Bethune-Cookman downs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 61-52

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Texas A&M–Corpus Christi men's basketball team was unable to overcome an early second-half surge by Bethune–Cookman on Thursday afternoon, falling 61-52 at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic at the Orleans Arena.

The Islanders trailed just 30-28 at halftime, but Bethune-Cookman hit three 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to jump out to a double-digit lead and never look back.

The Islanders (1-9) play Kennesaw State (2-9) at 2 p.m. Friday at Orleans Arena. Kennesaw State lost to Tennessee Tech 81-68 on Thursday.

Bethune-Cookman (4-8), which plays Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. Friday, had only one win over a Division I opponent before beating the Islanders.

Chris Hawkins-Mast led A&M-Corpus Christi with 15 points to go along with his eight rebounds. James King scored a career-high 10 points, but was the only other Islanders player to reach double digits. King played a career-high 25 minutes, shattering his old mark of five minutes against Missouri State.

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Jason Beverlin to succeed Melendez at Bethune-Cookman

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Lynn W. Thompson announced today, July 26, that an agreement in principal has been reached with Jason Beverlin to become the Wildcats' new Head Baseball Coach.

Beverlin, 37, was the pitching coach at the University of Tennessee and played professionally with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers after being selected by the Oakland A's in the fourth round of the 1994 Major League Draft.

"We have a championship caliber team returning, and we wanted to make sure that we placed significant attention on the pitching aspects of our program." Thompson said. "New bat regulations in college baseball have made pitching and defense more important than ever, and to have a new head coach with extensive knowledge of pitching, professional experience and upper Division I recruiting savvy is the right combination for us to continue our quest to reach the College World Series."

B-CU Head Coach Jason Beverlin
 with his wife, Heather,
and sons Cole and Lucas
(Courtesy B-CU Athletics)

Beverlin replaces Mervyl Melendez, who accepted the head coaching position at Alabama State after 12 seasons with the Wildcats.

"I think it's an extreme honor to join the Bethune-Cookman Athletic Department family," said Beverlin. "Coach Melendez did an unbelievable job here; and while we hope to continue the tradition of success he started here, we want to take that to the next level in getting this program to a Super Regional and the ultimate goal of going to the college world series."

VIDEO INTRO - COACH JASON BEVERLIN

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RELATED ARTICLE: Bethune-Cookman Announces Jason Beverlin as New Head Baseball Coach

Jacksonville Ends B-CU Wildcats' Season With 8-0 Decision At NCAA Regional

The Bethune-Cookman University softball season ended Saturday with an 8-0 loss in six innings to Jacksonville in the NCAA Gainesville Regional.

Staving off elimination in the fifth gave the Wildcats' top of the batting order another at bat and All-MEAC Allison Garcia's last collegiate appearance at the plate was a solid double off the left field wall. Garcia led the Wildcats in hitting all four of her playing seasons while registering 83 victories as a pitcher.

Jacksonville (43-16) scored once in the bottom of the sixth to end the game and the right to face defending national champion UCLA in the late Saturday game. The Dolphins also beat the Wildcats (33-26) for the third time this season.

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Ocala Vanguard graduate has been a force at Bethune-Cookman

B-CU OF Matt Wright
Daytona State College/Ocala Vanguard

Wright stars for MEAC champion Wildcats

Matt Wright is making the most of his final collegiate season.

The Vanguard High graduate helped Bethune-Cookman University earn its sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball title over the weekend.

As a result, the Wildcats (35-22) earned the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Championships, with pairings to be announced at 12:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN.

The senior outfielder heads into regional play hitting .326 with six homers, 17 doubles, a team-high five triples, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

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Flagler Palm Coast baseball standout ready to be B-CU Wildcat

PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

But as he did, the 18-year-old also weighed the possibility of being in the Major League Baseball draft. Specifically, he's considering an offer from the Boston Red Sox that's been in place for a while, but Taylor also has heard from the New York Yankees. A team representative left a phone message saying they will match and exceed the bid from the Red Sox.

It's all very heady stuff for a teenager to consider, but Taylor was outwardly as cool and calm as he was mowing down area hitters the past four seasons. Right now, he's a Wildcat. "I got a lot of interest, but no offers. Bethune showed the most interest, so I decided to go there," Taylor said.

THINKING BIG (LEAGUES)

Jordan Taylor has been a four-year star at Flagler Palm Coast. This year, he’s on pace to shatter the strikeout record. He has also caught the eyes of MLB scouts, too.

It’s March 4. The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs are hosting district rival DeLand.

In the bottom of the ninth, the game is tied, 4-4. On second base is FPC’s Lorenzo Butler. In the batter’s box, Jordan Taylor digs in. One out. Count is full at three balls, two strikes. Taylor thinks, All right, the pitcher is a freshman. He’s definitely going to throw me a fastball.

DeLand’s right-handed pitcher checks second base, then he delivers the pitch. Taylor grooves a deep fly ball. Adios. “Right off the bat, I knew it was gone,” Taylor recalled Friday, March 25, as he pointed to Portable No. 6, located behind Bulldog Field. The ball smashed off the building, though no windows broke. “Everyone in the crowd erupted. It was nuts,” he said.

Jordan Taylor- PERFECT GAME PROFILE/TV VIDEOS

Jordan Taylor 60 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor BP 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor OF 2011 World Showcase
Jordan Taylor P 2011 World Showcase

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B-CU going for 6th straight MEAC crown

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman has a lot at stake in the first-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at 2 p.m. today. When the Wildcats take the field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark vs. Florida A&M, they will begin their defense of a conference championship they have won five consecutive years.

The Cats' are going for their sixth straight MEAC title and 13th overall.

Bethune-Cookman finished the season 32-22 overall and 18-0 in conference. It is the Wildcats' second straight 18-0 season in conference and their third undefeated season since 2006 when they went 15-0. The Wildcats have only lost four conference games since 2006 and they currently have an NCAA record of 43-straight wins against conference opponents. The last time the Wildcats dropped a conference game was May 2, 2009, at home against Delaware State.


Videographer: GILVIDEO7

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Former B-CU QB Matt Johnson signed by CFL BC Lions

VANCOUVER, Canada - The BC Lions have added a fifth quarterback for training camp with the signing of Matt Johnson. Johnson played four seasons with Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida where he led the Wildcats to a school-best record of 10-2 and a share of the 2010 MEAC Championship.

The Lions are expected to add a sixth quarterback before rookies report to camp June 2 in Kamloops. BC is talking with University of California-Berkeley quarterback Kevin Riley. Lions coach and general manager Wally Buono says if a team "is going to be in excess at any position, it should be at the quarterback position."


Videographer: rbcoach2

BC Lions Signs Former Bethune-Cookman QB Matt Johnson

Vancouver - The BC Lions Football Club announced today that quarterback Matt Johnson has signed with the team.

Johnson appeared in 32 games over four seasons at Bethune-Cookman throwing for a total of 3,283 yards on 243 completions as well as 18 TD’s. As a senior, Johnson led the Wildcats to a program-best 10-2 record and a share of the 2010 MEAC Championship. He led the conference in total offense with 2,514 total yards and passing average, connecting on 65.1 percent of his throws (140/215). He also ranked second in the MEAC and FCS in passing efficiency (152.5) and sixth in the MEAC in scoring touchdowns (20).

The Lions also added import running backs Tim Brown and Michael Smith. All three signings will attend BC Lions rookie camp slated to begin in Kamloops, BC on Thursday, June 2nd.

Matt Johnson described as a Damon Allen type

VANCOUVER - Three years ago, the B.C. Lions added a rookie quarterback to their training camp roster who was billed as the next coming of Tracy Ham, a 2010 inductee into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

But the book on Omar Haugabook turned out to be more baloney than prosciutto. The “electrifying” Haugabook short-circuited in rookie camp and was released before the CFL team’s main camp opened.

Thus, Tuesday’s announced training camp addition of a “Damon Allen type” quarterback – Matt Johnson from Florida’s Bethune-Cookman University – must be greeted with not a pinch, but a pickup truck load of salt. Johnson will arrive at training camp in Kamloops 72,381 yards in arrears of Allen, pro football’s all-time passing leader and a four-time Grey Cup winning quarterback.

For now, the only area of comparison is their ectomorphic body types. Johnson is listed at 5-10, 175 pounds. Allen was a will-o’-the-whipish 6-1, 175, and almost impossible to hit squarely because of his elusiveness.

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Champions are crowned at PGA Minority Collegiate Championship

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman University's men's team and the University of Texas-Pan American's women's team captured Division I titles Sunday in the 25th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management. The 54-hole Championship was contested at PGA Golf Club.

The Bethune-Cookman men's team, which held a six-stroke lead heading into the final round, finished with an 887 total, 12 strokes ahead of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. Savannah (Ga.) State University finished in third place overall in the division.

Matthew McKnight led the Wildcats and was also the Division I medalist, firing a final-round 71 for a 1-under-par 215 total.

"The team played solid all week, we kicked it into gear today and it feels so good to win this title," said McKnight, who was playing in his first Minority Championship. "I was able to keep my game steady all week and to do this for my team makes it that much more special."

PGA Professional Scooter Clark, in his first year as head coach at Bethune-Cookman, was proud of his team's accomplishment.

Final-Round Photo Gallery

Second-Round Photo Gallery

Championship field 

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B-CU 'Cats extend MEAC win streak to 43

DAYTONA BEACH -- Senior Joey Munoz couldn't remember the last time Bethune-Cookman lost a baseball game to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival. Fellow senior Chris Anselmo, a junior college transfer, has never experienced a MEAC loss.

The Wildcats won their 43rd consecutive game against MEAC competition and finished undefeated in the conference for the second straight season Sunday with a 9-4 victory over Delaware State at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

"To say I'm proud of what these guys have accomplished doesn't even begin to tell the story," said B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez, whose squad improved to 32-20 and finished 18-0 in the conference for the second straight year.

Perfect Again: Wildcats Top Delaware State to Go 18-0 in Consecutive Seasons

B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Wildcats definitely came to play as they wrapped up both the Delaware State series in a sweep, and the MEAC regular season with another perfect 18-0 record, Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bethune-Cookman extended their current win streak against conference opponents to an NCAA all-time record of 43 games, while making it consecutive perfect seasons in MEAC play. The Wildcats used three big innings to push past the Hornets, coming away with the 9-4 victory on Senior Day.

Donning their pink-tinged uniforms in honor of the Mother’s Day holiday, the Wildcats celebrated their eight outgoing seniors in a ceremony prior to the game. In the spirit of the holiday, ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by the wives of Head Coach Mervyl Melendez and Associate Head Coach Jose Vazquez, Aixa Melendez and Janna Vazquez.

“We’re grateful for their contributions to this program,” Melendez said of his seniors, “there was a whole lot of dedication and time that they have put in to accomplish the things we have accomplished as a team. To say that I am thankful is an understatement.”

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Reed, Holloman lift B-CU to win over S.C. State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- C.J. Reed scored 20 points and Garrius Holloman had 17 as Bethune-Cookman protected its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 76-72 victory over South Carolina State in the Ocean Center on Saturday.

The Wildcats (18-11, 12-3), who led by 13 points with 4:51 to play, held off a late rally by the Bulldogs (8-20, 4-11) to notch their most wins in a season since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1980.

By winning its fifth straight game and eighth in its last 10, B-CU now leads Morgan State -- a 69-63 loser at Norfolk State -- by 1 1/2 games. Morgan State has road games remaining at North Carolina A&T and Coppin State while the Wildcats have one league remaining next Thursday against Florida A&M. Monday's game with North Carolina Central doesn't count in conference standings.

Lady Bulldogs come from behind to down Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - South Carolina State turned a four-point half-time deficit into a four-point victory as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 64-60, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest at the Ocean Center. The victory is the first road win of the 2010-11 season for the Lady Bulldogs.

Bethune Cookman opened the game on a 16-2 run over the first six minutes. S.C. State then used a 14-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 with less than nine minutes remaining. The teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes before a jumper by the Lady Wildcats' Amanda Hairston at the 4:10 mark began an 11-0 run which gave Bethune-Cookman the 34-23 lead with just over one minute remaining in the half. S.C. State closed the half with a 7-0 run to go into the locker room down by four, 34-30, at the half.

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Elliott's Tip In Helps Bethune-Cookman Nip Howard

Washington, DC—Stanley Elliott scored on a tip-in after a missed shot with 1.0 seconds left to help Bethune-Cookman escape with a 66-64 win over Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Burr Gymnasium.

After the Bison (6-21 overall, 4-10 in the MEAC) tied the game at 64 on a pair of free throws by Mike Phillips with 10 seconds remaining, the Wildcats (17-11 overall, 11-3 in the MEAC) pushed the ball up the floor and got a long three point attempt by Kevin Dukes that came off the right side of the rim and into the hands of Elliott, who used his left hand to tip the ball in the basket.

B-CU wins another close road game

WASHINGTON -- Stanley Elliott's tip-in with 1.1 seconds remaining gave Bethune-Cookman yet another fantastic finish on the road and a 66-64 victory over Howard in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Monday night.

B-CU (17-11, 11-3) concludes its MEAC road schedule with an 8-0 record -- seven of those decided by three points or less. It also clinched the third straight winning season for B-CU, which won its fourth straight.

"We were lucky to come out of here with a victory, but that's what we've done all year -- find a way to win," B-CU coach Cliff Reed said. "It's a testament to everyone's hard work this season. The guys gutted and played hard after an emotional double win Saturday at Hampton."

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B-CU's bid for perfection: FAMU next

Videographer: lyhsia (FAMU Marching 100 - Tallahassee, FL Veterans Day Parade 11/11/2010)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Fans lingering at Municipal Stadium on Saturday -- relieved after late touchdown returns by Reggie Sandilands and Eddie Poole saved Bethune-Cookman's undefeated season -- might have gasped in horror when they caught sight of No. 15.

Star linebacker Ryan Lewis was hobbling on the field with crutches and a bag of ice strapped to his left ankle. "I'm OK. I'm going to play next week," Lewis assured. "I'll be at practice (today)."  Lewis, who had another monster game in the Wildcats' 35-20 victory over Howard, sprained his ankle late in the third quarter. He landed awkwardly while hurdling a running back who was attempting a cut block on him.

FAMU is now ready for Florida Classic

Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor no longer has to plea with his players about not letting the Florida Classic become a distraction. Finally, it is the attraction.  "Now that it's here," Taylor said, "we can put all of our attention on it."

In fact, the game will have the attention of the nation because of what will be riding on it when Florida A&M (7-3, 6-1) takes on Bethune-Cookman University (10-0, 7-0) on Saturday in Orlando. B-CU has locked up a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. FAMU hopes to earn its sixth consecutive MEAC win and claim a share of the league title.

Marching 100 to debut FAMU fight song

With the annual Florida Classic looming, James Ammons made a request of Julian White. Florida A&M's president wanted the director of the Marching 100 to come up with a signature fight song that's catchier than arch-rival Bethune-Cookman University's "Let's Go Wildcats."

Mission accomplished — provided everyone in Rattlerville can commit the words to memory.

FAMU Marching 100 introduce Convocation crowd to new fight song...

Videographer: atomicdog 1983

2010 FAMU Rattlers Fight Song

We came to have some fun; the party has just begun
(Ladies: Just Begun)
And you know we're number one; gotta get up now.
This is the Rattler Show, Around and Around we go
(Ladies: Round We Go)
And we'bout to strike you know, Gotta Get Up Now.
Gotta Get Up, Get Up, For the Rattlers!

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READ RELATED ARTICLES:
FAMU's Carter making a big impact
Stevens leads FAMU to win over Southeastern in home opener
FAMU volleyball clinches MEAC South Division title
FAMU's Davis wants to get back on the field


Videographer: oldskarisa -- This webcast is a student produced show which showcases majority of the festivities for FAMU Homecoming 2010 with host Lenneia Batiste and Paul Delva. Produced by Karisa Olds and Rachel Moore. Editied by Brianna Spires and Karisa Olds.

Bethune-Cookman to play in MEAC-SWAC game

DAYTONA BEACH -- When the MEAC/SWAC Challenge football game was moved to Orlando two years ago, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference thought nearby Bethune-Cookman would be a natural to represent the conference.

But B-CU turned them down in 2008. The Wildcats and the Florida A&M Rattlers decided they would not be a part of the Labor Day weekend game as long as it was played at the Florida Citrus Bowl, because they thought it could infringe on their own Orlando game -- the Florida Classic -- played annually in late November.

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Bethune Cookman Wildcats garners national ranking

DAYTONA BEACH -- South Carolina State has been ranked all season in the FCS Top 25. On Monday, the Bulldogs were joined in the poll by Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Bethune-Cookman. As luck would have it, the two teams will square off Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Orangeburg, S.C.

B-CU (5-0, 3-0 MEAC) entered The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll at No. 23 with 390 points after receiving votes the previous two weeks. It is the first time the Wildcats have been ranked in the FCS Top 25 since the final poll of the 2003 season.

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B-CU eyes big time, to play Miami in 2011, 2012; UCF in 2013

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University's Wildcats have never scheduled one of college football's top-tier teams, and now that they're starting, they're not exactly dipping their toes in the water.

Athletics Director Lynn Thompson confirmed Monday the Wildcats will play the University of Miami -- one of the nation's most storied football programs -- in 2011 and 2012 and renew an old rivalry against another Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team, the University of Central Florida, in 2013.

"If you're going to swim with fish in the open ocean, you might as well swim with whales," Thompson said. "When we started looking at guarantee games, our intent was to get the best opponent we could play." They'll also haul in a whale of a payout.

Thompson said the three games will generate "well over a million dollars" for the university. Thompson confirmed the 'Cats received the going rate from the Hurricanes. Florida Championship Subdivision schools like B-CU have been receiving about $400,000 to $500,000 from Bowl Championship Series schools in recent years. Delaware State, another MEAC school, collected $550,000 to play at Michigan last season.

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Daytona Beach hopes $900,000 turf brings players

Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, home of the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats will receive NFL grade synthetic field turf, new roof for the stadium, renovated locker rooms, new elevator, updated electronics that allow better communications for coaches from the field to the press box, as well as Wi-Fi for those working in the press box. Total cost to Wildcats budget--ZERO. $1.2 million cost paid by Volusia County and city of Daytona Beach.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- If you install artificial turf, they will come. Not exactly poetry, but that's the philosophy of the city of Daytona Beach behind a $1.2 million renovation of Municipal Stadium -- which houses football games for Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats and Mainland and Seabreeze high schools. The multi-purpose stadium seats 10,000 and was built in 1979 with natural turf. City officials are hoping a new $900,000 state-of-the-art playing surface will bring more business and economic boosts through national high school all-star, lacrosse and state championship games this fall.

"You get later in the year, and the field starts getting worn down," said B-CU Athletics Director Lynn Thompson. "A couple of years we played homecoming in the mud, and there were fans who beat us up because they wanted to move the games to Derbyshire (Field) and all of that. I think (the renovation) is a great idea because that's where it's headed. You look at our (MEAC) conference and we've got five to six schools already that have prescription turf." Field Turf, a maintenance-free synthetic material used by many National Football League teams, will be installed and ready to play on by August (2010).

The city also is investing $300,000 to $400,000 on locker room, lighting, press box and electronics upgrades, including Wi-Fi for reporters and better communications for coaches. There have been discussions about eventually installing a Jumbotron large-screen television.

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'D' rules at B-CU Spring Game

DELAND, FL -- Bethune-Cookman did not show much of its hand in Saturday evening's Maroon and Gold spring football game at Spec Martin Stadium. But new coach Brian Jenkins was pleased with everything he saw. "It was pleasing. I saw some good things on offense and defense," Jenkins said. "I was happy to see us move the ball on the ground, and I was happy to see us play aggressively on defense." He was also happy to see a sizeable crowd turn out. B-CU athletics director Lynn Thompson said nearly 3,000 tickets were sold.

"I felt like we came a long way this spring," linebacker Ryan Lewis said. "The offense definitely came a long way, starting totally new, and they played great." In the first half, the teams were divided up into maroon and gold squads, with the Maroon team scoring the only touchdown on safety Stephen Berthelot's 65-yard interception return. In the second half the format changed to offense vs. defense with the offense -- wearing the white jerseys -- starting each possession at the defense's 35-yard line. The offense scored on two of five possessions in the half with the defense stopping their counterparts on two goal-line stands.

Spring ball has fall feel at B-CU - Sports

Bethune-Cookman football fans will get a chance to preview the new-look Wildcats in the Maroon and Gold game at 6 p.m. today at DeLand's Spec Martin Stadium. The intrasquad game concludes new coach Brian Jenkins' first spring training camp. In the past month Jenkins and his staff installed a new multiple offense, featuring I-, split-back and spread formations. Rising senior Matt Johnson, sophomore Ben De La Cruz (Pine Ridge) and freshman Jackie Wilson have been sharing time at quarterback. Jenkins discussed today's spring game and more:

B-CU's Jackson finds solace on football field

Just five months ago, freshman Isidore Jackson was pretty sure he was leaving Bethune-Cookman. Now he can't bear being separated for long from the teammates and coaches who make up his support mechanism. But a lot has happened in five months. Days after B-CU's football season ended last November, longtime head coach Alvin Wyatt was relieved of his duties. A month later, the Wildcats hired Brian Jenkins, an assistant coach at Rutgers, to become their new head coach.

Jackson, a running back, saw Jenkins' hiring as a new start for his career. "I wasn't going to get the chance to play here, I don't think," Jackson said. "I was going to transfer if we didn't get a new coach. They had me at wide receiver, and I never played wide receiver in my life. I was uncomfortable."

B-CU holds off Norfolk St.

B-CU 6, Norfolk St. 4: Matt Wright went 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBIs and two runs scored to lead Bethune-Cookman (23-14, 9-0 MEAC) past Norfolk State (11-16, 4-8 MEAC). Peter O'Brien also homered for the Wildcats and went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Jordan Dailey picked up the win for B-CU. He gave up two hits and struck out one while pitching one inning in relief. Juan Perez picked up his seventh save of the season.

B-CU softball complete sweep

Celsey Tafoya went 2-for-4 with one RBI to lead Bethune-Cookman (22-20) to 5-2 win and a three-game series seep against Winston-Salem (6-20). Allison Garcia (16-12) picked up the complete-game win for B-CU. Garcia gave up two runs on eight hits and struck out six.

Former 'Dog newest 'Cat

It's funny what people worry about when they are thrust into a new situation. Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins was pleased former Georgia wide receiver Tony Wilson did not bring huge expectations with him when he joined the Wildcats this spring. Wilson was thrilled he was welcomed unconditionally by his new teammates. "They're great guys, and they accepted me as a brother," the former Mainland High star said. "Coming from a big school, they could have been, 'Well, he thinks he's you know what. He thinks he's better than us.' But they didn't see me as that."

And for good reason. Wilson is as humble and down to earth as they come. He decided to utilize his final year of football eligibility because B-CU offered him a full scholarship to earn a master's degree. He still has the desire to play and he thought he could help the team one way or another -- whether it's making plays on the field or just being a steady voice of experience on the sidelines. "I've been pleased with him and he's adjusted well," Jenkins said. "Normally when you get guys like him, they come in asking for the world: 'I want this. I want that.' But Tony's fallen right in. I know right now he has the attitude where he'll help us in any capacity."

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B-CU and FAMU slaps MEAC Commissioner with Press Release

B-CU Press Release, July 28, 2008

Office of Institutional Advancement
(386) 481-2950

Joint Statement of B-CU President Trudie Kibbe Reed and FAMU President James H. Ammons Regarding Florida Classic and MEAC-SWAC Challenge

"It has come to our attention that a recent article in the Tallahassee Democrat incorrectly indicates that we, as presidents of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU), support the relocation of the MEAC-SWAC Challenge football game to Orlando and to play in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge.

We wish to correct the information that was erroneously printed in the Tallahassee Democrat.

As we have made clear in earlier statements, we do not support any Historically Black College and University (HBCU) athletic event in Orlando. We believe such a contest would negatively impact the annual Florida Classic. In addition to being a much-loved tradition for our alumni, the Florida Classic is a critical revenue source for both B-CU and FAMU. It is our strong belief that scheduling an HBCU football event in Orlando prior to the Florida Classic will erode its brand and put this critical funding source at risk.

We have advised MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas of our concerns, noting that HBCUs should not infringe on each other's markets for signature events, whether it be the Florida Classic in Orlando or the Bayou Classic in New Orleans.

In addition, we want to dispel a rumor that the Florida Classic will move to Miami in 2009. This is also not true.

Information regarding the official positions and statements of B-CU or FAMU are issued by the President's Office of each institution. We urge everyone alumni, friends, and media to check with our offices to get the most accurate information on this or other issues."


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