Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville State safety Andre Lyles has been trained well. It's easy to see that. For when asked Monday to describe his emotions heading into Saturday's Two Rivers Classic against UNC-Pembroke, Lyles shrugged and played the "just another game" card.
"This rivalry doesn't necessarily flip a switch for me," he said. "It's just another football game. We try to win and we treat every game the same. So the rivalry won't be a big issue."
Don't, however, take that sentiment at face value. Ed McLean, Fayetteville State's athletic director, certainly didn't. McLean knows full well that no matter how composed Lyles seemed at Monday's press conference, his adrenaline will inevitably spike Saturday when the Broncos storm onto the turf at Nick Jeralds Stadium to square off against UNCP for the third straight season.
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Showing posts with label UNC-Pembroke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNC-Pembroke. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Chowan University makes historic move to join CIAA in 2008
By Michael N. Graff, Fayetteville Observer
Chowan will join the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association as a football-only member, becoming the first non-historically black college or university to affiliate with the conference.
The Hawks, who are in the process of moving from Division III to Division II, will join CIAA play next fall.
The move verifies the CIAA’s interest in becoming more diverse, and confirms the door is open for other non-HBCUs — including UNC-Pembroke.
“Our vision for the CIAA is to grow all aspects of the conference including educational synergies, athletic competition and to create a dynamic mixture of culture, history and geographic relevance,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in a release. “We feel that Chowan University joining our football program is a great step on that path.”
Chowan has struggled in football recently, earning its first win since 2005 by beating Methodist two weeks ago.
About six years ago, Chowan attempted to join the Division III USA South Athletic Conference, which includes Methodist. But after a provisional period, the USA South voted not to extend an invitation to be a full-fledged member.
Fayetteville State Athletic Director Ed McLean said Monday he was excited about the new addition. But, he said, Chowan must prove itself worthy.
“I have my doubts,” McLean said. “It’ll be interesting to see.”
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania is scheduled to join the CIAA in 2009. It is starting a football program the same year. That would give the conference 12 football members.
But McLean said he is still waiting to complete Fayetteville State’s schedule for next year, because he anticipates another entry.
Chowan actually plays UNC-Pembroke this weekend. The CIAA has issued an invitation to UNC-Pembroke, which started its football program this year.
UNC-Pembroke Athletic Director Dan Kenney was out of the office and unavailable for comment Monday.
Chowan Athletic Website: http://www.gocuhawks.com/
----------------
Daily Press
Chowan to make historic move
The predominantly white N.C. school to join the historically black CIAA in football.
Chowan University will join the Division II CIAA as a member in football for the 2008 season, the league announced on Tuesday.
The arrangement is believed to be ground-breaking.
Leon Kerry, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, said he knows of no other instance of a predominantly white institution joining an historically black athletic conference.
Chowan, in Murfreesboro, N.C., not far from the Virginia border, is close to CIAA member Elizabeth City State and a short distance from the Hampton Roads, long a hotbed for CIAA fans and alumni. Other CIAA schools in Virginia include Virginia State in Petersburg and Virginia Union in Richmond. Former CIAA members include Hampton University and Norfolk State.
"We have a plan where we can help each other, and we're working on a great sports relationship," Kerry said. "We want to be out of the box in our thinking. That's how we maintain our success."
He said Chowan might eventually join the CIAA in other sports.
Chowan currently is a Division I member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and a Division II member of the NCAA where the CIAA and its school also are members.
"Chowan University is thrilled at the opportunity to become a part of the CIAA football culture," Chowan president M. Christopher White said. "We look forward to developing a relationship with the conference and its athletic programs."
Kerry said CIAA league officials began talking with Chowan officials over the summer, put together a plan and presented it to the CIAA board of directors.
"The CIAA member institutions are excited to have Chowan University and the Hawks join the conference's football member teams, said Dr. Dianne B. Suber, Chair, CIAA Board of Directors. "Chowan University's membership affirms the CIAA's commitment to building a diverse and competitive Conference and represents a new chapter in the CIAA's history of blazing new trails and raising the bar in NCAA Division II sports."
The CIAA has a rich history stemming from the days of segregation and continues to have one of the nation's most successful college basketball postseason tournaments, which continues to draw alumni even from the former CIAA schools.
Chowan will join the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association as a football-only member, becoming the first non-historically black college or university to affiliate with the conference.
The Hawks, who are in the process of moving from Division III to Division II, will join CIAA play next fall.
The move verifies the CIAA’s interest in becoming more diverse, and confirms the door is open for other non-HBCUs — including UNC-Pembroke.
“Our vision for the CIAA is to grow all aspects of the conference including educational synergies, athletic competition and to create a dynamic mixture of culture, history and geographic relevance,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in a release. “We feel that Chowan University joining our football program is a great step on that path.”
Chowan has struggled in football recently, earning its first win since 2005 by beating Methodist two weeks ago.
About six years ago, Chowan attempted to join the Division III USA South Athletic Conference, which includes Methodist. But after a provisional period, the USA South voted not to extend an invitation to be a full-fledged member.
Fayetteville State Athletic Director Ed McLean said Monday he was excited about the new addition. But, he said, Chowan must prove itself worthy.
“I have my doubts,” McLean said. “It’ll be interesting to see.”
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania is scheduled to join the CIAA in 2009. It is starting a football program the same year. That would give the conference 12 football members.
But McLean said he is still waiting to complete Fayetteville State’s schedule for next year, because he anticipates another entry.
Chowan actually plays UNC-Pembroke this weekend. The CIAA has issued an invitation to UNC-Pembroke, which started its football program this year.
UNC-Pembroke Athletic Director Dan Kenney was out of the office and unavailable for comment Monday.
Chowan Athletic Website: http://www.gocuhawks.com/
----------------
Daily Press
Chowan to make historic move
The predominantly white N.C. school to join the historically black CIAA in football.
Chowan University will join the Division II CIAA as a member in football for the 2008 season, the league announced on Tuesday.
The arrangement is believed to be ground-breaking.
Leon Kerry, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, said he knows of no other instance of a predominantly white institution joining an historically black athletic conference.
Chowan, in Murfreesboro, N.C., not far from the Virginia border, is close to CIAA member Elizabeth City State and a short distance from the Hampton Roads, long a hotbed for CIAA fans and alumni. Other CIAA schools in Virginia include Virginia State in Petersburg and Virginia Union in Richmond. Former CIAA members include Hampton University and Norfolk State.
"We have a plan where we can help each other, and we're working on a great sports relationship," Kerry said. "We want to be out of the box in our thinking. That's how we maintain our success."
He said Chowan might eventually join the CIAA in other sports.
Chowan currently is a Division I member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and a Division II member of the NCAA where the CIAA and its school also are members.
"Chowan University is thrilled at the opportunity to become a part of the CIAA football culture," Chowan president M. Christopher White said. "We look forward to developing a relationship with the conference and its athletic programs."
Kerry said CIAA league officials began talking with Chowan officials over the summer, put together a plan and presented it to the CIAA board of directors.
"The CIAA member institutions are excited to have Chowan University and the Hawks join the conference's football member teams, said Dr. Dianne B. Suber, Chair, CIAA Board of Directors. "Chowan University's membership affirms the CIAA's commitment to building a diverse and competitive Conference and represents a new chapter in the CIAA's history of blazing new trails and raising the bar in NCAA Division II sports."
The CIAA has a rich history stemming from the days of segregation and continues to have one of the nation's most successful college basketball postseason tournaments, which continues to draw alumni even from the former CIAA schools.
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