Norfolk State Men's Basketball Recruiting Roundup

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Magic City Classic Tickets on Sale for Current Season Ticket Holders

HUNTSVILLE- Magic City Classic tickets are now available for current season ticket holders ONLY at the Alabama A&M University ticket office located at the Louis Crews Stadium. All group ticket request must be submitted to the ticket office and will be processed within 2-3 business days.

For more information, please contact the ticket office at 256-372-4700 or via email at aamutix@aamu.edu

Alabama State Hornets opens camp August 3

MONTGOMERY, Alabama| Alabama State looks to build on the momentum from the 2017 season when they won five of their last six games under then-interim head coach Donald Hill-Eley as they open fall camp Friday, August 3.

Eley, who was named head coach following the season, leads the Hornets into his first fall camp and he returns the majority of the top defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) - returning nine players who started multiple games. The Hornets led the conference in both scoring defense and total defense, and had a trio of players named second team preseason all-conference in Jeffrey Hill (defensive back), Darr
on Johnson(linebacker) and Christian Clark (defensive line). Meanwhile, they return 10 players on the offensive side of the ball that started multiple games including a pair of preseason all-conference second team selections in Darryl Pearson, Jr. (quarterback) and Tytus Howard(offensive line).

The Hornets 61 players who went through practices and games last season under Eley - including the 19 players who return with starting experience.

"The first few days of camp we are trying to create the identity of Alabama State," Eley said. "We are not working towards Tuskegee, we are not working towards anyone on our schedule, we are just working on us. We want to be able to block, tackle, run and pass effectively, and defend the pass and run. We are going against our base in camp on offense, defense and special teams making sure our guys understand the foundation of who we are as a program. We won't move into the opponent until after the two days off late in camp and school has started, and we won't move into Tuskegee until the last two weeks before the contest."

Alabama State is a step ahead at this point in the year than they have been in year's past, having the majority of their players on campus this summer going through a workout regime to prepare them for camp and the start of the 2018 season.

"I think going forward with the way the NCAA has changed the calendar with only having 11 days of training camp before classes, and five of those being acclimation days, it should be a prerequisite that if you are going to have a winning program you have your guys on campus," Eley said. "If not you are going to lose out. It is still a 28-day window before your first contest, but there is no longer a time frame of a two-week or three-week period of two-a-days before school where you have the guy's focus. You will see dividends in our program that has benefitted from having them here this summer. For those that didn't stay the summer, and you go through and look who was and who wasn't there in the summer as far as programs, you will see how the summers have benefitted.

Not only was it important that the team was on campus this summer, but it also gave Eley more time with his new staff to prepare for the upcoming season. Most of the staff remains intact from last season with the addition of four new coaches to the staff.

"The crew has to be together before the visitors take the ship," Eley said. "You can't have people coming to the Alabama State program and the crew (the coaches and staff) have to be on the same page. We have to understand the philosophy of the program, the tradition and what is important to our program. We have to understand our schemes. And then we have to take those things and filter them down to our players."

Alabama State opens the season at home against Tuskegee September 1 in the Labor Day Classic, with kick set for 5 pm. Season tickets and single game tickets are now sale for the 2018 season. The Hornets play four home games during the campaign with Jackson State, Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley State joining Tuskegee. Several options are available for fans this season, including a Young Alumni package and group rates. For more information, call (334) 229-4551 or visit BamaStateSports.com.

Things to Know about Fall Camp
All practices for the Hornets will be open this fall beginning Friday. All weekday practices are scheduled to begin at 2 pm, with Saturday practices scheduled for 9 am. If there are changes made to the practice schedule, it will be posted on BamaStateSports.com and on social media.

All fans are asked to go directly to the stands located on the south side of the Football Complex. No fans will be allowed on the field, or on the track during practices as other teams in the fall will be going through conditioning drills during the same time. Fans are also reminded that no live streaming or recording of practices is allowed at any time.

Quotable from Eley
Moving forward, preparation for year after getting the job full time
"Right now it is only tested through theory of what happened in the past in my previous position of a head coach," Eley said. "The goods and bads were taken from that, and from other dialogues from other programs in the same settings. The true test happens when you play the game and you are able to see the benefit of that. Anytime you see a program with as many people as we have, you are constantly making changes. There is no true rubric, it constantly changes. We have things in place to help us win, and to win championships but there is always change."

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University football, follow us on social media at @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

Rattlers use conditioning test to enhance mental, physical durability

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Day 1 of fall camp at Florida A&M dealt with logistics and informative discussions to set the tone of the season.

For the second day of practice, the Rattlers focused on conditioning to create a solid foundation for mental and physical durability.

Overcast skies and a saturated practice field set the backdrop for a series of timed 110s (110-yard sprints). This grueling sprint drill equated to a mile in length.


Players were divided into groups from skilled positions to big linemen as they ran from sideline to sideline.

As time progressed, so did the level of fatigue for the players. However, the constant reminder echoed from the coaching staff was to overcome the mindset of weariness.

"One thing we talk about is adversity comes in all forms. We get to choose how we respond," said coach Willie Simmons.

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Smith 'eyes' FAMU linebackers disrupting offensive flow

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Speed and power are prerequisites for playing the linebacker position.

However, the men under Ryan Smith's watch at Florida A&M are adding maximum visual awareness as a mandatory component to execute their tasks on the field.

Smitty Rock, as he's affectionately known by coaches and players, incorporates the equal usage of eyes with brawn to execute the plays on defense. This allows linebackers to immediately recognize a set and fire off to the spot for contact.


"The days of running to an area and stopping are over. We do match coverage where we try to find who's in our area and pick him up immediately," Smith said.

He adopted this superior optical approach while coaching high school and college ball.

Smith is a student of the game who has studied under some of the sport's most intellectual professors.

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FAMU drum major’s mom isn’t surprised by daughter’s accomplishment

Photo: Cori Bostic/Twitter

ATLANTA, Georgia -- How do the parents of eight children keep up with all of their kids? The same way other parents do, family group chats. Except, with a family of ten, messages can easily get drowned out.

That’s exactly what happened to the mom of Cori Bostic, Florida A&M’s first female drum major.

When Cori was chosen as a drum major for FAMU’s Marching 100, she dropped the news in her family group chat. Lenise Bostic, Cori’s mom, didn’t see the message right away.

“I didn’t see it for an hour and a half later,” said Lenise.

Once she finally saw the message, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

“I screamed,” Lenise said. “I closed my door and said ‘yes.’ I called my husband and her papi. We were just happy and relieved. You’re happy when your child meets their goal.”

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 Shelby Chipman, Ph.D.
Courtesy: FAMU Marching 100 Band

FAMU Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., has announced the newest drum majors of the world-renowned Marching “100” Band. The roster includes some of FAMU’s most accomplished students, including one female musician that has made University and band history.

“On behalf of the FAMU band staff, I’m very pleased to congratulate the newly appointed officers and leaders of the incomparable FAMU Marching “100” student leadership team to include our returning drum majors; our new drum majors Mr. Joshua Honore, Ms. Cori Bostic and Mr. Marquel Bowen; our new Band President Ms. Myrcele Neal-Scott; and a host of other dedicated leaders who will continue the 72-year legacy of our esteemed band program,” Chipman said.

Cori Bostic is a broadcast journalism and honors scholar from Atlanta, Georgia and has made history as the first-ever female drum major in the Marching “100.” She is also a member of the symphonic band and played basketball for the Lady Rattlers. She was honored as a member of the MEAC All-Academic Team and serves as a campus radio personality and student journalist for the campus newspaper. She is also a trained lifeguard. Both of Bostic’s parents were members of the Marching “100.”

Marquel Bowen from Miami Gardens, Florida is a public relations scholar. He is also a student journalist and is active in multiple student organizations on campus including the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the Strikers Dance Troupe.

Joshua Honore is from Miami, Florida and is a music education scholar. More details on Honore are forthcoming.

Myrcele Neal-Scott is a music performance scholar from Pompano Beach, Florida. She aspires to be a music therapist. Her passion is to pursue graduate research focusing on the study of how music stimulates brain function in mental patients.

The roster of returning drum majors will be announced later this month.

“Our band leaders represent the diversity, dedication and academic prowess of our band scholars,” Chipman said. “We are excited about the opportunity to electrify Rattler fans/supporters near and far, as we also prepare to march in the January 1, 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.”

The community is asked to show their support for the new drum majors and the entire award-winning band as they work to raise funds to support their appearance at the prestigious Tournament of Roses, which will include an experiential learning and research agenda.

To donate and support the band, visit my.famu.edu/giving/tor.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Norfolk State Releases 2018 Labor Day Classic Schedule

NSU LABOR DAY CLASSIC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State University Department of Athletics unveiled Wednesday this year's activities leading up to the Labor Day Classic, which culminates in the Spartan football team's season-opener against long-time rival Virginia State on Saturday, Sept. 1. New Team Spartan Corporate Partner Union Bank & Trust (www.bankatunion.com) is the title sponsor for the 2018 Labor Day Classic.

The week begins with the Battle of the States Labor Day Giving Challenge. From noon on Monday, Aug. 27 through halftime of the football game on Sept. 1, NSU and VSU will wage a friendly competition to see which school can secure the most donations from its alumni and fans. Fans will be prompted through social media platforms to visit donation web sites and make their gifts. The winning university will be announced during the fourth quarter of the Labor Day Classic. NSU won the inaugural giving challenge last year, with $325,270 raised from 612 donors.

On Thursday, Aug. 30, the NSU campus will hold its Labor Day Health Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center. The health fest includes a blood drive and various health screenings for the community, with various services to promote well-being. Activities later that evening from 6-8 p.m. include a cheerleading clinic followed by a women's football clinic, "Heels and Helmets." The interactive introduction to football for women will be led by local football experts teaching the ins and outs of the game. The women's clinic will be followed by a powder puff game.



Friday's schedule features a number of events. The 10th annual Labor Day Classic Golf Tournament begins at 10 a.m. at Bide-A-Wee Golf Club in Portsmouth. On campus, a pep rally will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in conjunction with College Colors Day.

On Friday evening, Echols Hall will be the site for the Battle of the Bands between NSU and VSU. The battle runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.

Friday concludes with Casino Royale from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. The event features a night of blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and more and will include live music by RaJazz. Various raffle prizes will be available for fans. VIP and sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets are $60 through Aug. 18, and $75 after. For more information, contact Melody Webb at (757) 823-8404.

On game day, tailgating lots open at 10 a.m. Greek organizations from both universities will take part in a Greek stroll-off beginning at 4 p.m. at the NSU Student Center. The 52nd all-time meeting between NSU and VSU will kick off at 6 p.m.

The weekend concludes with a trio of activities on Sunday. There is a gospel brunch at 11 a.m. in the Scott Dozier Dining Hall. New this year is the Hampton Roads Cheerleading Showcase from 4-6 p.m. in Echols Hall. Entry into the event is one canned good or $2, to be donated to the NSU Student Food and Toiletries Pantry.

The Labor Day Gym Jam for current NSU and VSU students begins at midnight, also in Echols Hall.

Tickets for the Battle of the Bands and Casino Royale are available for purchase online at NSUSpartansTickets.com and at the NSU Ticket Center on campus. Season football tickets are also on sale at both locations, with single-game ticket sales set to begin Aug. 1.

For more information on Labor Day Classic week activities, download the flyer at NSUSpartans.Com or call (757) 823-8152.

NSU Football Training Camp Set To Open Today

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State football team begins preparations for the 2018 season this week as the team reports for preseason training camp.

The Spartans report Thursday before beginning practice at 10 a.m. Friday at the team's practice field. The Spartans will hold intrasquad scrimmages on Saturday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 18, with the latter serving as the team's Green & Gold Game.

During training camp (Aug. 3-17), practices will generally be held at 9 a.m. except for this Friday, the two scrimmages and Sundays, which are player off days. Practices will be held at the team's practice field off Middle Towne Crescent and Majestic Avenue until further notice while a new synthetic turf surface is installed at William "Dick" Price Stadium. In the event of inclement weather, contact the NSU Sports Information Office to verify practice time and location. University classes begin Aug. 20.

Season and single-game tickets are now on sale at the NSU Ticket Center and NSUSpartansTickets.com. The season kicks off with the Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic against Virginia State on Saturday, Sept. 1.

The Spartans return 17 starters and 44 letter winners from last season's team which finished 4-7 overall, 4-4 in the MEAC.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

ASU's Salvador Signs Pro Contract in Czech Republic with Brno Lokomotiva

BRNO, Czech Republic – Recent Alcorn State University graduate and women's soccer alum Alexandra Salvador will continue her playing career after signing a professional contract with Brno Lokomotiva, a first division team in the Czech Republic.

"This opportunity means a lot to me," said Salvador. "It was a dream ever since I was a little girl. Playing soccer is a dream job and that's what I'm doing, as well as experiencing another culture and traveling throughout Europe playing at the highest level. I'm very fortunate to be playing in the first division and I can't wait until my season starts."

A team captain as a junior and a senior, Salvador scored three goals with an assist last season to finish second on the team with seven points as a defender. She scored the game winner in the 78th minute to help Alcorn edge Nicholls State 1-0 on Sept. 8.

"I'm the second person in my family to play pro soccer as my dad played in South America. He's my biggest role model and hero so it's pretty special that he is seeing me following my dreams, and he was a big part of my success. I'm very lucky that support at home from my family and friends as well as from coach Junior Noel, and they're always pushing me to do my best."

The Waterloo Ontario, Canada native completed her undergraduate degree in health and physical education with a 3.87 grade point average.

"This type of training and play will help me prepare for any international tournaments or friendlies I have with the Ecuadorian national team. I'm excited to start learning the different style of play here so that I can incorporate it into my style."

The team heads to Croatia for 10 days before returning to the Czech Republic to continue training for the season-opener on Aug. 18.

Pictured: Alexandra Salvador (first row, second from left) with her team Brno Lokomotiva.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

5 things to watch at Grambling football camp

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Under Broderick Fobbs, losing games seems like a foreign concept to Grambling State fans and supporters. The Tigers have dropped five contests in the last three seasons.

Just losing the HBCU National Championship Game and Celebration Bowl, 21-14, to North Carolina A&T isn't why the G-Men's head coach has thought about that game almost daily since last December. It's not that simple. For Fobbs, all the uncharacteristic mistakes, his team not playing like the Grambling State of recent bothers him.

GSU players reported to campus Thursday and preseason camp opens Friday, providing the beginning stages of reconciliation for Fobbs, his coaching staff and the guys that played in Atlanta last year.

Here's what to watch for as the Tigers kick off fall practice and look to put the end of 2017 away.

