North Carolina Central Basketball Hires Assistant Coaches

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- North Carolina Central University head men's basketball coach LeVelle Moton has announced that Brian Burg and Michael Cotton have been added to the program as assistant coaches, completing his coaching staff for the 2013-14 campaign.

"I am absolutely thrilled to have these two guys on the staff here at NCCU," said Moton. "They both came from great programs and will immediately be positive contributors to this program in so many different ways."

Burg comes to NCCU after spending the last four seasons down the road at Campbell University where he was assistant coach/recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, the Camels won the 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season championship, defeated both Auburn (Nov. 2010) and Iowa (Nov. 2011) along with beating East Carolina three-out-of-four times. The Houston, Texas product was credited with signing of the 2012 Big South Freshman of the Year, Trey Freeman.

"Brian is one of the best recruiters in the nation… period," said Moton. "His regional connections and ties to outstanding programs have given him a credible track record in this business. The talent he's recruited in the past such as, Eric Griffin and Darren White, has certainly demonstrated that."

Cotton joins the coaching staff at NCCU after spending a year at Rider College in Lawrenceville, N.J. Prior to his time at Rider, Cotton was on the coaching staff at Bucknell University for four years, helping the Bison win the 2011 regular season and Patriot League Tournament championships to earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament. Bucknell actually won the regular-season title again in 2011-12, but lost to Lehigh in the championship game and beat Arizona in the 2012 Postseason NIT (National Invitation Tournament).

The Detroit, Mich., native has ties to North Carolina as he spent time in Durham, N.C., at Kestrel Heights School from 2007-08 prior to taking the job at Bucknell. Cotton also was the head basketball coach at Western Vance High School in Henderson, N.C., from 2005-07.

"I have known and competed against Michael as a player for years," said Moton. "He was a tremendous talent on the court and he will definitely be able to share those experiences with our young men. Having served as the head coach at Kestrel Heights, which is one of the top programs in the state, gives him some major ties here in North Carolina. He's a fierce recruiter and his experiences at Bucknell and Rider will serve NCCU well."

For more information about NCCU athletics, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.

By Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/Broadcast Media Coordinator

VISIT: NCCUEAGLEPRIDE.COM

VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Natasha Wilson joins JCSU as an Associate Athletics Director

Natasha Wilson
Associate Athletic Director
Johnson C. Smith University
(Courtesy JCSU Athletics)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith University Department of Athletics announces the hiring of Natasha Wilson as the Associate Athletic Director, Compliance Coordinator, and Senior Woman Administrator. Wilson will serve in a senior leadership role and report directly to the Director of Athletics.

Wilson comes to JCSU after serving six years in athletic administration at fellow Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) institution, The Lincoln University (Pennsylvania). She began as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and the department's Senior Woman Administrator in 2006. Wilson was elevated to the role of Associate Athletic Director in 2010.

While at Lincoln (PA), Wilson served as a sport administrator for sports including bowling, women's tennis, men's tennis, women's soccer, baseball, softball, and cheerleading. She was instrumental in revamping the compliance policies and procedures as well as successfully transitioning the athletic department from NCAA Division III to Division II.

Wilson helped to develop a Gender Equity Plan for the department as well as the creation of a five-year strategic plan. During her tenure at Lincoln (PA), she established the first ever Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and launched the NCAA CHAMPS/ Life Skills program for athletics.

"We're thrilled to have Natasha Wilson joining our athletic administrative team here at JCSU," said Director of Athletics Stephen Joyner, Sr. "She brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to compliance and NCAA rules and regulations. I'm confident that this will be an environment for her to continue flourishing as an athletic administrator and she'll be a valuable component for our athletic programs to continue growing."

"I am very excited and thankful for this new opportunity with Johnson C. Smith's Department of Athletics," said Wilson. "Everyone on campus has been so helpful in assisting with my transition into the position, I really feel at home. I look forward to working with all the University constituents: student-athletes, athletic staff, campus community, alumni and program supporters."

