Moss Makes All-OVC, TSU Predicted to Finish Fifth

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Ohio Valley Conference has announced the All-OVC Preseason Volleyball team and the team's predicted order of finish for the upcoming season. Junior setter Erika Moss was selected to the squad, while TSU is predicted to finish fifth in the league according to league coaches and sports information directors.

Moss, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was selected to the all-preseason team after receiving all-conference honors at the end of last season.

In 2011, Moss was second in the conference and first on the team in assists and assists per game with 1201 and 10.44, respectively. She was also fourth on the team in blocks with 38.

Moss also contributed to the team's success on offense- placing fifth on the squad in both points per set and service aces.

The selection of Moss marks the second time in school history that any volleyball player has been selected to the all-conference first team and the preseason all-conference team in consecutive years. The other occurrence was when Shaquita Williams made All-OVC in 2010 and the preseason All-OVC team in 2011.

Last season, TSU finished in second place in the conference following a 13-7 league record. This year's squad loses two starters, but returns four in addition to last season's libero.

2012 Preseason All-OVC Volleyball Team

(as Selected by OVC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors)

Nikki Doyle, Austin Peay*
Ashley Edmund, Eastern Kentucky*
Ellie Roberson, Morehead State*
Caitlin Clark, Morehead State*
Emily Coon, Southeast Missouri*
Erika Moss, Tennessee State*

Kasey Elswick, UT Martin*
Laura McDermott, Morehead State#
Aryn Bohannon, Morehead State
Emily Franklin, Eastern Illinois
Kelsey Augustine, SIUE
Julie Shives, Southeast Missouri
Alison Berens, Eastern Illinois
Leslie Schellhaas, Morehead State

*- Denotes All-OVC in 2011
#- Denotes All-Newcomer in 2011

2012 OVC Volleyball Predicted Order of Team Finish

(as Selected by OVC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors)

1. Morehead State (22 first-place votes)

2. Belmont

3. Southeast Missouri (2 first-place votes)

4. UT Martin

5. Tennessee State

6. Eastern Kentucky

7. SIUE

8. Murray State

9. Austin Peay (tie)

9. Eastern Illinois (tie)

11. Jacksonville State

12. Tennessee Tech

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Yankee Stadium to Host New York Urban League Football Classic; Hampton University to play Morgan State University

NEW YORK, New York - Yankee Stadium will once again play host to a classic college football matchup, as Hampton University and Morgan State University will meet in the New York Urban League Football Classic on November 17, 2012, at the home of the Yankees. The two-year agreement calls for the two schools to play at Yankee Stadium in 2013 as well.

The original Yankee Stadium was host to what would become known as the annual New York Urban League Football Classic from 1968-73 and ’76-87. Morgan State played 11 times in the contest, going 1-10 as they faced off against Grambling and head coach Eddie Robinson each time. For Hampton, it will mark their first football game at Yankee Stadium (original or current).




“It’s wonderful that the New York Urban League Football Classic can once again call Yankee Stadium its home,” said Hal Steinbrenner, New York Yankees Managing General Partner. “As everyone knows, college football was a passion of my father’s, as was providing opportunities for future generations. The return of this rich tradition showcases both of those tenets, and our organization couldn’t be prouder to be hosting the NYUL Football Classic this fall.”

Now in its fourth year of existence, Yankee Stadium has already played host to elite college football games, including the annual New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the 50th all-time matchup between Notre Dame and Army in 2010, and Army vs. Rutgers in 2011. The home of the Yankees is also scheduled to play host to Army-Boston College in November 2014. Additionally, Yankee Stadium has hosted the Public School Athletic League Football Championship Game in each of the last two years.

Since its inception, proceeds from the New York Urban League Football Classic have helped to leverage over $20 million in Whitney M. Young, Jr. Educational Scholarships to nearly 4,000 college bound students. Whitney M. Young, Jr. who the scholarship was named after, was the President of the National Urban League. His distinguished career was marked by his effectiveness in bringing the business community into full participation in the struggle for Civil Rights. Young focused on gaining equality for blacks in business and politics, along with improving opportunities for the urban poor.



The New York Urban League continues the mission to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first-class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy in our highly diversified city.

The original Yankee Stadium played host to numerous college and professional football classics, serving as the home of the New York Yankees football team and the New York Giants as well as the secondary football home for NYU from 1923-48. As one of the world’s most prestigious addresses, the original Yankee Stadium was also the home for scores of other sports, entertainment and cultural events, including boxing, professional football, soccer, political assemblies, three Papal masses, religious conventions, concerts, NYU commencement and the circus.

From: Yankees Press Release

In the FCS Huddle: 2012 SWAC Preview

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Perhaps it is getting too cliche, corny or common for coaches to emphasize the importance of conference games. It's supposed to be simple. Win your conference, get the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

While that may be the case for the large majority of FCS teams, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, those games make or break your season, literally because the highest reward is winning the SWAC title.

If last year's title race was any indication, 2012 should put forth an even better show.

Take, for example, Alabama State, which finished 8-3 overall and 7-2 in conference. In the first eight weeks of the season, the Hornets had six wins and their only loss came against FBS opponent Eastern Michigan, 14-7. They then went 2-2 the rest of the season, losing to Alabama A&M by one point and Southern by three points, and it cost them the Eastern Division title.

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2012 College Football Preview: Morgan State Bears

BALTIMORE, Maryland - As coach Donald Hill-Eley starts his 11th season at the helm, he will rely on his most veteran-laden team in an attempt to record his fifth winning season.

The Bears return 24 seniors, including a strong offensive core. Senior offensive linemen Joshua Durden and Jerry Evans, running back Travis Davidson and wide receiver Tyrone Hendrix surround quarterback Seth Higgins, giving the sophomore a variety of options.

Davidson was the No. 4 rusher in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2011, plowing for 732 yards and seven touchdowns during 10 games. Hendrix, the team's third-leading receiver, averaged 16.6 yards per catch. They're expected to make big contributions to an offense that runs through Higgins, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder entering his second year as a starter. During eight games (seven starts) last season, Higgins completed 52 percent of his passes for 1,186 yards and nine touchdowns. He threw seven interceptions.

Defensively, the Bears return ...

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Where Are They Now? Father, son migrate from basketball to business

COLLEGE PARK, Georgia  -  For those who participate in sports on a higher level, the biggest adjustments aren’t just the ones made during competition but the adjustment to life after sports.

Anthony Witherspoon Sr. has adjusted quite nicely and so has his son, Anthony Witherspoon Jr., with the opening of Spoon’s BBQ Restaurant and Sports Bar in College Park.

After eating at Gates Bar-B-Q and Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City, Mo., and introducing it to his father, Witherspoon Jr. saw the beginning of a family business.

“If we could get this quality of barbecue here in Georgia, there is no doubt that this could be successful,” Witherspoon Jr. said. “The food industry is one that is always going to be stable — people got to eat. We just saw an opportunity and ran with it.”

Before becoming the restaurant’s owner and general manager, Witherspoon Sr. spent more than 20 years coaching basketball at Grambling State, Fort Valley State and his alma mater, Clark-Atlanta.

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Billups plays with a passion at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi - By his own admission, Johnathan Billups' emotional nature can land him in hot water. Case in point: Jackson State's Monday practice. After hearing coaches say someone on the defensive line had lost his starting job, Billups, one of eight returning defensive starters, began to simmer. As the team stretched, his mind raced. He's played in every game the past two seasons. He was the team's fifth-leading tackler (47 tackles) last year. The senior tackle was a preseason All-SWAC second-team selection and is the anchor of a swarming front seven. No one was taking his job. So, Billups' competitive fire boiled over. "I said something to coach a little out of the way," Billups says with a laugh. "He told me to hit the track. He nearly threw me out of practice. READ MORE

Southern University defense looking for turnovers, touchdowns

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -  If a running back is stripped of the ball trying to hit the hole — or even if he drops a pass — the roar from Southern’s defensive coaches can be heard just about the time leather meets grass.

“Score! Score! Score!”

The way defensive coordinator Dawson Odums and his assistants see it, Southern defenders need not be satisfied with simply forcing turnovers. The coaches have challenged the Jaguars to take those turnovers and turn them directly into points.

“We’re trying to create great habits,” cornerback Virgil Williams said. “Whenever the ball’s on the ground, we look at that like an opportunity for us to get points. The offense can come out and have a bad game because the defense expects to score every game. That’s why when the ball’s on the ground, we scoop and score.”

During a scrimmage at the end of Tuesday’s morning practice, free safety ...

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Florida A&M University Announces Enhanced Fall Football Experience

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - With the fall football season quickly approaching, Florida A&M University (FAMU) announces an enhanced football experience and halftime entertainment for fans of FAMU football.

This 2012 football season takes on a special meaning as the university celebrates 125 years of excellence. The season, which kicks off September 1 in Nashville against Tennessee State, includes four home games each with a different game experience that fans will appreciate and get excited about.

“We have a promising team this football season ready and excited to showcase their talent on the gridiron,” shares Derek Horne, FAMU Athletics Director. “Our guys have been putting in extra time with drills over the summer, and adding the excitement of the enhanced halftime experience is sure to make this a very exciting football season as FAMU celebrates 125 years.”

The FAMU Athletics program takes on a brand new energy this season unveiling a new theme – “Our Team, Our Time. Respect the Game.”



In addition to the new theme, each game this season includes a halftime entertainment production that includes the voice of FAMU football, Joe Bullard, serving as game MC and an Old School vs New School DJ set to keep fans excited and energized throughout the entire game. The halftime segment for each game is tight lipped for now but fans can expect special performances from major recording artists and a contest to win a meet and greet with the artists.

In addition to the game experience, FAMU Athletics is partnering with Visit Tallahassee to create sports travel packages that include hotel stay and a game ticket. The entire marketing program will be focused on driving game attendance and overnight stay during home games while creating value and an enhanced game experience for fans.

Opponents for this year’s home games include Hampton University as the opening game on September 15th, Savannah State on October 13th, South Carolina State University on October 20th, and the homecoming game celebrating FAMU’s 125th anniversary on November 10th against North Carolina Central.

For more info regarding the 2012 football season, visit FAMUAthletics.com or call (850) 599-3868.

RELEASE: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama A&M football: Back where he started

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Jared Bing started his career at Alabama A&M as an offensive lineman. It appears he will end it the same way.  Injuries and a lack of depth along A&M's offensive line has forced Bing, who has played tight end the last three years, to start over.

Bing, a 6-foot-3, 288-pound redshirt senior, spent two days at right tackle after Winston Hunt went down with an injury early in preseason practice. A week ago, he was moved to left guard after starter Bryant Ross went down and has been there ever since.

Should Ross, who has been out a week due to dehydration that has created some problems with his kidneys, not return, Bing could find himself in the starting lineup when A&M opens the season against Tuskegee on Sept. 1 at Legion Field in Birmingham.

"I was a little reluctant at first, but being a senior, I had to take myself out of it and understand what was best for the team," Bing said Monday afternoon before practice. "We have plenty of good tight ends that can get the job done. I'm just trying to fit in where I can to help us win the SWAC championship."

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Norfolk State rebuilds in paradise

NORFOLK, Virginia   -  Ever notice no basketball program ever takes a summer basketball trip to Siberia? It’s always Italy, France, Brazil, Bahamas. Sometimes Canada. Lather, rinse, repeat. And who can blame them? If you’re going to mess around and win a few games (or lose a few, that’s certainly been going around), why not do it somewhere nice where the kids can get some culture?

It’s every bit as awesome as it sounds, according to a blog written by Norfolk State forward Rob Johnson. He began penning his thoughts and experiences for the NSU faithful during the team’s recently concluded team-building trip to
Tierra Del Fuego Kamchatka Sudan the Bahamas.

As we walk from the lobby to the bus that will eventually take us to the airport, Coach (Robert) Jones sings to himself, ‘Back to life, back to reality.’ Although it wasn’t as vocally fine-tuned as the version sung by En Vogue, the point still got across to the team. We were getting ready to go back to ‘reality,’ or whatever life we had before our trip to the Bahamas.

Before waking up, seeing Cable Beach from our hotel balcony, before eating 5-star meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and before the boat trips and deep sea snorkeling adventures.

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Alabama State Hornets have spirited practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - With a spirited practice under its belt, the Alabama State football team ended on a high to end Tuesday's afternoon practice.

It's not surprising how not having to do post-practice conditioning runs after a tough practice in full pads can bring joy to a team, which happens on every level of football. But it's how the Hornets avoid gassers that was clearly the highlight of the day.

It's simple – one of the linemen had to catch a punt, a task much easier said than done when the punter is Alabama State's Bobby Wenzig, one of the best in the country, and on the receiving end is a lineman who rarely ever touches the football.

The linemen were allowed several ‘practice' attempts by head coach Reggie Barlow. However, for OL Damian Love, one attempt was all he needed, as his running, diving catch of a Wenzig punt near midfield allowed the Hornets to get a break from conditioning drills and sent the team into a euphoric state.

"When you're in camp everyday, and you're doing things ...

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Prairie View A&M coach says Panthers have had no contact with Mike Dyer

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Prairie View A&M coach Heishma Northern says he has not spoken with former Auburn and Arkansas State running back.

"I have not contacted Mike Dyer," Northern said. "None of my assistant coaches have, to my knowledge."

The Twitter account supposedly run by former Auburn and Arkansas State running back Mike Dyer, @Mike_Dyer5, tweeted late Monday that the running back was transferring to the SWAC school.

"Headed to the SWAC to play for Prairie View A&M this season!" the account tweeted, accompanied by a picture of a pair of Prairie View A&M shoes.

There are two Twitter accounts claiming to be Mike Dyer. One, @Michael5Dyer, has not tweeted since Sept. 9. The other, @Mike_Dyer5 has been active recently. Both are followed by current Auburn players.

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Former Auburn and Arkansas State running back Mike Dyer will play at Prairie View A&M

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Former Auburn running back Mike Dyer, who was kicked off the Arkansas State football team in late July, has found a new place to play.  Dyer tweeted late Monday that he will play football this season at Prairie View A&M, a SWAC school in Texas.

"Headed to the SWAC to play for Prairie View A&M this season!" Dyer tweeted, accompanied by a picture of a pair of Prairie View A&M shoes.

By transferring to Prairie View A&M, a Football Championship Subdivision school, Dyer would be able to play right away this season, and he tweeted that he hopes to keep the familiar No. 5 on his jersey.

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Audio Of Michael Dyer Traffic Stop Released: 'You're Being A Total Dumbass' 

Michael Dyer's Sunday dismissal from Arkansas State was said to stem from a "violation of team rules," like scores of dismissals before it. But the specifics of that violation are coming out, namely with the release of audio from a traffic stop that is said to be at the core of Dyer moving on from the Red Wolves.

The Arkansas Times cites a paywalled Jonesboro Sun report in saying that Dyer was stopped with a gun and a substance believed to be marijuana in March, for which he was given a fine. The Sun also quotes the officer involved as saying "Carrying a pistol around? Uncool ... You've got a career ahead of you but you're being a total dumbass right now."

If you would like to hear that, Rivals' Arkansas State site has audio of the stop. (MP3 here.) It sounds like a talented athlete throwing a second chance away, and the heartbreaking part is that Dyer seems to realize it.



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NSU cornerback hopes 'statement' play is first of many

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The last time many Norfolk State fans saw Dionte Sullivan, he was being carted off the field at Dick Price Stadium, one of the scarier moments of the 2011 season.

The next time they see him, the cornerback expects it to be more like Monday, when he made the first big play of a preseason scrimmage, an interception that was the day's only turnover.

"This is my chance to make a statement," Sullivan said. "That's what I've been trying to do since I got here - figure out how to make a statement, earn my place on the defense. I want to be the guy, like anyone should. The nickel spot is a good building block, especially the way last season ended."

Monday, after three consecutive three-and-outs for the offense, Sullivan, in perfect one-on-one coverage with DeAndre Sangster, came down with a jump ball. He also knocked another pass to the ground.

"It wasn't a bad throw," head coach Pete Adrian said. "Sully really made a play, he went up and got it. It's good to see that."

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The Official Baltimore Battle of the Bands 2012

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.

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

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  Emory Lightfoot was the volleyball head coach at Fort Valley State from 2000 until the end of March. That’s when the school quietly eliminated the sport, to Lightfoot’s objections that such a move clearly violated Title IX and federal gender equity guidelines.

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

Bianca Warren
Sports Information Director
Livingstone College 

SALISBURY, North Carolina - Livingstone has named Virginia State product Bianca Warren as its sports information director and head cheerleading coach.

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

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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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

COACH MAURICE PIERCE
Director of Track & Field
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
(Photo Courtesy HU Pirates Athletics)

HAMPTON, Virginia - After watching two former Hampton University track standouts in the Olympics, track and field director Maurice Pierce wasn't shy about his vision for using the success of Kellie Wells and Francena McCorory to boost the program.

"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

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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