JACKSON, Tennessee - Last year’s Lane College football team won four games out of ten. After a winless 2010, that record indicated a huge improvement.
Three weekends from the start of the 2012 season, Lane plans on showing major growth again.
“We’re excited about the upcoming season,” head coach Derrick Burroughs said Saturday morning at the team’s Media Day. “Every position has improved this summer,” senior running back Evan Yabu said.
It will be interesting to see how Lane’s offense develops in the coming weeks.
The coaching staff must choose a starting quarterback out of five competing for the position. Offensive coordinator Malik Hoskins said the staff would name the starter “as soon as possible.”
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Sunday, August 12, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Alabama A&M Football: WHS grad Hunt set for SWAC foes
NORMAL, Alabama -- After two years of sand, sandstorms and radiating heat, Wetumpka High grad Winston Hunt has parlayed his New Mexico Military experience into an Alabama A&M scholarship.“(A&M) had a great atmosphere,” said Hunt. “It felt like home.”
After two years at New Mexico Military, Hunt earned a starting job at right tackle.
He is expected to be in the Bulldogs’ fray for that same position.
“Here, there are better players and better competition,” said Hunt.
Choosing Alabama A&M, was in essence, a second trip through the recruiting carosel.
Arkansas Pine Bluff, Alabama State and Florida A&M had shown interest in the 6-foot-7, 310-pound tackle.
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Jackson State Tigers dream of 'Honey Badger'
JACKSON, Mississippi - Just like the rest of the college football world, word of Tyrann Mathieu's dismissal from LSU had the T.B. Ellis Annex buzzing by the time Friday's practice rolled around.
It's possible that Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist as a sophomore last season, could wind up at an FCS school. With a need at cornerback - Mathieu's position, could JSU be a possible fit? Perhaps.
"I would definitely check into what he did and then take it to my athletic director so she was aware of everything," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "We definitely want young men of character and a good kid. He'd have to be a fit."
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It's possible that Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist as a sophomore last season, could wind up at an FCS school. With a need at cornerback - Mathieu's position, could JSU be a possible fit? Perhaps.
"I would definitely check into what he did and then take it to my athletic director so she was aware of everything," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "We definitely want young men of character and a good kid. He'd have to be a fit."
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Alabama State football: Carver graduate, freshman starting on line
MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Terease Chappell knew there were plenty of potential starters returning on Alabama State’s offensive line, so the true freshman’s generic goal for this fall was to play the best football he could and continue to work on improvement.
“My mindset coming into camp was to work on myself and work harder to go up the depth chart,” the former G.W. Carver High tackle said. “I still have a lot to work on and I know my role on this team. I just want this university to win the SWAC championship and the (black college) national championship.”
A week into preseason workouts, Chappell has proven to be the surprise of fall camp, taking over the first-team role at left guard.
“He’s different from a typical freshman,” ASU offensive line coach Willard Scissum said. “He’s more mature. You can tell by the way he listens, by the way he comes in on his own time and asks questions, that it’s really, really important to him. There’s something on the inside of him that’s driving him to be more than just an average guy. And he is just as tough as nails. Not very big, but he’ll fight you from whistle to whistle.”
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“My mindset coming into camp was to work on myself and work harder to go up the depth chart,” the former G.W. Carver High tackle said. “I still have a lot to work on and I know my role on this team. I just want this university to win the SWAC championship and the (black college) national championship.”
A week into preseason workouts, Chappell has proven to be the surprise of fall camp, taking over the first-team role at left guard.
“He’s different from a typical freshman,” ASU offensive line coach Willard Scissum said. “He’s more mature. You can tell by the way he listens, by the way he comes in on his own time and asks questions, that it’s really, really important to him. There’s something on the inside of him that’s driving him to be more than just an average guy. And he is just as tough as nails. Not very big, but he’ll fight you from whistle to whistle.”
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ASU defense hopes for bounce back year
ALBANY, Georgia - Head coach Mike White says he expects a much better season from the Dirty Blue defense that finished second to last in yards given up per game last year.
The Rams were actually last against the pass but with All-SIAC defensive lineman Justin Blash entering his senior season and preseason All-SIAC sophomore Larry Whitfield leading the way at linebacker, ASU will try to buckle down and get as many stops as possible. Both players and coaches agree this year's team has the right tools to get the job done.
Blash said "Speed, the whole defense has speed. I don't think anybody on the defense runs less than a 4.99 so the whole defense has speed."
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The Rams were actually last against the pass but with All-SIAC defensive lineman Justin Blash entering his senior season and preseason All-SIAC sophomore Larry Whitfield leading the way at linebacker, ASU will try to buckle down and get as many stops as possible. Both players and coaches agree this year's team has the right tools to get the job done.
Blash said "Speed, the whole defense has speed. I don't think anybody on the defense runs less than a 4.99 so the whole defense has speed."
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Friday, August 10, 2012
XU Gold Nuggets announce 2012 schedule, await new digs
NEW ORLEANS — Nine home matches and a new campus venue, the Convocation Academic Center, are among the highlights of the 2012 Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball schedule.
Christabell Hamilton — the 2011 Louisiana Coach of the Year and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year — announced Wednesday the schedule, which includes 24 regular-season contests.
Xavier's first home match will start at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 against crosstown rival Loyola. That match is expected to be played at The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium since 1937, while construction of the CAC nears completion.
"We've been told to prepare to start the season at The Barn," Hamilton said. "But at some point this season we will be playing in the new arena. No matter where we play, we're looking forward to another successful and exciting year."
Xavier's other non-conference home opponents will be Spring Hill — 40-3 a year ago — on Sept. 11, Mobile on Sept. 18 and Belhaven on Oct. 29. The other five home matches will be against GCAC teams: Edward Waters on Oct. 5, Dillard on Oct. 8, Tougaloo on Oct. 25, Talladega on Oct. 27 and SUNO on Nov. 1.
Xavier will begin its fifth season Aug. 24-25 in the Lee Invitational at Cleveland, Tenn. On opening day the Gold Nuggets will play a pair of 30-match winners and NAIA National Championship qualifiers from 2011 — Lindsey Wilson at 12:30 p.m. EDT and national semifinalist Lee at 7 p.m. — then play defending Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season champion Union (Ky.) the following day at 3 p.m.
"Lee's tournament will be a great test for us," Hamilton said.
Xavier will play 10 GCAC regular-season matches, including the first four on the road. The conference opener will be Sept. 21 at Edward Waters. The GCAC Tournament will be Nov. 8-10 at Little Rock, Ark., and the winner will earn the GCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.
Xavier was 23-7 in 2011 — the Gold Nuggets' first winning season — and didn't lose a match en route to the program's first GCAC regular-season and tournament championships. Five starters return, including all-conference sophomores Taylor Reuther, Moira Kirk and Chinedu Echebelem. The other returning starters are junior Kerris Crier and sophomore Jeanay Butler.
The Gold Nuggets will report to Xavier this weekend and conduct their first practice Monday.
2012 Xavier University Women's Volleyball Schedule
Click here for detailed schedule information
Aug. 24: Lindsey Wilson, 12:30 p.m. EDT (1)
Aug. 24: at Lee (Tenn.), 7 p.m. EDT (1)
Aug. 25: Union (Ky.), 3 p.m. EDT (1)
Sept. 4: LOYOLA, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7: Pensacola Christian, 1 p.m. (2)
Sept. 7: Mississippi College, 5 p.m. (2)
Sept. 8: Rust, noon (2)
Sept. 8: at Belhaven, 4 p.m. (2)
Sept. 11: SPRING HILL, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18: MOBILE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21: • at Edward Waters, 7 p.m. EDT
Sept. 24: • at SUNO, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: • at Fisk, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: • at Philander Smith, 1 p.m.
Oct. 5: • EDWARD WATERS, 6 p.m.
Oct. 8: • DILLARD, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19: Union (Tenn,), 2 p.m. (3)
Oct. 19: at Loyola, 6 p.m. (3)
Oct. 25: • TOUGALOO, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: • TALLADEGA, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29: BELHAVEN, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: at Mobile, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1: • SUNO, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3: • at Dillard, 7 p.m.
Nov. 8-10: GCAC Tournament, Little Rock, Ark., TBA
Nov. 17: NAIA National Championship opening round at campus sites, TBA
Nov. 27-Dec. 1: NAIA National Championship final site at Sioux City, Iowa, TBA
Home matches (in bold and CAPITAL LETTERS) will be played at The Barn (capacity 1,300) or the Convocation Academic Center (capacity 4,500), Xavier University campus, New Orleans.• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match
TBA — To be announced
All times are Central except where noted
(1) — Lee Invitational at Cleveland, Tenn.
(2) — Belhaven Tournament at Jackson, Miss.
(3) — Hampton Inn Wolfpack Classic at The Den (Loyola University), New Orleans
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Weather, 'natural' emotions shorten S.C. State practice
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - The conclusion of South Carolina State’s first “two-a-day” Thursday was overshadowed by “nature.” “Mother Nature” in the form of lightning and rain cut short the second practice session of the day for the Bulldogs.Things ended abruptly, however, after “natural” emotions once again got too heated between the offenses and defenses and nearly resulted in a scuffle between some players.
“The afternoon session was mostly team-style,” head coach Buddy Pough said. “We ended up rushing to try to get ahead of the rain and ended up having to cut it short due to the weather and due to the some of the high-spirited kinds of activity we seem to have with this team. But we’ll be back in the morning at 9 o’clock to try again.”
Prior to the conclusion of ...
Can Johnson C. Smith's Golden Bulls build on 2011 success
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Johnson C. Smith is out to prove it’s capable of more than the occasional winning campaign.The Golden Bulls went 6-5 in 2011, capped by an upset win in the Pioneer Bowl for J.C. Smith’s fourth plus-.500 season in the last 20 years. Making it two in a row – for the first time since 1973 – won’t be easy in the CIAA South, where the Golden Bulls were picked to finish fifth in the six-team division.
Here are five questions for J.C. Smith during preseason drills:
1. Can the Golden Bulls build on last season’s success?J.C. Smith was the CIAA’s surprise team in 2011. The first four games – West Virginia State, Tuskegee (Ala.), Concordia (Ala.) and Virginia State – will give an early indication of where 2012 is headed.
U-High's Matthews signs with Xavier for 2013-14 season
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| Makayla Matthews |
NEW ORLEANS — Makayla Matthews of Baton Rouge, La., and University Laboratory High School has signed a women's basketball scholarship with Xavier University of Louisiana.
Matthews, a 6-foot-1 center who will begin her senior year at U-High on Monday, is the earliest signee during Bo Browder's tenure at Xavier. Browder will begin his 14th season as head coach of the Gold Nuggets this fall.
Matthews averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 2010-11 and was the 7-2A Defensive Player of the Year. As a freshman in 2009-10 for a U-High team which was 38-1 and finished second in the 2A playoffs, Matthews had six games with 10 or more rebounds, including a pair of double-doubles. U-High is 96-12 the past three seasons.
Matthews, who scored a 26 on the ACT, will be a pre-medical major at Xavier.
Xavier was 26-9 in 2011-12, won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and, for the second consecutive year, reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. The GCAC Tournament title was the Gold Nuggets' third in a row. Xavier reached 20 victories 19 of the past 20 seasons and qualified for the national tournament 16 of the past 18 seasons.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
NSU loses Matthews for season
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| BLAKE MATTHEWS |
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State offensive lineman Blake Matthews, the defending MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, will miss the entire 2012 season with a broken kneecap.
Matthews, who was scheduled to start at right tackle and was likely NSU’s best player, suffered the injury during a pass protection drill on Tuesday and had surgery on Wednesday. Head coach Pete Adrian said it happened on a non-contact play.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound senior was a preseason All-American First or Second Team player in every prominent FCS publication.
“You lose an all-conference lineman, it’s never a great thing,” head coach Pete Adrian said. “Fortunately, we’ve got some linemen. They might not be as good as him, but, not bad.”
Matthews was a likely starter at ...
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Six Former Tennessee State Tigers Start NFL Camp
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The 100 Moments of TSU Athletics presented by Taco Bell® series continues by recognizing a handful of former Tennessee State student-athletes who are currently preparing for contests on the gridiron.
As of Aug. 7, there are six former TSU Tigers competing to make NFL rosters and are practicing with their respective teams in training camps.
Former Tiger Rico Council is just starting his NFL journey and is trying to find a place on the Falcons' depth chart.
Council, a linebacker from Chattanooga, Tenn., was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent after senior season in which he was tabbed as the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Co- Defensive Player of the Year. In 2011, he led the Tigers in tackles with 87 and recorded 8.5 tackles for loss. Council has a strong chance to make the Falcons' roster after the team lost linebacker Curtis Lofton to free agency and multiple other linebackers due to injury.
On Aug. 6, the Cowboys announced the signing of former TSU running back Javarris Williams. Dallas marks the third team that Williams has played for since being drafted in the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Williams has six career carries in the NFL after tallying over 3,000 yards at Tennessee State. The Richmond Tex. native currently has four players ahead of him on the depth chart.
Another player trying to stick with his current team is center Cecil Newton of the Baltimore Ravens. Newton started for four years at center for the Tigers and helped pave the way for the afore-mentioned Williams. Following college, Newton signed a contract with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. Since that time, Newton has played for four different clubs on their practice squads.
Safety Anthony Levine is looking to move up the Green Bay Packers depth chart after spending much of his first season on the team's practice squad. Levine posted 129 tackles and five interceptions during his TSU career and was earned second-team All-Conference honors as a senior. Levine is currently Green Bay's third free safety.
Defensive Tackle Lamar Divens has been in the NFL since 2008, but this will be his first season as a member of the Tennessee Titans. Divens has played for three other teams during his time in the league, but played in all of his five career games with the Ravens. After transferring from Vanderbilt after his sophomore season, Divens came to TSU and posted 43 tackles and recovered one fumble. According to the team's website, Divens is expected to join the club's defensive line rotation thanks to his size and strength.
Perhaps the most publicized of the bunch is cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who enters his fifth season in the league and second with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodgers-Cromartie was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft after an impressive college career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season and is trying to repeat that feat after becoming one of the team's top two cornerbacks.
See some of Rodgers-Cromartie's highlights from last season with the Philadelphia Eagles:
The 100 Moments of TSU Athletics presented by Taco Bell® highlights some of the greatest moments in honor of Tennessee State's centennial celebration. A new moment will be released each weekday for a total of 100. These moments were chosen by the TSU 100 Moments committee, which consists of alums from various departments. TSU has so many great moments, not all can be represented in these 100.
VISIT: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: TSUTIGERS.COM
COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
As of Aug. 7, there are six former TSU Tigers competing to make NFL rosters and are practicing with their respective teams in training camps.
Former Tiger Rico Council is just starting his NFL journey and is trying to find a place on the Falcons' depth chart.
Council, a linebacker from Chattanooga, Tenn., was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent after senior season in which he was tabbed as the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Co- Defensive Player of the Year. In 2011, he led the Tigers in tackles with 87 and recorded 8.5 tackles for loss. Council has a strong chance to make the Falcons' roster after the team lost linebacker Curtis Lofton to free agency and multiple other linebackers due to injury.
On Aug. 6, the Cowboys announced the signing of former TSU running back Javarris Williams. Dallas marks the third team that Williams has played for since being drafted in the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Williams has six career carries in the NFL after tallying over 3,000 yards at Tennessee State. The Richmond Tex. native currently has four players ahead of him on the depth chart.
Another player trying to stick with his current team is center Cecil Newton of the Baltimore Ravens. Newton started for four years at center for the Tigers and helped pave the way for the afore-mentioned Williams. Following college, Newton signed a contract with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent. Since that time, Newton has played for four different clubs on their practice squads.
Safety Anthony Levine is looking to move up the Green Bay Packers depth chart after spending much of his first season on the team's practice squad. Levine posted 129 tackles and five interceptions during his TSU career and was earned second-team All-Conference honors as a senior. Levine is currently Green Bay's third free safety.
Defensive Tackle Lamar Divens has been in the NFL since 2008, but this will be his first season as a member of the Tennessee Titans. Divens has played for three other teams during his time in the league, but played in all of his five career games with the Ravens. After transferring from Vanderbilt after his sophomore season, Divens came to TSU and posted 43 tackles and recovered one fumble. According to the team's website, Divens is expected to join the club's defensive line rotation thanks to his size and strength.
Perhaps the most publicized of the bunch is cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who enters his fifth season in the league and second with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodgers-Cromartie was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft after an impressive college career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season and is trying to repeat that feat after becoming one of the team's top two cornerbacks.
See some of Rodgers-Cromartie's highlights from last season with the Philadelphia Eagles:
The 100 Moments of TSU Athletics presented by Taco Bell® highlights some of the greatest moments in honor of Tennessee State's centennial celebration. A new moment will be released each weekday for a total of 100. These moments were chosen by the TSU 100 Moments committee, which consists of alums from various departments. TSU has so many great moments, not all can be represented in these 100.
VISIT: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: TSUTIGERS.COM
Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers and Twitter @TSU_Tigers
COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Thursday, August 9, 2012
VSU to play in Gannon's Porreco Cup basketball tournament
GANNON, Pennsylvania - Virginia State University has been added to the Gannon University men's basketball Porreco Cup tournament. Bowie State University originally has been scheduled as part of the four-team field Dec. 14-15 at the Hammermill Center. The Bulldogs were coming off a season in which they went 22-6 overall and won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northern Division.
When the Bulldogs withdrew, Gannon added the Trojans, who went 8-19 overall and 7-9 in the CIAA a season ago. Virginia State was 1-12 on the road, including 0-5 against non-conference opponents.
Notre Dame College (Ohio) and West Virginia Wesleyan College also are in the field for the 39th annual tournament.
Know the Opponent: South Carolina State Bulldogs
TUCSON, Arizona -- Continuing our know the opponent series, we’ll spend the next three entries going back to the FCS ranks before finishing with FBS teams. Today we look at the South Carolina State Bulldogs who went 7-4 and 6-2 MEAC.In 2011 the Bulldogs played at Central Michigan and Indiana both losses, this season they’ll again travel to a pair of FCS opponents. On September 15 they’ll travel to Tucson’s Arizona Stadium to face the Wildcats at 7:30 pm on the Pac-12 network and a week later they’ll visit College State and Texas A&M.
Returning will be two signal callers Richard Cue playing in nine games and Derrick Wiley who played in seven. Cue threw for 900 yards with seven touchdowns, he also rushed for 514 yards reaching the endzone eight times. Wiley had 727 yards through the air with six TD’s his longest pass being 71 yards.
Asheton Jordon played in all 11 games running for 774 yards with five scores good for 70.4 yards a game. Jalen Simmons is the third leading returners behind Cue and Jordon with 304 yards with two TD’s.
JSU sprinter Jobodwana reaches 200m finals
LONDON — The most surprised competitor at the Olympic track and field competition Wednesday night might have been Anaso Jobodwana.
He will be a unexpected participant in today's 200-meter finals after finishing second in his heat on Wednesday. "I didn't expect it so, it's like a bonus,'' said Jobodwana, who runs for Jackson State and represents his native South Africa. "It was a goal, but I was not expecting it.''
Jobodwana earned his spot in the finals with a time of 20.27 seconds, a time that was second in the heat to you-know-who: Usain Bolt, the fastest human being on the planet.
"Well, it was incredible running against the world record holder,'' Jobodwana said, beaming. "It actually pushed me so much. I knew he was jogging so it was like, 'Hey, let me try.''
He tried well enough to finish second and extend his time on the track by a day.
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He will be a unexpected participant in today's 200-meter finals after finishing second in his heat on Wednesday. "I didn't expect it so, it's like a bonus,'' said Jobodwana, who runs for Jackson State and represents his native South Africa. "It was a goal, but I was not expecting it.''
Jobodwana earned his spot in the finals with a time of 20.27 seconds, a time that was second in the heat to you-know-who: Usain Bolt, the fastest human being on the planet.
"Well, it was incredible running against the world record holder,'' Jobodwana said, beaming. "It actually pushed me so much. I knew he was jogging so it was like, 'Hey, let me try.''
He tried well enough to finish second and extend his time on the track by a day.
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JSU Tigers' Mitchell hopes long wait ends this year comeback
JACKSON, Mississippi - On Tuesday, the Jackson State football team finished its second practice of the day like it did the first, by sprinting the width of the field and back.For that evening session, Tigers coach Rick Comegy added a new wrinkle - sprint down and then bear crawl your way back. With a sweltering mid-day sun beating down on them, JSU players labored on, calling on every ounce of mental and physical strength they had to take the next step.
Darius Mitchell, the Tigers barrel-chested 6-foot-3, 320-pound offensive lineman out of Atlanta, Ga., didn't have it so tough. He simply walked the rubber track that encircles the Tigers' practice field.
But in Mitchell's case, it isn't really as simple as it seems.
Intensity, pace increase at Grambling practices
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Mother nature forced Grambling to cancel practice Wednesday night, but she hasn't stopped coach Doug Williams from getting a better look at his team already this week.The Tigers donned pads for the first time Monday, rested Tuesday and returned to practice Wednesday morning before having to call off their evening plans.
More contact and an increasing schedule, which includes sessions Thursday night and Friday morning and night, has quickly raised the intensity level, Williams said.
"There's no doubt when the pads come on you see ...
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Orlando Magic sign Queens product Kyle O'Quinn of Norfolk State, their second round pick
NEW YORK, New York -- It is one of the great rags-to-riches New York stories. Four years ago Kyle O’Quinn was graduating from Campus Magnet High in Queens with only one scholarship offer.
On Wednesday night he signed a three-year, $2.5 million contract to play for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. “He couldn’t be more excited,” said Alberto Ebanks, his agent. “This is him fulfilling his dream, a dream a lot of people probably never envisioned.”
O’Quinn’s scholarship offer was from Norfolk State and he made the most out of it.
As a senior this season he was the MEAC’s Player of the Year and carried his team to a conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. The Spartans were the talk of the tournament’s first weekend after, as a No. 15 seed, they stunned No. 2 Missouri.
O’Quinn had 26 points and 14 rebounds in the game and made news when he left the court screaming “we even messed up my bracket!”
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On Wednesday night he signed a three-year, $2.5 million contract to play for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. “He couldn’t be more excited,” said Alberto Ebanks, his agent. “This is him fulfilling his dream, a dream a lot of people probably never envisioned.”
O’Quinn’s scholarship offer was from Norfolk State and he made the most out of it.
As a senior this season he was the MEAC’s Player of the Year and carried his team to a conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. The Spartans were the talk of the tournament’s first weekend after, as a No. 15 seed, they stunned No. 2 Missouri.
O’Quinn had 26 points and 14 rebounds in the game and made news when he left the court screaming “we even messed up my bracket!”
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Michigan State will play Tuskegee to commemorate historic game
EAST LANSING, Michigan — The last time Michigan State played a basketball game at Jenison Field House, it was as part of the 1989 National Invitation Tournament.
More than 20 years later, the Spartan men's basketball team will make a return to the venerable, historic, 72-year old Jenison Field House, now with the Spartans as a hot-ticket, elite national power, and capable of creating national news when Michigan State plays host to Tuskegee University at Jenison on Dec. 15 in commemoration of an important event in American sports history.
The game will honor the 50th anniversary of the 1963 NCAA Tournament game played at Jenison Field House between Mississippi State and Loyola of Chicago.
Mississippi State's team, in the face of racism, against the orders of the governor of the state of Mississippi and Mississippi's state police, snuck out of Starkville, Miss., with an all-white squad in order to play Loyola, which started four African-Americans.
That game, now remembered as the "Game of Change," is regarded as a landmark in race relations.
Loyola wins 1963 NCAA basketball title...it is historically significant in that, 3 years before Texas Western, Loyola started 4 black players and Cincinnati 3 (the 1st championship in which the majority of the starters were black). Loyola's starting 5 played the entire game.
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More than 20 years later, the Spartan men's basketball team will make a return to the venerable, historic, 72-year old Jenison Field House, now with the Spartans as a hot-ticket, elite national power, and capable of creating national news when Michigan State plays host to Tuskegee University at Jenison on Dec. 15 in commemoration of an important event in American sports history.
The game will honor the 50th anniversary of the 1963 NCAA Tournament game played at Jenison Field House between Mississippi State and Loyola of Chicago.
Mississippi State's team, in the face of racism, against the orders of the governor of the state of Mississippi and Mississippi's state police, snuck out of Starkville, Miss., with an all-white squad in order to play Loyola, which started four African-Americans.
That game, now remembered as the "Game of Change," is regarded as a landmark in race relations.
Loyola wins 1963 NCAA basketball title...it is historically significant in that, 3 years before Texas Western, Loyola started 4 black players and Cincinnati 3 (the 1st championship in which the majority of the starters were black). Loyola's starting 5 played the entire game.
READ MORE
Mike German gives Tennessee State University rare QB stability
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The start of Tennessee State football practice had a different feel in the offensive backfield Monday than the previous three seasons.
The Tigers had an established quarterback running the show for the first time since 2008 with Mike German at the helm.
The sophomore from Pompano Beach, Fla., replaced Jeremy Perry for the last eight games last year and completed 140 of 250 passes for 1,899 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Tigers won four games German started.
“It’s a big difference being the established starter on the first day of camp because I can work more on my chemistry with the other players on offense and on my techniques without fighting every day for the job,” German said. “I can get better as a quarterback and a leader instead of worrying about who’s breathing down my neck or who I’m trying to beat out.”
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The Tigers had an established quarterback running the show for the first time since 2008 with Mike German at the helm.
The sophomore from Pompano Beach, Fla., replaced Jeremy Perry for the last eight games last year and completed 140 of 250 passes for 1,899 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Tigers won four games German started.
“It’s a big difference being the established starter on the first day of camp because I can work more on my chemistry with the other players on offense and on my techniques without fighting every day for the job,” German said. “I can get better as a quarterback and a leader instead of worrying about who’s breathing down my neck or who I’m trying to beat out.”
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No redshirt planned for FAMU's Lee Williams
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Coming from a small Tallahassee school that doesn’t have a reputation for being a football power, Lee Williams’ signing with FAMU wasn’t viewed as much more than the historic moment that it was in the spring.
With a 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame and with Williams known more for his accolades in track and field, it seemed certain that the first Marauder to sign a college football scholarship would be asked to redshirt. But FAMU coach Joe Taylor has decided not to wait, instead having offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw draw up some packages just for Williams.
“I know it’s a big jump just coming from high school,” Williams said Tuesday. “It’s a tough process but ...
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With a 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame and with Williams known more for his accolades in track and field, it seemed certain that the first Marauder to sign a college football scholarship would be asked to redshirt. But FAMU coach Joe Taylor has decided not to wait, instead having offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw draw up some packages just for Williams.
“I know it’s a big jump just coming from high school,” Williams said Tuesday. “It’s a tough process but ...
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UAPB Golden Lions wrap up day 3 on positive note
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Two of the key factors the Golden Lion coaching staff wants to focus on are retention and application of the playbook.
With veterans stepping up and showing leadership to the incoming freshmen, the learning curve that is usually an issue with the start of fall camp has been reduced to the liking of head coach Monte Coleman.
Even with the normal conditions that could plague preseason camp (heat, injuries), for the first day in shoulder pads, the coaching staff is pleased with the conditioning of the overall team.
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With veterans stepping up and showing leadership to the incoming freshmen, the learning curve that is usually an issue with the start of fall camp has been reduced to the liking of head coach Monte Coleman.
Even with the normal conditions that could plague preseason camp (heat, injuries), for the first day in shoulder pads, the coaching staff is pleased with the conditioning of the overall team.
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Shaw To Hold Pigskin Preview Thursday, August 9
RALEIGH, North Carolina - The Shaw University Athletic Department will hold its first Shaw Pigskin Preview on August 9 at the Courtyard Marriott - Crabtree Valley. The event will begin at noon with a question and answer session beginning at 12:15 p.m.First-year head coach Robert Massey, selected assistant coaches and players will be on hand to greet fans as well as field questions.
The event is free and open to the public. The Courtyard Marriott - Crabtree Valley is located at 3908 Arrow Drive near the Crabtree Valley Mall.
NOTE: This is a location and time change from an event announced in late June.
COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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Southern University looks at backup running backs
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The emergence of a reliable third running back behind Sylvester Nzekwe and Jerry Joseph is a priority for the Southern offense this fall. Should Nzekwe or Joseph (or both) go down with an injury, the Jaguars want to know the ball will be in good hands. On Tuesday, they got to see that exact situation unfold.Nzekwe (ankle) and Joseph (knee) were held out of practice with minor injuries and instead did conditioning work. They’re expected back on Wednesday, the team’s first day in full pads, but their time on the sideline meant a valuable chance for someone to grab hold of the No. 3 spot.
The reps were split up between redshirt junior Darrius Coleman, freshman Lenard Tillery and former sprinter Terrance Clayton. Coleman, a 5-foot-9, 207-pound former defensive back, has 30 pounds on Tillery and more than 50 on Clayton, making him the best fit physically.
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UAPB: Another 100 on Horizon?
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Arkansas-Pine Bluff linebacker Jer-ryan Harris was limited to seven games last season dealing with a hamstring injury. His sophomore season wouldn’t be anything like the year before, when he led the SWAC with 129 tackles.
While it took him a few months to recover from the injury, it look him longer to recover mentally.
“It was really weighing on me at first,” Harris said. “But after having support from my teammates, I was really able to come back mentally.”
After practice Monday, Harris flashed a wide smile on his face when he was asked how healthy he is. “I’m 100 percent,” he said with glee.
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While it took him a few months to recover from the injury, it look him longer to recover mentally.
“It was really weighing on me at first,” Harris said. “But after having support from my teammates, I was really able to come back mentally.”
After practice Monday, Harris flashed a wide smile on his face when he was asked how healthy he is. “I’m 100 percent,” he said with glee.
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Alabama State Hornets go through first two-a-day practice
MONTOGMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University hit the practice field twice today for their first two-a-day practice of the preseason. The team's first practice was at 9 a.m., followed by an evening session that started at 7 p.m. The last few practice sessions have not gone exactly the way the ASU coaching staff had envisioned, but head coach Reggie Barlow has seen some things that the team has done well.
"I will say as a whole, this team's mindset has been positive," Barlow said. "They have embraced the work, even after three or four days where we were not good, I think the mindset has been pleasant for the majority of the guys."
"I am real pleased with the way Greg Jenkins is directing the offense. He has been real positive, real upbeat, and he has been doing a lot of positive things on the field and I am real happy about that," he said.
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"I will say as a whole, this team's mindset has been positive," Barlow said. "They have embraced the work, even after three or four days where we were not good, I think the mindset has been pleasant for the majority of the guys."
"I am real pleased with the way Greg Jenkins is directing the offense. He has been real positive, real upbeat, and he has been doing a lot of positive things on the field and I am real happy about that," he said.
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