TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M head basketball coach Robert McCullum wasted no time preparing for the 2017-18 season. Today FAMU Athletics announced the signing of two players to the Rattler basketball squad.
Forward Darian Jones is a transfer from Tulane University. Jones will come in as a sophomore after playing sparingly for the Green Wave last season. Out of high school, Jones averaged a double-double. He earned All-District honors while also averaging three blocks per game.
McCullum welcomes Jones' athleticism to the squad. “We're elated to add Darian (DJ) Jones a 6'9”, transfer from Tulane University, and Kamron Reaves, 6'1 from Champaign, IL.
DJ, played sparingly last season at Tulane as he lacked the physical strength and weight necessary to play in the AAC. But what he doesn't lack is athleticism. His ability to run & jump sets him apart from most players his size and is what attracted him to the Tulane coaching staff. He averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks as a high school senior. He was named 1st Team All District, 2nd Team All Region, and Honorable Mention All-State. In addition to “DJ's” athleticism, his versatility and tremendous upside is what gets me so excited. We can play him in different positions on both ends of the court making us much more effective offensively and defensively. He plans to major in engineering, and is the younger brother of the Golden State Warriors 2016 1st Round draft pick Damian Jones who played collegiately at Vanderbilt,” McCullum said.
Point guard Kamron Reaves will be a true freshman from Champaign, IL. Reaves' speed and ability to move the basketball are two of his top qualities. The 6'0” one guard could see action this season.
McCullum felt the team could use the assistance of a pure point guard with great distribution skills.
“Kamron is a point guard who thinks ‘pass first,' understanding the importance of getting his teammates involved, where the ball should go and why. He's very good in transition at advancing the ball via the pass as opposed to over dribbling. His ability to see the floor, and get the ball to open teammates sets him apart. While he thinks pass first, he's very comfortable shooting the three-pointer as he had three games with four three-pointers, and a season high of six in a win vs crosstown rival Champaign Central. Kamron played off the ball his senior year at Centennial high school after transferring across town from Central HS. He averaged 13 points, four assists per game scoring 20 or more six times with a season high of 30 in the first round of the district tournament. He was named to both the All-Conference and All-Area Teams.
Kamron more than held his own last summer at the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Cerritos, CA. The camp featured 15 of the nation's top 40 rising seniors, and 40 of the Top 100 players in the 2017 class. Clark Francis of Hoop Scoop Scouting Service rated Kamron the 14th best point guard out of the 24 that made up the 120 player camp,” McCullum said.
McCullum, whose contract was approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees on yesterday, will enter his first campaign this Fall as head coach of the Rattlers. His team will be built on the success of senior Desmond Williams, who is the lead returning player.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Saturday, June 10, 2017
B-CU's Tiller Finishes 12th At NCAA Championship
EUGENE, Oregon – Bethune-Cookman senior Michael Tiller concluded a champion's career Friday night with a 12th place finish in the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championship at storied Haywood Field.The five-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion improved on his first jump of 51 feet, two and three-quarters inches with a final attempt of 51 feet, seven and a quarter inches, but did not qualify for the finals.
His 12th place finish was the highest for a Bethune-Cookman athlete at the NCAA meet since 2016 Olympian Ronnie Ash won the 110 hurdles in 2009.
"That puts him in great company and among the elite," Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Donald Cooper said of Tiller. "I'm very proud of what was a solid effort here and even prouder of a great college career."
Tiller scratched on his second attempt, and Cooper thought that contributed to him not being able to deliver a third jump that would have advanced him into the finals.
"He needed a 52 (feet)," Cooper said. "The foul put him into a tentative mode."
Tiller appreciated the opportunity to compete in his first national championship.
"To be able to be here felt pretty good," Tiller said.
Tiller will now focus on the USA Track and Field championships in Sacramento June 23-25, 2017 for a chance to qualify for the IAAF World Championships.
"Hopefully, he'll have the one jump in him," Cooper said.
Florida's KeAndre Bates won the event with a leap of 55 feet.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Five A&T Aggies Earn Second-Team All-American Nods
EUGENE, Oregon – The North Carolina A&T women's track and field team did not have anyone making through to Saturday's finals on Thursday at Historic Hayward Field, but they did earn two second-team All-American recognitions to complete their experience at the 2017 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.
N.C. A&T's women started their afternoon by coming one spot shy of qualifying for the final of the 4x100 meter relay. The team of freshmen Tori Ray and Taliyah Townsend and junior India Brown and sophomore Kayla White finished ninth in 44.41 to earn second-team All-American honors. The top-8 teams qualify for the finals. The Aggies could have lowered their school record run of 44.01 they set two weeks ago at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, they would have bested Kansas State's eighth place finish of 44.27.
“There was a bad exchange between our second and third legs,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs, about the exchange between Brown (No. 2) and Townsend (No. 3). “That completely took us of the race. Those are the type of little mistakes you can't afford when you're going against the best in the country. But they're young. They will get another chance.”
White will also come away with second-team honors in the 100-meter hurdles. She completed the second heat in 13.29 to finish fourth in the heat and 13th overall. Two weeks prior she ran a 12.94 which would have easily qualified her on Thursday.
“When you come here, you have to run your (personal record) to make sure you're in the finals,” said Ross. “I can't pinpoint what it was with Kayla today. She just didn't seem to have the same pop she normally has.”
Ross said the same of Brown after she finished seventh in the second heat and 18th overall in 11.49 in the 100 meters. But not even Brown's PR of 11.34 would have qualified her for Saturday's final. Brown later ran a 23.43 to finish seventh in her heat and 18th overall.
“This group of young women are young. India is the only one who has been here before,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. “It is just something we have to look back on and where we went wrong in terms of preparation. I know they can do better. What I like is they're not pleased. I don't think they looked bad. They executed, but it just wasn't there today. They know today was just not their day.”
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
N.C. A&T's women started their afternoon by coming one spot shy of qualifying for the final of the 4x100 meter relay. The team of freshmen Tori Ray and Taliyah Townsend and junior India Brown and sophomore Kayla White finished ninth in 44.41 to earn second-team All-American honors. The top-8 teams qualify for the finals. The Aggies could have lowered their school record run of 44.01 they set two weeks ago at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, they would have bested Kansas State's eighth place finish of 44.27.
“There was a bad exchange between our second and third legs,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs, about the exchange between Brown (No. 2) and Townsend (No. 3). “That completely took us of the race. Those are the type of little mistakes you can't afford when you're going against the best in the country. But they're young. They will get another chance.”
White will also come away with second-team honors in the 100-meter hurdles. She completed the second heat in 13.29 to finish fourth in the heat and 13th overall. Two weeks prior she ran a 12.94 which would have easily qualified her on Thursday.
“When you come here, you have to run your (personal record) to make sure you're in the finals,” said Ross. “I can't pinpoint what it was with Kayla today. She just didn't seem to have the same pop she normally has.”
Ross said the same of Brown after she finished seventh in the second heat and 18th overall in 11.49 in the 100 meters. But not even Brown's PR of 11.34 would have qualified her for Saturday's final. Brown later ran a 23.43 to finish seventh in her heat and 18th overall.
“This group of young women are young. India is the only one who has been here before,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. “It is just something we have to look back on and where we went wrong in terms of preparation. I know they can do better. What I like is they're not pleased. I don't think they looked bad. They executed, but it just wasn't there today. They know today was just not their day.”
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Belcher, NCA&T Aggies Make History at NCAA Nationals
EUGENE, Oregon – North Carolina A&T senior sprinter Christopher Belcher wasn't nervous. He wasn't intimated. He even described himself as ready to go before his three event finals Friday at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships at Historic Hayward Field. He was just running against some of the best athletes in the world.
That may have been easy to forget after Belcher's terrific performance Wednesday when he qualified for the three national finals with a 38.48 as a part of the 4x100 meter relay, a 9.93 in the 100 meters and a 20.01 in the 200m. Friday wasn't Wednesday but Belcher helped the Aggies reach the award podium twice with top-3 placements. Along with freshman Jaylen Mitchell, senior Caleb Gabriel and sophomore Rodney Rowe, Belcher helped the 4x1 team finish third nationally in 38.57.
Approximately 45 minutes later Belcher placed third in the 100m final in 10.19. After another approximate 45-minute layoff, Belcher finished fifth in the 200m final in 20.66. Belcher walked away from NCAA nationals with three first-team All-American honors. He has four for his career after earning second-team All-American honors in 2016 with the 4x1 team. He is the first Aggie to come away with multiple All-American honors from the NCAA championships.
NCAA FINALS RESULTS
“Today was a struggle, but I am so blessed to be here,” said a winded Belcher after his third event on Friday. “It's not easy to get here. Being here means the world to me. To come out here and race the best in the country, it doesn't get any better than this. I wasn't even nervous today. I already know I'm going to see the best in the world. Coming into these big events I was always nervous with the bubble guts all the time. Today, I was ready to go.”
As a team, the Aggies finished tied for 14th nationally with 16 points, the highest finish ever for an historically black college or university. N.C. A&T finished tied for third among non-Power 5 conference schools (ACC, Big 10, Pac-12, Big 12, SEC). Florida took home the team national championship. The Aggies may have gone higher, but sophomore triple jumper Lasheon Strozier fouled on all four of his jumps Friday.
“We made history this week and I'm proud of that,” said director of track and field programs Duane Ross. “There are more than 250 Division I track and field teams in America. To finish where we finished is a true achievement. I'm proud of these guys.”
The 4x1 team ran their second-fastest time of the season, finishing behind NCAA champion Houston and second-place finisher Auburn. The Aggies had a good first exchange between Mitchell and Belcher as the Aggies came out of the first split in sixth place. Belcher helped the Aggies make up some ground, but the exchange between him and Gabriel wasn't as smooth. When Gabriel gave the baton to Rowe to run the anchor the Aggies were a part of the pack. But Rowe ran past runners from Texas A&M and Texas to make one last effort to win the national title. But Rowe, who completed his split in 9.5 seconds, ran out of track as Houston crossed in 38.34 and Auburn crossed in 38.48.
"We've come a long way when you think about it," said Gabriel, who ran the third leg. "We didn't even make the final last year and this year we're No. 3 team in the country. It still hurts because we wanted to win it. We came in really feeling like we had a chance to win it."
N.C. A&T's third-place finish in an NCAA 4x1 final is the best in school history, surpassing the 2001 team of Timothy Walls, Theo Wilds, Gerald Wright and Titus Haywood who finished fifth in 39.48. "We could have run a better race. I'm sure there are a lot of the things to critique. But at the end of the day we have to be happy with the progress we've made," said Gabriel. "The good news is, the program is good enough to get back here and do better."
Belcher's chief competition in the 100m was Tennessee's Christian Coleman who ran an NCAA record 9.82 on Wednesday. Coleman jumped out to an early start on Belcher and won the national championship in 10.04. Houston's Cameron Burrell came in second in 10.12. Coleman won the 200m as well (20.25).
“He is the best starter in the world, so I definitely didn't get out the way I wanted to,” said Belcher about the 100m race. “He is a talented guy. I know what I did wrong. We're going to go out there and fix whatever needs to be fixed and get ready for U.S. championships.”
The next step for Belcher, who solidified himself as an Aggie legend this week, is the USATF Outdoor Championships at Sacramento State in California June 22-25.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
That may have been easy to forget after Belcher's terrific performance Wednesday when he qualified for the three national finals with a 38.48 as a part of the 4x100 meter relay, a 9.93 in the 100 meters and a 20.01 in the 200m. Friday wasn't Wednesday but Belcher helped the Aggies reach the award podium twice with top-3 placements. Along with freshman Jaylen Mitchell, senior Caleb Gabriel and sophomore Rodney Rowe, Belcher helped the 4x1 team finish third nationally in 38.57.
Approximately 45 minutes later Belcher placed third in the 100m final in 10.19. After another approximate 45-minute layoff, Belcher finished fifth in the 200m final in 20.66. Belcher walked away from NCAA nationals with three first-team All-American honors. He has four for his career after earning second-team All-American honors in 2016 with the 4x1 team. He is the first Aggie to come away with multiple All-American honors from the NCAA championships.
NCAA FINALS RESULTS
“Today was a struggle, but I am so blessed to be here,” said a winded Belcher after his third event on Friday. “It's not easy to get here. Being here means the world to me. To come out here and race the best in the country, it doesn't get any better than this. I wasn't even nervous today. I already know I'm going to see the best in the world. Coming into these big events I was always nervous with the bubble guts all the time. Today, I was ready to go.”
As a team, the Aggies finished tied for 14th nationally with 16 points, the highest finish ever for an historically black college or university. N.C. A&T finished tied for third among non-Power 5 conference schools (ACC, Big 10, Pac-12, Big 12, SEC). Florida took home the team national championship. The Aggies may have gone higher, but sophomore triple jumper Lasheon Strozier fouled on all four of his jumps Friday.
“We made history this week and I'm proud of that,” said director of track and field programs Duane Ross. “There are more than 250 Division I track and field teams in America. To finish where we finished is a true achievement. I'm proud of these guys.”
The 4x1 team ran their second-fastest time of the season, finishing behind NCAA champion Houston and second-place finisher Auburn. The Aggies had a good first exchange between Mitchell and Belcher as the Aggies came out of the first split in sixth place. Belcher helped the Aggies make up some ground, but the exchange between him and Gabriel wasn't as smooth. When Gabriel gave the baton to Rowe to run the anchor the Aggies were a part of the pack. But Rowe ran past runners from Texas A&M and Texas to make one last effort to win the national title. But Rowe, who completed his split in 9.5 seconds, ran out of track as Houston crossed in 38.34 and Auburn crossed in 38.48.
"We've come a long way when you think about it," said Gabriel, who ran the third leg. "We didn't even make the final last year and this year we're No. 3 team in the country. It still hurts because we wanted to win it. We came in really feeling like we had a chance to win it."
N.C. A&T's third-place finish in an NCAA 4x1 final is the best in school history, surpassing the 2001 team of Timothy Walls, Theo Wilds, Gerald Wright and Titus Haywood who finished fifth in 39.48. "We could have run a better race. I'm sure there are a lot of the things to critique. But at the end of the day we have to be happy with the progress we've made," said Gabriel. "The good news is, the program is good enough to get back here and do better."
Belcher's chief competition in the 100m was Tennessee's Christian Coleman who ran an NCAA record 9.82 on Wednesday. Coleman jumped out to an early start on Belcher and won the national championship in 10.04. Houston's Cameron Burrell came in second in 10.12. Coleman won the 200m as well (20.25).
“He is the best starter in the world, so I definitely didn't get out the way I wanted to,” said Belcher about the 100m race. “He is a talented guy. I know what I did wrong. We're going to go out there and fix whatever needs to be fixed and get ready for U.S. championships.”
The next step for Belcher, who solidified himself as an Aggie legend this week, is the USATF Outdoor Championships at Sacramento State in California June 22-25.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
XULA Rush have 3 ITA All-Americans, No. 2 doubles team
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, the No. 2 team in NAIA men's tennis each of the past two seasons, had three players named Thursday to the 2017 ITA NAIA All-America team: senior Karan Salwan and freshmen Moses Micheal and Antoine Richard.
The ITA designates as All-America the top 20 singles players and top 10 doubles teams in its postseason individual national rankings. In singles, Richard was ranked third, Micheal 13th and Salwan 15th. In doubles, Richard and Micheal were second — the highest-ever ITA NAIA national ranking for the Gold Rush at any point in a season.
Salwan, from New Delhi, India, is ITA All-America for the second straight year. Micheal is from Kaduna, Nigeria, and Richard is from Laval, Quebec.
Salwan, Micheal and Richard earned berths May 23 on the NAIA's committee-selected All-America team.
Fourteen NAIA schools accounted for the 31 ITA men's All-Americans. National champion Georgia Gwinnett and semifinalist Campbellsville had four honorees apiece, and William Carey, Northwestern Ohio and San Diego Christian joined XULA with three apiece.
The XULA women produced no ITA All-Americans but had three — sophomore Charlene Goreau and seniors Emma Kranendonk and Brandi Nelson — in the final national or South Region rankings.
| XULA's All-Time List of ITA NAIA Men's All-Americans | ||||
2007-08 — Miroslav Vukicevic 2010-11 — Hassan Abbas, Zach Taylor 2011-12 — Loic Didavi, Zach Taylor 2012-13 — Loic Didavi, Kyle Montrel 2013-14 — Kyle Montrel 2014-15 — Kyle Montrel 2015-16 — Kevin Chaouat, Kyle Montrel, Karan Salwan, Thomas Setodji 2016-17 — Moses Micheal, Antoine Richard, Karan Salwan Most Years Earning ITA All-America: Kyle Montrel 4, Loic Didavi 2, Karan Salwan 2, Zach Taylor 2 | ||||
| XULA in the 2016-17 End-of-Season ITA NAIA Rankings | ||||
Men's Singles | ||||
| Name | Class | NAIA | Region | |
| Antoine Richard | Fr. | 3rd | 3rd | |
| Moses Micheal | Fr. | 13th | 7th | |
| Karan Salwan | Sr. | 15th | 8th | |
| Catalin Fifea | Jr. | 26th | 12th | |
| Women's Singles | ||||
| Name | Class | NAIA | Region | |
| Charlene Goreau | So. | 31st | 11th | |
| Brandi Nelson | Sr. | — | 20th | |
| Men's Doubles | ||||
| Names (Class) | NAIA | Region | ||
| Antoine Richard (Fr.)-Moses Micheal (Fr.) | 2nd | 2nd | ||
| Pierre Andrieu (So.)-Catalin Fifea (Jr.) | 12th | 5th | ||
| Tushar Mandlekar (Sr.)-Karan Salwan (Sr.) | 20th | 9th | ||
| Women's Doubles | ||||
| Names (Class) | NAIA | Region | ||
| Charlene Goreau (So.)-Emma Kranendonk (Sr.) | 13th | 9th | ||
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Wednesday, June 7, 2017
FAMU athletics finally has a balanced budget
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For the first time in more than a decade, Florida A&M’s athletic department has a balanced yearly budget.
Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. on Wednesday told members of the university’s Special Committee on Athletics he managed to turn a projected 2016-17 year-end deficit of $651,724 into a surplus of more than $9,000.
Overton announced the original budget shortfall in December.
It wasn’t easy – Overton insisted it wasn’t a one-man effort – but Wednesday’s announcement marks a reversal of years of overspending from the athletic department.
“There were a couple of things we did to address this deficit,” Overton told the committee. “Obviously, we reduced our expenses and increased our revenue. We reduced some salaries. We’re a little more efficient in terms of personnel and how we do business.”
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Monday, June 5, 2017
Salwan: 1st CoSIDA Academic All-American from tennis
Academic All-America teams in the College Division are comprised of student-athletes from NAIA, Canadian and two-year institutions and selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Beginning in 2008-09, eight XULA student-athletes have earned a combined 12 berths on Academic All-America teams. CoSIDA has sponsored the Academic All-America program since 1952.
Salwan, from New Delhi, India, attended XULA the past two years after transferring from NCAA Division I Utah State. The business management major graduated cum laude from XULA May 13 and with honors in business. On the court Salwan was NAIA All-America both seasons and helped the Gold Rush finish second in the 2016 and 2017 NAIA National Championships. Those are the only XULA teams in any sport to reach the final round of an NAIA national tournament.
"Karan has been a great addition to our program. He has probably been one of the smartest players I've ever had on the court," XULA coach Alan Green said. "He has also had one of our highest GPAs. He shows great respect to opposing players and coaches, and he has shown great leadership with our younger guys, using his experience to teach them how to be good team college tennis players. He has also been actively involved in the community with several service projects, most notably with the Salvation Army."
| XULA's All-Time List of Academic All-Americans (chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America) | |||
| Year | Name | Sport | Team |
| 2008-09 | Joe Drexler-Dreis | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2011-12 | Matt Pieri | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2011-12 | Javon Mead | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Third Team |
| 2012-13 | Taylor Reuther | Women's Volleyball | Third Team |
| 2012-13 | Matt Pieri | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2012-13 | Javon Mead | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Third Team |
| 2012-13 | Catherine Fakler | Women's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2012-13 | Devinn Rolland | Women's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2014-15 | Catherine Fakler | Women's Track and Field/Cross Country | First Team |
| 2014-15 | Devinn Rolland | Women's Track and Field/Cross Country | First Team |
| 2015-16 | Brent Kitto | Men's Track and Field/Cross Country | Second Team |
| 2016-17 | Karan Salwan | Men's Tennis (at-large) | Second Team |
| Karan Salwan's XULA Honors | |||
| 2015-16 • NAIA All-America first team — selected by an NAIA committee • NAIA All-America — selected by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association • ITA Scholar-Athlete • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Honor Roll • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week (four times: Jan. 25-31, Feb. 1-7, Feb. 8-14 and April 18-24) • All-Louisiana first team • Louisiana Newcomer of the Year 2016-17 • NAIA All-America second team — selected by an NAIA committee • CoSIDA Academic All-America, College Division at-large second team • CoSIDA Academic All-District, College Division District 2 at-large • NAIA Champions of Character • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week (Jan. 23-29) • All-Louisiana honorable mention Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold | |||
End Of The Ride: B-CU's Run Stalls in Regional Final
GAINESVILLE, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman's wondrous run through the 2017 NCAA Gainesville Regional ended Monday with a 6-1 loss to the host University of Florida before a McKethan Stadium crowd of 2,166 and an internet thoroughly enamored by the Wildcats' bleached beards. And calm demeanor, despite the situation. And passion. And, well, everything about the program.After losing to Bethune-Cookman for the first time in 31 meetings on Sunday night, the No. 3 national seed Florida Gators (45-17) got a three-run homer and a solid pitching effort from freshman lefty Austin Langworthy to advance to next weekend's Super Regionals, where they will host Wake Forest beginning Friday.
Bethune-Cookman, which defeated two nationally ranked teams in USF and Florida on Sunday and posted more regional victories (three) in 36 hours than the two in the previous 36 years, concludes the season at 36-25 with its 19th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship. The 36 victories are the most in season in the Jason Beverlin era and third-most in program history.
Langworthy's yard shot broke open a scoreless tie. Before that, Florida put men on second and third on a questionable no-call on an infield error that appeared to cause interference from the batter trotting to first on the pop-up to first baseman Danny Rodriguez.
Bethune-Cookman broke the shutout in the seventh when Kyle Corbin scored from second when Josten Heron beat out a two-out infield single, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Two teams supposedly all but depleted of pitching put on a defensive display the first five innings.
Bethune-Cookman forced Florida to leave eight runners in scoring position before the sixth, while the Gators limited the Wildcats to three hits during that time and seven overall.
Tyler Krull started, working three scoreless innings before yielding to Joseph Calamita. Isaak Gutierrez and Nate Sterijevski aBOXlso worked relief.
Adonis Lao and Heron each had two hits for the Wildcats.
For the tournament, Sterijevski finished with a .500 average (10-20) with one home run and eight RBI. Lao hit .352 (6-17) while Austin Garcia batted .333 (5-15).
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BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Repairs to FAMU's Bragg Stadium to be completed by July
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Mandatory repairs to Florida A&M's Bragg Memorial Stadium are on schedule to be completed before the Aug. 26 start of football season.
A Power Point presentation that will be shown to the FAMU Board of Trustees' budget, finance and facilities committee on Wednesday shows the final cost of the repairs will be $390,968.35 -- a huge drop from the original estimated cost of $622,000.
The new, lower cost was provided by Tallahassee-based Barkley Consulting Engineers.
The Power Point says the repairs should be complete by the end of July. FAMU opens its season with the Jake Gaither Classic on Aug. 26 against Texas Southern.
The most recent competition held at Bragg was FAMU's spring game. Sections of the stadium were taped off during that game.
According to the Power Point, the scope of the work includes metal structural fabrications, cast in place reinforced concrete and masonry electrical, plumbing and selective painting.
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Pair of former Hampton Pirates coaches on College Football Hall of Fame ballot
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced Thursday the names on the 2018 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 75 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 98 players and 31 coaches from the divisional ranks.
The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site during the announcement to represent the class and share their thoughts on being elected. The Jan. 8 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. A few inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss before the championship game.
2018 DIVISIONAL COACH CANDIDATES
Gideon Smith -- Hampton (1921-40) - Led Pirates to 1922 Black College National Championship… Recorded four CIAA titles and two unbeaten seasons in career…Longest tenured coach in Hampton history, boasting the second-most wins all-time at the school.
Joe Taylor -- Howard (1983), Virginia Union (1984-91), Hampton (1992-07), Florida A&M (2008-12) - Winningest coach in Hampton history (74%), leading Pirates to four Black College National Championships…Led teams to 10 conference titles and 10 playoff appearances throughout career…Four-time MEAC Coach of the Year.
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The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site during the announcement to represent the class and share their thoughts on being elected. The Jan. 8 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. A few inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss before the championship game.
2018 DIVISIONAL COACH CANDIDATES
Gideon Smith -- Hampton (1921-40) - Led Pirates to 1922 Black College National Championship… Recorded four CIAA titles and two unbeaten seasons in career…Longest tenured coach in Hampton history, boasting the second-most wins all-time at the school.
Joe Taylor -- Howard (1983), Virginia Union (1984-91), Hampton (1992-07), Florida A&M (2008-12) - Winningest coach in Hampton history (74%), leading Pirates to four Black College National Championships…Led teams to 10 conference titles and 10 playoff appearances throughout career…Four-time MEAC Coach of the Year.
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Florida A&M Rattlers Jake Gaither Classic still not finalized
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Week Zero lineup is falling into place with FCS games, so is the inaugural Jake Gaither Classic next?
ESPN announced on Wednesday a restructured schedule of games for Aug. 26 and 27. The lineup did not include the Jake Gaither Classic, which matches SWAC member Texas Southern at MEAC member Florida A&M in Tallahassee, but the cable television giant is said to be seeking a game time that weekend for one of its family of networks.
The NCAA doesn't allow Division I programs to begin their seasons until the Thursday preceding Labor Day, but there is an "FCS First Contest Exception" in the NCAA Bylaws, which allows for two non-conference programs to face each other prior to that Thursday (this year, it's Aug. 31) as long as they are playing in a nationally televised contest (broadcast or cable, not Internet-only). They are considered Week Zero games.
ESPN networks are televising Chattanooga-Jacksonville State and Colgate-Cal Poly matchups on Aug. 26 and Richmond-Sam Houston State on Aug. 27. All three games have 7:05 p.m. ET kickoffs.
Texas Southern and Florida A&M announced their matchup in January. The holdup with the kickoff could involve game-time parameters due to summer heat.
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ESPN announced on Wednesday a restructured schedule of games for Aug. 26 and 27. The lineup did not include the Jake Gaither Classic, which matches SWAC member Texas Southern at MEAC member Florida A&M in Tallahassee, but the cable television giant is said to be seeking a game time that weekend for one of its family of networks.
The NCAA doesn't allow Division I programs to begin their seasons until the Thursday preceding Labor Day, but there is an "FCS First Contest Exception" in the NCAA Bylaws, which allows for two non-conference programs to face each other prior to that Thursday (this year, it's Aug. 31) as long as they are playing in a nationally televised contest (broadcast or cable, not Internet-only). They are considered Week Zero games.
ESPN networks are televising Chattanooga-Jacksonville State and Colgate-Cal Poly matchups on Aug. 26 and Richmond-Sam Houston State on Aug. 27. All three games have 7:05 p.m. ET kickoffs.
Texas Southern and Florida A&M announced their matchup in January. The holdup with the kickoff could involve game-time parameters due to summer heat.
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B-CU Advances to First Baseball Regional Final
GAINESVILLE, Florida. -- Bethune-Cookman made history Sunday with a 6-4 victory over South Florida in the NCAA Gainesville [Fla.] Regional at McKethan Stadium.
Nate Sterijevski, Austin Garcia and Demetrius Sims each had two hits, while Alex Herrera, Ivan Countinho and Joseph Calamita combined to throw six consecutive shutout innings to help the Wildcats (35-24) pull away from a 3-3 tie and advance to a regional final for the first time in program history.
Bethune-Cookman will face host Florida at 7 p.m.
South Florida (42-19) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Kevin Merrell's solo homer, but the Wildcats answered by scoring three runs without hitting the ball out of the infield.
Sims scored on Danny Rodriguez's infield single, Adonis Lao when Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk, and Jameel Edney plated on a double play to make it a 3-1 game.
After the Bulls tied the game with two in the second, Sterijevski smacked a two-run homer to left in the third to help the Wildcats regain a two-run lead. Lao singled home Josten Heron in the fourth.
Herrera (4-1) buckled down after giving up six hits in the first two innings, giving up just two hits over the next four innings before yielding to Countinho, who worked two-innings of one hit relief.
Calamita entered in the eighth and squashed a Bulls rally with just five pitches. He gave up a harmless home run to Tyler Dietrich in the ninth en route to his third save of the season.
Donte Lindsay will start for the Wildcats tonight.
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BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Nate Sterijevski, Austin Garcia and Demetrius Sims each had two hits, while Alex Herrera, Ivan Countinho and Joseph Calamita combined to throw six consecutive shutout innings to help the Wildcats (35-24) pull away from a 3-3 tie and advance to a regional final for the first time in program history.
Bethune-Cookman will face host Florida at 7 p.m.
South Florida (42-19) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Kevin Merrell's solo homer, but the Wildcats answered by scoring three runs without hitting the ball out of the infield.
Sims scored on Danny Rodriguez's infield single, Adonis Lao when Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk, and Jameel Edney plated on a double play to make it a 3-1 game.
After the Bulls tied the game with two in the second, Sterijevski smacked a two-run homer to left in the third to help the Wildcats regain a two-run lead. Lao singled home Josten Heron in the fourth.
Herrera (4-1) buckled down after giving up six hits in the first two innings, giving up just two hits over the next four innings before yielding to Countinho, who worked two-innings of one hit relief.
Calamita entered in the eighth and squashed a Bulls rally with just five pitches. He gave up a harmless home run to Tyler Dietrich in the ninth en route to his third save of the season.
Donte Lindsay will start for the Wildcats tonight.
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BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Saturday, June 3, 2017
HU hurdler Jaelen Williams has come a long way, and he's just getting started
HAMPTON, Virginia -- Having come so far in a relatively short period of time, Hampton University hurdler Jaelen Williams didn't go into last weekend's NCAA East Regional Qualifier with a timid approach. If anything, his coach feared he was teetering in the opposite direction.So Maurice Pierce went to work.
"He was so amped up," Pierce said. "He said, 'Coach, I'm going to run a 49.5, I'm going to do some damage out here!' I said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, you don't have to do all that! This meet here is just to advance.'
"He's so good that sometimes you have to calm him down because he gets antsy. I wanted him to concentrate on winning his section and advancing to the nationals. We can chase a time when we get there."
There is the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Nationals in Eugene, Ore. — a.k.a., Track Town USA. Williams will be the only freshman of 24 competitors in the 400-meter hurdles when the preliminaries begin Wednesday night.
Last weekend in Lexington, Ky., he automatically qualified by winning his heat with a PR time of 50.32 seconds. That came only four weeks after he ran a 51.42 in the Penn Relays. And, assuming he heeded Pierce's advice, he wasn't even running all out.
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Check out 15 of Roger Cador's finest over his stellar 33-year career at Southern
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Who were the best players of Roger Cador’s 33-year run at Southern?
The icon provided 15 of his top players to The Advocate.
The list should start with Trent Hubbard, a player Cador inherited when he began as a coach in 1987, convincing the 5-foot-9 junior to switch into the infield, a move that got Hubbard drafted and eventually launched a 10-year major league career.
And the run should finish with two of his latest gems: first baseman Frazier Hall, a two-time SWAC player of the year in 2010 and 2011, and a little-known pitcher from Puerto Rico, Jose De Leon, who blossomed from a late-round MLB draft pick in 2013 into one of the top prospects in the game.
The headliner is clearly second baseman Rickie Weeks, who in 2003 was named college baseball’s top player and drafted No. 2 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers, eventually becoming an All-Star.
Weeks — along with shortstop Fernando Puebla, third baseman Antoin Gray and pitcher Dewon Day — powered Cador’s best team, the 2003 squad that went 47-7 and won an NCAA tournament game.
Weeks caps a trio of three of the best players Cador coached, after second baseman Michael Woods (the 32nd pick in the 2001 draft) and outfielder Fred Lewis (the 66th pick in the 2002 draft).
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The icon provided 15 of his top players to The Advocate.
The list should start with Trent Hubbard, a player Cador inherited when he began as a coach in 1987, convincing the 5-foot-9 junior to switch into the infield, a move that got Hubbard drafted and eventually launched a 10-year major league career.
And the run should finish with two of his latest gems: first baseman Frazier Hall, a two-time SWAC player of the year in 2010 and 2011, and a little-known pitcher from Puerto Rico, Jose De Leon, who blossomed from a late-round MLB draft pick in 2013 into one of the top prospects in the game.
The headliner is clearly second baseman Rickie Weeks, who in 2003 was named college baseball’s top player and drafted No. 2 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers, eventually becoming an All-Star.
Weeks — along with shortstop Fernando Puebla, third baseman Antoin Gray and pitcher Dewon Day — powered Cador’s best team, the 2003 squad that went 47-7 and won an NCAA tournament game.
Weeks caps a trio of three of the best players Cador coached, after second baseman Michael Woods (the 32nd pick in the 2001 draft) and outfielder Fred Lewis (the 66th pick in the 2002 draft).
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Bethune-Cookman eliminates Marist, 4-2 in NCAAs
GAINESVILLE, Florida – Tyler Norris threw a complete game and Bethune-Cookman found its hitting on Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats defeated Marist, 4-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA Gainesville [Fla.] Regional at McKethan Stadium. For the Wildcats, the win was their third ever in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. For Head Coach Jason Beverlin, it was his second postseason NCAA win with the Wildcats – the first for the program since 2014 [vs. Columbia in Coral Gables, Fla.].Bethune-Cookman junior right-hander Tyler Norris settled down quickly after a rocky top-half of the first inning, as Marist (32-23) got to the Coral Springs, Florida native for a run to start off the game.
Shortstop Nate Sterijevski's single through the left side in the bottom of the first gave BCU the lead – one in which the Wildcats would not relinquish, scoring Jameel Edney and Danny Rodriguez as the bases were loaded for the Wildcats.
That vaulted Bethune-Cookman (34-24) ahead, 2-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, junior third baseman Jameel Edney powered up for his fifth home run of the year, lifting a two-out solo shot clear the wall in left.
That allowed BCU the 3-1 lead after five innings complete.
The Wildcats allowed themselves some breathing room in the bottom of the seventh, stretching the lead at 4-1.
Adonis Lao reached out and smacked a run-scoring double down the line in left to plate Josten Heron with one out.
Marist brought a run back in the top of the eighth inning as shortstop Randy Tavares got to Norris with a one-out solo homer to left field brining Marist to within 4-2.
In the end, it was All-MEAC performer Norris settling down to collect the final two outs of the game, including his seventh strikeout of the day.
Norris collected the win to move to 9-1 on the year. He worked a complete nine inning for the Wildcats, becoming the first nine-inning complete-game performer since Alex Seibold versus North Carolina A&T (March 26, 2016). He allowed just the two runs on six hits, picking up seven strikeouts and walking a pair.
The loss went to Marist left-hander Charlie Jerla to drop him at 9-2 for the season. He worked 6.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking three and striking out four.
The offense for BCU was powered by six players with a hit each, including the homer from Edney, as well as the two-run scoring single from Sterijevski. Lao also supplied the RBI hit for the Maroon and Gold.
Bethune-Cookman now faces the loser of Saturday's evening contest between USF and No. 3 national seed Florida on Sunday at noon. The game was moved up to noon due to impending bad weather moving into the Gainesville area.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) 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).
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Southern officially announces Roger Cador's retirement, opens search for new baseball coach
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- It was 11,991 days since the Southern baseball program was last led by someone other than Roger Cador.
That streak officially came to an end Friday, when Cador and athletic director Roman Banks held a news conference in the lobby of the F.G. Clark Activity Center to announce the retirement of one of the most influential figures in not only Southern history, but the game of baseball.
But there was nothing sad or mournful about the event. Cador’s trademark over the last 33 years has been his charisma and personality, which was on full display as he declared his departure from his life’s work.
“This has been an amazing time to be here today and let you know it’s coming to an end. I’m going home,” Cador said. “And I’m going home in the most wonderful way. After so many years of having so many wonderful relationships… It’s been one hell of a run for me to experience coaching these guys.”
While Cador is stepping away from coaching, he won’t leave Southern athletics entirely.
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That streak officially came to an end Friday, when Cador and athletic director Roman Banks held a news conference in the lobby of the F.G. Clark Activity Center to announce the retirement of one of the most influential figures in not only Southern history, but the game of baseball.
But there was nothing sad or mournful about the event. Cador’s trademark over the last 33 years has been his charisma and personality, which was on full display as he declared his departure from his life’s work.
“This has been an amazing time to be here today and let you know it’s coming to an end. I’m going home,” Cador said. “And I’m going home in the most wonderful way. After so many years of having so many wonderful relationships… It’s been one hell of a run for me to experience coaching these guys.”
While Cador is stepping away from coaching, he won’t leave Southern athletics entirely.
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Friday, June 2, 2017
Florida high court to hear FAMU hazing appeal
Dante Martin is serving a seven-year prison sentence for the hazing death of a drum major
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida Supreme Court will take up the appeal of Dante Martin, a former Florida A&M University Marching 100 band member convicted in the hazing death of Robert Champion six years ago.
Martin filed a petition for review to the state’s highest court in February, arguing that Florida’s hazing statute is overly broad and criminalizes conduct that, although brutal, is nonetheless protected by the federal constitution.
“This statute renders illegal a substantial amount of constitutionally protected conduct that is, notably, openly discussed, critiqued, promoted, advertised and practiced by students statewide,” the petition said.
The statute “affects each and every student of the State of Florida’s public schooling system, from kindergarten to the graduate level,” the petition said. “The statute’s chilling effect on the exercise of constitutional rights is substantial.”
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Botkin leaving coaching position at S.C. State
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough will have a different defensive coordinator in the 2017 season.
S.C. State confirmed that defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Kirk Botkin is leaving the program.
Botkin came to the Bulldogs after being a linebackers coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks for five seasons with Steve Spurrier. Under Botkin the Bulldogs led the MEAC in takeaways (31) and total defense (334 total yards allowed per game) last year.
“We have a plan in place and it will probably be the first of July when we announce (who we are hiring),” Pough said Wednesday.
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Arizona Cardinals' Rookie Chad Williams (Grambling) draws high praise
GLENDALE, Arizona -- Arizona Cardinals' rookie wide receiver Chad Williams drew a lofty comparison from teammate Larry Fitzgerald.
As far as Arizona Cardinals' wide receivers go, there's Larry Fitzgerald, and then there's everybody else.
Whether you're talking in context of the 2017 roster, or the wide receivers that have played for the Cardinals throughout the franchise's history, Fitzgerald stands out above his peers.
So when Fitzgerald talks, people listen.
On Tuesday, Fitzgerald opened up about rookie wide receiver, Cardinals' third round draft choice Chad Williams, and paid him one of the highest compliments a young receiver can dream of.
According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, Fitzgerald said, "He (Williams) reminds me of Anquan Boldin in terms of the strength of his hands. Once it touches his hands it just doesn't move. He's got unbelievably strong hands."
While Fitzgerald sits alone atop the Cardinals' record books in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, Boldin is also one of the most productive receivers to ever play for the franchise. Boldin and Fitzgerald were teammates in Arizona from 2004-2009, and the pair formed one of the most dominant one-two punches in the league.
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As far as Arizona Cardinals' wide receivers go, there's Larry Fitzgerald, and then there's everybody else.
Whether you're talking in context of the 2017 roster, or the wide receivers that have played for the Cardinals throughout the franchise's history, Fitzgerald stands out above his peers.
So when Fitzgerald talks, people listen.
On Tuesday, Fitzgerald opened up about rookie wide receiver, Cardinals' third round draft choice Chad Williams, and paid him one of the highest compliments a young receiver can dream of.
According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, Fitzgerald said, "He (Williams) reminds me of Anquan Boldin in terms of the strength of his hands. Once it touches his hands it just doesn't move. He's got unbelievably strong hands."
While Fitzgerald sits alone atop the Cardinals' record books in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, Boldin is also one of the most productive receivers to ever play for the franchise. Boldin and Fitzgerald were teammates in Arizona from 2004-2009, and the pair formed one of the most dominant one-two punches in the league.
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Norfolk State, Florida A&M Wins 2016-17 All-Sports Awards
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida -- Norfolk State University captured the Talmadge Layman Hill Men's Award, while Florida A&M University captured the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award, the conference announced on Wednesday.The All-Sports Award are indicators of the overall strengths of the conference's men's and women's athletic programs. Each institution was presented with a $20,000 check during a reception at the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Wednesday evening.
“I would like to congratulate Norfolk State University including President Eddie Moore, Director of Athletics Marty Miller, and the administrators, coaches, student-athletes and support staff for winning the 2017 Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. “I also extend congratulations to Florida A&M University and Interim President Dr. Larry Robinson, Director of Athletics Milton Overton and all of the outstanding individuals including staff, coaches and student-athletes who were involved in winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Award.”
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore was recognized during the reception as the 2017 recipient of the MEAC Highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for the eighth straight year. In addition to the recognition, MDES was presented a check for $25,000 from the conference. MDES' 81-percent GSR is the highest among MEAC institutions spanning the 2006-09 cohorts.
Florida A&M, which shared the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award last academic year, won the award outright for the first time since 2001. The Lady Rattlers have won the award a total of 10 times since its inception in 1987 and has won it in consecutive years for the first time since a nine-year streak from 1993-2001.
The Lady Rattlers totaled 95.5 points in the all-sports tally, highlighted by their fifth consecutive conference championship in cross country and fourth straight softball championship. Florida A&M also captured divisional titles in volleyball and softball while finishing second in indoor track & field.
North Carolina A&T State placed second with 90 points, followed by Bethune-Cookman (83.5), Hampton (82.5) and Norfolk State (76.5).
Norfolk State won the Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award for the 11th time in school history and its first title since winning nine straight from 2005-13. The Spartans won a divisional title in baseball and finished second in cross country, indoor track & field, basketball and tennis.
Bethune-Cookman finished second with 78 points, with North Caro
lina A&T State third with 75 points. North Carolina Central and Hampton tied for fourth with 72 points apiece.
Points are awarded in a descending order beginning with 14 points for champions or first place regular season finishes. The second-place team receives 12 points. Tied teams split the point total.
MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
Monday, May 29, 2017
Gold Nuggets earn NAIA All-America in two events
GULF SHORES, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana earned a pair of All-America honors as a result of top-8 finishes Saturday at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
The Gold Nuggets' Ariane Williams placed seventh in the 400-meter dash in 57.11 seconds. About two hours later, Williams, Ry-Anne Riley, Tramaine Shannon — in her final collegiate meet — and Clarke Allen finished eighth in the 1,600 relay in 3:56.31.
It was the second straight year that the XULA women were All-America in this relay. Allen ran the anchor leg both years. The Gold Nuggets set a school record of 3:49.76 during Friday qualifying.
XULA's other competitor on the meet's final day was Keairez Coleman, who finished 17th out of 25 in the men's triple jump. His best mark was 14.15 meters — 46 feet, 5 1/4 inches — and it was the third straight meet that the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion surpassed 46 feet.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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