XU Gold Nuggets drop three places to 12th in NAIA poll

NEW ORLEANS — After more than 40 days and three consecutive appearances in the top 10, Xavier University of Louisiana dropped three places to 12th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

Voting was based on games through Sunday. Xavier lost 63-56 at home to SUNO — the Gold Nuggets' second consecutive Monday defeat — to fall to 12-4 overall and 2-2 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. One week earlier, the Nuggets lost 68-65 at Talladega.
    
Nevertheless, the Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 36th consecutive time dating to Jan. 25, 2010.
    
Xavier was one of four teams from last week's top 10 to drop, including Lubbock Christian, top-ranked in the first four polls of the season but No. 2 after its 79-68 home loss Thursday to defending national champion Oklahoma City. OCU climbed from sixth to fourth.
    
The Gold Nuggets will complete a four-game home stand with GCAC games against Philander Smith at 2 p.m. Saturday and Fisk at 3 p.m. Monday. Both games will be played at XU's new Convocation Center, and they'll follow XU men's games against those same schools.
    
The next poll will be announced Jan. 22.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 13) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Vanguard (11) 11-0 281 2 2 Lubbock Christian 17-1 271 1 3 Freed-Hardeman 17-1 261 3 4 Oklahoma City 12-2 250 6 5 Westminster (Utah) 16-2 249 4 6 Lee (Tenn.) 15-1 237 5 7 Cumberland 16-1 224 7 8 The Master's 15-0 221 8 9 Campbellsville 14-3 208 10 10 MidAmerica Nazarene 16-2 197 11 11 Westmont 11-3 192 12 12 Xavier 12-3 184 9 13-tie Bethel (Tenn.) 14-4 169 14 13-tie Rogers State 14-4 169 15 15 Lyon 14-2 150 19 16 Georgetown (Ky.) 11-6 140 23 17 Benedictine (Kan.) 15-3 120 21 18 Wiley 15-1 118 20 19 William Woods 12-2 117 16 20 Shawnee State 14-5 116 13 21 Auburn Montgomery 13-4 100 18 22 Central Methodist 16-2 94 17 23 Our Lady of the Lake 16-1 86 24 24 Faulkner 16-4 82 22 25 St. Catharine 11-4 69 RV Others receiving votes: Carroll (Mont.) 52, LSU-Shreveport 46, Columbia (Mo.) 32, Cumberlands 25, Coastal Georgia 11, Robert Morris (Chicago) 6, Biola 5, SUNO 3.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Reports: Lawrence Kershaw top candidate for Fayetteville State football coaching job

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  --  Lawrence Kershaw, Florida A&M's former offensive coordinator, has emerged as the top candidate to become Fayetteville State University's next head football coach, but hasn't been offered the job, according to the school's athletic director.

However, the school has called a special meeting of the Board of Trustees for Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Chancellor's Conference room to discuss a closed-session item. The hiring of a football coach would require a vote of the trustees.

Kershaw was on the FSU campus Monday and attended the school's basketball game against Bowie State. The Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat newspaper reported Monday in a story about Florida A&M's new head coach, Earl Holmes, that Kershaw was going to be Fayetteville State's next head coach.

And Aaron Taylor, son of former Florida A&M head coach Joe Taylor, posted on his Facebook page that he will be coming to Fayetteville to join Kershaw's staff. Taylor served as running backs coach for the A&M Rattlers the last four years.

FSU athletic director Edward McLean denied that Monday evening.

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Tennessee State Volleyball Adds Two for 2013 Season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Volleyball head coach Kathy Roulhac announced her 2013-14 incoming class. Arijana Anderson of Muncie, Ind. and Zoe Sostre of Puerto Rico have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Tigers this coming fall.

"With the combination of Arijana and Zoe we are very excited," Roulhac said. "This gives us a strong outside hitter and an experienced middle. These two will add to the depth of the program."

Anderson, a 5-10 outside hitter, is a four-year letter winner for Muncie Burris Laboratory School. She helped her team to three Mid-Eastern Conference Championships and two state titles, while being named to the All-Conference team in all four seasons. In her final two seasons, she was selected to the All-State team and earned a spot on the Plymouth Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Anderson was named as an AAU All-American while competing for ASICS Munciana club team. She helped pace her squad to third place finishes at the 2012 18U AAU Nationals in Orlando, as well as the JVA World Challenge in Houston. In 2009, Munciana finished second at AAU Nationals and at the JVDA Championship in Louisville, Ky.

"Arijana is one of the top recruits in the state of Indiana and it is a blessing for her to be a part of our program," Roulhac commented. "She is a great recruit for TSU volleyball that had interest from Top 25 schools. She was an attachment to assistant coach Peter Chang who came from the Muncie, Indiana program. She brings power and speed, but still has great control. She has been playing a high level of volleyball for a few years now and will bring experience."

Sostre, a 5-10 middle blocker, played her last two seasons for Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla. She was named 2nd Team All-conference as a freshman and 1st Team as a sophomore. Sostre recorded 243 kills with a .336 hitting percentage in 41 matches. She registered 111 blocks (40 block solos, 71 block assists) and 60 digs.

Sostre attended CIEM Private School in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

"We're real excited about the experience Zoe will bring to our program," Roulhac commented. In the OVC, the better the middle blocker, the better chance you have at winning. The focus this year was to bring in a strong middle and add to the depth to a position we were missing during the 2012 season. So we are really excited about her and the next two years with her in our program."

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bills sign former SCSU's DB Dominique Ellis

ORCHARD PARK, NY – The Bills added two players to the roster Wednesday, signing TE Joe Sawyer and DB Dominique Ellis to Reserve/Future contracts.

Ellis entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 and was released prior to the regular season. The 5-11, 195-pound defensive back was a two-time All-MEAC selection at South Carolina State where he made 65 tackles and three interceptions in 2011. Ellis transferred to South Carolina State after appearing in 13 games at North Carolina State in his 2008 freshman campaign.

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It'll be a top-25 matchup when XU Gold Rush meet PSC Panthers

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana and Philander Smith share more than just first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. They're both in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, which was announced Tuesday. Xavier is 13th — up three places and matching its highest position of the season — and Philander Smith is 22nd and in its first top-25 appearance this season.

The Gold Rush (16-3 overall, 4-0 GCAC) and Panthers (13-4, 4-0) will meet at noon Saturday at XU's new Convocation Center to break the tie for first place. The loser will have sole possession of second place.

Philander Smith will be the first ranked opponent to play the Gold Rush at the Convocation Center. The Panthers will be Xavier's first ranked home opponent since XU rallied from 16 down to defeat No. 18 Tougaloo in the final game at The Barn nearly a year ago.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 29th time in 30 polls and the 54th time overall during Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach.

Wanto Joseph's basket with 0.7 seconds remaining in overtime Monday gave the Gold Rush a 70-68 home victory against city rival SUNO, another GCAC team which received votes this week. Xavier will enter Saturday's game with a five-game win streak. Philander Smith has won nine in a row.
    
Voting was based on games through Sunday. The next poll will be released Jan. 22.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 13) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Columbia (Mo.) (11) 17-0 281 2 2 Pikeville 17-1 271 5 3 Lewis-Clark State 18-1 256 3 4 William Carey 15-2 254 6 5 Oklahoma Baptist 15-3 252 4 6 Lee (Tenn.) 15-1 232 7 7 Westmont 14-3 222 8 8-tie Cal State San Marcos 15-4 209 tie-10 8-tie Lindsey Wilson 16-2 209 14 10 John Brown 15-3 188 25 11 Evangel 13-4 187 13 12 Montana State Northern 16-3 181 tie-10 13 Xavier 15-3 173 16 14 Cumberlands 15-3 168 1 15 Bethel (Tenn.) 17-2 166 17 16 Hope International 17-1 145 RV 17 Southwestern Assemblies of God 14-3 142 21 18 Emmanuel (Ga.) 16-2 121 20 19 Westminster (Utah) 14-4 120 18 20 Rogers State 13-5 119 19 21 Faulkner 16-3 82 23 22 Philander Smith 12-4 78 RV 23 Science & Arts 8-4 77 9 24 Texas College 13-4 76 tie-10 25 MidAmerica Nazarene 14-5 74 RV Others receiving votes: Arizona Christian 60, Concordia (Calif.) 34, Texas Wesleyan 31, SUNO 28, Oklahoma City 18, Culver-Stockton 13, Shawnee State 9, LSU-Shreveport 7, Mid-Continent 3. By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA XULAATHLETICS

Orlando Edgewater DT Darius Tolbert commits to FAMU

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Orlando Edgewater defensive tackle Darius Tolbert committed to play at Florida A&M this past weekend and he is excited.

You could hear the pride in Tolbert's voice when he spoke about his decision on Sunday, and the 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman is thrilled to be able to say he'll be playing college football, but he seemed equally excited to just be able to say he is going to college.

"It feels very good," said Tolbert, who will be the first person in his family to attend college according to former Edgewater coach Dave Wensyel, who informed the Sentinel of the news on Sunday via text message. "FAMU has been with me for a while now and it's really the only school that ever offered me and it's where I wanted to go.

"They really care more about school work and books and working hard inthe classroom while still being committed to football. They help you work hard to keep postive and give it your all."

Tolbert was a little worried about his future after he broke his leg in the final game of the season against Orlando Boone on Nov. 11. He broke his left tibia and it needed surgery to have a metal rod and four pins inserted into the broken bone.

"At first I felt like ...



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Five home games highlight SU 2013 football schedule

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Dawson Odums makes his Southern coaching debut since having the interim tag removed from his title of head coach against the University of Houston to open the 2013 football slate.

"Several intriguing matchups, including an opener against Houston in the largest Southern Univeristy alumni pocket outside of Louisiana, a restoration of the intersectional rivalry against Northwestern State, and hosting defending SWAC Eastern Division champion Jackson State are highlights for next season," said Southern athletics director Dr. William Broussard.

The Jaguars contest against the Cougars will be the second consecutive season opener against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member for Southern and the second meeting between the two schools. Houston defeated the Jaguars 55-3 in the first-ever meeting in 2008. Two dates, Aug. 29 and Aug. 31, are being targeted for game dates due to Robertson Stadium's closure to make way for a new state-of-the-art on-campus stadium scheduled to be completed on Aug. 30, 2014.

Southern will also renew a familiar rivalry with in-state rival Northwestern State Sept. 7 in Natchitoches. The Southern-Northwestern State series began in 1993 and served as the coaching debut and first Southern win for Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach Pete Richardson in the Louisiana Superdome. The series is tied at 5-5.

"With the proximity of the first two out of conference schedule games being within a tank of gas, we are thrilled that our administration was able to successfully accomplish scheduling games that the Jaguar Nation can travel to and support us with much excitement and anticipation for SWAC play," said Odums.

On Sept. 14, Southern welcomes Prairie View A&M for its 2013 home and Southwestern Athletic Conference opener in A.W. Mumford Stadium before traveling to Itta Bena, Miss. to face Mississippi Valley State Sept. 21.

Following the Oct. 6 bye week, the Jaguars will enjoy a two-game homestand when they host Jackson State Sept. 28 and Alabama A&M Oct. 12. Defending SWAC champion Arkansas Pine-Bluff will host Southern in Pine Bluff, Ark. Oct. 19.



"As we transition into SWAC play, it is encouraging to see three of the first four conference games at home, which gives us a great chance - with the kind of crowds and atmosphere we have at Mumford Stadium - to get the Jags headed in the right direction as we head down the final stretch of our schedule," Odums said.

Alcorn State will serve as the Jaguars' homecoming opponent on Oct. 26 before Southern concludes the 2013 campaign with four November games. The Jaguars will embark upon back-to-back road trips at Texas Southern in Houston and Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala. on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 respectively.

Clark Atlanta, where Odums served as interim head coach in 2004, will travel to Baton Rouge on Nov. 17 for the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Southern closes the 2013 campaign looking to extend it Bayou Classic win streak to two over arch-rival Grambling State in the 40th annual Bayou Classic on Nov. 30.

"The energy and excitement around this program is growing rapidly and, after seeing the 2013 football schedule, I am excited and anxious to see the support of Jaguar Nation buying their season tickets," said Odums. "We have the opportunity to play five great home games at A.W. Mumford stadium and the 40th Bayou Classic, which always serves as a great Thanksgiving weekend memory," Odums said.

Season book applications are available at the SU Ticket Office in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Contact 225.771.3171 for more details.

2013 Southern U. Football Schedule

August
29 or 31 at Houston (Houston, Texas)

September
7 at Northwestern State (Natchitoches, La.)
14 Prairie View A&M (A.W. Mumford Stadium)
21 at Mississippi Valley State (Itta Bena, Miss.)
28 Jackson State (A.W. Mumford Stadium)

October
12 Alabama A&M (A.W. Mumford Stadium)
19 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, Ark.)
26 Alcorn State (A.W. Mumford Stadium | Homecoming 2012)

November
2 at Texas Southern (Houston, Texas)
9 at Alabama State (Montgomery, Ala.)
16 Clark Atlanta (A.W. Mumford Stadium)

30 vs. Grambling State (State Farm Bayou Classic | New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome)

 

 

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Weston Named Head Football Coach at Clark Atlanta University

ATLANTA, Georgia  —  Clark Atlanta University (CAU) today announced the appointment of Tusculum College Defensive Line Coach Kevin Weston as its new Head Football Coach. Weston officially joins the CAU organization Tuesday, Jan. 15.
 
“In Weston,” CAU President Carlton E. Brown said, “we have identified an individual who knows the game inside and out, has proven his ability to build and grow successful teams, promote values education and insist upon personal and character development in his players. All of these qualities align not only with the mission of Clark Atlanta, but create the kind of foundation necessary to ensure a focused, aggressive turn-around in our football program.”
 
CAU Athletics Director Tamica Smith Jones, Ph.D., says “we are thrilled to have secured a rising star like Kevin Weston from a diverse national pool of very talented applicants. We feel confident that he will be a good fit to infuse momentum into our football program, which has lacked stability amidst several coaching changes. I believe, in particular, that he will be an ambassador for the program, accelerating its success by winning, local recruiting and reengaging the CAU fan base in new and exciting ways.” 

Weston served eight years on the Tusculum coaching staff and mentored the Tusculum defensive line in 2012.   During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he was the program’s defensive coordinator and mentored the team’s linebackers.  His 2011 defensive unit finished second in the country in pass defense, allowing teams to average just 140.6 passing yards per contest.   
                         

(CENTER) - COACH KEVIN WESTON
PHOTO COURTESY CAU ATHLETICS

In March 2008, he was promoted to the position of assistant head coach while serving as the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator. The 2008 squad posted a 9-4 record while claiming the South Atlantic Conference championship and a berth to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time in the school’s history. 

While coaching the defensive line, he mentored two All-South Atlantic Conference selections in Adrian Samples and Rynel Butler. Samples was an All-SAC First Team choice in 2006, and earned All-SAC First Team recognition for a third consecutive year, while also being named to the All-Region Squad, in 2007. Butler was an All-SAC Second Team pick and was a force on a defense that established school single-season records for fumbles forced and recovered in 2008.     
               
“Of course, I’m excited about joining the Clark Atlanta University athletics organization,” Weston said, “but I am even more excited about building what can become one of the nation’s finest football programs from the ground up. There are clearly challenges that must be addressed, but in doing so, we have the rare opportunity to carve out what can become one of the most focused, unique and forceful squads in this Division and beyond. This is about legacy building,” he added. “Our charge is to ensure that legacy-building, academics and character-building remain strong pillars in this process.”            
               
CAU Booster President Lowell Dickerson agrees. “We must continue to move forward. I think that's what our football student-athletes have continued to do in the classroom and in the community. What we have to do now as a University, alumni, and as a supportive community fan base, is reunite as one Panther Nation and support Coach Weston and our team. If we commit to reconnect, we will secure a bright future and get Clark Atlanta football back to where we all want it.”
               
Weston’s experience on the gridiron and in the classroom has prepared him for the job. He played on the Tusculum squad from 1999-2002, and graduated in 2002 with the bachelor’s degree in physical education. While originally playing in tight end position, he moved to the offensive guard position and started in the trenches for the next three seasons. Following graduation, he was signed as a free agent as a running back for the Greensboro Prowlers of the Arena2 Football League. He subsequently completed the master’s degree from Troy University in 2005.
               
He returned to the college in 2005 after serving two seasons as an assistant coach at Morgan County High School in Madison, Ga. During his two seasons at Morgan County, the Bulldogs advanced to the state playoffs twice while posting a combined 19-5 record, with three of his players garnering All-Region recognition.
               
A native of Queens, N.Y., Weston is married to the former Bonnie Taylor of Akron, Ohio.

COURTESY CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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Weston introduced as Clark Atlanta's new football coach 

Balanced J.C. Smith gets 4th straight victory in 6 days

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith is riding its best streak of basketball in two seasons.

The Golden Bulls won their fourth consecutive game in six days Monday with a 67-54 CIAA victory against Virginia State, their best run since the 2010-11 season. And like the previous three games, J.C. Smith’s balance and bench made the difference.

“We showed signs of being tired,” Golden Bulls coach Steve Joyner said. “We’ve played a lot of games in a few nights. We did enough to win.”

Four J.C. Smith players reached double figures led by Trevin Parks’ 15 points, and the reserves – paced by forward Antwan Wilkerson with 14 points in 15 minutes – outscored Virginia State’s 24-11.

“I just try to come in strong off the bench and show what I can do,” said Wilkerson, who also pulled down six rebounds. “I’m coming off an injury, so I’m trying to get back at it as best I can.”


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FAMU abruptly cancels plans to name new band director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M University abruptly canceled plans to name a new Marching 100 band director Tuesday morning, leaving an auditorium full of curious students, faculty and media wondering why the school couldn’t agree on a contract with the remaining finalist.

"Somehow they did not meet the negotiation process and they will not be able to name a candidate," university spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said.

The announcement is certain to draw nationwide scrutiny as the Marching 100 attempts to rebuild after the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. The group is on suspension but could return as early as the fall.
    
The university has refused to say which of four finalists was offered the job, though Saunders said the person is in Tallahassee meeting with school officials to seal the deal.

Saunders said she didn’t know what specifically had hampered contract negotiations other than it had to do with concerns about the role of the band director in light of recent efforts to reorganize the band.

The school is in the process of hiring additional staff to create more oversight. Also, the position of band director has been separated from the position of music department chair.

FAMU announced Monday afternoon that the news conference would happen Tuesday morning. Band members have been buzzing about who got the job.

Many hoped Shelby Chipman, the associate director of bands who had been groomed for years to assume the top position, would be selected. But others suggested North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid, a former Marching 100 drum major, was offered the job.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/15/3183828/famu-abruptly-cancels-plans-

FAMU delays hiring new leader for famed band - Miami Heraldto.html#storylink=cpy

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