Grambling State Miller Signs Contract to Play Overseas

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- Former Grambling State University guard Joanna Miller has signed to play with the Danish team Lemvig.  The team is a member of Euroleague, which features players from all over the world including the WNBA.

Through 30 games, Miller led GSU in scoring averaging 19 ppg, she made a team high 72 three pointers, while also leading the team in steals with a total of 78 on the year.  The Los Angeles, Calif. native scored 20 or more points on 10 different occasions and three times this season she poured in 30 or more points in a contest.

Miller began her career at North Carolina Central (Durham, N.C.), earning NCAA Div. I All-Independent honors in 2009-10 before transferring to Grambling.  During the 2012-13 season, she notched spots on both the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Team and All-SWAC Tournament Team, as well as being named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year.  Miller also led the conference in scoring that season.    She closed out career earning All-SWAC Second Team honors.

The GSU graduate is set to join a Lemvig team that finished third in the league last season.  

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

North Carolina A&T's Lawrence Is Still Competing

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- Senior Desmond Lawrence will not be hanging up his track spikes for football cleats just yet. Lawrence still has some work to do on the track before putting an end to his collegiate outdoor career. He qualified to compete in the 100 meters at the 2014 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, Calif., at Hornet Stadium.

The 100 is scheduled to begin Thursday night at 10:25 EST. Lawrence will be up against tough competition. The qualifying mark for the 100 is 10.20. If 32 runners do not have the qualifying mark, the organization takes the next fastest times until the 32 slots are filled. Lawrence’s best time was without aid from the wind was 10.24, ran in the finals of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month.  

“I’m feeling real excited about this meet coming up, it gives me an opportunity to run a faster time in the 100,” said Lawrence.  

Lawrence will have the chance to compete against some of the top collegiate and professional track athletes in the country. Former North Carolina A&T track and field athlete Calesio Newman will also be competing.

In preparation, Lawrence did short workouts followed by allowing his body to recover with off days coupled with working on getting out of the starting blocks.

“At this late part of the season with a sprinter like Desmond, what you want to do is continue working on your strengths while continuously improving your weakness,” said Duane Ross, director of track and field programs. “We don’t want to focus too much on any small weakness because you don’t want to change the game plan completely. At this late junction it’s also about fine tuning.”

As an example, Ross said Lawrence only hit the weights one time this week. Everything they do is race modeling so Lawrence can continue to know what he needs to work on in his race. Lawrence’s body is learning what it needs to do consistently, so the All-American sprinter can have the proper technique during competition.

“He should be able to run 10.1, 10.0 rolling out of bed at this point,” said Ross. 

Lawrence was named an All-American after qualifying for the finals of the 100 meters at the NCAA championships, where he placed seventh by running a 10.24. He was also the MEAC’s 60 and 100 meters champion this indoor and outdoor season. 

Watch Live Schedule of Events

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2014 Savannah State Football Recruiting Class gets Praise

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- With the college football season quickly approaching, the Savannah State Tigers 2014 recruiting class getting some praise.

The 12th annual MEAC FanZone HBCU football class rankings are out.

Savannah State incoming class ranks fifth out of 22 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  The Tigers 2014 signing class is also ranked second in the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference behind Florida A&M.

Head Coach Earnest Wilson III and his staff signed 38 student-athletes in the Class of 2014.  Wide Receiver Jaylen McGriff is considered the biggest grab by the Tigers.  The 6’1″, 190 pounder comes to SSU from Fork Union Academy.  He is the son of former SSU standout Wesley McGriff, who is currently an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Offensive lineman Daniel McKoy is expected to be ...

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Xavier's Horn elected to GNOSF board of directors

NEW ORLEANS — Jason Horn, director of athletics and recreation at Xavier University of Louisiana, has been unanimously elected to the board of the directors of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Horn came to Xavier in March from the University of Detroit Mercy, where he served as associate athletic director for external affairs since 2011. Horn is one of two local collegiate athletics directors on the 130-member GNOSF board — the other is Tulane's Rick Dickson.      Organized in August 1988, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) (4) organization whose mission is to attract and manage sporting events that have a positive economic impact on the greater New Orleans area. Throughout its 25-year history, the GNOSF has played host to hundreds of events and turned a $65 million investment, from public and private sources, into a $2 billion economic impact for the State of Louisiana and greater New Orleans.

Jason Horn

     
"We are delighted to add Jason Horn to the Sports Foundation board," said Jay Cicero, GNOSF president and CEO. "Jason's expertise at various levels of athletics will be a plus as we continue to manage and attract the world's premier sporting events for the benefit of our great city."

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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FAMU Rattler and Ojus educator dies before his final year

Alumni and colleagues gathered at Ojus Elementary School in Northeast Miami-Dade Sunday to say goodbye to beloved Coach Gregory Blatch, a FAMU graduate who taught P.E. for more than three decades. Blatch died last Thursday at age 61 from a heart attack just before his retirement next year at the school, located at 18600 W. Dixie Hwy near Aventura Mall. A petition is being circulated to rename the street in Blatch’s honor. He went to Florida A&M University and graduated in 1975 with a degree in science and physical education.



Farewell, Coach Blatch ...
MIAMI, Florida  -- When a teacher mistakenly put superglue in her eye instead of contact-lens drops, Coach Gregory Blatch splashed water in her face and stayed until the paramedics arrived.

If strangers came to Ojus Elementary who weren’t supposed to be there, Coach Blatch greeted them with his baseball bat and saw to it that they left immediately.

And if the coach caught a student running through the hallways, he’d be the first to make them turn around and walk properly.

Blatch, who for more than three decades taught physical education to thousands of Northeast Miami-Dade children, was set to retire at the end of the next school year.

He died Thursday at age 61 from a heart attack, leaving his former and current students and colleagues grieving for a member of the Ojus Superstars family.

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Proposed South Carolina State Budget Could Shutdown Basketball Program

A proposal came down today that would potentially cut South Carolina State's basketball program. Are the Bulldogs on the verge of extinction?

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- The South Carolina State has certainly had their troubles on the court but now it seems like their whole men's basketball program may be in jeopardy.  The Bulldogs have won just 20 games over the last three seasons combined and financial issues have some wondering if the program is worth keeping.

According to Charleston CBS affiliate WCSC 5 the school is considering taking radical action:

A budget proposed by the university's Board of Trustees Wednesday does not include funding for the men's basketball team or the women's golf team. The Lady Bulldogs' golf team would only be suspended, but the men's basketball team would be cut altogether.

Apparently South Carolina State asked the state for over $14 million to cover utilities and payroll and would still be have a $13 million shortfall with the proposed budget that would cut basketball.

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CIAA football-championship game returning to Durham

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The CIAA football championship game is headed back to Durham.

This season's game will be played Nov. 15.

Jacqie McWilliams, the commissioner of the CIAA, said she’s excited about securing a two-year agreement to hold the game there.

“We are looking forward to going to Durham County Stadium again,” McWilliams said by telephone on Wednesday afternoon from her office in Hampton, Virginia. “We had two sites in mind but this worked out for us and we are very familiar with that facility so we’re thrilled.”

Last year’s game was scheduled to be played at ...

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Donna Polk Appointed Interim Athletic Director at BSU

DONNA POLK
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BOWIE, Maryland  -- Bowie State University President Dr. Mickey L. Burnim is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Donna Polk, associate athletics director and senior woman administrator, as the interim director of intercollegiate athletics following the departure of AD Anton Goff. She will assume that role effective July 12.

Ms. Polk is well qualified to lead the Athletics Department until a permanent director is named, having demonstrated effective leadership and a commitment to the university's intercollegiate athletics programs.
 
She has served as associate athletics director and senior woman administrator since 2011, assisting with the department's day-to-day business operations. In that role, she has provided oversight for compliance, student services, sports medicine, sports information, women's volleyball, softball and the men's and women's track and field programs.

Before taking over as full-time associate athletics director, Ms. Polk served as head women's basketball coach and associate athletics director from 2008-2011. As head coach, she compiled a 55-29 record and led the Lady Bulldogs to Central Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (CIAA) finals appearances in 2009 and 2010. She joined Bowie State University in 2005 as associate athletics director for operations.
 
Ms. Polk currently serves as chair of the CIAA's Senior Woman Administrators Association. She is also a member of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, National Association of Athletics Compliance, and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling psychology from Columbia Union College and a Master of Arts degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

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Winslow says FAMU athletics can’t be fixed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Newly hired athletic director Kellen Winslow told a group of FAMU supporter that the university has an athletic department that is “broken.”

Speaking Wednesday afternoon at the 220 Quarterback Club’s weekly luncheon meeting, Winslow said the issues that plague FAMU athletics are too many for a quick fix.

“It’s broken,” Winslow said, to a suddenly hushed audience. “It can’t be fixed. Tear it down, start over build it the right way.

“We all know what happens to a house that doesn’t sit on a strong foundation. It doesn’t hold up to pressure. So let’s strip it down, restructure it in a way that it should be done so we can get the value of FAMU athletics that we’re supposed to.”

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Former SCSU Bulldog Standout Has PreDraft Workout With L.A. Lakers

LOS ANGELES, California  -- Former All-MEAC performer and South Carolina State standout forwardMatthew Hezekiah was invited to predraft workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Hezekiah was one of 12 prospects that worked out for Laker officials and general manager Mitch Kupchak. Others were, Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), Nik Stauskas (Michigan), P. J. Hairston (UNC), Aaron Gordan (Arizona) and Julius Randle (Kentucky) just to name a few.

The 6-11, 220 pound Jacksonville, Fla. native led the Bulldogs in scoring the past two seasons with 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. The two-time All-MEAC Second Team performer has already been offered several professional contracts to play overseas.

To watch Hezekiah's complete predraft workout with the Lakers click link below:

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU's Aaric Murray awaits fate in NBA Draft

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year Aaric Murray hopes to hear his name called in Thursday's NBA Draft.  

The 2014 SWAC Tournament MVP led Texas Southern University and the conference in scoring (21.3), blocked shots (2.5), and shot 49 percent from the field this past season.  Prior to his arrival at TSU, the Concordville, Pa. native had stints with two previous institutions.   He ended his college career by helping the Tigers claim the 2014 SWAC Tournament Championship and earning a spot to the NCAA First Four.

Arguably his most impressive night came in a one point upset victory over Temple.  He scored a career high 48 points while also setting all-time records for points scored against the Owls and points scored at the Liacouras Center, Temple's home arena which opened in 1997.  His production that night also set the 2014 single-game high-scoring mark for Division I basketball.

His capped  off his performance when he became the first NCAA Division I player taller than 6-10 to score 48 points in over a decade while also becoming the first player to connect on 20+ field goals in a game since 2011 (Jimmer Fredette -  BYU).

Murray completed workout sessions with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers among several other NBA teams.  According to USA Today writer Adi Joseph, Murray could fit the needs of the Detroit Pistons. More  

VIDEO: Comcast SportsNet Feature on Murray

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

 

Monroe-Ouachita Alumni Chapter to Host 12th Annual Evening with GSU Athletics

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  The Monroe-Ouachita Chapter of the Grambling University National Alumni Association will present its' 12th Annual "Evening with GSU Athletics coming up on Thursday, August 7th at 6 p.m. ,The event will be held in the B.D. Robinson Room at the Monroe Civic Center complex.

During the event, GSU Athletic Director Aaron James will speak and head coaches will introduce their staffs. ,The chapter will hold a silent auction and give away door prizes, which will include two season tickets, two tickets to the Bayou Classic and other prizes donated by local businesses.

Additionally, several local alumni, who have made outstanding contributions to GSU Athletics will be honored and GSU season tickets will be on sale at the event. Admission into the event is $15 and ad space in the program is available. ,For more information contact Ezzard Burton at 318-680-9057, Johnny McCaa at 318-366-1077 or any other member of the Monroe-Ouachita chapter.

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

B-CU’s Davis hopes hard work pays off in third season with Jags

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  -- Ryan Davis is wary of compliments.

Point out his faults, though, and he’ll take every word to heart.Davis said that approach keeps him on his toes and prevents him from letting down his guard.

It’s also allowed him to go from an undrafted rookie free agent out of Bethune-Cookman to a third-year NFL veteran defensive lineman with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Since I’ve been here … I’ve really been fighting for my place in the league,” Davis said after a recent workout.

A few minutes earlier, Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley called Davis an “intriguing” defender.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Davis cracked a smile when told of Bradley’s kind words, then quickly snapped back to form.

“That’s great to hear when your coach says something like that about you,” Davis said.“You appreciate that. But you have to let it go in one ear and out the other.”

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Saint Augustine's University Mourns Loss of Coaching Great Harvey Heartley, Sr.

Harvey Heartley, Sr.
Photo Courtesy: SAU Athletics

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- The Saint Augustine's University family mourns the loss of all-time great Harvey Heartley, Sr., on Monday, June 23, 2014.

 

The funeral will be Friday, June 27, 2014, at First Baptist Church on 101 South Wilmington Street in Raleigh, N.C., at noon. The viewing will be at 11 a.m. The funeral home in charge is Barnes Funeral Home on 325 Camel Street in Clayton, N.C.

 

"My deepest sympathies go out to the Heartley family," said SAU Director of Athletics George Williams. "We lost a great Falcon today. Coach Heartley was a staple of our program for many years, and not only will our university miss him, but our whole community will too. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Falcons' coaches who ever lived.

 

"We are going to miss Coach Heartley's presence because he has done so much for so many of us. We will keep his legacy going."

 

Heartley, 79, was a legendary figure at Saint Augustine's University and in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as an athletic director and head men's basketball coach. As athletic director, Heartley was instrumental in the growth of the ultra-popular CIAA Basketball Tournament and the University's athletic department.

 

A Raleigh, N.C., resident, Heartley played a huge role in changing the by-law to allow every team to qualify for the CIAA Tournament instead of eight teams. Under his leadership, the SAU athletic department grew from three to 13 sports during his tenure.

 

His illustrious credentials as an athletic director are only matched by his accomplishments as a basketball coach. Heartley is the University's all-time winningest men's basketball coach with 371 victories from 1971 to 1994, a span of 23 years.

 

Under his guidance, the Falcons reached the 1984 NCAA Division II men's basketball national finals, making them one of three current CIAA schools in conference history to advance to the men's national championship game. Heartley coached NAIA District 26 Tournament championship teams at SAU which qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1977 and 1980. He led the Falcons to the CIAA Tournament championship game four times.

 

Heartley began his career as an administrator in athletics at Saint Augustine's College, now University in 1971. In addition to serving as the athletic director and head men's basketball coach, Heartley also coached several other sports and taught classes. He was the school's athletic director from 1971 to 1996.

 

His achievements landed Heartley in numerous hall of fames including the CIAA Hall of Fame, the Saint Augustine's University Hall of Fame and the N.C. Central University Hall of Fame. Heartley also received several coaching awards including CIAA Coach of the Year, CIAA Athletic Director of the Year four times and NAIA District 26 Coach of the Year.

 

Before arriving at SAU, Heartley was a stellar high school boys' basketball coach. He coached state championship teams at then-Ligon High School in Raleigh, N.C. and then-Cooper High School in Clayton, N.C.

An outstanding basketball player, Heartley played at N.C. Central (then known as North Carolina College) from 1951-55 and was co-captain his final two seasons. A star in his own right, Heartley played alongside future NBA Hall of Famer Sam Jones in the backcourt during his basketball career at NCCU. A native of Clayton, N.C., Heartley played under legendary coach John B. McLendon.

An All-CIAA player in 1955, Heartley earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education and education administration from North Carolina Central University in 1955 and 1965, respectively.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

  

Florida A&M Holmes looking for new beginnings this football season

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  By now everybody knows about all the things that went wrong in Earl Holmes' first year as head football coach at FAMU.

He had two coaches out, either recovering from an illness or the death of a relative during a six-week period. Then, running back coach Elijah Williams quit the job to handle a family matter midway through the season. Quarterback Damien Fleming, in the midst of a less-than-spectacular season, suffered a season-ending foot injury.

And, who could forget the foul up with the sidelines headsets that were so inadequate that they malfunctioned for almost an entire game? Go ahead, laugh because it seems funnier than it is to understand.

No matter how Holmes spins it, fans take those types of things as excuses for losing. Especially when expectations were for a season better than 3-9.

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Four Sign With TSU Volleyball For Upcoming Season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Volleyball head coach Kathy Roulhac has added four players for the upcoming 2014 season. Samantha Beltran, Madison Halterman, Haley Hampton and Marie Hadar have all signed to compete for the Tigers in the fall.

 

Beltran, a 5’10 setter, comes to Tennessee State after completing her prep career at Streetsville Secondary School for Jim Dinner and Karen Young in Mississauga, Onatrio. The five-sport athlete led Streetsville to a ROPSAA Triple-A Championship in her finals season. In 2011, Beltran earned MVP honors at the Joan of Arc Tournament.

 

Beltran was a member of the Student Council, the Tiger Leadership Council, and earned Academic Honors every year in secondary school. The incoming freshman played club ball for Peel Selects coached by Ken Jones, Eclipse West Volleyball Club coached by Amanda Vigna, Defensa Volleyball Club coached by Aaron McGregor and Lakeside Volleyball Club coached by Bear Davies.

 

Halterman will transfer to TSU after spending two years at Iowa Western Community College. The 5’7 libero/defensive specialists earned a spot on the All-Region XI team as a sophomore, helping IWCC to a 7th place finish at Nationals, and a 4th place in her freshman campaign.

 

As a sophomore, Halterman played in 49 matches, averaging 4.24 digs per set as the Reivers and head coach Alicia Williams finished 44-5. The incoming junior recorded a career high 34 digs versus Miami-Dade (10/25). In her first season, Halterman played in 46 and collected 125 digs, along with four service aces and 11 assists.

 

The Omaha, Neb. native earned All-State honors in her final two seasons for Jennifer Rhine at Benson High School. Halterman was twice named to the Omaha World Herald’s All Metro team and was selected as the BHS team MVP as a senior. Halterman also competed for the BHS soccer team and was a member of the honor roll.

 

Halterman played club volleyball with the Omaha Wave for Terry Gamble and the Omaha Premier for Nate Mongan.  Halterman guided the Premier to a fifth place finish at the 2011 Junior National Championships.

 

The incoming junior intends to major in Psychology with future plans to work in human services as a social work.

 

Hampton completed two seasons for Amber McCray at Panola College where she earned 1st Team All-Conference honors as a sophomore and was an NJCAA All-American Nominee. Hampton spent her freshman season as an outside hitter and transitioned to middle blocker in 2013.

 

She was second on the team in kills with 2.59 per set and third in blocks with 0.82 per set. She also notched double-digit kills in 13 matches in her final season. During a 5-game loss to top-ranked Blinn at the Regional Tournament, Hampton helped lead the Fillies with 10 kills on 22attempts for a .409 hitting percentage.

 

Hampton’s accomplishments also extend past the court as she was named to the Region XIV All-Academic Team. She intends to major in Criminal Justice at TSU.

 

In her first season at PC, Hampton played in 31 matches, averaging 2.3 kills and 0.82 blocks per set, while finishing with a .303 hitting average. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-Conference Honorable Mention squad and the Most Improved Award at Panola.

 

Hampton prepped at Dr. John Horn HS in Mesquite, Texas where she was a three-sport athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball and track. The 5’9 middle blocker/right side hitter played competitively for Travis Ferguson and the Impact Highline 18’s.

 

Hadar brings NCAA D-I experience to TSU after spending three seasons at Arkansas State. The Humboldt, Iowa native played in five matches, starting four, before an injury ended her season. Hadar recorded four kills against South Dakota and five blocks against Pittsburgh, while finishing the season with 12 kills, seven blocks, and three digs.

 

The 6’1 outside hitter played in 23 matches, starting 21, as a sophomore at ASU. Hadar led her squad in blocks per set at 0.78, tied with 11 solo blocks and delivered 175 kills. Hadar collected a career-high 14 kills against Louisiana-Lafayette as she registered a Sun Belt single game best .824 hitting percentage. At the Sun Belt Tournament versus UALR, Hadar matched her career-high kills’ mark of 14. She finished her second year with 59 total blocks, 22 digs and six assists.

 

As a freshman, Hadar played in four matches, collecting seven kills, one ace and two digs as ASU claimed the Sunbelt West Division title. Academically she was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

 

The junior transfer played four years at Humbolt High School for Connie Rasmussen and was named to the All-Conference, All-District and All-State teams. Hadar was a member of the Costa Rican National Team, who claimed the Central American Cup Championship in 2011. She was also played in the World Championships in Japan for Costa Rica.

 

Hadar played two years with the Iowa Power Volleyball Alliance team, while participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball at HHS. Hadar plans to continue her degree in sports management with the aspirations of attending Law School.

 

The Tigers open the season on Aug. 29 at the University of Arkansas Tournament.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Price Signs Free Agent Contract With Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, Arizona -- Alabama State University first baseman Dexter Price has signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
 

Price (6-2, 200, Sr., Lake Worth, Fla.) led the Hornets and tied for third in the SWAC with seven home runs and was fifth on the team with 40 RBI. He hit .299 this season with 14 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games with a .397 on-base percentage and .448 slugging percentage. Price was ninth in the SWAC in runs scored (29), tied for seventh in two-out RBI (19), and ranked 10^th in total bases (90). He started all 113 games he played in as a Hornet during his two-year career, hitting 15 home runs and driving in 67 runs.

 
"I'm very proud of Scooter and this great accomplishment," said Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez. "He gave us two great years, was an outstanding player and a good teammate. We wish him well."
 
Price is the fourth player from the 2014 SWAC Eastern Division championship Hornets to be selected to play professional baseball, joining SS Emmanuel Marrero (7^th round pick - Philadelphia Phillies), OF Richard Amion (19^th round - San Francisco Giants) and C Richard Gonzalez (29^th round - Houston Astros).

"I want to thank the coaches for being there to help me during my time at ASU," said Price, who transferred to the Hornets from Daytona State College. "I will never forget all the players there. I wish I could stay longer because I had more fun on this team than any I've ever played on. I wish the best of luck to future players who will get the opportunity to play at Alabama State. It was a fun experience."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MVC Football Replay on Its Way?

Valley Football teams to experiment with replay

CARBONDALE, Illinois -- Missouri Valley Football Conference schools could be mandated to use instant replay in as soon as the next two years, according to commissioner Patty Viverito.

Two schools, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State, plan to use instant replay in all their games after the league approved experimenting with the process for televised games this fall. Before this year, Valley Football teams could only use replay during games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents or in the playoffs.

"I think it's an expense that everybody anticipates taking on, eventually. I just think it happened a year ahead, or two years ahead of where we anticipated, in terms of the investment," Viverito said. "But, you don't have to buy the equipment. You can rent the equipment on a game-by-game basis, so, I think that's why a couple of the schools are looking to see, to do just a game or two with rented equipment and then determine if it makes sense for the investment."

Instant replay has been steadily growing at the Football Championship Subdivision level over the last four years. The MEAC used it in televised games through its package with ESPN networks in 2011. The Big South and SWAC experimented with ...

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SU Fall Camp 2014: Jaguars report July 31

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Head coach Dawson Odums welcomes his defending SWAC champion Southern Jaguars to fall camp July 31 when players are scheduled to report to the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse starting at 1 p.m.

The Jaguars, who travel to face defending New Orleans Bowl champion UL Lafayette in the season opener on Aug. 30, will conduct its first practice of fall camp on Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. Freshman and newcomers will hold a brief practice at 3:45 p.m. prior to the full team practice.

Southern's first practice in full pads is set for Aug. 5 at 9:15 a.m. followed by the first of four scheduled two-a-day practices Aug. 6 at 9:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

The final scrimmage of fall camp is slated for Saturday, August 16 at 9:45 a.m. before the Jaguars gather to host Fan Fest later in the afternoon.

Classes for the Fall 2014 semester begin Monday, August 18.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL 2014 FALL CAMP SCHEDULE 

July 31 - PLAYERS REPORT - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; Equipment Pickup - 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Aug. 1 - PRACTICE #1 (HELMETS) - Freshman and Newcomers 3:45 p.m.; Entire team 5 p.m.

Aug. 2 - PRACTICE #2 (HELMETS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Aug. 3 - PRACTICE #3 (SHELLS) - 3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Aug. 4 - PRACTICE #4 (SHELLS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Aug. 5 - PRACTICE #5 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 6 - PRACTICE #6 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | PRACTICE #7 (SHELLS) 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Aug. 7 - PRACTICE #8 (FULL PADS) - 4:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Aug. 8 - PRACTICE #9 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | PRACTICE #10 (SHELLS) 4:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Aug. 9 - PRACTICE #11 (FULL PADS) - 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Aug. 10 - PRACTICE #12 (SHELLS) - 4:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 - PRACTICE #13 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | PRACTICE #14 (SHELLS) 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 12 - PRACTICE #15 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 13 - PRACTICE #16 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | PRACTICE #17 (SHELLS) 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 14 - PRACTICE #18 (FULL PADS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 15 - PRACTICE #19 (SHELLS) - 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m
Aug. 16 - PRACTICE #20 (FULL PADS) - 9:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 18 - Classes Begin - No Practice

Aug. 19 - PRACTICE #21 (SHELLS) 5 p.m. (Pre-Practice availability 4:35 p.m.)

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Hampton hoping transfer Quinton Chievous can have immediate impact

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- The 2013-14 season in the MEAC was dominated by North Carolina Central, as Levelle Moton’s team went 16-1 in conference play and earned its first NCAA tournament berth as a Division I member. The question for the other teams in the MEAC heading into the offseason was a simple one: how do they close the gap between themselves and the defending champion Eagles?

One team asking that question is Hampton, which finished second in the MEAC standings with a 13-4 record. But the goal for teams in small conferences is to win their league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, and for the second consecutive season Edward Joyner Jr.’s team lost its MEAC tournament opener.

The good news for Hampton is that while leading scorer and rebounder Du’Vaughn Maxwell (14.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg) is out of eligibility, they return the other four of their top five scorers led by point guard Deron Powers (11.8 ppg, 4.0 apg). The Pirates also add four newcomers with the most recent being former Tennessee guard Quinton Chievous.

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Cleveland Browns notes: Isaiah Crowell trying to make team as running back

BEREA, Ohio  -- If Ray Farmer has proven one thing in his first year as general manager of the Browns, it is he is willing to take a chance on a player with a checkered past.

 Isaiah Crowell fits that description. Crowell was regarded as one of the most talented running backs in the recent draft, but 32 teams passed on him through all seven rounds, so the Browns signed him as an undrafted rookie. The pre-draft scouting report on nfldraftscout.com explains why teams shied away:

“Crowell failed a drug test while at Georgia and was charged with two felony counts of possession of a firearm. Further, he hasn’t shown ideal toughness, struggling to play through relatively minor leg injuries throughout his collegiate career. … From a purely talent standpoint, Crowell may just be the best runner in the 2014 draft. Questions about his toughness and dependability, however, make him very much a gamble that some teams simply won’t be willing to take.”

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Southern's 'Doc' Williams receives LATA President's Award

Courtesy John Oubre and Southern University Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Longtime Southern University athletic trainer Carl 'Doc' Williams received the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association's President's Award in recognition of his lifetime of service to Southern University as the school's head athletic trainer.

LATA vice president Ray Castle presented Williams the award in the SU athletic training room inside the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse on Thursday.

Click here to watch the video.

"It's always an honor to get an award, wherever it comes from, because it means that those people have an admiration for what you've done and what you do," Williams said. "And that's the most important thing."

"As a trainer), you try an please the people you come into contact with, the people around you, and you try to help whenever you can and that's always been my mode of living."

Along with his many years of service with the SU athletic department, Williams served on the athletic training staff of the Dallas Cowboys and was active member of several national trainers associations.

The President's Award also recognized Williams as one of the integral figures who helped passed Louisiana legislation which recognized athletic trainers as allied healthcare professionals in the state.

This year, House Bill 691 was the first major revision in the athletic training practice act initially passed in 1985. The 2014 law, signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal under ACT 418, move the 1985 law from certification to licensure of athletic trainers.

"I began to really appreciate how much more work and time which the members of LATA had to dedicate in the early 1980's," Gerard White, president of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers' Association.

"Those key members were never acknowledged for what had to be a very time consuming endeavor to get the first athletic training practice act passed in 1985. So, with the recent passage of a revised athletic training practice act, the honors some key athletic trainers who played a pivotal role in getting the first law passed.

"Members, like Carl Williams, were the forefathers for the athletic training profession and serve as a positive role model and mentor for the rest of us."

Others also recognized with the 2014 LATA President's Award were: Mayfield Armstrong ATC, Michael Brunet MD, David Drez MD, David Giardina ATC, Bob Goodwin ATC, Jim Murphy ATC, PT, Troy Prevot PA-C, ATC, and Rep. Chris Broadwater (Legislator of the Year).

The Louisiana Athletic Trainers' Association (LATA)is a not-for-profit organization of health care professionals dedicated to the safety in sports completion and the profession of athletic training within the State of Louisiana.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Gold Rush announce signing of three student-athletes

From left:  XU assistant coach Alfred Williams, signees Troy Salvant,
Josh Freeman and Jacques Johnson and head coach Dannton Jackson.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Friday the signing of three student-athletes for men's basketball: Troy Salvant of Marrero, La., Josh Freeman of Chicago and Jacques Johnson of Ridgeland, Miss.
    
Salvant will be a freshman with the Gold Rush in 2014-15. Freeman and Johnson will be juniors.
    
Salvant is 25 years old and spent the past seven years in the Army, including 12 months during the Iraq war, and reached the rank of sergeant. A 6-foot-1 shooting guard, Salvant averaged 19.5 points per game as a senior at L.W. Higgins High School, where he graduated in 2007 and led the Hurricanes to the Class 5A state playoffs.
    
Former XU standout Wanto Joseph played against Salvant in high school. He recommended Salvant to XU head coach Dannton Jackson.
    
Freeman, a 5-10 point guard, is a transfer from Chicago's Kennedy-King College, a two-year school where he averaged 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this past season. Freeman made 36.4 percent of his 3-pointers and 80.4 percent of his free throws. As a senior at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Ill., Freeman averaged 14 points per game and was all-conference.
    
Johnson, a 6-3 small forward, is a transfer from East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. Johnson averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this past season and was selected second-team all-state in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges. He was an MACJC all-star and was chosen East Central's MVP. As a senior at Provine High School in Jackson, Miss., Johnson averaged nine points per game.
    
Xavier's Gold Rush were 23-9 this past season, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship for the third consecutive year and qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship for the fourth straight season. Xavier ranked 16th in the coaches postseason poll.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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NCCU Football To Open Season at ECU on ESPNEWS

 GREENVILLE, North Carolina – North Carolina Central University's season-opening football game at East Carolina University on Aug. 30 will be broadcast live to a national television audience on ESPNews with a kickoff time of 8:00 p.m., the American Athletic Conference announced on Thursday (June 19) afternoon.

When the two teams meet inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C., it will be first gridiron match-up between NCCU and ECU.

East Carolina, which will play its inaugural campaign in the AAC this fall under fifth-year head coach Ruffin McNeill, was 10-3 in 2013 and successfully completed the program's seventh postseason appearance in the last eight years with a 37-20 win over Ohio in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.

The Eagles, who are under the direction of first-year head coach Jerry Mack, opened last season at ACC Coastal Division champion Duke University and made three appearances on ESPN networks in 2013 (ESPN3 at Duke on Aug. 31, ESPNU vs. S.C. State on Oct. 10, ESPNews vs. Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 2).

For more information about NCCU football, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NCAA meeting with Southern set for June 25

 INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  -- Southern will get its day in court June 25.

That’s when eight representatives of the university will appear before the NCAA Committee on Academic Performance in Indianapolis as the Jaguars attempt to have an NCAA postseason ban lifted.

All Southern teams have been ineligible for NCAA postseason play since December as a result of inadequate reporting of student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates. The university has been working for more than six months to satisfy NCAA requests for complete and accurate APR data.

Two NCAA representatives visited the campus in April to evaluate changes Southern has made to its record-keeping and submission to avoid future shortcomings.

An NCAA spokesperson said the hearing will involve a discussion of “the data issues at Southern and how the school will move forward with accurate and timely data submission in the future.”

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