UAPB Golden Lions Hold Second Annual Staff Retreat

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- For the second straight year, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Director of Athletics Lonza Hardy, Jr., and the entire athletic department have gathered at the Pine Bluff Convention Center for a two-day staff retreat; geared at refocusing, re-energizing and building stronger alliances within the department as the university prepares for another exciting year of sports in Golden Lions Nation.

On the first day of this two-day event, after a continental breakfast, opening remarks were made by Hardy, Jr. He reminded his staff of the successes from the past year and made sure that everyone answers the charge of promoting quality student-athletes with a strong emphasis on winning.

Following AD Hardy's opening remarks, UAPB's new chancellor Dr. Laurence B. Alexander unveiled his vision for the university; as faculty and staff alike have welcomed his leadership and embraces his changes.

"We need to emphasize the importance of giving back to the university and also focus on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within the university", said Alexander.

After Chancellor Alexander's uplifting address, Arkansas State Senator the honorable Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV took the podium to deliver a motivational speech that was centered around providing great customer service and reminding the real reason why those at the university have jobs: The students.

"It's not about you, too often our ego's get in the way of the real task at hand. We have to have better customer service when address the needs of the university", remarked Wilkins.

The staff broke for an hour lunch after Senator Wilkins wrapped up his speech. Following the intermission, Dr. Jewel Walker and her appointed panel members consisting of Dr. Mary Brently, Dr. Janice Coleman and Dr. Charles Colen, spoke to the staff about the importance of academics and the different resources available to current and potential student- athletes.

In a section titled Grants and Scholarship Opportunities, Mr. George Richardson and Ms. Constance Castle covered areas specific to funding the cost of educational obligations student- athletes may incur while attending the university.

Next on the agenda, was an assistant coach's forum with areas of interest consisting of community service projects, fundraising, academic and professional development. This was an hour long panel discussion session that paid special attention to the roles of assistant coaches and how they assist with the views and ideas of their respective head coaches.

As the first day drew to a close the first of two breakout sessions, which was a round table forum, that included academics, athletics training, media relations and athletics facilities led to the wrap-up portion of the first day with remarks from the AD brought the first day to close. A teambuilding exercise at the Thunder Lanes Bowling Alley fueled the competitive nature of all involved in athletics at the university.

Day two of the staff retreat has schedule full invigorating and inspiring speakers, including the Mayor of Pine Bluff the honorable Debe Hollingsworth, former chancellor Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., and many more. A community service event is scheduled for 6:30 pm with the residents of Whispering Knolls and The Gardens for an ice cream social and board games hosted by a Pastor Edna Morgan.

This event is open to media and coaches will be on hand to answer questions about the upcoming athletic seasons.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

SSU starts football practice at midnight

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Others have tried. Others have failed. Savannah State’s new football coach Earnest Wilson understands there will be comparisons, but he doesn’t want to be lumped in with the others.

“I think this is a great situation,” said Wilson, about taking over a program that hasn’t won more than one game during the last three seasons. “They have talent here. Don’t be fooled.”

Wilson was the offensive coordinator at Hampton University last season and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He’ll take over for coach Steve Davenport, who was fired in April.

And Wilson is looking to change things up. To get an early start on the task of turning around a program that went 1-10 last season, he will begin preseason workouts tonight at midnight at T.A. Wright Stadium.



“I thought it would be a little fun, kick (preseason camp) off the right way,” Wilson said. “Get two good hours in, and when you’re finished get back to bed.”

CONTINUE READING

2013 SSU TIGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date     Opponent     Location     Time

8/31 @ Georgia Southern, Statesboro, Ga. - Paulson Stadium 6 p.m. 
9/7   @ Troy University, Troy, Ala. - Veterans Memorial Stadium 6 p.m.
9/14      Fort Valley State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m.
9/21 @ University of Miami, Miami, Fla. - Sun Life Stadium TBA
9/28      Delaware State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m.*
10/5 @ Norfolk State, Norfolk, Va. - William 'Dick' Price Stadium 1 p.m. *
10/12    Florida A&M, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 6 p.m. *
10/19@ Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach, Fla. - Municipal Stadium 4 p.m. *
10/26    N.C. Central, "Homecoming," Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/2       S. Carolina State, Savannah, Ga. - Ted Wright Stadium 2 p.m. *
11/9   @ Howard University, Washington, D.C., William H. Greene Stadium 1 p.m.*
11/16 @ North Carolina A&T University Greensboro, N.C. - Aggie Stadium 1 p.m*

BOLD: Home Games
* MEAC Games

Hotard: Southern Jaguars have reason for optimism

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- No matter their win-loss record the previous season, coaches and players from all regions, all divisions and all kinds of programs hit the practice fields in August convinced this will be their year.

Such will be the vibe at Southern on Wednesday when the Jaguars report for their first preseason camp under coach Dawson Odums.

But this year, for the first time in a while, there is no reason to dismiss Southern’s optimism as foolish or misguided.

This year, the optimism on the Bluff will be realistic and genuine.

Southern returns three players, Lee Doss, Virgil Williams and Anthony Balancier, who were named to the preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference first team at SWAC media day earlier this month. It returns two more players, Dray Joseph and Arthur Miley, who were named to the second team.

Joseph led the SWAC in passing as a junior last season, but you have ...

CONTINUE READING

Rattlers' Big Challenge: FAMU tangles with Ohio State on 9/21

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- FAMU won’t play Ohio State until the fourth game of the season. But between now and then, coach Earl Holmes will take a page from his personal playbook to let his players know how they could make the game competitive – just like he did when he was a Rattler.

FAMU played Miami twice when Holmes was linebacker during the early 1990s.

“My focus was I didn’t concern myself with the school’s name,” Holmes said.

“I just wanted to play my game. My job was to stop the run, drop off in the pass coverage and disrupt some things. I was so focused on playing well. I did the small things in order to play well.”

Playing at least one game against a BCS school has long been the norm for FAMU and many other small programs that use the financial ...

CONTINUE READING

Hampton Pirates getting set for the upcoming season

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Football is back.

The Hampton University football team will report to camp on Wednesday and will hold its first fall practice on Thursday at the practice field behind Armstrong Stadium at 3 p.m.

Hampton will open the 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29, when the Pirates head to Macomb, Ill. to take on Western Illinois at 7 p.m. EST. The Pirates are coming off a 3-7 season in 2012, with a 3-5 mark in MEAC play.

The Pirates are coming into their fifth season under head coach Donovan Rose.

Approximately 90 players will check into the dorms on Wednesday and get down to business on the practice field Thursday at 3 p.m.

"We're excited; because it has been a long offseason," Rose said. "Many of the guys worked hard during spring ball and with some staff additions, I feel we are ready to get back on the field."

The Pirates welcome new offensive coordinator Glen Ferebee, who comes to Hampton after serving as the head coach at Lakeland High School in Suffolk, Va., as well as Bernard Clark as defensive coordinator and Cordell Taylor as secondary coach. 

Hampton has been picked to finish ninth in the MEAC this season.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.



PRACTICE SCHEDULE
 Aug. 1: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 2: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 4: 2 p.m.
 Aug. 5: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 6: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 7: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 8: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 9: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 10: 12 p.m./Meet the Pirates (Full Pads)
 Aug. 12: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 13: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 15: 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 16: 8:30 a.m. & 3 p.m. (Full Gear)
 Aug. 17: First Scrimmage, 1 p.m.
 Aug. 19: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 20: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 21: 3 p.m.
 Aug. 22: Second Scrimmage, 7 p.m.


COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

HBU Football Game vs. Texas College Moved to Nov. 2

HOUSTON, Texas – The startup Houston Baptist University (HBU) football program has moved its game against Texas College to Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory's Crusader Stadium due to a scheduling conflict, HBU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci announced Monday
 
“Any time you start up a football program, there are going to be some challenges,” Moniaci said. “Fortunately, we were able to find a common open date and were able to save the game. We are now looking forward to the home opener against Oklahoma Baptist and playing our final two games of the season at home.”

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21, which would have been the Huskies' home opener, but Texas College's previous administration had the Steers also scheduled to play Hardin-Simmons on that date. HBU will now play its home opener on Family Weekend against Oklahoma Baptist Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Crusader Stadium.

With Nov. 2 an open date for both HBU and Texas College, the two schools agreed to move the game to that date.

The Huskies open the 2013 season at Sam Houston State Aug. 31, followed by another road game at Wayland Baptist on Sept. 14. HBU plays four of its last five at home, first against Oklahoma Baptist, then against future Southland Conference rival Abilene Christian Oct. 12 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Huskies travel to another future conference foe, Incarnate Word, Oct. 26, before hosting Texas College, then wrapping up the season on Homecoming against Texas A&M-Commerce Nov. 9.

HBU's football student-athletes report for the first fall workout next Monday, Aug. 5.

COURTESY HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Tigers Football Sets Senior Kick-Off Luncheon for Aug. 23

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  On Tuesday Aug. 23, the Tennessee State football team will hold its annual Senior Kick-Off Luncheon, nine days prior to Big Blue’s first contest against Bethune-Cookman.

 

The event will take place at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel at 11 a.m. and will serve to both honor TSU’s 17 four-year letter winners and generate excitement for the squad’s upcoming campaign.

Tiger supporters can purchase ticket packages that start at $65 for an individual to the luncheon or buy sets that include multiple seats and season tickets. Fans can also pay for advertisements that will run in the luncheon’s program.

For more information, please contact Natasha Plant at 615-963-7562 or read the full brochure, here.

 

    2013 Football Senior Kick-Off Luncheon Brochure

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Training camp preview: Southern football

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  FIVE STORYLINES TO WATCH

1. Backing up Dray Joseph

Southern has the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference passing champion in Dray Joseph to guide the offense, but one of the big questions entering camp is who will back him up. No other quarterback on the roster has thrown a pass in a college game. Junior Wynton Perro has moved from the secondary to join a battle that will soon include Francis Kennah from Robbinsdale, Minn., and Southern Lab product Deonte Shorts, a pair of freshmen who join the fray this week. Coach Dawson Odums said Cedric McCloud, who signed in February out of Arizona Western Community College, will not be part of the team. In case Joseph is lost to injury, the Jaguars need a reliable No. 2 to come forth.

2. Discovering a ground game

Southern finished last in the SWAC last year at 79.5 rushing yards per game and hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since ...

CONTINUE READING

Scott Hamilton columnist WSJournal previews WSSU football

Scott Hamilton a columnist for the Winston-Salem Journal explains why WSSU football is leading the way in the CIAA conference.

CONTINUE READING

Southern's Roman Banks, Rummel's Jay Roth named coaches of the year

ROMAN BANKS
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS
 

NEW ORLEANS -- Roman Banks, from Southern University, has been named the Outstanding College Coach of the Year for the State of Louisiana and Archbishop Rummel’s Jay Roth, has been selected as the Outstanding Prep Coach of the Year for Louisiana. Both coaches will be recognized at the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Selection Committee, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, selects annual award winners in a variety of categories, in addition to selecting each year’s Hall of Fame class and Amateur Athletes of the Month. Overall, 26 individuals and two teams will be honored at the banquet. Additional honorees will be announced over the next two weeks.

Banks took little time in reestablishing the Southern University men’s basketball program as one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. After winning only 11 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival, the Jaguars are 40-24 in two seasons with Banks as coach.

CONTINUE READING

Ex-UVa. QB Phillip Sims heads to Winston-Salem State

HAMPTON ROADS, Virginia  --  Former Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims apparently has picked his third college.

Sims, who had short stints at Alabama and Virginia, used his Twitter account Sunday to announce he was headed to Winston-Salem State University.

“I’m the newest member of the #wssu fam,” Sims’ account read. “I am thankful for this opportunity that I’ve been given.”

Attempts to reach Sims were unsuccessful Sunday.

Winston-Salem State is a member of the Division II CIAA. Sims told The Pilot last week that he had narrowed his list of suitors to three or four schools and that he’d have to sit out a season whether he chose a Division I or II school.

Sims heads to a program coming off its most successful season. The Rams finished 14-1 and reached the Division II national title game.


University of Virginia announced in late May that Phillip Sims was academically ineligible and would leave school after the summer session.  The former Alabama recruit is now headed to Winston-Salem State to get his college career back on track.

CONTINUE READING

10 Bulldogs named to CollegeSportsMadness.com Preseason All-SWAC team

NORMAL, Alabama – Another preseason poll has come out and again the Alabama A&M football players are well represented.

Ten players on the 2013 team have made the College Sports Madness.com preseason All-SWAC team.

Earning a role on the first-team at wide receiver is Montaurius Smith. This is Smith's third honor as a member of a preseason team in 2013. Reginald Bailey joins him as a defensive lineman on the first team. This is also Bailey's third preseason team.

At offensive lineman Justin Goodrich earns the lone spot on the second team and also earns his third preseason award.

Transfer quarterback Kyle Harmyk leads the way at quarterback on the third-team. Joining him is Reshaad DeJarnett at wide receiver, Alan Cruz at offensive line, Corey Johnson at defensive line, Jeremy Isabelle at linebacker, while Derrick Harris and A.J. Clark at the defensive back position round out the Bulldogs on the list.

For more information on A&M Athletics, visit aamusports.com. Fans can also find the Bulldogs on Twitter at @aamubulldogs or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Alabama-AM-Bulldogs.

Additional FCS All-Conference teams will be announced each day. See all the Madness FCS Football Preseason All-Conference Teams.
Madness FCS Football Preseason All-American Teams to be announced in the next few days, watch for the announcement.

College Sports Madness has full FCS Football coverage. We are counting down the Football Top 44 Teams with in-depth previews. The previews began with #44 and countdown one per day until opening day when College Sports Madness reveals the preseason #1 FCS team in the nation. As the teams are revealed they will be inputted into the College Sports Madness NCAA Tournament Bracket Projections, predicting the post season games and then updated each week once the season begins. The countdown will also feed our initial FCS Football Top 25 team ranking which will also be updated each week during the season. Once the season begins we will be awarding Players of the Week honors on a national and conference basis.

CollegeSportsMadness.com All-SWAC Team

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Baltimore Ravens Sign Former MSU Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  The Ravens have started the process of replacing injured tight end Dennis Pitta.

The team signed veteran Visanthe Shiancoe to a one-year contract Sunday, one day after Pitta went down for the foreseeable future and perhaps the entire season, with a hip injury. The deal is worth the veteran minimum of $940,000, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Shiancoe immediately got fitted for equipment after signing his deal to participate in Sunday's practice.

Shiancoe, a 10-year veteran, spent last season with the New England Patriots. He saw action in four games, but did not register any statistics. Before going to New England, Shiancoe spent five years with the Minnesota Vikings and four with the New York Giants.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end is known as a red-zone threat who can make an impact  in the passing game. He has 243 receptions for 2,677 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career. His best season was in 2009 when he had 566 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Shiancoe will now join a tight end group that includes Ed Dickson, Billy Bajema, Alex Silvestro and Matt Furstenburg. Dickson is expected to take over as the starter, but the No. 2 spot is up for grabs.

Bajema spent last year on the roster as the No. 3 tight end, but was primarily just used in goal-line situations and as an extra blocker. He did not have any catches last season.

Silvestro was on the practice squad last year and Furstenburg is an undrafted rookie out of Maryland.

"Somebody is going to have to step up, and we do have some capable guys all across the flanks," Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell said Saturday. "We do have some weapons, and we're just going to have some guys make plays for us."

Shiancoe enjoyed a successful college football career at Morgan State University, playing in 30 games and receiving 52 passes for 1001 yards. His senior year proved to be noteworthy, garnering both All-American Dream Team and All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 1st-team honors from the NFL Draft Report.


WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SWAC Football lands on Phil Steele's FCS Position Rating

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Phil Steele's College Football Preview release its 2013 FCC Preseason Position Ratings with 35 players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference making the lists.

The ratings are solely based on college perfromance. The list of players from the SWAC include:

QB - out of 52
17. Dray Joseph, Southern, Sr.
31. Benjamin Anderson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
51. Kyle Harmyk, Alabama A&M, Jr.

RB - out of 48
6. Isaiah Crowell, Alabama State, Jr.

FB - out of 20
4. Rakeem Sims, Jackson State, Jr.
17. Chris Gilzeane, Alabama State, Jr.

WR - out of 86
14. Lee Doss, Southern, Sr.
34. G’Alonzo Milton, Alabama A&M, Sr.
63. Ladarius Eckwood, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
74. Montaurius Smith, Alabama A&M, Jr.
86. Chuck Baker, Southern, Fr.

TE - out of 53
31. Dezmond Beverly, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
47. Justin Robinson, Alabama State, Sr.

G - out of 37
25. Kenny Eagle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
31. Jonathan Smith, Jackson State, Jr.

DE - out of 62
5. Robert Simpson, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

LB - out of 108
53. Jer-ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
75. Xavier Lofton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
77. Anthony Balancier, Southern, Sr.
85. Jerome Howard, Prairie View A&M, Jr.
96. Todd Wilcher, Jackson State, Sr.
101. Leland Baker, Alabama State, Sr

CB - out of 66
3. Qua Cox, Jackson State, Sr.
34. Virgil Williams, Southern, Sr.
42. A.J. Clark, Alabama A&M, Jr.

S - out of 57
15. Cameron Loeffler, Jackson State, Sr.
16. Ryan Shaw, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Sr.
32. Kevin Eugene, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

P - out of 45
2. Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State, Sr.
33. Travis Jatzlau, Prairie View A&M, Jr.

K - out of 38
18. Chris Barrick, Prairie View A&M, Jr.
31. Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State, Sr.
32. Tyler Strickland, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jr.

KR - out of 43
8. Julian Stafford, Mississippi Valley State, Jr.
17. Johnta’ Hebert, Prairie View A&M, Soph.
38. Jaleel Richardson, Southern, Jr.

PR - out of 45
13. Virgil Williams, Southern, Sr.

ALL PURPOSE - out of 39

19. Julian Stafford, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.

 

COURTESY SWAC.org
 

Langston University Lions Fall Camp Opens August 1st

LANGSTON, Oklahoma  --  The Lions will start their 2013 campaign on August 1^st when players report for fall camp. Head Coach Dwone Sanders' squad will have four weeks to prepare before they head to Greeley, Colorado to face NCAA Division I FCS foe Northern Colorado. The schedule features three more FCS opponents: Incarnate Word, Nicholls State, and Northwestern State. LU will be on the road for all of them.

Langston's NAIA Central States Football League title defense starts Week 6 in Waxahachie, TX, marking their fifth straight away game. The annual homecoming game will take place on October 19^th against Texas College.

The Lions' national championship bid starts with defense. LU ranked third in the NAIA last year and will return nine players. Pierre Alexander and Ronald Burgess anchor the front four. Burgess is a highly touted prospect coming off the edge. He stands at 6'3, 245 pounds and runs a 4.6 forty. Behind them is the leader of the defense, inside linebacker John Hunter. "I'm impressed with his mental and physical development this offseason," said Coach Sanders. Impact hybrid player Chace Green will stay at striker this season. Finally, there is four year starter, safety Isaiah Ross. Coach Sanders: "He's my version of the Honey Badger. Same size, same speed as Tyrann Mathieu. And they're both from New Orleans."


WATCH IN 1080p HD, FULL SCREEN

Offensive Coordinator Darryl Mason will bring a multiple system from Arkansas Baptist. Jac'Quon Miles is his quarterback. Miles is a returning starter and a three year letterman. He threw 5 touchdown passes last season. Sheldon Augustine caught 2 of them and returns along with another playmaking wideout, Asphen Gaines. They want to stretch the field vertically and give Will Taylor the opportunity to find the running lanes.

After a successful golf tournament in the spring raised over $100,000, there are new expectations around LU football: "Langston is on the brink of greatness. We've been putting in work this offseason that other teams simply cannot match. We have the talent. We have the coaching. We're ready to make this a national championship caliber squad," said Coach Sanders. Everyone is looking forward to one date: August 31^st. The talk ends then. Northern Colorado awaits.

2013 LU LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (.html)

Date	Time		Opponent	Location
8/31/2013	1:30 PM		Northern Colorado	Greeley, CO
9/14/2013	6:00 PM		Incarnate Word	San Antonio, TX
9/21/2013	6:00 PM		Nicholls State	Thibodeaux, LA
9/28/2013	6:00 PM		Northwestern State	Natchitoches, LA
10/12/2013	2:00 PM	*	Southwestern Assemblies of God	Waxahachie, TX
10/19/2013	2:00 PM	*	Texas College (Homecoming)	W.E. Anderson Stadium
10/26/2013	2:00 PM	*	Oklahoma Baptist	W.E. Anderson Stadium
11/2/2013	2:00 PM	*	Oklahoma Panhandle State	Goodwell, OK
11/9/2013	2:00 PM	*	Bacone	Muskogee, OK
11/16/2013	2:00 PM	*	Wayland Baptist	W.E. Anderson Stadium

BOLD: HOME GAMES

Texas College Steers looks to win CSFL

TEXAS COLLEGE STEERS 2013 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

	Day	Time		Opponent
August
	31	7:00 PM	@	Belhaven University
September
	7	6:00 PM	@	Incarnate Word University
	14	12:00 PM	vs.	Hardin-Simmons
	21	7:00 PM	@	Houston Baptist University
*	28	2:00 PM	@	WBU
October
	12	1:00 PM	@	Oklahoma Panhandle State
	19	2:00 PM	@	Langston
*	26	2:00 PM	vs.	Bacone
November
*	9	2:00 PM	vs.	SW Assemblies of God
*	16	2:00 PM	vs.	OBU

 BOLD: HOME GAMES
•* CSFL Conference Game
•Game times are (CST)

Virginia University of Lynchburg has date with WSSU Rams

LYNCHBURG, Virginia  --   Virginia University of Lynchburg have a 10-game schedule for the 2013 includes four home games and six road games. Last season VUL were road warriors, playing seven road games and three home games.

For the first time in three seasons the VUL Dragons will start the season at home. Virginia University of Lynchburg opens the 2013 season at Lynchburg City Stadium on September 7^th. They will welcome the Dragons of Lane College, marking the first every meeting between these teams.

The following week the Dragons will travel to Winston Salem, NC for a one game road trip September 14^th. It will be the first ever meeting between the Rams of Winston Salem State University who are  the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Champion, after finishing last season with a  14-1 record, and a loss to Valdosta State in the Division II National Championship.

The Dragons are home for it USCAA football opener in week three, hosting conference opponent Southern Virginia University on September 14^th. VUL will hit the road the next three weeks, playing at Alderson-Broaddus on September 28^th, at Edward Waters College October 5^th in Jacksonville, FL their longest trip of the season. Rounding out VUL’s three game road swing, is the Wesley College Wolverines on October 12^th. This will the Dragons second time traveling to Scott D. Miller Stadium in Dover, DE and third meeting all-time.

The ensuing week, the VUL Dragons returns to Lynchburg City Stadium to do battle against Concordia-Selma College, for their only home game of October.   Following a bye, Dragons fans will travel to familiar territory November 2^nd, playing against North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC. The Aggies have had the Dragons number over the past two seasons, holding a 2-0 series lead.

VUL will return to Lynchburg November 9^th for Homecoming 2013. The Dragons are welcoming the Blue Bears of Livingstone College to the Lynchburg City Stadium. The regular season finale will conclude on November 16^th when VUL travel to Pembroke, NC and square off against the Braves of UNC Pembroke.

TICKET INFORMATION

2013 Dragons Football Schedule (Print Copy)

Date	Time	Opponent	Location
9/7/2013	1:00 pm	Lane College	Lynchburg, VA
9/14/2013	6:00 pm	Winston Salem State University	Winston Salem,	NC
9/21/2013	1:00 pm	Southern Virginia University	Ronoake, VA
9/28/2013	12:00 pm	Alderson-Broaddus College	Philippi, WV
10/5/2013	2:00 pm	Edward Waters College	Jacksonville, FL
10/12/2013	1:00 pm	Wesley College	Dover, DE
10/19/2013	1:00 pm	Concordia College	Lynchburg, VA
Homecoming 2013
11/2/2013	1:00 pm	Livingstone College	Lynchburg, VA
11/2/2013	1:30 pm	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro, NC
11/16/2013	2:00 pm	UNC Pembroke University	Pembroke, NC

COURTESY VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG SPORTS INFORMATION 

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats employ MMA-style training

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Bethune-Cookman's summer football workout Saturday morning ended with 20 players trying to choke each another out.

 

And Wildcats coach Brian Jenkins was happy to hear about it.

 

That is because the workout-ending scrum was by design – the end of a four-session, alternative method of training endorsed by Jenkins and directed by Fight Sports Daytona instructor Todd Cutler and B-CU Director of Strength and Conditioning Medgar Harrison.

 

Cutler, who trains mixed martial artists at his Fight Sports Gym – an old white building located along Ridgewood Avenue -- said the program is based on the principles and conditioning of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 

It is a style of training that seems to be gaining ground with professional athletes – perhaps most notably Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen – looking to augment their normal training methods.

 

CONTINUE READING

Concordia-Selma Hornets prepares for first football practice

SELMA, Alabama  --  Entering his first full season as head coach at Concordia College Alabama, Don Lee cannot wait for football season to arrive.

“I’m excited. I get to start a team fresh,” Lee said. “Starting off in the springtime, we came in and we put in our system, but now it is good going into the season to see how well your system can be executed.”

The Hornets will start two-a-days Aug. 4, which will give Lee his first look at his team since spring practices.

After taking over as head coach following the third game last season, Lee led Concordia to a 6-3 record.

He said he fought the urge to change up the offensive and defensive schemes to what he likes to do when he took over in 2012, because he knew it would disrupt the Hornets’ season. Instead, he used last season to evaluate the talent on the roster to see what he had to work with.

COACH DON LEE

“It was an opportunity for us to evaluate a lot of things; evaluate the system, evaluate the players and then come into spring ball and see what fits into your system,” Lee said.

Lee’s pass heavy, Air Raid offensive system will give opponents little time between plays, while his defensive schemes are based around applying a lot of pressure to opposing offenses to force turnovers.

CONTINUE READING

2013 Concordia Hornets Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
Aug-31	Abilene Christian University	Abilene, Texas	6 PM (CST)
Sep-7	Stillman College	Tuscaloosa, AL	5 PM (CST)
Sep-14	open
Sep-21	Miles College	Fairfield, AL	6 PM (CST)
Sep-26	University Of West Alabama	Demopolis, AL	7 PM (CST)
Oct-5	Ave Maria University (Homecoming)	Selma, AL**	noon (CST)
Oct-12	Arkansas Baptist (Cross Road Classic)	Prichard, AL	2 PM (CST)
Oct-19	Virginia University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg, VA	1 PM (EST)
Oct-26	Fort Valley State University	Fort Valley, GA	2 PM (EST)
Nov-2	Georgia Military	Selma, AL**	1 PM (CST)
Nov-9	Delta State University	Cleveland, MS	2 PM (CST)
Nov-16	Warner University (Senior Game)	Selma, AL**	1 PM (CST)

BOLD: Home Game



COURTESY CONCORDIA COLLEGE - SELMA SPORTS INFORMATION

South Carolina State still draws respect in MEAC

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  As compared to the larger NCAA Division I football conferences like the Southeastern Conference, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s preseason luncheon did not garner national attention.

For those with team members and Football Championship Subdivision observers, the one-day event held this past Friday in Norfolk, Va., offered some interesting revelations which can only increase anticipation for the upcoming season:

1. Bethune-Cookman is considered the team to beat, but South Carolina State still commands   respect.

As the defending MEAC champions and owners of a 13-game conference-winning streak, the Wildcats enter the new season with great swagger and a high confidence level. Since taking over in Daytona Beach in 2010, Brian Jenkins has made a meteoric rise to the top of the conference coaching ranks in leading Bethune-Cookman to a 28-7 overall record, 21-3 in the MEAC and a share of two regular-season titles. Another perfect season in conference play would leave the Wildcats one shy of South Carolina State’s MEAC-record 22 straight conference wins set from 2007-2010.

CONTINUE READING

Mickey Clayton to host new sports talk show on Internet

(L) Clayton Smith and (R) Mickey Clayton will co-host, Insiight on Sports
with Alvin Hollins being the producer and Gerald Tookes will be director of the shows.
(Courtesy: INSiiGHTS ON SPORTS)

Coming August 2, INSiiGHTS ON SPORTS (http://insiights.com/)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The story that Mickey Clayton mentioned on Wednesday afternoon is sad, but it happens.

As he told it, an out-of-state high school sophomore was pulled from remedial classes by his parents after they were told that the boy could not remain in the developmental classes if he wanted to be on his school’s football team. The parent figures that football will be his ticket to playing in the pros as they decided to follow the coach’s edit, Clayton said.

“All their hopes are on (the child) but they couldn’t understand how important it is for him to do his math and pass his grades,” Clayton said. “There is an educational component that we want people to understand that it starts at this point to be ready for the next level.”

Clayton will use a sports talk show that he and a few of his friends have put together to bring issues like the one he discussed earlier to the forefront.

CONTINUE READING 

Lincoln confirms school is dropping three sports

LOWER OXFORD, Pennsylvania  --  Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee confirmed this week that Lincoln University is dropping men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s bowling, for the upcoming 2013-14 academic year. 
 

The move raises the number of discontinued sports at LU to four in the last two years, as men’s soccer was axed following the 2011 season. Lincoln now offers a total of 11 intercollegiate sports: men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, football, men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s soccer and volleyball. 

  

“Right now, it’s not etched in stone that none of these (suspended programs) will return,” Ford-Kee said. “That’s why we have elected to say we have suspended those sports.”    

 

In an era of tumbling state funding, universities across the country are being forced to cut back athletic department budgets. But according to Ford-Kee and Eric Webb, the school’s Director of Communications, the decision was made not to save money, but was a response to declining interest and low participation numbers.

 

CONTINUE READING