Alcorn State University Braves Releases 2012 Baseball Schedule

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State Baseball has released their 2012 schedule with features Big 12, C-USA, SEC, and Summit League opponents.

Alcorn State will open the regular season on the road against Air Force and LSU in the LSU Tournament. The Braves will then head to Alabama to take on Auburn University (Feb. 21-22).

Alcorn State will open the season at home against Concordia-Selma in a three game series on February 24-26. The Braves are slated to face the Ragin' Cajuns (Louisiana -Lafayette) in Lafayette on February 28th before hosting Nicholls State on February 29, 2012.

"I am very excited about our 2012 season," Rey said. "We have a very competitive non-conference schedule against top opponents that should help us develop our pitching depth and a strong bench. The quality of our early opponents will challenge us every time we step on the field. We will be battle-tested and prepared for the start of the conference season, which we open with the first SWAC series against Mississippi Valley."

Alcorn State will face Oral Roberts in a three game swing on March 2-4, 2012 and then will head to Southeastern Louisiana on March 7th. The Braves are set to host Mississippi Valley on March 10-11. Alcorn State will go on a road swing facing University of Georgia (March 13-14), Jackson State (March 16-17), and Wichita State (March 20-21) before hosting Alabama A&M (March 24-25). The Braves will close out the month of March with Mississippi State (March 27), Southeastern Louisiana (March 28) and Alabama State (March 31).

The month of April will be travel heavy for the Braves as they face Alabama State (April 1), Tulane (April 3), Southern Mississippi (April 5-7), Louisiana State (April 10), Tulane (April 11), Mississippi Valley (April 14-15), Nicholls State (April 17), Grambling (April 25) and Alabama A&M (April 28-29) on the road. Alcorn State will host Grambling (April 18) and Jackson State (April 21-22).

The Braves will round out the regular season hosting Alabama State (May 5-6) before traveling to Stillwater, Oklahoma to face Oklahoma State (May 11-13).


Alcorn State Braves celebrates its 12-6, 2011 Championship win over Southern University Jaguars. The Braves won the SWAC baseball title for the first time in program history.

2012 ALCORN STATE BRAVES SCHEDULE (.pdf) 

DATE OPPONENT
Feb. 17 Air Force #
Feb. 18 Air Force/Louisiana State $
Feb. 21 @ Auburn University
Feb. 22 @ Auburn University
Feb. 24 Concordia-Selma
Feb. 25 Concordia-Selma
Feb. 26 Concordia-Selma
Feb. 28 @ UL-Lafayette
Feb. 29 Nicholls St.
Mar. 2 @ Oral Roberts
Mar. 3 @ Oral Roberts
Mar. 4 @ Oral Roberts
Mar. 7 @ Southeastern Louisiana
Mar. 10 Mississippi Valley* $
Mar. 11 Mississippi Valley*
Mar. 13 @ University of Georgia
Mar. 14 @ University of Georgia
Mar. 16 @ Jackson State*
Mar. 17 @ Jackson State*
Mar. 20 @ Wichita State University
Mar. 21 @ Wichita State University
Mar. 24 Alabama A&M* $
Mar. 25 Alabama A&M*
Mar. 27 Mississippi State University
Mar. 28 Southeastern Louisiana
Mar. 31 @ Alabama State University*
Apr. 1 @ Alabama State University*
Apr. 3 @ Tulane University
Apr. 5 @ University of Southern Mississippi
Apr. 6 @ University of Southern Mississippi
Apr. 7 @ University of Southern Mississippi
Apr. 10 @ LSU
Apr. 11 @ Tulane
Apr. 14 @ Mississippi Valley State* $
Apr. 15 @ Mississippi Valley State*
Apr. 17 @ Nicholls State
Apr. 18 Grambling State
Apr. 21 Jackson State*$
Apr. 22 Jackson State*
Apr. 25 Grambling State
Apr. 28 @Alabama A&M*
Apr. 29 @Alabama A&M*
May 5 Alabama State*$
May 6 Alabama State*
May 11 Oklahoma State
May 12 Oklahoma State
May 13 Oklahoma State
May 16-20 SWAC Tournament

Key:
#- LSU Tourney
*-Denotes SWAC Games
$-Denotes Doubleheader
SEE .pdf schedule above for times of each game

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Courtesy: Alcorn State University Sports Information

For now, uncertain futures at Capital City Classic

Jackson, Miss. -- The Capital City Classic may be the final game for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy. The No. 21 Tigers (7-2, 6-2 SWAC) entertain Alcorn State (2-6, 1-6) on Saturday at 1 p.m at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Comegy’s contract expires after the Tigers’ season finale. School officials didn’t try to give him an extension during the season. Alcorn State coach Melvin Spears may also not return, as school officials plan to evaluate the program.

The former Tuskegee coach isn’t concerned about his contract status, only wanting Jackson State to beat its biggest rival. The Tigers defeated Mississippi Valley State earlier this season.

“It’s about playing football,” Comegy said in a SWAC Teleconference call. “We enjoy winning games at Jackson State. We want to win out and have the best season we possibly can.”

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Alcorn State conjures visions of upset by TSU

Graham sees cause for Rice to be on alert

Houston, TX - When the regional pairings were announced for the NCAA baseball tournament, the Rice Owls already had a head-start on scouting reports. "They're not going to surprise us, that's for sure," Rice coach Wayne Graham said of No. 2 seed Baylor and No. 3 seed California being placed in the Houston Regional. "They've already beaten us."

Familiarity and a touch of don't-remind-us history will offer plenty of incentives why the top-seeded Owls can't overlook or underestimate the field in the four-team, double-elimination regional that begins Friday at Reckling Park.

The Owls, the No. 8 national seed, open the regional against fourth-seeded Alcorn State. The appearance of the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion offers another reminder of how quickly things can go awry in the postseason. In 2004, the Owls were the defending national champions and No. 6 national seed heading into the regional opener against Texas Southern.

HOUSTON REGIONAL
Reckling Park, Houston (Host: Rice)

No. 1 Rice (41-19, 16-8 in C-USA)
17th appearance (17 straight), automatic, Conference USA regular-season co-champion and tournament champion, No. 8 national seed

No. 2 Baylor (29-26, 13-14 in Big 12)
17th appearance (third straight), at-large, sixth place in Big 12 Conference

No. 3 California (31-20, 13-13 in Pac-10)
12th appearance (second straight), at-large, sixth place in Pacific-10 Conference

No. 4 Alcorn State (27-28, 19-4 in SWAC)
First appearance, automatic, Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion

Rice's young pitching staff was thrown into the fire immediately during the Owls' challenging nonconference schedule, as ballyhooed freshmen righthanders Austin Kubitza (6-4, 2.33) and John Simms (3-2, 3.32) each took turns in the weekend rotation when the Owls opened against Stanford. Those young power arms matured in conference play, helping lead the Owls to a share of their fifth CUSA title in the six seasons since they joined the league, as well as their fourth CUSA tournament title.

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NCAA: Alcorn State to Face Rice in Houston Regional

Lorman, MS - The Alcorn State Braves will face Rice University Friday at 6PM at Reckling Park on the campus of Rice, in Houston, Texas in one of many NCAA Regionals.

The Braves, making their first NCAA baseball appearance, will enter with a 27-28 overall record. Conference USA winner Rice enters with a 41-19 record and are ranked 8th nationally.

ASU, winners of the SWAC tournament, were primed to play in the state of Mississippi. Southern Mississippi didn't get a Regional host birth, however, and are meeting rival Mississippi State in the Atlanta Regional Friday.

Junior pitcher Steve Easter of Chicago, the SWAC leader in wins with eight, says that it doesn't really matter where the Braves are sent:" I had no preference but there were several projected sites. I and we are just happy to be going anywhere."

Easter doesn't know if he will start Friday, but would be ready: "I hadn't really thought about it, but it would really be big to start. As long as I would keep my pitches down and the defense works for me we'd be okay." Easter knows nothing about the Owl lineup, but may by Friday: "I don't know anything about them, but I have faced a couple of their players before. They are always good and them winning their conference says it all. That's all I need to know about them."

The other teams in the Houston Regional are Baylor at 29-26 and California at
31-20. They meet at 3PM Friday.

Should ASU win Friday, they would play at 6PM Saturday. Should they lose they would play at 2PM Saturday.

Games will be broadcast back to Mississippi on WPRL 91.7 FM.

By Alcorn State Athletics
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Face-Off of HBCU Conference Champions Ends in Split

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Saturday’s matchup at Bethune Point Park was just as billed, a tough matchup between the top two teams in HBCU baseball. Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Alcorn State traveled to Florida in a late-addition game to face the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, who recently wrapped up their sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title.

