SSU’s Kyle McGowin Drafted By Angels In 5th Round

KYLE MCGOWIN
(Courtesy: SSU Tigers Athletics)

LOS ANGELES, California – Savannah State RHP Kyle McGowin was selected as the 157th pick in the fifth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

McGowin was the Angels fourth pick in the draft and third right-handed pitcher. The Angels also picked up south paw and 17-year-old Hunter Green out of Kentucky in the first round. L.K. grabbed RHP Keynan Middleton and RHP Elliot Morris prior to drafting McGowin.

The 6-3, 180, Sag Harbor, New York native, pitched the Tigers to their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship in May, and the programs first Division I NCAA Regional bid.

McGowin was named the MEAC Pitcher of the Year after ending the regular season with an ERA of 1.49 in 96.1 innings pitched and a 12-1 record. He led the MEAC in strikeouts (111) and wins, and was ranked sixth nationally after the end of the regular season.

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Hampton University's OC Wilson gets Savannah State head coach's job

Hampton University offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson was named head coach at Savannah State, Pirates' head coach Donovan Rose confirmed Friday.

Wilson had been coordinator at HU for one year, and was chosen from among a list of four finalists to take over the program at the Pirates' MEAC rival.

"I think it's a tribute to the kind of program we have here that he was asked to be a candidate," Rose said. "When he called and told me, I said, 'I wish you the best.' I think he did a good job for us."

Rose said that he is likely to promote from within the staff to replace Wilson as coordinator. He said that he will hire someone to replace Wilson as wide receivers' coach, perhaps as soon as next week.
Rose acknowledged that June is a bit late to replace a coordinator, but didn't begrudge Wilson the opportunity.

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Savannah State names new football coach

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  A new era of Tiger football begins Friday as Savannah State University announces the selection of Earnest Wilson III as its new head coach, effective immediately.

The coaching veteran of 23 seasons becomes the 24^th head coach of the Tigers since the football program started in 1915. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Wilson replaces Steve Davenport who served as SSU head coach for the past two seasons.

Wilson, 48, comes to Savannah State from fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Hampton University where he spent the past year as the Pirates offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. Under Wilson, Hampton averaged 317.2 yards of total offense and 21.7 points per game.

Before joining Hampton, Wilson worked at Jackson State University (JSU) as offensive coordinator, quarterback coach and wide receiver coach for two years (2010-12). While at JSU, Wilson’s offense led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in scoring offense, total offense, pass offense, pass efficiency, first downs and fourth down conversions.

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Tennessee State Tigers Football Season Tickets On Sale July 8

(Courtesy TSU Tigers Athletics)

 

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For Season Tickets - Call 615-963-5841

2013 Season Ticket Information2013 Tennessee State University Football season tickets will go on sale July 8. The Tigers open the season with Bethune-Cookman in the 15^th Annual John Merritt Classic on Sept. 1.  Later on in the season, the Tigers will return to Hale Stadium to face Austin Peay.

 
Season tickets are $85.00 and season parking passes are $40.00. The season parking package will include all four contests at LP Field.  The Hale Stadium game against Austin Peay on November 9 will be $5.00 cash the day of the game.

Season Ticket Price - $85
Faculty/Staff Price - $75
Kids 12 and under - $75 (Parents Must specify at time of purchase, no refunds will be given after purchase)

2013 Football Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all five games will go on sale July 22, 2013. All tickets will increase by $5 on gameday.

Single Game Tickets at LP Field – Range from $15 - $35
Single Game Ticket at Hale Stadium - $15

** Tickets increase by $5 on gameday**

Single Game Tickets go on sale July 22, 2013


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

For 3rd consecutive year, XU wins GCAC all-sports trophy

NEW ORLEANS — For the third consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana is the winner of the Thomas Howell Cup, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's all-sports award. XU scored its largest-ever winning margin, 14 points, and its most points, 46½, since 2003-04.
    
The Thomas Howell Cup, named for the GCAC's longtime commissioner, is awarded annually to the school with the most points based on order of finish in various sports.

Xavier was boosted by GCAC championships in men's cross country, women's cross country, women's volleyball, women's basketball, men's basketball and women's outdoor track and field. Edward Waters was second with 32½ points, and SUNO was third with 31½.
    
It's the third time that Xavier has won the award. The athletics department finished in the top three each of the past nine seasons.

Xavier is the second school in GCAC history to win the all-sports award at least three consecutive times. Former member Mobile did it 12 consecutive years (1987-99), then won five straight in six years (2003-09; no Howell Cup awarded in 2005-06).      Xavier won the Howell Cup by 11½ points over runner-up SUNO in 2011-12 and by eight points over Edward Waters in 2010-11.      Xavier has won 46 conference/group team championships and earned 34 berths in NAIA national championships during the past seven seasons. Xavier suspended intercollegiate athletics in 2005-06 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In seven seasons since then, the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets have combined for 41 conference/group team championships and 31 berths in NAIA national championships. Thomas Howell Cup 2012-13 standings No. School Points 1. Xavier 46½ 2. Edward Waters 32½ 3. SUNO 31½ 4. Talladega 24 5. Tougaloo 23½ 6. Dillard 23 7. Philander Smith 16½ 8. Fisk 9½

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

Didavi, Montrel, Howell, Flowers are ITA All-Americans

Loic Didavi

Kourtney Howell

NEW ORLEANS — Four from Xavier University of Louisiana — Loic Didavi, Kyle Montrel, Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers — have been named Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA All-Americans for the 2012-13 season.

The four earned the honor by being top 20 in singles or top 10 in doubles in the ITA's postseason individual rankings. Didavi, a senior from Cotonou, Benin, and a graduate of Lycée Jean Dautet, La Rochelle, was ranked fourth in singles and fifth in doubles with Montrel, a freshman from Atlanta, Ga., and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Those are the highest-ever final NAIA individual rankings of the Gold Rush.

Kyle Montrel

Brion Flowers

The Gold Nuggets also achieved their highest-ever end-of-season singles and doubles rankings. Howell, a junior from Cypress, Texas, and a graduate of Cypress Woods High School, ranked sixth in singles and was third in doubles with Flowers, a freshman from Lafayette, La., and a graduate of St. Thomas More High School.
    
Didavi and Howell are repeat All-America selections. Didavi made the team for the third consecutive year; he also attained that honor as a sophomore at Auburn Montgomery before transferring to Xavier. Howell is the Gold Nuggets' first two-time ITA NAIA All-American. Montrel and Flowers are Xavier's first freshmen to be named All-America in this sport.
    
Also ranked nationally in the postseason were XU's Nikita Soifer at 21st and Montrel at 36th in men's singles, and the men's doubles team of Soifer and Viktor Svoboda at No. 19. In women's singles, Flowers finished 28th, and Amanda Materre was 42nd. Howell was 15th and Materre 36th in the final singles rankings a year ago.

In the NAIA South Region men's rankings, Didavi was fifth, Soifer 12th and Montrel 16th in singles. Didavi and Montrel were fourth, and Soifer and Svoboda were eighth in doubles. In the women's South Region, Howell was sixth and Flowers 15th in singles, and Howell and Flowers were third in doubles.

Soifer is a sophomore from Beer Sheva, Israel, and a graduate of Hof Hasharon School. Svoboda is a junior from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and a graduate of Vitezna Plan. Materre is a sophomore from Richmond, Texas, and a graduate of Westside High School.

This is the second consecutive year that the XU men have three in the final singles top 50 and two teams in final doubles top 20.

Xavier is one of three NAIA men's programs — the others are Vanguard and Westmont — with at least three singles players and two doubles teams in the final rankings both of the last two seasons.
    
Both XU teams had their best seasons ever. The Gold Nuggets finished 19-8 and were the first XU team in any sport to reach No. 1 in an NAIA coaches poll or reach the semifinals of an NAIA National Championship. They ranked third in the postseason. The XU men (15-8) and reached their highest-ever NAIA ranking, fifth, on three occasions, including the postseason poll. The Gold Rush became the first XU program to reach the national quarterfinals in consecutive years.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

FAMU drum major sentenced

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills apologized to Robert Champion's parents today for his role in the fatal hazing of their son and then received five years probation.

Wills, who was Champion's roommate at Florida A&M University, also was ordered to serve a year of community control, a sanction similar to house arrest.

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He and Shawn Turner, who will be sentenced later today, were two of the six student leaders of FAMU's Marching 100 in November 2011. They insist they were trying to shield fellow drum major Champion from the blows that killed him during the ritual aboard a charter bus parked at the Rosen Plaza hotel in Orlando.

Turner is not expected to draw a prison sentence either, assistant state attorney Nicole Pegues said.

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FAMU Drum Major Sentenced to House Arrest in Hazing Death
 
ORLANDO, Florida --    One of the former Florida A&M University drum majors charged in the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion was sentenced today to house arrest and probation for his role in his bandmate's death.
 
Rikki Wills, 25, was one of the five drum majors who led Champion's funeral march, escorting his casket during the funeral.
 
Champion, 26, was a member of the college's famed "Marching 100" band when he collapsed and died Nov. 19, 2011 on a bus parked outside an Orlando, Fla., hotel after a football game.
 
The death was ruled a homicide and Champion's torso was covered with bruises that were inflicted during a brutal hazing ritual that contributed to his death, according to investigators.
 
Wills was sentenced to one year of "community control"--a formal name for house arrest--and five years of state probation.
 
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Savannah State to name football coach Friday

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State University has scheduled a press conference Friday afternoon to introduce its new head football coach.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference program has been without a head coach since Steve Davenport was fired on April 17 after back-to-back 1-10 seasons.

The four finalists who interviewed for the position are John Hendrick, the special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach at Alabama State; Earnest Wilson II, the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach at Hampton; Ester Junior, the head coach at Central State; and Robert Joseph, who recently joined the staff at Alcorn State as wide receiver coach after serving as Langston's head coach the last two seasons.

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SSU pitcher McGowin a semifinalist for National Pitcher of the Year

KYLE MCGOWIN
(Courtesy SSU Athletics)

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  The College Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that Savannah State junior Kyle McGowin is one of 10 semifinalists for the National Pitcher of the Year Award.

The winner of the Pitcher of the Year Award will be announced June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the annual College Baseball Night of Champions.

The right-handed pitcher finished the 2013 campaign with a 12-2 record, 2.02 earned-run average and a school single-season record of 135 strikeouts. The Sag Harbor, N.Y., native pitched 120 1/3 innings.

McGowin won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year award, made the MEAC all-tournament team and also was a finalist for the 2013 Golden Spikes Award.

In other award news, SSU outfielder Mendez Elder has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team, selected by the Collegiate Baseball magazine.

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Charlotte tourism chief wants CIAA hoops extension

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Charlotte tourism leaders have asked the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for an exclusive 30-day negotiating period to keep the conference’s basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. The request was disclosed in a letter sent Friday to city and tourism leaders by a Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority executive.

Tom Murray, the CEO of the visitors authority, asked the conference’s board to grant Charlotte the right to propose new contract terms as part of a visit to the CIAA board meeting on May 22. Mike Butts, executive director of Visit Charlotte, the recruiting arm of the visitors authority, described Murray’s pitch as one that would allow “the CRVA, Charlotte Bobcats and the hospitality community to address the concerns that the chancellors and staff have shared as needing attention in order to continue their relationship with Charlotte.”

Time Warner Cable Arena has hosted the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments for the past eight years. The current agreement ends after the 2014 tournament. Visitors authority studies in past years estimated the tournament pumped $50 million into the local economy. Last month, Murray disclosed some preliminary results from analysis of the 2013 tournament, including a decline of 13.5 percent in ticket sales.

Butts, in the letter sent last week recapping the pitch by Murray, said ...

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SWAC Football Media Day Set for July 15

Courtesy SWAC.org

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will hold its annual Football Media Day on Monday, July 15 at the Birmingham Marriott. The event will be streamed live on the SWAC Digital Network beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The annual kickoff to the SWAC football season, this year's media gathering will feature all 10 head coaches and selected student-athletes in an on-line video format.

The SWAC will announce the 2013 All-SWAC preseason teams and predicted order of finish during the occasion as well as the fall conference ESPN broadcast schedule.

To apply for credentials to the event, visit the Sports Systems request link at http://www.sportssystems.com/clients/swac/. Requests will be accepted through 5:00 p,m. on Thursday, July 11.

 

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

With major games gone, Birmingham mayor tries salvaging what's left with SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham Mayor William Bell will meet with officials from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a late attempt to salvage Birmingham's relationship with the group.

The meeting next week comes after SWAC announced it is taking both its football and baseball championships to Houston.

In response, several Birmingham City Council members are calling to sever financial ties to the organization in the 2014 budget.

The city last year spent $500,000 on SWAC and is set to increase the amount to $550,000 under Bell's proposed 2014 budget. Now, the council is set to hack that funding after SWAC announced plans to move its major events away from Birmingham.

Terry Burney, Bell's chief administrative analyst, said the Bell is scheduling a meeting with SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp to discuss Birmingham's relationship with the college league and the possibility of bringing other SWAC events here.

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UNC’s Hairston facing drug charge; ECSU's Faulcon involved

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina —  Durham police have charged North Carolina leading scorer P.J. Hairston with marijuana possession following a traffic stop, along with passenger and Elizabeth City State freshman Miykael Faulcon.

In an email Thursday, Durham Police Department spokeswoman Kammie Michael said officers stopped Hairston at a license checkpoint Wednesday night.

Police also arrested Faulcon and a second passenger, Carlos Devone Sanford, both of Durham, and charged all three men with possessing a half-ounce of marijuana or less.

They were released on $1,000 unsecured bonds.

Faulcon, 20, just finished his freshman season with the Vikings, and was used ...
 

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Former TSU Player Will Wynn Passes Away

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Former Tennessee State football player Will Wynn died on June 4th at the age of 64.

Wynn, born January 15, 1949 in Apex, North Carolina, played for five seasons in the National Football League as a defensive end.
 

A seventh-round draft pick, Wynn played four seasons for the Eagles (1973-76) before moving on to play one more year with the Washington Redskins. Wynn, a 6-4, 245-pounder, wasn't noted as much for inflicting punishing tackles as he was for having a nose for the ball. He finished his Eagles career with eight fumble recoveries for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Patriots (1973) and the Packers (1974).

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 
Will Wynn, 64, Eagles defensive end in the '70s

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  OLD-TIME EAGLES fans might remember that Green Bay game in a driving rainstorm at the Vet on Dec. 1, 1974, when the Eagles kicked the Packers' butts, 36-14, and one of those scores was made by defensive end Will Wynn on an 87-yard fumble recovery.

It was one of the games in which Will became an unlikely hero. Remember the Dallas game in 1971 when the Eagles trounced the Cowboys, 30-16, and Will Wynn demoralized his opponents by blocking a field-goal try?

William Wynn, who played for the Birds from 1973 to 1976, and finished out his National Football League career with the Washington Redskins until 1977, died Tuesday of heart failure at age 64. He had lived in West Oak Lane for the past 20 years.

"He was one of the fastest defensive linemen I have ever seen, and he played the game hard," said former teammate Harold Carmichael, now the Eagles' director of player programs. "He was just a great guy. He loved living in Philadelphia and being part of the community. The fans loved him and he loved them. It's a big loss."

Will played 54 games for the Eagles. He was a seventh-round selection from Tennessee State who had eight fumble recoveries for 119 return yards and two touchdowns in his Eagles career, which included 27 starts.

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Athletics Director Shakeups At FAMU and FSU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Athletics directors at both Florida A&M and Florida State are out.

FAMU did not renew its contract with Derek Horne, largely because of the continued budget deficit in the athletics program. Horne has been placed on administrative leave with pay until his contract expires at the start of September.

FAMU’s athletics department has been plagued by a $7 million dollar deficit, incurred over several years.

Horne inherited the deficit when he accepted the job of athletics director in 2010, but he was never able to solve the athletics budget problems. Horne made $200,000 a year as athletics director. FAMU’s associate Athletics Director, Michael Smith, has been appointed as interim A.D. until a replacement is named.  The university says it’s looking for someone with experience in fundraising and finance.

Meanwhile, Florida State University’s athletics director is also out of his job.

Randy Spetman has been reassigned to an advisory position in the athletics department.  He had been scheduled to present a five-year plan for athletics to ...

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ASU's Cooper Named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State baseball outfielder Dillon Cooper has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team, selected by Collegiate Baseball.

Cooper (5-11, 200, Palm Bay, Fla.) hit .301 with three home runs and 26 RBI this season. He was the 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the SWAC's All-Tournament team. Cooper was fourth on the team in batting average, third in hits (59), first in doubles (12), third in home runs and sixth in RBI.

He went a perfect 5-for-5 against Florida A&M on April 16, with three singles and a pair of doubles in scoring three runs. He had eight assists this season, and perhaps his most dramatic putout vs. IPFW on March 23, making a leaping catch over the wall denying a two-run homer for the final out in a 2-0 victory.

In four games in the SWAC Tournament, Cooper hit .333 (5-for-15) with three doubles and three runs scored.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

NCCU's Michael Romano Signs Pro Baseball Contract With Taos Blizzard

Taos, New Mexico —  North Carolina Central University baseball senior pitcher Michael Romano (Spotsylvania, Va.) has been picked up by the Taos Blizzard of the Pecos League, becoming the first Eagle at the NCAA Division I level to sign a professional baseball contract.

“As cliché as it may sound, to sign with the Blizzard means that dreams do come true,” Romano said. “When you have dreamt your whole life and it suddenly becomes a reality it’s pretty overwhelming. It also shows that hard work and dedication truly does pay off. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people and I could not have done it without them. The Blizzard is giving me an opportunity to live out my dream and I am forever thankful.”

Romano was signed by the Blizzard after attending the Northeast Pro Showcase in Torrington, Conn.  The Blizzard organization is run by officials from the New York State League.

“We really liked what we saw out of Michael,” said General Manager of the Taos Blizzard Jay Acton.  “We liked his aggressiveness and willingness to challenge hitters during the showcase and our team needed another lefty out of the bullpen.”

The 6-1 lefty logged 84.0 innings in his final season at NCCU ending with a 3-9 record overall and an ERA of 5.25 with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks.  His final performance donning a maroon and gray uniform was one of his finest as he came on in-relief allowing only four hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts through 7.0 innings in the 12-6 victory over Norfolk State to eliminate the Spartans from the 2013 MEAC Tournament.

“We are very proud of Michael’s accomplishment,” said NCCU head coach Jim Koerner.  “He has worked hard and earned the opportunity to play professional baseball.  For me, it adds some significance knowing that he was one of the first players we recruited during the coaching transition.”

The Pecos League is a professional independent baseball league headquartered in Houston, Texas, which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and West Texas.

For more information on the Pecos League and the Taos Blizzard, check out the website www.pecosleague.com

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Robinson: New FAMU AD must be versed in fundraising, finances

LARRY ROBINSON
 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Whenever FAMU finds its next permanent athletic director, that person will have a solid background in fundraising and dealing with finances.

Finding someone familiar with money matters is an absolute must, Larry Robinson, interim president at FAMU, said Wednesday after he fired Derek Horne. Horne is on administrative leave until his current $200,000 a year contract expires on Sept. 7.

Robinson, speaking to the Democrat by telephone from Los Angeles, where he is attending a business meeting, said he couldn’t discuss the specifics that led to terminating Horne. But he said resolving a deficit of more than $7 million that has plagued the athletic department for several years is a priority.

“One of the major challenges that we have in the program obviously is the on-going deficit,” Robinson said. “We’ve got to fix that year in, year out.”

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Five-a-Side: Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania –  The identity that Bethune-Cookman University football coach Brian Jenkins wants his team to take on this season is developing as you read this.

The Wildcats are getting ready.

Jenkins is all about hard work. He wants B-CU opponents and anybody watching his team to know the Wildcats will have themselves prepared in every phase of the game. And we're not just talking offense, defense and special teams, it's being ready emotionally, physically, even spiritually as a group.



The results of Jenkins' philosophy reflect how the outspoken coach has transformed the Wildcats program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Before he became a Christmas present for B-CU after the 2009 season, the Wildcats were coming off a 5-6 record for the third time in four years. In his first three seasons in Daytona Beach, Fla., they have gone a combined 27-8 overall, including 21-3 in the MEAC, and reached the FCS playoffs twice with the conference's automatic bid.

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Albany State releases 2013 football schedule

ALBANY, Georgia --The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2013 season, ASU Athletics Director Richard H. Williams and head coach Mike White announced Monday afternoon.  Highlighting the nine-game slate are two games against non-conference opponents, and a seven SIAC conference games that include matchups against two teams that made appearances in the 2012 NCAA Division II football playoffs.

“Albany State has generated a challenging schedule that will provide a lot of excitement during the 2013 season," said Williams. "Our Golden Rams are making great preparations, and they are ready to deliver some solid football action this season.”

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2012 season at 6-4, will kick off the season on September 7th on the road against the North Greenville University Crusaders.  North Greenville, an affiliate with the South Atlantic Conference, went 5-6 last season. ASU beat the Crusaders in the 2012 season opener 24-12.

Albany State will open SIAC play and renew a rivalry when they face the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on September 14th.  Tuskegee, the defending SIAC champions, finished 2012 with a 10-2 overall record.  The Tuskegee game is the first of three West Division crossover games. The location and time for this contest will be determined at a later date.

Week three of ASU's schedule will have the Golden Rams at home. The Golden Rams will face CIAA foe Elizabeth City State University in their second-ever meeting on September 21st. The Vikings finished the 2012 season at 8-4, including a 13-12 win over ASU and 28-13 victory of Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl.

Albany State will travel to Birmingham, Alabama on September 22nd and take on the Miles College Golden Bears, who finished the 2012 season at 8-3. The Golden Bears, a member of the SIAC West Division, defeated the Golden Rams 41-6 in regular-season play.

After an open date on October 5th, another long road trip is scheduled for October 12th, as the Golden Rams travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Lane College Dragons. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 36-14 in last season’s Music City Classic held in Macon, Georgia.  The Dragons finished the 2012 season with a 5-5 record.

The Golden Rams will face the first of SIAC East Division opponents on Oct. 19th as they face the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College at the Albany State Coliseum. On this day, ASU will also celebrate its’ annual homecoming. Albany State defeated Morehouse 16-13 in the 2012 contest. Albany State will then travel to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on October 26th. ASU beat CAU 36-9 in 2012.

Albany State will return home on November 2nd and face the Benedict College Tigers. ASU Athletics will also honor the senior student-athletes.  The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 24-13 in last year’s Augusta City Classic.

Two of the biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University will close their regular seasons in the 24th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 9th at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 38-20 in the 2012 classic game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics.

The winners of the East and West divisions will play for the 2013 SIAC championship title on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia.

2013 Albany State Football Schedule (.pdf)

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU To Host Austin Peay in Lone Hale Stadium Game

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State football will play one game on campus at Hale Stadium during the 2013 season.

The Tigers will host in-state rival Austin Peay on Nov. 9. This is the second year in a row that TSU will play at Hale after a 13 year absence.

"Here at TSU, we have a very rich tradition," athletics director Teresa Phillips said. "Having games back at Hale last year was great for the fans, alumni and players. We look to continue the tradition and make more memories at Hale."

Tennessee State hosted Austin Peay for the first conference matchup in the OVC of the 2012 season and the first game held at Hale Stadium since 1998. "The fact that it is Austin Peay is exciting," said Phillips. "We were very happy with the turn out last year in the Hole, especially against Austin Peay. Hopefully the fans come out again this year to see another great game."

TSU went 8-3 during the 2012 season, including a perfect 5-0 at home.


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

No play no pay: Birmingham Council members consider ending cash for SWAC in 2014 budget

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham city funding for the Southwestern Athletic Conference could be slashed or eliminated altogether following the college sport's conference decision to move its football and basketball championships to Houston, Texas.

Birmingham last year spent $500,000 on the Southwestern Athletic Conference and is set to increase the amount to $550,000 under Mayor William Bell's proposed 2014 budget.

But several council members question why the city would continue to provide for the Birmingham-based conference that is shipping its major events away from Birmingham.

"The city has shown good will toward them. Certainly we're not responsible for promoting their conference, but we have been a solid partner," Council President Roderick Royal said. "But if we cannot have certain tournaments and or the championship games in basketball and football, then the city needs to move to terminate the contract and let Houston pick up the weight."

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Grambling's Williams wants a finals in third NCAA trip

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The 200 meter dash was always Akeem Williams’ “baby.”

 

Despite pouring much of his focus into the 400 meter this season, the Grambling senior sprinter will make his third and last appearance in the 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week in Eugene, Ore.

 

Williams is one of 24 sprinters in the semifinals, and he is motivated to reach the eight-man finals after placing ninth in each of his first two championships.

 

“It’s in the back of mind, but this year, I definitely want to go in and try to get an automatic (qualifying) time,” said Williams, who will run in the semifinals Thursday at 6:15 p.m. “Missing the finals by just one place has been disappointing, but this week of practice has been going very well.

 

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Hampton University rising junior makes Puerto Rican National Softball Team

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Jailynn Jackson, a rising junior at Hampton University and former First Colonial High School Patriot, made the Puerto Rican National Softball Team.

Jackson led the Lady Pirates to their first ever NCAA tournament this year. The MEAC Pitcher of the Year struck out a program-record 255. Jackson ends the season with single-season program records in innings pitched (252.0), starts (39), and appearances (47). Her 26 wins are tied for the second-most in a season in program history, and Jackson’s 26 complete games are tied for third-most in program history.


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Florida A&M University fires athletic director Horne

DEREK HORNE

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  FAMU athletic director Derek Horne was fired Tuesday after almost four years of unsuccessfully trying to help the school's athletic department dig out from a huge financial deficit.

Horne told his staff of the news Tuesday after being informed by letter from interim president Larry Robinson that his four-year contract will not be renewed.

Horne was placed on immediate administrative leave with pay until his contract expires on Sept. 7, according to a statement from the university.

Associate athletic director Michael Smith will run the department on an interim basis until Horne’s replacement is hired following a national search.

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Ram Ramblings: Loss of Ziggy makes WSSU a doughnut team

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  There was something about Michel-Ofik Nzege that was a little different.

That was my first impression back in October when I met him for the first time before a Winston-Salem State basketball practice. He was confident, sure, but he seemed like he was on a mission to get better no matter what.

During Nzege’s only season at WSSU he was at times, very good, but at other times he was prone to getting into foul trouble and spending major minutes on the bench for Coach Bobby Collins.

It didn’t shock me when I found out that ...

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