DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman Football will host five games at newly renovated Municipal Stadium aka “The Cage” this fall, as the 2015 football schedule was released Wednesday afternoon by head coach Terry Sims and Director of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson.
Bethune-Cookman, co-champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) a season ago, will travel to FBS opponent Miami (Fla.) to begin the season September 5. After that, B-CU travels to Grambling State (Sept. 12) for a return game in Grambling, Louisiana.
The first two home games of the year for the three-time defending MEAC champion Wildcats will be September 19, as Bethune-Cookman hosts Lane to Municipal Stadium, followed by the conference-opener against Savannah State (Sept. 26).
B-CU then goes home/away in consecutive weekends the rest of the way, beginning with a trip to 2015 MEAC Co-Champions North Carolina Central on October 3, in Durham, North Carolina. The Cats return home against MEAC Co-Champions South Carolina State on October 10, before returning to the Tar Heel State for a matchup with another of the five MEAC co-champions from last year, North Carolina A&T, on October 17.
Homecoming for Bethune-Cookman is set for October 24, when Norfolk State comes to Daytona Beach. The Spartans defeated the Wildcats in 2013, marking the first home defeat in conference for the Cats in more than two years.
B-CU wraps up the road portion of the schedule October 31, with a trip to Delaware State, before hosting Senior Appreciation Day on November 7, welcoming 2015 MEAC Co-Champions Morgan State to “The Cage”.
The final regular season game occurs on November 21, when the Wildcats meet the Rattlers of Florida A&M in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic at the brand-new Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
All home games are set for 4 p.m. kickoffs, while times for the road games will be set later in the spring prior to the beginning of the campaign.
For a printable version of the 2015 schedule, please click here. You may also access the schedule via internet by clicking here.
For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.
2015 BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
at Miami (Fla.) Saturday, Sept. 5 • Sun Life Stadium • Miami Gardens, Fla.
at Grambling State Saturday, Sept. 12 • Eddie Robinson Stadium • Grambling, La.
LANE Saturday, Sept. 19 • Municipal Stadium • Daytona Beach, Fla.
SAVANNAH STATE* Saturday, Sept. 27 • Municipal Stadium • Daytona Beach, Fla.
at North Carolina Central* Saturday, Oct. 3 • O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium • Durham, N.C.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE* Saturday, Oct. 10 • Municipal Stadium • Daytona Beach, Fla.
at North Carolina A&T* Saturday, Oct. 17 • Aggie Stadium • Greensboro, N.C.
NORFOLK STATE* Saturday, Oct. 24 • Municipal Stadium • Daytona Beach, Fla.
at Delaware State* Saturday, Oct. 31 • Alumni Stadium • Dover, Del.
MORGAN STATE* Saturday, Nov. 7 • Municipal Stadium • Daytona Beach, Fla.
vs. Florida A&M* (Florida Blue Florida Classic) Saturday, Nov. 22 • Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Fla.
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Bowie State Announces 2015 Football Schedule
BOWIE, Maryland -- The Bowie State University football program has announced the 2015 schedule. The Bulldogs, led by head coach Damon Wilson, will have four home games and six road contests next season.
The Bulldogs kicks-off the 2015 season at Merrimack College on September 5th in first of three straight non-conference games. Bowie State will travel to Brevard College on September 12th and close out the non-conference portion of their schedule at Division I-A Central Connecticut State University on September 19th.
After opening the season with a trio of road contests, the Bulldogs begin CIAA crossover play with their home opener on September 26th against Livingstone College. After taking on the Blue Bears, Bowie State will make a trip to Charlotte (N.C.) to face Johnson C. Smith University on October 3rd.
Bowie State returns to Bulldogs Stadium on October 10th to host Chowan University for Homecoming 2015 followed by a road contest at Virginia State University on October 17th.
The Bulldogs welcome Virginia Union University to the cozy confines of Bulldogs Stadium on October 24th and close out their home schedule on October 31st against The Lincoln University.
The regular season finale for the Bulldogs will be a road contest against Elizabeth City State University on November 7th.
Bowie State posted a 5-5 overall record in 2014 and finished 5-2 in CIAA play.
Bowie State University Football 2015 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE - As of 2/5/15)
Saturday, September 5 at Merrimack 1 pm, (North Andover, Mass.)
Saturday, September 12 at Brevard 1 pm, (Brevard, N.C.)
Saturday, September 19 at Central Connecticut State 1 pm, (New Britain, Conn.)
Saturday, September 26 LIVINGSTONE * 6 pm
Saturday, October 3 at Johnson C. Smith * TBD. (Charlotte, N.C.)
Saturday, October 10 CHOWAN * 4 pm, Homecoming
Saturday, October 17 at Virginia State * TBD, (Petersburg, Va.)
Saturday, October 24 VIRGINIA UNION * 1 pm
Saturday, October 31 LINCOLN * 1 pm
Saturday, November 7 at Elizabeth City State * TBD, (Elizabeth City, N.C.)
Home Games Listed in BOLDFACE CAPS
* Conference
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
SC State president: 'We will stand Bulldog strong'
WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Quickly rallying around their president and campus leaders, the South Carolina State University community gathered outside an auditorium Tuesday night to say no.
The group was calling for a measure to shutter the university's doors for a fiscal year to be killed.
"I think one thing is clear," said President Thomas Elzey. "South Carolina State University will not close."
A South Carolina House subcommittee on higher education voted 3-1 Tuesday afternoon to cease operations at South Carolina State university in Orangeburg.
Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg cast the "no" vote.
Elzey went on to say the problems with the university's finances did not happen overnight, and they won't be fixed immediately either.
Meanwhile, SC State's Twitter account said it was vowing to fight the measure. A Facebook post by the university called for everyone to stay calm.
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ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Quickly rallying around their president and campus leaders, the South Carolina State University community gathered outside an auditorium Tuesday night to say no.
The group was calling for a measure to shutter the university's doors for a fiscal year to be killed.
"I think one thing is clear," said President Thomas Elzey. "South Carolina State University will not close."
A South Carolina House subcommittee on higher education voted 3-1 Tuesday afternoon to cease operations at South Carolina State university in Orangeburg.
Democratic Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg cast the "no" vote.
Elzey went on to say the problems with the university's finances did not happen overnight, and they won't be fixed immediately either.
Meanwhile, SC State's Twitter account said it was vowing to fight the measure. A Facebook post by the university called for everyone to stay calm.
CONTINUE READING
NSU Football Announces Hiring of Defensive Coaches Braxton, Grisby and Parker
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| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS |
The new trio of coaches, each of whom worked with Scott at Virginia State, fills out the Spartans' defensive staff, joining defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jerry Holmes.
"We are excited to finalize our defensive staff. It consists of a group of men I had a chance to win championships with at Virginia State," Scott said. "Bringing these fine coaches to NSU allows us to keep continuity on a defense that had great success over the past two seasons and we look forward to having similar success here at NSU."
Braxton and Parker spent both 2013 and 2014 with Scott at VSU and Grisby joined the staff in 2014. This past season, the trio helped the Trojans to their historic 10-3 season that included the 2014 CIAA championship and the school's first-ever victory in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Braxton has 14 years of coaching experience. His line was a big reason for the Trojans' success the last two years, leading VSU to a pair of top-20 national rankings in total defense. The 2013 Trojan defense finished 12th nationally and featured the Richmond Touchdown Club's Co-Defensive Linemen of the year for Division II in Ronald Lewis and Bryant Frazier.
Prior to his time at VSU, Braxton was defensive line coach from 2006-12 at Edinboro University (Pa.). In seven seasons at Edinboro, he coached six All-PSAC West performers and helped Edinboro reach the Division II playoffs in 2009. Braxton also coached the defensive linemen for five seasons at his alma mater, VMI (2001-05).
A native of Beaverdam, Va., Braxton was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive lineman for the Keydets, finishing his career with 195 tackles in 35 games played. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from VMI in 1998 and his master's in history from Norwich University in 2010.
Grisby, who is embarking on his 20th year of collegiate coaching, coached the safeties at VSU in 2014. One of his pupils, Devonte Piggott, earned second-team All-CIAA honors during VSU's CIAA championship run this past season. The VSU secondary coached by Grisby and Parker led the CIAA with 18 interceptions, which ranked 12th in the nation.
Prior to his one year at VSU, Grisby coached at the Trojans' CIAA rival, Virginia Union University, as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 2011-13. His defense ranked second in the CIAA in pass defense and total defense in 2012, and fourth in total defense in 2013.
Grisby also had a lengthy tenure at St. Paul's College from 2004-11, serving as the school's associate head coach for his first five seasons before ascending to head coach for the 2010 season. While at SPC, Grisby helped develop Greg Toler, a starting defensive back this past season for the Indianapolis Colts and one of many players Grisby has helped reach the ranks of professional football.
A native of Miami, Fla., Grisby played collegiately as a defensive back at Bethune-Cookman, where he earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1990. He had professional stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (1990) and the San Antonio Riders (1991) of the World League of American Football.
Parker was cornerbacks coach at VSU in 2014 after serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2013. In addition to VSU's CIAA-leading 18 interceptions last year, the Trojans also ranked 18th in the nation in passing defense, allowing 174 yards per game. Parker coached an All-CIAA first-team performer in both of his years with the Trojans, mentoring Sean Smith in 2013 and Darion Thomas in 2014.
A native of Glen Allen, Va., Parker is a 2013 graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in political science. He was a wide receiver and cornerback for the Spiders and was a member of CAA championship teams in 2009 and 2012. He also ran track for UR.
Scott also announced Wednesday that running backs coach Paul Macklin has accepted another employment opportunity outside of the university and will not return to the staff. Scott will announce more hirings to his staff at NSU in the coming weeks.
By Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Alonzo Lee named Jackson State defensive coordinator
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| ALONZO LEE COURTESY NCA&T ATHLETICS |
“I am excited to welcome Alonzo Lee as our new defensive coordinator,” said Jackson. “His years of championship level experience will make him a tremendous addition to our staff.”
Over his career, Lee has proven that defense wins championships and he has won seven MEAC titles at four different schools. At two of the schools – North Carolina A&T and Hampton – Lee served as the defensive coordinator.
Lee has been defensive coordinator at Morgan State (2011-12, 2007-09), North Carolina A&T (2003-06), and Hampton (1997-03). During his first stint as defensive coordinator at Morgan State, Lee defenses ranked among the top two in the FCS. In 2008, the Bears led the nation in total defense.
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Alabama A&M Head Baseball Coach Hill expecting senior-laden team to make noise in SWAC
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Last season, the Alabama A&M baseball had a historic year with the first 20-win season in the program's Division I history.The Bulldogs finished 21-32 and qualified for the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, winning a tournament game for the first time since 2000, before being eliminated.
This year, Head Coach Mitch Hill has a wealth of senior experience among 11 position players and six pitchers - including a returning SWAC Hitter of the Year who ranked in the top 10 nationally.
"I hope our experience will play a huge factor this season," he said. "It all depends on their mindset. But it should give us a chance to win the conference championship."
Among his returnees are four all-SWAC players: Seniors Andrew Utterback, Julio Nunez and Brandyn Crutcher and junior Andrew Hulsey.
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Gold Rush 17th, climb in poll for 5th straight week
NEW ORLEANS — It's another week and another gain for Xavier University of Louisiana in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.The Gold Rush (19-7 overall, 8-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) moved from 18th to 17th Tuesday. It was the fifth consecutive week that Xavier climbed in the rankings.
The Gold Rush are in the top 25 for the 45th consecutive time. That's the longest active streak among NAIA DI men's teams. Xavier appeared in 58 of the last 59 top-25s.
Xavier's eight-game win streak ended Monday in a 78-69 home loss to Talladega. The Tornadoes, who have NAIA DI's longest active win streak — 17 games — climbed from No. 3 to No. 2 and received a first-place vote. Talladega is the first GCAC team to reach the NAIA's top two since LSU-Shreveport was second on Feb. 20, 2008.
GCAC member Philander Smith remained out of the top 25 for the second straight week but received enough votes to rank 27th. Xavier will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play Philander Smith at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Cal State San Marcos received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the third straight week.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA https://twitter.com/xulagold https://www.facebook.com/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 from Xavier earn GCAC Player of the Week awards
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| Caroline Vernet: Wins in first week of eligibility |
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| Nikita Soifer: Fourth GCAC award of his career |
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| Morris Wright: Third GCAC award this season |
NEW ORLEANS — The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that three from Xavier University of Louisiana received Player of the Week awards for Feb. 2-8: Morris Wright in men's basketball, Nikita Soifer in men's tennis and Caroline Vernet in women's tennis.
Wright, a 5-foot-10 junior guard from Zachary, La., and a former Zachary High School and Baton Rouge Community College standout, won the award for the third time this season, the most in 2014-15 GCAC men's basketball. He led Xavier in scoring (18.0 points per game), assists (4.0), steals (3.0) and made 3-pointers (6) during a 2-0 week which extended Xavier's win streak to eight — its longest win streak in four years. Wright had 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals against Edward Waters, then had 16 points — 11 in the second half — four rebounds, five assists and two steals against Voorhees.
Wright made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to help Xavier rally from an 8-point deficit in the final six minutes against Voorhees. For the season, he leads Xavier in scoring (13.8), assists (3.8) and steals (1.7).
Soifer, a senior from Beer Sheva, Israel, and a graduate of Hof Hasharon, remained unbeaten for the spring semester. He won in singles and doubles at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday and again Saturday in a home victory against NAIA No. 10 Belhaven.
Soifer's GCAC award is his first this season and the fourth of his career.
Vernet, a home-schooled freshman from Lyon, France, won her GCAC award in her first week of eligibility. She made her collegiate debut during the weekend with a doubles victory against Belhaven and doubles and singles victories against LSU-Alexandria.
Xavier men's basketball will compete at 4 p.m. Saturday against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark. Xavier women's tennis will visit Louisiana-Lafayette at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, and the Gold Nuggets will join the men's team for home duals at 11 a.m. Saturday against William Carey. All three teams are ranked among the NAIA's top 25.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Ackerman-Carter's Journey to TSU
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| COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETICS |
Ackerman-Carter starred at Trinity HS in the middle of the recruiting hotbed of Florida. As the starting quarterback, he threw for 2,607 yards during his junior and senior campaigns and completed 58.1 percent of his passes. He also tossed 36 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions, including a 22-4 ratio as a senior.
The Jacksonville native’s production had colleges lining up from far-and-wide to be their quarterback of the future.
“Tennessee State was the third team to offer me a scholarship in my sophomore year,” Ackerman-Carter remembers. “Coach Osita Alaribe really wanted me to commit, but some of the bigger offers came rolling in during my junior season. I got looks from teams like Florida Atlantic, Troy, Central Florida and Mississippi State, and I was just really excited to play at the highest level.”
One offer came from Georgia State, an up-start program in Atlanta, Ga. Ackerman-Carter committed to play for the Panthers despite the school having a team for just two seasons and a 1-10 record during his senior year.
Ackerman-Carter’s pledge was to be one of the hallmarks of legendary head coach Bill Curry’s tenure at Georgia State, until Curry announced his retirement following the 2012 season.
Curry’s departure coupled with academic concerns weighed on Ackerman-Carter and caused him to waver on his decision.
“I committed to Curry, and the new GSU coaches kept in touch with me, but the only downfall was my ACT score,” Ackerman-Carter said.
Ackerman-Carter, who was an A-B student in high school and once had Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) aspirations, was now left in limbo. His decisions came down to: go to a prep-school, enroll in a junior college or quit football.
Not wanting to end his career before it even started, Ackerman-Carter chose option A so that he could become eligible faster (Prep Schools require one year of play while JUCOs require two). Ackerman-Carter enrolled at Georgia Prep Sports Academy in Atlanta.
“Everything was so new to me,” Ackerman-Carter said. “It was like a college set-up where we woke up early to lift and do conditioning and practiced in the evening. Once I stepped foot on campus, the recruitment process started all over again and some of those schools that originally offered me, offered me again.”
The most consistent looks came from TSU’s Alaribe whose interest never waned in the 6-foot-2 pocket passer he visited as a sophomore. It also helped that one of the Sports Academy’s coaches was legendary TSU quarterback Brian Ransom.
Alaribe could point to Ransom, among many others, who parlayed a spot on the Big Blue into lifelong success.
“A lot of things attracted me to Tennessee State including its history. I met Claude Humphrey, Golden Tate and Richard Dent and heard stories of Ed “Too Tall” Jones. It was something that I wanted to be a part of,” Ackerman-Carter said.
Ackerman-Carter decided to put his name alongside those greats and sign with TSU in 2013. Having endured a tumultuous path to get to a Div. I program, Ackerman-Carter’s journey was still not over.
Entering the 2014 season, the Tigers had two proven quarterbacks in Mike German and Ronald Butler. Ackerman-Carter eventually became the odd-man-out and was forced to redshirt last year.
“There was always a chance that if one or both of those guys went down, that I would get the call to play. That opportunity never came, but I got the chance to learn and get better.
“Growing up, I was never the kid that sat on the bench, so this was a humbling process. In the end, I think redshirting benefitted me because I could mature.”
Ackerman-Carter got to see German break the school-record for career passing yards with 8,664 and Butler play in six games.
German has exhausted his eligibility but Butler will be back this upcoming season, setting up what is sure to be a contested competition between the junior and Ackerman-Carter.
“I expect a really good battle from Ron. He has a lot of game experience and is very athletic, so he is dangerous to opposing defenses. I am more of a pocket passer and I like to throw the ball down-field,” Ackerman-Carter said.
After so much waiting, Ackerman-Carter is just ready for the upcoming season and a chance to be on the field. That does not mean that he has not begun acting like a leader.
“I feel like having a good relationship with every single player can only make this team better because positivity carries over. If we are all a family then we can get the job done. I want to be cool with every one of my teammates,” Ackerman-Carter.
Ackerman-Carter has also been a leader in the classroom as well.
“In high school I was a little bit lazy, but I buckled down after under-performing on my ACTs. My mom told me ‘grades first and football second’, so I feel like if you get it done in the classroom, then you can get it done on the field,” Ackerman-Carter said.
From a highly-touted high schooler, to grayshirting, then to redshirting, Ackerman-Carter has been through a lot. Where he goes from here is up to him, but he wants to accomplish the same goal that his mentor Brian Ransom was able to– win an OVC Championship.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Tornadoes rally in final 10 minutes, end Rush win streak
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Facebook photos |
The Tornadoes (22-3, 9-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have won 17 in a row, the longest active streak in the division. They snapped the season-high eight-game win streak of the Gold Rush (19-7, 8-2).
Talladega is ranked third, and Xavier is 18th.
Peters, the GCAC Player of the Year last season, scored five points during a six-minute run which turned Talladega's 51-50 deficit into a 68-56 advantage with 3:59 remaining. The Tornadoes made three 3-pointers during the surge, two by Darrian Provost.
Shondel Stewart had 15 points and seven rebounds for Talladega, and Courtney Mack had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Anthony Goode made four 3-pointers and scored 19 points for Xavier, and Gary Smith scored 16 to match his career best. Wesley Pluviose-Philip grabbed seven rebounds.
Xavier shot 61.5 percent from the floor and got nine points from Goode and eight from Smith to take a 40-34 halftime lead. In the second half, Xavier shot 47.6 percent and committed 14 turnovers.
For the game, Xavier outshot Talladega 55.3 to 47.3 percent from the floor. Both teams made seven 3-pointers. Talladega made 19-of-29 free throws to Xavier's 10-of-16. The Tornadoes committed 12 turnovers and gained 22.
Xavier had not lost since its GCAC opener Jan. 5, a 93-78 decision at Talladega.
The next Gold Rush game will start at 4 p.m. Saturday against Philander Smith in Little Rock, Ark. Xavier's next home game will start at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center.
Box score
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Morgan State releases 2015 football schedule, featuring season-opener with Air Force
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Morgan State Bears 2015 football schedule features an 11-game slate, four games in Hughes Stadium, an NCAA Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent and a return to the New York Urban League Whitney Young Classic.The Bears non-conference opponents in 2015 are Air Force, Illinois State and Virginia-Lynchburg. The Bears will not play Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents Florida A&M or Norfolk State in the regular season.
MSU, the reigning MEAC champions, will open its 2015 slate with a Saturday road game on Sept. 5 at Troy Calhoun's Air Force Falcons team, marking the first meeting between the teams.
The Bears next travel to Normal, Ill., on Sept. 12 to take on an Illinois State Redbirds team that earned a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title and played in the FCS National Championship game.
MSU welcomes Virginia-Lynchburg for the Bears' home-opener at Hughes Stadium on Sept. 19.
MSU then begins MEAC play with the first of three road trips starting with a clash versus Howard at the Whitney Young Classic at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 26. After facing the Bison, MSU will travel to take on South Carolina State on Oct. 3, followed by a trip to North Carolina Central on Oct. 7.
MSU returns to Hughes Stadium to play Delaware State on Oct. 17 for Homecoming.
The Bears next travel to face Savannah State on Oct. 24 for its first meeting with the Tigers since 2012, followed by a meeting at Hampton on Oct. 31.
Morgan State concludes its regular season by hosting Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 7 and North Carolina A&T on Nov. 14.
Game times and television plans for Morgan State's 2015 games will be announced at a later date.
Picked last (9th) in the MEAC preseason poll, Morgan State captured a share of the MEAC Title with a 6-2 conference record, marking its first conference championship since 1979. The Bears also made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs when they faced #16/18 Richmond.
The Bears also completed the season ranked 31st in the final FCS poll – its highest ranking in school history.
2015 Morgan State Schedule
Sept. 5 at Air Force
Sept. 12 at Illinois State
Sept. 19 VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG
Sept. 26 vs. Howard (NY Urban League Classic - MetLife Stadium)*
Oct. 3 at South Carolina State*
Oct. 7 at North Carolina Central*
Oct. 17 DELAWARE STATE (MSU Homecoming)*
Oct. 24 at Savannah State*
Oct. 31 at Hampton*
Nov. 7 BETHUNE-COOKMAN*
Nov. 14 NORTH CAROLINA A&T*
BOLD: Home Game
*MEAC Game
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
South Carolina State athletics in jeopardy as school faces closure
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State is dangerously close to sitting out two years of athletics.The South Carolina House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Higher Education voted 3 to 1 on Tuesday to close the school for two years, according to The State. That would extend to athletics as well.
The school currently has $10 million worth of debt, and its enrollment has dropped sharply in recent years. The plan, which would shutter the school for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years, needs approval from the full House and Senate.
he college's board of trustees, administrators, faculty and staff all would be fired, and the school likely would lose its accreditation.
South Carolina State is a member of Division I and plays at the FCS level in football. The team won a share of the MEAC football title in 2014 and made the FCS playoffs in 2013.
CONTINUE READING
House budget panel votes to close SC State for two years
COLUMBIA, South Carolina — A S.C. House budget panel voted Tuesday to close S.C. State University for two years to help the school end its financial troubles.The state’s only historically black public college has a $10 million deficit from unpaid bills to food and maintenance vendors. S.C. State’s enrollment has dropped sharply in recent years and just 14 percent of students graduate within four years.
The vote by the House panel that oversees funding for state colleges shows the frustration that S.C. State was not doing enough to recover its financial footing, said Rep. Jim Merrill, a Berkeley Republican who heads the panel.
House budget writers said they were frustrated the school sought $6 million from lawmakers this year to pay off a state loan given last year.
S.C. State also is receiving another $12 million from the state to help with crisis. S.C. State leaders said they could not cut curriculum, faculty or athletics, Merrill said.
Then administrators suggested $50 million in new funding over the next few years to improve the school’s academic programs.
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Subcommittee South Carolina State University Proviso:
19.so. (SCSU: Suspend Operations) For Fiscal Year 2015-16, all operations and programs of the South Carolina State University shall be suspended as of July 1, 2015. It is the intent of the General Assembly that all athletic programs shall be suspended, the president shall be terminated, faculty and staff shall be dismissed, and the board of trustees shall be terminated. The university shall remain closed for one year during which time the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee will establish a plan to reconstitute South Carolina State University by January 1, 2017; to re-hire necessary faculty, reconstitute athletic programs, and set curriculum to be offered as approved by the Commission on Higher Education so that applications for the 2017-18 school year can be accepted and the school year can begin in the fall of 2017.
The State of South Carolina shall assume all debt and pay off all outstanding bonded indebtedness, debt to vendors, and loans made from the Contingency Reserve Fund. To effectuate this payment the Executive Budget Office, in conjunction with the Comptroller General shall utilize the General Funds appropriated to the institution along with any other funds the institution carried forward from the prior fiscal year. The order in which outstanding debt shall be paid is as follows: vendors, then bonded indebtedness, then Contingency Reserve Fund.
Current South Carolina State University students who have a 2.5 GPA or higher and qualify to transfer to another in-state public institution or South Carolina historically black university, shall have their tuition paid for by the State of South Carolina, for up to four years from this date. All lottery scholarships and federal assistance currently awarded to the student shall be factored into the amount of tuition paid for by the State of South Carolina. If the student falls below a 2.5 GPA during any of the remaining semesters, the tuition shall be terminated and the school may dismiss the student at its discretion.
The Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee must submit the entire plan to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee before final approval by the General Assembly.
Thorobrettes Push Winning Streak to Eight With Victory at Lane, 71-61
JACKSON, Tennessee -- Playing SIAC opponent Lane College for the second time in five days, the Kentucky State University women's basketball team picked up their second straight win over the Lady Dragons with a, 71-61, victory on Monday evening to extend their winning streak to eight games.With the victory, the Thorobrettes move to 16-4 overall and 11-2 in SIAC action. Lane falls to 3-16 overall and 3-10 in conference play.
Next up for KSU is a home game against LeMoyne-Owen (14-6, 9-3 SIAC) on Thursday, Feb. 12. Tip-off at the Exum Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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2015 Preseason All-CIAA Softball Team and Predicted Order of Finish
HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton, Virginia - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is pleased to announce its 2015 Preseason Softball All-Conference Team and Predicted Order of Finish as selected by the CIAA Softball Coaches Association.In the Northern Division, the Trojans of Virginia State were picked to win the division while the Lady Rams of Winston-Salem State were selected to be the best in the South.
WSSU got the overall championship nod which will decided at this year's Softball Championship from April 20 - May 2, 2015 in Raleigh. North Carolina.
2015 Preseason All-CIAA Team
Pitcher:
#33 Mercedes Hargett | WSSU | SO | 6'3 | San Diego, CA
Catcher:
#3 Shanice Anderson | SU | JR | 5'7 | Oceanside, CA
Utility:
#6 Deja White | SAU | JR | 5'11 | Leland, NC
First Base:
#23 Allison Woodbury | WSSU | SO | 5'9 | Mount Airy, NC
Second Base:
#2 Jameshia Smith | VSU | SR | Halifax, VA
Third Base:
#6 Katrina Bartlett | WSSU | SR | 5'8 | Greensboro, NC
Short Stop:
#8 Monet Daly | WSSU | SR | 5'2 | Lithonia, GA
Right Fielder:
#13 Sade Holmes | VSU | SR | 5'6 | Caroline County, VA
Center Fielder:
#35 Cassandra Clayborne | BSU | SR | 5'6 | Damascus, MD
Left Fielder:
# 7 Verlisha Brandon | VSU | JR | 5'3 | Halifax, VA
Predicted Order of Finish
North
Virginia State University
Chowan University
Virginia Union University
Bowie State University
Elizabeth City State University
The Lincoln University
South
Winston-Salem State University
Saint Augustine's University
Johnson C. Smith University
Fayetteville State University
Shaw University
Livingstone College
Conference
Winston-Salem State University
Virginia State University
Chowan University
Saint Augustine's University
Virginia Union University
Johnson C. Smith University
Fayetteville State University
Bowie State University
Shaw University
Elizabeth City State University
Livingstone College
The Lincoln University
COURTESY CIAA.COM
Monday, February 9, 2015
FAMU Marching 100 growing after return from suspension
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Sylvester Young, a FAMU alum, took over and the band returned Fall 2013. He continues to have a difficult task ahead: rebuilding the band while shaking a reputation of hazing and severe mismanagement.
"We're in the middle of that process and its working. This is a totally different group of students from what they had five years ago," Young said. There were more than 400 members on the band during the scandal, including students from other schools and some with low GPAs.
Now, Young says, there are about 170 members and they hope to bring that number closer to 300 by next year.
"There's a lot of pressure, people want to see a huge band," he added.
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NOTE: Dr. Julian E. White was not fired as stated in this video story. Dr. White retired (May 2012) after nearly 40 years of service to the FAMU Department of Music, at age 71.
Hampton U. women pull away from Howard 80-61
HAMPTON, Virginia — It's no secret that the strength of Hampton University's women's basketball team is on the perimeter. When the Lady Pirates get inside production, it makes their lives much easier.The interior tandem of Kaylah Lupoe and Brielle Ward complemented guards Kyani White and Malia Tate-DeFreitas, and Hampton weathered a second-half run to bounce Howard 80-61 Monday at the Hampton Convocation Center.
"You've got to be able to go inside and get something," HU coach David Six said, "and I thought we did a good job of that tonight."
Hampton (12-11, 8-2 MEAC) won its second game in a row after improbably losing two of three to tighten the conference race.
Lupoe, the 6-foot-2 freshman from Arizona, recorded her first career double-double, with 10 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to six blocks. Ward grabbed 10 of her 13 rebounds in the first half and added six points.
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Big second half lifts UMES past NSU Spartans, 82-64
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Devin Martin scored 25 points Monday and Maryland Eastern Shore thoroughly dismantled Norfolk State in the second half of an 82-64 come-from-behind victory.The Hawks (14-12, 7-4 MEAC) quickly erased an early 12-point deficit and seized control, using a 12-2 first-half run to narrow the gap and a 22-4 second-half outburst to grow it in the other direction.
Often hoisting barely contested layups against a chronically late defense, UMES shot a scorching 62.1 percent from the floor in the second half and 48.3 percent for the game.
RaShid Gaston scored 24 points for the Spartans (16-10, 9-2), who retain sole possession of second place in the MEAC.
The Spartans started like gangbusters, with Gaston’s three-point play on an alley-oop dunk starting a 12-2 run to open the game.
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Battle for 1st with Rush, Tornadoes is just part of the fun
NEW ORLEANS -- Two of the NAIA's hottest men's basketball teams, Xavier University of Louisiana and Talladega, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at XU's Convocation Center to cap an event-filled Monday.
Also scheduled that day are:
# Free food on the Yard (University Center lawn) at noon with performances by the XU cheerleaders.
# A 6 p.m. beauty fair, sponsored by the Office of Campus Activities, on the Convocation Center upper concourse.
# A chance for fans to win $250 in adidas gear at the men's game and the 5:30 p.m. women's game between XU and Talladega.
Xavier's men are 19-6, ranked 18th in NAIA Division I and have won eight straight since a 93-78 loss Jan. 5 at Talladega in their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener. The Tornadoes are 21-3, ranked third and have NAIA DI's longest active win streak, 16 games.
Talladega is 8-0 in the GCAC, and the Gold Rush are 8-1. The Tornadoes are the highest ranked opponent to visit the Rush since 2008. An XU victory would clinch a fifth consecutive 20-win season.
In the women's game, XU's Gold Nuggets (14-11, 7-2) will try to strengthen their hold on second place in the GCAC and move four victories above .500 for the first time this season. The Nuggets opened their GCAC schedule with a 67-60 victory at Talladega.
The Nuggets will wear pink accessories as part of their annual game dedicated to awareness of women's cancers.
XU faculty, staff and students will receive free admission to the doubleheader.
The games will be Xavier's last at home before the Feb. 28 Crosstown Classic against Dillard. After Talladega, the Rush and Nuggets will play three straight on the road.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/
Also scheduled that day are:
# Free food on the Yard (University Center lawn) at noon with performances by the XU cheerleaders.
# A 6 p.m. beauty fair, sponsored by the Office of Campus Activities, on the Convocation Center upper concourse.
# A chance for fans to win $250 in adidas gear at the men's game and the 5:30 p.m. women's game between XU and Talladega.
Xavier's men are 19-6, ranked 18th in NAIA Division I and have won eight straight since a 93-78 loss Jan. 5 at Talladega in their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener. The Tornadoes are 21-3, ranked third and have NAIA DI's longest active win streak, 16 games.
Talladega is 8-0 in the GCAC, and the Gold Rush are 8-1. The Tornadoes are the highest ranked opponent to visit the Rush since 2008. An XU victory would clinch a fifth consecutive 20-win season.
In the women's game, XU's Gold Nuggets (14-11, 7-2) will try to strengthen their hold on second place in the GCAC and move four victories above .500 for the first time this season. The Nuggets opened their GCAC schedule with a 67-60 victory at Talladega.
The Nuggets will wear pink accessories as part of their annual game dedicated to awareness of women's cancers.
XU faculty, staff and students will receive free admission to the doubleheader.
The games will be Xavier's last at home before the Feb. 28 Crosstown Classic against Dillard. After Talladega, the Rush and Nuggets will play three straight on the road.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICSXAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/
Nuggets defeat LSUA, a first-year NAIA program, 9-0
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| Facebook photos |
NEW ORLEANS -- LSU-Alexandria's first-year women's tennis program brought some preseason buzz Sunday to Xavier University of Louisiana, but the Gold Nuggets won every set but one in a 9-0 victory.
Xavier (3-2), ranked third in the NAIA and a national semifinalist in 2014 and 2013, won for the second straight day, this time against a team which received votes in the NAIA's preseason coaches poll and ranked 28th overall.
"LSUA may be a new program, but they had our full attention," XU coach Alan Green said.
The Gold Nuggets won 24-of-29 games to sweep the doubles, then surrendered two games or fewer in nine singles sets.
LSUA's Sara Andrade forced a third-set tiebreaker at No. 4 singles by beating Brion Flowers 6-0, but Flowers won the match by prevailing 13-11 in a super-tiebreaker. Flowers won the first set 6-3.
Flowers, Nour Abbes, Caroline Vernet, Carmen Nelson and Sha'Nel Bruins won in doubles and singles. Abbes, the NAIA's No. 1 singles player, beat Liz Arens 6-0, 6-0. Bruins clinched the dual with a 6-2, 6-2 decision against Betsabe Vasquez.
Abbes and Nelson, the NAIA's No. 7 doubles team, beat Arens and Sabina Mardarenko 8-1. Nelson's and Jana van der Walt's singles victories included 6-0 first sets.
The Generals, who won Saturday at Loyola, are 1-1.
"We had a good weekend," said Green, whose women won 5-0 at home Saturday against Belhaven. "The team is getting healthier. We are starting to figure out some things with the lineup. We're just trying to keep working hard and make good decisions. Overall we are headed in a good direction."
The Gold Nuggets' next dual will start at 4:30 p.m. We
dnesday at NCAA Division I's Louisiana-Lafayette. The Gold Nuggets and Gold Nuggets will play host to William Carey at 11 a.m. Saturday.
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| Results |
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICSXAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/
from THE EDITOR: It Was Good for My Dear Father
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| DWIGHT FLOYD THE EDITOR http://sportsedit.org/?p=1849 |
Willer was blessed to have others in his corner from childhood forward. As he told the story his teacher went out into the field and asked his father if Willer could go to school full time and skip tending to the family farm. Willer was a little guy and his younger brother, K.P., who would grow to be much bigger than him, told their dad that in exchange he’d skip school and carry my father’s load. It was a tremendous sacrifice by K.P., but truth is even without a primary education the younger brother was able to own and run a successful automobile towing and mechanics business.
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TSU Tigers Defeat Memphis For First Win
Taylor Green (1-0), in her first outing as a Tiger, earned the win allowing one unearned run on seven hits and a walk. Memphis left runners on base each inning until the seventh, when Green and the Tigers clinched the game by sitting UM down in order.
The offensive support came early as Courtney Gearlds led off the game with a walk and proceeded to steal second. The sophomore would score two batters later as Kailey Richard drove a ball through the right side of the infield.
In the second inning, the Tigers added to its 1-0 lead by taking advantage of a Memphis error. With Lindsey Burgess on second, Tayler Shimizu ripped a single up the middle to chase home Burgess. Shimizu would take second on the throw, setting up a run-producing single by Savannah Womack, giving TSU a 3-0 lead after two.
Shimizu would strike again in the third with an RBI single, plating Joselynn Yates, who led off the inning with a single to center. The 4-0 lead would hold up until Memphis scratched a run in the bottom of the fifth, creating the final score.
The Tigers will travel to Huntsville for a double header at Alabama A&M on Friday, Feb. 13. Follow tsutigers.com for full coverage.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
At college football's lowest rung, games are matter of faith and creative financing
All games aren't equal: The 2015 Faith Colleges Schedule show two SWAC programs under contract for the 2015 football season.
- Oct 3, 2015: Prairie View A&M host University of Faith at Waller, Texas, Waller ISD Stadium
- Oct. 31, 2015: Texas Southern host College of Faith at BBVA Compass Stadium (Homecoming)
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida -- Earlier this fall, someone posted a question on reddit.com: Are there two fake schools operating on the periphery of college football? One was called the College of Faith, in Charlotte, N.C., and the other was called the University of Faith, here in St. Petersburg.
The websites looked hastily made. The teams were losing lopsided games. How could just-opened, online-only institutions be participating in intercollegiate athletics?
Sometimes it's hard to discern what's real when tethered to a computer.
Not quite a month later, though, on an evening in Lakeland, in front of a few thousand ticket buyers at Southeastern University's Victory Field, the host team called the Fire received the opening kickoff from its opponents from the University of Faith.
Up in the press box, rosters listed the names of 56 Faith players, and corresponding positions, heights, weights and hometowns, all but four in Florida, most of them around Tampa Bay. There were no class years.
Down on the new AstroTurf field, the Faith players wore gray uniforms with green helmets that said UFaith on the back and jerseys with "GLORY EAGLES" on the front.
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