Stanley Jennings leads Albany State to brink of SIAC title

QB Stanley Jennings

Atlanta, Georgia -- Stanley Jennings says it’s not in his nature to be a vocal leader, but there came a point during Albany State’s season when he realized he had no choice. His position, quarterback, demands it. His team needed him to speak up if it hoped to repeat as Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions. His coaches prodded him to do it.

“That was one thing I lacked, being a great vocal leader,” said Jennings, a former Marietta High School standout. “I got a little help from Coach [Uyl] Joyner [the offensive coordinator]. He was telling me that everybody is going to look at me because I am the quarterback.”

Eventually Jennings started speaking up, the Golden Rams picked up their play and now they are in position to win another SIAC title. East division champion Albany State (8-2, 6-1 SIAC) faces Miles (6-4, 5-2) in the inaugural SIAC championship game Saturday at Clark Atlanta.

The Golden Rams are seeking their sixth SIAC title in 12 seasons under coach Mike White. A victory Saturday also likely would assure Albany State of its eighth consecutive berth in the Division II playoffs when bids are announced Sunday.

READ MORE

Kentucky State wins SIAC title

ALBANY, Ga. -- Kentucky State defeated Albany State to win the 2011 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship on Wednesday. After dropping the first game 23-25, KSU fought back back to claim the next three games (31-29, 25-22, 25-15) and win the crown.

The offense for the Thorobreds was led by Emily Grieshaber, Audrey Sherles, and Erica Coleman with 15, 10 and nine kills respectively. Brittany Stewart had 56 assists while Sherles and Ashlie Jones each had three service aces. The Thorobrettes were led defensively by Markeshia Williams with 17 digs.

For her efforts, Williams was named Libero of the Tournament. Stewart's contribution also extended to the Thorobrettes defense with 13 digs.

Albany State was led in the championship match by Jillian Anderson and Sabrina Garcia. Anderson had 17 kills and Garcia finished with nine. Garcia was voted to the SIAC All-Tournament Team. Teammate Jennifer Johnson had 39 assists and 14 digs in the title game and was voted Setter of the Tournament.

READ MORE

Albany State University adds Valdosta to football schedule

ALBANY, GA — A rivalry has been renewed. Albany State University and Valdosta State University have inked a contract that will pit the football teams against each other on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., ASU athletic officials announced on Monday. The one-year deal — which could eventually turn permanent — also gives Albany State an additional home game this season and finalizes the 2011 football schedule.

“We would have liked to have this 10th game scheduled a long time ago, but it worked out this way,” ASU coach Mike White said. “(Valdosta) is a very good team, and they have a very good record against us.” In fact, the VSU Blazers have won 13 of the 14 meetings in the series, which dates to 1982. The teams haven’t played since 2007, when the Blazers won, 41-3, in Valdosta.

“We’re thrilled to have Albany State back on our schedule,” said VSU head coach David Dean. “With the proximity of the two schools, it has always been a great rivalry and a big event for South Georgia. Both schools always bring large crowds to the games, and they have seen...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Videographer: MarchingsportHD; Albany State University Marching Band (2011) - Honda Battle of the Bands

ASU women’s track & field captures SIAC Championship

ALBANY, GA — Albany State men’s and women’s track & field coach Kenneth Taylor said he told his team to remember one thing before they headed to the SIAC Track & Field Spring Championships this weekend in Atlanta.

“I told them this last year, and then I reminded them again this year that (in 2010) we just loaned the title to Fort Valley State,” Taylor said Sunday. “And (in 2011) we were gonna get it back.” Promise kept.

The Lady Rams dominated from start to finish, never lost the overall lead and brought the SIAC crown back to Albany on Sunday afternoon, earning Taylor his seventh conference title on the women’s side in eight years since taking over the program in 2003.

The Lady Rams scored 241.5 points, which was more than double the amount scored by second place Fort Valley, which finished with 112 points. Benedict College finished third with 89 points.


Videographer: stillmantencoach06; STILLMAN 4 x 400 HEADED TO FINALS

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State: Spring In Their Step

ALBANY, GA — How good are these guys?

Really, just how much better can Albany State’s football team be next fall? It’s seems like it was 15 minutes ago when the Rams were making history, winning the SIAC and marching deep into the Division II playoffs in a season no one in the Good Life City will soon forget.

But could they be better? They sure looked like it Friday night during the annual Blue and Gold scrimmage spring game at the ASU Coliseum, where they made a little April history. That’s what quarterbacks coach Uyl Joyner called it after watching the offense (the Gold) beat the defense (the Blue), 37-19.

“It’s about time,’’ said Joyner, who smiled when he said it. “Defense always rules at Albany State. But the offense finally won. It’s history!’’

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.


Videographer: rhoward84; ASU Golden Rams Marching Band - Praise Is What I Do

ASU women's hoops escapes Clark Atlanta in OT, set for FVSU showdown

ATLANTA, Ga. — Whew ... that was a close one.

That was the reaction of Albany State women’s basketball coach Robert Skinner on Tuesday night after his Lady Rams narrowly pulled out a key SIAC win against Clark Atlanta on the road, 84-78, in overtime, to maintain its top spot in the conference race. Albany State is 12-4 and is tied with Fort Valley for first, and as long as FVSU takes care of business at home on Thursday against Claflin, it will set up a showdown for the regular-season SIAC title Saturday at HPER when the two teams meet for the second time this season.

“We got pushed to the limit (Tuesday night),” Skinner said. “No one’s going to make it easy on us.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

With new coach, ASU baseball has sights set on defending SIAC crown

ALBANY, Ga. — Albany State University began a new era in its baseball program Tuesday when Kenyan Conner made his debut as interim head coach of the Rams, who opened their 2011 campaign Tuesday on the road at Edward Waters.

Conner replaces Edward Taylor, coach of the Rams for the last eight years, after Taylor abruptly resigned late last year for another career opportunity in Texas, according to the ASU sports information office.

Now with new blood at the helm, Conner — the Rams’ assistant baseball coach under Taylor since 2002 — will look to lead the Rams back to the top of the SIAC after ASU won the conference crown a year ago. Conner takes over a program he helped to build into one of the most successful in the SIAC.

The Rams have won four SIAC Championships and made two appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament since Taylor and Conner came aboard eight years ago.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

ASU defeats Wingate, 30-28, advances to quarterfinals of D-II playoffs

ALBANY, Ga.-- Next, please. The Albany State football team is moving on in the NCAA Division II playoffs after beating Wingate, 30-28, on Saturday afternoon in front of a packed house at Albany State University Coliseum.

Stanley Jennings threw two touchdowns, LiRonnie Davis and Rodrick Nabors got it done on the ground and the Rams' "Ditry Blue" defense held off Division II's most prolific offenses en route to the huge win.

In scary news, however, Rams defensive star Justin Blash had to be carted off the field after an injury late in the fourth quarter. There was no immediate word the extent of the injury, but it would be a huge blow to ASU if Blash can't return next week.

Wingate ousted, ends 9-3

ALBANY, Ga. The Wingate Bulldogs mounted a late rally against the Albany State Golden Rams Saturday afternoon, but fell short 30-28. The loss ends the Bulldogs' seven-game winning streak and 2010 season. Wingate finishes 9-3.

Albany State moves to 11-0 overall and will host Delta State (Miss.) next weekend. Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings completed two touchdown passes for the Golden Rams. Albany State running back LiRonnie Davis (Macon, Ga.) ran nine times for 90 yards and two scores, including a 45-yard run in the fourth quarter that gave the host team a 30-21 advantage.

ASU-WINGATE NOTEBOOK: Rams await word on injured defensive lineman Blash, who was carted off late in 30-28 win Saturday against Wingate

ALBANY, Ga. — There was a scary moment in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game when 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore defensive lineman Justin Blash had to be carted off the field at the 4:34 mark after several moments of silent anticipation.

The early diagnosis was a sprained knee, and nothing appeared to be broken, but the coach Mike White said the team will know more Monday. If Blash can’t recover, it’ll be another tough loss for the Rams as they head into the Division II quarterfinals next week against Delta State after a 30-28 win against Wingate on Saturday.

Win-gate? Check.

For only the second time in school history, the Albany State football program is headed to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs, this after the Rams hold on to beat Wingate, 30-28, on Saturday afternoon at Albany State University Coliseum.

ALBANY, Ga. — Stanley Jennings is starting to look like he might have a future as a psychic. After guaranteeing earlier in the season that the Albany State football team would win the rest of its regular-season games — which came true — he predicted during practice this week that the “Dirty Blue” Rams defense would contain quarterback Cody Haffly and the explosive Wingate offense.

And that’s exactly what happened Saturday as ASU (11-0) defeated Wingate, 30-28, at home in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs to advance to the quarterfinals against Delta State (9-3). Delta State defeated North Alabama, 47-24, on the other side of the bracket Saturday.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

GSU’s Warren and ASU’s Jennings Win HSRN.com National Player of the Week Honors

Hartly, DE – Grambling State’s Frank Warren and Albany State’s Stanley Jennings are the winners of week nine player of the week fan poll voting. Each week during the season, HSRN’s staff will select the top performances from all HBCU action and give the fans across the country a chance to vote for the Player of the Week.

HSRN developed the fan poll to get all HBCU alumni, students and fans involved with the national process and to also give everyone a chance to consistently keep up with the individual performances around the country. This web site and our broadcasts are designed to keep you abreast of all action around HBCU athletic competition.

Div. I-FCS
Frank Warren – Grambling State - RB – 5’9, 200 – SR/Pleasant Grove, AL
Warren finished the game with 209 yards on 27 carries, a 7.0 per carry average and touchdown runs for 85 and 39 yards. He led the Tigers to a 35-14 win over Mississippi Valley State



Div. II
Stanley Jennings – Albany State – QB – 6’2, 235 – JR/Marietta, GA
Jennings orchestrated ASU’s fourth quarter 13-12 come-from-behind win over Morehouse. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, including the game winning five yard pass with 18 seconds on the clock. He also led the Golden Rams in rushing with 73 yards on 15 carries, including a 12 yard TD run. Jennings finished the game with 253 yards of total offense.

Home Sweet Home: Albany State Rams rip Miles College in Homecoming game

ALBANY, GA — There was something special in the air at Albany State University Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Maybe it was the cloud of smoke rising from the parking lot, where new and old friends laughed and tailgated together to their heart’s content. Maybe it was the blare of trumpets, echoing from ASU’s and Miles’ bands as they competed for pride and the crowd’s attention.

Or maybe it was a little bit of magic emanating from the fingertips of Rams quarterback Stanley Jennings as he hit receivers for touchdowns — again and again. Whatever the reason, it was a homecoming to remember for Albany State fans as the Rams defeated Miles, 34-7, in front of a capacity crowd to move to No. 1 in the SIAC after Morehouse lost to Tuskegee, 31-15.

ASU homecoming parade draws thousands

ALBANY, GA (WALB) – One of the highlights for thousands in town this weekend and locals is the ASU Homecoming Parade. The parade didn't disappoint it had more music, dance, and floats. "This is my first Homecoming in all of these years," said Clano Stephens. Stephens graduated with the class of 1931. This is his first homecoming, he was the grand marshal.

"I'm enjoying this one immensely it's been really good," said Stephens.

Now 98-years-old he is back to help the university celebrate its 107 year history. "Oh everything has changed since then, but we had a good time, and where the president's office is now we built that when I was here," said Stephens. He graduated from what was Georgia Normal and Agricultural College 85-years ago.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

ASU Hall of Fame set to induct five new members on Sept. 10

ALBANY, GA — A quintet of Albany State University alumni are about to go from legendary to immortal. Five distinguished individuals — Dr. Wilburn Campbell Jr., Dr. John I. Davis, Johnny Seabrooks, Timothy Goff and Antonio Leroy — will be inducted into the Albany State University Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 on Sept. 10 as part of the school’s 11th Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Albany State University HPER Gymnasium.

Campbell is an associate member of the ASU National Alumni Association and was the swimming coach at Albany State from 1969 to 1982. During that span, his swimming and diving teams were SIAC Champions from 1975 to 1981. Campbell’s swimming and diving teams were the first National Black College Champions in 1979, and he was SIAC Coach of the Year. His team repeated as National Black College Champions in 1980. Campbell is the only Albany State coach to win a college national championship. As a coach, Dr. Campbell contributed to the success of numerous students.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State Rams start prepping for season

Albany State University head coach Mike White.

ALBANY, GA — The A.J. McKenna era is over, so when coach Mike White and the Albany State University football team took the field for their first practice Thursday morning, one of the main things on their mind was the open quarterback spot. It’ll be tough to replace McKenna, who led the SIAC in passing yards per game (184.3) last season, but White said one of the three players vying for the spot — Wayne Campbell, Stanley Jennings and Chris Payne — should fit in nicely.

“They’ll be alright,” White said. “I don’t know if any of them will beat A.J.’s (numbers) — the size, the athlete, the combination A.J. had was really rare — but I think somebody will fill his shoes and definitely take care of the offense.” Campbell returns from last year’s team, Jennings is a transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College and Payne is a redshirt player who originally signed with ASU in 2006.

And while Thursday was the first time the coaches were able to see them all together in action, White said he already knows they’ll follow plays better than McKenna did. “These are a little more coachable guys,” White said. “A.J. was a pretty intelligent kid, but he was a guy who always wanted to throw the ball deep. He would have a guy wide open in his face and he would try to force it deep. “He had that trouble all season. It was hard to get him to see that.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State Rams: 'Get it done'

ALBANY, GA — Every college football season begins with uncertainty. Players come and go, strategies change and teams that don’t win a championship the year before look for areas to improve the next season. Albany State is no exception, coming off a season where it started 7-0, only to lose three out of its last four and finish the season at 8-3, leaving area fans scratching their heads.

The team was back at the drawing board this summer, but as far as head coach Mike White is concerned, there is no doubt the Rams can add another Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship to their stash this season. “We think we’re going to be a very good football team in 2010,” said White, who has led ASU to four championships as he enters his 10th season as the Rams’ head coach. “We have to constantly improve. Each year, the goal is the same, to improve on what we did (the last year) and find those things we have to work on and get ready for the season.”

As if ASU didn’t have enough incentive, the SIAC’s preseason predictions — released Wednesday — picked nine Rams for the first team, but surprisingly picked the team to finish second behind Tuskegee. Those rankings don’t matter to White, though, who said his team’s play on the field does all the talking. “That’s the difference in being at Albany State,” White said. “You just gotta get it done.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

White: SIAC title will be won on field — not with votes

ALBANY, GA — Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference predictions? What predictions? As far as Albany State head football coach Mike White is concerned, the SIAC’s predicted order of finish for the 2010 season Wednesday didn’t happen. “I have no reaction (to the SIAC predictions),” White said. “I understand what it is, but (I think) everything is solved by going on the field and taking care of business on Saturdays.”

That may be true, but that fact is, the SIAC coaches picked nine players from Albany State for the Preseason All-Conference team — the most in the conference — but didn’t pick the Rams to win it all, choosing Tuskegee University instead. “Tuskegee’s been the champ the past few years,” White said. “They’re well-deserved to be picked first.”

While ASU had the most official All-Conference team members, in reality, they were tied with Tuskegee, Fort Valley State and Kentucky State with eight selections. White confirmed Thursday that defensive linesman Joshua Ingram (Sr.) — a first-teamer — will not be returning next season. “I believe some of (those All-Conference teams are) misleading,” White said. “(For instance), Ingram is no longer with the team, so he won’t be back next year. ... It just boils down to trying to stay healthy and finish some football games.”



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State Hoops stars set to duel in 2nd Annual Legends Game

Albany basketball stars from the past and present will hit the court Saturday for the 2nd annual Legends Game.

ALBANY, GA — Get ready for some more old school versus new school. The 2nd annual Albany Legends game takes place Saturday night at Albany State University, featuring an “old school” team — area basketball stars who played before 2000 — against a “new school” team of players who played since 2000. A relatively new tradition, the game gives area hoops fans a chance to not only see star players from Albany’s past, but learn from their life experiences.

“We want everybody to come out,” said Chris Cameron, the Albany State men’s basketball coach and member of the old school team. “The mission of the game is to inspire, to entertain and to educate the community. And (another goal is) to recognize the hoopers from Albany that helped establish Albany as a basketball hotbed in the south.”

Looking Ahead
WHO: Basketball stars from Albany’s past and present.
WHAT: 2nd annual Albany Legends Game.
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Albany State University’s HPER Gym.
COST: $3 general admission, $1 for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Albany State QB Club set to host kickoff reception

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State University Rams football fans and supporters are invited to meet and greet the football coaches and hear exciting information about the upcoming season at a preseason reception. The 11th annual Preseason Football Reception will kick off on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Eula Lovett Hall at the Albany State University Coliseum at Albany State.

The reception is free of charge and open to members of the QuarterBack Club and Golden Rams football fans. The dinner, like every year, will mark the official start of the 2010 season, according to coach Mike White.

"The football reception is a great opportunity for us to thank our fans for supporting us throughout the past season and solicit support for the upcoming season," White said. "We are looking forward to a great 2010 season and providing lots of excitement for our fans as we compete for the SIAC and national championship titles."



White and the assistant coaches will give a preview of and answer questions about the Rams’ upcoming season. Guests will also get to meet and greet several Rams football players. ASU, which has won 13 SIAC Championships, will open the 2010 season on Aug. 28, in a conference matchup against the Kentucky State University Thorobreds. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Frankfort, Ky.

For more information about the dinner or tickets for games this season, call (229) 430-4673 or (229) 430-6470.

Albany State Golden Rams: Well done, sir

For more than four decades, Dougherty County Director of Athletics Johnny Seabrooks has been a fixture on the Southwest Georgia sports scene, first as an athlete, then as a coach (28 years) and these days as an administrator. And earlier this week — when Seabrooks was inducted into one of Georgia’s many sports Hall of Fames — he finally received a small piece of recognition for his enormous contributions.

It was quite a sight, the traveling rec center, whirling up and down the back roads of Brooks County, a tiny 1972 Volkswagen Beetle stuffed with balls, bats, volleyball nets and whatever else Johnny Seabrooks could cram into his car. And there was Seabrooks, who looked as tall as a Georgia Pine, crawling out of that little car. It was quite a sight, indeed. More recently, Seabrooks was sitting in his office at Hugh Mills Stadium, smiling and laughing at the memory, his eyes dark and deep as his mind drifts back to that bare bones beginning.

Who would have known that little bug of a car was starting out on a journey that would last a lifetime for Seabrooks? He delivered a one-man gym to the kids in Brooks County more than a generation ago — and then just kept on delivering. He’s the newest member of the Hall of Fame — the one they seem to have built just for Seabrooks, who was inducted into the Track and Cross Country Coaches of Georgia Hall of Fame on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Seabrooks said he was shocked, stunned and overwhelmed when he got the call, but those who know him best feel it was overdue for a man who has spent most of the last four decades teaching, mentoring and giving back to the kids of Georgia. Not a bad legacy for a guy from Florida. Hard to tell now. Seabrooks has dug both of his feet — and his heart — into the Georgia clay, where he spent 28 years coaching in high schools and 37 years in one capacity or another overseeing high school athletes.

He has been the Dougherty County Director of Athletics since 2002 — that’s where that winding road led the young man who took a job as a roving physical education teacher in Quitman 38 years ago after graduating from Albany State University (Ga.). “I had three elementary schools and I rotated between them,’’ remembers Seabrooks. “They didn’t have gyms. We played basketball on a dirt court. But just to see those kids. They were so excited to have a P.E. class. When I showed up it was like I was heaven-sent. I had plenty of energy, and I loved it. I really loved it.’’ That hasn’t changed.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.