2018-19 Bowl Schedule released

ATLANTA, Georgia --The 2018-19 College Football Bowl Schedule has officially been released by the Football Bowl Association. The FBA represents college football’s 40 postseason games.

With 40 total games including the College Football National Championship, 78 teams will play in a postseason game in 2018-19, which is 60% of the FBS.

The 2018-19 bowl season kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 15 with the Celebration Bowl at Noon ET on ABC. That game pits teams from the MEAC and SWAC from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

The Celebration Bowl is followed by five FBS bowl games on Dec. 15: Gildan New Mexico Bowl, AutoNation Cure Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, and R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

BOWL SCHEDULE

Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018

Bowl	Location	Time / TV	Tickets
Celebration Bowl MEAC vs. SWAC	Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA	Noon ET / ABC	---
Gildan New Mexico Bowl MWC vs. C-USA	Dreamstyle Stadium Albuquerque, NM	2:00pm ET / ESPN	---
AutoNation Cure Bowl American vs. Sun Belt	Camping World Stadium Orlando, FL	2:30pm ET / CBSSN	---
Las Vegas Bowl MWC vs. Pac-12	Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas, NV	3:30pm ET / ABC	---
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Sun Belt vs. MAC	Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL	5:30pm ET / ESPN	---
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Sun Belt vs. C-USA	Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA	9:00pm ET / ESPN	---

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Borodii named ITA/NAIA National Rookie of the Year

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana's Mariia Borodii was named Intercollegiate Tennis Association/NAIA Women's National Rookie of the Year Monday evening at a banquet for all teams participating in the NAIA National Championships.

Borodii, a freshman from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, is 15-0 in singles — winning all those matches on the first court — and 15-4 in doubles with 10 victories in her last 11 decisions with Yi Chen Pao. Borodii is the only Gold Nugget ever to achieve top-3 national rankings in singles (No. 2) and doubles (No. 3).

Borodii was the Region IV (South) winner of this award. The other finalists were Ana Zavala of William Woods (Central), Lina Sachica of Lindsey Wilson (East) and Sarah Schaerer of San Diego Christian (West).

This is the third time that the Gold Nuggets received an ITA national award at the pre-tournament banquet. Alan Green was named Coach of the Year in 2012-13, and Nour Abbes — now a member of the coaching staff — was Rookie of the Year in 2013-14.

Receiving their regional awards at the banquet were XULA's Abbes (tasc Women's Assistant Coach of the Year), Charlene Goreau (Women's Player to Watch), Catalin Fifea(Men's Most Improved Senior) and Shaikh Abdullah (Men's Rookie of the Year). The ITA announced those awards last week.
     
Receiving NAIA Champions of Character awards were Pao of the Gold Nuggets and Samir Chikhaoui of the Gold Rush. Each team at the tournament can nominate one recipient who best exemplifies the Champions of Character traits of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
     
The tournament will begin Tuesday at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center. Both XULA teams have first-round byes and will play Wednesday in the round of 16 — the Gold Nuggets at 9 a.m. against SCAD Savannah or Cumberlands and the Gold Rush at 1 p.m. against Middle Georgia or Asbury.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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As an FCS independent, HU releases its 2018 schedule

HAMPTON,Virginia -- Faced with what he called “a boycott” by schools that refused to cooperate, Hampton University athletic director Eugene Marshall on Tuesday released this fall’s football schedule, which includes opponents from five different classifications.

There are no opponents from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which HU will officially leave on July 1. The Pirates will play three teams from the Big South — Monmouth, Charleston Southern, and Presbyterian — which they will join for football in 2019.

Also, there are five Historically Black Colleges and Universities — Shaw, Tennessee State, Lane College, Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Mississippi Valley State. But Marshall was unhappy with the reception he received from other HBCUs in light of Hampton’s departure from the MEAC.

2018 Hampton Pirates Football Schedule
Sept. 1: Shaw, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Monmouth, 3 p.m.
Sept. 15: Tennessee State, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Northern Iowa, TBA.
Sept. 29: Charleston Southern, 2 p.m.
Oct. 6: Lane, 2 p.m.
Oct. 13: at Presbyterian, TBA
Oct. 27: Virginia University of Lynchburg, 2 p.m.
Nov. 3: at SUNY Maritime, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10: at Mississippi Valley State, TBA
Nov. 17: St. Andrews, 1 p.m.

BOLD: home games

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Bethune-Cookman Sweep At National Minority Golf Championships

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- For Bethune-Cookman University, it was yet another impressive example of a dynasty in cruise control at the 32nd PGA Minority Collegiate Championship at PGA Golf Club.

The Wildcats captured a record seventh-straight—and 15th overall—Women's crown in collegiate golf's most culturally significant Championship. Meanwhile, the Men's team notched their third-consecutive PGA Minority Collegiate Championship and 10th title overall.

The teams from Daytona Beach rocketed right out of the gate and never let off the throttle throughout the 54 holes of competition. Paced by medalist Mackenzie Butzer who had a final round 1-under par 71 (70-75-71 216), the Bethune-Cookman Women (297-307-299 903) defeated runner-up University of the Incarnate Word by 27 strokes on the Ryder Course. North Carolina A&T finished third, another seven strokes back.

"This is overwhelming," said Butzer. "This is my last year, and I gave it all I had. I had fun and played easy. Everything seemed to be clicking."

Yudika Rodriguez (72-73-75 220 finished second four shots behind Butzer, while Isabela Miravite (73-80-77 230) was sixth and Samyra Lewis (82-79-76 237) tied for 11th.

Meanwhile, the Bethune-Cookman men (286-282-286 854) shot 10-under par for the Championship, winning by an amazing 57 strokes over Savannah State on the Wanamaker Course. The University of Incarnate Word placed third.

For Bethune-Cookman, it was a three-day showcase of utmost command. After closing out the Championship on No. 18, the women's team sprayed the men's team with a water bottle shower that would have rivaled a dramatic victory celebration.

"It was so fun to see our student-athletes end the season like this," said Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Danny Forshey.

The Bethune Cookman Men were led by medalist Marcus Sundlof, of Sweden (65-70-71 206), who bested his teammate Christian Hovstadius for the honor by seven strokes.

"It feels great," said Sundlof, a sophomore who overcame a wrist injury at the beginning of the year. "We had a lot of team wins, but I wasn't playing well personally. It's great to finish off the year this way."

The Wildcats had five of the top six individual scores in the team competition with Jake Lane (74-71-72 217) in third, Connor O'Brien (74-73-72 219) fourth and Dante Davis (79-72-72 223) sixth.

Division II was won by California State University-Dominguez Hills for the third time in four years, as the Toros recorded a 15-shot victory over Lincoln University. Virginia Union's Sergio Escalante took Division II Medalist honors.

"The rankings don't matter, because everyone plays from the heart," said Toros Head Coach Ron Eastman.

The University of Houston-Victoria won its third-straight NAIA title—and a Division record fourth overall—by defeating runner-up Governors State by 12 strokes. Governors State's Matt Contey was NAIA medalist with a three-day total of 222.

For the second straight year, the Men's Individual title was won by the University of Connecticut's Nabeel Kahn, who overcame a rusty start to the Championship for a 2-under par final round 70 (75-70-70 215), to win by 12 strokes over both Palm Beach Atlantic's Siyan Liu and West Florida's Joseph Stills.

The Women's Individual prize was earned by St. John's (N.Y.) University sophomore Linda Wang (72-73-73 218), who defeated runner-up Rachelle Orme of Savannah State by nine strokes.

RESULTS

In a weather-related quirk designed to get ahead of the heavy rains forecasted to arrive from Mother Nature on Mother's Day, the final round actually began on Saturday, as the teams played 27 holes overall, including the first nine holes of the Championship's final stanza. The final nine holes were completed on Sunday morning in slightly rainy and muggy conditions.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Championship is the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf. In 2006, the PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XULA Athletics produces lofty graduation numbers again

NEW ORLEANS — One year after a record-setting graduating class, Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics nearly matched those numbers Saturday at the 2018 commencement.
     
Twenty-three current and former student-athletes received degrees, and the total number of athletic-related degrees was 33. A year ago those numbers were 29 and 35, the largest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
     
It was Xavier's 91st annual commencement and its sixth in a row on campus at the Convocation Center.
     
"We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of each of our graduates," Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn said. "They have all shown growth during their time here at Xavier, and we are excited for what the future brings for each of them."
     
Student-athletes graduating (with high schools in parentheses where available) were:
     •  Adam Albrecht, Ladna, Czech Republic (Gymnasium Breclav), men's tennis, bachelor of arts.
     •  Clarke Allen, Mendenhall, Miss. (Mendenhall), women's track and field/cross country, bachelor of science.
     •  Rondell Best, Boston, Mass. (Brockton), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Drew Chatters, Lake Charles, La. (St. Louis Catholic), women's track and field, bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude.
     •  Vincenzo Ciccone, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Aspirations), men's tennis, bachelor of arts . . . honors in theology.
     •  Brittany Everett, Baltimore, Md. (Western), women's cross country, bachelor of arts.
     •  Dasia Harris, Sugar Land, Texas (Elkins), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Trana Hopkins, Marietta, Ga. (Marietta), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Faith Hyacinthe, Rockford, Ill. (Auburn), women's basketball, doctor of pharmacy, Warren P. McKenna Service Award.
     •  Chelsea James, Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden, City), women's track and field, doctor of pharmacy.
     •  Ireyon Keith, Tickfaw, La. (Independence), women's basketball/track and field, bachelor of science.
     •  Christopher Kennie, New Orleans, La. (Holy Cross), men's track and field, doctor of pharmacy.
     •  Emma Kranendonk, Heemskerk, The Netherlands (Kennemer College), women's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Tushar Mandlekar, Bhilai, India (Deepak Nagar), men's tennis, bachelor of science.
     •  Lucas Martin-Julien, Reserve, La. (Riverside Academy), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Amara Person-Hampton, Long Beach, Calif. (Troy), women's basketball, bachelor of science.
     •  Tylor Row, Baton Rouge, La. (St. Michael), women's track and field, bachelor of science.
     •  Tramaine Shannon, Baton Rouge, La. (McKinley), women's track and field, bachelor of science.
     •  Kaelan Temple, Houston, Texas (Lamar), women's volleyball, bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in biology.
     •  Simone White, Hot Springs, Ark. (Hot Springs), women's volleyball and spirit group (cheerleader) . . . honors in English, honors in philosophy.
     •  Ammiel Williams, Los Angeles, Calif. (Hamilton), men's track and field/cross country, bachelor of arts . . . cum laude, honors in theology.
     •  Aliyah Wilson, Florissant, Mo. (Crossroads College Prep), women's volleyball, bachelor of science . . . honors in philosophy.
     •  Morris Wright, Zachary, La. (Zachary), men's basketball, bachelor of science.
    
"Our responsibility is to provide every student-athlete who chooses Xavier with the support they need to achieve their most important goal — earning a college degree," Horn said. "That will always be our number one priority."
     
Also graduating were:
     •  Reginald Alex, New Orleans, La., women's basketball student manager, bachelor of science . . . Warren J. Barker Sr. Award.
     •  Kyla Baron, Marietta, Ga., spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude, university service key award.
     •  Monte Bingley, Houston, Texas, men's basketball student manager, bachelor of science.
     •  Algeria Brisbon, Philadelphia, Pa., spirit group (Golden Girls pom), bachelor of science.
     •  Jessica Carmon, Humble, Texas, spirit group (cheerleader), bachelor of science . . . summa cum laude, honors in biology, honors in chemistry.
     •  Tatiana Collins, New Orleans, La., spirit group (cheerleader), bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in public health sciences.
     •  Minesha Estell, Terrytown, La., men's basketball student manager, master of arts in teaching.
     •  D'Lauren Falkner, Collierville, Tenn., spirit group (Golden Girls pom), bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in theology.
     •  Sarah Hale, Bolingbrook, Ill., spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of science . . . cum laude, honors in chemistry, university service key award.
     •  Shalani Taylor, Sparks, Nev., spirit group (Gold Star dance), bachelor of science . . . magna cum laude, honors in public health sciences, university service key award.
     
XULA is one of 38 colleges listed as a "Best Buy School" in the 2018 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. XULA's intercollegiate teams compete in the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Eight of XULA's nine sports programs qualified teams or individuals for NAIA National Championship competition in 2017-18.
     
NOTES:  Allen will study at Howard University's College of Dentistry in the fall . . . Chatters will attend University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in the fall . . . Williams will attend the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where he will study international security. Williams also has won a Rangel Fellowship to attend graduate study toward a degree in international affairs.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Seedings Set for 2018 MEAC Baseball Championship

2018 MEAC Baseball Championship Bracket | Championship Central

NORFOLK, Virginia —The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced the seedings for the 2018 Baseball Championship. Coppin State has claimed the top seed out of the Northern Division, while North Carolina A&T State will be the top seed out of the Southern Division.
 
The 2018 MEAC Baseball Championship will be held Wednesday-Saturday, May 16-19, at Embry-Riddle’s Sliwa Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
Despite being picked to finish third in the Northern Division this season, Coppin State will come into the tournament as the division’s top seed after going 18-4 in MEAC play. This marks the Eagles’ first Northern Division regular-season title since 1996, and Coppin State’s first tournament appearance since 2016.
 
Norfolk State, which had won the Northern Division each of the last three seasons before 2018, will be the North’s No. 2 seed in this year’s tournament after going 13-10 in conference play.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore used a late-season push to make the tournament for the second straight season, sweeping rival Delaware State on May 4-5 to clinch the division’s last spot.
 
In the Southern Division, North Carolina A&T State claimed the top spot this past weekend by taking two out of three games from Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla. – including a 25-15 win on Saturday in the regular-season finale. The Aggies, who went 16-8 in MEAC play, won five of six games this season against the Rattlers.
 
FAMU went 15-9 in MEAC play this season to take the No. 2 seed, and Bethune-Cookman – the two-time defending MEAC champion – will be the Southern Division’s No. 3 seed after going 14-10 in conference.
 
Only the top three teams in each division compete in the double-elimination tournament. Delaware State out of the Northern Division, as well as North Carolina Central and Savannah State out of the Southern Division, were eliminated.
 
The 2018 MEAC Baseball Championship will begin on Wednesday at 12 p.m. with South No. 2 Florida A&M taking on North No. 3 Maryland Eastern Shore. That will be followed at 3:30 p.m. by a game pitting North No. 2 Norfolk State and South No. 3 Bethune-Cookman.
 
The losers of those two games will square off at 7 p.m. in an elimination game. Wednesday’s winners will advance to Thursday to take on the top seeds, both of which earned byes and will not play on Wednesday.
 
Thursday and Friday will also feature three games each at 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday’s championship game will begin at 1 p.m., with an if-necessary game taking place later that afternoon should the team out of the elimination bracket win the first game.
 
The tournament champion will earn the MEAC’s automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which will begin with regional play. The selection show will air on Monday, May 28 at 12 p.m. on ESPNU.
 
Tickets to the 2018 MEAC Baseball Championship are $7 per day or $20 for all four days. Visit www.BCUathletics.com for more ticket information.

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Legendary Houston-area coach Ronnie Courtney to retire

Ronnie Courtney, best known for back-to-back state titles at Willowridge and coaching Texas Southern, is retiring – hard to believe, even for those close to him.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Houston is a hotbed for basketball talent at the high school level and that includes the coaches.

This past season was the final one for a man who has done and seen it all.

Ronnie Courtney, best known for back-to-back state titles at Willowridge and coaching Texas Southern, is retiring – hard to believe, even for those close to him.

For 37 years, Courtney has grown accustomed to the sounds of the hardwood as a coach. But the atmosphere of exciting high school basketball will soon be a thing of the past.

Still, it’s a coaching career that’s hard to forget.

“It’s been a rewarding career, one that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world,” Courtney says.

“I just can’t think of anything else at this level that I can do that says, ‘come back and keep doing it.’”

He finishes with 545 career wins. Courtney was the 2001 National Coach of the Year.

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SWAC Announces 2018 Baseball Postseason Honors

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Kamren Dukes of Texas Southern was voted the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player and Hitter of the Year, as the league announced its 2018 baseball postseason honors on Monday. The honors were voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Dukes, a Pearland, Texas native, led the SWAC in batting average this season at .394, runs scored (57), and hits (84). The senior also racked up 40 RBIs, which ranked eighth. His 84 hits ranks third nationally.

In conference play, Dukes was fourth in batting average (.448), scored 26 runs, totaled 46 hits and 32 RBIs to help lead the Tigers to a West Division Title. Dukes also has an active streak of 34 straight games with a hit.

Aaron Solis of Texas Southern was voted the Pitcher of the Year. The senior and League City, Texas native had a 1.99 ERA, and a 7-1 record in SWAC play this season. Solis had an 8-3 record overall, which included three complete games.

Jose Tirado of Jackson State was voted the Relief Pitcher of the Year. Tirado finished the regular season with a 2.78 ERA, which ranked first on the Tigers. The senior from San Juan, Puerto Rico also led Jackson State in opposing batting average (.170), saves (13) and was second on the team in strikeouts (67). The 13 saves also ranked first in the SWAC.

Raul Hernandez from Jackson State was voted the Newcomer of the Year. The junior from Cidra, Puerto Rico was third in the league in batting average (.384) fifth in slugging percentage (.579), third in hits (.73) and fifth in RBIs (46). In SWAC play, Hernandez ranked tied for third in RBIs (32) and fifth in hits (40).

Nikelle Galatas of Jackson State was voted the league’s Freshman of the Year. Galatas was fourth on the Tigers with a 4.27 ERA. The Ladera Heights, Calif. native was second on the team with nine wins, and pitched the second-most innings (86.1). He also struck out 53 batters this season.

Alabama State head coach Jose Vazquez was voted the Coach of the Year. In just his second season at the helm of the Hornets baseball program, Vazquez led Alabama State to an 18-6 record in SWAC play (27-20 overall) and an East Division title.

Jackson State earned the most All-SWAC selections with seven players. Grambling State had the second-most players with six players voted All-SWAC, and Texas Southern earned five all-conference selections.

Alabama State had four players receive All-SWAC recognition and Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alcorn State each had one player earn All-SWAC honors.

The entire All-Conference honors are below.

Individual Awards

Player of the Year
Kamren Dukes (Texas Southern)

Pitcher of the Year
Aaron Solis (Texas Southern)

Relief Pitcher of the Year
Jose Tirado (Jackson State)

Hitter of the Year
Kamren Dukes (Texas Southern)

Newcomer of the Year
Raul Hernandez (Jackson State)

Freshman of the Year
Nickelle Galatas (Jackson State)

Coach of the Year
Jose Vazques (Alabama State)

First Team All-SWAC

C – Stephan Vidal (Jackson State)

1B – Christian Sanchez (Texas Southern)

2B – Gaudencio Lucca (Texas Southern)

3B – Ray Hernandez (Alabama State)

SS- Marshawn Taylor (Grambling State)

DH- Richard Ortiz (Grambling State)

OF – Kamren Dukes (Texas Southern)

OF – Joseph Estrada (Alabama State)

OF – Isaiah Torres (Grambling State)

SP – Aaron Solis (Texas Southern)

SP – Darrius Wright (Alabama State)

RP – Jose Tirado (Jackson State)

Second Team All-SWAC

C – Hunter Allen (Alabama State)

1B – Rafael Ramirez (Grambling State)

2B – Wesley Reyes (Jackson State)

3B – Jesus Santana (Jackson State)

SS - Horance LeBlanc (Texas Southern)

DH – Robert Perteet (Jackson State)

OF – Lamar Briggs (Jackson State)

OF – Sergio Esparza (Arkansas Pine Bluff)

OF – Desmond Chumley (Jackson State)

SP – Raul Baduel (Grambling State)

SP – Carlos Lopez (Alcorn State)

RP – Daniel Beizer (Grambling State)

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Prairie View A&M wins first softball title in 20 years

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Prairie View A&M ended a 20-year title drought, besting Alabama State 5-3 and 4-3 to win the 2018 Southwestern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship.

Down 3-0, Prairie View (20-21) rallied in the bottom of the fifth, as Keona Hunter was plunked and Destinee Williams managed a single. After a sac bunt moved both into scoring position, Alyssa Garcia ripped a single to left to score Hunter. SWAC Softball Tournament Most Valuable Player Laurisa Hernandez then knotted things up with a RBI single to center that scored D. Williams, and Garcia came home thanks to an error in centerfield.

After a quick 1-2-3 sixth inning compliments of Crystal Castillo, Shelby Williams reached via error and alertly advanced to third after a groundout by Hunter. D. Williams then gave PVAMU the lead with a two-out RBI single to score S. Williams for the go-ahead run. Castillo retired the side to bring the Lady Panthers their first SWAC title since 1998.

A pitcher's duel through three innings, the Lady Hornets used the long ball to jump ahead in the top of the fourth, as Charlene Castro blasted one over the left field wall for the game's first run and Amira James (2-for-3) followed with a two-run shot, prompting Ashley Higgins to come on in relief of starter Vanessa Castro. Higgins was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam to limit the damage.

The Lady Panthers mounted a threat in the bottom of the frame with singles by pinch-hitter Alyssa Garcia and Hernandez. Although ASU starter Justine Jean struck Kylar-Ward Flowers with a pitch to load the bases with no outs, Jean buckled down to retire the side, with two strikeouts sandwiching the end of the rally.

D. Williams and Hernandez each had a pair of hits. Castillo earned her third win of the tournament with 2.0 innings of shut-out ball in relief.

GAME 1 (5-3, PVAMU)
Prairie View fended off a late rally attempt by Alabama State in game one, using a three-run first inning to surge ahead -- during which Hernandez belted a two-run double near the warning track out right, and Ward-Flowers added a RBI single. Alabama State got one back in the second as Kaitlyn Kilner scored on a RBI sac fly by Aimee Felicies.

Prairie View pushed ahead 4-1 with a RBI double by Hernandez, and went ahead 5-1 after Hunter delivered a RBI single that brought home Alexis Freeman.

In the sixth, Casey Durham tried to give the Lady Hornets a jolt with a solo blast over the left field wall, and Alabama State had a chance to win it in its last at-bat. MaKayla Burt drew a walk, and Felicies followed with a single. Vanessa Bradford brought home pinch-runner Marina Clark with a RBI single to right, prompting V. Castro to come in for relief of Prairie View starter Castillo.

V. Castro struck out pinch-hitter Natalia Rivera, and though Kimberlee Owens picked up a single, Hunter managed to gun down a hard-charging Felicies at the plate, with Amanda Ford making the tag to force the sudden-death game.

Kelsey Coronado went 1-for-3 with two runs. Castillo got the win with 6.1 innings of work, allowing five hits and three runs. She struck out three.

The All-Tournament Team is listed below.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Tiana Sanders, Alabama A&M
Julia Bilbao, Texas Southern
Ta'Lyn Moody, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Jazmine Dukes, Southern
Tevanae Tate, Texas Southern
Justine Jean, Alabama State
Laurisa Hernandez, Prairie View A&M (2018 SWAC Softball Tournament MVP)
Crystal Castillo, Prairie View A&M
Casey Durham, Alabama State
Charlene Castro, Alabama State
Destinee Williams, Prairie View A&M
Kylar Ward-Flowers, Prairie View A&M

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

‘Howard forever’: At Howard commencement, ‘Black Panther’ star celebrates grads

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Actor Chadwick Boseman, star of the box office smash “Black Panther,” returned to his alma mater Howard University on Saturday to urge its newest graduates to find purpose in their lives and persevere, even amid adversity.

“I don’t know what your future is,” said Boseman, who delivered the main address at the university’s 150th commencement. “But if you’re willing to take the harder way, the more complicated one, the one with more failures at first than successes . . . then you will not regret it.”

[“Black Panther” star returns to Howard]

Boseman, who graduated from Howard in 2000, spoke to hundreds of newly minted graduates and their loved ones, who had gathered on its iconic Yard to celebrate and consider their future.

“Purpose is the essential element of you,” Boseman told the graduates. “It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.

“Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose,” he said.

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XULA's Riley jumps nearly 19 feet to qualify for nationals

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana's Ry-Anne Riley long-jumped 5.74 meters/18 feet, 10 inches Friday at the William Carey Tune Up track and field meet to qualify for the NAIA National Championships.

The sophomore from New Orleans produced a XULA PR in the event, surpassing her old mark of 5.48 meters/17-11 3/4. Riley previously had qualified for nationals in the 400- and 1,600-meter relays.

Riley finished second in the event. There was no team scoring.

XULA's Brandon Matthews placed third in the men's long jump and second in the triple jump. His long jump mark of 6.81 meters/22-4 1/4 is a XULA PR.

NAIA nationals will be May 24-26 at Gulf Shores, Ala.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Benedictine’s SG Jahdon Robinson commits to Hampton Pirates

RICHMOIND, Virginia -- Jahdon Robinson, a junior at Benedictine Prep, has given a verbal commitment to play basketball at Hampton University starting with the 2019-20 season.

The 6-foot-5 forward averaged about 18 points and seven rebounds this past season for the Cadets.

Robinson plays travel ball for Team Richmond-Garner Road U-17 Elite, coached by Del Harris.

He will play during his upcoming senior season at Benedictine under new Coach Mark Royster.

Following decades of competition in the CIAA and MEAC, HU is moving to the Big South Conference for ...

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SC State's road to building tennis dynasty paved with trials, triumphs

ROSTER

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- When you’ve won 25 conference tennis titles – 12 men’s and 13 women’s – in a 17-year career, including 14 straight seasons with at least one title, it can be difficult for a coach to decide which of those championships he ranks highest.

Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State’s tennis coach since 2002, has no problem settling on his most challenging season, though. That would be the one that just concluded with this year’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s crown.

It might also be his most satisfying.

“Because of the personal stories, the injuries and other losses – that’s why (this season) is special,” the 48-year-old Canadian native of Indian heritage said Thursday after a “Salute and Send-off” for his eight-man team, held at Orangeburg Country Club and attended by more than 100, including S.C. State president James E. Clark, city mayor Michael Butler, and a representative from U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s office.

This weekend, the Bulldogs travel to Gainesville, Fla., to face No. 13 Florida in an NCAA Tournament first-round matchup on Saturday. The Gators will be heavily favored, but simply getting to the post-season capped an effort that Judge’s boss, first-year athletics director Stacy Danley, dubbed “phenomenal.”

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MEAC Golf Champions Augusta prepares for NCAA Regionals

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- The Augusta University men's golf team earned the 12th seed in the 2018 NCAA Men's Golf Regional, held in Raleigh, N.C. at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course. The three-day, 54-hole regional will be held Monday through Wednesday, May 14-16, and will be hosted by N.C. State.

The Jaguars are making their fourth straight appearance under head coach Jack O'Keefe and the 21st all-time to the NCAA postseason (1993, '94, '95, 98', '99, 00', '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '15, '16, '17, and '18). The announcement came on May 2 from the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Committee via a live selection show on Golf Channel.

Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted May 14-16. Thirteen teams and ten individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals.

Team and individual medalist titles will be decided May 25-30 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State University is the host institution for the 2018 championships.

The Jaguars won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship for the fourth consecutive year on April 21 at Crosswinds Golf Club. The Jaguars shot 7-under-par in the last round to best the eight team field by 33 shots and finish the three-day event with a score of 861 (292-288-281, 3-under). Augusta earned an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships with the conference tourney victory.

Augusta last competed at Lonnie Poole Golf Course in the 2016-17 season for the N.C. State Wolfpack Intercollegiate October 3-4, 2016. The Jags shot 11-over-par and took sixth.

NCAA RALEIGH REGIONAL

Lonnie Poole Golf Course – Raleigh, North Carolina Hosted by North Carolina State University
Teams (seeded in the following order):

1. Georgia Tech [Atlantic Coast Conference]
2. California
3. Texas
4. Arizona State
5. Duke
6. NC State
7. Liberty [Big South Conference]
8. Missouri
9. Santa Clara
10. Campbell
11. Middle Tennessee State [Conference USA]
12. Augusta [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]
13. Davidson [Atlantic 10 Conference]
14. Iona [Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]

Individuals:

1. Dawson Armstrong, Lipscomb
2. Mark Lawrence, Virginia Tech
3. Conor Purcell, Charlotte
4. Alex Weiss, Marshall
5. Brendan MacDougall, High Point

 Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags

AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Judge headed to NCAAs with 25th MEAC championship team

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Four years ago, when Hardeep Judge had just reached 400 career victories and 20 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles as men’s and women’s tennis coach at South Carolina State, two of his three children – daughter Natia and son Naylin – helped him put such accomplishments in perspective.

Naylin, now 11, marveled at S.C. State’s decision to name the school’s on-campus tennis center in his honor.

“Dad, that means you’re getting old,” Judge recalled his son saying. Natia, now 14, followed that with, “Dad, they only name tennis courts after dead people.”

“And then my son came back with, ‘So … that means you’re somewhere between old and dead,’” Judge, now 48, recalled with a laugh.

Imagine how the England-born, Canadian-raised coach of Indian heritage feels now.

Thursday, Judge was reflecting on having reached 25 MEAC tennis titles (13 women’s and 12 men’s) and 500-plus victories, as S.C. State honored him and his 2018 MEAC champion men’s team with a “Salute and Send-off” at Orangeburg Country Club.

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Donnie Marsh Resigns as AAMU Head Men’s Basketball Coach

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M men's basketball coach Donnie Marsh has resigned after one season, the university announced this afternoon.

The Bulldogs went 3-27 overall and 3-15 in the SWAC last season. Alabama A&M ranked last in the nation - No. 351 - in scoring offense at 60.4 points per game, and was No. 276 in scoring defense (76.4).

Marsh replaced Willie Hayes, who stepped down after going 54-121 in six seasons.

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ASU Announces Changes, Additions To Football Staff

ALBANY, Georgia -- Albany State University head football coach Gabe Giadina has announced two additions to the football staff for the fall 2018 season.

Joining the ASU coaching staff will be Denares Waites and Travian Robertson. Waites will serve as the Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties coach while Robertson will take on the assignment of guiding the Rams' defensive line.

Waites come to ASU after eight seasons as an assistant coach at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN. At CNU, he guided the wide receivers for one year before moving to the defensive side to coach the Eagles' secondary for the next seven seasons. He also spent time coaching special teams during his tenure in Jefferson City.

