Nuggets fall in 4 to NAIA No. 17 Georgetown (Ky.)

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — It was the type of performance that longtime Xavier University of Louisiana volleyball fans had been waiting for: The Gold Nuggets jump out early against a ranked opponent, then maintain the momentum.
     
Unfortunately for the Gold Nuggets, that described just the third set of their match against Georgetown (Ky.), the NAIA's 17th-ranked team. The Tigers prevailed 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15, and XULA ended Friday with a split of its two matches in the season-opening Mid-South Crossover Challenge.
     
"The third set we were more consistent than we were in the other three," XULA coach Pat Kendricksaid. "We were taking care of the ball better in the third. When you do that, good things happen."
     
XULA never trailed in the third set against the Tigers (2-0) and led 8-2, 13-5 and 19-12. But in the other three sets the Tigers pulled away late.
     
The Gold Nuggets led 14-13 in the opening set before Georgetown took control with a 6-1 run. It was 16-all in the next set, then the Tigers exerted their will with a 7-2 run. In the final set the teams were tied at 11, then Georgetown got two aces and a kill from Jessica Tapp during a 9-1 run.
     
Tapp led Georgetown with 13 kills, 10 digs, two aces and two blocks. Madison Mudd had nine kills, and Sarah Snyder had eight kills and five blocks.
     
XULA sophomores Kayla Black and Eva Le Guillou produced double-doubles for the second time Friday. Black had 15 kills and 15 digs — she also hit .414 in 29 attacks — and Le Guillou produced 31 assists, 13 digs and two aces.
     
Vivica Price-Spraggins had nine kills and four blocks and hit .474 for the Gold Nuggets. Jordan Johnson had three blocks, giving her nine for the day, and Beatrice Formilan had 14 digs. Johnson and Formilan are freshmen.
     
XULA began the day with a four-set victory against Cumberlands.
     
Kendrick's assessment of the day? "We did some good things, and there are a number of things we can work on," she said. "It's August, so we've got the time to work on those things.
     
"But we did some nice things, and it was a good start to the season."
     
Georgetown outhit XULA .195 to .119 and had advantages of 48-45 in kills and 8-4 in aces. Both teams recored seven blocks, and XULA led 67-64 in digs.
     
XULA fell to 0-14 all-time against top-25 opponents. But the Gold Nuggets will get another chance Saturday to end that drought when they play NAIA No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan at 2 p.m. XULA's other match in the Crossover Challenge will start at 10 a.m. against Pikeville.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Football Season Has Returned to North Carolina A&T Aggieland

No. 14 North Carolina A&T (0-0) vs. Jacksonville State (0-0)

Date: Saturday, August 25, 2018

Time: 7 p.m. EST

Facility: Cramton Bowl (25,000)

Series: JSU leads, 2-0

TV: ESPN

ESPN Triad Radio: Donal Ware (play-by-play); Al Swann (analysts)

Stations:

600 AM/101.5 FM Winston-Salem

1320 AM/93.7 FM Greensboro

1230 AM/104.9 FM High Point

920 AM/104.5 FM Burlington

1200 AM/95.1 FM Burlington

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

Position	First Team	Second Team
LT	73 Marcus Pettiford	75 Bilal Ali
LG	68 Macquel Hardy	74 Sylvester Smith
C	62 Malik Johnson	55 Dacquari Wilson
RG	78 Micah Shaw	69 Deven Milton
RT	79 Dontae Keys	77 Breontae Matthews
TE	87 Leroy Hill	82 Jarvis Reid
XWR	13 Elijah Bell	86 Jordan McDaniel
SLOT	88 Malik Wilson	23 Amos Williams
YWR	19 Zachary Leslie	4 Isaiah Hicklin
ZWR	81 Ron Hunt	15 Ahmed Bah
QB	7 Lamar Raynard	10 Kylil Carter
FB	46 William Hollingsworth	49 William Simpson
RB	22 Marquell Cartwright	30 Jah-Maine Martin

AGGIE FOOTBALL VIDEO

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

Position	First Team	Second Team
DE	96 Sam Blue	99 Artavious Richardson
NG	95 Julian McKnight	52 Michael Branch
DT	92 Jermaine Williams	94 Justin Cates
DE	40 Darryl Johnson	41 Tre Smalls
SLB	9 Antoine Wilder	27 Justin Philip
WLB	34 Deion Jones	44 Julius Reynolds
MLB	5 Kiaundric Richardson	54 Kyin Howard
CB	29 Mac McCain	21 Derrek Williams
CB	14 Timadre Abram	24 Amir McNeil
ROV	2 Jamaal Darden	18 Richie Kittles
FS	33 Jalon Bethea	20 Najee Reams

The Matchup: 

North Carolina A&T and Jacksonville State will play in the third annual Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff Showcase Game which will air live on ESPN. The game annually features two of the best teams in FCS football in what is an NCAA playoff-like game in August. Within 10 years, the Aggies have gone from being one of the worst teams in the nation to a team who is routinely playing on the big stage. The Aggies have played in two of the last three Celebration Bowl playing in front of millions of fans watching live on television and thousands watching inside an NFL stadium. There are very few teams playing on Saturday, so once again the Aggies will have a national TV audience all to themselves. In the matchup, both teams have a lot in common.

Both teams have been routinely nationally ranked over the past four seasons. Both teams are sound defensively. The Aggies have had the best rushing defense in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference the past seven seasons. Over the past three seasons, the Aggies have had a top-10 rushing defense in the nation and a top-20 total defense nationally. The Gamecocks are not too shabby stopping the run either.  They have not finished outside the top-5 in rushing defense over the past three seasons and over the last two seasons, the Gamecocks have had a top-5 total defense in the country. N.C. A&T and Jacksonville State have also been super successful in their respective conferences. N.C. A&T has won three out of the last four MEAC titles while the Gamecocks have not lost a game in the Ohio Valley Conference in four years. The Gamecocks are a perennial playoff team while the Aggies have played in the Celebration Bowl two out of the last three years and they played in the NCAA playoffs in 2016.  

News and Notes:

•  North Carolina A&T finished last season as the only undefeated team on the FCS level. They were one of only two undefeated teams in Division I football joining Central Florida. N.C. A&T has not lost a football game in the last 642 days. Their last loss came in Richmond, Va., on Nov. 26, 2016.
•  N.C. A&T comes into the season seeking its 10th MEAC championship. Only S.C. State (14) has more. The Aggies also have five CIAA titles giving them a total of 14 conference championships since 1924. The Aggies are also seeking their fourth straight postseason appearance. Prior to reaching the Celebration Bowl last season, the Aggies had never been to three straight postseason appearances. 
• The Aggies are 54-1 in the past seven seasons when leading at halftime. N.C. A&T's only loss when leading at halftime since 2011 was at Norfolk State. The Aggies have won 47 straight when leading at the half. 
• N.C. A&T will be seeking their second straight win over a nationally-ranked opponent after defeating No. 12 Grambling State last season in the Celebration Bowl.

Opposing Point of View

"They are a deep football team and they return a lot of guys. They did lose a few linemen from last year, but most of their skill people are back on offense. I think the running back is an NFL back and they have had the conference player of the year the last two years. The quarterback is very athletic and can throw and run the football well. He makes very few mistakes. We have a challenge in front of us." 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

PVAMU Panthers Continue To Prepare For 'Unknown' Rice Owls

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University football team continued practice Wednesday night for the 2018 season opener at Rice Saturday night.

Coverage of Panthers Training Camp on pvpanthers.com is sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Texas Farm Bureau Members can receive free tickets to Panther home athletics contests by showing proof of membership at the PVAMU Ticket Office. Panther Nation can visit the local Texas Farm Bureau Agent in Waller to become a member today.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available online at pvpanthers.com/ricegame for only $25 for the game at Rice Stadium. Tickets can also be purchased in person at Wolf's Department Store.

The PVAMU Marching Storm, which high-stepped down Broadway and dazzled a global audience in the 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, will be in the house at Rice Stadium in the season opener for both teams.

The game will be video streamed online on ESPN+, the new online portal of ESPN, at the cost of $4.99 per month. The subscription comes with a free seven day trial. The monthly subscription renews every 30 days, and would also be good to watch the Panthers – Sam Houston game on Sept. 8.

All radio broadcasts of Panthers football will be available online at pvpanthers.com/sportsnetwork with a 30 minute pregame show before each contest.

In a unique season opener officially called 'Week 0' with only a handful of games this weekend to open the college football season, both the Panthers and Owls are in a unique stage of preparation.

Both programs have new head coaches who are leading programs for the first time, both as offensive coaches who've had great success. They've put together coaching staffs that have had success at their previous stops. So as PVAMU head coach Eric Dooley gets set to lead the Panthers against Rice and new head coach Mike Bloomgren, homework has been key.

"It's a lot of unknowns," Dooley said. "It's a lot of things you have to assume. It's a lot of research, in a way taking you back to school. We've had to research their coaches and where they came from. That being said, you can research all you want, but you have to understand the head coach. He may have a certain philosophy he wants to use. Regardless of where they came from, the staff has to adapt to what he wants to do. At the end of the day, that's what they are going to do. There's going to be some challenges, so we'll just have to make adjustments."

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

HBCU PLAY Ep 4 - MEAC

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Episode 4 = Preview of the 2018 football season for the the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Celebration Bowl executive director John Grant joins Lericia Harris and Sam Crenshaw to chat about the upcoming MEAC/SWAC Challenge which kicks of Labor Day - Sunday Sept 2 @ 12 noon.



WAOKAM: ON-DEMAND

NSU Football Defense/Special Teams Preview: Ball-Hawking Spartans Look for More of the Same in 2018

NORFOLK, Virginia -- If there was one word to describe the Norfolk State defense last season, it would be opportunistic. The Spartans featured a defense in 2017 which forced 26 turnovers, including 17 interceptions.

What's more, the Spartans turned those opponent miscues into points, tying for the NCAA Division I FCS national lead in defensive touchdowns, with six. The Spartans scored two non-offensive touchdowns in wins against both Florida A&M and Morgan State. NSU forced at least one turnover in 10 games and at least three in five contests.

NSU will look for more of the same this year from a unit which returns six starters, including four from its ball-hawking secondary. Here is a position-by-position look at the Spartan defense and special teams heading into 2018:

DEFENSIVE LINE
NSU in a unique position along its defensive front this year. Despite losing the services of graduated three-time All-MEAC selection Chris Lee, the Spartans boast more depth than last season. The returners are headlined by senior defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton. The preseason All-MEAC third-team selection has started 17 games in his two seasons with the Spartans, and has the ability to play either nose guard or tackle in NSU's modified defensive front. He was in on 39 tackles a year ago.

NSU's defensive coaches have a number of options in the trenches. The unit will be bolstered by the return of junior Kyron Speller, who was expected to be a key contributor last season before being lost for the season with an injury sustained during preseason camp. University of Nevada graduate transfer Ricky Thomas Jr. is also expected to have an early impact after spending three seasons at the Division I FBS level.

Other key returnees include sophomore De'Shaan Dixon, who showed loads of potential as a pass-rusher during his freshman season; sophomore nose guard Tavien Blackwell, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season; and junior Josh Bryant, who also played in 10 games but was slowed at times by nagging injuries. Also back is junior nose guard Walter Brantley, a proven run-stopper who was not with the team last season, but started eight times and tallied 58 tackles his first two years (2015-16) with the program.

"We're going to look a lot different up front this season just because of the depth we have this year, that we didn't always have last season," head coach Latrell Scott said.

LINEBACKER
Linebacker is another spot where the Spartans suffered some notable losses from last year's team, but still have plenty of potential. Gone from 2017 are All-MEAC performers Anthony Smith and Kyle Archie, the team's top two tacklers.

With the team switching to a slightly new look that will include, at times, four linebackers on the field, the Spartans will emphasize speed at the position. One way that will be accomplished is moving junior Nigel Chavis to more of an outside linebacker position, where he began his career in 2016. Chavis played defensive end last season and earned third-team All-MEAC accolades after leading all conference linemen with 82 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and five sacks. One of the team's top all-around players, Chavis will have even more opportunity to showcase his versatility this year.

Another outside linebacker position figures to be manned by converted quarterback Tyre Givers-Wilson. A redshirt sophomore, Givers-Wilson made the position change late in 2017 and has impressed coaches in the short few months that he's played the new position. Givers-Wilson, sophomore Matt Hodges and senior Michael Kwegyir-Attah bring speed and play-making ability to the edges of the Spartan defense.

Senior Quintreil Chung will man one inside linebacker position. Another former offensive player, Chung switched from running back to linebacker mid-year in 2017 and finished the year with 33 tackles in his eight games played on defense. Middle Tennessee transfer Dale Craig, redshirt senior and former defensive end James Byers, and redshirt freshman Marquis Hall will all see time and bring a variety of skill and athleticism to the inside linebacker position.

"I like the group we have at linebacker," Scott said. "They've been flying around making plays during camp, and I think we have a lot of potential in that room."

SECONDARY
Cornerbacks J.T. Wahee and Aaron Chandler and safeties Bobby Price and Nhyre' Quinerly started all 11 games at their respective positions last season. The Spartans tied for the MEAC lead with 17 interceptions as a team, and 11 came from that quartet of starting defensive backs. Just as impressively, three of the four (Quinerly, Wahee, Chandler) scored a defensive touchdown in 2017.

Wahee tied for fifth in the MEAC with four interceptions last season, scored on a 96-yard fumble return against Florida A&M and also on a defensive two-point conversion against Morgan State where he returned an INT the length of the field. He was named to the preseason All-MEAC second team.

Chandler picked off two passes last season, one of which he returned for a score in that same victory at Morgan State. Price also intercepted two passes and has shown the knack for making the bit hit from the back line of the defense.

Quinerly, the free safety, had an impressive first season with NSU after transferring from East Carolina. He made 62 tackles, two for loss, intercepted three passes and also scored on a fumble return (against JMU).

Cornerbacks Shaikh Carmichael and Rashard Russell Jr. and safety Mark Brown all contributed last season as well, particularly on special teams, and will add good depth to the secondary. Redshirt freshman Johnathan Gregory, sophomore newcomer Demetrius Harp and true freshmen Brandon Savage and Shaviaea Williams are also in the mix to see snaps in the defensive backfield.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Spartans are very experienced in all phases of special teams. Sophomores Taylor Goettie (punter) and Josh Nardone (kicker) started as true freshmen. Goettie averaged nearly 39 yards per punt as a rookie, while Nardone made six field goals and converted all but one extra point in 2017. Those two will be aided by the addition of freshman Owen Malik.

Marcus Taylor led the MEAC in kickoff return average (23.8-yard average) and scored on a 100-yarder at JMU, the Spartans' first kickoff return TD since 2008. He will also get more opportunities to return punts this season. True freshman receiver Quentin Greene will also look to make an impact in the return game.

Long snapper Zac Denton and short snapper Dominic Jordan also return.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Norfolk State Women's Basketball Announces 2018-19 Schedule

HEAD COACH LARRY VICKERS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Fourteen home contests as well as a cross-town showdown with Old Dominion are on tap for Norfolk State women's basketball as head coach Larry Vickers announced the 2018-19 schedule on Friday.

The Spartans' home slate features six non-conference tilts as well as eight MEAC contests. Games with Mississippi and Wake Forest as well as the two-day Christmas City Classic highlight NSU's calendar away from home.

NSU kicks off the season on Nov. 6 on the road at Ole Miss. The Rebels are the Spartan's first opponent from a Power Five conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac-12, SEC) since Mississippi State during the 2015-16 season.

"This is a very challenging schedule and, top to bottom, the most difficult we have faced," Vickers said. "With so many starters returning, we wanted to make sure we provided enough challenges to continue building on what we have accomplished. That started with scheduling two Power Five opponents on the road."

Three days later, Norfolk State takes on inner-city rival Old Dominion in the 18th all-time fixture in the series.

The Spartans begin a three-game home stand against Cheyney on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. NSU then hosts Navy on Nov. 18 and Campbell two days later. Start time for the Navy contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Campbell game begins at 11 a.m.

The game against Navy is the first of five rematches from last season's non-conference slate. The Spartans went 3-2 against opponents featured on the 2018-19 schedule. Overall, Vickers owns a 7-4 record against 2018 non-conference opponents

Norfolk State then returns to the road for the Christmas City Classic, hosted by Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Spartans play Lehigh on Nov. 24 before facing either Charlotte or Liberty the following day.

The non-conference schedule concludes with six games in December. The Spartans return to the Keystone State on Dec. 9 for a road clash with La Salle before hosting Longwood on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.

NSU then heads south for a Dec. 15 game at High Point. Three days later, the Spartans' final non-conference home stand beings against St. Augustine's on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. William & Mary visits Echols Hall on Dec. 21 for a 2 p.m. contest.

The 2018 slate ends on Dec. 30 at Wake Forest.

"The number of NCAA Tournament-caliber teams on the schedule is staggering, but we are excited for the opportunity to continue making a name for Norfolk State women's basketball," Vickers said. "These games will prepare us for MEAC play and put us in the best position to compete for a championship with such diverse and strong teams in the conference."

