Riley, Keith qualify for NAIA nationals in long jump

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana's Ry-Anne Riley and Ireyon Keith long-jumped their way Friday to the NAIA National Championships.

Both produced B-standard qualifying marks at the University of Mobile Invitational. Riley jumped 5.57 meters (18 feet, 3 1/4 inches) to finish fourth, and Keith jumped 5.51 meters (18-1) and placed fifth.

For Riley — a freshman from New Orleans and a former state champion at Lusher Charter School — it's the third event in which she qualified for nationals. She also did it as a member of the 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams. Keith, who also plays basketball for XULA, qualified for nationals for the first time.

The Gold Nuggets won two events — Riley in the 200 and the 1,600 relay team of Riley, Tramaine Shannon, Ariane Williams and Clarke Allen — and they finished second in four others. Their runners-up were Allen in the 200 and triple jump (10.58 meters/34-8 1/2), Brianna Pace in the 800 (2:25.13) and the 400 relay team of Martina Wright, Alexis Milton, Janelle Jones and Riley (season-best 47.70).

The NAIA's national meet will be May 25-27 at Gulf Shores, Ala.

The XULA men earned a pair of fourths: Khalil Gallien in the 110 hurdles (15.69) and the 1,600 relay squad of Elex Carter, Gallien, Aaron Grundy and Ammiel Williams (3:32.75). Carter, Seth Jackson and Chris Ward, all multi-year basketball lettermen, made their collegiate track debuts at this meet. Jackson long-jumped, and Ward ran the 200 and 400.

It was the final meet for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush before the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships April 22 at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans.

Here are all XULA results from the University of Mobile Invitational:

Women
100: Martina Wright, 5th in 12.47
200: Ry-Anne Riley, 1st; Clarke Allen, 2nd; Alexis Milton, 5th; Janelle Jones, 23rd; Martina Wright, 25th
400: Ariane Williams, 3rd in 57.13; Tramaine Shannon, 6th in 57.69; Chinyere Jones, 13th in 1:01.96
800: Brianna Pace, 2nd in 2:25.13; Maliya Vaughan, 3rd in 2:26.61; Carlie Calais, 8th in 2:38.26; Chinyere Jones, 11th in 2:41.45
1,500: Taylor Price, 4th in 5:10.58; Dionysia Love, 6th in 5:11.52; Carlie Calais, 11th in 5:40.18
400 Hurdles: Terri Cunningham, 8th in 1:12.66
400 Relay: Martina Wright, Alexis Milton, Janelle Jones and Ry-Anne Riley, 2nd in 47.70
1,600 Relay: Ry-Anne Riley, Tramaine Shannon, Ariane Williams and Clarke Allen, 1st in 4:01.64
High Jump: Terri Cunningham, 3rd in 1.50 meters (4 feet, 11 inches); Chinyere Jones, 6th in 1.45 meters (4 feet, 9 inches)
Javelin: Tamia Scott, 3rd in 34.42 meters (112 feet, 11 inches); Taylor Ducros, 4th in 33.16 meters (108 feet, 9 inches)
Long Jump: Ry-Anne Riley, 4th in 5.57 meters (18 feet, 3 1/4 inches); Ireyon Keith, 5th in 5.51 meters (18 feet, 1 inch); Dorian Hill, 16th in 4.19 meters (13 feet, 9 inches)
Shot Put: Acacia Brown, 17th in 7.75 meters (25 feet, 5 1/4 inches)
Triple Jump: Clarke Allen, 2nd in 10.58 meters (34 feet, 8 1/2 inches); Dorian Hill, 5th in 9.69 meters (31 feet, 9 1/2 inches)

Men
100: Treshunn Miliner, 16th in 11.21
200: Treshunn Miliner, 16th in 22.76; Elex Carter, 24th in 23.31; Chris Ward, 34th in 23.97
400: Elex Carter, 18th in 52.87; Aaron Grundy, 21st in 53.25; Chris Ward, 22nd in 54.56
800: Oji Wells, 9th in 2:04.12; Ammiel Williams, 10th in 2:04.94
1,500: Ammiel Williams, 15th in 4:46.47
110 Hurdles: Khalil Gallien, 4th in 15.69
1,600 Relay: Elex Carter, Khalil Gallien, Aaron Grundy and Ammiel Williams, 4th in 3:32.75
High Jump: Aaron Grundy, no height
Long Jump: Seth Jackson, 11th in 5.90 meters (19 feet, 4 1/4 inches)
Triple Jump: Keairez Coleman, no mark

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Making the Case for HBCUX on Comcast

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Comcast has pledged to launch two African-American owned and targeted networks in 2019, bringing to eight the number of multicultural services it will have supported as part of conditions the MSO agreed to in its 2011 acquisition of NBCUniversal.

Throwing its name into the mix for one of the two slots is Washington D.C.-based digital service HBCUX, which focuses on creating programming for and about the 105 historically black colleges and universities around the country. Led by veteran cable executive Curtis Symonds, the network launched as a digital video service in 2014.

Symonds and I spoke about HBCUX’s linear channel prospects, as well as the void TV HBCUX can fill for quality, entertaining, educational programming targeted to African-American audiences. An edited version of the interview appears below.

MCN: What do you think of your chances to secure one of the two channel slots Comcast is creating for African-American owned-and-operated networks?

Curtis Symonds: Well I’m hoping my chances are good, because the content I’m talking about is revolving around the HBCU community that has received a lot of attention just recently. For example, President Trump recently said that he has to spenCd more time in the HBCU circle, so the 105 presidents of historically black colleges and universities coming to see President Trump was a major milestone that had not happened in many years. Now, there was a lot of scuttlebutt about the breadth of the conversation they had, but at the end of the day it was it was more about looking at what we need to do to support HBCUs.

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What to watch for in JSU's Blue and White spring game

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State’s slate of spring football practices will conclude with the Blue and White Spring Game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

It’ll be the 15th practice of the spring for the Tigers, who are coming off a 3-8 season in which they finished in a tie for third in the SWAC East.

The organized scrimmage will give JSU fans a sneak preview of what to expect in the 2017 season, and give the Tigers a chance to show off the work they’ve put in this spring.

Here’s three things to watch for when the Tigers take the field.

Who will be hot?

The Tiger defense dominated in the first scrimmage two weeks ago, holding the offense out of the end zone for the first half.

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A&T offers glimpse of future at spring football game

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — A&T football coach Rod Broadway’s first full recruiting class was a good one.

A really, really good one.

And now those seniors — 16 of them including All-MEAC stars Tarik Cohen, Marquis Ragland, Wes Cole and brothers Angelo and Denzel Keyes — are gone after four consecutive winning seasons, a 35-12 record, two league titles, a victory in the first Celebration Bowl and an at-large berth in the FCS playoffs.

Talk about a tough act to follow.

A&T will offer a first glance at next season’s team at its free Blue & Gold Spring Game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Aggie Stadium.

It’s a traditional offense-vs.-defense scrimmage, but it will be closely monitored by the coaching staff. There is no script, no set number of plays to be run.

“We as coaches have to realize one size does not fit all,” Broadway said. “You have to customize your practice to what your players’ needs are. We can’t do a typical, routine practice because, ‘That’s just the way it’s done.’ That’s not how we’re going to get better.”

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S.C. State To Suspend Women's Tennis Program

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State Acting Athletics Director Doug Robertson announced Friday that the Lady Bulldog tennis program will be suspended for the 2017-18 academic year as a part of the department's ongoing efforts to control operational expenses.

"It was an extremely hard decision to suspend the women's tennis program, but at this time, our current financial situation requires tough decisions to be made," Robertson said. "At the moment, we are unable to fund the program in a manner that matches the championship caliber that the team deserves. We will provide the current members of the women's team with scholarships for next year to assist them in pursuing their academic goals, while we actively seek ways to return them to athletic competition."

The SC State women's tennis team has won 11 of the last 12 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships under head coach Hardeep Judge. Last season, the Lady Bulldogs finished 8-11 overall and 4-1 in MEAC play. They won the conference title and earned the MEAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

As a result of the decision, SC State Athletics has reduced its sports lineup to 13 teams. In order to maintain NCAA Division I status, Women's Golf will be added in 2017-18.

Revised SC State Sports Offerings

Men's Sports (6)
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Indoor Track
Outdoor Track
Tennis

Women's Sports (7)
Basketball
Cross Country
Indoor Track
Outdoor Track
Softball
Soccer
Volleyball

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Miles Golden Bears Release 2017 football schedule

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- The 2017 football schedule for Miles has some similarities to the last two seasons. The Golden Bears will, again, host a Classic game at the start of the season. There is a Division I school on the schedule. Homecoming will still take place in October.

But the differences will create some new opportunities for the Golden Bears as they attempt to regain their spot atop the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and, possibly, take their chances in the Division II postseason.

The 10-game slate begins with a three-game road swing that beings in Lorman, Miss.as the Golden Bears take on Alcorn State on Sept. 2. It will mark the first time the two teams will compete in football and the third consecutive year that Miles will face a Division I Football Championship Subdivision team. The next trip will be to Carrollton, Ga. to battle West Georgia. It will be the seventh consecutive season these two teams have played and 11th time overall. Defending SIAC champion Fort Valley State provides the final stop as the two most-recent conference titleists will meet on Sept. 16.

Miles will play its home opener on Sept. 23 when it hosts Morehouse in the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic. The Golden Bears will then host Albany State on Sept. 30 before opening Western Division play on Oct. 7 at Central State..

Homecoming is set for Oct. 14 when Miles hosts Kentucky State - winners of the Western Division in 2
016 - followed by Lane on Oct. 21 and the final home game of the season in a Thursday night clash against Clark Atlanta on Oct. 26. The regular season ends with a trip to Tuskegee on Nov. 4.

Miles College2017 Football Schedule

MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Holmes, local churches net $225K for FAMU athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Rev. R.B. Holmes wasn’t shocked or amazed he and a group of local and statewide pastors surpassed what they thought could raise for Florida A&M’s athletic department.

He was just thankful.

