Elon Phoenix Athletics

With 39 selections, the Elon Phoenix led the way on the Southern Conference's 2009 fall Academic All-Conference team. The honorees included eight members of the women's soccer team, seven members each from the women's cross country, volleyball and men's soccer teams, and five members each from the football and men's cross country teams.

Elon University defender Steven Kinney became the first player in program history to be drafted into Major League Soccer when the Chicago Fire selected him on Thursday with the 45th pick of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Listening to Elon head football coach Pete Lembo speak at the weekly "Inside the Elon Huddle" luncheon on Monday, you'd think that Saturday's matchup against the Richmond Spiders is just another game.

Elon's Terrell Hudgins became the FCS career leader in receiving yards on a 44-yard grab on the first play from scrimmage as the Phoenix knocked off the Western Carolina Catamounts 42-17 in Southern Conference football action on Saturday.

Standout Phoenix wide receiver Terrell Hudgins, who needs 536 yards to break the national FCS record for career receiving yards held by NFL legend Jerry Rice, was profiled in the Oct. 2 edition of the Raleigh, N.C., News & Observer. Hudgins needs just three catches to set the national FCS record for career receptions.

In a preview to Saturday's football showdown between the Elon Phoenix and the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, a feature article in Winston-Salem's regional daily newspaper explores a deep connection shared by both schools' programs - legendary coach D.C. “Peahead” Walker.

The Phoenix men's cross country team took first and the women's team took second in the inaugural Elon Invitational cross country meet held Sept. 12 on the new course developed on South Campus. The men's race covered 8 kilometers and the women's race was on a 5K course. The race was a chance for Elon athletics to tune up for the Southern Conference championship meet, which will be hosted by Elon Oct. 31.