Gold Nuggets announce 10 more in 2016 recruiting class

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has completed its volleyball recruiting for the 2016 season with the signing of 10 more student-athletes. New to the Gold Nuggets are:
     •  Brittanie Cockrell, a 5-foot-9 outside/right-side hitter from Port Arthur, Texas, and Ozen High School. She's a biology/pre-medical major at Xavier.
     •  Terri Drake, a 5-8 setter/right-side hitter from Baton Rouge, La., and University Lab School. She's a biology/pre-medical major.
     •  Taylor Ducros, a 5-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Luling, La., and McGehee School of New Orleans. She is a pre-pharmacy major.
     •  Monet Fontaine, a 5-10 outside/right-side hitter from Upper Marlboro, Md., and Bishop McNamara High School. Fontaine is a transfer from Morgan State University of NCAA Division I. Her major is pre-medical.
     •  Cara Ford, a 5-8 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Birmingham, Ala., and Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School. She's a biology/pre-medical major.
     •  Bria Moore, a 5-10 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Broussard, La., and Comeaux High School. Moore is a chemistry/pre-pharmacy major.
     •  Amanda Perry, a 5-4 libero/defensive specialist from Bolingbrook, Ill., and Bolingbrook High School. She is an accounting and business major.
     •  Tiffany Phillips, a 5-9 setter/defensive specialist from Gardena, Calif., and Bishop Montgomery High School. Phillips is a biology/chemistry/pre-medical major.
     •  Adili Rikondja, a 5-10 right-side/outside hitter from Inglewood, Calif., and Culver City High School. Her major is psychology/pre-medical.
     •  Juliana Tomasoni, a 5-9 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Novo Trento, Brazil, and a transfer from Northeast Oklahoma A&M College, a two-year school. She is a mass communications major.
     
All are freshmen on the Gold Nuggets' roster except for Fontaine, a sophomore, and Tomasoni, a junior. There are 11 newcomers in all; Hasani Salaam's signing was announced in April.
     
Cockrell produced 20 aces, 216 kills, 268 digs and 14 blocks for Ozen's Lady Panthers as a senior and was chosen to the Beaumont Enterprise newspaper's Super Gold first team. She was salutatorian of her graduating class, president of the student body her senior year, and she worked approximately 200 service hours in three years.
     
Drake helped U-High's Lady Cubs reach the round of 16 of the 2015 LHSAA Division IV state playoffs and had 98 kills, 228 assists, 74 aces and 154 digs. She produced a triple-double (10 kills, 16 assists, 10 digs) in a match. She was academic all-state as a senior, first-team all-district twice and produced 180 service hours.
     
Ducros was a five-year standout for McGehee's Hawks, who were 42-4 and won the LHSAA Division V state championship in 2015. Ducros produced 1,486 kills, 2,560 digs and 286 aces in her career. Ducros was all-state each of her final three seasons and was MVP of District 6-IV in 2014. Ducros is a cousin of NAIA tennis All-America Kyle Montrel, who completed his eligibility with Xavier in May.
     
Fontaine was second-team all-conference as a prep senior and won Bishop McNamara's St. Andre Award for stellar grades and citizenship. At Morgan State she hit .455 in her final seven matches.
     
Ford was all-region as a senior and won JCIB's award as a sophomore for best offensive player. She was a three-year starter and a team captain her final two seasons.
     
Moore was a three-year starter for Comeaux's Lady Spartans. She was academic all-state and first-team all-district in 2015.
     
Perry was a two-year starter for Bolingbrook's Raiders and team captain her senior year. She also excelled in club with Sports Performance and helped her teams earn a pair of third-place finishes at AAU national tournaments.
     
Phillips started the past two seasons for Bishop Montgomery's Lady Knights, was student government treasurer as a junior and senior class president. Phillips logged approximately 400 service hours with Bishop Montgomery's Concordia Christian Service Club.
     
Rikondja was first-team All-Ocean League as a junior for Culver City's Lady Centaurs and second-team all-league twice. She made the honor roll every semester and graduated with a 3.7 GPA. A regional semifinal appearance in 2014 was Culver City's best-ever postseason volleyball finish. Rikondja was a two-year president of her school's Black Student Union, an after-school mentor in all subjects and a dance instructor for four years. She graduated with approximately 80 service hours.
     
Tomasoni has considerable college experience after playing for NEO in 2015 and NAIA member Langston the year before. Her two-year totals include 667 kills, 659 digs, 64 aces and 60 blocks. She received honorable mention AVCA All-NAIA Mid-South Region in 2014, and she was second-team NJCAA Division II All-America and NJCAA all-tournament in 2015 after leading the Lady Norse to a 10th-place finish at nationals. In Brazil she played for high school teams that finished third in the 2010 world championships and won national championships in 2009 and 2008.
     
Xavier, a member of the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, will open its season Friday in San Antonio, Texas, with a pair of matches in the Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic. The Gold Nuggets will play Wayland Baptist at 9 a.m. and Our Lady of the Lake at 1 p.m.

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

SUNO joins Big Easy Blastoff; tourney grows to 5 teams

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  — Xavier University of Louisiana's Big Easy Blastoff volleyball tournament has added a fifth team, and as a result the playing schedule has been revised.

SUNO, a city and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rival of the Gold Nuggets, has joined the event and will play three matches.
     

The revised schedule:

Friday, Sept. 2 9 a.m. — Southwest (N.M.) vs. SUNO 11 a.m. — Xavier vs. Pikeville 1 p.m. — William Carey vs. SUNO 3 p.m. — Southwest (N.M.) vs. Pikeville 5 p.m. — Xavier vs. William Carey Saturday, Sept. 3 9 a.m. — Pikeville vs. William Carey 11 a.m. — Xavier vs. Southwest (N.M.) 1 p.m. — Pikeville vs. SUNO 3 p.m. — Southwest (N.M.) vs. William Carey

The Xavier-Pikeville match will be the Gold Nuggets' home opener. Xavier will open the 2016 season Friday (Aug. 19) at San Antonio, Texas, in the Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic with matches against Wayland Baptist at 9 a.m. and Our Lady of the Lake at 1 p.m.

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

SU postpones Fall Fan Fest set for Saturday

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University Fall Fan Fest, scheduled for August 20, 2016, in the F.G. Clark Activity Center, has been postponed, athletics officials announced Tuesday evening.

The F.G. Clark Activity Center is presently housing approximately 400 evacuees, coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the American Red Cross.

"As much of southeast Louisiana endures the damage from the most unprecedented flood in the state's history, SU athletics remains sensitive to the needs of the community and will serve as an active participant in the ongoing relief efforts," said Roman Banks, interim athletics director.

"We recognize what is most important now is to offer our support to the Baton Rouge community with the same vigor and enthusiasm we witness every Saturday night in the fall."

Information regarding SU's Fan Fest rescheduled date and location will be announced at a later time.
The SU football program will still conduct its final scrimmage of fall camp Saturday morning, Aug. 20 at 9:15 a.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Fall Fan Fest serves as the official kickoff to the fall sports season.

The Southern University System Foundation, in cooperation with the University administration, has established the Southern University Flood Relief Fund, to provide assistance to University students and employees that have been significantly impacted by historic area flooding.

Donations may be made here: https://netcommunity.sus.edu/pages/flood-relief-fund.



SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

from THE Editor Dwight Floyd: FAMU Football Future Looks Bright

FAMU NEW NIKE UNIFORMS
COURTEST FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M has just finished their first full scrimmage of 2016 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Even though the success of the offensive line will likely determine the win-loss record this season, the quarterback position has people not just talking, but talking big.

While senior quarterback Kenneth Coleman and junior transfer quarterback Vincent Jeffries are taking the snaps behind the first team center, red shirt freshman quarterback Ryan Stanley and freshmen quarterback Tahj Tolbert are getting plenty of attention from the fans. I think that even former head coach Billy Joe would be proud to groom these two at the quarterback position.

Both need time to get accustomed to the speed of the game at the college level and become married to the play book. If neither of them are needed to run the offense this season that will say a lot about this year’s team and even more about FAMU’s future.

CONTINUE READING

AAMU Bulldogs battle to 'draw' in first scrimmage

NORMAL, Alabama -- The Bulldogs offense scored three times in its first four possessions in the first scrimmage of the fall season Saturday.

However, the maroon defense picked off three passes later in the action and also forced the offense to punt four times.

"I could not be more pleased than the way we came out here and competed," Head Coach James Spady said. "When you get a chance to go full speed - run, hit, tackle ... they're ready to compete."

In assessing the scrimmage, Spady called it "a draw."

"It'd be my druthers if we fight to a draw," he said. "So, we fought to a draw today so I'm happy."

PHOTO GALLERY

Senior De'Angelo Ballard led all three early scoring drives, which included a 73-yard catch and run touchdown pass to Jonathan Dorsey, a 69-yard run by Jordan Bentley and a 49-yard field goal from Nick Carden.

"Right now, Tuttie (Ballard) is our leader in the clubhouse," Spady said. "We're looking for him to be the coach on the field ... we've still got some work to do for him.



"The race is for No. 2 ... we've got a bunch of guys to choose from, which is a good problem to have."

One of the backups, freshman Dylan Smith hit Tevin McKenzie for a 23-yard touchdown pass late in the scrimmage.

A couple of freshman running backs also caught Spady's eye.

"Joseph Burke and Jordan Bentley stepped up," he said. Burke had several carries where he broke tackles at the line of scrimmage while Bentley also caught a couple passes out of the backfield to go with his 69-yard run off tackle.

On the defensive side, several outstanding plays were made, including a pair of interceptions by freshman Reginald Paige and a pick by junior Dexter Reese.

Spady also cited linebacker Bryan Brower and defensive lineman Ryan Ducksworth for their play Saturday.

"Bryan Brower just continues to play hard," he said. "Ryan Ducksworth played really well ... he was impressive."

The Bulldogs have their final two-a-day practice of the season Monday with classes starting Thursday.

The season opener is Sept. 3 at Middle Tennessee State and the home opener is Sept. 17 when Prairie View A&M visits for the Louis Crews Classic.

For ticket information, visit aamutix.com or call 256-372-4700.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tuskegee Golden Tigers ranked 17th in AFCA DII preseason poll

WACO, Texas — After a quarterfinal appearance in the 2015 NCAA Division II playoffs, the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers begin the 2016 season ranked 17th in the AFCA preseason poll released Monday morning.

Tuskegee, 10-3 a season ago, is the only school from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) ranked in the poll. The Golden Tigers received 241 votes in the initial poll after finished last season ranked 11th overall.

The Golden Tigers do not face anyone ranked in the preseason poll, however, they are third in teams from the region ranked in the poll. They trail West Georgia (second) and North Alabama (15th), while being ranked above Catawba (22nd) in the first poll.

The top 10 includes defending national champion Northwest Missouri State, West Georgia, Grand Valley State, Shepherd, CSU-Pueblo, Ashland, Minnesota State, Indiana (Pa.), Henderson State and Texas A&M Commerce.

The next 10 include Slippery Rock at 11, followed by Ferris State, Humboldt State, Midwestern State, North Alabama, Indianapolis, Tuskegee, Colorado School of Mines, Minnesota-Duluth and Central Missouri.

Assumption, Catawba, Sioux Falls, Emporia State and Augustana round out the top 25.

Tuskegee opens the season on the road at Clark Atlanta. Kick off time for the season opener is 7 pm (eastern) and the game will be carried on the American Sports Network.

Season tickets are on sale in the Ticket Office by calling (334) 727-8594 or (334) 724-4385. Tickets are also on sale in the ticket office, and online via Ticketmaster, for the 5th Quarter Classic.

Follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook for up to the minute information on Tuskegee University athletics.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Norfolk State football season preview capsule

THE SKINNY

Coach: Latrell Scott, second season, 4-7 (29-16 overall) 2015: 4-7, 4-4 MEAC

Offense: QB Greg Hankerson and RB Gerard Johnson return, but four starters on the offensive line depart. Gone, too, are three starting wideouts. Johnson’s recovery from last year’s knee injury could be pivotal. He is NSU’s No. 2 returnee in rushing and receiving.

Defense: The departure of linebacker Deon King and defensive back D’Metrius Williams, first-team all-MEAC performers, will hurt. But nine starters return. Notable among them: defensive lineman Chris Lee, an all-MEAC third-teamer. Lee rang up six sacks last year.

Special teams: Cameron Marouf is one of the MEAC’s more dependable kickers (8-12 FG, 20-22 PAT). Punter Bo Lomax likewise returns. Lomax must improve his length (33.9 ypk) and precision (only 15 kicks inside the 20).

CONTINUE READING

Terrell-Kearney Named New N.C. A&T Bowling Coach

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Kim Terrell-Kearney has been named the head bowling coach at North Carolina A&T, as announced by director of athletics Earl M. Hilton III on Monday. Terrell-Kearney’s knowledge of bowling has extended from a sterling collegiate and professional career, to a successful collegiate coaching tenure, to international coaching experience.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to return to collegiate bowling. North Carolina A&T has risen to be one of the top programs in the country, and I look to continue in that success," said Terrell-Kearney. “I want to thank Chancellor Harold L. Martin and Mr. Earl Hilton for trusting me to take over one of the department’s most successful programs.”

Terrell-Kearney takes over a Top-10 nationally-ranked team that advanced to the NCAA semifinals in 2016. Weeks later the Aggies competed for another national championship at the United States Bowling Congress International Team Championships. The Aggies won the ITC and the university’s first-ever national championship in 2015. Terrell-Kearney’s history is impressive enough to believe she is up to the challenge.



Most recently, Terrell-Kearney was the assistant head coach of Team USA at the USBC in Arlington, Texas (2009-13). She coached national teams to WTBA World Championship titles at all levels and worked at the International Training Center to develop training programs for incoming athletes.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference bowling is familiar to Terrell-Kearney as well. She served as Delaware State’s head coach (2007-09), where she led the Hornets to the national semifinals in 2009, reaching a No. 4 ranking, the highest in school history. She was named 2009 MEAC Coach of the Year and NCAA Coach of the Year.

“We are excited to welcome a coach of Kim’s caliber to North Carolina A&T,” said Hilton. “She has the professional coaching and competitive experience to significantly enhance the foundation of bowling excellence we have established.”

Terrell-Kearney has left her mark on the sport as a player. She compiled 10 professional titles including three majors, most recently the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, as she defeated Trisha Reid in the USBC championship match in Romeoville, Ill. It was the first matchup of African-American athletes for a professional bowling title in history. Terrell-Kearney joined the Professional Women’s Bowling Association tour in 1989 after a successful four-year collegiate career at San Jose State University, where she was a two-time All-American. She earned the 1989 PBWA Rookie of the Year award. In 1991, she was selected as the San Francisco Black Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year.

She was inducted into the 2010 USBC Hall of Fame. Her other Hall of Fame recognitions include the California State Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and the San Mateo County (Calif.) Hall of Fame.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Search for a QB is Hampton's No. 1 priority

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Nowhere are the logistics of college football trickier than at the quarterback position. Is one too few?

Are three or four too many?

The Hampton Pirates will soon find out.

The Pirates will begin full-scale preparation for the 2016 season with a glut of viable candidates — four at last count — at the most crucial position on the field. Hampton coach Connell Maynor said he likely will need to observe all of preseason practice plus early-season games against Old Dominion and William & Mary before choosing one as his go-to guy.

“We have three or four capable guys who can go out and win football games for us,” Maynor said at last month’s MEAC media day in Norfolk. “We’re going to let them battle it out. We’ll see who can lead and who can move the chains.”

CONTINUE READING 

Florida A&M Rattlers feel stronger, faster thanks to new strength coach

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Parker Brooks’ impact on the Florida A&M football program is already being noticed.

Brooks, FAMU’s new strength and conditioning coach, has transformed players on the team throughout the offseason.

With the Rattlers unable to participate in spring practice due to APR-related sanctions, Brooks and the players got to work. And their efforts are already paying dividends in fall practice.

“We’ve got guys that have gained 20-25 pounds of muscle,” athletic director Milton Overton told members of the 220 Quarterback Club Wednesday. “We’ve got guys who have a higher vertical jump. And they’re faster in the 40. … Eventually what happens is that translates into victories.

“There’s a process in building championship programs, and that process happens when nobody is looking.”

CONTINUE READING

220 Quarterback Club president produces FAMU football preview magazine

BUY MAGAZINE AT: ej4rattlers.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The annual FAMU football preview magazine is out, marking both the return of the popular publication and the final issue with Eddie Jackson as its publisher.

Jackson, president of the 220 Quarterback Club, a support organization for FAMU athletics, said he’s proud of this year’s edition. He added he won’t be at the helm if another is made next year. The magazine is available for $10, it’s available online and Jackson will have it delivered anywhere in Leon County.

This is the sixth edition of the magazine. Besides a look at the 2016 Rattlers, it includes stories about a new scoreboard going up at Bragg Memorial Stadium, new Marching 100 director Shelby Chipman and a look at the time FAMU legends Jake Gaither and Althea Gibson returned to campus in 1976.

Jackson said FAMU Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. was pleased with the finished product. He added the magazine's expenses are covered by advertisements, not by support from his club.

“I know the athletic director is happy that an early publication was done,” Jackson said. “He’s been very supportive of the effort and he’s very pleased with it. The administration has expressed that they’re very happy with it as well.”

CONTINUE READING  

TSU Tiger Camp 2016: First Scrimmage

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State football team completed its first scrimmage of the 2016 season on Saturday morning at Hale Stadium. Head Coach Rod Reed saw a number of standout performances on the offensive and defensive side of the ball on the day.

The offense moved the ball on the first possession highlighted by a 30-yard run by Erick Evans. The defense, however, would have the better of the play on the next few possessions.

Marvin Maddox recovered a fumble on one drive before the defense came up with a stop on 4th and 1 on the following possession. Defensively, Ebo Ogundeko came up with a sack and Chris Collins had a tackle for a loss next time the offense had the ball.

The offense was able to break through with first down catches from Aaron Cauthen, Dantwaun O’Neal and Steven Newbold leading to a 21-yard field goal by Mitchell Boudreaux.

The defense again came up with a big play on the next possession as Gabe Scott picked off a long pass on the first play of the drive. On one of the final plays of the scrimmage, Marcus Deanes turned a short completion into a 60-yard gain up the left sideline.

Before wrapping up, the offense ran plays in the red zone, which included a touchdown catch by Newbold off a pass from O’Shay Ackerman-Carter.



NOTES: Scrimmage Temperature: 78 degrees… The team will have an off day tomorrow before returning to practice on Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Head Coach, Rod Reed
- General thoughts on the scrimmage
“I thought offensively we started fast then we hit a lull. The defense stepped it up in the middle of the scrimmage and kind of dominated until we got in the red zone. I thought we made some big plays in the red zone. We saw some playmaking ability out of Marcus Deanes and Chris Rowland, that’s something we’ve been waiting to see. Steven Newbold also caught a corner route, so that was good. It was good to see we were able to get some explosiveness out of our offense. Defensively, I thought we played really well in between the 25 to the 25, but we’ve got to be better in the red zone. All in all, I’m pleased with the scrimmage.”

- On the play of the defense
“At this time of the year, if the defense wasn’t ahead of the offense, I always say this, I would be concerned. Defense should be where they are at this point. For the offense, Coach (Jeff) Parker and that staff, they do a great job of making adjustments. I think you’ll see a little different story next scrimmage that we have. It was fun to see our guys get out there and make the adjustments. We had the headsets on today, we had the officials, so we’re trying to make it as game like as possible for our first scrimmage. I thought it went really well.”

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn basketball out to improve APR rate

LORMAN, Mississippi -- In Montez Robinson’s first season as Alcorn State’s men’s basketball coach, it posted its best record in 15 years and finished second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The only problem was, that was as far as it could go.

The Braves are under NCAA sanctions for their low Academic Progress Rate and ineligible for the postseason. So, heading into this recruiting season, Robinson set out to find players who could put the “student” back in “student-athlete” and get the program headed in the right direction both off the court and on it.

Robinson and his staff instituted a minimum 2.5 GPA for all of their 2016 recruits. He said Saturday all of them wound up with 2.8 GPAs, including a transfer from Bethune-Cookman who has already graduated with honors.

CONTINUE READING

WR Scott seeks strong finish with Delaware State Hornets

DOVER, Delaware — Aris Scott has seen a lot of things at Delaware State.

Most of them have not been good.

One of only seven seniors on the Hornet football team this year, DSU’s top wide receiver has experienced two different head coaches, six different starting quarterbacks and 26 losses in his career.

A new season, though, brings a fresh start. Scott is determined to erase the bad memories and end his career on a positive note.

“We went 1-10 last year,” he said. “That’s all the motivation you need.”

Scott is one of 12 holdovers who were recruited to DelState by former coach Kermit Blount. Blount was let go after the 2014 season and was replaced by first-time head coach Kenny Carter.

The Hornets did lose players during the coaching change. A handful elected to finish their careers elsewhere after Carter’s first season in charge.

CONTINUE READING 

Coach sees improvement in Norfolk State’s first scrimmage

NORFOLK, Virginia -- It didn’t take long for second-year Norfolk State coach Latrell Scott to begin to believe that Saturday was going to be a good day at the office.

On just the third play of the Spartans’ first scrimmage of fall camp at Dick Price Stadium, incumbent senior quarterback Greg Hankerson threw a screen pass to sophomore receiver Marcus Taylor, who took it 75 yards for an eye-opening touchdown.

Scott was immediately pleased.



“You’re excited about that offensively, that you’ve got that kind of offensive firepower,” Scott said. “But I thought the defense kind of buckled down and pressured Greg all day.”

It was that kind of afternoon, even if the heat index on the field did top 110 degrees. As the players sweated their way through a 130-minute series of game-like scenarios, it became apparent to Scott that his team is in better shape — in many ways — than it was late last summer.

ONTINUE READING 

Feggins hopes to get VSU football back to No.1

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Small town kid, big time talent.

That may be the best way to describe George “Geo” Feggins, Virginia State University’s bone-jarring middle linebacker.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior, who came to the Trojans from Park View High School in South Hill — population 4,541 — is VSU’s lone All-CIAA preseason pick.

“From watching video, Geo was obviously the best defensive player we had last year,” said first-year Coach Reggie Barlow.

“He understands what it takes to play the position. We’ll lean on Geo a lot.”

As a junior, Feggins recorded 78 tackles (55 unassisted) with six sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Many of his determined takedowns were of the ooh and ahh variety. His shaken foes tend to get up slowly.

The sports management major is a perfect gentleman off the field, but turns fierce between the lines.

CONTINUE READING

Tennessee State Tiger Camp 2016: Day 8

Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Day eight of the Tennessee State football preseason camp featured two outdoor practices as the Sept. 3 season opener is quickly approaching. The practices were the final tune up before tomorrow’s intrasquad scrimmage at 9:15 a.m. at Hale Stadium.

The first practice at the upper practice field, which got underway at 7:30 a.m., featured a number of drills split up by position. As the practice shifted to offensive plays, Patrick Smith turned a Michael Hughes pass up the right sideline for a significant gain. The first session concluded with field goal attempts for the special teams unit.

The 5:15 p.m. practice at Hale Stadium was highlighted by a 6-on-7 passing drill to open things up. The defense initially had the upper hand with Trevion Duncan coming up with an interception. The offense regrouped with touchdown receptions from Ronald Butler and Ronnie Killings later in the drill.

Special teams was again a focus with field goals, kick off protection and punt return all occurring during the second practice.

NOTES: Practice One Temperature: 83 degrees… Practice Two Temperature: 85 degrees… Tomorrow’s scrimmage is set for 9:15 a.m. on campus at Hale Stadium.

Defensive Coordinator, Osita Alaribe
- On how camp has been going
“We’ve been progressing every day, just trying to learn from our mistakes from the previous practice. We’re trying to work on communication and getting guys lined up correctly.”

- On expectations for tomorrow’s scrimmage
“We’re looking for guys to get their assignment and most of all getting to the football and tackling. Tackling will be the biggest thing because this will be the first live tackling day. The main thing I’m looking for tomorrow is tackling.”

Offensive Coordinator, Jeff Parker
- On the progression of the offense
“It’s been going well. We’re very pleased with some of our freshmen who have come in and are helping us immediately. We’re really trying to focus on the running game and making sure we execute that part of our offense. Things are going well.”

- On the focus of tomorrow’s scrimmage
“Making the calls, blocking multiple fronts in the running game as well as the protection. I’m sure we’ll see some blitzing from the defense tomorrow. Just making sure they execute on their calls, locate the blitzers and keep the quarterback upright.



TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern looking for receivers to complement Willie Quinn, Randall Menard

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team has to replace the majority of its receiving corps from last season after losing five of the 14 Jaguars who caught a pass in 2015 and only two of those were wide receivers.

The explosive Willie Quinn returns as the leader of the group while Randall Menard is expected to step into the No. 2 option for quarterback Austin Howard.

Beyond those two, wide receivers coach Chris Coleman said he wants about four to six other players that can compliment the returning veterans.

When almost anyone in the program is asked who those young players could be, there’s one name that seems to be on everyone’s list.

“Curtlan Williams,” Howard said.

“Curtlan Williams is doing well,” said Southern coach Dawson Odums.

CONTINUE READING

'My thing is to do what people say I can’t do': Southern's Aaron Tiller motivated to prove the doubters wrong

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- It doesn’t really matter that he led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in sacks last season; doubt still fuels Southern defensive end Aaron Tiller.

That’s because the source of that doubt — his height — isn’t going to change any time soon. Tiller is listed on the official Southern roster at 6-foot-1, but he might have been measured in cleats that day.

He does not fit the prototype on the defensive line. He heard that during his recruitment, and he made sure he never forgot it.

“I’ve got a motivational push: I’m considered undersized for my position, so I’ve got to fill in where my height is not,” Tiller said. “I’ve got to use my strength to my advantage, my quickness to my advantage. I’ve got the strength of someone that is ‘supersized.' ... I’ve got the quickness to move with anybody. If I combine the two, I can be a complete defensive end. That’s what I’ve been relying on to push and get better.”

That extra push has worked well for Tiller in two seasons with the Jaguars. He had 4.5 sacks as a true freshman, then dropped the quarterback seven times last season.

CONTINUE READING

College Football Preview 2016: JSU

Jackson State University
Head coach: Tony Hughes (0-0 record, first season as head coach)
2015 record: 3-8 overall (3-6 SWAC)
Radio: 95.5 WHLH FM
Stadium: Veterans Memorial Stadium

This Season Overview

JSU hired Mississippi State University assistant head coach, safeties coach and recruiting coordinator Tony Hughes as the Tigers' new head coach in December. Hughes is the fourth head coach for the program in four years.

The 56-year-old career assistant is finally getting his shot at being a head coach—and possibly his last chance. Because of the quick rate of turnover at the position, Hughes needs to be given time if there are signs of success. He will be playing mainly with players left over from the Rick Comegy and Jackson era. The current coach has only brought in one recruiting class. If he can keep the losses close and win some games, though, it will help keep the rumbling down in year one.

The good news for Hughes is that the Tigers have eight returning starters on defense and nine returning starters on offense, including quarterback LaMontiez Ivy, wide receiver Daniel Williams, and offensive linemen Frank Carter and Markus Cook.

Linebacker and defensive end Javancy Jones is the star of the defense. Last season, Jones had 91 total tackles and nine sacks. Defensive tackle Cornelius Henderson will join him on the front seven.



CONTINUE READING

STATS FCS predicts Grambling to win SWAC West

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- At least one major publication believes Grambling will play for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in 2016.

STATS FCS, an online website that covers the Football Championship Subdivision, predicted Thursday that Grambling will repeat as the SWAC West Division champs over rival Southern and Prairie View A&M.

The predicted order of finish in the West varies from the preseason poll as voted on by SWAC coaches, which listed Prairie View as the favorite with Grambling finishing second.

STATS FCS and the SWAC coaches both agree Alcorn State is the team to beat in the East Division. The Braves are in of their third straight league title.

Grambling and Alcorn played for the 2015 title last December with the Braves coming away with a 49-21 win.

CONTINUE READING

Alcorn State tries for SWAC 3-peat with new coach

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State is the king of the Southwestern Athletic Conference after back-to-back league titles.

Now the Braves must try for the three-peat with a new coach and a revamped roster.

Fred McNair is in charge at Alcorn State after taking over for Jay Hopson, who left to become the head coach at Southern Mississippi. McNair, who was promoted after four seasons as Alcorn State's quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach, is the brother of arguably the school's most famous alumni - quarterback Steve McNair.

The Braves have 11 starters returning from last season, including dual-threat quarterback Lenorris Footman, who threw for 1,106 yards and 14 touchdowns last season after taking over for the injured John Gibbs Jr. He was also second on the team with 1,023 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.

''The good thing is he's won a lot of games and has a SWAC championship under his belt,'' Fred McNair said. ''Now he just needs to be a little more consistent with his passing.''



CONTINUE READING

A&T Williams Announces Her Resignation

JENNIFER WILLIAMS
Courtesy NCA&T Athletics

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Jennifer Williams, who has served as the associate athletics director for development for North Carolina A&T athletics as well as executive director for the Aggie Athletic Foundation for four years, has resigned effective immediately. Williams will take over as the deputy athletics director at Alabama State.

“I would like to thank my Aggie family for a wonderful four years,” said Williams. “The decision to resign was bittersweet, but I could not turn down an opportunity to advance professionally in the field I love. NC A&T is a special place, and I will always hold my experiences and the relationships built close to my heart.”

Under Williams, Aggie Athletics was able to consolidate various fundraising efforts for athletics under the umbJella of the AAF. Those efforts helped the official fundraising arm of Aggie Athletics raise more than $500,000 in donor contributions for two consecutive years. Donor support increased by 16.5 percent, and the AAF exceeded their donor-revenue goal three consecutive years.

Williams’ primary duties consisted of strategically implementing plans to maximize fundraising efforts for the athletic department; securing annual, major, and endowed gifts; and branding the AAF through various forms of media. Williams also served as the liaison between IMG sports properties and has oversight of the NC A&T Marketing Department. The AAF boast of more than 800 members, and has been recognized as a model booster organization by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CAE) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Women's Basketball Releases Tough 2016-17 Schedule

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team released a 2016-17 schedule that includes three teams that finished in the Top-25 last season. Four teams on the schedule advanced to the NCAA tournament with one of those teams reaching the Sweet 16.

There are also three postseason WNIT participants from the 2015-16 season on the schedule. Twenty-sixteen and 17 is also highlighted by an SEC school and a Pac-12 visiting Corbett Sports Center to face the Aggies. Even one of the Aggies Division II foes reached the NCAA Division II Elite 8. But the Aggies are not without their own accolades heading into a tough 2016-17 season thanks to a 2016 NCAA appearance and a 2016 MEAC title in their possession.

The defending champs open the season on the road in Statesboro, Ga. to take on Georgia Southern on Nov. 11 before returning to Greensboro to open their home schedule at Corbett Sports Center against Tennessee Martin on Nov. 14. The non-conference games continue as N.C. A&T faces SEC foe Auburn at home on Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Like the Aggies, the Tigers clinched a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament in 2016. The Tigers finished the season 20-13.

Over Thanksgiving break, N.C. A&T will compete in three games at the Savannah Invitational Thanksgiving Tournament. The Aggies open the tournament against West Virginia on Nov. 22 and play Ball State the following day. The Big 12 Mountaineers finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation, while Ball State finished 22-10 and competed in the WNIT. The tournament wraps up against Marist on Thanksgiving. The Red Foxes were 16-16 last season but closed the year 12-5.

N.C. A&T’s other non-conference opponents include at Appalachian State on Nov. 30, at the University of Florida on Dec. 11, at Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 14, at home for three straight games against Division II Slippery Rock on Dec. 17, UCLA on Dec. 20 and Ohio University on Dec. 28. The Florida Gators finished ranked 25th in the country while FGCU opened last season with a 60-36 win over N.C. A&T before finishing the season in the WNIT finals. UCLA finished ranked 10th in the country, and Ohio went 26-7 and won two games in the WNIT postseason. The Aggies finish 2016 at home on Dec. 31 against Francis Marion. The Patriots (24-9) competed in last season’s NCAA Division II Tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., before being eliminated in the quarterfinals.

The ringing in of 2017 means the MEAC portion of the schedule is set to begin for the defending regular-season co-champion Aggies. The team will play at Hampton, a perennial power in the MEAC, on Jan. 4 prior to a two-game conference home stretch on Jan. 7 and 9 against Delaware State (2 p.m.) and Maryland Eastern Shore (5:30 p.m.). The Aggies conference regular-season closes with a three-game homestand against Savannah State (Feb. 25), 2015 MEAC champions; Bethune-Cookman (Feb. 27), 2016 MEAC regular-season co-champions; and archrival North Carolina Central (March 2).

N.C. A&T head coach Tarrell Robinson’s team is coming off a 19-2 season that included a 12-4 mark in the conference. They won their three MEAC tournament games by an average of 15 points before facing No. 1 seed Notre Dame of the Lexington, Ky., region in South Bend in what was the school’s first NCAA tournament appearance in seven years.

NCAT MBB 2016-17 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME (ET) 
Fri, Nov 11 Georgia Southern at Statesboro, Ga. TBA
Mon, Nov 14 Tennessee Martin Corbett Sports Center 5:30 PM
Thu, Nov 17 Auburn Corbett Sports Center 5:30 PM

Savannah Invitational Thanksgiving Tournament
Tue, Nov 22 West Virginia at Savannah, Ga. 7:00 PM
Wed, Nov 23 Ball State at Savannah, Ga. 2:00 PM
Thu, Nov 24 Marist at Savannah, Ga. 2:00 PM

Wed, Nov 30 Appalachian State at Boone, N.C. 12:00 PM
Sun, Dec 11 Florida at Gainesville, Fla. TBA
Wed, Dec 14 Florida Gulf Coast at Fort Myers, Fla. 7:00 PM
Sat, Dec 17 Slippery Rock Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Tue, Dec 20 UCLA Corbett Sports Center 12:00 PM
Wed, Dec 28 Ohio Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Sat, Dec 31 Francis Marion Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Wed, Jan 04 Hampton * at Hampton, Va. TBA
Sat, Jan 07 Delaware State * Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Mon, Jan 09 Maryland Eastern Shore * Corbett Sports Center 5:30 PM
Sat, Jan 14 Coppin State * at Baltimore, Md. TBA
Mon, Jan 16 Morgan State * at Baltimore, Md. TBA
Sat, Jan 21 Howard * Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Sat, Jan 28 N.C. Central * at Durham, N.C. TBA
Mon, Jan 30 Norfolk State * at Norfolk, Va. TBA
Wed, Feb 01 Delaware State * at Dover, Del. TBA
Sat, Feb 11 Florida A&M * Corbett Sports Center 2:00 PM
Mon, Feb 13 S.C. State * Corbett Sports Center 5:30 PM
Sat, Feb 18 Howard * at Washington, D.C. TBA
Mon, Feb 20 Maryland Eastern Shore * at Princess Anne, Md. TBA
Sat, Feb 25 Savannah State * Corbett Sports Center 2:00 
Mon, Feb 27 Bethune-Cookman * Corbett SpoBrts Center 5:30 PM
Thu, Mar 02 N.C. Central * Corbett Sports Center 5:30

BOLD: HOME GAME

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

For HBCU Coaches & Athletes, It's on Your Marks, Get Set...

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- The black HBCU coaches attending the 2016 Summer Olympics had 99 problems to worry about in preparing for Brazil.

But the Zika virus isn’t one.

There are at least three coaches representing historically black colleges and universities in Rio de Janeiro this week, anticipating the start of track and field competition Friday.

Those coaches are George Williams, head track coach and athletics director at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina; Maurice Pierce, head track coach at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; and Lenox Graham, head track coach of the CIAA’s Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Those many worries leading up to the games have included travel, crowds, accommodations, the seemingly endless preparations, the time change and the huge anticipation for their athletes to achieve successes that they worked their entire lives to achieve.

CONTINUE READING