SWAC Baseball Opening Day

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

 

Friday - Feb 15

North Dakota State @Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 12:00 p.m.
Texas Southern @Jackson State - 12:00 p.m.
Alcorn State vs. Wake Forest - 2:00 p.m.
Texas Southern vs. Eastern Illinois - 3:00 p.m.
Alabama A&M vs. Morehead State - 4:00 p.m.
Savannah State @Jackson State - 6:00 p.m.
Stillman @Southern - 6:00 p.m.

Alabama State vs. Chicago State, Montgomery, Ala. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday - Feb 16

Alcorn State ULM Monroe, La. - TBA

IPFW @Alabama A&M - 11:00 a.m.

Eastern Illinois @Jackson State - 12:00 p.m.

Prairie View A&M  @Mississippi Valley State - 1:00 p.m.

North Dakota State @Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 1:00 p.m.

Stillman @Southern - 1:00 p.m.

Alcorn State vs. Wake Forest - 2:00 p.m.

Texas Southern @Jackson State - 3:00 p.m.

Prairie View A&M  @Mississippi Valley State - 3:00 p.m.

IPFW @Alabama A&M - 4:30 p.m.

Chicago State @Alabama State Chicago State - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday - Feb 17

Chicago State @Alabama State Chicago State - 12:00 p.m.

Eastern Illinois @Jackson State - 1:00 p.m.

North Dakota State @Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 1:00 p.m.

Prairie View A&M  @Mississippi Valley State - 1:00 p.m.

Stillman @Southern - 1:00 p.m.

Prairie View A&M  @Mississippi Valley State - 3:00 p.m.

Alcorn State @Louisiana Monroe - 3:00 p.m.

 

News and Notes

 

Four SWAC Schools to Compete in MLB 2013 Urban Invitational

The 2013 Urban Invitational, which is returning to Houston for the second consecutive year, will exclusively feature four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the first time in the event's history.

The four participating collegiate baseball programs are Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas) and Texas Southern University (Houston). The Urban Invitational is the annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed by Major League Baseball to give HBCUs and their baseball programs national exposure.

 

All Urban Invitational games will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, from Friday, February 22nd through Sunday, February 24th. The games on Saturday, February 23rd will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com, beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET), with play-by-play from MLB Network Analysts Joe Magrane and Paul Severino.

 

Southern University has participated in all six Urban Invitationals, while this is the second time for Alabama State University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University.

 

Complete Game Schedule (Central Time):

2/22 Southern vs. Texas Southern - 3:00 p.m. 

2/22 Prairie View A&M vs. Alabama State - 6:30 p.m. 

2/23 Alabama State vs. Southern - 4:00 p.m.

LIVE on MLB Network & MLB.com

2/23 Texas Southern vs. Prairie View A&M - 7:30 p.m.

LIVE on MLB Network & MLB.com

2/24 Alabama State vs. Texas Southern - 12:00 p.m. 

2/24 Southern vs. Prairie View A&M - 3:30 p.m.

Alcorn State's Rosa Named To Top Prospect List

Alcorn State junior short stop Angel Rosa is projected to be a 4-10th round prospect, coming in at No. 6 overall in the state of Mississippi. He's rated third among position players. Angel was also listed as the 2nd ranked short stop in the state. Coming off a 2012 all-conference season, Angel became the 1st player in Alcorn State history to play in the Cape Cod League for the Contuit Kettleers.

AAMU's Tompkins Set for First Season Without Interim Tag

Alabama A&M University baseball coach Michael Tompkins had his interim tag removed prior to the start of the 2013 season. Tompkins, at 24 years old, is the youngest head baseball coach in Division I.

Melendez Named One Of Top 10 Coaches Under 40

Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez was named as one of top 10 baseball coaches in the country under 40 years old by Baseball America Magazine.

 

In his first season with the Hornets, Melendez led Alabama State to 20 victories, its highest win total since 2002 and the most victories in one season against Division I opponents in the programs' history. The Hornets' 14-10 Southwestern Athletic Conference record was also the highest conference win total ASU since 2002, as Alabama State tied for second in the Eastern Division.

MVSU to Host Games in Greenville
The Mississippi Valley State University Athletic Department has announced that the Delta Devils baseball team will play eight games at Legion Field in Greenville, Miss. this season. MVSU will play Prairie View A&M (Feb. 16-17), South Dakota State (March 1-3), and Jackson State (April 14).

Southern's Home Opener Relocated

Southern University baseball's 2013 home opening weekend series against Stillman College has been relocated to Pete Goldsby Field due to ongoing renovations to the infield at Lee-Hines Field. Pete Goldsby Field, serves as the home of Baton Rouge Community College Bears. Friday's game also marks the 2013 season opener for the Jaguars as well.

 

Texas Southern's Cabral Participates in Life Saving Donation

Texas Southern catcher Manny Cabral helped save a life by donating bone marrow to a patient in need. 

He received the extraction in December at the Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Cabral says he became a donor by chance a few weeks after high school graduation. He was with his ex-girlfriend in the mall when his opportunity appeared. Cabral had signed up for the Caitlin Raymond International Bone Marrow Registry. Two years later he received a phone call saying he was identified as a potential match and more tests were needed.

Cabral donated two units of blood in preparation for bone marrow extraction, just in case it was needed during the procedure. The procedure went well and Cabral has recovered.

 

RELATED LINKS

SWAC All Preseason Team

College Sports Madness Preseason All SWAC Team

 

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

XU adjusts schedules for weekend at Prairie View A&M

NEW ORLEANS — One tennis team won't make the trip, so Xavier University of Louisiana's schedules for its visit to Prairie View, Texas, have been adjusted.

Coach Alan Green said both the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play Oklahoma Baptist at 4 p.m. Friday. The Gold Rush will play Bethany (Kan.) at 2 p.m. Saturday, and both XU teams will play Prairie View A&M at 9 a.m. Sunday. XU will play all its matches at the Prairie View A&M Tennis Complex.

The team not traveling to Texas will be Bethany's women, which results in no competition for the Gold Nuggets on Saturday.

