TSU's Ford Signs Armani Chaney to National Letter of Intent

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Head men’s Basketball coach Dana Ford announced the signing of Armani Chaney to a National Letter of Intent. Chaney is a 5’10 point guard will attend Tennessee State after his final season at St. Rita High School in Chicago, Ill. 

“We are really excited to bring in Armani and add him to our puzzle,” Ford said. “We are trying to bring in players that fit our coaching style and personality. We feel like he can come in right away and give us something we are lacking.” 

Chaney is a 2-Star prospect according to verbalcommits.com, who is a three year letter winner at St. Rita. As a junior, Chaney averaged 10 points and six assists per game. He is considered a true point guard who brings a strong handle and keen court instincts. Chaney has the ability to be a solid penetrator who is unselfish and can get to the rim. 

“He comes from a good school in St. Rita,” Ford added. “He is a quick scoring guard who has a tremendous ability to handle the basketball.” 

Chaney helped St. Rita to a Class 4A Oak Lawn Regional championship in 2014, giving the Mustangs their first regional title since 2003. It also marked the first championship for St. Rita after moving from Class 3A. 

Chaney is teamed at St. Rita with University of Kentucky signee, Charles Matthews. The duo, along with their teammates, is picked to be contenders in the race for the Regional Championship in 2015. 

 

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Hampton U. hopes to build on Bethune-Cookman win in finale at Howard

HAMPTON, Viriginia -- The lesson didn't take hold as quickly as Hampton U. coach Connell Maynor intended, but it finally produced a signature win. The next step in the Pirates' makeover is duplicating the process to conclude the season.

HU took down two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ Bethune-Cookman 40-35 last Thursday, an oasis in a frustrating season filled with competitive losses and missed opportunities.

"You showed that you could play with one of the best teams in the nation," Maynor said he told his players, "and not only play with them, you could beat them. You did it for 60 minutes, you outplayed them from the opening kickoff to the last second. We need to play like that every week — one play at a time, one drive at a time, one quarter at time, one half, one game, every single game. There's no reason you can't play like that every week."

The Pirates (3-8, 2-5 MEAC) aim for a season-ending win at Howard (4-7, 2-5 MEAC) Saturday at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C. A 4-8 record is far from acceptable to Maynor and the program, but it would provide some momentum heading into the offseason and demonstrate that players listened.

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Transfer U: Former FBS players find a home at Bethune-Cookman

ORLANDO, Florida -- Joshua Richardson of Moss Point, Mississippi, said he learned about Bethune-Cookman from watching them play on ESPN.

Of B-CU's 25 Division I FBS transfers, Richardson is one of a very few who are not from a Florida high school.

“I saw Coach (Brian) Jenkins (on TV). He was real enthusiastic on the sidelines,” the cornerback said.

Richardson will join Jenkins and the rest of the Wildcats in the Citrus Bowl at 2 p.m. Saturday when they meet Florida A&M in the Florida Classic.

The game will be televised by ESPNClassic, providing B-CU a chance to be seen by more potential recruits and transfers.

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AAMU QB Throws for 430 Yards on Torn ACL

Normal, Alabama  --  Lost in all that was college football last Saturday afternoon is quite possibly the guttiest performance of the season by anyone, anywhere. Alabama A&M suffered it’s 3rd loss by three points or less, but QB Jaymason Lee walked off the field a winner. The 215 pound senior from Hawaii played on a torn ACL and he didn’t just play. Lee played one of his best games, throwing for 430 yards and two touchdowns.

Doctors and coaches all advised Lee not to play. They reminded him that he would have no mobility and another bad hit could be detrimental to the recovery process. Lee was not having any of it, and there was no chance he was sitting out his final collegiate home game. Afterwards, head coach James Spady spoke on his quarterback’s behalf.

“He didn’t just play hurt, he shouldn’t have played. He’s one-legged right now, playing on a torn ACL,” Spady said. “He is a guy that has put his own personal health aside so he can play for his teammates.”



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Alcorn State closes regular season against Jackson State

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State hasn't recorded consecutive victories over Jackson State in a decade.

The No. 23 Braves (9-2, 7-1 SWAC) entertain their biggest rival on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Spinks-Casem Stadium in Lorman. Two years ago, the contest was played at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium for the first time since the early 1990s.

Alcorn has already clinched the Eastern Division championship and nailed its first-ever berth in the SWAC championship on Dec. 6 at Houston's Reliant Stadium against either Grambling or Southern University.

"We're headed to Houston, I couldn't be happier," Braves coach Jay Hopson said. "These players, these coaches, they did a tremendous job."

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FAMU counts on Damien Fleming to steer Rattlers to upset of B-CU in Florida Classic

FAMU quarterback Damien Fleming 
PHOTO COURTES: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

ORLANDO, Florida -- Doubt finally seemed to rattle Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming in August.

Rattlers coach Earl Holmes announced there would be an open competition for the starting quarterback job, forcing the veteran dual-threat athlete to fight for the spot after returning from a foot injury that required two offseason surgeries.

"That bothered him a little bit and he was even contemplating whether he wanted to finish out the year," said Anthony Flynn, Fleming's former coach at Jacksonville Ribault High. "He fought through it just like he's always fought through adversity. Although things may not be going his way, he's still persevering."

The Rattlers are counting on Fleming, a four-year starter, to deliver one final dazzling performance when FAMU takes on rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m. at Orlando's newly renovated Citrus Bowl and the contest will air on ESPN Classic.

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Seven from Xavier receive preseason rankings from ITA

NEW ORLEANS -- Led by sensational sophomore Nour Abbes, Xavier University of Louisiana placed seven Thursday in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association National NAIA Rankings of the 2014-15 season.

Abbes is No. 1 in women's singles after winning the NAIA division of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships in October and finishing second in the "Super Bowl" playoff. Abbes is seventh in doubles with teammate Carmen Nelson. Abbes and Nelson were South Regional runner-up in September.

This is the first time the Gold Nuggets have held the top spot in a USTA/ITA player ranking since Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers were No. 1 in doubles on April 17, 2013. Flowers is 32nd on the new singles list.

For the second time in XU men's history and the first time since 2011, the Gold Rush have three nationally ranked singles players in November. Kyle Montrel is 13th, Nikita Soifer is 47th, and Tushar Mandlekar is 48th.

Mandlekar is 21st in doubles with Kevin Chaouat.

In the women's South Region rankings, Abbes is first, and Flowers is 14th. Abbes and Nelson are third in doubles.

In the South Region men's rankings, Montrel is sixth, Soifer is 15th, and Mandlekar is 16th. The doubles team of Chaouat and Mandlekar is sixth.

Player rankings in the spring will be announced March 11, April 15 and May 27. The NAIA's preseason team rankings will be revealed Jan. 28, followed by the first regular-season polls Feb. 18.

Xavier will resume competition with dual matches during the final week of January. The schedule will be announced soon. Abbes will enter the spring semester with a 30-1 singles record in her XU career.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XU's Williams, Wright are GCAC Players of the Week

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's CeCe Williams (women's volleyball) and Morris Wright (men's basketball) are Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week for Nov. 10-16.

Williams, a junior outside hitter from Houma, La., and a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School, was chosen MVP of the GCAC Tournament, which the Gold Nuggets won for the fourth consecutive year. She had 12 kills and 16 digs in a three-set championship victory against SUNO, including five kills to turn a 9-6 deficit into a 15-10 XU lead in the second set.

Wright, a junior from Zachary, La., a graduate of Zachary High School and a former Baton Rouge Community College standout, averaged 18 points in Gold Rush victories against Loyola and Wiley. He scored a season-high 24 points against Wiley.

The GCAC weekly awards are the first for both players.

Xavier (20-5) will play 12th-ranked Lindsey Wilson (32-3) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Columbia, Ky., in the NAIA Volleyball National Championship opening round. The Gold Rush, 7-1 and ranked 13th, will play LeMoyne-Owen (0-2) at noon Saturday to lead off a homecoming basketball doubleheader at the Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Corey Fuller confirms he has applied for FAMU head coaching job

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M interim head coach Corey Fuller told the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday he applied to be permanent head football coach before the team left for its game against Delaware State University last Friday.

He said he has not yet been approached by anyone from FAMU's administration, but he also plans to apply for other coaching positions with the team within the week.

FAMU plays arch-rival Bethune Cookman University this Saturday in the annual Florida Classic, the season finale for FAMU.

Fuller and all of FAMU's assistant coaches were given 60-day non-renewal notices after head coach Earl Holmes was fired four days before the team's Homecoming game earlier this month.

He is 1-2 as the interim head coach.

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VSU Quarterback Ayres Reinstated to Team After Suspension

ETTRICK, Virginia  -- Virginia State University's sophomore quarterback Tarian Ayres has been reinstated to the team after serving a one game suspension for violating team rules.

Ayres appeared in a Sussex County court yesterday on a DWI charge.

He was appointed an attorney and his next hearing is set for December 9th.

Meanwhile, the Trojans play in round one of the Division Two Playoffs this Saturday.

VSU Head Coach Latrell Scott says he hasn't decided if Ayres or true freshman and Hermitage graduate Niko Johnson will start the game. He says it all depends on who has the better week of practice.

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Barlow believes he will remain ASU’s head coach

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Reggie Barlow doesn’t think Saturday’s game will be his last as Alabama State’s head coach.

Despite being asked to resign earlier this month, Barlow expects to continue coaching the Hornets (6-5, 5-4 SWAC) after the Turkey Day Classic against Stillman (5-5) to close out the 2014 season.

“I’m happy and proud with what we have done here,” Barlow said Wednesday. “You always want to leave a place better than how you got it. ASU has been good to me. It was my only scholarship out of high school. I made the best of it and then my only opportunity, really, to coach, and I think I’ve made the best of it. I’m grateful, but I’m sure that I will be the coach here at Alabama State. That’s my focus.”

Barlow’s new three-year deal through Dec. 31, 2017 for ...

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Morgan State football's Lee Hull names Moses Skillon as starting quarterback

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- In the last three weeks, Morgan State has used both redshirt senior Robert Council and redshirt junior Moses Skillon as the starting quarterback.

For Saturday’s season finale against Delaware State (2-9 overall, 2-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), Morgan State coach Lee Hull said Tuesday that the Bears (6-5, 5-2) will go with Skillon.

Skillon completed 25 of 43 attempts for 289 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 27-24 win over South Carolina State. He also threw two interceptions against the Bulldogs (7-4, 5-2), but Hull said Skillon demonstrated his command of the offense.

“The two interceptions were not totally his fault, but he needs to see that the receiver ...

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Predicting the FCS playoff's field of 24 teams with 1 Saturday to go

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  Last week, we broke down the key games in the lower divisions as they prepared for the final week of their regular seasons. Here's how those playoff fields turned out. This week, it's Division I FCS that is wrapping things up, and it's time to check in on them. First, a predicted field of 24 teams, and then a closer look at each conference.

As things stand, the following 24 are probably in. But upsets might shake things up.

Definitely in via autobid (5): Sacred Heart, Jacksonville State, Fordham, San Diego, Chattanooga
Definitely in no matter what (7): Eastern Washington, Coastal Carolina, New Hampshire, Villanova, North Dakota State, Illinois State, Eastern Kentucky. Playing each other, winner in as at-large (1 of 2): Richmond, William & Mary.

On the right side of the bubble (11, including MEAC and Southland autobids): Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, North Carolina A&T, South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Indiana State, Bryant, Bucknell, Southeastern Louisiana, San Houston State.

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Accused killer of West St.John High football coach turns himself in

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The accused killer of a West St. John High School football coach turned himself in to authorities Tuesday evening.

The Baton Rouge Police Department reported Kendric Cloud, 25, of Baker, surrendered around 7:30 p.m. He was accompanied by his attorney. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm in the death of Juan Joseph, 27, of Edgard. No bond has been set.

His cousin, Lemark Cloud, 25, was booked earlier in the day in connection with the murder. Police said he is an accomplice in the shooting. He's charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder, accessory after the fact to illegal use of a weapon and accessory after the fact to felon in possession of a firearm. He is believed to be the getaway driver after the shooting. He's being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in lieu of a $300,000 bond.

Both men have a lengthy criminal history.

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Nuggets lose 69-53 to NCAA DI Louisiana-Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana  --  Junior guard Keke Veal scored 18 points Tuesday to lead Louisiana-Lafayette to a 69-53 women's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

For the second consecutive year, the Ragin' Cajuns (2-0) of NCAA Division I defeated the Gold Nuggets (2-4), who are ranked 18th in NAIA Division I.

Simone Fields scored 13 points for the Cajuns, and Kia Wilridge scored 12.

Ireyon Keith and Whitney Gathright scored 10 points apiece for Xavier, and Vinnie Briggs scored nine. Keith, a freshman, reached double figures for the first time with the Gold Nuggets.

Xavier's only lead was 5-4 in the fifth minute. The Cajuns led 29-23 at halftime and took their biggest lead, 67-44, on a Fields layup at 2:33 to cap a 13-0.

UL Lafayette outshot the Gold Nuggets 42.1 to 33.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 45-32. It was Xavier's lowest shooting percentage and worst rebound margin of the season.

Both team committed 16 turnovers. The Cajuns excelled at the line, making 16-of-22 free throws to the Nuggets' 8-of-10.

The Cajuns defeated the Nuggets 62-54 last season.

Xavier will play Warner University of Lake Wales, Fla., at 2 p.m. Saturday for homecoming at the Convocation Center. The game will follow a noon matchup between Xavier's men and LeMoyne-Owen.

Box score


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Coleman's last-minute scoring helps Rush defeat Mobile

XU men's basketball vs. Mobile (22 photos)

photos by Yamlak Tsega — at Xavier University Convocation Center

NEW ORLEANS -- Sydney Coleman scored six points in the final minute to lift NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 62-60 men's basketball victory against Mobile.

The Gold Rush (7-1) rallied from a 38-22 halftime deficit to extend its win streak to four.

Coleman's two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 61-60. Mobile's Lawrence Pierce committed a turnover on the ensuing possession when he stepped over the baseline trying to inbound the ball, then XU's Morris Wright made 1-of-2 free throws for the final points.

Wright did not miss a shot the first 39 minutes, including five 3-pointers, and scored 22 points. Jacques Johnson scored 10, and Coleman had nine.

Pierce scored 11 points, Will Hornsby 10 and James Davis nine for the Rams (3-2).

Xavier rallied after CJ McGill's steal and basket gave Mobile a 53-48 lead with 5:26 remaining.

Coleman's field goal -- his only one of the game -- gave Xavier a 57-56 lead with 59 seconds remaining, and his two free throws with 34 seconds to play gave the Rush a 59-58 lead.

Daouda Soumaoro scored eight points and Kenny Davison seven to spark Mobile to its commanding halftime advantage, but neither scored in the second half. Xavier got back into contention by outscoring the Rams 19-3 in the first 10 minutes of the second half and took its biggest lead, 46-41, on an RJ Daniels basket at 10:16. From that point until the final minute, there were three ties and three lead changes.

It was the sixth time in three seasons that Xavier won in its Convocation Center after trailing by double digits.

Xavier outshot the Rams 45.9 to 34.1 percent from the floor, 57.9 to 28.6 in the second half. Mobile made 27-of-32 free throws, and the Gold Rush made 22-of-34. Three Mobile players and one from Xavier fouled out.

Mobile outrebounded Xavier 28-25 to become the first Gold Rush opponent this season to win the boards.

Xavier beat Mobile for the 10th consecutive time -- the longest streak in the series -- and leads 35-26 overall. They'll meet again at 3 p.m. December 13 at Mobile.

Xavier will play LeMoyne-Owen College of Memphis, Tenn., at noon Saturday for homecoming at the Convocation Center. That will be followed by a 2 p.m. matchup between Xavier's women and Warner.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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TU Golden Tigers to Host NCAA Division II Playoff Game

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- For the second consecutive year the Golden Tigers' are back in the NCAA Division II football playoffs. Saturday's contest marks the first time, Tuskegee University will host a playoff football game. This weekend, TU will host the Wolves of the University of West Georgia; kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CST in Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.

Tickets are $10 per person, and student/children's tickets are $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 20th at the Tuskegee University cashier window, however prepayment orders are being accepted now. To prepay please call: (334) 727-8594.

In addressing the team following the selection show, Head Coach Willie Slater said, "Let's get ready, we have work to do."

The Golden Tigers defeated seventh-ranked Albany State 47-41 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship to clinch the third seed and home field advantage. The Wolves defeated Shorter 31-17 to punch their playoff ticket.



The Tuskegee/West Georgia winner will travel to Cleveland, Mississippi, to take on second-seeded Delta State University on November 29th.

Last season, the Golden Tigers advanced to the playoffs for the first time in the program's lengthy history. They suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of North Alabama, 30-27 to end their post-season run.

Please follow us @MyTUAthletics on twitter and facebook.com/GoldenTigerSports for playoff information. Remember goldentigersports.com is always a source for updates on Tuskegee Athletics.

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

VSU Set To Host NCAA DII First Round Playoff Game

ETTRICK, Virginia  --  On Sunday, November 16 the NCAA Division II Football Committee announced Virginia State University Trojans as the number 3 seed in Super Region One.  The Trojans will play host to the number 6 seed the Pioneers of Long Island University-Post of Brookville, N.Y.  Kick-off is slated for noon on Saturday, November 22 at Rogers Stadium on the VSU campus.

Head football coach Latrell Scott had the playoffs in mind when selecting a strong 2014 schedule. Going up against California University of Pennsylvania and Lenior-Rhyne University early in the season along with winning the CIAA championship helped propel the Trojans to securing the number three seed in Super Region One.
 
It is the first trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in program history for the Trojans. LIU-Post is 8-3 on the season and competes in the North East-10 Conference. It will be the first meeting between the two programs and the fourth NCAA playoff appearance for the Pioneers.
 
Tickets can be purchased from the VSU Athletic Department between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning Wednesday, November 19. General admission tickets are $15 and students with a valid school I.D. are $10. Event parking will be $10.
 
For more information contact the VSU Athletic Department at 804-524-5031.

NCAA Division II
Super Region I Ranking

1. Concord (11-00
2. Bloomsburg (10-1)
3. Virginia State (9-2)
4. West Chester (10-1)
5. Slippery Rock (9-2)
6. LIU- Post (8-3)

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Silence is Morgan St. football's approach to MEAC title possibility

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- As one of four teams trailing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leader North Carolina A&T by one game for the league championship, Morgan State knows it has a chance to gain a share of the title.

That opportunity depends on a few scenarios, two of which include the Bears (6-5 overall and 5-2 in the conference) defeating Delaware State (2-9, 2-5) on Saturday and the No. 24 Aggies (9-2, 6-1) losing to North Carolina Central (6-5, 5-2). But those possibilities are not part of the conversation in the Morgan State locker room, according to coach Lee Hull.

“We’re not discussing that,” he said Tuesday morning during his weekly conference call organized by the MEAC. “All we’re worried about is winning the game and playing Delaware State. There has to be some other things to happen for us to share the title. So we’re just really concerned about our gamen and then we’ll see what happens.”

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Saturday's B-CU game with FAMU could be another classic

ORLANDO, Florida  -- Some Classics are more classic than others.

It's about storylines. And surprises. And drama.

The best Florida Classics toy with your emotions. They contain shocking twists and astonishing turns, heroics and crash-and-burn failures, championship celebrations and bitter disappointments.

Saturday's game between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman at a refurbished Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando has a chance to be remembered among the best of the 35 Florida Classics since the game was renamed in 1978 and moved permanently to a neutral site (the teams didn't play each other in 1984-85).

Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming will be playing in his final game as a Rattler. After struggling early this season, Fleming moved into second place on the school's all-time passing list last week with 6,868 yards.



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PVAMU To Break Ground for Multi-Million Dollar Football Stadium and Athletic Field House

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas  --  In what can only be described as an historic moment at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), the $60 million dollar Football Stadium & Athletic Field House project scope and budget were approved by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.

The 2-year project, slated to begin in December, includes the demolition of the existing Blackshear Field and the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in the same location. The complex will feature a 15,000-seat stadium, with the capability of expansion to 30,000-seats.



Planned stadium amenities include:

· West side (home) grandstand capacity of 9,000 and east side grandstand capacity of 6,000
· Artificial turf playing surface
· Press level
· Covered concourse including concessions and merchandising space
· Premium seating and luxury seats
· The Athletic Field House immediately adjacent to the stadium will house a strength and conditioning area, sports medicine suite, team meeting rooms, academic support space and locker rooms.

"Indeed this is truly a momentous occasion for the entire Prairie View A&M University community," said Dr. George C. Wright, President, Prairie View A&M University. "Alumni, students, faculty and staff wanted a state of the art, first class facility that was worthy of our beloved Panthers and we all worked together make the dream come to fruition. We are excited to be moving forward from the initial planning to the approval stage and we will be breaking ground in the coming month."

About Blackshear Stadium

For 66 years, Blackshear Stadium, formally known as Blackshear Field, served as the home field for the Prairie View A&M University Panther football team as well as the track & field teams. The stadium is named after Edward L. Blackshear, a former principal of the university who served from 1897 to 1915. The 1948 Football team were the first team to play in Blackshear stadium and since then the team has brought home 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) titles and 5 national championships.

The new complex is scheduled to open for the 2016 football season.

For a look at the sports complex visit http://www.panther-stadium.com.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

PVAMU Announces Football Coaching Staff Changes; National Search for New Head Coach Begins Immediately

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson has announced that the contract of head football coach Heishma Northern will not be renewed. The decision is effective immediately.

Northern completed his fourth season as head coach of the Prairie View A&M Panthers.  The 2014 team finished with a record of 5-5. His four-year record stands at 19-25.

"I wish to thank Coach Northern for his contributions to Prairie View A&M both on and off the field," said Robinson. "This was a difficult decision but after careful review and consideration, I have decided to take the program in a different direction."

Northern served as the 31st head football coach in Prairie View A&M history. Before accepting the position of head coach in 2011, Northern spent six seasons as the team's defensive coordinator. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Northern produced several All-Americans and fielded a nationally ranked defensive unit.  

"We are grateful for the progress Coach Northern made both as head football coach and as defensive coordinator. His leadership and dedication to the students helped to create exceptional student athletes.  It is important as we prepare to break ground on our new multi-million dollar stadium and athletic facility, that Coach Northern's successor shapes the program into a championship level team," stated Robinson. 

Defensive backs coach Bubba McDowell will serve as interim head football coach.  A national search for Northern's replacement will begin immediately.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU trustees OK no-confidence vote in Winslow

PHOTO COURTESY: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Embattled Florida A&M University athletic director Kellen Winslow, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, issued a public apology last week for the way he has behaved since being hired six months ago.

That apology didn't carry much weight with the FAMU Board of Trustees, who approved a vote of no confidence in Winslow on Monday night by a 6-3 margin.

The vote has no impact on Winslow's tenure at FAMU, but it sends a message to President Elmira Mangum that FAMU's governing body expects significant changes from the head of its athletic department., her first hire since becoming the university's 11th president April 1.

Mangum did not address board members during Monday's conference call.

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West St. John High School community to honor fallen football coach at Friday's playoff game

His younger brother, Dray Joseph, was named the most valuable player for 2013's SWAC championship-winning Southern University Jaguars.

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- West St. John High School's football team will begin its first playoff game of the season on a somber note, but with one main focus, "do it for Juan."

Friends, family, co-workers and students of Juan Joseph, 27, who was fatally shot outside a nightclub during the early morning hours of Nov. 16, will honor his memory during a 27-balloon release and moment of silence before Friday's game.

Joseph, a quarterback coach at West St. John High School, was walking toward a car in the parking lot outside Allure nightclub at 4700 Bennington Ave. with two men around 2 a.m. when at least one of the three got into an argument with two men in a vehicle. One of the men in the vehicle fired shots, striking Joseph in the upper torso. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries. No one else was injured, police said.

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Gathright, Hopkins rally Gold Nuggets past LSUS, 80-69

The 2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team.

Roster  

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Whitney Gathright scored 21 points and Trana Hopkins 17, both season highs, to rally NAIA No. 18 Xavier University of Louisiana to an 80-69 women's basketball victory Sunday against LSU-Shreveport in the final game of the LSUS Classic.

The Gold Nuggets (2-3) gained a split of their two games in the four-team event and earned their first road victory of the season.

Gathright and Hopkins both went 2-for-2 from 3-point range during a decisive second-half run. Xavier trailed 48-44 with 16:38 remaining, then outscored the Lady Pilots 30-7 during the next 11 1/2 minutes to take a 74-55 lead. Gathright scored eight points, Hopkins seven and Eliqua Brooks five during the comeback.

Brooks finished with 13 points and a season-high-tying four steals, and Vinnie Briggs scored 12 points for Xavier. Kourtney Pennywell had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three steals for LSUS (1-1), Myeisha Williams scored 19, and Alexandra Miller had 11.

Xavier led 42-36 at halftime. There were nine ties and nine lead changes before a Brooks 3-pointer with 14:40 remaining put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay, 52-49.

Xavier reached 80 points for the first time this season. The Gold Nuggets shot a season-best 46.2 percent from the floor and limited LSUS to 36.8 percent. Xavier made a season-high seven 3-pointers, and Gathright and Hopkins both finished 3-of-4 from long range.

"We shot pretty well on the road and had some new players step up," XU coach Bo Browder said. "We did a much better job making free throws (76.5 percent) than we did yesterday. We're getting a little better each game."

Xavier blocked six shots, two apiece by Amara Person-Hampton and Kelsee Singleton.

Xavier beat LSUS for the third consecutive time and the eighth time in their last nine meetings. They'll meet again Dec. 29 in the Xavier Holiday Classic.

The Gold Nuggets will visit NCAA Division I's Louisiana-Lafayette at 7 p.m. Tuesday, then play Warner at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center during homecoming.

NOTES: NAIA No. 11 Our Lady of the Lake, a one-point winner Saturday against Xavier, defeated Lindenwood-Belleville 112-69 in Sunday's first game . . . Gathright reached 20 points for the fifth time at Xavier . . . It was the third straight game that the Gold Nuggets reached 70 points -- first time that's happened in five years . . . Brooks, Briggs and Gathright have scored in double figures four times apiece in five games . . . Brooks has made 11-of-22 3-pointers this season.

Box score


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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