Wednesday, July 13, 2011

ASU generates $901 million a year for state, study says

Montgomery, AL - Alabama State University generates $901 million and 10,500 jobs for the state each year, ac­cording to a report commissioned by the school.

Officials said the study is part of a broader push to remind the local business community of the school's growth and development over the past several years. ASU leaders hope to drum up support as they cope with state funding cuts and mull another possible tui­tion increase.

"We want this business com­munity in this region to recognize the importance of Alabama State and invest in it, and support it," said John Knight, a state repre­sentative and Alabama State's ex­ecutive vice president and chief operating officer.

The report, done by the Wash­ington Economics Group, based in Coral Gables, Fla., found the school generates $885 million for the River Region, including 9,714 jobs and $111 million in state and local taxes. University operations create an economic impact of $341 mil­lion, according to the study, and support 3,931 jobs.

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Albany State University plans 12th annual football reception

ALBANY, GA — Albany State University football fans and supporters are invited to meet and greet the football coaches and hear exciting information about the 2011 season at a preseason reception.

The 12th annual Preseason Football Reception will be July 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Eula Lovett Hall at the ASU Coliseum. The reception, which is free of charge and open to members of the Quarterback Club and Golden Rams football fans, is the official start of the 2011 season, according to head coach Mike White.

“This is a great opportunity to thank our fans for supporting us during the 2010 season and solicit support...



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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Guaranteed Success: Bulldogs’ ‘Money Games’ have brought over $2 million to program

S.C. State has earned over $2.2 Million in "money games"
and a 0-6 record against 1-A competition like Central Florida.
Orangeburg, S.C. - Facing Division I teams was uncharted territory the first 100 years of existence for South Carolina State football.

When the Bulldogs opened the 2007 season at Air Force Academy, head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough was not surprised about the outcome, a 34-3 loss. At the same time, he also saw the big picture for the program in competing against larger schools.

"I think you've seen a little bit of a change in our team in the time that we've been playing those kind of games," Pough said. "I guess we'll get to the point where eventually we've been a pretty usual customary participant in the playoff structure. I think that kind of sense of urgency that's created by those games being on the schedule helps...

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Los Angeles Lakers Roster Review: Trey Johnson

Vitals
Age: 26
NBA Experience: 2 years
Contract Status: Free Agent
2010-11 Averages: 4.2ppg, 1.3apg, 36% FG, 33% 3PT, 90% FT



Umm…yeah…so the Lakers lost Devin Ebanks to injury, they needed a new body to fill a roster spot so…bam! Heeeeerrrrrrrrresssssss’s Trey Johnson.

The only thing more shocking than the Lakers’ exit from the playoffs was Johnson’s entrance in said playoffs. Trey was one of the first men off the bench for Phil Jackson in the opening game of the 2011 playoffs. Otherwise there wasn’t too much to talk about with regards to Johnson’s brief stint as a Laker.

The former SWAC player of the year is a scorer pure and simple. Before being recalled from Bakersfield in the D-League, Johnson was dropping 25 a night in the NBA’s second tier.

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Hampton University President Donates Additional Gift to Staff

Hampton, Va. – Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey and Mrs. Norma B. Harvey, have given a $166,000 personal gift to HU to support a wage increase to all full-time permanent HU staff earning less than $8 an hour. Through this donation, 118 full-time, permanent HU staff employees will receive a wage increase equal to $8 an hour. This increase takes effect July 1.

This contribution follows the recent gift of $1 million to HU by the Harveys (May 2011).  In July 2006, President and Mrs. Harvey made a similar donation of $45,000 to the University in support of a five percent increase to staff earning less than $7 an hour.

In total, the Harveys have gifted more than $2.2 million to the University over the past ten years.

“Norma and I have made another gift to increase the wages of hourly support staff to $8 an hour. While everyone at Hampton already receives more than the minimum wage, we wanted to show our gratitude to those staff members who serve the campus behind the scenes. These dedicated employees serve our faculty, administration and students and warrant our recognition,” said President Harvey.

From HU Press Release; Alison Phillips@757.727.5754 or email alison.phillips@hamptonu.edu 

S.C. State football to face Arizona in 2012

Orangeburg, S.C. - "Orangeburg Heat" has prepared many a South Carolina State football player over the years for competing in scorching conditions early in the season.

This season, the Bulldogs will head to Daytona Beach, Fla. for a Sept. 10 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown against Bethune-Cookman. In 2012, another Wildcats' team which competes in a city which averages 94 degrees in the month of September will test their mettle.

On Tuesday, athletics director Charlene Johnson and head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough confirmed S.C. State will travel west to Tucson, Arizona for a Sept. 15, 2012 contest against the University of Arizona. The game's date could change given the revamped Pac-12, according to Arizona athletics director Greg Byrne.

The game is historic for both programs...



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Banks’ time at Southern University arrives

Baton Rouge, LA - A decade ago, when Southern University was looking for a new men’s basketball coach, Roman Banks hoped to prove he was the right man for the job. An assistant to Tommy Green for five seasons, Banks served as interim head coach while SU looked for Green’s replacement. But he didn’t get the full-time gig. That, instead, went to Ben Jobe for the second time.

Banks — whose father (Cleophus Banks), brother (Carlos Sample) and godfather (Bob Love) all played at SU — later conceded he was stung by the snub. “We would tell him: In spite of politics, in spite of all the personal agendas, your time will come at Southern,” Cleophus Banks said. “Just wait and be patient.”

A decade later, Banks finally has the job. But here’s the thing: The Southern job is a whole lot tougher than it was in 2001. The Jaguars are short on firepower. In losing three seniors, they lost 50 percent of last year’s scoring and 36 percent of last year’s rebounds.



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Lewis: I'd pick Grambling again

Wide Receiver Frank Lewis NFL career span 13 season
397 receptions, 6,724 yards, 40 TDs  and 2 Super Bowl
Championships with the Pittsburg Steelers, who drafted
Lewis in the 1971 NFL Draft, 1st Round, Pick 8.
NFL great to join other inductees into Grambling Legends Hall

Houma, LA - Frank Lewis was as quiet as he was deadly proficient in the game of football. And, in many ways, the Houma native remains just that unassuming. Until you get him to talking about his college alma mater.

"There's something about Grambling," he said. "It's a small school in a secluded area. But if I had to choose again — even as big as things are in today's world of college football — I'd still go to Grambling. I'd want that same experience. It's unforgettable. I don't think you could trade that for anything."

That passion, which led to a league championship at Grambling and then a pair of Super Bowl titles in the pros, will be recognized Saturday when Lewis joins the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. The class also includes former Super Bowl winner Everson Walls, former NBA champion Larry Wright, former Pro Bowl MVP James "Shack" Harris and College Football Hall of Fame coach Douglas Porter, among others. Ceremonies will be held...



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Monday, July 11, 2011

Saint Augustine's College stadium plan renews old spat

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The yard lines are painted, the goal posts are up, and a video scoreboard stands ready to flash the first Falcons touchdown. But one thing is missing from the new sports complex at Saint Augustine's College, and it's not referees, offensive linemen or a drum line. The stadium has no bleachers.

Saint Augustine's finished work this spring on a turf field and nine-lane track, marking progress on the long-awaited George Williams Athletic Complex. But the school put off installing bleachers while it worked to resolve conflicts with neighbors aghast at the prospect of noisy crowds and game-day traffic.



At issue is the seating capacity for the stadium, nestled in a quiet residential area off Oakwood Avenue. In 2004, after several rounds of talks between neighbors and school leaders, the City Council approved a 2,500-seat stadium under a compromise brokered by Mayor Charles Meeker. But the school never acted on the plan. Now, college officials are convinced they need more seats to attract recruits and compete for upper-tier NCAA track competitions.

"At 5,000 seats, we will be one of the smallest stadiums of any institution we play," President Dianne Boardley Suber told a group of concerned neighbors last week. "I don't expect this to be an easy decision for you. ... There is nothing in our history to suggest we're going to be anything other than good neighbors."



The George Williams Athletic Complex is a special tribute to the contributions of distinguished alumnus and Athletic Director George "Pup" Williams. Coach Williams has earned thirty-one (31) NCAA Division II Track Championships, produced nine Olympians including 2008 Bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson, and served as head coach of the 2004 gold medal-winning United States Olympic Men's Track and Field Team.

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Sunday, July 10, 2011

Wright to join Grambling State University 'Legends'

Monroe, LA - Larry Wright, the product of a single-parent home in the poorest part of southside Monroe, never let his humble beginnings slow him down. He'd help teams win basketball championships in high school and college — then titles in the NBA and overseas.

That fiery determination will be recognized with Wright's induction July 16 as part of the third class of the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame.

"The best small guard we've ever had, pound for pound the best guard," Wright's coach, the late Frederick C. Hobdy, once said. "A great jumper, he gets an 'A' in every category."

Wright was a two-time Parade All-American at Richwood, where he won a Louisiana state Class 3A title in 1972 as a junior under...

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Harris: Tough road ahead for the ECSU Vikings

Elizabeth City, N.C. - Less than a month away from the start of football practice and seven weeks until Elizabeth City State kicks off the season and the Vikings’ path to the CIAA championship game and playoffs is finally set. And what a tough road it is.

After getting a waiver from the NCAA to open the season a week early, ECSU now opens at Delta State, last year’s NCAA Division II runner-up. To be honest, this has loss written all over it.

Delta State has been one of the most consistent programs in the nation and a routine participant in the postseason. ECSU is traveling a long way to play in hostile territory. Not something the team cannot overcome, but a tremendous challenge — one I am sure the team and coaching staff are ready for.

The key to this game is....

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New A.D. at Paine College hits the ground running

Paine College Athletic Director Tim Duncan
Augusta, GA - If you drive over near and around Paine College you'll see things are starting to happen. That's a good sign with the new health eduction activities learning center or heal center about to break ground. The new man in charge of the athletic department, Tim Duncan is looking forward to it.

Duncan has been on the job for a couple of months and is getting caught up to speed on everything Paine College athletics. The HEAL center is a big part of it seeing there will be a 2500 seat arena incorporated in it. Duncan also knows there's a few fences to be mended along the way.

"I think my job is to get out in the community and to show we are still a part of the community that Paine College is here, that we're looking to build relationships, if there's relationships to be repaired, we will definitely do that very aggressively and we're excited about the opportunity." said new athletic director Tim Duncan.

Duncan says they hope to break ground in the next 30 days and it'll take 11 months to finish for the center. In the mean time, the basketball team will need a place to play. They finished out this past year at Josey and are working on one location for the entire season.

"Basketball is our revenue generating sport for Paine College so we want...

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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Alabama State Hornets Football Coaches Caravan to Tour Alabama and Georgia Next Week

Montgomery, AL - Officials from Alabama State University announced today the schedule for the 2011 Football Coaches Caravan that runs from July 11 through July 15.

The inaugural caravan, aimed at promoting ASU Athletics and boosting football season ticket sales, will roll through five cities in Alabama and Georgia. ASU athletic director Stacy Danley and head football coach Reggie Barlow will lead the Tour Team during stops in Mobile, Birmingham, Phenix City/Columbus, Ga., Atlanta, and Montgomery. Also traveling on the tour are ASU's associate vice president for Development, Zillah Fluker, and director of Alumni Relations, Cromwell Handy.

“'It's a GREAT time to be a Hornet' is more than just a catch phrase,” Danley said. “The transformation that is taking place on campus directly affects where we are looking to go with ASU Athletics. I am excited to get out and meet with alumni, fans and friends of Alabama State on the caravan.”



The Tour Team will meet alumni, fans and other ASU supporters at various venues during the five-city tour. Danley will provide an overview of the entire Hornet athletics program. The Tour will also showcase the University's Vision 2020 Transformation Plan, construction progress of the new Hornets Football Stadium, the outlook for the upcoming football season, season tickets packages, the Hornet Club and the many new and exciting developments taking place on campus.

Fans will get an insight on the crown jewel of the athletics construction project, the new Alabama State University Football Stadium. Located on campus just off of I-85, the 30,000-seat stadium will feature 20 suites, club and loge seating and will be one of the premier facilities of its size in the nation. Construction is set to be completed in time to host the 2012 Turkey Day Classic.

The Caravan will also allow Hornet fans a chance to get to hear from Coach Barlow and members of his coaching staff as they prepare for the 2011 season. Entering his fifth season as head football coach, Barlow is thrilled to meet with supporters as well.

“I am looking forward to meeting with everyone that stands with ASU,” Barlow said. “I love Alabama State and feel blessed to be at my alma mater during this amazing time of transformation.”

The 2010-2011 ASU Athletic season was arguably the best in school history. A total of five Hornet teams won SWAC divisional, league or tournament titles, helping Alabama State finish second in the Commissioners Cup standings for Best Overall Program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The ASU football team had a big season in 2010. The Hornets had a pair of three-game winning streaks, posting its highest win total since 2003. They won the Eastern Division Championship for the first time since 2004 and won the State Farm Magic City Classic defeating archrival Alabama A&M.



The following is the official schedule, subject to change:

Monday, July 11: Mobile, Ala; 6-8 P.M. Mobile Marriott, 3101 Airport Boulevard, Mobile, Ala. 36606

Tuesday, July 12 – Birmingham, Ala; 6-8 P.M. Birmingham Sheraton, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, Ala. 35203

Wednesday, July 13 – Columbus, Ga; 6-8 P.M. Columbus Double Tree, 5351 Sidney Simmons Boulevard, Columbus, Ga. 31909

Thursday, July 14 – Atlanta, Ga; 7-9 P.M. Stats Restaurant, 300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30313

Friday, July 15 – Montgomery, Ala; – 6-8 P.M. Alabama State University Acadome, 1595 Robert C. Hatch Drive, Montgomery, Ala. 36106

By Alabama State University Sports Information

Birmingham's Darieal Wimbley earns lacrosse scholarship to Howard University

Darieal Shana Wimbley
Howard LAX
Birmingham, AL - Three years ago, Darieal Wimbley had never heard of lacrosse. Next month, she will head to Howard University in Washington, D.C., on a lacrosse scholarship.

It’s a historic event for the recent Ramsay High School graduate. Wimbley is the first girls athlete from a Birmingham city school to sign an NCAA Division I lacrosse scholarship.

Wimbley has Ramsay assistant principal and lacrosse coach Yancey Williams to thank for her improbable college sports choice. Wimbley had been a member of the Rams’ highly successful basketball program throughout high school. She also played soccer until Williams introduced lacrosse to the students one day during Wimbley’s sophomore year.

"He came to our P.E. class and had a trash can full of (lacrosse) sticks and some balls," Wimbley recalled. "I looked at him and said to myself, ‘What in the world does this man have with him?’ He started talking about lacrosse and we played it in the gym."

It still took some convincing from Williams for the 5-foot-7 Wimbley to join Ramsay’s lacrosse club team that spring.

"I was playing soccer and I didn’t want to play lacrosse," Wimbley said. "He kept asking me, so finally I went out there and fell in love with it.

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Ellis joins Mississippi Valley State coaching staff

Coach Brian Ellis
Crestview, FL - July 1 was a big day for Crestview native and former Baker basketball player B.J. Ellis as he was named an assistant basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University, a NCAA Division I school in Itta Bena, Miss.

The Delta Devils are best known for football, or at least one football player, Jerry Rice, the National Football League’s all-time leading receiver. That doesn’t mean MVSU doesn’t take basketball seriously.

The Delta Devils are coached by former Kentucky star Sean Woods. And it was one of Woods’ college games that helped fan the fire Ellis has for basketball.

“I’ve always loved basketball,” he said. "And I can remember sitting down and watching the game between Duke and Kentucky (the NCAA tournament East Region finals) when my boss was playing at Kentucky. He hit the floater to put Kentucky up over Duke and then of course Christian Laettner hit the shot in the last second (to give Duke the win).

“It was one of the craziest shots I’ve ever seen in basketball. To think that I would be his assistant, his right-hand man is unbelievable.”

In his own way Ellis has taken a less traveled path from Baker to Mississippi Valley State.

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Lions executive James (Shack) Harris to enter Grambling Sports Hall of Fame

Detroit, MI - Lions senior personnel executive James (Shack) Harris will be inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame on July 16 in Grambling, La.

Harris, who played quarterback for legendary coach Eddie Robinson, helped Grambling win or share the Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 1965-68 and compiled a 31-9-1 record. In 1969, the Buffalo Bills drafted Harris in the eighth round. In 1974 with the Los Angeles Rams, Harris became the first African-American quarterback to start an NFL conference championship game.

Harris said he was inspired to dream big and play quarterback in 1963, when he watched Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his "I Have a Dream" speech on television. In a released statement, Harris said playing for Robinson at Grambling was "probably the greatest decision I ever made. Coach Robinson told me, in four years I would play quarterback in the NFL -- and I believed him. And I believed in Martin Luther King's words."

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Elizabeth City State catches 3 Tigers

Elizabeth City, N.C. -- Saint Paul’s loss turned out to be Elizabeth City State’s gain as three athletes from the now defunct Tigers athletic program have transferred to ECSU.

Leading the way is women’s basketball guard DeAudra Brown, who was the Lady Tigers’ leading scorer last season.

“I had a couple of offers and ECSU was the first school I went to,” said the rising senior from Rocky Mount. “The environment was good. I met a couple of the players. I had played against them, but didn’t actually know them. They were excited to meet me and the atmosphere was really good. I didn’t feel any bad vibes from anybody that met there. It was an all-around good visit.”

Brown’s move, along with football players John Davis and Patrick Louther, was prompted when Saint Paul’s in a money-saving move, suddenly shut down its athletic program in...

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Friday, July 8, 2011

2011 Circle City Classic Tickets Now on Sale




FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University's Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, announced that tickets for the 28th Annual Circle City Classic were made available for sale today. The Thorobreds will battle Albany State University on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

Tickets, which range in price from $10 (students only) to $50, are available for purchase at KSU's Department of Athletics (in Bell Gymnasium) and the Office of Alumni Relations (in Hume Hall). The Circle City Classic is a joint collaboration between Indiana Black Expo. Inc. and the Indiana Sports Corporation. The net proceeds from the Classic help fund scholarships and support youth initiatives for each organization. Since 1984, over 1 million dollars have been awarded to deserving Indiana natives who pursue higher education.

For more information about purchasing Classic tickets, please call 502-597-6011 or visit www.ksuthorobreds.com's Fan Zone. To ensure you are seated with other Thorobred fans, you are encouraged to purchase tickets from KSU.

The seating chart is below, but you can also click the following link to view the 2011 Circle City Classic Seating Chart.


By Kentucky State University Athletics



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SSU's T.A. Wright stadium renovations nearing completion

Savannah, GA -- Nearly a year to the date, Savannah State University broke ground on renovations for T.A. Wright stadium. Now, it's almost done.

SSU Vice President of Student affairs Irvin Clark confirmed a grand opening September 29th. The renovated stadium will include a turf playing field, specialized seating, along with an updated concession stand and press box.

"Everyone is absolutely excited about it," said Clark. "Not only for the faculty, staff, and students that are currently here, but for our incoming class of freshman, they're excited, our parents are excited, and we have a community that is very excited about this project."



For first-year head football coach Steve Davenport, the new stadium brings with it raised expectations.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Lonza Hardy, Jr. named athletics director at UAPB

Lonza Hardy, Jr.
Athletic Director, UAPB
Pine Bluff, AK - You knew this was coming...

The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff has issued a press release announcing the selection of current Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy, Jr., as the new leader of the Golden Lions athletics department. Mr. Hardy has resigned from the same position at Hampton University, effective September 6. Read it for yourself...

Press Release: UAPB, July 7, 2011

Lonza Hardy, Jr. will resign from his position as athletics director at Hampton University effective September 6, 2011. Hardy, who has held the post since 2007, will become Athletics Director at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

During Hardy's stint at Hampton, the HU athletics program has captured 11 championships, including titles in women's basketball, men's basketball, women's cross country, women's indoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field. The banner year for the program was in 2010-11, when four HU teams captured league titles and both the men's and women's basketball teams earned bids to the NCAA tournament after winning their respective Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournaments.

"We are very privileged to have been able to recruit someone with his qualifications and accomplishments," said Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., UAPB's chancellor.

In each of Hardy's years at HU, the athletics program captured the Mary McLeod Bethune Trophy, symbolic of having the best overall women's sports program in the MEAC. Last summer, the university's athletics program was ranked as the No.1 athletics program among the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by the Learfield Sports Group, which also ranked the program among the nation's top 150 programs overall. The HU Athletics Hall of Fame was also initiated under Hardy's guidance two years ago.

Hampton University is expected to release a companion announcement today of Hardy's resignation

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Dillard AD enjoying recent athletic success, looking to build on it

Athletic Director Kiki Baker Barnes
New Orleans -- Last year at Dillard's athletic leadership training, student-athletes received pictures of what Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship rings would look like. At this year's training, members of the GCAC championship track and field team will receive the real thing.

The track and field team joins the volleyball team, which already received its rings, as Dillard's first conference championship programs since Hurricane Katrina. Athletic Director Kiki Barnes said they serve as examples the other athletes can aspire to match.

"Sometimes people need to see tangible things, like they need to see an actual ring," Barnes said. "Well, when our volleyball team won, that particular vision became a reality. So they're going to be walking around campus with rings. It's really going to provide a real-life visual for the other student-athletes who are still hoping and wanting to generate that. It's more of a motivation because it's real now, not paper."

Those teams' success shows the growth the Bleu Devils have experienced since Barnes, also the women's basketball coach, became the interim athletic director in 2006. Barnes had the interim tag removed in 2009 and set out to implement a plan that included hiring staff, increasing scholarships and improving facilities, steps that created a foundation for the program on which to build.



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Prairie View A&M athletic tickets on sale

Prairie View, TX -  The Prairie View A&M Department of Athletics has announced season ticket information for the 2011-12 athletic campaign. Once again, fans will have a variety of season ticket options to choose from ranging from all-sports to football-only packages.

The Panther Pack ($325) includes admission to all home athletic contests for the year, one ticket each to the Southwest State Fair (Dallas) and Shreveport Football Classics, reserved floor seating for men's and women's basketball games, a complimentary Prairie View A&M athletics gift, tailgate access for home football games (excluding homecoming) and a four-month subscription to Panthervision, Prairie View A&M's new live video stream which will debut in September.

Individuals who select the Purple Pack ($250) will receive admission to all home athletic events, one ticket apiece to the Southwest State Fair and Shreveport Football Classics, assigned basketball seating and tailgate access for home football games (excluding homecoming).




For $200, the Gold Pack allows admission to all home sporting events, one ticket each to the Southwest State Fair and Shreveport Football Classics and tailgate access for home football games (excluding homecoming).

Football fans that purchase the $140 Football package will receive admission to all home football games at Blackshear Field, one ticket each to the Southwest State Fair and Shreveport Football Classics and tailgate access for home football games (excluding homecoming).

The 2011-12 athletic season will be a memorable one as the Panther football team debuts a new head coach in Heish Northern coupled with the women's basketball team coming off an NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Appearance under head coach Toyelle Wilson. The Lady Panther volleyball ranks as one of the elite teams in the SWAC as they're coming off a SWAC West Championship under the guidance of head coach Alicia Pete. The men's basketball team, led by Byron Rimm II, had an impressive recruiting season followed by strong performances from the baseball, bowling, golf, soccer, tennis, track and volleyball teams.

For the second straight year, fans will have the option of purchasing season tickets online at the newly created Panthers Market Place. The link, which is accessible via the Prairie View A&M University website or below, is a one-stop shop that offers everything from the ability to purchase tailgate options and tickets for selected athletic events.

For more information or to place your order for season tickets call (936) 261-9100. A PDF copy of the season ticket brochure is attached and also available for download on the season tickets link via the Prairie View A&M athletic website.

PV Marketplace (purchase tickets online)
Download the Official 2011-12 Season Ticket Brochure


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Savannah State University fires AD, adds title to Broadnax's duties

SSU Interim President Cheryl Dozier
Savannah, GA -- Marilynn Suggs, Savannah State University’s first female athletics director, was fired Wednesday after less than seven months on the job. SSU interim president Cheryl Dozier announced her decision to make a “change in leadership in the athletics department” during an 11:20 a.m. news conference at Tiger Arena. Suggs did not attend.

Dozier appointed SSU men’s basketball head coach Horace Broadnax as interim athletics director.

“As the interim president, I wanted some changes in leadership and this is one of the areas that I wanted to see a change as we move forward in (NCAA) Division I and in the MEAC conference,” Dozier said.

Two people knowledgeable about the situation, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Savannah State has hired former University of Georgia athletics director Damon Evans as a consultant to assess Savannah State’s athletics department.

The UGA Athletic Association committee accepted Evans’ resignation July 5, 2010, four days after the Georgia State Patrol arrested him on a DUI charge in Atlanta. Evans pleaded guilty to...

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NCCU Volleyball prepares for success as on team on one mission

DURHAM, N.C. – In their first season as a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) program, North Carolina Central University will tackle a challenging 31-match slate against nine NCAA tournament teams (three Atlantic Sun, one Atlantic 10, four Big South, one Colonial Athletic Association, one PAC 10, three SoCon and one SWAC opponent), including 12 league matches.

In her fifth season as the NCCU head women’s volleyball coach, Georgette Crawford-Crooks releases the 2011 volleyball schedule on Friday, June 29.

“As we continue to strive for Division I excellence, our schedule has to remain competitive and challenging,” said Crawford-Crooks.

2011 NCCU Women's Volleyball Schedule

NCCU begins the season with three consecutive tournaments, beginning with the fifth annual NCCU Hilton/RTP Invitational on Aug. 26-27 in the McDougald-McLendon Gym. The mighty maroon and gray will host volleyball programs from Campbell, Elon and Florida Gulf Coast.

The Eagles will travel to the nation’s capital for their first appearance at the Georgetown Tournament on Sept. 2-3 in Washington, D.C. NCCU will face Central Connecticut on Sept. 2, and George Washington and UNC Wilmington on Sept. 3.

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Bethune-Cookman University lets C.J. Reed out of scholarship

Daytona Beach, FL - C.J. Reed has played his last basketball game for Bethune-Cookman. The reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year has received his official release from the university, his father and former Wildcats coach Clifford Reed said Wednesday.

Other schools can now contact C.J., and his release essentially opens up a recruiting battle for the former Atlantic High standout.

The rising senior guard -- who averaged 18.8 points and 4.9 assists per game as a junior and led the Wildcats to their best season in 30 years -- received the release letter late Tuesday afternoon, according to Clifford Reed.

"Since the official release Tuesday, we have been in contact with schools in the ACC, Conference USA, Southern Conference, A-Sun and Horizon Conference," Clifford Reed said in a phone interview. "Some teams have shown interest. Some teams have already offered (an athletic scholarship)."

Clifford Reed said C.J. is definitely transferring.

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