Alcorn Athletics Director Derek Horne Signs Contract Extension

DEREK HORNE
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
(COURTESY: ALCORN STATE ATHLETICS)

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State University Athletics Director Derek Horne has received a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the helm of Alcorn Athletics through 2019. Horne was hired in August 2014.

The Alcorn Braves have won conference championships in football and tennis under Horne's watch. And a Black College National Championship in football and made an appearance in the 2015 inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

President Alfred Rankins Jr. acknowledged Horne's commitment to Alcorn and its student athletes.
"Derek has brought stable leadership to our athletics program. He has raised expectations for our athletics staff and has our athletics department functioning at a higher level, which has resulted in gains in the overall student athlete experience at Alcorn," Rankins said.

In 2014, the football team successfully won the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division and their first SWAC Championship in 20 years. Shortly after claiming the SWAC title, the team was named the 2014 Black College Football National Champions. The following year, the Braves would dominate the conference again by repeating as SWAC East Division Champions and reclaiming the SWAC Championship for a consecutive year.

Under Horne's leadership, Alcorn State University National Alumni President and Alcornite of the Year Neddie Winters '72, has witnessed the success of Alcorn Athletics firsthand.

"It's a huge responsibility to lead any athletics program in this 'win now' mentality present in our society," Winters said. "Horne hit the ground running, hiring staff and coordinating the efforts of various sports. His ability to listen calmly and address challenges while focusing on our student athletes' success on and off the field at the highest level is substantial."

The Lady Braves tennis team earned a trip to the 2015 Women's NCAA Tennis Tournament, a monumental feat for the team. The Lady Braves returned to the tournament in 2016 after securing the SWAC Championship in April. Tennis coach Anthony Dodgen was named SWAC Coach of the Year. The basketball and softball programs have also flourished. The Braves men's basketball team finished in second place during the regular season. The softball team also completed their season in second place of the East Division. Softball Coach Josef Rankin was named SWAC Coach of the Year.

Under Horne, 91 student athletes received SWAC honors for making the honor roll in 2014. The accomplishment helped Alcorn athletics win the 2014 Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award for the SWAC. The next year, the number of scholars increased to 123 students who received SWAC honors for their commitment to their studies.

Alcorn quarterback Lenorris Footman respects the accountability that Alcorn Athletics demands of its students. "I work hard to achieve academic honors. Other than my professors, I know my coaches, academic advisors and even AD Horne will monitor my progress. When AD sees you, he wants to know 'how you are doing in the classroom?' All of the concern and family support, motivates me to do my best work."

Horne credits his team and President Rankins for a successful two years. "I would like to thank Dr. Rankins for the opportunity to continue serving as Alcorn's director of athletics," Horne said. "The past two years have been a rewarding experience. I look forward to working with a dedicated team as we serve our student athletes, staff and alumni.

Horne, a former University of Mississippi student athlete, came to Alcorn after leading the athletics program at Florida A&M and an impressive 15-year tenure at his alma mater in athletics administration.

CORTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE

Savannah State picked 11th in Preseason MEAC Poll

Two Tigers earn Preseason All-Conference honors

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Savannah State seniors Marquis Smith and John Barron have been named to the Preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Third Team.

Smith, a linebacker from Prince Georges County, Maryland, was second on the team last season with 57 tackles. He led the squad with tackles for losses (7) and also had one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.



For his career, he enters the season with 241 tackles, having got 124 as a freshman in 2013 and 60 as a sophomore during the 2014 campaign. He has 10 career sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick.

Barron, who is sharing preseason honors with South Carolina State kicker Tyler Scandrett, is a native of Marietta, Georgia. Last season, Barron made 11 of 13 extra point attempts and converted 11 of 17 field goal attempts for a team-leading 44 points. He kicked a career-long 44 yard field goal against Colorado State. Barron also handled the kickoffs where he had 36 for 2,012 yards for a 55.9 yard average. Ten of those went for touchbacks.

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SC State Picked To Finish Fourth In The MEAC

NORFOLK, Virginia -- South Carolina State has been picked to finish fourth in the MEAC, according to the preseason poll of MEAC head coaches and sports information directors.

North Carolina A&T State received 13 first-place votes, to receive the first place ranking, while Bethune-Cookman was picked second and North Carolina Central third followed by SC State to round out the top four spots of this year's preseason predicted order of finish.


All-MEAC linebacker redshirt junior Darius Leonard was named Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, along with earning All-MEAC First Team honors for the second straight year.

Leonard (6-3, 200) finished the 2015 season recording 70 total tackles, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, two quarterback hurries, four passes deflected and two breakups. He notched two interceptions, one for a touchdown, and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Leonard was second on the team in sacks (5.0) and interceptions.

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NSU Spartans' coach: Middle-of-the-pack MEAC pick seems about right

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Coaches often feel either shortchanged or concerned about overconfidence when preseason polls come out.

Second-year Norfolk State football coach Latrell Scott figures that the league’s coaches and sports information directors got the Spartans’ spot right this year.

NSU, on the heels of a 4-7 overall and 4-4 MEAC mark, was picked sixth in the 11-team poll released Friday as part of the MEAC’s media day. Of the five teams picked ahead of the Spartans, only one – rival Hampton – lost to them last season.

“I think if you look at it, it’s right where we should be,” Scott said. “If we want to be ranked high, we need to beat those teams.”

Defending co-champions North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman and N.C. Central, respectively, were the top three picks. N.C. A&T won a tiebreaker and represented the MEAC in the inaugural Celebration Bowl , where the Aggies defeated SWAC champion Alcorn State.

For the long-struggling frontrunners, being picked to win the league again is an honor.

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Ten NCCU Eagles Announced to Preseason All-MEAC Football Team

NORFOLK, Virginia --Ten North Carolina Central University Eagles have been voted to the 2016 Preseason All-MEAC Football Team, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Friday.
 
Leading the way for NCCU on the All-MEAC First Team are senior quarterback Malcolm Bell (Richmond, Va.), senior center Carl Jones (Nashville, Tenn.), senior offensive lineman Desmond Cooper (Stafford, Va.) and senior linebacker Jeremy Miles (Durham, N.C.).
 
All-MEAC Second Team distinction was awarded to sophomore running back Dorrel McClain (Cary, N.C.), senior offensive lineman Tarrance Wells (Oxon Hill,, Md.), junior defensive lineman Antonio Brown (Jacksonville, Fla.), sophomore defensive back Davanta Reynolds (Tucker, Ga.) and senior return specialist LaVontis Smith (Maben, Miss.). Junior defensive lineman Ja'Quan Smith (Miramar, Fla.) rounded out NCCU's selections with a spot on the All-MEAC Third Team.
 
In a vote by the conference head football coaches and sports information directors, NCCU is picked to place third the predicted order of finish, which was unveiled during the MEAC Football Press Luncheon in Norfolk, Virginia on Friday afternoon.
 
NCCU, back-to-back conference co-champions with an 8-3 overall record and a 7-1 league mark last year, received four first place votes and 388 total points, while second place Bethune-Cookman captured three first place votes and 447 points, and predicted MEAC champion North Carolina A&T amassed 13 first place votes and 489 points to claim the top spot.
 
The Eagles were followed by fourth place South Carolina State (351), then Hampton (265), Norfolk State (239), Morgan State (192), Florida A&M (164), Delaware State (121), Howard (90) and Savannah State (48).
 
For more information about NCCU football, the complete season preview is available online atNCCUEaglePride.com.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Despite losing coach, chance at postseason, Morgan State football 'still hungry' for MEAC title

NORFOLK, Virginia -- After a volatile offseason in which the Morgan State football team lost its head coach and an opportunity to play in the postseason, the Bears are looking forward to opening training camp Aug. 7 and trying to capture the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

“We still can win the MEAC,” senior wide receiver Ricky Fisk said Friday at the conference's media day in Norfolk, Va. “Nobody really talks about the postseason. At the end of the day, it's about who was the conference champion. We're striving to be the conference champion and go out with a bang.”



The hazy and humid conditions normally associated with August are almost a welcomed respite for the program. In February, Lee Hull left after two years to become the wide receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts. Two months later, the NCAA banned the team from postseason play after failing to meet a satisfactory score in the Academic Progress Rate report.

But Morgan State can still win the MEAC crown for the second time in three years, and Fred Farrier, the offensive coordinator who was promoted to interim head coach, said that goal takes precedence.

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Cohen, Leonard Highlight 2016 MEAC Preseason Football Teams

NORFOLK, Virginia – North Carolina A&T State running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard was selected as preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

All votes are submitted by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors/football contacts.

Cohen, the two-time defending Player of the Year, led the MEAC in rushing with 977 total yards in 2015. A two-time MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, Cohen led the conference with 122.1 rushing yards per game, carrying the ball 183 times, with nine touchdowns in eight games. He finished first in the MEAC in touchdowns and all-purpose yards (141.1 avg./g). He helped lead the Aggies to a share of the conference title and a win at the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl. Cohen rushed for 295 yards for three touchdowns during the nationally televised win over Alcorn State.

Leonard was named to the 2015 All-MEAC First Team, as a linebacker. A one-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, Leonard finished the season recording 70 total tackles, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, two quarterback hurries, four passes deflected and two breakups. He notched two interceptions, one for a touchdown, and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Leonard was second on the team in sacks (5.0) and interceptions.



Listed below are the 2016 Preseason All-MEAC teams:

2016 MEAC Football All-Conference Preseason Teams

First Team Offense
First Team Defense
Second Team Offense
Second Team Defense
Third Team Offense
Third Team Defense

Offensive Player of the Year: Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T State
Defensive Player of the Year: Darius Leonard, South Carolina State

First-Team Offense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
QB	Malcolm Bell	r-Sr.	North Carolina Central	Richmond, Va.
RB	Tarik Cohen	Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Bunn, N.C.
RB	Michael Jones	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Sarasota, Fla.
WR	Twarn Mixson	r-Sr.	Hampton	Charlotte, N.C.
WR	Jawill Davis	r-Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Miami, Fla.
TE	Ja-Quan Lumas	r-Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Orlando, Fla.
C	Carl Jones	r-Sr.	North Carolina Central	Nashville, Tenn.
OL	Brandon Parker	r-Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	Kannapolis, N.C.
OL*	Javarius Leamon	r-Sr.	South Carolina State	Woodruff, S.C.
OL*	Trevin Huff	r-Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Tallahassee, Fla.
OL	Desmond Cooper	r-Sr.	North Carolina Central	Stafford, Va.

First-Team Defense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
DL	Marquis Ragland	r-Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Fayetteville, N.C.
DL	Angelo Keyes	r-Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Kinston, N.C.
DL	Curtis Alexander	Sr.	Florida A&M	Quincy, Fla.
DL	Kevin Thompson	Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Baltimore, Md.
LB	Darius Leonard	r-Jr.	South Carolina State	Lake View, S.C.
LB	Dayshawn Taylor	r-Jr.	South Carolina State	Lincolnton, Ga.
LB	Jeremy Miles (Thompson)	r-Sr.	North Carolina Central	Durham, N.C.
DB	Jacques Bryant	Sr.	Florida A&M	Tallahassee, Fla.
DB	Diquan Richardson	Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Alvin, S.C.
DB	Phillip Henry	r-Sr.	South Carolina State	Manning, S.C.
DB	Delonta Hall	r-Sr.	Morgan State	Fort Washington, Md.
PK	Cody Jones	Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Gastonia, N.C.
P*	Jonathan Cagle	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Pensacola, Fla.
P*	Christian Faber-Kinney	r-Sr.	Hampton	Williamsburg, Va.
RS	Khris Gardin	Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	Morganton, N.C.

Second-Team Offense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
QB	Greg Hankerson	Sr.	Norfolk State	Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
RB	Dorrel McClain	r-So.	North Carolina Central	Cary, N.C.
RB	Orlando Johnson	Sr.	Morgan State	Memphis, Tenn.
WR	Denzel Keyes	Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Kinston, N.C.
WR	Montavious Williams	r-So.	Florida A&M	Tallahassee, Fla.
TE	Justin Chaney	Jr.	Howard	Hammond, La.
C	Phillip Norman	r-Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Sebastian, Fla.
OL	Toree Boyd	Sr.	Howard	Miami, Fla.
OL	Marcus Pettiford	So.	North Carolina A&T State	Durham, N.C.
OL*	Tarrance Wells	Sr.	North Carolina Central	Oxon Hill, Md.
OL*	Keonte Cash	So.	Florida A&M	Miami, Fla.

Second-Team Defense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
DL	Antonio Brown	r-Jr.	North Carolina Central	Jacksonville, Fla.
DL	Gregtavious Newell	r-Jr.	South Carolina State	Columbia, S.C.
DL	Chris Lee	Jr.	Norfolk State	Woodbridge, Va.
DL*	Todney Evans	r-So.	Bethune-Cookman	Delray Beach, Fla.
DL*	DeMarcus Womack	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Orlando, Fla.
LB*	Jalen Day	r-Sr.	Howard	Winston Salem, N.C.
LB*	Marcus Albert	r-Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	College Park, Ga.
LB	Malik Harris	Jr.	Delaware State	Washington, D.C.
DB*	William Burton	Sr.	Delaware State	Washington Township, N.J.
DB*	Zerius Lockhart	r-Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	Auburn, Ala.
DB	Craig Johnson	Sr.	Howard	Brooklyn, N.Y.
DB*	Davanta Reynolds	r-So.	North Carolina Central	Tucker, Ga.
DB*	Sandy Chapman	Sr.	Norfolk State	Raleigh, N.C.
PK	Cameron Marouf	Sr.	Norfolk State	Woodbridge, Va.
P*	Jerome Pettiway	Jr.	South Carolina State	York, S.C.
P*	Colby Blanton	r-So.	Florida A&M	Jacksonville, Fla.
RS	LaVontis Smith	Sr.	North Carolina Central	Maben, Miss.

Third-Team Offense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
QB	Larry Brihm, Jr.	r-Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Delray Beach, Fla.
RB	Dondre Brown	Jr.	South Carolina State	Varnville, S.C.
RB*	Gerard Johnson	Sr.	Norfolk State	Richmond, Va.
RB*	Dwayne Garrett	r-Sr.	Hampton	Phoenix, Ariz.
WR	Frank Brown	r-Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
WR	Aris Scott	Sr.	Delaware State	Harrisburg, Pa.
TE	Willie Gillus	r-Jr.	Morgan State	Suffolk, Va.
C	Darriel Mack	r-Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	Cilo, S.C.
OL	Donovan Johnson	Sr.	Hampton	Clifton, Md.
OL	Joshua Miles	Jr.	Morgan State	Baltimore, Md.
OL	Ryan Gould	Jr.	Hampton	Clemmons, S.C.
OL	Chuka Ezeuzoh	So.	Delaware State	Wilmington, Del.

 Third-Team Defense

Pos.	Name	Cl.	School	Hometown
DL	Malik Hampton-Prioleau	Sr.	North Carolina A&T State	Bossier City, La.
DL	Jai Franklin	Jr.	Morgan State	Clinton, Md.
DL*	Walter Brantley	So.	Norfolk State	Hampton, Va.
DL*	Ja’Quan Smith	r-Jr.	North Carolina Central	Miramar, Fla.
LB	Marquis Smith	Sr.	Savannah State	Prince Georges County, Md.
LB*	Rashawn Barrett	Sr.	Delaware State	Montclair, N.J.
LB*	Trenton Bridges	r-So.	Bethune-Cookman	Deland, Fla.
DB	Tard McCoy	r-Jr.	North Carolina A&T State	Delray Beach, Fla.
DB	Myles Morris	r-Sr.	Hampton	Greensboro, N.C.
DB	Arthur Williams	Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Sebring, Fla.
DB	Devondre Powell	Jr.	South Carolina State	Miami, Fla.
PK*	Uriel Hernandez	So.	Bethune-Cookman	Homestead, Fla.
PK*	Tyler Scandrett	Jr.	South Carolina State	Barnesville, Ga.
P	John Barron	Sr.	Savannah State	Marietta, Ga.
RS	Marcus Taylor	So.	Norfolk State	Highland Springs, Va.

*denotes tie

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Picked To Win 2016 MEAC Football Title

NORFOLK, Virginia -- North Carolina A&T State received 13 first-place votes, to receive the first place ranking in the conference’s preseason poll for the 2016 MEAC Football season.

All three teams (North Carolina A&T State, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina Central) that earned a share of the conference title last year rounded out the first three spots of this year’s preseason predicted order of finish.

2016 MEAC FOOTBALL
PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

Rank	School	Points
1.	North Carolina A&T State (13)	489
2.	Bethune-Cookman (3)	447
3.	North Carolina Central (4)	388
4.	South Carolina State	351
5.	Hampton (1)	265
6.	Norfolk State	239
7.	Morgan State	192
8.	Florida A&M	164
9.	Delaware State (1)	121
10.	Howard	90
11.	Savannah State	48

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

XU's Bruins, Guarino, Salwan are ITA Scholar-Athletes

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has a trio of Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athletes for the second consecutive year. Earning that honor for 2015-16 were Sha'Nel Bruins and Tess Guarino on the women's team and Karan Salwan on the men's. The ITA announced the awards this past week.

ITA Scholar-Athletes must be varsity letterwinners and have a 3.50 GPA for the most recent academic year.

Bruins, from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School, was an XU junior this past season. Guarino was a freshman from Billere, France. Salwan was a junior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School.

Xavier's men ranked second and the women 19th in the 2016 NAIA postseason coaches polls. The Gold Rush were the first XU team in any sport to reach the championship round of an NAIA national tournament.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Rush will have largest freshman class in 5 years

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's cross country has signed three high school seniors to scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year. It'll be the largest Gold Rush freshman class in five years.
     
The signees are:
     •  Robert Clayton of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Chaminade College Preparatory High School.
     •  Clydarius Everett of Meridian, Miss., and Meridian High School.
     •  Oji Wells of Florissant, Mo., and Hazelwood Central High School.
     
Clayton was a member of Chaminade's 1,600-meter relay team which placed third in the California Interscholastic Federation state meet in June. During seventh grade he qualified for the Junior Olympics in the 100-meter hurdles. At 6 feet 4 inches, Clayton is the tallest distance runner during Joseph Moses' 12 seasons as head coach. Clayton will major in computer science at Xavier.
     
Everett was Meridian's second-fastest finisher at the 2015 Class 6A state meet. He finished 42nd overall and helped the Wildcats finish 11th in the team standings. As a junior in outdoor track and field, he was a district and regional champion at 1,600 and 3,200 meters. His best times include 17:32.15 for the cross country 5K, 11:05.12 in the 3,200 and 5:01.88 in the 1,600. Everett will major in biomedical engineering.
    
Wells — his first name is pronounced oh-gee — qualified for Missouri's outdoor state meet in the 800 and the 1,600 relay his senior year. As a junior and sophomore he qualified for state in the 3,200 relay. He achieved three best times his senior year: 1:57.91 in the 800, 4:45.46 in the 1,600 and, in cross country, 17:59.81 for the 5K. Wells will be a biology/pre-medical major and is interested in studying physical therapy.
     
Clayton, Everett and Wells also will compete for Xavier in outdoor track and field during the spring.
     
The first Xavier meet of the 2016 cross country season will be the Xavier Big Easy Opener Aug. 26 at City Park in New Orleans. Joining the signees will be returning runnersChristopher August, Ammiel Williams and Darrick Williams.


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

Jacksonville Jaguars to honor former Jackson State star

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Former All-SWAC and Jackson State wide receiver Jimmy Smith will become the sixth and newest member of the Pride of the Jaguars when he is inducted on December 11, 2016 by the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The team’s owner Shad Khan made the announcement.

Prior to being selected in the second round of 1992 the NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys, Smith registered 42 receptions for 894 yards and nine touchdowns for JSU. In his final season with Tigers, he hauled in 43 catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns. Smith finished his college career with 110 receptions, 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns. The two time Super Bowl Champion graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and in 2011, he was named to the Jackson State University All-Century team.

Smith is one of just three players to play more than ten seasons for the Jaguars, from 1995-2005, still owns 11 team records 10 years after his retirement in 2006.

A five-time Pro Bowl performer, Smith was a key to the Jaguars’ early success when the team earned four straight playoff appearances from 1996-99 and played in eight postseason games including two AFC Championship games. He was the Jaguars’ leading receiver seven times and was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl team five consecutive years from 1997-2001.



Smith joined the Jaguars as a free agent in 1995, and over the next 11 seasons he produced marks for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns that still stand today. His 171 games played and 150 games started both rank second in team history, and his 11 seasons played is tied for second along with Josh Scobee and Fred Taylor behind Brad Meester’s 14 seasons. All of that was accomplished despite the fact that Smith did not become a starter until midway through the 1996 season.

Among the Jaguars records Smith still holds are team marks for receptions in a career (862) and season (116); receiving yards in a career (12,287), season (1,636) and game (291); receiving TDs in a career (67) and game (3); consecutive games with a reception (80); highest average yards per reception (14.3); and 100- (46) and 200- (2) yard receiving games.

In addition, Smith still ranks second in team history in all-purpose yards (12,875) and yards from scrimmage (12,286), third for TDs scored (69), and fourth for points scored in a career (418).

The current members of the Pride of the Jaguars are OT Tony Boselli, who was inducted in 2006, former owners Wayne and Delores Weaver (2012), RB Fred Taylor (2012), and QB Mark Brunell (2013).

On the December day of Smith’s induction, the Jaguars are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings in a 1 p.m. game at EverBank Field.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rankin: ASU-Alcorn State winner takes SWAC East

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --First things first.

Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins says he’s not thinking about facing two-time defending conference champion Alcorn State right now.

“I’ve got UTSA,” said Jenkins at SWAC Media Day this month in Birmingham as the Hornets open the 2016 season Sept. 3 at FBS school Texas-San Antonio. “Now Alcorn is a phenomenal football team, but to put my focus on Alcorn right now would be a disrespect to the team we have to play first.”

I can respect that, but the outcome of the Sept. 10 matchup in Lorman, Miss., will likely determine the SWAC East representative in the Dec. 3 league title game in Houston.

Alcorn State was picked to win the division. ASU finished second in the voting by the league’s head coach and sports information directors. The Hornets have lost two straight to the Braves, but this is the year to pull off the upset and take the early driver’s seat to play for a conference championship.

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MSU Farrier adds three to coaching staff

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State interim head football coach Fred T. Farrier has added three more assistants to his staff.

Ernest T. Jones is the associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator, Antonio James is the defensive line coach, and Mitch Browning is the offensive line coach.

"I'm happy to announce the hiring of Ernest, Mitch and Antonio," Farrier said in a statement. "I'm excited about putting this staff together for the 2016 season. I think any time you hire people to your staff that it is an opportunity to improve the program and leave an impact on your student-athletes."

"As interim coach, I have one opportunity to try to get this right. I think the hires we made and moving some guys around will make an immediate impact on our program."

Jones was previously the head coach at ASA Miami, a two-year college that started its first football season in 2015. He has also spent time at UConn, Notre Dame, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Central Michigan, Concordia, Oberlin, Kentucky State, and has served as head coach for his alma mater Alcorn State.

"Ernest brings a wealth of experience to the program," said Farrier. "He has been a head coach twice and coached at premiere BCS programs. He has recruited all over the country and coached in a BCS national championship game. I look forward to the contributions he will make as a coach, mentor and a recruiter as we work to move the program forward. I believe his recruiting ties and acumen will help us elevate our national recruiting profile.

James joins the Bears after spending time as a defensive graduate assistant coach at Michigan. Prior to joining U-M, James coached the defensive line and outside linebackers at Urbana High School from 2011-13. He was a four-year letterman on the defensive line at the University of Illinois (2006-09), and helped lead the Fighting Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl Game.

"Antonio comes highly recommended from a number of highly regarded coaches and coaches I trust," explained Farrier. "He has played and coached in the Big Ten and understands the role he has to play to assist our players to get better. He is eager to make an impact on our young men and I can't wait to see that carry over to the young men on our team."

Browning has been the offensive line coach at Rutgers for the past two seasons. He has 35 years of coaching experience, including stops at six BCS programs and appearances in 12 previous bowl games (seven in 10 years at Minnesota). Browning has recruited 20 players during his career that played in the NFL, including first round draft picks Dana Stubblefield and Laurence Maroney.

"Mitch has coached at the highest levels of college football and been an offensive coordinator at the BCS level," Farrier said. "He has coached in multiple bowl games and prepared many of his pupils for professional football. I look forward to his contributions to our staff room and the impact he will make on his position group. He has recruited guys from all over the country and I look forward to him developing our offensive line."

Farrier also made an additional change to his staff when he moved Travis Manger from offensive line coach to quarterbacks and recruiting coordinator.

"He has experience coaching offensive skill positions and I think he can better impact our program coaching our quarterbacks," said Farrier. "He is very bright and hard working and I think he can assist us in a big way as recruiting coordinator. He develops strong relationships with his players and I look forward to working with him in this new role as we move forward and the contributions he will make."

Farrier's staff also includes: assistant head coach/running backs coach Ken Lucas, defensive coordinator Mike Fanoga, and special teams/tight ends coach Benton Harold.

Morgan State opens its 2016 season with a home-opener against Holy Cross on Sept. 3 before traveling to take on Marshall on Sept. 10. The Bears 2016 schedule features five home games in Hughes Stadium, including a meeting with MEAC co-champion Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 5 in Baltimore.

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.

2016 MSU FOOTBALL TICKETS CAN BE YOURS! For ticket information click here.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Rush, Nuggets will run at 2 SEC-hosted meets in 2016

NEW ORLEANS — For the first time in 13 years, Xavier University of Louisiana's men's and women's cross country teams will compete in a pair of meets at SEC schools.

The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will travel to Baton Rouge, La., for the LSU Invitational Sept. 17 and to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the University of Alabama's Crimson Classic Oct. 14.

Joseph Moses, beginning his 12th season as head coach, announced Tuesday the 2016 schedule of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets. The first meet will be the third annual Xavier Big Easy Opener Aug. 26 at City Park, about four miles from the XU campus.

Xavier will compete Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 in meets at NCAA Division II's Mississippi College. The other XU local appearance will be Sept. 10 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival at Lafreniere Park in suburban Metairie, La.

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships will return in late October after a year's absence. Date and venue of the meet have not been determined. Xavier was the GCAC men's and women's team champion nine consecutive seasons (2006-14).

"We are excited about the 2016 season and our schedule," Moses said. "Our runners are excited about competing in the large SEC meets. The LSU and Alabama meets will help us prepare well for the GCAC and NAIA championships."

The GCAC team champions will qualify automatically for the NAIA National Championships Nov. 19. Charlotte, N.C., will be the site of that meet for the second consecutive year.

Xavier University of Louisiana 2016 Men's and Women's Cross Country Schedule Friday, Aug. 26 XAVIER BIG EASY OPENER, City Park, 5:30 p.m. women, 6 p.m. men Friday, Sept. 2 Mississippi College Season Opener, Clinton, Miss., 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival, Metairie, La., 7:50 a.m. men, 8:25 a.m. women Saturday, Sept. 17 LSU Invitational, Baton Rouge, La., 7:30 a.m. men, 8:20 a.m. women Friday, Oct. 7 Watson Ford Invitational, Clinton, Miss., 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 Crimson Classic, Tuscaloosa, Ala., TBA TBA Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, site TBA Saturday, Nov. 19 NAIA National Championships, Charlotte, N.C., 10:30 a.m. EST women, 11:45 a.m. EST men Home meets in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS      All times are Central except where noted      Schedules are subject to change

XU schedule has 5 NAIA tourney teams in 1st 7 matches

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's 2016 volleyball schedule will include five 2015 NAIA national tournament teams among the first seven opponents, plus a school-record 10 matches in August.

Fourth-year coach Hannah Lawing — who is 65-22 with the Gold Nuggets and has won three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships apiece — announced Monday the schedule, which consists of 30 regular-season matches, 12 at home.

Xavier (19-8 overall, 11-1 GCAC in 2015) will open the season with matches against NAIA tourney qualifiers Wayland Baptist, Our Lady of the Lake and Evangel in OLLU's Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic in San Antonio, Texas. The Aug. 19 matches against Wayland Baptist and OLLU will be Xavier's earliest-ever season opener.

The following week, Xavier will play two more NAIA tourney qualifiers: Aug. 26 against Coastal Georgia and Aug. 27 against Missouri Baptist in the STU Invitational at Miami Gardens, Fla. Missouri Baptist was the national runner-up a year ago.

"We have tried very hard with this schedule to play more matches, especially those against nationally competitive teams, and to play more pre-conference tournaments," Lawing said. "We'll play a lot of August matches because we're trying to push our girls from the start and hold ourselves to a higher standard."

The Gold Nuggets will play a pair of Aug. 30 matches at city rival Loyola — against St. Thomas (Texas) and Loyola — before playing their home opener at 11 a.m. Sept. 2 against William Carey in the second annual Big Easy Blastoff. William Carey is a longtime NAIA member but in its first season of intercollegiate volleyball.

The other Big Easy Blastoff teams will be Southwest (N.M.) and Pikeville.

"In all we'll play nine times against first-time opponents, which was another scheduling goal," Lawing said.

Additional non-conference highlights include a pair of matches apiece against Mobile and Spring Hill. During the past two seasons, Mobile was 63-10, and Spring Hill was 49-14. Spring Hill will visit Xavier Sept. 15, and Mobile will visit Oct. 15 on Senior Day.

Xavier's first of 12 GCAC regular-season matches will start at 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at Tougaloo. The Gold Nuggets' first GCAC home match will start at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 against Philander Smith.

Xavier will play host to SUNO at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 and to Dillard at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 in a Dig Pink match. Both are city and GCAC rivals. SUNO is a five-time GCAC Tournament runner-up in the last six seasons.

The regular-season finale will start at 7 o'clock Halloween evening at home against Tougaloo. It will be Fan Appreciation Night, and there will be a costume contest.

The GCAC Tournament will be played the first or second weekend of November at Dillard's Dent Hall.

NOTES: This will be the ninth season of XU intercollegiate volleyball and the fourth season of matches at the Convocation Center . . . In the previous eight seasons combined, Xavier played 26 times in August, four times a year ago . . . In the 2015 NAIA postseason coaches poll, Missouri Baptist ranked second, Evangel 16th and Coastal Georgia 20th. OLLU, Wayland Baptist and Mobile were among others receiving votes . . . The preseason top 25 will be announced Aug. 16, and the first regular-season rankings will be unveiled Sept. 6 . . . Xavier is scheduled to play seven more regular-season matches than it did in 2015 . . . Xavier seeks a sixth straight GCAC regular-season and tournament championship apiece, along with a sixth straight NAIA National Championship berth . . . Including tournaments, Xavier has won 72 of its last 73 matches against GCAC opponents.

Xavier University of Louisiana
2016 Women's Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 19 (Fri.):  Wayland Baptist, 9 a.m. (Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic, San Antonio, Texas)
Aug. 19 (Fri.):  at Our Lady of the Lake, 1 p.m. (Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic, San Antonio, Texas)
Aug. 20 (Sat.):  Evangel, 11 a.m. (Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic, San Antonio, Texas)
Aug. 20 (Sat.):  Tennessee Wesleyan, 1 p.m. (Hotel Indigo at the Alamo Saints Classic, San Antonio, Texas)
Aug. 26 (Fri.):  at St. Thomas (Fla.), noon EDT (STU Invitational, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Aug. 26 (Fri.):  Coastal Georgia, 4 p.m. EDT (STU Invitational, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Aug. 27 (Sat.):  Missouri Baptist, 10 a.m. EDT (STU Invitational, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Aug. 27 (Sat.):  Indiana Tech, 4 p.m. EDT (STU Invitational, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Aug. 30 (Tue.):  St. Thomas (Texas) (at Loyola [La.]'s The Den), 5 p.m.
Aug. 30 (Tue.):  at Loyola (La.), 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 (Fri.):  WILLIAM CAREY, 11 a.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Sept. 2 (Fri.):  PIKEVILLE, 5 p.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Sept. 3 (Sat.):  SOUTHWEST (N.M), 11 a.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Sept. 6 (Tue.)  •  at Tougaloo, 5 p.m.
Sept. 10 (Sat.)  •  at Edward Waters, noon EDT
Sept. 12 (Mon.):  •  PHILANDER SMITH, 5 p.m.
Sept. 15 (Thu.):  SPRING HILL, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22 (Thu.)  •  at Dillard, 6 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Fri.):  FAULKNER, 3 p.m.
Sept. 24 (Sat.)  at Mobile,3 p.m.
Sept. 29 (Thu.):  •  SUNO, 6 p.m.
Oct. 1 (Sat.):  •  TALLADEGA, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 (Sun.):  •  EDWARD WATERS, 1 p.m.
Oct. 8 (Sat.)  •  at Philander Smith, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13 (Thu.):  •  DILLARD, 6 p.m. (Dig Pink Match)
Oct. 15 (Sat.):  MOBILE, 3 p.m. (Senior Day)
Oct. 20 (Thu.)  •  at SUNO, 6 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Mon.)  at Spring Hill, 6 p.m.
Oct. 29 (Sat.)  •  at Talladega, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Mon.):  •  TOUGALOO, 7 p.m. (Fan Appreciation/Costume Contest)
TBA:  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, New Orleans (at Dillard's Dent Hall)
Nov. 19 (Sat.):  NAIA National Championship opening round at campus sites, TBA
Nov. 29-Dec. 3 (Tue.-Sat.):  NAIA National Championship final site at Sioux City, Iowa, TBA

Home matches in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
All times are Central except where noted
Schedules are subject to change

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
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Tickets on sale for Savannah Invitational basketball tournament

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Tickets on sale for Savannah Invitational

The Savannah Sports Council has announced that tickets are on sale for the Savannah Invitational, which features six women’s and eight men’s college basketball teams Nov. 22-26 at the Savannah Civic Center.

Participating women’s teams and conferences, which are scheduled to play Nov. 22-24, are Auburn (SEC), Ball State (MAC), East Carolina (AAC), Marist (MAAC), North Carolina A&T (MEAC) and West Virginia (Big 12).

Participating men’s teams and conferences, which are scheduled to play Nov. 25-26, are Akron (MAC), the U.S. Air Force Academy (MWC), East Carolina (AAC), , Georgia Southern (Sun Belt), Mercer (Southern), Radford (Big South) and Stetson (Atlantic Sun).
Florida A&M (MEAC)

Tickets may be purchased at SavannahInvitational.com or by calling the Savannah Civic Center box office at 912-651-6556.

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UMES women will face the Terps again in 2016-17

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- For the second straight season, the University of Maryland's women's basketball team will face the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks.

The Terps released their non-conference slate for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, July 20 and it includes a Nov. 16 meeting with Fred Batchelor's side in College Park. The time of the game has not been set. It is the second game on the Terps' schedule.

The Terps and the Hawks met last season in Princess Anne and Maryland handed UMES its largest margin of defeat in history, with Brenda Frese’s side winning by 76 points. This will be the fourth time that the Terps and Hawks have met in women’s basketball – Maryland has won every contest.

Maryland was 31-4 last season and won the Big Ten title before falling in the NCAA tournament to Washington. The Hawks took a six-game winning streak into the MEAC tournament, but fell in the first round.

UMES has not released its non-conference women’s basketball schedule. The men’s schedule hasn’t been released either, but George Washington and UTEP have released men’s basketball slates that include match-ups with the Hawks.

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Haynes repays Alcorn State for its trust

LORMAN, Mississippi -- On the day she graduated from Meridian Community College, Norianna Haynes learned of news that would drastically change her life for the foreseeable future.

Haynes was a standout basketball player at Northeast Lauderdale High School and later helped lead the Lady Eagles to an NJCAA Region 23 Championship in during the 2011-12 season. At the time of her graduation from MCC, Haynes held scholarship offers from a number of Division 1 women’s college basketball programs.

But on her graduation day, she found out she was six months pregnant.



“I didn’t have any symptoms,” Haynes, 24, recalled. “I played basketball, and I didn’t feel it. The doctor told me that with me playing a lot, I was at high risk. I had to let the schools know. When I told certain schools, they kind of fell back and told me basically I couldn’t give (them my all) because of me being pregnant.”

The pregnancy sidelined Haynes for a year, and also prompted a number of Division 1 programs to alter the conditions of their scholarships. The full-ride offers became partial offers. Haynes said the situation was difficult to accept at the time.

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