Thursday, July 17, 2014

Savannah State to play Colorado State Rams Football in 2015




SAVANNAH, Georgia  -- The 2014 football season has yet to begin but one non-conference matchup for the 2015 campaign will have Savannah State traveling to Fort Collins, Colorado to play Colorado State. The game will be on September 5, 2105 at Hughes Stadium. CSU will pay the Tigers a $300,000 guarantee. There will be a second game in the series with the Rams to be played either in 2017 or 2018. CSU was 8-6 in 2013 and beat Washington State in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

XU women's tennis, volleyball are NAIA Scholar-Teams



NEW ORLEANS -- High grade-point averages by two Xavier University of Louisiana's women's teams -- volleyball and tennis -- have earned them NAIA Scholar-Team awards for the 2013-14 academic year.

This is the first time that Xavier has been honored. The NAIA announced the awards Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets compiled a 3.11 team GPA in volleyball and a 3.00 GPA in tennis.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale as defined by the institution. The team GPA includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

"Being named an NAIA Scholar-Team is a tremendous honor for our women's tennis and volleyball teams and a fitting reward for their hard work in the classroom," said Jason Horn, XU director of athletics and recreation.

Both XU teams qualified for NAIA National Championships this past season. Volleyball was 26-8 and won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Tennis was 17-7, won the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament, ranked No. 1 twice in the coaches poll and advanced to the national semifinals.



Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Seven TSU Tigers Enter NFL Camps

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Seven former Tennessee State football players are set to open NFL Fall Camps including 2014 draftees Kadeem Edwards and Demetrius Rhaney.

Edwards was drafted in the fourth round, the 143rd overall pick, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Edwards has a solid shot to start as a rookie for the Bucs, after starting 13 games for the Tigers, who finished the season 10-4 overall, 6-2 and second place in the OVC.

An explosive Pro Day by Rhaney caused the St. Louis Rams to call his name in the seventh round, pick No. 250. Rhaney played in all 14 games his senior campaign in 2013, starting 13 at center

The 2014 draft marks the first time since 2000 for two Tigers to go in the same draft. Tackle Michael Thompson was selected in the 4th round, #100, by the Atlanta Falcons, while receiver Avion Black was taken 21 picks later by the Buffalo Bills.

The two offensive lineman are joined by AC Leonard (Vikings) and David Van Dyke (Chiefs) who inked contracts after the draft. Leonard finished second on the Tigers with 34 receptions and 441 yards, while Van Dyke picked off four passes and made 58 stops.

In addition to Edwards and Rhaney, offensive lineman Rogers Gaines enters camp with the New York Giants after spending much of his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens. While in Baltimore, Gaines was a teammate of former Tiger Anthony Levine who already has a pair of Super Bowl Rings.

NFL veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie joins Gaines on the Giants, Cromartie’s fourth team in seven years. In his career, Cromartie has amassed 246 stops (222 solo), 19 interceptions and five touchdowns and appeared in two Super Bowls including last year with the Denver Broncos.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

New Orleans Saints Sophomore Spotlight: UAPB's Terron Armstead

NEW ORLEANS  -- The New Orleans Saints struggled here and there on the offensive line in 2013.  It was apparent that the weak spot of Drew Brees‘ protection was at left tackle.  When Coach Sean Payton finally had enough of Charles Brown, he called upon Terron Armstead during the Week 15 matchup against the St. Louis Rams.

Armstead was taken as the Black and Gold’s No. 76 overall selection in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.  Manufactured at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, he earned All-SWAC honors in 2010, 2011 and 2012 .  He was not only an outstanding football player, but he played an essential role on the schools’ track and field team as a shot put champion.  Armstead passed on several Division 1 scholarships because Pine Bluff’s coach was the only one that would allow him to participate in both sports.

S.C. State standout DE Andrew Carter looks to show he’s no ‘one-trick pony’

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  Whether it’s forcing a turnover or making a crushing tackle for a loss, Andrew Carter enjoys playing defensive end for South Carolina State.

Yet nothing makes the North Carolina native and 6-1, 240-pound redshirt senior happier than having the opportunity to wrap up the opposing quarterback for a loss.

It’s a personal satisfaction only four other Football Championship Subdivision defensive linemen fulfilled more than Carter, who accounted for 11 of the Bulldogs’ nation-leading 62 sacks in 2014 in earning All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-team honors.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

NSU Athletics to Host Spartan Fan Fest on Aug. 23

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The Norfolk State University Department of Athletics will host the inaugural Spartan Fan Fest beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The event, which is free and open to the public, features a day full of Spartan athletics, fun and entertainment. Fans will have the chance to see the final preseason intrasquad scrimmages for both the NSU football and volleyball teams. The day will also include an open house at Joseph Echols Hall for fans to view the recent facility improvements made to NSU's basketball and volleyball facility.

Coaches and athletes from all of NSU's teams will be on hand to sign autographs as well as meet and greet the fans in attendance. Food and live entertainment will also be provided. The Fan Fest will also serve as the kickoff event to register this year's Spartan Youth Club or join the NSU Athletics Foundation.

The day gets underway with the final NSU football scrimmage of the summer at 10 a.m. at Dick Price Stadium. The open house at Echols Hall will commence at 11:30 a.m., preceding the NSU volleyball Green vs. Gold scrimmage at 1 p.m. All events are free of charge.

More details will be released in the coming weeks at www.nsuspartans.com.

By Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Monday, July 14, 2014

FAMUan Pam Oliver out, Erin Andrews in on Fox's No. 1 NFL broadcast team

LOS ANGELES, California  -- Pam Oliver has been replaced by Erin Andrews as the sideline reporter for Fox's No. 1 team for NFL broadcasts.
And after this season, her 20th on NFL sidelines, Oliver will be switched to other duties within Fox Sports, including "long-form pieces, specials, major interviews and some producing as well," according to the SI.com article that broke the news Monday morning.
“Disappointment is not really a word I’d use right now because I’ve had some weeks to process it,” Oliver said. “I think my emotions during the season will be sadness because I had been around that group for a decade."


She added: "But you have to move forward and deal with what is on your plate. I went through a range of emotions, but as I speak with you today, disappointment has passed me and I have reached a point of trying to move forward with some sadness."
Oliver first learned of the decision in April during a meeting with Fox executives, who originally told her she would be removed immediately from the sidelines altogether. But she talked them into one last year, with the No. 2 broadcast team of Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch.

First African-American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal, Alice Coachman Davis passes away

ALBANY, Georgia -- Alice Coachman Davis, the first African-American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal, passed away Monday at the age of 90.

Albany State University released the following biographical history of one of their most famous alumni:

Olympic gold medalist and Albany State University alumnae Alice Coachman Davis passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014. She was 90 years old.

Coachman became the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal when she competed at the 1948 Olympics in London. Born November 9, 1923 in Albany, Georgia to Evelyn and Fred Coachman, Coachman was the fifth of ten children.

She first developed an interest in high jumping after watching the event at a track meet for boys. She and her friends began devising all sorts of makeshift setups to jump over, from strings and ropes to sticks and tied rags. This unorthodox training led her to adopt an unusual jumping style.



Paine College names Selina Kohn interim athletics director

SELINA KOHN
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
PAINE COLLEGE 
AUGUSTA, Georgia  -- Dr. George C. Bradley, Paine College president, has announced that Director of Athletics Tim Duncan will soon depart Paine College to serve as the new director of athletics for Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia.


"Mr. Duncan is to be commended for his work at Paine College and in the return of the football program that was in hiatus for 50 plus years," said Dr. Bradley. “The Paine College community wishes Tim Duncan in his future endeavors.”
Selina Kohn will serve as the interim director of athletics effective July 14. This marks the second time in Kohn’s 15-year 
with the Paine College Department of Athletics that she has held this position.  


Kohn has most recently been serving as the associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator where her main focus has been on the internal operations and progression of the department. The former basketball and volleyball coach has also been instrumental in the increased academic success of Paine student-athletes and the department’s operational growth since taking the role in 2007.

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FAMU President to Review Suspension of Athletic Programs

Dr. Elmira Mangum and Kellen Winslow
Photo Courtesy: FAMU Athletics
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The temporary suspension of the FAMU Men's Tennis and Men's Golf programs is under review by the university president.


The suspension was first reported last month due to a $7 million deficit in the athletics department.
Jimmy Miller, FAMU's Vice President of Communications and External Relations, says the review does not mean Dr. Mangum is overturning Winslow's decision to suspend the men's golf and men's tennis programs. He says it's going to be an examination of how the athletics department can get out of its hole.
Miller says, "Her wanting to take a look at this has nothing to do with her agreement or disagreement with Kellen over his move."
Miller says the review will look at the athletics department as a whole.
Athletic Director Kellen Winslow recently suspended the programs because of a $7 million deficit accumulated by the Athletic Department over the past several years and a projected operating deficit for 2014-2015.

SWAC Announces 2014 Football Media Day Roster


BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Head coaches accompanied by a pair of players from all 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference Schools will share in the 2014 SWAC Football Media Day.

The annual event is set for July 18 at the Birmingham - Marriott in Birmingham, Ala.

Robert Williamson will moderate the live coverage which will get underway at 10:00 a.m. CT on the SWAC Digital Network.

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp and Coordinator of Football Officials Harold Mitchell, Sr. will be in attendance and available to the media upon request.

The SWAC’s official website, swac.org, will carry continuous coverage of Media Day via online video and radio broadcast stream. 

The list of head coaches and student-athletes participating in SWAC Football Media Day include:
Alabama A&M
James Spady - Head Coach
Marcus Dozier (WR • 5‐9 • 170 • Sr. • Huntsville, Ala.)
JayMason Lee (QB • 6‐1 • 215 • Jr. • Honolulu, HI.)

Alabama State
Reggie Barlow - Head Coach
Derrick Billups (DT • 6‐2 • 310 • Jr. • Carrollton, Ala.)
Malcolm Cyrus (RB • 5‐9 • 180 • Jr. • Autaugaville, Ala.)

Alcorn State
Jay Hopson - Head Coach
John Gibbs Jr. (RB • 6‐6 • 200 • SO. • Houston, Texas)
Deion Roberson (DL • 6‐0 • 255 • Jr. • Memphis, Tenn.)

Grambling State
Broderick Fobbs - Head Coach
Anthony Cherry (OL • 6‐4 • 296 • Sr. • Chicago. Ill.)
Tyree Hollins (DB • 5‐10 • 185 • Jr. • Monroe, La.)

Jackson State
Harold Jackson - Head Coach
Javancy Jones (DE • 6‐2 • 230 • Fr. • Macon, Miss.)
Lamontiez Ivy (QB • 6‐3 • 225 • Fr. • East Saint Louis, Ill.)

Mississippi Valley State
Rick Comegy - Head Coach
Julian Stafford (WR • 5‐10 • 180 • Sr. • Memphis, Tenn.)TBA

Prairie View A&M
Heishma Northern - Prairie View A&M
Jerry Lovelocke (QB • 6‐5 • 200 • Jr. • Baltimore, Md.)
Jerome Howard (LB • 6‐0 • 210 • Jr. • Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Southern
Dawson Odums - Head Coach
Arthur Miley (DE • 6‐7 • 247 • Jr. • Mangham, La.)
Brian McCain (FB • 5‐11 • 239 • Sr. • Chicago, Ill.)

Texas Southern
Darrell Asberry - Head COach
Homer Causey (QB • 6‐0 • 190 • So. • Atlanta, Ga.)
Amir Bloom (DL • 6‐4 • 245 • So. • Miami, Fla.)

ArkansasPine Bluff
Monte Coleman - Head Coach
Me’Kale Carter (OL • 6‐5 • 320 • Jr. • West Helena, Ark.)
Demarcus Berry  (DL • 6‐3 • 250 • Jr. • Alexandria, La..)

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS 

NVC star Kenney to transfer to Jackson State

PORTIA KENNEY
Photo Courtesy: Napa Valley College Athletics
NAPA, California  --  Portia Kenney arrived at Napa Valley College three years ago as a pretty good driver of the golf ball. Her strength was hitting the ball long off the tee.

Where Kenney needed help was with her short game – chipping, pitching, bunker play and putting.
With help from Storm coach Jim Wiechers, this is where Kenney went to work – hitting her short irons on second shots, on shots around the green.
“Her short game really improved a lot over the last couple of years,” said Wiechers. “When she’s putting and she’s on, that’s when she shoots her best scores.
“The philosophy of the short game is very, very important, knowing what club to use and what position to hit the ball on the ground running, if you can.”
Kenney accomplished a great deal playing for Napa Valley.

Jones named assistant coach for Coppin State men's basketball

ASSISTANT COACH KEVIN JONES
COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The final piece of the Coppin State men’s basketball staff is now in place with the announcement that local native Kevin Jones was named as an assistant coach.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Jones worked for two seasons as an assistant coach for St. Frances Academy in Baltimore on its varsity staff. During his tenure at St. Frances, it reached heights of being ranked as high as 18th nationally, produced a top 40 nationally ranked prospect in Dwayne Morgan as well as a Baltimore Sun Player of the year in Tevon Saddler.

Before joining St. Frances Academy, Jones spent six years as an A.A.U. coach where he helped develop and mentor over 30 Division I players. Jones has worked numerous camps and is well respected within the city of Baltimore.

Prior to coaching A.A.U, Jones was a member of Bowie State University’s staff as a student team assistant in the 2004-05 season. During that season, the Division II Bulldogs won 24 games, advanced to the Sweet 16 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation during the season.

Jones is a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bowie State and is an active member in his church. 

COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

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.)

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Jamal Powell Joins West Virginia State Football Staff

INSTITUTE, West Virginia - West Virginia State University Head Football Coach Jon Anderson announces the hiring of Jamal Powell as Offensive Line Coach.

"Coach Powell brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the University, especially for our offensive line," WVSU Head Football Coach Jon Anderson said. "I am excited to watch him build relationships with our players, mentor our offensive line as well as recruit future Yellow Jackets.  I am pleased to welcome Coach Powell, his wife Rachel and family to West Virginia State University."

Powell joined the coaching staff at Texas A&M in 2006 as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line.  He earned a master's degree in Education Administration before moving on to assistant coaching stints at Centre College, Southwest Baptist University and, most recently, Seton Hill University.  Along the way he aided in the development of numerous All-Conference linemen including two who were drafted by the NFL.

Powell had an outstanding college playing career at Texas Christian University (TCU) earning first team All-Conference and All-American status while participating in four bowl games.  In 2002, Powell was a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate lineman.  After receiving his Bachelor's Degree from TCU, Powell played two seasons in the National Football League followed by two more in the Canadian Football League.

COURTESY WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION  

Clark-Atlanta Panthers Add Depth in Front Court

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University Head Coach Tony LaMarr announced the signing of two junior college transfers, Damien Enoch and Allen Dempster, to the men's basketball program for the 2014-2015 season. 

Enoch, a 6-7  post player from Olive-Harvey College in Chicago, averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds per game as an National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) first team selection,

Dempster, at 6-8 is a Division I transfer from Bethune Cookman University, will command attention at the forward position. Both players will add depth and versatility to the Panthers' front court.

"We are very excited and fortunate to have both players join our team who will be expected to make an immediate impact and positive contributions both on and off the court this season," said LaMarr.



COURTESY CLARK-ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

New Grambling Legends inducted in Monroe

MONROE, Louisiana  --  Eleven more Grambling greats were officially inducted into the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame on Saturday in Monroe, recognizing the university’s storied athletics past.

Ten of those former Tigers made their marks on the football field, basketball court, baseball diamond or oval track, but only one inductee can say she was the “First Lady of Football.”

Doris Robinson, wife of legendary GSU coach Eddie Robinson, highlighted the incoming class as an athletics contributor.

The 10 other honorees include five football, two baseball and two basketball. 

Running back Leroy Carter (1963-66) was a three-time All-SWAC who led the Tigers in rushing in 1964 with 714 yards. 

Cornerback Stephen Dennis (1969-72), a Sarepta native, holds ...

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Former ACA coach John Causey joins Stillman College staff

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama  --  Stillman head coach Teddy Keaton has wanted for some time to find a way to get John Causey on his coaching staff.

This year, the opportunity arrived.
Causey, a former UA offensive lineman who played for Gene Stallings and spent the last seven years coaching at American Christian Academy, has been hired as offensive line coach at Stillman.
“I'm super excited for this new opportunity, it's college football, it's coaching a position that I'm passionate about, that I love,” said Causey, who played center for the Crimson Tide from 1992-96. “I'm really excited about the opportunity that Coach Keaton has allowed me, and I'm looking forward to starting.”
Causey, a Hayneville native, was ACA's head coach the past ...

Paul Spicer leaves JSU football staff

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  With less than a month away from fall camp, Jackson State is searching for a new defensive line coach.

Paul Spicer will resign due to family reasons.

"I really enjoyed my five months at Jackson State," Spicer said in a statement released by the school. "Everyone there was so inviting and made me feel like I was a member of the JSU family. Being part of coach Harold Jackson's staff was a great experience for me and I will miss working with the student-athletes at JSU." 

The former NFL player joined the Tigers around early February as part of ...

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Former Rams Assistant to Miles College

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Former Meridian, Clemson and St. Louis Rams star Dexter McCleon will be the new defensive backs coach at Miles College in Birmingham.


He had bee a defensive backs coach for Meridian before being dismissed from the school in August of 2013.
He was part of the 1999-00 St. Louis Rams team that won Super Bowl XXXVI. Known for it's explosive offense, the group was nicknamed the "Greatest Show of Turf".
He now joins the staff of Choctaw County, Alabama native Reginald Ruffin.



Livingstone BlueBears Add Another Home Game for the 2014 Season


SALISBURY, North Carolina  -- The Livingstone College  Bluebears have added another Home Football Game for the 2014 season at 1:00 P.M.  versus  the University of Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons at Alumni Memorial Stadium. 

The Livingstone College Bluebears football team is undefeated against the University of Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons.  The previous 2 contests were won in 2011 at home in Double Overtime and away in 2013 to end the season. 


Season Tickets are on sale, please call 704-216-6012 or email bford@livingstone.edu



The 2014 Football Schedule
Date                        Opponent                             Location                   Game Time
September 4           Millersville                            Millersville, PA          6:00 PM
September 13         Paine College                      Augusta, GA             4:00 PM
September 20         Virgnia Lynchburg               Salisbury, NC            1:00 PM
September 27         Bowie State*                       Salisbury, NC            1:00 PM
October 4                Elizabeth City State*           Elizabeth City, NC     1:00 PM 
October 11              St. Augustines*                   Salisbury, NC             1:30 PM
 (Homecoming)

October 18              Shaw*                                 Salisbury, NC             1:30 PM
 (Senior Day)
October 25              Winston Salem*                  Winston Salem, NC    1:30 PM
November 1            Fayetteville State*               Fayetteville, NC          2:00 PM
November 8            Johnson C. Smith*              Charlotte, NC              1:00 PM
November 15          CIAA Championship           TBD                             TBD
November 22          NCAA Playoffs                    TBD                             TBD

* Means a Conference Game


COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUEBEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Video: D.J. Williams says Grambling is beyond its protests, struggles

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Coming off of a school year filled with athletic protests and turmoil, Grambling quarterback D.J. Williams said he and his teammates are excited about playing in the upcoming season and that that the university will be better off having survived its tough times. Click here to see the video.



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Southern Athletics Issue Annual Report 2013-2014

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Thank You, Jaguar Nation!

On behalf of 335 student-athletes and 11 head coaches who represent Southern University proudly in 15 NCAA Division I sports, I want to say thank you to each and every financial supporter—from our over 6,000 season book holders, to our anchor corporate sponsors. In 2013-14, the cost for Southern University Athletics to provide athletic scholarships topped $2.2 million—approximately 25% of the total operating budget. As the cost of higher education increases—including books, meals, and tuition costs—so does the cost of providing these opportunities.

Your support is critical to the future of Jaguar Athletics and to the young men and women who want to one day become Southernites, and that is why your support is so critical.

Whether you are a season book holder, small business supporter, corporate sponsor, parent or die-hard fan, we appreciate your support.  Increased underwriting of scholarship funding will allow the athletic department to reduce the its financial burdens and free up funding for projects that will improve facilities, enhance the student-athlete experience, and upgrade the fan experience for those attending athletic events. This is good for Southern University and can be a boon for Baton Rouge’s economy!



We will continue to offer exciting opportunities for local individuals, businesses, and corporations to participate and advertise for SU athletic events with generously discounted pricing that can, in turn, provide exciting benefits for employees and clients and fun, family-friendly outings.  This will also provide us with a terrific opportunity to establish relationships with local citizens and businesses and grow the university’s identity and share its brand!

The following report will detail the fundraising successes we experienced in 2013-14 and show Jaguar fans exactly what their investment in SU student-athletes produced this very exciting year.

What follows is a summary of this past fiscal year’s fundraising activity, ways to support Southern Athletics in 2014-15, and some departmental highlights.  As always, if you have questions, if you are interested in making a donation, or setting up a meeting to discuss further, please, contact me by any of the means listed below. Thank you for your support, and Go Jags!

Southern University Athletics Annual Report 2013-14 (.pdf)


COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

MEAC/SWAC Challenge Tickets On Sale: NCA&T vs. AAMU


GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Tickets for the 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney are on sale now.  The 10th annual matchup will showcase your North Carolina A&T State University Aggies of the MEAC against the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Tickets to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney can be purchased through Ticketmaster online, by calling 800-745-3000 or by logging on to www.meacswacchallenge.com.

The game, slated to be televised on ESPN Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 at 11:45 a.m. ET, will be played for the first time at Bright House Networks Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Florida (UCF), while the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium undergoes renovations.

The yearly event, which features teams from two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Unviversities (HBCU), brings approximately 20,000 fans to Central Florida over Labor Day Weekend for the start of college football season. Offering More Than Just a Game, weekend events also include a high school career seminar, band showcase and a Legends’ Reception. The event will mark the first meeting between the two storied programs.

Travel options to attend the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando are being offered by Anthony Travel, the event’s official travel provider. Travel packages will include discounted hotel accommodations, game tickets and specially-priced Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park Tickets. For more information, visit www.AnthonyTravel.com/MEACSWAC or call 888-632-6951.
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event’s following on Facebook and Twitter, visit the event’s official website at www.meacswacchallenge.com.

ESPN Events 
ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes two Labor Day weekend college football games; 11 college bowl games and eight college basketball events, which accounts for approximately 200 hours of programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over a half a million attendees each year. With satellite offices in Boca Raton, Boise, Birmingham, Dallas-Fort Worth, Albuquerque, St. Petersburg and Las Vegas, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For more information, visit www.espnevents.com or follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contacts:
Rachel Margolis Siegal, ESPN at 860-766-2798 or rachel.m.siegal@espn.com
Elizabeth McCollum, BZA PR on behalf of ESPN Events at 813-421-0550 or elizabethm@bzapr.com
Sarah Houseknecht, BZA PR on behalf of ESPN Events at 212-708-1677or sarahh@bzapr.com
Andy Seeley, UCF Athletics Assistant AD/Communications at 407-823-2729 or aseeley@athletics.ucf.edu



COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

HU's Armstrong Stadium Field Turf Installation Underway



HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Armstrong Stadium is the in the process of a big of a makeover, as field turf is being installed so it can be ready for the Pirates' home opener on Sept. 6 against William & Mary.

Watch the above video to watch the opening stages of the process.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS