Former South Carolina standout joins XU Gold Nuggets' staff

ASSISTANT COACH HANNAH LAWING
GOLD NUGGETS VOLLEYBALL

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has hired former University of South Carolina standout Hannah Lawing as an assistant women's volleyball coach. She worked her first practice Tuesday as the Gold Nuggets prepare for their season opener next week.

This is the first collegiate coaching job for Lawing, 23, who was a varsity assistant at Heathwood Hall Episcopal High School in Columbia, S.C., in 2011 and co-head coach of the South Carolina Midlands 18s Elite club team this year.

Lawing graduated from South Carolina in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She played four seasons of volleyball for the Gamecocks and as a senior set a school record for digs per set with 4.89.

"We're excited to have Hannah join the Xavier volleyball family," XU head coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She has collegiate experience and brings energy to our program. She fights right in with our team."

Lawing was an outside hitter and defensive specialist with the Gamecocks. She was SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice as a senior and once as a freshman. She excelled in the classroom as a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and made the dean's list.

"We are very fortunate to hire Hannah to be part of our staff," XU athletics director Dennis Cousin said.

Lawing is third all-time at South Carolina with 1,334 digs and fifth with 3.35 digs per set. As a senior she posted the second-most digs in program history and the most in the rally-scoring era with 523. That year she also recorded a USC match-record 38 digs against Mississippi State. Lawing had 23 career double-doubles, including a career-high 28 kills and 14 digs in a four-set victory against Harvard in 2009.

Lawing is a Winston-Salem, N.C., native and lived there 10 years before moving to the Atlanta area. She is a 2007 graduate of Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga.

Lawing replaces Darrilyn Broussard, who split time with volleyball and women's basketball coaching a year ago. Broussard, the associate head coach of XU women's basketball, returns for her 12th season with that program.

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 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and first appearance in the NAIA National Championship. The Nuggets will open their season Aug. 24 with matches against 20th-ranked Lindsey Wilson and third-ranked Lee in the Lee Invitational at Cleveland, Tenn. The home opener will start at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 against city rival Loyola.

Xavier is one of 38 U.S. colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2013 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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JSU Welcomes Olympian Anaso Jobodwana Back Home

JACKSON, Mississippi - Jackson State University welcomed back JSU sophomore and 2012 Olympian Anaso Jobodwana during a congratulatory celebration on Aug. 15 in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

The event featured the Sonic Boom of the South marching band, greetings from Athletics Director Dr. Vivian L. Fuller, men's track coach Mark Thorne and David Hoard, vice president for Institutional Advancement.

A native of Eastern Cape, South Africa, Jobodwana ran for his home country during the 2012 Summer Olympics. He had the honor of qualifying for the men's 200-meter Olympic final. During the race, which included Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt, Jobodwana finished eighth. The 20-year-old ran a personal best of 20.27 seconds.

The 2012 Olympics was the first race for Jobodwana on the world stage, but certainly not the last. He's expected to continue as one of the world's top contenders in the 200 meter and is also expected to dominate national competitions as well.



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TIGER TV, JSU GET READY 2012

JSU Freshmen Move In Day 2012

Hall to coach WSSU women's basketball

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - A.G. Hall, a veteran college assistant who played basketball at N.C. Central, is the new women's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State.

Hall, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Bethune-Cookman, replaces Steve Joyner Jr., who left WSSU after two seasons to coach at his alma mater, Johnson C. Smith.

"I'm extremely excited," Hall, 37, said by phone Thursday afternoon. "I've been waiting for this chance to be a head coach, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Athletics director Bill Hayes said that WSSU's board of trustees approved Hall's hiring Thursday morning. "A.G. is a great young coach, and we're thrilled to have him," Hayes said.

Hall also spent two seasons as an assistant women's coach at Clemson and six season's as an assistant at Providence. He played for N.C. Central in the 1990s, graduating in 1998, and started his coaching career there as a graduate assistant.

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Former Florida High star making splash for Florida A&M Rattlers

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Going back to his days at Florida High, DeWayne Harvey had quite a reputation for making good on all of his opportunities on the football field.

When he was brought on as a back-up quarterback, he demonstrated such consistency that Florida High coach Jarrod Hickman didn’t think twice about making him a starting quarterback in his last two seasons as a Seminole.

Then in his freshman season last fall at Florida A&M, he was so effective in the few chances he got to touch the ball as a converted wide receiver that Joe Taylor and his coaching staff began to take a hard look.

Harvey gave them confirmation he could be a player of the future with a touchdown catch during a last-ditch effort to rally against Bethune-Cookman.

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Tennessee State Tiger Camp: Practice Heats Up

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Rising temperatures and higher humidity gave Tennessee State the conditions they were looking for Wednesday at fall camp.

"It got a little bit warm out here, which I like," said head coach Rod Reed. "We were a little flat at times, but you could see some areas in practice where we picked up the intensity."

One of the more important aspects that Coach Reed has been preaching this fall is maintaining a high level of energy throughout practice and hoping that it translates into the games.

"Championship football teams have that type of intensity all the time and that’s one of the things that we keep preaching to these guys. We’ve got to play at a high level every play. If somebody goes down, then the next man steps in. We don’t have the luxury to take plays off. We’ve got to be 100 percent all the time."

The defensive line shined through on the day as Reed was pleased with what his saw upfront despite a lack of depth.

"I thought we played well on the defensive front. We’re thin at that position, but we’ve got some guys that really got after it today. I am sure it will be a tug of war. The offensive line will come back tomorrow and we’ll get some good play out of them."

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 last week that kick-off times have been set for all home games. The John Merritt Classic against Florida A&M is slated for a 6pm 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 1pm start time. TSU kicks off Homecoming against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 29 at 5pm.

2012 TSU FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE

Thursday, Aug. 16 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Friday, Aug. 17 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Saturday, Aug. 18 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Monday, Aug. 20 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Tuesday, Aug. 21 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers and Twitter @TSU_Tigers.

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Jenkins ready to take B-CU team all the way

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - With the 2012 football campaign around the corner, Bethune-Cookman University held its B-CU held Media Day on Sunday, Aug. 12.

Head Coach Brian Jenkins stressed keeping his team living in the moment.

“We have to learn to stay in the moment. I think that sometimes we jump ahead. We can’t look forward to certain games or opponents. We have to stay focused and work the moment. We have to be consistent and master the fundamentals,” stated Jenkins.

Players dressed in shirt and tie spoke to the press about the upcoming season.

“At first they didn’t agree with it but now they’ve come to understand it. Our players represent us well. It’s more than just football. It’s also about making young men,” added Jenkins.



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JCSU driven to beat history, preseason poll

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith quarterback Keahn Wallace isn’t impressed by the league’s preseason poll.

Conference coaches picked the Golden Bulls to finish fifth in the six-team South Division despite coming off a 6-5 season and Pioneer Bowl win in 2011. Wallace, the league’s offensive rookie of the year, was livid.

“It’s motivation at the same time it’s disrespect,” said Wallace, who accounted for 2,478 total yards and 24 touchdowns (16 passing) as a freshman. “What we did last year put a big dent in the CIAA from the standpoint of scoring, making plays, keeping our defense off the field. I look at it as disrespect because we’re building on what we have done and for them to rank us fifth in our side of the conference is disrespectful.”

Golden Bulls coach Steve Aycock is ...



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XU revises schedule, will travel to Florida 2 weeks earlier

XU seeks its seventh consecutive conference
championship in women's cross country.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana announced two changes Monday to its 2012 men's and women's cross country schedules.

The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets still will compete in Florida, but two weeks earlier than originally announced. Xavier will run Sept. 22 in the ASICS Embry-Riddle Classic at Daytona Beach, Fla. The other new meet will be Oct. 5 in the Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitatiional at Clinton, Miss.

The Embry-Riddle meet will replace the LSU Invitational at Baton Rouge, La., and the Mississippi College meet will replace the Walt Disney World Classic at Kissimmee, Fla.

Xavier will begin the season Aug. 31 in the Mississippi College Opener. It will be the first of three meets this year on MC's Choctaw Trails Course.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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In the FCS Huddle: 2012 MEAC Preview

Philadelphia, PA – In the past, MEAC football has been overlooked. The conference has always had some of the best bands, game-day atmospheres and rivalries (particularly with the SWAC), but not the national attention.

Usually, in FCS football, conferences achieve that through national championships, playoff appearances and quality competition. But, it doesn't happen overnight, it takes time.

Few have noticed the changes the MEAC has made in the last couple of years in order to take the next step forward. Teams are scheduling tougher out-of- conference opponents as well as adding FBS games, which the conference had never been accustomed to on a regular basis. The talent of athletes has increased and multiple teams can now fight for the title because there isn't just one premiere program.

"Dr. (Dennis) Thomas (the MEAC commissioner) had a firm direction for us about 10 years ago, he wanted us to become more competitive," Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor said. "Since 1996, MEAC football has evolved and become a lot more competitive. The trend in FCS football is playing FBS games and we do it now, too. We can use that as a recruiting tool and as revenue games. Now with the economy, it's a pretty good purse of money not just for MEAC teams, but for other teams as well."



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Lumberton picks FSU's Moses as hoops coach

LUMBERTON, North Carolina — Seated between opposing fans at a Fairmont basketball game in 2010, Fayetteville State assistant coach Mike Moses Jr. quickly realized this was no ordinary recruiting visit.

“I’ve been to a lot of high school games around North Carolina, but those games between the Tornadoes and Red Springs are some of the most memorable,” Moses said. “They take their basketball very seriously.”

Moses liked the intensity so much he threw his name into the local coaching ring recently after Ted Gaskins retired from Lumberton High as boys basketball coach. Headlining the hiring committee with county athletic director Jason Suggs was Pirates A.D. Tripp Satterwhite who was immediately impressed with the former All-CIAA standout’s interview and vision.

Hand-picked from a list of 25 applicants, Moses, 28, becomes the county’s youngest head coach

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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

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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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