6 student-athletes join XULA tennis for spring 2017

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has added six more student-athletes to the tennis teams for the 2017 spring semester.

Coach Alan Green announced the signing of five men and one woman:

     •  Pierre Andrieu, a sophomore from Tours, France, and a business major at XULA.
     •  Catalin Fifea, a junior from Bucharest, Romania. He's a sociology major.
     •  Moses Micheal, a freshman from Kaduna, Nigeria, and a business major.
     •  Oran Reznick, a freshman from Ashkelon, Israel. Reznick is majoring in business.
     •  Antoine Richard, a freshman from Laval, Quebec, and a finance major.
     •  Yi Chen Pao, a freshman from Taichung City, Taiwan. Pao is undecided on her major.
     
The XULA men, the NAIA national runner-up last season, will open their season Saturday with a pair of dual matches at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette. Times will be 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. At noon Sunday, the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play city rival Loyola at XULA Tennis Center. Admission is free to all XULA home matches.
     
"We lost three All-Americans from a team that reached the national championship match last year," Green said. "We brought in some guys that we feel good about that can hopefully elevate our team to contend for another shot at the final match again. We will have some early tests in our schedule that will give us a good indication if we can get back there."
     
Of Pao, Green said, "She is going to add good depth to the Gold Nuggets."
     
Fifea is a transfer from NCAA Division I member VCU, where he was first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference this past season. The other men have considerable experience in junior tennis; all combined they've won nearly 30 tournament championships at that level.
     
Pao is one of four Gold Nuggets in their first year in the program. The others — freshmen Lacee Ancar of Harvey, La., and Lyndsey Clark of Jacksonville, Fla., and seniorEmma Kranendonk of Heemskerk, The Netherlands — competed for XULA during the fall semester.
     
XULA's men were No. 2, and the women were No. 19 in the NAIA coaches polls announced Tuesday.

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

Huss defensive end Devin Harrell commits to North Carolina A&T

GASTONIA, North Carolina – After setting the school record for sacks and helping the Huss football team to one of its best seasons in decades, Devin Harrell will be moving on to play football at the next level.

Harrell verbally committed to play Division I football at North Carolina A&T next season. He went on an official visit to Greensboro on Friday, Jan. 13 and shortly after made his choice to play for the Aggies. Harrell will sign his National Letter of Intent to make the decision official on Wednesday after school at the Hunter Huss High School library.

DEVIN HARRELL HIGHLIGHTS

“I loved it man,” Harrell said of his impressions after the visit. “It’s a nice school, nice environment. They have a good coaching staff there that can make me a better player and person.”

As a senior this fall, Harrell finished the year with 21 sacks on his way to being named Big South Conference defensive player of the year. He and fellow senior defensive end Amari Torrence (15 sacks) dubbed themselves the “Bash Brothers” and terrorized opposing quarterbacks in the backfield all season.

That defensive line was a key piece of a historic season for the Huskies. Huss went undefeated in the Big South and the Huskies won their first conference championship since 1996. The Huskiees went on to beat Parkwood and R-S Central in the first two rounds of the playoffs before falling to eventual state champion Shelby on the road in the third round.

CONTINUE READING

Tennessee Tiger Football Announces 2017 Schedule

Tentative 2017 Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State University released its 2017 football schedule on Wednesday. The Tigers’ slate is highlighted with a game at FBS Georgia State and matchups with two longtime HBCU rivals.

TSU will travel to Atlanta to face Sun Belt member Georgia State to open the season. The game is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31. The Tigers will then travel to Memphis for its annual game with Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 9.

The following week (Sept. 16) will pit the Big Blue against Florida A&M at a location to be announced at a later date.

“We feel this contest is a terrific financial and recruiting opportunity for both our universities,” said Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips. “We have a great rivalry with Florida A&M and are excited about the prospect of continuing this series.”

TSU is also in negotiations with an opponent for the John Merritt Classic. The game will take place on either Oct. 21 or Nov. 4. Full details will be announced at a later date.



Tennessee State will begin Ohio Valley Conference play with a trip on Sept. 23 to take on UT Martin. The conference schedule will bring Eastern Illinois, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri to Nashville, while the Tigers will take to the road for games at Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and a Thursday night battle on Nov. 16 at Jacksonville State.

Austin Peay will provide opposition to the Tigers in this year’s homecoming contest. The game is scheduled for Oct. 14 at Nissan Stadium.

TSU is coming off a 7-4 finish and a 4-3 record in the OVC. The Tigers closed out the season with a 32-31 victory at Southeast Missouri.

Tentative 2017 Schedule

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

WSSU Rams Announce 2017 Football Schedule

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Winston-Salem State Department of Athletics is happy to announce the 2017 football schedule.

The two-time defending CIAA Champion Rams will play five home games this season at Bowman Gray Stadium, including the Winston-Salem Football Classic.

WSSU will open the season on the road at UNC Pembroke on August 31st.

The Rams will host Catawba in the 2017 Winston-Salem Football Classic, on September 9th, and then will visit the state of Virginia, for two consecutive weeks. The Rams will travel to Richmond to take on Virginia Union University on September 16th, and will return to Petersburg the following week to take on Virginia State University on September 23rd. Winston-Salem State will wrap up September hosting Lincoln University on September 30th.

2017 WSSU football schedule

Aug. 31 WSSU at UNC Pembroke
Sept. 9 Catawba at WSSU
Sept. 16 WSSU at Va. Union*
Sept. 23 WSSU at Va. State
Sept. 30 Lincoln (Pa.) at WSSU
Oct. 7 J.C. Smith at WSSU
Oct. 14 WSSU at St. Augustine’s
Oct. 21 WSSU at Livingstone
Oct. 28 Shaw at WSSU
Nov. 4 Fayetteville St. at WSSU
*nonconference game

Winston-Salem State will host Johnson C. Smith at Bowman Gray Stadium on October 7th, before taking the show on the road for two straight weeks. On October 14th, WSSU will travel to Raleigh to face the St. Augustine's University Falcons. The following week, WSSU travels to Salisbury, to face the Blue Bears of Livingstone College. The Rams will wrap up October with a home game versus Shaw, for Homecoming 2017.

The month of November will find the Rams at home for Senior Day on the 4th, as WSSU will host the Broncos of Fayetteville State.

The CIAA Championship will be played on November 11th. The site has yet to be announced.

All game times and any television games will be released at a later date.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rush, Nuggets return to court for duals this weekend

NEW ORLEANS — It's another star-studded, power-packed spring-semester schedule for the men's and women's tennis teams at Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play this weekend the first four of a combined 36 regular-season dual matches in 2017. Saturday the XULA men will visit NCAA Division I's Louisiana-Lafayette for duals at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday the Rush and Nuggets will play city rival Loyola at noon at XULA Tennis Center.

Alan Green, in his 14th season as coach of the XULA men and women, announced the schedule Thursday. The competition will be XULA's first since the Big Easy Classic Oct. 28-29.

The Gold Rush — the NAIA national runner-up in 2016 and No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll announced Tuesday — will play five duals against NCAA Division I (UL Lafayette twice, Nicholls State, Florida Atlantic, Jackson State), two against top-10 NCAA Division II opponents (No. 6 Columbus State, No. 9 West Florida), one against a top-10 NCAA Division III opponent (No. 2 Emory) and six against ranked NAIA teams (No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett, No. 4 Keiser twice, No. 7 William Carey twice, No. 12 Cumberlands).

The Gold Nuggets — ranked No. 1 a combined five times in 2012 and 2013 and No. 19 in the 2017 preseason — will play seven duals against NCAA Division I (Tulane, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Nicholls State, Florida Atlantic, Jackson State, Southern), two against top-10 NCAA Division II opponents (No. 7 West Florida, No. 8 Columbus State) and nine against ranked NAIA teams (No. 1 Georgia Gwinnett, No. 4 Brenau, No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 11 Keiser twice, No. 12 William Carey twice, No. 14 LSU-Alexandria, No. 24 Cumberlands).

There also will be road exhibitions against two-year ASA Miami, whose men are No. 2 and women No. 3 in NJCAA Division I. ASA Miami will be the first of three Rush and Nuggets duals in south Florida in mid-March.

The NAIA National Championships will be played at Mobile, Ala., for the 14th consecutive season. The Gold Rush will attempt to qualify for nationals for the ninth consecutive year and the ninth time overall; the Gold Nuggets will try to qualify for the sixth consecutive year, the ninth time in 10 years and the 11th time overall.

2017 XULA Tennis Schedule
Team(s) Date(s) Opponent Site Time(s)

Men Jan. 28 (Sat.) at Louisiana-Lafayette (DH) Lafayette, La. 10 and 2 p.m.
Both Jan. 29 (Sun.) LOYOLA (N.O.) XU TENNIS CENTER Noon
Women Feb. 4 (Sat.) at South Alabama Mobile, Ala. 11 a.m.
Women Feb. 7 (Tue.) at Southern Miss Hattiesburg, Miss. 2:30 p.m.
Both Feb. 14 (Tue.) NICHOLLS STATE XU TENNIS CENTER 2 p.m.
Both Feb. 17 (Fri.) Keiser Lawrenceville, Ga. (1) 11 a.m. EST
Both Feb. 17 (Fri.) Cumberlands Lawrenceville, Ga. (1) 5 p.m. EST
Women Feb. 18 (Sat.) Indiana Wesleyan Lawrenceville, Ga. (1) 5 p.m. EST
Men Feb. 18 (Sat.) Emory Lawrenceville, Ga. (1) 6 p.m. EST
Both Feb. 19 (Sun.) at Georgia Gwinnett Lawrenceville, Ga. (1) 10 a.m. EST
Women Feb. 27 (Mon.) Brenau Mobile, Ala. 4 p.m.
Both March 3 (Fri.) WILLIAM CAREY XU TENNIS CENTER 3 p.m.
Both March 16 (Thu.) at ASA Miami (exhibition) North Miami Beach, Fla. TBA
Both March 17 (Fri.) at Keiser West Palm Beach, Fla. TBA
Both March 18 (Sat.) at Florida Atlantic Boca Raton, Fla. TBA
Women April 1 (Sat.) at LSU-Alexandria Alexandria, La. 1 p.m.
Women April 5 (Wed.) at Southern Baton Rouge, La. 3 p.m.
Both April 8 (Sat.) at Jackson State Jackson, Miss. Noon
Women April 9 (Sun.) at Tulane New Orleans, La. 3 p.m.
Both April 13 (Thu.) at West Florida Pensacola, Fla. 1 p.m.
Both April 14 (Fri.) Columbus State Pensacola, Fla. 10 a.m.
Both April 15 (Sat.) at William Carey Hattiesburg, Miss. 11 a.m.
Both TBA NAIA Unaffiliated Group
Tournament TBA TBA
Both May 16 (Tue.) -
May 20 (Sat.) NAIA National Championships Mobile, Ala. TBA

# Gulf Coast Athletic Conference dual match
(DH) doubleheader
(1) Georgia Gwinnett Grizzly Invitational
Home matches (in bold and CAPITAL LETTERS) are played at XULA Tennis Center (capacity 200), Xavier University campus, New Orleans
TBA — to be announced
All times are Central, except where noted
Schedule is subject to change

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

FCS Playoffs a ‘Break Even’ Proposition

CHENEY, Washington -- EWU football finished with an overall record of 12-2 on the year they advanced to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs and had two finalists for the Walter Payton award, along with six All-Americans.

With the accolades and three extra home games in the playoffs, one would think that the athletic department would make a little extra money. But, believe it or not, they do not.

When a team hosts a playoff game in the FCS, they have to go through a bid process in order to play the game at their venue. In order for the NCAA to keep the game as neutral as possible, it is not considered a home game but an NCAA event.

In the three playoff games at Roos Field, EWU could only use the NCAA game day graphics. They were not allowed to do the first down ‘caw’ or even the team’s pregame video.

“All the things that we put up on the video board are done through the NCAA in conjunction with our office,” said Chad Karthauser, associate athletic director for Business and Finance. “So, it really is about as neutral sided game as you can make it, it just happens to be on our home turf which is our home field advantage.”

CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M Releases 2017 Football Schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M University (FAMU) released their 2017 Football Schedule Wednesday, a lineup of games which features a season-opening home game for the first time since 2010.

The Rattlers, will open their third season under head coach Alex Wood on Saturday, Aug. 26 against an old rival from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Tigers of Texas Southern University, in the inaugural Jake Gaither Classic in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

A portion of proceeds from that game will go towards the Jake Gaither House, to assist in the preservation of the home of the Hall of Fame coach, located just off the FAMU campus.



Bragg Stadium will also be the scene for three other home games: against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Eagles of North Carolina Central (Sept. 30), the Aggies of North Carolina A&T for the 2017 Homecoming Game (Oct. 14), and the Bison of Howard University (Nov. 4), in the home finale.

Homecoming 2017 at FAMU will also feature the second annual Funkfest, the all-day music extravaganza, set for Homecoming Eve, Friday, Oct. 13 on the South campus.

The 2017 Rattler Road Tour features a seven-game slate opening Sept. 2 against the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Other whistle stops on the Rattler Tour will feature face offs against the Tigers of Savannah (Ga.) State in the MEAC opener (Sept. 23) at Savannah, Ga.; the Spartans of Norfolk (Va.) State (Oct. 7, Norfolk, Va.); the Pirates of Hampton (Va.) University (Oct. 21) at Hampton, Va., and the Bears of Morgan State at Baltimore, Md. (Oct. 28).

The Tigers of Tennessee State make a return to the FAMU schedule on Sept. 16, at a site to be announced shortly.

FAMU closes out the regular season with the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic against archrival Bethune-Cookman University, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Nov. 18.

Start times for all games will be announced in the coming weeks.



2017 FAMU Football Schedule

AUG. 26 TEXAS SOUTHERN Jake Gaither Classic/HOME

Sept. 2 at University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark.

Sept. 16 Tennessee State Site TBD

Sept. 23 at Savannah State* Savannah, Ga.

Sept. 30 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL* HOME

Oct. 7 at Norfolk State* ` Norfolk, Va.

OCT. 14 NORTH CAROLINA A&T* HOMECOMING

Oct. 21 at Hampton University* Hampton, Va.

Oct. 28 at Morgan State* Baltimore, Md.

NOV. 4 HOWARD UNIVERSITY* HOME

Nov. 18 Bethune-Cookman*# Orlando, Fla.

*MEAC Games. #Florida Blue Florida Classic/Orlando, Fla.



FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

New Orleans Saints Draft: WR Chad Williams, Grambling

NEW ORLEANS -- Steve McNair, Doug Williams, Michael Strahan, Jerry Rice, and Walter Payton have all come from historically black colleges. Those are just a few. Many of these players have come from the SWAC Conference. Wide receiver Chad Williams is just trying to get the chance to make his mark in the NFL.

Chad Williams comes from Grambling University. The university used to send a lot of guys onto the NFL when Eddie Robinson was still coaching. Things have changed quite a bit since then. For instance, Williams is trying to be the first player from Grambling to be drafted since 2006 11 years ago.

Williams is very fortunate to even get this far.



“It’s an overwhelming experience. I’m just soaking in everything and trying to take in as much as I can from these guys.”

Former Rams WR standout Torry Holt is trying to to help Williams to get to that next level. Holt was one of the receivers that was on the “greatest show on turf” team with Kurt Warner. Williams caught 90 balls for 1,337 yards with 11 touchdowns. All were the best in the SWAC this past year.

CONTINUE READING

ASU AD Hines expresses support for Jenkins

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State athletic director Melvin Hines remains in full support of his head football coach – Brian Jenkins.

In a letter posted last week on ASU’s athletic website, Hines spoke highly of Jenkins, saying he and the “university leadership stand firmly behind Coach Jenkins and all of his staff with enthusiastic solidarity and support as they gear up for the 2017 season.”

The Hornets are 10-12 in their two seasons under Jenkins since he replaced Reggie Barlow. Jenkins suffered his first losing season ever as ASU went 4-7 last season, but Hines is optimistic about the football program’s future under the coach he lured from Bethune-Cookman to lead the Hornets.

ASU will renew its rivalry with Tuskegee to open the 2017 season Sept. 2 at ASU Stadium.

CONTINUE READING

Gold Nuggets begin spring semester 19th nationally

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is 19th in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday. It's the Gold Nuggets' same position as in the 2016 postseason rankings.

The top-25 ranking is the 40th in a row for the XULA women and their 85th in the last 95 polls dating to Feb. 25, 2004.

XULA, 8-14 a year ago, will play its first dual match of the spring semester at noon Sunday against city rival Loyola at XULA Tennis Center. The Gold Nuggets' first duals against ranked teams will be Feb. 17 against No. 11 Keiser and No. 24 Cumberlands in the Grizzly Invitational at Lawrenceville, Ga.

Defending champion Georgia Gwinnett received all 13 first-place votes.
The next top 25 will be announced Feb. 14.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records from previous season)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Georgia Gwinnett (13) 18-2 343 1
2 Lindsey Wilson 21-5 332 2
3 SCAD Savannah 18-2 321 4
4 Brenau 17-7 310 5
5 Cardinal Stritch 19-2 297 6
6 William Woods 19-3 289 7
7 Indiana Wesleyan 33-7 276 8
8 Middle Georgia 15-8 263 10
9 Davenport 25-6 244 11
10 Northwestern Ohio 14-10 230 13
11 Keiser 11-9 224 17
12 William Carey 12-12 223 12
13 Arizona Christian 17-5 209 18
14 LSU-Alexandria 12-7 202 14
15 Olivet Nazarene 13-10 201 15
16 Mobile 12-7 171 16
17 Cumberland 12-9 165 20
18 San Diego Christian 4-9 150 RV
19 Xavier 8-14 147 19
20 McPherson 13-5 122 22
21 Westmont 10-8 119 9
22 St. Thomas (Fla.) 8-8 107 23
23 Reinhardt 12-5 102 24
24 Cumberlands 12-10 80 NR
25 Marian (Ind.) 14-8 73 RV

Dropped from rankings: No. 3 Auburn Montgomery, No. 21 Lewis-Clark State, No. 25 Georgetown (Ky.)

Others receiving votes: Lewis-Clark State 66, Missouri Valley 64, Georgetown (Ky.) 43, Milligan 27, Southeastern (Fla.) 18, Southwestern (Kan.) 12, Morningside 12, Asbury 12, Texas Wesleyan 11, SCAD Atlanta 9, Campbellsville 5, Huntington 3, Dalton State 3

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

No. 2 Rush have NAIA's longest active top-25 streak

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is No. 2 in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll announced Tuesday.

It's the highest-ever preseason ranking by a XULA tennis team, male or female. The Gold Rush, 17-8 a year ago, were No. 2 in the 2016 postseason poll after becoming the first XULA team in any sport to reach the championship round of an NAIA national tournament. The Gold Rush lost the final 5-2 to Georgia Gwinnett at Mobile, Ala.

XULA has the longest active streak of NAIA men's tennis top-25 appearances, 78. The streak began April 4, 2007. The Gold Rush ascended to the top of the active-streak list after Auburn Montgomery departed the NAIA this past summer.

Georgia Gwinnett, winner of the last three NAIA team titles, is a unanimous choice for No. 1. The Gold Rush and the Grizzlies will meet Feb. 19 at GGC's Grizzly Invitational.

The XULA men will play their first dual matches of the spring semester Saturday at NCAA Division I Louisiana-Lafayette. The Gold Rush and Ragin' Cajuns will play at 10 a.m. and a second time at 2 p.m. The home opener will start at noon Sunday at XULA Tennis Center against city rival Loyola, which received poll votes.

The next top 25 will be announced Feb. 14.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records from previous season)

Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Georgia Gwinnett (13) 26-0 343 1
2 Xavier 17-8 332 2
3 Lindsey Wilson 17-4 321 3
4 Keiser 20-4 305 7
5 Northwestern Ohio 16-4 304 tie-5
6 Coastal Georgia 13-4 287 8
7 William Carey 13-8 275 9
8 Westmont 10-9 261 13
9 Cardinal Stritch 17-8 242 12
10 San Diego Christian 9-3 234 NR
11 Aquinas 23-8 226 10
12 Cumberlands 13-8 216 14
13 Lewis-Clark State 12-10 206 11
14 Olivet Nazarene 15-9 195 16
15 Warner 16-5 189 15
16 Reinhardt 14-4 172 18
17 McPherson 13-6 165 17
18 William Woods 8-8 162 NR
19 Mobile 11-8 146 19
20 Campbellsville 14-11 135 23
21 Bethany (Kan.) 13-4 114 20
22 Middle Georgia 11-9 111 21
23 Marian (Ind.) 16-10 92 RV
24 Tennessee Wesleyan 18-5 85 24
25 Cumberland 8-9 76 RV

Dropped from rankings: No. 4 Dalton State, No. 5 (tie) Auburn Montgomery, No. 22 Pikeville, No. 25 IU Southeast

Others receiving votes: Missouri Valley 66, Asbury 64, Pikeville 28, Biola 27, IU Southeast 19, Davenport 17, Indiana Wesleyan 17, SCAD Savannah 13, SCAD Atlanta 12, Missouri Baptist 11, Hastings 5, Loyola (N.O.) 3


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

6 Home Games, Road Date at FCS Champs Highlight Norfolk State Spartans 2017 Football Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State head football coach Latrell Scott announced his team's 2017 football schedule on Wednesday, a slate that includes six home games for the first time since 2013 and a road game at defending FCS national champion James Madison.

In addition to four MEAC home games, the Spartans also have home dates with Virginia State in the Labor Day Classic and a return game against in-state foe the College of William & Mary. Those two non-conference games kick off NSU's 2017 slate. VSU returns to the Spartans' schedule as the teams renew their Labor Day Classic rivalry at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2. The old CIAA rivals played every Labor Day weekend from 1991-2009, then again from 2011-12. The game will also be Scott's first against a VSU program which he led from 2013-14, and the 51st meeting all-time between the programs.

The matchup with William & Mary kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. The teams played on Sept. 17 of last season in Williamsburg, with the Tribe coming away with a 35-10 victory. The 2017 meeting is the seventh all-time between the two schools.

2017 NSU Football Schedule

Date		Opponent	Location	Time/Result
9/2/2017		Virginia State (Labor Day Classic)	Norfolk, Va.	6 p.m.
9/9/2017		William & Mary	Norfolk, Va.	6 p.m.
9/16/2017		James Madison	Harrisonburg, Va.	TBA
9/23/2017	*	Delaware State	Dover, Del.	TBA
10/7/2017	*	Florida A&M	Norfolk, Va.	2 p.m.
10/14/2017	*	Hampton (Battle of the Bay)	Norfolk, Va.	2 p.m.
10/21/2017	*	North Carolina Central	Durham, N.C.	TBA
10/28/2017	*	Savannah State (Homecoming)	Norfolk, Va.	2 p.m.
11/4/2017	*	North Carolina A&T (Senior Day)	Norfolk, Va.	1 p.m.
11/11/2017	*	Howard	Washington, D.C.	TBA
11/18/2017	*	Morgan State	Baltimore, Md.	TBA

NSU concludes its non-conference schedule with the program's first-ever meeting with James Madison. The game will be played in Harrisonburg on Sept. 16. The Dukes went 14-1 en route to the Division I FCS national championship this past season. Scott served as an assistant coach at JMU in 2012.

"We are excited about our non-conference schedule," Scott said. "Bringing back our old rival for the Labor Day Classic is a great way for our team and our fans to start the season. Then playing one of the top CAA programs in William & Mary, and the defending national champion in JMU, should be great tests for our team and will prepare us for our conference season."

NSU and Delaware State open their respective MEAC schedules on Sept. 23 in Dover. The Hornets return to the Spartans' schedule this season after two years off in the league's unbalanced schedule.

After a bye week on Sept. 30, NSU begins October with two consecutive home games. NSU hosts Florida A&M – which also returns to the Spartans' schedule after two years off – on Oct. 7 at Dick Price Stadium. The following week, the Spartans host Hampton in the Battle of the Bay on Saturday, Oct. 14. Both games kick off at 2 p.m.

The Spartans' lone road game in October is at MEAC champion North Carolina Central on Oct. 21. That game is actually the only road contest in a five-game span for the Spartans, who host Savannah State for Homecoming on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. and North Carolina A&T on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.

NSU concludes the year on the road for the fourth straight season. After finishing the 2016 season with three straight road contests, the Spartans wrap up 2017 with two consecutive road dates – at Howard on Nov. 11, and at Morgan State on Nov. 18.

"The MEAC schedule is always difficult because there are no easy wins," Scott said. "But we expect our players will be up to the challenge."

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

NCCU Announces 2017 Football Schedule

DURHAM, North Carolina – With three straight conference championships and a trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl to build on, North Carolina Central University's 2017 schedule features three newcomers, two Triangle area foes and six home games inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

The 2016 Eagles collected the most wins in the program's Division I era with a 9-3 overall record and an unbeaten 8-0 mark in league play, finishing the season as the 19th ranked team in the FCS Coaches Poll. NCCU defeated nationally-ranked North Carolina A&T to capture the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and earn the league's bid to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

NCCU broke the school's single-season record with 4,614 yards of total offense, averaging 384.5 total yards per game, and became the second-highest scoring team in school history with 347 points. The Eagles made more history by becoming the first NCCU football team to win a third consecutive conference championship, and are riding a 15-game win streak against MEAC teams entering the 2017 campaign.



Complete Schedule

NCCU kicks off the 2017 season on Sept. 2 against Durham neighbor Duke University in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. The Blue Devils have won all five contests in the series with the Eagles that started in 2009, including last year's 49-6 outcome.

The Eagles' first home game is on Sept. 9 versus Shaw, a former Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opponent, in the "Prince Hall Shriners Diabetes Classic" at 6 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU holds a 30-8-1 series advantage over the Bears. The Eagles own a 20-game win streak versus Shaw, including 21-12 victory in the last meeting on Sept. 9, 2006 in Durham. Shaw's last win in the series was a 20-0 shutout on Nov. 19, 1949. Second-year Shaw head coach Adrian Jones is a Durham, North Carolina native and former NCCU football student-athlete and coach.

Following a bye week, NCCU will begin its quest for a fourth consecutive MEAC title by hosting South Carolina State on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. The Eagles last played the Bulldogs in 2014, resulting in a 48-35 NCCU road victory. The last time S.C. State visited O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was in 2013. The Bulldogs lead the series 12-10 since the first match-up in 1927.

The Eagles then leave Durham for the first time with back-to-back road games, first visiting the Sunshine State for a Sept. 30 clash against Florida A&M. The Rattlers lead the series 6-3-1, but the Eagles have won the last two outings, including last year's 17-13 victory played in treacherous weather conditions during Hurricane Matthew.

NCCU travels to the nation's capital to challenge Howard on Oct. 7. The Eagles have downed the Bison in five straight contests to take an 11-9-1 advantage in the series, including last season's 30-21 triumph.

The Eagles return to the Bull City for three consecutive home games, starting with a non-conference match-up with Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. NCCU and the Runnin' Bulldogs have met four times, from 1996-99, with each winning on the road for a 2-2 series tie. Gardner-Webb won the last contest 16-0 on Sept. 11, 1999.

NCCU returns to MEAC action by hosting Norfolk State on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. The Eagles edged the Spartans 34-31 in Virginia last season for their fourth straight win over NSU to improve their series advantage to 9-5.

The Eagles wrap up a three-game home stand by celebrating homecoming with a confrontation against Delaware State on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. NCCU has won eight of the last nine meetings against the Hornets, including four in-a-row, to improve its series lead over DSU to 17-6. The Eagles also boast a record of 62-19-2 (.759 winning percentage) on homecoming since 1931.

Hampton returns to the NCCU schedule for the first time since 2014 in a Nov. 4 showdown in Virginia. The Pirates lead the series 18-6 since the teams first met in 1924. Hampton has won eight of the past 10 meetings, but NCCU took the last meeting 47-13 in Durham.

NCCU will salute its seniors on Nov. 11 prior to a 2 p.m. kickoff against Bethune-Cookman in the final home game of the season. The Eagles snapped a six-game losing skid to the Wildcats with a 31-14 win in Daytona Beach last year.

The Eagles close out the 2017 regular season with the 89th meeting against rival North Carolina A&T on Nov. 18 in Greensboro. In each of the last three seasons, NCCU wrapped up the campaign with wins over the nationally-ranked Aggies with the conference title on the line. Last year's 42-21 victory propelled the Eagles to the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

The Eagles look to make a return trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl to help christen the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the champion from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

NCCU will hold its spring football game on Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Details about NCCU football season tickets will be announced on Friday, Jan. 27.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

CIAA close to having deal for championship football game

SALEM, Virginia -- There is a chance the CIAA could sign a three-year deal with Salem, Virginia for the city to host its football championship game.

While no announcement has been made yet by the CIAA, the city and the conference have been in talks.

“We did meet with Salem representatives a couple of weeks ago to recap the 2016 football championship and discuss future opportunities,” Bri Funte, an assistant commissioner in the CIAA who runs strategic communication, said in an e-mail. “However, there is no currently signed agreement.”

The championship game was moved out of Durham a month before last November’s game because of the controversy surrounding the HB2 law. The CIAA was impressed with the way the game went at the Salem Football Stadium, which has a scenic view, artificial turf, and more than enough parking.

After the game, won by Winston-Salem State 43-33 over Bowie State, commissioner Jacqie McWilliams of the CIAA and administrators from both schools raved about the facilities.



CONTINUE READING

JSU hauls in nine new commits

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State coach Tony Hughes and his staff put together another productive weekend as they build their 2017 recruiting class.

After weeks of bringing in recruits on the defensive side of the football, Jackson State is starting to get commitments from skill position players on offense. After hosting 20 recruits for official visits over the weekend Hughes added nine more prospects to his list of commitments Sunday, which included two quarterbacks, two receivers, two tailbacks, two defensive backs and a tight end.

The quarterbacks —Niceville (Fla.) prospect Jeff Toney and Harrison Central star Tavis Williams — each provide a different skill set. Toney, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound pro-style quarterback is more of a thrower and Williams, a 6-2, 190-pound dual-threat signal caller, is a guy that hurt opposing teams with his ability to run as he did with his arm.

Toney flew under the radar a bit, but was at one point being heavily recruited by Mississippi State. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 2,657 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games as a senior. He also ran for four touchdowns but managed just 51 yards on 58 carries.

CONTINUE READING

Bethune-Cookman Alum Eric Weems, N.C.A&T Deji Olatoye, Atlanta Falcons Advance To Super Bowl LI

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Eric Weems became the fourth former Bethune-Cookman football player to advance to the Super Bowl Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC championship game.

Weems joins Larry Little (Super Bowls VI, VIII and VIII), Maulty Moore (Super Bowl VII) and Nick Collins (Super Bowl XLV) as Wildcats who have played for an NFL championship. Little and Moore played the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team of 1972 that defeated the Washington Redskins, and Little went on to win his second Super Bowl the following year when the Dolphins repeated with a win over the Minnesota Vikings.Collins had an interception return for a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011.



Weems, the former Seabreeze Sandcrab and Wildcat star in his 10th NFL season is averaging 23 yards per kickoff return and 11.4 yards per punt return, including a 73-yarder against Oakland earlier in the season.

On Sunday, he contributed one kickoff return for 23 yards and a punt return for 14 for the Falcons, who got 378 yards and four touchdown passes from Matt Ryan.D

His Wildcat legacy includes 178 receptions, 2,533 receiving yards, a combined 24 touchdowns, a four-touchdown game against Savannah State in his 2003 debut, and a game-winning touchdown against Florida A&M in the 2006 Florida Classic.

Rookie #30 Deji Olatoye, a 25-year old 6-1/200  cornerback and former Aggie from North Carolina A&T State University will also be making the trip as a Falcons active roster player.  Olatoye was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens.

Super Bowl LI is slated for February 5th in Houston.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Dwyer High School LB Emmanuel Yisrael and OL Antawn Lewis opts for Florida A&M Rattlers

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida -- Palm Beach County William T. Dwyer High School linebacker Emmanuel Yisrael announced his commitment to Florida A&M University Rattlers on Sunday. Yisrael announced his intentions via Twitter.

Yisrael, who helped carry Dwyer to the District 13-7A championship and a berth in the regional semifinals, is No. 41-ranked player on the Palm Beach Post’s Class of 2017 Big Board. Joining Yisrael to the Rattlers signing party is No. 28-ranked offensive lineman Antawn Lewis, who stated on this Twitter account:

"I would like to thank all the coaches that recruited me and gave me the opportunity to play at their school. With that being said I've talked it over with my mom and I would like to say that I have verbally committed to Florida A&M University."

FLORIDA A&M 2017 PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMITMENTS:

28. Antawn Lewis, OL, Dwyer, 6-5, 305 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Committed to Florida A&M

41. Emmanuel Yisrael, LB, Dwyer, 5-11, 200 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Committed to Florida A&M.

2017 PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA A&M OFFERINGS:

32. Levon Barnett, DB, Dwyer 5-11, 175 (Hudl Highlight Video)

Offers include FAMU, Southern Miss, Toledo

34. Antoine Jerome, WR, Boynton Beach, 6-0, 190 (Hudl Highlight Video), Offers include Eastern Michigan and Florida A&M

39. Jordan Moseley, WR, Dwyer, 5-10, 170 (Hudl Highlight Video)

Offers from Florida A&M and Stetson

45. Rodrick Martin, LB, 5-10, Glades Central, 205 (Hudl Highlight Video). Offers include Florida A&M and Kentucky Christian

46. Jaquell Parrish, LB, Atlantic 6-1, 200 (Hudl Highlight Video)

Offer from Florida A&M

55. Tyler Freeman, WR, Palm Beach Central, 6-2, 190 (Hudl Highlight Video). Offer from Florida A&M.

THE PALM BEACH POST CLASS OF 2017 BIG BOARD

 Follow

Emmanuel Yisrael @_Mayo7_

Blessed to be apart of the rattler family I have verbally committed to famu #strike17 #gorattlers.  Photo: FAMU Head Coach Alex Wood and Recruit Emmanuel Yisrael.

10:14 AM - 22 Jan 2017

Previous

Next

Antawn Lewis ‏@Sauceboy_tank  9h9 hours ago

Going to make a statement!! #Gorattlers #Strike17

CONTINUE READING 

Gold Nuggets pull away late to defeat Edward Waters

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana pulled away in the fourth quarter Saturday to earn a 59-46 women's basketball victory against Edward Waters.

The Gold Nuggets (12-6, 3-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have won six straight and nine of their last 10 games.

XULA gained six turnovers during a 13-1 surge that extended its lead from 40-38 to 53-39 with 3:37 remaining. The Lady Tigers (15-5, 3-2) never got closer than nine points thereafter.

Jayla Nichols, a midterm transfer who played her first game with the Gold Nuggets Monday, led XULA in scoring for the second consecutive game. Nichols had 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Her seven offensive rebounds are the most in a game by a XULA player this season.

Gina Smith scored nine points for XULA, Ireyon Keith had eight points and three steals, and Maya Trench produced seven points, five assists, five steals and one turnover in a team-best 34 minutes.

Bianca Thornton had 12 points and six rebounds for Edward Waters, and Jermisha Collins scored nine. Thornton, who entered the game No. 3 in the NAIA in 3-pointers made per game, was 1-of-6 from behind the arc.

XULA led 27-21 at halftime. A Mikayla Bates basket at 6:33 of the third quarter put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay, 29-28.

Edward Waters outshot XULA 41.5 to 30.6 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets were plus-14 in turnovers and plus-7 in rebounds. XULA made 19-of-26 to free throws to the Lady Tigers' 11-of-19. Edward Waters committed 30 turnovers, its most in a game since November 2014.

XULA will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play GCAC opponent Philander Smith at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Then the Gold Nuggets will return home to face Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday at XULA's Convocation Center.

BOX SCORE

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

Freshman guards provide spark in 4th straight Rush win

NEW ORLEANS — Freshman guards Mike Williams and Donovan Armstrong keyed a second-half rally Saturday that lifted Xavier University of Louisiana to a 72-69 men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.

The Gold Rush (7-11, 3-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have a season-best four-game win streak.

Williams scored all his points midway through the second half — 3-pointers on consecutive possessions that erased an Edward Waters lead. Williams' second trey, at 10:43, put XULA ahead to stay at 53-51.

Armstrong scored a game- and career-best 19 points, 14 in the second half. Armstrong had five assists and one turnover in 32 minutes.

Innocent Kukulu scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers for XULA, and Leland Alexander grabbed a career-high-tying 11 rebounds. Elex Carter blocked four shots to match his career best.

Keith Williams scored 18 points and made three 3-pointers for the Tigers (9-11, 3-2), and Josiah Crawford scored 10. Brandon Miller of Edward Waters missed a 3-pointer on the game's final possession.

XULA led 37-35 at halftime. The Gold Rush finished at a season-low 35.8 percent from the floor but limited Edward Waters to 34.6 percent. The loss was the Tigers' first in four games.

XULA will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play GCAC opponent Philander Smith at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Then the Gold Rush will return home to face NAIA No. 14 Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at 5 p.m. Saturday at XULA's Convocation Center. XULA and Dillard are the only unbeaten teams in GCAC games.

BOX SCORE 

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

“Mean Joe” Greene, Willis Reed to speak at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff jersey retirement event

Jerseys of James “Red” Allen, L.C. Greenwood to be retired

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Football legend “Mean Joe” Greene and Basketball great Willis Reed will headline as special guests for the Ultimate Honor Jersey Retirement that will honor the late James “Red” Allen and the late L.C. Greenwood. The semi-formal affair will be held Friday, February 24 in the William Grant Still Ballroom of the Robinson Center. Festivities will begin with a VIP reception at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person for dinner only, and $150 per person for the VIP reception and dinner.

A former member of the Pittsburg Steelers, Greene played in 181 out of a possible 190 games and recorded 78.5 sacks in his 13-year career with the Steelers, leaving a legacy that is still marveled at today.

Reed helped lead the New York Knicks to a franchise-best 60 wins during the 1969-70 season as the Knicks set a single-season NBA record with an 18-game win streak. He became the first player in NBA history to be named the NBA All-Star Game MVP, NBA regular-season MVP and the NBA Finals MVP in the same season.

The retirement of jerseys is considered one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a former student-athlete. This highly-acclaimed recognition is given to stellar past performers who meet high standards such as having achieved national or international acclaim while at the University by becoming an NCAA (or NAIA) record-holder, national champion or national category leader, or membership on a medal-winning Olympic team. Now in its second year, the first two jerseys retired were those of former basketball stars Harold Blevins and Jessie Mason in 2016. This year, two honorees will be recognized posthumously: the jersey of football great L.C. Greenwood and basketball great James “Red” Allen. Proceeds from this event will go to benefit the University’s athletics scholarship fund.

One of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s most prolific basketball players of all time, James “Red”Allen possessed an exceptional shooting skill and was a natural defender. That combination that made him one of the finest players to ever come out of the state of Florida. A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Allen led UAPB (then Arkansas AM&N) in scoring four straight seasons (1960-1964). He was a four-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection who also earned NAIA Division I All-America honors. Allen finished his career at UAPB scoring 2,837 career points and is the school’s all-time leading scorer. Allen was also selected to play on the United States All-Star team that performed against the Russian All-Star team, where he led the American All-Stars in scoring. After he graduated from Arkansas AM&N, Allen toured five years with the Harlem Clowns. He made five commercials for Nike which were featured in the Soul of the Game by John Huet. Allen was a 1999 inductee into the Palm Beach (Florida) County Sports Hall of Fame and a 2006 inductee into the SWAC Hall of Fame.

L.C. Henderson Greenwood was a four-year letter winner in football at Arkansas AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) from 1965 to 1969. He was a four-year starter on the Golden Lions’ defensive line and was a 1968 Ebony All-American and an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection. Greenwood was selected in the 10th of round of the 1969 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his 13-year career with the Steelers, he was a member of the team’s famed “Steel Curtain” defense and a member of four Super Bowl championship teams (IX, X XII, XIV). In the 1971 season with the Steelers, Greenwood led the team in quarterback sacks with 8.5. He finished his career in Pittsburgh with 73.5 career sacks and is only the second player in franchise history to accomplish such a feat. A native of Canton, Miss., Greenwood has been enshrined and honored on several occasions. In 2006, his high school, Canton High School, honored him by retiring his number 71 jersey and inducting him into their Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the SWAC of Fame in 2004, the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2015, the MEAC/SWAC Legends Hall of Fame; the Mississippi Hall of Fame in 1996; the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Arkansas AM&N/UAPB Hall of Fame in 2000.

Tickets may be purchased at www.uapb.edu/ultimatehonor or in the Development Office, located in Childress Hall at UAPB, or by phone at 575-8701 or 575-8703.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF MEDIA RELATIONS