Howard U. Football To Kick Off Season with Four ESPN Contests

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For the first time school history, the Howard University football team will start the season with four games that will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

The coverage of the Bison begins on September 6 when the Bison take on Appalachian State in Boone, NC. That game will be carried on ESPN3 live at 3:30 pm.

Howard follows with a game at Boston College, which will also be carried on ESPN3. That kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm

The Bison will then take on rival Hampton University in the AT&T Nation's Football Classic at RFK Stadium. The rare Friday night game on September 18 is scheduled for a 7 pm kickoff and will be carried live on ESPNU and the WatchESPN app.

Howard will then travel to Chicago to take on MEAC foe, Morgan State in the Chicago Classic at Soldier Field. The game will be aired live on ESPN3 at 4 pm and will air on tape delay on ESPNU at a time to be announced.

"This is great exposure for our football program and the University," said Howard head coach Gary "Flea" Harrell. "With the launch of our new logo and other things going on in athletics here at Howard, it could not come at a better time."

All 11 Bison games will be radio webcast on WHBC for the third straight year by logging onto www.whbc963hd3.com. Trevin Jones and Mike Lindo will again provide play by play and color commentary, respectively.

The rest of the schedule features a Howard Homecoming matchup against Norfolk State at 1 pm in Greene Stadium on October 3; a road game at South Carolina State on October 17 at 2 pm; a visit to North Carolina A&T on October 24 at 1 pm; a home contest against Savannah State on October 31 at 1 pm; a road game at Stony Brook on November 7 at 1 pm; a Senior Day matchup with North Carolina Central on November 14 in Greene Stadium at 1 pm; and a season finale at Delaware State on November 21 at 2 pm.



COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Atlantic Sun Conference Welcomes Delaware State as Women's Lacrosse Affiliate

MACON, Georgia -- The Atlantic Sun Conference announces Delaware State University as its newest affiliate member for women's lacrosse, expanding the league to 10 programs beginning in the 2017 season. The Hornets have participated as an NCAA Division I Independent since 2013.

The Atlantic Sun has grown steadily since play began during the 2012-13 academic year with five members. Over the past three seasons, A-Sun women's lacrosse has added five affiliates. Furman, Mercer and Old Dominion completed their inaugural season in 2015, while Central Michigan will begin play in the 2016 season and Elon participated for one season in 2014. With the Hornets becoming the 10th team, the A-Sun has doubled its roster as the sport continues to grow across the country.

COURTESY ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE

Lacrosse is the fastest growing women's sport both at the high school and collegiate level. According to the US Lacrosse Participation Survey, the number of women's lacrosse teams at the NCAA level increased 38.9 percent between 2009 and 2014, and the number of high school girls' teams increased 31.2 percent. That growth, particularly throughout the Southeast, led to the Atlantic Sun Conference beginning sponsorship of women's lacrosse in 2013, with champion Jacksonville earning the conference's first women's lacrosse automatic bid.

"Women's lacrosse continues to be one of the country's fastest growing sports, and we are proud to add Delaware State University to our growing conference," said A-Sun Commissioner Ted Gumbart. "As the sport's popularity expands, the A-Sun has doubled its lineup since the first season in 2013. We are well-positioned to promote the A- Sun and affiliate member institutions that battle for our NCAA Championship automatic bid. Delaware State will be an outstanding addition and we look forward to the contributions its women's lacrosse team will make to the A-Sun."

"It's a privilege for Delaware State University and our women's lacrosse program to be associated with the Atlantic Sun Conference," said Louis Perkins, Delaware State University Interim Athletic Director. "The A-Sun is well recognized for its competitive teams and commitment to academic excellence, and is a great fit for our growing women's lacrosse program. We are extremely happy to be associated with the outstanding Atlantic Sun institutions, and look forward to spirited competition and lasting relationships in the years ahead."

Jillian Lontz has been the only head coach in Delaware State women's lacrosse history. The Lancaster, Pa., native was a standout player at Wesley College, where she earned Capital Athletic Conference All-Academic recognition. Lontz has previously coached at the high school and collegiate levels, serving as an assistant at her alma mater before joining Delaware State.

"I'm excited that our lacrosse program will join such a great conference as the Atlantic Sun. In addition to the new rivalries that conference membership will create, it also provides opportunities for our student-athletes to compete for various honors and awards, and our team to vie for post-season play," said Lontz. "I want to thank the Delaware State University administration and the Atlantic Sun Conference for their hard work in making the first conference membership for the Hornet lacrosse program a reality."

