Sunday, February 25, 2018

Bats come alive as FAMU Rattlers sweep Alcorn State Braves in double header

COURTESY: FAMU SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  (Game 1) -- After a tough Friday night loss, the Rattlers looked to take game two of their four game series with Alcorn State University.

The Rattler bats came alive early in this one, putting up four runs in the 1st inning. After Jordan Curtis and John Capra each walked, Dallas Oliver drove in Curtis on a single up the middle. Octavien Moyer would follow up with his 2nd homerun of the season, driving in Capra and Oliver to make the score 4-0 FAMU after one inning of play. Oliver, who started the game on the mound for the Rattlers, would help his own cause again in the 2nd inning, driving in John Capra on a single to right field.

After two scoreless innings by FAMU starting pitcher Dallas Oliver, Alcorn State got on the board in the 3rd inning. Nicholas Hayes-Saltare, who reached on a single, scored on a groundout to the 2nd baseman by Wallas Rios Jimenez. Wilbert Malphus, who also reached base on a single, would then be driven in by an A.J. Makarewics double, making the score 5-2 FAMU after three innings of play.

The Braves would add two more runs in the 4th inning. Kyle Jenkins led off the inning with a single, and Brendly Martina later got hit by a pitch. Both runners would then score on a double to the left field wall by Nicholas Hayes-Saltare, making the score 5-4 FAMU.


The Rattlers answered with a huge 4th inning, scoring 12 runs on 7 hits. Kodi Russ led off the inning with a walk, followed by a Malachi Mitchell hit by pitch. Jordan Curtis would also walk, and John Capra capitalized with a double to left, scoring Russ and Mitchell. Jordan Curtis then scored on a bases loaded hit by pitch by Octavien Moyer, and Capra also scored on a bases loaded hit by pitch by Willis McDaniel. The Braves pitching struggles continued, as Dallas Oliver scored from 3rd on a wild pitch and Bret Maxwell drove in three more runs with a homerun to left field. After reaching on a double, Kodi Russ scored on a single by Malachi Mitchell, who would then score on a John Capra double down the left field line. Capra then scored on a single to right center by Dallas Oliver. Octavien Moyer drove in Oliver on a double before the inning finally came to an end.

FAMU did not let up, adding another run in the 5th inning, making the score 18-4. After reaching base on a walk, Eric Blanc advanced to 2nd base on a wild pitch. He then advanced to 3rd on a passed ball, and scored on a ground ball to shortstop by Malachi Mitchell. The Rattlers were still not done, tacking on another three runs in the 6th thanks to a solo homerun to left field by John Capra, a Bret Maxwell double that scored Willis McDaniel, and an RBI single by Javon Byrd.

Both coaches agreed to call the game going into the bottom of the 7th inning. Dallas Oliver earned his first win of the season, throwing 5 innings, giving up four earned runs while striking out five. William Walter threw two scoreless innings to wrap up the game.

Alcorn State starting pitcher George Osborne was handed his 2nd loss of the season, giving up seven earned runs through 3 innings. Joe Smith, Tyler Smith and Brandon Thomas combined to pitch the last 3 innings of the game for the Braves.

Game 2 – Coming off a big win, Florida A&M looked to sweep the Saturday double header against Alcorn State University.

The Rattlers picked up right where they left off, and John Capra stayed hot, hitting a home run in the 1st inning to give FAMU an early 1-0 lead.

Alcorn State answered in the 3rd inning with a two run homerun off the bat of Der’Vincent Hamilton, giving the Braves a 2-1 lead going into the bottom half.

This lead would not last a full inning, as Florida A&M quickly regained the lead in the bottom half of the 3rd. After reaching base on a single to right, Cameron Johnson would later score on a sacrifice fly to left field by John Capra, tying the game at two. Dallas Oliver would then drive in Kaycee Reese on a single to right field. Octavien Moyer then kept the inning alive with a 2 out single, driving in Jordan Curtis and Dallas Oliver, making it a 5-2 game for the Rattlers.

Wilbert Malphus led off the Braves’ half of the 4th with a double, and would later score on a single by Wallas Rios Jimenez to shorten the Rattlers’ lead to 5-3.

FAMU blew the game open in the 5th inning. John Capra led off the inning with a single, and Dallas Oliver followed that up with a double to right center. Both runners would score on an error by the center fielder on a fly ball hit by Jacky Miles. Octavien Moyer would then single to drive in Brian Davis, who reached on a hit by pitch. Willis McDaniel tacked on another run, driving in Moyer on a single, making the score 9-3 in favor of the Rattlers.

FAMU would go on to make it an 11-3 ball game in the 6th inning, thanks to a single by Jacky Miles that scored John Capra. Brian Davis also scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on a double.

After coming in to pitch for Josh Wilson in the 3rd inning, Chandellor Benton got the win for the Rattlers, throwing 4.1 innings, giving up only one earned run.

Bukhari Brown got his first loss of the season for the Braves. Brown was replaced by Jose Fernandez in the 3rd inning. Fernandez threw 2.1 innings before Regynold Johnson entered the game in the 6th.

Florida A&M will look to win their 3rd straight game on Sunday, February 24th, at 12:00 PM at Moore-Kittles Field, as they will take on Alcorn State in the final game of their four game series.

Game 1 Play-By-Play
Game 2 Play-By-Play

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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Rush, Nuggets win on road vs. ranked Mobile teams

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana scored a pair of tennis victories against ranked NAIA opponents Friday. The Gold Rush defeated the University of Mobile 6-3, and the Gold Nuggets beat the UM women 7-2.
     

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Gold Rush (5-6), ranked second in the NAIA, and the first loss of the season for the Rams (4-1), who are 11th. The Gold Nuggets (4-7) are ranked 13th, and the Mobile women (2-3) are 12th.
     

It was a memorable XULA debut for Angela Charles-Alfred, who teamed with Mariia Borodii to rally for a 9-8 (7-4) victory against the ITA's fifth-ranked NAIA women's doubles team, Mariah Plauth and Sina Marchione. Charles-Alfred and Borodii, who are freshmen, trailed 7-4 in games before winning four in a row.     

Gabriel Niculescu clinched for the Gold Rush with a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Javier Ahumada. The XULA men have 15 consecutive dual-match victories against ranked NAIA teams not named Georgia Gwinnett. That streak began in 2016.
     
It was the first tennis matchups between Mobile and XULA since Mobile left the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2010 for the Southern States Athletic Conference.
     

The XULA men won for the third consecutive day. They shut out NCAA Division I opponents Nicholls State and Prairie View A&M the previous two days.
     

The Gold Nuggets' victory was their third of the season against a top-20 opponent. All occurred on the road.
     

Both XULA teams will be back on the road next Friday to play top-10 William Carey teams at 3 p.m. in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Gold Rush tame Panthers for third consecutive victory

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana won four singles matches Thursday to earn a 4-0 men's tennis victory against Prairie View A&M.
     

The Gold Rush (4-6), ranked second in the NAIA, have won three straight, all in the last five days. The Panthers are 0-10.
     

"We started out with singles because we were pushed for time," XULA coach Alan Greensaid. "The guys came out ready to play and really took care of business. Things are getting better."
     

XULA's top four singles players — Catalin FifeaShaikh AbdullahSamir Chikhaoui and Pierre Andrieu — won. Chris Anders, playing in his hometown, and Gabriel Niculescu were leading when Chikhaoui beat Kevin Ugarteche 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the dual.
     

Abdullah defeated Anirudh Yadav 6-3, 6-2; both are from Hyderabad, India. Fifea blanked Xavier Lawrence 6-0, 6-0, and Andrieu defeated Cesar Reyna 7-6 (7-4), 6-0.
     

It was the first time since 2003 — Green's first season as coach of the Rush and Gold Nuggets — that the XULA men defeated NCAA Division I opponents on consecutive days. The Gold Rush won 4-0 Wednesday at Nicholls State.
     

The XULA men and women will be back on the road Friday to play the University of Mobile at 3 p.m. in Mobile, Ala. The Mobile men are 4-0 and ranked 11th in the NAIA, and the women are 2-2 and ranked 12th. XULA's women are 3-7 and ranked 13th.

Results

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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Delaware State fires men & women basketball coaches

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State University has announced that head men’s basketball coach Keith Walker and head women’s coach Barbara Burgess were relieved of their duties today after being informed their contracts will not be renewed for next season.

The Hornet men have a 3-25 overall record and 1-12 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with Walker at the helm this season. Since appointed as DSU head coach with 10 games left in the 2013-14 regular season, Walker posted a 43-96 record (27-44 MEAC) with the Hornets.

Keith Johnson, Delaware State Associate Men’s Head Coach, has been appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

The DSU women’s basketball team has a 5-21 overall record and 4-9 mark in MEAC contests under Burgess this season. She compiled a 17-69 record (12-33 MEAC) since appointed as head coach of the Lady Hornets prior to the 2015-16 season.

Assistant coach Kyle Adams will serve as DSU interim women’s basketball head coach for the rest of the 2017-18 campaign.

“We thank coach Walker and coach Burgess for their service to the University and wish them well in their future endeavors,” said Mary Hill, Delaware State Interim Director of Athletics.

The Delaware State women and men have three regular season games remaining before competing in the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Mar. 5-10 in Norfolk, Va.

The Hornet teams return to action on Saturday at Howard University in Washington, D.C. DSU’s women and men will also visit Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 26 before wrapping up the regular season at home against Morgan State on Mar. 1.

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Conference quarrel: Hampton claims MEAC is punishing Pirates for leaving for Big South

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University’s road south has encountered an obstacle.

As the Pirates prepare to transition out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and into the Big South Conference, a move HU announced in November, Hampton has encountered an issue with its soon-to-be former league.

Last week, The Onnidian Group – an HBCU-centric website, tweeted Hampton will not play any MEAC football games in 2018 or 2019. Citing sources, the tweet said HU was trying to fill its schedule from scratch.

Tuesday, Hampton responded to what it calls “inaccurate and misleading” reports it has opted out of playing MEAC football opponen
ts in 2018. HU claims the MEAC is going out of its way to punish the Pirates for leaving the conference.

News 3 reached MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas by phone Wednesday afternoon. When asked for the conference’s response to Hampton’s claims, Dr. Thomas said, “We have reviewed the document and will have the appropriate response in due time. Until then, we will refrain from making further comment.”

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How a long-downtrodden program now has college basketball's longest win streak

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- In a topsy-turvy season in college basketball when blue bloods are vulnerable, new blood is rising and chaos is the only certainty, there’s no greater symbol of the tumult than the owner of the sport’s longest active win streak.

It belongs to a program that hasn’t won a league title in more than a quarter century, hasn’t produced a winning season in more than a decade and hasn’t ever made the NCAA tournament.

The head coach is a man who has repeatedly been turned down for Division I assistant coaching jobs. The star player is a point guard who had to go across the country to find a program that didn’t think he was too short to be a difference maker. Together they’ve led long-downtrodden Grambling State to 11 consecutive victories, an achievement that for 48 hours stood alone until Michigan State matched it on Tuesday night.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson told Yahoo Sports. “I don’t know how significant it is because there’s no trophy for a win streak, but it’s good notoriety for our program and it helps us a little bit with recruiting.”

Jackson learned Grambling State had college basketball’s longest win streak on Sunday evening when his phone buzzed as he was chatting with his wife and packing for a recruiting trip. A friend texted to inform him that the Tigers had ascended to the top spot because Vermont had just lost for the first time in more than two months.

Although Jackson didn’t hug his wife in celebration or call to congratulate his players, the first-year coach did take a moment to quietly reflect on the accomplishment. Any positive recognition is significant for a Grambling State program five years removed from a winless season and two years removed from a 11-126 stretch against Division I competition.

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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Gold Rush shut out Division I Nicholls on the road

THIBODAUX, Louisiana  — Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis defeated NCAA Division I Nicholls State for the third straight season with a 4-0 victory Wednesday.
     
In the women's dual, Nicholls defeated XULA 4-0.
     
Samir Chikhaoui defeated Tobias Lentz 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3 singles to clinch the Gold Rush's first-ever road shutout against a non-HBCU member of Division I. Catalin Fifea and Gabriel Niculescu clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 victory at No. 3 against Leo Santos and Alvaro Barranco Vilaltella.
    
 Chris Anders and Pierre Andrieu were first off the court with a 6-1 No. 2 doubles victory against Lewis Cox and Néstor Giribet Lopez. Catalin Fifea beat Oleksander Podgursky 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, Andrieu defeated Giribet Lopez 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 at No. 4.
     
The men were in a dogfight, but they hung in there and competed like a true team," XULA coach Alan Green said. "The match could have gone either way, so the final score does not indicate that. Our guys stepped up big at crunch time."
     
The Gold Rush, ranked second in the NAIA, are 3-6, and the Colonels are 2-2. It was XULA's second straight victory and first this season at an opponent's venue.
     
Changwei Wei clinched for the Nicholls women with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 5 singles against Farah Baklouti. The Gold Nuggets led in two halted matches — Baklouti and Julia Anglin led Wei and Anastasia Kuzevanova 5-4 on the third doubles court, and Charlene Goreau led Lingfeng Gu 6-2, 5-4 at No. 2 singles.
     
The Gold Nuggets, ranked 13th, are 3-7, and the Nicholls women are 4-1.
     
XULA's men will travel to Baton Rouge, La., to play Prairie View A&M in a neutral-site dual at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and both XULA teams will travel to Alabama to face the University of Mobile at 3 p.m. Friday. The Thursday start time was pushed back 2 1/2 hours.

Results:  Men   •   Women

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Bank of Mart pays dividend in overtime for Gold Rush



NEW ORLEANS — Freshman Rayshawn Mart's off-balance bank shot at the buzzer in overtime Monday gave NAIA No. 22 Xavier University of Louisiana a 60-58 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

The Gold Rush (20-7, 7-3) outscored the Panthers (12-12, 5-5) 7-0 in the final 2 1/2 minutes. The XULA men are 6-0 in overtime in Alfred Williams's two seasons as head coach.

Mart led the Rush with 14 points and nine rebounds. Jeff Dixon had 13 points and five assists — he passed to Mart for the winning shot — and Joseph Williams, Jalen David and Galen Smith scored eight apiece.

Ernest Maize had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and four steals for Philander Smith. Tyson Oliver scored 13, and his 3-pointer at 3:19 of overtime gave the Panthers a 58-53 advantage. But they committed four turnovers thereafter, including a backcourt travel after a defensive rebound with 20 seconds remaining.

The teams were tied at 28 at halftime and 53 at the end of regulation. Maize's basket with 54 seconds remaining was the final score of the second half, then both teams missed 3-pointers.

The Gold Rush, 10-20 a year ago, reached 20 victories for the seventh time in eight seasons. XULA's 32 seasons of 20-or-more victories are the most in the history of Louisiana men's college basketball.

XULA can earn at least a share of the GCAC regular-season championship by winning its final two games this month, starting with a 5 p.m. Saturday home matchup with Tougaloo at the Convocation Center.



BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Nuggets stretch GCAC winning streak to 5 games

NEW ORLEANS — Forty-eighy hours after a double-digit victory against its historical rival, the Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team showed no signs of a letdown.

XULA answered two Philander Smith runs Monday in a 79-64 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference victory. It was the Gold Nuggets' fifth consecutive conference victory and the third against a team that beat them in the first half of the GCAC schedule.

Essence Wells scored 15 points, and Mikayla Bates had 13 points, a career-best 13 rebounds and a career-high-tying seven assists for the Gold Nuggets (12-11, 5-5), who climbed above .500 for the first time in nearly six weeks. Also contributing were Maya Trench with 11 points and six assists, DeDe Martinez with 10 points and seven rebounds, Gina Smith with nine points and rebounds and Jayla Nichols with eight points and three steals.



"If we continue to shoot like we did tonight and play defense, we're going to be a tough out," XULA coach Bo Browder said.

XULA outshot the Lady Panthers (14-13, 5-5) 41.9 to 28.8 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 51-36. The Gold Nuggets set a school record for third-quarter points with 31 — their second-most in any quarter since the women's college game changed its timing rules in 2015-16.

Philander Smith outscored XULA 7-0 in the first eight minutes of the second quarter to take a 21-17 lead, but the Gold Nuggets closed with a 12-1 run to take a 29-22 halftime lead. XULA never lost the lead thereafter but had one more counterpunch, answering Philander Smith's 13-2 run to start the fourth quarter with 14 consecutive points, seven by Nichols, to turn a 62-58 lead into game, set and match at 76-58 with 1:18 remaining.

XULA won without forward/center Dasia Pitre, who sat out the game because of an injury after scoring a career-best 19 points Saturday in a 75-63 victory against NAIA No. 17 Dillard in the Crosstown Classic presented by Raising Cane's.

XULA's 79 points were a season best in regulation, and the Gold Nuggets are 9-0 this season when they reach 70 points in regulation.

Terralyn Dominick scored 19 points and Briauna Mitchell 10 for Philander Smith.

The Gold Nuggets will close the regular season with two more GCAC home games, including 3 p.m. Saturday against Tougaloo. XULA will play in the opening round of the GCAC Tournament March 2 at SUNO's The Castle.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Florida A&M baseball upends Mercer, 15-7


MACON, Georgia -- Mercer managed six hits in a 15-7 nonconference defeat at the hands of Florida A&M on Wednesday afternoon at OrthoGeorgia Park.

A day after notching 13 hits and rallying for a walk-off win in extra innings against the Rattlers (2-3), Mercer (3-2) struggled early and late and dropped its second game of the season. The Bears led, 7-6, heading into the top of the seventh inning, but nine Florida A&M runs over the seventh and eighth frames put the game out of reach.

Trailing 6-2 entering the home half of the fourth, Mercer rallied with five runs on five hits, including a RBI double by Alex Hanson and two-run pinch-hit single by JT Thomas, which gave the Bears a one-run advantage. Starting pitcher Tanner Hall went one inning before Mercer turned to the bullpen. Nine Bears pitched in total Wednesday as the Rattlers totaled 17 hits and drew six walks.

The Bears will get a chance to claim the season series against Florida A&M on March 27 when they head to Tallahassee, Fla. for another mid-week clash.

Coach Gibson's Take
Opening statement:
"One positive tonight was that we came from behind in the fourth inning after trailing early," said head coach Craig Gibson. "But overall, we just gave too many free opportunities to a good baseball club and Florida A&M took advantage of it."

On looking ahead to the weekend series: "The great thing is that we're not playing our best baseball right now, and that's fine. We're just getting started. We've got a chance to get going on Friday night and we'll look to get better as many of our new faces continue to develop. It's a work in progress – we'll get going against a good UNC Asheville club [this weekend]."

Player of the Game
JT Thomas singled home a pair of runs with a pinch-hit single in the fourth inning and took over at catcher for the remaining five innings. He threw out one Florida A&M baserunner the following inning.

BOX SCORE

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John Eason Promoted to Director of Athletics at Florida A&M



TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Today, Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., announced the promotion of John Eason, Ph.D. to Director of Athletics. The FAMU alumnus has served as interim director of Athletics since December 2017.

“It’s an extreme honor to have the opportunity to continue to move FAMU Athletics forward within the scope of the excellence of this great university,” Eason said. “I do not take it lightly and will use all resources available to me to better equip our student-athletes, coaches, and staff to be successful in the classroom and on the fields of competition.”

During his brief tenure, Eason has made several leadership changes in FAMU Athletics, including securing Willie Simmons as the Rattlers’ new head football coach. Keith Miles, former general manager of the University’s radio station moved to Athletics in January to become deputy athletic director. His voice was a familiar one to fans for more than 30 years as the play-by-play announcer and executive producer of the Rattler Sports Radio Network.

Eason also recently hired Kendra Greene to serve as associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator. Prior to arriving at FAMU, she worked at Alabama State University as senior athletic director for internal operations.

Considered one of FAMU’s favorite sons, Eason brings an impressive resume replete with experience from a long and successful career in coaching and administration in collegiate and professional athletics.

“I am excited that Dr. Eason has accepted this position and will become part of my senior leadership team for the long haul,” said President Robinson. “I have been pleased with his ability to make critical and timely decisions in Athletics. He has a vision for working with staff, faculty, students, alumni and stakeholders to reinvigorate the program, improve facilities and ensure the continued success of student-athletes in the classroom and on the field.”

Rattler Boosters Board of Directors President Selvin Cobb was pleased to hear about Eason’s promotion.

“What we need at this point is stability,” said Cobb. “This appointment provides just that. We look forward to working with him in any manner that will benefit the Athletics Department.”

Eason is a native of Ocala, Florida, who played football at FAMU from 1964 to 1967, under Hall of Fame coaching legend A.S. “Jake” Gaither. Eason blossomed into an All-America tight end and punter. He was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

After graduating from Florida A&M, Eason played one year in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders (1968), one season with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1969, and later returned to the CFL in 1972 with the Montreal Alouettes.

Eason holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida A&M University and earned a doctorate from Florida State University (FSU) in educational administration in 1987. His coaching stops included 12 years (1981-1992) as receivers coach at FSU and four years as offensive coordinator and receivers coach at South Carolina (1995-98).

In 2001, Eason joined the coaching staff for the University of Georgia Bulldogs (UGA) and moved up to become director of football operations. Eason came to UGA with Mark Richt as wide receivers coach and assistant head coach in 2001.

He also served as an associate head coach at UGA from 2005-08. He moved in 2009 to director of football operations and to director of player development in 2010.

Following his 14 years at FSU from 1981-1994, Eason served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at South Carolina from 1995-1998. While at FSU, Eason also served as an assistant to the athletic director for academic and student affairs.

During his tenure at FSU, the Seminoles won one national championship (1993) and eight bowl games. In his 14 seasons, Eason coached seven wide receivers who received All-America recognition including three first-team selections.

At UGA, among others, he coached receivers Terrence Edwards, Fred Gibson, Reggie Brown, Mohamed Massaquoi and A.J. Green.

Eason has also served as an assistant professor in the Department of Human Service and Wellness at the University of Central Florida in 1999-2000.

In addition, he has held positions as offensive coordinator and associate head coach of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League during the 2000 season while on leave from UCF.

Eason is married to the former Virginia Long of Tallahassee. They have two children, Amanda and Michael.

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President Gerald Freeny Invites Two HBCU Marching Bands to 2019 Rose Parade



PASADENA, California -- The tournament of Roses recently announced the involvement of the Alabama State University and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University marching bands for the 2019 Rose Parade.

“When I was able to reach out to the Historically Black Colleges, it was very exciting, the opportunity to have them come and perform this year, for my year,” said Tournament of Roses President Gerald Freeny.

Freeny noted how he wanted diverse groups of bands to be part of the Rose Parade. He also mentioned how the HBCU marching bands would bring excitement to the parade. Seeing the marching bands can inspire young viewers, showcasing how music can be a primary option for their future.

“For them to see the drumline from Florida A&M and Alabama State, I think it’s gonna give them the energy to say ‘hey, we can play drums.’” Freeny said. “Just give kids more of a vision or give them more of an opportunity of something to think about majoring in college.”

The Florida A&M Marching 100 band director Dr. Shelby Chipman is the fourth director of the band’s history. He explained that the Marching 100 had distinct sound, thanks to long-time music arranger and music chair Lindsey Sarjeant.

“He’s been the band’s arranger since the 70’s and of course he studied with individuals not only from Florida A&M, but Florida State University as well as former arrangers in the 60’s who had been at University of Michigan,” Chipman said. “There’s a certain sound that the FAMU Band projects because of his voicing and his arranging techniques.”



Watch cover of SZA's "The Weekend" FAMU MARCHING 100 5th Quarter in 360 VR!!! Rotate The Screen and Enjoy!

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Hampton University Response To Conference Transition

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Reports from athletic officials at some MEAC schools that Hampton University has opted out of playing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football opponents in the 2018 season are inaccurate and misleading. The truth is that Hampton University has offered to play a full schedule of MEAC football games in 2018, but the MEAC refuses to sit down and talk to Hampton University about any transition to the Big South Conference. Instead, they have issued a set of unreasonable demands which Hampton University finds totally unacceptable.

For example, MEAC has levied vindictive sanctions against our student athletes, stripping Hampton University students and coaches of Conference Superlatives, such as bowl games, automatic NCAA tournament berths, MEAC Player of the Week, All-Conference team honors, Coach of the Year, or even selection to the Commissioner's All-Academic Team.

Hampton University Senior Vice President Paul C. Harris sees the MEAC's actions as an attempt to punish student-athletes for the university's strategic decision to leave the conference.

"I am appalled that, after a 22-year rewarding and productive relationship and numerous conference championships, the MEAC wants to hang Hampton University student-athletes out to dry. These are the same talented young people whose NCAA appearances have resulted in millions of dollars being poured into MEAC coffers," Harris said.

Hampton University, in a letter dated Dec. 4, 2017, from President Dr. William R. Harvey, stated its willingness to play a full (8-game) MEAC football schedule and remain eligible for the 2018 Celebration Bowl; to allow the MEAC to retain a pro-rated portion of $520,000 Hampton University received from the NCAA when HU participated in its 2015 men's basketball tournament; to compete in 3-4 football games in 2019-2022; and to schedule four MEAC games in women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, and softball.

Instead of accepting those favorable offers, MEAC set into action a list of unreasonable demands that were sealed officially on Feb.5, in a letter from Dr. David Wilson, current chair of the MEAC Council of Chief Executive Officers (CCEO):

1. Hampton University must schedule a full 8-game MEAC slate for its 2018 football season. (This demand hamstrings Hampton University from scheduling games with its future conference teams in the Big South.)
2. Hampton University will not be eligible for any MEAC championships following its effective date of withdrawal from MEAC. (This demand eliminates any opportunity for Hampton University to earn a bid to a bowl game in football, an automatic invitation in basketball for winning a conference championship, and from being considered for an at-large bid in other sports.)
3. Hampton University will not be eligible for any conference superlative awards such as Player of the Week, Coach of the Year, etc. (This demand penalizes every Hampton University student athlete and coach who excels on the playing field or in the classroom.)
4. Hampton University will be a non-conference opponent for all MEAC member institutions. (This demand makes Hampton University the only independent college in NCAA Division I football, effectively ending hope of qualifying for a bowl game.)
5. Hampton University is required to compete in a full (8-game) MEAC football schedule for 2019 – 2021 unless both institutions agree not to play. (This three-year demand is impossible, since Hampton University will belong to the Big South and will schedule 8 conference games these seasons. In addition, Hampton University is being forced to pay financial losses caused by failure to play MEAC opponents.)
6. Hampton University will not be eligible for any MEAC revenue distribution from MEAC subsequent to June 30, 2018, including any future revenue that would otherwise be obligated to a current MEAC conference member. (This demand means that Hampton University would receive no more revenues from MEAC, including event revenue sharing, from playing a member school during the remainder of this year.)
7. MEAC is assessing a $250,000 financial penalty against Hampton University for its failure to comply with MEAC Constitution and Bylaws. (This demand has no basis in the MEAC Constitution and Bylaws, and means that Hampton University would have to take money away from student athlete programs.)

The CCEO determined to not allow Hampton University a voice by opening the Feb. 2 conference call by voting down the agreed-upon face-to-face meeting with MEAC membership. Hampton University is appealing that decision, but the MEAC has arranged for the appeal to be heard by the same CCEO that made the underlying decision. One must assume that it will be heard by the same judge, jury and executioner.

Hampton University openly acknowledged it missed a July 1, 2017 deadline to notify MEAC of its intentions to move to the Big South Conference, which it announced Nov. 16, 2017. Importantly, however, Hampton University missed the deadline due to ongoing discussions with several other conferences regarding potential membership, not because of negligence or bad faith or antipathy toward MEAC. In fact, in full transparency, Hampton University held numerous open conversations with MEAC officials about its plans to move up in conference status, disclosing information referencing negotiations outside the conference.

Over the past few years, higher ranking athletic conferences have courted Hampton University for potential conference membership, including the Big South (ranked No. 25). Hampton University engaged in exploratory discussions with several other conferences and, at all times, again, kept MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas apprised of those exploratory discussions.

When Hampton University carefully considered its move to the Big South Conference, it weighed more than just athletics. Part of Hampton University's mission is building character. Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are part of our Athletics Program. HU builds leaders and champions inside and outside the classroom.

"Our founder, General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, wanted 'everything" at his 'institution to excel' and that includes athletics," Harris said. "Joining the Big South is consistent with Hampton's mission for excellence across the board," Harris said.

MEAC is ranked No. 31 among the 32 NCAA Division I athletic conferences in the nation, which equates to being at the bottom of Division I as referenced in several conference power rankings. Hampton University desires to unite athletics with its celebrated upward trajectory in academics.

The move by the MEAC denies rewards for excellence on the field and is inconsistent with Hampton University's core values and mission – to develop young men and women with a strong, positive self-image.

"Relegating our student-athletes to second class status within MEAC violates our core values," said Harris. "Hampton University's decision to join the Big South was animated by what is in the best interest of the university," Harris said. "It's about long-term growth, increased exposure and greater opportunities for strategic partnerships."

Hampton University has made repeated requests to meet with the MEAC Council of Chief Executive Officers and MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas to discuss and work out the terms and conditions of Hampton University's withdrawal from the conference. Inexplicably, the MEAC steadfastly has refused to meet with Hampton University officials.

The MEAC's refusal to meet with Hampton University renders its commitment "to improve relationships among members and to manage the tensions that frequently surface in a competitive environment" no more than an empty promise.

Hampton University is an advocate for its students. Hampton University made its offer in the spirit of continued collaboration and mutual trust. As a strong advocate for HBCU's, Hampton University wants to unite in the common goal of preparing students to thrive in their lives beyond the collegiate experience, and enrich the communities in which they live. Hampton University is committed to a forward-thinking transition that will be beneficial to HBCU students, MEAC student-athletes and Hampton University's student-athletes.

It is clear that the MEAC is not committed to ensuring "intercollegiate athletics will maintain its proper role in higher education," as is misleadingly stated in the MEAC Constitution and Bylaws.

For more information contact Da'Vida Plummer at davida.plummer@hamptonu.edu

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State adds two new assistants to football coaching staff

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley announced two additions to the football, including a former Hornet.

With the departure of Grady Brown to Louisville, Eley reached to former Hornet Travis Pearson to coach the safeties for the Hornets in 2018. Pearson, formerly the defensive coordinator at Alabama A&M, arrives at Alabama State after a two-year stint with the Hornets’ rival.

“It is a win-win for us,” Eley said. “Travis is an alum of Alabama State, and will bring some tradition back to our program. But more importantly, he is a great football coach and gives us an opportunity to have someone else in the room with history of the SWAC. It should really benefit us on that side of the ball.”

While at Alabama A&M, Pearson led the resurgence of the Bulldogs defense which at one point was the best defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Prior to the his stint at Alabama A&M, Pearson was the defensive coordinator at South Alabama for two years after serving one year as the linebackers’ coach.

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Monday, February 19, 2018

XULA teams conclude Georgia trip with wins against BSU

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams defeated Bluefield State Sunday on the final day of the Grizzly Invitational. The Gold Nuggets won 5-0, and the Gold Rush won 5-3.

The Gold Nuggets (3-6) clinched when Farah Baklouti defeated Kelsi Browning 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. In doubles, Yi Chen Pao and Mariia Borodii defeated Milica Knezevic and Milica Kmjaja 8-0, and Charlene Goreau and Manon Bonada beat Sophie Bygrave and Browning 8-2. XULA also picked up forfeit wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles.
     

In the men's dual, the Gold Rush (2-6) clinched when freshman Sheikh Abdullah won a third-set tiebreaker 8-6 after trailing 5-0. Abdullah took his first lead with a sideline backhand that hit the corner line — "An absolutely amazing shot," coach Alan Green said.
     

XULA's men are ranked second in the NAIA, and the women are 13th. Bluefield State (0-4 men, 0-3 women) is an NCAA Division II member.
     

Both XULA teams will visit NCAA Division I Nicholls State at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Assessing Head Coaching Changes in FCS College Football

Image result for ncaa fcs logoA new stamp being putting on a whopping 24 schools'

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Nearly one-fifth of FCS programs — 24 in all — have changed their head coach since the start of the 2017 season.

Some changes were expected, others weren’t, but many of the programs have come away pleased to have the new coach in charge.

Only four of the programs finished in the final Athlon FCS Power Poll, so most need significant improvement moving forward.

Here’s a quick assessment of the coaching changes:

Smartest Hire: Eric Dooley, Prairie View A&M
In an attempt to get over the top in the highly competitive SWAC West Division, the Panthers wisely reached across the conference to hire Dooley away from Grambling State. Dooley, a Grambling grad, has been a part of seven SWAC championship teams and coached for 21 years in the conference. It’s a big loss for Grambling and an even bigger gain for Prairie View.

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Sunday, February 18, 2018

Marching Bands of The Bacchus Parade - 2018 Mardi Gras





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2018 Krewe of Bacchus Parade 00:00 Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band 01:30 Alabama State and Stingettes 04:55 Miles College 08:36 Texas Southern TXSU 11:13 Kentucky State 13:33 Saint Augustine High 17:12 Jesuit High 18:05 Landry Walker High 21:24 Warren Easton High 22:50 McDonogh 35 High 25:49 The Roots of Music 27:39 Lake Area High 30:43 Edna Karr High 32:47 Helen Cox High 34:02 George Washington Carver High 36:14 S B Wright High 37:37 M L King Charter High 39:09 West Jefferson High 40:58 Carmouche CPAA 42:31 Cohen High 43:40 L W Higgins High 45:15 Saint Pauls School 46:38 Booker T Washington High 48:04 Alice M Harte 49:56 Tulane University 51:22 Shaw High School 53:47 Lakeside High School 54:40 Martin Behrman 56:28 Mary D Coghill 57:50 ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy
Mardi Gras Battle of The Bands New Orleans, LA NOLA February 11, 2018
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