Experienced WSSU Rams have their sights set high

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Defensive lineman Casey Davenport of Winston-Salem State marked his 26th birthday Wednesday with a hard 2½-hour practice instead of a celebration.

“It’s my birthday, sure, but there’s no time to celebrate because it’s time to get back to work,” said Davenport, a fifth-year senior who is expected to play a key role this season.

Expectations are high for the Rams, and spirits were, too, Wednesday morning for the first full practice of preseason camp. The Rams have won 24 straight games against CIAA opponents and two straight conference titles, and they’re again the team to beat.

“How good can we be?” asked Kienus Boulware, in his first season as the head coach after four seasons as the defensive coordinator for Connell Maynor. “If we don’t pay attention to those rankings and all of that and we keep grinding, then we should be OK.”




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Commentary: Leon Douglas explains why he left Tuskegee

FAIRFIELD, Alabama  -- Leon Douglas wants to set the record straight.

When Tuskegee announced his resignation last month, the release said the school offered him a compensation package that would have made him the highest paid basketball coach in the SIAC.

That didn't set well with the new Miles College coach.

"First and foremost, it was not about money," he said. "That's seems to be what this whole thing is centered on. They offered me this great contract, OK, and I refused it because I wanted more money. That shook me when I saw in the paper that it was about a contract and about a dollar."

In his eight seasons at Tuskegee, Douglas said he never received ...

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Paine College Lions Selects Kohn as Athletic Director

SELINA B.KOHN
Athletic Director
Paine College Lions

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- Selina B. Kohn began Friday by chauffeuring her three boys to school. A few hours later, she was announced as the first female athletic director at Paine College during a morning press conference.

While Kohn ascends to the No. 1 position in the school's athletic department, her boys - all 8 and under - still see her as the same person.

"To them, I'm still 'Mommy'," she said, "and dinner needs to be served soon."

Kohn is the first female to lead a collegiate program in the Aiken-Augusta area. She also becomes the second female athletic director in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, S Penny Minter of Lane College.

Kohn served as Paine's associate athletic director and senior women's administrator before taking the program's top position. She replaces Tim Duncan, who stepped down last month to become athletic director at Clayton State.

Kohn served two stints as the school's interim athletic director. From January to April in 2011, she bridged the gap between Ron Spry and Duncan. She again served in an interim role in July after the departure of Duncan before getting the gig full-time.

"I think it's a great move," said Georgia Regents athletic director Clint Bryant, who attended the press conference. "Selina spent her time not only coaching but in athletic administration. She's been a loyal member of Paine. I just think it's a tremendous hire."

Germaletta Dyson-Brown, a former standout volleyball and women's basketball player at Paine, added: "I think it's amazing that Paine College's athletic program has been turned over to Coach Kohn, It was definitely the move that needed to be made. She's had a great impact on PC athletics and athletes, both on and off the court."

One of Kohn's first moves as athletic director was restructuring her department. Football coach Greg Ruffin added the title of associate athletic director, while volleyball coach Kisha Lucette becomes the school's senior woman administrator. Jonavon Stephens was hired to become the school's assistant athletic director for external relations.

Kohn grew up in south Georgia, starring as a guard at Thomas County Central High School. She then went to Albany State where her excellent play continued. From 1990-93, she set four NCAA Division II records, including: most assists in a game (23), assists in a season (309), season-assist average (11.9) and career assists (927, 107 games). After graduating from Albany State in 1994 with a biology degree, she became the team's assistant coach.

The 43-year-old Kohn came to Paine in 1998, interviewing for the women's basketball coach with Spry. By the end of the interview, she got the job. And she got the volleyball job. And then she got another job, assisting the track and field program.

"I think my tenure here has been neat," she said. "It has allowed me to grow as a person. And what I love about Augusta is when I came I knew no one. But after the first week, it was almost like I was at home."

In 2005, Kohn's volleyball team posted a 35–4 record, which resulted in a coach of the year honor. On the hardwood, she led the Lady Lions to new heights during her eight-season tenure, when she won two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coach of the year awards.

In 2005, she led the Lady Lions to their first SIAC Tournament championship as well as their first appearance in the Division II Tournament. The following year, Paine repeated as SIAC Tournament champs, making a second trip to the NCAA Tournament. Following the 2005-06 season, Kohn had her first child and handed the reins of the basketball program to her assistant, Terry Palmer. She remained at the school as volleyball coach and senior women's administrator.

In 2011, Kohn was inducted into the Paine College Athletic Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, she was named to the NCAA's 40th Anniversary Tribute Team.

She is married to Ben Kohn, a former basketball player at Paine. They have three sons: Marcus (8), Christopher (6) and Brian (3).

PAINE COLLEGE LIONS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

DSU Hornets: The defense's quarterback returns

DOVER, Delaware -- Davon Moore quickly backpedaled, cut to his right and jumped to tip the ball away from the intended wide receiver for a well-timed pass break up.

It's a play Moore, a red-shirt senior free safety, has made many times before for Delaware State, but it was a welcome sight during Wednesday's football practice at Alumni Stadium.

BLUE HENS: Delaware football finds new source of strength

Less than a year ago, Moore thought he might have played his last down for the Hornets after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a mid-October practice, causing him to miss the final five games of the season.

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Henry column: Another door opens, this one at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Wow, what a couple of weeks!

I had an awesome opportunity to work a USA Baseball Developmental Program last week and I came home to some great news this week.

On Tuesday, I was officially announced as the pitching coach at FAMU. I am so thankful and excited for this new opportunity that have been presented to me. I can’t thank head coach Jamey Shouppe enough for thinking that I am the right person for the job and giving me a chance.

Coach Shouppe was my pitching coach while I played at Florida State (2005-07), and we kept in touch throughout my professional career. When he called a month ago to ask if I would be interested in applying, I did not hesitate. Coach Shouppe has done an amazing job in just one year at FAMU, and I am looking forward to helping him keep that ball rolling.

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Fleming gets short work, FAMU backup Royal looks sharp

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Starting quarterback Damien Fleming played one series Saturday, giving way to backups Carson Royal and Shazzan Mumphrey during the first scrimmage for the FAMU football team.

Royal was sharp, while Mumphrey had some problems finding his receivers. Fleming also had some problems moving the offense, but coach Earl Holmes said he was satisfied with what he got out of his senior starter, who is coming back from foot surgery.

"We just don't want any setbacks with that," Holmes said following the 82-play scrimmage. "We just can't rush him along."

Royal was especially effective during red the red zone drill, handing off the ball once to Gerald Hearns for a touchdown from 3 yards out. Royal also found senior receiver Admasen Felix for 10-yard touchdown catch.

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Walker Names Three To DSU Men's Basketball Staff

(L-R) Kevin Washington, Keith Johnson, Alex Stone
Courtesy Dennis Jones & DSU Athletics

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Keith Walker has introduced his coaching staff for the 2014-15 season.

Walker announced today that Keith Johnson will serve as assistant head coach, while Kevin Washington and Alex Stone have been appointed as assistant coaches.

Prior to joining the DSU staff, Johnson was associate head coach at Delaware State’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Coppin State for the past 13 seasons.    

During his tenure at Coppin State, the Eagles captured the MEAC Tournament championship and accompanying NCAA Tournament berth in 2008; and earned a share of the MEAC regular season title during the 2003-04 campaign.

Johnson previously served as head coach and two stints as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cheyney University in Pennsylvania.

“I’ve known Keith Johnson for more than 25 years, and have a great deal of admiration for his knowledge of the game,” said Walker. “He has been mentored by two of the greatest coaches of our time in Hall-of-Famer John Chaney of Temple and “Fang” Mitchell at Coppin State. Keith’s knowledge of the MEAC, along with his recruiting ties in the Delaware Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions, will greatly benefit our program.”

Washington is most noted as a successful high school basketball coach and administrator at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., for nearly two decades.

He posted a record of 245-79, while leading the school’s boys’ basketball team to a Christian Schools national championship and two North Carolina state titles in 11 seasons at Word of God. Among the players Washington coached at the academy are former top National Basketball Association draft pick John Wall of the Washington Wizards (University of Kentucky), T.J. Warren of the Phoenix Suns (North Carolina State); and former Delaware State University standout Aaron Fleetwood, who helped lead the Hornets to their lone MEAC Tournament championship and three regular season conference titles from 2004-to-2007 before a successful career in European professional leagues.  

   

In addition to basketball coach, Washington was director of athletics, and head coach of the school’s football, baseball and track and field teams throughout his tenure at Word of God.  

A graduate of St. Augustine’s College (N.C.), Washington served in numerous leadership positions on various scholastic boards and commissions in North Carolina.

“Kevin is an outstanding coach and administrator,” said Walker. “He has a keen eye for talent and developing players, as evidenced by the number of student-athletes he has guided to the college level. We will also benefit from his vast knowledge of the game and recruiting contacts throughout Southern U.S.”

Stone most recently served in the Athletics Compliance Office at Notre Dame University the past two years. While there, he assisted with, among other things, recruit monitoring and initial eligibility.

Prior to joining the staff at Notre Dame, he was also a teacher and coach at Sophie B. Wright Charter School in New Orleans.

The Somerset, N.J., native played two seasons at New Jersey Tech (NJIT) and two at Xavier University (La.), where he earned a bachelor’s in TV Broadcast Journalism.

Stone was a basketball and football standout at Immaculata High School in Somerville, N.J

“I met Alex while on the recruiting circuit, and was impressed with his knowledge of compliance issues and administrative skill,” said Walker. “He will bring a great balance of basketball smarts and academic emphasis to our program.”

Walker was named head coach of the Delaware State men’s basketball team last April after serving as interim head coach for the final 11 games of the 2013-14 season. He joined the Hornet staff as an assistant coach in 2000.   

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

College basketball countdown: No. 59 North Carolina Central

 DURHAM, North Carolina  -- THE FIRST WORD: On the surface, coaching basketball at a university in Durham not named Duke could certainly have its pitfalls. Yet the way North Carolina Central coach LeVelle Moton sees it, playing in the shadow of two NCAA hoops titans — North Carolina being the other one — is something to embrace.

"Why hide from it? They aren't going anywhere," he said. "The analogy I use is this: If I was a start-up business and right next to me are Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, that's a blessing. I wouldn't have it any other way. Success at this level is earned, not given. Coach K began his career struggling. He's a nice guy, but he's a killer. I'm the same way."

STARTING FIVE: Previewing the 2014-15 season

If Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams are the Bill Gates and Steve Jobs of college basketball in North Carolina, then consider Moton the Mark Zuckerberg. And consider Moton's startup to have the best backyard of any mid-major on the map.

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Brandon Thibodeaux eyes Southern’s center spot

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Brandon Thibodeaux could be the final piece to Southern’s offensive line.

At the very least he figures to be a key part of the interior of a line that’s expected to be one of the strongest positions on the team.

The Jaguars return four line starters, the exception being center, where Aaron Hall started as a senior last season.

The incumbents are left tackle Reginald Redding, left guard Zach Brown, right guard Anthony Mosley and right tackle Dewayne Houston. Brown and Houston, like Thibodeaux, are seniors, and Redding and Mosley are juniors.

Thibodeaux has been listed at the top of the depth chart at center, where he is competing with junior Terrell Lee and senior Clayton Sylve, though Sylve has been sidelined by a back issue. He’s also working at guard, where he backs up both Brown and Mosley.



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Southern basketball roster evolving in wake of departures

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Southern men’s basketball program has a new assistant coach and a schedule for the upcoming season.

Soon the Jaguars hope to have something approaching a complete roster.

On Wednesday, Southern released its schedule and coach Roman Banks announced the hiring of former Nicholls State and Prairie View assistant Jethro Hillman. Banks also confirmed the departure of forwards Calvin Godfrey, the Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year last season, and Damien Goodwin. That duo would have been the Jaguars’ top inside players.

“That leaves us in a tough situation,” Banks said. “Right now we don’t really have an answer as it relates to anyone with any experience in the program at that position. We will fix that problem. We won’t complain about it.”

Godfrey, like all rising seniors at Southern, was free to transfer and become immediately eligible because of the NCAA postseason ban on the Jaguars’ athletic programs. Banks said he expected Godfrey to wind up at Memphis, which ESPN.com reported last week would be Godfrey’s new home. A Memphis spokesperson said he could not confirm Godfrey’s transfer there.

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Alabama A&M football coach James Spady to implement pistol offense

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- James Spady is bringing the pistol offense to Alabama A&M, but is still banking on winning with defense.

The Bulldogs have been much more adept on that side of the ball, anyway.

"Offense relies on precision, and when the precision's not there, you'd better be able to stop the other team from scoring," Spady said. "Our offense will complement our defense. We'll set them up for success."

Spady, a former Grambling State offensive coordinator, replaced longtime coach Anthony Jones after serving as tight ends and co-offensive line coach at Nevada from 2010-13. He learned the pistol offense from now-retired Nevada coach Chris Ault.

It presents Southwestern Athletic Conference defenses with a different look. The Bulldogs were ninth in the SWAC in scoring last season, averaging just 16.4 points a game. They led the league in total defense, though.

Alabama A&M is trying to rebound from a 4-8 season that ended with Jones's dismissal after 12 years.



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Flint Powers hires former pro Greg Burks as new boys basketball coach

FLINT, Michigan  --  Basketball players have benefited from Greg Burks’ basketball knowledge for years, but now Flint Powers trusts him to lead its boys varsity hoops program.

Burks was named head coach of Powers’ varsity boys basketball team on Friday, Aug. 15.

It’s safe to say that the 33-year-old knows the game well.

He spent seven seasons playing professionally in Germany before retiring in 2011 and is already a member of the Prairie View A&M Sports Hall of Fame.

For his college career, Burks averaged 17.1 points, 4.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds, led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring the 1999-00 season and was twice named to the First Team All-SWAC squad. 

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In the FCS Huddle: 2014 SWAC Preview

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -- The safest prediction in the Southwestern Athletic Conference is that there are no safe predictions. 

Quite simply, you just don't know what to expect with the SWAC, the only FCS conference to play to a championship game. 

The last five champions have come out of the West Division and each has been a different program (Texas Southern later vacated its 2010 title). None of those games were decided by more than seven points, and that came in overtime last season with Southern topping Jackson State. 

Speaking of Jackson State, it's been in the championship game each of the last two seasons ... and then it fired coach Rick Comegy last December. 

Comegy wound up staying in the same state to take over at Mississippi Valley State, which, like Alcorn State, has never played in the SWAC Championship Game since it was started in 1999. 

And Alcorn State just may have the best team in the conference this season. Or it could finish third in the East. 

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Business as usual: SWAC features 4 new coaches

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama— Mississippi Valley’s Rick Comegy joked with his new players during Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Days earlier this summer, seemingly oblivious that his previous employer and players were sitting just a few feet away.

It didn’t take long for the former Jackson State coach, who was scooped up by the Delta Devils during the offseason after the Tigers fired him, to get comfortable in his new surroundings.

The scene could have been a little awkward. But in the turbulent world of SWAC football, it really didn’t seem that strange.

Four of the SWAC’s 10 coaches are new this season and Alabama State’s Reggie Barlow — who is entering just his eighth season with the Hornets — is now the league’s longest tenured.

“I feel accepted and at home and revitalized,” the 60-year-old Comegy said about his new job at Mississippi Valley. “New challenges do that for me. It always seems likes God’s putting me somewhere I’ve got to build. I guess that’s what I’m meant to do.”

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ASU marching band to star in A&E reality show

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --Today is the last day of "pre-drill camp" for members of theAlabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets Band.

Now, they prepare for national fame.

The band has been selected to star in a reality television show, "Bama State Style," on the popular A&E Network. Cameras arrive on campus Monday and will continue to follow the lives of band members and staff through January — around the same time the show is scheduled to premiere.

ASU Band director James Oliver said the TV show will be family-based, following students as they navigate through the music program.

Last year, Oliver got an email from Tremendous! Entertainment, the production company behind "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" and several other reality shows. The company was planning a college band-themed show, and the Marching Hornets was one of five it was considering. Representatives visited ASU.

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Hopson has Alcorn State eyeing SWAC title in third season

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- It didn't take long for coach Jay Hopson to turn Alcorn State around.

In just his second season last fall, Hopson led the Braves to a 9-3 record and a 48-33 victory over rival Jackson State in the season finale, giving the program plenty of momentum heading into 2014.

Hopson inherited a roster in disarray after the firing of Melvin Spears in 2012, but he quickly reloaded. Now he says the team's depth is "getting much closer to where we want it to be."

Hopson recently signed a three-year contract extension.

The Braves return one of the league's best quarterbacks in junior John Gibbs Jr. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder threw for 2,567 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Alcorn State also had four defensive backs named to the All-SWAC preseason teams.

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Running Backs Out To Build On Last Year's Breakout Season

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas  -- Running backs coach Clyde Edwards weighs in on his unit after a productive 2013 season.  Edwards, a former standout at Grambling State, also discusses his path to the NFL and breaks down the running styles of the 2014 backs.



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Experienced Rams have their sights set high

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --Defensive lineman Casey Davenport of Winston-Salem State marked his 26th birthday Wednesday with a hard 2½-hour practice instead of a celebration.

“It’s my birthday, sure, but there’s no time to celebrate because it’s time to get back to work,” said Davenport, a fifth-year senior who is expected to play a key role this season.

Defensive lineman Casey Davenport of Winston-Salem State marked his 26th birthday Wednesday with a hard 2½-hour practice instead of a celebration.

“It’s my birthday, sure, but there’s no time to celebrate because it’s time to get back to work,” said Davenport, a fifth-year senior who is expected to play a key role this season.

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Hampton U. makes defensive strides as difficult opener versus ODU looms

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- Progress is evident though not as rapid as he would like, Connell Maynor said, as Hampton University's football team approaches the midpoint of preseason camp.

The Pirates' new head coach likes the energy and effort from his players so far as the staff installs new schemes on offense and defense.

"We've got to start making more plays and making less mistakes and get it cleaned up," Maynor said. "If you make mistakes, don't come back and make the same mistake the next day. If you make another mistake, we can correct it. Now, it ain't OK if you're making a different mistake every day, but if you do, we can get it corrected. Just don't make the same mistake."

Among Hampton's priorities in the final two-plus weeks before the opener at Old Dominion are identifying a starting quarterback and developing depth among the front seven on defense.



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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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