Saturday, August 22, 2015
Southern plans to scrimmage with better effort
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team finished preseason camp last Saturday with a scrimmage that didn’t feature the type of effort coach Dawson Odums was looking for.
The Jaguars say they plan to show improvement in that area when they scrimmage again Saturday morning at the Louisiana Leadership Institute.
“I think overall they’re going to be more excited,” Odums said. “I think they understand that that’s part of our makeup and that’s our motto — to play with energy and passion. Any time we get off the bus that’s something we’ve got to have in our lunch box that we’re always going to be carrying with us and I think we had it in spurts but not to my liking.
“I think we’re going to do better at that and it will be interesting to see how we do with that on Saturday.”
Odums and his assistants pointed to examples where effort was lacking as they reviewed tape of last week’s scrimmage.
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Sapakoff: James Robinson’s ‘rigorous’ car pulling workout will lift S.C. State
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The routine was the same most days this June and July. James Robinson pulled his car into the parking lot at Goose Creek’s Sedgefield Middle School and put it in neutral.
One of the most difficult workouts in college football began as S.C. State’s senior defensive end stepped outside into the steamy heat.
Robinson pushed the car for 40 yards. He pulled the thing back over the asphalt with ropes. Sometimes fellow Goose Creek High School graduates stopped by to join in, or watch.
“I pushed myself to my limits,” said Robinson, who is 6-4, 230. “Pushing the car uphill, bear crawling with the car. I just went hard. It was rigorous.”
Desperate times call for creative preseason measures. A heavily slashed S.C. State budget finally was approved June 30 after months of cost-cutting following a February vote in which a Statehouse subcommittee voted to close South Carolina’s only state-funded historically black university. S.C. State’s summer football program, allowing players to live on campus and workout, was among the casualties.
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One of the most difficult workouts in college football began as S.C. State’s senior defensive end stepped outside into the steamy heat.
Robinson pushed the car for 40 yards. He pulled the thing back over the asphalt with ropes. Sometimes fellow Goose Creek High School graduates stopped by to join in, or watch.
“I pushed myself to my limits,” said Robinson, who is 6-4, 230. “Pushing the car uphill, bear crawling with the car. I just went hard. It was rigorous.”
Desperate times call for creative preseason measures. A heavily slashed S.C. State budget finally was approved June 30 after months of cost-cutting following a February vote in which a Statehouse subcommittee voted to close South Carolina’s only state-funded historically black university. S.C. State’s summer football program, allowing players to live on campus and workout, was among the casualties.
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Mike Jones remains Southern’s deep threat
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- When Southern wide receiver Mike Jones catches touchdown passes, they tend to come in groups.Jones showed off that habit, as well as his knack for big gainers once again in the Jaguars scrimmage Saturday. On the first play, he caught a 99-yard touchdown pass from Austin Howard. He later caught a 5-yard scoring pass from Deonte Shorts, and, in between, he and Howard teamed for a 45-yard pass that set up another score.
That performance was reminiscent of games Jones has had each of his two seasons.
In last season’s Bayou Classic, he caught three passes for 130 yards, including touchdowns of 45 and 55 yards as Southern won 52-45 to win its second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference West division title.
Two years ago in a 31-28 victory at Alabama State, Jones caught five passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns. The scoring plays covered 68, 74 and 13 yards.
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Southern APR data submission meets NCAA approval
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern has cleared its first hurdle in academically certifying its student-athletes to the NCAA’s satisfaction.The Jaguars received notice from the NCAA earlier this week that the Academic Progress Rates data they submitted last week were complete and met NCAA requirements.
The submission of the forms is normally a routine matter, but Southern’s submission of unusable data in the past led to an 18-month NCAA postseason ban for all Jaguars programs, which was lifted May 15.
So as a result of Southern’s probationary status, the NCAA had to approve the submission before the university could proceed with supplying Academic Performance Program information by Sept. 28, a deadline which must be met by all NCAA members. That information will be used to evaluate the student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates’ for the 2014-15 academic year in all 15 Jaguars athletics programs.
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Friday, August 21, 2015
Cobbs Creek mural illustrates talent of Johnny Sample (UMES)
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| Johnny Sample, a Northampton, Va., native was a five-sport athlete in college at Maryland State (UMES) starring in track and field, baseball, gymnastics and basketball. COURTESY: artbynathaniellee |
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Johnny Sample had a big impact in the sports world. A tremendous football and tennis player, he also was a great sportscaster for radio station WHAT for many years. A special event is scheduled to illustrate Sample's talents in each one of these areas.
On Saturday, Aug. 29 there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Johnny Sample Memorial Mural at Cobbs Creek Community Center, 280 S. 63rd St. The dedication ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. The Sample family, Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, Mural Arts executive director Jane Golden and artist Nathaniel Lee are expected to attend. Sample's mural was made possible thanks to the city of Philadelphia and was created in collaboration with the Sample family and in partnership with the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
It's a great location for the mural. Sample resided in West Philadelphia and was very active in the Cobbs Creek community.
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South Carolina State University's Marching 101 will pay tribute to band’s biggest fan
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South Carolina State University’s Marching 101 band will perform Sept. 6 during the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- At an HBCU, halftime isn’t a break in the action. It’s just the beginning. While the football players demonstrate agility with high-flying catches, spectacular runs and hard-hitting tackles, marching band members work tirelessly to perfect their craft of high-flying drum majors, spectacular blends of passion through music, and the hard-hitting but unique and unmistakable sound of the marching band.
South Carolina State University’s “101’’ started humbly in 1918, a simple regimental band performing military drills and assisting with music at Sunday schools and wherever else it was needed. The band slowly but steadily evolved from a service band to a part of the school’s Department of Music, to a prominent band whose name rings from coast to coast.
The 101 makes appearances across the country, from bowl parades to NFL games. The band has made its mark, winning Atlanta’s annual Honda Battle of the Bands competition in 2011 and 2014.
So acclaimed is the band’s reputation, the 101 was featured last October in the VH1 movie “Drumline: A New Beat.” The character Dr. James Lee from the original film was inspired by former South Carolina State band directors.
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Prairie View A&M Football: Day 13 & Meet Willie Mack Garza
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Head coach Willie Simmons recaps day 13 and we also meet new PVAMU linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Willie Mack Garza.
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Laquanda Dawkins Named ECSU Women's Basketball Coach
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“I am elated to be here at ECSU and look forward to leading the women's basketball program. ECSU aspires to be the kind of place you prefer to be; a rich academic legacy that produces scholar students to make a difference in our society. It's an honor to be working with great people. I would like to thank Chancellor Stacey Franklin Jones, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vann Newkirk and Athletics Director, Derrick Johnson for having confidence in me to lead and build a legacy within the women's basketball program”
“Coach Dawkins is a gifted coach whose track record of success is a testament to her energy and commitment to student-athletes”, says ECSU Athletic Director Derrick Johnson. “I am sure that her presence and leadership will create momentum and a new energy in ECSU women’s basketball.” Coach Dawkins earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education, exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1999 and later received a Master of Science in physical education at Florida International University in 2006.
Dawkins played as a member of the Tar Heels from 1995-99. The Tar Heels won three Atlantic Coast Conference championships during Dawkins’ tenure. She was also named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and received the Coach’s Award for her efforts during the 1998-99 season.
Dawkins comes to ECSU after a one year stint as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University.
Before the year at TTU, she was the head women’s basketball coach at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), a NAIA Division I University where she also served as the department's Champions of Character liaison. SPSU, a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) was undefeated (15-0) at home during the 2013-14 season and posted an impressive 26-1 on their home court in her final two years as the head coach. SPSU ranked Number 29 nationally in the 2014 NAIA Division I coaches' poll and made their four trips in the last five years to the NAIA Division I national tournament Dawkins guided Southern Poly to three NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship appearances in her four seasons and compiled a 83-43 overall record.
During her tenure at SPSU, Dawkins coached three NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball All-Americans, an All-America Honorable Mention, several SSAC Player of the week honorees, a SSAC Defensive Player of the Year, multiple All-SSAC conference team members and four SSAC Champions of Character team honorees.
From 2006-2010, Coach Dawkins was the recruiting coordinator at Winthrop University. Her hard work as a recruiter and coach paid dividends for the Eagles with one of their best seasons in school history, an appearance in the 2009 Women's National Invitation Tournament.
In 2007-08, Winthrop had its best start in school history as an NCAA Division I program and established a school record for wins (20) in a season at any level. Also when Dawkins was with the Eagles, they finished above .500 in conference play for the first time and appeared in three straight semifinal games of the conference tournament.
For three seasons (2003-2006), she was the recruiting coordinator at Florida International University. In her three seasons there, Florida International compiled 48 wins and the 2005-06 team, behind the firepower of first-team all-conference selection Lasma Jekabsone, advanced to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and made a fifth appearance in the WNIT.
Fresh off her playing career and graduation from Chapel Hill, Dawkins assisted the coaching staffs at Gardner-Webb at the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes, with Dawkins on staff, Big Ten Conference Tournament title in 2001.
Dawkins is also a 2008 graduate of the NCAA Black Coaches & Administrators Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) Program and is an active member of the Black Coaches Association and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
Originally from of Shelby, N.C., Dawkins, who broke David Thompson's 20-year old scoring record to become Crest Senior High School’s all-time leading scorer, had her high school jersey (#23) retired.
18th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic Tickets On Sale
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Dillard University Athletic Director selected as 2015 NACWAA Administrator of the Year
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Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes has been selected as the 2015 Administrator of the
Year by the NACWAA.
Courtesy: DILLARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
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As Athletic Director (AD) at Dillard University, Barnes has distinguished herself as an outstanding professional, community servant and mentor. She assumed the leadership role in Dillard's athletic department in 2006. She is currently the President of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) and also serves on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' (NAIA) Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors and is chair for the NAIA's Conduct and Ethics Committee.
"Dr. Barnes is not just a leader at Dillard," said Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University. "She is a leader for our conference and for athletics nationally. Her energy and initiative have been great, and we are proud of her accomplishments."
Within the last school year, Barnes has been selected as one of Girl Scout Louisiana East's 2014 Women of Distinction, along with Gayle Benson, Mionne LaShe Gooch and Sally-Ann Roberts. Barnes was named one of New Orleans Magazine's "People to Watch Class of 2014" and GCAC AD of the Year twice, most recently in the 2013-14 school year.
"This award is not only about the influence that women have in athletics, but their impact in the community as well," said Barnes. "I have strived to be a servant leader. My hope is that Dillard students and the entire NAIA will reap the benefits of my efforts," Barnes added. "To receive this honor going into my 10th year as the Athletic Director at Dillard University, which is synonymous with the 10th year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, makes this award even special to me."
Recent initiatives by Barnes and her staff include launching a new logo and website as well as iPhone and Android applications for the Dillard University athletics department.
The NACWAA is the premier leadership organization that empowers, develops, assists, celebrates, affirms, involves and honors women working in college sports and beyond. NACWAA takes a proactive role in advancing women into positions of influence and powerfully shapes the landscape of women leaders.
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2015 GCAC volleyball tournament headed to Little Rock
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| Little Rock, Arkansas and Philander Smith College will host the 2015 GCAC Volleyball Championship from Nov. 12-14. COURTESY GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE |
The site award was initially approved by a vote of the conference's athletic directors earlier this month.
The 2015 GCAC Volleyball Championship will be played in Little Rock, Ark., and hosted by Philander Smith College from November 12-14. This will be the first time that Philander Smith has hosted a conference championship event since the 2012 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships.
The winner of the tournament will receive the GCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA Volleyball Tournament which begins November 21, 2015. Last year, top-seeded Xavier represented the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in the NAIA national tournament after defeating SUNO in the finals at the Xavier University Convocation Center in New Orleans.
Hotel Accommodations
The Clarion Hotel Medical Center-Midtown has been selected as the official host hotel of the 2015 GCAC Volleyball Championship. Located ten minutes from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, the Clarion Hotel Medical Center-Midtown gives teams and fans alike easy access to tournament action and the sights of Little Rock.
For booking information, please contact David Nelson at (501) 748-4706 or via email at dnelson@clarionlr.com.
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Edward Waters hosts Tiger football media day
JACKSONVILLE, Florida –The Edward Waters College Department of Athletics held their annual Tiger Football Media Day Tuesday, August 18th. Head Coach Alvin Wyatt and the 2015 Tiger football team held a press conference in the Adams-Jenkins Sports and Music Complex multipurpose room where they discussed the upcoming season."This is one of the toughest schedules ever played in our football program's history. We know it won't be easy, but with consistent dedication from our athletes and unwavering support from the community we can succeed," said Wyatt.
The 2015 line-up includes three home games and seven away games including the "Jacksonville Football Classic" against the Jacksonville University Dolphins October 17th at 1:00 p.m. This game will be televised on ESPN3.
This is the second year the Tigers will be playing in the Sun Conference. The team opens their season against the University of Faith at home August 22nd at 7:30 p.m. This year's homecoming game will be played against Concordia College on October 24th at 3:00 p.m.
The Sun Conference, formerly the Florida Sun Conference, is heading into its 23rd season of competition and continues to be one of the most athletic intercollegiate conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
All of the Tiger home games will be played at Stanton College Preparatory High School at 1149 W. 13th Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209.
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XU's Haywood named preseason GCAC Co-Player of the Year
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| (CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE) |
The GCAC's seven head coaches made the selections.
Haywood, a 5-foot-11 senior middle blocker from Memphis, Tenn., and a graduate of Cordova High School, was first-team All-GCAC and All-GCAC Tournament last season, when she recorded 227 kills and 53 blocks and hit a team-best .300.
Haywood shared preseason Player of the Year with Talladega Carla Novaes, a junior outside hitter.
Teammate Franziska Pirkl joined Haywood on the seven-player preseason All-GCAC team. A 5-9 senior setter from Munich, Germany, and a graduate of Theodolinden Gymnasium, Pirkl produced 1,087 assists, 214 digs, 65 kills, 31 aces and 29 blocks last season. Pirkl has been first-team All-GCAC three times.
Xavier, 20-6 overall and 14-0 in the GCAC in 2014, received 6-of-7 first-place votes and 47 points. SUNO placed second with 39 points and one first-place vote. Dillard was third with 31 points. Xavier won the last four GCAC regular-season and tournament championships and has a 59-match win streak — 48 in the regular season — against GCAC opponents.
"I am very excited for Claudia and Fran to receive their preseason GCAC honors," third-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "The competition in our conference is rising, and it is good to see other schools get recognition. We look forward to having more Xavier players on the postseason all-conference team."
Xavier will open its season Aug. 28 — one week from Friday — in the Big Easy Blastoff at XU's Convocation Center. The Gold Nuggets will play NCAA Division I's Mississippi Valley State at 9 a.m. and Mobile at 5 p.m. The Nuggets' GCAC opener will start at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 against Talladega at the Convocation Center. Admission is free to all XU home matches.GCAC Preseason Voting
All-Conference
Name School Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown
Chassidy Harris Tougaloo MB 6-1 So. Friendswood, Texas
Claudia Haywood Xavier MB 5-11 Sr. Memphis, Tenn.
Carla Novaes Talladega OH 6-1 Jr. Sao Paulo, Brazil
Franziska Pirkl Xavier S 5-9 Sr. Munich, Germany
Shelby Stewart Dillard MB 6-0 So. Houston, Texas
Astasia Williams Dillard S 5-9 Sr. Baton Rouge, La.
Zyra Wright Philander Smith OH 5-7 Sr. Dallas, Texas
Order of Finish (first-place votes in parentheses)
Rank School Points
1 Xavier (6) 47
2 SUNO (1) 39
3 Dillard 31
4 Philander Smith 27
5 Talladega 21
6 Tougaloo 19
7 Edward Waters 12
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Hampton University Lady Pirates Unveils 2015-16 Basketball Schedule
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2015-16 Hampton University women's basketball schedule |
HAMPTON, Virginia -- The Hampton University women's basketball program, heading into its seventh season under head coach David Six, has unveiled its 2015-16 schedule -- a slate that includes eight teams that saw postseason play in 2014-15.
"Another challenging schedule," Six said. "We had a challenging schedule last year, and this is more of the same. But I feel like we've shored up some things in the offseason and I think we'll be ready to go and do better. We're looking forward to the challenge."
Six of the teams on Hampton's schedule competed in the NCAA Tournament last season, with two others having competed in the postseason WNIT.
The season will kick off with a five-game road trip, starting on Nov. 13 when the Lady Pirates (19-13, 14-2 MEAC in 2014-15) square off against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. From there, Hampton will head to Pullman, Washington on Nov. 16 to take on Washington State and Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 19 to take on Oregon. Iowa State was in the NCAA Tournament last season, while Washington State advanced to the WNIT.
A trip to El Paso, Texas to take on UTEP on Nov. 22 and Austin, Texas on Nov. 25 to take on Texas will round out the trip. Texas advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Hampton will make its home debut on Nov. 29, welcoming James Madison to the Convocation Center; the Dukes made it to the NCAA Tournament last season. On Dec. 5, the Lady Pirates will play host to Drexel in a rematch of last season's WNIT first-round affair.
Hampton's first MEAC game will be on Dec. 7 at Morgan State.
The Lady Pirates will then head to Columbia, S.C. on Dec. 16 to take on nationally-ranked South Carolina – which was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season. South Carolina finished the 2014-15 season ranked No. 3 in both the AP and USA Today coaches polls.
A home game against Lehigh on Dec. 20 will close out the pre-holiday portion of the schedule.
Hampton will be in Miami, Fla. on Dec. 28-29, competing in the Florida International Tournament for the second straight season in a field that includes host FIU, Wake Forest, and Rhode Island. The Lady Pirates won the tournament last season, beating Bowling Green and Auburn in the process.
The Lady Pirates will then head to DeLand, Fla. to take on Stetson on New Year's Day, before heading to Princeton, N.J. on Jan. 3. Princeton went undefeated in the regular season last season before falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Princeton finished last season ranked No. 13 in the AP poll and No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Conference play will begin in earnest on Jan. 9, when the Lady Pirates play host to Bethune-Cookman, before Florida A&M comes to the Convocation Center on Jan. 11.
On Jan. 16, the Lady Pirates will head to Greensboro, N.C. to take on North Carolina A&T; it will be Hampton's first trip to Greensboro since the 2010-11 season. Hampton will follow that on Jan. 18 with a trip to Durham, N.C. to take on North Carolina Central.
Hampton will return to the Convocation Center on Jan. 23, taking on defending MEAC Tournament champion Savannah State to kick off a three-game homestand. South Carolina State will pay the Lady Pirates a visit on Jan. 25, with rival Norfolk State coming to Hampton on Jan. 30.
On Feb. 6, the Lady Pirates will be in Princess Anne, Md. to take on Maryland Eastern Shore, before heading to Washington, D.C. on Feb. 8 to face rival Howard.
After playing host to Morgan State on Feb. 15, the Lady Pirates will hit the road again on Feb. 20, heading to Dover, Del. to take on Delaware State – led by former Lady Pirates assistant coach Barbara Burgess – before going to Baltimore, Md. on Feb. 22 to square off against Coppin State.
Howard will come to the Convocation Center on Feb. 27, before the Lady Pirates hold their home finale on Feb. 29 against Delaware State.
The regular season wraps up on March 3, when Hampton hits the road to take on Norfolk State.
The 2016 MEAC Basketball Championships will be held March 7-12 at Norfolk Scope.
Dates and times are subject to change.
For more information on Hampton University basketball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
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Will Packer — Straight outta FAMU
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Will Packer was a student at Florida A&M University when the group N.W.A. polarized the nation with gritty street stories and in-your-face lyrics.
From the East Coast to the West Coast, fans loved them. Packer did, too, popping cassette tapes and bobbing his head to songs like “Straight Outta Compton,” “Express Yourself” and “(Bleep) the Police.”
Dubbed as the world’s Most Dangerous Group, N.W.A. was feared by mainstream America. The media, FBI and local law enforcement viewed the group with suspicion. As N.W.A’s popularity grew, so did calls to censor lyrics laced with gang violence and misogyny.
Two decades and over a dozen films later, Packer is part of the story. A rags-to-rap riches story.
The 1996 FAMU graduate, entrepreneur and filmmaker is one of the executive producers for “Straight Outta Compton” — a critical and commercial hit that raked in $60.2 million in its opening weekend, earning more than twice what it cost to produce on the way to becoming the fifth-highest August opener in history.
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From the East Coast to the West Coast, fans loved them. Packer did, too, popping cassette tapes and bobbing his head to songs like “Straight Outta Compton,” “Express Yourself” and “(Bleep) the Police.”
Dubbed as the world’s Most Dangerous Group, N.W.A. was feared by mainstream America. The media, FBI and local law enforcement viewed the group with suspicion. As N.W.A’s popularity grew, so did calls to censor lyrics laced with gang violence and misogyny.
Two decades and over a dozen films later, Packer is part of the story. A rags-to-rap riches story.
The 1996 FAMU graduate, entrepreneur and filmmaker is one of the executive producers for “Straight Outta Compton” — a critical and commercial hit that raked in $60.2 million in its opening weekend, earning more than twice what it cost to produce on the way to becoming the fifth-highest August opener in history.
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Medical issues behind, SCSU Bulldog duo looking for big season
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- College football fans may think the players they cheer for have few problems from season to season, other than maybe how much they work out and how they schedule their date nights around those workouts.That’s simply not the case in most instances. Some players go through serious adversity with their health, making them appreciate even more the opportunity to play the sport they love.
At South Carolina State, Darius Leonard and Jalen “Scoot” Simmons are two examples of collegiate football players who have come through trying times physically and emerged as standout players and leaders on their team.
Leonard is a redshirt sophomore linebacker from Lake View who played so well in 2014 that he was named Rookie of the Year in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He led the team in tackles with 87 total and 54 of them solo stops.
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All sides need to remember that FAMU comes first
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| FAMU BOT Letter |
The current situation at Florida A&M University reminds me of my first experience with crisis management during my first year at FAMU in 1966.
The leap from student to director of sports information immediately following graduation — and working with giants like President B. L. Perry, Jr., Coach Jake Gaither and director of bands William P. Foster — created its own form of shock and awe.
All three were commanding leaders — authoritative, brilliant and forceful with powerful egos to match their considerable accomplishments. Sometimes their egos clashed, and many times I was a witness to ...
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Arizona Cardinals rookie Rodney Gunter (Delaware State) has ‘no other choice than to be great’
GLENDALE, Arizona – Next. Man. Up.
It’s the mantra the Arizona Cardinals lived by a year ago, and really ever since head coach Bruce Arians arrived in 2013.
The motto was dusted off on Thursday when it was announced starting nose tackle Corey Peters would be lost for the season with a torn Achilles.
“You just hate it for him,” cornerback Jerraud Powers said, “but as a football team in the NFL, injuries, you expect it, you deal with it and you just move on.”
Rookie Rodney Gunter will get the first opportunity to fill Peters’ spot along the defensive line. The Cardinals drafted the 6-foot-5, 305 pound defensive end in the fourth round, 116th overall, out of Delaware State.
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It’s the mantra the Arizona Cardinals lived by a year ago, and really ever since head coach Bruce Arians arrived in 2013.
The motto was dusted off on Thursday when it was announced starting nose tackle Corey Peters would be lost for the season with a torn Achilles.
“You just hate it for him,” cornerback Jerraud Powers said, “but as a football team in the NFL, injuries, you expect it, you deal with it and you just move on.”
Rookie Rodney Gunter will get the first opportunity to fill Peters’ spot along the defensive line. The Cardinals drafted the 6-foot-5, 305 pound defensive end in the fourth round, 116th overall, out of Delaware State.
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
Alabama State, South Alabama set to play in 2018
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- South Alabama is the latest in-state FBS school to add Alabama State to its future schedule.The Jaguars will play the Hornets in 2018 for the first time ever. The game is scheduled for Oct. 13 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. South Alabama will play another SWAC school, Alabama A&M, in 2017.
Adding Alabama State completes South Alabama's non-conference schedule that includes Oklahoma State, Memphis and Louisiana Tech.
The Jaguars, who closed out last season with a 33-28 loss to Bowling Green in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery to finish 6-7, open the 2015 season Sept. 5 against Gardner-Webb.
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Shot at SWAC title game rejuvenates TSU program
HOUSTON, Texas -- When Amir Bloom was a freshman at Texas Southern, the Tigers were one year removed from winning the 2010 SWAC football championship, their first conference title in 42 years.
The joy and momentum of that title quickly abated when the NCAA found TSU, under a former coach, guilty of massive violations, including academic fraud and illicit benefits. The punishment resulted in the football team's not being eligible for the SWAC championship until the 2015 season.
Now the Tigers have something extra to play for. And based on what fourth-year TSU head coach Darrell Asberry and several star players said Wednesday during the school's media day, there is more spirit and energy among the team.
"It feels great to have the handcuffs off," Asberry said. "Our football team is going to be very competitive."
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The joy and momentum of that title quickly abated when the NCAA found TSU, under a former coach, guilty of massive violations, including academic fraud and illicit benefits. The punishment resulted in the football team's not being eligible for the SWAC championship until the 2015 season.
Now the Tigers have something extra to play for. And based on what fourth-year TSU head coach Darrell Asberry and several star players said Wednesday during the school's media day, there is more spirit and energy among the team.
"It feels great to have the handcuffs off," Asberry said. "Our football team is going to be very competitive."
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VIDEO: FAMU AD Milton Overton Addresses the Quarterback 220 Club
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University athletic director Milton Overton addressed the Quarterback 220 Club on Wednesday. In his address, he spoke of his vision for FAMU Athletics.
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FAMU running backs looking to bounce back after sub-par 2014
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M head coach Alex Wood is implementing a run-first offense for 2015, meaning the Rattlers’ ground game will have to improve dramatically to thrive in the new scheme.
The Rattlers were second-to-last in the MEAC — and 112th in FCS football — in running the ball last season, and the team scored just five touchdowns on the ground. Only the Robert Morris Colonials (1-10) had fewer rushing touchdowns (4).
No FAMU running back scored a rushing touchdown last season.
Gerald Hearns, who led the team in rushing last season with 475 yards, said FAMU has a formidable stable of running backs. Hearns, a sophomore, stood out during FAMU’s first fall scrimmage on Saturday, especially when he took a screen 63 yards for a touchdown.
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The Rattlers were second-to-last in the MEAC — and 112th in FCS football — in running the ball last season, and the team scored just five touchdowns on the ground. Only the Robert Morris Colonials (1-10) had fewer rushing touchdowns (4).
No FAMU running back scored a rushing touchdown last season.
Gerald Hearns, who led the team in rushing last season with 475 yards, said FAMU has a formidable stable of running backs. Hearns, a sophomore, stood out during FAMU’s first fall scrimmage on Saturday, especially when he took a screen 63 yards for a touchdown.
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Central State University's Thomas living up to the family name
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| ZACH THOMAS Courtesy: CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) |
After all, the Central State senior tight end will become a four-year starter when he takes the field in the Marauders’ season opener Sept. 5 at Alderson Broaddus. After each of his three previous seasons he has received some kind of all-conference honors and this year he’s been named the preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) first team tight end.
But anyone who's ever sat beneath the Thomas family tree knows the shade it can throw when it comes to sporting accomplishment.
"Everybody in the family has a story to tell and they're all great ones," Vaughn Thomas, Zach's dad and a former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back, said with a laugh Wednesday afternoon as he spoke by phone from Honolulu, Hawaii where he works for the federal government.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Former Northwestern State, pro standout joins Gold Rush coaching staff
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Tuesday the hiring of Tyronn Mitchell as men's basketball assistant coach.
Mitchell, 33, replaces Alfred Williams, who left Xavier in July after six seasons to become the head coach at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Mo.
Mitchell was an assistant coach at Baton Rouge (La.) Community College this past season. He was a standout point guard at Northwestern State University from 2002-06 and played seven years professionally in Europe.
"We are excited to welcome Tyronn Mitchell to the Xavier family," said 13th-year head coach Dannton Jackson. "He has great experience not only as a player at Northwestern State and overseas professionally, but also as a coach at Baton Rouge Community College. We're very familiar with each other. I have spent time on the road recruiting with him. We've scrimmaged against each other and signed some of the BRCC players. We look forward to having Tyronn on our staff."
A native of New Iberia, La., Mitchell was a four-year starter at Northwestern State and is the Demons' career leader with 264 steals. Mitchell was All-Southland Conference second team as a senior and contributed five points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in the Demons' 64-63 upset of third-seeded Iowa in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Northwestern State trailed the Hawkeyes by 17 points with 8 1/2 minutes remaining and won on Jermaine Wallace's corner 3-pointer with five-tenths of a second remaining. Mitchell was in the lineup during the winning shot.
That comeback for the "Demons of Destiny" was named the greatest in Southland men's basketball history in a 2013 fan poll to celebrate the conference's 50th anniversary.
Mitchell is fourth at Northwestern State with 509 career assists. His four-year totals included 822 points, 365 rebounds and 97 made 3-pointers, and he was selected to the Demons' modern era "Fab 50" (1976-2012).
Mitchell played professionally in Romania from 2006-13. He ended his career on a high note, helping his team finish second in that country's national tournament.
"Xavier has a nice family atmosphere," Mitchell said. "I look forward to working with Dannton Jackson, a coach who has 10 20-win seasons at Xavier. I hope to instill in the young men I coach here the leadership skills and mental toughness I was able to acquire as a player. Being from Louisiana, I can help with in-state recruiting. There are diamonds in the rough in this state, particularly in the rural areas. I think I can go out and get them."
As a sophomore at New Iberia Senior High School, Mitchell was a starter on a team that reached the semifinals of the Class 5A state playoffs. He then spent his junior and senior years at Marine Military Academy Prep School in Harlingen, Texas, where he was a standout in basketball and football.
Xavier was 24-10 in 2014-15, finished second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament runner-up and ranked 21st in the postseason poll. The Gold Rush have the NAIA's longest active streak of top-25 appearances, 50, and qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship each of the past five seasons.
What They're Saying About Tyronn Mitchell
Mike McConathy, Northwestern State University Head Coach
"What a great opportunity for Tyronn to go to work for such an accomplished coach in Dannton Jackson at a truly prestigious university. Tyronn's leadership ability as a player is second to none that I've ever coached. He's a fierce competitor and one of the greatest locker room leaders I've ever known. He made sure players were doing what they needed to do off the floor, as well as on the court, in a competitive nature, and that breeds success in a program. I feel strongly he will carry that forward as he coaches young men. He will be a great influence on them in basketball and in life."
Eric Wilson, Baton Rouge Community College Head Coach
"It was a pleasure working with Coach Mitchell. He is a family man that is dedicated to helping young men. I want to thank him for all that he has done for the program here at Baton Rouge Community College. He will be sorely missed but we are excited for the opportunity that he has ahead of him. Xavier is getting an assistant coach that is great on the court and great off the court helping kids academically. We want to wish him all the best in the future."
Mark Slessinger, University of New Orleans Head Coach
"In my 20 years of college coaching, Tyronn Mitchell was one of the most dymanic leaders I have worked with. He has an incredible feel for the game. Xavier has signed a young superstar in the making. He has a great feel for talent and is able to relate to young men, especially those from Louisiana, and develop them. I am excited for Tyronn to work with Dannton Jackson at Xavier. Dannton will be an excellent mentor and help Tyronn progress in this business."
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Brett Richardson Named Alcorn State Baseball Head Coach
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| BRET RICHARDSON HEAD BASEBALL COACH ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BRAVES COURTESY: ALCORN STATE ATHLETICS |
Director of Athletics Derek Horne announced the selection of Brett Richardson, a Tallahassee, Florida native, as the new leader of the Brave's baseball program.
"We are excited to have Coach Richardson join our staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our student-athletes. We have an experienced team returning and look forward to him stepping in and shaping our baseball team into a competitive program."
Brett Richardson comes to the Reservation after spending 19 years on the coaching staff of the Rattler Baseball program.
The personable Richardson's ties to the FAMU Diamond Program began during his playing days in the early 1990s as a catcher on the Rattlers' Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title winners in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
After spending five seasons as an assistant baseball coach at Tallahassee Lincoln High School (1992 to 1997), Richardson returned to FAMU to begin his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant under head coach Joe Durant in August of 1998.
Richardson eventually was promoted to full-time status in 2000, combining the duties of pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, with his various responsibilities as an assistant coach.
His years of experience in all aspects of managing the Rattler Baseball program and his growth as a leader was noticed by the FAMU administration, which tabbed him Interim Head Coach in May of 2010. Richardson led the Rattlers to their first MEAC Tournament appearance.
Richardson's vast array of responsibilities included the development of the Rattler hitters and catchers; coaching third base during games; assisting in recruiting; overseeing the academic eligibility process for team members, along with vital administrative duties.
When FAMU appointed Jamey Shouppe as its new head baseball coach in June of 2013, Richardson became the logical choice as Assistant Coach with his years of service to the program.
"Brett has given so much to the program at FAMU, and he is such a special, special man, who I am so happy to have on the staff," an elated Shouppe said moments after the Rattlers clinched the 2015 MEAC title.
Richardson holds a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from FAMU (1997), and also holds a master's degree in education (sports and leisure management) from FAMU (2001)
Braves fans are encouraged to log on to alcornsports.com for the latest news, scores and updates on Alcorn State athletics. Fans can also access the latest information on Alcorn State athletics through social media by following @BRAVESSPORTS on Twitter, @alcornstatesports on Instagram or liking the Facebook page at Facebook.com/AlcornStateSports.
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