Clark Atlanta to be Featured in 2016 NCAA Division II Showcase

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- NCAA Division II today announced 18 of the 22 regular season football games that will be carried on ESPN3, WatchESPN and the American Sports Network, after the division entered a three-year agreement in 2015 to deliver DII athletics events.

The 22-game Division II Football Showcase is once again three times as many televised football games for Division II, compared to seven televised games in each of the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Clark Atlanta will host Tuskegee on Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. in a rematch of the 2015 season opener that CAU lost on the road. The Panthers will be appearing in a televised game for the second time in two seasons.

Of the 22-game slate announced by the NCAA, 18 games have been predetermined. An additional four flex games (two per network) will be finalized later in the football season and played November 5 and November 12. The flex games are expected to highlight premier and pivotal matchups.

However, fans won't need to wait long to watch exciting Division II football. The 36 teams highlighted in the current 2016 TV schedule combined for 272 wins and just 121 losses for a .692 winning percentage. Of those teams, 17 appeared in the Division II playoffs and 14 finished the season ranked in the top 25 of the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.

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ABOUT THE AMERICAN SPORTS NETWORK
The American Sports Network is part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. Including pending transactions, the company owns, operates and/or provides services to 173 television stations in 81 markets, broadcasting 484 channels and having affiliations with all the major networks. Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of live sports content. Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the- air, multi-channel video program distributors and digital platforms. The company regularly uses its website as a key source of company information which can be accessed at SBGI.net. ASN, which launched in August 2014, produced 250 college events in nine sports in its first year and plans to air nearly 400 events when the 2015-16 academic year is over. ASN launched a 24/7 channel in nine markets in January and it has increased that total to 21 by June 5.


FULL SCHEDULE (all times are EST)

Thursday, Sept. 1 (9 pm) – CSU-Pueblo at Colorado School of Mines (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 3 (7 pm) – Tuskegee University at Clark Atlanta University (ASN)
Saturday, Sept. 10 (7 pm) – SW Minnesota St. Univ. at Northern St. Univ. (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 10 (7 pm) – Henderson State Univ. at East Central Univ. (ASN)
Saturday, Sept. 17 (7 pm) – Valdosta State Univ. at Univ. of North Alabama (ASN)
Sat., Sept. 17 at (8 pm) – W. Texas A&M at Univ. of Texas-Permian Basin (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 24 (3 pm) – Central State vs. Kentucky State (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 24 (3:30 pm) – Ashland University at Ferris State University (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 1 (6 pm) – Catawba College at Newberry College (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 1 (7 pm) – Florida Tech at University of West Florida (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 8 at (12 noon) – Glenville State College at Shepherd University (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 8 (8 pm) – Midwestern State Univ. at Texas A&M-Commerce (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 15 (6 pm) – University of New Haven at Stonehill College (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 15 (7 pm) – Kutztown University at East Stroudsburg Univ. (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 22 (1 pm) – Bowie State Univ. at Virginia Union Univ. (ESPN3)
Saturday, Oct. 22 (3:30 pm) – Humboldt State at Western Oregon (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 29 (3:30 pm) – Pittsburg State at Northwest Missouri State (ASN)
Saturday, Oct. 29 (6 pm) – William Jewell College at Univ. of Indianapolis (ESPN3)
Saturday, Nov. 5 – TBD
Saturday, Nov. 12 – TBD

COURTESY CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Clark Atlanta University Suspends Men's Track and Field

ATLANTA, Georgia -- After reviewing the impact on the institution and the department of athletics, Clark Atlanta University has opted to suspend Men's Track and Field. The resulting reduction will bring the number of sponsored sports at CAU to 10 - four men's and six women's sports.

"For the next few years, Clark Atlanta University has suspended the Men's Track program after evaluating the entire athletic program" stated CAU Athletics Director J. Lin Dawson. "Suspending or reducing a varsity sport is not an easy decision. The decision to right size the department was based on resources, competitiveness, gender equity, and facilities."

The men's cross country team and women's running sports will not be affected and will continue to compete.

"Several young men will be impacted. These young men give their hearts and souls in representing Clark Atlanta University. The Men's Cross Country program is still a varsity supported sport at CAU."

"We will continue fundraising efforts to install a new track and to create a sustainable competitive program. While the Men's Track program is suspended, although a small consolation, the University will work to provide opportunities for young men to run unattached at several meets where CAU competes."

Clark Atlanta University had 3,500 students for the 2015-16 school year with roughly 74% of the enrollment base as female students.

COURTESY CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former Jackson State tennis coach acted unethically, failed to monitor program

JACKSON, Mississippi -- A former Jackson State University men’s tennis head coach violated NCAA ethical conduct rules when he allowed an ineligible student-athlete to compete under an eligible student-athlete’s name, according to a decision issued by a Division I Committee on Infractions panel.

Download the Jackson State Public Infractions Decision

The former coach also failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the tennis program. He provided impermissible benefits to a prospect during recruitment and later permitted the same student-athlete, who was a nonqualifer upon enrollment, to practice and compete.

The director of compliance notified the former coach that the student-athlete was a nonqualifer when the recruit enrolled and therefore was ineligible for practice and competition. Despite knowing that, the former coach allowed the student-athlete to practice with the team. The former coach also allowed the student-athlete to receive travel-related expenses on two occasions, contrary to NCAA rules.

The former coach provided the student-athlete with impermissible recruiting benefits when he was a prospect. The panel determined those actions were a Level III violation, or isolated in nature.

This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties collectively submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, the involved individual and the university must agree to the facts and overall level of the case in order to use this process instead of a formal hearing.

Penalties and corrective measures include the following:

Public reprimand and censure for the university.

One year of probation for the university from July 1, 2016, to June, 30, 2017.

A two-year show-cause order for the former coach from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018. During that period, if he is hired at an NCAA member school, he is prohibited from all coaching and recruiting duties.

A vacation of records in which the student-athlete participated while ineligible. After the release of the public report, the university will identify the competition affected.

A $5,000 fine.

Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from NCAA membership and members of the public. The members of the panel who reviewed this case are Michael F. Adams, chancellor, Pepperdine University; Carol Cartwright, president emeritus, Kent State University; Gregory Christopher, athletics director at Xavier University; Jack Ford, legal analyst for CBS News; Joseph Novak, former head football coach at Northern Illinois University; Larry Parkinson, director of enforcement for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and Gregory Sankey, chief hearing officer, chair of the Committee on Infractions and commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

COURTESY NCAA PUBLIC AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Wagner College hoop transfers find home in MEAC

STATEN ISLAND, New York -- Following Wagner College's 23-11 season, guard Aaren Edmead and forward Japhet Kadji announced their intentions to transfer.

They did, and now the two sophomores have reportedly landed in the same place.

The two will have to sit out next season for the Aggies, who were 10-22 overall and 7-9 in the MEAC last year.

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W-S Prep athlete heads to Fayetteville State with scholarship

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Former Winston-Salem Prep Academy player Kala Robinson grew up being a cheerleader. As she watched her older sister play basketball her focus changed.

Robinson has signed her letter of intent to play basketball for the Lady Broncos of Fayetteville State University.

The 5’9” Robinson said her favorite aspect of playing basketball is playing as a team and sharing the ball. Her favorite player is Camille Little of the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Little is from Winston-Salem and played at Carver High School before becoming a star player for the UNC Tar Heels.

“I was really overwhelmed and I was really happy because it was proof all of my hard work paid off,” said Robinson of her scholarship.

With her height, Robinson says at the high school level she was able to overpower smaller guards and her shooting touch and speed enabled her to out maneuver forwards. “In high school when girls guarded me, it would be a mismatch because I was usually stronger than them,” Robinson said. “I need to get stronger for the next level because when I went to an open gym at Fayetteville State, those girls were really strong.”

Kala Robinson’s father, Alvin Robinson, was very happy for his daughter and the success she had on the court.

“I’m proud of her. She always wanted to go to a CIAA school because of the hype of the conference,” said Alvin Robinson. “I am more proud of the fact she is able to live her dream and not the dream of my wife and I.”

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Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Names Inaugural Class: Dr. Dick Barnett, Travis Grant, Bob Hopkins, Earl Monroe, Willis Reed, Clarence Gaines and John McLendon Makes Slate

EVANSVILLE, Indiana -- It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that Small College Basketball announces the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of inductees into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.

The 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. Fans may purchase tickets/tables to the Hall of Fame Induction through the following link, www.HoFClassic.com, or by calling 812-421-2212.
​
Players

Dr. Dick Barnett (Tennessee A&I)
Bevo Francis (Rio Grande)
John Ebeling (Florida Southern)
Travis Grant (Kentucky State)
Bob Hopkins (Grambling)
Lucious Jackson (Pan American College)
Phil Jackson (North Dakota)
Earl Monroe (Winston-Salem State)
Willis Reed (Grambling)
John Rinka (Kenyon)
Jerry Sloan (Evansville)

Coaches

Clarence Gaines (Winston-Salem State)
Arad McCutchan (Evansville)
John McLendon (North Carolina College, Hampton, Tennessee State, Kentucky State, Cleveland State)

READ BIO AND MORE HERE

Ram Ramblings: Monroe, Gaines heading to Small College Hall of Fame

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- If you are going to have college basketball hall of fame dedicated to the small colleges and universities, Big House Gaines and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe are two of the initial inductees that make sense.

The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame, a new hall of fame that will be in Evansville, Indiana has been started.

The induction ceremony will be held Nov. 17 at the Ford Center.

Gaines, who died in April of 2005, guided WSSU to 828 wins in a 47-year career that included a national championship.

Monroe, 71, played at WSSU in the late 1960s and went on to become one of the all-time greats in the NBA.

“I’m just reading the e-mail as you called,” Monroe said by telephone today from New York. “I had no idea or any inkling that this was going to happen but it’s exciting for all of us who went to small colleges.”

Monroe was especially happy that Gaines, one of his mentors, is recognized for his contributions to basketball.

“It’s absolutely terrific that coach Gaines is going in as well and you can’t forget John McLendon also going in,” Monroe said about McLendon, the former N.C. Central coach.

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Wood excited for upcoming season, Rattlers in summer phase of program

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Just like last year, Florida A&M head coach Alex Wood has a strong focus on academics in the summer phase of his program.

Veteran Rattlers have been in summer school since May 9 while also participating in summer workouts. Wood said freshmen reported on June 21 and started class on Monday after going through a team orientation.

Wood, in his second year as head coach, said his players are understanding the expectations he placed on them – they aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

“It’s a new year,” Wood said. “We’re undefeated. That’s what I’m excited about. It’s a new team and I like these guys’ attitudes. They’re working at it. I like the way they’re coming together as a team and working well together. I’m excited about that aspect.

“It’s always a work in progress as we go. This is our second year. I think kids understand last year wasn’t just something we did because it was our first year, that’s the program. It was that way last year and it’ll be that way this year – doesn’t matter if we won no games or one game or ten games. That’s the program and that’s how we’ll go.”

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FAMU Mourns the Loss of Former Interim Athletics Director Joseph Ramsey

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) community is extremely saddened by the loss of former FAMU track star and chair of the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Joseph Ramsey, Ph.D. Ramsey received his master’s degree in physical education from FAMU and a doctorate in administration of athletics and physical education from Florida State University (FSU).

A longtime supporter of the University and true Rattler, Ramsey provided years of tireless service to FAMU through various teaching and administrative roles, including serving the Athletics Department as its former interim director.

President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., said the untimely passing of Joseph Ramsey is a tremendous loss to the FAMU community.

“Joseph Ramsey’s unconditional love for FAMU was shown through his years of service on behalf of FAMU students and our athletics programs,” Mangum said. “A person like Ramsey cannot be replaced, and he will surely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his fa
mily, friends, and loved ones from FAMU and beyond during this time of mourning.”

Details of funeral arrangements will be announced as they are made available.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS 

John Stallworth, Robert Brazile & Harlon Hill proved it's where you finish, not where you start

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- There's more to football in this state than Auburn and Alabama.

Consequently, there's more to The 100 — AL.com's list of the top football players in state history — than former Tigers and Crimson Tide stars. Three players who earned spots in the top half of the list are proof that it doesn't matter where you start, but where you finish.

Harlon Hill stayed in his hometown of Florence for college football, but was so successful there and in the professional ranks that a national award was named for him. Robert Brazile's route took him from Mobile to Jackson State, sparking a career as one of most feared defenders in the NFL.



John Stallworth left Tuscaloosa for Alabama A&M, and eventually wound up a four-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Hill is No. 36 on The 100, while Brazile is No. 25 and Stallworth No. 23.

Hill was born May 4, 1932, in Killen, hard up against the Alabama-Tennessee line. After starring at Lauderdale County High School, he enrolled at what was then Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in the early 1950s.

Hill was an NAIA All-American end as a senior in 1953, and scored 19 touchdowns in his career despite catching just 53 passes in a run-oriented offense. An opposing coach tipped off a Chicago Bears scout about Hill, and the Bears drafted him in the 15th round in 1954.

CONTINUE READING 

Life on the field: Longtime JSU coach Bob Braddy to be inducted into National College Baseball Hall Of Fame

Tickets for the 2016 induction are available on the Hall of Fame's website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Growing up in Florence, Mississippi, Bob Braddy looked forward to Saturdays.

R.T. Braddy Sr., being a church deacon, wouldn’t let his children play ball on Sundays and, in a family with eight boys and six girls, work and chores consumed weekdays.

That left Saturday afternoons for baseball.

The neighborhood kids would clean up cow manure from the pasture, cut up a car tire for the pitching rubber and fashion bases by filling cloth grain sacks with dirt. The catcher had a mask, but no chest protector, no shin guards, no other equipment, so a “pigtail” would set up shop 30 or 40 feet behind him.

“He would get the ball and get it back to the catcher,” Bob Braddy said. “That was like a designated player. It was a second catcher.”

Retrieving pitches wasn’t the only group effort.

“The park was surrounded by trees,” Braddy said. “If someone hit a fly ball into the woods, you would see guys scatter like ants into the woods, trying to find the ball.”

From such humble beginnings, Braddy made a life from the game. Coaching Jackson State from 1973-2000, Braddy went 824-546, setting the coaching victories record for the Southwestern Athletic Conference, winning 12 SWAC titles and taking three teams to the NCAA tournament.

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HU's Johnson named MEAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Hampton University guard Reginald Johnson, Jr. has been named the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Male Student-Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced.

Johnson is the first Hampton student-athlete to receive the honor.

"I would like to congratulate Reginald Johnson, Jr.," MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas said. "He's had an absolutely phenomenal career at Hampton University, not only as a student-athlete, but academically and in extracurricular activities as well. I wish him continued success and I would like to thank all the people who had a positive influence on Reginald."

In two seasons with the Pirates, Johnson helped the program win back-to-back MEAC Tournament titles and make consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. This past season, Johnson was named First Team All-MEAC and the MEAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, ranking second in the conference in scoring with 18.1 points per game.

He had two 30-point games on the season, including a career-high 35 points at Northern Arizona on Dec. 2. He also had 30 points against Washington Adventist.

Johnson was also third in the MEAC in steals and sixth in assists. Johnson averaged 19.3 points and 8.3 assists per game in the MEAC Tournament, and he dished out a MEAC Tournament record-tying 13 assists in the quarterfinals against Morgan State.



Johnson was also named a BoxToRow All-American and Second Team All-State by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).

In addition to his on-court excellence, Johnson graduated this past May with a degree in sports management, boasting a 3.18 GPA.

He also has been a pillar in the community, volunteering at local elementary schools in Hampton and Newport News, Va. He also participated in Jump Rope for Heart, Read Across America, and the annual Pirates Leading Area Youth Day.

In addition, he worked in the Department of Athletics as a marketing representative.

The Male Student-Athlete of the Year honor is provided to the student-athlete who has excelled academically and athletically and is in his final season of intercollegiate athletic eligibility and competition under MEAC and NCAA regulations for the sport in which the student-athlete was nominated.

Each of the MEAC's 13-member institutions may nominate one male student-athlete for the honor. The honoree is selected by a committee of five conference Athletic Directors that use a combination of the following criteria in selection of the award: service of leadership, academic achievement and athletics excellence.



COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Tuskegee, North Carolina A&T in preseason football rankings

TUSKEGEE,Alabama -- With just 66 days before the college football season opens across the country, preseason polls are beginning to be released by several national publications. Tuskegee, fresh off a quarterfinal appearance in the 2015 NCAA Division II playoffs, its second straight playoff appearance, has made an appearance in two publications that have been released in the last month.

The Golden Tigers, 10-3 a season ago, are ranked 13th in The Sporting News Football Annual preseason NCAA Div. II poll. They are the second-highest rated team from region, behind West Georgia who is ranked third in the preseason poll and the only HBCU team in the Preseason Top 25. The Golden Tigers are ranked one spot ahead of North Alabama – who they defeated in the second round of the playoffs – and two spots ahead of the first round opponent from a season ago, Catawba.

North Carolina A&T, who finished in a three-way tie with North Carolina Central and Bethune-Cookman for the 2015 MEAC title and defeated SWAC champion Alcorn State in the inaugural Celebration Bowl, is the only HBCU team in the preseason FCS poll. The Aggies are ranked 22nd nationally. The Sporting News also released its preseason Div. II and FCS All-American teams. Johnson C. Smith junior defensive back Carlo Thomas, who led the nation in interceptions, and Tuskegee junior safety Jonah McCutcheon earned first team Div. II honors.

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JCSU Athletics Celebrates the Retirement of Head Tennis Coach James Cuthbertson

JCSU Athletics Celebrates the Career of Head Tennis Coach James Cuthbertson at Retirement Reception

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Friends of the Johnson C. Smith University tennis programs gathered on Tuesday afternoon, June 28^th to celebrate the career of longtime tennis coach James Cuthbertson at a retirement reception held at JCSU's Faculty House. Cuthbertson will retire effective July 29, 2016.

Cuthbertson has led the JCSU tennis programs for the past 18 years, compiling a 245-212 record at the helm of the men's team and a 164-207 mark as the women's head coach. Under Cuthbertson's guidance, JCSU won six consecutive CIAA men's titles from 1999-2004.

"Coach Cuthbertson has been a constant for JCSU and is well known around the area for his love of the game and his coaching ability," said JCSU athletic director Stephen Joyner, Sr. "We wish him well in his retirement."

In addition to his coaching duties, Cuthbertson has served JCSU in several roles, including the disability services coordinator and as sports information director.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SIAC to host Football Media Day in Montgomery

To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE

ATLANTA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) will host the annual Football Media Day on Wednesday, July 20 at the Doubletree by Hilton Montgomery Downtown (120 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104). Head football coaches and two student-athletes from each team will be available to offer an up close and personal look on the upcoming 2016 football season.

This year the SIAC will have a limited number of tickets available to the public for the press luncheon portion of the Media Day. Tickets can be purchased by calling Taunita Stephenson at (404) 221-1041 or stephenson@thesiac.com. Tickets are $40 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons) and must be purchased by Friday, July 15.

Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interviews by completing an application found on www.thesiac.com. One-on-one interviews will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. Ballroom.

COURTESY THE SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern's A.W. Mumford Stadium unveils new field turf

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- A welcomed, new addition awaits the Southern University football program and their passionate fanbase when they enter A.W. Mumford Stadium on Sept. 17 for the 2016 home opener against Alabama State.

Construction to install a new state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface is nearing the final phase ahead of the project's July 18 scheduled completion date. The new field turf is a part of several University initiatives which will be highlighted during the Million Dollar March kickoff event Wednesday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse. The event, hosted by the Southern University System Foundation, is reserved for all Foundation donors and corporate sponsors.

“The installation of a turf field aligns with the University’s aim to shape a standard of excellence in our athletic endeavors," said SU System President Dr. Ray L. Belton. "We are pleased to bring the project to fruition with the support of the Southern University System Foundation and the longstanding contributions of the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

We are also grateful for the partnerships with SMG and UBU Sports, Incorporated that allows us to achieve this much-needed improvement to A.W. Mumford Stadium.”

The Southern University System Foundation (SUSF) partnered with the Southern University Athletics Department for the installation of the NFL-grade synthetic turf field at A.W. Mumford Stadium. The project was made possible by a joint venture between Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Southern University System Foundation, SMG (Louisiana Superdome Management Company) and UBU Sports, Incorporated.

"Southern University and SU Athletics remains committed to providing our student-athletes with a first-rate college experience," said Roman Banks, SU Interim Athletics Director. "Through the support of the Southern University System Foundation, the installation of this state-of-the-art playing surface at A.W. Mumford Stadium addresses any player safety and gameday logistic concerns while offering our coaching staff a powerful recruiting tool which also reasserts the SU athletic brand."

UBU Sports, Incorporated, located in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a leading brand of indoor and outdoor synthetic turf surfaces for use in a variety of sporting events, including football, baseball, field hockey, soccer, rugby and lacrosse. Teams that currently play on UBU, Incorporated fields include the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, the New York Giants and New York Jets at Met Life Stadium, the University of Houston at TDECU Stadium, Tulane Green Wave - which host Southern on Sept. 10 - at Yulman Stadium, and the Houston Texans practice fields.

2016 Season Tickets are on sale now at the SU Ticket Office located in the service entrance of the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Fans are encouraged to contact the ticket office at 225-771-3171 for more details.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Poore’s contract at West Virginia State extended to 2022

Bryan Poore

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- West Virginia State men’s basketball coach Bryan Poore, already the program’s career leader in wins, will get a couple more years to extend that lead.

WVSU agreed in January to extend Poore’s contract to the 2021-22 academic year. He had four years left on his previous deal.

“Coach Poore has demonstrated he can win championships at State,” WVSU athletic director Nate Burton said. “We have high expectations and our alumni base and fans have high expectations for our men’s basketball program, and those are in large part because of what we’ve been able to achieve under Coach Poore’s leadership.

“And I felt it was important for our student-athletes to know he was locked in and will be here for their next four years,” he added.

The extended contract will pay him $76,695.26 annually, according to a copy of the deal WVSU provided to the Gazette-Mail. That includes an ongoing appointment to the College of Professional Studies, where he is an instructor.

Poore, in November, broke Mark Cardwell’s career wins record at State by winning his 289th game as the Yellow Jackets’ head coach. The Yellow Jackets’ coach since 1999, Poore finished the season with 293 wins at State after a 6-22 campaign. He has 305 career wins, including a 12-win season at the University of Charleston in 1996-97.

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Xavier welcomes back Alfred Williams as head coach

ALFRED WILLIAMS

NEW ORLEANS — Former Xavier University of Louisiana student-athlete and assistant coach Alfred Williams, who engineered one of the best turnarounds in NAIA Division I men's basketball this past season at Harris-Stowe State University, is returning home to become head coach at his alma mater.
     
XU Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn announced the hiring of Williams Tuesday. He replaces Dannton Jackson, who left Xavier in April after 13 seasons as head coach to become an assistant at NCAA Division I's University of Alabama at Birmingham.
     
The new head coach will meet with news media, the XU community and fans July 5 at 1:30 p.m. in Xavier's Convocation Center, 7900 Stroelitz St. (zip 70125).
     
"I'm super-excited about the opportunity to become the next head men's basketball coach at Xavier," said Williams, who played for the Gold Rush from 2004-08 and served as an assistant coach from 2009-15. "Xavier has been near and dear to my heart ever since I stepped on campus in 2004. The rich tradition is second to none. I am looking forward to continue building on the foundations of the past while growing toward the future. We will work day in and day out to build a program that mirrors toughness, grit, hustle and passion in everything that we do. I'm looking forward to the challenge and continuing to build for greatness both on the court and in the classroom."
     
Williams was head coach for one season at Harris-Stowe in St. Louis, where he led the Hornets in a 7 1/2-game improvement from the previous year and victories against a pair of NCAA Division II opponents. Harris-Stowe lost 84-83 in double-overtime Jan. 28 at American Midwest Conference champion Columbia (Mo.), a 29-game winner, after losing there by 46 points the previous season.
     
During his previous Xavier tenures, Williams was a member of three teams as a player and five teams as an assistant coach that qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship and won or shared four Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament regular-season championships. The Gold Rush averaged 23.3 victories during his three playing seasons and 23.2 victories during his six seasons as assistant coach.
     
Xavier won three consecutive GCAC regular-season championships from 2011-14, and its 121 victories from 2010-11 through 2014-15 are the second-winningest five years in the program history, topped only by the Gold Rush's 126 victories from 1936-37 through 1940-41. Williams was a 6-foot-4 forward at Xavier, was All-GCAC his senior year and is one of three Gold Rush players with 800 points, 500 rebounds and 150 assists in a career.
     
"After a comprehensive national search which attracted many outstanding candidates, we are excited to welcome back Alfred Williams," Horn said. "We are confident that AJ (Williams' nickname) will continue the Xavier tradition of excellence and lead the Gold Rush to even greater national prominence while graduating our student-athletes."
     
Williams, 32 and a native of Greenville, S.C., received his bachelor of science degree from Xavier in 2008.
     
Xavier was 21-13 in 2015-16 and qualified for NAIA's national tournament for a school-record sixth consecutive year. The Gold Rush were runner-up in the GCAC Tournament each of the past two seasons. Xavier's 31 seasons of 20 or more victories are the most in the history of Louisiana men's college basketball.

What They're Saying About Alfred Williams

Grady Brewer, Morehouse College Head Coach
     "Xavier University has picked an extremely talented young basketball coach in Alfred Williams. He has paid his dues and he has an incredible love for his alma mater. It's a win-win situation for all parties involved."

Larry Cordaro, Louisiana State University at Alexandria Head Coach
     "Alfred Williams is an outstanding young coach who is a great fit for Xavier. He has the coaching characteristics to keep the Gold Rush competing at a high level. AJ has an eye for talent and really cares about people. All he needed was head coaching experience which he went out and got. I'm really happy for AJ and look forward to seeing him back in Louisiana."

Mike Davis, Texas Southern University Head Coach
     "Alfred Williams is a really good basketball coach and has a bright future."

Michael Huger, Bowling Green State University Head Coach
     "Alfred Williams is one of the best young coaches in our business. He has a great basketball mind. AJ is also a people person which he will use to do a great job with his student-athletes. I wish him all the best."

Casey Long, Virginia Commonwealth University Assistant Coach
     "Alfred Williams is an unbelievable coach and God-fearing person. He really cares about developing players to be the best student-athletes they can be. He is truly appreciative of any opportunity, and he will be a great coach at Xavier."

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Norfolk State - Richmond Game to be Televised on Comcast

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State's first road football game of the year, at the University of Richmond on Saturday, Sept. 10, will be televised by Comcast SportsNet and will kick off at 6 p.m. at Robins Stadium, UR announced.

The game will be broadcast on either CSN or CSN Mid-Atlantic, marking the first of at least three televised Spartan football games this fall. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is available on approximately 25 cable providers throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and West Virginia. It is also available nationwide on satellite via DirecTV. The channel reaches more than 4.7 million households in the Mid-Atlantic region.

NSU and Richmond are meeting for the first time ever on the gridiron this fall. The Spiders advanced to the Division I FCS semifinals last year.

In addition to the game at Richmond, it was announced earlier this month that NSU will appear on the ESPN family of networks a minimum of two times as part of the MEAC's yearly TV package. NSU's game at North Carolina A&T will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN3 on Thursday, Oct. 6. The Spartans' home game with Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Oct. 22 will air live on ESPN3 and tape-delayed on ESPNU (air time TBA). A conference matchup to be determined on Nov. 19 will also be shown on ESPNU, and the Celebration Bowl, pitting the champions from the MEAC and SWAC against one another, will be broadcast on ABC on Dec. 17.

Officials from William & Mary also announced recently that the Spartans' game against the Tribe in Williamsburg will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sept. 17, meaning gCe times for all 11 regular-season NSU football games are now set. To view NSU's complete 2016 NSU football schedule, click here.

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

Mervyl Melendez leaving Alabama State for FIU

MIAMI, Florida -- After leading Alabama State to its first SWAC title and first trip to the NCAA Tournament, Melendez has taken a head coaching position at Florida International to take over a program that finished .500 this past season.

"It is indeed a pleasure," Melendez said after being officially named FIU's new head coach as it was streamed live via YoutTube from FIU in Miami. "I'm humbled to have this great opportunity to lead FIU baseball program to where it needs to be nationally."

Wearing a suit, tie and big smile at the news conference, the Carolina, Puerto Rico native said he "will dedicate my life" to FIU baseball.

"This journey started for me many years ago," Melendez said. "Twenty years ago, I became a baseball coach thinking that one day I'd be here. You start with the idea that you not only want to be successful, but you want to get to a place that you can call home. This is one of the few jobs that I looked at as one day could be mine. One day I could be there. One day I can call FIU home and this day has arrived."

FIU's Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment, Pete Garcia, introduced Melendez as the university's new head coach this afternoon.



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5 things we learned from scouting Tampa's satellite camps

Alex Wood, head football coach for Florida A&M University (FAMU), organizes high school football players into groups on Friday (6/17/16) at the Alex Wood Football Camp, a satellite football camp, hosted at Skyway Park in Tampa. Satellite camps have been a hot topic in recent months after the NCAA Division I Legislative Council voted against college coaches from serving as guest instructors at satellite camps in April, 2016. But the NCAA Board of Directors overturned the ruling a few weeks later.

TAMPA, Florida — After becoming the most scrutinized subject of college football's offseason, satellite camps made their first major splash across Tampa Bay this month.

More than 1,100 high school players worked out in front of representatives from 40-plus colleges over a 16-day stretch. At least seven Division I-A head coaches attended the instructional camps away from their campuses.

Despite the criticism from Alabama's Nick Saban and initial skepticism from the NCAA, the camps went off with seemingly no major incidents or drama.

"No, the sky hasn't fallen," Tampa Catholic coach Mike Gregory said after his Crusaders hosted Florida International's camp June 19.

Maybe not. But after attending all four major camps in the area, the Tampa Bay Times came away with five lessons in a controversy that will likely continue to be dissected next spring.

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Local Principal, FAMU Alum's Acapella National Anthem At Lincoln Memorial Goes Viral

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It's not exactly Marian Anderson singing in front of the Lincoln Memorial. But Star Swain's rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at the national landmark was the sort of life-changing performance few who've heard it will soon forget.

Swain, a former Florida A&M Marching 100 trombonist and vocalist, has been thrust into the digital national spotlight after an impromptu a capella rendition of the National Anthem has gone viral, being viewed by millions on Facebook and other social media.

Swain, 34, said she and her family were in Washington, D.C., on vacation two weeks ago with Marcus Henderson, minister of music at her church, and his family, along with Godby High assistant principal Benny Bolden and his family.

They were inside the Lincoln Memorial, when and Henderson started talking about the superior acoustics inside the landmark.

“I said, ‘I could break out and start singing The Star-Spangled Banner,'" Swain recalled Monday. That was enough to get Henderson and Bolden to start urging her on.




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Kenneth Jones steps down after 30 years as the ‘Voice of Bragg’

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Kenneth Jones has seen every Florida A&M football game played at Bragg Memorial Stadium over the last 30 years, and he’s never had to buy a ticket.

In fact, he came as part of the package when someone bought a ticket to see the Rattlers play. A football game, a performance from the “Marching 100” band, and commentary from Jones – it was all part of the Bragg experience on Saturdays.

It’s going to be a little weird this year. For the first time in three decades years, Jones will be sitting in the stands with his family when the Rattlers take the field at Bragg. The only people who will be able to hear him will be the ones sitting close to him, and they might not get the commentary they’re used to.

Jones, finally, is taking the chance to relax and be a fan of a team he loves. The 54-year-old associate professor of journalism at FAMU stepped down after the 2015 season as FAMU’s “Voice of Bragg,” saying he wished to spend some more time with his family.

“My mother is going to be down there with me,” Jones said with a smile.

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Southern University’s ‘Human Jukebox’ band to perform in battle of the bands competition in Charlotte, N.C.

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Jaguar Nation’s prestigious marching band will be displaying its talents at the annual McDonald’s Queen City Battle of the Bands, to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina’s Memorial Stadium, on August 27.

Webber Marketing sponsors the annual event, which they say was created to support the creativity, showmanship, and commitment it takes to be a part of a historically black college and university (HBCU) marching band. The company has donated more than $160,000 in scholarships to participating schools over the last three years.

Derek Webber, president/CEO of Webber Marketing, says, “At Webber Marketing we are committed to enhancing the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The McDonald’s Queen City Battle of the Bands event highlights the community’s exclusive interest in HBCU marching bands and the roles that they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing our future leaders.”

The SU marching band will receive a $10,000 scholarship donation, in addition to travel and lodging expenses, for participating in the battle of the bands event.

“The SU band has performed in more Super Bowls than any other band in the country. We’ve performed on many national and international stages, but now is the time to bring the talents and passion of our band to the Queen City. We are looking forward to it,” says Nathan Haymer, SU band director.

The “Human Jukebox” band will begin practicing in early August, and they will be hosting numerous events before their performance in order to prepare for the opportunity.

“Southern University is excited to support our world-renowned band for an inaugural presentation at the McDonald’s Queen City Battle of the Bands. The growing excitement of the Human Jukebox 2016-17 season is extremely high. The best is yet to come,” says M. Christopher Brown, executive vice president and provost of SU.



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

LABOR DAY CLASSIC: PVAMU PANTHERS vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS
Date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 4, 2016, 5:30 PM
Location: PVAMU, Texas
TV: ESPNU
TICKETS

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

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

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

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



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

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

The movement to build a new stadium gained momentum in 2009 after Perry and other alumni helped raise $30 million to start the Prairie View A&M Foundation. Shortly after, Prairie View A&M President George Wright said, Perry started beating the drum to raise funds for a new stadium, and the Texas A&M System Board of regents responded.

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