It looks to be a promising year for Alcorn State University athletics. Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Derek Horne is excited for the year and is now going into his second year as Alcorn’s athletics director.

“I feel very good and after being here for a year. I’ve had an opportunity really get to know the community, know the area and get to know our program. I feel very positive,” Horne said.

The Braves hosted a meet and greet of its athletic departments for alumni and the community Saturday afternoon.

This allowed those fans and alumni to interact with the football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, softball and golf coaches in an relaxed intimate environment.

“With the meet and greet what we wanted to do is give our alums an opportunity to meet all of our coaches,” Horne said. “All of them need that support and we’re very excited about having an opportunity to engage with them to let them know how much we appreciate it, but to also share different nuances about our program to get them more informed.”

Vicksburg is one of Alcorn’s largest fan bases. Although this isn’t the first time a meet and greet of the coaches has happened, Horne said he came to Vicksburg to solidify Alcorn’s presence in the area.

Horne said the alumni support in Vicksburg is great and Alcorn has to continually program activities to bring out fans and keep them notified

“The fans are very loyal to the institution. Everybody has their different reasons, but once you’re on the reservation for a while and see the sense of community that’s there, you see why our alumni is so important,” Horne said.

For first year basketball coach Montez Robinson, it was important for him to show his face, as this was the first time many fans have seen him. Robinson made his rounds in the Holiday Inn conference room to mingle with alumni to let them know how he plans to move the program in a new direction.

Robinson has heard fans support has declined in recent years and felt it was important to touch bases with fans in Vicksburg and surrounding areas to boost morale.

“I want to get it back to where it’s a packed house,” Robinson said. “If I can get a lower bowl filled this year, which is about 2,500 fans, and start working on the upper half I’ll definitely be excited about that.”

Alumni and fans have been supportive of Robinson since he took the job in May.

He’s received phone calls wishing him well and has gotten nothing but thanks since taking over.

“The more they feel comfortable with me where they can really touch me, that would make them want to come out and support me,” Robinson said. “I’m a very reachable guy. I’m very open and I think that’s important. I’m excited for this opportunity.”

Head football coach Jay Hopson spoke on the appreciation he has for the alumni’s support and how they contributed to the success of the team. The Braves are coming off a 2014 SWAC championship and look to continue their dominance.

The football team scrimmaged Saturday and Hopson reported on how the team performed.

“I was really pleased. I thought we had a physical scrimmage,” Hopson said. “We got some really good young talent. Our offense is pretty old and veteran and I thought they got the best of the defense today in the scrimmage. We do have a few young defensive kids but I thought the usual’s John Gibbs and our running backs and a few of our receivers played really well on defense.”

The Braves will board the bus Sept. 2 to play No. 9 ranked Georgia Tech to begin their season.