ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Valley State football team suited up in full gear for the first time of training camp during Friday's three-hour practice.
During Friday's practice, position players battled each other for starting spots as the Delta Devils prepare for the 2014 season.
"That's why we got this recruiting class in because this spring there was no competition, but the competition's on now," said first-year MVSU head coach Rick Comegy. "And I'm happy to see these guys going at it real good because they all want to get on the bus. You can only take 63 on away games and regardless of how they get on the bus -- special teams, offense, defense -- they have to earn a job to get on that bus."
At quarterback, a crop of newcomers -- Dontrinell Scott, Marcus Key and Quantavius Peterson -- along with returning seniors Patrick Ivy and Carl Davis are all currenlty battling for the starting job. Ivy is the most experienced of the group, passing for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
But nothing is promised.
"Right now, it's up for grabs. Pat has to compete like everyone else," said Comegy. "And we're not going to give him anything....If he wants that job he has to earn it."
The Delta Devils will be back on the practice field Saturday from 8-11 a.m. and on Sunday from 8-10:30 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.
To view a photo gallery from Friday's practice, click here.
COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Ram Ramblings: Football practice is almost here
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- I spoke briefly with Kienus Boulware, who is getting ready for his first season as a head coach. He was well aware that next week will be "go time" for he and the WSSU Rams.The team's first practice will be Wednesday at 9 a.m., and he said he's looking forward to getting into a weekly routine.
"I think it's easier when the guys and the coaches all know what's in front of them," Boulware said. "And next week we'll get it going and I think everybody is excited."
The Rams, who have already been picked as the No. 13 team in the country in Division II by one preseason poll, have a lot of good players coming back. They were picked to win the CIAA for the third straight season in the coaches power poll that came out in late July at the conference's media day.
CONTINUE READING
Prairie View A&M Football Training Camp Central 2014
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M had an intense practice which featured big plays on both sides of the ball on Thursday night. Interview conducted by Michael Prince.
COURTESY PVAMU PANTHERS ATHLETICS
 | Day Three Photo Gallery |
COURTESY PVAMU PANTHERS ATHLETICS
Dawson Odums OK with Southern scrimmage
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern tried to simulate a football game as best it could for its first scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday morning.A modest-sized crowd turned out, providing the largest group of spectators during the first nine days of practice.
The coaches tried to give their headsets a dry run, though the reception didn’t work as well at the Jaguars practice field as it does next door inside A.W. Mumford Stadium.
An officiating crew was on hand, helping the players get closer to being game ready three weeks before their season opener at Louisiana-Lafayette.
And football-wise, things pretty much went according to plan. The Jaguars ran about 120 plays in stifling heat and humidity and appeared to escape any serious injuries, though a few players did leave after being nicked up.
CONTINUE READING
Frontier Communications Kanawha Classic Pits WVSU Against University of Charleston
CHARLESTON, West Virginia -- The annual football rivalry game between the University of Charleston and West Virginia State University has been jazzed up a bit for this season.The game at University of Charleston Stadium has been switched from its original date of Saturday, Oct. 18, to Thursday, Oct. 16 and has been dubbed the Frontier Communications Kanawha Classic.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The teams will vie for local bragging rights and a trophy.
“That’s exciting,’’ said Jon Anderson, the Yellow Jackets’ second-year coach. “We’ve worked together with Frontier to make it a big event. We’re looking forward to that game for sure."
The game between the neighboring rivals, separated by less than 12 miles, is also a league contest in the second-year Mountain East Conference.
CONTINUE READING
Pough prefers S.C. State meet goals in one practice a day
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- When it comes to relying on “two-a-day” practices preparing college football players for the regular season, South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough is a contrarian.
While many of his coaching peers hold as many sessions as possible during the “dog days” of August, Pough sees them as valuable only when necessary.
“My philosophy is that you do them as you need to,” he said. “This is a situation here where if we can go to one-a-days, if we can do most of our work in one attempt and if we seem to be gathering the information the right way, then we can maybe cut it back to less two-a-days. But at the same time, if we have days where we’re still struggling to get lined up and have issues, of course, you’ve got to come out to do two.”
After what Pough saw was a ...
CONTINUE READING
Despite weather, SCSU manages to hold Media Day
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The morning hours Saturday for the South Carolina State football began with rainfall, which pushed back the starting time for Media and Picture Day at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Lightning flashes accompanied by more rain also delayed the team’s first scrimmage for about 40 minutes. In both cases, the Bulldogs persevered to remain on schedule for the preseason.
“We practiced hard, which is what really makes the difference,” S.C. State head football coach Buddy Pough said. “It’s not necessarily the weather, but it’s whether you get enough reps and enough hard reps at it and we do seem to be getting that. So, the fact that we’re getting enough work is what really probably is the most important part of the whole deal.”
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Former Texas A&M linebacker Darian Claiborne to enroll at Texas Southern
HOUSTON, Texas -- Darian Claiborne, dismissed from Texas A&M on June 3, will enroll at Texas Southern and be immediately eligible to play football.
The former Port Allen star and SEC All-Freshman Team linebacker will receive a second college chance at the SWAC school after running into off-field issues on multiple occasion, Port Allen Coach Guy Blanchard said.
"He ended up at Texas Southern, and we're excited about it, about him getting a chance to go and show people he's not a terrible -- he just made some silly mistakes," Blanchard said. "We're excited he's getting the opportunity to show he can overcome those things. It's a fresh start. It's a clean start and a second chance to show he's a good person, and that's what we're excited about."
The former Port Allen star and SEC All-Freshman Team linebacker will receive a second college chance at the SWAC school after running into off-field issues on multiple occasion, Port Allen Coach Guy Blanchard said.
"He ended up at Texas Southern, and we're excited about it, about him getting a chance to go and show people he's not a terrible -- he just made some silly mistakes," Blanchard said. "We're excited he's getting the opportunity to show he can overcome those things. It's a fresh start. It's a clean start and a second chance to show he's a good person, and that's what we're excited about."
Hornet Report: DSU Completes First Day of Football Training Camp
DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State's Benjamin Bullock reports for www.dsuhornets.com, as head coach Kermit Blount, quarterback Esayah Obado and defensive tackle Rodney Gunter give their takes on the first day of training camp to being the 2014 season.
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Lincoln Chosen Seventh in GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll
Blue Tigers Are Beginning Their First Season in the LeagueLEBANON, Illinois - The Lincoln football team was picked seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches poll, announced on Friday (Aug. 1) as part of the league's kickoff event.
The Blue Tigers, in their first season in the GLVC, received 27 votes to rank seventh in the nine-team poll. Lincoln, along with Southwest Baptist, are joining the GLVC as football-only members in 2014 while remaining full members of the MIAA in all other sports. Southwest Baptist received 28 votes to edge LU for sixth in the GLVC preseason coaches poll.
Two-time defending GLVC champion Indianapolis was the unanimous favorite, garnering eight first-place votes to lead the poll with 64 points. Truman State, in its second season in the GLVC after leaving the MIAA in 2013, was selected second with 56 points. St. Joseph's (Ind.) claimed third with 50 points, including earning the final first-place vote, as coaches were not allowed to rank their own program.
Missouri S&T was selected fourth with 38 points while McKendree was picked fifth with 32 points. Rounding out the GLVC preseason coaches poll were Quincy, which received 15 points to check in at eighth, and William Jewell, which tallied 14 points points to be selected ninth.
Lincoln went 3-8 in its final season in the MIAA in 2013, including defeating NCAA Division I Grambling State, 47-34, in the inaugural Missouri Classic. The Blue Tigers return 12 starters from that squad, including senior running back Morris Henderson, a Don Hansen All-American third team selection; senior offensive lineman J.J. Johnson, a USA College Football preseason second team All-American; and senior quarterback Jacob Morris, an All-MIAA honorable mention in 2013.
The Blue Tigers begin 2014 on Sept. 6 by playing Langston in the second Missouri Classic, held in Kansas City, Mo. at historic Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CDT.
Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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.
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.
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.
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.”
“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 |
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) |
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 |
"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 3rd 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.”
Friday, August 8, 2014
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.
Saint Augustine's University Brings Back Men's Golf
 |
| COACH ROBERT HINTON SAU MEN'S GOLF |
“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
Thursday, August 7, 2014
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)