BALTIMORE, Maryland -- On Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, nine college bands from the East Coast will showcase their talents on the campus of Morgan State University.
Gates open at 3PM and Showtime is at 5PM.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, reserved seating is only $18.
Invited marching bands are: Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.
Order tickets at: highsteppingnationals.com.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Softball: Snerley signs with Miles College
DOUGLASVILLE, Georgia - Former Chapel Hill softball player, Tomnisha Snerley, recently signed a partial athletic scholarship to continue her playing career at Miles College, located in Birmingham, Ala. Snerley, who transferred from Douglas County High School, and played one year under Coach Mick Harper, hit .274 for the Lady Panthers last season. She slugged .405, with a .364 on-base percentage. Snerley was always a threat on the base path, stealing 16 times. She scored 20 runs and picked up 16 RBIs. She led the team with two triples and was a master at taking one for the team, getting hit by a pitch a team high five times.
“She played for us for one year and played great outfield, brought solid speed, and some power at the plate,” Harper said. “She will do very well at the next level, and will bring her team many skills including a strong arm, and the ability to hit from both sides of the plate.”
Snerley chose Miles College to play softball for the Lady Golden Bears, and because it had her major. As for the softball program, which is coached by Patrick Peasant, she said that she will have to earn a starting spot, but that she should see a lot of playing time.
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Ex-Fort Valley State coach considering his next move
The university continued with the process, and Lightfoot’s contract ended March 31.
When civil rights law firm Public Justice took an interest in the case, the reinstatement seemed inevitable. What wasn’t inevitable was Lightfoot returning to the position he’d held since 2000, especially since, he said, nobody from the university had talked to him during negotiations to reinstate the program.
So he could only chuckle a little bit with Monday’s announcement by FVSU that assistant Dwain Powe had been promoted to head coach and the release sent to The Telegraph by Public Justice less than an hour later that FVSU had agreed to bring back volleyball. He’s happy that the sport is back, but he can’t figure out why he’s not coming back with it.
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Warren Named Livingstone Blue Bears SID
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| Bianca Warren Sports Information Director Livingstone College |
Prior to coming to Livingstone, she served as sports information director and assistant volleyball coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg and Saint Paul's College.
"It's an honor to bring in a person like Ms. Warren. I feel she can take Livingstone to another level in terms of her writing skills, her knowledge, and her ability to reach out to the community," Livingstone athletic director Andre Springs said. "It's very important to reach out to our alumni friends, and to have the community involved in what's going on with the Blue Bears."
The Bronx, N.Y., native has a bachelor's degree in sport management from Virginia State, where she also played basketball for the Lady Trojans from 2006-2008.
While at VSU, Warren began working in sports information during her sophomore year under Jim Junot. Her biggest accomplishment came when she placed third in the Fred S. Stabley national writing contest sponsored by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
After graduating, she worked with CBS Sports and ESPN as a sideline reporter.
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BSU Football Opens 2012 Preseason Camp
BOWIE, Maryland - Fourth year head coach Damon Wilson and his staff opened its preseason football camp Saturday (8/11) afternoon. The Bulldogs wasted no time getting down to business, hitting the field with 92 veterans and newcomers on Sunday (8/12) afternoon. For a complete practice schedule, contact the Sports Information Office at 301-860-3574.
Bowie State has been predicted to finish 6th in the CIAA and 3rd in the Northern Division according to the 2012 conference preseason poll, which was released during the league's football press.
The defending CIAA Champions of Winston-Salem State University were selected to finish as the top team in the conference in 2012 followed by Elizabeth City State University, St. Augustine's College, Fayetteville State University and Shaw University and Bowie State round out the top six. Virginia State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Virginia Union University, Chowan University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and Livingstone College make up the final six.
The Bulldogs open the 2012 season on Saturday, September 1st, hosting the Greyhounds of Assumption College in a 1 pm non-conference matchup.
For season or single game ticket information, call 301-860-4072.
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Monday, August 13, 2012
Ex-SCSU Bulldogs fighting to stay at pro level
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - There’s an old sports adage that says the regular season is where you make your name, but it’s the playoffs where you make your fame.
For aspiring NFL undrafted free agent rookies, however, how you perform in the preseason is what matters before anything else. Strong showings in the exhibitions would further strengthen a player in such position’s hold on a roster spot.
Last week, both former South Carolina State linebacker Marshall McFadden and safety Dominique Ellis looked to make instant impressions for their respective teams. McFadden led the Pittsburgh Steelers in tackles with four in a 24-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 9, while Ellis had three tackles, including one for loss, for Kansas City in the 27-17 win over Arizona the following night.
Both former Bulldogs will get an opportunity to continue improving their stock this weekend. The Chiefs face the St. Louis Rams Saturday, while the Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts in a nationally televised Sunday night preseason contest on NBC.
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For aspiring NFL undrafted free agent rookies, however, how you perform in the preseason is what matters before anything else. Strong showings in the exhibitions would further strengthen a player in such position’s hold on a roster spot.
Last week, both former South Carolina State linebacker Marshall McFadden and safety Dominique Ellis looked to make instant impressions for their respective teams. McFadden led the Pittsburgh Steelers in tackles with four in a 24-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 9, while Ellis had three tackles, including one for loss, for Kansas City in the 27-17 win over Arizona the following night.
Both former Bulldogs will get an opportunity to continue improving their stock this weekend. The Chiefs face the St. Louis Rams Saturday, while the Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts in a nationally televised Sunday night preseason contest on NBC.
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ASU Works the Option into Offensive Playbook
ALBANY, Georgia - The Albany State football team is working with plenty of options on offense in 2012. Fittingly, that option wrinkle has been added to the ASU playbook.With more running quarterbacks, the Golden Rams are installing an option run game. With the speed of tailback Nathan Hoyte and receiver Orion Ponder, ASU plans to keep the ball on the ground more often this year.
But the men up front blocking always dictate a plan's success.
“It still boils back to the offensive line what they're doing and how they carry us...how far we go. It's going to be exciting a lot of people going to want the ball, the backs going to want the ball, the receivers going to want the ball, but the line is going to have a whole lot to say about that,” ASU Head Coach Mike White said.
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Pierce wants HU to market Olympic feats of McCorory, Wells
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| COACH MAURICE PIERCE Director of Track & Field HAMPTON UNIVERSITY (Photo Courtesy HU Pirates Athletics) |
"It's up to the university to find a way to market what these young ladies have just accomplished," Pierce said. "It's going to take the whole university's effort. We can really take our program to another level and get those type of kids to come here and probably be a threat to get another person in the next Olympic Games."
Wells, a 2006 HU graduate, won the bronze medal for the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.48, while McCorory, a '10 HU graduate, placed seventh in the 400 meter with a time of 50.33. McCorory became an Olympic gold medalist after running in the semifinal and final 4x400 relay races, as the United States won the event for the fifth straight year.
Wells became the Pirates' first female athlete to win an Olympic medal with her bronze medal on Wednesday. McCorory became the second after the relay gold on Saturday.
With an undergraduate enrollment of just over 4,500 students, according to the school's website, having two Olympic medalists from HU speaks volumes for not only Pierce, who coached both at Hampton and is McCorory's personal coach, but the university as a whole.
Kellie Wells wins Olympic Bronze for USA in 100m hurdles final
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VISIT: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HAMPTONPIRATES.COM
VISIT: KELLIE-WELLS.COM
Francena McCorory, Team USA Win Gold in Women's 4X400
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USA gold in the women's 4x400m relay (L) Francena McCorory, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross and DeeDee Trotter of the United States celebrate winning gold in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium. |
LONDON – Former Hampton University track & field standout Francena McCorory is now an Olympic gold medalist.
McCorory (class of 2011), a three-time NCAA champion in the 400-meter dash, ran the third leg of the relay as Team USA won the race in 3:16.87, beating second-place Russia by nearly four seconds. Jamaica came in third to claim the bronze.
DeeDee Trotter (who won bronze in the 400-meter dash), Allyson Felix (gold medalist in the 200-meter dash), and anchor Sanya Richards-Ross (gold medalist in the 400-meter dash) were also on the final relay squad.
McCorory is the second Hamptonian to medal in London; she joins Kellie Wells (class of 2006), who took the bronze medal in the 100-meter hurdles earlier in the week.
The race will be televised via tape delay on NBC during Saturday’s primetime coverage.
For more information on Hampton University track & field, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
SWAC coach breaks boundaries
LORMAN, Mississippi – Coach Jay Hopson jogged off the football field in the pouring rain, bits of mud and grass matted to his face. His Alcorn State players streamed around him, quickly seeking shelter after a grueling 3-hour practice on a soggy Mississippi morning.The first white football coach in the historically black Southwestern Athletic Conference might be breaking racial boundaries, but his introduction to the Braves has been quite conventional.
”Coach Hopson is rough,” Alcorn State receiver Terrance Lewis said after Friday’s practice. ”I’ve never practiced this hard. He wants us to work to earn everything we get and that’s what we’re trying to do every day. It took some getting used to, but I think we’re starting to come around.”
And that’s exactly what the 43-year-old Hopson wants to hear as he embarks on his first season as a head coach. Before coming to Alcorn State, he was a well-traveled defensive assistant, working at places like Ole Miss, LSU, Florida, Michigan, Marshall, Southern Miss and most recently Memphis.
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Oklahoma Sooner Opponent watch: Florida A&M
TULSA, Oklahoma - Florida A&M began its practices on Wednesday in preparation for the 2012 season.
The Rattlers were picked to finish fourth in the MEAC this season. The Tallahassee, Fla., program was 7-4 last season.
The Sept. 8 meeting between the schools will be OU's home opener and the first time the schools have met.
Florida A&M will play another major conference school in 2013, with a road trip to Ohio State scheduled.
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Slidell’s Hornsby inks with Grambling State University
SLIDELL, Louisiana - Slidell’s William Hornsby is heading to Grambling State University to play basketball for the Tigers. Hornsby said it was an easy decision.“I went to the campus. I loved it there. It felt like I was at home as soon as I stepped on the campus. They sold me quick. I could picture myself there for the next four years,” Hornsby said.
The guard said he was also considering the University of Vermont and the University of Mobile. Hornsby said being closer to home wasn’t a factor. He said the best fit for him was the main thing.
“Whatever my family felt was best also. We sat down and talked about it for a long time. We prayed on it and we came up with Grambling,” Hornsby said.
Hornsby said they told him there’s a chance he could start, but if not, he could see a lot of playing time.
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Lincoln Blue Tigers Football to Play Grambling State in 2013
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- The Lincoln football team will play Grambling State, one of the most successful historically black Division I universities, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14, 2013. Betty Kemna, Lincoln's Director of Athletics, made the announcement on Wednesday.
The game, which will be called the Kansas City Classic, was made possible when Truman State announced it was leaving the MIAA. The current football scheduling structure of the MIAA requires all conference teams to play an entirely league schedule. When Truman State, one of LU's scheduled opponents for the 2013 season, announced it was leaving the league, the MIAA made the decision to let teams fill the open date with an opponent of their choosing, allowing the Blue Tigers to schedule a contest against another HBCU.
"The opportunity to add an HBCU institution to the schedule was appealing, and then having the opponent be Grambling State was an even greater draw for us to participate," Kemna said. "I am looking forward to working with the (Lincoln) Alumni Association and the Greater Kansas City Alumni Chapter in having this Classic be a huge success."
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The game, which will be called the Kansas City Classic, was made possible when Truman State announced it was leaving the MIAA. The current football scheduling structure of the MIAA requires all conference teams to play an entirely league schedule. When Truman State, one of LU's scheduled opponents for the 2013 season, announced it was leaving the league, the MIAA made the decision to let teams fill the open date with an opponent of their choosing, allowing the Blue Tigers to schedule a contest against another HBCU.
"The opportunity to add an HBCU institution to the schedule was appealing, and then having the opponent be Grambling State was an even greater draw for us to participate," Kemna said. "I am looking forward to working with the (Lincoln) Alumni Association and the Greater Kansas City Alumni Chapter in having this Classic be a huge success."
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MSU Men’s Basketball Squad Starts Season Early in Bahamas
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Morgan State University’s men’s basketball team will start their upcoming season earlier than usual as they travel to Nassau, Bahamas for a series of exhibition games against international talent.According to MSU Sports Information Director Leonard Haynes, the Bears will spend six days in the Bahamas, from Aug. 13 through Aug. 18. The team will compete against the Cybots, the Bahamas All-Stars and the Real Deal Shockers, with all games played at Sir Kendall Issac Gym in front of an expected crowd of 3,500 people.
Haynes said this is the fifth foreign trip Morgan State’s basketball team has taken since 1974; the Bears visited Brazil in 1974, Columbia in 1975 and traveled to Canada in 2010 and Cancun in 2011.
“I’m excited about the tour,” said Bears head coach Todd Bozeman. “We took a foreign tour in 2010. We went to Windsor, Canada for six days and it was a great experience. The tour provides returning players that might not have played a lot, an opportunity to gain some valuable experience against international competition.”
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Former standout QB takes final shot at EWC
JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Patrick Ryan has one more opportunity to make it as a college football player. The quarterback intends to use it.
Ryan, a Fort Myers native who had a high school career disrupted at Gateway Charter, left the promise of starting at a Division II school for the goal of playing D-I only to be thrown off that team for disciplinary reasons, hopes to make the most of one last chance.
Ryan, 22, will do try to do so at his fifth school in seven years.
Driven by the influences of his childhood neighborhoods and his admiration for his childhood friends, including Lee County’s all-time leading high school football rusher Noel Devine, Ryan has enrolled at Edward Waters College, an NAIA program in Jacksonville.
They have lived parallel lives, Ryan and Devine, sharing the tragedies and traumas of life while enjoying their triumphs together.
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Ryan, a Fort Myers native who had a high school career disrupted at Gateway Charter, left the promise of starting at a Division II school for the goal of playing D-I only to be thrown off that team for disciplinary reasons, hopes to make the most of one last chance.
Ryan, 22, will do try to do so at his fifth school in seven years.
Driven by the influences of his childhood neighborhoods and his admiration for his childhood friends, including Lee County’s all-time leading high school football rusher Noel Devine, Ryan has enrolled at Edward Waters College, an NAIA program in Jacksonville.
They have lived parallel lives, Ryan and Devine, sharing the tragedies and traumas of life while enjoying their triumphs together.
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Sunday, August 12, 2012
Florida A&M's George Small Is The Coach's Coach
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Coach Joe Taylor never claims his successes have been the work of one person. Rather, he always emphasizes the work of the conglomerate that feeds success. For years, Taylor's right-hand-man has been George Small, who carries among other titles, associate head coach.
Small is no ordinary associate head coach, because he has had two stints at head coach. In two separate instances, legendary head coaches have inspired him to pursue head coaching offers. "When I was working for coach (Eddie) Robinson at Grambling, he pushed me to the head coaching job at Kentucky State with his graces. He said I was ready to be a head coach. He said he didn't want to lose me, but he had a strong feeling that I was ready to take charge," Small said. The second opportunity came as Small was assistant coach with Joe Taylor at Hampton University. "Joe encouraged me to take the job at North Carolina A&T when that head coaching position became available," he added.
Small is in his second stint at FAMU. Under Ken Riley, Small was the defensive coordinator in 1993. After time at NC A&T, where he won the MEAC championship in 2003, Small was contacted by Taylor as he was selected the 15th head coach of Florida A&M. He currently serves as associate head coach and defensive line coach. With several successful athletes such as Jerry Willis, Kendrick Washington and Marquiste Ramos to his credit, Small is known for getting the maximum out of his players.
"It has been a tremendous blessing to have worked with two of the best black college coaches of all-time. When coach Taylor called me in Texas and said he wanted me to come with him to help build this program back up, I told him FAMU isn't a bad place to be. Being here at FAMU before, under coach Riley, I remember us having some fine players. Earl Holmes was one of our players at that time and to see his maturity to this point is a lesson I use to motivate my players. It's very heartwarming when I see him passing on lessons he learned from us," Small said.
Taylor gives Small credit for his gift of cohesiveness. "As a head coach, you always need someone on your staff that you can turn to at every junction. George has taken on things within the staff that never need to make it to me. He handles the logistics of our travel and hotels and things that require some leadership. He solves the problem or makes the issue better just as I would...or better," Taylor said with a smile.
Small is in his fifth season in his return to FAMU and he couldn't be happier. "To come back and be around these guys is like coming home. This literally gives me chills. FAMU has always treated me well and the people have always treated me well, so it's been a great relationship since day one when I came here in the 90s," Small said.
Small's Christian faith is the force that drives him. A native of Radford, NC, a small town in the southeast portion of the state, Small excelled as an athlete at Hoke County High School. He was recruited by NC A&T and was successful playing both offensive and defensive line. He earned All-MEAC honors, while serving as captain of the Aggies his senior season. He was a Pittsburgh Courier All-American, and went on to a five-year career in the NFL with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
With those experiences, Small is the perfect fit for the Rattlers. He is part of a coaching staff that has had tremendous success in graduating athletes, while maintaining their integrity off the field of play. "A lot of the focus of our athletes starts with coach Taylor. I feed off of his lead and we've worked well over the years, keeping everything in the right mold for our players to be successful on and off the field," Small said.
Taylor describes Small as the glue that holds the whole team together. On Small's part, he graciously accepts that role and is very excited about this upcoming season. "When you look at the guys on the staff, all of these guys have been successful. It makes it easier for our kids to buy in when they are being coached by former NFL players and successful college players. They (coaches) are good guys that I love to be around and have no doubt in my mind that eventually, they'll have their own programs to run," he added.
Small credits focus during the Summer as the factors that improve the team. "It's the Fall now, and I put outside things out of my mind...I don't have time for anything else but football. My focus is here. I stay focused on our goals and objectives for the season and reiterate to our players that we can't focus on anything that isn't in line with our goal. Things beyond our control, we'll have to let God handle those, but we have to do what we are supposed to do," he concluded.
Florida A&M University Gospel Choir sings "I Won't Complain", led by Karen Clark-Sheard (The Clark Sisters).
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Small is no ordinary associate head coach, because he has had two stints at head coach. In two separate instances, legendary head coaches have inspired him to pursue head coaching offers. "When I was working for coach (Eddie) Robinson at Grambling, he pushed me to the head coaching job at Kentucky State with his graces. He said I was ready to be a head coach. He said he didn't want to lose me, but he had a strong feeling that I was ready to take charge," Small said. The second opportunity came as Small was assistant coach with Joe Taylor at Hampton University. "Joe encouraged me to take the job at North Carolina A&T when that head coaching position became available," he added.
Small is in his second stint at FAMU. Under Ken Riley, Small was the defensive coordinator in 1993. After time at NC A&T, where he won the MEAC championship in 2003, Small was contacted by Taylor as he was selected the 15th head coach of Florida A&M. He currently serves as associate head coach and defensive line coach. With several successful athletes such as Jerry Willis, Kendrick Washington and Marquiste Ramos to his credit, Small is known for getting the maximum out of his players.
"It has been a tremendous blessing to have worked with two of the best black college coaches of all-time. When coach Taylor called me in Texas and said he wanted me to come with him to help build this program back up, I told him FAMU isn't a bad place to be. Being here at FAMU before, under coach Riley, I remember us having some fine players. Earl Holmes was one of our players at that time and to see his maturity to this point is a lesson I use to motivate my players. It's very heartwarming when I see him passing on lessons he learned from us," Small said.
Taylor gives Small credit for his gift of cohesiveness. "As a head coach, you always need someone on your staff that you can turn to at every junction. George has taken on things within the staff that never need to make it to me. He handles the logistics of our travel and hotels and things that require some leadership. He solves the problem or makes the issue better just as I would...or better," Taylor said with a smile.
Small is in his fifth season in his return to FAMU and he couldn't be happier. "To come back and be around these guys is like coming home. This literally gives me chills. FAMU has always treated me well and the people have always treated me well, so it's been a great relationship since day one when I came here in the 90s," Small said.
Small's Christian faith is the force that drives him. A native of Radford, NC, a small town in the southeast portion of the state, Small excelled as an athlete at Hoke County High School. He was recruited by NC A&T and was successful playing both offensive and defensive line. He earned All-MEAC honors, while serving as captain of the Aggies his senior season. He was a Pittsburgh Courier All-American, and went on to a five-year career in the NFL with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
With those experiences, Small is the perfect fit for the Rattlers. He is part of a coaching staff that has had tremendous success in graduating athletes, while maintaining their integrity off the field of play. "A lot of the focus of our athletes starts with coach Taylor. I feed off of his lead and we've worked well over the years, keeping everything in the right mold for our players to be successful on and off the field," Small said.
Taylor describes Small as the glue that holds the whole team together. On Small's part, he graciously accepts that role and is very excited about this upcoming season. "When you look at the guys on the staff, all of these guys have been successful. It makes it easier for our kids to buy in when they are being coached by former NFL players and successful college players. They (coaches) are good guys that I love to be around and have no doubt in my mind that eventually, they'll have their own programs to run," he added.
Small credits focus during the Summer as the factors that improve the team. "It's the Fall now, and I put outside things out of my mind...I don't have time for anything else but football. My focus is here. I stay focused on our goals and objectives for the season and reiterate to our players that we can't focus on anything that isn't in line with our goal. Things beyond our control, we'll have to let God handle those, but we have to do what we are supposed to do," he concluded.
Florida A&M University Gospel Choir sings "I Won't Complain", led by Karen Clark-Sheard (The Clark Sisters).
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Tennessee State Tigers Camp: Scrimmage Ends Week One
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The first scrimmage of fall camp on a beautiful Saturday morning marked the end of the first week of practice for Tennessee State.
After a good day of practice on Friday, the offense struggled a bit at time on Saturday.
"I was a little disappointed in our offensive production," head coach Rod Reed said. "Not so much overall, but we threw three interceptions today. That’s not good by any standard. We’ve got to protect the football and we’ve got to keep the football off the ground."
On the flip side, Reed said that he was pleased with the production from the defense.
"We got after it a bit on defense today. We had two or three sacks, three picks. Anytime you get that kind of output from your defense, that’s a good day for you."
Even though the weather conditions were perfect, that's not necessarily great for getting the players in shape for the upcoming season.
"Mother Nature has been pretty good to us," said Reed. "That’s why you see us conditioning a lot more after practice. Normally on a two-a-day you wouldn’t condition, but the elements were so great today, we had to get some conditioning in after practice. I feel real comfortable where we are shape wise. Our guys did a good job this summer running."TSU holds its' first two-a-day today as the Big Blue works on special teams at 5:45pm.
With Sunday off, the second week of camp starts on Monday at 9:15am. Practice is open to the public. All sessions will be outside at the practice field unless there is inclement weather.
Fan Day Set
TSU Fan Day will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at the indoor practice facility. Fans are invited to come out and collect autographs and photos with the 2012 football team.
Kick-Off Times Confirmed
TSU Athletics announced on Wednesday that kick-off times have been set for all home games. The John Merritt Classic against Florida A&M is slated for a 6 pm contest on Sept. 1.
All Hale Stadium games (Austin Peay - Sept. 15, Eastern Kentucky - Oct. 6 and Tennessee Tech - Oct. 27) are scheduled for a 1 pm start time. TSU kicks off Homecoming against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 29 at 5pm.
2012 TSU FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Monday, Aug. 13 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Tuesday, Aug. 14 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Wednesday, Aug. 15 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Thursday, Aug. 16 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Friday, Aug. 17 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers and Twitter @TSU_Tigers.
After a good day of practice on Friday, the offense struggled a bit at time on Saturday.
"I was a little disappointed in our offensive production," head coach Rod Reed said. "Not so much overall, but we threw three interceptions today. That’s not good by any standard. We’ve got to protect the football and we’ve got to keep the football off the ground."
On the flip side, Reed said that he was pleased with the production from the defense.
"We got after it a bit on defense today. We had two or three sacks, three picks. Anytime you get that kind of output from your defense, that’s a good day for you."
Even though the weather conditions were perfect, that's not necessarily great for getting the players in shape for the upcoming season.
"Mother Nature has been pretty good to us," said Reed. "That’s why you see us conditioning a lot more after practice. Normally on a two-a-day you wouldn’t condition, but the elements were so great today, we had to get some conditioning in after practice. I feel real comfortable where we are shape wise. Our guys did a good job this summer running."TSU holds its' first two-a-day today as the Big Blue works on special teams at 5:45pm.
With Sunday off, the second week of camp starts on Monday at 9:15am. Practice is open to the public. All sessions will be outside at the practice field unless there is inclement weather.
Fan Day Set
TSU Fan Day will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at the indoor practice facility. Fans are invited to come out and collect autographs and photos with the 2012 football team.
Kick-Off Times Confirmed
TSU Athletics announced on Wednesday that kick-off times have been set for all home games. The John Merritt Classic against Florida A&M is slated for a 6 pm contest on Sept. 1.
All Hale Stadium games (Austin Peay - Sept. 15, Eastern Kentucky - Oct. 6 and Tennessee Tech - Oct. 27) are scheduled for a 1 pm start time. TSU kicks off Homecoming against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 29 at 5pm.
2012 TSU FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE
Monday, Aug. 13 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Tuesday, Aug. 14 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Wednesday, Aug. 15 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Thursday, Aug. 16 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Friday, Aug. 17 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers and Twitter @TSU_Tigers.
Large crowd shows for Fan Day - FAMU fans upbeat about season
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - FAMU’s football fans didn’t come out to the Lawson Center on Saturday afternoon just to get autographs, collect posters and the miniature footballs that were given away.
They were seriously into their team, expressing optimism that if the Rattlers get through a tough September, they should finish well. Some even went as far as to take objection to the fourth-place finish predicted for their team.
“I’m pretty sure this is going to be our year,” James Alison said. “I don’t care what they were picked. I’m talking about something I know. They are going to be No. 1. I know the talent is here.”
Alison arrived in a motorized chair. He would have been a player for Jake Gaither, he said, if the legendary coach didn’t think he was too small when he tried out during the 1950s.
His loyalty as a fan goes that far back. And even with back issues that left him relying on a powered chair to get around, he said he couldn’t miss getting his meeting with the players on Fan Day.
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Howard Bison holds first intra-squad scrimmage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard University head football coach Gary "Flea" Harrell will be looking to evaluate the team's progress after its first week of practice during an intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 1:00 p.m. in William H. Greene Stadium."We were able to get the football conditioning in this week," said Harrell, who begins his second year at the helm. "Right now the defense is a little ahead of the offense, so we will be looking to get better timing in the passing game, limit the penalties, get the defense off the field and smooth transitioning from offense to defense and special teams."
One segment of the offense, which has seen the stiffest competition, is the running game. Senior running back Terrance Lefall, who rushed for a career-high 839 yards last season, has an edge on the competition, but Harrell adds that sophomore Aquanius Freeman, seniors Charles Brice and Jarren Brown, have all looked good along with freshman William Parker and freshman walk-on Addison Clopton.
The receiving crop is relatively inexperienced with the loss of playmakers Willie Carter and Brandon Drayton. Sophomores Stewart Hartman and Rodney "DJ" Tyson and juniors Clayton Gidron and Brandon Flanagan have a year under their belt in the system. Harrell made special mention of a couple of talented freshmen Jonathan Booker and Matt Colvin, as two players who could bring much-needed speed to the unit.
An area of concern each season has been the kicking game. The Bison had special teams miscues that proved to be costly in a couple of winnable games. To address that, Harrell brought in a kicker and a long snapper that he is excited about.
"We have been very pleased with freshman John Fleck," said Harrell. "He has been able to get kickoffs in the end zone, which is big for us and he gets good hang time on his punts."
He continued. "Matthew Poulin has been tremendous so far. He has shown great consistency on his snaps. He is going to be an outstanding long snapper."
The 2012 Bison season opener is slated for Saturday, Sept. 1 when the Bison take on Morehouse College in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic at 3:30 p.m. in RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Visit the official Howard University athletics website at www.howard-bison.com for more information on HU football.
COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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FROM MEAC PRESS RELEASE
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