Roar Report: 8/24/26
New Leadership. New Competition. One Lion Pride.
A Message from Andrea M. Riley, M.Ed.
Athletic Director, Paine College
Dear Paine College Family, Alumni, Friends, and Supporters,
There is an exciting energy building across Paine College Athletics, and our Lions are ready to compete!
As we move into the 2026–2027 athletic year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead for our student-athletes, coaches, and programs. We are strengthening our teams, building a culture of excellence, and creating opportunities for our student-athletes to succeed in competition, in the classroom, and in life.
This month, we are excited to welcome a decorated champion to the Lion family, celebrate the start of our fall athletic schedules, and invite the entire Paine community to ROAR with us!
WELCOME TO THE PRIDE, COACH KEVIN HICKS!
Paine College is proud to welcome Kevin Hicks as the new Head Coach of Men’s & Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country.
Coach Hicks brings an impressive combination of championship experience, collegiate coaching success, and innovation to Paine College.
A former standout at Florida A&M University, Hicks is an NCAA Division I Indoor 800-Meter Champion, USA Indoor 800-Meter Champion, former Team USA athlete, and FAMU Sports Hall of Fame inductee. His collegiate accomplishments also include MEAC championships in the 800 and 1,500 meters and school records in the indoor and outdoor 800 meters.
Following his professional running career, Hicks transitioned into coaching, with experience at Florida State University and Queens University of Charlotte, where he helped develop championship-caliber athletes and programs.
Coach Hicks also brings innovation beyond the track as the creator of Split Control, a timing and data application designed to help coaches manage workouts and track athlete performance.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Florida A&M University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arizona.
Welcome to the Lion Pride, Coach Hicks!
VOLLEYBALL IS READY TO ROAR!
September is packed with action for Paine College Women’s Volleyball, and we need Lion Nation in the stands!
September 2026 Schedule
September 8 | Claflin University | Orangeburg, SC | 6:00 PM
September 9 | Clark Atlanta University | HEAL Complex | 6:00 PM
September 11 | Rollins College | Valdosta, GA | 11:00 AM
September 12 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 9:00 AM
September 12 | Lander University | Valdosta, GA | 1:00 PM
September 15 | Piedmont University | HEAL Complex | 6:00 PM
September 18 | Trinity College of Florida | HEAL Complex | 3:00 PM
September 19 | Trinity College of Jacksonville | Greenville, SC | 2:00 PM
September 19 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | 4:00 PM
September 23 | Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta, GA | 6:00 PM
September 24 | Agnes Scott College | Atlanta, GA | 6:00 PM
September 28 | University of South Carolina Union | HEAL Complex | 6:00 PM
HOME MATCHES — PACK THE HEAL!
Mark your calendars for September 9, September 15, September 18, and September 28 and come out to the HEAL Complex to cheer on our Lions.
Bring your Paine pride, wear your purple and white, and help us create a true home-court advantage!
LET’S PACK THE HEAL!
LIONS ON THE GREEN
Our Men’s & Women’s Golf Teams, under the leadership of Head Coach Andre’ Lacey II, PGA, are also hitting the course for the 2026–2027 season.
August & September Schedule
August 31 | Eagles Reinhardt’s Open (M/W) | Waleska, GA | 8:00 AM
September 1 | Eagles Reinhardt’s Open (M/W) | Waleska, GA | 8:00 AM
September 14 | 2026 Savannah Lakes Invitational | McCormick, SC | 8:00 AM
September 15 | 2026 Savannah Lakes Invitational | McCormick, SC | 8:00 AM
September 21 | 2026 Savannah Lakes Invitational | McCormick, SC | 8:00 AM
September 22 | 2026 Savannah Lakes Invitational | McCormick, SC | 8:00 AM
We wish our golfers continued success as they represent Paine College throughout the region.
Hit ’em long and straight, Lions!
💜 INVEST IN OUR LIONS
Every competition is about more than the final score.
Paine College Athletics is committed to developing student-athletes who compete with excellence, pursue their education with purpose, and represent Paine College with pride.
Your financial support helps us provide our student-athletes with the resources and experiences they need to compete and succeed. Gifts to Paine College Athletics can help support equipment, travel, training, student-athlete development, program enhancements, and other needs across our athletic programs.
Whether you are an alumnus, parent, friend, former student-athlete, or simply someone who believes in the future of Paine College, your gift makes a difference.
WILL YOU JOIN THE TEAM?
No gift is too small to make an impact. Together, we can continue building programs our students, alumni, and community can be proud of.
ONE PAINE. ONE PRIDE. ONE ROAR.
I invite you to follow our teams, attend our competitions, celebrate our student-athletes, and continue supporting the growth of Paine College Athletics.
The season is here.
Let’s fill the stands. Let’s support our Lions. And let’s ROAR together!
With Lion Pride,
Andrea M. Riley, M.Ed.
Athletic Director
Paine College
Paine College
Paine College is a historically Black liberal arts institution located in Augusta, Georgia. Founded in 1882 through a partnership between the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Paine College is dedicated to providing a liberal arts education of the highest quality- emphasizing academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development. For more information, visit Paine online.
