TSU's Covington Makes Houston Rockets Final Roster

ROBERT COVINGTON
(Courtesy Houston Rockets)

HOUSTON, Texas  -- Former Tennessee State men’s basketball standout Robert Covington has made the Houston Rockets’ 15-man roster.

Covington signed a guaranteed free agent contract with the club immediately following the NBA Draft and played in five preseason games where he averaged 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds.

 

Aiding the Bellwood, Ilinois products chances at making the final cut was his performance in last Friday’s contest in which he scored eight points and four boards in 15 minutes.

 

Covington averaged a team-best 17 points per contest last year and added eight boards per game. He finished his TSU career with 1,749 points, which places him seventh in school history.

 

The Rockets will start the 2013-14 campaign tonight with a home game against the Charlotte Bobcats.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

NCCU Football hosts #12 Bethune-Cookman

Eagles Challenge Defending MEAC Champions on ESPNews

 Complete Game Notes (PDF)

THE GAME
Bethune-Cookman University "Wildcats" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, November 2, 2013 – Kickoff at 12:00 p.m.

THE SITE
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity/Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.

THE RECORDS
Bethune-Cookman (7-1 overall, 4-0 MEAC); N.C. Central (4-4 overall, 2-2 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network mobile app (iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Kindle Fire HD); "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 11:30 a.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst).
Television: Live television broadcast on ESPNews. Broadcast starts at 12:00 p.m.

QUICK HITS
• Bethune-Cookman, the defending MEAC champion, is the second nationally-ranked team to visit O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium this season. The Wildcats are ranked No. 13 in The Sports Network FCS Top-25 poll and No. 12 in the FCS Coaches poll.
• Game televised live on ESPNews.
• Bethune-Cookman has the second-best defense in the nation (Division I-FCS), holding opponents to just 263.4 yards of total offense per game. The Wildcats rank third in the FCS in scoring defense, allowing only 15.0 points per contest.
• NCCU has been out-scored 62-19 in the first quarter this season, while Bethune-Cookman has out-scored its opponents 72-17 in the opening 15 minutes of play.
• NCCU redshirt freshman quarterback Malcolm Bell (Richmond, Va.) threw for a touchdown and rushed for another score to help lead the Eagles to a road win over Savannah State last week in his first career start.
• NCCU sophomore Adrian Wilkins (Forest City, N.C.) tops the MEAC in both kickoff returns (29.1 yards per return) and all-purpose yards (139.1 yards per game), and has scored touchdowns on two kickoff returns (100, 91 yards), two punt returns (89, 73 yards) and two receptions. He is the only Eagle in the NCCU record books with a kickoff return touchdown, a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same season. Wilkins is the only student-athlete in the NCAA Division I-FCS with four special teams return touchdowns.
• NCCU senior linebacker Tazmon Foster (Henderson, N.C.), who amassed 80 tackles in eight games last season, is the second-leading tackler in the MEAC with 92 takedowns (5th in FCS).

THE SERIES
This will be the fifth football meeting between NCCU and Bethune-Cookman since the teams first met in 1994. Bethune-Cookman leads the series 3-1, including three straight victories. In that first match-up on Sept. 24, 1994, the Eagles captured a 24-5 road victory in Daytona Beach, Fla. Three years ago on Oct. 23, 2010, B-CU, as the 14th ranked team in the nation, earned a 23-10 win in Durham, N.C. Two years ago, the Wildcats amassed 525 yards during a 34-6 victory to spoil NCCU's homecoming on Oct. 29, 2011. Last season, B-CU scored 28 unanswered points to overcome a three-point second-half deficit en route to a 42-17 win on Oct. 27, 2012.
10/27/2012 - B-CU 42, NCCU 17 (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
10/29/2011 - B-CU 34, NCCU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
10/23/2010 - B-CU 23, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
9/24/1994 - NCCU 24, B-CU 5 (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

THE LAST MEETING
(Oct. 27, 2012 - B-CU 42, NCCU 17)  North Carolina Central University held a slim three-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Bethune-Cookman University scored 28 unanswered points to end the Eagles' four-game win streak with a 42-17 victory inside Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. NCCU quarterback Jordan Reid threw touchdown passes to Detwan Robinson and Decona Roberts in the first half to go into the locker room with the score tied at 14-14. On the first drive of the second half, the Eagles moved the ball inside the B-CU 1-yard line, but committed a false start penalty on third down and had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by sophomore Oleg Parent to give NCCU a 17-14 edge at 7:23 of the third quarter. Bethune-Cookman responded by moving the pigskin 63 yards on five consecutive run plays, capped by a 8-yard scamper by Rodney Scott, to take a 21-17 advantage at 5:28 of the third quarter. After the Wildcats forced an NCCU punt, B-CU running back Isidore Jackson took the first play 93 yards to the end zone to put the home team up 28-17. NCCU posted a 12-play, 52-yard drive in an attempt to answer the challenge, but Parent's 36-yard field goal try was blocked to keep the gap at 11 points. With less than six minutes remaining in the game and needing two scores, NCCU had to force the action, which resulted in two interceptions and a fumble by the Eagles in their final three possessions. Jackson scored his second touchdown of the game with 4:14 remaining to put the Wildcats up 35-17, then B-CU opted to post more points on the scoreboard with a 1-yard touchdown run by Angelo Cabrera with 58 seconds remaining. Jackson finished the evening with 158 rushing yards to help the Wildcats amass 443 yards of total offense, including 274 yards on the ground. NCCU recorded 234 total yards, including 154 yards through the air by Reid on 15-of-28 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Arthur Goforth collected 142 all-purpose yards, including a team-high 43 rushing yards, 28 receiving yards on a team-best four catches, and 71 kickoff return yards. Redshirt freshman safety Ryan Smith tallied at game-high 12 tackles (8 solo) and a fumble recovery to lead the Eagles.

THE COACHES
North Carolina Central: Dwayne Foster (Delaware State, 1993) joined NCCU in 2011 as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach, before being elevated to interim head coach prior to the 2013 season. Previously, he served as running backs coach at Prairie View A&M University (2005-10), tight ends and running backs coach at Catholic University (2004), and offensive line coach at Bowie State University (2003). Foster made his name on the high school level in Washington, D.C., as the head coach of Archbishop Carroll High School from 1997-2003. At Archbishop, Foster received coach of the year honors by the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Committee in 1998. Foster played college football at Delaware State University from 1989-93 and helped the Hornets capture two MEAC Championships during his freshmen and junior seasons before graduating in 1993. Foster is a member of the Black Coaches and American Football Coaches Associations, was part of the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program in 2010 with the Buffalo Bills and in 2012 with the Cincinnati Bengals, and participated in the NCAA Men's Football Coaching Academy in Indianapolis, Ind., in June 2006.

Bethune-Cookman: Brian Jenkins is in his fourth season with the Bethune-Cookman University football program. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native led the Wildcats to a 10-2 record, a share of the MEAC championship and a spot in the NCAA playoffs in his first season as a college head coach in 2010. He followed that effort with an 8-3 campaign in 2011. In 2012, B-CU posted a 9-3 overall record, including an 8-0 mark in the league to win the conference title and advance to the NCAA playoffs for the second time in three years. Jenkins was an assistant coach at Rutgers University in the 2009 season as wide receivers coach on Greg Schiano's Scarlet Knights' team that was the St. Petersburg Bowl champions. Prior to Rutgers, Jenkins served as running backs coach and special team's coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette for seven seasons (2002-2008). Jenkins joined UL from the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe. Prior to his stint in NFL-Europe, Jenkins was the running backs coach at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Before joining the BGSU Falcons, Jenkins spent five seasons with Eastern Illinois University. From 1995-98 he served as running backs coach and was named the receivers coach in 1999. In 1994, he was the receivers coach at Western Kentucky University. Jenkins played college football as both a wide receiver and running back at the University of Cincinnati. He was the Bearcat record holder for kickoff return yards in a season and in a career before those records were surpassed in 2009. He graduated in 1993 with an associate's degree in education and bachelor's degree in social work.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Hornets Night Practice Begins Kentucky Preparations

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- The Alabama State University football team hit the practice field for their weekly Tuesday night practice session to begin preparations for their game at the University of Kentucky.

After watching film on the Wildcats, the Hornets coaching staff know they are going up against a big, strong and talented team on both sides of the ball.

"Of course they are in the SEC and they have two really big and really good defensive tackles," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "They have a defensive end who is an all conference player there and I think he just had his best game of the season (at Mississippi State)."

"On offense they play really fast and they have a kid we know about, Whitlow and another quarterback so it is a really good team. I think the head coach there is in his first year there he is trying to establish his program and his philosophies. He is playing some freshmen kids and some other kids that have been there that have done a good job for him so we have our work cut out."

Everyone knows this game will be a game of a football championship series team, Alabama State, against a football bowl series team in Kentucky, and no one knows that better than the players.

"I walk around our complex and I'm a good listener, and I hear these guys talk about I could have went here or could have gone here or to all these schools and now we get a really good opportunity to see how you measure up against SEC guys," Barlow said.

"It's the mind set or the approach of this is a great opportunity to see how you measure up, to have an opportunity to play against an SEC school. It's never happened here at ASU and we are making history in that regard. I think the guys will be excited about seeing how we can measure up against a team from the SEC."

The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen on CSS. The game can also be listened to on WVAS FM 90.7 beginning at 6:15 p.m.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Donor supports "Fore!" scholarships with $500,000 Pledge

^{Carnelious Jones
(Courtesy UMES Media Relations)}

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland  – The past 10 months have been momentous for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s fledgling PGA golf management program.

On the heels of producing its first group of graduates comes news four new full-ride scholarships will be available a year from now, thanks to a half-million dollar pledge from a Baltimore businessman.

Carnelious Jones’ donation will underwrite financial aid he hopes will inspire minorities and women to pursue careers across the golf industry. Jones has asked UMES to name the scholarships in honor of trail-blazing African-American golfers James Black, Renee Powell, Calvin Peete and the late Ann Gregory.

“Mr. Jones' transformational gift will provide the university's PGA golf management program with much needed resources to recruit motivated students to the program,” said Kimberly Dumpson, who worked with the philanthropist to establish the scholarship program when she was UMES’ lead fundraiser.

The university is one of 20 higher education institutions in the country that offers the unique course of study backed by the PGA of America. UMES is the lone historically black institution with an undergraduate program that combines instruction in how to play professional-level golf with hospitality industry training.

UMES President Juliette B. Bell said Jones’ gift is “an extraordinarily generous gift that we promise to use to achieve his goal and ours – and that is making educational opportunities available to those who deserve and will benefit by it.”

Jones, a petroleum wholesaler, has emerged as a leading advocate in a growing movement in search of strategies to diversify golf. He asked that the scholarships created by his gift be named in honor of the four golf legends considered pioneers in their era.

Jones recently was named a national trustee of the First Tee, “an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.”

First Tee’s focus is on working with young people from elementary-through-high school. Jones sees UMES and its golf management program as the next step in “growing the game” among a more diverse group of athletes and casual players.

“It’s about opportunity and access,” Jones said.

“The University of Maryland Eastern Shore seems like the natural place where young people can come and earn a degree and learn what it takes to be involved in the business of golf,” he said.

Jones, 59, is the epitome of the self-made entrepreneur. He grew up on share-cropper farm in southwestern Tennessee where his family raised cotton. He joined the military after graduating from high school in the early 1970s and served five years in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. It’s where he learned to be a plumber.

After an honorable discharge with citations, Jones earned a master plumber’s credential – which he still holds – and started his own business. He eventually invested in a small oil tank farm, a decision that has enabled him to grow a petroleum distribution business domestically and internationally. By the late 1980s his clients included FedEx, International Paper, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the state of Maryland.

Through a state contract, he did business with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore providing it with fuel. His youngest child, Carnelious Jones II, graduated from UMES in 2007.

His interest in and commitment to golf expanded earlier this year when he invested in a golf shoe and apparel company, A-GAME Global Sports. He is a past winner of UMES’ Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic fundraiser, and carries a handicap in the upper teens.

Jones also operates a consulting firm; Carnelious Jones & Associates.

In addition to his appointment as the First Tee’s first African-American national trustee, he also serves on the advisory board of Texas Southern University’s College of Science and Technology, the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation Inc., a black maritime history organization, and on a U.S. Department of Energy advisory panel working to help African nations.

“Maybe my gift will start a dialogue around the dinner table in African-American homes that they can have access to game through a UMES degree,” Jones said, adding he hopes other historically black institutions might follow the university’s lead.

Jones said he sees plenty of opportunities in the game for minorities; playing competitively as well as recreationally, working in the industry or being a supplier of goods and services.

By Bill Robinson, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355. 

Hampton Pirates Sailing Finishes Third in the Webb Open

Courtesy Hampton University Athletics

NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia – The Hampton University sailing team finished third in The Webb Open hosted by Christopher Newport University on Saturday and Sunday.

The Pirates finished with 102 points.

Christopher Newport's blue squad won the team title with 76 points.

Saturday saw beautiful and windy, but cold, conditions. Veronica Maccari and Ramatoulie Sallah raced in the A Division on Saturday, with Kimannee Simon and Joshua Williams sailing in the B Division.

The Pirates tallied 37 points in the A Division, second only to CNU, winning seven races and recording five second-place finishes. Hampton also had 65 points in the B Division, recording two race wins and a second-place finish.

The Pirates will be back in action on Saturday and Sunday, when they head to Norfolk, Va. for the War Memorial. For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES SPORTS INFORMATION

NCCU Women's Basketball Media Day Press Conference

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- North Carolina Central University head women's basketball coach Vanessa Taylor along with Jessica Freeman (Charlotte, N.C.) and Khyra Conerly (Oakland, Calif.) talk with the local media at their Media Day Preseason Press Conference. The Lady Eagles tip off the 2013-14 season with an exhibition contest against Livingstone on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6:00 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Gym.



COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

No price increase on tickets at 2013-14 XU home games

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana will play its first basketball games this week, and the top price for a ticket to a home game remains $10.

Dannton Jackson, XU's interim athletics director and in his 11th season as coach of the Gold Rush, announced the pricing Tuesday.

The XU men will begin their season at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Carver College of Atlanta. It will be Xavier's second season in the Convocation Center, a $25 million facility which seats nearly 4,000 for basketball.

Adult tickets will cost $10. Xavier will offer free admission to:
    
• Students with a valid XU ID.
    
• XU faculty and staff.
    
• Children age 12 and younger.

• Coaches with a valid LHSAA/LHSCA membership card.

• School teams, which must contact Xavier at least 24 hours before a game. Schools may contact Jackson at (504) 520-5448 to reserve seating at men's games and coach Bo Browder at (504) 520-7333 for seating at women's games.

The Convocation Center will open one hour before all home games.

The XU women will open Saturday on the road -- a neutral-site game at 6 p.m. against Langston in Grand Prairie, Texas -- and play their first home game at 4 p.m. on Nov. 9 against Spring Hill.

Starting times for the Crosstown Classic doubleheader against Dillard on Jan. 25 have been pushed back two hours to 5 p.m. (women) and 7 p.m. (men).

Both XU teams won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships and qualified for NAIA national tournaments in 2012-13. The women finished 24-6, and the men were 24-8.

The 2013-14 home schedule (15 men's games, 11 women's games, plus two non-XU tournament games):

Nov. 1 (Fri.) -- men vs. Carver, 7 p.m.

Nov. 9 (Sat.) -- men vs. Albany State, 2 p.m.; women vs. Spring Hill, 4 p.m.

Nov. 14 (Thu.) -- men vs. Wiley, 7 p.m.

Nov. 19 (Tue.) -- men vs. Loyola, 7 p.m.

Nov. 23 (Sat.) -- women vs. Texas College, noon; men vs. Texas College, 2 p.m.

Dec. 3 (Tue.) -- men vs. William Carey, 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 (Thu.) -- women vs. William Carey, 5:30 p.m.; men vs. Mobile, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 30 (Mon.) -- women vs. Mobile, 7 p.m. (Faulkner vs. LSU-Shreveport, 5 p.m.)

Dec. 31 (Tue.) -- women vs. Faulkner, 5 p.m. (Mobile vs. LSU-Shreveport, 3 p.m.)

Jan. 11 (Sat.) -- women vs. SUNO, 3 p.m.; men vs. SUNO, 5 p.m.

Jan. 13 (Mon.) -- men vs. Spring Hill, 7 p.m.

Jan. 18 (Sat.) -- women vs. Edward Waters, 3 p.m.; men vs. Edward Waters, 5 p.m.

Jan. 20 (Mon.) -- women vs. Talladega, 5:30 p.m.; men vs. Talladega, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25 (Sat.) -- women vs. Dillard, 5 p.m.; men vs. Dillard, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28 (Tue.) -- men vs. Belhaven, 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 (Mon.) -- women vs. Philander Smith, 5:30 p.m.; men vs. Philander Smith, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 (Sat.) -- women vs. Tougaloo, 3 p.m.; men vs. Tougaloo, 5 p.m.

March 6-9 (Thu.-Sun.) -- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in New Orleans, including games at XU’s Convocation Center.

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

XU Rush ranked 19th in preseason, open at home Friday

NEW ORLEANS -- It's a familiar spot for Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll. The Gold Rush are 19th for the second straight year and in the preseason top 25 for the fourth consecutive season.

Coach Dannton Jackson's Gold Rush are in the top 25 for the 25th consecutive time dating to December 2011. Only Oklahoma Baptist and Lindsey Wilson have a longer active poll streak than Xavier. The Rush have appeared in the top 25 in 38 of the last 39 polls.

Xavier -- 24-8 in 2012-13 and seeking a third consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and fourth consecutive berth in the national tournament -- will open its season at 7 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center against Carver College of Atlanta. The second game will be the Gold Rush's only exhibition, 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at LSU. This is Jackson's 11th season as head coach.

Defending champion Georgetown (Ky.) Is No. 1, followed by LSU-Shreveport and Oklahoma Baptist in a tie for second.

Xavier was one of two GCAC teams to receive votes. SUNO was tied for 29th with 22 points.

The first regular-season poll will be announced Dec. 10. William Carey, which is tied for 10th, will visit Xavier in a 7 p.m. game Dec. 3.

The preseason top 25:

1. Georgetown (Ky.)
2. (tie) LSU-Shreveport
2. (tie) Oklahoma Baptist
4. Columbia (Mo.)
5. Southwestern Assemblies of God
6. Concordia (Calif.)
7. Pikeville
8. Montana Western
9. Evangel
10. (tie) Lindsey Wilson
10. (tie) William Carey
12. Cal State San Marcos
13. Faulkner
14. John Brown
15. MidAmerica Nazarene
16. Arizona Christian
17. Rocky Mountain
18. Culver-Stockton
19. Xavier
20. Emmanuel (Ga.)
21. Park
22. Martin Methodist
23. Life
24. (tie) Our Lady of the Lake
25. (tie) Montana State Northern

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

NCCU has eyes on ultimate prize: MEAC Tournament title

DURHAM, North Carolina   — N.C. Central stacked up 22 wins last season — the most for the team since its head coach was a freshman guard with the Eagles during the 1992-93 season.

NCCU lost a total of nine games last season, and the Eagles were 15-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference during the regular season.

But when it came time for the Eagles to pick up their tickets for the Big Dance, rival N.C. A&T cut in on them at the MEAC Tournament.



The MEAC team that wins the league tournament is the only squad from the conference that gets an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. And last year, that team was A&T.

In other words, NCCU accomplished a lot without really doing anything, NCCU coach LeVelle Moton said during NCCU’s media day Tuesday.

“Our league is pretty much defined by a title or bust, with it being 13 teams,” Moton said. “I always use the analogy of 13 dogs chasing one bone. And, unfortunately, whoever wins the tournament, you have 12 sad puppies going home, and that taste has to remain in your mouth for a complete year.”

CONTINUE READING

Stoops says ASU has earned Wildcats' respect

LEXINGTON, Kentucky -- The statistics don’t paint a pretty picture. And that’s why Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said his team can’t afford to overlook Alabama State when the Hornets visit Commonwealth Stadium for the first time this weekend.

“I wouldn’t think our players would feel overconfident about anybody we’re playing,” Stoops said in his weekly news conference on Monday afternoon. “We’ve taken the approach (that) we’re worried about ourselves. I can see our players doing that. I think we’re trying to get better as a program. They (Alabama State) should be feeling good about themselves. They’ve won six games in a row.”

The two teams step out of conference play for a rare meeting between the Football Championship Subdivision Hornets and a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent. This will mark only the fourth time in program history Alabama State has faced an FBS program: 2006 against Troy (0-38), 2008 against UAB (10-45) and 2011 against Eastern Michigan (7-14). But this is the best ASU team of the four.

“A lot of people may see us as an underdog, but it’s a chance for us to go up there and show what we’ve got,” ASU quarterback Daniel Duhart said. “We’re not going to back down at all. Hopefully, we can go up there and make it a game and get a win.”

CONTINUE READING

The Editor, Dwight Floyd: Made for TV Hatred

Dwight Floyd
Special Commentary

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- There always has to be a pro and a con, a good guy and a bad guy. Professional wrestling makes good use of that using all sorts of stereotypes to draw fans to its doors. We see it every Sunday in professional football and again in professional basketball where, according to ESPN, Lebron James hates Jalen Rose and the Chicago Bulls, and vice versa. Do these guys, a bunch of potential millionaires, really hate each other? What does this mean off the court?

Before I go any further let us talk rivalries. University of Auburn fans really hate University of Alabama fans. Florida State University fans, the “real fans,” cannot tolerate a Gator. As for me, Bethune Cookman College, excuse me, University, is my rival school. As a FAMU Rattler I hate to lose to the Wildcats in anything, even marbles! They are on a roll right now when it comes to football and the band, but they better watch out or they might get snake bitten. Now does that sound like hate?

CONTINUE READING

Ram Ramblings: D-II regional rankings are out and WSSU is fourth

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Somebody asked me earlier today about the NCAA Division II regional rankings and how it all works. My standard answer has been nobody really knows how it works. The rankings just kind of appear and those rankings ultimately decide who is in the 24-team Division II playoffs.

I’ve tried calling those secret NCAA types who are good for at least one thing – not calling you back. The last two years as Winston-Salem State has been a main player in D-II I’ve tried countless times to talk with NCAA officials about the rankings and other questions regarding Division II football. But leaving phone messages doesn’t do any good because I’ve yet to get a call back.

I have gotten in touch with Coach Waverly Tillar of Elizabeth City State, who sits on the Super Region One coaches committee. He’s filled me in about certain aspects of the rankings and has been helpful.

As it stands now WSSU (7-1) is fourth in their region behind three unbeaten schools West Chester (8-0), Shepherd (7-0) and Bloomsburg (8-0).

CONTINUE READING

SU Jaguars staying focused during short week

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern quarterback Dray Joseph walked slowly to midfield from the Jaguars’ sideline and shook the hands of Alcorn State players, congratulating them on their 44-38 overtime victory Saturday night inside A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Joseph took one last look at the scoreboard in the south end zone of the stadium, put his helmet on and made his final trek toward the north end zone and into the Jaguar locker room.

There, he was greeted by linebacker Daniel Brown, who had one message for Joseph and the rest of the Jaguars: Southern is still in position to win the Western Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

“It’s a great thing to come into the locker room and hear Daniel Brown telling everyone not to worry about this loss — that we’re going to be in the championship anyway,” Joseph said. “It’s a great thing when you have guys that are always preaching positivity.”

On Saturday, Southern ran short of the magic that led it to overtime victories in previous home contests against Prairie View and Alabama A&M.

CONTINUE READING

Lincoln Football to Join Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2014

Blue Tigers Join GLVC As An Associate Member; Remain In The MIAA In All Other Sports

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., KANSAS CITY, Mo. & INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Lincoln football team will join the Great Lakes Valley Conference as an associate member beginning with the 2014 season. The GLVC and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association made a joint announcement confirming the announcement on Wednesday (Oct. 2).

The MIAA and the GLVC, both NCAA Division II conferences, have entered into a Strategic Conference Football Scheduling Alliance (SCFSA) that will allow both Lincoln University and Southwest Baptist University to join the GLVC as associate football-only members. Both schools remain full, active members of the MIAA and will continue to compete in that league in every other sport.

The SCFSA will allow Lincoln more scheduling flexibility for the future and provides several benefits to both conferences. With the MIAA moving to a full conference-only schedule, Lincoln was limited in its opportunities to schedule non-conference opponents such as Grambling State, whom the Blue Tigers defeated in Kansas City, Mo., 47-34, on Sept. 14. The move to the GLVC gives Lincoln a greater ability to schedule more contests similar to The Missouri Classic as well as the chance to renew rivalries with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

With Lincoln University and Southwest Baptist University, which had also expressed an interest to schedule more non-league games, both moving to the GLVC in football, the MIAA is left with 12 football-playing members and can now create an 11-week schedule that allows all schools to play each other, allowing the league to crown a true conference champion. The SCFSA also allows the GLVC to continue to grow and stabilize its football membership while addressing challenges its membership had faced regarding scheduling non-conference contests.

"I am excited about this strategic alliance and believe it is a benefit to all MIAA institutions," MIAA Commissioner Bob Boerigter said. "Grant Teaff (Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association) has encouraged Division II conferences to work together to help grow and sustain Division II football. GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich and I believe that this will help meet football scheduling challenges in both conferences."

Naumovich agrees with his MIAA counterpart regarding this mutually beneficial arrangement.

"Since beginning our sponsorship of football in 2012, our coaches and administrators have advocated for an increase in conference games, which then enables our schools to be both flexible and selective when it comes to non-conference scheduling," Naumovich said. "The Strategic Conference Football Scheduling Alliance not only meets our needs, but the addition of Lincoln and Southwest Baptist also gives us two programs located within the conference footprint that have been common opponents, and in some cases, rivals, to our current football schools. We are thrilled to embark on this unique venture with Commissioner Boerigter and the MIAA."

Besides Southwest Baptist, Lincoln will have the opportunity to play two other former MIAA members in Missouri S&T and Truman State. Additionally, this move will reduce Lincoln's travel costs, with six opponents - Southwest Baptist (Bolivar, Mo.), Truman State (Kirksville, Mo.), Missouri S&T (Rolla, Mo.), William Jewell (Liberty, Mo.), Quincy (Quincy, Ill.) and McKendree (Lebanon, Ill.) - all located within a three-hour drive of Jefferson City, Mo.

The SCFSA came about through discussions started by the presidents of Lincoln University and Southwest Baptist University. New LU president Dr. Kevin D. Rome was instrumental in starting the SCFSA and is very pleased with this inter-league arrangement.

"I am very excited about this move," Rome said. "I appreciate the MIAA and GLVC for both recognizing the unique situation of Lincoln University and jointly finding a solution."

Lincoln Athletic Director Betty Kemna is also excited about the scheduling opportunities that will arise due to the SCFSA.

"Our alliance with the Great Lakes Valley Conference allows our football program to play similar size schools within the footprint of our institution," Lincoln Athletic Director Betty Kemna said. "As a Historically Black College or University, it was our desire to have the opportunity to play other HBCU institutions that share our same mission. This alliance will enable us to schedule a few non-conference games within our schedule and it allows us to renew former rivalries with other HBCU's and still play for a conference championship."

In addition to the schools mentioned above, other current GLVC football programs include Saint Joseph's (Rennselaer, Ind.), Indianapolis (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Kentucky Wesleyan (Owensboro, Ky.). Lincoln head football coach Mike Jones is excited to compete against these new programs.

"This move is a great opportunity for Lincoln football," Jones said. "The Great Lakes Valley Conference is an excellent league, and I am very excited about the move."

The MIAA is expected to release its 2014 schedule by week's end, while the GLVC will announce its new-look schedule at a later date.

For more information about Lincoln football, visit www.LUBlueTigers.com of follow the program on Twitter at @GoBlueTigers. For more on the MIAA, log onto www.TheMIAA.com or find the league on Twitter at @TheMIAA. For more on the GLVC, follow the league online at www.GLVCSports.com or via Twitter at @GLVCSports.

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Back-To-Back: FAMU Lady Rattler Cross Country Repeats

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
2013 MEAC Women's Cross Country Champions

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland (Oct.26) -- Head coach Darlene Moore was a little anxious going into this year's MEAC Cross Country Championship, but her team responded, giving the Lady Rattlers back-to-back MEAC titles. The Lady Rattlers had three runners to finish in the top fifteen, powering the team to a victory over the second place Morgan State Lady Bears.

 

Effiey Kosgei, led the Lady Rattlers taking second place overall just .8 seconds behind Morgan's Ashley Seymour. Kosgei finished in 18.10.80 to earn All-MEAC. QuanDra Shanks took third place at 18:27.90 and Cynthia Chelelgo took eighth place in 18:45.80, both eaning All-MEAC honors.

 

Zenia George took 18th place in 19:31.80. She was followed by Chandelic Jackson who took 21st place in 19:36.40. These scores constituted the first five to cross for the tournament, giving the Lady Rattlers 52 points and another MEAC championship.

 

Rounding out the FAMU squad was Phyllis Cheruiyot (25th place, 19:57.50) and Ciera Williams (45th place, 20:58.80).

 

Moore was pleased to repeat as champions.  "They say it's harder to repeat than win the first one. I think it has to do with the pressure placed on a champion. I am proud of my young ladies for responding to the challenge. The MEAC is getting stronger all around us in cross country, so we have to continue to improve, and I thought our team did very well to run their race today. We are happy to bring this trophy back to campus for all our school to enjoy. I stress to our runners that when we compete, we are ambassadors for the university and we take it very seriously. This outcome represents what is expected of us when we put on that orange and green," Moore concluded.

 

Moore was named the MEAC Oustanding Women's Coach for the second consecutive time and this win represents her 14th championship title as a women's cross country and track and field coach.

 

2013 Women's 5K Finals - MEAC Championship

 

2013 MEAC Women’s Results

1. Florida A&M 52 points
2. Morgan State 57 points
3. Hampton 73 points
4. Norfolk State 84 points
5. Maryland Eastern Shore 163 points
6. South Carolina State 174 points
7. North Carolina Central 207 points
8. North Carolina A&T 214 points
9. Delaware State 228 points
10. Bethune-Cookman 232 points
11. Coppin State 284 points
12. Savannah State 312 points

 

2013 MEAC Women’s All-Conference Team (Top-15 finishers)
1. Ashley Seymour, Morgan State
2. Effiey Kosgei, Florida A&M
3. QuanDra Shanks, Florida A&M
4. Nichelle Harris, Hampton
5. Nynneya Columbus, Morgan State
6. Adugna Desalegn, Norfolk State
7. Rachel Webb, Norfolk State
8. Cynthia Chelelgo, Florida A&M
9. Ishakeema Swain, Morgan State
10. Amber Brooks, North Carolina Central
11. Devyn Thompson, Hampton
12. Faith Summy, Norfolk State
13. Kali Kendall, Morgan State
14. Janessa Benn, North Carolina A&T
15. Ce’Aira Brown, Hampton

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

GSU players and coaches stand united

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Nearly the entire Grambling coaching staff — all five of them — stood together at Monday’s weekly coaches press conference.

The 15 or so minutes are normally used for Grambling’s head coach — in this case interim coach Dennis Winston — to recap the last game and preview the upcoming contest.

However, Monday was different. Winston sat in his usual spot in a chair in front of Grambling’s black and yellow backdrop. Behind him were offensive coordinator Vyron Brown, offensive line coach Ben Wilkerson, wide receivers coach Sammy White and part-time assistant coach Kalvin Pearson.

Winston was the only one to speak as the four men dressed in Grambling attire stood stationary with their hands crossed, signifying their support.

“What we want to do as a staff is we want everyone to know we are ...

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Ram Ramblings: WSSU Basketball team gearing up for Big House Gaines Tip-Off Classic

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- When a football team is as successful as the 15th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams have been basketball can sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

Coach Bobby Collins and the new-look Rams are quietly going through practices in preparation for what should be another good season. With 12 new players the Rams won’t look the same but it’s a good bet they will contend for the CIAA’s Southern Division title and make a run to their fourth straight NCAA tournament.

Another difference this season is the Rams schedule. They usually have opened up on the road in a tournament but this season they will open at home with the Big House Gaines Tip-Off Classic at the Gaines Center.

It’s not only a celebration of the late Gaines, the legendary former basketball coach and athletics director at WSSU, it’s a showcase for this year’s team.

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Nuggets ranked 15th in NAIA preseason coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana was 15th in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets, 24-6 in 2012-13, are in the top 25 for the 45th consecutive time dating to January 2010. It's the second consecutive year -- a first in the Bo Browder coaching era -- that the Nuggets are in the preseason top 15.

Xavier will open its season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Langston in Grand Prairie, Texas. The neutral-site game will be played at South Grand Prairie High School's Warrior Coliseum. The Gold Nuggets' second game will be their home opener, against Spring Hill at 4 p.m. on Nov. 9. This is Browder's 15th season as head coach.

Vanguard is No. 1, followed by Oklahoma City  and defending champion Westmont. Four teams received first-place votes.

Xavier was one of three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference teams to receive votes. Talladega was 29th with 29 points, and SUNO was 33rd with five points.

The first regular-season poll will be announced Dec. 10. Oklahoma City, No. 17 Our Lady of the Lake and No. 25 LSU-Shreveport will play Xavier before that next ranking.

The preseason top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Oklahoma City
3. Westmont
4. Georgetown (Ky.)
5. Westminster (Utah)
6. Freed-Hardeman
7. Cumberland
8. MidAmerica Nazarene
9. Campbellsville
10. The Master's
11. Shawnee State
12. Benedictine (Kan.)
13. Columbia (Mo.)
14. Faulkner
15. Xavier
16. Bethel (Tenn.)
17. Our Lady of the Lake
18. Carroll (Mont.)
19. William Woods
20. Southern Poly
21. Cumberlands
22. Wiley
23. Oklahoma Baptist
24. Lyon
25. LSU-Shreveport

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

Alabama A&M preparing for road game with Alcorn State

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Here's this week's "Mondays with Anthony," all you need to know and more about Alabama A&M football:

This week: Alabama A&M (2-6, 2-4 in the SWAC) at Alcorn State (7-2, 5-1), 4 p.m., Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, Miss.

Last week: The Bulldogs lost to Alabama State 31-7 in the 72nd annual Magic City Classic.

Saturday's standouts: Robert Nelson had eight tackles and Reginald Bailey seven for an A&M defense that held Alabama State to just 14 points in the first three periods before fatigue and frustration set in.



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Notes from Rick Comegy’s telepresser and more

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Every Monday, the SWAC holds a telepresser, allowing the coaches to talk about plans for the week and the media to ask followup questions.

One of the topics Jackson State coach Rick Comegy briefly touched upon, which I agree with, is improving in open-field tackling. Prairie View broke through a number of JSU tackles, and its quarterback De’Auntre Smiley was able to escape and do some damage on the run. JSU’s defense gave up a whopping 585 offensive yards, 408 which were passing.

“We got to get a little better in open-field tackling … when we got somebody wrapped up and letting them get out of there on a pocket,” Comegy said.

That’s an area Comegy said his team will polish this week. JSU has its “second” bye week, which seems to be well-timed because the Tigers haven’t had a break since fall camp in August.

•JSU’s “second” bye week perfectly timed

“This is our first break really,” Comegy said. “Last week was only a one-day break. We got right back to work. Now this gives us a little bit of a break.”

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Homecoming 2013: Southern University Human Jukebox vs. Alcorn State Sounds of Dy-no-mite

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

TSU's Williams Speaks at Coaches Versus Cancer Luncheon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Tuesday, Tennessee State’s Travis Williams joined other local men’s basketball head coaches for the Third Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Luncheon held at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center.

 

The event was presented by Northwestern Mutual, The Pruitt Financial Group and ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the coaches answering questions during the last hour. Williams was joined onstage by Lipscomb’s Casey Alexander, Belmont’s Rick Byrd, Middle Tennessee’s Kermit Davis, Austin Peay’s Dave Loos, Vanderbilt’s Kevin Stallings and Tennessee’s Cuonzo Martin.

 

Among the topics covered by the coaches were the early season outlooks on their respective programs to which Williams said:

 

“We have a lot of new guys on this year’s team, but they have done everything that the coaches have asked of them so far. All of our players are giving maximum effort, listening to the coaches and working hard in the gym and classroom.”

 

The topic of the new NCAA rules and regulations were brought up as well as the news that former Tennessee State forward Robert Covington had made the Houston Rockets’ final roster.

 

“When you look at Robert Covington, you see a phenomenal young man who worked his way from a six-foot-seven, 175 pound guy that no big school wanted, into an NBA Player. He epitomizes what it means to have a dream, work hard and be successful.”

 

The event ended with questions from the audience and the announcement of the winners of the silent auction.

 

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Back-To-Back: Florida A&M Rattler Cross Country Repeats

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
Rattlers repeat as MEAC Cross Country Champions

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland (Oct.26) – The Rattler Cross Country team, riding it's No.9 ranking by the USTFCCCA, took to the MEAC Championship with a mission. Their mission was to dominate, much in the fashion they have done all season. In the end, the team took the top four positions to run away with the 2013 MEAC Cross Country Championship, repeating the feat they accomplished in 2012. Head coach Wayne Angel assembled a more talented team overal than last season, resulting in the hoarding of the top spots.

Elias Chesire, the junior runner from Eldoret, Kenya, led the charge, winning first place in 25:04.00 in the 8K race. This earned him back-to-back MEAC Cross Country Outstanding Athlete and All-MEAC awards. This is also on the heels of Chesire being named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week.

Daniel Cheruiyot placed second for the Rattlers, coming in in 25:17.10. He was followed by teammates Kevin Marindich 25:27.90 and Geoffrey Sambu at 25:28.00. This combination represented four athletes with a combined perfect score of 10 points. Robyel Kidane took the No.20 slot in 27:14.20 to seal the voctory for the Rattlers. Dieumy Duclos took the No.22 spot in 27:21.50.

The 30 point total was over half as few as second place Howard University's 68, who took second place. The Rattlers didn't overlook the MEAC Championship, but focused on making the best finish possible. Coach Wayne Angel was named the meet's Most Outstanding Coach, for the second consecutive year. Chesire, Cheruiyot, Sambu and Marindich all earned All-MEAC for their finishes in the race.

Angel was pleased with the overall championship performance. "Our team had an outstanding meet. We had the goal of taking the 1-2-3-4 sweep, which I thought we were capable of if we ran our race. The reality of it happening is something to behold. I was really pleased with how our Rattlers executed our strategy. They stayed on our race plan and the results reveal that they are a formidable force when they do that. Words can not express how proud I am of these young men. Back-to-back champions...what more could you ask?"

Angel was named the MEAC Outstanding Cross Country coach for the second consecutive time.

   Men's 8K Final - 2013 MEAC Championship

2013 MEAC Men’s Results
Florida A&M 30 points
Howard 68 points
North Carolina A&T 80 points
Norfolk State 94 points
Maryland Eastern Shore 138 points
Bethune-Cookman 195 points
Morgan State 203 points
Delaware State 204 points
Hampton 213 points
Coppin State 267 points
North Carolina Central 284 points
Savannah State 294 points
South Carolina State 329 points

2013 MEAC Men’s Cross Country All-Conference Team (Top 15 finishers)
Elias Chesire, Florida A&M
Daniel Cheruiyot, Florida A&M
Kevin Marindich, Florida A&M
Geoffrey Sambu, Florida A&M
Elisha Metto, Howard
Khalil Kinini Rmidi, Maryland Eastern Shore
Damtew Adnew, Norfolk State
Sammy Kiptoo, Norfolk State
Giovani Mowatt, Howard
Daniel Ketter, Bethune-Cookman
Saeed Jones, North Carolina A&T
Aaron Harrison, Howard
Ricy Brown, Bethune-Cookman
Darren White, North Carolina A&T
Lenier Tucker, Morgan State

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coach K on NCCU Men's Basketball Head Coach LeVelle Moton .

Ram Ramblings: Maynor knows about TV ratings

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The N.C. A&T-WSSU rivalry is always something Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams will talk about even if the news is about three months old.

Maynor was asked by Taresh Moore of WXII, who was there with a television camera at Maynor's press conference, would he like to play the Aggies again.

It was a harmless question, but an old one.

Maynor then proceeded to say it would be great for the community and the schools to play again. He also joked around about the Aggies having to wear big-boy pants. That was in reference to Coach Rod Broadway of the Aggies, who challenged the Rams to come scrimmage the Aggies back in August.

All of this comes about this week as the Aggies will play Virginia Lynchburg in their homecoming game. The Rams will play Shaw in an important CIAA game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

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