TSU Men's Basketball Adds Eight for 2015-16

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Tuesday, Tennessee State men’s basketball coach Dana Ford announced the addition of eight student-athletes who will join the team this upcoming season.

“This class makes our team bigger, stronger and faster, which are things that will improve our ability to score,” Ford said. “They are all very grounded and hard-working players that come from places that value basketball.

Thomas Davis (Lighthouse Christian HS/Antioch, Tenn.), Jalen Duke (Martin Luther King HS/Nashville, Tenn.), Neville Fincher (Navarro College/Teaneck, NJ), Wayne Martin (Navarro College/Brooklyn, NY), Samson Oyediran (Ancilla College/London, England), Jordan Reed (Binghamton/Philadelphia, Pa.), Khalil Spencer (Ridgeway HS/Memphis, Tenn.) and Johnny Woodard (North Dakota State College of Sc
ience/Duluth, MN) all signed and will be eligible to play in 2015-16.

“Last year we were one of the youngest teams in the country, and I felt that two of our best players were freshmen. This gives us a great foundation to build on, and this class has added experience as well as a little more youth,” Ford added.

Davis played high school ball at nearby Lighthouse Christian in Antioch, where he led his team to a national championship in 2015 by winning the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Tournament. “Tripp” was also named to the All-Midstate Second Team by The Tennessean as a senior. Davis scored over 2,000 points in his career at Lighthouse Christian, the first to accomplish that in school history, and is the son of TSU Professor Thomas L. Davis.

Duke was also his team’s all-time leading scorer after graduating from Martin Luther King HS. The 6-5 guard amassed over 1,600 points in his time at MLK and was named the District 10AA Player of the Year as a senior. He went on to lead his team to a fourth place finish in the District championships. MLK students have a history of coming to TSU, as Gerald Robinson signed with the Tigers in 2007.

Fincher spent the last two seasons at Navarro College in Texas, but was highly recruited coming out of prep school in 2013. Fincher averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds at Hargrave Military Academy as a senior. The 220-pounder was recruited heavily by Marshall, Seton Hall, Western Kentucky, Towson and Houston before committing with Kansas State University. At 6-10, Fincher should provide a significant post presence for TSU.

Martin was a teammate of Fincher at Navarro College before also committing to TSU. Martin played in 27 contests for the Bulldogs, averaging 15.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while leading them to a 22-8 record. The Brooklyn, NY native. spent 2013-14 with Saint Francis College, where he poured in an average of seven points in 16.9 minutes per game.

Oyediran, a 6-7 small forward from London, England signed with the Tigers after sitting out a season at Ancilla College in Indiana. Prior to attending the JUCO, Oyedrian starred at the Preston College basketball academy overseas. He is rated as a two-star prospect by verbalcommits.com.

Reed, a 6-4 two-time all-conference selection at Binghamton University, was the program's leading scorer and rebounder in each of his first two seasons. Last year, he led the American East Conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg) for the second straight season. He also came one point away in the regular-season finale of becoming the first freshman ever to lead the conference in scoring and rebounding during the 2012-13 season.

Spencer comes to TSU after leading Ridgeway HS to an 18-11 record in 2014-15 and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Region 8-AAA tournament. Spencer also played at Mitchell HS in Memphis and Booker T. Washington HS. The combo guard averaged 20 points per contest at Booker as a freshman and helped lead his team to a berth in the Class A State Tournament.

Woodard, a 6-4 wing, had spent the past two seasons at North Dakota State College of Science, where he averaged 19.6 points per game as a freshman and 22.2 in 2014-15. Woodard also helped lead the Wildcats to a 55-11 record during his two seasons. He was a Minnesota Mr. Basketball finalist as a senior at Duluth East HS after leading his team to the Class AAAA State Tournament.

The eight players join Armani Chaney, who previously signed his letter of intent, to round out TSU’s 2015-16 recruiting class.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Names Milton Overton New Director of Athletics

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., named Milton Overton as the new director of intercollegiate athletics.

Overton comes to FAMU after six years at the University of Alabama, where he served on the athletics executive team as the senior associate athletics director, and seven years at Texas A&M University, where he also served on the athletics executive team, and as an associate athletics director overseeing six sports teams and information technology. As a member of the athletics executive teams, he was a part of both institutions’ strategic planning efforts.

Mangum launched a national search to fill the position after the resignation of Kellen Winslow and death of Nelson Townsend. The director of the intercollegiate athletics oversees 16 intercollegiate programs, and the University's corrective action plan to improve academic progress for five teams that are currently on academic probation.

"Milton Overton demonstrates the level of excellence, academic leadership, and sound administrative experience needed to lead FAMU’s Department of Athletics," said President Mangum. "He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, best practices, and a business acumen that will forge a new tomorrow for FAMU. I am impressed with his professional narrative and the type of role model that he can be to student-athletes and the FAMU community."

"Florida A&M University’s passion for excellence in academics and athletics clearly align with my personal mission to inspire young leaders to make a difference in our nation and around the globe. I believe that a first-class education combined with a great student-athlete experience helps mold champions in the classroom, in life, and on the field." Overton said. "FAMU has a great group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff in place, and I am eager to get to work. Also, I look forward to meeting the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, Rattler fans, and the Tallahassee community to see how we can collaborate to advance the mission of FAMU through athletics. I want to thank President Mangum for the opportunity to join the FAMU family. I can promise—confidently—to deliver the kind of results necessary to live up to the rich legacy of this premier University. Go Rattlers!”

About Milton Overton

Milton Overton’s career spans 20 years in intercollegiate athletics administration. At the University of Alabama, Milton provided oversight for $25 million in budgets and equipment, seven business units—including the No. 1 trademark licensing program for intercollegiate athletics, Crimson Tide Productions—including the ESPN SEC Network, marketing and branding, outbound ticket sales, photography, coaches film video group, athletics information and event technology, track and field, and cross country. Overton’s units completed more than 275 business goals for the department, including generating new revenue.

Overton is a 2009 graduate of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Pathway Program, which is formerly known as the NCAA’s Fellows Leadership Development Program. The Pathway Program provides senior-level athletics administrators with a rigorous curriculum and mentorship to prepare to become a director of athletics. As a 2007-2008 NCAA Fellow, Overton participated in a year-long, intensive learning opportunity for 12 selected senior leaders representing NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.

A four-year starter as an offensive lineman at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Overton earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1995. He then went on to earn two master's degrees in 1998, one in higher education and administration, and the other in human relations. Overton worked in academic services and as the CHAMPS/LifeSkills Coordinator for the OU Sooners before joining the Athletics Department at Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1999. Overton was director of Academic Support at TCU, where he also served as an adjunct professor.

Overton joined Texas A&M University (TAMU) as assistant athletics director for Academic Services in 2002 before being promoted to associate athletics director for Sports Administration and Technology Advancement in 2003. Milton raised $250,000 for men’s tennis facility upgrades and led the technology renovations and construction for several other facilities, including Kyle Field. He also provided oversight of seven TAMU sports programs.

Overton was the founder and CEO of Enki System Inc. from 2000-2011, which provided software solutions for athletic, academic support programs across the country generating over $1 million in gross sales.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Overton has two sons—Micaiah, 14, and Lebbeus, 10.


JIMMY MILLER, Vice President for Communications and External Relations
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS 

Julius McDougal Tabbed as Next Baseball Coach at Stillman

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama --Stillman College has promoted assistant coach Julius McDougal to head coach of the baseball program.  The Tigers baseball team has compiled a 272-236 (.535) record since moving to NCAA Division II beginning with the 2004-2005 season and has claimed seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Titles with three runner-up finishes in the last 10 seasons.

McDougal has served as an assistant to the recently resigned Donny Crawford for the last two seasons.  During his time as an assistant he has focused on infield drills and working with the batters on plate discipline and in-game adjustments between at bats.  McDougal also evaluated the practice performances and generated daily reports for use by the coaching staff in establishing depth charts for each position.  Utilizing his playing experience, McDougal has designed the in season and off season strength and conditioning programs.

"I am excited about the hiring of Coach McDougal to lead the baseball team here at Stillman College", announced Interim Athletic Director Cassandra Moorer.  "He will continue to elevate our baseball team on and off the field and will be an excellent statesman for the community and the Stillman Family."

Prior to coming to Stillman, McDougal spent one season at SIAC foe Kentucky State as an assistant coach in the 2014 season.  McDougal graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Claflin University in May 2012 where he was an All-SIAC centerfielder in 2010.  McDougal finished his four-year career at Claflin batting .325  including .400 in 2010 and .321 in 2011 to rank in the top-80 each season in Division II.  He totaled 117 hits and scored 102 runs with eight home runs and 87 career RBI.

"I am honored to be chosen as the next head baseball coach at Stillman College" stated McDougal.  "I would like to thank God for bringing me to this moment and am very blessed to be in this position.  I am grateful for the chance given to me by Coach Moorer and Dr. Millet.  I look forward to continuing the winning tradition at this great institution and building upon it.  I am excited about helping to develop young men athletically as well as academically.  We will make sure our fans and alumni are not only happy with our Tigers on the field, but in the classroom and community.  I look forward to serving as the head baseball coach at Stillman College."

The Tigers concluded the 2015 season with a loss in the SIAC Championship game to Albany State on April 28 to end the season 15-21 overall and 10-5 in SIAC action.  Hunter Hood and Paul Winterbottom were selected to the 2015 All-SIAC Tournament Team.  Hood and Winterbottom were joined by Fernando Tanaka and Nick Vitale on the All-SIAC Baseball Teams after the regular season. 
 
 
CAREER PLAYING NUMBERS:

Class	Year	G	AB	R	H	Avg	2B	3B	HR	TB	Slg %	RBI	SB	SBA	BB	SO	HBP	SH	SF
Fr.	2008-09	12	37	10	13	0.351	3	0	0	16	0.432	5	2	2	6	8	0	1	0
So.	2009-10	30	75	27	30	0.400	10	0	2	46	0.613	27	7	7	8	18	0	0	4
Jr.	2010-11	39	134	36	43	0.321	6	3	1	58	0.433	32	4	7	17	28	2	1	1
Sr.	2011-12	37	114	29	31	0.272	3	0	5	49	0.430	23	9	11	25	20	3	0	2
-	-	118	360	102	117	0.325	22	3	8	169	0.469	87	22	27	56	74	5	2	7

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION 
 

NSU Baseball to Offer 3 Summer Camps at Marty L. Miller Field

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State baseball program will host three camps at Marty L. Miller Field this summer aimed at providing instruction for aspiring baseball players, two for youth players and one for high school and junior college players.

NSU will offer a pair of youth camps, the first running from June 29-July 2 and the second from July 20-23, open to boys and girls ages 6-12. The cost is $125 per camp, or $220 total if you register for both. The youth camps will run from 9 a.m. to noon daily and include base running and throwing instruction plus position-specific drills and games based on age groups. NSU baseball coaches, current and former Spartan players and local high school coaches will serve as the camp clinicians. A free campus tour will also be offered following the last day of each camp for those interested.

The third and final camp of the summer is the High School and Junior College Showcase on Aug. 14-15, open to rising ninth through 12th graders and all current junior college players. The showcase runs from 5:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. Day 1 will consist of a pro-style workout scouting combine. Each individual will have an opportunity to run the 60-yard dash, conducts drills at a primary and secondary position, hit (if position is primary) and record velocities if camper is a pitcher (primary OR secondary). Following the workout, there will be a 30-minute question-and-answer forum for all campers and parents with the college coaches.

Day 2 will give campers the ability to showcase their talents in a game setting. Each camper will be assigned a team and a game time where they will showcase their ability in their primary position as a priority. After each team completes their game, the coaches will provide them with an individual evaluation.

The cost for the High School and Junior College Showcase is $100 if registered by Aug. 1, or $125 after Aug. 1. The cost includes a T-shirt and individual written evaluation.

For more information or to register, log onto www.nsubaseballcamps.com.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Bethune-Cookman GridIron Announces Three New Assistant Coaches

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman Football Head Coach Terry Sims officially announced the addition of three assistant coaches to the Wildcats coaching staff on Wednesday, May 27. All three coaches arrive to the Wildcats with prior Division I coaching talents from around the nation.

In his first year on the job as head coach of the Wildcats, Sims set out to hire position coaches for receivers, safeties and a special teams coordinator. He found three assistant coaches that fit the bill in the form of Will Glover, Darrin Hayes and Aashon Larkins.

“I think we have three very knowledgeable, dynamic coaches that bring energy and life into the program,” said Sims.

Will Glover will take over as assistant coach in charge of receivers for the Maroon and Gold. He spent the previous two seasons at UCF assisting in a similar capacity while officially serving in areas of offensive quality control and as an offensive graduate assistant for the Knights. In his time at UCF, Glover helped coach a pair of All-American Conference receivers Breshad Perriman and J.J. Worton. Perriman was taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He also helped the Knights reach back-to-back bowl games, including the school’s first-ever BCS Bowl victory in a win over Baylor as part of the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.

“When you talk about Will Glover, you’re talking about a guy that played the position at a top level while attending Georgia Tech under a great coach like George O’Leary,” admitted Sims. “He is a young, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable coach who has gained trust and confidence in his position. He brings a nurturing atmosphere for his position and the guys in this program.”

A coach familiar with Sims from the past is new assistant coach in charge of safeties Darrin Hayes. He and Sims played together at Knoxville College, while Hayes went on to become one of the best and brightest defensive coordinators in the southeast. He arrives to B-CU after spending nine seasons in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at both Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State, respectively. Hayes served as defensive coordinator for the MVSU Delta Devils a season ago, and formerly producing some of the most vaunted defenses in the SWAC at JSU from 2006-13. The 2011 JSU squad finished the season atop the NCAA and SWAC statistical category for pass defense efficiency, while also leading the Tigers to their third conference crown in his time with the program. While at Jackson State, Hayes coached a total of eight All-America performers, including three SWAC Defensive Player of the Year award winners – Qua Cox, Joseph LaBeau and Marcellas Speaks.

“I think Darrin Hayes is an experienced and skilled coach, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and ability to the defense and the program, as a whole, having served as a defensive coordinator and head coach over the years,” stated Sims. “He also brings a comfort level for the guys because he is a people person and can relate to the student-athletes. We played together in college, and this was a chance for us to finally work together as colleagues for a winning program.”

The final assistant coach added was a position very close to Sims, and one he wanted to expand upon when given the reigns of the program – the special teams coordinator. Aashon Larkins, formerly of Jacksonville State and The Citadel, will serve in this role for the Wildcats. While at JSU, he helped the Gamecocks to a national ranking, as well as a 10-2 overall record en route to the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. He was responsible for helping coach Jermaine Hough, who was recognized as an All-America performer in 2014 by The Sports Network. In his time at The Citadel, The Citadel was recognized has having one of the top special teams units in the country. . In his last three years at The Citadel, he saw Carl Robinson, Rah Muhammad, Tevin Floyd and James Riley each collect all-conference honors.

“Aashon Larkins is a young man that is all energy and a thoroughly-detailed individual with a high-tempo,” commented Sims. “He is just a great coach. He is a guy that takes coaching to another level. I look forward to him solidifying and elevating our special teams unit.”

The 2015 schedule features 11 games, including seven of those contests being played in the Sunshine State. The Wildcats open the 2015 slate on September 5, traveling to FBS opponent Miami at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The home-opener for the Wildcats is September 19, against Lane at 4 p.m. Homecoming is set for October 24 (vs. Norfolk State), while the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic game against Florida A&M will be held November 21, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Season tickets for the 2015 season will be on sale soon at the B-CU Box Office, and may be purchased by calling (386) 481-2465. They can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, as well as online by clicking here.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.

BCU 2015 Football Schedule

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Football Opener at Rutgers to Air on ESPNews, ODU, Marshall Games to be Televised

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY DICK PRICE STADIUM

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State's 2015 football season-opener at Rutgers on Sept. 5 will kick off at noon and will be televised live on ESPNews, the Big Ten announced. The Spartans football team has picked up two additional televised games for the fall, as the American Sports Network announced that NSU's games at Conference USA foes Old Dominion (Sept. 12) and Marshall (Sept. 19) will be broadcast by the network.

Rutgers is the first of three non-conference road games for the Spartans this fall, all against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.

This year marks the fourth meeting all-time between NSU and Rutgers, with the Scarlet Knights winning previous meetings in 2007, 2010 and 2013. This year's game at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., will also mark the debut of new Spartans' head coach Latrell Scott.

The NSU-ODU game on Sept. 12 will kick off at 7 p.m. at ODU's Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. In addition, the Spartans' game the following week at Marshall will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va.

The American Sports Network is a division of the Sinclair Broadcast Group. ASN features games from Conference USA and nine other Division I conferences. ASN and its affiliates reach nearly 40 percent of American TV homes with syndicates in major markets such as Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. Locally, ASN is available on WTVZ on broadcast, cable and satellite television.

This will be the third meeting all-time between the Spartans and their cross-town opponents from ODU. The teams met in the first round of the 2011 Division I FCS playoffs, with the Monarchs winning 35-18. In 2013 in the teams' only previous regular-season meeting, ODU topped NSU 27-24 at Dick Price Stadium on a last-second field goal. The 2015 meeting on the ODU campus marks the end of the schools' current home-and-home series.

This year marks the first-ever meeting between NSU and Marshall.

Game times for NSU's MEAC football games – beginning with the home opener with Hampton on Sept. 26 – have all been announced, pending the release of the conference television schedule. To view the Spartans' 2015 football schedule, click here.

With Monday's announcement, NSU's entire non-conference schedule this year will now be televised.

The MEAC television schedule will be announced at a later date.

2015 NSU Football Schedule

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

SC State family mourns the loss of one of its own

CBS VIDEO: Honoring the nine victims of Charleston church shooting

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Sharonda Coleman-Singleton was a beloved alumna of SC State University who earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology in 1991. She excelled in the classroom and was a stellar student-athlete, who helped lead the university’s track and field program to powerhouse status as a member of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship Team (1987-88). She was a member of the Lady Bulldog track and field team for four seasons.

As the Bulldog family mourns her death, we remember her for the unique gifts and talents she brought to the university as a student, and we celebrate the life she lived as an adult committed to faith, family and public service.

Dr. W. Franklin Evans
Acting President
SC State University

Former Southern coach Pete Richardson to enter Winston-Salem State sports hall of fame

COACH PETE RICHARDSON

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Former Southern football coach Pete Richardson is going into another hall of fame.

Richardson, who already is in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Dayton Hall of Fame, has been selected for induction to the Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame at Winston-Salem State University.

He’ll be inducted with six other individuals and one team in a ceremony Oct. 9 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The 2015 class also will be honored at halftime of Winston-Salem State’s home football game against Johnson C. Smith the next day.

Richardson coached WSSU from 1988-92, and they won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships (1988, ’90 and ’91). His record was 41-14-1.

“I was kind of surprised because that was a long time ago, but I’m excited,” Richardson said. “That’s where I started out and where I learned the core of an organization to be a successful coach.

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XU Produces GCAC-Best 37 Commissioner's Honor Roll Members in 2014-15

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has a league-best 37 members on the 2014-15 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Student-athletes qualified for the honor with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher over both semesters. Xavier accounted for one-fourth of the 147 honorees and had 10 more than any other school.

Among the Commissioner's Honor Roll members are Xavier's Brent Kitto from men's cross country/track and field, Catherine Fakler from women's cross country/track and field and Devinn Rolland and Terri Cunningham from women's track and field. Those four will learn Monday if they were selected to the Capital One Academic All-America team.

Women's volleyball led all XU sports with 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll members, followed by women's track/cross country with eight. Xavier's most prolific men's sport was tennis with five honorees.

Xavier's list of honorees:

Name Sport Year Hometown (High School)

Jarvis Thibodeaux Men's Basketball Junior Houston, Texas (St. Pius X)
Emoni Harvey Women's Basketball Junior Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian)
Alesha Smith Women's Basketball Junior Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central)
Adam Albrecht Men's Tennis Sophomore Ladna, Czech Republic (Gymnasium Breclav)
Jeremiah Capdeville* Men's Tennis Freshman Jennings, La. (Jennings)
Manav Chakma Men's Tennis Junior Agartala, India (Kendriya Vidyalaya Maligaon)
Vincenzo Ciccone Men's Tennis Senior Brooklyn, N.Y. (Aspirations)
Nikita Soifer Men's Tennis Senior Beer Sheva, Israel (Hof Hasharon)
Sha'Nel Bruins Women's Tennis Sophomore Colfax, La. (Grant)
Simone-Alyse Ewell* Women's Tennis Junior Detroit, Mich. (The Roeper School)
Jordyn Goody* Women's Tennis Senior Lake Charles, La. (St. Louis Catholic)
Brandi Nelson Women's Tennis Sophomore Jonesboro, Ga. (Faith Academy)
Jana van der Walt Women's Tennis Junior Houston, Texas (de Aar)
Langston Adams Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Sophomore Baton Rouge, La. (Christian Life Academy)
Emmanuel Detiege Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Senior New Orleans, La (Brother Martin)
Brent Kitto Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Junior Chalmete, La. (Holy Cross)
Erwin Simmons Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Freshman St. James, La. (St. James)
Clarke Allen* Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Freshman Mendenhall, Miss. (Mendenhall)
Carlie Calais Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Freshman Breaux Bridge, La (Ceclia)
Drew Chatters* Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Freshman Lake Charles, La. (St. Louis Catholic)
Terri Cunningham Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Sophomore Nashville, Tenn. (Martin Luther King Magnet)
Catherine Fakler*# Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Senior Phoenix, Ariz (Xavier College Prep)
Hannah Finnegan Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Junior Pekin, Ill (Tremont)
Chelsea James Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Junior Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City)
Devinn Rolland* Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Senior Harvey, La. (Cabrini)
Jada Broussard Women's Volleyball Freshman Breaux Bridge, La. (Breaux Bridge)
Chinedu Echebelem* Women's Volleyball Senior Dallas, Texas (Duncanville)
Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova Women's Volleyball Sophomore Razlog, Bulgaria (Kanazirevi)
Jodi Hill* Women's Volleyball Junior Prairieville, La. (Dutchtown)
Kayla Jones Women's Volleyball Freshman Kansas City, Kan. (Piper)
Franziska Pirkl* Women's Volleyball Junior Munich, Germany (Theodolinden Gymnasium)
Taylor Reuther* Women's Volleyball Junior Metairie, La. (Dominican)
Kaelan Temple* Women's Volleyball Freshman Houston, Texas (Lamar)
Jelena Vujicic Women's Volleyball Freshman Belgrade, Serbia (Beogradska Gimnazija)
Simone White Women's Volleyball Freshman Hot Springs, Ark. (Hot Springs)
CeCe Williams Women's Volleyball Junior Houma, La. (Vandebilt Catholic)
Aliyah Wilson Women's Volleyball Freshman Florissant, Mo. (Crossroads College Prep)

*indicates a GPA of 3.5 or higher #indicates a 4.0 GPA

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorXULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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WSSU's Wilhelmi is ready for rule changes

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The NCAA rule changes for the 2015-16 basketball season will barely affect Winston-Salem State.

The biggest change is the reduction of the shot clock from 35 to 30 seconds. The NCAA hopes it boosts scoring in Division I, where the average of 67.7 points per team per game was the third lowest since 1952. But the rule changes are also for Division II schools.

According to Coach James Wilhelmi of the Rams, who billed themselves as “shock and awe” last season, they never had to worry about too many shot-clock violations while averaging 81 points a game.

“I really think that the 30-second shot clock won’t lead to more scoring,” Wilhelmi said when talking about Division II. “I do believe it will lead to more possessions because the shot clock will run out sooner. The shots that end up being taken might not be quality shots, so the possessions might not add up to more points.”

CONTINUE READING

Camp Tour 2015: Defense key to Parker success

COACH ANDRE ROBINSON

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A. H. Parker High School coach Andre Robinson preaches defense with fervor.

His pedigree is impressive. The former Grambling State University All-America and the SWAC’s Defensive Player of the Year — a sports writer for the school paper picked Robinson one of the top 11 defensive players all-time — also served as the Tigers defensive coordinator.

Players listen when he bellows about defensive urgency. It’ll be defense that carries the Thundering Herd in Year 2 of Robinson’s second stop at Parker.

“Defensively I think we’re going to be all right because we have seven starters back from last year,” Robinson said. “They understand the defense now. Last year they were learning the defense and they didn’t get a good grasp of it, but they played well not knowing the defense. We’re really looking forward to see how they play this year.”

Robinson first coached the Thundering Herd four seasons as defensive coordinator before taking over the head coaching position in 1997. He stayed seven seasons with a 39-37 mark that included a 10-2 record in 2002 with a team built on defense, allowing 7.6 points a game.

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Claflin University Softball Player Chelsea Hall Earns National Award

Chelsea Hall finished as the NCAA Division II softball statistical champion in runs
per game and stolen bases

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — Claflin University's women's softball player Chelsea Hall earned two national awards as announced Wednesday (June 17) by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Lady Panthers picked up a national award for the second straight season.

Hall, who will be entering her junior season in 2015-16, finished as the NCAA Division II softball statistical champion in runs per game and stolen bases. She finished the season averaging 1.62 runs per game and 1.49 stolen bases per game. The Lady Panthers, who were the 2013-14 NCAA Division II softball statistical champion in runs per game and doubles per game, finished first in 2014-15 in stolen bases per game at 3.84 per outing.

In addition, Courtney Burns, who will be a senior next year for the Lady Panthers, finished second in in the nation in runs per game and third in batting average.

"It's a wonderful feeling to finish as the best in the nation," head coach Matisse Lee said. "To finish at the top two years in a row is not easy to do and this accomplishment just shows that hard work and dedication pays off in the end." Lee continued, "I'm extremely proud of Chelsea and Courtney, they both played multiple positions but never wavered and managed to stay solid throughout."

In addition the NCAA awards the Lady Panthers softball team earned the 2014-15 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) team academic award.

COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former FAMU Assistant Basketball Coach Donald L. Anderson Passes

COACH DONALD L. ANDERSON
Courtesy: FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (June 18) – Former Florida A&M University assistant men's basketball coach Don Anderson passed away on Wednesday. Anderson was on the FAMU basketball staff last season, but was not slated to return this year.

Anderson came to the Rattler program from Jacksonville (Fla.) University last summer, where he had been the Dolphins’ Director of Basketball Operations since July of 2012.

He served as head coach at Gettysburg College from 1985 to 1989, before moving to Mount Saint Mary’s College as senior assistant head coach from 1989 to 2002, where he helped them reached the NCAA Tournament in 1995 and 1999, as well as the National Invitational Tournament in 1996.

A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College (1982), Anderson also served a stint in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), as the senior
associate head coach at Coppin (Md.) State University under legendary firebrand Ron “Fang” Mitchell, from 2002 to 2006.

He helped guide the Eagles to the 2003-04 MEAC regular season title and a berth in the 2004 MEAC Tournament finals against FAMU.

Prior to landing at Jacksonville, Anderson turned in a five-year run as an assistant coach at Binghamton University (2007-2012), helping lead them to the 2009 NCAA Tournament. He also worked one season as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (2006-07).

FAMU head coach Byron Samuels expressed his sorrow at the news of the passing. "Don was a super human being. A gentle giant in many ways. He did a phenomenal job helping to mentor our student-athletes this year. I will greatly miss him as a friend and our profession will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Don's family," he said.

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Avery Johnson: ‘My roots are still in Louisiana’

COACH AVERY JOHNSON

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Basketball courts dotted the city, spread in points from the Lafitte Projects in New Orleans like uneven spokes on a bicycle wheel.

Tonti Courts. Lemon Playground. Treme Center. Hike it to Algiers or City Park or Lawrence Square. Any place with a net and a hoop and a game.

And that’s all Avery Johnson and his friends in the 1970s in the heart of New Orleans needed: a bicycle and a basketball and a place to play.

Johnson kept finding courts, first the concrete ones at home and later the best courts in the world, hardwood that welcomed him into one town and one coliseum after another throughout a 16-year NBA playing career.

Metaphorically, as he did year-round as a boy looking for a place to play, he’s never quit pedaling. It’s been a passionate journey, one that’s led Johnson into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, where he’ll be enshrined on Saturday, June 27.

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Miami Hurricanes Schedule Preview - Bethune Cookman vs Miami

MIAMI, Florida -- The 2015 Miami Hurricanes football season will start as many do for Power 5 teams: by playing and FCS school. This year, the Canes schedule gets started with a team who has been the early season matchup several times in recent years, when the Bethune Cookman Wildcats visit a partially renovated Sun Life Stadium on September 5th.

No longer an FCS pushover

Let me start with this: Miami is going to win this game. More likely than not, by a sizable margin. But, if you're looking at this game like we did when Savannah State was on the schedule a few years ago, I'm here to tell you that Bethune Cookman is better than you think.



Former Head Coach Brian Jenkins was the head man at Bethune Cookman for 5 seasons. And, in those 5 seasons, the Wildcats were very successful with 4 MEAC championships, 3 trips to the FCS playoffs, and a 46-14 record (34-6 in conference). When you consider that Bethune Cookman had 3 MEAC championships IN THEIR HISTORY before Jenkins too over, that run is even more impressive.

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MEAC/SWAC Challenge 2015 Legends Class Announced

Coach Willie Jeffries
Courtesy: MEAC Media Relations

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida -- In recognition of their accomplishments and contributions as distinguished alumni of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), four honorees will be presented with the 2015 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Award, to be given during the 11th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Reception, now in its seventh year, will be held Saturday, Sept. 5, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The event precedes this year’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which features South Carolina State University and University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPN.

The Legends Class of 2015 includes five-time NFL Pro Bowl player and four-time All-Pro safety Donnie Shell, a standout from South Carolina State; three-time Super Bowl winner and former Washington Redskins linebacker Monte Coleman, now head coach at University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff; legendary South Carolina State head coach and College Football Hall of Fame member Willie Jeffries, the first African-American head coach of a NCAA Division I-A football program at a predominantly white college (Wichita State, 1979); and, posthumously, six-time Pro Bowl player and two-time All-Pro defensive end L.C. Greenwood, named the 1968 Ebony All-American defensive end of the SWAC while at Arkansas AM&N, now University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Greenwood was one of the four members of the Steel Curtain who remains one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top two franchise leaders in sacks.

“Every year, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Award proves to be a remarkable representation of the contributions and successes across Historically Black Colleges & Universities,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. “We are delighted that in 2015 we will again enjoy an outstanding class, with four distinguished men whose careers in sports started at HBCUs.”

Each honoree will receive an HBCU Trailblazer Award in recognition of the impact made to his or her respective career, community or alma mater. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris will host the evening’s festivities.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge, owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN, annually pits a MEAC team against a SWAC opponent at a neutral site located within the footprint of one of the conferences. Several additional events will take place around the game, including a high school career panel, pep rally and the halftime Battle of the Bands.

Tickets to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney can be purchased through Ticketmaster online, by calling 800-745-3000 or by logging on to meacswacchallenge.com. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event’s following on Facebook and Twitter, please visit the event’s official website at meacswacchallenge.com.

The 2015 Legends Class

L.C. Greenwood (Honored posthumously; Representing University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Monte Coleman (Representing University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Willie Jeffries (Representing South Carolina State University)
Donnie Shell (Representing South Carolina State University)

Experienced guard Deron Powers will transfer from Hampton

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton junior guard Deron Powers will transfer a source confirmed to NBCSports.com. The 5-foot-11 guard started 94 games during his three-year career at Hampton, and helped the team reach the 2015 NCAA tournament, but he told Dave Johnson of the Daily Press that he wants to play at a higher level.

“Honestly, I want to play for a better program,” Powers said to Johnson. “I’m definitely up for anything, and it doesn’t have to be at the highest level. There are a lot of good programs I wouldn’t mind going to, but I am looking for a higher-profile team that needs a point guard.”



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Joe Thomas could turn some heads in the Green Bay Packers LB competition

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin  -- It’s no secret that both the inside linebackers and the special teams both went through major struggles last season for the Green Bay Packers. The coaching staff rotated numerous players through both groups and seemingly found a combination that worked at linebacker but never could figure out what to do with the special teams. The kick-off return unit, both coverage units, and the blocking for punts and field goals all could have been classified as arguably the worst in the league. Unfortunately, a player that could have made an impact on both defense and special teams had his season end before it ever really got going.

After the 2014 NFL Draft came to its end and teams and undrafted free agents were scrambling to find fits, the Green Bay Packers ended up signing three inside linebackers after not taking one in the draft. Among them was Joe Thomas, a highly productive player out of South Carolina State. As a senior, Thomas recorded 116 tackles (84 solo), 7.5 sacks, and broke up 5 passes on his way to being named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, an All-American, and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award which is given to the best defensive player at the FCS level. Coming out of the college ranks, Thomas was known as an undersized yet very physical run-stuffing linebacker that was the main cog in a defense that led the FCS level in run defense.

During last year’s training camp, Joe Thomas competed in ...

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WSSU chancellor wants to play A&T, Central again

ADVANCE, North Carolina – Heading into his first summer as chancellor at Winston-Salem State, Elwood Robinson says he’ll look at a lot of different areas within the university, including athletics.

Robinson, a definite hands-on chancellor when it comes to athletics, has some ideas that he hopes will spring to life at some point. He has made it known that WSSU needs to play N.C. A&T in football again. He also hopes to strike a deal with UNC Charlotte to play an exhibition basketball game there.

“We have a vision for a lot of things, and one of those visions is for our football schedule,” Robinson said earlier this month while attending the Big House Gaines Golf Tournament at Oak Valley. “We also have a vision for what we are trying to do overall in athletics.”

Robinson has already had discussions with Harold Martin, the chancellor at N.C. A&T, about playing again. Robinson doesn’t have a timetable but a guess is it could happen in 2017.

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Jackson State's Jovany Felipe Signs to the Tampa Bay Rays

Jovany Felipe
Courtesy: JSU Athletics

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State’s senior catcher Jovany Felipe signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent on Monday, June 15.

During the 2015 season, Felipe maintained a .317 batting average with 40 runs, and 59 hits (12 doubles, two triples, and five home runs) for 54 RBIs. He posted a .406 on base percentage, a .484 slugging percentage, and a .974 fielding percentage. His honors included being named to the 2015 College Sports Madness Southwestern Athletic Conference Second Team, being named to the 2015 SWAC Postseason First Team, and ranking 16th nationally in runs batted-in.

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Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston picks Xavier

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Six-foot-nine power forward RaShid Gaston received attention from multiple colleges after announcing plans to transfer from Norfolk State, but only one was the perfect fit.

Gaston committed to Xavier after a weekend visit. The 240-pound transfer will have one year of eligibility with Chris Mack and the Musketeers after his sit-out season in 2015-2016.

"Honestly, I fell in love with (Xavier)," Gaston said. "I went down there with my mom and my sister and they fell in love with it too. They just make you feel at home. I love the style of play there. I love how Coach Mack and his staff – they're about business but they're so down to earth. They're such good guys."

Gaston said he also garnered interest from Kent State, South Florida, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State and DePaul, among others. He liked Xavier for its proximity to his hometown of Warren, Ohio (about 20 minutes from Youngstown), and the ease of travel for mom Lisa Carter, aunt Gwen Stargell and sister Gabrielle Jackson.

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XU SID Cassiere earns 3 more NAIA writing awards

ED CASSIERE
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
XULA

ORLANDO, Florida — Xavier University of Louisiana's Ed Cassiere received three awards Monday, including a first place, in the NAIA's 2014-15 Dr. W. Jack Bell Writing Contest.

All three of Cassiere's entries in the season preview/review category were honored. His men's cross country preview was the winner. His women's volleyball preview placed fourth, and his women's cross country preview tied for ninth.

All three of those award-winning stories previewed teams which eventually won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championships and qualified for NAIA National
Championships.

Cassiere received his awards during the NAIA-SIDA Convention, a one-day event and part of the 2015 College Sports Information Directors of America Convention.

Cassiere — who in July will begin his 10th year as Xavier's SID — has received 22 NAIA writing awards the past seven years, including five firsts. During the past four years, Xavier and Cassiere's 14 awards are the most by a university or individual in the Dr. W. Jack Bell Writing Contest. No other university or individual has more than 10 awards during the past four years.

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TSU Tennis Adds Six Women, Five Men for Upcoming Season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennis coach Monroe Walker III announced his first signing class at Tennessee State. Walker has inked six women and five men to join the two tennis teams for the 2015-15 academic year. The signees will be a part of the largest classes to be brought in for each program.

“It was really important for me to build a foundation with my first recruiting class at TSU,” Walker said. “To move forward, we have to make sure we get the right players in to build a great future. I am really excited about the young men and women we’re bringing in and hopefully we can compete well, give a good effort and work hard on and off the court. We would like to bring some success to the program this fall and spring season.”

The women welcome freshmen Ani Popiashvili, Abhilasha Vishwanath, Pragati Natraj, Phoenix Gandy and Blair Moses. Walker also added junior college transfer Taylor Patterson to round out the class.

Popiashvili will enter her freshman season after transferring from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi University in Tbilisi, Georgia. Popiashvili was ranked as high as eighth in her country as a junior and studied under coach Gaga Dolidze.

Vishwanath worked with coach Niagara Revanasiddaiah and was ranked 44th in India. Vishwanath is from Bangalore, India and attended D.A.V. Public School and Teresian University College.

Natraj is also from Bangalore and went to the National Institute for Open Schooling. Natraj earned the Most Outstanding Player and Most Promising Player in the State. Her play under coach Peter Vijay Kumar helped her reach a ranking of 15th in India.

Gandy played No. 2 singles at Greater Atlanta High School and works with coach Jimmy Chupp. Gandy was a member of the WTT Billie Jean King Junior National Tennis Team in San Diego 2014-15. The Georgia native is a National Merit finalist and is a member of the Honor Roll.

Moses earned a District and a Regional Championship in doubles action in 2014 for coach Daniel Jerden at Cordova High. As an individual, Moses finished second in District, advancing to Regionals. The Memphis, Tenn. product was a member of DECA as a senior. Moses worked privately with Arveal Turner of the Epiphany Tennis Courts.

Patterson attended Munford High School in Olive Branch, Miss. before spending two seasons at Itawamba Community College. Patterson earned State and Regional Singles Flight-2 Championships, State and Regional Singles Flight-1 Championships and a State and Regional Flight-1 Doubles Championship, while making the Dean’s List and graduating with honors. The transfer was ranked 32nd in the nation in Singles and 30th in doubles.

At Munford HS, Patterson, was a three-time Regional and District Champ, won a doubles District Championship and was named Freshman of the Year. In the classroom, Patterson made the Honor Roll and was a member of the National Honor Society.

On the men’s side, Walker has added three freshmen and two transfers. Amir Daniel, Norian Moss and Jorge Daniel Rodriguez enter as first years’, while Mathew Brown and Shashank Nautiyal come to TSU as sophomores.

Daniel played one or two singles for Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia and earned MVP honors for three consecutive seasons. Daniel worked with coach Robin Wesley and is ranked 200th in the South for USTA.

Moss teamed with Daniel and shared the top singles positions at AMHS as a three-year letter winner. The Decatur, Ga. product was selected as the Coan Tennis Association High School Player of the Year. Moss was a member of FBLA, the Photography Club, the Fashion Club, and the Kappa League. Moss worked with coach James Harrell.

Rodriguez hails from Bogota, Columbia where he is ranked 7th in the country. Rodriguez was recognized as top player at his high school, Colegio, Alejandria. Rodriguez is schooled by coach Hermanos Rincon.

Brown will join the Tigers after spending one year at Western Kentucky. Brown prepped at Franklin High School and earned a USTA ranking of 25th in the state and 150th in the Southern Region. Brown is a former member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was coached by his father, Mike Brown.

Nautiyal rounds out the recruiting class as he transfers in from Ball State University. The Delhi, India native finished 3-4 in his only season with the Cardinals. Nautiyal ranked second in his country and was a Junior Davis Cup Member for India. He won three Gold Medals in National School (India Juniors) and represented India in the World Junior Final Championship. Nautiyal was coached by Aditya Sachdeva and Gaurav Sharma, as well as fitness trainer Rajiv Dhingra.

“It was very important for us to have a full team,” said Walker. “We’ll have seven men and eight ladies for this upcoming year, so now we can push each other and compete. Most importantly, just to have a full squad, which we haven’t had in a long time here.”

Women’s Team Signees
Ani Popiashvili - Tbilisi, Georgia (Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi University)
Abhilasha Vishwanath – Bangalore, India (D.A.V. Public School/Teresian University College)
Pragati Natraj – Bangalore, India (National Institute for Open Schooling)
Phoenix Gandy – Atlanta, Ga. (Greater Atlanta HS)
Blair Moses – Memphis, Tenn. (Cordova HS)
Taylor Patterson – Olive Brach, Miss. (Munford HS/Itawamba CC)

Men’s Team Signees
Amir Daniel – Lithonia, Ga. (Arabia Mountain HS)
Matthew Brown – Franklin, Tenn. (Western Kentucky)
Norian Moss – Decatur, Ga. (Arabia Mountain HS)
Shashank Nautiyal – Delhi, India (Ball State)
Jorge Daniel Rodriguez – Bogota, Columbia (Colegio, Alejandria)

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Top three AD candidates meet with FAMU committee (Video)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M President Elmira Mangum has three final candidates to choose from as the search for a new, permanent athletic director at the university nears its conclusion.

Interim athletic director Earl D'Wayne Robinson isn't in contention for the job. Instead, Eric McCurdy, Milton Overton Jr., and M. Dianne Murphy on Monday each met with a 10-person committee of FAMU staff members at Lee Hall.

The committee – which had three head coaches and the university's sports information director – asked questions about the candidates' reasons for wanting the job, their backgrounds and what they planned to bring to the table.

Mangum is expected to hire a new athletic director before the start of the fall semester.

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Update: FAMU AD candidate list narrowed to 3, access to meetings limited

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Reporters were told to leave a meeting on FAMU's campus with an athletic director candidate an hour after they were initially let in.

The list of candidates has been narrowed to three people: Eric McCurdy, Milton Overton Jr., and Dr. M. Dianne Murphy.

Absent from the list is D'Wayne Robinson, who has been the interim athletic director since January.

Sharon Lettman-Hicks, a consultant brought on by the university to assist with the search, told reporters because the 10-person committee was made entirely of FAMU staffers without public officials and because the meeting was only a "fact-finding" discussion with findings that will be presented to President Elmira Mangum, it was not subject to Florida's Sunshine Law.

She added the meeting was not an interview of the candidates and was only meant to gather information that would be presented later to Mangum, who will make a final appointment.

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