During this year’s Legacy Banquet on Thursday, Holmes, on behalf of the Legacy Committee, was able to present FAMU Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. with a check for $225,000 – more than double Holmes’ original fundraising goal of $100,000, which was set in 2015.

Coming into this year's Legacy Banquet, the Bethel Empowerment Foundation had already raised $64,356. This year's event generated the additional money, which was then presented in the form of a single, giant, check.

“I’m very thankful to the legacy committee, to the faith community, Bethel Baptist and Bethel AME,” Holmes said. “It was a united effort to make this happen.”

The entire amount is for the Rattlers’ athletic department, which is looking to repair Bragg Memorial Stadium before the start of the 2017 football season on Aug. 26.

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Nuggets 23rd in 1st USTFCCCA outdoor rankings of 2017

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women are 23rd in the first U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NAIA outdoor computer rankings of 2017.

Rankings are based on individual performances during the current season. The Gold Nuggets' highest-ranked athletes are Ariane Williams (11th, 57.00 seconds) and Tramaine Shannon (18th, 57.69) in the 400-meter dash, the 400 relay squad of Janelle Jones, Shannon, Clarke Allen and Ry-Anne Riley (ninth, 47.98), the 1,600 relay squad of Riley, Shannon, Williams and Allen (fifth, 3:53.83) and the 3,200 relay squad of Maliya Vaughan, Carlie Calais, Taylor Price and Brianna Pace (sixth, 9:54.69).

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, of which XULA is a member, has an NAIA-high four women's teams in this week's top 25. SUNO is ninth, Dillard is 14th, and Edward Waters is 22nd.

XULA's men are 111th nationally. The USTFCCCA announced rankings Wednesday.

The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will travel to Alabama for the University of Mobile Invitational at 11 a.m. Friday. The GCAC Championships for women and men will be April 22 at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans.

USTFCCCA NAIA Women's Computer Rankings
Rank Team Points
1 Indiana Tech 448.37
2 Wiley 381.76
3 British Columbia 381.40
4 Concordia (Neb.) 292.62
5 Westmont 253.16
6 USC Beaufort 239.85
7 Olivet Nazarene 227.15
8 Northwest Christian 223.86
9 SUNO 223.72
10 Wayland Baptist 174.94
11 College of Idaho 164.58
12 Friends 145.99
13 Southern Oregon 144.18
14 Dillard 140.53
15 Biola 136.39
16 Siena Heights 134.96
17 Hastings 122.47
18 The Master's 100.34
19 Ottawa (Kan.) 98.95
20 Carroll (Mont.) 96.57
21 Grand View 93.90
22 Edward Waters 88.20
23 XULA 81.87
24 Milligan 81.73
25 Tabor 78.07

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Williams, Ducros, Nelson are GCAC Players of the Week

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana student-athletes received three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards for March 27-April 2: Ariane Williams in women's track, Taylor Ducros in women's field and Brandi Nelson in women's tennis.

Williams, a sophomore from Gonzales, La., and a graduate of East Ascension High School, earned her second GCAC award this season. She finished second Friday in Mike McMillan Invitational 400-meter dash at Clinton, Miss., and reached a B-qualifying standard for next month's NAIA National Championships. Her time of 57 seconds flat is XULA's best this season.

Williams has qualified for nationals this season in two events. The other is the 1,600 relay.

Ducros, a freshman from Luling, La., and a graduate of McGehee School in New Orleans, made her collegiate track debut with a second-place finish in the javelin at the McMillan Invitational. Her best mark was 33.59 meters (110 feet, 2 inches). Ducros also plays volleyball for XULA.

Nelson, a senior from Jonesboro, Ga., and a graduate of Faith Academy, won her second GCAC award this season and the third of her career. She was 3-1 Saturday in dual matches against LSU-Alexandria and Grambling at Alexandria, La., and she clinched the Gold Nuggets' 5-3 victory against Grambling with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 decision against Keren Huppuch Muswere at No. 3 singles. She and Charlene Goreau won both their doubles matches and extended their win streak to five.

XULA's track and field teams will travel to Alabama for the University of Mobile Invitational at 11 a.m. Friday. XULA women's tennis has three road matches in five days — 3 p.m. Wednesday at Southern, noon Saturday at Jackson State and 3 p.m. Sunday at NCAA No. 48 Tulane (City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center).

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Deep Creek names former NSU DB as its new football coach

CHESAPEAKE, Virginia -- Former Norfolk State defensive back Andre Twine has had coaching success at Deep Creek Middle School and on the junior varsity level.

He hopes to bring that success to varsity as he has been named the new head football coach at Deep Creek High.

Twine, 30, replaced Calvin Copeland, who was 9-42 in five seasons, including 3-8 this past season. The Hornets lost 27-21 to Lake Taylor in the opening round of the 4A East Region playoffs, the program’s first postseason appearance since 2004.

Twine is excited about the opportunity because he knows what kind of talent is coming into Deep Creek.

When he was at Deep Creek Middle, the program hadn’t won a game in three seasons.

“We went to the championship game my fifth year,” he said, “and we were runner-up the two years before then.”

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TSU Tigers Add Virginia University of Lynchburg to 2017 Schedule

2017 Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State University Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips has announced the addition of Virginia University of Lynchburg to the Tigers 2017 football schedule. The Big Blue will face the Dragons on Nov. 4 at Hale Stadium as part of TSU’s 11-game slate.

Phillips also disclosed the date of the John Merritt Classic. The game will take place during the home opener on Sept. 30 as the Tigers take on Eastern Illinois at Nissan Stadium in the annual classic.

The season begins with a trip to Atlanta, Ga. for a contest with FBS opponent Georgia State on Thursday, Aug. 31, at the former Turner Field.

“Our traditional Labor Day weekend opening plans were adjusted in order to play a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent,” Phillips said. “Playing the Panthers provides us with the opportunity to garner high visibility for our athletic program and the university as a whole, as well as provide us with additional revenue.”

Phillips also stated that teams have been secured for the John Merritt Classic for the next two years.

“We have secured Bethune-Cookman and Hampton for the John Merritt Classic for the 2018 and 2019 seasons,” Phillips commented.

Following the opener with Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 1, 2018, TSU will then travel to Memphis to face Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic before traveling east to face Hampton. The Tigers will then begin Ohio Valley Conference play, stepping out once for a trip to Vanderbilt in their final non-conference game.

In 2019, the Tigers will host Hampton from the MEAC, who will make their first appearance in the John Merritt classic on Aug. 31 at Nissan Stadium.

2017 Schedule

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Lincoln hires former Florida A&M QB Quinn Gray as football coach

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- After previously announcing the resignation of eight-year head football coach Yusuf Shakir, Lincoln High School has now hired the man responsible with keeping on track what the Trojans have sustained for the better part of two decades.

Former Florida A&M quarterback turned assistant coach Quinn Gray will return to Tallahassee to become Lincoln’s next head coach.

Gray, 37, resigned Wednesday after one season at Jacksonville’s Mandarin High School – in the city where he played nearly his entire NFL career – and met with his new players on Thursday afternoon.

“I wasn’t looking to leave Mandarin, but Lincoln reached out to my principal and it was apparent that God has something for me to do,” Gray told the Democrat. “Nobody knows what their future holds or what God has for them.

“Mandarin is a place where I thought I would retire. I loved the players. I had a team coming back that I thought would go deep in the playoffs, but at the end of the day it’s life. And in life there’s decisions that have to be made and choices that have to be made that aren’t necessarily the popular choice with people but is the popular choice with your family.

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Kincade lights it up in Grambling's spring game

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — DeVante Kincade had no clue until after Grambling's spring game that he completed his first 17 passes, including a perfect 15-for-15 in the first half.

"For real? Wow," Kincade said with a wide-eyed look on his face.

He was surprised. His coach wasn't.

The senior quarterback, who won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year award in 2016, put on a throwing clinic in Grambling's Black and Gold spring game, unofficially going 38-for-47 for 502 yards and three touchdowns in his first spring game since joining the program two winters ago.

"He continued the type of dominance he's always done," Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said. "There's no secret Kincade is a heck of a football player. That's the reason why we went after him. That's the reason he's at Grambling State University."

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Joseph Nickerson Becomes UDC’s First Ever NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Statistical Champion

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senior guard Joseph Nickerson is now the University of the District of Columbia's first ever NCAA Division II statistical champion in the sport of men's basketball and the sixth Firebird statistical champion across all sports, as he led the nation at the completion of the 2016-17 season with a steals-per-game average of 3.20.

Nickerson is the first Firebird NCAA Division II statistical champion in any sport since women's basketball standout Lillian McGill ('11) earned the title in 2010 for rebounding with 12.2 rebounds per-game during the 2009-10 season. Including McGill, all five of the school's previous statistical champions have been women's basketball student-athletes: Takia Barnes ('01) was the three-point field goal statistical champion in 2001 with 86; Lorraine Lynch ('96), UDC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2015, was the steals (5.3 per-game) and assists (9.4 per-game) statistical champion in 1994; and Valerie Curtis was the steals statistical champion in 1993 with 6.1 steals per-game.

Nickerson, a First Team All-East Coast Conference honoree, had at least one steal in 24 of his 25 games played, including multiple steals in 21 games. He had a career-high seven steals in a 79-64 Firebirds victory vs. Mercy on February 19th, and he had six steals in UDC's 108-89 win over NYIT on February 11th.

The Newark, NJ native also finished 3rd in the ECC in scoring (20.2 points per-game), 6th in rebounding (7.3 rebounds per-game), 2nd in free-throw percentage (86.9), and 12th in three-point field goal percentage (39.6).

Nickerson played two seasons with the Firebirds after transferring from Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. In his illustrious four year career, including his statistics over two years at Brookdale CC, Nickerson finished with 1,769 points, 664 rebounds, 325 assists and 282 steals. He also led the Firebirds to back-to-back winning seasons and consecutive ECC Tournament appearances, snapping a three-year drought for UDC.

UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTS INFORMATION

Raeburn pleased with team’s performance at SSU spring game

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- There was a lot to scrutinize Saturday morning, but from his vantage point on the sidelines, Savannah State football coach Erik Raeburn saw a lot of good things during the Tigers' first spring game since 2014.

The final workout of the spring featured the SSU offense against the defense in an 82-play, 100-minute scrimmage. Raeburn said both units had their moments to shine on the pristine day.

The offense produced 302 yards and six touchdowns. The defense recorded six sacks and limited the running game to just 13 yards on 42 attempts.

And special teams were genuinely special, led by Giovanni Lugo's 47.3-yard punting average and his 4-for-4 placekicking, which included a 52-yard field goal.

"I thought (the spring game) went well," Raeburn said. "We've had good practices, but it's good to get in game situations and have officials."

Rising sophomore quarterbacks TJ Bell and Blake Dever, who shared time last season, showed little separation and will go into the fall still battling for the starting job.

Both completed 11 of 17 passes and each had one touchdown pass. Bell threw for 120 yards. Dever had 107.

"They made very few mistakes," Raeburn said. "A couple of times receivers busted routes on them and we had some protection issues, but I thought they played very well."

Dever made some plays early in the scrimmage, completing a 26-yarder to Cameron White and a 19-yarder to Deric Wright on consecutive plays.

In a scripted goal-line situation, the Palm Beach, Fla., native teamed with Charles Barnes III on a 4-yard touchdown toss.

"Leadership is one component, maybe the biggest (toward earning the starting position)," Dever said. "You want to show you can lead on the field."

Bell accounted for the team's first touchdown, a 20-yard pass to Tino Smith, who broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage before diving into the end zone.

"It's two-hand touch (on the quarterbacks) so I can't show fully what I can do, but I think passing-wise I did OK," said Bell, the greater running threat of the two quarterbacks.

Backup quarterback David Handler threw TD passes of 26 yards and 13 yards to Deandre Vickers and Geonte Smith during the final three series of the day.
Wide receiver Derek Kirkland scored on a nine-yard run on a jet sweep during a scripted goal-line play. Running back Nicholas Bentley powered in from the six on another goal-line play.

Raeburn said freshmen offensive linemen Jacob Martin and Michael Johnson played well. Both were mid-year transfers from Fork Union Military Academy.

Defensively, end Stephen Banks, a second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference performer last season, stood out with a team-leading six tackles and two sacks.

Edward Goubadia added two sacks and three tackles. Goubadia hopes to win the other end spot in the 4-3 alignment vacated by first-team All-MEAC performer Marquis Smith, who finished his eligibility last season.

Raeburn said moving free safety Donald Rutledge into the starting lineup, freeing Isaiah Bennett to strong safety, seemed to work well.
Bennett had an interception, but it was negated by a penalty.

On special teams, Lugo is heir apparent to replace first-team All-MEAC kicker John Barron, who finished his eligibility after leading the league in punting average last season.

Lugo, who transferred from Georgia State a year ago, started his day with a booming 50-yard punt. His last two punts both bounded inside the 20-yard line.

"After watching John do his thing last year, I was itching to go," Lugo said. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity. It's been a dream of mine to play in college and start."

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU relishing first spring practice since 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Elijah Price is experiencing something he’s never seen while with Florida A&M’s football team.

The senior defensive end – who was one of the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss last season – said for the first time in his career with the Rattlers, the team seems to just enjoy being out at
practice.

After missing out on spring practice in 2016 due to APR-related sanctions, it’s easy to see why the Rattlers would hit the practice field in March and April with some added enthusiasm.

“We’re flying around,” he said. “We’re competing. We’re doing things we haven’t done since I’ve been here. It looks like a football team. We’re actually enjoying being out here.”

The Rattlers opened spring practice on March 25 and on Saturday participated in their first full-contact practice, which ended with a scrimmage. Head coach Alex Wood said it’s “wonderful” to be able to hold a full spring practice again.

“Kind of levels the playing field with our opponents,” Wood said.

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FAMU AD Overton: Rod Strickland candidate for basketball job, but no written contract offered

ROD STRICKLAND
COURTESY: USF BULLS ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- South Florida assistant coach Rod Strickland has been offered the head coaching position for Florida A&M University Men's Basketball, according to sources.

However, FAMU Athletic Director Milton Overton confirmed that Strickland is a candidate for the position Wednesday, he would not say that the job has been officially offered with a written contract.

Overton told WCTV's Asher Wildman that Strickland that a list of 20 coaches has been cut down to seven or eight.

Other coaches, including Southern University associate head coach Mo Scott and James Madison assistant Byron Taylor also interviewed for the vacant position. Taylor is a former FAMU basketball player.

Former FAMU head coach Byron Samuels and the program parted ways after the season.

Strickland, has been an assistant coach at USF since 2014. Prior to USF, he worked under John Calipari at both the University of Kentucky and University of Memphis.

CONTINUE READING

Gold Nuggets beat Grambling, gain split in Alexandria

Results:  vs. LSUA   •   vs. Grambling

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana — Charlene Goreau and Brandi Nelson won in doubles and singles Saturday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 5-3 women's tennis victory against Grambling and give the Gold Nuggets a split in two dual matches Saturday.

In the opener, LSU-Alexandria defeated XULA 5-4 in a matchup of ranked NAIA teams.

Against Grambling, Goreau and Nelson extended their win streak to five by defeating Phonephathep Philavong and Bryttish Burts 8-4 at No. 2 doubles. In singles, Goreau beat Tanyaradzwa Magunje 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1, and Nelson clinched the dual by defeating Keren Happuch Muswere 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

XULA's other victories against Grambling were at No. 1 doubles, where Lacee Ancar and Emma Kranendonk beat Magunje and Danna Galeano 8-4, and at No. 5 singles, where Yi Chen Pao defeated Burts 6-3, 6-0.

Alan Green earned his 34th victory in 14 seasons against NCAA Division I women's opponents. His Gold Nuggets are 4-0 against Grambling.

Against LSUA, the Gold Nuggets led 2-1 after doubles — Goreau and Nelson won, as did Pao and Lyndsey Clark at No. 3 — but the Generals won four singles matches, twice in three sets. Laia Charles clinched for LSUA with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Nelson.

XULA is 6-7, Grambling is 3-13, and LSUA is 11-0. The Gold Nuggets are ranked ninth, and LSUA is 13th. The Gold Nuggets will visit Southern at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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SAU Releases 2017 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- On Wednesday, Saint Augustine's University released its football schedule for the 2017 season.

Five home games highlight the Falcons' schedule including contests against CIAA champion Winston-Salem State University and CIAA runner-up Bowie State University. In addition to facing last year's top CIAA teams, the Falcons will host Johnson C. Smith University for Homecoming on Oct. 28. All home games start at the George Williams Athletic Complex at 1 p.m.

Their five-game road slate includes a matchup against archrival Shaw University on Nov. 4. Both teams square off in the second annual Raleigh Classic.

The Falcons open the season against Catawba College on Aug. 31 in their first Thursday game in the modern era. They hit the road again Sept. 9 against perennial power Carson-Newman University before hosting Bowie State in their home opener Sept. 16.

After making the trek to Lincoln (Pa.) University on Sept. 23, the Falcons will host three consecutive home games starting with Virginia Union University on Sept. 30. Southern Division competition begins Oct. 7 against Livingstone College followed by Winston-Salem State University on Oct. 14.

Two of their last three games are away from campus. The Falcons visit Fayetteville State University on Oct. 21 and Shaw in the final regular-season contest. Sandwiched between both games is the Homecoming contest versus Johnson C. Smith University.

Below is the 2017 Saint Augustine's University football schedule. It is also on the football page of saintaugfalcons.com, the University's official athletic website.

SAU FALCONS 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Location Time
Aug. 31 at Catawba Salisbury, NC 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Carson-Newman Jefferson City, TN 1 p.m.
SEPT. 16 BOWIE STATE RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Sept. 23 at Lincoln (Pa)* Lincoln University, PA 5 p.m.
SEPT. 30 VIRGINIA UNION* RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
OCT. 7 LIVINGSTONE* RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
OCT. 14 WINSTON-SALEM STATE* RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Oct. 21 at Fayetteville State * Fayetteville, NC 2 p.m.
OCT. 28 JOHNSON C. SMITH*# RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Nov. 4 at Shaw* Durham, NC 12 p.m.
Nov. 11 CIAA Championship TBA TBA

*CIAA Games
# - Homecoming
Home Games in BOLD CAPS at the George Williams Athletic Complex
Dates and times are subject to change



SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State releases 2017 football schedule

ALBANY, Georgia -- The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2017 season, ASU Director of Athletics Sherie C. Gordon announced on Friday.

Highlighting the 10-game slate are games with a familiar non-conference opponents, six SIAC conference games, two classics, and a first-ever meeting with an NAIA institution.

"We have a very competitive schedule which provides alumni, fans and supporters more opportunities to watch exciting football in our great stadium[SG1] ," Gordon said.

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2016 season at 5-4, will kick off the season on Sept. 2 in Albany, Ga against the Valdosta State University Blazers. Valdosta State, a member of the Gulf South Conference, went 8-3 and made the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs last season. Last year, ASU lost to the VSU 16-7 in Valdosta.

Albany State will open SIAC play and continue a rivalry when it faces the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on Sept. 9 in the 4th Annual White Water Classic in Phenix City, Alabama. Tuskegee made an appearance in the 2016 NCAA Division II second round and finished last year with a 9-3 overall record. TU defeated the Golden Rams 28-18 in last season's classic. The Tuskegee game is the first of two SIAC West Division crossover games.

Albany State returns to action on Sept. 16 against North Greenville University in Albany. The Crusaders' program is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. NGU finished with a 9-5 overall record last season and lost in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

ASU will have another road game on Sept. 23. Golden Rams will travel to Carrollton, Ga. to face the University of West Georgia. The Gulf South member registered a 7-4 record last year.

On Sept. 30, the Golden Rams will visit the Miles College Golden Bears Fairfield, Ala. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 35-33 in last year's regular season meeting in Albany. MC finished the 2016 season with a 5-5 record.

2017 Golden Rams Football Schedule
Date Opponent Place Time
9/2 Valdosta State University@ Albany, GA 7 p.m.
9/9 Tuskegee University*^ Phenix City, AL 5 p.m. (EST)
9/16 Univ. of North Greenville Albany, GA 7 p.m.
9/23 Univ. of West Georgia Carrollton, GA 2 p.m.
9/30 Miles College* Fairfield, AL TBD (CST)
10/7 Univ. of Lincoln Missouri Albany, GA 2 p.m.
10/14 Morehouse College* ** Albany, GA 2 p.m.
10/21 Clark Atlanta University* Atlanta, GA 2 p.m.
10/28 Benedict College* Albany, GA 2 p.m.
11/4 Fort Valley State Univ.*# Columbus, GA 2 p.m.
11/12 SIAC Championship TBD TBD

@J.W. Holley Memorial Game *SIAC Game ^White Water Classic
**Homecoming #Fountain City Classic

Albany State will host University of Lincoln-Missouri for the first time in program history. The Tigers compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conferences in NCAA Division II and finished with a 1-10 overall record last year. ULM is now coached by former ASU offensive coordinator Steve Smith.

The Golden Rams will take on four SIAC East Division opponents beginning Oct. 14. They will battle with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College in Albany as part of ASU's annual homecoming celebration. Albany State defeated Morehouse 26-21 in the 2016 contest. The Maroon Tigers were 3-7 last season.

Albany State will then journey to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on Oct. 21. In Albany, ASU beat CAU 17-7 in route to the Panthers' 5-5 overall record.

Albany State will back home on Oct. 28. ASU will host the Benedict College Tigers in Albany. The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 34-7 in last year's meeting, and the Tigers finished with a 5-6 overall record.

The two biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University, will close its regular seasons in the 28th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 4 at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 21-17 in the 2016 classic game. FVSU finished 5-6 overall, but beat Kentucky State in the 2016 SIAC Championship Game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics in the nation.

The winners of the SIAC East and West divisions will play for the 2017 SIAC Championship game on November 11.

For more information about the Golden Rams 2016 football schedule, contact Stan McCormick at (229) 420-7013 or stanley.mccormick@asurams.edu.



ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS SPORTS INFORMATION

Ryan Ridder Named Head Coach for B-CU Men’s Basketball

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  – Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, announced Friday, March 31, the appointment of Ryan Ridder as the next head coach for Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball.

"I have watched and admired Ryan Ridder from his days as a stellar student-athlete in high school and college, and also witnessed his growth and success as a coach on the college level," said Thompson. "I know him. I know his family. His DNA is made up of integrity, passion and the ability to teach. He is an outstanding servant leader who just happens to be a phenomenal basketball coach. His progression as a college coach on each level has prepared him to accept this challenge. He is a local product with great knowledge and respect for our university and community, and we are proud to have one of the great young coaches in the nation to join the B-CU family."



No stranger to Daytona Beach area basketball as both a player and coach, Ridder comes to Bethune-Cookman after a four-year stint at Daytona State College. Ridder was successful in helping lead a resurgence of the Falcons program that produced 95 victories and four Mid-Florida Conference championships.

"I want to thank President Dr. Edison O. Jackson and Vice President Lynn W. Thompson for the unbelievable opportunity to serve as the Men's Basketball Head Coach at Bethune-Cookman University," expressed Ridder. "I'm excited to serve and make a positive impact on our student-athletes on and off the floor. The opportunity to lead a faith-based Division I program in my home town is a dream come true."

Additionally at Daytona State, Ridder coached 17 all-conference players, four all-region student-athletes, and one NJCAA Second Team All-America performer. Daytona State also finished the regular season ranked in the NJCAA National Poll in all four Ridder's seasons. Ridder was named Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year in each of his four seasons at the helm of the Falcons program.

Off the court, Ridder's student-athletes had a 100 percent graduation his first two years, and 96 percent overall across four years.

Daytona State was also the only team in its region to achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and one of 12 teams in the country to hold a 3.0 cumulative GPA during the 2014-2015 academic and athletic year. Sixteen of his players have gone on to play basketball at four-year schools, including Tanksley Efianayi (UCF), Rashuan Stimage (DePaul) and Wesley Alcegaire (Bowling Green).

The son of legendary Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Ridder, Ryan first made his mark as one of Volusia County's premier high school players under Ed Miller at Father Lopez High School. While playing for the Green Wave at Father Lopez, Ridder earned all-area accolades three times while scoring over 1,100 points and dishing out 300 assists. He was named an all-state honorable mention performer in both his junior and senior years, respectively.

After starting his collegiate career at Wooster, he transferred back home to play for his father at Embry-Riddle from 2006-08, starting at point guard and serving as team captain in his junior and senior season. He led the Sun Conference with a 4.24 assists average as a senior. He earned a degree in Aerospace Studies in 2008.

Upon graduation, Ridder moved to North Carolina where he remained involved with basketball on the skill development side. He trained players from youth to those with NBA aspirations while working for the Hoop City U basketball training academy. In addition, he was the head coach for a number of teams engaged in international competition with 365 Sports, and he served as the assistant boys' basketball coach at North Raleigh Christian.

He returned to Embry-Riddle, spending the 2009-10 campaign as a volunteer assistant, helping his father coach the Eagles to a 30-6 record and a quarterfinals berth in the NAIA National Tournament.

No stranger to the Division I level of athletics, Ridder served three years as an assistant coach at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. During Ridder's three years with the Fighting Camels, the program's recruiting classes were among the highest ranked in the Atlantic Sun Conference. He helped the Fighting Camels knock off power conference members Iowa and Auburn, as well as in-state rivals East Carolina, Appalachian State and UNC Wilmington. Three of Ridder's players earned all-conference honors and one Freshman of the Year award.

Ridder earned his Master's Degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball on Twitter (@BCUHoops) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Defense, running backs shine in NCCU Eagles first scrimmage

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The defense flew around, and North Carolina Central football coach Jerry Mack liked that a lot. But there were too many penalties and pre-snap mistakes than he cared for during the Eagles first scrimmage of the spring.

The three-time MEAC champs went through a three-out, full workout, at O’Kelly-Riddick Saturday morning. N.C. Central has four practices completed, and Saturday was the first time the Eagles went 11-on-11 in game like situations. The offense was led by redshirt freshman quarterback Shaolin McGuire, who was picked off once and didn’t throw a touchdown. Redshirt sophomore Naiil Ramadan hit Jalen Wilkes for a long score towards the end of the scrimmage, while running backs Ramone Simpson and Torri Cotton each found paydirt for the offense.

“I thought the running backs played well,” Mack said. “They ran the ball tough in between the tackles and they got it out on the perimeter a lot.”

Isaiah Totten, a freshman running back from Apex, was also in the mix as Dorrell McClain got some rest for N.C. Central. With the passing game taking a while to gel with two young quarterbacks, the running backs were more than willing to lead the way. Simpson, an all-conference pick last season, said the backfield is more than willing to get the offense going. Simpson, a junior, and Cotton, also proved to be reliable receivers out the backfield for McGuire and Ramadan whenever they got in a jam.

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Rabalais: Ben Jobe was a great basketball coach, but so much more than that as a man

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Once during a basketball game Ben Jobe was coaching at Southern, a fan sitting behind the Jaguars bench called one of the referees “a blind S.O.B.”

The official wheeled around in the direction of the voice and gave Jobe a technical foul.

"After the game, I walked up to the ref and said, 'Mr. Official, someone sitting behind me called you an S.O.B,’ ” Jobe later recounted. “ ‘I do not use that vernacular. But I do agree with him.’ ”

That was Ben Jobe. Passionate. Direct. Intelligent, with a mind as sharp as the impeccably tailored suits he wore on the sideline. A basketball man, certainly, but a man of so many other talents and interests, a man who kept those passions alive until his death Friday at age 84.

"Ben Jobe could've been a success in anything," former LSU coach Dale Brown once said of his longtime friend. "He reminds me of an English teacher. Dignified, classy, a very good coach. He understands his ability to coach."

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Dawson Odums signs extension with Southern football, to receive 'modest raise'

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern coach Dawson Odums has signed an extension that will give him a slight raise and keep him in place as the Jaguars football coach through the 2019 season.

Although the deal is not technically official yet — Odums has not received a signed copy of the contract back from Southern — Odums' agent, Burton Rocks, said that should not stand in the way of the completed deal.

“We signed the contract; we just have to wait for the executed copy to come back,” Rocks said. “When the schools get all the signatures on the deal, they send a copy back to Dawson. But that's just a formality. The deal is now done.”

Odums' previous contract, which paid him $175,000 per year, was set to expire at the end of the 2017 season. His new deal is expected to pay him $180,000, according to the agenda from the Southern University System meeting last month, with a small raise at the end of each season.

“He's going to be getting a modest raise throughout the end,” Rocks said. “It's incremental each year. It's a good raise because of the economic situation Southern is in.”

The sides began negotiations shortly after Christmas, but the execution of the deal was delayed by a number of things, including a pause so Odums could put together his 2017 signing class.

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Southern's Roman Banks named Jaguars' long-term athletic director; Morris Scott named interim basketball coach

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University dramatically simplified Roman Banks’ job title Friday.

Banks, who spent nearly two years serving in dual capacities as men’s basketball coach and interim athletic director, was named the university’s full-time athletic director.

“Having served in a dual role as interim athletic director and head men’s basketball coach during a particularly challenging period, coach Banks provided solid leadership and gained the respect and support of his colleagues, student-athletes, alumni, and stakeholders,” Southern University system president Ray L. Belton said in a statement. “His appointment will ensure a seamless transition to continue moving the department in a positive direction.”

The way Banks sees it, the challenging period is still ongoing, which is why he was the man for the job.

Banks will preside over an athletic department that is one false step shy of significant problems with the NCAA. Southern is in the early phases of a five-year probationary period, the result of an NCAA investigation that was made public in November.

The key word is continuity.

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