FAMU Rattlers set to strike with veteran team

Tallahassee, FL - The Florida A&M University Rattlers had another good season in 2010.

FAMU finished on a six-game winning streak. The Rattlers ruined archrival Bethune-Cookman’s bid for an undefeated season by beating them in the Florida Classic. FAMU claimed a share of the MEAC title but missed the FCS playoffs. Can this year’s squad do better?


Theme for Rattler Football Animation, with pictures from Rattler Booster Friday Night Strikes - pep rally. Held the Friday before every home football game at Bragg Stadium parking lot starting at 6 pm with special appearances by Coach Taylor and the football team, the Marching 100, junior cheerleaders and the FAMU cheerleaders.

At a glance

FAMU Rattlers (8-3, 7-1); co-MEAC champs in 2010
Head Coach Joe Taylor (25-9, fourth season at FAMU; 222-55-4 career)

Gone: RB Phillip Sylvester (968 rush yards, 10 TDs); DB Qier Hall (59 total tacks, one sack, one interception), DB Curtis Holcomb (41total tackles, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions); WR Isaac West (26 receptions/catches, 347 yards), QB Martin Ukpai (1,141 total yards, five total TDs transferred).

Back: QB Austin Trainor (580 yards passing, two TDs), WR Kevin Elliott (31 receptions/catches, 381 yards, one TD), LB Alvis Graham (55 total tackles, two sacks), RB Eddie Rocker (193 yards rushing, two TDs), RB Lavonte Page (185 yards rushing, six TDs), DE Jerry Willis (31 total tackles, 4.5 sacks), LB Demarius Folsom (58 total tackles, three sacs, one interception), K Trevor Scott (10/14 field goals, 25/28 extra points), P Brandon Holdren (40.1 average, five TDs) DB, Jon Ojo (57 total tackles, two interceptions), OL Robert Hartley, OL Branden Curry, OL Shelly Anthony.

New kids expected to impact: QB Damien Fleming, RB James Owens, RB/WR Al Terek McBurse, LB Kevin Nelson (transfer from Miami), DB Terry Johnson, OL Kawika Piepper.



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Southern volleyball team emphasizing defense

Baton Rouge, LA - Nathaniel Denu’s message to his Southern volleyball team was quite simple after a second-round exit from last year’s Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament: Defensive prowess will determine the success of the 2011 season.

Passing and setting drills were pushed aside this summer as communication, footwork and technique became the focal point of the Lady Jaguars’ preseason preparation.

A barometer of the team’s progress arrives Friday when Southern opens the season in El Paso, Texas, at the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational. Southern will open the tournament with Friday matches against Texas-El Paso and Texas-Arlington before facing Nicholls State and Portland State on Saturday.

Denu hopes his team can reap early benefits from the extra attention to ...

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Outlook is Bright For Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team looks to continue their commitment to excellence and service for the 2011 -2012 season. They look to make a great impact in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this season and serve as a great representation nationally for the MEAC.

Entering the eight year under the leadership of Coach Fred Batchelor, UMES went 12-19
and 8-8 in conference, last season finishing seventh in the conference respectively. The Lady Hawks advanced to the second round of the MEAC Tournament, falling to second seeded Morgan State. A defensive powered team finished first in the MEAC in shots blocked and third in the nation in defensive three-point field goal percentage.

UMES lost two starters and three letterwinners from the 2010-11 team, including team leading scorer Casey Morton. Morton, a two-time All-MEAC performer and 2007-08 MEAC Rookie of the Year, became the fourth UMES Lady Hawk to score over a 1,000 points last season.

The Lady Hawks will return three starters including two seniors, nine letterwinners, and five promising newcomers who look to make an impact on the continued success of this team.



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Ransome and Parolisi ready to make big difference at VSU

Petersburg, VA - The Virginia State University football team finished last season on a nice note - an appearance in the CIAA championship game - so it is no wonder the Trojans under the direction of coach Andrew Faison look forward to the season opener at Norfolk State University on Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m.

Faison, who enters his 10th season as VSU head coach, has posted a 49-42 record during that span. Prior to the start of the 2010 football season, coach Faison and his Trojans were predicted to finish eighth in the CIAA. Faison guided his team to an overall record of 8-3 and to the CIAA Football Championship game.

The Trojans lost in that championship game, by a touchdown, to Shaw but are in preparations to get back to the CIAA final. Virginia State, the defending Northern Division champions, was ranked sixth (out of 12 teams) in the CIAA preseason poll but were picked second in the Northern Division.



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Gold Nuggets offer campus tryouts Tuesday at The Barn

Xavier won its second straight Gulf Coast Athletic
Conference Tournament championship in 2011.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will conduct women's basketball tryouts for the 2011-12 season from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Barn.

Participants must be full-time Xavier students and enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours for the fall 2011 semester.

Contact head coach Bo Browder at (504) 520-7333 or rbrowder@xula.edu for more information.

Xavier was 27-7 in 2010-11, ranked 20th in the final NAIA Division I poll and qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship for the 15th time in 17 seasons. The Gold Nuggets led NAIA Division I in scoring defense and won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament each of the last two seasons.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT:XULAATHLETICS   

Meet the Detroit Lions wideout who’s also a registered nurse

Detroit, MI - In between playing football and earning All-America honors on the track, Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Hughes got a nursing degree during his college days at Alcorn State. Other than the multiple classes, long days of practice, longer hours studying, three weekly eight-hour shifts at the hospital and the 70-mile roundtrip he had to make between nursing school and the football field, it was a breeze.

The NFL hopeful kept his nursing degree active during three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars by taking continuing education courses. In his 2009 rookie season, he had five catches and one touchdown in his rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hughes spent last season on injured reserve before getting signed as a roster longshot by the Lions.



During this summer's lockout, Hughes took a job as an on-call nurse in his hometown of Macon, Miss. He plans to go to anesthesiology school whenever his football career ends.

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After injury-filled year, Delaware State kickers grab spotlight

Dover, DE - Placekickers are often the misfits of the football field. They practice their craft mostly on the side, while coaches place the majority of their focus on the rest of the team.

But Delaware State University's football team learned firsthand the importance of kickers when its starter got hurt last season. Starter Mario Diaz-Aviles severely sprained his ankle in the first game. Then, after backup kicker Nick Elko also suffered an injury, the Hornets found their cupboards bare.

Without a reliable kicking option, DSU had to go for touchdowns when it got deep in the opposition's territory, rather than trying for what normally would have been routine field goals. New Hornets coach Kermit Blount doesn't want a repeat. To that end, he has added kicking depth.

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ASU Hornets golf teams gear up for season

Montgomery, AL - The Alabama State University women's and men's golf teams have started preparations for the fall portion of the 2011-12 season.

Last season was one of many firsts for the women's team. Among the accomplishments, the team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship, earning an NCAA Tournament berth, as well as capturing the National Minority Collegiate Tournament championship.

The men's team continued to knock on the championship door, finishing second in the SWAC for the third straight year and finishing sixth at the PGA Minority Championship.

"Last year was a transition year to where we are going as a program," fifth-year head coach Gary Grandison said. "I'm excited about this year and optimistic about where we are headed."

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S.C. State Bulldogs in familiar role as MEAC favorites

Orangeburg, S.C. - South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough has only himself to blame for his current predicament. If S.C. State hadn't won or tied for the last three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football championships, then the Bulldogs wouldn't be considered the favorite to win their fourth straight title in 2011.

If Pough hadn't recruited so well over the last five years and had the Bulldogs not dominated the MEAC like they have - winning 25 of their last 26 conference games - then maybe Bethune-Cookman or Florida A&M would have had to carry that "favorite" tag into the regular season.



"You look on paper at what Bethune and Florida A&M have coming back, and I don't understand why people would pick us," Pough said. "I guess I should take it as a compliment because of what we've been able to accomplish around here over the last couple of years, but I don't see it."

Now, is that just coach-speak or is there some truth in what Pough says?

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FAMU's Lee wants final shot at winning

Tallahassee, FL - More than anything else, Tobias Lee wanted a championship ring in baseball or football, or both. It turned out he missed the chance to have a ring as a tight end on the Florida A&M football team because of a shoulder injury last season.

And baseball? Well, that quest was cut short too due to the same injury that occurred during spring football practice in 2010. At that time, he was trying to make the Rattlers' baseball team as a left-hander out of the bullpen.

Now he finds himself with one last shot. It comes after FAMU won a share of the MEAC football championship while he was sitting out.

"This is for all of the marbles," said Lee, a redshirt senior. "All the marbles are on the table this year so it's either go hard or go home. That's the mentality I have right now; trying to make some plays and contributing to the team."




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VSU football, a force to be reckoned with

Petersburg, VA - After falling in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) championship to Shaw University last season, Virginia State University’s (VSU) football team is gearing up for another hard-hitting season on the grid iron. The team is currently undergoing preseason training camp, preparing for their season opener on Monday, Aug. 29, against Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C.

Ranked sixth (out of 12 teams) in CIAA’s 2011 overall preseason poll, the Trojans are defending a season in which they finished first in the conference’s North division – where they are currently predicted to finish second.



Coach Andrew Faison, soon to begin his tenth season as the team’s head coach, isn’t the least bit bothered by the polls.

“It’s only preseason. I tell our guys: It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” he said. “Last year we were predicted to finish eighth, and, hey, look what happened. They moved us up a little bit, so hopefully this time around we will bring home the trophy.”



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WSSU's Ward says diet has helped

Rams Coach Connell Maynor

Winston Salem, N.C. - Akeem Ward smiles at his new nickname — Slim. "Thanks," he said when told about it, "I appreciate that." However, Winston-Salem State's opponents this football season might not appreciate that Ward is 30 pounds lighter.

Ward, a senior defensive end from Holly Springs, helped WSSU lead the CIAA last season in sacks, contributing 4½ of the team's 32, and in total defense (245 yards a game allowed). He also had a team-best 11½ tackles for losses.

"This is the best I've felt coming into a season and I really feel like I'm in great shape," Ward said.

For his first three years at WSSU, the 6-foot-4 Ward weighed about 285 pounds. He's now at 255 pounds and feeling less like an interior lineman. Ward, a four-year starter, has 25 career tackles for losses and is drawing the attention of NFL scouts.

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Football Gameplan's 2011 MEAC Preview

2011 MEAC Preview
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Delaware State Hornets
Florida A&M Rattlers
Hampton Pirates
Howard Bison
Morgan State Bears
Norfolk State Spartans
North Carolina A&T State Aggies
North Carolina Central Eagles
Savannah State Tigers
South Carolina State Bulldogs

Morgan State -Towson Opener To Be Televised

Baltimore, MD - The season-opening football game between local rivals Towson University and Morgan State University, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3 at Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas Stadium, will be televised by Comcast SportsNet. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

"We are excited to return to Johnny Unitas Stadium to open the season and rekindle a local rivalry," said Floyd Kerr, Morgan State Director of Athletics.

"With Comcast SportsNet broadcasting our games, this gives the two schools another avenue to promote our institutions and their programs," said MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley. "It's exciting that this year's game will be televised and we're hoping that MSU fans will still come out and support us at the game."

Calling the game will be Comcast SportsNet anchor/reporter and Towson graduate Brent Harris, '95 and former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl Champion linebacker and Comcast SportsNet football analyst Brad Jackson.

The Tigers and the Bears will be meeting for the 23rd time in a series that started in 1979. Although the Tigers own a 16-6 series lead, Morgan State won the most recent meeting in 2009.

Towson and Morgan State have met in the season opener eight times since 1979. Each team has won four times when they are matched up in the season opener. Towson has won four of the six season openers that have been played at Unitas Stadium.

The MSU Athletics Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster locations and via www.ticketmaster.com.

By Morgan State University Media Relations
VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: MORGANSTATEBEARS

New LSHS band director ready to bring in different flavor

Lexington, N.C. - The new band director for Lexington Senior High School has hopes of bringing a different flavor to the program, school and community.

Andrew George has joined the faculty after being approved by the board of education in July. He replaced Elizabeth Hotchkiss, who left the system.

"I'm honored to be in Lexington," said George, 32. "I'm very excited to serve Lexington City Schools, the students and the community through the performance of good music and worthwhile projects."

George, a native of Wilmington, graduated from N.C. Central University in 2002 with a degree in instrumental music education. After 4 1/2 years of being in NCCU's Marching Sound Machine band, he has developed more than 10 years of experience in teaching music and working with high school bands. He has taught at high schools in Burlington, Durham and Pennsylvania. Through his experience, George said he has developed a distinctive sound, philosophy and musical work ethic that he is eager to share.

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Howard Offense Impresses Coach Harrell as Season Approaches

Washington, D.C. - Howard first-year Head Coach Gary Harrell said last week that he believes his defensive unit led by all-MEAC linebacker Keith Pough was more aggressive and ahead of the learning curve than his offensive unit during practice sessions.

But after a team scrimmage held on Aug. 20, Coach Harrell said the offense has improved enough to make a great impression on him. “Overall, I was really pleased with the progress I saw today," he said. "From an organizational standpoint and the sidelines, there was a big improvement."

Howard Sports Information Director Ed Hill said the offensive unit scored two touchdowns and a field goal during the scrimmage. One of the touchdowns was scored by all-MEAC receiver Willie Carter on a 35-yard pass from freshman starting quarterback Greg McGhee. "The defense started out strong again, but the offense picked it up and began to play better,” Harrell said. “I was especially impressed with the second unit on offense. Randy Liggins did a good job of moving the ball."

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

Football Gameplan's 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preview

2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preview
Austin Peay Governors
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Murray State Racers
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Tennessee State Tigers
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
UT-Martin Skyhawks

Former N.C. A&T Aggie Playing in the Pros

Burlington, Vermont - Xavier Macklin, former A&T outfielder and hitting machine, is slowly but surely beginning to prove he belongs in the big leagues.

The new professional was drafted in his junior season by the Vermont Lake Monsters, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. He was selected 376th overall in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Major League Baseball Player Draft.

"Playing with the Lake Monsters has been a great experience," said Macklin. "I've been meeting new people, getting to know my teammates, and playing a bunch of baseball. I love every minute of it."

The Vermont Lake Monsters currently have a 32-28 overall record, with Macklin playing in 41 of those games. He is averaging just .233 batting, and has 12 RBI total, 8 runs total, and no homeruns, but he continues to show gradual improvement ...

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Bowie State aims to make run at CIAA title

Bowie, MD - The Bowie State University football team didn’t live up to expectations in 2010.

The Bulldogs lost on a last-second bomb Oct. 2 against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Virginia State University. Though the team bounced back to win its final four games of the season and finish 6-4, that loss to Virginia State prevented Bowie State from contending for the CIAA title.

With more focus, experience and key additions to the team, the Bulldogs plan to reverse their fortunes in 2011. With 53 returning players, Bowie State begins its season Sept. 3 with a visit to Assumption College in Worcester, Mass.

“It’s like we’re taking this team more serious, day-by-day,” senior cornerback Kenny Turner said. “This year, we’re more of a unit; there’s more chemistry between us.”

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Six more 2011 graduates sign scholarships with Xavier Nuggets

Jeanay Butler

Chinedu Echebelem

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball coach Christabell Hamilton announced Tuesday the signing of six more student-athletes for the 2011 roster. All will be freshmen this season, and four are from Texas.

Signed to scholarships with the Gold Nuggets are:

• Jeanay Butler, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter from Fort Mill, S.C., and Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School.

• Chinedu Echebelem, a 5-6 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Dallas and Duncanville High School.

• Moira Kirk, a 5-9 middle blocker from Dallas and Bishop Lynch High School.

• Kia Smith, a 5-6 setter from Humble, Texas, and Nimitz High School.

•Morgan Stallings, a 5-7 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Spring, Texas, and Klein Oak High School.

• Alexandra Rencher, a 5-6 setter from Mobile, Ala., and W.P. Davidson High School.

Alexandra Rencher

Kia Smith

Morgan Stallings

Butler, a native New Orleanian, was all-state last season and led all North Carolina players with 5.6 kills per game. She had 452 kills in 2010 and produced more than 1,000 kills, a school record, during her career. She helped Country Day finish second in Class 3A in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs in 2007 and 2008.

Echebelem was first-team all-district each of her last three years for Duncanville. She helped the Pantherettes win a District 5-5A co-championship in 2010 and the 7-5A championship in 2009.

Kirk was first-team all-state each of her final three seasons in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. She had 301 kills and 143 blocks as a senior for Bishop Lynch, which was 34-8 and finished second in the 5A state playoffs. Kirk played for First Baptist Academy from grades 9-11.

Smith was first-team all-district in 2010, team MVP and president of her senior class. Stallings did not play for her high school but played two years of club volleyball for the Houston Slam. Rencher was a three-year starting setter for Davidson and was honorable-mention all-county as a sophomore. She also played basketball and helped Davidson reach the 6A state semifinals her junior season.

Kirk, Smith and Stallings ae biology/pre-medical majors. Echebelem and Rencher are chemistry/pre-medical majors, and Butler is majoring in psychology. Xavier's first day of classes was Monday.

Seven of Xavier's 12 players this season will be freshmen. Announced in February was the signing of outside hitter Taylor Reuther of Metairie, La., and Dominican High School. The Gold Nuggets will open their season at 7 p.m. Friday at Belhaven and play their first home match at 7 p.m. Monday against Mobile at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Freshmen in key positions on SCSU Bulldog depth chart

Head Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - A lanky, lengthy-haired player will once again wear No. 1 for South Carolina State this fall.

Bulldog fans, however, may want to hold in their excitement if it looks like wide receiver Lennel Elmore was reinstated to the team. The jersey now has a new owner in Austin Smith, one of seven true freshmen included on S.C. State's two-deep chart released Tuesday. The Rex, Ga., native will back up Darius Drummond at safety and is the lone member of the young group listed on defense.

"When I came on my visit, I knew we had a strong group of freshmen," Smith said. "I wasn't expecting the seven of us, but we've just got to stay humble and just get in where we fit in."

The remaining six true freshmen have apparently found a place as offense, particularly on the offensive line. As much as head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough was tempted to go the redshirt route, he currently has four true freshmen as backups at both guard positions, tackle and center.

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At last, Smith’s time arrives at ECSU

Elizabeth City, N.C. - As the Elizabeth City State football team’s season opener approaches, Brandon Smith may be the most grateful player on the Vikings’ squad. Smith has not played football in two years and it was not long ago that he thought his career might be over.

“I really do appreciate it more,” said Smith, who will play his first game in a Vikings uniform on Saturday at Delta State. “I mean, I waited two years to play one year, not knowing what could happen after this year. I just wanted to fulfill my whole college term of playing football.”

Smith, a senior, was a star at Virginia Union. The 6-foot, 235-pound outside linebacker was an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rookie team pick in 2006 and followed that up with back-to-back ...

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Date of FVSU vs. Benedict College Football Game Changed

Fort Valley, GA - The Fort Valley State University vs. Benedict College Football Game originally scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011 has been changed to Thursday, September 22, 2011. Kick-off for the Thursday night game is 8 p.m. at Charles W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

The game has been rescheduled to accommodate a televised broadcast by CSS, the regional cable provider which covers 13 Southeastern states. The game will be available for viewing by over 6 million homes who subscribe to Comcast Cable.

For more information about the game change, please contact the FVSU Office of Sports Information at 478-825-6437.

By FVSU Office of Sports Information

Search committee for Southern University A.D. named

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University’s 10-person committee to search for an athletic director will be chaired by Doze Butler, Southern Chancellor James Llorens said Tuesday.

Butler is the interim dean of Southern’s College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences. He was recently appointed to the NCAA’s Champions/Sports Management Cabinet, which is a group that oversees drug testing and education, NCAA rules and Olympic sports issues.

Southern is beginning a search for a new athletic director at a time when the department is dealing with funding deficits, student-athlete graduation standards and off-the-field issues.

Former Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur was fired in April after being arrested in Houston on a misdemeanor prostitution count. LaFleur is currently suing the university for wrongful termination. Women’s basketball coach Sandy Pugh is serving as the interim athletic director.

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Williams, Rivers battle for Grambling quarterback job

Grambling, LA — Grambling quarterback D.J. Williams may only be a freshman, but he's certainly got the confidence of a fifth-year senior.

"I feel like the guys just rally around me," Williams said. "I'm good friends with all of the guys, on and off the field, and they just rally around me. I feel like I'm the best leader out there."

Williams and sophomore Frank Rivers have been battling throughout camp for the opportunity to be Grambling's starting quarterback when it opens the season against Alcorn State on Sept. 3.

The Grambling coaching staff has yet to make any statements about ...

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