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Prairie View A&M looks to continue success under new coach Eric Dooley Richard Dean

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Since 2007, Prairie View A&M has posted seven winning seasons, highlighted by the 2009 SWAC championship. So winning has become the norm for the Panthers' football program, which has produced three straight above .500 years.

The exploits of the past three years were under the direction of head coach Willie Simmons, who in the offseason took the same position at Florida A&M. Eric Dooley, a veteran assistant at three SWAC schools and who has been part of seven SWAC championships as either player or coach, now has the responsibility of continuing that success.

"It's going to always be tough here because of the expectations, and that's the way it should be," said Dooley, who spent the previous four years as offensive coordinator at Grambling State, the two-time reigning conference champions.

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North Carolina A&T Darryl Johnson Added to Preseason Buchanan Watch List

EAST GREENSBORO -- North Carolina A&T defensive end Darryl Johnson, Jr.(6-5, 232, R-JR, Kingsdale, Ga.) added to his preseason accolades in 2018 by being added to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List on Thursday by STATS FCS.

It is an exceptional honor for Johnson considering during the Aggies last seven years of dominance on the defensive end, Johnson is the only Aggie to earn a spot on the Buchanan Watch List during that span. The Buchanan Award is given to the best defensive player in the nation on the Division I-Football Championship Subdivision level.

The last time an N.C. A&T Aggie who won the Buck Buchanan Award was in 1997 when N.C. A&T Sports Hall of Famer Chris McNeil won the honor. Johnson played on an Aggies defense that was ranked fourth in total defense, third in scoring defense, fifth in rushing defense and ninth in sacks, nationally.

They also allowed the second-fewest first downs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Johnson contributed to those rankings by making 40 tackles (25 unassisted) with 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Nationally, Johnson ranked 12thin forced fumbles, 30thin fumble recoveries and 37thin tackles for loss. He was third in the conference in forced fumbles and fifth in recovered fumbles.

With help from Johnson, the Aggies were the only FCS team to go undefeated as they finished 12-0. He also helped the Aggies win the MEAC title, the Celebration Bowl and the HBCU national championship. The Aggies ended the season as the only undefeated team on the FCS level as they finished No. 6 in the nation in the NCAA FCS Coaches poll and No. 7 in the STATS FCS Media poll.

Prior to the season, Johnson has also earned preseason first-team all-conference honors from the MEAC and STATS named him a preseason third-team All-American.

Aggies football opens the 2018 season in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff on ESPN, 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 in Montgomery, Ala., at the historic Cramton Bowl against Jacksonville State.

N.C. A&T is currently the defending MEAC champion in football, women’s basketball, bowling, indoor men’s track and field, outdoor men’s track and field, indoor women’s track and field and baseball. Follow Aggies football on Twitter (@football_ncat). Follow Aggie Athletics on Twitter (@ncataggies), Instagram (@ncatathletics) and Facebook (@ncatathletics).

STATS is the world’s leading sports technology, data and content company. In 2015 they acquired The Sports Network and made a commitment to bolster its FCS coverage including the creating of a direct-to-consumer news site and end-of-season awards show to honor past and present performers of FCS football.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SSU Tigers open 2018 football practice looking to build on late success

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- The Savannah State University Tigers wouldn't mind starting the 2018 football season the way they ended 2017.

Preseason camp opened at Theodore A. Wright Stadium on a cloudy Wednesday morning and 106 participants displayed the optimistic carryover that three wins in your final four games can often bring.

"We're going to take that momentum and have fire under us and start the (2018) season stronger," said senior defensive lineman Stefen Banks.

Several brief stretches of rain during the 2 hour workout in shorts and helmets couldn't dampen the enthusiasm.

The Tigers kick off the season Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. on the road against Alabama-Birmingham.

"I was happy with the energy and excitement level," said SSU third-year head coach Erik Raeburn after practice. "Obviously, we have a lot of work to do and have mistakes to clean up. I was happy with how everyone was flying around and how hard everyone was going."

The Tigers ended the 2017 season with wins over Norfolk State, Delaware State and South Carolina State with the lone loss coming on the road against undefeated North Carolina A&T during the four-week span.

SSU's 24-point margin of victory in the 34-10 pasting of South Carolina State was its largest since a 45-10 win (a 35-point winning margin) over Livingstone in 2008.

Raeburn said the late success a year ago spurred offseason enthusiasm in the weight room and voluntary summer workouts.

"I feel like it's night and day from when I first got hired," Raeburn said. "The culture is changing and the tide is turning. It's true off the field as well. Our last APR score that we're going to turn in will be (within NCAA standards) so the guys have taken care of their work in the classroom and on the field.

"Our talent level is higher and our work ethic and commitment level are better. I'm hoping on the field, the wins are going to show that."

The Tigers (3-8, 3-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2017) will return nine starters on offense and seven on defense.

Experience at quarterback fuels the higher expectations. TJ Bell will be back after suffering a broken left fibula and missing the final nine games last season.

In Bell's place, D'Vonn Gibbons performed well. Both are just sophomores with almost a full year of starting knowledge.

"I'm just ready to get back rolling again," said Bell, who had a team-leading 762 passing yards and 307 rushing yards in 2016. "Having a devastating injury that keeps you out of the season, it's like, 'Why me?'

"I got in my playbook even more. That's the only thing I had to do. Now I have a better understanding (of the offense.)"

Gibbons led the Tigers last season with 1,259 passing yards and 10 TDs and 462 rushing yards.

SSU averaged 28 points a game during its final six games after averaging 9.2 during the first five.

"We'll compete every day and, at the end of the day, we're teammates," Bell said. "We'll try and make each other better and support each other."

Raeburn has only one deadline to meet before naming his starting quarterback.

"For UAB," he said.

New defensive coordinator Shawn Quinn brings another source of optimism on campus.

Banks, who was named to the first-team preseason All-MEAC team, said the defense will display multiple fronts, potentially using him in multiple ways.

"They've got us more in a hybrid front (3 and 4 man)," he said. "It's better for the personnel we have."

Raeburn said Quinn's people-skills might be even more important than schemes.

"He's a high energy, positive guy and that's what we need," Raeburn said. "When you come into a program that hasn't had success, it's easy to complain and whine about the things we don't have or the resources other schools have, but he's had a great attitude. I think the players really responded to it."

SSU will continue practices in just shorts and helmets on Aug. 2 before adding shoulder pads Aug. 3-4. The Tigers will be in full gear Aug. 5.

The team will hold a scrimmage Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at Theodore A. Wright Stadium.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Texas Southern aims to 'change the culture' this football season

HOUSTON, Texas -- Wins have been slow to come by for Michael Haywood in his first two seasons as head football coach at Texas Southern. The Tigers have won six times in that time and are coming off a 2-9 season in which they lost their first seven games.

"We've been in a losing funk the last couple of years and want to turn things around," Tigers junior middle linebacker Julian Marcantel said. "We want to change the culture."

Haywood has been changing things up a bit, and in the offseason made two additions to his staff. Morris Watts, who Haywood said has been his mentor since 1995, is the new coordinator of an offense that averaged 17.5 points a game in 2017. Michael Slater, who comes from Arizona State, is in charge of the defensive line, a position the Tigers have addressed with several promising newcomers.C

Offensively in the SWAC last year, TSU ranked seventh in scoring, eighth in offense (270.8 yards per game) and eighth in passing offense (144.3), going 2-5 in league play.

"I didn't feel like we were unified and all on the same page last year," said Haywood, who was head coach at Miami (Ohio) from 2009-2010.

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Benedict, Fort Valley State, Set for a Sunday Showdown in Palmetto Capital City Classic

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The biggest game on the 2018 Benedict College football schedule will have a big-time audience. The 2018 Palmetto Capital City Classic between Benedict and Fort Valley State will take place on Sunday, Sept. 23 in order to give it some unrivaled attention, it was announced on Tuesday.

Benedict College head football coach Mike White, FVSU head coach Kevin Porter, PCCC executives as well as Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and other dignitaries were on hand at Tuesday morning's press conference at the Columbia Convention Center to announce the week-long activities. Classic officials said the game will be played on a Sunday this season in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with USC, Clemson and South Carolina State.

White said the Classic selected the most prominent game on the 2018 schedule, as Fort Valley State has played in the SIAC Championship as the Eastern Division champion the past two years, winning the league crown in 2016.



"The Palmetto Classic could not have hit it better when they brought these two teams together," White told the audience at the convention center. "Our goal is to win the east, and Fort Valley has won it the last two years and representing the east and that was a good football game we played last year."

Benedict is coming off a 7-2 season, with both losses on the road in overtime. One of those losses came against the Wildcats. The Tigers rallied from a 21-0 first-half deficit to tie the game. In the second overtime, the Wildcats recovered a Benedict fumble to secure the victory. Benedict defeated Fort Valley State 28-14 in 2016, the last time the game was in Columbia, as the Tiger defense held the Wildcats to just 10 yards rushing.

"I think it's going to be a really great game this year. It's been a great game the last two years," White said. "It's going to be a very exciting game. Usually the Palmetto Classic kicks off our season, this year it's going to kick off our conference season. To win the east, you have to go through Fort Valley. We're looking forward to compete for a championship. Fort Valley has won it the last two years and we're out to change that and it all starts with the Classic."

Benedict returns 16 starters this season, including nine on the offensive side of the ball. At the recent SIAC media day, Benedict was picked to finish second in the east, behind Albany State and ahead of Fort Valley State, and placed five players on the preseason All-Conference team.

"We do have a good football team. It's probably one of the best groups Benedict has had in a while," White said. "We've got a good defense, a good offense, a big quarterback, and we should be a more exciting team this year."

The Palmetto Capital City Classic game will be the culmination of a week of activities, including a dinner to honor PCCC executive director Willie Jefferies, a White Party and a golf tournament.

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Flosports Boosts College Football and Basketball Coverage, Announces Multiyear Partnership With the SIAC

AUSTIN, Texas --  Today, FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, announced a multiyear partnership with the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) to exclusively stream more than 50 football and basketball conference games on FloFootball.com and FloHoops.com, respectively. The deal was agreed to in collaboration with the Collegiate Sports Management Group.

The SIAC joins several other NCAA conferences, including the Big 12, the Big Ten (via the Big Ten Network), Mountain West, Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), Conference USA, and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), to move regular season and championship events to FloSports’ OTT platform. As part of the agreement, FloSports will provide live and on-demand coverage of 20 college football games on FloFootball.com, as well as 10 regular season men’s basketball games, and 12 men’s and 12 women’s conference basketball tournaments on FloHoops.com.

Founded more than 100 years ago, the SIAC is one of the nation’s dynamic forces in intercollegiate athletics and has one of the most storied histories in all of the NCAA. Additionally, the SIAC has produced greats such as All-Pro Punter Marquette King (Fort Valley State), Hall of Famer, Three-Time Super Bowl Champion, and SIAC Player of the Year Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Super Bowl and Pro Bowl Champion Jacoby Jones (Lane), First-Round Draft Pick and Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Tyrone Poole (Fort Valley State), and Five-Time Pro Bowl and Black College Football Hall of Famer Inductee Gregory Lloyd Sr. (Fort Valley State).

The schedule of basketball events will be announced later this year on FloHoops.com. The scheduled football events on FloFootball.com include:

• Sept. 8, 2018: Tuskegee at Albany State
• Sept. 15, 2018: Fort Valley State at Miles College
• Sept. 22, 2018: Miles College at Morehouse
• Sept. 22, 2018: Central State at Kentucky State
• Sept. 23, 2018: Fort Valley State at Benedict College
• Sept. 29, 2018: Lane College at Tuskegee
• Sept. 29, 2018: Allen at Clark Atlanta
• Oct. 6, 2018: Clark Atlanta at Fort Valley State
• Oct. 6, 2018: Central State at Miles College
• Oct. 6, 2018: Tuskegee at Morehouse
• Oct. 13, 2018: Benedict College at Clark Atlanta
• Oct. 13, 2018: Miles College at Kentucky State
• Oct. 20, 2018: Clark Atlanta at Albany State
• Oct. 20, 2018: Miles College at Lane College
• Oct. 27, 2018: Fort Valley State at Morehouse
• Oct. 27, 2018: Tuskegee at Central State
• Oct. 27, 2018: Albany State at Benedict College
• Nov. 3, 2018: Morehouse at Clark Atlanta
• Nov. 3, 2018: Tuskegee at Miles
• Nov. 3, 2018: Lane at Central State

 “The SIAC is one of the most historic intercollegiate conferences in the country,” FloSports SVP, Global Rights Acquisition, Phil Wendler said. “Its rich history includes world class student-athletes, coaches, and fans. We are excited to globally distribute 30 regular season contests, as well as every game during the SIAC men’s and women’s conference basketball tournament on FloHoops.com.”

“We are extremely pleased to embark on this new partnership with FloSports,” said Greg Moore, SIAC Commissioner. “Flo’s innovative approach to providing sports fans with convenient access to unique content is in direct alignment with our objective to provide broader exposure to SIAC member schools, athletic programs, and student-athletes.”

To access live and on-demand coverage of SIAC events, visit any of the sites in the FloSports network and become a monthly or annual PRO subscriber. Either subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network. Watch the games on all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku, or Apple TV 4.

For more information, visit www.FloSports.tv.

About FloSports

FloSports, the innovator in live digital sports and original content, partners with event rights holders and governing bodies to unlock a world of sports coverage that true fans have been waiting for. Through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, and weekly studio shows, FloSports is growing the sports, the events, the athletes, and the fans. Current verticals under the FloSports header include Rugby, Basketball, MMA, Football, Wrestling, Track, Gymnastics, Hockey, and more.

About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 14 member institutions (Albany State University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Paine College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University) which are located within a contiguous six-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.

About Collegiate Sports Management Group

CSMG is a “College Properties Group” that drives the business performance of collegiate athletic conferences and schools, providing them with a successful growth strategy, and generating revenue to support their athletic departments and initiatives. CSMG specializes in Marketing Rights/Revenue Generation, Content Creation and Distribution, Media Rights Strategy and Negotiation, Sponsorship Sales, and Licensing. To learn more about Collegiate Sports Management Group clients and case studies, visit www.collegiatesmg.com.

Notebook: Southern narrows down quarterback battle to final three as Jaguars report to camp

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern players hadn’t even reported to preseason camp Tuesday when coach Dawson Odums announced the five-way battle for starting quarterback was narrowed from five to three.

With a month to go before the Jaguars' regular-season opener at TCU on Sept. 1, John Lampley and Glendon McDaniel remain front-runners for the job, and Ladarius Skelton is still in the hunt. That leaves transfer DJ White and Kobie Lane as the two left out.



“Coming into fall camp, there’d be no way we could get five guys reps,” Odums said. “We’ve got it narrowed down to about three and we’re going to see how it goes.”

Lampley and McDaniel took the bulk of first-team snaps during spring practice. They were the only two quarterbacks on the roster to have played in a live game for the Jaguars after the departure of Darquez Lee this summer.

Lampley started the spring game, throwing three touchdowns in the process. He is considered a better runner than McDaniel and played more last season, having thrown for 114 yards in seven appearances.

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NFL names 39 officials to 2018 Officiating Development Program; Sebrina Brunson, SWAC Named

Sebrina Brunson

LOS ANGELES, California -- The NFL saw four of its head referees and 10 officials in total retire this offseason. The league continually needs to find referees capable of handling the professional game to take over when such retirements that place.

As part of the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, the league brings in several officials from the college ranks and Canadian Football League each offseason to work offseason practices and preseason games in hopes of finding their next batch of referees.

This year, the NFL has named 39 officials to their development program including Sebrina Brunson, LOS, from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

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Southern preseason camp: Five big questions and four big position battles

FIVE BIG QUESTIONS

1. Can the Jaguars return to the top?

It’s been five years since Southern last won a conference championship and four since the Jaguars have been to the SWAC title game. Not much remains from those teams, with the exception of wide receiver Randall Menard and a few coaches. All roads still lead through Grambling, and the Jaguars haven’t defeated their archrival in four years, either. With so many changes, the league is more wide open than it’s been in recent years, and Southern has a shot at breaking the drought.

2. Can Menard make a big difference?

Randall Menard was perhaps the most talented receiver Southern had over the past several years — when he was healthy. A broken leg last season was thought to be the end of his injury-plagued career, but the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility, giving one more chance to fulfill his potential. He will be a major asset, providing off-the-field leadership, but Southern needs him to produce on the field as well.

3. What about the passing game?

The Jaguars weren’t dominant through the air last year, passing for just 2,317 yards, fifth-most in the SWAC. But they could count on veteran Austin Howard when they needed a big play. Howard is gone now, and with no clear-cut starter (yet) there’s no way to tell what the offense will look like for sure. But one thing is certain: Whoever wins the job will need to make a clutch throw eventually.

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Albany State football once again starts season with lofty expectations

ALBANY, Georgia — Friday afternoon, the Albany State Rams will hit the football field for their first official practice of the 2018 campaign.

This year, the Rams are looking to return to the SIAC title game after missing out last year. They begin the season with the confidence of the rest of the conference, as the Rams were predicted to win the Eastern Division at SIAC Media Day.

ASU head coach Gabe Giardina said he doesn’t put too much stock in preseason predictions, but he said he is pleased to know that the program is still respected around the conference.

“I think that people realize there’s a great history and tradition here at Albany State,” Giardina said. “I think part of that is a byproduct of the entire athletic department and the things our softball team, baseball team and golf team were able to accomplish. It’s exciting to be a part of something that people are proud of and that people think are a top-notch, well run athletic department.”

Early on this season, ASU will face a traditionally tough Tuskegee team that was once again picked to win the Western Division before getting into what Giardina said will be a long stretch of equally challenging teams.

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Southern Jags get ready to report for fall camp with a new look

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern head coach Dawson Odums met with sports journalists for the first time since SWAC Media Day and after the summer break.

The Jags lost some heavy hitters from last season, but overall, Odums is confident in the depth this group has to compete at a high level.

"It's really ... it's about this group coming together and, first and foremost, believing that they can achieve that," said Odums. "And then, we put the process in place to how we take the steps to achieve that. I really like the heartbeat of the team. I really think it's something they want to achieve. And now, as coaches, we have to put them in position to have that opportunity and if we do that ... you have to be good and you have to be lucky. The ball has to bounce your way. Well, I think it's about time for it to bounce our way."

And for the first time in 14 years, Southern will be outfitted with a new look, as the Jags are now partnered with Under Armour to provide all of their equipment outside of helmets.

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A&T's Raynard Earns Spot On Walter Payton Watch List

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- –North Carolina A&T quarterback Lamar Raynard(6-foot-4, 195, R-SR, High Point, N.C.) is considered one of the best players on the Division I-Football Championship Subdivision level heading into the 2018 season.

The evidence of this was presented Wednesday when Raynard was placed on the Walter Payton Watch List by FCS STATS. The Walter Payton Award is handed to the best offensive collegiate player in the nation. Raynard has a spot on the list for the second straight season.

Former Aggies left tackle and current Oakland Raider Brandon Parker was on the list last season and finished 10thin the voting. Former Aggies running back and current Chicago Bear Tarik Cohen was put on the list in 2015 and ‘16. He finished ninth in the voting in 2016.

Raynard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s offensive preseason player of the year following a season where he won the conference’s offensive honor by leading the Aggies to a 12-0 season, the MEAC title, a Celebration Bowl win and an HBCU national championship. Raynard was also a finalist in 2017 for the Deacon Jones Award which is presented to the best player in black college football.

The Aggies ended the season as the only undefeated team on the FCS level as they finished No. 6 in the nation in the NCAA FCS Coaches poll and No. 7 in the STATS FCS Media poll.

Raynard could own many of the Aggies career passing records before the 2018 season ends. In 2017, he broke single-season passing records in passing yards (2,932), passing touchdowns (27), touchdowns responsible for (31), completions (209), attempts (328) and passing efficiency (161.7). He completed 63.7 percent of his passes to come within less than a percentage point from breaking his own single-season school record for completion percentage (64.6).

Aggies football opens the 2018 season in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff on ESPN, 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 in Montgomery, Ala., at the historic Cramton Bowl against Jacksonville State.

N.C. A&T is currently the defending MEAC champion in football, women’s basketball, bowling, indoor men’s track and field, outdoor men’s track and field, indoor women’s track and field and baseball. Follow Aggies football on Twitter (@football_ncat). Follow Aggie Athletics on Twitter (@ncataggies), Instagram (@ncatathletics) and Facebook (@ncatathletics).

STATS is the world’s leading sports technology, data and content company. In 2015 they acquired The Sports Network and made a commitment to bolster its FCS coverage including the creating of a direct-to-consumer news site and end-of-season awards show to honor past and present performers of FCS football.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Marching 100 names first female drum major

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- History was made on the campus of Florida A&M University Tuesday. More specifically, the magnificent Marching 100 named Cori Bostic the first female drum major in the history of the iconic band.

Bostic, an Atlanta native, is a junior in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. Bostic has played the piccolo with the Marching 100 for the past two years.

Although Bostic was unable to talk about Tuesday’s announcement, many Rattlers expressed their love and support via social media.

It’s safe to say, many in the FAMU family near and far were stunned, surprised and shocked by the news. Some even showed outrage on Twitter.

Tay Malcolm, a member of the Marching 100, tweeted:

”The FIRST FEMALE drum major of The Marching 100!”

He went on to tweet, “I don’t think you all know how big this is and how hard she has been working to achieve everything she has achieved. She deserves every blessing coming her way.”

Bostic is also a member of the Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

After news broke on social media, her sorority sisters flooded social media showing how proud and ecstatic they were for her.

Annie Moore, Bostic’s line sister, was excited about the news and expressed how proud of her she was.

“I am so happy for her and inspired. She is a fighter and an incredibly hard worker and she deserves this. Plus, it is not her first time trying out so it exhibits tenacity and resilience. I am honored to call her my line sister and friend.”

LaVontay Brightwell, a member of the Marching 100, said that he sees Bostic pushing herself each and every day to become better at what she does.

“She has a huge support system and is definitely going to rise to the occasion. This marching band season is one you do not want to miss,” said Brightwell.

COURTESY: By Aleya Bradley, THE FAMUan |

S.C. State Bulldogs Players Report to Camp Thursday

Preseason Football Practice Schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina --  The South Carolina State University football team will report to camp on Thursday, Aug 2 and begin practicing on Friday, Aug.3^rd.

Buddy Pough, is entering his 17^th season at the helm of the South Carolina State program, will conduct the team's first practice on Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pough is the second winningest coach in school history with a record of 120-64 overall and has led the Bulldogs to six Mid-Eastern Athletic Championships during his tenure. 

He needs just nine (9) more wins to become the All-Time Winningest Coach in school history currently held by Head Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries (128-77-4).

The Bulldogs will then conduct their second practice in a 2:30 p.m. afternoon session on Saturday in helmets. Monday (Aug. 6^th) Pough's team dress out in shells at 9:30 a.m. and Tuesday (Aug. 7^th) in a 2:30 p.m. workout.

Practices are free and open to the public. Visitors may enter Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium on the visitor's side and may sit in the stands to view practice. No spectators or fans are allowed on the field during practice.

The Bulldogs open their season on the road against Georgia Southern, on Saturday Sept. 1 in Statesboro, GA. Kickoff is 6 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPN.

Season tickets for South Carolina State's five-game home schedule remain available. Reserved searing is available today and may be purchased by contacting the SC State Ticket Office by phone at (803) 536-8579  or online at www.scsuathletics.com.

Fans interesting in joining the STATE CLUB can visit www.thestateclub.com.

Grambling State opens preseason camp on Friday

Players report to camp on Thursday and take the field on Friday

GRAMBLING, Louisiana --  Grambling State University fifth-year head football coach Broderick Fobbs and his staff are welcoming 95 players to campus for preseason training camp on Thursday.
 
The players will report on Thursday with orientation and a team welcome meeting, before spending Friday with position meetings in the early afternoon. The Tigers will hit the field for their first practice of training camp under the lights on Friday at 8:45 p.m. at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
Friday's practice is open to the media, while all practices are closed to spectators.
 
Grambling State returns 14 starters from last season's Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship season, but with the addition of a promising recruiting class, a handful of transfers and returning players with significant playing time from last season, the Tigers enter the season hungry and with a lot of momentum.
 
The final scrimmage of preseason camp will be Saturday, Aug. 18, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Following lunch for the players, Grambling State will hold Media Day inside Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
 
The Tigers begin the 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Lafayette, La. against Louisiana. Kickoff from Cajun Field is set for 6 p.m.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.