The Atlantic Sun is coming off its most impressive season in league history. The league finished with its highest league RPI ranking of 12 in 2015, while teams combined for a new single-season record of 36 non-conference wins.

Delaware State will begin play in the Atlantic Sun Conference in the Spring of 2017.



COURTESY ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS

Howard University Tabbed Karli Brentlinger As New Women's Lacrosse Coach

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University Interim Director of Athletics Shelley Davis has announced the hiring of Karli Brentlinger as the new head coach of the Bison women's lacrosse program.

"We are pleased to bring Coach Brentlinger into the Bison family," Davis said of the hire. "She is a talented young coach with impressive credentials and a desire to take our women's lacrosse program to new heights."

Brentlinger brings to Howard a variety of experience within the sport of women's lacrosse and in athletics as a whole.

Over the past three seasons (2013-15), Brentlinger served as Head Coach at Division II West Virginia Wesleyan. The 2015 campaign proved to be a breakthrough one for Wesleyan's program under Brentlinger's leadership, as the Bobcats completed the best season in school history, going 13-5 and reaching the inaugural Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championship Game as a 3-seed. Wesleyan earned 10 All-MEC honors in the process - four First Team, three Second Team, one Honorable Mention and two Freshman team selections. In addition, Wesleyan earned three MEC Player of the Week and three All-MEC Tournament selections apiece. Brentlinger also displayed versatility at Wesleyan, serving as Interim Head Tennis Coach and Game Day Administrator during her tenure.

"I'm very excited to be named as the new coach here at Howard," Brentlinger said. "I believe a successful program can be built here so I'm just ready to get to work. I'd like to thank President Frederick and Ms. Davis for placing their trust in me."

Prior to Wesleyan, Brentlinger spent the 2012 campaign as an Assistant Coach at Division II Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. During her lone season at Bloomsburg, the Huskies captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship while earning six All-PSAC selections, the PSAC Rookie of the Year award and a PSAC Champion Scholar-Athlete award. The 2012 Huskies were also ranked 11th in the nation in scoring offense and broke several team & individual school records. The team also ranked in the top ten nationally in ground balls (fifth) and overall offensive points (seventh). 

Brentlinger was a standout lacrosse student-athlete at Division I Longwood University in Virginia. She led the Lancers to back-to-back National Lacrosse Conference (NLC) titles in 2009 and 2010 as a sophomore and junior. Brentlinger also earned National Lacrosse Conference (NLC) MVP Midfield honors those seasons and was named a two-time NLC Player of the Week, NLC Player of the Year & All-Conference First Team as a junior in 2010. 

Additionally, Brentlinger was recognized as a Longwood University Scholar Athlete during her time as the school.

Outside of her NLC honors, Brentlinger earned a WomensLacrosse.com Player of the Week Honorable Mention accolade in 2009 and was selected to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division All-State Second Team in 2010.

Besides her collegiate coaching experience, Brentlinger has extensive experience working with youth lacrosse. She has participated in several youth camps hosted by collegiate programs, including Robert Morris, Bucknell and her alma mater of Longwood. Additionally, she has been a part of numerous camps, clinics and leagues, including the Maryland United Lacrosse Club that she currently works with and the Mountain Ridge Elite (WV) program she created.

Brentlinger graduated from Longwood University in 2011 with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Coaching and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Exercise Science from Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia.

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Fayetteville State set to hire alumnus Bennett as A.D.

ANTHONY BENNETT
Courtesy: WSSU Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State is believed to be turning to one of its graduates to lead its athletic program.

The FSU Board of Trustees is expected to approve Winston-Salem State’s Anthony Bennett as athletic director in a special meeting scheduled Wednesday at 2 p.m. Bennett currently serves as associate athletic director for compliance at WSSU.

Multiple FSU and in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association sources told The Fayetteville Observer that Bennett is the choice to replace Edward McLean, who retired Aug. 1 after serving eight years. Bennett was chosen from a field of finalists that also included former Saint Augustine’s associate athletic director Kristene Kelly and former N.C. State and NFL football player Lin Dawson.

“Expect an official announcement on Anthony Bennett soon,’’ a FSU source said Tuesday. “He should do a great job for the Broncos.”

The Laurinburg native earned his undergraduate (1995) and Master’s (2000) degrees from Fayetteville State. Bennett also worked five years at FSU as Associate Athletic Director for Internal Affairs and as the school’s NCAA compliance officer.

