Nuggets, Rush combine for 14 PRs at Southeastern meet

HAMMOND, Louisiana — One week before the start of their league championship, the women and men of Xavier University of Louisiana produced 14 XULA PRs and six team-best marks of 2018 in the Southeastern Strawberry Relays track and field meet Friday.
     
Most notably, sophomore Justyce Riggs ran the Gold Nuggets' fastest 100-meter dash time in two years: 12.04 seconds. Riggs finished fifth in that event and was one of three from XULA with top-five finishes.
     
The Gold Nuggets' other PRs were by Ry-Anne Riley (25.18), Riggs (25.26), Janelle Jones (25.60) and Martina Latting (25.92) in the 200, Riley (12.17), Latting (12.23) and Junine Goodsion (12.93) in the 100, Jones in the 400 (58.16), Raven Davis in the 100 hurdles (15.26) and Hillary Smith in the long jump (4.98 meters/16 feet, 4 1/4 inches). Riley's 200 and Davis's 100 hurdles were XULA's best marks of the season, as was Ireyon Keith's 5.49 meters/18 feet, one-quarter inch in the long jump.
     
For the XULA men, freshman Evan Simmons produced the best Gold Rush mark in shot put — 10.48 meters/34 feet, 4 3/4 inches — since the program was revived in 2010. Simmons also produced the Rush's first hammer mark since the restart: 35.26 meters/115 feet, 8 inches.
     
Freshman Jaland Green ran a XULA PR in the men's 400 hurdles of 1:06.00.
     
Simmons placed third in the discus (41.14 meters/134 feet, 11 inches), and Smith was fourth in the triple jump (10.62 meters/34 feet, 10 1/4 inches).
     
In team scoring, the Gold Nuggets finished eighth out of 11 women's teams with 20 points. The Gold Rush tied for eighth out of 10 men's teams with 11 points. Host Southeastern Louisiana swept the team titles, with its women scoring 152 points and its men producing 213.
     
It was XULA's final meet before the two-day Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. The meet will begin next Friday with the men's and women's hammer and javelin at 4 p.m. The remaining events will be competed the following day (April 21), starting at 10 a.m. with the long jump, high jump and discus. The final event, the women's and men's 1,600-meter relay, is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.
     
The Gold Nuggets, ranked 15th nationally, are the defending GCAC women's champion. They seek their sixth league title in eight years.
    
Here are all the XULA results from the Southeastern Strawberry Relays:

Women
     100:  Justyce Riggs, 5th in 12.04; Ry-Anne Riley, 8th in 12.17; Martina Latting, 9th in 12.23; Junine Goodison, 17th in 12.93
     200:  Ry-Anne Riley, 8th in 25.18; Justyce Riggs, 9th in 25.26; Janelle Jones, 11th in 25.60; Martina Latting, 16th in 25.92; Junine Goodison, 23rd in 28.32
     400:  Janelle Jones, 6th in 58.16
     100 Hurdles:  Raven Davis, 10th in 15.26
     400 Hurdles:  Raven Davis, 7th in 1:09.14
     Long Jump:  Ireyon Keith, 6th in 5.49 meters/18 feet, one-quarter inch; Hillary Smith, 8th in 4.98 meters/16 feet, 4 1/4 inches
     Triple Jump:  Hillary Smith, 4th in 10.62 meters/34 feet, 10 1/4 inches

Men
     200:  Kyle Logan, 16th in 23.31
     400 Hurdles:  Ayinde Abanu, 8th in 59.59; Jaland Green, 9th in 1:06.00
     Discus:  Evan Simmons, 3rd in 41.14 meters/134 feet, 11 inches
     Hammer:  Evan Simmons, 7th in 35.26 meters/115 feet, 8 inches
     Shot Put:  Evan Simmons, 7th in 10.48 meters/34 feet, 4 3/4 inches

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Nationally ranked Pao, Abdullah earn GCAC weekly honors

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University's Yi Chen Pao and Shaikh Abdullah are Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week in tennis for April 2-8.
     
Pao won the award for the first time this season and the second time in her career. Abdullah, a freshman, won for the third time.
     
Pao, a sophomore from Taichung City, Taiwan, was 3-0 during the week, all against NCAA Division I opponents Southern and Jackson State. She clinched the Gold Nuggets' 5-2 victory against Jackson State with a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Daria Butorina.
     
Abdullah, from Hyderabad, India, also was 3-0 against NCAA DIs, including doubles and singles victories against Troy to help the Gold Rush defeat the Trojans 5-4.
     
Pao and Abdullah are among 10 from XULA who were listed Wednesday in the newest Oracle/ITA NAIA individual rankings. Pao and Mariia Borodii are third nationally in doubles and third in the South Region. In singles, Borodii, Charlene Goreau and Angela Charles-Alfred rank 2-9-19 nationally and 2-7-9 in the South.
     
In men's singles, Catalin Fifea, Antoine Richard, Samir Chikhaoui and Abdullah rank 17-30-44-46 nationally and 6-10-15-16 in the South. Abdullah and Richard are third nationally and in the South as a doubles team, and Chris Anders and Pierre Andrieu are 25th nationally and 10th in the South.
     
Both XULA teams will travel to Pensacola, Fla., for dual matches against NCAA Division II teams Valdosta State at 3 p.m. Saturday and West Florida at noon Sunday.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Delaware State Hornets Wrap Up Spring Camp With Red/White Scrimmage

DOVER, Delaware -- The Delaware State football team, under new head coach and former Hornet great Rod Milstead, closed out spring drills with the annual Red/White offense vs. defense scrimmage at Dover High School on Saturday.

The offense had the upper hand, led by running backs Brycen Alleyne (sr.) and Mike Waters (r-so.), each with two long touchdown runs. Waters missed the final eight games of the 2017 season after rushing for a DSU freshman record 820 yards, including a 224-yard performance, as a true freshman in 2016.

Each of the five quarterbacks on the roster took snaps in the scrimmage. Keenan Black (jr.), who started the Hornets’ last five games, including their two wins in 2017, was first under center. Black also competed for the defense at the safety in the intra-squad event.

Jack McDaniels (so.), the starter in the first six games last season, along with Nasir Boykins (r-fr.), Shayne Smith (r-so.) and River Walker (r-fr.) also saw action in the scrimmage.

Hornet receivers Trey Gross (so.) and Kwannah Kollie (so.) were targeted most by the QBs, with each turning in solid performances. Last season as true freshmen, Gross was tied for second in the MEAC with seven touchdown catches on 27 total receptions (428 yards), while Kollie averaged 20.1 yards on 16 grabs (321 yards).

On defense, lineman Jacob Jones (sr.) recorded a sack and the unit tallied three tackles for loss in the scrimmage.

“Overall, I was pleased with the effort on both sides of the ball in the scrimmage,” said Milstead, a first-time collegiate head coach. “It was a good opportunity to evaluate the players and coaches in game-type conditions. We’ll continue evaluations throughout the rest of spring and summer and look to add some pieces before preseason camp begins in August.”

The Hornets will open the 2018 season at FBS Buffalo on Sep. 1. The home opener is Oct. 6 against defending MEAC champion North Carolina A&T.



DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Administration's Statement on PVAMU Women's Basketball Program

COACH RAVON JUSTICE

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- After two seasons as head coach, Ravon Justice has left the Prairie View A&M University women's basketball program.

 
"We want to thank Coach Justice for her contributions and impact on Prairie View A&M University," said Vice President/Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson. "Coach Justice returned our women's basketball program to championship-contender status in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and again elevated the profile of our program regionally and nationally. We appreciate her efforts and wish her success in future endeavors."

 
Assistant coach Aaron Swinson has been named Interim Head Coach.  A national search for the next head coach of PVAMU women's basketball will begin immediately.
 
"We are excited about the future of Prairie View A&M women's basketball," Robinson said. "We were one game shy of winning a share of the SWAC Regular Season championship this past season and have the majority of the roster returning. We will have a great team in 2018-19 as we continue to grow our program, and are confident we will hire a great leader for Lady Panther basketball."

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

3 things to watch at Grambling State's spring football game

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State wraps up its spring football practice on Saturday with its annual Black and Gold game in Eddie G. Robinson Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

The Tigers, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, have spent much of their 15 allotted practices trying to fill some holes and find some answers as they look to stay on top of the conference.

Here are three things to watch in today's spring game.

1. Quarterback play
For the last two seasons, Grambling has enjoyed the benefit of having the SWAC's best quarterback behind center in Devante Kincade.

But Kincade has used up his eligibility and there is a gaping hole behind center for the Tigers. After all, he passed for 2,905 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 408 yards, second-most on the team.

The competition this spring has been between redshirt freshman Geremy Hickbottom and Charles Wright.

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Florida A&M Football 2018 Orange & Green Game Central

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The 2018 Orange & Green game will take place in Bragg Stadium on April 21, at 12 noon. Coach Willie Simmons and his staff will debut the 2018 edition of the Rattler Football team in a controlled scrimmage. Gates to Bragg Stadium will open at 11:00 AM. Admission is $5 and tickets can only be purchased at the Lawson Center ticket office. Tickets are on sale now. We recommend you purchase your tickets early to avoid issues on game day.

The world-famous Marching “100” will be in attendance at the game. DJ E-Zone and DJ Dap of Blazin 102.3 will be controlling the sounds from the North End Zone. In addition, the FAMU SGA will be hosting their tailgate in the North End Zone, beginning at 11AM.

Your admission to the game will get you quite a bit of entertainment. At halftime, for the first time ever, we will have “100 Yards of Greeks.” This showcase will feature members of FAMU’s “Divine Nine” members of FAMU’s Pan-Helenic fraternities and sororities. Members of all of the organizations will be spread out from end zone to end zone and will strut to their organization’s stroll song. This will be the first time in FAMU history that this has taken place. In addition, after the game, fans can stay and enjoy the free dance with sounds from DJ Dap and DJ E-Zone.

Parking for the Orange & Green Game is open. Spots at Bragg Stadium will be first come-first serve. Additional spots within Bragg Stadium will be marked as ADA spots to accommodate demand on April 21. They too will be on a first come – first serve basis.

A limited number of RV Parking spots will be reserved on the last row of the North end of the Bragg Parking lot. Spaces will be up against the hill leading to The Villages dormitory. RV’s must be in the lot by 10:00 AM on game day in order to gain access. RV navigation into the lot after that time will not be permitted.

Both sides of Bragg Stadium will be open for the game. Entry will be available ONLY through the middle gates of Bragg Stadium. Again, tickets CAN NOT BE PURCHASED AT THE STADIUM, but only at the Lawson Center Ticket Office. Tickets are free to FAMU students. The student entry gate will be in the northeast corner of Bragg Stadium. FAMU SGA and OSA will control student entry. Students with ID will be banded allowing participation in the tailgating and other activities.

Please continue to check back to this location as all information on the Orange & Green game will be added to this Game Day Central post.



FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS SPORTS INFORMATION

Woods named Southern Jaguars Head Men's Basketball Coach

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University Athletics will introduce Sean Woods as the new head men’s basketball coach during a press conference scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at 1 p.m.

Woods, who served as the assistant coach at Stetson University in Deland, Florida, last season, won the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State in 2012.

During the 2011-12 season, Woods led the Delta Devils to a 21-13 record, including a 17-1 record in league play, and earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors.

A native of Indianapolis, Woods also received the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award - an honor presented annually to the most outstanding minority men’s basketball coach in Division I basketball.

After leaving Mississippi Valley in 2012, Woods became the head coach at Morehead State University, where he compiled a 77-70 record in five seasons.

Woods starred collegiately at Kentucky from 1988-1992 and was a member of the Wildcats senior-laden cast known as the “Unforgettables.”

Thursday’s press conference will be held inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center on the Baton Rouge campus and will stream live on GoJagSports.com.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets tie school record, but Rush fall 5-4

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis dominated William Carey 5-0 to tie a school record for consecutive victories, but the XULA men dropped all three singles matches that went three sets and lost 5-4 Thursday to the Crusaders.
     
The Gold Nuggets (14-7), ranked fourth in the NAIA, got doubles and singles victories from Mariia Borodii and Charlene Goreau to win their 11th in a row, matching the program mark set in 2013. It was the Nuggets' ninth victory this season against a top-20 NAIA opponent and fourth against the top 10. The Lady Crusaders (8-4) are ranked sixth.
     
The Gold Rush (10-9), ranked third, lost to the 14th-ranked Crusaders (9-3) for the first time since Feb. 8, 2013. The XULA men had won 11 straight against William Carey before Thursday, including 5-4 March 2 at Carey.
     
Goreau earned her 12th straight singles victory, 6-0, 6-1 against Maria Andreeva. Borodii, 13-0 as a collegian in singles, clinched with a 6-1, 6-0 decision against Alena Saettler.
    
 Pierre Andrieu won in doubles and singles for the Rush, including a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 decision against Enzo Simon that gave XULA a 4-3 lead. But the Crusaders rallied when Leon Hoppstaedter beat Shaikh Abdullah 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 and Atikan Juprang clinched with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory against Gabriel Niculescu.
     
In the Gold Rush's last two losses to NAIA opponents — the other was current No. 2 Keiser — XULA was a combined 0-5 in three-set matches.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Idle Nuggets move to 15th; SLU meet moves to Friday

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women moved from 12th to 15th Wednesday in the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings.
     
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association administers the rankings, which are based only on performances during the 2018 outdoor season and the number of athletes a school has near the top of the descending order list in the various events and how highly they are ranked.
     
XULA was idle last week but will return to competition at 9 a.m. Friday in the Southeastern Strawberry Relays at Hammond, La. That meet has been pushed up one day because of inclement weather expected Saturday.
     
XULA's top-10 national event rankings are:

     •  The 400-meter relay team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs and Ry-Anne Riley, second in 46.66 seconds.
     •  The 1,600 relay team of Janelle Jones, Ariane Williams, Riley and Kayla Quincy, seventh in 3:55.26.
     •  The 3,200 relay team of Brianna Pace, Maliya Vaughan, Taylor Price and Clarke Allen, seventh in 10:05.15.
     
Meanwhile, the XULA men have two top-10 national performers. Edward Angel is third in the high jump at 2.07 meters/6 feet, 9 1/2 inches, and Brandon Matthews is 10th in the triple jump at 14.31 meters/46 feet, 11 1/2 inches. Both are freshmen.
     
Among Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's teams, SUNO is second nationally, and Dillard, Edward Waters and Philander Smith are tied for 105th. SUNO leads the GCAC men at 13th, XULA is 48th after climbing eight places, and Dillard, Edward Waters and Philander Smith are tied for 107th.
     
Also competing with XULA and host Southeastern Louisiana in Friday's meet will be Southern, Alcorn State, Tulane, Nicholls, Loyola (N.O.) and Hinds Community College.

NAIA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Team Rankings
1. Indiana Tech
2. SUNO
3. Hastings
4. Wiley
5. Friends
6. Wayland Baptist
7. Doane
8. Concordia (Neb.)
9. Southern Oregon
10. Westmont
11. USC Beaufort
12. William Carey
13. MidAmerica Nazarene
14. Siena Heights
15. XULA
16. College of Idaho
17. SCAD Savannah
18. SCAD Atlanta
19. Olivet Nazarene
20. Shawnee State
21. Cornerstone
22. Columbia (Mo.)
23. Point Park
24. Benedictine (Kan.)
25. Northwest (Wash.)

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Middle blocker Jordan Johnson is Nuggets' first signee

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Wednesday that Jordan Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., is the Gold Nuggets' first volleyball signee for 2018.

Johnson is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who will graduate next month from Liberty High School in Liberty, Mo. She was a three-year starter in volleyball and a two-year starter in basketball for the Blue Jays.

"Jordan has a strong presence at the net," XULA coach Pat Kendrick said. "She will definitely add to the depth of our middles for next season."

Johnson in 2017 was second on her team with 183 kills, a .298 hitting percentage and 60 blocks. She helped Liberty win conference and district titles in 2017 and 2015 and reach the quarterfinals of the Class 4 state playoffs in 2017. She was first-team all-district as a junior and senior, second-team all-conference as a junior and first-team all-conference as a senior.

Johnson also played for Invasion Volleyball Club and helped her team qualify for nationals three times.

In basketball Johnson helped Liberty finish fourth in the Class 5 state playoffs in 2015 and 2017.

Johnson will be a biology/pre-medical major at XULA.

XULA in 2017 won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship — all for the seventh consecutive year. The Gold Nuggets finished 23-3 and set a school record for season winning percentage.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Lack of scholarships a hindrance to UAPB’s baseball program, coach says

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions (11-14, 8-5) baseball team suffered a 9-1 loss to the University of Central Arkansas Bears (19-13) on Tuesday.

UAPB Head Coach Carlos James said he is disgusted with the pitching performance by his guys, and that’s been a reoccurring thing with the mid-week group out of the bullpen.

The Golden Lions have only had four allotted scholarships since James has been the head coach, and he said that won’t get it done against quality opponents. The full scholarship allotment is 11.7, but university officials have said they don’t have the money to fund them.

James added that if they don’t have the guys and scholarships they need, they can’t maximize the program’s potential.

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Two seasons: A look at ASU coach Hill-Eley's contract

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State is initially giving Donald Hill-Eley two seasons to show what he can do as its head coach.

After replacing Brian Jenkins and leading the Hornets to a 5-1 finish last season, Hill-Eley signed a deal for an annual base salary
of $185,000 from Dec. 7, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2019.

Montgomery Advertiser obtained Hill-Eley’s contract through a Freedom of Information request. If renewed, it’ll be from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020, for the same annual base salary.

ASU started spring practice last week. The Hornets open the 2018 season Sept. 1 against rival Tuskegee at ASU Stadium.

“As I told the young men when we were taking the field, it’s one thing that we’re putting it on paper that this is who we are,” Hill-Eley said after the first day of spring practice. “But now we need to put that on the grass and come out of spring with an identity of who we are as a program.”

Hill-Eley became interim head coach when Jenkins was fired after starting 0-5 in his third season. Jenkins signed a three-year deal from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2017 with a renewal component from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.

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Gold Nuggets 4th nationally for first time in 3 years

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana climbed Tuesday in the NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 for the third time in four attempts and has its highest ranking in three years.
     
The Gold Nuggets (13-7) moved from fifth to fourth to equal their best position since the 2015 postseason rankings. XULA is 2-0 since the previous poll March 27 — home victories against NCAA Division I Southern and Jackson State to extend the win streak to 10.
     
XULA will play two top-10 teams in the next five days. The Gold Nuggets will play host to NAIA No. 6 William Carey at 2 p.m. Thursday, then visit NCAA Division II's No. 2 team, West Florida, at noon Sunday. Thursday's start time was pushed back one hour.
     
Although XULA dropped from second to third in the men's rankings, it's the first time ever that both XULA teams are in the national top four simultaneously.

Here are all the Gold Nuggets' active poll streaks:
     •  54 consecutive appearances in the top 25 . . . streak began May 1, 2012.
     •  54 consecutive appearances in the top 20 . . . streak began May 1, 2012.
     •  13 consecutive appearances in the top 15 . . . streak began Feb. 28, 2017.
     •  4 consecutive appearances in the top 10 . . . streak began Feb. 27, 2018.
     •  3 consecutive appearances in the top 5 . . . streak began March 13, 2018.
 

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through April 8)

Rank	Previous	School	Record	Points
1	1	Keiser (Fla.) [14]	18-2	374
2	2	Georgia Gwinnett	11-2	362
3	4	SCAD Savannah (Ga.)	9-3	342
4	5	Xavier (La.)	13-7	337
5	3	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	6-2	334
6	6	William Carey (Miss.)	7-3	305
7	7	William Woods (Mo.)	8-3	303
8	10	Cardinal Stritch (Wis.)	5-5	293
9	9	Indiana Wesleyan	25-3	275
10	11	LSU Alexandria (La.)	6-5	266
11	12	San Diego Christian (Calif.)	8-6	246
12	14	Brenau (Ga.)	11-6	244
13	13	Middle Georgia State	9-5	225
14	8	Northwestern Ohio	7-4	223
15	16	SCAD Atlanta (Ga.)	9-5	202
15	15	Westmont (Calif.)	8-8	202
17	18	Campbellsville (Ky.)	10-4	174
18	22	Mobile (Ala.)	10-5	166
19	17	Arizona Christian	10-9	164
20	19	Cumberland (Tenn.)	10-7	158
21	21	Union (Ky.)	11-4	153
22	24	Reinhardt (Ga.)	10-5	108
23	NR	Loyola (La.)	10-6	107
24	23	St. Thomas (Fla.)	6-8	87
25	NR	Marian (Ind.)	16-3	86

Dropped from the Top 25: Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Martin Methodist (Tenn.)

Others Receiving Votes: Georgetown (Ky.) 68; Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 43; Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 36; Southwestern (Kan.) 31; Huntington (Ind.) 23; Cumberlands (Ky.) 18; Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 18; Tennessee Wesleyan 8; Coastal Georgia 7; Asbury (Ky.) 5

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