Simmons Adjusting Personnel to Bolster Rattlers Offense

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Rattlers are beginning week two of spring drills and head coach Willie Simmons is not wasting any time making adjustments. In his wide open spread offense, it requires receivers that can operate in space. To bolster FAMU’s attack, Simmons has moved former running backs Azende Rey and Kevin Newman into position to utilize their skills in the offense. It also is aimed at getting more playmakers on the field.

Rey will now line up at wide receiver and slot receiver, while Newman will lineup as tight end. Newman’s move will help fill the void left by three-year starting tight end Desmond Noird.

“Kevin Newman is a versatile guy. A guy that can catch the ball and also block. For our offense to be successful we need that tight end/H-back-type position and he’s playing that for us and he’s doing a really good job of adjusting to his new role and taking on a new challenge. With his versatility it allows us to lineup in multiple formations to create some mismatches for the defense,” Simmons said.



Newman is a 5’11”, 220 pound redshirt sophomore from Tampa, where he attended Jesuit High School. In two years, he has been used primarily as a blocking fullback. He has caught nine passes over his two years and scored one touchdown.

Newman looks forward to helping his team. “It’s just a transition you’ve gotta make for the team. He preaches to us about being unselfish, so I think it’s just an unselfish move. It starts in him believing in me that I can do it. Their belief in me pushes me to understand that I’ve got to work hard and believe in myself as well,” Newman said.

“Azende is a guy that also brings a lot of versatility. He played running back for us last year, but catches the ball extremely well. He has a good understanding of running routes and attacking leverage. We made the decision to switch him to receiver as we are pretty deep in the backfield. With Ricky Henrilus, Devin Bowers and Bishop Bonnett returning, we wanted to get even more athletes on the field. With Azende switching to receiver, we get more athletic players on the field together. We want to get him the ball in space in his hands so he can make some plays for us,” Simmons said.

Rey is a 5’11”, 195 pound record-setting and highly-touted running back out of Defuniak Springs. In 2017, he garnered 32 carries for 206 yards. He also caught three passes for 16 yards.

“I believe that it’s what is best for my team. I’m trying to benefit myself and coach. I am glad the coaches feel that I am versatile,” Rey said.

“I like the offense. I think this is an explosive offense. It’s well orchestrated by the coach. It’s new, so we’re still learning and adjusting to it and more stuff is going in,” Newman said. Rey echoed “I get the chance to be faster, more swift and fluid in my cuts. The thing is catching the ball and scoring,” Rey concluded.

The Rattlers had practice today at 6:00 AM on their alternating schedule. The morning practice was a brisk one at about 50 degrees inside of Bragg Memorial Stadium.

“The guys are doing a really good job with their position changes and being unselfish. To be a good football team that’s what it’s going to take. It’s going to take a lot of guys being unselfish and maybe do some things they’ve done for the first time or haven’t ever thought about doing before,” said Simmons.

The Rattlers have two more weeks of staggered practice in preparation for the Apr. 21 Orange & Green Game at 12 noon at Bragg Stadium.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU: World Long Drive: Maurice Allen - Top 5 Moments

Watch World Long Drive competitor Maurice Allen's (Florida A&M University) top 5 moments. Volvik World Long Drive Championship 2017

FAMU's Terry Jefferson - The Ultimate Student Athlete

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The NCAA makes stringent rules and monitors the progress of student athletes towardTerry Jefferson graduation. In 2003, the NCAA implemented a standard called Academic Progress Rate(APR), which was a protocol to make sure that athletes not only played their sport, but were on a track to graduate. APR has given some programs and coaches headaches. It’s a constant process to monitor and resources have to be dedicated to making sure that student athletes remain on schedule.

And then there’s Terry Jefferson. The redshirt sophomore is a two-year starter at safety and he’s blown the NCAA academic standards out of the water. Possibly more importantly though, he will graduate in May in just three years and has made MEAC All-Academic team. It is common to have exceptional student athletes graduate while having one year of eligibility remaining, but for Jefferson to have two is nothing short of amazing.

Jefferson came to FAMU from Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School, where he was a standout defensive back and academically sound student. Even as a freshman, his maturity was evident. It’s also something that the new FAMU football coaching staff has come to recognize

Head coach Willie Simmons immediately recognized Jefferson’s intangibles upon taking the job. “The first thing about being a leader is someone the guys can look up to. When we talk about going to class and being a good football player and doing all the little things, you ask yourself if the guy is doing all those things right. Terry is a guy that does everything the coaches ask him to do. He’s great in the classroom and he’s a very good football player. He was awarded the Jake Gaither Leadership Award at the Tallahassee Quarterback Club this year. That was actually the first chance for me to meet him. When you talk to him, you realize that he is a well-rounded individual with a bright future in football and outside of football,” Simmons said.



Jefferson has been a solid run and pass defender. For the last two seasons, he has been the team’s third leading tackler. He has accumulated 98 total tackles of which 56 were solo and 42 were assisted. He has grabbed seven interceptions and eight and a half tackles-for-loss.

Jefferson sees himself fitting into the Rattler scheme. “We’re just out here trying to execute what the coaches are asking us to do. We’re trying to work on doing things at full speed…doing things coaches won’t be able to coach us on, like effort. It’s all about alignment, assignment and finishing and being able to attack the day as hard as we can to continue the progress.”

Coach Brandon Sharp, who oversees the defensive backs, is eager to work with such a talented individual in installing the defensive scheme. “Coming in as a new coach on a new staff, it’s everything you dream about. Having a guy that you can coach and he can also coach the other guys. It’s like having a second coach out there. He does everything right and you only have to tell him once and he does it, all while correcting his other teammates,” Sharp said.

The secret to Jefferson’s success is a stellar academic background. He was always known as a hard worker and diligent in using the resources available to him. “I took advantage of a lot of opportunities in high school. I took a lot of dual enrollment classes. Being that I came here and redshirted my first year really helped me out a lot as well. I’m graduating in a three-year span, leaving me with two years of eligibility. I plan to attend grad school here,” Jefferson said.

International golfing sensation Maurice Allen was the guest speaker at the conclusion of practice this morning. The former FAMU track star was in between competitions and stopped in to encourage the team. “Do you guys have any idea who has been in this stadium. Bob Hayes ran on a dirt track that used to circle this field. Greatness has been on this field before you. You must work to be champions because that is the legacy of this school,” Allen said.

Allen’s chord hit home with the players and coaches. “I don’t look for anything less than the standard that this school presents. I expect greatness out of this season and from this point forward,” Jefferson.

PVAMU Panthers Hold First Spring Scrimmage

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M football team held its first scrimmage of the spring Thursday morning at Panther Stadium.

"I was really pleased with it," said first-year PVAMU head football coach Eric Dooley of the approximately 60-play scrimmage. "The defense flew around, made some plays, and were stingy. That's what I was looking for. As the scrimmage got going and we got into the green zone as I like to call it, the offense made some plays, but still looking for them to be more explosive. Overall, I was really pleased with the processes on both sides of the ball. Special teams-wise, they did what they need as well, but we need to improve in the effort of blocking kicks. They have to understand there is no play off. I don't want them to think they can take that play off, as it can be a big play in the game."

Dooley likes what he has seen during the first two weeks of spring practice but is looking for continued improvement with two weeks to go before the Purple and Gold Spring Game on April 14 at 3 p.m. at Panther Stadium.

"Right now, the guys still have to continue to push through and not feel sorry for themselves in certain situations and understand what I'm looking for," said Dooley. "Overall, as always, I'm pleased but not satisfied and we have to keep working."

PVAMU football returns to practice Tuesday at 5:01 a.m.

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Nationally-Ranked SAU Travels To Florida Relays Track and Field Meet This Weekend

RALEIGH, North Carolina --The Saint Augustine’s University track and field team will head to Gainesville, Fla., for the Florida Relays this weekend. The starting times at Percy Beard Track are 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 30, and 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 31. 

Click HERE for live results of the meet. Live results are also on floridagators.com and saintaugfalcons.com, the University’s official athletic website. 

Saint Augustine’s University enters the meet ranked fourth in the nation among the men and sixth in the country among the women. The men’s team is the five-time NCAA Division II national outdoor champion, and the program has won 39 NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor titles combined under legendary Head Coach George Williams, who has won the most NCAA track and field championships of any coach, regardless of division. 

The Falcons’ men are led by Shaquille Dill (Jr./Pembroke, Bermuda), who is a national champion and All-American in the 800-meter run. He runs on the 4x400-meter relay squad, which is ranked second in the nation (3:11.32). The squad includes Robert Walker (So./Newburgh, NY), Adrian Kimmons (Sr./Cold Water, MS) and Brandon Valentine-Parris. 

Najair Jackson (Fr./Roanoke, VA) ranks third in the javelin throw (229-9) and Dakarai Hightower (Sr./Washington) ranks fourth in the high jump (6-10¾). Justin Williams (Jr./Long Island, NY) ranks ninth in the triple jump (48-9½). 

Shannon Kalawan (So./Westmoreland, Jamaica) is one of several talented performers for the Lady Falcons. The 2018 indoor 400-meter national champion, Kalawan has the fastest Division II time in the 400-meter hurdles (59.84) and is part of the fastest 4x400-meter relay team (3:41.96) in Division II. The foursome includes Amanda Crawford (So./Brooklyn, NY), Ade Hunter (Sr./Philadelphia, PA) and Leah Barker (Sr./St. Michaels, Barbados). 

Crawford ranks third in the 400-meter dash (55.56) and Barker ranks seventh in the 200-meter dash (24.61). The team of Shakera Hall (Sr./Bridgetown, Barbados), Barker, Crawford and Kalawan ranks fifth in the 4x100-meter relay (47.06). 

Click HERE for ticket information and the entry list.

SHC Badgers Hand Sims Win No. 900 in 13-0 Verdict Over Lane

MOBILE, Alabama -- The Spring Hill College (SHC) baseball team handed head coach Frank Sims the 900th victory of his 34-year career with a 13-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) win over the Lane College (LC) Dragons on Friday night at historic Stan Galle Field.

Austin Barrios (3-3) went the distance for his first shutout of the season, holding the Dragons (1-24, 0-7 SIAC West) to five hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Centerfielder Justin Collier mashed two home runs including a 6th inning Grand Slam while catcher Brennan Fontenot got the Badger train rolling in the 1st inning with a two-run line drive rocket over the wall in right field. Left fielder Luke Wall added three hits with a double and an RBI.

Malcolm Davis fell to 0-4 on the season for the Dragons, allowing six hits with eight walks and a strikeout in five innings.

Sims, the winningest coach in SHC history, began his career on The Hill with just 10 games remaining in the 1985 season and has since built a 864-856-3 record with the Badgers and a 900-866-3 mark overall.

The Badgers (13-13, 6-0 SIAC West) will host the Dragons again in a noon SIAC doubleheader on Saturday at historic Stan Galle Field.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State University’s Marvin Webster Named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Morgan State University athletic legend Marvin Webster will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the organization announced Wednesday. Webster is one of six former players in the Hall of Fame’s 2018 class. The 2018 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, presented by Nike, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 in Kansas City, Mo.

Dubbed “The Human Eraser,” the late Marvin Webster was one of the most dominant big men in college basketball history. From 1971–75, Webster tallied an NCAA record 2,267 rebounds, and his 740 boards in 1974 and 650 in 1973 are the two highest single-season totals in Division II history. Webster was a three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year, and he holds Bears program records in rebounding, blocks, field goals made and free throws made. He averaged 21 points, 22.4 rebounds and eight blocked shots in 1973–74, leading Morgan to the Division II national title.



Webster was drafted in the first round by both the NBA and ABA in 1975 and played 10 professional seasons. He played for the Denver Nuggets in the ABA and for the Seattle Supersonics and the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Webster will be the first Morgan alumnus inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Webster, Houston’s Otis Birdsong, Arizona’s Sean Elliott, Arkansas’ Sidney Moncrief, North Carolina’s Sam Perkins and USC’s Paul Westphal will join former Charleston coach John Kresse and former Oregon Tech coach Danny Miles to make up the Class of 2018.

Webster is one of 11 players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to be selected to enter the Hall of Fame, joining: Willis Reed Jr. (Grambling State); Vernon “The Pearl” Monroe (Winston-Salem State); Earl “Big Cat” Lloyd (West Virginia State); Samuel Jones (North Carolina Central); Marques Haynes (Langston); Dick Barnett (Tennessee State); Travis “The Machine” Grant (Kentucky State); Bob Hopkins (Grambling State); Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M) and Cleo Hill (Winston-Salem State).

The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is located inside of the College Basketball Experience (CBE), an experiential entertainment facility adjacent to Kansas City’s Sprint Center. The Hall of Fame’s 13th induction celebration will precede the 2018 Hall of Fame Classic, which will showcase Nebraska, Texas Tech, USC and Missouri State competing on Nov. 19–20 at Sprint Center.

About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering 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.

About the Hall of Fame
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame was founded by the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation, Inc., to honor and celebrate those who have made extraordinary contributions to the game of men’s college basketball. Located at the College Basketball Experience in Kansas City, Mo., the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in November 2006, with a Founding Class consisting of Dr. James Naismith, who invented the game; former University of North Carolina head coach Dean Smith; Oscar Robertson, considered by many to be the most outstanding all-around player in the history of college basketball while playing at Cincinnati; Bill Russell, who led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA championships and is one of the game’s greatest defensive players; and John Wooden, an All-America player at Purdue and longtime coach at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to 10 NCAA titles, including seven in a row.

Darrell Walker Named Head Men's Basketball Coach at Arkansas Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the hiring of Darrell Walker as the program's 23rd head men's basketball coach. An official news conference will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, March 30, on the UA Little Rock campus in the Legends Room of the Jack Stephens Center.

Walker brings with him extensive basketball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. His playing experience includes three years at the University of Arkansas and 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association, followed by a 20-year professional coaching career, including serving as head coach for two different NBA franchises.

Most recently, Walker spent two seasons as the head coach at Clark Atlanta University, compiling an overall record of 45-18 and leading the Panthers to back-to-back NCAA Division II tournament appearances.

This past season, Walker guided the Panthers to a 25-6 mark, including a 16-3 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) record, finishing second in the SIAC East division. Clark Atlanta advanced to the SIAC tournament title game, falling to Claflin.

In his first season in Atlanta, Walker's Panthers went 21-12 and 12-5 in SIAC play, tying for first in the SIAC East. Clark Atlanta captured the 2017 SIAC tournament title, downing Fort Valley State 64-62 in the championship game.

His time in Atlanta marked Walker's first collegiate coaching experience following 20 years of coaching professionally. Walker served as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors from 1996-98 and the Washington Wizards in 2000, tallying 56 career victories at the NBA level.

Walker also spent time as the head coach of the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association and the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. He served as an assistant coach in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors (1995-96), New Orleans Hornets (2004-08), Detroit Pistons (2008-11) and New York Knicks (2012-14).

A native of Chicago, Walker played one season at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith before spending three seasons at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Under head coach Eddie Sutton, Walker amassed 1,325 points, ranking 18th all-time on the Razorback scoring list, while ranking fourth in program steals (230) and sixth in free throws made (524).

He was named a second team All-American and a first team NABC All-District selection in 1983, helping Arkansas reach the Sweet 16 in both 1981 and 1983. Walker was the two-time Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year, being named to the 1983 NABC All-Star game.

Walker was the 12th overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1983 NBA Draft, beginning a 10-year NBA career in which he suited up for five different teams. Walker averaged 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game during his professional career, playing for NBA Hall of Fame coaches Hubie Brown, Wes Unseld, Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson.

He was named to the 1984 NBA All-Rookie Team and nearly averaged a triple-double in 1989-90 in Washington, averaging 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. He closed out his playing career as a member of the NBA champion Chicago Bulls in 1993.

Walker earned his degree in human resources from the University of Arkansas. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and was enshrined into the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2008.

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Clark Atlanta University Begins National Search to Replace Men’s Basketball Coach Darrell Walker

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University is conducting a national search for a new head basketball coach as Darrell Walker has resigned to take the same position at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Walker, who led the Panthers to two NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament appearances and the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title, went 45-18 in two seasons as CAU's head coach. This past season, the Panthers were nationally-ranked much of the year, winning 15 games in a row at one point.

"Two years ago, we hired Coach Darrell Walker with the expectation that he would build a championship program worth of regional and national recognition, serve as a life coach to student-athletes beyond graduation, and create an excitement within the Atlanta community, as well as attracting national business networks. He exceeded all expectations and became a true partner within the campus community," said CAU Athletic Director J Lin Dawson.

"The bar has been raised for the next head coach to win championships, graduate student-athletes and to develop leaders," he said.



Clark Atlanta University President Dr. Ronald A. Johnson said CAU was fortunate to have Walker leading the program.

"His commitment on the basketball court carried over into the classroom, where he was known to drop in on his student-athletes' classes to ensure they were making satisfactory academic progress," Johnson said.

"Additionally, the Darrell Walker Art and Basketball fundraiser was created and launched at Clark Atlanta to ensure that the men's basketball team had the funds needed to attend summer school, thus enabling on-time graduation," Johnson said. "His fundraisers and personal relationships garnered nearly $250,000 and other special gifts for Clark Atlanta University Athletics. His leadership on and off the court will be truly missed."

Walker is a former NBA player, assistant coach, and head coach who brought those experiences – along with many of his NBA colleagues – to the CAU campus to speak and teach to his student-athletes.

"My time here at Clark Atlanta University was a very special, warm and friendly time in my life and my career," Walker said. "It just has been a place where I needed it and it needed me, so it worked out perfectly. It was tough talking to my players yesterday about leaving, what we had built here, the relationships, how much I was proud of them and what we'd accomplished over the last two years, the notoriety we brought to the school, uplifted the school. It was tough. I broke down in front of my guys because they mean a lot to me. And this school, Clark Atlanta University, is going to mean a lot to me."

Dawson said CAU looks to have a new men's basketball coach soon.

"Given the important recruitment period that we are in, we have started a national search and look to have the next Clark Atlanta University Panthers men's basketball coach in place within the next two weeks," he said.

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2018 NCAA women's bowling championship field announced

INDIANAPOLIS. Indiana  —  The NCAA Women’s Bowling Committee announced today the 10 teams vying for the 2018 National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship. Six conference teams have been granted automatic qualification, with the remaining teams being selected at-large. Four teams will compete in opening-round matches to finalize the eight-team bracket.

The opening round matches will take place April 6, which will include Lincoln Memorial hosting Texas Southern and Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) hosting Bowie State. The championship matches will be played April 12-14 at Tropicana Lanes in St. Louis, Missouri. The University of Central Missouri and the St. Louis Sports Commission are the hosts. Tickets for the championship can be purchased on NCAA.com prior to the championship.

VIEW THE 2018 BRACKET 

The seeded field includes the following teams:

1. University of Nebraska, Lincoln
2. McKendree University
3. Arkansas State University
4. Vanderbilt University
5. Sam Houston State University
6. North Carolina A&T State University
7. Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania)
8. Lincoln Memorial University
9. Bowie State University
10. Texas Southern University

Teams will be seeded and placed into the bracket, with two spots being determined after the completion of the opening-round matches. The championship bracket will be a double-elimination, with each round consisting of a best-of-three match that includes the use of three team game formats- baker total pin fall, five-person team match and a best-of-seven baker match play. The champion will be determined using a best-of-seven baker match play.

McKendree University won its first National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship in 2017 at Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana defeating the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

The championship final will air at 6:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 14 on ESPNU and at 7 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 15 on ESPN2.

For more information about the National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship, log on to www.NCAA.com.

North Carolina A&T Bowling Earns No. 6 Seed At NCAA Championships

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T, ranked No. 17 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association, avoided having to participate in the play-in round on the 2018 NCAA Bowling Championships on Wednesday by earning the No. 6 seed, giving them the opportunity to head straight to St. Louis to play for a national title.

The NCAA changed its postseason format this season. Instead of handing eight at-large bids to deserving teams, the NCAA decided to allow 10 teams to advance to the postseason. Therefore, NCAA committee decided to give six conference automatic bids for winning their respective conference championship regardless of whether teams are Division I or II.



NCAA BOWLING BRACKET

The four additional bids would be at-large bids based on a team's play against quality competition. Teams seeded 7-10 would have to participate in a play-in round April 6-8 for a chance to be one of eight teams to pTeams 7-10 would also have an opportunity to host a home match on one of those dates. Teams seeded 1-6 would head straight to St. Louis without having to compete a week prior. N.C. A&T head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney thought her team, an automatic qualifier thanks to winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Bowling Championship Tournament last week, would be one of those teams the committee selected to be a play-in team.

That is not the case. The Aggies (90-55) will bypass the play-in round and travel to St. Louis to face No. 3 seed Arkansas State Thursday, April 12 at 9 a.m.

“We are overjoyed,” said Terrell-Kearney, whose team gathered at AMF Lanes on Holden Road in Greensboro on Wednesday to watch the streamed NCAA selection show. “After being under the impression that we would be in one of the opening round matches, we were completely shocked but absolutely ecstatic for the opportunity to represent North Carolina A&T at the highest level.”

The other five teams guaranteed to be in St. Louis is top-seeded Nebraska followed by defending national champion McKendree, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt and Sam Houston State.

The four teams battling out for the final two remaining slots available in St. Louis are SWAC champion Texas Southern, ECC champion Lincoln Memorial, CIAA champion Bowie State and NEC champion Saint Francis.

The Aggies have faced many of the competitors selected to play in the 2018 NCAA championships. They defeated Nebraska on Feb. 3 during the Prairie View A&M Invitational 1,073- 997.

N.C. A&T has been one the premier programs in the nation over the past four years, earning their first-ever national ranking in 2014. In 2015, they won a national title after winning the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Teams Championships. They were an NCAA qualifier in 2016, finishing third nationally. The Aggies defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 4-1 in a best of seven Bakers series to claim the 2018 MEAC crown. It was their first conference title in 14 years.

MEAC Rookie of the Year Ana Olaya leads the team in total pinfall (7,943) and has a 198.58 average. Another freshman, Cameron Strombeck, has a 7,460 total pinfall with a 196.32 average over 38 games.

The Aggies will also bring experience to the NCAA championships in Brianna Boze who has played on a national championship team, an NCAA team and a conference championship team. Sophomore Tyra Merritt was superb in the MEAC final with four spares and six strikes.

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'I can't mess with happiness:' Moton staying at NC Central

DURHAM, North Carolina — North Carolina Central's LeVelle Moton is staying put.

The Eagles head coach interviewed Wednesday for the open position at East Carolina University, but he said Thursday he'll remain in Durham for his 10th season leading NCCU.

"I'm happy where I am," Moton told WRAL News. "I can't mess with happiness."

Moton met with ECU special advisor Dave Hart Wednesday about the ECU job.

"ECU is a prestigious university within the state that I have revered since I was a kid," Moton said. "I'm humbled and honored that they thought enough of me to consider me for the head coaching vacancy. However, after further discussion with my family, we have decided it's best that I remain at NC Central."

Hart, the former ECU director of athletics, is serving in an advisory role as the university searches for a new director of athletics to replace the outgoing Jeff Compher.

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Alabama State announces 2018 football schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama | The Alabama State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the 2018 football schedule that features four home games and the Magic City Classic.

"The overall schedule is a challenging schedule," Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "The first four opponents are champions of their conferences. Our work is cut out for us to start the season; it is a champions test for the first month. We have to be healthy after that test to get ready for conference play."

Alabama State opens the season at home against the defending SIAC champion Tuskegee in the Marion Nine Labor Day Classic on September 1, the second consecutive season that the Hornets will open with one of their long-time rivals. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear white as the game will be a "White Out" to open the 2018 season at ASU Stadium.

Following the contest against Tuskegee, Alabama State will hit the road for six consecutive games, beginning with SEC West Division champion Auburn, coming off a berth in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. The Hornets stay on the road to face Kennesaw State (Big South champion) on September 15 and then Grambling State (SWAC champion) on September 22.

Following the first four games, the Hornets will have a bye week the week of September 29 before starting conference play.

"It is big to have a bye week," Eley said. "And even though we open up in our stadium in September and don't get back home until November, some of our road games are in proximity to Montgomery. We're expecting Hornets fans to join us on the road, and we're prepared to put our best foot forward as we represent Alabama State."

The Hornets open conference play against Alcorn State on the road October 6, before stepping out of conference play October 13 against South Alabama – a member of the Sun Belt Conference (FBS).

"Everybody is getting better in the conference," Eley said. "There are changes all over the league, so whatever history we have had with those teams will change. Alabama A&M has a new staff, Jackson State has a new offensive coordinator which makes them more competitive, Mississippi Valley will have new tendencies and Alcorn had changes on both sides of the ball. It is wide open, and we have to approach it as that. We have to play every week."

Following the contest against South Alabama, the Hornets will have their second bye week before they head to Birmingham on October 27 for the Magic City Classic against Alabama A&M. Alabama State will be the visitors in this year's contest.

Alabama State return to the ASU Stadium in November for back-to-back home contests. The November 3 game against Texas Southern will be Faith and Family/Connection Day. On November 10, the Hornets will celebrate Military Appreciation Day: Salute to Service in a contest against Jackson State.

Following a trip to Prairie View A&M on November 17, the Hornets have a short week to prepare to face Mississippi Valley State in the Turkey Day Classic.

"We're excited to have Mississippi Valley as our Turkey Day Classic opponent," Eley said. "We expect a great crowd for our matchup against the Delta Devils since it provides a conference game late in the season. We will be prepared and find a way to win."

Season tickets for the 2018 football season go on sale online April 1 and in the Ticket Office at ASU Stadium April 2.

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

TSU Welcomes Head Men's Basketball Coach Brian 'Penny' Collins

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State community welcomed new Head Men's Basketball Coach Brian "Penny" Collins with an introductory press conference at Hankal Hall on campus on Monday. Collins is the 18th Head Coach in program history. The press conference included remarks from TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover, TSU Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips and TSU Men's Basketball Coach Brian "Penny" Collins. 

PHOTO GALLERY

DR. GLENDA GLOVER

“We welcome coach Brian ‘Penny’ Collins back to TSU to take the helm as TSU’s men’s basketball coach, and to take us to the next level to what TSU has a tradition of doing and that is winning championships. Mr. Collins being a player and a coach is used to that. Coach Collins returns to TSU to make his mark on the program. He’s bringing experience and hometown knowledge that will help us recruit local talent and continue building a winning team. We appreciate the legacy he brings.”



TERESA PHILLIPS

“We have chosen a person who is a thinker, a leader, motivator and a competitor – all attributes that will support our ultimate goal, which is to win championships while building champions. He brings a fresh enthusiasm, and I trust that he will infuse a higher level of energy to Gentry Center, and he’ll reach out to the community, while also engaging our students. We will need every constituent, everybody in the fold, to come together if we are to bring ourselves back to that championship level that we all would like.”

“A successful athletic program can become a foundation for building and increasing your enrollment, for exploding your fundraising and for bringing national exposure to your university. That is what athletics can do.”

“No engine can drive a positive agenda for a university as quickly and as powerfully as a winning athletics program.”

BRIAN "PENNY" COLLINS

“This is something I’ve been thinking about since I was a child.”

“My sophomore year in high school, I wanted to be president of the entire student body… That was a time I realized I could be a great leader, and not only on the basketball court, but my sophomore and junior year, I was allowed to lead my entire high school.”

“Helping [Lonnie Thompson (Cumberland University)] build that program provided me with the confidence to be the head coach at the age of 26.”

“My last five years, I’ve played in five conference tournament [championship] games. But, it’s not about me at all. It’s about the players and the hard work we put in with those players. I want to continue that here.”

“This is my dream job. I am going to win here. I am going to recruit locally. We’re also going to recruit nationally. We’re going to go after athletes that have high character. We’re going to go after athletes that come from winning programs. We’re going to go after student-athletes that want to be a part of something special.”

“I want our coaches to be all about them, and that’s one thing I can say Coach [Dana] Ford and his staff has done. They have changed the culture. The guys here believe they can win, and I just want to build on that.”

“We want to play fast. I want to get out and score. I want to take a little of every place I’ve been. We’re going to press, we’re going change defenses. We’re going to keep teams off balance. We’re going to make it a track meet.”

“You better go out and get your season tickets now. We will make the Gentry Center the toughest place to play in the OVC.”

“We will be in the community. We will be involved. You will see us. You will see me. You will see our staff. You will see our players. We will be getting involved with kids, and community service events around the whole city. For them to come here, we will go to them as well.”

“TSU is important to me because of the trailblazing alumni that have come before me. It’s the historical figures who have not only come from athletics, but this institution as well. I think about the games that I saw in the Hole when it was packed. I remember the early 90’s, leaving Memphis to come into town for the holidays, and seeing Carlos Rogers and Frankie Allen have this gym tore up. People were hanging from the rafters. I remember Anthony Law having a turkey bone screaming at the fans and other teams. I remember Coach Phillips and her staff had the best team in the OVC. I remember going to football games having Leon Murray throw bombs. I remember tailgates and being excited for homecoming parades like it was Christmas Eve. The Aristocrat of Bands and their symphonic songs – it’s amazing that they can play music that can make you feel pure joy. The world-renowned Tigerbelles and Wilma Rudolph. The frats and sororities who wear their colors with pride and badges of honor. ... So much culture and passion. I think about Jefferson Street. It’s the smiles I see on people’s faces.”

“For every great player that left the city, that will change. I will guarantee that.”

“I want to motivate this city. Not just the players, the students, the staff… I want to motivate this whole city.”

“We’re going to play fast. We definitely want to go inside, but there’s nothing off the table of what I want to do. I’m trying to see what the personnel is like and make a decision from there.”

“There are no rewards without effort and investment. Today we will begin that process.”



TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

XULA sweeps GCAC weekly awards in track and field

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana swept the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards in track and field for March 19-25. The winners are:

     •  Women's field — Tamia Scott.
     •  Women's track — The 400-meter relay team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs and Ry-Anne Riley.
     •  Men's field — Edward Angel.
     
There were no nominees in men's track.
     
Scott, a sophomore from Lafayette, La., and a graduate of Carencro High School, finished seventh in the javelin at the Rice Victor Lopez Classic in Houston with a season-best 34.28 meters/112 feet, 5 inches. She finished ahead of seven NCAA Division I athletes.
     
The relay team produced the program's second-fastest time ever, 46.86 seconds, and placed fifth. It was the fourth time in as many meets this season that the team produced an A-qualifying mark for the NAIA National Championships. Latting and Milton are juniors from Opelousas, La., and graduates of Westminster Christian Academy. Riggs is a sophomore from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and a graduate of Choctawhatchee High School, and Riley is a sophomore from New Orleans and a graduate of Lusher Charter School.
     
Angel, a freshman from the Houston suburb of Fulshear, Texas, and a graduate of Seven Lakes High School, high-jumped a season-best 2.07 meters/6 feet, 9 1/2 inches to place third and beat seven NCAA DI athletes. Angel already had met the NAIA A-qualifying standard.
     
XULA will travel to Alabama Friday for the University of Mobile Invitational. Field events will start at 9:30 a.m., and track events will start at 11 a.m.
     
NOTES:  XULA has the NAIA's fastest women's 400 relay time this season, according to the Track & Field Results Reporting System. Latting, Milton, Riggs and Riley ran a school-record 46.66 at the Louisiana Classics meet in Lafayette March 17 . . . Angel is No. 2 on the 2018 NAIA high jump list.

XULA's 2018 GCAC Track and Field Players of the Week
Feb. 26-March 4
Men's Field — Edward Angel
Women's Field — Calah Williams
Women's Track — 400 Relay Team of Raven Davis, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Ry-Anne Riley

March 5-11
Men's Field — Edward Angel
Women's Field — Alysia Terry
Women's Track — 400 Relay Team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Ry-Anne Riley

March 12-18
Men's Field — Brandon Matthews
Women's Track — 400 Relay Team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Ry-Anne Riley

March 19-25
Men's Field — Edward Angel
Women's Field — Tamia Scott
Women's Track — 400 Relay Team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Ry-Anne Riley

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Goreau, Abdullah collect GCAC awards again

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana tennis standouts Charlene Goreauand Shaikh Abdullah are Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week for March 19-25.
     
Goreau, a junior from Toulouse, France, won for the fifth time this season and the 13th time overall to extend her GCAC career record. Abdullah, a freshman from Hyderabad, India, won for the second time.
     
Goreau won in doubles (with Angela Charles-Alfred) and singles in the Gold Nuggets' 7-2 home victory against NAIA No. 11 LSU-Alexandria. Goreau and Charles-Alfred defeated Ariadna Cabezas and Claudia van den Brink 8-3, then Goreau beat Miljana Milojevic 6-0, 6-2 to continiue her recent dominance in singles.
     
Goreau is unbeaten in singles since Feb. 10. Her current singles win streak is nine. In her last eight singles matches — seven victories and one unfinished — Goreau won 94-of-102 games. Eight of her completed 15 sets during that time were by 6-0.
     
Abdullah was the only Gold Rush player to win in doubles and singles in a 5-4 home loss to NCAA Division I Abilene Christian, the Southland Conference leader. Abdullah and Antoine Richard defeated Josh Sheehy and Paul Domanski 8-5, then Abdullah beat Niko Moceanu 6-2, 6-3.
     
Both XULA teams will return to the courts late next week — at home against NCAA DI opponents. The Gold Nuggets, ranked fifth in the NAIA, will play Southern at 3 p.m. April 6, and the second-ranked Gold Rush will play Troy at 9 a.m. April 7.

XULA's 2018 GCAC Tennis Players of the Week
Women
Jan. 22-28 — Charlene Goreau
Jan. 29-Feb. 4 — Charlene Goreau
Feb. 5-11 — Mariia Borodii
Feb. 12-18 — Mariia Borodii
Feb. 19-25 — Charlene Goreau
Feb. 26-March 4 — Charlene Goreau
March 5-11 — Mariia Borodii
March 12-18 — Mariia Borodii
March 19-25 — Charlene Goreau

Men
Jan. 15-21 — Pierre Andrieu
Jan. 22-28 — Samir Chikhaoui
Jan. 29-Feb. 4 — Catalin Fifea
Feb. 12-18 — Shaikh Abdullah
Feb. 19-25 — Samir Chikhaoui
Feb. 26-March 4 — Catalin Fifea
March 12-18 — Samir Chikhaoui
March 19-25 — Shaikh Abdullah

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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