Spring Game: Florida A&M QB battle is on‎

Today's Orange and Green football game means one thing to the three Florida A&M quarterbacks who are competing for the starting job: showtime. Nothing that Eddie Battle, Martin Ukpai and Austin Trainor have done since spring practice began two weeks ago will mean as much as what they deliver in Bragg Stadium. It will be as close as they'll get to a real game situation before the season begins in September.

r-Senior QB Eddie Battle #8 has the experience and patience to be the Rattlers leader for 2010. Come out and see for yourself at the ORANGE AND GREEN SPRING GAME, Today: 5 p.m., at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

"It's going to weigh heavily and we're going to really grade this one," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "We should do better. It's one thing to play, but it's another thing to know the game and the more we can put them in a game-like siPublish Posttuation it gets them ready for the game." Each of the quarterbacks has very distinct styles that they have to make work in Taylor's spread offense. Battle and Trainor have a penchant for the pocket, whereas Ukpai has shown an ability to run if he has to. Of the three, Ukpai is more a situation-type player who strives on moving the offense with his arm as much has he does with his feet.

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NSU Spartans, Suffolk native to play vs. Norfolk Tides‎

Head Coach Claudell Clark and the Norfolk State Spartans will play an exhibition game against the Norfolk Tides, the triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:15 pm at Harbor Park. Tickets for the event are $5.00, ($3.00 for students) with all proceeds from the contest going towards the NSU Spartans baseball program.

When Norfolk State’s baseball team gets to play the Norfolk Tides in an exhibition game at Harbor Park Tuesday night, it’ll be just one more reason why Suffolk native John Rasberry’s happy he’s worked and played his way to Norfolk State and the Spartan baseball squad. Rasberry was a standout outfielder and pitcher at Lakeland until transferring to Greenbrier Christian in Chesapeake as a junior.

With the Gators, Rasberry was a two-time all-Tidewater Conference and All-State (Virginia Independent Schools) player and on a state-championship Greenbrier club while hitting .475 in his senior season. Rasberry went to college and played ball for two years at Delaware Tech Community College before being recruited and coming to Norfolk State. Getting the chance to play Division I baseball was certainly one goal. Coming back close to home is a huge bonus.

“I’ve been away the past couple years. It’s great now playing in front of faces I know basically every home game. People who, for my whole life, have been cheering me on, are able to watch me play. It’s really fun,” Rasberry said. As the starting leftfielder and leadoff hitter for the Spartans, Rasberry’s hitting .371 (26-for-70) with 18 runs, three doubles, two homers, six stolen bases and 12 RBI.

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"We are really excited to welcome Norfolk State to Harbor Park for this exhibition game" said Tides President Ken Young. "This is a great opportunity for fans to catch their first glimpse of the 2010 Tides in action, and hopefully this is the start of a long-term relationship with an institution that is very important in the Hampton Roads community."

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to compete against the Norfolk Tides," Norfolk State head baseball coach Claudell Clark said. "The game will give our baseball program greater exposure in the Tidewater area as well as serving as a key fundraiser for us. We look forward to making the event a success each year."

This game supplants the annual exhibition game the Tides had played against the Old Dominion University Monarchs.

Jeffries Named South Carolina State University Head Coach Emeritus‎

"I accept this honor and role with great humility, not just for myself but for all the young men I've coached."

Former South Carolina State football coach Willie Jeffries, who attained legendary status at his alma mater before retiring nine years ago, has been named Head Football Coach Emeritus at the school where he won more football games than any other coach. A recommendation from SC State athletics director Charlene Johnson and President George Cooper to elevate Jeffries to "Emeritus" status was approved by the university's Board of Trustees at its February 26 meeting.

Not only will Jeffries wear a new title, the former Bulldog coach will also serve as a liaison between the university, its alumni and other constituents and also help market the university.

"Coach Jeffries and his wide appeal to so many of our stakeholders and other constituents provide us a great opportunity to brand and market the University," Dr. Cooper said. "He can help us frame relationships that will increase support for athletics." "Coach Jeffries is truly admired by so many," said Johnson, "Not just for his achievements in athletics, but also for his humanitarian contributions to this community, this state and society."

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HU sophomore hits four homers in one softball game

Four home runs would make a good month for many players. But for Hampton University shortstop Rebecca Magett, they came in one game -- not surprisingly, a school record. Magett, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, Mich., enjoyed the best day of her softball career in Game 2 of a home doubleheader Friday. She capped it with a game-winning two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 10-9 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore.

Magett was 4-for-5 with four runs and five RBI, countering the five RBI produced by UMES catcher Ashley Johnson. HU overcame an 8-3 deficit. Hampton (13-21, 2-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) won the opener 9-1.Magett was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI, Nina Ferguson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Jada Jefferies pitched a four-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks.

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ASU announces 2010 football schedule‎

MONTGOMERY, AL – Six home games and nine Southwestern Athletic Conference games highlight the 2010 edition of the Alabama State University football schedule. The Hornets open the season on Sept. 4 against SWAC rival Mississippi Valley State at Cramton Bowl. ASU continues its season-opening home stand Sept. 11 versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff before closing the month with a pair of road contests at Prairie View A&M (Sept. 18) and Alcorn State (Sept. 25).

The month of October brings Bama State home to start with an Oct. 2 tilt against Texas Southern. ASU visits Grambling State on Oct. 9 before earning the first of its two bye weeks of the season. Following the open date, Alabama State hosts Savannah State on Oct. 23, for the first of just two non-conference games on the schedule. ASU concludes the month Oct. 30 versus rival Alabama A&M in the 69th annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. The SWAC Football Championship game is slated for Dec. 11 at Legion Field.

Alabama State University Hornets 2010 Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATON TIME

9/11/10 Mississippi Valley State, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

9/12/10 Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

9/18/10 Prairie View A&M, Prairie View, TX, 12 pm

9/25/10 Alcorn State, Lorman, MS, 2 pm

10/2/10 Texas Southern, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

10/9/10 Grambling State, Grambling, LA, 4 pm

10/23/10 Savannah State, Cramton Bowl, 1 pm

10/30/10 Alabama A&M, Birmingham, AL, 2:30 pm

11/6/10 Jackson State, Cramton Bowl, 7 pm

11/13/10 Southern, Baton Rouge, LA, 5:30 pm

11/25/10 Tuskegee, Cramton Bowl, 1 pm

Foot race heats up as FAMU seeks starting punter‎

There is no mystery to what carries a lot of weight as special teams coach Juan Vasquez tries to find out which of two competing punters will have the edge after Florida A&M spring football practice. "We want the ball punted 40 yards, four seconds hang time," Vasquez said. "Whoever can do that more consistently is going to be it." Unlike coach Joe Taylor's first two seasons when there was little competition for the punting job, Branden Holdren is being challenged by Justin Moore. As the incumbent, Holdren came into spring practice as the one to beat.

Holdren, who was recruited last season, was pressed into punting after Troy Walker left the program, heading off what might have been an intense showdown. Moore came in just before the start of camp last season and, instead of trying to play catch up, waited behind Holdren. So here they are, as each tries to prove that he can handle the job best. Holdren's experience makes him the front-runner, but Vasquez doesn't appear willing to stop there.

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Fred Kraiss: Back home at Hampton University

Baltimore, Maryland native Fred Kraiss is Hampton University Pirates new offensive coordinator. Coach Kraiss previously served as OC at Tennessee State University (2006-2009; 1997-1999, special teams and WR coach); Hampton University (OC, 2001-2006); 1993 special teams coach, Southern University; and Morgan State University (1992), OC, quarterback and receivers coach.

Fred Kaiss didn't want to leave Hampton University to begin with, but getting him back didn't prove to be a hard sell. Kaiss, the Pirates' former offensive coordinator who left the school in 2006 after clashing with then-coach Joe Taylor, is back on the HU sidelines for longtime assistant Donovan Rose's second season as head coach. "I’ve known him, and I’ve always been cordial with him," Rose said. "When he left, that was between him and Coach. I don’t have anything to do with that. I had no problem. His wife and my wife are friends. It was a real good relationship. I called him, and he said, 'Hey coach, I’d love to work with you.'"

It wasn't the first call Kaiss received from Hampton. "(Former HU coach) Jerry Holmes had called me numerous times, and I love (Holmes), but the timing wasn’t right," said Kaiss, who was in his second stint at Tennessee State when Rose called. "It just wasn’t right. It was imperative that I bring certain assistants with me and I get certain things promised." Those assistants - offensive line coach Charles Huff and quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris - are now at HU with Kaiss, and the new OC is expecting big things for a program that has fallen from the heights of three straight MEAC championships from 2004 to 2006.

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Early Impressions of Hampton University Spring Football

Jeremiah Schwartz, a transfer from Iowa State, is in the Pirates RB mix. The 5-11/232 redshirt sophomore had 71 carries, 274 yards (3.7 avg) and 1 reception, 30 yards in eight games with the Cyclones. He was number two on the depth chart at RB for ISU. At Orlando Edgewater High School, Schwartz rushed for over 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, with more than 100 yards receiving ... received all-metro, all-county, and Florida Sports Writers Association first-team Class 6A all-state honors for his senior campaign ... sixth-rated back according to Scout.com ... Florida 6A Player-of-the-Year finalist ... honor roll student ... commited to Iowa State over Kentucky, Wisconsin, Virginia and Colorado.

The quarterback competition isn't much of one right now because of a lingering injury, the starting running back job is wide open, and the many new faces include a handful of transfers and a revamped coaching staff. There are plenty of questions greeting the start of spring football at Hampton University, but also a sense of optimism that filled the air like the abundant sunshine on Wednesday afternoon.

Under head coach Donovan Rose's watchful gaze, players ran agility drills on the turf at Armstrong Stadium. Quarterback Herb Bynes, who had offseason surgery on the ankle that bothered him all of last year, was on the field wearing a red jersey, but David Legree, who split time behind center last season, did almost all of the throwing. "He practices as he can," Rose said of Bynes, who threw for 987 yards and eight touchdowns after setting school records with 2,713 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.

"No hitting drills. Every now and then he’ll throw, but we don’t give him a lot. ... David right now is the guy. He’s healthy and he’s taking all the reps basically. Herb is hurt still, but I think he’ll be healthy when he comes back (in the fall). To me, the best guy plays, and I think it’s good that both of them are strong candidates." Legree, a transfer from Syracuse threw for 803 yards and seven TDs last year.

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Battle for fullback heats up for Rattlers

If Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor had to name his starting fullback today, Ronald Jackson would be atop the depth chart. But that isn't stopping the next two players in line from mounting a fierce competition to at least make the process interesting during FAMU's spring practice. Kory McCloughen and Jonathon Smith are trying to make a statement for the role as Mykel Benson's replacement. Smith is coming off being idle last season when he had to sit out while recovering from an ailment that robbed his body of protein. McCloughen has given up waiting behind snapper Jay Culpepper.



They both understand the position isn't one that will get them a lot of attention, unless they have a phenomenal year. They do know it's a position that comes with the huge responsibility of getting the all-important short yardage, though. Benson got his assignment done most times. He had 19 carries for 63 yards and even scored four touchdowns that helped FAMU win pivotal games. There is more to the job, which Smith understands.

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SSU shows competitive edge in first scrimmage‎

Babb runs for two touchdowns; Hunter returns an INT for score

Neither the offense nor the defense dominated during the Savannah State football team's first scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning at T.A. Wright Stadium. "It's a great sign," SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon said after the Tigers' 75-minute scrimmage in cold and windy conditions. "And the reason being, we're trying to emphasize competition." Defenses typically develop faster than offenses during spring drills and fall camp, so Dixon was excited to see offensive coordinator Alan Hall's spread offense produce three touchdowns.

Dixon, who also serves as defensive coordinator, was equally pleased to see his defensive unit intercept quarterback A.J. DeFilippis three times, including for a touchdown. SSU did not keep score or statistics. SSU struggled with fumbles, bad snaps, offsides penalties, dropped balls and receivers running incorrect routes. "We had too many mental errors out here today," Dixon said. "We want to try to stomp those out as soon as possible."

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JSU's Washington shows flashes of old form‎

Sam Washington sprang off the corner and bullied his way past an offensive tackle to sack quarterback Dedric McDonald in Jackson State's first scrimmage of the spring last Saturday. It was a familiar sight in 2007 and '08 when he recorded a combined 11 sacks. Everyone around the program was concerned when the defensive end was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his back and had to miss all of 2009. Not only was the team losing a preseason All-SWAC selection, but it was the same injury Washington had in 2006.

Saturday's performance made the coaching staff breathe much easier. "He was able to beat any lineman he wanted to any time he felt like it," defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "If there was any doubt before that, it was soon erased." Washington, a senior, has been cleared by doctors to fully participate in the spring sessions and coaches have allowed him to participate at his own discretion. He's not taking every snap, but his presence is apparent.

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Pettaway says A&M will be a winner again‎

With returnees, new recruits, coach says Bulldogs will be better

A day after school officials informed him that he would return for the 2010-2011 season, Alabama A&M men's basketball coach Vann Pettaway vowed Tuesday that he would do everything in his power to turn the Bulldogs into a winner again. "I want to thank the administration, from the president's office on down, for having the confidence in us to give us an opportunity to turn it around," Pettaway said. "This is my school and I'm going to do everything I can to move our program forward."

Pettaway's contract was set to expire on May 31 before school officials decided to retain him. His future came into question after the Bulldogs finished the regular season 11-15 overall and 8-10 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Alabama A&M was eliminated in the first round of the tournament for the fourth time in five years after falling to Alabama State earlier this month. It was A&M's fourth straight losing season and sixth in the last eight years.

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No-quit Grambling streaks into Monroe‎

First year Coach James Cooper has the Grambling State Tigers on a early season win streak.

The Grambling State baseball team was the coldest team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at the beginning of the season. Now the Tigers may very well be the hottest After starting the season 0-9 Grambling has won eight of its last 12 games. The hot streak began in early March with two-game sweeps of Jarvis Christian and Alabama State, and continued with 2-1 series victories over a pair of SWAC foes. Grambling took two out of three games against Texas Southern, and followed by taking two out of three against Prairie View A&M this past weekend.

Grambling (8-13 overall, 4-2 SWAC) visits ULM tonight for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch, and hosts Arkansas Pine-Bluff for a three-game conference series this weekend.

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Rebuilding effort begins at Southern

United and confident, the Southern men’s basketball team rolled into Hammond on a cool, breezy December night, ready to build on a bit of success. The Jaguars were coming off their best effort of the young season: a five-point home win over the University of New Orleans that was supposed to serve as a blueprint for the rest of their schedule: Work hard, play defense, rebound, and win games down the stretch.

But four days later, when the bus pulled up the University Center, a blowout awaited. From the opening tip, Southeastern Louisiana ripped Southern apart. The Jaguars changed defenses. They took timeouts. They tried different players. Nothing worked. By halftime, Southern trailed by 18 points. By the final buzzer, a small but happy crowd cheered as two walk-ons came off the bench in the final few minutes in a 94-48 disaster. It only got worse from there.

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TSU's new offense will stress run before pass

TSU head coach Rod Reed.















Mike Jones etched his name in Tennessee State's record books catching the ball, but he plans to re-energize the Tigers' offense emphasizing the run. Jones, a Division I-AA All-American in 1981 and 1982 who holds many of the school's receiving records, returned to TSU as offensive coordinator when former defensive coordinator Rod Reed replaced James Webster as head coach in December. The Tigers begin spring practice today with a chief objective to improve the offense, which ranked 97th (274.6 yards) in the Football Championship Series and failed to score more than one touchdown in four games.

Jones, who had 200 catches at TSU and 165 in six NFL seasons, said he learned to appreciate a quality running game during his coaching career, which included nine years in NFL Europe, a year at Liberty University, a stop in the XFL and last year in the CFL (Toronto). "Go back over my history in coaching and you'll see I probably ran it more than I threw it,'' Jones said. "I had some coaches with me in NFLEurope who felt the run game was very important and when I played (in the NFL) at Minnesota and New Orleans they ran it quite a bit. I developed an appetite for it as well."

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FAMU quarterback race heats up at scrimmage

2010 Rattlers Spring Football Practice

Not every question that coach Joe Taylor might have had about his Florida A&M football team was answered, but he came away from Saturday's scrimmage satisfied with the execution in all three phases. Quarterbacks Eddie Battle, Austin Trainor and Martin Ukpai each took turns directing the offense, which had quite a challenge moving the ball on the ground as the defense repeatedly made huge stops. The defense had an interception and at least three fumble recoveries and made the morning tough for running backs Philip Sylvester and Eddie Rocker.

Jerell Stewart made a strong case to be the man who replaces record-setting returner LeRoy Vann on special teams, and kicker Trevor Scott was on point with his booming kicks through the uprights for field goals. "I was really excited about some things that I saw," Taylor said. "I think some things that we are doing are really going to help us with the offense. The only thing I was concerned with was after we finished the kicking game, I thought we just had too much noise. I thought we lost some discipline at the end. When you lose your discipline your performance level automatically goes down."

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N.C. A&T scrimmage a real hit parade

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Alonzo Lee made his reputation as a defensive coordinator long before N.C. A&T hired him as its head coach last year. So it should come as no surprise the Aggies' first-team offense couldn't score a touchdown against the second-team defense at the Blue vs. Gold spring game Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium. And the first-team defense? It shut out the second-team offense, thanks to Marquis Sutton's interception in the end zone with 35 seconds left.

Patrick Courtney kicked 32- and 37-yard field goals to lead the first-team Blue to a 6-0 victory over the Gold in an intrasquad scrimmage that featured more tackles for losses (15) than completed passes (11). Scrimmage or not, a lot of those tackles were of the pad-popping variety. "We're going to fight defensively. That's my bread and butter," Lee said. "I don't believe in tacklers; I believe in hitters. If you're banging that (running) back, by the fourth quarter he's starting to tip. If you're just tackling him, he's still going to be running his butt off in the fourth quarter."

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Defense dominates in S.C. State Spring Game‎

The defending two-time MEAC Champion Bulldogs will open the season September 4 when they make the short trip to Atlanta to face ACC champion Georgia Tech.

The old adage “every dog has his day” proved true Saturday for South Carolina State Bulldog defensive lineman Joe Council. It’s been a quiet three seasons for the Walterboro native since his transfer from East Carolina. But, during Saturday’s Spring Game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Council made plenty of noise with his aggressive play up front in helping the Blue (defense) pull away from the Garnet (offense) 24-13.

Though three players (linebacker Dawan Thompson, defensive back Titus Graham and linebacker Rashad Hampton) had one more tackle than Council’s six, the constant pressure and havoc he caused drew praise from the coaching staff and helped set the tone for the Blue.

“My coaches kept believing in me and kept telling me to concentrate on the little things and I started doing that and started seeing what they were talking about,” Council said. “Coach (David) Blanchard and (Coach) Adams, they believed in me and told me what I was doing wrong. I kept working, kept at it and had a good day.” “Joe is growing up a little bit,” S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said. “It’s good to see because we need those guys defensively to get going.”

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Coach Shirley Walker honored by Mississippi House‎ of Representatives

Shirley Walker was fired from Alcorn State University on May 16, 2008, after 30 years coaching the Lady Braves basketball team. She finished with a 492-336 career record, winning 11 SWAC championships. However, her final years were tarnished by NCAA sanctions in 2006, for multiple NCAA violations.

LORMAN, MS — Former Alcorn State women’s basketball coach Shirley A. Gibbs-Walker was already a coaching legend in the state. But now she has the stamp of approval from the Mississippi House of Representatives. Walker was honored by the House on Tuesday, where a resolution was passed honoring Walker’s accomplishments on and off the basketball court. "I was very surprised,” Walker said of receiving the honor. “It was breathtaking and it brought back some wonderful memories."

In Walker’s 30-year tenure at Alcorn State, the Lady Braves won 11 regular season SWAC championships, seven SWAC tournament championships and participated in the NCAA tournament three times. Walker, an Alcorn alumnus, won 492 career games and was named SWAC Coach of the Year 10 times. In addition to her accomplishments as head coach, Walker also played an important role as a member of several different NCAA committees.

As a member of the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee, Walker worked to help secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the champion of the SWAC tournament. "A lot of people don’t know about that,” Walker said. “I’m the one that worked hard and opened the door for SWAC women’s basketball to have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament."

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NIT: JSU Issues Final Decision On Phillip Williams Incident at Mississippi State

Jackson State head men’s basketball coach Tevester Anderson has announced that sophomore guard Phillip Williams will not receive an athletic scholarship for the 2010-11 season. Williams’ athletics aid will not be renewed because of his actions during Jackson State’s NIT opening round game against Mississippi State. Anderson stated that Williams will have an opportunity to work his way back onto the Tigers team, but he will have to pay his own way.

“Phillip is a good young man who did a bad thing. He has not been a problem since being a member of our team,“ said Anderson. “However, I run a quality program and we will not tolerate any action that will tarnish the reputation of the University or the athletics department.

"Earlier this season I told everyone on the team that if you do anything that will negatively affect the program, then I will take your scholarship."

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has already suspended Williams for the opening game next season. Jackson State finished the season with a 19-13 overall record and a 17-1 SWAC mark. The Tigers won the SWAC regular season title. JSU’s 13 game winning streak was tied for fifth place, the longest streak under Anderson.



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La Salle hires Howard University Grad as women's basketball coach

Prince George's County, Maryland native Jeff Williams has been named the head women's basketball coach at La Salle University.

PHILADELPHIA - Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Williams, who spent the past seven seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, including the last four as the Associate Head Coach, has been named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at La Salle University, Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Brennan announced. Williams helped guide the Panthers to postseason appearances in the past five seasons, including three straight NCAA Tournament trips with Sweet Sixteen showings in 2008 and 2009. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at 1 PM in the Hayman Center mezzanine.

"I am very excited to begin my head coaching career at La Salle University," Williams said. "I hope to create an exciting environment for our student-athletes. I know it will be a challenge to compete in the Atlantic 10, which boast some of the top coaches and programs in the country. But my vision is to bring La Salle to national prominence. I feel that I have the unwavering support of La Salle President Brother Michael McGinniss, and Director of Athletics, Dr. Tom Brennan. This is the beginning of a new era for La Salle women's basketball and I'm up to the challenge."

Williams has over 20 years of college coaching experience, including the last 16 as a women's basketball coach at Howard (1995-2000), Georgia Tech (2001-03) and Pittsburgh (2003-10). He recruited or coached six players who reached the WNBA, including Pitt All-American Shavonte Zellous, who was named to the WNBA all-rookie team in 2009. Three of his recruiting classes have been ranked in the top 15 nationally and his teams have reached seven NCAA and three WNIT Tournaments.

The 1987 Howard University graduate with a degree in therapeutic recreation, Williams also was an assistant coach for the men's teams at George Mason (1989-93) and South Carolina State (1987-89). As an assistant coach at Howard University and recruiting coordinator, he helped lead the team to four MEAC titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His recruiting class during the 1997-98 season was ranked 12th best in the nation..

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Robert H. Jackson: 'Stonewall' was heart of NCCU football

Calgary, Canada - At Robert "Stonewall" Jackson's memorial service last week, many former NFL players made the trip to attend. So did doctors and lawyers and teachers and coaches, all players and students whose paths he helped shape during his 30-plus years at N.C. Central. "There were quite a few people there I hadn't seen in 20-some years," former NCCU defensive back Robert Massey said. "The unfortunate part about all of us coming together is it would have taken a guy like coach Jack to have brought us all back together. I don't know if any other coach would have been able to do that."

Trailblazer. Trendsetter. Teacher. Mentor. Witness to history. Jackson, who died earlier this month at 88, did it all. Jackson fought with Patton at the Battle of the Bulge. He was the first player from a historically black school drafted by the NFL. He touched countless lives as an assistant football coach, teacher and trainer at N.C. Central for 31 years, the touchstone of the football program for generations of players. "He was N.C. Central football," said Joe Simmons, the school's career rushing leader. "He was the first guy you meet on campus. He was one of the firmest guys you'll ever meet and probably the fairest guy you'll ever meet."

The nickname "Stonewall" was bestowed upon him in honour of his stout play at fullback by his high-school coach in Allentown, Pa. It would remain applicable for the rest of his life. After Jackson got home from the war -- he earned three bronze stars with the all-black 183rd Engineering Battalion, crossing the Rhine with General George Patton's Third Army -- he was a four-year starter for North Carolina A&T at fullback and linebacker. The New York Giants took him in the 16th round of the 1950 draft, one pick after the Washington Redskins picked North Carolina's Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice.

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Spring Game: North Carolina A&T Aggies combine football and food‎

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Pick your passion: tailgate or tailback. Food meets football in a daylong exhibition of both at N.C. A&T's annual Blue vs. Gold spring football game today at Aggie Stadium. Parking lot gates will open at 9:30 a.m. for the first Best Tailgate in Aggieland Cook Off grilling contest, which will be judged at 1 p.m. The spring game will kick off inside the stadium at 2 p.m.

A&T will play a traditional intrasquad scrimmage, matching its first-team offense and defense against second-teamers, coach Alonzo Lee said. "It's going to be good, solid competition," Lee said. "You hope that your first team goes out there and takes charge, but that second unit feels like they've got something to prove. They're excited. I know the coaches are excited, and they've been game-planning. It should be fun."

The Aggies are coming off a 4-6 record -- 5-6 including a forfeit over Delaware State -- in Lee's first season as head coach. A&T was 3-31 in the previous three seasons and hasn't had a winning record since 2003.

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SCSU wraps up football practice today with Spring Game‎

South Carolina State Bulldogs All-MEAC linebacker Marshall McFadden returns from a season of inactivity due to a broken wrist.

From a team standpoint, head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough saw Friday’s practice as being just as important as today’s Spring Game.“We got enough done to make sure that we didn’t waste a day and that’s what we were trying to get done,” he said. “We wanted to get a good solid day’s work and I thought we got that done.”

While today’s 2 p.m. controlled scrimmage at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is an opportunity for fans to get a slight “sneak preview” of the 2010 edition of the two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, Friday’s session allowed the team to put the finishing touches on spring practices. With the work behind them, the Bulldogs look to put on a strong showing before the home fans.

“Saturday’s game is now more just a culmination of activities,” Pough said. “It’s not nearly as important as the practices that led up to Saturday. It’s more an opportunity for our fans to come out and see us play a little bit and kind of see themselves.”

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Delaware State Announces 2010 Football Schedule‎

DSU Hornets open the 2010 MEAC schedule with perennial conference powerhouse Florida A&M University Rattlers, at Alumni Stadium on Sept 11.

Dover, DE -- An appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and five home games highlight the 2010 Delaware State University football schedule, announced March 26 by Director of Athletics Derek Carter. The 11-game slate kicks off with a battle against Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 in Orlando, Florida. The contest at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Stadium will be televised on an ESPN network, which will be announced, along with the kick off time, at a later date.

"This is a great opportunity for our university to participate in an outstanding event," said Carter. "I'm sure the experience will be cherished by our student-athletes, alumni and fans for years to come. We invite the entire DSU family to join us in Orlando for the game and other event activities." The will be Delaware State's first appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which features a top team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against a member of Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern will be making its second appearance in the challenge.

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Delaware State University Hornets 2010 Football Schedule

Sept. 5 vs. Southern in MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 11 FLORIDA A&M*
Sept. 18 OPEN
Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 2 HAMPTON*
Oct. 9 at Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 16 N. CAROLINA A&T* (homecoming)
Oct. 23 at Morgan State
Oct. 30 S. CAROLINA STATE*
Nov. 6 N. CAROLINA CENTRAL
Nov. 13 at Norfolk State
Nov. 20 at Howard

Times to be announced later.

All home games in all CAPS.
* -MEAC games

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