The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and HBCUAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes.
MOBILE, Alabama -- Spring Hill College received notification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that the Division II Membership Committee recommended that the college repeat candidacy year two of the membership process. The Membership Committee's decision is subject to final approval from the NCAA Division II Manage-ment Council which will meet in late July. Spring Hill College President Dr. Christopher Puto received the notification via a phone call on Thursday afternoon.
"We are absolutely committed to achieving full membership status in NCAA Division II," Puto said. "The added preparatory time will allow us to assure the highest quality ed-ucational and athletic experience for our student-athletes and we fully expect to compete at the highest level."
Spring Hill College was accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process in July 2013. The Membership Committee's decision means Spring Hill will repeat year two of the membership process during the 2015-16 academic year. Upon successful completion of year two, the college will become a provisional member of NCAA Division II during the 2016-17 academic year before potentially gaining full membership status for the 2017-18 academic year.
The decision also means that Badger athletic teams will not be eligible for NCAA post-season competition for the next two years.
"Obviously, we are disappointed in this outcome," said Athletic Director Jim Hall. "However, as an institution, we understand the Committee's rationale. All indications are that the committee's decision is based on giving the college an additional year to test all of its compliance related policies and procedures thoroughly given the fact that we have several new people in key compliance related positions. The decision is not reflective of anything we did wrong, problems with any of our teams or coaches, issues of student-athlete eligibility, or non-compliance with the rules of competition."
The college will receive official notification of the NCAA Division II Management Council's final decision regarding the Membership Committee's recommendation in late July. At that time the college will decide whether to file an appeal of the decision.
MURFREESBORO -- The Chowan University athletic department has named Melanie Chaussee Head Coach of the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams. Chaussee embarks on her first season as Head Coach of both cross country teams after serving as the Assistant Volleyball Coach during the 2015 off-season.
She noted, "I am very excited for the opportunity to coach cross country. I look forward to working with a great group of student-athletes who will strive for their individual best, yet work for team cohesiveness as well."
Chaussee competed for the Chowan University volleyball team for two seasons. She was an integral part of the team's 2014 CIAA Northern Division title and CIAA Championship. Chaussee earned All-CIAA recognition, Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team recognition and NCCSIA All-State honors her senior year while tallying 334 season kills and 61 blocks (eight solo, 53 assisted) for the Blue and White.
She graduated in December 2014 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Prior to attending Chowan, Chaussee earned an Associate's degree from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. She served as a student athletic trainer during her two years there.
The Lawrence, Kansas native currently resides in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- University of the District of Columbia Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Patricia Thomas, has announced the hiring of DeWayne Burroughs as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach. Burroughs, an Assistant Women's Basketball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at UDC since 2011, replaces Lester Butler, Jr., who was announced the new Head Men's Basketball Coach at his alma mater, Virginia Union.
"DeWayne Burroughs has solid coaching experience and has been an integral part of the women's basketball program's success every step of the way," Thomas said. "Under his leadership, I am confident our women's basketball program will continue on its current path of success."
During his four-year tenure as Butler's assistant coach, Burroughs helped the Firebirds reach three NCAA Tournaments (2012, 2014 and 2015), win the program's first East Coast Conference Tournament Championship (2014) and its first ECC Regular Season Championship (2015), as well as set school single-season records for wins (25) and consecutive wins (14). In 2014-15, the Firebirds were ranked as high as No. 18 and finished No. 22 in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll.
As recruiting coordinator, Burroughs brought in three All-ECC performers: Denikka Brent, Telisha Turner and Tajruba Baldwin-Kollore. Brent was an ECC All-Rookie Team selection in 2012, a two-time First Team All-ECC performer in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the 2014-15 ECC Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team Daktronics All-East Region selection. Turner was a First Team All-ECC performer in 2013-14 and a Second Team All-ECC selection in 2014-15. She was also the ECC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2014. Baldwin-Kollore (Criminal Justice – Newport News, VA/Denbigh HS), who is one of nine returning student-athletes from last year's record-setting squad, was an All-ECC Honorable Mention selection last season.
Burroughs' previous college coaching stops were Chesapeake College and Bowie State University. While at Bowie State, Burroughs served as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator. He helped guide BSU to two 9th-place Atlantic Region rankings, two Eastern Division titles and two CIAA Finals appearances. Burroughs also recruited two CIAA defensive players of the year, three CIAA All-Rookie team selections and several players that went on to earn CIAA All-Conference honors.
Before advancing to the college level, Burroughs served as head coach at Woodlawn High School, St. Paul School for Girls, and Northwestern High School. He compiled a high school coaching record of 143-40. While at Woodlawn High School, Burroughs won four Baltimore County Championships and three Regional Championships, and earned one State Semi-final appearance and two State Final appearances.
Burroughs also served as an AAU coach for Maryland Freeplay from 1991-2006. He produced numerous student-athletes that went on to very successful playing careers and are now coaching on the high school and collegiate levels.
"I would like to thank our Athletic Director Patricia Thomas and the entire search committee for affording me the opportunity to be the new Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of the District of Columbia," Burroughs said. "I am honored and humbled to be selected as the new coach, and I am eager to lead this program with the goal of cultivating an enjoyable and successful environment for our student-athletes."
Burroughs played baseball at his alma mater Coppin State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sports Management. He was recently inducted into the Coppin State University Hall of Fame Class of 2015. Burroughs later went on to receive his Masters Degree from Mountain State University in Organizational and Strategic Leadership.
Burroughs is married to the former Tabby Rideout (Columbia, MD) and they are the parents of three children: Kristina, Christopher and Stephanie.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTS INFORMATION
This afternoon, Howard University unveiled the highly anticipated new brand identity for its athletic department. A gathering of more than 50 Howard coaches, staff, and supporters caught a glimpse of the new logos that will represent Howard's 19 NCAA Division I sports moving forward.
The unveiling was moderated by Interim Director of Athletics Shelley Davis, with University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, head football coach Gary Harrell and head women's volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg also giving remarks about the meaning of the new logos and what being a Bison means to them personally and professionally.
"Getting a new symbol is exciting. It is the visual evidence of our Bison spirit and pride," said Davis about the new logo set. "The new logo represents a fresh opportunity for our student-athletes to rally around the values that make Howard University great."
Added President Frederick, "Athletic competition is an important part of the Howard experience, and this new logo is evidence of our commitment to excellence in sports alongside our pursuit of excellence in academics and research. The logo will provide a unique, unifying image which the entire Howard University community can share."
The complete brand identity consists of several elements:
- The primary logo will be a combination of the new "Howard Bison" word mark and the "Bison Face" mark;
- In addition, a revitalized "Charging" or "Leaping" Bison will act as secondary mark and a link to Howard's past;
- The logo set is brought to life by three distinct colors: Bison Blue, Bison Pewter and Bison Red.
The development of the new logo began in 2014, using a process that engaged all stakeholders in the Howard community. In January 2015, the University solicited input from students, faculty, staff and alumni via social media, asking, "What makes you a Bison?" using the #OurNewBison campaign. Chief Brand Strategy, the firm chosen to direct the process, incorporated those ideas in developing a set of draft designs. Then, focus groups were convened to narrow down the options. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were surveyed before a final design was selected.
Those in attendance were also treated to a sneak peek of possible team uniform designs as student-athletes Rasheeda Ansari (women's soccer), Jasmine Sasser (women's volleyball) and John Smith (football) modeled generic uniform prototypes with Howard's new branding emblazoned on them.
Over the next several months, the logo and the associated wordmarks will become integrated across the athletic department and with the assistance of the University administration, become part of the institution's marketing and promotional materials.
Below are reactions from the event and across social media regarding the new logo:
Gary Harrell, Head Football Coach
"This is our logo and we look forward to going out and representing the logo the right way. As a Howard Man, I stand behind this logo and I stand behind the brand."
Shaun Kupferberg, Head Women's Volleyball Coach
"We're entering a new phase for our athletic department and with our University, with our new president...there are a lot of great things going on and nothing quite wraps that up like a new logo."
Marc Harrison, Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
"The new logos are a step into the future and they embody a lot of Howard pride. The boldness of the Bison symbolizes the strength behind the University and the support that Howard University has around the world. I think this logo is going to send us in the right direction."
Brent Leiba, Head Women's Soccer Coach
"It represents a very exciting time, a new era and a changing of the guard for us. This logo perfectly represents what direction this program is going in. We are looking for this logo to glorify our brand well into the future."
Shana Ervin, President of Howard University Alumni Association of Greater Washington DC
"I love the new logo. I am excited about it and the alumni are excited about it as well. We hope it helps get more student-athlete alumni engaged with the program moving forward."
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- An offseason full of 27 newcomers, summer camps and workouts has Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs eager for the 2015 season opener in September.
To put Fobbs’ enthusiasm in perspective, the second-year coach used the word ‘excited’ 10 times during an eight-minute interview earlier this week.
And this was before Grambling garnered attention Friday as the preseason pick to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division.
“Summer has really, really gone well. All of our guys … they’re basically policing themselves and really getting better — lifting, running and all the things they need to do to be prepared for training camp,” Fobbs said Tuesday. “I’ve been very, very excited and pleased with just the little bit I’ve seen.”
Fobbs, who made it clear back in April he wants to win the SWAC title, is tasked with getting 27 newcomers up to speed before players report Aug. 5 for a fall camp start date of Aug. 7.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2015 SWAC Preseason Teams and predicted order of finish with five Golden Lions earning preseason honors as UAPB was predicted to finish fifth in the Western Division, voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information.
UAPB was predicted to finish fifth in the Western Division with 34 votes, whereas Grambling State was predicted to win division as they received 93 points and eight first-place votes. Southern received 91 point, followed by Prairie View (72), Texas Southern (40).
On the Eastern Side, defending SWAC Champion Alcorn State was predicted to win the East as the Braves tallied 95 points and 10 first place votes. Jackson State followed with 83 points, Alabama A&M tallied 66 points, with Alabama State (50) and Mississippi Valley state (31) closing the division's preseason rankings.
UAPB had three Golden Lions to earn First Teams All-SWAC Preseason honors in Demarcus Berry, Willie Duncan, III and Kevin Rucker and had two player to received Second Team All-SWAC honors in Brian Handley and Willie Young.
Berry, a 6-3. 250, junior defensive lineman from Alexandria, La., who led the Golden Lions in sack with 8.5. He was the team's third leading tackler with 53 total tackles and four quarterback hurries.
Duncan, a 6-0, 220 sophomore linebacker from Southfield, Mich., finished last season as the team's leading tackler with 100 (43 UA, 57 Asst.) and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Kevin Rucker, a 5-11, 195, red shirt Junior from Idabel, Okla., led the team and the conference in interceptions with five. He also finished the season as the team's fourth leading tackler with 50 total takedowns and four pass break ups.
Young, a 6-1, 180, red shirt sophomore wide receiver from New Orleans, La., last season led the Golden Lions in receiving with 727 yards on 45 receptions with nine TDs.
Handley, 5-9, 200, junior running back from Monticello, Ark., he finished last season with 820 rushing yards on 137 carries with two TDs.
UAPB will open their 2015 campaign in Orlando, Fla., against South Carolina State in the 11th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins put the other nine SWAC coaches on notice Friday.
He's coming.
At SWAC Media Day, each coach gave introductory statements on a stage at Birmingham Marriott about his team, the upcoming season and whatever else came to mind.
Jenkins closed out his comments by letting everyone know he's ready to battle.
"The 'Swarm and Sting' is on," said Jenkins in making reference to Alabama State's team theme for the 2015 season. "I can guarantee you that."
ASU was picked to finish fourth in the five-team East Division, but opposing SWAC coaches expect Jenkins to have Hornets seriously contend for a conference title, something they haven't won since 2004.
ATLANTA, Georgia -- A former NFL player's wife was kidnapped by his alleged lover and killed in a murder-suicide along an Alabama interstate Thursday, according to reports.
Sandra Barnett, who was married to former Buffalo Bills player Buster Barnett, was shot dead nearly 24 hours after being forced from her Ellenwood, Ga., home, WXIA reported.
The 49-year-old victim, identified as a middle school special needs teacher, had been heard arguing with a woman during a phone call with a co-worker moments before she vanished around noon Wednesday, AL.com reported citing a police report.
Barnett was reportedly heard saying "please don't hurt me." She also didn't seem to know the person she was arguing with.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Monte Coleman was reminded during an interview Friday that he is now the dean of Southwestern Athletic Conference football coaches.
Coleman has been at Arkansas-Pine Bluff since 2003 and has served as its head coach since 2008, making him the longest-tenured head coach in a conference that regularly sees changes among its leaders.
"That's a hard pill," said Coleman, noting that UAPB has won one SWAC title in his seven seasons. "When I came in my first year as head coach, I'm expecting to win the SWAC [the first year]."
Coleman won the conference title in 2012 -- the school's first outright conference title -- but the Golden Lions aren't expected to deliver another this season.
A poll of league coaches and sports information directors picked UAPB to finish ...
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Six Jackson State football players earned All-SWAC honors at the end of the 2014 season, and the Tigers will begin the 2015 season with the same amount of honorees as six players garnered spots on the 2015 Preseason All-SWAC team.
Offensive lineman Markus Cook, wide receiver Daniel Williams and kicker Ryan Deising were named first-team all conference, while LaMontiez Ivy was named second-team All-SWAC.
No JSU defensive players were put on the first team, but defensive end Javancy Jones was and defensive back Robert Porter were put on the second team.
Jason Perry Murray COURTESY GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BATAVIA, New York -- Jason Perry Murray recently signed a Letter of Intent to join the Fisk University Bulldogs (Nashville, Tenn.) men's basketball program beginning this fall.
The 6' 9 center from Harlem set the school record for career blocks with 117, topping the previous mark by eight. Perry Murray started in 36 out of the 49 career games he played at GCC and averaged 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Fisk is a Division I Independent and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Bulldogs are coached by Larry Glover.
Jason Perry Murray
The Murray File:
Height: 6'9"
Hometown: Harlem, NY
High School: Believe Academy
2014-2015: Recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in win against Columbus State Community College ... Had 10 points at home against St. John Fisher College (JV) ... Scored a career/season-high 18 points and had 15 rebounds and four blocks in road win at Elmira College (JV) ... Finished with 13 points in win against Cuyahoga Community College ... Collected 12 rebounds and scored 10 points to help beat the Community College of Rhode Island ... Grabbed 19 rebounds and scored nine points in win against Columbus State Community College ... Was named the Cougar Holiday Class Tournament MVP ... Just missed a triple-double, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking nine shots in win against the College of Southern Maryland ... Finished the first semester with a double-double (14 points and 13 rebounds) against Planet Athlete Academy.
2013-2014: Scored two points in first career game at Genesee in win vs. Jefferson Community College ... Made first career start and scored two points vs. St. John Fisher JV ... Collected 10 rebounds and scored eight points in win vs. Houghton College JV ... Recorded first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in road win vs. Lakeland Community College ... Grabbed eight rebounds and scored four points in win over Davis College ... Came off the bench to grab four rebounds and score two points in win vs. Community College of Rhode Island ... Collected nine rebounds and scored eight points in win over Cayuga Community College ... Scored 13 points and grabbed eight boards on the road at Niagara County Community College ... Recorded eight points and five blocks at Monroe Community College ... Played 42 minutes and scored 11 points in overtime game vs. Erie Community College ... Had 10 points and nine rebounds in win over Jamestown Community College ... Scored 13 points on 6-7 shooting and collected nine boards vs. Herkimer County Community College ... Was 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points in road win at Mercyhurst North East ... Recorded 10 points and seven rebounds at Jamestown Community College ... Scored 12 points and grabbed 10 boards in Region III Opening-round vs. Jamestown Community College ... Put together second straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in Region III Semi-finals vs. Erie Community College.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State University sophomore bowler Marcela Sánchez will represent El Salvador, her home country, in the 2015 Pan American Games. The Pan Am Games are the world’s third largest international multi-sport Games; they are only surpassed in size and scope by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games. This year’s games are held in Toronto, Canada on July 10-26. The bowling portion will begin on July 22.
Sánchez sat down with JSUTIGERS.com to discuss the upcoming competition.
Q: How does it feel to be selected to represent your country in the Pan Am games?
A: It means the world to me. Being able to represent my country El Salvador in a tournament of this magnitude, puts a lot of responsibility on me. But it is a responsibility that I’m proud to take.
Q: When did you first find out that you had been selected?
A: I bowled the tryouts two months ago and after bowling 35 games on different lane conditions I placed second.
Q: What about this opportunity most excites you?
A: I'm excited about the event in general. This is a really big tournament where I'll (face) the top bowlers of all America, including bowlers who currently are participating in professional leagues. So besides taking this challenge, it is also an honor to be competing against all these people.
Q: How do you plan on representing Jackson State while competing?
A: Unfortunately I'm not allowed to use other (apparel) than the El Salvador's official uniform at a tournament of this magnitude and formality. Everything will resume when people ask me about the changes I've had since I have improved a lot in the last year thanks to the weekly practices and Coach Boykins.
Q: What does such an accomplishment mean to you and the rest of your JSU bowling family?
A: I have participated on international tournaments before but this is a very important one so it pushes me further on my bowling career. I have no doubt it will give me more experience and maturity which I expect to sow in the JSU bowling family in the future.
Q: What does bowling 300 game during practice before such an event do for your confidence?
A: The 300 game was completely unexpected but really satisfactory. I believe it is an achievment every bowler is constantly trying to reach. I don't want to be overconfident because I know that was just a game but I showed myself what I'm capable to do.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish during the Pan Am Games?
A: My main goal is to classify individually in the first 20 positions. I'm really looking forward to win a medal in doubles with my teammate. Even though it's a really tough competition I believe I have to set myself high goals in order to obtain the best results.
COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Seven Southern Jaguars earned 2015 Preseason All Southwestern Athletic Conference honors Friday as the league unveiled its preseason teams and predicted order of finish at the 2015 SWAC Media Day held at the Birmingham Marriot.
Members of the 2015 All-SWAC teams were selected by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Fifty-one players were named to this year’s preseason teams as a result of receiving 2014 All SWAC honors. In the event that a player was named to the first team during the post season, and does not return, the second team player for that position was elevated to the first team. Players were ranked in their position based on the number of votes received.
Running back and Baton Rouge native Lenard Tillery, along with wide receiver Willie Quinn and sophomore defensive back Danny Johnson received First Team All-SWAC honors after landing a spot on last season's team. Offensive lineman Anthony Mosley, who was named to the 2013 All-SWAC second team, earned Southern's final spot on the first team.
Senior defensive lineman Gabe Echols returns to the 2015 All-SWAC second team and is joined by newcomers center Terrell Lee and safety and Evangel Christian product Dionte McDuffy. Quinn earned a spot on the All-SWAC second team as a return specialist for the second consecutive year.
After earning First Team All SWAC and being named conference player of the year at the end of last season, Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs was voted on as the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. For the second straight year, Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry was tabbed as SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Gibbs led the Braves to an eastern division title and the team’s first berth to the conference championship game. He completed 169-of-294 passes for a total of 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gibbs also ran for a career-high 1,006 yards on the ground and another 12 scores last season.
Gibbs, a Houston, Texas native, is joined on the preseason first-team offense with running back Johnta’ Hebert (Praire View), wide receivers Daniel Williams (Jackson State), tight end Jordan Payne (Alcorn State), along with offensive linemen Marcus Cook (Jackson State), Damian Love (Alabama State), Glen Haisley (Prairie View) and Jylan Ware (Alabama State).
Berry led the SWAC in total tackles during his first two years grabbing over 100 tackles, including a SWAC-high 128 last season. He is a two-time First Team All-SWAC performer and has been named to several pre-and post-season honors
Others to join Berry include: defensive linemen Anthony Lanier (Alabama A&M), Darien Moody (Alcorn State), Demarcus Berry (Arkansas Pine Bluff), and Devohn Reed (Prairie View), linebackers Damon Watkins (Alcorn State), Willie Duncan Arkansas Pine Bluff), with defensive backs, Damond Jackson (Prairie View), Warren Gatewood (Alcorn State) and Kevin Rucker (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) rounding out the voting.
On special teams, kicker Ryan Deising (Jackson State), punter Kory Carter (Texas Southern) and return specialist Johnta’ Hebert (Prairie View) were all tabbed as first team selections.
For the predicted order of finish in both divisions, the defending champion Alcorn State Braves totaled 95 votes including 10 first place votes to become the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Jackson State followed with 83 points, Alabama A&M gathered 66 points, with Alabama State (50) and Mississippi Valley State (31) closing the division’s preseason ranking.
In the West Division, Grambling State totaled 93 points with eight first-place votes. Southern received 91 points followed by Prairie View (72), Texas Southern (40) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (34).
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John Gibbs Jr. (QB) – Alcorn State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kourtney Berry (LB) - Alabama State
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Grambling was picked to finish last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division a year ago.
But at SWAC Media Day on Friday, the Tigers were picked first in the West.
The preseason predictions don’t mean a whole lot, but they are the latest example of how far Grambling’s football program has come in one year since coach Broderick Fobbs was hired in the wake of a disastrous 2013 season.
The Tigers went 1-11 that season while enduring two in-season coaching changes and a players boycott of one game. But last season, they and Southern both sported 7-1 conference records going into the Bayou Classic, where the Jaguars prevailed 52-45 to win the West
The preseason vote Friday was about as close as last season’s regular-season finale. Grambling received 93 points and Southern 91.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama A&M coach James Spady sarcastically thanked his athletic director for scheduling an early-season game with Cincinnati. But the Bulldogs aren’t the only school playing up this season. Southern has games at Louisiana Tech and Georgia, Alcorn State travels to Georgia Tech and Grambling goes all the way out west for a game at California, a reprise of its globetrotting ways under Eddie Robinson.
2. FROM WORST TO PREDICTED FIRST
Two years ago, Grambling’s football program was in utter disarray, from the firing of then-coach Doug Williams to players boycotting the interim coach and their dilapidated facilities. Two years later, Grambling was the choice Friday to finish first in the SWAC West by a narrow vote over two-time division champion Southern. Even for a program with as rich a history as Grambling, it’s a remarkable story.
Charlotte, North Carolina (7/14/15) – Former Johnson C. Smith University standout Danielle Williams took gold in the women's 100 meter hurdles while current athlete Tovea Jenkins placed fifth in the 400m run at competition at the World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.
Jenkins, a native of St. James, Jamaica, qualified for the finals by posting a time of 53.92 in the preliminary races. She would then run a 53.43 in the semifinals to finish in fifth place. Justine Palframan of South Africa won gold with a 51.27 with Poland's Malgorzata Holub taking silver (51.93) and China's Huizhen Yang claiming bronze (51.98).
Williams, a 2014 JCSU graduate, advanced to the finals after a time of 13.08 in the preliminary race. She would then claim the gold medal for Jamaica with a 12.78 in the finals. Joining Williams on the medal stand were Russia's Nina Morozova (12.83) with the silver medal and Australia's Michelle Jenneke (12.94) with bronze.
Williams will continue her season, competing at the IAAF World Championships on August 22-30 in Beijing, China.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2015 SWAC Preseason Teams with quarterback John Gibbs Jr. (Alcorn State), and linebacker Kourtney Berry (Alabama State) headlining the annual announcement.
It was released during the 2015 SWAC Football Media Day after ballots were completed by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Fifty-one players were named to this year’s preseason teams as a result of receiving 2014 All SWAC honors. In the event that a player was named to the first team during the post season, and does not return, the second team player for that position was elevated to the first team. Players were ranked in their position based on the number of votes received.
After earning First Team All SWAC and being named conference player of the year at the end of last season, Gibbs was voted on as the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. For the second straight year, Berry was tabbed as SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Gibbs led the Braves to an eastern division title and the team’s first berth to the conference championship game. He completed 169-of-294 passes for a total of 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gibbs also ran for a career-high 1,006 yards on the ground and another 12 scores last season.
Gibbs, a Houston, Texas native, is joined on the preseason first-team offense with running backs Lenard Tillery (Southern) and Johnta’ Hebert (Praire View), wide receivers Daniel Williams (Jackson State) and Willie Quinn (Southern), tight end Jordan Payne (Alcorn State), along with offensive linemen Marcus Cook (Jackson State), Damian Love (Alabama State), Glen Haisley (Prairie View), Anthony Mosley (Southern) and Jylan Ware (Alabama State).
Berry led the SWAC in total tackles during his first two years grabbing over 100 tackles, including a SWAC-high 128 last season. He is a two-time First Team All-SWAC performer and has been named to several pre-and post-season honors
Others to join Berry include: defensive linemen Anthony Lanier (Alabama A&M), Darien Moody (Alcorn State), Demarcus Berry (Arkansas Pine Bluff), and Devohn Reed (Prairie View), linebackers Damon Watkins (Alcorn State), Willie Duncan Arkansas Pine Bluff), with defensive backs Danny Johnson (Southern), Damond Jackson (Prairie View), Warren Gatewood (Alcorn State) and Kevin Rucker (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) rounding out the voting.
For special teams, kicker Ryan Deising (Jackson State), punter Cory Carter (Texas Southern) and return specialist Johnta’ Hebert (Prairie View) were all tabbed as first team selections.
For the predicted order of finish in both divisions, the defending champion Alcorn State Braves totaled 95 votes including 10 first place votes to become the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Jackson State followed with 83 points, Alabama A&M gathered 66 points, with Alabama State (50) and Mississippi Valley State (31) closing the division’s preseason ranking.
In the West Division, Grambling State totaled 93 points with eight first-place votes. Southern received 91 points followed by Prairie View (72), Texas Southern (40) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (34).
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John Gibbs Jr. (QB) – Alcorn State Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kourtney Berry (LB) - Alabama State
2015 Preseason All SWAC Football Team First Team All SWAC Offense
QB – John Gibbs Jr
Alcorn State
RB – Lenard Tillery
Southern
RB – Johnta’ Hebert
Prairie View
OL – Marcus Cook
Jackson State
OL - Damian Love
Alabama State
OL – Glen Haisley
Prairie View
OL - Anthony Mosley
Southern
OL – Jylan Ware
Alabama State
WR – Daniel Williams
Jackson State
WR – Willie Quinn
Southern
TE – Jordan Payne
Alcorn State
First Team All SWAC Defense
DL - Anthony Lanier
Alabama A&M
DL – Darien Moody
Alcorn State
DL – Demarcus Berry
Arkansas Pine Bluff
DL – Devohn Reed
Prairie View
LB – Damon Watkins
Alcorn State
LB – Willie Duncan
Arkansas Pine Bluff
LB – Kourtney Berry
Alabama State
DB – Danny Johnson
Southern
DB – Damond Jackson
Prairie View
DB - Warren Gatewood
Alcorn State
DB- Kevin Rucker
Arkansas Pine Bluff
SPECIAL TEAMS – FIRST TEAM
Kicker Ryan Deising –Jackson State
Punter Cory Carter – Texas Southern
Return Specialist Johnta’ Hebert -Prairie View Second Team All SWAC Offense
QB – Johnathan Williams
Grambling State
QB – La Montiez Ivy
Jackson State
RB – Brian Handley
Arkansas Pine Bluff
RB – Arron Baker
Alcorn State
OL – Sean Brown
Mississippi Valley State
OL- Terrell Lee
Southern
OL – Jordan Johnson
Prairie View
OL – Glenn Jackson
Texas Southern
OL - Courtney Brown
Alabama A&M
WR – DeMario Bell
Alabama State
WR – Willie Young
Arkansas Pine Bluff
TE – Natron Brooks
Mississippi Valley State
Second Team All SWAC Defense
DL – Javonte Williams
Grambling State
DL – Jamison Goins
Grambling State
DL – Amir Bloom
Texas Southern
DL – Gabe Echols
Southern
LB – Daerius Washington
Alabama State
LB – Henry Taylor
Grambling State
LB – Javancy Jones
Jackson State
DB – Anthony Williams Jr.
Alcorn State
DB – Robert Porter
Jackson State
DB – Dionte McDuffy
Southern
DB – Charles Moore
Mississippi Valley State
SPECIAL TEAMS – SECOND TEAM
Kicker – Haiden McCraney – Alcorn State
Punter - Haiden McCraney – Alcorn State
Return Specialist Willie Quinn – Southern 2015 Predicted Order of Finish
EAST
Alcorn State 95
Jackson State 83
Alabama A&M 66
Alabama State 50
Mississippi Valley State 31
West
Grambling State 93
Southern 91
Prairie View 72
Texas Southern 40
Arkansas Pine Bluff 34
CANTON, Ohio -- Former WVSU football standout Talir Satterfield-Rowe and his Team USA teammates will be playing for the gold Saturday night in the championship game of the International Federation of American Football World Championship being held in Canton, Ohio.
Satterfield-Rowe rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown in Wednesday night's win over France. Team USA previously defeated Japan and Mexico to earn a spot in the 7 p.m. Saturday title game which will be telecast live on ESPN 3.
Also representing the Yellow Jackets with Team USA is WVSU assistant coach Isaiah Jackson who is serving as linebackers coach during the event.
Former Boise State and Colorado Head Coach Dan Hawkins leads the team.
"It's been awesome," Jackson said. "I've learned a lot from him, not just football but organizationally."
He says running backs coach Darian Hagan, a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up, has been very happy with Satterfield-Rowe.
"He's doing a great job," Jackson said. "He's right in there alongside the other running backs."
The other three backs hail from Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Iowa State.
Most of the squad is composed of players who just graduated from college or have been out a year or two and are looking to sign a free agent deal with an NFL team or elsewhere and continue playing.
"There's a few guys that are a little older," Jackson said. "It's unbelievable the talent here."
This is the second time he has worked with the international game. Jackson spent a couple of weeks in France two years ago coahing the national team's defensive line.
Working with Coach Hawkins and tthe rest of the staff was easier than usual this time around.
"Our whole defensive staff is made up of guys I either coached or coached with," Jackson said, at Sioux Falls.
The Team USA defense has allowed just 24 points in three games.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The intimacy of SWAC Media Day does not allow for distance to smooth out any awkwardness, which is why Jackson State's Harold Jackson and Mississippi Valley State's Rick Comegy spent 35 minutes Friday sitting next to each other on a stage inside a Marriott banquet room.
Their respective schools' tables were also placed caddy-corner to each other, which meant the two could have watched the other talk about the Tigers and Delta Devils all morning long. They were fine, shaking hands and appearing to be at least cordial. But it's still a bit odd since we're only into Year 2 of this weirdness, in which Jackson State fired Comegy, hired Jackson and then watched as the perennially-struggling Valley program brought Comegy to Itta Bena.
It was a heck of a hire: Comegy had a 55-35 record in eight years at Jackson State, winning four West division championships and the entire SWAC in 2007. And while MVSU won only two games in 2014, one of them was against Jackson State. Jackson said he believes JSU fans are not ...
W. FRANKLIN EVANS, Ph.D. Interim President SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Following several hours in closed session on Thursday, South Carolina State University board Chair Charlie Way announced that Dr. W. Franklin Evans is being promoted from acting president to interim president.
The board did not vote in open session but Way announced that “as of today, the board has declared that Dr. Evans is no longer acting president, but is now the interim president of South Carolina State University.”
Way said the board made the decision in closed session.
“The only thing that occurred in executive session was discussion, but the only action that was taken – that took place in the executive session – was that we as the board have nowWW decided to elevate Dr. Evans from acting president to interim president of South Carolina State University,” he said.
Bill Rogers, executive director of the S.C. Press Association, said that under the S.C. Freedom of Information Act, such decisions must be made in open session.
HEMPSTEAD, Texas — A trooper who pulled over and later arrested a woman found dead in her jail cell was put on desk duty Friday for violating procedures, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
Sandra Bland, 28, was arrested July 10, and after spending the weekend in the Waller County jail, she was found hanged in her cell Monday. Harris County's medical examiner said the death was a suicide, but Bland's family disputes the finding.
The FBI has joined the Texas Rangers in investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
In arresting Bland, the unidentified trooper "violated the department's procedures regarding traffic stops and the department's courtesy policy," state public safety officials said Friday.
Bland had been pulled over in Prairie View, Texas, and previously state public safety officials had said she became argumentative and uncooperative so she was arrested on a charge of assaulting a public servant.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama State interim athletic director Melvin Hines looked to clear the swirling air of speculation Friday about the school's football program.
At SWAC Media Day, Hines said the ASU football team is not under NCAA investigation.
"What's the date," Hines said while looking at his watch. "July 17th, 12:16 p.m., at this time, Alabama State football program is not under NCAA investigation."
Last week, the Montgomery Advertiser reported two ASU officials revealed under oath in depositions as part of former football coach Reggie Barlow's wrong termination lawsuit against ASU said the football program was under investigation for NCAA violations.
The Houston native led the Braves to an eastern division title and the team's first championship in the divisonal era. Gibbs is also joined by Tightend Jordan Payne, Defensive linemen Darien Moody, Linebacker Damon Watkins, and Defensive Back Warren Gatewood all earned spots on the 2015 SWAC Preseason first team.
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
Alcorn State added three more on the Second Team All SWAC. Running Back Arron Baker, Defensive Back Anthony William Jr., and Haiden McCraney was named to both second team punter and kicker.
ASU received 10 first place votes and a total of 95 points to become the preseason favorite of the Eastern Divison. Jackson State followed with 83 points, AAMU 66 points, Alabama State (50), MVSU (31) to close out the Eastern Division preseason rankings. In the Western Division GSU are preseason favorites, they garnered 8 first place votes and 93 points, followed by Southern (91), PVAMU (72), TSU (40), and UAPB (34).
COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- One of Milton Overton Jr.’s first moves as Florida A&M’s new athletic director will be to implement software he hopes will help get FAMU’s student-athletes on the right track.
GradesFirst, part of the nationwide Education Advisory Board, monitors the progress of student-athletes and provides updates to both professors and the athletic department. Many schools use the software to improve university-wide retention rates.
Overton said he plans to implement the system before the first day of school.
It’s the same software Florida State has used since 2011 to monitor its student-athletes, according to FSU officials.
Mario Moore, the managing director for GradesFirst, said the software first became available in 2006.
“We help the majority of Division I athletic departments with their academic services,” Moore said.
ATLANTA, Georgia - Multiple sources tell us that a former Jackson State University football player is at the center of a tragic case out of Georgia.
Sources say that the girlfriend of Buster Barnett, kidnapped his wife, shot and killed her, then committed suicide Thursday.
Barnett is originally from Macon, MS and played college football at JSU before going to the NFL and playing for the Buffalo Bills for 4 years. We're told his wife, 58-year-old Sandra Barnett, is originally from Mississippi, also.
According to NBC affiliate in Atlanta, WXIA, it all began Wednesday afternoon when neighbors of the Barnetts said they spotted a black Dodge Durango outside of the home. The neighbors became suspicious because a lock had recently been placed on the gate to the backyard after believing that someone had tampered with the latch.
