Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Morgan State Bears: A Way Too Early Non-Conference Preview

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Morgan State Bears at Eastern Michigan Eagles

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Sat. Aug. 30, 2014

6:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU & WatchESPN

YPSILANTI, Michigan -- The first game to be played at "The Factory" will be between Chris Creighton's Eagles and the Morgan State Bears.  It's the most highly-anticipated game that we're all waiting for: the first game played on the infamous gray turf at Rynearson Stadium. 

The Morgan State Bears will make the trip from Baltimore to play against the Eagles, led by first-year head coach Chris Creighton.

Morgan State Bears 2013 Rewind:

The Bears got off to a terrible 0-5 start last year, but ended the season with a 5-7 overall record. All five wins came against in-conference opponents, and were only 2-6 when playing on the road.

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FAMU Marching 100 Greatest Hits!

Byron Dobson: Dr. Julian White seeks diversity in Goodwill’s band

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  In his 50-year career as a music educator, first on the public-school level and later as director of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100, Julian White has had his share of experiences with students needing access to instruments and lessons to expand their musical talents.

Like a dedicated sports coach who also grooms the playing field and pays out of pocket for unexpected expenses, band directors on the grassroots level search for the right acoustic setting for practices, seek patron partnerships and learn how to strike deals on purchasing musical instruments.

That’s why White, 73, gets excited when he talks about his new environment as director of musical outreach for Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend. It may sound like an odd partnership, but Goodwill is including music classes and the formation of a community band among its many offerings, now that its Prosperity Center is open at its West Pensacola Street campus.

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Former SAU's Brittany Parker Joins MSU Women's Basketball Coaching Staff

MOREHEAD, Kentucky  -- Brittany Parker, a Waterbury, Conn, native, has been named an assistant coach for the Morehead State Women's Basketball program.

Parker spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Niagara (N.Y.), where she was also video coordinator and community service coordinator. 

"Brittany will be a great addition to our staff," MSU Head Coach Greg Todd said. "She has three full seasons as an assistant at the Division I level. She will be an excellent coach on the floor as well as an outstanding role model for our young ladies. Brittany's work ethic and experience will be a great asset to our program."

Prior to her stint with the Purple Eagles, Parker served two years as an assistant at Division II Fayetteville State (N.C.).  While at FSU, Parker was responsible for post player development, scouting, travel, and community service.  She helped the Broncos reach a 20-10 record, as well as claiming the 2010 CIAA Tournament championship. 

Parker coached Deja Middleton, a center who was selected First Team All-CIAA and was named 2009-10 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year.  She also coached Tiffany Haywood, a center who was named the 2010 CIAA Tournament MVP.  She coached Victoria Rampado, the 2013-14 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, at Niagara. 

"We are right in the middle of a great recruiting area here at MSU," Parker said. "I am really excited to be on this staff and at such a great school. Coach Todd and I have some mutual friends in the coaching world here in Kentucky, so through my relationships with them, I was able to have this opportunity here."

Along with graduating in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Augustine (N.C.), Parker was also a four-year member of the basketball team.    

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Bahamas HBCUX Classic 2014 Press Conference

NASSAU, Bahamas  -- HBCUX Founder/CEO Curtis Symonds former EVP of BET and former COO of the Washington Mystics makes a formal announcement of the 1st Annual HBCUX Classic in Nassau Bahamas.  The Texas Southern Tigers football team is gearing up for the 2014 HBCUX Classic versus Central State. Travel packages for the event are now on sale and can be viewed by visiting the HBCUX Classic official website located at www.hbcux.com.

Mike DeMilia Named Next Lincoln Baseball Coach

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  --  Mike DeMilia, who helped lead Truman State to the postseason last spring, is the next head coach of the Lincoln baseball program. Lincoln Athletic Director Betty Kemna announced the hiring on Tuesday (July 1).

"We are very excited to welcome Mike to Lincoln University," Kemna said. "Mike is a high-energy guy who brings tremendous enthusiasm to our program. We believe his passion for the game of baseball, his understanding of the sport and his knowledge of the MIAA will take Lincoln to the next level."

DeMilia spent the past three seasons as the assistant coach at Truman, including helping the Bulldogs transition from the MIAA into the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the 2014 season. This past spring, DeMilia helped lead Truman to a program-record 26 wins and a berth in the GLVC postseason tournament, where the Bulldogs won two extra-inning games against higher-ranked teams. One of those wins was a 13-12 come-from-behind victory that eliminated eventual NCAA Midwest Regional-qualifier Indianapolis from the GLVC tourney.

DeMilia becomes the eighth head coach in Lincoln baseball history.



"I've coached for 21 years, the last three at Truman State, and we've played Lincoln 11 times [in that span], and I've always kind of seen it as a program with some promise," DeMilia said. "I see some talent, and a facility that I think can be really good. I believe Lincoln is a place where you can be successful."

Prior to becoming the assistant at Truman, DeMilia was the assistant coach at Millard North High, where he coached two all-state position players and three All-Omaha Metro Area players. That season, DeMilia helped Millard North finish third in the Legion season and fourth at the state tournament. DeMilia was also the head coach at Omaha Bryan High from 2006-2010, winning 184 games overall between the high school and American Legion seasons.

DeMilia has coached baseball on some level since 1994, when he started his professional career as a junior varsity assistant coach with the Nebraska Medical Center Legion team. DeMilia was promoted to head coach of that squad in 1996, and held that position until taking over as head coach of the varsity squad in 2000. In six seasons with the Nebraska Medical Center Legion team, DeMilia won 126 games with players who had been cut from their high school squads.

DeMilia also concurrently coached as an assistant at Millard West High in 1999 and at Omaha Central High from 2004-2005. DeMilia helped both programs set school records for wins in a season.

In addition to his coaching, DeMilia has also organized, coordinated and instructed at a variety of youth baseball camps and clinics. At Truman State, DeMilia was responsible for scouting opponents and coaching defensive positioning as well as all aspects of the Bulldogs' offensive system. In 2014, the Bulldogs set five offensive records, including runs scored (292), total hits (482), RBI (248) and stolen bases (118). DeMilia coached eight position players that earned All-GLVC recognition and one that was named the Midwest Regional Player of the Week.

DeMilia expects to bring an aggressive offensive approach to the Blue Tigers.

"We want to make pitchers uncomfortable, we want to make the defense uncomfortable," DeMilia said. "At some point, I want to bring speed to our team and steal bases, hit-and-run, things like that. The biggest thing is, I want a group of guys that will compete. You're going to see kids fighting hard, playing as a team, playing with enthusiasm."

DeMilia earned his bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1999 and later received a master's degree in Health and Human Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2001. While at Oklahoma State, he served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the Cowboy baseball team.

DeMilia and his wife Mendy have three children: Easton, Nolan and Claire.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations

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FAMU Rattlers Football Season Tickets On Sale Now

ASU Men's Basketball to Play in the Bahamas

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- The Alabama State University men's basketball team will be one of 14 NCAA programs to play in the "Summer of Thunder 2014" Tournament held in Nassau.  There are 13 international teams from the Dominican Republic, France and Puerto Rico during the foreign tour which is being hosted by the Bahamas Basketball Federation and Complete Sports Management August 2-25.

"We're very excited and it is a great opportunity to go out and get some play in for the summer," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said.  "We want to go out and have some fun and let the kids enjoy themselves, have a good time, play some basketball and it also gives us some time to get some practice in."

"We are looking forward to the trip and want to make it fun, but at the same time we are looking to gel and try to come together as a team."

The foreign tour will run over the course of 23 days with the Hornets scheduled to play their exhibition games during the second week of action.  ASU will leave for the Bahamas Aug. 12 and return Aug. 17.  They are scheduled to open play against the Providence Storm on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m.

On Thursday Aug. 14, ASU will play the Pyramid Food Rockets at 8 p.m.  The Hornets final exhibition game will have them facing the Street Legends All-Stars on Friday Aug. 15 at 8 p.m.  All games will be played at the 2,500-seat Sir Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau.

"We are going to get the chance to play some older guys who have played the game and understand the game and play at a high level," Jackson said.  "It is a great opportunity for us because we were so young last year and these guys will have a chance to go out and see how much they have improved over the summer before we get into seasonal play."

NCAA rules allow foreign tours by intercollegiate teams once every four academic years.  The other participating NCAA teams are North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Mississippi, Morehead State, Northern Arizona, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Portland State, Whitman College, Louisiana Tech and Stanford.

"I think this is the first time we at Alabama State have had an opportunity to go over and play (Bahamas)," Jackson said.  "Again, we want to see how much our guys have improved, but we want them to have a good time.  Some of these guys would not have this opportunity if it were not for basketball to go and make this trip.  So we are excited about what it can bring to us."

"We are planning on taking in some sights.  I think we play late games so we want the guys to get out and have a real good experience.  We are going to try and blend in some tour time as well as getting in some time to play basketball.  It is going to be a fun trip for everyone."

The Bahamas trip is part of the Global Sports Invitational the Hornets have been involved in the past several years.  Along with the trip to the Bahamas, this year's participation in the Global Sports Invite has ASU traveling to Utah to play in a multi-team tournament hosted by the Utes.  The other teams in the tournament along with ASU and host Utah are Texas-Pan American and North Dakota.  The tournament will be played Nov. 26-29.

ASU returns every player from last season's 19-13 team which finished tied for second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with a 12-6 conference record.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Terminated Grambling coach issues statement

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Former Grambling State University Head Basketball Coach Joseph Price issued a statement in regard to his dismissal from the university on Wednesday morning.

From Joseph Price:

"I feel great about the progress we made with the program over the last two years. When I took the head coach position, Grambling was facing serious NCAA sanctions that required us to focus on the academic eligibility, retention and the team's graduation rate, which in summary is the Academic Progress Rate (APR).

Through strategic recruiting and monitoring the academic progress of our players, my staff and I were able to lead the program out of these sanctions and on a pathway to success in just two years. When you consider the fact that we were working in a limited resource environment, this was equivalent to working a miracle.

The program is now past most of ...

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Former Albany State baseball standouts adjusting to life in independent league

Jacob Campbell, Robby Latner now play in the Pecos League

ROSWELL, New Mexico — Campbell showed up in Roswell, N.M., just over a month ago with a dream.

And even though the first month of his professional baseball career didn’t go exactly as planned, that dream is still very much alive for the former Albany State standout and Westover grad.

Campbell, along with former ASU teammate Robby Latner, signed a professional contract in the independent Pecos League — a non-affiliated pro league that serves as a feeder system for MLB affiliated teams or higher independent leagues — in May and is currently in the middle of his first season with the Roswell Invaders. Latner signed with the Bisbee (Ariz.) Blues and has become one of his team’s most versatile players.

Campbell began the season with a starting job in left field but fell into a slump and is platooning in the outfield as he adjusts to life with a wooden bat, but he is still hopeful for a long-term baseball career.

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Houston Rockets Call Pendarvis Williams To Summer League

HOUSTON, Texas  --  The Houston Rockets have signed Pendarvis Williams to their summer league roster.

The former Norfolk State Spartan, averaged 15.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.6 apg last season. The 6’6”, 195 lb guard earned many accolades during his college career, which include: being named the MEAC Player of the Year, was also an honorable mention All-American, a conference Player of the Year and finished the season as HBCU Player of the Year.

Williams is an excellent 3-point shooter. His ability to shoot the three ball is his best asset. He shot over 38% from behind the arc in his four-year career at Norfolk State making him a huge asset to his team.

His college coach, Robert Jones, praises Williams for his leadership and work ethic on and off the court.

Jones also compared Williams to Rookie of the Year winner Michael Carter Williams, for reasons related to his size and ball handling skills. Williams has the ability to play either guard position which fits the mold of most NBA guards today.

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Grambling players caught off guard with Price's firing

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The shock value of Joseph Price’s firing still resonated strongly Wednesday, a day after Price was surprisingly given the pink slip as Grambling’s men’s basketball coach.

Several team members were left without words when news hit Tuesday that new Grambling interim president Cynthia Warrick had started to clean house with the reassignment of athletic director Aaron James and the firing of Price.

“We haven’t really talked much about it,” said Grambling guard and Richwood product Remond Brown. “Everybody has just been thinking about it and sad and down about it.”

Price tried to meet with as many players as possible Tuesday to deliver the news, but not everyone was available due to conflicting summer schedules.

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Grambling State head coach Joseph Price relieved of duties

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- Considering the fact that the program has put together a record of five wins and 52 losses over the last two years, including an 0-28 mark in 2012-13, it would be an understatement to say that these have been tough times for the Grambling State basketball program. Add in the issues the program faced academically when head coach Joseph Price was hired, resulting in their being ineligible for postseason play last year, and it’s clear that a lot needed to change.

Tuesday it was reported by Sean Isabella of The News-Star that recently hired interim school president Cynthia Warrick has begun making changes, with Price and athletic director Aaron James being relieved of their respective duties as part of the shakeup.

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Athletic director, basketball coach out at Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana --New Grambling interim president Cynthia Warrick didn't take long to leave her mark on the university.

"In her first official day as Grambling's leader, Warrick made significant changes across the board, relieving athletic director Aaron James and men's basketball coach Joseph Price of their duties.

Warrick took over Tuesday, a day after former president Frank Pogue wrapped up his tenure.

"I didn't foresee it coming, but I do understand when you change president's — I've been in the system long enough — a lot of times the president's have the people they want to bring into different positions, and I do understand that," James told The News-Star on Tuesday.

James, who was the athletic director for the past three years, said he received a letter from the president's office Tuesday morning indicating he had been reassigned. James previously served as a kinesiology professor.

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Saint Augustine's University Names Johnson Head Men's Basketball Coach

COACH MARQUS JOHNSON

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  The Saint Augustine's University athletic department officially named MarQus Johnson as its head men's basketball coach on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Johnson was elevated to head coach after two seasons as assistant men's basketball coach at Saint Augustine's University from 2012 to 2014. Prior to returning to SAU, Johnson was head coach of the Cary Invasion, a semi-professional basketball team based in Cary, N.C. Under his guidance, the Invasion was 22-5 in two seasons and won the Continental Basketball League (CBL) regular season and tournament championship. The Invasion was also runner-up in the Tobacco Road Basketball League (TRBL). He was previously an assistant coach at Saint Augustine's University from 2008 to 2010 before heading to the Cary Invasion.

"He has been a faithful assistant under Coach [Lonnie] Blow twice and Coach [Tony] Sheals once," said SAU Athletic Director and legendary Track & Field Head Coach George Williams. "I think it's time to give him his due and see where he can take the program. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead."

Johnson is well-known in the Triangle area. A Knightdale, N.C., native, he was an assistant coach at North Carolina Central University and Shaw University in addition to Saint Augustine's University. Johnson has a stellar reputation for developing positive relationships with the student-athletes.

"I am honored and humbled while also being appreciative of the opportunity that Saint Augustine's University [Interim] President Dr. [Everett B.] Ward and Coach Williams have given me," said Johnson. "I will work diligently and with great passion to take this program to new heights. Our goal will be to recruit young men who not only value the opportunity to play collegiate basketball but also have a sense of urgency in every aspect of winning. When I say winning, I mean on the court, in the community and, most importantly, in the classroom."

Johnson was an assistant coach on the SAU men's basketball team which captured its second CIAA championship in school history during the 2009-2010 season. That squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament and earned a national top 25 ranking.

Before coming to SAU the first time, Johnson was an assistant coach at North Carolina Central and Shaw. At NCCU, seven of Johnson's recruits earned All-CIAA honors including David Young, who was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2004 NBA Draft. At Shaw, Johnson coached one All-CIAA player.

Johnson was a standout basketball player at NCCU from 1996 to 2000 where he held the title of team captain for three consecutive years. He helped lead the Eagles to three CIAA division titles where he was a prolific three-point shooter. Johnson graduated from NCCU with a B.S. degree in recreational administration in 2000.

As a prep player, Johnson starred at East Wake High School in Wendell, N.C., where he was an all-state basketball performer. He is the school's all-time scoring leader with 1,577 points.

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WSSU’s Ross signs to play in Dublin, Ireland

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Preston Ross III, who played one season of basketball at WSSU, has signed to play for UCD Marion Dublin, a pro team in Dublin, Ireland.

Ross, who transferred to WSSU after three seasons at Western Carolina, helped the Rams reach the CIAA championship game last season. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, Ross powered his way to 16.9 points and 5.8 rebounds a game.

UCD Marion Dublin plays in the top division of the Premier League in Ireland.

Ross, who is from Fayetteville and a graduate of 71st High School, will leave next month to begin training camp. The season will run from October through March.

Ross is the latest former WSSU player to sign to play ...

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Bulldog team begins summer drills with eye on two rings and a positive image for SCSU

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- For redshirt freshman quarterback Adrian Kollack, voluntary summer workouts at South Carolina State are not just about strength and conditioning.

They are an opportunity for the Spartanburg native and potential new Bulldog starter to develop camaraderie with the offense he hopes to lead to another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and beyond.

“(The motivation is) getting something more than a MEAC ring,” Kollack said. “Doing more than getting a MEAC ring ... winning a game in the (Football Championship Subdivision) playoffs and possibly making a run to the FCS title. We want to get two rings instead of one.”

As one of the de facto “coaches,” Kollack also gets to conduct the on-field workouts, which will take place Tuesday and Thursday the next four weeks at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium with more than 60 players in attendance. Other “coaches” are senior defensive lineman Andrew Carter and senior linebacker Justin Hughes.

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FAMU's Varnadore steps up to lead in senior year

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Right after a group of FAMU football players completed a conditioning drill of running steps inside Bragg Stadium, they gathered in a circle.

 Kicker Chase Varnadore pushed his way close to the center.

The former Florida High standout praised the effort of his teammates under the blazing sun, igniting what resembled the kind of celebration that follows a win.

"I always tell them it's not supposed to be easy," Varnadore said. "If it were easy, everybody would do it."

"During the season when we are down by seven points or 14 points in the third quarter, that's not easy. It's going to be hard to fight your way back into the game, so I feel like this is just preparing us for the season."

While that is the primary intent of the offseason workouts, it certainly is unusual to see a kicker taking charge and establishing himself as a leader.

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Nuggets, Rush will run twice at home during 2014 season

NEW ORLEANS — Two city meets, including the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, are highlights of the 2014 Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's cross country schedules.
    
Tenth-year head coach Joseph Moses announced the schedules Tuesday. Both the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets are eight-time defending champions of the GCAC.
    
Xavier will play host to the GCAC Championships on Oct. 18 at City Park, with team and individual champions qualifying automatically for the NAIA National Championships at Lawrence, Kan., on Nov. 22. It will be the first time since 2003 that New Orleans is the site of the GCAC meet.
    
The other City Park meet will be the Xavier Big Easy Opener on Aug. 29. It will be the first time since 2007 that the Rush and Nuggets compete in their home city.
    
For the first time since 2010, XU teams will compete four times in Louisiana. Xavier will run at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge on Sept. 20 and the McNeese Cowboy Stampede in Lake Charles on Sept. 27.
    
Xavier's second meet — one of four before the conference meet — will be the Azalea City Classic at Mobile, Ala., on Sept. 12.
    
Xavier returns both 2013 GCAC individual champions, Catherine Fakler and Kwame Jackson. Also back is Jackson's sister Zahri, a GCAC individual champion in 2011 and 2012.


Xavier University of Louisiana
2014 Men's and Women's
Cross Country Schedule

Friday, Aug. 29
XAVIER BIG EASY OPENER, City Park, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12
Azalea City Classic, Mobile, Ala.

Saturday, Sept. 20
LSU Invitational, Baton Rouge, La.

Saturday, Sept. 27
McNeese Cowboy Stampede, Lake Charles, La.

Saturday, Oct. 18
GCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS, City Park, 8 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 22
NAIA National Championships, Lawrence, Kan., 10:30 a.m.

Home meets in CAPITAL LETTERS
All times are Central except where noted
Schedules are subject to change

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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XU to open 2014 with 11 of first 13 matches at home

Hannah Lawing

NEW ORLEANS — A slew of early-season home matches is one of the features of the 2014 Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball schedule.
     
Second-year coach Hannah Lawing announced Tuesday the schedule, which consists of 23 regular-season contests. Xavier will play a school-record-tying 13 matches at home. Eleven of the Gold Nuggets' first 13 matches will be at home, including a school-record five in a row from Sept. 20-29.
     
The Nuggets' first 13 matches of 2013 were on the road. Two years ago they played 12 of their first 14 on the road, including the first seven.
        
Xavier is the three-time defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament champion and is 43-0 the past three seasons against GCAC opponents. Xavier is one of 17 schools to qualify for the NAIA National Championship each of the last three seasons.
     
This will be the Nuggets' second season in the Convocation Center, which opened in November 2012 and seats nearly 4,000 for volleyball or basketball. When Xavier opens against Faulkner at 2 p.m. on Aug. 23, it will be the second time in the program's seven seasons that the Nuggets begin their schedule at home.
     
Three days later, on Aug. 26, the Nuggets will play at 7 p.m. at home against Mobile. It will be the first of three matches against 2013 NAIA national tourney qualifiers.
     
Xavier will play its earliest-ever GCAC opener, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. at home against Edward Waters. The GCAC will have eight members in 2014-15 — Fisk departed after four seasons to join the NAIA's Association of Independent Institutions — and all GCAC teams will play 14 conference matches.
     
First-time opponents will be Wiley — Aug. 30 at Wiley, Sept. 9 at Xavier — and Concordia (Mich.) on Oct. 11 at Xavier.
     
The Nuggets' other matches against 2013 NAIA tourney qualifiers will be Spring Hill at home on Oct. 10 and at Mobile on Oct. 14. Spring Hill this season begins the first year of its candidacy period in NCAA Division II.
     
Xavier will play three road matches in New Orleans: SUNO on Oct. 1 and Dillard on Nov. 6 in the conference and Loyola on Nov. 3.
     
Match times and dates are subject to change.
     
Xavier was 26-8 in 2013, 9-0 at home. The Nuggets have a school-record 13-match home win streak dating to 2012.


2014 Xavier University Women's Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 23:  FAULKNER, 2 p.m.
Aug. 26:  MOBILE, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30:  at Wiley, 11 a.m.
Sept. 5:  • EDWARD WATERS, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9:  WILEY, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15:  • at Tougaloo, 5 p.m.
Sept. 20:  • PHILANDER SMITH, noon
Sept. 22:  • TALLADEGA, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26:  LOYOLA, 6 p.m.
Sept. 27:  • DILLARD, noon
Sept. 29:  • VOORHEES, 7 p.m.
 Oct. 1:  • at SUNO, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10:  SPRING HILL, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11:  CONCORDIA (MICH.), 1 p.m.
 Also Oct. 11 at Xavier: Spring Hill vs. Concordia (Mich.), 11 a.m.
Oct. 14:  at Mobile, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18:  • TOUGALOO, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20:  • at Talladega, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25:  • at Voorhees, 11 a.m. EDT
Oct. 26:  • at Edward Waters, noon EDT
Oct. 30:  • SUNO, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1:  • at Philander Smith, noon
Nov. 3:  at Loyola, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6:  • at Dillard, 5 p.m.
TBA:  GCAC Tournament
Nov. 22:  NAIA National Championship opening round at campus sites, TBA
Dec. 2-6:  NAIA National Championship final site at Sioux City, Iowa, TBA

Home matches (in CAPITAL LETTERS) will be played at the Convocation Center (capacity 3,937), Xavier University campus, New Orleans
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match
TBA — To be announced
All times are Central except where noted


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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HAPPY - Alabama State University

SC State Football Players Participate In Community Blood Drive

Junior defensive end Reggie Owens was one of many Bulldog football players who
participated  in the American Red Cross Blood drive held at O.C. Dawson Stadium.

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- The South Carolina State University football program teamed up with the American Red Cross in a community blood drive held Wednesday, June.25 at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

This year's blood drive was held in the conference room of Dawson Stadium with over 60 participants from the community, along with the Bulldog football team.

 "This year was the first year we teamed up with the American Red Cross for a worthy cause in giving blood," said head coach Buddy Pough. "We hope to make this an annual event so we can make more people in the community aware of the importance of donating."

According to event organizers, the blood drive was a huge victory for donating in the African- American Community. Every participant that donated blood or plasma will have the ability to save three lives in the future.

African-Americans have played a vital role in the development of the American Red Cross, through pioneering blood plasma research.

The African-American community has been invaluable in this effort, whether it's assisting victims of disaster, teaching health and safety courses or providing strong insightful volunteer leadership.

For more information about how you can donate blood to help save lives, please call or visit your local Red Cross office or www.redcrossblood.org and 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU Williams to Play for Houston Rockets Summer League Team

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Former Norfolk State guard Pendarvis Williams will play for the Houston Rockets' summer league team in Las Vegas in mid-July after signing a free agent contract with the Rockets organization after last week's NBA Draft.

Williams, who finished his four-year career with NSU last season, is one of at least nine players who will compete for the Rockets' team in Las Vegas from July 12-21.

It will mark the third year in a row a former NSU player participated in one of the two NBA summer leagues – the other taking place in Orlando. Former Spartan Kyle O'Quinn competed with the Orlando Magic in 2012 and '13 after the Magic selected him in the second round of the 2012 Draft.

Williams, a native of Philadelphia, earned first-team All-NABC District 15 and second-team All-MEAC honors in 2013-14 as a senior with NSU. He also garnered AP All-America honorable mention and participated in the Reese's College All-Star Game before the Final Four.

He averaged career highs of 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals last year. He ended his career 15th all-time at NSU with 1,646 points and is only one of two players to tally at least 1,600 points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks.

Mike Bello, Asst. SID

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Former HU's McCorory edges Richards-Ross for women's 400 title

SACRAMENTO, California — Francena McCorory had to wait for the replay to see the best race of her life. The U.S. women's 400-meter champion has a tendency to run with her eyes closed.

Not that it mattered much.

 

McCorory won Saturday in the Sanya Richards-Ross.

U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships, finishing in 49.48 seconds to edge Olympic champion

 

McCorory had her best career time and the fastest in the world this year. She did it despite running three-quarters of the race with her eyes closed, something the sprinter has done since she first took up running as a 12-year-old.

 

That McCorory somehow stays in her lane without bumping into other runners was just as impressive as her winning time.

 

"I know it's weird because I have to go around an oval and turn left, but I really don't feel anyone," McCorory said. "I've run so many 400s I can feel the track. At 300 yards, I was like, 'Yes, I'm almost home.' That's the only time I opened my eyes.

 

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New AD Marshall follows his 'passion' to Hampton University

HAMPTON, Virginia — Eugene Marshall Jr. took the plunge 30 years ago. Farewell IBM and potential long-term security and stock options. Hello college sports administration and thankless hours and inevitable job change.

He's never looked back, and Monday the well-credentialed, supremely grateful Marshall was formally introduced as Hampton University's athletic director.



"Probably not wrapped too tight," he said with a broad smile of leaving IBM. "(But) athletics has always been my life. It's one thing to have a job. It's another thing to have a passion. So for 29 years, I've had a passion, not a job. … That's why I'm here. I love what I'm doing. The hours don't matter, because it's not a 9-to-5 job."

The job at Hampton is particularly difficult, witness its rampant turnover. Marshall is the seventh person to hold the position, full-time or interim, since Dennis Thomas resigned in 2002 after 12 years to become commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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