JSU Tigers Report for Fall Camp on August 5

JACKSON, Mississippi -- With the official kickoff of the 2015 football season just around the corner for Jackson State, the Tigers football team is set to report for fall camp on Wednesday, August 5. Returning players and newcomers are set to check in at noon.

The Tigers will hit the field for the first day of practice on August 6. Below is the 2015 JSU fall camp practice schedule. JSU opens the 2015 season on Saturday, September 5 when the Tigers travel to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to take on Middle Tennessee State.

2015 JSU Football Fall Training Camp Schedule
(Practices are scheduled to last approx. two hours, locations are subject to change)
(Practice sessions are scheduled to be at the T.B. Ellis Annex practice field)

Thursday, Aug. 6 – Practice (helmets), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7 – Practice (helmets), 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8 – Practice (shells), 3:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9 – Practice (shells), 3:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 10 – Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 – Practice (full pads), 3:45 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Practice 3:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 14 - Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Scrimmage, 10 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16 - Practice (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 17 - Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 - Practice, 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20 - Practice, 3:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21 - Practice 1 (full pads), 8:45 a.m., Practice 2 (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22 - Scrimmage, 10 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23 - Practice (full pads), 3:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 24 – No Practice
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – Practice, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Practice, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 27 - Practice, 3:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 28 - Practice, 3:15 p.m.

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Alexander Completes North Carolina A&T Recruiting Class

GREENSBORO, North Carolina --  North Carolina A&T men’s basketball coach announced the completion of his recruiting class Tuesday. Aggie fans will be introduced to four new players next season including two Division I graduate transfers, a junior college transfer and one true freshman.

The Aggies class includes Ede Egharevba (6-6, 210, Queens, N.Y., Albany University), Joshea Singleton (6-4, 211, Kinston, N.C., Bucknell University), Mike Owona (6-9, 250, Bel Air, Md., Northwest Kansas Technical College) and Deion James (6-8, 205, Tucson, Ariz., Empire).

Fourth-year head coach Cy Alexander also had two players sitting out last year in Division I transfer and Greensboro Dudley High School graduate Sam Hunt (6-2, 175, Greensboro, N.C., Jacksonville University) and Jamin Lackey (6-8, 200, Los Angeles, Calif., California Community College), who missed the 2014-15 season because of a shoulder injury.

“I don’t think we ever fully recovered from losing seven seniors at one time,” said Alexander referring to the 2013 MEAC championship team that featured seven seniors.

“Two guys from the class we signed transferred, and then (Richaud) Pack transferred before last season. He was a guy we felt could score close to 20 per game for us. During our (men’s basketball) staff meetings we expressed the need to bring in guys that can help us right away because of some of the setbacks we’ve had. I think my staff did an excellent job of doing that.”

The Aggies lost Pack to the graduate transfer rule. Pack, an A&T graduate, transferred to the University of Maryland to complete his eligibility. By rule, he was allowed to play the 2014-15 season with the Terrapins after playing the 2013-14 season with the Aggies because he already had his undergraduate degree.

Instead of getting upset, Alexander decided to utilize the rule himself. The Aggies signed Egharevba and Singleton with the intention of the two graduate students starting the 2015-16 season as starters.

“Ede is a highly-intelligent young man who graduated college in three years,” said Alexander.

“We’re looking for him to be a double-digit scorer and a fierce defender because of his length on the wings. He brings a lot to the table including maturity in the locker room.”

Over a two-year period, Egharevba played in 18 games with one start for the Great Danes. He initially singed with Wichita State out of Evelyn Mack Academy (N.C.). He took a redshirt season before transferring to Midland where he averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds before transferring to Albany. He was a 2010 All-New York City performer out of Edison High School, and was the leading scorer at Mack Academy in 2011.

Singleton will team with fellow Kinstonian Denzel Keyes in 2015-16 after graduating from Bucknell. Singleton played in 46 games with 24 starts over a four-year period at Bucknell. He was the 2011 valedictorian at Kestrel Heights School in Durham, N.C. He averaged 14.6 points as a junior and 16.0 points as a senior at Kestrel Heights.

“He is a high intense and high character guy,” said Alexander. “He is going to bring a lot of energy to our team. He played in the Princeton offense, so he is also going to bring some offensive discipline with him as well.”

A&T’s lack of success over the past two seasons is due in part to a lack of physicality, according to Alexander. He hopes to solve that problem with the addition of Owona. Owona played one year each at Farleigh Dickinson and NW Kansas Tech. He played in 30 games as a freshman at FDU where he averaged 1.2 points and 2.3 rebounds as a reserve. He played in 28 games with 26 starts at NW Kansas Tech and posted 4.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

“He is a bruiser and banger with a big body,” said Alexander. “He is not a fine-tuned offensive player but an excellent rebounder. He gives us a presence and toughness in the paint, which is something we need.”

The only true freshman in the class is James. But he is talented enough to come in and play major minutes immediately. He had numerous offers from mid to high mid-majors before choosing A&T and its engineering program.

He can play small forward, power forward and shooting guard. He will likely play shooting guard to start the season. He played in 103 games for Empire and averaged 16.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. James averaged better than 20 points and averaged a double-double in each of his final two seasons in high school.

“Once he learns how hard you have to work on the collegiate level, I think he has the potential to be an outstanding player for us,” said Alexander. “He certainly has the speed and the intensity to play on this level. And when you look at the schools who were pursuing him, it tells me we signed a pretty good player.”

With the addition of three veteran players and a talented true freshman along with Hunt and Lackey entering the fold, the Aggies will have a new look in 2015-16. But not all is brand new. The Aggies also have 12 returning players, which makes them one of the deepest teams in the MEAC.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Benedict Will Host Livingstone In Palmetto Capital City Classic

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- A week-long schedule of events will lead up to the 14^th annual Palmetto Capital City Classic on Sept. 5, classic organizers announced on Tuesday.

The Palmetto Capital City Classic will feature Benedict College, in its season opener under new head coach Mike White, taking on Livingstone College from Salisbury, N.C. A game time change was also announced, as kickoff will now be at 4:30 p.m., a half hour earlier than originally planned in order to accommodate the soldiers and staff from Fort Jackson who will be attending the game.

The other big announcement was the Friday night PCCC Old School Funk Party and R&B Show at the Township Auditorium. This year's musical lineup will feature Cameo, Brick and Lakeside. Tickets for this event will go on sale Monday.

Events kick off on Monday, Aug. 31, with the Sponsors Kick-Off Reception and PCCC Alumni Mixer at the First Citizens Café & Outdoor Center on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. The Media and Sponsor Luncheon and crowning of Miss PCCC is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1. Wednesday, Sept. 2, will feature the PCCC Battle of the Drumline Show at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium starting at 5:30 p.m. This will showcase drumlines from high school bands from Columbia and surrounding areas. Thursday will have the PCCC annual Game Day Rally and Fan Celebration at EdVenture/Coble Plaza starting at 5:30 p.m. The annual PCCC Garnell McDonald Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, starting at 9 a.m. at Oak Hills Golf Club. The Old School Funk Party is Friday night at Township Auditorium, with the first band taking the stage at 8 p.m.

Saturday's pre-game festivities start at noon with the PCCC Alumni Old School Music Festival and Tailgate Party on the football practice field. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with a special halftime show featuring the Benedict College Marching Tiger Band of Distinction and the Livingstone College Marching Blue Bear Band.

Benedict is coming off a 4-6 season, but Tiger fans are optimistic that coach White will turn things around. White told media and supporters at Tuesday's press conference that the team will be young with a lot of new faces.

Livingstone went 5-5 in 2014, winning their first four games. The Blue Bears averaged 32.7 points per game and return quarterback Drew Powell and wide receiver Jalen Hendricks, who were both first-team All-CIAA selections last year. Hendricks was named the CIAA's Offensive Player of the Year after 71 receptions for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Tickets for the PCCC game are available at the Benedict College athletic office, 2317 Laurel Street.

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling's Broderick Fobbs to receive the Eddie Robinson Award

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Broderick Fobbs, the head football coach at Grambling State University, will be recognized as the 2014-15 recipient of the Eddie Robinson Award when the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame holds its annual awards banquet on Saturday, August 8 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee is sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The award is presented annually to an athlete, coach, team or athletic administrator in Louisiana who demonstrates the qualities most associated with Grambling legend Eddie Robinson: outstanding achievement in athletics, academics, sportsmanship and citizenship by maximizing the use of limited resources.

Fobbs is being honored after taking over the reins of the award's namesake's program and lifting it up from depths to which it had never fallen in history - a combined record of 2-21 during the 2012-2013 seasons. Things sunk so low that the 2013 season was most memorable due to a player revolt related to dissatisfaction with athletic facilities and travel accommodations. The week-long boycott forced cancellation of a road game against Jackson State.

CONTINUE READING

Hopson takes Alcorn to top of SWAC mountain

VICKSBURG, Mississippi -- The achievements of Jay Hopson range from being a four-time letterman and academic All-Southeastern Conference honor roll selection at Ole Miss, to being the first white head coach in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Hopson spoke to the Port City Kiwanis Club last week and reminisced on his time spent at Alcorn State. He inherited a meager football program when he took the position in 2012 and has turned it into the defending conference champion. The Braves were also picked to win the SWAC at this year’s league media day.

“I don’t know if you remember my first year at Alcorn, we were a really bad football team. Ain’t no way to put it,” Hopson said. “I know my dad came to practice and he left after 30 minutes. He said ‘God bless you son, it’s going to be a long haul.’”

The Vicksburg native coached at 10 universities including Tulane, LSU, Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Michigan before taking the Alcorn position. He’s been a part of several conference championship teams and had records ranging from 15 wins to one.

CONTINUE READING

Berry’s rise at ASU from unknown to undeniable

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- He’s here. He’s there.

Alabama State junior linebacker Kourtney Berry seems to be everywhere on the football field.

“He makes it tough on me,” said Alcorn State senior quarterback John Gibbs Jr., the 2014 SWAC co-offensive player of the year. “He makes it tough on me. I was talking to him and I said, ‘You’re on every tackle.’ I’m trying to figure out how did he get over there when he was just over here seconds ago. He’s a tough ball player.”

Berry arrived in Montgomery as a walk-on from Merrillville, Indiana, who didn’t receive a football scholarship offer from any NCAA school. Two years and 233 tackles later, Berry is the premier defender in the SWAC.



“I had to make a statement that you guys missed out on me,” Berry said. “I’ve been playing these last two years with a chip on my shoulder. I could have played, but no one actually took a chance on me except for Alabama State. I can’t thank the coaching staff from beforehand enough. They gave me an opportunity to get out on the field and be able to play on a collegiate level.”

CONTINUE READING

Brandon Reeves Named Chicago State Volleyball Head Coach

 BRANDON REEVES
HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY

CHICAGO, Illinois – Chicago State University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Denisha Hendricks announced today the hiring of Brandon Reeves as the university's new head volleyball coach.

"We're very excited to have Coach Reeves join the CSU Athletics family. We're looking forward to an exciting volleyball season coming up and are ready to welcome our team to campus in a couple of weeks," stated Hendricks.

Reeves comes to CSU after serving the last two seasons as head volleyball coach at Concordia University in Selma, Ala., where he tallied a 25-8 record last season, was ranked No. 1 in the USCAA power rankings and advanced to the Elite Eight of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament. In addition, he was also a finalist for the USCAA National Coach of the Year accolades.

Reeves also served as an assistant coach for the Concordia women's basketball team that advanced to the semifinals of the USCAA Division I Tournament last year with a 24-4 season record.

Before his stint at Concordia, Reeves spent six seasons as head coach at Rust College, an NCAA Division III institution from Holly Spring, Miss. During his tenure at Rust, the Lady Bearcats posted an 81-55 record under Reeves while advancing to the NCAA South Region Tournament in addition to producing a third-team All-American and two all-region performers.

Reeves also served as head coach of the Rust men's volleyball team, who became the first southern Historically Black College/University (HBCU) to field a collegiate men's program. The 2013 squad posted an 18-6 record and ranked 11th nationally in the NCAA D-III poll. He also coached men's and women's track & field at Rust.

 "I would like to express my appreciation to Chicago State University, Dr. Hendricks and the rest of the executive administration for the opportunity to take the helm of the Cougars volleyball program," said Reeves. "From our very first conversation, it was very clear that Dr. Hendricks and I share many core values that I believe are essential in building not only a very successful volleyball program, but a very successful athletics department."

Reeves has also gained experience coaching several clubs in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi in addition to serving as an instructor for six years at the Nike Camp hosted by the University of Mississippi.

Reeves graduated from Lane College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, where he also competed on the school's men's tennis and traveling club volleyball teams. He also obtained a Masters in Arts in Education with a concentration in Sports Administration from Tennessee State University and is currently finishing up requirements for his doctorate in Sports Management at Northcentral University.

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Morgan State Football Media/Photo Day is set for August 6



COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS


BALTIMORE, Maryland – Morgan State University will hold its Annual Media/Photo Day on Thursday, August 6 beginning at 10 a.m. at Hughes Stadium.

Photo/media day will include the taking of an official team photo, headshots, group photos of the coaches and the various support staff units, groups of player photos by position.

Head coach Lee Hull, staff and players will be available for interviews from noon to 1 p.m.

The Bears begin preseason practice from 7-9:30 p.m. as they prepare for the 2015 season opener on the road against the Air Force Falcons on September 5. The Bears home-opener at Hughes Stadium will be on September 19 against Virginia-Lynchburg.

For further information, please contact Leonard Haynes at (443) 885-3831.

Game Tickets: Season tickets for all five contests at Hughes Stadium plus are on sale now. For Morgan State football ticket information click here.

Click here for the 2015 Football Schedule

Follow Morgan State Athletics on Twitter (@MorganStBears) and Facebook (Facebook.com/MorganStateBears), in addition to www.MorganStateBears.com. The Morgan State Bears mobile application is also available for free download from the App Store and Android Market.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Big Easy Blastoff will open 2015 XU volleyball schedule

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will open its 2015 women's volleyball schedule with a six-team, two-day home tournament.
    
Third-year coach Hannah Lawing announced Monday the schedule, which consists of 24 regular-season matches, 11 at home.
    
Joining the Gold Nuggets in the Big East Blastoff Aug. 28-29 will be four NAIA members — city rival Loyola, Faulkner, Mobile and Wayland Baptist — plus NCAA Division I's Mississippi Valley State. Xavier will play all but Loyola that weekend.
    
Xavier and Mississippi Valley will meet at 9 a.m. in the first of five matches Aug. 28. The Gold Nuggets and Mobile will close the day with a 5 p.m. match.
    
Xavier will travel to Brunswick, Ga., for the Mariner Invitational the second weekend and play Bethel (Ind.), Bryan, Coastal Georgia and Martin Methodist.
    

Wayland Baptist — a second-day opponent in the Big Easy Blastoff — and Coastal Georgia were NAIA National Championship qualifiers in 2014.
      
The Gold Nuggets will be at home for their first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match, 7 p.m. Sept. 7 against Talladega. Xavier is the four-time defending GCAC regular-season and tournament champion and is 59-0 the past four seasons against GCAC opponents. Xavier is one of 12 schools to qualify for the NAIA National Championship each of the last four seasons.
    
Still undecided is the site of the GCAC Tournament Nov. 13-14. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 21.
    
Xavier will play three road matches in New Orleans: SUNO on Sept. 25 and Dillard on Nov. 9 in the GCAC and Loyola on Oct. 29. The visit to Dillard will be the Gold Nuggets' regular-season finale.
    
Xavier's final home match of the regular season will be Oct. 31 against SUNO. It will include a Senior Day ceremony for six Gold Nuggets: Darian Harris, Claudia Haywood, Jodi Hill, Franziska Pirkl, Taylor Reuther and CeCe Williams. All but Hill have been All-GCAC selections. Reuther was the 2012 GCAC Player of the Year, and Reuther (2011), Haywood (2013) and Williams were GCAC Tournament MVPs.
 
Match times and dates are subject to change.
    
Xavier was 20-6 in 2014, 14-0 in the GCAC.

Xavier University of Louisiana
2015 Women's Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 28 (Fri.):  MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, 9 a.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Aug. 28 (Fri.):  MOBILE, 5 p.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Aug. 29 (Sat.):  WAYLAND BAPTIST, 9 a.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Aug. 29 (Sat.):  FAULKNER, 3 p.m. (Big Easy Blastoff)
Sept. 4 (Fri.):  Martin Methodist, 11 a.m. EDT (Mariner Invitational, Brunswick, Ga.)
Sept. 4 (Fri.):  Bryan, 3 p.m. EDT (Mariner Invitational, Brunswick, Ga.)
Sept. 5 (Sat.):  at Coastal Georgia, 11 a.m. EDT (Mariner Invitational, Brunswick, Ga.)
Sept. 5 (Sat.):  Bethel (Ind.), 3 p.m. EDT (Mariner Invitational, Brunswick, Ga.)
Sept. 7 (Mon.):  •  TALLADEGA, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 (Fri.)  •  at Edward Waters, 6 p.m. EDT
Sept. 19 (Sat.):  •  TOUGALOO, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 (Tue.):  •  DILLARD, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 (Fri.)  •  at SUNO, 6 p.m.
Oct. 2 (Fri.)  at Mobile, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Sat.)  at Spring Hill, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6 (Tue.):  BELHAVEN, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8 (Thu.):  •  EDWARD WATERS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Sat.):  •  PHILANDER SMITH, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Sat.)  •  at Talladega, 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Sat.)  •  at Tougaloo, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29 (Thu.)  at Loyola, 6 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Sat.):  •  SUNO, 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 (Mon.)  •  at Philander Smith, 6 p.m.
Nov. 9 (Mon.)  •  at Dillard, 7 p.m.
Nov. 13-14 (Fri.-Sat.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, site TBA

Home matches in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
All times are Central except where noted
Schedules are subject to change

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

MEAC Football Press Luncheon Kicks Off Friday, July 31

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host the annual Football Press Luncheon, Friday, July 31 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel (235 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510/ (757) 627-4200). MEAC head football coaches and two student-athletes from each team will be on hand to offer an inside view on the upcoming 2015 football season.

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the press luncheon and can be purchased by calling Jane Vega at (757) 951-2055 or jvega@themeac.com. Tickets are $30 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons).

Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interviews by completing an application found on www.MEACSports.com. One-on-one interviews will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The 2015 MEAC football season kicks off on Saturday, September 5 featuring nine MEAC institutions in non-conference action.

South Carolina State will compete against Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the 11th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge also on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 6. Details and ticket information can be found on www.meacswacchallenge.com.

For more information about the MEAC, logo on to www.MEACsports.com.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Shaw U. hires Jolisa Williams as Sports Information Director

JOLISA WILLIAMS
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
SHAW UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Jolisa Williams has joined Shaw University Athletics as its Sports Information Director, Marcus Clarke, the Director of Athletics announced Monday afternoon. In this capacity she will be the primary media relations contact for the Bear's 11 varsity sports.

After serving a one-year stint as Director of Sports Information and Marketing at Richard Bland College, Williams brings with her experience and knowledge in the athletic media relations field.

During her time at Richard Bland, Williams was the media relations contact for all nine athletic varsity teams including the men’s basketball program, who not only captured their respective 2015 Region 10 Conference title, but also the 2015 NJCAA National Championship for DII men’s basketball. She was also responsible for the 2015 Region 10 regular-season champion softball team and five track and field national qualifiers. Atop of her sport responsibilities, Williams was a key ingredient to launching and enhancing the Statesmen social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

No stranger to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Williams’ roots in the field came way of CIAA Conference foe, Virginia State University where worked as a Life Skills Coordinator and Sports Information Assistant for the 2013-14 athletic year. While working with the Trojans, she aided the Office of Athletic Communications in various areas. Along with assisting in the publicity for men’s basketball, football, and baseball, she served as the primary contact for women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s tennis and softball. Williams also played a role in growing VSU athletics’ social media platforms.

Prior to her role as an assistant, Williams interned with the Trojans’ Office of Athletics for one year where she contributed to all aspects and needs to the department. In addition to day-to-day and game-day tasks, Williams was also a full-time graduate student at Virginia State.

A 2012 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, Williams earned her Bachelors of Science in sport management. A three-year letterwinner for the Lady Falcons women’s basketball team, Williams served as the starting point guard and contributed to the CIAA Western Division title in 2009-10 and three CIAA Team Highest GPA Award (2008, 2011, 2012) for women’s basketball during her tenure. Williams received her master’s degree from Virginia State University in 2014.

A native of Charles City, Va., Williams was All-District First Team recipient for four years at Charles City High School, where she ranks second on the all-time scoring list and current assist leader. She averaged 21.1 points, 4.2 assist, and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Williams is a member of CoSIDA and BC-SIDA.

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Veteran NBA trainer joins XU sports medicine staff

MARK ARMOUR II

NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana athletics department announced Monday the hiring of Mark Armour II, formerly of the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, as athletic trainer.

Armour worked for the Pelicans from 2010-15 and provided the team with daily sports medicine coverage. Among his many duties, he developed and administered rehabilitation protocols.

Armour has a combined 10 years of experience at the professional and collegiate levels. He was an athletic training assistant during the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl championship season of 2009, and he worked two years as a graduate assistant trainer at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, from 2007-09. Armour also interned with the Arena Football League's New Orleans Voodoo in 2006 and 2007.

"Mark is a valued asset to the Ochsner Sports Medicine team," Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute's Jordan Blough said. "We are excited he is now able to share his knowledge and skills with Xavier Athletics."

Armour will be the primary sports medicine contact for men's basketball, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field. He will assist with the other teams as needed.

"Mark brings a wealth of experience managing and working with athletes at the NCAA Division I level, as well as the world-class athletes of the NFL (Saints) and most recently the NBA (Pelicans)," said Jason Horn, XU director of athletics and recreation. "Mark will prove to be an excellent addition to our support staff as we continue to progress in the classroom and work to improve our programs to compete at a high level nationally."

Armour received his bachelor's degree in athletic training from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2007 and his master's in kinesiology from Lamar in 2009. He lettered in football (wide receiver) and baseball (right-handed pitcher) at Clark Atlanta University and ran the 800 and 1,500 meters on the track team.

Armour is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

"I am excited about starting this new venture in my career," Armour said. "Xavier University has such a rich history and tradition here in my hometown, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the success of the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets. I appreciate the coaches and administrators for selecting me to be a member of their team."

The XU trainer positions are part of the partnership between Xavier Athletics and Ochsner Health System's sports medicine division. XU's other full-time athletic trainer is Allie Wood, a member of the staff since April 2014.

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

NCAA awards AASP Grants to six HBCU schools

Funding will support academic programs to help student-athletes graduate

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The NCAA has awarded more than $4 million in grants to nine Division I schools to support academic programs that help student-athletes earn their degrees.

The recipients of the Accelerating Academic Success Program Comprehensive Grants (multi-year) include: Alcorn State University ($900,000), California State University, Bakersfield ($870,686), Hampton University ($675,000), Florida A&M University ($675,000) Delaware State University ($449,850) and North Carolina A&T State University ($277,284.38).

Recipients of Accelerated Academic Success Program Initiatives Grants (single year) include: California State University, Northridge ($100,000), Idaho State University ($8,333.33) and Texas Southern University ($80,608).

The grants help schools improve the academic success of their student-athletes. The goal is to support the school’s efforts to meet the requirements of the Division I Academic Performance Program, which was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.

The NCAA has awarded more than $4 million in grants to nine Division I schools to support academic programs that help student-athletes earn their degrees.

The recipients of the Accelerating Academic Success Program Comprehensive Grants (multi-year) include: Alcorn State University ($900,000), California State University, Bakersfield ($870,686), Hampton University ($675,000), Florida A&M University ($675,000) Delaware State University ($449,850) and North Carolina A&T State University ($277,284.38).

Recipients of Accelerated Academic Success Program Initiatives Grants (single year) include: California State University, Northridge ($100,000), Idaho State University ($8,333.33) and Texas Southern University ($80,608).

The grants help schools improve the academic success of their student-athletes. The goal is to support the school’s efforts to meet the requirements of the Division I Academic Performance Program, which was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.

Schools eligible to apply for the program are non-FBS Division I schools in the bottom 10 percent of resources as determined by per capita institutional expenditures, athletics department funding and Pell Grant aid.

The comprehensive grants will be distributed over a three-year period and used to fund increased academic support services staffing and space; technology upgrades (software and hardware); career planning; professional development; and increased availability of summer financial aid for student-athletes.
Schools can request a maximum of $300,000 per year for three years. The participating schools are required to match grant dollars each year of the program, with either direct funds and/or in-kind contributions. In the first year, the school must commit a 25-percent match, 50 percent in year two and 75 percent in year three.

“We want to make sure we address the critical issues we’re facing, and the Academic Progress Rate is one of those,” said Alcorn State University Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Jason Cable. “We’re focused on degree completion, and we have a program where former student-athletes can come back and receive funds to complete their degree. While doing so, they must mentor a current student-athlete. We also plan to increase staffing. Our student-athlete-to-counselor ratio is around 100:1. We want to make that more sustainable.”

California State University, Bakersfield Interim Athletics Director Ziggy Siegfried said some of the grant funds his department receives will focus on facility enhancement.

"The current space we have is nice, but it is too small for our student-athletes," Siegfried said. "We couldn't conduct study halls there or enough tutoring. We've outgrown that facility and the square footage is going from 2,200 square feet to 7,000-plus square feet. There is an existing building that we'll be able to move into. This will give our student-athletes more space."

The announced awards mark the third round of Accelerating Academic Success Program funding distributed by the NCAA.

By Greg Johnson
COURTESY NCAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Ravens rookie corner Tray Walker (TSU) passes physical, cleared to practice

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Ravens rookie cornerback Tray Walker is all set to practice..

Walker officially passed his physical Saturday, clearing him to participate in training camp after the Ravens' rookie class reported Wednesday.

Typically, the Ravens don't pass a player on his physical until he passes a mandatory conditioning test. That entails running six timed 150-yard runs.

Walker didn't have any injuries that sidelined him during offseason practices.



The fourth-round draft pick from Texas Southern was regarded as a draft sleeper after not being invited to the NFL scouting combine.

Walker excelled at the NFL super regional combine.

A big press cornerback at 6 feet 2, 200 pounds with 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash, Walker had visited the ...

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Edward Waters, Talladega to compete for A.I.I. softball title in 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- - Edward Waters and Talladega will all be eligible to compete for the Association of Independent Institutions Softball Championship in 2016 the association announced over the weekend.

A total of 13 teams will vie for eight spots and a chance to play for one of the two automatic bids given to the tournament Champion and Runner-up.

Georgia Gwinnett College will host the double-elimination tournament in Lawrenceville, Georgia at the Grizzly Softball Complex from May 5-7 with May 8 set as a make-up date in case of rain.

The field of six will be named between April 18 and April 25. Georgia Gwinnet recieves an automatic bid as the tourney host with the other five schools selected based on national ratings.

Edward Waters won both the GCAC regular season and tournament championships this past season.


COURTESY GULF COAST ATHLETICS CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS

Philander Smith College Release 2015 Volleyball Schedule

HEAD COACH ALEXIS LOWE
LADY PANTHERS VOLLEYBALL
PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Philander Smith Lady Panthers' 2015 volleyball schedule, released today, is highlighted by a number of challenging non-conference games along with its 12-game Gulf Coast Athletic Conference slate.

Philander Smith will take on three teams from the Red River Athletic Conference, as well as opponents from the American Midwest, Southern States, Midlands Collegiate, and Southern Intercollegiate (NCAA Div II/SIAC) Athletic Conference along with one NAIA Independent.

Alexis Lowe is 15-11 against GCAC foes in her two seasons at Philander Smith.

This season unofficially begins with the 2015 Green & Gold inner-squad scrimmage on Aug. 19 in Mims Gymnasium with the first official regular season match against intrastate foe Lyon College coming three days later on Aug. 22.

The month of August also features a road game at Wiley College on the 26th followed by a matchup with Henderson Sate University's junior varsity squad at home on Aug. 29.

September kicks off with the PSC Volleyball Classic from Sep. 4-5. The Lady Panthers visit Henderson State on Sep. 9 and travel to compete in the Belhaven Volleyball Tournament from Sep. 11-12. The road trip continues with games at Texas College on Sep. 15 and the conference opener against Talladega College on Sep. 19. Philander Smith returns home to take on former GCAC foe Fisk on Sep. 22 before a pair of conference matchups against Tougaloo on Sep. 26 and Southern University at New Orleans on Sep. 28. They close out the month on the road at Jarvis Christian College on Sep. 30.

The October/November schedule is dominated with conference matchups as PSC plays 10 of its final 13 games against GCAC competition. Non-conference opponents LeMoyne-Owen (Oct.3), Cental Baptist (Oct. 8), and Fisk (Oct. 14) fill out the remainder of the schedule.

The Lady Panthers finished the 2014 season 15-20, including an 8-6 mark in the GCAC. Philander Smith is the only school in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to have improved their win total in each of the past three seasons. Head Coach Alexis Lowe will rely on her three returners Samantha (Comet) Moore, Zyra Wright and Victoria Hicks.


 

Philander Smith 2015 Volleyball Schedule
Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Notes
August
19	6:00 PM	Philander Smith	Mims Gymnasium	2015 Green & Gold Game
22	1:00 PM	Lyon College	Mims Gymnasium	Home Opener
26	6:00 PM	Wiley College	Marshall, Texas
29	1:00 PM	Henderson State	Mims Gymnasium	HSU Junior Varsity Game
September
4-5	TBA	TBA	Mims Gymnsaium	PSC Volleyball Classic
9	6:00 PM	Henderson State	Arkadelphia, Ark.	HSU Junior Varsity Game
11-12	TBA	Belhaven University	Belhaven, Miss.	Belhaven Volleyball Tournament
15	6:00 PM	Texas College	Tyler, Texas
19	1:00 PM	Talladega College*	Talladega, Ala.	Conference Opener
22	6:00 PM	Fisk University	Mims Gymnasium
26	1:00 PM	Tougaloo College*	Mims Gymnasium
28	7:00 PM	Southern University at New Orleans*	Mims Gymnasium
30	6:00 PM	Jarvis Christian College	Hawkins, Texas
October
3	2:00 PM	LeMoyne-Owen College	Memphis, Tenn.
5	6:00 PM	Talladega College*	Mims Gymnasium
8	6:00 PM	Central Baptist College	Conway, Ark.
10	12:00 PM	Xavier University*	New Orleans, La.
12	6:00 PM	Edward Waters College*	Jacksonville, Fla.
14	7:00 PM	Fisk University	Nashville, Tenn.
17	1:00 PM	Dillard University*	Mims Gymnasium
18	3:00 PM	Edward Waters College*	Mims Gymnasium
24	1:00 PM	Southern University at New Orleans*	New Orleans, La.
26	7:00 PM	Dillard University*	New Orleans, La.
31	8:00 PM	Tougaloo College*	Tougaloo, Miss.
November
2	7:00 PM	Xavier University*	Mims Gymnasium	Senior Night

Home games are in BOLD     *indicates GCAC games

Dr. Collea McKinney, Ed.D., Sports Information Director 

COURTESY PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION 

Glover introduced as new sports information director at Wiley

ANDREW GLOVER
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
WILEY COLLEGE

MARSHALL, Texas – Wiley College and the Wiley Department of Athletics have introduced Andrew Glover as the new sports information director.

Glover, a native of Littleton, Colorado, comes to Wiley from Stillwater, Okla., where he was a sports reporter for the Stillwater News Press from 2012-2015. He helped with the newspaper's coverage of Oklahoma State University, which included covering the baseball team's run to Super Regionals in 2014. Glover covered the OSU women's basketball team this past season.

"I'm looking forward to becoming a part of Wildcat Nation," Glover said. "I've always had a passion for college sports. I'm excited about using that passion to increase the fan base at Wiley College."

Before working in Stillwater, Glover served as the sports reporter for The Pampa News in Pampa, Texas, from 2009-2012. He covered Pampa High School, other area high schools and local athletics. In 2011, Glover won third place in sports writing at the Panhandle Press Association Awards.

Glover graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism in May 2009. He will start officially as sports information director August 1.

The RRAC is an affiliated conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics with 12 member colleges and universities in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. Established in 1999, the RRAC sponsors 15 championships annually in eight women's sports and seven men's sports. Due to its commitment to character and sportsmanship, the RRAC has been recognized as a Five-Star Conference under the NAIA Champions of Character program. 

COURTESY RED RIVER ATHLETICS CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS

Dillard University Bleu Devils add New York/New Jersey standout Karon Blackwell to basketball program

2-Times NY/NJ All-State combo guard Karon Blackwell becomes first signee at Dillard University under new head men's basketball coach Mike Newell.  Karon is the son of former NFL Giants cornerback Kory Blackwell.  In the photo are Karon and his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Kory Blackwell.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Dillard University Bleu Devils basketball team added combo guard Karon Blackwell (pronounced Kay-Ron) The Robinson Preparatory Academy in Newark, New Jersey, to its 2015-16 recruiting class. Blackwell, a 6'3" 190 lb. native of Deer Park, New York, is an incoming freshman from

"We are excited to have Karon join our program," said head coach Mike Newell. He comes from a good program and was a major contributor to the Robinson Academy's success last season." Robinson Academy finished ranked number one in the country among prep schools.

Blackwell is a two-time All-State selection and also a three-time All-Suffolk League IV as well as two-time Long-Island selection at Deer Park High School as a senior. In his senior season, Blackwell helped lead Deer Park to an 18-4 record including a perfect 14-0 Suffolk League IV mark. He averaged 17.5 points while leading the Falcons to their second straight Suffolk County championship game appearance. Blackwell was ranked one of the top 15 players in New York City by sports fanatic website Rivals.com that year.


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"I am very excited that I got a scholarship because this is what I always wanted, a chance to go to school without worrying too much about financial issues," said Blackwell. "I have a dream to go to the [NBA] so I have to do big things in college."

It is clear to see how elated, excited and proud his family members are, especially his father.

"It means everything to me," said Kory Blackwell, who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants. "He is following in the footsteps of his father by going to college and playing a sport. It gives hope for the other youngsters," he added.

In his one season at the Robinson Prep Academy, Blackwell averaged eight points, six assists and four rebounds. Last year he was lauded as the 2014 Long Island Player of the Year and was also named as the Suffolk County Boys Basketball Player of the Year by Newsday.

COURTESY DILLARD UNIVERSITY BLEU DEVILS SPORTS INFORMATION

Maryland's Travis Manger Joins Morgan State Football Staff

COACH TRAVIS MANGER
Courtesy: Maryland Athletics

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University head football coach Lee Hull announced the recent hiring of Travis Manger as an assistant coach for the Bears.

Manger, who will coach the Morgan State offensive line, joins the Bears staff from the University of Maryland where he spent three seasons helping the offensive unit as a graduate assistant coach under head coach Randy Edsall.

In 2012, he assisted coach Lee Hull with the wide receivers and the development of Terps standout Stefon Diggs. He also assisted coach Tom Brattan with the offensive line during the 2013, followed by coach Greg Studrawa in 2014.

Manger was a Graduate Extern at Temple University from 2009-2012. In that role he served primarily with academics and special teams. He assisted with the Owl's defensive line (2009-10) and work with the tight ends in 2011. His duties also included study hall, organized class checks in addition to other football duties assigned by the head coach.

He launched his coaching career as a student assistant coach at Temple (2008-09) where he assisted with the quarterbacks and tight ends.

A native of Newtown, Pa., Manger was a standout quarterback at Council Rock North High School. He was a two-time first team All-Conference selection (2002 & 2003) and was an All-State honorable mention.

Manger played quarterback for a season at Millersville University before he transferred to Temple. He played quarterback and tight end for the Owls under head coach Bobby Wallace (2005), and completed his career at Temple under head coach Al Golden (2006-2007). Manger, who began as a walk-on for the Owls, earned a scholarship during the spring of 2007, and was the recipient of the Dr. Chodoff Academic Excellence Award.

Manger earned his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Temple August 2008, and earned a Master's degree in Sports Psychology from Temple in 2013. He is currently working toward completing his second Master's degree in Public Health from the University of Maryland.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Pulley & Jordan to Represent Lincoln U. at GLVC Kickoff

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced Wednesday the 18 student-athletes who have been selected to attend the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff, which will take place in Lebanon, Illinois on Friday, July 31. The GLVC contingent, highlighted by nine All-Conference returners combining for 18 career postseason honors, will participate in the fourth annual event. The 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff will take place at The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on the campus of McKendree University from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT, and will serve both the league's media members and passionate fans through several social media outlets.

The head coach and two student-athletes from each of the nine GLVC football institutions will be on hand to help promote the conference's fourth season.

Six first-team All-GLVC honorees will be in attendance, including University of Indianapolis senior defensive lineman Lee Campbell and Saint Joseph's College senior running back Braxton Shelton, who earned first-team annals at their respective positions the past two years. The remaining first-team selections in attendance include one of the nation's top wide receivers in Southwest Baptist University senior Nathan Mourik, McKendree junior linebacker A.J. Wentland, William Jewell College senior offensive lineman Brandon Klewer, and UIndy senior quarterback Connor Barthel, who was a first-team signal caller in 2013 and a second-team selection last season. Klewer and Wentland were also second-team honorees at their positions in 2013.

Quincy University senior fullback Greg Eilerman returns as a second-team offensive utility pick in 2014, while Lincoln University senior quarterback Owen Jordan was tabbed as an honorable mention.

McKendree senior running back Cameron James holds special distinction within the group, as he has been recognized every year since the league began sponsoring the sport in 2012. James earned second-team laurels at running back in 2012 and was honored at both wide receiver and return specialist following the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Also in attendance will be Lincoln senior linebacker Treston Pulley, Missouri S&T sophomore quarterback Lamar Wilkes and junior linebacker Rob Cidlik, Quincy junior defensive end Tanner Day, Saint Joseph's senior defensive back Jamyl Scott, Southwest Baptist senior defensive tackle Josh Caver, Truman State University senior offensive lineman Brad Hardin and senior defensive end Devin Gillespie, and William Jewell junior defensive lineman Aaron Neier.

Fans are encouraged to participate in the event through a variety of social media platforms, and interact with each GLVC school as they rotate through stations over the course of the 90-minute event. A complete schedule, as well as the official GLVC Football Kickoff 2014 website, will be announced on Tuesday, July 28.

Media members interested in attending the 2015 GLVC Football Kickoff can apply for credentials by contacting GLVC Associate Commissioner Jeff Smith at jeff@glvc-sports.org.

LINCOLN
Owen Jordan, Sr., QB (Fort Scott, KS/Pittsburg State)
After beginning the season as the second-string quarterback, Jordan ended up starting 10 games at quarterback and throwing for 1,867 yards, completing 160 of his 288 pass attempts (.556) in the process. Jordan threw 12 touchdown passes and ended the season ranked sixth in the GLVC in average (186.7) and seventh in efficiency (115.7). Jordan also proved he could make plays with his feet, rushing for 79 yards and two scores. Jordan ended the season on the All-GLVC Honorable Mention list.

Treston Pulley, Sr., LB (Sikeston, MO/Sikeston)
One of the leaders of the Lincoln defense in 2014, Pulley made 83 tackles, including 50 solo, the second-most on the team. Pulley was also second on the squad with 14.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, forcing opponents to lose 34 yards. Pulley additionally broke up two passes.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Morgan State grad Greg Barnett helped negotiate K.C. Chiefs Justin Houston's record $101 million deal

GREG BARNETT
NFL Agent

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- One of the key figures behind Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston's blockbuster, $101 million six-year contract is former Morgan State strong safety and Deer Park Middle school coach and teacher Greg Barnett.

The deal is the richest linebacker contract in NFL history and includes $52.5 million in guaranteed money, $32.5 million fully guaranteed and a $20.5 million signing bonus.

An NFL agent since 2004 who also represents St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (Dunbar) and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (Mount Saint Joseph), Barnett recruited Houston out of the University of Georgia. He negotiated this blockbuster deal in tandem with powerful NFL agent Joel Segal and edged out Houston Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt's six-year, $100 million deal that included $30.9 million guaranteed.

"It was nerve-wracking, a long day of negotiating and we've been working on this since the scouting combine," Barnett told The Baltimore Sun. "We finalized the deal Tuesday night. I was actually in the emergency room until I got my blood pressure down and had to ...

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Jacksonville Jaguars sign wide receiver Greg Jenkins, ASU

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Former Alabama State University quarterback Greg Jenkins has been signed by the Jaguars as a wide receiver.

Jenkins, 6-1, 205, has appeared in six career games since entering the league as an undrafted rookie with Oakland in 2013. As a rookie, the Alabama State product returned six punts for 49 yards (8.2 punt return avg.) and 10 kickoffs for 221 yards (22.1 kick return avg.). Jenkins recorded his only NFL touchdown on a fumble return on the opening kickoff against Dallas on Nov. 28, 2013. The Dade City, Fla. native spent part of the 2014 season on the Raiders’ practice squad.

Jenkins started for two years at quarterback at Alabama State after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As a senior, he completed 137 of 233 passes (58.8 comp. pct.) for 1,691 yards and nine touchdowns, and rushed for 507 yards and eight touchdowns on 121 carries (4.2 rush avg.). Jenkins attended Wesley Chapel High School in Pasco County, Fla..

With the signing of Jenkins, the Jaguars now have 90 players on their roster.



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JSU opponent preview: Grambling State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Today's installment of The Clarion-Ledger's game-by-game analysis of Jackson State's 2015 schedule focuses on Grambling State, which has been held in high regard this preseason.

Grambling State rebounded from a tough 2012 season and a terrible '13 season, which included a forfeit against Jackson State after GSU players held a boycott, in a big way a year ago.

After an 0-3 start, coach Broderick Fobbs turned things around in Year 1. The Tigers were a goal-line stand by Southern away from potentially playing in the SWAC title game.

They were close to title contention last season, are the preseason favorite to win the West Division this year, and should prove to be a formidable foe for JSU.

Senior quarterback Johnathan Williams returns to lead an offense that was the No. 1 in passing in the SWAC last year.

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