Texas Southern, Jackson State To Meet For 2018 Championship

ARLINGTON, Texas -- After two days of qualifying and match play at the 2018 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship, Texas Southern and Jackson State have advanced to the final match and will bowl for the title Sunday.

The championship match will take place at the International Training and Research Center at 2 p.m. Eastern and will air live on ESPN3. The title match will re-air on ESPNU on April 1 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern.

This year’s SWAC champion receives an automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship tournament that will take place April 12-14 in St. Louis.

Texas Southern, which entered Saturday's best-of-seven Baker double-elimination match-play bracket as the No. 1 seed, defeated defending champion Alabama State (4-1) and Jackson State (4-1) to end the day as the only undefeated team in the six-team field.

The Lady Tigers also were the top seed in 2017 but finished second to Alabama State. Texas Southern is looking to win the event for the fifth time, the last coming in 2006.

Jackson State will have to defeat Texas Southern twice in Sunday's final at the ITRC to claim their second championship in three years.

Jackson State, who received a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed after Friday's qualifying rounds, opened match play with a 4-2 victory over Prairie View A&M before falling to Texas Southern in the next round, 4-1.

From the elimination bracket, the Lady Tigers defeated Alabama State, 4-1, to advance to the championship round.

Friday's qualifying and Saturday's match-play rounds were live streamed on BOWL.com's BowlTV. You can watch the archives here and here.

Go to SWAC.org for complete tournament information, including the bracket, results, photos and more.

UAPB’s Ivory a top candidate for Southern job

HEAD COACH GEORGE IVORY

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- After a successful season, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions Head Basketball Coach George Ivory has drawn interest from another program.

A competitor that UAPB is highly familiar with, the Southern University Jaguars of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, has reached out to Ivory and named him one of the top candidates for their head coaching vacancy.

Ivory is coming off of a season where the Golden Lions had their best start in SWAC history, and they were named 2018 SWAC regular season champions. The Golden Lions made a run all the way to the SWAC tournament title game, where they fell one win short of their second NCAA tournament berth under Ivory.

At this point, Ivory said he is weighing his options, and nothing is definite as far his future.

Southern Athletics Director Roman Bank and Ivory have an interview set up at the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. Bank directly indicated that Ivory isn’t the only candidate at this time, but he’s being highly considered.

Ivory has grown a passion for the Golden Lions, and right now he’s simply testing the waters.

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March For Our Lives Want Change!

2018 All-SWAC Bowling Honors Announced

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lindsay Parades of Prairie View A&M was named bowler of the year as the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2018 All-SWAC bowling teams and individual awards on the first day of the SWAC Bowling Championship.

Parades led all bowlers in the conference with a 195.33 average in conference play in 27 games bowled. Parades also recorded the third highest score of any bowler in conference play with a 258. This is the second time that she has earned All-SWAC honors.

Alabama State freshman Alize Stevenson was named the Freshman of the Year. Stevenson led all freshman and was also third overall in the conference with a 186.63 average score per game in conference play.

Alabama State head coach Andrew Chatmon was named Coach of the Year. Chatmon led Alabama State to a regular se
ason championship with an 18-6 record in conference play.

Alabama State, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern each earned the most All-SWAC bowlers with three each being named. Jackson State earned one All-SWAC honor.


The entire 2018 All-SWAC and individual award winners are below.

Coach of the Year

Andrew Chatmon - Alabama Sate

Bowler of the Year

Lindsay Paredes - Prairie View A&M

Freshman of the Year

Alize Stevenson - Alabama State

1st Team All-Conference

Lindsay Paredes - Prairie View A&M

Denisyha Waller - Texas Southern

Alize Stevenson - Alabama State

Haley Young - Alabama State

Samantha Kriner - Texas Southern

2nd Team All-Conference

Veronica Prior - Prairie View A&M

Alexes Burton - Prairie View A&M

Capri Howard - Jackson State

Brittany Torres - Texas Southern

Jessica Sawmiller - Alabama State

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NAIA All-America honorable mention for Davison, David

NEW ORLEANS — Virgil Davison and Jalen David, the top two scorers on Xavier University of Louisiana's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball co-champions, received honorable mention Thursday on the 2017-18 NAIA Division I All-America team.
     
It's the 10th time in 12 seasons that the NAIA All-America Committee recognized Gold Rush athletes in this sport.
     
Davison is a 5-foot-8 junior guard from Memphis, Tenn., and a former Hillcrest High School and Dyersburg State (Tenn.) Community College standout. He led the Gold Rush in 2017-18 in scoring (14.2 points per game), 3-pointers made (90) and 3-point field-goal accuracy (.423). Davison was second-team All-GCAC.     


David is a 6-4 senior guard/forward from Mount Vernon, N.Y., and a former Mount Vernon High School and Moberly Area (Mo.) Community College standout. He was XULA's No. 2 scorer (12.2) and rebounder (5.3). David was first-team All-GCAC.
     
All-time XULA has produced 18 athletes who accounted for one first-team All-America selection, four third-team selections and 17 honorable mentions.
     
XULA was 24-9 this season, finishing second in the GCAC Tournament. The Gold Rush shared the GCAC regular-season title with Dillard at 9-3, finished second in the GCAC Tournament and qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship for the seventh time in eight years.

XULA NAIA Division I All-Americans
1971-72 — Bruce Seals (honorable mention), Donald "Slick" Watts (honorable mention)
1972-73 — Bruce Seals (first team)
1981-82 — Alvin "Bo" Dukes (third team)
1985-86 — Derrick Collins (honorable mention)
1987-88 — Juan Mercier (honorable mention)
1990-91 — Merlin Peters (honorable mention)
2000-01 — David Egans (honorable mention), Kermit Smith (honorable mention)
2004-05 — Timothy Green (honorable mention)
2006-07 — Shaun Dumas (third team)
2007-08 — Shaun Dumas (honorable mention)
2008-09 — Shaun Dumas (third team)
2010-11 — Devin Andrew (honorable mention)
2011-12 — Chris Iles (honorable mention)
2012-13 — Denzell Erves (third team), Wanto Joseph (honorable mention)
2013-14 — Sydney Coleman (honorable mention)
2014-15 — Morris Wright (honorable mention)
2015-16 — Morris Wright (honorable mention)
2017-18 — Jalen David (honorable mention), Virgil Davison (honorable mention))

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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DI Wildcats win 5-4 to snap Gold Rush winning streak

NEW ORLEANS — Abilene Christian rallied with victories on the sixth and fourth singles courts Friday to defeat Xavier University of Louisiana 5-4 at XULA Tennis Center and snap the Gold Rush's six-dual-match win streak.

XULA (7-7), ranked second in the NAIA, got doubles and singles victories from freshman Shaikh Abdullah. Antoine Richard — the ITA/NAIA National Rookie of the Year last season — teamed with Abdullah in Richard's first competition in seven weeks.
     
"Overall I thought our team played pretty well," XULA coach Alan Green said. "I'm a little disappointed in the result because we had chances to win, but I am looking at this match long-term to take us into the rest of the NAIA season."
     
The Wildcats (13-9), an NCAA Division I and Southland Conference member, won their fourth straight. They tied the dual at 4 when Hunter Holman defeated Chris Anders 6-2, 6-3 at No. 6 singles. Henry Adams clinched at No. 4 when he beat Gabriel Niculescu 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.
     
XULA led 3-2 on all three doubles courts and took a 2-0 lead in the dual when Niculescu and Samir Chikhaoui defeated Brad Gleason and Adams, then Abdullah and Richard defeated Josh Sheehy and Paul Domanski. Both scores were 8-5.
     
XULA got singles victories from Abdullah, who defeated Niko Moceanu 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3, and Pierre Andrieu, who beat Domanski 6-1, 6-4 at No. 5.
     
The Gold Rush will play twice next week in Florida — against NCAA Division II No. 10 Embry-Riddle on Monday and NAIA No. 3 Keiser on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Gold Nuggets will be home Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. dual against LSU-Alexandria and a matchup of the NAIA's No. 5 and 11 teams. Green said late Friday that the XULA-LSUA start time was pushed back 90 minutes.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Five from XULA receive GCAC weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's record-setting women's 400-meter relay team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs and Ry-Anne Riley and men's horizontal jumper Brandon Matthews are Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week recipients in track and field for March 12-18.
     
Latting, Milton, Riggs and Riley combined for a school-record 46.66 seconds Saturday in a fourth-place finish at the Louisiana Classics meet at Lafayette. It was the third time in as many meets this season that the Gold Nuggets produced an A-qualifying mark for the NAIA National Championships in this event.
     
Latting and Milton are juniors from Opelousas, La., and graduates of Westminster Christian Academy. Riggs is a sophomore from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and a graduate of Choctawhatchee High School. Riley is a sophomore from New Orleans and a graduate of Lusher Charter School.
     
Matthews, a freshman from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of The Church Academy, placed third in the triple jump with an NAIA B-qualifying mark of 14.31 meters/46 feet, 11 1/2 inches. He also long-jumped 6.26 meters (20-6 1/2).
     
The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will compete in Houston Friday and Saturday at the Rice Victor Lopez Classic.

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2018 NFL Draft: 15 FCS defensive prospects to watch

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – With about 150 former FCS players on NFL rosters annually, teams are looking closer than ever at the quality across the subdivision.

And they’re liking what they see.

The FCS has averaged about 18 selections per draft over the last decade, with dozens more signing as undrafted free agents. South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard leads the way among the defensive prospects this year.

Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State, 6-2, 234 (third-fourth)

Leonard’s instinctive feel for the game reflects in his school-record 394 tackles, including a career-high 19 in a 2016 game against Clemson, the eventual FBS champ. … The two-time MEAC defensive player of the year didn’t stop there as he racked up a game-high 14 tackles at the Senior Bowl in January. … Has an NFL frame with athletic range. Noted for workmanlike characteristics. … Named to the 2017 STATS FCS All-America first team, up from the second team as a junior.

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Dixon out as Jackson State women's basketball coach

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State will not renew the contract of women's basketball coach Surina Dixon. JSU President William Bynum said he met with both Dixon and her team Thursday morning regarding the university's decision.

Dixon will receive her full pay and benefits until her contract expires in June, but Bynum said he went public with his decision Thursday so he can start the coaching search immediately.

"The job will be advertised next week," Bynum said. "Our goal is to move quickly and have a new coach in place by April 15."

JSU went 82-93 overall and 55-53 in SWAC play in six seasons under Dixon's leadership. The Lady Tigers got off to another hot start for the second year in a row this past season, going 10-6 overall and 3-0 to start the SWAC slate, but faltered down the stretch and finished an underwhelming 15-13 overall and 10-8 in the SWAC.

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Enthusiasm 'really high' as FAMU Rattlers open practice

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Wednesday was another important step in a process that Terry Jefferson believes the Florida A&M Rattlers must master to regain their relevance in MEAC football.

FAMU opened spring practice under new head coach Willie Simmons, and the early-morning session - it started at 6 a.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium - represented a new mindset for a program that last embraced a winning record in 2011.



"I liked the energy we came out with today (Wednesday)," said Jefferson, a redshirt junior defensive back who had 51 tackles and a team-best three interceptions last season.

"We were very competitive. We are out here competing and working. It feels like a new beginning. We all get a fresh start. We are trusting the process.

"At this stage... we have to master this phase of the game."

Simmons, hired last December to replace Alex Wood, and his staff are installing new systems offensively (spread) and defensively (4-2-5).

He has stressed accountability, discipline and trust, on and off the field.

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Tuskegee University assistant coach arrested on federal drug trafficking, gun charges

RUSSELL COUNTY, Alabama -- An assistant football coach at Tuskegee University was arrested Wednesday on federal drug and gun charges.

Ramone Jardon Nickerson, 33, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one charge of possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, said Middle District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr.

Nickerson, who also played at Tuskegee, is accused of selling cocaine and marijuana in the Tuskegee area. Nickerson was indicted by a federal grand jury after being found with approximately 3 ounces of cocaine, a pound of marijuana, and a .40 caliber handgun on March 13, 2018 in Russell County, Franklin said.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Gulf Coast H.I.D.T.A., Montgomery Police Department, Autauga County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Alabama Attorney General's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Prattville Police Department, and Russell County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Baxley is prosecuting the case.

No additional details were released.

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Livingstone College Release 2018 Football Schedule

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Livingstone College Department of Athletics has released its 2018 football schedule. Livingstone will play 10 games during the 2018 season, seven on the road and three at home. The schedule features three non-conference games.

The Blue Bears kick off the 2018 season on the road on August 30, in the first of three straight non-conference games.  Livingstone will roam in Pikeville, Kentucky, to take on the Bears of the University of Pikeville on Thursday night for a 7 p.m., kickoff.  This is the first time these two schools have met.  "UPIKE" is a member of the Mid-South Conference.

The following week, Livingstone will travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Dragons of Lane College of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Sept. 8.

The final non-conference game of the Blue Bears' away contests will be against Hornets of Allen University.   Allen University dropped its football program in 2006, revamped its program in January 2018. This game is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Livingstone, which went 0-10 overall and 0-7 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association last year, will open CIAA play and its first home game in Salisbury, North Carolina, in a CIAA cross-over game on September 22, in Alumni Memorial Stadium taking on the Lions of Lincoln University (PA), in its annual West End Classic.

The Blue Bears will hit the road again to Richmond, Virginia on September 29, to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University in its second CIAA cross-over game of the season.

The Blue Bears will return home to celebrate "Homecoming", on Oct. 6 and will face off against the Falcons of Saint Augustine's University and to close out the its 2018 home season the Blue Bears will host Shaw University for Senior Day, Oct. 13. Game times have yet to be released.

Livingstone's will be on the road for three straight CIAA southern division conference games, and will be on a "homecoming tour" for two of the opponents. First, LC will visit Winston-Salem State University on Oct. 20, and then back on the bus to Fayetteville State University on Oct. 27 to take on the Broncos.
 
To close out the 2018 gridiron season on Nov. 3 the Blue Bears visit arch-rival Johnson C. Smith University. Dubbed as The Commemorative Classic, Livingstone and JCSU became the first two black college football teams to play an organized game when they met on Livingstone's front lawn on Dec. 27, 1892. 
 
On Nov. 10, the CIAA Southern and Northern division winners will compete for the league title. The time and location for the game will be determined by conference officials.
 
Locations are subject to change and game time will be announced at a later date.
 
Date Opponent Location Time
Aug. 30 Pikeville Pikeville, KY 7pm
Sept. 8 Allen University, Columbia, SC TBA
Sept. 15 Lane College, Jackson, TN TBA
Sept. 22 Lincoln (Pa.) (West End Classic) Salisbury, NC TBA
Sept. 29 Virginia Union Richmond, VA TBA
Oct. 6 Saint Augustine's (Homecoming) Salisbury, NC TBA
Oct. 13 Shaw Salisbury, NC TBA
Oct. 20 Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, NC TBA
Oct. 27 Fayetteville State Fayetteville, NC TBA
Nov. 3 Johnson C. Smith(Commemorative Classic) Charlotte, NC TBA
Nov. 10 CIAA Championships Durham, NC TBA

Saint Augustine's Falcons Announces 2018 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina  – Saint Augustine's University released its 2018 football schedule Wednesday, highlighted by games against archrival Shaw University, defending CIAA champion Virginia State University and Division I North Carolina Central University.

The 10-game slate also features Division I Jacksonville University, CIAA Runner-Up Fayetteville State University and conference contenders Winston-Salem State University and Bowie State University. Four games will be played on campus at the George Williams Athletic Complex.

"This is a very competitive schedule," Head Coach Tim Chavous said. "We are ready for the challenge after a successful season."

In 2017, the Falcons were 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA. They tied for the best conference mark in the Southern Division, a feat accomplished by the Falcons for the first time in recent memory.

This season, the Falcons open at Jacksonville (Sept. 1) and at North Carolina Central (Sept. 8) before hosting Virginia State (Sept. 15) and Bowie State (Sept. 22). The next three games are on the road as the Falcons visit Elizabeth City State University (Sept. 29), Livingstone College (Oct. 6) and Winston-Salem State (Oct. 13).

Fayetteville State visits the Falcons on Homecoming Day (Oct. 20). The Falcons wrap up the regular season at Johnson C. Smith University (Oct. 27) and at home against Shaw (Nov. 3) in the third edition of the Raleigh Classic. Last season, the Falcons wrestled the trophy away from the Bears in a 31-14 victory.

The CIAA Championship Game (Nov. 10) will be held in Salem, Va., for the third straight season. 
 
                                                         SAU 2018 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
Sept. 1	at Jacksonville	Jacksonville, FL	1 p.m.
Sept. 8	at North Carolina Central	Durham, NC	6 p.m.
SEPT. 15	VIRGINIA STATE	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
SEPT. 22	BOWIE STATE*	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Sept. 29	at Elizabeth City State*	Elizabeth City, NC	TBA
Oct. 6	at Livingstone*	Salisbury, NC	TBA
Oct. 13	at Winston-Salem State*	Winston-Salem, NC	1:30 p.m.
OCT. 20	FAYETTEVILLE STATE*#	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Oct. 27	at Johnson C. Smith*	Charlotte, NC	1 p.m.
NOV. 3	SHAW*	RALEIGH, NC	1 P.M.
Nov. 10	CIAA Championship	Salem, VA	TBA

 
*CIAA Games
# - Homecoming
TBA – Time To Be Announced
Home Games in BOLD CAPS at the George Williams Athletic Complex

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North Carolina Central Eagles Announces 2018 Football Schedule

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University's 2018 football schedule includes six games in Durham, North Carolina, plus visits to Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and Florida.

The Eagles will play five home games inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, including against rival North Carolina A&T, and will make the three-mile drive to Duke University for the Bull City Gridiron Classic.

NCCU kicks off the 2018 season on Sunday, Sept. 2 against Prairie View A&M inside Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta as part of the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game, owned and operated by ESPN Events, will be televised live on ESPN2.

The Eagles' first home game is on Sept. 8 versus Saint Augustine's, a former Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opponent. NCCU holds a 29-2-1 overall advantage in the series, including five straight wins.

NCCU begins conference play on Sept. 15 at South Carolina State. After a 33-28 victory last season, the Eagles narrowed the series deficit to the Bulldogs to 12-11 since the first match-up in 1927.

NCCU returns to Durham on Sept. 22, taking a short trip to Wallace Wade Stadium to play Duke. The Blue Devils have won all six contests in the series with the Eagles that started in 2009, including last year's 60-7 result.

The Eagles then host back-to-back home games on Sept. 29 versus Florida A&M and Oct. 6 against Howard. The Rattlers lead the series 6-4-1, but the Eagles have won the last three outings. NCCU has defeated the Bison in six straight contests to take a 12-9-1 advantage in the series.

After an open week in the schedule (Oct. 13), NCCU returns to MEAC action by visiting Norfolk State on Oct. 20. The Spartans edged the Eagles 28-21 in Durham last season to snap a five-game losing skid versus NCCU. The Eagles lead the series 9-6.

NCCU heads north on Oct. 27 to challenge Delaware State. The Eagles have won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Hornets, including five in-a-row, to improve its series lead over DSU to 18-6.

NCCU will celebrate homecoming on Nov. 3 against Edward Waters College, an NAIA football program out of Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles have won all four prior meetings with the Tigers between 2001-10. The Eagles also boast a record of 63-19-2 (.762 winning percentage) on homecoming since 1931.

On Nov. 10, the Eagles travel to the Sunshine State to face Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats ended NCCU's chance at a MEAC title last year when they completed a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game in Durham. BCU leads the series 7-2.

NCCU will salute its seniors on Nov. 17 prior to the 90th meeting against rival North Carolina A&T in Durham. The Eagles have won three of the last four match-ups, but the Aggies triumphed by a score of 24-10 last season.

The Eagles look to make a return trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl on Dec. 15 inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the champion from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

NCCU will hold its spring football game on Saturday, April 21 at 4 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

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BCU GridIron Pro Day Set for March 23

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman Football will hold its annual Pro Day this week Municipal Stadiu

m in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event will begin Friday, March 23, at 10 a.m.

Joining Bethune-Cookman Football student-athletes will be players from Warner Southern and Stetson, respectfully. Last season, BCU also had players from as far as Central State in Ohio visit Daytona Beach for Pro Day workouts.

"We are extremely excited for our Pro Day this year, and our defensive coordinator Charles 'Yogi' Jones always does an excellent job coordinating this event each year," said Head Coach Terry Sims. "This is going to be a really good group of guys working out, and we're excited to see what they can bring to the table on Friday."

The workouts begin at 10 a.m. with lifting, followed by speed testing, vertical jump and a number of tests on the field.

A complete list of athletes working out, along with times and results will be made available afterwards on Friday afternoon at BCUathletics.com.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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Fobbs: Offseason changes brought Grambling coaching staff 'closer'

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Admittedly, it’s been a while since Broderick Fobbs has been this involved in his team’s offense.

When he lost this past December the only offensive coordinator he’s had since taking over his alma mater back in 2013, the Grambling State head football coach found himself on the hunt for a replacement. Former OC Eric Dooley left his position at GSU to take his first head coaching gig at Prairie View A&M.

While the offensive numbers the Tigers put with Dooley in charge are staggering, lighting up the scoreboard for more than 31 points per game on average, setting up a long-stay residence at the top of the SWAC, Fobbs noticed the attack needed some tweaks.

After fielding calls and running through several interviews, he ultimately looked within and promoted offensive line coach Reggie Nelson to offensive coordinator, and when the G-Men opened spring drills last week, the offensive approach has been about looking for balance.

“I wanted to bring ...

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Three takeaways from Jackson State's first spring practice of 2018

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The sun had yet to rise over the Jackson skyline when Jackson State wrapped up the first day of spring practice behind the Walter Payton Center early Tuesday morning.

"I was very, very pleased with our effort, attitude and work ethic," Hughes said. "I was happy with the start of our new offense. I thought we did a lot of good things. We caught the ball well and ran well. We had a few execution issues, but that's to be expected being the first day.

"I think we've got a chance to have a good football team this year."

That may be true, but as Hughes also pointed out, everyone looks like an All-American in shorts. Here are three takeaways from the first practice.

Pondering Ponder
The switch from a ground-and-pound offense to an air-raid has captured the imaginations of JSU's players and fans alike.

The skill position players are there: Terrell Kennedy and Jordan Johnson out of the backfield and a veteran wide receiver corps bolstered by JUCO additions Ra'meik Wallace, Kobe Gates and Calvin Keyes.

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Tennessee State Tigers Football Begins Spring Practices

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team is coming off its fifth non-losing season in the last six years. Head coach will head into spring practices on Monday, Mar. 19 looking to find replacements for seven starters on the defensive side of the ball.

The depth of the defense was a strength in 2017 and coach Reed, as well as defensive coordinator Garry Fisher look for the youngsters to step up during the spring session. Offensive coordinator Jeff Parker will look to replace all-conference wide receiver Patrick Smith and offensive lineman Ty Allen, but returns nine starters heading into the non-traditional season.

The Tigers will practice for four weeks with scrimmages at the end of the first three weeks. The Spring Game caps off the spring practices on Saturday, Apr. 14. The Legends Game kicks off the festivities at 1:00 p.m. and is followed by the Annual Game at 3:00 p.m.

The scrimmages and final game are open to the public.

WEEK 1
Mon., Mar. 19 – 1st Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 21 – 2nd Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 23 – 3rd Practice - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 24 – 4th Practice/1st Scrimmage - 1:15 p.m.

WEEK 2
Mon., Mar. 26 – 5th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 28 – 6th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 30 – 7th Practice - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 31 – 8th Practice/2nd Scrimmage - 11:15 a.m.

WEEK 3
Mon., Apr. 2 – 9th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 4 – 10th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 6 – 11th Practice - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 7 – 12th Practice/3rd Scrimmage - 11:15 a.m.

WEEK 4
Mon., Apr. 9 – 13th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 11 – 14th Practice - 4-6:15 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 14 – Legends Game 1:00 p.m. / SPRING GAME 3:00 p.m.

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Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Eye 2018 MEAC Bowling Title

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Women’s Bowling team will be riding a wave of confidence as they head to Virginia for the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling Championships Friday through Sunday at the AMF Chesapeake Lanes in Chesapeake, Va.

Coach Karen Brown’s Lady Rattlers finished the regular season second place in the MEAC Southern Division at 11-7, while compiling a 40-25 overall record.

FAMU tied division winner North Carolina A&T for first place in the final of three divisional tournaments in February, which along with the team’s overall winning mark, has stirred the confidence of youth-laden group.

The FAMU Women will be looking for their first MEAC title, having made the final round twice, losing to perennial kingpin Maryland-Eastern Shore both times, including once in a playoff.

The Lady Rattlers have just one senior among the seven-person contingent heading North to represent the Orange and Green, with two of the remaining six being true freshmen.

Evanston, Illinois native Jazmine Aron is the team’s lone senior, and she has turned in a nifty 178.92 per-game average through 13 games, with a high game of 224 in the second MEAC Southern Divisional event in December at Tallahassee.

On the opposite end of the classification spectrum, the team’s two first-year performers – Keondra Eaton (Baton Rouge, La.) and Bethany Noel (Lawrenceville, Ga.) – have been among the club’s high rollers.

Eaton, finished the regular season with a 187.2 per-game average in 24 games with a club-best 244 high game in her collegiate debut event in New Orleans at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic in November.

Noel meanwhile, finished the campaign with a 177.1 per game average in 17 games, rolling a 233 high game in the Alabama State Hornet Classic in November.

Heading the list of sophomore performers for FAMU is Monique Ragland (Flint, Mich.), who has rolled a team-best 190.04 per-game average through 24 games, scoring a season high 232 in the MEAC Southern Divisional at Greensboro, N.C., in February.

Other FAMUans to look for this weekend include:

Demetria Bethel from Piscataway, New Jersey, who brings a 176.66 game average (21 games) into this week’s tournament, having posted a 232 high game for the season in the MEAC Southern Divisional at Greensboro, N.C. last month.


Mikayla Davis of Valdosta, Ga., who holds a 165.56 per game average, with a high game of 219 in the December MEAC Southern Divisional event in Tallahassee.

Chicago, Illinois product Destiny Williams, who has a 166.75 per game average this season with a 200 high game in the AllState Sugar Bowl Classic in November.

2018 MEAC BOWLING TOURNEY FIELD, SCHEDULE

Eight teams from the MEAC qualify for the championship, four coming from the Northern and Southern Divisions.

North Carolina A&T (50-41, 14-4 MEAC) won the Southern, just ahead of a late-surging FAMU (11-7, 40-25), while Delaware State (59-24, 20-4 MEAC) captured the Northern Division, with perennial national power house Maryland Eastern Shore (64-36, 18-6 MEAC) coming in second.

The opening round of the 2018 MEAC Championship will start Friday at 9:15 a.m. at the AMF Chesapeake Lanes with Team Games play.

Saturday’s Bracket Play round opens at 9:00 a.m., with the eight teams being seeded based on their performances on Friday.

Sunday’s Championship Round will start at 12 noon. The Final will air nationally on ESPNU via taped delay on Sunday, April 1.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Prairie View Football Back At Work For Second Spring Practice

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University football team held its second spring practice Tuesday night at Panther Stadium.

"The effort of the guys is there," said first-year head coach Eric Dooley. "They are zoning in to what we are trying to accomplish. They are really flying around the field. We are thin at some positions, but the guys are working. They definitely want to learn, and they want to do what's best for the team."

With back-to-back practices, Dooley and his staff noticed the improvement from day one to day two in not only the grasp of the system, but also the effort and expectation of practice.

"They are definitely becoming accustomed to what we're looking for," Dooley said. "They've been working in that aspect in the weight room, in winter conditioning, and now here on the practice field. Now they see the tempo that we want and the high expectations. Our guys want to be good, and that works hand-in-hand."

The Panthers will end the first week of spring practice with sessions Thursday at 5:01 a.m. and Friday at 3:05 p.m.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

PVAMU Baseball Wins Home Opener Over Stephen F. Austin

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M baseball team won its home opener over Stephen F. Austin 8-2 Tuesday at Tankersley Field.

Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Panthers scored all eight runs to break the game open. Andrew Garcia singled to center to lead off the inning, followed by Avery Williams' bunt single between first and second base. Garcia then scored on a throwing error to a bunt attempt by Tyler Gordon to tie the game at 1-1. Corbin Jamison's two-run single scored A. Williams and Gordon to put PVAMU ahead for good at 3-1.

Jalyn Baker reached on a bunt single before Daniel Lingua walked to load the bases. Ezekiel Bear's double to left center cleared the bases to give the Panthers a 6-1 lead. Calvin Rucker then doubled to left, scoring Bear. Garcia came up again and singled up the middle, moving Rucker to third, before Avery Williams' groundout scored Rucker with the final Prairie View A&M run.

Garcia went 3-for-4 and Baker went 2-for-4 in the in the 11-hit attack for PVAMU. Kaelon Woods (1-0) earned the win in his first career start, throwing six innings allowing just four hits and one unearned run, walking six but striking out four. Tyler Laux pitched the final three innings to earn the save.

Prairie View A&M returns to action Wednesday at Houston at 6:30 p.m. before hosting Southern Friday at 3 p.m. in the first of a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division series at Tankersley Field.

BOX SCORE

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SWAC looks for new commissioner after 'unanimous concern'

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference is officially looking for a new commissioner after the resignation of Duer Sharp in January and the interim work of former SWAC associate commissioner Edgar Gantt.

The conference posted the job opening on the NCAA website's "The Market," a page where job openings can be shared and advertised. It said that the job would begin at or before July 1, 2018.

Former commissioner Duer's resignation was announced the first week of January and said that he would "pursue other opportunities"; sources stated that there was concern about the direction of Duer's leadership among leaders from various universities in the league.

Southern University athletic director Roman Banks said at the time that there was "unanimous concern," specifically in regards to his school's investigation into other conferences.

He told The Advocate in New Orleans that there was a lack of sponsorships" that caused Southern to "look around at other leagues."

"All had a concern about the last few years," Banks said. "What is our position, where we're going."

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Search Begins for Head Men's Basketball Coach at Winston-Salem State

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) will begin a national search for the next head of its storied men's basketball program. WSSU Director of Athletics Tonia Walker has notified James Wilhelmi, head coach since June 2014, that the university will not renew his contract, which ends on May 31.

"I want to express my appreciation to Coach Wilhelmi for seven years of commitment to the program," Walker said. "This was a difficult decision, and we wish James nothing but the best for his future. We have tremendous expectations for our Rams men's basketball program at Winston-Salem State University, and I believe we can achieve great things within the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association."

During four seasons, Wilhelmi compiled a 47-63 record. He led the team to the CIAA championship game and an 18-11 record during his first season as head coach. The Rams went 11-17, 13-14, and 5-22 in the following three seasons. The team also took losses in the opening round of the CIAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament the last three seasons. Wilhelmi joined the Rams coaching staff in 2011 as associate men's basketball coach and was named head coach in June 2014.

A national search will begin immediately for the ninth head coach of WSSU's men's basketball program. Andrew Brown, associate head basketball coach since 2015, will serve as interim while the university seeks a new head coach.

Over the program's 70-year history, WSSU has won 11 CIAA titles and in 1967, became the first historically Black college to win an NCAA title.

For more information on Rams men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

Weather pushes back start of FAMU's spring practice

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Growing up in Quincy, Willie Simmons is well aware of the area’s penchant for thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorms swept through the Tallahassee region Monday, forcing Florida A&M to postpone its NFL Pro Day for the program’s draft-eligible players.



With additional rain expected through Tuesday afternoon, Simmons – the Rattlers’ new football coach – also pushed back the start of spring practice one day until Wednesday morning.

“It is what it is – it’s Tallahassee weather, so you have love it,” Simmons said good-naturedly.

Despite the delay, Mother Nature hasn’t dampened Simmons’ enthusiasm.

The Rattlers will practice 15 days over the next month, including the annual Orange & Green game Saturday, April 21.

During FAMU’s team meeting Sunday night, Simmons explained his expectations to players as the new regime looks to turn around the struggling program.



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Bates named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Mikayla Bates was named Monday as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete in Division I women's basketball.
     
Bates is a junior from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of University Lab School. The XULA accounting major qualified for the NAIA honor by having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale and reaching junior academic status. The NAIA cited 143 for the award.
     
"Mikayla Bates represents everything a student-athlete should be," coach Bo Browdersaid. "She is a leader on and off the court. She does volunteer work. She is a great role model for young ladies in our community."
     
This past season Bates was named to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference All-Defensive team and was a GCAC Player of the Week. A 5-foot-7 guard, Bates averaged 8.2 points and 5.5 points per game and ranks seventh nationally with 2.8 steals per game.
     
This summer Bates will return to Northwestern Mutual for an internship. The company rated Bates as one of its top 10 interns of 2017 nationally.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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