Previewing The Oklahoma Sooners 2012 Schedule (Part 1 of 2)

EXCERPT:

NORMAN, Oklahoma - The Oklahoma Sooners have shown over the past few seasons they are not afraid to play a tough schedule year in and year out, and 2012 is no exception. This season, the Sooners will take on six teams ranked in preseason polls, and eight teams that went to a bowl game in 2011. News9.com will be taking a look at the opponents for the Sooners this season in a two-part series. Here's a breakdown of each of the Sooners' opponents in the first half of the season.

9/8 Florida A&M

The Sooners' only FCS opponent in 2012 is coming off a 7-4 season in the MEAC last season. The Rattlers also return four all conference selections from the 2011 season. Offensively, the Rattlers return sophomore quarterback, who passed for over 1,600 yards last season as a true freshman. The top two running backs return as well Eddie Rocker and Al-Terek McBurse rushed for over 850 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Leading receiver Lenworth Lennon is back as well, but behind him is an unproven group of young receivers. Florida A&M will need several of them to step up if they want to make a run in the FCS playoffs this year. Defensively for the Rattlers, just three of the top eight tacklers from a year ago are returning, led by linebacker Brandon Hepburn, who made 63 tackles last season. The secondary should be a strong point, as both starters from a year ago return. Unfortunately for OU fans, the Florida A&M band is still suspended, so they won't be making the trip to Norman. Shame, because it most certainly would have been the most exciting part of the game.

 

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Ashley Robinson named MVSU Athletic Director

ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Mississippi Valley State has hired Ashley Robinson to be its athletic director. Robinson returns to his alma mater, where he was a standout basketball player in the early 2000s. He was also the school's compliance director in 2007 and '08.

He comes to MVSU after a three-year stint working in compliance and academic advising at Prairie View A&M.

Robinson will oversee a department that has one of the smallest budgets in NCAA Division I -- $3.2 million in 2011.

Robinson is a native of Jackson, Miss., and says in a statement he is "elated that this opportunity brought me back home to the place it all began. Mississippi Valley State is embedded in my pedigree and I look forward ...

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TSU Tigers football host 2012 Media Day

HOUSTON, Texas  -  The Texas Southern Tigers football team held their annual media day on Saturday.TSU head football coach Darrell Asberry opened the event addressing a packed room of media members from local television, radio, and print journalism.

“I fully understand the high expectations that members of the TSU family have for this football program,” stated Asberry. “As head football coach of this team it will be my main focus to make sure we live up to those high expectations and give Texas Southern University fans and supporters a team that they can be proud of on and off the field.”

Eight members of the Texas Southern football team fielded questions from media at the event. The message that definitely seems apparent from all members of the team that spoke is a great level of optimism for the road that lies ahead.

“We want to go out and prove everyone wrong that picked us to finish in last place in our division,” said TSU quarterback Dantavious Parker. “Our goal everyday in camp and at practice is to continue to get better. Everyone is on the same page and we’re looking forward to getting this season started.”

 Tigers will open the season on September 1st in the Labor Day Classic versus cross-town rival Prairie View A&M. Prairie View has prevailed in the last several meetings of the LDC, a trend in which Texas Southern is eager to break.

“Every new season brings with it a new team and elevated expectations,” added Asberry. “Here at TSU we want to build a program that can compete for championships every year. For us that journey will start on September 1st. I can guarantee that the Texas Southern Tigers football team will be hungry and ready to play football when the 2012 season gets kicked off.”

Texas Southern will prepare to wrap-up fall camp in the upcoming days as classes get set to start on August 27th.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Living the college life, FAMU football players enjoy off-campus option

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Tight end Michael Ethridge is finally at a point in his life that he’s always dreamed of since the day he left Godby High School with a scholarship to play football at FAMU.

As soon as his scholarship funds come through this semester, he will move into an apartment where he will get to experience living on his own.

“I know I can do it on my own,” he said. “It’s not rejecting my family but I want to see how I would do while I’m in college. I’ve always told myself that when I go to college I’d want to be on my own. This is my time now to get ready for the future.”

Ethridge, a junior, spent his first two years as a college athlete living on campus. He’s in transition now, living with his family until his money is cleared. Most other players have been enjoying their new digs for a week now.



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West Virginia State University, 11 other schools forming NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia — The colleges and universities that are leaving the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the end of June now have a new home — sort of.

At least they have a name for their new league, and some new partners.

Twelve schools, including Concord University, announced on Monday they are forming the Mountain East Conference (MEC), to begin play about a year from now.

“The big picture now is coming into focus,” said Concord Director of Athletics Kevin Garrett.

Concord will be joined by 11 fellow WVIAC schools — Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, Shepherd University, the University of Charleston, West Liberty University, West Virginia State University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wheeling Jesuit University

In addition, the Mountain East will include the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and two Ohio institutions, Urbana University and Notre Dame College headquartered in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid.

The departures would leave the WVIAC with just three members — Bluefield State College, Davis & Elkins College and Ohio Valley University.

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New Mexico to present challenge for Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  - When Southern travels to New Mexico for its first game of the season on Sept.1, the Lobos will be an unfamiliar sight for more reasons than geography and culture.

With a new staff led by former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie, UNM is experiencing a bit of a rebirth. That’s difficult to study, since any game film of the Lobos from 2011 is essentially useless.

That hasn’t had a major effect on the Jaguars offense, which will look to force its hand, but the defense has had to study film of Sam Houston State instead, where Lobos offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse spent the past two seasons.

“We’ve been preparing from Day 1,” coach Stump Mitchell said. “Defensively, obviously that revolves around what (the Lobos) do, and hopefully we’ve practiced the majority of what they will do, but the defense just has to be able to fly around and make some plays.”

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JSU Gooden eyes 1,000-yard mark

JACKSON, Mississippi - Tommy Gooden didn't need long to realize band wasn't for him.

He was a ninth grader at Frederick Douglas High School in Atlanta at the time. A defensive end on the junior varsity football team, a young Gooden found himself sitting in the back of a crowded band room struggling to do much of anything under the weight of what felt like the largest tuba in the Peach State.

"I was like, 'I can't even do it.' So I went out on the football field," Gooden said. "I dropped band the first week or two, I think it might have been the first day.  "I was good, but I couldn't do it," he said, referring to the weight of the tuba.

He stuck with football. Gooden was called up to the varsity as a kick returner his sophomore year after one coach saw his speed during a track meet. By the time he was a senior, he was the team's starting running back. READ MORE

Edward Waters College Tigers ready to roar

Jacksonville team starts football season on Aug. 25 against Point University

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - The Edward Waters College Tigers are excited about the upcoming football season. The Tigers compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as an independent. Last season, they made vast strides of improvement on the field and looks to do more in 2012. Here is a look at the 2012 Edward Waters Tigers.

2011: 5-5 overall

Head Coach: Brad Bernard, second season, 5-5 overall.



Gone: Wide receiver Samuel Charles, A-Back Antonio Bellamy, defensive end Randy Wilson and offensive lineman Willie Hubbard.

Back: Quarterback Brandon Turman (953 pass yards, 12 TDs; 740 rushing yards, four TDs); B-Back Phillip Teamer (780 rush yards, two TDs); safety Tony Goodman (66 total tackles, four interceptions, 391 return yards); defensive back/linebacker Kamron Mitchell (59 total tackles, one interception); A-Back Anthony Wallace (115 reception yards, one TD; linebacker Bernard Dawson (56 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, DL Richard Copeland (43 total tackles, two sacks); LB Jufferson Joseph (43 total tackles); OL Nathaniel Branford; OL Chris Hawkins; and OL Christopher Pettaway.

New: WR Jamiel McCloud (Bethune-Cookman transfer); A-Back Ray Dukes; WR Keith Patrick; DL Robert Huggins; OL Marcus Taylor; DB Derek Owens (transfer from Georgia); DB Demarko Huntley (transfer from Shorter University.

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S.C. State's Richard Cue will start season-opener, Phil Steele ranks Bulldogs' 22nd

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - A summer away from Orangeburg apparently did not affect Richard Cue's chances of retaining the starting quarterback job for South Carolina State.

A day before the Bulldogs' final team scrimmage, head coach Buddy Pough all but confirmed the Florence native to start against Georgia State on Aug. 30.

"I think we’re pretty set on Cue and he’s starting to get a majority of the reps," Pough said. "And anytime you’ve got a guy who seems to just to have a little bit better feel for things...I think he’s got to be our guy."

Cue, who spent the summer at ...

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2012 Xavier University of Louisiana Women's Volleyball Preview

                          After tasting success, Gold Nuggets make Iowa their focus

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - A proper noun with four letters and three syllables dominates the thoughts of Christabell Hamilton, the second-year coach of women's volleyball at Xavier University of Louisiana.

"Iowa," Hamilton said. "That's where we want to go this season. That's what we're aiming for. We want to go one step further than last season."

Specifically, the Gold Nuggets want to be in Sioux City, Iowa, with 23 other schools for pool play in the NAIA National Championship the week after Thanksgiving. If Xavier makes it that far, it will be another positive step for a program which took what seemed like a zillion positive steps in 2011.

Xavier, with Hamilton in her first collegiate head-coaching position a year ago, performed a 180: first winning season, first conference championships — regular season (10-0), then tournament (4-0) — first berth in the NAIA National Championship and the fourth-best turnaround in the NAIA (from 11-26 to 23-7). Hamilton became the third coach — the second since the 1930s — to win a conference championship in a debut season at Xavier. Hamilton accomplished all that with little lead time; she joined the staff June 14.

"Christabell raised the bar for Xavier volleyball so high," XU athletics director Dennis Cousin said. "We've won a lot of championships at Xavier, but what Christabell did last year has got to be one of the best coaching jobs we've ever had."

Six letterwomen — including starters Taylor Reuther, Moira Kirk, Chinedu Echebelem, Kerris Crier and Jeanay Butler — return. The team has no seniors, and Crier is the lone junior.

About the Gold Nuggets • Head Coach:  Christabell Hamilton (Eastern New Mexico 2005), second season; 23-7 at Xavier in one season • Assistant Coach:  Hannah Lawing (South Carolina 2011), first season • 2011 Record:  23-7 overall, 10-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (first place) • 2011 Postseason:  GCAC Tournament champion; first round of NAIA National Championship • Returning Players:  6 • Newcomers:  8

Reuther, an outside hitter, led Xavier in kills (326), aces (55) and digs (329) in 2011. She was All-GCAC, GCAC Tournament Co-MVP, GCAC Player of the Week three times and second-team All-Louisiana. Reuther ranked 11th in the NAIA — third among freshmen — in aces per set. She produced a team-best 13 kill-dig double-doubles, 10 more than Xavier had in 2010. Reuther had 17 matches with 10 or more kills and 18 matches with 10 or more digs.

Hamilton considered Reuther the team's best player in 2011, but it was Kirk who was voted GCAC Freshman of the Year. Kirk, a middle blocker also chosen All-GCAC and All-GCAC Tournament, ranked second to Reuther with 306 kills and led the Gold Nuggets with a .365 hitting percentage and 92 blocks. She ranked 11th in the NAIA in hitting percentage and had 16 matches with 10 or more kills, including a team-best eight matches in a row during the season's final month.

Echebelem, an outside hitter, ranked third on the Nuggets with 187 kills, 181 digs and 35 blocks. She too was All-GCAC.

Crier, a middle blocker, missed the final nine matches because of illness but still ranked second on the team with a .275 hitting percentage — an improvement of more than 150 points from her freshman season — and 42 blocks. She had 93 kills. Because this is the fifth season of a program with a split existence — teams in 2003 and 2004, then a five-year suspension following Hurricane Katrina — Crier is the first to play three seasons.

Butler, an outside hitter and right-side hitter, recorded 90 kills and 90 blocks and was second on the Gold Nuggets with 34 aces. Xavier was 6-1 when Butler recorded five or more kills and 9-0 when she served two or more aces.

The other returning letterwoman is setter Alexandria Rencher, who had 199 assists, 47 digs and 17 assists in 19 matches, mostly in relief.

The 14-player roster will include eight freshmen: setters Jodi Chatters and Franziska Pirkl, liberos/defensive specialists Alexis Clay and Darian Harris, middle blockers Claudia Haywood and Jodi Hill, right-side hitter Patrice Smith and outside hitter CeCe Williams. Hamilton says her newcomers are capable of offsetting the loss of four seniors: setter Patrice Hightower (All-GCAC in 2011), hitter Iva Bobkova (All-GCAC in 2010) and defenders Celeste Poe and Joyy Joseph (a combined nearly 900 digs the past two seasons).

For the second straight season, there are no 6-footers on the roster. But that wasn't a major problem a year ago. Xavier found ways to win, particularly in extended matches. After losing their opener in five sets at Belhaven, the Gold Nuggets were 10-0 in matches which lasted longer than three sets. Xavier was 12-32 in such matches during its first three seasons.

"Last year we stressed fundamentals — serving, passing, conditioning, playing with passion and desire. That had a lot to do with our ability to hang around and win the longer matches," Hamilton said. "We'll be a little bit taller team this year, but we still won't be the tallest team around. But we will work as hard as any team and put ourselves in situations to be successful."

Xavier's 24-match regular-season schedule will open Aug. 24 with a pair of NAIA preseason top-25 opponents: 20th-ranked Lindsey Wilson and third-ranked Lee (Tenn.), both in the Lee Invitational. The following day the Gold Nuggets will play Union (Ky.), the defending Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season champion.

"Those first three matches will be great tests for our team and a great measuring stick," Hamilton said.

There will be nine home matches, with the first Sept. 4 against city rival Loyola. Volleyball will be the first XU team to compete in the 4,500-seat Convocation Academic Center, which neared completion in late August. But the first match in the new facility may not be until Sept. 18 (Mobile) or Oct. 5 (Edward Waters).

The GCAC schedule again will consist of 10 matches, but this year there will be no neutral-site contests. Second-year member Philander Smith will play host to the conference tournament Nov. 8-10 in Little Rock, Ark., with the winner receiving the league's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

Xavier will attempt to become the first HBCU (historically black college or university) to qualify for the NAIA National Championship in consecutive seasons. Xavier also aims for the first HBCU victory at the NAIA National Championship since Saint Augustine's in 1981. If the Gold Nuggets succeed in the latter — in a first-round match Nov. 17 at a campus site — they'll earn that much-desired trip to Iowa.

"I'm really excited about this season and working with a great group of young women," Hamilton said.

Also see:    Schedule      Roster      Quick Facts      Women's Volleyball Home Page

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU Women's basketball finalizes 2012-13 season schedule

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The 2012-13 Tennessee State University women's basketball schedule has been completed.

The Lady Tigers will play a tough 28-game schedule that features opponents from conferences across the country including, the Sun Belt, Big 12, Big Sky, Western Athletic Conference, Southern Conference, Conference USA, Horizon League and Big East.

Beginning this season, the Ohio Valley conference will be split into East and West Divisions. Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, and newest member Belmont will make up the East Division. Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Southeast Missouri, SIU Edwardsville and UT Martin will comprise the West Division.

The OVC schedule will be 16 games with two games (home and away) against each team in the Division along with one contest against each team in the opposing division.

Two of the season's highlights feature a home game against K-State and a road contest at Louisville.



On November 1, Tennessee State will host North Alabama in an exhibition game before officially kicking off the season against Cumberland at home on Nov.9.

The first road game of the season will see the Lady Tigers match up against South Alabama on Nov.12. Later in the month, TSU will welcome Kansas State into the Gentry Center for a game on Nov. 20.

After Thanksgiving, the Lady Tigers will participate in the UAB Tournament (Nov. 23-24) in Birmingham, Ala. before hosting nearby Fisk University on Nov. 26.

To close out November, TSU will travel to Montana to participate in the Montana Tournament (Nov. 30- Dec. 1). While in the area, the Lady Tigers will also take on Montana State (Dec. 3).

TSU returns home to face Cleveland State on Dec. 16 before making the short trip over to Lipscomb two days later.

The Ohio Valley Conference season will officially begin on Dec. 29 with a match-up at home against Eastern Illinois. In the final non-conference action of the season, TSU will head to Kentucky to face Louisville on Dec. 31.

Following a couple of road games at Jacksonville State (1/5) and Tennessee Tech (1/7), TSU will host Southeast Missouri on Jan. 14.

The rest of the month includes road contests at Belmont (1/19), Morehead State (1/26) and Eastern Kentucky (1/28) with a home game versus Jacksonville State (1/23).

On Feb. 4, TSU will host Tennessee Tech before a couple of road match-ups with Austin Peay (2/9) and Murray State (2/11).

Four of the last five regular season games will be in the Gentry Center as the Lady Tigers host Belmont (2/16) and UT Martin (2/28) before facing SIU Edwardsville on the road (2/2).

Home games versus Morehead State (2/28) and Eastern Kentucky (3/2) will wrap up the regular season while the OVC Tournament will begin March 6 and continue through March 9 at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

2012-13 TSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coach Temple's Induction Ceremony Airs Tonight

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University legend Coach Ed Temple's induction to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame will be featured this evening on the NBC Sports Network at 6pm CT.

In July, Coach Temple was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame in Chicago after an illustrious career. Fans in the Nashville area can watch the induction on Comcast channel 50/167 and AT&T U-verse 640/1640. Satellite customers can view the induction on DirectTV 603 and Dish 159.

A 1950 graduate of Tennessee State University, Coach Temple served as head women's track coach at Tennessee State University from 1953 to 1994 and became one of the greatest coaches in Olympic history. He helped establish the U.S. as a women's sprinting powerhouse and served as head coach of two U.S. Olympic teams (1960 and 1964), during which time his athletes brought home 23 Olympic medals (13 gold, six silver and four bronze).

His teams also won 34 national team titles and 30 Pan-American Games medals. As the women's coach, Coach Temple laid a foundation for growth in women's athletics, a boom that continues to this day.

Temple's 44-year coaching tenure at Tennessee State University saw him coach and mentor some of the greatest athletes in Olympic history, including Wyomia Tyus, Wilma Rudolph and Willie White. Rudolph was the first American woman of any race to win three track & field gold medals at a single Olympic Games, while Tyus was the first woman to successfully defend an Olympic 100-meter gold medal.



For Temple's athletes, a gold medal was only the start. The impact Temple had on his young female athletes stretched far beyond the track. Among the 40 Olympians he coached (35 of whom represented the U.S.), 28 of them have master's degrees and 14 of them have either an M.D. or Ph.D.

In addition to his 24 national titles, Temple has numerous other accolades, and is a member of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Helms Hall of Fame, Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, Harrisburg Central Area Chapter Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame, Black Athletes Hall of Fame and Communiplex National Sports Hall of Fame.

Along with Coach Temple, the list of inductees includes Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (Paralympic track & field), Gary Hall Jr. (swimming), Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O'Brien (track & field), Jenny Thompson (swimming), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team, James Connolly (veteran - track & field) and Ted Stevens (special contributor).

The Class of 2012 was determined by a voting process that includes Olympians, Paralympians, members of the Olympic Family and a public voting element. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate is one of the only national sports halls of fame that includes fan voting as part of its selection process. This year more than 100,000 votes were cast at TeamUSA.org.

The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 was introduced and honored on July 12 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago. The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Roberts and Alex Flanagan, airs in a nationally-televised broadcast on NBC Sports Network this evening at 6 p.m. Central Time.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU coach likes look of safeties with local ties

NORFOLK, Virginia - One safety was an all-conference player for Norfolk State last year. The other got a tryout with the Miami Dolphins.

Spartans head coach Pete Adrian thinks this year's starting safeties, Keenan Lambert (Maury) and Darrin Marrow (Cox), could be even better.

"We're probably stronger than we were a year ago from athletic ability," he said. "They're not as big, but they're good tacklers, have good hands and they're every bit as smart."

While the overall defense was spectacular last season, the defensive backs were simply solid, the weak link in a steel-strong unit.





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SCSU Bulldogs, Orangeburg community rally to gear up for football season

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - Cheers reverberated across Orangeburg’s Memorial Plaza Tuesday evening from the South Carolina State University Bulldog cheerleading squad as the football players looked to answer the call for success.

“Let’s go Bulldogs,” S.C. State Interim President Cynthia Warrick told the estimated 200 gathered at the fifth annual “Rally on the Square.”

“I know we are going to take the MEAC,” she said. “We are going to go beyond that. So let’s hear it for the Bulldogs. Let’s go, let’s win, let’s fight!”

A light drizzle did not dampen the crowd or attendance at the rally, which was sponsored by the Orangeburg Touchdown Club. The rally aims to bring attention to season ticket sales and provide encouragement to the Bulldog players as they prepare for the Aug. 30 opener against Georgia State in Atlanta.

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WSSU Rams hearing early wake-up call

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - It didn't take long for Kyle Brown, a freshman wide receiver at Winston-Salem State, to realize he's not in high school anymore.

"I got up around 4 a.m., and that came pretty early," Brown said Tuesday, just after WSSU finished its first 5 a.m. practice of the season.

The session was spirited and lively, and by the end of the 2½-hour practice, some players were actually smiling.



"This is how we roll here at SU," senior center Markus Lawrence said. "This is where we start building for another championship season."

Coach Connell Maynor didn't invent anything new last season when he decided to start practice at 5 a.m. He made the move to avoid having players miss afternoon practices because they had classes. With classes starting this week, the Rams will go ...

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Grizzle makes switch to DII Shaw University Bears

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - Marquise Grizzle turned a tough situation into a big plus, much like when defenders close in on him on the football field.

The 2011 Daily Advance Player of the Year from Currituck was unable to qualify for Division I Murray State football, and has instead enrolled at NCAA Division II Shaw. The last-minute change of plans will allow him to still play as a freshman and not redshirt his first season.

Grizzle, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards and scored 54 touchdowns for the Knights in 2011, said he is staying positive and is excited about being at Shaw, which competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association alongside Elizabeth City State.



“It’s closer, and I’m a starter,” Grizzle said. “We have a couple of seniors here, but I’m still going to get a lot of playing time.”

By mid-July, it seemed certain that Grizzle had done enough to ...

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VUU Panthers come together for media day

RICHMOND, Virginia - Eleven days before the sounds of fall resonate through Hovey Field, the 105-year-old facility was quiet Tuesday morning as the Virginia Union football team held its annual media day.

Team and individual photos were taken, and an important question was answered. Virginia Union coach Michael Bailey tabbed Kenneth Graham, a redshirt freshman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as the starting quarterback. Graham will replace Cheston Hickman, who in four years with the program passed for 3,091 yards and 23 touchdowns.



"He had a great spring," Bailey said of Graham. "I've seen that he has picked up the scheme and he's quite comfortable, and that's what I look for in a quarterback.  "He has to be comfortable as far as command of the huddle, execution of the scheme, taking a leadership role and being a coach on the field."

With running back Jerell Washington as the ...

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CIAA Football: Livingstone preview

SALISBURY — A year ago, head coach Elvin James and the Livingstone football team waxed poetic about how change was in the air.

It turns out they were right. James begins his third season on Monroe Street armed with a revamped roster, an improved coaching staff and — for the first time in a long time — a chance to be successful.

“New blood,” James noted following a recent practice, “is making all the difference. The players who are here were meant to be here. The growth of the program had to run its course and this is where it’s brought us.”

Now it’s up to James and his staff to turn sleeping dogs into pit bulls. He’s found himself a ringer in offensive coordinator Darryl Williams, a former Texas Southern assistant with a winning pedigree. “We’ve got a new playbook,” James said. “And a lot of new players.”

James estimates his roster has endured a 70-percent turnover over the past two seasons, much of it addition by subtraction.

“Change is very much needed,” said All-American junior Tyheim Pitt. “And change is happening. But it’s like saying ...

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Morehouse College and Howard University bring on the music at the 2nd annual Classic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – While football practice began last week for the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers and Howard University Bison, so did the rigorous training of Band Camp, a time-honored tradition on the campuses of these two Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

On Saturday, September 1, when both football teams open their seasons in the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, the competition also begins for the Morehouse College “House of Funk,” and Howard University “Showtime” marching bands.

“I have been thinking about what our halftime show was going look like since last year’s [AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™] game,” said Blake Gaines, Director of Bands at Morehouse College. “I can guarantee that this year’s performance will be tear-jerking, dramatic and exciting.”

“We are always looking for new ways to take our performances to the next level,” said John Newson, Director of Bands at Howard University, who has been a band director for 44 years and Howard’s band director for 26 years. “I just want my band to put on the best show possible.”



Both bands have received national recognition for their talents.

Morehouse’s “House of Funk” was featured in the movie “Stomp the Yard”, and has performed at prestigious events such as the Super Bowl XXXIV pre-game, the Today Show and the Annual Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans.

Howard’s “Showtime” has performed during numerous NFL games including the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets and marched in the 56th Inaugural Parade of President Barack Obama.

Since the experimental marching band style was introduced in 1946 by Dr. William Foster, then band director at Florida A&M University (FAMU), the old militant corps of marching has been replaced with modern day high energy dances, style and entertainment. This new style gained rapid popularity during the late ‘50s, especially with HBCUs in the South.



Attention to this growing tradition was highlighted when Grambling State University performed during halftime of the first NFL Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 1967. The halftime show has since become one of the most beloved traditions at an HBCU football game, earning the nickname “5th Quarter.”

Being a band member takes commitment. Morehouse and Howard’s band camps consist of a minimum of five days of intense practice from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., which includes sectional rehearsals, full band practice and marching on the field. Band members are expected to maintain university grade standards to participate. Those who receive band scholarships can achieve no less than a 3.0 grade point average. The rehearsals and travel commitments continue throughout the academic year.

“There is a dedication on the part of each band member to participate in all aspects of Band Camp,” said Newson. “If you don’t know the fundamentals, the rest won’t matter.”

Despite the theatrics of their performances, both band directors emphasize the importance of music. “My students are expected to read up to 20 sheets of music just on the first day of Band Camp,” said Gaines. “The way the band sounds is what will draw the audience in to watch the whole performance.”



Being a member of the band can be a lifelong commitment. Band Director Gaines and Associate Band Director of Howard Kelvin Washington marched and played together during their undergraduate careers at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and several Morehouse and Howard marching band alumni children carry on the tradition when they enter college.

“There will be competition on the field but we, of course, will be friends after,” said Washington. “We look forward to performing and leaving it all on the field.”

“[House of Funk] is definitely not coming up [to Washington, D.C.] to shake hands,” said Director Gaines. “Just as much as the football teams are preparing to play their game, we are there to play ours. This is a put up or shut up situation.”

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

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



Contacts: Teri Washington, Events DC: (202) 494-5737
Courtney Eiland, Events DC: (202) 608-1140
Lisa Milner/ Bryant Mortimer, Swanson Communications: (202) 783-5500

Alabama A&M led by Mason, Lacey and offense

NORMAL, Alabama - Alabama A&M is hoping Deaunte Mason, Kaderius Lacey and an offense with every starter back can lead the Bulldogs back into the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

The Bulldogs, who have been known more for defense in recent years, have perhaps the league's top backfield returning. Mason is the preseason All-SWAC quarterback and Lacey earned the honors at running back.

Mason threw for 1,996 yards and rushed for 512 last season, finishing third in the SWAC in total offense.

"He's the veteran quarterback that's been through all the battles," Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones said. "Now, he has to live up to that expectation to be the best in the conference."

Lacey finished with a school-record 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Alabama A&M lost to ...

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SWAC Releases 2012 Football Broadcast Schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its football broadcast schedule, including a 10-game slate on SWAC TV, the league’s internet broadcast site.

The schedule has eight games across ESPN networks, plus national and regional television dates with NBC, Versus, and SportSouth. Games shown on ESPNU will be tape-delayed and streamed live on ESPN3.

In all, 21 SWAC games are scheduled to be televised during the 2012 football season.

Sat., Sept. 1
Grambling State vs. Alcorn State - Shreveport, LA, 6:00 p.m. SWACTV
Jackson State at Mississippi State - Starkville, MS, 6:00 p.m. FoxSportsSouth

Sun. Sept 2
Bethune-Cookman vs. Alabama State - Orlando, FL, 11:00 a.m. ESPN-Live

Sat. Sept. 8
Jackson State vs. Tennessee State - Memphis, TN, 6:00 p.m. FoxSportsSouth
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Alabama A&M - Pine Bluff, AR 6:00 p.m. SWAC-TV

Thu. Sept. 13
Southern vs. Mississippi Valley State - Baton Rouge, LA, 6:30 p.m. ESPNU-Tape Delay

Sat. Sept. 15
Grambling State vs. Alabama State - Grambling, LA, 4:00 p.m. SWACTV

Thu. Sept. 20
Alabama State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Montgomery, AL 6:30 p.m. ESPNU

Sat. Sept. 22
Texas Southern vs. Alabama A&M - Houston, TX 11:00 a.m. SWACTV

Sat. Sept. 29
Jackson State vs. Prairie View - Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. SWACTV
Alabama A&M vs. Grambling State - Huntsville, AL 6:00 p.m. ESPNU

Sat. Oct. 6
Prairie View vs. Grambling - Dallas, TX 6:00 p.m. ESPNU
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Jackson State - Pine Bluff, AR 6:00 p.m. SWACTV

Sat. Oct. 13
Southern vs. Texas Southern - Baton Rouge, LA 5:30 p.m. SWACTV

Sat. Oct. 20
Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley State - Jackson, MS 3:00 p.m. SWACTV

Sat. Oct. 27
Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State - Birmingham, AL 2:30 p.m. ESPNU
Texas Southern vs. Grambling State - Houston, TX 4:00 p.m. SWACTV

Sat. Nov. 3
Alabama A&M vs. Southern - Huntsville, AL 1:00 p.m. SWACTV

Thu. Nov. 22
Alabama State vs. Tuskegee - Montgomery, AL 3:00 p.m. ESPNU

Sat, Nov 24
Southern vs. Grambling State - New Orleans, LA 1:30 p.m. NBC Sports

Sat, Dec 8
SWAC Championship Game - Birmingham, AL 1:00 p.m. ESPNU

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

1,000 show up for scrimmage, Fan Day at Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -  Two Savannah State players who never saw the field last season made the biggest plays in the Tigers’ scrimmage Saturday night at T.A. Wright Stadium.

Wideout Angelo Cauley scored the team’s first touchdown of the 2012 preseason. Some of SSU’s defensive success can be attributed to the play of freshman lineman Andrew Gardner.

“We keep harping on it,” Tigers coach Steve Davenport said. “We’re really, really young. But we think the young guys we have are going to be really good.”

Playing with the second-string, Cauley completed an eight-play, 84-yard drive by catching a short out-pattern pass from quarterback Victorian Hardison and juking defenders before getting into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown.

“It gives me a lot of confidence going into the season,” said Cauley, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore from Lakeside High School in Atlanta.

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It's a thinking man's game with Jackson State MLB Wilcher

JACKSON, Mississippi - As Jackson State's starting middle linebacker, senior Todd Wilcher has proven to be a big hitter. In fact, it's something the 6-foot-1, 230-pound redshirt junior from Atlanta prides himself in.

But that's not the aspect of the game that brings him the biggest sense of satisfaction.



No, for Wilcher, who last year led the Tigers with 76 tackles, it's his role as the brain trust of the JSU defense that most allows him to puff out his chest.

JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes likes to joke that in his defense, "We only allow two people to think, that's the middle linebacker and the free safety.

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Jenkins, Riley hoping to lead ASU to SWAC title

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - The Alabama State Hornets didn't upgrade their ambitions after bringing former Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell into the fold.

They might feel even better about their chances of winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference, though. Crowell joined an already experienced team led by quarterback Greg Jenkins and safety Kejuan Riley in early July, a few days after getting kicked off the Georgia team following his arrest on felony weapons charges.

"Obviously the young man has been blessed with some athletic ability," Hornets coach Reggie Barlow said. "He's an explosive running back. He has size and power.

"Our goals and our focus, our thought process, is ...

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Former MEAC star C.J. Reed joins Georgia Southern Men’s Basketball

STATESBORO, Georgia. – Former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year C.J. Reed signed a scholarship agreement to attend Georgia Southern University and play basketball for the Eagles. Reed, a 6-3, 200-lb. point guard, sat out the 2011-12 season at UCF as per NCAA rules after transferring from Bethune-Cookman in June of 2011. The rising senior was permitted to transfer and can participate immediately following an NCAA ruling last month.

“C.J. Reed is just a great all-around player and he’s a coach’s son, so he plays the game the right way,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Charlton “C.Y.” Young. “I first saw him play as a ninth-grader and I’ve been a fan of his work ethic and the way he respects the game since.  I’m honored he chose our program as the place for him to finish his career.”

The HBCU National Player of the Year for 2010-11, Reed averaged 18.8 points per game as a junior during 2010-11, scoring 20 points or more on 16 occasions. He finished his three-year career at Bethune-Cookman as the Tigers’ all-time assists leader and sixth on the all-time scoring list with 1,654 points.

Reed earned All-MEAC recognition each of his three years as a Wildcat.  He garnered Rookie of the Year and second-team honors after ...

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