Virginia Union Lady Panthers Finish Ranked #2 In Nation

RICHMOND, Virginia -- The Virginia Union University women's basketball team has finished the 2016-17 season ranked #2 in the final Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll of the season, released on Saturday, March 25.

The Lady Panthers moved up from #18 due to a miraculous run through the NCAA Tournament, culminating in an appearance in the 2017 National Championship game against Ashland University on Friday, March 24.

The #2 ranking is the highest finish ever for a VUU women's team in the WBCA poll.  VUU finished the 2016-17 with a 28-5 record.

Rank	School (record)	Points	First-place  votes	Previous rank
1	Ashland (37-0)	600	24	1
2	Virginia Union (28-5)	548	0	18
3	California Baptist (35-3)	547	0	3
4	Harding (31-4)	509	0	10
5	Columbus State (31-2)	493	0	4
6	Drury (30-4)	420	0	5
7	Queens, NY (25-4)	414	0	15
8	Emporia State (29-5)	380	0	6
9	California, PA (30-4)	379	0	7
10	Alaska-Anchorage (29-2)	374	0	2
11	Colorado State-Pueblo (28-4)	320	0	9
12	West Florida (28-7)	309	0	NR
13	Lincoln Memorial (26-5)	289	0	13
14	Adelphi (27-5)	283	0	8
15	West Texas A&M (26-9)	261	0	NR
16	Pittsburg State (25-6)	247	0	11
17	Eckerd (27-5)	196	0	12
18	Western Washington (26-6)	185	0	16
19	Bentley (26-5)	176	0	14
20	Angelo State (26-6)	153	0	20
21	Minnesota State-Moorhead (24-5)	125	0	17
22	Central Missouri (24-7)	121	0	19
23	Simon Fraser (26-8)	84	0	NR
24	Wingate (25-5)	78	0	21
25	Central Oklahoma (25-8)	38	0	25

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NCCU Athletics to Search for New Women’s Basketball Coach

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University will not renew the contract of women's basketball head coach Vanessa Taylor, the Department of Athletics announced Thursday (March 23).

"I would like to thank Coach Vanessa Taylor for her years of service to North Carolina Central University. Coach Taylor worked hard to grow our program," said NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree. "However, at this time, we will look to new leadership for our women's basketball program."

In five seasons as head women's basketball coach at NCCU, Taylor led the Lady Eagles to a win-loss record of 33-113. This season's team finished with an 8-21 overall record.

Associate head coach Kendra Eaton will serve as interim head coach and oversee women's basketball operations until a head coach is hired. A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former ’Nole coach applies for FAMU vacancy

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Pat Kennedy cherished his 11 years in Tallahassee as the successful men’s basketball coach at Florida State. If given the opportunity, Kennedy wants to return to the state capital and Florida.
The veteran coach has applied for the men’s basketball coaching vacancy at Florida A&M.

“I have always had great respect and admiration for FAMU,” Kennedy told the Tallahassee Democrat Friday.
“Remember, I was the coach who last played FAMU at FSU. The Lawson Center is a first class facility and they are a prestigious academic institution."

Kennedy, 65, led the Seminoles to Sweet 16 and Elite Eight appearances during his tenure (1986-97), compiling a 203–130 record and earning ACC Coach of the Year honors (1992). He has an overall coaching record of 499-497, including stops at Iona (1980-86), DePaul (1997-2002), Montana (2002-2004), Towson (2004-11) and Pace (2013-15), a Division II school in the New York metropolitan area.

Kennedy has coached 23 players who played in the NBA, including former Seminoles and first-round selections Charlie Ward, Sam Cassell, Bob Sura and George McCloud.

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Gold Rush beat OBU, extend home win streak to 16 duals

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana continued its home success, and Antoine Richard and Catalin Fifea defeated regionally ranked singles players Wednesday in a 5-2 men's tennis victory against Ouachita Baptist.

The XULA men (8-3), ranked second in the NAIA, won for the 16th consecutive time at XULA Tennis Center and the eighth time in their last nine dual matches overall. It was the fifth Gold Rush victory of the season against a ranked opponent — the Tigers (3-8) are No. 39 in NCAA Division II.

Richard and Fifea won in singles and doubles. Fifea won 7-5, 6-0 against Juan Moncada, ranked 16th in the D2 Central Region, and Richard used a late surge to beat Lennart Lonnemann, ranked seventh in his region, 6-4, 7-5.

"Antoine was in a pretty good battle," XULA coach Alan Green said. "He got down in the second set, got down mentally, but he overcame that and put together five good games in a row to close out his match."

Karan Salwan got the other XULA singles victory, a 6-1, 6-1 decision against Dan Kaplun. Salwan and Fifea have 6-match singles win streaks.

Richard and Moses Micheal won 9-8 (7-0) against Moncada and Luis Chab, and Fifea and Adam Albrecht — paired for the first time in doubles — rallied from 5-2 and 7-4 deficits to defeat Andre Stefano and Braydon Montgomery 9-8 (7-4).

Next for the Gold Rush will be a noon dual match April 8 at Jackson State.

NOTES: The Gold Rush are 3-0 at home this season after going 7-0 in 2016 and 6-0 in 2015 . . . The XULA men are 19-7 against ranked opponents (all venues) the last three seasons . . . Green said he added Grambling to the Gold Nuggets' schedule. They'll meet at 1 p.m. April 1 at Alexandria, La. As a result, the XULA dual that same day with LSU-Alexandria moved to 9 a.m. Alexandria City Courts will be the site of both duals.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Coppin men's basketball coach Michael Grant let go

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Michael Grant will not return as Coppin State's men’s basketball coach after three losing seasons, the university announced Monday morning.

Coppin State University athletic director Derek Carter, in a news release saying that Grant's contract will not be renewed for the 2017-18 season, said a national search will begin immediately.

While expressing his disappointment at being unable to continue to coach the Coppin State men’s basketball team, Grant said he understood the university’s decision.

“Whenever you lose your job or you’re not going to be renewed where you’ve spent the last three years there, you’re invested,” Grant said Monday morning. “It’s not like I was here for a year and left. I’ve been here for three years and I moved my family here and became rooted in the community. So yes, I’m disappointed, but as I said before, it’s all part of the business, and this is the business I signed up for, and if you’re in this business long enough, you’re going to get let go. That’s just the way things go.”

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S.C. State opens spring football workouts

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The upcoming college football season begins to take shape for South Carolina State this week.

The Bulldogs will begin their quest for a 17th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday (Mar. 21), when the team kicks off spring football practice a little while before daylight.

Coach Buddy Pough's team will conduct 15 practices, which will culminate with the annual Garnet and Blue spring game on Saturday, April 15. The contest will kick off at 1 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium and admission is free.

The 2016 Bulldogs team closed out a 5-6 season with a 28-0 home win against Bethune-Cookman. Then last month, on National Signing Day, the program signed 22 players, all from the state of South Carolina.

"We are ready to see this team develop for the 2017 year," Pough said recently. "The difference in this year's team and last year's team is that team was probably a more experienced team and we had a better idea about some of our personnel.

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Bethune-Cookman, men’s basketball coach Gravelle Craig parting ways

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- After six seasons, there's a vacancy in the Bethune-Cookman men's basketball program.

Following a down 2016-17 season, the Wildcats and Gravelle Craig agreed to part ways late Monday evening, ending the 46-year-old's run as the program's head basketball coach.

Craig's contract was set to expire at the end of the month.

"At the end of the season, we sat down as always to evaluate the state of our program," said Lynn W. Thompson, B-CU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "After discussion, Coach Craig and I arrived at the decision that the timing was right for him to pursue new career opportunities. We are grateful for his leadership and the impact that he had on our student-athletes during his tenure, and we will move promptly to focus on the right coach who will build upon the foundation that Gravelle Craig put in place here."

The former Cleveland State guard took over the program in 2011, and compiled a 74-123 record during his six-year run. During his first season, Craig helped the Wildcats to the 2012 MEAC title game against Norfolk State. The following year, B-CU advanced to the MEAC semifinals.

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N.C. A&T’s Cohen feels he measures up

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The 5-foot-6, 179-pound stature of former North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen has long been an issue surrounding his potential future in the NFL.

He sizes it up differently.

“I wouldn’t be the player that I am if it wasn’t for my size,” he said.

Appearances aside, Cohen’s heart and desire measure up to an NFL level, and so could his performance.

Considered a late-round possibility for the April 27-29 draft, the speedy Cohen is viewed as a change-of-pace type of back, a la the similarly sized Darren Sproles of the Eagles, although he also patterns himself after Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Like both of those players, he envisions a dynamic role that puts his many skills to work.

“I can play in the backfield, out of the backfield and in the special team game,” he said. “Any part of the game that can get the ball in my hands will be great.”

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119-30! Baylor women open with most-lopsided NCAA Tournament win ever over TSU

WACO, Texas -- By doing the things that coach Kim Mulkey had been emphasizing since a rare Big 12 Tournament loss, the Baylor Lady Bears opened the women' NCAA Tournament with an overwhelming record-setting performance.

It also helped that the Lady Bears, with three post players at least 6-foot-4, were much bigger than NCAA first-timer Texas Southern.

Beatrice Mompremier had 22 points with 11 rebounds, Kalani Brown scored 21 points and freshman post Lauren Cox from Flower Mound had 17 as the Lady Bears defeated Texas Southern 119-30 on Saturday night in the most lopsided women’s NCAA Tournament game ever. Baylor’s 119 points were the most ever in regulation of a tournament game.

“That work we’ve put in since the tournament championship game, I think you saw it today,” said Mulkey, whose team lost in the Big 12 championship for the first time in seven years.

“You saw post players feeding each other better than they have all year. I think you saw production from people immediately when they came in the game,” she said. “It’s just been an emphasis to continue to work on your defense.”

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Nearly a champ, TSU Mike Davis now just wants to win one NCAA game

GREENVILLE, South Carolina — Fifteen years ago this month, Mike Davis coached a team that unhorsed No. 1 Duke in the Sweet 16, the Duke presumably destined for a second consecutive title. Eleven days later, Davis led Indiana into the NCAA championship game against Maryland in the Georgia Dome. He was 41. It was his second season as a head coach.

On Friday, Mike Davis coached a team that had no chance. His Texas Southern Tigers faced top-seeded North Carolina. If you’re a No. 16 seed, the one team you don’t want to be paired against it’s the Tar Heels, who are too big and too smart and too focused to trip over a mouse.

The final score was 103-64. It could have been anything. Texas Southern led twice – at 7-6 and 10-8. Carolina led 24-10 at the second at the second TV timeout. And that’s enough – too much, really – about the game.

The ol’ roundball can take odd bounces. Steve Fisher won an NCAA title and made three Final Fours at Michigan and wound up at San Diego State. As we know, Paul Hewitt took Georgia Tech to the 2004 title game. Within 11 years, he’d be fired by both Tech and George Mason. Larry Brown, owner of an NCAA and NBA title, landed at SMU. (Then, being Larry Brown, he quit.)

Davis’ career path is the oddest. He was pressed into service as Indiana’s head coach when school president Myles Brand fired Bobby Knight in September 2000. Years later, he’d concede that he hadn’t been ready. Still, he looked pretty primed when the Hoosiers beat Duke and then Kent State and then Oklahoma to reach the NCAA final. You know the saying, “Fake it till you make it”? Davis had made it.

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Minus yet another starter, Lady Pirates fall hard at Duke

DURHAM, North Carolina — Missing three starters, Hampton University pulled off a three-game sweep of the MEAC tournament last weekend. It was as unexpected as it was remarkable.

But in the first round of the NCAA tournament Saturday night, missing yet another starter and facing one of the nation’s premier teams, the Lady Pirates finally ran out of magic beans. No. 2 Duke was too big, too deep and too talented in a 94-31 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

“Tough night,” HU coach David Six said. “We played a great team and didn’t play well. We certainly don’t want to make excuses, but without four starters against a great Duke team, it’s just tough all the way around. We would have liked to have made a better showing, but it wasn’t in the cards tonight.

“You can’t do it without four starters. You just can’t. I told the kids, if you take LeBron (James), Kevin Love, Kyrie (Irving) and J.R. Smith off Cleveland, Cleveland is a lottery-pick team.”

Hampton had been missing Malia Tate-DeFreitas, its all-time leading scorer in Division I, since Jan. 14 with a torn ACL. Ashley Bates (shoulder) and Chanel Green (ankle) sustained season-ending injuries in the third week of February.

Then, in the MEAC championship win over Bethune-Cookman, the Lady Pirates lost center Kaylah Lupoe with a sprained ankle.

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Southern inks deal to play McNeese in 2019

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana -- The Southern Jaguars will be coming to Cowboy Stadium in 2019.

"With our commitment to broadening the Southern University athletics brand, traveling to Lake Charles to face McNeese State provides a unique opportunity to add a storied in-state football program to our 2019 schedule and expose Southwest Louisiana to Jaguar football and the Jaguar Nation," said Southern Interim Director of Athletics Roman Banks.

A contract was recently agreed upon, and signed, by both school’s athletic directors, that will have Southern playing in Lake Charles for the first time on Aug. 31, 2019.

“We’re excited to have such a great program come to Cowboy Stadium, in what will no doubt, draw a big crowd,” said McNeese Director of Athletics Bruce Hemphill. “It’s always great when you can get an in-state team like Southern to come to your place. With their large fan base and alumni numbers, it will make for an exciting atmosphere and more than likely a capacity crowd.”

McNeese visited Southern in 2004, beating the Jaguars 35-18 in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on the gridiron.

Southern was scheduled to make a return trip to Lake Charles in 2005 but that game was canceled due to Hurricane Rita and was never made up.

The game in 2019 is not a rescheduling of that game.

Southern, which has won 19 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and nine Black College National Championships, finished 10-3 in 2016 and fell one win shy of reaching its third SWAC Championship game in the last five years after going 8-1 in league play.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

West Virginia State Football Names Shehl Defensive Coordinator

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- New WVSU Head Football Coach John Pennington has drawn on his West Virginia University background again with the hiring of George Shehl to be the Yellow Jackets' Defensive Coordinator.

"Hiring George Shehl was a no-brainer," Pennington said. "He has a passion for developing young men into leaders and wanted to be at a place where we could build something special."

The Clarksburg native played with Pennington for the Mountaineers. Shehl was a defensive back and four-year letterman from 2002-2005 under former WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez. During that time he played on three Big East champion teams and four bowl games.

"I have known George since we were at West Virginia University together and I couldn't be happier to call him my teammate once again," said Pennington. "This is a big win for the Yellow Jackets because George Shehl brings experience, passion, and pride to WVSU."

The hiring reunites them with fellow former Mountaineers Quincy Wilson and Reed Williams on the WVSU gridiron staff.

"I have wanted to coach with John ever since we were college teammates," Shehl said. "To finally have the chance to do that, in such a great situation, especially alongside Quincy and Reed, was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

After graduating from WVU in 2005 Shehl did a stint as quality control coach for the defense and special teams at the Citadel before returning to Morgantown. There he served two years as the Defensive Graduate Assistant for WVU under Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel and Head Coach Bill Stewart.

After that Shehl spent one season as a defensive assistant at Marshall before moving to the University of Charleston where he was Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator in 2011 and 2012.

He was hired as the Head Coach at West Virginia Wesleyan in December of 2012 and held that position for three years. Shehl spent this past season as an analyst for the Marshall football program.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity that John Pennington has given me," Shehl said. "This is an ideal situation to be able to work for a school that is committed to a quality experience for its student-athletes, graduating student-athletes, and winning on the football field."

Coach Shehl was a four-sport star at Robert C. Byrd High School and is married to the former Ali Hewitt of Richwood.

John Ashworth will be coach the offensive line, James Groce will continue to work with the defensive line, and Ricardo Figueroa will coach the tight ends.

Reed Williams,  Linebackers Coach, Academic Counselor

Williams is another former WVU player with both strong on and off field positives.

"He came to WVU the year after I left but I knew his older brother well," Pennington said. "He used to stay with us when he would come to visit."

Like Wilson he also had strong West Virginia high school credentials winning two state titles while at Moorefield High and being named defensive captain of the All-State team.

Williams was also class valedictorian, a National Honor Society member, and served on student council.

He started at linebacker for the Mountaineers and was named Defensive Player of the Game when WVU beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2007 season. Williams was also a two-time ESPN All-American.
In 2010 he was awarded the Red Brown Cup at WVU which is presented to the school's most outstanding all-around student-athlete.

"He was an Academic All-American and he's very passionate about helping these young men," Pennington said. "He has that 'it factor' in that he commands attention when he is in the room."

Williams previously spent a year as a graduate assistant to Rich Rodriguez at Arizona and a year on the academic staff at WVU.
 
Travis Everhart, Assistant Head Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator

"Our families know each other very well," Pennington said. "He wanted to come back to Charleston and I was happy he contacted me."

Everhart previously coached wide receivers, tight ends, fullbacks, and was special teams coordinator during three seasons at the University of Charleston. He helped the Golden Eagles make their first NCAA DII playoff appearance in 2015.

He served as head coach at Unioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, and has had a long coaching career in the college ranks.

Everhart began as running backs coach at his alma mater, Capital University. After that came stints at California University-Pa., Tiffin, and South Dakota Tech as a position coach.

He then became Offensive Coordinator at Louisburg College, Hiram College, WVU-Tech, and Point University. After that he spent time as Assistant Offensive Line Coach at DI Kent State.

As a collegiate player at Capital in Columbus, Ohio, Everhart received the program's Crusader Award given to the player who best represented the characteristics of what makes a champion both on and off the field.

"He was offensive coordinator at another school," Pennington said. "He has coached a lot of different places and he wanted to come back to Charleston."

Everhart's wife, Jenna, has been the women's basketball coach at WVU-Tech for the last six years.

The Frankfort, Ohio, native spent last season as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at NCAA DII Fort Valley State University in Georgia. The Wildcats won the Southern Athletic Intercollegiate Conference title in 2016.
 
Brian Novak, Wide Receivers Coach, Assistant Quarterbacks Coach

The youngest of the new additions to the staff Novak completed a record setting collegiate playing career at Concord in 2016. Last fall he threw for 403 yards in a 52-45 loss to the Yellow Jackets in Institute.

A four-year starter he holds program records there for single season and career passing yards and for career touchdown passes.

Novak led the Mountain Lions to the MEC title and national semifinals in 2014 and was a first team All-MEC selection.

"He was a coach on the field," said Pennington, who was an assistant at Concord during part of Novak's career. "His dad is a high school football coach and he comes from a football family."

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Against the grain: From Ivy League to CIAA, Dixon adjusts at WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Bruce Dixon was tired of the cold weather, and being so far from home.

That’s the standard answer he’s gives folks who ask him why he transferred from Dartmouth to Winston-Salem State.

As a 6-4, 225 pound quarterback Dixon, who is from Charlotte, also wouldn’t mind more playing time at his new school. That’s why he took the leap of faith to leave the Ivy League for the CIAA.

Dixon is competing in spring practice, and is one of the more intriguing players in camp.

“I was tired of being that far up north,” Dixon said last week after the Rams’ fourth practice of the spring. “I was ready to get back down here and I was looking at Division II schools in the area like UNC Pembroke, Catawba and Winston-Salem State. I thought this would be the best fit.”

His Division II choice means he doesn't have to sit out a season, and with his academics, he had a 3.0 GPA when he left Dartmouth, he could play right away this fall.

Thanks to knowing Natrone Means, the WSSU running bacCks coach and former NFL player, Dixon looked long and hard at coming to Winston-Salem.

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2017 MSU Football Schedule Announced

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State's 2017 football schedule has been announced and it features five home games in Hughes Stadium, including an FBS matchup at Big Ten opponent Rutgers.
 
Coming off a 3-8 season (3-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) in 2016, Morgan State will open their 2017 campaign on the road against Towson on Sept. 2 in the Battle for Greater Baltimore at Johnny Unitas Stadium. It will mark the 23rd meeting between the teams and their ninth time facing each other in a season opener since 1979.
 
MSU's home-opener will feature a first-time matchup against CAA member Albany on Sept. 9. Albany finished the 2016 season receiving votes for the STATS FCS Top 25 poll.
 
The Bears will head north for their final non-conference matchup when they face the Rutgers Scarlett Knights on Sept. 16 at High Point Solutions Stadium.
 
MSU returns home for its conference opener against North Carolina A&T on Sept. 23. It will mark the Aggies first trip to Hughes Stadium since suffering a 24-23 loss to the Bears in 2013. It will also be the first meeting between the teams since 2014. 
 
Following a bye, the Bears travel to South Carolina State on Oct. 7 for their first meeting in Orangeburg (S.C.) since 2013.
 
Homecoming is slated for Oct. 14 against Savannah State, followed by short road trip to face Beltway rival Howard for the Bisons' Homecoming on Oct. 21.
 
The Bears entertain Florida A&M on Oct. 28, followed by a 2-game road trip, first at Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 4 and then at Delaware State on Nov. 11.
 
Morgan State concludes its 2017 regular season when Norfolk State enters Hughes Stadium for a Nov. 18 matchup.
 
Game times and television plans for MSU's 2017 games will be announced at a later date.

All home games will be played at Earl C. Banks Field in Hughes Stadium.
 
The 2017 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl will be played in December at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
 
The Bears open the 2017 campaign under head coach Fred Farrier, set to enter his first year at the helm without the interim tag, and his fourth year at Morgan State.
 
"This will be a fantastic schedule for our team and for our fans," said Farrier. "We get to open with a game right here in Baltimore and it will be a great opportunity for our fans to come out and support us just like a home game. It would be great for our fans to take over their stadium and tailgate areas with orange and blue!"

"We follow that with a home game in week two and travel to play a Big 10 opponent in the third game," added Farrier. "It will be an exciting start before we head into our MEAC schedule with an opening home game versus North Carolina A&T."

"We need all of our alumni, fans and supporters at every game to show what great school spirit we have and that everybody is involved with helping Morgan State University RETURN TO GREATNESS!"

Morgan State opens spring drills on March 29 and will conclude with the annual spring game at Hughes Stadium on Saturday, April 29.

Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.
 
2017 MSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 2	at Towson
Sept. 9	ALBANY
Sept. 16	at Rutgers
Sept. 23	N.C. A&T*
Oct. 7	at South Carolina State*
Oct. 14	SAVANNAH STATE* (HC)
Oct. 21	at Howard*
Oct. 28	FLORIDA A&M*
Nov. 4	at Bethune-Cookman*
Nov. 11	at Delaware State*
Nov. 18	NORFOLK STATE*

* Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU athletics expects return of postseason football

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. came prepared to a meeting of the university's Board of Trustees' Special Committee on Athletics.

Overton and his deputy Elliot Charles made several announcements during a Friday conference call that left trustees pleased. Chief among those announcements was Charles' declaration that "no sport will be unable to participate in the postseason" next year.

FAMU's football team and the entire men's track program (indoor, outdoor and cross country) have been banned from the postseason for years. Charles said all of FAMU's programs will be postseason-eligible -- it'll be the first time that's been the case since 2013.

Overton also provided an update on Bragg Memorial Stadium. Repairs to the stadium are expected to begin April 1, and the total cost of repairs has gone down. The latest projected cost, per Overton, is $450,000, down from $622,000 when the problems with the stadium were first announced. Overton said the athletic department has already secured $200,000.

Plus, the athletic department is inching closer to breaking even at the end of the fiscal year. The projected athletics revenue shortfall is now $122,883. Originally it was at $651,724. FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson announced the athletic department will receive $300,000 of its Florida Classic game guarantee sooner than expected, too.

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Florida A&M guard Craig Bowman to transfer

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M men’s basketball guard Craig Bowman on Thursday confirmed he’s transferring from the program.

Bowman, who was a starter in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, played in 19 games for the Rattlers (7-23) this season. He started seven games and averaged 5.8 points per game. He averaged 8.9 points per game in his sophomore year and 7.6 points per game in his first year with the Rattlers.

"I just want a different opportunity," Bowman said. "I feel like we accomplished a lot since I’ve been here. I just wanted a new opportunity. A new chance to compete against some different talent.

"I just want to think everybody for the opportunity. It was a pleasure. I’ll always be a Rattler. I’m just thankful for the opportunity."

Bowman’s first season with the Rattlers was also FAMU head coach Byron Samuels’ first year at the helm.

The Rattlers’ 2016-17 season ended in disappointment. FAMU, playing in the postseason for the first time since the 2013-14 season, lost to South Carolina State 82-78 in overtime in the first round of the MEAC tournament.

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FAMU parts ways with basketball coach Byron Samuels

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- After three seasons at the helm, Florida A&M head basketball coach Byron Samuels' contract will not be renewed.

Samuels was 17-71 as FAMU's head coach. He essentially had to build a team from scratch before the 2014-15 season after FAMU's coach was fired and most of its players left the program.

The Rattlers went 7-23 this season and lost to South Carolina State in the first round of the MEAC tournament.

"After review and evaluation of the Florida A&M University men’s basketball program, FAMU Athletics has decided to take its program in a different direction," Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. said in a statement.

"Restructuring our program with a continued emphasis on academic achievement and competitive success will be key components in moving FAMU basketball forward. We would like to thank Coach Byron Samuels for his contributions to our men's basketball program and student-athletes over the past three seasons. Assistant Coach Lamont Franklin will lead our program as the interim head coach while a national search is conducted for a replacement.

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David Six proves to be a steady winner as Hampton women's coach

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Eight years ago, Hampton University was in the market for a women’s basketball coach.

One of the applicants offered a résumé that included a .780 winning percentage and multiple championship rings.

One problem: He was a high school coach who had never worked at the college level, not even as an assistant.

Yes, David Six was something of a risky hire at the time. But here he is, headed to the NCAA tournament for the sixth time in eight years as the Lady Pirates play Duke Saturday night in Durham, N.C.

“Obviously, he saw something,” Six said, referring to HU president William Harvey. “But how often do you hear someone go from high school to head coach in college without ever being an assistant? You just don’t see it.

“He didn’t have to do that. He could have hired someone with more experience, and nobody could have faulted him for that.”

With no crystal ball available, Harvey had no way of knowing Six would win six Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships in eight years. Five came in his first five seasons. The sixth, and most improbable, came last weekend.

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JCSU Announces 2017 Football Schedule

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith University has finalized the dates and opponents for the upcoming 2017 football season.

The Golden Bulls, under the direction of third-year head coach Kermit Blount, will host five games inside the friendly confines of the Irwin Belk Complex, including the season opener on Sept. 2 against local rival Wingate.

The following week JCSU will welcome Virginia State to Charlotte for a nonconference game with the Trojans. It marks the first meeting between the longtime CIAA rivals since 2013.

Following the meeting with the Trojans, JCSU will hit the road for the first time, traveling to Orangeburg, S.C. to take on FCS opponent South Carolina State. The meeting marks the first time JCSU and SCSU has faced off since 1998.

The Golden Bulls will then open CIAA play with a road trip to Elizabeth City State on Sept. 23, followed by a home date with Chowan on Sept. 30.

JCSU will then travel to take on the defending CIAA champions in Winston-Salem State on Oct. 7.

The home portion of the schedule concludes with two straight home games, the first on Oct. 14 against CIAA Southern Division foe Fayetteville State and concludes with the annual homecoming game on Oct. 21 against Shaw.

The Golden Bulls will then close out the season on the road, traveling to St. Augustine's University on Oct. 28 and a trip to Salisbury, N.C. on Nov. 4 to renew the long-standing rivalry with Livingstone in the 7^th Annual Commemorative Classic

Game times for those not already listed will be announced at a later date.
 

Date	Opponent	Time
Sept. 2	Wingate	TBA
Sept. 9	Virginia State	TBA
Sept. 16	at South Carolina State	6:00 p.m.
Sept. 23	at Elizabeth City State*	TBA
Sept. 30	Chowan*	TBA
Oct. 7	at Winston-Salem State*	1:30 p.m.
Oct. 14	Fayetteville State*	TBA
Oct. 21	Shaw* (Homecoming)	1:00 p.m.
Oct. 28	at St. Augustine's*	TBA
Nov. 4	at Livingstone* (Commemorative Classic)	TBA
Nov. 11	CIAA Championship Game	TBA

* denotes CIAA game
Home games in bold

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling State Lady Tigers Defeat Ole Miss, Face Tulane for Second Round of WNIT

Photo Gallery

OXFORD, Mississippi – In dramatic fashion, with only two seconds on the clock, the Grambling State University women's basketball team held the ball to defeat the University of Mississippi, 78-75, in the Women's National Invitational Tournament. The Lady Tigers continue to make history as they pick their first post season win in a major tournament in the modern era.

With the win, GSU moves to 19-14 on the season. Ole Miss finishes their season with a record of 17-14 and is eliminated from tournament play.

In the first half of play, Grambling came out with a tenacity unmatched and put Ole Miss on the run. The Lady Tigers were able to gain a 15 point lead over the Rebels. Takerra Parsons nailed a jumper with 1:15 left in the second quarter to make the score, 43-28. The half ended with Taylor Manuel of Mississippi making a fast break jumper to set the halftime score at 45-33.

The Rebels opened the second half of play by starting quickly and trying to catch the Lady Tigers off guard. Manuel helped cut GSU's lead and tied the game, 48-48, with a lay-up at the 5:57 mark in the third quarter.

The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter and the fourth quarter. Ole Miss's Shandricka Sessom scored a bucket to make the score, 75-72, at the 1:51 mark in the fourth quarter and put Grambling on their heels. Ten second later, Jazmine Torian turned the lights on and drained a critical three pointer to knot the game up again, 75-75. It would be John'ea Thompson who stepped up and make a mid range jumper to give the Lady Tigers the lead, 77-75. Erika Sisk of the Rebels fouled Monisha Neal who went 1-of-2 at the free throw line and sealed GSU's win.

Torian was the point leader for Grambling with her season high of 23 points. She was followed by Shakyla Hill and Neal with 17 points each. Thompson finished with 10 points. Chantiara Lewis cleaned up the boards with eight rebounds and dished out a team high 11 assists.

The Rebels were led by Manuel with 28 points and Sessom with 18 points. Shequila Joseph finished night with 11 boards and Sisk had nine assists.

Grambling will continue WNIT play on Sunday as they travel south to face Tulane University in New Orleans, La. at 4 p.m. (CT).

BOX SCORE

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Dream season comes to an end as Dillard falls to Langston 84-74 in the round of 16 at the NAIA national championship

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- No. 6-seeded Langston (Okla.) recorded its second-straight upset, earning an 84-74 victory over No. 2-seeded Dillard (La.) in the second round of the 2017 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The Lions advance to the quarterfinal round and will play the winner of No. 1-seeded William Penn (Iowa) and fourth-seeded Georgetown (Ky.) on Saturday, March 18 at 2:15 p.m., CST.

"I thought it was more back and forth, but our guards never could get in a flow," said Dillard head coach Mike Newell. "JJ (Morris) played well, but other than that, their guards totally dominated our guards, and that was the difference in the ball game."

In what has become a trend in several tournament games, the eventual winning team was forced to dig out of a double-digit deficit in the first half. Langston (24-9) was no different as it found itself down by a dozen points at the 10:38 mark of the first half after a three-pointer by Demetric Austin (SR/Washington, D.C.).

Renard Green canned a trey of his own to begin the long road back for the Lions, sparking a nine-point burst to trim the deficit to three in less than two minutes. After taking the lead in the latter stages of the first half, the Lions went to the break trailing by a point, 42-41.

The teams traded the lead early on in the second half and were tied with 8:50 remaining before Langston took control of the game for good. Jones scored inside and Harris hit from outside for a quick five-point surge to break the deadlock. Myles Elgin added a pair of field goals to stretch the lead to nine at the 7:03 mark, and the Bleu Devils got no closer than six points the rest of the way.

Langston did significant damage in the paint, scoring 48 points inside to just 28 for Dillard. The Lions also took advantage of a 25-11 advantage in points off turnovers thanks to a 17-5 ledger in giveaways.

The Lions shot 17 of 33 (.515) in the second half and finished 49.3 percent (33 of 67) overall from the field. Dillard posted a 39-34 rebounding advantage that included an 11-9 edge on the offensive glass, but Langston had seven steals to just one for the Bleu Devils.

James Morris Jr. (JR/Peoria, Ill.) led all scorers with 27 points for Dillard, hitting 4-of-9 from three-point range and 10-of-16 overall. Austin finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Bleu Devils.

"Demetric had a good first half, but struggled a little bit in the second half," said Newell. "We couldn't penetrate and we had problems passing the ball in to him, but they are a good basketball team. It's one of those games that you wish you could get back, but we gotta hit the recruiting trail now. We lose some really good seniors, and we've got a strong nucleus coming back, and now we have to get two or three key players and shore up some depth."

Dillard finished its season with a record of 25-8.

DILLARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rush have 4 singles players in ITA national rankings

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's season-long run as the No. 2 NAIA men's team has not gone unnoticed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, which Wednesday listed four singles players and two doubles teams from the Gold Rush in the initial national individual rankings of the 2017 spring semester.

Ranked from XULA are:

     •  Antoine Richard, fifth nationally and third in the South in singles.
     •  Moses Micheal, 16th nationally and seventh in the South in singles.
     •  Karan Salwan, 19th nationally and eighth in the South in singles.
     •  Catalin Fifea, 38th nationally and 11th in the South in singles.
     •  Tushar Mandlekar, 18th in the South in singles.
     •  Richard and Micheal, eighth nationally and second in the South in doubles.
     •  Pierre Andrieu and Fifea, 23rd nationally and seventh in the South in doubles.
     •  Mandlekar and Salwan, 10th in the South in doubles.
     
XULA firsts include two freshmen in the same singles ranking (Richard and Michael), a ranked all-freshman doubles team (Richard and Micheal) and five singles players and three doubles teams ranked in the region.
     
Richard, from Laval, Quebec, is the sixth Gold Rush player and the second freshman to earn a top-5 national singles ranking. Micheal is from Kaduna, Nigeria. Fifea is a junior from Bucharest, Romania, and a transfer from VCU, and Andrieu is a sophomore from Tours, France. All four enrolled at XULA in January.
     
Salwan, a senior from New Delhi, India, is in the national singles rankings for the sixth time in as many opportunities. Mandlekar, a senior from Bhilai, India, earned a regional singles ranking for the sixth time.
     
Richard and Micheal's No. 2 in the South equals the highest regional ranking ever by a XULA doubles team.
  
Oracle Corporation sponsors the ITA rankings.
     
The XULA men are in Florida for dual matches against ASA Miami at 2 p.m. EDT Thursday and St. Thomas at 10 a.m. Friday. The next home dual will start at 1 p.m. March 22 against Ouachita Baptist at XULA Tennis Center.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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