BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- February 5th, 2014 marks National Signing Day and the Jaguar Nation is encouraged to come celebrate the next generation of Jaguars with Head Coach Dawson Odums and staff.
The Blue & Gold Century Club and the S.U Quarterback Club will host the Southern University Annual Football Recruiting Celebration in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union on the Baton Rouge campus.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program is set to start at 7 p.m. After the unveiling of the 2014 recruiting class, fans are welcomed to meet and greet with Head Coach Dawson Odums and enjoy a light meal.
Donations of $20 are welcomed and to reserve a table for 10 is $300. Tickets may be purchased from any club member of the Blue and Gold Century Club and S.U. Quarterback Club.
The Jaguars are coming off an exceptional 2013 season.
After demolishing long time rival Grambling State University in the 40th annual Bayou Classic 40-17, the Jaguars traveled to Houston and defeated the Jackson State Tigers 34-27 in a down-to-the-wire, double overtime matchup for the 2014 SWAC Championship.
The Jaguars, in their first full season under Odums, finished 7-2 in conference and held an overall record of 9-4.
There will be a viewing of both, the Bayou Classic and the Toyota SWAC Championship trophies at the celebration and fans will be allowed to take pictures.
Courtesy Briana Brownlee, Southern University Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Nicholls beats Gold Rush 6-3; Montrel wins twice for XU
Sophomore Kyle Montrel won in doubles and singles for the Gold Rush. He and Nikita Soifer defeated Kiernan Cronin and Evan Karatzas 8-6 at No. 1 doubles, then Montrel beat Partha Adovelly 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles.
Montrel, an NAIA All-American in doubles last season, has won 10 of his last 11 singles matches and 10 of his last 11 doubles matches. Soifer, XU's other returning All-American, has won 20 of his last 22 in doubles.
Xavier's other victory came at No. 6 singles, where newcomer Vincenzo Ciccone trailed 5-0 in the first set but defeated Kiernan Cronin 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
"I was encouraged by what I saw," 11th-year XU coach Alan Green said. "Everybody got to play, and all the guys fought hard. I liked the fight in our team. Nicholls State is tons better than the team we faced two years ago, but I think we're better, too."
Nico Mertens, Lukas Clemens and Bernard Wezeman won in doubles and singles for Nicholls State (1-1). Mertens and Adovelly rallied from a 5-4 deficit to beat Tushar Mandlekar and Jordan Harrell 8-5 at No. 3 doubles.
It was the first of seven Gold Rush matches this season against NCAA Division I opponents. Xavier was 4-2 against NCAA D-Is last year.
Both Xavier teams will play city rival Loyola at 2 p.m. next Friday at the XU Tennis Center. It will be the first dual of the semester for the Gold Nuggets, who are ranked third in the NAIA.
Results
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold
Friday, January 31, 2014
35-Team Field Highlights TSU Invite Saturday
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – After taking a week off the Tennessee State track and field team will return to action hosting the annual TSU Invite.
The meet will include 30-plus teams from across the southeast. Saturday will also mark the final tune-up at the Wilma Rudolph Indoor Track before TSU plays host to the 2014 OVC Indoor Championships.
Four Ohio Valley schools with also participate in the Feb. 1 meet: Austin Peay, Belmont, Murray State and Tennessee Tech.
The Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles last took to the track on Jan. 18 in the Niswonger Invitational where the jumpers took the spotlight.
Royce Dates jumped a distance of 7.50 meters to win his first long jump of the indoor season. The mark stands as Dates of the year. Kareem Nicholas also put in a strong jump, of 6.90 in the long jump for a fourth place finish.
The Flying Tigers claimed top spot in the high jump with a 2.08 jump from Daryl Rice. Caleb Carrothers finished fourth in the event, clearing a mark of 1.98 meters.
Tigerbelle Clairwin Dameus captured the long jump on the women’s side, clearing 5.68 meters. The win was Dameus’ third time winning the event on the young season. Dameus paired her event winning performance with a fifth place time of 24.96 in the 200 meters.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
2013 D2Football.com All-America Team
LIBERTY, Missouri -- Offensive Player of the Year Franklyn Quiteh and Defensive Player of the Year Matt Longacre highlight the 2013 D2Football.com All-America team. Players from 62 schools were selected with West Texas A&M leading the way with eight selections. Adam Dorrel, coach of National Champion Northwest Missouri, is the 2012 Coach of the Year. It is the first time he has received this honor.
The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches, scouts, media members, and sports information directors from around the country.
D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.
2013 D2Football.com All-America Team
| QB | Dustin Vaughan | 6-5, 220, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| RB | Franklyn Quiteh | 5-9, 206, Sr. | Bloomsburg |
| RB | Rondell White | 5-10, 185,Sr. | West Chester |
| WR | Jeff Janis | 6-3, 218, Sr. | Saginaw Valley State |
| WR | Marquez Clark | 5-11, 190, Jr. | Central Oklahoma |
| TE | Joe Don Duncan | 6-4, 270, Sr. | Dixie State |
| OL | Matt Feiler | 6-7, 325, Sr. | Bloomsburg |
| OL | Brian Clarke | 6-3, 290, Sr. | Bloomsburg |
| OL | Jeremy Gatson | 6-4, 325, Sr. | Shaw |
| OL | Matt Armstrong | 6-3, 290, Sr. | Grand Valley State |
| OL | William Wright | 6-3, 310, Sr. | West Georgia |
| DL | Jake Metz | 6-7, 255, Sr. | Shippensburg |
| DL | Larry Webster | 6-7, 250, Sr. | Bloomsburg |
| DL | Matt Longacre | 6-3, 240, Jr. | Northwest Missouri State |
| DL | Darius Allen | 6-3, 239, Jr. | CSU-Pueblo |
| LB | Carlos Fields | 6-2, 220, Sr. | Winston-Salem State |
| LB | Tavarius Wilson | 5-11, 235, Sr. | North Alabama |
| LB | LeRon Furr | 6-3, 225, Sr. | Fort Valley State |
| DB | Pierre Desir | 6-2, 206, Sr. | Lindenwood |
| DB | Brandon Dixon | 6-0, 195, Sr. | Northwest Missouri State |
| DB | Dexter Moody | 6-3, 204, Sr. | Albany State |
| DB | Michael Green | 6-0, 195, Sr. | Lenoir-Rhyne |
| K | Sergio Castillo | 5-11, 195, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| P | Brandon Kliesen | 5-10, 221, Sr. | CSU- Pueblo |
| AP | John Brown | 5-11, 170, Sr. | Pittsburg State |
| Second Team | |||
| QB | Kevin Rodgers | 6-3, 215, Jr. | Henderson State |
| RB | Keidrick Jackson | 5-9, 210, Sr. | Midwestern State |
| RB | Tyler Tonderum | 5-10, 191, Jr. | Southwest Minnesota State |
| WR | Trevor Harman | 6-2, 210, Jr. | Shippensburg |
| WR | Freddie Martino | 6-0, 195, Sr. | North Greenville |
| TE | Ryan Corbin | 6-4, 250, Sr. | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
| OL | Craig Watts | 6-4, 335, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| OL | Cole Manhart | 6-6, 300, Jr. | Nebraska-Kearney |
| OL | Matthew Reece | 6-3, 310, Jr. | Tuskegee |
| OL | Byron Dovales | 6-3, 290, Sr. | IUP |
| OL | Jamal Ellis | 6-4, 315, Sr. | Newberry |
| DL | Charles Tuaau | 6-5, 310, Jr. | Texas A&M Commerce |
| DL | Zach Moore | 6-6, 278, Sr. | Concordia St. Paul |
| DL | Ethan Westbrooks | 6-4, 275, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 6-2, 304, Sr. | Ashland |
| LB | Taylor McCuller | 6-2, 240, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| LB | Chris Pope | 6-1, 215, Sr. | Valdosta State |
| LB | Keaton Stigger | 6-2, 245, Sr. | Henderson State |
| DB | Brian Dixon | 6-0, 195, Sr. | Northwest Missouri State |
| DB | Thomas Wolfe III | 6-0, 185, Sr. | Fort Valley State |
| DB | Justin Bell | 5-10, 185, Sr. | Ohio Dominican |
| DB | Jack Moro | 5-11, 190, Sr. | St. Cloud State |
| K | Steve Wakefield | 5-11, 175, Sr. | Mercyhurst |
| P | Scottie Gallardo | 6-0, 215, Sr. | Fort Lewis |
| AP | Nathan Slaughter | 5-10, 185, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| Honorable Mention | |||
| QB | Jonathon Jennings | 6-2, 205, Sr. | Saginaw Valley State |
| QB | Joe Clancy | 6-3, 210, Sr. | Merrimack |
| QB | Jon Wolf | 6-4, 230, Sr. | Minnesota State |
| QB | Bo Cordell | 6-0, 205, Sr. | Tusculum |
| RB | Glen Clinton | 5-10, 200, Sr. | Chadron State |
| RB | Daiquone Ford | 5-7, 190, So. | Findlay |
| RB | Anthony Taylor | 5-11, 209, Jr. | Ashland |
| RB | Terrell Watson | 6-2, 230, Jr. | Azusa Pacific |
| WR | Robert Holland | 6-3, 190, Sr. | Chowan |
| WR | Vernon Johnson | 6-1, 190, Jr. | Texas A&M-Commerce |
| WR | Gregory Moore | 6-4, 200, Sr. | Lane |
| WR | Corey Washington | 6-4, 200, Sr. | Newberry |
| WR | Torrence Allen | 6-1, 190, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| WR | Darius Davis | 5-11, 212, Jr. | Henderson State |
| TE | Reggie Jordan | 6-3, 235, Sr. | Missouri Western State |
| TE | Michael Flacco | 6-5, 245, So. | New Haven |
| TE | Scott Simonson | 6-5, 255, Sr. | Assumption |
| TE | Jamie Potts | 6-3, 235, So. | Grand Valley State |
| OL | Marcus Cuellar | 6-4, 320, Sr. | Western Oregon |
| OL | Viondy Merisma | 6-4, 285, Sr. | American International |
| OL | Mike Nelson | 6-4, 305, Sr. | Central Washington |
| OL | Joe Ray | 6-0, 245, So. | Lenoir-Rhyne |
| DL | Julian Howsare | 6-3, 255, Jr. | Clarion |
| DL | Kraig Akins | 6-2, 290, Jr. | Western Oregon |
| DL | Chris Schaudt | 6-4, 272, Sr. | Minnesota State |
| DL | Mike Pennel | 6-5, 363, Sr. | CSU-Pueblo |
| DL | Troy Harris | 6-4, 260, Sr. | Mars Hill |
| DL | Donnie Owens | 6-3, 295, Sr. | Winston-Salem State |
| DL | Howard Jones | 6-4, 238, Sr. | Shepherd |
| DL | Lawrence Virgil | 6-5, 290, Sr. | Valdosta State |
| DL | Robert Hayes | 6-2, 278, Sr. | Shepherd |
| DL | Blake Baker | 6-1, 215, Jr. | Lenoir-Rhyne |
| LB | Jake Edmiston | 6-2, 225, Sr. | Colorado Mesa |
| LB | Nate Dreiling | 6-4, 226, Sr. | Pittsburg State |
| LB | Colby Ring | 6-1, 225, Sr. | Minnesota Duluth |
| LB | Ronell Williams | 6-1, 230, Jr. | West Chester |
| LB | Isaiah Fleming | 5-11, 220, Jr. | Cheyney |
| LB | Grant Singer | 6-1, 215, Jr. | Mary |
| LB | DJ Gnader | 6-2, 225, Jr. | Northwest Missouri State |
| DB | Dewey McDonald | 6-0, 215, Sr. | California |
| DB | Neiko Conway | 5-10, 185, Sr. | Midwestern State |
| DB | Devin Wallace | 6-0, 201, Sr. | Virginia Union |
| DB | Curtis Slater | 5-9, 195, Sr. | West Texas A&M |
| DB | Tyler Thornton | 5-8, 182, Jr. | Azusa Pacific |
| DB | Dashaun Phillips | 5-10, 180, Sr. | Tarleton State |
| DB | Caleb Massey | 6-0, 226, Sr. | North Alabama |
| DB | Darnell Evans | 5-8, 181, Sr. | Shaw |
| DB | Malcolm Butler | 5-11, 180, Sr. | West Alabama |
| P | James McCombie | 6-0, 170, Sr. | Slippery Rock |
| AP | Mike DeCaro | 5-9, 191, Sr. | New Haven |
COURTESY D2FOOTBALL.COM
Southern teams enjoying each other’s success
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- This championship stuff could become contagious.The 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship trophy has found a home in Southern coach Dawson Odums’ office.
From there, it’s just a short walk to the F.G. Clark Activity Center, which houses both first-place basketball teams from the SWAC.
Earlier in this school year, the women’s soccer team won the SWAC regular-season title.
Right now is a good time to be a Southern Jaguar — and it’s not a real good time to be a Jaguar opponent.
The Southern men’s and women’s basketball teams have played eight doubleheaders in conference play, and only once did they fail to come away with a sweep. The women have won eight consecutive league games by an average margin of 12 points.
CONTINUE READING
Texas Southern featured on ESPN Sports Nation
Fans turn up and videobomb the camera pregame of a college basketball game betweeen Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Texas Southern.
Kicker Jacquemin sticks with Jackson State
MIAMI, Florida -- Former Jackson State kicker Eric Perri sees glimpses of himself in Chris Jacquemin.
Perri — JSU’s all-time leader in made field goals (17) in a season and longest field goal made (50) — owns a kicking academy in Miami and trains Jacquemin. He’ll soon see one of his top students donning his alma mater’s uniform.
“I haven’t seen a kid with more accuracy and consistency coming out of high school, especially in Florida, than Chris,” Perri said. “He has a lot of power and is an all-around guy who can kick and punt.”
Jacquemin, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-footed kicker who made 8-of-8 field goals as a senior, committed to Jackson State previously. But he stumbled across a dilemma after learning that Rick Comegy was fired as head coach in December.
CONTINUE READING
Perri — JSU’s all-time leader in made field goals (17) in a season and longest field goal made (50) — owns a kicking academy in Miami and trains Jacquemin. He’ll soon see one of his top students donning his alma mater’s uniform.
“I haven’t seen a kid with more accuracy and consistency coming out of high school, especially in Florida, than Chris,” Perri said. “He has a lot of power and is an all-around guy who can kick and punt.”
Jacquemin, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound left-footed kicker who made 8-of-8 field goals as a senior, committed to Jackson State previously. But he stumbled across a dilemma after learning that Rick Comegy was fired as head coach in December.
CONTINUE READING
Ex-Wesley Chapel QB’s ‘long journey’ leads to NFL
WESLEY CHAPEL, Florida — For a moment, sitting in the metal bleachers, overlooking his old high school’s football field, Greg Jenkins allowed the memories to flood back. It was a time when a frail high school kid dreamed of playing college football and then, maybe, in the National Football League.
Jenkins, 24, is living those dreams as a college graduate and member of the Oakland Raiders.
“It feels like I’m in a dream and I haven’t even woke up yet,” said Jenkins, a 2008 Wesley Chapel High School graduate who recently completed his first season with Oakland. “I was thinking about it the other day and I just thought, ‘Wow, I’m blessed. Fortunate.’ I worked hard for it.
“One percent of college athletes make it to the NFL and (when) you can say you’re one of those guys, that’s amazing.”
Jenkins signed a three-year contract with the Raiders in ...
CONTINUE READING
Biloxi QB Damion May headed to Alabama A&M
BILOXI, Mississippi -- Biloxi quarterback Damion May has verbally committed to Alabama A&M.
Indians coach John Shannon confirmed to the Sun Herald on Thursday that May will play for the SWAC school based in Huntsville.
May transferred Biloxi from Texas last year, but battled a few injuries during his only season with the Indians.
May's father, Damion Sr., played football for the Indians during the 1990's.
CONTINUE READING
Indians coach John Shannon confirmed to the Sun Herald on Thursday that May will play for the SWAC school based in Huntsville.
May transferred Biloxi from Texas last year, but battled a few injuries during his only season with the Indians.
May's father, Damion Sr., played football for the Indians during the 1990's.
CONTINUE READING
SWAC Men's Basketball Release - January 30
UPCOMING SCHEDULESaturday Feb. 1
Alcorn State at Southern 5:00 p.m.
Prairie View at Alabama State 5:00 p.m.
Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State 5:00 p.m.
Texas Southern at Alabama A&M 6:00 p.m.
Grambling State at Arkansas Pine Bluff 7:30 p.m.
Monday Feb. 3
Texas Southern at Alabama State 7:30 p.m.
Jackson State at Arkansas Pine Bluff 7:30 p.m.
Prairie View at Alabama A&M ESPNU/WatchESPN 8:00 p.m.
Grambling State at Mississippi Valley State 8:00 p.m.
CONFERENCE NEWS & NOTES
The 2014 SWAC Basketball Tournament will be held at the Toyota Center from March 11-15. The Southwestern Athletic Conference will host the 2014 Championship for the first time in Houston, Texas
• Two four-game winning streaks were snapped last week. Alabama State’s was snapped by Southern and Alcorn State’s was ended by Alabama State
• Aaric Murray has scored 20 or more points on 14 different occasions this season and scored in double figures 17 out of the team’s 19 games
• Brandon West (Jackson State) is the only player currently averaging a double-double in the league with seven on the season. He is averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds per game. West is the only player in the confereance that leads the league in more than one statistical category. The center leads the way in rebounds and blocked shots (45)
• Marshall transfer D’Aris Scarver made his debut for Texas Southern on Jan 1. Through six games, the senior guard is averaging 18 points per outing
• After winning its first two conference games, Arkansas Pine Bluff has since dropped five straight
• Top leaders in the conference in points, assists and rebounds:
Points - Aaric Murray(TXSO) - 23.6 /game
Assists - Jamel Waters (ALST) 5.8/game
Rebounds - Brandon West (JKST) 10.9/game
• Out of 100 NCAA Div I players, Jamel Waters is currently ranked 14th in assists and averaging 6.3 per game. Brandon West is ranked sixth in rebounding
• Texas Southern’s Aaric Murray scores 48 (20-of-28) at Temple. No player in college basketball 6-10 or taller in college basketball has scored this many points in a decade and Murray is the first player since BYU’s Jimmer Fredette in 2011 to knock down 20 field goals
• Marcel Mosley (UAPB) leads the SWAC in three-point field goal percentage .425. He’s made a total of 14 in the last five games
• A’Torri Shine (Grambling State) holds the longest stre
ak of posting double figures consecutively with nine games.
COURTESY SWAC.ORG
Three Rattlers Elected To SIAC Hall Of Fame Class
 |
| COURTESY FLORIDA A&M ATHLETICS VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM |
ATLANTA, Georgia – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced it’s 2014 class of inductees, which includes three FAMUans. Andre Dawson, Clemon Johnson and Willie Galimore will be inducted in a ceremony surrounding the 2014 SIAC basketball championship in Birmingham, Ala., on March 5.
Florida A&M was a member of the SIAC from 1913-1979, where it competed against some of the best athletes in the country, barring no division status. Florida A&M established it’s history of dominance during Alonzo “Jake” Gaither’s tenure as head coach of the Rattler football team. He captured 22 championships in 25 seasons as head coach. That feat has not been duplicated. FAMU also won several basketball championships and stood out in baseball, and track and field.
This year, the SIAC Hall of Fame will pick up induction into the hall after an absence of 13 years; with the last inducting class being in 2000. Recognizing that the history of athletics in the conference represented some of the best athletes in the world, the SIAC began their hall of fame with a ceremony in 1992.
Dawson, known as the “Hawk," for his trademark stare, was outstanding defensively in the outfield. He was a three-time All-SIAC baseball player at Florida A&M, where he played under legendary coach Costa “Pop” Kittles. He finished his 21-year big league career with a .279 batting average, 438 home runs, 1,591 runs batted in and 314 stolen bases. Dawson was the National League Rookie of the Year with the Montreal Expos in 1977 and the NL Most Valuable Player in 1987 with the Chicago Cubs. He managed the MVP season while playing on the last place Cubs, the only time that feat has been done. The eight-time All-Star became the second player (Willie Mays) to join the 400 HR/300 SB club. His speech at Cooperstown was considered by many to be one of the greatest ever. Dawson was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
Johnson, known as “CJ,” was an All-SIAC and All-American selection as a senior and finished his career as the all-time leading rebounder at FAMU, as well as one of the top scorers in school’s history. Johnson played 10 seasons in the NBA and won an NBA championship as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. He won the NBA championship on the team with Andrew Toney, Daryl Dawkins and NBA legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Today, he serves as the head basketball coach at Florida A&M. Johnson was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
Galimore, known as “Gallopin Gal,” is considered one of the greatest running backs of his time. He was a four-time All-SIAC selection and three-time Pittsburgh Courier All-American. He also led Florida A&M to four SIAC Football Championships and one Black College National Championship. He holds the current career rushing yards title at FAMU with 3,592, averaging an astronomical 7.0 yards per carry in 1955. He holds these records despite not playing much more than a half, as the powerful Rattlers, under Jake Gaither, often were able to play reserves for the duration of the game after halftime. Galimore played six seasons with the Chicago Bears until he died tragically in an auto accident in 1964. He was also a member of the College Football and FAMU Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Greg Jackson, Men' Basketball Coach Fired by Delaware State
 |
| CANDY YOUNG ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY |
Greg Jackson is being released from his head coaching duties effective immediately.
Assistant coach Keith Walker will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.
During his 14-year DSU coaching career, Jackson posted an overall record of 200-216. His tenure included three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season titles (2005-2007), as well as the school’s first-ever MEAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2005.
A national search will begin immediately for a permanent head coach for the men’s basketball team.
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
2014 Urban Invitational to be held in Southern Louisiana
Collegiate Baseball Tournament Designed to Place a Spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Their Baseball Programs
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The 2014 Urban Invitational will be held in Southern Louisiana, with games shared between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, for the first time in the event's history. The annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament, designed by Major League Baseball to place a spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, will feature returning Division-I HBCUs Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana) and Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), plus Division-I programs Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and the University of New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana).
The weekend will consist of six games played between the four schools and ancillary activities, from Friday, February 14th through Sunday, February 16th. Louisiana State University (LSU) will host games on Friday and Sunday, with the Sunday contests called live by Paul Severino, Darryl Hamilton and Joe Magrane on MLB Network. The fields at Southern University, New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and Zephyr Field, home of the New Orleans Zephyrs, will also host games throughout the weekend. In addition to a game on Saturday, February 15th, the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy will host a baseball clinic and a college & career fair. All ticketing, parking and additional information can be found at MLB.com/UrbanYouthAcademy.
"Collegiate baseball represents a significant element of the game's future, so it is important to give these programs the opportunity for exposure to a larger audience," said Frank Robinson, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development. "We are thrilled to host this year's Urban Invitational in Southern Louisiana, and thank all of our participating schools."
The baseball clinic on Saturday will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CT) featuring players from each of the participating teams in the Urban Invitational who will provide instruction to New Orleans MLBUYA youth as well as boys and girls from local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs.
The college and career fair will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CT). Participating colleges and universities will provide attendees with information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Local businesses will also be on hand to provide career advice and discuss potential job opportunities. High school and college students from the New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama region are invited to attend at no charge. Parking at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy is free for all events throughout the weekend.
Major League Baseball is dedicated to its ongoing diversity efforts, including the implementation of programs that make it easier for underserved and inner city youth to participate in baseball and softball. With three operating MLB Urban Youth Academies in Houston (Texas), Compton (California) and New Orleans (Louisiana), plus groundbreaking on sites in Cincinnati (Ohio) and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and the announcement of an academy in Hialeah (Florida), MLB has continued to allot resources to bring America's pastime to young people in urban communities.
HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (Southern University) played in HBCU baseball programs. Since 2008, the year of the inaugural Urban Invitational, 16 HBCU athletes who have played in the tournament have been selected in the MLB Player Draft; most recently being Cory Jordan, a Grambling State University alumnus, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 35th round of the 2013 MLB Player Draft.
This will be Southern University's seventh Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every Urban Invitational. Grambling State will make its third appearance, while LSU and the University of New Orleans are each participating for the first time.
Complete Game Schedule (Central Time):
Friday, February 14, Grambling University at Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Southern University
Friday, February 14, University of New Orleans vs. Louisiana State University, 7:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
Saturday, February 15, Southern University vs. Grambling University, 1:00 p.m. at New Orleans MLBUYA
Saturday, February 15, Louisiana State University vs. University of New Orleans, 2:00 p.m. at Zephyr Field
Sunday, February 16, Southern University vs. University of New Orleans, 12:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
Sunday, February 16, Grambling University vs. Louisiana State University, 4:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The 2014 Urban Invitational will be held in Southern Louisiana, with games shared between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, for the first time in the event's history. The annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament, designed by Major League Baseball to place a spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, will feature returning Division-I HBCUs Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana) and Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), plus Division-I programs Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and the University of New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana).
The weekend will consist of six games played between the four schools and ancillary activities, from Friday, February 14th through Sunday, February 16th. Louisiana State University (LSU) will host games on Friday and Sunday, with the Sunday contests called live by Paul Severino, Darryl Hamilton and Joe Magrane on MLB Network. The fields at Southern University, New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and Zephyr Field, home of the New Orleans Zephyrs, will also host games throughout the weekend. In addition to a game on Saturday, February 15th, the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy will host a baseball clinic and a college & career fair. All ticketing, parking and additional information can be found at MLB.com/UrbanYouthAcademy.
"Collegiate baseball represents a significant element of the game's future, so it is important to give these programs the opportunity for exposure to a larger audience," said Frank Robinson, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development. "We are thrilled to host this year's Urban Invitational in Southern Louisiana, and thank all of our participating schools."
The baseball clinic on Saturday will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CT) featuring players from each of the participating teams in the Urban Invitational who will provide instruction to New Orleans MLBUYA youth as well as boys and girls from local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs.
The college and career fair will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CT). Participating colleges and universities will provide attendees with information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Local businesses will also be on hand to provide career advice and discuss potential job opportunities. High school and college students from the New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama region are invited to attend at no charge. Parking at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy is free for all events throughout the weekend.
Major League Baseball is dedicated to its ongoing diversity efforts, including the implementation of programs that make it easier for underserved and inner city youth to participate in baseball and softball. With three operating MLB Urban Youth Academies in Houston (Texas), Compton (California) and New Orleans (Louisiana), plus groundbreaking on sites in Cincinnati (Ohio) and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and the announcement of an academy in Hialeah (Florida), MLB has continued to allot resources to bring America's pastime to young people in urban communities.
HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (Southern University) played in HBCU baseball programs. Since 2008, the year of the inaugural Urban Invitational, 16 HBCU athletes who have played in the tournament have been selected in the MLB Player Draft; most recently being Cory Jordan, a Grambling State University alumnus, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 35th round of the 2013 MLB Player Draft.
This will be Southern University's seventh Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every Urban Invitational. Grambling State will make its third appearance, while LSU and the University of New Orleans are each participating for the first time.
Complete Game Schedule (Central Time):
Friday, February 14, Grambling University at Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Southern University
Friday, February 14, University of New Orleans vs. Louisiana State University, 7:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
Saturday, February 15, Southern University vs. Grambling University, 1:00 p.m. at New Orleans MLBUYA
Saturday, February 15, Louisiana State University vs. University of New Orleans, 2:00 p.m. at Zephyr Field
Sunday, February 16, Southern University vs. University of New Orleans, 12:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
Sunday, February 16, Grambling University vs. Louisiana State University, 4:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)