FAMU Death Caused By Hazing, Blunt Force Trauma

The Late Robert Champion

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Florida A&M University student did in fact die of hazing, authorities announced Friday. Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major at FAMU, died just hours after the Florida Classic game in Orlando.

The medical examiner's office said Friday Champion's death was the result of a soft tissue hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma. The death was ruled a homicide.

"The autopsy revealed extensive contusions of his chest, arms, shoulder, and back with extensive hemorrhage within the subcutaneous fat, between fascial planes and within deep muscles," authorities said Friday.

No drugs or alcohol were found in Champion's system.

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Death of hazed FAMU drum major ruled homicide

The death of Florida A&M University marching band drum major Robert Champion has been ruled a homicide, the local medical examiner has announced.

The Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office determined that the 26-year-old's death was the result of blunt-force trauma while he was being hazed, the Orlando Sentinel says.

He "collapsed and died within an hour of a hazing incident during which he suffered multiple blunt trauma blows to his body," the ME's statement said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said it would soon meet with the state attorney to decide whether charges will be filed, the Sentinel says.

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Bethune-Cookman student says he was injured in campus hazing

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Christopher King, a student at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, says he was hit in the back of the neck so forcefully and often during a recent hazing ritual at the school that he blacked out several times.

King also was made to roll around in the mud or do strenuous exercises as part of a series of hazing activities by members of the marching band this past semester, he said. He said he did not want to participate but felt coerced.

"You feel like if you don't participate, you know, you're going to be that only one," said King, 18, who plays the baritone horn. "You're worried about reputation, and you're worried about what people are going to think about you."

He described how more-experienced members of the famed Marching Wildcats hazed and ridiculed the freshman members after band practice on some evenings.

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Senator Arthenia Joyner calls on Governor Scott to withold rush to judgement in FAMU hazing controversy

Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa)
State Senator 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- State Senator Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) called on Republican Governor Rick Scott to withhold judgment in Florida A&M University’s hazing controversy today, and rescind his recommendation to suspend Dr. James Ammons, president of the historically black institution.

“As a state official and as a degree recipient from FAMU’s undergraduate and law school programs, I have great concerns over the governor’s haste to recommend suspending Dr. Ammons while simultaneously admitting he has no knowledge of any wrongdoing,” said Sen. Joyner. “It’s particularly galling that the governor justifies his action as a way to assure people the university is fully cooperating. This is the same Rick Scott who had no similar compunction to immediately step aside as CEO of HCA when the FBI launched its probe into what became the largest health care fraud case ever in this country’s history.”

Senator Joyner added that any action against officials and employees of the university should be withheld until the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has had time to complete a thorough investigation into ...

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Students march to Governor's Mansion, protest Gov. Rick Scott's call for suspension of FAMU president

Dr. James H. Ammons
President, Florida A&M University

Champion's cause of death has not been determined. Investigations by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and FDLE are pending.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M students infuriated by Gov. Rick Scott's call for the suspension of President James Ammons marched from campus to the Governor's Mansion late Thursday by the hundreds (if not thousands), demanding Scott rescind his request amid investigations into drum major Robert Champion's death after suspected hazing.

"I would definitely say that he's overstepped his bounds," said Student Senate President Marissa West, 21, after the most heated parts of the protest had passed. "Our Board of Trustees is more than capable of making this decision."

When asked by a small group of students and prominent alumni inside the mansion why he wanted Ammons suspended, Scott cited Champion's death, the FDLE's announcement of fraud uncovered in its investigation of the incident, and another reason that he could not yet publicly discuss. Scott said it would come out very soon, said former state Sen. Al Lawson, a Florida A&M alumnus who was in the small group.

"We're not privy to this incident that he was talking about," Lawson said.

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FAMU Students Occupy Rick Scott's Mansion; Governor's Reply Is Kinda Racist

Richard Lynn "Rick" Scott (R)
Governor, State of Florida

Thousands of Florida A&M students marched to the governor's mansion last night after Rick Scott demanded the school suspend its president over a band member's hazing death. Scott agreed to meet students out front and, oy, that might have been the wrong decision.

The white guv bizarrely attempted to quell the mostly black crowd by beginning his speech with some version of: "Hey, I grew up in public housing." To which students protested, "We're not poor!" Scott apparently learned no lessons when a similar speech nearly got him booted from a black legislator's lunch in February.

The trouble started yesterday when Scott called FAMU's board chairman and asked the school to suspend James Ammons, the historically black college's president. To be fair to Scott, Ammons has had a horrible month.

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Note: Rick Scott was forced to resign as Chief Executive of Columbia/HCA in 1997 amid a scandal over the company's business and Medicare billing practices; the company ultimately admitted to fourteen felonies and agreed to pay the federal government over $600 million.

Jackson State Tigers upset SMU 59-58 in Dallas Classic

DALLAS, Texas -- Kelsey Howard scored 27 points and made five 3-pointers to lead Jackson State to a 59-58 victory against SMU in the Dallas Classic on Thursday night.

Howard sank three free throws in the final 20 seconds, giving the Tigers (2-9) the cushion to withstand a 3-pointer by SMU's Robert Nyakundi at the buzzer. Willie Readus added 10 points and eight rebounds for Jackson State.

Nyakundi led the Mustangs (5-4) with 15 points and six rebounds, and London Giles added 13 points. Shawn Williams, a Texas transfer, scored 12 points in his SMU debut.



The game was played at 7,500-seat Ellis Davis Fieldhouse, which is operated by the Dallas Independent School District. The Mustangs are back on the court Dec. 19 when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. to face Southeast Missouri State. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.

SMU vs. Jackson State - box

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Jay Gaskins named D-II National Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-American

ALBANY, Georgia — Albany State University linebacker Jay Gaskins has picked up more post-season honors. Gaskins highlights the Daktronics All-America team, which was announced by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America. In addition to first-team honors, Gaskins earned the Ron Lenz Division II National Defensive Player of the Year honor after being named the Super Region Two and SIAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was the lone representative from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) to be named to the team.

The 6-2, 200-pound senior from Tifton, had 73 tackles (42 solo) to help lead Albany State to an appearance in the NCAA playoffs. Gaskins, who led the ASU “Dirty Blue” defense with 11 sacks, notched with 17.5 tackles for losses of 75 yards in 12 games for the Rams. He also had five pass breakups, three fumble recoveries for 67 yards, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Gaskins was selected to play in the third annual HBCU All-Star Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

It was the second year in a row that ...

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ECSU and VUU plays in Holiday Tournament

AIKEN, South Carolina -- The University of South Carolina-Aiken Convocation Center will become a Division II men's basketball hub this weekend as four teams will be in action at the 2011 Southeastern Tool-Don Cheeks-Dr. John Riley USC Aiken Pre-Holiday Classic.

The host Pacers, now 6-1 on the season and 2-0 in Peach Belt Conference play, have a unique opportunity to pick up a pair of wins before a 12-day holiday break and continue their push to get into the national rankings. USCA received votes for the first time this season in the most recent poll.

Schedule
All games played at the USCA Convocation Center

Today

5:30 p.m. - Lenoir-Rhyne (2-5, 0-2 SAC) vs. Virginia Union (5-5, 2-0 CIAA)

7:30 p.m. - Elizabeth City State (6-3, 0-0 CIAA) vs. USC Aiken (6-1, 2-0 PBC)

Tomorrow

1 p.m. - Elizabeth City State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

3 p.m. - Virginia Union vs. USC Aiken

Tickets

Adult tickets will be $6, while tickets for children, visiting students and senior citizens will be $4.

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Savannah State to play at MVFC powerhouse Northern Iowa in 2012

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA -- The University of Northern Iowa football team has announced its complete 2012 schedule, and the slate is highlighted by two games against Division I FBS opponents for the first time since 2001. UNI will play six road games and five home contests in 2012.

In addition to road games at Big Ten schools Wisconsin and Iowa on Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, respectively, the Panthers have scheduled a home non-conference game for Sept. 8 against Savannah State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). An eight-game Missouri Valley Football Conference slate fills out the remainder of the season.

With the MVFC expanding to 10 members when the University of South Dakota joins in 2012, each school will have one conference school left off the schedule each season. UNI and Indiana State will not meet on the gridiron for the first time since the formation of the league in 1985.

Along with the home opener against Savannah State on Sept. 8, UNI will host North Dakota State (Sept. 29 - Family Weekend), South Dakota State (Oct. 20 - Homecoming), Illinois State (Oct. 27 - Hall of Fame) and Missouri State (Nov. 17 - Senior Day).

2012 UNI Football Schedule

Sept. 1 at Wisconsin

Sept. 8 Savannah State

Sept. 15 at Iowa

Sept. 22 at Youngstown State

Sept. 29 North Dakota State (Family Weekend)

Oct. 6 Open

Oct. 13 at Southern Illinois

Oct. 20 South Dakota State (Homecoming)

Oct. 27 Illinois State (Hall of Fame)

Nov. 3 at Western Illinois

Nov. 10 at South Dakota

Nov. 17 Missouri State (Senior Day)

The University of Northern Iowa football team fell to the Montana Grizzlies in the 2011 NCAA FCS quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, 48-10. UNI finished the 2011 season with a 10-3 record. UNI is 19-16 in the FCS playoffs all-time.

Savannah State finished their first season under Coach Steve Davenport with a 1-10 record.

Courtesy: UNI Athletics Communications

North Carolina A&T's Veney Announces His Resignation

EARL MONROE HILTON III
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (12/14/2011)-- North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton accepted the resignation of Tony Veney as the school's Director of Track and Field Programs, today.

Effective immediately, longtime assistant James Daniels will serve as the program's acting director until a permanent replacement is appointed. North Carolina A&T will begin a national search for the position this spring.

Daniels has coached sprinters and hurdlers at N.C. A&T since 2001. Twenty-six school records in sprint or hurdle events have fallen during his tenure. Also during his 10-year span, the Aggies won 28 MEAC Championships in either a sprint or a hurdle event. Sixteen of those championships came during the outdoor season.

In addition, he has coached seven relay teams to either MEAC indoor or outdoor titles.

Athletes have also experienced a few firsts under Daniels' tutelage. Alexandria Spruiel (400m) and hurdler Loreal Smith were the first two female All-Americans in school history, earning the honors during both track seasons in 2009. On the men's side, he coached Calesio Newman to three straight 100 meter MEAC Championships, and Newman, who recently competed in the Pan Am Games, became the first Aggie to be named to a USATF National Team.

"While we were looking forward to utilizing coach Veney's vast experience in track and field to elevate our track and field programs and events, we understand and respect the personal decision he had to make for he and his family," said Hilton. "We as a university family, wish him all the best in his future endeavors. As the track and field indoor and outdoor seasons approach, our goal and mission continues to be one of providing the best platform for our student-athletes to prosper academically and athletically. We trust coach Daniels can provide the type of leadership necessary to ensure a smooth transition, while still keeping the team competitive throughout the year."

Veney's hiring was announced on July 1, 2011. Veney's previous coaching positions included stops at UCLA, Portland State, the University of Oregon and Cal State Los Angeles. Prior to coming to N.C. A&T, Veney was the head track and field coach at Ventura Community College.

The Aggies indoor season begins with a two day event, January 12-13, at Virginia Tech. The indoor season will roll into the outdoor season, which begins the weekend of March 16-17 at Wake Forest University.

VISIT: NCATAGGIES

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

Tallahassee Quarterback Club Awards Damien Fleming

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (12/13/2011) -- The Tallahassee Quarterback Club held its annual jamboree awards banquet, this evening at the Florida State University Center Club. The guest speaker was hall of fame coach, and stadium field namesake, Bobby Bowden.

The football support club awards weekly honors to the best high school and college players in the Big Bend area. Several high school players and coaches, including North Florida Christian's 2011 state champion head coach Robert Craft picked up awards for their outstanding seasons.

In the college division, FAMU freshman quarterback Damien Fleming was awarded the Jake Gaither Sportsmanship Award. Fleming, who started seven games for the Rattlers and led them to victory in six games total, was on hand to accept his award. Accompanied by his uncle, who drove in from Jacksonville, Fleming was calm as he accepted the honor. "I want to thank my lineman, because without them, none of this would be possible," he said, drawing a chorus of laughter from the audience.




Fleming, who won MVP awards at both the Prince Hall Shriners Diabetes Classic and the Florida Classic, revealed the calm demeanor off the field, much like he exhibited on it. "He's wise beyond his years," Taylor proudly told the crowd. "With players like Damien, folks are saying the future is so bright at FAMU you need sunglasses," Taylor said.

FAMU athletic director Derek Horne and strength and conditioning coach Russell Barbarino were on hand to support Fleming and Taylor.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club has been around since 1949. Their mission is to celebrate the game of football in the Tallahassee and surrounding community.

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

FAMU players set for HBCU Bowl

Tallahassee, Florida -- When the football season ended almost four weeks ago for the Florida A&M football team, offensive lineman Brandon Curry didn't stop working out. He didn't stop believing that he'd be playing at least one more game, either.

As it turns out, Curry and eight of his teammates who played their last season of eligibility as seniors, will be playing in the HBCU Bowl all-star game. Four of them also will play in the Battle of Florida All-Star game next month.

But first, all of them will spend this week in Atlanta showcasing their talent in front scouts from every professional league. They begin with today's combine and culminate the week in the HBCU game Sunday at the Georgia Dome.



Curry, 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, said playing in both all-star games will be a dream come true for him. And, of course, he likes his chances of impressing some of the pro scouts with his size and agility.

OFFICIAL ROSTER

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Hoops for lunch: SCSU Lady Bulldogs vs. SC Lady Gamecocks today

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Head coaches Dawn Staley of the University of South Carolina and South Carolina State's Doug Robertson will share a milestone at Colonial Life Arena today.

The noon matinee contest between their teams will mark each coach's 100th game in four seasons at the helm of their respective programs. A victory today for Staley will even her mark at .500 with the Lady Gamecocks (7-2) and give them their best start in eight years.

"I think we're getting better," Staley said. "I think time will tell whether we've turned the corner. I think we are beating some teams that we're supposed to beat. I think we need to make a move and beat some teams that are very competitive, Top 25 teams, to really say that we've turned the corner."

Meanwhile, a Lady Bulldogs' win would give Robertson ...

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Hadnot stays hot, as does XU defense in win at William Carey

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Senior forward Cordell Hadnot scored a season-high 16 points Tuesday, and NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana produced another stellar defensive performance in a 57-42 men's basketball victory against William Carey.

Hadnot was 7-of-7 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the line to lead the Gold Rush (7-2) in scoring for the second straight game. Hadnot has made his past 11 shots from the floor and past four from the line.

Xavier limited William Carey (5-6) to 27.9 percent from the floor and allowed its fewest points to the Crusaders in 70 meetings. It's the first time since November 2004 that the Gold Rush allowed fewer than 50 points in consecutive games.

Renard Smith had 11 points for Xavier, which has won three in a row, and Denzell Erves and Kevin Miller scored nine apiece. Smith made a pair of 3-pointers for the third straight game.

Xavier limited Carey's top two season scorers, Brandon Givens and Roderick Little, to a combined 15 points -- two in the second half -- and 3-of-19 from the floor. Givens, who entered the game averaging 18.8 points, scored a season-low 10. Little, who entered averaging 16.2 points, scored a season-low five.

The Gold Rush led 28-27 at halftime and took the lead for good, 31-30, on Nick Haywood's 3-point play with 18:36 remaining. Xavier led by at least eight points for the final 11:55, and the final margin was its largest of the game.

Xavier shot 41.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Crusaders 34-31. The Gold Rush committed 16 turnovers and gained 22.

Stefan Sartori's 3-pointer in the seventh minute capped a 10-2 run and gave William Carey its biggest lead, 14-11, but five Xavier players scored in a 10-0 run to give the Rush a 21-14 advantage at 9:14.

Xavier will travel to city rival Loyola for a 4 p.m. game Saturday.

By Ed Cassiere, SID

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

FAMU Tragedy Or Not, Hazing Will Go On As Usual

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For all of the tears shed and pain felt in the aftermath of Robert Champion’s death, it is likely that the practice of hazing will continue. We need only review the number of young men and women who died before Champion took his final breath.

According to figures tallied by Hank Nuwer, an internationally renowned scholar on hazing, an average
of one college student per year has died as a result of hazing since the early 1800s.  In October of 2010, Samuel Mason died while pledging for the Fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon at Radford University in Virginia.

FOX FOCUS: Former FAMU Band Member: MyFoxATLANTA.com

“Just 2 years ago, Donnie Wade died trying to join Phi Beta Sigma at Prairie View A&M, but most people know nothing about that case because America has accepted hazing in fraternities and sororities,” says Walter Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College and an expert on hazing.

That said, hazing is such a facet of so many fraternities’ and sororities’ cultural norm that ridding them of the practice would be akin to stripping them of much of their identity.

A recent study titled "Hazing in View: College Students At Risk" based on ...

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FAMU hazing incident brings lawsuit, criticism

Atlanta, Georgia -- Clarinet player Bria Shante Hunter had to decide which option was more painful: turning in the FAMU bandmates who, she now says, had administered a serious beating, or walking around on a broken leg.

For a week the Atlanta freshman tried living with a fractured femur. But on Nov. 7 she reported the incident to FAMU band director Julian White, who sent her to the hospital and referred the case to the campus police.



Hunter told authorities that her injuries -- including blood clots as well as the cracked thigh bone -- were the result of being struck repeatedly for failing to live up to the credo of the Red Dawg Order, a sub-group made up solely of students from the Atlanta area, within the renowned and prestigious FAMU Marching 100. The existence of the order is one outward indication of the profound ties between Atlanta and the band many regard as the best in the world.

The consequences of Hunter's decision to come forward -- she has decided she can no longer remain at the school, and will relinquish the $85,000 scholarship she won as a member of the band -- illustrate the powerful and complex bonds that tie members to the band.

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READ RELATED:
Attorney: FAMU student hazed could barely walk
For many in FAMU band, pain a part of admission process
Florida A&M Hazing Victim Sues School, Suspects Accused of Beating Pledge 
For many in FAMU band, pain a part of admission process

'Guarantee' games provide B-CU revenue, visibility, memories

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- The ball was inbounded, and three seconds later the buzzer sounded. After players and coaches consulted, the three-second drill was repeated.

Bethune-Cookman's men's basketball team ended Monday morning's practice by working on buzzer-beater scenarios. It was the Wildcats' final session at their home gym before embarking Tuesday on a 10-day, 6,000-mile odyssey that will take the team from Daytona Beach to Texas to California to Las Vegas.

It doesn't seem likely that drill will come in handy any time soon. The Wildcats meet Baylor at 7 tonight in Waco, Texas. The Bears not only have this year's Heisman Trophy winner in Robert Griffin III, they also possess the sixth-ranked men's basketball team in The Associated Press Top 25 poll. Last year in Waco, the Bears trampled the Wildcats, 83-39.

From Waco, it's on to the San Francisco area...

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No. 20 Michigan Wolverines 63, Arkansas Pine-Bluff 50

ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- Given the time of year, a decisive win against a lowly opponent should be a normal course for No. 20 Michigan.

After a challenging nonconference schedule the past three weeks, that's why coach John Beilein scheduled a game against lowly Arkansas Pine Bluff, to give his starters a breather and his bench a chance.

Unfortunately his team has struggled to put away some smaller-school opponents and, though the Wolverines finished off the Golden Lions, 63-50, on Tuesday night at Crisler Arena, no one was thrilled with the way they got to the finish line after holding a 25-point lead with 13 minutes remaining.

Beilein talked to the team, stressing the missed opportunity to get some of their bench players minutes, and co-captain Zack Novak made his case as well.

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Virginia Union squeaks by FSU Broncos

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Midway through the first half, the Fayetteville State Broncos needed a spark. Jarmel Baxter provided one. And for a while, that was enough.

But the Broncos couldn’t overcome 22 turnovers and 28 fouls and Virginia Union had four players score in double figures to rally past Fayetteville State 82-77 on Monday, Dec. 12, in a nonconference game between CIAA foes.

Damion Harris battled foul trouble to score 12 points, matching Wesley Simmons and Calvin Brown for team-highs. Coredeo Hill, who added an emphatic dunk as the Panthers (5-4) used a late run to put the Broncos away, added 10 points.

But for a while, it looked like Baxter was going to carry the Broncos (2-4) to a victory.  The sleek 6-3 guard scored ...

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CIAA makes impact

HOME OF THE WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS
2011 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS
2011 HBCU NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2011 RAMS Regular Season 11-0
NCAA Division II Playoffs: 2-1
NCAA Division II National Ranking: #3

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA -- It's no secret that CIAA football had no respect on the national level.

But that could all change now that Winston-Salem State has matched the conference's all-time victories total in playoff games, reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs and has risen to No. 3 in the coaches' poll.

Before this season, the CIAA was 2-27 in the playoffs since 1978. The Rams were 2-1 in this season's playoffs, losing to Wayne State 21-14 in Saturday's semifinals.

Videographers: Cornell Jones and Desmond Barnes; 2011 CIAA Champions Winston-Salem State University. In the final Division II polls, the Rams are ranked #3 in the nation.

Coach Waverly Tiller of Elizabeth City State, who serves on the Division II championship committee, saw all three of WSSU's playoff games, and said he expects a boost from the Rams' run. Tiller's team also made the postseason but lost to California (Pa.) in the first round. This season was the first since 2006 that the CIAA sent two teams to the 24-team playoffs.

"It really does speak volumes for the CIAA," Tiller said. "Winston-Salem State being the region winner and getting recognized nationally is a big thing. It's every coach's dream, and now Winston has paved the way, and the message is that the CIAA can do it."

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Xavier Gold Nuggets 16th and Gold Rush 21st in NAIA polls

NEW ORLEANS — Back where they were in the preseason. That summarizes the position of the Xavier University of Louisiana basketball teams in the third NAIA Division I coaches polls of 2011-12.

The Gold Nuggets (7-3) climbed from 17th to 16th in the women's poll, and the Gold Rush (6-2) returned to 21st in the men's poll after falling out of the top 25 a week ago.

The new rankings were announced late Monday afternoon. The next polls will be conducted Jan. 9.

It's the first time in Dannton Jackson's nine seasons as head coach that the Gold Rush dropped out of the top 25, then returned in the next poll. Coach Bo Browder's Gold Nuggets made their 21st consecutive appearance in the top 25 — their longest streak since appearing in 34 straight top 25s from Jan. 13, 2003-March 8, 2005.

The XU women, who did not play this past week, will travel to city rival Loyola at 2 p.m. Saturday. Loyola received 32 poll points to rank 28th.

The XU men, a 62-45 winner at home this past week against Mobile, will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a 7 p.m. game Tuesday against William Carey. The Gold Rush will visit Loyola at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Xavier is the only Gulf Coast Athletic Conference school in either top 25. Tougaloo's men, tied for 20th a week ago, fell to 26th and missed the top 25 by three points. Tougaloo's women, who have not received a vote this season, beat then-No. 23 Belhaven 64-60 at Tougaloo on Saturday to help knock the Blazers out of the top 25.

Oklahoma City's women are a unanimous No. 1 for the second straight week. In the men's poll Concordia (Calif.) and Robert Morris (Chicago) are 1-2 after sharing the top spot one week ago.

Oklahoma City will be the Gold Nuggets' opponent at 4 p.m. PST on Dec. 20 in the Las Vegas Hoopla. It will be the Nuggets' first game against a top-ranked team since losing 91-53 to Oklahoma City in the opening round of the NAIA Division I National Championship at Jackson, Tenn., on March 21, 2003.

Xavier is one of 12 schools, three more than a week ago, with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Campbellsville, Cumberlands, Freed-Hardeman, Georgetown (Ky.), Lindsey Wilson, Saint Xavier, Shorter, Southern Nazarene, Robert Morris and Rogers State. The women and men of Azusa Pacific and Cumberlands are in the top 15.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Dec. 11)
Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Oklahoma City (11) 7-0 281 1

2 Union (Tenn.) 11-1 272 2

3 Freed-Hardeman 9-2 263 4

4 Lewis-Clark State 9-1 252 5

5 Westmont 10-1 243 6

6 Shawnee State 10-2 233 7

7 Langston 9-0 226 8
8 Vanguard 6-1 215 10

9 Lee (Tenn.) 9-1 207 9

10 Saint Xavier 9-2 195 13

11 Azusa Pacific 5-3 192 3

12 Campbellsville 9-3 188 14

13 Olivet Nazarene 10-2 170 11

14 Cumberlands 10-1 169 15

15 Southern Nazarene 6-3 156 16

16 Xavier 7-3 143 17

17 Lubbock Christian 6-3 136 19
18 Shorter 9-1 128 18
19 Bethel (Tenn.) 6-4 112 12
20 Georgetown (Ky.) 10-3 102 21
21 Robert Morris (Chicago) 9-1 100 22
22 Lindsey Wilson 8-3 89 25
23 Columbia (Mo.) 8-4 86 20
24 Rocky Mountain 10-2 68 24
25 Rogers State 9-3 52 RV

Others receiving votes: William Woods 46, Biola 39, Loyola 32, Avila 22, Belhaven 19, LSU-Shreveport 12, Lyon 6, Park 5, Westminster (Utah) 4, Benedictine (Kan.) 3, St. Gregory's 3, Montana Western 1, The Master's 1, St. Francis (Ill.) 1, St. Catharine 1.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Dec. 11)

Rank Team Record Points Last

1 Concordia (Calif.) (8) 9-0 309 tie-1

2 Robert Morris (Chicago) (4) 10-0 304 tie-1

3 Oklahoma Baptist 9-0 293 3

4 Shorter 11-0 282 5

5 Rogers State 8-0 265 6

6 Georgetown (Ky.) 11-1 261 4

7 Texas Wesleyan 6-1 258 7
8 Martin Methodist 9-2 236 8
9 Azusa Pacific 7-2 233 10
10 Westminster (Utah) 10-2 215 11
11 Mountain State 9-4 212 9

12 Cumberlands 9-2 198 12

13 Southern Poly 8-2 192 18

14 Evangel 10-3 181 14

15 Biola 7-2 163 15

16 Southern Nazarene 6-2 161 13

17 Freed-Hardeman 9-3 155 19

18 Lindsey Wilson 7-3 136 16

19 Montana State Northern 12-2 130 17

20 John Brown 10-2 116 tie-20

21 Xavier 6-2 112 RV

22 Saint Xavier 8-3 101 23

23 Our Lady of the Lake 7-3 70 24

24 Fresno Pacific 6-3 62 25

25 Campbellsville 8-3 61 NR

Others receiving votes: Tougaloo 58, Southwestern Assemblies of God 50;, Columbia (Mo.) 40, Montana Western 31, Cumberland 19, Oklahoma Christian 17, Shawnee State 14, MidAmerica Nazarene 6, Baker 5, Westmont 5, Great Falls 1, Lee (Tenn.) 1, Spring Hill 1, Hope International 1, Oklahoma City 1; Voorhees 1, Pikeville (Ky.) 1.

By Ed Cassiere, SID

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
VISIT: GCACSPORTS 

Upcoming Games at The Barn
Jan. 10 (Tue.) — Women's Basketball vs. SUNO, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 (Tue.) — Men's Basketball vs. SUNO, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 (Fri.) — Women's Basketball vs. Edward Waters, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 (Fri.) — Men's Basketball vs. Edward Waters, 7:30 p.m.

SUNO doubleheader: $5 admission for XU students with valid XU identification card
FIRST 300 XU STUDENTS WILL BE ADMITTED FREE TO SUNO DOUBLEHEADER
Free admission for XU students to the Edward Waters doubleheader

Six Knights score in double digits to defeat Johnson & Wales

New Orleans, Louisiana - Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) improved their record to 3-4 on Sunday with a 95-82 victory over Johnson & Wales (Fla.). Six Knights-Clyde Moore, Merlin Walker, Kevin Dukes, Nicholas Washington, Jared Lewis, and Jeremy Montgomery-scored in double digits to guide the Knights to victory in The Castle. After multiple lead changes in the first half, which ended in a 41-41 tie, the Knights outscored the Wildcats 54-41 in the second half to get the win.

In front of a sparse but energetic crowd SUNO shot 52% from the field, made 38% of their three-pointers, and made 71% of their free throws to overcome Johnson & Wales' perimeter attack. In the first half, the Wildcats' 40% three-point shooting threatened the Knights consistently. Johnson & Wales led by as many as seven points but SUNO hung in to keep pace with the Wildcats. Only minutes into the second half, the Knights jumped ahead 45-42 and never looked back. The Knights shot 60% from the field, made 50% of the three-pointers, and made 72% of their free throws in the second half.

Moore led the Knights in scoring with 23 points. He was also one of the team leaders in total rebounds with seven and in steals with two. Dukes also had seven total rebounds while Lewis and Carlos Arango had two steals, each. Dukes also had SUNO's only blocked shot on the afternoon.

The Wildcats had five players in double figures. David Jean Jacques led the way with 19 points, Myles Smith had 15, both Craig Wong and Carlos Montilla had 14, and Joseph Lopez had 11. Montilla led in rebounds with nine and Wong led the team with two steals.

Tougaloo Lady Bulldogs upset #23 Belhaven Lady Blazers

TOUGALOO, Mississippi -- The Tougaloo College Women's Basketball team hosted cross town rival #23 Belhaven University. The Lady Bulldogs upset the Lady Blazers 64-60 here in the Dawg Pound to improve to 4-6 on the season.

After losing 64-57 to the Lady Blazers in their first meeting of the season, the Lady Bulldogs were looking to seek revengeon the Lady Blazers. The Lady Bulldogs came out very aggressive, going toe-to-toe with the Lady Blazers. Midway through the half, the Lady Bulldogs run off and take the lead, going into halftime with a 30-25 lead.

In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs would hope to keep up the momentum and maintain the lead. The Lady Blazers would come within 2 several possessions and even tie the game within the one minute mark, but the Lady Bulldogs would score to make the game 62-60 with less than a minute left in regulation. The Lady Blazers would try to score, but the Lady Bulldogs' defense would deny the Lady Blazers and the Lady Bulldogs would take possession of the ball with less than twenty seconds left to play. The Lady Blazers would foul and put Victoria Jones at the line with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Jones would make both free throws to secure the upset for the Lady Bulldogs.

Portia Craft led the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points. Victoria Jones chipped in 13 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. Erin Wells and Kierra Addison tacked in 11 points, respectively.

The Lady Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 as they play host to Concordia College-Selma. Tip-off is set for 5:30 P.M.

Claflin University' Lady Panthers fall to FVSU Lady Wildcats

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - Claflin University's Lady Panthers tangled with the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University in a SIAC pre-Christmas basketball game on the campus of Fort Valley State University.

The Lady Wildcats remained undefeated in the conference by easily handling the Lady Panthers 80-57. With a commanding halftime lead of 46-29, the Lady Wildcats quickly put the game out of reach by scoring the first six points of the second half, to build a lead that would become the final margin of victory 23 points, 52-29. From that point on it was a matter of how Claflin would finish the game.

Coach Tucker's troops would not give up playing hard until the final buzzer. 

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A final look at the historic WSSU football season

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina -- In a historic season like the one Winston-Salem State just completed in football there are a lot of little things that have to go right.

I thought that the way the Rams approached each game is something you don’t see too often. Not once when I interviewed coach Connell Maynor or his players during the week did they look ahead to the big picture.

It’s kind of difficult for me to even listen to players and coaches talk about “taking them one game at a time” because it’s a bad cliché. It’s obvious you play the games one at a time but there have been numerous occasions where a team has looked too far ahead. The Rams never did that, and I’m not sure how Maynor and his assistant coaches pulled that off.

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Maynor looks ahead after Rams' loss

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - With their magical ride over, the Winston-Salem State Rams will need time to heal from the sting of just missing a chance to play for the NCAA Division II football championship. Coach Connell Maynor, on the other hand, couldn't help but look ahead. "We don't rebuild," he said, "we reload."

The Rams fell short of Maynor's summer prediction of a national championship with Saturday's 21-14 semifinal loss to Wayne State at Bowman Gray Stadium.

But their 13-1 record is the best in program history, and the 13 victories are the most in a season by a historically black college. Also, the Rams are CIAA champions, and their No. 3 ranking in the AFCA poll is a program best.

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Rams' Cooper faces draft decision 

Nicholas Cooper

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina -- Running back Nic Cooper emerged from the Winston-Salem State locker room Saturday with a large icepack wrapped around his right shin.

About an hour after the Rams' dream season ended with a 21-14 loss to Wayne State, Cooper couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment.

"It does hurt," he said of the Rams falling two wins short of the Division II championship. "You can see the finish line, but you can't get there. It's like you pull a hamstring, and you can't get there. It's a sick feeling."

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Fayetteville State basketball faces challenge in Virginia Union

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - With the majority of players returning from a team that reached the CIAA tournament semifinals last season, coach Alphonza Kee wanted to challenge the Fayetteville State Broncos early in the 2011-2012 season.

So when the third-year FSU coach started formulating the schedule, he sought out the best opponents he could find. What Kee finally compiled reads like a list of Who's Who in NCAA Division II basketball.

There's region rival UNC-Pembroke, which won the Peach Belt Conference and advanced to the NCAA tournament last season. Kee scheduled a home and away games against Barton, the 2006-2007 NCAA champion.

If those games were enough, Kee also added a nonconference matchup tonight against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association power, Virginia Union. It won't be a league game, but a test tonight when the Broncos (2-3) face the Panthers (4-4) in a 7 p.m. game at Capel Arena.

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