Toyota Named Title Sponsor of SWAC Title Game

Courtesy SWAC.org

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Toyota announced that Toyota will serve as title sponsor for the 2012 SWAC Football Championship at Monday's annual SWAC Football Media Day.

"Toyota is excited to serve as title sponsor of the 2012 SWAC” stated Jim Colon, vice president of Toyota product communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We look forward to continuing our dialogue with SWAC students and alumni who have been overwhelmingly receptive to our Toyota Green Initiative, an environmental education and action program for the African American community.

This year, Toyota will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 men’s football regular season and championship games. Toyota will also continue working with SWAC on its Toyota Green Initiative program. Since 2009, the Toyota Green Initiative has reached over 50 HBCU schools, campuses and events with a fully-immersive consumer experiential featuring a Toyota hybrid vehicle test drives, a simulated recycling center and eco-friendly games, prizes and exhibits. On select HBCU campuses the Toyota experiential display will include; an environmental service event and a 'Toyota Green Lecture' conducted by African American experts on environmental issues.

In 2011, Toyota served as the official automotive partner for SWAC. The Jackson State University was the SWAC affiliated HBCU campus with the most qualified promises on Toyotagreen.com and won a $1,000 scholarship endowment and $4,000 towards a campus greenhouse. SWAC students competed for prizes and to provide the best ideas on howto “green” their campuses in conjunction with TGI, with Tamika Smith of Jackson State University being voted as the Grand prize winner of a 2013 Toyota Prius because of her work in the Toyota Green Campus Contest.

Fellow SWAC student, Nara McCray of Alabama A&M University, was right on her heels as the contest runner up. Both students won a Toyota Tree Park for their respective campuses and will serve on the Toyota Green Initiative as student Coalition members to guide other HBCU students on how they can make a green difference on their campuses.

The SWAC is proud to have Toyota as the title sponsor for the SWAC 2012 Football Championship,” says Commissioner Duer Sharp. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Toyota and are looking forward to the championship in December.”

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.64 million vehicles in 2011. Toyota directly employs over 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion.

For more information about Toyota, visit http://www.toyota.com/, http://www.lexus.com/, http://www.scion.com/ or http://www.toyotanewsroom.com./

To learn more about the Toyota Green Initiative, please visit www.ToyotaGreen.com.

COURTESY  SWAC.org

SIAC coaches find no fault in preseason poll

ATLANTA, Georgia  -  Morehouse and Miles were two of the top teams in the SIAC last season.

That's not expected to change in 2012, as the schools were picked to win their respective divisions in a preseason poll conducted by the league's coaches Tuesday at the conference's media day. The Maroon Tigers were selected by half of the 10 coaches to make it to the conference championship game from the Eastern Division, edging Albany State by one vote.

Morehouse coach Rich Freeman was not surprised with the poll results and was confident of what his team could do this fall.

"It just makes you feel good that your peers feel the same way," he said. "That gives us a lot of confidence going into the season. At the same time, it provides a lot of pressure, pressure that we're not afraid of. We'll go into it headfirst."



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Dustin Washburn Named Lincoln Offensive Line Coach

Dustin Washburn

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  -  The Lincoln football team has hired Dustin Washburn as its new offensive line coach. Washburn joins the Blue Tigers after spending the past year serving in the same position on the coaching staff at Northeastern State.

Washburn brings experience as both a player and coach to Lincoln. After spending three years as the starting center at Tarleton State, where Washburn was a two-time all-conference offensive lineman, he joined the professional ranks, playing for the West Texas Roughnecks arena team in 2010. Washburn helped lead the team to the Indoor Football League playoffs that season.

Following his playing career, Washburn was student assistant coach at Tarleton State, working as the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach. From there he was hired to the position of offensive line coach at Northeastern State, one of four school which are joining the MIAA for the 2012-13 athletic season. Washburn assisted in film breakdown and analysis at Northeastern State and coached a unit that allowed just 18 sacks last season. The RiverHawks boasted one of the top 10 offenses in the country in 2011, with three players coached by Washburn going on to earn all-conference honors.

Washburn also has extensive experience in recruiting, having helped bring players to both Tarleton State and Northeastern State during his time at each program. An NCAA-certified recruiter, Washburn helped organize and coordinate recruiting visits with the RiverHawks.

A 2010 graduate of Tarleton State, Washburn also holds a masters degree in Education Administration (Tarleton State, December 2010) and is working towards another in Education Leadership at Northeastern State.

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI BLUE TIGERS

WSSU Ram Ramblings: Football season is getting closer

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -  I know when the summer is getting closer to ending because the CIAA is holding its football media day very soon. That will come on Thursday when the coaches get together in Petersburg, Virginia with the contest being which coach can say the least about their team.

The media day is nothing more than a chance for coaches to vote on a preseason poll, but as for actually getting information from the coaches - forget about it. A lot of coaches are still trying to figure out which players will be showing up so it’s hard for them to talk about how well their teams might do.

Practices won’t start for another two weeks or so, and by then coaches will have a better handle on what their team might look like.

With Winston-Salem State coming off the CIAA title and a deep run in the Division II playoffs it will be a shock if the Rams aren’t selected as the favorite to win the conference again. I realize they lost Nic Cooper, Akeem Ward, Dominique Fitzgerald and Alton Keaton but there’s plenty of talent left for coach Connell Maynor.

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SWAC Announces 2012 Preseason All-Conference Team

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2012 Preseason All-Conference football team on Monday at the annual Media Day event at the Birmingham Marriott.

Grambling State running back Dawarence Roberts was chosen as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Jackson State defensive lineman Joseph LeBeau was tabbed preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Roberts rushed for 1,102 yards in 2011, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He scored eight touchdowns and averaged 110.2 yards per game. Meanwhile, Lebeau was ranked in the top 10 in the SWAC in tackles last season with 75, He led the conference in tackles for loss and fourth in FCS with 24.5. He was also 2nd in FSC in Sacks: with 16. In addition to his SWAC preseason laurels, Lebeau is a BSN 2012 Preseason 1st Team All-American, CFPA preseason watch list, In 2011, he was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year.

The preseason All-SWAC teams were selected by the league coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected members of the media.

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Offense

QB Deaunte Mason, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Kaderious Lacey, SR, Alabama A&M
RB Dawrence Roberts, Grambling State
WR Rico Richardson, SR, Jackson State
WR Spencer Nelson, SR, Prairie View
TE E.J. Drewery, SR, Jackson State

OL Jamal Johnson-Webb, SR, Alabama A&M

OL Terren Jones, SR, Alabama State
OL Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluf
OL Sanford Banks, Grambling State
OL Zion Pyatt, SR, Jackson Stte

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Defense

DL Joseph LeBeau, SR, Jackson State
DL Carlton Jones, JR, Alabama State
DL Ryan Love, SR, Prairie View
DL Devon Carter, Grambling State
LB Todd Wilcher, Jackson State
LB Raheem Cardwell, Prairie View
LB Jacarde Carter, Grambling State
DB Kejuan Riley, Alabama State
DB Qua Cox, Jackson State
DB Saeed Lee, Alabama State
DB Vernon Marshall, Alabama A&M

Preseason All-SWAC 1st-team Specialists

PK Chance Wilson, Alabama A&M
P Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State
RET Terrance Lewis, Alcorn State

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Offense

QB Greg Jenkins, SR, Alabama State

RB Arnold Walker, JR, Alcorn State
RB Trey Bateaste, SR, Mississippi Valley State
WR G'Alonzo Milton, SR, Alabama A&M
WR T.C. McWilliams, SR, Alabama State
TE Mike Berry, Southern
OL Clint Marsh, Grambling
OL Stephen Capler, SR, Jackson State
OL Tre Glover, SO, Prairie View
OL Chris Browne, Southern
OL Justin Goodrich, JR, Alabama A&M

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Defense

DL Leployer Franklin, JR, Mississippi Valley St.
DL Johnathan Billups, SR, Jackson State
DL Jarvis Wilson, Prairie View A&M
DL Tim Tillman, Alabama A&M
LB Bill Ross, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
LB Brandon Slater, Alabama State

LB Jer-ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

DB Naquan Smith, Grambling State
DB Virgil Williams, Southern
DB Casey Freeman, Alcorn State
DB Tyree Hollins, Grambling State

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd-team Specialists

PK Carlos Sanchez, Mississippi Valley State

P Fabian Carter, Grambling State

RET B.J. Lee, Jackson State

SWAC Predicted Order of Finish (1st-place votes)

Western Division

1.         Grambling State (20) 119 points

2.         Prairie View A&M (1) 82 points

3.         Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2) 69 points

4.         Southern (2) 54 points

5.         Texas Southern 51 points

Eastern Division

1.         Alabama State (11) 108 points

2.         Jackson State (7) 95 points

3.         Alabama A&M (7) 94 points

4.         Alcorn State (1) 42 points

5.         Mississippi Valley 36 points

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Barlow: Taking Crowell not risky for Alabama State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The most talked-about player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference wasn't selected to the preseason all-conference team. He didn't attend Monday's Media Day event either.

Then again, Alabama State's star running back hasn't even played in a SWAC game yet. Isaiah Crowell, the former Georgia running back who was dismissed from the Bulldogs following his June arrest, has since enrolled at Alabama State and could give the Hornets one of the league's most explosive offensive weapons.

But it's a high-risk, high-reward situation.

Crowell had numerous off-field issues, including a pair of in-season suspensions due to breaking team rules. Still, Crowell managed to be Georgia's leading rusher, finishing with 850 yards and five touchdowns before being named the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Year by The Associated Press.

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Savannah State Athlete Headed to London

SAVANNAH, Georgia - Arriving soon in London, one of Savannah's own. Amara Jones is headed to the Olympics, part of the Bahamas 4X100 relay team.



"It's something that I still can't put into words yet," said Amara. "I have the opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage in the world. It's a life changing experience to know that you are going to be part of something that is so much bigger than yourself."

Amara is already a big deal on the campus of her alma mater, Savannah State University.

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If Alabama State can build its own football stadium, why can't UAB?

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -   Have you made plans for Thanksgiving yet? I've got an idea. How about going to see a college football game? It won't be just another game. It'll be a traditional in-state rivalry game. It won't be played in just any stadium.

It'll take place in a brand-­new, 26,500-seat, on-campus stadium, and this rivalry game on Thanksgiving Day will be the very first game played in that stadium.

I'm not talking hypotheti­cals here. I'm not envisioning UAB vs. Troy at Bartow Field in Bir­mingham in 2020. Well, I am envisioning that kind of game in that kind of house on the UAB campus one day, but that vision is cloudy.

Why? See the Tuscaloosa tunnel vision of the University of Alabama System board of trustees and its new chan­cellor, Dr. Robert Witt.

The game I'm talking about isn't something to envision. It's something to anticipate because it's going to happen this year.

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2012-13 Prairie View A&M Season Tickets

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Purchase your 2012-13 Prairie View A&M season tickets as a variety of packages are available at www.PVPANTHERS.com. Support your Panthers and Lady Panthers as they set out to win their second straight SWAC Commissioner's Cup!

Alabama State edges JSU, Alabama A&M as SWAC division favorite

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The offseason hype surrounding the Alabama State football team peaked when the Hornets were tabbed to win the Eastern Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference here on Monday at SWAC Media Day.

The Hornets received 11 votes, edging out Jackson State and Alabama A&M who each received seven.

Alabama State has been in the news even before Monday's vote with the addition of dismissed University of Georgia running back enrolling at the Montgomery school. The Hornets, who have several returning players on the depth chart, will also dedicate a new on-campus stadium late in the season.

But players at the media gathering Monday aren't buying into the hype.

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FAMU band member details hazing death of roommate to HBO Sports

Rikki Wills, Age 24

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -  A roommate of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, who died last year following a hazing ritual from other band members, told HBO's Real Sports how Champion was literally beaten to death in the back of the band's bus.

Rikki Wills, Champion's former roommate, spoke about what happened last November that led to Champion's death. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel debuts on HBO Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
CBSSports.com obtained an advance copy of the segment reported by Real Sports correspondent Frank Deford.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges and two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in Champion's hazing. Wills is one of the 13 charged and the first defendant to speak publicly about the incident, according to HBO. He said he tried to protect Champion during the hazing.  The band's initiation is called “Crossing Bus C” and took place on the band's bus after an FAMU football game behind the band's hotel in Orlando, Fla., Wills told Deford.

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Texas Southern Head Coach is Back in the SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The prelude to the 2012 football season kicked off in Birmingham, Alabama with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Football media day. Members of the television, radio and print media from across the country came out for a first hand preview of the upcoming season.

The SWAC welcomed two new head coaches to the conference including Texas Southern’s Darrell Asberry. Members of the media greeted coach Asberry like an old friend. They knew him from his head coaching days at Shaw University and they seemed to be excited to see him back in the SWAC…this time as a head coach rather than a player. Asberry had senior linebacker William Parker and junior offensive lineman Kenneth Hall by his side.

Coach Asberry knows he has his work cut out for him. No Tigers were selected to the 2012 Pre-Season All-SWAC Teams and TSU was picked to finish 5th in the West but Coach Asberry remains optimistic about his players and his team.



"Those are just votes and people have their opinions. We are just going to prove ourselves because I know what these young men can do,” Asberry said. “We are going to be disciplined and play hard. We are going to be fine.”

Texas Southern’s first game of the 2012 season will be the Labor Day Classic against Prairie View A&M on September 1st, at 7:00pm in Reliant Stadium. The Tigers’ first game in their new home, the BBVA Compass Stadium is September 15th at 7:30pm against Jackson State.

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp announced Toyota as the title sponsor for the 2012 SWAC football and the SWAC Men and Women’s basketball Championship Tournaments.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

In the FCS Huddle: Grambling embraces the SWAC target

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Legendary coach Eddie Robinson always passed on the concept to Grambling State coaches and players of not complaining about what their teams didn't have because they would have to live up to great expectations regardless.

"Let's look at it realistically, we're Grambling," one of Robinson's disciples, current Grambling coach Doug Williams, said. "And Grambling has won so much for so many years, that target doesn't go whether you're picked to win the championship or you're picked to finish last. The fact that it's Grambling, it's a great notch for any team that gets a chance to beat Grambling. We always feel there's a target out there."

Grambling has lost a lot defensively from a team which rallied from a poor start to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship last season, but few are going to doubt the Tigers, who on Monday were selected as a runaway preseason favorite in the Western Division.

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Law professor, dancer, and Spelman alumna Khiara M. Bridges is in a league of her own

ATLANTA, Georgia  -  Referred to as the “Balletic Legal Scholar” in the Boston University article “Secret Lives,” Spelman College alumna Khiara M. Bridges can definitely be considered the quintessential Renaissance woman. After graduating in three years from Spelman as valedictorian, she went on to earn a Columbia Law School J.D. and a Ph.D., with distinction, in anthropology from Columbia University.

The Miami, Florida native currently holds dual appointments as associate professor of law and associate professor of anthropology at Boston University. She speaks fluent Spanish, basic Arabic, is a classically trained, professional ballet dancer, and the author of the book, “Reproducing Race: An Ethnography of Pregnancy as a Site of Racialization.”

Read how she successfully merges her passion for teaching and her love of dance http://www.bu.edu/bostonia/summer12/secret/

Book Description: “Reproducing Race: An Ethnography of Pregnancy as a Site of Racialization.” Publication Date: March 18, 2011
Reproducing Race, an ethnography of pregnancy and birth at a large New York City public hospital, explores the role of race in the medical setting. Khiara M. Bridges investigates how race--commonly seen as biological in the medical world--is socially constructed among women dependent on the public healthcare system for prenatal care and childbirth. Bridges argues that race carries powerful material consequences for these women even when it is not explicitly named, showing how they are marginalized by the practices and assumptions of the clinic staff. Deftly weaving ethnographic evidence into broader discussions of Medicaid and racial disparities in infant and maternal mortality, Bridges shines new light on the politics of healthcare for the poor, demonstrating how the "medicalization" of social problems reproduces racial stereotypes and governs the bodies of poor women of color.

FAMU President James Ammons to step down immediately

Dr. James H. Ammons

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Trustees at Florida A&M University decided this morning that President James Ammons should step down immediately instead of waiting for his scheduled resignation date of Oct. 11.

Ammons submitted his resignation last week amid a growing scandal over the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion in Orlando last fall and widespread criticism over management, financial and academic problems at the university.

Trustees Chairman Solomon Badger suggested at an emergency meeting this morning that the trustees waive their requirement that Ammons provide a 90-day notice of his intent to leave office.

Instead, they agreed Ammons should leave today so the university can move forward with needed changes.

"I think that FAMU needs pretty much immediate stability at this point," said trustee Marissa West, who is also FAMU's student body president.


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Fatherhood forces Jackson State WR Richardson to grow up fast

JACKSON, Mississippi - Rico Richardson has been called a lot of names. In high school, as a blazing-fast wide receiver, he was automatic to football coach Lance Reed.  "Anytime we saw a Zero coverage ... we knew what play was coming in, it was a fade to Rico," Reed recalled. "No one stopped it."

Some friends call him Tarzan, a gentle poke at Richardson's dreadlocks and lean build. "They say I look like him," Richardson, a senior receiver at Jackson State, says, shaking his head.

His position coach at JSU, Chris Buckner, remembers calling Richardson "a goofy kid," and "out of shape," entering his sophomore year.  It wasn't until Richardson ...



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AAMU's Second Annual Mathis Camp a Resounding Success

NORMAL, Alabama  - Former Alabama A&M football standout and current Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive end Robert Mathis, returned to his roots Saturday as he hosted the second annual Robert Mathis Football Camp in Louis Crews Stadium.

Mathis welcomed over 150 North Alabama area children, ages 9-17, to a free day of football fun.

Among the former Bulldogs returning to the A&M campus was Carolina Panther defensive tackle Frank Kearse.

"Graduating and playing at Alabama A&M, I want to establish something here," said Mathis, who grew in the Atlanta area and graduated from McNair High School.

"I'm excited to be back. The kids had a great time and enjoyed the festivities."

Mathis stated he and the current football Bulldog coaching staff coached the kids in a number of football drills and techniques, but he said there's one thing he considers the single-most important thing he hopes the youngsters take from the camp.

"Camps like this are important to these kids. The coaches out here are guys I played with, and coaches who coached me so these kids can learn some things now and not develop bad habits," mentioned Mathis. "They can use what they learn leading up to high school and beyond."

More than 100 fans were in attendance at Louis Crews for the annual event.

Photo Gallery

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SU's F.G. Clark Activity Center floor is getting face lift

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The racket is so loud, you can hear it from Roman Banks’ office. Three doors and a hallway away inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center, a pair of floor sanders grind across Southern’s basketball court, stripping away the lines, logos, polyurethane coating and sealant to reveal bright, fresh wood.

“They’re tearing it up, but for a good reason,” said Banks, the Jaguars’ men’s basketball coach.  Banks gave SU a face lift last season with a 13-win turnaround and second-place finish in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Now, he and women’s coach Sandy Pugh are making sure the court gets one, too.

When work is complete in a few weeks, the court will sport a new design and surface, improvements Banks said will make his players feel like “a kid at Christmas with a new bike.” When they see that court after it’s been redone, it continues to give them meaning of moving to the next level,” Banks said. “Not only this basketball team, but the university as well.”

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Allderdice H.S. grad Justin Dobbs commits to Grambling State

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania - Allderdice graduate Justin Dobbs committed Friday to play basketball at Grambling State University, a Division I program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The 6-foot-3 guard scored 1,184 career points and averaged 19 per game in leading the Dragons to their third consecutive City League championship.

“When I went down there, I was shocked,” Dobbs said. “It’s a really nice campus and the arena is beautiful. The people were real welcoming. It came down to Grambling and Clarion. I didn’t know if I wanted to stay home or go away. Once I visited there, I realized that the world is bigger than Pittsburgh.”



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Dr. Timothy J. Autry Ends Legendary Career, Retires as Claflin University Athletics Director

Dr. Timothy J. Autry

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  One would think that a championship winning coach at the high school and college levels who became an equally successful college athletics director and vice president, in addition to serving as a conference commissioner, would have retired at age 67.

Well, then you have never met Dr. Timothy J. Autry.  In 2005, he took on perhaps the greatest challenge of his diverse career in transitioning Claflin University’s status as a NAIA school to NCAA Division II. That goal was accomplished almost four years ago but Autry still presided as Claflin’s athletics director.

His men’s basketball team won a conference title, the volleyball and baseballs squads won divisional crowns, members of the track team were named All-Americans and Donald Smith became the first Panther to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, this summer. Besides the fact that student athletes’ grades also rose during his tenure, Autry also established the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

This month, Autry officially retired. Dr. Jerome Fitch is currently serving as the interim athletic director at Claflin.

“It has been a truly unbelievable career for me over the years,” said Autry. “I would like to thank Dr. Tisdale and our Board of Trustees for entrusting this great responsibility upon me to lead Claflin University into the NCAA. The time has come for me to retire and pass the reigns along. I look forward to watching the institution’s athletics rise to even greater heights.”

President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale noted Autry played a key role in the University’s remarkable transformation into a nationally recognized institution.

“Dr. Autry is a true visionary who dramatically improved the status of our athletics department. He was not only instrumental in Claflin becoming a member of the NCAA but ensuring our student athletes excelled on and off the field of play. Claflin University will forever be grateful for the example of selfless dedication and commitment to excellence he personifies daily.”

It was the great opportunity to elevate the university’s athletics programs that brought Autry to Claflin.

“The main appeal for me coming to Claflin was first of all Dr. Tisdale’s vision,” Autry said in 2005 to The Times and Democrat. “I like what he’s doing and the transformation that he’s taking the university and I like that he’s taking the next step to take athletics to the next level.”

In departing his role, Autry has led an unprecedented transformation himself in creating a string of success in Claflin athletics. His greatest accomplishment, he says, was spearheading the move to NCAA Division II.

“That has brought greater recruiting, exposure and resources to Claflin,” he said.

Head Basketball Coach Ron Woodard’s teams here highly successfully during Autry’s tenure, culminating in a university best 24-2 record and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship in 2008.

“He was laid back and never got too excited or upset,” said Woodard. “He was a first-class guy – a father figure to us all. Dr. Autry certainly made a great mark on Claflin University athletics. We hope to continue the footprint he’s laid for us.”

Before joining Claflin, Autry served in a variety of capacities at neighboring South Carolina State University for a decade. He left that institution as its vice president for student services. In 2004, he was inducted into the S.C. State Hall of Fame for his contributions to the university.

He was named athletics director there in 1996, holding that position for seven years. During that time, he organized the Palmetto Capital City Classic and hired current Bulldogs Head Coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, whose teams have won multiple Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football championships. Autry served as chairman of the MEAC Athletics Director Committee and as a member NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee.

For 10 years, he was the commissioner of the NAIA’s Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He was a key figure in creating the EIAC Hall of Fame. Through his leadership, the EIAC champions in seven sports secured automatic bids to NAIA championships.

While acting as the EIAC’s commissioner, Autry also filled multiple roles at Voorhees College, including dean of students, vice president of student affairs and executive vice president.

From 1973-1980, Autry coached the men’s basketball team at S.C. State, capturing the 1977 MEAC title – S.C. State’s first such conference title - and was named MEAC coach of the year the same season. He finished his Bulldog coaching career with a 96-93 record.

Perhaps, he will include in his career highlights the hotly contested basketball game against the University of South Carolina. In 1980, Autry’s S. C. State’s team narrowly lost 79-78 to the Gamecocks – the Bulldogs have never beaten the Gamecocks in football or basketball.

“I could have gone down in history as beating the University of South Carolina and (Gamecocks Head Basketball Coach) Frank McGuire, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

He arrived at S.C. State after spending two years as an assistant under University of Maryland coaching legend Lefty Driesell. Before joining Driesell’s staff, he coached sports at high schools in North Carolina and Delaware.

By CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY

Dane Hyatt had more left in the tank – St. Augs coach Williams

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Dane Hyatt ran a personal best of 44.83 seconds to capture the men’s 400m title at the Jamaican Championship on July 1 at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Dane finished ahead of 19 year old Rusheen McDonald (45.10) and Jermaine Gonzales (45.18). Dane’s impressive victory may be the sparks that the Jamaican 4×4 relay team needs as the injury bug has kept stars Ricardo Chambers and Allodin Fothergill from performing at their best. But how much do track fans know about Dane and his seemingly meteoric rise to become national champion? To find the answers Trackledger.com spoke to Dane’s coach, the legendary George Williams (Saint Augustine's College).



Dane’s Performance & Preparation for the Trials

“I think he had a good performance; one thing about Dane is that he is easy to coach and he has done everything that we have asked him to do,” said coach Williams, who is the athletic director and head track coach at Saint Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Coach Williams continued, “I expected him to do better; we worked hard for it. He got all of his base training done; he worked on his techniques so it was a matter of time before he runs fast.”

Dane is currently enrolled as a student at Saint Augustine College where he is schedule to compete for the college in the upcoming season. Dane had previously spent several seasons competing for Lincoln University.

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Local flavor adds spice to FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When Joe Taylor took over four years ago as head football coach at Florida A&M, part of his mission was to have as any many local players as possible on the field.

He’s making significant progress with an impressive list of players from area high schools. One month before two-a-days begin, Taylor projected that as many as nine players with ties to the area could suit up this season as starters — five on offense, three on defense and kicker Chase Varnadore.

Taylor said he is convinced that having local starters who have won the right to play is a win-win for FAMU and each player.

“First of all, the young man grew up in the area,” Taylor said. “People watched him and were excited about him growing up and now those same people can come see him on the college level. I think that’s a plus for he kid and the community. The community wants to see their own.”

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Schedule for 2nd Annual AT&T Nation's Football Classic

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Events DC announced that the official schedule of events surrounding the 2nd annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ will be held Thursday, August 30 through Sunday, September 2. The football game features Morehouse College vs. Howard University on Saturday, September 1 at RFK Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

“As illustrated by our schedule, we have a great lineup of events that not only includes an exciting rivalry on the field, but also a number of diverse entertainment and educational options,” said Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC’s Sports and Entertainment Division. “That is central to our mission of making this a destination event for fans of all ages and interests.”

All events are free to the general public (except for the football game). Students, alumni, HBCU football fans and all other interested parties are encouraged to attend and participate in the various entertainment events, networking opportunities and educational experiences. Additions to the schedule will be announced as necessary.

Tickets for the football game are priced $25 to $50 (plus applicable fees), and on sale at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office located at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Through June 30, $25 tickets are available for $15 (plus applicable fees).

The JW Marriott Washington, DC is the headquarters hotel and will serve as the hub for AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ activity during the weekend. In addition to hosting the HBCU Alumni Networking Mixer, the headquarters hotel will host the official Welcome Dinner for both teams and Happy Hours. Promotional rates for this hotel, and other participating Marriott properties, can be reserved at www.nationsfootballclassic.com or 800-266-9432 (use reference code: NFF).

2012 AT&T NATION'S FOOTBALL CLASSIC™ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, August 30 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Presidential Symposium: A Focus on Excellence in STEM, Youth Voter Participation and Interpersonal Relationships Howard University Cramton Auditorium and Blackburn Center Through panel discussions, this symposium explores educational and social issues facing the African-American community. Session 1: 10am-12:30pm; Session 2: 2-4pm; Session 3: 5-6:30pm
Friday, August 31 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	"The Game Before The Game": Mordecai Wyatt Johnson – Benjamin E. Mays Student Debate Howard University Cramton Auditorium Witness the academic rivalry between Howard and Morehouse as they showcase each school’s tradition of developing great orators.
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	AT&T Kickoff Rally – Downtown D.C. location Join the fun at the official Kickoff Rally in the heart of the nation’s capital. Reps from participating schools, city officials, music and much more.
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.	HBCU Alumni Networking Mixer – JW Marriott Alumni from all HBCUs gather for networking and fellowship.
Saturday, September 1 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Pepsi® Fan Festival – RFK Stadium Festival Grounds Fan Festival featuring games, music and exhibit booths.
3:30 p.m.	AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ – RFK Stadium Morehouse College Maroon Tigers vs. Howard University Bison
Sunday, September 2 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Chapel Service – Howard University Rankin Chapel at Cramton Auditorium

Visit www.eventsdc.com.

About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™
The AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. This year, the game features Howard University against Morehouse College. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions. Tickets for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced $25 to $50.

ATTNFC website: www.NationsFootballClassic.com
ATTNFC Twitter: @nationsclassic
ATTNFC Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NationsFootballClassic
Howard University website: www.howard.edu
Morehouse College website: www.morehouse.edu

Xavier University First in African American Medical Graduates

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Xavier University of Louisiana is first among the nation’s colleges and universities in the number of African American graduates who go on to complete medical school, according to data compiled by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Xavier had 60 African-American graduates earn medical degrees in 2011, the latest year for which complete data is available. Howard University was second with 43 graduates, followed by the University of Florida with 26. The remaining schools ranked in descending order are Harvard University, Yale University, Duke University, Stanford University, Spelman College, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The statistics, which were published in the June 7 issue of Diverse issues in Higher Education magazine, are not altogether surprising, since for the past three decades Xavier has been one of nation’s leaders in preparing and sending graduates to medical and professional schools. In fact, Xavier was No. 1 in the nation in placing African Americans for 15 straight years before an enrollment drop due to the six-month closure of the school following Hurricane Katrina curtailed its numbers. Even still, in 2011 the University placed 68 students into medical school according to AAMC data, second only to much larger Howard University.

Nor is it surprising in light of some recent grants Xavier has received designed to help the university continue, build upon, and share with other colleges and universities the programs and practices that have helped build it into a powerhouse of science education.



Earlier this year The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced that Xavier was one of 47 U.S. colleges and universities selected to participate in a $50 million initiative that will enable the school to create more engaging science classes, bring real-world research experiences to students, and increase the diversity of students who study science.

Identified as among the best universities in the nation at producing graduates who go on to science careers, Xavier was given a Capstone Award of $1 million. Capstone recipients are charged with assessing which elements of their various approaches to science education have been successful and why, establishing a leadership role for these schools. More details available HERE.

Xavier’s undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program was also recognized with a $500,000 grant from UNCF/Merck Science Initiative. As the only recipient of this grant, Xavier was able to demonstrate the strength of their STEM program and stand out in UMSI’s competitive selection process. More details available HERE.

XU President Dr. Norman C. Francis stands proud of the longstanding and ongoing accomplishments of the University in producing the highest quality science graduates well-prepared for graduate and professional schools in the field.

“Xavier has achieved a national reputation for excellence in placing the most African American students in medical schools and graduating the most African American biologists, chemists, and physicists, in addition to an impressive number of African Americans completing PhDs in science and engineering,” said Francis. “Going forward we intend to build upon that success.”



COURTESY XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Xavier Nuggets sign 2 setters to complete their recruiting class

Jodi Chatters

Franziska Pirkl

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has completed its 2012-13 women's volleyball recruiting class with the signing of Jodi Chatters of Lake Charles, La., and Franziska Pirkl of Munich, Germany, to scholarships. Both will be freshmen at XU.

Chatters, a 5-foot-6 setter, was all-state in volleyball and twice in soccer for St. Louis Catholic High School and was the 2011-12 female winner of the Lake Charles American Press Outstanding Athlete of the Year award. In June she was inducted into the Southwest Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Chatters helped St. Louis win state championships in soccer in 2009 (Division III) and 2010 (Division II) and finish second in the 2011 Division III state volleyball tournament. Chatters scored in both soccer title victories. She also competed in track and field, winning the long jump at the District 4-4A outdoor meet and placing seventh at the state meet this year.

Chatters' mother, aunt and uncle are XU alumni, and her sister, Cydney, is an XU junior.

Pirkl, a 5-9 setter, will transfer to Xavier from the University of Alaska Anchorage, an NCAA Division II member where she redshirted during the 2011 season. Pirkl played club volleyball in Germany. She helped SV Lohhof of Bayernliga to a runner-up finish in 2010 at the German under-18 championships. In 2009 she helped her team win the Bavarian under-18 title and place ninth at the German under-18s. In 2008 she helped her team place second at the Bavarian under-16 championships and third at the German under-16s.

"My coach at Alaska Anchorage, Chris Green, and Coach (Christabell) Hamilton at Xavier are very good friends," Pirkl said. "He helped me transfer to Xavier. He told me a lot of good things about Coach Hamilton. When I talked to her, she emphasized the importance of combining school with sports and that she supports her athletes in every way. I think I can learn a lot at Xavier."

Chatters will be a biology/pre-medical major at Xavier. Pirkl will major in mass communications.

The Gold Nuggets will have eight newcomers this season. Previously signed with were defensive specialists Alexis Clay of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Darian Harris of Gretna, La., middle blockers Claudia Haywood of Memphis, Tenn., and Jodi Hill of Prairieville, La., right-side hitter Patrice Smith of Glenn Heights, Texas, and outside hitter CeCe Williams of Houma, La.

Xavier was 23-7 in 2011, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

2012-13 Xavier University of Louisiana Women's Volleyball Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Yr.* Hometown High School (College)
Jodi Chatters S 5-6 Fr. Lake Charles, La. St. Louis Catholic
Alexis Clay DS 5-1 Fr. Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Palos Verdes Peninsula
Darian Harris DS 5-3½ Fr. Gretna, La. McGehee
Claudia Haywood MB 5-11 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Cordova
Jodi Hill MB 5-9 Fr. Prairieville, La. Dutchtown
Franziska Pirkl S 5-9 Fr. Munich, Germany Theodolinden Gymnasium (Alaska Anchorage)
Patrice Smith RS 5-9 Fr. Glenn Heights, Texas DeSoto
CeCe Williams OH 5-6 Fr. Houma, La. Vandebilt Catholic
* classification at Xavier in fall of 2012

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