SSU Raeburn Announces New Football Staff Hires

HEAD FOOTALL COACH ERIK RAEBURN
COURTESY: SSU ATHLETICS

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SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State head football coach Erik Raeburn has announced the hiring three new assistant coaches to the football staff.
 
The new staff members include: Bill Rychel, Chad Williams and Nathan Scola.
 
Rychel will be the offensive coordinator and coach the offensive line; Williams will serve as defensive coordinator and coach the linebackers; and Scola will oversee the defensive backs.
 
Prior to SSU, Rychel served as head football coach at Notre Dame College for the 2015 season. Rychel was promoted to head coach after spending six seasons as offensive coordinator/assistant head coach for the Falcons football program.
 
"I'm excited to bring Bill on the staff," said Raeburn. "He's been a head coach on the Division II level and having head coach experience will be an asset to our program."

Prior to moving to College Road, the Cleveland, Ohio native worked at Ohio Northern University, where he coached for three seasons (2006-08), finishing his time with the Polar Bear's as co-offensive coordinator.

Before his time at ONU, Rychel was the offensive line coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for Tri-Sate (now Trine) in Indiana, in 2004 and 2005. Before that, he was the offensive line coach and assistant strength and conditioning coordinator for Coe College (Iowa).

Rychel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Mount Union University in 2001 and received a master's degree in teaching from Coe in 2004.



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Williams, comes to Savannah State from West Alabama where he was named the special teams coordinator and secondary coach in March 2016.
 
"I'm really excited to have Chad in charge of our defense," stated Raeburn. "He has worked at some of the best programs in the state of Georgia. The relationships he has made will help our defense improve and play at a high level."
 
Prior to being hired at West Alabama, Williams spent the 2015 season as defensive coordinator at Valdosta State and before that, he spent the 2014 season as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at West Georgia. The Birmingham, Ala., native has also had coaching stops at Middle Tennessee State (2013-14) where he was a graduate assistant linebackers coach, Jacksonville State (2013) where he oversaw the linebackers and Morehouse (2012-13) where he was the secondary coach.
 
Williams played in the National Football League as a defensive back with the Baltimore Ravens (2002-06), San Francisco 49ers (2006-07) and Kansas City Chiefs (2007).
 
Williams earned a Coaching and Sports Administration degree at Southern Mississippi, where he was a two-time All-Conference USA safety.
 
Scola, spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as an assistant coach at Wabash, working with the tight ends and also serving as the strength and conditioning coach.
 
"I'm really excited to bring Nathan to Savannah State," said Raeburn. "He played for me and was one of the very few players elected as captain for their junior and senior years. The energy he brings and his work ethic will be a great addition to our staff."

As a player, Scola earned All-America and North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. He participated in the 2014 USA Football Bowl. He was named one of the team captains and the starting middle linebacker for the winning Admirals all-star team. Scola also received the London Fletcher Award as the Outstanding NCAA Division III linebacker participating in the game. The Apache Junction, Ariz., native finished his career in sixth place for all-time tackles for loss in Wabash history and was named the team MVP. Before that, he did several internships at his alma mater. He worked as a volunteer football coach, worked with the athletic equipment office, Dean of students and President's Office and the Admissions office.
 
Scola graduated Cum Laude from Wabash in 2014 while majoring in Rhetoric and minoring in English.
 
Raeburn has some history with Rychel and Scola.
 
Raeburn was an assistant coach at Mount Union while Rychel was a player and later hired him as an assistant when he became head coach at Coe. Raeburn was the head coach at Wabash while Scola was a player and later hired him as an assistant after he received his degree.
 
SSU's 2016 football season will kick off on Sept. 3 when the Tigers travel to Statesboro, Ga., to take on the Georgia Southern Eagles.

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Bowie State Football Hosts College Exposure Camp

BOWIE, Maryland -- Bowie State University will hold a "College Football Exposure" Camp - Monday, June 20th at Archbishop Spalding High School (Severn, Md.) from 5 - 8 p.m. Camp cost is $50 through June 19th and $60 on site (June 20th). This one-day camp is open to ANY and ALL entrants and enrollment is only based on age and grade level. For additional information, contact Antone Sewell at asewell@bowiestate.edu.

CLICK HERE FOR CAMP REGISTRATION FORM

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU MARCHING 100: A call to honor, a call to greatness!

FAMU Wind Symphony, Conductor, Dr. Shelby Chipman; Alto Sax  BK Jackson

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The standing ovation began before President Elmira Mangum could finish her announcement. The national alumni audience in Tampa was on its feet with cheers and applause.

The cellphones came out and the news took a trip around the world as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others spread the word that Dr. Shelby Chipman had become director of bands at Florida A&M University.

Sybil Wilkes, co-host of the Tom Joyner Show, informed her audience of more than eight million. Rattler Nation was abuzz with the news.



The reverence for Chipman was so overwhelming because it has been clear for sometime that he has the right stuff. As the new director of the Marching 100, Chipman has received a call to honor and a call to greatness.

A call to honor the past by preserving the signature instrumental expression known as the “FAMU sound.” That lilting combination of percussion, brass and woodwind tonal colors instantly recognized across the globe, mixed in with complex sophisticated forms of music, from concertos and symphonies to contemporary jazz and rhythm and blues, that always reminds us of the power of music to change the world.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

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Jackson named new Athletic Director at Stillman College

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Just a few days after Cassandra Morrer announced her resignation from Stillman College to coach women's basketball at American Christian Academy, Stillman confirmed that head basketball coach, Donte Jackson, would replace her as the new athletic director.

"I just really appreciate the whole support from the institution, and I just want to make a difference and that is the bottom line," Jackson said. "You know my whole life has been about trying to make a difference and trying to make things better."

Jackson was named the head men's basketball coach before the 2014-15 season, and has led the Tigers to a 44-16 record over the last two seasons. In just his second season, Jackson's team won the 2016 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the first time in 10 years. He was named SIAC coach of the year. Jackson served as the assistant athletic director as well the past two years.

"We are extremely excited about having Mr. Donte Jackson take over as Athletic Director at Stillman College and building upon the good work that was done by Mrs. Cassandra Moorer," Stillman president Dr. Peter Millet said. "He is the right man, in the right place, at the right time. We are confident he will excel in this new role and we look forward to great things with Mr. Jackson and the Stillman athletic program."

Jackson said that he has many things on the horizon to get done. The first task he said will be hiring a new women's basketball coach to fill the vacancy that Morrer left.

"We are going to make sure we get the best person here that is qualified to coach women, win and compete at a high level," Jackson said. "No matter what we want our programs to reflect competing at a high level."

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State RHP Angel Alicea Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays

TORONTO, Canada -- Alabama State RHP Angel Alicea was selected in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Alicea (6-1, 200; Jr., Santa Isabel, PR) played one season for the Hornets. After beginning the season as the starting shortstop, he focused on pitching full time in early March. He posted a 3-0 record with a 1.47 ERA with two saves in 17 appearances with three starts.

Alicea becomes the sixth Hornet baseball player drafted in the past three seasons and the eighth since 2014 to sign a professional contract.

Alicea, the 612th overall selection, recorded two of the biggest wins of the season in his first two career starts. He threw seven shutout innings, allowing six hits and walking one while striking out seven in a 3-0 win at Tennessee on April 25.

In the SWAC Championship game, Alicea allowed only four hits and two runs in six innings, striking out a career-high nine in a 7-5 win over Texas Southern on May 22, as the Hornets won their first ever league championship, posting their school record 38th win.

Alicea earned a no-decision in the Hornets' NCAA Tournament game against South Alabama, allowing only three runs and striking out five in seven innings.

In 2014, Alabama State baseball had four players sign professional baseball contracts, with three players selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the most in one draft in school history. SS Emmanuel Marrero (7th round, Philadelphia) became the highest drafted baseball player ever at ASU. OF Richard Amion (19th round, San Francisco) and C Richard Gonzalez (29th round, Houston) were also selected in the draft, while P/1B Dexter Price signed a free agent contract with Arizona.

In 2015, relief pitchers Armando Ruiz (29th round, Oakland) and Jorge Pantoja (30th round, Washington) were drafted, while a third pitcher, Michael Estevez (FA, Toronto) signed a contract.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Andrew Vernon is first ever NCCU MLB draft pick

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Former North Carolina Central University pitcher Andrew Vernon had a record-breaking senior year and career, and now he’s added another historic entry as he became the first Major League Baseball draft pick from NCCU when he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the twenty-eighth round on Saturday, June 11.

“I’m ecstatic, this is definitely a dream come true. It’s hard to put into words.” Vernon said about being drafted by the Brewers. “I can’t wait, it’s a great organization, and it’s been my dream ever since I was little. I can’t wait to see what happens, the guys I’ll meet, and the fan base. I’m really excited about everything that’s happening.”

“What a tremendous culmination to a great four year career,” NCCU baseball head coach Jim Koerner said about the reliever. “Andrew has earned everything he’s gotten, and we are very proud of him. His talent, work ethic and determination will take him far.”



A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Vernon pitched four seasons for the maroon and gray and ended his career as the modern-era leader in career saves with 15 and kept a career ERA of 3.89 which tops the list as well.

Over his four years on the mound Vernon made a career-record 83 appearances with seven starts as he had an opportunity to move from the bullpen to the mound in his senior campaign. He was a 2016 First Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection after he nailed down four saves and led the league with 85 strikeouts, which set a new single season mark in the modern era at NCCU.

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Student-Athlete Allegedly Raped by KU Football Player Comes Forward in Emotional Video

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. 
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

CHICAGO, Illinois -- An Illinois woman who is suing the University of Kansas for how it handled her sexual assault allegations is joining a separate lawsuit that accuses the school of misleading the public about the safety of its campus housing.

In a statement released Thursday by her father, Jim McClure, in a Kansas City, Missouri, law office, Sarah McClure said she was assaulted Aug. 29 in a Jayhawker Towers apartment on campus by the same member of the KU football team who had assaulted a fellow rowing team member a year earlier.

Sarah McClure, who lives in suburban Chicago, said the university did nothing for months after she reported the assault in October. She also said she was ostracized by her coaches and feared for her safety after the assault.

“I struggled every day,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t leave my dorm room. I stayed inside with a chair under my doorknob because I felt so unsafe.”



McClure has filed a Title IX lawsuit accusing the school of failing to investigate her assault, failing to protect her from intimidation and allowing her coaches to retaliate against her.

KU police said a report was forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review and the office declined to prosecute the football player. But he was expelled after the school’s Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access found him responsible for misconduct.

On Thursday, McClure, her father and Daisy Tackett, who says she was sexually assaulted by the same player in 2014 and also has filed a Title IX suit against the school, joined a lawsuit filed in March by Tackett’s parents, James and Amanda Tackett.

That lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, asks for a judge to rule that the university violated the Consumer Protection Act by falsely misrepresenting that campus housing is safe, and also order the school to cease representing its dorms as safe until they are “demonstrated” as such.

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Norfolk State Spartans Tap Cornell Brown as Co-Defensive Coordinator

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State head football coach Latrell Scott announced a significant addition to his coaching staff on Wednesday with the hiring of former Virginia Tech All-American player and assistant coach Cornell Brown as NSU's co-defensive coordinator.

Brown, who will also coach the Spartan linebackers, will share defensive coordinator duties with Andrew Faison, who was hired in February.

"Adding someone the caliber of coach Brown to our staff is very beneficial to our program. He has strong ties around the state and was a key member of some tremendous defenses both as a player and coach at Virginia Tech," Scott said. "He has won championships at every level and will be a great fit for our defensive staff. He and coach Faison are looking forward to combining their knowledge to strengthen our defense."

Brown comes to NSU from his alma mater, Virginia Tech, where he coached five seasons and enjoyed an All-American playing career. Brown spent five seasons (2011-15) on Frank Beamer's coaching staff at Virginia Tech, working with the Hokies defensive ends and outside linebackers under long-time Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Virginia Tech went to bowl games following each of Brown's five seasons on the coaching staff, including the 2011 Sugar Bowl against Michigan.

Brown joined the coaching ranks in 2005 as an assistant working with linebackers for the Cologne Centurions in the NFL-Europe League. Brown became a full time defensive line coach for the Frankfurt Galaxy the following year and helped the team to back-to-back World Bowl appearances, winning the league title in 2006. While coaching the defensive line, he helped develop free-agent tackle Remi Ayodele, who was a member of the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl XLIV championship team following the 2009 NFL season.

NFL-Europe's schedule allowed Brown to also work as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia Tech during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He helped develop defensive units that led the nation in total defense and scoring defense in '06 and were ranked third and fourth, respectively, in those categories in '07. He had a helping hand in developing draft choices Chris Ellis, Carlton Powell and Jason Worilds.

Brown attended Virginia Tech and played defensive end from 1993 through 1996, helping the Hokies to a bowl game each season.

Brown became the first Virginia Tech football player to gain consensus All-America honors as a junior when he was named to five first teams in 1995. Brown was a first-team A-A pick by AP, UPI, the Football Writers Association, The Sporting News and Football News. He finished the year with 103 total tackles, including a BIG EAST-leading 14 sacks. He was selected National Defensive Player of the Year by Football News.

In 1996, Brown missed three games, but still earned first-team honors from Walter Camp and second-team recognition from AP. He posted eight sacks, five other tackles behind the line, 19 quarterback hurries and 58 total tackles during the '96 season.

Brown had his Tech jersey retired in 2002 and was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He was later inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in April of 2013.

A sixth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens, the Lynchburg, Va., native played seven seasons in the NFL and was a member of the Ravens Super Bowl XXXV champions
hip team.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Livingstone Tabbs Silver As New Head Coach

HEAD COACH TIFFANY SILVER
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- A woman who said she scheduled games against CIAA teams because of her respect for the conference is the new Head Women's Basketball Coach at Livingstone College.

Tiffany Silver, former head coach at Wilmington University in Delaware, was announced Friday by Livingstone Athletic Director Andre Springs during a press conference in the J.W. Hood Building on campus. She becomes the ninth head women's basketball coach for the Blue Bears.

In her brief remarks, Silver thanked Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., Springs and Dr. State W. Alexander, III, executive assistant to the president and vice president for communications & public relations, for the support their support.

"I appreciate you for entrusting me with the responsibility of fostering this program of young women, as athletes and more important as young women," Silver said. "A great
foundation has been laid here by my predecessors, and my mission is to take their success to the next level."

Jenkins said after the press conference he's glad Silver accepted the institution's offer to join the Livingstone family.

"I am excited about Coach Silver," Jenkins said. "I was very impressed with her during the interview, and I'm confident she'll come in and do a great job and the women's basketball program, which has enjoyed success in recent years, won't skip a beat."

Silver replaces Anita Howard, who left Livingstone after two seasons for another coaching position.

Silver comes to Livingstone after four seasons at Wilmington University, which competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Her overall record at Wilmington was 32-76; however, to her credit the team had won only three games in the season before she became the head coach. And last season, her Wildcats finished 14-14 overall, including a 9-10 conference mark.

Before assuming the head job at Wilmington, Silver worked as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Johns Hopkins University, where she helped the Blue Jays to a stellar 24-5 record and a berth in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Jays won the Centennial Conference and were undefeated against Top 25 DIII opponents. At Hopkins, Silver focused on developing the guards and post players.

From 2005 to 2011, Silver was the head coach at Western High School in her native Baltimore, where she helped lead the Doves to 20 or more wins in all six of her seasons, compiling a 126-30 overall record. During that time, the Doves went 60-0 against Baltimore City competition and enjoyed three three-straight undefeated seasons. Silver led them to five Baltimore City championships, five regional championships and three state title-games.

In 2009, Silver was selected as the head coach for the premiere game of the McDonald's Roundball Classic All-Star Game, which featured the top talent from Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Particularly important to Jenkins, Silver boasted perfect graduation and college-acceptance rates during her time at Western. She also coached at other Maryland high schools, including Towson Catholic High School.

Silver is a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and also played on the women's basketball squad.

Silver has a 4-year-old daughter, Doriyan.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

SWAC changing up conference hoops tourney to include host sites

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference is switching up its men's and women's basketball conference tournament.

The league announced Thursday it is moving from a five-day, 10-team tournament held at the Toyota Center in Houston, home of the Rockets, to a three-day, eight-team event that will feature host sites for the quarterfinal round.

Instead of making a week-long event out of it, SWAC officials will save money by holding the semifinals and finals in Houston for two days while the top four seeds host the quarterfinals.

League officials, presidents and athletic directors, among others, for the 10 members schools met Thursday in Birmingham, Alabama, to approve the changes. The league also announced a three-year extension for the SWAC football championship and SWAC basketball championship to remain in Houston.

The changes will go into effect for 2017 when the tournament starts Tuesday, March 7, 2016, with four quarterfinal games. The No. 1 seed will host the No. 8 seed, the No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed.

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ASU Marching Band to appear in new movie, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, starring Vin Diesel, Steve Martin and Chris Tucker

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --  The Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets Band will be seen in a new movie, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, starring Vin Diesel, Joe Alwyn, Steve Martin and Chris Tucker.

The film, based on the book by the same name, is about 19-year-old Billy Lynn, who is brought home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle. Through flashbacks, the film shows what really happened to his squad, contrasting the realities of war with America's perceptions.

“This exposure is giving ASU and the Marching Hornets the national recruiting opportunity to reach out to other states and countries,” said James Oliver, ASU band director.

The band performs two songs in the film by Destiny's Child, Soldier and Lose My Breath.

The movie is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on Nov. 11, 2016.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

West Virginia adds Delaware State to 2017 Football Schedule

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- West Virginia University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Shane Lyons has announced that the Mountaineers will play host to Delaware State at Milan Puskar Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017.

This marks the first-ever meeting with Delaware State. West Virginia will face Virginia Tech at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on Sept. 2 and East Carolina in Morgantown on Sept. 9, to round out the 2017 non-conference schedule.

The Hornets will receive a $500,000 guarantee from WVU, according to a copy of the contract obtained via an FOIA request.

Delaware State is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Last season, the Hornets finished 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the MEAC.

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from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: & Leadership of FAMU's Past Presidents, Series Part 8: George W. Gore, Jr.[1950-1968]

DWIGHT FLOYD
the Editor

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- George W. Gore Jr, son of a minister, was born in 1901 in Nashville, Tennessee. He received an A.B. degree in English and Journalism from Depauw University, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a PH.D from Columbia University. Before coming to FAMU he served 23 years as Dean of College at Tennessee A&I College (now Tennessee State University). He was a member of numerous social organizations, professional organizations, and honor societies including multiple fraternities and lodges.

In 1937 he founded the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, which now stands at 156 chapters. He was on the Board of Directors of a bank in Nashville, a trustee at Kent School of Law, a member of the National Executive Committee Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Board of Trustees at the Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College in St. Augustine (now Florida Memorial). He served as editor of the Broadcaster and the Quarterly Review of Higher Education for Negroes; and published numerous scholarly articles.

Gore ushered in tremendous growth in the physical plant and academic programs at Florida A & M University. He carried the momentum from work initiated by previous presidents J.R.E. Lee, William H. Gray, and Acting President H. Manning Efferson. As President, Gore faced the first serious threat of the closure of Florida A&M University. He would take the law school and the FAMU Hospital to greater heights only to see both closed. He would be blamed by some for not saving these programs although he faced an overwhelming financial dilemma because of them. Gore served for 18 years to see FAMU through the Civil Rights Movement, the diminished capacity of black self-determination, financial dilemmas and formal threats to the progress and existence of FAMU.

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Chaouat, Montrel, Salwan, Setodji are ITA All-America

NEW ORLEANS — In his first 12 seasons as men's coach at Xavier University of Louisiana, five of Alan Green's student-athletes received a combined nine berths on Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-America teams. Those numbers grew considerably Thursday when a Gold Rush-record four players — Kevin Chaouat, Kyle Montrel, Karan Salwan and Thomas Setodji — were named ITA All-America.
     
The ITA designates as All-America the top 20 singles players and top 10 doubles teams in its postseason individual national rankings. In singles, Salwan was ranked third, Setodji fifth and Montrel eighth. In doubles, Chaouat and Setodji were fourth, and Montrel and Salwan were sixth.
     
Montrel, a senior from Atlanta and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, is ITA All-America for the fourth consecutive year. Salwan's No. 3 ranking is the Gold Rush's highest ever in NAIA singles at any point in a season. Salwan is a junior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School.
     
Chaouat is a senior from Sarcelles, France, and Setodji is a freshman from Domont, France.
     
Salwan, Setodji and Montrel earned berths May 24 on the NAIA's committee-selected All-America first team.
     
In the ITA's final South Region rankings, Salwan, Setodji and Montrel were 3-4-6 in singles, and Chaouat-Setodji and Montrel-Salwan were 2-3 in doubles.
     
The Gold Rush this year became the first XU team in any sport to reach the championship final of an NAIA national tournament. The Gold Rush lost 5-2 to Georgia Gwinnett in the title round May 21 at Mobile, Ala., finished 17-8 and earned a No. 2 ranking in the postseason coaches poll.

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

Florida A&M Athletics Adds Chris Asa To Staff

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M Director of Athletics, Milton Overton, has assembled the majority of his leadership team in athletics. An important portion of the success of the department of athletics will depend on revenue generation. Today, Chris Asa was announced as a new hire in the position Associate Athletic Director for Ticket & Corporate Sales. Asa comes with a host of experience in the field, most recently working in ticket sales at Florida State University.

Overton expressed the importance of a full staff in order to achieve the goals of the department. “When I arrived in Tallahassee, and was in the evaluation process of our department, it was evident that the effects of downsizing had depleted the actual day-to-day workforce in the department. In order for us to reach our objectives, we need a full complement of staff who are provided the opportunity for a more focused effort and effective outcome, thereby shifting the roles of individuals who were already working in the department. I feel that Chris’ level of experience could grow our outbound ticket sales efforts as one of our critical financial functions.” he said.

In his previous role, Asa sold season ticket packages for FSU football, basketball and baseball. Additionally, in his role with Seminole Boosters Inc., he raised money for Seminole Athletics through Booster memberships, Champions Club seat sales, and Champions Campaign Gifts. He was consistently a leader in their office in terms of production, with his 2015 campaign netting over $900,000 in revenue.

Asa is looking forward to his opportunity to work with the orange and green. "I am excited to come to FAMU and join the Rattler Nation. I look forward to engaging our fans' passion and ticket needs with packages contained in our new Investing in Champions campaign and to re-engage the local and regional business community with fun and effective sponsorship opportunities. With the support of our fans and business community, the Rattlers will strike, strike and strike again!," he said.

After graduating from Mississippi State University in 2008 with a B.A in History, Asa began working in the MSU athletic department in Media Relations as an internal public address announcer. In 2011, he graduated from The University of Alabama with an M.S. in Sport Management. During his time at Alabama he worked in Alabama Media Relations as a student worker and was a graduate assistant for the Sport Management program under Dr. Ken Wright.

Through his work with Media Relations, Asa worked for the media team for both the Cotton Bowl Classic and Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. Upon graduation he worked as a corporate game day liaison with Ticket Solutions, Inc., a premier entertainment and ticket specialist in Tuscaloosa, AL. In 2012, he took a position with the MiLB Montgomery Biscuits (AA affiliate of Tampa Bay Rays) in a group sales role. He assumed his role at Florida State University in July of 2013. Prior to his transition into athletics, Asa worked for 10 years in the radio industry as a Marketing Director, Program Director, and Production Director.

Asa’s former director, Mark Cameron, feels the hire is a win-win situation. “It has been my pleasure to witness Chris Asa’s development in both sales and leadership during his tenure here at Florida State University and Seminole Boosters, Inc. He joined us as a seasoned sales professional and quickly became an integral part of our sales team, taking on many challenges and responsibilities over the course of three football seasons. While it’s always tough to replace an employee with Chris’s skillset, I wish him good luck and believe in his ability to make an immediate impact at Florida A&M University,” Cameron said.

Asa is married to the former Casey Pinkard of Tupelo, MS and they have a son, Jude and daughter, Kennedy.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Point and Drive® Documentary Coming to Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta and Orlando this summer! Tickets on sale NOW!

DETROIT, Michigan  -- We have been on a promo tour for Point and Drive since April with the first date being in Detroit. Now to round out the promo tour, we have the following dates : 

June 10 - Ft Lauderdale/Miami

June 24 - Atlanta at Morehouse College

July 21 - Orlando (Ocoee)

Please support this movement by either seeing the film, sponsoring youth to see the film, or consider being one of our sponsors. The Point and Drive Box Office is officially OPEN! The Marching Band, Music, and HBCU Event of the Year is HERE! Limited amount of screening times, so Get Your tickets NOW! You won't want to miss it!

BUY TICKETS NOW!

Salwan selected men's Louisiana Newcomer of the Year

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis standout Karan Salwanhas been chosen to the 2015-16 All-Louisiana collegiate first team and as Newcomer of the Year.
     
XU's Thomas Setodji made the second team, and Kyle Montrel received honorable mention. The All-Louisiana women include Xavier's Charlene Goreau on the second team.
     
A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel of sports information directors selected the teams, which the LSWA announced late Saturday.
     
Salwan, a junior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School, was 22-5 in singles and 25-5 doubles in his debut XU season after transferring from Utah State. Salwan produced 10 singles victories and 10 doubles victories vs. NCAA Division I, including New Orleans, Louisiana-Lafayette, Nicholls State, Troy, Southern Miss and Big South Conference runner-up Presbyterian.
     
Salwan is the fourth Gold Rush player in the last seven seasons to receive Newcomer of the Year. Hassan Abbas (2009-10), Loic Didavi (2011-12) and Kevin Chaouat (2013-14) were the others.
     
Setodji, a home-schooled freshman from Domont, France, was 17-0 in singles and 12-7 in doubles after enrolling at Xavier in January. He led the Gold Rush with eight dual-clinching singles victories.
    
Montrel, a senior from Atlanta and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, was 16-10 in singles and 22-7 in doubles. He received honorable mention after three consecutive seasons on the All-Louisiana first team.
     
Goreau, a freshman from Toulouse, France, and a graduate of Raymond Naves School, was 15-5 in singles and 7-13 in doubles after enrolling at Xavier in January. She led the Gold Nuggets in singles victories during the spring and won 10 consecutive singles decisions Feb. 24-March 29.
     
Xavier had two runners-up in voting for the major awards — Setodji for Freshman of the Year and Alan Green for men's Coach of the Year.
     
Salwan, Setodji, Montrel and Goreau were announced this past week as first-team NAIA All-Americans. The ITA will announce its NAIA All-Americans this week.

2015-16 All-Louisiana Tennis WOMEN FIRST TEAM Hannah Brett, sophomore, McNeese State Jessica Golovin, freshman, LSU Abby Owens, junior, LSU Alexandra Starkova, senior, Louisiana Tech Joana Vale Costa, junior, LSU Renee Villarreal, senior, Southeastern Louisiana SECOND TEAM Ryann Foster, sophomore, LSU Charlene Goreau, freshman, Xavier Polina Ivanoa, sophomore, Northwestern State Sarah Jurakova, sophomore, McNeese State Natalya Krutova, senior, Northwestern State Skyler Kuykendall, senior, LSU Tiffany Mylonas, freshman, Louisiana-Monroe PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Renee Villarreal, Southeastern Louisiana      Voting:  Villarreal 5, Starkova 3, Vale Costa 2, Brett 1 NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Ryann Foster, LSU (only nominee) FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Jessica Golovin, LSU      Voting:  Voting: Golovin 7, Giovanna Fioretti (McNeese State) 3, Iryna Vardanian (Northwestern State) 1 COACH OF THE YEAR:  (tie) (Tie) Chad Camper, Louisiana Tech, and Julia and Michael Sell, LSU      Voting:  Camper 4, Sells 4, Olga Bazhanova (Northwestern State) 1, Helena Besovic (McNeese State) 1, Stephanie Vallejos (Louisiana-Lafayette) 1. HONORABLE MENTION:  Jazmin Britos, junior, Louisiana Tech; Giovanna Fioretti, freshman, McNeese State MEN FIRST TEAM Justin Butsch, junior, LSU Dominik Koepfer, senior, Tulane Chi-Shan Jo, junior, Tulane Edgar Lopez, senior, Louisiana-Lafayette Karan Salwan, junior, Xavier Constantin Schmitz, sophomore, Tulane SECOND TEAM Boris Arias, senior, LSU Gabor Csonka, sophomore, LSU Jordan Daigle, junior, LSU Arthur Libaud, freshman, Louisiana-Lafayette Sebastian Rey, junior, Tulane Thomas Setodji, freshman, Xavier PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Dominik Koepfer, Tulane      Voting:  Koepfer 6, Butsch 1 NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Karan Salwan, Xavier      Voting:  Salwan 4, Csonka 3 FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Arthur Libaud, Louisiana-Lafayette      Voting:  Libaud 3, Setodji 2, Tyler Schick, (Tulane) 2 COACH OF THE YEAR:  Mark Booras, Tulane      Voting:  Booras 4, Alan Green (Xavier) 2, Jeff Brown (LSU) 1 HONORABLE MENTION:  Kyle Montrel, senior, Xavier Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: Summation of Life & Leadership of FAMU's Past Presidents, Series Part 7

“I will aim for 100 percent cooperation … to see that FAMU remains
autonomous and viable. We are the only institution in Florida that gives
an opportunity to blacks to move ahead in leadership. Everywhere else,
they get lost in the crowd. . . . Here they learn social competence,
they learn to become leaders because they have to become leaders.”
…
"No single personality is bigger than FAMU. FAMU as an institution must
come first. FAMU must never die. It must live forever as an autonomous
institution." 

Reverend Moses General Miles

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Born in 1987, H. Manning Efferson served 23 years with the college before accepting the position as acting president. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Atlanta University and a Master’s degree from Columbia University. He served as Head of the Department of Mathematics, Dean of Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Director of Summer School, Director of Extension Services, and at the time of his appointment Administrative Assistant. During the search for a permanent president he was asked if he was interested in becoming president. He communicated that he was not interested.

CONTINUE READING

Former NFL Player Named FVSU Head Football Coach

HEAD COACH KEVIN PORTER
COURTESY: FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- Fort Valley State University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Joshua W. Murfree, Jr., has named Kevin Porter as the new head football coach.

A press conference is scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. in FVSU's Health and Physical Education Complex lobby.

Porter has an extensive background in coaching, including 10 seasons as both an assistant and head coach at the professional level. His coaching experience also includes stints at the University of West Georgia as an assistant coach and Point University as head coach and athletic director.

Porter coached the Arena Football League and the associated developmental league called arenafootball2 (af2.) In 2000, Porter was head coach with the Pensacola Barracudas, followed by several seasons as head coach of the Macon Knights. He took his afF2 teams to the playoffs all four seasons and had won the most games in af2 history (45-27) before moving on to serve as defensive coordinator for the AFL's New Orleans VooDoo, and then as head coach of the ALF's Kansas City Brigade.

Prior to his professional career, Porter was a three-year letterman, two-year starter and All-State performer at defensive back for the Warner Robins Demons in Warner Robins, Ga. as well as being a member of the 1981 National Championship team.

As a collegiate player at Auburn University, Porter was a four-year starter, All-American and two-time All-Southeastern Conference performer. Kevin was named defensive MVP of the 1984 Liberty Bowl and was selected to Auburn's Team of the Century. A third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988, Porter made the NFL All-Rookie Team at safety. He spent six years in the NFL, ending his career in 1993 with the New York Jets.

Porter has served as an assistant coach and head coach on the collegiate level as well. Porter was defensive coordinator for Mid America Nazarene University, where his unit ranked as one of the best in the Heart of America Conference. Porter was head football coach at both Avila University and Point University, where he spent two seasons launching the football program while also serving as athletic director at the school. Most recently, Porter was the assistant head coach at The University of West Georgia.

Porter is a graduate of Avila University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and holds a master's degree from Concordia University-Irvine in Athletic Administration.

He and his wife, Annjela, have two sons, Jacob and Kellen.

COURTESY FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Horn named to NAIA's National Administrative Council

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn has been named to the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC). Horn's 3-year appointment will officially begin this weekend at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) annual convention in Dallas.

The NAC helps shape policy at the highest level of the NAIA while governing rules and ratings, championship competition, awards and statistics, and experience and enhancement. The NAC is an exclusive group of approximately three dozen members representing all the NAIA conferences and approximately 250 schools within the NAIA. A minimum of 10 athletic directors and 10 conference commissioners serve on the NAC.

Horn will serve on the Championship Competition Subcommittee, which sets policies and procedures pertaining to NAIA national championship events.

"It is an honor to be appointed to the NAC and represent Xavier and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with the NAIA," Horn said. "The goal of the NAC is to strengthen the NAIA and its member institutions in providing our student-athletes the best possible experience, both academically and athletically."

The NAC conducts its business annually at the NAIA and the NACDA conventions. NAC subcommittees also meet throughout the academic year to review appeals and special requests from NAIA members and various coaches associations.

Horn is in his third year leading Xavier's athletic programs. He also serves on the NAIA's Competitive Experience Committee. Horn is completing a one-year term as the chair of the GCAC athletic directors. He also serves on the board of directors of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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