XU Nuggets, after beating a top-10 team, move up to 23rd

NEW ORLEANS -- A 66-50 home victory against top-10 Talladega helped Xavier University of Louisiana climb from 25th to 23rd in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 on Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets (16-6, 6-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) are in the top 25 for the second consecutive week and the third time in six polls this season. They've won four straight and 12 of their last 13 games, and they've won 15 straight at home dating to January 2013.

Talladega dropped from 10th to 11th.

Xavier has three victories against teams in this week's top 25 -- the others are No. 24 Mobile and No. 25 LSU-Shreveport.

The top nine teams are the same as last week, and Vanguard continued its season-long reign at No. 1.

New rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Feb. 4).

The top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Freed-Hardeman
3. Westminster (Utah)
4. MidAmerica Nazarene
5. Oklahoma Baptist
6. Georgetown (Ky.)
7. Oklahoma City
8. Campbellsville
9. The Master's
10. Our Lady of the Lake
11. Talladega
12. Wiley
13. Lewis-Clark State
14. Westmont
15. Columbia (Mo.)
16. Bethel (Tenn.)
17. (tie) Hope International
17. (tie) Montana State-Northern
19. John Brown
20. Baker
21. Cumberlands
22. Martin Methodist
23. Xavier
24. Mobile
25. LSU-Shreveport

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Gold Rush climb again in NAIA poll, this time to 13th

NEW ORLEANS -- Coach Dannton Jackson repeatedly has described the 2013-14 season of his Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team as a journey. The Gold Rush on Tuesday continued their upward journey in the NAIA Division I Coaches' Top 25, moving three places to 13th.

It's the first time since the 2003-04 season that the Gold Rush (16-5, 5-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have climbed in four consecutive polls. Xavier has won 11 of its last 13 games, including 5-of-6 on the road. The Rush have excelled with six newcomers, four returning lettermen, two redshirt freshmen and no returning starters from the previous season.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 30th consecutive time -- the longest active streak in the division -- and the 43rd time in the last 44 polls.

The GCAC has three top-25 teams for the fifth consecutive week. Talladega is seventh, and Philander Smith is 20th.

Cal State San Marcos and Freed-Hardeman share the top position. New rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Feb. 4).

Freezing precipitation forced Xavier to postpone its Tuesday home game against Belhaven. Xavier will visit Tougaloo at 5 p.m. Saturday in the first of four straight Gold Rush road games. Xavier will visit Philander Smith on Monday.

The top 25:

1. (tie) Cal State San Marcos
1. (tie) Freed-Hardeman
3. Pikeville
4. Southwestern Assemblies of God
5. William Carey
6. Columbia (Mo.)
7. Talladega
8. Concordia (Calif.)
9. Benedictine (Kan.)
10. Evangel
11. Emmanuel (Ga.)
12. Vanguard
13. Xavier
14. Rio Grande
15. Culver-Stockton
16. Mid-America Christian
17. LSU-Shreveport
18. Georgetown (Ky.)
19. Montana Western
20. Philander Smith
21. Wiley
22. St. Gregory's
23. Hope International
24. Martin Methodist
25. (tie) Great Falls
25. (tie) Arizona Christian

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions: Clark Atlanta University failed to monitor its athletics department

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  -- Clark Atlanta University failed to monitor its athletics department, according to findings by the Division II Committee on Infractions. The majority of the violations in this case occurred in the men’s basketball program. An assistant coach and a former men’s basketball volunteer coach acted unethically and provided impermissible benefits to student-athletes in cash, airline tickets and meals, according to the case findings. The former head men’s basketball coach failed to monitor both the assistant coach and former volunteer coach. Additionally, three student-athletes were allowed to compete while ineligible.

The penalties, including those imposed by the university, include three years of probation and a vacation of wins in which ineligible student-athletes competed. The former head coach and former volunteer coach each received a one-year show-cause order, and the assistant coach received a two-year show-cause order. If any of the three coaches seeks employment at an NCAA member school during the show-cause period, the school must agree to follow any
conditions on the coach’s athletically related duties as detailed in the public report.

Download the report: Clark Atlanta University Public Infractions Report 1/24/14.

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 former volunteer coach provided impermissible benefits to student-athletes on several occasions between August 2011 and March 2012. He used personal funds to provide the men’s basketball team impermissible meals worth approximately $200. In addition, he arranged for a student-athlete to obtain a round trip airline ticket for a discount of approximately $750 to $1,250. He also arranged for four student-athletes to receive cash benefits totaling approximately $4,600 to $4,800, with each receiving $1,000 or more.

The assistant coach obtained a student-athlete’s personal identification number from the school’s registrar, which enabled the student-athlete to register for courses in a manner outside the established registration procedure, thus enabling the student-athlete to remain eligible for practice and competition.

Both the assistant coach and former volunteer coach violated NCAA ethical conduct rules when they knowingly provided impermissible benefits to student-athletes and provided false or misleading information about their involvement.

This case also included violations in the women’s tennis program. During the 2010-11 academic year, a women’s tennis student-athlete competed while ineligible, after transferring from another school and before completing a year of residence at the university. Further, she competed during the 2011-12 academic year, after completing four seasons of competition and exhausting her eligibility.

Penalties include:

• Public reprimand and censure.
• Three years of probation from January 24, 2014, through January 23, 2017. (The university proposed a one-year probationary period for the basketball and tennis programs).
• A $5,000 fine.
• A vacation of all men’s basketball wins in which student-athletes competed while ineligible (imposed by the school).
• A revocation of the 2011 SIAC Conference Championship for women’s tennis (imposed by the school).
• A one-year show-cause order for the former head coach. The public report contains the further details.
• A two-year show-cause order for the assistant coach. The public report contains the further details.
• A one-year show-cause order for the former volunteer coach. The public report contains the further details.
• A limit of nine total athletics scholarships for the men’s basketball program for the 2014-15 academic year, a reduction of one.
• A limit of four total athletics scholarships for the women's tennis program for the 2014-15 academic year, a reduction of two.
• An external audit of the school’s athletics program must be conducted. 

Members of the Division II Committee on Infractions are drawn from NCAA membership and members of the public. The members of the committee who reviewed this case are Douglas D. Blais, faculty athletic representative, Southern New Hampshire University; Jean Paul Bradshaw II, attorney; Bridget Lyons, senior associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, Barry University; Julie A. Rochester, chair of the DII Committee on Infractions and faculty athletic representative and associate professor, Northern Michigan University; Carey J. Snyder, associate director of athletics, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania; and Jane Teixeira, assistant compliance commissioner and senior woman administrator, Pacific West Conference.

Former NFL players from Oklahoma weigh in on concussion settlement and share their experiences

Michael L. Garrett
Athletic Director
Langston University

Former OSU player Rusty Hilger, former Sooners Steve Zabel and Jimbo Elrod, and Langston AD Mike Garrett talk about the settlement and their time in the NFL.

LANGSTON, Oklahoma --  Before the 2013 season, the NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle a lawsuit in which former players contended league officials knew about the dangers of concussions.

Almost six months later, the case drags on for 4,500 former players, including former Oklahoma State quarterback Rusty Hilger. The Southeast High product got involved in the lawsuit after talking to former OU running back Marcus Dupree's attorney.

One condition to the proposed settlement is this can't be viewed as an admission of guilt by the NFL.

“The cover-up is what bothers me,” said Hilger, who played five NFL seasons. “I was knocked completely out three times. Now we know a real concussion basically is when you see stars. I had 15 or 20 or more of those.”

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Jackson State football to play FAMU in 2014

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- Jackson State’s 2014 football schedule hasn’t officially been released. But there are a few things we are certain about that bring anticipation to the upcoming season.

1) Jackson State will host Florida A&M: JSU and FAMU are set for Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium. It’s uncertain if this will be JSU’s season and/or home opener, but the Rattlers will be in town. The game brings back some history of the Orange Blossom Classic, an unofficial championship game for all-black colleges. (Here’s a neat New York Times article about the Orange Blossom Classic).  JSU faced FAMU twice in the classic, losing in 1961 but avenging that loss the following season. The two met again in the ...

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Gold Nuggets' No. 3 rank is their highest in preseason

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is No. 3 in the NAIA Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday. That's the best-ever preseason ranking for the Gold Nuggets, whose previous high was 13th in 2013 and 2007.

Xavier spent the final seven polls of 2013 in the top 10, including three consecutive times at No. 1. The Gold Nuggets were third in the postseason poll after becoming the first XU team in any sport to reach the semifinals of an NAIA National Championship.

Coupled with the No. 6 ranking of the Gold Rush, it makes Xavier one of three schools -- Auburn Montgomery and Lindsey Wilson are the others -- with both tennis teams in the 2014 preseason top six.

The Gold Nuggets, 19-8 a year ago, will open the season at 2 p.m. on Feb. 7 against city rival Loyola at the XU Tennis Center. That dual originally was scheduled for Saturday. The Nuggets' schedule includes seven dual matches against the NAIA preseason top 25, including No. 1 Auburn Montgomery, No. 2 William Carey, No. 4 Lindsey Wilson and No. 6 Brenau.

Xavier was 12-1 in 2013 against ranked opponents, including victories on consecutive days against Auburn Montgomery and William Carey.

Auburn Montgomery, the two-time defending national champion, was a unaminous choice for the top spot. It's the 12th time in the last 14 years that the Warhawks are preseason No. 1.

The top 25:

1. Auburn Montgomery
2. William Carey
3. Xavier
4. Lindsey Wilson
5. SCAD Savannah
6. Brenau
7. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
8. Northwood (Fla.)
9. Lewis-Clark State
10. Vanguard
11. Oklahoma Baptist
12. Westmont
13. Concordia (Calif.)
14. SCAD Atlanta
15. Olivet Nazarene
16. Indiana Wesleyan
17. Coastal Georgia
18. Cumberland
19. Milligan
20. Georgia Gwinnett
21. Campbellsville
22. Marian (Ind.)
23. Southeastern (Fla.)
24. Davenport
25. Bethel (Kan.)

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Gold Rush in preseason top 10 for 3rd consecutive year

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is tied for sixth with Lindsey Wilson in the NAIA Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The NAIA announced rankings Tuesday.

The Gold Rush are in the preseason top 10 for the third consecutive year. It's the highest-ever preseason ranking for the XU men, who are in the top 10 for the 21st consecutive time. They ranked a program-record fifth in the 2013 postseason.

Coupled with the Gold Nuggets' No. 3 ranking, it makes Xavier one of three schools -- Auburn Montgomery and Lindsey Wilson are the others -- with both tennis teams in the 2014 preseason top six.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 51st consecutive time. That streak began April 4, 2007.

The Gold Rush -- 15-8 in 2013 and an NAIA National Championship quarterfinalist each of the past two years -- will open the season at 3 p.m. Friday at NCAA Division I member Nicholls State. Xavier's schedule includes eight dual matches against the NAIA preseason top 25, including No. 2 Auburn Montgomery, No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett, Lindsey Wilson and No. 8 Cumberland.

The home opener for both Xavier teams will be Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. against city rival Loyola at the XU Tennis Center. Those duals were pushed back from Saturday.

Defending champion Embry-Riddle (Fla.) was unanimously chosen No. 1. It's the second consecutive year that the Eagles top the preseason rankings.

The top 25:

1. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Vanguard
4. Westmont
5. Georgia Gwinnett
6. (tie) Xavier
6. (tie) Lindsey Wilson
8. Cumberland
9. Aquinas
10. Bethany
11. Bethel (Tenn.)
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. Belhaven
14. Graceland
15. William Carey
16. Northwestern Ohio
17. Northwood (Fla.)
18. Oklahoma Baptist
19. Warner
20. Lewis-Clark State
21. Pikeville
22. Olivet Nazarene
23. Cambellsville
24. Davenport
25. McPherson

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Winston-Salem State Announces 2014 Football Schedule

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics has released its 2014 football schedule. Winston-Salem State finished 10-2 in 2013, and made its third consecutive trip to the NCAA DII playoffs. The schedule features two opponents that made the 2013 NCAA DII playoffs and another challenging Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association schedule of games.

Winston-Salem State University will open the 2014 season at home in Bowman Gray Stadium against 2013 playoff participant, the UNC Pembroke Braves on September 6th. The Braves defeated the Rams to open the 2013 season in Pembroke before WSSU went on to win 10 games in a row before losing in the playoffs. UNCP was a 2013 NCAA DII playoff participant. Winston-Salem State holds a 3-1 season lead over the Braves.

The following week, September 13, 2014, The Rams will take to the road to face Valdosta State University at Cantrell Stadium on the campus of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. The game will be a rematch of the 2012 NCAA DII National Championship game that saw the Blazers defeat the Rams 35-7. Valdosta State holds a 1-0 series lead over the Rams.

WSSU will return home for the third week of the season, as they will host the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University at Bowman Gray Stadium. The September 20th matchup will be a rematch of the 2013 Cleveland Classic that saw the WSSU Rams defeat Tuskegee 35-13. The Golden Tigers were a 2013 NCAA DII playoff participant for the first time. Tuskegee holds a 2-1 series lead over the Rams.

"Our first three games will be a big challenge for the program in the non-conference portion of the schedule", says head coach Kienus Boulware. All of these schools that have played in the NCAA playoffs within the past couple season, but we look forward to the tough challenge", stated Boulware.

Winston-Salem State will open conference play on September 27th, when the Rams will host the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University at Bowman Gray Stadium. Winston-Salem State has won four games in a row in the series, and holds a 38-15-2 series advantage over the Vikings.

As the month of October rolls around, the Rams will hit the road for consecutive games. On October 4th, WSSU will travel to Murfreesboro, N.C. to take on the Hawks of Chowan University. The Rams have won consecutive games over Chowan in the series, and lead the overall series by that 2-0 margin.

"Elizabeth City and Chowan and are back on our CIAA conference schedule.  We have played them before but will have to; and ECSU has a powerful running game, but Chowan has a high powered passing attack, so we will have to adjust our focus for teams that have different styles", added Boulware.

The following week, October 11th, WSSU will travel to Charlotte, N.C. to face the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith. The Rams has won 13 consecutive games over the Golden Bulls, including a 44-17 win in 2013. Winston-Salem State leads the series record against the Golden Bulls, 40-21-4.

The Rams will return home to the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium on October 18th for Homecoming 2014, as the WSSU Rams will host St. Augustine's University. WSSU has won two straight in the series and holds a slight 13-11-2 overall series record against the Falcons.

WSSU will finish up the month of October by hosting the Livingstone College Blue Bears on October 25th for Senior Day at Bowman Gray Stadium.  Winston-Salem State has won 11 consecutive games versus the Blue Bears, including this past season's 40-0 win. WSSU holds a 37-11-1 series advantage over Livingstone.

November 1st, Winston-Salem State will travel to Raleigh, N.C. to take on the Bears of Shaw University. The Rams have won three straight versus Shaw including this past season's tilling 28-24 win. WSSU leads the series 10-7-2.

Winston-Salem State will wrap up the regular season will a CIAA showdown against Fayetteville State on November 8th. The Rams have won five consecutive versus the Broncos, including this season's 28-14 win. The Rams lead the series 46-13-3.

"Being on the road for the final two CIAA games will be challenging for us.  Fayetteville State is never an easy environment to play in and Shaw is always a tough challenge", Boulware concluded.  "Both Shaw and Fayetteville State played us very tough last season at home, and we know that going on the road will be a test for us."

2014 Winston-Salem State University Schedule

Date Opponent Time
September
Sat 6 UNC Pembroke 6:00 PM
Sat 13 at Valdosta State   TBA
Sat 20 Tuskegee TBA
Sat 27 Elizabeth City State* 6:00 PM
 
October
Sat 4 at Chowan * TBA
Sat 11 at Johnson C. Smith * TBA
Sat 18 St. Augustine's * Homecoming 1:30 PM
Sat 25 Livingstone * 1:30 PM

November
Sat 1 at Shaw * TBA
Sat 8 at Fayetteville State * TBA
Sat 15  CIAA Championship Game
 
Home games in bold.
* Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Game

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Davis Pushes NCCU To Last Second Victory Over MSU

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  With the hoop and harm by junior Racquel Davis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) at the six second mark, the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team (8-11, 3-3 MEAC) pulled off the 50-48 victory over the Morgan State Lady Bears (2-17, 0-6 MEAC), as the Lady Eagles finished 2-2 during their four-game road stand on Monday, Jan. 27 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Down by one with 25 seconds left in the game, junior Khyra Conerly (Oakland, Calif.) dished to Davis on the block. After missing her first shot attempt as the clocked ticked, Davis collected her own offensive rebound and fired a second shot, counting the basket, and earning a foul from MSU's Britashia Burns.

The made bucket put the Lady Eagles back up by one and Davis' fourth made shot from the foul line sealed the two-point lead for NCCU with six seconds left on the game clock.



Davis earned her eighth double-double of the season with a team second-best 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 shooting from the charity stripe while pulling down a game-best 11 boards and also collecting three steals.

Senior Jessica Freeman (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a game-high 20 points during the Lady Eagle victory, pulled down an additional seven boards, dished two helpers and grasped two steals while Conerly added 10 NCCU points.

Never earning a lead during the first half of action, the Lady Eagles took a five-point shortage into the locker room at the half, trailing the Lady Bears, 30-25.

MSU pulled ahead by as many as ten during the second twenty minutes of play before Freeman knocked down two free throws with 6:14 left in the game, giving NCCU its first lead of the contest.

The lead shifted back and forth four more times during the final six minutes of action before Davis' extra point gave the Lady Eagles the two-point conference victory over the Lady Bears, 50-48.

Tracey Carrington led MSU with 18 points while Dinah Jones pulled down a Lady Bears best seven rebounds.

As a team, NCCU shot 16-for-47 from the field (34.0%), 1-for-6 from behind the arc (16.7%) and 17-for-26 from the free throw line (65.4%) while pulling down 40 boards, dishing nine assists, and collecting two blocks and seven steals.

The Lady Eagles hit the road for a weekend Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series at Howard in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Feb. 1 and at Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md., on Feb. 3.

Box Score 

Written By Andrea Wheeler, Assistant Sports Information Director

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: NCCU.EDU
VISIT: NCCUEAGLEPRIDE.COM

Comeback win puts N.C. Central atop the MEAC

DURHAM, North Carolina  — N.C. Central snatched control of its postseason destiny with a razor-thin comeback win against Morgan State in front of a McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium crowd that gave the Bears an earful.

The 53-52 victory put the Eagles in first-place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. That potentially bodes well for seeding purposes in the MEAC Tournament, from which the winner gets the league’s lone berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Morgan State led by 13 points early in the second half.

Then NCCU started chopping wood.

“We came in here and got punched in the mouth early,” NCCU coach LeVelle Moton said. “We got punched in the mouth, again. Sometimes to win a championship you’ve got to prove that you can take a punch.”

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Texas Southern rallies past UAPB 72-71

HOUSTON, Texas  — Aaric Murray scored 34 points, including four of Texas Southern's final six points, as the Tigers beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 72-71 on Monday.

Madarious Gibbs made two game-winning free throws with 1:09 remaining to complete the Texas Southern rally and Arkansas-Pine Bluff missed three shots in the final minute.

D'Aris Scarver, averaging 21.4 points per game, was 1 of 10 from the field and finished with just three points for Texas Southern (9-10, 5-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference).

Marcel Mosley and Daniel Broughton scored 17 points apiece for Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-15, 2-5). Tevin Hammond had 15 points, eight rebounds, while Ghiavonni Robinson and DaVon Haynes added 11 each for the Golden Lions.

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Read more here: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/01/27/3463506/texas-southern-rallies-past-ark.html#storylink=cpy

Southern women roll again

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The Southern women’s basketball team made short work of their opponent for the second time in three days.

The Jaguars built a 20-point halftime lead and coasted to a 60-44 victory over Alabama State on Monday night in the Clark Activity Center. On Saturday they raced to a 29-point halftime lead in an 81-59 victory against Alabama A&M.

Southern (11-5 and 8-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference) hosts Alcorn State on Saturday. The Hornets are 9-8 and 2-4.

It was the fewest points allowed by the Jaguars this season. The previous low came in a 63-56 victory against Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 11.

It also was the fewest points scored by ASU in a ...

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Southern men handle Alabama State

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Southern men’s basketball team extended its lead in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with a 68-55 victory against second-place Alabama State on Monday night in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

The Jaguars shot 56 percent in the second half to pull away after leading by six at halftime.

At 11-10, Southern raised its record above the break-even mark for the first time this season and improved to 7-1 in the SWAC. The Jaguars host Alcorn State on Saturday.

The Hornets, now tied with Texas Southern for second, fell to 11-7 and 5-2.

“As much as I tried to downplay this game, I still think ...

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SCSU delays recruiting visits in wake of shooting

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- A star-studded group of high school football seniors, which included three Shrine Bowl selections, were expected to visit South Carolina State today.

Friday’s on-campus shooting which resulted in the death of Bulldog linebacker Brandon Robinson apparently prompted the team to postpone this weekend’s final recruiting activities until next week. South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough was unavailable for comment on either issue Friday.

A total of 13 prospects were expected in Orangeburg this weekend, including fullback/linebacker Damu Ford (5-11, 240 lbs.) of two-time Class 2-A Division I champion Dillon, defensive tackle Naquez Pringle (6-2, 315) of Carvers Bay and fullback/middle linebacker Josh Harlan (6-0) of Spring Valley.

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Pough helping Bulldogs cope with loss of teammate

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  From a sports perspective, a coach is defined as “a person who trains or directs athletes or athletic teams.”

In many ways, there’s more to the job title than what’s listed in the dictionary. The daily tasks of a coach often go beyond providing on-field instructions and making sure players are up to speed for an upcoming game.

Oftentimes, coaches must play the role of a surrogate parent. In college, they have as much personal contact and interaction with the student-athletes, over a 4-5 year span at the school, as the parents, and are sometimes leaned on to provide guidance and emotional support.

This is the position South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough finds himself in ...

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Karl Morgan Tapped as Coahoma’s New Football Coach



COURTESY COAHOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

CLARKSDALE, Mississippi  --  On Monday afternoon during a press conference held in the Vivian M. Presley Administration Building, Coahoma Community College announced that their next football coach would be former UCLA Bruins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Karl Morgan. The former NFL defensive tackle has 20-plus years of coaching experience, most recently as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State.

Morgan will take the reins from Coach Freeman Horton, who had led the program since 2001.

“One thing I can promise you, I will give you 100 percent every day that I am here,” Morgan told the crowd of alumni, media and community members present. “I was excited about the motivation to win here, I could feel that everyone here is serious about turning this program around and I’m glad to be able to be a part of that.”

Coach Morgan spent three years with the Delta Devils program. Before coaching at Valley, he spent five years as the defensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama during which his teams were an impressive 55-10 that included a Gulf South Conference Championship and five NCAA Division II playoff berths.

“We are elated to have someone of Coach Morgan’s stature here at Coahoma, and we are excited to usher in a new era that begins with him,” said CCC President Dr. Valmadge Towner. “This new era is going to be known as the ‘WWW’ era, which stands for ‘We Will Win’.”

Morgan’s best season at MVSU was in 2012 when the Delta Devils finished 5-4 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The new Tigers head coach has also had coaching stints at Nicholls State, Southern University, Purdue and Arkansas State. He served as the defensive coordinator at Alcorn State in 2001 and at Hampton from 2002-04.

While at North Alabama as its defensive coordinator, Morgan worked under Coach Terry Bowden.

Morgan will be tasked with turning around a Tigers program that finished with just one win in 2013 while playing in arguably the toughest junior college conference in the country. The MACJC boasted three teams in the National Top 10 at season’s end — including National Champion East Mississippi. Five MACJC teams finished in the Top 20.

“There are four steps to winning, first you lose big, then you lose by a little, then you win by a little, and then you win big,” Morgan told his supporters. “That’s what we are going to do, start progressing forward. I am not going to make huge promises, I am just going to promise that you will have my best each and every day.”

Ram Ramblings: WSSU football schedule is out

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State unveiled its football schedule for 2014 and once again it would appear the hardest part for the Rams will be the nonconference games.

I can say that because WSSU has won 24 straight against CIAA opponents (one of those wins was a designated non-conference game against Elizabeth City State in 2011). With the talent coming back the Rams should be favored again for the CIAA title, something that they have won two years in a row. (Last season’s CIAA title game was cancelled.)

Coach Kienus Boulware’s Rams will open at home against UNC Pembroke then play at a high-school stadium near Atlanta against Valdosta State, the 2012 national champions. They will follow that up with a home game against Tuskegee.

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Black Men as College Athletes: The Real Win-Loss Record

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Frustrated by the endless grumbling about black men's failures, I have spent much of my career examining how black men get to college and what helps them succeed. We now have hard data, and many of the most effective strategies cost relatively little.

So I am particularly troubled that major collegiate athletics programs, known for generating significant revenue for their institutions, do not use proven methods to get their black male athletes through baccalaureate-degree programs and prepared for careers beyond professional sports. I am also amazed that these programs continually fail the men whose minds they have promised to develop along with their athletic prowess.

There's no question that athletics can be a pathway to education that transforms lives. But all too often, black male student-athletes leave college without degrees, and with little in the way of the training they need to succeed in life beyond sports. Recently I heard from a senior athletics administrator who was startled when ...



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Charlotte officer indicted in deadly shooting case of former FAMU student-athlete, Jonathan Ferrell

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  WBTV) -- A Mecklenburg County Grand Jury has indicted a Charlotte police officer on voluntary manslaughter charges in a deadly shooting.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer Randall Kerrick was indicted in the September 2013 death of Jonathan Ferrell. The indictment came down just before 4 pm on Monday afternoon.

Earlier Monday, a Mecklenburg County judge denied a motion to block the North Carolina Attorney General's Office from resubmitting charges against Kerrick to the grand jury.

WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC

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Expected winter precipitation postpones Gold Rush game

NEW ORLEANS -- Due to winter precipitation expected in metro New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana has canceled all classes and events on Tuesday, including a men's basketball home game against Belhaven.

The non-conference game was rescheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at XU's Convocation Center.

Intellicast.com's Monday afternoon forecast for Tuesday called for morning rain and sleet turning to rain in the afternoon. There will be an 80-percent chance of a mix of wintry precipitation on Tuesday evening, followed by an overnight low of 29 degrees.

Xavier is 16-5 overall, 5-1 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and ranked 16th in NAIA Division I.

The next Gold Rush game will start at 5 p.m. Saturday against GCAC opponent Tougaloo at Tougaloo, Miss. The next home game will start at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 against NAIA No. 21 Philander Smith.

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

TSU Knocks Off Division Leader EKU on Kids Day

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  In front of a crowd of nearly 2,000 kids, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team defeated OVC East Division leader Eastern Kentucky, 78-63, Monday afternoon on Metro Schools Day.

TSU (8-13, 5-3 OVC) won its second straight while handing EKU (11-7, 5-2) only its second league loss of the season.

 

Chelsea Hudson recorded her seventh double-double of the year, third consecutive, with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Alana Morris scored in double-figures for the fourth straight game with 13 points while Briana Morrow (12) and Rachel Allen (10) also finished in double-digits. Allen also recorded five assists and two steals in the contest.

 

Eastern Kentucky was led in scoring by Marie Carpenter’s 18 points. Miranda Maples added 12 while Michaela Hunter scored 11. Shelly Harper chipped 10 points and eight rebounds.
 

Though it moved at a somewhat slow pace, TSU controlled the tempo early on in the first half. At the 10:59 mark, Chelsea Hudson scored to put the Lady Tigers on top, 17-11, before TSU outscored EKU, 17-9, the final eight minutes of the stanza.

 

The home team led by as many as 15 before going into the break with a, 39-26, advantage.

Eastern Kentucky posted eight straight points to open the second half and cut the deficit down to just three points, 43-40, behind a 12-4 run.

 

The Lady Tigers, however, regained their composure and scored the next 12 points to go ahead, 55-40. During TSU’s scoring rally, EKU went 0-of-6 from the field and committed three turnovers.

 

The Lady Colonels closed the gap to 13 points on a jumper by Carpenter but the Lady Tigers maintained control and continued to build on the lead.

 

With about five minutes remaining, Brianna Lawrence connected a couple of free-throws that made the score, 65-46, in favor of the Lady Tigers.

 

TSU grabbed its largest lead, 72-51, before claiming the victory.

 

Tennessee State shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field while only making, 3-of-15 from three-point range. TSU made 25-of-38 from the free-throw line.

 

Eastern Kentucky shot 33.8 percent (22-of-65) from the field while going 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) from beyond the arc. The Lady Colonels made 14-of-24 from the charity stripe.

 

Tennessee State returns to action on Monday, February 3 at Tennessee Tech. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Eblen Center.

 

FINAL STATS

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

FAMU's Jasmine Grice Named MEAC Player Of The Week

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Florida A&M’s Jasmine Grice was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Bethune-Cookman’s Kailyn Williams was selected the Rookie of the Week, while Coppin State’s Larissa Carter earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

 

Grice (G, 5-10, Sr., Quincy, Fla.) totaled 57 points, 17 rebounds and 11 steals as the Lady Rattlers were 1-1 in conference games during the week. Grice poured in 34 points, on 12-of-17 shooting, in a 87-42 win against Howard. She also finished with eight steals and seven boards against the Lady Bison. Grice began the week with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 80-68 loss to Savannah State.

 

Williams (C, 6-5, r-Fr., New Orleans, La.) averaged 12.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in conference games against South Carolina State and Maryland Eastern Shore. Williams recorded a double-double of 17 points, on 8-of-11 shooting, and 11 rebounds in a 71-53 win against SCSU. Against Maryland Eastern Shore, Williams added eight rebounds, seven points and four blocks.

 

Carter (F, 6-0, Sr., Atlanta, Ga.) totaled 21 rebounds in a pair of wins against Norfolk State and North Carolina Central. Carter registered 14 boards, to go along with 18 points, in a 67-58 win against North Carolina Central. She had seven rebounds and three blocks in a 71-52 victory against Norfolk State.

 

Other Top Performers: 

 

Raven Bankston (DSU) registered 21 points, four rebounds and two steals in a 50-47 loss to North Carolina A&T.

 

Alyssa Bennett (Hampton) averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals in wins against Morgan State and Savannah State.

 

Ashleigh Claybrooks (UMES) recorded a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds in a 78-70 loss to Bethune-Cookman.

 

Shakeyia Colyer (BCU) finished with 24 points, on 9-of-18 shooting, in a 78-70 win against Maryland Eastern Shore.

 

Rae Corbo (NSU) dropped in 17 points, including 10 from the free-throw line, in a 59-54 win against South Carolina State.

 

Ashle Craig (CSU) scored a career-high 27 points, on 9-of-13 shooting, in a 71-52 win against Norfolk State.

 

Malia Tate-DeFreitas (Hampton) averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in wins against Savannah State and Morgan State.

 

Cherisha Floyd (SCSU) recorded eight defensive rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals in games against Bethune-Cookman and Norfolk State.

 

Jessica Freeman (NCCU) averaged 18.5 points in games against North Carolina A&T and Coppin State.

 

Victoria Gonzalez (Howard) shot 60 percent (6-of-10) from the field to finish with 14 points in a loss to Florida A&M.

 

Rachel Gordon (NSU) totaled 23 points, 21 rebounds, two blocks and a pair of assists in games against Coppin State and South Carolina State.

 

Nicole Hamilton (Hampton) finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal in a 99-45 win against Morgan State.

 

Tierra Hawkins (DSU) grabbed 15 boards and dropped in 11 points in a 50-47 loss to North Carolina A&T.

 

Tracy King (NCAT) totaled 21 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and eight steals in wins against North Carolina Central and Morgan State.

 

April McRae (NCAT) recorded 20 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a 59-47 win against North Carolina Central.

 

Logan Powell (NSU) averaged 9.0 rebounds and 8.5 points in games against Coppin State and South Carolina State.

 

Tierra Protho (FAMU) pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds in a 80-68 loss to Savannah State.

 

Kourtney Williams (SCSU) finished with 23 points, four steals and a pair of rebounds in a 59-54 loss to Norfolk State.

 

Courtesy MEACSports.com

Alabama State: Several Hornets with NFL aspirations

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Isaiah Crowell is in Florida training for NFL workouts after completing the paperwork to enter the NFL draft as a junior, his head coach said.

Reggie Barlow said the former Alabama State tailback is working out at EXOS in Gulf Breeze, Fla., at The Andrews Institute in preparation for the NFL Combine on Feb. 23 and the Hornets’ Pro Day workout in mid-March.

“He’s been down there training since Jan. 2,” Barlow said. “According to (draft analysis), they have a fifth-round draft grade on him. Obviously, that’s prior to the Combine. He has selected representation and is off training now, getting ready for the Combine.”

Barlow said Crowell is working out with ...

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Historically black college football programs struggling to keep up

Photo Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

Tennessee State’s Kadeem Edwards (#73) is the only Senior Bowl player from an HBCU, despite a history of producing legends. (Note: Jackson State's All-American defensive back Qua Cox was a late addition to the game after this article was published).  The 3-Times All-Ohio Valley Conference lineman Edwards, earned his Bachelor's Degree in December 2013 with Honors, in Human Performance and Sports Sciences with an overall 3.5 GPA.

MOBILE, Alabama  --   Kadeem Edwards ( Sanford, FL, Seminole H.S.) has a quarrel with a certain tradition, and for that, he may get struck down by a lightning bolt thrown by the lords of historically black college and university (HBCU) football.

It is sacrilegious not to bow to the spectacle of the bands at an HBCU football game, but Edwards takes a deep breath and says something sacrilegious anyway. He wishes the bands and the halftime extravaganza did not reign over the game.

Edwards is a big fan of the music. He appreciates the skill and the thrill of a show. He understands the culture and the allure of the HBCU halftime show and the postgame pageantry. The bands draw a crowd.

But he wants black college football to be about more than the bands.

He wants it to be more about the football again.

“The first time I saw half the people in the stands leave after the halftime show by the band, it upset me,” said Edwards, a 6-foot-4, 309-pound offensive guard who played at Tennessee State University in Nashville. “It was a little disrespectful.”

He sighed and shook his head slowly side to side.

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.The C.S. Podcast: TSU's NFL Prospect A.C. Leonard, Tight End

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- 2014 NFL Draft Prospect out of Tennessee State University, TE A.C. Leonard joined Chris Shanafelt on The C.S. Podcast on January 17, 2014 for an interview to talk about his college football career and to talk about the possibilities of playing in the NFL.

During his time at Tennessee State, Leonard recorded 85 receptions, 1,134 yards & 12 TD's. A.C. Leonard is a name that you will want to watch out for come May during the 2014 NFL Draft! Be sure to follow on Twitter @ChrisShanafelt & @LaidWayyBack1.