Both games of the double-header ended in a defensive battle, both a low scoring affair. The Wildcats put up runs early in both games, defeating the Braves 3-1 in the first outing. In game two, ASU made a comeback victory in the final three innings to split the series with a 4-3 win.

FINAL STATS

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Moody's Perales sign baseball scholarship with Alcorn State

Justin Perales

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Moody's Justin Perales reached big goals Tuesday, but he has big plans for the rest of the week. Perales signed a letter of intent to play at Alcorn State, but has his focus squarely on Boerne Champion, this week's playoff opponent. The Trojans face Champion in a three-game region semifinal series beginning Thursday at Whataburger Field.

"It feels great to sign, but really it's good just to get this out of the way so we can get ready for this week," Perales said. "We've got a lot of goals left to reach, so that's where our focus is now."

Perales, Moody's first baseman, leads the team with a .438 average, and is second on the squad with 7 homers and 42 RBI.

"(Alcorn State) has been on me since the beginning," said Perales, who is expected to be used as a corner infielder and eventually hit in the middle of the lineup. "I went on a visit, and there's not a lot you can do over there. Really, all you'll be able to do is play baseball and work out, so I think that will be good for me to continue to get better."


Videographer: NCSAbaseball; Justin Perales (Baseball Recruiting Video)

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Alcorn State home of the brave

Braves tough schedule has them ready for first regional

The old saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” That quote had to pop into Alcorn State head coach Barrett Rey’s mind when he was putting together the Braves’ schedule this season.

If you take a look at the non-conference schedule Alcorn State endured this season, it reads like a who’s who of college baseball: Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi State, LSU, Wichita State, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Southern Miss. Even Division I independent Dallas Baptist boasts a 39-17 record and currently ranks No. 45 in the RPI.

On paper, the Braves may have not had much success against those clubs this season, but the experience of facing them definitely prepared Alcorn State for the challenge of Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents.

“There was a method behind the madness of that scheduling,” Rey said. “The guys really bought into it and understood that it wasn’t just us doing a wild schedule. It was to prepare us for this if the time arose. It prepared us for the conference tournament and going into a hostile environment.”

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Alcorn wins SWAC title

Shreveport, LA - Before Sunday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament championship game, Alcorn State left-hander Brent Blaum and Braves coach Barret Rey shared ties to Baton Rouge. Afterward, they shared the title of SWAC champions.

Blaum, a former LSU golfer, tossed 5 1-3 effective innings and the relentless Alcorn offense scored in double figures for the third straight tournament game as the Braves defeated Southern University, 12-6, at Fair Grounds Field to claim the tournament championship and an NCAA Regional berth.

“I never got a ring at LSU, so I finally have ...

CONTINUE

Braves Roll to First SWAC Title

Shreveport, La. - For the first time in school history, Alcorn State is celebrating a SWAC baseball championship. The Braves continued their offensive assault on the rest of the teams in the tournament with a 12-6 victory over Southern in Sunday’s championship final at Fair Grounds Field.

Tournament most valuable player, Alcorn designated hitter, Kilby Perdomo, hit his third home run in four games to give Alcorn a 1-0 lead before the Jaguars had even a chance at bat. Cameron McGriff tied the game in the bottom of the second with a solo shot of his own.

Alcorn State, however carded four run innings in the fourth and sixth, and then added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to keep the Jaguars at arm’s length all day.

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ASU president wants return to ‘Soul Bowl; Appoints committee to study withdrawing from Capital City Classic

LORMAN, MS — In response to recent media reports concerning Alcorn State University’s future involvement with the Capital City Classic, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn, announced the following in a campus staff meeting:

“Recently, at our alumni’s annual mid-winter conference, in Chicago, I was approached by a number of alums with strong concerns about the past and future of the Capital City Classic. Many expressed a strong interest in the idea of returning the annual football contest between Alcorn State and Jackson State back to each school’s respective football stadiums in the game that was fondly known as the ‘Soul Bowl’. I am strongly considering and am in favor of this option.”

According to Alcorn’s Chief of Staff Marcus Ward, “For 15 years, from 1993 to 2008, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University have participated in a spirited, football rivalry that was full of rich and colorful tradition and attracted crowds of 50-60,000 fans on an annual basis. The Capital City Classic is not simply a game – it has been a major economic event for the City of Jackson and the state of Mississippi. For the past three years, members of the Alcorn community have consistently expressed discontent with the Capital City Classic to us.”