The 16-game MEAC slate starts with two-straight home contests, beginning with a Jan. 5 clash with Delaware State at 4 p.m. Two days later, the Spartans entertain Florida A&M at 5:30 p.m.

All weekend home conference games begin at 4 p.m. Weekday MEAC home contests tip at 5:30 p.m.

NSU's first road conference game is on Jan. 12 at Coppin State. The Spartans then return home to host Bethune-Cookman before embarking on a road swing to Savannah State on Jan. 19 and South Carolina State on Jan. 21.

Maryland Eastern Shore comes to Norfolk on Jan. 26 to close out the January schedule.

The Spartans open February on a three-game road trip and play four of their six February games away from home. Norfolk State plays at Howard on Feb. 2 before receiving a week-long respite.

NSU then jumps back into conference action with a tough Florida trip to Bethune-Cookman on Feb. 9 and Florida A&M on Feb. 11.

Basketball returns to Echols Hall on Feb. 16 for a tilt against North Carolina Central. The Spartans then host North Carolina A&T on Feb. 18.

Norfolk State closes out the month at Morgan State on Feb. 23. The Spartans then receive another week off before hosting Coppin State on March 2.

NSU then travels to Delaware State on March 4. The regular season concludes on March 7 with a home date against Howard.

The 2019 MEAC Tournament runs from March 11 until March 16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Nuggets win opener in 4 close sets vs. Cumberlands

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — Xavier University of Louisiana opened its 2018 volleyball season Friday with a 25-23, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23 victory against Cumberlands in the Mid-South Crossover Challenge.
     
The Gold Nuggets got double-doubles from Eva Le Guillou (11 digs, career-high 44 assists), Kayla Black (15 kills, 12 digs) and Marine Angely (10 kills, 16 digs, three aces). Beatrice Formilan had 25 digs and four aces, and Taylor Ducros had three aces and 13 digs.
     
Vivica Price-Spraggins produced 12 kills to tie her career high, and Jordan Johnson had six blocks. Adili Rikondja had nine kills and four blocks.

BOX SCORE
     
It was the collegiate debut of Angely, Formilan and Johnson, all freshmen. Angely and Johnson were starters, and Formilan was the libero.
     
XULA won the first set after trailing 15-11 and closed the match with a 13-6 run after trailing 17-12.
     
"It was a good start," said second-year XULA coach Pat Kendrick. "Cumberlands is a good team and had us on the ropes, but we came back. We showed mental toughness."
     
Lily Chapman had 16 kills, Tara Routliffe had 26 digs, and Ashley Sobocinski served five aces for the Patriots (1-1).
     
XULA was to play NAIA No. 17 Georgetown (Ky.) at 8 p.m. Friday. The Gold Nuggets will play Saturday against Pikeville at 10 a.m. and NAIA No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan at 2 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Competition for playing time heats up at SSU

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- The battle for starting quarterback might be front and center for Savannah State University, but several skirmishes at other positions dot the football practice field at Theodore A. Wright Stadium as well.

Just one week before the Tigers' Aug. 30 season-opener with Alabama-Birmingham, head coach Erik Raeburn said several members of his strong 2018 recruiting class will see playing time.

"Maybe there aren't as many starters as we had last season but we have a bunch of guys who will rotate in there to give the starters a breather and play on special teams," Raeburn said.

Saturday's scrimmage provided a sample of freshmen contributions. Running back D'Angelo Durham led the squad with 73 rushing yards, and outside linebacker Chris Smith had a team-leading six tackles with a sack and two tackles for losses to pace the defense and late signee, quarterback Craig Grant, threw for 142 yards and two scores.

Durham won't unseat incumbent starter Jaylen McCloud, who led the running backs with 387 rushing yards a year ago, but will be in the rotation with CJ Cole and Rashad Saxton.

Smith sits behind preseason All-MEAC performer Stefen Banks and Christian Guinn, but has impressed the staff with his speed and aggressiveness.

And Grant will be behind TJ Bell and D'Vonn Gibbons, but the Tigers know first-hand you can never have too many quarterbacks.

Raeburn sees freshmen Rod Evans and Treveyon Pratt strengthening a stable of wide receivers that include Czar Beneby, JaMichael Baldwin, Ronnie Stevens, D'Andre Snead, James Kicklighter and Elijah Shah.

The Tigers' top three wide receivers finished their eligibility last season so there's plenty of catches to go around for a team that runs a spread attack.

"We'll play a lot of guys there," Raeburn said. "It's hard to just play two or three guys anyway because they run so much and we don't have two or three guys who are head and shoulder above the others."

Evan McGhee and Walter Yates provides versatility to the linebackers. McGhee can be moved around the front seven, and Yates played strong safety in high school at Gulf Breeze, Fla.

In the secondary, D'Armani Ridley will be the first safety in if starters Donald Rutledge or Isaiah Bennett have to come out. Nick Garner is another safety vying for time.

Cornerback Ny'Em Bozeman has had a good camp, showing his wares while forcing a fumble and recovering the loose ball during the scrimmage.

Raeburn said tackle Tahmaj Faust and guard/center Logan Kesler will be backups on the offensive line, and Michael Police, Fred Raynes and Stephen Vourilvee-Greaves should see snaps on the defensive line.

Christin "Zaine" Burton and Timothy Campbell will bolster the linebackers.

Players returning from injuries could also give the Tigers a boost. Senior linebacker Mulik Simmons missed the entire 2017 season after an injury during camp last year.

Simmons, the Tigers' leading returning tackler from 2016 (73 tackles), was a preseason second-team All-Conference pick in 2017 before the injury.

And at quarterback, Bell, who shared the starting job in 2016, is returning from a broken leg that kept him out of all but two games in 2017.

Thrust into action, Gibbons threw for 1,259 yards and 10 TDs and led SSU to three wins during the final four games last season.

"Right now, they'd both play (in the season opener)," Raeburn said. "They've been pretty even in camp and I don't foresee between now and UAB one guy being way better and playing the whole game. Having two guys you feel are even gives us a little depth there."

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

"Respect the H" Debuts on WSKY4-TV Saturday

HAMPTON, Virginia -- A new Saturday morning television show featuring Hampton University Athletics will debut this Saturday at 9 am as "Respect The H with Eugene Marshall, Jr." will air on WSKY TV-4.

Joining the show this week with a special appearance is Head Football Coach Robert Prunty, along with the Director of the HU Marching Force Dr. Thomas B. Jones. This will be a new way for Hampton fans to keep up to date with athletic happenings, as Hampton makes its debut in the Big South Conference.

Keep an eye out for more guests and new features to the show which will run through the football season. The show is being taped in the state of the art TV studios in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

For more information on Hampton University Athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Hampton Men's Basketball Announces Non-Conference Slate

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The Hampton Pirates men's basketball team announced its 2018-19 non-conference schedule on Friday with participation in the GotPrint.com Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper along with a pair of contests against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foes.

Hampton opens the season on November 6 with a 7pm matchup against Mid-Atlantic Christian University from Elizabeth City, NC. The Pirates then start its play in the classic by visiting Virginia Commonwealth University on November 9 and then heading west to take on the University of California in Berkeley on November 13.

Following that swing, they will visit Detroit for the regional round and will open with Bowling Green on November 19. The final game of the classic will be against either Loyola (Md.) or the host Detroit-Mercy on November 20.

Following Thanksgiving, the Pirates will go back up Interstate 64 to take on the Richmond Spiders on November 25. Four days later, the "Battle of the Bay" will resume on the hardwood as Hampton visits Norfolk State on November 29 for a 7pm tip.

The month of December will start with a matchup hosting National Christian College Athletic Association member Regent University on December 1 at 7 pm. Hampton will visit Coastal Carolina on December 5, before hosting William & Mary (Dec. 8) and St. Leo (Dec. 15) both at 7 pm.

Three days before Christmas the "Battle of the Real HU" will take place in Washington, DC at the new Medstar Washington Wizards Training Facility as Hampton takes on Howard on December 22. A Dec. 29 matchup at Saint Peter's (NJ) will close out the non-conference slate.

The 2018-19 Big South Men's Basketball Conference slate will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

For more information on Hampton University men's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com

Miles Golden Bears football continues work towards season opener

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Miles football team is working earnestly as it begins its first full week of work in preparation for the 2018 campaign. Practice begins before the moon is firmly tucked away in the west and the sun has barely began its ascent in the east.

But there are no sleepy eyes as the team goes through drills as it prepares for its Sept. 1 opener at Alabama A&M. To get an inside look at some of the machinations of Golden Bears football practice, and to hear from head coach Reginald Ruffin,




MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS