The start of the fall semester means new classes, new first-year students, and new buildings. It also means a new year of Guilford athletics. There are new coaches, new focus points, and new expectations for nearly every fall sport. The football team is under new leadership, as Kevin Keisel starts his first season as head coach. He does so with a new staff of assistants, a new system on both offense and defense, and a new practice field.

While the team’s first game is this Saturday, it is away at Ferrum College. Guilford students will not see them in action until Sep. 10 when they play their home opener against Methodist.

The volleyball team has an entirely new roster, with sophomore Leah McKinney the only returning player from last year. The team also has a new assistant coach in Trevor Hewitt who brought several players with him from Delaware. With such a young team, this season will be one of growing and learning.

Like the football team, the volleyball team opens the season on the road. Their first game is Sep. 5 at Salem, but the home opener is just two days later against Peace.

The men’s soccer team is coming off a conference semi-final defeat and the loss of three all-conference players. However, a strong freshman class and a core of returning players has coach Liam Brehens expecting another strong showing in the conference.

The men’s soccer season opens in front of the fans at the soccer field, on Sep. 1 against Southern Virginia.

The women’s soccer team recently earned fourth place in the ODAC preseason poll. The senior class of Danielle Brisotti, Alissa VanZee-Phillips, Heather Ruggiero, and Trina Scurka has a chance to become the most-winning senior class in school history. They will anchor a team with high expectations.

Women’s soccer opens the season with a home tournament on Saturday. They will host Southwestern Greensboro and Union over the course of the weekend.

Both the men and women’s cross country teams are in a similar place, as both teams lost their top runner from last year. Coach Steve Smith wants both teams to build on last year’s inaugural seasons.

They open the season on the road at Appalachian. State this weekend. The closest they come to running at home is on Oct. 15 when they run at Hagan Stone Park in Greensboro.

This fall season looks to be an exciting one for all the teams. All Guilford students are encouraged to go out and show their support.