Thursday, September 13, 2018

North Carolina A&T Mourns The Passing of Coach Don Corbett

EAST GREENSBORO (September 13, 2018) – Don Corbett, the legendary North Carolina A&T men’s basketball coach who led the Aggies to seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament championships over 14 seasons, has died at the age of 75 from cancer.

Corbett’s seven tournament conference titles occurred consecutively from 1982-88. The mark is still tied with the University of Kentucky for the longest such streak in NCAA Division I history (1944-50). Corbett became the Aggies head coach in 1979 as the successor to Gene Littles.

He went 9-19 his first season and then proceeded to run off eight straight winning seasons and 11 altogether from 1979-93. Also in that span, Corbett put together six 20-win seasons, won the MEAC regular-season seven times and won the MEAC tournament and regular-season titles in the same year five times. Corbett led his Aggies to seven NCAA appearances and one NIT showing.

The most memorable season under Corbett was the 1987-88 campaign where marks were set that may never be broken. The Aggies won a school-record 26 games by going 26-3 overall with a 16-0 mark in the MEAC. They advanced to the NCAA tournament where they nearly pulled off an upset at the Greensboro Coliseum against a talented Syracuse team that included NBA standouts Ronny Seikaly and Derrick Coleman.

Corbett won MEAC coach of the year six times and an Aggie won MEAC player of the year six times during his tenure including Joe Binion winning the award three consecutive seasons (1982-84). Eric Boyd (1985), George Cale (1987) and Claude Williams (1988) also won the honor under Corbett. The Aggies all-time leader in scoring (Binion), rebounding (Binion), assists (Thomas Griffis), steals (Griffis) and field goal percentage (Williams) all played for Corbett.

Corbett was born in Thomasville, Ga., where he was a two-sport high school standout in football and basketball. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln (Mo.) University and a masters degree from the University of Illinois, he began his coaching career at Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia, where he compiled a 33-13 record.

After two assistant coaching stints at South Carolina State University and Tennessee State University, Corbett got his first collegiate head coaching job at Lincoln, his alma mater, in 1971.

He coached at Lincoln for eight years finishing with a 159-59 record. His teams finished either first or second in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) every year and his 1977-78 team made the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. He compiled a 159-59 record. He is still the school’s all-time winningest basketball coach.

Corbett finished his career at N.C. A&T 254-145. He had 415 overall coaching victories. In 2006, N.C. A&T named the basketball court for him and another legendary Aggies basketball coach, Cal Irvin. He is a member of the MEAC Hall of Fame, the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame, the MIAA Hall of Fame, and the Lincoln University Hall of Fame.

Corbett met and married his beloved wife Freda while they were undergraduate students at Lincoln. They were married for 44 years before her passing in 2009. He is survived by four children: Don Corbett of Raleigh, Derrick Corbett of Philadelphia, Pa., Darren Corbett of Greensboro, and Denise Corbett of Durham; his sister, Gail Garfield of Manhattan, N.Y., two daughter-in-laws, Wendy Gates Corbett of Raleigh and Ana Matore Corbett of Greensboro; and two grandchildren, Jalen Michael Corbett and Cameron Matthew Corbett, both of Greensboro.

Woodard Funeral Home is handling the service arrangements for the family.

COURTESY: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush welcome 4 more for upcoming season

Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketballNEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball has added four more newcomers for the 2018-19 season.
     
Third-year head coach Alfred Williams announced Wednesday the signing of:
     •  Ed Carter, a 6-foot-1 guard from Detroit and Edison Public School Academy. A transfer from NCAA Division I University of Detroit Mercy, Carter will major in mass communications at XULA and be a sophomore on the roster.
     •  Haji Jawara, a 6-11 junior center from Oslo, Norway, and Persbraaten High School. A transfer from Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, La., Jawara will major in sociology at XULA and pursue minors in business and psychology.
     •  Anfernee King, a 5-10 sophomore guard from Donalsonville, Ga., and Seminole County High School. King transferred from Olney Central College, a two-year school in Olney, Ill., and will major in business sales and marketing.
     •  Johnell Lane, a 6-3 junior guard/forward from Gonzales, La., and East Ascension High School. A transfer from the University of Texas at Tyler, Lane will major in social justice.
     
"All four of these young men are of high character and possess a strong work ethic," said Williams, who last season led the Gold Rush to a 24-9 record, a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and a berth in the NAIA Division I National Championship tournament.
     
Carter redshirted at Detroit Mercy this past season after playing in 20 games in 2016-17. Carter averaged 18.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game as a senior at Edison (2015-16) and received honorable mention on the Associated Press Class C All-State team. As a junior he averaged 17 points, 7.5 assists, seven rebounds and three steals. Carter was honorable mention All-Detroit as a junior and senior.
     
"Ed Carter is a versatile combo guard," Williams said. "He has a lot experience from the Division I level. He is a capable 3-point shooter. He's a leader. He's a throwback old-school guard."
     
Jawara averaged 11.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots per 40 minutes the past two seasons. He spent his freshman season at New Mexico Junior College before transferring to BPCC, where he had high games of 17 and 15 points and 13 rebounds.
     
"Haji has a ton of potential," Williams said. "He is a very active rebounder and shot blocker. He has great hands. He's a great teammate."
     
King made 86 percent of his free throws and averaged 6.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 assists per game for Olney Central in 2017-18. He shared the team lead in steals and was third in assists. At Seminole County he was first-team Region 1-AA as a senior (2015-16), and as a junior he made the Georgia Sportswriters Association Class AA All-State first team after averaging 18.3 points, seven rebounds, 4.5 assists and 5.6 steals for a state champion.
     
"Anfernee is a throwback old-school guard in the same mold as Ed Carter," Williams said. "He's a combo guard who can score, shoot and pass. He's defensive-minded, and he loves to win."
     
This past season Lane averaged 13.1 points and 4.8 rebounds and made 39.2 percent of his 3-pointers (65-of-166) for the second-winningest team in UT Tyler history (17-9). Lane was All-American Southwest Conference honorable mention in its East Division. He was all-district at East Ascension as a senior.
     
"Johnell is a knockdown shooter with great size," Williams said. "He has the ability to stretch the floor and open lanes for everyone else. His work ethic is unbelievably strong."
     
XULA, a qualifier for nationals 11 of its past 14 seasons, will open the season Oct. 26 against Keiser at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The home opener will be Nov. 1 against Carver at the Convocation Center.

Ed Carter
Ed Carter
    Haji Jawara
Haji Jawara
    Anfernee King
Anfernee King
    Johnell Lane
Johnell Lane

2018-19 XULA Men's Basketball Signees
NamePos.Ht.Wt.Yr.*HometownHigh School (Previous College)
Jevon BerryG6-3164Fr.Arnaudville, La.Cecilia
Ed CarterG6-1180So.Detroit, Mich.Edison (Detroit Mercy)
Breshaun DelpitF6-7205Fr.New Orleans, La.Landry-Walker
Haji JawaraC6-11215Jr.Oslo, NorwayPersbraaten (Bossier Parish CC)
Anfernee KingG5-10160So.Donalsonville, Ga.Seminole County (Olney Central JC)
Johnell LaneG/F6-3170Jr.Gonzales, La.East Ascension (UT Tyler)
William LoydF6-5218Jr.Baton Rouge, La.Madison Prep (Spring Hill)
Donovan SaineG6-4200Fr.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 

Prairie View A&M late addition to UNLV’s schedule

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The original plan was for tradition-rich Grambling State to play UNLV on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

But Grambling and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority couldn’t reach terms on the contract, and the Rebels (1-1) scrambled to schedule Prairie View A&M (1-2) for the 7 p.m. football game.

Though Prairie View also is a historically black college or university, this isn’t part of what was supposed to be a three-year deal with HBCU teams. Jackson State in 2016 and Howard last season were part of that arrangement.

“Any time you get a chance to go against some of those nontraditional guys you don’t normally see on your schedule, it’s kind of neat,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “It’s been a good experience, and we’re excited about this game, and I’m sure it’s good for them, too.”

Jackson State received $300,000 from UNLV and $300,000 from the LVCVA so that it could bring its band early to perform leading up to the game. The Rebels won 63-13. Howard received the same deal last season to bring its band, but also left with a 43-40 upset victory.

Prairie View will travel solo and receive $350,000 for making the trip.

CONTINUE READING

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Newberry Wolves set for Thursday matinee vs. VUL Dragons

Dre Harris pre-snap at Florida Tech


Wolves and Dragons meet for second straight season

NEWBERRY, South Carolina -- Newberry welcomes Virginia University of Lynchburg to Setzler Field for an unusual Thursday afternoon kickoff.

The game was changed from Saturday to assist Virginia University of Lynchburg in returning home safely, with conditions expected to deteriorate considerably beginning Friday as Hurricane Florence nears the Atlantic coastline.

WHO: Virginia University of Lynchburg at Newberry College
WHERE: Historic Setzler Field on the campus of Newberry College
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 13
RECORDS: Newberry is 0-2. Virginia University of Lynchburg is 1-1.
LIVE VIDEO: www.newberrywolves.tv
LIVE STATS: www.newberrystats.com
LIVE AUDIO: www.newberrywolves.tv, WKDK-AM 1240 in Newberry County, www.wkdk.com, WKDK app, "WKDK" on TuneIn Radio app
WEATHER FORECAST: Cloudy skies will become partly cloudy later in the day. The high will be 89 degrees with winds from the north at 10 to 15 mph.
SERIES HISTORY: Newberry leads the series 1-0 after defeating the Dragons 55-7 in the teams' first-ever meeting last September.
TICKETS: Available at the gate. Evacuees will be admitted free.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORYLINES
  1. Of Newberry's nine losses since a 35-33 defeat against Tuskegee in the 2016 playoffs, seven have come by eight points or fewer, including both of the Wolves' losses this season.
     
  2. Newberry has allowed two plays from scrimmage of over 20 yards this season, both in the Western Carolina game, while the Wolves' offense has nine such plays. The longest rush allowed against the Catamounts was 17 yards and the longest against Florida Tech was seven.
     
  3. Florida Tech managed just eight rushing yards on 29 carries last Saturday, the fewest yards allowed by Newberry since Livingstone's -39 rushing yards on 32 carries in September 2010. 
     
  4. Florida Tech's 230 yards of total offense marked the 18th time since the start of the 2014 season that a Newberry opponent has been held to 250 yards or less.
     
  5. On 11 second-down rushes this season, Austin Barnes has reached the line to gain eight times and is averaging 8.5 yards per carry. He has rushed for a first down on all five of his "2nd and short" carries. 
     
  6. Jamarcus Henderson has 223 tackle for loss yards, the most of any active Division II player and second across all NCAA divisions. His 11-yard tackle for loss on a first-quarter completion by Florida Tech gave him the Division II lead by five yards over Angelo State's Markus Jones.
     
  7. Newberry is 4-1 on Sept. 13 in its history with an average margin of victory of 32.5 points in the four wins, including a 70-20 blowout win over Limestone in 2014 that eclipsed a 99-year-old school scoring record. That game kicked off at 9:45 p.m. and ended in the early morning hours of Sept. 14 after a nearly four-hour lightning delay.
     
  8. Virginia University of Lynchburg opened the season by defeating junior college powerhouse Louisburg 30-28. The Dragons forced five turnovers and finished with 14 tackles for loss to hand Louisburg its first loss since 2015.
     
  9. The Dragons have gone 1-16 over their last 17 games, being outscored 873-180 in the process. Newberry did not allow VUL to score an offensive touchdown in last year's 55-7 win.
MORE INFORMATION
For complete coverage, view game notes from the Newberry Athletic Communications staff or the South Atlantic Conference's Weekly Report.

IMPORTANT LINKS
RostersNewberry | VUL
StatsNewberry | VUL
ScheduleNewberry | VUL
StandingsSAC | VUL

By: Randall Stewart, Director of Athletic Communications
NEWBERRY COLLEGE WOLVES ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Florida Atlantic Football Prepares for Bethune-Cookman

Image result for fau owlsBOCA RATON. Florida -- The Florida Atlantic University football team holds an eight-game win streak in the confines of FAU stadium and will put that on the line this weekend when the Owls play host to Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday at 6 p.m.
 
The team, 1-1 on the young season, will wear all red this week. The game will be produced by STADIUM and will air on South Florida outlets so consult your provider as well as on Facebook.
 
Upcoming Events
Head Coach Lane Kiffin as well as a selected assistant coach and a player will join ESPN West Palm 106.3's Ken LaVicka, from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 at Biergarten Boca Raton, 309 Via De Palmas #90, Boca Raton, Fla. 33432. The show will also air live on ESPN West Palm 106.3 and on the ESPN App.
 
Fox Sports Florida
For the third consecutive year, FAU's Frank Forte will host the weekly show, "Inside the Owls Burrow." The show will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Florida each Thursday at 4 p.m. and will re-air each Saturday at 9:30 a.m. This week's show features: Head Coach Lane Kiffin's recap of the Air Force game as well as a preview, running back Kerrith White in the "Pads off" segment and Cornerbacks Coach Keynodo Hudson in "Mic'd Up." Running back Silver Saunders will showcase the best mode of transportation on campus and player reaction to the new locker room.  


2018 Florida Atlantic Roster
https://fausports.com/roster.aspx?path=football
 
FAU Week 3 Game Notes
https://fausports.com/documents/2018/9/12/Game_3_Finall_2_files_merged_.pdf
 
To Purchase Football Game Tickets 
For season tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS. All games will be carried by ESPN West Palm 106.3 and also can be heard on the ESPN App.


FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY OWLS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

JCSU Cancels Athletic Events in Anticipation of Impact from Hurricane Florence

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith University Department of Athletics has cancelled all athletic activities in preparation for the impact of Hurricane Florence.

"We take the safety of our student-athletes, coaches and fans very seriously and have decided to act with an abundance of caution," said Director of Athletics Stephen Joyner Sr. "We are being proactive because of the impact that has been predicted for the Charlotte region."
s
The football game against Virginia Union University on Saturday, Sept. 15 has been cancelled.

The volleyball match against Shaw University scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17 has also been cancelled.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone College Football Versus Lane College Has Been Canceled

image 0SALISBURY, North Carolina – Due to the forecast of inclement weather from Hurricane Florence, Livingstone College football game at Lane College scheduled for this Saturday (Sept. 15) in Jackson, Tennessee has been canceled.

LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE  ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Hurricane Florence Forces Postponement of Howard University/Savannah State University Football Game

1NORFOLK, Virginia -- The approaching Hurricane Florence has forced the postponement of another college football contest on the East Coast.

Saturday's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game between Howard University and Savannah State University, slated for 1 p.m. at Howard's Greene Stadium, has been postponed in order to ensure the safety of the participating teams and fans.

MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas says a make-up date is to be determined and will be announced as soon as possible.

"Obviously, the health and safety of our student-athletes, staffs and fans of both universities are of utmost concern for us," said Thomas. "Should the path of Hurricane Florence pose a threat to any other events involving our institutions, we will quickly alert our fans."

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) begins its 48th year of intercollegiate competition heading into the 2018-19 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of 12 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University and South Carolina State University.

Ryan McGinty | Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)

Week 3: Tennessee State - Rod Reed Teleconference Audio



NEXT GAME: Saturday, Sept. 22 at Eastern Illinois

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Arkansas-Pine Bluff faces long odds at South Dakota State

BROOKINGS, South Dakota -- South Dakota State opened as 51-point favorites this week against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Wait, where are you going? Don’t leave. It’s still an important game for the Jackrabbits. And potentially an interesting one.

After losing their season opener to thunderstorms – a game that won’t be made up – any game is meaningful for SDSU, and the one after Pine Bluff is at North Dakota State (with a bye week in between). The Jacks played like they were in midseason form in their season opener – a 45-14 thumping of Montana State, and even if Vegas thinks the Golden Lions are incapable of giving the Jacks a challenge this weekend, SDSU wants to build on its strong start.




“Starting off on the right foot is important,” said SDSU receiver Cade Johnson, who tied a school-record with four touchdown receptions in the win over the Bobcats. “We did that last year and ended up having one of the best seasons in school history. Getting that first game under our belt and giving guys more confidence is really nice, because the offense starts clicking, the defense starts doing what they do – we’re gonna be unstoppable if we keep that up.”

CONTINUE READING

Western Michigan Bronco Football Game Three - Delaware State

Western Michigan (0-2, 0-0 MAC)
vs. Delaware State (0-2, 0-0 MEAC)

Sept. 15, 2018 • 7 PM ET
Waldo Stadium (30,200) • Kalamazoo, Michigan

TV: ESPN+

TV Talent:

Play By Play – Dan Gutowsky
Analyst – Je'Rod Cherry
Radio: Bronco Radio Network - 96.5 FM
WMU NOTES
DSU NOTES

COACHING FACTS
WMU Head Coach: Tim Lester (Western Michigan, 2000)
Record at Western Michigan: 6-8 (2nd Season)
Career Record: 46-31 (8th season)

DSU Head Coach: Rod Milstead (DSU, 1992)
Record at DSU: 0-2 (1st season)
Career Record: 0-2 (1st season)



STORYLINES

• After starting the season with losses to Syracuse and No. 21/22 Michigan, the Broncos look to rebound, hosting Delaware State on Saturday, Sept. 15. It will be the first ever meeting between the Broncos and the Hornets. This will mark the 12th straight season for WMU to host an FCS opponent, dating back to 2007.

• Launched in 1992, Saturday is WMU's 27th annual CommUniverCity game. CommUniverCity is a popular fall celebration designed to focus on community-university partnerships. Local organizations tailgate for this particular game in a tent tailgate lot in the outfield of the WMU baseball field (Hyames Field), located behind the southwest end zone. Admittance to the baseball field tailgate area is by invite only. Fireworks are also held at halftime of the football game. The CommUniverCity game is one of the most attended games year after year for WMU. The Broncos are 21-5 all-time in CommUniverCity games.

• WMU put up 621 yards of total offense in the season opener against Syracuse, but was held to only 208 total yards this past week on the road at No. 21/22 Michigan. The Broncos defense has produced two sacks each game and forced and recovered a fumble against Syracuse. WMU has not recorded an interception this year.

• Against Syracuse, WMU had a 300-yard passer, one 200-yard receiver as well as a 100-yard receiver, and a 100-yard rusher. A majority of  WMU's offense at Michigan came on the ground - 123 yards, compared to 85 yards passing.

•  Western Michigan is coming off a 6-6 overall record in 2017, and went 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos won four of their first six games, with the two losses coming at No. 4 ranked USC and at Michigan State in the first two weeks of the season, but the Broncos struggled down the stretch as injuries took their toll on the team. Western Michigan had 21 season-ending injuries in 2017, among them starting quarterback Jon Wassink, as well as five running backs, five wide receivers and five defensive backs.

IMPORTANT DATES
WMU begins its MAC schedule Saturday, Sept. 29, at Miami University. The Broncos' first home conference game is against Eastern Michigan, Saturday Oct. 6 (Noon kickoff), which will be WMU's 95th annual Homecoming game, as well as Youth Day and Family Weekend.

GEORGIA STATE KICKOFF ANNOUNCED
ESPN has announced that the Western Michigan at Georgia State football game on Saturday, Sept. 22 has been slotted for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff and will be carried on ESPN+. The Sept. 22, 2018 matchup will be the first ever meeting between Western Michigan and Georgia State. The Panthers make a return trip to Kalamazoo on Sept. 14, 2019, as part of a home-and-home contract. Located in Atlanta, Georgia State is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers play their home games in what was formerly known as Turner Field, which served as the home ball park of the Atlanta Braves from 1997–2016.

YOUNG TALENT
50 players on Western Michigan's 106-person roster are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. The Broncos have 24 sophomores, 22 juniors and just 10 seniors (with two of those 10 being graduate transfers).

• 13 Broncos (six true freshmen) played in their first collegiate game in the season-opener against Syracuse on Aug. 31. Three of those players were starters on offense (Fr. WR Jayden Reed, RFr. WR Jaylen Hall, RFr. LT Jaylon Moore). WMU also played a freshman long snapper (Bryce Bouwens) and punter (Nick Mahalic).


SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE
• Delaware State is coached by Rod Milstead in his first season at the helm of the program. Returning to coach at his alma mater, Milstead was a standout offensive lineman for the Hornets from 1998-91 and played eight years in the National Football League. Most recently the head coach at La Plata High School in Maryland from 2015-2018 prior to Delaware State, Milstead has also spent time at Lackey High in Maryland, North Carolina Central University, and was DSU's offensive line coach in 2014.

• The Hornets have opened their 2018 slate 0-2, most recently falling 45-14 at Saint Francis (Pa.). In its season opener, Delaware State faced Mid-American Conference member Buffalo and lost 48-10.

• Delaware State, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), is coming off a 2-9 overall record in 2017 and was selected to finish 10th of 10 teams in the conference preseason poll. The Hornets are six-time MEAC champions, most recently in 2007, in which they finished 9-0 in conference play.

• Delaware State is 0-4 all-time against the Mid-American Conference and are facing Western Michigan for the first time. The Hornets have faced Buffalo and Kent State twice.

• The Hornets return both starting quarterbacks from last season. Sophomore Jack McDaniels and junior Keenan Black both saw time in the starting role in 2017. Four Hornets were recognized on the 2018 Preseason All-MEAC Teams, including three first-team selections. Defensive Back Keyjuan Selby, punter Fidel Romo-Martinez, and linebacker Brian Cavicante were first team members, while running back Brian Alleyne was voted to the second team.


WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION