XU launches SIDEARM-powered website, XULAgold.com

XULAgold.com

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Department of Athletics and Recreation has launched its new website, XULAgold.com, in partnership with SIDEARM Sports.

XULAgold.com went online at 10 a.m. Thursday. It replaced a longtime in-house site.

"We are very excited to provide this new look to all our XU stakeholders," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn. "This new partnership gives us the opportunity to take advantage of the software and technology innovations that SIDEARM Sports brings to the table through their service to collegiate athletic programs. The new look will enhance the experience for all fans as well as give our programs a lift in recruiting. We are thrilled to be part of the SIDEARM family, and we look forward to a long, successful relationship."

As the official website provider of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, SIDEARM Sports gives XU fans a fully adaptive experience across all platforms. Fans can enjoy a version of XULAgold.com specifically tailored to their mobile device or opt to view the full site. Additionally, fans on mobile devices can click "Add to Home Page," and the site will provide an icon marker to allow easy access to the site without the need to download an app.

"The launch of XULAgold.com is one of our steps in energizing the branding of Xavier athletics and showcasing the successes of our department and of Xavier University," Horn said.

The site will feature information -- including schedules, live stats, streaming, rosters, statistics, game stories and photo galleries -- about Xavier's nine intercollegiate teams, along with extensive information for prospective student-athletes. Video interviews, coordinated by Administrative Specialist Jimmie Walker, will become a regular feature of the site.

XULAgold.com also offers fans the ability to sign up for free email and text message alerts for one or multiple XU teams.

Sports Information Director Ed Cassiere will continue as webmaster of the athletics website.

"SIDEARM Sports is excited to launch the new Xavier athletics website, XULAgold.com, and we are thrilled to welcome the university into our family," said Jeff Rubin, President/CEO of SIDEARM Sports. "We hope the fans, student-athletes, alumni, staff and supporters of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will enjoy all the features that the site offers."

SIDEARM Sports, based in Syracuse, N.Y., is the host of nearly 800 websites, most of them involving intercollegiate athletics.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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SUBR addresses future of Athletics Department

Statement from SUBR administration on personnel matter involving Director of Athletics Dr. William Broussard

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University Director of Athletics Dr. William Broussard has been temporarily reassigned to the Southern University System Office, effective April 1.

The reassignment is a personnel matter and therefore the University can not discuss it publicly. The University will have no further comment on the subject.

We fully anticipate that Dr. Broussard will return as Director of Athletics on Aug. 1, 2015.

SU Head Mens’ Basketball Coach Roman Banks will assume a dual role that will include Acting Director of Athletics, effective April 1. He will continue in both positions until the anticipated return of Dr. Broussard on Aug. 1, 2015.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UAPB Drops Missouri 8-3 to Extend Win Streak to Three Games

COLUMBIA, Missouri -- Sophomore Jerimiah Figueroa hit his second home run of the year, batting in four runs and fellow teammate Josh Cassidy hit his second consecutive game home run, as The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (10-9, 6-3 SWAC) hammered No. 23 Missouri, 8-3, on Tuesday at Taylor Stadium

The Golden Lions, who have won 10 of their last 14 games, snapped the Tigers' mission, who's coming off a good series win verse No. 6 South Carolina last week.  UAPB has won their second game against a nationally rank SEC opponent this season.  

Missouri (18-7, 5-1 SEC) would draw first blood in the bottom of the first, taking a 1-0 lead heading into the second.  The Golden Lions would roar back after the Tigers would put two UAPB runners on first and second.  Followed by Tommy Haas grounded to first, but would reach base on an throwing error, which would score Cassidy and Colin Drury to put the Golden Lions ahead 2-1 in the top of the second. 

  
Cassidy first homer to left field, a solo shot in the seventh and Figueroa repeated the effort again with a two-run blast over the left field wall in the bullpen in the eighth withVladimir Gomez on first after he reached on an error.

UAPB, which playing one of the toughest non-conference schedule among division 1-AA schools, making its best start in school history and playing above 500, under the reign of  Coach Carlos James.

The Golden Lions pitching staff was outstanding once again, chalking up six strikeouts.

RHP Jr. Blake ESTEP received the start and tossed 5.1 innings with a team-high four strikeouts, while allowing just two hits and giving up two runs.  

RHP Jr. Billy Olson (4-2) came in for ESTEP to pitch 1.2 innings and struck out one while giving up just one hit, one run to earn the win.

The Tigers threatened in the sixth inning, placing runners on first and second with one, but CF Rashawn Tillman pulled UAPB out of the jam, with a diving catch in the left-center gap and throwing out a runner at second to complete the double play to end the inning. 

Andre Davis and Kevin Walsh came on in for the last two innings to strike out one, giving up one hit and no runs to secure the victory.  

Josh Cassidy led all hitters going 3-for-4 with an RBI, followed by Jerimiah Figueroa 2-for-4 with four RBI's, and both Andre Davis and Westi Hinkel both going 2-for-4. 

The Golden Lions will be back in action against the Tigers Wednesday March 25, with the first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CT.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Commentary: ASU's Cyrus just wants 'foot in door' to NFL

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Malcolm Cyrus fell just short of achieving the second half of his "15-and-15" goal, but proved to be one of best running backs in college football as he rushed for 1,662 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

"I was close," Cyrus said with a laugh.

Now the former Alabama State star is looking to achieve his ultimate goal — to play in the NFL.

"All I want is a foot in the door, an opportunity," Cyrus said.



Before the 2014 season, Cyrus set a goal to rush for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He didn't score 15 times, but earned SWAC co-offensive player of the year honors. Cyrus rushed for 466 yards more than second-leading rusher Lenard Tillery — and played in one less game than the Southern sophomore.

Cyrus doesn't expect to get drafted, but if he's invited to an NFL camp, he plans to play on Sundays.

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C'Evon Jones is the first indoor national champion in Virginia Union history

RICHMOND, Virginia -- It took C’Evon Jones 7.35 seconds to make it into the Virginia Union history books.

Jones won the 60 meter dash at the Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Ala., on March 14, becoming the first indoor national champion in school history.

Jones’ is the school’s first national title since the men’s basketball team’s championship in 2005.

“I’m still speechless,” Jones said, “because I didn’t know that I did that much. I thought I just won a national championship. I didn’t know that I made history like that.”



“I’m still overwhelmed with my accomplishment.”

But there wasn’t a lot of time between the end of the indoor season and the beginning of outdoor season, which Jones is currently in the midst of. Panthers coach Wilbert Johnson said Jones’ success this year is largely attributed to a disappointing finish to her outdoor season a year ago.

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Hampton Lady Pirates' Run Ends at West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – The Hampton University women's basketball team saw its run in the WNIT end on Tuesday night at the WVU Coliseum, as West Virginia came away with a 57-39 win in the second round.

The Lady Pirates ended the season at 19-13.

Sophomore guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Harrisburg, Pa.), the MEAC Player of the Year, led the Lady Pirates with 21 points and was the only Hampton player in double figures. Redshirt junior forward Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md.) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Junior forward Tyler Hobgood (Oxford, N.C.) came off the bench to grab seven rebounds.

The Lady Pirates struggled offensively for the third straight game, shooting 26.4 percent (14-for-53) from the floor – including a 21.2 percent (7-for-33) clip in the first half. Hampton went without a 3-pointer and was out-rebounded 40-37.

Much like the Lady Pirates' first-round game at Drexel, the first half of Tuesday's game saw offense come at a premium; after West Virginia scored the game's first five points, Hampton went on an 8-2 run to take an 8-7 lead at the 12:54 mark on a layup from freshman forward Kaylah Lupoe (Phoenix, Ariz.).

Hobgood gave the Lady Pirates a 13-11 lead with 7:53 left in the half with a jumper, but the Mountaineers closed out the half on an 11-2 run to take a 22-15 lead into the half. Hampton went the last 5:03 of the half without a field goal.

Tate-DeFreitas had seven points at the half to lead all scorers.

A 3-pointer from Bria Holmes gave the Mountaineers their first double-digit lead of the night, 27-17, with 17:59 left in the second half. A layup from Lupoe just over four minutes later cut West Virginia's lead to 29-23, and Tate-DeFreitas cut the lead to 31-25 at the 12:44 mark with a jumper.

A 6-2 spurt from West Virginia gave the Mountaineers a 37-27 lead with 10:10 to play, thanks to a layup from Lanay Montgomery, and Averee Fields gave West Virginia a 40-30 lead with 6:37 remaining.

Tate-DeFreitas cut the lead to 40-32 with a pair of free throws with 6:09 remaining, before the Mountaineers went on a 10-3 run to take a 50-35 lead at the 2:16 mark after a trey from Linda Stepney.

Stepney added two free throws with 33 seconds left to reach the game's final margin.

West Virginia (20-14) shot 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from the floor, hit four 3-pointers, and outscored the Lady Pirates 22-16 in the paint. The Mountaineers, after shooting just 36 percent in the first half, shot 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from the floor in the second half.*

Fields led three Mountaineers in double figures with 16 points.

For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Spring Ball Begins In North Carolina A&T Aggieland

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T head football coach Rod Broadway used the snowy winter months to stay inside and study the 2014 season. As he study film after film of his team winning nine games and a share of the MEAC title, there were some disturbing things that stood out.

Now that the snow is gone and the sun is perched high, it is time for Broadway and his staff to begin to correct those things. The Aggies have started Spring Practice 2015 with 76 players looking to be finely tuned when the Aggies start the season against Shaw University on Sept. 5 at Aggie Stadium.

A&T’s annual Blue & Gold Spring Game is noon Saturday, April 18 at Aggie Stadium. Gates open at 11 a.m. The Aggies will practice Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until the Spring Game.

“We have so much room for improvement,” said Broadway just prior to the start of spring. “We need to focus on fundamentals and techniques. And this is a little embarrassing to say, especially four years into the program, but we need to work on effort.”

In four years at A&T, Broadway is 28-17. He has won at least one conference title in all three leagues he has coached – CIAA, SWAC, MEAC – after the Aggies were crowned co-champions of the MEAC this past fall. Broadway is also only four wins shy of his 100th career coaching victory.

He is the owner of four conference titles in his career, but he believes the Aggies have potential for more. In an effort to lead the Aggies to back-to-back titles, Broadway wants to see more explosiveness from his offense. Running back and co-MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Tarik Cohen and wide receivers Denzel Keyes, Xavier Griffin, Darren Bullock, Caleb Gabriel and Khris Gardin are just some of the weapons Broadway has at his disposal. He hopes to use the spring to experiment with ways of getting the ball in their hands.

“We're going to try to be a little more explosive, try to create some mismatches against people, try to put the defense in bad positions, get the ball in the hands of playmakers who are in a position where they can make plays,” said Broadway.

The Aggies will have holes to fill and positions to compete for with the graduation of All-American offensive linemen Ronald Canty and William Ray Robinson III. Defensively, the Aggies lose one of the best tacklers in school history in linebacker D’Vonte Grant along with All-American cornerback Donald Mattocks and defensive end Daniel Pinnix. But defensively the Aggies have three-fourths of their defensive line back, top tackler and rover Landis Shoffner is back and kick returner/cornerback Tony McRae is also scheduled to return.

“We've got to be a little more physical football team than we have been,” said Broadway. “We've had a chance to dominate and put some licks on people, and I don't think we do enough.”

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FSU Meets Alabama State Wednesday Night

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – After a four-game road trip, No. 9 Florida State (19-6) returns home for a four-game stay beginning Wednesday, March 25 against Alabama State (13-8) on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium. First pitch against the Hornets is set for 6 p.m.

The Seminoles and the Hornets will meet for the first time in school history on Wednesday night. Alabama State enters the week at 13-8 overall and 7-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Hornets currently lead the SWAC Eastern Division by 0.5 game following a series victory over second-place Alabama A&M.

Against current schools from the SWAC, Florida State owns an all-time record of 20-1 with the most games coming against Grambling State (18 games). The Seminoles have also faced Southern University(1982) and Jackson State (1981) and are a combined 3-0 against those two schools.

Game Notes vs ASU


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Jackson State baseball team erupts early, handles Southern 11-5

JACKSON, Mississippi — Southern pitcher Tyler Robinson put on a show against No. 1-ranked LSU.

His follow-up didn’t go nearly as well.

One week after he sparkled in seven innings at home, Robinson was roughed up at Jackson State, allowing four runs on five hits in the first inning alone as the Tigers erupted for an 11-5 victory.

The Jaguars had given Robinson a one-run lead after Marcus Tomlin smashed a one-out homer.

Defensive mistakes didn’t make Robinson’s life any easier, Southern coach Roger Cador said.

“We got out to a 1-0 lead with a solo home run, but we came back and gave up four runs,” Cador said. “We made the pitcher have to get seven outs, and when that happens, all heck broke loose.”

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OVC Championship Highlight Video

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Highlights from TSU's OVC Championship game win against UT Martin and the ensuing celebration.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Talladega fall in men’s NAIA Tournament

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Jordan Bowling walked out of the Dalton State (Ga.) locker room and was stopped by coach Tony Ingle.

“This is why we win, right here,” Ingle said.

Not because of Bowling’s play in Monday’s NAIA Tournament semifinal victory over Talladega College (Ala.). Bowling, who was the Roadrunners’ scoring leader in the first three games at Municipal Auditorium, didn’t scratch in Dalton’s 64-54 outcome.

When Ingle looked at Bowling on the bench in the second half and was about to motion him in the game, Bowling told him to keep the status quo.

Things had started falling Dalton State’s way. Success wasn’t to be disturbed.

After a halftime deadlock, the Roadrunners had fallen behind 46-40 with 7:46 to play. Talladega, 32-5 and the nation’s second-ranked team, was getting to the rim and free-throw line and seemed about ready to break things open.

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JCSU football search drags on

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith still doesn’t have a football coach, and it won’t be Maurice Flowers.

Flowers, a 1991 JCSU graduate and the Golden Bulls offensive coordinator from 2008-09, confirmed he isn’t a finalist for the job on Tuesday. Campus sources say the finalists are former Winston-Salem State and Delaware State coach Kermit Blount and N.C. Central running backs coach Adrian Jones.

“I’m at peace,” said Flowers, a Charlotte native and former head coach at West Charlotte and Olympic high schools. “I’m not surprised. I’m not disappointed. I know there’s a reason and there are other big things ahead for me.”

Earlier this month, JCSU Athletics Director Steve Joyner said ...

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VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Welcomes Hampton for WNIT Second Round

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- The West Virginia University women's basketball team hosts Hampton University in the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Tuesday, March 24, at the WVU Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

With a victory on Tuesday, the Mountaineers (19-14) will advance to the WNIT third round for the second time in program history, joining the 2005 squad that finished as the tournament's runner-up.

A free live stream of Tuesday's contest will be provided at WVUsports.com. Jeff Culhane and Meg Bulger are set to call the action on the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG. Fans can listen on various affiliates across the state, online at WVUsports.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.

West Virginia reeled off its highest offensive output since December with an 84-61 win over Buffalo last Thursday in the opening round of the WNIT. Four Mountaineers tallied double-figures, as Teana Muldrow and Bria Holmes led the way with 20 points each.

WVU Football, WVU Basketball, News - Mountaineer Sports

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Attorney: ASU reported allegations of NCAA violations

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University has reported potential rules violations within the university's football program to the NCAA, according to an attorney representing former ASU football coach Reggie Barlow.

Donald Jackson, a local attorney who specializes in NCAA-related legal work, said he was notified on Friday by an attorney working for ASU that the school had received "anonymous allegations" of NCAA rules violations involving Barlow.

Jackson said the attorney, Michael Buckner, would not disclose the nature of the violations — whether they were major or secondary violations, when they allegedly occurred or the source of the allegations — but wanted to set an interview with Barlow to discuss them.

Jackson said he spoke with an NCAA enforcement staff member on Monday and confirmed that ASU has reported the allegations.

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Alcorn State declines to extend contracts to Luther Riley and Tonya Edwards

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State has made a big decision on the hardwood. The school declined to extend contracts to head men's basketball coach Luther Riley and head women's basketball coach Tonya Edwards. Both deals were set to expire at the end of March.

Riley took a leave of absence in January. He was the Braves head coach for four seasons, compiling a 38 - 91 record. Alcorn went 27-45 in SWAC play, including a 4-14 record this season.

Edwards was the Lady Braves head coach for seven seasons, compiling a 60-146 record. She led Alcorn to the SWAC Championship Game in 2012, falling to Prairie View. The Lady Braves were 10 and 18 overall this season, 9-9 in conference play.

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Boulware: WSSU taking patient approach

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Over the last five seasons at Winston-Salem State, it always appeared that the football team has been chock full of veteran players.

From the looks of spring practice, however, the times are changing.

The Rams have been able to maintain a veteran look the past few seasons in part because of an influx of transfers from other schools. But after losing more than 30 players from last season’s 9-2 team, the roster is much younger this spring.

Through the first week of practice, Coach Kienus Boulware and his staff have been doing things a little differently. There’s more teaching, more individual instruction and a lot more patience has been exhibited from the coaching staff.

“We are teaching more but we are implementing more things,” Boulware said. “What was evident last year was we were caught up with veteran players who knew what to do and knew how to do it.”

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HU football schedule includes rivals, trip to RFK Stadium

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hmpton University's 2015 football schedule includes early rivalry games, non-conference games against state opponents Richmond and William and Mary, and a trip to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, D.C.

The Pirates open Sept. 5 at home, versus Division II Kentucky State, and have four of their first six games at Armstrong Stadium. Their first two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games are against rivals Howard and Norfolk State — the first one Friday, Sept. 18, at RFK Stadium in the Nations Classic.

"I like the schedule," HU coach Connell Maynor said. "It's a good non-conference schedule. Kentucky State is a good opener, and Richmond and William and Mary are obviously very good programs.

"Howard is a rival game, and the chance to play at RFK, in the Redskins' (old) stadium, will be good for our players. It's close enough that our fans can travel there. We're expecting a big crowd and a good atmosphere."

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HAMPTON UNIVERSITY 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date		Opponent	Location	Time/Result	Details
Alumni Day
9/5/2015		Kentucky State	Hampton, VA	6 pm
9/12/2015		Richmond	Hampton, VA	6 pm
Nation’s Football Classic/Battle of the REAL HU
9/18/2015	*	Howard	Washington, DC	TBA
Battle of the Bay
9/26/2015	*	Norfolk State	Norfolk, VA	TBA
Parents' Weekend
10/3/2015	*	North Carolina A&T	Hampton, VA	1 pm
Homecoming
10/10/2015	*	Delaware State	Hampton, VA	2 pm
10/17/2015	*	Morgan State	Baltimore, MD	TBA
10/24/2015		William & Mary	Williamsburg, VA	TBA
10/31/2015	*	South Carolina State	Orangeburg, SC	TBA
11/7/2015	*	Florida A&M	Hampton, VA	1 pm	Details\\\\\\\
11/14/2015	*	Savannah State	Savannah, GA

California Community Colleges Partner With Historically Black Colleges

LOS ANGELES, California -- Many of California’s four-year public colleges are stuffed to capacity, while some of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities struggle to fill their classes. A new alliance between California’s community colleges and nine out-of-state schools may help both types of institutions fix their enrollment woes.

An agreement signed Tuesday will ease the transfer of students from California’s two-year programs into historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, outside the state.

California’s community college system—the nation’s largest, with about 2.1 million students across 112 campuses—already has guaranteed-transfer arrangements with the California State University system and six University of California campuses. But many of those public universities are near or at capacity, leading to challenges enrolling in classes and often longer paths to graduation.

Under the new deal, students who complete an associate degree at a California community college and maintain certain grade-point averages will be guaranteed admission to one of nine HBCUs, including Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala., and Dillard University in New Orleans, with junior-class standing.

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Plenty of competition at WSSU this spring

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State football team has a lot of young talent at all positions, but it will be especially young at quarterback this spring.

It had been expected that redshirt sophomore Justin Johnson would be the leading candidate to start this fall, but he’s been ruled academically ineligible for spring practice. With Johnson out, the two quarterbacks in camp are both redshirt freshmen.

“We had a little conversation with Justin the other day and he knows he has to get his academics in order,” Boulware said. “We just plan on moving forward as we go through spring practice.”

The Rams have had two practices, and Boulware said that there are 110 players who hit the field on Tuesday. Among those are quarterbacks Demetrius Lewis, who redshirted last season, and Rod Tinsley, a transfer from Gardner-Webb.

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WSSU Rams gets commitment from Raleigh Millbrook star

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Rob Brown, the all-time leading scorer at Raleigh Millbrook High School, has committed to play basketball next season at Winston-Salem State.

Brown, who is 6-8 and 220 pounds, announced his decision on Tuesday afternoon at his high school.



This past season, Brown led Millbrook in scoring at 14 points a game; he also grabbed six rebounds a game.

“I’m very excited about making this decision,” Brown said by telephone. “I know I’m ready to move on to college and I felt like this was the best place for me.”

Brown said there were other schools recruiting him, such as Lees-McRae and UNC Pembroke, but when he came for a visit to WSSU he loved the Rams’ style of play.

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