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JSU's McDonald making push to regain backup role

Jackson, MS - Dedric McDonald began his quest of regaining the spot as Jackson State's backup quarterback Sunday. For the first time in camp, he practiced full speed and donned shoulder pads.

McDonald, who was awaiting medical clearance to practice, lost the starting quarterback job to Casey Therriault last fall camp. He'll spend this one battling for the No. 2 spot with ex-Callaway QB Mark Thigpen and Tevin Chapman.



"It's going to be a great battle," coach Rick Comegy said. "It's exciting to see."

Comegy said Chapman, a sophomore from Hattiesburg, emerged as the No. 2 QB after spring drills. "That's how we felt," Comegy said. But the coach doesn't expect McDonald, a junior, to be the Tigers' No. 3 or 4 when the season opens ...

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S.C. Bulldogs return to the practice field today

Orangeburg, S.C. - South Carolina State will resume preseason football practice Monday evening at 6:40 p.m., following a day away from the field Sunday. The coaching staff and players used the day off to attend church services at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.

The players also got in some light work in the weight room and some rehab with the Bulldog sports medicine staff.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to practice twice on Monday, however, head coach Buddy Pough gave his team the morning off. S.C. State will also work out on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m.

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Defense runs rampant in Tennessee State University scrimmage

Nashville, TN - The one thing Tennessee State did well last season was run the football. But the Tigers couldn’t do it during Saturday night’s scrimmage. The defense prevented the offense from getting into any type of rhythm for the better part of the scrimmage and left Coach Rod Reed with mixed emotions.

“We’ve got to start fast,” Reed said. “Offensively we didn’t wake up until way later in the scrimmage. The defense came out with good intensity and got after them. While I wasn’t happy with the way the offense started, I was pleased with the way the defense stopped the run. Any championship defense has got to be able to stop the run.”

The defense held the offense to 32 yards on the first 12 running plays. The defense also forced three-and-outs on the first three possessions and allowed only a field goal on the first 10 series. The offense didn’t score a touchdown until the 12th series.

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TSU Aristocrat of Bands performs at Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, August 8, 2011. The band had also performed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton on the preceding Saturday and Sunday in support of TSU alum Richard Dent's enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of FAME.

Southern scrimmage ‘lovely’ for Mitchell

Baton Rouge, LA - This, Stump Mitchell concluded, was downright lovely. On another long summer afternoon, after the Southern football team finished its first preseason scrimmage Saturday - it lasted 2 hours, 12 minutes and 110 plays in hot, steamy conditions - Mitchell, the second-year coach called his team together on the practice field near A.W. Mumford Stadium, then openly praised his players’ effort.

No, the Jaguars are not perfect or polished, he said. But preseason camp is moving along well.

“Lovely,” he said. “I mean, people are out here watching us practice in the heat. Guys are going hard at it. And I think that as a football team, we’re better. ... We’re much further along than we were last year at this time.”

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OG Brown moved to first team

When two of Southern’s top offensive linemen missed preseason practice with minor injuries last week, freshman guard Zach Brown got an instant promotion to the first team. So far, coach Stump Mitchell said, Brown has made the most of his opportunity.

“No question,” Mitchell said. “Zach Brown was here all offseason. He was in summer school. He made two As and one B in nine hours. So he did a fantastic job there, and he’s doing a fantastic job now, stepping in for some injured guys.”

Brown’s promotion came when sophomore left guard Taylon Jones suffered a minor wrist injury and missed several practice sessions last week. Though Jones returned in time to play in Saturday’s first preseason scrimmage, Brown, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound Houston native, played mostly with the first team.

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Revisiting a legendary great! SU Human Jukebox Band Director Dr. Isaac Greggs

Extreme makeover?

OFFENSE BY POSITION

QUARTERBACK

RETURNEES: Dray Joseph, Jeremiah McGinty, Hasoni Alfred, Reid Sanders.

KEY LOSS: None.

TOP NEWCOMERS: J.P. Douglas.

PROJECTED STARTER: Joseph.

OUTLOOK: McGinty was the starter for much of last season, but Joseph came off the bench to lead Southern in both of its wins, and he also started three of the last four games. Joseph began training camp as the de facto No. 1, and while SU coach Stump Mitchell is high on Douglas, a true freshman, it appears that Joseph still has the edge. “Right now, I think he really has a pretty good grasp of the offense,” Mitchell said.

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Winding road leads Grambling State University's Brown home

Grambling, LA - Grambling State offensive coordinator Vyron Brown has been a traveling man.

Since he served as the running backs coach at Alabama State in December's Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, Brown worked at two other SWAC schools before landing at the place he calls home.

"Shreveport and Grambling are home for me," said Brown, a 1997 Woodlawn High School graduate.

When he returned for his second tenure at the head of the GSU program, head coach Doug Williams quickly called Brown to fill his offensive coordinator opening. Brown was just as quick to accept.

"I was at Alcorn for about a month when coach Williams got the job," Brown said. "He told coach (Melvin) Spears, I'm going to call and ask him if he wants to come home. That was a no-brainer for myself."

Williams likes to say Grambling is family and Brown fits...

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JSU, UAPB picked to win SWAC women's soccer titles

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff forward Silvia Fuentes and defender Erika Forbes, also from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, the conference announced today. Preseason honors were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Jackson State Lady Tigers (92 points) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions (99 points) were picked as the preseason favorites in the SWAC Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively. Jackson State, the defending conference champion, received 15 out of 20 first-place votes while Arkansas-Pine Bluff tallied 19 first-place votes.

Fuentes, a 5-5 senior from Moreno Valley, Calif., was the league's Player of the Year in 2010. She led the nation with 1.00 assists per game last season and ranked first in the SWAC in points (30), points per game (1.67) and assists (18). Fuentes was an All-SWAC First-Team selection in 2010.

Forbes, a 5-5 senior from Whitby, Ontario, was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year last season. She helped the Lady Lions to the Western Division regular-season title and was sixth in the conference in goals (7). Forbes garnered SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors three times last season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff posted a 4-0-0 league record and a 13-6-0 overall mark last year. Jackson State recorded a 4-0-0 conference mark and a 13-7-1 overall record in 2010 en route to the SWAC Championship.

Mississippi Valley State, the runner-up to the SWAC Championship a year ago, tallied four first-place votes in the Eastern Division and was picked to finish second with 73 points. Alabama State finished with 54 points for third followed by Alabama A&M (48 points) and Alcorn State (31 points).

Texas Southern was picked to finish second in the Western Division with 70 points. Prairie View A&M (57 points) was tabbed third followed by Grambling State (40 points) and Southern (34 points).

The 2011 SWAC Women's Soccer Championship will be held November 3-6 at the Johnny Downs Soccer Center in Alexandria, La.

By SWAC Media Relations

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Florida A&M University Launches New Website To Celebrate FAMU's 125th Anniversary

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida A&M University was originally founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students that served the underrepresented and underprivileged.

Today, Florida A&M University boasts an extraordinarily diverse student body including citizens from across the State of Florida and the globe. For nearly 125 years, Florida A&M University has served as a beacon of hope for thousands of talented young men and women seeking to improve their lives through the pursuit of a college education.

To celebrate its rich history, Florida A&M University will kick off its 125th anniversary on October 3, 2011. The University is proud of its history and is dedicated and committed to providing “Excellence with Caring” to a new generation of scholars.

A year-long series of special events are planned to celebrate the aspirations and accomplishments achieved over the past 125 years as well as illuminate the university’s vision for its future.

FAMU Yesterday. FAMU Today. FAMU Forever.

President's 2011 Gala Honoring the Marching "100"
Florida A&M University will kick off its year long 125-year Anniversary Celebration during the President’s Gala on Friday, October 7, 2011. This year’s gala theme is “Marching for Excellence” and will pay tribute to the life of William P. Foster, the “Dean of America’s Band Directors,” and the incomparable Marching “100.”




In video #2, the late Dr. William P. Foster, conducting "Knocks Me Off My Feet" with the 1996 edition of the Florida A&M University "Marching 100". The arranger was Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Assistant Director of Bands and University Arranger, Florida A&M University.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 125TH CELEBRATION EVENTS -- VISIT: FAMU125.COM.

FAMU football team bonds with its fans

Tallahassee, FL -- Freshman offensive lineman Austin Edwards beamed with every stroke of the Sharpie he used to sign autographs for fans. The crowd around his table had thinned out a bit when his mother walked up. They both flashed huge smiles.

Shonnice Booker could hardly contain the pride she felt to see her son among the Florida A&M football players who met about 700 of their fans at the Lawson Center on Saturday.



"I'm very proud and I'm excited for him … seeing the community come out and support them," said Booker, who walked the complete circle inside the huge center to visit and mingle with her son's teammates. "To hear the guys saying how they plan on bringing back home a championship ring and to hear my son really, really want to be a part of that is really great."

Fans began to trickle into the building about 20 minutes before the event officially started. Some took individual photos with the players, and almost every fan made the rounds to get autographs and pick up team trinkets.

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N.C. Central: It's Wide Open

DURHAM, N.C. — The strength of N.C. Central’s offense is its wings — the ones out there at wide receiver. Now to find the triggerman who will utilize those weapons through a spread, West Coast play-calling scheme that is being installed by NCCU offensive coordinator Michael Bryant.

“We’re not going to scale back anything,” Bryant said. “We’re gonna throw the entire offense at these guys. We’re gonna require these guys to learn. We’re gonna require these guys to study, because we don’t want to limit ourselves.

“The more we feel like our players know, the more we’ll be able to do and the more pressure we’ll be able to put on defenses.”



Among the 10 teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a year ago, the Eagles would have ranked fifth in total offense, though NCCU competed as a provisional member and was not included in conference statistics. On Thursday, NCCU officials received notice...

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Lane's goals don't stop at ending losing streak

Jackson, TN -- The Lane College football team doesn't have its sights set on just winning one game this season, which would end a 21-game losing streak that dates back to a 52-2 win over Miles College on Nov. 1, 2008.

Players and coaches, including plenty of new faces, were optimistic about the Dragons' chances to win multiple games and compete in the new West Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

"Our goal is definitely not just to win one or two games," said linebacker Corey Jones, who is transferring from Los Angeles Southwest Community College. "We're coming in trying to win every game we can and give it all we've got."

Ronnel Ramsey, a 6-foot-11 offensive tackle who transferred from Seton Hill (Pa.), said the incoming players want to learn from the returning Dragons and send the seniors out with multiple wins.

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5 questions for the JCSU Golden Bulls to work on

Charlotte, NC -- Johnson C. Smith football coach Steve Aycock promises his Golden Bulls will get off to a fast start in 2011.

At the CIAA preseason media day in July, Aycock predicted Smith will win at least three of its first four games - a bold statement given the Bulls' 5-15 record in his first two seasons.

"I feel good about the young men who are coming back and the way they've dedicated themselves over the last six months," he said. "We'll see a difference come Sept. 3."

But will it be enough to move Smith to the middle of the pack in the CIAA South? Maybe, if the Bulls answer these questions:

1. Can the defense be fixed?

Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter and Craig Cox are the new co-coordinators of a unit that allowed 39 points and 405 yards per game.

"From the defensive side, we've made some changes and are doing some things different and most definitely placing a lot of emphasis on stopping the run," Aycock said.

2. Who'll start at quarterback?

Redshirt freshman Maliek McCall closed spring drills...

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Hampton University hopes new locker room improves team chemistry

HAMPTON, VA -- Something happened this summer that Donovan Rose hadn't seen in more than 20 years at Hampton University. Football players attending a summer camp were shown the Pirates' locker room. That may not sound like a big deal, but it was a noteworthy happening for Rose, a 19-year HU assistant who is going into his third season as Hampton's head coach.

"Since I've been here, since 1991, we've never shown a recruit the locker room," Rose said. "Never."

If a recruit asked to see the formerly cramped quarters, with freshmen and walk-ons shepherded to a separate room, Rose said, "I would just change the subject: 'We don't have time,' or, 'Maybe we can come back a little later.' "

That's no longer the case. Rose presided over a tour of HU's newly refurbished locker room on Saturday, showing off rows of gleaming wood and lush blue-and-silver carpeting. Each player has a spacious cubicle, complete with a bar for hanging jerseys and hooks for helmets and a padded bench with a small locker underneath.

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Steven Robinson back at it for Florida A&M

Steven Robinson

Tallahassee, FL - For a while after Steven Robinson put down the crutches that he'd walked on for three months, things seemed surreal. His entire football career flashed before his eyes and he didn't like what he saw at first.

"I felt like I wouldn't be able to play football again," said Robinson.

But with every attempt he made to walk without the crutches, each step brought hope that he'd be back on the field with the Florida A&M football team. "It was stiff, but after a couple of months of walking on it getting those muscles back to working it started to feel like normal," he said.

Robinson, a 2008 Lincoln High School graduate who started his college career at Central Florida, began to feel an even greater sense of normalcy this week. He is back on the football field after months of rehab and a summer of grueling workouts that signaled his comeback would be on track.

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SSU football team conducts first scrimmage

Savannah, GA - Savannah State University’s football team held its first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday morning at T.A. Wright Stadium. As is the case with most teams at this point, the defense was ahead of the offense.

“I saw what I thought I would see,” first-year SSU head coach Steve Davenport said.

The two-hour scrimmage was open to the public, but the 50 or so fans who attended had to stand behind a fence because of stadium construction. SSU did not keep score or statistics. SSU will hold its second scrimmage at 5 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. This scrimmage also will be open to the public. The Tigers’ scrimmage at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at T.A. Wright Stadium will be closed to the public.

Senior Justin Babb, the Tigers’ starting tailback, was in uniform but did not play.




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Former Texas Southern University Coach Wins More than $700K in Federal Lawsuit Against School

Houston, TX - Surina Dixon, former women's basketball coach at Texas Southern University, won her federal lawsuit against the school and was awarded more than $700,000 in damages. Dixon's lawsuit concerned Title IX and Title VII claims of gender discrimination and retaliation.

Dixon was hired by TSU in March of 2008 and was fired three months later, having never coached a game at the school.

"The jury found in my client's favor today based on Surina Dixon's complaints of gender discrimination and retaliation for complaining about gender inequities and NCAA compliance issues," said Todd Slobin, Dixon's attorney, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"The jury awarded approximately $730,000 and we'll seek interest and attorney's fees on that money."

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NSU starter puts pride aside for two-quarterback attack

(Photo Courtesy Mark W. Sutton)

Norfolk, VA - Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley has won preseason honors but lost playing time. He completed every pass for the Spartans last year and was named preseason All-MEAC first team heading into 2011. He finished third in the conference in total yardage and helped NSU average 30 points during the final four games.

Now he has been demoted into a timeshare with Nico Flores, a potentially touchy situation Walley insists won't be an issue. "As long as we're winning," said Walley, who probably will get most of the playing time. "All those other things, passing yards and All-MEAC, I'll trade them all, as long as we're winning."

It marks the second straight year NSU will have quarterback questions entering the season. Instead of who, NSU's issues center on how. "The one thing we want is to be unpredictable," coach Pete Adrian said.

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Bowie State's 7-0 Basketball Star Hyman Emerges As NBA Prospect

Washington, D.C. - As a 6-foot-7 high school senior, Travis Hyman wasn’t courted by big-name college basketball programs. In fact, the Annapolis native and 2005 Old Mill High School graduate says he received no offers from Division I colleges but smaller college programs expressed an interest instead.

“It wasn’t that many,” Hyman said, who noted that Lebanon Valley College and Allegany College of Maryland were among the interested schools. However, after a brief stint at Anne Arundel Community College, Hyman landed at Division II Bowie State University in Prince George’s County.

“They gave me a full scholarship,” said Hyman, now a 7-foot, 245-pound center. “I took it.”



Hyman, a rising senior, helped lead Bowie State to a 23-6 record last season including a 16-2 conference mark. The Bulldogs finished the 2010-2011 campaign unbeaten at home with a 13-0 record. Hyman averaged 15.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and registered 104 blocked shots.

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Honors aside, B-CU's Curry focused on 2011 season

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Natiel Curry is the center of attention for Bethune-Cookman's offense. The senior center is on six preseason All-America teams, including The Sports Network and Lindy's first teams, as well as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason first team.

But it doesn't seem to matter to the 6-foot-2, 300-pound offensive lineman that he's getting all kinds of preseason honors.

"It doesn't really mean anything to me for this season, because it's stuff that people are recognizing me for from last season," Curry said after Friday's morning practice. "Last time I checked, this is a brand new season with some different opponents."

Curry helped B-CU go 10-2, win a share of the MEAC championship and advance to the FCS playoffs last season. That he can keep the preseason accolades from going to his head is just one reason why head coach Brian Jenkins is so happy to have the veteran lead the Wildcats' offensive line.

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UAPB Athletics Announces Staff Additions

Pine Bluff, AR - The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Department of Athletics has announced the additions of Nyeshia Aldridge and Christopher McCoy for the 2011-12 athletic season.

Aldridge has been named interim head volleyball coach while McCoy is set to take over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Cross Country and Track and Field programs serving as head coach for both the men's and women's programs.

Last season Aldridge served as an assistant coach for the Lady Lions volleyball team. Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished the regular season in second place in the SWAC's Western division marking the programs highest finish in school history.

The Texas native played a significant role in the programs overall operations assisting with running practices in addition to providing instruction on the court. Under the direction of Aldridge UAPB's Britta Wilmers was named to the 2010 SWAC All-Conference team while also being named the conference Player of the Week (9/20-9/24).

Prior to being named head coach Cross Country and Track and Field coach at UAPB McCoy spent three years as an assistant coach with the Hampton University women's track & field program. His responsibilities included coaching the sprint athletes, while also implementing the team's strength and conditioning programs.

Before arriving at Hampton, McCoy spent three years (2006-09) as an assistant track & field coach at Bethune-Cookman University, while also serving as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach for the Wildcats. At Bethune-Cookman, he coached sprints, hurdles, jumps, throwing events and multi events, while also designing and implementing the teams' strength and conditioning programs.

He began his coaching career at St. Augustine's as a part-time assistant for three years, before he moved on to Murray State where he served as a graduate assistant and coached jumpers and hurdlers in 2002 and 2003. McCoy returned to St. Augustine's from 2003-04, where he served as assistant track & field coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach.

McCoy graduated from St. Augustine's College in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in Human Performance and Wellness. While at St. Augustine's, McCoy primarily ran the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash, and he earned All-CIAA honors six times. He was also named an NCAA Div. II All-American in the 400-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay.

A native of West Memphis, Ark., McCoy is a member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and he is a certified Level I and II coach; he earned the designation in sprints, hurdles and relays in 2005, and in jumps in 2007.

By University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Sports Information
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Century of greatness convenes as JSU unveils all-time football team

Jackson, MS - A white visor pulled low shielding most of his face, Eddie Payton scans the packed locker room at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. His eyes fall on the greatest football players in Jackson State history.

There's Rodney Phillips, a two-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tight end, and Willie Richardson, a four-time All-SWAC receiver.

There's Jesse Griffin, who led JSU's 1977 defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation, and Mario Kirksey, the 1982 SWAC defensive player of the year. And there's Perry Harrington and Jeffrey Moore, the first pair of players on the same team to rush for 1,000 yards each in Division I-AA.

"You can't," Payton said, "put a price on this."

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Alcorn State seeks to add Marino Casem’s name to football stadium

Lorman, MS - Alcorn State University seeks to add Marino “The Godfather” Casem’s name to Jack Spinks Stadium. After conversations with alumni groups, university staff, and athletic stakeholders, Alcorn’s President M. Christopher Brown II hopes to bring good news on this agenda item request after next week’s Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) meeting.

“Coach Casem is the Braves all-time leader in career wins,” explains President Brown. “He complied a 139–70–8 (86–48–7 in the SWAC) record, capturing seven (7) SWAC championships. His legendary legacy of leadership still demonstrates the highest level of professionalism and personal integrity. His achievements and courage serve as an inspiration for all student athletes in their pursuit of excellence on-and-off the field. This recognition is long overdue and the Alcorn family is honored to acknowledge the achievements of Coach Casem. It is important to note that Spinks and Casem were close friends and even coached together.”

If IHL approves the name change, new temporary signage will greet fans at the Braves first home game. The total renovation needs for the stadium are currently being assessed, in particular campus compliance with ADA, the ingress and egress of traffic during sporting events, and the audiovisual notification system given the University proximity to the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant.

“One of the hardest parts of my job is walking into Alcorn’s stadium and not seeing Coach Marino Casem’s name anywhere,” says Braves Head Football Coach Melvin Spears ’83. “He was not only my coach, but whatever I or any of his players needed him to be. Coach insured we succeeded on the football field, in the classroom, and in life.” Numerous Alcorn alumni and friends agree with Coach Spears.



Coach Willie “Rat” McGowan ’61 added, “Coach Casem put Alcorn State University athletics on the map. This is a tremendous idea and no one deserves to have their name on a building at Alcorn more than Coach Casem. I am proud of our president and Alcorn State University for making this honor a priority.”

Alcorn State University alum and ASU Foundation Board member Nathaniel Hughes ’79 agreed. “This is the house that Coach Casem built and it is time to recognize his achievements.”

As Alcorn moves forward with repositioning the University and its programs, President Brown has reached out and engaged stakeholders. “This is one of the first steps in Alcorn’s new athletic development plan,” says Vice President for Institutional Affairs Marcus Ward. “Renewing relationships with alumni and professional athletes is a priority for our new director of athletic fundraising, Larry Smith. Alcorn will renew relationships and continue to raise funds to support student athletes.”

About Coach Marino Casem

Marino H. Casem is fondly known as “The Godfather of the SWAC” and the man who made the Alcorn Braves football program a household name during his over 20-year reign as head football coach and athletic director between 1964 and 1986. Coach Casem brought national acclaim to Alcorn when he assembled a winning team of coaches and staff members who made the University one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s most revered powerhouses. As head football coach from 1964 to 1985, he captured seven SWAC Championships, seven national black college championships, and was named both the National Black College and SWAC Coach-of-the-Year a total of seven times. The University produced an Olympic Gold Medalist, a world record holder in the 100-yard dash, first round draft picks in basketball and football, and built a world-class athletics complex and arena under Coach Casem’s reign.

In 1984, Coach Casem led Alcorn to a perfect 9–0 regular season. The team was ranked No. 1 in the final NCAA Division I-AA poll, the first time a black college had ever finished the regular football season in that position. He ranks 5th overall in victories amongst Division II-A football coaches. Throughout his career in athletics, Coach Casem served on many national committees including: NCAA Special Events, NCAA I-AA Football, NCAA Football Television, NCAA Football Rules and the NCAA Executive Committee. Other committees include the U.S. Olympic Committee Minority Task Force and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Visiting Committee.

Coach Casem has received numerous awards and citations throughout his professional career. A few of his notables include: Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (1992), Alcorn State University Hall of Honor (1993), Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1994), All-America Football Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (1994), Football Writers Association of America Citation of Honor (1994), Alcorn State University Sports Hall of Fame (1996), The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award (1998), The Louisiana Association of Athletic Directors’ The Carl Maddox Award (1999), College Football Hall of Fame (2003), and the 28th NACDA/NIT Athletics Directors Award (2009).



About Jack Spinks Stadium

Jack Spinks Stadium is home to the Alcorn Braves football team, winners of nine SWAC championships with seven wins under the leadership of Coach Casem. The multi-purpose stadium seats 22,500 and opened its doors in September of 1992. The stadium is also the site of annual rivalry games between the Braves and its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) foes including Southern University, Mississippi Valley State.

University, Grambling State University and Texas Southern University. The field inside the stadium is named after Dwight Fisher, the all-time second winningest football coach in Alcorn’s history who coached from 1948-1956.

The stadium was named in honor of Johnnie Robert “Jack the Ripper” Spinks (August 15, 1930- September 29, 1994), a Toomsuba, Mississippi, native who played fullback for Alcorn from 1948-1952. In 1952, Spinks graduated from Alcorn and became the first African-American Mississippian to be drafted and play professional football in the National Football League (NFL). Spinks was selected number 126 in the 11th round by the Pittsburg Steelers and went on to play fullback for five seasons with the Chicago Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. In 1958, Spinks retired from the NFL and returned to Alcorn to serve nearly thirty years as an Offensive Line Coach and Assistant Head Football Coach under legendary coaches Frank Purnell, E.E. Simmons and Marino Casem until his retirement from the state of Mississippi in 1984.

By Alcorn State University, Office of University Relations
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Grambling hopes the second Doug Williams era is as good as the first

GRAMBLING, La. — If Doug Williams’ second time around as head coach at Grambling State is as successful as his first stint, the Tigers should be in good shape.

As the successor to Eddie Robinson, the Tigers’ All-America quarterback and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player helped his alma mater dominate the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with three league titles during that period.



After serving as a front office executive in the NFL with Tampa Bay, Williams is back at Grambling.

“There’s nothing like Grambling and I’m thrilled about being back home,” he said. “I enjoyed being in the NFL and working with some great people, but this is family. Hopefully, I can keep the family happy by winning.” If the Tigers fulfill preseason predictions of winning a Western Division title in the SWAC, they’ll have to do so without the team’s top two rushers of the past four years.

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WILD MOGUL$ was hanging with the world famous Grambling State Marching Band for a weekend in Louisiana while they recorded an original song for a PitBull Energy Drink commercial in which Grambling State Marching Band starred in.

Howard University Football starts on the Road to Redemption

Howard Bison 2011 Football Team
 (Click on photo enlarge)
(Photo Courtesy Howard University Athletics)

Washington, D.C. - The Howard University football began its two-a-day practices on Wednesday and according to Coach Gary Harrell, there were mixed reviews. “The offense got the upper hand early in the practice,” noted Harrell, who is in his first season as a head coach.

“Then the defense began to assert itself and from there, they dominated. Part of the offense’s slide could be attributed to the loss of starting center Terrell Hawkins, who injured his leg. Harrell says that it is only a minor injury and he should be back soon.

Another factor could be the installation of a new offense under Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Ted White. White is a former All American at Howard who owns most of the school passing and offensive records.

When talking specifically about the offense, Harrell was quick to point out that he is very pleased with the rapid progress of freshman quarterback Greg McGhee, who is projected as the starter.

“Greg McGhee is really picking up the scheme much quicker than we anticipated,” said Harrell, of the talented 6-3, 200-pound freshman from Pittsburgh, PA. “He is improving with each snap. Evan Pittman is also coming along very nicely.” Pittman is a 6-3, 195-pound freshman from Baltimore, MD.

The running back position may be the most competitive unit on the team. Red-shirt junior Jarren Brown, who showed well in the spring, is slated to start, but he is getting get stiff competition from red-shirt junior Charles Brice, senior Terrance Leffall, sophomore Andra Williams and freshmen Aquanius Freeman. Brice led the team in rushing last season with 462 yards and 6 TDs in 8 games. Leffall rushed for 84 yards last season in two games before being injured and missing the rest of the season. Williams missed all of last season due to personal reasons, but he was the team-leading rusher with 419 yards as a freshman in 2009. And Freeman created a lot of buzz during practice with his speed and explosiveness.

All-MEAC wide receiver Willie Carter looks in mid-season form but there is concern by Coach Harrell of the unit as a whole.

“I have not been pleased with the wide receivers,” says Harrell, the school’s all-time leading receiver with 184 receptions during his career. “We have a lot of young players there and there have been too many dropped balls. I know that they are young, but they are going to grow up fast if we are to improve in that area.”

Traditionally, the defense is ahead of the offense this early in the process, but Harrell feels that they may even be a bit ahead of schedule. The task of revamping a defense that allowed over 30 points per game last season has been handed to defensive coordinator Rayford Petty, a former head coach at Howard who is generally regarded as one of the best at the FCS level.

“The defense is jelling well under Coach Petty’s system,” says Harrell. “They look very solid in all areas and appear to be very comfortable in what they want to do.”

The defensive secondary, which was very young last season, has looked especially sharp early on under the coaching of secondary coaches Ron Bolton and Billy Jenkins and volunteer coach Vontae Long. Sophomore safeties Cam Long and Julian David came up with spectacular plays on several occasions and both appear prime for fine seasons.

“Coach Bolton, Billy Jenkins and Vontae Long are doing a good job of coaching those young guys up,” said Harrell.

Bolton, a former NFL performer, who is in his second tenure at Howard, is credited with the development of two former Bison standouts and current pros, Antoine “Deuce” Bethea of the Indianapolis Colts and Ronald Bartell, Jr., who is the starting cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. Jenkins is a former NFL performer, who was an All MEAC selection with the Bison. Long is also former Howard All MEAC selection, who was the conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman

Harrell added that he has been pleasantly surprised at the improvement of the kicking game, an area that has long been an Achilles Heel at Howard.

The Bison will continue two-a-day practices through August 20, just in time for classes which start on August 22. The season opener is September 3 against Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI at 7 pm.

By: Howard University Sports Information

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Norfolk State 2011 preview

Norfolk, VA - Head coach Pete Adrian begins his 7th season leading the green and gold. He has 14 starters returning from a team that was 6 and 5 overall and 4 and 4 last season in the MEAC. The biggest concern for the Spartans is depth along the offensive line.

Starting quarterback Chris Walley returns for his senior season. Last year Wally threw for 10 touchdowns and was picked off eight times.

Norfolk State 2011 preview : wavy.com

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