The event, held at the north end of the parking lot beside University Commons, drew students, athletes, faculty, staff, members of the press, and officials from Varsity Travel. It included remarks from Buck Smith, associate athletics director of operations; Adam Posey, head baseball coach; Sophia Armato, senior field hockey player; and Carrie S Bert, director of athletics. 

After their remarks and a brief countdown, the plain white bus that had been blocking the crowd’s view pulled forward to reveal the new EMU athletics bus. As attendees got their first look at the bus’s bold new design, six pyrotechnic machines fired fountains of sparks into the air, cannons launched a flurry of blue and silver streamers overhead, and a snippet of Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway” played through the speakers.

The bus wrap proudly proclaims “EMU ROYALS” and “HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA” lettering next to an image of the Royals’ lion mascot, which spans the full height of the bus from its tires to its roof. The design is set in front of a silhouette of Massanutten Mountain in varying shades of blue. The bus will serve as a moving billboard for EMU, promoting the values of the university wherever it goes.

“This bus is going to draw attention. It already did on our road trip to North Carolina this weekend,” said Armato, referencing her team’s recent travels to Meredith College in Raleigh. “It will create conversations and carry a Royal spirit wherever it goes.”

“EMU has a history of doing amazing, awesome work, of putting out tremendous people, graduates, staff, faculty, very quietly,” Bert said. “Well, guess what? It’s time for EMU to make a statement, to be recognized and remembered. As our teams travel, we won’t just arrive at our destinations, we will make an entrance.”

The bus is fully owned and operated by Winchester-based , and the new wrap is a generous perk of the university’s partnership with the charter service. According to its website, Varsity Travel also provides transportation for Shenandoah University Athletics, Hood College, and Hagerstown Community College Athletics.

EMU alumna and staff member Hannah Beck, senior admissions counselor, said the new bus will also be used to bring groups of local high school students to visit the campus. “I’m really excited for this,” she said. “It’s great to get more name recognition out there.”  

View the moment the bus was revealed in our video below:

EMU is excited to announce a special unveiling ceremony celebrating the reveal of its newly wrapped athletics bus.

The ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, in the North Parking Lot of University Commons. Students, alumni, and members of the public are invited to join in the celebration, where representatives from EMU Athletics and Varsity Travel will reveal the bus’ new design for the first time ever.

Although details are under wraps, we can tell you that the design features EMU’s iconic colors and dynamic imagery. It will serve as a mobile ambassador for the Royals as it travels across the region, transporting EMU student-athletes to competitions and events.

EMU Athletic Director Carrie Bert will lead a short program before the official reveal. “This bus represents the unity, purpose, and passion of ˛ÝÝ®ÉçÇř Athletics,” she said. “It’s a moving symbol of how we connect our students, fans, and mission—from Harrisonburg to every corner of the region.”

The bus wrap was developed in partnership with Winchester-based Varsity Travel, a regional leader in safe, modern, and community-centered transportation.

Media are encouraged to attend the unveiling. Interview and photo opportunities with university representatives, student-athletes, and community partners will be available immediately following the event. 

Media Contact:
Ryan Cornell
Senior Writer & Communications Manager
ryan.cornell@emu.edu
(540) 432-4059

About EMU Athletics
EMU competes in NCAA Division III as a proud member of the Old Dominion Athletics Conference (ODAC). The Royals are dedicated to fostering holistic growth for student-athletes, promoting excellence in academics, faith, and sport. EMU’s athletics program empowers students to lead with purpose, teamwork, and integrity both on and off the field.