NCCU Men's Basketball Announces 2017-18 Recruiting Class

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University men's basketball program has announced a recruiting class of eight student-athletes that will join the team for the 2017-18 season.

Those coming to NCCU are: Jibri Blount (Cleveland State), Zacarry Douglas (Cal State-Northridge), Reggie Gardner (Loomis Chaffee), Brandon Goldsmith (Walters State), Alston Jones (Daytona State), Larry McKnight (Palm Beach State), Jordan Perkins (Greensboro Day), and Dominique Reid (Polk State). Perkins and Gardner will join the program as freshmen, while Blount will have to sit a year due to NCAA transfer rules.

"We are excited about our 2017-18 recruiting class," head coach LeVelle Moton said. "We feel as if we've filled our vacancies with a great group of student-athletes that can hopefully contribute from day one. Not only are they great basketball players, but better people. We feel like this recruiting class will continue to add value to our program as we attempt to sustain the standards that were established by the great student-athletes before them."

Douglas joins the Eagles after beginning his career at Cal State-Northridge where he played two seasons. The 6-8 forward played 24 games with one start in his sophomore season, averaging 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. During that season he put up a career-high 15 points against Loyola Marymount and collected 11 rebounds during the same game for a double-double in one of his four times leading the Matadors in boards.

"Zacarry's Division-I experience will be beneficial to a team that will rely on his leadership," said Moton. "He's an athlete who's able to knock down mid-range jumpers as well as rebound at a high level."

Gardner played his high school ball at DeMatha alongside current NBA first overall draft pick Markelle Fultz before playing a year at Loomis Chaffee prep school in Connecticut. During his senior year at DeMatha the 6-3 guard helped his squad to an Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament championship with 23 points in the title game. He was also named Class A Second Team All-New England by the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council after his time at Loomis Chaffee.

"Reggie is a natural scorer from the legendary DeMatha High School," Moton said. "He will provide great perimeter play and be the knockdown shooter that's needed to stretch the defense on this level."

Goldsmith is a local product from Millbrook High School, and he comes to NCCU after playing two seasons at Walters State. With the Senators, he averaged 14 points, five rebounds and three assists per game at the guard position at a height of 6-4. In his sophomore season, he helped push his team to the District VII Championship, where the Senators finished as runners-up. He was named to the All-Tournament team as well as First Team All-Conference. While at Millbrook he was a two-time All-Cap-8 selection and averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game.

"Brandon is a Raleigh kid that shoots it well and slashes to the bucket," said Moton. "He has won at a high level in high school and his length and ability to score will fill a much needed void from last year's perimeter play."

Jones competed for two years at Daytona State College where he played 59 total games and started 44 under current Bethune-Cookman head coach Ryan Ridder. He had his best season this past campaign as he averaged 14.1 points per game and shot 49.1 percent from the floor as a guard. At a height of 6-0, Jones put in a team-high 19 points in a Mid-Florida Conference championship-clinching game in the regular season, and chipped in 16 points in an opening round win in the District VIII tournament.

"Alston is a dynamite leader, and a fearless competitor, and that will bring a necessary toughness that's needed to compete on the Division-I level," Moton said. "He's able to get anywhere on the court and I look forward to seeing him flourish in our system."

McKnight joins the Eagles from Palm Beach State after starting his collegiate career at Wofford. Last season with the Panthers, McKnight played 30 games and started 21, averaging 13.3 points with 3.9 rebounds per game. The 6-3 guard had his strongest game of the season with a season-high 29-point outburst in the season opener against Baltimore City, along with a season-high five assists and four steals.

"Larry is a super-athletic scoring guard that is capable of scoring on all three levels," said Moton.

Perkins is coming off of a championship season of his own, after winning the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A State Championship with Greensboro Day School. The Bengals went on to compete at the DICK's National Tournament, where the 6-2 guard put in 14 points while going 3-for-5 from the perimeter in a quarterfinal upset over IMG Academy on the national stage.

"Jordan is a natural-born winner," Moton said. "He's won at a high level and his Greensboro Day School team made history behind his leadership at the point guard position. We are excited to have him lead us in the future."

Reid comes to Durham after playing a year at Polk State, and he began his career at Niagara. At Polk State, Reid played 25 games and started 19, averaging 14.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per outing. During his last season, he pulled down nine double-doubles with highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds. In his redshirt-freshman season at Niagara, the 6-8 forward was third on the team in scoring with 9.8 points per game, and second in rebounding with 5.9 per contest over 30 appearances and 13 starts.

"Dominique is an experienced post player that not only competed at a high level, but was really successful while at Niagara," said Moton. "He provides length and depth to our frontline."

Blount played his first two years of college ball at Cleveland State, where he totaled 59 games with 14 starts. Over two seasons, the 6-7 forward averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. During his freshman year, he made career marks of 15 points at UIC, and 11 rebounds at Northern Kentucky.

"The family name says it all for him," Moton said. "His ability to stretch the defense and create off the dribble from the forward position will provide us with a triple threat."

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Frederick Summers takes over as Talladega College men's basketball coach

TALLADEGA, Alabama -- Frederick Summers was named the new men's basketball coach at Talladega College on Wednesday.

Summers comes to TC after leading Concordia College in Selma to the USCAA national men's basketball championship this past season.

"I am honored and pleased to be named the next head men's basketball coach at Talladega College," Summers said in a press release. "I want to thank President Dr. (Billy C.) Hawkins, Director of Athletics Kevin Herod, Assistant Athletic Director Demond Walker and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Sharon Whittaker-Davis for the opportunity to join this amazing family.

"I am excited about the challenge that Dr. Hawkins has for the basketball program, and under his leadership, the decision to become a Tornado was not only an easy choice but the right choice and fit for me and my family. We will work extremely hard to continue the tradition of excellence on and off the court in everything we do. I am more than excited to call Talladega my home."

Summers replaces Matt Cross, who was hired as the women's basketball at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Cross is the all-time winningest coach in TC history.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Harry Stinson Named Lincoln University Athletics Director

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania – Lincoln University Interim President Richard Green announced today the hiring of Harry O. Stinson III as the institution's athletics director.

President Green emphasized the thorough recruitment and selection process, pointing out that, "Harry Stinson was chosen from an applicant pool of nearly 100 highly qualified applicants."

"He brings extensive administrative and academic experience to the position. We are looking forward to major growth and development to the Lincoln University program for student athletes," Green said.

Stinson replaces Anthony Plá who has served as the interim director of Athletics since September 2016. Plá will remain on staff as the assistant director of Athletics for facilities and head baseball coach.

Stinson comes to Lincoln with more than 12 years of experience as a professional administrator in collegiate athletics with expertise in university relations, strategic planning, external relations, development, compliance, event management, and business operations. At the collegiate level, he has served as head coach of the Kentucky State University golf team and interim coach of KSU Baseball.

"I am humbled and honored to be appointed athletic director and to join the Lincoln University family," Stinson said. "I am excited to become a part of this community, engaging alumni and strengthening the Lincoln Lion brand."

"Lincoln University has a storied history academically and athletically, and I am looking forward to building upon that tradition and providing resources and support to showcase our university, our staff, and most importantly our student athletes' academic and athletic achievements."

"Being champions on and off the playing surface within the CIAA and nationally is an expectation. Serving our community is an expectation. Enhancing the overall student experience at Lincoln University is an expectation, and I am looking forward to getting started to fulfill these expectations."

Stinson has served as associate director of athletics at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, since October 2015, where he was responsible for the development and management of the athletic department's $1.9 million operating budget and $650,000 in scholarship budget. In this role Harry also oversaw compliance, handled sport supervision for nine of CSU's 10 sports, managed game day operations, and ran the day to day operations of the athletic department.

Prior to Central State, Stinson served as the interim athletic director at Kentucky State University. In addition to his responsibilities as interim athletic director, Stinson also handled external operations and compliance for the athletic department as well as head men's golf coach. Stinson was responsible for certifying student-athletes for competition, managing and monitoring all areas of athletics compliance and supervising all game day operations. He also served as the sport administrator for all 13 sports and oversaw athletic training and sports information during his tenure at KSU.

Prior to his arrival at KSU in December 2009, Stinson served as the director of championships, communications and marketing at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for nearly five years. He also served as Interim Commissioner during 2008-09. Stinson began his athletic career as a coach at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, coaching track and field, basketball and football. He also worked in Basketball Operations at the Amateur Athletic Union, as a League Administrator at the World Boxing League, and as director of Operations at the Georgia World Games Sports Commission.

Stinson is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and was a track and field student athlete at Florida State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in human sciences in 2002 and a master's degree in sport administration from Georgia State University in 2005. He also holds a professional certification in athlete development from the University of Pennsylvania. Stinson is also a graduate of several NCAA programming including the NCAA Pathways Program (2012) and the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females (2009). He has one daughter, Laila.

Stinson is a member of several NCAA committees including serving as the chairman of the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions, serving on the NCAA Eligibility Center Advisory Board and the NCAA Golf Regional Advisory Committee. Stinson also is a member of many professional organizations including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association for Athletic Compliance Division II Committee, and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Board of Directors.

THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Davis Named Full-Time Head Coach Of MSU Lady Bears

HEAD COACH EDWARD DAVIS JR.
MORGAN STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University has officially removed the interim tag off of Edward Davis Jr., who effective immediately, will assume the full-time position as Morgan State's head women's basketball coach, as announced by Director of Athletics Edward Scott on Friday.

"We are excited to have Coach Davis lead our women's basketball program into the future," said Scott. "I've had the opportunity to watch Coach Davis in action last season and was thoroughly impressed by his ability to teach and motivate our student-athletes. Ed is a proven winner at every level of college basketball and brings a wealth of experience to the sideline. We very much look forward to watching our women's basketball program grow on and off the court under his leadership."

"It's an honor and a privilege to be able to coach on the Division I college atmosphere," said Davis, who is 48 wins shy of reaching 400 career coaching victories. "Thank you to President David Wilson and our Director of Athletics, Edward Scott for affording me this opportunity. I thoroughly appreciate the opportunity to lead the Morgan State Lady Bears to the highest plateau that they can achieve, and that's winning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship!"

Since taking over as interim coach last June, Davis guided the 2016-17 Lady Bears to a 9-21 overall record and a 7-9 league mark. After dropping its first eight MEAC contests, Morgan State went 7-1 under Davis during the second half of the league slate, including a season-long five-game winning streak to finish ninth in the league standings.

"I feel that a lot of pieces are in place to have a great season this year, especially with the hard work of the staff to bring in more impact players," said Davis. "My job as head coach will be to academically and athletically uphold the high standards of the Morgan State University tradition."

Davis, who is entering his sixth overall season at Morgan State, originally joined the Lady Bears' staff in 2012 as an assistant coach after spending 12 seasons at the helm at Delaware State University.

While at Delaware State, Davis compiled a 178-182 career mark, becoming the program's all-time winningest coach. Davis recorded four 20-plus win seasons (the only ones in school history) and in 2007 he guided the Lady Hornets to their first MEAC title with a victory over Morgan State. During his time at Delaware State, Davis guided the Lady Hornets to a NCAA Tournament berth, five MEAC Championship appearances and a MEAC regular season co-championship.

Davis guided the program to new heights in his fourth season, recording a school-record 21 wins and capturing a share of the 2003-04 MEAC regular season title for the first time ever. The Lady Hornets would go a perfect 11-0 at home that season, including a win over then Big East member, West Virginia. DSU would advance to the MEAC title game and Davis would be named MEAC Coach of the Year.

One that always stressed defense, Davis saw his 2004-05 DSU team set a national record for scoring defense by becoming the first Division I women's team to hold opponents to less than 50 points per game, allowing 49.6 per contest.

Prior to taking over at Delaware State, Davis began his successful coaching career on the collegiate level at Bowie State University. In his eight years at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs, Davis had only one losing season, while building a dynasty at BSU and turning it into one of the top Division II programs in the country.

Davis recorded a 165-61 record, five 20-win seasons, captured three straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) titles and reached the NCAA Tournament three times. He would earn CIAA Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and CIAA Tournament Outstanding Coach accolades in 1997, '98 and '99.

His 1995-96 and 1998-99 teams each advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament and the 1995-96 squad ranked first among all Division II teams in scoring defense. A year later BSU put together a 28-game winning streak en route to a 29-2 overall mark and the 1997-98 squad was ranked as high as six in the Division II polls.

A native of Washington, D.C., Davis was a four-year letter winner on the West Virginia State College men's basketball team that set NCAA and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics scoring records in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Davis holds a master's in education from Howard University and a bachelor's in education from West Virginia State. He was inducted into the West Virginia State Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2008 and the Bowie State Hall of Fame in 2014.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Donte' Jackson Announced as Grambling State's Men''s Basketball Coach

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University Director of Athletics Paul Bryant officially announced the hiring of, and signed, Donte' Jackson as the next GSU head men's basketball coach during a Wednesday morning news conference.

Jackson officially signed his contract in front of a small crowd of media members, athletics staff and his family in the office of GSU President Rick Gallot.

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"We're excited today to sign this contract," Gallot said. "The future of Grambling and Grambling basketball is bright. And of course, whenever Willis Reed says that you have a great coach, then you have to be a great coach."

Bryant welcomed Jackson to the department by giving him an official Grambling State pin and baseball cap. He said, "This is a great day for our athletics department and our men's basketball program. We have a leader who will be an example for our young men in the classroom as well as on the playing surfaces and in the community."

"I'm elated," said Jackson when he addressed the crowd. "This is an opportunity I've always dreamed of…and I will give my all. I want to thank [President Gallot] for the opportunity to lead the program and for you entrusting the program into my hands. And I want to thank [Mr. Bryant] for just giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Grambling family."

Prior to GSU, Jackson spent three seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. During his time there, he went 66-21 overall and won the 2016 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament, where they defeated West Georgia in the first round.

At the end of the 2015-16 season, he was named the SIAC Coach of the Year, as well as BOXTOROW National Coach of the Year. In his last year at Stillman, he also served as Stillman's interim director of athletics, in addition to maintaining his role as head men's basketball coach.

Prior to Stillman, Jackson led the men's basketball program at Central State University (CSU) in Wilberforce, Ohio, for four seasons. He took over the program in 2010 after serving as an assistant coach at CSU for seven seasons.

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native graduated from CSU in 2003 with a bachelor's of science in education, and in 2008, he earned a master's of science in educational leadership. He was a three-year letter winner on the Marauder basketball team and earned all-conference and all-region honors during the 2001-02 season.

He led the Marauders to the NAIA Division I National Tournament and a Sweet Sixteen appearance with a 24-8 record during 1999-2000 season. Jackson capped his stellar career by being selected as the recipient of the John W. Garland President's Award, presented annually to a student-athlete who embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity and sportsmanship through academic and athletic achievements.

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Deputy AD Elliott Charles leaves for Clemson

ELLIOTT CHARLES
COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M Deputy Athletic Director
Elliot Charles is now on Clemson's staff, FAMU's athletic department confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Charles' last day was Friday. He was hired at FAMU in January of 2016.

Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. is now looking for a new second-in-command. He met with the department Tuesday to discuss Elliott's departure, and no progress has been made on the search yet.

Overton praised Charles' work while at FAMU. He said he hopes to have a new deputy in place before September.

"This is a great opportunity for him," Overton said. "I’ve been working with that guy for a long time. He’s known as an expert in compliance. It’s one of those great opportunities and his family. He’s got a young family, he's trying to grow his family and they offered him a lot more money.

"There are some people who believe if you come to an HBCU, you can’t advance any further. I want anyone who comes to FAMU to know that we’re going to do great things and you’re going to have great opportunities."

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Alcorn's Horne leading candidate in ULM AD search

DEREK HORNE
COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS

MONROE, Louisiana -- Alcorn State athletic director Derek Horne is the leading candidate for the same position at ULM.

ULM has scheduled a Wednesday interview with Horne, who arrived in Monroe on Tuesday.

ULM President Nick Bruno, special assistant to the president Ron Hogan and former ULM and Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini are running the search along with an appointed search committee.

Alcorn has won two SWAC football championships, three football division titles and a tennis championship. The school also had 10 student-athletes earn first-team All-SWAC recognition since Horne was hired in 2014.

Men’s basketball coach Montez Robinson, a Horne hire, has guided the Braves from a six-win team to 33 wins in two seasons.

Alcorn signed Horne to a three-year extension in 2016.

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MEAC Announces 2017 Weeknight Football Television Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) today announced its weeknight television schedule for the 2017 football season. This year's ledger features a pair of Thursday night games and one Friday night contest live on ESPNU.

The defending MEAC Champion North Carolina Central University Eagles will host the first Thursday night contest of the season as they'll welcome South Carolina State University to Durham, N.C. on Sept. 21. The contest marks the conference opener for both teams and its first matchup on the gridiron since 2014.

Florida A&M returns to the Thursday night lineup for the first time since 2015 as they'll host North Carolina Central in Tallahassee, Fla. on Sept. 28. Last season's fourth quarter rally by NCCU marked the first time in series history that NCCU has won consecutive contests against the Rattlers.

MEAC football will be featured under the Friday night lights for the first time since 2015 as Morgan State heads to Orangeburg, S.C. to square off against the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 6. Both teams last met in 2014 with Morgan State claiming a 24-21 win during the final minute in Baltimore. Morgan State will make its first appearance in Orangeburg and Oliver C. Dawson Stadium since 2013.

The entire 2017 MEAC Football TV schedule will be announced at a later date.


2017 MEAC ESPNU Weeknight Football Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 21 South Carolina State at North Carolina Central 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 28 North Carolina Central at Florida A&M 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 Morgan State at South Carolina State 7:30 p.m.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU's game against NCCU rescheduled, now on ESPNU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M's second home game of the season has been rescheduled and is now part of the MEAC's ESPNU lineup.

The Rattlers will play North Carolina Central at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28, a Thursday, instead of Sept. 30. The game is now part of the MEAC's ESPNU Weeknight Football Schedule.

This is the latest revision to FAMU's football schedule. The Rattlers' game against Arkansas was moved up and is now scheduled for August 31 -- another Thursday.

This is the first time since 2015 FAMU has been a part o the MEAC's Weeknight Football lineup.

Several of FAMU's games will be broadcast on ESPN networks this season. The season opener against Texas Southern, the Arkansas game and the Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman will all be on television.

RATTLERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2017-18

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XULA wins Thomas Howell Cup for 6th time in 7 years

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has won the 2016-17 Thomas Howell Cup, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's all-sports award, said the GCAC in a Friday announcement.
     
It's the sixth time that XULA won the award, all in the last seven years.
     
\The Thomas Howell Cup, named for the GCAC's longtime commissioner, is awarded annually to the school with the most points based on order of finish in various sports. XULA was boosted by GCAC championships in men's cross country, women's cross country, women's volleyball (regular season and tournament), and women's outdoor track and field.
     
"Xavier is proud to take control of the Thomas Howell Cup once again," said XULA Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn. "Not only did our student-athletes and coaches have another outstanding year, we produced our largest group of graduates in the last 12 years. The athletics department strives daily to live up to our motto: 'Win. Grow. Graduate.' "
     
The conference did not announce point totals or standings for the Howell Cup, but unofficial scoring by XULA Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Ed Cassierehad XULA with 37 1/2 points. In the seven GCAC championship sports — men's and women's cross country, women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball and men's and women's outdoor track and field — XULA scored 33 1/2 of a possible 41 points.
     
Although XULA won GCAC volleyball regular-season and tournament championships for the sixth consecutive year, the university was credited with all-sports points only for its regular-season standing. The GCAC also applied that method in men's and women's basketball.
     
Dillard, the 2015-16 Howell Cup winner, and Edward Waters tied for second place in Cassiere's unofficial scoring with 30 points apiece. Talladega was fourth with 24 1/2 points, followed by SUNO with 17, Tougaloo with 13 and Philander Smith with 11.
     
"This honor is another testament to Xavier's commitment to excellence, dedication and hard work not only in the classroom, but in everything we do," said XULA Vice President for Student Services Joseph Byrd, "and athletics is no exception. It is because of the vision of our president, Dr. Reynold Verret, our athletic director, Mr. Jason Horn, our coaches and especially our students that we are again recognized for greatness. We are pleased to be honored."
     
In addition to the conference titles, XULA highlights for the past year included:

     •  7-of-9 teams represented at NAIA National Championship appearances — volleyball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men;'s tennis, women's tennis, men's track and field (individual athlete) and women's track and field (individual athletes).

     •  Nine student-athletes earned NAIA All-America: Catalin Fifea, Moses Micheal, Antoine Richard and Karan Salwan in men's tennis, Charlene Goreau in women's tennis and Clarke Allen, Ry-Anne Riley, Tramaine Shannon and Ariane Williams in women's track and field.

     •  Two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans: Salwan and Drew Chatters (women's track and field).

     •  Department GPA increased from 2015-16 to 2016-17.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Nuggets sign 2; recruiting class increases to 6

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Thursday the signing of Vivica Price-Spraggins of Chicago and Whitney Young Magnet High School and Kayla Black of Magnolia, Texas, and Houston's St. Pius X High School to athletic scholarships for volleyball.
     
The Gold Nuggets have signed six for the 2017 season, which will begin in August. XULA won the last six Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and earned six consecutive automatic bids during that time to the NAIA National Championship.
     
Price-Spraggins is a 5-foot-11 middle blocker/right-side hitter. She helped Whitney Young's Dolphins in 2016 go 24-12, win a regional playoff and advance to sectionals. Price-Spraggins hit .402 as a senior with 105 kills, 47 blocks, 22 aces and 53 digs.
     
Price-Spraggins played five years of club ball — first with Club Kace, then with Chicago Elite. She was a starter for a bronze-medal-winning team at 2016 nationals.
     
Black, a 5-9 outside hitter, helped St. Pius in 2016 reach the Class 6A quarterfinals of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools playoffs. She was second-team all-state as a senior and junior. Black was her team's MVP in 2016.
     
Black has nine years of club experience, most recently with Willowbrook but also with Waves and Revolution. She was a starter for a Waves team that placed eighth in nationals in 15s.
     
Black's paternal grandfather is former NFL player and executive James "Shack" Harris, a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the first African-American quarterback to start and win an NFL playoff game (1974: Los Angeles 19, Washington 10).
     
Price-Spraggins will major in early elementary education, and Black will be a biology/pre-medical major with plans to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology.

2017-18 XULA Volleyball Signees
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.*	Hometown	High School
Ariel Bell #	OH	5-7	Fr.	White Castle, La.	White Castle
Kayla Black	OH	5-9	Fr.	Magnolia, Texas	St. Pius X
Jaida Dowd	OH	5-8	Fr.	Aurora, Ill.	Metea Valley
Eva Le Guillou	S	5-9	Fr.	Velizy-Villacoublay, France	Emmanuel Mounier
Vivica Price-Spraggins	MB/RS	5-11	Fr.	Chicago, Ill.	Whitney Young Magnet
Lauryn Taylor	RS/OH	5-9	Fr.	Sairburn, Ga.	Booker T. Washington
* XULA athletic classification in 2017-18 # also will compete in track and field Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

Suspension of golf programs leaves JSU players in limbo

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Keelin Floyd is headed into her senior year at Jackson State, and while her scholarship is still good, she’s not going to get to play the game she loves.

Floyd, a member of the soon-to-be-suspended women’s golf program at JSU, said Sunday she’s upset at the department’s decision to cut the programs for budgetary reasons.

JSU athletic director Wheeler Brown said Thursday he is still trying to find a way to save the programs, but Floyd said he informed her two weeks ago the decision to suspend the programs has already been made.

Brown said the department will honor the existing scholarships, but with only one year of school and one year of eligibility left, Floyd finds herself in a veritable no-man’s land when it comes to transfer possibilities.

“It’s my senior year, and I want to play in the SWAC,” she said. “I only have a year of eligibility left, and I’d have to take two years of school to get the same degree I can get at JSU in one.”

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NCA&T Belcher Makes US team, Signs Pro Contract With Nike

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Another North Carolina A&T student-athlete is turning pro in 2017. Christopher Belcher came out in a North Carolina A&T track and field uniform for his semifinal 100-meter dash race at the 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, Calif., on Friday. When he came out for the final, the A&T was gone, and he was uniformed completely in Nike.

Belcher, who had one more year of eligibility for indoor track and field, signed a professional contract Nike on Friday, thereby ending his collegiate career as an Aggie. The good news didn't stop there, Belcher also finished third in the U.S. 100m final to earn a prestigious spot on the United States Track and Field team along with Olympian Justin Gatlin and NCAA 100-meter champion Christian Coleman out of the University of Tennessee.

Belcher, who has developed into one of the best sprinters in the world, continued that ascent on Friday through two qualifying races that made him a member of the U.S. national team. There were two semifinal 100m heats. To make Friday's final, Belcher needed to finish in the top-4 of his heat. To make the U.S. team he needed to place in the top-3. With interlocking A&T logo across his chest, Belcher placed fourth in his heat and eighth overall with a time of 10.22. It was close to his slowest time of the season, nearly matching the 10.24 he ran on April 8.

“He had a bad race,” said North Carolina A&T director of track and field programs Duane Ross. Ross said he simply told his star sprinter to fix it. Belcher not only fixed his technique, he changed uniforms. In the two hours between races, Belcher signed with Nike to make the obvious official, he was not going to return to A&T for his final year of indoor track and field. In his new Nike outfit, Belcher ran a 10.06 to finish third behind Coleman's 9.98 and Gatlin's 9.95. The trio will represent the US in London, Aug. 4-13 at the IAAF World Championships.

“We knew it was coming,” said Ross about Belcher signing with Nike. “He is going to have a nice career. He is still going to train in Greensboro, and he is going to finish school, so this is an exciting time for him, for our program and for the entire North Carolina A&T University family. Chris is a prime example of coming in, doing what is asked of you and working hard until you see the types of results you want to see. You still have to work hard. It's not only about talent.”

Belcher turned a lot of eyes toward him when he ran a wind-aided 9.99 at N.C. A&T's Irwin Belk Track on April 15. He carried that over to the MEAC outdoor championships in May when he won three conference gold medals (100m, 200m, 4x100) to help the N.C. A&T men's track and field team win their first conference title in 21 years. A month later, Belcher clocked a 9.93 in a semifinal heat at the NCAA championships in Eugene, Ore., to become a first-team All-American. His 9.93 is still the third-fastest time in the world this year.

Belcher also earned first-team All-America honors in the 200m and 4x1. The 20.01 he ran at the NCAA championships is the sixth-fastest time in the world in the 200m this year. The 38.48 ran by Belcher and his 4x1 teammates at the NCAA championships (semifinal heat) is the eighth-fastest time in the world this year.

It has been a banner year for Aggies turning pro. Tarik Cohen was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears in April. Cutter Dyals was taken in the 17th round of the major league baseball draft in June by the Atlanta Braves.

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn shifts football game with Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alcorn State University football program will face Alabama State in a nationally televised game on ESPNU with the kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the ASU Football Stadium.

The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 but was untelevised.

"Anytime you get a chance to play a nationally televised game it is great, not only the football program, but also for publicity of Alcorn State University. It's great exposure for both schools and the conference," said Alcorn head coach Fred McNair.

It marks the second straight season that the Braves and the Hornets will play on an ESPN Network game. Last year, Alcorn defeated ASU 21-18 on ESPN3 at home on Sept. 10, 2016.

The Braves are 22-18 all-time against the Hornets with a combined score of 899-868 (+31). Alcorn is looking to defeat ASU for the fourth year in a row after winning 31-14 in 2015 and 33-7 in 2014.

The Braves have gone undefeated against SWAC East Division opponents in back-to-back years and have won three consecutive SWAC East Division titles.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SAU's Jeffries Wins USTFCCCA National Communications Honor

RALEIGH, North Carolina  – Sports Information Director Anthony Jeffries of Saint Augustine's University was selected the NCAA Division II national winner of the Excellence in Communications Award on Monday, June 19 for his outstanding track and field coverage for the 2016-17 season. The honor was announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Jeffries was one of three honorees picked by the USTFCCCA communications staff after a nomination process. The other recipients are Jared Prescott of the University of Tennessee (NCAA Division I) and Alex Keil of Illinois College (NCAA Division III). The award highlights athletics communications representatives at conferences and/or schools who have committed to outstanding coverage and support of collegiate track and field. To read more about the honorees, click HERE.

Jeffries, in his 11th season at Saint Augustine's University, received the award for promoting the internationally renowned Saint Augustine's University track and field program led by legendary Athletic Director and Head Coach George Williams, who has won the most NCAA track and field championships (39) of any coach, regardless of division.

"I am very proud and elated to be recognized by the USTFCCCA on a national level," Jeffries said. "I would like to thank Coach Williams who has supported me over the years. His teams provide plenty of material to promote."

Marketing for this season began in the summer of 2016 for Jeffries, who helped the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show set up an interview with Coach Williams. The track and field team and Coach Williams were also featured prominently on ESPN.com's The Undefeated website. In August 2016, Jeffries wrote an article about the George Williams Exhibit at the City of Raleigh Museum which appeared on the website of Track & Field News, which bills itself as the bible of the sport.

In addition to writing numerous articles during the indoor and outdoor seasons, Jeffries placed photographs and videos on social media during the 2017 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Bradenton, Fla. which were well-received by the public. The more popular videos were the Falcons receiving their fifth straight men's outdoor national title while confetti poured on them and Tia-Adana Belle (Sr./St. George, Barbados) breaking the Division II record for her third consecutive 400-meter hurdles crown.

His championship recaps were published on several websites including NCAA.com. He also was a member of the CIAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Committees, providing recaps for the conference as well as the university during the CIAA championships.

The accolade is the third in the profession for Jeffries, who was the 2008 and 2012 CIAA Sports Information Director of the Year. A Raleigh, N.C. native, Jeffries covers 14 sports for the athletic program at Saint Augustine's University.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Dave Robbins' Virginia Union legacy has passed the test of time

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Almost a decade has passed since Dave Robbins hung up his coaching whistle after making basketball history at Virginia Union University.

Robbins, 74, spends his time on the golf course, traveling with his wife and fishing on a pond on a little farm the couple bought in Amelia County, about 45 miles outside Richmond. He still attends Virginia Union home games, and he keeps up with the game, loves the way U.Va.’s Tony Bennett runs his program and occasionally works on a book that he’s been drafting for several years.

At the annual Virginia Sports Hall of Fame golf tournament and reception held two weeks ago at Staunton’s Ironwood Golf Club, Robbins (Class of 2012) showed up, which was a treat for the impressive gathering.

Most younger-generation basketball fans aren’t familiar with Robbins’ accomplishments. In 1978, he took over a Union program that had never won a CIAA title and never won an NCAA tournament game. It was a controversial hire at the time because Robbins was the first white coach in the CIAA, historically made up of predominantly black colleges and universities.

Nobody complained over the next 30 years as Robbins directed the Panthers to three Division II national championships (1980, 1992, 2005), 14 CIAA championships and 21 NCAA tournament appearances. Along the way, he compiled a record of 713-194 and produced five NBA players: Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace, A.J. English, Terry Davis and Jamie Waller.

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Hines: ASU not leaving the SWAC

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Any rumors of a possible move by Alabama State were dismissed as such by athletic director Melvin Hines during a press conference on Monday.

Several online message boards cited rumors of potential moves by both Alabama State and Alabama A&M to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The MEAC, which is headquartered at Norfolk, Virginia, currently has 11 football-playing members.

Savannah State is scheduled to leave the conference following the 2018 season.

Hines was asked about the rumors during his address which reviewed the 2016-2017 athletic season at ASU.

“They’re just rumors,” Hines said. “We’reC very proud to be a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. We’re excited about what we’re doing and we’ve gone to new heights in the SWAC.”

Current Alabama State head football coach Brian Jenkins won four MEAC titles and was a three-time MEAC Coach of the Year at Bethune-Cookman, where he coached from 2010-2014.

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TSU Women’s Basketball Adds Lenise Stallings to Coaching Staff

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennesssee State University head women's basketball coach Jessica Kern announced the hiring of Lenise Stallings as an assistant coach on Wednesday.

Stallings will work with the guards while also serving as the academic liaison and camp coordinator.

"Coach Stallings is a fantastic addition to our family," commented Kern. "Her stellar experience as a player, ties to Mississippi talent, and keen eye for offense will be key components to our future growth. With her extensive academic background and hunger to grow in this business - we are extremely lucky to have this rising star. A decorated student- athlete at Mississippi Valley State University and a known pure shooter, Coach Stallings will be instrumental in guard development. I look forward to seeing her hunger for the game manifest into a championship spirit for our program."

Stallings comes to TSU after serving on Kern’s staff at Mississippi Valley State University. She helped secure the program’s largest recruiting class and a spot in the top 25 most improved Division I women’s basketball programs.

Prior to her position as assistant coach for MVSU, she served as a graduate assistant with the program from 2014-2016.

As an undergrad, Stallings competed four years with the MVSU women’s basketball team. She played in 124 career games during her collegiate career and helped MVSU to a 2013 appearance in the SWAC Basketball Tournament Championship game. In 2012, she aided her team in earning a SWAC regular season title and a bid to the WNIT.

During her junior and senior campaigns, she led the conference in three-point field goal percentage, shooting just over 40 percent.

A native of Hattiesburg, Miss, Stallings earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2013 and a master’s degree in Bioinformatics in 2016. She has one daughter, Kyia.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU stays committed to baseball program

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The CIAA’s decision to drop baseball is something coach Kevin Ritsche of Winston-Salem State has been bracing for.

When Elizabeth City State dropped its program before the 2014 season, the conference had slipped below the NCAA minimum of six schools sponsoring baseball to qualify for an automatic berth into region play. Even though the CIAA had five baseball programs, the NCAA gave the conference a break over the next three seasons, with the conference champion still getting rewarded with an automatic berth into regional play.

The conference decided to drop the sport because there was no sign of another CIAA school adding baseball to compete with teams already at WSSU, Chowan, Saint Augustine’s, Virginia State and Lincoln (Pa.).

WSSU athletics director Tonia Walker said the school is committed to the sport.

“We will maintain baseball as an independent sport with hopes that the CIAA will increase membership with other schools who play baseball or if current schools add it,” Walker said.

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Horn voted GCAC Athletic Director of Year for 2016-17

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Jason Horn has been voted by his peers the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year for 2016-17.
     
Horn joined XULA March 31, 2014, as director of athletics & recreation. Department highlights since his arrival:

     •  NAIA national runner-up finishes for men's tennis in 2016 and 2017 — the first two in XULA history.
     •  Fifteen GCAC and/or NAIA unaffiliated group championships.
     •  Appearances by each of XULA's nine teams at NAIA National Championship events — 23 total.
     •  Ninety persons representing the department — athletes, managers and staff — received XULA degrees.
     •  Four student-athletes were selected as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
     •  Men's basketball won the Buffalo Funds Five-Star Champions of Character Team Award in 2015-16.
     •  Community service which includes XULA student-athletes assisting with catastrophic flooding in Baton Rouge, La., this past August and after a tornado in New Orleans East in February.
     •  Average home attendance gains by the Convocation Center's three primary tenants — men's basketball, women's basketall and volleyball.
     •  Horn-negotiated multi-year deals with Ochsner Health System's sports medicine division, apparel provider adidas and website provider SIDEARM Sports.
     
"I cannot imagine one more deserving of this honor that Jason Horn," XULA President Dr. Reynold Verret said. "Through the quality and prudence of his judgment, Mr. Horn keeps first in mind the progress of Xavierites as both scholars and athletes. Xavier is fortunate with Jason Horn as AD."
     
"Congratulations to Mr. Horn on this great honor," XULA Vice President for Student Services Joseph Byrd said. "I knew when we selected him as our AD, we had selected one of the best. Now all of the GCAC knows what we have known for three years. His selection not only brings honor to him but to all athletes and the university community as a whole. We are proud of him."
     
"Mr. Horn is extremely deserving of this award," GCAC Commissioner Steve Martin said. "His intellect, hard work and business acumen are assets to the conference, and he has been a vital part of the GCAC's growth during his tenure at Xavier."
     
XULA is one of 47 colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2017 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Bishop McNamara grad signs National LOI with Alcorn State

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Illinois -- Since his little league days, Brandon Thomas has always wanted to play baseball at the Division I level. Next season, he'll finally have his chance.

Thomas, a 2015 graduate of Bishop McNamara, has spent his last two baseball seasons pitching for Prairie State College, an NJCAA program in Chicago Heights.  This fall, he'll take his talents to Mississippi after signing a National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Alcorn State University — a Division I program.

"To be completely honest, it was a shock to me," Thomas said. "It's already something I've been working hard towards. I can't really explain the feeling right now. I'm just going to keep trying and keep pushing every day and see what goes on after that."

While a step up in baseball's never-ending talent pool means a better chance of being noticed by Major League Baseball scouts, Thomas says he doesn't have control over what happens next.

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Fobbs: 'Ideal' for SWAC to not play championship game

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Grambling State head football coach Broderick Fobbs believes the Southwestern Athletic Conference's decision to discontinue the championship game was the right move for the league and his team.

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp announced Tuesday morning that the league decided to discontinue the title game following the 2017 season, ending the showcase’s 18-year run.

"I think it's something that's probably good for our team and our league," Fobbs said Thursday. "Financially, it's a little difficult at times to add another game, especially when a lot of times we're responsible for getting to that particular game. I think it's a situation where I think it puts us at a disadvantage.

"Being that we play in the Bayou Classic a week after the final week of the season. Then we also have to play in the conference championship game the following week. The team in the East doesn't necessarily have to worry about that. Their season is pretty much two weeks over by the time the conference championship game is played."

The Tigers' annual rivalry showdown with Southern University in New Orleans gives them one more game at the end of the season, giving Fobbs' team one less week to prepare for a team it would meet in the SWAC title contest.

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Stillman Tigers Fills Open Positions, Announces New Conference Affiliation

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama |-- Stillman College president, Dr. Cynthia Warrick, is pleased to announce that Ken Alston will assume the role of Athletic Director for the Tigers beginning July 1st.

Alston has spent the past 10 years in various athletic administration roles. He most recently served as an assistant men's coach at Grambling State University. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Athletic Director for the Washington D.C. Public Schools system. Alston's extensive and diverse background led him to be the ideal candidate to lead the Stillman athletic program into their new era.

"I am very excited to be a part of Stillman College," Alston stated. "Stillman has a rich tradition in education and athletics, and I am here to add to that tradition. I would like to thank our president, Dr. Warrick, for this awesome opportunity. While there is still much work to be done, great things are on the way!"

Dr. Warrick filled another key role in the athletic department, promoting John Teasley to head men's head basketball coach. Teasley has served as an assistant coach for the past three seasons. Prior to coming to Stillman, Teasley was as an assistant coach at Spring Hill College for two years. He has eight years of experience as a head coach at the high school level, including three ACAA state championships and a .893 winning percentage.

Below is a statement from Coach Teasley:
"I would like to start by saying thank you to our new president, Cynthia Warrick, for this incredible opportunity. I feel blessed and honored to be the new head men's basketball coach at Stillman College. I am looking forward to continuing the success that we have built with our men's basketball program over the last three years. This is a dream come true for me and my family and I am very excited to the days ahead.​"

Stillman also received word that the Southern States Athletic Conference Board of Presidents unanimously approved the addition of Stillman College effective July 1, 2018, with competition to begin in all sports during the 2018-19 academic year.

Commissioner Mike Hall stated that they "are very excited to welcome Stillman College into the SSAC for the 18-19 academic year. Dr. Warrick has a great vision for the campus and its growth, and she sees how the athletics department can be a tremendous asset in moving Stillman College forward in the greater Tuscaloosa area. Stillman has a long-standing tradition of winning championships and a very strong alumni base that will fit in well with the SSAC."

Dr. Warrick echoed Commissioner Hall's excitement stating that the college was "honored and thrilled to join the Southern States Athletic Conference. Sincere thanks to the Board of Presidents; we're looking forward to the competition, collegiality, and growth for our athletic programs with the SSAC."

Stillman will continue their membership with the Association of Independent Institutions, and will be eligible for postseason play in the NAIA beginning this upcoming academic year (2017-2018).

STILLMAN COLLEGE TIGER SPORTS INFORMATION