Philander Smith College Release 2015 Volleyball Schedule

HEAD COACH ALEXIS LOWE
LADY PANTHERS VOLLEYBALL
PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Philander Smith Lady Panthers' 2015 volleyball schedule, released today, is highlighted by a number of challenging non-conference games along with its 12-game Gulf Coast Athletic Conference slate.

Philander Smith will take on three teams from the Red River Athletic Conference, as well as opponents from the American Midwest, Southern States, Midlands Collegiate, and Southern Intercollegiate (NCAA Div II/SIAC) Athletic Conference along with one NAIA Independent.

Alexis Lowe is 15-11 against GCAC foes in her two seasons at Philander Smith.

This season unofficially begins with the 2015 Green & Gold inner-squad scrimmage on Aug. 19 in Mims Gymnasium with the first official regular season match against intrastate foe Lyon College coming three days later on Aug. 22.

The month of August also features a road game at Wiley College on the 26th followed by a matchup with Henderson Sate University's junior varsity squad at home on Aug. 29.

September kicks off with the PSC Volleyball Classic from Sep. 4-5. The Lady Panthers visit Henderson State on Sep. 9 and travel to compete in the Belhaven Volleyball Tournament from Sep. 11-12. The road trip continues with games at Texas College on Sep. 15 and the conference opener against Talladega College on Sep. 19. Philander Smith returns home to take on former GCAC foe Fisk on Sep. 22 before a pair of conference matchups against Tougaloo on Sep. 26 and Southern University at New Orleans on Sep. 28. They close out the month on the road at Jarvis Christian College on Sep. 30.

The October/November schedule is dominated with conference matchups as PSC plays 10 of its final 13 games against GCAC competition. Non-conference opponents LeMoyne-Owen (Oct.3), Cental Baptist (Oct. 8), and Fisk (Oct. 14) fill out the remainder of the schedule.

The Lady Panthers finished the 2014 season 15-20, including an 8-6 mark in the GCAC. Philander Smith is the only school in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to have improved their win total in each of the past three seasons. Head Coach Alexis Lowe will rely on her three returners Samantha (Comet) Moore, Zyra Wright and Victoria Hicks.


 

Philander Smith 2015 Volleyball Schedule
Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Notes
August
19	6:00 PM	Philander Smith	Mims Gymnasium	2015 Green & Gold Game
22	1:00 PM	Lyon College	Mims Gymnasium	Home Opener
26	6:00 PM	Wiley College	Marshall, Texas
29	1:00 PM	Henderson State	Mims Gymnasium	HSU Junior Varsity Game
September
4-5	TBA	TBA	Mims Gymnsaium	PSC Volleyball Classic
9	6:00 PM	Henderson State	Arkadelphia, Ark.	HSU Junior Varsity Game
11-12	TBA	Belhaven University	Belhaven, Miss.	Belhaven Volleyball Tournament
15	6:00 PM	Texas College	Tyler, Texas
19	1:00 PM	Talladega College*	Talladega, Ala.	Conference Opener
22	6:00 PM	Fisk University	Mims Gymnasium
26	1:00 PM	Tougaloo College*	Mims Gymnasium
28	7:00 PM	Southern University at New Orleans*	Mims Gymnasium
30	6:00 PM	Jarvis Christian College	Hawkins, Texas
October
3	2:00 PM	LeMoyne-Owen College	Memphis, Tenn.
5	6:00 PM	Talladega College*	Mims Gymnasium
8	6:00 PM	Central Baptist College	Conway, Ark.
10	12:00 PM	Xavier University*	New Orleans, La.
12	6:00 PM	Edward Waters College*	Jacksonville, Fla.
14	7:00 PM	Fisk University	Nashville, Tenn.
17	1:00 PM	Dillard University*	Mims Gymnasium
18	3:00 PM	Edward Waters College*	Mims Gymnasium
24	1:00 PM	Southern University at New Orleans*	New Orleans, La.
26	7:00 PM	Dillard University*	New Orleans, La.
31	8:00 PM	Tougaloo College*	Tougaloo, Miss.
November
2	7:00 PM	Xavier University*	Mims Gymnasium	Senior Night

Home games are in BOLD     *indicates GCAC games

Dr. Collea McKinney, Ed.D., Sports Information Director 

COURTESY PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION 

Glover introduced as new sports information director at Wiley

ANDREW GLOVER
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
WILEY COLLEGE

MARSHALL, Texas – Wiley College and the Wiley Department of Athletics have introduced Andrew Glover as the new sports information director.

Glover, a native of Littleton, Colorado, comes to Wiley from Stillwater, Okla., where he was a sports reporter for the Stillwater News Press from 2012-2015. He helped with the newspaper's coverage of Oklahoma State University, which included covering the baseball team's run to Super Regionals in 2014. Glover covered the OSU women's basketball team this past season.

"I'm looking forward to becoming a part of Wildcat Nation," Glover said. "I've always had a passion for college sports. I'm excited about using that passion to increase the fan base at Wiley College."

Before working in Stillwater, Glover served as the sports reporter for The Pampa News in Pampa, Texas, from 2009-2012. He covered Pampa High School, other area high schools and local athletics. In 2011, Glover won third place in sports writing at the Panhandle Press Association Awards.

Glover graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism in May 2009. He will start officially as sports information director August 1.

The RRAC is an affiliated conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics with 12 member colleges and universities in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. Established in 1999, the RRAC sponsors 15 championships annually in eight women's sports and seven men's sports. Due to its commitment to character and sportsmanship, the RRAC has been recognized as a Five-Star Conference under the NAIA Champions of Character program. 

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Dillard University Bleu Devils add New York/New Jersey standout Karon Blackwell to basketball program

2-Times NY/NJ All-State combo guard Karon Blackwell becomes first signee at Dillard University under new head men's basketball coach Mike Newell.  Karon is the son of former NFL Giants cornerback Kory Blackwell.  In the photo are Karon and his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Kory Blackwell.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Dillard University Bleu Devils basketball team added combo guard Karon Blackwell (pronounced Kay-Ron) The Robinson Preparatory Academy in Newark, New Jersey, to its 2015-16 recruiting class. Blackwell, a 6'3" 190 lb. native of Deer Park, New York, is an incoming freshman from

"We are excited to have Karon join our program," said head coach Mike Newell. He comes from a good program and was a major contributor to the Robinson Academy's success last season." Robinson Academy finished ranked number one in the country among prep schools.

Blackwell is a two-time All-State selection and also a three-time All-Suffolk League IV as well as two-time Long-Island selection at Deer Park High School as a senior. In his senior season, Blackwell helped lead Deer Park to an 18-4 record including a perfect 14-0 Suffolk League IV mark. He averaged 17.5 points while leading the Falcons to their second straight Suffolk County championship game appearance. Blackwell was ranked one of the top 15 players in New York City by sports fanatic website Rivals.com that year.


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"I am very excited that I got a scholarship because this is what I always wanted, a chance to go to school without worrying too much about financial issues," said Blackwell. "I have a dream to go to the [NBA] so I have to do big things in college."

It is clear to see how elated, excited and proud his family members are, especially his father.

"It means everything to me," said Kory Blackwell, who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants. "He is following in the footsteps of his father by going to college and playing a sport. It gives hope for the other youngsters," he added.

In his one season at the Robinson Prep Academy, Blackwell averaged eight points, six assists and four rebounds. Last year he was lauded as the 2014 Long Island Player of the Year and was also named as the Suffolk County Boys Basketball Player of the Year by Newsday.

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Maryland's Travis Manger Joins Morgan State Football Staff

COACH TRAVIS MANGER
Courtesy: Maryland Athletics

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University head football coach Lee Hull announced the recent hiring of Travis Manger as an assistant coach for the Bears.

Manger, who will coach the Morgan State offensive line, joins the Bears staff from the University of Maryland where he spent three seasons helping the offensive unit as a graduate assistant coach under head coach Randy Edsall.

In 2012, he assisted coach Lee Hull with the wide receivers and the development of Terps standout Stefon Diggs. He also assisted coach Tom Brattan with the offensive line during the 2013, followed by coach Greg Studrawa in 2014.

Manger was a Graduate Extern at Temple University from 2009-2012. In that role he served primarily with academics and special teams. He assisted with the Owl's defensive line (2009-10) and work with the tight ends in 2011. His duties also included study hall, organized class checks in addition to other football duties assigned by the head coach.

He launched his coaching career as a student assistant coach at Temple (2008-09) where he assisted with the quarterbacks and tight ends.

A native of Newtown, Pa., Manger was a standout quarterback at Council Rock North High School. He was a two-time first team All-Conference selection (2002 & 2003) and was an All-State honorable mention.

Manger played quarterback for a season at Millersville University before he transferred to Temple. He played quarterback and tight end for the Owls under head coach Bobby Wallace (2005), and completed his career at Temple under head coach Al Golden (2006-2007). Manger, who began as a walk-on for the Owls, earned a scholarship during the spring of 2007, and was the recipient of the Dr. Chodoff Academic Excellence Award.

Manger earned his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Temple August 2008, and earned a Master's degree in Sports Psychology from Temple in 2013. He is currently working toward completing his second Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Maryland.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Pulley & Jordan to Represent Lincoln U. at GLVC Kickoff

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Wednesday the 18 student-athletes who have been selected to attend the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff, which will take place in Lebanon, Illinois on Friday, July 31. The GLVC contingent, highlighted by nine All-Conference returners combining for 18 career postseason honors, will participate in the fourth annual event. The 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff will take place at The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT, and will serve both the league's media members and passionate fans through several social media outlets.

The head coach and two student-athletes from each of the nine GLVC football institutions will be on hand to help promote the conference's fourth season.

Six first-team All-GLVC honorees will be in attendance, including University of Indianapolis senior defensive lineman Lee Campbell and Saint Joseph's College senior running back Braxton Shelton, who earned first-team annals at their respective positions the past two years. The remaining first-team selections in attendance include one of the nation's top wide receivers in Southwest Baptist University senior Nathan Mourik, McKendree junior linebacker A.J. Wentland, William Jewell College senior offensive lineman Brandon Klewer, and UIndy senior quarterback Connor Barthel, who was a first-team signal caller in 2013 and a second-team selection last season. Klewer and Wentland were also second-team honorees at their positions in 2013.

Quincy University senior fullback Greg Eilerman returns as a second-team offensive utility pick in 2014, while Lincoln University senior quarterback Owen Jordan was tabbed as an honorable mention.

McKendree senior running back Cameron James holds special distinction within the group, as he has been recognized every year since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2012. James earned second-team laurels at running back in 2012 and was honored at both wide receiver and return specialist following the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Also in attendance will be Lincoln senior linebacker Treston Pulley, Missouri S&T sophomore quarterback Lamar Wilkes and junior linebacker Rob Cidlik, Quincy junior defensive end Tanner Day, Saint Joseph's senior defensive back Jamyl Scott, Southwest Baptist senior defensive tackle Josh Caver, Truman State University senior offensive lineman Brad Hardin and senior defensive end Devin Gillespie, and William Jewell junior defensive lineman Aaron Neier.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the event through a variety of social media platforms, and interact with each GLVC school as they rotate through stations over the course of the 90-minute event. A complete schedule, as well as the official GLVC Football Kickoff 2014 website, will be announced on Tuesday, July 28.

Media members interested in attending the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff can apply for credentials by contacting GLVC Associate Commissioner Jeff Smith at jeff@glvc-sports.org.

LINCOLN
Owen Jordan, Sr., QB (Fort Scott, KS/Pittsburg State)
After beginning the season as the second-string quarterback, Jordan ended up starting 10 games at quarterback and throwing for 1,867 yards, completing 160 of his 288 pass attempts (.556) in the process. Jordan threw 12 touchdown passes and ended the season ranked sixth in the GLVC in average (186.7) and seventh in efficiency (115.7). Jordan also proved he could make plays with his feet, rushing for 79 yards and two scores. Jordan ended the season on the All-GLVC Honorable Mention list.

Treston Pulley, Sr., LB (Sikeston, MO/Sikeston)
One of the leaders of the Lincoln defense in 2014, Pulley made 83 tackles, including 50 solo, the second-most on the team. Pulley was also second on the squad with 14.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, forcing opponents to lose 34 yards. Pulley additionally broke up two passes.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Morgan State grad Greg Barnett helped negotiate K.C. Chiefs Justin Houston's record $101 million deal

GREG BARNETT
NFL Agent

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- One of the key figures behind Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston's blockbuster, $101 million six-year contract is former Morgan State strong safety and Deer Park Middle school coach and teacher Greg Barnett.

The deal is the richest linebacker contract in NFL history and includes $52.5 million in guaranteed money, $32.5 million fully guaranteed and a $20.5 million signing bonus.

An NFL agent since 2004 who also represents St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (Dunbar) and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (Mount Saint Joseph), Barnett recruited Houston out of the University of Georgia. He negotiated this blockbuster deal in tandem with powerful NFL agent Joel Segal and edged out Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt's six-year, $100 million deal that included $30.9 million guaranteed.

"It was nerve-wracking, a long day of negotiating and we've been working on this since the scouting combine," Barnett told The Baltimore Sun. "We finalized the deal Tuesday night. I was actually in the emergency room until I got my blood pressure down and had to ...

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Jacksonville Jaguars sign wide receiver Greg Jenkins, ASU

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Former Alabama State University quarterback Greg Jenkins has been signed by the Jaguars as a wide receiver.

Jenkins, 6-1, 205, has appeared in six career games since entering the league as an undrafted rookie with Oakland in 2013. As a rookie, the Alabama State product returned six punts for 49 yards (8.2 punt return avg.) and 10 kickoffs for 221 yards (22.1 kick return avg.). Jenkins recorded his only NFL touchdown on a fumble return on the opening kickoff against Dallas on Nov. 28, 2013. The Dade City, Fla. native spent part of the 2014 season on the Raiders’ practice squad.

Jenkins started for two years at quarterback at Alabama State after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As a senior, he completed 137 of 233 passes (58.8 comp. pct.) for 1,691 yards and nine touchdowns, and rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns on 121 carries (4.2 rush avg.). Jenkins attended Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County, Fla..

With the signing of Jenkins, the Jaguars now have 90 players on their roster.



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JSU opponent preview: Grambling State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Today's installment of The Clarion-Ledger's game-by-game analysis of Jackson State's 2015 schedule focuses on Grambling State, which has been held in high regard this preseason.

Grambling State rebounded from a tough 2012 season and a terrible '13 season, which included a forfeit against Jackson State after GSU players held a boycott, in a big way a year ago.

After an 0-3 start, coach Broderick Fobbs turned things around in Year 1. The Tigers were a goal-line stand by Southern away from potentially playing in the SWAC title game.

They were close to title contention last season, are the preseason favorite to win the West Division this year, and should prove to be a formidable foe for JSU.

Senior quarterback Johnathan Williams returns to lead an offense that was the No. 1 in passing in the SWAC last year.

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TSU Coach Rod Reed - John Merritt Classic Press Conference

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –  Tennessee State held its annual press conference for the John Merritt Classic football game on Friday morning at Nissan Stadium.

Long time WSMV newscaster Rudy Kalis served as the master of ceremonies, which included head coaches and athletic directors of each institution.

TSU AD Teresa Phillips opened the panel discussion with comments and was followed by ASU interim AD Melvin Hines. The Hornets first-year coach, Brian Jenkins, followed before comments from Tigers coach Rod Reed. Kalis brought the JMC committee chairman Clinton Gray to the podium before posing questions to all four members of the panel.

The 17th Annual John Merritt Classic football game on Sept. 6 will pit TSU against the Alabama State Hornets. The two teams will square off for the third time as part of the classic and for the 13th time all time.

The classic began in 1999 with a 41-8 victory for the Big Blue over the Hornets. The Tigers earned a 30-13 victory against ASU the very next season, the last time the classic featured both squads. In 2014, TSU traveled to Montgomery, Ala. and fell to ASU, 27-21.

The Tigers defeated Edward Waters College, 58-6, last year to improve to 11-5 all-time in JMC games.

TSU great, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, will serve as the honoree for the classic. Jones was a two-time All-American defensive lineman, playing on a team that only lost two games, on the way to winning the black college football national championship in 1971 and 1973. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the first overall pick in the 1974 draft.


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Saints inform 2014 sack leader Galette (Stillman) of his release

METAIRIE, Louisiana -- The New Orleans Saints are getting rid of their best pass rusher.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints will release Junior Galette, according to a source informed of the situation Friday. Galette recorded 22 sacks over the last two seasons, and was handed a four-year extension worth $41.3 million in September of last year. He received $17.95 million in the last year alone.

Galette recently met with NFL officials, according to Rapoport. The league is looking into two off-the-field incidents by Galette and the Saints have grown increasingly frustrated with him. Galette was arrested on domestic violence and simple battery charges in January; the charges were eventually dropped. Galette was also dealing with a torn pectoral muscle this offseason. Doctors were split regarding whether Galette required surgery.

In a conversation with Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune, Galette cNalled the move "the worst call they've ever made. It was a terrible call to kick me when I'm down.

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“Meet the Jaguars” to draw Southern fans in Cenla

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana -- Southern University’s pride is wide across Louisiana.

That statement can be said in Central Louisiana as the Rapides Chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation will host an event where fans and alumni can meet with school officials prior to the season.

“Meet the Jaguars” will take place Saturday at Best Western Inn as Jaguars coach Dawson Odums will be in attendance.

“The Southern fan base is huge in Central Louisiana,” city councilman Roosevelt Johnson said. “Most of the fan base here are prominent in the community as lawyers, teachers and businessmen.”

One of the key points of the event is to help benefit a scholarship fund for future prospective students who may want to attend the university.

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Grambling, TSU could make Fobbs a winner

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling’s Broderick Fobbs has come full circle to get where he’ll be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.

As a youngster, Fobbs sat in the Independence Stadium stands with his parents and watched his favorite college team beat up on an opponent. Flash forward a few years and Fobbs was a Grambling Tiger participating in the game and beating up on yet another opponent.

“I’m undefeated in that stadium,” Fobbs said at a news conference on Friday morning announcing the Red River State Fair Classic, featuring the Fobbs-coached Tigers against Texas Southern. The game will be held during the run of the Louisiana State Fair and ticket holders to the game will be admitted to fair at no additional charge.

The game will in essence replace the Port City Classic, a three-year venture that ...

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FAMU's Jonathan Ferrell, the Randall Kerrick case and a college coach's remembrance

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- On September 14, 2013, former Florida A&M football player Jonathan Ferrell lost his life on a Charlotte roadside. It's a script that now sounds too familiar. An unarmed black man. An armed police officer. And now, a contentious trial featuring two sides of the same story that always ends the same:

A life cut short. A life now recalled in twelve snapshots —one for every bullet fired toward Ferrell's body:

I. Ferrell fit the profile. Big and physical enough to play linebacker. Fast enough to play safety. Instinctive enough to grab a key interception in the Florida state championship game. A Florida A&M University High graduate with high-level D-I talent, but homebody tendencies, his heart Tallahassee-bound.

So naturally, Florida A&M’s college football program and then-defensive coordinator Earl Holmes saw Ferrell. And they took a shot.

II. September 14, 2013, in the dark hours past midnight:

Ferrell fit the profile from the panicked 911 call. A black man. Bleeding. Big enough to have filled the doorframe of Sarah McCartney’s Charlotte home.

According to Randall Kerrick’s attorneys, he ignored repeated police demands to hit the ground. He advanced.

So naturally, Officer Kerrick saw Ferrell. And he took a shot. Then he took eleven more. 12 bullets. Ten intercepted by Ferrell’s body. An 83.3 completion percentage. A body, touched down.

An officer shackled Ferrell's wrists as he died.

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XU Rush, Nuggets will compete for GCAC and Red River titles in 2015

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's men's and women's cross country teams will take shots at a pair of conference team championships this year.

Joseph Moses, beginning his 11th season as head coach, announced Thursday the 2015 schedules of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets.

Xavier recently announced its affiliation with the Red River Athletic Conference for cross country only in 2015. The Red River men's and women's champions will qualify automatically for the NAIA National Championships. But Xavier's longtime conference home, the Gulf Coast Athletic, still will offer a league meet, even though it is not an NAIA automatic-qualifying conference this season.

The GCAC meet — which will be scored as part of the Choctaw Open in Clinton, Miss. — will be Oct. 17. The RRAC meet will be Nov. 6 in San Antonio, Texas.

Xavier is the nine-time defending GCAC men's and women's team champion.

For the second straight year, Xavier will begin the season at home in its Big Easy Opener Aug. 28 at nearby City Park. Xavier's other metro New Orleans competition will be Sept. 12 in the Louisiana Army National Guard / ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational in Metairie, La.

Xavier will compete in two meets hosted by NCAA Division I schools: Sept. 4 in the Southern Miss Invitational and Sept. 19 in the LSU Invitational.

Charlotte, N.C., will be the site of this year's NAIA national meet. Lawrence, Kan., was the site the previous two years.

Xavier returns 2014 All-GCAC runners Christopher August and Brent Kitto from the men's team and Hannah Finnegan and Briana Simms from the women's. August and Finnegan were GCAC second-place finishers a year ago.

Xavier University of Louisiana 2015 Men's and Women's Cross Country Schedule Friday, Aug. 28 XAVIER BIG EASY OPENER, City Park, 5:30 p.m. women, 6 p.m. men Friday, Sept. 4 Southern Miss Invitational, Hattiesburg, Miss., 5:30 p.m. men, 6 p.m. women Saturday, Sept. 12 Louisiana Army National Guard / ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational, Metairie, La., 7:50 a.m. women, 8:25 a.m. men Saturday, Sept. 19 LSU Invitational, Baton Rouge, La., times to be announced Friday, Oct. 9 Mississippi College / Watson Ford Invitational, Clinton, Miss., 4:30 p.m. women, 5:15 p.m. men Saturday, Oct. 17 Choctaw Open / Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, Clinton, Miss., 8:30 a.m. women, 9:15 a.m. men Friday, Nov. 6 Red River Athletic Conference Championships, San Antonio, Texas, times to be announced Saturday, Nov. 21 NAIA National Championships, Charlotte, N.C., 10:30 a.m. EST men, 11:45 a.m. EST women Home meets in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS      All times are Central except where noted      Schedules are subject to change

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Commentary: Accident changes perspective of ASU's Jenkins

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins now walks with a noticeable limp.

It's not a result from pacing up and down the football sidelines for several years. Something else happened and in a split second did more than just change the manner in which he gets around.

For Jenkins, it changed his life.

Earlier this month, Jenkins said he was hit by an RV while sitting on his motorcycle on the side of the road on I-95 outside of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jenkins said he was in the hospital for two days.

"As I laid there in the road, I thought I was dead," Jenkins said. "The grace of God kept me alive."

That's how Jenkins responded to a question at SWAC Media Day about his job security as it relates to allegations about ASU football and his time at Bethune-Cookman. This isn't to say he hasn't or isn't concerned or shouldn't be concerned about his future because there are reasons for him to be.

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Mack likes NCCU Eagles' depth and experience

CARY, North Carolina — N.C. Central football coach Jerry Mack displayed the confidence on Thursday at the the 13th annual Pigskin Preview luncheon he expects from his team when they open their season in about six weeks against St. Augustine's.

Mack's confidence has been built by years of playing and coaching, while the second edition of his Eagles will have the confidence that grew immensely during the last half of last season. After a rough 1-4 start, N.C. Central rebounded to win six of its last eight games and grab a share of the MEAC football championship.

Oh yeah, there was that season-ending victory over North Carolina A&T that capped it all off for a 7-5 overall mark and a 4-2 MEAC record.

On Thursday with Mack on the stage with the area's other Division I coaches David Cutcliffe, Larry Fedora, Dave Doeren and Ruffin McNeill, he said he will have plenty of experience players back to count on.



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Shaw, St. Aug’s football teams look to bounce back in CIAA

RODERICK DAVENPORT
6'-1/200 Redshirt Senior RB
Orangeburg, S.C.
SAU Falcons

MARQUISE GRIZZLE
5'-7/165 Junior RB
Camden, N.C.
Shaw Bears
 






















DURHAM, North Carolina — The CIAA held its annual football media day Thursday, announcing its predicted order of finish and preseason All-CIAA selections. Heading into the 2015 season, here are the top story lines for Shaw and St. Augustine’s:

Running toward history

Shaw and St. Aug’s are coming off turbulent 3-7 seasons and were predicted to finish eighth and 11th, respectively, in the 12-team league, but both teams have weapons in the backfield that will give them a chance to compete.

Shaw running back Marquise Grizzle enters his senior season 333 yards from the team’s all-time rushing record. He missed three games last season with an injury but still ran for 750 yards and is closing in on 3,000 yards.

Grizzle was not named to the preseason All-CIAA team, but his coach wouldn’t hand off to anybody else.

“Marquise Grizzle hands down is the best running back in this conference – I’ll go to my grave with that off the last four years he’s been in this conference running the ball,” Shaw coach Robert Massey said. “Maybe the injury took (preseason all-conference honors) away from him.”

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FSU Broncos picked 4th in poll; hope to build on strong 2014 finish

DURHAM, North Carolina - The bus ride from Petersburg, Virginia to Fayetteville is about three hours, and the Fayetteville Broncos put that time to good use last September.

The Broncos had just suffered a 21-point loss against Virginia State to start the 2014 season with an 0-4 record. Second-year head coach Lawrence Kershaw didn't wait to get back to Fayetteville before engaging in a stern discussion with his team.

"We were on the bus ride back and Coach got up to talk to us," running back Andre Montgomery recalled. "We talked about how and why our season was going down the way it was. We were making too many errors and sometimes we were loafing.

"But talking about it on that bus ride, and again the next day in another meeting, it seemed like everyone got on the same page after that."

The result saw the rejuvenated Broncos win five of their final six games and for a second straight season come within a victory of advancing to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic championship game.

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Lincoln seeking a replacement for Kern

LOWER OXFORD, Pennsylvania -- For the second time in four months, one of Lincoln’s three most prominent head coaches has volunteered to leave the university.

Women’s basketball mentor Jessica Kern resigned her position earlier this month to accept an assistant’s position at Division I Furman (S.C.) following a four-season stint with the Lions. Football coach Ramon Flanigan exited in March amidst a very public rebuke of athletic director Darryl Pope.

“I will forever be indebted to Lincoln,” said Kern, who apparently left on better terms. “It will always be a special place to me.”

The move reportedly shocked and saddened many of the current members of the Lincoln women’s basketball squad -- who are coming off a 22-9 season, which established a new single season record for victories.

“I was contacted by the basketball parents and it was reported to me that the girls are devastated about how they received ...

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JCSU picked to finish 5th in CIAA Southern Division in football

DURHAM, North Carolina -- It's a new day for football at Johnson C. Smith as Kermit Blount takes over as head coach, but once again, the Golden Bulls get low marks in the conference preseason rankings.

Today at CIAA Football Media Day, they were picked to finish 5th in the 6 team Southern Division. Winston-Salem State was picked to win the Southern Division.

Speaking of W-S State, coach Blount saw great success at his alma mater as he won 91 games as their head coach and won 2 CIAA titles. He knows the conference very well and knows preseason polls don't mean a thing.

"They can pick me #14 if they want to I really don't care," said coach Blount. "The bottom line is I know I have some young men who are really going to go to war and battle. That's the only thing that matters to me."

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WSSU football picked to win 2015 CIAA title

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams football team is picked to win the CIAA Southern Division and to take home the 2015 CIAA Title, it was announced at the CIAA Football Media Day held at the Research Triangle Park Marriott in Durham on Thursday.

Winston-Salem State University finished the 2014 season with a 9-2 overall record, and for the first time in four seasons, missed out on the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Coach, Kienus Boulware, is now in his second season at the helm of the WSSU Rams, and after a solid recruiting season, looks to get the Rams back to the top tier of NCAA Division II football.

Three Rams were also selected to the preseason All-CIAA team, d
efensive lineman Michael Bloomfield , offensive lineman Jac'que Polite and punter/kicker William Johnson.

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CIAA Release 2015 Football Predictions & Preseason All-Conference Team

Hampton, Virginia -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in conjunction with its Football Coaches Association has announced the 2015 Predicted Order of Finish and the preseason all-conference team. The announcement was made during the annual football media day held in Durham, North Carolina.

Winston-Salem State University has been selected the front runner for the upcoming season. The Rams finished 9-2 overall last season with a 7-0 conference record. The defending CIAA Champions Virginia State University, under first-year head coach Byron Thweatt, was selected to finish second. The Trojans advanced to the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs with a 10-3 overall record.

In addition to the predicted order, the Preseason All-CIAA was also announced during the event. 2014 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year Jalen Hendricks (Livingstone) will highlight the preseason team. Twelve of the honorees named were members of the 2014 All-CIAA Team.

The predicted order and preseason team was announced as follows:

 

1st - Winston-Salem State University
2nd - Virginia State University
3rd - Virginia Union University
4th - Fayetteville State University
5th - Bowie State University
6th - Elizabeth City State University

7th - Livingstone College
8th - Shaw University
9th - Chowan University
10th - Johnson C. Smith University
11th - Saint Augustine's University
12th - The Lincoln University

2015 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team

 

Offense

TE	#85	AJ Mundle	ECSU	6-1	230	Sr.	Fremont, NC
OL	#60	Addison Hayes*	VUU	6-2	314	Sr.	Savannah, GA
OL	#75	Jhamil Haley	VSU	6-3	280	Jr.	Portsmouth, VA
OL	#62	Jac'que Polite	WSSU	6-5	300	Jr.	Ridgeland, SC
OL	#75	Justin Nester	BSU	6-3	276	Jr.	Dayton, MD
OL	#72	Kristjan Brown	FSU	6-3	300	So.	Charlotte, NC
WR	#14	Jalen Hendricks*	LC	6-2	205	Sr.	Nashville, NC
WR	#80	Jaivon Smallwood*	VSU	6-2	175	Sr.	Virginia Beach, VA
QB	#2	Drew Powell*	LC	6-3	225	Sr.	Upper Marlboro, MD
RB	#24	Roderick Davenport II*	SAU	6-1	200	Sr.	Orangeburg, SC
RB	#28	Kavon Bellamy*	VSU	5-10	205	Jr.	Hampton, VA
PK	#47	William Johnson	WSSU	5-11	175	Jr.	High Point, NC
KR	#2	Antonio Huff	ECSU	5-9	160	Sr.	Washington, DC

Defense

DL	#10	Anthony McDaniel*	BSU	6-1	275	Sr.	Ft. Washington, MD
DL	#40	Michael Bloomfield	WSSU	6-3	245	Sr.	Jacksonville, NC
DL	#56	Ray Prosise	VSU	6-0	290	Sr.	Petersburg, VA
DL	#72	Kemaree Alcorn	CU	6-5	260	So.	Virginia Beach, VA
LB	#50	Austin Jacques*	JCSU	6-1	210	Sr.	Springdale, MD
LB	#2	Joseph Blanks	VUU	6-1	240	Sr.	Pembroke, NC
LB	#14	Brandon Lynch	VSU	6-1	200	So.	Norfolk, VA
DB	#7	Curtis Pumphrey*	BSU	5-8	158	Sr.	Laurel, MD
DB	#5	Darion Thomas*	VSU	6-0	160	Sr.	Virginia Beach, VA
DB	#1	Brion Robinson*	TLU	5-9	200	Sr.	Silver Spring, MD
DB	#21	Rodeshawn Joseph	VUU	6-1	185	Sr.	Pompano Beach, FL
P	#57	Christopher Palmer*	BSU	6-2	274	Sr.	St. Mary's, MD
PR	#2	Antonio Huff	ECSU	5-9	160	Sr.	Washington, DC

* = 2014 All-CIAA Team Members

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FAMU Rattler duo turned in strong performances in Pan Am Games

GINA LOPEZ
Peruvian National Team
FAMU Women's Volleyball
GINA'S INSTAGRAM PAGE

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The 2015 Pan American Games Women’s Volleyball competition is down the final rounds of play, and two of the talented performers in the pre-Olympic competition have ties to the FAMU Women’s Volleyball program – middle Ginna Lopez and libero Susan Egoavil for the Peruvian National team.

Thursday, both players played a key role in Peru’s 3-2 win over Canada in the seventh place game in the Games.

Lopez, a 6-3 junior honor student in FAMU’s School of Business and Industry, is a two-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection, and a preseason 2015 All-MEAC pick, scored 11 points, with five (5) kills and six (6) blocks in Thursday’s victory, including a critical kill in the fifth set that put Peru ahead, 14-13.



SUSAN EGOAVIL
Peruvian National Team
FAMU Women's Volleyball Alumna
SUSAN'S TWITTER PAGE

Egoavil, a 2008 FAMU graduate, who recently completed her MBA, had 19 digs in Thursday’s finale, and has ranked among the top liberos in the Pan Am Games.

 

FAMU head coach Tony Trifonov was elated over the performances of the two players. “We are so proud to have those kids representing their countries on the world stage, and representing FAMU at the same time.

 

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FAMU's MLB Hall of Famer Andre "The Hawk" Dawson Named Franchise Four for Washington Nationals

Washington, D.C. -- The MLB All Star Game is always going to be more about pageantry than the actual baseball game. For one three (or four, in this year's case) day stretch, the entire baseball world comes together in one city. While part of the reason that they do that is to showcase some of the most talented players in today's game, it's also an opportunity for baseball to celebrate its rich history. This season, MLB decided that their celebration of history was going to focus on each franchise's four most iconic players.... a Mount Rushmore of sorts.

At the All Star Game, the four players chosen to represent the Washington franchise were announced. Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Vladimir Guerrero, and Tim Raines were honored. All four were Montreal Expos. While I would have liked to see Zimmerman on there to represent the current incarnation of the franchise, it's difficult to argue with any of the choices.



Andre Dawson - .279/.323/.482, 438 HR, 1373 Runs, 1591 RBI, 314 SB, 59.5 fWAR

The Hawk was the Expos second Hall of Famer, despite his stated preference to go into the Hall donning a Chicago Cubs cap. Dawson was an eight time All Star. He also won eight Gold Gloves, four Silver Slugger Awards, and the 1987 MVP as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Despite winning the MVP when he was with the Cubs, Dawson's four best seasons (by far) in terms of fWAR came when he was still a member of the Expos (1980-83). He spent his first ten full seasons in Montreal, bashing 225 HR and stealing 252 bases in that time. As a Montreal Expo, Andre Dawson averaged a 20/20 season for a decade.

*While Dawson is a product of Southwest Miami High School and Florida A&M University, Tim Raines built a potential hall of fame skill-set 250 miles north in Sanford, Florida.  Raines went straight from Seminole High School (drafted in the 5th Round of the 1977 MLB amateur draft) to the Montreal Expos.  He made his major league debut in September 1979.  Known as the "Rock," Raines was a 3-sports super-star in high school track, football and baseball.  In football, the Rock averaged 10.5 yards per carry as a running back for the Sanford Seminoles. 

*Tim also has a son (Timothy Raines, Jr.) that graduated from the same high school and played in the major leagues 2001-2004 for Baltimore, Washington, Arizona and Kansas City.  Sanford Seminole High School has produced four MLB players with the 5'-8/160 Rock at the top of the heap.  The connection to this story is the Rock, the Hawk and I share the same alma maters, and that I had the good fortune to see each play baseball long before MLB became a reality for them.  In fact, the Hawk became a legend for knocking home runs across  traffic on Wahnish Way on the FAMU campus.  What a headache he created for all SIAC pitchers.

Tim Raines - .294/.385/.425, 170 HR, 1571 Runs, 980 RBI, 808 SB, 66.4 fWAR

The Rock has a couple of shots left at the Hall of Fame, but he's not there yet. Raines was a seven time All Star, a one time Silver Slugger, the 1986 NL Batting Champ, and led the NL in Stolen Bases four times. With his ability to hit for average, his patience at the plate, and his speed, there's actually not a bad argument that Tim Raines was the second best leadoff man of all-time. Unfortunately, he played in the same era as the greatest leadoff man ever. Solely as an Expo, Raines ranks second to Gary Carter in all-time WAR by both Baseball Reference (48.9) and Fangraphs (49.3). His career WAR total (69.1 rWAR, 66.4 fWAR) by both sites ranks well ahead of former teammate and Hall of Famer Andre Dawson as well. Raines played his first ten full seasons with the Expos organization.



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Southern's Brock named to St. Louis Cardinals 'Franchise Four'

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- During last week’s 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star game in Cincinnati, former Southern University legend Lou Brock was announced as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals’ ‘Franchise Four.’

According to MLB.com, Franchise Four winners were selected from a list of eight nominees from each franchise as chosen by official MLB historian John Thorn plus representatives from the Elias Sports Bureau, MLB.com, MLB Network and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Brock joined fellow Cardinals Bob Gipson, Rogers Hornsby and Stan Musial during the pregame festivities as the Franchise Four from all 30 franchises. Three other foursome – Greatest Living Players, Greatest Negro League Players and Greatest Pioneers – were also honored.


Lou Brock delivers his speech after being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Brock attended high school in Mer Rouge and enjoyed a stellar three-year career as member of the Jaguar baseball program. As a junior, Brock helped lead a star-studded team to a NAIA National Championship in 1959.

Lou Brock signed with the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1960 before making his big league debut on September 10, 1961. The Cubs traded Brock on June 15, 1964, to the Cardinals where the Arkansas native would help the St. Louis to three World Series appearances in the 60s.

Brock played 19 seasons in the majors before retiring with 3023 career hits, 149 home runs, 900 runs batted in, and 938 stolen bases. At the time of his retirement, Brock, a six time all-star, held the career record in stolen bases.

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