The Gold Rush are 1-2 and ranked eighth in the NAIA. The Gold Nuggets are 1-1 and ranked 13th. Oklahoma Baptist's women are ranked 18th, and Bethany's men are ranked 10th.


By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU Moves to 10-0 at Home with 80-69 Win Over Belmont

Nashville, Tenn.  -  The Tennessee State men's basketball team held Belmont to a season-low 19 percent from the three-point line and knocked off the East Division's top team, 80-69, on Thursday night.

TSU's victory was its first against Belmont (20-6, 11-2 OVC) since 1987- before the Bruins became members of Division I.

Robert Covington led the Tigers with 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He also made 3-of-4 from outside the three-point line and all eight of his free throws. His 25 were his most since Dec. 16 against Lemoyne-Owen

Kellen Thornton (18), Patrick Miller (15) and Jordan Cyphers (10) also scored in double-digits for TSU (15-11, 9-4 OVC).

Thornton also pulled in a game-high ten rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. Covington added seven boards, helping TSU win the battle on the glass, 35-30.

Cyphers nailed TSU's first bucket with a long two-pointer, but Thornton was the Tigers' main option early, scoring six of TSU's first eight points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Thornton finished the half with a team-high eight points and a pair of boards.

Despite the forward's hot start, the Bruins managed to build an 18-8 lead by scoring nine points off of seven TSU turnovers within the game's first eight minutes. The frequency of TSU miscues made Tennessee State head coach Travis Williams burn his team's first timeout with 11:20 left in the half.

The pep-talk worked as Covington nailed a three on the Tigers' following possession, sparking an 11-2 run that included baskets from Thornton, Miller and Rhett as well.

The string of hoops cut the Belmont lead to one with 6:10 to play until halftime.

The sides traded hoops for the better part of the period, but the Tigers ended the period on an 8-0 run to take the lead, 31-28, heading into the locker room.

All eight of TSU's points occurred during the last 55 seconds of the half.

TSU shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from the field during the first frame and held the Bruins to a 37.5 line (12-of-32). The Tigers also forced 12 turnovers and blocked five shots during the first 20 minutes.

Tennessee State came out strong to start the second half and increased its lead to 37-30 when Covington slammed down a dunk at the 18:46 mark.

TSU eventually raised its lead to eight, 48-40, when Thornton went on a run in which the senior made three consecutive fade-away jumpers- the last occurring with just over 12 minutes to play.

The sides went back-and-forth for the game's next seven minutes, but the Bruins were able to tie the game at 59 with a pair of free throws.

The stalemate was short-lived, as M.J. Rhett and Cyphers had layups on TSU's next two possessions to make the score 63-59 in favor of the home team with under four minutes to go.

TSU continued to roll and raised its advantage to seven when Miller poured in a layup with just two minutes left in the game.

The Tigers made all eight of their free throws to close the game and walked away with an 80-69 upset victory.

With the win, TSU improves to 10-0 at the Gentry Center, matching the team's best start since 1992-93.

Tennessee State will next travel to SIUE for a game against the Cougars. The game is scheduled for Feb. 20 with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern baseball aims to end SWAC title drought

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  When he steps out of his office on the bottom floor of the F.G. Clark Activity Center, Southern baseball coach Roger Cador meets a line of team portraits that decorates long stretches of hallway in either direction.

There are 14 portraits in all — one for every Southwestern Athletic Conference champion that Cador, entering his 28th season, has coached. But the youngest of the pictures is three years old.

Southern hasn’t won the SWAC tournament since 2009. When the Jaguars fell short last year, it matched the longest stretch of seasons without a championship that Cador’s program has known.
“There’s been a drought — a long drought,” said senior pitcher Daniel Garcia, a freshman on Southern’s most recent conference championship team. “Unheard of in Southern history.”

“Three years,” Cador said, “is an eternity for us.”

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Burlington point guard commits to WSSU

BURLINGTON, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s basketball team received good news with a commitment from point guard Jamison Jeffers.

Jeffers, a 5-10 senior, told the Burlington Times-News he will attend WSSU next fall. He can sign the binding national letter of intent this spring.

The Rams (18-4) are ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II and are coming off an 81-76 win over Shaw on Wednesday night.

Coach Bobby Collins has a senior-dominated team and will lose seven players off his roster next season. Collins can’t comment on players until they sign.

Landing Jeffers, who plays at Burlington Christian Academy, should help in the backcourt next season. Point guard Marcus Wells has been a four-year starter but he will graduate this summer.

Jeffers told the Times-News that he loved the atmosphere at WSSU when he watched a game at the Gaines Center.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

St. Aug Men Maintain No. 1 Track Ranking in NCAA D-II Poll

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Saint Augustine's University remained the top team in the NCAA Division II men's indoor track & field rankings for the second straight week on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, after winning their 16^th consecutive CIAA Indoor Championship this past weekend. The rankings were released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Falcons head the computer rankings with 210.32 points. Ashland is second with 205.03 points and Adams State is third with 177.69 points. On the women's side, Grand Valley State is the top-ranked team with 193.62 points. Lincoln (Mo.) is second with 176.73 points and Academy of Art is third with 158.84 points. In the regional polls, the Falcons are atop the Atlantic Region men's standings and the Lady Falcons, who claimed the CIAA title, are third in the region among women's teams.

The Falcons held onto their No. 1 men's ranking with seven top 15 Division II performances in the sprints and hurdles at the CIAA Championships. Moussa Dembele (Jr./Dakar, Senegal) ran 7.75 to re-gain his status as the top 60 meter hurdler, and Dane Hyatt (Jr./Goodwill, Jamaica) ran 46.77 to strengthen his hold as the top 400 sprinter.

Josh Edmonds (Jr./Jacksonville, Fla.) ran 47.87 to rank sixth in the 400 and 21.53 to rank ninth in the 200. Marcelis Lynch (Jr./Stone Mountain, Ga.) ran 1:52.66 to earn a No. 12 ranking in the 800, and James Quarles (Jr./Washington, D.C.) ran 48.26 to rank 12^th in the 400. Burkhead Ellis, Jr. (Fr./Raleigh, N.C.) is ranked 14^th in the 200 after running 21.63 and David Shaw, Jr. (So./Red Springs, N.C.) is ranked 15^th in the triple jump after leaping 47-10½.

Below is the list of top 10 Division II track &field student-athletes from St. Aug in the latest rankings:

Event-Name-Ranking (Time, Height or Distance)

MEN60-Jermaine Jones – 7  (6.79)
200-Dane Hyatt – 1  (21.25)
200-Jermaine Jones - 4  (21.43)
200-Josh Edmonds – 9  (21.53)
400-Dane Hyatt – 1  (46.77)
400-Josh Edmonds – 6  (47.87)
H60-Moussa Dembele – 1  (7.75)
H60-Gerkenz Senesca – 6  (7.92)
H60-Ty'reak Murray – 9  (8.01)
4x400-Josh Edmonds, James Quarles, Burkhead Ellis Jr.,Dane Hyatt – 1  (3:09.46)
High jump-Eddie Shelton – 10  (6-10 ¼)
Triple jump-Anaquan Peterson – 3  (50-7 ½)
Triple jump-DeJon Wilkinson – 4 (50-6 ¾)

WOMEN4x400-Zikeena Parker, Brittany Brown, Sherri-Ann Ashman, Kelly Shaw – 4 (3:45.03)

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S SPORTS INFORMATION

Letters of Interest: Trayvaughn Newell runs the show for Coolidge

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Moments after the final buzzer sounded on Coolidge’s 64-46 win against No. 2 Theodore Roosevelt, Colts Coach Vaughn Jones slipped on a gleaming white jacket that read “2012 DCIAA champs.” In a Roosevelt gym still buzzing from the upset that had just transpired, Jones’s subtle move served as a reminder that despite the Rough Riders’ 21-1 mark, the DCIAA title still ran through Coolidge.

A major reason for that, as well as the Colts’ proficiency during Tuesday’s dominant win is senior Trayvaughn Newell. The 5-foot-11 point guard is one of my favorite players to watch this season simply because of his court vision and willingness to share the ball. Crisp passes float off his fingers and into the hands of streaking Coolidge players in transition and in half-court sets. Newell’s poise with the rock helps the Colts maximize their wealth of weapons led by forward David Kadiri and swingman Kory Cooley.

“Tray is our glue kid; he makes everything come together for us,” Jones said. “He defends well and he facilitates our offense very well.”



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Ram Ramblings: WSSU women make a rather large statement

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Maybe the Winston-Salem State women turned the corner on Wednesday night with a surprising upset of 15^th-ranked Shaw in Raleigh. The women had a real confidence problem midway through the conference season and kept losing close games.

Coach A.G. Hall, however, never panicked after losing five straight. The Rams have since beaten Livingstone (45-42), St. Aug’s (58-56) and on Wednesday hit 19 of 21 free throws on their way to a 68-60 win over Shaw.

Shaw is the defending Division II national champions, which made the win a big deal. It was Hall’s signature win in his first season at WSSU.

The Bears aren’t as good as last season’s team that went all the way but they are still the class of the CIAA. The Bears have lost three times at Spaulding Gym this season, but the Rams didn’t care about any of that after Wednesday’s win.

Hall has a calmness in his coaching style but he is still firm when his team messes up.

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Franklin earns her 2nd GCAC Player of the Week honor

SiMon Franklin

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball standout SiMon Franklin has won her second Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor this season.

Franklin — a 5-foot-7 senior guard from Baton Rouge, La., and a 2008 graduate of St. Joseph's Academy — won the award for Feb. 4-10 after averaging 15 points, three rebounds and four steals and shooting 57.9 percent from the floor during the Gold Nuggets' 2-0 week. Her 30 aggregate points came in 49 minutes in Xavier's multi-platoon system. Franklin scored 22 points — the second 20-point game of her career — in Xavier's 61-53 victory Saturday at Philander Smith.

Franklin became the 22nd XU female to reach 200 career steals and the ninth XU female with 1,000 points, 300 rebounds and 200 steals in a career.

Xavier will visit SUNO at 5 p.m. Saturday at The Castle in a matchup of GCAC tri-leaders.

By  Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Southern baseball opener relocated to Pete Goldsby Field

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern University baseball's 2013 home opening weekend series against Stillman College has been relocated to Pete Goldsby Field due to ongoing renovations to the infield at Lee-Hines Field.

Friday's game also marks the 2013 season opener for the Jaguars as well.

Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., while games on Saturday and Sunday will start at 1 p.m. Admission for the weekend slate is $5.

Pete Goldsby Field, which serves as the home of Baton Rouge Community College Bears, is located at 1502 Foss Street in North Baton Rouge, La., five minutes away from Lee Hines Field on Scenic Highway.


COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Seasoned GSU set to start baseball season

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Grambling lost the Southwestern Athletic Conference's top hitter in Thomas Brown, but fortunately for the Tigers, they happen to return the league's second-best hitter this season.

Senior infielder Elias Todman, named the SWAC preseason offensive player of the year, leads a veteran Grambling baseball team attempting to make its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2010, coach James Cooper's first season.

GSU had the SWAC's best batting average at .288, and Todman (.344 and 43 RBIs) leads a lineup that returns four of their top seven hitters.

Seniors Darren Farmer (.314 and 39 RBIs), Jose Longoria (.340 and 33 RBIs) and Hector Mejias (.258 and 30 RBIs) provide the core of a team that finished third in the SWAC West (22-26, 13-10) in 2012.

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Bigger Bethune-Cookman roster means more depth for 2013 season

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- There is no time for the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats baseball team to ease into the 2013 schedule.

B-CU opens the season Friday at Arizona State with the first of three games against the Sun Devils. Arizona State, a tradition-rich program, is ranked between 16th and 22nd in three top-25 college baseball polls.

“Anytime you can play somebody with that kind of tradition, it's a great opportunity for our guys to gauge themselves,” B-CU coach Jason Beverlin said.

There's another reason why Beverlin wanted to play at Arizona State. It helps expand B-CU's recruiting efforts.

"There's definitely a lot of talent out there," Beverlin said. "I think it could definitely help us with name recognition of our program out west in junior colleges and high schools."

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Chiles grad West leaves FAMU baseball program

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Dylan West just felt it was time to try to get to where his heart has always been – playing for a major-college baseball program.

