Southern notebook: Jaguars have strength in numbers

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana --  Most of the players who checked in Wednesday at Southern didn’t have much catching up to do.

First-year coach Dawson Odums said more than 70 of the 95 players who reported for fall camp were active members of Southern’s conditioning and weight program this summer. Odums said the number was in the 20s last year.

“I’m excited about it,” Odums said. “I think it creates a lot of excitement for our football program and really gives us a chance to create some continuity with all those guys having been here this summer.”

Odums said he believes the increase in participation will show when Southern conducts conditioning tests Thursday morning. Quarterback Dray Joseph said he thinks it will show on game day as well.

“When you get on the field and it’s fourth-and-1 and you see that player that you worked out with all summer, you understand you have been there before and you’re grinding together,” he said. “So let’s get it done.”

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Two Alabama State kickoff times changed

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  In the world of television, everything is subject to change.

 

A pair of Alabama State kickoff times for the 2013 season have been altered to accommodate broadcast schedules. 

 

The Hornets' (7-4, 7-2) Sept. 7th meeting on the road against last year's SWAC runner-up Jackson State (Miss.) has been moved up to 5 p.m. and their tilt at reigning league champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff the following week will get going at 4 p.m., according to a release sent out by the school. 

 

Each of those contests will be shown live on ESPN3 and broadcasted on tape delay at 9:30 p.m. the same day. 

 

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Tennessee State Tigers Set to Open Fall Camp on Aug. 5

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Monday Aug.5 will mark the first day of fall camp for the Tennessee State football team. All practices are scheduled to be held at Hale Stadium and are open to the public.

The first week of practices will run from 6-8 a.m. and the squad will start in just helmets but progress to full pads by the following week on Aug. 12.

Fall camp will kick off the Tigers’ 2013 campaign, a year removed from their most successful season since 2001 (8-3). Despite the team’s success from a year ago, this year’s club feels it still has a lot to prove to get into the National Playoff picture.

TSU was recently pegged to finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference and seven Tigers were named to the league’s All-Preseason Team. Included on that list was cornerback Stephen Godbolt III who was also named the conference’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Fall camp will mark the first time that the entire team will be together since spring practices and will serve as the first opportunity for Big Blue’s No. 1 Ranked HBCU recruiting class to back up its distinction.

TSUTigers.com will be providing updates from camp up until the Tigers’ first contest on Sept. 1 in the John Merritt Classic against Bethune-Cookman.

Tentative Fall Practice Schedule (all times a.m. unless otherwise noted):
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2013 - 6:00-8:00  PRACTICE #1 (HELMETS)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013 - 6:00-8:00  PRACTICE #2 (HELMETS)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #3 (SHELLS)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #4 (SHELLS)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #5 (SHELLS)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #6 (SHELLS)
MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #8 (FULL)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #9 (FULL)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #11 (FULL)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #12 (FULL)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #14 (FULL)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #15 (FULL)
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #17 (FULL)    
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013 - 5:45-7:45 (P.M.) PRACTICE #19(FULL)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #20 (FULL)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013 - 5:45-7:45 (P.M.) PRACTICE #22 (FULL)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 - 8:00-10:00 PRACTICE #23 (FULL)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 - 4:00-6:00 (P.M.) PRACTICE #24 (FULL)



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

CLC's College Colors Day set for Aug. 30

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- With the kickoff of the 2013 football season less than a month away, Southern University is encouraging Jaguars fans to pledge their allegiance by supporting the school on Aug. 30 as a part of College Colors Day.

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 30.

The Jaguars open its 2013 schedule on College Colors Day against the University of Houston in Reliant Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. and the game will stream live on ESPN 3.

Fans can visit GoJagsGear.com, the official online store for SU athletics, to purchase licensed Jaguar apparel. By downloading a custom designed SU Facebook cover, fans can also display their passion for SU sports on social media.

Southern is scheduled to send weekly College Colors Day reminders to fans via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Since its inception in 2005, College Colors Day has grown rapidly across the country. Thousands of organizations and millions of individuals participate annually by donning their team colors and sharing in the college spirit with friends and colleagues.

Additionally, College Colors Day, which coincides with “back to school” and the kick-off of intercollegiate athletics, strives to advocate higher education through increased public awareness, and celebrates the achievements of colleges and universities, acknowledging their fundamental importance.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

B-CU Wildcats look to defend their MEAC championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  The way Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins handles interviews might make Bill Belichick envious.

Belichick, the New England Patriots coach, is renowned for employing “coach speak” — the art of answering questions without divulging much pertinent information at all — when dealing with the media.

Jenkins might be better at it.

So, heading into Bethune-Cookman’s first day of fall practice, Jenkins, not surprisingly, was not about to give too much away.

“We will see (what we have),” he said. “Our expectations are that we will have a good football team. And our expectations are that we had a good summer.”

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St. Aug Starts Football Practice On Wednesday, Aug. 7

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Saint Augustine's University will hold its first football practice of the 2013 season on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at SAU Stadium at 6:30 p.m.

"It's another year and another opportunity to work on what we strive to do each year, which is to play for the CIAA Championship," said Head Coach Michael Costa, who has guided the Falcons to two winning records the past three seasons. "Our goal is to be in Winston-Salem."

The Falcons return 58 players including 14 offensive and defensive starters. They also bring back their placekicker and punter. The returnees and a 36-player recruiting class will report to campus on Monday, Aug. 5.

The Falcons are picked to finish second in the Southern Division and have the third-best team in the CIAA. Two players – defensive end Javarous Faulk (Sr./Macon, Ga.) and linebacker Chaz Robinson (Sr./Hampton, Va.) – were named to the Pre-season All-CIAA Team.

The Falcons, 6-4 overall in 2012, open the regular season at Division I North Carolina Central University on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Durham, N.C. at 2 p.m. The contest is the first of a 10-game schedule for the Falcons, who host Stillman College in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 21. The slate includes home games against two-time CIAA champion Winston-Salem State University and two-time CIAA runner-up Elizabeth City State University.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JCSU Lennox Graham Selected to the Coaching Staff for 2013 IAAF World Championships

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith University head men's and women's track and field coach Lennox Graham has been selected to join the coaching staff for the Jamaican National Team at the 2013 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Moscow, Russia. Graham will be working with the Jamaican hurdlers on technique during their preparation.

Graham, in his sixth season with the JCSU program, led the women's team to its highest outdoor national finish in program history in a narrow runner-up finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with 54 team points between just eight entries behind Academy of Art's winning total of 60.

Graham also guided the Golden Bulls to a CIAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships title; their second in three seasons (2011, 2013). He has been named USTFCCCA National and CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Women's Coach of the Year this outdoor season. Graham also won coach of the year honors from the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region and CIAA for the women's indoor season.

"This is a great honor and a privilege to join the coaching staff for the (Jamaican) national team," said Graham. "I value this chance to share my knowledge with the athletes, as well as gain coaching experience. This is truly an invaluable professional development opportunity."

Moscow 2013 marks the 14th IAAF World Championship and it will be particularly exciting as it will be exactly a year after the 2012 Summer Games in London have concluded and will provide a timely opportunity for many of those athletes to meet again. The dates of competition have been set from August 10-18, 2013, and main competition will have a one day break in the middle of the schedule.

Senior and 2013 USTFCCCA National Women's Outdoor Track Athlete Danielle Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica) will be competing in the 100m hurdles (Round 1 - August 16th). Her sister and JCSU alumna Shermaine Williams will also be competing in the same event.

JCSU alumnus Leford Green will also be on hand, competing in the 400m hurdles (Round 1 – August 12th) events.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

St. Aug's Faulk Selected Pre-Season Football All-American

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- Rising senior Javarous Faulk of Saint Augustine's University was named to the USA College Football Division II Pre-Season All-America Second Team entering the 2013 season. Click HERE to view the USA Pre-Season All-America teams.

This is the third pre-season honor for Faulk, who is considered one of top defensive ends in the nation. A Macon, Ga., native, Faulk was chosen Pre-season Honorable Mention All-American by Beyond Sports Network in June and named to the Pre-season All-CIAA Team in July.

Faulk, who is hearing impaired, is coming off a banner 2012 season. He ranked second in Division II with 1.3 sacks per game. His 13 sacks ranked second in the CIAA and tied a school single-season record.

His outstanding play led to three postseason accolades last season. Faulk was named to the Black College Sports Page All-America Third Team, the Don Hansen All-Super Region One Third Team and the All-CIAA First Team. He was a nominee for the Gene Upshaw Award which goes to the Division II lineman of the year. For his career, Faulk has 17.5 sacks at St. Aug.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Detroit Lions release two, including Hampton's Ricardo Silva

ALLEN PARK, Michigan -- The Detroit Lions released safety Ricardo Silva and defensive tackle Spencer Nealy on Thursday morning, signing defensive tackle Xavier Proctor and safety Trevor Coston.

An undrafted rookie out of Hampton in 2011, Silva earned a spot on the Lions practice squad after an impressive preseason. He spent parts of the past two seasons on Detroit's main roster, appearing in 14 games and starting six.

In 2012, Silva tallied 40 tackles and intercepted a pass in the Lions' win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Nealy signed with Detroit at the end of May as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M.

To fill the two roster openings, the Lions added Proctor and Coston, two players who had been previously been with the team.



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Alcorn State's Giles - Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame enshrinee and Alcorn State football standout, Jimme Giles, is among six inductees slated to be enshrined in Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame during The 51st annual BanCorpSouth Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction.

The weekend of events is slated for August 2-3, highlighted by the induction banquet at the Jackson Hilton on Friday night, August 2, and include activities at the Hall of Fame Museum on Saturday.

Giles, a native of Greenville and a former standout for SWAC and Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer, Marino Casem at Alcorn State, was inducted into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor in 2011.

He was named to the All-Time Tampa Bay Buccaneer team in 2004 and the All-Time NFC Central Division team in 2001. Giles, a tight end, played in 188 NFL games. Giles recorded 350 receptions for 5,084 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was selected and played in four Pro Bowls.

Jimmy Giles speech during his Ring of Honor Ceremony at Buccaneers Throwback game 12/4/2011.

Giles was All-SWAC in football and baseball at Alcorn State for two seasons and was enshrined in the league's Hall of Fame in 2008.

He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1977 in the third round with the 70th overall pick. Giles played with the Buccaneers along side SWAC Hall of Famer and current Grambling State football coach Doug Williams from 1978-1982 before joining the Detroit Lions in 1986 for one season. He closed out his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1987-1989

The reception will be held Friday night at the Hilton beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the banquet at 7 p.m. Saturday’s activities include a meet and greet with Hall of Famers starting at 9:30 followed by the annual Drawdown of Champions, sponsored by Wells Moore Simmons & Hubbard and Puckett Machinery. In addition to the Drawdown, there is a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items.

All times are central.

With an enshrinement into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Giles will join a long list of SWAC notable and conference Hall of Famers which include: Lemuel “Lem” Barney, Willie Brown, Rober Brazile, Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Willie Totten, W.C. Gorden, Jack Spinks, Jackie Slater, T.B. Ellis and L.C. Greenwood.

More on Jimmie Giles - Giles, Here's to All the Great Memories, and the Pain

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

Legendary Alcorn Men's Basketball Coach Davey L. Whitney Hospitalized

GULFPORT, Mississippi  --  Former men's head basketball coach, Davey L. Whitney, was hospitalized earlier this week in Gulfport, Mississippi.  Whitney suffered two mild strokes and was rushed to the hospital by his family on Monday afternoon.  Whitney is returned home the same day and doing well.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

Whitney coached the Braves from 1969 to 1989.  He returned in 1996 and retired in 2003.  He has an overall record of 566 wins and 356 losses.  He coached the Braves to 12 SWAC Championships and five NCAA appearances.

 

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

 

AAMU's Anthony Jones speaking on the 2013 Preseason Camp

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU's Shouppe hustles to beef up roster

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Jamey Shouppe knew he was getting into the recruiting fray a little late to land players to fit the blueprint he outlined two weeks ago when he was named head baseball coach at FAMU.

He set out at warp speed anyway, realizing today would be the cutoff for signing the junior college players that he hoped would give a young Rattlers team some experience. As of Wednesday, he and his assistants were still frantically pushing to fill some of the team’s immediate needs.

The fact that several of the possible targets fell short of academic requirements has made it tough.

“It’s been impossible to basically fill all of our needs,” Shouppe said. “The unfortunate thing is at this stage there are less guys in the pool than we can choose, and (we have) to find the best players that are academically eligible.”

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Former Virginia Union University Women's Basketball Coach Lou Hearn Dies at Age 73

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Lou Hearn, who guided the Virginia Union University women's basketball team to the 1983 National Championship, passed away on Monday, July 29, at the age of 73.

Hearn, who coached the Lady Panthers from 1982-88, compiled a 96-61 record during his time as head coach.

Hearn also coached VUU to a school record 27 wins in 29 games in the 1982-83 season, including a 73-60 win over previously unbeaten Cal Poly-Pomona in the 1983 NCAA Division II Championship Game.

He was preceded in death by his son, Louis Nelson Hearn, II. Surviving are his wife, Andrea C. Hearn; son, Eric A. Hearn (Dionne);two granddaughters, Erin and London Hearn and two brothers, Robert (Ruby) and George Hearn.

Memorial services will held 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, at Garland Avenue Baptist Church, 2700 Garland Ave. Rev. Willie Woddson, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Virginia Union University Women's Basketball Team, 1500 Lombardy St. Richmond, Va., 23220.


VUU Lady Panthers Winning 1983 National Championship

COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Former JSU coach Judge Hughes passes away

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Former Jackson State football coach, Robert “Judge” Hughes passed away this morning following complications of diabetes. Hughes, who has been in and out of the hospital over the last several months, will be remembered by JSU fans as one of the great football players and coaches in the history of Tigers football.

In 1999, Hughes was named as JSU’s 15th head football coach. In his first season, he led the team to a 9-3 record. That season JSU won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division title and played Southern in the Inaugural SWAC Championship game in Birmingham, Alabama. The game was played on December 10 in front of a crowd of 47,621 fans (the largest crowd ever to watch a SWAC championship football game) at Legion Field. The Tigers fell 31-30 in a heartbreaker to the Jaguars.

The following season, Hughes’ Tigers finished with a 7-4 record and matched that 7-4 mark in 2001. 2002 was the final year that Hughes led the Tigers and the team finished with a 7-4 record. During his four year coaching career at JSU, Hughes finished with a 30-15 record (.667 winning percentage).

During his tenure at JSU his teams won a SWAC Eastern Division title, set the NCAA D-IAA (now FCS) record for highest passing efficiency rating in a game (389.9 rating by Mark Washington vs. Alcorn St. in 1999), was named NCAA Rushing Defense Champions (allowing only 67.8 rushing yards per game in 1999), was named NCAA Passing Champions (averaged 344.4 passing yds per game in 2001), set single game passing yards mark (Robert Kent passed for 668 yards against Alabama St.) and was named the NCAA Total Offense Champion (the team averaged 485.5 yards per game in 2002).

As a player, Hughes was named to the JSU All-Century team in 2011 as a defensive lineman. Information regarding funeral services for coach Hughes will be made available upon receipt.

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

XU Gold Nuggets announce tryouts, two schedule changes

Xavier in 2012 repeated as GCAC regular-season and tournament champion.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball coach Hannah Lawing announced Wednesday a date for walk-on tryouts and two changes to her team's 2013 schedule.
    
The Gold Nuggets will conduct tryouts from noon-2 p.m. on Aug. 25 at the Convocation Center for students enrolled at Xavier during the fall 2013 semester. For more information, contact assistant coach Kenneth Marroccoli at (504) 520-5344 or kmarrocc@xula.edu.
    
Lawing said the Nuggets' Sept. 23 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference home match against Tougaloo was moved to Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Added to the schedule was a 4 p.m. match Oct. 5 against St. Thomas (Texas) at the Convocation Center. It will be one of 10 home matches this season.

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 Convocation Center.

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

Over 85 Alabama A&M Bulldogs report for Fall Camp

NORMAL, Alabama – The Bulldog football coaching staff welcomed over 85 players to the A&M campus on Wednesday to begin work for the fall preseason camp.

On Wednesday, July 31st, the Maroon and White will hit the field for preparations for the 2013 season. AAMU will take the field six days a week for the two and a half-week fall camp, which concludes on Wednesday, August 14.

All practices during the preseason camp are open to the public. All visitors to practice, during and after, please remember that no photography, video or cell phone use is permitted during practice and that everyone must remain off the field.

The A&M sports information office would to thank everyone for their cooperation before, during and after practices.

Here is the fall preseason practice schedule. This is SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

Wed., July 31- Practice at 7:00 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 1 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Fri., Aug. 2 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Sat., Aug. 3 - Practice at 9:15 a.m.

Sun., Aug. 4 – Off Day

Mon., Aug. 5 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Tue., Aug. 6 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 7 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Thur., Aug. 8 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m. Scrimmage

Fri., Aug. 9 - Practices at 9:15 a.m.

Sat., Aug. 10 – 2 p.m. Scrimmage

Sun., Aug. 11 - Off Day

Mon., Aug. 12 - Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Tue., Aug. 13 - Practice at 2:00 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 14 – Practice at 8:30 a.m./7 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 15 – School Starts!!!!!

Sat., Aug. 17 - Fan Day Scrimmage 3 p.m.

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.

WATCH IN 1080p HD, Wide Screen

COURTESY ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets Football Reports for Camp August 1

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The official start to the 2013 football season will begin Thursday, August 1, as the Alabama State Hornets report to camp between 8 a.m. and noon at the Houston Markham Football Complex.

Following a day of moving in, physicals, equipment fitting and team meetings, the Hornets will begin practice on Friday, August 2 with a 3:30 p.m. practice. The first five days of practice are all one day practice settings with each session scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Two-a-days will begin on Aug. 8 with the morning session scheduled for 9 a.m. and the evening session scheduled for 7 p.m. There will be five two-a-day sessions with the final day being Aug. 19. Classes will begin on the 21st and ASU will go back to their usual practice sessions of 3:30 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

The coaching staff has planned to hold three 9 a.m. Saturday scrimmages on Aug. 10, 17 and 24, with the final scrimmage being a short and controlled scrimmage to lead into the season opener on Aug. 31 when Jacksonville State comes to Montgomery for a 5 p.m. kick off.

All media are reminded to contact Darrell Orand in the ASU sports information office to set up interviews with any coaches and players. Head Coach Reggie Barlow will be available for interviews during preseason practice 15 minutes before each practice session.

Preseason Practice Schedule (through final scrimmage)

Aug. 1 Report for Camp

Aug. 2 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 3 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 4 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 5 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 6 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 8 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 9 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 10 9 a.m. Scrimmage

Aug. 12 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 13 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 14 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 15 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 16 9 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 17 9 a.m. Scrimmage

Aug. 19 a.m./7 p.m.

Aug. 20 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 21 Classes begin no practice

Aug. 22 11 a.m.

Aug. 23 3:30 p.m.

Aug. 24 9 a.m. Scrimmage

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

Howard Bison, Texas Southern Tigers to play basketball powers in 2013 Legends Classic

HOUSTON, Texas -- The University of Houston Men's Basketball program will play host to a pair of Regional Round games during the Legends Classic.

The Cougars will meet Lehigh on Nov. 17 and then face Howard on Nov. 21 with both games being played inside historic Hofheinz Pavilion. Game times for both contests will be announced at a later date.

Earlier this month, officials from the Gazelle Group - which is hosting the tournament - announced that the Cougars would play Stanford in a semifinal game on Nov. 25 inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. It will be the first time the two programs will meet on the hardwood since the 1991 NIT.

The Houston-Stanford game will be the second semifinal contest of the night, while Pittsburgh will face Texas Tech at 6:30 p.m. (CST) in the first game. Both games will be shown live on ESPN2.

From there, the Cougars will play the winner or loser of the Pitt-Texas Tech game on Nov. 26. The Consolation Game tips at 6 p.m. (CT) and will be shown on ESPN3 with the Championship Game starting shortly after on ESPNU.

Legends Classic Bracket

ABOUT THE TEAMS

Howard Bison - Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Head coach Kevin Nickelberry is rebuilding the Bison into the force they once were in the MEAC...with 10 new players on the 2013-14 roster, including seven freshmen, 6-5 swingman Prince Okoroh will be called upon to provide leadership...Okoroh is the Bison's leading returning scorer at 6.9 ppg and rebounder at 4.6 rpg.

Texas Southern Tigers - Head Coach Mike Davis (Southwestern Athletic Conference) The Tigers won the SWAC regular season title in going 16-2 in league play, including 12 straight wins to close the season, in head coach Mike Davis' first year at the helm of the program...for the Tigers' success, Davis was named SWAC Co-Coach of the Year...this year TSU returns three starters, led by third-team all-league selection Ray Penn, a guard who scored 14.0 ppg and handed out a team-best 5.7 apg...he is joined in the back court by Lawrence Johnson-Danner, who tallied 8.5 ppg.

Lehigh Mountain Hawks - Head Coach Brett Reed (Patriot League)
Head coach Brett Reed guided Lehigh to its third 20-win season and postseason berth in the last four years as the Mountain Hawks went 21-10 and played in the CBI presented by Buick...two starters return, led by second-team Patriot League selection Mackey McKnight, who led the team with 153 assists while scoring at an 11.9 ppg clip...back court mate Anthony D'Orazio netted 6.4 ppg while starting 29 of 31 games.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits - Head Coach Scott Nagy (Summit League)
The Jackrabbits are coming off back-to-back Summit League titles and a 25-10 season mark, the second straight 25-win season for SDSU...head coach Scott Nagy, who has won over 340 games at SDSU, welcomes back a trio of starters in 2013-14...second-team All-Summit selection Jordan Dykstra tallied 12.5 ppg while leading the Jackrabbits with a 7.9 rpg average...Chad White heads the back court after having recorded 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds a game last season.

Pittsburgh - Head Coach Jamie Dixon (Atlantic Coast Conference) 2013 marked the 24th NCAA Tournament appearance by the Panthers, including 11 bids in the last 12 years...Pitt ended its Big East membership with the league's best record over the last dozen years (141-63, .691)...head coach Jamie Dixon sees the return of three starters and five of last season's top 10 scorers as Pitt enters its first year as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference... 6-foot-5 swingman Lamar Patterson (10.0 ppg, 94 assists) and 6-foot-9 forward Talib Zanna (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) headline the returnees...the Panthers were 24-9 in 2012-13.

Stanford - Head Coach Johnny Dawkins (Pacific-12 Conference)
The Cardinal advanced to the NIT for the second consecutive season in posting a 19-15 record...head coach Johnny Dawkins will welcome back 14 players from last year's squad, including eight of his top nine scorers...leading the way are 6-foot-10 forward Dwight Powell and guard Chasson Randle...Powell led the Cardinal in scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg), while Randle netted 13.6 ppg and handed out 89 assists...Stanford has been to 16 NCAA Tournaments.

Texas Tech - Head Coach Tubby Smith (Big 12 Conference)
The Red Raiders are under the direction of first-year head coach Tubby Smith, who has 511 wins and 17 NCAA appearances under his belt...Smith inherits a roster that returns 10 players from a year ago, led by 6-foo-t-7 forward Jaye Crockett, who posted team highs of 11.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg...also back is 6-foot-7 frontcourt player Jordan Tolbert, who averaged 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game...Texas Tech has participated in 14 NCAA Tournaments.

ABOUT HOUSTON
The Cougars return three starters and nine lettermen from a team that posted a 20-13 overall record in 2012-13, the program's first 20-win season since 2009. With a win against Big 12 member Texas inside Hofheinz Pavilion in late March, Houston advanced to the College Basketball Invitational quarterfinals.

Forward TaShawn Thomas was named to multiple All-Conference and All-District teams after averaging 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and also was selected for the Conference USA All-Defensive Team. The Killeen, Texas, was one of only two players in C-USA to rank among the league's top-five leaders in both categories.  Forward Danuel House was one of the nation's top young players entering the 2012-13 season, and the Sugar Land, Texas, native lived up to that hype. House averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game during his first collegiate season and was honored as the C-USA Freshman of the Year. For the first time, the Cougars will compete as members of the American Athletic Conference in 2013-14, joining Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Memphis, Rutgers, SMU, USF, Temple and UCF.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS SCHEDULE
 
Semifinal Doubleheader
Barclays Center • Brooklyn, N.Y.
Monday, Nov. 25
• 6:30 p.m. (CT) - Pittsburgh vs. Texas Tech (ESPN2)
• TBD - Stanford vs. Houston (ESPN2) 

Championship Doubleheader
Barclays Center • Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tuesday, Nov. 26 • 6 p.m. (CT)
• 6 p.m. (CT) - Consolation Game (ESPN3)
• TBD - Championship Game (ESPNU)

REGIONAL ROUNDS SCHEDULE
 
Houston Regional Rounds
Hofheinz Pavilion • Houston
Nov. 17 • Lehigh at Houston
Nov. 21 • Howard at Houston

Pittsburgh Regional Rounds
Petersen Events Center • Pittsburgh
Nov. 17 • Howard at Pittsburgh
Nov. 20 • Lehigh at Pittsburgh (ESPNU)

Lubbock Regional Rounds
United Spirit Arena • Lubbock, Texas
Nov. 18 • Texas Southern at Texas Tech (ESPNU)
Nov. 21 • South Dakota State at Texas Tech

Palo Alto Regional Rounds
Maples Pavilion • Palo Alto, Calif.
Nov. 21 • Texas Southern at Stanford
Dec 1 • South Dakota State at Stanford

SUBREGIONAL ROUNDS SCHEDULE
Brookings Subregional Rounds
Frost Arena • Brookings, S.D.
Nov. 25 • Texas Southern vs. Lehigh
Nov. 25 • Howard vs. South Dakota State
Nov. 26 • Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Nov. 26 • Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

LEGENDS CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND TICKETS INFORMATION
Tickets for Championship Round games of the Legends Classic at Barclays Center are on sale now and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster by visiting BarclaysCenter.com or ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Tickets also are available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

ABOUT THE LEGENDS CLASSIC The Legends Classic is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the 2K Sports Classic, Gotham Classic, the College Basketball Invitational, and the All-American Championship. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit GazelleGroup.com.



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS AND THE GAZELLEGROUP.COM

Southern football team reports Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The Southern football team has finished its offseason weight and conditioning program.

Earlier this month, quarterback Dray Joseph and defensive back Virgil Williams joined coach Dawson Odums in representing Southern at the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s annual media day.

All that’s left is to play football.

The Jaguars will report for their first preseason camp under Odums on Wednesday afternoon, a little more than 24 hours before conducting their first practice and a little less than one month before playing their first game.

Odums, introduced Dec. 18 as Southern’s new coach, inherited the job on an interim basis two weeks into the 2012 season.

“How well can we execute what we’re trying to do?” Odums said. “I really think that’s going to be the No. 1 thing coming out of camp.”

CONTINUE READING

Jackson State eyes another run at SWAC title

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Well, now we get to see what the encore holds.

The Jackson State players arrive to camp Thursday and the sting from last season’s overtime defeat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship lingers. Rick Comegy enters as a proven commodity, as he enters his eighth season with the Tigers.

Even so, Comegy and his coaches will have their work cut out for them to improve upon last year’s 7-5 campaign with several key players from that team now gone. So with that in mind, let’s look at the top storylines heading into the start of fall camp.

Five To Watch
Qua Cox, cornerback: The senior scored numerous preseason honors, most notably SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. He led the conference with five interceptions and paced the Tigers with eight pass break-ups and 13 passes defended.

Zachary Pendleton, wide receiver: The senior was second on the team in receiving yards, behind standout Rico Richardson, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pendleton posted 41.5 receiving yards per game and finished with one touchdown. He’s JSU’s most reliable returning wideout.

CONTINUE READING

Texas Southern Tigers Football Media Day Set for Aug. 10th

COACH DARRELL ASBERRY

HOUSTON, Texas --  The Texas Southern University Tigers football team is preparing for the 2013 season under second year head coach Darrell Asberry.

TSU will play their second season in their new home, the BBVA Compass Stadium, where they will host five games in 2013.  One of the biggest events in the new stadium this season is the Labor Day Classic game against Prairie View A&M on August 31^st.  The Tigers are expecting to play before their first sellout crowd in the 22,000 seat facility.  TSU will also face Alabama State, Alcorn (homecoming), Southern and a non-conference game against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member, Howard in BBVA Compass Stadium.

Coach Asberry continues to rebuild the program and has a renewed vigor about his program's future now that the road ahead is clear regarding the NCAA sanctions and APR issues.

"We have a clean slate and know the direction our program is heading," said Asberry.  "Our future is bright and we are building toward championship status."

Asberry has brought in new coaching blood to help with the defense, defensive coordinator Michael Vite and linebackers coach Cedric Thornton.  Vite has a wealth of experience and success throughout his more than 30-year career.  Thornton was the defensive coordinator at Alabama State before coming to TSU.  Coach Asberry says the mixture of old blood and new blood is what the Tigers need to ignite a defense that is undersized but fast.   Asberry says the key will be for the defense to play as a unit and swarm to the ball.

The Tiger offense should be dynamic; they are loaded with talent at every position.  Coach Asberry and his staff have beefed up the offensive line and brought in one of the top junior college running backs in the country, Daveonn Porter.  TSU will have nine quarterbacks in camp including Jay Christophe, MVP from the Texas-Louisiana game, Homer Causey from Shaw and redshirt junior Jamal Smalls.   Coach Asberry says he has the quarterbacks to play any style he wants.  They can get the ball down the field, read zones or make plays with their feet. "The bottom line is…I need a leader," said Asberry. "I'm looking for the guy who the team will rally around and who can take a game over and win two or three games himself."

It's an exciting time to be a Tigers fan.  You are invited to come out and see why we are so excited about this season.  Head coach Darrell Asberry, his assistant coaches and several key players will be available for interviews during the TSU Tigers 2013 Football Media Day.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 1:00pm at the BBVA Compass Stadium.

You can apply for your 2013-14 season or game credentials online at www.tsuball.com.  Go to Inside Athletics then the Sports Information page and complete the credential application.

Printed TSU 2013 Football media day programs and your season credentials will be available.  Parking is in the BBVA Compass Administrative lot on Walker St. off Dowling on a first come, first served basis.  Security will let you in the gate.  Metered parking is also available along Walker Street.  I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.  Please call me if you have any questions.

By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Defending champion XU teams to begin season Aug. 30

 

Both XU teams in 2012 recorded perfect scores at the GCAC Championships.

NEW ORLEANS — Five regular-season meets and a venue change for the NAIA National Championships are included in the 2013 Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's cross country schedules.      Ninth-year head coach Joseph Moses announced the schedules Tuesday. Both the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets are seven-time defending champions of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.      Xavier will begin the season Aug. 30 in the Mississippi College Opener at Choctaw Trails Course in Clinton, Miss. The women's 4,000-meter race will start at 5 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000 at 5:30.      The other regular-season meets will be the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational on Sept. 7 at Metairie, La. — Xavier's only competition in its home state — the Gulf Coast Stampede on Sept. 14 at Pensacola, Fla., the Ram Ramble Invitational on Sept. 21 at Fort Worth, Texas, and the

Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational on Oct. 4 at Clinton.
    

The Rush and Nuggets will return to Clinton for the third time in 2013 when they play host to the GCAC Championships. Both XU teams will try to qualify for the NAIA National Championships at Lawrence, Kan., for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in six years. Both GCAC team champions will receive automatic bids to the national meet, which is moving to the Midwest after four consecutive years at Vancouver, Wash.
    

Xavier has 11 returning runners who were All-GCAC in 2012: Emmanuel Detiege, David Holobowicz, Kwame Jackson, Javon Mead and Aaron Yarmush on the men's team and Donyé Coleman, Catherine Fakler, Hannah Finnegan, Zahri Jackson, Briana Simms and Hali Yarmush on the women's. Zahri Jackson is a two-time defending GCAC individual champion, and Kwame Jackson, her brother, was a GCAC individual champ in 2011. Both Jacksons are juniors. Mead and Fakler are Capital One Academic All-Americans; Mead earned that honor each of the past two years.

2013 Xavier University of Louisiana Cross Country Schedule all times Central unless noted

Aug. 30 (Fri.):  Mississippi College Opener, Clinton, Miss. — women 5 p.m., men 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 (Sat.):  Loyola Wolfpack Invitational, Metairie, La. — women 7:50 a.m., men 8:25 a.m. Sept. 14 (Sat.):  Gulf Coast Stampede, Pensacola, Fla. — women 7:15 a.m., men 8 a.m. Sept. 21 (Sat.):  Ram Ramble Invitational, Fort Worth, Texas — 8:15 a.m. Oct. 4 (Fri.):  Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational, Clinton, Miss. — women 4:30 p.m., men 5:15 p.m. Oct. 26 (Sat.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, Clinton, Miss. — women 8 a.m., men 8:30 a.m. Nov. 23 (Sat):  NAIA National Championships, Lawrence, Kan. — times to be announced

 

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Fayetteville State hires Robert Brickley for men's basketball staff

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Hometown hero Robert Brickey returns to the CIAA courtside as a new assistant to Head Coach Alphonza Kee and the Fayetteville State men's basketball program.

"I am excited about being able to work with Coach Kee. I like the way he is building the program with its vision and direction. I believe he is doing it the right way", states former E.E. Smith High School stand-out.

"My mother is a Fayetteville State graduate and I have been on the campus all of my life. Fayetteville State is really a super quality educational institution. I am excited about being a part of that and being back at home after a long break. I look forward to helping the program grow, develop and reach new heights."

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Coach Brickey for 13 years", says Head Coach Alphonza Kee.

"His name has always been associated with class and character. With over 20 years of basketball experience including playing and coaching at the Division I, II and international level, he will be a great asset to our program. Robert's balanced passion for education, character building and basketball excellence falls in line with our men's basketball ideals."

Brickey played at Duke from 1986-87 through 1989-90. He garnered All-ACC Tournament honors in 1988 and served as team captain under Coach Krzyzewski in 1990. He was a member of three Final Four teams and started in the national championship game his senior season.

Brickey's previous stint in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was as head coach at Shaw University (2005-2008). Immediately following his departure, he was the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations at Duke University (2008-2009) and assistant coach at North Carolina Central University (2009-2011). Prior to his return to familiar grounds, Coach Brickey served as the Head Coach of the NBL Canada squad Oshawa Power (2011-2012).

A staple in the community, coach has conducted the Robert Brickey Basketball Academy & Elite Hoops Training since 1992. The camp has been held in various cities and countries.

Fayetteville State University is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina System, FSU has nearly 6,000 students and offers degrees in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION   

CAU's Tamica Smith-Jones hired as senior associate athletics director, senior woman administrator at UTSA

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Athletics Director Lynn Hickey announced Monday that she has hired Dr. Tamica Smith-Jones as senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator (SWA). She replaces Elizabeth Dalton, who left in February to become the athletics director at St. Mary’s and her appointment is effective Aug. 1.

“It is very exciting for us to be able to bring on board someone of Tamica’s background and status,” Hickey said. “She has very unique experience in that she already has been an AD, so we are very fortunate that we are able to add that type of experience to our staff. Plus, she is extremely bright, has a high energy level and is a well-respected administrator in our profession. She is going to be an outstanding addition for our department.”

“I would like to first thank Lynn Hickey and the search committee for the confidence they have placed in me to team with such an outstanding senior staff in support of the vision, talented student-athletes and coaches at UTSA,” Smith-Jones said. “It is both humbling and exciting to join this university during this historic time for athletics. I know it will be both challenging and exciting, but the timing is perfect. I look forward to embracing and working with the entire UTSA community.”

Smith-Jones comes to UTSA from Clark Atlanta University, where she has led the athletics department since 2008. She was appointed liaison to the office of the President in January 2008 then was promoted to interim director of athletics in December of that year before being named director of athletics in January 2010.

Under her leadership, the Panthers captured seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championships, including the first men’s basketball title in 46 years and the first-ever women’s cross country and volleyball crowns. Smith-Jones also played a vital role in securing funding for numerous projects on campus, including new field turf for the football stadium, a pair of weight room upgrades and a football facility renovation. She established Clark Atlanta’s Athletics annual giving fund in 2008 and instituted several new opportunities for student-athlete participation and staff development.

Smith-Jones was featured in the Diverse Issues in Higher Ed Magazine in March 2013 for bringing heightened attention toward student-athlete well being and establishing a successful academic support program at Clark Atlanta. Her initiatives included “Grades First Software,” which helped to enhance the student-athlete experience and academic success.

The Atlanta, Georgia, native is an active member of many professional organizations and committees. She is or has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators, NCAA Leadership Selection Committee for Ethnic Males and Females, and Achieving Coaches Excellence Program Selection Committee. Smith-Jones also has served at or presented to the NCAA Committee for Women’s Athletics, NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Committee, NCAA Football Coaches Academy and Selection Committee, NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Continuing Education Conference and NCAA Division II Leadership Action Academy.

Before moving into her role as Clark Atlanta’s director of athletics, Smith-Jones served as the Panthers’ director of compliance and SWA for three years.

Prior to entering athletics administration, Smith-Jones was the head volleyball coach at Clark Atlanta during the 2003-05 seasons. She guided the Panthers to 57 victories in her three years, including four against NCAA Division I teams. Smith-Jones led the Clark Atlanta to a 27-11 record in her second campaign and was named SIAC Coach of the Year, and she followed that with a 21-7 mark in 2005.

Prior to her time at Clark Atlanta, Smith-Jones spent four years in various roles at Morris Brown College, also in Atlanta. She was the senior associate athletics director, SWA and head volleyball coach from 1999-2003 in addition to serving as an assistant women’s basketball coach in 1999-2000.

Smith-Jones was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Savannah State in 1997-98 and then was interim head volleyball and women’s basketball coach in 1998-99.

She played basketball at Troy (1993-95) and Alabama A&M (1995-97) and also was a member of the Alabama A&M cross country team in 1997.

Smith-Jones also is founder, president and chief executive officer of TJ Sports Complete, Inc., a non-profit organization that helps expose parents and youth to the resources needed to make a smooth transition from high school to college. She also is the author of a self-published autobiography, “A Ball and a Dream.”

Smith-Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Alabama A&M in December 1997, her master’s in public administration from Savannah State in December 1999 and her doctorate of philosophy in business administration from Warren National (formerly Kennedy-Western) in February 2005.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS