Jackson State quarterback enjoys Manning camp experience

THIBODAUX, Louisiana  -- Jackson State quarterback LaMontiez Ivy could be one of the most important players in Southwestern Athletic Conference football this season.

Ivy, who was among the nation's best college quarterbacks last season, served as camp counselor at last weekend's 20th anniversary of the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

It was an experience, Ivy said, that he will never forget.

"The experience at the Manning camp has been fun," Ivy said. "We been coming out here playing and interacting with these kids trying to make them better as well as make their visit better. These are a great group of guys that have the same goal to reach the NFL. But the kids are even better just so energetic and eager to learn. It's an honor to be invited and selected among all the quarterbacks in the country."

Ivy said he was able to learn a lot from the Mannings — Archie, Cooper, Peyton and Eli.

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PVAMU bowler Destiny Vélez crowned Miss Puerto Rico 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  – Prairie View A&M University bowler, Destiny Velez, was named Miss Puerto Rico 2015 Saturday, July 11th in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Velez becomes the first student-athlete in Southwestern Athletic Conference history to compete for a Miss America title.

The freshman from Hurst, Texas, entered PVAMU with 13 years of competitive bowling experience. During her first collegiate bowling season, Velez bowled a career-high game of 206 during the SWAC Round Up.

The Panthers went on to win their third consecutive SWAC championship. With a 2015 regular season record of 18-6, the Panthers grabbed a second place conference standing.

"Miss America represents the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type which the American Girl might well emulate." Those words were spoken by Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Frederick Hickman more than 75 years ago, and they still ring true today. Miss America is a role model to young and old alike and a spokesperson, using her title to educate millions of Americans on an issue of importance to herself and society at large.

Today, Miss America travels approximately 20,000 miles a month, changing her location every 18 to 36 hours. She tours the nation reaching out to support her ideals, committed to helping others. Miss America is more than just a title. She is a woman who reflects a tradition of style, sophistication and service.

Preliminary nights for the Miss America 2016 competition will be September 8th through September 10th. The final competition wOill air Sunday, September 13 at 8 p.m. CST, live on ABC. For more information, visit missamerica.org.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

JSU’s five most important players on offense

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State offense ranked eighth in both scoring and total offense in 2014.

But there were times, such as a three-game stretch when the offense couldn’t score more than 15 points against Alabama A&M, Alabama State or Texas Southern, when it seemed like the unit would never find a way into the end zone.

However, it followed that up by winning a 34-31 shootout against Alcorn State, the most potent offense in the SWAC and second-highest scoring offense in the FCS.

In order to find some consistency this season, JSU will have to lean on these five important offensive players.

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Florida A&M Baseball Reaping Benefits of Success

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Jamey Shouppe wrapped up his second season at the helm of the Florida A&M baseball program this season, and what a season it was.

Shouppe's Rattlers won the MEAC Championship, the program's first since 1994, and made their first ever NCAA Regional Appearance. That success, obviously a crucial point when it comes to recruiting.

Shouppe said while he still makes phone calls to recruits, for the first time, recruits are now making phone calls to him.

"We don't have to spend the first thirty minutes in a conversation, at least in the state of Florida, explaining who FAMU is," he laughed. "We kind of have got back on the map a little bit in terms of baseball. The thing for us is, we can't be satisfied as a coaching staff, and we're not, because we still feel like, you know, the baseball at FAMU is a snap shot of FAMU overall. We're getting better, but we still have a long way to go, as a baseball program and as a University."

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Mike Smith named AAMU Bulldogs assistant basketball coach

MIKE SMITH
ASSISTANT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
AAMU BULLDOGS 

NORMAL, Alabama  -- Matthew "Mike" Smith has joined Alabama A&M as assistant men's basketball coach.

Smith, who was head coach at Lawson State and named Alabama Community College Conference North Division Coach of the Year in 2014, will coach the post players as well as recruiting for the Bulldogs, said A&M men's basketball Head Coach Willie Hayes.

"We needed someone to work with the low post guys and recruiting," said Hayes.

Smith, who played collegiately and graduated from the University of New Orleans, also coached at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mississippi Valley State, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State, Centenary College and Southeastern Louisiana.

"I've known Mike for a while," Hayes said. "He won a championship at Valley and has (played professionally) overseas."

A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Smith received his master's from William Carey University and was selected to participate in the Black Coaches Association/NCAA Achieving Coaching Excellence Program in 2011.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former FAMU coach listed on 2016 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

COACH RUDY HUBBARD

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- If Rudy Hubbard was a little less proactive, he probably never would have had an opportunity to coach at Florida A&M.

Hubbard had applied for the job before the 1974 season, and was never called for an interview. He waited, and then decided to take some initiative to call the Rattlers and ask, "What about me?"

He traveled from Ohio, where he worked as the first black assistant coach on Ohio State's staff under head coach Woody Hayes, and met with a board meant to decide FAMU's next football coach. He asked for a blackboard — there wasn't one in the room — and didn't sit down while giving a presentation.

Hubbard, now 69 years old, said 15 minutes after his presentation was over, and after all other candidates had been interviewed the previous week, he was hired.

"FAMU gave me the opportunity to be a head coach," he said, adding during his presentation, he drew on interview skills he learned from Woody Hayes.

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LaShaunda Jones returns to The Hill to head track, cross country programs

LaShaunda Jones

NORMAL, Alabama -- LaShaunda Jones, Alabama A&M's first Southwestern Athletic Conference track champion, is returning to The Hill to head the Bulldogs' cross country and track and field programs, Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks announced.

Jones has been an assistant coach with the Alabama State men's and women's track and field teams for the past 11 seasons, including the 2015 SWAC champion women's team.

After graduating from A&M in 2001, she was a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs from 2001-02 and an assistant coach from 2002-05. Jones also has master's degrees from A&M and Alabama State.

"Coach Jones brings a wealth of experience as a coach and student-athlete," Hicks said. "She succeeded in the classroom and on the track at Alabama A&M and as a coach.

"Her enthusiasm and of track and field will only enhance our ability to return the track program to the heights it had once achieved."

Jones, an honor student, was the team captain in 2001 and won the SWAC 60-meter indoor championship. She was also named Huntsville Athlete of the Year.

"I'm grateful to Mr. Hicks and (Alabama A&M President) Dr. (Andrew) Hugine for giving me the opportunity to come back home and build the program," Jones said. "I also thank my family and friends for their support while a student-athlete and during my career."

At Alabama State, Jones was a part of 17 SWAC championships and has coached a SWAC MVP. She has also coached numerous Hornet record holders, SWAC indoor and outdoor individual champions and NCAA regional and national qualifiers, along with nationally ranked athletes and relay teams.

"I'm very excited about the future," Jones said. "I'm excited to see the group of student-athletes we have at Alabama A&M.

"I'm ready to get started."

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jaguars DE Ryan Davis (B-CU)) looking for more this season

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Many inside the Jaguars’ locker room already consider defensive end Ryan Davis a success story, aware of his rise from undrafted free agent to NFL regular.

Davis isn’t one of them — yet.

Three years after entering the league from Bethune-Cookman with concerns about what position he would play, Davis is working to improve upon a better-than-expected 2014 season, in which he had
6 1/2 sacks.

“I think there is still a lot more to be written, if you ask me,” Davis said. “In no way, shape or form am I complacent with where I’m at or what I was able to do in the past.”

The biggest knock on Davis when he was signed by the Jaguars after the 2012 draft was his tweener size — at 260 pounds, he was deemed too big to play outside linebacker, but there was also a question of whether he was too small to play defensive end.


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In the FCS Huddle: Offensive POY Watch List highly decorated

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Everywhere you look, there is abundant offensive talent across FCS college football.

And it's usually found settling into an opponent's end zone.

The 2015 season won't be easy on defensive coordinators as nine of the 13 FCS conferences return their offensive player of the year and 12 players who were finalists for national player of the year honors last season are back. They were among the 22 players nominated Monday to the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List, including one from each FCS conference.

The returning finalists included 2014 national player of the year John Robertson of Villanova. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound senior quarterback hopes to build on - if it's possible - a season in which he passed for 35 touchdowns against only three interceptions and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the third straight season while adding another 11 touchdowns.

A concussion kept Robertson on the sideline last December when Villanova was knocked out of the FCS playoff quarterfinals, so he will return this season with some unfinished business on his checklist.  But there are numerous All-American, all-conference, and, well, all-everything to-their-team type of players returning this season. Other 2014 finalists named to the preseason watch list were quarterbacks Jacob Huesman of Chattanooga, Vad Lee of James Madison, Dakota Prukop of Montana State and Alex Ross of Coastal Carolina.  Also returning were running backs Marshaun Coprich of Illinois State, Khairi Dickson of Saint Francis, Chase Edmonds of Fordham, Connor Kacsor of Dayton, Dy'Shawn Mobley of Eastern Kentucky and Herb Walker Jr. of Morgan State, as well as Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

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An uneasy truce as FAMU Board of Trustees mulls concerns about president's leadership style

Elmira Mangum, Ph.D.
President
Florida A&M University

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University is on the upswing in many ways: Audits are clean, accreditation appears on solid footing, the marching band has returned without incident after a hazing scandal, and freshmen attending orientation are proudly wearing orange “Class of 2019” T-shirts.

Most incoming students, though, probably are oblivious to problems inside Lee Hall, an iconic building that houses the offices of President Elmira Mangum and university administrators.

Mangum has been on the job a little over a year, but questionable decision-making and a lack of political finesse have strained her relationship with some faculty, FAMU supporters and, most important, the FAMU Board of Trustees. The 13 trustees are preparing Mangum’s first evaluation and, if things don’t improve to their satisfaction, they have the authority to fire her.

Mangum is expected to receive low marks regarding her leadership style, communication and engagement with stakeholder groups when trustees meet July 21.

Among her perceived missteps
:

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Melendez Selected To USA Baseball 17U National Team Coaching Staff

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez has been selected to the coaching staff of the USA Baseball 17-and-under National Team Development Program.

The USA Baseball 17U National Team Development Program will be held August 16-21 in Orange, Calif. The National Team Development Program offers identified athletes with an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball to better prepare for a future national team experience. A total of 40 players are scheduled to participate.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to mentor and work with many talented young players during this training," Melendez said. "Wearing the red, white and blue uniform will be very exciting for me."

In four seasons as Hornets' head coach, Melendez has led ASU baseball to three consecutive 30-win seasons, a program first. In leading the program to back-to-back SWAC Eastern Division crowns in 2014 and 2015, Melendez' Hornets were crowned Black blackcollegenines.com this past season. His 119 wins are the highest four-year total in ASU baseball history. Milestones continue to be set yearly, as 2014's 37-win total was the most in program history for the second straight year after 32 victories in 2013. It's the first time ASU baseball has posted four straight 20-win seasons.
College National Champions by

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Former Delaware State Hornets Keep NBA Dreams Alive

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

DOVER, Delaware -- Former Delaware State standouts Kendall Gray (Dover, Del.) and Amere May (So. Haven, Mich.) have taken the first step in their pursuit of National Basketball Association careers.

Gray is currently competing with the Detroit Pistons NBA Summer League team, while May is a member of the Chicago Bulls summer squad. Each is hoping to make a good enough impression during the summer stint to earn a NBA training camp invitation this coming season.

The former Hornet greats drew the attention of NBA teams after eye-popping senior seasons to help lead DSU to the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship game.

Gray was selected as the 2014-15 MEAC Player-of-the-Year and Defensive Player-of-the-Year, joining current NBA standout Kyle O’Quinn (Norfolk State) as the only MEAC players to achieve the feat.

Gray was tops in the MEAC and tied for first among NCAA Division I players in rebounding at 11.8 per game last season. He also led the league and ranked 15th in the nation in blocks at 2.8 per contest.

The national spotlight shined on Gray when he became the first player in recorded NCAA Division I history to reach 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game. He scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 30 rebounds in the Hornets’ 104-92 victory at Coppin State on Mar. 5.

Gray is Delaware State’s career leader with 305 blocks. He also holds the top three records for blocks in a single season.

May was also a 2014-15 All-MEAC First Team selection. He led the league and ranked fifth among all Div. I players in scoring at 21.0 points per game last season. He tallied 671 points during his senior year, the third-best single season mark in team history.

May also made national headlines with a 48-point performance at St. Francis on Dec. 17, the second highest total in school history and tops in Div. I last season.

He scored 40 points vs. Coppin State on March 5, and poured in 32 in the Hornets’ upset of Wake Forest on Nov. 28.

Emanual Davis (1988-91) in the only Delaware State player to compete in the NBA, logging six seasons between the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and Seattle Sonics.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION    

PVAMU To Host 3rd Annual Labor Day Classic Golf Shootout

PVAMU Shootout To Be Held At Cypress Lakes Golf Course, Deadline To Register Is August 21

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University Department of Athletics is proud to announce the 3rd annual Labor Day Classic Golf Shootout & Meet & Greet at Cypress Lakes Golf Club in Cypress, Texas on Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 a.m.

The shootout is open to the public as golfers can register as an individual or team (foursomes). The cost to play is $80 per person or $320 per team and includes green fees, goody bag, breakfast and lunch. The deadline to register for the annual event will be Friday, August 21.

REGISTRATION LINK

Immediately following the event, a meet and greet with Prairie View A&M head coaches and administrative staff will be held inside the clubhouse. The public is invited to interact with the coaching staff and administrators as they'll outline their plans for the upcoming 2015-16 campaign.

For more information or to inquire about hole sponsorship opportunities, contact the PVAMU Department of Athletics at (936) 261-9100. Cypress Lakes Golf Club is located on the northwest side of Houston at 18700 Cypresswood Drive in Cypress, Texas.

The 31st annual Labor Day Classic will be played on Saturday, Sept. 5 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Chicago State Men’s Basketball to Participate in Second Annual Emerald Coast Classic

Tracy Dildy
 Head Coach (5th season)
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Chicago State University men's basketball head coach Tracy Dildy announced today that the Green and White will participate in the second-annual Emerald Coast Classic, presented by Global Sports.

Third round and championship round games will be played at The Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida, on Thanksgiving weekend.

Joining the Cougars in the tournament field are Alabama State, Chattanooga, Illinois, Iowa State, Jacksonville State, UAB and Virginia Tech.

"Playing in the Emerald Coast Classic gives our student-athletes another chance to compete against some teams that play at the highest level of college basketball," stated Dildy. "This will help prepare us for conference play and it also continues to help improve the prestige of the CSU men's basketball program moving forward."

Chicago State starts the classic on the road with games at Iowa State on Nov. 16th and against Illinois in downstate Springfield on Nov. 23rd.

"Playing at Iowa State and Illinois (in the classic) will give these young men a great college basketball experience," Dildy added.

Following those games, CSU then takes on Jacksonville State at The Arena on Nov. 27th before closing the classic on Nov. 28th against Chattanooga or Alabama State.

The Cougars, who welcome back six letterwinners from last season's squad, will announce the release of their full 2015-16 schedule in the coming weeks.

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Harris-Stowe State University Department of Athletics Signs with Adidas

ST. LOUIS, Missouri -- Harris-Stowe State University is pleased to announce that the Harris-Stowe State University Department of Athletics and Adidas will partner for the next three years under the leadership of the Director of Athletics Jamaal Mayo. With the agreement beginning fall 2015, Adidas will then be the official uniform and apparel provider of Harris-Stowe State University Athletic gear.

This agreement includes new uniforms, apparel, footwear and accessories and will be provided through the partnership Adidas has with Winning Streak Sports of Belleville, Illinois.

Adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to make all athletes better. Adidas is the official uniform, footwear and apparel provider for more than 100 collegiate programs including Miami, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Indiana, N.C. State, Mississippi State, Michigan, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisville, UCLA, Wisconsin and now Harris-Stowe State University.

"I couldn't be more excited for our student-athletes and Harris-Stowe State University Athletics", said Director of Athletics, Jamaal Mayo. "We appreciate the willingness of Adidas to partner with us and their commitment to Hornet Athletics."

The Department of Athletics is extremely focused on enhancing the collegiate experience for all Harris-Stowe State University students and student-athletes through partnerships such as the one developed with Adidas.

COURTESY HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier's Abbes selected HBCU Female Athlete of the Year

HAMPTON, Virginia — Nour Abbes picked up honor Friday when the Xavier University of Louisiana tennis standout was named HBCU Female Athlete of the Year.
    
The two-time NAIA All-American was honored at a banquet at Hampton University.
    
Abbes, a sophomore from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, won over two other finalists, Vendula Strakova (volleyball) of Hampton and Tia-Adana Belle (track and field) of Saint Augustine's.
    
Abbes was a finalist for the second consecutive year.
    
Abbes was 29-4 in singles and 21-9 in doubles in 2014-15. She was the NAIA singles champion at the ITA Small College Championships and "Super Bowl" runner-up, and she was the singles champion at the HBCU National Championships. She was No. 2 in the final ITA/NAIA singles rankings.
    
This is the second time in three years that Xavier has the HBCU Female Athlete of the Year. SiMon Franklin (basketball, track and field) won the award in 2013.
    
Xavier also produced finalists for Female Coach of the Year — volleyball's Hannah Lawing — and for National Alumni Association of the Year.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/

 

Lane Dragons Football Announce Change of Date with Miles

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Head Football Coach Derrick Burroughs confirmed the change in the upcoming football schedule. The game with Miles College was originally scheduled for a Thursday Night on October 22, has now been rescheduled for Saturday Night October 24 in Fairfield, AL. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 PM.

LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Home / Away	Conference Game	Time

9/5/2015 2:00 PM Concordia College-Selma Selma, Ala A 2:00 PM  
9/12/2015 6:00 PM Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA A 6:00 PM  
9/19/2015 4:00 PM Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL A 4:00 PM  
9/26/2015 2:00 PM Tuskegee University Jackson, Tenn. H * 2:00 PM
10/3/2015 1:00 PM Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL A * 1:00 PM
Augusta Classic 
10/10/2015 2:00 PM Benedict College Augusta, Ga. N 2:00 PM 
Homecoming
10/17/2015 2:00 PM Central State University Jackson, Tenn. H * 2:00 PM
10/24/2015 6:00 PM Miles College Fairfield, AL A * 6:00 PM 
10/31/2015 2:00 PM Kentucky State University Jackson, Tenn. H * 2:00 PM
11/7/2015 2:00 PM Morehouse College Atlanta, GA A 2:00 PM

Home Games are in bold

Neutral Site Games are in italics

* denotes a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest

COURTESY LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Bluefield State Blues Terry Brown Retiring as Athletic Director

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia -- Terry Brown, the Athletic Director of Bluefield State College is retiring. During his tenure at BSC, Brown has been the athletic director for 27 years and coached the Men's Basketball team for 22 years as well as tennis and golf.

Brown is a Bluefield State alumnus and former men's basketball player. He is a native of Coaldale Mountain and a member of the Bramwell High School Millionaires State Championship team of 1971. "I went to Concord College for one day. Once I got there I felt so out of place and uncomfortable, so I went home." Brown said. "I'm at home and the next day I get a phone call and later a visit from Tony Mandeville. He said 'I hear you've dropped out of school and we'd love to have you at Bluefield State.'

Brown played his freshman and sophomore years for Mandeville and his final two years for John Quintier. Following graduation he joined Quintier's coaching staff. In 1980 Brown was named head basketball coach, a position he held until 2002. In 1987, Brown succeeded Barry Blizzard as athletic director.

Thirty-one of the 43 years Brown spent at BSC he was affiliated with the men's basketball team as either a player or coach. His 1996 Big Blues squad won the WVIAC Tournament championship. He praised the many assistant coaches he had over the years, including Charlie Maynard, Jack Lawson, Chuck Lambert and Jeff Stone. Also key were game-day workers such as Mike Proffitt and Rick Baker. Terry Sarver has operated the clock at games for more than 35 years.

"I've had the opportunity to play around the world," Brown said. "I've coached in South America, Australia, and it's all because of my affiliation with Bluefield State."

"It was a fantastic run," Brown said. Over the years, athletics at Bluefield State has evolved from 3 sports teams when Brown was a student to 10 sports teams currently. "I've had a great experience dealing with faculty and staff over the years, " Brown said. "The administration that we currently have, it's really hard to leave them. They have been super supportive."

Brown has worked with 11 presidents, interim and permanent, during his years at Bluefield State. He praised the work and efforts of current BSC President, Dr. Marsha Krotseng.

Asked what he was going to miss most, Brown said, "I'm going to miss the kids." "It's going to be very difficult to adjust, I'm sure; my three children are grown and all of them are former Bluefield State students. I am now a grandpa, " Brown said. " I'm going to miss the people I have been in contact with over the years.

Brown's retirement is effective immediately, but he will remain in the position at the request of Dr. Krotseng during the transition phase to a new athletic director.

Information from Bob Redd at Bluefield Daily Telegraph and Terry Brown
COURTESY BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Norfolk State Hoops to Compete in Sun Bowl Invitational

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State men's basketball program will take part in this year's WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, the Sun Bowl Association and WestStar Bank announced on Thursday afternoon. The tournament will be played Dec. 21-22 at the Don Haskins Center on the campus of UTEP in El Paso, Texas.

NSU will join UC Irvine, Sam Houston State and the host Miners among the field of four. NSU will face UTEP at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21, while UC Irvine and Sam Houston State will play in the earlier game. The consolation and championship games will be played at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively, on Dec. 22.

This year will mark the 54th year of the tournament. The Spartans will make their second appearance after competing in the invitational during the 2009-10 season.

UC Irvine advanced to the NCAA tournament last year after winning the Big West Conference tournament. Sam Houston State won 26 games and, like NSU, played in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. UTEP competed in the NIT after placing second in the regular season Conference USA standings. All four programs in this year's Sun Bowl Invitational won 20 or more games last year and have averaged at least 20 wins the last three years.

The tournament is the second of the upcoming season that NSU has announced already. The Spartans will also compete in the Paradise Jam from Nov. 20-23 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, their third appearance at the tournament.

The full 2015-16 NSU basketball schedule is expected to be released within the next week or two.

Mike Bello, Asst. SID
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

ECSU Athletics to host Golf Tourney July 17th at the Pines

Proceeds to Support Viking Golf Program

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- The 2015 Athletic Department Golf Tournament will take place Friday, July 17th at The Pines at Elizabeth City.

The purpose of this event is to provide our alumni and friends an opportunity to support ECSU’s golf program.

The inaugural year (2014) paid off immediately as our Viking golf team finished third overall at this year’s CIAA Championship and two of our student-athletes went on to compete at the 2015 PGA Minority Golf Championship this past May in Port St. Lucie, Florida. We would like to keep that momentum going and simultaneously offer our area and visiting golfers an exceptional day of fun on the fairway.

For more information and a registration form click here .

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Chicago State Tennis Hosts Fourth-Annual Green and White Classic on July 24-26

2015 CSU Green and White Tennis Classic Application

CHICAGO, Illinois -- The Chicago State University tennis program is hosting the fourth-annual Green and White Tennis Classic on July 24-26, 2015 at the CSU Tennis Courts.

The tournament is open to all players and the proceeds from the event will benefit both CSU tennis programs.

Cost for competing in the classic is $25 for singles players and $40 for doubles teams. The USTA Tournament ID number is.

"The tournament is always well supported by the tennis community. They always have a good time in socializing and competition. They understand that it is going toward a great cause in our student-athletes so all the support is awesome!!!," Barton said.

For more information on the classic, please call Coach Barton at (773) 821-4959.

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Dynamic duo to represent Coppin State at Pan-Am Games

(L) DEANDRA DANIELS AND (R) CHRISTINA EPPS
COURTESY: COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Coppin State University will be well-represented at the prestigious XVII Pan-Am Games competition in Toronto later this month as senior high jumper Deandra Daniel along with triple jumper Christina Epps, a 2014 graduate, will compete against the world's best.

Epps, the current reigning USATF triple jump national champion and native of Morristown (N.J.), will represent the United States when she competes on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. With a personal best mark of 14.09 meters, Epps is the best triple jumper in the United States.

Meanwhile, Daniel, a six-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) high jump champion, will compete for her native country of Trinidad & Tobago. Daniel takes center stage on Wednesday, July 22 at 10:05 a.m.

Epps and Daniel are using this event as a tune-up for the World Championship Games in Beijing, China next month.

"It's exciting and a blessing to have two Coppin State student-athletes participating at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto," said Coppin State head women's track and field coach Alecia Shields-Gadson. "It's a tremendous honor for these Eagles to represent their respective countries at this prestigious international competition."

Earlier this year, Epps won the triple jump at the Penn Relays and the Morgan State Legacy Meet.

Epps was named the 2014 MEAC Woman of the Year and one of the 30 finalists for the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. During her star-studded career, Epps earned NCAA Indoor All-America honors, was a 12-time All-MEAC student-athlete and a six-time triple jump champion in the conference. She is the current Coppin State triple jump record holder. Her school standard is 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches).

Epps was selected as the Coppin State Female Presidents' Eagle Award Winner, Female Athlete of the Year and MVP in track and field for the 2013-14 season.

Daniel earned All-American honors during the indoor track and field season after placing third in the NCAA Championship meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Daniel tied her personal best and school record mark of 1.87 meters (6 feet, 1.5 inches) to claim a bronze medal in the high jump at the NCAA Championships. Daniel was named the 2015 Coppin State Female Athlete of the Year and 2015 Coppin State Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Daniel won the MEAC indoor and outdoor high jump championships. During the indoor MEAC championship meet, Daniel rewrote the record book by clearing 1.85 meters (6 feet, 0.75 inches) to erase a mark that had stood for 10 years. She ended the outdoor season by earning All-ECAC East honors and qualifying for the NCAA Division I East Region Preliminary Championships in Jacksonville (Fl.).

"Christina and Deandra have worked hard and it's great to see them be rewarded for their sacrifices and dedication to their craft," Shields-Gadson said. "I couldn't think of two better young ladies to compete on this international stage. They are great ambassadors of Coppin State and terrific role models for our youth. I have no doubt that they'll make Coppin proud in Toronto."

About the Pan American Games
Held every four years in the year before the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games are the third largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. The history of the Pan American Games dates back to 1951 when the Games were first hosted by Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 2015 Pan American Games mark the 17th celebration of the Pan American Sports Organization event. The U.S. has hosted the event twice, in Indianapolis in 1987 and Chicago in 1959.

COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Does NCAA unfairly punish sports programs at historically black colleges?

Of the 21 athletic teams that will face a postseason ban next season for failing to meet the NCAA’s academic standard during the 2013-14 season, 15 are at historically black colleges and universities.

Washington, D.C. -- When the NCAA announced scores in late May for its annual measurement of whether college athletes are adhering to minimum academic benchmarks, virtually all high-profile schools were spared. Across all institutions, Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores have improved since the measurement was first released in 2004. But another trend has persisted: the disproportionate penalization of historically black colleges and universities for failing to meet the standard.

Of the 21 athletic teams that will face a postseason ban next season for failing to meet the NCAA’s academic standard during the 2013-14 season, upon which the most recent scores are based, 15 are at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Twenty-five percent of HBCU teams had a single-year APR score below the minimum of 930 during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, compared with 6 percent of teams from non-HBCU institutions in 2012-13 and 4 percent in 2013-14, according to the NCAA’s most recent national and sport-group APR averages and trends.

Some critics of the APR see the gap more as a reflection of the disparity of resources between NCAA member schools than a measure of academic achievement. Many HBCUs face the challenge of serving their core mission of educating poor and academically underserved communities with less funding than more powerful programs to provide academic oversight geared at keeping athletes eligible.

“It really has nothing to do with the quality of education the student is getting,” said Gerald Gurney, president of the Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog, and a former associate athletics director at the University of Oklahoma. “It’s all about how well they play the game, so HBCUs and limited-resource institutions cannot manipulate the APR as big schools.”

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XU Rush sign 5 student-athletes, 2 from metro New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Wednesday the addition of five student-athletes to its men's cross country and/or track and field programs for the 2015-16 academic year. Signed to scholarships were:

• Sprinter/jumper Keairez Coleman of Harrisville, Miss., an53d Mendenhall High School.
• Sprinter Ethan Gipson of Memphis, Tenn., and Houston High School.
• Sprinter Kameron Joyner of Fort Wayne, Ind., and South Side High School.
• Distance runner Felipe Perrier of Slidell, La., and Slidell High School.
• Distance runner Darrick Williams of New Orleans and John Curtis Christian School.

All will be freshmen and will compete in track. Perrier and Williams also will compete in cross country.

Coleman triple-jumped 43 feet, 5 1/2 inches to finish fifth in Mississippi's Class 4A state championships in 2014. His best time in the 400-meter dash is 54.49 seconds. Coleman also played basketball, football, baseball and tennis at Mendenhall and was an all-district, 1,000-yard passer his junior season.

As a junior, Gipson was a member of Houston's Class AAA state-champion 400-meter relay team, and he helped the Mustangs win the Class AAA team championship. He won five times his senior season and posted career-best times of 10.89 in the 100 and 22.00 in the 200 at the sectional meet.

Joyner was all-state in Indiana as a senior after placing ninth in the 100 at state meet. His best times are 10.91 in the 100 and 22.49 in the 200. He was a two-way starter in football as a junior and senior.
Perrier competed in track and powerlifting for three years apiece at Slidell and was a three-time powerlifting regional champion in the 162-pound weight class. He has honed his distance-running skills since joining the Army ROTC nearly seven months ago.

Williams was a member of John Curtis teams which swept state titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track each of the past two seasons and won indoor and outdoor track titles in 2013. His best 3-mile time in cross country is 16:52.25.

Coleman was salutatorian of his graduating class and will major in biology at Xavier. Gipson (XU major pre-pharmacy), Joyner (psychology) and Perrier (chemistry/pre-pharmacy) made the honor roll multiple times in high school, and Williams (business finance) graduated with a 3.25 GPA.

Xavier's men won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference cross country team championships each of the past nine seasons. The Gold Rush qualified for NAIA National Championship meets in cross country (team) and outdoor track (three events) this past season. The 2015 cross country season will begin in late August.

2015-16 Xavier men's cross country and/or track and field signees

Name Events Ht. Wt. Yr.* Hometown High School (College)
Keairez Coleman Sprints, Jumps 5-10 180 Fr. Harrisville, Miss. Mendenhall
Ethan Gipson Sprints 5-10 146 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Houston
Kameron Joyner Sprints 5-7 160 Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind. South Side
Felipe Perrier Distance 5-11 162 Fr. Slidell, La. Slidell
Darrick Williams Distance 5-7 135 Fr. New Orleans, La. John Curtis Christian
* athletic classification at Xavier in 2015-16


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Marquette Men's Basketball 2015-16 Non-Conference Games #6 & #7: Jackson State & Grambling State

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin -- When you're assembling a non-conference schedule, you have to take a few things into consideration. Are there rivalry games we play every year? What multi-team event are we participating in? Do we have a home-and-home contract to honor? Do we have an inexperienced team that needs a chance to grow together? Do we have an experienced team that needs to be challenged?

All of those questions have to get answered, and the schedule you assemble has to relate to those answers. That, kids, is how you end up scheduling Jackson State and Grambling State.

I don't have a lot of rules when it comes to non-conference games, although most of that has to do with the fact that Deputy Athletic Director Mike Broeker doesn't let me pick the games. But if I was allowed to pick the games, one of my rules would be "Don't schedule teams from the SWAC." Rule #2 would definitely be "Don't schedule two teams from the SWAC." That's what we have here, though. Grambling State hasn't finished in the top 300 of the KenPom rankings since 2005, and that year they were #299 out of 330. Jackson State isn't much better, finishing below 300 on KenPom each of the past four seasons and carrying a peak KenPom era final ranking of 249 back in 2007 when they won the SWAC's auto-bid. They were slotted as a 16 seed in the tournament and got blasted by 43 points by defending champion Florida.

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