GAME NOTES: NCCU football Hosts Howard

THE GAME
Howard University "Bison" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 6, 2018 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

THE SITE
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.

THE RECORDS
Howard (1-2 overall; 1-0 MEAC); N.C. Central (1-3 overall, 0-1 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 2:00 p.m. (Carter Woodiel, play-by-play).
Video: ESPN3 (WatchESPN).

GAME NOTES PDF

QUICK HITS
• NCCU leads the series with Howard 12-9-1, including six straight victories.
• NCCU senior defensive lineman Darius Royster already has more tackles for loss than last season's team leaders (Roderick Harris and Antonio Brown with 8.5). Royster's 10.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage and three forced fumbles are No. 1 in the nation (Division I-FCS).
• NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds, the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team (Second Team), ranks third in the MEAC with 33 tackles (8.2 per game).
• The Eagles rank third in the nation (Division I-FCS) in turnovers lost with just one, an interception in the first game of the season.
• NCCU ranks fourth in the NCAA Division I-FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 9.0 per game.
• Howard tops the MEAC with an average of 480.3 yards of total offense per game, including a conference-high 330.0 passing yards per contest (6th in FCS).
• Howard quarterback Caylin Newton, who has an older brother that plays in the NFL, leads the league in total offense (357.7 total yards per game/#2 in FCS) and passing (299.7 passing yards per game/#7 in FCS).
• Howard boasts the top two receivers in the MEAC in Kyle Anthony (19 receptions, 204 yards, 3 TD) and Jequez Ezzard (16 receptions, 372 yards, 2 TD).
• Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three defensive scores last year and two this season.
• NCCU is under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, who accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.
• NCCU received votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 preseason poll, after finishing last season with a 7-4 overall record.
• NCCU returns just nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense), but boasts nine members of the Preseason All-MEAC Team: First Team - DB Davanta Reynolds, RB Isaiah Totten, OL Nick Leverett, DL Kawuan Cox; Second Team - TE Josh McCoy, OL Andrew Dale, DL Randy Anyanwu; Third Team - WR Xavier McKoy, and DB De'Mario Evans.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
NCCU won three consecutive MEAC championships from 2014-16, and represented the MEAC in the 2016 Celebration Bowl versus Grambling in the Georgia Dome.
NCCU Recent Records:
2017: 7-4 overall, 5-3 MEAC
2016: 9-3 overall, 8-0 MEAC – MEAC champions
2015: 8-3 overall, 7-1 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
2014: 7-5 overall, 6-2 MEAC – MEAC co-champions

THE SERIES
This will be the 23rd meeting between the Eagles and the Bison. NCCU leads the series 12-9-1. The Eagles have won six in-a-row against Howard.
Series Between NCCU Eagles and Howard Bison:
10/7/2017 - NCCU 13, Howard 7 (Washington, D.C.)
11/12/2016 - NCCU 30, Howard 21 (Durham, N.C.)
11/14/2015 - NCCU 41, Howard 6 (Washington, D.C.)
10/04/2014 - NCCU 27, Howard 22 (Durham, N.C.)
10/05/2013 - NCCU 37, Howard 28 (Washington, D.C.)
09/16/1995 - NCCU 37, Howard 32 (Washington, D.C.)
10/15/1994 - Howard 35, NCCU 19 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1979 - Howard 31, NCCU 20 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1978 - Howard 24, NCCU 17 (Washington, D.C.)
11/12/1977 - Howard 33, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/13/1976 - Howard 22, NCCU 21 (Washington, D.C.)
11/15/1975 - Howard 41, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
11/16/1974 - (tie) Howard 17, NCCU 17 (Durham, N.C.)
11/10/1973 - NCCU 10, Howard 7 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1972 - NCCU 14, Howard 13 (Washington, D.C.)
11/13/1971 - NCCU 42, Howard 18 (Durham, N.C.)
10/26/1940 - NCCU 14, Howard 0 (Washington, D.C.)
10/28/1939 - NCCU 19, Howard 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/17/1934 - NCCU 7, Howard 6 (Washington, D.C.)
11/18/1933 - Howard 7, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
11/08/1930 - Howard 6, NCCU 2 (Washington, D.C.)
10/31/1925 - Howard 70, NCCU 0 (Washington, D.C.)

THE LAST MEETING
(NCCU 13, Howard 7 - Washington, D.C. - Oct. 7, 2017) A pair of takeaways resulted in 10 points for North Carolina Central University, including the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter, as the Eagles captured a 13-7 road victory over Howard University. After Bison quarterback Caylin Newton connected with receiver Damion Gillespie for a 75-yard touchdown at 2:18 in the first quarter, NCCU used an interception by linebacker Reggie Hunter to set up a field goal by Aedan Johnson on the final play of the second quarter, sending Howard to the locker room with a 7-6 lead. NCCU safety Davanta Reynolds recorded a takeaway for the fourth straight contest with an interception, leading to the game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chauncey Caldwell to receiver Jacen Murphy at 7:32 of the third quarter. The Eagles held Howard, averaging more than 30 points per game, to just seven points. Isaiah Totten rushed for a game-high 112 yards for the Eagles, while Caldwell ran for 89 yards and threw for 119 yards.

THE LAST MEETING IN DURHAM
(NCCU 30, Howard 21 - Durham, N.C. - Nov. 12, 2016) NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell amassed 345 yards of total offense and accounted for three touchdowns to lead the No. 25 Eagles to a 30-21 victory over Howard inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU finished the contest with 477 yards of total offense (254 rushing, 223 passing), while Howard posted 422 total yards. The Bison were topped by running back Anthony Philyaw with 139 yards and a touchdown rushing and 45 yards receiving for 184 all-purpose yards.

LAST WEEK
Florida A&M 55, NCCU 14 (Durham, N.C.) - North Carolina Central University scored a touchdown on the game's opening possession, but Florida A&M University posted 48 unanswered points to cruise to a 55-14 road victory over the Eagles on Saturday at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. Sophomore running back Jordan Freeman accounted for both NCCU touchdowns, rushing nine times for 77 yards and a score, and catching four passes for 30 yards with a trip to the end zone. Defensively, NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds registered a game-high eight tackles, including 1.5 hits for a loss. Senior lineman Darius Royster now has 10.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage this season after tallying a sack and four takedowns against the Rattler. Randy Anyanwu and Chuck Manning collected 2.0 hits for a loss apiece. Florida A&M amassed 509 yards of total offense and held NCCU to 280 total yards. Besides passing for 254 yards and four touchdowns (all courtesy of quarterback Ryan Stanley), and rushing for 255 yards and two scores, the Rattlers also blocked a punt and scooped up the loose ball for a touchdown.

Howard 41, Bethune-Cookman 35 (Indianapolis) - In a contest that saw momentum swing back-and-forth, Howard outlasted Bethune-Cookman, 41-35, in the 35th annual Circle City Classic. With the victory, Howard secured its first victory of the season in their MEAC opener. Howard utilized a balance attack while converting 55-percent (11-of-20) on third and fourth downs. Overall, the Bison posted 526 total yards (301 passing yards and 225 rushing yards). Josiah Crute led the way, rushing for 83 yards on 11 carries, including two TDs. Second-year signal caller Caylin Newton (Atlanta) threw for 301 yards (20-of-32) with two passing touchdowns in the victory.

THE COACHES
NCCU: Granville Eastman (Saint Mary's, 1992) is in his first season as a college head coach. With 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman joined the NCCU staff in January 2014, serving as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach until his promotion to interim head coach on Dec. 8, 2017. Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons (2005-13) as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator (2003-04) and interim head coach (winter 2013). Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure. A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs. He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999. Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.

Howard: Mike London is in his second season as head coach at Howard. London joined Howard after serving as an associate head coach/defensive line coach for the University of Maryland Terrapins. Before coaching the Terrapins, he was the head coach at the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond, respectfully, for eight seasons. A highly-regarded recruiter, London helped bring in four top-35 classes during his tenure in Charlottesville. London led Virginia to an 8-5 season in 2011 and was named ACC Coach of the Year. As the head coach at Richmond (2008-09), London captured 24 wins and led the Spiders to the FCS Championship in his first season. He helped 28 Spiders achieve all-conference honors in just two seasons. London played defensive back at Richmond (1979-1982) before playing one season for the Dallas Cowboys.

EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 73 games, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including two this season, three in 2017, three in 2016, six in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 14 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

NINE NCCU EAGLES VOTED TO PRESEASON ALL-MEAC TEAMS
Nine NCCU Eagles were voted to the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams. Earning All-MEAC First Team honors for NCCU are Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year senior defensive back Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten, junior offensive lineman Nick Leverett, and junior defensive lineman Kawuan Cox. Three NCCU Eagles on the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team are senior tight end Josh McCoy, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Dale, and senior defensive lineman Randy Anyanwu. Receiving Preseason All-MEAC Third Team honors are junior wide receiver Xavier McKoy and senior defensive back De'Mario Evans.

THREE NCCU EAGLES ON HBCU PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Three NCCU Eagles – senior safety Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten and freshman running back Jamal Currie-Elliott - are among the 52 student-athletes from 25 different HBCUs to be named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced Wednesday. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 29.

FOUR EAGLES ALREADY EARNED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Four NCCU student-athletes on this season's football team have already earned their undergraduate degrees: OL Nick Leverett, LB King Kiaku, DB Jamarcus Johnson, and WR Marvin Zanders (graduate transfer from Missouri).

LEVERETT RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
NCCU offensive lineman Nick Leverett is one of only 22 college football players selected for distinguished recognition on the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, as announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for more than 25 years, celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of college football student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. A native of Concord, North Carolina, Leverett is a two-time All-MEAC offensive lineman and team captain, a three-year graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.37 overall grade point average, a campus leader, and an active participant in community service. Two other NCCU football student-athletes have earned distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, Jordan Reid (current NCCU running backs coach) in 2013 and Carl Jones in 2016.

LONG SNAPPER SCHLECKER EARNS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONOR
NCCU senior long snapper Erik Schlecker was named to the HERO Sports 2018 FCS Preseason All-American Team. A native of Sunrise, Florida, Schlecker earned a spot on the FCS Preseason All-American Third Team for achieving a 99 percent success rate on his snaps with only one errant snap in the past two seasons at NCCU. The transfer from ASA College also boasts a snap time average of 0.75 seconds. To his credit, each NCCU teammate Schlecker has snapped for during the 2016 and 2017 seasons – two placekickers and a punter – has garnered all-conference recognition.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
North Carolina Central University is in its eighth season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletics competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have won 13 conference championships as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1953, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1980, 2005, 2006) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1972, 1973, 2014, 2015, 2016), and have made three appearances in the NCAA playoffs (1988, 2005, 2006). The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 140 all-conference selections (first team), 67 all-Americans, 41 NFL draft picks, 13 conference championships and two Black College National Championships (1954, 2006). Two Eagles have represented NCCU on the National Football League's grandest stage - the Super Bowl. The first NCCU Eagle to make a Super Bowl appearance was Richard Sligh, who was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Sligh, who holds the distinction as the tallest player in NFL history (7'0"), played at NCCU from 1962-64 and was later drafted by the Raiders in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. On Jan. 24, 1982, former NCCU Eagle Louis Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season (Nov. 8, 1981), Breeden intercepted a pass thrown by San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and returned it a team-record 102 yards for a touchdown. The following year, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro. He completed his 10-year NFL career with 33 interceptions for 558 return yards and two touchdowns. The first Eagle selected in the NFL Draft was Matt Boone, who was taken by the Giants with the eighth pick in the 18th round in 1956. The latest Eagle announced during the NFL Draft was Ryan Smith, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fourth round in 2016. NCCU's highest draft pick was Doug Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Oilers. The Eagles have also had three second-round NFL draft picks, including Robert Massey in 1989 by the Saints, Charles Smith in 1975 by the Broncos and Chuck Hinton in 1962 by the Browns. HBCU football pioneer John Brown, who represented NCCU (then North Carolina College) on the gridiron in the 1940s, was one of the first to play professional football out of a historically black college or university. Brown shares the honor with Ezzret Anderson of Kentucky State and Elmore Harris of Morgan State, who all began their professional football careers in 1947. Brown and Anderson were teammates on the Los Angeles Dons, while Harris was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. According to NCCU records, Brown was the first of the three to sign a professional football contract. He played center and linebacker with the Dons from 1947-49, before moving to the Canadian Football League.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuskegee Lewis Earns Second SIAC Weekly Honor

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Tuskegee University setter Santana Lewis has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Newcomer of the Week following her performance at last weekend 2018 SIAC Crossover in Albany, Ga. The announcement was made by the league office Tuesday afternoon

NEWCOMER – Santana Lewis, Freshman, Setter, Tuskegee

Lewis opened cross-divisional play strong as she put up 182 assists for the Golden Tigers as they finished 4-1 at the SIAC Crossover. The 5'4 freshman finished with 23 digs, seven aces, five blocks and four kills. The Lees Summit, Missouri native currently leads the Golden Tigers in assists (553) and service aces (28).

Two weeks ago the Lees Summit, Missouri native earned Setter of the Week after handing out 153 assists during a five game span.

Tuskegee (11-8, 8-1), travels to Memphis, Tenn. this weekend to compete in the 2018 SIAC West Cluster featuring Central State, Kentucky State, Lane College, and LeMoyne Owen College.

SIAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama A&M Weekly Football Press Conference

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Phillips, Price-Spraggins receive GCAC weekly honors

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Setter of the Week for the sixth time in as many opportunities this season. But this time the award went to Tiffany Phillips, who had a match- and season-high 21 assists Saturday in a three-set GCAC win at Edward Waters.
     
The Gold Nuggets have two of the three GCAC weekly winners for Sept. 24-30. Vivica Price-Spraggins is Attacker of the Week.
     
Phillips, a junior from Gardena, Calif., and a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School, produced all her statistics in the final two sets against Edward Waters. She also had four kills, two digs and an ace.
     
Teammate Eva Le Guillou won the first five GCAC Setter of the Week awards of 2018.
     
Price-Spraggins, a sophomore from Chicago and a graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School, served a career-high four aces in a GCAC victory at Rust, then hit .542 — 14 kills, one error and 24 attacks — at Edward Waters. Her percentage at at Edward Waters is the second highest this season by a GCAC player in a match with 20 or more attacks. For the week she hit .538 — the second straight week she exceeded .500.
     
Phillips's award is her first this season and the 11th of her career, which extends her school record. Price-Spraggins has won two GCAC weekly awards this season — she was Defender of the Week for Aug. 27-Sept. 2 — and three in her career.
     
XULA (15-4, 6-0) will play its next two GCAC matches at city rivals: 1 p.m. Saturday at SUNO and 6 p.m. Monday at Dillard.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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XULA AD Horn to speak to Detroit area students

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn will return to his hometown when he speaks at HBCU Senior Day in Detroit on Thursday and Friday.
     
The college immersion event — whose sponsors include UAW-Ford, Closing the Gap Detroit and the Detroit chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists — is being offered to 500 students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Horn will participate in a panel discussion entitled, "Making the Right Call — The Power of HBCU Athletics." That forum will focus on athletic opportunities at HBCU members and highlight their strengths and successes.
     
"We see Jason Horn as a game changer with respect to this topic," said Jennifer R. Smith, president and founder of Closing the Gap Detroit. "We know that the sum total of his experiences will allow him to contribute greatly to this discussion."
    
Horn was a student in Detroit Public Schools for numerous years.
     
Horn is in his fifth year at XULA after joining the staff in his current position during the spring of 2014. He is on the board of directors of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Horn is a member of the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC) and the Competitive Experience Committee, and he serves the NAIA's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference as chair of the athletic directors and as vice president of the league.
     
Horn serves as adviser for XULA's first-year Michigan Student Club.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Carter, Savage Secure Weekly MEAC Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia – The Norfolk State football team picked up a pair of weekly MEAC awards Monday, as quarterback Juwan Carter was named Offensive Player of the Week and defensive back Brandon Savage was tabbed Rookie of the Week for their efforts in the 54-28 win over Delaware State on Saturday.

Carter, a sophomore from Richmond, had a career day in the win over the Hornets. He compiled 355 yards of total offense and accounted for four touchdowns to lead NSU to its highest scoring output since 2005. Carter completed 22-of-31 passes for a career-best 318 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran five times for 37 yards and anot  her score, his second straight game with a rushing touchdown.



This is Carter's first-ever MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honor. He was a two-time Rookie of the Week selection last year. Carter currently ranks second in the MEAC in passing yards per game (261.3), with five touchdown passes and two TD runs in three games.

Savage, a true freshman from Baltimore, tallied three tackles and his first career interception in the win over DSU. Savage made the most of his interception, returning it 80 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. That was the first of two defensive scores Saturday for the Spartan defense, which also forced four turnovers.

This marks Savage's first career weekly MEAC honor.

The Spartans (3-1, 1-0 MEAC), off to their best start since 2011, are back in action this Saturday in a 4 p.m. game at Florida A&M.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS 

Norfolk State Bissah Makes It 2-For-2, Wins at George Mason

LEESBURG, Virginia --  Martha Bissah won for the second time in as many meets for the Norfolk State women's cross country team, taking the individual title at the George Mason Invitational on Saturday morning.

Bissah was one of four Spartan women who placed in the top 21 as NSU finished third in the six-team meet. Bissah completed the 6,000-meter course in 21 minutes, 41.7 seconds, nearly 17 seconds ahead of her closest competitor from George Mason. Bissah also won the U.Va. Duals individual title in the Spartans' only other meet this season, on Sept. 1.

Junior Ashah Koech ran second for the Spartans on Saturday, finishing 10th overall in 24:03. Senior Candice Higginswas 14th in 24:33 and junior Caroline Samoei was 21st in 25:10.9. Junior Nelly Jerop rounded out the Spartans' top five.

The Spartans have next week off before competing at the East Carolina Pirate Invitational on Oct. 12.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Harris-Stowe Women's Soccer Improves Record With Win Over Presentation

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri  --  The Hornets surpassed their win record today with their 2-0 win over Presentation College. Today's win put Harris-Stowe State University at 7-2-1 overall.

HSSU and PC finished the first 45 minutes of play with no score, but the Hornets showing potential to strike at any point. HSSU kept Presentation at bay with no shots on goal while the Hornets recorded six shots in the first half.

Torrie Helms (JR/Sikeston, MO) put the Hornets on the board in the 61' of play when she caught a rebound off a Presentation player and netted it in past the Saint's goalie.

Lizette Popoca (SO/Waukegan, Illinois ) got herself a goal today when Paula Ulreich (JR/Munich, Germany ) crossed the ball into the middle of the box and Popoca headed it just outside of PC's goalkeeper to secure the win for the Hornets.

Camila Chaves (SO/Medellin, Colombia) and her defense kept Presentation on the defensive for the majority of the game, limiting them to no shots on goal for the entire game.

Harris-Stowe will be back in action this Friday when they travel across the Mississippi River to take on the Lady Lynx of Lindenwood University-Belleville. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Make sure to stay up to date on news and scores on the women's soccer team at hornetsathletics.com.

Fans be sure to stay connected on all Hornet Athletics on all our social media pages: Twitter (@HSSU_athletics), Facebook (/HSSUathletics), and Instagram (@hssuathletics).

HARRIS-STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY HORNET SPORTS INFORMATION

A&T's Pitt, Laboy-Rivera Earn Volleyball Weekly Honors

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Sophomore Courteney Pitt took care of business at the net while freshman Andrea Laboy-Rivera handled things everywhere else on the court. As a result, both North Carolina A&T volleyball players earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference weekly honors on Monday.

Pitt earned co-player of the week, while Rivera was named co-defensive specialist of the week as the Aggies went 1-1 with a sweep of Bethune-Cookman on Sunday at Moore Gymnasium, which was preceded by a loss to Florida A&M in four sets Friday night at Moore.

“We are very happy for and proud of Courteney and Andrea,” said N.C. A&T coach Hal Clifton. “Both have really put in a lot of work to become good players, and it's nice that they were recognized for their efforts.”

Courtesy: North Carolina A&T State University Athletics

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Pitt is having an outstanding season. She leads the conference in kills (4.08) and points (4.49) per set. She ranks 45thand 53rdnationally in those same two statistical categories. Pitt is also fourth in the conference attacks per set (10.62).

Last week, Pitt recorded 38 kills, 13 digs, four blocks in seven sets played. She had 21 kills and only five attack errors in 50 attempts to post a .320 hitting percentage in the Aggies win over B-CU. Eleven of Pitt’s kills came in the third and decisive set. She has 20 or more kills in four different matches this season. She has won player of the week three times this season.

“Courteney had a really good weekend offensively,” said N.C. A&T coach Hal Clifton. “She is starting to see the block and court well and has been able to take advantage of the opportunities to score.”

There was not a place on the floor Laboy-Rivera did not occupy Sunday afternoon versus the Wildcats. Laboy-Rivera got her hands on almost every ball to finish with 27 digs and five assists. She had 44 digs and seven assists for the week and ranks second in the conference in digs per set (4.38). Laboy-Rivera has reached 20 or more digs four times this season.

“Andrea was really flowing to the ball well and constantly put herself in a good position to make digs,” said Clifton. “She is doing a really nice job back row.”

Including Pitt’s three weekly honors and Laboy-Rivera’s recent accolade, the Aggies have secured six weekly honors this season with freshman Lily Walton earning rookie of the week on Aug. 27 and Edie Brewer being named setter of the week on Aug. 27.

N.C. A&T is 1-1 in conference play and returns to MEAC action 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5 when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to face the S.C. State Bulldogs.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Babic’s stellar play nets her MEAC Co-Player honors

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — University of Maryland Eastern Shore senior volleyball outside hitter Lucia Babic (Sisak, Croatia) earned Co-Player of the Week honors Monday (Oct. 1) for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

"Lucia is very deserving of this honor. She is a great athlete that can really put the ball away." Hawks coach Trevor Callarman said.

Babic registered 15 kills - five per set - and a .700 hitting percentage as the Hawks swept Delaware State this past Friday (Sept. 28). The senior also led the match with five block assists and added five digs and three service aces.

Her career kill total now stands at 1,078, which surpasses Maline Vaitai for fourth-most in program history. Babic also ranks in the top ten all-time for kills per set, aces, total blocks and block assists.

During the sweep, the Hawks earned their highest hitting percentage in a match since 2008, and their highest percentage in a set in six years.

"Babic's percentage is a reflection of the team as a whole." Callarman said. "The passing was exceptional and Ivana [Blazevic] did a great job distributing the ball and opening holes for the pin hitters."  

This is Babic's first weekly award of the season. She has made an All-MEAC team every single year she has been on the roster.

Courteney Pitt of North Carolina A&T State was acknowledged alongside Babic for Co-Player honors. North Carolina Central's Arlanda Faulkner, A&T's Andrea Laboy-Rivera, Morgan State's Monette Daniels, and Howard's Tamia Dockery also earned MEAC honors this week.

Maryland Eastern Shore will host Norfolk State Friday (Oct. 5) and Howard Sunday (Oct. 7).

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Badgers Defeat Benedict to Remain Perfect in SIAC

ALBANY, Georgia -- The Spring Hill College (SHC) volleyball team defeated SIAC East Division foe Benedict College to conclude play at the SIAC Cross-Over tournament on Saturday. The Badgers claimed the victory by scores of 25-11, 25-14, and 27-25.

SHC's Offense was again dominant at the net as the Badgers outhit Benedict .330 to .112 in attack percentage. SHC also connected for 7 service aces.

The Badger offensive attack was led by Kassandra Fairly who hammered home 16 kills. Sarah Senft also hit double digits in kills with 12 while Allison Weimer and Payton Gidney had 6 apiece. Emmarose Neibert dished out a weekend high 44 assists to quarterback the Badger offensive attack. Cassidi Sterrett led the defensive effort with 13 digs while Randi DeArmitt added 9 digs from the back line.

BOX SCORE

"Good effort in first two sets, unfortunately big letdown in set 3," said Head Coach Peggy Martin. "Made plays when set on the line which is a positive. Freshman Kassandra Fairly continues to be a force offensively."

The Badgers (16-3, 11-0 SIAC) will return to action when they host the William Carey University Crusaders at 6:00 p.m. on October 9th.

SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Shaw Lady Bears Extend Winning Streak To Nine With a 3-0 Victory Over Fayetteville State

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Behind a balanced team effort, Shaw University women's volleyball swept Fayetteville State (25-15, 25-18, 25-13) at home for the ninth win in a row and eighth-straight conference match.

Shaw (11-6, 8-0 CIAA, 2-0 Southern Division) registered a hitting percentage of .307, a 31-27 advantage in kills while holding the Lady Broncos (2-8, 2-3 CIAA, 1-1 Southern Division) to a hitting percentage of .000.

Senior Saraya Klink (Fuquay-Varina, NC) led the attack with a match-high seven kills on a .429 hitting percentage to go along with two digs and two blocks. Junior Tyler Hunter (Atlanta, GA) also finished with a match-high seven attacks (.417) and three blocks assist while senior Keveesha Wattley (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) chipped in six kills and three blocks.

 

Senior Michelle Olmeda-Gonzalez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) recorded a match-high 19 assists and three service aces, followed by freshman Jada Flowers (Valrico, FL) with nine assists, four digs and a service ace. Senior Kelly Murphy (Mukwonago, WI) finished with 11 digs and two service aces.

 In a very competitive first set, the Lady Bears created separation from the Lady Broncos with a 4-0 run that featured two service aces from junior Jailynn Butler (Parker, AZ) as Shaw led 11-8. Shaw then planted a 10-4 increase before the Lady Bears closed out the set win on a kill from Hunter that would give SU the 1-0 advantage.

BOX SCORE

Set two went back and forth until two-straight kills from the Lady Bears produced a 12-9 lead. Shaw's lead grew by as many as seven points punctuated by a Wattley kill (23-16) before Klink put the game away with back-to-back kills and the 25-18 set win and 2-0 lead.

Shaw doubled-up on FSU in the early portion of set three, pulling out to a 14-4 lead to force a Lady Bronco timeout. The Lady Bears continued to roll out of the timeout, pulling ahead by 12 on a service error from FSU. Shaw closed out the set with three kills, a service ace and a couple of miscues from the Lady Broncos to seal the 25-13 set and 3-0 victory.

The Lady Bears are back on the court Thursday, Oct. 4 when Shaw host rival Saint Augustine's at 6 p.m. for "Dig Pink" in C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw women's volleyball and its 13 varsity sport teams, visit www.shawbears.com.

SHAW UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

JCSU places fourth at Black College Hall of Fame Round-up

NEWNAN, Georgia  – Johnson C. Smith University finished fourth among Division II teams in the HBCU College Hall of Fame Round-up at the Summer Grove Golf Club in Newnan, Ga., over the weekend.

The Golden Bulls finished the two-day event with a team total of 666 on the par 72, 6,954-yard course.

Photo Courtesy: CIAA and JCSU Athletics

Miles College won the event with a 607 score followed by Livingstone College with a 628 score and St. Augustine's (661). Lemoyne-Owen College placed fifth with a 669, Paine College finished sixth with a 745 and Morehouse College was seventh with a 751.

JCSU's DeJuan Powell (153) tied for fourth in the individual standings. Tyler Jolly (167) finished tied for 18th.

Other JCSU participants include Glen Canty (171 - T24th), Jonathan Pankey (176 - 27th), Miles Moore (180 - 29th) and Aaron Allen (186 - 33rd)

Timothy Simpson of Miles shot a 145 two-day score to win the tournament. Tyler Simmons of Miles placed second (149) and Chandler Holcomb of Miles was third (152).

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JCSU Golden Bulls top defending champs in four sets

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The season is developing very successfully for the Johnson C. Smith volleyball team.  Their confidence is building and they added another notch to their belt with the defeat of the reigning CIAA Champion Winston-Salem State Rams.

JCSU defeated WSSU 3-1, (25-16, 25-22, 23-25 and 28-26) Monday night to solidify their hold near the top of the CIAA's Southern Division.

BOX SCORE

Freshman Karizma Brooks led the effort with 10 kills.  Anteesha Smoots added nine kills while Taylor Smith had seven kills.

Joi Haywood recorded 17 assists.

Gorana Bodganovic (5) and Cydney Calhoun (3) combined for eight service aces.

Monika Krupa led the defense with seven blocks.

Taylor Hendrickson and Georgina Diaz contributed 13 digs each.

JCSU improves to 11-5 overall while WSSU falls to 7-12.

The Golden Bulls return to action Thursday (Oct 4) when they travel to face Fayetteville State in another key Southern Division battle.  First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. in Capel Arena.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FSU Women Finish 2nd Overall at 35th Greensboro XC Invitational

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The Fayetteville State's women's cross country team defeated all competing Division II teams at the 35th Greensboro XC Invitational and finished second to Division I North Carolina A&T on the 5-kilometer Hagan Stone Park course in Greensboro, NC.

FSU finished with 62 points and defeated five other conference members at the meet. Saint Augustine's finished 3rd overall with 93 points while Shaw was fifth with 151. Winston-Salem State and Elizabeth City State were sixth and seventh, respectively. Livingstone was ninth out of the 11 team field. NC A&T won with the low score of 18 points.

Nelly Kandie, a junior from Eldoret, Kenya, led the pace with a third-place finish in the time of 20:10.5 and an average mile of 6:29.6. Joining Kandie on the awards podium was Aleena Cruz (sophomore – Raleigh, NC), who finished eighth in 21:55.3. Cruz had a 7:03.3 average mile. Carisha Leonard (sophomore – Rocky Mount, NC) just missed the Top 10 of 74 runners. She finished 12th in a time of 22:24.7. Mylasia Pratt and Destiny Stevons were among the Top 25 with an 18th and 21st place finish, respectively.

PHOTOS

COMPLETE RESULTS

The men's team finished 10th overall out of a dozen teams. Richard Prudente-Bernal (senior – Fayetteville, NC) was in the Top 25 with his 21st place finish with an 8-kilometer time of 30:40.3.

North Carolina A&T won the men's 8K with N.C. Central and N.C. Wesleyan finishing in second and third. Saint Augustine's and Livingstone was fourth and fifth, respectively. The Broncos finished two spots better than Winston-Salem State, who was last at the 12th position.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Benedict Volleyball Wins Three At SIAC Crossover

ALBANY, Georgia – The Benedict College swept the competition on the second day of the SIAC Crossover Tournament, beating Central State, Miles and Lane.

The Lady Tigers started the day with a 3-1 victory over Central State. V'Aira Harris had a double-double with 13 kills and 16 digs. Adrionna Washington had 13 kills and three bloks, while Kierra Brothers also recorded 13 kills. Ashleigh Reeves also had a double-double with 32 assists and 10 digs. Majda Cisic led the defense with 17 digs.

The Lady Tigers followed that with a 3-0 victory over Miles. Benedict opened the match by taking a grueling 30-28 victory in the first set. Four straight points late in the set gave Benedict a 24-22 lead, but the Lady Golden Bears of Miles came back to tie the set at 24, then again at 25, 26 and 28. Benedict was finally able to close out the match with kills by Harris and Taylor Stephens. The Lady Tigers edged out another close one in the second set, 25-23, with Brothers delivering the final kill. Benedict scored four of the final five points in the third set to win 25-21 with Brothers again coming up strong late in the match, recording the final two kills.

BOX SCORE 1  BOX SCORE 2    BOX SCORE 3

Brothers had a team-high 12 kills against Miles. Cisic had a team-high 17 digs and Reeves recorded 11 assists.

The final match of the day was a 3-0 victory over Lane. Washington led the Lady Tigers with 13 kills and four blocks. Cisic had 19 digs, while Reeves recorded 15 assists while Ka'Tia Wright added 13 assists.

Benedict, now 7-6 overall and 4-2 in the SIAC, will close out crossover play on Saturday morning against Spring Hill.

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Morgan State Lady Bears Defeat Norfolk State; Coach Bozier Picks Up 450th Win

HEAD COACH RAMONA RILEY-BOZIER
Courtesy: MSUAthletics

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Zoe McBride recorded a double-double with a match-high 15 kills and added 10 digs, while Roi Wallace also collected a double-double with a match-high 40 assists and 12 digs to lead Morgan State to a 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16) Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory over Norfolk State on Sunday afternoon at Gill Gymnasium.
 
The win would give Morgan State's Hall of Fame head coach, Ramona Riley-Bozier, her 450thcareer coaching victory.
 
For the Lady Bears (9-9, 1-1 MEAC North), the win helped them rebound from a disappointing MEAC season opening loss at Howard on Friday. Norfolk State fell to 1-11, 0-2 in the MEAC with the loss.
 
"This weekend isn't what we wanted, however it's still nice to come away with a win on the road against Norfolk State," said Riley-Bozier, who is in the midst of her 31st season at the helm. "We played poorly against Howard and had those moments when we couldn't recover. We had a fairly decent practice on Saturday and we discussed moving on from the loss because there are several games left to be played."  
 
Morgan State tallied 51 kills for the match and finished with an attack percentage of .233 for the match. The Lady Bears would record double digit kills in all four sets, including a set-best 14 kills and a .480 attack percentage in the fourth and final set.
 
Kalysia Bates had a total of 10 kills, while hitting .333 and Cristen Coryatt fell shy of a double-double with nine kills and eight digs. Monette Daniels added eight kills to go with a match-high eight blocks. Kheanna Landrum had a hitting percentage of .500 with seven kills and added a season-best seven blocks, including one solo, to help the Lady Bears to a 12.0-7.0 blocking advantage over Norfolk State.
 
Norfolk State was limited to an attack percentage of .050, as the Spartans had 33 kills and 27 errors on 120 attempts.
 
Anna Rupertova led the hosts with seven kills and a match-high 13 digs. Bojana Bolozan added seven kills and a team-best five blocks. Jill Aquino and Makenzy Johnson shared the duties at setter and finished with 13 and 11 assists, respectively.
 
Morgan State, which going into this two-match weekend stressed the importance of winning the first set and closing out, did just that. The Lady Bears would earn a 25-16 victory, while holding the hosts to just seven kills and a -.061 hitting percentage.
 
But the Lady Bears would allow Norfolk State to gain momentum with a 25-23 victory in Set 2. It would be the Spartans most productive set of the match, as they had a .286 percentage, while recording 13 kills with just five attack errors.    
 
"We are happy about being victorious but a little disappointed about dropping a set," said Riley-Bozier. "In the first set that we won, we had eight errors [five attack and three serving]." Morgan State then had 11 combined errors, including seven on attack in Set 2. "The goal since we started is to get better and learn from our mistakes."

BOX SCORE 

Following the intermission the Lady Bears regained control, recording kills of 13 and 14 in Sets 3 and 4, respectively to close out the match and win their seventh straight over Norfolk State.
 
"Win 450, doesn't even seem real," said Riley-Bozier on reaching the 450-win plateau. "I appreciate sports information, who reminded me and acknowledged it as an amazing accomplishment. I am truly humbled and it would take me a long time to name those athletes, coaches and staff that helped me to get to this point. It's never just about me. I would give all those wins back for a 2018 MEAC Championship. Something we can all enjoy together."

Kevin C. Paige, MSU Athletic Communications

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATONS

LeMoyne-Owen Athletics Release 2018-19 Men's Basketball Roster and Schedule

Magicians 2018-19 Men's Basketball Schedule

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- It's a new season for the men's basketball team. The team is in preseason mode working hard for the upcoming year. Coach William Anderson brings back five guys from the 2017-2018 year. Martez Briggs (starter), Jaquan Lawrence (starter), Jaequan Brown (starter) and Kemar Campbell all played this past season. Along with the returners, coach has brought in a plethora of incoming freshman and transfers.

• Jerry Hurt is from Milwaukee Wisconsin. He went to Overton High School in Memphis Tennessee. After high school Jerry went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Hurt is a 3x All Metro, 3x 16AAA, 1st team All-Conference, 2x All Conference, and leading scorer in the NJCAA.

• Tyrone Banks is from Memphis Tennessee. He went to Southwind High School. After high school he went to Southwest Tennessee Community College. Tyrone won a state title in his junior year of high school.

• Toriano Stokes is from Memphis Tennessee. He attended Southwest Community College after high school. Stokes was a finalist for Commercial Appeal Student Athlete of the Year in 2014-2015.

• Jalen Jackson is from Plainfield New Jersey. He went to Plainfield high School. Jalen won Region Championship at Richard Bland.

• Torreious Carwell is from Memphis Tennessee. He went to Booker T. Washington High School. After high school he attended Kansas Tech. Carwell was 1st team all-district in high school.

• Andrew Anderson is a freshman from Chicago Illinois where he attended Hyde Park High School.

• Devin Booker is a freshman from Bogan High School out of Chicago Illinois.

• Tory Mason is from Chicago Illinois. He attended Richard J. Valley before coming to LOC.

• Derrick Craig is a freshman from Memphis Tennessee. He went to Cordova High School.

The Magicians are primed for an exciting and competitive schedule this basketball season. We open up with an exhibition game against the University of Memphis on October 25 at the FedEx Forum (7pm).

Tougaloo College will be our Homecoming Game opponent on October 27 in the historic Bruce/Johnson Hall (7:30pm).

The Magicians will travel to the University of Arkansas Little Rock on November 1st (7pm).

Kickoff for the regular season will begin with the NCAA Conference Challenge at Rome Georgia against Shorter University on November 9th and Union,  November 10.

Coach Anderson has scheduled a wide range of non-conference competition including University of Wilberforce (November 19) at home, Rust College (February 14 and February 21), and Fisk University (December 12).

The schedule can be found here: Magicians 2018-19 Men's Basketball Schedule. You can also print a copy of the schedule from the website.  Let's get ready for an exciting year. 

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @locathletics

Go Magicians!!!!!

2018-19 MAGICIANS ROSTER

LEMOYNE-OWEN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Saint Augustine's Falcons Golf Places Third In HBCU Invitational

RALEIGH, North Carolina  – Saint Augustine's University overcame a slow start to finish third among Division II teams in the HBCU College Golf Invitational in Newnan, Ga., over the weekend.

The Falcons moved up two spots from fifth after shooting a second-day score of 322 on Saturday, Sept. 29. They finished the tournament with a two-day score of 661 on the par 72, 6,954-yard Summer Grove Golf Course.

Miles College won the HBCU Invitational with a 607 score followed by Livingstone College with a 628 score. Johnson C. Smith University was fourth with a 666, Lemoyne-Owen College placed fifth with a 669, Paine College finished sixth with a 745 and Morehouse College was seventh with a 751.

Four Falcons placed among the top 20 in the individual standings. Jaylon Lynn (So./Garner, NC) finished 11^th (160) and defending champion Sam Cudjoe (So./Bethel, Trinidad & Tobago) tied for 14^th (164). James Thomas Moore (Jr./Fairfax, VA) tied for 18^th (167) and Daryel Morris (So./Cartersville, GA) tied for 20^th (170).

The trio of Lynn, Cudjoe and Moore each shot under 80 on the second day. Lynn led the way with a 77 followed by Moore with a 78 and Cudjoe with a 79.

Timothy Simpson of Miles shot a 145 two-day score to win the tournament. Tyler Simmons of Miles placed second (149) and Chandler Holcomb of Miles was third (152).

Go to golfstat.com to see the entire results.

Head Coach Julius Wells says the Falcons will likely play in two more tournaments in the fall. Go to saintaugfalcons.com for schedule updates.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION

Chelsea Gilliam Selected as Head Coach for BCU Bowling

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Chelsea Gilliam has been named the new head coach for the Bethune-Cookman University bowling program, announced Monday morning by Bethune-Cookman Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Lynn W. Thompson. While at BCU, she will serve as the lead coordinator ain all facets of the BCU Women's Bowling program.

"I am so happy to have Chelsea [Gilliam] join our family as the new head coach for the bowling program," said Sandra Booker, BCU Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. "The selection and hiring process for a new bowling coach has been a long one. However, we felt that after meeting with Chelsea and spending time with her over the course of the interview process, that she was truly the right fit to lead our program into its next chapter."

Chelsea Gilliam arrives to Bethune-Cookman after spending the previous three years at Youngstown State in Ohio. She joined the Penguins as the school's first-ever bowling coach in September 2015, and she spent the 2015-16 academic year recruiting the first team in school history, and preparing a future schedule. The 2016-17 season served as the first for Youngstown State Bowling as an intercollegiate sport, and Gilliam immediately helped the Penguins in securing status as a Top 25 program.

With just eight freshmen and sophomores on the roster, YSU finished its inaugural season ranked 25th in the final National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll. With the Penguins making their top 25 debut at No. 24 in February 2017, the team eventually reached as high as No. 23 just under a month later in March 2017. YSU was the only first-year program to be ranked in the final top 25. Statistically, YSU ranked 21st in the country across all divisions in team scoring average, and its strength of schedule ranked 16th.

"I'm very excited about working at Bethune-Cookman University," said Gilliam. "This is a great opportunity to continue coaching at the Division I level, and at a place that I just felt comfortable being around everyone from the moment I met them. Not to mention, being in Florida allows me to be closer to my family as well. I am just ready to get going."

Gilliam and the Penguins earned 18 wins over teams that were ranked in the final National Tenpin Coaches Association Top 25 Poll during the 2016-17 campaign. The Penguins defeated three teams in the top 10 – No. 5 Sam Houston State on Oct. 29, No. 7 Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 11 and No. 9 Sacred Heart on Jan. 21. Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin both advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Penguins had 20 wins against teams that were ranked at the time of competition.

For her efforts and the team's success in its first season of competition, Gilliam was one of 10 coaches to be nominated for the NTCA Division I Coach of the Year award.

"Her coaching résumé and pedigree speaks for itself," said Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "We not only looked at her coaching references and her record, but we looked at how she created a program from scratch, and how she molded into her idea of a Top 25 program. She has all the intangibles of being a top Division I head coach, and that is why we're so proud to have her as our new head coach for Bowling at Bethune-Cookman."

Prior to her stint at Youngstown State, Gilliam served for three years as the head coach of the men's and women's bowling programs at Union College in Kentucky. In 2015, Gilliam led the Bulldogs' men's team to a second consecutive runner-up finish at the Mid-South Conference Tournament. As the head of the women's program, Gilliam was selected the MSC's Women's Co-Head Coach of the Year in 2014.

A native of Pecatonica, Illinois, Gilliam was hired as an assistant coach at Union in the summer of 2012, and she became the interim head coach of the NAIA program just a few months later in September of that same year. She was elevated to the full-time position in May 2013.

Gilliam was a four-year member of the University of Pikeville (Ky.) bowling team, and she was a senior on the 2012 NAIA National Championship squad. On two occasions, she participated in the United States Bowling Congress National Tournament as a student-athlete.

Chelsea Gilliam is a graduate of Pikeville, having earned a bachelor's degrees in mathematics and psychology in 2012. While in high school, Gilliam bowled three (3) 300 games en route to achieving an Illinois state champion medalist award in her junior year

Away from the bowling lanes, Gilliam is also a breast cancer survivor, and she was chosen as a "Fabulous Four" essay contest winner by the USBC in 2015 for sharing her story. The "Fabulous Four" is part of the USBC's "Bowl for the Cure" program, which is a fundraising and breast cancer awareness initiative associated with Susan G. Komen. Having participated in several promotions for Susan G. Komen, she continues to be an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness and early detection.

"Bowling season begins today, and I am just ready to get practices going, get the schedule setup and meet the young ladies, most of all," added Gilliam. "I am getting settled in, but like I said, I am just ready to get going. This is all so very exciting and a new challenge being in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)."R

Her duties as head coach begin Monday, October 1.

Bethune-Cookman Bowling on Twitter (@BCUBowling) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS