TSU's Briana Morrow Eligible to Make Debut on Sunday

BRIANA MORROW
(COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- After fulfilling the transfer requirements, Briana Morrow will make her debut as a member of the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team.

Morrow, a 5-11 former standout for Jacksonville State, will make her debut on Sunday afternoon when the Lady Tigers host Martin Methodist at home in the Gentry Center.

 

“I’m very excited about Briana Morrow joining our team,” commented head coach Larry Inman. “She’s a Nashville native that I think the community will be proud to come watch. She brings a wealth of talent as a basketball player and she’s a great young lady with a very promising future. She has the ability to play two or three different positions which will give us more depth and versatility. With her as an addition, it will surely enhance our program.”

 

The daughter of former TSU Lady Tiger basketball player, Darlene (Crawley) Morrow, Briana transferred mid-way through last season after playing 14 games of her sophomore season at Jacksonville State.

 

As a freshman, she led JSU in scoring with 11.4 ppg while averaging 7.5 rebounds per outing. She was named to the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team and was tabbed the league’s Freshman of the Week four times. She finished the season ranked third in the OVC in field goal percentage and 14^th in scoring. 

GETTING TO KNOW BRIANA MORROW

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU to Host Fisk in the Jefferson Street Showdown

GAME NOTES | WATCH LIVE | LISTEN LIVE | LIVE STATS 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --  Eight days after falling on the road at Drexel, the Tennessee State men’s basketball team will return home for only the third time this season for a non-conference matchup against the Fisk Bulldogs on Sunday.
In the 75-61 loss in Philadelphia, M.J. Rhett dominated in the post scoring 17 points, paired with 12 rebounds for his third straight double-double, and fifth of the year. Rhett went 4-of-9 on the day from the floor and a season-best 9-10 from the foul line.

 

The junior is now 11^th in Division I in double-doubles and fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference averaging nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest.

 

Rhett’s work on the defensive end of the floor has allowed the Tigers (0-10) to hold opponents to a 45 percent field goal percentage and a league-best .297 mark from behind the three-point line.

 

TSU will need to continue to play solid defensively on Sunday against Fisk (6-8), as the Bulldogs enter the contest averaging 86.5 points per game.

 

Fisk is led by Cameron Lewis and Darrell Miller who are averaging 20.8 and 20.6 points per contest, respectively. Miller also hauls in 10.8 boards while Lewis secures 7.4.

 

While Fisk’s dynamic duo are doing its part, the team as a whole only averages 42.4 boards per game while allowing opponents 63.4. The minus-21 rebounding margin is the worst in the NAIA.

 

One thing that the Bulldogs do excel in is turnover margin, as they are second in the nation in steals, recording 13.9 p/g.

 

Sunday marks the 17^th meeting between the in-city rivals and Tennessee State holds a 13-3 mark all-time. TSU has won six straight in the rivalry including last year’s 92-56 win in the Gentry Center. Fisk’s last victory in the series came in 2003.

 

The Tigers will host the Bulldogs immediately following the women’s game against Martin Methodist on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Alabama State University Hornet Sports Report 12/13/13

A weekly television show dedicated to Alabama State University Athletics.



COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Sheridan Names TSU Black College Football Champs

PHOTO COURTESY TSU ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The latest Sheridan Poll had the Tennessee State football team in the top spot, deeming the squad the 2013 Black College Football Champions.

TSU edged out Bethune-Cookman, who fell in the opening round of the Division-I football playoffs, and two-time defending champion Winston-Salem State for the honor.

The Tigers are 7-1 in their last eight meetings against other HBCU’s and held a 3-1 mark this season. After falling to Bethune-Cookman, 12-9, Big Blue beat Florida A&M, Jackson State and Central State by a combined 126-29.

With its, 31-0, victory over Butler on Nov. 30, the Tennessee State football team became the first HBCU to win a playoff game since 1999.

The Black College Football title is the first for the Tigers since 1982, and the 12th all-time, second only to Grambling. 

1. Tennessee State Tigers (24)	10-4	267	1
2. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (5)	10-3	224	2
3. Winston-Salem State Rams (1)	10-2	207	3
4. South Carolina State Bulldogs	9-4	172	4
5. Alcorn State Braves	9-3	149	5
6. Southern Jaguars	9-4	134	6
7. Virginia State Trojans	9-1	83	7
8. Jackson State Tigers	8-4	62	8
9. Alabama State Hornets	8-4	58	9
10. Tuskegee Golden Tigers	8-3	35	10

Others receiving votes (in order of points): North Carolina A&T 27, Prairie View A&M 24, Albany State 17, Miles College 12, Morgan State 9.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jackson State scores CB recruit Porter Jr.

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Robert Porter Jr. first learned of Jackson State through a video his coaches showed.

The video was an ESPN feature on former JSU quarterback Casey Therriault. Porter, a Roseville, Mich., native, played at Grand Rapids Community College, the same program Therriault — JSU’s record holder in single-season passing yards (3,791) — played at before transferring to Jackson State.

The connection sparked Porter’s interest in the Tigers. Now, he will be part of two programs where Therriault left his legacy.

Porter, a 5-foot-11 185-pound cornerback, recently committed to Jackson State. He had a few Division II offers but wasn’t interested in any.



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William Broussard to speak to Dawson Odums about extension

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern Athletic Director William Broussard said Thursday he plans to talk with football coach Dawson Odums next week about a contract extension.

Broussard has given North Carolina Central, Odums’ alma mater, permission to interview the coach, who led the Jaguars to their first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in 10 years with a 34-27 double-overtime victory against Jackson State last week in Houston.

Odums, who has one year remaining on his contract, and his staff are in the midst of an important recruiting week, which concludes with several recruits visiting campus this weekend.

After that is out of the way, Broussard can do what he planned to do all along — try to lock up Odums and his staff long-term.

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Reports: Maynor among final four in N.C. Central coaching search

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- N.C. Central is closer to naming its football coach and has narrowed its list to four candidates, according to sources and published reports.

The Durham Herald Sun said that school officials hope to name a coach by Dec. 19.

Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State was interviewed for the job this week.

The other candidates are Coach Dawson Odums of Southern, an N.C. Central alumnus; Jerry Mack, the wide receivers coach at South Alabama; and James Spady, the tight-ends coach at Nevada. Sources have confirmed that the other three have been interviewed or will be interviewed this week.

Odums, who led Southern to the SWAC championship, and Maynor have college head-coaching experience. Mack and Spady do not.

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North Carolina Central plans to talk with SU's Dawson Odums

SU''s HEAD FOOTBALL COACH DAWSON ODUMS
(Photo Courtesy Southern University Athletics)

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- North Carolina Central University has received permission to speak with Southern football coach Dawson Odums about its vacant head coaching position.

Jaguars spokesman Chris Jones confirmed late Wednesday night that athletic director William Broussard had granted permission to Odums’ alma mater to speak with him. WBRZ-TV had first reported that permission had been given.

Neither Broussard nor Odums immediately returned phone messages late Wednesday night.

Odums, a native of Shelby, N.C., guided Southern to its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in 10 years in his first full season as head coach as the Jaguars defeated Jackson State 34-27 in double overtime last Saturday in Houston.

Southern finished 9-4 this season and was 4-5 under Odums’ guidance as interim coach in 2012 after he was promoted from defensive coordinator when Stump Mitchell was fired after an 0-2 start. Odums has one year remaining on his contract.

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FSU's Joshua Dawson: Just a Freshman, Already a Leader

JOSHUA DAWSON
(Courtesy FSU Athletics)

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  -- The first gift Joshua Dawson ever received was a basketball goal. Soon after, he received a hoop.

It should come as no surprise then that now, 18 years later, Dawson is excelling on the hardwood.

The three-time state champion point guard at Kinston High School has had little problem transitioning to the college game. He currently averages 9.9 points and 6.3 assists per game for Fayetteville State. What's more, he's gotten the respect of the more veteran Broncos.

 "I had to be a leader in high school," Dawson said. "I was hoping I could come in and they'd want me to be a leader. That's what I like to do, I like to lead."

That leadership has been on display from the get-go this season. In his second collegiate game, Dawson scored 25 points in leading the Broncos to a win over Notre Dame College. He followed that performance up with four more double-digit scoring games in his next five contests. In his last three regular season games, Dawson has recorded 11, 10 and 11 assists against UNC Pembroke, Virginia-Lynchburg and Brevard College.

But even when he's struggled, such as perhaps early in an exhibition contest against Division I foe East Carolina, when he picked up two quick fouls and had to watch much of the first half from the bench, he's been the type of vocal leader coach Alphonza Kee hoped for.

"He's a guy who has been leading above his age since Day One," Kee said. "Even the high school coaches that talked to me, the opposition coaches who coached against him, said as an underclassman he was the same way. He's a unique guy who is just used to leadership and success. That's encouraging, that's maturing and winning. He wants to win at whatever he plays.

"You talk about recording seven assists and two turnovers (against ECU) in a game when you're in foul trouble. If he had gotten his regular minutes, he would've finished in double figures."

Dawson said he chose Fayetteville State in part because of the loyalty the coaching staff showed him from the beginning of the recruiting process.

"The coaches really came to see me every day," Dawson said. "It is close to home and my mom can come see my games, but the coaches really made an impact because they came to see me every week.
They just continued to come, continued to come, just kept talking to me."

Dawson quickly earned the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Rookie of the Week honor for the week ending November 30 after scoring 12 points and dishing 10 assists against Virginia-Lynchburg for his second consecutive double-double.

Dawson has also made his presence felt defensively. He's recorded 18 steals in eight games, good for the top total on the team.

"To be a great point guard, you have to be a great communicator," senior forward Paul Lane said. "Josh holds everything. He holds the communication ability, he holds the athleticism, he holds the skill, the talent and the work ethic. As long as you hold all those qualities, people will buy into you. And that's what he holds."

Dawson was well aware of the fact that the athletes would be bigger at this level. To prepare, the two-time area high school player of the year in Kinston spent plenty of time in the weight room and contacted a certain famous relative to help him transition to the next level. His great-uncle is Jerry Stackhouse, who played at the University of North Carolina and for 18 seasons in the NBA.

"Before I even came to college, I was calling him every day to see what I could do to become better," Dawson said. "However I can get better, that's how I want to get better. Knowing that he had to go through the same thing I'm going through, I called him a lot to see how I could get better."

Now his focus is on winning. The most-decorated player in his high school's history, Dawson has his aim set on helping the program get its first CIAA title since 1973.

"He's a winner and he wants to continue to be a winner," Kee said. "With his confidence, he's seen our vision and he believes in himself to help us get to that next level."

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alvin Wyatt takes reins of EWC football program

HEAD COACH ALVIN WYATT, Sr.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  -- Calling it “a golden opportunity to build a football program at a great university,” Jacksonville native Alvin Wyatt was named the 13th head football coach at Edward Waters College on Tuesday.

Wyatt served as interim head coach at EWC after Brad Bernard was fired on Oct. 22 following an 0-7 start for the Tigers. Wyatt guided the team to a 2-2 record in the final four games of the 2013 season.

He was head coach at Bethune-Cookman from 1997-2009 and compiled a 13-year record of 90-54, the most wins ever recorded by a B-CU coach. He was fired in 2009 after the Wildcats posted a 5-6 record, including a 42-6 loss to archrival Florida A&M in the season finale.

Wyatt was out of coaching for two years until Bernard hired him as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2012.

“This opportunity here today is best for me now. It’s what I’m fitted for,” Wyatt said. “It presents the same type of challenges that I had at Bethune-Cookman because I took over a program that was 2-9, 1-10 a couple times, plus they were on probation and had eight scholarships taken away in each of a four-year-period. We were able to turn that program around in one year.



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VSU says probe of fight will cost $26,500

RICHMOND — With Winston-Salem State University raising the stakes in the dispute, Virginia State University is spending $26,500 to investigate the fight last month that led to the cancellation of the CIAA championship football game.

Winston-Salem State has filed a complaint with the NCAA and CIAA seeking sanctions against VSU that include requiring the university to reimburse it for revenue lost when the game was canceled and money spent on preparations.

A WSSU spokeswoman said initial estimates put the loss at $35,000.

VSU spokesman Tom Reed said the university will not comment on WSSU's complaint until results from its investigation are received.

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Coppin State 91, UMBC 71

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- Coppin State posted its highest point total against a Division I opponent in nearly two calendar years, overwhelming Maryland-Baltimore County by a 91-71 margin Wednesday night at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore.

Forward Michael Murray, the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, poured in 21 points to lead the Eagles. All five Coppin State starters scored in double digits, and they combined for 83 points. The Eagles (4-4) topped 90 against a D-I foe for the first time since Jan. 23, 2012, when they dropped a 93-92 decision in overtime to North Carolina A&T.

Point guard Taariq Cephas had 18 points and seven assists for Coppin State, which got 17 points from shooting guard Sterling Smith, 15 from small forward Arnold Fripp and 12 from forward Brandon St. Louis.

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Southeastern Louisiana lacked control of athletics department

Decision has no impact on SLU's participation in NCAA FCS Football Championship Quarterfinals, as the Lions host New Hampshire on Saturday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Southeastern Louisiana University incorrectly certified the eligibility of student-athletes and demonstrated a lack of control over its athletics department, according to a decision announced today by the Division I Committee on Infractions. Over a five-year period, the university declared 137 student-athletes in all 16 sports eligible for practice, competition and scholarships when the student-athletes should have been declared academically ineligible. The university did not monitor the eligibility certification process, resulting in a lack of control over its athletics department.

Penalties in this case include a four-year probation period, scholarship reductions, a vacation of records and an outside audit of the university’s rules compliance system.

This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties collectively submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, university and involved individuals must agree to use the summary disposition process instead of having a formal hearing.

The certification issues began when the former compliance coordinator misunderstood progress-toward-degree requirements and did not ensure all the courses passed by student-athletes could be counted toward the hours necessary to receive the General Studies degree. These miscalculations resulted in a significant number of student-athletes participating while ineligible. When the former compliance coordinator left the university, the next compliance coordinator did not understand the certification system used by the previous coordinator and stated his concerns with the certification process to the former athletics director. Staff turnover continued and an associate athletics director then assumed the certification responsibilities. The former associate athletics director also stated concerns with the certification process and the lack of involvement by other university departments.

Southeastern Louisiana lacked control over its athletics department when it failed to monitor its certification process. Staff Members from outside the athletics department were not involved in the certification process, creating a lack of checks or other oversight to detect errors within its certification process. The university used an automated degree audit system as the primary source for certification information, but the system was not programmed to confirm NCAA eligibility. Adding to the university’s problems, the committee said, the former compliance coordinator’s misunderstanding of certain eligibility and university degree rules resulted in incorrect certifications.

When two staff members voiced concerns about the certification progress, the university did not take steps to investigate and correct the situation.

Penalties and measures include:

• Public reprimand and censure.
• Four years of probation from Dec. 10, 2013 through Dec. 9, 2017.
• Scholarship reductions for baseball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country/track and field, men’s golf, softball, soccer and volleyball. The public report further details the reductions.
• A vacation of wins from 2005-06 through 2009-10 in which ineligible student-athletes competed. The public report contains further details.
• Completion of an external audit, including an evaluation of eligibility monitoring, scholarship awarding and monitoring, rules education and the monitoring of recruiting activities.
• A fine of $25,000.

The members of the Division I Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case include Britton Banowsky, chair of the Committee on Infractions and commissioner of Conference USA; John Black, attorney; Greg Christopher, athletics director at Xavier University; Roscoe Howard Jr., attorney; James O’Fallon, law professor and faculty athletics representative at the University of Oregon; and Greg Sankey executive associate commissioner and chief operating officer for the Southeastern Conference.

COURTESY NCAA. ORG

VUU names ex-football coach Joe Taylor as athletic director

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University introduced former Panthers’ football coach Joe Taylor as the school’s athletic director today.

Taylor, 63, led the Division II Panthers 1984-91 to a 60-24-3 mark. For the next 16 seasons, Taylor was FCS member Hampton University’s highly successful coach (136-48-1). The Pirates won five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships and had only one losing season under Taylor. He was HU’s interim athletic director from 2005 to 2007.

Taylor moved to Florida A&M and went 35-19 in five seasons there. Taylor stepped down from the job late during the 2012 season.

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Division 2 national football championship moving to Kansas City in 2014

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- College football’s national championship is coming to the pitch. Well, the Division 2 college football championship that is.

For years the destination to crown the national champion in Division 2 football had been Florence, Alabama. That will change starting in 2014 when the national championship game moves to Kansas City’s Sporting Park, home of the MLS club Sporting Kansas City since 2011. The location change will be in effect from 2014 through the 2017 season, the NCAA announced Wednesday among a number of future championship sites for various sports.

The game had been played on the campus of North Alabama since 1986. Braly Municipal Stadium served as the host venue for the game, with a capacity of 14,215. The stadium is considered ...



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Ram Ramblings: Maynor's priority has always been family first

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- There was no news today on the Connell Maynor watch.

Maynor, who sources say interviewed for the N.C. Central job on Tuesday, is one of four candidates for the vacant head-coaching job in Durham.

For four seasons Maynor and his football team have raised the profile of WSSU thanks to a whole bunch of winning. Maynor is 45-6 in four seasons and while he’s been tempted to leave before for Division I jobs there seems to be a little more weight in this potential move.

On the one hand, Maynor would likely get a big raise from ...

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2013 SWAC Hall of Fame Highlights

HOUSTON, Texas -- Highlights of the 2013 SWAC Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Former Georgetown Hoya, Steve Martin Named Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Commissioner

COMMISSIONER STEVE MARTIN
GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  -- Steve Martin of New Orleans, La., has been named the next commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
.
Martin was selected by the GCAC Council of Presidents to become the conference's second commissioner. He will assume the office on January 2, 2014. Martin replaces Dr. Thomas Howell who is retiring from his role as commissioner.

"The COP welcomes Mr. Steve Martin as the new Commissioner for the GCAC," said Dr. Beverly Hogan, President of Tougaloo College and chair of the council of presidents. "He brings a breadth of experience and skills to this position that we are confident will enable the Conference to grow over the next few years. We look forward to working with him. And as we welcome Mr. Martin, we also want to express our appreciation to Dr. Howell who has served as the Commissioner for many years. He has provided exemplary leadership and services. He has agreed to remain with the Conference as eligibility chair."

"Steve Martin brings a wealth of experience to the GCAC," said Kiki Barnes, athletic director at Dillard University and president of the GCAC. "He has a vision and I will work closely with him to help that vision become a reality. We are excited that he is on board and look forward to transforming the GCAC into a premier conference in the NAIA."

Martin – who is a native of New Orleans – expressed excitement for this opportunity.

"I would like to thank the Council of Presidents for giving me the opportunity to undertake such a vital role as the Commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference," said Martin. "I look forward to working with each of the Universities and building on the foundation that has been established by Dr. Thomas Howell".

Martin attended St. Augustine High School and graduated from Georgetown University. He has an extensive background in accounting, business, finance, marketing and sports administration.

Before beginning his successful career in the administrative side of athletics, Martin enjoyed success on the basketball court. He was an All-American, an All-State selection and a city MVP during his time at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. From there, he went on to become the first player from New Orleans to be recruited by Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson at Georgetown.

Martin was selected by the Clarion Herald as one of the top 100 prep basketball players in the City of New Orleans, as well as the State of Louisiana. After earning a bachelor's degree in business administration (with an emphasis in accounting), Martin was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1979.

After college, Martin worked with Ernst & Ernst accounting firm in Washington, D.C. from 1979-80. He then worked as Manager of Accounting for the Machinists National Pension Fund from 1980-82. In 1982, he returned to his native New Orleans as Manager of Accounting for the New Orleans World Exposition and World's Fair, and from there joined the National Basketball Association League office in 1985 to 2000, where he served as marketing manager and was responsible for several of the league's successful sponsorship programs and implemented several of the league's grass roots programs.

From 2000-2002 Martin served as Athletic Director at Dillard University. When the New Orleans Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2000, he was called upon to take on the role of Senior Vice President. In this capacity he was responsible for establishing partnerships as well as developing and implementing community outreach programs throughout the Gulf Coast Region. Martin recently held the position of General Manager Gone Pro New Orleans.

Martin is married to Stacy and they have two adult children.

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference has nine full-time members. The membership includes Dillard (La.) University, Edward Waters (Fla.) College, Fisk (Tenn.) University, Philander Smith (Ark.) College, Southern (La.) University at New Orleans, Talladega (Ala.) College, Tougaloo (Miss.) College, Voorhees (SC) College and Xaiver University of Louisiana.



COURTESY THE GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Foundation in Place, WVSU Football Ready to Move Forward

 Jon Anderson, Head Football Coach
West Virginia State University
 

INSTITUTE, West Virginia  -- Though the weather may be turning cold and the skies gray the future looks bright for the West Virginia State football program.

 

"We laid our foundation of minimum expectations for playing hard with great effort and technique," WVSU Head Coach Jon Anderson said. "We improved throughout the season with our basic offense and defense and the big thing is we gained in football IQ."

 

Traditionally building or rebuilding any athletic program requires certain cornerstones be in place after a season ends for a good, strong, foundation to be in place.

 

First of all the team should be playing its best ball at the end of the season.

 

The Yellow Jackets certainly were as the final game against Glenville State was their best outing of the year.  They gained 365 total yards, 121 more than the Pioneers, and were poised to score the game winning touchdown when time expired. Perhaps even more important, the players were upbeat and determined.

         

Also, a team should have several underclassmen in the lineup gaining valuable experience.

A total of 14 starters in that final game were either freshmen or sophomores. Another four were juniors. Many made significant contributions.

"We had some individuals who proved themselves as play makers," Anderson said, "and we did a whole lot of growing up."

 

Though the Yellow Jackets will still be young next season there will also be plenty of experienced players around. "This group has bought into the process," Anderson said. "I'm very proud of the progress this team made from that standpoint."

 

It is also very important for there to be some areas of strength for the program to build around. The Jackets certainly had those. Even though there was only one senior in the mix the WVSU defensive backfield was among the best in the country all season. The Yellow Jackets finished tied for 10^th in the nation with 19 pass interceptions. Sophomore Romell Haley  and senior Dom Matthews tied for ninth nationally with six each.

 

Placekicker Josh Reuber was named the Mountain East Conference Special Teams Player of the Week in the final week. The freshman converted 13 of 16 field goal attempts and ranked 10^th in the country in field goals per game.

 

Finally, there should be improvements in facilities in the works. A new, $2.1 million, facilities building is scheduled to be open at Dickerson Stadium by the 2014 season with a new weight room, locker room, and coaches' offices. A new training room was completed this year and a new dormitory is under construction and scheduled to be open by fall of 2014, also.

 

So after finishing the 2013 season on a positive note, giving plenty of young players valuable experience, fielding a nationally ranked defensive unit, and with facility improvements on the way the foundation for success has been laid.

 

So what is next?

 

Recruiting is up first.  "We need to go out and recruit our region and find good high school players who want to help us build this tradition," Anderson said. "We have a lot of exciting things going on."

 

He and his staff are already on the road attending games, observing players, and talking to coaches.

 

Then comes offseason conditioning and spring practice.  "I'm very excited to work with the group of young kids in our program that will be going through their first offseason," Anderson said.

 

Though he points out "there is no quick fix" Anderson is happy with the course the WVSU football program is on. "The coaching staff is very committed to staying the course and sticking to our plan," he said. "That is teaching the guys not only the X's and O's but to become a championship football team."

 

The National Letter of Intent signing period for football begins on February 5.

 

The Yellow Jackets open the 2014 season at home against Lock Haven on September 6.

COURTESY WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Northern Iowa Dunks Savannah State, 55-50

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team improved to 4-5 on the season with a 55-50 win over Savannah State on Tuesday in the McLeod Center.

UNI junior Seth Tuttle led the Panther scoring effort with 17 points.

"Seth had a good start," UNI head coach Ben Jacobson said. "He played well early and he was aggressive."

The Panthers led 26-25 at the break after trailing by four midway through the first half. UNI earned its biggest lead of the night with 4:32 left in the game at 47-38. Savannah State (2-8 overall) cut the lead to three with :02 left in the game but Tuttle hit a pair of free throws with 0.4 seconds left to ice the victory.



UNI will play host to VCU on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the McLeod Center. Fans are encouraged to wear white for a White Out in McLeod. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

NOTES: UNI has made at least three 3-pointers in 90 consecutive games ... UNI forced Savannah State into 21 turnovers ... UNI improved to 2-0 all-time vs. Savannah State ... the only other previous meeting came in the 1978-79 season when the Panthers notched a 93-81 win over the Tigers.

 

    Box Score 

 

UNI MBB vs. Savannah State (photos by Cole Bair)

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Rush extend poll streak -- it's the longest in NAIA D-I

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is 25th in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25  announced Tuesday.

The Gold Rush (7-3) are in the top 25 for the 26th consecutive time -- that's the longest active streak in this division -- and the 39th time in the last 40 polls. This is the first poll of the regular season; Xavier ranked 19th in the preseason.

Xavier's most notable victory this season was 90-80 in overtime at home against then-10th-ranked William Carey one week ago. The Gold Rush erased a 16-point second-half deficit to give the Crusaders their first loss of the season.

For the first time since Feb. 15, 2010, there are three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference teams in the top 25. Talladega (11th) and Philander Smith (14th) joined Xavier in the rankings. It's the first time since Jan. 25, 2010, that the GCAC has two teams in the top 14.

Columbia (Mo.) climbed from No. 4 to No. 1 after receiving 8-of-10 first-place votes.

Xavier will conclude final exams of the fall semester on Friday, then play three road games before Christmas -- 4 p.m. Saturday at city rival Loyola, Dec. 17 at Spring Hill and Dec. 19 at 17th-ranked Faulkner. The XU men will play six straight on the road before their next home game at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 against GCAC and city rival SUNO, which received votes in this week's poll and is 31st.

The next top 25 will be announced Jan. 7.

The top 25:

1. Columbia (Mo.)
2. Georgetown (Ky.)
3. (tie) Pikeville
3. (tie) Southwestern Assemblies of God
5. Evangel
6. Arizona Christian
7. John Brown
8. Cal State San Marcos
9. William Carey
10. Rocky Mountain
11. Talladega
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. Benedictine (Kan.)
14. Philander Smith
15. Freed-Hardeman
16. Montana State Northern
17. Faulkner
18. Culver-Stockton
19. St. Gregory's
20. (tie) Life
20. (tie) Wiley
22. Hope International
23. Cumberland
24. Martin Methodist
25. Xavier

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

Nuggets fall out of top 25 after 45 consecutive appearances

NEW ORLEANS -- After 45 consecutive appearances, Xavier University of Louisiana dropped out of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 on Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets (6-5) received 22 points -- they needed 59 to remain in the top 25 -- and are 29th overall. It's the first time since Jan. 18, 2010, that they aren't in the top 25. Xavier ranked 15th in the preseason.

Preseason No. 1 Vanguard maintained its position after receiving 9-of-10 first-place votes. No. 2 Oklahoma City -- a 72-70 overtime winner at home against Xavier on Nov. 29 -- received the other first-place vote.

The next top 25 will be announced Jan. 7.

Xavier will complete its final exams of the fall semester on Friday, then play in San Juan, Puerto, Rico, against UPR-Bayamon on Monday and American-Puerto Rico the following day. The Gold Nuggets' next home games will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 30 against Mobile and 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 against Faulkner in the Xavier Classic.

The top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Oklahoma City
3. Freed-Hardeman
4. Westminster (Utah)
5. Georgetown (Ky.)
6. MidAmerica Nazarene
7. Cambellsville (Ky.)
8. Westmont
9. Oklahoma Baptist
10. Bethel (Tenn.)
11. Our Lady of the Lake
12. The Master's
13. Talladega
14. Coastal Georgia
15. Benedictine (Kan.)
16. Carroll (Mont.)
17. John Brown
18. Wiley
19. Central Methodist
20. Cumberlands
21. Columbia (Mo.)
22. Cumberland
23. Emmanuel (Ga.)
24. Montana State Northern
25. William Woods


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

SACSCOC Removes FAMU from Probation

ATLANTA – Earlier today, at its annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga., the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) lifted the 12-month probation status placed upon Florida A&M University (FAMU) in December 2012. No further reports are required from the university.

“We are extremely pleased with the decision by SACSCOC to remove the probation sanction, which signifies that Florida A&M University is in compliance with the standards of the regional accrediting body,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. “As a member institution of SACSCOC, we fully appreciate the peer review process and we are committed to continuing the work needed to maintain the high standards of the commission.”  

Robinson acknowledged that it took a comprehensive university-wide effort led by teams of dedicated faculty, staff and students that worked tirelessly outside of the limelight to help the university address the SACSCOC concerns.

“I would like to thank our Board of Trustees for their guidance and support and the FAMU SACS Leadership Team for their dedication and persistence. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our students, faculty and staff who made invaluable contributions that helped bring about this positive outcome.”

FAMU expects to receive a letter from SACSCOC in January 2014 confirming today’s announcement.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Hearing for former VSU player continued

RICHMOND, Virginia  -- A hearing was continued Monday for a former Virginia State University football player accused of assaulting Winston-Salem State University’s quarterback for last month.

Lamont Darnell Britt, 22, of Portsmouth, Va., was charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury in connection with an attack on Rams quarterback Rudy Johnson during the CIAA awards luncheon on the WSSU campus Nov. 15.

The CIAA football championship game between WSSU and VSU was cancelled. WSSU filed a complaint last week with the NCAA and CIAA, asking that sanctions be imposed against Virginia State University. In the complaint, WSSU says five Virginia State University football players beat up Johnson.

Britt, who has been suspended from the team, is the only VSU player who was criminally charged in the assault. Johnson told authorities that up to six VSU players attacked him but he identified only Britt to WSSU campus police.

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Ram Ramblings: Open season on Maynor is here again

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- It’s that time again when Winston-Salem State fans hold their breath while waiting for Connell Maynor to leave.

It’s become a ritual over the last four seasons because of the success of Maynor and the Rams.

What is different this time around is WSSU is no longer playing because of a second-round exit in the Division II playoffs on Nov. 30. That means schools who are interested in Maynor could talk to him now instead of waiting for Rams’ season to end later in December.

And that’s a big issue because by the time the Rams finished playing in 2011 and 2012 in mid or late December a lot of coaching jobs, at least at the Division I level, were already filled. This year those jobs - such as the one at N.C. Central - are very much open.

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