Bethune Cookman's Mervyl Melendez resigns to take baseball job at Alabama State University

Daytona Beach, Florida -- Longtime Bethune-Cookman Baseball Coach Mervyl Melendez has resigned to accept the head coaching position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, B-CU Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson announced late Thursday afternoon.

"Mervyl is pound-for-pound one of the best coaches I have ever been around," said Thompson, "but he is a far greater husband, father, and teacher than that. It has truly been an honor to watch him bloom into a legend, and I wish him well in his search for life's next challenge. We truly hate to see him leave the campus, but he can never leave our family."

Melendez has been part of the Bethune-Cookman program for 19 years, first playing for the Wildcats and earning Black College All-American honors then serving as an assistant for three seasons and finally as head coach for the last 12 seasons, during which time he has taken the B-CU program to legendary heights.


Regarding Hornets new $3.9 million baseball complex: Stacy Danley, Athletic Director, says “It gives us a chance to be our best, to recruit the best and to compete at the highest level so I’m excited about where this program is headed. This is just one of many new projects going on. I hope the people out there understand that Alabama State is trying to raise the bar.”

B-CU's baseball coach leaving

DAYTONA BEACH -- The most successful baseball coach in Bethune-Cookman history is departing. And he's taking his coaching staff with him. Mervyl Melendez resigned from B-CU on Thursday to take the head coach position at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala.

The 37-year-old, who guided the Wildcats to 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships over 12 seasons, is leaving his alma mater for a struggling program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. "They really wanted me and my staff to take on the challenge," Melendez said. "It's a program that needs a little TLC, and we're going to give it that TLC."

Jose Vazquez, who had been Melendez's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at B-CU, assistant coach Drew Clark and pitching coach Matt Crane are going to the Hornets, too. "When somebody wants to buy your whole coaching staff, what a compliment that is to Mervyl and your whole program," said B-CU Athletic Director Lynn Thompson. "Mervyl and I have talked often in the past about how this day would come."

Melendez said Alabama State's five-year contract offer "was too good to refuse'.

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A.J. Harmon Transferring To Alabama State, According To A.J. Harmon

Former University of Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle A.J. Harmon tweeted Saturday: "UGA love u all...Thanks for many lessons but another chapter has been written...Now a new one starts at bama state."  The FCS Alabama State Hornets of Montgomery play in the SWAC; Harmon will be eligible to play in 2011.

Harmon left the UGA program in May, citing personal reasons. It had been rumored for days before his exit that both he and Caleb King were on the brink of being declared academically ineligible. Whether that was actually the case, we might never know.

The sophomore's transfer marks the second potential starter the Dawgs have lost to a FCS school this year, following Washaun Ealey's exit to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Harmon came to Georgia as a four-star prospect, ranked the No. 2 guard in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state.

The (short) release from UGA in late May:

ATHENS, GA -- University of Georgia junior offensive tackle A.J. Harmon will transfer to another institution for personal reasons according to an announcement Tuesday by UGA head coach Mark Richt.  A native of Louisville, Ga., Harmon was redshirted in 2008 and appeared in seven games over the past two seasons in an offensive line backup role.

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ASU women taste first NCAA action today at Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Alabama State women's golf team is one of 72 teams competing in three NCAA regionals throughout the country today. And while teams such as Alabama, UCLA and Southern California dream of winning a national championship, the local golfers are happy making history with their first NCAA appearance.

"I saw the list of the schools that are going to regionals and they are the top schools in the NCAA," Alabama State freshman Amelie Buhl said. "I think it's a great opportunity for us to play in the same group. They're really good schools. I don't have any expectations for us. We've already achieved our goal."

A team comprised largely of first- and second-year players earned a bid to an NCAA regional by capturing the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in Louisiana in mid-April. A week later, the Hornets made history again by winning the National Women's Collegiate Golf Championship...

Hornet Golf Teams in National Tournaments This Week

The Alabama State women's and men's golf teams will compete for national championships this week, both in the state of Florida.

The 2011 SWAC Women's Golf Champion Lady Hornets will make their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament and will play in the East Regional in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The men's team, runners-up in the SWAC Tournament for the third straight year, will compete in the 25th annual PGA Minority Golf Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

“It's time to just relax and play in control,” head coach Gary Grandison said. “We'll strive to represent the school well, and represent the community well.”

The women's golf team will be one of 24 teams in the East Regional. The LPGA International's Legends Course (par 72, 6,271 yards) will challenge the teams in the three-day, 54-hole tournament.

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Women in Sports: International duo boost ASU golf

ASU Golf Coach Dr. Gary Grandison

Montgomery, AL - Amelie Buhl and Aileen Meredith are part of something special, something they never would have envisioned five years ago.

Both are major components in Alabama State's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship women's golf team, international players leading the surge at an HBCU (Historically black colleges and universities) program.

"It's a big change compared to where I'm from," said Meredith, a sophomore from Apia, Samoa. "At first, I wasn't expecting it to be an all-black school but after the first semester my freshman year, I adapted well. At first, everything was hard and difficult but now it's nothing to me. I'm used to it. I'm enjoying myself here."

ASU golf program soaring under Grandison

What a week for the Alabama State women's golf team. And what a week for their coach, Gary Grandison. Thanks to my good friend, Pete Cobb, and the folks at Montgomery Country Club, I've been paying close attention to the job Grandison's been doing at ASU for a couple of years now. Starting out with very little, he's produced a lot, and last week brought the best production of all.

On Tuesday, the ASU women won the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament for the first time. That's as in, ever. But the Lady Hornets weren't finished.

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ASU Lady Hornets win Women's Collegiate Championship

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – The 2011 SWAC Women's Golf Champion Alabama State Lady Hornets added another title to the mantle Sunday, winning the 17th National Women's Collegiate Golf Classic at Stone Mountain Golf Course.

The Lady Hornets finished with a 671 score in the 36-hole event, holding off a strong charge from second place South Carolina State (678). Hampton University (690) finished third.

ASU shot 344 on Sunday, not as strong as they did Saturday, while S.C. State improved by 24 strokes. However, it was not enough to take the title away from the Lady Hornets.

“I'm relieved” said Hornets' Gary Grandison said of winning the event for the first time. “It was definitely a tough round on a tough course. We struggled. We had a lot of bad breaks today. One of our players (Aileen Meredith) had five birdies and still shot in the 80s.”

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Alabama State: Officials huddle on stadium strategy

Montgomery, AL - As construction crews continue grading the site of Alabama State's new football stadium, the real work goes on behind the scenes as school officials and sports marketing consultants try to set prices for luxury suites, signage and other aspects of the stadium.

The ASU board of trustees' stadium committee met Thursday to discuss the next step in constructing an on-campus stadium that will include 24 luxury suites and seating for 26,500 fans.

Grading the site is phase one of the project. Bids will be evaluated Tuesday for the second phase, which includes the foundation and structural package for the stadium, estimated at $18 million.

Board chairman Elton Dean asked that those who evaluate the bids indicate a preference for minority contractors in at least 25 percent of the bids or, at the very least, make sure those contractors employ 25 percent minority workers.

NEW STADIUM FLY-OVER

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ASU notebook: Offensive linemen sport golden look

Alabama State's Black & Gold Game had a different look this year as head coach Reggie Barlow divided the squad into two teams for the fans.

NCAA sanctions against the program left it short of scholarship players the last two years, and the 14 offensive linemen were allowed to wear gold jerseys and mingle among the teams wearing black or white jerseys, but Barlow said the players wanted to try a game format.

"These guys were really excited about it," Barlow said. "The last couple of years...

ASU Black and Gold Game: Price was right for Hornets

Greg Jenkins has had the upper hand throughout much of spring practice, but Demetric Price won Saturday's Black & Gold Game before the first snap was taken.

The two Alabama State quarterbacks continued their duel on Saturday in the annual spring game at Hornet Stadium with Price's team pulling out a 19-12 victory.

Price and his Gold squad (which was actually wearing white jerseys) trailed for virtually the entire 71-play contest before the offense scored on its final two possessions, with Price clinching the victory on a 2-yard run on the final play of the game.



ASU football: Long uses his speed to get results

Charlie Long has never been the biggest defensive lineman on the foot­ball field, but he has
always been one of the fastest. The Alabama State sophomore hopes speed can translate into a bigger role for the Horn­ets this fall.

"I just play as fast as I can," he said. "Because I'm undersized, I have to use my quickness. By playing fast, plays just open up for me."

So far, the 5-foot-11, 240-pounder has made a favorable impression on his coaches.

Alabama State football: Coaches to look at younger players

Alabama State coaches wanted to divide the team into two squads for today's Black and Gold Game but couldn't find enough offensive linemen to have two teams.

"I thought about just putting the O-line in another color," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. "Have a Black (team) and a White (team) and put the offensive linemen in gold and that way we would have an offensive line for both teams."

Barlow decided to keep the squad divided into offensive and defensive teams, but the assistant coaches haven't given up on the idea.

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FAMU Rattlers fall 12-11 in extra innings to Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (April 5) - Alabama State University held off the Florida A&M University baseball team, as they scored a run in the bottom of the 11th inning to hand the Rattlers a 12-11 loss in extra innings, here Tuesday afternoon at the ASU Baseball Complex.

Both FAMU (10-23) and ASU (11-14) finished with 14 hits each.

The Rattler were led by both Tobi Adeyemi and Jimmie Terrell as they both finished with three hits each for FAMU, while Jourdan Mott and Gerald Washington both finished with three hits apiece for the Hornets.

Ron James (1-0) picked the win for the ASU as he pitched two and one-third innings giving up two hits and striking out one in relief, while Stephen Dollar received the loss for FAMU as he gave up two hits, two earned runs and striking out two in two and two-thirds innings of relief.

The Hornets took advantage of a FAMU infielder’s error to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as both Drew Quinney and Reginald Mitchell scored on the Rattler error.


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Alabama State Football back on practice field

MONTGOMERY, AL—The Alabama State University football team was back on the practice field today for session nine of the spring practice sessions. Today was the team's first day back since the scrimmage game that took place Saturday.

The coaching staff has spent the past three days looking over the 58-play scrimmage and breaking down the film to see some of the performances of both individuals and as an offensive team and a defensive team.

"We were able to take a hard look at the scrimmage on film and we saw a lot of things we knew we would see," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "It seemed our offense was trying too hard to do things the right way and with it being the first scrimmage they were just working their way into making too many mistakes."

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Alabama State University 2011 Football Schedule Announced

The Alabama State University Athletic Department has announced the 2011 football schedule for the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division Champions.

The Hornets will play five home games this season in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. In addition to the traditional matchups, highlighted by the Magic City Classic in Birmingham and the Turkey Day Classic on Thanksgiving Day, the Hornets will travel to face Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference.

“This game will accomplish several things for the program and the University,” Athletic Director Stacy Danley said. “It provides exposure and visibility for Alabama State in a unique geographical area that contains a high concentration of ASU alumni. It additionally gives us the opportunity to recruit a broader range of students and student athletes. As we continue to take ASU Athletics to new heights, it's not only important for us to play up but to win up. This contest also provides us with the opportunity to generate revenue.”

Former Hornet receiver Reggie Barlow begins his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, leading his team into another tough nine-game conference slate of games as Alabama State comes off a SWAC Championship game appearance for the first time since winning the title in 2004.

“I think it's a good schedule,” Barlow said. “As a whole, it gives us exactly what we need when we go out and recruit players of what they will get an opportunity to go out and experience here. You get to play in front of large crowds like we do in the Magic City Classic and Turkey Day Classic, as well as the chance to play a Division I opponent in Eastern Michigan. The SWAC schedule is very competitive as it always is. We're excited about it.”

Alabama State will begin the season with back-to-back road games and three of its first four contests away from home in September. The Hornets will begin the season at SWAC foe Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 3 before venturing to Michigan to face the Eagles one week later in the first-ever meeting between the schools.

The Hornets will play their home opener Sept. 17 when Grambling State and new head coach Doug Williams come to the Cramton Bowl. ASU will end the season's opening month at Jackson State on Sept. 24.

Alabama State will face former offensive coordinator and new Alcorn State head coach Melvin Spears on Oct. 1 as the Braves come to Montgomery. The Hornets will then travel to Houston for a SWAC Championship Game rematch with defending champion Texas Southern, before coming home to host Prairie View on Oct. 15.

Following an open week, the Hornets will face Alabama A&M University in the 70th Magic City Classic, held at legendary Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 29.

ASU will play its final road game in 2011 on Nov. 5, when they travel to face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Hornets will play their final SWAC game of the season at home against Southern in Cramton Bowl on Nov. 12. Following an open date, ASU will conclude the regular season with the 88th Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee University on Nov. 26th.



2011 ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept. 3 at Mississippi Valley St.* Itta Bena, Miss. 5 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Eastern Michigan Ypsilanti, Mich. TBD
Sept. 17 GRAMBLING ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Jackson St.* Jackson, Miss. 4 p.m.
Oct. 1 ALCORN ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Texas Southern* Houston, Texas TBD
Oct. 15 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m. (Hornet Connection Day)
Oct. 22 open date
Oct. 29 ALABAMA A&M* Birmingham, Ala. TBD (70th Magic City Classic)
Nov. 5 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 12 SOUTHERN* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 open date
Nov. 24 TUSKEGEE Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.(88th Turkey Day Classic)
Dec. 10 SWAC Championship Birmingham, Ala. TBD
Home games in CAPS; * denotes SWAC games; dates and times subject to change

By ASU Sports Information
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ASU Mighty Marching Hornets and ALL ASU ALUMNI

Hornets and Friends:

Please help the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets give back to former director of bands, Dr. Thomas E. Lyle. There is a movement that is trying to get Dr. Lyle inducted in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (A.B.A).

ASU's former band students, band directors and ANY ASU ALUMNI may write letters requesting Dr. Lyle be inducted into the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

It is very important that we as Former Marching Hornets help get Dr. Lyle accepted into this prestige Hall of Fame. In your letter, please include the year you marched, and how Professor Lyle has influenced your life through music.

Your letters are to be sent to:

Dr. John Long
121 Hillcrest Blvd.
Troy, Alabama 36801

Please pass this information on to other former members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets Band.

Today's NCAA Tournament: Alabama State vs. UTSA

No. 16 Texas-San Antonio (19-13) vs. No. 16 Alabama State (17-17)
WHEN/WHERE: 5:40 p.m.CDT, Dayton, Ohio
TELEVISION: truTV Channel



A CLOSER LOOK: Texas-San Antonio likes a fast pace; Alabama State tries to keep games low-scoring. The winner will be the team that imposes its will. Alabama State was an upset winner of the SWAC Tournament. The Hornets have an RPI of No. 257 but have won 11 of 12 games. The Roadrunners upset McNeese State in winning the Southland tournament title. Area hoops fans might remember Texas-San Antonio coach Brooks Thompson, who played at Oklahoma State in the early 1990s before a short NBA career. The winner meets top-seeded Ohio State in the East Region.

Alabama State has tourney's worst record

Alabama State reached the NCAA tournament with a lousy record and a remarkable turnaround. The Hornets (17-17) have the worst record in the 68-team field. Everyone else has more wins than losses.

Alabama State must win its first-round game on Wednesday night against Texas-San Antonio (19-13) to improve to a winning record. Their reward? Heading up to Cleveland to try to knock off top-seeded Ohio State.

Roadrunners battle Hornets in "First Four" encounter

Dayton, OH (Sports Network) - Day two of the inaugural "Field of 68" play-in format for the 2011 NCAA Tournament has the champions of the Southland Conference, Texas-San Antonio, squaring off against the Southwestern Athletic Conference champs, Alabama State, from Dayton, Ohio.

Dubbed the "First Four", Wednesday's matchup is the third of four games over two days at UD Arena as part of the NCAA's re-formatted expansion of the traditional 64-team field. The winner of this matchup moves on to face the tournament's top overall seed, Ohio State, in the East Region Friday in Cleveland, Ohio at Quicken Loans Arena.

ASU basketball: White works to get job done for Hornets

Ivory White spends the first few minutes of every basketball game trying to figure out how he can help his Alabama State team­mates. Need an offensive spark? White is your guy. Looking for someone to shut down the high-octane perimeter offense of your opponent? Call on White.

Hoping someone can bol­ster your inside game with a few rebounds and help speed up the transition game? Then the junior guard from Greensboro is the perfect answer to your problems.

Duncan sparks Hornets' streak

Chris Duncan came to Alabama State with one thing on his mind.

And while he has excelled at defense in his two years with the Hornets, he has started to understand his value to the team as an offensive performer. The Hornets have won six consecutive games, transforming from a team that had underachieved and showed little chemistry to one that has dreams of earning an NCAA tournament bid.

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Texas Southern cruises past Alabama State

HOUSTON -- Travele Jones scored 18 points to lead Texas Southern past Alabama State 73-59 Monday night. Kevin Galloway added 15 points and Lawrence Johnson-Danner had 14 to help the Tigers (10-10, 8-1) remain tied for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Tramaine Butler led the Hornets (6-16, 3-6) with 17 points.

Texas Southern took control of this one early by quickly building double-digit lead and shot 51 percent in winning for the eighth time in nine games. The Tigers led 12-0 2:49 into the game, went into halftime up 41-32 and led by 18 after intermission.

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SWAC football is getting better

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - For as long as anyone can remember, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has been a three-headed monster when it comes to football.

Grambling, Southern and Jackson State have been by far the best programs in the league. Grambling has won 22 SWAC championships. Southern has won 18 and Jackson State 16. Nobody else even comes close.

Since 1960, the trio has won or shared ...

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ALABAMA STATE 34, MVSU 6: QB Dominguez, ASU's offense shine

Alabama State put its confidence in Devin Dominguez by naming the junior as the starting quarterback earlier this week. Dominguez validated that decision Saturday night, passing for 261 yards and three touchdowns to lead ASU to a 34-6 win over Mississippi Valley State.

"I'm not going to lie, I felt a little jittery when I was thinking about it before the game," Dominguez said. "But once you get on the field, it's football. The game takes over and you just have fun."

ASU coach Reggie Barlow gave his new quarterback high marks on his first start. As with any first start, there is room for improvement, but the Hornets liked what they saw. "Devin has a lot of talent," Barlow said. "He's calm and he made some good decisions and some good throws. He's got a couple of things to clear up with tempo and the clock, but all in all, he did well."

PHOTO GALLERIES ASU plays Miss Valley

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Alabama State offense finally shows consistency

ASU junior Devin Dominquez is in a quarterback battle among true freshman Demetric Price and redshirt freshman Rashard Burkette.

Alabama State University's offense has looked good at times this fall, but has not shown enough consistency. In Wednesday's practice sessions, the offense showed the consistency it had lacked in earlier practices. The offense did not turn the ball over during the full 11-on-11 session and scored on each possession. Quarterbacks Devin Dominguez, Rashard Burkette and Demetric Price all threw touchdown passes.

"Part of being the head coach is saying, 'Hey, the offense looked good today,'" head coach Reggie Barlow said. "But then you have to turn around and say the defense really did not do well during the scrimmage. "It was good to see the offense score down inside the red zone on those five consecutive possessions. It is something we have worked on. I was also disappointed the defense was unable to make the right corrections and stop the offense."

The defense may have had a bad practice, but overall Barlow has been pleased with what he has seen along the defensive front.

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More limbo for Vikings and former Alabama State QB Jackson

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Tarvaris Jackson has taken plenty of heat for his performance, and physically he’s been hurt a lot too over four NFL seasons. Last summer, he was brushed aside for Brett Favre. For all Jackson has been beat up or bumped back, though, he can’t hide his smile. There it was, on Wednesday after practice with the Minnesota Vikings, spreading fast across his face when asked if he had a gut feeling about whether Favre will return or not.

"Yeah, I do. I’m not going to share it," Jackson said, flashing that grin. "But I think everybody has their feeling, and I think everybody is pretty much on the same page." That sure sounded like an expectation Favre will be Minnesota’s quarterback again this year. Jackson said he’s traded text messages a few times with the 40-year-old star, but insisted they talked only about "life stuff" and not football. Jackson said he "wouldn’t dare ask" the burning question about Favre’s status for 2010.



Profile: Tarvaris Jackson, #7, QB, Minnesota Vikings, Height: 6-2, Weight: 225 Age: 27, Born: 4/21/1983 Montgomery , AL; College: Alabama State University, Experience: 5th season; Contract: one year, $1.176 million tender as a restricted free agent; High School: Sidney Lanier HS (Montgomery, AL).

"That’s not even in my character," Jackson said. Well, how about Favre’s health, the left ankle he’s considering surgery on? "I don’t know," Jackson said, laughing. "I didn’t even know he was hurt." Jackson attempted 21 passes last season, the fewest since he turned pro and all in mop-up duty — "Every time I got in the game last year, the game was pretty much over with," he said, smiling again.

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Alabama State dominates SWAC indoor meet

Sunday was a day of domination for the Alabama State track and field program as the Hornets swept to the men’s and women’s team titles at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Indoor Track Championships at LSU’s Carl Maddox Field House. On the men’s side, Alabama State took control after scoring 16 points in the 60-meter hurdles, and never relinquished the lead. The Hornets went on to score 124 1/2 points to outdistance defending champion Grambling at 86 2/3. Southern freshman Micah McCulloch placed third in the high jump, triple jump and long jump, and was named the outstanding field performer. His efforts helped the Southern men place third with 70 1/3 points.

For the Alabama State women, the only contest was to see who might collect the most individual wins as they rolled to victory with 220 points. Jackson State was the closest challenger with 104 points, well ahead of the Southern women who were seventh with 39. In defending their 2009 indoor title, the Lady Hornets picked up eight individual firsts to go with a win in the distance medley relay. Second-year Alabama State coach Richard Beene was almost too happy for words following the dual championships.

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Former NSU men's coach Mitchell dies at 74

Lucias T. Mitchell, who coached Norfolk State's men's basketball team after winning three national championships at Kentucky State, died Tuesday night after a lengthy illness. He was 74 and a graduate of Jackson State University. An important figure in college basketball in the 1970s at Kentucky State, Mitchell didn't find the same success at Norfolk State. Despite winning 61 games in three seasons, he was replaced in 1981. He never coached again.

Mitchell remained with the school until retiring in 2007 as a professor of health and safety and director of driver education. Until recently, he frequently could be found at local college games, where he assessed talent for the NBA.

Kentucky State's three straight Division II NAIA championships put Mitchell and the school on the basketball map. Two of Mitchell's players - Elmore Smith and Travis Grant - became first-round NBA draft picks, a rarity for Division II players. At Alabama State, Kentucky State and NSU, Mitchell compiled a 325-103 record, a .759 winning percentage, making him the sixth winningest coach in NCAA Division II history.

In 2008, Kentucky State invited Mitchell for a ceremony in which the school named the basketball court after its all-time winningest coach. Mitchell was 1 of 3 coaches in college history to win three straight national titles, the others being UCLA's John Wooden and John McLendon of Tennessee State. "I've had a load of great memories in my career," he said before being honored by Kentucky State, "and I put this right on the top." Mitchell did not feel as warmly received at Norfolk State in 1978. "I probably shouldn't have come," Mitchell said years later. "They weren't ready for me."

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Alabama State Hornets '09 Preview

THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS...Quarterback Chris Mitchell, who was a rather solid passer two years ago, has returned from grade issues. That gives ASU's offense a boost. Offensive coordinator Richard Moncrief, a former Division I quarterback, understands the game and has the respect of the players. That means something. The defense, as it has been the last three years, should be very solid again. Just looking at the first 22, this is a solid team that could challenge for the SWAC. Depth, however, is a big issue -- one that will likely cost the Hornets a couple of games. ASU goes a respectable 7-4 and is in the SWAC East discussion until late in the year.

Hornets Coach Reggie Barlow (8-14 in two seasons at ASU), 2008 record 3-8 overall, 2-5 SWAC .






QUOTEBOARD...According to Barlow: "It's time to get this done and show some progress on the field. I've been here two years, and I feel like we've done some good things, but we have to start turning some of this into wins, because fans won't stand for it if that doesn't happen. I understand that. I knew the expectations and the situation going in here. I have to produce ... or find something else to do."

According to defensive coordinator Jo Nixon: "I'm just ready to get this season kicked off. When I was at (NAIA) Langston, we had some tight games with some of the teams from the SWAC. (The coaches) would always be like, 'We weren't really looking at y'all' and stuff like that. Things to just discredit us. Well, now I'm over here and everything's equal. I wonder what excuse they're going to use now?"

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2009 Hornet Schedule

9/5 Concordia College 7pm
9/12 at Savannah State 4pm
9/19 Edward Waters (Fla) 7pm
9/26 at Mississippi Valley State 4pm
10/10 Prairie View A&M 1pm
10/17 Grambling State 1pm
10/24 Alcorn State 1pm
10/31 at Alabama A&M 2:30pm (Magic City Classic)
11/7 at Jackson State 4pm
11/14 at Southern University (Mobile, AL) 2:30pm
11/26 Tuskegee 3pm (Homecoming/Turkey Bowl)

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After consecutive seasons of 5-6 and 3-8, who blames Coach Barlow for padding the schedule with lower division cupcakes like Concordia, Edward Waters and Savannah State. Add Valley, Alcorn, A&M and D-II, Tuskegee, the Hornets have an opportunity to finish with a 7-4 season. It's more important for Coach Barlow to just WIN, even if the Hornets opponent is Wetumpka High School. FAMU's A.D. Bill Hayes decided to delay a return date with the Hornets to play two money games at the University of Miami in '09 and '10. Sort of unfair to the Hornets schedule and for Rattler and Hornet fans that had waited more than a decade for this series to return.