3 from XU are repeat winners of GCAC weekly awards

 NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Sha'Nel Bruins, Thomas Setodjiand Christopher Kennie, no strangers to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player and/or Performer of the Week awards, were honored again Tuesday for their efforts March 28-April 3.
     
Bruins won in GCAC women's tennis for the third consecutive week, the fifth time this season and the sixth time in her career. Setodji, a freshman, won in men's tennis for the third time. Kennie is the men's field performer for the second consecutive week and the fourth time in his career.
     
Bruins, a junior from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School, won in doubles and singles against NCAA Division I Prairie View A&M and helped Xavier win that dual 6-3. She also won in singles against NAIA No. 11 Northwestern Ohio. Bruins' five GCAC weekly awards are the second-most ever in a season by an XU women's tennis player.
     
Setodji, from Domont, France, was 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles. Setodji and Kevin Chaouat defeated the ITA's second-ranked NAIA doubles team, Daniel Rueda and Thommy Johansson of Northwestern Ohio, 8-6 en route to a 6-3 Xavier dual victory — Xavier's first-ever dual team victory against an NAIA top-5 opponent. Setodji also recorded singles victories against Prairie View A&M and Louisiana-Lafayette.
   
Kennie, a senior from New Orleans and a graduate of Holy Cross High School, produced a career best of 6.65 meters (21 feet, 10 inches) in the long jump at the Mississippi College Twilight Invitational. Kennie's mark in this event is the best by an XU student-athlete this season.
   
 Next competition for these XU teams:
     •  Women's tennis:  2 p.m. Wednesday vs. Southern at XU Tennis Center — note that the start time has been moved up one hour.
     •  Men's tennis:  1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jackson State at XU Tennis Center. The XU women also will play Jackson State at this site and time.
     •  Men's and women's track and field:  9 a.m. Saturday in the Leon Johnson NSU Invitational at Natchitoches, La.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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XU Gold Rush, Nuggets defeat Prairie View A&M at home

NEW ORLEANS — For the 18th time in Alan Green's 13 seasons as Xavier University of Louisiana coach, his teams defeated an NCAA Division I opponent on the same day.
     
The Gold Rush, ranked third in the NAIA, beat Prairie View A&M 7-2 Saturday at XU Tennis Center. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 15th, defeated the Lady Panthers 6-3.
    
Thomas Setodji, Kevin Chaouat and Kyle Montrel won in doubles and singles for the Rush (11-3). Setodji clinched with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Christian Waldron, giving the XU men their sixth consecutive victory and 11th in their last 12 dual matches.
     
Brion Flowers, Brandi Nelson and Sha'Nel Bruins won in doubles and singles for the Nuggets (8-9). Flowers clinched with her 6-2, 6-1 victory against Stacy Lackey.
     
Green's Rush and Nuggets pulled off the DI double for the first time on Feb. 28, 2003, against Prairie View. XU has beaten the Panthers and Lady Panthers on the same day four times. Xavier's other four-time same-day DI victims during the Green era are Alcorn State and Jackson State.
     
Against DI opponents this season, the Gold Rush are 3-3, and the Gold Nuggets are 2-2.
     
Xavier's men will travel to Louisiana-Lafayette for duals at noon and 4 p.m. Sunday. The XU women will play Southern at 3 p.m. Wednesday at XU Tennis Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Southern Football opens 2016 season at ULM, Tulan

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University football will open the first two weeks of the 2016 schedule on the road against in-state opponents ULM and Tulane before beginning the final year of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's 9-game mandate on Sept. 17.

The Jaguars travel to Monroe to face ULM on Sept. 3 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools on Sept. 3. The 2016 opener marks the fourth consecutive year the Jaguars open against a FBS opponents. On Sept. 10, Southern will make their Yulman Stadium debut in the first game against Tulane since 2002.

With the SWAC switching to a 7-game conference schedule in 2017, Southern opens the final year of the 9-game conference slate against Alabama State in the home opener on Sept. 17 in A.W. Mumford Stadium. Southern closes out the first month of the season on the road at Alabama A&M on Sept. 24 before observing back-to-back bye weeks during the first two Saturday's in October.

On October 15, Southern renews one of the SWAC's most-intense rivalry when the Jaguars travel north on Interstate 55 to face Jackson State in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Southern hosts SWAC western division foe Arkansas-Pine Bluff for its 2016 Homecoming game on Oct. 22 before meeting two-time defending SWAC champion Alcorn State on the road in Lorman, Miss on Oct. 29.

The November slate open with a home date hosting Texas Southern in A.W. Mumford Stadium before playing on the campus of Prairie View A&M in the Panther's new stadium. Mississippi Valley State serves as the Jaguars home finale opponent on Nov. 19, replacing the program's longstanding pre-Bayou Classic bye week.

Southern concludes the 2016 campaign against arch-rival Grambling State in the 43rd annual Bayou Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Nov. 26.

Fans are encouraged to contact the Southern University Ticket Office at 225-771-3171 for information on purchasing season books. All times are tentative and subject to change.

2016 Southern U. Football Schedule
All times are tentative and subject to change

September
3 at ULM (Monroe, La.)
10 at Tulane (New Orleans, La. | Yulman Stadium)
17 Alabama State (A.W. Mumford Stadium) | 6 p.m.
24 at Alabama A&M (Huntsville, Ala.) | 1 p.m.

October
15 at Jackson State (Jackson, Miss.)
22 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (A.W. Mumford Stadium | Homecoming 2016) 4 p.m.
29 at Alcorn State (Lorman, Miss.)

November
5 Texas Southern (A.W. Mumford Stadium) | 4 p.m.
12 at Prairie View A&M (Prairie View, Texas)
19 Mississippi Valley State (A.W. Mumford Stadium) 4 p.m.
26 vs. Grambling State (Bayou Classic | New  Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Time is of the essence for Jackson State this spring

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Nine of Jackson State's 15 spring practices are in the books.

The Tigers have implemented all of their base packages, and first-year coach Tony Hughes was generally pleased with how the team performed in its first scrimmage this past weekend.

Now he wants his players to maximize the final six practices.

"Every day we have to improve from now on," Hughes said. "Because once spring training is over, we don't get these days back, and we start moving into summer training or camp in the fall. Every day is really critical to the development as our football team. That's the challenge every day."

Hughes felt the team improved during it's scrimmage and that effort carried over into the first two practices this week. He graded the team on four categories and will continue to do so during the season.

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Kern named head women's basketball coach at MVSU

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State has named Jessica Kern as its fourth head women’s basketball coach in the program’s history.  Director of Athletics Dianthia-Ford Kee made the announcement Monday morning.

Kern takes over at MVSU after spending last season as an assistant coach at the Furman University, where she helped guide the Paladins to the semi-finals of the Southern Conference Tournament.

Prior to her arrival at Furman, Kern took over a Lincoln University program in 2011 that had won just three games the year before.

During the 2014-15 season, she was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Coach of the Year after leading her team to a 22-9 record and a share of the CIAA Northern Division title.  The 22 wins marked a school record and carried Lincoln to a CIAA Tournament championship game appearance.

Three seasons ago, she led the Lions to the program’s first win over a Division I opponent in Morgan State and Winston-Salem State.

Before accepting the head coaching position at Lincoln, she served as an assistant coach and media specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the 2010-11 campaign, immediately following a two-year stint (2008-10) as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Kern attended Penn State University, where she served as a basketball team captain for two years and twice earned All-Big 10 and Academic All-Big honors while also competing in track & field.  After graduating in 2002 with a degree in journalism, she began a successful seven-year professional basketball career that would take her to Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, and Poland.

Kern enjoyed one of the most successful prep careers in Milwaukee City Conference history, earning a combined 11 letters in basketball, volleyball, and track & field while serving as team captain in each sport for multiple seasons.  In basketball she played in four state Final Fours and won a pair of state championships.  She claimed 11 individual conference championships in track & field and was a three-time all-conference performance in volleyball.

She has a son, Bobby Lee Collins, Jr.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Langston University Lewis & Mason Named NAIA All-Americans

LANGSTON, Oklahoma  –  Che'Ron Lewis and T'Keya Mason were named to the National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) 2015-16 Division I Women's Basketball All-American team the NAIA national office announced today.

Lewis, a junior forward from Cushing, Okla., and Mason, a senior guard from Long Beach, Calif., were both named to the NAIA All-American honorable mention team.

Mason led Langston in scoring at 18.4 points per game but Lewis wasn't far behind, averaging 18.3 points per game for the Lady Lions.

Both Lewis and Mason were also selected to the Red River first-team All-Conference team on March 3, 2016; Mason finished third in the RRAC and tenth in the NAIA in scoring and combined to total 857 career points. Lewis came in fourth in scoring in the RRAC and currently sits at 759 career points but will have one season of eligibility remaining.

COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS 

Alec Wong’s Two Home Run Day Helps Lift the Florida A&M Rattlers to Doubleheader Sweep

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  – Florida A&M (17-9, 7-1 MEAC) scored 22 runs and pounded out 23 hits to sweep a doubleheader over North Carolina Central (13-16, 5-6 MEAC) by scores of 6-3 and 16-4 at Moore-Kittles Field on Saturday. In game one, the Rattlers rallied to score five runs in the eighth inning to secure the win. Marlon Gibbs drew a bases loaded walk in the eighth inning to plate Willis McDaniel for the go-ahead run. In game two, FAMU scored 13 runs in the fourth and fifth innings to put the game away. Alec Wong had two home runs in game two and seven different Rattlers recorded two hits in the game.

FAMU reliever Hunter Fillingim (2-0) earned the game one win after working 2/3 of an inning with no runs allowed, but walked two batters. Kendal Weeks came in to record the final two outs, including a strikeout to end the game, for his second save of the season. Game one starter Ryan Anderson pitched a season long 5.1 innings and allowed two unearned runs on six hits and tied a season best with three strikeouts. Anderson also tied a season high with three strikeouts.

Ricky Page (2-2) picked up the win in game two as he worked five innings and gave up three runs (one earned) with three strikeouts and four walks.

The Eagles scored first with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second inning of game one. Conrad Kovalcik singled off the leg of pitcher Ryan Anderson with two outs and Christian Triplett followed with a single to left to put runners on first and second. Sisqo Scott reached on an error that would have ended the inning to load the bases and Jacobi Harris was hit-by-pitch to score Kovalcik from third. Triplett would score the second run of the inning on an RBI single from Ellington Hopkins.

FAMU was able to get on the board with a single run in the fourth inning to make the score 2-1. Jacky Miles, Jr. led off with a single into left field and advanced to third as McDaniel followed with a single into center field. Miles, Jr. then scored from third for FAMU’s first run of the game as Ryan Hutson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

NC Central scored another unearned run in the eighth inning to increase its’ lead to 3-1.

FAMU took their first lead for good with five runs in the eighth inning in what proved to be the final score of 6-3. Dillard led off with a walk and Ben Ellzey was hit-by-pitch to start the inning for the Rattlers. Both runners advanced with a sac bunt from Miles, Jr. before McDaniel hit a two-run triple up against the fence in right field to bring home both Dillard and Ellzey. Cameron Johnson would then draw a pinch-hit walk to put runners on the corners with one out. AJ Elkins came in to pinch run at first base for Johnson and after a pitching change that brought in Grant Cain in for relief of Jamar Hinton, Peter Jackson also drew a walk on four pitches to load the bases. With the bases still loaded,

Gibbs was also walked to plate McDaniel for the go-ahead run. Wong was then hit-by-pitch, the third straight free pass of the inning, to plate Elkins for the fourth run in the inning. Dillard was then hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to score Jackson for the final FAMU run of game one.

NCCU reliever Jamar Hinton (1-1) pitched 2/3 of an inning and allowed four runs on one hit with two walks for the loss. Game one starter Alex Dandridge worked a no decision with six innings pitched and gave up just one run on six hits with three strikeouts, two walks and one hit batter.

In game two, FAMU scored first on Wong’s solo home run to right field, in the first inning, for a quick 1-0 lead. It was the second home run of the season for Wong. Florida A&M tacked on another run in the second inning on an RBI double from Ryan Hutson to increase the lead to 2-0.

NC Central tied the game with two unearned runs in the third inning. Jacobi Harris and Hopkins recorded back-to-back singles to start the inning and a sac bunt by James Dey was misplayed by pitcher Ricky Page that loaded the bases. A pair of RBI fielder’s choice plays with the lead runner out at second allowed the two runs to score from third base.

Florida A&M regained the lead, at 3-2, with a single run in the third inning, but NCCU would answer right back to tie the game again at 3-3 with a run in the fourth inning.

FAMU broke the game open for good with nine runs in the fourth inning to make the score 12-3. Miles, Jr. had a three-run triple; McDaniel and Hutson added RBI doubles and Brian Davis had an RBI single in the inning.

The scoring continued in the fifth inning as the Rattlers scored four more runs that made the score 16-3. Wong hit his second home run of the day, a two-run blast, to right field to increase the FAMU lead to 14-3. Back-to-back walks with no outs forced a pitching change as Joshua Greene came in for relief of reliever Carter Kovalcik. Ellzey then singled through the left side to load the bases and Johnson’s pinch-hit RBI single plated Keith Stevens, who pinch ran earlier in the inning for Dillard. AJ Elkins later brought home Davis with an RBI single to left field for the fourth run of the inning.

North Carolina Central would score one more run in the seventh inning as Hopkins led off with a solo home run to right field for the final score of 16-4.

Eagles game two starter Andrew Vernon (0-3) suffered the loss as he gave up 11 runs (five earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and four walks.

Florida A&M and NC Central close out the three-game series on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 PM.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

 

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Steve Harvey, ASU Announce Turkey Day Partnership

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- That “Ole ‘Bama State Spirit” meets Hollywood this year, as world famous entertainer Steve Harvey will partner with ASU to sponsor the 2016 Turkey Day Classic.

“I'm bringing Hollywood to Montgomery,” said Steve Harvey, who visited the ASU campus on Saturday, April 2 to announce that he is partnering with the University to sponsor the annual Turkey Day Classic.

Harvey joined President Gwendolyn E. Boyd, ASU Board of Trustees Chairman Locy Baker and a host of other dignitaries in making the announcement.

“I want to thank Chairman Baker and Dr. Boyd for believing in the vision that I had,” said Harvey. “What I decided to do was put my machine behind (the Turkey Day Classic) and bring a little Hollywood to Alabama, especially for our young people because they are our future. We are going to do some special things.”


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The event was held on the field of The ASU Stadium. Fans stood in the bleachers as the ASU cheerleaders and the Hornets football team ran onto the field, forming a path for Harvey’s entrance. The crowd cheered as the popular entertainer, entrepreneur and businessman was driven to the news conference platform by Boyd.

While Harvey did not give complete details of plans for the Turkey Day Classic, he did say that he planned to take the traditional event to a new level, with a heavy focus on students.

“I have put together a staff that going to sit down with the student body and find out what they want to do,” said Harvey. “It’s about everybody; it’s about the whole campus. Right now, the most important thing is education at this university right here -- to grow enrollment and enrich the lives of these young people so that y’all can be great. My objective is to make as many millionaires as I can...I joke around a lot, but I’m serious. I know a lot about God and I know a lot about business. I know a lot about starting at the bottom...and how to get to the top. So, we’re going to bring some of that here to ASU and we’re going to try inspire some young people and we’re going to have a good time in the process.”

Boyd said the University is excited and honored to have Harvey as a partner.


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“Today, I am proud to announce that ASU has a new partner. A partner that will help ASU to succeed, a partner who understands the value of a college education, a partner who has a sincere passion to see young people get every opportunity they can to go to college and to reach their fullest potential...a partner who genuinely cares for people and is always moving forward in the grace and favor of God to help other people. Today, I am proud that ASU has the honor and the blessing of having Mr. Steve Harvey partner with us to help us be the best university that we can be--not just the best HBCU, but the best university that we can be. We thank God for our divine connection with Mr. Harvey.” Boyd added.

Boyd also drew cheers from the crowd with the official announcement that the Turkey Day Classic is moving back to Thanksgiving Day.

“I grew up here in Montgomery, and I remember the excitement of Thanksgiving Day,” said Boyd. “And even when I was serving as Miss ASU, I remember the thrill of riding in the parade on Turkey Day. And so, as I return home as the first female president of Alabama State University, it is most appropriate that we honor this time-honored tradition of the oldest black college classic.”

In his remarks, Harvey recognized local businessmen Alfred Seawright and Greg Calhoun, and credited Calhoun with helping him to make the decision to support the Classic.


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Harvey and Calhoun are longtime friends and business partners, and according to Harvey, are working to bring jobs to Alabama.

“We have the pleasure of traveling with him (Harvey) all over the world and seeing him do things that are unbelievable,” said Calhoun. “And to see him come to Alabama and share the love, it means so much to me and my family and Dr. Seawright and his family. We just thought, if you’re going to show love, why not show it at home.”

Event highlights also included a presentation of Hornets paraphernalia to Harvey by SGA President Jeremy Crum and Miss ASU Muriel Pannell, as well as a welcome from two students from ASU's Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center.

Before leaving the stadium, Harvey stopped to speak to the Hornets football team just a few hours after they completed a practice and scrimmage game. He encouraged the players to put their education first and to take advantage of the opportunities that they are given.

“The talk he gave them was wonderful,” said Head Football Coach Brian Jenkins. “I hope that what he said struck home with them. As the head coach, I am excited about this partnership with Mr. Harvey. I’m excited that he’s not only going to invest in the University, but also in our students.”

The Turkey Day Classic will be played on Thursday, Nov. 24, when the Hornets face the Miles College Golden Bears.



For season tickets and other game information, visit bamastatesports.com.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Secondary stands out in first JSU spring scrimmage

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State’s defense had issues forcing turnovers last season.

The Tigers tied for the second least amount of turnovers forced in the SWAC last season while having the second lowest total of interceptions in the conference.

On Saturday, in the first spring scrimmage of the Tony Hughes era, the secondary looked like a unit that wants to change those numbers.

Jackson State’s defense had issues forcing turnovers last season.

The Tigers tied for the second least amount of turnovers forced in the SWAC last season while having the second lowest total of interceptions in the conference.

On Saturday, in the first spring scrimmage of the Tony Hughes era, the secondary looked like a unit that wants to change those numbers.



CONTINUE READING

ASU maximizing 10 spring practices

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Six.

That’s how many spring practice days Alabama State has left after being granted 10 for posting an Academic Progress Rate score of 932 for 2014-15.

Not sure how much a team can accomplish with just 10 practices, but ASU coach Brian Jenkins plans to get plenty of out them.

“The main thing is to get our scheme down a little bit more,” Jenkins said after Friday’s practice. “Get a certain mindset established with our players. We have a certain expectation and we want our guys to understand we’re going to practice to keep the expectation.”

Jenkins hopes the Hornets see the value in academics and prevent that from hindering them in any fashion. They weren’t allowed to have spring practice and a spring game last year and were ineligible for postseason play because of low APR results, but they put in the work in the classroom to earn practice time.



COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SCSU Bulldogs Conduct Second Spring Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – The South Carolina State Bulldogs conducted their 10th spring practice and their second scrimmage Saturday (April. 2) morning at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

The two-hour workout session started with a 9 a.m. practice, followed by a 10 a.m. scrimmage. SC State head coach Buddy Pough is beginning his 15th season at the helm of the Bulldog football program.

During the first half of Saturday's scrimmage, the Bulldogs concentrated on their passing and running game, with some emphasis on the special teams.

The Bulldogs return to the practice fields Tuesday (April. 5th) at 6:50 a.m., for the eleventh (11th) spring workout. SC State will hold its annual Garnet & Blue Spring game Saturday, April 9th at 1 p.m. in Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. You can purchase your season tickets now for the 2016 Football Season. The South Carolina State Ticket Office will be open 11a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 9th.



See complete Pro Timing Results

LIFT-A-BULLDOG KICKOFF RALLY
The Bulldogs will hold their 2016 Annual Lift-A-Bulldog Scholarship Fundraiser Seafood Extravaganza Friday, April 8 at the I.P. Stanback Museum, beginning from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $65 per person. For more information or to R.S.V.P call (803) 536-8579 by April 7, 2016. All proceeds and donations will go to sponsor the summer school and the football scholarship program.

For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Athletics releases the "Investing in Champions" football season tickets and parking campaign

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BUILDING CHAMPIONS WEBSITE

XU's Bruins, Albrecht are GCAC Players of the Week

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana juniors Sha'Nel Bruins and Adam Albrecht are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week in tennis for March 21-27.
    
Bruins, from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School, won for the fourth time this season and the fifth time in her career. She won 3-of-4 matches, including a pair of comebacks in a 5-4 victory at then-NAIA No. 11 Keiser. In doubles, Bruins and Dasia Harris trailed 7-4, 40-love against Samantha Guy and Livia Toth before rallying for a 9-8 (7-3) victory. In singles, Bruins clinched the dual with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 victory against Lola Garcia.
    
The victory against Keiser was the Gold Nuggets' first victory of the season against a ranked opponent.
    
Nour Abbes (six in 2014) is the only XU women's tennis player to win more than four GCAC weekly awards in a season. Bruins is one of five to win four times in a season.
    
Albrecht, from Ladna, Czech Republic, and a graduate of Gymnasium Breclav, won for the second time this season and the third time in his career. He was unbeaten in singles and doubles to help Xavier win road duals at St. Thomas (Fla.) and sixth-ranked Keiser. He extended his singles win streak to a career-best eight matches and helped Xavier snap Keiser's 11-dual win streak.
    
Xavier's men and women will play Prairie View A&M at 11 a.m. Saturday at XU Tennis Center. The XU men will visit Louisiana-Lafayette in noon and 4 p.m. duals Sunday — their third and fourth meetings this season with the Ragin' Cajuns. All the weekend opponents are NCAA Division I members.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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XULA's Kennie, Allen, Quincy receive GCAC's weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive week, Xavier University of Louisiana produced three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Performers of the Week in track and field. Winners for March 21-27 are Christopher Kennie in men's field, Clarke Allen in women's field and Kayla Quincy in women's track.
    
All XU performances were from the Louisiana Classics meet in Lafayette.
    
Kennie, a senior from New Orleans and a graduate of Holy Cross High School, was honored for the first time since 2013 and the third time in his career. Kennie matched his best-ever collegiate long jump — 21 feet, 6 3/4 inches (6.57 meters) — in a 10th-place finish. He finished ahead of 11 athletes from NCAA Division I.
    
Allen, a sophomore from Mendenhall, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School, won for the third time this season and the fourth time in her career. Allen produced her third consecutive top-7 finish in the triple jump and had a best mark of 34-10 1/4 (10.62 meters) in placing seventh.
    
Quincy, a junior from Avondale, La. and a graduate of Xavier Prep (now known as St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School), won for the first time in her career. Quincy became Xavier's first qualifier for the 2016 NAIA National Championships with a time of 57.06 seconds in the 400-meter dash. She finished fifth and ahead of 22 from NCAA Division I. Quincy ran anchor on the 1,600 relay squad which finished ninth in 4:01.84, approximately 3 1/2 seconds faster than it did the previous week.
    
Through the first three meets of the outdoor season, XU athletes have won a combined eight GCAC weekly awards in track and field.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Point And Drive Marching Band Documentary Reviewed At FAMU With Music Department

WORK HARD OR WORK HARDER. THOSE WERE THE OPTIONS.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The producer and director of Point and Drive movie, Detroit native Brandi Mitchell, returned to her alma mater to pre-screen her documentary with the esteemed group of faculty at the undeniably most influential music department in the country at Florida A&M University.





POINT AND DRIVE is a documentary that presents the passion, talents, history, struggles and triumphs of the most imitated marching band of all time, The Florida A&M University Marching 100 from the voices of it’s successful alumni spanning over four decades. It also shows the beauty and anatomy of the Historically Black College and University [HBCU] halftime show which the Marching 100’s founder, Dr. William P. Foster innovated, while chronicling the bands influence on young adults from all societal backgrounds; forever changing our lives, culture and traditions.

Starring Grammy Winning Jazz legends like Scotty Barnhart, Wycliffe Gordon and Vincent Gardner, all of whom are alumni of the ground-breaking marching band and university, popular artists like Dwele, and a host of alumni from all "fields" of expertise, Point and Drive explores this tightly-knit underground culture that is the marching band. Shot over a three-year time period with unprecedented access, the film intimately explores what it takes to make the band, how it’s founder Dr. William P. Foster formed the band at the height of segregation, it’s historic rise, unexpected fall, and comeback after a 2011 hazing death which almost stopped the music from playing - indefinitely.

Through original interviews, music, live performances, dancing and rare archival footage and images, we learn that the process of mastering Point and Drive, which is actually the form of precision marching that makes the famed band so eye catching, is so much more – it transfers into an innate bar of excellence that is the measurement and standard for success in their lives.

Point and Drive tells the story of how the vision and passion of one soul can shape the lives of many, and the necessity of fighting to sustain what you believe in - no matter what happens. It is a story for people of all ages, one that will inspire, educate, and provoke a spirit of excellence.

Read More about the documentary and seeing it at www.pointanddrivemovie.com.


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COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MARCHING 100 AND THE INCOMPARABLE Brandi Mitchell, www.PointAndDriveMovie.com

Jackson State offensive line does sweat the technique

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Everything circled back to technique for Jackson State's offensive line last season. Former O-line coach Steven Aycock constantly mentioned it as the area that needed the most improvement on the line.

Even though Ayock, along with the majority of last season's coaching staff, is gone, the message hasn't been abandoned.

Technique is the main focus for first-year Tigers offensive line coach Matt Jones this spring.

"It's an acquired skill. We talk about having a tool box and you have an inside-run step, an outside-zone step, a pass set, a short pass set ... and you have to pull all those things in your tool box," Jones said. "Right now we're just looking for a hammer and screw driver. Eventually we're going to have an Allen wrench. We just need the technique and do it at a high level."

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DI Southern Miss wins every set against Gold Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — The women of Southern Miss won every set and snapped a pair of lengthy Xavier University of Louisiana singles win streaks Thursday in a 9-0 victory at XU Tennis Center.
   
The Golden Eagles (15-2) won their seventh in a row and recorded their first-ever shutout of the Gold Nuggets (7-9). Southern Miss won 6-3 each of the previous two seasons.
   
At the top singles flight, Carolin Drescher defeated Charlene Goreau 6-4, 6-3 to end Goreau's 10-match win streak. At No. 4, Claudia Castella won her eighth in a row and snapped Sha'Nel Bruins' 5-match streak with a 6-4, 6-0 decision.
   
Southern Miss lost one game combined at the top two doubles flights, then Tjasa Jerse and Elena Roca pulled away late for an 8-5 victory against Bruins and Dasia Harris.
   
Tjasa Jerse clinched the dual with a 6-3, 6-0 victory against Brandi Nelson on the third court.
   
Xavier, ranked 15th in the NAIA, is 1-2 this season against NCAA Division I opponents. Five more DIs are on the Gold Nuggets' schedule, including 11 a.m. Saturday at home against Prairie View A&M. The XU men also will play host to Prairie View at that time.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Jackson State coach Bob Braddy, Named to 2016 College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees announced:

ROBERT BRADDY

LUBBOCK, Texas -- The winningest coach and the winningest pitcher in college baseball history, as Robert Braddy
Jackson State University well as one of the leading hitters of his era, highlight the 2016 National College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class.

This year's class, which will be inducted as a part of the annual Night of Champions celebration of college baseball on July 1-2 in Lubbock, Texas, is headlined by University of Texas coach Augie Garrido, winner of five national championships and the winningest coach in college baseball history, and Florida State's JD Drew, a two-time consensus All-American and winner of five national player of the year awards in 1997.

"We are excited to induct this class," said Mike Gustafson, president and CEO of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. "It is remarkable that this is our 11th induction class and they are this accomplished."

Garrido entered the 2016 season with 1,950 wins and has led 15 teams to the College World Series. He has received National Coach of the Year honors six times. On March 25, 2014, he earned his 1,893rd win and passed 2009 College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gordie Gillespie to become the winningest coach in college baseball history.

Drew becomes the second inductee in the storied history of the Florida State program. In addition to winning five player of the year awards in 1997, he was consensus All-American in both 1996 and 1997. He was drafted fifth overall in1998 by the Cardinals and completed a 14-year major league career in 2011. In 1999, he was listed eighth in Baseball America's collegiate "Player of the Century" poll.

Also included in the class are Jackson State coach Bob Braddy, the winningest baseball coach in Southwestern Athletic Conference history with 824 wins and 12 SWAC championships; Marietta College pitcher Matt DeSalvo, whose 53 wins make him the winningest college pitcher in history; Arizona State outfielder Rick Monday, named National Player of the Year in 1965 by The Sporting News; the University of Houston's Tom Paciorek, a two-time first-team All-American who led the Cougars to the finals of the 1967 College World Series; and Valdosta State coach Tommy Thomas, the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history.

Braddy compiled an 824-546 record in 28 years at Jackson State. His teams advanced to the NCAA tournament three times and he was named NAIA District Coach of the Year twice and SWAC Coach of the Year eight times. He was the first African-American to be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003, and he also was inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2005.

DeSalvo's 53-6 career record represents the most wins by any collegiate pitcher at any level, and his 603 career strikeouts are the second most of any pitcher at any level of college baseball. He was named the Division III National Player of the Year by ABCA in 2001 and was a three-time first-team D-III All-American.

Monday made the most of his one varsity season as an Arizona State Sun Devil, earning National Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News for the 1965 National Champions. He batted .359 with a school-record 11 home runs and blasted two home runs during the College World Series to earn All-CWS team honors. Monday was drafted No. 1 overall by the Kansas City A's in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965 and played parts of 19 years in the big leagues. ASU retired his number in 1997.

Paciorek was the first University of Houston Cougar player to receive first-team All-American honors in school history. Named first-team All-American in 1967 and 1968 by both ABCA and The Sporting News, he led Houston to the championship game of the 1967 College World Series by hitting .435 with 10 home runs in 32 games played. He later became the first Cougar to play in the big leagues, where he spent a total of 16 seasons.

Thomas owns the record for most wins in NCAA Division II history with 1,308. He graduated from Valdosta State after a four-year career where he played third base and batted .316. He was named head coach in 1967 and led the VSU baseball team to 34 winning seasons, eight trips to the national tournament and an NCAA Division II national title in 1979. He was named the National Coach of the Year by ABCA in 1979 and was inducted into Valdosta State's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

"I want thank our voting committee of over 200 strong for their time and effort in choosing this class," Gustafson said. "They represent so much history as college baseball media members, active and former coaches, retired umpires, past inductees, college baseball historians and, in several cases they are also former players, and their experiences and knowledge are reflected in this class."
Tickets for the 2016 induction are available on the Hall of Fame's website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

COURTESY www.collegebaseballhall.org.

President Boyd, Steve Harvey To Hold News Conference Saturday at ASU Stadium

WHAT: Steve Harvey & President Gwendolyn Boyd to make a major announcement.
WHEN: Saturday (April 2), at 6 p.m. - gates open at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: The ASU Stadium on its football field - located on Harris Way. Montgomery, AL

Join Steve Harvey, nationally acclaimed star of television, radio and film, who will be hosting a news conference at Alabama State University on Saturday (April 2), at 6 p.m. at the ASU Stadium on its football field.

Harvey will be joined by ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd and Hornet head football coach Brian Jenkins to make a major announcement regarding the 2016 Alabama State University football season, which will benefit both the University and Montgomery. They will be sharing some very exciting and newsworthy information about the star and ASU's Hornet Nation working together.

The event is open to both the ASU family and the public and all are invited to attend, said President Boyd.

"ASU greatly values partnership opportunities and is honored to be able to have such a stellar-star as Steve Harvey share with the public on Saturday the exciting news of how he and the Hornet Nation will soon be working together," President Boyd said.

The news conference will begin promptly at 6 p.m.

News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, at 334-229-4104.

ABOUT STEVE HARVEY
Broderick Stephen "Steve" Harvey is an American comedian, television host, radio personality, actor, and author. He hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Steve Harvey, Family Feud and is the host of NBC's newest Sunday night hit Little Big Shots. He was born on January 17, 1957 in Welch, WV. His movie credits include: Think Like A Man, The Original Kings of Comedy, and much more. He is married and has seven children.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Pittman Relieved as FVSU’s Head Football Coach

Keithen DeGrate

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- Donald Pittman has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately. Assistant head coach Keithen DeGrate will serve as interim head coach for the Wildcats.

"On behalf of the university's athletics program, I'd like to thank Coach Pittman for his service to our football program over the past seven years," Murfree said. "However, after careful consideration, I believe this decision is in the best interest of our student athletes, the athletics department and the institution. We wish Donald Pittman well in his future endeavors."

Pittman had served as FVSU's head coach since December 2009 and had compiled a 40-33 overall record in seven seasons.

The university is launching a national search for a new head football coach.

FVSU's football team finished the 2015 season with a loss in the SIAC Eastern Division Title game against Albany State. The 2016 football season kicks off on Sept. 4 in Birmingham, Ala. against Miles College.

If, you should have any questions, please contact Willie Patterson, Sports Information Director at 478-825-6437.
Fort Valley State University Director of Athletics Dr. Joshua Murfree announced today that head football coach.

COURTESY FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SSU Names Erik Raeburn Head Football Coach

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State University has selected Erik Raeburn as the new head football coach. Raeburn will be the 25^th head football coach in the history of the program.

Raeburn, 44, comes to SSU from Wabash College located in Crawfordsville, Ind.

A proven winner, in his eight years at Wabash, he accumulated a record of 78-13, earned five trips to the Division III playoffs and had 16 student-athletes earn All-America status. His 2015 squad posted a 12-1 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs.

Wabash was 10-2 in 2008, Raeburn's first season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2009, the Little Giants went 9-2 and made another trip to the NCAA playoffs. Wabash missed the playoffs in 2010, despite an 8-2 record, but bounced back the following year where they went 12-1 and made it to the NCAA quarterfinals. That same year, Raeburn was named North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

The 2013 squad was ranked 17th in the nation in the final D3football.com Top-25 poll.

Raeburn led Wabash to a 10-2 record  in 2014, including a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs and finished 13th in the final D3football.com.

Before he became head coach at Wabash, Raeburn spent eight years as head football coach at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he posted a 51-26 record. Prior to arriving at Coe, he was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Mount Union College, where he served as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator.
                    
At Coe, Raeburn coached 65 All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IAAC) players, 40 All-Americans, and two Academic All-Americans. He guided Coe to its first IIAC title in school history in 2002, and followed with conference championships in 2004 and 2005. He was the 2002 IIAC Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year. He led the Kohawks to a playoff appearance in 2002, advancing to the second round, and also led Coe to the playoffs in 2005.

Raeburn's overall record as a head coach is 135-39.

Raeburn earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Mount Union College and is currently pursuing his master's degree. As an assistant coach under Larry Kehres at Mount Union, he helped the Purple Raiders win six Ohio Athletic Conference Championships and three NCAA Division III National Championships (1996, 1997, 1998).

Erik Raeburn Timeline
Born: June 19, 1971
Playing career: Mount Union, 1989-92
Coaching career: Mount Union 1994-99 (assistant), Coe 2000-07 (head coach), Wabash 2008-15 (head coach), Savannah State 2016 (head coach)
View Photo Gallery Here

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Ivy has stepped up for Jackson State this spring

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State is looking for a quarterback who can serve as the leader of the team and be the face of the program.

LaMontiez Ivy has held that position down for the better part of the past two seasons, but Tigers coach Tony Hughes said there's a competition for the job this spring.

The knowledge Ivy gained from all those starts has paid off through through JSU's first four spring practices.

"The way he has taken command and the way he has competed (has been) really pleasing" Hughes said Tuesday. "Like we said, competition is open, and it is, but at the same time his experience has really shown, and he could really be a good football player, and we need him to step up and this spring he has stepped up."

Ivy is competing with Jarin Morikawa, Jordan Williams and Brent Lyles. Ivy, who was All-SWAC second team in 2014, and Morikawa both started multiple games last season, while Williams appeared in three.

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Next QBs step up into the spotlight

Grambling State - After losing Johnathan Williams, the SWAC offensive player of the year whose 37 touchdown passes tied for the most in the FCS, third-year coach Broderick Fobbs signed former Ole Miss third-string quarterback Deonte Kincade, a redshirt junior. He's basically been anointed as the No. 1 despite sitting out the spring with a broken foot suffered in Sugar Bowl warmups.

Bethune-Cookman - While it hurts to lose Quentin Williams, who played extensively over the last four years and was the FCS leader in passing efficiency last season, redshirt junior Larry Brihm has appeared in all but one game over the last two years. But considering the MEAC squad doesn't rely on one QB, junior college transfer Anthony Cruz, who at 6-5 is more of a pocket passer than a scrambler, and redshirt freshman Arkevious Williams have to be considered for playing time as well.

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Grambling using spring football as teaching tool

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — For the two first two years of Broderick Fobbs' tenure, Grambling football players did what they were asked without fully grasping the underlying theme.

The results were more than acceptable — 16 wins and a Southwestern Athletic Conference title berth — but the Tigers are looking to take the next step, and year three is beginning with an emphasis on learning why the program operates the way it operates.

"Our focus this spring is to teach. It's not a blood and guts spring for us," Fobbs said last week. "It's about teaching and getting people in the right place and understanding why they're doing what they're doing.

"I think they're starting to understand that."

Grambling is amid a near two-week long hiatus of practice for spring break, and the Tigers have just had one week of practice due to flooding that hit the area earlier this month.

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Hargrave, Hemingway head up SCSU's Pro Day prospects

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- History has already been made. But more is in the making just around the corner.

When South Carolina State football players Javon Hargrave and Temarrick Hemingway attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis a month ago, they were the first Bulldogs teammates to be invited to the event with other top draft-eligible college players in the same year.

Both had strong performances there and are in town training for Wednesday’s SCSU Pro Day workouts inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg. If they have solid showings in the pro day workouts, both could hear their names called higher than previously projected during the 2016 NFL Draft, which starts on April 28 in Chicago.

Couple that with fact that the interest they’ve received from NFL team scouts could mean a large turnout of scouts on SCSU’s campus to see them and some of their former teammates (including Jalen “Scoot” Simmons, Antonio Hamilton and Dondre Lewis-Freeman) work out, and it’s obvious that this could be the most pro football consideration one group of SCSU players has ever garnered.

“Both guys (Hargrave and Hemingway) had a plan when they got here; a plan to get better at football and a plan to graduate early, so they wouldn’t have to worry about this time of year and trying to get prepared for the pro guys along with classes,” South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough said. “That plan was as impressive as anything they’ve done here. “Antonio Hamilton did the same deal; so I can say this is a good, smart group of guys representing our program and our university.”



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