruz, a two-time UVI alum who now serves as the student-athlete academic advisor, shared Pruitt’s sentiments. Cruz brought her own brand of energy to the event, calling each men’s basketball player to the microphone with the dramatic flair of boxing announcer Michael Buffer.
“They have a spark. They’re determined. They have an open mindset, and they make this feel like a family,” Cruz said about working with the student athletes. “I mean, they already call me their school mom,” she laughed. “I love these chances to connect with them, not just in the academic realm, but in what they love doing.”
The stands were packed with vocal supporters, including avid men’s basketball fans Kha’neisa Rivera, Destinee Fontaine, and Denae Petersen, whose smiles and enthusiastic cheers for their favorite players added to the electric atmosphere.
Leading these talented teams are head coaches Dale Joseph (Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country), Stephanie Cooper (Women’s Basketball), Kevin Sheppard (Men’s Basketball), and Aminisha Bailey (Dazzling Sapphires Dance Team), whose pride in their student-athletes was evident throughout the evening.
The meet and greet served as more than just an introduction – it was a testament to the tight-knit community that makes UVI athletics special. The family atmosphere that permeated the Elridge Blake Sports Center spoke volumes about the culture these coaches and student-athletes have built together.
Follow The University of the Virgin Islands Athletics on Facebook and @uvi_athletics on Instagram for updates throughout the season.
St. Croix Source
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