Virginia State University
Ettrick, Virginia (Petersburg area) · The dossier: identity, why-here, band, homecoming, deadlines — every fact from the Yard roster.
Virginia State University
Photo: HBCU homecoming tailgate — file photo: uatl.com
Why here — the dossier
- Est. 1882Founded in 1882 — 144 years of history.
- ConferenceCompetes in the CIAA.
- Trojan ExplosionHome of the Trojan Explosion, founded 1888.
- Yard legendsAlumni on record: Reginald F. Lewis, Deshauna Barber, Gladys West.
Every highlight comes from the Yard roster — nothing invented.
Band spotlight
Trojan Explosion
Band founded 1888
The Trojan Explosion is a show-style band of around 120 members with the Essence of Troy dancers, Satin Divas flag corps, and Troy Elegance twirlers. Its résumé is the strongest of any Division II HBCU band: two White House performances (the 2010 drumline, a first; the 2023 full band), a live Today Show spot, nine straight Honda Battle of the Bands runs, back-to-back Band of the Year Division II runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024, and No. 1 in the 2026 DII HBCU band polls with a record 20-member tuba section. The band wears blue and orange at home, blue/orange/white on the road, and 'Glad' is a signature crowd piece.
From the Yard roster. No videos are shown — none verified official and rights-clean.
Deadlines are not yet published on the Yard for Virginia State University.
We only post deadlines verified against the school’s own admissions pages — nothing guessed, nothing borrowed. Until then, go straight to the source:
File your FAFSA early — the free federal application lives at studentaid.gov. Filing early keeps every aid option open.
Head to head
Identity only: facts on this page come straight from the Yard roster. Missing fields are omitted, never invented. No logos or brand colors are shown — none verified on file. Letter chips are generic monograms, not school marks.