Virginia State rolls to CIAA crown

Simpson rallies, wins individual crown for Virginia Union

FORT LEE, Va. – Virginia Union’s Mason Simpson shot a final-round 70 Thursday to win the 2011 CIAA Men’s Golf Championship individual title while Virginia State took home the team title with a two-day total of 603.

Simpson came into the final round two shots behind the first-round leader Mike Swope of Virginia State, but his final-round 70 was enough to overtake Swope to win the title by four strokes. Simpson was the only golfer under par for the tournament while Swope finished with a 1-over par 145.

Virginia State followed its opening round 301 with a final-round 302 to win the team title by 14 strokes ahead of Winston-Salem State, which shot a two-day total 617.

Fayetteville State finished in third place with a two-day score of 645 (322-323) while Chowan finished fourth (650, 319-331) and Virginia Union came in fifth (693, 345-348). Livingstone pulled in the sixth-place finish (699, 349-350) followed by St. Augustine’s in seventh (723, 368-355), Elizabeth City State in eighth (756, 394-362), Johnson C. Smith in ninth (768, 394-374) and St. Paul’s in 10th (918, 471-447).

The all-tournament team, which consists of the top five golfers by score for the two-day tournament, included: Mason Simpson (Virginia Union), Mike Swope (Virginia State), Glendon Mabe (Winston-Salem State), John Cole (Fayetteville State) and Brian Wood (Virginia State).

The all-conference team was also announced and included: Brandon Bailey (Virginia Union), John Cole (Fayetteville State), Cliff Forbes (Chowan), Stephen Grenchi (Virginia State), Rashad Hunt (Virginia State), Glendon Mabe (Winston-Salem State), Lawrence McKenzie (Livingstone) Zack Sheets (Winston-Salem State), Mike Swope (Virginia State), Michael Thornton (Livingstone), Brian Wood (Virginia State). The all-conference team is selected based on overall average scores from the two divisional tournaments and the conference championship. To be eligible players must have competed in all three tournaments.

Virginia State will now represent the CIAA as a team in the 2011 NCAA Super Regional Golf Tournament.

By Virginia State Athletics

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WSSU Rams sign six players for basketball, with five of them coming from junior college

It has been a busy offseason for coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State. After losing six seniors from a team that went 19-8 and won the CIAA's Southern Division, Collins and his assistants worked overtime on the recruiting trail.

The Rams signed five junior-college players to help offset the loss of so many seniors. The Rams also signed freshman Wykevin Bazemore from Bertie High School and will also welcome 6-foot-9 center David Best, a transfer from N.C. Central.

"I'm extremely happy," Collins said. "We knew we had to really step it up in our recruiting because we had so many seniors on last year's team. I'm very pleased with how my assistant coaches worked long and hard hours to help me put this class together."


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WSSU plays in CIAA baseball tournament today

Winston-Salem State's first baseball season since 1973 has been successful, and coach Kevin Ritsche is hoping the success continues during the CIAA Baseball Tournament in Petersburg, Va.

WSSU, seeded No. 3, will take on No. 2 St. Augustine's at 10 a.m. today to open the four-team double-elimination tournament. No. 1 Chowan will play No. 4 Virginia State at 1 p.m., and the first-game losers will meet in an elimination game at 4 p.m. The title game is scheduled for Saturday.

"A true measure of how we've done this season will be if we can win the CIAA," said Ritsche, who has one of the best pitching teams in the league. "That was our goal at the start of the season, to win the conference, and we have a chance to do that."

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Shaw Assistant Coaches Suspended for Drug-Related Offenses

Tory Renard Ross

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A pair of Shaw University assistant football coaches have been suspended without pay following their arrests this month for drug-related offenses, the school announced Wednesday.

Court records indicate that the school's wide receivers coach Torey Renard Ross, 28, was jailed under a $100,000 bail after he was charged on April 7 with being a fugitive from justice. Records filed at the Wake County Clerk of Courts Office show that Ross is wanted in Hinds County in Mississippi, on charges on failing to appear in court in August after he was arrested for possession of marijuana.

Jermonty Curtis Kimbrough

On the same day that Ross was arrested, police charged the school's quarterbacks coach, Jermonty Curtis Kimbrough, 28, with one felony count each for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, and ...

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For Immediate Release
April 18, 2011
Contact: Sherri Fillingham
Phone: 919-546-8250/919-623-9494: Mobile
sfillingham@shawu.edu

Local Bank Establishes Shaw Relief Fund

April 18, 2011 (Raleigh, NC) - Mechanics and Farmers Bank has set up a disaster relief fund for Shaw University in wake of the devastating storm damage the school sustained in Saturday’s tornado.

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to:

Shaw University
Disaster Relief Fund
Mechanics and Farmers Bank
13 E. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601

Shaw University was founded in 1865 and is the oldest historically black university in the south. Shaw University is a private, co-educational liberal arts University, that awards degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary mission of Shaw University is teaching with the commitment to maintain excellence in research and academic programs that foster intellectual enhancement and technological skills.

FSU adds pair of Raleigh-area players to men's basketball team

Fayetteville State coach Alphonza Kee had great success tapping into the Raleigh-area talent last year when he signed forward Tyrell Tate. Tate, a graduate of Raleigh's Millbrook High School, earned Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Rookie team status as a freshman when he averaged 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds off the bench.

Four other players on FSU's roster also hail from the Raleigh area. Now, Kee has returned to the area around the capital city to secure his latest recruits.

The Broncos added a wing forward and a point guard to their roster for 2011-2012 last week by signing Quentin Underwood from Holly Springs High School and Anthony Shelton from Cary to national letters of intent.

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BSU Lady Bulldogs Win Two at Virginia Union 15-1 and 13-5

Senior Catcher, Danielle McClay

RICHMOND, Va. - The Bowie State University Lady Bulldogs won their sixth straight game, improved its season record to 20-16, 14-4 CIAA and swept Virginia Union University 15-1 and 13-5.

In the first game, Virginia Union's Valeria Cantu gave up just three earned runs and the Lady Panthers committed nine errors.

Bowie State rocked VUU pitching for 14 hits in the opener with sophomore Justine Smith (Silver Spring, MD, James Hurbert Blake) leading the Lady Bulldogs with three hits in four plate appearances. Four other BSU players had at least two hits in the first game of the doubleheader.

Freshmen Mariela Hernandez (Del Rio, TX, Los Fresnos) and Renelle Traylor (Hayward, CA, San Lorenzo) shared Bowie State pitching responsibilities going three and two innings respectively. Hernandez improved her season record to 7-5, striking out five.

In the night-cap, VUU's Linnette Johnson also gave up just three earned runs, but the Lady Panthers committed 10 errors.

Freshman Adria Lewis (Cumberland, MD, Fort Hill) tallied two hits in game two and five other BSU players recorded one hit each. Traylor led Bowie State with three RBI in the final game to go along with her fourth homerun of the season. Senior Danielle McClay (Silver Spring, MD, Montgomery Blair) also went deep in the nightcap, marking her fifth homer of the year.

Bowie State will close out the regular season with a non-conference makeup doubleheader, hosting Millersville (Pa.) University at 2 pm., April 19.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE GAME 2 BOX SCORE

By Bowie State Sports Information
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Spring Football Report: Fayetteville State

Following up a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship season with a 5-5 record in 2010 wasn't a shock to Fayetteville State coach Kenny Phillips.

"I knew we'd struggle to start out with so many players getting acclimated to becoming starters,'' Phillips said. "But I think down the stretch our players realized what it takes to win football games, and that's one of the things we brought into spring practice."

The Broncos won four of their final five games last season, including the final three by a whopping 167-39 margin. The momentum established during that stretch proved ...



BRONCOS CAP SUCCESSFUL SEASON OF SPRING WORKOUTS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Before Larry McDonald is done with his football career, there's a good chance he will have started more games than any other player under Fayetteville State head coach Kenny Phillips.

He may hold the record for participation in the most practices, too. And that includes the ones during the spring.

McDonald, an All-CIAA offensive lineman who will play either guard or center during the 2011 football season, will begin that season penciled in to start from Day 1 for the fourth straight year when the Broncos host UNC Pembroke on Sept. 3 in the third Two Rivers Classic at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.

In a sense, though, the new season has already begun.

The Mebane, NC, native has already played in 32 games in his Fayetteville State career and was a key component on a line that helped the Broncos win the 2009 CIAA championship.

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CIAA Opens Door of Opportunity for Student-Athletes with Navy SEALs

We posted an impressive article on Sunday on the partnership of the U.S. Navy SEALS and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  If you missed this informative story, here is a link to the press release on the “Mental Toughness, Never Quit” campaign and yesterday's linked article.

USNAVYSEALS.COM BLOG reports:  The partnership between the SEALs and the CIAA is two-fold. Aside from raising awareness regarding the SEALs among CIAA athletes, it also gives them an opportunity to reach out to possible recruits who are of African-American descent.  The CIAA is composed mostly of schools that are historically African-American.

Diversity officer Cmdr. Brodes Hartley explains: “More than ever, our force needs to be a reflection of our society… but we’re not even close to that.” Less than 50 of the roughly 2,500 active-duty SEALs are African-Americans; the count is even less for Asians and Hispanics.

Cmdr. Hartley said that part of the problem that results in low recruits for African-Americans is a fear of the water; for most of them, swimming was an activity that was not within reach – economically and culturally. “We’re working to change that… I mean, look at how many guys we had in the water today,” Hartley said.



If you like data, here are a few numbers to chew on, coming from the SEALs.

"An estimated 25% of all individuals who go through Navy SEAL training actually pass their training. When it comes to other types of military training, 85% of people who undergo these trainings will pass their training."

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Shaw University Shuts Down For Semester After Tornado

RALEIGH, N.C. - Due to extensive damage from the tornado and storms that hit Raleigh on Saturday, Shaw University in downtown Raleigh will be closed for the rest of the semester, although graduation will proceed as planned.

The school made the announcement through its website today.

“While I knew that the situation was adverse during the evening, daylight has revealed that it will be impossible for us to safely conduct classes and return to business as usual,” said Dr. Irma McLaurin, President of Shaw University. “Thus, I have made the difficult decision of suspending classes for the remainder of the semester.”

The school said it would would officially close at noon today (April 17, 2011).





Damage at Shaw sends students home

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Hours after scrambling off campus to escape a devastating storm, students at Shaw University returned Sunday, only to gather their belongings and head home. They won't return for months.

Classes at Shaw are canceled, and the university is closed for the remainder of spring semester as a result of Saturday's storm, which dismantled buildings on the school's downtown campus and displaced almost 150 students.

"The campus is difficult to navigate, trees are down and glass is everywhere," Shaw President Dr. Irma McClaurin said Sunday. "... Many students are in shock."

Shaw officials said a tornado touched down directly over the quad between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Two students were taken to the hospital with injuries. Others were forced to take refuge for the night in the gymnasium at Southeast Raleigh High School.

NCSU Campus considered lucky, 'dodges bullet'

A severe storm cell swept across North Carolina Saturday, killing 22 and injuring 130 others as several tornadoes touched down across the region. Areas of Raleigh hit hardest were South Saunders Street, Stony Brook mobile home park, where three people died, and the area around Shaw University.

Irma McClaurin, President of Shaw University, released a letter to all students and parents stating that the university would be closed for the remainder of the semester. According to McClaurin, Shaw "students will be graded on the work they have accomplished to date. The Math and English Competency Exam requirements are suspended for this semester only."

The storms that hit North Carolina were part of a three-day ordeal that hit the southern United States, killing more than forty people in total. North Carolina was hit the hardest and has the highest number of casualties, with 20 counties facing significant damage and over 200,000 people without power.

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CIAA athletes train with the U.S. Navy SEALs

If you know how to swim, raise your hand. Most of the 36 black college football players gathered around the indoor pool at Little Creek on Saturday lifted their hands in response to the SEAL's directive.

"When we say 'swim,' " Master Chief Shawn Johnson added, "we mean, 'If we put you in that pool right now, could you tread water for five minutes?' " The young men looked at one another. All but four hands dropped. "That's OK," Johnson said. "We can work with that."

Minutes later, the Chowan University athletes were in the water, practicing the sidestroke, navigating obstacles and learning how to use their clothes as flotation devices.

They were among hundreds of athletes from a dozen colleges in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association who have signed on to train with the SEALs this month at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

Photo Gallary: View all 4 photos 

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OT David Mims has worked out for Chiefs, Lions, Ravens

David Mims is expected to be drafted in
the 5th or 6th Round of the 2011 NFL Draft

Virginia Union offensive tackle David Mims has worked out for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
He has also visited the Ravens this month.

The imposing lineman is 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds after playing at nearly 350 pounds for the majority of his career. Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.

The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.

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Lincoln University (Pa.) Kern named ninth head women's basketball coach

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. (April 14, 2011) — Lincoln University is pleased to announce Jessica Kern as the new head coach of the women's basketball program. She becomes the ninth head coach in the history of the program and the first full-time female coach.

Kern comes to Lincoln University as a highly decorated professional women's basketball player and collegiate standout. This past season, she served as the assistant women's coach and media specialist at NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

LU Head Basketball Coach Jessica Kern

“It is a pleasure to welcome Jessica to our team and introduce her as our new head women's basketball coach,” said Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee. “Jessica's athletic background and experiences will bring a wealth of knowledge to our women's basketball program. Her career path exemplifies a commitment to excellence and she is a role model for our young women.”

At the University of UW-M, which is a member of the Horizon League, she assisted in scouting, aided in recruiting and broke down film. The Lady Panthers finished 12-18 and advanced to the league's quarterfinals in the postseason tournament.

“I am extremely grateful to President Nelson, Mrs. Ford-Kee and the selection committee for considering and choosing me as the new head women's basketball coach,” Kern said. “Education, hard work and discipline have played a substantial influence in my success thus far in my career. I look forward to instilling these qualities into such a special group of young women and am excited to begin this new chapter in my career.”

Prior to her time in Milwaukee, Kern assisted for two seasons at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluffs, a Division I school and member of the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC). Her personalized individual-approach served the Lady Lions well. Posting a 12-19 record, she helped propel them to their most victories and highest conference tournament finish in 12 years. As the conditioning coordinator and individual skill developer, she assisted Lady Lion standouts Ciara Shields and Arica Green to All-SWAC recognitions as well as Shay Holmes to Newcomer of the Year status.

Kern's career path toward collegiate basketball coaching was unconventional to say the least. After earning a roster spot on the Penn State women's basketball program, she participated in track and field where she was a two-time All-Academic and All-Big Ten performer. A two-time captain and a 2002 graduate with degrees in communications and sociology, Kern returned to basketball and played professionally in Germany, Switzerland, Romania, and Poland from 2003-2010. While in Switzerland, she led her team with a 25.1 scoring average. A crowd favorite in Poland, Kern ran basketball clinics and gave motivational speeches at the local “University” school.

In the off-seasons from 2002-2007 she taught at various Milwaukee High Schools and aided the girls' basketball and track & field teams. Her 2007 Vincent High School junior varsity squad posted a 20-0 record, and her conditioning program and individualized skill development was a catalyst in Vincent achieving a State Championship. Spare time saw her establishing various basketball camps for girls in underserviced neighborhoods. Continuing her history with running camps, Kern successfully orchestrated the “Lady Lions” First Team Basketball Camp in the summer of 2009.

During the summer of 2007, her coaching career took a huge leap forward as she was appointed the head coach of the Arkansas Lady Ballers in the Women's Blue Chip Basketball League, a 20-team national semi-pro women's league. Kern's up tempo style, infectious enthusiasm and motivation propelled the Ballers to a victory over the Canadian national team, a regional championship and the national championship in held in Memphis, Tenn.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisc., Kern was one of the most decorated scholar/athletes in Milwaukee City Conference history. She received 11 Varsity Letters (3-Basketball, 4-Volleyball, 4-Track & Field) and Captained in each sport for multiple years. Her basketball teams played in the State Finals four times, winning the State Title in both her freshmen and sophomore years. In addition, she was an 11-time Individual Conference Champion in Track & Field, a 3-Time All Conference performer in Volleyball and a finalist for the State's Scholar/Athlete Award.

Kisha Middleton remains on staff as the program's top assistant.

By Chris Weeden, Lincoln University Director of Sports Information and Marketing
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Randolph tosses no-hitter as ECSU Vikings sweep Shaw Bears

Final Stats
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University baseball team kept their hopes for a berth in next week's CIAA tournament alive with a double header sweep of Shaw University 7-0 and 8-0 Thursday afternoon.

However the, Vikings' post season push temporarily served as a backdrop to a near flawless performance by freshman Kerich Randolph, who threw a no-hitter in the game 7-0 win over Shaw in game one.

"I wasn't aware of it," the Bolivia, NC native said. "I didn't know until my teammates told me in between games. A lot of the credit goes to them because they made some great plays today."

Randolph, who leads the Vikings in strikeouts this season with 72, fanned 10 batters on Thursday. "In a way, I'm glad I didn't know (about the no-hitter). I felt good out there today. I'm just happy we got two wins."

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JCSU Bulls focus on future, not past of 2-8 season

No one talks about last year at Johnson C. Smith (University).

The Golden Bulls, who went 2-8 in 2010, wrapped up spring football drills Monday with an intrasquad scrimmage that resulted in an 18-18 tie. The focus is on building an attitude that produces success in 2011.

"The one thing we don't put into our family circle of trust is the poison of last year," coach Steve Aycock said. "We talk about things going forward, keeping our shoulders high and our eyes straight forward."

Smith returns a veteran core but must replace its top offensive players, three-time All-CIAA receiver Jeremy Franklin and quarterback Ryan Carter. Defensively, the Golden Bulls have to shore up a unit that allowed 39 points per game.

"What we've been preaching is playing with ...

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Bowie State Lady Bulldogs Wins Three At CIAA RoundUp

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - Playing in their third CIAA Round-Up of the season, the BSU Lady Bulldogs women's tennis team won three of five matches. With the three victories, Bowie State improves its overall record to 7-9 overall.

Day one of the three-day Round-Up event hosted by Lincoln University of Pennsylvania was postponed due to inclement weather. When the Lady Bulldogs were able to take the court on Saturday (4/9), Bowie State lost matches to Virginia State University (8-1) and Chowan University (7-2), but defeated Virginia Union University 5-4.

The final day of competition (4/10) was all Bowie State as the Lady Bulldogs rolled to victories over Elizabeth City State University (7-2) and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (8-1).

Bowie State is scheduled to play their only home match of the season Friday (April 15) versus Coppin State University in a non-conference match. Match time is 2 pm and will played on the BSU campus.



BOX vs. VIRGINIA STATE          BOX vs. CHOWAN      BOX vs. VIRGINIA UNION
BOX vs. ELIZABETH CITY STATE          BOX vs. LINCOLN (PA)

By Bowie State Sports Information
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Livingstone Spring Football Goes Airborne

SALISBURY, N.C. — Anthony Holland is jumping at the bit to rid Livingstone of its lingering pain from its 0-11 season in 2010.

The sense of urgency was transparent on the first play of 7-on-7 drills on Saturday at Livingstone’s black and blue spring football game. Holland, a sophomore receiver, snatched a rocket over the middle from the brisk, cool air and proceeded to the end zone 35 yards ahead.

It wasn’t the dawn of a new era at Alumni Stadium, but Livingstone can hope it was a sign of things to come. “The Blue Bears are going to change,” was Holland’s declaration after the game. “It ain’t no more 0-10, 0-11. We’re going to change the program. You’ll see that first game.”



As the top returning receiver, Holland tried to energize a struggling offense that was outscored 494-48 last season. “I like to not just talk junk to the other team, but uplift my teammates,” Holland said. “If you can get inside...

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Virginia Union OT David Mims visits the Baltimore Ravens

Virginia Union University's 2-Time
All-American, David Mims

OWINGS MILLS, MD -- Virginia Union offensive tackle David Mims visited the Baltimore Ravens this week, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. The hulking Virginia Union offensive tackle is 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds after playing at nearly 350 pounds for the majority of his career.

Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.

The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: David Mims, OT, Virginia Union

Every season there are a handful of small-school players who seemingly come out of nowhere, which is where they really are on the college football landscape, and make it into the NFL. Let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile to look at one player who might fill that bill this time around.

David Mims is a massive (6-foot-8, 331 pounds) offensive tackle from Virginia Union. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post was sold on Mims after watching his Pro Day. He wrote:

At 6-8, 331-pounds he’s definitely more of a right-sided player at the next level who is going to need some proper time to develop. However, physically and athletically the guy certainly possesses an NFL caliber skill set. He carries his weight well, has a thick base, long arms and displays natural fluidity and change of direction skills through contact when engaged.

Mims also still has a ton of upside to his game and after his impressive pro day workout he definitely has scouts buzzing about his long term potential. I spoke with a scout this weekend who told me following his workout, "Unfortunately he’s not a sleeper anymore."

Small school OT David Mims is no longer a “sleeper”

When I was going over small school tape this summer, I was instantly intrigued by the size of Virginia Union OL David Mims who at 6-8 and 350+ pounds was at the time one of the bigger prospects in the entire draft. Now, it was pretty obvious that he didn’t have a firm grasp on what he was doing from a technique standpoint. However, for his size he was an impressive athlete with a long, strong set of arms, could bend and displayed some natural explosion off the football.

He was an absolute dominant force at the D-II level and really opened my eyes with his ability to get out to the second level, breakdown and just destroy opponents on contact.

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JCSU Golden Bulls Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University Department of Athletics has announced their 10-game football schedule for the 2011 season. The schedule features four home games, five road games, and one game played at a neutral location (to be determined).

JCSU will host four games at the Irwin Belk Complex on McGirt Field beginning with the season opener on Saturday, September 3rd against St. Paul's College at 4:00 p.m. These two last met during the 2009 season when the Golden Bulls held on for a 24-20 win over the Tigers inside the IBC.

Johnson C. Smith will stay at home in week two to face the Trojans of Virginia State University on Saturday, September 10th at 4:00 p.m. The next four week will be spent traveling as they compete against Brevard College, Davidson College, Winston-Salem State University, and Shaw University.

Brevard came to Charlotte last season and nipped out a 25-21 victory; JCSU hopes to return the favor in Brevard on Saturday, September 17th at 2:00 p.m. Davidson will be a first time opponent for J.C. Smith. The Wildcats compete in the Division I-AA Southern Conference (SoCon) and look to showcase their new artificial turf field during the Saturday, September 24th matchup at 7:00 p.m.

The Golden Bulls enter their divisional schedule when they square with Winston-Salem State on Saturday, October 1st at 1:00 p.m. That game is followed by challenging the defending CIAA Champion Shaw Bears on Saturday, October 8th at 4:00 p.m. Both opponents topped JCSU last season by at least 32 points in Charlotte.

Homecoming kicks off this season on Saturday, October 15th as they host Virginia Union University at 1:00 p.m. Johnson C. Smith will attempt to earn their first homecoming victory since 2008, when the contest was still played in Memorial Stadium.

JCSU will visit St. Augustine's College the following week on Saturday, October 22nd and will close out their home slate with Fayetteville State University on Saturday, October 29th at 4:00 p.m.

On Saturday, November 5th the third Annual Commemorative Classic will feature Livingstone College in the oldest black college football rivalry in the nation. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm, however a location is still being finalized. The 2011 CIAA Football Championship will take place on November 12th.



2011 Golden Bulls Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
9/3/2011 Saint Paul's College Charlotte, NC - Irwin Belk Complex 4:00 PM
9/10/2011 Virginia State University Charlotte, NC - Irwin Belk Complex 4:00 PM
9/17/2011 Brevard College Brevard, NC 2:00 PM
9/24/2011 Davidson College Davidson, NC 7:00 PM
10/1/2011 Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC 1:00 PM
10/8/2011 Shaw University Raleigh, NC 4:00 PM, 2011 Homecoming
10/15/2011 Virginia Union University Charlotte, NC - Irwin Belk Complex 1:00 PM
10/22/2011 Saint Augustine's College Raleigh, NC 1:30 PM
10/29/2011 Fayetteville State University Charlotte, NC - Irwin Belk Complex 4:00 PM 2011 Commemorative Classic
11/5/2011 Livingstone College TBA 1:00 PM

By JCSU Media Relations
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Livingstone College athletes victorious in the classroom

SALISBURY, N.C. — In nationally televised speeches, President Barack Obama, a diehard sports fan, has insisted the U.S. do a better job educating its young men and women. In fact, the president has issued a challenge for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

Chances are good Obama would be excited about what’s going on at Livingstone College.

While the Blue Bears want to win on the hardwood, gridiron and in other sports, the college is winning where it should — in the classroom. So much so that just the men’s cross country team was recognized as having the highest GPA in the CIAA, and the men’s basketball team was recognized for the same accomplishment in early March.

“I think it speaks volumes for Livingstone College that two of our teams had the highest grade point average in the CIAA,” said Dr. Leroy Simmons, vice president of academic affairs. “It shows that our students, coaches and faculty get it. They realize they’re students first.”

Men's Cross Country Earns Highest GPA Award for Fall 2010 Season

HAMPTON, VA – The Livingstone men’s cross country team had the highest team GPA among the CIAA men’s cross country teams for the fall 2010 season it was announced Friday by the conference office.

The Livingstone men’s outdoor track and field team also won the highest GPA award for the Spring 2010 season. Grade point averages are calculated on the previous two semesters, excluding freshmen, and are evaluated by the CIAA Faculty Athletic Representative’s Association.

The Blue Bear men’s cross country team consisted of Derrick Tinsley, Tim Handy, Ezra Mutai, Octavious Matthews, Dorian Clay and Jonathan Handy and is coached by Justin Davis.

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CIAA nets big gains in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After six years in Charlotte, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has made one thing clear: It’s a slam dunk for local hotelsand restaurants.

Economic impact grew to $44.3 million for the CIAA this year, a 19% increase over 2010, according to figures compiled by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The 2011 tournament ended March 5.

“This is a great time for the CIAA,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in prepared remarks. “Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year.”

CIAA Tournament Soars to New Heights 

HAMPTON, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) 66th annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament soared to new heights in 2011 by breaking previous economic impact and attendance records.

According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), the 2011 CIAA Tournament accounted for a total economic impact of $44.3 million* over the six-day Tournament period; a 19 percent increase from 2010. Overall attendance for official CIAA and Uptown functions increased to over 190,000** as the multitude of event options continued to bring fans to the area. The Tournament is unique in its ability to draw loyal fans from across the country who continue to support the Conference, as well as, those who just want to be “part of the scene” – much like the Superbowl or NBA All-Star Weekend.


Videographer: SportsGrooveTV

The CIAA increased its ticket revenue to $2 million, a five percent increase from 2010, maintaining the momentum through its loyal fans that view the Tournament week as an absolute must-attend annual event.

“Year-after-year we have seen the validation of Charlotte as a destination for the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament and the reunion of its alumni, friends and family. Charlotte has embraced the CIAA, its history and its importance in the lives of those who attend,” said Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “We are so fortunate to have grown this not only into a $44 million record year in 2011 in terms of economic impact to the Charlotte region, but one that we can truly say has initiated lifelong friendships and memories.”

The week-long Tournament made Charlotte its home in 2006 and together the CIAA and the city of Charlotte have produced a series of successful tournaments for the member schools, its fans and sponsors, and the local community. The CIAA’s marquee event showcased its rich tradition and prestige as the Conference celebrated 99 years of existence in 2011 as a prelude to the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration – February 27 through March 3, 2012 in Charlotte.

“This is a great time for the CIAA. Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s Tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year, none of which is possible without the help of our corporate sponsors and our partners in Charlotte,” says Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner. “The CIAA is excited with the momentum we have generated leading into the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2012. We have the support of our loyal fans, member institutions and sponsors. As a team, we’re constantly enhancing the Tournament and affiliated activities to ensure the ‘CIAA Experience’ is as strong as ever.”

The CIAA generated $1.55 million in scholarship dollars, which will be split amongst the 13 member institutions providing educational opportunities for students to attend any CIAA school.

The CIAA welcomed back Winston Salem State University and Lincoln University (PA) during the 2011 Tournament. The Tournament also proved successful from a corporate standpoint, as sponsor support and activation programs remained active with the addition of Toyota as the CIAA’s new automotive partner.

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