Welcome to C-USA: Old Dominion

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Current Monarchs in the pros

ODU has produced arguably, the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. Justin Verlander, who finished his college career as ODUs all-time strikeout leader, has been playing for the Detroit Tigers since 2005. The seven-year, $180 million deal he signed with the Tigers this past March makes him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history. Verlander has had quite the prolific MLB career so far. He led the MLB in strikeouts in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and won Rookie of the Year in 2006, among many other accolades.

Arizona Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson is also an ODU alumnus. But following two successful campaigns in 2010-2011, Hudson has been unable to stay healthy for the last two years. Since last July, he has undergone Tommy John Surgery twice.

As for the basketball program, Kent Bazemore is one of the most notable alumni. In 2011, he won the Lefty Driesell Awardan award given to the best defensive player in the NCAA. After graduating, he went undrafted and now plays for the Golden State Warriors. Bazemores career highlight thus far came in the 2013 playoffs, where he scored a go-ahead basket in the final seconds of double overtime against the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs.

Background

Located in Norfolk, VA, ODU has an undergraduate student body of over 18,000. The schools name stems from one of the states nicknamesThe Old Dominionwhich was given to Virginia for remaining loyal to the Englands King Charles II during the English Civil War.

The Monarchs spent 22 years as one of the most recognizable schools of the CAA.

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