Paine Lions Announce 2018 Baseball Schedule

AUGUSTA, Georgia  –  Paine College baseball coach Melvin Marshall has announced the Lion's 2018 schedule which features 25 home games at Lions Field.
 
PC opens the season on the road in Millegeville, Ga. as they take on Georgia College on February 2. Paine will face the University of North Greenville in a neutral site game on February 3 before closing out the weekend slate with a second game against GC on February 4.
 
The Lions will travel to Beaufort, S.C. for a mid-week non-conference double-header against the Sand Sharks of the University of South Carolina Beaufort on February 7.

2018 Baseball Schedule
 
Paine opens up their home portion of the schedule when they host Bluefield State College in a weekend series February 17 (DH) and February 18. PC will travel to Montgomery, Ala. to face the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University in  non-conference play February 24 and February 25 (DH).
 
The Lions continue non-conference play with a five-game home stand the following week as they host St. Augustine University on March 3 (DH), The College of Saint Rose on March 5, Lincoln University on March 8 and close out the week versus Cedarville University on March 10.
 
PC will travel to Aiken, S.C. to face the Pacers of the University of South Carolina-Aiken in a mid-week game on March 13.
 
Paine opens SIAC play by welcoming the Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen College for a weekend series on March 17 (DH) and March 18. The following weekend the Lions will host the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University on March 24 (DH) and March 25.
 
The Lions continue conference play as they will travel to Orangeburg, S.C. on Easter weekend to face the Panthers of Claflin University on Friday, March 30 (DH) and Saturday March 31.
 
PC travels to Carrollton, Ga. in a mid-week game against the University of West Georgia on April 4 before returning to Augusta to continue conference play against the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College on April 7 (DH) and April 8.
 
Paine opens another five-game home stand when they host Morris College on April 11 before closing out the week against eastern division foe the Tigers of Benedict College on April 14 (DH) and April 15.
 
The Lions will face cross-town rival the Jaguars of Augusta University on April 18 in Augusta, Ga. at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
 
PC will travel to Albany, Ga. to face in-state rival and SIAC foe the Golden Rams of Albany State University on April 21 and April 22 (DH) before playing their final non-conference games of the year as they host Concordia College of Alabama in a mid-week double-header on April 25.
 
Paine closes out the regular season with their longest trip of the year as they travel to Frankfort, Ky. to take on the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University on April 28 (DH) and April 29.
 
The 2018 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship is set for May 3-6 in Albany, Ga. on Albany State's campus.

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Lane College Dragons Signs 13 on NSD

JACKSON, Tennessee -- The Lane College football team has added 13 new members to the Dragon family during the 2018 National Signing Day.

Five states are represented in this new signing class with three players coming from here in Tennessee, five from Florida, two from Louisiana, two representing Georgia and one from Alabama.

Kevin Gee is a 5'8", 155 lb. punter from Memphis, Tenn. Also from Memphis is James Jones an offensive lineman standing 6'7", weighing 360 lbs. The final signee from the Bluff City is Tommy Fonda, a 6'0" 235 linebacker.

Coming in as a 6'2", 190 lb. quarterback from Longwood, Fl. is Tarik McKenzie. Also from the Sunshine State is Devonte Smith, Stanley Mentor and Malik Glover.

All hailing from Orlando, Smith is a 6'0" 230 lb. defensive lineman. Mentor, also a defensive lineman, comes in at 6'1", 270 lbs. Glover is a 5'!0', 170 lb. cornerback.

Both representatives from Louisiana come from the great city of New Orleans. Taviauhn Turner is a 6'0", 315 lb. outside guard and Jordan Walker is a 5'11", 180 lb. running back.

A Clayton County., Ga native, Malik Austin is listed as a 6'0", 245 lb. defensive lineman/ linebacker. Quay Betha from Gray, Ga. is listed as 6'0", 315 offensive guard.

Also listed as an outside guard is Phenix City, Al native David Grant. Grant is listed as 6'2", 330 lbs.

The Dragons 2018 football campaign begins on September first at Lane Filed when Lane College plays host to Lincoln University.`

Fort Valley State Wildcat Releases Roster of 2018 Football National Signees

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- Head Coach Kevin Porter and the Fort Valley State football coaching staff is pleased to announce the newest additions to Wildcat football. The list below features this year's new signees.

2018 FVSU Football Signees

NAME: DESHAWN MASTEN
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6'3
Weight: 190
Hometown: Rex, Ga.
Previous School: Eagles Landing High School

NAME: WAYLIN BELL
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'4
Weight: 300
Hometown: Harlem, Ga.
Previous School: Harlem High School

NAME: TYLER MOORE
Position: Athlete
Height: 5'11
Weight: 185
Hometown: Ashburn, Ga.
Previous School: Turner County High School

NAME: MARCO LEE
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'11
Weight: 210
Hometown: Columbus, Ga.
Previous School: Hardaway High School

NAME: DILLON BRAUNSTEIN
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'0
Weight: 290
Hometown: Warner Robins, Ga.
Previous School: Warner Robins High School

NAME: ELI MASHBURN
Position: Kicker/Punter
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190
Hometown: Warner Robins, Ga.
Previous School: Warner Robins High School

NAME: BAXTON GOLDEN
Position: Linebacker
Height: 5'11
Weight: 220
Hometown: Warner Robins, Ga.
Previous School: Northside High School

NAME: KEVIN EPPS
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'5
Weight: 200
Hometown: Lithonia, Ga.
Previous School: Martin Luther King High School

NAME: KALIL COOPER
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6'0
Weight: 210
Hometown: Conyers, Ga.
Previous School: Washington High School

NAME: TY'QUAN SCOTT
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6'3
Weight: 290
Hometown: Swainsboro, Ga.
Previous School: Swainsboro High School

NAME: WILLIE WESTBROOK
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'5
Weight: 220
Hometown: Hawkinsville, Ga.
Previous School: Hawkinsville High School

NAME: LATORRENCE JEFFEREY
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height: 6'2
Weight: 315
Hometown: Thomson, Ga.
Previous School: Thomson County High School

NAME: ABIASAI GUTIERREZ
Position: Kicker/Punter
Height: 5'10
Weight: 165
Hometown: Oglethorpe, GA.
Previous School: Macon County High School

NAME: JOQARIUS HAWKINS
Position: offensive Lineman
Height: 6'8
Weight: 330
Hometown: Colquitt, GA.
Previous School: Mitchell County High School

NAME: MARKEVIOUS TERRY
Position: Running Back
Height: 6'0
Weight: 200
Hometown: Clewiston, FL
Previous School: Clewiston High School

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Central State names LaTonya McDole as interim head women's basketball coach

WILBERFORCE, Ohio - Central State University officially named LaTonya McDole as the interim head women's basketball coach on Friday.

McDole replaces Sheba Harris who stepped down from coaching on January 31st. McDole has served as an assistant under Harris since the 2009 season. Harris leaves the program with an overall coaching record of 124 wins and 108 losses. Harris led CSU to the SIAC West Division title last season while earning SIAC Coach of the Year honors.

"I am excited for this opportunity and looking forward to all the challenges that come along with being the head coach," McDole says. "I appreciate what Coach Harris has done for Lady Marauder basketball. She rebuilt this program into a perennial power in the SIAC. We are going to continue to model everything she has instilled into this program. While I will now be in a new role, nothing changes as far as our overall goals of winning a conference title and having a successful postseason run."

McDole was officially introduced as the interim head coach on Friday in a meeting with players and staff.

"We acknowledge and thank Coach Harris for her dedication to the program and the entire university. Her hard work is evident in the team's overall success over the last few years. We wish Coach Harris the best in her future endeavors," said Jahan Culbreath, Vice President of Athletics and Institutional Advancement. "We are pleased to appoint LaTonya McDole as the interim head coach and new leader of the program. Coach McDole has been associated with the program since 2009 and continues to do a tremendous job of keeping our student-athletes focused on the court and in the classroom."

As an assistant coach, McDole's primary duties included recruiting, quality control, academic support and conditioning.

Coach McDole has an extensive background in collegiate women's basketball. A graduate from Trotwood-Madison High School in Dayton, Ohio, McDole went on to sign with the Wildcats at the University of Kentucky.

In her four-year career at UK, McDole recorded 1180 points (10.1 ppg), 711 rebounds (6.1 rpg), 217 steals (1.9 spg) and 201 assists (1.7 apg). She became the third player in Wildcat history to amass over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 steals. She graduated in 2002 with her Bachelor's Degree in Family & Consumer Science.

At the conclusion of her collegiate career, McDole was invited to the WNBA Pre-Draft. She went on to play professionally in Coimbra, Portugal for Olivais. She averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals highlighted by an MVP Award in the Portuguese All-Star Game and a game in which she scored a career-high 46 points.

"I have experienced playing on some of the biggest stages in our sport and I always try to parlay those experiences to our players to help mentally prepare them to perform to the best of their ability," McDole says. "I have high expectations for our program. This year's group of ladies have been tremendous students of the game. They are willing to learn and are able to adapt to adjustments."

After the conclusion of her international basketball career, she served as a mentor and educator to high school students while preparing them for the expectations of college. She has also been officiating on the AAU level for over 12 years.

"I continue to focus my efforts towards getting our team ready to finish the regular season strong with the hopes of securing the top seed in our conference tournament," McDole says. "We have another big conference game this Saturday and we remain focused on the task at hand."

Coach McDole and the Lady Marauders travel to play rival Kentucky State on Saturday in Frankfort, Kentucky.

CSU is currently 18-5 overall with a 12-3 mark in conference play.

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ASU Football Announces 2018 Signing Class

ALBANY, Georgia --  Head Coach Gabe Giardina and the Albany State football coaching staff are pleased to announce the newest additions to Golden Ram football family.

"I am extremely excited about our first signing class", says Coach Giardina who guided the Rams to a 6-4 record in his first season.  "We really feel like this group is going to put the foundation in for us to have a strong future.  We addressed some needs at mid-year by signing four young men that can give us depth in some of our upper classes. We're excited to sign so many quality linemen and we greatly increased our athleticism and depth. 

Of the 19 signees, ASU adds 16 recruits from the state of Georgia, including two from right here in Albany. 

ASU FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES 2018 SIGNING CLASS

"We feel very strongly about recruiting from the inside out geographically as well, so being able to have three quarters of the class come from Georgia is a big win for us in state.  We are excited about the legacy factor that both Dan Land III and Antonio Leroy Jr bring to our team.  Not only are they highly skilled and talented football players, both understand what means to wear the blue and gold and represent Ram Nation."

The 2018 class can also be characterized by speed at the skill positions. 

 "Our staff really hit a home run was with getting fast skill that can take the ball the distance as well as run and cover anyone they play against.  We look forward to these young men getting on campus and watching them develop."

By position, the signee class includes a running back, five offensive linemen, two linebackers, a wide receiver, five in the secondary, four defensive linemen and an ATH (to be determined.)

"We continue to build on a very special tradition here at Albany State and are excited to see what these young men do when they get on campus in the fall."

"Spring ball begins on March 20th, so now our attention turns to our guys on campus, starting the fourth quarter program and getting our team ready."

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Bowie State Bulldogs Football Announces Strong Class on National Signing Day

BOWIE, Maryland --The Bowie State University Bulldogs football program announced its 2018 class of signees on National Signing Day, Wednesday (2/7). The next generation of Bulldogs will be a talented group as the team addressed many areas of need with its 2018 signees.

"I am really excited to announce the 2018 recruiting class joining our Bowie State family.  There is something very special happening here at BSU and this class will bring even more talent to our Bulldog roster", said BSU head football coach Damon Wilson. 

"This class is full of student-athletes that have come from winning programs.  A number of the athletes in this year's class will participate in our University's Honors Program.  My coaching staff has done an outstanding job in recruiting quality student-athletes right here in the DMV.  There is a lot of talent in our backyard and we make it a point to seek out homegrown talent when recruiting at Bowie State University.  These new Bulldogs will join our program and represent not only their families, high school and Bowie State, but they will represent the DMV as we compete and excel on the field."

Bowie State Football Signing Day 2018

Keith Allen	OL	6-2	285	Friendship Collegiate HS
Malik Bellamy	OL	6-2	280	Wise HS
Darious Bowman	WR	5-9	165	Friendly HS
Terrlonta Buchanan	QB	6-2	200	Ballou HS
Semaj Burrows	OL	6-4	310	Oxon Hill HS
Jordan Carter	DB	5-11	195	Lackey HS
Jordan Christian	RB	5-9	186	Thomas Stone HS
Sharif Coombs	DL	6-0	255	Riverdale Baptist HS
Alphonso Cornish	OL	6-7	395	Dundalk HS
DA'Andre Hebron	OL	6-2	285	City College HS
Elijah Lane	DL	6-1	270	Lackey HS
Demetrius Majors	DL	6-1	320	Howard HS
Shane McAndrews	OL	6-1	260	Roosevelt HS
David Medley	RB	6-0	185	Wise HS
Demetri Morsell	DB	6-0	170	Wise HS
Jajuan Payton-Glover	ATH	6-0	200	Douglass HS
Dajuan Rollins	QB	6-1	217	Oxon Hill HS
Jonathan Ross	LB	6-2	193	St. Charles HS
Steven Scott	OL	6-5	320	McNamara HS
Noah Taylor	LB	6-3	208	Friendly HS
Hassan Terry	LB	6-0	210	Friendship Collegiate HS
Shaun Tolbert	LB	6-0	220	Dunbar HS

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Tuskegee signs former Alabama linebacker Tyler Hayes

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Tuskegee listed former Alabama linebacker Tyler Hayes as part of its 2018 recruiting class announced Wednesday on its athletic website.

Alabama dismissed Hayes and three other Crimson Tide players after they were charged with robbery of two Alabama students in February 2013.

Hayes and Eddie Williams confessed to robbing a student who was punched and kicked. Hayes made 14 tackles as a freshman in 2012 when the Crimson Tide won the second of back-to-back national titles.



Finishing third in the Mr. Football voting after leading Thomasville to the 2010 Class 4A state title, Hayes went to Butler Community College in Kansas before signing with Division II West Georgia in 2014.

West Georgia officials confirmed Thursday he didn't practice or play for the Wolves.

Hayes was later arrested in May 2015 for violating his probation, AL.com reported. He’s one of eight players from the state of Alabama going to Tuskegee.

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XULA Pace picks up another academic honor

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Brianna Pace earned her second academic award of 2017-18 when she was named Friday to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NAIA All-Academic team.
     
Pace is a junior from Junction City, Kan., a graduate of Junction City High School and a computer science major at XULA. USTFCCCA honorees qualified for the award with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and by competing at the 2017 NAIA Championships.
     
Pace was among 103 women honored.
     
In November Pace was named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Last week she was nominated as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar; she made the Ashe second team a year ago.
     
Pace is preparing for the 2018 outdoor track and field season, which will begin March 2 in NOLA at the Tulane Early Bird Twilight meet at Tad Gormley Stadium.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Pao, Borodii win in doubles, singles at Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana's Yi Chen Pao and Mariia Borodii won in doubles and singles Thursday, but the Gold Nuggets fell 5-2 to Southern Miss in women's tennis.
     
Pao and Borodii defeated Tanit Lopez Lopez and Lara Isis De Oliveir 7-6 (7-4) at No. 2 doubles. Then both produced shutout sets in their singles victories — Borodii defeated Arina Amaning 7-5, 6-0 at No. 1, and Pao beat Lopez 6-0, 7-5 at No. 4.
     
The Gold Nuggets' Manon Bonada and Charlene Goreau had a match point in their 11th game against Amaning and Tjasa Jerse, but Southern Miss rallied for a 7-6 (7-5) victory that clinched the doubles point.
     
XULA, ranked 10th in the NAIA, is 0-5, and Southern Miss is 4-1 with a four-dual win streak. All but one of the Gold Nuggets' losses are to NCAA Division I opponents. XULA will play at noon Saturday at NAIA No. 9 LSU-Alexandria, where there's a 60-percent chance of rain.

Results

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Arizona Cardinals Safety Antoine Bethea (Howard Bison) Named Inaugural Black College Football Pro Player of the Year

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Arizona Cardinals Safety Antoine Bethea has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Black College Football Pro Player of
the Year Award, presented by the NFLPA. It will be awarded annually to the most outstanding professional football player from a Historically Black College and University.

The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Bethea attended Howard University, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. In 12 NFL seasons, he has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl XLI as a member of the Colts.

Bethea spent his first eight years in Indianapolis, then three in San Francisco, before signing a three-year contract with Arizona in 2017. In his first year with the Cardinals, Bethea had a career-high five interceptions to go along with 57 tackles.

The formal presentation of the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award will be made at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on February 10, 2018.

"This award was established to help showcase the immense talent of our current Black College Football players at the highest level," said James "Shack" Harris, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2012 inductee.

The Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award was voted on by a Selection Committee, composed of media members Mike Mayock (NFL Network), Michael Smith(ESPN), Jay Walker (ESPN), John Williams (The Undefeated) and Steve Wyche (NFL Network); NFL front office members Doug Williams (Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel) and Tony Wyllie (Washington Redskins Senior Vice President); Tony Sofli of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and former NFL scout Charles Bailey.

"Today, there are about 30 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities on active NFL rosters," said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director. "Some of the best players in NFL history are from HBCUs, and it's exciting to honor today's stars."

The 2018 Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons, takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame on February 10. The 2017 Black College Football Player of the Year will also be announced during the Ceremony. Tickets and sponsorships are still available at www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

"On behalf of the Black College Football Hall of Fame Trustees and Selection Committee, we congratulate Antoine on this historic accomplishment," said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. "Antoine is a great role model and inspiration for our youth across the country."

ABOUT THE NFLPA
"We, The National Football League Players Association … Pay homage to our predecessors for their courage, sacrifice, and vision; … Pledge to preserve and enhance the democratic involvement of our members; … Confirm our willingness to do whatever is necessary for the betterment of our membership — To preserve our gains and achieve those goals not yet attained."

ABOUT THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established in October of 2009 by African-American pioneers and quarterbacks, Pro Bowl MVP James "Shack" Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been 70 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as Trustees.

Ebonye Jones Named Coppin State Men’s & Women’s Tennis Head Coach

Ebonye Jones

BALTIMORE, Maryland – Coppin State University's Director of Athletics Derek Carter announced Ebonye Jones as the Eagles new head men's & women's tennis head coach. Jones replaces Will Riley who spent three seasons at the helm of the Coppin tennis program.

Jones comes to Coppin after spending five-plus seasons as an assistant coach at Trinity (D.C.), a NCAA Division III program in Northeast D.C. She concurrently served as the Net Generation and Member Engagement Coordinator with the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic Section where she spearheaded programs such as Girls Rule the Court and the Emerging Leaders Academy. Jones also served as an instructor at Poncho Gonzales Tennis Academy and the District of Columbia Department of Parks & Recreation.

Following her playing career at Albany State University where she was a three-time First Team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Jones joined the Professional Tennis Registry in 2005. In an effort to give back to the community, Jones began coaching at MACH Academy where she played a vital role in developing numerous nationally-ranked junior athletes.

As a traveling pro, Jones served as a Staff Pro at Nike Adult Tennis Camp at Amherst College which was voted one of the Top 25 Tennis Camp destinations in the World by Tennis Resorts Online. Jones also served as a Staff Pro at Pure Tennis in Atlanta and as an Assistant Head Pro at Crestview Tennis & Swim Club in New Providence, N.J.

Jones received her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Albany State in 2005.

The Eagles opens their 2018 season at 11 am on Saturday, February 17 at Saint Peter's University.

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Prairie View faces tough road in Dooley debut

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Prairie View A&M is excited to have coach Eric Dooley as its new coach, but he won’t coach a game on campus until mid-October.

The Panthers will face a challenging 11-game schedule as they seek to win the SWAC title. It includes four home games, but the first isn’t until the seventh game of the season.

Prior to open conference play, Prairie View will face a pair of FBS programs, Rice (Aug. 25) and UNLV (Sept. 15), North Carolina Central in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta (Sept. 2) and Sam Houston State (Sept. 8).



The Panthers open conference play at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Sept. 22) and then face defending champion Grambling State at the State Fair Classic in Dallas (Sept. 29). Prior to being hired by Prairie View in December, Dooley served as Grambling’s offensive coordinator for four seasons.

Dooley’s first two games at Panther Stadium will be against Southern (Oct. 13) and Alcorn State (Oct. 27). After a trip to Jackson State (Nov. 3), his squad will end the regular season by hosting Alabama State (Nov. 17) and Texas Southern (Nov. 24).

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A look at Grambling State's 2018 football schedule

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  –  When you have new artificial turf and a videoboard at your stadium, you utilize and flaunt it as much as possible.

For the second straight season, Grambling State will play four games at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium next year, as it released its 2018 football schedule Wednesday. It'll be the first time since 2012 the Tigers will host four homes games in back-to-back seasons.

Adding the fourth home contest was a top priority for GSU Athletic Director Paul Bryant in the scheduling process.

“It was important that we got that fourth game at home. Typically, Grambling has three home games, but now we have a field that we want people to see,” Bryant said Wednesday. “Bringing Bacone (College) in, we sent out some feelers, we had some other people interested. Bacone came to the table and said they were interested in coming in and playing our opening day at home. They’re a formidable opponent, so we’re excited to get them here on campus.”

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2018 Conference Previews: Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball

SWAC

Team to Beat: Alabama State.

The Hornets have developed into one of the SWAC’s powers in recent seasons, first under Mervyl Melendez and now under Jose Vasquez, who was promoted to head coach last year after Melendez left to become head coach at Florida International. Alabama State made its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 in Melendez’s final season and nearly returned in Vasquez’s first year, but were edged by Texas Southern in extra innings in the SWAC Tournament championship game. The Hornets will be eager this season to bounce back from that loss and have the returning talent to do so. Outfielder Gage Cox (.350/.409/.547, 7 HR) is back after leading the Hornets in hitting as a freshman. First baseman Gustavo Rios (.332/.405/.574, 10 HR) and outfielder Joseph Estrada (.276/.421/.553, 11 HR) return for their senior years and bring power to the lineup. Alabama State has more holes to fill on the mound, as closer Austin Bizzle (7-1, 1.95) and ace Tyler Howe (8-4, 3.41), who both earned all-conference honors last season must now be replaced. Alabama State will look for righthander Darrius Wright, a junior college transfer, and senior righthander Darren Kelly to step up on the staff. Wright was one of the prizes of an exciting 2017 recruiting class and throws in the low 90s with a good slider. Senior righthander Chase Laney (2-2, 3.40) provides an experienced hand in the bullpen. Alabama State’s veteran offense should help its pitching staff settle into place over the course of the spring and give it a good chance to capture its second SWAC title in three years.

Player of the Year: Marshawn Taylor, SS, Grambling State.

Taylor last season was named both the conference’s player and newcomer of the year after hitting .402/.477/.471 with 16 stolen bases after transferring from Eastern Illinois. A 35th-round pick out of high school in 2013, Taylor gives the Tigers a speedy hitter at the top of the order and anchors the infield at shortstop.

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Florida A&M Rattlers #3 in Nation in FCS Football Attendence

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- RattlerNation fans are proving they are committed to supporting the home team -- even during bad times.  FAMU retained the #3 position in FCS home attendance for 2017 with an attendance mark of 19,048, as reported by the NCAA.  The Rattlers attendance dropped 662 fans (3 percent) from the 2016 season as FAMU ended the year at 3-8 overall.

In 2016, the #3 ranked attendance leader had an average of 19,710 in 25,000 seat Bragg Memorial Stadium on FAMU campus.  The Rattlers finished with a 4-7 record.

2017 National FCS Football Champions North Dakota State Bison finished at #7 with home attendance at 18,333.  

The undefeated 2017 HBCU and MEAC Champions North Carolina A&T State Aggies finished the season in the #10 spot at 15,697.  2017 FCS National Championship Runner-up James Madison Dukes clocked in at #2.

The average attendance at FCS games dropped by less than 2 percent this past season, although the number of overall fans rose slightly to over 5.5 million because there were more games than in 2016.

The NCAA's release of its annual attendance report on Thursday reflected the average FCS crowd size was 8,223, down 134 per game from 8,357 in the 2016 season. The 670 games, based on home and neutral-site attendance plus the FCS championship game, drew 5,509,277 fans (neutral-site games between FBS and FCS teams are included for FBS attendance figures, not the FCS). A year earlier, 5,473,956 fans attended 655 FCS games.

The 23-game playoffs, included in the statistics, drew 222,424 fans, an increase of over 10 percent from 2016. 

The Florida A&M University/Bethune-Cookman University owned Florida Classic drew 47,819 at Orlando's Camping World Stadium on Nov. 18, 2017. The Rattlers and Wildcats record for this neutral site annual rivalry is 73,358.  Since the game inception in 1973, over 1.8 million fans have attended this annual FCS battle for Florida supremacy. 

Montana remains the heavyweight in FCS attendance even as it's missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1991-92. The Grizzlies led the subdivision for the third straight season and the sixth time in the last decade while averaging 23,535 over six home games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. However, that was a 7.3 percent drop from the school's 2016 average of 25,377.

James Madison was the FCS leader in regular-season attendance average (24,841) at Bridgeforth Stadium, but three playoff games dropped the Dukes to No. 2 overall at 21,724.

Rounding out the top 10 in average attendance were Florida A&M (19,048, four games), Yale (18,940, five), Montana State (18,617, six), Jacksonville State (18,388, sixth), national champion North Dakota State (18,333, nine), Prairie View A&M (17,803, five), Delaware (16,648, six) and North Carolina A&T (15,697, five).

Half of the schools in the attendance top 20 were HBCUs -- historically black colleges and universities. That helped the Southwestern Athletic Conference to average an FCS-high 13,694 fans per game, with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ranking fifth out of 13 conferences at 9,450.

HOME ATTENDANCE LEADERS
No. School Games Attendance Average

1. Montana 6 141,212 23,535
2. James Madison 9 195,514 21,724
3. Florida A&M 4 76,190 19,048
4. Yale 5 94,699 18,940
5. Montana St. 6 111,702 18,617
6. Jacksonville St. 6 110,328 18,388
7. North Dakota St. 9 164,996 18,333
8. Prairie View A&M 5 89,016 17,803
9. Delaware 6 99,890 16,648t
10. North Carolina A&T 5 78,486 15,697
11. Grambling State 4 59,699 14,925
12. Alabama State 6 87,689 14,615
13. Southern U. 4 57,261 14,315
14. Youngstown St. 6 85,220 14,203
15. Alcorn State 6 83,078 13,846
16. Jackson State 5 68,780 13,756
17. Tennessee State 4 48,320 12,080
18. South Dakota St. 8 95,951 11,994
19. South Carolina State 5 59,414 11,883
20. Illinois St. 5 57,200 11,440
21. SFA 5 56,881 11,376
22. New Hampshire 6 66,141 11,024
23. Western Caro. 5 52,735 10,547
24. Mercer 5 52,725 10,545
25. Abilene Christian 5 52,204 10,441
26. North Dakota 5 52,139 10,428
27. Harvard 5 52,055 10,411
28. Eastern Wash. 5 50,617 10,123
29. McNeese 5 49,695 9,939
30. UNI 6 58,175 9,696

Prairie View A&M University football led the Southwestern Athletic Conference and ranked eighth in attendance nationally in the Football College Subdivision (FCS).

In 2017, the Panthers averaged 17,803 for five home dates, including the State Fair Classic in which Prairie View A&M was the home team last season. The NCAA counts neutral site attendance in matchups of FCS vs. FCS teams.  

Jackson State Releases 2018 Football Schedule

JACKSON, Mississippi --The Jackson State University Athletics Department has announced its 2018 football schedule. JSU’s 11-game schedule features five teams with winning records and one that played in a bowl game.

The Tigers open the 2018 season on the road in three noted games in which JSU and the opponent are no strangers. The season opener is a historic meeting against Southern Miss on September 1 in Hattiesburg, MS. The two teams have met only twice (1987 and 2002).

One of the highlights of the schedule is the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, Tennessee on September 8. JSU and Tennessee State will meet for the 26th time in the annual clash at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The classic has become a southern tradition and one of the best football classics in the country. The 47,407 attendance figure from 2017 has the classic ranked No. 5 in the nation.

On September 15, the Tigers travel to Tallahassee, Florida to face the Florida A&M Rattlers. The two teams last squared off four years ago when JSU beat FAMU 22-17 on a game-winning Hail Mary in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers will open conference play on September 29 at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in the home opener. The Tigers will host Alabama A&M in the 11th Annual W.C. Gordon Classic.

In the month of October, the Tigers will welcome back all alums including former gridiron standout Vincent Dancy, the first-year head coach of in-state rival Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers will host the Delta Devils for the 2018 homecoming game on October 13. The Tigers will then host North Alabama, in the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two programs on October 20.

The Tigers’ season home finale is set for November 3 when JSU hosts Prairie View A&M for senior day.  The regular season finale will end in Lorman, Mississippi on November 17, as the Tigers and the Alcorn State Braves square off for in-state bragging rights.

The 2018 season will culminate with the 4th Annual Celebration Bowl in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, December 15.

The 2018 schedule can be found on the JSU’s official athletics website gojsutigers.com.

Information on opportunities to purchase JSU football season tickets can be obtained by calling 601.979.2420.

2018 Jackson State Football Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION
Sept. 1	Southern Miss	Hattiesburg, MS
Sept. 8	vs. Tennessee State (Southern Heritage Classic)	Memphis, TN
Sept. 15	Florida A&M	Tallahassee, FL
Sept. 22	Open
Sept. 29	*Alabama A&M (W.C. Gorden Classic)	Jackson, MS
Oct. 6	* Arkansas-Pine Bluff	Pine Bluff, AR
Oct. 13	* Mississippi Valley State (Homecoming)	Jackson, MS
Oct. 20	North Alabama	Jackson, MS
Oct. 27	*Southern	Baton Rouge, LA
Nov. 3	*Prairie View A&M (Senior Day)	Jackson, MS
Nov. 10	* Alabama State	Montgomery, AL
Nov. 17	* Alcorn State	Lorman, MS

Home games in bold type / Dates, times and location subject to change / * Denotes conference game.