MEAC Tourney To Stay in Winston-Salem Through 2012

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced a one-year extension for the City of Winston-Salem (NC) to host the annual men's and women's basketball tournament through 2012.

Mayor Allen Joines of the City of Winston-Salem and MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas made the official announcement during a press conference held in the main lobby of the Coliseum.

"The MEAC is extremely elated to extend our partnership with the City of Winston-Salem," said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Special thanks to Mayor Joines and the City Council, Bucky Dames, Jocelyn Johnson, the Steering Committee and others for their efforts in extending this great partnership and providing the support needed to make the MEAC Basketball Tournament a tremendous success."


The City of Winston-Salem has hosted the men's and women's Division I basketball tournament in 2009 and 2010. The 2011 Tournament is scheduled for March 7-12 and will be played at the Joel Coliseum.

Ticket books for the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament can be purchased at all 13 MEAC university ticket offices, Joel Coliseum Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at (757) 951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

For more information about the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament including brackets, ancillary events, tickets and travel information, log on to www.MEAChoops.com.

About the MEAC Basketball Tournament

The MEAC Basketball Tournament is a single elimination championship playoff that involves Division I historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, and South Carolina State. A bonus game featuring the men's teams from North Carolina Central and Savannah State will also highlight championship day.

The tournament is played at the Joel Coliseum. Both the men's and women's champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Written By: MEAC Media Relations Release: 02/09/2011

Morgan sinks Liberty for Pirates' second straight win

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University men’s basketball team trailed for much of the night Wednesday, but junior guard Kwame Morgan gave the Pirates the lead when it mattered most, sinking a 3-pointer with one second to play to help Hampton beat Liberty 62-59 at the HU Convocation Center.

The Pirates (9-2) trailed for 39 minutes, 20 seconds, but Morgan (Largo, Md.) tied the game at 59-59 with 40 seconds to play with a trey. Liberty had a shot, but the Flames turned the ball over with 20 seconds remaining, thanks to a steal by junior forward Danny Agbelese (Lanham, Md.).

Liberty (7-6) took a 53-39 lead with 9:44 to play after Evan Gordon sank a 3-pointer, but the Pirates responded with a 13-0 run, cutting Liberty’s lead to one, 53-52, with 3:52 to play on a layup from senior forward Charles Funches (Jersey City, N.J.).



Liberty Flames commit 26 turnovers in loss to the Hampton Pirates

HAMPTON, Va. — Liberty men’s basketball assistant coach Jason Eaker walked off the floor at the Hampton University Convocation Center, bowed his head, closed his eyes in frustration and shook his head sharply. He knew his team had given one away Wednesday night.

Interpret the words “give away” literally. Despite shooting 52.1 percent against the nation’s fourth-best field-goal percentage defense, Liberty lost to Hampton 62-59 thanks to 26 turnovers. The Flames (7-6) blew an 18-point lead, including a five-point lead in the final two minutes.

And fittingly, the game’s key play was a turnover, which was the theme of the night for Liberty.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Ammons, Taylor have FAMU football team walking stage

Little of what Joe Taylor tells his football players when they show up in the spring changes during the years. At some point in the conversation, he'll tell them if they don't attend classes they won't play for him. His reason is this: If a student-athlete commits to the classroom he will show the same commitment on the field. Frankly, Taylor says, it's about trust.

"You cannot have a relationship if there isn't trust involved," Taylor said. "I can't help you and you can't help me if we can't trust each other."

It's a philosophy that has worked well for Taylor, especially at Florida A&M where a record number of football players are graduating from the program. Taylor has gotten a lot of help from FAMU president James Ammons, who has made the Rattlers' athletic program top priority since becoming president three years ago.


Videographer:FAMUSPORTS

Olaves rebuilding FAMU swimming program

The stoic look on Jorge Olaves' face was a good sign that he wasn't joking as he stared at the list of records set over the past eight years by Florida A&M swimmers, then made a very bold statement. "I want to break all those records," he said emphatically. "All those records."

That from a man who took over the men's and women's teams for a second time with a handful of swimmers and without a home pool. But he said he's seeing progress as his swimmers are dropping their times and he's getting overseas inquiries from potential recruits.

All he needs is time, said Olaves, who coached the Rattlers from 1997 to 2002. Back then, he started with five swimmers and had a men's and women's squad of 35 when he left the program.

Stevens stepping into leadership role for Rattlers

Defenders were all around Amin Stevens early in the second half as Florida A&M was in the midst of a run. Stevens got enough clearance to sink a layup that trimmed Bethune-Cookman's lead to one. The Rattlers scored on their next possession to go up by one point for their only lead in the game, which they eventually lost. But with every touch of the ball, Stevens tried to deliver.

"I just try to make plays for everybody," he said. "I drive to the goal and if anybody collapses on me I just kick it out for the open shot. But I'm looking to score more than I did last year."




READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Suggs named Savannah State athletics director

Marilynn Stacey-Suggs on Thursday became Savannah State University's first female athletics director. "It's very special. I'm very proud of that fact," she said following a news conference at Tiger Arena in which SSU President Earl Yarbrough announced her promotion.

Suggs, 52, fills the position vacated by Bart Bellairs, who resigned Nov. 23, 2009, to become the athletics director at Southeastern Louisiana University. Bellairs was SSU's first white athletics director.

Suggs, the interim AD since Nov. 24, 2009, was among 52 applicants for the job. She was chosen over two other finalists: Nicole Green, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at the University of Memphis; and William Weidner, previously the Deputy Athletics Director at the University of San Francisco. Suggs will be paid $90,000 and will be...



Marilynn Stacey-Suggs named director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University (SSU) President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D., today named Marilynn Stacey-Suggs as director of Intercollegiate Athletics effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Suggs, who has served as interim director of Intercollegiate Athletics since Jan. 2010, will be responsible for all matters related to managing Savannah State’s 16 NCAA Division I sport teams for men and women including budgeting; compliance with university, University System of Georgia and NCAA policies and rules; and fundraising for programmatic needs.

Suggs Named New AD at Savannah State

After a nationwide search, Savannah State University has settled on a familiar face to guide its athletic program. Interim Athletic Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs was named to the post permanently today. Suggs has filled the role for nearly a year-- responsible for all matters related to SSU's 16 NCAA Division 1 sports teams.

In making the announcement, SSU President Dr. Earl Yarbrough said the chance to bring stability to the program set Suggs apart from more than 50 other applicants for the job. "I needed someone who was stable-- stability who could grow the program here. Someone who we know is loyal to Savannah State University," said Yarbrough.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Symonds Leads Group Preparing Launch Of HBCU Network

Dedicated To African-American Universities, Sports Channel Looks To Summer 2011 Bow

Historically Black Colleges and Universities will have a cable channel to call their own next summer with the proposed launch of the independently-owned and sports-themed HBCU Network.

The basic-cable service, targeting African-American and multicultural high school and college- aged students will be anchored by live Division I and II college sports programming from the major HBCU sports conferences, as well as HBCU-produced educational and entertainment programming, according to network CEO and former BET executive Curtis Symonds.

"This is an opportunity to talk about the 143-year history of HBCUs and provide opportunities for their growth and future prosperity and target a demographic that advertisers want to reach," Symonds told Multichannel News.

Independent holding company C3 Media LLC, comprising veteran cable executives Symonds, Clint Evans and Candace Walker, hold a majority financial stake in HBCU Network, which will be based in Atlanta. Symonds noted that the group is talking to other potential investors, but would not reveal specifics.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN to Let HBCU Network Carry College Games

HBCU network to be launched

Week 2: Around the MEAC

Week 2: Hampton at Howard; North Carolina A&T at Norfolk State; Morgan State at Maryland; Florida A&M at Delaware State; Mississippi Valley State at South Carolina State; Bethune-Cookman is on a bye week.

The MEAC didn’t fare too well in the first full week of the season, getting beaten up pretty good in games against FBS opponents and falling in the MEAC-SWAC challenge, none of which will be good for the conference’s power ratings.

Norfolk State fans will want to take note that linebacker Corwin Hammond’s big game against Rutgers earned him the league’s defensive player of the week award. Hammond had two tackles for loss and a sack among his 12 tackles.

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Matthew Johnson won offense Player of the Week honors.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

2010 MEAC Press Conference

Commissioner tries to calm Legacy controversy

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas refuses to answer the Press questions regarding the ESPN Legacy Bowl proposal. Thomas instead took a swipe at Bloggers and fans who have expressed strong opposition to dropping the conference automatic berth to the Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) Playoffs.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --Amid the storm of controversy surrounding the proposed Legacy Bowl, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference commissioner Dennis Thomas has attempted to maintain a calm front. Aside from comments made in June confirming the possibility of ESPN reviving the Heritage Bowl under a new aforementioned moniker with the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic Conference facing each other starting Dec. 17, 2011, the former South Carolina State head football coach has kept talk about the contest mostly under wraps.

"We are doing due diligence about the possibility and no decision has been made," Thomas said on Monday. "I can't make any comments until or if the deal is done. And then I can make some accurate comments about what is."

Thomas said he was hopeful a final decision on whether to participate in the game, which would require the MEAC to drop its automatic qualifying berth into the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, would take place "sometime in the fall." At that point, the final decision would be left in the hands of the conference's school presidents and chancellors.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Bowl 'surrender' or status quo for MEAC football?

We're into the dog days of the sports calendar, which means that feuding cyclists and the words of football coaches who haven't held a practice yet pass for news. Along those lines, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honchos are discussing football's future postseason direction. Specifically, the league is considering opting out of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in favor of a bowl game between historically black schools.

Dennis Thomas, the MEAC's genial commissioner and the former athletic director at Hampton University, said that no conclusion has been reached, that the principals are in the midst of due diligence. He said that a decision would come this fall, and if everybody chose the bowl route, the game would take place beginning in 2011. Thomas wouldn't bite on arguments for and against a bowl versus playoff participation, politely repeating that the topic remains in the discussion phase.

Apparently, those discussions are to remain private, since North Carolina A&T athletic director Wheeler Brown said through his executive assistant that Thomas issued a gag order to league ADs about the subject. Brown is about to begin a stint on the FCS playoff selection committee.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Coach Nickelberry Lands at Howard University

Howard University Bison head basketball coach, Kevin Nickelberry.

Over the past two months, Coach Kevin Nickelberry has been the hottest coaching commodity on the Division I basketball circuit. The former Hampton University head men's basketball coach had been offered assistant coaching positions by incoming head coaches Gib Arnold at the University of Hawaii and Oliver Purnell, DePaul University. After all things considered, Nickelberry had to say no--for a better offer as the new head men's basketball coach at Howard University, in his hometown of Washington, D.C.

This is probably the best hire Howard University has made since the legendary Willie Jeffries was named the coach of Bison football. In our opinion, Coach Nickelberry is just that good and is an expectional recruiter of Division I talent. It will be interesting to see how soon Nickelberry can get the Bison back on the winning track and compete with Morgan State's Coach Todd Bozeman for the wealth of basketball talent in Washington D.C., Prince George's and Baltimore Counties. We expect a battle of public school (Morgan State) vs. private school (Howard) in this MEAC race. More importantly, Howard University has made a very serious statement with this hire -- the Bison are now serious about winning in basketball and making it to the big dance.

Coach Nickelberry replaces Gil Jackson, who was fired after five consecutive 20-loss seasons, including a 7-25 record last season.

No doubt, the Coach Nickelberry hire is definitely a strong upgrade for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference coaching ranks. Add to the mix -- coaches Todd Bozeman (Morgan State), Horace Broadnax (Savannah State), Tim Carter (South Carolina State), Greg Jackson (Delaware State), Ron "Fang" Mitchell (Coppin State), Jerry Eaves (North Carolina A&T) and LeVelle Moton (North Carolina Central), the conference is moving in the right direction to become a mid-major force.

Now, the rest of the story...

Kevin Nickelberry Named Head Men's Basketball Coach at Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kevin Nickelberry, who helped UNC Charlotte and Clemson to four postseason appearances, has been named head basketball coach at Howard University."We are pleased to have a coach with the distinguished career and success of Kevin Nickelberry lead our men's basketball program," said Charles Gibbs, Director of Athletics. "This is an exciting day, not only for Howard University, but for our alumni and loyal supporters. We look toward the future under Coach Nickelberry's direction as we take the steps necessary to propel our program to a new era of excellence.”

Nickelberry, a native of Washington, D.C. and no stranger to Howard, spent the last year as the head coach of the Libya National Basketball Team. He was the head coach at Hampton University from 2006-2009. During his three years with the Pirates, Nickelberry helped guide his teams to 20 non-conference wins. He collected 49 Division I wins during his tenure, which ranks second among MEAC schools.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me to be able to return to the sidelines at Howard because of its rich tradition, heritage and a strong academic dimension,” Nickelberry said. “I look forward to getting to know each of the players, building a staff and making sure that we put things in motion for the upcoming academic year."

Nickelberry began his coaching career as the head women’s basketball coach at Columbia Union College in 1991 and moved to Howard University for four seasons, from 1994-1998. During his time in the coaching ranks, Nickelberry worked in all areas including recruiting, fundraising, marketing and public relations. The 45-year-old has been a major part of every aspect, especially during his three-year tenure at Clemson from 2003-2006 when he recruited nine players on the Tigers’ 2007-08 and 2008-09 NCAA Tournament teams.

Nickelberry was the assistant coach at UNC Charlotte for two seasons. Over this period in 2001-03, he helped develop Eddie Basden, the second player in Conference USA history to win Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. He also contributed to successful programs at Holy Cross and Monmouth. For his efforts, Nickelberry was rated among the Top 25 “Up-and-Coming” college basketball coaches by The Sporting News and Hoopscooponline.com in 2008.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Delaware State Hornets upbeat at Spring Camp‎

DOVER, DE -- The atmosphere at Delaware State University's Alumni Stadium for Saturday's Red-White football scrimmage was light years away from the doom-and-gloom that seemed to constantly envelop the Hornets last year. Quarterback Anthony Glaud was consistently finding his receivers in stride and the team's young defense showed promise at the linebacker positions. The feelings were of promise and great expectations for when the Hornets return to the field in August for summer football camp. "It was good in processing this entire spring," Glaud said, preparing for his senior season. "This is actually the best we've looked and it's a good thing to be the best that you are at the end of spring [camp], so now we have something to carry into the summer and then into the fall camp."

Coach Lavan sees signs of improvement in young DSU squad. Delaware State will open its 11-game 2010 season on Sunday, Sept. 5, against Southern University (La.) in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Al Lavan, preparing for his seventh season as DSU's head coach, wasn't looking for greatness. He just wanted to see signs of improvement. "I think overall we accomplished in the last 15 days what we needed to accomplish which was to see an improvement of our football team," said Lavan, who is 38-28 overall with the Hornets. "It's such a young team in the offensive line and a lot of different areas, but I thought we made improvement, which was the main thing.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Gardner Pitches Hornets Past Rattlers ‎

Hornets take two from Florida A&M baseball

‎

Bowling increases diversity at historically black colleges and universities

University of Maryland-Eastern Shore 2008 NCAA National Championship bowlers Kristina Frahm and Jessica Worsley.

(Washington Post) -- Earlier this year, the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore's athletic department posted this poll on its Web site: "Which winter team is most likely to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in their respective sport?" Sandwiched between women's basketball and men's track was women's bowling, which led all other choices with just less than 44 percent of the vote.

Conference rival Delaware State's Web site had a similar question. Of the 11 sports on the ballot, bowling had a commanding lead of close to 40 percent.

These two schools are the pace-setters among the women's bowling teams in the nationally dominant MEAC, which comprises 11 historically black colleges and universities. UMES, the 2008 national champion, is the MEAC's flagship bowling program, sitting second in the National Tenpins Coaches Association top 20 alongside national powers Vanderbilt and Nebraska. Delaware State, the conference's defending champion, is ranked third and made the NCAA semifinals last spring. In total, five conference teams, including Florida A&M, Norfolk State and Morgan State, are in the top 20 out of a pool of more than 50 in the NCAA.

But women's bowling is not just the new standard-bearer for MEAC athletics; these days, the sport is also helping to change what a historically black college looks like. As the conference's best teams have cemented themselves in the national rankings, they've attracted many non-black bowlers, which has furthered diversity on campus. UMES currently has no black bowlers and Delaware State has two on its 10-person roster.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE

Howard Bison 72, Navy Midshipmen 65

Howard Uses Late Run to Push Past Navy, 72-65

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard men's basketball team outscored Navy, 9-0, in the final minute of play to hand the Midshipmen a 72-65 setback on Monday night. The loss snapped Navy's modest two-game winning streak and drops Navy's record to 6-9 overall. Howard improved to 2-13 with the victory. Navy has lost six straight games away from Annapolis and has a 1-7 record away from Alumni Hall, entering Saturday night's Patriot League opener at Bucknell.

"We didn't do enough tonight for 40 minutes to be successful. When we don't play together, we aren't going to beat anyone," said Navy head coach Billy Lange. "We were careless defensively and didn't show enough patience on offense. It just seemed we got antsy in the second half and weren't patient enough. When we were, we got any shot we wanted." Howard was aided by seven three-point plays. Three of the seven came on fouled three-point shot attempts, while the Bison also connected on four and-one opportunities. "It's just a lack of focus, and we didn't close out on shooters properly," said Lange. "Our heads were somewhere else."

Final Stats

White, Collins Lead Balanced Attack In Win Over Navy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Curtis White scored 12 of his game-high 21 points in the second half and Dadrian Collins added 10 of his 15 after intermission to lead Howard to a 72-65 win over Navy in a non-conference men's basketball game at Burr Gymnasium. The Bison (2-13), who snapped a five game losing streak, rallied from a 36-30 halftime deficit on the scoring of White and Collins who combined for 12 of the team's points during a key 15-9 run that tied the score at 45-all.

Buoyed by the run, Howard embarked on an 11-4 run to open up a 56-49 lead at the 10:48 mark of the second half. This time it was Mike Phillips and Calvin Thompson who keyed the run as they combined for 8 of the points. But the scrappy Mids (6-9) put together a rally of their own, a 16-6 spurt that helped them regain the lead at 65-63 with 3:08 remaining.

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

A Zebra Closeup: Niles native officially loves football

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Referee Kevin Violette describes the MEAC as a league comparable to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), which includes Youngstown State University. "There is an awful lot of talent throughout the league. Some truly outstanding athletes," Violette said. The speed, size and talent of these guys makes for a condition where anything is possible."

Most former football players who wish to remain close to the game generally do so by playing a little touch football, or perhaps by joining a fantasy league. Niles (OH) native Kevin Violette is living out his football fantasy by putting himself smack-dab in the middle of the action. Violette spends his autumn weekends traveling up and down the East Coast as part of an officiating crew that works college games. Violette recently completed his fifth season as an official in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference - a nine team league that includes, South Carlina State, Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Morgan State, Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, North Carolina A&T, Delaware State and Howard.

The MEAC is a Division I-AA conference made up of historically black institutions located across the Atlantic coastline. A 1986 Niles McKinley High graduate, Violette currently resides in Wilmington, N.C. After graduating from Niles, Violette attended Ohio Northern, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Biology. He then earned a Masters Degree in Marine Biology while attending the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. When he's not keeping order on the football field, Violette serves as Director of Enterprise Solutions. The company is the software development group which serves the University of North Carolina Wilmington. "I've always loved football and I always wanted to stay involved in the game in some way," Violette said. "Quite honestly, I never expected it to be as a referee."

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

What Can the MEAC and SWAC Learn from the Southland Conference?

Coppin State University Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell has been accused of over-scheduling the Eagles with powerhouse money games. However, the Eagles do have their share of lower Division cup-cake games this season...Lincoln (Pa.), West Virginia Tech and Washington Adventist University.

Raising the level of its competition

To improve seeding in NCAA Tournament, Southland wants teams to cut down on number of lower division foes.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Southland Conference is building its regional television network, and commissioner Tom Burnett is working with ESPN to expand the league’s reach. But there still are obstacles impeding the Southland’s quest for an enhanced national profile. They are seemingly small stumbling blocks, but part of a big issue. Try Harris-Stowe, Paul Quinn or Ecclesia. Maybe the University of Science and Arts or Mid-America Christian. Perhaps a name off Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s schedule — Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Those schools are a sampling of the non-Division I opponents that line Southland men’s schedules this season. They are part of the reason the league is stuck in a rut of being seeded 14 or higher in the NCAA Tournament. Non-Division I schools do not count toward a Division I team’s win total when analyzed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The games are a lost opportunity to improve the RPI, the NCAA’s rating of a team’s or league’s strength of schedule, its opponents’ strength of schedule and how it fared against opponents. Division I teams can face up to four non-Division I schools a season, but it’s best not to use the full allotment, if any. Yet the 12 Southland men’s teams combine to face 44 non-Division I opponents this season. That does it no favors with the selection committee, which factors the RPI into its seeding process.

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

The MEAC and SWAC should take note of the strategy of the Southland Conference. A 16th seed in the NCAA Tournament is always a guaranteed ticket for a quick exit home.

MEAC Men Basketball Scheduled Cup-Cakes...

1. Delaware State: Holy Family, Wilmington and Mary Washington
2. Coppin State: Lincoln (Pa.), West Virginia Tech and Washington Adventist University
3. South Carolina State: Erskine College, Allen, Southern Wesleyan
4. Florida A&M: Albany State (Ga.)
5. North Carolina A&T: Brevard College, Davis & Elkins and Carson Newman
6. Bethune Cookman: Edward Waters, Florida Gulf Coast, Carver Bible, Florida Christian College and Jacksonville
7. Winston Salem State: Atlanta Christian, Milligan, Ferrum College and Columbia Union
8. Morgan State: None
9. UMES: Stevenson
10. Howard: None
11: Hampton: None
12: Norfolk State: None

SWAC Men Basketball Scheduled Cup-Cakes...
1. Alabama A&M: Oakwood, Martin Methodist, Stillman and Tuskegee
2. Alabama State: Columbus State and West Alabama
3. Alcorn State: Tougaloo College, Mississippi College and University of Detroit-Mercy
4. Grambling State: Centenary College (Louisiana), Paul Quinn College (Texas)
5. Jackson State: Spring Hill
6. Mississippi Valley: Champion Baptist
7. Prairie View A&M: Schreiner, Florida Gulf Coast, Champion Baptist, Ecclesia, Dallas Christian
8. Southern: Xavier (La.), Talladega, Central Arkansas and Chicago State
9. Texas Southern: Northern Colorado, Dickinson State, Jarvis Christan University
10. Arkansas Pine Bluff: None

Other Division I HBCUs
1. Tennessee State (OVC): Detroit-Mercy
2. North Carolina Central (Indep/MEAC): North Carolina Wesleyan, Carver Bible College, Florida Gulf Coast, Tennessee Temple University and The Apprentice School
3. Savannah State (Indep): Webber International, University of North Florida, University of Virginia-Wise, Allen University, Carver Bible College and Jacksonville University.

Special: Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) Leaves Its Mark on I-A Teams

Last weekend's victories by William & Mary over Virginia, Richmond over Duke and Villanova over Temple reinforced the notion that the Colonial Athletic Association remains one of the strongest leagues in division I-AA football, if not the most powerful. Should James Madison knock off Maryland (Maryland won 38-35 in OT) and New Hampshire topple Ball State (NH won 23-16) on Saturday, it will further enhance the CAA's reputation and strengthen the argument that the talent gap between division I-A teams and the top programs in I-AA is shrinking.

"I've always told people that when Appalachian [State] beat Michigan [in 2007] . . . it was all the talking heads on television that were talking about what a huge upset it was," James Madison Coach Mickey Matthews said. "You didn't hear any coaches in the Big Ten and the CAA saying it was a huge upset. The top 10 or 15 teams in I-AA football can play with anyone in the country. I'm not saying we're going to beat them, but we certainly can compete against anyone."

This is the fourth year in a row that at least one CAA team has defeated a division I-A team. New Hampshire is going for its fifth consecutive win against a division I-A team this weekend. Since 1997, CAA teams boast 19 wins against division I-A opponents; no other I-AA conference comes close to matching that number. CAA teams have also fared well within their own classification. The league sent a record five teams to the division I-AA playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Last year in the 16-team field, four of the final eight teams and two of the final four teams were from the CAA.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

QUESTION FOR OUR READERS: Is South Carolina State, Florida A&M and Grambling competive with "any" of the ranked teams of the CAA? You may want to wait until after this Saturday's games to answer the question, although, other MEAC/SWAC teams are not as competitive as SCSU, FAMU or Grambling. Two CAA vs. MEAC games are on tap:

William and Mary (2-0) @ Norfolk State (1-1): 6 p.m.
Delaware State (0-1) @ Delaware (1-1) 12:00 noon

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Terps Win, but Suffer Loss
ACC Football Leads the Nation in Irrelevance
'Vacancy' Sign Still Flashing for Byrd Stadium Suites

North Carolina Central University wins admission to MEAC

North Carolina Central University has won admission to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, returning the Durham institution to a league it helped found but then left 30 years ago. The conference said Thursday that its Council of Chief Executive Officers voted to admit NCCU as the MEAC’s 13th member effective July 1, 2010.

The decision gives NCCU a conference home as it continues to make the transition from a NCAA Division II athletics program to one competing in the top-level, and more expensive, Division I. NCCU is entering its third season of competition in Division I. "This is a significant milestone in North Carolina Central University's transition to Division I," said NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms. "Membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a win-win proposition for our student-athletes, alumni and fans – indeed, all our university constituents."

With its return to the MEAC, NCCU will now play in the same conference as its most fierce rival, North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, and another in-state school that recently made the jump to Division I, Winston-Salem State University. WSSU, which became the MEAC’s 12th member in 2007, was a rival of NCCU’s in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a Division II conference. The highlight of NCCU’s time in the CIAA was winning the Division II national men’s basketball championship in 1989.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
NCCU to join MEAC
Eagles land: NC Central rejoins MEAC as part of Division I climb Coaches excited about the step up
Eagles Back In The MEAC
NCCU Athletics Introduces New Sports Radio Show

MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review

Southwestern Athletic Conference
SWAC to return to 9-game league schedule in '10 The Southwestern Athletic Conference will revert to using a nine-game league schedule starting in the 2010 football season, one of several changes announced Friday. The SWAC council of presidents voted to add the extra conference games through at least the 2013 season. “Overall, some teams were finding it difficult to fill out the rest of the schedule,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “It was hard for some of our teams. Either people didn’t want to play them, or the payout wasn’t what they thought it would be.”

Since the SWAC expanded to 10 teams in 1999, the conference has flip-flopped between playing seven league games and nine league games. That first year, in ’99, then-commissioner Rudy Washington decided in August that only a team’s four divisional games would count. From 2000-04, seven games counted, but some SWAC teams opted to play each other in extra games that did not count in the conference standings. Then, from 2005-07, all nine games counted. Last season, the SWAC switched back to seven. “That’s the other advantage (of going to nine games),” Sharp said. “You can get a true champion.”

South Carolina State University
SCSU men's hoops loses assistant coach Kyle Perry Brandon (Kyle) Perry was more than just South Carolina State men’s basketball coach Tim Carter’s top assistant. The Gallatin, Tennessee native’s recruiting skills in luring the likes of former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year guard Carrio Bennett, Defensive Player of the Year Jason Johnson and College of Charleston transfer Josh Jackson helped turn around the program’s fortunes in two years. As Carter looks to improve on S.C. State’s first winning season in three years, he now finds himself having to replace the lone remaining assistant from his arrival.

On Monday, University of South Carolina-Upstate head coach Eddie Payne announced Perry’s hiring to a similar position. Perry, 31, will serve as Upstate’s recruiting coordinator and will serve in all aspects of the program, including scouting and floor coaching. “Kyle Perry is an outstanding person,” Payne said. “He has a lot of the things you look for in an assistant coach. He has great character and work ethic as well as the results. He’s an exceptionally good recruiter and he has proven that on a number of different jobs, including his last one at S.C. State. Carter would only cite “personal reasons” for the reason of Perry’s departure. During his two seasons with the Bulldogs, Perry’s responsibilities included recruiting, scheduling, scouting and on-the-floor coaching. After the Bulldogs went 13-20 during Perry’s first year, they posted a 17-13 overall record last year and finished second in the league with a 10-6 record. S.C. State would advance to the MEAC Tournament semifinals for the first time in four years before losing to Norfolk State.

Howard University
Homecoming Change: Georgetown University officials have rescheduled the 70th Homecoming Game, which will now take place Sept. 26 versus Howard Bison. Due to a series of academic conflicts, Homecoming was originally scheduled late in the season (Nov. 14) against Richmond, which would not only have pitted the Hoyas against the pre-season #1 ranked team in I-AA but would likely involve much colder temperatures and the possibility of a conflict with an early season basketball game. The earlier date, which coincides with Alumni Association events that weekend, should serve to bring more fans to Washington in September, as well as the possibility of a significant turnout from Howard fans across town.

The game should also be considerably more competitive than Richmond. The Bison were 1-10 last season and will play games with Rutgers and Florida A&M on the road before the Sept. 26 game at the Multi-Sport Field. In the first meeting between the schools, Georgetown upset Howard in the 2008 season opener, 12-7. http://www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/football.htm

Savannah State University
SSU Ready For MEAC Visit: Walter Moore--As Savannah State University gears up for a visit from officials from the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), this writer sat down with Dr. Earl Yarbrough (SSU president), Dr. Claud Flythe (SSU vice president of administration) and Bart Bellairs (SSU athletics director) last week to ask questions about SSU's preparation for the upcoming visit.

1- What will conference affiliation do for SSU? YARBROUGH- “Rivalries will be developed and teams will have a chance to compete for conference championships. It also gives SSU a chance to support the program. It’s hard to get motivated with no title to play for.” FLYTHE- “It helps level the student playing field. It gives students the opportunity to compete with peer institutions. Being independent does not offer the same opportunity. It also helps the alumni base connect with their peers. Many SSU alumni work with and socialize with alumni from FAMU, Bethune and SC State. It will also help with the traveling costs and will allow our students to stay close to home.” BELLAIRS- “It puts you in line with great academic institutions.”...

Delaware State University
When Football Goes Green We've all seen it, we've definitely all heard it. The latest trend these days is to "go green." It's a campaign that is simply inescapable. We're all supposed to live green, breathe green, drive green, eat green ... you get the picture. However, to "go green" in college football is to go for the dollar signs. One idea, playing neutral site games to get a large payout, aren't entirely a bad idea. For example, Alabama/Virginia Tech in Atlanta is a great way to kick off the football year. But what happens when a school chooses to lose a game, a conference game, for money?

Delaware State has done just that, agreeing to actually forfeit their MEAC matchup with North Carolina A&T for a trip to the Big House to play Michigan on Oct. 17th. This is when "going green" goes horribly wrong. We've entered a dangerous stage in collegiate athletics. The goal (or what used to be the goal, anyways) for collegiate athletes was to compete for championships. It wasn't about the money, it was about the trophies at the end of the season. Money was left out of the picture. With Delaware State's move, the new goal has been set. It's all about getting as much money as possible. Forget title banners and trophies; just send the Hornets up to Ann Arbor as a rent-a-win (let's face it, App. State isn't the norm), get the check, and if the team doesn't make the FCS playoffs, oh well! How sad is this?

I understand why Delaware State wants to go to Ann Arbor. Located in Dover, DSU is a small school with an enrollment of just over 3,000. The Hornets drew 6,000 fans just twice last season, and in a 27-26 lost to Winston-Salem State, drew just 891 fans. Playing in front of over 100,000 in maize and blue would be quite the experience for DSU. But forfeit a conference game? That's where things just get messy.

Florida A&M University
Lincoln's Aaron Smith signs to play baseball at FAMU For recent Lincoln High alum Aaron Smith, signing a baseball scholarship with Florida A&M University meant more than just pitching on the Division I level. In attending FAMU, the 6-foot-1 right-hander is following in the footsteps of his parents, grandparents and aunts.

























"The university is very important to my family," Smith said. "Everyone in my family went there, and I wanted to be a part of that." Smith moved to Tallahassee from Pensacola in 2007. As a junior, he maintained a 2.28 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 29 innings. This past spring, Smith was used mostly in late-inning relief, posting a 2.89 ERA in 261/3 innings. Smith's arsenal includes a fastball, curveball, changeup and slider.

RETROSPECT: FAMU Marching 100 Continues to Raise the Bar on Musicianship. What's amazing about the FAMU Marching 100 is they are several graduate school thesis within themselves. The more you study them, the more you realize they are in a class by themselves when it comes to musicianship. Regardless of the type of music played, the Marching 100 plays it to perfection with power, in both musical style and interpretation. Take for example the old standard marches--who does it better? View in HQ and enjoy the enthusiam of this great band--414 musicians strong playing the Thunder and Blazes March and Bennetts Triumphant March at the Florida Classic. Then, view the Hundred at work on the Patch under the baton of conductor, Dr. Julian E. White.





Winston Salem State University
Football Schedule Change: Winston-Salem State's football game against Florida A&M at Bowman Gray Stadium has been added to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference television package and rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. Kickoff will be at 7:30, with coverage on ESPNU. The game originally was scheduled Sept. 12. It will be the first live broadcast of a WSSU game from Bowman Gray since Oct. 25, 2003, when the Rams defeated N.C. Central 47-0.

Alabama A&M University
New A&M assistant no stranger to SWAC John McKenzie had great success as a player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He starred at quarterback at Jackson State in the 1980s, leading the Tigers to three conference titles while throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 43 touchdowns en route to earning All-SWAC honors on two occasions. He later had success as a coach in the league, first at Alabama State - helping the Hornets not only win the SWAC, but also a black college national championship - and also was successful at his alma mater and Alcorn State. So when he was let go at North Carolina A&T last season, McKenzie looked for an opportunity to return to the conference.

He found it at Alabama A&M, where he was recently named the Bulldogs' receivers coach. McKenzie replaces Roger Totten, who left to become an assistant at Alabama State in January.
"I'm familiar with the SWAC," McKenzie said Tuesday. "I played in the league and coached in the league. I know the players and the different areas. It's a little easier for me to adapt. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference was a great experience, but there's a different philosophy there as far as what they're trying to get done football-wise.

Southern University
Services today for Southern's Thomas Funeral services for Southern track and field coach Johnny Thomas are today. Viewing is at 9 a.m. today at the Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Ave. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Thomas, 68, died June 13. Thomas, who coached the men’s and women’s track and cross country teams, won 45 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships at SU.

Read Related Articles: Keys: Thomas' way made impact at Southern

The Mets signed pitcher Emary Frederick out of Southern University prior to the 2007 season. Frederick is a native of Deltona, Florida.

Paying debts with Mets Daytona Beach, FL--Emary Frederick plays professional baseball for a living. While Class A doesn't provide much of a living, the DeLand High graduate realizes things could be worse. "I'm very content with my situation right now. Things could be better or they could be a lot worse. Not very many guys that I played with have this opportunity," said Frederick, a relief pitcher for the St. Lucie Mets, who is in town playing the Daytona Cubs this week. "It's a choice. I could talk about settling, but the reason I'm here is it's a choice. If I put in my time now, hopefully I can relax later."

Frederick, a side-arming right-hander, pitched in a 5-4 loss to the Cubs on Monday night and will be on the mound again Thursday night when the two teams close out a four-game series.
Despite a 2-4 record, the reliever is having his best professional season to date with a 3.45 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 games (28 2/3 innings). "To me he's made some good progress," said Phil Regan, pitching coach for the St. Lucie Mets. "He's got tremendous sink on the ball and I think, in my opinion, he's got a good major-league sinker. It sinks that well."

At 25, it's hard for Frederick to not get a little anxious. Younger players are drafted with huge signing bonuses that move up the ladder quicker. "I feel like it's going kind of slow thus far. It's only my third year as a professional, but I'm 25. I definitely thought I'd be farther along by now," Frederick said. "It's tough. It's definitely a jump up from college and the SWAC conference.

"The fact that Frederick is playing pro ball is a blessing in and of itself. After a good, but not great, college career at Southern University, Frederick signed a free-agent contract in his home dugout after being seen at Scout Day on the Baton Rouge, La., campus. Two years ago he was sent to the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats, where he posted a 2-0 record and struck out 50 in 32 games despite sitting out 45 days with a impingement in his throwing shoulder. Last year he moved up to high Class A St. Lucie, where he went 2-5 and struck out 52 batters, while improving his ERA to 4.47.

Norfolk State University
Miller signs with NSU through June 2014 Marty Miller has signed on for another five years as Norfolk State's athletic director, agreeing to a contract extension through June 2014, the school announced Thursday. Miller has been AD since December 2004. A 1969 graduate, he's been a coach or administrator at his alma mater since 1972. He coached the Spartans' baseball team to 718 wins in 32 years. NSU has won the past five MEAC men's all-sports awards. "We have made significant accomplishments in enabling our athletic programs to become more competitive," Miller said. "But we are seeking to become major players on a national level."

North Carolina A&T State University
Hill adds regional, national honors North Carolina A&T softball standout Ryanne Hill added a pair of honors to her resume. The sophomore from Charlotte (Independence High) was named third-team all-America by Easton Sports Inc. and the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association voted her to the all-state team. Hill was named MEAC player of the year last month and all-Southeast Region by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association. “She has a very good work ethic and her academics are excellent,’’ said A&T head softball coach Mamie Jones. “She is a true student-athlete. She is constantly in the books, and she works tirelessly in making herself an excellent softball player.”

Hill led the MEAC in runs batted in and doubles (15). She also ranked second in the MEAC in hits (60) and total bases (96). In two years at A&T, Hill has a .340 batting average with 83 RBIs and 11 home runs in 94 games.

Jackson State University
ULL's Rogers fill out staff University Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Errol Rogers has added former Jackson State University recruiting coordinator and assistant Tomekia Reed. She will replace Paula Lee, who resigned to pursue other opportunities after a 3-27 season. Reed had coached at Jackson State for the past three seasons. She worked with the team's post players, including the 2006-07 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year in forward Shelita Burns, and was its academic liaison. In 2006-07, JSU won the SWAC regular season championship and earned a WNIT berth. The following season the Tigers clinched the SWAC Tournament crown for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Reed received an associate degree from Hinds (Miss.) Community College before going to Southern Miss and Georgia Southwestern State University. She earned her bachelor's degree from GSSU. "She carries herself the right way, has a great knowledge of the game and is an intelligent young lady," Rogers said. "She's recruited in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Jackson State recruited across the country, so she has plenty of experience in recruiting.
"I think she's going to be a very good recruiter, someone who can relate with the kids and someone who knows her X's and O's."

CIAA/SIAC Special Feature
ARIZONA CARDINALS Reels in Fourth-Rounder from Saint Paul's College (Va.)
The Arizona Cardinals have signed fourth-round pick CB Greg Toler to a three-year, $1.5 million deal which includes a signing bonus of $316,000, a league source told Scout.com.

"I never took my grades seriously like I should have." "My coaches kept telling me that education's first, that you'll never be a student-athlete unless you're a good student." At the end of his senior high school season, Toler was ineligible to attend high school all-star games.

Toler (6-0, 193) earned All-CIAA and Little All-American first-team honors as well as being named Virginia small school Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2008 after collecting a career-high 51 tackles (37 solos), seven interceptions, and three blocked kicks. The first player from Saint Paul’s ever to be drafted, Toler set school records with 16 interceptions and 38 passes defensed during his four seasons.

The Washington, DC native finished his collegiate career with 161 tackles (101 solos), 16 interceptions, 38 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 40 starts at Saint Paul’s. Despite being only a Division II standout and also not being invited to the NFL combine, Toler gained buzz around the NFL before the draft after making a bunch of visits to various teams and conducting strong personal workouts. Toler should have a good chance to make the team as a fourth cornerback or better based on the lack of current depth at the position.

The Cardinals have released WR Justin Brown. Brown signed with the team as a rookie free agent out of Hampton University on April 27.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
National Football League: NFL Draft 2009 - Greg Toler
From Small St. Paul's, Greg Toler's Big Draft-Day Dream Comes True ...
How super is this sleeper? Toler says watch on Sundays - NFL ...

MEAC representatives to visit Savannah State

NCAA: SSU's three-year probation 'is now over."

Savannah State University's bid to be admitted to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is moving forward following a three-year delay. MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas told the Savannah Morning News on Tuesday that he and other MEAC representatives will be at SSU June 29-30 for an official site visit - one of the final steps before joining a conference.

SSU has competed as an NCAA Division I Independent since leaving the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2002. The Tigers paid a $10,000 non-refundable application fee to the MEAC in 2005.

"We will be visiting Savannah State University at the end of June," Thomas said during a telephone interview from MEAC headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va. "That's virtually all I can say about it. We will be visiting. It's a site visit for the membership committee. We won't be in town for more than two days." Thomas and other MEAC representatives made an official site visit to SSU on May 8, 2006. MEAC school presidents were set to vote on the school's admittance, but the NCAA placed SSU's football program on a three-year probation the week before the scheduled decision.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

MEAC gives green light to expansion

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced late Monday afternoon that it is lifting a moratorium on expansion and now will consider applications for membership from N.C. Central and Savannah (Ga.) State. N.C. Central has long felt that its transition from NCAA Division II to Division I would be made easier if it could join a conference. NCCU submitted an application to the MEAC in December 2006. "Getting into a conference will definitely enhance our sports programs, particularly in the areas of recruiting, increased revenues, consistent travel schedules and fan support," NCCU's athletic director, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, said in a prepared statement.

If the MEAC isn't officially closing the door on applications from other schools, NCCU and Savannah State certainly are first in line. For one thing, both play football, and the MEAC wants to add two football schools to its current 10. Overall, the league plans to expand from 12 members to 14. "Obviously, you can go to divisional play [in football]," commissioner Dennis Thomas said in a phone interview. Plus, "we need a Georgia presence," Thomas added, though insisting he wasn't referring to a specific school. With expansion, he said, "now we would have three institutions in the state of North Carolina."

The conference implemented a moratorium so it could come up with an expansion plan.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
MEAC gives green light to expansion
SSU close to joining Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference