Former Alum Gives Massive Gift to EWC Football Program

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The positive momentum for the Edward Waters football program continued on Monday afternoon. Edward Waters alumna Dr. Annie B. Henry gifted the program $8,000 to ensure more success in 2018 and beyond. Dr. Henry along with her sister Gertrude, a 1962 graduate of EWC presented the football team, coaches, and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Stanley B. Cromartie with a check and some encouraging words going into the 2018 season.

A Jacksonville native born to sharecroppers during segregation, Dr. Henry earned her undergraduate degree from Edward Waters in 1964. She then earned her master's degree from Florida A&M University in 1969 before embarking on a 15 year career teaching in the U. S. Virgin Islands. She then became the first member of her family to earn a Ph. D. as she received hers in Education from Florida State University.

Henry then began a near three-decade teaching career at Bemidji State University in Minnesota where she is a Professor Emerita of Education before retiring in 2007. For her hard work and the lives she impacted as an educator, she has an endowed scholarship for African-Americans in her honor at Bemidji State where she also has a room named in her honor in the Education-Arts Building. She also has a priceless collection of more 350 African-American dolls that she has showcased at the Carrie Meek-James N. Eaton, Sr. Black Archives and Research Museum on FAMU's campus in Tallahassee.

In 2012, Dr. Henry published her memoirs entitled "The Girl From Jacksonville Who Dared To Dream, Hope, and Believe!" Dr. Henry moved back to her hometown in 2014 and after speaking with former head coach Kevin Clark and current head coach Greg Ruffin, she felt it important to give back to her alma mater.

"These are my nephews now." exclaimed Dr. Henry. "I am determined to not lose a single one of them as long as I live."

Head Coach Greg Ruffin has already stated that part of the funds will be used to help renovate the football complex and that the locker room will be named the "Dr. Annie B. Henry Football Locker Room". "To have someone of her stature come back and donate to our program is amazing." stated Coach Ruffin. "It is my hope that this inspires other alums to give back to their alma mater so that we can continue our forward trajectory."




2018 Edward Waters Football Schedule
DAY TIME VS/AT OPPONENT 

AUGUST
25 6:00 PM vs. St. Andrews University Jacksonville, Florida 
31 7:00 PM vs. Lindsey Wilson College Jacksonville, Florida 
SEPTEMBER
8 1:30 PM @ Point University Valley, Alabama
22 1:30 PM @ Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee
* 29 1:30 PM @ Keiser University West Palm Beach, Florida
OCTOBER
* 6 1:30 PM @ Warner University Lake Wales, Florida
* 13 4:00 PM vs. Faulkner University Jacksonville, Florida
* 20 3:00 PM vs. Ave Maria University Jacksonville, Florida 
^Homecoming 2018
* 27 7:00 PM @ Southeastern University Lakeland, Florida
NOVEMBER
3 2:00 PM @ North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina
* 10 4:00 PM vs. Webber International Jacksonville, Florida
% Senior Day

*Mid-South Conference Sun Division Contest

^ Homecoming 2018

% Senior Day

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

Norfolk State: Beneath athlete's mild-mannered mask lies a goal-driven athlete, ROTC cadet

Photo By Terrance Bell | Col. George and Jacob Milton pose for pictures June 27. Jacob, a 20-year-old Norfolk State University sophomore, is a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference high jump champion and team captain. The colonel, the assistant chief of staff for the Quartermaster School, also was a high jump champion.

FORT LEE, Virginia -- The term “mild-mannered” almost borders on exaggeration when describing Jacob Milton’s persona. If the Fort Lee family member’s outward character was a voice or gesture, it would be the equivalent of a whisper or an index finger pressed against pursed lips.

The Norfolk State University sophomore is polite, studious, unassuming, reserved and inconspicuous to the point one might wonder if he’ll disappear into thin air.

There is a part of Milton, however, that screams strength, power and potential. He is a four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the long jump as well as an honors athlete; a leader in the Reserve Officer Training Corps; and more.

Milton’s achievements say everything the humble 20-year-old cannot or will not boast about himself. Others are only too willing to fill in the blanks. Col. George Milton, his father, said the scholar-athlete is oblivious to distraction when it comes to completing tasks and achieving goals.

“He’s just a disciplined kid,” said the Quartermaster School’s assistant chief of staff. “He is singularly focused with a lot of God-given ability. He’s taken the talents he has, perfected them as much as he can at this point, and is destined to only get better in those areas where he has already excelled.”

Kenneth Giles, director of NSU’s track and field programs, had plenty to say about Jacob’s work ethic and achievements, particularly noting his ability to lead is beyond his years.

“The one thing about athletes is that we’re measured by success; what we do in training and in the heat of competition,” he said. “At any level, you want to get the accolades from your peers. Once you get (that), you’ve made it, and right now, he’s definitely made it.”

Jacob was named the track and field team’s rookie of the year during his freshman year. As a sophomore, he was dubbed team captain, earned a most valuable player nod and was selected to represent the team at a student advisory conference at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. All that is in addition to claiming a spot on the athletic director’s honor roll.

Anyone expecting Jacob to brag or even talk about those accomplishments uncoerced, though, would be wrong. He defers from addressing them directly, however, he does not hold back in conveying their level of difficulty.

“It’s been a lot of long nights and hard work as well,” he said. “I’ve been trying to balance everything in doing a college sport and being in ROTC along with all the other academic activities. It gets really chaotic, and I know I have to better learn how to manage my time. It’s

just been a lot of balancing, making sure I’m getting enough rest and eating well while still being productive in all I do.”

Time management and productivity as they pertain to goals were a feature of Jacob’s upbringing. The middle child – he has 17- and 21-year-old sisters – Milton grew up in a single-parent household espousing discipline along with strong religious values.

“It was our belief in God and our faith; the fact that family is everything to us,” said Col. Milton. “Nothing comes before the family. I cook every night; every single meal is eaten together. We discuss and talk about the day every single day.”

Col. Milton, a single dad for the past 10 years, is a former enlisted Soldier and track and field athlete who attended Southern Arkansas and later Clemson, where he was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selectee. While raising his children, the colonel said he did not browbeat any of them to follow his chosen path.

“When God gives you a template, all you’ve got to do is fill it in,” he said. “I tell everybody that. I literally took each one of my kids and studied them their whole lives. I always watched what their interests and strengths were. I always focused on their strengths, and never, ever forced any of them to do anything. My oldest daughter is a special effects makeup artist. Elizabeth (the youngest) is in the marching band. They all have these unique talents. I was very clear on not forcing any set plans on them.”

Despite his father’s efforts, Jacob is busy cutting a nearly identical career path. When he attended high school in Stuttgart, Germany, he chose track and field over football, just like his dad, and gravitated toward the high jump in similar fashion. When it came time to choose a college, Jacob eagerly decided on one that allowed him to participate as an athlete and ROTC cadet.

“I am really proud and happy he chose athletics on his own,” said Col. Milton. “He chose the military on his own. I saw the talent that was there and supported him 110 percent.”

The Army officer gets excited when contemplating his son’s many gifts as an athlete. “As good as I think I am, he is way better. When I was jumping 7’ 2,” 7’3” or 7’4” (in the high jump), I was in my mid-to-late 20s,” he recalled. “He is just 20 and is already at 7’ 2” and a quarter. I didn’t get over 7’ 2” and a quarter until after college jumping with the Army.”

While still in school, Jacob’s goals are to improve his personal best and win the MEAC outdoor and indoor high jump events over the next two years – hoping it will open an opportunity to compete at the Olympics. He’s also dead set on finishing No. 1 in his ROTC class. The prospect is a mighty main course with plenty of side dishes, but he said he is accustomed to the heavy diet of hard work.

“It’s been a lot, but I came in doing a lot,” said Jacob. “It’s the standard for me now, so I’ve just been trying to maintain.”

Meanwhile, a proud father basks in the knowledge that his son’s future endeavors may be similar to his own, but includes next-level goals like the shot at the Olympics. Whatever Jacob ultimately does, his actions and accomplishments are likely to say more about him than what meets the eye.

The following article provides additional details about Milton’s recent athletic accomplishments: www.meacsports.com/news/2018/4/5/mens-track-field-norfolk-states-jacob-milton-jumping-to-new-heights.aspx

COURTESY: Story by Terrance Bell 

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs 

10 Best Week 1 Games in FCS College Football

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Are you ready for some football? Yup, dumb question, the anticipation level for the 2018 college football season is multiplying by the day.

In the FCS, the opening week of the season features terrific conference, non-conference and FBS matchups.

Here are the 10 best games in Week 1:

North Carolina A&T vs. Jacksonville State (Aug. 25)

There’s nothing like getting the party started early and the FCS Kickoff does with a Week Zero matchup in Montgomery, Alabama. Last year’s only unbeaten FCS team (NC A&T at 12-0) takes on a Jacksonville State squad that won this annual season-opening game against Chattanooga last year. Clemson transfer quarterback Zerrick Cooper could get the start for the Ohio Valley Conference power.

Bethune-Cookman at Tennessee State (Sept. 1)

Tennessee State head coach Rod Reed seeks his 50th career win in the John A. Merritt Classic. Both teams are replacing key players on defense, making for a possible offensive game. They’ve played to three straight close scores in recent seasons.

North Carolina Central vs. Prairie View A&M (Sept. 2)

As the annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge shifts to Georgia State Stadium, two new head coaches make their debuts -- Prairie View’s Eric Dooley, who previously ran the offense at Grambling State, and NC Central’s Granville Eastman, who seeks to shed an interim tag after being elevated from defensive coordinator. Despite Southern’s win last year, the MEAC owns a 9-3 lead in the Challenge.

CONTINUE READING 

Edward Waters To Announce Frederick Summers as New Men's Head Basketball Coach

HEAD COACH FRED SUMMERS

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The Edward Waters College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 where Frederick Summers will officially be announced as the new Head Men's Basketball Coach.

Summers comes to Edward Waters after serving one season in the same role at Talladega College, where he led the Tornadoes to a 21-11 overall record and 10-5 against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference competition. For his efforts, Summers was named the 2017-18 GCAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.

Prior to his time at Talladega, Summers coached five seasons as the Head Coach at Concordia College in Selma, Alabama. He led the Hornets to four straight appearances to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament. The Hornets finished as the tournament runner-up in 2015-16, while the following year, Concordia won its first USCAA National Championship. Summers finished his time at Concordia as the winningest coach in CCAL history with a record of 82-47.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Summers is a 1999 graduate of Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. He also two seasons the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he was a guard on the Men's Basketball team, sharing the same backcourt with former Los Angeles Lakers guard and New York Knicks Head Coach, Derek Fisher.

The Press Conference will begin promptly at 11:00am at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Center.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

Coaching life after football: Former Landstown and Norfolk State assistant now helps citizens get the most out of themselves

NORFOLK, Virginia -- With a championship pedigree at Landstown High School and Norfolk State, Steve Canter has taken his leadership qualities to the private sector.

Canter, who was an assistant football coach when Landstown won the 2005 state title and quarterbacks coach when NSU won the 2011 MEAC championship, now lives in Rhode Island mentoring clients to lead better lives while frequently running for charities.

"I like challenge in and of itself," said Canter, who also served as Landstown's head coach for two years in 2006-07. "And I like being able to do something for someone else."




Canter's next venture is the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon over Labor Day weekend in Maine. Participants run a 4.2-mile loop each hour for 24 hours. Contestants who can't finish the distance in the 60-minute window are eliminated until there is one person left.

For this event, Canter has raised nearly $4,000 toward his $10,000 goal for South Kingston Cares, a non-profit organization in Rhode Island that aids his town's school system.

"I'm gonna run the races anyway because I like to live the best life possible and push myself," Canter said. "At the same time if I can benefit an organization that's gonna benefit my family as well as my neighbors and community then it's even better."

Canter graduated from Kempsville in 1999 and later walked on Virginia Tech's team as a fullback, winning the 2003 Paul Frederick Cobb award for team spirit and enthusiasm.

CONTINUE READING

Deoveon Crute receives Morgan State football offer, adds to growing list for Aliquippa seniors

ALIQUIPPA, Pennsylvania -- Aliquippa’s Deoveon Crute announced a scholarship offer Saturday from Morgan State, adding another offer for a Quips senior class that’s drawing them by the bunches.

The Division 1 offer was the fourth for Crute, a 6-foot safety and wide receiver for Aliquippa. Morgan State, an MEAC school in Baltimore, joins Buffalo, Duquesne and Charleston on his list.

Aliquippa has multiple seniors with FBS or FCS offers.

Four-star cornerback M.J. Devonshire leads the group with 11 offers including Pitt, West Virginia, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Will Gipson, a wide receiver recruit, and Solvauhn Moreland, a lineman, each have committed to Ball State.

CONTINUE READING .

FCS vs. FBS: Games with upset potential this season

COURTESY: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- College football is just around the corner -- we’re nine weeks away from the Gophers’ season opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 30. So, with that in mind, I’ll be examining some story lines, players and trends to watch over the next few weeks. Here’s today’s installment:

The best chances for FCS over FBS upsets this season

When teams at the Football Championship Subdivision level (formerly Division I-AA) take on Football Bowl Subdivision teams (formerly Division I-A), the result usually is a win for the big boys. Of course, that doesn't always happen. North Dakota State has been a big exception, with six consecutive wins over FBS teams. The Bison don’t play an FBS team this year, but there are several FCS candidates to pull off an upset. Here are some matchups to watch:

North Carolina A&T at East Carolina, Sept. 1: This is another case of an FCS team facing a downtrodden FBS squad. The Aggies were 12-0 last year, won the MEAC title and capped the season with a Celebration Bowl win. The Pirates gave up 45 points per game, worst in FBS, and struggled to a 3-9 season, which included a 20-point loss to James Madison in the opener.

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2018 NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES FOOTBALL 

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME (ET)
Sat, Aug 25 Jacksonville State at Montgomery, Ala. TBA ESPN
Sat, Sep 01 East Carolina at Greenville, N.C. TBA
Sat, Sep 08 Gardner-Webb Aggie Stadium 6:00 PM
Sat, Sep 22 Morgan State * Aggie Stadium 6:00 PM
Sat, Sep 29 South Carolina State * Aggie Stadium 1:00 PM
Sat, Oct 06 Delaware State * at Dover, Del. TBA
Sat, Oct 13 Florida A&M * Aggie Stadium 1:00 PM
Sat, Oct 20 Bethune-Cookman * at Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 PM
Greatest Homecoming On Earth
Sat, Nov 03 Norfolk State * Aggie Stadium 1:00 PM
Sat, Nov 10 Savannah State * at Savannah, Ga. TBA
Sat, Nov 17 North Carolina Central * at Durham, N.C. 2:00 PM

Texas Southern Tigers and Rice Owls to Meet in 2021

HOUSTON, Texas -- Rice and Texas Southern announced on Tuesday the schools will meet for the first time in football in 2021 when the Owls host the Tigers at Rice Stadium on September 25, 2021.

The meeting between the two schools will give Rice three non-conference games against schools from the state of Texas that year. The Owls have previously announced games with Houston and at Texas in addition to a road game at Oklahoma State in 2021.

Rice is 1-0 in games against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, defeating Prairie View A&M 65-44 in 2016. The Owls and  PVAMU Panthers will open the 2018 season on August 25 at Rice Stadium.

Season tickets for the 2018 campaign featuring six home games start at $100 and are available online or by calling the Rice Athletics Ticket Office at (713) 348-OWLS. For additional ticket and game day information for the 2018 football season, please visit the football ticket page.

by Chuck Pool (cpool@rice.edu) 
COURTESY RICE UNIVERSITY OWLS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Grambling State's 2016 HBCU national title bolsters athletic revenue

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- It’s safe to assume capturing a national championship will have a monetary effect on your football program.

Grambling State capped its 2016 football season, edging out North Carolina Central, 10-9, for the HBCU National Championship at the second ever Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. The victory pulled in $702,200 for the GSU football program and athletic department.

The payout for the Celebration Bowl victory stamps a solid money figure on what winning can do for smaller programs and athletic departments like Grambling. The HBCU national title takes up a big part of the large spikeof the more than 21 percent jump in total operating revenue for the school.

MORE | Extension drives Fobbs to maintain GSU's success even more

Enthusiasm from the alumni and fan base swelled as arguably the Tigers’ best football season since 2008 -- along with what have proven to be critical moves made in leadership in the hiring of Grambling State president Rick Gallot and athletic director Paul Bryant -- generated the department $7,853,609 in revenue, a $1,654,886 spike from the previous year, according to a USA Today athletic finance database released Thursday.

CONTINUE READING

Morgan State Phillip Carr will play for Sixers' in Las Vegas Summer League

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- The NBA summer league kicks off Monday in Utah, and the Sixers have announced their roster for the upcoming minicamp. They’re participating in the Las Vegas summer league starting Friday against the Boston Celtics on ESPN at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The minicamp runs through Wednesday.

Highlighting the camp attendees are Furkan Korkmaz and Demetrius Jackson, the only two players out of the group with any NBA experience with the Sixers, along with 2018 draft acquisitions Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet (second-round choice Shake Milton is scheduled to go to the minicamp, but will not be playing in summer league due to injury).

Here are some brief profiles on the players the Sixers will have in camp this week



Phillip Carr, F, Morgan State, 6-9/205

Carr posted 13 double-doubles for Morgan State last season and was named a 2018 Preseason Player of the Year. He was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior for the Bears.

17-18 Season (Morgan State):

31 G | 32.8 MPG | 13.7 PPG (43.2 FG%) | 11 3FGM (26.8 3FG%) | 84.6 FT% | 9.3 RPG | 1.3 APG | 21 BLK

Quick Facts:

• Having reached the free throw line over 100 times in each of his three seasons at Morgan State, Carr put up particularly reliable foul shooting numbers each of his final two years in school. He hit a conference-high 82.9 percent from the line in 2016-2017. Carr actually did better from the stripe in 2017-2018, sinking 84.6 percent of his free throws, even though he finished second in the rankings.

• Carr was tabbed the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. At the end of that season, he had generated the seventh-lowest individual defensive rating in the conference (99.5).

• Prior to Morgan State, Carr gained playing experience at Williston State, where he spent one season. The previous year, he was a member of the men’s basketball team at Mohawk Valley Community College.

Summer League Experience: None

CONTINUE READING

SU Athletics receives $300,000 donation towards TCCP

Courtesy: Southern University Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University Athletics received $300,000 in gifts in support of the Tony Clayton Championship Plaza project during the Southern University System Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 22 in New Orleans.

Attorney Caleb Didriksen of the Didriksen, Saucier, Woods and Pichon law firm in New Orleans, presented a check for $250,000 to assist the TCCP fundraising efforts benefiting the University's athletics department and Human Jukebox marching band.

“I donated to Southern for the work that Southern is doing to support the students who need a little help to improve their lives through the opportunities afforded through higher education," said Didriksen, a friend and colleague of Clayton.

Didriksen expressed his delight with presenting his contribution during the board meeting, which was part of a request made by Clayton at the conclusion of a trial which produced the largest single plaintiff jury verdict in the history of Louisiana.

Jené Clayton, daughter of Tony Clayton, also contributed $50,000 to the project bearing her fathers name.

“I’m thankful to God for allowing me to be able to donate the funds," Jené Clayton said. “I had no other choice but to give to the University that has given so much to me, such as knowledge and many opportunities.”

The $1 million project will feature bronze plaques commemorating Southern championships and former athletes. The plaques will be mounted on eight stone and brick columns that hold up a stucco ring 50 feet in diameter. The ring and columns will be illuminated by color-changing LED lights, which can be programmed to display school colors and programmed with sound.

As Southern University Athletics continues to garner widespread support for the construction of Tony Clayton Championship Plaza through donations and the purchasing of the brick pavers, the structure itself has taken shape in front of the Mumford Fieldhouse and will add a signature landmark to the iconic home of Southern University football.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Throwback Monday: FAMU Marching 100 - Atlanta Classic 2010

Former WSSU Star Wykevin Bazemore Joins UVA-Wise Men's Basketball Staff

ASSISTANT COACH WYKEVIN BAZEMORE

WISE, Virginia -- UVa-Wise men's basketball Head Coach Blake Mellinger announced the addition of Wykevin Bazemore to the coaching staff as an assistant coach Sunday afternoon.

"Wykevin brings a high level of on-the-court experience and success to our program," said Mellinger. "His playing career speaks for itself. He is a leader, a teammate, a worker, and a winner."

Bazemore comes to the college after most recently serving as an assistant men's varsity coach at Southern Alamance High School. In this role Bazemore assisted the head coach with breaking down statistics and game film as well as aiding in the preparation of games.

Prior to his time at Southern Alamance High School, Bazemore spent a season playing professionally overseas in Leon, Spain where he led the league in scoring and rebounding averaging 23.9 points and nine rebounds.

Bazemore earned his degree in sociology in 2015 from Winston-Salem State University where he was a four-year starter on the men's basketball team and a three-year team captain. Named to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) All-Conference team each season of his career, Bazemore became one of four players in CIAA conference history to earn all-conference recognition for four consecutive seasons.

During his time at WSSU, Bazemore was also a four-time BoxToRow All-American selection and a starter on the 2011-12 CIAA Tournament championship team as well as being named CIAA Freshman of the Year that season. He appeared in three conference tournament championships as a Ram and was recognized as the National Black College Freshman of the Year in 2012.

Bazemore completed his career notching 1,337 points and recording 984 rebounds and currently ranks third in WSSU history in career rebounds.

"I expect that he will be equally successful as a member of our coaching staff," added Mellinger. "He will play an integral part in helping us continue to move our program forward."

Bazemore is the brother of Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Kent Bazemore and is currently pursuing his master's degree in Information Technology from Strayer University.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA-WISE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Hampton University Starts BIG SOUTH Conference Membership

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University has officially joined the Big South Conference as the calendar flips to July 1. Hampton is not the lone school joining the conference for the 2018-19 season as USC Upstate will begin competition alongside the Pirates.

 Founded in 1983, the Big South Conference is an exemplary leader in college athletics, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play. The league's growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is made evident by its multitude of athletic accomplishments, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages and most importantly, its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes. 

Comprised of 11 member institutions sharing a common geographic region and similar academic values and purposes, the Big South's remarkable history of achievement is characterized by the league's 19 championship sports and the profound academic and life successes of its more than 4,200 student-athletes. This has evolved into the conference's "Where Winners Are Made" mantra as part of a new strategic emphasis on becoming the premiere non-FBS conference in the Southeast.

Since 2000, the Big South Conference has experienced its most pivotal accomplishments in the league's history both athletically and academically, such as:

• NCAA Baseball National Champion in 2016
• Six individual National Champions
• Two top 10 finishes in the NCAA Men's Golf Championship -- including fifth in 2007
• The No. 1 ranked team in the national polls in 2014 and 2015 (football)
• Reached the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs four times in five years from 2013-17
• Multiple teams in the FCS playoffs four times since 2012
• Reached the NCAA "Sweet 16" in men's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and women's lacrosse
• Four NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament wins
• Reached the NCAA Softball Regional Championship game five times
• Three Top 24 finishes in the NCAA Women's Golf Championship since 2011
• The No. 1 seed in the NCAA Baseball Regionals four times, including the national No. 4 seed in 2010
• Three berths in the NCAA Baseball Super Regionals
• Multiple teams in the NCAA Baseball Regionals eight times
• Qualified three teams for NCAA postseason play in the same sport for the first time in 2016 (men's soccer, men's golf)
• Multiple postseason berths in at least four sports for five straight years (2013-18)
• First-ever appearance in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Women's Tennis Doubles Championship
• Appearances in the round of 32 in the NCAA Men's Singles Championship
• First All-Americans in men's and women's cross country
• The first-ever national finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year
• A Big South-record 13 Academic All-Americans in 2003-04 and 2013-14
• A Big South-record 28 NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR Success in 2018
• At least an 84 percent graduation rate for four years running
• A Big South-record 42 All-Americans in 2011-12



HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Morgan State Tiwian Kendley will play for Wizards in Las Vegas Summer League

BALTIMORE, Maryland – Tiwian Kendley, who spent two years at Morgan State University, will play for the Washington Wizards in the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas.
 
Kendley, who went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, signed an agreement to play for Washington's summer league team earlier this week.
 
Kendley, a 6-foot-4 guard, became the fastest Morgan State player to reach 1,000 career points in MSU's Division I history, finishing with 1,032 points in just 44 career games. He averaged 26.1 points per game and grabbed 4.0 rebounds and had 2.1 steals per game in his senior campaign. Kendley reached double figures in all 44 games at Morgan State, including 20-plus in 30 games and reached 30 points or more seven times. He scored at least 25 points in 13 of his 21 games during his senior season and led the Bears in steals in 12 games his senior year. 

The Harlem, N.Y. native had a career-high 41 points (13-19 FG) with six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 42 minutes vs. Bethune-Cookman (2/19/18). Kendley was a First-Team BOXTOROW All-American in 2016-17 and selected to the All-MEAC First Team his junior season and the MEAC All-Tournament Team as senior. A two-time MEAC Player of the Week selection (Jan. 3 & Jan. 9, 2018), Kendley drew 119 fouls in 21 games (5.7 pg) his senior year, taking the 22nd-most free throws in the country. He would miss seven games due to an injury his junior year and 10 games his senior season. Kendley also scored over 1,000 points in two seasons at Lamar Community College.
 
Kendley will become the first Morgan State alum to participate in the NBA Summer League which brings together players selected in last week's NBA Draft as well as prospects who may or may not be under contract with any particular franchise.
 
"First, I want to thank the Washington Wizards for giving me the opportunity to be apart of the Wiz family and continue to further my career," said Kendley.
 
"I couldn't ask for anything better and I'm beyond excited. Having a chance to play in the NBA Summer League in Vegas is huge, and it shows that your dreams can come true as long as you keep grinding and never give up."


MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, which features all 30 NBA teams for the first time, will tip off with a record 10 games on Friday, July 6 and continue through Tuesday, July 17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The first day of action will include five games on NBA TV and a tripleheader on ESPN.
 
The tournament-style format will culminate with the Championship Game on July 17 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Last year's event, won by the Los Angeles Lakers behind 2017 Summer League MVP Lonzo Ball and 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection Kyle Kuzma, set records for total attendance, single-day attendance, combined viewership across ESPN and NBA TV, and traffic to the NBA's social and digital platforms.
 
For the second consecutive year, ESPN will present every game from Las Vegas via the ESPN App, along with a record 46 games on its linear television channels (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU). NBA TV, co-managed by the NBA and Turner Sports, will air 36 games, beginning with the Summer League opener on July 6 at 2 p.m. CT.
 
Each team will play a minimum of five games at MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, starting with three preliminary contests from July 6-10. The teams will then be seeded in the tournament, which starts on July 11 and concludes with the Championship Game on July 17.
 
Tickets for MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting NBATickets.com.
 
WASHINGTON WIZARDS NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2018 PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE *
All times listed are Pacific
Friday, July 6
6 p.m. - Cleveland Cavaliers - COX Pavilion
Sunday, July 8
12:30 p.m. - San Antonio Spurs (ESPN2) - Thomas & Mack
Monday, July 9
2:30 p.m. - Philadelphia 76ers (NBA TV) - Thomas & Mack
* Tournament-style schedule TBD
 
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.

Langston University 48 Hour Homecoming Sale July 2!

LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- The Langston University Athletics Department has announced homecoming tickets and tailgate spaces will be available to purchase online at www.ticketstorm.com starting Monday, July 2nd for 48 hours.

Game Day tickets for Langston's homecoming matchup against Lyon College on Saturday, October 20th will be discounted to $15 and move back to $25 per ticket after July 3rd.

Tailgate spaces remain at $20 per space. Tailgating space is limited; fans, alumni and visitors are encouraged to secure their spots during this 48-hour period. Once the 48-hour window is closed, tailgate purchases will close and will not reopen until August 2018.

If you are purchasing tailgate spaces for the first time, you are required to complete the Langston University Football 2018 Tailgate Application. Tailgate spaces may be purchased online at www.ticketstorm.com. The Langston University Athletic Department also encourages all tailgaters to review the official tailgate policy here.

For more information visit www.langstonsports.com or call the Langston University Athletic Department at 405.466.3262.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Welcome to Houston Johnny Jones

Photo Gallery 

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

TSU Men's Basketball Adds Carlos Marshall Jr.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Carlos Marshall Jr. is the latest student-athlete to join the Tennessee State men’s basketball program. The Memphis, Tenn. native earned First Team All-Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Region 7 in 2017-18 as a freshman at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Playing alongside Michael Littlejohn and Damarri Moore and under the direction of Jerry Nichols, Marshall helped lead Southwest Tennessee Community College to a 24-5 record and a ranking of 18 in the final NJCAA Poll last season. 

Carlos Marshall Jr.  |  6-6  |  Guard 

Memphis, Tenn.  |  Southwest Tennessee Community College

• Excelled in freshman season at Southwest Tennessee Community College in 2017-18
• Earned First Team All-Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Region 7
• Southwest Tennessee’s second-leading scorer with 12.8 points per game
• Also posted 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while shooting the ball at a 39.7 percent clip from three-point range
• Scored in double figures in 19 games
• Made 10 three pointers on 14 attempts against Blue Mountain College for a season-high 30 points
• Played high school basketball at Southwind High School in Memphis alongside current TSU guard Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey
• Led Southwind HS to a 32-7 record and a run to the Class AAA State Championship Game as a senior in 2017
• 2015-16 Class AAA TSWA All-State as a junior
• Named to the AAA All-Metro Team in Memphis by the Commercial Appeal as a senior
• Played AAU for Team Thad

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

XULAgold.com chosen NAIA's best website of 2017-18

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's athletics website, XULAgold.com, has been named the best in the NAIA for 2017-18.
     
XULA received the award Thursday during the NAIA-SIDA Convention, a one-day event and part of the 2018 College Sports Information Directors of America Convention at National Harbor, Md., a Washington suburb.
     
XULAgold.com launched March 26, 2015, in partnership with SIDEARM Sports. The site includes schedules, live stats, rosters, statistics, game stories, video interviews and photo galleries about XULA's nine intercollegiate teams.
     
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Ed Cassiere is the webmaster of the site. XULA employee Yamlak Tsega provides the majority of the photographs.
     
Cassiere — who in July will begin his 13th year at XULA and his 27th as a fulltime college sports publicist — has received 25 NAIA awards the past 10 years, including six for first place. XULAgold.com received second place in the 2015-16 website contest.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Southern University Human Jukebox Summer Band & Dance Team Camp 2018

The Finale of the 2018 Summer Band & Dance Team Camp Please Watch in HD! Human Jukebox Media | @DaEdge1 Thank You the Human Jukebox Members Trinton @trin.t and Xavier @dopely.created for helping out this week and for this! Also, thank you to Corey @_virgiltibbs All Media Request Email HumanJukeboxMedia@gmail.com

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Simmons Bank Gifts $2.5 Million to Fund UAPB Athletics Upgrades

Football Stadium Turf, Scoreboard, Baseball Complex among Improvements

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- A $2.5 million Simmons Bank gift for upgrades to football and baseball athletics facilities was announced Tuesday at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The gift is the largest in UAPB history and will fund a new football stadium scoreboard and turf, along with completion of the baseball pavilion at the Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex. The gift is pending UA Systems Board of Trustees approval at its May 23-24 meeting.
 
"On behalf of UAPB faculty, staff, students and alumni, I'd like to express our appreciation to Simmons Bank for its generous gift," said Alexander. "This donation will directly benefit our student-athletes by assisting them in reaching and exceeding their athletic and academic performance goals."
 
"Simmons is honored to partner with UAPB to help students excel right here in our hometown of Pine Bluff," said George A. Makris, Jr., chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corp. "There is nothing more rewarding for our bank than the opportunity to invest in our communities, especially in our young people."
 
UAPB Interim Director of Athletics Alyse Wells-Kilbert added, "We are grateful to Simmons Bank for its long-standing partnership with UAPB, and more specifically, this major gift that will allow us to complete much needed upgrades. These improvements will benefit our student-athletes and create a better fan experience during football and baseball games."
 
The event was followed by a tailgate-style reception.


UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn Lady Braves Sign Huff & Ramirez to 2019 Roster

LORMAN, Mississippi --The Alcorn State University softball program added depth and experience to its roster with the signing of junior college transfers Keelee Huff and Alexsis Ramirez, head coach Josef Rankin announced Wednesday.

Josef Rankin announced Wednesday.
 
"I am very excited about adding Keelee and Alexsis to our program. We needed to add some experience in some areas and they will help us with that. I am looking forward to seeing them come in and compete," Rankin said. "Keelee will be able to give us some depth and much needed experience behind the plate. I am very happy we were able to find Alexsis. We needed to add another quality arm for our pitching staff and Alexsis will be able to help us on the backend."
 
Huff, a catcher from Calgary, Canada, transfers from Iowa Western CC. In two seasons with the Reivers, Huff hit for a .319 average in 77 games with a .378 on-base percentage and .462 slugging. She registered 36 RBI's with 16 walks and struck out just 13 times in 182 at-bats.
 
Huff was named to the 2017 All-Region XI Second-Team. She helped Iowa Western notch a 44-10 record overall and 9-3 in conference this season en route to the Region XI Championship title game.
 
The 5-8 righty went to high school at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy in Calgary. She'll will have two years of eligibility remaining at Alcorn.
 
Ramirez comes to Alcorn after spending the last two years at Paradise Valley CC. She was used as both a pitcher and infielder.
 
In the circle, Ramirez picked up five wins in 15 appearances last season and threw 54.0 innings. Another 5-8 right-hander, she hit for a .423 average in 27 games with a .500 on-base percentage at the plate.
 
Ramirez, from Phoenix, Arizona, played prep at Mountain Pointe High School. She'll have two years of eligibility remaining with the Lady Braves.
 
In 2019, Alcorn returns starters at shortstop, second base, third base, left field, right field and three of five pitchers. The Lady Braves are the back-to-back SWAC East Division champions.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

2018 Jackson State Hall of Fame Class Announced

JACKSON, Mississippi — The Jackson State Division of Athletics announced today that 10 former student-athletes and supporters will be enshrined at the 31st Annual Sports Hall of Fame, September 28, 2018.

2018 Class

Shasta Averyhardt- Women’s Golf

Kevin Dent- Football

A.J. Montacions- Men’s Golf

Narah Oatis- Supporter

Tera Sheriff- Women’s Basketball

Eric Strothers- Men’s Basketball

M.C. Taylor- Football

John Walker- Football

Latrenda Watson- Softball

Rickey Young- Football



JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS