WSSU's Hayes says he is eager for Legacy Weekend

Winston-Salem State has a long and deep basketball tradition, and Athletics Director Bill Hayes wants the younger generation to know about it. Hayes has planned a “homecoming-like event” on Jan. 21-22 to highlight that tradition and to bring it to life.

Past greats such as Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Cleo Hill and Ted Blunt are expected to attend the school’s first Legacy Weekend — an event Hayes hopes to hold annually to showcase the accomplishments of WSSU’s basketball greats.



Rams Legacy class

• Ted Blunt (1962-65): Played on 1963 CIAA championship team; third-team NAIA All-America in 1964.

• Jack DeFares (1955-57): Known as the “Kangaroo Kid,” helped Rams to 1957 CIAA title; All-CIAA three times.

• George Foree (1959-62): Along with Cleo Hill, helped WSSU to CIAA titles in 1960 and ’61; NAIA third-team All-America.

• Cleo Hill (1958-61): Considered by many to be the best player in WSSU history; first-team NAIA All-America in 1961; first-round NBA Draft pick by the St. Louis Hawks in 1961.

• Earl Monroe (1964-67): All-time scoring leader in CIAA history (2,935 points); helped WSSU win the 1966-67 Division II national championship; NBA Hall of Famer; voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

• Chellia Nelson (1994-97): All-CIAA three times; ranks No. 3 in WSSU women’s basketball history with 1,434 points.

• Carolyn Huntley (1984-87): Only women’s player in school history to be All-CIAA four straight years; school’s career scoring leader (1,617 points).

“We want to hang those jerseys up here in the Gaines Center,” Hayes said. “As you see, we have that one tiny Earl Monroe jersey up there, and that’s it. It’s too small, so we feel like it’s important to let the young kids see the great ones that played here before.”

WSSU has 23 banners hanging in the Gaines Center, all marking team accomplishments such as CIAA titles, NAIA titles and the 1966-67 NCAA Division II national championship. The jerseys that will eventually...

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WSSU has experience, depth to challenge for league title

Now that Winston-Salem State is back in a conference, its challenge will be withstanding the day-to-day grind. That’s what the Rams will face in the ultra-competitive CIAA.

Coach Bobby Collins, who will enter his fifth season, said he doesn’t care that his Rams were picked to finish first in the Southern Division in the preseason poll. He has six seniors, two juniors and several talented newcomers on a team that should fit nicely in the CIAA after a four-year absence.

WSSU women have nowhere to go but up in Joyner's first season as coach

“Nowhere to go but up.” That’s the outlook for Coach Steve Joyner Jr. and his women’s team at Winston-Salem State. Joyner takes over for Dee Stokes, whose team hit rock bottom last season and finished 2-28 after losing its last 26 games. Going from a Division I schedule back to the Division II CIAA doesn’t guarantee an easier time this season, but there’s still optimism spilling over.

“I know it’s going to be competitive, and some say it might be easier because we are coming down from the MEAC, but it’s not going to be easy,” senior center Vontisha Woods said, “but I think we can compete.” Joyner, 30 and a head coach for the first time, will build around three seniors and some newcomers.

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Winston Salem Rams left to ponder what-ifs of season

Durham, N.C. - It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Coach Connell Maynor shed some tears after Winston-Salem State’s season came to an end on Saturday as Shaw rallied to win 31-27.

Maynor, who was in his first season as a head coach, is passionate about winning, as evidenced by the many sprints he does up and down the sidelines in every game trying to get everything he can out of his players. But with the season over and the Rams finishing 8-2, Maynor’s body language said it all a few minutes after the loss that officially eliminated them from the CIAA’s Southern Division race.

While it was a boost to the program to make a turnaround after last season’s 1-10 record, Maynor said he was disappointed because for him, it’s about championships.

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Shaw holds keys to CIAA championship

Kienus Boulware doesn’t get too excited too often. As the coordinator of Winston-Salem State’s defense, he has used his steady hand and quiet nature to help make an already talented unit even better.

On Saturday, Boulware will face his old boss, Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw. Boulware spent the previous four seasons as Shaw’s defensive coordinator, and his players sense something different this week. “When you are playing a school you used to coach, there’s a different feeling,” defensive lineman Juan Corders of WSSU said. “Of course Coach Boulware wants us to be successful on Saturday.”



Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

Maynor: Playoffs begin now for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has done a good job keeping his players from worrying about whether one game is more important than another. He doesn’t have that luxury this week. The 18th-ranked Rams (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) will play the Shaw Bears (6-2, 5-0) in their regular-season finale Saturday. For WSSU, it might as well be a championship game.

“It doesn’t get any bigger,” Maynor said. “We have to win it.”

The game will help settle who wins the CIAA’s Southern Division title. A loss most likely would end the season for the Rams, eliminating them from the Southern Division race and a shot at the Division II playoffs.

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Saturday's WSSU/Shaw game moved to Durham County Stadium

WSSU’s final regular-season game with Shaw on Saturday at 1 p.m. will be played at Durham County Stadium instead of Millbrook High School in Raleigh. The game originally was scheduled for Millbrook, where Shaw plays most of its home games because it does not have a stadium on campus. Durham County Stadium is also where the CIAA Championship Game will be played on Nov. 13. For information on tickets call the WSSU ticket office at 750-3220.

Bill Hayes, the Rams’ athletics director, spent a lot of time on the field during Saturday’s homecoming game against UNC Pembroke but he wasn’t coaching. Instead, he was recognizing the many donors, both alumni and corporate, who have ...

Winston-Salem State Needs Win And A Little Help

Winston-Salem, N.C.--The 8-1 Winston Salem State head into Saturday's showdown with CIAA Rival Shaw needing a win and a little help the following week to earn a spot in the Conference Championship game.

Shaw and Saint Augustine's sit atop the CIAA Southern Division Standings with 5-0 records with the Rams just behind at 5-1. Winston-Salem State needs to knock off Shaw, and have Shaw beat Saint Augustine's the following week to create a 3 way tie atop the Division.

Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

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'D' rules for Rams - WSSU's defense shuts down UNC Pembroke

No. 21-ranked Winston-Salem State has plenty of glitz and glamour on offense, but it can also grind it out on defense. The Rams, thanks to their defense’s best game of the season, shut down UNC Pembroke 21-7 in front of a homecoming crowd of around 18,000 at Bowman Gray Stadium.

With the victory, the Rams (8-1) improved their chances for a Division II playoff berth and along the way proved that their defense can also win games.

“To finish my last home game of my career with an interception and to get a win is great,” said senior defensive back Marvin Bohannon, a former star at North Forsyth. “Pembroke’s a great team and their defense is ranked nationally and that let us know we can play with the best.”

» Gallery: 10-23-2010 WSSU vs UNCP football

UNCP Braves Fall At No. 21 Winston-Salem State

By UNCP Sports Information

WINSTON-SALEM – Kameron Smith threw for 207 yards and two first half touchdowns, and then used his legs to add the final score of the game in the second half, to help lead the 21st-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams to a rousing 21-7 Homecoming victory over visiting UNCP on Saturday afternoon at Bowman-Gray Stadium.

The Rams (8-1) amassed more than 350 yards of total offense, including 248 in the first half alone, to take a 14-7 lead into the locker rooms, and then capitalized on a turnover on the opening drive of the second half to put the game away. Despite being limited to just 106 yards of total offense in the opening half, UNCP (5-3) had its chances to post a second half comeback, but fumbled away its opening possession of the third quarter and turned the ball over on downs on three of its final four possessions of the game.

Kameron Smith completed 14 of his 21 pass attempts with an interception to open up holes for the ground game which got 108 yards on 19 carries from Nicholas Cooper. Jahuann Butler contributed three catches for 84 yards and both first half touchdowns for the Rams as well.

Rashon Kennedy ran for a team-best 55 yards for the Braves, who also got 30 rushing yards and their lone touchdown from Keith Gore. St. Anthony Lloyd matched a school record with eight catches for the second-straight game and paced the air game with 62 receiving yards. Quarterbacks Cory Smith (13-of-24) and Garrett Sutphen (9-of-19) each tallied 92 passing yards, but both threw interceptions in the opening stanza as well.

"We had our opportunities in the second half to make this a good game, and we let them slip away," said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. "Winston-Salem State did a good job of executing what they wanted to do. We made a couple of mistakes and gave up a couple of long balls but, other than that, I thought our defense played very well. We got going late offensively, but didn't get any points. The name of the game is to score points and we didn't score enough."

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Attendance: 18,000

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Homecoming 2010: WSSU puts on a grand parade

Winston Salem, N.C. - Musicians, dancers, beauty queens and fire trucks marched, strutted, waved and rolled through downtown yesterday in celebration of Winston-Salem State University’s homecoming.

WSSU’s Red Sea of Sound Marching Band helped kick off the 10 a.m. parade that drew a throng of people along the Fourth Street route.

Bobbietta Adams was there with her daughter Cameron, 4, who was having fun dancing to the music and waving to the band’s members as they marched by. Bobbietta Adams has been a WSSU fan all her life.

» Gallery: 10-23-2010 Homecoming Parade for Winston-Salem State University

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University of North Carolina - Pembroke contemplating move to CIAA

Winston-Salem State could be playing a future conference opponent Saturday when UNC Pembroke visits Bowman Gray Stadium.

UNC Pembroke officials, including Athletics Director Dan Kenney, continue to explore options about joining a conference for football. UNCP fields teams in 16 sports, and 14 play in the Peach Belt Conference. The football and wrestling teams compete as Division II independents. Kenney said that he and Commissioner Leon Kerry of the CIAA have had several conversations.

WSSU should be tested by UNC Pembroke

Winston-Salem State will have a chance Saturday to do something it has done only once this season — defeat a team with a winning record.

UNC Pembroke (5-2) will visit Bowman Gray Stadium for a 1:30 kickoff. WSSU is ranked 21st in the Division II coaches poll. UNCP is currently unranked but was as high as No. 14 in September.

The Rams are 7-1, with their only loss to St. Augustine’s (4-1 when it played WSSU, now 6-1 and ranked 24th). The seven wins came against teams that were a combined 3-14 when they played the Rams and are now a combined 10-39.

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in his hands: Wells counted on to lead Rams in CIAA wars

Marcus Wells’ on-the-job training last season should pay dividends this season at Winston-Salem State. While the Rams’ basketball team has five seniors and two juniors who will make an impact, it’s Wells — a sophomore point guard from Durham — who will be counted on guide them in the CIAA. And Wells, who is sporting a full-length beard these days, says he is up to the task.

The Rams, who began practice Friday night at Ram Madness in a sold-out Gaines Center, expect to compete for the conference title. “The seniors are the leaders of the team, but I’m the leader on the court,” said Wells, who last season started 23 of 29 games and was third on the Rams in assists with 55.

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New attitude lifts St. Aug's

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Several St. Augustine's football players arrived early to practice on Tuesday, pulling on shoulder pads, buckling chin straps and starting drills before coaches even started blowing whistles.

Pushing sleds, running sprints and dropping for push-ups are easier tasks on cool October afternoons. But more than weather, the Falcons' excitement at the drudgery of two-hour practices stems from their 4-1 record - the program's best mark since 2005.

Around mid-afternoon, players shift attention to their 3:30 p.m. practice, an undertaking in past years they accepted with a grunt and a sigh. Annoyance has been replaced with anticipation.

Another tough foe for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor has seen Winston-Salem State react positively to every situation it has faced this season, and his Rams will have a chance to show their strength again today.

WSSU — 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the CIAA and ranked 17th in the Division II coaches poll — will take on St. Augustine’s (4-1, 3-0) in a key CIAA Southern Division game at 6 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

“There’s a whole lot riding on it, and I think they are going to react the same way they’ve done since the season started,” Maynor said. “These guys are preparing every day, and no matter who the opponent is, we have to take care of our business. We are at home, so that should help us.”

CIAA Report: Virginia State, St. Augustine's Survive to Remain ...

Walter Sanders rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns and St. Augustine's still needed to recover an onside kick with 18 seconds left to hold off Fayetteville State, 42-36, at Broughton High School in Raleigh Saturday.

The victory kept the Falcons (4-1, 3-0) unbeaten in conference play and helped them keep pace with the juggernaut called Winston-Salem.

The Broncos (1-4, 0-2) looked like the team that won the CIAA championship last year, at least on offense, compiling 376 yards to 394 for St. Augustine's.

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No.1 status gives Rams coach key motivation

Winston-Salem State basketball is generating buzz with its return to Division II and the CIAA. The Rams (12-17, 7-10 MEAC) are the choice of league coaches to finish first in the South Division after moving down from Division I. On the other hand, coach Bobby Collins noted, there's a season yet to play.

"It would be a trap if I didn't know it was a trap, but I know and understand being picked No. 1 makes the target a little bigger," Winston-Salem coach Bobby Collins said at the annual preseason luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center. "We're going to embrace it."

Kerry happy to have Rams back in CIAA

Commissioner Leon Kerry was all smiles yesterday at the CIAA media basketball roundup at the Charlotte Convention Center. This is the conference’s 99th year, and Kerry said that having Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (Pa.) back in the league is a big deal. Lincoln was one of the original conference members.

“We’re excited about Winston being back in the league,” Kerry said. “I’m looking for them to bring us the same things they did before they left, and that’s sell tickets and bring fans.” Kerry said he wasn’t surprised that the Rams were picked to win their division in men’s basketball.

Rams expected to win their division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --The CIAA welcomed back Winston-Salem State in basketball yesterday, and coaches immediately put a big target on the Rams by picking them as favorites to win the Southern Division title.

Coach Bobby Collins, whose Rams spent four seasons playing a full MEAC schedule as the university tried to move to Division I, said he’s flattered that opposing coaches thought that much of his senior-dominated team, but he knows he won’t have an easy run.

WSSU focuses on higher goals

Winston-Salem State is the CIAA’s only unbeaten team, but it’ll take more to impress coach Connell Maynor.

The Rams, who are 6-0 in their return to Division II, have rumbled through the schedule, which includes wins at Division I rivals N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central. Those victories are good for bragging rights, but Maynor, who is in his first year as head coach, wants more.

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WSSU cruises past Johnson C. Smith

Charlotte, N.C. -- Make it six in a row for Winston-Salem State. The Rams crushed CIAA rival Johnson C. Smith 49-3 at Memorial Stadium last night to improve their record to 6-0, 4-0 in league play.

The defense sparkled early, turning back two early Golden Bulls drives in the shadow of the Rams’ end zone. The offense then kicked into gear, scoring 21 second-quarter points to take a 28-0 halftime lead that put the game out of reach.

“They got off on a good start,” said defensive lineman Juan Corders, who led WSSU with 11 tackles, including 3½ for losses, and a sack. “They played us quite well, but the defense stuck in there and got adjusted to fight them off.”

Bulls fail to convert while Rams pile it on

Winston-Salem State's return to Division II and the CIAA still is perfect.

The Rams ripped off a 21-point second quarter on their way to a 49-3 league win against Johnson C. Smith at Memorial Stadium, their sixth to start the season. Winston-Salem State (6-0, 4-0), which rejoined the CIAA after four years in Division I, shook off an early challenge by J.C. Smith (1-4, 0-2 CIAA) to pull away by halftime.

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Winston Salem State Coming Together Fast

Coming together fast

It’s not easy to form a cohesive offensive line in a short amount of time, but Winston-Salem State did. That’s one reason WSSU is 5-0 and ranked in the AFCA Division II (No. 23) poll for the first time in eight years. The Rams started the preseason with plenty of question marks, and the offensive line was among the biggest.

I’m not surprised, because from the first week of camp, we’ve been pretty together,” said Winston Hill, a freshman offensive lineman from Brooklyn, N.Y. Hill (6-3, 305) came in from Hargrave Military Academy, enrolled at WSSU last winter and impressed coaches in spring practice. He has been a starter ever since.


Rams in good shape, injury-wise

One thing that has helped the Rams to a 5-0 record is the lack of any serious injuries. But linebacker Carlos Fields sprained an ankle in the first half of Saturday’s 31-14 win over Fayetteville State and didn’t play in the second half.

Trainer Rob Woodall said that Fields is questionable for Saturday’s game at Johnson C. Smith. “He didn’t practice (on Monday) because we were indoors so we’ll see later in the week how it feels,” Woodall said.

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Finally, Winston Salem State Rams Receives National Ranking

After a four-year run in Football Championship Subdivision, Winston-Salem State (N.C.) is back in Division II and makes an appearance in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2002. The Rams moved their record to 5-0 after a 31-14 victory over Fayetteville State (N.C.) and enter the poll at No. 23.

Grand Valley State (Mich.), Minnesota-Duluth, North Alabama, California (Pa.) and Abilene Christian (Texas) still hold down the Top 5 places. There will be three Top 25 matchups in this week’s games, including a pair of Top 10 games. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas) will travel south to face conference rival, No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville, while No. 7 Northwest Missouri State plays host to No. 8 Missouri Western State. In the final Top 25 matchup, No. 15 West Alabama will travel to No. 19 Delta State (Miss.) in a Thursday night showdown in the Gulf South Conference.

From the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference -- Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee are ranked at #14, #18 and #22.

2010 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll
September 27, 2010

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Last Week	Next Game
1.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (21)	4-0	644	1	D. Findlay (Ohio) 35-7	Oct. 2 at Tiffin (Ohio)
2.	Minnesota-Duluth (2)	4-0	620	2	D. Bemidji St. (Minn.), 44-21	Oct. 2 at Minnesota St.-Moorhead
3.	North Alabama (3)	4-0	604	3	D. Lambuth (Tenn.), 31-0	Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas Tech
4.	California (Pa.)	4-0	556	4	D. Clarion (Pa.), 24-9	Oct. 2 vs. Lock Haven (Pa.)
5.	Abilene Christian (Texas)	4-0	551	5	D. Tarleton St. (Texas), 65-3	Oct. 2 at No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	4-0	520	6	D. Incarnate Word (Texas), 37-9	Oct. 2 vs. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas)
7.	Northwest Missouri St.	2-1	497	7	D. Truman St. (Mo.), 44-10	Oct. 2 vs. No. 8 Missouri Western St.
8.	Missouri Western St.	4-0	445	8	D. Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 42-25	Oct. 2 at No. 7 Northwest Missouri St.
9.	West Texas A&M	3-1	431	9	D. Angelo St. (Texas), 37-27	Oct. 2 at Northeastern St. (Okla.)
10.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-0	409	10	D. Central Oklahoma, 30-24	Oct. 2 vs. Incarnate Word (Texas)
11.	Hillsdale (Mich.)	3-1	359	12	D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 42-37	Oct. 2 vs. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)
12.	Edinboro (Pa.)	4-0	329	13	D. Gannon (Pa.), 13-0	Oct. 2 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
13.	Tusculum (Tenn.)	4-0	324	15	Idle	Oct. 2 at Mars Hill (N.C.)
14.	Albany St. (Ga.)	4-0	301	16	D. Savannah St. (Ga.), 28-14	Oct. 2 vs. Lane (Tenn.)
15.	West Alabama	3-1	260	17	D. West Georgia, 28-7	Sept. 30 at No. 19 Delta St. (Miss.)
16.	Central Missouri	4-1	236	21	D. Washburn (Kan.), 55-45	Oct. 2 at Truman St. (Mo.)
17.	Nebraska-Kearney	3-1	198	19	D. Western St. (Colo.), 13-6	Oct. 2 vs. Adams St. (Colo.)
18.	Morehouse (Ga.)	5-0	186	20	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 30-14	Oct. 9 vs. No. 22 Tuskegee (Ala.)
19.	Delta St. (Miss.)	3-1	165	23	D. Henderson St. (Ark.), 41-37	Sept. 30 vs. No. 15 West Alabama
20.	Augustana (S.D.)	4-0	134	24	D. Southwest Minnesota St., 53-21	Oct. 2 at Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
21.	Central Washington	3-2	111	22	D. Simon Fraser (B.C.) 44-30	Oct. 2 at Humboldt St. (Calif.)
22.	Tuskegee (Ala.)	3-1	103	25	D. Texas Southern, 21-14	Oct. 2 vs. Miles (Ala.)
23.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-0	87	NR	D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 31-14	Oct. 2 at Johnson C. Smith (N.C.)
24.	North Carolina-Pembroke	3-1	78	NR	D. No. 14 Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 30-7	Oct. 2 at Glenville St. (W.Va.)
25.	Minnesota St.-Mankato	3-1	75	11	Lost to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), 28-26	Oct. 2 at Winona St. (Minn.)

Courtesy: AFCA

WSSU Rams whip FSU Broncos to improve to 5-0

Fayetteville, N.C. -- There’s a new sheriff in the CIAA.

That much was evident on Saturday night when Winston-Salem State had its way with Fayetteville State, the defending conference champions, by rolling to a 31-14 win at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

With more than half of the 4,000-plus fans dressed in Rams’ red, the Rams remained unbeaten at 5-0 and 3-0 in the conference and will likely crack the top 25 Division II coaches’ poll this week. “That was the whole plan - this was a statement game,” said wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald of the Rams, who caught a touchdown pass and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass off a wide receiver flea-flicker. “They were the defending champs and to become the champs we had to knock off No. 1.”

Winston-Salem State tops Fayetteville State, 31-14

Winston-Salem State wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald knew Saturday night's game at Fayetteville State would be a test plus a learning experience all rolled into one. As the Rams continue transitioning back into Division II, returning to the CIAA for the first time since 2005, Fitzgerald admitted he wasn't quite sure what to make of his team's 4-0 start, eager to gauge the program's progress with a showdown against the defending conference champ.

"We really don't know what to expect from most teams because a lot of us have never played them before," Fitzgerald said. "So with everything so far, it's like we're guessing."

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Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls vs. WSSU Rams Football Matchup Moved to Memorial Stadium

Saturday, October 2nd game moved to Memorial Stadium, at 6:00 p.m.

Charlotte, NC – The football contest between Johnson C. Smith University and Winston-Salem State University scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd at 6:00 pm originally set to be played at the Irwin Belk Complex has been relocated to the American Legion Memorial Stadium.

The game has been moved to accommodate the potentially larger than capacity seating at the Irwin Belk Complex. The stadium seats approximately 4,500 fans. The move will not be unfamiliar for the team; JCSU has played its homecoming football games in the past at the nearby Memorial Stadium.

“We just wanted to take safety precautions and be proactive, with a big rivalry game between these two institutions, and the success that Winston has had this season; it made economical sense to move the game to Memorial,” said JCSU Athletic Director, Stephen Joyner, Sr.

American Legion Memorial Stadium is a 21,000-capacity stadium located on 7th Street in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Fayetteville State expects big group of WSSU fans

Fayetteville State will have a web broadcast of the game at http://www.fsubroncos.com./

Winston-Salem State football fans have a reputation for traveling well, and they’ll have the chance to uphold that tradition Saturday, when undefeated WSSU plays at Fayetteville State, the defending CIAA champion. The game, at 6 p.m. at Luther “Nick’ Jeralds Stadium, will be the Rams’ biggest since they last played in the CIAA in 2005.

Antoinette Fairley, Fayetteville State’s ticket manager, said she’s prepared and that she already has sent 100 tickets to WSSU. “And if need be, we can overnight some more to them,” she said. “We’ve been getting a lot of calls already, so we are expecting a pretty big crowd for this one.”

Fairley said that the stadium seats about 6,200, and she’s expecting a favorable forecast to drive game-day ticket sales.

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Winston Salem State Rams will have experienced team for 2010-'11

Rivals N.C. Central, N.C. A&T not on this season's schedule

Bobby Collins, the men’s basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, found it tough to schedule nonconference opponents for the coming season, but there’s a reason.

The Rams will have a front line that measures 6-10, 6-11 and 6-8 and most likely will also have five senior starters. Not many Division II programs can match the height.

“It was very tough finding games, and we didn’t have many choices,” said Collins, whose team will play a full Division II schedule after four seasons of playing mostly Division I opponents. “We tried to get some Division I programs to play us, but it just didn’t work out.”

HOMECOMING: Rams will have extra motivation

Winston-Salem State will play a key CIAA game at Fayetteville State on Saturday, and three WSSU coaches will focus on what lies ahead, not their pasts.

Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU, assistant head coach John Eder and assistant Duane Taylor will be returning to Luther “Nick” Geralds Stadium, where they helped build Fayetteville State into one of the CIAA’s best programs.

Taylor will be making his first trip back since graduating in 2005 after starring at quarterback, leading the Broncos to CIAA titles in 2002 and 2003 and setting more than 25 school records.

Rams Dismantle Hawks; Winston-Salem State Defeats Chowan 48-7

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Nothing went right for the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday evening at Bowman Gray Stadium as the Rams of Winston-Salem State rolled up 499 yards of total offense and put 48 points on the scoreboard to defeat Chowan 48-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium as WSSU improved to 4-0 in 2010.

The Hawks started the game with a five-yard delay of game penalty before the opening kickoff and it would only get worse for visiting Chowan as WSSU would need less than five minutes to jump out to a 14-0 advantage.

Tehvyn Brantley got the Rams on the board only 1:09 into the contest as he reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kameron Smith to give WSSU a 7-0 lead as the true freshman wide receiver scored his fourth touchdown of the year.

Rams rout hapless Hawks

Winston-Salem State made it look easy against undersized and overmatched Chowan last night at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams rolled to a 48-7 win to remain unbeaten. The Rams (4-0, 2-0 CIAA) rolled up 499 yards of offense on their way to their most lopsided victory of the season. It was also their widest winning margin since a 47-0 victory over N.C. Central in 2003.

Running back Nic Cooper did much of the damage, with 11 carries for 149 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The offensive line established itself early and Cooper took advantage with his best run, a 74-yard touchdown burst right up the middle in the second half.

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