Ram Ramblings: With CIAA media day approaching, season is not too far away

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- It’s a good sign when the CIAA football media day rolls around because that means it’s getting closer to when Winston-Salem State will begin practicing.

The annual media day will be Thursday at a Durham hotel, but unlike Division I schools where coaches know a lot about what they have coming back, it’s more of a crapshoot at Division II schools.

Coach Kienus Boulware of WSSU said as much earlier this week when we met for a lengthy interview at his office. I won’t be attending the media day, but it’s a good bet the CIAA coaches will be very general in their comments about their teams.

Plenty of changes take place at the Division II level between spring practice and the fall. Eligibility issues arise, walk-ons decide not to come back to school or a myriad of other reasons turn rosters upside down before players report in August.

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FAMU RB Hearns has more than football talent

 TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It didn't take long for West Palm middle school teacher Tim Williams to realize that Gerald Hearns would be a special student, when he walked into his pre-engineering class at Roosevelt magnet school.

Williams saw it in his eyes – inquisitiveness and eagerness.

"The thing I remember about him the most is his drive and his want," Williams said six years after he first met Hearns. "He was eager and ready to work. He was a self-starter. He is driven. I know that personality when I see it."

Hearns is now a freshman running back at FAMU. His teammates who have known him for just a few weeks during volunteer workouts say they see the same thing that Williams saw six years ago – drive and enthusiasm.

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SIAC commissioner: HBCUs left out of college sports talk

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA -- Gregory Moore felt compelled at Monday's SIAC Media Day in Montgomery to address what he feels is an alarming problem.

The league commissioner said historically black colleges and universities haven't been a part of the discussions regarding hot-button issues in intercollegiate athletics that could impact HBCUs.

"I believe the gap between the have and have nots is growing to the point where it's becoming alarming," Moore said. "When you have the average payout at a Power 5 conference school exceeds the top line revenue of all the HBCU conferences combined, that's a problem," Moore said. "That should be discussed. No one is talking about it."

Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president and chief inclusion officer, hosted a meeting Moore attended last week in Atlanta with several presidents, chancellors at conference commissioners of HBCU schools.

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Report: JSU expects to hire Leon Seals as DL coach

JACKSON, Mississippi ;-- Former Jackson State defensive lineman Leon Seals might return to his alma mater.

Footballscoop.com reported Monday that Seals will be the new defensive line coach. A source told The Clarion-Ledger Seals interviewed for the position but nothing was confirmed as of Monday evening.

At last Friday's SWAC media day, Tigers coach Harold Jackson said he already had in mind who he wanted to hire and hoped to have it done by Tuesday.

Seals was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL draft. He earned All-SWAC honors in 1985 and 1986, when JSU finished 8-3, 6-1 SWAC and 9-3, 7-0, respectively.

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Tuskegee hopes to play for SIAC title at Cramton Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Golden Tigers missed out on playing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title game, but earned a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history.

"We lost the Miles game and from that point on, everything was over," Tuskegee senior receiver Larry Cobb said. "It was completely done. Then we found out we made the playoffs. We were ecstatic. We got another chance, another opportunity to go out and play."

Looking to make amends, Tuskegee enters this season as favorites to win the SIAC West and play in the Nov. 15 conference championship game as a result of voting by the league's 12 head coaches.

Defending conference champion ...

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SIAC championship game moving to Montgomery in 2014 from Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia – In addition to holding its 2014 Football Media Day in Montgomery, Ala., the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will host its football championship at the Cramton Bowl.

The SIAC formally made the announcement during its football media day and is slated to hold the championship game at the Cramton Bowl for the next three seasons starting in 2014.

"The SIAC football championship game has grown significantly over the years and Montgomery is great fit for our postseason atmosphere. The Cramton Bowl is a spectacular venue as it has held some legendary  games in college football," said SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore. "We want to thank the City of Montgomery, Mayor Todd Strange, The Central Alabama Sports Commission and Convention & Visitor Bureau, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for embracing and assisting our transition to such a historic venue."

The decision to move the championship was unanimously approved by the SIAC President's Council. It relocates after spending its first three years in Atlanta. The inaugural game was played at Panther Stadium on the campus of Clark Atlanta University in 2011 before moving to Lakewood Stadium the last two seasons.

SIAC President's Council Chair Dr. George T. French added, "It is both exciting and appropriate that the SIAC championship game is relocating to a venue in Alabama which holds such rich history and tradition, very much like the HBCU's represented by the teams that will be playing there."

Cramton Bowl is a 25,000-seat stadium located in Montgomery, Alabama. It opened in 1922 has been home to Major League Baseball spring training, the Turkey Day Classic, 20 games for the University of Alabama, and several high school football games. In June 2014, a new synthetic turf field was installed. Starting in December 2014, the Cramton Bowl will be the location for the Camellia Bowl featuring teams from the Sun Belt Conference and Mid-American Conference.

"We are proud to welcome the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Championship Game to the city named by USA as the Best Historic City in the U.S., Montgomery, Alabama," said Mayor Todd Strange. "The Central Alabama Sports Commission and Convention & Visitor Bureau are working hard to insure that the next three championship games at the world class Cramton Bowl and Multiplex are the best and most memorable SIAC history."

COURTESY THE SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State, other SWAC football teams get no free pass, must improve APR, commissioner says

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner Duer Sharp said during Football Media Day last week that conference schools have not been given a free pass when it comes to making progress on theirAcademic Progress Rates.

"It's time," Sharp said at the Birmingham Marriott. "It's been long enough that SWAC's been front page as far as APR and it's time that we step up and do something about it."

The APR is billed as a real-time measurement for all teams and is based on a points-system that rewards athletes for staying academically eligible and staying in school.

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TSU Tigers Picked Third at OVC Media Day

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team was picked to finish third and six Tigers were named to the All-Preseason Team announced at the Ohio Valley Conference Media Day, Monday.

Big Blue garnered four first-place votes and 107 total points, which trailed only Jacksonville State (118), who TSU beat 31-15 on the road in 2012, and Eastern Illinois (108). All three teams made it past the First Round of the FCS Playoff a season ago.

Tennessee State has improved its win total in each of Rod Reed's first four seasons, reaching 10 overall wins and a second-place finish in the conference. The team was 6-2 in OVC play and earned an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs, shutting out Butler 31-0 in the first round to snap the OVC's 19-game postseason losing streak.

Now in his fifth season as head coach Reed returns 58 players from last year's team including six offensive and six defensive starters. The defense should once again be solid after ranking sixth nationally in total defense (296.9 yards/game) and scoring defense (18.1 points/game) and ninth nationally in turnovers gained (31) last season.

That defensive unit is led by reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Bass who was also tabbed this year's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year; in 2013 Bass had 34 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, 10.0 sacks, four pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and a safety.

Also back is senior defensive back Daniel Fitzpatrick who was named the National Defensive Back of the Year by the FCS ADA a season ago. Fitzpatrick led all Division I players (FBS or FCS) with eight interceptions as a junior and is on the Preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.

Middle linebacker Nick Thrasher returns for his senior season after amassing 110 tackles, the most for TSU since 2002. Thrasher now has 230 career tackles which puts him sixth in the school record books, and just 16 away from cracking the top-five.

The other defensive player to be named to the All-Preseason Team was cornerback De’Ante Saunders. Saunders was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team following a year in which he intercepted four passes and even ran one back for a touchdown at UT Martin. The junior also made 39 tackles and broke-up a team-high nine passes.   

The offense will be led by senior quarterback Michael German who missed the beginning of last season but worked his way back in the lineup before the end of the season. In seven games German completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns without throwing an interception.

Blocking for German will be fellow All-Preseason Team nominee, Robert Myers. Last season, Myers helped block for Tim Broughton who rushed for 1,146 yards (25th-most nationally) and six touchdowns. He also protected a quarterback duo that combined for 26 passes touchdowns and only four interceptions.

The Tigers will report for fall camp on Aug. 3 in preparation of the John Merritt Classic on Aug. 30.

2014 OVC Preseason Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Jacksonville State (10 first-place votes) - 118 points
2. Eastern Illinois (4) - 110
3. Tennessee State (4) - 107
4. Eastern Kentucky - 82
5. UT Martin - 79
6. Murray State - 54
7. Tennessee Tech - 48
8. Southeast Missouri - 34
9. Austin Peay - 16

Note: 8 points awarded for a first-place vote, 7 for second, etc. - Coaches and SID's could not vote for their own teams

2014 Preseason All-OVC Football Team
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: DaMarcus James (RB), Jacksonville State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Bass (DL), Tennessee State

OFFENSE
QB - Michael German, Tennessee State
QB - Eli Jenkins, Jacksonville State                     
RB - DaMarcus James, Jacksonville State
RB - Shepard Little, Eastern Illinois
WR - Adam Drake, Eastern Illinois
WR - Josh Barge, Jacksonville State
WR - Paul McRoberts, Southeast Missouri            
TE - Jeff LePak, Eastern Illinois
C - Max Holcombe, Jacksonville State
OG - Collin Seibert, Eastern Illinois
OG - Blake Burks, Jacksonville State
OT - Charles Sweeton, UT Martin
OT - Robert Myers, Tennessee State
 
DEFENSE
DL - Anthony Bass, Tennessee State
DL - Dino Fanti, Eastern Illinois                                           
DL - Caleb Lawrence, Jacksonville State
DL - Chris Landrum, Jacksonville State                                
LB - Nick Thrasher, Tennessee State                                                   
LB - Tony Bell, UT Martin                                                    
LB - Robert Haynes, Eastern Illinois
LB - Tra'Darius Goff, Tennessee Tech
DB - Daniel Fitzpatrick, Tennessee State
DB - Jourdan Wickliffe, Eastern Illinois                                
DB - Marty Jones, Tennessee Tech                                                    
DB - De'Ante Saunders, Tennessee State             
 
SPECIALISTS
K - Andrew Lloyd, Eastern Kentucky                                    
P - Hamish MacInnes, Jacksonville State                             
RS - Shepard Little, Eastern Illinois

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Chicago State Track and Field Adds Three for 2014-15

CHICAGO, Illinois -- The Chicago State University track and field program has made three additions for the 2014-15 campaign. TaQuoya Jones (Calumet Park, Ill./Dunbar High School (Fla.)) and Ashlynn Terry (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance High School) have joined the women's team. Local product Landis Houston (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle Institute) has agreed to join the Chicago State men's track and field team.
 
Jones earned 11 total varsity letters, including four in track and field at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Fla. She was a three-time all-area first team selection. As a junior and senior she was the Lee County Conference Champion in the 100 and 200 meters. As a senior she also took home the long jump and 4x100 meter relay titles. She was named MVP and earned district champion honors in the 100 meters, 4x100 relay and the long jump the same year. She was also a regional champion in the 100 meters. As a senior, her squad won the regional championship.
 
"TaQuoya is an exceptional student-athlete and is dedicated to getting positive results," Chicago State head coach Craig Collins said. "Her work ethic and concentration on self improvement is what I was looking for to push our young, but very talented team. I'm positive there will be a lot of school records with Jones' name attached in the near future."
 
Terry recorded her best times as a senior when she ran a 25.60 in the 200 meters and 58.00 in the 400 meters. As a junior she was part of the state 4x200 relay champion as well as taking fourth in the city in the 100 meters. Renaissance High School won the state championship her junior year. Academically, she was a four-year member of the honor roll. She ran for the Detroit Cheetah Track Club, setting records for the 100, 200 and 400 meters.
 
"Ashlynn is quite accomplished academically as well as athletically and knows what it takes to win," Collins said. "She will fit in perfectly with our young team. She has great range as a sprinter and brings to us the tough Detroit 'get the job done' mentality. We are very pleased that Ashlynn is a CSU Cougar and expect great things ahead."
 
Houston recorded his best triple jump performance as a senior when he earned a mark of 44'8". As a sophomore he helped his team win the sectional championship. Academically, he was a member of the honor roll, the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. He ran for one season with the Saints Track Club.
 
"I am very pleased to welcome Landis to our Chicago State family," Collins said. "Landis has loads of potential in which he is still learning his events as a hurdler and horizontal jumper. He's an excellent student and his strength and his natural athletic ability is what stands out. I'm positive that in a short period of time Landis will show his ability and represent CSU and the Chicago track and field community well."
 
The Cougars open the 2014-15 season, their second in the Western Athletic Conference, in December.

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

ASU athletic director search about to enter 3rd year

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -Alabama State's search for an athletic director to replace ousted Stacy Danley is about to enter its third year, but university officials appear in no hurry to target a successor.

A university search committee was formed to find a replacement and actually brought in a group of finalists to interview for the position, but apparently made no decision. The search was opened again and again no replacement was named.

Now, with new president Gwendolyn Boyd on hand, another search is currently under way, either a third search or a continuation of the postponed second search. University officials refer all comments to the president and Boyd's only comment on the vacancy was, "We don't comment on personnel matters."

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Former ASU QB Tarvaris Jackson event elicits friendly visits

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Seattle Seahawks were up 43-8 with less than four minutes to play in this year's Super Bowl when former Alabama State quarterback Tarvaris Jackson ran onto the field to replace Russell Wilson.

Jackson's late-game appearance — he was on the field for two plays — didn't make headlines. But far away, in downtown Montgomery, his former coach, decked out in Seahawks gear and surrounded other Tarvaris Jackson supporters, watched with pride.

Jackson attended Sidney Lanier High School and played at ASU for three years. On Saturday, more than 280 kids attended his second annual free youth football camp, which was held at ASU's Hornet Stadium. Standing among old coaches and teammates, Jackson reflected on his Super Bowl appearance.

"I had already started celebrating in ...



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SIAC moves media day, championship game to Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will move its media day to the Capital City, part of a package deal that will include its football championship game as well.

The SIAC, which includes Tuskegee University, split into two divisions in 2011 and has staged all three media day kickoffs as well as championship games in Atlanta.

"We are extremely excited about this year's football media day that will be hosted by the city of Montgomery," said SIAC commissioner Greg Moore in a statement posted to the organization's Web page earlier this month. "The event format will be re-calibrated in an effort to better showcase our student-athletes, coaches and SIAC member schools. With the start of the college football season fast approaching, we are anticipating that the event will generate excitement among the fans and increase visibility for our outstanding SIAC football programs."

The media day will be held at the ...



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MEAC Football Press Luncheon Kicks Off July 25

NORFOLK, Virginia --  The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host the annual Football Press Luncheon, Friday, July 25 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel (235 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510/ (757) 627-4200).  MEAC head football coaches and two student-athletes from each team will be on hand to offer an inside view on the upcoming 2014 football season. 

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the press luncheon and can be purchased by calling Jane Vega at (757) 951-2055 or jvega@themeac.com.  Tickets are $30 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons) and must be purchased by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18. 

Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interviews by completing an application found onwww.MEACSports.com.  One-on-one interviews will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the James I-III room.

The 2014 MEAC football season kicks off on Saturday, August 30 featuring nine MEAC institutions in non-conference action. 

North Carolina A&T will compete against Alabama A&M in the 10^th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge also on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, August 31.  Details and ticket information to be distributed at a later time. 

For more information about the MEAC, logo on to www.MEACsports.com.

Fobbs seems the right fit to revive Grambling football

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- New Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs refuses to talk about last season and all the turmoil and embarrassment that came with it.

"There is a team rule — we don't discuss what happened last year," Fobbs said at Friday's SWAC Media Day. "Last year is old news. We're basically focused on what's going on now and the future."

Why is that, Coach?

"In order to jump the next hurdle, you've got to move forward," Fobbs answered "You can't look backward."

Mum's the word.

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Quarterback position is Ivy's job to lose

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --The last few years, quarterback battles were among the top storylines for Jackson State in the fall.

But not this time.

Coach Harold Jackson brought LaMontiez Ivy to SWAC media day on Friday in Birmingham, and that was enough to hint Ivy was the leading man under center.

He made it clear during interviews.

"You know what, he was the starting quarterback for us last season before he got hurt," Jackson said. "And I don't think no body loses a job because of injury. ... When we go back, that's his job to lose."

Ivy suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first game of the 2013 season and couldn't fully participate in spring practices.

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JSU, Alcorn, MVSU All Have Expectations for 2014

WJTV News Channel 12

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- At Friday's SWAC Media Day, Jackson State head coach Harold Jackson said he felt no pressure going into his first season, despite his team's consecutive trips to the SWAC Championship game that resulted in overtime losses the last two years. Alcorn State is being dubbed as a favorite in the league's East Division, and Rick Comegy is not circling Valley's trip to the Capital City on October 11th.

Watch the video to see Mike Alzamora's story and to hear from all three head coaches from the Magnolia State schools in the SWAC.

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Comegy moving on at MVSU

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- After nearly two hours of interviews, Rick Comegy was able to sit and decompress.

The first-year coach at Mississippi Valley State was a hot commodity at Friday's Southwestern Athletic Conference football media day in Birmingham.

Comegy knew he'd be bombarded with questions relating to his former team, Jackson State.

He was ready.

"Oh I expected it, yes," Comegy said. "You know how life is."

"I prayed before I came down. I gave it up to God and said, 'Just let me stand tall.' "

It was his first time addressing numerous media outlets since his firing from JSU in December, after guiding JSU to the SWAC title game. The Tigers lost to Southern University in double overtime.

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ASU Hornets picked to win division

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --Reggie Barlow has established Alabama State as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference on an annual basis. Now he has to guide his team through the season to finish where it started.

The Hornets once again were picked to win the SWAC East Division in preseason balloting by the league's coaches, media directors and beat writers, a tribute to the type of program built by Barlow, who is beginning his eighth year.

"I think we've been picked before, and I just look at it as respect from the coaches and the sports information directors to see that we have brought along some good players and student-athletes and our coaches are doing a good job of recruiting," Barlow said. "And our concepts and philosophies on offense and defense are good. We'll take it as a pat on the back, but obviously we know we still have to play the game on the field.

Ever since he guided his team to ...

 


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Southern University coach Dawson Odums eGxpects big season despite a new QB

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Southern University football coach Dawson Odums decided to head off the media at the pass before the first question could be posed at theSWAC media day in Birmingham, Ala., on Friday. He said not to ask him who the Jaguars starting quarterback will be when Southern opens the 2014 season against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Aug. 30.

Odums said as many as four players will be in the mix although at the end of spring drills it appeared freshmen Deonte Shorts and Francis Kanneh were the top two with Shorts in the lead.

But Odums has been clear since Dray Joseph threw his last pass for the Jaguars – a touchdown strike to Lee Doss for the victory in last year's SWAC Championship game against Jackson State – that whoever wins the job won't have the weight of Jaguar Nation upon their shoulders.

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Alcorn State adjusts to contender status in SWAC

COACH JAY HOPSON

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- It may sound like coach speak, but Jay Hopson calls it real talk.

The third-year Alcorn State coach is pleased his team was selected to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division, two points shy from the first spot.

But that doesn’t mean much if his players don’t put in the work.

“A lot of times when you finish strong, a lot of people will think it will carry over to next season,” Hopson said. “But these guys (the players) know that they still have to go out and prepare for this year.”

After finishing 4-7 in 2012, the Braves jumped to 9-3 in Hopson’s second year. It was the most wins for the program since 1994, when Alcorn went 8-3-1 with the late NFL star Steve McNair at quarterback.

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Transfer Pickett looks to step in as safety at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since his arrival on FAMU's campus seven months ago, Antoine Pickett has been hearing about John Ojo and how he was considered one of the best safeties in the MEAC.

Picket, a safety who transferred from Contra Costa College, knows he's only hearing about Ojo because of his departure and the Rattlers need for an experienced replacement.

Getting an opportunity to fill the void only excites Pickett, who comes with proven talent and leadership skills.

"I'm really honored to be considered in the same breath as Ojo," said Pickett, who was the Comets' captain. "Right now I'm just working my butt off to just try to help the team. Coming from California, I'm trying my best to stay focused and keep my intelligence on the field."

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College football to return to Phenix City for first time in 25 years

PHENIX CITY, Alabama  -- A new Whitewater Classic college football match-up is coming to Phenix City, the city announced Friday.

The game, a meeting of Tuskegee and Albany State, will be an annual event starting this September 13, the city said. Officials hope the game will boost tourism and have an economic impact for the city.

Mayor Eddie Lowe announced the game will bring in about $400,000 for the city. He tells us it will cost the city $100,000 to host the game. Tuskegee officials say it was the recent $800,000 renovation of Garrett-Harrison Stadium that made them want to play the game in Phenix City.

The Whitewater Classic will be a return of college football to Phenix City and will be the first such game played at the newly renovated Garrett-Harrison stadium. In May, WRBL News 3 visited the stadium after new turf was installed.


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Alabama State well represented on SWAC preseason teams; linebacker Kourtney Berry selected as defensive player of year

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its preseason team selections at today's Media Day in Birmingham, with Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry headlining the list as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Former walk-on Berry was arguably the biggest surprise from last year's SWAC season. He finished his redshirt freshman season with seven sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a team-leading 105 tackles that was also second in the league.

The Merrillville, Ind. native was named last season's SWAC Newcomer of the Year and earned First-Team All-SWAC honors.

Named alongside Berry was Arkansas-Pine Bluff quarterback Ben Anderson as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the 2013 season second in the league in passing with 2,787 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.

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SWAC Media Day has plenty of style -- and one-liners

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- "You done coach?"

"As you can see from that list, we're not going to be very good."

"We're not defending it in 2013. We're chasing it in 2014."

"Close only counts in horseshoes."

"I'm looking to sneak up on some people. I'm hoping I get overlooked so I can sneak up on you. Watch out."

One of those four guys we have on campus is going to be our quarterback so there is no need to ask that question."

This was just the beginning of SWAC Media Days Friday morning at the Birmingham Marriott.

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What motivated SWAC to move its football title game to Houston? The commissioner explains

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner Duer Sharp said today Birmingham's inability to "control the controllable" was a key factor in the SWAC moving its football championship game to Houston.

The conference held its football Media Day at the Birmingham Marriott and representatives of the 10 member schools met with an eye toward the title game again being at NRG Stadium.

Asked what Birmingham could have done to keep title contest between the East and West division champs, Sharp said there was little else the city could have done.

"One thing I know was consistent was (league chancellors and presidents) wanted to take the weather out of the equation," he said. "It was always that, what happens when you wake up Saturday morning and it's raining? In Birmingham, there's no dome. There's nothing you could do."

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