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WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s football team, coming off a school and CIAA best 14-1 record, is ranked sixth in Lindy’s Football Annual Division II preseason poll.
The Rams, who made it to the national championship game last season, lost to Valdosta State 35-7. Valdosta State, the defending national champions, grabbed the preseason No. 1 spot in Lindy’s poll with West Texas A&M second. Also in Lindy’s preseason poll is Lenoir-Rhyne at No. 20 and Tuskegee, who the Rams play in Cleveland on Sept. 21, is ranked No. 23.
In another preseason poll by The Sporting News the Rams are ranked 11th.
Minnesota State is No. 1 in the Sporting News preseason poll with Shippensburg second followed by West Texas A&M and Valdosta State. Tuskegee is ranked 19th by The Sporting News.
Lindy's Division II Pre-Season Top 25
1. Valdosta State
2. West Texas A&M
3. Northwest Missouri State
4. Minnesota State-Mankato
5. Shippensburg 6. Winston-Salem State
7. IUP
8. Colorado State-Pueblo
9. Henderson State
10. Bloomsburg
11. New Haven
12. Missouri Western State
13. Indianapolis
14. Chadron State
15. Midwestern State
16. Winona State
17. Ashland
18. Harding
19. West Alabama
20. Lenoir-Rhyne
21. Saginaw Valley State
22. Grand Valley State 23. Tuskegee
24. Pittsburg State
25. Minnesota-Duluth
Sporting News DII Preview Top 25
1. Minnesota State
2. Shippensburg
3. West Texas A & M
4. Valdosta State
5. Ashland
6. Missouri Western
7. Duluth
8. New Haven
9. Carson-Newman
10. CSU-Pueblo 11. Winston-Salem State
12. Northwest Missouri State
13. Midwestern State
14. Lenoir-Rhyne
15. Grand Valley
16. Henderson St
17. Bloomsburg
18. West Alabama 19. Tuskegee
20. Chadron St
21. St. Cloud St 22. IUP
23. Indianapolis
24. Charleston 25. Miles
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — This city may still be the home office of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, but the SWAC is looking west for new markets to conquer.
The SWAC has signed a pair of three-year deals to move its football championship game and its basketball tournaments to Houston. The football game, set for Dec. 7, will be played at the Houston Texans’ Reliant Stadium. The basketball tournaments will be in March at the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets.
Those facilities, plus the ability to bring its premier championships to one of the nation’s largest markets, is what made Houston so appealing, SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said.
“To go from where we play now to NBA and NFL facilities is huge for our student-athletes and our SWAC fans,” he said Monday at Football Media Day.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A stage light beamed down upon Dawson Odums as he waited in the glare for the moderator’s question.
Debuting at SWAC Media Day, the act is nothing new since the first-year Southern football coach’s tenure started as an ad hoc move nearly a year ago. Filling the breach after Stump Mitchell’s firing, Odums endured a long stretch before his interim tag was removed in December.
Eight months brought plenty of firsts, too. A first signing day, a first spring practice and Monday’s first trip to the Birmingham Marriott, where Odums sat on a barstool-style chair while his peers fielded questions and he mulled his own response.
So when asked whether Southern, which is coming off three losing seasons in a row, is poised for a revival, Odums calmly laid down his edict.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Doug Williams doesn’t usually do humble.
The man has been a Super Bowl-winning quarterback and MVP, is in the College Football and Black College Football halls of fame, and in seven seasons during two stints as Grambling’s coach led his alma mater to four Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and three black college football national titles.
But that was before 2012. An improbable SWAC championship season in his first year back at Grambling in 2011 was followed by a 1-10 debacle last fall.
It wasn’t as though the Tigers were constantly outclassed. There was a 56-0 trouncing by TCU, sure, but five of Grambling’s losses were by seven points or fewer. That included a 24-17 loss to eventual SWAC champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff and a 38-33 loss to archrival Southern in the Bayou Classic.
MONTE COLEMAN HEAD FOOTBALL COACH UAPB GOLDEN LIONS
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 picks to repeat as West Division champions going into this 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 mind-set all the players have.”
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State football team will make four appearances on ESPN this fall, according to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 2013 television football schedule announced Friday, July 19 . A total of eight league matchups are scheduled on ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN News, ESPN3 and ESPN Classic. The nationally televised games are a part of the conference's ongoing partnership with ESPN.
The 2013 television scheduled kicks off with the ninth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney featuring Florida A&Mand Mississippi Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 1 in Orlando, Fla.,. The game will air live at 11:45 a.m. ET on ESPN.
The ESPNU Thursday night lineup kicks off with Howard at North Carolina A&T at Aggie Stadium on September 26. South Carolina State will travel to Durham, North Carolina on October 10 to face North Carolina Central in the second Thursday night matchup. The Bulldogs then return home to host Morgan State in the final Thursday night game on November 14 in Orangeburg, SC. All ESPNU Thursday night matchups are televised live at 7:30 p.m.
DURHAM, North Carolina – North Carolina Central University football head coach Henry Frazier III will join four other head coaches from the area for the 11th annual Bill Dooley Triangle/East Pigskin Preview at the Embassy Suites (Harrison Blvd., Cary) on Thursday, July 25.
Frazier will appear with Duke coach David Cutcliffe, North Carolina coach Larry Fedora, N.C. State coach Dave Doeren and East Carolina University coach Ruffin McNeill in discussing their teams' prospects for the upcoming season.
Registration for the event, which has annually kicked off the start of football season for area coaches, begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday and lunch begins at 12:00 p.m.
Tickets for the luncheon, organized by the Bill Dooley Triangle/East Chapter of the National Football Foundation, are $60 for individuals. Table sponsorships are available for $600, $1,000 and $1,500.
All proceeds from the event and the auction of autographed items following lunch will go to the NFF and College Hall of Fame scholarship program.
NEWARK, Delaware -- After spending two seasons at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida, Baltimore native Davon Usher played at Mississippi Valley State during the 2012-13 season. Averaging 18.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, Usher was one of the best newcomers in the SWAC and earned second team All-SWAC honors.
That’s big news for the Blue Hens, who return guards Devon Saddler (19.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Jarvis Threatt (13.0, 5.7) but have to account for the graduation of forward Jamelle Hagins (11.6, 10.7).
With Hagins, Saddler and Threatt leading the way last season Delaware posted a record of 19-14 (13-5 CAA), finishing in a tie for second place one game behind CAA regular season champion Northeastern. Delaware fell in the semifinals of the CAA tournament by one (58-57) to eventual champion James Madison.
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State-Fayetteville State rivalry will be in full bloom the second weekend of November and it will all take place on WSSU’s campus.
On Friday night Nov. 8 at the Gaines Center Fayetteville State’s men’s basketball team will play at 5 p.m. against Concord (W. Va.) and at 7 p.m. WSSU will take on Notre Dame College, which is from Ohio.
Then, the football game between the Broncos and the Rams will be on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.
ATHENS, Ohio -- The former band director of Ohio University’s Marching 110 says he aims to lead by example as he rebuilds the celebrated marching band at Florida A&M University whose reputation was tarnished by the hazing-related death of a band member in 2011.
FAMU named Dr. Sylvester Young director of marching and pep bands in May. Young served as director of bands at OU for six years from 1990 to 1996. Young earned his undergraduate degree in music education from FAMU in 1969.
“You fall in love with your alma mater,” Young said. “I did because it offered you so much at such a young age. And then of course going out in my career I learned so many things that you could only learn through a career, through life experiences. So coming back here I'm able to not only bring back and give the things that I've learned but also the things that I've learned that have been enhanced throughout my life and my career.”
NORMAL. Alabama -- As the 104th season of football approaches "The Hill" another crop of Bulldog football players have been named to another preseason lists.
Offensive lineman Justin Goodrich was named to the first team while wide receiver Montaurius Smith captured the second team offensive honors. Defensive lineman Reginald Bailey, linebacker Jeremy Isabelle and defensive back A. J. Clark rounded out the second team defense on the 2013 Phillip Steele All-SWAC team.
This is Goodrich's second preseason team this season and second year in a row he was named to the Phillip Steele squad. Smith and Bailey both earn their second preseason accolade as they were named to the official All-SWAC preseason list.
Single and season tickets are available by visiting AAMUTIX.COM or by calling 256-372-4700.
HOOVER, Alabama — First-year Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops doesn’t know much about Alabama State, and he hopes the Hornets don’t take that personally.
At Wednesday’s SEC Media Days, Stoops said he’s not familiar with Alabama State, which travels to Lexington for a Nov. 2 game. Stoops was a defensive coordinator at Florida State before taking the Kentucky job.
“It is a ways down in the schedule for me,” Stoops said when asked by the Montgomery Advertiser about playing Alabama State. “To be honest with you, I’m just trying to keep my head on my shoulders and get our team so much better and get prepared for about the first four or five opponents. So I truly don’t know a whole lot about Alabama State.”
As the SEC moderator pointed to a journalist for the next question, Stoops said: “No disrespect to (Alabama State).”
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- George Zimmerman is not innocent; he was found not guilty of the charges of Second Degree Murder or Manslaughter. This verdict was not about justice for Trayvon Martin, which he deserved. We are profoundly saddened by this verdict because it means that there is yet another unarmed young black male's death at the hands of someone relying on racial stereotypes. This is why last year, Howard Law students insisted on raising the profile of this case by creating a video, “Am I Suspicious,” which was posted on YouTube and why they rallied with others in Washington, D.C. and Florida to have Zimmerman charged.
The verdict does not mean that Zimmerman is innocent or that he did not kill Trayvon Martin. At best, the verdict means that the prosecution did not sustain its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a steep burden. As a former prosecutor, my experience with juries is that they take their responsibility quite seriously which means they conscientiously consider the evidence and follow the law as given to them by the court. Until we learn otherwise, we have to believe that this jury did its job.
This case has initiated a national conversation about race and especially about the power of racial stereotypes that so often adversely affect young black men in Florida and around the country. Although it has been over 50 years since the horrific death of Emmett Till, young black boys are still being senselessly killed because they are black and male, which apparently translates into “suspicious” and results in the unthinkable – death.
One positive outcome of Trayvon Martin's death would be to continue this important discussion, and to examine the laws that can lead to a not guilty verdict in situations where an armed adult male kills an unarmed child who is lawfully where he should be. We must fight to change those laws so that they comport with common sense, fairness, and justice. This is why protecting the right to vote is so important. The electorate should vote for legislators who are more concerned about the lives of our children rather than protect those who carry concealed weapons. This is the surest way to truly give Trayvon Martin justice.
Howard University School of Law will remain committed to its mission of providing leadership necessary to advocate and defend the rights of all, but particularly of African Americans and other minorities, and to provide students with the education needed to do so. (View our Mission Statement here). I have offered the resources of the law school to support Trayvon Martin’s family as they pursue various legal remedies. Furthermore, we will host another program that will focus on the legal, social, and political implications of the Trayvon Martin case.
In March 2013, Howard Law School held such a program featuring Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, Benjamin Crump, the family attorney; Greg Carr, Ph.D., professor of African American Studies at Howard; Josephine Ross, professor of Law and supervisor of the Criminal Justice Clinic at Howard; and Howard law students who worked diligently on behalf of Howard Law and the Martin family. The program this fall will examine the trial strategy of both sides, discuss critical evidentiary rulings by the court, and critique the role of race in influencing the outcome of this case.
We will continue this conversation at Howard Law School where we are preparing the next generation of social engineers. We will continue to support the family of Trayvon Martin and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Yours in the struggle,
Okianer Christian Dark Howard University Professor of Law and Interim Law School Dean
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- As Edmond Davis prepares for his senior season at Alabama State, the former G.W. Carver High standout doesn’t think of past accomplishments. When he does reflect, he’s simply grateful his head coach gave him the opportunity to be a part of Hornets football.
That may sound a little strange for a player who was a first-team selection to the preseason all-SWAC team at Monday’s SWAC Media Day, but Davis remembers a time in the spring of 2009 when he wasn’t sure he would get to live out his dream of playing for the Hornets.
“I broke my ankle two days after graduation, lifting weights,” Davis said. “That was very disappointing, missing camp my first year. I already had a lot to prove, and then you come in with a broken leg. I respect Coach (Reggie) Barlow for giving me the opportunity. ... He gave me a chance to come in and fight for a position my redshirt freshman year, and the rest is history.”
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It was a dream come true. For a coach who spent 21 years as an assistant, today marked a step to the forefront for Jamey Shouppe as he was announced to the FAMU community as the next head baseball coach. For a team coming off back-to-back 44 loss seasons and single digit wins, this was a prized catch.
Shouppe feels the benefits are mutual. “In my presentation to the selection committee, I had three words…Why not FAMU? That sums it all up. When you look at Al Washington, Al Davis, Andre Dawson, Hal McRae, Vince Coleman and Marquis Grissom, there need to be more of that caliber players coming out of this university,” Shouppe said. While Shouppe, who spent 21 years as an assistant coach at Florida State University, mostly as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, it wasn’t just about returning to familiar territory. “ This is not all about coming home. This is about a Division I opportunity,” he said.
Shouppe has a concentration in pitching, in which he has produced 10 ACC team ERA pitching titles, recruited and coached 63 professional drafted pitchers including six first round draftees, recruited and coached 26 first team All-Americans and coached in nine College World Series.
Shouppe will be the first permanent coach for the Rattler baseball team since the departure of Willie Brown early this year. Kevin Clethen coached the Rattler baseball squad on an interim basis this past season, with assistance from Brett Richardson. Shouppe credited Clethen and Richardson for being team players and holding the FAMU baseball program together in his absence.
Accompanied by his wife Karen and two sons in the audience, he holds family values close to him. He’s no stranger to FAMU either. His oldest son Jake is in the Pharmacy school at FAMU, where he will earn his doctorate in pharmaceutical medicine in the Spring. Shouppe’s ties include a friendship with FAMU faculty athletic representative Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku, who works in the FAMU School of Pharmacy.
In an over-capacity crowd in the media room of the Al Lawson Center, Shouppe was greeted by well-wishers from across the city. Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox, City of Tallahassee Commissioner Scott Maddox and State Representative Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee), were all in attendance at the event. FAMU National Alumni Association president Tommy Mitchell and Capital City Bank’s Bill Smith were also in attendance. Several former players, current players, friends and fans were on hand to catch a glimpse of the future of FAMU baseball.
Michael Smith, who is interim director of athletics, felt the selection committee vetted the candidates well, resulting with the eventual hiring of Shouppe. “Our committee represented some of the most successful eras of Rattler baseball, and we feel they were solid in their commitment to finding someone who could restore success to our program,” Smith said. “Judging by the faces and numbers in this room, I think they’ve done just that,” he added.
Shouppe revealed his spiritual side during the press conference. “I’ve been carrying around a note in my bible, that I’ve had for over 20 years. The note says ‘to be the best leader of men, you must first be a follower of God,’ ” Shouppe said. He added, “My job as a believer is to do uncommon things here at this university.”
Shouppe is currently a coach with USA baseball. In 2012 and 2013, he was the pitching coordinator for 18-up Summer league baseball. Professionally, he played with the Houston Astros from 1982-1985, where he was drafted in the eighth round of the 1982 draft.
Shouppe is confident that he can build the program through mental toughness. “I believe that I am the man to lead FAMU baseball to a level of success that no one believes possible,” Shouppe said. He added, “anything can happen with a plan for success. I have a plan and I possess the characteristics that are necessary to lead FAMU baseball to unprecedented levels.”
With a core of returning players, the Rattlers could rebound with some additional firepower. Shouppe is very focused on junior college players to add some immediate help for the Rattlers. “Good recruiting makes coaching easier. Bad recruiting or not recruiting makes coaching more difficult,” he said. He went on to describe a mix of junior college transfers and high school players to make the team successful.
As for the MEAC, his only experience was a few games against Bethune-Cookman in the NCAA playoffs. He feels it’s not imperitive to have in depth knowledge of the conference to be successful at this point. “I am not that familiar with the MEAC but I am familiar with baseball. I know what a good baseball team looks like. If you play the game and are proficient at what you do, you will win,” he said.
Shouppe was approved by FAMU interim president Dr. Larry Robinson, who is excited about the hire. “We look forward to Coach Shouppe establishing a winning baseball program,” said Robinson. “We want to celebrate the success of our students athletes on the field and in the classroom for many seasons to come.”
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Scott Monarch spent much of Wednesday unavailable to media and on the college basketball recruiting trail.
Claflin University leaders had hoped hiring him as men’s hoops coach this past May would bring a stable of top high school or junior college prospects to Orangeburg.
Instead, the school finds itself back to the drawing board in finding a new sideline leader to revive the program. On Tuesday, Monarch was named an assistant coach at the University of North Texas.
Claflin Athletics Director Jerome Fitch released a statement a day later announcing the resignations of both Monarch and men’s track and field coach Christopher Woods. The latter left the school to accept a position at his alma mater Mississippi State.
ALBANY, Georgia -- Steve Smith is returning to Albany for his second stint as the Albany State offensive coordinator. Golden Rams head coach Mike White confirms to WALB ASU has hired Smith to the vacant position.
"It's one of the top D-II schools in the country," Smith says. "I think it's a great opportunity to come back and have the opportunity to be a part of something special."
In his first stint as offensive coordinator, Smith led his "Gold Rush" offense to a 19-4 record between 2009-2010. Smith says he believes the Rams can get back to that level of success. "It's very possible ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Jamey Shouppe hasn't wasted one minute as FAMU's new head baseball coach. He had two recruits visit on Wednesday and he expects at least four more to join him on campus during the rest of the week.
Shouppe was officially introduced as FAMU's head baseball coach on Wednesday at the Al Lawson Center. He will become FAMU's fourth coach in four years, but only the second permanent coach.
"These press conferences are great and they make you feel good but, that's not gonna keep you in a job," he said. "It's rolling up your sleeves and finding the players and coaching the players the right way."
FAMU Interim Athletic Director Michael Smith chose Shouppe over ...
ST. LOUIS, Missouri -- The Missouri Baptist football program has hired its first offensive coordinator on Wednesday as the newly-created program continued its growth. The University announced the hiring of Charles Coe, who has been at the high school, collegiate and professional ranks throughout his 40 years of coaching.
Coe was an All-American shortstop at Kansas State University, which led him to be drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first-round of the 1971 draft. He spent two seasons in the Tigers organization before joining the St. Louis Football Cardinals in 1974.
Since then, Coe has portrayed a very extensive resume, one that requires mentioning every coaching accomplishment. He began at Central High School in St. Louis in 1973. He was the Defensive Coordinator for three years before becoming the Linebackers coach at the University of Iowa in 1976. After spending one season as a Hawkeye, he moved on to the University of Cincinnati, taking over the running backs and special teams for two seasons. He coached freshman Allen Harvin, who rushed for over 1,200 yards. Coe spent four years at Normandy High School before coaching the defensive line at Ball State in 1982 and 1983.
The University of Louisville gave coach Coe reigns over the wide receivers from 1983-85. Ernest Givens was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the second-round during Coe's tenure. He spent four seasons at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 1985-1989 and coached the running backs and special teams. During his time as a Tiger, he tutored Robert Delpino, who was a fourth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams. The Kansas State Wildcats hired Coe as the running backs coach from 1989-90. At the University of Tennessee from 1989-93, Coe coached two first-round draft choices, two second-round draft picks and two fourth-round picks. The University of Pittsburgh hired Coe as assistant head coach and running backs coach from 1993-96. Running back Curtis Martin, a third-round draft pick, rushed for over 1,000 yards under the guidance of Coe.
From 1997-98, Coe was hired as the running backs coach at the University of Memphis. During this time, Memphis produced the first 1,000-yard rusher in over 20 years at the university. Coe was promoted to assistant head coach and special teams coordinator from 2000-2002.
Coe's coaching career took a major turn when he was named head coach at Alabama State University in 2003. There, he earned numerous awards. In 2003, the Hornets won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division and produced second-round draft pick, quarterback Tavaris Jackson. Coe was an Eddie Robinson Award Finalist, which honors the top coach in Division I Football Championship Subdivision. In 2004, Alabama State again won the Eastern Division of the SWAC and Coe was again named an Eddie Robinson Award finalist. Coach Coe was named SWAC Coach of the Year after the Hornets went 10-2 and won the SWAC Championship. The Hornets finished 29-18 in Coe's four seasons as the head man.
An opportunity in the National Football League was the next stop in Coe's coaching career. From 2007-08, Coe was the wide receivers coach for the Oakland Raiders. Following that season, Coe was invited to be the wide receivers coach at the Senior Bowl All-Star Game in Mobile, Alabama in 2008. Following the Raiders stint, Coe was the head football coach at Gateway High School in St. Louis from 2009-11. His most recent coaching position was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for Texas Southern University from 2011-12.
Coe is ready to get things started at Missouri Baptist.
"I am excited and pleased to become a part of the Missouri Baptist University family," said Coe. "I look forward to working with Head Coach Burianek, as well as with the other coaches and the administration and consider myself fortunate to be identified with such a fine and promising Christian institution as Missouri Baptist."
Head Coach Jason Burianak is extremely excited to begin talking 'x's and o's' with Coe. "He has the same offensive philosophy that I have, which has already helped smooth out the transition," said Burianak. Coe not only has a strong passion for playing the game of football, but to be successful in the classroom as well. Coe's son Michael, earned his degree in three years at the University of Arkansas and then transferred to Alabama State for his final year to play for his father. Michael Coe became a fifth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. He earned a Super Bowl rung in 2011 with the New York Giants.
Coe's grandson, Rodney, was a standout running back at Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill. and a US Army All-American.
COURTESY MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SPARTANS SPORTS INFORMATION
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Members of the 2013 Tennessee State football team received a great amount of
national recognition in Phil Steele’s annual Preseason Football Championship
Subdivision (FCS) Publication.
Senior left
guard Kadeem
Edwards, junior redshirt cornerback Steven
Godbolt III and junior tight end A.C.
Leonard were all selected to Steele’s FCS Preseason All-American First
Team.
Leonard is
listed as the nation’s top tight end and the No. 11 overall best
player.
“At 6’4, 245
pounds with great speed he is a matchup problem for most and could be the best
tight end in FCS in recent memory,” Josh Buchanan of JBScouting.com
said.
At No. 15 on
the 100 best FCS players list, Godbolt is just four slots behind Leonard, but
draws similar rave reviews.
“The 6’1,
180 pounder reminds many of [former Tennessee State cornerback]
Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie as a shutdown cover corner,” Buchanan said. “His
ability to shut down his side of the field makes him one of the best players in
the country.”
Godbolt was
also selected as the Ohio Valley Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year.
Edwards
cracked the top-50 at No. 41 and Steele ranks him as the best guard and the
third-best offensive lineman in the country.
“TSU has
been known to have very talented offensive lineman and Edwards is no different.
He will be a four-year starter and has already been named All-OVC twice. The
6’4, 320 pounder has a shot at the next level with his ability,” Buchanan
said.
In addition
to that TSU All-American trio, Steele also chose senior defensive end Antonio
Harper for the Preseason All-OVC First Team.
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
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
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.
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s football team, coming off a school and CIAA best 14-1 record, is ranked sixth in Lindy’s Football Annual Division II preseason poll.