Wilson represents the Atlantic Region as a member of the NCAA Division II nominating committee. She was recently elected as President of the CIAA Compliance Officers Association. Wilson is also an active member of the CIAA Compliance Officers Association. Wilson is also an active member of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and a 2009 graduate of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Hers Institute.

Wilson has earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Sports Management from Winston-Salem State University. Prior to accepting the position at Lincoln (PA), Wilson interned with the athletic departments at Minnesota State University-Moorhead and Wake Forest University.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M University hires Shouppe as baseball coach

Jamey Shouppe

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  FAMU will introduce Jamey Shouppe as its next head baseball coach Wednesday at a 1 p.m. news conference.

Shouppe becomes the second permanent head coach for the Rattlers in the last four seasons. He replaces Willie Brown, who was fired following sexual harassment charges brought by a former walk-on player, who wasn’t on the team last season.

The Rattlers went 7-47 last season under interim coach Kevin Clethen. He was assisted by Brett Richardson, who also was an interim head coach before Brown was hired two seasons ago.

CONTINUE READING

Prairie View A&M Panthers Well Represented On Preseason All-SWAC Team

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  The Prairie View A&M football team had three players selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason First Team and seven players selected overall as Preseason All-SWAC athletes. The Panthers were also predicted to finish third in the SWAC West in the voting conducted by conference coaches and sports information directors, tallying 82 points and three first place votes. Arkansas Pine Bluff was picked to finish first with 105 points and Southern finished just ahead of Prairie View A&M with 88 points and six first place votes.

Offensive linemen Dillon Bonnet and Tre Glover were named to the All-SWAC first team.  Bonnet, a junior center, and Glover, a junior tackle, blocked for the No. 1 ranked offense in the SWAC (414.7 yards per game) and the 29th ranked offense in the NCAA. The Panthers were balanced in all aspects offensively, with the second-ranked rushing offense (187.7 yards per game) and the No. 2 ranked pass offense (228 yards per game).

 

Junior outside linebacker Jerome Howard was selected on the All-SWAC First Team Defense. Howard finished with 101 tackles, ranking fifth in the SWAC and 47th in the NCAA. He was also ranked sixth in the SWAC in tackles for loss with 15 and 47th nationally. At the linebacker position he was a threat in coverage too with eight passes defended (15th in the SWAC).

The Panthers had four players selected to the second-team offense in junior tight end Olatunde' Idowu, sophomore kicker Chris Barrick, junior punter Travis Jatzlau and sophomore return specialist Johnta' Hebert. Barrick ranked third in the SWAC with a 95 percent (38-of-40) PAT rate and finished second in the SWAC with nine field goals made. Jatzlau ranked fifth in the SWAC with an average of 39.6 yards per punt and placed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line with 6 punts over 50 yards.

Hebert returned 49 kicks for 926 yards (18.8 per kick). He ranked second in the SWAC with an 18.8 yards per kick average; he also returned one kickoff for a touchdown. As a freshman he led the SWAC with 121.7 all-purpose yards per game.

Prairie View A&M football preseason camp begins on Sunday Aug. 4 with the first practice scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.  The 2013 season opener will take place in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Aug. 31 versus longtime rival Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.  Season tickets for this year's PV athletic contests are also available by clicking on the above link or here.

 

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Football Preseason - First Team

OFFENSE

QB
Ben Anderson
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

RB
Isaiah Crowell
Alabama State

RB
Justin Billings
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

WR
Lee Doss
Southern

WR
LaDarius Eckwood
Arkansas - Pine Bluff 

 TE
Dezmond Beverly
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

OL
Kenny Eagle
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

OL
Tre Glover
Prairie View A&M

OL
Damien Love
Alabama State

OL
Dillon Bonnet
Prairie View A&M

OL
Edmund Davis
Alabama State

PK
Bobby Wenzig
Alabama State

P
Bobby Wenzig
Alabama State

RS
Virgil Williams
Southern

DEFENSE

DL
Robert Simpson
Mississippi Valley State

DL
Damien Lee
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

DL
Tedderick Terrell
Jackson State

DL
DeMarcus Berry
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

LB
Jer-Ryan Harris
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

LB
Jerome Howard
Prairie View A&M

LB
Anthony Balancier
Southern

DB
Qua Cox
Jackson State

DB
Ryan Shaw
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

DB
Kevin Eugene
Mississippi Valley State

DB
Virgil Williams
Southern

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Football Preseason - Second Team

OFFENSE

QB
Dray Joseph
Southern

RB
Tommy Gooden
Jackson State

RB
Rakeem Sims
Jackson State

WR
Julian Stafford
Mississippi Valley State

WR
Montarius Smith
Alabama A&M

TE
Justin Robinson
Alabama State

TE
Olatunde' Idowu
Prairie View A&M

OL
Keathric Brown
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

OL
Jordan Arthur
Jackson State

OL
Clint Marsh
Grambling State

OL
Justin Goodrich
Alabama A&M

OL
Antonio Griggs
Mississippi Valley State

PK
Chris Barrick
Prairie View A&M

P
Travis Jatzlau
Prairie View A&M

RS
Johnta' Hebert
Prairie View A&M

 

DEFENSE

DL
Carlton Jones
Alabama State

DL
Reginald Bailey
Alabama A&M

DL
Arthur Miley
Southern

DL
Corey Johnson
Alabama A&M

LB
Xavier Lofton
Arkansas - Pine Bluff

LB
Todd Wilcher
Jackson State

LB
DeMarques Taylor
Alabama State

DB
Cameron Loeffler
Jackson State

DB
Jamison Knox
Alcorn State

DB
Le'Tevin Wilcox
Texas Southern

DB
Derrick Harris
Alabama A&M

 

2013 Predicted Order of Finish: (First-Place Votes)

WEST DIVISION

1. Arkansas - Pine Bluff 105 (14)

2. Southern 88 (6)

3. Prairie View A&M 82 (3)

4. Grambling State 51 (1)

5. Texas Southern 38

EAST DIVISION

1. Alabama State 108 (15)

2. Jackson State 102 (9)

3. Alabama A&M 60

4. Mississippi Valley State 51

5. Alcorn State 40

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU RB James Owens set for fresh start

(Courtesy FAMU Athletics)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  James Owens was looking forward to the 2011-12 season at Florida A&M, until a setback forced him to miss the entire year. Now a redshirt junior, the running back from Apopka, Fla., was ruled academically ineligible, which forced him to put his athletic goals -- and NFL dreams -- on hold.

“Everything was going good, then I was declared ineligible for one year due to grades, so I had to bounce back from that,” said the 21-year-old Owens, a criminal justice major whose career goals also include starting an after-school and summer program for young people.

Setbacks aren’t new territory for Owens. While poised to have a strong season for the Rattlers this year, he’s also focused on his other priority: 1-year-old son Jaden.

“It can be very difficult at times, but ...

CONTINUE READING

Xavier Gold Nuggets hire Marroccoli as assistant coach

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has hired Kenneth Marroccoli as a women's volleyball assistant coach. He began work July 1.      Marroccoli, 24, was an assistant coach at city rival Loyola University the past two seasons. The Wolfpack were 51-20 during Marroccoli's tenure, including 28-9 in 2012 to break that program's season record for winning percentage. The 2012 Wolfpack began the season with eight consecutive victories and won 11 straight during the second half of the season — the Wolfpack's longest streak in 10 years.      "I am pleased to welcome Kenny to the XU volleyball family," said first-year head coach Hannah Lawing. "I look forward to working with him this season and to his contributions to the continued growth and improvement of our program."      Marroccoli — a New Orleans native and a 2008 graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School in suburban Metairie, La. — also has coaching experience at the club, high school and elementary levels. He was an assistant on the Cabrini High School team which reached the Division II (Class 4A) state semifinals in 2010. Marroccoli's club experience is with the New Orleans-based Cajunland and Krewe programs.

Kenneth Marroccoli

 

Xavier is a two-time defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion. The Gold Nuggets were 22-8 in 2012 and return all their major contributors from that team, including GCAC Player of the Year Taylor Reuther, first-team All-GCAC players Moira Kirk and Franziska Pirkl and second-teamers Chinedu Echebelem, Jodi Chatters and CeCe Williams. Echebelem was the GCAC Tournament MVP.

    

The Gold Nuggets will begin their season Aug. 23 with matches against Spring Hill at 2 p.m. and Asbury at 4 p.m. in the UMobile/Spring Hill Tournament at Mobile, Ala. The Gold Nuggets' first home match will start at 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 against GCAC newcomer Voorhees in the new Convocation Center.


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

 

CIAA Announces Schedule for Football Media Day, July 25

HAMPTON, Virginia  –  The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA®) annual Football Media Day on Thursday, July 25, serves as the official kick off to the 2013-2014 season.  Media attending will begin the day for the first time with interviews of 16 key returning student-athletes.  Following a short intermission, media will hear from the 12 member institutions' football coaches.  Football Media Day will be held in the Donald J. Reaves Student Activities Center on the Winston-Salem State University campus.

The schedule is as follows:

• 9:30 a.m. – Media arrive to set up
• 10 a.m. – Welcome from CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter
• 10:15 a.m. - Key returning student-athlete interviews
• 11 a.m. – Intermission
• 11:15 a.m. – Welcome from Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem and Gerald Hunter, vice chancellor of administration and finance at Winston-Salem State University
• 11:30 a.m. – CIAA predicted order of finish and preseason all-conference team
• 11:40 a.m. – Coach interviews
• 1 p.m. – Conclusion with invocation by Steve Aycock, president of CIAA Football Coaches Association and head football coach at Johnson C. Smith University, followed by lunch and one-on-one interviews
• 2 p.m. - Adjourn

"CIAA's Football Media Day is an outstanding opportunity for members of the media to have exclusive access to our student-athletes and coaches as we start the season.  I look forward to the continued hard work and support of the local and national media and the great exposure they provide us throughout the year." said Jacqie Carpenter, commissioner - CIAA.

The student-athletes will be interviewed in alphabetical institutional order, beginning with Bowie State University and concluding with Winston-Salem University. The line-up of players will include:

Bowie State University:
Jared Johnston – senior quarterback
Delante White – senior defensive back

Chowan University:
TJ Batchelor – senior defensive end
Robert Holland – senior wide receiver
Fayetteville State University:
Michael Johnson – junior free safety
Blade Shoop – senior offensive lineman
Johnson C. Smith University:
Jimmy Dye – senior tight end
Justin Smith – senior defensive end

Saint Augustine's University:
Kharea Roseboro – junior free safety

Shaw University:
Darnell Evans – senior defensive back

Virginia State University:
Andre Rawls – junior free safety
Jaivon Smallwood – sophomore wide receiver

Virginia Union University:
Devin Wallace – senior defensive back
Matias Parker – senior wide receiver

Winston-Salem State University:
Carlos Fields, Jr. – senior linebacker
Nathaniel Hartung – senior offensive lineman

Interested in attending the CIAA's 2013 Football Media Day? Click here to complete the online credential request form. Deadline is Tuesday, July 23 at 5 p.m.

COURTESY theCIAA.com

Get to know a '13 opponent: Morgan State

LYNCHBURG, Virginia  --  Morgan State visits Liberty on Sept. 14 for the Flames’ annual Hall of Fame game, the Bears’ first trip to Lynchburg since 1995. A closer look at the Bears:

MORGAN STATE BEARS

                                 
COACH: Donald Hill-Eley, 54-69, 12th year at Morgan State
2012 RECORD: 3-8, 2-6 MEAC

A LOOK BACK
After years of toying with making the leap into the upper half of the MEAC football hierarchy, the Bears took a major step back last season, their 3-8 mark their worst since going 2-9 in 2005. Hill-Eley’s best season in Baltimore was his first, when Morgan State went 7-5 in 2002. Since then, the Bears have recorded just one winning season, a 6-5 mark in 2009.



The Bears opened 2012 with a 30-27, four-overtime victory over Sacred Heart. Those overtimes weren’t exactly an offensive showcase. The teams combined for three field goals in the four extra frames, with Ervin Gonzalez’s 20-yard kick in the fourth overtime serving as the game winner. Morgan State grabbed some guarantee money and got smacked around by Buffalo (56-34) and Akron (66-6) before beating North Carolina A&T and Savannah State to open MEAC play 2-0.

CONTINUE READING

Williams becomes fourth Southern Jaguar added to CFPA list

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  After securing spots on the 2013 Preseason All-SWAC first team at defensive back and returner specialist, Southern University senior Virgil Williams became the fourth Jaguar to be named on the College Football Performance Awards watch list for 2013.

College Football Performance Awards, the largest awards organization in D-I college football, recently announced its 2013 CFPA Punt Returner Award Watch List. The initial list highlights 33 returning performers, vying for the top national punt return specialist award in the FCS.

"Congratulations to Virgil Williams on earning a spot on the 2013 CFPA Watch List," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "With Williams returning for the 2013 season, Southern University is well-positioned for success on punt return."

Williams joins SU quarterback Dray Joseph, wide receiver Lee Doss and linebacker Anthony Balancier on the CFPA watch list. Doss and Balancier were also named to the All-SWAC first team with Joseph receiving a second team selection.

More than 130 CFPA recipients have signed professional contracts, and twenty-one have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

The CFPA's best college returner awards date back to 2008 with Alabama's Javier Arenas earning the inaugural award. Other CFPA recipients performing as NFL return specialists include: Tavon Austin (West Virginia), Patrick Peterson (LSU), Giovani Bernard (North Carolina), C.J. Spiller (Clemson), Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech), Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss), Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State), Golden Tate (Notre Dame), LaMichael James (Oregon), Laron Scott (Georgia Southern), Damian Williams (USC), Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Eric Page (Toledo), Cliff Harris (Oregon), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State), Asa Jackson (Cal Poly), Tyrann Mathieu (LSU), Joe Adams (Arkansas), Fozzy Whittaker (Texas), Jerodis Williams (Furman), Miguel Maysonet (Stony Brook), and Reggie Dunn (Utah).

Last season, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel earned the 2012 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy, while Harvard quarterback Colton Chapple earned the 2012 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy. Multiple award presentations were broadcast live nationally on ESPN, CBS, Fox Sports, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, as well as internationally on BYUtv.

T
he full list of 2013 recipients, including the 2013 CFPA FCS Awards, will be announced on January 8, 2014.

For more information, visit the Official CFPA Website (http://www.collegefootballperformance.com). Follow CFPA on Twitter @CFPerformance.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

This Year’s Villains: FAMU, Wisconsin & Northwestern

COLUMBUS, Ohio  --  We’re at the point now where we can measure the distance between now and the 2013 Ohio State football season in weeks rather than months. Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future, so it’s time to get to the second part of our “Villains” series.

Last week we told you about the villains from the first quarter of the 2013 OSU football schedule — Buffalo, San Diego State and Cal. Herein, we’ll discuss the most villainous members from the season’s second quarter (games 4, 5 and 6). That segment includes the Florida A&M Rattlers as our last non-conference foe of the regular season, plus Leaders (Legends?) Division rival Wisconsin, and a vastly improved Northwestern team from the one we last saw in 2008.

As with last time, the goal here isn’t to break down the opponent or provide keys to victory, but merely to point out some of the players you’re going to be rooting against. Chances are, if the Buckeyes can keep these players under wraps, the game should conclude with a favorable result. Here are the young men we all need to start hating now. As conference opponents are included in this installment, you no doubt already hate some of them.

Florida A&M

The lone FCS school on Ohio State’s 2013 slate, the Florida A&M Rattlers are coming off a 4-7 season. The only comparable opponent the Rattlers faced last year was Oklahoma, in Norman. The Sooners ...

CONTINUE READING

UAPB is early SWAC favorite

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Linebacker Jer-ryan Harris still isn't convinced Arkansas-Pine Bluff has made believers out of its Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals.

The Golden Lions won their first outright SWAC title last season and are the pick to repeat as West Division champions going into the season. But now feel they must prove they're not one-year wonders.

"I believe last season got us an added respect level, but at the same time, I also feel like teams are still kind of looking at it like that was luck," Harris said Monday at SWAC media day. "I believe that in order for us to actually get the respect we deserve, we will have to repeat. That's kind of the mindset all the players have."

The results of balloting by ...



CONTINUE READING

Star CB Cox, Jackson State hungry for SWAC title

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  —  The SWAC named Jackson State cornerback Qua Cox its preseason defensive player of the year on Monday. But Cox was not buying it as some kind of accomplishment.

“It’s really not anything that I’m excited about really because I’m trying to get back to the SWAC championship,” Cox said. “Because a ring is what I need.”



Cox, who had five interceptions to lead the conference as a junior, is apparently not the only one who feels that way. A year after winning the East Division but losing the SWAC Championship Game, the Tigers are pushing to make it to Houston in December for another chance at winning the title.

“The last time I’ve seen a team acting like this we went undefeated,” coach Rick Comegy said, referencing his 2000 Tuskegee team. “You don’t have to push them. You don’t have to tell them to be here or go there.”

CONTINUE READING

Five Bulldogs named to Preseason All-SWAC team, Bulldogs picked to finish third

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Montaurius Smith, Corey Johnson, Reginald Bailey, Justin Goodrich and Derrick Harris were each named to the Preseason All-SWAC second-team announced today at the Southwestern Athletic Conference football media days.

Bailey, Johnson, Smith and Harris each received their first preseason nod while Goodrich earns his second straight as he was named to the 2012 squad.

Also for the second straight year the Bulldogs were picked to fininsh third in the Eastern Division.  At the beginning of 2012 A&M was in a similar situation after coming off their fifth championship game in the last ten years.  They finished the season third with a 6-3 record.
Defending champion, UAPB, led the way with 11 selections including nine voted to the first team. Alabama State, Jackson State, and Prairie View A&M had seven picks apiece. ASU and PVAMU tallied three players on the first team with JSU posting two.

Alabama A&M and Southern each recorded five picks with SU finishing the tally with three players making the first team.



Rounding out the selections include: Mississippi Valley with four players, registering two on the top team. Alcorn State, Grambling State and Texas southern posted one player apiece on the second team.

For the predicted order of finish in both divisions, Arkansas-Pine Bluff totaled 105 points, including 14 first-place votes, to become the favorite out of the West Division. Southern followed with 88 points, Prairie View A&M gathered 83 points, with Grambling State (51) and Texas Southern (38) closing the division's preseason ranking.

In the East Division, Alabama State claimed 108 points with 15 first-place votes. Jackson State received 102 points followed by Alabama A&M (60), Mississippi Valley State (51) and Alcorn State (40).

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Football

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  For the predicted order of finish in both divisions, Arkansas-Pine Bluff totaled 105 points, including 14 first-place votes, to become the favorite out of the West Division. Southern followed with 88 points, Prairie View A&M gathered 83 points, with Grambling State (51) and Texas Southern (38) closing the divison's preseason ranking.

In the East Division, Alabama State claimed 108 points with 15 first-place votes. Jackson State received 102 points followed by Alabama A&M (60), Mississippi Valley State (51) and Alcorn State (40).