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The Cleo Hill Story: He was Michael Jordan before there was a Michael Jordan

Cleo Hill, one of the best basketball players in Winston-Salem State and CIAA history, died on Monday in Orange, New Jersey at age 77.  As a  head coach at Essex County College in Newark, NJ, Hill would win 489 games with a 79.3 winning percentage, which ranks as the seventh-highest all-time in NJCAA men’s basketball.  He coached his hometown Wolverines 24 outstanding years.

CLEO HILL
6'-1"/185 lbs.
FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK (#8) 1961 NBA DRAFT
 ST. LOUIS HAWKS,
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Before there was MJ, there was Cleo Hill. Many consider him one of the all-time greats whose misfortune was to be black and born 20 years too soon. He played college basketball at Winston-Salem Teachers College from 1957-1961 for legendary coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines before ACC schools like North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest began recruiting black players. Playing at the predominantly girls school, the 6 foot 1 inch Hill averaged 27 points per game as a senior. Savvy basketball scouts considered Hill the best player in the country when he graduated from college. The St. Louis Hawks of the NBA drafted Hill with the 8th pick in the first round--the first African-American from a Historically Black College to be drafted in the first round.

At Winston-Salem, his impact was such that he was recently voted the best player in school history, even ahead of Hall of Famer Earl "the Pearl" Monroe who followed him in the late sixties and went on to star for the New York Knicks.

A little background here: Long time sports commentator Billy Packer, who played guard for nearby Wake Forest became friends with Hill in 1961. The naive Packer, a Pennsylvania native, decided one evening to cross the tracks to the poor side of town to watch a game between Winston-Salem and Tennessee State. He soon found he was the only white guy in the packed gym. Coach Gaines recognized him from a newspaper article and invited him to sit with him on the bench. It didn't take long for Packer to realize that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) schools played better quality basketball (more speed and athleticism) than the so-called big time schools of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Packer was later quoted as saying, "Cleo Hill was better than anybody in the ACC. There was nobody close to him. As a matter of fact, of the guys I've seen in this state, Cleo Hill was the forerunner of David Thompson and Michael Jordan. The whole league had guys like that. Out of that Cleo and I became buddies and we used to scrimmage against them. " This came from a man who played on two consecutive ACC champions in 1961 and 1962. Packer organized numerous informal scrimmages between Wake Forest and Winston-Salem on Sunday mornings which were probably against the law at that time in the Jim Crow South. 

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Coach Hill was a star basketball player at Winston-Salem State University before being the 1961 first round draft pick of the St. Louis Hawks. He also played in the old American Basketball League and the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League. Coach Hill was profiled in the 2008 ESPN documentary Black Magic, which chronicled legendary African-American basketball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Born and raised in Newark, N.J.  and a graduate of South Side High School (now Malcolm X Shabazz), Coach Hill returned home following his six-year pro basketball career. He assumed the head coaching job at the fledgling Essex County College, 

FAMU President Elmira Mangum to Receive Global Leadership Award

ELMIRA MANGUM, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Celebrating Women International has named Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., a 2015 Women of Distinction Global Leadership Award in Education honoree.

Celebrating Women International is an organization that aims to mobilize and inspire women across the globe and to recognize and celebrate their contributions. The organization has also been instrumental in the fight against cancer and HIV/AIDS.

President Mangum will be presented with the honor on Oct. 3, the date of the University’s founding in 1887, during the annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

During the ceremony, women from around the globe who have made significant contributions to art, business, education, finance and trade, religion, law, civics, media, and sports will be recognized.

President Mangum will be honored alongside global leaders such as Muriel A. Howard, Ph.D., president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities; Donna E. Shalala, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services; Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, minister of International Cooperation and Development for the United Arab Emirates; Nontombi Naomi Tutu, race and gender justice activist; Sandra Granger, first lady of Guyana; Joyce Banda, former president of the Republic of Malawi; Whitney Houston (posthumously), music icon; and Sheryl Lee Ralph, activist, actress, and producer.

“The selected honorees have demonstrated an untiring zeal for service to the community and inspire us through their selfless commitment to improving the lives of others,” said Celebrating Women International Corporate Secretary Collin Smith.

Commenting on receiving the distinguished award, Mangum said, “I am honored to be recognized among such an accomplished and diverse group of women who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of our world. I think it is befitting to receive this international recognition on behalf of the University on the date of its founding. I will accept the award on behalf of all of those who worked tirelessly to make FAMU into the gateway of access and opportunity that it is today.”

About FAMU

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.

The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.

FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.

What distinguishes Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education to many students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility.

SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).

U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges. 

FAMU was named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Top Colleges” for 2015. Forbes also listed FAMU as one of its “Best in the South” colleges, and the University is recognized for providing their students with the best return-on-investment in categories such as student satisfaction, post-graduate success, academic success, career success, nationally competitive awards, student debt, retention, and graduation rates.

COURTESY FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

RATTLER ON THE MOVE: Courtney Vinson Named Associate Athletic Director for Sport Services and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Memphis

COURTNEY VINSON
ASSOCIATE AD FOR SPORT SERVICES AND
SENIOR WOMEN'S ADMINISTRATOR
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- Courtney Vinson, who has served as an assistant athletic director at University of Central Florida (UCF) the past four years, has been named the Associate Athletic Director for Sport Services and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Memphis. U of M Athletic Director Tom Bowen made the announcement Monday.
 
At Memphis, Vinson will oversee the operations of the Athletics Office of Compliance, including certification, scholarships and the scholarship book process. Also among her responsibilities, she will also serve as the sport administrator for several sports.
 
Vinson will also serve as a liaison with academic advising and co-support the operations of the CHAMPS Life Sills program.
 
"We conducted a national search and had an incredible group of qualified candidates for this position," Memphis Director of Athletics Tom Bowen said. "We were pleased that Courtney decided to be a part of the process. She is going to be an outstanding addition to the University of Memphis Athletic Department. "
 
Vinson joined the University of Central Florida staff in July 2011. Over the past four years she has been responsible for overseeing the UCF athletics compliance office.
 
A member of the UCF Athletic Association's senior staff, Vinson created, developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure institutional rules which aligned with the NCAA and American Athletic Conference regulations. She developed compliance programming for administrators, coaches, student-athletes and boosters.
 
Prior to her tenure at UCF, the Long Island, N.Y., native served as the Director of Compliance at Clemson University (2008-11) where she was responsible for admissions and eligibility. She also oversaw 11 of 16 sports as the Assistant Director of Compliance at the University of Akron (2006-08). Vinson also worked as a compliance intern at Villanova University (2006) and Georgia Institute of Technology (2005).
 
Vinson earned her master's degree in athletic administration from Marshall University in 2006 where she was a compliance graduate assistant.
 
Vinson was a track and field student-athlete as an undergraduate student at Florida A&M University. A four-year letter-winner at FAMU, she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the school in December 2003.
 

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

JSU’s Porter glad to be back in action

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Monday night marked the first full-pads practice of training camp for Jackson State, a day Tigers defensive back Robert Porter has had his eyes on for quite some time.

Porter missed all of spring practice to heal from the effects of a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which he suffered during training camp last year but played through all season.

“(Spring ball) was horrible. I hated coming to practice knowing I had to watch from the sidelines,” Porter said. “It was just tough because I couldn’t be out there with the fellas, leading them.”

Now the 6-foot, 170-pound senior corner is back in action and eager to show people he’s ready to improve upon the 61 tackles and eight pass breakups he posted in 2014.

Porter, who hails from Detroit, is a criminal justice major, and has a commendable grade-point average.

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29 Ineligible Football Players Cost Morehouse College a Three-Year NCAA Probation

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Morehouse College's Atheltic Department faces a three-year probation and $5,000 fine for three major violations of NCAA bylaws occurring from 2009 to 2015.

In July, the NCAA released the public infraction decision as part of its agreement with Morehouse College. The decision details how both the athletic department and the college occurred three NCAA infractions -- (1) NCAA Division II Manual Bylaw 14.4.3.3.5, NCAA Division II Manual Bylaw 15.3.2.3, and NCAA Division II Manual Constitution 2.8.1.

From academic years 2009-2010 to 2014-2015, the athletic department attested to playing 29 ineligible student-athletes; failing to "properly certify student-athletes' eligibility in two areas (1) continuing eligibility (progress-toward-degree requirements); and (2) good academic standing"; and improperly signing financial aid awards. This decision involves the football, cross-country, basketball, golf and baseball programs.

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Excitement builds for 18th Down East Viking Football Classic

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina -- September 26 cannot arrive soon enough for Elizabeth City State and Winston Salem State.

The two rivals will meet in the 18th annual Down East Viking Football Classic this fall, and Monday’s annual news conference at Rocky Mount City Hall to promote the event sounded more like a weigh-in for a championship title fight.

“(Winston Salem State Chancellor Elwood Robinson) sent me a message that our alumni should hurry up and get to the game if we want to get a seat,” ECSU Chancellor Stacey Jones said.

“I’m excited when we take WSSU on the road,” Robinson added a few moments later. “We call it the ‘We See Red Tour,’ so we will paint Rocky Mount red. ... We bring primarily six to eight thousand (supporters) so I guess we can’t bring everybody.”

“Winston Salem State, I’m looking forward to you painting the city red, but know that the ECSU Vikings will be there to paint the city blue as well,” ECSU athletics director Derrick Johnson retorted.

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WSSU basketball legend Cleo Hill dies

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Cleo Hill, one of the best basketball players in Winston-Salem State and CIAA history, has died.

He was 77.

Teddy Blunt, a friend of Hill’s who was also a star basketball player for the Rams, said Hill died in Orange, N.J., on Monday morning at his home after being under the care of hospice for a few days.

“I think a lot of people in North Carolina and on the East Coast knew who Cleo Hill was,” Blunt said by telephone from his home in Wilmington, Del. “He was highly revered, and he was one of the best who ever played at Winston-Salem State.”

Hill, who graduated from WSSU in 1961, is the second-leading scorer in school history behind Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. Hill scored 2,488 points in his four seasons playing for Coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines.

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Albany State completes first practice of season

ALBANY, Georgia -- The Albany State football team hit the field for its first practice of the 2015 season on Monday. Familiar faces like Jarvis Small and Tavarius Washington were on the field, along with a new face in first-year head coach Dan Land.

There are lofty expectations on this year’s squad with the team predicted to win the SIAC East Division, and Small and Washington named the SIAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. However, the first-year head coach is reminding his team that there’s an entire season to play.

“Like I told my team when I first came out, I told them I'm old school, meaning that, look, everything on paper, don't believe it. You've got to go out and perform that,” Land said. “If we had scheduled on paper with at the end of the year, we'd be the number one team, we're the number one offense, number one defense, that's fine, but that is end of the year. Right now, we're nothing. We haven't won a game. We ain't played a game. So right now, it's just paper.”

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NTCA Recognizes UMES as One of Nation's Top Academic Teams

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Scholarship is one of the core values of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics, and no team exemplifies that more than women’s bowling. Recently, the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) named the program one of its top academic programs as well, honoring 21 teams who posted a combined 3.2 grade point average (GPA) for the 2014-15 academic year.

The award has been given for the four straight seasons, and the Hawks have made the list each year.

UMES however, was in the top tier of the grouping, carrying a combined 3.51 team GPA, placing it as one of seven to be above a 3.5. LIU-Brooklyn claimed this season’ crown, unseating UMES, last year’s winner, by posting a 3.79 team GPA.

The women’s bowling team at UMES is not only the most decorated athletically, but academically as well, having won the department’s Team of Scholars award 14 times in the last 15 years. The award is given to the team with the highest GPA among all 15 of the Hawks’ programs.

UMES graduated four players this season, including a pair with honors in MEAC Woman of the Year Mariana Alvarado (Leon, Mexico) and Tatiana Munoz, (Ibague Tolima, Colombia) an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award winner.

“We graduated four wonderful young women,” said head coach Kayla Bandy. “They were all great bowlers and all great students. Our team works hard on the lanes and in the classroom each year, which is a staple of this program. It is something that we will continue to be proud of and something we will continue to see success in.”

In addition to individual academic honors, the NTCA awards one team the All-Scholars distinction and recognizes the other programs. The NTCA “wants to recognize outstanding academic achievement and is proud to salute [all] these teams,” they said in a statement.

Other teams nearing the top of the list included Felician, who were this year’s runner-ups, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State, Adelphi and Saint Francis College, all of which were above a 3.5. UMES was the only Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team and the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to make this year’s list.

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Lexus honors the legacy of the late golf pioneer Charlie Sifford, UMES

President Barack Obama presents World Golf Hall of Famer Charlie Sifford the Medal of Freedom on November 24, 2014. Sifford is the third golfer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, following Arnold Palmer (2004) and Jack Nicklaus (2005).

TORRANCE, California – Lexus celebrates the accomplishments of the late African-American golf legend and pioneer, Charlie Sifford, by establishing “The Lexus Endowment” at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Lexus Endowment of $100,000 at UMES will help college students establish careers in the golf industry, and in doing so, add to Sifford’s legacy. A 2014 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Sifford became the first African-American to join the PGA Tour in 1961 and helped pave the way for professional golfers of diverse backgrounds. Sifford passed away Feb. 3, 2015 at the age of 92.


Charlie Sifford’s legacy will forever be remembered. Charlie Sifford explains the challenges he faced while paving way for the likes of Tiger Woods.

“It is a privilege for Lexus to honor a pioneer like Charlie Sifford and help advance the dreams and aspirations of young, diverse students seeking to establish a career in the golf industry,” said Jim Colon, vice president African-American business strategy, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

“We enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Sifford going back decades, and so we are proud to be able to commemorate his rich legacy with this endowment,” Colon said.

UMES is one of 19 schools that offer a PGA golf management program that covers a broad range of aspects of the golf enterprise, and the only historically black institution to offer such a program.


Life Time Achievement Inductee Charlie Sifford (presented by World Golf Hall of Fame Member Gary Player) from the 2004 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

“Dr. Sifford was a true pioneer,” UMES President Juliette B. Bell said. “We thank Lexus for this generous gift, which will remind generations of students of what can be accomplished with perseverance and determination despite the odds.”

In partnering with Lexus, UMES named its 300-yard driving range on the 1,100+ acre campus, “The Lexus Driving Range,” which was dedicated at the Art Shell UMES Invitational golf tournament on June 10.

The announcement of this formal gift to UMES coincided with what would have been Charlie Sifford’s 93rd birthday on June 2.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE PUBLIC RELATIONS

FAMU’s defense enjoying new 4-3 scheme

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Jacques Bryant knows Florida A&M’s defense is under a microscope.

Bryant, a Tallahassee native who went to FAMU DRS, had his fair share of great plays last season as a sophomore defensive back, despite FAMU’s struggles.

He finished second on the team in tackles with 59, forced a fumble, caught an interception and had two sacks (FAMU’s defense only had 23 sacks all last season). He was recognized for his efforts last season and named to the preseason All-MEAC third team.

Obviously, he wants more.

“It makes me feel good, but I have to get better than that,” he said. “I want to be an All-American. I’ve got to get better than All-MEAC.”

FAMU’s defense shares Bryant’s mentality.



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Georgia Tech Football: Opponent Preview - Alcorn State

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Alcorn State Braves will be heading into Atlanta in week one looking to build off of a fantastic season in 2014. The Braves were 10-3 (7-2) on the season and defeated Southern in the SWAC Championship game to capture their first conference title since 1993. Georgia Tech has scheduled some rather tough opponents in the "cupcake game" slots recently, and Alcorn State could potentially fill that role once again to open the year.

What to watch for:

The Braves were one of the most dangerous teams offensively in the FCS last season, and they'll be returning most of their weapons in 2015. Alcorn State runs the ball very well, and they'll likely look to keep the ball on the ground as much as they can against the Jackets to keep their defense off the field and to limit turnovers through the air. Last season, Tech struggled heavily against the run and in most areas defensively to open up the year. In the opening game, Wofford was able to run the ball effectively against the Georgia Tech defense to keep the game fairly close for much longer than people expected. Defensively, the Braves had much more turnover and lost a good number of leading tacklers from last season. Despite that, the Alcorn State secondary should remain very productive with a few talented players returning. Run defense should be the weakness for the Braves, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Tech throw the ball less than 10 times in the game. The key matchup though will be the success of the Alcorn State run game in the first half. The Jackets will score early and often, but if the Braves can control the ball on the ground, they'll be able to stick around longer than the fans at Bobby Dodd want.

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Southern’s Lenard Tillery wants more team success

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Lenard Tillery remembers when individual milestones were put into perspective for him.

Senior quarterback Dray Joseph had just broken the Southern record for career passing yards two seasons ago when Tillery, then a freshman running back, approached him.

“I sat down and I was trying to congratulate him, and he just looked at me and said none of that really matters,” Tillery recalled. “”You get your name in the books and stuff like that, but unless you win championships, nobody cares.”

Joseph went on to break the school record for touchdown passes as he helped the Jaguars win a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. So when Tillery became Southern’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 11 years last season, it meant little after losing to Alcorn State in the SWAC title game.

“I could have had 3,000 yards last year and no championship, and it wouldn’t have mattered,” Tillery said. “You can’t get caught up in what can I do for me? You have to look at what’s the whole goal? Is the team getting better? Is that run I made good for the team? If you go for 200 yards in a game and y’all still lose, it’s still a loss.”

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Tennessee State University Tiger Camp Update: Day Two

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Day two of the Tigers fall camp produced high energy and competitive intensity despite the rising temperatures. Saturday followed the same pattern as day one with the exception of the sounds of the Aristocrat of Bands blaring over the sound system. The AOB standards helped build the mood of the day.

“I just like the intensity of practice,” Head coach Rod Reed said. “The guys are out there getting after it the whole practice. That’s what you want during the early practices. Hopefully we can keep that intensity up throughout the camp.”

The offense struck first during the seven-on-sevens, as O’Shay Ackerman-Carter went over the top and connected with senior wide-out Hakeem Parker for a 60-yard touchdown pass. The defense responded with its patented shutdown coverage, highlighted by a huge pass break-up by Bernell Brooks, two plays following the initial play.

Junior quarterback Ronald Butler stepped on the field and found success in his first attempt with a 40-yard pass play to freshman tight end Mahlon Medley. The defense would once again stand tall limiting the offense to modest gains.

The day Tigers wrapped up the day with a 25-play live action session. The offense went for the big play on the very first play as Ackerman-Carter stood tall in the pocket, despite a rush by Marvin Maddox, and hit junior receiver Isaiah Jeffries-Freeman for a 65-yard touchdown.



The defense would seem to have the edge the rest of the way with an interception returned deep into the offensive territory. The blue-shirts did have another big play in them as Ackerman-Carter teamed up again with Parker for a long scoring pass.

“Both quarterbacks are looking good,” said Reed. “I am excited about the good things they are doing. Defensively, we have allowed a couple of big plays. We have to minimize those if we are going to be successful on defense. But I am pleased overall especially after the second day of practice.”

The Big Blue will take a day off on Sunday and will return to the grind on Monday morning at 9:15am.

“We need to cut down on mistakes, but that’s why you practice,” Reed commented. “We know it is the early practices and there are going to be some mistakes. The key thing is not to make the same mistakes tomorrow that you made today. We need to get in the film room, we have to do our jobs as coaches and we have to make corrections. Hopefully we will come out and have an even better practice on Monday.”

Schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 9 – OFF
Monday, Aug. 10 - 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 - 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 - 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13 – 9:15-11:30 a.m., 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 14 - 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15 - 7:30-9:30 a.m. (Scrimmage), 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16 - OFF

Emily Hester Named CSU Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach

ASSISTANT COACH EMILY HESTER
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY
WOMEN'S SOCCER

CHICAGO, Illinois – Chicago State University head women's soccer coach Tony Tommasi has announced today the appointment of Emily Hester as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2015 season. Hester will immediately begin her duties as the Cougars open their preseason training schedule on August 6th.

"I'm excited to have Emily join the program this year. She brings a level of enthusiasm and passion for the game that will help us continue to grow as a young program," stated Tommasi. "Emily will be a valuable mentor for our young team as they embark on the second year of Division I soccer."

Hester comes to CSU after serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State University, where she helped the Mustangs finish the 2014 season with a 10-8-1 record and advanced to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) postseason tournament. She also served as an assistant coach on the varsity girls' team at Omaha (Neb.) North High School in 2014 before her appointment at SMSU.

In addition, Hester spent the last five years as an academy camp coach at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and coached three years in Olympic Development Programs in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Prior to her coaching career, Hester was a four-year letterwinner in soccer as a defender for Bellevue (Neb.) University, where she helped the Bruins capture three straight Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) regular-season titles and four consecutive MCAC tournament championships in addition to four appearances in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament.

She garnered All-MCAC second-team honors in her final three seasons at Bellevue while capturing MCAC Scholar Athlete honors all four years and received the NAIA Champions of Character award in her senior season in 2013. Hester was also named Bellevue's Female Student-Athlete of the Year following the 2013-14 school year.

"I would like to thank Coach Tommasi for this great opportunity to become part of the women's soccer program. It is an exciting time to come into Chicago State to help build a program in its second year," Hester said. "I look forward to continuing to help guide the student-athletes to success here at CSU."

The Cougars open the 2015 season at Bowling Green on August 21st.

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Media Invited to VSU Trojans Media Day Set for August 10

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Trojans will host its annual media day on Monday, August 10, at 1:00 p.m. as announced by first year head coach Byron Thweatt.

There will be a question and answer session with coach Thweatt, as well as media availability with several VSU players. Local media outlets from all around will have the chance to watch the Trojans train from 3-5 p.m. at the practice field inside Rogers Stadium.

Coach Thweatt is just 31 days away from opening up his first season as head football coach. The Trojans will open up the 2015 season on Sept. 5 against California University of PA at Rogers Stadium at 1:00 p.m.

To keep up with the Trojans during preseason, follow @VSUSports on Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtags GoVSUTrojans or GoVSUTrojanFB for the 2015 campaign.

For more information, please contact VSU Interim Sports Information Director, Cassandra Artis-Williams at cartis-williams@vsu.edu or call at 804-524-6831.



COURTESY VIRGNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WVSU Football Unveils New Uniforms for 2015

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE 2X

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- The Yellow Jackets will have a new look when football season opens this fall.

Thursday they unveiled their 2015 uniforms that offer up to four different combinations.
WVSU opens the season with a Thursday night game at Fairmont State on September 3.

The Yellow Jackets play their home opener on Saturday, September 12 at 1 p.m. against Urbana.



COURTESY WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

The Time Is Now for Virginia State University Trojans Athletics

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The time is now for VSU Trojans!

The Trojans are astonished as progress continues on the $84 million dollar Multipurpose Center slated to open in December 2015. The contractors continue to lay brick by brick with the anticipation opening date within reach.

Presently under construction, the 167,000 gross sq. ft. event facility will have approximately 5,200 fixed seats and accommodate nearly 6,200 for events. The facility will be the home of Trojan basketball and volleyball, and will include food and retail services, media spaces, classrooms and faculty offices, a wellness center and conference/meeting spaces.

The state-of-the-art facility will not only push VSU's athletic program into the forefront of Division II facilities, it will attract students to the university. "We intend to continue our quest to becoming a great national university, both academically and athletically," said Athletic Director Peggy Davis.

The new facility will make a significant impact on the long-term culture of Virginia State University, the time is now.

The future of Virginia State University is very exciting and the Trojans are looking forward to opening their home conference schedule in the new facility.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Prairie View A&M University to unveil $60M football stadium and sports complex in 2016

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University's Blackshear Stadium was in rough shape for as long as Roy Perry can remember.

The wooden benches he sat on as an engineering student in 1978 to watch Panthers football games had not changed much from when the team was in its heyday and won five black college titles between 1953-1964. Perry graduated in 1978 dreaming improvements would someday be made, but after an historic 80-game losing streak from 1989-1998, they never came.

Even when the Panthers program broke the skid of losing seasons in 2007, won a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in 2009 and made sweeping building improvements campuswide, some fans had to watch games played on a field in disrepair from behind a perimeter fence because the 6,000-seat stadium was at capacity. Perry said Blackshear's appearance never meshed well with the overall beauty of the campus.



VIEW PVAMU NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM CONSTRUCTION

"It wasn't much of anything," Perry said. "Kids played in better stadiums at their high schools."

Perry, who now serves as chairman of the Prairie View A&M Foundation, said he watched with joy on Jan. 23 as the tiny stadium was demolished with a few swings of an excavator arm.

With Blackshear gone, the university will finally get what Perry felt the school deserved more than 30 years ago in a $60 million, 15,000-seat football stadium and sports complex, which will open for its first game in September 2016.


PVAMU Stadium Animation Extended Version from PVAMF on Vimeo.

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Savannah State football team holds scrimmage off campus for public

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- The Savannah State football team’s first Community Appreciation Summer Clinic and Scrimmage was held Saturday morning off campus at Memorial Stadium. Partnering with Chatham County Park Services, the university wanted to give fans an opportunity to interact with the players and coaches in a short clinic before the team held an intrasquad scrimmage.

The scrimmage, which was split into 15-play segments at different spots on the field, went for a total of 125 plays before the final whistle was blown.

The offense (blue squad) was operating with a lot of new faces. While the young group was relatively unfamiliar playing with each other, head coach Earnest Wilson was pleased with how the offensive unit looked.

“It was the first time this coaching staff worked together,” Wilson said. “It was the first time the guys were on the sidelines together. So we are happy that things on that side of the ball are moving in the right direction.”

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Woody Anderson Ford hosting Alabama A&M Bulldog Community Kickoff on Aug. 14

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  -- It's Kickoff time!

That's right. The Bulldog Community Kickoff, hosted by Woody Anderson Ford, is set for Friday, Aug. 14 from 3- 7 p.m.

The dealership at the corner of Jordan Lane and Sparkman Drive will be the site for food, fun, games, prizes, music and fellowship.

Fans can meet the Bulldog coaches, athletes, cheerleaders and celebrities while listening to the Marching Maroon & White band.

There will be free football tickets for Huntsville city, Madison city and Madison County students and fans will be able to purchase season and single-game tickets, as well.

So, come on out and have some fun with the Bulldog family as we get ready for another season of Alabama A&M football/

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSIY SPORTS INFORMATION