CIAA Board of Directors Addresses Discontinuance of Saint Paul’s College Athletics Program

Charlotte, NC -- In a closed-door meeting of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors, the group of thirteen presidents and chancellors received a report from Saint Paul’s College President, Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Sr. of the action taken last Thursday by the SPC Board of Trustees to discontinue its athletic program.

On behalf of the CIAA Board of Directors, Chairman and Livingstone College President, Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “received the report with sadness, but also recognizes that since the college is no longer participating in collegiate athletics, it will not continue as a member of the CIAA. In accordance with that fact, the Board acknowledges that the CIAA’s Two-Year Transfer Rule will no longer prove relevant for Saint Paul’s College student-athletes who wish to transfer to any CIAA school.”

The Two-Year Transfer Rule is instituted when a student-athlete transfers between two conference member institutions. The discontinuance of the college’s membership cancels the effect of this rule.


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Athletic Program Discontinued at Saint Paul's College

**LAWRENCEVILLE, VA — (May 09, 2011) At its recent Spring Meeting, The Saint Paul’s College Board of Trustees took a bold step towards restoring financial stability to the 123 year old historical Episcopal College. The Board resolved to discontinue the entire Athletic Program at the College, effective July 1, 2011. The Administration is establishing a time schedule for implementation of the resolution with regard to its effect on the student body and their moral responsibility to the Athletic Staff. There was no doubt that once the College becomes financially stable again, consideration would be given to reinstating the Athletic Program.

While the Board of Trustees acknowledged that some notable progress has been made in the financial affairs under the current administration, in that the College has achieved a balanced budget twice in the last three years; however, the longstanding financial problems have yet to be remedied. Also, the U. S. Department of Education and the accrediting agency, SACSCOC have acknowledged some improvement in the financial affairs of the College.

Meanwhile, Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Sr., President and his Executive Cabinet have begun establishing a time schedule for the College to implement a full-scale Intramural Program for its students.

The 123-year old school fielded 7 men's and women's teams and was a member of the CIAA.

CIAA Statement Regarding Saint Paul’s College Athletic Department Dissolution

Hampton, VA -- It is with much sadness that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has learned of the dissolution of the athletic program at St. Paul’s College. The CIAA remains dedicated to the welfare of each affected student-athlete and will make every effort to protect their interests.

In anticipation of the discussion of this matter at the CIAA Board of Directors’ meeting slated for this week, the conference and Commissioner will wait to make any official comment until after its conclusion.

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** From Saint Paul's College Press Release

Saint Paul's hands WSSU first loss

LAWRENCEVILLE, Va.- Winston-Salem State's unbeaten season came to a halt Tuesday night with a 93-84 loss at St. Paul's. Even though both teams play in the CIAA, the game was designated as a nonconference game, giving Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams some solace.

"It didn't count in the conference standings, but we still didn't come ready to play, and that's disappointing," Collins said by telephone after the game. "St. Paul's just stepped it up when they had to, and we didn't make the plays. We missed a lot of easy layups, and they hit their free throws." WSSU fell to 6-1. St. Paul's improved to 3-4.

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Virginia State Trojans lock up CIAA North

SOUTH HILL, VA - Most people turn their clocks back an hour in the fall, but the Virginia State University football team went back 14 years. VSU clinched its first CIAA North Division title since 1996 by defeating St. Paul's College 34-14 in the regular season finale on Saturday in South Hill.

The team from Ettrick will fight for the conference title next Saturday, something not too many people saw coming a the start of the season. The Trojans were picked to finish eighth in the 13-team league this year. The preseason snub did not sit well with the VSU. The Trojans have won their last four games, decidedly dispatching those opponents by a combined score of 126-21.

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Videographer: juankiki25 (10/4/10)

Bailey in charge at Saint Paul's

Saint Paul's College football coach Willard Bailey has returned to active duty, apparently for one final season, following a summer health incident that created the widespread impression that Bailey and the school had parted company.

Bailey, the winningest football coach in CIAA history, said the incident, about which he declined to elaborate, startled him so thoroughly that he "dropped everything" to seek medical evaluation. During this period, he handed the reins of the program to defensive coordinator Kevin Grisby and offensive coordinator Hubie Bryant.

"I wanted to make sure that if I didn't come back, the program would be in great shape," he said. But tests performed in July at Norfolk's Sentara Hospital, Bailey said, exposed the scare as "just a false alarm."

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NEXT GAME: University of North Carolina - Pembroke at Saint Paul's College, September 11, 1:00 p.m.

West Virginia Wesleyan tops Saint Paul's Tigers 35-28

BUCKHANNON, WV -- The Wesleyan football team picked up their first season opening victory since 2007 on Saturday afternoon, beating the St. Paul's (VA) Tigers 35-28. A packed house looked on as Wesleyan jumped out of the gates with a 21-0 lead. Running back Trey Massey (pictured) kicked off the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown run less than four minutes into the game. Massey's run capped off a nine play 72-yard drive.

After the two teams traded possessions, Massey was back at it again, this time punching it in from the three-yard line to extend the lead to 14-0 with 1:36 remaining in the opening frame. The Bobcats appeared to be headed for a route early in the second quarter following an 18-yard Adam Neugebauer touchdown pass to Emmanuel Burrell that pushed the lead to 21-0.

That was hardly the case, however, as St. Paul's capitalized on two interceptions to cut the margin to 21-14 at half.

Lake Taylor's Sawyer is more than a head coach

NORFOLK, VA -- Gloria Johnson always knew her son had all the qualities to be a great coach. He’s humble, dedicated, loyal, caring, passionate and a leader. That’s why Johnson was a little troubled when her son, Hank Sawyer, asked her if coaching was the right job for him.

“He was talking to other people, and they were telling him that he wasn’t going to make any big money coaching, so he asked me what I think,” she said. “And I told him, 'There are a lot of people who go to work every day and work a job that they hate. If you have an opportunity to work a job that you love then you take it. Money is not everything. So he went on and coached football.”

Decades later, Sawyer has become one of the elder statesmen on South Hampton Roads’ sidelines. Sawyer, who turns 53 today , has compiled an 89-33 record over 11 seasons at Lake Taylor. He’s helped lead the Titans to seven Eastern District titles, including the last five. He’s helped produce 45 All-Tidewater players and sent more than 75 kids to college to play football at all different levels.



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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