Elon Opens Charlotte Smith Era With Win Over Virginia Union

ELON, N.C. – Charlotte Smith earned her first win as Elon head women’s basketball coach in impressive fashion on Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Phoenix used a second-half surge to cruise to a 70-46 win over Virginia Union inside Alumni Gym in the regular-season opener for both squads.
 
“We came out of the gates a little bit slow today, so we’ll need to work on coming out more focused on our defense and rebounding moving forward,” Smith said. “We had a lot more intensity in the second half and our team did an incredible job on the boards.
 
Overall, it feels great to get the victory today. It took some time for us to pull away but we’re excited with the win and we know there’s still a lot of room to get better.”
 
Juniors Ali Ford and Kelsey Evans led the Phoenix offense in the win, as the preseason all-conference selections combined for 40 points in the victory. Ford led all scorers with 26 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including a 5-of-13 clip from three-point land. Evans recorded her 16th career double-double with 14 points and a game-high 15 boards and three blocks in the win.

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Free Throws Help Virginia Union Down Clarion in PSAC-CIAA Challenge

California, Pennsylvania -- Calvin Brown sank two free throws with seven seconds left to give Virginia Union an 82-81 victory over Clarion in the opening round of the PSAC/CIAA Challenge at California, Pennsylvania Friday.

The challenge pits schools of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference against the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Golden Eagles (0-1) had just taken the lead 81-80 when Quintus "Bud" Teers sank two free throws of his own with 24 seconds remaining in a seesaw contest. However, teammate Paul McQueen fouled Brown as he tried to muscle up a shot at the other end of the court.

Clarion's Calvin Edward missed a jumper with two seconds left and time ran out before anyone could get to the rebound. Brown finished with 22 points for the Panthers (1-0), who gave new head coach Lugman Jabeer his first win.

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Virginia Union Panthers Lasso Broncos of Fayetteville State

Richmond, Virginia - It was Senior Day at Virginia Union University (VUU) and the last game of the 2011 football season as the Panthers took the field against the Broncos of Fayetteville State University (FSU).

It was also VUU's final opportunity to salvage at least a .500 season in what can only be referred to as another disappointing season. The crimson and steel began the season in rather stellar fashion as they rolled up a 4-2 record before the wheels began to fall off its high-octane offense. The Panthers have lost their last three outings including a heart-breaking loss to what can be considered as its cross-town rival, Virginia State University by a score of 34-19.

Fayetteville States' Broncos by contrast have been on a winning streak having won their last four games after opening the season horrendously by losing its first 4 games.

Both teams had identical conference records at kick-off time at VUUs' Hovey Field (4-5) so fireworks were anticipated as each team set out to finish the season on a winning note.

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Velasquez's Field Goal Lifts Panthers on Senior Day

Virginia Union University's Stephen Velasquez hit a 25-yard field goal with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Panthers to a 17-14 win over Fayetteville State University in VUU's season finale on November 5 in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.

VUU's Richard Rodwell rushed 75 yards and a touchdown while teammate Terrence Malone also rushed for a score. Senior quarterback Cheston Hickman completed nine of 17 passes for 137 yards. Fellow senior Raymond Mack caught five passes for 90 yards.

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Big Apple Classic 2011, Howard vs. Hampton; Virginia Union vs. Virginia State at Madison Square Garden - New York

Johnson C. Smith vs. Virginia Union

Freshman Wallace leads Golden Bulls

Charlotte, North Carolina -- Keahn Wallace isn't wasting time making a difference for J.C. Smith football.

The Golden Bulls' quarterback leads the CIAA in passing yards (1,426) and total offense (1,752) and is on pace to break the school's season passing mark of 2,129 yards set last year by Harding High graduate Ryan Carter. The Golden Bulls (3-3), who play Virginia Union at 1 p.m. today at McGirt Field, have already eclipsed last year's two-win campaign.

"I couldn't have done it without my (offensive) line and defense giving me opportunities and (tailback) Dedrick Anderson coming out of the backfield helped me a lot," said Wallace, a freshman from Homestead, Fla. "Without them and the receivers, none of this would be possible."

The freshman debuted with a bang, completing 16-of-25 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns in the Golden Bulls' 64-27 win against West Virginia State.



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Bowie State Falls in First Loss of Season, 32-29, to Virginia Union

Richmond, Virginia - The Bowie State (BSU)Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Virginia Union University(VUU), 32-29, in a Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) football matchup on Sept. 24 in Richmond, Va.

The Bulldogs have been a very explosive offensive team so far this season, but it was VUU who made most off their offensive plays on Saturday. Virginia Union quarterback Cheston Hickman completed 19 of 35 passes for 320 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pitch to Jerrell Washington in the third quarter. Washington also rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns as VUU accumulated more than 500 total offensive yards.

Meanwhile, Bowie State didn’t find its usual offensive rhythm, turning the ball over three times. BSU senior quarterback Clifton Budd rushed for 141 yards and passed for 247 yards. But he also tossed a costly interception and the Bulldogs gave up two fumbles.

Defense stands tall for Lincoln in CIAA opener

WEST GROVE, PA — Coming into the season, Lincoln knew it should be able to count on its defense. Afterall, the Lions brought back just about everybody from a defense that was nationally ranked last season. In turning back visiting Virginia Union 19-10 on Saturday night, Lincoln's defense turned in a stellar performance that keyed the Lions' first CIAA win since topping Livingstone on the road two years ago.

"I'm proud of the job our offense did today,too," said Lions' coach OJ Abanishe. "We came in with what might have looked like a risky game plan, but it was just really a bunch of screens and shorter high percentage passes. But the guys executed very well, and put points on the board."

Up 3-0 in the second, Matthew Coston shook a defender and found himself all alone on the right sideline, and quarterback LaQuan Williams hit him in stride for a 22-yard gain and Lincoln's lone touchdown on the day.

Williams completed 20 of 40 passes on the day for ...



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Virginia Union blanks Benedict to win Palmetto Capital City Classic, 27-0

COLUMBIA, SC - Virginia Union University capitalized on four Benedict College turnovers to beat the Tigers 27-0 in the 10th annual Palmetto Capital City Classic Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers (0-1) lost their season opener and the Palmetto Capital City Classic for the second straight year. Virginia Union improved to 2-0 on the season.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and drove to the Virginia Union 12-yard line before losing the first fumble of the day and ending the scoring threat. After the Panthers had taken a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, the Tigers saw another drive snuffed when quarterback Johnny Carson had the ball ripped out of his hands and Virginia Union's Antonio Harris raced 58 yards for another VUU touchdown.

GALLERY:Palmetto Classic

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Virginia Union University football opens season today

Richmond, VA - Kevin Grisby knows he's lucky to have a job. On May 9, his position as head football coach at Saint Paul's was terminated when the school cut the athletics program to keep the school alive.

Players and coaches were left scrambling to find new teams. Virginia Union hired Grisby as defensive coordinator. Others weren't as fortunate. Some coaches haven't found jobs, yet. Some players are still without a team.

"Bad timing," Grisby said. "It was pretty tough on the kids and the coaches."



His job description includes installing a new defense at Virginia Union, transitioning to a new school and a new team and helping abandoned Saint Paul's players find new homes. His first chance to showcase his defense comes today, when Union hosts Saint Augustine's in the season opener at 2 p.m. The game was scheduled late because both teams were supposed to play Saint Paul's this year.

Grisby served as Union's defensive coordinator from 1997-2003. He was part of the 2001 squad that claimed the CIAA championship.

Live Stats  Live Audio  

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Virginia Union's David Mims Signs with the Kansas City Chiefs

Richmond, VA - Virginia Union University's David Mims has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, Mims announced on July 26. Mims announced the signing via his Twitter account.

"Happy to say that I am officially a Kansas City Chief" Mims tweeted on the morning of July 26.

Mims, a 6-8 offensive lineman from Charlotte, N.C., anchored a VUU offensive line which allowed Panther runners to rush for 1,884 yards in 2010 and set a school-record 490 rushing yards against Virginia State University in 2009.

Mims becomes the first Virginia Union football player to sign with an NFL team since Jerome Leslie signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004.

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Virginia Union: NFL draft holds hope for ex-South Meck star

David Mims

The NFL draft is a strange way to enter the workforce. Imagine watching ESPN Saturday and hearing that in the fifth round you've been selected by Presbyterian Hospital, Duke Energy or Charlotte Magazine. Don't you wish it were Sunday, and the draft had ended, and you knew what would come next?

"No," says David Mims. "I want to see how it plays out."

Mims, 23, was an All-Southwestern 4A offensive tackle at South Mecklenburg High and three times All-CIAA and twice Division II All-America at Virginia Union. He guesses he'll be selected Saturday in the fifth round of the NFL draft. His agent, Greg Linton, hopes for the fifth round.

Linton works for Hall of Fame Sports out of Canton, Ohio. Mims and his mother Regina and father Davvie and an uncle and an 80-year-old grandmother and few close relatives and friends will fly to Canton Friday morning.

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BSU Lady Bulldogs Win Two at Virginia Union 15-1 and 13-5

Senior Catcher, Danielle McClay

RICHMOND, Va. - The Bowie State University Lady Bulldogs won their sixth straight game, improved its season record to 20-16, 14-4 CIAA and swept Virginia Union University 15-1 and 13-5.

In the first game, Virginia Union's Valeria Cantu gave up just three earned runs and the Lady Panthers committed nine errors.

Bowie State rocked VUU pitching for 14 hits in the opener with sophomore Justine Smith (Silver Spring, MD, James Hurbert Blake) leading the Lady Bulldogs with three hits in four plate appearances. Four other BSU players had at least two hits in the first game of the doubleheader.

Freshmen Mariela Hernandez (Del Rio, TX, Los Fresnos) and Renelle Traylor (Hayward, CA, San Lorenzo) shared Bowie State pitching responsibilities going three and two innings respectively. Hernandez improved her season record to 7-5, striking out five.

In the night-cap, VUU's Linnette Johnson also gave up just three earned runs, but the Lady Panthers committed 10 errors.

Freshman Adria Lewis (Cumberland, MD, Fort Hill) tallied two hits in game two and five other BSU players recorded one hit each. Traylor led Bowie State with three RBI in the final game to go along with her fourth homerun of the season. Senior Danielle McClay (Silver Spring, MD, Montgomery Blair) also went deep in the nightcap, marking her fifth homer of the year.

Bowie State will close out the regular season with a non-conference makeup doubleheader, hosting Millersville (Pa.) University at 2 pm., April 19.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE GAME 2 BOX SCORE

By Bowie State Sports Information
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OT David Mims has worked out for Chiefs, Lions, Ravens

David Mims is expected to be drafted in
the 5th or 6th Round of the 2011 NFL Draft

Virginia Union offensive tackle David Mims has worked out for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
He has also visited the Ravens this month.

The imposing lineman is 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds after playing at nearly 350 pounds for the majority of his career. Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.

The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.

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Virginia Union OT David Mims visits the Baltimore Ravens

Virginia Union University's 2-Time
All-American, David Mims

OWINGS MILLS, MD -- Virginia Union offensive tackle David Mims visited the Baltimore Ravens this week, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. The hulking Virginia Union offensive tackle is 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds after playing at nearly 350 pounds for the majority of his career.

Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.

The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: David Mims, OT, Virginia Union

Every season there are a handful of small-school players who seemingly come out of nowhere, which is where they really are on the college football landscape, and make it into the NFL. Let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile to look at one player who might fill that bill this time around.

David Mims is a massive (6-foot-8, 331 pounds) offensive tackle from Virginia Union. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post was sold on Mims after watching his Pro Day. He wrote:

At 6-8, 331-pounds he’s definitely more of a right-sided player at the next level who is going to need some proper time to develop. However, physically and athletically the guy certainly possesses an NFL caliber skill set. He carries his weight well, has a thick base, long arms and displays natural fluidity and change of direction skills through contact when engaged.

Mims also still has a ton of upside to his game and after his impressive pro day workout he definitely has scouts buzzing about his long term potential. I spoke with a scout this weekend who told me following his workout, "Unfortunately he’s not a sleeper anymore."

Small school OT David Mims is no longer a “sleeper”

When I was going over small school tape this summer, I was instantly intrigued by the size of Virginia Union OL David Mims who at 6-8 and 350+ pounds was at the time one of the bigger prospects in the entire draft. Now, it was pretty obvious that he didn’t have a firm grasp on what he was doing from a technique standpoint. However, for his size he was an impressive athlete with a long, strong set of arms, could bend and displayed some natural explosion off the football.

He was an absolute dominant force at the D-II level and really opened my eyes with his ability to get out to the second level, breakdown and just destroy opponents on contact.

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Virginia Union picks Jaaber to replace Coker as head coach

Virginia Union University has handed the keys to its men's basketball program to Luqman Jaaber, a 30-year-old regarded as a young gun in the coaching business.

Jaaber takes the place of Willard Coker, who guided the Panthers to a 55-25 record in three seasons, but whose contract was not renewed last week.

The new coach was named the 1999 Times-Dispatch player of the year as a senior at George Wythe. In 2005, he helped Virginia Union win a national championship under coach Dave Robbins, who regarded Jaaber as a coach on the floor. Robbins often would ask Jaaber to pass along a certain instruction to the team, only to find that Jaaber already had done so.


Videographer: jsjunot; Virginia Union University introduces Luqman Jaaber as the Panthers' head men's basketball coach on March 30, 2011.

Luqman Jaaber Named Head Men's Basketball Coach

Virginia Union University named Luqman Jaaber to become the eighth coach in the history of the VUU men's basketball program, it was announced at a press conference in the Wilder Library on March 30.

Jaaber was introduced as the Panthers' head coach by VUU President Dr. Claude G. Perkins and Athletic Director Michael Bailey.

Jaaber, 30, had been an assistant coach for the VUU men's basketball team in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and was the captain of VUU's 2005 National Championship Basketball Team.

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Coker is out as coach at Virginia Union University

Coach Willard Coker

Virginia Union will not renew the contract of men's basketball coach Willard Coker, who confirmed the decision Saturday. The administration notified him Thursday. Coker was hired in 2008 to replace legendary coach Dave Robbins, who won 713 games and three national championships with the Panthers.

Coker served as an assistant for 23 years under Robbins and was described as a perfect fit to take over the program. In three seasons, Coker had a record of 55-25.

In his first season, the Panthers advanced to the NCAA tournament. In the last two, they were eliminated in their first game of the CIAA tournament.

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WSSU knows task at hand vs. Virginia Union

RICHMOND, Va. -- Two of the most storied men's basketball programs in the CIAA will meet tonight when Winston-Salem State takes on Virginia Union.

The Rams and Panthers have combined to win 28 CIAA titles, and both are expected to contend this season. Coach Bobby Collins of WSSU, whose team is coming off a 67-56 win over Virginia State, said he's looking forward to the game, which will be the Rams' third in five days. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

"We will be prepared, and we will know what they do and what they have," Collins said of the Panthers. "We just have to go out and play like we are capable. We can't let them go out and beat us on the boards. We have to take care of the basketball, and if we can do that, we can be in the game."

The Panthers (3-3) are 1-0 in the CIAA with...

PHOTOS: Image Gallery for Rams tough

Medley nets 24 as Winston-Salem State topples Virginia State

ETTRICK, VA - The Virginia State women's basketball team was undone by a Medley of 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers and dribble drives against Winston-Salem State on Thursday. The likes of which cut the Trojans so deep, not even a Taylor could stitch things back together.

WSSU junior Courtney Medley and VSU senior Rhon'Neisha Taylor both racked up 24 points, but Medley erupted for 11 points down the stretch to spur the Lady Rams to a 63-53 road victory at Daniel Gymnasium. The matchup was the first CIAA game of the year for the Lady Trojans, who were picked to finish first in the conference in a preseason poll. VSU coach James Hill said the loss was the result of poor defensive rotation.

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Big Apple Classic: Brad Byerson's 26 points power VUU past VSU in New York City

NEW YORK -- Braxton Byerson swiveled toward the Spike Lee seats at Madison Square Garden and yapped with the fans at yesterday's Big Apple Classic. He had just hit an important 3-pointer at the end of the first half to solidify a lead Virginia Union (2-0) did not relinquish in a 66-46 win over rival Virginia State (1-4).

Byerson soaked in the moment. His screams stretched through the iconic arena. His post-shot swagger made him the game's most theatrical performer. But it was his scoring -- 26 points, trumping the 23 he scored on the same court last season -- that made the difference in the victory.

"Coach said when I first got here, 'You're a crowd pleaser,'" Byerson said. "It just always stuck with me. I just get in touch with the crowd when they start talking to me. It just gives me energy. I feed off it. I tend to play better when I feed off it."

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VUU Donaldson Reaches 2,000 Yard Plateau

Virginia Union University's Tarian Donaldson rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, but Elizabeth City State University downed VUU 17-14 in Elizabeth City, N.C., on October 9.

Donaldson became only the third Panther in the last 10 years to reach the 2,000-yard plateau in his career. The senior running back from Virginia Beach, VA, now has 2,022 career yards. Andre Braxton and Elihu Smith are the other Panthers to rush for more than 2,000 yards in their careers during the last decade.

Vikings hold off Panthers

Elizabeth City State’s football team’s motto this season is “Seal the Deal.” On Saturday, the Vikings had several chances to seal the game and ultimately had to turn to a handful of backups to secure a 17-14 win over Virginia Union.

New chancellor's box boost to ECSU plans ‎

Fans at Roebuck Stadium Saturday noticed a new structure on the home side. A new chancellor’s suite was installed last week and will remain in place for Elizabeth City State’s final two home games. The building is a temporary structure that filled an immediate need Vikings’ officials saw.

Photo Gallery: ECSU vs Virginia Union, Saturday, Oct 9, 2010.

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Chowan Hawks Hang on for First Season Win over Virginia Union

MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Chowan University football team picked up their first win of season this afternoon after beating Virginia Union University 35-34 in CIAA gridiron action. Playing in their first-ever televised event, Chowan held on to the one point win despite a late surge by the Panthers.

Chowan's Robert Holland hauled in 11 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns to help propel his team to victory. The Hawks improve their overall record to 1-4 and their CIAA record to 1-1. The Panthers fall to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the league after today.

Chowan collected 345 yards of total offense in the game with 234 yards coming through the air. Chowan's Steven Carroll came in for relief of starter Cameron Stover to throw for 183 yards on 19 completions. Carroll also threw three of today's four touchdowns. Stover, still nursing a shoulder injury, left the game in the second quarter but completed six passes for 51 yards and hooked up with Holland to put Chowan on the board in the first quarter.

Virginia Union University - Epic VUU Comeback Falls Just Short

A furious Virginia Union University comeback in the waning seconds of a regionally televised football game fell just short as Chowan University escaped with a 35-34 win over the Panthers in Murfreesboro, N.C., on October 2.

Trailing 35-21 with less than three minutes left to play, backup quarterback Cheston Hickman, playing in place of the injured Aris McGlone-English, led a seven-play 60-yard drive to pull the Panthers to within 35-28. Hickman capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Andre Winston with 1:22 left to play. Union then recovered the ensuing onside kick at their own 36-yard line.

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