Over 85 Alabama A&M Bulldogs report for Fall Camp

NORMAL, Alabama – The Bulldog football coaching staff welcomed over 85 players to the A&M campus on Wednesday to begin work for the fall preseason camp.

On Wednesday, July 31st, the Maroon and White will hit the field for preparations for the 2013 season. AAMU will take the field six days a week for the two and a half-week fall camp, which concludes on Wednesday, August 14.

All practices during the preseason camp are open to the public. All visitors to practice, during and after, please remember that no photography, video or cell phone use is permitted during practice and that everyone must remain off the field.

The A&M sports information office would to thank everyone for their cooperation before, during and after practices.

Here is the fall preseason practice schedule. This is SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

Wed., July 31- Practice at 7:00 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 1 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Fri., Aug. 2 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Sat., Aug. 3 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Sun., Aug. 4 – Off Day

Mon., Aug. 5 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Tue., Aug. 6 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 7 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Thur., Aug. 8 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m. Scrimmage

Fri., Aug. 9 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Sat., Aug. 10 – 2 p.m. Scrimmage

Sun., Aug. 11 - Off Day

Mon., Aug. 12 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Tue., Aug. 13 - Practice at 2:00 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 14 – Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 15 – School Starts!!!!!

Sat., Aug. 17 - Fan Day Scrimmage 3 p.m.

For more information on A&M Athletics, visit aamusports.com.  Fans can also find the Bulldogs on Twitter at @aamubulldogs or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Alabama-AM-Bulldogs.

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COURTESY ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets Football Reports for Camp August 1

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The official start to the 2013 football season will begin Thursday, August 1, as the Alabama State Hornets report to camp between 8 a.m. and noon at the Houston Markham Football Complex.

Following a day of moving in, physicals, equipment fitting and team meetings, the Hornets will begin practice on Friday, August 2 with a 3:30 p.m. practice. The first five days of practice are all one day practice settings with each session scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Two-a-days will begin on Aug. 8 with the morning session scheduled for 9 a.m. and the evening session scheduled for 7 p.m. There will be five two-a-day sessions with the final day being Aug. 19. Classes will begin on the 21st and ASU will go back to their usual practice sessions of 3:30 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

The coaching staff has planned to hold three 9 a.m. Saturday scrimmages on Aug. 10, 17 and 24, with the final scrimmage being a short and controlled scrimmage to lead into the season opener on Aug. 31 when Jacksonville State comes to Montgomery for a 5 p.m. kick off.

All media are reminded to contact Darrell Orand in the ASU sports information office to set up interviews with any coaches and players. Head Coach Reggie Barlow will be available for interviews during preseason practice 15 minutes before each practice session.

Preseason Practice Schedule (through final scrimmage)

Aug. 1 Report for Camp

Aug. 2 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 3 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 4 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 5 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 6 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 8 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 9 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 10 9 a.m. Scrimmage

Aug. 12 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 13 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 14 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 15 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 17 9 a.m. Scrimmage

Aug. 19 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 20 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 21 Classes begin no practice

Aug. 22 11 a.m.

Aug. 23 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 24 9 a.m. Scrimmage

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

Howard Bison, Texas Southern Tigers to play basketball powers in 2013 Legends Classic

HOUSTON, Texas -- The University of Houston Men's Basketball program will play host to a pair of Regional Round games during the Legends Classic.

The Cougars will meet Lehigh on Nov. 17 and then face Howard on Nov. 21 with both games being played inside historic Hofheinz Pavilion. Game times for both contests will be announced at a later date.

Earlier this month, officials from the Gazelle Group - which is hosting the tournament - announced that the Cougars would play Stanford in a semifinal game on Nov. 25 inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. It will be the first time the two programs will meet on the hardwood since the 1991 NIT.

The Houston-Stanford game will be the second semifinal contest of the night, while Pittsburgh will face Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. (CST) in the first game. Both games will be shown live on ESPN2.

From there, the Cougars will play the winner or loser of the Pitt-Texas Tech game on Nov. 26. The Consolation Game tips at 6 p.m. (CT) and will be shown on ESPN3 with the Championship Game starting shortly after on ESPNU.

Legends Classic Bracket

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Howard Bison - Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Head coach Kevin Nickelberry is rebuilding the Bison into the force they once were in the MEAC...with 10 new players on the 2013-14 roster, including seven freshmen, 6-5 swingman Prince Okoroh will be called upon to provide leadership...Okoroh is the Bison's leading returning scorer at 6.9 ppg and rebounder at 4.6 rpg.

Texas Southern Tigers - Head Coach Mike Davis (Southwestern Athletic Conference) The Tigers won the SWAC regular season title in going 16-2 in league play, including 12 straight wins to close the season, in head coach Mike Davis' first year at the helm of the program...for the Tigers' success, Davis was named SWAC Co-Coach of the Year...this year TSU returns three starters, led by third-team all-league selection Ray Penn, a guard who scored 14.0 ppg and handed out a team-best 5.7 apg...he is joined in the back court by Lawrence Johnson-Danner, who tallied 8.5 ppg.

