NORFOLK, Virginia -- Chris Walley never saw it coming. Neither did Norfolk State. The end of the Spartans' season was sealed on their first possession of the second half. Trailing by 14, Norfolk State moved to the ODU 24. The Spartans found a mix of runs and passes that had been elusive. Walley, the quarterback, found his groove. The Monarchs helped out with a roughing-the-passer penalty.
Walley recognized Old Dominion's defense, and audibled accordingly. As he went up and down the line to deliver the call, center Michael Kay didn't realize the quarterback had moved. He snapped the ball while Walley's eyes were focused downfield.
The first-down snap rolled 22 yards into the backfield, where running back Randy Maynes fell on it. A blocked field goal followed, then an ODU touchdown and - after another half of football - the end of Norfolk State's best Division I season.
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Photos | Old Dominion takes on Norfolk State at Foreman Field
Several on ODU and NSU football teams are old friends
NORFOLK, VA -- Norfolk State and Old Dominion are meeting for the first time. Marcus Cooperwood and Reid Evans aren't. After meeting at a high school all-star game five years ago, Norfolk State's Cooperwood, a cornerback from Bethel, and ODU's Evans, a receiver from Phoebus, met often at a small field in front of a church near Darling Stadium.
They ran routes against and have continued working out together ever since.
This year, they brought their teammates along. No. 10 ODU and No. 19 NSU, first-round opponents in the FCS playoffs, spent the summer in 7-on-7 competition, focused on improving each other and moving impromptu games between the two campuses.
"Obviously, we didn't see this happening," Cooperwood said of Saturday's game. "Me and Reid work out in the summer and do one-on-ones to fine-tune our games. We brought it up to our teams and both guys were good with it. There ain't no drama between us. It's all mutual love."
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
ODU's first playoff win sends penalty-laden Norfolk State home
NORFOLK, VA — Even as he watched the 98-yard touchdown happen, Ronnie Cameron was forgetting about it.
"We always have a mentality of, 'Play the next play,' " said Cameron, Old Dominion's senior defensive tackle and the Colonial Athletic Association defensive player of the year. "Things happen. Things have happened all year. We've just got to bounce back from it. That's what a resilient team does. That's what a mature team does.
"Don't let one play define the rest of the game."
ODU took those words to heart in a major way on Saturday as the Monarchs squared off against Norfolk State in the first meeting of the crosstown opponents, which also happened to be both teams' first appearance in the FCS playoffs.
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Roaring success for first-ever Crosstown Showdown
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Gene Thomas II and three fellow Norfolk State football fans intended to join a Spartans tailgate party on the west side of Old Dominion's Foreman Field early Saturday afternoon. They were detained as they walked on the east side, however, by the kindness of strangers - a gaggle of ODU fans offering pregame food, drinks and good-natured banter.
And so loyal Spartans stayed put among proud Monarchs as time ticked toward the so-called Crosstown Showdown, an NCAA playoff game at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
"Sportsmanship has arrived in Norfolk," said Thomas, a former NSU marching band member and a music teacher at Portsmouth's I.C. Norcom High.
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Photo Gallery: View all 20 photos
"We always have a mentality of, 'Play the next play,' " said Cameron, Old Dominion's senior defensive tackle and the Colonial Athletic Association defensive player of the year. "Things happen. Things have happened all year. We've just got to bounce back from it. That's what a resilient team does. That's what a mature team does.
"Don't let one play define the rest of the game."
ODU took those words to heart in a major way on Saturday as the Monarchs squared off against Norfolk State in the first meeting of the crosstown opponents, which also happened to be both teams' first appearance in the FCS playoffs.
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Roaring success for first-ever Crosstown Showdown
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Gene Thomas II and three fellow Norfolk State football fans intended to join a Spartans tailgate party on the west side of Old Dominion's Foreman Field early Saturday afternoon. They were detained as they walked on the east side, however, by the kindness of strangers - a gaggle of ODU fans offering pregame food, drinks and good-natured banter.
And so loyal Spartans stayed put among proud Monarchs as time ticked toward the so-called Crosstown Showdown, an NCAA playoff game at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
"Sportsmanship has arrived in Norfolk," said Thomas, a former NSU marching band member and a music teacher at Portsmouth's I.C. Norcom High.
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Photo Gallery: View all 20 photos
Xavier's Haywood makes seven 3s, but Wiley wins by 11
MARSHALL, Texas — Christopher Tolbert scored nine of his 14 points in the final 10½ minutes Saturday to help Wiley pull away for a 78-67 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana.
The Wildcats (3-2) avenged a 64-60 loss at Xavier from one week ago and spoiled an outstanding performance by Gold Rush guard Nick Haywood, who made seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points
Xavier (4-1) never led after the second minute and trailed by 13 in the first half. The Gold Rush tied the score for the third and final time on Haywood's 3-pointer with 11:19 remaining — that made it 53-all — but Tolbert answered with three consecutive 3-pointers to give Wiley a 73-61 lead at 3:54. The Wildcats shut out Xavier in the final three minutes and defeated the Gold Rush for the fifth straight time at Alumni Gymnasium in six seasons.
Haywood, a junior in his first XU season after transferring from NCAA Division I Houston, was the only Gold Rush player to reach double figures. He scored eight points in the previous three games but had 14 by halftime. Haywood is the first to reach 25 points for Xavier since February 2010 and the first to make seven 3-pointers since Mark Stewart made a school-record-tying eight at Mobile in March 2008.
Cordell Hadnot had nine points and eight rebounds for Xavier, and Kevin Miller grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Xavier made a season-best 10 3-pointers in 22 attempts — Miller, Chris Iles and Wanto Joseph made the other treys — but Xavier made 23.5 percent of its 2-pointers and finished at a season-low 32.1 percent overall.
Graylin Smith had 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots for Wiley. Richard Simon scored 12 points, and Freddie Haynes had 10.
Smith's basket at 6:43 of the first half gave Wiley a 34-21 lead, but Xavier made 10-of-12 free throws to cut the Wildcats' advantage to 43-36 by halftime.
Wiley shot 51.8 percent from the floor against a Xavier team which ranked fourth in NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage defense. The Gold Rush limited the Wildcats to 37.5 percent one week ago.
Xavier's next game will start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Barn against city rival Loyola in a PSBlive.com webcast.
By Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
What I learned on the field with the FAMU marching band
Editor’s note: Dereyck Moore is currently employed by NBA digital and previously worked for CNN Digital. Moore is a graduate of Florida A&M University. He was a member of the FAMU Marching 100 band from 1990 to 1994
By Dereyck Moore, Special to CNN
(CNN) - The tragic death of Robert Champion, drum major for the famed Florida A&M University marching band, weighs on me. I never knew Robert personally. I never shook his hand or carried on a conversation with this young man. But his death has touched me as if I had lost a member of my immediate family - because I have.
I was a member of the FAMU band 20 years ago, and the news of his death traveled among my band mates, through those who marched before me and long after I was gone. It’s sad and shocking to hear his death might be related to hazing by members of the band.
I have always looked upon my beloved FAMU Marching 100 band and many other historically black college and university - HBCU - marching bands with pride. That pride has been shaken to its core by the investigation into the death of a member of our family, my family - a young man just like me.
(Videographer: TheOProductions1907)
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By Dereyck Moore, Special to CNN
(CNN) - The tragic death of Robert Champion, drum major for the famed Florida A&M University marching band, weighs on me. I never knew Robert personally. I never shook his hand or carried on a conversation with this young man. But his death has touched me as if I had lost a member of my immediate family - because I have.
I was a member of the FAMU band 20 years ago, and the news of his death traveled among my band mates, through those who marched before me and long after I was gone. It’s sad and shocking to hear his death might be related to hazing by members of the band.
I have always looked upon my beloved FAMU Marching 100 band and many other historically black college and university - HBCU - marching bands with pride. That pride has been shaken to its core by the investigation into the death of a member of our family, my family - a young man just like me.
(Videographer: TheOProductions1907)
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XU Gold Nuggets lead from start to finish against Holy Names
NEW ORLEANS -- Jasmine Grant scored 15 points Friday to lead four starters in double figures in Xavier University of Louisiana's 73-49 women's basketball victory against Holy Names in the Xavier Classic.
Grant, a senior guard who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the final day of this event a year ago, also had five rebounds, three assists and four steals.
SiMon Franklin and Brandi Young scored 12 points apiece for the Gold Nuggets (5-3), ranked 16th in NAIA Division I, and Jazmoné Kelly had 11 points, a season best, eight rebounds and five steals. Young had a season-high seven assists.
Xavier never lost the lead after scoring the first six points. The Gold Nuggets led 34-25 at halftime, and the final margin was their largest of the game.
Sarah Kilewer scored 16 points and Souljah Evans 15 for Holy Names (4-8). Both scored 11 first-half points.
Kelly and Franklin scored four points apiece in a 12-0 run which gave Xavier a 49-33 lead with 13:13 remaining. Holy Names never got closer than 11 points thereafter.
The Gold Nuggets, who entered the game shooting 37.1 percent from the floor, shot a season-best 49.2 percent -- 57.1 in the second half -- and limited the Hawks to 31.7 percent. Xavier gained 37 turnovers.
Both Xavier and Holy Cross finished 1-1 in the eight-team, two-day event. Rust defeated Mobile 62-61, Tuskegee defeated Texas College 66-52, and Langston beat Dillard 55-42 in Friday's other games. Tuskegee and Langston were the only teams to win both their games. Rust and Dillard were 1-1, and Mobile and Texas College were 0-2.Xavier's next game will start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday against William Carey at The Barn in a PSBlive.com webcast.
By Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Much is at stake for Grambling and Southern in Bayou Classic
New Orleans, Louisiana -- When Grambling plays Southern today in the 38th annual State Farm Bayou Classic, there will be more at stake than bragging rights. With a victory today at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Grambling can clinch a berth to the Dec. 10 SWAC championship game in Birmingham, Ala..If Southern (4-6, 4-4) wins, it would force a four-way tie for first place in the Western Division with Grambling, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Prairie View.
Under that scenario, Arkansas-Pine Bluff would gain the berth in the conference championship because it went 2-1 against Grambling, Southern and Prairie View.
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GAME TIME: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
GSU goes for SWAC title shot
The 38th Bayou Classic is, in a sense, both a championship game and a championship game qualifier.
A Grambling win puts the Tigers in the Dec. 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, something that seemed like a pipe dream after a 1-4 start.
"We were shaky coming out of the gate, but we kept the faith and overcame adversity," said GSU center Julian Wyndon, a Captain Shreve product. "We subconsciously knew we'd be here. We kept winning and kept working hard."
Subsconsciously or otherwise, GSU (6-4, 5-3) needs only a win today over Southern in the 1:30 p.m. kickoff to play in the title game.
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Friday, November 25, 2011
ASU athletic director talks about program's future
Montgomery, Alabama -- The steel beams are visible to motorists who commute on Interstate 85 every morning, a reminder that things are changing at Alabama State University.
The $50 million football stadium that is entering its second phase of construction between Hall Street and Forest Avenue on the east side of the campus is the most noteworthy change to the Hornets' athletic program, but there are plenty of other changes, both in personnel and facilities.
Early last week, ASU athletic director Stacy Danley sat down with the Montgomery Advertiser to discuss his vision for the Hornets' athletic program ...
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The $50 million football stadium that is entering its second phase of construction between Hall Street and Forest Avenue on the east side of the campus is the most noteworthy change to the Hornets' athletic program, but there are plenty of other changes, both in personnel and facilities.
Early last week, ASU athletic director Stacy Danley sat down with the Montgomery Advertiser to discuss his vision for the Hornets' athletic program ...
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Turkey Day Classic -- Alabama State 30, Tuskegee 21: Hornets withstand Golden Tigers' rally
Montgomery, Alabama -- The Turkey Day Classic wouldn't be a classic without some drama.
Alabama State put together its best first half of the season, then withstood a furious second-half rally before scoring late to hold off Tuskegee 30-21 in front of 18,587 fans at Cramton Bowl on Thursday.
For the Golden Tigers (4-6), it was a missed opportunity to avoid their first losing season since 2003. For Alabama State (8-3), it was a chance to snap a two-game losing streak in the series and end the season on a positive note after two late-season losses ruined its hopes of playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game.
"This was our Super Bowl," ASU senior tailback Tim Clark said. "We don't get to go to the SWAC Championship (Game), so we wanted to come out with a good effort and finish strong."
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Turkey Day Classic highlights: Alabama State vs. Tuskegee (Video courtesy ASU)
Alabama State put together its best first half of the season, then withstood a furious second-half rally before scoring late to hold off Tuskegee 30-21 in front of 18,587 fans at Cramton Bowl on Thursday.
For the Golden Tigers (4-6), it was a missed opportunity to avoid their first losing season since 2003. For Alabama State (8-3), it was a chance to snap a two-game losing streak in the series and end the season on a positive note after two late-season losses ruined its hopes of playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game.
"This was our Super Bowl," ASU senior tailback Tim Clark said. "We don't get to go to the SWAC Championship (Game), so we wanted to come out with a good effort and finish strong."
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Turkey Day Classic highlights: Alabama State vs. Tuskegee (Video courtesy ASU)
Langston rolls past XU in matchup of ranked NAIA teams
NEW ORLEANS — Ayanna Jackson scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half Thursday to lead NAIA No. 19 Langston to a 59-44 women's basketball victory against No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Xavier Classic.
The Lady Lions (6-0) snapped the 14-game home win streak of the Gold Nuggets (4-3).
Kimberly Jones and Shontice Simmons scored 12 points apiece for Langston, and Tayla Vaughn scored 10. Jones grabbed 11 rebounds.
SiMon Franklin scored eight points for Xavier, which never led. Langston took the lead for good in the second minute and limited Xavier's two leading scorers this season, Jasmine Grant and Keldra Hall,.to a combined two points.
Baskets by Danielle Kennebrew, Brandi Young, Paige Rochelle and Dalila Robinson in a 9-2 run helped Xavier cut Langston's lead to 28-25 by halftime. But Langston started the second half with a 12-4 run, including 3-pointers by Jackson and Simmons, to take a 40-29 lead with 14:21 remaining. The Gold Nuggets never got closer than seven points thereafter.
Kennebew's second of two consecutive baskets trimmed Langston's lead to 52-44 with 3:13 remaining, but that was Xavier's final score. The Lady Lions made 7-of-8 free throws in a closing burst.
Xavier shot a season-low 30 percent from the floor. Langston shot 35.2 percent and had advantages of 46-38 in rebounds, 15-6 in made free throws and 6-2 in made 3-pointers. Jackson made three 3-pointers, and Langston limited Grant, Xavier's leading perimeter shooter, to 0-for-1 from behind the arc in a scorless 23 minutes.
Langston, a 62-47 loser to Xavier on the opening night of the Xavier Classic a year ago, gave the Gold Nuggets their biggest loss at The Barn since a 70-55 decision against SUNO on Feb. 12, 2007. It's the second time in 11 seasons that Xavier suffered a double-digit home defeat. Langston also snapped Xavier's seven-game Thanksgiving Day win streak and has won 31 of 34 since losing to the Nuggets in 2010.
Xavier has a two-game losing streak for the first time since the first week of January 2010.
In the other Xavier Classic games, Dillard defeated Rust 77-76 in overtime, Holy Names defeated Texas College 63-59, and Tuskegee beat Mobile 61-58.Friday's games will match Rust vs. Mobile at noon, Tuskegee vs. Texas College at 2 p.m., Langston vs. Dillard at 4 p.m. and Xavier vs. Holy Names at 6 p.m in a PSBlive.com webcast. Helen Cox will play Terrebonne in a high school girls game at 10:30 a.m.
Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Dorton's points and passes rally Tuskegee against Mobile
NEW ORLEANS — Amelia Dorton accounted for 16 points in the final 11½ minutes Thursday to help Tuskegee rally for a 61-58 women's basketball victory against Mobile in the Xavier Classic.
The meeting was the first between these Alabama colleges.
Dorton scored 10 of her 14 points — including four consecutive made baskets — and assisted on three scores to lead the Tigerettes (3-1) back from a 45-39 deficit, their largest of the game.
Kajuanna Rivers scored on a pass from Dorton with 4:03 remaining to put Tuskegee ahead to stay, 57-55. Mobile's last lead was 55-53 on Alice Honnery's basket with 4:42 remaining, but the Lady Rams (2-4) committed four turnovers and went 1-of-5 from the floor thereafter. Mobile missed two shots on the final possession, including Allison Michael's 3-point attempt with four seconds remaining.
Nnenna Eze scored 12 points and Jennifer Anoka 11 for Tuskegee, an NCAA Division II member, and both grabbed seven rebounds. Eze, Torreece Maxey and Alondra Rivers had four steals apiece.
Freshman reserve Briana Edwards had season-highs of 22 points and 13 rebounds for NAIA member Mobile. Courtney Bayliss and Honnery scored 10 points apiece, and Honnery had nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
Mobile outshot the Tigerettes 40 to 36.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 50-37, but the Lady Rams committed a season-worst 32 turnovers, 18 more than their opponent.
On Friday Mobile will play Rust at noon, and Tuskegee will play Texas College at 2 p.m.
Ed Cassiere, SID
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Ronolo's 3-point play helps Holy Names top Texas College
NEW ORLEANS — Britni Ronolo scored a season-high 21 points, including a 3-point play with 15 seconds remaining, to help Holy Names earn a 63-59 women's basketball victory Thursday against Texas College in the second game of the Xavier Classic.
Ronolo, a senior center, was fouled while scoring on an offensive rebound, then made a free throw to give the Hawks (4-7) a 62-59 advantage. Myesha Carrington missed two free throws for Texas College (0-5) on the next possession, then Annie Mahoney made the first of two free throws with three seconds remaining to clinch the victory.
The Lady Steers took their final lead, 57-56, when Sekeya Roberson made two free throws with 1:36 remaining. Danika Potestio's 3-pointer gave the Hawks a 59-57 lead with 53 seconds remaining, then Shirley McGowen scored eight seconds later to tie the score.
Souljah Evans scored 13 points for Holy Names, which snapped a three-game losing streak.
Adrienne Davis scored a season-best 13 points, all in the second half, for Texas College. Roberson scored a season-high-tying 11, and McGowen had 10. Roberson had nine rebounds and five steals, but she also committed 11 of the Lady Steers' 41 turnovers.
Holy Names committed 35 turnovers. Neither team shot well from the floor — the Hawks finished at 32.9 percent and the Lady Steers at 30.8.
Holy Names led 28-20 at halftime. Texas College grabbed its biggest lead, 50-46, when Ashli Smith made the second of two free throws with 6:18 remaining. There were five ties and five lead changes thereafter.
It was the first time this season that the Hawks allowed fewer than 68 points.
On Friday Texas College will play Tuskegee at 2 p.m., and Holy Names will play NAIA No. 16 Xavier at 6 p.m. in a PSBlive.com webcast.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Ronolo, a senior center, was fouled while scoring on an offensive rebound, then made a free throw to give the Hawks (4-7) a 62-59 advantage. Myesha Carrington missed two free throws for Texas College (0-5) on the next possession, then Annie Mahoney made the first of two free throws with three seconds remaining to clinch the victory.
The Lady Steers took their final lead, 57-56, when Sekeya Roberson made two free throws with 1:36 remaining. Danika Potestio's 3-pointer gave the Hawks a 59-57 lead with 53 seconds remaining, then Shirley McGowen scored eight seconds later to tie the score.
Souljah Evans scored 13 points for Holy Names, which snapped a three-game losing streak.
Adrienne Davis scored a season-best 13 points, all in the second half, for Texas College. Roberson scored a season-high-tying 11, and McGowen had 10. Roberson had nine rebounds and five steals, but she also committed 11 of the Lady Steers' 41 turnovers.
Holy Names committed 35 turnovers. Neither team shot well from the floor — the Hawks finished at 32.9 percent and the Lady Steers at 30.8.
Holy Names led 28-20 at halftime. Texas College grabbed its biggest lead, 50-46, when Ashli Smith made the second of two free throws with 6:18 remaining. There were five ties and five lead changes thereafter.
It was the first time this season that the Hawks allowed fewer than 68 points.
On Friday Texas College will play Tuskegee at 2 p.m., and Holy Names will play NAIA No. 16 Xavier at 6 p.m. in a PSBlive.com webcast.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Collins' 3-pointer gives Dillard its first victory of season
NEW ORLEANS — Reserve guard Brianne Collins' 3-pointer with five seconds remaining Thursday lifted Dillard to a 77-76 overtime women's basketball victory against Rust in the opening game of the Xavier Classic.The Lady Bleu Devils (1-2) outscored Rust 6-1 in the final 67 seconds after Rust took its biggest lead, 75-71, on an Al'Lisha Hudson basket.
Jasmine Bradley preserved the victory by stealing Kala Williams' pass near midcourt on the final play.
Ariel Mitchell scored 14 points, Jazzmin Smith 13 and Lauren Daniel 10 for Dillard, which never trailed in regulation. Collins finished with a season-high seven points, and the 3-pointer was just her second in 12 attempts this season.
Williams scored 18 points, Jessica Brown 17 and Hudson 13 for Rust (2-5), an NCAA Division III member. Dillard is an NAIA member.
Daniel's free throw at 2:29 of the first half gave Dillard its biggest lead, 32-18. The Lady Bleu Devils led 35-24 at halftime and 54-43 with 8:58 remaining in regulation. Rust forced overtime when Hudson's basket tied the score at 63 with nine seconds remaining. Another Hudson basket at 3:49 in overtime gave the Lady Bearcats their first lead, 67-66.
Rust outshot Dillard 50 to 34.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Lady Bleu Devils 48-43. Dillard outscored Rust 23-10 in free throws.
On Friday Rust will play Mobile at noon, and Dillard will play NAIA No. 19 Langston at 4 p.m.
Old Dominion meets Norfolk State in first round FCS action
Norfolk, Virginia -- Five miles separate the campuses of Norfolk State and Old Dominion, the idea of scheduling a series between the football programs was bound to happen one day. One day has come two years early.The two schools were set to begin a six-year series in 2013 with the first game to have taken place at NSU. The Football Championship Series playoffs will give fans a preview of this series this weekend when the Spartans and Monarchs – both 9-2 – meeting the first round at Old Dominion’s S.B. Stadium.
This matchup will have that new car smell. NSU, champion of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, is playing its first FCS appearance. ODU, a first-year member of the Colonial Athletic Conference and in just its third year of playing football, is making its first playoff appearance.
Pete Adrian, NSU’s head coach, noted this week that there are no bad teams in the tournament at this point. But that his team is playing a rival, heck, a neighbor adds to the intensity. The rosters are loaded with local kids. The Spartans have 31 players from the area, while the Monarchs have 40 from the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Hampton communities.
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Undefeated foe, WSSU poses challenge for Cal U. Vulcans
California, Pennsylvania -- If California University's football team is going to advance in the NCAA Division II playoffs this weekend, it will have to overcome a handful of obstacles. First, a Winston-Salem State University team that is undefeated at 10-0 and top-seeded in the region is waiting for a 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday.Second, the Vulcans will be leaving the confines of Adamson Stadium for the long bus trip to Winston, N.C., where the temperature change and expected crowd of 7,000 fans will make for a difficult place to win.
Finally, Cal will go into this game without head coach John Luckhardt, who will miss the game because of kidney stones and accompanying infection. Offensive coordinator Mike Kellar will run the offense and defensive coordinator Mike Conway will handle the defense.
Luckhardt is the winningest coach in Cal history and has guided the Vulcans into the Division II playoffs five consecutive seasons.
WSSU Rams try to buck CIAA playoff history
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- CIAA teams have had limited success in the Division II football playoffs, but Winston-Salem State hopes to be the exception. WSSU (11-0) will try to take its first step in that direction Saturday, when it plays California (Pa.) in a second-round game at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The CIAA started the postseason with a playoff record of 2-27 since 1978, then fell to 2-28 last weekend when California pounded Elizabeth City State 44-0. Coach Connell Maynor said the CIAA's playoff history doesn't bother him.
"I think our guys are ready, and this is what we set out to do," he said. "We got our first goal out of the way, and that was to win the CIAA championship. The guys really believe that we can win four more football games."
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The CIAA started the postseason with a playoff record of 2-27 since 1978, then fell to 2-28 last weekend when California pounded Elizabeth City State 44-0. Coach Connell Maynor said the CIAA's playoff history doesn't bother him.
"I think our guys are ready, and this is what we set out to do," he said. "We got our first goal out of the way, and that was to win the CIAA championship. The guys really believe that we can win four more football games."
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B-CU Wildcats turn 2011 football season around
Daytona Beach, Florida - Bethune-Cookman started the 2011 season resembling last year's offensive juggernaut when it dismantled Prairie View A&M 63-14 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando
But then the Wildcats lost three out of their next four games, turning the ball over 13 times. They went back to the drawing board, reinventing themselves as a running team and attacking opponents' backfields with a strong defensive front seven.
They won their final six games, ending with a 26-16 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday, to finish 8-3 overall, 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Though they didn't return to the playoffs, they added to the foundation head coach Brian Jenkins established in his first year in 2010 when B-CU won the MEAC championship and finished 10-2
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But then the Wildcats lost three out of their next four games, turning the ball over 13 times. They went back to the drawing board, reinventing themselves as a running team and attacking opponents' backfields with a strong defensive front seven.
They won their final six games, ending with a 26-16 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday, to finish 8-3 overall, 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Though they didn't return to the playoffs, they added to the foundation head coach Brian Jenkins established in his first year in 2010 when B-CU won the MEAC championship and finished 10-2
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Achieving the dream of coaching
For Coach Dean, the sideline feels like home. And every time he walks onto the field feels like a victory.
Dean, 24, has cerebral palsy - a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. But that hasn’t stopped Dean from becoming a valued member of coach Steve Aycock’s J.C. Smith staff in 2011. Aycock was the one who took a chance on Dean to begin with, and the student assistant coach has surpassed expectations as the Division II Golden Bulls have posted one of their best seasons in years.
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Time off has not dulled WSSU's intensity
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Third-ranked Winston-Salem State enjoyed some much-needed down time with a bye in the first round of the Division II football playoffs. But coach Connell Maynor said Wednesday, while having lunch with his team in the school cafeteria, that the break doesn't mean the Rams have lost momentum. WSSU will be back in action Saturday, when it plays California (Pa.) in a second-round game at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.
"I really don't think we've lost that momentum from winning the CIAA," Maynor said. "We've got a good, solid football team that understands our goals and what we are trying to do. They understand that the off week was about staying in shape but getting healthy and concentrating on your books."
The Rams (11-0) are in unfamiliar territory ...
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Florida A&M University band director is fired amid hazing investigation
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| Dr. Julian E. White Former Chairman, Music Department and Director of Florida A&M University Bands career comes to end after 39 years of service with high distinction. (click on photo to enlarge) |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida A&M University has fired longtime band director Julian White, four days after the death of a drum major in which police say hazing was involved.
"Dr. White has been terminated from employment at the university," said FAMU President James Ammons, citing White’s "inability to stop hazing in the department of music and in the band."
"We are serious: This has to stop," Ammons said in an interview with The Orlando Sentinel. "The highest priority we have as a university is protecting the health, safety and well-being of our students."
The news comes a day after Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announced that hazing is being investigated in the death of Robert Champion, who collapsed aboard a parked charter bus in front of the Rosen Plaza hotel Saturday night after the Florida Classic football game. The FAMU band performed during halftime.
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Former FAMU band member: Directors knew about hazing
SMYRNA, Georgia -- When Ivery Luckey heard that hazing may be to blame for Robert Champion's death, he wasn't surprised. Thirteen years ago, as a sophomore clarinet player in FAMU's Marching 100, Luckey was beaten so badly he spent 11 days in the hospital.
"I had full renal failure," he said. "My organs were beginning to shut down and toxins were building in my body and I had to go into dialysis."
Luckey joined Florida A&M University's famed band as a freshman in 1997. He later became friends with 26-year-old Robert Champion, the Southwest DeKalb High School grad and FAMU drum major who died last weekend after suspected hazing.
In an exclusive interview with 11Alive's Blayne Alexander, Luckey described his own hazing ordeal. He said it began his sophomore year, when he wanted to secure his place on the field.
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Director of famous marching band fired as university president vows to end initiation ceremonies after 'healthy' drum major dies
Julian White, of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, was unable to stop the alleged ‘hazing’ events in the band and music department, college president James Ammons said.
Robert Champion, 26, was found unresponsive on a bus parked outside a hotel in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night after the school's football team lost to Daytona Beach rival Bethune-Cookman.
Mr Champion was vomiting and had complained he couldn't breathe before he collapsed. Mr White meanwhile has been placed on paid administrative leave and has 10 days to respond to his firing.
The incident happened following a popular football and marching band competition between two of the state's historically black universities at the Florida Clasjavascript:void(0)ic in Orlando.
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Former FAMU band member: Directors knew about hazing
SMYRNA, Georgia -- When Ivery Luckey heard that hazing may be to blame for Robert Champion's death, he wasn't surprised. Thirteen years ago, as a sophomore clarinet player in FAMU's Marching 100, Luckey was beaten so badly he spent 11 days in the hospital.
"I had full renal failure," he said. "My organs were beginning to shut down and toxins were building in my body and I had to go into dialysis."
Luckey joined Florida A&M University's famed band as a freshman in 1997. He later became friends with 26-year-old Robert Champion, the Southwest DeKalb High School grad and FAMU drum major who died last weekend after suspected hazing.
In an exclusive interview with 11Alive's Blayne Alexander, Luckey described his own hazing ordeal. He said it began his sophomore year, when he wanted to secure his place on the field.
READ MORE
Director of famous marching band fired as university president vows to end initiation ceremonies after 'healthy' drum major dies
- Julian White fired by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University president
- James Ammons disappointed White could not stop alleged 'hazing' events
- Robert Champion, 26, died after initiation ceremony on Saturday in Orlando
Julian White, of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, was unable to stop the alleged ‘hazing’ events in the band and music department, college president James Ammons said.
Robert Champion, 26, was found unresponsive on a bus parked outside a hotel in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night after the school's football team lost to Daytona Beach rival Bethune-Cookman.
Mr Champion was vomiting and had complained he couldn't breathe before he collapsed. Mr White meanwhile has been placed on paid administrative leave and has 10 days to respond to his firing.
The incident happened following a popular football and marching band competition between two of the state's historically black universities at the Florida Clasjavascript:void(0)ic in Orlando.
READ MORE
XU makes a splash in Campbell's-ITA preseason rankings
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana has three singles players and three doubles teams in the Campbell's-Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA preseason rankings announced Wednesday.Most notably:
• Loic Didavi is seventh in men's singles — Xavier's highest ranking since Miroslav Vukicevic was fifth in March 2008.
• Didavi, Steffen Giles-Osborn (career-high 13th) and Amir Rahbar (career-high 46th) give the Gold Rush three nationally ranked singles players for the first time since April 2009.
• The Gold Rush have two nationally ranked doubles teams for the first time. Didavi and Zach Taylor are third — Xavier's highest NAIA ranking ever — and Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson are 21st.
Nicole DeLoach and Kourtney Howell are 22nd in women's doubles. All the aforementioned XU men and women are ranked in the South, with Didavi second in singles and second in doubles with Taylor. It's the fourth consecutive season that Giles-Osborn has been nationally ranked at least once in singles.
Updated individual rankings will be announced March 7, April 11 and May 23. The NAIA will announce its preseason top-25 team rankings Jan. 31 and first regular-season rankings Feb. 21.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
St. Aug's RJ Daniels signs scholarship with XU Gold Rush
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| R.J. Daniels |
Daniels averaged 8.9 points, six rebounds and two steals per game this past season for the Purple Knights, who were 31-6 and won the Class 5A state championship and the District 10-5A championship. Daniels scored nine points Monday in St. Aug's season-opening 63-43 victory at Brother Martin.
"We are excited to bring RJ into the Xavier family," ninth-year Gold Rush coach Dannton Jackson said. "He is a great addition to our program. He brings a winning attitude and academic excellence to our university. He knows how to win. He's a tough player. He can shoot the ball and take it to the rim."
Daniels, Xavier's first signee for 2012-13, will be a biology/pre-medical major.
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| RJ Daniels signed a men's basketball scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana at the St. Augustine High School library Tuesday. In attendance were, from left: XU athletics director Dennis Cousin, XU head coach Dannton Jackson, family members Marcel Daniels, Angerean Taylor, Connie Daniels, Roland Daniels, Caleb Daniels and XU assistant coach Alfred Williams. (click on all photos to enlarge) |
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
NEXT GAME: XU Gold Nuggets
Live Webcast - Xavier vs. Holy Names , Nov. 25, 6 p.m. (click here)
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Sheriff Demings says hazing involved in death of FAMU student/Marching 100 Drum Major Robert D. Champion
4:24 p.m. EST, November 22, 2011
Orlando, Florida -- Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings announced today that hazing was involved in the death of FAMU student Robert D.Champion in Orlando last weekend. Results of an autopsy performed Monday were inconclusive, Demings said. More medical tests will be performed.
Demings' comments came just hours after Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University announced it has suspended all band performances while the university investigates the circumstances of the drum major's death in Orlando amid allegations of hazing within the school's famed marching band.
FAMU President Dr. James Ammons announced today that FAMU is organizing an independent task force related to "unauthorized and questionable" activities within the 375-member marching band. The panel would try to "determine if there are patterns of inappropriate behavior within the culture of the band," Ammons said.
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Today's FAMU Press Conference Talking Points - James H. Ammons, President
A Musical & Photographic tribute to the late Robert Champion. Mr. Champion was a Drum Major for the FAMU Marching 100 Band. (this video was originally uploaded by: Twan Born'Bleszed Miller at Facebook. Music by Florida A&M University Marching 100, "Order My Steps," with solo by Star Crawford.
Authorities investigate FAMU student’s death
Orlando, Florida -- New details about the mysterious death of a Florida A&M student following this weekend's Florida Classic. University president James Ammons suspended all practices and performances for the Marching 100 band as the investigation into how a member died continues.
Robert Champion died Saturday night in the parking lot of the Rosen Plaza Hotel on International Drive.
Ammons announced the school will form an independent task force to look into the death and determine if there were ongoing inappropriate band customs or traditions. He was a drum major for the FAMU marching band that played at the Florida Classic.
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To our brothers and sisters of Florida A&M University, The Marching 100 and the Champion Family. It's pointless to try to express how we feel for you in words. We dedicate this song from the 1999 FSU Marching Chiefs, originally performed for the loss of one of our own. We turn to it again for the same purposes. May you always find comfort in music...
-The Florida State University Marching Chiefs
Orlando, Florida -- Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings announced today that hazing was involved in the death of FAMU student Robert D.Champion in Orlando last weekend. Results of an autopsy performed Monday were inconclusive, Demings said. More medical tests will be performed.
Demings' comments came just hours after Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University announced it has suspended all band performances while the university investigates the circumstances of the drum major's death in Orlando amid allegations of hazing within the school's famed marching band.
FAMU President Dr. James Ammons announced today that FAMU is organizing an independent task force related to "unauthorized and questionable" activities within the 375-member marching band. The panel would try to "determine if there are patterns of inappropriate behavior within the culture of the band," Ammons said.
READ MORE
Today's FAMU Press Conference Talking Points - James H. Ammons, President
A Musical & Photographic tribute to the late Robert Champion. Mr. Champion was a Drum Major for the FAMU Marching 100 Band. (this video was originally uploaded by: Twan Born'Bleszed Miller at Facebook. Music by Florida A&M University Marching 100, "Order My Steps," with solo by Star Crawford.
Authorities investigate FAMU student’s death
Orlando, Florida -- New details about the mysterious death of a Florida A&M student following this weekend's Florida Classic. University president James Ammons suspended all practices and performances for the Marching 100 band as the investigation into how a member died continues.
Robert Champion died Saturday night in the parking lot of the Rosen Plaza Hotel on International Drive.
Ammons announced the school will form an independent task force to look into the death and determine if there were ongoing inappropriate band customs or traditions. He was a drum major for the FAMU marching band that played at the Florida Classic.
READ MORE
To our brothers and sisters of Florida A&M University, The Marching 100 and the Champion Family. It's pointless to try to express how we feel for you in words. We dedicate this song from the 1999 FSU Marching Chiefs, originally performed for the loss of one of our own. We turn to it again for the same purposes. May you always find comfort in music...
-The Florida State University Marching Chiefs
& The Entire Seminole Family
Southern and Grambling preparing for Bayou Classic battle
New Orleans, Louisiana -- Needing a win against Southern in this Saturday’s Bayou Classic to clinch a berth to next month’s Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, Grambling Coach Doug Williams said his team will be ready.
Williams and Southern Coach Stump Mitchell were in New Orleans today for the annual coaches news conference at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome that kicks off the week of events related to the big rivalry game.
Grambling (6-4, 5-3) is on a five-game winning streak since starting the season at 1-4. Southern (4-6, 4-4) can clinch a four-way tie for a share of the SWAC Western Division with a victory. Grambling has won the previous three games against Southern.
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Win Saturday puts GSU in title game
GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling head football coach Doug Williams had forgotten Alabama A&M and Prairie View were playing last Saturday afternoon until he heard A&M had a 14-0 lead on the Panthers.
And the reason for his distraction wasn't because he was watching the Tigers men's basketball team's home opener.
"It's not that I didn't have an idea, but it wasn't on my mind at the time," Williams said of A&M's 17-15 win that left Grambling alone atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division. "I was probably thinking next week. Scotty (Boatright) came to me and said it's 14-0 A&M. At that time, my heart was like, 'Ummph.' I forgot."
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New events planned for Bayou Classic weekend
The 38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic kicks off this weekend starting Thanksgiving Day. For the first time, a Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day parade will be held.
This annual extravaganza features one of America's greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Bayou Classic parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24)-- starting at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and ending at the French Market on North Peters. It will feature the Human Jukebox as well as the Marching Tigers and several other local bands.
The weekend culminates with the Bayou Classic football game at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. Other events include the annual Battle of the Bands and Greek Show on Friday, an HBCU Summit which features a conversation about the challenges facing Black Colleges moderated by CNN's Soledad O'Brien also on Friday, a Coaches' Luncheon, and an Inspirational Gospel Brunch.
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Evans seeking first Bayou Classic win after 3 losses
This is it. For three seasons, Southern wide receiver LaQuinton Evans stood on the field level at the Superdome, watching the final seconds of the Bayou Classic fade away. Three seasons, three losses. Now, he’s a senior. Now, this week, Evans has one more shot at the one win he wants more than all the others.
At 1 p.m. Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Evans and Southern (4-6, 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) face archrival Grambling (6-4, 5-3). The Jaguars once dominated this series, winning 10 of 11 meetings from 1993-2003. Now, they’ve lost three straight to Grambling.
READ MORE
Williams and Southern Coach Stump Mitchell were in New Orleans today for the annual coaches news conference at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome that kicks off the week of events related to the big rivalry game.
Grambling (6-4, 5-3) is on a five-game winning streak since starting the season at 1-4. Southern (4-6, 4-4) can clinch a four-way tie for a share of the SWAC Western Division with a victory. Grambling has won the previous three games against Southern.
READ MORE
Win Saturday puts GSU in title game
GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling head football coach Doug Williams had forgotten Alabama A&M and Prairie View were playing last Saturday afternoon until he heard A&M had a 14-0 lead on the Panthers.
And the reason for his distraction wasn't because he was watching the Tigers men's basketball team's home opener.
"It's not that I didn't have an idea, but it wasn't on my mind at the time," Williams said of A&M's 17-15 win that left Grambling alone atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division. "I was probably thinking next week. Scotty (Boatright) came to me and said it's 14-0 A&M. At that time, my heart was like, 'Ummph.' I forgot."
READ MORE
New events planned for Bayou Classic weekend
The 38th Annual State Farm Bayou Classic kicks off this weekend starting Thanksgiving Day. For the first time, a Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day parade will be held.
This annual extravaganza features one of America's greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Bayou Classic parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24)-- starting at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and ending at the French Market on North Peters. It will feature the Human Jukebox as well as the Marching Tigers and several other local bands.
The weekend culminates with the Bayou Classic football game at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. Other events include the annual Battle of the Bands and Greek Show on Friday, an HBCU Summit which features a conversation about the challenges facing Black Colleges moderated by CNN's Soledad O'Brien also on Friday, a Coaches' Luncheon, and an Inspirational Gospel Brunch.
READ MORE
Evans seeking first Bayou Classic win after 3 losses
This is it. For three seasons, Southern wide receiver LaQuinton Evans stood on the field level at the Superdome, watching the final seconds of the Bayou Classic fade away. Three seasons, three losses. Now, he’s a senior. Now, this week, Evans has one more shot at the one win he wants more than all the others.
At 1 p.m. Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Evans and Southern (4-6, 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) face archrival Grambling (6-4, 5-3). The Jaguars once dominated this series, winning 10 of 11 meetings from 1993-2003. Now, they’ve lost three straight to Grambling.
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Billiot has been solid for WSSU offensive line
The only senior starter on the offensive line, he came from Blinn Junior College in Texas two years ago and has been a starter since Day 1. He's one reason the third-ranked Rams (11-0) are in the Division II playoffs and preparing for a second-round game Saturday against No. 17 California (Pa.) at Bowman Gray Stadium.
"He's everything that we'd thought he'd be," line coach John Eder said of the 6-foot-3, 340-pound Billiot.
When Connell Maynor took over as coach in 2010, the Rams were in dire need of quality linemen. Eder heard about Billiot, who played at Blinn in 2009 when quarterback Cam Newton led the team to the national junior college championship.
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