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JACKSON, Tennessee -- With Derrick Burroughs in charge again after a one-year absence, the 2015 theme for Lane football might be best described as Back to the Future.
The Dragons had slowly progressed to six wins in 2013 before plummeting to one last year. The question now is how long it takes Burroughs and his staff to get the DeLorean back up to 88 miles per hour.
At the team’s Media Day session Friday morning, Burroughs gave a mixed review of his recruiting success this past offseason. The combination of newcomers and returnees must approach the year differently following an ugly finish to last season.
“We like to think that we’ve got the kind of kids that can face adversity well, but you never know until they do, right?” Burroughs said. “ ... It’ll be interesting to know who can address it well and who can’t.
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- LaQuanda Barksdale Quick carries around a hefty resume thanks to her outstanding prep, college and pro career.
Quick, 35, took a leap of faith in ending a successful run as a high school girls’ basketball coach to take a job at Winston-Salem State as an assistant women’s coach. It’s something that’s been done before by other coaches, so it’s not unusual.
“Somebody reached out to me and called and said the job was going to be open,” said Quick, a former player and coach at West Forsyth. “And really, this was the first time I wasn’t looking to go anywhere.”
As proof that Quick was happy with her job at West Forsyth was the fact that she and her husband, Willie, had recently sold their house not far from WSSU’s campus.
“We moved to be closer to West Forsyth, and then…” Quick said with a laugh.
Now, she’ll commute from their home on the western side of Winston-Salem, and she is looking forward to the challenge.
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Greg Hankerson didn't have to win the starting quarterback job at Norfolk State, but he's willing to keep fighting for it anyway.
A junior transfer from Florida Atlantic, Hankerson was named the starter Thursday after incumbent sophomore Terrance Ervin announced he was leaving the program for what the school described as "personal reasons."
As the Spartans opened fall camp in Friday afternoon's rain at Norview High, Hankerson said he's ready to take on the role.
"I came here expecting to compete," he said. "I'm still going to compete. Just because he left doesn't mean that my effort and my work goes down. I still have to get better."
NSU, which went 4-8 last season while averaging fewer than 12 points per game, will welcome the help. Hankerson - at least initially - will operate first-year coach Latrell Scott's West Coast offense, which demands timing, accuracy and quick thinking.
PISCATAWAY, New Jersey -- In 2012, Kyle Flood entered his first training camp as Rutgers head coach knowing that a road game with Tulane awaited.
A trip to Fresno State was the first game on the 2013 docket.
And last season the Scarlet Knights had another cross-country trek as they traveled to Washington State to start their campaign.
After opening on the road against quality Football Bowl Subdivision competition in each of the past three years, the Scarlet Knights will play host to Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA)-foe Norfolk State on Sept. 5.
Rutgers has outscored Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foes, 376-39, in nine games since 2006. Included in that ledger are three shutout wins over Norfolk State by a combined 128-0 score.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- If it was physically possible and OK with the NCAA, South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough would have had Friday morning’s first preseason practice last all day, as he opened camp for his 14th season at the helm.
He made sure to mention that he was “the happiest guy” there, and so glad to be moving on from an off-season of budget cuts and program adjustments, and moving into football season preparations.
Those preparations were in action, in helmets and shorts at least, on Willie E. Jeffries Field inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium all morning. Right at 95 players were involved in workouts for the two-hour session, the first of 27 practices the Bulldogs will have this preseason.
At the top of the to-do list for Pough and his staff — find out who is close to being ready to play major roles this season, and find depth at the quarterback position.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Amongst the whistles, coaches’ yells, and other sounds from the first day of camp, Jackson State defensive end Javancy Jones provided some of the most constant noise.
“We fittin’ to get this work,” Jones shouted throughout practice.
“That’s my motto now,” he said. “If you out here, you’re going to hear me (say that) no matter what throughout the season until we get to Atlanta.”
On Dec. 19, the SWAC champion will face the MEAC champion in the inaugural Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. The Tigers have plenty of work to do in order to reach that game, and they clocked their first shift of the season when fall camp kicked off on Friday afternoon.
JSU players donned helmets, jerseys and shorts as they worked on offensive and defensive fundamentals and special teams throughout the nearly two-and-a-half-hour practice session.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern has indefinitely closed preseason football practice to the public because of excessive heat that is forecast for the next few days.
Temperatures are forecast to reach at least 100 degrees daily into early next week.
The Jaguars will conduct the first of three two-a-day practices, but won’t scrimmage as originally planned Saturday at Louisiana Leadership Institute.
Preseason camp continues through Aug. 15 and classes begin two days later.
Fall Fan Fest is Aug. 15
Southern will hold its annual Fall Fan Fest on Aug. 15 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
The festivities will begin with a tailgate party before the team’s arrival at 1:45 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. after the team’s final preseason scrimmage, which begins at 9:15 a.m.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It was an emotional homecoming for Florida A&M alumna and sports anchor Pam Oliver. She’s set to keynote FAMU’s Summer graduation ceremony this weekend.
Board of Trustees Chairman Rufus Montgomery calls Oliver a “Super Rattler” and she spoke to the board briefly Thursday shortly after a tour of the campus.
“It’s just beautiful. I appreciate everything everyone has been doing…I am so proud to be from Florida A&M…so proud," she said.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Milton Overton Jr.’s third day as Florida A&M’s athletic director began a lot like the university’s home football games.
“When dark clouds gather on the horizon…”
Overton and the entire athletic department recited the Rattler Charge — usually delivered by FAMU’s president before home games and the Florida Classic — to kick off the new athletic director’s first department meeting that took place on Wednesday.
Track coach Darlene Moore, who has been at FAMU since 2009, said it was a refreshing start, and more evidence Overton is right for the job as FAMU’s athletic director.
“With the Rattler Charge, it was very encouraging and motivating,” Moore said.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina — Though still standing on the edge of a slippery slope, Rod Broadway feels like he’s finally found his footing.
Now all he has to do is convince a football team and a nation of Aggies to take a deep breath.
Thursday afternoon, as storm clouds hovered in the distance, Broadway stood on the edge of a practice field and watched another season begin to form. It started with a shrill whistle. Where it will end is anyone’s guess.
A lot of people believe this season will end with N.C. A&T holding the MEAC title again, this time without help from its friends.
Broadway knew this season was out there somewhere when he first arrived, but he had to convince his players that it would indeed one day get here. And he had to convince the Aggie faithful that it wouldn’t come quickly or easily.
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Morgan State football team's unanticipated rise to the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference hasn't earned the program much respect from its peers..
A season after going from being picked to finish last to capturing a share of the MEAC championship for the first time since 1979 and representing the league in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Bears were predicted to finish fifth in the MEAC this season.
The slight didn't escape the attention of players like junior running back Herb Walker Jr.
"It's insulting, but I really try not to think about it," he said during Thursday's Morgan State football media day at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore. "I really try to focus on our brotherhood and getting the team better. I try not to focus on that, but that got a chip on our shoulders and makes us want to work even harder."
GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Despite tying for the MEAC conference championship in his first season, N.C. Central coach Jerry Mack didn’t get much love from the coaches and sports information directors at last Friday’s MEAC Football Luncheon.
The Eagles were picked to finished fourth in the conference behind archrival N.C. A&T at No. 1, South Carolina State and Bethune-Cookman.
“How about that?” asked Aggies coach Rod Broadway, a former NCCU head coach and UNC-Chapel Hill assistant, noting NCA&T hadn’t been picked for No. 1 in 10 previous preseason meetings.
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – Today, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Men’s Basketball team unveiled their 2015-16 basketball schedule, featuring five Power Five foes from the ACC, the Big 10, the Big 12, and the SEC. Furthermore, the club takes on 10 postseason participants from a year ago, including ESPN Preseason No.1 Maryland.
“We’re eager to get onto the court,” said UMES Men’s Basketball head coach Bobby Collins. “We want to build on last year’s success and continue to make an impact in the conference.”
For the second consecutive season, the Hawks will compete in another major tournament as they will take part in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. On Nov. 13, the squad opens the season in Manhattan, Kan. where the Kansas State Wildcats await. Two days later, the Hawks travel to Columbia, Mo. to face the Missouri Tigers from the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
On Nov. 21, the club heads down to Spartanburg, S.C. to meet Wofford, who fell to nationally-ranked Arkansas in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament Second Round a year ago. Two days before Thanksgiving, UMES comes home to take on Fairfield in their season home opener.
On Nov. 27, the Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash arrives in Princess Anne for a non-conference matchup.
On Dec. 1, UMES travels across the bridge into our National’s Capital to square off against Georgetown. Maryland Eastern Shore’s road trip continues in North Carolina where they will face Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Regular Season Champion North Carolina Central in their conference opener. Two days later, the Hawks next stop is Greensboro, N.C. to take on North Carolina A&T.
On Dec. 9, the squad goes to East Lansing, Mich. where they will face NCAA Final Four participant Michigan State. On Dec. 12, the squad goes to College Park where the Maryland Terrapins await. On Dec. 18, the club goes down to Norfolk, Va. to meet National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Final Four participant Old Dominion for the second consecutive season.
On Dec. 20, Maryland Eastern Shore returns to Washington, D.C. to take on American. Two days later, the squad returns home to face Central Pennsylvania. On Dec. 29, UMES battles the Saint Joseph Hawks in Philadelphia, Pa. where the Atlantic 10 foe finished 10-5 at home.
On New Year’s Eve, the Hawks travel to Baltimore to meet UMBC. On Jan. 2, Maryland Eastern Shore opens the New Year against the Pittsburgh Panthers. UMES wraps up non-conference play in the Big Apple, New York City, as they will meet Columbia.
2015-2016 SCHEDULE
Date
Opponent / Event
Location
Time / Result
11/13/15
at Kansas State
Manhattan, Kan.
TBA
11/15/15
at Missouri
Columbia, Mo.
TBA
11/21/15
at Wofford
Spartanburg, S.C.
TBA
11/24/15
vs. Fairfield
Princess Anne, Md.
TBA
11/27/15
vs. Saint Francis (PA)
Princess Anne, Md.
TBA
12/01/15
at Georgetown
Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. ET
12/05/15
at North Carolina Central *
Durham, N.C.
4:00 p.m. ET
12/07/15
at North Carolina A&T *
Greensboro, N.C.
7:30 p.m. ET
12/09/15
at Michigan State
East Lansing, Mich.
TBA
12/12/15
at Maryland
College Park, Md.
TBA
12/18/15
at Old Dominion
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
12/20/15
at American
Washington, D.C.
1:00 p.m. ET
12/22/15
vs. Central Penn
Princess Anne, Md.
4:00 p.m. ET
12/29/15
at Saint Joseph's
Philadelphia, Pa.
TBA
12/31/15
at UMBC
Baltimore, Md.
TBA
01/02/16
at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa.
TBA
01/06/16
at Columbia
New York, N.Y.
7:00 p.m. ET
01/11/16
vs. Morgan State *
Princess Anne, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
01/16/16
at Savannah State *
Savannah, Ga.
4:00 p.m. ET
01/18/16
at South Carolina State *
Orangeburg, S.C.
7:30 p.m. ET
01/23/16
vs. Bethune Cookman *
Princess Anne, Md.
4:00 p.m. ET
01/25/16
vs. Florida A&M *
Princess Anne, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
01/30/16
at Coppin State *
Baltimore, Md.
4:00 p.m. ET
02/01/16
vs. Howard *
Princess Anne, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
02/06/16
vs. Hampton *
Princess Anne, Md.
4:00 p.m. ET
02/08/16
vs. Norfolk State *
Princess Anne, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
02/13/16
at Delaware State *
Dover, Del.
4:00 p.m. ET
02/15/16
at Howard *
Washington, D.C.
7:30 p.m. ET
02/20/16
vs. South Carolina State *
Princess Anne, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
02/27/16
vs. Delaware State *
Princess Anne, Md.
4:00 p.m. ET
03/04/16
at Morgan State *
Baltimore, Md.
7:30 p.m. ET
MEAC Championships
03/07/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
03/08/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
03/09/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
03/10/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
03/11/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
03/12/16
MEAC Championships
Norfolk, Va.
TBA
On Jan. 11, the Hawks return to the Hytche as they resume conference play against Morgan State. Five days later, Maryland Eastern Shore hits the road to Savannah, Ga. to take on Savannah State.
On Jan. 18, Maryland Eastern Shore goes to Orangeburg, S.C. where South Carolina State awaits. On Jan. 23, the team returns home to square off against Bethune-Cookman.
On Jan. 25, the Florida A&M Rattlers come to town. Then, UMES travels back to Baltimore to meet in-state rival Coppin State on Jan. 30.
On Feb. 1, UMES hosts the Howard Bison inside the Htyche Center. Next, the Hawks seek revenge against MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton on Feb. 6 as the Pirates upset Maryland Eastern Shore in the MEAC Tournament Quarterfinals a year ago.
On Feb. 8, the Norfolk State Spartans come calling as they visit Princess Anne. Five days later, UMES travels on route 13 to Dover, Del. to take on Delaware State.
On Feb. 15, Maryland Eastern Shore goes to our Nation’s Capital for a third time to meet Howard in a re-match. For Homecoming, the Hawks host South Carolina State on Feb. 20. A week later, Delaware State comes down for Senior Day. UMES makes a third trip to Baltimore to take on Morgan State on March 3.
Four days later, Maryland Eastern Shore travels to Norfolk to compete in the MEAC Tournament inside the Norfolk Scope Arena. The six-day event concludes Saturday, March 12. The winner receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- What a difference a year has made for Southern redshirt junior Lenard Tillery. Throughout fall camp in 2014, the majority of the questions directed his way were inquiries about all of the new running backs that would likely move ahead of him on the depth chart. Transfers like the hard-running Malcom Crockett, shifty Tyre Bracken and versatile Jamarcus Jarvis.
Now just five days into 2015 fall camp, there’s no question that Tillery is the man in the running back room. When injury set in with the rest of the backfield and SWAC play began last year, Tillery took the lead and never gave it back.
The McKinley product rushed for 1,267 yards and nine touchdowns. He was far and away the team leader in those categories as well as carries, proving how reliable he could be when the offense needed him to take the weight of the game off of their young quarterbacks.
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Thursday Norfolk State head coach Latrell Scott announced rising sophomore quarterback Terrance Ervin, an L.C. Bird graduate, has decided to leave the football program for personal reasons.
In press release from the school, Latrell Scott wished Ervin the best in the Richmond natives next chapter.
“We’re sorry that Terrance has decided to leave the program, but we understand that he has other matters to tend to that are more important than football,” Scott said. “We wish him nothing but the best of luck and thank him for his contributions to the program.”
Ervin started nine games for the Spartans, appearing in all 12 games of the 2014 season as true freshman under center.
ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- Former Prairie View A&M volleyball standout Bruna Menezes has taken her talents from the volleyball courts to the world of engineering as she's pursuing her doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Michigan.
A native of Carapicuiba, Brazil, Menezes was a two-year letterwinner for the Lady Panthers as she played during the 2011 and 2012 campaigns after transferring from San Jacinto College. As a Lady Panther student-athlete, Menezes helped PVAMU win back-to-back SWAC Western Division Championships while earning multiple SWAC Weekly Honors ranging from SWAC Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Weeks.
Once her playing career came to a close, Menezes became heavily involved with the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering on the PVAMU campus. Menezes served as an undergraduate researcher in department as she handled water and ethanol soluble extractives while also doing research on fermentation. During the past two summers, she expanded her horizons further as an undergraduate researcher at Indiana University in 2013 and a process engineering intern at the engineering firm Stoller Africa in 2014. In the summer of 2015, Menezes added to her travels as she spent six weeks in China at the Xi'an International Studies University with the PVAMU Honors College. While in China, Menezes studied the language of Mandarin Chinese in addition to classes in Calligraphy (Chinese Art) and Taiji, which is an ancient Chinese philosophy about the natural world and is one of the central elements of traditional Chinese culture.
Menezes recently completed her studies at PVAMU in the spring of 2015 as a Summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) graduate in chemical engineering. She was also active in the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society in addition to serving as secretary of PVAMU's American Institute of Chemical Engineers chapter. She was also named the Most Outstanding Student of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering this past academic year.
COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Seven former Tennessee State football players are starting NFL Camps including 2015 draftees Robert Myers and Anthony Morris.
Myers opens camp with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected with the 176th pick by the Baltimore Ravens. Myers will be joined in Ravens camp by former Tiger Anthony Levine who is entering his sixth season in the NFL.
Morris, the 218th selection by the Oakland Raiders, enters his first camp following his career with the Big Blue. Morris, like Myers, is looked upon by their teams to compete for a spot on the active rosters and potential playing time.
The 2015 draft marked the second consecutive year two Tigers were taken in the draft. In 2014, Kadeem Edwards and Demetrius Rhaney were selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the St. Louis Rams, respectively. The duo will battle for spots on their respected offensive lines.
De’Ante “Pop” Saunders will be joining the 2015 draftees heading to their first camps. Saunders was a two-time All-American for the Tigers and signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie begins his second season with the New York Giants and his eighth in the NFL. DRC was a First Round pick, 16th overall, for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 draft.
In addition to the seven players in the NFL, six other Tigers are currently competing in professional football. A.C. Leonard (B.C. Lions) and Devin Wilson (Saskatchewan Roughriders) are in their first seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL), while four others are in the Arena Football League (AFL).
Cornelius Lewis and Joe Hills are members of the Jacksonville Sharks, Sherman Carter is with the Arizona Rattlers and Rodney Fritz is a part of the San Jose Sabercats.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Second year Howard swimming & diving head coach Nicholas Askew has announced the signing of 11 new recruits for the 2015-16 season. These incoming freshmen will look to fill the void of the 10 seniors the program lost last year.
"Overall, this is an extremely strong class of student-athletes," Askew said of the newcomers. "Each one of them come in accomplished academically and athletically so I'm excited to see their transition to the collegiate ranks. They say 'the reward for hard work is more hard work' - we've embraced this in our program and this group is ready to elevate the program to new heights."
Below is a list of the 11 recruits, along with a highlight of their recruitment to Howard:
BISON RECRUITS (6)
- ALEXANDER BARNES / Rockledge, FL / Rockledge HS / Brevard Virtual Secondary School
The Florida native originally wanted to stay in the Sunshine State but decided on Howard after a relative spoke highly on Howard's academic reputation
- FARION COOPER / Nassau, Bahamas / Queens College
One of two Caribbean recruits in this class; choose Howard because of team chemistry and leadership
- MENSA EGGLESTON / Greenbelt, MD / Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Name means "one who follows the sage;" bonded quickly with upperclassmen swimmers during the process
- NICHOLAS HAUGHTON / Kingston, Jamaica / Campion College
One of two Caribbean recruits in the class; looks forward to having an immediate impact on the up-and-coming,Howard team
- JONATHAN HILL / Vero Beach, FL / Sebastian River HS
Looking forward to becoming a part of a strong, close-knit family
- MARK MCCLUSKEY / Hope, ME / Camden Hills Regional HS
Is appreciative for the chance to swim on the Division I level
LADY BISON RECRUITS (5)
- AKEYLA HOLLEY / Fort Washington, MD / Elizabeth Seton HS
Pursuing her collegiate swimming career after considering not doing so and being pushed by her high school coach
- KASANDRA KAPLAN / Detroit, MI / Lakeview HS
Her comfortable level with and the positive atmosphere around the Howard program helped her choose the Bison
- MARINA MARKOUS / Stevensville, MD / Kent Island HS
Instantly felt connected to the program upon meeting the upperclassmen; is a fluent Russian speaker
- LATROYA PINA / Seekonk, MA / Seekonk HS
Feels confident that swimming at Howard sets her up to achieve her academic and athletic goals
- SUSANNA REESE / Flossmoor, IL / Homewood-Flossmoor HS
Decided on Howard after noticing the team dynamic resembled her club team in Chicago
Howard Swimming's new recruits and the returning Bison embark on the 2015-16 season on October 17 against George Washington at home in the Burr Gymnasium Pool.
Before official competitions begin, the program will host a pair of exhibition events - the Bison Swim-A-Thon on September 12 at 1 p.m. and the Swimming Alumni Meet on October 2 beginning at 6 p.m. - all are invited to attend.
ABOUT THE CCSA (www.TheCCSA.com)
Founded in 2007, the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) was originally developed by four regional Division I conferences -- the Atlantic Sun Conference, Big South Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)and the Southern Conference, to create a centralized home for their members with swimming and diving programs. Now in its ninth season, the CCSA boasts a total a 11 members from six states and the District of Columbia, becoming one of the largest Division I conferences in the country sponsoring swimming and diving. CCSA members represent the District of Columbia (Howard University), Florida (Florida Atlantic, North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast), Georiga (Georgia Southern), Maryland (UMBC), New Jersey (NJIT), North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, UNC Asheville, North Carolina A&T), Texas (Incarnate Word) and Virginia (Liberty, Old Dominion, VMI).
COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION
SHC Volleyball shines on the court and in the classroom
LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has announced that the Spring Hill College volleyball team was an AVCA Team Academic Award winner for the 2014-2015 season.
The award was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year to honor collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale. This year 752 teams have earned the award, breaking the previous year's total of 676 and sets a new all-time high for this award.
"A hearty congratulations to all the volleyball coaches whose teams won the AVCA Team Academic Award," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "Teams do not succeed in the classroom by accident any more so than they do on the court. The same coach who taught them volleyball skills cared enough about their academic achievement to gather their grades, calculate their GPA, and submit a nomination on their behalf. In doing so, these coaches sent a clear message that classroom success is just as important as volleyball success. All involved should celebrate this award!"
The AVCA Team Academic Award has become one of the AVCA's fastest growing awards programs, seeing an impressive surge in teams honored over the past several years. Since the 2000-2001 season, the number of recipients have increased every single year but one, while amassing a 476 team increase over the span of the last decade. Since the award's inception in 1993, the amount of award winners has increased from 62 to its current number of 752. Complete list of NCAA Division II winners
Girls high school led the way with the number of recipients with 237. NCAA Division I recorded their highest-ever total number of recipients, honoring 146 programs while NCAA Division II also set a new record by reaching a total of 113 honorees. NCAA Division III continues to set new records after 140 schools take home the honor with the Two-Year College category also surpassing their previous high of 22 with 24. The high school boys notched a record in their category with 29.
Jim Stennett SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS SPORTS INFORMATION
ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- The Elizabeth City State University Athletic Department is proud to announce La Tanja Batiste as the new Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine.
As the Head Athletic Trainer for the Vikings, “LT” is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Sports Medicine Department and providing medical coverage for the 10 Division II NCAA sports teams and the D’Lytes Cheerleading squad.
Batiste brings over 15 years of experience to the ECSU Athletic Department. She comes to ECSU after an 11-year stint as the Head Athletic Trainer at Queens University of Charlotte. Prior to that, she served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Benedict College in Columbia, SC for one year.
During her time at Queens, Batiste also held the title of Senior Woman Administrator for five years. The Royals, a 17-sport plus cheer program at the start of her tenure, expanded to include men’s and women’s swim in 2011 and as of this fall their quantity will increase by one to include 20 sports with the addition of field hockey.
With the growth of the Athletic Department at Queens came the additional responsibility of supervising a Sports Medicine staff that evolved from one to five individuals. Additionally she handled the task of designing and furnishing two additional fully functioning sports medicine facilities.
LT credits her position of Assistant Athletic Trainer at Benedict College with preparing her for the aspects of athletic training that cannot be learned in the classroom. At Benedict she was one of two certified athletic trainers responsible for providing medical coverage, injury prevention and care for 13 Division II NCAA sports, including football.
Batiste’s athletic training career began as an undergraduate athletic training student at Georgia Southern University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology in 2000. At Georgia Southern she worked with an Eagles’ team that went on to capture the 1999 Division I-AA National Football Championship. She earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine from Georgia State University in 2003 while working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Walton High School in Marietta, GA.
A native of Augusta, GA, La Tanja is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and is also a 2011 graduate and active member of the NCAA's Leadership Institute.
COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Brianna Liebold has been named Interim Head Coach of the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track and Field programs for the Cheyney Wolves.
CHEYNEY, Pennsylvania -- "I first and foremost wanted to thank our President Dr. Pogue, Vice President Dr. Harpe, and our Athletic Director Mr. Bell for giving me an opportunity to be a leader on this campus. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to take the reins here at Cheyney University as the Interim Head Cross Country & Track and Field Coach. Cheyney gave me my first opportunity as a collegiate assistant coach and is now giving me my first opportunity as a head coach and I could not be more honored to represent the University at which I stand," commented Liebold.
For the past four years Liebold has served as Assistant Coach under James Williams. A former stand-out on the track herself, Liebold has deep roots within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. As a student-athlete she competed for IUP in the long jump. She distinguished herself as a jumper and garnered All-American and Regional Athlete of the Year accolades.
A Dean's List honoree all four years at IUP, Liebold excelled in the classroom as well as in the triple and long jump. She holds the IUP indoor triple jump record as well as the PSAC record. She earned All-American Indoor status with a third and sixth place finish in the long jump in 2010 & 2011. As well as an Outdoor All-American accolades with an eighth place finish in 2011. In 2011 she was a three time PSAC Champion (outdoor long jump and triple jump and indoor long jump). In 2010 & 2011 she was also the PSAC Indoor Triple Jump Champion. In those years she was also named PSAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year and Indoor Field MVP. In 2010 she was named Overall Indoor MVP.
Liebold has also acted the Supervisor to SAAC, Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
She went on to say……"I am very determined to get this program back up on its feet and fitting a more competitive role not only in the PSAC but nationally at the Division II level. These student athletes here at Cheyney are amazing individuals, especially on the track and field team. They show aspiration, heart, and passion for what they do and are excited for the opportunity to help grow the program. They are willing to learn and become better at their craft and I am beyond willing to teach and help guide them to becoming successful not only on the track but in life. To me the education they learn in the classroom is just as important as the education on the track. I want all of these kids to feel success and to know that hard work is how you achieve that. Dedication is the key to achieving life's dreams! WE BLEED BLUE #WOLFNATION….."
BOWIE, Maryland -- Former Bowie State women's basketball standout Donia Naylor has signed a deal to begin her professional career in Europe. Naylor signed with BCT Alexandria of the Romania Liga National League, a top-tier team. TEAM INFORMATION
"I am very happy for and proud of Donia as she transitions into a pro career", said Bowie State Interim Head Coach Shadae Swan. "She worked really hard on her game and I'm positive she's going to do a terrific job for her team!"
The Washington, D.C. native played a key role during her two seasons (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) with the Lady Bulldogs' program and averaged 13.2 point per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. Over her career, Naylor accounted for 23 double-doubles and played in 41 games (starting 32).
Preseason games begin August 17th and the regular season gets underway September 27th.
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Coppin State University has named Shaunita Middleton as its head bowling coach.
Middleton currently competes in United States Bowling Congress (USBC) national tournaments as well as amateur bowling tournaments and holds various amateur tournament titles. She's excited to pass on her knowledge and passion for bowling while coaching and mentoring student-athletes.
"Rome wasn't built in a day," Middleton said. "I'm excited for the journey that lies ahead with Coppin State University's bowling program. I take pride in having any opportunity to support and bring the passion and knowledge that I possess for the sport of bowling to my alma mater."
During her time at Coppin State, Middleton was the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) president and winner of the distinguished President's Eagle Award in 2006. Middleton holds a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics.
Coppin State returns its top three bowlers from last season's team in seniors Kristen Sharpe and Kache Woods along with sophomore Jasmine Newman. Also returning will be junior Brionca Beard and sophomore Shawdae Frederick. The Eagles also had three bowlers named to the MEAC Commissioners All-Academic team.
Sharpe led Coppin State with 7,736 pins and a 161.2 average. She topped 200 three times during the MEAC Northern Division Meet Feb. 28m including a season-best 234 against Hampton. She rolled 221 and 214 against Howard and Morgan State, respectively. Sharpe bowled over 200 six times this season and had 14 matches with 170 or more pins.
Woods averaged a 166.1 pinfall for the Eagles and totaled 7,141 pins. She topped 200 three times at the Red Flash Invitational Jan. 31, including a career-high 241 against Cheyney, 229 against Farleigh Dickinson and 222 against Pitt-Bradford. Her performance placed her second overall and she was named to the all-tournament team. She bowled 170 or better 15 times this season.
Newman finished with the second-best total on the team with 7,525 pins and a 156.7 pinfall. On Dec. 6, she rolled a career-high and school-record 266 against Delaware State at the second MEAC Northern Division Meet. Her performance placed her seventh overall in the
"I always jump at the opportunity to provide our student-athletes with the knowledge I have acquired through experiences and teachings," Middleton said. "I believe that with hard work and dedication, we'll be able to grow as a program and become one that consistently competes with the best teams in our conference."
tournament. For her career, Newman bested 200 three times.
COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Alabama A&M head football coach James Spady said he was wanting to see how his team would compete Wednesday in the first day in full pads.
After the workout, he wasn't disappointed.
"I was looking to see who will compete," he said. "We competed well today."
He said preseason All-SWAC defensive lineman Anthony Lanier "showed out" as well as junior quarterback "Tootie" Ballard.
"I felt the offensive line is starting to make strides," Spady said. "The defense as a whole was flying around.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Bitterness was the prevailing taste of Jackson State’s 2014 season after the Tigers posted just their second losing record since 2006.
Consecutive wins against Texas Southern and Alcorn State added a sprinkle of sweetness to last season, though.
JSU players have said they used those wins to build a foundation for this fall. The victories served as an infrastructure that will renew construction at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when the Tigers kick off the first practice of their fall camp.
Those triumphs also contributed to a better sense of team morale, which will be one of many storylines to keep an eye on during camp.
Same core, different attitude
The nucleus of last season’s team is back for JSU. On offense, quarterback LaMontiez Ivy returns, as do a deep receiving crew spearheaded by 1,000-yard receiver Daniel Williams, and All-SWAC lineman Markus Cook is back.
JACKSON, Tennessee -- With Derrick Burroughs in charge again after a one-year absence, the 2015 theme for Lane football might be best described as Back to the Future.
