Heat, fatigue no excuse for Southern University

(Photo by ryanpknight.com)

Ninety-five degrees. One hundred seven with the heat index. Two hours of brutality. No excuses. Upon further review, after Southern’s up-and-down second preseason scrimmage Saturday afternoon, that’s what first-year coach Stump Mitchell said he wanted more than anything. Yes, it’s hot outside. But that, Mitchell said, was no reason to give up on the finer points of the game. As if to prove a point, Mitchell wore a longsleeve jacket the entire afternoon.

The season opener, against Delaware State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, is less than two weeks away now. It is Sept. 5 in Orlando, Fla., and kickoff time is noon Eastern. In other words, conditions are sure to be warm and steamy. All preseason, Mitchell held afternoon practices at 3:30, partly because he wants the Jaguars to be in shape for Orlando.

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Owner of local UFL team ousted

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - In a surprise move Friday, officials of the United Football League took away ownership of the Hampton Roads franchise from Jim Speros and the league will run the team until a new group of owners is found.

In an exclusive interview with WAVY-TV Sports Director Bruce Rader, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue told Rader, “The league has decided to take control of the Hampton Roads team ourselves. The league is going to own the team initially.”

“League Vice President Ed Reynolds is now the president of the team, Doug Williams will still be general manager, and we will make an announcement September 1st about the venue.”


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Transfer pressure motivates FAMU's Lawrence

T.J. Lawrence has been on the Florida A&M practice field for two days and already he's feeling the pressure of being a Division I transfer — not any Division I, though. The University of Florida.

"I just feel like sometimes in practice if I drop a pass, I'm not supposed to drop anything," Lawrence said Friday. "I'm not supposed to make a mistake. That's what goes through my head when I'm practicing. I feel it's a respect thing, though." Lawrence left UF's program just before the start of preseason camp, but before he came to FAMU last week he'd taken a visit to a junior college.

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Aggie Pride On Full Display At A&T Fun Fest

Greensboro, NC -- It was all about Aggie pride at North Carolina A&T State University Saturday. The Aggie women's volleyball team performed karaoke at the Aggie Fun Fest.
There was a lot of excitement building on campus as student athletes prepare for the new season.

NSU's vote on Legacy Bowl expected in fall

MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas said Thursday the conference continues to do its “due diligence” on the Legacy Bowl proposition and he expects a vote by school presidents this fall. On the team’s media day later Thursday, Norfolk State players made it clear how they would vote.

A Legacy Bowl would forego the MEAC champion’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs and match it with the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a televised game reminiscent of the now-defunct Heritage Bowl. “Why?” asked running back DeAngelo Branche. “It’s like playing seven games and calling it quits.”

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SU women's basketball adds assistant coach, player‎

Southern University Lady Jaguars head coach Sandy Pugh (image by ryanpknight.com).

The Southern University women’s basketball program has two newcomers but one of them really isnt new at all. In fact, her face is about is familiar as they come.

Rolanda Monroe, a two-time Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and two-time SWAC tournament MVP, has replaced T.J. Pugh as an assistant, head coach Sandy Pugh said Friday.

Monroe helped the Jaguars win two SWAC championships from 2002-06 and finished her college career as the programs all-time leading scorer. She was working in the private sector in Atlanta and had hoped to get into coaching. T.J. Pugh, a part-time assistant, created a vacancy on the SU staff. He took over as boys basketball coach at McKinley High School this summer.

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A&M offensive line will be good again‎

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - The goal hasn't changed for Alabama A&M's offensive line. Ever since offensive line coach Cedric Pearl came to town nine years ago, the Bulldogs have vowed not only to be the best unit in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, but the best unit in the South.

"We've got to perform at a high level because the offense can't function if we're not efficient," Pearl said. "We always want to shoot high. That's a standard we set and we try to work to reach that goal."

With so many key losses on offense...

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FAMU's Ramos has his motor running

Florida A&M senior defensive end Marquiste Ramos will have multiple career choices when he graduates with a degree in criminal justice. He also might have the option of playing football professionally. If all of those fail, Ramos doesn't have any fear about finding work. He could always get paid for fixing automobiles. He's been doing that for such a long time that's he's developed a passion for turning clunkers into gems.

He learned from his father, a former regional race car driver. As best he could remember, Ramos said he was about 5 years old when his father's garage started to become one of his favorite places to hang out. "I used to watch him work on motors and turn wrenches," Ramos said. "By the time I got old enough to learn, it just became second nature."

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Reunion’ games set for Bluff

Sometimes inspiration hits you at the most unexpected time and from unexpected sources.
Ask Greg LaFleur. The Southern athletic director was at a poorly-attended Jaguars basketball game last winter when a fan came up to him with a suggestion to improve basketball attendance. “She comes up to me and she said, ‘Why don’t you invite alumni from area schools to games for a reunion?,’ ” LaFleur recalled.

The idea immediately struck a cord with LaFleur. “We were already inviting high school students (to basketball games), but I had never thought about inviting alumni before,” he said. From that moment, the idea took off with one tweak — “Never mind doing it at basketball games,” LaFleur said. “I decided we were going to do it at football games.”



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Christian Anthony to Return to Campus Next Week

GRAMBLING, LA --- Christian Anthony, Grambling State University’s All-American defensive lineman who was recently admitted to the North Louisiana Medical Center for chest pains, is headed to his home state of Alabama for a few days after being treated and released by the medical facility in Ruston.

According to head football coach Rod Broadway, Anthony will return to the university next week for classes. He added that Anthony has not been cleared to return to the field, but says he remains a member of the team.

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Sylvester, new QB key to Florida A&M hopes in 2010

Local Big Bend running back Philip Sylvester (#30), has rushed for 2,130 yards and 22 TD's in his Rattler career.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Coach Joe Taylor heads into his third season at Florida A&M counting on a veteran tailback to regain his freshman form and an improved defense to help the Rattlers challenge for their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship since 2001.

"I think it's time to take the next step," said Taylor, who took over the program after the Rattlers suffered through a 3-8 season in 2007. "The ship has been righted."

Albeit with some loss of key personnel from last year's team.

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Transfer Welton tapped as Albany State's No. 1 RB

Robert Welton, who transferred to Albany State from Appalachain State this offseason, will be the No. 1 RB heading into the Rams' first game next week.

ALBANY, GA — The Gold Rush is officially back. Only this season, it looks a bit different. Transfer Robert Welton has emerged as the probable starting running back for the Albany State football team, but he’ll be part of a four-man tandem — along with Kareem Hess, LiRonnie Davis and Darryl Carey — hoping to make an impact for the Rams this season.

“I think we’ll have a great running game,” said Welton, who transferred to ASU from Appalachian State during the offseason. “All four of us bring something different to the table. I’ve got my inside-outside game ... LiRonnie’s the power back, and Kareem is the finesse back. And we have Carey, who can do it all, too.” It’s a change of pace from past seasons, when the team primarily relied on one player to do most of the work.

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Ex-local stars lend hand

ORMOND BEACH, FL -- Pa'tell Troutman and Antwuan Wyatt have a lot in common. Both were star football players at two of the most successful local high school programs. Both starred at the college level and had an opportunity to play in the National Football League. And both made poor decisions -- one committed a crime and one left school early -- that altered the direction of their lives.

"We talk to everybody about those types of decisions. I use my life as an example for kids coming up," said Antwuan Wyatt, now 35 and an assistant coach at Calvary with Troutman. "Regardless of what I do, I put myself in a situation where I shouldn't have been in. At the time you're with your friends. I lost focus of what I worked so hard to achieve."

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No more mud at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium

Premium quality Astroturf is being laid at the stadium. Orlando Venues Executive Director Alan Johnson said the carpet is laid from sideline to sideline, then sewn together by a special machine. "We're excited about this surface," he said. It gives the stadium operators more flexibility to host events like concerts, monster trucks and motorcross.

On Wednesday, the turf was already laid and pallets of sand and tiny rubber bits in large sacks were waiting to be installed. The infill gives the grass a more natural feel. The million dollar installation is expected to be done by the end of August. The first game played will be the MEAC/SWAC Challenge between Southern University and Delaware State, Johnson said.

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Bowie State primed for title run

Much talent returns from team that lost in 2009 CIAA final

Bowie, Md. - On many fronts, the 2009 season was a success for the Bowie State University football team. First-year coach Damon Wilson took over the program in April 2009 and guided the team to a 6-5 record, including a 5-2 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Bulldogs won five in a row at one point and made it to the CIAA championship game. But they ended the season on a three-game losing streak, including a 21-10 decision against Fayetteville State University in the CIAA final.

"We certainly don't want to pick up where we left off, losing three in a row," Wilson said. As a result, Wilson said the team's motto for this season is to "finish what we started."

The Bulldogs have a good chance of finishing with a CIAA crown this year, given their wealth of returning talent. Eight starters from 2009 return on offense, and the defense returns nine starters from a unit that led all 148 NCAA Division II teams in total defense, allowing an average of 217 yards per game.

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JSU Darkside Defense on full display

The bloody, one-inch gash in Neal Pogue's nose is a reminder that Jackson State's Darkside Defense is shaping into form. "I smashed a running back," the lineman said when asked about the fall practice battle wound. Sure, the offense might be getting the publicity lately - the new pass-happy Air Raid offensive scheme and fiery battle at quarterback are tough to ignore.

But Pogue and the "D" have been there during the first dozen days of fall camp, too. They've been cracking shoulder pads and bashing helmets. Intercepting passes and sacking quarterbacks. On Tuesday, during an intense team-versus-team session of practice, the defense did its thing, especially Pogue and his vaunted defensive line.



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Woo Woo: A legacy of love

ETTRICK, Va. - Dr. Paulette Johnson is a rare breed of coach.

She has no true rival. And no true peer. What she does have - without having to ask - is respect and a legion of former Virginia State University cheerleaders (Woo Woos) who remain loyal. Johnson has earned every ounce of those positive feelings. Feelings not just from within the Virginia State community, but from the NCAA Division II ranks as well.

During her tenure, she helped guide the Woo Woos to the top of the CIAA - and the nation. Few schools have a cheerleading program that can challenge Virginia State. Thanks to Johnson, who is stepping down after coaching the Woo Woos since 1974.

Expect an outpouring of love over the weekend as Virginia State celebrates the career of Johnson, including a meet-and-greet session Friday and a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn in Colonial Heights on Saturday night.




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FAMU narrows choice on baseball coach

The Tallahassee Democrat has confirmed that Florida A&M University has hired former University of Illinois head men's track and field coach Wayne Angel, as the Rattlers next men's track coach. Angel's bio can be read at: Player Bio: Wayne Angel - FIGHTINGILLINI.COM // THE OFFICIAL HOME ...

Florida A&M could make its next athletic department personnel hire out of the state of Mississippi.

On Tuesday, when FAMU signed former University of Mississippi associate athletic director Derek Horne to run its athletic department, President James Ammons said he would interview his final choice for the vacant head baseball coach on Wednesday. Ammons didn't name the finalist, and while it wasn't immediately confirmed that Ammons conducted the interview, sources have said Jackson State's baseball coach Omar Johnson visited the campus Wednesday.

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From the Beep...

Dang! FAMU's President Ammons is knocking the ball out to I-10 with the hiring of new athletic director Derek Horne, former Illinois world-class track and field coach Wayne Angel, and now an attempt to hire the highly successful Jackson State University baseball coach, Omar Johnson.

The 411 on Johnson.... He's a Winner... a Miami (Florida) native who is the first JSU baseball coach to reach the 100-win plateau(106-62) within his first three seasons. He has coached the German national team in the 2009 Baseball World Cup and 2010 European Championship (when they won the Bronze Medal for the first time in 35 years). Johnson also coached current major leaguer Josh Willingham of the Florida Marlins. He is a University of North Alabama graduate.

These personnel moves are a major step in Dr. Ammons changing the status quo culture of the FAMU athletic department. Now, if the Rattlers men's basketball problem can be addressed, please.... Yes, I like these hires! Go Rattlers! (beepbeep)

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Who'll catch on as NSU's top WR? Jeremy Wicker

NORFOLK, VA --Jeremy Wicker (#17) lacks the traditional wide receiver's desire to draw attention to himself, even when he might have every right to stand up, wave his arms and scream. With Norfolk State's top two wide receivers from 2009 gone, one of the Spartans' crucial issues is determining who will catch passes thrown by their yet-to-be-determined quarterback.

The answer, Wicker says, should be pretty clear: It's the guy who has been a Spartan for five seasons now. "Even some of the guys on the team, they don't direct it at you, but you hear them. They're like, 'Man, now we don't have any receivers.' It's like 'Come on. I've done this before. I've had 100-yard games. I've played Kentucky. I've played Rutgers. I've done it.' " With reasonable success, too.

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ASU volleyball sets schedule, snags two SIAC preseason nods

ALBANY, GA — Nine-time defending SIAC champions. Has a nice ring to it, eh? Of course it does, only Albany State coach Robert Skinner thinks he knows another phrase that sounds even better: 10-time defending SIAC champs. No. 10 is what’s at stake as the Lady Rams get set to kick off their 2010 season, the schedule for which was released late last week.

But before any of the conference’s teams take the court, there was some housekeeping to handle Wednesday when the SIAC announced its 2010 Preseason All-SIAC Teams as ASU landed two players on that list: Seniors Latrice Lewis and Pricilla Sena. Surprised a team that’s nine-time defending champ only had two players named preseason all-conference — and on the Second Team, at that? Don’t be. Skinner wasn’t.

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South Carolina State Bulldogs not timid about goals

Despite significant losses, Buddy Pough’s program poised to continue its ascension in the FCS.

Despite heavy graduation losses, the South Carolina State football team has set its sights high again. The Bulldogs are focused on winning their third consecutive MEAC championship and earning their third FCS playoff berth in a row. This time, however, S.C. State will not be satisfied with merely making the playoffs.

“We want to win that third MEAC championship, but that’s not the real goal,” senior quarterback Malcolm Long said. “We want to win a national championship. That’s what we preach to each other every day.” Winning a postseason game or two would be the next step for a program that has raised expectations under coach Buddy Pough.

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Chris Browne knows a thing or two about patience. The man is from Cleveland. “When you’re dealing with the Browns, the Cleveland Indians and the Cavaliers, it’s all about patience,” said Browne, Southern’s starting left tackle. “You have to be a Browns fan on the east side of Cleveland. We’re die-hard. Even though the Browns struggle, we always believe that they can go to the Super Bowl.”

If he’s lucky at all, Browne’s faith will soon be rewarded —maybe not when it comes to his home teams back in Cleveland, but when it comes to the Jaguars. He’s invested a little more time and sweat into them, anyway.

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Time Out for August 19, 2010

Southern receivers young bunch
Jaguar coach Mitchell promises run game
SU quarterback McGinty out again
Southern irons out wrinkles with first scrimmage of fall
Southern Notes for Aug. 15, 2010
SU puts it on the line with sprints
New SU QB McGinty ready for pressure
Southern defenders ready to deliver big hits