Showing posts with label MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Step Aside FCS....Here Comes the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
With incoming head football coaches Rod Broadway (67-27 career) at North Carolina A&T, Henry Frazier (69-55 career) at North Carolina Central, Kermit Blount (91-87-3) at Delaware State, Gary "Flea" Harrell (0-0) at Howard University and Steve Davenport (0-0) at Savannah State, the MEAC just got 50 percent better than last year.
North Carolina native Broadway, served 22 years as a Division I, FBS defensive assistant coach, mostly under Steve Spurrier at Florida and Duke. He also coached at East Carolina and North Carolina. His resume includes: a Division I-A National Championship (1996) at Florida; CIAA Championships (2005, 2006) as head coach at N.C. Central; CIAA Coach of the Year Award (2006); and 2006 AFCA National Coach of the Year (Division II) award.
Not bad for a former defensive lineman, that played his college ball at North Carolina and spent his entire career coaching the defensive line. At Grambling State, Broadway compiled a record of 35-14 and won the SWAC Championship in his second season (2008) as head coach of the Tigers.
Frazier has served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bowie State University (1999–2003) and at Prairie View A&M University (2004-2010). The former CIAA quarterback was able to lead PVAMU to a 43–30 record, including the 2009 SWAC Championship. Coach Frazier was recognized for his total body of work in resurrecting the Panthers program and was honored with the Eddie Robinson Award in 2009. This award is given annually to college football's top head coach in the Division I, Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA).
Upon his resignation at Prairie View A&M in December 2010 to take the NCCU job, Frazier was the second winningest coach in Prairie View A&M football history.
Coach Kermit Blount has gained the reputation over the years as a builder of men. Blount has served in his career as an offensive coordinator (1984-89) under College Football Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jefferies at Howard University and South Carolina State University. Blount won a MEAC championship in 1987, before returning to his alma mater, Winston Salem State University, as the head coach (1993).
He won two CIAA championships (1999, 2000) and improved the WSSU players' graduation rate from 42% in 1993 to 80% by 2009.
Both Gary Harrell and Steve Davenport are first time head coaches, but each has assembled a coaching staff that is ready to compete. Let's not forget the success of Bethune-Cookman's Coach Brian Jenkins that lead the Wildcats to a portion of the MEAC Championship and the FCS Playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He too, was a long time assistant Division I, FBS position coach.
With Coach Joe Taylor at Florida A&M, the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 and 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year - Brian Jenkins at Bethune Cookman, Oliver "Buddy" Pough at South Carolina State, Donald Hill-Eley at Morgan State, Pete Adrian at Norfolk State, and Donovan Rose at Hampton, the MEAC has the potential to become a powerhouse football conference overnight.
It is no longer a league for under-achieving players and under performing coaches. Expectations are high for great performances not only in the classroom, but on the gridiron and weight rooms as well. The administrations have raised the bar. The fans are demanding more for their financial support of the athletic programs. And athletic directors know their jobs are on the line if they do not deliver a championship product on the field.
Let's not forget parity of the conference this past season which ended in a three-way tie for the championship. Florida A&M ruined Bethune-Cookman's perfect, undefeated season and earned a share of the conference crown with the Wildcats and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs and Wildcats lost in the initial round of the FCS playoffs, with B-CU earning a first round bye.
The 2011 season will be even more exciting with the infusion of proven winners -- Broadway and Frazier--both bringing a championship mentality and wide-open brand of football over from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We all know how well Grambling State and Prairie View dominated the SWAC competition under the experienced eyes of Broadway and Frazier. Expect more of the same in the MEAC.
What Delaware State lacks this season in pure athletic talent, Coach Blount will make the Hornets competitive right away with a powerful offensive game and tough defense. The only question is how quickly can Savannah State and Howard become competitive with new commitments from their Administrations. We believe they hired the right guys for their situations, but they need time to put the pieces together to build the programs.
Parity is the right word to use in describing the new MEAC, as there will be "no cupcakes" in this conference in a 2-3 years. At least not in football competition.
So get ready to move over Colonial Athletic, Southern, and Ohio Valley conferences as its a new day in the Football Championship Subdivision.
High Quality Players returning to HBCUs
If you don't believe me, check out the outstanding haul of three and four-star players that signed National Letters of Intent with MEAC institutions. Who would have thought that Bethune-Cookman would ink 2010 Florida Mr. Football, record-setting quarterback Quentin Williams. Williams led Tampa Jefferson (15-0) to the 3A state championship and rewrote the Florida passing record lists, with new standards for yards in a season (4,451) and career (10,384) and TDs in a season (56) and career (109).
Florida A&M may have the second best class overall, signing 24 of 25 players on their draft board, including quarterback Tyler Bass, a transfer from Memphis, Casey Turner, a star running back transfer from Rutgers and a bunch of stud linemen to build depth on both lines. Coach Taylor describes the class as his best ever, since taking over the Rattlers program. Don't expect the Rattlers to not make the FCS playoffs in 2011, as Taylor has a stable of smart and athletically sound players returning.
S.C. State as always, snatched the best skill players in the state and is loaded with redshirt talent from last year's signing class. The Bulldogs will be in contention again for the conference championship and a playoff berth, if they can survive a September schedule with road stops at Central Michigan, Bethune-Cookman and Indiana University (Bloomington) before their home opener with Delaware State.
Coach Pough also has a difficult month of October, with Norfolk State on the road and NCCU coming in for an early homecoming. Georgia State is next at home for the Bulldogs and you may not want to call the Panthers a "cupcake," who went 6-5 in its first season, knocking off both SSU and NCCU at the Georgia Dome.
MEAC improving in Attendance
The FAMU brand is also at the top in Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 home attendance. The Rattlers were ranked #11 out of 117 FCS (#2 in HBCUs) programs in home attendance with 15,913 average for four home games.
Both Gary Harrell and Steve Davenport are first time head coaches, but each has assembled a coaching staff that is ready to compete. Let's not forget the success of Bethune-Cookman's Coach Brian Jenkins that lead the Wildcats to a portion of the MEAC Championship and the FCS Playoffs in his first season as a head coach. He too, was a long time assistant Division I, FBS position coach.
With Coach Joe Taylor at Florida A&M, the American Football Coaches Association Region 2 and 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year - Brian Jenkins at Bethune Cookman, Oliver "Buddy" Pough at South Carolina State, Donald Hill-Eley at Morgan State, Pete Adrian at Norfolk State, and Donovan Rose at Hampton, the MEAC has the potential to become a powerhouse football conference overnight.
It is no longer a league for under-achieving players and under performing coaches. Expectations are high for great performances not only in the classroom, but on the gridiron and weight rooms as well. The administrations have raised the bar. The fans are demanding more for their financial support of the athletic programs. And athletic directors know their jobs are on the line if they do not deliver a championship product on the field.
Let's not forget parity of the conference this past season which ended in a three-way tie for the championship. Florida A&M ruined Bethune-Cookman's perfect, undefeated season and earned a share of the conference crown with the Wildcats and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs and Wildcats lost in the initial round of the FCS playoffs, with B-CU earning a first round bye.
The 2011 season will be even more exciting with the infusion of proven winners -- Broadway and Frazier--both bringing a championship mentality and wide-open brand of football over from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We all know how well Grambling State and Prairie View dominated the SWAC competition under the experienced eyes of Broadway and Frazier. Expect more of the same in the MEAC.
What Delaware State lacks this season in pure athletic talent, Coach Blount will make the Hornets competitive right away with a powerful offensive game and tough defense. The only question is how quickly can Savannah State and Howard become competitive with new commitments from their Administrations. We believe they hired the right guys for their situations, but they need time to put the pieces together to build the programs.
Parity is the right word to use in describing the new MEAC, as there will be "no cupcakes" in this conference in a 2-3 years. At least not in football competition.
So get ready to move over Colonial Athletic, Southern, and Ohio Valley conferences as its a new day in the Football Championship Subdivision.
High Quality Players returning to HBCUs
If you don't believe me, check out the outstanding haul of three and four-star players that signed National Letters of Intent with MEAC institutions. Who would have thought that Bethune-Cookman would ink 2010 Florida Mr. Football, record-setting quarterback Quentin Williams. Williams led Tampa Jefferson (15-0) to the 3A state championship and rewrote the Florida passing record lists, with new standards for yards in a season (4,451) and career (10,384) and TDs in a season (56) and career (109).
Florida A&M may have the second best class overall, signing 24 of 25 players on their draft board, including quarterback Tyler Bass, a transfer from Memphis, Casey Turner, a star running back transfer from Rutgers and a bunch of stud linemen to build depth on both lines. Coach Taylor describes the class as his best ever, since taking over the Rattlers program. Don't expect the Rattlers to not make the FCS playoffs in 2011, as Taylor has a stable of smart and athletically sound players returning.
S.C. State as always, snatched the best skill players in the state and is loaded with redshirt talent from last year's signing class. The Bulldogs will be in contention again for the conference championship and a playoff berth, if they can survive a September schedule with road stops at Central Michigan, Bethune-Cookman and Indiana University (Bloomington) before their home opener with Delaware State.
Coach Pough also has a difficult month of October, with Norfolk State on the road and NCCU coming in for an early homecoming. Georgia State is next at home for the Bulldogs and you may not want to call the Panthers a "cupcake," who went 6-5 in its first season, knocking off both SSU and NCCU at the Georgia Dome.
MEAC improving in Attendance
The FAMU brand is also at the top in Football Championship Subdivision in 2010 home attendance. The Rattlers were ranked #11 out of 117 FCS (#2 in HBCUs) programs in home attendance with 15,913 average for four home games.
This was better than Division I, FBS program attendance at Eastern Michigan 15,885, Miami (OH) 15,559, Ball State 8,947, Bowling Green 13,306, Buffalo 12,981, Akron 10,105, Florida Atlantic 14,425, Idaho 12,730, New Mexico State 15,906, San Jose State 14,474, Western Kentucky 14,577 and Western Michigan 14,255.
South Carolina State was ranked #13 out of 117 FCS programs (#3 in HBCUs) with a 14,862 average for five home contests. This was better than nine of the twelve Division I FBS programs listed above.
The Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman attracted 61,712 to their annual neutral site Florida Classic battle at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a national television audience watching. The same was repeated with the Atlanta Football Classic, FAMU vs. Tennessee State with 52,202 in attendance. The game was televised live by Versus nationally.
Let us share with you another positive fact about the MEAC.
The NCAA data does not include neutral site games into the average per home game computations. In other words, the MEAC's best attended games--the Florida Classic and the Atlanta Football Classic are not included in the average attendance numbers. If it was included in the data for 2010, FAMU average attendance would be 29,594 or 4,000 fans per game average better than FCS #1, Appalachian State.
And Jackson State's Southwestern Athletic Conference leading average would be 27,564, not 24,140 as indicated in the report.
So, what does that tell you?
The MEAC did better in attendance in 2010 than some Sun-Belt, Western Athletic and Mid-American conference teams playing on the Division I, FBS level.
With the World-renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Rattlers helped University of Miami set its third highest attendance record at Sun Life Stadium with 53,674 in 2010. Expect more of the same when the Rattlers visit University of South Florida on September 17, 2011. The last FAMU game in 2005 drew an announced crowd of 43,122, then the second-largest crowd ever to see the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
MEAC programs like the FAMU brand is returning to its former glory with top student-athletes selecting the Rattlers and the MEAC over FBC programs. No doubt, Florida A&M and other conference programs have a better academic reputation and a very long history of placing great players into the NFL.
For some parents, the MEAC institutions offers an opportunity for guaranteed success both in the classroom and in the field of completion. More importantly, most student-athletes are walking away in 4-5 years having earned their undergraduate degrees and ready to take on the challenges of life.
With the MEAC experimenting with video replay for ESPN televised games next season, the conference front office has really gotten serious about the quality of its football. Now that everyone is on the same page, it will be interesting to see how the out-of conference schedule plays out.
South Carolina State was ranked #13 out of 117 FCS programs (#3 in HBCUs) with a 14,862 average for five home contests. This was better than nine of the twelve Division I FBS programs listed above.
The Rattlers and Bethune-Cookman attracted 61,712 to their annual neutral site Florida Classic battle at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a national television audience watching. The same was repeated with the Atlanta Football Classic, FAMU vs. Tennessee State with 52,202 in attendance. The game was televised live by Versus nationally.
Let us share with you another positive fact about the MEAC.
The NCAA data does not include neutral site games into the average per home game computations. In other words, the MEAC's best attended games--the Florida Classic and the Atlanta Football Classic are not included in the average attendance numbers. If it was included in the data for 2010, FAMU average attendance would be 29,594 or 4,000 fans per game average better than FCS #1, Appalachian State.
And Jackson State's Southwestern Athletic Conference leading average would be 27,564, not 24,140 as indicated in the report.
So, what does that tell you?
The MEAC did better in attendance in 2010 than some Sun-Belt, Western Athletic and Mid-American conference teams playing on the Division I, FBS level.
With the World-renowned Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Rattlers helped University of Miami set its third highest attendance record at Sun Life Stadium with 53,674 in 2010. Expect more of the same when the Rattlers visit University of South Florida on September 17, 2011. The last FAMU game in 2005 drew an announced crowd of 43,122, then the second-largest crowd ever to see the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
MEAC programs like the FAMU brand is returning to its former glory with top student-athletes selecting the Rattlers and the MEAC over FBC programs. No doubt, Florida A&M and other conference programs have a better academic reputation and a very long history of placing great players into the NFL.
For some parents, the MEAC institutions offers an opportunity for guaranteed success both in the classroom and in the field of completion. More importantly, most student-athletes are walking away in 4-5 years having earned their undergraduate degrees and ready to take on the challenges of life.
With the MEAC experimenting with video replay for ESPN televised games next season, the conference front office has really gotten serious about the quality of its football. Now that everyone is on the same page, it will be interesting to see how the out-of conference schedule plays out.
Out-of-conference schedules stronger
Viewing the few schedules that have been released so far, 2011 should be a bumper year in attendance and support for the MEAC with high quality opponents filling out the schedules. Here's a quick look of the 2011 MEAC out-of conference games:
BCU vs. Miami, Oct. 1
BCU vs. Fort Valley State, Oct. 15
FAMU vs. Fort Valley State, Sept. 3
FAMU vs. South Florida, Sept. 17
FAMU vs. Southern, Sept. 24
SCSU vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 1
SCSU vs. Indiana, Sept. 17
SCSU vs. Georgia State, Oct. 15
SSU vs. Albany State, Sept. 3
SSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Sept. 10
SSU vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 17
NCAT vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Rutgers, Sept. 1
NCCU vs. Central State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Elon, Sept. 17
NSU vs. VSU, Sept. 3
NSU vs. West Virginia, Sept. 10
NSU vs. Charles Southern, Sept. 14
Hampton vs. AAMU, Sept.3
We are always reminded that the reason most women come to the games are for the half-time shows. With new members Savannah State and North Carolina Central, expect major improvements in their marching band programs along with their quick growth in football competition. The SSU Tigers have a tremendous upside, and having a head coach that coached and recruited in Atlanta and the backwoods of Georgia is a major plus. The former Georgia state high school coach of the year recruited the region as a position coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Viewing the few schedules that have been released so far, 2011 should be a bumper year in attendance and support for the MEAC with high quality opponents filling out the schedules. Here's a quick look of the 2011 MEAC out-of conference games:
BCU vs. Miami, Oct. 1
BCU vs. Fort Valley State, Oct. 15
FAMU vs. Fort Valley State, Sept. 3
FAMU vs. South Florida, Sept. 17
FAMU vs. Southern, Sept. 24
SCSU vs. Central Michigan, Sept. 1
SCSU vs. Indiana, Sept. 17
SCSU vs. Georgia State, Oct. 15
SSU vs. Albany State, Sept. 3
SSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Sept. 10
SSU vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 17
NCAT vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Rutgers, Sept. 1
NCCU vs. Central State, Sept. 10
NCCU vs. Elon, Sept. 17
NSU vs. VSU, Sept. 3
NSU vs. West Virginia, Sept. 10
NSU vs. Charles Southern, Sept. 14
Hampton vs. AAMU, Sept.3
We are always reminded that the reason most women come to the games are for the half-time shows. With new members Savannah State and North Carolina Central, expect major improvements in their marching band programs along with their quick growth in football competition. The SSU Tigers have a tremendous upside, and having a head coach that coached and recruited in Atlanta and the backwoods of Georgia is a major plus. The former Georgia state high school coach of the year recruited the region as a position coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and played his college ball at Georgia Tech.
Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C. may never be the same again, with new Bison athletic director Louis "Skip" Perkins and Gary "the Flea" Harrell on board. Perkins is a local product from Fort Washington, Maryland (Prince George's County) and is very familiar with the local football landscape at the high school level. He comes to Howard from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where he had much success as the athletic director over the Golden Lions program.
Harrell is a Miami native that would love to get some of that Florida speed on the Bison team. With Ted White on board as the Bison offensive coordinator, there is no doubt that the 2011 Bison will be the most improved team in the MEAC.
Harrell is a Miami native that would love to get some of that Florida speed on the Bison team. With Ted White on board as the Bison offensive coordinator, there is no doubt that the 2011 Bison will be the most improved team in the MEAC.
You would think that Morgan State would recruit those strong musicians that plays in the Coppin State pep band, to give it more brass horsepower. But that's another story for another day. As you can see below, most of the MEAC bands are improving--NCCU, SCSU, NSU and B-CU are becoming world-class music organizations, like their teacher -- the Florida A&M University Marching 100.
Who said competition wasn't good for the MEAC? Iron does sharpen iron!
by beepbeep 2/13/11
Credits:
1. North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine & Golden Delight Dancers, Videographer: SpeechlessQue; 11/13/2010.
2. Savannah State University Coastal Empire Sound Explosion Marching Band & The Klassy Kitties Dancers, Videographer: TheOProductions1907
3. Howard University ShowTime Marching Band & Oh La La Dancers, Videographer: HUReaction
4. Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats & 14 Karat Gold Dancers, Videographer: MarchingsportHD
5. Delaware State University Marching Band 'The Approaching Storm and D'Elegance Dancers' Videographer:8to5pros
6. Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band and Hot Ice Dancers, Videographer: freezezone1
7. Morgan State University "Magnificent Marching Machine & Foxy Dancers" Videographer: pvimaging
8. South Carolina State University Marching 101 Band & Champagne Dancers, Pt.1&2, Videographer: Biranandrew
9. Hampton University Marching Force Band and Ebony Fire, Videographer:JayHowEdu
10. North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band & The Exquisite Ladies of the eClipse; Part 1&2, Videographer: Music213
11. Coppin State University Eagle Band, Pt. 1&2, Videographer: Anakoni2012
12. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: ThePoopFly
13. Florida A&M University Marching 100, Videographer: sonyadenise1974
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