Taylor headed to Virginia Union

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Kedrick Moody will become the new coach at Meadowbrook High School. Moody led Armstrong the past three seasons, revitalizing a downtrodden program. He replaces Troy Taylor, who announced Thursday that he accepted the position of quarterbacks coach at Virginia Union.

Taylor went 44-19 in six seasons at Meadowbrook. The Monarchs went 5-6 in 2014, and Taylor resigned at the end of the year.

"(I'm) excited to be a part of Virginia Union University’s football program," Taylor said.

It will be Troy Taylor’s first collegiate coaching job. He steps into a program that made dramatic improvements in head coach Mark James’ first year.

"Coach Taylor will be a great addition to our staff because ...

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First African-American to lead St. Petersburg College music department, band dies

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Services are scheduled this weekend for Christopher C. Styles, the first African-American band director and chair of the department of music at St. Petersburg College, who died at the age of 79 on Jan. 22.

Mr. Styles, who went by Chris, was born in St. Petersburg and dedicated his life to giving back to the community through music, said his sister, Gladys Styles Johnston. He taught music for more than 50 years and was a member of the St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP, the Pinellas County Urban League, the Junior Symphony, the Al Downing Jazz Association and the Florida A&M University Alumni Association.

He graduated from FAMU in 1954, and as a student he played in the marching band. During his time in the Army, Mr. Styles directed one of the bands. Later, he received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Most recently, Mr. Styles received the 2014 Ring of Honor award in recognition of ...

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Delaware State's new coach ready to embrace HBCU culture

DOVER, Delaware -- "A Different World" aired on NBC from the fall of 1987 through the summer of July 1993.

The sitcom dealt with the life and times of students, alumni and faculty at the fictitious Hillman College in Virginia.

It was the first, and only, show that's reflected the stories and experiences of students who attend historically black colleges and universities.

"A Different World" had a huge impact on the rise of HBCU enrollment. It influenced kids to head down South to go to school. I was one, heading from Michigan to Atlanta.



Fast forward to last Wednesday. Kenny Carter tied his bowtie and prepared for the biggest day of his professional career.

After 20-plus years of being an assistant at Football Bowl Subdivision programs like LSU, Florida, Penn State and Louisville, Carter signed on to be head coach at Delaware State University.

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Boston College Football Adds Howard University To 2015 Schedule

CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts -- With the release of today's ACC football schedule, we've learned that Boston College has replaced New Mexico State with the Howard Bison. The Bison will travel to Chestnut Hill to take on the Eagles on September 12. The game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Howard, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, started last season 1-7 but rattled off four straight wins to end the year to finish 5-7 overall and 3-5 in MEAC play. Last season, the Bison played two games against FBS opponents -- falling to Akron 41-0 in the opener and at Rutgers, 38-25, in week 2.

Boston College joins North Carolina as the only other ACC school to face two FCS opponents this season. North Carolina faces North Carolina A&T on September 12 and Delaware on September 26.

The biggest implication to scheduling two FCS schools -- ...

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Division Leading Virginia State Topples #4 Bowie State Bulldogs 62-61

BOWIE, Maryland -- The CIAA Northern Division leading Trojans of Virginia State held off a furious Bowie State charge to squeeze by the #4 Bulldogs 62-61. The loss snaps a Bowie State four game winning streak and sets the Bulldogs season mark at 16-6, 8-2 in conference play and 3-1 in the division.
 
"We could not have played any better defensively and could not have played in worse offensively", stated Bowie State head coach Darrell Brooks.
 
Virginia State (14-5, 8-2 CIAA, 5-0 North), winners of six straight, which included tonight's win, were led by Elijah Moore (Yorktown, Va.) with 17 points. Lamar Kearse (Syracuse, N.Y.) added 12 points and Xavier Parham (Richmond, Va.) came off the Trojans bench to contribute 11 points to go along with seven rebounds and tied for team-high assist honors with three.
 
Tyrece Little (Greenville, N.C.) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the Trojans and Alphonso Leary (Norfolk, Va.) was responsible for six rebounds and six points.
 
Bowie State senior Cameron Knox (Baltimore, Md.) shook off a slow start (four first half points) to lead the Bulldogs with 18 points. Juniors Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md.) and Justin Beck (Ellicott City, Md.), tallied 11 and 10 points respectively in the loss. Beck led the Bulldogs on the glass with a team-high six rebounds and recorded a career-high three blocks.
 
As a team, the Bulldogs recorded a season-best nine blocks but were out-rebounded 42-39.
 
The first half featured six lead changes until a 3-pointer by Virginia State's Moore broke a 14-all tie at the 9:17 mark. The Trojans closed the first half with a 17-11 run to take a 34-29 advantage into intermission.
 
Neither team shot very well over the first 20 minutes with Virginia State hitting 13-of-35 (371.1 percent) compared to 9-of-26 (34.6 percent) for Bowie State.
 
The Trojans extended their lead to a game-high 12 points (42-30) early in the second half, but could not put the Bulldogs away.
 
The Bulldogs defense put the clamps on the Trojans which allowed Bowie State to go on an 8-2 run to trim the deficit to 44-40 with 12:25 remaining in the game.
 
Virginia State pushed their lead to 52-44 at the 10:01 mark only to see Bowie State's Beck and Knox answer with back-to-back triples, cutting the Trojans lead to 52-50. From that points, the Trojans responded with an 8-2 spurt only to have the Bulldogs battle back to pull even at 61-all following a 3-pointer by Knox with 19 seconds left on the A.C. Jordan Arena scoreboard.
 
On Virginia State's next possession, the Trojans took the air out of the ball until Tyler Peterson drove to the basket and was fouled by Bowie State senior Zafir Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) with five seconds left to play. Peterson missed the first of two but made the second for the 62-61 lead.
 
Following a Bowie State time out, Williams drove down the Bulldogs sideline and took a short, off balance layup that missed the mark as time expired.
 
"We missed layups, missed free throws and turned the ball over and that's a bad combination when you're trying to win a close basketball game", said Brooks. We defended well, rebounded pretty good and played with toughness but those little things became big things".
 
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday (January 31st) hosting the Vikings of Elizabeth City State at 4 pm.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Robert Davis shines for Johnson C. Smith in win against Winston-Salem State

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The best passes Robert Davis made against Winston-Salem State were the ones he didn’t throw.

The J.C. Smith point guard had his biggest game as a collegian with a game-high 19 points in the Golden Bulls’ 81-78 win against CIAA South rival Winston-Salem State at a packed Brayboy Gym Wednesday. Davis, a freshman, scored 15 points in the second half, including six late to break a four-game slide.

“At practices at different times (J.C. Smith coach Steve Joyner) would get on me about not looking for myself as much,” he said. “I’m really trying to get everybody involved but they’re pressuring me to try to do it for myself. I’m working on it.”

The effort paid off for Davis and J.C. Smith (10-11, 4-6), which won its first division game in four tries. Davis hit 6-of-9 shots and all six free throws to add a new dimension to the Golden Bulls’ offense. “We’ve been talking with him a little bit about that,” Joyner said.

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Six Double Figure Scorers Carry Nationally Ranked Livingstone Blue Bears to 19-0

LaBrea Walker
5'-3" Junior Guard
Hometown: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Transfer: Clinton Junior College
Courtesy: Livingstone College Blue Bears Athletics

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- The nationally ranked Livingstone College women's basketball team remain undefeated on the season with a clutch 96-73 win over the Falcons of Saint Augustine's University Wednesday night inside Emery Gymnasium.

The Lady Falcons jumped out to control the lead at the start of the game going on a 6-0 run before Jamara Malone came down for an easy lay-in to put the Lady Blue Bears on the board.

The Lady Falcons got up to as many as 11 points at one point early in the first half, giving the Blue Bears something to think about.

On the Blue Bears' ensuing possession Alexis Fowler was fouled and drained her two shots to tie the game up at 22 points apiece.

Alexis Hicks and Cierra York became the catalyst for the remainder of the first half, with Hicks hitting the next four straight shots, followed by York's next five shots, to send the Blue Bears ahead by 15 points to a score of 43-28.

"What got me going was the slow start that our team had at the beginning of the half", said Hicks.

Once York and Hicks got heated up, it was no stopping these two. Things turned around dramatically and the Blue Bears went into halftime leading by 18 points (48-30).

York and Hicks led the first half as the only two in double figures, with 13 and 10 points respectively.

After the break, Labrea Walker opened the game up to a sweet three-pointer to start the pace of the second half.

The second half did not fluctuate too much as the Blue Bears took off and never looked back en route to another victory.

Balanced scoring and teamwork kept the Blue Bears in control which made it difficult for the Lady Falcons to take back the lead.

The Lady Blue Bears shot a blistering 52.2% (35-67) over the Lady Falcons insignificant 27.8 % (20-72) from the field.

The Blue Bears finished with a 49-44 rebounding advantage and connected on 18-22 shots from the charity stripe.

Cierra York came out red-hot and underscored her accolades as she scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds, gave out six assists and collected three steals, leading six players in double figures.

The sextet combination of LaBrea Walker (15) Cierra York (23), Jamara Malone (12), Precious Roberts (11), Alexis Hicks (10) and Amber Curtis (13) made the victory that much sweeter, as it was a collective team effort.

"When one person is off another is on, that how deep our bench is. Tonight was most certainly a team effort", saidAlexis Hicks who had 10 points.

From buzzer to buzzer the team played hard and were efficient in their efforts.

The Lady Blue Bears remain unbeaten with an overall 19-0 record, and 10-0 in the CIAA Conference standing.

The team will travel to Winston-Salem State this Saturday (Jan 31) to take on the Rams. The game will begin an hour behind the regular schedule due to prior practice. The team will tip-off at 6:30 P.M. and the door will open no earlier than 5:45 P.M.

For athletic updates please visit the website at www.bluebearathletics.com

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUE BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION 

CIAA honors former O-W star Davenport as leading rusher

RODERICK DAVENPORT
COURTESY SAU ATHLETICS

DURHAM, North Carolina — Saint Augustine’s University running back Roderick Davenport (redshirt Jr./Orangeburg) led the CIAA in rushing in 2014, earning him a place on the all-CIAA Football first team announced at the CIAA Football Championship Awards Banquet at the Durham Convention Center.

The former Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School standout was one of three Saint Augustine’s players on the All-CIAA squad. Wide receiver/return specialist Claytin Lewis (Fr./Raleigh, N.C.) and offensive lineman Martize Smith (Sr./High Point, N.C.) were selected to the second team.

The trio helped the Falcons finish third in the Southern Division after they were picked fifth by the league coaches in the preseason. Overall, the Falcons tied for the sixth-best conference record after they were picked to be the ninth-best CIAA team in July 2014.

“It is good to see the kids receive accolades for their hard work this season,” interim head coach Michael Morand said. “They went through a lot. If you keep praying and having faith, good things will happen if you put in the time on the field and in the classroom.”

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Chowan Athletic Department Set to Host Play4Kay Game February 11th

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The Chowan University athletic department is set to host the annual Play4Kay game in conjunction with the women's basketball program and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) on February 11th. This is the seventh year that the athletic department, women's basketball program and SAAC will host the event, which is intended to raise cancer awareness along with money dedicated for cancer research. Chowan is set to host the Virginia State Lady Trojans at 5:30 pm in the Helms Center.

This year's event will feature a photo booth, cotton candy, in-game contests and prizes. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support. Chowan students that are in attendance by tip-off will receive free popcorn and pizza.

T-shirts will also be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting cancer research. The price for t-shirts is $10. Nationwide, the Play4Kay campaign has raised over $3.8 million to support women's cancer research since its inception in 2007.

It takes a village to battle cancer. The athletic department is seeking cancer survivors to celebrate that village with a survivors walk during halftime on February 11th. Survivors come in many forms, from family and friends to personal diagnosis.

The athletic department is hoping to have active community participation to help raise cancer awareness and funds for cancer research. To take part in this event please contact Meredith Long at longm@chowan.edu or (252) 398-6468.

COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former Clark Atlanta football coach sues, claims racial discrimination

ATLANTA, Georgia -- A former Clark Atlanta University football coach has filed a lawsuit against the college and its president claiming he was harassed and fired because of his race.

Ted Bahhur, who is white, was fired in 2009 during his fifth season as head coach of the Panther football team because President Carlton Brown wanted a black coach, according to a civil suit filed this month in Fulton County Superior Court.

The lawsuit follows a racial-discrimination complaint filed in 2009 with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC investigation found there was reasonable cause to conclude that Bahhur was discriminated against because of his race, which is a violation of the federal Civil Rights Act, according to a determination letter the commission issued last year.

BAHHUR LAWSUIT

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Nelson Townsend to be honored in FAMU's Black Archives (Video)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Diane Townsend confidently stood at the front of an afternoon meeting of the 220 Quarterback Club, and — much like her late husband Nelson Townsend — challenged the Rattler community to make a difference by supporting the athletic department.

Townsend stood in front of nearly 60 members of the club Wednesday afternoon at New Times Country Buffet on Monroe Street and said she wants to see her husband's vision for Florida A&M's future fulfilled.

"I'm in orange too," she said.

"This is home now. This is where (Nelson Townsend) died and this is where we're going to stay. I would love to see the vision he had for his school – that was really not his school, but he loved – to do exactly what he knows it can do."

Townsend also learned a plaque honoring her husband — who ...

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Meet The Coaches: Jumping High In The Coaching Game

Former head women's cross country, track and field coach at Jackson State University, Pristina Jones brings passion, experience to Irish staff.

NOTRE DAME, Indiana -- One bold step is one huge gain for the Fighting Irish.

Pristina Jones stepped down from her head coaching position at Jackson State University, a place where she oversaw a program (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track) that achieved a perfect score of 1000 in the Academic Performance Rate for three straight seasons (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14), to become the newest track and field assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame.

"I just applied, and after I did, [Irish head coach Alan Turner] called me and said, `Pristina, are you sure you want to leave being a head coach to come be an assistant coach?' and I was thinking, `Yeah!'

"Sometimes when you have these opportunities, it's not about the title that you have, it's about what you're able to do," Jones said. "I'm able to still do what I had done in my previous coaching position here, just not the title. It's a refreshing position."

Jones will be focusing on sprints and jumps at Notre Dame, events in which she herself was a standout athlete.

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Bill Hayes to receive community award

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Bill Hayes might be retired from athletics — but he’s still winning awards.

Hayes, who retired last February as athletics director at Winston-Salem State, will be given a Rhythm of Triumph Award for his long-standing work in the community.

The award, which is sponsored by the owners and operators of the Triad McDonald’s franchises, recognizes those in the community who give back beyond their job titles.

“This is our 15th year of doing this and it’s a celebration of Black History Month and we honor three dignitaries from the three cities,” said Nancy Tate, who is the marketing director of the event.

Also receiving an award on Friday night at ...

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National Signing Day celebration set for Feb. 4

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University head coach Dawson Odums will unveil the Jaguars’ 2015 National Signing Day class during its Feb. 4 recruitment celebration in the Smith-Brown Royal Cotillion Ballroom on the Baton Rouge campus at 7 p.m.

Admission for next Wednesday's event, which is sponsored by the Southern University Quarterback Club and the Blue and Gold Century Club, is $20 and includes a buffet-style dinner and appearances by the SU varsity cheerleaders. Table sponsorship is also available for $300 per table.

All proceeds will be donated to the Southern Jaguars football program.

Odums is scheduled to provide commentary on the new recruits while career highlights of the 2015 class is shown during the two-hour event. Members of the Jaguars coaching staff will also be in attendance.

Fans are encouraged to contact 225-572-5878 for ticket information.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

South Carolina State Releases 2015 Football Schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State announces an 11-game football slate for 2015 that includes two non-conference opponents, five home games at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium and a return to the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, FL.

SC State will open the season on Sept.5 on the road against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge held in Orlando, FL.

The Bulldogs then kick off their home campaign at O.C. Dawson Stadium on September 12 against Coastal Carolina. Other home games include Florida A&M (Sept. 19), Howard (Oct. 17), Hampton (Oct. 31), and North Carolina A&T (Nov. 7).

Additional road games are at Furman (Oct. 3), Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 10), Delaware State (Oct. 24), Norfolk State (Nov. 14), and Savannah State (Nov. 21).

Bulldogs fans and supporters are encouraged to purchase season tickets at the SC State Ticket Office. For additional information, call 803-536-8579 or 800-298-9157.

Starting times and dates for all games on the 2015 schedule, which is listed below, are subject to change.

For more information on South Carolina State University football, please call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060, or visit the official Bulldogs website at www.scsuathletics.com.

2015 South Carolina State Bulldogs Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time#
9/05	Arkansas-Pine Bluff (ESPN MEAC/SWAC     Challenge Classic)	Orlando, FL+	TBA
9/12	Coastal Carolina (Business & Industry Day)	Orangeburg, SC	6:00 p.m.
9/19	Florida A&M* (Former Student-Athlete  Appreciation Day	Orangeburg, SC	6:00 p.m.
10/3	Furman	Greenville, SC	TBA
10/10	Bethune-Cookman*	Daytona Beach, FL	TBA
10/17	Howard* (Youth/ROTC/Military  Appreciation Day)	Orangeburg, SC	2:00 p.m.
10/24	Delaware State*	Dover, DE	TBA
10/31	Hampton* (HOMECOMING)	Orangeburg, SC	1:30 p.m.
11/07	North Carolina A&T *(Senior/Faculty & Staff Appreciation/High School Band Day)	Orangeburg, SC	1:30 p.m.
11/14	Norfolk State*	Norfolk, VA	TBA
11/21	Savannah State*	Savannah, GA	TBA

 
*MEAC Contest
Home Games in BOLD
Dates, times and locations subject to change



COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Head Football Coach Alex Wood Release Names of New Assistant Coaches

COACH THEO LEMON

COACH RICHARD SOLOMON

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Tuesday afternoon was a day of excitement and promise for the football program at Florida A&M University with the announcement of the first members of the new Rattler Football coaching staff.

FAMU head coach Alex Wood, was all smiles Tuesday as he commented on the appointments to his staff.

“I am extremely excited to work with all these great men. They are coaches, teachers, family men, men of faith who will be great ambassadors for Florida A&M University.

COACH DENNIS R. SMITH

“Many of them I’ve known a long time, and they bring extensive experience to us, and I know they will do nothing but great things for our young men, the football program and the university,” Wood said Tuesday afternoon.

In all Tuesday, five men have been brought aboard to the Rattler coaching staff, with one additional coach retained from the previous staff. “We actually have two more coaches to be hired, one on defense and one on offense,” he said. “I hope to announce them within the next five or six days.”

The newest faces in the Rattler Football realm include:

• Martin Spieler, former wide receivers, tight ends and special teams coach at the University of Buffalo, who will serve as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Spieler has served as assistant coach at Cincinnati, Allegheny College and Georgia Southern.

COACH  EDWIN PATA

• Theo Lemon, former head coach at Savannah State, Central (Ohio) State and College of Dupage (Ill.), will serve Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach. His extensive experience also includes staff appointments at Wake Forest, Rutgers, East Carolina, Northeastern, Central State, Kentucky State and Ohio University. 

•  Richard Solomon, former assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, will serve as Defensive Backs Coach. Solomon has a lengthy resume which includes professional (Arizona, Minnesota, New York Giants) and collegiate (Western Illinois, Illinois, Syracuse, Iowa, Southern Illinois and the University of Dubuque).

• Donald “D.J.” McCarthy, former director of player personnel and assistant to the head coach at Bethune-Cookman University, will serve as Wide Receivers Coach. McCarthy also has assistant coaching experience at LSU, UCLA, UCF, Nevada-Reno, along with an NFL stint (Oakland Raiders), as well as high school and junior college experience.

COACH "D. J." McCARTHY

• Dennis R. Smith, formerly an assistant coach and special team coordinator at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi, comes aboard to serve as Tight Ends and Special Teams Coach. Smith had worked prior to his time in junior college on the staffs of the University of Miami and Florida International University.

• Retained from the previous staff was Offensive Line coach Edwin Pata, a Miami native, who served the last two seasons (2013, 2014) at FAMU, after working two years (2011, 2012) as an assistant offensive line coach at Florida International (FIU).

NOTE: Click on coach name for link to biography and other info.





COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VIDEOS COURTESY OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO

For 2nd straight year, XU Nuggets are No. 3 in preseason

NEW ORLEANS -- For the second consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana is No. 3 in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll. The NAIA announced rankings Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets are in the same position they held in the 2014 postseason poll. Xavier was 17-7 last season and became the first XU team in any sport to reach the NAIA's national semifinals two straight times.

The Gold Nuggets' active poll streaks include 22 consecutive top-25 appearances, 17 straight times in the top 10 and seven consecutive top-3 appearances.

Xavier returns eight letterwomen from 2014, including All-Americans Nour Abbes, Brion Flowers and Simone-Alyse Ewell. Abbes, a sophomore, is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's top-ranked NAIA singles player.

The Gold Nuggets will play their first dual match of 2015 at 3 p.m. Friday against city rival Loyola at XU Tennis Center. XU's and Loyola's men's teams also will play at that time. The XU men are ranked eighth.

Defending champion Georgia Gwinnett, 18-4 last season, is the preseason No. 1. It's just the third time in 15 seasons that Auburn Montgomery does not hold that distinction.

There are five preseason top-25 teams on the Gold Nuggets' schedule: No. 6 Brenau (Feb. 23 at Mobile, Ala.), No. 11 Vanguard (March 30 at Costa Mesa, Calif.), No. 17 Lewis-Clark State (March 31 at La Mirada, Calif.), No. 12 Westmont (April 1 at Santa Barbara, Calif.) and No. 5 Auburn Montgomery (April 10 at XU).

The first regular-season rankings will be announced Feb. 17.

The top 25:

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
3. Xavier
4. Lindsey Wilson
5. Auburn Montgomery
6. Brenau
7. Northwood (Fla.)
8. SCAD Savannah
9. Oklahoma Baptist
10. Concordia (Calif.)
11. Vanguard
12. (tie) Davenport
12. (tie) Westmont
14. Milligan
15. Indiana Wesleyan
16. Coastal Georgia
17. Lewis-Clark State
18. Cardinal Stritch
19. Northwestern Ohio
20. Marian (Ind.)
21. Campbellsville
22. Southeastern (Fla.)
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. McPherson
25. Cumberland

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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XU Rush 8th in preseason, in top 10 for 30th straight time

NEW ORLEANS -- For the Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis program, the beat goes on.

The Gold Rush were eighth in the NAIA Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday. It's the 30th consecutive top-10 appearance for Xavier in a streak which began May 3, 2011.

Xavier will play its first dual match of 2015 at 3 p.m. Friday against city rival Loyola at XU Tennis Center. XU's and Loyola's women's teams also will play at that time.

The XU men have the same ranking they finished 2014 with. It's the Gold Rush's 60th consecutive top-25 appearance; that streak began April 4, 2007.

Defending champion Georgia Gwinnett, 21-0 last season, is the preseason No. 1. There are six preseason top-25 teams on Xavier's schedule: No. 10 Belhaven (Feb. 7 at XU), No. 22 William Carey (March 19 at Hattiesburg, Miss.), No. 4 Vanguard (March 30 at Costa Mesa, Calif.), No. 19 Lewis-Clark State (March 31 at La Mirada, Calif.), No. 9 Westmont (April 1 at Santa Barbara, Calif.) and No. 3 Auburn Montgomery (April 10 at XU).

All-Americans Kyle Montrel and Nikita Soifer are among six Gold Rush returning lettermen.

The first regular-season rankings will be announced Feb. 17.

The top 25:

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
3. Auburn Montgomery
4. Vanguard
5. Lindsey Wilson
6. Cumberland
7. Bethany (Kan.)
8. Xavier
9. Westmont
10. Belhaven
11. Concordia (Calif.)
12. Graceland
13. Coastal Georgia
14. Northwood (Fla.)
15. SCAD Atlanta
16. Pikeville
17. Olivet Nazarene
18. Oklahoma Baptist
19. (tie) SCAD Savannah
19. (tie) Lewis-Clark State
21. Mobile
22. (tie) William Carey
22. (tie) Indiana Wesleyan
24. San Diego Christian
25. Webber International

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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XU Gold Nuggets 34th overall and still receiving votes

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana collected five points Tuesday to rank 34th in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Nuggets (12-10 overall, 5-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) are among others receiving votes for the fourth consecutive week. And for the second time in that period, they're not the GCAC's leading vote-getter.

That distinction belongs to city rival SUNO, which received eight points and is 31st. SUNO won 73-43 at Xavier on Jan. 19 and gave the Nuggets the second-largest home defeat in their history.

But Xavier has won twice since then, both in GCAC road games, and will enter a 3 p.m. Saturday contest at city rival Dillard with four victories in its last five games.

Xavier's next home game will start at 5:30 p.m. Monday against Edward Waters.

The top of the rankings has a familiar look. Freed-Hardeman, defending champion Oklahoma City and Campbellsville are 1-2-3 for the fourth consecutive week. Freed-Hardeman (19-1) is No. 1 for the fifth consecutive poll.

The top 25:

1. Freed-Hardeman
2. Oklahoma City
3. Campbellsville
4. Westminster (Utah)
5. Bethel (Tenn.)
6. Loyola
7. Langston
8. (tie) Oklahoma Baptist
8. (tie) Concordia (Calif.)
10. Montana State-Northern
11. The Master's
12. Vanguard
13. Our Lady of the Lake
14. Wiley
15. MidAmerica Nazarene
16. Shawnee State
17. Westmont
18. Lewis-Clark State
19. Carroll (Mont.)
20. Lyon
21. Lindsey Wilson
22. Great Falls
23. Martin Methodist
24. Columbia (Mo.)
25. Benedictine (Kan.)

Others receiving votes, in order of points:
Texas Wesleyan
Cumberland
Georgetown (Ky.)
Wayland Baptist
Pikeville
SUNO
Culver-Stockton
Baker
Xavier
William Woods
Auburn Montgomery

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Xavier Rush are 19th after 3rd consecutive climb in rankings

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is still winning and still gaining support in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush (16-6 overall, 5-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) climbed for the third straight week, moving from 20th to 19th Tuesday. It's Xavier's highest rank since the preseason, when it was 13th.

Xavier won 73-59 Monday at Voorhees and improved its win streak to a season-high five games.

The Gold Rush are in the top 25 for the 43rd consecutive time. That's the longest active streak among NAIA DI men's teams. Xavier appeared in 56 of the last 57 top-25s.

The GCAC has three top-25 teams for the sixth time in as many polls this season. Talladega climbed from sixth to fourth, and Philander Smith dropped from 24th to 23rd. Talladega will visit Xavier at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9.

Campbellsville, No. 1 for the past three polls, dropped to sixth after losing both its games this past week. Ascending to the top spot is Cal State San Marcos, which received 5-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the first time since Dec. 9.

Xavier will visit city rival Dillard at 5 p.m. Saturday, then play Edward Waters at 7:30 p.m. Monday at XU's Convocation Center.

The top 25:

1. Cal State San Marcos
2. Pikeville
3. Hope International
4. Talladega
5. Freed-Hardeman
6. Campbellsville
7. Benedictine (Kan.)
8. Dalton State
9. Wayland Baptist
10. Arizona Christian
11. Our Lady of the Lake
12. Great Falls
13. Columbia (Mo.)
14. (tie) Concordia (Calif.)
14. (tie) Martin Methodist
14. (tie) Georgetown (Ky.)
17. Mid-America Christian
18. Montana Western
19. Xavier
20. Oklahoma Baptist
21. Evangel
22. Bethel (Tenn.)
23. Cumberlands
24. Philander Smith
25. LSU-Alexandria

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director 

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Southern U.Track and Field turns in notable marks at UAB

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University Men’s and Women’s track and field recorded several top-three finishes during a two-day span at the UAB Vulcan and UAB Green and Gold track meets last weekend in Birmingham, Ala.

UAB Vulcan Invite, Friday, Jan. 23

Harold Fluellen finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles with a speed of 8.33. Montel Brown sprung for a sixth-place finish in the high jump with a mark of (1.90m). Yanik Duffus collected an impressive finish in the 60 meters as he finished with a time of 6.97, while also placing in the top ten during the 200 meters (22.36). John Haynes’ performance in the 800 meters allowed him to place in the top ten with a time of 1:56.34.

The women’s 4x400 relay team earned a sixth-place finish with a time of 4:00.63. Deandra Deveaux gained the longest distance in the women’s long jump with a mark of 5.28 meters for the SWAC. Tiana Cephers collected a leap of 10.31m in the triple jump, while Georgeanna Felder received a tenth-place finish in the shot put, nailing a mark of 11.55m.

UAB Green and Gold Invite, Saturday, Jan. 24

Southern’s John Haynes placed third in the 400 meters with a mark of 49.85. Yanik Duffus placed fifth in the 60 meters (7.04), followed by Justin Pearson in seventh (7.16). Harold Fluellen’s 8.44 time secured him a fourth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles. Tylor Lighten gained a sixth-place finish in the 200m with a time of 22.36. The men’s 4x400 relay team placed fifth with a mark of 3:26.75.

Southern’s experienced field corp garnered the teams highest mark led by Georgeanna Felder, who produced a second place finish in the women’s weight throw with a mark of 17.09m. Ashley Shepard’s 5.47m jump earned her a third-place finish in the long jump. Celeste White gained a third-place finish in the 5000 meters with a time of 19:54.79, while Reyna Anderson crossed the finish line first for the Jaguars in the 200 meters with a time of 25.33. The women’s 4x400 relay team received an eighth-place finish with a mark of 4:02.94. Briana Radford tossed a 13.90m throw in the shot put finishing fourth in the field.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UDC Firebird Spotlight - Denikka Brent, Women's Basketball

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Denikka Brent is a standout senior and mechanical engineering major on the women’s basketball team from Chesapeake, Virginia.  Denikka started playing basketball in the 5th grade with great influence from her uncle, whom she considers more like her older brother. Her father, David Brent, has a career in the Navy which required her and her two younger siblings to live in many places including Tennessee and Virginia Beach.

Denikka Brent was honored for scoring her 1,000th point in a road
game at American International College on Dec.1, 2014.

Favorites:  Denikka loves seafood and is an exceptional pianist. Not only does she come from a family of athletes, but also a family of musicians. She has played the piano seriously since her sophomore year in high school. As a musician, she is a big fan of music including gospel, hip-hop, R & B, and rap. Her favorite artist is Beyoncé.

About UDC/Future Career Plans: Denikka was highly recruited and ultimately wanted a school with an engineering program. She loves Washington, D.C., and plans on returning to the area to work. She aspires to one day pursue a career in engineering, then earn her Master’s degree and continue her education with a Ph,D. in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in NASA.

She says her student-athlete experience at UDC has thus far been great. She notes her professor, Dr. Kline, has taught her a lot and has been an encouraging force behind her studies and athletic career.

Basketball Career: Denikka’s most noted highlights of her basketball career include wining the East Coast Conference Championship and reaching the 1,000-point milestone. To prepare for games, she keeps to herself by listening to music. On the court, she finds she “thinks about a lot”, but her main focus is on winning. The advice she would give to other student-athletes is balancing athletics and academics. Also, she added that you must manage your time wisely.

Quote from Coach Lester Butler, Jr. -  “Denikka has been the face of the women’s basketball program for the last three years. She is everything you want in student-athlete – a great student and a special talent on the basketball court. She will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play for this school.”

High School: Brent is a 2011 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School...played guard for the basketball team...1st Team All-District and Team MVP…also was a member of the National Society of high school Scholars, Math National Honor Society, and National Honor Society…graduated 4th in her class with a cumulative GPA of 3.85

Personal: Daughter of David and Medina Brent...has two siblings, Destinee and David...Mechanical Engineering major…favorite athletes include Kobe Bryant, Maya Moore and Lebron James… favorite food is seafood…favorite movie is The Temptations … favorite musicians are Beyonce and Chris Brown…also recruited by Florida A&M, East Carolina, Longwood, and Furman… greatest athletic experience is getting to the NCAA tournament in her freshman year… dream as a college athlete is to make it to the NCAA tournament one more time and to win the conference title…greatest athletic influence is her father.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State women scorch visiting Claflin

ALBANY, Georgia — The Albany State Lady Rams’ basketball team got their second win in three games Monday night as they returned home and defeated Claflin 65-52 at the HPER Gym.

The win puts the Lady Rams at 8-9 on the season and 7-3 in the SIAC.

The second half started with a putback from Artisha Holston, which sparked a 9-0 run by the Lady Rams. They held the Lady Panthers scoreless for the first five minutes of the half and went on to build a 48-28 lead with 12:20 left.

Claflin, however, did not go away. The Lady Panthers chipped away at the lead and with 5:41 remaining, Jaquanna Davis hit a lay-up and drew a foul. She sank two more free throws on the next Claflin possession to make it an eight-point game with five minutes left, capping a 20-6 run.

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Virginia State on five-game winning streak heading into big CIAA tilt

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia State (13-5, 7-2) travels to Maryland on Wednesday to face Bowie State (16-5, 8-1) in the first of two games between the two teams atop the CIAA Northern Division. The Trojans currently sit at 4-0 in the division, the Bulldogs are 3-0.

Virginia State enters the game on a five-game winning streak since losing back-to-back games to Shaw and Winston-Salem State early this month. Bowie State has won four straight since a loss to Shaw on Jan. 10.

The Trojans have played nine conference games and are holding CIAA teams to 60.8 points per game - lowest in the conference. The Bulldogs are allowing a third-best 68.6 points per game.

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The Show: Honda Battle of the Bands 2015

WATCH IN 1080p HIGH DEFINITION, WIDE SCREEN

Full Battle of the Bands show at the Georgia Dome by Da Edge