MEAC Announces the 2014 Football Television Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia --The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its 2014 television football lineup featuring eight appealing matchups scheduled to telecast on the ESPN networks- including ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPN3. The nationally televised games highlight the continued partnership between the MEAC and ESPN.

“The MEAC is proud of its continued partnership with ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas.  “We are excited about these competitive matchups and look forward to highlighting our great and talented student-athletes, coaches and institutions on a global landscape.”

The 2014 schedule kicks off with the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, Sunday, August 31 in Orlando, Fla. The game will air live at 11:45 a.m. on ESPN.  This year's game will feature the MEAC’s North Carolina A&T State against the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Alabama A&M.  The matchup will pose the first ever meeting between the two institutions.

The Thursday night slate features three live conference matchups on ESPNU.  Hampton will face North Carolina A&T in the first Thursday night matchup on October 9 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Greensboro, North Carolina. Norfolk State will host defending MEAC Co-Champion Bethune-Cookman on November 6 at 7:30 p.m.  The B-CU Wildcats will also meet Hampton during a telecast at 7:30 p.m. on November 13. 

Saturday televised games will feature MEAC conference rivals Morgan State against Howard in the NY Urban League Classic.  The game will telecast live on ESPN3 and taped delayed at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. 

In a battle of the Carolina’s, defending Co-Champion South Carolina State will face North Carolina A&T in the Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday, October 4.  The game will air live on ESPN3 and will re-air later that day at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. 

Hampton will face local foe Norfolk State in the annual Battle of the Bay Classic during a televised contest on October 18 in Hampton, Virginia.  The game will air live at 1 p.m. on ESPN3 and will telecast taped-delayed at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. 

The 2014 televised schedule wraps up with the annual Florida Classic featuring Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M on Saturday, November 22.  The game will air live at 2 p.m. on ESPN Classic and ESPN3.  The game will re-air on ESPNU during a time slot to be determined and announced at a later time. 

All games will also be available for viewing on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and Apple TV via the WatchESPN application.  

Sun., August 31
North Carolina A&T v. Alabama A&M (MEAC/SWAC Challenge)
ESPN/WatchESPN
11:45 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 20
Morgan State v. Howard
(NY Urban League)
ESPNU/ESPN3
4 p.m.*

Sat., Oct. 4 
South Carolina State v. North Carolina A&T
(Atlanta Football Classic)
ESPNU/ESPN3
3:30 p.m.**

Thurs., Oct. 9
Hampton at North Carolina A&T
ESPNU/WatchESPN
7:30 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 18
Norfolk State at Hampton
ESPNU/ESPN3
1 p.m.***

Thur., Nov. 6
Bethune-Cookman at Norfolk State
ESPNU/WatchESPN
7:30 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 13
Bethune-Cookman at Hampton
ESPNU/WatchESPN
7:30 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 22
Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M
(Florida Classic)
ESPN Classic/ESPN3/ESPNU
2 p.m. on ESPN Classic and ESPN3

TD on ESPNU**

*Game will air live on ESPN3 at time listed; will air on ESPNU taped-delayed Sept. 20 at 10 p.m.
**Game will air live on ESPN3 at time listed; will air on ESPNU taped-delayed Oct. 4 at 10 p.m.
***Game will air live on ESPN3 at time listed; will air on ESPNU taped-delayed Oct. 18 at 10 p.m.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Hampton Athletics Hire Jackson as Assistant AD for Compliance & Student-Services

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  The Hampton University Department of Athletics has hired Paula Jackson as the Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance & Student-Services/Senior Woman Administrator, two roles with which she is familiar.

Jackson comes to Hampton after a career in which she has worked at such schools as Alabama State, Mississippi Valley State, Savannah State, Lincoln (Mo.), Morehead State and Clark Atlanta. She is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA).
 
After her tenure at Savannah State, Jackson became the Director of Athletics at Lincoln (Mo.) University in 2008, before heading to Mississippi Valley State in 2009 to serve as assistant athletic director. At Lincoln, she developed and implemented a five-year marketing and promotions initiative.
 
Jackson was also SWA at Alabama State.
 
Jackson joined Savannah State's staff in 2005, where she was as the assistant athletic director for compliance and SWA – while also serving as interim athletics director from Oct. 2007-May 2008. Prior to that, she held compliance and SWA positions at both Morehead State University and Clark Atlanta University.
 
She is the founder of Sports EnFocus, Inc., a public relations and development firm dedicated to sports entities and personalities. She has also served on public relations game day staff for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
 
Some of her other work include account manager for Paladin Public Relations in Atlanta, marketing and sales manager for MTV Networks in Georgia, and deputy campaign manager of the Committee to Re-elect Mayor Bill Campbell.
 
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Jackson is a member of the Georgia Women's Intersport Network, Women in Sports and Events, Black Women's Sports Foundation, Women's Sports Foundation and Sports Divas.
 
Jackson also completed the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Females.
 
For more information on Hampton University athletics, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson State QB Ivy rusty in first practice back

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- In a way, offensive coordinator Timmy Chang was happy LaMontiez Ivy did not complete every pass.

“There’d be nothing to coach,” Chang joked.

Pegged as Jackson State’s starting quarterback, Ivy showed signs of rust on Tuesday afternoon when the team held its first practice.

But his performance wasn’t anything alarming, especially considering he missed nearly the entire 2013 season due to an ankle injury.

“Well, like I said, all this stuff is a work in progress, especially for him because he get any spring,” coach Harold Jackson said. “He threw the ball, but there wasn’t any contact or anything like that . But I tell you, I think by the time we’re ready to tee off, I think he’ll be ready.”

CONTINUE READING 

Tennessee State Tiger Camp Update: Day 5

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  In Saturday’s first full scrimmage for the Tennessee State University football team the offense made a few plays but the defense held the spotlight.

“It was a defensively dominated scrimmage,” head coach Rod Reed said. “I think there were nine or 10 punts today which tells me the defense did a good job of getting off the field.”

Freshman defensive lineman Latrelle Lee and junior linebacker Vantavious Williams had great days. Lee had a handful of tackles and added a few sacks. Williams recovered a fumble and ran it all the way back for a touchdown as well as made his presence felt on a number of passing plays.

“I thought Lee did some good things. He sacked the quarterback a couple of times and made some good tackles. Van Williams was playing fast and seemed to be in on every tackle.”

Sophomore wide receiver Chris Sanders-McCollum grabbed a couple of long passes, including one in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown from 25 yards out. Redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Freeman also had a handful of catches and created separation from defenders with his route running.

TSU worked on the mental aspect of the game, as well, on Saturday as they had an officiating team from the OVC come in and call the scrimmage just as they would a normal game.

“Jim Jackson, the OVC director of officials, does a great job of getting guys out and schooling us on what we need to do. I had them call it tight today and we ended up with 11 penalties. We were one of the worst penalized teams in the league last season so we will definitely need to improve before this season starts.”

The Tigers will be off tomorrow. Practice will resume Monday at 9:15 a.m.

Schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Off
Monday, Aug. 11 – 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 12 – 7:30-9:55 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – 9:15-11:40 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 14 – 7:30-9:55 a.m.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

The Impact of Florida Football on TSU

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Florida has been known for producing top flight talent on the football field and Tennessee State University has tapped into that vein.

The Tigers have made the Sunshine State a priority in their recruiting lately. The coaching staff continually brings in top talent on offense, defense, and special teams like: Mike German, De’Ante Saunders, Dinsdale Jackson, and Tevin Spells.

“Florida is one of the areas we concentrate on,” Co-offensive Coordinator Jeff Parker said. “We’ve been successful in bringing in guys who have really helped out the team in multiple areas.”

Last season Michael German, and A. C. Leonard were standout performers who hailed from Florida. German completed 60% of his pass attempts on the year and threw 13 touchdowns without throwing an interception. A standout at tight end, Leonard was second on the team in both receptions (34) and receiving yards (441).

Along with Leonard, De’ Ante Saunders, and Jessamen Dunker have all transferred to TSU from the University of Florida. The impact of those three transfers, along with a number of other recruits from the state of Florida, is due in large part to the coaches on the staff from Florida who brought them in.



 “When I’m talking to recruits from Florida, I try to sell them on my experience,” defensive backs coach Mikhal Kornegay said. “I’m a Florida guy, through and through, but to get out and make a name for yourself outside of the state is something special.”

Coach Kornegay has played for and learned from a few of the top coaches in college football. Playing under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, Kornegay saw the effectiveness of intensity. As a graduate assistant for the Seminoles, he learned the strategy and cerebral aspect of coaching from current Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher and now Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops. While he was there, Kornegay coached current New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson and 2010 sixth round pick of the Tennessee Titans Myron Rolle.

Head coach Rod Reed has built a strong recruiting network by having his assistants recruit the areas they know and grew up in.

“We’ve been able to bring in some good players through the relationships that our coaches have,” coach Parker said. “They’re able to bring in these guys because of the connections with their community where another coach, who doesn’t have any connections, may not be so successful.”

Florida recruits who come in to Nashville can feel at ease with the well meshed community that has been created by the Florida coaches and upper classmen. Some guys say they don’t even feel the difference.

“It just felt like home to me,” redshirt junior defensive lineman Dinsdale Jackson said. “They fit me right in to the team and took care of me.”

TSU’s coaching staff has done a terrific job of combining players from all over the country. With 22 players from the state of Florida on the team, some guys may feel they have something to prove against the Sunshine State but the coaches are able to take that and mold it into a working team dynamic that drives the team throughout the season.

“Being from there and having experienced it myself, some guys think the Florida guys are kind of cocky,” coach Kornegay said. “They feel like the Florida guys believe they’re coming from the mecca of football and that they have to prove themselves. It’s great to see the guys we bring in from Florida mesh well with the team.”

Florida recruits continue to add depth to the Tigers with newcomers such as quarterback Oshay Ackerman-Carter and cornerback Terrell Bonds making an impact in camp. Sunshine State seniors like German and Darion Hall will help pave the way to a successful campaign in 2014.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Former Big Ten head coach and NBA assistant coach to lead Tuskegee University's basketball program

COACH JERRY M. DUNN
COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  -- Tuskegee University has announced the hiring of its new men's basketball coach. President Brian Johnson, Ph.D. and Athletic Director Curtis Campbell, have selected former New York Knicks assistant coach, Jerry M. Dunn, to lead the Golden Tigers basketball team. Dunn replaces Leon Douglas, who resigned in July.
 
Dunn has more than 30 years  of combined experience as a men's basketball head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach of NBA and Division I men's basketball programs. He has a successful track record of recruiting, scouting and developing young talent. He is committed to the academic success of his players. He achieved an average 98 percent graduation rate per season, with several students continuing a career in both U.S. and international professional basketball leagues.
 
"We are excited about the new addition of Coach Dunn to the Tuskegee University family. He is a coach with influence beyond basketball," Tuskegee University president, Dr. Brian L. Johnson said. "His accomplishments within the Big Ten Conference as well as the NBA are the types of achievement and success that we look forward to as Tuskegee's well-known tradition is propelled into its new trajectory."
 
Dunn has served the New York Knicks since 2012 and was instrumental in the team advancing to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Dunn created and implemented individual workouts for on court skill development. He also was an instructor for the Tim Grgurich NBA Skills Development Camp.
 
From 2007 to 2010, he served as the associate head men's basketball coach for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he helped lead the men's basketball team to an appearance in the 2009 NCAA tournament after an 11-year absence.
 
From 2003 to 2007, he served as an assistant men's basketball coach at West Virginia University in Morgantown and helped the team win the 2007 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). In 2006, the team placed 3rd in the Big East Regular Season, and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.  In 2005, the team was runner up in the Big East Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
 
From 1995 to 2003, he was the head men's basketball coach at Penn State University. Coach Dunn led his team to its first Top Ten ranking and an NCAA tournament appearance in his first season. In 2001 he led Penn State to the Big Ten Tournament semi-finals and to a number 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament; Penn State beat number 2 seed, North Carolina, to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over half a century. Coach Dunn reached 50 wins and 100 wins faster than any other head men's basketball coach in Penn State history.
 
"I am very excited to have the opportunity to be Tuskegee University's head basketball coach," Dunn said. "My staff and family look forward to doing special things at a very special place. I am proud to represent the great Tuskegee brand and tradition."
 
Dunn has a bachelor's degree in science and education from George Mason University. 

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn State Hires Derek Horne as Director of Athletics

DEREK HORNE
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
(PHOTO COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS)

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State University President Dr. Alfred Rankins Jr. named Derek Horne as the University's new intercollegiate athletic director during a news conference Friday, August 8, at the Vicksburg Expansion Center.

Horne previously served as director of athletics at Florida A&M where he negotiated the largest guaranteed football contract ($900,000) for a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Prior to that post, he had an impressive 15-year tenure at his alma mater, the University of Mississippi, in athletics administration.

As a student athlete at the University of Mississippi, Horne earned Academic All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) accolades as a senior and led his squad as team captain.

President Rankins stressed the importance of identifying final candidates who would balance academic and athletic success—be a champion for the student athlete.

"Horne's background and accomplishments as an athletic director also demonstrates his strong leadership abilities and his commitment to develop leaders in-and-out of the classroom," said President Rankins.

For Horne, returning to Mississippi is like coming home and being named Alcorn's new intercollegiate athletic director is an opportunity he couldn't resist.

"I am grateful to the search committee and President Rankins for entrusting me with this great honor," said Horne. "I will give you my best and expect the same in return. Our focus will be working together to do what is best for Alcorn."

Search committee member Dr. John Walls Jr. of Vicksburg said he is excited about the future of Alcorn's athletics program under the direction of Horne.

"His reputation as a leader and motivator coupled with his strategic planning and fundraising abilities made him stand out," said Dr. Walls.

Horne will report to Alcorn later this month and begin to provide administrative direction and oversight for Alcorn's 17-sport athletic programs and activities and supervise the control and compliance with applicable National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and University rules and regulations governing all facets of intercollegiate athletics.

Horne is a 1987 graduate of the University of Mississippi. He is a native of Quitman, Ga. Horne is married to the former Sheila Mosley of New Albany, Miss., and they have one son, Christopher. 

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

ASU's Hopson Signed to Three-Year Contract Extension

COACH JAY HOPSON

ALCORN  Mississippi (August 7, 2014) – It didn't take Alcorn President Alfred Rankins Jr. long to award Braves head football coach Jay Hopson for his exceptional leadership of the University's football program.

"We really appreciate what Coach Hopson has done in elevating our football program to the next level. It feels good to be recognized as one of the top teams in the SWAC," said President Rankins.

Hopson signed a three-year contract extension Thursday that will keep him in charge of leading the Braves to prominence for the next three seasons.

Hopson is in his 3^rd season as the Braves head football coach. Since his arrival at Alcorn, Hopson has led the Braves to a 13-10 record over a two-year span (11-7 in SWAC games), which included a 9-3 (first time winning nine games since 1974) record in 2013. He was nominated for the Eddie Robinson Award (best head coach in the FCS) and has coached more than 10 players who have earned All-SWAC honors (the most in school history).

Hopson expressed his pleasure with the contract extension:

"This is truly an honor. We have a lot of work that we have to do in order to bring this school a championship. My coaches and I plan to put in our best effort to get our players in championship form," said Hopson.

The Braves will kick off the 2014 season at home, which will be the first of seven this season, against Virginia University at Lynchburg Saturday, August 30 at 4 p.m.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Freshman receiver turning heads at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Almost every day during volunteer 7-on-7 workouts, someone was asking who that guy is making big catches with the FAMU receiving corps.

Pre-season camp has started and the onlooker are just as curious about Brandon Norwood. He is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver out of Atlanta's Cedar Grove High School.

He didn't get a single inquiry for a scholarship offer.

During signing day, he watched as some of his teammates signed letters to play for schools like South Carolina.

"Everybody was getting offers and I was still trying to figure what I would do after high school," said Norwood, who was one of coach Earl Holmes' last signees.

The offer puts him in a place that he didn't think was possible. He sees it as an opportunity that he can't squander.

CONTINUE READING

Humphries says FAMU's cash woes could be fixed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M could begin to put a dent into its nagging athletic budget deficit in a short time if the Marching 100 band and the football program are given top priority, Frederick Humphries said Friday at the 220 Quarterback Club's luncheon.

But Humphries, president at FAMU from 1985 to 2001, said such a strategy would only work if alumni return to supporting the university the way they did during the 16 years that he served.

Their support helped his administration turn around an athletic department that was also struggling with a financial shortfall when he became president, he said.

Humphries left FAMU with a $3 million surplus in its athletic budget.

"The best indicators for black colleges; two things give the greatest visibility that they have," he said. "It's the athletic program and the marching band.

CONTINUE READING

Southern passing game crowded

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The Southern passing game has featured a large cast of characters so far in preseason camp.

Even though three top receivers are sidelined, the permutations are nearly countless.

The Jaguars are trying to give four quarterbacks — Deonte Shorts, Francis Kanneh, Austin Howard and Jarrad Hayes — a fair opportunity to see what each can do before choosing a starter for the season opener at Louisiana-Lafayette on Aug. 30. So the reps are being divided four ways, and the quarterbacks are floating up and down the depth chart in the early days of preseason camp.

Wide receiver is arguably the deepest position on the team and that depth has been on display during the first eight days of practice. The sidelined veterans are Willie Quinn, who has yet to practice because of a jaw injury, Randall Menard (foot) and Justin Morgan (ankle), who were hurt earlier in camp.

“You just have to make sure you have the timing down because you get used to guys, then they get hurt,” Shorts said. “The new guys are stepping up. We just have to get used to them.”

CONTINUE READING 

S.C. State men’s basketball to play only 10 home games

Orangeburg, South Carolina --  The South Carolina State University men’s basketball program has released its 2014-15 schedule, a slate that includes 10 home games and 19 road contests.

“We are excited to announce this year’s schedule. It’s one of the most challenging schedules in recent years for the Bulldogs,” S.C. State head coach Murray Garvin said. “We open the season on a Northwest/West Coast swing against University of Washington (Nov. 14) and San Francisco (Nov. 16) before cutting back across the country to face ACC Champion the Virginia Cavaliers (Nov. 18).”

The Bulldogs open up at home against Columbia International on Nov. 25, before heading to Statesboro, Ga., to take on Georgia Southern on Nov. 29.

SCSU then returns to the Palmetto State to battle defending Big South Champion Coastal Carolina on Dec. 2 in Conway. Garvin and the Bulldogs made their mark last season sweeping the Chanticleers in a home-and-home series for the first time in school history.

The Bulldogs have early MEAC battles with Florida A&M on Dec. 6 and Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 8 at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. SC State takes on College of Charleston in Charleston on Dec. 11 before, closing out their home-and-home series with Coastal Carolina on Dec. 14.

CONTINUE READING

Saint Augustine's University Brings Back Men's Golf

COACH ROBERT HINTON
SAU MEN'S GOLF

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) announced on Thursday, August 7, 2014 that it will re-institute the men’s golf program, beginning with the 2014-2015 season. The head coach will be Robert Hinton.

“I am very happy we have golf back,” said George Williams, the SAU Athletic Director and iconic Track & Field Head Coach. “I would like to give thanks to our [Interim] President Dr. [Everett] Ward for bringing back the sport. I think we have a young man [Hinton] who can get the job done for us.”

With the addition of men’s golf, Saint Augustine’s University increased its number of varsity sports to 14. The other sports are baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, softball and women’s volleyball.

“I want to thank [Interim President] Dr. Ward and Coach Williams for allowing me to lead this program,” Hinton said. “I am very excited about the opportunity to help our student-athletes be successful in the classroom as well as on the golf course.”

The men’s golf program was started in the 1960s by Earl Curry, a coach at then Saint Augustine’s College. The sport was a staple in the athletic department before it was put on hiatus in 2013.

Men’s golf rose to prominence under Head Coach Lawrence Coleman. He guided the Falcons to five PGA National Minority Golf Championships and six CIAA conference titles. The long-time coach retired in 2009 and was inducted into CIAA Hall of Fame in 2014. It was the second hall of fame honor for Coleman, who was inducted in the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2002.

Hinton is now in charge of coaching the historically successful program. The Garner, N.C., native is a familiar sports figure in Raleigh, N.C. and surrounding areas. He was a wide receiver on the legendary 1987 state championship football team at Garner High School and played football at N.C. State University. After an outstanding collegiate career, Hinton’s NFL career was cut short due to injuries.

After his football playing days ended, Hinton excelled at another sport – golf. He was an assistant golf pro in Raleigh, N.C. for five years and a pro golfer on the Hooters Tour for another two years. Hinton is currently the general manager of Meadowbrook Country Club, a position he has held since 2011. Meadowbrook, located in Garner, N.C., is owned by Saint Augustine’s University.

Hinton says he plans to seek advice as he prepares for his first season as Falcons’ golf coach.

“I’ll lean heavily on Coach Coleman’s expertise as I move the program forward,” Hinton said. “I want to continue the tradition of excellence that he built.”

Saint Augustine’s University athletics on www.saintaugfalcons.com

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Hall of Fame to induct XU's "Sweetwater" Clifton 1940s standout is the first from Xavier to receive this honor

XU men's basketball team members in 1942-43 included, from left, David
Henderson, James Savery, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, Irving Ward and
Leon Wright. That team was 15-3 and runner-up in the SIAC Tournament.
Clifton is a 2014 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

NEW ORLEANS — Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, a Xavier University of Louisiana standout in the 1940s and an NBA pioneer nearly 60 years ago, will be inducted Friday into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at Springfield, Mass.
    
Clifton, selected as a contributor to the sport, is the first from Xavier to earn induction. He is one of 10 inductees this year.
    
A right-handed power forward listed from 6-feet-6 to 6-9 on various online sites, Clifton was one of a handful of African-Americans to integrate the NBA in the 1950-51 season. Clifton scored 16 points for the New York Knicks in his NBA debut on Nov. 4, 1950 — he was 28 years old at the time — and played eight seasons in the league, all but one with the Knicks.
    
In 544 NBA games, Clifton averaged 10.0 points and 8.2 rebounds. He averaged a double-double in his second and third seasons — 10.6 points and 11.8 rebounds in 1951-52, 10.6 and 11.3 rebounds in 1952-53 — and averaged a career-best 13.1 points in 1954-55. He was a member of NBA runner-up teams each of his first three seasons.
    
Clifton's lone NBA All-Star Game appearance was in 1957. He scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 23 minutes and still holds the record for the oldest first-time participant: 34 years and 94 days.
    
"He was still a showman when I got to the league," said Richie Guerin, a 2013 Hall of Fame inductee and a rookie teammate of Clifton in 1956-57. "Sweets did everything with a flair. He had a nice outside shot for a big man. He was a good rebounder. He was a terrific guy and a friend. Sweets and other veterans like Carl Braun and Dick McGuire went out of their way to make me feel welcome."


    
Clifton was a standout player in Chicago at DuSable High School and enrolled at Xavier in the fall of 1942. He spent just one academic year at Xavier before enrolling in the Army during World War II. But his basketball impact at XU was great. Clifton led the Gold Rush in 1942-43 to a 15-3 record, including 11 double-digit victories, and a berth in the championship game of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, where Xavier lost 43-42 to South Carolina State. His Xavier statistics are spotty, but the school newspaper, the Xavier Herald, said Clifton scored 42 points against Benedict and 24 in another game. His 21 made field goals against Benedict still are a school record.
    
"I taught him everything he knew about basketball," said Leon Wright, a DuSable and Xavier teammate and still living in Chicago at age 91. "He didn't know what a ball looked like when he started high school. He and I would stay at the gym after practice to work out. I had to show him where to go on the court, how to lead people with the pass.
    
"He was a good teammate. He was easy going, sort of quiet. He definitely wasn't a loud person."
    
After the war, Clifton played with two all-black professional touring teams, the New York Rens and the Harlem Globetrotters. He scored 52 points for the Globetrotters in a 64-63 victory against a college all-star team on April 11, 1950, in San Francisco. The next month — on May 24, 1950 — Clifton became the second African-American to sign an NBA contract. The first to sign was Harold Hunter, Xavier's men's basketball coach for three seasons in the mid-1970s.
    
Clifton also played professional baseball in the Negro League and for a Cleveland Indians farm team. After his final NBA season, with the Detroit Pistons in 1957-58, he played for the Harlem Stars touring team and the Chicago Monarchs in the American Basketball League. Clifton triumphantly returned to New Orleans on Jan. 24, 1960, scoring a game-high 24 points in the Stars' 82-72 victory against the New York Celtics before 5,300 fans at Loyola Field House.
    
His honors are many. Clifton is a member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame, the Black Athletes Hall of Fame and the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame. The Associated Black Charities of New York City named one of its "Black History Maker Awards" the "Nathaniel 'Sweetwater' Clifton Award," and in 2005 the Knicks renamed their monthly "City Spirit Award" in his honor In 1993, longtime NBA referee Earl Strom listed Clifton as one of his 10 toughest players of all time (also listed: Louisiana natives Willis Reed and Karl Malone).
    
Clifton was born Oct. 13, 1922, in Little Rock, Ark. — he earned his nickname as a child because he loved soft drinks — and died Aug. 31, 1990, in Chicago. Wright, one of two known living players from the 1942-43 Xavier team — Irving Ward is the other — was a pallbearer at Clifton's funeral.
    
Meadowlark Lemon, the longtime "Clown Prince" of the Globetrotters and a 2003 Hall of Fame inductee, will be Clifton's presenter at Friday's ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall. Clifton's daughter, JaTuan, will accept the honor on behalf of her father.
    
Clifton's arrival in the NBA will be portrayed in the cinema in "Sweetwater," with Wood Harris in the title role. The movie is scheduled for release in 2015.

XU men's basketball team members in 1942-43 included, from left, David Henderson, James Savery, Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, Irving Ward and Leon Wright. That team was 15-3 and runner-up in the SIAC Tournament. Clifton is a 2014 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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

Coaches Keep SSU Tigers Keyed On Being Focused This Season

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -- After the first week of camp, more than 90 players are on the field getting valuable instruction from the veteran Savannah State coaching staff.

There are five quarterbacks vying for the starting position this year. Quarterbacks coach David Banks took over the job of fine tuning that position this past March. It is his first season here at Savannah State University after being at Hampton University, the past two seasons.

Banks paid close attention to each quarterbacks foot settings, position of the ball in the players' hands prior to execution and their throwing motions. His main goal was to make sure they were focused and assertive in calls being made from the offensive coordinator from the sideline and how those plays were understood and executed.

New defensive coordinator Michael Wallace is in his second tour of duty with the Tigers. Last season he served as linebackers coach and special team's coordinator. He has been focused in on the defensive back core; which is made up of a very strong veteran group of players.

Defensive line coach Jonas Jackson feels as though the defensive line is developing quickly, even though they are learning entirely new defensive schemes. He feels both sides of the line (offensive and defense) are equal right now.

During the drills, head coach Earnest Wilson, III keeps an eagle's eye look over what is going on in each segment of the team. If 100 percent effort wasn't being applied in every situation, it was addressed immediately by him.

"Every play, even if we drop a pass or fumble a hand-off, must be done in full sprint," said Wilson. "We are in a conditioning phase and we (coaches) want everything done at full speed."

A new item was placed on the 50-yard line marker for all to see. It is a blue and orange painted gold firemen's bell. The significance of the item is simple. If you can't "cut the mustard" just ring the bell. It means you have quit the football team. So far, nobody has rung it.

The Tigers will practice in full gear all week with their first scrimmage to take place on August 9 at 8 a.m. at Ted Wright Stadium.

The Tigers open the season, August 30, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium at 6 p.m. central time.

The team's first home is September 13 at 6 p.m. The opponent will be Fort Valley State University.

View Photo Practice Gallery from August 5, 2014 (Here)

Get to Know #47 Robert Smith
Question and answer session with newcomer defensive back Robert Smith who transferred to SSU after receiving his undergraduate degree from Georgia State.

Question: How do you define who you are?
Answer: "I feel that I have been an underdog my whole life. I was told that I was too small and too short to play Division I football. I know that hard work and being a good student has its own rewards. That is my definition of who I am and what I am about."
Smith added that he learned how to be the man of his house, because his mother was a single-parent.
"I was the first person in my family to get a college degree this past May. I wanted my sister, who is 18, to have a male role model in her life. I am proud of her also, as she just got a scholarship to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

Question: You seem to be athletically gifted, so what do you do mentally to get your mind and body on the same page?
Answer: "I prepare for games by stretching and relaxing so that I don't think about too much. I don't like to think too much during the game, because if I have done my homework, I typically know what is going to happen. I have to be able to play fast and react even faster."

Question: Most receivers are taller than you, how do you make a difference on defense?
Answer: "I try to neutralize my opponent by being a whole lot more physical on every play. If they catch the ball, I want them to know that they will be getting a hard hit along with that catch."

Question: You said this year's team is like an Army of One. What did you mean by that?
Answer: "Everyone is really trying to help each other out on offense and defense. I have four fingers and one thumb, but when I ball up my first they become strong."

Question: What goals have you set for yourself this year?
Answer: "My main goal is to help turn this program around. We have scholarship players, who are trying to get an education and I want to help them. I also want SSU to be successful in the MEAC. My coach at Georgia State University and Coach Wilson coached together in Indianapolis and he told me that I would enjoy playing for him. I love playing football and it only comes around one time."

Question: You stayed here this summer and you were one of the 40 who did that. What motivated you and the others to sacrifice yours summer?
Answer: "We have a common goal to stick together and to sacrifice whatever is necessary to turn things around down here."

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier's Horn announces hiring of four employees

From left: new XU athletics employees Jimmie Walker, Hilary Lobenstein,
Joe Fawcett and Allie Wood.

NEW ORLEANS — Jason Horn, Xavier University of Louisiana's director of athletics and recreation, announced Wednesday the hiring of four employees.
    
Joining the staff are Allie Wood and Joe Fawcett as athletic trainers, Hilary Lobenstein as assistant women's volleyball coach and Jimmie Walker as administrative specialist.
    
Wood's and Fawcett's positions are funded through an agreement between Xavier and Ochsner Health System's sports medicine division.
    
Wood and Fawcett are certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
    
Wood will work primarily with XU teams in women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's tennis, plus the spirit groups. Fawcett will cover men's basketball, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field.
    
Wood, a native of southern California, joined Xavier in April after seven years of training experience with youth, amateur, high school, collegiate and professional teams. Most recently, Wood was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Warner University in Lake Wales, Fla., where she received a master's degree. She received her bachelor's degree from BYU in 2008 and was a student athletic trainer there.
    
Fawcett, a native of Zanesfield, Ohio, arrived at Xavier in June after two years as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he earned a master's degree. He was a student athletic trainer at Wright State University, where he received his bachelor's degree, and the University of Dayton.
    
Lobenstein worked her first day at Xavier on July 28. She was a graduate assistant volleyball coach at the University of West Alabama the previous two seasons. Lobenstein earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UWA and played volleyball there. She helped UWA go 51-19 in her two seasons and win the Gulf States Conference East Division championship in 2009.
   
Lobenstein, a native of Deerfield, Wis., will be the Gold Nuggets' recruiting coordinator.
    
Walker, a native New Orleanian, joined the XU staff on Monday. He will manage all procurement and purchasing services of the athletics department, coordinate social media efforts and create video content for the department website and news media.
    
Walker interned for the past year with the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans and edited and produced video content for both teams' websites. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern State University, where he gained experience in digital media, radio, television, newspaper and the yearbook.
    
Wood and Fawcett replace Melvin Wallis, who worked at Xavier for seven years, and Tiffany Gary, who worked for two. Lobenstein replaces Kenneth Marroccoli, who worked at Xavier in 2013, and Walker succeeds Alma Henderson, who retired on June 30 after 25 years at Xavier.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Alabama State's 'Ghost' slims down to 353 pounds

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- He has lost 29 pounds from last season, "slimming down" to 353 pounds, if that's the right terminology for an oversized defensive tackle.

And his nickname, "Ghost," may be the definitive use of antiphrasis in acknowledging the largest guy on Alabama State's team.

Roderick Henderson was always a dominant player, from his days at G.W. Carver to a year at Southern Mississippi to last season at Alabama State. But after fighting all summer to get in better shape, he is at the front of the group of defensive tackles in almost every post-practice sprint, a testimony to his dedication in becoming the "slimmer" Henderson.

" 'Ghost' is probably in the best shape he's ever been in his life," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. "He's doing a good job for us. He's strong. Just getting last year under his belt and playing with some consistency and being able to dominate, that gave him the confidence. And he's got a low center of gravity, so he's a hard guy to block."

CONTINUE READING

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.

CONTINUE READING 

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