Saturday, February 17, 2018

Shaw Football Announces 2018 National Signing Class


RALEIGH, North Carolina -- RALEIGH, N.C. – Shaw University head football coach Adrian Jones announced his third signing class on Wednesday, Feb. 7 as part of the National Signing Day. The class, which includes nine total players, is comprised of four high school athletes, two prep school athletes and a pair of four-year transfers.

"It is a great day to be a Shaw Bear," said Coach Jones. "I want to thank my coaching staff for working hard at finding the right fits for our program. With the signing class we have thus far, I am really pleased with what we have and look forward to the 2018 season."

The signees include:

Ryan Bond
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5322034/59c437ff02bbb81030763ad1

Akeythio Carson (Palmetto Prep)
https://l.hudl.com/video/3/9557020/59c033d915f6200d68c7ae35

Corey Cooper (Mid-Year Transfer)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1702786/5721ad33e984d413d4ded8cd

Elliot Dangerfield, Jr. (Northside Jacksonville High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6512240/5a0f08b2c11a870b4802f2e3

Justin Daniels (Wilson Fike High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4729378/59df656e5b3e1609ac2580ab

Bryce Dixon (Mid-Year Transfer)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1771226/5721bad49a91677e7484d2b2

Tajuan McGee (Mid-Year Transfer)https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2607614/5832471bdfd8b7053c071f2e

Allajah Mitchell - South Granville HS
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4182242/5a1d82b80c5eb30f008ec18c

Da'Shawn Wallace (Hargrave Military Academy)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9994293/59e297494797c324f46c2f6d

Aaron Worthy (East Forsyth High School)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6495036/59b170e9bee1a70574296173

This national letter-of-intent signing period for football began on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and concludes on Sunday, April 1.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw University football and its 13 varsity sport teams, please visit shawbears.com.

SHAW UNIVERSITY BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Winston-Salem State Athletics to Kick Off Million Dollar Dash

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics will kick off its year-long fundraising initiative with the Million Dollar Dash Brunch on March 17, 2018 at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C. The event will kick off a year of fundraising efforts in support of Winston-Salem State University athletics and its nearly 300 student-athletes.

"WSSU recognizes the value of sports participation and the important role it plays in preparing for the future," WSSU Director of Athletics Tonia Walker said. "The support generated from this event will assist our student-athletes to prepare for that future. The event will also provide an opportunity for the women to still wear their classy hats and for the men to show off their best bow ties all around a great cause."

The Million Dollar Dash event marks the joining of the She's Got It Covered and Bond.Score.Win. events and raises funds for athletic scholarships for the student-athletes of Winston-Salem State University. The event will be a fancy hat affair. Ladies are encouraged to wear their fancy hats and men to wear their best bow ties.

Headlining the brunch will be keynote speaker Gail Devers, an Olympic gold medalist in track & field. She overcame Grave's disease, a thyroid disorder, to become an international superstar in her sport. She will share her empowering story of triumph and encouragement to all who attend.

Tickets for the Million Dollar Dash are $75 each with tables being sold for $750. Tickets to the event can be purchased through the Winston-Salem State University Ticket Office at (336) 750-3220 or online at www.WSSURams.com.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

ZULU 2018, Human Jukebox Coming Down Jackson Ave








SAU Track and Field Men, Women Rally To Win CIAA Indoor Titles

RALEIGH, North Carolina  – The world-renowned Saint Augustine's University track and field program showed its championship heart at the CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Monday, Feb. 12.

Both the Falcons and Lady Falcons rallied back from deficits to take home championship plaques. The Lady Falcons bested Winston-Salem State University 162-154 for their third women's crown in six years and first since 2014. The Falcons tied Virginia State University 175.5-175.5 to extend its men's conference title streak to 21.

Led by CIAA Women's Field MVP Magaly Tshipopo (Jr./France), the Lady Falcons quickly erased a 38-32 deficit entering the final day. They surged ahead early and maintained their lead throughout the meet. Leading 152-146, the Lady Falcons clinched the championship in the final event – the 4x400-meter relay. Ranked sixth nationally in Division II, the Lady Falcons' foursome of Ade Hunter (Sr./Philadelphia, PA), Amanda Crawford (So./Brooklyn, NY), Marissa Gale (Sr./Trinidad & Tobago) and Shannon Kalawan (Fr./Westmoreland, Jamaica) topped the second-place Rams to secure the title. They outraced the Rams in an NCAA provisional time of 3:48.17.

Tshipopo was fantastic in her first CIAA Indoor Championship meet. She won four events including three on Monday to earn her MVP honors. She finished first in the Pentathlon, triple jump and high jump and placed second in the 60-meter hurdles for 38 points on Monday. Counting her long jump win Sunday, Tshipopo scored 48 points for the Lady Falcons.

Tshipopo led a Lady Falcons' unit that placed first in five individual events and one relay Monday. Shakera Hall (Sr./Westmoreland, Jamaica) captured the 60-meter hurdles, placed third in the Pentathlon and finished sixth in the triple jump. Kalawan won the 400-meter dash in a provisional time of 55.94, anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay team and finished sixth in the 800-meter run.

Gale was part of the winning 4x400-meter relay and placed fourth in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes Monday. Leah Barker (Sr./Barbados) was fifth in the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes, and Florence Fields (Fr./St. Philip, Barbados) was second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the 3,000-meter run. Crawford ran on the winning 4x400-meter relay squad, finished third in the 400-meter dash and placed fourth in the 800-meter run. Hunter was on the winning 4x400-meter relay team and placed fifth in Monday's 800-meter run.

The Falcons' men overcame a huge deficit against Virginia State. They entered Monday trailing 73-26 and the margin grew to 52 points before the Falcons started their comeback. The deficit appeared insurmountable but the Falcons kept chipping away until they moved ahead late in the meet. However, Virginia State led by four points heading into the final event – the 4x400-meter relay. The Falcons, powered by Shaquille Dill (Jr./Pembroke, Bermuda), won the relay and the Trojans finished third which tied the score.

Dill earned CIAA Men's Track MVP honors for his superb running. The defending national Division II 800-meter champion won his signature event in a provisional time of 1:51.23 and helped the Falcons win the 4x400 relay. On Sunday, Dill crossed the finish line first in the mile run.

Led by Dill, the Falcons claimed individual titles in four events and one relay Monday. Jumonne Exeter (Sr./St. Vincent) was the winner in the triple jump, leading a 1-2-3 sweep with Justin Williams (Jr./Long Island, NY) placing second and Alazae Hester-Taylor (Jr.) finishing third.

Dakarai Hightower (Sr./Washington) won the high jump with Kirvano Handfield (Jr./Turks and Caicos Island) placing second and Exeter sixth. Hester-Taylor finished first in the Heptathlon and fourth in the 60-meter hurdles.

Dontarian Evans (Jr./Gainesville, FL) was part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team in addition to placing second in the 400-meter dash and third in the 200-meter dash. Adrian Kimmons (Sr./Cold Water, MS) placed third in the 60-meter dash and fourth in the 200-meter dash, and Devonte Gardiner (Fr./Turks and Caicos Island) finished fourth in the 60-meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash.

Jose Penalver (Fr./Miramar, FL) was third in the 800-meter and 5,000-meter runs Monday and Justin Marsh (So./Laurel, MD) was fourth in the 400-meter dash in addition to helping the 4x400-meter relay squad pick up a win.

After sweeping CIAA titles, the Falcons and Lady Falcons head back to the JDL Fast Track on Sunday, Feb. 25, to compete in the JDL Last Chance Meet in Winston-Salem, N.C. The meet starts at 10 a.m.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Hornets score six over last three innings for Opening Day victory

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  --  Alabama State used three pitchers and scored six runs over the final three innings to pull out an 8-7 non-conference victory over Prairie View A&M on Opening Day in the Andre Dawson Classic at Barrow Stadium late Friday night.

Alabama State (0-1) went with senior Darren Kelly who lasted five innings and gave up three runs – all earned – on five hits with seven strikeouts. The start was the first for Kelly since last April against Mississippi Valley State, and the outing was just one out short of matching his career high against Northern Kentucky (March 12, 2016).

The Hornets also used Ivanniel Vazquez for an inning in which he allowed a pair of runs off one hit, before Chase Laney (1-0) came in for the final three innings where he allowed two runs off of five hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Alabama State trailed for much of the contest, until they were able to tie it up with a pair of runs in the fifth inning when Oscar Prioleau was able to put the ball in play and reached on a throwing error by Prairie View A&M, which allowed Joshua Dunson and Hunter Allen to cross the plate and tie the contest at 2-all.

After Prairie View A&M scored three runs over the next two innings to take a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning, Alabama State erupted offensively. After Dunson reached on a one-out, two-strike single to left; he was able to come around to third on a Hunter Phillips single to center. Joseph Estrada pushed home Dunson to trim the lead to 5-3, before Yamil Pagan trimmed the lead to 5-4 when he reached on a throwing error to score Phillips.

Pagan would then steal second, before Cage Cox put together a nine pitch at-bat and grounded into a fielders choice to score Estrada and tie the game at 5-all.

Prairie View A&M (0-1) score two more – which would prove to be their final runs of the game – in the bottom of the seventh before Alabama State fought back to tie the game again in the top of the eighth.

Allen led off the inning with a two-strike double to right center and later scored on a Ray Hernandez single down the right field line to trim the deficit to 7-6. After Hernandez stole second, Santiago Garcia drew a four-pitch walk to put runners at first and second with no one out in the inning. After a one-out passed ball allowed Hernandez to advance to third and pinch runner AJ Gardner to second, Estrada reached on a throwing error to score Hernandez and tie the game.

After a scoreless eighth for Prairie View A&M, Cox led off the ninth inning with a triple to center on the second pitch of the at-bat. He scored when the very next batter, Gustavo Rios, hit a sacrifice fly to center to give Alabama State their first lead of the game in the top of the ninth. Laney was able to go out in the bottom of the ninth and ended the game with a groundball double play.

Estrada, Allen and Dunson each finished the night with a pair of hits each for Alabama State; while Allen scored a pair of runs.

Alabama State returns to action Saturday night at 6 pm against New Orleans, in a game that will be featured on MLBTV.

BOX SCORE

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For complete coverage of Alabama State University baseball, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

No. 1 Gwinnett wins duals, but Borodii, Goreau sparkle

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — Xavier University of Louisiana's Mariia Borodii and Charlene Goreau ended a Georgia Gwinnett women's tennis streak Friday in the Grizzly Invitational.
     

Victories by Borodii and Goreau marked the first time in 61 dual matches that the Grizzlies lost the No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches. Borodii beat Emerald Able 6-2, 6-2 at the top spot, and Goreau defeated Henar Munoz 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. The ITA ranks Able third and Munoz 10th among NAIA singles players. Goreau is 23rd, and Borodii — who enrolled at XULA in January — is unranked.
     

Borodi and Goreau were the brightest spots for XULA, whose 13th ranked women lost 7-2 to Gwinnett and whose second-ranked men lost 9-0 to the Grizzlies. Both Gwinnett teams are No. 1 in the NAIA and are multiple-defending national champions — two straight years for the women, four years for the men.
    

"Today was a tough match for us, and Mariia battled through an injury to win," XULA coach Alan Green said. "She is super tough and is such a fighter. I was really happy to see Charlene close out her match. The team didn't get the win, but Charlene needed that for herself, and it will pay off for us down the road."
     

Georgia Gwinnett's men are 6-0 and have won 61 consecutive dual matches. Its women are 2-0 and have won 36 straight. The Gold Rush — the NAIA national runner-up in 2016 and 2017 — are 1-5, and the Gold Nuggets are 1-6.
     

Both XULA teams will return to the Grizzly Invitational Sunday. On Saturday the Nuggets will visit NAIA No. 20 Brenau in Gainesville, Ga., at 10 a.m. EST, and the Rush will visit NCAA Division III No. 1 Emory in Atlanta at 3 p.m. EST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Tuskegee 2018 Football Schedule Released



TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Tuskegee University today released its 2018 football schedule featuring seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opponents and one Division I Football Subdivision (FCS) opponent for the upcoming season.

The announcement by Director of Athletics, Willie Slater features a 10-game slate that includes five away games, three home games and a pair of annual classics played at neutral sites. One of the three home games (September 22) will be determined at a later date.

The Golden Tigers will open the 2018 campaign in Montgomery (Ala.) against rival Alabama State. Last season, a sellout crowd of 25,442 witnessed TU improved to 2-0 over the Hornets in its fairly new stadium that opened in 2012. Tuskegee currently leads the overall series 62-34-4.

The Golden Tigers will remain on the road for week 2, particiapting the fifth annual Whitewater Classic against Albany State University (September 8) at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City (Ala.), a game in which the Golden Tigers will be the home team this season. Tuskegee has won three out of the four Whitewater Classics played against Albany State. In week three, TU faces Clark Atlanta University (September 15) to close out the trio of opening road games. The Golden Tigers lead the series 61-16-2, including winning the last nine contests against the Panthers.

Lane College will be the team's SIAC West Division home opener September 29. The Golden Tigers have won all 23 matchups against the Dragons. Weeks 6 features a trip to Columbus (Ga.) and a battle with Morehouse College in the 83nd annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic held at A.J. McClung Stadium. Tuskegee will be the away team in the contest against the Maroon Tigers and leads the series 72-28-7, inluding last season's 23-17 win in overtime.

A rematch of the 2017 SIAC Football Championship takes place on the road during week 7 (October 13) when TU sqaures off with Fort Valley State in Fort Valley (Ga.). The Golden Tigers claimed the league title over the Golden Wildcats, 13-6 last November.

The final three games include the Golden Tigers hosting Kentucky State University (October 20) for its annual Homecoming game, before finishing the regular season off at Central State (October 27) and ending on the road at Miles College (November 3) in the regular season finale. Last season's win over the Golden Bears clinched the West Division crown. Just like 2017, TU does not have a bye week, competing against 10 consecutive opponents.

GOLDEN TIGERS 2018 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 1   at Alabama State, Montgomery, AL
Sept. 8   at Albany State, Abany, GA
Sept. 15 at Clark Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Sept. 22  TBD
Sept. 29  Lane College, Tuskegee, AL
Oct.   5  vs. Morehouse, Columbus, GA
Oct. 13 at Fort Valley State, Fort Valley, GA
Oct. 20 vs. Kentucky State, Tuskegee, AL  Homecoming
Oct. 27 at Central State, Wilberforce, OH
Nov.  3 at Miles College, Fairfield, AL

Nov. 10  2018 SIAC Championship - TBD

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Borodii named GCAC Player of the Week after 2 wins

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Mariia Borodii is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Week for Feb. 4-11, the GCAC announced Friday.

Borodii, a freshman from Zapozizhzhia, Ukraine, won in doubles and singles against NCAA Division I Southern Miss. She teamed with Yi Chen Pao to defeat Tanit Lopez Lopez and Lara Isis De Oliveir 7-6 (7-4), then Borodii beat Arina Amaning 7-5, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. The victories were the first of Borodii's XULA career.

Both XULA teams are competing in Georgia this weekend, including Friday and Sunday duals at the Grizzly Invitational in Lawrenceville.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush climb into tie for 22nd nationally

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana moved from 23rd to a tie for 22nd Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush (19-6), a 78-62 winner Monday at SUNO, share the position with Central Baptist, a Conway, Ark., school which is in the top 25 for the first time. This is the third consecutive poll that XULA is in the top 25.
     

Heading the list of "others receiving votes" is Dillard, XULA's next opponent at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's at the Convocation Center.
     

Dillard will be the first of four consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference home opponents to close the Gold Rush regular season.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Feb. 11)

 

RANKPREVIOUSSCHOOL RECORDPOINTS
12The Master's (Calif.) (9)25-1219
24LSU-Shreveport (La.)24-2211
T31William Penn (Iowa)23-2202
T36Pikeville (Ky.)24-2202
53Columbia (Mo.)24-2191
614Carroll (Mont.)22-4183
712Central Methodist (Mo.)23-3169
816Westmont (Calif.)20-4167
95Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)21-4158
108Montana Western20-5153
1110Georgetown (Ky.)21-4150
1215Oklahoma City18-6149
139Hope International (Calif.)22-4139
1417William Carey (Miss.)18-5135
1511Dalton State (Ga.)19-6107
T1618Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)18-8104
T167Science & Arts (Okla.)19-6104
1813LSU-Alexandria (La.)19-7103
1919Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)20-691
2024Texas Wesleyan17-886
2125Life (Ga.)18-873
T22NRCentral Baptist (Ark.)17-565
T2223Xavier (La.)18-665
T2421Cumberlands (Ky.)18-754
T24NRGraceland (Iowa)17-954
Others Receiving Votes: Dillard (La.) 44; SAGU (Texas) 26; Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) 18; Wayland Baptist (Texas) 14; Campbellsville (Ky.) 13; Wiley (Texas) 13; Peru State (Neb.) 10; Missouri Baptist 9; Vanguard (Calif.) 5; William Jessup (Calif.) 3. 

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Nuggets slip to 13th, but many opportunities remain

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana dropped from 10th to 13th Tuesday in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The rankings are the first since the preseason poll Jan. 23. The Gold Nuggets dropped their first five dual matches since then, four against NCAA Division I teams.

The rankings do not reflect XULA's 6-3 victory Monday at LSU-Alexandria, which remained ninth. The Gold Nuggets will play three top 20 teams before the next rankings Feb. 27. The first of those ranked opponents will be No. 1 and two-time defending national champion Georgia Gwinnett at 10:30 a.m. EST Friday in the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga.

XULA will visit No. 20 Brenau Saturday and No. 12 Mobile Feb. 23. In March the Gold Nuggets will play five times against top-25 teams.

XULA is in the top 25 for the 50th consecutive time — the third-longest active streak in NAIA women's tennis. The streak began May 1, 2012. Dating to Feb. 25, 2004, the Gold Nuggets appeared in 95 of the last 105 polls. (The 2005-06 season, when XULA did not compete intercollegiately, is not included.)

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Feb. 11)
RANK PREVIOUS SCHOOL RECORD POINTS
1 1 Georgia Gwinnett [14] 1-0 374
2 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 0-1 358
3 3 Keiser (Fla.) 5-1 353
4 4 William Woods (Mo.) 0-0 336
5 5 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 3-0 328
6 6 William Carey (Miss.) 0-0 308
7 7 Indiana Wesleyan 14-0 301
8 8 San Diego Christian (Calif.) 2-1 296
9 9 LSU-Alexandria (La.) 0-0 271
10 11 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 1-0 261
11 12 Northwestern Ohio 0-1 244
12 13 Mobile (Ala.) 1-0 236
13 10 Xavier (La.) 0-5 232
14 14 Cumberlands (Ky.) 0-2 217
15 15 Arizona Christian 2-0 212
16 16 SCAD Atlanta (Ga.) 0-0 199
17 17 Middle Georgia State 0-0 178
18 18 Campbellsville (Ky.) 1-0 164
19 19 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 0-0 139
20 21 Brenau (Ga.) 0-2 137
21 20 Georgetown (Ky.) 0-1 136
22 25 St. Thomas (Fla.) 1-3 130
23 22 Coastal Georgia 1-1 102
24 23 Southwestern (Kan.) 0-0 88
25 24 Tennessee Wesleyan 0-0 79
Other receiving votes: Westmont (Calif.) 74, Cumberland (Tenn.) 56, Loyola (La.) 56, Huntington (Ind.) 27, Reinhardt (Ga.) 24, Missouri Valley 22, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 16, Union (Ky.) 6, Asbury (Ky.) 5, Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 3, Hastings (Neb.) 3

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Twice as nice for Alabama State, both teams claim championships


BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- For the second consecutive year, Alabama State won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) indoor track and field championships at the Birmingham Crossplex, winning both Saturday evening.
 
The Lady Hornets ran away with their unprecedented 10th team title, racking up 166.5 points and winning by 48 points over runner-up Prairie View A&M. Meanwhile, on the men's side, the Hornets won with 148 total points and finished ahead 24.5 points ahead of runner-up Prairie View A&M. With the two victories, Alabama State head coach Ritchie Beene was named SWAC Coach of the Year for both, the men and women.
 
Charminique Hackney earned the distinction of the SWAC's fastest woman, taking home gold in the 60-meter dash (7.42) and nabbing another gold while setting a new SWAC Indoor Championships record in the 200-meter dash with a 23.61-second result. Hackney beat out Alcorn State's Euricka Hardy (7.49) and Texas Southern's Alexis Gray (7.50) in the 60-meter event, and bested Gray (23.66) and Alabama A&M's Joi Ballard (24.28) in the 200 meter dash.
 
The Lady Hornets continued their winning ways in the 60-meter hurdles as Shamira Lovett (8.59) raced to the gold medal. Texas Southern's Zaidra James (8.66) and Lady Hornet Ariayanna Val (8.70) won silver and bronze, respectively. Kemei dominated distance events, winning the women's mile run (5:14.46) and the 5,000-meter run (18:36.67). Alabama State's Sade Lavallias (5:18.87) and Janice Lane (5:19.25) also medaled in the mile run.

Alabama State's Arion Span finished second in the 5,000-meter run (19:04.29) and Mississippi Valley's Alice Kimutai posted a time of 19:23.26 to take the bronze.

Earlier in the day, Span nabbed a gold in the 800-meter run (2:13.37), with Prairie View A&M's Husiniyyah Rogers (2:18.39) earning silver and Southern's Raelynn Price (2:19.3) third. Prairie View A&M swept the women's triple jump, with Kaizha Roberts (11.94m; 39-02.25 feet) earning the top finish. In second was Devynn King (11.72m; 38-05.5 ft) and coming in third was Toronica Duncan (11.59m; 38-00.25 ft).
 
The women had several top five finishes on the day including China Reed (fifth in the triple jump), Lakeyah Blackmon (fifth in the pole vault), Roderica White (fifth in high jump), Desiree Horn (fifth in the 60-meters) and Kyana Evans (second in 400-meters).
 
Meanwhile, on the men's side, Alabama State's Joshua Coffelt (4:22.85) earned the gold in the men's mile run, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Laural Heath (4:23.16) taking second and Jackson State's Raheem Skinner (4:24.2) in third.  Joshua Hilliard of Jackson State clocked an 8.08-second mark in the 60-meter hurdles, good for first place. Terrance Adams of Alabama State (8.11) edged Prairie View A&M's Logan Williams (8.15) to earn silver.
 
Josh Davis won gold in the 200-meter dash for the Hornets, finishing with a time of 20.94 seconds, while teammate David East came in fifth with a time of 21.54.
 
The men also had several student-athletes finish in the top five in Friday events including Marquis Nelson (second in the weight throw), Caesar Kemp (fifth in weight throw), Jamie Brown (fifth in triple jump), Davis (second in the 60-meter dash), Norris Spike (third in the 60-meter dash), Lezoghia Member-Meneh (third in the 400-meters) and Andrew Jackson(second in the 800 meters).

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For complete coverage of Alabama State University track and field, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateTFXC (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
 

 ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Comeback: Former BSU quarterback trades helmet for a headset

BOWIE, Maryland -- Regarded as one of the best players in the area, senior quarterback Nyema Washington finished out his high school career at Suitland in 2012 with dreams of continued success collegiately at Bowie State University. Yet, things didn’t go as planned for the former Prince George’s County Player of the Year. A granuloma, a noncancerous inflammation in tissue, on the side of his brain, delayed the Capital Heights native’s first freshman game for the Bulldogs for three years.

Nevertheless, Washington persevered by recovering and trained relentlessly to get back into the starting lineup in 2015. The former two-time All-State standout at the time was converted into a wide receiver and didn’t get his chance to play until Nov. 17, 2015, against Virginia State University. Washington checked into the game and led an eight play, 48-yard drive, completing all his throws and a touchdown throw to seal the game with a 22-19 comeback victory.

The rest is history. Washington started every game at his true position and led the Bulldogs to their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship game appearance since 1989. Though his team fell to Winston-Salem State CUniversity 17-14, Washington won MVP honors, and it seemed that the best was yet to come from the gunslinger.

However, with triumph came tragedy. Coming into the following season, Washington was slated to be the day one starter until he suffered a severe knee injury during training camp shortly before the beginning of the 2016-2017 football campaign.

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Morgan State Added to Akron 2018 Football Schedule

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips have added the Morgan State Bears to their 2018 football schedule, FBSchedules.com has learned.

A copy of the game contract was obtained from the University of Akron by FBSchedules.com via a state open records request.

Akron will host Morgan State at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Sept. 8, 2018. The Zips will pay the Bears a $300,000 guarantee for the game, according to a copy of the contract.

Akron and Morgan State, a member of the MEAC in the FCS, have met twice on gridiron. The Zips defeated the Bears 41-0 in 2009 and 66-6 in 2012.

The addition of Morgan State tentatively completes Akron’s 2018 non-conference schedule. The Zips are scheduled to open the season at Nebraska on Sept. 1 and later travel to both Northwestern (Sept. 15) and Iowa State (Sept. 22).

In MAC play in 2018, Akron is scheduled to host Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Miami, and Northern Illinois and travel to Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Ohio.

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Alcorn Hires Frenchers, Moore; Promotes Thornton to DC, Wratten to Recruiting Coordinator


LORMAN, Mississippi – A pair of new assistant coaches were hired by the Alcorn State University football program as Damon Frenchers will be in charge of the defensive line and Stevon Moore will oversee the defensive backs, head coach Fred McNair announced.

Additionally, Cedric Thornton was promoted to defensive coordinator and Elliott Wratten to recruiting coordinator. Thornton previously worked as Alcorn's linebacker coach, and Wratten as Alcorn's tight ends and full backs coach.

Cedric Thornton
Thornton will enter his third season with the Braves in 2018. As the linebackers coach, he developed Darien Anderson to becoming an HBCU All-American in 2016 and an All-Conference First-Team selection.

"I'm excited about the opportunity and will do whatever I can to help Coach McNair fulfill his vision. The process will remain the same, however the goal has to be to finish in the end this year," Thornton said.

Thornton coached three All-Conference linebackers in two seasons. Under Thornton's guidance, Anderson and All-SWAC Second-Team honoree Michael Hurns combined for 159 tackles in 2016. This past season, Trae Ferrell was tabbed to the Second-Team and was top-10 in the FCS in fumbles recovered.

Additionally, Thornton heavily aided in the Braves ranking first in the conference in top-five in the country in red zone defense with a 64.5 percent mark.

"Coach Thornton is a great coach that has done an outstanding job for us. This will be a great transition for him and he has defensive coordinator experience previously at Alabama State," McNair said. "Our guys are already familiar with his style of play as well as his expectations."

Prior to Alcorn, Thornton was the defensive coordinator at Alabama State. He had the Hornets ranked 12th in the FCS in scoring defense and 18th in passing defense. Thornton also spent three seasons as the linebackers coach at Texas Southern.

Elliott Wratten

Wratten will enter his third season with the Alcorn football program. In addition to his duties with the tight ends and full backs, he is now the head of recruiting for the Braves.
 
"We're very excited about the class we're bringing in for the 2018 Season. This class has guys at every position and will help us continue our success," Wratten said. "Alcorn is a great University on the academic side, and our success on the football field has made this a fun place to recruit. We can't wait to get these guys in for summer school and get working with them this season."
 
Wratten played a vital role in Alcorn's most recent recruiting class as the Braves signed 20 student-athletes for 2018. The list included eight locals from Mississippi and also recruits from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. Wratten helped sign student-athletes at nine different positions.
 
Alcorn's recruiting class was ranked second in the country among HBCU's by 247 Sports and sixth by BOXTOROW.
 
"Wratten has really moved us forward in recruiting and identifying players that we want. He's gone out and gotten players from the Houston and Dallas areas and has expanded our recruiting base overall," McNair said.
 
Wratten came to Alcorn after having spent the previous seven seasons at Indiana University working on both sides of the ball. The last three seasons Wratten served as a Graduate Assistant working with the Defensive Line. Wratten helped the Hoosiers advance to their first bowl game since 2007 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and win their third straight Old Oaken Bucket Game against rival Purdue.

The previous four seasons at Indiana, Wratten served as a Student Assistant working with the Offensive Line and Tight Ends. 


Damon Frenchers

Damon Frenchers has spent the last 29 seasons coaching football on the defensive end. He's served the last three years as a defensive line coach with stints at Lyons College, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and North Carolina A&T.
 
"Frenchers is an experienced defensive coach. He actually coached against us in 2015 in the Celebration Bowl with North Carolina A&T and has had great success everywhere he's been. He'll definitely provide a lot of leadership and toughness to the program," McNair said.
 
While at NC A&T, the Aggies were the 2015 Black College National Champions after winning the Celebration Bowl. It came after the program won the MEAC. Frenchers coached three defensive linemen to All-Conference honors.
 
Previous coaching stops for Frenchers include S.C. State, N.C. Central, Delaware State, Norfolk State, St. Paul's College, and Lane.  In addition to his football coaching responsibilities at St. Paul's and Lane, he also served as head baseball coach at both institutions.
 
"I'm excited with the opportunity to continue building on the rich traditions here at Alcorn State University. Working alongside Coach McNair and Coach Thornton, we have high expectations for what we want to achieve in the immediate future. I'm looking forward to working closely with the student-athletes in our quest to kick the door down in Atlanta," Frenchers said.
 
In 1987, Frenchers started his coaching career as a volunteer undergraduate student at the University of Missouri. Frenchers assisted defensive coaches in breaking down and analyzing film. He also assisted defensive coaches during Missouri practices. After spending two seasons with Missouri, Frenchers took over as S.C. State's defensive end and strength and conditioning coach in 1989.
 
During his three-year stint there, he coached All-American and 1992 first-round draft pick Robert Porcher. Porcher spent 13 seasons in the NFL (1992-2004) and recorded 95.5 career sacks. After leaving the Bulldogs program, Frenchers took over as N.C. Central's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator in 1992. He spent seven seasons with the Eagles program where he coached All-CIAA performers Michael Lattimore and Corey Francis.
 
Frenchers left N.C. Central in February of 1999 to accept his first defensive coordinator position. In 1999, Frenchers became Delaware State's defensive coordinator. He was responsible for organizing and implementing the Hornets defensive game plan. He served as Delaware State's defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for three seasons before leaving for Norfolk State. In his second stint with NCCU in 2002, he was named the Eagles defensive coordinator.
 
In addition to his experience as a college football coach, Frenchers has also worked at various NFL camps over the past quarter century, and he has also spent time coaching camps at various Division I FBS schools such as Florida, North Carolina and Duke.
 
He earned a B.S., degree at the University of the State of New York, Regents College.


Stevon Moore

Stevon Moore comes to Alcorn having spent the last 17 years at as a defensive backs coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. Moore also brings a wealth of NFL experience to the table having served as a scout for the New England Patriots and in player development with the Cleveland Browns.
 
Prior to Mississippi Gulf Coast, Moore worked with the Miami Dolphins and three years at LSU.
 
"Moore is a veteran defensive backs coach and was once under Nick Saban at both LSU and the Miami Dolphins. He has a great understanding of the secondary play and has a lot of awareness in teaching coverage," McNair said.
 
Moore mentored eight NFL and CFL defensive backs during his 11 years in the pros. He has experience recruiting in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida where he's mentored 20-30 Division I defensive backs.
 
"First and foremost, I want to thank Coach McNair, President Alfred Rankins, Derek Horne and the administration for giving me the opportunity to coach here at this great University. I am very thrilled to be here," said Moore. "We're on a quest to win a championship and I can't wait to get started."
 
Moore earned his bachelor's degree from Ole Miss in 2003.


ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

NSU's new baseball coach trying to figure out his team's pitching ahead of opener

NORFOLK, Virginia -- When Keith Shumate looks out from the press box at Marty Miller Stadium, he sees a combination of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Great Dismal Swamp.

Oriole Park, because when you’ve coached where he has, having a stadium is a luxury. Dismal Swamp, because Norfolk State is waiting for a replacement infield tarpaulin to keep recent rain at bay.

“Quicksand would be the best description for what we have,” Shumate says of a soggy field that forced the Spartans to use the batting cages at nearby Harbor Park for all of but two days in the first two weeks of practice. “It’s just saturated.”

What Shumate doesn’t see in his first season as Norfolk State’s coach is a starting pitching rotation.

He has Chase Anderson (Granby High) for Friday’s season opener against visiting Villanova, and Jon Mahoney, a transfer from Prince George Community College, for Saturday’s game. Sunday? Midweek games? “Johnny Whole Staff,” Shumate cracked.

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