Winston Salem, NC - Losing just one starter in center Vontisha Woods has coach Steve Joyner Jr. very encouraged about this women’s basketball season at WSSU. But then again Joyner, who learned from his father, is always optimistic.
The Rams were 16-11 last season in Joyner’s first at WSSU. With four transfers and six freshmen added to his roster Joyner is hoping that the chemistry comes early. The Rams also lost key reserve Rene Rector from last season.
“We have a tough schedule playing some Division I teams early,” Joyner said. “If we can get through that stretch and get into the CIAA would should be OK.” The Rams will begin practice Oct. 15 and will play at Davidson on Nov. 5 in an exhibition game.
The core of the Rams, guard Courtney Medley, Taneisha White, Jasmine Newkirk and Jordhan Peterson, along with Taylar Wells gives Joyner plenty of experience. If Medley is more consistent I think she has a chance to be player of the year in the conference.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
JCSU Golden Bulls show a little gloss
Charlotte, NC - It's no secret that the Johnson C. Smith football program has had trouble gaining traction. Coach Steve Aycock is intent on giving his team solid footing. The Golden Bulls (2-2, 1-0 CIAA) will be homecoming opponents again when they play the undefeated Winston-Salem State Rams at 1:30 Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Aycock and his team won't shy away from the challenge.
"We are used to being homecoming bait," said Aycock, a former Golden Bulls assistant now in his third season as the head coach. "Next week, we are Shaw's homecoming game, so it's nothing new to us."
What is new is that the Bulls are starting to turn the corner. They already have two victories, matching their win total of last season (2-8). They were 3-7 in 2009, Aycock's first season.
JCSU vs. Davidson half-time performance.
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Aycock and his team won't shy away from the challenge.
"We are used to being homecoming bait," said Aycock, a former Golden Bulls assistant now in his third season as the head coach. "Next week, we are Shaw's homecoming game, so it's nothing new to us."
What is new is that the Bulls are starting to turn the corner. They already have two victories, matching their win total of last season (2-8). They were 3-7 in 2009, Aycock's first season.
JCSU vs. Davidson half-time performance.
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Savannah State Tigers excited about big week ahead
Savannah, GA - First-year coach Steve Davenport wanted to give Savannah State football fans something to get excited about. So Davenport and the Tigers delivered the ultimate elixir — a 33-30 win over North Carolina Central in their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.
It was just the positive statement SSU hoped to produce before coming home to display beautifully renovated T.A. Wright Stadium to an expected huge throng for the home opener against Howard University on Saturday night.
The game culminates several days of festivities. An official dedication of the stadium begins Thursday afternoon followed by the school’s athletic hall of fame induction ceremony on Friday night. Excitement for the team started early Sunday morning. Davenport said about 500 supporters and students greeted team buses at 3:30 a.m. after returning home from Durham, N.C.
“It really gave me an eye-opening of how starved these kids and the community are to be successful,” Davenport said.
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It was just the positive statement SSU hoped to produce before coming home to display beautifully renovated T.A. Wright Stadium to an expected huge throng for the home opener against Howard University on Saturday night.
The game culminates several days of festivities. An official dedication of the stadium begins Thursday afternoon followed by the school’s athletic hall of fame induction ceremony on Friday night. Excitement for the team started early Sunday morning. Davenport said about 500 supporters and students greeted team buses at 3:30 a.m. after returning home from Durham, N.C.
“It really gave me an eye-opening of how starved these kids and the community are to be successful,” Davenport said.
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MEAC upholds replay reversal in Hampton vs. Bethune-Cookman
NORFOLK, VA -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner Dennis Thomas has issued a statement regarding the final play of the Bethune-Cookman University vs. Hampton University football game played on Thursday, September 22, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The game was televised live on ESPNU.
"In addition to reviewing the video with the MEAC's Coordinator of Football Officials Rosie Amato, I felt the need to procure external analysis of the play in question and requested three seasoned and nationally respected officials including Rogers Redding, CFO National Coordinator of Football Officials and NCAA Football Rules Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, Doug Rhoads, Coordinator of Football Officials for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and Dr. Gerald Austin, Coordinator of Football Officials of Conference USA, to independently review the play in question. Upon their review it was concluded unanimously that the ruling to reverse the on field call to an incomplete catch was accurate therefore invalidating the final Hampton touchdown.
The analysis of the video evidence concluded that the airborne receiver did not maintain control of the ball after hitting the ground, and by rule did not fulfill all the elements of the process of completing the catch. The rule support for this reversal is Approved Ruling 7-3-6-XII and 7-3-6-XIII found on page FI-35 of the 2011-12 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations manual."
Courtesy MEAC Media Relations
"In addition to reviewing the video with the MEAC's Coordinator of Football Officials Rosie Amato, I felt the need to procure external analysis of the play in question and requested three seasoned and nationally respected officials including Rogers Redding, CFO National Coordinator of Football Officials and NCAA Football Rules Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, Doug Rhoads, Coordinator of Football Officials for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and Dr. Gerald Austin, Coordinator of Football Officials of Conference USA, to independently review the play in question. Upon their review it was concluded unanimously that the ruling to reverse the on field call to an incomplete catch was accurate therefore invalidating the final Hampton touchdown.
The analysis of the video evidence concluded that the airborne receiver did not maintain control of the ball after hitting the ground, and by rule did not fulfill all the elements of the process of completing the catch. The rule support for this reversal is Approved Ruling 7-3-6-XII and 7-3-6-XIII found on page FI-35 of the 2011-12 NCAA Football Rules and Interpretations manual."
Courtesy MEAC Media Relations
Paine's Tim Duncan already hard at work
Augusta, GA - When Tim Duncan officially started at Paine, he planned to take 90 days to observe and then take action. President George Bradley had other plans for his new athletic director, telling him he soon wanted a strategic plan in place. Shortly after his May 9 start date, Duncan assembled a five-part plan. That’s been just the start for Duncan, who’s made several other major changes for the athletic department.
“It’s been extremely busy,” Duncan said. “But it’s been very good.”
The former UNC-Wilmington associate athletic director and director of major gifts, Duncan has been working to become more visible in the Augusta community. He’s also spoken to several alumni groups throughout the state.
“Paine College has been a well-kept secret,” Duncan said. “I want people to know the good things we’re doing.” He established a five-part plan, which includes academic excellence, athletic excellence, compliance, external operations and student well-being.
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“It’s been extremely busy,” Duncan said. “But it’s been very good.”
The former UNC-Wilmington associate athletic director and director of major gifts, Duncan has been working to become more visible in the Augusta community. He’s also spoken to several alumni groups throughout the state.
“Paine College has been a well-kept secret,” Duncan said. “I want people to know the good things we’re doing.” He established a five-part plan, which includes academic excellence, athletic excellence, compliance, external operations and student well-being.
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Benedict Names James Woody Interim Head Football Coach
Columbia, SC - Benedict College announced the hiring of James Woody as interim head football coach on Monday.
Woody brings more than 25 years experience as one of the nation's top offensive coordinators to the Tigers, who dropped to 1-3 after 40-23 televised loss to Fort Valley State on Thursday night. The Tigers travel to Augusta, Ga., this Saturday to face Miles College in the annual Augusta City Classic.
“I'm really looking forward to get going,” Woody said at a late-morning press conference at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. “My first priority here is to make sure we put a team on the field that can be competitive - competitive week in and week out.”
Woody takes over for Stanley Conner, who went 21-27 in four full seasons, plus the first four games this season.
“We are very appreciative of the work of Coach Conner,” said Willie Washington, Benedict College Director of Athletics. “But as life has it, changes take place, and this is one of those changes that occurred here at Benedict College.”
This will be Woody's first head coaching position.
As an offensive coordinator at Tuskegee University and Jackson State University, Woody was instrumental in developing high-powered, high-scoring offenses. He said his coaching philosophy is simple – to play hard and play smart.
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Woody brings more than 25 years experience as one of the nation's top offensive coordinators to the Tigers, who dropped to 1-3 after 40-23 televised loss to Fort Valley State on Thursday night. The Tigers travel to Augusta, Ga., this Saturday to face Miles College in the annual Augusta City Classic.
“I'm really looking forward to get going,” Woody said at a late-morning press conference at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. “My first priority here is to make sure we put a team on the field that can be competitive - competitive week in and week out.”
Woody takes over for Stanley Conner, who went 21-27 in four full seasons, plus the first four games this season.
“We are very appreciative of the work of Coach Conner,” said Willie Washington, Benedict College Director of Athletics. “But as life has it, changes take place, and this is one of those changes that occurred here at Benedict College.”
This will be Woody's first head coaching position.
As an offensive coordinator at Tuskegee University and Jackson State University, Woody was instrumental in developing high-powered, high-scoring offenses. He said his coaching philosophy is simple – to play hard and play smart.
READ MORE
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Winless Valley on the rise
Baton Rouge, LA -- After a tough opening month, this is the kind of game the Southern football team really needs. This figures to be an easier week. This one is a no-brainer. Or is it?
At 2 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss., the Jaguars (1-3, 1-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) face winless Mississippi Valley State (0-4, 0-3) in Rice-Totten Stadium.
At first glance, the game looks like it’s made to order for the Jaguars, who need a feel-good moment after losing fourth-quarter leads in crushing back-to-back losses against Jackson State and Florida A&M. But take a closer look. It’s possible this game won’t be the gimme it appears to be.
Yes, the Delta Devils are winless in 14 games under second-year coach Karl Morgan. But they’re still there. They’re still trying ...
At 2 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss., the Jaguars (1-3, 1-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) face winless Mississippi Valley State (0-4, 0-3) in Rice-Totten Stadium.
At first glance, the game looks like it’s made to order for the Jaguars, who need a feel-good moment after losing fourth-quarter leads in crushing back-to-back losses against Jackson State and Florida A&M. But take a closer look. It’s possible this game won’t be the gimme it appears to be.
Yes, the Delta Devils are winless in 14 games under second-year coach Karl Morgan. But they’re still there. They’re still trying ...