Sources: WSSU’s Maynor interviews at N.C. Central

Coach Connell Maynor
(Photo Courtesy WSSU Athletics)

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Connell Maynor, the coach with the highest winning percentage in Winston-Salem State football history, was seen on campus on Tuesday at N.C. Central.

Sources in Winston-Salem and in Durham confirmed that Maynor was at N.C. Central, and is one of four candidates who are being brought in this week for interviews for the vacant head-coaching position, according to a source at N.C. Central who did not want to be identified.

“I did hear (Maynor) was here today,” the source said.

Another source said that N.C. Central hopes to have a coach named by Dec. 19.

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Alvin Wyatt, Sr. is the New Head Football Coach at EWC

Coach Alvin Wyatt, Sr.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  --  Alvin Wyatt, Sr. is the new head football coach at Edward Waters College. Athletic Director Johnny Rembert made the announcement during a press conference Tuesday, December 10th.

Wyatt had been the defensive coordinator and was named interim head coach on October 22th.  

Wyatt replaced former head coach Brad Bernard after the Webber International University game.  He compiled a record of 2-2 with wins over Newport News Apprentice and the College of Faith. The Tigers finished the football season 2-9.

This will make Wyatt the fourth head coach at the college since the football program was re-instated in 2001, and the 13^th overall at Edward Waters College. 

Wyatt was named the ninth head coach at Bethune-Cookman University, where he coached from 1997-2009. During his tenure, he became the college’s all-time winningest coach, compiling a record of 90-54.

COURTESY EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Morgan out as Mississippi Valley State football coach

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State University is not bringing head football coach Karl Morgan back next year after he compiled an 8-35 record in four seasons.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference school said on Monday Morgan's contract will not be renewed when it expires Dec. 31.

The Delta Devils finished 2-9 this season, including 2-7 in SWAC games.

"We feel that it is imperative that we move the football program in a different direction. We would like to thank Coach Morgan for his years of service to MVSU," the athletic program said in a statement.

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Alabama A&M has a bright future after Bulldogs took their lumps this fall

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Now it's onto the next big competition, the recruiting battles, for the Alabama A&M coaching staff. And despite the Bulldogs' disappointing 4-8 season, the recruiting will be much more to augment than it will be as a quick fix.

Alabama A&M has just wrapped up one of those seasons that "every now and then happens at this level, unfortunately." Replacing two dozen graduated players from 2012 meant a daunting rebuilding chore.

The season ended in a 66-7 loss to Georgia Tech, the worst A&M defeat since 1936, a result and point spread that was not altogether unexpected. Complicating the scenario for the Bulldogs, aside from the mismatch in talent, was the difficulty in stopping Tech's unique option offense, one of the best rushing attacks in the country.

Here are some highs, lows and where the Bulldogs are going:

High point: A 19-18 win at Alcorn State, which led SWAC teams with nine overall victories.

Low point: The 28-9 homecoming loss to Mississippi Valley in which the Bulldogs dominated statistically but committed six turnovers.

Star power: Linebacker Robert Nelson, with 100 tackles, should be a no-brainer All-SWAC pick. Running back Barrington Scott (1,055 yards), defensive backs Lawrence Barnett and Derrick Harris (four interceptions each), receiver Montaurius Smith (64.6 yard per game) and defensive end Tae Keith should also get some recognition.

The replacements: The Bulldogs lose seven defensive starters but only three on offense - Scott, Demario Ross and Jonathan Nelson. Another key, but underappreciated loss, is long snapper Jordan Roman, virtually impeccable for four seasons.

"We'll be a much improved team on offense, and we'll add some people we've put on the shelf as redshirts," Jones said

Jaymason Lee, who will go into spring with a solid hold on the No. 1 QB job, will have three of his top five receivers back.

Secret weapons: Because Scott and Brandon Eldemire, who was sidelined late with an ankle injury, were able to carry the rushing load, A&M was able to redshirt three running backs - Joshua Sandlin, Juaquin Davis and Marcus Sanders.

The recruiting: The coaching staff as already hit the highways to take advantage of an early recruiting period. Mostly because of budget limitations, but partly with an emphasis to build locally, they'll not travel far.

They'll need to lock down the quarterback-of-the-future, with Lee going into his senior season and Brandon Wells his junior year. A punter is also needed.

Some instant help, perhaps from junior colleges, could help at linebacker and in the secondary.

The positive experience with Barrington Scott and Lawrence Barnett as post-grad transfers - the NCAA permits automatic eligibility for players who have earned degrees to transfer if their current institution does not offer the post-grad degree path they desire - will encourage A&M to keep an open mind on that realm and likely have A&M fielding inquiries from potential transfers.

 

AAMU 2013 Football Season stats

 

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Hampton Lady Pirates Overcome Cold Shooting in Win Over B-CU

HAMPTON, Virginia –  On a night in which neither team cracked 30-percent shooting, the Hampton University women's basketball team gutted out a 43-35 win over Bethune-Cookman on Monday at the HU Convocation Center to remain unbeaten in conference play.

Dating back to the 2011-12 season, the Lady Pirates (7-3, 2-0 MEAC) have won their last 32 games against conference foes, including MEAC Tournament games.

Senior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) and freshman guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Harrisburg, Pa.) each led the Lady Pirates with 16 points, while Tate-DeFreitas and redshirt-sophomore forward Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md.) each grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Hamilton also dished out three assists, blocked three shots, and grabbed a career-high eight steals.

Bethune-Cookman scored the first basket of the game – a jumper from Shakeyia Colyer – before the Lady Pirates responded with a 25-2 run to take a 25-4 lead with 7:21 left in the first half following a fastbreak layup from Hamilton.

During that stretch, Bethune-Cookman went nearly 10 minutes without a field goal.

The Lady Wildcats then scored the next nine points to cut the lead to 25-13 after a 3-pointer from Rene Chastity Taylor at the 3:26 mark. In fact, following Hampton taking that 25-4 lead, the Lady Wildcats closed the half by scoring 15 of the next 17 points, going into the half down 27-19.

Tate-DeFreitas had 10 points at the half.

Both teams got off to a slow start to open the second half, as the first field goal didn't come until Hamilton hit a jumper with 17:54 left in the game to give Hampton a 29-19 lead. Bethune-Cookman's first field goal of the half didn't come until the 12:59 mark, a layup from Kailyn Williams to cut the lead to 30-21.

Tate-DeFreitas hit two free throws with 11:19 to play to give the Lady Pirates a 32-22 lead, before Taylor cut that lead to 32-24 with 10:53 left.

Hampton then rattled off the next nine points – including back-to-back fastbreak layups from Hamilton, a fastbreak layup from Tate-DeFreitas, and a Hamilton 3-pointer – to take a 41-24 lead with 7:08 remaining in the game.

The Lady Pirates scored just one basket the rest of the way, as Bethune-Cookman closed the game with an 11-2 run – but Hampton built enough of a cushion to hold on for the win.

Hamilton had nine points and five steals in the second half alone.

The Lady Pirates shot just 25.9 percent (15-for-58) from the floor and hit four of their 16 3-pointers. Hampton did, however, score 21 points off of 24 Bethune-Cookman turnovers.

Bethune-Cookman (2-7, 0-2 MEAC) shot just 26.4 percent (14-for-53) from the floor and made just two of its 13 3-pointers. The Lady Wildcats did, however, hold a 46-42 edge on the glass – including a 31-26 advantage in defensive rebounds.

Taylor led Bethune-Cookman with 10 points on 3-for-18 shooting.

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 18, when they head to Philadelphia, Pa. to take on Drexel at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Quick Start, Balanced Attack Propels HU Pirates to Win

HAMPTON, Virginia – The Hampton University men's basketball team jumped out quick and held control throughout, thanks to contributions from everyone Monday night in an 85-52 win over Bethune-Cookman at the HU Convocation Center.

The Pirates (5-5, 2-0 MEAC) won their third straight game.

It was Hampton's largest margin of victory since March 4, 2010, when the Pirates defeated Howard 90-42 – also at the Convocation Center.

In all, 10 Pirates found the basket Monday night.

Redshirt-freshman guard Lawrence Cooks (Charlotte, N.C.) led four Pirates in double figures with a career-high 17 points, while redshirt-sophomore guard Reggie Price (Charlotte, N.C.) added a career-high 16 points off the bench.

Senior forward Du'Vaughn Maxwell (Manhattan, N.Y.) added 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Deron Powers (Williamsburg, Va.) had 11 points and four assists.

The Pirates shot 50.0 percent (14-for-28) from the floor and made five of their 12 3-pointers in the first half, and Hampton led 11-2 after a trey from sophomore guard Brian Darden (Hampton, Va.) at the 16:53 mark. In fact, Darden scored nine of Hampton's first 11 points, hitting three treys to open the contest.

Bethune-Cookman closed the gap to 11-8 with a 6-0 spurt, and the Wildcats later closed the gap to 18-12 at the 8:21 mark. But Hampton answered with an 18-0 run, going up 36-12 at the 4:20 mark after a layup from Powers.

Price scored on a tip-in with 44 seconds left in the half to put Hampton up 44-23, and sophomore guard Miles Jackson (Silver Spring, Md.) ended the half with a fadeaway jumper in the final second to send the Pirates into the locker room with a 47-25 lead.

Price had 10 points at the break. Darden and Maxwell had nine each.

The Pirates opened the second half on a 17-8, taking a 64-33 lead with 10:55 to play on a 3-pointer from Powers. His basket followed putbacks from junior center Emmanuel Okoroba (Garland, Texas) and Cooks.

Cooks and Jackson later added baskets to put the Pirates up 68-33 with 9:27 left to play.

Okoroba added a 3-point play with 7:34 to play to give Hampton a 71-36 lead, converting a layup in transition despite having a defender draped over his jersey. Cooks added a trey with 6:32 left in the game to put Hampton up 74-38.

Freshman guard Gregory Hayden (Dallas, Texas), seeing his first action of the season, hit a couple free throws with 5:01 left to give the Pirates a 77-42 lead.

From that point on, it was simply a matter of running out the clock.

The Pirates shot a season-best 51.9 percent (27-for-52) from the floor and hit eight of their 19 3-pointers (42.1 percent). Hampton was also 23-for-33 (69.7 percent) from the free throw line, and the Pirates turned 16 Bethune-Cookman turnovers into 23 points.

The Wildcats (2-10, 0-2 MEAC) shot just 27.1 percent (16-for-59), a season-low for a Hampton opponent, and made only three of 18 3-pointers. Bethune-Cookman did hold a 43-34 edge on the glass.

Barry Smith led the Wildcats with 12 points.

The Pirates will be back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 18, when they head to Highland Heights, Ky. to take on Northern Kentucky at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Men's Golf Signs Top Three Finisher from State Tournament



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS



NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Men’s golf coach Parrish McGrath signs his first athlete to a National Letter of Intent. McGrath inked Jermey Fultz out of Carter High School in Knoxville. Fultz comes to the Tigers after finishing third at the Tennessee A-AA State Championships.

 

Fultz shot a 2-over, 74 during the first round placing him ninth, before he would make a charge on day two with a 5-under, 67 to finish third, two-shots off the title. The Knoxville native improved on his 11th place finish at state during his junior season. Fultz held the lead after day one by shooting an even-par, 72.

 

“Jermey will make an immediate impact for our squad,” McGrath said. “We need players who not only want to perform their best, but also want to push their teammates to do better.”

 

Fultz was a four-time All-District team member for Head Coach Chad Grub at Carter high school. He earned individual district championships as a freshman and a junior and was named District Player of the Year in his final two seasons. Fultz advanced to four consecutive regional championships and earned a spot on the All-KIL Second Team in his freshman and sophomore seasons. He was an All-KIL First Team selection as a junior and senior. Fultz was a member of the 2013 All-State Class A-AA team and was named Prep Xtra Player of the Year.

 

“Jermey has shown the abilities of a competitive and resilient golfer,” McGrath added. “He knows how to win when he gets close to the lead. Those are the qualities I look for in a golfer to make a difference in our program.”

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets' Reuther, Kirk receive postseason honors

Moira Kirk

Taylor Reuther

NEW ORLEANS — Two from Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball program received postseason honors Monday. Outside hitter Taylor Reuther earned honorable mention on the Tachikara-NAIA All-America team and made the American Volleyball Coaches Association's All-MidSouth Region team. Middle blocker Moira Kirk received All-MidSouth Region honorable mention.

Reuther, a junior from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, led Xavier in kills (395), aces (39), digs (403) and double-doubles (18) for the third consecutive season. She became the first to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in an XU career.

Kirk, a junior from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, produced 311 kills and led the Gold Nuggets in hitting percentage (.347) and blocks (87) for the third consecutive year. Kirk hit .436 during the Nuggets' school-record 20-match win streak.

Reuther and Kirk were honorable-mention all-region as freshmen.

Xavier was 26-8 in 2013, winning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships for the third consecutive year and qualifying for a third straight NAIA National Championship. The Gold Nuggets set a school record for season victories and extended their winning streak against GCAC opponents to 43.


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

NSU Spartans offensive coordinator will not return

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Norfolk State offensive coordinator and receivers coach Howard Feggins will not be retained for next season, head coach Pete Adrian said Tuesday.

Feggins, a former NFL defensive back, spent three seasons on Adrian's staff. He was promoted from receivers coach to a dual role in 2012 before being let go last week.

Adrian, who called the offensive plays and coached the quarterbacks in 2013, declined to discuss the specifics of Feggins' departure.

The Spartans went 3-9 overall and 3-5 in the MEAC this season and were last in the 11-team league with 14.0 points per game. They averaged 271.7 yards of total offense and 148.9 passing yards per game, both ninth. With 122.8 yards per game, NSU was seventh in rushing offense.

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NSU captain out for season with torn ACL, meniscus

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The news on Norfolk State guard Jordan Weathers' right knee was as bad as first-year coach Robert Jones feared.

Weathers, a scrappy senior captain and sixth man, will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and a torn meniscus, Jones confirmed Monday after receiving MRI results.

The injury leaves the Spartans (7-3, 2-0 MEAC) without what Jones called the team's "glue," even if Weathers' 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game might not seem significant.

"He was one of our best captains, really, keeping guys together and making sure everybody's doing the right thing," Jones said. "We're going to lose that."

Weathers, a 6-foot-5 Los Angeles native, suffered the injury with 8:10 remaining in NSU's 91-87 MEAC-opening win over Florida A&M on Thursday. He landed awkwardly after driving to the basket in transition.

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Carnegie Corporation Honors Spelman President Beverly Daniel Tatum as Higher Education Innovator with 2013 Academic Leadership Award

First HBCU President and Georgia higher education leader to earn the prestigious prize

ATLANTA, Georgia  -- Carnegie Corporation of New York today announced that Spelman College President Beverly Daniel Tatum is one of four recipients nationally of its 2013 Academic Leadership Award.  The other winners are Richard H. Brodhead, President, Duke University; Michael M. Crow, President, Arizona State University; and John L. Hennessy, President, Stanford University.

Each winner is being recognized as an exceptional president of a U.S. college or university.  The award is in the form of a $500,000 grant to be used in support of each honoree’s academic initiatives. 

President Tatum is the first president in the State of Georgia and the first at an historically black college or university to win the award.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition.  I am grateful to work with colleagues who believe in the transformative power of education, and who understand the opportunities we provide are not for our students alone, but for the communities they will influence when they leave our gates. I am thrilled to receive this award and use it in the service of our mission,” said President Tatum.

The Academic Leadership Award, established in 2005, builds on Carnegie Corporation’s long tradition of developing and recognizing leadership in higher education. The award honors university presidents who are not only resourceful administrators and managers, but also have a keen interest in the liberal arts and a commitment to excellence and equity, curricular innovation, reform of K-12 education, international engagement, and the promotion of strong links between their institutions and their local communities.

“At a time when we all recognize that education is crucial to the future of our society, economy, and democracy, the quality of the leadership of higher education institutions is of paramount importance,” said Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York. “I’m very proud that Carnegie Corporation, since 2005, has singled out 16 exemplary college and university presidents in the United States.”

Since being named President of Spelman College in 2002, Dr. Tatum has proven that, with vision and commitment, access and excellence in higher education do not have to be mutually exclusive. The college is known for admitting—and graduating a large percentage of low-income, first generation students. During her tenure, the percent of students qualifying for federal Pell Grants has risen from some 30 percent to over 50 percent, about 87 percent of all students receive some form of financial aid, and scholarship support has tripled.  Further, The Carnegie Corporation noted that President Tatum has:

*Championed women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math); almost a third of Spelman students earn degrees in those fields, defying what President Tatum calls “the low expectations for women and minorities in science.” The National Science Foundation reports that between 1997 and 2006, Spelman prepared more African American women to earn Ph.D.s in STEM than Georgia Tech, Duke, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill combined.

*Cultivated community service; each year, Spelman students contribute a total of more than 40,000 hours of service to their community through programs such as Project Impact.  Students volunteer within a designated 1.7 mile area surrounding the campus with activities that focus on education, economic development, health, and environmental sustainability in partnership with some 40 community organizations, including 15 schools and education programs.

*Dropped intercollegiate sports in favor of a focus on student health. Concerned over the fact that an alarming proportion of young black women are prone to having serious health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, she invested the money saved by eliminating team sports in favor of fitness and intramural programs that emphasize activities that career women are likely to maintain for a lifetime, such as tennis, golf, and yoga. Read Hall, the college’s gymnasium built in the 1950s, is being renovated to serve as a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

The Corporation solicits nominations from previous winners, as well as from the leaders of national organizations representing higher education. The nominations are carefully reviewed, with particular scrutiny given to a candidate’s long-term record of accomplishment and innovation.

About Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York was created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation’s work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democracy.

About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer; former acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley; Georgia State Representative and House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, former Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds; author Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.

Bennett College closing dorm to save money

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  — Another casualty of Bennett College’s financial woes: a dorm.

The college said late Friday it will close one of its five residence halls to save money.

The college said Nov. 22 it was laying off nine of roughly 200 employees to help close a budget gap of about $2.9 million.

 

The college says the budget shortfall is the result of a decline in enrollment. A college spokeswoman said Bennett based its annual budget on enrollment of 668 students. Only 613 students enrolled this fall.

 

The college had 663 students last fall.

 

“As a result of the enrollment decline, the administration created a financial plan to address the budget shortfall,” college spokeswoman Wanda Mobley wrote in an email. "Pfeiffer Residence Hall will close as one of the cost-saving measures in the plan."

 

Pfeiffer was built in 1924 and is ...

 

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The Whitest Historically Black College In America

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia  -- It opened in the late 19th century as the Bluefield Colored Institute, created to educate the children of black coal miners in segregated West Virginia. Although it still receives the federal funding that comes with its designation as a historically black institution, today Bluefield State College is 90 percent white. The road that separates those realities is as rocky as any story of racial transition in post-World War II America.

We went to the campus of Bluefield State to see what campus life was like at this unusual college.

The very first student we met, Antonio Bolden, or Tony as he introduced himself, looked like any other student you might see at a historically black college or university (HBCU). He's a laid-back 19-year-old, stocky with shoulder-length dreadlocks and green eyes. But at Bluefield State, Tony is an outlier for several reasons. He's a teenager; the average age of his classmates is 27. He started college right after high school; many of his classmates are working full-time jobs, raising children, or both. And of course, he's black, whereas the student body is only historically so.

Tony came to Bluefield State to play baseball, hoping to win the starting spot on third base. But he was surprised by what he found when he got to campus. "My first thought was: There are a lot of white people," he said.

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Monday morning rewind: Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The Southern coaching staff returns to the recruiting trail beginning Monday. The Southwestern Athletic Conference champions can tout their success this season as a perk to high school players. The Jaguars (9-4 and 8-2 against SWAC competition) won their first conference title in 10 years when they defeated Jackson State 34-27 in double overtime in the league’s title game Saturday at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The victory avenged a 19-14 loss against the Tigers on Sept. 28 in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

LOOKING BACK
The Jaguars put together a clutch, all-around performance to beat JSU. Senior QB Dray Joseph threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Two of the scoring passes went to Willie Quinn, who finished with seven catches for 142 yards. The first touchdown came on a 34-yard pass to Quinn and gave Joseph the Southern record for career touchdown passes. He finished with 73. Joseph added a 35-yarder to Quinn and a 16-yarder to Lee Doss, which provided the game-winning points in the second overtime. Doss finished with 10 catches for 125 yards. Lenard Tillery had his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 118 yards on 16 carries. The Southern defense forced four turnovers and the Jaguars outgained the Tigers 512-381.

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2013 SWAC Championship Battle of the Bands

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Hayes impressed by Maynor’s work

WSSU’s AD calls 10-2 finish in rebuilding year a great accomplishment

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Bill Hayes admits to getting a queasy feeling in his stomach when his cell phone rings and he sees Connell Maynor’s name on the caller ID.

Winston-Salem State’s football season ended last weekend with a second-round loss to Shepherd in the NCAA Division II playoffs, leaving the Rams with a 10-2 record. Now it’s open season on Maynor, the Rams’ coach.
There are plenty of job openings at Division I schools, and Maynor’s name certainly will be mentioned in connection with some. Maynor said Tuesday that N.C. Central has contacted him, but that’s all he would say.

Hayes, WSSU’s athletics director and a former football coach, knows the drill. Maynor, 44, has a 45-6 in four seasons at WSSU, and he has explored Division I jobs after every season.



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Sexton: How much punishment is enough?

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  The question can’t be found in any of the statute books, nor will you ever hear a judge ask it aloud. Still, in a case such as state v. Lamont Britt, it’s one that should be asked and answered before any sentence is imposed.

How much punishment is enough?

You might not recall Britt’s name, but I’d be willing to bet you remember the incident for which he was charged with assault inflicting serious injury.

Britt is the Virginia State football player – make that former football player – whose arrest for beating up the Winston-Salem State quarterback made national news, caused the cancellation of the CIAA championship game, and in all likelihood, cost his team a spot in the Division II playoffs.

Yeah, that guy.

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Xavier's Fakler selected Louisiana Runner of the Year

Kwame Jackson

Catherine Fakler

Joseph Moses

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's record-setting Catherine Fakler has been selected Runner of the Year on the 2013 All-Louisiana women's cross country team.
   
Fakler is the first female runner from a non-NCAA Division I school to receive this honor.
   
Xavier also was represented on the All-Louisiana men's team. Kwame Jackson was chosen for the second time in three years, and Joseph Moses was selected Coach of the Year.
   
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced the teams late Saturday. An LSWA panel of sports publicists selected the teams.
   
Fakler, a junior from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory High School, ran 5,000 meters in 18 minutes, 8.32 seconds at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 26 — a school record by more than 30 seconds and the fastest at the GCAC meet since 1998. She set XU records in 3-of-5 meets before nationals, became the second female in the program's history to win consecutive races, and she recorded Xavier's highest-ever finish (68th) at the NAIA National Championships.
   
It's the third consecutive academic year that an XU athlete won the highest award on an All-Louisiana team. Loic Didavi was the Louisiana Player of the Year in men's tennis in 2012 and shared the award this past season. Prior to this streak, no Louisiana athlete from an NAIA school had won a highest award since 1995.
   
Jackson, a junior from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, won the GCAC men's title for second time in three years, and his 8K time of 27:15.84 was the second-fastest of his career and the second-fastest at the GCAC meet in the last five years. It was his second victory of the season.
   
Jackson is the first Gold Rush runner to be named All-Louisiana twice.

"Great job this year by Catherine and Kwame," Moses said. "Catherine had the best year in Xavier women's cross country history. She has improved tremendously since she arrived at Xavier. Kwame ran strong all season. He has a chance to win his third GCAC title next year. That's never happened in our league before."
   
Moses is the men's Coach of the Year for the fourth time — he also won in 2006, 2007 and 2008 — and broke a tie with Ron Bazil (1995, 1998, 2001) for the most awards. He led the Gold Rush to two meet victories, including an eighth consecutive GCAC title, and produced a .692 winning percentage, XU's best since the program was reinstated in 1994.
   
This is the ninth season at Xavier for Moses. He is a five-time women's Coach of the Year in Louisiana and was the runner-up for that award this season.

2013 All-Louisiana Women's Cross Country Team
Andria Aguilar, junior, LSU
Tessni Carruthers, junior, Nicholls State
Catherine Fakler, junior, Xavier
Pauline Muiruri, sophomore, Louisiana-Monroe
Morgan Schuetz, sophomore, LSU
Katharine Smiley, freshman, Tulane
Amy Talbot, senior, McNeese State

Runner of the Year:  Catherine Fakler, Xavier
Newcomer of the Year:  Pauline Muiruri, Louisiana-Monroe
Freshman of the Year:  (tie) Claire Hodges, Louisiana-Lafayette; Katharine Smiley, Tulane
Coach of the Year:  Andy Canegitta, Loyola

2013 All-Louisiana Men's Cross Country Team
Paul Freese, junior, Loyola
Kwame Jackson, junior, Xavier
Dussan Makevic, freshman, Louisiana-Monroe

Logan Pearce, freshman, Louisiana-Lafayette
Philip Primeaux, junior, LSU
Paul Sakit, sophomore, Louisiana Tech
Adam Yohanan, sophomore, Tulane

Runner of the Year:  Paul Freese, Loyola
Newcomer of the Year:  Paul Sakit, Louisiana Tech
Freshman of the Year:  (tie) Dusan Makevic, Louisiana-Monroe; Logan Pearce, Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: Joseph Moses, Xavier

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

Odums’ hire pays dividends for SU

HOUSTON — A year ago Southern coach Dawson Odums didn’t know if he would be the head football coach of Southern University.

Odums had taken over for former coach Stump Mitchell after the Jaguars had lost its first two games of the 2012 campaign, including a humbling 6-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Mississippi Valley State.

Yet the North Carolina native was able to rally the team and finish the season with a 4-5 record as interim head coach, including wins over two rivals: a 28-21 victory over Jackson State and a 38-33 victory over Grambling.

The way in which the Jaguars would end the regular season gave Southern Athletic Director William Broussard plenty to think about in terms of retaining Odums.

One year later, Broussard would be vindicated for his decision to hire Odums as the Jaguars became 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions.

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East: From also-rans to champions in just one year

HOUSTON — Amid the chaotic celebration on the turf inside Reliant Stadium late Saturday afternoon, a loud voice boomed.

“Come on, men,” Southern football coach Dawson Odums bellowed to his smiling, laughing and dancing players. “Come on. Get your helmets.”

Even as the Jaguars were celebrating their Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship, Odums was orchestrating his team — his program.

The allotted time for Southern to celebrate its heart-pounding, 34-27 double-overtime, marathon victory against Jackson State had expired.

It was time for the players to grab their stuff, get back to the locker room and reflect on the university’s first conference championship in 10 years.

It was mission accomplished for Odums’ team, but Odums’ mission continues.

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Southern brings SWAC title back to Baton Rouge

HOUSTON. Texas — The Southern football team took a victory lap around Reliant Stadium, slapping hands with their jubilant fans.

Quarterback Dray Joseph stopped and posed for pictures.

Linebacker Anthony Balancier hoisted the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship trophy.



Wide receiver Lee Doss danced while coach Dawson Odums toweled off after a celebratory dousing at the hands of his players.

The rest of the squad scrambled into formation to pose for a team photo to commemorate their 34-27, double-overtime victory against Jackson State in the SWAC title game Saturday.

The Jaguars had avenged a 19-14 regular-season loss that gnawed at them for two months. They had won Southern’s first SWAC championship in 10 years, concluding an improbable but thoroughly legitimate turnaround after three consecutive losing seasons.

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Lady Pirates Squeak Past FAMU for First MEAC Win

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- The Hampton University women's basketball team withstood a second-half push from Florida A&M Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center, emerging with a 70-67 win to pick up their first conference victory of the season.

The Lady Pirates (6-3, 1-0 MEAC) have won 31 straight games against MEAC foes.

Senior forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) led three Lady Pirates in double figures with 22 points and nine rebounds, going 10-for-22 from the floor. Freshman guard Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Harrisburg, Pa.) added 15 points, and sophomore guard Ryan Jordan (Manassas, Va.) scored 13 points.

Senior guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.) dished out a team-high eight assists.

Hampton led by 11 with just over seven minutes to play, up 55-44, but Florida A&M went on a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 57-56 with 4:42 left after Taneka Rubin hit a 3-pointer. Hampton answered by scoring the next six points to take a 63-56 lead with 2:46 left after a pair of Tate-DeFreitas free throws.

The Lady Rattlers then went on an 11-4 run, which culminated in a layup from Jasmine Grice to tie the game at 67-67 with 41 seconds left in regulation. But Hamilton hit three free throws down the stretch, and FAMU turned the ball over on its last two possessions.

The Lady Pirates jumped out to an 8-0 lead to open the game, taking that lead on a Tate-DeFreitas layup with 17:16 left in the half, before Grice answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 8-6 at the 16:26 mark.

Kimberly Sparkman added a trey at the 12:14 mark to cut the Lady Pirates' lead to 17-13, but Hampton answered with an 8-0 run to go up 25-13 with 8:51 left in the half following a jumper from Bennett. FAMU couldn't get any closer than within nine for the rest of the half, and Hampton went into the break up 36-24.

Bennett had 16 points at the half.

The second half started much the same way the first half ended, with the Lady Pirates maintaining a 9- to 14-point lead. When redshirt-sophomore forward Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md.) hit a stickback with 14:40 to play, Hampton led 45-35.

FAMU scored the next five points to cut the lead to 45-40, but Hampton answered with a 5-0 spurt of its own, going up 50-40 after a Jordan 3-point play with 9:35 remaining.

Jordan added a layup with 7:13 to play to put the Lady Pirates up 55-44.

The Lady Pirates shot 38.9 percent (28-for-72) from the floor and made two of their 18 3-pointers. Hampton went 12-for-20 (60.0 percent) from the free throw line, and the Lady Pirates scored 16 points off of 24 Florida A&M turnovers.

Hampton also held a 40-28 edge on the glass.

FAMU (6-4, 1-1 MEAC) shot 42.6 percent (20-for-47) from the floor and made eight of its 20 3-pointers. Rubin led three Lady Rattlers in double figures with 24 points, while Grice added 21 points.

The Lady Pirates will return to the HU Convocation Center on Monday at 6 p.m. to take on Bethune-Cookman. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of www.hamptonpirates.com.
Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at

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DSU Hornets downed by Coppin State in MEAC Opener

DOVER, Delaware -- Coppin State shot nearly 53 percent from the field, highlighted by 10 three-point field goals (10-20), in a 73-54 win over Delaware State in the MEAC opener for both teams in Memorial Hall today.

The Hornets had won their last three and 12 of their previous 13 MEAC openers.

Casey Walker led three Delaware State players in double figures with 18 points. Walker was 7-for-14 from the field, including four-of-10 from three-point territory.

Kendal Williams had 16 points, while Tyshawn Bell added 12 for the Hornets.

Coppin State's Michael Murray led all players with 28 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from the beyond the arc.

Sterling Smith had 15 points, while former Delaware high school star Taariq Cephas added 12 points and a game-high 10 assists for the Eagles.

Walker hit a three-pointer and a lay-up to help give the Hornets a 7-5 lead in the early going.

Coppin State outscored DSU 16-4 over the next 11 minutes and opened up a 21-11 lead on a three-pointer Arnold Fripp with 5:39 left in the first half. The Eagles nailed four three-point field goals during the spurt.

The Hornets trailed 28-14 when Coppin’s Sterling Smith hit a three-ball with 3:20 left in the half.

Delaware State pulled to within 28-19 on a short jumper by Kendall Gray, but Brandon St. Louis hit a lay-up at the first half buzzer to extend Coppin State’s lead to 34-22 at the break.

The Eagles scored the first seven points of the second half, and opened up a 42-22 lead on a lay-up Cephas with 17:14 left to play.

Delaware State fell behind 54-32 on two Coppin State free throws with 10:12 remaining in the game. The Hornets answered with a 9-2 run, and pulled to within 56-41 on a three-pointer by Walker with 7:36 left. The run included a four-point play by Williams, who was fouled while hitting a three-point shot.

The Hornets could get no closer the rest of the way,

Coppin State was 27-for-51 from the field for the game (52.9%), including 14-of-24 in the second half (58.3%)

Delaware State was 17-of-44 (38.6%) from the field. The Hornets had seven three-point field goals in 25 attempts (28%). .

The Eagles also won the rebound battle 32-to-23.

Coppin State improved to 3-4 overall. The Hornets fell to 2-7.

Gray matched his season–high with five blocks for the Hornets. It was his 12th career game with at least five blocks.

Delaware State returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 15 against Howard University in the Big Apple Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y. Game time is 6:00 p.m. at the Barclays Center, home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

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2013 SWAC Championship Show: JSU Sonic Boom of the South vs. Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band

Hampton Pirates Pick Up Conference Win Over FAMU

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- The Hampton University men's basketball team picked up its first conference win of the season Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center, defeating Florida A&M 72-62.

The Pirates (4-5, 1-0 MEAC) have won back-to-back games.

Sophomore guard Deron Powers (Williamsburg, Va.) led three Pirates in double figures with 22 points, going 7-for-12 from the floor and dishing out a team-high four assists. Senior forward Du'Vaughn Maxwell (Manhattan, N.Y.) added 15 points and eight rebounds.

Junior center Emmanuel Okoroba (Garland, Texas) added 10 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Dwight Meikle (Baltimore, Md.) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

The Rattlers had control early, leading 17-9 at the 10:13 mark after a layup from Muhammad Abdul-Aleem, but the Pirates answered with a 16-6 run to take a 25-23 lead on a jumper from Powers with 3:55 left in the half.

A FAMU free throw cut the lead to 25-24, before the Pirates jumped out to a 32-26 lead with 1:29 left in the half following a 3-point play from Okoroba. Meikle added a jumper with 45 seconds left in the half to put Hampton up 34-28.

The Pirates went into the half with a 36-31 lead.

FAMU scored the first six points of the second half to take a 37-36 lead with 17:44 remaining after a layup from Bobby King, before Hampton answered with a 14-1 run to take a 50-38 lead with 12:05 to play after Maxwell slammed in a one-handed dunk on a breakaway.

Sophomore guard Ke'Ron Brown (Savannah, Ga.) hit a 3-pointer with 8:22 to go to give Hampton a 57-41 lead, and Maxwell hit a jumper of his own with 5:42 to play to put the Pirates up 61-45, matching their largest lead of the night.

FAMU went on a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 65-57 with 1:44 left after Trey Kellum sank a layup, before a pair of Powers free throws at the 1:38 mark put the Pirates back up by double digits, 67-57.

Jamie Adams hit a 3-pointer with 1:07 left to cut Hampton's lead to 70-62.

Sophomore guard Brian Darden (Hampton, Va.) and Meikle each added a free throw down the stretch to give the Pirates the final margin of victory.

The Pirates shot 43.3 percent (26-for-60) from the floor and made two of their 13 3-pointers. Hampton out-rebounded FAMU 46-40, and the Pirates turned 21 Rattler turnovers into 22 points. Hampton also outscored FAMU 32-22 in the paint.

FAMU (2-7, 0-2 MEAC) shot 37.3 percent (22-for-59) from the floor and made five of its 15 3-pointers. Lewis led the Rattlers with 19 points, while Adams added 15 points.

The Pirates will return to the HU Convocation Center on Monday to take on Bethune-Cookman at 8 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

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