President Brown stated, “The truth of the matter is that the Capital City Classic has not been the same over the last three years. The game has lost attendance; alumni and sponsors are losing interest; and quite frankly, the University has lost revenue. While there are other ancillary factors that are attributable to its decline, I have a fiduciary responsibility, as president, to steward our resources in the best interests of Mississippi’s taxpayers.”

Dr. Brown continued, “In an effort to address concerns, I am directing my Chief of Staff Marcus Ward to commission a blue ribbon committee to perform a comprehensive review of the history and future of the the Capital City Classic. The Committee will analyze the Classic thoroughly including the game and auxiliary events and will also develop and present a plan for a “Return to the Soul Bowl”. This Committee will report its findings to me within 90 days and I will then communicate Alcorn’s final position going forward.”

President Brown concluded by stating, “Let me say also, we appreciate and value our powerful partnership with our sister school Jackson State University. This matter, in no way, reflects upon our strong and unique history and relationship that goes beyond football. We look forward to working closely with President Meyers and her able staff to advance higher education and intercollegiate athletics in Mississippi and the nation.”

By ASU University Relations

Capital City Classic situation disturbs JSU's Gorden

In 1994, W.C. Gorden, then Jackson State's athletic director, helped start the Capital City Classic as a way to gain media attention and generate more revenue for the participants, Alcorn State and JSU.

So, when he opened his newspaper Saturday and saw this headline, "No more Capital City Classic?" the winningest football coach in JSU history shook his head. "I was very disappointed to hear that," he said Saturday afternoon from his home.

'Soul Bowl' might return

Emanuel Barnes had the perfect spot, seated several hundred feet above the football field, nestled behind the microphone in the Alcorn State University press box.

The school's long-time public address announcer watched a sophomore quarterback named Steve McNair find receiver Marcus Hinton for a game-winning touchdown that gave Alcorn a 42-35 victory over despised rival Jackson State University. Newly opened Jack Spinks Stadium exploded in celebration.

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Melrose coach gets college offer (Alcorn State)

Memphis, TN - Melrose High boys basketball coach Jermaine Johnson is considering leaving the Golden Wildcats to accept a university position. Johnson told The Commercial Appeal on Saturday that he has been offered the associate head coaching position at Alcorn State University by new Braves coach Luther Riley, who was hired in March.

"It's the top SWAC school," said Johnson. "I told them I would let them know of my decision by Wednesday."

Johnson has been extremely successful during his time at Melrose, rebuilding a proud program that had stumbled prior to his arrival. His 2010 team finished 38-4 and won the class AAA title, the school's first state crown in 27 years. This past season, Melrose finished 27-8, losing to...


Videographer: charleyhorse30; Adonis Thomas Press Conference @ Memphis Melrose High School 10/28/2010. Coach Jermaine Johnson has produced four bluechip players in three seasons at Melrose High School in Chris Jones (Northwest Florida State College/Tennessee signee), Adonis Thomas (Memphis), Cedrick McAfee (Auburn) and Telvin Wikerson (SE Missouri).

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Southern and Alcorn State advanced to Sunday’s SWAC championship

Championship Game TV Replay: Monday,
 8 PM EST on  ESPNU

SHREVEPORT, La. — Southern and Alcorn State advanced to Sunday’s SWAC championship game with impressive wins Friday. The Braves continued their roll through the tournament with a 13-0 victory over Texas Southern, while Southern came from five runs down to defeat Jackson State 14-9. The teams will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the championship final.

Errors dash Tigers' hopes for SWAC repeat

There will be no repeat championship for the Grambling baseball team. The Tigers fell to Texas Southern 6-4 and were knocked out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on the third day of play at Fair Grounds Field. Grambling led 3-0 after four innings but was outscored 6-1 in the final five innings, including a four-run seventh.

Southern rallies past JSU

Ugly doesn't begin to cover it, but the Southern Jaguars are not complaining. Southern overcame seven errors, wearing out a ragged Jackson State pitching staff to post a 14-9 victory Friday night at Fair Grounds Field to advance to Sunday's 1 p.m. tournament championship game.

There the Jaguars (29-20) will face former SU assistant Barret Rey and the Alcorn State Braves.
"The one thing that matters is the bottom line," Southern coach Roger Cador said.

Alcorn State bounces TSU from SWAC baseball tourney

Texas Southern bowed out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament with a whimper, suffering a 13-0 seven-inning, run-rule beating at the hands of Alcorn State on Friday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field. Alcorn State, seeded No. 1 in the Eastern Division, moves on to Sunday’s championship game, where it’ll face Southern University. TSU, the Western Division’s No. 4 seed, ended its season at 25-29.

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Alcorn State's Riley last-minute pitch lands Luckett

Alcorn State lands 4-Star Recruit in LeAntwan Luckett

Lorman, MS - LeAntwan Luckett admits he knows nothing about the glory days of Alcorn State basketball. "No clue," said the Dandy Dozen senior guard from Ridgeland High School. And he's also quick to point out Alcorn was nowhere on his recruiting radar just a month ago.

But just two weeks after Alcorn named Provine's Luther Riley as its coach, Luckett signed with the Braves on Wednesday. "I wanted to make a difference and bring something back to Alcorn and build the program with Coach Riley," said Luckett.

Luckett is rated the 77th best senior (and No. 20 shooting guard) in the country, according to rivals.com. Luckett said his final four choices were Alcorn, Mississippi State, Tennessee and TCU. A late-minute sales pitch from Riley swayed him.

Riley Signs Wendy's Heisman Luckett and More

ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State head basketball coach Luther Riley had to start recruiting athletes to become players immediately after bring named new head coach and is proud of his first recruited class.

Riley announces the signing of five and one who will perform via an academic scholarship. Those signed on Wednesday to attend Alcorn State are LeAntwan Luckett of Madison County, Brandon Givens of Ellisville, Michael Willis of Nashville, TN, Jarvis Moore of Cleveland, MS, Anthony Evans of Greenville and Tyson Tufono of Jackson's Bailey Magnet H.S.

Luckett is a 6'4 combo guard who avenged 19.8 points and 9.7 rebounds his senior year while making the All State team. He is a four time All Madison County performer, two time All Metro who said, at his signing, that he is “BRAVE enough to make a difference at Alcorn State University.”

He is the son of Joe Luckett and Cynthia Clay and his coach was Roderick Davidson. “He is very athletic and can score from in and outside:” states Riley” “and he will make an immediate impact as we expect great things from him.”

Givens, a 6'-7" 220 pounder from Jones Junior College averaged 25.4 points and 9.2 rebounds the past season. Coached by Bubba Skelton, he was the MVP of the Junior College All Star Game, on the MS Junior College All Star team and a first team Mississippi Jr. College All American. Raised by his grandmother Littery Givens, Riley says that “he is a very good scorer and will come into this league and do well.”

Willis from Moorehead Jr. College stands 6'-8" and weighs 220 pounds. Averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds last season, Riley sees coach Derrick Fears player bringing fans out to home games. “He is a real athletic forward who will bring back excitement and energy to the reservation. He is a relentless player who competes night in and out.”

Moore, a 5'-11" 180 pound point guard, the son of Deborah and Aaron Moore, likes to be behind the steering wheel. “He is a fierce competitor who loves to run the show:” states Riley: “having the leadership abilities that breeds winning.” He was a Mississippi Jr. College All Star in 2011 and made the All Conference team.

Jarren Mallory Signs With Alcorn State



Luther Riley is transitioning from coaching high school basketball at Jackson's (Miss.) Provine high school to taking over Alcorn State University, a Division-1 program. On signing day, Riley made sure he brought in a  player he is familiar with. Jarren Mallory, a star at Provine high school is part of the first Riley recruiting class.  Playing for his former coach, is a major reason why Mallory chose Alcorn State.

"I don't know if I'm gonna be able to start, but I know I'm gonna get a lot of playing time. He knows what I can do, I know how he can coach and we're gonna be on the same page," Mallory said.  Riley and Mallory finished 2010-11 at 24-3.

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By Alcorn State University Office of Sports Information
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Alcorn State opts for next best thing to the Wiz

Provine's Riley makes the leap

Lorman, MS - When Alcorn State University decided recently to make a basketball coaching change, one columnist - blush - suggested only partly in jest the school should re-hire 81-year-old Alcorn legend Davey Whitney, the Wiz.

The theory: It worked twice before, why shouldn't it work again?

Turns out, Alcorn has done the next best thing. In Luther Riley, the 38-year-old Provine High School coach, the Lorman university has hired a Whitney clone, a guy who admittedly patterns himself after the elfish, but demanding man who made Alcorn basketball famous.



Riley takes over ASU basketball

LORMAN — Luther Riley saw first hand that Alcorn State men’s basketball could be successful while he was a graduate assistant coach under Davey Whitney.

Now, Riley said he’s looking to take the Braves’ hoops program back to that successful level of play. Riley, who has coached at John W. Provine High School in Jackson for the past 11 seasons, was introduced as the Braves’ new basketball coach Monday at the Jackson Convention Complex.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to welcome Coach Luther Riley back home to Alcorn State University,” said Alcorn President Dr. M. Christopher Brown.

Braves raid JPS for proven winner

Luther Riley entered from the right, walking across the platform before a half-full third-floor theater in the Jackson Convention Complex. Provine High's basketball coach for the last dozen years, Riley's face was unmistakable to the mostly Jackson-based Alcorn State fans before him.

Upon seeing Riley wearing a silver and purple-striped tie and a pinstripe suit, the group gave a standing ovation to the man they hope will turn around their basketball program - three years after being passed over for the job.

"This will be a daunting task," Riley said to the crowd moments later after being introduced as the university's new coach Monday in downtown Jackson.

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ASU debuts new $3.9 million baseball complex

MONTGOMERY, Alabama-- For the first time in 15 years, the Alabama State University baseball team will play on Hornet territory at the ASU Baseball Complex inaugural game this Saturday.

The first pitch of Saturday's game against Alcorn State will be preceded by a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by an introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State, including a new on-campus football stadium and softball complex currently under construction.



ASU Baseball set for return to campus

MONTGOMERY, AL - For the first time since the 1996 season, Alabama State baseball has returned home to the ASU campus. This Saturday, March 26th, the Hornets will play the inaugural game at the ASU Baseball Complex at 1 p.m. vs. Alcorn St.

The splendor of what will be a grand event will commence with a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. leading right up to the first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader. Other special events for the complex opening include an interactive area for kids and the introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State. The football team is scheduled to move into its new football complex building later this spring and the initial phases of the new on-campus football stadium and softball complex are underway.

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Larry Smith out as Alcorn State's basketball coach‎

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State has announced that Larry Smith will not return for a fourth season as head basketball coach at his alma mater, but will take a new role as director of athletic development.

Smith went 12-78 in three seasons, including a 4-24 mark this season, when the Braves failed to make the SWAC tournament field. Smith has one year left on his $125,000 per year coaching contract. Here is the Press Release...

Alcorn President Brown announces promotions in Athletics and Advancement

Alcorn State University announces the promotion of Larry Smith’80, distinguished alumni, former NBA player and Braves head basketball coach is moving from the court floor to the front office. Smith is the new director of athletic development and will be reporting to Stephen L. McDaniel, vice president of Institutional Advancement.

“He is just a very solid athletic personality who has a good track record of working with and developing players,” says Dr. Norris Allen Edney, current acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. “He is a level-headed person of high character. It is always good to have a strong presence in the front office.”

“Coach Smith has a great deal of fundraising experience,” says President M. Christopher Brown II, Ph.D. “His experience and relationships will align perfectly with the restructuring of Institutional Advancement and give the University a strong advantage.” Brown also referenced the need to construct a facility named in honor of legendary former Alcorn Football Coach Marino Casem. Smith is extremely optimistic about his newest challenge on behalf of Alcorn athletics.

Recently, Dr. Ruth Nichols, former special assistant to the president, joined Institutional Advancement as the director of external relations. “Alcorn has many talented employees and our goal is to find individuals with experiences in complimentary areas,” says Vice President McDaniel. “I am grateful to Dr. Brown for his leadership and knowing the importance of fundraising in advancing the University’s mission.”

Another significant appointment President Brown announced today is the transfer and promotion of Shundera Perteet to business manager for the Department of Athletics. Perteet has more than a decade of experience in University administration in the offices of the Executive Vice President and Academic Affairs. Her initial responsibilities will include the 2012 academic budget and finalization of ticket packages for the upcoming Alcorn athletic season.

Smith, a 1980 alum with a bachelor’s degree in business, spent 13 seasons (1980-1993) in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Smith received NBA All-Rookie Team Honors in 1981, and became one of the best rebounders in the 1980s. He had career averages of 9.2 rebounds and 25.9 minutes per game.

He worked as an assistant coach with the Rockets in 1993-94 and 1994-95, helping them capture their back-to-back NBA titles. After serving as the head coach of the Anaheim Arsenal and as an assistant coach for the Austin Toros during the 2006-07 NBA D-League season, Smith was hired to be an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association for the 2008 season. In May 2008 he was hired to be the head coach for Alcorn.

Senior Women Administrator LLJuna Weir will lead the search committee for the selection of a new head basketball coach. “Alcorn believes in excellence,” says Weir. “We are committed to this process and have the full support of the University administration.”

Athletic Director Brenda Square says, “It has been a pleasure working with Coach Smith and I look forward to working with him to generate much needed resources for our athletic programs.”

Applications will be accepted until March 25, 2011, individuals interested in applying for the position of Head Men’s Basketball Coach are encouraged to visit www.alcorn.edu and send their resume, ASU Employment application, three letters of recommendations, official college transcripts and other supporting information to the following address:

Office of Human Resources
Attention: Head Men’s Basketball Coach
1000 ASU Drive #390

Alcorn State, MS 39096-7500

Additional information forthcoming about the search process, contact Chief of Staff Marcus Ward at 601.877.6111, if you have questions.

Spears hires Green, Brown leaves Alcorn

Vyron Brown, recently tabbed by Spears as the Braves’ new offensive coordinator, has left Alcorn and will be returning to Grambling State to be with newly named coach Doug Williams.

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State head football coach Melvin Spears has hired 2002 Alcorn State graduate Louis Green as the linebacker and special teams coach.

Green played for Alcorn coach Johnny Thomas from 1998-2002 as a linebacker. He played high school football at Jefferson County High and lettered in track and field and basketball as well.

After finishing at Alcorn, he played in the National Football League for the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos. He was with the Broncos from 2004-2009 when he was a linebacker and also played on special teams. He won the Ed Black Courage Award while with the Broncos and was in the National Youth Program at Alcorn for four years.

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Spears picks quarterbacks coach for ASU

LORMAN — Alcorn State University head football Melvin Spears continues to round out his coaching staff, naming New Orleans native and former Grambling State University star Bruce Eugene as his quarterbacks coach.

Eugene, a 2005 graduate of Grambling, played for newly named Grambling coach Doug Williams, and got tutelage from Spears, who was the quarterbacks coach at the time.

Eugene became one of the top players in Division 1-AA college football, breaking Grambling and SWAC records in the process. He was a three-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award.


Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

CURRENT HIRES:

Melvin Spears Jr., Head Football Coach
Vyron Brown, Offensive Coordinator
Quantas Floyd, Defensive Backs Coach
Darius Matthews, Tight End and Wide Recievers Coach
Bruce Eugene, Quarterbacks Coach

Spears Hires Matthews as Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach

Alcorn State University head football coach Melvin Spears announces that Grambling State graduate Darius Matthews has been added to his coaching staff In charge of the wide receivers and tight ends. Matthews worked with Spears in 2006 at Grambling State as the running backs coach.

Matthews is glad to be at Alcorn State: “It’s a chance for me to play a role in establishing a winning program. I’ll have the chance to work with a proven winner in coach Spears and to become a part of the Alcorn State family.”

Matthews comes to ASU from East Feliciana High in Jackson, Louisiana where he served as offensive coordinator. He was offensive coordinator at Clinton High in Clinton from 2007 thru 2010 and running backs coach at Grambling from 2006 thru 2007.

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Alcorn State baseball opens 2011 season against Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama baseball team (0-0, 0-0 SEC) opens the 2011 season with the Tide playing host to the Alcorn State Braves (0-0, 0-0 SWAC) in a three-game weekend series. The two teams will break in a new year at The Joe on Friday at 6:05 p.m. Game two is slated to begin at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday with Sunday's first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

SATURDAY IS DOUBLE DAY AT ALABAMA
On Saturday, Alabama fans can enjoy two Crimson Tide games for the price of one. The baseball team will host Alcorn State at 2 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. game between Alabama and Arkansas in men's basketball. Fans can use their men's basketball ticket to gain admittance into both the baseball and basketball games.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Alcorn State is coming off a season that saw the Braves post a 27-28 overall record and finish fifth in the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) with a 15-8 record. ASU returns 20 letter winners, including 14 position players (six starters) and six pitchers (two starters). Alcorn State's season came to an end when they lost 15-2 to Grambling in the championship game of the SWAC Tournament.

Rodney Warren returns for his senior season after leading the Braves with a .392 average a year ago. As a junior, Warren had 69 hits in 176 at-bats, with 15 doubles, six home runs and 47 runs batted in. The Braves return the heart of their lineup, as Eduardo Gonzalez and Kilby Perdomo also return. Gonzalez led the 2010 team with 78 hits and tied Perdomo for the team lead with 54 RBI. Gonzalez posted a .353 average, 16 doubles, a team-best four triples and six dingers. Perdomo was the team's leader in home runs with 10 and runs scored with 61 and finished third on the team with a .348 average.

Other returners, Cole Vicars and Kenneth Rowan hit .317 and .313, respectively, last season. The top returning pitcher for ASU is Steve Easter. The junior posted a 7-4 overall record as a sophomore, which included six complete game performances. He led the team with 81 strikeouts, while his 99.2 innings pitched ranked second most and his 4.96 ERA was third best on the team. Cederic Pomerlee made 15 appearances with 13 starts as a junior and finished the season with a 5-7 record and a 5.45 ERA. Pomerlee had 79 strikeouts in 76.0 innings pitched.

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Alcorn beats rival Jackson State 81-75

ASU Braves Coach Larry Smith

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State took the lead with 1:25 left in the second half over SWAC rival Jackson State with a three-pointer by Marquiz Baker. The late shot put Alcorn up 73-71 and they were able to close out the visiting Tigers with an 81-75 victory.

“Jackson State is a good team, they’re solid. Our defense did a great job, we shut them down in terms of percentage,” head coach Larry Smith said. “Our kids played hard for 40 minutes and we stepped up down the stretch.”

Early in the game, the Braves led by as many as 10 as the offense took advantage of many put backs and fast breaks points. Meanwhile, the defense contested every shot well, not allowing the Tigers to have any open looks at the basket.

JSU Turnovers lead to Alcorn State Lady Braves 66-54 win

The Lady Braves of Alcorn State defeated conference rival Jackson State 66-54. Alcorn, now 7-12 (6-4), outscored the Lady Tigers despite shooting a lower field goal percentage. However, the Lady Braves were more efficient from with three-pointers and from the free throw line.

The Lady Braves shot 50 percent from downtown, making eight while shooting 20-29 from the free throw line.

Baker, Braves ambush Tigers

Not this time, Marquiz Baker told Jackson State. Not this time. Baker, Alcorn State's fiery shooting guard, scored 23 points - seven of those coming inside 2 minutes - and the Braves beat Jackson State 81-75 on Saturday night, upsetting the conference-leading Tigers and breaking a seven-game losing streak to their bitter rivals.

Said Baker: "I was determined not to let Jackson State beat us at home this time."

The conference's ninth- place team entering the day, Alcorn State (3-17, 3-8 Southwestern Athletic Conference) rarely trailed and knocked off the the Tigers (12-10, 8-2) three weeks after losing to them by 26 points in Jackson.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG; Valley vs. JSU 2/3/11

Former Alcorn State receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux headed to Minnesota Vikings

VANCOUVER - It might be a long, long stretch to suggest that Emmanuel Arceneaux is going to become the next Donald Driver. But Driver too was undersold when he was drafted in the seventh round in 1999 by the Green Bay Packers out of Alcorn State, a small, historically black university in Lorman, Miss. Driver went on to become the Packers all-time leading receiver.

Arceneaux, another unheralded Alcorn State prospect, from the NFL's perspective, will have his signing with the Minnesota Vikings officially confirmed today after he and his agent, Bardia Ghahremani, reached agreement on a three-year, $1.8 million deal early Saturday morning with the club.



New receiver took Canadian detour to NFL

Emmanuel Arceneaux wondered if his football career was over when he wasn't selected in the 2009 NFL draft after his career at Alcorn State.

He figured he might end up "sitting at home on the couch and just working a normal job." He chose a different path and headed to the Canadian Football League. Now, after two productive seasons with the B.C. Lions, Arceneaux is set to sign a three-year deal with the Vikings.

The contract could be worth as much as $1.8 million and includes a $75,000 signing bonus.

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