UMES Announces 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Class

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland --  The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics is pleased to announce its 2016 Hall of Fame class. The class will be enshrined during Homecoming weekend in a ceremony to be held, Friday, February 19, 2016 in the ballroom of the Student Services Center on campus. Tickets are on sale now at www.umestickets.com.

The addition of five brand new members will bring the total number of inductees to the school’s hall of fame to 210. Dr. Kirkland Hall — a current hall of famer as a former student-athlete — will be honored again for his coaching accomplishments, while the 1963 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field team, will also be formally inducted. Six of the nine members of that team were honored as All-Americans and several of their records still stand today. The team won both NAIA and NCAA College Division National Championships and eight of the nine members are already enshrined individually.

Three basketball stars will be honored. Nicole Council, who is in the top ten in the women’s record books in numerous categories, Thomas “Tee” Trotter, the second highest scorer in men’s program history and the school’s all-time Division I scorer, and Trent Harris, a three year Maryland State star known for his rebounding and shooting accuracy. The latter of whom will be inducted posthumously. Volleyball standout Jana Milin, who holds nearly every volleyball scoring record at the school, while being a two-time MEAC Player of the Year, will also be inducted. Cross country and track & field star Barnabas Togom, who claimed several individual MEAC Championships and holds numerous distance records, rounds out the class.

The 2016 UMES Athletics Hall of Fame class:

Nicole Council – Women’s Basketball 1996-2000

Originally recruited by Joyce Jenkins, a MEAC coach of the year, Council became a force on the Lady Hawks backcourt. Over the next four years she played in 111 games (5th most in program history) and amassed 1,520 points to stand third among the all-time scoring leaders.  

Council finished her senior year (99-00) ranked 31st in the NCAA in scoring and in her junior season finished 16th in the nation in steals. She was ranked in the Top 10 in the MEAC in scoring and assists each of her final three seasons and was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team in her first campaign, 96-97. Council was a two-time All-MEAC Second-Team and MEAC All-Academic Team selection in 98-99 and 99-00. She finished her time in Princess Anne as the school record holder in assists (398) and steals (295). She is ranked in the Top 5 for women’s basketball in 11 statistical categories, including second in career steals per game and in points in a season — when she dropped 538 her senior year. She owns over a dozen other Top 10 records. In 97-98 Council’s Lady Hawks went 16-11, the last winning season prior to the Fred Batcehlor era.

She went on to play professionally in Greece and has started her own non-profit organization Hoopz & Dreamz, Inc. Council is currently a women’s assistant coach at Wilmington University. Before her collegiate position, she was a successful high school coach at Churchland H.S. in Portsmouth, Va. (06-08). She graduated in 2000 and is originally from Suffolk, Va. now residing in Smyrna, Del.

Thomas “Tee” Trotter – Men’s Basketball 2000-2004

Thomas “Tee” Trotter, played for the Hawks from 2000-2004 and was one of the Hawk’s most prolific scorers of all-time. He amassed 1,923 points, second all-time in school history and first in the Division I era. He was an All-MEAC Second-Team selection in 02-03 and 03-04 and to this day holds MEAC records for most points in a tournament game (40 in 2002), most free throws made (19-2002) and most free throws attempted (20-2002). He is ranked fifth all-time in field goals in a season (183 in 2003) and ranked in the Top 5 twice in free throws made in a season.

Trotter also ranks fourth all-time in free throw percentage (85 percent in 2004). He was an All-MEAC Rookie Team selection 2001 and finished third in the league in scoring each of his last three seasons. He completed his career ranked first in the MEAC in all-time scoring in the past 20 years (since 95-96) and currently stands third overall. In that same time span Trotter is 3rd overall in free throw percentage and is 4th overall in points per game for a career (17.8) among all MEAC players.

Just 5-foot-11, the under-sized guard carried the weight of the offense all four years, playing for his father, Thomas Trotter Sr. who is eighth in school history in all-time coaching wins. The younger Trotter graduated in 2004 and currently works in the Chicago Public School system as the Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Hirsch High School.  

Trent Harris – Men’s Basketball 1956-1960

Playing under the tutelage of legendary coach Nate Taylor, Robert Trent Harris Sr. led his 1960 Maryland State College Hawks to the NAIA District Championship with wins over Albany and Montclair. That same squad made an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament, falling to Westminster 64-63. They finished 22-6 on the year. Harris, playing alongside other Hawk Hall of Famers like Dave Riddick and Jesse Williams, was named All-CIAA Honorable Mention in his career. He stands 3rd and 9th All-Time in single season rebounds with 485 in 1960 and 361 in 1959.

He tallied more than 1,000 rebounds in his career and stands third overall in the Hawk record books. In his senior season of 1960, he shot a blistering 53 percent from the field, good enough for fourth all-time in single season field goal percentage. That season, Harris averaged 14.1 points per game and a staggering 17.3 rebounds per game. He grabbed 31 boards that year against Virginia State. The previous season, Harris averaged 14.7 points and 20 rebounds per game, showing off against Virginia State, collecting 32 caroms. Harris’s teams went from just seven wins as a freshman to 22 as a senior.

Harris, a native of South Boston, Virginia, passed away shortly after his time in Princess Anne in September of 1971. He worked as a patient technician for Chestnut Large Hospital in Rockville, Maryland. Harris’s son, Robert Trent Harris Jr. went on to embrace his father’s love of basketball, serving as the head coach at Shenandoah University for 11 seasons, including an exhibition win in 2007-08 when they topped UMES in Princess Anne. Harris Sr. also had a daughter, Teresa Medley who works with the Federal Government.

Jana Milin – Women’s Volleyball 2002-2005

Recruited by current Hawks head coach Toby Rens in his first stint at UMES, Milin was instrumental in transforming the volleyball team to its present day state. Milin dominated the MEAC in her three years at UMES, owning the school record for kills in a career with 1,795 and in service aces in a career with 315. She also finished with 1,062 career digs. Milin was the 2002 MEAC Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year and went on to earn the Player of the Year award again in 2003. She was a First-Team All-MEAC selection each season (02-04) and led the league in kills in 2002 (534) and in 2003 (644). She also led the league in service aces in 2002 (95) and 2003 (104). She was named to the MEAC All-Tournament Team in 2003 and 2004 and won numerous Player of the Week honors.

Beyond the conference, Milin dominated nationally, leading the NCAA in aces per game in 2004 (0.94) and was fourth in the nation the prior two years, serving up .88 aces per game. She also finished in the Top 30 in the nation in kills per game each year. Milin still holds the school record for kills and aces in a season and kills in a match (40) along with attacks in a match (81). She was a six-time member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 30-kill club, a 12-time member of the AVCA’s Triple Double Club and had a 30-dig club nod as well. She recorded one quadruple-double in her career. In 2004, Milin was the CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team honoree.

Upon graduation Milin ranked first in nine single-season and 10 career categories including kills, service aces, digs and points. Milin graduated from UMES with a degree in general studies with a concentration in hotel and restaurant management. She is using the degree back home in Pula, Croatia.

Barnabas Togom – Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country 2002-2004

Brought from his home of Kenya to the United States by head coach Ernest Barrett, Togom set the standard for current Hawk distance runners. He was named the MEAC Championship Most Outstanding Performer in 2004, blistering the course with a first-place time of 25.56 and pushing his Hawks to a runner-up finish. He avenged his runner-up finish in the MEAC Championships in 2003.

Togom is part of the school-record holding Distance Medley Relay (DMR) Team in indoor track with a time of 10:06.63, set in New York City in January of 2003. He claimed the MEAC individual title in the 5000-meter run at the conference championships in 2003. He went on to set then school-records in both the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs and in the 3,000 meter-steeplechase. Named the 2003 UMES Male Athlete of the Year, Togom won MEAC Academic honors three straight years. He did all of that and graduated UMES in just 2.5 years as a computer science major.

 Dr. Kirkland J. Hall – Coach (7 sports)

Already inducted as a student-athlete, Dr. Hall returned to work at his alma mater for much of his adult career. The Somerset County native coached for 33 years at his alma mater, including short stints with football, women’s basketball, swimming and tennis. Hall’s first love however was basketball, a sport he served as the head coach of for eight years. He amassed 76 career wins, the fourth most all-time, including back-to-back winning campaigns in 79-80 (16-9) and 80-81 (17-15). Those were the last two winning seasons before now coach Bobby Collins took over in 2014-15. Hall won the prestigious Loyola Holiday Tournament in the 79-80 season and went on to make the NAIA District 19 playoffs. The following season, he returned to the playoffs and his Hawks ranked in the Top 20 in the nation in FT percentage.

Hall also served as head baseball coach, posting 105 wins over 14 seasons. Including a 15-win campaign in 83-84. He ranks first all-time with 105 wins. On the other diamond, Hall led the Lady Hawks in softball, amassing 128 wins, the most all-time in school history, including a 27-18 campaign in the 94-95 season.

Hall is a member of the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame, the MEAC Hall of Fame and the American Civil Liberties Union Wall of Fame. While his ability to coach is unquestioned, his best accolade can be seen in those he coached. UMES Hall of Famers Robin Pettit (softball), Kenneth Simmons, Allen Davenport, Alan Faulks and Donnell Boney (all from men’s basketball), Ian Daily (track & field and basketball) and Ira Smith (baseball). Smith is also a MEAC Hall of Famer who was the first ever two-time NCAA batting champion.

The 1963 Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Team

In 1963, two-time defending CIAA champion Maryland State College entered the year as the favorites to win the conference again in men’s track & field. What they did was so much more.  

In February of that year, the Hawks proved to be one of the strongest teams in the east. Facing off against the University of Maryland and Morgan State in the final mile relay, anchor Charlie Mays ran past two runners, IC4A champion Hubie Brown and ACC quarter-mile record holder Chris Stauffer, the win the relay for the Hawks; that indoor accomplishment set up the historic outdoor season.

Coached by the legendary Cappy Anderson, the Hawks were expected to win the outdoor crown in Petersburg, Virginia, but they did so in dominating fashion. MSC earned 54 points in the meet to win, beating Morgan State by 15. The team earned numerous top-three finishes, including once again winning the mile relay and Mays taking the broad jump with a leap of 24 feet and two inches.

But the Hawks were not done. MSC took the NAIA National championship and later the NCAA Division II National title (then known as the College Division) in June.

Maryland State first took the NAIA title, scoring 82 points in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, besting runner-up Nebraska-Omaha by 49 points (33). They claimed four individual championships there, still tied for the 11th most by a school in NAIA history. Russ Rogers still stands as one of eight men ever who have won five individual titles at the NAIA Championships, two coming in 63 with the 440-yard high hurdles and 120-yard high hurdles. He won three straight in the 440 yarders, from 61-63 and was the Herbert B. Marett Outstanding Performer in 61 and 62. Mays added on taking the triple jump title with a 47-8 ¾ leap in 63 and the mile relay team dominated posting a time of 3:13.5 with Ed Skinner, Rogers, Mays and Earl Rogers combing for the win.

In Chicago, UMES scored 98 points to top Fresno State by 34 points and win the NCAA College Division National Championship, now known as Division II. The Hawks claimed six individual champions at that meet with Skinner in the 440-meter dash (47.1), Raymond “Packrat” Jackson in the six-mile run (29:59.4), Russ Rodgers in the 440-meter intermediate hurdles (51.9), Charlie Mays in the long jump (24-5 ¼) and Al Santio in the shot put (54-0) and discuss (173-4).

The team won 11 All-American honors for their effort at the NCAA Championships with Mays taking the honors in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash, the long jump and the triple jump. Santio earned the honor in the shot put and discuss while Russ Rodgers and Richard Davis both took home the honor in the 120-yard high hurdles and the 440-yard Intermediate Hurdles. Earl Rogers and Skinner both took home the honor in the 440-yard dash. Jackson won it in the 6-mile run.

Eight of the nine members of those teams, Russ Rogers, Richard Davis, Bob Brown, Al Santio*, Earl Rogers*, Ed Skinner, Charlie Mays* and Raymond Jackson* were already inducted as individuals in the hall with James Liggons, the ninth member now standing alongside of them.    

Tickets can be purchased for the Hall of Fame banquet by calling the UMES Athletic Office at 410-651-6496.

*deceased

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UMES Art Shell named to Super Bowl’s Golden Team

ART SHELL

NEW YORK, New York — In preparation for the National Football League’s (NFL) golden anniversary of the most popular championship event in American professional sports, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors chose representatives for the “Super Bowl 50 Golden Team”. The prestigious list includes one of the many Hawks who have taken the field in the NFL’s biggest game—former Maryland State and Oakland Raiders tackle Art Shell.

Shell was placed on the offensive line, joining four other NFL legends. His pro teammate, the late Gene Upshaw, also won recognition, along with Forest Gregg of the Green Bay Packers, Larry Allen of the Dallas Cowboys and the late Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Other players named to the team included Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith, Reggie White, Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis, among others. Kicker Adam Vinatieri was the only active player named to the squad, and Pittsburgh’s Chuck Noll—a four time Super Bowl victor—was named head coach.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Shell’s road to the NFL’s Hall of Fame started right here in Princess Anne. Playing under the tutelage of another South Carolinian—the late Roosevelt “Sandy” Gilliam—Shell starred for four years as a Hawk before being drafted in the third round in 1968 by Oakland.

He then went on to play 14 years for the Raiders, 13 of those seasons in Oakland, helping to lead the team to two Super Bowl victories as a player (XI in 1977 and XV in 1981). Along the way, he was selected to eight Pro Bowl while winning numerous All-Pro awards and a place on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade team.

After his playing career completed, Shell immediately joined the coaching staff, winning a third Super Bowl (XVIII in 1984) as an offensive line coach. In 1989, he broke barriers by being named the first African-American head coach in the NFL, leading his Raiders from 1989-1994 and again in 2006.

Shell is one of nine former Hawks to have played in a Super Bowl, but is the only one to ever win a championship more than once.

“Super Bowl 50” will be played February 7th in Santa Clara, California, pitting the AFC’s Denver Broncos against the NFC’s Carolina Panthers.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN MEDIA RELATIONS

Team Effort Sends UDC Firebirds to 13th Straight Win, 73-57 vs. Daemen

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Ten Firebirds entered the scoring column, including four in double-figures, as the University of the District of Columbia women's basketball team defeated East Coast Conference foe Daemen College, 73-57 at home on Friday night.

 

The Firebirds have now won 13 straight games as they completed the season sweep of the Wildcats to remain unbeaten in conference play at 10-0 and improved to 15-3 overall. Daemen dropped the 3^rd of its last four games to fall to 4-13 overall and 2-9 in league play.

 

Junior transfer guard Brandi Henton and senior forward Iman Scott led the Firebirds offensively with 14 points apiece. Scott scored 10 of her 14 in the 2^nd half, and Henton registered 11 of her 14 in the 4^th quarter. Junior transfer forward Jenka Stiasna was the spark plug early, scoring eight of her 10 points in the 1^st quarter. Senior forward Arielle Ward had a game-high four steals and a team-high seven rebounds.



Daemen featured two double-figure scorers in guards Sarah Saba and Leah McDonell – both with 15 points each. Raeann Stilwell pitched in with game-highs of nine rebounds and six assists.

 

Neither team shot well from the field as UDC had a slight 38-percent to 37-percent FG shooting edge but were less precise from three-point range (24-percent to 30-percent). The Firebirds had a decisive free-throw shooting advantage, however, as they made 21-of-28 (75-percent) at the stripe compared to 13-of-26 (50-percent) by the Wildcats.

 

UDC also won the rebounding battle, 40-36 and were much more efficient offensively with 12 turnovers compared to 20 by Daemen. The Firebirds turned those 20 Daemen turnovers into 23 points while the Wildcats had only four points off of turnovers.

 

The first four minutes featured seven lead changes and two ties as McDonnell answered a Stiasna three-pointer with a layup at the 6:02 mark to force a 9-all deadlock. A layup by Tiara Goode at 5:10 kick-started an 11-0 run by the Firebirds to close out the quarter as UDC grabbed a 20-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and would never look back.

 

Consecutive three-pointers by Henton and senior guard Tajruba Baldwin-Kollore allowed the Firebirds to remain up 28-16 just past the seven minute mark of the 2^nd quarter, and UDC would lead by as many as 13 before ultimately settling for a 33-21 advantage at halftime.

 

The Firebirds extended their lead to 15 (40-25) two minutes into the 3^rd quarter after a layup by Goode, but Daemen used an 8-0 run to pull within seven after six straight points by McDonell. A conventional three-point play by Scott stopped the bleeding as UDC scored eight of the game's next 11 points and upped its lead to 48-37 approaching two minutes on the clock. The Wildcats scored the last four points of the quarter to pull within seven, 48-41 entering the 4^th quarter.

 

Daemen pulled within five, 50-45, two-and-a-half minutes into the final quarter after a three-pointer by Samantha Wozniak, and later a three-pointer by Natalie Galus kept it a six-point game (56-50) just past the five minute mark. A layup by McDonell at the 2:15 mark again closed the gap to six, but the Firebirds held the Wildcats without a field goal and only one made free-throw for the remainder of regulation as they made 11-of-12 free-throws down the stretch to win comfortably by 16.

 

UDC is back in action at home on Sunday as they host the rematch vs. ECC foe Roberts Wesleyan College at 1 p.m. The last time these two met in Rochester, NY, the Firebirds pulled out a thrilling, 97-90 victory in triple overtime.

 

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Albany State women rout Tuskegee

ALBANY, Georgia — The Albany State Lady Rams fell in love with the long ball early in their game against Tuskegee Saturday afternoon at the HPER Gymnasium and it would help them get a convincing 73-40 victory.

The win improves the Lady Rams to 10-10 on the season and 10-2 in the SIAC.

After a sloppy first quarter that featured about a half dozen turnovers, ASU was able to move the ball and get Keidra Green open in the second. She knocked down four consecutive 3-pointers to give the Lady Rams a 22-15 lead in the second quarter.

Her sister, Kayla, also got active and followed that up with a 4-0 run of her own to push the lead to double digits. Albany State went into the half with a 32-22 lead despite 14 turnovers. Head coach Robert Skinner said they were able to protect the ball better toward the end of the half and that helped them build a lead.

“I think we just were able to move the ball and protect it a little bit better,” he said.

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Lincoln Blue Tigers Break Two Records at Pitt State Invite

PITTSBURG, Kansas  --  Ladonna Richards, Jhevere Hall and Diana Cauldwell won in record-breaking style, highlighting the Lincoln women's indoor track & field team's performance at the Pittsburg State Invitational on Friday (Jan. 29).

Richards beat fellow Blue Tiger Chrisdale McCarthy by a split second in the 60m hurdles, finishing in 8.365 while McCarthy ended the race in 8.369. In the 800m, Hall turned in the winning time of 2:10.22, while Monique Thompson placed fourth (2:14.38) and Shanice Clarke came in 13th (2:18.82). Both Richards' and Hall's times are new facility records.

Lincoln's other record-breaking performance came in the triple jump, where Cauldwell set the new facility mark with a win in the triple jump at 12.34m. Jonelle Campbell placed fifth in that event, posting a top distance of 12.01m. Cauldwell also represented LU in the long jump, taking fifth at 5.60m, while Adewumi Ademuwagun claimed 12th at 5.38m.

The distance medley team of Thompson, Clark, Hall and Yanique Ellington turned in the best time by a Division II squad, taking third overall in 12:17.47. Ellington also competed in the 200m, placing fourth with a time of 24.41.

Lincoln's final notable performance came in the 4x400m relay, where the foursome of Kissi-Ann Brown, Kimona Shaw, Tina Coombs and Ebony Rose finished 10th in 3:56.99.

The Blue Tigers will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 6), as Lincoln travels to Jacksonville, Ill. for the Jim Green Invitational, hosted by Illinois College.

Complete Results

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

N.C. A&T Aggies Stymie SSU's Offense In Win

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Not allowing the other team to score is the foundation on which North Carolina A&T women’s basketball coach Tarrell Robinson is building his program.

His teams have never finished lower than 38^th in scoring defense over his four-year tenure. The Aggies who came into Saturday afternoon’s game against Savannah State ranked 11^th in the nation in scoring defense, defended their way to a 60-31 win at Corbett Sports Center. Robinson not only feels defense is the foundation, he also believes it is his pathway to winning the program’s first MEAC title in seven years.

“We’ve talked about getting back to our staple and that’s playing great defense and letting it create our offense,” said Robinson. “Tonight showed that we can do that. Hopefully moving forward we can continue to do the same.”

Redshirt junior Dana Brown led the Aggies offensively with 12 points and three assists. Fifth-year senior Christina Carter added 10 points and four assists, while graduate transfer Courtney Powell recorded her first double-double as an Aggie with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“Courtney is a tremendous athlete,” said Robinson. “She’s still trying to figure out our system, but what she can do is go after the rebound and get a lot of loose balls. I need her to become a better defender, but she can be a double-double machine if she can keep herself on the court.”

Defense seems to be on Robinson mind a lot, and it certainly showed through his team against the Tigers. The Tigers (6-13, 3-5 MEAC) connected on four field goals in the first quarter and held a 9-6 lead after the first. The Tigers only made nine additional field goals the rest of the game. The Tigers’ 31-point output was its lowest in conference play as was their 26 percent shooting.

The Aggies opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run. After Rhianna Warren scored to end the run, the Aggies scored six additional points behind two baskets from Powell to take a 19-11 lead with 4:39 remaining in the half. The Aggies (10-10, 6-3 MEAC) eventually went into the locker room with a 10-point advantage, 25-15, thanks to Brown scoring in transition on a jump shot to end the half.

Brown then opened the second half with a 3-pointer that sparked a 9-0 spurt as N.C. A&T took a 34-15 lead with over the first two minutes of the third quarter. With two minutes remaining in the third, the Aggies lead had increased to 22, 42-20, thanks to a McRae jump shot. The Tigers made only two field goals in the fourth quarter.

Robinson was pleased to see his team bounce back from its disappointing road loss at Coppin State on Wednesday. After three games in one week, Robinson’s team now has a week off before traveling to Durham to play arch-rival N.C. Central at 2 p.m., on Saturday.

“We’re going to try to get to church tomorrow and thank the Lord for this win,” said Robinson. “From there we’re going to let them rest. It’s been a long week. Three games in one week is a lot, so we’ll probably take Sunday and Monday off and get back to work on Tuesday.”

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LU Turns In 12 Top-10 Finishes at Pitt State Invite

PITTSBURG, Kansas -- The Lincoln men's indoor track & field team turned in 12 top-10 finishes at the Pittsburg State Invitational on Friday (Jan. 29).

LU's best time of the afternoon came in the finals of the 60m dash, where Roberto Smith placed third in 6.74. That time stands as an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division II National Championships, and is also the third-fastest time in the country.

WINSTON EDWARDS
COURTESY: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Lincoln's highest finish of the day came in the 4x400m relay, where the team of Roger Blake, Faedeon Royes, Winston Edwards and Miguel Barton placed second with a time of 3:13.18. Royes also took third in the 400m (48.16) while Blake came in eighth in the 200m (21.63).

The Blue Tigers had a pair of other third-place results, including in the 60m hurdles, where Stallon Watson finished third in 7.99. Owen Smith took third in the triple jump, posting a top distance of 14.46m, while Orneldo Thomas finished fifth (14.33m) and Sedeekie Edie came in ninth (13.93m). Thomas also competed in the long jump, finishing 10th at 6.86m.

Jeromia Riley had LU's next-best finish of the day, taking fourth in the 800m at 1:50.91. Kevon Robinson also competed in the 800m, placing 10th with a time of 1:54.47. Lincoln's final notable performance came in the 600-yard run, where Edwards placed eighth with a time of 1:13.27.

The Blue Tigers will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 6), as Lincoln travels to Jacksonville, Ill. for the Jim Green Invitational, hosted by Illinois College.

Complete Results

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Hill's Sixth Double-Double Leads LU to 59-57 Win

ZURI HILL
COURTESY: LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- Zuri Hill recorded her sixth double-double of the season and grabbed three huge rebounds in the final two minutes to lead the Lincoln women's basketball team to a 59-57 win at Northeastern State on Saturday (Jan. 30).

The Blue Tigers led for nearly the entire game, including holding the RiverHawks to just seven second quarter points en route to a 28-22 halftime lead. Northeastern State mounted a big comeback in the fourth quarter, however, scoring the first seven points of the period to force a 46-46 tie.

Azaria Nave stopped the run with a three-pointer, and an old-fashioned three-point play by Asia McCaskill gave LU a 52-48 advantage. The RiverHawks used a layup and a trey on back-to-back possessions to take a one-point lead, however, and later entered the final two minutes of the contest with a 57-56 advantage.

After a missed jumper, NSU had the opportunity to add to its lead, but Hill grabbed a defensive rebound to give Lincoln another chance. The Blue Tigers missed a three-point shot, but Hill grabbed the rebound, her ninth offensive board of the contest, and sank a layup to but Lincoln back on top.

With 16 seconds remaining, the RiverHawks missed a shot on their end, and once again it was Hill coming down with the rebound. Forced to foul, Northeastern State sent Sarah Neptune to the line, who made one of her two free throws to give LU the two-point advantage. The RiverHawks were unable to get a shot off after that point, as Lincoln held on for its second road win in its past three tries.

Hill finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Lizzie Nessling was also close to a double-double, finishing with eight points and nine boards. Nave and Hunter Yoakum each scored 10 points, with Yoakum also grabbing three rebounds and dishing a pair of assists.

Neptune scored four points, pulled down three rebounds and led the Blue Tigers with six assists. McCaskill tallied six points, four boards and a pair of steals while Jasmine Guthrie came down with five rebounds to go with two points. Dorian Briggs rounded out the scoring for LU with a made three-pointer while also recording a pair of rebounds.

Lincoln improves to 8-13 overall and 4-11 in MIAA play with the win. Northeastern State, meanwhile, falls to 6-15 on the season and 3-12 in the conference.

The Blue Tigers, currently in the midst of a four-game road swing, will be in Maryville, Mo. next Thursday (Feb. 4) to play Northwest Missouri at 5:30 p.m. CST.

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Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

The Lincoln Lady Lions Defeat The Trojans of Virginia State By One Basket

De'jah Taylor
Courtesy: The Lincoln University Athletics

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lady Lions were victorious today as they upended the Trojans of Virginia State University by the score of 53-51. The game was a tale of two halves. The Lions were slow to get out of the gate in the first half,   falling behind by as many as 10 points. Their lack of scoring and inability to prevent the Trojans from scoring was the result of turnovers that were caused by the Trojans full press.

Coach Mosley recognized the problem and made some adjustments. He brought in freshmen guard Jaeda Davis (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King HS) whose quickness was the difference in setting up the offense. The team came back and scored when sophomore Teira Pendleton (Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Poly Institute) was able to get into the paint and make some tough baskets in traffic. She led the team in scoring with 12 points. She was joined in double figures by senior Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) who scored 11. Junior forward Dejah Taylor also posted double figure stats with 13 rebounds. She narrowly missed a double-double with 9 points. Her effort was very much needed as the Trojan had the height advantage. She and the Lions had to step up their attack on the boards to make some tough baskets with quickness and hustle.  Amani Clark (Middletown, DE/Appoquinimink HS) who came up with a timely steal which lead to a score towards the end of the half help turn the tide for the Lions. They finished the second quarter just one point down.

The second half was tight and became a defensive struggle. The Trojans Wynterra Pittman kept her team in the game with some clutch jump shots. She scored 15 for the game leading her team. The Lions kept their composure throughout the half not settling for jump shots. The team instead kept working the perimeter until they could find a seam or hole big enough to attack. The result was a lead that was never more than 7 points which in the CIAA means nothing. The Trojans never gave up and made it interesting in the final minutes of the game. Fortunately the Lions held on long enough to squeak out a victory over the team that defeated them in last seasons' CIAA Championship final. The game was by no means revenge as each team has a different look due to the graduation of key players. However it's always nice to defend home turf against a CIAA northern division opponent and even better when they got you the last time.

The afternoons win gives takes the team's record to 11-8 overall and 6-5 in CIAA play. Most important, they are now 3-2 in northern division play which places them in 3^rd place. The team plays next Saturday February 6, 2016 at Bowie State University. Game time is 1:00 pm.

Box Score

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Softball first baseman Torrian Wright enjoying every minute at Savannah State

TORRIAN WRIGHT
COURTESY: SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
 

SAVANNAH, Georgia --Torrian Wright is happy.

The Savannah State slugger is the softball team’s musician. She would bring her guitar into the dugout if she could, but when her team needs a rallying cry, she improvises. She turns over a couple of buckets and starts beating the drums.

Before each game, she’s always dancing. She once fell over doing so, sending a wave of gut-busting laughter through her teammates. She got back up and laughed it off with them.

She once tripped face-first while coming off the field into her team’s dugout. Everyone at the game saw it happen. She got up, still laughing.

But at the plate, she’s no joke. Nothing gets to her, least of all falling behind in the count 0-2.

One can go on and on about how Wright’s numbers are so impressive from so many angles. The senior has done nothing but set records since arriving on the Savannah State campus, terrorizing opposing pitchers with 46 homers and 142 runs with a career slugging percentage of .893 and an on-base percentage of .584.

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HU women maintain spot in first place with 73-62 win over Norfolk State

HAMPTON, Virginia -- In the latest installment of the “Battle of the Bay,” Hampton Univeristy’s women’s basketball team maintained its spot atop the MEAC standings and added another L to Norfolk State’s winless season.

Mikayla Sayle had a career day with 15 points and nine rebounds as the Lady Pirates defeated the Spartans 73-62 Saturday at the Convocation Center. HU led by 24 points early in the third quarter but had trouble putting away the Spartans, who have lost 20 consecutive games dating back to last season.

It was the fifth consecutive win for the Lady Pirates (9-12, 7-1 MEAC), who maintained their one-game lead in the conference standings. On the other side of that spectrum, Norfolk State (0-19, 0-9) remains one of two winless teams in Division I.

Malia Tate-DeFreitas had 24 points and six rebounds.

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ESPN 'SportsCenter' to Broadcast from Hampton University Before Pirates First Men's Lacrosse Game

February 13th is the date of the first varsity LAX game for Hampton, the first NCAA
 Division I men's team from a historically black college or university in 35 years.
Morgan State played its final season in 1981.
Hampton Lacrosse ... It's Real
Courtesy: Lacrosse Magazine

HAMPTON, Virginia -- On Saturday, Feb. 13, the Hampton University men's lacrosse team will open its home slate at 12:30 p.m. in Armstrong Stadium against Div. II Roberts Wesleyan College.

Prior to the game, ESPN will broadcast from Armstrong Stadium with SportsCenter on the Road from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. This will mark the first time ESPN has broadcast its series from Hampton University and it ties in with the program's inaugural Div. I lacrosse season.

Lacrosse Magazine has taken notice and posted this story to its website on Wednesday.

Hampton is the 70th NCAA Div. I school to field a men's lacrosse program, and it will be the first-ever HBCU to field a Div. I program. Hampton is the first HBCU to play men's lacrosse overall since Morgan State in 1981. Pirates head coach Lloyd Carter was a member of that Bears team, a Div. II power that defeated the likes of Villanova, Michigan State, Georgetown, and Not
re Dame.

Lacrosse Magazine also featured the program for its November 2015 cover story.

Let's show that Pirate Pride and come out for a historic day at Hampton University, starting with the ESPN broadcast at 10 a.m. and the first varsity men's lacrosse game at 12:30 p.m.

Hampton University Sailing Announces Spring 2016 Schedule

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University head sailing coach Alessandro Ambrosi has announced the Pirates' spring 2016 schedule, a slate that includes a pair of home regattas.

The Pirates, who won three regattas in the fall, will open the spring in the Charleston Intercollegiate in Charleston, S.C. on Feb. 20-21, before hosting the Pirate Team Race at Strawberry Banks on Feb. 27-28.

From there, Hampton will sail in the ODU Spring Open on March 5-6, before heading to Williamsburg, Va. on March 19-20 for the William & Mary Spring Open. After that, the Pirates will return to Strawberry Banks for the MAISA/SAISA Intersectional on March 26-27.

April will kick off with the CNU Webb Open on April 2-3, before the Pirates head to Philadelphia, Pa. on April 9-10 for the Nova Spring Open. Hampton will then compete in the Grant Trophy on April 16-17 in West Long Branch, N.J., before heading to New York, N.Y. for the Great N.Y. Dinghy on April 23-24.

The America Trophy will be held April 30-May 1 in the Bronx, N.Y.

For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Date		Opponent	Location	Time
2/20-21/2016		Charleston Interconference	Charleston, S.C.	All Day
2/27-28/2016		Pirate Team Race	Hampton, Va.	All Day
3/5-6/2016		ODU Spring Open	Norfolk, Va.	All Day
3/19-20/2016		William & Mary Spring Open	Williamsburg, Va.	All Day
3/26-27/2016		MAISA/SAISA Intersectional	Hampton, Va.	All Day
4/2-3/2016		CNU Webb Open	Newport News, Va.	All Day
4/9-10/2016		Nova Spring Open	Philadelphia, Pa.	All Day
4/16-17/2016		Grant Trophy	West Long Branch, N.J.	All Day
4/23-24/2016		Great N.Y. Dinghy	New York, N.Y.	All Day
4/30-5/1/2016		America Trophy	Bronx, N.Y.	All Day

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rush, Nuggets add 3 from France for spring semester

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis program has added three from France for the 2016 spring semester. All are freshmen.
    
The new student-athletes are Thomas Setodji of Domont on the men's team and Charlene Goreau of Toulouse and Tess Guarino of Billere on the women's team.
    
Setodji and Goreau are multiple age-group state champions in singles. Setodji has won three titles, and Goreau has won four.
    
Xavier, whose men are fourth and women 11th in the NAIA preseason team rankings, will play its home opener at 10 a.m. Saturday against city rival Loyola at XU Tennis Center.
    
SCHEDULE UPDATE:  The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play three ranked NAIA opponents apiece in the Green and Gray Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga. On Feb. 19 Xavier will play SCAD Savannah, whose men are ranked 21st and women are fourth. The next day Xavier will play the top-ranked men and second-ranked women of host Georgia Gwinnett. On Feb. 21 Xavier will play Cumberland, whose men are 22nd and women are 14th.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Rebuilt Southern baseball team building toward season opener

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern baseball coach Roger Cador has low expectations for his rebuilt team during the early days of preseason practice.

“The first week, we’re going to see if we can get on the field without getting lost,” Cador said only half-kiddingly as the Jaguars prepared for their first practice Friday. “Once we do that, we hope that they can remember the fundamentals we taught them in the fall.”

With 22 newcomers among 33 players, it’s understandable that there would be a steep leaning curve, at least initially.

But Cador thinks the group has a good balance between experience and youth. Four of the top newcomers have college experience, and the pitching staff features seven veterans among its 12 members.

Troy Lewis, a transfer from Delgado Community College, brings that experience as a shortstop and closer. Other newcomers with college experience are two more junior-college transfers — outfielder Dondrayas Harris from Gulf Coast Community College and left-hander Jarrod Jarreau from BRCC — and first baseman/catcher John Pope, a sophomore who sat out last season as a transfer from North Carolina A&T.

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VUU Releases 2016 Football Schedule

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University has released its 2016 Football Season, the university announced on Friday, January 29.

VUU will open the 2016 Football Season when the Panthers face the Pioneers from Long Island University-Post at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.

The LIU-Post match-up is the first of five home contests for the Panthers, including Homecoming 2016 against Lincoln (Pa.) University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8.
LIU-Post went to the NCAA Playoffs two years ago.

The Panthers will then travel to Newberry, S.C., to face the Wolves of Newberry College. The Wolves faced North Alabama in the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Playoffs.

"We are extremely excited about the competitiveness that the 2016 football schedule poses," said VUU Head Football Coach Mark James. " Our schedule is filled with perennial division two contenders that we must prepare for. The outcome of the 2016 season will rest solely on the preparation and execution of our 2016 signing class, spring football, and the 2016 football camp. Go Panthers!!!"

VUU will also travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to face defending CIAA champion Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, September 17, and to Fayetteville State University on Saturday, September 24.

The Panthers return home to face Saint Augustine's University on October 1 with Homecoming the following week.

Virginia Union will also face the defending CIAA Northern Division Champion Bowie State University on October 22 in Hovey Field.

VUU wraps up the 2016 regular season with on November 5 when they face CIAA arch-rival Virginia State University in the Battle of I-95 in Hovey Field.

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME
SEPT. 3 LIU-POST HOVEY FIELD 1:00 PM
Sept. 10 at Newberry Newberry, SC TBA
Sept. 17 at Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, NC TBA
Sept. 24 at Fayetteville State Fayetteville, NC 6:00 p.m.
OCT. 1 SAINT AUGUSTINE'S* HOVEY FIELD 1:00 PM
OCT. 8 LINCOLN (PA)* HOVEY FIELD 1:00 PM
(HOMECOMING)
OCT. 15 at Chowan* Murfreesboro, NC TBA
OCT. 22 BOWIE STATE* HOVEY FIELD 1:00 PM
OCT. 29 at Elizabeth City State* Elizabeth City, NC TBA
NOV. 5 VIRGINIA STATE* HOVEY FIELD 1:00 PM
NOV. 12 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP Durham, NC TBA
* = CIAA GAME

COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Cy Alexander Resigns As N.C. A&T Head Coach

GREENBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T men’s basketball coach Cy Alexander has resigned his position effective immediately. Associate head coach Jay Joyner will serve as interim for the remainder of the season, Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III announced on Friday.

Joyner will make his Division I head coaching debut on Saturday when the Aggies face Savannah at 4 p.m., at Corbett Sports Center. Alexander will eventually be reassigned to another position associated with development, branding and broadcasting within N.C. A&T’s department of athletics. Alexander will join men’s basketball play-by-play announcer Spencer Turkin on the radio broadcast of Saturday’s game airing on WCOG 104.9 FM/1230 AM.

“I have decided to step away from actively coaching to pursue other interest within athletics,” said Alexander. I look forward to pursuing those interest here at North Carolina A&T State University. “I have a strong love for broadcasting, and I think being able to sharpen my skills on the Aggie basketball broadcasts will assists me in pursuing broadcasting as my next career. My decision to step down was a difficult one, but the last three years of my life have been tumultuous with the passing of my wife and mother. Therefore, I believe this decision was in the best interest of me and my family.

“I first want to say thank you to all the young men I’ve coached here at North Carolina A&T State University for their commitment to the program as well as their respective families who entrusted those young men to my care,” he continued. “Secondly, I want to thank Chancellor Harold L. Martin and Athletics Director Earl Hilton for the opportunity they gave me to become the head coach at North Carolina A&T, and the opportunity they are giving me to pursue my second career. I also want to say thank you to my coaches, managers and every person who has been involved with North Carolina A&T men’s basketball during my tenure.”

Alexander steps away with a career record of 386-386 over 26 seasons of coaching. He was 43-80 in four seasons as the Aggies head man. Over the first 22 games of the 2015-16, the Aggies are 5-17 overall and 2-6 in the MEAC. In Alexander’s first season as head coach N.C. A&T won the 2013 MEAC tournament title and made its first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance in 18 years. The Aggies went on to beat Liberty 73-72 in the first round of games in Dayton, Ohio to secure the school’s first-ever NCAA tournament win. Eventual national champion Louisville defeated the Aggies in the second round to end N.C. A&T’s season at 20-17. It was the Aggies first 20-win season in 25 years.

Alexander also made coaching stops at Tennessee State (2003-09) and S.C. State (1987-03). As S.C. State head coach he won five MEAC tournament titles. His career also includes six 20-win seasons and 31 MEAC tournament wins, second all-time behind former Coppin State coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell. His six MEAC titles are second to only former N.C. A&T head coach Don Corbett who had seven.

“I respect coach Alexander’s decision,” said Hilton. “I value his contributions to men’s basketball, and I appreciate the service he has rendered to our young men. The masterful job he did in leading our team to the MEAC championship three years ago will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first championship as an athletics director. I look forward to his continued association and contribution to athletics moving forward.”

Joyner played for Alexander at S.C. State from 1993-96. Before joining Alexander at N.C. A&T as his associate head coach in 2012, Joyner spent three seasons as the head men’s basketball coach at Columbia State Community College (Tenn.). Joyner led the Chargers to a 61-23 record and two Tennessee Community College Athletic Association regular-season titles.

“I first want to thank coach Alexander for all the opportunities he has given me in life, first as a player and then as a professional,” said Joyner. “We as a team have a big challenge ahead of us. We accept this challenge starting with our game against Savannah State on Saturday.”

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mike Davis, TSU focus on unbeaten SWAC season

TSU COACH MIKE DAVIS

HOUSTON, Texas -- Just a few months ago, the Texas Southern men's basketball team limped into SWAC play with just one win after a loaded non-conference schedule.

Head coach Mike Davis still felt a step forward on the horizon.

"Even though we didn't win but one non-conference game, I felt us getting better because I wasn't focusing on the outcome of the games," Davis said. "If I can keep my guys focused on that, everything can take care of itself."

Everything is taking care of itself tenfold nearing the halfway point with the Tigers (8-11) now 7-0 and alone in first place in the SWAC.

TSU made it seven consecutive wins after a 75-60 triumph over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday and a 78-49 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday. The Tigers haven't lost a game in nearly a month.

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VSU names Justin Harper Interim Head Football Coach

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Virginia State University (VSU) has named Justin Harper as Interim Head Football Coach. Harper replaces Byron Thweatt, who resigned to accept a position on the James Madison University coaching staff. VSU also announced its search for a permanent head coach.

Harper joined the Trojans' staff in 2015 as wide receivers coach. Before coming to VSU, Harper coached wide receivers and special teams at Lenoir-Rhyne University. During his tenure, Lenoir-Rhyne played in the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

Harper played collegiately at Virginia Tech, where he totaled 83 receptions for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. In Harper's four years, Virginia Tech won ACC championships in 2004 and 2007 and played in the conference title game in 2005. In those four years, Virginia Tech won a school-record 42 games and finished in the Top 10 three times.

In 2008, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Harper in the seventh round. He played three season with the Ravens and also for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League.

In announcing Harper's appointment and coaching search, VSU Athletic Director Peggy Davis expressed appreciation for Thweatt's service. "I want to wish Byron the best in his new endeavor at James Madison University."

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Tuskegee releases 2016 football schedule

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The Tuskegee University athletic department released the 2016 football schedule today, a schedule that features three homes games and three neutral site games.

The Golden Tigers -- the defending HSRN Division II HBCU National Champions and a NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinalist -- will open the season on the road against Clark Atlanta on September 3. They will then face another SIAC opponent in week two, when they take on Albany State in the Third Annual Whitewater Classic held in Phenix City (Alabama) on September 10. 

Tuskegee will face a familiar opponent in week three of the season, but for the first time since 1996, the Golden Tigers will hit the road to face FCS-member Florida A&M University, a former SIAC opponent. The Golden Tigers and Florida A&M have met 44 times in school history, with the Rattlers holding a 27-15-2 advantage in the series. The game will be played in Mobile, Ala. as one of the three neutral site games on September 17. 

The Golden Tigers will make their first appearance at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni against Lane College, in their SIAC West Division opener. The game will be the first of back-to-back home games for Tuskegee, kicking off on September 24. Tuskegee remains at home the following week, facing UNC-Pembroke in non-conference action on October 1. 

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The final neutral site game will take place in Columbus, Georgia at A.J. McClung Memorial Alumni Stadium, when the Golden Tigers face Morehouse College on October 8. It will mark the 81st meeting between the two schools in Columbus, and the 100th meeting overall between the two in which Tuskegee leads the all-time series 70-28-7.

Following a bye week on October 15 – the week usually reserved for Stillman College – the Golden Tigers finish off the season with three consecutive conference games. 

The Golden Tigers will celebrate their 92nd annual homecoming on October 22 against SIAC West Division foe Kentucky State University, before hitting the road for their final two regular season contests of the season. 

Tuskegee travels north to face a pair of SIAC West Division opponents beginning with Central State University on October 29, and closing out the regular season on the road against Miles College on November 5. 

Kickoff times will be announced at a later date. 

For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook. To view the full 2016 schedule, visit the Golden Tiger Sports website.

 

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Announces 2016 Football Schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M Director of Athletics Milton Overton, released FAMU’s 2016 football schedule today. The slate includes four home games in the historic Bragg Memorial Stadium. The schedule also includes a familiar opening day opponent in Miami Gardens, Fla., against the University of Miami Hurricanes.

This year, an old foe will return after a 20-year absence from competition. FAMU will face the Tigers of Tuskegee University in Mobile, Ala. on Sept. 17. The revitalization of one of FAMU’s traditional foes dates back to their first meeting in 1908. The last time the Rattlers faced Tuskegee was in 1996, with FAMU’s famed “Gulf Coast” offense posting a 56-0 routing of the Tigers.

According to Overton, the schedule will provide an opportunity for Rattler fans to enjoy the action and the spirit of FAMU. In addition to FAMU having four home games, adjustments to the schedule made in response to last year’s fan survey allow for only the Oct. 1 home contest against Savannah State to take place on the same day as a Florida State home football game.

“We listened to our constituents, including alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of FAMU,” Overton said. “We are making every effort to ensure that attending football games at Bragg Stadium are more affordable, the fan experience is improved and we put customer service at a premium. In that vein, 2016 football ticket pricing will not increase.

The FAMU Department of Athletics has developed new season ticket packages and an annual athletics giving initiative. These new initiatives will be rolled out in early to mid February.

“This initiative launches our four-year athletics strategic plan to repair one of six critical support pillars needed in the process of building a championship department of athletics. Repairing the fracture in the financial pillar helps move FAMU Athletics from a traditional transactional giving revenue model to supporting a 21st century intercollegiate athletes business model,” Overton said.

Participation in the” Investing in Champions Athletics Annual Giving Program” from season ticket packages and donations, will earn Rattler donors the opportunity to purchase premium seating at all ticketed athletic events throughout the year, including the Florida Classic.


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The Full Slate:

Sept. 3 – University of Miami (Miami Gardens, Fla./Sun Life Stadium)

The Rattlers open the season in South Florida against the Miami Hurricanes. FAMU opened the series against the Canes with a 16-13 win in 1979, but since have failed to hold the Hurricanes close. The Rattlers last faced the Canes in 2014, dropping the contest 41-7. This game will have heightened visibility, as it will mark the first game for new head coach Mark Richt. FAMU coach Alex Wood and Richt face off for the first time in opposing orange and green teams. Ironically, Richt was a member of the 1979 Canes, while Wood is a former Miami Hurricanes assistant coach.

Sept. 10 – Coastal Carolina (Conway, S.C./Brooks Stadium)

The Rattlers head up to the Eastern coast of South Carolina for a first-ever trip to play the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina. The Rattlers fell 48-3 to CCU in their only prior meeting, in 2014 at Bragg Stadium.

Sept. 17 – Tuskegee University (Mobile, Ala./Ladd-Peebles Stadium)

Renewing the second oldest rivalry in the history of FAMU football, the Rattlers will meet the Tigers in Mobile, Ala. for a showdown on the Gulf Coast. The first meeting between the two schools in 1908 marked just the second loss in school history. The Rattlers have rebounded nicely holding a 29-16-1 overall record against TU.

Sept. 24 – South Carolina State (Tallahassee, Fla./Bragg Stadium)

The Rattlers open home and MEAC play with a visit from the Bulldogs of South Carolina State. Predicted again to be one of the top teams in the MEAC, veteran coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough and his Bulldogs will kickoff FAMU’s four-game home slate for the 2016 season.

Oct.1 – Savannah State (Tallahassee, Fla. /Bragg Stadium)

After FAMU’s first-ever loss to the Tigers of Savannah State last season, Coach Wood and his crew have a mission to atone for last season’s lapse in Savannah, Ga. The second half of a back-to-back home stand, the Rattlers will face the Tigers in the lone game that runs concurrent with a home game at FSU.

Oct. 8 – North Carolina Central (Durham, N.C./O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium)

After a 27-24 loss to the Eagles of NCCU in Bragg Stadium last season, the Rattlers return to Durham after a five-year absence. The Eagles are coming off a season where 13 players earned All-MEAC honors.

Oct.15 – Delaware State (Dover, Del./Alumni Stadium)

The lone win for the Rattlers last season came on homecoming against the Hornets of Delaware State. The Hornets look to return the favor as the Rattlers will play in the Hornets’ homecoming.

Oct. 22 – Hampton (Tallahassee, Fla./Bragg Stadium)

The Rattlers welcome in the Pirates of Hampton University for the 2016 homecoming game. Last season, the Rattlers were upended in a sluggish performance in a rain-filled 33-0 shutout loss in Hampton.

Oct. 29 – North Carolina A&T (Greensboro, N.C./Aggie Stadium)

The Rattlers travel to Greensboro, N.C. to face the 2015 HBCU National Champion North Carolina A&T Aggies. Armed with senior All-MEAC running back Tarik Cohen, coach Rod Broadway and his team look to continue toward the rebirth of “Aggie Pride.” The Rattlers, however, have avoided allowing Cohen to rack up the monstrous yards over the past two seasons. With an expected improved offense, this could turn into a key game for the season for both teams.

Nov. 5 – Open Week

Nov. 12 – Morgan State (Tallahassee, Fla./Bragg Stadium)

The Rattlers welcome in the Bears of MSU for the final home game of 2016. MSU defeated a sluggish Rattler offense 21-7 last season in Baltimore, but FAMU will play inspired on Senior Day, as they look to close out the home schedule with a win.

Nov. 19 – Bethune-Cookman (Orlando, Fla./Orlando Citrus Bowl)

All bets are off in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic. In one of the biggest weekends in HBCU football, the Rattlers will again face the Wildcats in Orlando for state bragging rights. The Cats have bested the Rattlers for a record five years in a row, but even in a down year like last season, the game was close down to the wire. Coach Alex Wood and his staff have a year of the classic under their belt and look to prepare the team for the magnitude of one of the longest standing rivalries in college football.


COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fayetteville State Football Releases the 2016 Schedule

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- The Fayetteville State University Department of Athletics has announced the 2016 football schedule. This year's schedule features five games away and at home, including the season opener against Chowan University on September 3rd being played in Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.

To view the entire 2016 schedule click here

Last season, the Broncos finished third in the CIAA Southern Division at 4-6 overall and 4-3 in the CIAA.  FSU will kick off the 2016 season at home on Saturday, September 3rd in a non-conference contest versus Chowan University at 6:00 p.m. In the following week, The Broncos will travel to Pembroke, NC for the annual "Two Rivers Classic" against UNC Pembroke on September 10th.  Fayetteville State will remain on the road for their third contest of the season against Division I Elon University out of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Elon finished the 2015 season with a 4-7 overall record, including losses to Wake Forest and North Carolina A&T State.

FSU will return home to begin CIAA cross-divisional play versus Virginia Union University on September 24th. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Jeralds Stadium.  The Broncos will begin the month of October on the road against Northern Division champions Bowie State University. Fayetteville State will clash with BSU on October 1st inside Bulldogs Stadium in Bowie, MD. This will be the first matchup against Bowie State since the 2010 season.

The quest for the CIAA Southern Division crown begins on October 8th against Shaw University. Fayetteville State will travel to Durham County Memorial Stadium for their divisional showdown with the Bears.  The Broncos annual “Ball in Pink” game to awareness about breast cancer and preventive measures will take place on October 15th against Johnson C. Smith University. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Jeralds Stadium; fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the initiative.

The following week, Fayetteville State returns to the Raleigh-Durham area to matchup against Saint Augustine’s University on October 22nd. Game time and stadium location have yet to be determined. The 2016 FSU Homecoming is scheduled for October 29th at 1:30 p.m. against Livingstone College.

Fayetteville State will close out the regular season at home on November 5th against the defending CIAA champion Winston-Salem State University. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.  The 2016 CIAA Football Championship will take place on November 12th at a site to be determined.

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Dillard Bleu Devils crack NAIA top-25 for 1st time since 2003-04 season

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (excerpts taken from www.naia.org) — Dillard is freshly ranked in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for the first time since the 2003-04 season back on Jan. 27, 2004 (No. 18). The Bleu Devils have won four out of their last five, including an 84-74 triumph over then-No. 8 Talladega (Ala.) on Jan. 23 in the NAIA Game of the Week.

"It feels good to start accomplishing what we came here to do," said assistant coach Edward Newton. "The hard work is beginning to pay off. When you have leaders in place that support your program, it makes things that much easier."

As a team, Dillard (12-6, 4-1 GCAC) is ranked in the top 10 in NAIA in several categories:

Number two in the nation in Division 1 in offensive rebounds per game (17.27)

Number four in the nation in Division 1 in assists per game (18.22)

Number four in the nation in Division 1 in total rebounds per game (45.77)

Number seven in the nation in Division 1 in total rebound margin (9.38)

Click here  to see a full list of NAIA rankings for the Bleu Devils.

As of today, the Dillard Bleu Devils basketball team is one of two teams ranked in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Talladega College currently sits at number nine in the NAIA.

Dillard takes a break from GCAC action and will travel to Tyler to face Texas College on Wednesday, January 27. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

For a complete listing of NAIA top-25 teams, click here.

COURTESY DILLARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Gold Rush streak of top-25 appearances ends at 55

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's best-in-the-nation streak of 55 consecutive appearances in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll ended Tuesday. The Gold Rush, 21st a week ago, are among "others receiving votes" and 28th overall.
    
Xavier is 15-8 after a 62-58 overtime home loss Monday to Talladega, which dropped from eighth to ninth nationally.
    
This is the first time since Dec. 5, 2011, that the Gold Rush are not in the top 25. Xavier's highest ranking during the streak was 11th on Jan. 22, 2013, and Feb. 5, 2013.
    
Pikeville is No. 1 for the third consecutive week but received 8-of-10 first-place votes after being unanimous a week ago. No. 2 LSU-Alexandria and No. 5 Georgetown (Ky.) received the other first-place votes.
    
 Xavier will visit city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 5 p.m. Feb. 6 — one week from Saturday — against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at the Convocation Center. Tickets are on sale at the XU athletic offices in room 322 of the Convocation Center Annex at the corner of Washington Avenue and Fern Street. Dillard, co-leader in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with Talladega, is No. 24 this week — the Bleu Devils' first top-25 appearance since Jan. 27, 2004.
    
Dillard is the fifth GCAC men's team to reach the top 25 this season.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
1. Pikeville
2. LSU-Alexandria
3. Lewis-Clark State
4. Columbia (Mo.)
5. Georgetown (Ky.)
6. William Penn
7. (tie) Mid-America Christian
7. (tie) Hope International
9. Talladega
10. Arizona Christian
11. Biola
12. Texas Wesleyan
13. Langston
14. Carroll (Mont.)
15. Westmont
16. Park
17. Freed-Hardeman
18. Campbellsville
19. William Carey
20. Southwestern Assemblies of God
21. Peru State
22. Our Lady of the Lake
23. MidAmerica Nazarene
24. Dillard
25. (tie) William Woods
25. (tie) Montana Western

Others receiving votes:
Mobile
Xavier
Avila
Middle Georgia
Lindsey Wilson
Cumberlands
LSU-Shreveport
William Jessup

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Reginald Ruffin, Miles College grab Oak Mountain center

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- Justice Hammond has a knack for creating rushing lanes.

Hammond showcased this skill during his high school career at Oak Mountain, earning All-State honors as a junior and senior.

Now, he's aiming bring his blocks to Miles College. Hammond recently committed to the Fairfield-based program.

"I chose Miles so I could so have stay close to home and play with some really good athletes and even better coaches," Hammond said.

Miles was Hammond's lone offer.

He believes other colleges were turned off by his lack of height. He's 5-11. The ideal height for centers is about 6-2, Hammond said.

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