He left the FAMU baseball program in August, figuring that the risk is worth the reward.

“That was one of the biggest things that me and my family talked about,” West said, speaking publicly for the first time about his decision Monday night. “This is going to be a very high risk.”



West, who has to sacrifice a full season to make his move, said he hopes to realize a longtime dream and make the FSU baseball team as a walk-on. He enrolled at FSU last August and would have one year of eligibility left.

His move left the Rattlers without one of their top hitters. Last season, he batted .315 with a slugging percentage of .385. He also hit a home run and was second on the team in runs batted in with 16.

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Former Head Baseball Coach is Suing FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The former head baseball coach at FAMU has put administrators on notice that he plans to sue the university. Willie Brown says he was treated unfairly and terminated because of sexual harassment allegations by a player on his team.

"Now we're at a point where I am going to sue." Brown told the FAMU Board of Trustees.

Brown walked up to the podium with his wife by his side. He says, "I offered to walk away. I offered to not sling mud. It was not well-received by general counsel. So, I have no other alternative but to sling mud."

Brown was fired as head baseball coach at FAMU. One of his players accused him of hazing and sexual harassment. Brown says school administrators were not fair in their decision to fire him.

He says, "I am going to sue the university for discriminatory practices. I'm going to sue the university for violating my rights."

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Fisk defeats XU to put Gold Rush in 1st-place tie in GCAC

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Darrell Miller's basket with four seconds remaining Monday broke a tie and lifted Fisk to a 77-75 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 11 Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Gold Rush (21-6 overall, 8-3 GCAC) lost sole possession of first place in the conference. Xavier shares the lead with Philander Smith, a 97-68 winner at home against Dillard.

Nick Haywood missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Xavier, which dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. Haywood's 2-pointer with 18 seconds remaining tied the score at 75.

Brandyn Mungo scored 17 points, Bradley Grayson 15 and Cameron Lewis 10 for Fisk (7-16, 3-8), which completed a two-game regular-season sweep of the Gold Rush. Miller scored nine points.

Anthony Simmons scored 15 points -- he was 7-of-7 from the floor -- and Renard Smith scored 12 for Xavier. Denzell Erves and Wanto Joseph scored 12 points each.

Fisk led 37-32 at halftime and held its biggest lead, 63-57, after Mungo's basket with 6:45 remaining. Xavier's largest lead in each half was five points.

Xavier lost despite shooting 56.9 percent from the floor. Fisk shot 51.1 percent, made nine 3-pointers -- three each by Mungo and Grayson -- and made 20-of-28 free throws. Xavier made 11-of-22 free throws, 5-of-13 in the second half.

It was Xavier's second consecutive road loss after winning 10 of its first 11 on the road this season.

Xavier will travel to city rival SUNO on Saturday for a 7 p.m. game at The Castle. SUNO athletics director Elston King confirmed Monday that starting time, along with a 5 p.m. matchup between Xavier's and SUNO's women. Xavier schedules have listed the starting times as 2 and 4 p.m.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Gold Nuggets win at Fisk, regain share of lead in GCAC

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Paige Gauthier scored 13 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 11 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 68-45 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Fisk.

The victory was the ninth in a row for the Gold Nuggets (21-4 overall, 9-2 GCAC), who moved into a first-place tie in the conference with SUNO and Talladega after Talladega won 72-68 at home against SUNO. Xavier will visit SUNO on Saturday.

Gauthier was Xavier's only double-figure scorer, but 14 Gold Nuggets scored. Andraquay Quinnine scored nine points, eight in the first half, and freshman Whitney Gathright had eight.

Simone Charles scored 12 points for Fisk (6-17, 2-9), and Nacori Foreman and Janine Davis scored 11 each. Rasheda Ademosu had seven steals, the most by an XU opponent this season.

Xavier led 34-19 at halftime.

The Gold Nuggets outshot the Lady Bulldogs 43.1 to 24.4 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 54-25. It was the third consecutive game and the ninth time this season that Xavier limited an opponent to less than 30 percent. The rebound margin was Xavier's second largest this season. Carmen Holcombe led the Gold Nuggets with eight rebounds, and Danielle Tucker grabbed five.

Xavier matched a season high by making seven 3-pointers, two apiece by Gauthier, Quinnine and Gathright.

Gauthier had four points and six turnovers in the first half but produced nine points and no turnovers in the second half. She reached double figures in points for the seventh time this season and the third time in the past five games.

The Nuggets' streak is their longest since winning nine in a row last season.

Xavier will travel to SUNO on Saturday for a 5 p.m. game at The Castle. SUNO women's coach and athletics director Elston King confirmed Monday that starting time, along with a 7 p.m. matchup between Xavier's and SUNO's men. Xavier schedules have listed the starting times as 2 and 4 p.m.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Two New Foes To Open UAPB 2013 Football Schedule

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --  The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions, defending champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, will open up their 2013 season by entertaining two new non-conference opponents before beginning defense of the league crown they won last season with impressive records of 10-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

UAPB, whose season was capped with an exhilarating 24-21 overtime victory over Jackson State University last December in the Toyota SWAC Championship game in Birmingham, Ala., won more games in 2012 than it ever has on the gridiron. To enjoy the successes of a year ago, the Golden Lions will have to march through a schedule in 2013 that features one team that won a post-season bowl game, another which is a perennial power in the Southland Conference and a SWAC schedule that promises to be more competitive than ever.

“I'm very pleased with our schedule. We will start off on the road with two non-conference opponents, and then it's on to conference play”, said head coach Monte Coleman.

The Golden Lions will begin their 2013 season with back-to-back road games against new opponents. UAPB will travel to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. on August 31 and to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. on September 7. Last year, the Arkansas State Red Wolves went 12-3 after winning the GoDaddy.com Bowl with a 17-13 victory over Kent State University, while the McNeese State Cowboys went 7-4 and finished fourth in the Southland Conference.

Following the dates with the two new foes, UAPB will make their home debut with back-to-back home games at Golden Lion Stadium, starting first with the Alabama State University Hornets on September 14 and then against the Braves of Alcorn State University on September 21. Last year, UAPB defeated the Hornets 24-21 and the Braves 24-6, both on the road.

After an open date on September 28, what promises to be the game-of-the-year will take place on October 5 in Jackson, Miss. when the Golden Lions face a Jackson State University team that it defeated twice last season. UAPB defeated the JSU Tigers 34-24 at home during the regular-season before securing the three-point victory in the SWAC title game.

A pair of home games will then be on tap for UAPB, an October 12 contest against the Texas Southern University Tigers, followed by a homecoming matchup against the Southern University Jaguars on October 19. The Golden Lions rolled past TSU last season in Houston, Tex., winning 49-3, two weeks after storming past the Jaguars in Baton Rouge, La. to the tune of 50-21.

On October 26, the Golden Lions will face a Mississippi Valley State University team in Itta Bena, Miss. that It held scoreless at home last season, 10-0, before enjoying their second week off during the season.

When play resumes on November 9, UAPB will play its final home game of the season when Grambling State University, which captured the SWAC championship in 2011, invades Golden Lion Stadium. At Eddie G. Robinson Stadium in Louisiana last year, UAPB escaped with a close 24-17 victory over the home standing Tigers.

The regular-season will conclude with road games at Alabama A&M University on November 16 in Huntsville, Ala. and Prairie View A&M University on November 23 in Prairie View, Texas. The AAMU Bulldogs were the lone SWAC team to defeat the Golden Lions last season, when they handed UAPB a 14-10 loss in Pine Bluff on September 8. UAPB closed out the 2012 regular-season with a narrow 42-41 shootout victory over the PVAMU Panthers on November 17.

“We're looking forward to this upcoming season. We understand that there is a target on our backs and we are preparing mentally as well as physically to defend our crown”, added Coleman.

The 2013 SWAC Championship game will be played on Saturday, December 7 at a site to be announced.

Here's the complete 2013 schedule for the UAPB Golden Lions:

DATE OPPONENT SITE
Aug. 31 @ Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR
Sept. 7 @McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
Sept. 14 Alabama State University* Pine Bluff, AR
Sept. 21 Alcorn State University* Pine Bluff, AR
Sept. 28 Open
Oct. 5 @Jackson State University* Jackson, MS
Oct. 12 Texas Southern University* Pine Bluff, AR
Oct. 19 Southern University (HC) Pine Bluff, AR
Oct. 26 @Miss. Valley State University Itta Bena, MS
Nov. 2 Open
Nov. 9 Grambling State University* Pine Bluff, AR
Nov. 16 @Alabama A&M University* Huntsville, AL
Nov. 23 @Prairie View A&M University* Prairie View, TX

BOLD: HOME GAMES
*SWAC Game

Season tickets to UAPB's home games are expected to go on sale on March 1.



COURTESY UNIVERSITY ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Spartans stick close to home; Signees increased to 18

DICK PRICE STADIUM
CAMPUS  - NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Pete Adrian believes this was one of the better years Virginia high schools have had developing Football Championship Subdivision talent.

The Norfolk State head coach is betting on it.

The Spartans' 2013 signing-day class of 18 players includes 17 from Virginia, including four from South Hampton Roads.

"We really wanted to hit it hard here first and go from there," Adrian said. "It happened to be one of the better years for the state, for our level, anyway. They're really good players."

Adrian said the majority of the players would be capable of competing for time immediately, especially on special teams. But he wasn't ready to anoint any of them game-changers.

"We've gotten bigger and more athletic with speed," Adrian said. "Seven or eight are going to be on special teams in Week 1. The only way they'll become players is to play. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who is ready to play; look at (Conley Smith) last year."


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2013 NSU Recruiting Class (html complete version)

HEAD COACH PETE ADRIAN
NSU SPARTANS

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown / Previous School	Highlights
Chris Alaniz	OL	6-3	290	Winchester, Va./James Wood HS	Click here
Jay Anderson	LB	6-2	220	Richmond, Va./L.C. Bird HS
Marquis Brown	RB	5-10	185	Madison Heights, Va./Amherst Co. HS	Click here
James Church	WR	6-1	200	Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS	Click here
Shakeem Copeland	RB	5-9	200	Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field HS	Click here
Demetreus Ferebee	TE	6-4	225	Roanoke, Va./Northside HS
Collin Frazer	DB	5-11	180	Woodbridge, Va./Alfred State CC	Click here
Harry Freeman	DB	6-2	185	Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
Donte Haynesworth	DB	6-0	175	Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover HS	Click here
Gabe Hollins	OL	6-4	310	Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS	Click here
James Jones	DL	6-4	295	Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass HS	Click here
T.C. Livingston	LB	6-3	190	Suffolk, Va./King's Fork HS	Click here
Cameron Marouf	K/P	5-10	180	Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS	Click here
Jacob Mazgajewski	OL	6-6	260	Yorktown, Va./Grafton HS	Click here
Jonathan Okafor	LB	6-3	215	Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS	Click here
Leroy Parker	DB	6-2	190	Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach HS
Jason Stewart	QB	6-2	205	Lorton, Va./Dodge City CC	Click here
Brandon Walker	DB	6-3	200	Richmond, Va./L.C. Bird HS	Click here

PLAYER PROFILE

Chris Alaniz • OL • 6-3 • 290 Winchester, Va./James Wood HS High School: Was a two-time All-Northwest District, all-area and all-academic selection … played in the 2012 Chesapeake Bowl, an invitation-only all-star game pitting stars from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. against stars from New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware … three-year starter. Adrian on Alaniz: “Chris is a big, strong, mobile lineman. He plays with a good motor and is equally effective in pass protection and run blocking.”

Jay Anderson • LB • 6-2 • 220 Richmond, Va./L.C. Bird HS High School: A first-team All-State Group AAA pick by VirginiaPreps.com … first-team All-Metro selection by The Richmond Times Dispatch … was also named to the All-Dominion District and All-Central Region first teams … posted 86 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks for the VHSL state Division 6 champions … forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and broke up five passes … had three sacks in the state championship game. Adrian on Anderson: “Jay seems to be the perfect fit for our defensive at outside linebacker. He play standing up or with his hand down and we feel he will be a really good player for us.”

Marquis Brown • RB • 5-10 • 185 Madison Heights, Va./Amherst County HS
High School: First-team All-Seminole District and Lynchburg News & Advance All-Area ... also a second-team All-Region III selection … rushed 155 times for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns … also caught one TD pass … had 20 runs of at least 20 yards and averaged over 8.0 yards per rush … ran one leg on Amherst's state Group AA indoor championship 4x400 relay team last year.
Adrian on Brown: “Marquis has great speed. He is a real break-away threat and has excellent quickness, as well.”

James Church • WR • 6-1 • 200
Virginia Beach, Va./Salem HS
High School: Named to the All-Beach District second team … caught 33 passes for 402 yards and three touchdowns … also had offers from Hampton and VMI … ranked the No. 24 recruit in The Virginian-Pilot's top 50 rankings for South Hampton Roads.
Adrian on Church: “What really stands out about James is that his work ethic is second to none. He has great hands and catches everything thrown to him. We weren't necessarily looking to add a receiver to this class, but he was too good to pass up.”

Shakeem Copeland • RB • 5-9 • 200
Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field HS
High School: Rushed for 1,148 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … earned first-team All-Cardinal District honors … was fifth in the Northern Virginia area in rushing … also ran for 1,417 yards as a junior … earned MVP at the National Underclassmen Combine event in Richmond after his junior season.
Adrian on Copeland: “Shakeem is an outstanding back with good speed and vision, and he's a tough runner. He played most of his senior year with a pulled hamstring, but kept playing at both running back and outside linebacker. That shows that kind of toughness he has.”

Demetreus Ferebee • TE • 6-4 • 225
Roanoke, Va./Northside HS
High School: A first-team all-district and All-Region III selection on defense … also named to the all-state Group AA second team.
Adrian on Ferebee: “Demetreus could play outside linebacker for us down the road, but we feel he can push for time at tight end right away. He blocks and catches really well and should fit in well with what we want to do offensively.”

Collin Frazer • DB • 5-11 • 180
Woodbridge, Va./Alfred State CC (N.Y.)/Woodbridge HS
At Alfred State: First-team All-Region III selection as a defensive back and as a return specialist … led the team with three interceptions … added 50 tackles, seven pass break-ups, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery … on special teams, he accumulated 355 yards and two scores on punt returns (19.2 average) and 280 yards and one score on kick returns (23.3 average) … finished the season with five total touchdowns (three on special teams, one on defense and one receiving).
At Woodbridge HS: A 2009 second-team all-state Group AAA pick after amassing 83 total tackles for a 10-1 team … caught 24 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns, while also running the ball four times for 37 yards and going 4-for-4 passing for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns on offense.
Adrian on Frazer: “Collin is an outstanding defensive back. He could play corner or safety for us because he has good cover skills and great makeup speed. He is also dangerous in the return game.”

Harry Freeman • DB/WR • 6-2 • 185
Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor HS
High School: A first-team All-Eastern District and second-team All-Eastern Region pick at wide receiver … caught 12 touchdown passes for the Titans, who won the state Group AAA Division 5 championship … amassed 26 catches for 575 yards (22.1 yards per catch) … also started at defensive back … son of NSU assistant track and field coach of the same name.
Adrian on Freeman: “Harry is a speed guy who can play either side of the ball. We'll look at him at safety first because of his great range. He may also help us in the return game.”

Donte Haynesworth • DB • 6-0 • 175
Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover HS
High School: Started at defensive back and receiver for the Hawks, who won the Central Region Division 5 championship and advanced to the state semifinals … named to the All-Capital District first team at both receiver and defensive back … also a second-team All-Metro and All-Central Region pick at receiver, Haynesworth caught 39 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns … recorded 52 tackles, six interceptions, eight pass breakups and one fumble recovery for a TD on defense … son of former NSU All-American DB Leroy Haynesworth.
Adrian on Haynesworth: “Donte has good cover skills and does a real nice job against the run. There were several other schools who really wanted him, so we feel fortunate that he chose to come to NSU.”

Gabe Hollins • OL • 6-4 • 310
Virginia Beach, Va./Cox HS
High School: A first-team All-Beach District and All-Tidewater selection by the Virginian-Pilot … also named to the All-Eastern Region second team by VirginiaPreps.com … started on both sides of the line in every game … helped Cox rush for nearly 2,000 yards in 10 games … ranked the No. 20 recruit in the Virginian-Pilot's top 50 rankings for South Hampton Roads.
Adrian on Hollins: “Gabe is a physical player who has a really good motor. I expect him to push for playing time right off the bat.”

James Jones • DL • 6-4 • 295
Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass HS
High School: First-team All-Seminole District selection … tallied 70 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, three blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries and one interception … scored three defensive touchdowns … honorable mention all-region ... was second on the team in total tackles and was named the team's Defensive MVP.
Adrian on Jones: “We didn't have to add a defensive lineman in this class, but James really jumps off the film at you. He moves well and brings something to the party once he gets there.”

T.C. Livingston • LB • 6-3 • 190
Suffolk, Va./King's Fork HS
High School: First-team All-Southeastern District linebacker … also named to the All-Tidewater second team by The Virginian-Pilot … helped lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever berth in the Eastern Region playoffs.
Adrian on Livingston: “We really like T.C.'s athleticism and think he fits in well with our defensive scheme.”

Cameron Marouf • K/P • 5-10 • 180
Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS
High School: First-team All-Cardinal District punter as a senior … averaged 39 yards per punt … was 16-of-17 on extra point attempts and made three field goals.
Adrian on Marouf: “Cameron is well-rounded – he can punt, place-kick and kickoff very well. What I like about him is that he is calm under pressure and has only been kicking a couple of years. He has a bright future.”

Jacob Mazgajewski • OL • 6-6 • 260
Yorktown, Va./Grafton HS
High School: Received a two-star rating from the recruiting web site Scout.com … named to the All-Bay Rivers District second team on offense … started at both offensive tackle and defensive end.
Adrian on Mazgajewski: “Jacob could probably play either side of the ball for us. We think he will make an outstanding offensive tackle for us because he has long arms and is very athletic.”

Jonathan Okafor • LB • 6-3 • 215
Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS
High School: First-team All-Cardinal District after recording 19 sacks as a senior … tallied 26 total tackles for loss … also played tight end for Forest Park.
Adrian on Okafor: “Jonathan runs very well and fits into our “30” defense very well. He can rush the passer standing up or in a three-point stance.”

Leroy Parker • DB • 6-2 • 190
Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach HS
High School: A third-team All-Dade County pick by The Miami Herald … tallied 89 tackles and four interceptions on defense, two of which he returned for touchdowns … also caught 31 passes for 618 and eight touchdowns on offense … averaged 37 yards per kickoff return … a standout baseball player for the Chargers who has batted over .400 each of his first three seasons.
Adrian on Parker: “Leroy is an excellent athlete who could play safety or corner for us. He's the only out-of-state recruit we're taking right now with this class, because he is too good to pass up.”

Jason Stewart • QB • 6-2 • 205
Lorton, Va./Dodge City CC (Kan.)/Hayfield HS
Prior to NSU: Split time between quarterback and receiver in his one year at Dodge City … passed for 787 yards and three scores and also caught six passes for 110 yards and a touchdown … spent one post-graduate year at Hargrave Military Academy before enrolling at Dodge City … was an All-National District pick as a senior at Hayfield High, leading the Hawks to the North Region Division 5 championship game … has three years of eligibility remaining.
Adrian on Stewart: “Jason has a quick release, good feet and an excellent football mind. He has the arm to make all the throws, but also shows nice touch on his passes when it's needed.”

Brandon Walker • DB • 6-3 • 200
Richmond, Va./L.C. Bird HS
High School: A first-team All-Dominion District pick … also named to the district all-academic team … named to the Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro and All-Central Region second teams … teamed with fellow NSU signee Jay Anderson to help L.C. Bird win the state Division 6 championship … had the game-clinching tackle on a fourth-and-1 play in the title game … tallied 92 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
Adrian on Walker: “Brandon has good cover skills and rotates very well on defense. I expect for him to make a push for playing time right away.”



COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU signs football class of 11

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Sitting around a table in an office at the Bowman Gray Stadium fieldhouse on Monday, Winston-Salem State’s football coaches seemed pleased with their recruiting class.

Coach Connell Maynor also was impressed with the work he and his assistants did in assembling the class of 11, all of them high-school players. 

“We addressed a lot of areas,” Maynor said. “When you win a lot like we’ve been doing, you get a lot of calls about kids who folks think can help us. So it’s a lot of work to kind of sort through who we want and who can help us.”

 

Assistant John Eder, also the recruiting coordinator, said the recent success the Rams have had — a 35-4 record over three seasons and two straight CIAA titles — keeps his email box full.

 

“There’s no question about ...

 

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Savannah State Tigers To Play 12 Games In 2013

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- The Savannah State football team will play 12 games during the 2013 season. The Tigers will have five home dates.

SSU will open the season on the road against Georgia Southern (August 31) and Troy (September 7) before playing Fort Valley State in their home opener on Sept. 14.

Following a trip to Miami, Florida on Sept. 21, SSU will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at home against Delaware State (Sept. 28), then hit the road to take on Norfolk State (October 5) and return home for a visit from Florida A&M (Oct. 12).

Savannah State will travel to Daytona Beach, Florida to play Bethune-Cookman, the defending MEAC champions, on Oct. 19.

The Tigers will celebrate Homecoming against North Carolina Central on Oct. 26 followed by the final home game of the season against South Carolina State on November 2.

SSU will close out the season at Howard (Nov. 9) and North Carolina A&T (Nov. 16).

Steve Davenport will enter his third season as head coach of the Tigers and looks to improve on last season's 1-10 mark.

Savannah State will play Troy, Miami and North Carolina A&T, for the first time in school history in football.

The Tigers have not played Georgia Southern and Fort Valley State since 2010 and Delaware State since 2002.


2013 SSU TIGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date     Opponent     Location     Time

8/31 @ Georgia Southern, Statesboro, Ga. - Paulson Stadium TBA
9/7   @ Troy University, Troy, Ala. - Veterans Memorial Stadium TBA
9/14      Fort Valley State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m.
9/21 @ University of Miami, Miami, Fla. - Sun Life Stadium TBA
9/28      Delaware State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium TBA*
10/5 @ Norfolk State, Norfolk, Va. - William 'Dick' Price Stadium TBA *
10/12    Florida A&M, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m. *
10/19@ Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach, Fla. - Municipal Stadium TBA *
10/26    N.C. Central, "Homecoming," Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/2       S. Carolina State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/9   @ Howard University, Washington, D.C., William H. Greene Stadium*
11/16 @ North Carolina A&T University Greensboro, N.C. - Aggie Stadium *

BOLD: Home Games
* MEAC Games




COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Hunter's Path to Success Already Outlined

PHOENIX, Arizona --  If rubbing elbows with greatness is any determination of how successful one could be, then new Suns Head Coach Lindsey Hunter will be in very good shape.

In the NBA, the self-described “basketball junkie” played under such luminaries as Doug Collins, Larry Brown, Lenny Wilkens and Phil Jackson. But his brushes with greatness started long before then.

At Murrah High School in Jackson Mississippi, Hunter played for Orsmond Jordan Jr. In Jordan's storied career, he coached three McDonald’s All-Americans, eight future NBA players, won four state championships and even one national title before being named to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Then it was on to Alcorn State to play for Dave Whitney, a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Hunter later transferred to Jackson State to play for Andy Stoglin, who was named the SWAC’s Coach of the Year three times in his career.

“I’ve always taken something from the guys I’ve played for,” Hunter said. “I share a lot of their philosophies and beliefs, and they’ve all been influential to me.”

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College baseball beckons in Baton Rouge

COACH ROGER CADOR

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Happy Mardi Gras to one and all! I grew up in New Orleans and enjoyed Mardi Gras for many, many years. I do not participate nearly as much as I once did.

Instead, this time of the year for me has me in a get ready for baseball mode. Major League Baseball camps open in Arizona and Florida this week with pitchers and catchers reporting. Full squads are due in early next week. Here in Baton Rouge, all baseball fans are ready for the college season to get underway.

The Southern Jaguars of Roger Cador are picked to win the Western Division of the SWAC. I spoke to Coach Cador recently and he stated that it is too early to judge his team. He also has a mixture of returning players and newcomers on the Jaguar roster. The Jags also open the season this coming weekend at home with a three-game set against Stillman College from Tuscaloosa, AL at Lee-Hines Field.

The following weekend in Houston at Minute Maid Field, The Jaguars will participate in the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy Series. This is an opportunity for Southern to play three games in a Major League park. Look for the Jags to be ready to win at the end of SWAC play and in that league's post season tournament.

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SAU Falcons Release 2013 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Games against North Carolina Central University, Winston-Salem State University and Shaw University highlight the Saint Augustine's University 2013 football schedule, which was released Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. The Falcons will play five home games and five away contests.

“This is a very good schedule,” St. Aug Head Football Coach Michael Costa said. “Everybody on the schedule is very competitive which means we have to be ready.”

The Falcons open the season Sept. 7 on the road in Durham, N.C., against North Carolina Central, a Division I-Football Championship Subdivision member. The last time both teams played each other was Sept. 8, 2007 in Durham, N.C. NCCU is a former Division II and CIAA member.

“It will bring back a taste of the old CIAA,” Costa said.

The Falcons hit the road again Sept. 14 against Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. Last season, the Falcons defeated Wingate 28-10 in the season opener in Durham, N.C., for their first victory as a university. This will be the second meeting between both teams.

On Sept. 21, the Falcons make their home debut against Stillman College in Raleigh, N.C. The matchup will be the first between both teams.
“[Stillman] has a good program,” Costa said. “It is a good opportunity to play a team from the SIAC.”

After three consecutive non-conference games, the Falcons enter CIAA play at Bowie State Sept. 28 in Bowie, Md. The Falcons defeated the Bulldogs 38-22 in Durham, N.C., last season.

October starts a three-game home stretch for the Falcons. Elizabeth City State University comes to Raleigh, N.C., for an encounter on Oct. 5. Last season, the Vikings eased past the Falcons 23-21 at the Down East Viking Classic in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Livingstone will be the Falcons' opponent on Homecoming Day, which is scheduled for Oct. 12 in Raleigh, N.C. The Falcons beat the Blue Bears 32-27 in Salisbury, N.C., last season. On Oct. 19, the Falcons host CIAA champion and national Division II runner-up Winston-Salem State in Raleigh, N.C. In 2012, the Rams defeated the Falcons 56-37 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“The game against [WSSU] will be very interesting,” Costa said. “We look forward to playing the defending champs.”

After three straight home games, the Falcons travel to Fayetteville, N.C., to face Fayetteville State University on Oct. 26. When both teams met last season, the Falcons topped the Broncos 34-28 in three overtimes on Homecoming Day in Raleigh, N.C., at Saint Augustine's University Stadium on campus.

The Falcons play their last home game Nov. 2 against Johnson C. Smith in Raleigh, N.C. The Golden Bulls defeated the Falcons 27-21 in Charlotte, N.C., last season.

The Falcons finish the regular season against Shaw University on Nov. 9 in Raleigh, N.C. The last time these arch rivals hooked up, the Falcons scored on the game's last play for a thrilling 43-42 victory over the Bears in 2012 at Saint Augustine's University Stadium on campus.

The starting times for the home games are 1:30 p.m. with the exception of the Homecoming game against Livingstone which is 2 p.m. The Falcons will play their home games on campus at Saint Augustine's University Stadium.

The Falcons were 6-4 overall in 2012 which is their second winning record in three seasons. They finished third in the CIAA Southern Division at 4-3.

2013 Saint Augustine's University Falcons Football Schedule
Date Time Opponent Location
9/7/2013 2 p.m. North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
9/14/2013 1:30 p.m. Wingate University Wingate, NC
9/21/2013 1:30 p.m. Stillman College Raleigh, NC
9/28/2013 TBA Bowie State University Bowie, MD
10/5/2013 1:30 p.m. Elizabeth City State University Raleigh, NC
10/12/2013 2 p.m. Livingstone College (Homecoming) Raleigh, NC
10/19/2013 1:30 p.m. Winston-Salem State University Raleigh, NC
10/26/2013 2 p.m. Fayetteville State University Fayeteville, NC
11/2/2013 1:30 p.m. Johnson C. Smith University Raleigh, NC
11/9/2013 1 p.m. Shaw University Durham, NC

Bold: Home Games

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JCSU Golden Bulls tap into the Georgia pipeline

Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University football coaching staff has announced their 2013 National Letter of Intent Signees for the upcoming season. These newest members are welcomed additions to the Golden Bulls football squad as well as the JCSU family.

“My coaching staff and I continue to stay committed towards recruiting student-athletes with character and talent, and I think this is another class fits that mold,” said head football coach Steven Aycock. “We're excited to see these guys compete and contribute to the success of the program being built.”

The signees announced thus far are:

Name	Height	Weight	Hometown/Previous School	Position
Erik Amaya	5'10	175	Kannapolis, NC/Brown HS	Kicker
Keanu Brown	6'3	225	Atlanta, GA/Douglass HS	Defensive End
Chazmon Chapmon	6'3	280	Lithonia, GA/Arabia Mountain HS	Offensive Line
Deondre Farrington	6'2	240	Pensacola, FL/Pensacola HS	Defensive End
Jermany Hammonds	6'0	175	Monroe, NC/Monroe HS	WR/TE
Evan Jones	5'9	180	Stone Mountain, GA/Stephenson HS	Running Back
Tyron Lewis	6'2	315	Panama City, FL/Bay HS	Off/Def Tackle
J.P. Lott	5'9	185	Kannapolis, NC/Brown HS	Defensive Back
Spencer Williams	5'10	185	Lithonia, GA/Martin Luther King Jr. HS	Running Back

“We have recruited this year based on specific needs,” stated Aycock. “We still have a few more slots to fill, but I feel like we're headed in a solid direction.”

The Golden Bulls will open the 2013 season on Saturday, September 7th. The time, location, and opponent have yet to be determined.


COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION