Hampton Pirates football looking to bounce back

COURTESY: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- The Hampton Pirates are trying to turn the corner for their football program. They're about a week into their pre-season practices under head coach, Connell Maynor who's in his 5th season at HU. They were 5-6 in 2016, but had a 5-3 record in the MEAC finishing third. The Pirates are picked to be 5th in pre-season polls in the conference. "You have to use it as fuel", Maynor says.

The Pirates come into 2017 as a team that's stout on defense. Among the players returning, senior safety, Brendan Cole who will help lead a squad that was second in total defense in the conference last season. "We like it when it's all on us", he says. They may have to shoulder more, while the offense tries to find its way. They're young in spots that includes wide receiver with the loss of Twarn Mixon and Rashawn Proctor to graduation.

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Morgan State player sues NCAA, school over weird five-year clock eligibility ruling

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- A Morgan State basketball player has taken his eligibility fight with the NCAA to the courtroom after he was ruled ineligible due to the way the NCAA determines a player’s eligibility clock.

First, some background. The way that the NCAA’s five-year clock works is pretty simple: An athlete has five years to use four years of eligibility as a student-athlete, and the clock starts ticking as soon as they enroll in college. Some exceptions can be made — like, for example, Jalan West of Northwestern State, who received a waiver for a seventh-year of eligibility after a pair of torn ACLs — but it requires the NCAA to determine the athlete should receive a waiver.

Enter Andrew Hampton. He’s currently a 24-year old accounting major and a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, according to the Baltimore Sun, but he also happens to be heading into his seventh year in college. Hampton initially enrolled at Mount St. Mary’s in 2011 — as a student, not as an athlete — and also spent time at Montgomery College, a two-year school where he also did not play sports, before finally enrolling at Morgan State in the fall of 2013. He walked onto the team in 2013-14 and averaged less than 15 minutes per game in a total of 18 games in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Hampton did not play season, however, as the NCAA ruled that his eligibility clock started when he enrolled at Mount St. Mary’s back in 2011.

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Quarterback battle not yet settled at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For the third year in a row under head coach Alex Wood, two quarterbacks are battling for the starting job in fall camp.

During Wood’s first year at the helm, it was Carson Royal and Kenny Coleman. Royal emerged as the Day 1 starter, though Coleman was the No. 1 quarterback by the end of the season. Last year, Coleman battled Ryan Stanley. Coleman was the Day 1 starter, but Stanley eventually took over.

This year, the battle is primarily between Stanley, now a redshirt sophomore, and senior JUCO transfer Vincent Jefferies Jr. Stanley, who led the Rattlers to four wins last season, wants to earn the job and buck the recent trend by staying the starter through the end of the season.

Both had their chances to work with the first unit during Saturday’s scrimmage, and both struggled at times. Stanley and Jefferies both threw interceptions – Stanley’s lone pick was the result of a receiver falling down and one of Jefferies’ was batted in the air.

Wood said those interceptions were “out of their hands.”

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A.C. basketball standout Ray Bethea Jr. headed to Howard U.

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- Ray Bethea Jr. committed this week to attend Howard University on an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.

The Washington school probably had the inside track on the recruiting of the Atlantic City High School standout.

Bethea’s sister Natasha Rae Bethea graduated from Howard in 2011. Bethea attended his sister’s graduation.



“I think it would be a good situation because I have a family line there,” Bethea said. “My sister was telling me how I would like the school, and it was a really good school.”

As a junior last season, the 6-foot-5 Bethea averaged 18 points and 6.3 rebounds. He was a first-team Press All-Star and one of the Cape-Atlantic League’s and South Jersey’s most versatile players.

Bethea visited Howard twice this summer.

“I liked the atmosphere,” Bethea said. “Everybody was very supportive. I felt like the school could make me a better man.”

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S.C. STATE FOOTBALL: The 2017 defensive line is a strength

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Defense has been synonymous with South Carolina State football through the years.

It takes only a quick examination of the All-Conference teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), which the Bulldogs joined in 1970, as well as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) – a league S.C. State participated in earlier – to bear this fact out.

Bulldogs have earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in the MEAC the past four years and the 2017 preseason pick for the accolade is, yes, from S.C. State (OLB Darius Leonard, the 2016 winner).

Overall, Bulldog players have been named DPOTY in the MEAC 14 times. Two of them – Harry Carson, 1974 & 1975) and Javon Hargrave (2014 & 2015) – have received the accolade in consecutive seasons.

The Bulldog defense is expected to play a significant role in the team’s success during the 2017 season.

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Morgan State RB Herb Walker Jr. A Study In Perseverance

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- During his sophomore year, the running back set the school's single-game and single-season rushing records and led the Bears to their first NCAA playoff appearance in 35 years. But the past two years have been frustrating for the Cleveland, Ohio, native, who has played in just four games since his record-breaking 2014 season.

Walker, who earned third-team All-Ohio recognition during his senior season at Cleveland Glenville Ginn Academy, split time with former teammate Lamont Brown III in the Bears' backfield during his freshman season. He first showed his promise during the 2013 season opener, when he gained 56 yards on 10 carries in a 28-12 loss at Army. Walker finished his first collegiate season with 390 rushing yards on 99 carries and scored one touchdown.

Walker became one of the nation's top running backs a year later. During the Bears' 7-6 season, he rushed for a school-record 1,408 yards (14th in the FCS) and scored 15 touchdowns. In his first career start, Walker ran for a school-record 271 yards on 20 carries during a 29-26 loss at Holy Cross. He followed that performance with a 180-yard effort during the Bears' 28-3 win against Bowie State. Walker went exceeded the 200-yard mark again when he rushed for 203 yards on 22 carries during a 24-9 win at Florida A&M.

After leading the Bears to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, he closed the season by rushing for 120 yards on 21 carries during a 46-24 loss at Richmond.

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Deep Delaware State Hornet backfield aims to dominate

DOVER, Delaware — The Delaware State football team’s best position last season is even deeper for 2017.

Not only do the Hornets return their top two rushers, but the backfield gets a boost because Nyfease West is now healthy.

West sat out all of the 2016 season with a knee injury. He had to watch from the sideline as the Hornets went winless.

Brycen Alleyne and Mike Waters provided some of the few bright spots for Delaware State during that losing streak. Both running backs finished in the top-five in the MEAC in rushing.

The addition of West just makes that unit more dangerous.

“I feel like we got the best backfield in the conference,” Alleyne said. “No one can compete with us in the backfield.”

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FAMU Set to Open 2017 Season on ESPNU

Kickoff time set for 12 noon • Rattlers will play four nationally-televised games this season

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The inaugural Jake Gaither Classic will take place on Aug. 26 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Today the FAMU Department of Athletics announced that the game has been moved to a 12 noon kickoff time to allow the game to be shown on ESPNU. This Nationally Televised game will be the broadcasts to kick off the 2017 football season. The Rattlers will reach a national audience four times this season.

“The exposure on the premier college football network is part of our strategic recruitment and branding effort. Millions of college football fans will have the opportunity to watch the debut of this year’s Rattler football team and witness the launch of the Jake Gaither Classic. Placing the Jake Gaither Classic on national television is an outstanding way to share the greatness of FAMU and honor Coach Gaither’s legacy,” FAMU Director of Athletics Milton Overton said.

FAMU will appear on ESPNU Aug. 26 for the Jake Gaither Classic, the SEC Network on Aug. 31 (Thurs.) against Arkansas, ESPNU on Sept. 28 (Thurs.) against North Carolina Central and on an undefined ESPN network on Nov.18 against Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Blue Florida Classic. This will be the first time in some time that the Rattlers will make four appearances on national television in a season.

The Jake Gaither Classic will also be a celebration of three amazing national championship football teams. The 1947, 1957 and 1977 football teams will be recognized. In addition, the undefeated 1977 Rattlers (11-0), under the leadership of Rudy Hubbard, will be honored on the field at the game. Hubbard’s team was the only NCAA team at any division to go undefeated in 1977. The game marks the 40th Anniversary of their unblemished season and the last undefeated team in FAMU history.

The Jake Gaither Classic will pit the Rattlers from the MEAC against the Tigers of Texas Southern University of the SWAC. Along with football, the game will also feature a battle of two of the best bands in the country. FAMU’s famed Marching “100” will square off against TSU’s “Ocean of Soul,” in what is sure to be an amazing halftime performance.

The game is in line with the FAMU Athletic Department’s five-year strategic plan for more visibility for both the sports teams and the university. “Our partnership with ESPN allows for opportunities to bolster the great things that happen at FAMU everyday. It will also be beneficial for our football coaches to show recruits our brand. It is a positive step in the process of building champions,” Overton said.

Tickets for the game are available now at the FAMU ticket office, located in the Al Lawson Center starting at just $15. Support the team with season tickets which will be available until the kickoff of the first game starting at just $135. They can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 850-599-3141.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

'Super athletic' defensive line excites GSU Tiger coaches

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- It’s too early in fall camp for any unit to etch an identity, but Grambling State defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Everett Todd believes he can already see the outline of the defensive line forming.

This season’s defensive front three or four can’t be asked to replicate the form of last year’s group or to produce the numbers they did. No team is the same. With several collegiate migrants filling up the populated defensive line for the Tigers in 2017, the group will take shape the more time the big guys up front play together.

“Last year we were big, we had really experienced players, we weren’t necessarily the most athletic team,” Todd said after Tuesday’s practice. “This team is more athletic with the size being very similar. Now it’s a matter of them gaining the experience, and I think as we progress through the season and they get game experience, they’ll do nothing but get better and better.

“There’s a couple of guys that have been in the program, but haven’t been on the field that are older, more mature guys. We have the maturity, we don’t necessarily have the game experience. We’ve added some new guys to the group that makes it super athletic. That’s what I’m excited about.”

The rain pushed the Tigers indoors for Tuesday morning’s practice, and the tight quarters gave Todd and head coach Broderick Fobbs a good chance to watch the defensive line and see how the newcomers look eight days into fall camp.

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'Chop Wood, Carry Water': Southern's winning motto in 2017

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- "Chop wood, carry water. Follow the process, Go Jags."

"Chop wood, carry water": Four words you'll hear every day on the field at Southern. It's the title of the book this team is reading together throughout camp that teaches the lessons of falling in love with the process of becoming great.

"Every day we go out there we are working to build something, to build a big team chemistry. We are focusing on going 1-0 everyday. Taking it one day at a time. That's what the book talks about, taking that single play and build it into a whole game," says senior defensive back Danny Johnson.

"I think it was chapter eight or nine. It was Mission vs. Goals. That stood out to me because I've been on a mission since I was a kid. Everything I do I want to be the greatest at, whether it's life or that book just teaches you to be the best person you can be because that made me look at myself as someone else. Not just Aaron Tiller the football player. But Aaron Tiller the man."

Now one hundred young men are answering that same question, learning more about themselves on and off the field and learning how they can help the Jaguars win this fall.

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Jake Gaither Classic to be 2017 season’s first game

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – An extra spotlight is going to shine on the inaugural Jake Gaither Classic.

Florida A&M announced Wednesday its Aug. 26 home matchup against Texas Southern in Tallahassee has been moved to a noon ET kickoff on ESPNU, which would make it the first Division I game of the 2017 season.

Florida A&M announced the non-conference FCS game in January, and only last month set a 6 p.m. kickoff for a classic that is named after its late College Football Hall of Fame coach. Since the game is occurring in “Week Zero” of the season – held the weekend prior to the traditional Thursday opening night that leads into Labor Day Weekend – NCAA by-laws require a national TV broadcast.

A source involved with the game told STATS it was given a noon kickoff on ESPNU. Later Wednesday, the Florida A&M sports information department confirmed the information.

Both teams had 4-7 records last season. Florida A&M is a member of the MEAC and Texas Southern plays in the SWAC – the two Division I conferences composed of historically black colleges and universities.

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After two years of injury frustration, Southern's Jamar Mitchell hopes his luck is starting to change

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Nobody at Southern has had worse luck in the past two years than Jamar Mitchell.

Early in 2015, Mitchell was projected to be a starter in the defensive backfield, but he pulled his left hamstring during preseason camp, keeping him out for the early part of the year and limiting him once he returned.

A year later, Mitchell was excited to get back on the field and show what he could do at full strength, and again he expected to fight for the starting spot. That is, until he pulled his right hamstring during preseason camp. Again, Mitchell missed time with a lingering strain.

“The toughest part was going through the whole year, spring and summer, and I’d be fine, and then I’d get to camp and have an injury,” Mitchell said.

It was eventually discovered that Mitchell had weak hips and hamstrings, so he was overcompensating in his movements. He was forced to make major changes — stretching more, switching to a new trainer, going to chiropractors and rehab. Anything to fix the problem.

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Grambling State keeps '11 SWAC championship

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State’s 2011 Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship remains in place after all.

On Monday, the NCAA clarified the sanctions it nailed the school and athletic department with pertained to academic years 2012-13 through 2015-16, and did not include 2011-12 seasons. The governing body initially informed GSU July 28 that the football program would have to vacate the 2011 SWAC title amid several other compliance infractions, categorized as Level II the school self-reported through an internal investigation.

Grambling State athletic director Paul Bryant, who headed up the institution’s internal inquiry, said Wednesday that the misinterpretation of the sanctions was on the school’s part.

“Initially, when we did our review (of the penalties), we thought it was from 2009 to 2015, but the NCAA came back and said it was from 2012 to 2015,” Bryant said. “We don’t have to vacate (the 2011 SWAC championship) which is a blessing.

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Grambling, Alcorn State preseason favorites in the SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Grambling State opens the season as one of the favorites to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the program's players are all over the league's preseason All-Conference lists.

Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs didn't seem to mind the preseason love his program is receiving. He also wasn't particularly excited by it.

"I don't really think it matters," Fobbs said at SWAC Media Day in July. "We start at the starting line at the same place. Just because you finished first last year or you have all these kids on the All-Conference team, that means absolutely nothing.

"They don't give you a 10-yard head start."

Grambling had 14 players on the preseason All-Conference teams, including quarterback Devante Kincade, who returns after throwing for 3,022 yards, 31 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Running back Martez Carter also returns after running for 891 yards, 10 touchdowns and averaging 7.7 yards per carry.

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More mature Lyles has command of JSU offense

JACKSON, Mississippi -- When you watch JSU senior quarterback Brent Lyles operate during practice, he’s perpetually in charge.

Like a traffic cop, he’s making hand signals and calling out orders — making sure everyone is lined up and the right protection is in place.

Once the ball is snapped, he has good speed, runs to daylight and can make all the throws.

It’s part of the reason he’s considered the front-runner to win the starting quarterback job, despite the crowded depth chart at that position.

The competition is fierce, but Lyles, Jarrad Hayes, Jordan Williams and freshman Tavis Williams are apparently taking it in stride.

“Off the field, we’re a tight group of guys,” Lyles said. “I think we’ve all taken the approach of just ‘May the best man win.’ ”

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Southern's search for its backup quarterback continues as John Lampley gets his shot to back up Austin Howard

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Senior quarterback Austin Howard sat out roughly the entire second half of Southern’s practice Tuesday, ceding the field to the three quarterbacks competing for the top spot behind him.

“We’ve got to find out who the 2 is,” coach Dawson Odums said, referring to the No. 2 quarterback.

Directing the first-team offense Tuesday was freshman John Lampley, a bit of a surprise considering Darquez Lee and Bubba McDaniel had spent most of preseason practice with the second- and third-team offenses.

Lampley was the only backup quarterback to lead a scoring drive during Saturday’s scrimmage, although he did it during the short-field segment on a drive that covered less than 50 yards.

“John’s running with the 2s now,” Odums said. “He’s getting a chance. McDaniel is getting a chance; Lee is getting a chance. We’ve got to find out. It’s got to be decided on the field.”

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FAMU's bus ride to Arkansas grabs national attention, associate AD fires back

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M's football team will take a bus for its Aug. 31 game against Arkansas in order to save on travel costs and the story is stirring up some debate on social media.

The Tallahassee Democrat's story on the bus ride -- which will take about 10 hours -- was tweeted out by ESPN's Jay Bilas on Saturday. The college basketball analyst has more than 1.8 million followers on Twitter.

The Rattlers will leave the Wednesday before the game, which is on Thursday night.

Bilas tweeted out the story and said, "Make no mistake, all players are used to make their schools money. A crazy bus ride to Arkansas...for $750,000."

Chris Asa, FAMU's associate athletic director for tickets and corporate sales, fired back at Bilas in a series of tweets Saturday afternoon, defending FAMU's recent cost-saving measures.

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Alabama State Hornets wrap up second day of practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama State University football team wrapped up its second day of practice on Saturday morning at the Houston Markham Jr. Football Complex.

The Hornets, preparing for their first game of the season on Sept. 2 against Tuskegee, opened practice for the second consecutive day at 9 a.m. and went through a grinding two and a half hours of practice. The main emphasis was put on individual and team drills, along with continued work on the offensive and defensive units.

With just three more Saturday's until the season opener, here is a look at the top five things you should know about the Alabama State football team.

1. Alabama State features five new coaches to the team this season. Osita Alaribe and Grady Brown were introduced to the team in the spring. Alaribe comes over from Tennessee State University where he served as the defensive coordinator last season. Brown spent last season in Columbia, S.C. at the University of South Carolina as the secondary coach. Joining the Hornets this fall has been the addition of Trey Dunbar, Billy Gresham and Gary Howard. Dunbar will serve as the quarterbacks coach after spending the past three seasons at Troy University as the Assistant Director of Operations and On Campus Recruiter. Gresham will serve as the high school relations director and recruiting coordinator after serving the last six years as the head football coach at Carver Senior High School in Montgomery. Howard will make the transition from offensive lineman last season with the Hornets to graduate assistant.

2. There will be a new defensive scheme in place this season with the addition of Alaribe and Brown. The Hornets spent most of the spring adjusting to the new defense and through the first two practices, the defensive players are continuing to progress under the new system.

"Osita (Alaribe) has done a wonderful job," Jenkins said. "The players have really become acclimated to his system really well. It's a system I fell in love with when I interviewed him. He reminds me of a defensive coordinator who won many championships for me and that is (Charles) Yogi Jones at Bethune-Cookman. He is a young Yogi Jones…Very cerebral, but very detailed. He doesn't do a whole lot of yelling, but does a lot of teaching. He's done an exceptional job and the other defensive coaches have done a great job learning the system. I think they are going to put together a good, strong defense."

3. There is a wide-open competition at the quarterback position this fall. With the departure of starting quarterback Quinterris Toppings from last season, the Hornets have six quarterbacks this fall that will be vying for the starting spot. But don't expect head coach Brian Jenkins to make a decision about the starter anytime soon.

"It is anyone's job," Jenkins said. "Anyone who knows me knows that I like a lot of quarterbacks. If one goes down, then it's next up. All of them are in tuned to what's going on and all of them are executing well, so it's going to be a true fight down the stretch to see who we select. We are going to let those guys battle it out and right now it's only right to keep the competition open and that way each guy can put in his best bid to be that number one guy."

4. It is not where you start, but how you finish. Sure many may grumble that Alabama State was picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) East Division behind Alcorn State. However, the Hornets return six on the offensive side and seven on the defensive side, and have a lot of players returning who played off last year's 4-7 squad. The Hornets had just two All-SWAC preseason selections as offensive lineman Sam Baptiste was selected to first team, while kicker Trevor Vincent was named to the second team.

5. Tuskegee is on the schedule, which means a rivalry is renewed. The Hornets have spent the past few days getting back into the swing of things on the football field. One thing is for sure, Jenkins isn't thinking about the Week 2 opponent (Troy) or the rest of the schedule. Right now, the focus isn't so much on that first game, but about getting the players prepared for an entire season.

"Every game is a big game," Jenkins said. "Anytime you are in a competition it is big, regardless who it is against. Tuskegee is a good program; has a winning tradition; a legendary coach. Right now we aren't concentrating on them, but about Alabama State University football and about being the best we can be right now. We are excited about the game and I have heard about it for many years. I actually attended a couple of them when I was a young lad, and I am honored to be able to coach in this game. As we are preparing to be a better team, we are looking forward to that game with Tuskegee."

Alabama State will play six games at the ASU Football Stadium, including the opener – The Labor Day Classic: A Marion Nine Invitational – against Tuskegee. Tickets are still available and fans are encouraged to purchase tickets by calling the Alabama State University box office at (334) 229-4551 or (334), 229-8479. Fans may be able to purchase tickets online by going www.bamastatesports.com or by clicking the following link: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?SponsorID=9737

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HORNETS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2017

Date		Opponent	Location	Time/Result
9/2/2017		Tuskegee	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	7 p.m.
9/9/2017		Troy	Troy, Ala.	5 p.m.
9/16/2017		Kennesaw State	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	7 p.m.
9/23/2017	*	Prairie View A&M	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	7 p.m.
10/5/2017	*	Alcorn State	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	6:30 p.m.
10/14/2017	*	Texas Southern	Houston, Texas	2 p.m.
76th Magic City Classic
10/28/2017	*	Alabama A&M	Birmingham, Ala.	TBA
11/4/2017	*	Jackson State	Jackson, Miss.	1 p.m.
11/11/2017	*	Grambling State	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	2 p.m.
11/18/2017	*	Mississippi Valley St.	Itta Bena, Miss.	1 p.m.
94th Annual Turkey Day Classic
11/23/2017		Cheyney	Montgomery, Ala. - ASU Stadium	2 p.m.
Toyota SWAC Championship
12/2/2017		TBA	Houston, Texas	TBA
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
12/16/2017		TBA	Atlanta, Ga.	TBA

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State football, please follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

West Virginia State Athletic Department Makes Staff Changes

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- West Virginia State University Athletic Director Nate Burton has announced the following changes in the Athletic Department staff.

Kerri Blackwell has been named Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Women's Administrator and Mattie Best has been named Interim Head Softball Coach for the 2017-2018 season.

Blackwell has served as the Yellow Jackets' Head Softball Coach for the last three years and the department's SWA for the past year.

"While evaluating our Athletic Department, we had a clear need to add another full-time administrator," said Burton. "I am excited that Kerri has chosen to help lead this department and I am confident she will be a great asset to our programs and to our student-athletes."

Blackwell's responsibilities include administrative oversight over WVSU's five women's programs, academic coordinator, serving as the department's deputy Title IX coordinator, and other internal operations duties.

"A goal of mine has always been to move to the administrative side of intercollegiate athletics." Blackwell said. "I am looking forward to working with our coaches and student-athletes. I am dedicated to the enrichment of our student-athletes and their overall experience at WVSU."

Best, who has served as an Assistant Softball Coach for the Yellow Jackets for the previous three years, has been promoted to interim Head Softball Coach for the 2017-2018 season.

"As a former Yellow Jacket student-athlete and most recently as the assistant coach, Mattie brings knowledge and passion to our women's softball program," Burton said. "I look forward to working with her and supporting her efforts to lead our program this year."

Best is a former first team All-Mountain East Conference and second team All-Atlantic Region selection as a third baseman for WVSU. She completed her playing career in 2014 with a .370 batting average and graduated with honors. The Hemet, California, native holds the program record for career doubles and ranks among the top four Yellow Jackets historically in numerous categories including batting average, hits, runs batted in, home runs, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.

"I would like to thank the administration for the opportunity of being named the interim softball coach," Best said. "With our returning players and group of newcomers, I am looking forward to the start of the season."

The changes are effective immediately.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Chicago State Men's Basketball Travels To Bahamas Next Week for NCAA Foreign Trip

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Chicago State University men's basketball is getting an early opportunity to prepare for the 2017-18 season this month as it heads out of the country next week for a five-day trip to the Bahamas where it will play three exhibition games from August 10-15.

The trip will be the second for the Cougars as they traveled to Costa Rica in the summer of 2013 before posting an 8-8 record to finish third in their first season in the Western Athletic Conference in 2013-14.

"I think we are going to have a great experience when we take the team to the Bahamas for our summer tour next month. I feel that we will see a lot of bonding (between the players) and to have a chance to battle against older players in the Caribbean," said CSU head coach Tracy Dildy. "Our guys are going to have to accept that challenge and it should help us as a team just like it did four years ago in Costa Rica."

The Green and White will travel to Nassau on Thursday, Aug. 10 before opening its exhibition slate at Sir Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium against IBA Elite on Friday, Aug. 11 (6 p.m., central). CSU then takes on the NBPA All-Stars on Saturday, Aug. 12 (3 p.m., central) and the CTG Knights on Sunday, Aug. 13 (3 p.m., central) before returning to Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

NCAA basketball teams are allowed per NCAA rules to participate in an international tour over the summer once every four seasons to play in exhibition games. CSU will have 10 days of practice in preparation for the trip which began this past Tuesday at the Jacoby Dickens Center.

Seven players return for the Green and White from last season's team which includes two returning starters in Second Team All-WAC junior guard Fred Sims, Jr. (Chicago, Ill./North Lawndale) and sophomore forward/center Patrick Szpir (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling).

The trip also serves as the inaugural appearance in a CSU uniform for seven newcomers – redshirts Travon Bell (Chicago, Ill/Mather), Ken Odiase (Glenwood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and Jelani Pruitt (Gary, Ind./Merrillville), junior college transfers Anthony Harris (Gary, Ind./Griffith (Ind.)) and John Joyce (Chicago, Ill./Taft), and freshmen Cameron Bowles (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood
) and Simeon Henton (North Chicago, Ill./North Chicago).

Fans can follow the Cougars during their Bahamian trip via updates on GoCSUCougars.com and @ChicagoStateMBB on Twitter.

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

2017-18 NSU Spartan Basketball Schedule Revealed

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State men's basketball program and head coach Robert Jones released their 2017-18 schedule on Friday. Non-conference home games against Niagara, Bowling Green, Kent State and Elizabeth City State and an exhibition against Virginia State highlight the home non-conference slate for the Spartans.

In all, NSU will play 15 games at Joseph Echols Hall this year, including the normal eight MEAC games and seven non-conference matchups. The Spartans also take on Old Dominion in December at Norfolk Scope Arena. Numerous mid-major trips await the program, with just one high major trek to Auburn on this year's schedule.

2017-18 Norfolk State Men's Basketball Schedule

"This year was very tough scheduling teams," said Jones. "Our recent success of six straight postseasons made opponents scarce to come by. However, we were able to put together a super competitive mid-major schedule with teams that were either in postseason last year or projected to be this year. This schedule will be extremely difficult like every other year. We will be challenged early and often."

The 2017-18 season begins on Nov. 4 when the Spartans host Virginia State for an exhibition game at Echols Hall at 7 p.m. NSU officially opens the regular season on Nov. 10 at Auburn before hosting Lynchburg College on Nov. 13, also at 7 p.m.

"The matchup against Auburn will be our first and one of our stiffest tests all year," stated Jones. "Opening night on the road at an SEC opponent will be very challenging. They return their core from last year and a projected NBA player in Mustapha Heron. This is will be a tall task, however we will be ready to compete at that high level."

Two long trips await the team after Lynchburg. The first finds the team travelling to the University of San Diego and Grand Canyon University on Nov. 18 and 20, respectively, and then later to Little Rock, Arkansas to take on Robert Morris (Nov. 24) and host Little Rock (Nov. 26).

"Road games are always difficult, but playing against San Diego and Grand Canyon presents another challenge in flying three time zones away." added Jones. "San Diego is a solid team in a tough West Coast Conference. Grand Canyon might be the best team on the schedule our fans might not be familiar with, a program that packs its arena every game, is led by NBA legend Dan Majerle, and went 22-9 and 11-3 in the WAC last year.

"Both Robert Morris and Little Rock, year in and year out, also produce high level teams."

A very friendly home schedule awaits after the Little Rock trek, with four contests at Echols Hall in a five-game span. It starts with back-to-back Mid-American Conference opponents in Kent State on Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. and Bowling Green on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The KSU contest will also serve as a doubleheader with the women's team, which is also playing a non-conference game that day.

After a trip to Loyola Chicago for the second straight season on Dec. 9, the Spartan men close out that home stretch with a 7 p.m. contest against Mid-Atlantic Christian on Dec. 14 and a 4 p.m. matchup against Niagara on Dec. 16.

"Kent State played UCLA very well last year in the NCAA tournament, and we need all of our fans at this game to help pack the house against a very good mid-major. Last year Loyola Chicago was a very competitive team as well when we played them. They are projected to be near the top of a very good Missouri Valley Conference."

Sandwiched around trips to Eastern Kentucky (Dec. 18) and Stony Brook (Dec. 30) is the Norfolk showdown at Scope Arena on Dec. 22. NSU and ODU will renew a series that was played two years ago at ODU for the first time in 15 years but has not been at Scope since the 2000-01 season.

"Last time we played ODU, the atmosphere was electric in a sold out Ted Constant Center," said Jones. "I expect the same at Scope. I am already getting calls about tickets. That shows how much everyone is already looking forward to this game. On top of that, ODU should have a very good team this season. We look forward to the Battle of Norfolk.

"In addition, Stony Brook is also a perennial contender year in and year out in the America East Conference. They have won multiple regular season championships and should be there at the end again this year."

Games against Bowling Green, Niagara and Eastern Kentucky will each complete a home-and-home series that began last year.

The 2018 calendar year also marks the beginning of MEAC play. It starts on Jan. 3 with a home contest against Coppin State. The Spartans play their next four conference games on the road, first at North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central on Jan. 6 and 8, respectively. NSU also travels to South Carolina State (Jan. 20) and Savannah State (Jan. 22).

In between, NSU gets a weekend off from the MEAC, and thus a home contest against Elizabeth City State on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. awaits. At the end of the month, the Spartans host Bethune-Cookman on Jan. 27 and Florida A&M on Jan. 29. All home conference games this season start at 8 p.m. on weekdays, including three on a Monday and one each on a Wednesday and Thursday, as well as 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

"The talent level in the conference has been raised to the highest I have seen in close to five years," stated Jones. "This 16-game schedule will be the ultimate grind in 2018. By putting together a demanding non-conference schedule, we will be prepared to continue our recent success in the MEAC."

A rare home-away MEAC weekend starts February's action, when the Spartans host Morgan State on Feb. 3 before travelling to Bethune-Cookman on Feb. 5. The first Battle of the Bay is scheduled for Feb. 10 at Hampton, and NSU also hosts Delaware State two days later on the 12th.

Savannah State and S.C. State make the return trip to Norfolk on Feb. 17 and 19, respectively, before the Spartans embark on one last regular-season road trip. After playing at Maryland Eastern Shore (Feb. 24) and at Howard (Feb. 26), the Spartans will host Hampton on March 1 to close out the regular season.

This year's MEAC tournament runs from March 5-10 at Scope Arena.

Mike Bello, Asst. SID
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stellar Season Ahead For SCSU's Darius Leonard

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- In college football you don't always have to go to a big time program to make a name for yourself and get the attention of NFL Scouts. You just have to be great where ever you play. The South Carolina State Bulldogs have a great one.

Down in Orangeburg South Carolina State is continuing preseason drills and senior linebacker Darius Leonard is gearing up for a big year.

He's the reigning MEAC Defensive Player Of The Year and he was recently named the league's preseason defensive player of the year.

People around the country are taking note. Leonard is also on the watch list for the Butkus Awarrd. He'll battle the big boys from the Division I FBS level as well as other studs in the FCS. With these kinds of accolades this is a player who will likely be the next Bulldog taken in the NFL Draft.

Leonard knows he'll be a marked man this year but that doesn't phase him.

"That's going to push me to be better than I was last year. It's good to have a little spot on my back so it's going to have to push me to make me better," Leonard said.

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Defense Dominates Early in Rattlers First Team Scrimmage

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Rattlers held their first fully live scrimmage of the Fall on this morning at the Rattler Practice fields. The spirited practice was very close to game conditions as a crew of referees were there to officiate the action. The defensive squad, led by Calvin Darville and Elijah Price, dominated the first half of the scrimmage. Defensive back Orlando McKinley ended the first drive with an acrobatic interception for the defense.

As the scrimmage progressed, the offensive squad began to make progress as they settled into a rhythm. Typically on football teams, the defense gels before the offense. Once the offense found it’s rhythm, they orchestrated some scoring drives. The scrimmage ended with quarterback Ryan Stanley rolling out and crossing the pylon for a score.

“I thought the defense possessed way more energy, precision and execution than the offense today. We’ve got some work to do on both sides of the ball. We want perfect defense, but I was encouraged by the physicality, the energy, running to the football, finishing on play, all kinds of things,” said head coach Alex Wood.

Ryan Stanley maintained his status as starter according to Wood. While the first two drives he led the team on weren’t successful, he would rebound and lead solid drives in the second portion of the scrimmage. Vincent Jefferies, who also ran with the first unit, showed that he could move the Rattler offensive squad during his time at the helm.

Tahj Tolbert, probably the strongest arm on the team, showed poise and moved the second string unit. He was at the helm for the first offensive score of the day. Not to be outdone, true freshman DJ Phillips’ athleticism was on display. The Rickards grad led the third string offense on some positive drives, picking up several first down in the process.

Devin Bowers looked solid carrying the football. With a bulked up frame this season, he looks to lead the Rattlers ground game. Ricky Henrilus also had several carries for the orange and green. The offensive run of the day came from Azende Rey. The redshirt freshman took a pitch on the left side, broke into the secondary, and juked a defender in a manner reminiscent of Barry Sanders. The move drew loud roars from the entire Rattler team.

Stanley was optimistic about leading the offensive squad. “We’ve just got to get better with pre-snap. Just make sure we’re in the right place…protections. If things aren’t in the right from before the play then as soon as the ball is snapped, then everything will go downward,” Stanley said.

The linebacking corps looks solid. With Juco transfer Jebrell Hazley in the middle and flanked by a committee of athletic second layer defenders, the defense could be in a position to anchor the team overall.

“We just wanted to come out and perform. Run through our plays at full speed, execute and just things done today. I definitely believe the guys on offense will pick it up and offense is more about timing and precision. I feel like thy’ll pick it up as we go further in camp,” Darville said.

“You can always build on top of your performance. It wasn’t the best performance today, but tempo wise I think the offense is beginning to click a little bit more…the offensive line still getting their calls out. We try and push the tempo a lot in practice but, we also have to let the offensive line make their calls. Pretty much, the offense we were a little shaky at first, but when we get in a groove I think we’ll be fine,” Jefferies said.

“It was our first time actually going in game situation because we had officials here and our players could get a feel for the impact of those things as you play…as opposed to in practice. We would enforce it in practice but it’s different when you’ve got the stripes out doing it,” Wood concluded.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern's new position coaches Mark Frederick and Reid Sanders are no strangers to the Jaguars

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team has two new assistant coaches this season. Well, they're not new to Southern in every sense of the word.

Mark Frederick and Reid Sanders joined the Jaguars as the program’s wide receivers and running backs coaches. And while they weren't with the team last season, they’re well acquainted with life on the Bluff.

Both were Southern players in their younger days, and both were assistant coaches in the program before moving on to build careers outside of Baton Rouge.

But now they’re back at Southern, and some old faces are ready to make new memories in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“Being back and part of the Jaguar nation is something near and dear to me,” Frederick said. “Just happy to be back.”

Frederick was a running back for the Jaguars from 2001 to 2004, including a backup role on the 2003 team that won a black college national championship under coach Pete Richardson. After graduation, Frederick bounced around the practice field, with stints coaching running backs, special teams and even defensive line for a short time.

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Lollie Named Assistant Athletic Director For Student Services at Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Terrence Lollie has been named Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services as announced by Morgan State Director of Athletics Edward Scott.  Lollie joins Morgan State after spending the past seven years at Binghamton University, including the last three as an academic counselor in the Student-Athlete Success Center.
 
"We are excited to welcome Terrence to the Morgan State family," said Scott. "Terrence has a passion for intercollegiate athletics and student-athlete welfare that is contagious. His tireless work ethic and innovative approach to problem solving will add incredible value to our Senior Staff."
 
During his time with the Student-Athlete Success Center, Lollie was responsible for the oversight of the cross country, track and field, volleyball and women's lacrosse programs. Lollie monitored the welfare of the Binghamton student-athletes, tracked their progress towards degree and developed programming for professional development.
 
He also served on the athletic department's diversity and inclusion committee, sat on the search committee for the founding director of the LGBTQ Resource Center, taught a first-year seminar course, co-advised the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was a member of the University's Student Conduct Board.
 
Lollie began his tenure at Binghamton in 2010 as an assistant director of athletic communications. During his time in athletic communications, Lollie was the primary contact for the volleyball, wrestling and women's lacrosse programs and was the secondary contact for men's basketball.
 
While in the athletic communications office Lollie assisted in the overhauling of the athletics' website. Lollie managed and oversaw the athletic communications internship program and aided in the placement of interns at Boston College, Wake Forest, St. John's and Vermont.
 
Prior to arriving at Binghamton, Lollie worked with the Ottawa Senators top affiliate the Binghamton Senators for parts of two seasons. With the Senators, Lollie developed into a multitude of roles including ticket sales, game operations, communications, promotions and community relations.
 
Lollie also stayed active in the Binghamton community serving as a media relations liaison for the ATP Challenger Tour's Levene Gouldin & Thompson Tennis tournament as well as the Broome County STOP-DWI Winter Classic.
 
A native of Binghamton, N.Y., Lollie attended Hartwick College where he received his bachelor's degree in political science and was a four-year member of the football program. He went on to receive his master's in sport management from SUNY Cortland.
 
Lollie is a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics, the College Sports Information Directors of America and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association.
 
About Morgan State University
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is celebrating its 150th year of excellence in higher education this year. A Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution, Morgan offers more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's preeminent public urban research university, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION