Air Force Reserve Celebration to kick off bowl season on ABC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  – The Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl will once again be televised live on ABC and open the bowl season. The postseason college football bowl game will kick off at noon ET/ 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, which showcases the heritage, legacy, pageantry and tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), pits the conference champion from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Each conference has claimed a victory in the event's first two years, with MEAC Champion North Carolina A&T defeating Alcorn State in 2015 and SWAC Champion Grambling State beating North Carolina Central in 2016. Two bowl alumni were just selected in the 2017 NFL Draft: 2015 Offensive MVP Tarik Cohen (North Carolina A&T) and 2016 champion Chad Williams (Grambling State).



“We are thrilled to once again kickoff the college football bowl season with the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl on ABC," said John Grant, Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl Executive Director. "This year's game will be the first bowl game to be played in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In our third year of featuring the champions from the MEAC and SWAC conferences, football fans have been exposed to two very competitive games that each went down to the wire. With the conference win records tied at one each this year's game will showcase to millions of fans and viewers another exciting championship game. Atlanta will play host to both the Celebration Bowl to open the season as well as the College Football Playoff Championship as the season finale.”

"We are pleased to know that the 2017 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl will be on ABC again," said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. "The exposure on an international and national level is not only good for our conferences but is also good for the participating institutions. To start the 2017 bowl season is an excellent opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches and institutions as they're on a national platform that will enhance their brand and marketability. ESPN should be commended for providing this avenue of exposure for the MEAC and SWAC Champions."

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference is excited to continue its relationship with the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, ABC and the city of Atlanta,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said.



 “The best football fans in country will once again have the outstanding opportunity to watch the MEAC and SWAC champions kick off bowl season, playing in front of a nationally televised audience. The excitement of the game, the halftime battle of the bands and the opportunity to play in the new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, makes for a fantastic bowl experience for our student-athletes and football fans everywhere.”

Tickets for the game, a full ancillary event schedule and discounted rates at downtown Atlanta hotels will be available this summer. To stay up to date on Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl announcements, sign up for updates on www.TheCelebrationBowl.com, and follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.`\

SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Athletics has largest post-Katrina graduation class

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's largest post-Hurricane Katrina graduating class of current and former student-athletes — 29 in all — received degrees Saturday at the 2017 commencement at XULA's Convocation Center.

It was Xavier's 90th annual commencement. The total number of athletic-related degrees was 35.
    
"At Xavier University, our primary mission is for our student-athletes to make the most of their time here — both in the classroom and with their teams — and then to graduate and excel in the next chapters of their lives," Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Hornsaid. "Congratulations to all Xavier graduates, especially our student-athletes. We are extremely proud of you."
     
Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses) were:

     •  Devin Emile Andrew, Harvey, La. (Vandebilt Catholic), men's basketball, master of arts.
     •  Eliqua Dianna Brooks, Upper Marlboro, Md. (Wise), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
     •  Bianca Patricia Brown, Springdale, Md. (Charles H. Flowers), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Sha'Nel Eleeza Bruins, Colfax, La. (Grant), women's tennis, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in theology, honors in business.
     •  Jasmine Perneicius Bush, Meridian, Miss. (Southeast Lauderdale), women's basketball, bachelor of arts.
     •  Manav Chakma, Agartala, India (Kendriya Vidyalaya Maligaon), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Kevin Chaouat, Sarcelles, France (home-schooled), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Terri Cinclair Cunningham, Nashville, Tenn. (Martin Luther King Magnet), women's track and field, bachelor of science . . . cum laude.
     •  Roland Warren (RJ) Daniels, New Orleans, La. (St. Augustine), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Clarke Caran Evans, Baton Rouge, La. (Redemptorist), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Keenan Cornel Gay, New Orleans, La. (Sam Houston), men's basketball, doctor of pharmacy.
     •  Darian Janae Harris, Gretna, La. (McGehee), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Claudia Ann Haywood, Memphis, Tenn. (Cordova), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Kayla Jeree' Jones, Kansas City, Kan. (Piper), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Kelsey Amanda Joseph, LaPlace, La. (Riverside Academy), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Brent Anthony Kitto (Holy Cross), men's cross country/track and field, doctor of pharmacy . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Donyeah Danielle Mayfield, Vicksburg, Miss. (Vicksburg), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Katelyn Terrell McMorris, Baton Rouge, La. (Christian Life Academy), women's track and field, bachelor of arts.
     •  Kaylee Alexis Moore, Erwinville, La. (Catholic of Pointe Coupee), women's track and field, bachelor of science . . . summa cum laude, honors in biology, honors in chemistry.
     •  Brandi Ashley Nelson, Jonesboro, Ga. (Faith Academy), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Wesley Joshua Pluviose-Philip, Albany, N.Y. (Albany), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Taylor Lindley Reuther, Metairie, La. (Dominican), women's volleyball, doctor of pharmacy . . . cum laude.
     •  Devinn Kristen Rolland, Harvey, La. (Cabrini), women's track and field, doctor of pharmacy . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Karan Salwan, New Delhi, India (Modern School), men's tennis, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in business.
     •  Kelsee Lenee' Singleton, New Orleans, La. (Karr), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Ralitsa Asenova Slanchev, Razlog, Bulgaria (Kanazirevi), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.
     •  Gary Edward Smith, Sugar Land, Texas (The Village School), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Riley Cleveland Smith, Sacramento, Calif. (Rio Linda), men's basketball, bachelor of science . . . honors in English.
     •  Jana van der Walt, Houston, Texas (de Aar), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     
Also graduating were:

     •  Sierra Nichol' Blanchard-Hodge, cheerleader student coach, bachelor of arts . . . Mother M. Agatha Ryan Award for appreciation for the spirit and standards of XULA through reverence, personal integrity, loyalty, service and scholarship; university service key award.
     •  William Thomas Green, women's basketball student manager, bachelor of science.
     •  Gia Genae Jennings, track and field/cross country manager, bachelor of science.
     •  Alethia I. Love, spirit group (Golden Girls pom squad), bachelor of science.
     •  Ashlyn Janae Pinkins, spirit group (cheerleader), bachelor of science.
     •  Amanda Tillie Ware, women's volleyball student manager, bachelor of science . . . summa cum laude, honors in communication studies, honors in theology, honors in business, university service key award.
     
XULA is one of 47 colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2017 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. XULA's intercollegiate teams compete in the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
     
NOTES:  Andrew is an XULA men's basketball assistant coach . . . Chaouat is a XULA tennis student assistant . . . Bruins, Nelson and Salwan will compete for XULA next week in the NAIA National Tennis Championships at Mobile, Ala.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Vernon Dean named Defensive Backs Coach at VSU

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Virginia State University head football coach Reggie Barlow has announced that Vernon Dean will take over as the Trojans defensive backs coach for the upcoming 2017 season.

"Making Vernon our defensive backs coach was a good move for our football program," Coach Barlow said. "Vernon is very intelligent and a plus to our program. He brings a lot of knowledge and savvy to our program. It is honor to have coach apart of the Trojan family and I am looking forward to great things out of defensive backs this year."

Dean brings 17 years of experience to the Trojans coaching staff as he has coached on the high school, collegiate and professional level.

He joined the NFL coaching ranks in 2003 after spending 10 seasons coaching on the collegiate and high school level. He assisted Peter Giunta in tutoring the Kansas City Chiefs secondary in 2003 prior to taking over the reigns as cornerbacks coach the next two seasons. The addition of Dean to the Chiefs coaching staff in 2003 coincided with Safety Jerome Woods earning his initial Pro Bowl berth. That season Kansas City ranked third in the NFL with 25 interceptions due in large part to the play of the Chiefs defensive backs.

Dean brings a wealth of hands-on expertise after serving seven seasons as an NFL cornerback with Washington ('82-87) and Seattle ('88). Originally a second-round draft choice (49th overall) of the Redskins in '82, Dean played in 101 regular season games (59 starts), registering 22 interceptions for 274 yards with two touchdowns, as well as seven fumble recoveries, including one for a TD. He also saw duty in 15 career postseason contests, producing four INTs in those games.

Raised in Los Angeles, California, Dean made three Super Bowl appearances with Washington and was a part of Joe Gibbs' squads that claimed victories in Super Bowls XVII and XXII. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by Football Digest in '82 and also earned first-team NFL All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers Association and second-team All-NFC accolades from UPI that same season.

Dean gained his initial NFL coaching experience serving an NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Baltimore Ravens during their 2001 training camp, working under the direction of linebackers coach Jack Del Rio (former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis (now head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals). He was scheduled to serve a fellowship with the Arizona Cardinals in training camp in 2002, before accepting a post as the defensive backs coach at Western Illinois.

Prior to his stint with the Leathernecks, Dean coached the secondary at Western Oregon in 2000-01. From '97-99 he served as the defensive backs coach at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California after spending several years working in both finance and real estate.

He began his coaching career at Georgetown University where he tutored defensive backs for the Hoyas in '90 before serving as the club's defensive coordinator in '92 and '93. An All-Western Athletic Conference selection and honorable mention All-America pick as a senior at San Diego State, Dean led the league with six interceptions that season. His coaching career also includes a stint at Fort Valley State (2008) where he coached the secondary.

Dean holds a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University.

A native of Houston, Texas, Dean is the proud parent of two sons, Joshua (34) and Jaylon (18).

For more information on VSU football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern baseball coach Roger Cador walks back from statements about retiring after next season

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Longtime Southern baseball coach Roger Cador walked back from statements Wednesday that he was planning to retire at the end of next season given the opportunity.

Originally, Cador said, if Athletic Director Roman Banks allowed him to return next season, he would, but that it would be his final with the University. He later clarified to say he was only considering retirement after next season, and that he had not settled on nor discussed any specifics with Banks at that time.

In his original statement Cador said, “I’m only going to be here one more year at most. Then I’ll be going down the road to greener pastures.”

Banks declined to comment on any developments in Cador’s future until after the season when the two can sit down and have a full discussion on the topic, but emphasized that no decision had been made at the time and that he has not yet spoken with Cador about any specifics regarding next year being his last.

As of now, Banks said, the most important concern is getting the team ready for Sunday’s game against Texas Southern that will decide if Southern makes the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.

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Southern basketball hires assistant coach Chrys Cornelius to complete coaching staff; signs three transfers for next season

SU HEAD COACH MORRIS SCOTT

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern men’s basketball program is beginning to take shape under new coach Morris Scott.

Scott announced the hiring of assistant coach Chrys Cornelius on Wednesday, completing Scott’s first coaching staff for the 2017-18 season.

Assistant coaches Pedro Cipriano and Jethro Hillman, who were hired during the Roman Banks era, are expected to remain on staff under Scott.

Fortunately, Cornelius won’t have much adjusting to do when he joins Scott’s staff, having worked together at Florida A&M, where Scott was a graduate assistant when Cornelius was an assistant coach.

“He’s a guy that taught me a lot about the coaching business and the do’s and don’t’s of being in the college coaching profession,” Scott said. “He’s an older veteran and a guy I’m comfortable with, a guy that I know knows me. I felt like it was a good move to bring him on and be a part of our staff.”

Cornelius comes to Southern after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant at Bethune- Cookman.

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Bowie State TE Khari Lee Is looking To Make His Mark In The NFL

DETROIT, Michigan -- Khari Lee wracked up a lot of accolades for Bowie State during his time there. He was a two-sport star in high school. He earned Team MVP awards in both football and basketball for two straight seasons at Western Tech in Baltimore. His basketball background shows in his fluid movement. Lee was first team All-CIAA from 2012-2014, and a D2Football.com All-American in 2014.

He led the Bulldogs in 2014 and received their offensive MVP award. He participated in the 2014 Medal of Honor Bowl, which earned him an invite to the East-West Shrine game. His performance definitely drew the attention of scouts, as 24 teams sent representatives to the Bowie State pro day. Unfortunately for Lee, while he is a fluid athlete, he is not an explosive athlete. He put up 40 yard dash times over 5s and pedestrian scores all around at his pro day. Lee went undrafted despite visiting with ten teams.

Khari Lee’s Pro Journey
Lee was signed with the Houston Texans but did no make a mark during the preseason. He had only five receptions for 71 yards. The Texans received a great return on their investment, however. They traded their soon to be cut player for a sixth-round pick in 2017 to the Chicago Bears. Lee dressed for 16 games in Chicago but finished the season with only one reception. He competed for a job with the bears in 2016 but found himself unemployed in the wake of the cut down to 53. The Lions claimed him on waivers but released him as their Tight end group got healthier mid-season. He finished out the year there and signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January 2017.

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'We can compete with the best,' UMES bowling coach says

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- At just 7 years old, Jacqueline Rhoda picked up a bowling ball for the first time in her life not knowing what to expect.

As she attempted to roll the ball toward the 10 pins that stood 60 feet away, her thumb became caught in one of the three holes drilled into the ball, causing Rhoda’s body to fly down the lane at top speed.

The experience left a sour taste in her mouth, making Rhoda hate the idea of bowling even at such a young age.

Though her parents, who had both grown up playing the sport, pushed Rhoda to pursue a bowling path, her previous encounter led her to try other activities such as softball and track and field.

But bowling continued to have a presence in her life — it was in her blood.

“My grandfather was professional bowler, and he passed it down to my mom, and it was really my mom pushing me to bowl … that’s how I really got into bowling,” Rhoda said.

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