CIAA Announces 2018 Preseason Football Team & Ranking

Roanoke, Virginia -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), its Football Coaches Association and the Sports Information Directors Association announces the 2018 CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish and the Preseason All-CIAA Team.

For the 2018 season, the Bulldogs of Bowie State University have been selected as the predicted Championship contender. Meanwhile, the defending CIAA Champion Trojans of Virginia State University have been selected to finish second. The Bulldogs finished 9-2 last season with a 6-1 conference record and 4-1 division record. The Trojans finished 10-1 last season with a 7-0 conference record and 5-0 division record. Both BSU and VSU were featured in the first round of the NCAA Division II Region 2 football playoffs.

2018 Predicted Order of Finish

1. Bowie State University

2. Virginia State University

3. Fayetteville State University

4. Winston-Salem State University

5. Virginia Union University

6. Saint Augustine's University

7. Chowan University

8. Shaw University

9. Elizabeth City State University

10. Johnson C. Smith University

11. Livingstone College

12. Lincoln (PA) University

 Predicted Divisional Order of Finish

Northern Division

1. Bowie State
2. Virginia State
3. Virginia Union
4. Chowan
5. Elizabeth City State
6. Lincoln (PA)

Southern Division

1. Fayetteville State
2. Winston-Salem State
3. Saint Augustine's
4. Shaw
5. Johnson C. Smith
6. Livingstone

The 2018 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team is led by a standout group of student-athletes. Amir Hall, Bowie State senior quarterback, led the conference in passing yards per game (319.9 yds) and touchdowns (41). 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, defensive back Sterling Hammond of Virginia Union, highlights the preseason's defense after completing his sophomore season with 5 interceptions. He also tallied 70 total tackles, including 46 solo tackles. 2017 Special Teams Player of the Year, kicker Gene Carson of Bowie State, scored 102 points for the Bulldogs last season, completing 10-13 (77%) field goals and 72-77 (94%) extra point attempts. 

2018 Preseason All-CIAA Football Team

Offense

TE	#89	Carlton Evans	ECSU	6-3	240	Sr.	Durham, NC
OL	#65	Tyreek Bailey*	FSU	6-2	305	Sr.	Newport News, VA
OL	#70	Frank Ball*	VSU	6-3	280	r-Jr.	Hampton, VA
OL	#77	Shamdu Nalls*	VUU	6-4	330	Sr.	Baltimore, MD
OL	#78	Donald Boone	CU	6-4	290	Sr.	Hertford, NC
OL	#57	Deveonte Mackey	WSSU	6-3	280	So.	Lakeland, FL
WR	#18	Lansana Sesay	BSU	6-4	175	Sr.	Bowie, MD
WR	#84	Torry Baker	CU	6-0	180	Sr.	Charlotte, NC
QB	#6	Amir Hall*	BSU	6-4	180	Sr.	Bowie, MD
RB	#28	Stevie Green	FSU	6-1	190	Jr.	Washington, NC
RB	#26	Kerrion Moore	WSSU	5-9	190	R-Jr.	Gastonia, NC
KR	#32	Brandon Smith	FSU	5-8	170	Jr.	Raeford, NC
PK	#47	Gene Carson*	BSU	6-2	185	Jr.	Accokeek, MD

Defense

DL	#34	Jarell Bright*	WSSU	6-2	235	Sr.	Charlotte, NC
DL	#11	Derrick Tate*	BSU	6-3	210	Sr.	Baltimore, MD
DL	#99	Jalen Cousar	FSU	6-1	320	Sr.	Charlotte, NC
DL	#51	Oluwaleke Ajenifuja	BSU	6-3	207	R-Jr.	Beltsville, MD
DL	#94	Tyler Bembry	CU	6-1	235	R-Sr.	Suffolk, VA
LB	#34	Devon Hunt*	SU	6-1	220	Jr.	Rockingham, NC
LB	#14	Vincent Thomas	ECSU	6-1	235	Sr.	New Symra Beach, FL
LB	#46	Anthony Harris	FSU	6-2	220	R-Jr.	Greenville, NC
DB	#8	Jaleel Scroggins	SU	6-1	180	So.	Raleigh, NC
DB	#7	Quantaye Battle	VUU	6-2	210	R-Jr.	Baltimore, MD
DB	#26	Sterling Hammond*	VUU	6-1	195	Jr.	Caret, VA
DB	#19	Elvin De La Rosa	FSU	6-1	190	So.	Winston-Salem, NC
PR	#23	William Flowers*	BSU	5-10	180	Jr.	Baltimore, MD
P	#19	Brandon Howard	JCSU	5-8	200	Jr.	Columbia, SC

*2017 All-CIAA First Team Members

For the 2018 football season, three institutions will be taking the field with new leadership on the sideline. Virginia Union and Head Coach Alvin Parker will open their season at home versus Seton Hill on September 1, 2018 at 1 PM. Elizabeth City State and Head Coach Anthony Jones will start off their season at home, playing Central St. (Ohio) on September 1, 2018 at 1 PM. Finally, Head Coach Josh Dean of Lincoln (Pa.) will lead the Lions on their home turf versus Fayetteville State on September 1, 2018 at 7 PM.  

The 2018 CIAA football season opens on Thursday, August 30, 2018 with the CIAA Football Championship scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2018 in Salem, Virginia. The nationally televised championship game will be played at Salem Football Stadium and feature the CIAA Northern and Southern Division champions.

CIAA Football Media Day kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Roanoke, Virginia. Catch all the action by following the CIAA on Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports).

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

ASU Volleyball Announces 2018 Recruiting Class

ALBANY, Georgia -- Albany State University Head Coach Verniece Graham has announced the newest additions to the volleyball program for this fall.

The Golden Rams will have an array of new faces in uniform when the season begins and first year head coach Verniece Graham is looking forward to what the fall of 2018 will bring.

"I am pleased with the group of student-athletes that we have coming in this year", says Coach Graham. "I know that they will all come in and bring something special to our team and am excited for the 2018 volleyball season!"

Albany State will boost their offense with eight hitters, five for the middle with the balance coming from the outside. They include Kyashia Sanders (Montgomery, Alabama), Tomiah Jones (Florence, South Carolina), Jordyn Terrell (Atlanta, Georgia) and Taylor Hentz (Duluth, Georgia).

In the middle, the Golden Rams will welcome Tomiah Jones out of Florence, South Carolina (South Florence HS), Johniqua Woods from Columbus, Georgia, Yadira Lyons out of Haines City, Florida and Lenee Blot a native of Miami, Florida who will transfer to ASU after spending two seasons at Francis Marion University.

Azriel White, who hails from Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California will join the Golden Rams' lineup at the setter position and Atlanta native Kennedy Patrick (Elite Scholars Academy) will anchor the Golden Rams' defense as a libero/defensive specialist.

Albany State will open the 2018 season with a tri-match against Augusta University and the University of Montevallo in Augusta, Georgia.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Savannah State Volleyball Releases 2018 Schedule

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State University volleyball team announces the 2018 schedule Thursday that features seven home matches under head coach Edric Poitier third season at the helm.

Nine of the first 10 matches are on the road for the Lady Tigers. SSU opens the season at Charleston Southern University Aug. 28 at 7 p.m., followed by the first non-conference tournament in Miami, Fla., for the Florida International University Panther Fest Invitational on Aug. 30 and 31.

The Lady Tigers start with host Florida International Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., followed by a doubleheader against University of Delaware at 9:30 a.m. and Chicago State University at 3:30 p.m.

Then Savannah State hosts the first home match of the season against The Citadel Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. in Willcox-Wiley Gym before heading north for the Colonial Classic on Sept. 7 and 8. SSU starts with host The College of William & Mary Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday with Eastern Michigan University at 10:30 a.m. and MEAC opponent Norfolk State University at 4:30 p.m. in a non-conference battle.

The next seven matches are in the state of Georgia with three in Statesboro and three in Savannah. The Lady Tigers travel to Georgia Southern University for the GATA Challenge from Sept. 13-15. SSU starts with host Georgia Southern Thursday at 7 p.m., MEAC opponent Florida A&M University Friday at 5 p.m. in a non-conference battle and University of South Carolina Upstate Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Lady Tigers start MEAC play with three consecutive home matches starting with South Carolina State University on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. followed by a non-conference battle against Georgia Southern on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Savannah State returns to MEAC play with matches against North Carolina Central University on Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. and North Carolina A&T State University on Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. to finish the season high four match homestand.

Savannah State's next seven matches are on the road with a trip to Florida for two matches against Florida A&M on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. and Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. before returning back to Georgia Southern on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The roadstand finishes in South and North Carolina with a trip to South Carolina State on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. and The Citadel on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in South Carolina and NCCU on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. and NCAT on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in North Carolina.

The Lady Tigers finish the regular season with the final two matches at home with FAMU on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in Tiger Arena and BCU on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. in Tiger Arena for the final regular season match.

The MEAC Championship will be held in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 16-18.

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Former NFL All-Pro, Grambling cornerback Albert Lewis in critical care

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- 15-year NFL cornerback and Mansfield native Albert Lewis remains hospitalized with an undisclosed illness Wednesday morning.

Sources tell KSLA Sports that Lewis, who played his college football at Grambling State, was admitted to a Shreveport hospital Monday evening and has since been in the critical care unit.

His immediate condition is not known.



The 57-year-old DeSoto High School graduate enjoyed a college career with the Tigers highlighted by two first-team All-SWAC honors in three seasons from 1981 to 1983.

In 1983, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Lewis in the third round of the NFL Draft.

Ultimately, it would lead to three All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl selections for Kansas City (1983-1993) and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1994-1998).

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FAMU's Terry Jefferson leads the secondary with elite run, pass coverage

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Terry Jefferson is an equal opportunist.  He can be stacked in the box to play against the run.  He has a nose for the football and can attack the quarterback on a blitz.  He's agile enough to line up opposite a receiver in the slot.  He also has enough make-up speed to play in deep zone coverage.

Regardless of where he is on the field, the star defensive back evenly distributes his rage on opposing players standing in the way of Florida A&M greatness.

"I try to do anything my coaches ask me to do," Jefferson said.

"If they want me to line up at safety, drop back under No. 1 or No. 2, when they call my number, I try to make sure I'm available to make the play. You have to stay one step ahead of the game and know every position."

In addition to performing well on Saturdays, Jefferson excelled in the classroom.

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Alabama A&M Football Coaching Staff Generating Excitement, Competitive Identity

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Dylan Hamilton did not have to think twice about the question.

What is the initial impression of Alabama A&M's new football coaching staff?

"The experience and knowledge our new coaches have brought to the program is tremendous," said Hamilton, a 6-foot and 200-pound senior safety who is a first-team preseason All-SWAC selection.

"The impact our new coaching staff already has made is noticeable. It's a whole new mentality. There's a lot to be excited about."

When Alabama A&M hired Connell Maynor in February, the new Bulldogs coach made an immediate splash with the personnel he brought with him.

Alabama A&M hosts Miles in the Louis Crews Classic on Sept. 1 to open the season.

The coaches Maynor brought to Alabama A&M are a veteran group with successful resumes from the highest levels of college football.

"Getting the right coaches here on staff was important," Maynor said. "We've got several coaches on both sides of the ball with a lot of expertise, including several who have worked as college coordinators and were successful in those roles.

"That type of experience is important in a transition period like this, where we are trying to raise the level of our program through the development of our student-athletes."

New defensive coordinator Mark DeBastiani is a perfect example of the type of successful coaching experience Maynor has brought to "The Hill."  DeBastiani spent the past three seasons at Florida in a quality control position, and during the Outback Bowl, he was elevated as the Gators' linebackers coach.

Before going to Florida, DeBastiani spent 10 seasons as Norfolk State's defensive coordinator, where he established the Spartans as one of the top defensive teams in the country. During his last six seasons at Norfolk State, the Spartans finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense among FCS programs. In 2014, DeBastiani's Norfolk State defense finished ranked No. 2 in the county and he was a finalist for FCS defensive coordinator of the year.

"And here on our defensive coaching staff at Alabama A&M, I'm the only guy in the room who didn't play in the NFL," DeBastiani said. "Having that type of knowledge and expertise is valuable in building up a program, and it also is a huge asset in recruiting."

DeBastiani is not exaggerating. The coaching roster could double as an all-star team.

First-year defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator William Carr spent time as an assistant coach at Texas and Michigan before coming to Alabama A&M. He also starred at Michigan as a player, where he was an All-American nose tackle who is third on the Wolverines' all-time list with 38 career tackles for loss.

Defensive backs coach Charles Huff came to Alabama A&M from Hampton, where he held the same position on Maynor's previous coaching staff. Huff also has experience as a defensive coordinator at Albany State, and he played four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

And Maynor's most-recent addition to Alabama A&M's coaching staff, Chris Shelling, is a well-known name in major Division I football. Shelling, who is coaching safeties and outside linebackers, starred at Auburn from 1991-1994, where he finished as a runner-up for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior in 1994.

Hamilton said the players are aware of the experience Alabama A&M's new coaching staff brings to the job.

"They've definitely gotten our attention," he said. "You can see it in the details. The way we've been preparing for the season has been completely different. They're hands-on in everything we do — using their experience as coaches and players to help us get better at our jobs."

There is a similar narrative with Alabama A&M's offensive personnel.

For Alabama A&M, improving offensive production is a priority. To ensure that happens, Maynor filled his new Alabama A&M offensive staff with veteran coaches who have highly-successful resumes.

Offensive coordinator Duane Taylor spent the past three seasons in the same position at Hampton. With Taylor calling the plays, Hampton averaged 321.5 yards and 21.5 points per game.

Jason Mai, who is the quarterbacks coach and director of football operations, has been a college offensive coordinator at Fayetteville State, and running backs coach Brian Jenkins comes to "The Hill" after spending eight seasons as an FCS head coach at Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman.

At Bethune-Cookman, Jenkins amassed a 46-14 record in five seasons and won four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles.

Alabama A&M also has a veteran offensive line coach in Keith Wagner — who played in the NFL for the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has developed all-conference players and numerous FCS programs. Tight ends coach Markus Lawrence is an up-and-coming young coach who already is garnering respect from his peers in the coaching business.

"And Coach Maynor also very involved in what we're doing on that side of the ball," said junior running back Jordan Bentley, a second-team preseason All-SWAC offense selection.

"One of the most noticeable differences is the energy this coaching staff has brought to the program. They are extremely competitive. Coach Maynor might be the most competitive person I've ever met. That attitude has rubbed off on everyone in the program. Everyone has completely bought in and we can't wait for our fans to see the results."

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Former LSU guard Jalyn Patterson headed to Texas Southern with Johnny Jones: report

HOUSTON, Texas -- Jalyn Patterson will end up playing four years for Johnny Jones after all.

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported on Tuesday morning that Patterson, who sat out the 2017-18 season while earning his degree from LSU, is transferring to Texas Southern, which just hired Jones as its new head coach last week.

Patterson will have one season of eligibility remaining. He played his first three seasons of college ball at LSU with Jones before Jones was fired after the 2016-17 season.

The 6-foot-1, 176-pound Patterson averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in 2016-17 and also averaged 5.8 points over the course of his career at LSU.

Statistically, his best season came as a freshman in 2014-15 when he posted career highs in points per game (6.8), field goal percentage (40.8), three-point percentage (37.3) and free-throw percentage (84.2).

Patterson was one of two players to sit out last season while staying at the school - thus not counting against LSU's scholarship count. Elbert Robinson III transferred to Old Dominion in May.

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Former LSU forward Jeremy Combs transferring to Texas Southern: sources

HOUSTON, Texas -- For the second consecutive year, Jeremy Combs will be headed to a new school as a graduate transfer.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Combs played six games last year for LSU before an injury ended his season. Now, he's headed to Texas Southern for one more year of basketball, multiple sources confirmed on Saturday afternoon.

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein was the first to repot the news.

Combs was granted a medical redshirt for the 2017-18 season according to a source and will have one more season of eligibility remaining.

Combs' LSU playing career came to end in December as he was still dealing with an ankle injury he had been dealing with since he was at North Texas, where he spent the first three years of his career.

Last September, Combs had a TightRope procedure on the ankle to try and stabilize it. A TightRope procedure stabilizes damage to an ankle. The TightRope itself is "comprised of a FiberWire loop tensioned and secured between metallic buttons to provide physiologic stabilization of the ankle mortise."



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Inaugural SAC Football Media Day Begins July 19

FORT WORTH, Texas – Fans and media members will soon get their first glimpse of football in the Sooner Athletic Conference as coaches and players are set to convene Thursday, July 19, for the SAC's preseason media day event at The Fort Worth Club.

The head coaches from all nine SAC football teams and 14 player representatives will gather alongside media members in the Davey O'Brien Sports Lounge for a buffet breakfast and brief program that will include remarks from each coach and student-athlete. Media members will have their opportunity to pick up preseason materials and conduct in-depth talks during an open interview session.

The event will be streamed live to the public beginning at 10 a.m. July 19 via Facebook Live on the SAC page (facebook.com/soonerathletic).

This marks the inaugural football season for the SAC, whose member schools have amassed an NAIA-Best 106 national championships in 14 different sports throughout its 40-year history. The first game of 2018 will come on Thursday, Aug. 23, when Southwestern Assemblies of God visits Evangel (Mo.) for an ESPN3-broadcasted bout. The first ever SAC conference game is set for Saturday, Sept. 8, when Ottawa-Arizona visits Langston.

Below is a list of coaches and players attending the SAC Football Preseason Media Day event:

Arizona Christian
Jeff Bowen, Head Coach
Joshua Cronk, OL, Sr., Tucson, Ariz.
Austin Niziolek, LB, Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Langston
Quinton Morgan, Head Coach
Eugene Fuller, LB, Jr., Stockbridge, Ga.
Jaylen Lowe, QB, Sr., Collinsville, Okla.

Lyon
Casey Creehan, Head Coach
Tre Hawkins, DB, Sr., Houston, Texas

Ottawa Arizona
Mike Nesbitt, Head Coach
Jevan Amani Hogan, DB, So., Turlock, Calif.

Panhandle State
Russell Gaskamp, Head Coach
Nate Leithead, LB, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.

SAGU
Ryan Smith, Head Coach
CJ Collins, QB, Sr. Bosqueville, Texas
Jeremy Carr, WR, Sr., Austin, Texas

Texas College
Charles Moss, Head Coach
Forest Goodrich, OL, Sr., Houston, Texas
Montel Baree, DL, Sr., Duncanville, Texas

Texas Wesleyan
Joe Prud'homme, Head Coach
Donovan Isom, QB, Sr., Destrehan, La.
Mike Miller, CB, Sr., Plano, Texas

Wayland Baptist
Butch Henderson, Head Coach
Keaton Vawter, OL, Sr., Bridgeport, Texas
Mitchell Parsley, QB, Sr., Crowell, Texas

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU alumna Tiffany Greene appointed play-by-play commentator for upcoming HBCU College Football Season

ORLANDO, Florida -- College football fans will hear from the sport’s top commentators and deepest roster of broadcasters when they turn to ESPN’s networks throughout the 2018 season, with each commentator helping to document an unrivaled slate of games in the industry. The extensive slate of games begins with the regular season, continues into conference championship week, bowl season, and concludes with the New Year’s Six and the entire College Football Playoff.

“The breadth and depth of our commentator pool sets the bar in the industry,” said ESPN vice president of production Lee Fitting. “Each broadcasting team excels in their craft and brings a passion for the game which is a key driving force behind ESPN’s comprehensive college football coverage. Our college football family is eagerly anticipating another captivating and unpredictable season.”



Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware will work with Kevin Brown on ESPNU telecasts this season. Ware brings a wealth of experience to the booth, having called games for ESPN since 2003. Most recently, the College Football Hall of Famer has been an analyst on SEC Network games since the network launched in the fall of 2014.

Tiffany Greene, a Florida A&M graduate, will call play-by-play for the majority of ESPN’s HBCU games which typically air on Thursdays on ESPNU. Greene will pair with veteran analyst Jay Walker throughout the year.

ESPN will make announcements regarding their college football studio assignments in the coming days.

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Former ASU Lewis shines in Northwest Premier League

MONTGOMERY, Alabama| Former Alabama State soccer star Ariela Lewis has helped the Seattle Stars FC to the Northwest Premier League championship match for the second consecutive season as the team won their semifinal match this past Sunday.

Seattle led 1-0 at the half until Lewis scored on back-to-back chances with the first coming in the 73rd minute for a 2-0 lead, and she added another in the 78th minute before the team was able to pull away for the shutout victory. The championship match, against defending champion Washington, is set for Saturday (July 21) at French Field in Kent (Wash.).



For the season, Seattle finished atop the standings with 24 points in eight matches, finishing a perfect 8-0; while Washington finished in second place in the regular season standings with 19 points with a 6-1-1 record. Seattle also finished with 28 goals scored and just two allowed, for a league-best +26 in goal differential.

Lewis was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week for the week of June 10, and led the team in the regular season with six goals scored. The total is the second-highest in the league, only behind Laadi Issaka of Capital FC - who finished with 12.

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For complete coverage of Alabama State University women's soccer, follow us on social media at @BamaStateWSC (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

Five-Time Olympian Scott-Arruda Works with Players at Alabama A&M Volleyball Camp

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Standing with a group gathered around the volleyball net, Rebecca Pierce intently listened to the message.

This was not the first volleyball camp Pierce had attended, and it definitely was not the first instructor the Alabama A&M libero had worked with.

But for Pierce and her Alabama A&M teammates, this camp was significantly different.

Helping lead the instruction at Alabama A&M's volleyball camp on Monday and Tuesday was five-time Olympian, and two-time silver medalist, Danielle Scott-Arruda.

"It's not often that you get to work with someone with that type of volleyball experience," said Pierce, who is an Alabama A&M senior.

"When a player of this caliber discusses volleyball, you need to listen. Only the best get an opportunity to play in the Olympics, and she's done it five times."

Scott-Arruda was a member of the United States women's volleyball team for the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and she was part of the silver medal teams in 2008 and 2012. Her five Olympic appearances are a U.S. women's volleyball record.

Having Scott-Arruda in attendance on Monday and Tuesday means the high school volleyball players at the Alabama A&M camp received instruction from a pair of Olympic silver medalist.

Alabama A&M women's volleyball coach Rose Magers-Powell was a member of the U.S. women's volleyball team that won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"That's a lot of volleyball knowledge," Pierce said. "Two Olympians in the same building. Wow."

Scott-Arruda made the trip to Huntsville for the camp as a favor to Powell. The two met in the 1980s, when Scott-Arruda was a top-tier volleyball prospect from Baton Rouge, La., who was trying to decide on which college program to sign with.

Scott-Arruda signed with Long Beach State, where she was an All-American and the 1993 National Player of the Year.

Throughout the years, Powell and Scott-Arruda have remained in contact — a relationship that helped bring her to Huntsville for Alabama A&M's camp.

"I enjoy opportunities like these," Scott-Arruda said. "Coming here, and getting to discuss different topics with the players is a privilege I really enjoy — a way to give back to the sport I love so much.

"The issues these young ladies are facing today are similar to what I went through at their age, so we've taken time to perseverance, different ways to face obstacles and just about anything these players would like to discuss."

At the two-day camp, Alabama A&M hosted several high school players from Alabama and Tennessee.

But when Scott-Arruda addressed the group, the high school players were not the only people in attendance who were paying close attention.

"This also is a great experience for us," said Pierce, referring to the Alabama A&M players who were helping with the camp.

"Everything being discussed here today also applies to us. This kind of advice, and lessons, can make us all better players."

Scott-Arruda said she was impressed with the players who attended the camp.

"The work ethic I've seen from these players is impressive," she said. "All of the players have been attentive and eager to work.

"Hopefully the advice that I'm able to pass along is something these players can use to help them as they pursue their goals, both in volleyball and in day-to-day life."

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Former Gamecock defender, who started a few games, lands with new team, North Carolina A&T

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Antoine Wilder left South Carolina football after the spring, looking for a place where he could play more.

It appears he’s found it.

Wilder was listed on the roster for North Carolina A&T, an FCS team in the MEAC. He follows a path former receiver/running back Jabari Smith took before last season.

In three seasons, Wilder made four starts in 28 appearances. He had 21 career tackles, playing both the nickel and strongside linebacker positions.

He’s spent a little time at safety late last season and missed spring with an elbow injury. He’s currently listed as a 5-foot-10, 198-pound linebacker.

He’ll follow the footsteps of Smith, who found a second life in Greensboro. After being an opening-night starter in 2016 before falling out of the lineup, Smith was NC A&T’s No. 2 rusher (389 yards) and No. 3 receiver (25 catches for 277 yards) on an undefeated team.



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GCAC Announces 2018-2019 Tournament Dates and Sites

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference today announced the host locations for its 2018-2019 tournaments.

The 37th Annual GCAC Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament will leave New Orleans for the first time since 2013. The tournament will be held in Jacksonville, Fla. on the campus of Edward Waters College, March 1-3.

The first GCAC championship of the 2018-2019 academic year will be held October 19 on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss as Choctaw Trails plays host to the GCAC Men's & Women's Cross-Country Championship. This marks the second consecutive year the championship has been held at Choctaw Trails.

Southern University at New Orleans is set to host the 2018 GCAC Volleyball Tournament for the second time in as many years. The tournament will be held November 9-10.

Historic Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans will welcome the final championship of the year when the GCAC Men's & Women's Track & Field Championships return to the site on April 17-18.

GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Jones Takes Helm As SAU Head Women's Basketball Coach

RALEIGH, North Carolina – After two seasons as the men's lead assistant, Montel Jones is the new head women's basketball coach at Saint Augustine's University, the athletic department announced on Monday.

Jones takes over an up-and-coming Lady Falcons' squad returning nine student-athletes including All-CIAA junior forward Kaaliya Williams (Richmond, Va.). Athletic Director George Williams believes Jones is the coach to turn the women's program around.

"He has what it takes to succeed as a head coach," Williams said about Jones. "His experience as an assistant will prepare him for his first head coaching position. I am confident he can get the job done."

Jones has eight years of coaching experience including the past two seasons as an assistant under SAU head men's basketball coach MarQus Johnson. His primary responsibilities were working with the post players in addition to being the team's recruiting coordinator and academic mentor.

He helped develop standout forward Quincy January into a two-time CIAA Defensive Player of the Year winner. January, who ranked among the nation's Division II rebounding and double-double leaders in points and rebounds, was a three-time All-CIAA selection and posted over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in his stellar four-year career.

"I first want to praise God," Jones said. "This would not be possible without him. I would like to thank our president Dr. Everett B. Ward and Coach Williams for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to coaching an outstanding group of young women who will compete on the court and in the classroom."

Jones also played a role in Tyrece Little earning CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors during his two-year stint as men's assistant coach at Virginia State University. He was part of a VSU staff which won the CIAA Championship and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2016.

A Kinston, N.C., native, Jones was previously on the men's basketball staffs at the University of Mount Olive and Wingate University before coaching at VSU and SAU. During his time at both schools, Mount Olive captured the Conference Carolinas regular-season title and Wingate won back-to-back South Atlantic Conference tournament crowns. Wingate also played in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.

Before entering the coaching profession, Jones was a basketball student-athlete at Mount Olive, where he graduated in 2008 with a criminal justice degree. During his college career, Mount Olive set a school record for men's basketball victories (101) over a four-year span. As a freshman, Jones was a member of the 2005 Trojans' squad which won the NCAA Division II East Regional and made its first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight.

In high school, Jones was a standout basketball player at famed Kinston High School in Kinston, N.C. Kinston High School has churned out numerous collegiate and professional basketball players over the years.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Inner City Classic youth baseball tournament returns to Greensboro

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — The 28th annual Inner City Classic baseball tournament begins today.

It’s the second year in a row the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League has brought its signature event to Greensboro, and the youth tournaments run through Sunday at eight sites in and around the city.

The MJBL was born in 1966 in Richmond, Va., during the segregation era in the South, when African-American children had limited access to organized baseball.

It’s grown over the years, its mission “to provide urban youth the opportunity to travel to other cities, compete in the game of baseball and to be exposed to diverse cultures.” There are now MJBL chapters in 17 states and the Caribbean.

Bottom line: The league wants to make baseball popular with inner city kids again.

One of those kids grew up to be a legend.

Ken Free of Greensboro, a newly-minted South Atlantic League Hall of Famer, serves on the board of directors for the MJBL.

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Tuskegee University’s Dynamic Pitcher-Catcher Duo Participate in MLB’s All-Star Futures Game

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Over 38,000 people watched from the stands Sunday in Washington D.C.’s Nationals Park as Tuskegee University pitcher Christian Marshall stepped up to the plate to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the 2018 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Elgin Woodside, a catcher for Tuskegee’s baseball team, assisted. Although the two were not yet prospects for the “Majors,” they both have a stake in the future of baseball.

“Growing up as kids, playing baseball, everyone has that dream of going to the [pros],” Marshall said, as he explained the feeling of pitching in a game with Minor League Baseball’s top prospects.

Woodside added: “Even though we never thought that moment would come to us, whenever we got in the moment, it didn’t feel like we were out of place. It felt like we were meant to be there, and all our hard work was paying off and God just gave us our blessing.”

As a part of the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, the 2018 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game is meant to shine a spotlight on budding baseball stars. At the 20-year mark, the exhibition game “features the top Minor League prospects competing in a nine-inning contest as part of All-Star Sunday,” according to the league’s official website.

Marshall and Woodside are pitcher and catcher of Tuskegee University’s SIAC baseball team. The two bonded over baseball, however, long before they entered Tuskegee, in their hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana; both participated in the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy.

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