Alabama A&M Fan Day to showcase football team, marching band, cheerleaders

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  --  Alabama A & M University will offer a first-look at the football team, marching band and cheerleaders with the annual - free - Fan Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at Louis Crews Stadium.

 

Gates will open at 3 p.m. for an afternoon filled with games and activities for both children and adults. Fans will also have the chance to meet members of the A & M Bulldog teams.

 

At 6 p.m., the Marching Maroon and White band will take the field, along with the A & M cheerleaders before the scrimmage among the A & M players. Both fans and players look forward to the day every year, said Bryan Hicks, director of athletics.

 

"Fan Day is a meet and greet for fans, family and athletes," Hicks said.

 

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Samuels Rolls Out Men's Basketball Coaching Staff

MARTIN, HOLMES & ANDERSON
Photo Courtesy FAMU Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (August 8) --  Florida A&M University head men’s basketball coach Byron Samuels formally announced the appointments of Bruce M. Martin, Donald L. Anderson and Aaron Holmes to his coaching staff.

This seasoned coaching trio, lauded Thursday by Samuels for their superb blend of work experience, basketball teaching ability and strong work ethic, will immediately  join forces with the new FAMU head coach in his Rattler Basketball renaissance efforts.

Martin, who has served as a head coach both on the collegiate level at Davis & Elkins College in Ohio (2009-13), and in the European League with the Ockelbo (Sweden) Basketball Club (2004-05), comes to FAMU from the University of Wyoming, where he spent the past school year as an academic advisement coordinator for Men’s Basketball and Swimming and Diving.

His resume includes assistant coaching tours at the University of Texas-Pan American (2007-09); at his alma mater, Clemson University (1998-2003); at the University of Wyoming (1997-98); and Francis Marion University (1995-97).

Martin assisted on two National Invitational Tournament coaching staffs, the 1998 Wyoming club, and the Clemson squad which reached the NIT title game in 1999.

A 1995 graduate of Clemson University, Martin will be reunited with Samuels, for whom he worked as an assistant coach at Radford (Va.) University (2006-07).

Anderson, comes to FAMU from Jacksonville (Fla.) University, where he had been the Dolphins’ Director of Basketball Operations since July of 2012.

He served as head coach at Gettysburg College from 1985 to 1989, before moving to Mount Saint Mary’s College as senior assistant head coach  from 1989 to 2002, where he helped them reached the NCAA Tournament in 1995 and 1999, as well as the National Invitational Tournament in 1996.

A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College (1982), Anderson also served a stint in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), as the senior associate head coach  at Coppin (Md.) State University under legendary firebrand Ron “Fang” Mitchell, from 2002 to 2006. He helped guide the Eagles to the 2003-04 MEAC regular season title and a berth in the 2004 MEAC Tournament finals against FAMU.

Prior to landing at Jacksonville, Anderson turned in a five-year run as an assistant coach at Binghamton University (2007-2012), helping lead them to the 2009 NCAA Tournament. He also worked one season as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (2006-07).

Holmes, is a St. Petersburg, Florida native, who comes to FAMU his high school alma mater, Catholic High School, where he had served as boys head coach this past school year (2013-14).

A Tulane University graduate (2011), who began his collegiate playing career at Florida State (2006-07), Holmes’ resume includes a brief stint as an assistant basketball coach at Tampa’s Berkley Preparatory High School (2011-12); three years as founder and director of the Aaron Holmes Elite Basketball Academy (2011-14).

He also served as the director and head coach of the Team Marreese Speights AAU team in Tampa (2011-14), and worked as a high school teacher at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg (2013-14).

BYRON SAMUELS’ QUOTES ON ASSISTANT COACHES

Bruce Martin

“I love Bruce’s enthusiasm for life, and his appreciation for the little things around us. His outlook is uplifting. Twice a head coach, Bruce did a phenomenal job for me at Radford University. He adds value to our program because he has worked in a variety of roles in our profession. He is a good teacher of the game, a good recruiter and he cares about young people.”

Donald Anderson

“Coach Anderson is a 30-year coaching veteran who I’ve known for over twenty years. I have always admired his intelligence, patience and understanding of our profession. Don will relate well with our players, administration, faculty and staff. His ability to connect with people will serve our program and the FAMU community well. Another good teacher and recruiter, Don has ties along the eastern seaboard that are very important to us.”

Aaron Holmes

“Aaron was one of the hardest workers and most astute players I have ever coached. He is well thought of among high school coaches in the State of Florida, as well as by AAU Coaches regionally and nationally. He is an excellent skill development guy, and brings an unbelievable amount of energy and passion to our staff.  His knowledge of the game, his work ethic and wealth of contacts are very important to our program.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

ASU Hornets Fighting the Dog Days of Summer

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Just like every football team that is hitting the field during the dog days of summer, Alabama State University's football Hornets are fighting the heat and humidity and with the Hornets practicing on a turf surface at each practice that heat usually reaches triple digits.

"It is what we say, we have to find comfort in our discomfort," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  "I wish I could say it's not like this everywhere else but it is.  It's hot everywhere and you signed up for this game and if you say you want to be a football player here is what it is.  You have to find a way to fight through it and the one's (players) that are encouraging themselves and their teammates are the ones that are going to get through it.

"It's hot and it's tough, but you have to eat.  You have to stay hydrated and you just have to continue to get better."

While practicing in the heat is what each team needs to help them get into shape, sometimes that same heat does enough damage that players are unable to build up the tolerance and to get in better shape without getting sick.  That calls for the coaching staffs to think outside the box and so some different drills to help get into shape.

"Obviously we are not where we need to be at," Barlow said.  "We started out doing four plays in a row and getting them off, and now we are doing six plays in a row so that will help condition them even more and then we will step it up next week and take it up to eight plays.  Hopefully over the next five to eight days this will help the guys get into better shape and we will be able to hit the ground running when the games begin."

ASU has changed their practice plans for the next couple of days as they will only practice once on Wednesday at 7 p.m. while taking Thursday off.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State opens practice riding last year's momentum

ALBANY, Georgia   — The Albany State football team had already jogged to the locker room as the sun beat down on the Rams’ practice field late Monday morning.

##The field was empty following the season’s first practice, and the coaching staff was beginning to disperse.

##But on a small, steep hill beside the end zone, Albany State quarterback Frank Rivers hadn’t stopped working.

##“I’m excited to get out here and fight and lead,” Rivers said after finishing a series of sprints up and down the hill, “and I know these guys behind me are going to fight with me every day and every snap.”

##Rivers and the Rams kicked off the 2014 season Monday morning with a two-hour practice with helmets and no shoulder pads, and the team stepped onto campus this fall with a little extra excitement and momentum following last year’s SIAC championship and season-ending, five-game winning streak.

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After limbo, SCSU hoops focus forward

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- “It was an interesting summer, to say the least.”

If ever a quote qualified as an “understatement,” the one just expressed recently by South Carolina State men’s basketball coach Murray Garvin more than fits the definition. Over the past five months, it’s debatable to find a Division I head coach in any sport whose job and program’s existence was in greater limbo.

After waiting into late March for a four-year contract extension, Garvin next had to endure weeks of uncertainty about the future of Bulldog men’s basketball. At one point, the prospect of discontinuing the longstanding program as a measure for school officials to deal with its ongoing financial issues was very much on the table.

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Humphries might just be the answer for FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Frederick Humphries really didn't need to offer up a disclaimer. But he did anyway before making his first comments on the state of athletics at Florida A&M University.

"I'm retired," Humphries, the still popular former president emphatically stated.

Laughter broke out in the small banquet room inside New Times Country Buffet, where the 220 Quarterback Club had the 78-year-old former president as its weekly luncheon speaker.

The noise soon subsided and Humphries, who was president at FAMU for 16 years, continued on to make sure his audience knew he was about to speak just like any other citizen would.

"I holds no official position (at FAMU)," he said. "I used to be the president (1985-2001) and I used to work at the law school.

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Florida A&M's Earl Holmes on the Rattlers' fall camp

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Questions outnumber answers as Florida A&M football begins fall camp. The Rattlers have a quarterback battle, reduced practice time due to NCAA penalties, and one less assistant coach on the sidelines (George Small was let go by the University as part of Athletic Director Kellen Winslow's plan to cut costs).

Watch Rattler head coach Earl Holmes speak to the media at FAMU's first practice of the fall.



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A&M Bulldogs Football Kickoff Luncheon Set for Aug. 13

NORMAL, Alabama  -- Alabama A&M University is set to host its inaugural Alabama A&M Bulldogs Football Kickoff Luncheon on August 13.

The luncheon will feature head coach James Spady.  Fans attending the luncheon will have the opportunity to meet and interact with Alabama A&M football personnel and student-athletes.

The luncheon is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 12 p.m. at the Knight Center on the campus in Normal, Alabama. This event serves as the first major event of Alabama A&M football for the fall season.

The doors will open at 11:15 a.m., and general admission tickets are $10 each. A reserved table is $80. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Bulldogs ticket office at 256-372-4700 and can be picked up ONLY on Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. or online at aamutix.com.

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

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Grambling-Prairie View A&M football game poised to remain a State Fair tradition through 2025

DALLAS, Texas  -- The Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic, the annual football game between Prairie View A&M University and Grambling State University, is poised to stay at the Cotton Bowl through 2025.

The Dallas Park and Recreation Board on Thursday will consider a five-year extension to the city’s agreement with the two historically black universities. The current deal runs through 2020.

Under the proposed extension, there would be no changes to the financial terms. The city pays each school $75,000 a year to participate in the game, which is played during the State Fair of Texas.

This year’s State Fair Classic kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 27.

The Prairie View A&M-Grambling game is one of two marquee gridiron battles during the State Fair. The other, of course, is the Red River Showdown between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.

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Mississippi Valley Delta Devils practice in full pads

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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 ...




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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.”

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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."

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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

Lincoln Chosen Seventh in GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll

Blue Tigers Are Beginning Their First Season in the League

LEBANON, 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

Hampton Pirates MEAC Media Day 2014

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY 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.

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.”

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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