Miles can make school history in today's Pioneer Bowl

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- On the night of Nov. 11, the Miles College football team gathered in a conference room in an Atlanta hotel. The Golden Bears were just hours away from kickoff of the inaugural Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game.

There were no coaches in that room, just players. Miles first-year head coach Reginald Ruffin had agreed to the peculiar request, thinking that the impromptu meeting wouldn't last long.

Ruffin ended up waiting in the hotel lobby for more than three hours. His players finally exited the room around 10:30 p.m., their eyes red and watery.

"One of the kids told me, 'Coach, I learned a lot about my teammates tonight,'" said Ruffin, who adds he still doesn't know exactly what was said in that room.

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Ohio Bobcats Back Home for Clash with Morgan State Bears

Listen Live       Live Stats

Game Notes     Live Video

GAME TIME: 2:00 PM ET

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio Men’s Basketball (4-1) returns home after two-consecutive road games to play Morgan State (0-6) on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center. With a win, the Bobcats will be off to their best start since the 2005-06 season.

The game will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. with Voice of the Bobcats Russ Eisenstein providing the play-by-play and Rob Cornelius manning color commentary.

Ohio had its best shooting game of the season, connecting on 50 percent of its shots in a 70-68 win at previously-undefeated Marshall earlier this week.



Ohio led by as many as 14 in the second half as Reggie Keely paced the Bobcats with 16 points and added five rebounds. Walter Offutt had 13 points and five boards and Ivo Baltic was just shy of a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and the first three-pointer of his career. D.J. Cooper did post a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists to go with four steals.

Marshall, which had dominated its opponents on the boards to a tune of +11.4 per game, only out-rebounded Ohio by one. The Bobcats also grabbed 16 offensive rebounds to match their season average, which currently tops the Mid-American Conference. Ohio scored 45 points in the paint (+15), received 28 points from its bench (+17) and had an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

Ohio has three players averaging double figures with Cooper, a junior guard, leading the way with 14.6 points per game. Offutt, a redshirt junior, leads the squad with 6.6 rebounds per game and is third in scoring at 12.4 points per contest. Keely rounds out the trio averaging a career-best 12.8 points, 5.8rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Coming into the season, Head Coach John Groce had stressed the importance of being sounder defensively and through four games, the work appears to be paying off. Ohio is limiting opponents to 26.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc and is a +4.4 in turnover margin per outing.



A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT
Morgan State is off to an 0-6 start with a road loss at #14/15 Xavier (63-74), a home loss against Murray State (69-80) and losses at UNLV (55-92), USC (62-65) and versus Tennessee State (64-69). The Bears will attempt to avoid its worst start since 2005 today.

MSU, who led for most of the second half, had a 45-37 advantage with 11:59 left before Tennessee State took over and came away with a 69-64 victory at the Las Vegas Invitational. Kevin Thompson led the Bears with 16 points and five rebounds. DeWayne Jackson had 14 and Ian Chiles had nine points.

Morgan State was selected to win the MEAC Regular Season Title, edging out last year’s MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton. The Bears are trying to rebound from last year’s fourth place MEAC finish and reclaim the conference title for the fourth time in five years. MSU completed the 2010-11 season with a 17-14 mark and posted a 10-6 conference record.

HISTORY VS. THE BEARS

This will be the first meeting between the Bears and Bobcats. Ohio is 5-0 all-time against members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (2-0, Coppin State; 2-0, North Carolina A&T; 1-0, Norfolk State). The Green & White host North Carolina A&T later this month, December 23.

RPI RANKINGS

Ohio’s strong start to the season is evident in many areas, but recently the Bobcats showed up at No. 11 in the CBSSports.com Ratings Percentage Index. They are currently the only team ranked among the top 68 from the Mid-American Conference.

In fact, the Bobcats rank above such college basketball heavyweights as Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan State, Indiana, Kansas, Georgetown, Purdue and Xavier.

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2011 NCAA Championship: Rams' kicking game will be needed

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING OF GAME@ WSSURAM.com or at:  http://livestre.am/oyWw

HELP US FINISH THE DEAL!  GO RAMS!!!

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - There hasn't been much need for Winston-Salem State to worry about its kicking game, with all the lopsided victories it had during the regular season.

But now that the Rams are in the Division II playoffs, a good kicking game could mean the difference between winning and losing.

"Without a doubt, the kicking game is magnified in the playoffs," said place-kicker Landen Thayer, who missed two field-goal attempts in last week's 35-28 victory against California (Pa.).

Thayer, a junior, said he had never missed two attempts in one game in ...

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BILL HAYES' GAME BITS #2

BILL HAYES GAME BITS #2 - (Bill Hayes is a veteran and legend in football coaching circles, as well as being a renowned AD. He has put together these tidbits to inform our fans of some of the behind-the-scenes things that go into putting on a NCAA Playoff Game)
/
University of New Haven
HEAD COACH – Peter Rossomando is 24-8 in three seasons
a. Nick name – Chargers
b. Colors – Blue and Gold
c. Dellacamera Stadium has blue and gold synthetic turf
d. Staduim capacity of 3,500
e. Defeated #5 Kutztown to advance to this weekend's NCAA Quarterfinals

New Haven Football History
a. First year of football - 1973
b. All time record - 184-137-5
c. NE10 Conference Championships - 2 – 2010, 2011
d. Playoff appearances - 5
e. NCAA's Division II record - 7-4
f. Last playoff appearance - 2010
g. Official name is – University of New Haven
h. University of New Haven was founded in 1920
i. University is located in West Haven, Connecticut.
j. Enrollment of 6,000 students
k. Last regular season 2011 poll rankings: AFCA: 5th, D2Football.com: 11th
j. Miami Dolphins head coach, Tony Sparano, is a New Haven graduate, and has the strength & conditioning center named in his honor.
K. Primary offensive goal: Throw it!
New Haven has passed for over 3,465 yards and 39 touchdowns, although they have rushed for 1,693 yards and 25 touchdowns

GAME TIDBITS…
1. Types of footballs – WSSU normally plays with the Spalding footballs; however, the NCAA requires that we use Wilson Footballs.
2. We will practice with three different Wilson's balls and select the best fit early next week.
3. Officials will be assigned by the Division II Conference Office selected by the Division II Football
 Committee. Officials assigned have not officiated for either school.
4. WSSU is the home team and must wear dark uniforms.
5. Both football programs must exchange at least two previous game tapes.
6. In person game scouting is not permissible
7. Each institution's band may perform at half-time for six (6) minutes. If the opposing band does not attend, WSSU's band may perform for 12 minutes.
8. WSSU's athletics must make press box arrangements and field telephones and space for coaches and duplicating machines.
9. Medical services and assistance is provided by the home team.
10. NCAA's handbook states "no complimentary tickets will be issued."
11. Public address announcer and team introduction must be neutral.
12. Squad size is 54 players maximum and total party of 70 individuals including coaches, trainers and equipment personnel.
13. The tie-breaker procedure will be used in case of a tie game
14. Bands cannot play once the 25/40 second clock starts.
15. No artificial noise makers allowed – (thunder sticks, bells, horns)
16. The team area is from the 25 yard line to the opposite 25 year line.
17. NCAA's pre-game meeting will be held at the Field House Friday Evening
18. Host institutions or sponsoring agencies are encouraged to extend the utmost courtesy to the competing teams.
19. If space heaters or cooling fans are provided, both teams must have the same.
20. Home team must assist the visitors with a kicking net if needed.

TICKETS
•Ticket prices are $15 for general admission and $10 for WSSU students with proper ID (also will honor students from other area colleges and high school with ID). Parking prices will remain the same as in the regular season, $12 for the South Lot (Reserved – no season ticket or game ticket required) and $10 for the East and West Lots.
•Parking lots and tailgating open at 9:00 am at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, while the gates will open at 11:00 am

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Watch live streaming video from wssu at livestream.com

2011 NCAA Championship: New Haven has impressive resume

WEST HAVEN, Connecticut - Coach Peter Rossomando of New Haven (Conn.) was asked earlier this week what he thought about Winston-Salem State's big-play offense.

"We've seen them on film, obviously, and we can't try and match them big play for big play because if you try to do that — fuggettaboudit," Rossomando said in his best Staten Island accent.



The fifth-ranked Chargers (11-1) will play at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday at noon against the third-ranked Rams (12-0).

Rossomando, in his third season with the Chargers, said he sees on film why the Rams are unbeaten and having one of the best seasons in school history.

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Gameday Central: NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal Round vs. Winston-Salem State

WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The nationally ranked No. 5/11 University of New Haven football team travels to nationally ranked No. 3/4 Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, December 3 for the NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal Round. All the information fans need to know can be found online at Gameday Central.

WATCH ALL GAMES LIVE AT NCAA.COM OR CLICK HERE TO GO TO SITE.

Div II	Location	Venue	Time ET
New Haven vs. Winston-Salem	Winston-Salem, N.C.	Bowman Gray Stadium	Noon
Wayne St. (MI) vs. Minn. Duluth	Duluth, Minn.	Malosky Stadium	1:00 p.m.
Northwest Mo. St. vs. Pittsburg St.	Pittsburg, Kan.	Carnie Smith Stadium	2:00 p.m.
North Greenville vs. Delta St.	Cleveland, Miss.	Travis E. Parker Field	2:00 p.m.

Coats has J.C. Smith covered on defense

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Mike Coats is thriving in the center of Johnson C. Smith's defense.

The Golden Bulls' middle linebacker leads Smith in tackles (71) and interceptions (three) going into Saturday's Pioneer Bowl against SIAC champion Miles (Ala.) College in Columbus, Ga.

Statistically, J.C. Smith (5-5) has improved to 71st in Division II in total defense at 362.2 yards allowed compared to last year's team, which ranked 124th at 405.5. First-year coordinator Craig Cox's emphasis on speed and pressure suits Coats, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior.

"It's the scheme we play," Coats said. "I'm more comfortable with what we're playing and I know everything we're doing. It's simple and the more comfortable I am, I know I play better.

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NSU football: Blackwell speaks about his departure

Coach Joe Blackwell (bio)

NORFOLK, Virginia - Norfolk State offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell said he was surprised that his contract with Norfolk State won’t be renewed after the Spartans’ championship season, but he was not angry about it.

“One thing I learned long ago,” Blackwell said. “Coaches were hired to be fired. It’s (Pete Adrian’s) program and he has a right to do what he wants with it. I don’t have hard feelings. I’m thick-skinned. I’m thankful he gave me the opportunity to be a coordinator.”

Blackwell said Adrian called him Monday to tell the former offensive coordinator about his decision. Blackwell had asked for the week off and was at the hospital with one of his daughters ...

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Hampton Pirates struggle; lose MEAC opener to Savannah State

HAMPTON, Virginia - The Pirates of Hampton University men’s basketball team did not open conference play the way it hoped Thursday night at the HU Convocation Center, falling 65-49 to conference newcomer Savannah State.

The Pirates, who seemed like they couldn’t get anything going throughout the game, made just 14 shots, shooting 30 percent from the floor and going 0-for-12 from 3-point range. Savannah State picked up its first-ever win over Hampton in three meetings. Hampton (3-4, 0-1 MEAC) went almost 15 minutes in the second half without making a field goal. After being down 39-26 at the half, the Pirates battled back to within three points when senior Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) nailed a jumper at the 15:56 mark to cut Savannah State’s lead to 39-36 and cap a 10-0 run to open the second half.



But the Pirates would get no closer. The Tigers (3-5, 1-0 MEAC) would extend their lead back to as many as 18 points. Hampton would not get another field goal until the final seconds of the game, when senior Mike Tuitt (Bronx, N.Y.) made a floater in the lane.

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FAMU Band Director: 'He looked like he had passed out'

ATLANTA, Georgia -- For the first time since the death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, director Julian White is giving more details about what happened that day.

11Alive's Blayne Alexander is the only Atlanta reporter to speak with Dr. White. During the interview, he described the moments after Champion collapsed.

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READ RELATED:
FAMU dismisses 4 students connected to death 
Florida A&M expels four students in wake of suspected hazing death

Hundreds attend funeral for FAMU drum major Robert Champion

DECATUR, Georgia -- Mourners filled a church in Decatur, Georgia, Wednesday for the funeral of a Florida university drum major who died this month in what officials have called a hazing-related incident.

A line of people -- some of them wearing band uniforms -- filed past Robert Champion's open casket. He was wearing his Florida A&M University Marching 100 uniform and holding a baton.

As the service began, a group of drum majors draped his coffin with the university's flag.

READ MORE

READ RELATED:
Fla. university system to investigate FAMU over hazing
Another victim emerges, claims hazing in FAMU band 
FAMU dismisses 4 students connected to death
Death of FAMU Band Member Puts Other Universities on Notice
Scott Calls For Review Of Hazing Rules After FAMU Drum Major's Death
Bill Cotterell: Brutality is not a tradition
Scott wants universities to review hazing and harassement policies

Postseason drive filling WSSU bandwagon

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina -- Everybody loves a winner. So it's no surprise that Winston-Salem State's 12-0 football team has received extra love and attention.

"I was in the store the other day, and I was wearing a Winston-Salem State sweatshirt, and three people told me 'Go Rams,' " said punter Landen Thayer, who is from Clemmons and played at West Forsyth High School. "That's pretty cool when you hear stuff like that."

No. 3-ranked WSSU, which defeated California (Pa.) 35-28 in last week's second round of the Division II playoffs, will be at home again Saturday, against No. 5 New Haven in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for noon.  Even though WSSU's first playoff game came over Thanksgiving weekend, it drew a crowd of nearly 8,000 — the third largest crowd of the season at Bowman Gray Stadium.

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VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

XU Gold Nuggets are a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards

Xavier's women's basketball accomplishments in 2010-11 helped
the Gold Nuggets become a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.
Head Coach: Robert "Bo" Browder (13th Season)
Associate Head Coach: Darrilyn Broussard

(Click on photo to enlarge)

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's basketball program is a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.

The Gold Nuggets are one of four finalists for women's team of the year — the others are Maryland Eastern Shore bowling, Florida A&M volleyball and Shaw basketball. Criteria for the finalists were winning a conference championship, maintaining good standing with graduation and academic progress rates and serving as a goodwill vehicle for their institutions during the 2010-11 academic year.

Winners will be announced at an April 20 ceremony at Bowie

Xavier's women's basketball accomplishments in 2010-11 helped the Gold Nuggets become a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.

State University in Bowie, Md. A panel of chancellors and presidents from HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) named the finalists and will select the winners.

This is the second year of the awards, which are sponsored by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Inc. Awards also will be presented for leadership, arts, research and community engagement.

Bo Browder is in his 13th season as the Gold Nuggets' head coach, and associate head coach Darrilyn Broussard is in her 11th season on the staff. During their time together they've compiled a 266-79 record with five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships, five GCAC Tournament championships and nine appearances at the NAIA Division I National Championship. (Browder is 304-105 overall at Xavier.) Of the 39 senior student-athletes to play for Browder at Xavier, 38 received degrees from Xavier or are still enrolled.

Xavier, 6-3 and ranked 16th in NAIA Division I, will play 21st-ranked Shorter at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Barn in a PSBlive.com webcast.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS 

VISIT: GCACSPORTS 

This Week

at The Barn

Saturday, December 3 — Women's Basketball vs. Shorter, 2 p.m. live webcast • live stats 

Saturday, December 3 — Men's Basketball vs. Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. live webcast • live stats

Charlotte 49ers add JCSU to football schedule

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The Charlotte 49ers and Johnson C. Smith will face off in football in 2014 and 2015.

Charlotte, which launches its Division I football program in 2013, announced the addition of the Division II Golden Bulls to its schedule on Oct. 30. Both games will be played at McColl-Richardson Field on University of North Carolina-Charlotte's campus.

The 49ers and Golden Bulls will play home Sept. 6, 2014 and Sept. 19, 2015. JCSU is scheduled to play Division I Davidson in 2013 in Charlotte.

The 49ers’ 2014 schedule has ...
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FAMU student talks to WFTV about hazing

Tallahassee, Florida -- Only WFTV reporter Daralene Jones spoke with a student at Florida A&M University who said she was rushed to the emergency room after being hazed. Bria Hunter said the incident happened just days before band member Robert Champion died in Orlando earlier this month.

Hunter said some band members felt as if they had to join one of the underground groups known as the "Clones," "Red Dogs" and "Gustapos," so they can be accepted by veteran band members.

Champion, 26, mentored several members of the famed FAMU band, before he was hazed to death, including Hunter.

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Norfolk State Spartans must rebuild fast to contend in 2012

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State football team will have to replace the mood, and the mind, that led the Spartans to unprecedented success this season.

The Spartans' road to a repeat championship will have to include the biggest rebuilding job in the MEAC. Norfolk State listed 22 seniors on its roster this season, the most in the conference. Among the upperclassmen were the core of its defense, along with Josh Turner and Chris Walley, likely the two most important players on the roster.



"You know the thing in the middle of a wheel? What's that called, the axle?" coach Pete Adrian asked. "That's what Josh is. He's the one that makes it all work."

Turner is probably the biggest - 315 pounds big - loss of the seven graduating senior starters and four All-MEAC members on defense. That also includes leading tackler Corwin Hammond.

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Calls to end hazing ring out at drum major's funeral

Decatur, Georgia (CNN) -- Somber chords sounded at a funeral service Wednesday for a drum major whose death has sparked an investigation of hazing allegations at his Florida university. Criticisms of hazing and rallying cries for change echoed throughout the three-hour church ceremony.

"I call on every mother, every father, every niece, every uncle: Do what is necessary now to stop this tragedy so that it will never happen again," the Rev. John Tatum shouted into a microphone as he pointed at hundreds of people packed into the pews at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.



Authorities have not specified what caused 26-year-old drum major Robert Champion's death after a performance earlier this month with the Marching 100 band from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Officials said hazing was involved, and his family has said it plans to sue the school "to get answers."

Speaking at Wednesday's service, FAMU President James H. Ammons pledged to ...

View CBS Video

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Who Should Be Blamed for Hazing? Students

Commentary by Tonyaa Weathersbee
BlackAmericaWeb.com

Jacksonville, Florida -- Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion died last month – likely from hazing. Now the survival of a lot of other things at the historically black university is looking shaky as well.

The famed Marching 100, a band that has performed at Super Bowls, at the Grammys and in Paris, has been suspended. Their performance at Carnegie Hall is off. So are performances by the music department.

And the band director, Julian White, a former neighbor of mine here in Jacksonville - so dedicated to his art that his life story probably ought to be written in musical notes instead of words - must now fight to salvage his job and his legacy.

Things weren’t supposed to turn out like this.

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NSU coach Adrian fires offensive coordinator

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell won't be back with the Spartans next season. Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said Wednesday that he chose not to retain Blackwell and told the team during a meeting earlier in the week. Norfolk State's assistant coaches are on year-to-year contracts.

"I'm not going to go into it," Adrian said. "It's something I felt like I had to do. Stuff goes on behind the scenes. Let's put it like this, there's more that goes into coaching college than Xs and Os."

Blackwell has changed his phone number since providing it to The Pilot last season and could not be reached for comment. Adrian said he expects to retain the rest of his staff.

Blackwell's offense averaged ...

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Pioneer Bowl XIII: Johnson C. Smith University vs. Miles College

Pioneer Bowl Game Notes (pdf format)

PIONEER BOWL football tickets can be purchased at the JCSU Ticket Office in Biddle Hall (3rd Floor) or call 704-378-1145. Tickets can also be purchased at the game.

Columbus, GA – The Johnson C. Smith University football team has accepted the invitation to participate in the 13th Pioneer Bowl to be held Saturday, December 3rd at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Georgia at 1:00 p.m. (EST). JCSU will face Miles College from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as the road team in this match-up.

The Pioneer Bowl is the only NCAA sanctioned bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences and one of only three sanctioned bowl games in Division II. Started in 1997, the game features teams from the CIAA and the SIAC. Last year, Saint Augustine's College (CIAA) trumped Fort Valley State University (SIAC), 20-9.

JCSU closed out the regular season with a 31-0 victory against Livingstone College in the annual Commemorative Classic. The win moved the Golden Bulls to third in the CIAA Southern Division with 5-5 overall record and 4-3 in the conference mark.

This is the first non-losing season for Johnson C. Smith since 2006. That year, JCSU finished 7-3 in the standings and received a Pioneer Bowl bid. Unfortunately, even with the game played in Charlotte, NC, Tuskegee won the game 17-7. Until now, that has been the only bowl game appearance for the Golden Bulls.

Miles College, led by Head Coach Reginald Ruffin, finished first in the SIAC West Division with a 5-2 record in conference play. The Golden Bears won their first SIAC Championship by defeating Albany State University to finish with a 7-4 overall record.

A bowl game victory would be the icing on the cake of a reinvigorated year of JCSU football. Head coach Steven Aycock led his squad to their first winning conference record in five seasons. Aycock was elected CIAA Coach of the Week three times this season.

On the field, CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) has led the Golden Bulls and the conference in yardage. Wallace led the CIAA in total offense, while completing more than 58 percent of his passes and throwing for 1,946 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also averaged 48.4 yards per game running the ball to go with five rushing touchdowns. Wallace averaged 264.7 yards of total offense per game, leading the category by more than 23 yards.

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VISIT: JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
VISIT: GOLDENBULLSPORTS

JSU's Coach Comegy receives extension, raise

Coach Rick Comegy

Jackson, Mississippi - Jackson State University has renewed Rick Comegy’s contract as the Tigers head football coach through 2013.

JSU Athletics Director Dr. Vivian L. Fuller made the announcement at an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the Sports Hall of Fame Room of the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

“Coach Comegy and his staff have an excellent track record of on-the-field success at Jackson State,” said Fuller. “Moving forward under his leadership, I expect the JSU Tigers to be champions in sports, in the classroom and in the Jackson community.”

Having just completed his sixth season with the Tigers, Comegy looks forward to his two-year extension.

“I want to thank Dr. Meyers and Dr. Fuller for having confidence in me and my coaches. I’m thankful that they believe in us to continue what we’re building here at JSU,” said Comegy. “I love my job, I love my kids and I love JSU.”

“We all look forward to Coach Comegy’s continued leadership of Jackson State’s football program,” said Meyers. “I am confident that he will lead our student-athletes to even greater success on the field and in the classroom.”

Comegy, 58, completed his six years at Jackson State with a 41-26 record and ended this last season with a 9-2 record. His teams won a SWAC championship in 2007 and returned for SWAC championship play in 2008.

Honor Robert Champion by Ending Hazing

Tallahassee, Florida -- In the whirlwind of events that have unfolded in the past week and a half, it's almost easy to forget that a student died.

There have been protests, Facebook groups and countless other visible outbursts from students, alumni and other supporters to have the Marching "100" reinstated and former Director of Bands Julian White re-hired after the death of student and drum major Robert Champion. But where are the student-led anti-hazing protests and Facebook groups?

Where's the outrage and frustration that a fellow Rattler has been killed and members of one of the university's largest organizations are under investigation for causing it?

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This is a difficult time for Rattlers everywhere as we mourn the loss of one of our own, Drum Major Robert Champion. As he is being laid to rest today, let us all become one - a drum major for positive change! As a former Marching 100 member and a FAMU graduate, I have found tremendous peace in God's amazing grace. Please take a listen ...Hubba, Hubba, Robert. (beepbeep)


The wonderful Soweto Gospel Choir singing Amazing Grace.

Loyola controls second half and beats Gold Rush 66-59

The 2011-12 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team.
(Click here for Roster and Schedule)
Head Coach: Dannton Jackson (ninth season)
Assistant Coach: Alfred Williams
(click photo to enlarge)

 NEW ORLEANS -- Robert Lovaglio had 15 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday, leading four Loyola scorers in double figures in a 66-59 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana at The Barn.

Corey Gray scored 13 points for the Wolfpack (6-2), and Cameron Cates and Steve Davis scored 10 apiece.

Nick Haywood scored 14 points and Wanto Joseph 10 for Xavier (4-2), which has lost two straight.

An 8-0 Loyola run in the final 4½ minutes of the first half tied the score at 20. The Wolfpack led for all but 38 seconds of the second half and took the lead for good at 42-40 on Kyle Simmons' two free throws with 8:41 remaining.

Xavier outshot Loyola 44.2 to 36.7 percent from the floor, but the Wolfpack had the advantage at the line, making 28-of-37 free throws to the Gold Rush's 16-of-27. Loyola made 22-of-30 from the line in the second half, Xavier missed seven free throws in the final eight minutes. Loyola made 9-of-10 free throws in the final 1:46.

Haywood, the reigning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, made three 3-pointers to give him 10 in the past two games.

Lovaglio, the first Loyola player in five seasons to record a double-double against Xavier, grabbed nine first-half rebounds and helped the Wolfpack finish with a 36-28 advantage.

The loss was the second in Xavier's past 25 home games and 41 non-conference home games. Loyola snapped Xavier's 20-game home win streak against non-conference opponents and won for the fifth time in 34 meetings with its city rival.

Xavier will play Concordia (Ala.) at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS 

VISIT: GCACSPORTS 

This Week

at The Barn

Saturday, December 3 — Women's Basketball vs. Shorter, 2 p.m. live webcast • live stats 

Saturday, December 3 — Men's Basketball vs. Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. live webcast • live stats

Hall's hot second half helps Xavier beat William Carey

NEW ORLEANS -- Senior center Keldra Hall scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 55-38 women's basketball victory against William Carey.

The Gold Nuggets (6-3) won their second in a row and snapped the four-game win streak of the Lady Crusaders (4-4).

Hall scored all her second-half points in the final 14 minutes, including consecutive 3-point plays which gave Xavier a 47-27 lead with 4:20 remaining. For the game Hall was 7-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line in 15 minutes. Xavier is 5-0 this season when Hall scores in double figures.

Haleigh Arcement scored 14 points, 10 in the second half, for William Carey. The Lady Crusaders were 1-of-16 on 3-pointers after shooting 39 percent from long range in their previous five games.

The Gold Nuggets outshot the Lady Crusaders 37 to 24.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 39-29. Xavier shot a season-best 92.3 percent from the line, making 12-of-13, and beat William Carey for the 19th consecutive time at The Barn. Xavier leads the series 48-19. The teams will meet again on January 30 at William Carey.

Xavier's next game will start at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Barn against NAIA No. 21 Shorter.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS 

VISIT: GCACSPORTS 

This Week

at The Barn

Saturday, December 3 — Women's Basketball vs. Shorter, 2 p.m. live webcast • live stats 

Saturday, December 3 — Men's Basketball vs. Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. live webcast • live stats

Xavier's Nick Haywood selected GCAC Player of the Week

Nick Haywood

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Nick Haywood is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for Nov. 21-27.

Haywood, a 6-foot junior guard from Monroe, La., and a graduate of Ouachita High School, scored 26 points and made seven 3-pointers Saturday in Xavier's 78-67 loss at Wiley. The points were the most by a Gold Rush player since Michael Harvey scored 27 at home against Tougaloo on Feb. 8, 2010, and the 3-pointers were the most since Mark Stewart made a school-record-tying eight at Mobile on March 7, 2008.

Haywood, who did not start against Wiley, played 29 minutes and was 7-of-17 from the floor and 7-of-13 on 3-pointers. He made all five of his free throws.

This is Haywood's first year at Xavier after playing at NCAA Division I Houston the past two seasons. Through five games he ranks third on the Gold Rush with 9.4 points per game and leads the team with nine made 3-pointers. He averages 17.5 minutes.

The Gold Rush have earned two GCAC player awards this season. Junior forward Denzell Erves received the other for Oct. 31-Nov. 6.

Xavier, 4-1 and ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, will play twice at home this week — against city rival Loyola at 7:30 tonight and against Concordia (Ala.) at 4 p.m. Saturday.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS 

VISIT: GCACSPORTS 

This Week

at The Barn

Saturday, December 3 — Women's Basketball vs. Shorter, 2 p.m. live webcast • live stats 

Saturday, December 3 — Men's Basketball vs. Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. live webcast • live stats

Southern Mississippi Falls to Florida A&M Lady Rattlers, 77-66

Hattiesburg, Mississippi - Florida A&M women's basketball team got 25-second chance points off 23 offensive rebounds as the Lady Rattlers defeated Southern Miss 77-66 Tuesday night.

Southern Miss (2-4) placed three players in double figure scoring led by Tanecka Carey with 16 points followed Jamierra Faulkner with 15 points to go with 10 assists and Sedreka Plummer added 10 points.

Qiana Donald led all scorers with a game-high 20 points for Florida A&M (2-4) followed by Antonia Bennett and Tameka McKelton with 15 points apiece and Keturah Martin added 13.

FAMU out-rebounded the Lady Eagles 51-39 with Donald pulling down a game-high 17 boards that included 10 offensive rebounds. Southern Miss managed to score 40 points in the paint and get 21 points off 25 FAMU turnovers. The Lady Eagles struggled from the free throw line, converting only 4-of-10 shots.

Southern Miss trailed by as many as 27 points, 56-29, early in the second half as FAMU ...

Box Score

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'Mayor' Hickman a large figure for Winston Salem Rams

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - By the kickoff Saturday, the race cars and the oak leaves were long gone, leaving Bowman Gray Stadium awash in red.  Red T-shirts. Red sweatshirts. Red uniforms with black shoulders. Red caps. Even red shoes.

The Winston-Salem State Rams wear red when they’re wearing out CIAA rivals, and they wore red while beating California University of Pennsylvania 35-28 in the school’s first NCAA home playoff game since 1991. At least 7,000 of the 7,645 witnesses had some red threads showing somewhere on the breezy November afternoon, a scene that begged for a windy politician.

The Rams, rallying the football base, bypassed the certified office holders and nominated Ced Hickman, the senior running back they laughingly (and perhaps lovingly) call “The Mayor of Winston-Salem.” Hickman has no verifiable ties to the elected mayor, Allen Joines, but he grew up in Winston-Salem and played for North Forsyth High.


Podcast of WSSU Rams vs. California U (Pa.) Vulcans Division II Playoff

Watch live streaming video from wssu at livestream.com

NEXT GAME: WSSU RAMS vs. NEW HAVEN CHARGERS, Saturday, December 3rd at 12:00 PM in Bowman Gray Stadium in the NCAA Super Region One Final, WINSTON SALEM, N.C. 

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