Lehigh Mountain Hawks - Head Coach Brett Reed (Patriot League)
Head coach Brett Reed guided Lehigh to its third 20-win season and postseason berth in the last four years as the Mountain Hawks went 21-10 and played in the CBI presented by Buick...two starters return, led by second-team Patriot League selection Mackey McKnight, who led the team with 153 assists while scoring at an 11.9 ppg clip...back court mate Anthony D'Orazio netted 6.4 ppg while starting 29 of 31 games.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits - Head Coach Scott Nagy (Summit League)
The Jackrabbits are coming off back-to-back Summit League titles and a 25-10 season mark, the second straight 25-win season for SDSU...head coach Scott Nagy, who has won over 340 games at SDSU, welcomes back a trio of starters in 2013-14...second-team All-Summit selection Jordan Dykstra tallied 12.5 ppg while leading the Jackrabbits with a 7.9 rpg average...Chad White heads the back court after having recorded 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds a game last season.

Pittsburgh - Head Coach Jamie Dixon (Atlantic Coast Conference) 2013 marked the 24th NCAA Tournament appearance by the Panthers, including 11 bids in the last 12 years...Pitt ended its Big East membership with the league's best record over the last dozen years (141-63, .691)...head coach Jamie Dixon sees the return of three starters and five of last season's top 10 scorers as Pitt enters its first year as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... 6-foot-5 swingman Lamar Patterson (10.0 ppg, 94 assists) and 6-foot-9 forward Talib Zanna (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) headline the returnees...the Panthers were 24-9 in 2012-13.

Stanford - Head Coach Johnny Dawkins (Pacific-12 Conference)
The Cardinal advanced to the NIT for the second consecutive season in posting a 19-15 record...head coach Johnny Dawkins will welcome back 14 players from last year's squad, including eight of his top nine scorers...leading the way are 6-foot-10 forward Dwight Powell and guard Chasson Randle...Powell led the Cardinal in scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg), while Randle netted 13.6 ppg and handed out 89 assists...Stanford has been to 16 NCAA Tournaments.

Texas Tech - Head Coach Tubby Smith (Big 12 Conference)
The Red Raiders are under the direction of first-year head coach Tubby Smith, who has 511 wins and 17 NCAA appearances under his belt...Smith inherits a roster that returns 10 players from a year ago, led by 6-foo-t-7 forward Jaye Crockett, who posted team highs of 11.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg...also back is 6-foot-7 frontcourt player Jordan Tolbert, who averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game...Texas Tech has participated in 14 NCAA Tournaments.

ABOUT HOUSTON
The Cougars return three starters and nine lettermen from a team that posted a 20-13 overall record in 2012-13, the program's first 20-win season since 2009. With a win against Big 12 member Texas inside Hofheinz Pavilion in late March, Houston advanced to the College Basketball Invitational quarterfinals.

Forward TaShawn Thomas was named to multiple All-Conference and All-District teams after averaging 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and also was selected for the Conference USA All-Defensive Team. The Killeen, Texas, was one of only two players in C-USA to rank among the league's top-five leaders in both categories.  Forward Danuel House was one of the nation's top young players entering the 2012-13 season, and the Sugar Land, Texas, native lived up to that hype. House averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game during his first collegiate season and was honored as the C-USA Freshman of the Year. For the first time, the Cougars will compete as members of the American Athletic Conference in 2013-14, joining Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Memphis, Rutgers, SMU, USF, Temple and UCF.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS SCHEDULE
 
Semifinal Doubleheader
Barclays Center • Brooklyn, N.Y.
Monday, Nov. 25
• 6:30 p.m. (CT) - Pittsburgh vs. Texas Tech (ESPN2)
• TBD - Stanford vs. Houston (ESPN2) 

Championship Doubleheader
Barclays Center • Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tuesday, Nov. 26 • 6 p.m. (CT)
• 6 p.m. (CT) - Consolation Game (ESPN3)
• TBD - Championship Game (ESPNU)

REGIONAL ROUNDS SCHEDULE
 
Houston Regional Rounds
Hofheinz Pavilion • Houston
Nov. 17 • Lehigh at Houston
Nov. 21 • Howard at Houston

Pittsburgh Regional Rounds
Petersen Events Center • Pittsburgh
Nov. 17 • Howard at Pittsburgh
Nov. 20 • Lehigh at Pittsburgh (ESPNU)

Lubbock Regional Rounds
United Spirit Arena • Lubbock, Texas
Nov. 18 • Texas Southern at Texas Tech (ESPNU)
Nov. 21 • South Dakota State at Texas Tech

Palo Alto Regional Rounds
Maples Pavilion • Palo Alto, Calif.
Nov. 21 • Texas Southern at Stanford
Dec 1 • South Dakota State at Stanford

SUBREGIONAL ROUNDS SCHEDULE
Brookings Subregional Rounds
Frost Arena • Brookings, S.D.
Nov. 25 • Texas Southern vs. Lehigh
Nov. 25 • Howard vs. South Dakota State
Nov. 26 • Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Nov. 26 • Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

LEGENDS CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TICKETS INFORMATION
Tickets for Championship Round games of the Legends Classic at Barclays Center are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by visiting BarclaysCenter.com or ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Tickets also are available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

ABOUT THE LEGENDS CLASSIC The Legends Classic is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the 2K Sports Classic, Gotham Classic, the College Basketball Invitational, and the All-American Championship. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit GazelleGroup.com.



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS AND THE GAZELLEGROUP.COM

Southern football team reports Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The Southern football team has finished its offseason weight and conditioning program.

Earlier this month, quarterback Dray Joseph and defensive back Virgil Williams joined coach Dawson Odums in representing Southern at the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s annual media day.

All that’s left is to play football.

The Jaguars will report for their first preseason camp under Odums on Wednesday afternoon, a little more than 24 hours before conducting their first practice and a little less than one month before playing their first game.

Odums, introduced Dec. 18 as Southern’s new coach, inherited the job on an interim basis two weeks into the 2012 season.

“How well can we execute what we’re trying to do?” Odums said. “I really think that’s going to be the No. 1 thing coming out of camp.”

CONTINUE READING

Jackson State eyes another run at SWAC title

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Well, now we get to see what the encore holds.

The Jackson State players arrive to camp Thursday and the sting from last season’s overtime defeat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship lingers. Rick Comegy enters as a proven commodity, as he enters his eighth season with the Tigers.

Even so, Comegy and his coaches will have their work cut out for them to improve upon last year’s 7-5 campaign with several key players from that team now gone. So with that in mind, let’s look at the top storylines heading into the start of fall camp.

Five To Watch
Qua Cox, cornerback: The senior scored numerous preseason honors, most notably SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He led the conference with five interceptions and paced the Tigers with eight pass break-ups and 13 passes defended.

Zachary Pendleton, wide receiver: The senior was second on the team in receiving yards, behind standout Rico Richardson, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pendleton posted 41.5 receiving yards per game and finished with one touchdown. He’s JSU’s most reliable returning wideout.

CONTINUE READING

Texas Southern Tigers Football Media Day Set for Aug. 10th

COACH DARRELL ASBERRY

HOUSTON, Texas --  The Texas Southern University Tigers football team is preparing for the 2013 season under second year head coach Darrell Asberry.

TSU will play their second season in their new home, the BBVA Compass Stadium, where they will host five games in 2013.  One of the biggest events in the new stadium this season is the Labor Day Classic game against Prairie View A&M on August 31^st.  The Tigers are expecting to play before their first sellout crowd in the 22,000 seat facility.  TSU will also face Alabama State, Alcorn (homecoming), Southern and a non-conference game against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member, Howard in BBVA Compass Stadium.

Coach Asberry continues to rebuild the program and has a renewed vigor about his program's future now that the road ahead is clear regarding the NCAA sanctions and APR issues.

"We have a clean slate and know the direction our program is heading," said Asberry.  "Our future is bright and we are building toward championship status."

Asberry has brought in new coaching blood to help with the defense, defensive coordinator Michael Vite and linebackers coach Cedric Thornton.  Vite has a wealth of experience and success throughout his more than 30-year career.  Thornton was the defensive coordinator at Alabama State before coming to TSU.  Coach Asberry says the mixture of old blood and new blood is what the Tigers need to ignite a defense that is undersized but fast.   Asberry says the key will be for the defense to play as a unit and swarm to the ball.

The Tiger offense should be dynamic; they are loaded with talent at every position.  Coach Asberry and his staff have beefed up the offensive line and brought in one of the top junior college running backs in the country, Daveonn Porter.  TSU will have nine quarterbacks in camp including Jay Christophe, MVP from the Texas-Louisiana game, Homer Causey from Shaw and redshirt junior Jamal Smalls.   Coach Asberry says he has the quarterbacks to play any style he wants.  They can get the ball down the field, read zones or make plays with their feet. "The bottom line is…I need a leader," said Asberry. "I'm looking for the guy who the team will rally around and who can take a game over and win two or three games himself."

It's an exciting time to be a Tigers fan.  You are invited to come out and see why we are so excited about this season.  Head coach Darrell Asberry, his assistant coaches and several key players will be available for interviews during the TSU Tigers 2013 Football Media Day.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 1:00pm at the BBVA Compass Stadium.

You can apply for your 2013-14 season or game credentials online at www.tsuball.com.  Go to Inside Athletics then the Sports Information page and complete the credential application.

Printed TSU 2013 Football media day programs and your season credentials will be available.  Parking is in the BBVA Compass Administrative lot on Walker St. off Dowling on a first come, first served basis.  Security will let you in the gate.  Metered parking is also available along Walker Street.  I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.  Please call me if you have any questions.

By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Defending champion XU teams to begin season Aug. 30

 

Both XU teams in 2012 recorded perfect scores at the GCAC Championships.

NEW ORLEANS — Five regular-season meets and a venue change for the NAIA National Championships are included in the 2013 Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's cross country schedules.      Ninth-year head coach Joseph Moses announced the schedules Tuesday. Both the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets are seven-time defending champions of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.      Xavier will begin the season Aug. 30 in the Mississippi College Opener at Choctaw Trails Course in Clinton, Miss. The women's 4,000-meter race will start at 5 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000 at 5:30.      The other regular-season meets will be the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational on Sept. 7 at Metairie, La. — Xavier's only competition in its home state — the Gulf Coast Stampede on Sept. 14 at Pensacola, Fla., the Ram Ramble Invitational on Sept. 21 at Fort Worth, Texas, and the

Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational on Oct. 4 at Clinton.
    

The Rush and Nuggets will return to Clinton for the third time in 2013 when they play host to the GCAC Championships. Both XU teams will try to qualify for the NAIA National Championships at Lawrence, Kan., for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in six years. Both GCAC team champions will receive automatic bids to the national meet, which is moving to the Midwest after four consecutive years at Vancouver, Wash.
    

Xavier has 11 returning runners who were All-GCAC in 2012: Emmanuel Detiege, David Holobowicz, Kwame Jackson, Javon Mead and Aaron Yarmush on the men's team and Donyé Coleman, Catherine Fakler, Hannah Finnegan, Zahri Jackson, Briana Simms and Hali Yarmush on the women's. Zahri Jackson is a two-time defending GCAC individual champion, and Kwame Jackson, her brother, was a GCAC individual champ in 2011. Both Jacksons are juniors. Mead and Fakler are Capital One Academic All-Americans; Mead earned that honor each of the past two years.

2013 Xavier University of Louisiana Cross Country Schedule all times Central unless noted

Aug. 30 (Fri.):  Mississippi College Opener, Clinton, Miss. — women 5 p.m., men 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 (Sat.):  Loyola Wolfpack Invitational, Metairie, La. — women 7:50 a.m., men 8:25 a.m. Sept. 14 (Sat.):  Gulf Coast Stampede, Pensacola, Fla. — women 7:15 a.m., men 8 a.m. Sept. 21 (Sat.):  Ram Ramble Invitational, Fort Worth, Texas — 8:15 a.m. Oct. 4 (Fri.):  Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational, Clinton, Miss. — women 4:30 p.m., men 5:15 p.m. Oct. 26 (Sat.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, Clinton, Miss. — women 8 a.m., men 8:30 a.m. Nov. 23 (Sat):  NAIA National Championships, Lawrence, Kan. — times to be announced

 

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Fayetteville State hires Robert Brickley for men's basketball staff

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Hometown hero Robert Brickey returns to the CIAA courtside as a new assistant to Head Coach Alphonza Kee and the Fayetteville State men's basketball program.

"I am excited about being able to work with Coach Kee. I like the way he is building the program with its vision and direction. I believe he is doing it the right way", states former E.E. Smith High School stand-out.

"My mother is a Fayetteville State graduate and I have been on the campus all of my life. Fayetteville State is really a super quality educational institution. I am excited about being a part of that and being back at home after a long break. I look forward to helping the program grow, develop and reach new heights."

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Coach Brickey for 13 years", says Head Coach Alphonza Kee.

"His name has always been associated with class and character. With over 20 years of basketball experience including playing and coaching at the Division I, II and international level, he will be a great asset to our program. Robert's balanced passion for education, character building and basketball excellence falls in line with our men's basketball ideals."

Brickey played at Duke from 1986-87 through 1989-90. He garnered All-ACC Tournament honors in 1988 and served as team captain under Coach Krzyzewski in 1990. He was a member of three Final Four teams and started in the national championship game his senior season.

Brickey's previous stint in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was as head coach at Shaw University (2005-2008). Immediately following his departure, he was the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Duke University (2008-2009) and assistant coach at North Carolina Central University (2009-2011). Prior to his return to familiar grounds, Coach Brickey served as the Head Coach of the NBL Canada squad Oshawa Power (2011-2012).

A staple in the community, coach has conducted the Robert Brickey Basketball Academy & Elite Hoops Training since 1992. The camp has been held in various cities and countries.

Fayetteville State University is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina System, FSU has nearly 6,000 students and offers degrees in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION   

CAU's Tamica Smith-Jones hired as senior associate athletics director, senior woman administrator at UTSA

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Athletics Director Lynn Hickey announced Monday that she has hired Dr. Tamica Smith-Jones as senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator (SWA). She replaces Elizabeth Dalton, who left in February to become the athletics director at St. Mary’s and her appointment is effective Aug. 1.

“It is very exciting for us to be able to bring on board someone of Tamica’s background and status,” Hickey said. “She has very unique experience in that she already has been an AD, so we are very fortunate that we are able to add that type of experience to our staff. Plus, she is extremely bright, has a high energy level and is a well-respected administrator in our profession. She is going to be an outstanding addition for our department.”

“I would like to first thank Lynn Hickey and the search committee for the confidence they have placed in me to team with such an outstanding senior staff in support of the vision, talented student-athletes and coaches at UTSA,” Smith-Jones said. “It is both humbling and exciting to join this university during this historic time for athletics. I know it will be both challenging and exciting, but the timing is perfect. I look forward to embracing and working with the entire UTSA community.”

Smith-Jones comes to UTSA from Clark Atlanta University, where she has led the athletics department since 2008. She was appointed liaison to the office of the President in January 2008 then was promoted to interim director of athletics in December of that year before being named director of athletics in January 2010.

Under her leadership, the Panthers captured seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championships, including the first men’s basketball title in 46 years and the first-ever women’s cross country and volleyball crowns. Smith-Jones also played a vital role in securing funding for numerous projects on campus, including new field turf for the football stadium, a pair of weight room upgrades and a football facility renovation. She established Clark Atlanta’s Athletics annual giving fund in 2008 and instituted several new opportunities for student-athlete participation and staff development.

Smith-Jones was featured in the Diverse Issues in Higher Ed Magazine in March 2013 for bringing heightened attention toward student-athlete well being and establishing a successful academic support program at Clark Atlanta. Her initiatives included “Grades First Software,” which helped to enhance the student-athlete experience and academic success.

The Atlanta, Georgia, native is an active member of many professional organizations and committees. She is or has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators, NCAA Leadership Selection Committee for Ethnic Males and Females, and Achieving Coaches Excellence Program Selection Committee. Smith-Jones also has served at or presented to the NCAA Committee for Women’s Athletics, NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Committee, NCAA Football Coaches Academy and Selection Committee, NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Continuing Education Conference and NCAA Division II Leadership Action Academy.

Before moving into her role as Clark Atlanta’s director of athletics, Smith-Jones served as the Panthers’ director of compliance and SWA for three years.

Prior to entering athletics administration, Smith-Jones was the head volleyball coach at Clark Atlanta during the 2003-05 seasons. She guided the Panthers to 57 victories in her three years, including four against NCAA Division I teams. Smith-Jones led the Clark Atlanta to a 27-11 record in her second campaign and was named SIAC Coach of the Year, and she followed that with a 21-7 mark in 2005.

Prior to her time at Clark Atlanta, Smith-Jones spent four years in various roles at Morris Brown College, also in Atlanta. She was the senior associate athletics director, SWA and head volleyball coach from 1999-2003 in addition to serving as an assistant women’s basketball coach in 1999-2000.

Smith-Jones was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Savannah State in 1997-98 and then was interim head volleyball and women’s basketball coach in 1998-99.

She played basketball at Troy (1993-95) and Alabama A&M (1995-97) and also was a member of the Alabama A&M cross country team in 1997.

Smith-Jones also is founder, president and chief executive officer of TJ Sports Complete, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps expose parents and youth to the resources needed to make a smooth transition from high school to college. She also is the author of a self-published autobiography, “A Ball and a Dream.”

Smith-Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Alabama A&M in December 1997, her master’s in public administration from Savannah State in December 1999 and her doctorate of philosophy in business administration from Warren National (formerly Kennedy-Western) in February 2005.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UAPB Golden Lions Hold Second Annual Staff Retreat

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- For the second straight year, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Director of Athletics Lonza Hardy, Jr., and the entire athletic department have gathered at the Pine Bluff Convention Center for a two-day staff retreat; geared at refocusing, re-energizing and building stronger alliances within the department as the university prepares for another exciting year of sports in Golden Lions Nation.

On the first day of this two-day event, after a continental breakfast, opening remarks were made by Hardy, Jr. He reminded his staff of the successes from the past year and made sure that everyone answers the charge of promoting quality student-athletes with a strong emphasis on winning.

Following AD Hardy's opening remarks, UAPB's new chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander unveiled his vision for the university; as faculty and staff alike have welcomed his leadership and embraces his changes.

"We need to emphasize the importance of giving back to the university and also focus on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within the university", said Alexander.

After Chancellor Alexander's uplifting address, Arkansas State Senator the honorable Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV took the podium to deliver a motivational speech that was centered around providing great customer service and reminding the real reason why those at the university have jobs: The students.

"It's not about you, too often our ego's get in the way of the real task at hand. We have to have better customer service when address the needs of the university", remarked Wilkins.

The staff broke for an hour lunch after Senator Wilkins wrapped up his speech. Following the intermission, Dr. Jewel Walker and her appointed panel members consisting of Dr. Mary Brently, Dr. Janice Coleman and Dr. Charles Colen, spoke to the staff about the importance of academics and the different resources available to current and potential student- athletes.

In a section titled Grants and Scholarship Opportunities, Mr. George Richardson and Ms. Constance Castle covered areas specific to funding the cost of educational obligations student- athletes may incur while attending the university.

Next on the agenda, was an assistant coach's forum with areas of interest consisting of community service projects, fundraising, academic and professional development. This was an hour long panel discussion session that paid special attention to the roles of assistant coaches and how they assist with the views and ideas of their respective head coaches.

As the first day drew to a close the first of two breakout sessions, which was a round table forum, that included academics, athletics training, media relations and athletics facilities led to the wrap-up portion of the first day with remarks from the AD brought the first day to close. A teambuilding exercise at the Thunder Lanes Bowling Alley fueled the competitive nature of all involved in athletics at the university.

Day two of the staff retreat has schedule full invigorating and inspiring speakers, including the Mayor of Pine Bluff the honorable Debe Hollingsworth, former chancellor Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., and many more. A community service event is scheduled for 6:30 pm with the residents of Whispering Knolls and The Gardens for an ice cream social and board games hosted by a Pastor Edna Morgan.

This event is open to media and coaches will be on hand to answer questions about the upcoming athletic seasons.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

SSU starts football practice at midnight

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Others have tried. Others have failed. Savannah State’s new football coach Earnest Wilson understands there will be comparisons, but he doesn’t want to be lumped in with the others.

“I think this is a great situation,” said Wilson, about taking over a program that hasn’t won more than one game during the last three seasons. “They have talent here. Don’t be fooled.”

Wilson was the offensive coordinator at Hampton University last season and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He’ll take over for coach Steve Davenport, who was fired in April.

And Wilson is looking to change things up. To get an early start on the task of turning around a program that went 1-10 last season, he will begin preseason workouts tonight at midnight at T.A. Wright Stadium.



“I thought it would be a little fun, kick (preseason camp) off the right way,” Wilson said. “Get two good hours in, and when you’re finished get back to bed.”

CONTINUE READING

2013 SSU TIGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date     Opponent     Location     Time

8/31 @ Georgia Southern, Statesboro, Ga. - Paulson Stadium 6 p.m. 
9/7   @ Troy University, Troy, Ala. - Veterans Memorial Stadium 6 p.m.
9/14      Fort Valley State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m.
9/21 @ University of Miami, Miami, Fla. - Sun Life Stadium TBA
9/28      Delaware State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m.*
10/5 @ Norfolk State, Norfolk, Va. - William 'Dick' Price Stadium 1 p.m. *
10/12    Florida A&M, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m. *
10/19@ Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach, Fla. - Municipal Stadium 4 p.m. *
10/26    N.C. Central, "Homecoming," Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/2       S. Carolina State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/9   @ Howard University, Washington, D.C., William H. Greene Stadium 1 p.m.*
11/16 @ North Carolina A&T University Greensboro, N.C. - Aggie Stadium 1 p.m*

BOLD: Home Games
* MEAC Games

Hotard: Southern Jaguars have reason for optimism

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- No matter their win-loss record the previous season, coaches and players from all regions, all divisions and all kinds of programs hit the practice fields in August convinced this will be their year.

Such will be the vibe at Southern on Wednesday when the Jaguars report for their first preseason camp under coach Dawson Odums.

But this year, for the first time in a while, there is no reason to dismiss Southern’s optimism as foolish or misguided.

This year, the optimism on the Bluff will be realistic and genuine.

Southern returns three players, Lee Doss, Virgil Williams and Anthony Balancier, who were named to the preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference first team at SWAC media day earlier this month. It returns two more players, Dray Joseph and Arthur Miley, who were named to the second team.

Joseph led the SWAC in passing as a junior last season, but you have ...

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Rattlers' Big Challenge: FAMU tangles with Ohio State on 9/21

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- FAMU won’t play Ohio State until the fourth game of the season. But between now and then, coach Earl Holmes will take a page from his personal playbook to let his players know how they could make the game competitive – just like he did when he was a Rattler.

FAMU played Miami twice when Holmes was linebacker during the early 1990s.

“My focus was I didn’t concern myself with the school’s name,” Holmes said.

“I just wanted to play my game. My job was to stop the run, drop off in the pass coverage and disrupt some things. I was so focused on playing well. I did the small things in order to play well.”

Playing at least one game against a BCS school has long been the norm for FAMU and many other small programs that use the financial ...

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Hampton Pirates getting set for the upcoming season

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Football is back.

The Hampton University football team will report to camp on Wednesday and will hold its first fall practice on Thursday at the practice field behind Armstrong Stadium at 3 p.m.

Hampton will open the 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Pirates head to Macomb, Ill. to take on Western Illinois at 7 p.m. EST. The Pirates are coming off a 3-7 season in 2012, with a 3-5 mark in MEAC play.

The Pirates are coming into their fifth season under head coach Donovan Rose.

Approximately 90 players will check into the dorms on Wednesday and get down to business on the practice field Thursday at 3 p.m.

"We're excited; because it has been a long offseason," Rose said. "Many of the guys worked hard during spring ball and with some staff additions, I feel we are ready to get back on the field."

The Pirates welcome new offensive coordinator Glen Ferebee, who comes to Hampton after serving as the head coach at Lakeland High School in Suffolk, Va., as well as Bernard Clark as defensive coordinator and Cordell Taylor as secondary coach. 

Hampton has been picked to finish ninth in the MEAC this season.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.



PRACTICE SCHEDULE
 Aug. 1: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 2: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 4: 2 p.m.
 Aug. 5: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 6: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 7: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 8: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 9: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 10: 12 p.m./Meet the Pirates (Full Pads)
 Aug. 12: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 13: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 15: 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 16: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 17: First Scrimmage, 1 p.m.
 Aug. 19: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 20: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 21: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 22: Second Scrimmage, 7 p.m.


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HBU Football Game vs. Texas College Moved to Nov. 2

HOUSTON, Texas – The startup Houston Baptist University (HBU) football program has moved its game against Texas College to Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory's Crusader Stadium due to a scheduling conflict, HBU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci announced Monday
 
“Any time you start up a football program, there are going to be some challenges,” Moniaci said. “Fortunately, we were able to find a common open date and were able to save the game. We are now looking forward to the home opener against Oklahoma Baptist and playing our final two games of the season at home.”

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, which would have been the Huskies' home opener, but Texas College's previous administration had the Steers also scheduled to play Hardin-Simmons on that date. HBU will now play its home opener on Family Weekend against Oklahoma Baptist Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Crusader Stadium.

With Nov. 2 an open date for both HBU and Texas College, the two schools agreed to move the game to that date.

The Huskies open the 2013 season at Sam Houston State Aug. 31, followed by another road game at Wayland Baptist on Sept. 14. HBU plays four of its last five at home, first against Oklahoma Baptist, then against future Southland Conference rival Abilene Christian Oct. 12 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Huskies travel to another future conference foe, Incarnate Word, Oct. 26, before hosting Texas College, then wrapping up the season on Homecoming against Texas A&M-Commerce Nov. 9.

HBU's football student-athletes report for the first fall workout next Monday, Aug. 5.

COURTESY HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Tigers Football Sets Senior Kick-Off Luncheon for Aug. 23

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  On Tuesday Aug. 23, the Tennessee State football team will hold its annual Senior Kick-Off Luncheon, nine days prior to Big Blue’s first contest against Bethune-Cookman.

 

The event will take place at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel at 11 a.m. and will serve to both honor TSU’s 17 four-year letter winners and generate excitement for the squad’s upcoming campaign.

Tiger supporters can purchase ticket packages that start at $65 for an individual to the luncheon or buy sets that include multiple seats and season tickets. Fans can also pay for advertisements that will run in the luncheon’s program.

For more information, please contact Natasha Plant at 615-963-7562 or read the full brochure, here.

 

    2013 Football Senior Kick-Off Luncheon Brochure

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Training camp preview: Southern football

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  FIVE STORYLINES TO WATCH

1. Backing up Dray Joseph

Southern has the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference passing champion in Dray Joseph to guide the offense, but one of the big questions entering camp is who will back him up. No other quarterback on the roster has thrown a pass in a college game. Junior Wynton Perro has moved from the secondary to join a battle that will soon include Francis Kennah from Robbinsdale, Minn., and Southern Lab product Deonte Shorts, a pair of freshmen who join the fray this week. Coach Dawson Odums said Cedric McCloud, who signed in February out of Arizona Western Community College, will not be part of the team. In case Joseph is lost to injury, the Jaguars need a reliable No. 2 to come forth.

2. Discovering a ground game

Southern finished last in the SWAC last year at 79.5 rushing yards per game and hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since ...

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Scott Hamilton columnist WSJournal previews WSSU football

Scott Hamilton a columnist for the Winston-Salem Journal explains why WSSU football is leading the way in the CIAA conference.

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Southern's Roman Banks, Rummel's Jay Roth named coaches of the year

ROMAN BANKS
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS
 

NEW ORLEANS -- Roman Banks, from Southern University, has been named the Outstanding College Coach of the Year for the State of Louisiana and Archbishop Rummel’s Jay Roth, has been selected as the Outstanding Prep Coach of the Year for Louisiana. Both coaches will be recognized at the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Selection Committee, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, selects annual award winners in a variety of categories, in addition to selecting each year’s Hall of Fame class and Amateur Athletes of the Month. Overall, 26 individuals and two teams will be honored at the banquet. Additional honorees will be announced over the next two weeks.

Banks took little time in reestablishing the Southern University men’s basketball program as one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. After winning only 11 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival, the Jaguars are 40-24 in two seasons with Banks as coach.

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Ex-UVa. QB Phillip Sims heads to Winston-Salem State

HAMPTON ROADS, Virginia  --  Former Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims apparently has picked his third college.

Sims, who had short stints at Alabama and Virginia, used his Twitter account Sunday to announce he was headed to Winston-Salem State University.

“I’m the newest member of the #wssu fam,” Sims’ account read. “I am thankful for this opportunity that I’ve been given.”

Attempts to reach Sims were unsuccessful Sunday.

Winston-Salem State is a member of the Division II CIAA. Sims told The Pilot last week that he had narrowed his list of suitors to three or four schools and that he’d have to sit out a season whether he chose a Division I or II school.

Sims heads to a program coming off its most successful season. The Rams finished 14-1 and reached the Division II national title game.


University of Virginia announced in late May that Phillip Sims was academically ineligible and would leave school after the summer session.  The former Alabama recruit is now headed to Winston-Salem State to get his college career back on track.

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10 Bulldogs named to CollegeSportsMadness.com Preseason All-SWAC team

NORMAL, Alabama – Another preseason poll has come out and again the Alabama A&M football players are well represented.

Ten players on the 2013 team have made the College Sports Madness.com preseason All-SWAC team.

Earning a role on the first-team at wide receiver is Montaurius Smith. This is Smith's third honor as a member of a preseason team in 2013. Reginald Bailey joins him as a defensive lineman on the first team. This is also Bailey's third preseason team.

At offensive lineman Justin Goodrich earns the lone spot on the second team and also earns his third preseason award.

Transfer quarterback Kyle Harmyk leads the way at quarterback on the third-team. Joining him is Reshaad DeJarnett at wide receiver, Alan Cruz at offensive line, Corey Johnson at defensive line, Jeremy Isabelle at linebacker, while Derrick Harris and A.J. Clark at the defensive back position round out the Bulldogs on the list.

For more information on A&M Athletics, visit aamusports.com. Fans can also find the Bulldogs on Twitter at @aamubulldogs or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Alabama-AM-Bulldogs.

Additional FCS All-Conference teams will be announced each day. See all the Madness FCS Football Preseason All-Conference Teams.
Madness FCS Football Preseason All-American Teams to be announced in the next few days, watch for the announcement.

College Sports Madness has full FCS Football coverage. We are counting down the Football Top 44 Teams with in-depth previews. The previews began with #44 and countdown one per day until opening day when College Sports Madness reveals the preseason #1 FCS team in the nation. As the teams are revealed they will be inputted into the College Sports Madness NCAA Tournament Bracket Projections, predicting the post season games and then updated each week once the season begins. The countdown will also feed our initial FCS Football Top 25 team ranking which will also be updated each week during the season. Once the season begins we will be awarding Players of the Week honors on a national and conference basis.

CollegeSportsMadness.com All-SWAC Team

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Baltimore Ravens Sign Former MSU Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  The Ravens have started the process of replacing injured tight end Dennis Pitta.

The team signed veteran Visanthe Shiancoe to a one-year contract Sunday, one day after Pitta went down for the foreseeable future and perhaps the entire season, with a hip injury. The deal is worth the veteran minimum of $940,000, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Shiancoe immediately got fitted for equipment after signing his deal to participate in Sunday's practice.

Shiancoe, a 10-year veteran, spent last season with the New England Patriots. He saw action in four games, but did not register any statistics. Before going to New England, Shiancoe spent five years with the Minnesota Vikings and four with the New York Giants.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end is known as a red-zone threat who can make an impact  in the passing game. He has 243 receptions for 2,677 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career. His best season was in 2009 when he had 566 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Shiancoe will now join a tight end group that includes Ed Dickson, Billy Bajema, Alex Silvestro and Matt Furstenburg. Dickson is expected to take over as the starter, but the No. 2 spot is up for grabs.

Bajema spent last year on the roster as the No. 3 tight end, but was primarily just used in goal-line situations and as an extra blocker. He did not have any catches last season.

Silvestro was on the practice squad last year and Furstenburg is an undrafted rookie out of Maryland.

"Somebody is going to have to step up, and we do have some capable guys all across the flanks," Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell said Saturday. "We do have some weapons, and we're just going to have some guys make plays for us."

Shiancoe enjoyed a successful college football career at Morgan State University, playing in 30 games and receiving 52 passes for 1001 yards. His senior year proved to be noteworthy, garnering both All-American Dream Team and All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 1st-team honors from the NFL Draft Report.


WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

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SWAC Football lands on Phil Steele's FCS Position Rating

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Phil Steele's College Football Preview release its 2013 FCC Preseason Position Ratings with 35 players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference making the lists.

The ratings are solely based on college perfromance. The list of players from the SWAC include:

QB - out of 52
17. Dray Joseph, Southern, Sr.
31. Benjamin Anderson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
51. Kyle Harmyk, Alabama A&M, Jr.

RB - out of 48
6. Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State, Jr.

FB - out of 20
4. Rakeem Sims, Jackson State, Jr.
17. Chris Gilzeane, Alabama State, Jr.

WR - out of 86
14. Lee Doss, Southern, Sr.
34. G’Alonzo Milton, Alabama A&M, Sr.
63. Ladarius Eckwood, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
74. Montaurius Smith, Alabama A&M, Jr.
86. Chuck Baker, Southern, Fr.

TE - out of 53
31. Dezmond Beverly, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
47. Justin Robinson, Alabama State, Sr.

G - out of 37
25. Kenny Eagle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
31. Jonathan Smith, Jackson State, Jr.

DE - out of 62
5. Robert Simpson, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

LB - out of 108
53. Jer-ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
75. Xavier Lofton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
77. Anthony Balancier, Southern, Sr.
85. Jerome Howard, Prairie View A&M, Jr.
96. Todd Wilcher, Jackson State, Sr.
101. Leland Baker, Alabama State, Sr

CB - out of 66
3. Qua Cox, Jackson State, Sr.
34. Virgil Williams, Southern, Sr.
42. A.J. Clark, Alabama A&M, Jr.

S - out of 57
15. Cameron Loeffler, Jackson State, Sr.
16. Ryan Shaw, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
32. Kevin Eugene, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

P - out of 45
2. Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State, Sr.
33. Travis Jatzlau, Prairie View A&M, Jr.

K - out of 38
18. Chris Barrick, Prairie View A&M, Jr.
31. Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State, Sr.
32. Tyler Strickland, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jr.

KR - out of 43
8. Julian Stafford, Mississippi Valley State, Jr.
17. Johnta’ Hebert, Prairie View A&M, Soph.
38. Jaleel Richardson, Southern, Jr.

PR - out of 45
13. Virgil Williams, Southern, Sr.

ALL PURPOSE - out of 39

19. Julian Stafford, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

 

COURTESY SWAC.org