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SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Mount St. Mary's fell to Savannah State, 45-41, in a hard-fought game on Thursday night. Trailing 44-38, the Mount's Josh Castellanos drained a three-pointer from the top of the key to cut the deficit to 44-41 with 1:50 on the clock. It was the Mount's only three-point basket of the game.
The Mount (1-10) got a stop on the ensuing possession, but then turned the ball over. The Mount got another chance to tie the score after getting another stop on the defensive end, but Julian Norfleet's three-point attempt from the right wing with 8.9 seconds left was off the mark.
Savannah State (5-8) got the rebound and the Mount was forced to foul Deric Rudolph with 3.2 seconds left, and he sealed the win by hitting 1-of-2 at the line.
Danny Thompson led the Mountaineers with eight points and five rebounds while Castellanos chipped in seven points and three assists. Ja'Colby Wells and Kristijan Krajina added six points each in the loss.
Rashad Hassan led all scorers with 14 points while Preston Blackmon added nine in the win for the Tigers. Arnold Louis added eight points, eight rebounds, seven steals and four blocks for Savannah State.
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA -- The University of Northern Iowa football team has announced its complete 2012 schedule, and the slate is highlighted by two games against Division I FBS opponents for the first time since 2001. UNI will play six road games and five home contests in 2012.
In addition to road games at Big Ten schools Wisconsin and Iowa on Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, respectively, the Panthers have scheduled a home non-conference game for Sept. 8 against Savannah State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). An eight-game Missouri Valley Football Conference slate fills out the remainder of the season.
With the MVFC expanding to 10 members when the University of South Dakota joins in 2012, each school will have one conference school left off the schedule each season. UNI and Indiana State will not meet on the gridiron for the first time since the formation of the league in 1985.
Along with the home opener against Savannah State on Sept. 8, UNI will host North Dakota State (Sept. 29 - Family Weekend), South Dakota State (Oct. 20 - Homecoming), Illinois State (Oct. 27 - Hall of Fame) and Missouri State (Nov. 17 - Senior Day).
2012 UNI Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at Wisconsin
Sept. 8 Savannah State
Sept. 15 at Iowa
Sept. 22 at Youngstown State
Sept. 29 North Dakota State (Family Weekend)
Oct. 6 Open
Oct. 13 at Southern Illinois
Oct. 20 South Dakota State (Homecoming)
Oct. 27 Illinois State (Hall of Fame)
Nov. 3 at Western Illinois
Nov. 10 at South Dakota
Nov. 17 Missouri State (Senior Day)
The University of Northern Iowa football team fell to the Montana Grizzlies in the 2011 NCAA FCS quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, 48-10. UNI finished the 2011 season with a 10-3 record. UNI is 19-16 in the FCS playoffs all-time.
Savannah State finished their first season under Coach Steve Davenport with a 1-10 record.
Basketball: Georgia Tech vs. Savannah State, SATURDAY 6 PM ET, SSU Tiger Arena
SAVANNAH, Georgia - As I approach completion of three years of service as legal counsel for Savannah State University and as I prepare to help promote the rare opportunity for our hometown university to host a basketball game against an ACC school Saturday, I find myself reflecting on a new passion which can best be called “Tiger Pride.”
I started to experience it even before coming to work at the university in my interaction with the great number of successful and proud SSU alumni I met in the business, political and faith communities.
The sense of community and place at Savannah State was an attraction to a job that represented a fairly big change of direction for me.
I came to better understand what Tiger Pride was in my interactions with long-time staffers, faculty and administrators who I met at the cafeteria, at functions or just walking around the beautiful marsh view circle.
Savannah, Georgia -- Steve Davenport remembers as a player going through a tough stretch at Georgia Tech. During coach Bobby Ross’ first two years, the Yellow Jackets won only one game against Division I-A competition.
But Ross stayed his course to turn the program around. He demanded discipline and 12 freshmen quit the team his first year. He demanded academics and nine players with bad grades were gone. During Davenport’s junior season in 1987 (Ross’ first), Tech went 2-9 and as a senior, the Jackets won three games.
“As a player, it was tough to understand,” Davenport said. “Some of the guys (Ross) brought in, we practiced against and they could play, but he was building for the future. In his grand scheme it worked out.”
Two years later, in 1990, Georgia Tech won the national championship.
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Regardless of the outcome, Saturday's regular-season finale at Theodore Wright Stadium against South Carolina State will conclude another losing campaign for Savannah State.
Since moving up to the Football Championship Subdivision level, the Tigers have compiled an 18-98 record. Their last winning season came in 1998 under former S.C. State offensive coordinator Daryl "Brick" McNeil as a member of the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Savannah State's results have not improved in their first season as a full-fledged member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Since rallying to defeat North Carolina Central 33-30 at home on Sept. 24, the Tigers (1-10, 1-6) have dropped six straight and have amassed a total of 18 points in getting held to single digits in their last four outings.
Nevertheless, first-year Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport believes "the future's bright" for the program.
Savannah,Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport was disappointed with the results, but encouraged with what he saw during a 22-5 loss to Hampton last Saturday. The setback dropped the Tigers to 1-7 overall, heading into Saturday’s matchup with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leader Norfolk State.
“Late second quarter, I think we had seven true freshmen out there on defense and playing well,” Davenport said. “We think the future is going to be bright here.”
Four freshmen — free safety Vaughn Cornelia, linebacker Fredrick Fluker, nose tackle Leroy Cummings and rush end Wayne Burden — started on defense for the Tigers, who surrendered their fewest points of the season. SSU led 5-3 at half and trailed only 8-5 after three quarters.
Savannah, Georgia -- There are still four games to go in the football season for the Savannah State Tigers. After losing six of the first seven, you might think first-year coach Steve Davenport would be looking at younger players.
But Davenport isn’t using the final part of the season as an audition for next year. Particularly today on the Tigers’ homecoming.
“We’re not at that point,” said Davenport, whose squad meets Hampton University at 2 p.m. at T.A Wright Stadium. “I don’t want to toss the seniors aside just for the sake of looking at young kids. We’re going to play the best players. The guys we have playing are the older guys and they’re the best players.
“Our mentality the whole time is we’re going to play the best players. If the results aren’t good enough, then we have to go out and get better players.”
Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport doesn’t want to look backward — a direction his team was headed all too often a week ago.
But that was last week. Davenport and the Tigers are now looking ahead to building a new winning streak when they travel to Baltimore to meet Morgan State today at 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown.
“You can’t live your life looking backward,” Davenport said. “There’s nothing we can do about the loss to Howard now. We just have to focus on Morgan State and handle our business with Morgan.”
SSU (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) played poorly at an inopportune time against Howard a week ago. The Tigers were playing their first game on campus in nearly two years while re-opening their renovated T.A. Wright Stadium. It was also their first home MEAC game.
Savannah State (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) at Morgan State (2-3, 1-1 MEAC) When: Today, 1 p.m. Where: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, Md. TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM
Savannah, GA - The renovated T.A Wright Stadium is not even complete yet, but that didn't stop the Savannah State football team from hitting the field at their new home. Wednesday afternoon, Head Coach Steve Davenport and the Tigers opened up pre-season camp with a two hour practice on the new field turf at T.A Wright stadium.
"It feels good to get to work," said Davenport. "We're all about competition here...no job is taken yet." The Tigers are coming off a 1-10 season in 2010.
"There's a lot of excitement in the air all around campus," said Senior Running Back Justin Babb. "New" is the word around camp. In 2011 the Tigers have a new head coach, new conference in the MEAC, and a new stadium.
A total of ninety-four players have checked into camp under Tigers Coach Steve Davenport.
Atlanta (April 21, 2011) - University System of Georgia Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst announced today that she has appointed Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer at the University of Georgia (UGA) since 2006, to serve as interim president of Savannah State University (SSU), effective May 9, 2011. Dozier will step in as interim president for current SSU president Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., who served from July 2007 and who was not reappointed.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Dozier’s strong leadership skills during this transition. Savannah State University has a great deal of momentum and I am confident that the institution will be in excellent hands under Dr. Dozier,” Herbst said, “Most of our university leaders across this state know her from superb leadership on the system wide diversity initiative, so like me, they are familiar with her tremendous intellect, her charisma, and most of all, her profound openness and humanity.”
Dozier previously served as assistant vice president of academic affairs at the Gwinnett University Center from 2002-2006. She is a tenured Professor in the School of Social Work. Dozier served as the director of the interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program from 2003-2010. She has served as the lead co-principal investigator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $4.9M National Science Foundation (NSF) program with the goal of broadening participation of minority students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics since 2007. The partner institutions include Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University, Southern Polytechnic University, Georgia Perimeter College and UGA.
In addition, Dr. Dozier is a faculty researcher with the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies and Research at UGA and recently served as the co-executive producer of the Donald L. Hollowell Documentary: American Freedom Fighter, which aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting. She recently co- chaired the 50th anniversary of the desegregation at UGA entitled “Celebrating Courage”. Dr. Dozier is an affiliate faculty member of the African Studies Institute and the Institute of African American Studies. She has published widely in professional journals and books and is a well recognized public speaker.
Dozier is an active member of many professional and civic organizations, and was recently elected President of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education. Dr. Dozier earned a Doctorate in Social Welfare (DSW) from Hunter College, at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and received a Masters in Social Work from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta), School of Social Work and a Bachelors degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Plans regarding the search for a permanent presidential appointee at Savannah State will be announced at a later date.
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. addressed students, faculty, and staff Friday about the Georgia Board of Regents’ decision to not renew his contract, which expires June 30, 2011.
Yarbrough stressed that no misconduct occurred during his time as president.
“It is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal or violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia,” Yarbrough said. “In my opinion, and in this current climate, resigning would have implied misconduct on my part. I chose to stand on my principles of what is right.”
Yarbrough said when he arrived at SSU in 2007, he established four goals: improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates; continue strengthening academic programs; increase community partnerships; and ensure fiscal soundness. “I am happy to report that we achieved great success in all four categories,” he said.
Under Yarbrough’s leadership, SSU experienced unprecedented growth in various sectors, including: significant enrollment increases, major transformation of the campus, stability in the athletics department, new campus-community initiatives and the long-awaited return of teacher education preparation.
Savannah State’s fall 2010 enrollment reached 4,080 students, up from 3,200 students in fall 2007. The 6.8 percent enrollment increase from fall 2009 to fall 2010 was the highest percentage increase among the 13 state universities — and continued the upward trend that saw enrollment rise 10.6 percent between fall 2008 and fall 2009.
In February 2011, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved three, new degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science with a concentration in Chemistry or Biology; Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Secondary Education; and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education.
Savannah State University received more than $45.2 million in funds for 44 active research grants, including a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen the university’s research capacity and infrastructure to promote minority health and eliminate health disparities. The NIH grant is the largest research grant received in SSU history.
Construction will be completed by the fall 2011 semester on several key projects, initiated by the Yarbrough administration, including:
$17 million for the renovation of Wright Stadium and a new student center construction, financed by the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority.
$24 million - freshman housing complex that will add approximately 600 beds; the housing project includes the restoration of three buildings on the historic campus circle — Adams, Morgan and Camilla-Hubert halls — and once completed, all campus buildings will be occupied and operational.
Yarbrough initiated numerous campus beautification projects that have transformed the 196-acre site, including a soon-to-be open pavilion and lake near the canal and clearing of previously overgrown areas to expose the breathtaking views of the adjacent salt-water marsh.
In August 2010, Tiger Express diner opened, giving students a unique dining venue on the west end of campus. The $900,000 project was funded primarily by the SSU Real Estate Foundation LLC, Inc.
A $320,000 brick-and-iron perimeter fence designed to enhance campus safety was also completed in 2010 and paid for through the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Major Renovation and Repair Funds.
Approximately $3 million has been invested in new technology during the Yarbrough administration. The university’s first chief information officer was hired and technology infrastructure and systems were enhanced.
Contributions to the Annual Fund increased 467 percent during the Yarbrough administration. The Annual Fund campaign supports the university’s areas of greatest need, including student scholarships, faculty development, community outreach, athletics and student travel.
Savannah State University was extended provisional membership to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2010, positioning the athletic programs for post-season championship opportunities as well as national exposure. In fall 2011, SSU will participate as a full member.
The SSU Community Futures Corporation (CFC) was established in October 2010 to serve as a catalyst for public and private sector collaborations aimed at improving the educational, social and economic conditions of neighborhoods in the greater Savannah State community.
In 2008, SSU partnered with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, local entrepreneurs and philanthropists on the Savannah Education Initiative Scholarship Program.
During the Yarbrough administration, Savannah State University’s audit rating has continually improved. When he arrived in July 2007, the audit rating was a low of 5. The rating improved to a code of 3 in fiscal year 2007-2008, and to a code of 2 in 2008-2009. The Georgia Board of Regents Internal Audit Office annually rates the state audit reports on a scale from 1 (good) to 5 (bad). A rating for fiscal year 2009-2010 has not yet been released.
Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. was swarmed by well-wishers Friday after a meeting to clear the air about his unexpected departure.
It was not mismanagement, or alumni pressure, he said, but administrative differences with the State Board of Regents which resulted in the non-renewal of his contract.
“As president I believe I need to lead the university and plan for its future, and hopefully my administrative team will follow and the University System will support it,” Yarbrough said. “But responsible people often have differences in their approach and it is the system that makes the ultimate decision.
For this reason there has been conflict over the last few years.”
ATLANTA -- Earl G. Yarbrough will not continue as president of Savannah State University even if he isn’t selected as chancellor at Southern University because Tuesday he lost his job.
The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia voted not to renew Yarbrough’s annual contract to head the 4,000-student institution.
The board didn’t announce its reasons and held its discussion behind closed doors Tuesday along with other personnel matters. It met behind closed doors and then voted in “public session” after all of the members of the public attending the meeting had drifted away.
Earlier this month, the 64-year-old Yarbrough received the highest ranking among candidates for the Southern University post at the school’s Baton Rouge, La., campus. Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr., is expected to interview Yarbrough this week, along with five other candidates, and to name the new chancellor any day.
Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., former president for Savannah State University, said today at a press conference held in SSU's Torian Auditorium that he conducted himself well as president.
"First, it is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal, violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia," Yarbrough said. "Definitely no misconduct occurred over my four years as president."
Yarbrough says his vision for SSU was for it to expand, but he believes his approach was a source of conflict.
"As president I had a vision for SSU. My vision wasn't much different from that of most university presidents," Yarbrough said. " I believe we needed to grow, build an infrastructure and campus that would attract some of the best students in Georgia, this country, and internationally."
Savannah, GA - Savannah State University swept Florida A&M, 6-5 and 3-2, in a baseball doubleheader Saturday at Tiger Field. SSU (19-15) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the first game. The Tigers’ Matt Nowacki was 2-for-3, including a home run and two RBIs, and Matt Oglesby was 1-for-5 with two RBIs.
SSU starter Kevin Herlihy earned the win, striking out six, walking one and allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits in nine innings.
In the second game, the Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win. Kyle McGowin earned the win for SSU, striking out eight, walking three and allowing two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 9) - Savannah State used a pair of late inning rallies to rally past the Florida A&M University Baseball as they won game one 6-5 and game two 3-2 in a doubleheader here Saturday afternoon at Tiger Field.
In the first game, the Tigers score three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the come from behind win. FAMU (10-24) finished with nine hits, while SSU (19-15) finished with seven. The Rattlers had three players to finish with two hits each in Tobi Adeyemi, Cory Franklin and David Duncan, while Matthew Nowacki finished with two hits lead the Tigers.
Kevin Herlighy picked the win for SSU as he went the distance giving up nine hits, four earned runs and striking out six in nine innings on the mound.
Stephen Dollar (2-2) received the loss for FAMU as he gave up one hits, three earned runs, and striking out one in two-thirds innings of relief. A two-run homer by Jarryd Reid gave the Rattlers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Videographer: GCubeVision Tiger Talk Live is Savannah State University's first live television show! Geno & Dferg claw at the issues and trending topics that affects your everyday college students. What makes this show special? You! Not only is it a talk show but it's also an interactive show between Savannah State University students & our host. You can Tweet us @SSUTigerTalk or Facebook us your ideas & comments for the show!
Savannah State University Head Coach Horace Broadnax
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- (NCCUEaglePride.com) - The North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team committed 20 turnovers, shot just 3-for-12 from the three-point range, and played without its leading scorer, C.J. Wilkerson, who sat out Saturday’s MEAC Bonus Game at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum due to a fractured foot suffered two days ago as the Savannah State University Tigers outlasted the Eagles 64-50.
The resilient Eagles never once used Wilkerson’s injury as an excuse and in the first despite falling behind 15-7 with 14:57 to go, the resilient Eagles went on a 14-2 run to take a 21-17 lead forcing SSU head coach Horace Broadnax to call a timeout with 6:45 to go in the first frame.
During that span, five different Eagles scored baskets that began with freshman Jeremy Ingram’s layup. Following the timeout the Tigers quickly scored the next four points to tie it up and the game went back-and-forth the final five minutes until SSU’s Cedric Smith’s three-pointer with 31 seconds left gave the Tigers the 30-27 halftime lead.
The men’s basketball program at Savannah State gets a glimpse of the future today.
The Tigers will play North Carolina Central at 11 a.m. at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C. Currently as an Independent, SSU (11-18) isn’t exactly part of March Madness’ conference tournament hoopla. The Tigers will begin play in the MEAC next season.
“The guys are getting the chance to see what we’ll be part of next season,” SSU coach Horace Broadnax said. “Obviously, we’re not advancing but I think the guys will have a chance to see how (tournament) games become more intense in a one-and-done setting.”
Broadnax and the Tigers left campus Thursday and viewed part of the tournament quarterfinals Thursday night and the semifinals Friday.
EAGLES, TIGERS TO MEET IN MEAC TOURNAMENT BONUS GAME
The NCCU Sports Network will broadcast the MEAC Tournament Bonus Game only on the internet on Saturday due to a scheduling conflict, but fans are encouraged to tune in beginning at a 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12 for a special edition of Eagle Gameday presented by the Hilton RTP. Play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks and color analyst Joe SImmons will bring all the live action from the Lawrence Joel Colisuem.
Coach Steve Davenport may be a newcomer on the scene, but he is determined to make Savannah State University's football team the team to watch in 2011.
The married Atlanta native and father of one, has always had a love of sports dating back to his days as a All-American wide receiver at Southwest Dekalb High School and a wide receiver for Georgia Tech.
"I was a little league baseball player and never played football until I got into high school and I've always been a sports guy," Davenport said.
The new head coach started off 2011 by hiring former Georgia Tech football players William Bell, Thomas Balkcom, C. Angelo Wyatt, Greg Lester and former All-Pro wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, Terance Mathis, as his new assistant coaches.
"I have the up most confidence in the gentlemen I hired and have known them for quite some time," Davenport said.
In addition to the five assistant coaches, Davenport has landed 24 recruits from various parts of the country. Davenport is confident the new recruits will be the boost that SSU needs.
" I think these guys are good football players and good students as well," Davenport said." I think they will be a tremendous asset to the SSU community."
Ezinne Kalu's free throw with 4 seconds to play gave Savannah State University a 75-74 victory over Morris College in a women's basketball game Thursday night at Tiger Arena. A crowd of 610 watched as Kalu scored a game-high 34 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead SSU (12-10). Rikiah Gatlin added 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Morris College (7-17), an NAIA team from Sumter, S.C., was led by Tyneshia Eaddy, who scored 23 points. Staci Holmes and Erica Wilkerson scored 13 points apiece.
Morris led twice in the game. The Hornets took their first lead, 69-67, with 2:53 to play on Shaniqua Campbell's layup. SSU's Kalu made two free throws with 1:52 left to tie the game at 69.
After two years of waiting, TE Shannon Sharpe was one of the seven players chosen to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday evening.
A seventh-round draft choice in 1990, Sharpe went on to be named to the 1990s All-Decade team. He racked up four All-Pro nods and three Super Bowl titles before calling it quits in 2003. At the time of his retirement, he was number one all-time amongst tight ends in both receiving yards and receptions. He's since been passed in both categories by Tony Gonzalez, but is unquestionably one of the greatest to ever play his position.
Videographer: gridironvids; Top Ten Draft Steals: Shannon Sharpe
Position: Tight end
Height: 6-2 Weight: 230
Teams: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens
• 14 seasons, 204 games
• Selected by Denver in the seventh round (192nd overall) of 1990 draft.
• At time of retirement, his 815 career receptions and 10,060 yards and 62 TDs were all NFL career records for a tight end.
• His 214 receiving yards vs. Kansas City in 2002 is an NFL single-game record for a tight end.
• Tied NFL record with 13 receptions in single postseason game (vs. Raiders, 1993).
• Three times during career amassed over 1,000 yards receiving.
SAVANNAH, Ga.- A new stadium, a new conference, a new coach and five home games highlight the 2011 Savannah State football schedule.
The Tigers will play in a brand new Theodore A. Wright Stadium as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) under the direction of new head football coach Steve Davenport. After playing just two home games last year, SSU will play five games at home in 2011, all against MEAC opponents.
Included in the schedule are first ever matchups with Southeastern Louisiana and Appalachian State as well as eight MEAC games. SSU will start the season with four road games.
Savannah State will play former Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Albany State on September 3 at a yet to be determined location.
After road trips to Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 10) and Appalachian State (Sept. 17), the Tigers will play their first official MEAC game on the road against North Carolina Central on Sept. 24.
SSU will play Howard on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. for their first home contest of the season in the “Coming Home/Hall of Fame Game”.
Following a road trip to Morgan State (Oct. 8), the Tigers return home for a three-game home stand.
Savannah State will play host to Florida A&M (Oct. 15) for “Church & Community Day” at 7 p.m.
After an OPEN date on Oct. 22, SSU will celebrate HOMECOMING on Oct. 29 against Hampton at 2:00 p.m.
Norfolk State visits the Port City on November 5 for “Band Weekend/High School Day” and SSU travels to Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 12.
The Tigers close out the 2011 campaign on Nov 19 with South Carolina State on “Senior Day/Military Appreciation Day”.
MEAC games on the schedule include NCCU, Howard, Morgan, FAMU, Hampton, Norfolk State, Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State.
Albany State, Appalachian State, Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State all made the playoffs in 2010. Albany State made the Division II playoffs while the remaining schools participated in the FCS playoffs.
Two days after announcing the hiring of five assistants, first-year Savannah State University football coach Steve Davenport on Wednesday announced the signing of 20 players to national letters of intent.
Davenport, who was hired Jan. 7 after four seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, signed 13 players from Georgia high schools. None of the signees are from the Coastal Empire.
"I don't have a lot of relationships that were built in Savannah, but I will," said Davenport, a 43-year-old Decatur native. "We're going to extend ourselves to the coaches in the community, and to the community as a whole. But this wasn't an opportunity to do that. I got the job so late I hit the ground running, and ran to where I knew I would be accepted. We'll get to the people of Savannah."
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport announced the signing of 20 young men who have decided to continue their educational career at SSU. “We wanted to bring in quality student-athletes and good football players,” said Davenport.
Of the 20 signees, 13 hail from the state of Georgia in the Atlanta metro area. Davenport thinks that linebacker Jordan Mincy, wide receiver Vaughn Cornelia, defensive lineman Evince Dossous, wide receiver Kristopher Drummond and defensive end Brandon Rhodes could come in a possibly get some playing time early.
Videographer:wsav.com, SSU's Davenport Preps for Coaching Hires and National Signing Day
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State head football coach Steve Davenport has hired five assistant coaches to join his coaching staff.
Among those are former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Terance Mathisand former Georgia Tech football players Thomas Balkcom, William Bell and Greg Lester. C. Angelo Wyattround out the staff hires.
Mathis will serve as offensive coordinator/inside receivers coach; Balkcom will be the defensive backs coach; Bell will work with the running backs; Lester will be the assistant head coach/outside receivers coach; and Wyatt will serve as the linebackers coach.
Mathis attended Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., and University of New Mexico, where he played both football and basketball. In 1989, he became New Mexico's first consensus All-American after setting a Division I record for most receiving yards. He also became the first player to have more than 250 receptions, 4,000 receiving yards, and 6,000 yards total. Drafted in 1990 by the New York Jets, he played the majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. He last played in the NFL in 2002 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then retired in 2004.
Videographer: capturedliving; 2010 Terance Mathis' Elite 1 Football Camp
Coach Balkcom
Balkcom comes to SSU from University High School in Orlando, Florida where he coached defensive backs and was the special teams coordinator. The Miami, Fla. native was head coach at Pine Ridge HS in Deltona, Fla. and Miami Jackson Senior HS in Miami, Fla. He has also coached at Decatur HS and Southwest Dekalb HS both in Decatur, Ga. He was a defensive assistant at Central Florida and Morehouse and Morris Brown. While attending Georgia Tech, he was defensive co-captain of the 1990 national championship team and was named defensive MVP of the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Bell comes to Savannah State from Edward Waters in Jacksonville, Fla. While at EWC, Bell has served as interim head coach, assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, running backs coach, video coordinator and football academic specialist. Bell has been at Edward Waters since 2004. He was also a member of the Tech 1990 national championship team and has 2,026 career rushing yards as a Yellow Jacket. Bell played with the Washington Redskins from 1994-96.
Lester comes to SSU from Lakeside High School in Decatur, GA where he was head football coach. He also served as head golf coach and was a business education teacher. In 1990 as a wide receiver at Tech, Lester caught 16 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns and in 1991 he hauled in 35 receptions for 676 yards and five touchdowns.
Coach Wyatt
Wyatt worked at Bethune-Cookman for 13 years where he was assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach. Wyatt brings more than 20 years of knowledge to SSU as he has coached on both the college and high school levels of athletics. Prior to arriving at Bethune-Cookman, Wyatt established the Urban League for Disadvantaged Children (ULDAC) in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.
Davenport plans to add two additional full-time coaches to the staff.
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Mount St. Mary's fell to Savannah State, 45-41, in a hard-fought game on Thursday night. Trailing 44-38, the Mount's Josh Castellanos drained a three-pointer from the top of the key to cut the deficit to 44-41 with 1:50 on the clock. It was the Mount's only three-point basket of the game.
