WSSU changes its philosophy for home football game times

The old heads at Winston-Salem State better get a nap if they want to watch the Rams live and in person at Bowman Gray Stadium this coming football season.

For the first time in at least 30 years, the Rams will play their first two home games at 8 p.m.

Coach Tory Woodbury, who is in his first season, and athletics director Eric Burns, wanted the games to stand out a little more. The 8 p.m. time slot should do it.

"I talked with Mr. Burns, and I was adamant about the 8 p.m. starts because of the (new lighting) system really makes it pop out there," Woodbury said. "And my mindset is it's still pretty warm out that time of the year, so this gives the teams a break by starting later in the day."

After opening the season at Norfolk State on Aug. 29, the Rams will play host to Mars Hill on Sept. 5 and then open conference play against defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith on Sept. 12.

The Norfolk State game, in which WSSU is receiving $35,000 and 250 tickets for players' families, will start at 6 p.m.

Woodbury said starting the first two home games at 8 p.m. will make the campus come alive because of the time of day.

"We wanted to cater to the students but also the older alums because now the older alums won't have to sit through the heat of the day," Woodbury said. "We thought about 4 p.m. but it's still pretty hot then so we are excited about having these games start at 8 p.m."

The second home game against Johnson C. Smith has a chance to be one of the most attended games at Bowman Gray Stadium that isn't a homecoming game. There could be as many as 10,000 for that game, thanks to the program that Coach Maurice Flowers has built in Charlotte.

"They are the defending champs, and their program is one of the best in the CIAA, so having that 8 p.m. slot will only add to the rivalry game," Woodbury said.

Robert Massey, who was the head coach at WSSU the last six seasons, is now an assistant for Flowers at Johnson C. Smith.

The Rams other three home games also have their game times. The Bowie State game on Oct. 10 and the Bluefield State game on Oct. 17 are both 1 p.m. starts. What is also a break from the past is WSSU is already selling season tickets.

The homecoming game, which will have an extra-long halftime show, is on Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m. against Fayetteville State. It's also the last home game of the season.

That will be a busy Saturday because that's also the same day Wake Forest will play its homecoming game against Merrimack.

The state-of-the-art Musco LED lighting system has been a big hit with the NASCAR racing season this summer on Saturday nights. The lighting for the football games will be even sharper.

Woodbury said with the light shows that can now be utilized because of the upgraded lights, he's excited about the introduction of his team.

"We will have something special for our guys to come out the fieldhouse for intros," Woodbury said. "And to do it at night under the lights is going to be that much better."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 4:09 AM.