DURHAM, North Carolina -- The NCCU Football "Countdown To Kickoff" video series continues with fall camp interviews with co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach T.C. Taylor.
Hear from the coach as he discusses the student-athletes in their positions, how they've progressed through camp, and who to look for during the upcoming season.
The NCCU football team opens the 2015 season at home inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Sept. 5 versus Saint Augustine's University at 6:00 p.m. in the sixth annual Prince Hall Shriners Diabetes Football Classic.
Single game and season tickets are still available. For ticket information, call the NCCU Ticket Office at 919-530-5170 or visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Smart. Fast. Physical. AAMU Football season tickets, tailgate spots on sale
NORMAL, Alabama -- Football season will be here before you know it so don't hesitate in getting your tickets to make sure you don't miss a minute of the action.
The Bulldogs' fast, physical and smart brand of football is sure to excite the fans of the Maroon and White. Arkansas-Pine Bluff visits Sept. 26 to kick off the season for Homecoming and the Louis Crews Classic. Also coming to The Hill are Jackson State (Oct. 17), Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 7) and Texas Southern (Nov. 28).
With the aroma of barbecue in the air, tailgaters enhance the legendary Bulldog football atmosphere and there are still spots available for the 2015 season for you gridiron grillers.
For our fans' convenience, the Louis Crews Stadium ticket office has expanded hours to Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don't be left on the sidelines. Join the excitement of Bulldog football with your friends and family in the crowd and at the smokers.
COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Dawn of a new era for Delaware State football
DOVER, Delaware -- The Delaware State football team was up with the rising sun Saturday inside Alumni Stadium.
With their first game under new coach Kenny Carter a week away, the Hornets can’t wait to get started.
The same could be said for Saturday’s crack-of-dawn practice, even though alarms had to be set early.
“That’s what you want to do,” said senior safety Terrick Colston, who woke at 4:30 a.m. for the 6 a.m. session, referring to the Hornets’ willingness to work. “I was one of the first ones in there, too.”
Delaware State has more difficult challenges ahead than wee-hours wakeups.
Liberty, which DSU visits Saturday night in Lynchburg, Virginia, is ranked No. 15 nationally in FCS.
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With their first game under new coach Kenny Carter a week away, the Hornets can’t wait to get started.
The same could be said for Saturday’s crack-of-dawn practice, even though alarms had to be set early.
“That’s what you want to do,” said senior safety Terrick Colston, who woke at 4:30 a.m. for the 6 a.m. session, referring to the Hornets’ willingness to work. “I was one of the first ones in there, too.”
Delaware State has more difficult challenges ahead than wee-hours wakeups.
Liberty, which DSU visits Saturday night in Lynchburg, Virginia, is ranked No. 15 nationally in FCS.
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Six-figure payday awaits ASU with 2018 game at Auburn
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
The Hornets and Tigers will meet on The Plains on November 17, 2018
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Talk about providing a boost to its athletic budget.
Montgomery Advertiser confirmed through an Auburn spokesperson that Alabama State is scheduled to receive $515,000 to play at Auburn in 2018 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. For the 2013-14 academic year, ASU reported to the U.S. Department of Education it spent $2,803,620 on football and made the exact same amount from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014.
The school also reported it spent $1,068,488 on the salaries of all head coaches, a total of $565,820 on operating expenses for football games (football scholarships) and $278,709 for recruiting expenses for all men's and women's sports in 2013-14.
In 60 minutes of football, ASU is about to make nearly twice as much money than it spent on recruiting for all its sports in 2013-14.
ASU president Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd and interim athletic director Melvin Hines, an Auburn graduate and former player for the Tigers, signed the contract for the 2018 Auburn game July 30 and Auburn AD Jay Jacobs signed it Aug. 20. My suggestion for Auburn fans is to stick around for halftime of that one.
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
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Xavier goes 1-1 in Big Easy Blastoff volleyball
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| XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 2015/16 WOMEN'S VOLLEY TEAM ROSTER (Click on Photo to Enlarge) |
The Gold Nuggets defeated Mississippi Valley State 26-24, 25-17, 25-16 in the tournament's opening match, then lost 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14 to Mobile in the final match of the day.
Xavier (1-1) will play Saturday at 9 a.m. against NAIA No. 19 Wayland Baptist and 3 p.m. against Faulkner. Admission is free.
The Gold Nuggets' Jodi Hill hit .600 with 10 kills and four aces against Mississippi Valley, and Taylor Reuther had eight kills and nine digs in her first match since 2013. The victory was Xavier's first against an NCAA Division I opponent since 2011.
Against Mobile, freshman Ruby Hunt-Thompson had 14 kills, and CeCe Williams had 11.
In the other matches, Wayland Baptist defeated Mobile 24-26, 26-24, 27-25, 27-25, Mobile beat Mississippi Valley 25-13, 25-13, 25-18, and Wayland Baptist defeated Faulkner 25-17, 23-25, 28-26, 25-17. Wayland Baptist, 6-0 this season, was the only team to finish unbeaten Friday.In Saturday's other matches, Mississippi Valley will play Faulkner at 11 a.m., Wayland Baptist will play Loyola at 1 p.m., and Mississippi Valley will meet Loyola at 5 p.m.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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XU's Jackson wins women's race at Big Easy Opener
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| XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 2015/16 WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM ROSTER (Click on Photo to Enlarge) |
NEW ORLEANS— Xavier University of Louisiana's Zahri Jackson ran two miles in 14 minutes, 27.3 seconds Friday to win the women's division of the Big Easy Opener cross country meet at City Park.
Jackson, a fifth-year senior, earned her fourth collegiate victory and her first since winning her second straight Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title in 2012.
Freshman teammate Brianna Pace, in her collegiate debut, was second in 14:48.0. XU senior Briana Simms was third in 14:56.3.
The Gold Nuggets outscored city rival Dillard 17-45 to win the team title.
Power Miler Track Club scored 15 points to win the men's division. Xavier was second with 61 points, and Dillard was third with 64.
Power Miler's Drew Haro ran 5,000 meters in 15:56.9 to finish first. The first collegiate men's finisher was Xavier junior Christopher August, in eighth place at 17:03.6. Brent Kitto was the second Gold Rush finisher, placing 11th in 17:22.9.The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will compete next Friday in the Southern Miss Invitational at Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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JSU Tigers’ Cook settling in at center
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Off the field, Jackson State junior center Markus Cook has spent enough time studying to compile a 3.3 grade-point average as a special education major.On the field, Cook, who has hopes of becoming a coach someday, has to put in his fair share of studying, too. He’s had to learn defensive fronts and tendencies, protection calls and the rest of his fellow linemen’s assignments.
It’s that kind of preparation that has turned Cook into one of the more steady presences along the Tigers’ offensive line during the first few weeks of practice.
“His consistency through camp (stood out), there was a good battle between he and Alem (Amores at center) but he’s been the more consistent guy making calls …,” offensive line coach Steven Aycock said.
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Benedict Season Opener Selected As Part of SIAC TV Package With ASPiRE Network
ATLANTA, Georgia -- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will broadcast four SIAC football games on ASPiRE Network for the upcoming 2015 football season, including Benedict College's season-opener."We are pleased to have SIAC football games on the ASPiRE Network this fall," said SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore. "This partnership will provide our fans with multiple opportunities to follow our exceptional SIAC football programs and student-athletes throughout the season."
The SIAC football broadcast schedule will debut on ASPiRE on September 5th when Benedict College hosts Livingstone College in the annual Palmetto Capital City Classic in Columbia, South Carolina. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m.
ASPiRE is available in the Columbia area on Time Warner Cable channel 185. For other areas, please check with your local cable provider. ASPiRE is not available on either satellite service – DISH and DirecTV.
In addition, ASPiRE will broadcast the Morehouse College against Tuskegee University at the historic A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Georgia for the 80th annual Tuskegee/Morehouse Classic on October 10th.
ASPiRE will also broadcast games during the final two weeks of the season starting on November 7, with the 26th annual Fountain City Classic game between Albany State University and Fort Valley State University at AJ McClung Stadium in Columbus, Georgia, and the 2015 SIAC Football Championship Game between the East and West Division Champions at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on Saturday, November 14.
The upcoming games include:
Saturday, September 5 – Livingstone College at Benedict College. 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 – Morehouse College vs. Tuskegee University. 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 7– Albany State University vs. Fort Valley State University. 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 – SIAC Football Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
About ASPiRE
ASPiRE is a television network that celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of African-Americans. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in over 20 million homes in 22 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvASPiRE.
ABOUT THE SIAC:
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC sponsors six women's sports and seven men's sports. Last year 388,787 fans attended SIAC football games as the SIAC once again led NCAA Division II in average football attendance for twenty-third time out of the past twenty-five years.
COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
Friday, August 28, 2015
Coppin State alum Stephanie Ready named first full-time female NBA game analyst
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- FOX Sports Southeast announced that Coppin State alum Stephanie Ready will make the move from the Charlotte Hornets sidelines to the broadcast booth with Eric Collins and Dell Curry, becoming the first full-time female NBA game analyst.
Ready has been a fixture with the Charlotte Hornets. She will be entering her 12th season with the Hornets telecasts. She was previously the host of Hornets LIVE! and an in-game sideline reporter.
"I've had a love affair with the game of basketball for as long as I can remember, both as a player and a coach," Ready said. "I'm honored and excited to be able to share my passion for this sport with our audience. FOX Sports and the Hornets have always taken pride in being innovative and forward-thinking. I'm extremely proud to be a part of history."
Prior to her broadcasting career, Ready was an assistant coach in the WNBA and the NBA D-League, making her the first woman to coach a men's professional sports team. Ready also spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the men's basketball program under former head coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell. At the time, Ready was the first female to hold the position of full-time recruiting assistant on an NCAA Division I men's basketball staff.
Ready was also a part-time sideline reporter for The NBA on TNT during the 2006 and 2007 NBA Playoffs, and the WNBA Playoffs on ESPN2 during 2006. Also in 2006 and 2007, Ready worked as a sideline reporter during the first and second rounds of the Women's Final Four of college basketball for ESPN2.
"I'm excited about it," Ready said about becoming the first full-time female NBA game analyst. "I look back at my career and the careers of other ladies who are in the same industry and I think of Ann Meyers, who is with the Phoenix Suns organization. She's a vice president there, so she's on the executive staff but she also is a television analyst. She's been on their broadcasts for a while, just not on a full-time basis because, as I said, she's an executive as well. She has proven herself and proven to people out there who might be a little more narrow-minded, that women are perfectly capable of doing the same jobs in this industry that men can do."
A native of Takoma Park, Maryland, by the time she graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Ready was ranked in the top-10 on the career women's basketball list at Coppin State in steals (second), assists (fourth), points (eighth) and rebounds (tenth).
The following is courtesy of Matt Rochinski of hornets.com, who caught up with Ready to discuss her historic move.
On making the move to the Hornets broadcast booth:
I am thrilled – I'm over the moon with excitement. When I was a coach and considered getting into television, this was the job that I wanted. This was the reason that I got into sports broadcasting, because I wanted to be a game analyst. Even though I've done it all these years – some college games and some NBA games on a fill in basis – this will be the first time I get to focus primarily on the job that I love the most in television. I couldn't be more excited.
CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW HERE FROM NBA.COM
COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Ready has been a fixture with the Charlotte Hornets. She will be entering her 12th season with the Hornets telecasts. She was previously the host of Hornets LIVE! and an in-game sideline reporter.
"I've had a love affair with the game of basketball for as long as I can remember, both as a player and a coach," Ready said. "I'm honored and excited to be able to share my passion for this sport with our audience. FOX Sports and the Hornets have always taken pride in being innovative and forward-thinking. I'm extremely proud to be a part of history."
Prior to her broadcasting career, Ready was an assistant coach in the WNBA and the NBA D-League, making her the first woman to coach a men's professional sports team. Ready also spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the men's basketball program under former head coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell. At the time, Ready was the first female to hold the position of full-time recruiting assistant on an NCAA Division I men's basketball staff.
Ready was also a part-time sideline reporter for The NBA on TNT during the 2006 and 2007 NBA Playoffs, and the WNBA Playoffs on ESPN2 during 2006. Also in 2006 and 2007, Ready worked as a sideline reporter during the first and second rounds of the Women's Final Four of college basketball for ESPN2.
"I'm excited about it," Ready said about becoming the first full-time female NBA game analyst. "I look back at my career and the careers of other ladies who are in the same industry and I think of Ann Meyers, who is with the Phoenix Suns organization. She's a vice president there, so she's on the executive staff but she also is a television analyst. She's been on their broadcasts for a while, just not on a full-time basis because, as I said, she's an executive as well. She has proven herself and proven to people out there who might be a little more narrow-minded, that women are perfectly capable of doing the same jobs in this industry that men can do."
A native of Takoma Park, Maryland, by the time she graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Ready was ranked in the top-10 on the career women's basketball list at Coppin State in steals (second), assists (fourth), points (eighth) and rebounds (tenth).
The following is courtesy of Matt Rochinski of hornets.com, who caught up with Ready to discuss her historic move.
On making the move to the Hornets broadcast booth:
I am thrilled – I'm over the moon with excitement. When I was a coach and considered getting into television, this was the job that I wanted. This was the reason that I got into sports broadcasting, because I wanted to be a game analyst. Even though I've done it all these years – some college games and some NBA games on a fill in basis – this will be the first time I get to focus primarily on the job that I love the most in television. I couldn't be more excited.
CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW HERE FROM NBA.COM
COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Smith Named Chowan Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach
MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The Chowan University Athletic Department along with Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Melissa Nakasuji announced the addition of Kyle Smith on Wednesday afternoon. Smith enters his first season with the Hawks and serves as the Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach. He noted, "I am so excited to be part of a developing program and am thankful to Coach Nakasuji for bringing me in at such an exciting time".
Prior to joining the staff at Chowan, Smith served as the Women's Lacrosse Coach and Program Director at Otay Ranch High School in California during the 2014-15 season. While serving in that capacity, Smith was responsible for the development and supervision of the varsity and junior varsity programs. Under Smith's direction, the Otay varsity lacrosse team posted a 19-2 overall record and made an appearance in the Division 2 State Semi Finals. The team had four First Team All-Conference recipients and four Second Team All-Conference honorees. That same season, the program enjoyed an 11-game win streak and a Mesa Conference Championship.
Smith also gained experience as the Assistant Coach and Vice President of the Black Widow LAX Women's Lacrosse Club. As part of the organization, Smith organized practice and tournament schedules, developed practice plans and was an integral part of player recruitment and skill development and budget management.
Additionally, Smith served as an Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Olympian High School men's varsity lacrosse program in 2014. After the program posted a 4-16 record in their inaugural season, Smith helped guide the team to a 13-7 record the following season including a Semi-Final playoff appearance in the state's Division 2 playoff. Smith also coached the South Bay Outlaws Boy's Lacrosse Club for three seasons.
Smith has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and gained Professional Trainer/Nutritional Specialist Certifications from the International Sports Science Association in Carpenteria, California.
The Chesterfield, Michigan native currently resides in Murfreesboro with his wife, Kelly.
COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Norfolk State Spartan Fan Fest is Aug. 29
NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State University Department of Athletics will host Spartan Fan Fest beginning at noon on Saturday, Aug. 29.The event, which is free and open to the public, begins with the Spartan football team's final preseason intrasquad scrimmage at noon at William "Dick" Price Stadium. Following the scrimmage, fans will have the opportunity to meet the football coaches and players, get autographs, play games, shop from vendors on site, and purchase their football season tickets and game-day parking passes. Football pocket schedules and posters will also be available for pickup.
Also at the Fan Fest, parents will be able to register their children for the 2015-16 Spartan Youth Club. Kids in attendance can also take advantage of face painting and back-to-school giveaways. Concessions will be available and a DJ will also be on location.
Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Duck Joins Chowan's Women Basketball Coaching Staff
MURFREESBORO -- The Chowan University athletic department along with Associate Athletic Director/Head Women's Basketball Coach Patrick Mashuda announced the addition of Dominique Duck to the women's basketball coaching staff. Duck enters her first season with the Hawks and serves as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach.
Mashuda noted, "We are blessed to find such a quality person with a true passion for the game. Dominique brings with her outstanding experience as a player at Western Kentucky as well as her time as a coach in the Western PA Bruins AAU program. I believe we have two young coaching superstars working with our program".
Duck added, "I am extremely excited to work with Coach Mashuda and to be part of the Chowan Hawks family. I look forward to this upcoming season and to bringing my passion and love for the game of basketball with me every day to work".
Prior to coming to Chowan, Duck gained coaching experience in the youth basketball arena. She has served as head coach for the Western PA Bruins tenth and fifth grade AAU teams, respectively, and has also served as Assistant Coach/Head Junior Varsity Coach at Penn Hills High School and the Pittsburgh Obama Academy. At each stop, Duck worked to mentor youth basketball players while teaching them fundamentals of the game, sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline.
Duck served as a graduate assistant at Slippery Rock University from 2010-2011 where she assisted in opponent scouting, developed practice plans, monitored student-athlete academic progress and aided the coaches' recruiting efforts.
Duck competed as a women's basketball student-athlete at Western Kentucky University. She served as a team captain for two seasons and was named Sun Belt Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2008. Duck concluded her collegiate playing career as the No. 16 scorer in Western Kentucky program history with 1,344 points while setting the school record for career games played (137), tied for third in games started (121) and was ranked seventh in blocked shots (113). She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Western Kentucky University. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native resides in Murfreesboro.
COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Clemons Joins NSU Spartans Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff
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| C.J. CLEMONS ASSISTANT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY |
Clemons arrives at NSU after spending two seasons as the head coach of Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach. A graduate of Salem High School, Clemons brings extensive knowledge of Hampton Roads basketball after spending time at Booker T. Washington High in Norfolk and coaching with the Boo Williams 17 and under AAU team.
"Adding C.J. to our program was a huge accomplishment," said NSU head coach Robert Jones. "He has a big presence in Virginia basketball and especially in the 757 community. He will immediately strengthen our recruiting ties in the area. As an NSU grad, he possesses a special Spartan passion. He is a great basketball mind, and I look forward to working with him."
In addition to his coaching duties at Norfolk State, Clemons will serve as the liaison for the athletics compliance department, supervise the team's student managers, help run the program's summer camps, and handle all of the team's community outreach initiatives. Because of his extensive ties in the area, Clemons will also be in charge of local recruiting.
He led Bryant & Stratton, a Division II member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), to a two-year record of 38-16 during the program's first two years of existence beginning in 2013-14. The Bobcats advanced to the NJCAA Region 10 semifinals in 2015 on the way to averaging 78 points per game and finishing as the No. 13 ranked team in NJCAA D-II.
Before joining Bryant & Stratton, Clemons spent time as the junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach at Booker T. Washington HS from 2008-13. Prior to his start with NSU, he coached with the Boo Williams 17 and under AAU team from 2009-15, including the final three years as the head coach. Clemons also coached with the S.M.A.R.T. Athletes Basketball Camp, run by former Spartan Kyle O'Quinn, from 2012-15.
Clemons graduated from Norfolk State in May 2005 with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. His hiring completes NSU's coaching staff after the appointment of Kevin Jones as an assistant coach earlier this month.
Savannah State University security remains heightened; Deal comments; GBI says killer still unknown
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- As Savannah State University President Cheryl Dozier took the podium in front of Hill Hall late Friday morning, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation forensics truck was parked in front of the school’s police department.
“The Savannah State University family is grieving today,” she told reporters and faculty members in the wake of the Thursday night slaying of 22-year-old student Christopher Starks on campus. “Each of our students’ lives are precious and valued. It is a sad day any time a life is taken by senseless violence, and this is a particularly sad day for the Savannah State University family.”
Starks, a junior from Stone Mountain, died at Memorial University Medical Center after being shot at 9:15 p.m. during a fight in the university’s Student Union, said Cathy Sapp, the special agent in charge of the GBI’s local office.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Starks was an aspiring musician who started his college career at Appalachian State University on a football scholarship.
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“The Savannah State University family is grieving today,” she told reporters and faculty members in the wake of the Thursday night slaying of 22-year-old student Christopher Starks on campus. “Each of our students’ lives are precious and valued. It is a sad day any time a life is taken by senseless violence, and this is a particularly sad day for the Savannah State University family.”
Starks, a junior from Stone Mountain, died at Memorial University Medical Center after being shot at 9:15 p.m. during a fight in the university’s Student Union, said Cathy Sapp, the special agent in charge of the GBI’s local office.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Starks was an aspiring musician who started his college career at Appalachian State University on a football scholarship.
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WSSU Rams' Johnson doing it all on special teams
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Just about every day, Winston-Salem State’s Will Johnson gets asked a simple question by fellow students.“So, do you play on the baseball team?”
And Johnson, who is white, usually answers with a no, but sometimes he can’t resist.
“A few times I’ve said: ‘Yes, I’m a pitcher,’” he said with a smile.
That’s how life is for a kicker on the Rams’ football team.
Johnson is one of the more valuable players this season because he’s a rarity. He’s an actual returning starter for a team that lost close to 35 players off a 9-2 team from a year ago.
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Meet the Hampton Pirates Set for Saturday
The event will start at 9 a.m. with the team's final scrimmage before the start of the season.
"We would like to invite our fans to come out and support Coach Maynor and the football student-athletes as they wrap up their preparations leading up to the start of what should be a successful 2015 season," Dr. Harvey said.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The first 200 fans in attendance will receive something in a giveaway. There will also be a Quarterback Challenge and a bouncy house for children.
Players will also be available for autographs after the scrimmage.
For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Hampton Announces Time Change for Richmond Game
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| COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS |
Originally scheduled for 6 p.m., the game will now kick off at 12 p.m.
Marshall and Keith Gill, Director of Athletics at Richmond, mutually agreed that an earlier start time would be in the best interest of both parties, with Hampton holding a major event on campus the same evening as the game.
"We want to thank the University of Richmond, the Department of Athletics, Athletic Director Keith Gill and head coach Danny Rocco for accommodating Hampton on this time change," University President Dr. William R. Harvey said.
For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Randall Kerrick, North Carolina Police Officer, Won't Be Retried For Killing Jonathan Ferrell
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The North Carolina police officer who shot an unarmed former college football player to death in 2013 won't be retried, an official said Friday, a week after a judge declared a mistrial in the case.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick, 29, killed Jonathan Ferrell, 24, after a traffic accident on Sept. 14, 2013, and was accused of voluntary manslaughter. Kerrick is white; Ferrell was black.
Prosecutors argued Kerrick should have used nonlethal force to subdue Ferrell, a former defensive back for Florida A&M, after Ferrell climbed out of his wrecked car and dragged himself to a nearby house to get help. The woman in the house called 911 to report a possible break-in.
North Carolina senior deputy attorney general Robert Montgomery said the case would not be retried after the jury deadlocked, with eight jurors voting for an acquittal and four for a conviction.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick, 29, killed Jonathan Ferrell, 24, after a traffic accident on Sept. 14, 2013, and was accused of voluntary manslaughter. Kerrick is white; Ferrell was black.
Prosecutors argued Kerrick should have used nonlethal force to subdue Ferrell, a former defensive back for Florida A&M, after Ferrell climbed out of his wrecked car and dragged himself to a nearby house to get help. The woman in the house called 911 to report a possible break-in.
North Carolina senior deputy attorney general Robert Montgomery said the case would not be retried after the jury deadlocked, with eight jurors voting for an acquittal and four for a conviction.
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FAMU’s defensive line coming together before season opener
Junior Calvin Darville will put his hand in the dirt as a defensive end for the first time this season, after playing outside linebacker to start his career at FAMU. Darville rounds out a starting defensive line of himself, sophomore Daikwon Fuse, senior Michael Lovejoy and redshirt sophomore Danzell Williams.
Darville said he’s looking forward to shining in his role in defensive coordinator Theo Lemon’s new 4-3 scheme.
“We’ve got what it takes up front,” he said. “It’s a different feeling (playing defensive end), but I’m getting used to it. Getting that pass rush is definitely important. It helps the linebackers, safeties and defensive backs out.”
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Preview: Alcorn State at Georgia Tech
LORMAN, Mississippi -- After winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) for the first time in over two decades, the Braves’ contest versus Tech will mark the beginning of their title defense. All three of the team’s 2014 losses were one-possession games, including a 20-26 defeat at the hands of FBS opponent Southern Miss. Since the SWAC chooses not to compete in the FCS playoffs, Tech’s Week 1 opponent capped off its season by defeating reigning champion Southern University 38-24 in the conference championship. With the Jackets as Alcorn State’s only FBS opponent this year, the latter will look to make a statement that it can compete with a nationally recognized program.Alcorn State was an offensive juggernaut in 2014, finishing second in the FCS in points per game and tying for first with an incredible 6.91 yards per play. At its helm this season will be senior quarterback John Gibbs, Jr., the reigning SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Ted Roof and the Tech defense will be forced to respect the Houston native; he not only passed for 21 touchdowns to the tune of 8.77 yards per attempt but also rushed for more yards than anyone else on the team.
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Auntwan Riggins hired as Prairie View A&M's baseball coach
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| AUNTWAN RIGGINS HEAD BASEBALL COACH COURTESY PVAMU ATHLETICS |
Riggins comes to Prairie View A&M from the Warriors Baseball Academy in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, he spent 13 years with Houston's Proway Baseball Academy as one of its premier instructors and coaches. Both academies train baseball players ages 7 through 18 years old, and can claim numerous players who went on to play NCAA Division I baseball among its alumni.
"I'm very excited to join the Prairie View A&M family," Riggins said. "It's almost like the day of the draft for me. You wait and you know they are going to announce at some point; it's a feeling that you can't really describe."
Riggins has provided individual instruction to numerous players who have gone on to successful NCAA Division I careers, some of whom were also drafted professionally. His most recent alumnus to be drafted was Kyle Survance, who played collegiately at the University of Houston; Survance was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the eighth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft.
"I'm very happy to bring him on as our head coach, and am excited about his vision for the baseball program," Prairie View A&M Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson said. "He brings a wealth of experience, has a great knowledge of baseball, and can teach the game and its fundamentals."
Another player Riggins trained was Spencer Dennis, whom Prairie View A&M fans may remember as a key player on the Panthers' 2007 SWAC championship team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
Riggins is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, having played collegiately at Texas Southern, concluding his career at the close of the 1998 season. In two seasons with the Tigers, he hit .364, and knocked 19 doubles, 11 triples, and six home runs. In 1997, he was named the SWAC's Newcomer of the Year after hitting .341 with five home runs.
At the conclusion of his junior season in 1998, Riggins was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He reached the AAA level in 2001 while playing with the Portland Beavers in the San Diego Padres organization.
After he retired from professional baseball, Riggins eventually returned to Texas Southern to receive his degree, graduating from the school in 2011.
A native of east Texas and a graduate of Houston's Madison High School, Riggins looks forward to being part of the Prairie View A&M community.
"I don't think I've ever encountered people who have so much love and passion for their university and alma mater as a whole, than I have seen with the Prairie View A&M community. I was drawn to that," Riggins said.
The Panthers qualified for the 2015 SWAC Baseball Tournament. Prairie View A&M has won three SWAC championships in the last 10 years, winning the tournament in 2006, 2007, and 2012.
Riggins will be the seventh head coach in Prairie View A&M's baseball history – which dates back to the 1925 season – and will be the Panthers' fourth coach since 1970. He and his wife, Deveka, have been married eight years, and they have a 5-year-old daughter, Masyn.
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New Atlanta bowl game names executive director
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Celebration Bowl, Atlanta’s new college football postseason game, Friday announced local businessman John Grant as its executive director.
The game will match the champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference, two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) leagues. The inaugural game is scheduled for noon Dec. 19, live on ABC.
Grant has been CEO of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta organization for 14 years.
The MEAC and SWAC announced in March a six-year agreement to play the Celebration Bowl here: the first two years in the Georgia Dome and the next four in the new Falcons stadium, which opens in 2017 and this week was officially named Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Tennessee State University Mourns Death of Former President James A. Hefner
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| Dr. James A. Hefner Sixth president of TSU |
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University family is saddened to announce the death of Dr. James A. Hefner, the sixth president of the University. He died early Thursday morning surrounded by family in his Brentwood home following a long illness. Dr. Hefner was 76. Hefner served TSU as president from 1991-2005.
In a statement on the passing of Dr. Hefner, Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover said: “The Tennessee State University family sends its deepest condolences to the Hefner family. Dr. Hefner devoted his entire adult life to serving others and expanding educational opportunities to all. As educators, we have lost a visionary and one of the best leaders to ever serve this great institution. He loved inspiring students and challenging them.”
The university’s progress during Dr. Hefner’s tenure was unprecedented. While President of Tennessee State University, Dr. Hefner transformed TSU into a top-tier research university. He was deeply committed to TSU’s land-grant mission. He pursued programs and efforts that aligned the resources of the university with the needs of students. His legacy will serve the university, the nation and the world.
Under his leadership, Tennessee State University saw marked physical, infrastructural and academic improvement, including the implementation of a $112 million capital improvement plan. The improvement was part of the Geier agreement that attempted to end race-based disparity in higher education funding in Tennessee. Several new buildings were constructed, including the Floyd-Payne Student Campus Center, the Ned McWherter Administration Building and the Performing Arts Center.
He was viewed as the students’ president and enrollment reached an all-time high of 9,100 students, an achievement that has only been recently achieved during the 2014-2015 academic school year. The TSU endowment also experienced remarkable growth from $500,000 to more than $25 million (through fund-raising and settling a Federal Consent Decree). He positioned Tennessee State University as a premier institution of higher learning. TSU was listed in U.S. News & Worlds Report’s “Guide to America’s Best Colleges” for 11 consecutive years (1994-2005).
Dr. Hefner occupied the Thomas and Patricia Frisk Chair of excellence in entrepreneurship, a $2.3 million endowed chair at Tennessee State University. He also established two other endowed chairs of excellence at Tennessee State. An advocate and proponent of African American intellectual achievement throughout his career, Dr. Hefner established two of the nation’s top honor societies, Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi, at Tennessee State University and Clark Atlanta University.
After retiring as president of Tennessee State University in 2005, Dr. Hefner was a non-resident fellow at Harvard University in the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African and African American Research; Visiting Distinguished Professor of Economics and Presidential Leadership at Texas Southern University; and most recently as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Clark Atlanta University, where he worked diligently as he fought cancer up until the very end.
When recently asked how he wanted to be remembers, Dr. Hefner said: “As an educator who cared about black higher education and the welfare of students.”
He earned his undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T University, his master’s degree in economics from Atlanta University, and his doctorate in economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
“My father lived a life of service to historically black colleges and universities and the students who attend them,” said Dr. David Hefner, the youngest son of Dr. Hefner and a 1993 graduate of Morehouse College. “He was an intellectual disciple of W.E.B. DuBois – a Fisk University graduate – in that he believed in the liberation that academic excellence promised to those who lived a life of service to the African American community, to truth and to humanity. So his legacy is a living one because there is still much work to do. And my father serves as an example of what service to HBCUs looks like, and we celebrate his life and legacy.”
TSU will be the site of a memorial service on Wednesday, September 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Poag Auditorium of the Davis Humanities Building. A reception will follow immediately afterwards in the Ferrell-Westbrook Building (the Barn). The funeral service will take place on Thursday, September 3, at 1 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway, downtown Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial gifts be made to the Dr. James A. Hefner Scholarship Foundation in his honor to the Tennessee State University or Morehouse College Development Offices. You may reach the TSU Foundation at 615-963-5481, for Morehouse 404-215-2660.
About Tennessee State University
With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
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Tuskegee Golden Tigers preparing for Clark Atlanta September 5
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| COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS |
TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- After an early morning practice, Tuskegee University head coach Willie Slater spoke to the media in the first weekly press conference of the season.
Slater begins his 10th year at the helm of the Golden Tigers and currently stands nine victories shy of becoming the second-winningest coach in school history.
"This has been the fastest 10 years of my life," Slater said. "It seems like everything is a blur since the last game we played, that's how fast it has gone by. It is a privilege for me to be here, this is a great institution for young men and young women."
With just nine days before the opening game against Clark Atlanta, the focus was on the offensive line and replacing the starters from last year.
"With the offensive line and tight end we are going to be brand new all the way through," Slater said. "It will be interesting to see how it unfolds. But at the same time, we have talent there we just don't have much experience. We are trying to make sure we take care of our guys, we are going to make sure we don't make our line do something they are not comfortable doing and go from there"
Although the Golden Tigers are young up front, the first three weeks of practices have been a learning experience and a chance to teach the new guys coming in. At the same time, the last week has been a week of preparation of the season opener.
"Practices are going good," Slater said. "Our guys are working hard, they are giving us good effort, and we are getting better. I can see us getting better each day, so hopefully we will be where we want to be when the time gets here. We are trying to get ready for Clark Atlanta. We don't worry about the next game, we worry about this one and we have to find a way to get through it. Our guys understand and are coming along accordingly."
The Golden Tigers were picked to win the SIAC West Division by the coaches in the preseason poll, and although Clark Atlanta is not a conference game it still a big one for Tuskegee.
"We know every time we play we are going to get the other team's best," Slater said. "We have to be ready to play. I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest. If you can win the conference with everyone putting the target on your back, then you know you deserve to win it. That is our goal every year."
Although the focus of the day was offense, Slater spoke highly about the defense and special teams before the end of the day.
"I am excited about our defense," Slater said. "We have improved ourselves on that side of the ball, particularly up front and in the secondary. We lost our two interior linemen, and we replaced those guys with two impact players. We have a lot of guys coming back on defense, including our two ends and two of our linebackers. We have had to replace some guys on defense, but the guys we have had stepped in. I am excited on seeing them play.
"At the same time I am excited about our special teams," Slater said. "We have a few guys returning the ball that will be exciting to watch, as well as our kicker."
Tickets are still available for the season opener and can be purchased by calling 334-727.8594 or 334-724-4385. Tickets are also on sale for the Whitewater Classic (September 12) in Phenix City, and the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic (October 10) in Columbus.
Tuskegee Ranked in SBN Preseason Poll
The Sheridan Broadcasting Network released their preseason poll Tuesday morning with Tuskegee appearing in the top 10.
The Golden Tigers, coming off a 9-3 record and the SIAC championship in 2014, are the highest ranked NCAA Division II school in the poll as they are ranked seventh in the preseason. They are joined in the rankings by a pair of Division II schools, Virginia State (eighth) and Winston-Salem State (10th). The Golden Tigers are the only ranked SIAC member school in the poll.
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