Oliver, HU Track and Field Introduce 2018 Women’s Class

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  Coming off his first season back at The Mecca, Howard University Director of Track & Field David Oliver introduced the 2018 women's class, featuring nine student-athletes from six states.

"We brought in a tremendous group of kids who were not only outstanding athletes, but are even better students in the classroom," Oliver stated. "At Howard, we pride ourselves in building just as many All-Conference academic kids as we produce All-Conference level athletes. I am very proud in our staff's first recruiting class and I expect production from them right out of the gates."

A year ago, the women's team saw two Bison reach the NCAA Preliminary East Round in Tampa, Fla.: Dominique Cleggett (New Orleans, La.) and Uchechi Onuoha (Yardly, Pa.).

Here is more information on the nine signees:

Essence Baker (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) - Middle Distance

Baker comes to The Mecca after attending South Brunswick High School (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) where she guided the Vikings to its 13th consecutive Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) title. The New Jersey product competed and posted personal best in the 400-meter (58.59), 800-meter (2:12), and 1600-meter (5:16).

Mone't Bowen (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Hurdles

Bowen enters her first season after helping The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) capture a state team title with second-place finishes in the 100-hurdle and 300-hurdle. The Florida native raced in the 60-hurdle (9.03), 200-meter (24.92), and 400-hurdle (1:00).

Myiah Brooks (Oak Park, Mich.) - Sprints

Brooks hails from The Great Lakes State where she won the 2018 state indoor and outdoor championships in the 400-meter. Brooks attended Oak Park High School (Oak Park, Mich.) where she took part in the 100-meter (11.74), 200-meter (25.47), and 400-meter (55.12).

Nia Guine-Herndon (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Jumps/Multis

Guine-Herndon was a two-sport student-athlete at The Bolles School where she led the squad to a 2017 state title. The Jacksonville product competed on the track (100-hurdle, 14.72) and in the field (triple jump, 38'10"). She reunites with fellow Bulldog Mone't Bowen at The Hilltop.

Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta, Ga.) - Sprints

Coach Oliver continues to add depth in the sprints with the addition of Lewis, who comes to Howard after serving as a team captain at Riverwood International (Atlanta). The Atlanta product arrives as an honor student-athlete while being a member of the Glenarden Track Club. Lewis participated in the 60-meter (7.78), 100-meter (11.87), and 200-meter (24.62).

Lauren Lowe (Houston, Texas) - Hurdles

Lowes arrives at The District as a standout honors student-athlete from St. Agnes Academy (Houston) where she won the 2018 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Championship and Texas Relays title in the 100-hurdle. The Houston product has competed in the 60-hurdle (8.91), 100-hurdle (14.24) and 400-hurdle (1:02).

Kylan Rice (Smyrna, Ga.) - Hurdles/Jumps

Rice comes to D.C. providing depth on the track and field events. The Georgia native attended Campbell High School (Smyrna, Ga.) where she left the Peach State with performances in the top 20 in three events: 100-hurdle (14.13); 300-hurdle (42.70); and long jump (18'5").

Melanie White (Orlando, Fla.) - Middle Distance

White joins the Bison after a successful high school career at Winter Park (Winter Park, Fla.) where she was a member of the perennial powerhouse 3200-meter relay. The Florida runner finished top 20 in cross country, specializing in the 800-meter (2:13), 1600-meter (5:10), and 3200-meter (11:44).

Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) - Hurdles

Wright hails from the Tar Heel State where she guided the club to back-to-back state championships at Hillside High School (Durham, N.C.). Individually, the team captain won the state title in the 300-hurdle while also participating in the 400-hurdle (1:01) and 400-meter (55.56).

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

'Bigger than football': FAMU d-coordinator Street returns home to Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Unbeknownst to him, Ralph Street - at age 14 - was being groomed for a career in coaching.

As a prized student-athlete at Titusville Astronaut High School, he learned how to closely examine film from standout defensive coordinator, Merrill Worden.

These lessons upgraded his performance on Friday nights and propelled him to play on the collegiate level at Marshall University.

Since his days with Thundering Herd, Street has served as a defensive line coach and later a coordinator. His duties included stints at Astronaut High, the Air Force Academy, Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M.

This season, he makes a triumphant return to his home state to head up the defense at Florida A&M.

Throughout his travels, the East Mims native has broadened his diverse skills as a sound technician and leader. However, coaching in his home state has a deeper impact on him personally and professionally.

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Horn named SWAC Woman of the Year, nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year

COURTESY: ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama | Alabama State track and field student-athlete Desiree Horn has been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Woman of the Year, and will be nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year after her incredible season on and off the track.

The NCAA Woman of the Year program honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport, must have completed eligibility in her primary sport, and must have earned her undergraduate degree by Summer 2018.

Horn concluded her career with an appearance in the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship this past season, running a leg of the 4x100-meter relay team that finished 20th overall in the country. She was part of the relay team that finished sixth in the East Preliminary, while also leading her team to the conference championship in both indoor and outdoor. Horn finished as a second-team all-conference member in both the long jump and 100-meters. During her career, Horn received all-conference honors during her career in the long jump, 100-meters and 60-meters (indoor track and field). She also helped lead Alabama State eight conference championships, sweeping the indoor and outdoor championships all four years she ran for the Hornets. She also qualified for the East Preliminary (regionals) four different times during her career.

Off the track, Horn volunteered multiple hours at the KaBoom! Playgrounds, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Tyson Manor Health Facility, American Red Cross, The Learning Tree and The Children's Center. Not only did she shine on the track and in community service, but Horn was also a scholar-athlete as she received her degree this year. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Alabama State University, was a four-time member of the Dean's List, a 2016 inductee into the Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology and was a Psychology club member.

This year marks the 28th year of the NCAA Woman of the Year, with 581 nominees this year (the most ever in the history of the award). Honorees this season make up 20 different NCAA sports, with 170 multi-sport athletes recognized - including 109 two-sport athletes. There are four pillars for the NCAA Woman of the Year award: academics, athletics, service and leadership.

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Q&A: interim SWAC Commissioner Gantt talks future of title game, league, his position

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Temporary title game revival? Who will be the next SWAC Commissioner? What will the conference look like in five years?

These were the questions that hovered over the SWAC's annual Media Day Friday at the Birmingham Marriott where head coaches and players from all 10 member school gathered to unofficially kick off football season.

The News-Star and other members of the media talked with Interim Commissioner Edgar Gantt at a round table interview session, discussing the biggest story lines for the SWAC as the 2018 campaign is less than a month-and-a-half away.



How big is the announcement of championship game coming to Birmingham?

Gantt: It’s been really good exciting time for us as a league and the partnership opportunity that the city of Birmingham has presented us has been really good.

Why was Birmingham the eventual landing spot for the SWAC title game?

Gantt: Birmingham plays a big part of who we are as a league. The conference office has been here since ’99. You’ve had SWAC football championship game historically started here. With the mayor coming on, them revitalizing the sports infrastructure here in the city of Birmingham, it was a great opportunity.

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AAMU's Maynor, Players Discuss Upcoming Football Season at SWAC Media Day

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Connell Maynor era of Alabama A&M football is underway.

Maynor made his first SWAC Media Day appearance as Alabama A&M's football coach on Friday at the Grandview Marriott in Birmingham.

At SWAC Media Day, Maynor was joined by Alabama A&M senior safety Dylan Hamilton and junior running back Jordan Bentley.

"I like the progress we've made this offseason," Maynor said. "We've got a good group of players returning, and we've made some nice additions through recruiting, and as a team, we're moving in the right direction."

Maynor was hired in February as Alabama A&M's new football coach. The Bulldogs finished last season with a 4-7 record.

Alabama A&M returns seven starters on offense, and six on defense.

At SWAC Media Day, for Alabama A&M, one of the prominent themes discussed was the Bulldogs' new coaching staff.

When Maynor was hired at Alabama A&M, he quickly assembled a staff of veteran coaches who have been successful at the highest levels of college football.

Alabama A&M defensive coordinator Mark DeBastiani spent the past three seasons at Florida in a quality control position, and he spent 10 seasons as Norfolk State's defensive coordinator. During his last six seasons at Norfolk State, the Rams were ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense.

Maynor also hired Duane Taylor as Alabama A&M's new offensive coordinator. Taylor was Maynor's offensive coordinator at Hampton during the past three seasons. Last season, with Taylor calling the plays, Hampton averaged 321.5 yards and 21.5 points per game.

Maynor said that having veteran assistant coaches on staff with successful resumes has helped make a smooth transition at Alabama A&M.

"When I took this job, being able to bring in an experienced, quality staff was important," Maynor said. "We've got some great coaches who are working hard to help the young men on our football program achieve their goals."

Bentley, a junior running back who was the 2016 SWAC Freshman of the Year, said the immediate impact made by Alabama A&M's new coaching staff is noticeable.

"You can see it in everything we do," Bentley said. "The new coaching staff is very involved in everything we do. They're very hands-on. This is important to them, and the players understand that. They're creating a great culture here. They're creating a lot of excitement."

Hamilton, a senior safety, agreed.

"There is a new attitude around our program," Hamilton said. "Everyone has bought in, and just in a matter of months, the results already are obvious. There is not a single person in our program who isn't excited about what's ahead for our program."

Alabama A&M opens fall camp on August 1. The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 1 against Miles in the Louis Crews Classic.

"Our guys are ready to get into camp and get things started," Maynor said. "The players have been working hard to prepare themselves for what's ahead. We want to be a team that's ready to compete in every single game, no matter the opponent. We want to be the kind of program that competes for championships.

"For us to get that point requires hard work and discipline, and I believe our guys are buying into that."

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Chicago State Track & Field Signs 5 Student-Athletics To Its 2018-19 Roster

CHICAGO, Illinois – Chicago State track and field head coach Craig Collins has announced the signing of five student-athletes to his 2018-19 recruiting class that will join the program for the fall semester in late August.

An'Twanique Kinsler, Jayla McClure and Majesty Otems will compete for the CSU women's team, while Matt Brown and Robbie Wooden will compete for the CSU men's team. All five student-athletes will have four years of eligibility beginning in '18-19.

"Though it is not common to rely heavily on incoming freshmen to make significant impacts on teams immediately, it is apparent that this freshmen class is built to change the game for our program as soon as they hit campus. I am quite pleased and excited about the direction both our Women's and Men's teams are headed," Collins said.

An'Twanique Kinsler (Photo taken by Michael Laughlin/Miami Sun-Sentinel)

Kinsler captured district and regional titles in the 800-meter run and 4x400-meter relay events Pahokee (Fla.) High School while helping the 4x400 relay team finish second in the state. She also personal-best times of 12.2 in the 100m, 25.3 in the 200m, 58.3 in the 400m in her final prep season. Kinsler, an honor roll student who finished fourth in her graduating class at Pahokee, also recorded PR times in the 800-meter run (2:20.6) and 21:41 in the 5K for cross country in addition to earning letters in track and cross country.

Jayla McClure (second from right - Photo courtesy of Timber Creek High School)

McClure, a two-sport athlete in track and basketball at Orlando's Timber Creek High School, helped her school's 4x400 and 4x800-meter relay teams advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 4A state championship meet last month. She also won the Metro East Conference title and finished second in the FHSAA 4A District 4 meet individual in the 400-meter dash.

Majesty Otems (Number 2682 - Photo taken by Jerry Baker/Galveston County Daily News) 

Otems helped Hitchcock's 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams capture regional titles while the 4x100 relay placed fifth in the state. She was a three-sport athlete at HHS after earning district MVP honors and honorable mention all-district honors in volleyball during senior year. Otems was an A/B honor student at Hitchcock.

Matt Brown

Brown competed at Cornwall College, located in Montego Bay, Jamaica, alongside current CSU track standouts Orelle Bulgin (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College)and Ricordo McKenzie (Montego Bay, Jamaica/Cornwall College). He captured the 100-meter dash title at the 2017 County of Cornwall Athletics Association (COCAA) Western Championship with a time of 10.58, and helped Cornwall's 4x100-meter relay team record a time of 41.20 at the COCAA meet.

Robbie Wooden

A three-sport athlete at Miami's Carol City Senior High School, Wooden recorded a personal-best time of 1:58 in the 800-meter dash in his senior year. He also lettered in cross country and football at Carol City, and competed for the Ultimate Track Club in 2017-18.

"With the addition of this 2018-19 recruiting class, we will become more competitive and have more depth in a number of events," added Collins.  Each of our signees are up to the challenge of high level competition and are ready to give us that edge we need to further our quest to obtain a conference championship."

Please check back to www.gocsucougars.com in the coming weeks for more information regarding CSU Track and Field's 2018-19 recruiting class.

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NCCU Baseball Alum Devin Sweet Signs with Seattle Mariners

PEORIA, Arizona – Former North Carolina Central University pitcher Devin Sweet (Greensboro, N.C.) will continue his baseball career with a Major League club as he has signed with the Seattle Mariners, the organization announced.

Sweet said he was optimistic of getting a call to join an MLB team, but was still surprised when it came in.

"I was at Raleigh-Durham International Airport getting ready to pick someone up when the call came in," said Sweet. "The scout messaged me earlier in the morning that there's a good chance I might get the spot, and when I might be able to head out, and he said he'd probably let me know in the next 24 hours. Twenty minutes later, I got a phone call saying that they were finalizing everything and that I got the spot, and they need to know when I could head west.

"I was in disbelief, honestly," Sweet continued. "At first when he told me there was a spot opening up, I thought that I probably wouldn't get it. I thought I'd keep working out and stay optimistic, but I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. When the scout called me I thought he was also just being optimistic. When he finally told me, I was just really shocked, surprised, and excited, and just ready to get home and tell my parents, and let everyone know the good news."

Sweet was a four-year starter at NCCU and leaves as the program's all-time wins and strikeouts leader with 18 victories and 246 punchouts over 59 appearances and 41 starts. During his senior campaign in 2018, he fanned 87 batters to set a new NCCU single-season strikeout record and tied his career season-high with five wins.

Sweet was twice named MEAC Pitcher of the Week in 2018, including when he collected a career-high 12 strikeouts without a walk and just four hits in a nine-inning complete game victory against Savannah State on March 24. He also hurled 10 strikeouts against NJIT and 11 against Iona during the campaign.

"We are all proud of Devin's accomplishment," said NCCU baseball head coach Jim Koerner. "He has been one of the top pitchers in the MEAC for the past four years and has earned the opportunity to pitch at the next level. We're looking forward to seeing him do big things."

Sweet becomes the third NCCU pitcher to sign a contract with a MLB club following Eric Kimber (Kansas City Royals) and Andrew Vernon (Milwaukee Brewers), who was the first Eagle to be selected during the MLB Draft. Sweet says it feels great to be able to continue the trend of recent success for the program.

"This is something I really wanted to do, just to keep it going," Sweet said. "I know next year we have a lot of guys that are going to have a lot of scouts' eyes, so just to be able to continue that tradition is great. I really think the program is heading in the right direction and getting a lot of recognition now with scouts and everything, so it's great."

Sweet now becomes the 10th Eagle to sign a professional contract in the program's modern era which began in 2007.

The Mariners organization setup consists of the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA), Arkansas Travelers (AA), Modesto Nuts (A-Advanced), Clinton LumberKings (A), and two rookie league teams in Arizona and the Dominican Republic.

Seattle competes in the West division of the American League and last won the division in 2001 when it set the AL record with 101 wins and tied the Major League record as well. The Mariners are currently second in the division, but are in a Wild Card spot with a record of 57-35.

"I didn't really get to watch Ken Griffey Jr. play back in the day, but I loved watching highlights of him," Sweet said of the Mariners hall of fame outfielder. "I loved watching Ichiro and King Felix (Felix Hernandez), so they have a lot of players I looked up to growing up. I'm excited to get out there and show what I got."

Sweet will report to the Arizona Rookie League squad in Peoria, Arizona, and he says he's ready to start the next chapter in his journey.

"I'm excited. I definitely want to try to get out there and pitch with confidence, and know I deserve to be there so that I can be successful at that level as well," Sweet said. "I just want to thank the NCCU Athletics Department, the coaches, and everybody involved with me being there to give me the opportunity to play baseball. I wouldn't be here without everybody, so I just want to thank everybody for that."

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Cross Country Schedule Released

2018 TSU Cross Country Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State Director of Track and Field Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice unveiled the schedule for the upcoming cross country season.

• This year’s schedule includes four meets leading up to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship on Oct. 27 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
• The Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers open the season with the first two meets in Nashville for the Belmont Opener (Aug. 31) and the Commodore Classic (Sept. 15).
• In the next two meets – hosted by OVC schools – TSU will take part in the Austin Peay Cross Country Festival in Clarksville, Tenn. (Sept. 22) and the MSU Invitational in Murray, Ky. (Oct. 5).
• TSU's men's and women's teams both placed 12th at last year's OVC Cross Country Championship. 
• For the men’s team, the squad’s two top runners – Larry McNary and Marcus Abdul are back for their sophomore seasons.
• Tigerbelle Rebekah Wynn also returns for her sophomore campaign after posting TSU’s top finishes in all five meets a year ago.

2018 TENNESSEE STATE CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

8/31 – Belmont Opener – Nashville, Tenn. 

9/15 – Commodore Classic – Nashville, Tenn. 

9/22 – Austin Peay Cross Country Festival – Clarksville, Tenn. 

10/5 – MSU Invitational – Murray, Ky.

10/27 – Ohio Valley Conference Championship – Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the John Merritt Classic

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Saturday, Sept. 1, Tennessee State University will host the 20th annual John Merritt Classic football game in Nissan Stadium.

Established in 1999, the John Merritt Classic pays homage to one of the greatest coaches in Tennessee State and college football history, John Ayers Merritt.

If ever there was a touch of greatness in a football coach, John Merritt possessed it. Thus, when Tennessee State University officials were trying to identify a name for an annual classic to be played at the former Adelphia Coliseum, the John Merritt Classic was a natural.

The highly motivated and truly successful coach dominated and revolutionized the game of football during his career.

In 1963, TSU hired Merritt to become the school’s 14th football head coach. He coached the Tigers for 20 years and amassed over 170 wins for TSU.

Over the course of his career, Merritt continued to enhance the university’s rich football tradition- completing four undefeated seasons, winning six national championships and four black college football titles. Along with an excellent staff of assistant coaches, including Joe Gilliam Sr. and Alvin Coleman who had accompanied Merritt to TSU from Jackson State in 1963, he implemented a wide open pro-type “T” offense with multiple sets.

In 1967, Merritt’s team achieved a national defensive record for allowing opponents a paltry average of 2.15 yards per carry and a year later, he was named Coach of the Year. Merritt’s team received the Associated Press and the United Press International small college championships in 1975, and by 1979 he had a record of 130-25-5. Merritt modestly downplayed his role in the team’s success and attributed the team’s winning record to “the Good Lord.”

The more games Merritt won and the more players he sent to the National Football League, the more attention Tennessee and Tennessee State University gained nationally. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter called to congratulate Merritt for his 200th victory.

The city of Nashville named John A. Merritt Boulevard (old Centennial Boulevard between Twenty-eighth and Forty-fourth Avenues) in his honor in 1982. By then, Merritt was in failing health. From 1963 until 1983, when he resigned, Merritt compiled a record of 172-33-7 at TSU and 232-65-11 overall. He was inducted posthumously into the National College Football Hall of Fame on December 6, 1994.

During his career, Merritt built a powerful program that produced NFL stars like “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam (Pittsburgh Steelers), Richard Dent (Chicago Bears), Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Claude Humphrey (Philadelphia Eagles) and many others.

Tennessee State football is 13-6 all-time in the John Merritt Classic and will face Bethune-Cookman for the second time in the annual event.

Season tickets and single game tickets for the John Merritt Classic are on sale now.

Call or visit the TSU Ticket Office, (615) 963-ROAR, for more information.

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CIAA Kicks off 2018-19 with Football Media Day

ROANOKE, Virginia -– The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will kick off the 2018 fo
otball season with its annual Football Media Day on Thursday, July 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia.

Each of the CIAA's twelve head football coaches, accompanied by select student-athletes, will take the stage for discussion regarding their football program, athletes, and season schedule as teams anticipate the conference championship. This season's circuit will feature extended sessions for Q&A dialog between head coaches, student-athletes, and media. CIAA Football Media Day will open at 9:00 a.m. and close with remarks from Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams at 11:30 a.m.

Attending media is welcome to attend the CIAA's community service engagement, hosted on Wednesday, July 18 at Salem Football Stadium (1008 Texas Street, Salem, VA). CIAA head football coaches and student-athletes will host a free youth football clinic for over 175 aspiring athletes. Clinic will take place from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Media interested in attending the Media Day circuit must RSVP via theciaa.com. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, July 18th.

2018 CIAA Football Media Day Circuit Schedule

Time	Event	Speaker(s)
9:00 a.m.	Opening Remarks	Stan Lewter
9:03 a.m.	Predicted Order of Finish & Preseason Team	Stan Lewter
9:10 a.m.	Lincoln (PA) University	Coach Josh Dean Carlos Croslin WR | Isiah Ryans LB
9:20 a.m.	Livingstone College	Coach Daryl Williams Everett Ransom WR | Alexis Archie QB
9:30 a.m.	Shaw University	Coach Adrian Jones Devon Hunt LB | Keon Marsh QB
9:40 a.m.	Elizabeth City State University	Coach Anthony Jones Carlton Evans TE | Miacah Cooper LB
9:50 a.m.	Johnson C. Smith University	Coach Kermit Blount Zachary Cannon DT | Jachin Watkins RB
10:00 a.m.	Chowan University	Coach Tim Place Tyler Bembry DL | Torry Baker WR
10:10 a.m.	Winston-Salem State University	Coach Kienus Boulware Rod Tinsley Jr. QB | Kerrion Moore RB
10:20 a.m.	Virginia Union University	Coach Alvin Parker Sterling Hammond DB | Darius Taylor QB
10:30 a.m.	Saint Augustine's University	Coach Tim Chavous DJ Johnson QB | Roy Garris DB/WR
10:40 a.m.	Bowie State University	Coach Damon Wilson Amir Hall QB | Roger Richardson DB
10:50 a.m.	Fayetteville State University	Coach Richard Hayes Stevie Green RB | Keshawn James DE
11:00 a.m.	Virginia State University	Coach Reggie Barlow Shakym Peters DB | Cordelral Cook QB
11:10 a.m.	CIAA Remarks	Dr. James A. Anderson | CIAA Board Chair & FSU Chancellor
11:20 a.m.	City of Roanoke & Salem	Mayor Sherman Lea & Mayor Randy Foley
11:30 a.m.	CIAA Remarks	Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams
11:40 a.m.	Closing Remarks	Stan Lewter

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Spring Hill Badgers Advance to Full NCAA Division II Membership

MOBILE, Alabama -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) notified Spring Hill College (SHC) on Friday that the Membership Committee recommends that Spring Hill College be advanced to full NCAA Division II membership effective September 1, 2018. The decision is subject to final approval from the NCAA Division II Management Council. SHC Director of Athletics, Jim Hall, received the official notification via telephone call on Friday afternoon.

"I know I speak for the entire Spring Hill College community when I say that we are thrilled to receive the Membership Committee's recommendation," said Hall. "This is the culmination of several years of dedicated work across our campus on behalf of our student-athletes. I am especially grateful to all of our student-athletes who have competed as Badgers for the last four years without access to post-season championships. They have been crucial to making this transition a success and will always be considered champions on this campus."

As a result of this decision, the 16 SHC varsity athletic programs making the transition to NCAA Division II will now become eligible for conference and NCAA post-season competition beginning with the 2018-19 academic year. SHC student-athletes, coaches and teams will also become eligible for NCAA regional and national awards based on athletic and/or academic performance.

"I want to thank all of the members of our campus community who have worked to make this transition a success," said Hall. "NCAA Division II membership will be an important piece of our campus culture and student experience for generations of future Springhillians thanks to the support of our Board of Trustees and the work of our faculty and staff. We look forward to providing our student-athletes with a competitive athletic experience commensurate with their Jesuit academic experience on our campus for many years to come."

In October 2012, Spring Hill College accepted an invitation to join the 13-member Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and began the application process for NCAA membership. The College also holds affiliate membership in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in the sports of men's soccer, women's soccer and women's golf.

"The SIAC congratulates Spring Hill College on advancing to full membership in NCAA Division II and the SIAC," said Commissioner Greg Moore. "We are especially pleased to welcome them given their institution's historic leadership in promoting inclusion and social justice in the Deep South."

Beginning this fall, SHC teams will become eligible to compete in conference championship events with access to automatic qualifiers to NCAA post-season championships. "I know this is something that our student-athletes are tremendously excited about," noted Hall. "Our student-athletes are looking forward to getting their first taste of NCAA post-season play and hopefully hoisting some conference championship hardware."

By becoming a member of the NCAA, Spring Hill College has now officially become the 27th of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide that are currently members of the NCAA.

By Jim Stennett
SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush add 3 more to 2018-19 recruiting class

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's 2018-19 men's basketball recruiting class has increased to four with the Thursday announcement of three signees.

Joining coach Alfred Williams's Gold Rush this fall will be:

• Breshaun Delpit, a 6-foot-7 forward from New Orleans and Landry-Walker High School. He'll major in biology at XULA.

• William Loyd, a 6-5 forward from Baton Rouge, La., and Madison Preparatory Academy. A transfer from Spring Hill College (Mobile, Ala.), Loyd is majoring in business management.

• Donovan Saine, a 6-4 guard from Detroit and Oak Hill (Va.) Academy. His XULA major will be sports medicine.

Delpit averaged 10 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots per game last season, made the All-District 8-5A team and helped Landry-Walker finish second in the Class 5A state playoffs. He helped the Charging Buccaneers win the 5A state championship his junior season, and he made the honor roll multiple times.

"After losing seniors Joseph Williams and Elex Carter from last season, we wanted to address our toughness during recruiting," Williams said. "Breshaun has a strong motor and is a very athletic forward. He rebounds and blocks shots at a high level. He is just scratching the surface as to how good he can be offensively. Right now his calling card is on the defensive side."

Loyd averaged 10 points, 6.6 rebounds and shot 56.7 percent from the floor as a sophomore last season for NCAA Division II Spring Hill. He helped Madison Prep win state championships his senior (Class 2A) and junior (1A) seasons.

"William will be our Swiss Army Knife," Williams said. "He can guard every position on the floor. He brings a level of versatility at the 4-position that we haven't had in a long time. He's really good 18 feet in. He will be a mismatch problem because of his ability to score inside and outside. He's a smart defender. He came from a winning high school program. His toughness and craftiness will be instrumental for us this year."

Loyd's father, Khris (1987-90, 1991-92), and uncles Kenny (1982-86) and Kraig (1995-99) all played for the Gold Rush.

Saine averaged 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals this past season for an Oak Hill team that won a National Association of Christian Athletes national championship. He was a two-year starter for the Warriors and averaged 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals as a junior. He transferred to Oak Hill from Orchard Lake St. Mary's in his home state.

Saine was all-tournament at nationals as a senior.

The other XULA newcomer is 6-3 guard Jevon Berry of Arnaudville, La., and Cecilia High School. Berry signed in February.

XULA was 24-9 last season, earned a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and — for the 11th time in the last 14 seasons — qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship.

2018-19 XULA Men's Basketball Signees
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.*	Hometown	High School (Previous College)
Jevon Berry	G	6-3	164	Fr.	Arnaudville, La.	Cecilia
Breshaun Delpit	F	6-7	205	Fr.	New Orleans, La.	Landry-Walker
William Loyd	F	6-5	218	Jr.	Baton Rouge, La.	Madison Prep (Spring Hill)
Donovan Saine	G	6-4	200	Fr.	Detroit, Mich.	Oak Hill Academy
* XULA athletic classification in 2018-19 Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

Uncharted territory: Without a pre-established candidate, Southern continues search for next round of leaders

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — For the past eight months, almost every time someone talked to Southern's Demerio Houston about the 2018 football season, he got the same question.

What’s it like to follow Danny Johnson?

Houston didn’t take offense. It’s a natural comparison to make. Houston is about to fill Johnson’s superstar shoes at cornerback this season. If anything, he tries to look at it as a compliment to replace a player who was such a big part of his development.

But the pressure is there. It’s always there.

Not just to replace a someone who intercepted 18 passes in four seasons or became the first Southern football player to be invited to the Senior Bowl in 23 years, the player who returned punts and caught a touchdown on his first play as a wide receiver in college.

The real pressure is to be the leader Johnson was.

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Akia Stanton Names New Head Coach For Allen University Basketball

Akia Stanton set to lead the Lady Yellow Jackets basketball program.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Allen University announced on Monday that Ms. Akia Stanton has been named the head coach of the Lady Yellow Jackets basketball team.

Coach Stanton comes to Allen University from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX where she was the Head Women's Basketball coach for the past four years. Jarvis Christian is currently a member of the Red River Athletic Conference which is a member of the NAIA. Prior, to coaching at Jarvis Christian she was the assistant basketball and volleyball coach at her Alma Mater Paine College in Augusta, GA for three years.

"Coach Stanton and I share the same vision for Allen-putting together a competitive team, competing for a Conference Championship, and eventually for a National Championship," Yellow Jackets Athletic Director, Chad Washington, said in a statement. "Coach Stanton plays a fun up-tempo style that players love and fans will enjoy. She is from Milledgeville, GA and is very familliar with recruiting in the Southeast area." said Chad Washington.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach the Women's Basketball team here at Allen University," Stanton said. "Allen has a tremendous basketball tradition, and I am looking forward to building on the excellent foundation that is in place on the court and in the classroom. I know firsthand, the energy level that faithful Allen student and alumni have is second to none.

"She would like to thank President McNealey, Athletic Director Mr. Washington, and Mr Simon, the Special Assistant to the President for Athletics for the opportunity to lead the Women's Basketball Program."

ALLEN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

FAMU Summer Band Camp Finals 2018

FAMU Rattlers focus on technique and volume to upgrade team speed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The scientific component of speed as it relates to football is the building block in which to secure on-the-field success.

It's the difference-maker between a third-down conversion and punting the ball.

It's the difference-maker between an open-field tackle and a 25-yard gain.


It's the glaring result which separates teams in the win-loss column.

To ensure lasting favorable results on game day, Florida A&M is making a concerted effort to upgrade its speed on both sides of the field.

This feat is being accomplished through proper footwork mechanics, weight training and body alignment.

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DSU Hornet hoop coach search heating up

DOVER, Delaware -- At long last some progress is being made in the search for a new basketball coach at Delaware State University.

More than five candidates interviewed for the men’s basketball job last week in Philadelphia. A hire could be announced in the next two weeks.

The flurry of activity in the search coincides with the arrival of new athletic director Scott Gines, who was hired in June but did not start on the job until early July.

It has been 141 days since Keith Walker was fired on Feb. 22. Keith Johnson was named the interim that day and still holds that title.

Johnson is one of the final candidates. He was the associate head coach under Walker and finished the season 1-3 in the final four games for the Hornets.

Delaware State is one of only two Division I teams who still have a head coach opening. The other is Chicago State.

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Grambling has 15 on All-SWAC team; Tigers picked to win West

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Grambling State University football team placed a Southwestern Athletic Conference high 15 players on the preseason team, including 10 on the first team, as the conference announced the honors during Media Day on Friday morning at the Birmingham Marriott.

All conference honors were selected by the 10-member institution head coaches and the sports information directors.

The Tigers landed 15 on the All-SWAC Preseason teams as De’Arius Christmas was selected the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Grambling State, which went 11-2 last season and fell just short in the Celebration Bowl, was voted to win the West Division.



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Difference of opinion: Southern and Grambling continue opposing strategies on transfers

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — There’s two ways to look at college football transfers: the way Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs does it and the way Southern’s Dawson Odums does.

Fobbs is a big believer in bringing in transfers. The three-time defending SWAC West champion Tigers list 21 transfers on their 2018 roster, including eight from the FBS or FCS levels.

“For the most part, it’s worked out well for us,” Fobbs said. “There’s maybe one or two times it hasn’t. But probably 80 percent of the guys we bring in are guys we know and guys that we feel really good about doing things the right way.”

The first question Fobbs asks is if the player wants to conform to what his program does or does the player want the program to conform to him? If it’s the former, the transfer can proceed.

Once on campus, Fobbs lets his players take over. A mixture of welcoming attitudes and what he described as “peer pressure” to do things the Grambling way shapes players into Tigers.

Then there’s the Southern’s old-school method of relying on high school recruits. Odums’ Southern roster currently lists six transfers this year, one more than last season.

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N.C. A&T's cross country teams open the season on Aug. 31.

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The men’s and women’s cross country team has released their 2018 schedule that mimics last year’s schedule with five meets leading up to the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships.

“I’m excited about our cross country teams this year,” said Duane Ross, director of track and field programs. “This is a competitive schedule that will prepare us for conference and the regional championships.”

The women’s team is coming off their best finish in eight years with a fourth-place finish at the MEAC championships behind Florida A&M, Hampton, and Norfolk State. The men finished fifth with returning senior Hakeem Mustafaa and junior Marquise McGee earning all-conference accolades.

Both teams open the season at the 6thAnnual Elon Opener on Aug. 31. It will mark a decade that the Aggies have raced at Elon University. An Aggie, Darren White, won the event two years ago. After competing at Elon, the Aggies will run at the Adidas Cross Country Classic hosted by North Carolina State at the Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary on Sept. 14. Last season the men finished ninth and the women placed 11th.

After another two-week break, the Aggies will get a chance to run in Greensboro as the two teams compete in the Greensboro Cross Country Invitational at Hagan Stone Park on Sept. 29. This marks the second straight year the Aggies will compete in the event. They were triumphant in their return last season with both teams taking first place after a five-year absence from running at Hagan Stone Park.

A week later the Aggies will return to Wake Med Soccer Park for the Robert Shumake HBCU Challenge. The Aggie men are the four-time defending champions. N.C. A&T’s final regular-season meet is as High Point University’s VertCross Invitational on Oct. 12.

“The race to win a combined six conference championships in cross country and track and field begins this August with cross country, and I believe our athletes are up to the challenge,” said Ross. The MEAC championships are on Oct. 27 at the Delaware State University Outreach and Research Center in Smyrna, Del. The women will have a tough task in trying to dethrone six-time reigning champion Florida A&M, while the men will be trying to take down reigning champion Norfolk State.

The Aggies men's track and field programs have won the last two indoor and outdoor championships in the MEAC. The women's track and field programs have won two straight indoor titles. The Aggies are trying to add cross country titles to the resume of the track and field programs.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION