Division II Virginia school cuts sports program

Saint Paul's College produced one NFL player--
DB Greg Toler of the Arizona Cardinals.  Greg was
selected in the 2009 NFL draft, 31st  pick
4th round, 131st overall.  Toler is from
 Temple Hills (Prince George's County),
Maryland, Northwestern High School.

Lawrenceville, VA -- The grass on the practice field stood knee-high. A hawk that had been perched on the bleachers took flight and plunged in near the 30-yard line.

Nearby, Kevin Grisby waded through the weeds on his last day as St. Paul's College football coach.

Like most coaches and athletes at St. Paul's, Grisby prided himself on doing more with less. He fielded a team with just 7-1/2 scholarships that played home games at a high school stadium. He'd done without an adequate weight room and an air-conditioned office. He'd recruited players to a tiny rural school with a declining enrollment, many of whom came sight unseen based on his promises to their coaches and parents that he'd take care of them.

"If guys actually come to visit," he said, "it's tough to sell the school."

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Saint Paul's College Coach Bailey takes break

The legendary Coach Willard Bailey is show in a 2007 photo with Saint Paul's star player Craig Mangrum.






CIAA’s ‘winningest’ football mentor faces health challenges.

Coach Willard Bailey was hired to resurrect the Saint Paul’s College football program. Now, with that mission accomplished, the coach at the top of the CIAA’s all-time win list is taking a break to focus on his own health.

"I promised my family and the Lord that I would be the perfect patient," he told the Free Press, via cell phone, while undergoing tests last Thursday at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

“I have to get straight before I get back and get involved anywhere.”

The 71-year-old Suffolk native did not go into details about his medical condition, but noted “I don’t want anyone to panic - let’s just leave it there.” On Tuesday, he told the Free Press he’s still the head coach and that he expects to return to his active role as coach.



In response to a question, he said he has a contract as head coach fro the upcoming football season. Bailey’s replacement, former defensive coordinator Kevin Grisby, will carry the “interim” tag this season. The Tigers are to begin practice Aug. 4 in preparation for the Aug. 28 season opener at West Virginia Wesleyan.

Grisby, a former Bethune-Cookman standout who had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, has served under Bailey at Saint Paul’s and Virginia Union. “I still consider coach Bailey our coach,” Grisby said at the CIAA Kickoff Luncheon last Thursday at Virginia State. “Whenever something comes up, I’d like to think that he’s only a call away.”

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Grisby replaces Bailey as football coach at Saint Paul's College

ETTRICK, VA - The CIAA said hello to a new college football season by saying goodbye -- well, in a manner of speaking -- to iconic coach Willard Bailey.

Saint Paul's College, Bailey's employer since 2005, yesterday introduced Kevin Grisby as its interim head coach. Rumors that Bailey and Saint Paul's have parted company have been percolating for three weeks. They were confirmed at the CIAA's preseason kickoff luncheon at Virginia State when Grisby, Bailey's defensive coordinator, was introduced as the Tigers' boss for 2010. Saint Paul's does not have a sports information director, and its athletic department website still lists Bailey, 71, as the Tigers' coach.

Bailey, 228-142-7 in 36 seasons at four schools, is the winningest football coach in CIAA history.

"The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for all of us -- players, coaches, all of us," Grisby said. "All I know is, I'm excited to have the chance to lead the Tigers into 2010. I think the players are feeling the same kind of enthusiasm. I can tell you this: We'll be ready [when Saint Paul's opens against West Virginia Wesleyan] on Aug. 28."

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SAINT PAUL'S COLLEGE 2010 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location Time
August 28, 2010 West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon, WVA 1:00 pm
September 4, 2010 Bye
September 11, 2010 UNC Pembroke Lawrenceville, VA 1:00 pm
September 18, 2010 Saint Augustine's College Raleigh, NC 1:00 pm
September 25, 2010 Livingstone College Lawrenceville, VA 1:00 pm
October 2, 2010 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC 1:00 pm
October 9, 2010 Bowie State University Roanoke, VA 1:00 pm
October 16, 2010 Chowan University HOMECOMING Lawrenceville, VA 1:00 pm
October 23, 2010 Virginia Union University Richmond, VA 1:00 pm
October 30, 2010 Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA 1:00 pm
November 6, 2010 Virginia State University Lawrenceville, VA 1:00 pm

Games in Bold are Home Games - Times And Locations Subject To Change