In the FCS Huddle: Year of the SWAC quarterbacks

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -- A team that wins a conference championship generally has something the competition is lacking.

In the year of the quarterback in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, that isn't such a good thing for reigning champ Southern.

The Jaguars have a need at quarterback because they must replace Dray Joseph, who shared 2013 SWAC offensive player of the year honors as a senior.

Veteran quarterbacks are widespread in the 10-team conference that on Friday installed Southern as the favorite in the West Division as well as Alabama State atop the East Division.

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NSU Spartan Men's Basketball Announces 2014-15 Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The Norfolk State men's basketball program finalized its 2014-15 schedule, highlighted by 13 home games as well as a spot in the Barclays Center Classic.

The Spartans will host the usual eight MEAC contests at an upgraded Joseph Echols Hall in addition to home games against Boston University, Texas Southern and Northern Arizona. NSU will also welcome non-Division I opponents Pfeiffer and U.Va.-Wise to Norfolk. All-in-all, the Spartans will play four games against BCS-level teams and nine against programs that made the postseason last year.

"With a young team, we know there are always going to be growing pains. We really wanted to play a challenging schedule early on to throw them into the fire right away," said head coach Robert Jones. "We also wanted to have a better ratio of home-to-away games, and we feel we accomplished both of those goals.

"This is probably the toughest schedule we've played in the eight years I have been here."

The Spartans will compete against St. Francis Brooklyn and then either St. Peter's or Tennessee State in a four-team tournament at St. Peter's over the Thanksgiving weekend as part of the Barclays Center Classic. Away games at Virginia and Vanderbilt will also count toward NSU's participation in the tournament.

NSU begins the year against Pfeiffer at home on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m., part of a doubleheader with the women's team. From there, the Spartans head to Virginia on Nov. 16 before returning home to host Boston University at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Texas Southern on Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.

The Thanksgiving week will be a busy one for NSU, beginning with a Tuesday night contest at Vanderbilt on Nov. 25. The Spartans will then take on St. Francis Brooklyn on Nov. 28 and either St. Peter's or Tennessee State the following day in the second bracket of the tournament.

"It is an honor to be invited to participate in the Barclays Center Classic," said Jones. "It will serve as a great opportunity for some of our players, including a couple seniors, to compete close to home."

After another road contest at Hofstra on Dec. 2, NSU will battle MEAC foes Morgan State on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. and Coppin State on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. The latter contest against the Eagles will be a single game as opposed to the usual MEAC doubleheader, with the NSU and Coppin State women's teams playing on a separate date.

The Spartan men make a trip to Mount St. Mary's on Dec. 13 and then come back to Echols Hall again to face U.Va.-Wise on Dec. 15 and Northern Arizona on Dec. 19, both at 7 p.m. NSU plays one last time before the Christmas holiday at James Madison on Dec. 22.

Following the break, NSU flies out to Texas to face Baylor on Dec. 30, followed by roads contests at Georgia on Jan. 3 and at Princeton on Jan. 6. After those last non-conference games of the year, NSU then dives back into MEAC play with a trip to Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman on Jan. 10 and 12, respectively.

The Spartans will host North Carolina Central on Jan. 17 (6 p.m.) and North Carolina A&T on Jan. 19 (8 p.m.), followed by another long conference trip for the third straight year to South Carolina State  on Jan. 24 and Savannah State on Jan. 26. NSU caps off the month of January with the Battle of the Bay against Hampton at Echols Hall on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.

Norfolk State will get the added benefit of staying home for another week when the Spartans host Howard on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. and UMES on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. They then close out the regular season with four of five games on the road, including two trips to Baltimore to play at Morgan State on Feb. 14 and at Coppin State on Feb. 21.

After an 8 p.m. home game against Delaware State on Feb. 23, NSU will play at Howard on March 2 and at Hampton on March 5. The MEAC tournament will take place at the Norfolk Scope for the third year in a row from March 9-14.

NSU returns seven players who competed last year and welcomes seven newcomers to the 2014-15 team. The Spartans saw seven seniors finish their careers last season, with nearly 80 percent of the team's scoring from a year ago now gone.

2014-15 Norfolk State Men's Basketball Schedule

Mike Bello, Asst. SID
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

SSU’s Smith Signs Professional Basketball Contract

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Former Savannah State men’s basketball player Jyles Smith has signed a professional contract to play with the Copenhagen Wolkpack in the Demark Ligaen.

During his senior season with SSU, Smith led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in rebounds and blocks, averaging 8.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. The 6-9 Fairburn, Georgia native also averaged 8.4 points per game while shooting 54 percent from the field. Smith was named to the All-MEAC Third Team.



“I am very excited to start my pro career for the Wolfpack inCopenhagen,” said Smith. “I will do anything the team asks of me to help us get wins. I can’t wait to get to Denmark.”

“I am delighted Jyles will be joining the Copenhagen Wolfpack this season, he brings energy and a defensive presence that is going to be key for our team this year. He is extremely athletic and his ability to run the floor and finish around the rim will fit perfectly into my system,” said Gavin Love, Copenhagen Wolfpack Head Coach. “Although a rookie, I fully expect Jyles to be one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in the Ligaen this year.”

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Two Norfolk State Univ. football games to be televised

COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
(MSutton Photography)

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Norfolk State’s football games against Hampton and Bethune-Cookman will be televised as part of the MEAC’s TV package with ESPNU, the conference announced Thursday.

NSU’s home game against Bethune-Cookman, originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, has been moved to Thursday, Nov. 6, to accommodate a live ESPNU telecast from Dick Price Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and also will be streamed live on ESPN3.com.

The annual Battle of the Bay game between the Spartans and Hampton on Saturday, Oct. 18, will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com and tape-delayed on ESPNU. The game will kick off at 1 p.m., as originally scheduled, at HU’s Armstrong Stadium, with the tape-delayed time to be announced.

The two ESPNU games are NSU’s first since Sept. 15, 2012, when the Spartans fell to Howard 37-36 in overtime at home. NSU is 4-8 in games carried on the ESPN family of networks and 0-2 in Thursday night games.

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Maynor: Hampton won’t finish seventh in MEAC football

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- New Hampton coach Connell Maynor was more subdued than at his previous media luncheons as Winston-Salem State’s coach in the CIAA.

Nevertheless, Maynor did give one guarantee. “You picked me to finish seventh (in the MEAC), that’s not going to happen,” he said at last week’s MEAC Football Luncheon.

Maynor led the Rams to three straight CIAA championships in four seasons, including a runner-up finish in the 2012 NCAA Division II championship. He replaces Donovan Rose, who spent 23 years on the Pirates sideline, but was released last season.

Rose has since returned to the university as an assistant athletic director for development.

“All y’all think I’m cocky. I’m not cocky, I just know what my God can do,” Maynor continued.

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Gold Nuggets, 3-time defending GCAC champion, sign 5

Jada Broussard

Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova

Kayla Jones

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana — a three-time defending champion in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament — announced Friday its 2014 women's volleyball recruiting class.
     
Second-year coach Hannah Lawing said five have been signed to scholarships:
     
• Jada Broussard, a 5-foot-10 middle blocker and right-side hitter from Breaux Bridge, La., and Breaux Bridge High School.
     
• Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova, a 5-9 setter from Razlog, Bulgaria, and Kanazirevi secondary school and a transfer from Chicago State University.
     
• Kayla Jones, a 5-3 libero and defensive specialist from Kansas City, Kan., and Piper High School.
     
• Kaelan Temple, a 5-7 outside hitter and defensive specialist from Houston, Texas, and Lamar High School.
     
• Jelena Vujicic, a 5-8 outside hitter and setter from Belgrade, Serbia, and Beogradska Gimnazija school.
     
Broussard, Jones, Temple and Vujicic will be freshmen on the Gold Nuggets' roster. Hadzhistoyanova will be a sophomore.
     
Broussard was a four-year varsity starter and was all-district three times. As a senior she was named academic all-state by the Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Association. Broussard helped Breaux Bridge qualify for the state playoffs in Division II (Class 4A) four times, reach the semifinals in 2012 and the quarterfinals in 2013.
     
Hadzhistoyanova transfers to XU after playing in 14 matches for Chicago State a year ago. Twice she recorded seven assists in a match, and she was cited as a CSU Scholar Athlete and made the dean's list. Hadzhistoyanova was a member of the third-place team at the 2012 Bulgarian high school championship.
     
This will be the second year at XU for Jones, who joined the program during the spring semester and was a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society for freshmen. Jones was a two-year volleyball starter at Piper, and in track and field she ran the leadoff leg on the Lady Pirates' 400-meter relay team which won the Class 4A state championship in 2011.
        
Temple was a starter as a junior and a senior at Lamar and competed two years in track and field in the 200 and 400. She made the honor roll multiple times. Temple is a cousin of former LSU men's basketball standouts Collis Temple Jr., Collis Temple III and Garrett Temple. Another cousin, Meghan Temple, plays women's basketball for XU city rival Loyola.
     
Vujicic competed on a pair of bronze-medal winning teams in the Serbian junior national championship.

Jones is a psychology major at Xavier. Broussard and Vujicic will be pre-law majors, Hadzhistoyanova will major in accounting, and Temple is undeclared.
     
"We are thrilled to have such talented and bright young ladies join our Xavier family," Lawing said. "I'm really looking forward to their arrivals. I believe the elements and experience they will bring from their respective origins will add more variety and depth to our team."
     
Xavier was 26-8 in 2013 and qualfied for the NAIA National Championship for the third consecutive year. The Gold Nuggets will open the 2014 season at 2 p.m. on Aug. 23 against Faulkner at XU's Convocation Center.

Kaelan Temple Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA https://twitter.com/xulagold https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

Jelena Vujicic

College basketball countdown: No. 68 Texas Southern

HOUSTON, Texas -- THE FIRST WORD: More than a decade removed from coaching in a national championship game, Mike Davis is content with being the furthest thing from it now.

"I love it here, I love Houston," Davis said of his new home, entering his third season as the head coach of Texas Southern.

STARTING FIVE: Previewing the 2014-15 season

Davis' challenge is getting a similar buy-in from his recruits given that Texas Southern plays in one of college basketball's worst conferences — with the SWAC's tournament winner almost an automatic for a play-in game in the NCAAs. That was the case last year, when Davis piloted the Tigers to the Dance before they fell to Cal Poly in the tournament's "first four." Nevertheless, Texas Southern reached the NCAA tournament, largely due to the play of West Virginia transfer Aaric Murray, who was the SWAC Player of the Year after averaging 21.2 points and 7.7 rebounds a game.

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With new coaching staff, Morgan State looks to road to reverse fortunes

Bears scheduled to play only four of 12 games at Hughes Stadium this season

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State senior linebacker Cody Acker expects students on campus to know plenty about the Bears from their play, even before the team takes the field at Hughes Stadium for the first time this season.

"Home or away, football is football, the crowd behind you or not," said Acker, who led the team with 97 tackles last season, at the team's media day Sunday. "The team expectation is a [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference] championship, you can't look at anything else."

The Bears, who will play Sept. 13 against Bowie State in their home opener, start the season with two road games against Eastern Michigan (Aug. 30) and Holy Cross (Sept. 6). After hosting Bowie State, Morgan State enters a seven-game stretch during which it plays just one game in Baltimore.

The New York Urban League Football Classic against Howard on Sept. 20 is technically a home game for the Bears, but it will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., home to the New York Giants and New York Jets.

"We're going to be the road warriors," first-year coach Lee Hull said at media day. "My reaction [when seeing the schedule] was just 'Wow.'

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SCSU Bulldogs’ 2014 season promises much to look for

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- The preparation for the 107th season of South Carolina State football is well underway.

Coming off a record 15th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title shared with Bethune-Cookman last season, the Bulldogs head into this season with enhanced expectations. Not only are the players more focused on repeating, this time as solo champions, but also becoming the first MEAC team in 15 years to win a Football Championship Subdivision playoff game.

From head coach Buddy Pough approaching 100 career college wins to another conference showdown with the Wildcats, the 2014 season promises to produce a bevy of storylines:

1. Kollack takes the helm at quarterback

Adrian Kollack emerged as a ...

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Miles College Names Leon Douglas Head Men Basketball Coach

FAIRFIELD, Alabama  --  "After an extensive and thorough search, we are proud to welcome coach Douglas to the Golden Bears family," said athletic director, Phillip Wallace, Jr. "Coach Douglas has proven himself at the highest level of basketball as a player and a coach."
 
The Leighton, Ala., native earned a bachelor of science degree in social work from the University of Alabama in 1976; and during his Crimson Tide basketball career he was a four-time All-SEC selection, the first Alabama player to achieve this distinction since Jerry Harper earned it in 1953-1956. During Douglas' impressive collegiate career he was a first-team All-American selection by the United States Basketball Writers Association in 1975 and 1976, and SEC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976. The 6'10" center averaged 17.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 111 college games.
 
"I feel very good about the opportunity to come to Miles College and joining the Golden Bears family," said Douglas. "I am looking forward to the challenge and also looking forward to being in the talent rich Birmingham area where we can keep the talent at home rather than going elsewhere."


Prior to coming to Miles College Douglas led the Tuskegee University basketball program from 2006-2014. Last season he led the Golden Tigers to unprecedented success as his team were champions of the south region and advanced to the elite eight, the furthest an SIAC school has ever gone in the NCAA Division II basketball tournament.
 
"We are going to bring an exciting brand of basketball to Miles College," said Douglas. "Our teams are going to be well conditioned, defensive orientated, and run an up tempo old school style of basketball."
 
In 2010, the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, under Douglas' tutelage, won the SIAC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. They would finished the season with a 20-11 record.
 
Prior to joining Tuskegee, Douglas spent the 2004-2006 seasons coaching at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, where he led the Tigers to the 2005-2006 SIAC Tournament Championship, advancing to the NCAA DII basketball tournament.
 
"I have always been part of the community even when I was at Tuskegee," said Douglas. "I have always  been able to come in and engage with the area high school coaches. Now instead of driving two and a half hours all I have to drive is ten minutes. Its great to be back in this community."
 
Douglas was also a member of the Gold Medal 1976 United States Pan American Team that played in Mexico City, Mexico. A player of distinction, Douglas was Alabama's first, first round NBA draft pick, selected fourth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1976. Douglas played four years with the Pistons and then joined the Kansas City Kings from 1980 to 1983. Douglas' stellar career led him to being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
 
LEON DOUGLAS AT A GLANCE
 
Full Name: Leon Douglas
Birthdate: August 26, 1954
Birth Place: Leighton, Alabama
Hometown: Leighton, Alabama
Education: Alabama, 1976
 
Playing Experience (College)
Alabama (1972-1976) NCAA
 
Playing Experience (Pro)
Detroit Pistons (1976-1980) NBA
Kansas City Kings (1980-1982) NBA
Carrera Venezia (1982-1983) Italy
CSP Limoges (1983-1984) France
Yoga Bologna (1984-1987) Italy
Maltiniti/Kleenex Pistoia (1987-1991) Italy
Majestic Firenze (1992) Italy
 
Coaching Experience
Stillman College (2004-2006) NCAA
Magic City Court Kings (2005) WBA
Tuskegee University (2006-2014) NCAA
Miles College (2014-Present) NCAA

COURTESY MILES COLLEGE BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION  

Ex-Jackson State coach awarded additional $200K in lawsuit

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Denise Taylor, a former Jackson State women's basketball coach, was awarded $200,000 for an invasion of privacy claim in a lawsuit filed against the university.

U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled early Friday in favor of Taylor's claim of emotional pain and suffering damages but declined to grant Taylor compensation for future pecuniary losses.

"We feel this is vindication for coach Taylor," Taylor's lawyer Louis Watson said.

Taylor coached at JSU for 10 seasons and led the program to the 2008 SWAC Tournament title. The university fired her in June 2011. She filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Jackson on Jan. 24, 2012, against the university, alleging wrongful termination, sexual discrimination, invasion of privacy and breach of contract.

In December, a jury ruled in favor of Taylor's claim that the university breached her contract and awarded her $182,000. The jury dismissed her sexual discrimination and retaliation claims.

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JSU eager to begin new era

JACKSON, Mississippi --Move-in day felt like a tease for the Jackson State football team.

They lifted cases of water bottles to the dormitories, helping hydrate others who had to move in. The muggy, humid weather added to the practice-like conditions.

But the team has to wait another day to put on the helmets and hit the fields.

“They’re so eager and ready to go,” first-year coach Harold Jackson said. “They came in and asked, ‘Hey coach are we going to be on the field tomorrow?’ I said, ‘No, we got to do physicals before we get on the field.’ But they’re ready to go, and the coaches are eager and ready to go also.”

Many colleges around Mississippi have already begun fall practices. Jackson State will finally hold its first tomorrow (Monday) at 3:45 p.m.

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Southern works around weather

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The Southern football team has had three preseason practices, and none has gone according to plan.

“That’s usually how a season goes,” coach Dawson Odums said philosophically Sunday afternoon as lightning near A.W. Mumford Stadium forced a 30-minute delay just as the Jaguars were finishing their pre-practice stretching.

After 30 minutes, Southern returned to the field amid moderate rain that gradually dissipated during the two-hour practice.

The Jaguars’ first practice Friday was moved inside a gymnasium because of rain, and Odums moved Saturday’s workout from the practice field to the stadium because of concerns about the safety of the field’s surface.

Odums said Southern would move to its regular practice field for its Monday morning workout.

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NFL Hall of Fame Welcomes Class of 2014: Three HBCU Legends Inducted

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014
Claude Humphreys, Tennessee State University
Aeneas Williams, Southern University
Michael Strahan, Texas Southern University
Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi
Walter Jones, Florida State
Andre Reed, Kutztown University
Derrick Brooks, Florida State

Strahan inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

COURTESY SWAC.TUBE

CANTON, Ohio - When Michael Strahan was bypassed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, his mother offered encouragement.

Louise Strahan, who resides in Spring with her husband, Gene, told her youngest son to keep his chin up. She reminded him that next year, the Hall of Fame would be voted on in New York, site of Super Bowl XLVIII.

"And New York is kind of Michael's town, so it was only fitting," Louise said recently.

Strahan's mother was omniscient. Her son was voted into the Hall of Fame in New York as part of the class of 2014.

Strahan, outside linebacker Derrick Brooks, receiver Andre Reed, cornerback Aeneas Williams, offensive tackle Walter Jones, punter Ray Guy and defensive end Claude Humphrey were inducted on a cool, cloudy Saturday night at Fawcett Stadium.

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UAPB Golden Lions report to fall camp

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  -- Arkansas-Pine Bluff will report today and hold its first practice at 3:30 p.m. Monday to kick off Coach Monte Coleman's seventh season.

The Golden Lions are set to practice twice on Aug. 9, 11, 13, 15, 18 and 20 in preparation for their Aug. 30 season-opener at Texas State.

UAPB is trying to bounce back from a 2-9 finish in 2013, Coleman's worst as coach that was marred by eligibility issues with several key players.

Quarterback Ben Anderson, a Little Rock Parkview graduate, will begin his fourth season as starter, having been named preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

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Norfolk State Spartans Open Preseason Training Camp on Monday

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The Norfolk State University football team opens its preseason training camp with a 9 a.m. practice on Monday morning at the Spartans' practice field.

The team will practice from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday during the first week of training camp with a conditioning session each afternoon. The team's first two-a-day session is Saturday, with a 9 a.m. intrasquad scrimmage and a 7 p.m. special teams practice scheduled.

Coaches and players will be available for interviews following the conclusion of the 9 a.m. practice each day. Practices are generally open to the media unless otherwise stated.

NSU returns 14 starters from last season and had nine players voted to the Preseason All-MEAC first, second or third teams.

The Spartans open the 2014 season at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 at defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Maine in Orono, Maine. NSU's home opener is at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 against defending Big South Conference co-champion Liberty at Dick Price Stadium.

NSU season and single-game football tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the NSU Ticket Center on campus between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased any time at www.nsuspartanstickets.com.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ex-NSU Spartans Williams, Deloach sign with Italian teams

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Former Norfolk State guards Pendarvis Williams and Michael Deloach will compete professionally in Italy during the 2014-15 season, the school announced Friday.

Williams, who wrapped up his NSU career in 2014, recently signed a contract with Moncada Solar Agrigento of the A2 Gold league.

Deloach has been playing professionally overseas since he finished his career at NSU in 2010. He recently signed a contract to play for Liomatic Viola Reggio Calabria of the A2 Silver league.

The pair won't be the only former Spartans to play professional basketball this season. Kyle O'Quinn will enter his third year with the Orlando Magic after the organization kept him past the July 15 waiver deadline.

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Williams takes over at middle linebacker as Bethune-Cookman rebuilds defense

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida — Even a veteran like LeBrandon Richardson needed to get acclimated Friday as Bethune-Cookman opened its first preseason training camp at the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex.

And not just because of the mid-summer heat and high humidity. The defensive end was surrounded by new faces and unsure paces as the Wildcats embarked on a rebuilding project — replacing eight departed defensive starters.

“It's a new crew. We're putting the pieces to the puzzle together, and it was a great start today,” Richardson said.

With only three defensive starters returning — including Richardson, a two-time all-MEAC selection — the Wildcats are looking for several of last season's reserves to step up.

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NCCU Eagles dodge rain to get to work for Mack

DURHAM, North Carolina   — That moment when rain pushes back the first day of football practice: “We’ve got to get on the grass some kind of way,” first-year N.C. Central coach Jerry Mack said shortly after 3 p.m. Friday.

NCCU was supposed to start practice at 3:30 p.m. Soaking rain flipped the script.

But make no mistake, the Eagles were going to work Friday.

“Rain, sleet or snow, we’re going to practice,” Mack said.

Having the East Carolina Pirates waiting in Greenville on Aug. 30 can create such a sense of urgency, although NCCU senior defensive end Ty Brown would tell you Mack’s intense like that all of the time. 

Football players at Duke and North Carolina can go hard in indoor practice facilities when the weather outside is frightful. NCCU doesn’t have that option.

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North Carolina A&T Begins Football Practice

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The North Carolina A&T's football team returned to the field for its first official practice on Saturday.

A&T practiced for two and a half hours in preparation for a 12-game 2014 schedule.

Twenty-nine days later the Aggies will open the season in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney at 11:45 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 31 at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. A&T's home opener is Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m., against FCS playoff quarterfinalist Coastal Carolina at Aggie Stadium.

The Aggies were 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the MEAC last season. The Aggies return five starters on offense and four players on defense.

The Aggies have four preseason first-team All-MEAC players in reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year running back Tarik Cohen, fifth-year offensive lineman William Ray Robinson III, senior wide receiver Desmond Lawrence and fifth-year linebacker D'Vonte Grant.

 

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Brian Von Bergen joins Albany State as QB coach

ALBANY, Georgia — For the second straight offseason, Albany State has landed a quarterback coach with an impressive resume and Division I coaching experience.

ASU announced the hiring of Brian Von Bergen as its newest QB coach on Thursday, filling the void left by Willie Totten, who left his post with the Rams after one season to take an assistant coaching job at Alabama A&M.



Like Totten — a former head coach and legendary receiver at Mississippi Valley State — did last summer, Von Bergen brings plenty of experience to the Rams.

“I feel very fortunate to be at Albany State,” said Von Bergen, who was the passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach for Division I Montana State the past five seasons and helped turn the Bobcats into one of the top offensive teams in the Big Sky Conference. “Ultimately I feel like I’m on a championship team and feel very blessed to work with these guys.”

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2014 CIAA Media Day Commissioner's Observation

2014 CIAA Media Day Commissioner's Observation from CIAA Media Relations on Vimeo.

DURHAM, North Carolina -- CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams said last Thursday as she kicked off the 2014 Preseason Football Media Day at the Durham Convention Center that the cancellation of last year's CIAA Football Championship Game was a "dark day in history" for the conference but a significant lesson was learned.

"It reminded us," McWilliams said, "of what we should be focused on and what is most important to this conference, and that is the welfare and the experience of our student/athletes." Speaking prior to media interviews with coaches and players from each of the league's 12 teams, McWilliams said an ad hoc committee of the conference's Board of Directors, the league's presidents, decided that no further action would be taken against the institutions involved but also made changes to the conference's constitution so that "what happened last year will never happen again."

"The bottom line," McWilliams said in also announcing conference initiatives to promote fair play, ethical conduct and sportsmanship, "isthere is zero tolerance for behaviors that diminish the values and the mission of this great conference." When it got down to play on the field, Winston-Salem State in the South and Virginia State in the North, the two teams that were scheduled to meet in last year's championship game, were the preseason selections by the league's head coaches and sports information directors to repeat in their respective divisions. But things will be a little different, at least at WSSU.

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FAMU finds solid lineman in Fuse

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --Despite being a key player on an undefeated state championship team, Daikwon Fuse didn't get too many offers to play college football.

While he and the Dwyer High School Panthers were blowing over the competition, the Rattlers were struggling to a 3-9 record last season. Even so, he didn't hesitate to take the offer to become a Rattler.

He figured the combination of FAMU needing to win and his familiarity with winning was a good match.

"Who doesn't like to win," Fuse said, explaining his decision. "I'm coming to win. I want to be a competitor. I'm going to bust my behind until we win.

"Coming from a winning team to a team that's struggling, I have nothing but time to help turn everything around."

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FAMU coaches participate in NFL minority internship

HEAD COACH EARL HOLMES
Florida A&M University
(Photo Courtesy: FAMU Athletics)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Don't be surprised to see Quinn Gray, offensive coordinator for FAMU's football team, being a little more creative on short yardage plays than he's been in the past.

What he's experienced during the recent NFL Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, has given him a new perspective on play-calling, Gray said.

Especially on second or third down with short yards to go, he said Saturday.

"It gave me the opportunity to just sit back and better understand play-calling in situations, understand why you do certain things in a situation," Gray said of the stint he had with the Detroit Lions' coaching staff. "It gave me a better overall understand on being able to lead a group of men."

Secondary coach Corey Fuller also participated in the program at Minnesota, while linebacker's coach Levon Kirkland spent time with the Tennessee Titans. Walsh initiated the program while with the 49ers in 1987, before the entire league adopted it for the last 25 years.

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