Edward Waters Unveils New Athletics Website

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- -The Edward Waters College Department of Athletics is pleased to unveil its new website for athletics, EWCTigerPride.com.  EWC has partnered with SIDHelp, a leader in college athletics website design based in Montgomery, Alabama, to create a one-of-a-kind website access and inside information on each of the College's 10 varsity sports programs.

"This is something that has been a long time coming for our department." remarked Assistant Sports Information Director, Joshua C. Jackson. "For years, our student-athletes, coaches and fans of Tiger Nation have clamored for a number of years and for this day to finally come around is really exciting for our department and our institution."

Jackson along with Senior Women's Administrator Charmaine Wilson and athletics consultant George Selmont worked closely with the designers and developers at SIDHelp to create a site that best represents Edward Waters Athletics. Jackson along with a select group of students from the Mass Communications Department will be responsible for updating the site on a frequent basis.

"We're pleased to give our Mass Communications students an outlet to display their sports writing skills as well." Jackson said.

SIDHelp manages a large number of fellow Gulf Coast Athletic Conference schools including Dillard, Tougaloo, Philander Smith, and Talladega, as well as several NAIA institutions. "The fact that SIDHelp manages several of our fellow GCAC and NAIA institutions made this a no-brainer for us." remarked Jackson. "They have a track record of producing great work, and we are thrilled to be among their list of clients."

"This is an exciting time to be a part of Tiger Nation!" remarked Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Stanley B. Cromartie. "Our College President, Dr. Nathaniel Glover has challenged us to go from good to GREAT and with the unveiling of our new website, this shows our commitment to taking our program to the next level."

The all-new EWCTigerPride.com also provides easy navigation to the department's social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter and soon will provide an opportunity for Tiger Nation to donate directly to the department, via a "Donate Now" page. The site can not only be easily accessed via desktop or laptop, but can also be accessed for those on-the-go via mobile device or tablet.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Under-the-radar FCS coaches: NCCU's Jerry Mack

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Sometimes the reason is they work in a smaller conference, sometimes it’s just the presence of a longtime coach in the conference. But the great coaching jobs in recent years in the FCS have gone beyond the likes of James Madison, North Dakota State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State.

Here are five under-the-radar coaches who are doing as good a job as any other on the lower half of Division I college football:

Jerry Mack, North Carolina Central – The Eagles only moved to the FCS level in 2010, so they’ve received way more than they could have imagined when hiring Mack after the 2013 season as the third-youngest coach in Division I. He’s 3-for-3 in winning MEAC titles, posting a 24-11 overall mark over that time. The 36-year-old guided the Eagles to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl last December.

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Atlanta Classic, expanded beer sales at Bragg in FAMU's future

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- There are plenty of reasons for Florida A&M football fans to get excited for the 2017 season.  The Rattlers get to open their season at home on national television. Tennessee State is back on the schedule in the newly-minted FAMU Tampa Football Classic. FAMU is coming off its best season in years.

If Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. has his way, 2018 will be even better.  Overton last week said contracts are waiting to be signed to revive the Atlanta Classic for the 2018 season. He’s steadily tried to pick up more classic games for the Rattlers, particularly ones FAMU owns.

A discussion that was supposed to come up during last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, but was tabled, centered on the formation of a nonprofit to make the classics on the Rattlers’ schedule FAMU-owned.  "Now that I've actually got a game, I want to make sure we have a business structure," he said

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CIAA Extends Football Contract in Salem, Announces 2017-18 Championships Schedule

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces 2017-18 locations and dates for its 14 championships, including the signing of a 3-year contract with Salem, Virginia to host the conference's football championship through 2019. For the 13th consecutive year, the annual men's and women's basketball tournament will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The CIAA's championship season begins in October with cross country and concludes in May with outdoor track & field.

The 2017 CIAA Football Championship will be held at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia on Saturday, November 11th. Last September, the CIAA and its Board announced the relocation of eight (8) conference championships six weeks prior to the scheduled football championship. The City of Salem has hosted nearly 90 NCAA National Championship events since 1993, including 25 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowls. The Division III National Football Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl has been played at Salem Stadium, the site of the upcoming conference championship. Last year's CIAA Football Championship impacted over 300 youth through school visits by football student-athletes while the game attracted nearly 3,500 fans during its first appearance in the new host city.

"The 2016 game was a great experience for local fans and Salem is honored and privileged to host the CIAA football championship for an additional three years," says Salem Mayor Randy Foley. "We have worked extremely hard over the years to earn the name 'Virginia's Championship City' and we're excited that the CIAA will now be an important part of our championship legacy."

The City of Salem will host three additional CIAA events throughout the 2017-18 season. Football Media Day will be held on July 20th at the Sheraton Hotel. Further details, including media registration, will be announced by the conference office on Thursday, June 8th. The 2017 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships will be hosted at Green Hill Park on October 26th while softball will take place April 30 – May 2, 2018 at Moyer Park.

"The city of Salem did an exceptional job hosting last year's football championship. We were pleased with their support and welcoming spirit to host the competing member institutions, fans, and sponsors," stated CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "We are excited to bring the rich legacy and tradition of CIAA championships to a city known for hosting top NCAA championships and who understands the value of serving its community through athletics. Our priority, annually, is enhancing the student-athlete experience through community impact, leadership programs, and championships. We are confident that the city of Salem will continue to help us grow and expand our championship footprint."

The 2017 football season marks the 125th anniversary of black college football, which began with two CIAA member institutions. On December 27, 1892, Livingstone College hosted Johnson C. Smith University, then named Biddle Memorial Institute, for the first-ever black college football contest. The CIAA will honor its rich football history throughout the season, including the use of a celebratory football championship logo, leading up to the annual Commemorative Classic between Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith on November 4th and the CIAA Football Championship on November 11th.

While many locations remain consistent after a successful 2016-17 championship season, the conference's Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship will return to JDL FastTrack in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after a one year hiatus. The return will fulfill the last year of a previously drawn, 3-year contract with the facility. The two-day event will be held February 11-12, 2018.

Teams, alumni, and fans will return to Charlotte from February 27–March 3 for the 2018 CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament. Known as the largest basketball championship in NCAA Division II, the event will once again be held in two Queen City venues: Bojangles' Coliseum and Spectrum Center (formerly Time Warner Cable Arena). The CIAA's Fan Housing Program, which ensures the best hotel rates for Charlotte visitors, is now open. Fans may book reservations online via www.ciaatournament.org or by calling 1-844-293-6678.

With the close of the 2016-17 season, the CIAA has discontinued sponsorship of its baseball program. The conference dropped to five teams in 2014 after the departure of the Elizabeth City State University program while the NCAA requires a minimum of six teams for sponsorship. The 2017 Baseball Championship marked the end of the CIAA's grace period, officially concluding conference-wide support of the sport.

2017-18 CIAA Championships

Sport Date Location
Men's & Women's Cross Country October 26, 2017 Green Hill Park | Salem, VA
Football November 11, 2017 Salem Stadium | Salem, VA
Volleyball November 17-19, 2017 Virginia State University Multipurpose Center | Petersburg, VA
Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field February 11-12, 2018 JDL FastTrack | Winston-Salem, NC
Men's & Women's Basketball February 27-March 3, 2018 Bojangles' Coliseum & Spectrum Center | Charlotte, NC
Women's Bowling March 23-24, 2018 AMF Western Branch Lanes | Chesapeake, VA
Men's Golf April 19-20, 2018 The Crossings Golf Club | Glen Allen, VA
Women's Tennis April 19-21, 2018 Bowie State University | Bowie, MD
Softball April 30-May 2, 2018 Moyer Park | Salem, VA
Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field May 4-5, 2018 Bowie State University | Bowie, MD

For more official conference updates, follow the conference on Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports) or visit www.theciaa.com.

COURTESY CIAA.COM

Tough, too easy FCS non-conference schedules

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State is opening the season upstate against Delaware - a program that's beaten the Hornets seven times by an average of 28 points since they first met 10 years ago.

And that's Delaware State's easiest non-conference game this season.

The Hornets will pick up big paydays when they play at West Virginia and Florida State, but also lopsided defeats in one of the hardest non-conference schedules for an FCS team.

But after a winless 2016 season, the MEAC's Hornets aren't expected to be much better this year, so their difficult non-conference schedule is not going to make an impact on a national scale.

For teams that ranked in or received votes in the final STATS FCS Top 25 last season, it's a bigger deal. Plenty of non-conference schedules stand out - the difficult ones and those that are not tough enough.

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Hughes determined to get new JSU Tigers ready for football, college life

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State coach Tony Hughes is taking steps to ensure as many of his 28 high school freshman signees as possible make it to campus.

The athletic department confirmed Tuesday that 16 freshmen football players and one transfer were already enrolled in summer classes.

"I'd like to see 10 or 11 more in the second session of summer school," Hughes said.

Among the freshmen who are already enrolled are quarterback Tavis Williams, offensive linemen Donovan Runnels and Valanez Hopson, defensive linemen Tyler Casby, Jaiqavius Bell and Mark Smith, tailbacks Keyshawn Harper, Joshua Little and DeAndre Williams, tight ends Trevarious Clark, Kyland Richey and Laquantis Hennington and defensive backs Markel Gladney, Kendrick Paul and Kevin Berthey.

That number also includes Mississippi State transfer Jamoral Graham, a 5-foot-10 cornerback who transferred from Starkville after recording 28 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick-six in Mississippi State's 47-35 win over Massachusetts, as a junior.

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5 JSU Tigers primed for a big season in 2017

JACKSON, Mississippi -- There's no doubt the Tigers have some big shoes to fill before they take the field against TCU on Sept. 2.

And while there is plenty of time for players to step up in Fall camp, there's a handful of players on which Jackson State is already counting.

Here's five Tigers who are primed for a big season in 2017.

No other player had the kind of breakout performance in the spring game like Lyles did.

The red-shirt sophomore completed an efficient 23 of 26 passes for 237 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Blue team past the White team 41-38.

With the departure of Jarin Morikawa, who decided to forego his senior season after suffering another concussion in the spring game, the quarterback race appears to be Lyles’ to lose.

Although he played sparingly last season, he’s a guy who brings athleticism — something the Tiger offense lacked last season — at that position.

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