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:

Ben Anderson (QB) - Arkansas - Pine Bluff
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Qua Cox (DB) - Jackson State

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Football Preseason - First Team
OFFENSE

QB	Ben Anderson	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
RB	Isaiah Crowell	Alabama State
RB	Justin Billings	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
WR	Lee Doss	Southern
WR	LaDarius Eckwood	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
TE	Dezmond Beverly	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
OL	Kenny Eagle	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
OL	Tre Glover	Prairie View A&M
OL	Damien Love	Alabama State
OL	Dillon Bonnet	Prairie View A&M
OL	Edmund Davis	Alabama State
PK	Bobby Wenzig	Alabama State
P	Bobby Wenzig	Alabama State
RS	Virgil Williams	Southern

DEFENSE

DL	Robert Simpson	Mississippi Valley State
DL	Damien Lee	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
DL	Tedderick Terrell	Jackson State
DL	DeMarcus Berry	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
LB	Jer-Ryan Harris	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
LB	Jerome Howard	Prairie View A&M
LB	Anthony Balancier	Southern
DB	Qua Cox	Jackson State
DB	Ryan Shaw	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
DB	Kevin Eugene	Mississippi Valley State
DB	Virgil Williams	Southern

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Football Preseason - Second TeamOFFENSE

QB	Dray Joseph	Southern
RB	Tommy Gooden	Jackson State
RB	Rakeem Sims	Jackson State
WR	Julian Stafford	Mississippi Valley State
WR	Montarius Smith	Alabama A&M
TE	Justin Robinson	Alabama State
TE	Olatunde' Idowu	Prairie View A&M
OL	Keathric Brown	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
OL	Jordan Arthur	Jackson State
OL	Clint Marsh	Grambling State
OL	Justin Goodrich	Alabama A&M
OL	Antonio Griggs	Mississippi Valley State
PK	Chris Barrick	Prairie View A&M
P	Travis Jatzlau	Prairie View A&M
RS	Johnta' Hebert	Prairie View A&M

DEFENSE

DL	Carlton Jones	Alabama State
DL	Reginald Bailey	Alabama A&M
DL	Arthur Miley	Southern
DL	Corey Johnson	Alabama A&M
LB	Xavier Lofton	Arkansas - Pine Bluff
LB	Todd Wilcher	Jackson State
LB	DeMarques Taylor	Alabama State
DB	Cameron Loeffler	Jackson State
DB	Jamison Knox	Alcorn State
DB	Le'Tevin Wilcox	Texas Southern
DB	Derrick Harris	Alabama A&M

2013 Predicted Order of Finish: (First-Place Votes)
WEST DIVISION

1.	Arkansas - Pine Bluff	105 (14)
2.	Southern	88 (6)
3.	Prairie View A&M	82 (3)
4.	Grambling State	51 (1)
5.	Texas Southern	38

EAST DIVISION

1.	Alabama State	108 (15)
2.	Jackson State	102 (9)
3.	Alabama A&M	60
4.	Mississippi Valley State	51
5.	Alcorn State	40

RELATED LINKS

Photo Gallery

2013 SWAC Football Championship Preview

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

Southern picked to finish second in the SWAC West Division

(Courtesy SU Athletics)

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Despite having a new head coach and coming off a 4-7 season in 2012, the Southern Jaguars were picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division in voting released by the conference Monday at its annual football media day.
Grambling, which went 1-10 last season, was picked fourth in the five-team West Division. Voting was done by SWAC coaches, sports information directors and select members of the media.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the 2012 SWAC champion, was picked to win the West once again. UAPB got 105 points and 14 first-place votes to 88 points and six first-place votes for Southern.

Grambling had 51 points and one first-place vote.
Alabama State, which has tied for first in the East Division the last three seasons, was picked first again. There were no selections for overall SWAC champion.

CONTINUE READING

Seven Alabama State players named to SWAC preseason all-conference team

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Alabama State has been picked to win the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in a vote released by the SWAC at the 2013 SWAC Football Media Day. The Hornets picked up 108 points and 15 first place votes to outdistance last year's SWAC East Co-Champion Jackson State who picked up 102 points and nine first place votes.

"It's an honor for these coaches and the media outlets to pick us, but we all know it still has to be played on the field," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "We do feel good about our team, we feel good about our coaches, so we are just going to go to work and try to win one at a time and see how we finish up at the end."

The Hornets vote total was the highest among the two division leaders as Arkansas-Pine Bluff was picked to win the West Division with 105 points and 12 first place votes.

Following ASU and JSU in the East were Alabama A&M (60 pts.), Mississippi Valley State (51 pts.) and Alcorn State (40 pts.).

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2013 SWAC Football Media Day Information

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  2013 SWAC Football Media Day Information

Thank you for attending the 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Media Day. The annual event will be held: Monday - July 15.
                                                                Birmingham Marriott
                                                                3590 Grandview Pkwy
                                                                Birmingham, AL 35243
                                                                (205) 968-3775

 

The annual kickoff to the SWAC athletic season - this year's media gathering will feature all 10 head coaches and selected student-athletes in an online video stream.

SWAC Football Media Day will stream live on the SWAC Digital Network beginning at 10:00 a.m. on swac.org. SDN will also include a live audio link slated to broadcast 10:35 a.m.

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

2013 All-SWAC Preseason Football Team (Announced at 10:15 a.m.)


WATCH IN HD 720p, FULL SCREEN 

 

Schedule
Below are the times the coaches and student-athletes will be available for interviews. Each group will rotate between the 1-on-1 / Table Interview area, Sound Bite - TV standup area, Audio Drops, SWAC Digital Network and SDN Online Radio. Each area is indicated by signage.

 

2013 SWAC Football Media Day Schedule
Head Coach	SDN Radio	SDN Set	Audio	Stand Ups	Table
Anthony Jones (AAMU)	12:05	12:20	12:35	10:35	11:10
Reggie Barlow (ALST)	11:20	1:10	11:55	10:35	12:50
Jay Hopson (ALCN)	12:20	12:35	10:35	10:50	12:05
Doug Williams (GRAM)	11:30	11:45	12:05	12:20	10:35
Rick Comegy (JKST)	11:40	11:55	12:20	10:35	11:25
Karl Morgan (MVSU)	10:35	10:55	11:15	11:30	12:20
Heishma Northen (PVAM)	11:10	11:25	11:45	10:35	12:35
Dawson Odums (SUBR)	12:50	11:10	11:30	10:35	11:50
Darrell Asberry (TXSO)	12:35	10:35	10:55	11:10	1:05
Monte Coleman (UAPB)	1:05	12:05	12:45	10:35	1:20

Media Credentials
Credentials will be available for pick up on July 15 at 8:15 a.m. prior to the start of media day. Members of the media without a credential issued by the SWAC will not be allowed to attend.

Photo Opportunities

We are asking for camera crews to arrive for this portion by 9:00 a.m. for the ops and stage session.

Stage Session
The session will begin immediately after the photo ops with an introduction and welcome, preseason team, and predicted order of finish announcements.

It will also include the viewing of the SWAC general and championship PSAs. This portion is not open to questions from the media on the floor.

Table Interviews
With the conclusion of the stage session, six coaches with student-athletes will immediately report to their respective tables in Birmingham III & IV to hold one-on-one / print / table interviews. Video stand ups and sound-bite interviews are not permitted at the table.

Sound Bites / Stand Ups
All soundbites and stand ups from camera crews must be performed in Birmingham V in front of the SWAC or school backdrops. Camera crews can gather footage and B-roll at the tables, but conduct all one-on-one stand-up interviews in front of the back-drops during your scheduled sound-bite slots.

However, if a crew wants a sound bite early during the table interviews, please notify a SWAC administrator before using the non-scheduled time slot. Please use time limit listed. Both student-athletes will accompany coaches for this segment. Lighting will not be provided in the room. This is a quiet area and print / internet media are not permitted.

Courtesy SWAC.org