"(Dino) Waites brings a wealth of Division II experience and as a native of Bacon County, his recruiting connections in south Georgia are deep," says Coach Giardina. "As a player and a coach under the legendary Ken Sparks, he was a part of several playoff teams during his tenure in Carson Newman. He and coach (Nick) Reveiz will do a great job as Co-Defensive Coordinators going forward."

Waites was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year for his efforts as the Eagles' defensive backs and special teams coach in 2013.

Robertson joins the Golden Rams' staff after spending one season at Georgia State University as a graduate assistant. A 2011 graduate of the University of South Carolina, he appeared in 43 career games for the Gamecocks before being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round (249 overall pick) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

"Travian Robertson is an exciting new addition to our staff as the Defensive Line Coach and NFL Liaison. He is a great technician and teacher brings a wealth of NFL playing experience to our staff", states Giardina. "At South Carolina he played at a high level and as a former NFL player, has seen first-hand what it takes to compete professionally."

Robertson played two seasons for the Falcons, was signed in 2014 by the Seattle Seahawks and was later claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN RAMS SPORTS INFORMATION

Lane Dragons release 2018 football schedule

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Lane College has released their ten game 2018 football schedule with some familiar faces coming to Hub City, along with some newcomers for fans to see.

The Dragons open the 2018 campaign at home against Lincoln University (Sept. 1), looking for revenge after the Tigers took the game 12-9 thanks to a last second field goal when the two teams met last in 2016 in Jefferson City, Mo.

Lane is at home for the next three weeks, taking on SIAC foe Morehouse College (Sept. 8) before jumping out of conference play to host Livingstone College (Sept. 15) then resuming conference play the next week against visiting against Albany State University (Sept. 22).

Week five and six see the Dragons hit the road, first at 2017 SIAC Champion Tuskegee University (Sept. 29) then to Virginia to take on NCAA Division-I opponent Hampton University (Oct. 6).

The Dragons return home for the next two weeks taking on Allen University (Oct. 13) as part of the week long homecoming festivities before jumping back into conference play to host Miles College (Oct. 20).

Lane stays in SIAC conference play for the final two games of the regular season, both on the road starting with Kentucky State University (Oct. 27) and wrapping with the regular season finale in Wilberforce, Ohio taking on Central State University (Nov. 3).

For ticket information contact the Office of Athletics at (731) 426-7568.

LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Nuggets receive program-best 3 ITA regional awards

NEW ORLEANS — The women of Xavier University of Louisiana won a program-best three Intercollegiate Tennis Association/NAIA regional awards Wednesday. The Gold Nuggets' honorees in Region IV (South) are:\

     •  Nour Abbes, tasc Assistant Coach of the Year.
     •  Charlene Goreau, Player to Watch.
     •  Mariia Borodii, Rookie of the Year.
     
Abbes, Goreau and Borodii will receive their awards Monday evening in Mobile, Ala., at a banquet for the women's and men's teams participating in the NAIA National Championships. The ITA's national winners will be announced at that time.

Of the 16 NAIA women's teams to receive ITA regional awards, only Tabor (6), Arizona Christian (3) and XULA collected more than two.
     
This is Abbes's fifth ITA honor. She was the regional and national rookie of the year in 2013-14, and she was All-America twice.
     
"Nour is a major reason why our women's team has gone from a top-20 team last year to a potential national champion this year," said Alan Green, XULA head coach and director of tennis. "Nour gained the team's respect from her first day of coaching."
     
Goreau, a junior from Toulouse, France, is 23-5 in singles this season — she won her last 14 decisions — and 18-10 in doubles. The ITA ranks her ninth in NAIA singles.
     
"Charlene has been more professional with her preparation and study of the game," Green said. "She has been listening and more accepting of the coaching and applying it directly on the court. She has stepped up her game big-time."
     
This is Goreau's third ITA honor. She was All-America and Region IV Rookie of the Year in 2015-16.
     
Borodii, a freshman from Zapozizhzhia, Ukraine, is 15-0 in singles — winning all those matches on the first court — and 15-4 in doubles with 10 victories in her last 11 decisions with Yi Chen Pao. Borodii is the only Gold Nugget ever to achieve top-3 national rankings in singles (No. 2) and doubles (No. 3).
     
"Mariia is the Nuggets' hardest worker," Green said, "and as a result her teammates have tried to match her work ethic."
     
The Gold Nuggets (17-7), ranked and seeded third, have a first-round tournament bye and will play SCAD Savannah or Cumberlands in the round of 16 at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center.

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