MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State’s record-setting defensive back, Wetumpka High graduate Kejuan Riley has been invited and plans to play in the 88th East-West Shrine Game Jan. 19 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Riley finished the 2012 season with four interceptions giving him 21 total for his career and making the school’s most prolific defensive back. He also set a school record with 348 interception return yards. This season he had 110 with a long return of 58.
“The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players amongst college football’s best,” said Harold Richardson, executive director of the East-West Shrine Game. “With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coach and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL.”
Riley finished the 2012 season, in which the Hornets finished tied for first in the SWAC East, with 55 total tackles and 163 all purpose yards. He also had 12 passes defensed and one caused fumble.
The East-West Shrine Game is scheduled for...
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Saturday, January 12, 2013
Alabama A&M's Jamaal Johnson-Webb receives invitation to NFL Scouting Combine
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M has one former player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a current alum who has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times.
However, until now, it has never had a player invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, the showcase for potential draft picks.
Jamaal Johnson-Webb, the Bulldogs' 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle, will be going to the Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 20-26.
"Four years of hard work and I got better every year," Johnson-Webb said Thursday afternoon at Louis Crews Stadium. "And now the opportunity is in front of me. It was great news I got when I was invited to the combine. I'm going to go from here and keep working hard and take advantage of my opportunities."
Johnson-Webb, an Atlanta native, will also have his chance to audition for NFL scouts at the Raycom All-Star Game at Montgomery's Crampton Bowl on Jan. 19.
"That's very important, too," he said. "The scouts will be there to evaluate you in a playing environment with pads on against the other best players in college football. That's a huge step also."
Johnson-Webb will continue to attend classes at Alabama A&M and is only five hours from graduation after this semester.
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However, until now, it has never had a player invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, the showcase for potential draft picks.
Jamaal Johnson-Webb, the Bulldogs' 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle, will be going to the Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 20-26.
"Four years of hard work and I got better every year," Johnson-Webb said Thursday afternoon at Louis Crews Stadium. "And now the opportunity is in front of me. It was great news I got when I was invited to the combine. I'm going to go from here and keep working hard and take advantage of my opportunities."
Johnson-Webb, an Atlanta native, will also have his chance to audition for NFL scouts at the Raycom All-Star Game at Montgomery's Crampton Bowl on Jan. 19.
"That's very important, too," he said. "The scouts will be there to evaluate you in a playing environment with pads on against the other best players in college football. That's a huge step also."
Johnson-Webb will continue to attend classes at Alabama A&M and is only five hours from graduation after this semester.
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Eugene named to NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl
NORMAL, Alabama – Known to his fellow teammates as a leader Joaquenssi Eugene has been named to the 2013 National Football League Players Association Collegiate Bowl.
“I feel great with this opportunity to play against premier competition,” said Eugene. “Playing against a different level of competition will give me an opportunity to showcase my skills.”
Eugene has anchored an offensive line that saw the all-time leading rusher in Division I history and help lead the team to two Eastern division crowns in four years in the Maroon and White.
“Congratulations to Joaquenssi on being selected for individual post season play,” said head football coach Anthony Jones. “It’s a blessing and an honor for him to be selected to participate in an event where he can showcase his talents for the next level.”
NFL prospects will be placed into two NFLPA Collegiate Bowl teams. ESPN analyst and former NFL player/coach Herm Edwards will coach the American Team, while Super Bowl-winning coach Dick Vermeil will coach the National Team.
For one week preceding the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, participating draft-eligible seniors will receive an in-depth introduction to the union – the primary resource for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in post-football careers.
Pro-football players and coaching legends will work with the game’s future stars, giving them first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field. Player Ambassadors for the game include former NFL standouts Terrell Davis, Lorenzo Neal and Andre Reed.
The game will be played on Saturday, January 19th at the home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.
The annual contest will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 and WatchESPN at 5 p.m. CT.
COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
“I feel great with this opportunity to play against premier competition,” said Eugene. “Playing against a different level of competition will give me an opportunity to showcase my skills.”
Eugene has anchored an offensive line that saw the all-time leading rusher in Division I history and help lead the team to two Eastern division crowns in four years in the Maroon and White.
“Congratulations to Joaquenssi on being selected for individual post season play,” said head football coach Anthony Jones. “It’s a blessing and an honor for him to be selected to participate in an event where he can showcase his talents for the next level.”
NFL prospects will be placed into two NFLPA Collegiate Bowl teams. ESPN analyst and former NFL player/coach Herm Edwards will coach the American Team, while Super Bowl-winning coach Dick Vermeil will coach the National Team.
For one week preceding the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, participating draft-eligible seniors will receive an in-depth introduction to the union – the primary resource for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in post-football careers.
Pro-football players and coaching legends will work with the game’s future stars, giving them first-hand insight on what it takes to win on and off of the field. Player Ambassadors for the game include former NFL standouts Terrell Davis, Lorenzo Neal and Andre Reed.
The game will be played on Saturday, January 19th at the home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.
The annual contest will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 and WatchESPN at 5 p.m. CT.
COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Maynor, 9 WSSU players named all-region
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Connell Maynor, who guided Winston-Salem State to a school-best 14-1 record, was named the All Super Region One coach of the year Friday by the Don Hansen Football Gazette.
Maynor, who is 35-4 in three seasons, led the Rams to their second straight CIAA title and their first appearance in the Division II national championship game.
The Don Hansen teams carry on the legacy of Dan Hansen, a small-college football advocate who died in August 2010, at 75.
Hansen published his national weekly football gazette for three decades, selecting NCAA Division II All-America teams for the first time in 1988. Don Hansen’s Football Gazette began selecting Division II All-Region teams in 2003.
The Rams had nine players make the first, second and third teams in Super Region One.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Earl Holmes Named FAMU Head Football Coach
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -The Florida A&M University Department of Athletics announced today that Earl
Holmes has been selected as the new head football coach. Holmes, a FAMU graduate
and All-American in his playing days with the Rattlers, has served as defensive
coordinator the last two years and acting head coach for the final two games of
the 2012 season, guiding the program's day-to-day operations thereafter.
Holmes' proposed multi-year contract, which offers him an annual salary of $200,000 over the next four years, must be approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees.
FAMU director of athletics, Derek Horne, is very pleased that the process was done in an expeditious manner, resulting in a thorough vetting of the candidates by a cross-section of constituents.
"We are excited about the new era of FAMU football under the leadership of Earl. He has done an awesome job of transitioning immediately to acting coach and maintaining the program through this crucial recruiting period," Horne said. "We look forward to his dedicated efforts in this next level of leadership."
FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson said, "I believe we have selected the right coach to lead Rattler football. I am impressed with his plan to develop the whole person, not just the student's athletic ability. Coach Holmes is a solid choice when you consider his vision for the program, 10-year- career in the NFL as a linebacker and experience gained at FAMU as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. I look forward to the launch and achievements of the Earl Holmes era. I look forward to presenting this appointment to the Board of Trustees for consideration."
Holmes is overwhelmed with the reality of leading the Rattlers. " I am truly humbled," said Holmes. "First, I would like to thank God, because he continues to prove that he is able to make dreams come true. I want to thank Coach Joe Taylor for his mentorship and having the confidence in me to bring me back to FAMU as a part of the coaching staff. I also want to thank everyone from President Robinson, athletic director Horne, the entire athletic staff, the search committee and everyone who has offered encouragement to me in the pursuit of me being in this position today. There is no one you could have selected that will work harder to return FAMU football to the prominence it deserves than I am dedicated to doing."
Holmes, affectionately known as "The Hitman" in his playing days at FAMU, played from 1992-1995, leaving with several school records including most career tackles. He captured NCAA DI-AA and Sheridan Broadcasting All-American honors in 1994 and 1995. He was named Sheridan Broadcasting Network and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1995.
A three-time first team All-MEAC selection, Holmes was a devastating tackler while at FAMU, completing his career with 509 total tackles, 309 solo take downs and 200 assisted tackles - all Rattler career records. His 1995 senior season totals shattered all existing school marks for season solo tackles (103) and total tackles (171), highlighted by a spectacular one-man demolition derby performance against Southern University in Atlanta on November 4, when he totaled 30 tackles against the Jaguars.
Following his collegiate career, Holmes was drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 National Football League drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 10 seasons in the NFL as linebacker, six with Pittsburgh (1996- 2001), one season with the Cleveland Browns (2002) and three with the Detroit Lions (2003-2005) before retiring.
Holmes is married to the former Tiffany Bell and they have one child, Earl Jr.
"I would like to thank the head football coach selection committee that worked through the holidays to maintain the strict timeline I charged them with," said Horne. "We appreciate each one of them and commend committee chairman, Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku, and the entire committee for their service this effort."
"With our football program in place, it's now time for our Rattler fans to put 100-percent support behind Coach Holmes, the athletic department and the university to bring the environment back to the great days past and even better days ahead," Horne concluded.
Courtesy TDO.com
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Earl Holmes Photo Gallery |
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
UPDATE: Earl Holmes to be introduced as FAMU's head coach
Florida A&M is expected to introduce Earl Holmes as its next head football coach at a 6 p.m. press conference today at the Lawson Center.
Holmes emerged from a field of 23 other applicants to land his first job as a college head coach at his alma mater. He spent the last two weeks of this past season as acting head coach and has been running the day-to-day operations since.
Holmes, 39, was a finalist along with John Hendrick and John Eason.
Multiple sources had told the Democrat that Holmes and Hendrick were the two frontrunners before Holmes won the job. Holmes spent the past five seasons as defensive coordinator under former coach Joe Taylor, who retired with two games left in the 2012 season.
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Jackson State appears to be perfect fit for LB Stanback
JACKSON, Mississippi -- When Hector Stanback verbally comitted to Jackson State last October, it wasn’t based solely on the fact that the Tigers had just come off a SWAC Championship game appearance.
As is usually the case, there were many factors for the linebacker from Martin Luther King High in Lithonia, Ga.
Along with feeling comfortable with the coaching staff, Stanback pointed to the school’s criminal justice program as a major selling point. Stanback, who laughed as he recalled playing “cops and robbers” as a kid, has hopes of one day following in the footsteps of an uncle and becoming an FBI agent.
He thinks JSU could help make that dream a reality.
“A lot of alums that came from Jackson State are FBI agents,” Stanback said. “I just think I could make a difference.”
JSU thinks Stanback can be a difference maker on the field as well. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Stanback is listed as a two-star athlete by Rivals.com.
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Tennessee State routs UT-Martin 80-48
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State men's basketball team improved to 6-0 at home this season
with an 80-48 win over UT Martin on Thursday night.
TSU
(10-7, 4-0 OVC) was paced by Kellen Thornton who had a team-high 13 points and
added seven rebounds.
Patrick Miller also had a strong game, scoring 12
points, dishing out three assists and securing four boards.
The
Tigers also shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from downtown and 87 percent (20-of-23)
from the line.
TSU
fell behind, 7-12, in the game's first six minutes as UT Martin (4-13, 1-4 OVC)
made six of the squad's first eight shots (75 percent). The Tigers also
committed four turnovers during the stretch which further limited their
offensive opportunities.
After the Skyhawks strong opening surge, TSU
fought back with a 17-2 run that included a three-pointer by Jay Harris. The run made the score 24-14 in favor
of the home team with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
The
Tigers continued to roll and eventually stretched their lead to 22 when Jordan Gaither sunk a pair of free throws. The
buckets allowed TSU to take a 46-24 lead going into the break.
Tennessee State made 14-of-26 during the opening
stanza for a 53.8 shooting percentage, and held the Skyhawks to a 32.4 line
(11-for-34). TSU also made 13 out of 15 free throws in the first half, and UT
Martin only got to the line once.
UT
Martin started the second half on a 10-4 run before TSU head coach Travis Williams called a timeout to stop the flow
of Skyhawk points.
Williams's pep-talk worked as Gaither sunk
a layup immediately following the stoppage and Cyphers drained a three on TSU's
next possession. The flurry was part of a 10-2 run that culminated in a Miller
jumper from outside the arc.
The
Tigers maintained their 20-plus points lead for the remainder of the contest
thanks to a suffocating defensive effort that forced 16 turnovers and only
allowed an 8.3 three-point percentage (1-of-12).
TSU
was able to rest some of its starters for the last eight minutes of the game,
and the squad actually raised the lead to 32 before the final horn sounded and
the Tigers walked away with an 80-48 victory.
Eleven Tigers scored in the contest and TSU's
bench outscored UT Martin's 36-8.
TSU
will defend its spotless OVC record on Saturday when the team takes on Southeast
Missouri at 7 p.m.
Final Box
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Final BoxSouthern to host Meet Coach Odums on Feb. 18
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| COURTESY SOUTHERN U. ATHLETICS |
Odums and his wife, Audrey, and their daughter, Jasmine, 9 and son, Jaiden, 1, will be introduced to the Jaguar Nation. Members of Odums newly minted coaching staff will be present as well.
Southern will also offer the 2013 football schedule posters autographed by Odums to the first 200 fans to arrive for the Jaguars home game at the FG Clark Activity Center.
Tipoff for the Alabama A&M game is slated for 2 p.m. and will be televised live on Cox Sports Television (Ch. 37, HD Ch. 1037).
COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Howard U. Basketball LIVE on WHBC Global Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard Sports Network will again broadcast live women's and men's Saturday home basketball games from Burr Gymnasium on www.whbc963hd3.com beginning this Saturday, January 12, 2013 with a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m. versus MEAC rival Hampton University. Join the Howard Sports Network broadcast team of Nakia McFarlane, Wesley Rimpson and Jasmine Bailey as they call the action for the Lady Bison. The men's broadcast team will be led by veteran commentators Charles Walton and Otha Navels and newcomer Glynn Hill.
In studio reporters and field reporters include Shayna Calandro, Israel Alao, Sarafina Hamer, Kyleah Starling and Krystyna Braxton.
The weekly "Coach's Segment" will be hosted by Jourhan Henry and Khari Arnold on Mondays and Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Guests will include Coach Niki Reid Geckeler and Coach Kevin Nickelberry.
Ricky Clemons will serve as executive producer and Courtney Zellars, general manager WHBC as producer of each broadcast in conjunction with the Howard Sports Network, WHBC and the Howard University Athletic Department.
The Howard Sports Network will broadcast the games listed below live on www.whbc963hd3.com:
January 12, 2013 vs Hampton – 2:00p women/4:00p men
February 2 vs Savannah State - 2:00p women /4:00p men
February 9 vs UMES – 2:00p women/4:00p men
February 23 vs Coppin State – 2:00p women/4:00p men
March 2, vs Delaware State – 2:00p women/4:00p men
The women's and men's Monday night games including Norfolk State (Jan. 14); South Carolina State (Feb. 4) and Morgan State (Feb. 11) will be covered by the Howard Sports Network via live updates and podcasts posted on the station's website www.hbc963hd3.com.
For coverage updates and more information on the Howard Sports Network visit: www.howardsportsnetwork.com.
By Edward Hill, Jr., Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON.COM
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Stillman men, women edge Albany State
ALBANY, Georgia -- Led by Damian Ford, the Stillman College men's basketball team downed Albany State 81-79 in overtime in Thursday's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.Ford had 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Tigers improve to 6-6 overall, 2-2 in the SIAC.
Jeffrey Wherry had 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. Torrean Walker had 11 points and blocked four shots. Ladarius Rhone had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Markeith Madison had 10 points and nine rebounds.
Albany State's Jaren Harris had 21 points and seven assists.
In overtime, Stillman built a six-point lead when Wherry made a foul shot with 27 seconds.
Albany State forced overtime by scoring four points in the final 90 seconds of the second half to tie the score at 68.
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Winston-Salem State rolled to a 72-58 victory against Virginia State
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- No. 17 Winston-Salem State rolled to its 10th straight victory Thursday night with a 72-58 victory against Virginia State at the Gaines Center.Behind 17 points from Justin Glover and 15 from Wakefield Ellison, the Rams took control early in the second half.
The Rams were clinging to a four-point lead at halftime, but the Trojans (6-7, 1-3 CIAA) scored on their first three possessions of the second half to take their first lead of the game.
As he did in the first half, Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State turned to his bench and needed a spark. He got one in the form of Maurice Nash, a junior-college transfer making his Gaines Center debut.
Nash helped lead the Rams during a crucial stretch, and after that it was clear sailing.
“I was a little nervous, but I was OK,” said Nash, who sat out the first semester to get his grades in order after coming from Davidson County Community College, where he was a scoring machine the last two seasons. “They were a real scrappy team, and sometimes it’s not going to be the starting five so the guys coming off the bench just tried to be effective.”
VIDEO:
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Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls cruise past Chowan Hawks
RICHMOND, Virginia -- J.C. Smith was more than up to the task of playing two games and a 300-mile bus ride over a 24-hour stretch.The Golden Bulls made the most of their return home after traveling six hours from Richmond, Va., with an 88-69 win against CIAA foe Chowan Thursday at Brayboy Gym. J.C. Smith, which beat Virginia Union on Wednesday, trailed 3-0 after Chowan’s opening possession but immediately went to work on its second straight win.
“That’s a part of that maturity development,” Golden Bulls coach Steve Joyner said. “How to play teams with strong reputations, teams with not so strong reputations and how to mature regardless of the circumstances or situation.”
J.C. Smith (9-5, 2-2 CIAA) showed plenty of maturity, connecting on 54 percent of its shots and outscoring Chowan 52-32 in the paint. Four Golden Bulls reached double-digits, led by point guard Trevin Parks’ 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and forward Emilio Parks’ 19 on 6-of-9 accuracy. Forwards Robert Williams and Terrance Washington combined for 18 and 15 points respectively on 14-of-17 shooting as J.C. Smith balanced its inside scoring with perimeter punch when needed.
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Thursday, January 10, 2013
Alabama A&M gears up to host Alabama State in 'rivalry game' on Saturday
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The scene has changed. But little else is different in the Alabama A&M-Alabama State basketball rivalry since the days when Willie Hayes was playing for the Bulldogs."It's THE game. Your rival," said Hayes, now in his second year as A&M's head coach. "It's the Alabama-Auburn game to us."
And, like the Alabama-Auburn football game, it was once waged annually at a neutral site in Birmingham. Time moves on. Circumstances are different.
Both Alabama A&M (6-9, 2-2) and Alabama State (5-11, 3-1) are Division I programs now, both in the SWAC. They play twice a year, sometimes three times depending upon postseason.
Edition One of this season's rivalry renewal comes Saturday at A&M's Elmore Gym. Scheduled tip is 6 p.m. The women's game will be at 3 p.m. Tickets still remain but are expected to be scarce at the door. Alabama A&M is asking fans to wear white, to create a "White-Out" atmosphere.
"We want to pack the house," Hayes said.
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NSU Announces Cancellation of VSU Football Series, Addition of Maine Black Bears
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State University Athletics Director Marty L. Miller announced Wednesday that the Spartans' remaining two-game football series with Virginia State has been cancelled and replaced with a home-and-home series with the University of Maine.Virginia State recently made NSU aware of an NCAA Division II bylaw which will prohibit the Trojans from playing the Spartans in the teams' customary Labor Day Classic game. The bylaw sets the first date of competition for Division II football teams as the Thursday preceding Sept. 6. NSU and VSU were to play on Aug. 31, 2013 and Aug. 30, 2014.
“It is unfortunate that we will not be able to continue playing Virginia State University in the Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic in 2013 and 2014. As a result of the notification from Virginia State concerning the NCAA bylaw, we had to find another opponent to play to complete the 2013 and 2014 football schedules,” Miller said. “Due to the timing of the cancellation, it was extremely difficult to find another opponent to play during the Labor Day weekend, but the officials at the University of Maine worked with us to complete a home-and-home series. It is my desire that a date becomes available in the near future for us to continue the series with Virginia State.”
NSU and VSU have met every year since 1963, including 21 of the last 22 seasons on the Saturday prior to Labor Day.
The Spartans will welcome the Black Bears of Maine to Dick Price Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, to kick off the 2013 season. NSU will make a return trip to Orono, Maine, on Aug. 30, 2014. The teams have never met before on the gridiron. Maine went 5-6 overall, 4-4 in the CAA last season.
“We're very grateful to the University of Maine for working with us to complete this series,” Miller said. “We are fortunate to have another quality CAA team on our schedule, and we hope that our fans will support what should be an exciting contest to begin the 2013 season.”
Miller added that the entire 2013 schedule will be released in the coming days.
By Matt Michalec, SID
NSUSPARTANS.COM
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
Florida A&M Ratttlers could have football coach this week
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- With the last interview of three finalists completed Wednesday, FAMU administrators would like to wrap up the hiring of their next jead football coach by the end of this week.
Interim president Larry Robinson said Wednesday night that contract negotiations might be the only sticking point in the process.
John Hendrick was the last of the three candidates to interview Wednesday. John Eason interviewed on Tuesday, and Earl Holmes interviewed last Friday. Holmes, an assistant under former coach Joe Taylor, has been running the program since Taylor retired in November.
“I’m trying to get it done this week; that’s the part of picking the person and then negotiating the deal,” Robinson told the Democrat. “We are going to do everything in the next few days to get all that done.”
A search committee recommended the three finalists to Athletic Director Derek Horne and Robinson two weeks ago.
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Interim president Larry Robinson said Wednesday night that contract negotiations might be the only sticking point in the process.
John Hendrick was the last of the three candidates to interview Wednesday. John Eason interviewed on Tuesday, and Earl Holmes interviewed last Friday. Holmes, an assistant under former coach Joe Taylor, has been running the program since Taylor retired in November.
“I’m trying to get it done this week; that’s the part of picking the person and then negotiating the deal,” Robinson told the Democrat. “We are going to do everything in the next few days to get all that done.”
A search committee recommended the three finalists to Athletic Director Derek Horne and Robinson two weeks ago.
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New venue, more heavyweights on 2013 Xavier schedules
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| COACH ALAN GREEN |
Alan Green, in his 10th season as coach of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets, announced Wedesday the spring portion of the schedules.
Both XU teams will open their dual-match seasons at 2 p.m. on Jan. 25 against city rival Loyola at the XU Tennis Center, a $2.5 million facility which was dedicated Oct. 26. Both teams will play seven duals at the facility. It will be the first time since the 1959-60 academic year that Xavier regularly plays host to outdoor intercollegiate competition on its campus.
The other teams to visit XU will be the men of William Carey (Feb. 8) and Jackson State (April 13), the women of McNeese State (Feb. 23) and Southern (March 1) and the men and women of Belhaven (Feb. 28), Shorter (March 4), Alcorn State (March 15) and Auburn Montgomery (April 6).
Approximate address of the XU Tennis Center is 3619 Pine St., zip code 70125.
McNeese and Southern are NCAA D-I opponents. Others from that level to play Xavier will be the men of Tulane (Jan. 26), the men and women of Nicholls State (Feb. 2), Prairie View A&M (Feb. 15), Louisiana-Lafayette (Feb. 19) and New Orleans (March 20) and the women of Southeastern Louisiana (March 3).
William Carey's and Belhaven's men and Shorter's women were NAIA National Championship qualifiers in 2012. Others from that group playing Xavier will be the men of Bethany (Kan.) (Feb. 16) and Lindsey Wilson (March 13) and the men and women of Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (March 27) and Auburn Montgomery (April 6). The Gold Nuggets and Rush will travel to William Carey on April 5.
Green expects to play additional high-level NAIA opponents in the AUM Invitational at Montgomery, Ala., from March 8-10. Pairings have not been announced for that event.
The XU women will face the top two finishers — Auburn Montgomery and Embry-Riddle (Fla.) — from last year's NAIA tournament. When AUM's women visit, it will be the first time since Nov. 22, 1980, that a defending NAIA champion plays Xavier on the XU campus. Cameron was the opponent that day, and the Gold Rush won 63-59 in basketball at The Barn.
"Once again I have tried to put together the toughest schedules possible for my teams," Green said. "I think these schedules will help us prepare for nationals. If we play well and stay healthy, the schedules will pay off for us in the long run."
The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference will not crown tennis champions for the third consecutive year — only Xavier, Tougaloo and Fisk sponsor the sport — but both XU teams will compete in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in the Atlanta area April 19-20 for automatic bids to the NAIA National Championships.
Xavier's men will attempt earn a fifth consecutive berth at the NAIA nationals, and the women will attempt to qualify for the second consecutive year and the seventh time in nine seasons. The Gold Rush in 2012 became the first XU team in 39 years to reach the national quarterfinals in any sport.
The first NAIA team rankings of the season will be announced Jan. 29.
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| The October opening of the XU Tennis Center makes it the first time since the 1959-60 academic year that Xavier can regularly play host to outdoor intercollegiate competition on campus. The first home duals will be Jan. 25. |
| 2013 Xavier Women's Tennis
Schedule click here for schedule with site details January 25 Friday: LOYOLA, 2 p.m. February 2 Saturday: at Nicholls State, 4 p.m. (1) 15 Friday: at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m. 16 Saturday: Bethany (Kan.), 1 p.m. (2) 17 Sunday: Oklahoma Baptist, 10 a.m. (2) 19 Tuesday: at Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m. 23 Saturday: McNEESE STATE, 2 p.m. 28 Thursday: BELHAVEN, 3 p.m. March 1 Friday: SOUTHERN, 3 p.m. 2 Saturday: • at Tougaloo, 10 a.m. 2 Saturday: • Fisk, 2 p.m. (3) 3 Sunday: at Southeastern Louisiana, 6 p.m. 4 Monday: SHORTER, 2 p.m. 8 Friday-10 Sunday: at AUM Invitational, Montgomery, Ala. 15 Friday: ALCORN STATE, 3 p.m. 20 Wednesday: at New Orleans, 3 p.m. 26 Tuesday: at Webber International, 1 p.m. EDT 27 Wednesday: at Embry-Riddle (Fla.), 3:30 p.m. EDT April 5 Friday: at William Carey, 3 p.m. 6 Saturday: AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 2 p.m. 19 Friday-20 Saturday: NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Jonesboro, Ga. May 14 Tuesday-18 Saturday: NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala. Home matches in BOLD TYPE • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match All times are Central except where noted (1) at Houma, La. (2) at Prairie View, Texas (3) at Jackson, Miss. TBA — to be announced
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Tennessee State Tigers Releases 2013 Football Schedule
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University department of athletics has released a tentative schedule of the program football games for the 2013 season. The Tigers have commitments to three classics -- The John Merritt Classic (vs. Bethune-Cookman), Southern Heritage Classic (vs.Jackson State) and the Gateway Classic (vs. Central State, OH), along with their Ohio Valley Conference schedule. A total of eleven games are on the schedule for the Tigers that ended the 2012 season with an 8-3 record.
9/01 Bethune-Cookman, Nashville, TN, John Merritt Classic, LP Field
9/14 Jackson State, Memphis, TN, Southern Classic, Memphis, TN
9/21 @Tennessee Tech., Cookeville, TN*
9/28 Central State (OH), St. Louis, MO, Gateway Classic
10/5 Southeast Missouri, Nashville, TN*
10/12 @Jacksonville State, Jacksonville, AL*
10/19 @UT Martin, Martin, TN*
10/26 Eastern Illinois, Nashville, TN*
11/2 @Eastern Kentucky, Richmond, KY*
11/9 Austin Peay, Nashville, TN
11/16 Murray State, Nashville, TN*
11/30 FCS Playoffs
*OVC game
Gold Rush extend longest NAIA poll streak of Jackson era
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana was 16th in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday. The Gold Rush are in the top 25 for the 15th consecutive time — the program's longest streak since the start of the 1999-2000 season, which also makes it the longest streak during Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach.
Xavier is in the top 25 for the 28th time in 29 polls.
This is the fourth poll of 2012-13, the third of the regular season and the first since Dec. 11. The Gold Rush were 16th in the previous poll.
Voting was based on games through Sunday. Xavier won 70-66 at Talladega the following day to improve to 14-3 overall and 2-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. The Gold Rush share first place in the GCAC with Philander Smith, which received votes and tied for 28th place.
The Gold Rush won 5-of-6 games between polls, with the only loss a 72-71 decision at then-No. 10 William Carey. The Crusaders are sixth in this week's poll.
GCAC and city rival SUNO, which was 25th in the previous poll, dropped out.
The next poll will be announced Jan. 15.
Xavier will play its next four games at XU's new Convocation Center, including Tougaloo at 5 p.m. Saturday and SUNO at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
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By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
SCSU Lady Bulldogs get key win against Winthrop, 62-52
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Doug Robertson was too emotionally drained Tuesday at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center to carry through with his promised “celebration”.The South Carolina State women’s basketball coach saw great significance in a victory over visiting Winthrop University. It not only would snap a two-game losing streak, but also give the Lady Bulldogs a perfect 4-0 mark against Big South opponents and 7-1 against fellow Palmetto State teams.
After the Lady Eagles erased a 16-point lead in the second half, it appeared Robinson would have to put his post-game plans on hold. Instead, S.C. State regrouped to dominate the final 6:48 of the contest and claim the 62-52 win before 472 fans that included students from Felton Laboratory.
“I think our conference (the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) benefits a lot from having success against any conference,” S.C. State head coach Doug Robertson said. “Our RPI (Ratings Performance Index) as a conference, it’s a little low (28th as of Jan. 6 compared to 31st for the Big South). But I think the more success we continue having as a conference in terms of non-conference victories, I think our image and perception will continue growing. We’ll get a little more respect on a national level.”
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Chatting with Howard U. head women's basketball coach Niki Reid Geckeler
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| HEAD COACH NIKI REID GECKELER HOWARD UNIVERSITY LADY BISON |
Coach G: We had a very challenging out-of-conference schedule with nationally ranked opponents and I feel that every game tested us in different ways. We have always been a defensively oriented team and we have played some of the best perimeter and post players in the country with this non-conference schedule. So, I truly believe that this schedule has prepared us for the tough MEAC games that we have ahead.
Question: Currently, you are at .500 and boasting victories against Temple, Pepperdine, Loyola (Md.), Mount Saint Mary's and Bowie State, how did you achieve those wins and what has been the consistent coaching strategy in those wins.
Coach G: Defense…defense…defense. Our young ladies understand that they must defend in order for us to win games. The Temple game truly supports my philosophy. Defense along with a blue-collar approach and teamwork will help propel us in this conference this season. I am proud of our young ladies and the defensive effort that they bring to the hardwood each and every day.
Question: What growth and understanding have you gained from your losses?
Coach G: Our losses always force the staff and I to reflect on areas of improvement. We want to be playing our best basketball in the months of February and March so as a staff we continue to teach, motivate and make sure our young ladies remain together during those challenging moments.
Question: Saadia Doyle, Cheyenne Curley-Payne, Kara Smith, Jerrelle Gorham and Nicole Deterville have started each contest thus far, why these five?
Coach G: Four of these young women started for us a season ago and led this team to a 24-9 record and a postseason bid. Jerelle Gorham has worked hard during the off-season and earned herself the final fifth starting position. The chemistry that they bring to the court has proven to be beneficial for the program.
Question: On Jan. 4, 2013, Saadia Doyle reached her second season-best outing with 32 points what did you tell to get such an outstanding offensive outing?
Coach G: Saadia is a special player who always steps up when her team needs her. She has proven that she can play with the best of them as she had 36 points at Penn State early in November. Her offensive performance against Temple was one of the best I have witnessed. She was effective in the paint, with her midrange game and even from the 3-point line. When you have a special player like this it is our job to put her in situations to score and she has done that for us this season.
Question: Cheyenne Curley-Payne is 5 feet 4 inches, but continues to be a top rebounder, especially in the defensive rebounding category, how does she do it?
Coach G: She may be 5'4" but her heart, her grit and her passion for the game makes you think she is 6'4. As a head coach you want that point guard who can run the show and one who commands the respect of her teammates...that is Cheyenne Curley-Payne. She has a tremendous basketball IQ and her timing is impeccable, she is a head coaches dream.
Question: What excites you the most about conference play?
Coach G: This conference is so competitive and you can see it by the wins that several of our MEAC counterparts have won. So what excites me the most is the fact that every game in conference play will be a fight and you must bring your best basketball every night.
Question: Would you like to say anything to Howard Lady Bison fans and followers?
Coach G: Every city we have traveled to whether it is Malibu, Calif., or Columbus, Ohio or Chicago, Ill., or our faithful DC metropolitan family, there has been great support for our program. I would like to say thank you Bison Nation and we will continue to work hard to make the Mighty Blue and White proud! HU...You Know!
NEXT WOMEN'S GAMES: Hampton at Howard, 2 p.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013.
Norfolk State at Howard, 5:30 p.m., Monday, January 14, 2013.
NEXT MEN'S GAMES: Hampton at Howard, 4 p.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013.
Norfolk State at Howard, 7:30 p.m., Monday, January 14, 2013
COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON.COM
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Ram Ramblings: Collins, Rams finding a nice groove
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Coach Bobby Collins and his Winston-Salem State men’s team are in a good groove these days.The Rams hit the road after the Christmas break and beat Lincoln (Pa.) and Bowie State to run their winning streak to nine games. The Rams are 10-2 and will head into a home matchup with Virginia State on Thursday with a lot of momentum.
After Monday night’s win I talked to Collins on his cell phone before the Rams headed back to campus and he was very encouraged.
This afternoon the new coaches Division II poll came out and the Rams jumped from No. 23 to No. 17.
The nine-game win streak is the longest in Collins’ seven years at WSSU and it comes at a good time. The Rams are getting to their meat of the CIAA schedule, and Collins knows they will get every opponents best shot.
“I’m happy to be winning and ...
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Lincoln Lions looking for new head football coach
LOWER OXFORD, Pennsylvania – It may not be a surprise, but it is official: Olabaniji (O.J.) Abanishe is out as Lincoln’s head football coach.
“We’re looking for a new head coach and hopefully we’ll be able to identify someone by the end of March,” said LU Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee.
“It wasn’t a surprise,” Abanishe confirmed. “We had talked about it prior to the start of the season and when we struggled, it was a move they felt they had to make.”
The Lions went 1-9 last fall in Abanishe’s fifth and final season at Lincoln. He was hired in 2008 to resurrect a program that had been discontinued for nearly half a century. His overall record (8-42) reflects the inherent difficulties starting a program from scratch, but he helped guide Lincoln through uncharted waters, including a move from NCAA Division III to II in 2010, paving the way for entry into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“I thanked my assistant coaches before ...Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Big dreams: Choctaw grad chasing NFL aspirations
FORT WALTON BEACH – From his outsized personality to his 6-foot-8, 335-pound frame, nearly everything about Choctaw graduate Terren Jones is big.And so are his dreams.
Four years ago, Jones was a little-recruited behemoth of an offensive tackle coming out of Choctaw, sliding under the radar of big-name programs and going unnoticed as a recruit despite his size and ability. But that didn’t stop Jones. Instead, Jones followed his dream of continuing his football career and turned in an incredible four years at Alabama State University in Montgomery, a tenure that included becoming the school’s first four-time All-SWAC performer and one that has landed him in a spot in the Raycom Collegiate All-Star Game in Montgomery, Ala. on Jan. 19.
But again, Jones isn’t stopping here.
Instead, the Fort Walton Beach native is doubling down on his football aspirations, following his dream of playing professional football as he begins preparations for the 2013 NFL Draft. Coming off a senior year where he earned recognition as an Associated Press First Team FCS All-American, Jones is looked upon by some draft experts as one of the top small-school players in the country.
For Jones, the chance to enter the NFL Draft conversation is just another chance to prove people wrong – and it’s a chance to keep playing the sport he loves.
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CAU Athletics Celebrate 82 Scholar-Athletes
Freshman kicker/punter Austin Castillas, a biology major from Gilbert, Arizona, along with linebacker Bernard Williams, an SIAC second-team All-Conference player from Tifton County High School in Omega, Georgia, topped all student-athletes with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA). Collectively, the CAU football team will celebrate its highest number of the scholar-athletes in recent years with 20 while 16 other student-athletes have earned a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA as listed below.
“ I applaud our student-athletes and staff who continue to uphold the department’ s 5A’s standard of excellence by maintaining high Academic achievement, producing Athletic Championships, serving as Ambassadors, and being Accountability and Accessible as leaders on and off the playing field,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Tamica Smith-Jones. “We will sustain our overall success with continued support of our faculty and administration.”
Student-athletes in all 11 sports will be recognized for their academic achievement Saturday, Jan. 19th, during half-time of the women’s basketball game as the Lady Panthers and Panthers tip-off against conference foe Claflin University at 6 & 8 p.m., respectively, in Epps Gymnasium.
Student-Athletes with a Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or Higher
Football
Justin Parham-Mass Media Arts (3.81), Terrance Pryor- Criminal Justice (3.66), Jeremy Roberts- Social Work (3.66) and Vincent Hembrick- Biology (3.51).
Cheerleading
Deja Francis-Psychology (3.71, Tatiana Smith-Accounting (3.66) and Breanna Collier- Social Work (3.62)
Baseball
Kelvin Tanner –Computer Information Systems (3.55)
Men’s Cross-Country
Tyree Squires-Math (3.64)
Women’s Cross-Country/Track and Field
Ariel Lomax-Accounting (3.7) and Nekesha Whitaker –Criminal Justice (3.73)
Women’s Tennis
Kasey Dawson-Psychology (3.76), Brionne Bachus- Accounting (3.78) and
Vonnick Boyogueno- Accounting (3.75)
Women’s Track and Field
Asia McClain- Education (3.56)
Volleyball
Kailyn Blackmon- Psychology (3.74)
COURTESY CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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