Kemei breaks the finish line tape at Mississippi College

CLINTON, Mississippi –  Mississippi Valley State University runner Scolasticah Kemei broke the tape at the finish line Saturday to lead the Devilettes at the Mississippi College Watson Ford Invitational.

Kemei crossed the finish line with a time of 21 minutes, 48.2 seconds, more than a full minute ahead of the second-place finisher. The win was also her second consecutive individual race victory, as she also won the college women's event at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Cross Country Festival on Sept. 15.

The victory by Kemei helped the Devilettes to a fifth-place team finish out of 10 teams competing at Saturday's event. Mississippi Valley State also finished third among the six NCAA Division I teams competing.

Alice Kimutai was MVSU's other Top 20 finisher, as she finished 20th with a time of 25:29.10. The next Devilette over the finish line was Derica Pitters, who finished 33rd (30th qualifier) with a time of 27:03.7.

Mya Dumpson (28:35.1, 41st qualifier) and Iyanna Alexander (28:41.00, 42nd qualifier) rounded out the Devilettes' score. The pair finished 47th and 48th overall.

The Devilettes will be back in Clinton on Saturday, Oct. 13, for the Mississippi College Open.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State sweeps Jackson State, 3-0

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State volleyball team entered Monday night's match against Jackson State in their usual position near the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings with a 6-2 league record, however, the Lady Hornets were looking for a spark.

Amber Bolden, Nastazia Heholt and Kaitlynn Stoker provided the Lady Hornets with the jolt they were looking for, and Alabama State (10-15, 7-2) cruised to a dominating sweep of the Lady Tigers (25-19, 25-15, 25-20).

While the stats for the trio were not extraordinary, the insertion of the three into action resulted in a style more in line with what head coach Penny Lucas-White expects.

"Those three have been working really hard and have been outperforming the ones on the court and at this point in our season we have to make some changes because what we are doing isn't really working," head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "For Kaitlynn to come in and pass, hit and block that's what we've been needing -- some consistency on the pin. Then Amber with her passing and serving and Nastazia did a great job of setting and running the offense. The kids really work hard and raise their level of play when she is in the game."

BOX SCORE

Bolden – grabbing her first start of 2018 – tallied four digs and two service aces, igniting multiple Alabama State runs. Heholt, seeing action for the first time since an August 31st match against Wofford,, posted a season-high six assists and five digs while Stoker was an asset on both sides of the net, putting away four kills (.333) while digging out two Jackson State (7-16, 5-3) attacks in addition to accounting for two blocks.

Alabama State outhit Jackson State (.226 - .029) and controlled the net defensively, racking up 14 blocks compared to the Lady Tigers' five. Candace Martin was once again a force in all aspects, putting away seven of her 13 attacks (.538) and added to her league-leading block total with seven. Junior Payten Clark teamed with Martin to provide a dynamic duo at the net, leading all Alabama State players with seven blocks. Krysta Medearis led all hitters with nine kills and senior Kori Kutsch was steady with 22 assists and two service aces.

"We definitely need to make some changes if we want to put in a good race for this championship. We need kids to stick to the game plan in order to beat our opponents," Lucas-White said.

The Lady Hornets step out of conference Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa with a match against Alabama at 7 pm.

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

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HORNETS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Aggies Move Back Into The Top-10

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina – North Carolina A&T football sustained an upset loss to Morgan State two week ago. The Aggies, however, seem to be recovering nicely.

The Aggies returned to the top-10 in both national Division I-Football Championship Subdivision polls. The AFCA Coaches poll has the Aggies ranked No. 10. The FCS STATS media poll also has the Aggies at No. 10. Meanwhile, the BoxToRow Black College Football poll put the Aggies back at No. 1 in its poll this week.

N.C. A&T opened the season with wins over perennial top-10 FCS program Jacksonville State. They followed that victory with a win over Division I-FBS program East Carolina, a team from the very respectable American Athletic Conference. The win over the ECU Pirates marked the third straight year the Aggies defeated an FBS program.

The Aggies ascended to No. 6 in the media poll and No. 7 in the coaches poll have those two historic wins for the program. The next week the Aggies followed up with a 45-6 win over Gardner-Webb. The win moved the Aggies to No. 4 in the media poll, the highest they have ever been in program history.

Then the loss to Morgan State happened and the Aggies dropped all the way out of the top-10 in both polls and saw their nearly 400-day grip on the No. 1 spot in black college football disappear.

It will not be easy staying in the top-10 nationally and No. 1 in black college football, however. The Aggies (5-1, 2-0 MEAC) face Florida A&M (4-2, 3-0 MEAC) for first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 at BB&T Stadium.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Valley stuns Alcorn State in five-set thriller

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – The Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State University claimed their first win in Southwestern Athletic Conference play Monday in exciting fashion.

Trailing two sets to none against Alcorn State, the Devilettes fought back to take a five-set victory from the Lady Braves in front of their largest crowd of the season on Dig Pink Night.

Scores of the match were 14-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19, and 15-13.

Taylor Selfridge and Destini Banks knocked down 11 kills apiece for the Devilettes (3-19), who improved to 1-7 in SWAC play; Banks had six of her kills in set four alone.

Selfridge combined her 11 kills with 22 digs for her third double-double of the season. She was also in on three blocks in the match, while Banks took part in six blocks. Appropriately enough, it was also Selfridge and Banks who had the match-ending point when they blocked an attack from Alondra Rivera Modesto.

The win was Valley's first five-set triumph in three tries against SWAC competition and gives the team a much-needed boost of confidence as they prepare for their next match at Jackson State on Thursday.

BOX SCORE

Tyler Caliste knocked down nine kills for the Devilettes, while Chardea Berthelot put away eight kills. Ariana Austin tallied 29 assists from the setter position, and teammate Brooklyn Hudson handed out 11 assists.

Valley's defensive effort was led by Jessica Bell's 26 digs. Kalin Barnes tallied 15 digs during the match, while Kiya Garza recorded 10 digs.

Daharri Thompkins and Mae Lewis each had 11 kills to lead Alcorn State (5-13, 3-6 SWAC).

The Devilettes and their fans began to sense a comeback in set four. Though they fell behind 11-6 in the set, Valley ran off five consecutive points to tie the match, with Barnes serving two of her three aces in the match during the run.

It was another unanswered run of points that put Valley in the driver's seat at set four reached its conclusion. With the score tied at 15, the Devilettes reeled of six points in a row, with Banks tallying three kills during the run.

Set five was a back-and-forth endeavor in which neither team managed to build a significant lead. Valley enjoyed the largest lead in the final set when they led 9-6. Selfridge and Caliste put away two kills apiece in set five.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Gold Nuggets defeat Dillard for 20th consecutive time

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, hitting better than .400 for the fourth time in five matches, scored a 25-16, 25-11, 25-21 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball victory Monday against Dillard at Dillard's Dent Hall.
     
It was the Gold Nuggets' 20th consecutive victory against their longtime city rival and second in 2018. XULA (16-4, 7-0) has won 10 straight overall this season.
     
Dillard (10-14, 5-4) dropped its third straight, all at home.
     
XULA outhit Dillard .403 to .103. Freshman Marine Angely produced a career high for hitting for the second straight match. She hit .632 in 19 attacks and had 13 kills, her second most this season.
     
"It's great to see Marine play the way she has lately," said teammate Kayla Black. "She's gotten a better understanding of what she needs to do to earn a spot on the floor, and she's stepped up and fought for it."
     
Black had 10 kills — her 15th time this season in double figures — and hit .474 in 19 attacks. The sophomore also reached 500 career kills; she has 501 and ranks seventh in XULA history.
     
Freshman Elena Duru had six kills and hit .400, and sophomore Vivica Price-Spragginshad five kills and hit .333. Price-Spraggins had four blocks, Angely and Duru served two aces apiece, and another freshman, Beatrice Formilan, had eight digs. Eva Le Guillou had 33 assists, two kills, two blocks and six digs.
     
Dillard's Desire Neal, who had 20 kills and hit .400 in a four-set loss Sept. 15 at XULA, had eight kills and hit .105.
     
Dillard led 5-1 and 8-3 in the opening set, but XULA answered with a 10-2 run and took the lead for good at 11-10 on a Le Guillou ace.
     
"Dillard came out with a lot of energy," Black said. "but we responded to that and did a good job throughout the match."
     
It's the fifth time in program history that the Gold Nuggets have won 10 straight or more. They won 13 in a row in 2017. The school record, set in 2013, is 20 consecutive victories.
     
XULA remained a half-match behind Tougaloo in the GCAC standings. Both teams are unbeaten in the league, but Tougaloo is 8-0 after its three-set victory Monday at SUNO.
     
Next for XULA will be a 6 p.m. Wednesday GCAC match at SUNO.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

HBCU Play, Episode 10

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Episode 10 -- The commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Jacqie McWilliams joins Lericia Harris and Sam Crenshaw to discuss the potential move of the CIAA men's/women's basketball tournament out of Charlotte and being the first African-American female ever to hold her current position.

Edward Waters' Jones, Montgomery Receive Conference Honors

COLUMBIA, Kentucky -- The Mid-South Conference announced their Sun Division Players of the Week for the week of October 8th on Monday afternoon. Freshman QB Derrick Jones received MSC Sun Division Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, while Junior RB/KR Richard Montgomery earned his first career nod earning MSC Sun Division Special Teams Player of the Week following their performances in the Tigers' 33-30 road overtime division win over Warner.

Jones accounted for four touchdowns and nearly 350 yards of total offense on Saturday afternoon, putting up 229 yards on 12-of-22 passing with one passing TD. He also added 119 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns, including the game-winning one-yard rushing in overtime. Through the Tigers first six games, Jones ranks third in the Mid-South Conference in total offense, accumulating 226.7 yards per game.

Montgomery earned his first career conference honor by racking up a career high 147 all-purpose yards, including a 94-yard kick return touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's game. He currently ranks second in the conference in kick return average, with 30.6 yards per game.

This is the second time that Edward Waters has earned Sun Division Player of the Week honors as Jones and Freshman LB Elijah Spivey received Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors for the week of September 10th, following the road victory over Cumberland.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Edward Waters Football Wins Road Thriller in Overtime Over Warner

LAKELAND, Florida -- In a "must-win" game to keep pace in the Mid-South Conference Sun Division standings, Edward Waters (3-3, 1-1 MSC Sun) starting quarterback Derrick Jones scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the Royals of Warner University (0-5, 0-1 MSC Sun), 33-30 in a thriller at Viking Stadium on the campus of Lakeland Christian School.

Warner opened the scoring in the first quarter, taking the opening drive down the field and settled for a Justin Dalton 29-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Richard Montgomery went 95 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown to give EWC their first lead of the day at 7-3 with 8:36 remaining in the quarter.



The Royals took the lead back with one minute left in the quarter off the strength of an 87-yard pass from starting QB Andre Tommie to WR Jeffery Suarez to lead 10-7.

Edward Waters came back with a 58 yard touchdown pass from Jones to David Beeks. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Beeks forced EWC to kick a long extra point which was blocked and the Tigers led 13-10.

WU ended the first half with an 11 point fade route to WR Theodore Hammonds with :12 left to take a 17-13 lead going into the locker room.

The Tigers opened the second half scoring with the first of three touchdown runs by Derrick Jones with 9:09 left in the third quarter to retake the lead at 20-17 lead.

Warner would not go away as Ralph Hughey scored on a 21-yard touchdown run to take a 24-20 lead with 5:28 remaining in the third.

Justin Dalton connected on his second field goal, this time from 27 yards out to extend their advantage to 27-20.

Going into the fourth quarter of this seesaw contest, with 4:15 remaining in regulation, Derrick Jones scored on a six yard TD run to tie the contest at 27-27.

Neither team could score in regulation and thus, the contest went to overtime. Edward Waters won the toss and elected to go on defense to start the extra session.

Justin Dalton connected on another field goal to take a 30-27 lead in OT, forcing Edward Waters to either score a field goal to tie, or a touchdown to win.

On first down, Jones scampered 24 yards to the Royals' one-yard line to set up 1st and Goal from the one. Jones did the honors on the next snap, to give EWC one of their most memorable victories in recent history and close out their four-game road trip, going 3-1.

Jones finished the day going 12-22 passing, for 229 yards and one touchdown. The former Lee General also added 18 carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Corey Hammett also had another solid day in the backfield for Edward Waters, with 18 carries for 89 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry for the freshman from Miami Northwestern.

David Beeks led the Tigers in receiving with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Kennard Mahone led Edward Waters with eight total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Christian Hayes also chipped in with six total tackles and several pass breakups.

Edward Waters will finally return home to Jacksonville next Saturday, October 13th where they will host Faulkner in another Mid-South Conference Sun Division matchup. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm at the University Christian School Football Complex. It is the "Breast Cancer Awareness" game and all fans are encouraged to wear pink in their support of the fight against Breast Cancer.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Southern Volleyball Defeats Grambling State 3-0

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The Southern University Jaguars Volleyball team made short work of their rival, Grambling State University Lady Tigers Sunday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center, spoiling their home opener 3-0.

Southern (4-13 overall, 3-5 SWAC) swept the match with scores of 25-14, 25-22, 25-12.

The Jaguars ended their road four-game road swing with two straight victories.

Coach Jacobs says that the team played “very well as a whole.’” She also stated, “When the game got tight, we didn’t lose poise. This is how we needed to be playing all along.” Coach Jacobs was rather impressed by the team’s overall performance.

Senior Paige Hall recorded eight kills and eight blocks. Junior Shelby Jolly had nine kills and three blocks. The standout of tonight’s game was freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist, Jada Carter who rounded tonight with nine kills and eight digs. Carter recorded a hitting percentage of .533%.

The Jaguars will be back in action at home on Tuesday, October 9, as they will host the Lady Privateers of the University of New Orleans.

By Taylor Jean-Lewis/Southern Student
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M Football Review with " Coach Connell Maynor"

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Hampton University Sailing Qualifies for Co-Ed Showcase Finals

PHOTO COURTESY: ASIA STEWART/HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BOSTON, Massachusetts – The Hampton University sailing team competed in the Co-Ed Showcase Preliminaries this weekend sailing the Charles River in Boston and finished 17th in the power packed regatta.

Hampton qualified for the Co-Ed Final Showcase to be held in Annapolis, Md. at the U.S. Naval Academy on October 20-21.

In A Division, Luca Taglialegne and Elisabeth Kuester had four top seven finishes in 16 races for 203 points.  The B Division group of Filip Stevanovic and Mercedes Matlock combined for 244 points in the 16 races.

For more information on Hampton University sailing, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5811 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Delaware State Hornets Get By Sweet Briar Vixens in Hunter Sear Only Contest

FELTON, Delaware -- Led by a 4-0 sweep on the Flat, Delaware State posted a 5-4 victory over Sweet Briar in a Hunter Seat only equestrian contest at the Dovington Training Center today.

Eva Epstein, Sydney Wicklund, Gabrielle Fournier and Miranda Adcock won on the Flat for the Hornets. Epstein earned Most Outstanding Performer honors with a score of 67 on “Luke.” Fournier, the reigning national Equifit Fence Rider of the Week, continued her recent success, riding “Lophius” to a winning score of 77 to earn a point for DSU.

Sweet Briar won the Fences competition 4-1. Zoe Kirsch posted Delaware State’s lone Fences win with a score of 81 aboard “King.”

SCORE SHEET

The next competition for the DSU equestrian team is scheduled for Nov. 16 against SMU in a battle of nationally-ranked squads at the Dovington Training Center. The Hornets are No. 8 in the latest NCEA Farnam top 10 rankings, while SMU is No. 5.

FARNAM Top 10 Rankings (October 2, 2018)

1. Auburn
2. Georgia
3. Texas A&M
4. Baylor
5. SMU
6. TCU
7. Oklahoma State
8. Delaware State
9. Fresno State
10. South Dakota State

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Homecoming Tickets Are on Sale Now

HOMECOMING GAME INFORMATION
TSU vs Tennessee Tech
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 | 4:30 p.m.
Nissan Stadium | Nashville, Tenn.
Gates Open at 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICES
Endzone - $20
Corner Endzone - $30
Sideline - $40
50-yard line - $50

WAYS TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE GAME
- In the TSU Ticket Office (Located on the first floor of the Gentry Center)
- On Ticketmaster.com
- Call the TSU Ticket Office - (615) 963-ROAR

*The last day for phone orders is Wednesday, Oct. 10.

PARKING PASSES FOR HOMECOMING GAME
- $20 in advance for LOT R and Lot MG only. Single game parking passes for Lots A, B, C and D will not be available as those lots are designated for season parking only.
- $25 on game day for Lot R and Lot MG (depends on availability).

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Morehouse Maroon Tigers Cross Country Finishes First at the Robert Shumake HBCU Challenge

RESULTS

CARY, North Carolina - The Morehouse College cross country team finished first in the Robert Shukake HBCU Challege Saturday morning in Cary, N.C.

The Maroon Tigers finished first out of 16 schools and 104 runners.  Bringing in big points and placing in the top-10 were runners Trey Simons who finished first, Collins Kiplimo (Kenya) finished sixth, and Randy Carter who finished ninth. MHC had an average time of 26:48 which marked the best time this season.

Morehouse scored 93 points beating out Florida Atlantic with 104, NC A&T with 113, Benedict with 198 and St. Augustine's with 26  2 for the victory.

The Maroon Tigers will travel to Charlotte, N.C. this Friday, Oct. 12 to compete in the Queens University of Charlotte Invitational.

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE MAROON TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama A&M Volleyball Improves to 9-0 With 3-1 Victory Over Jackson State

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Alabama A&M University Volleyball Team pushed its winning streak to nine in a row with a 3-1 victory over Jackson State today in the AAMU Student Health & Wellness Center.


INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Alabama A&M 3, Jackson State 1 (25-22, 25-20, 24-26, 26-24)  
Records: Alabama A&M (13-12, 9-0 SWAC), Jackson State (7-15, 5-2 SWAC)
Location: AAMU Student Health and Wellness Center | Huntsville, AL
Get Social: Twitter - @aamubulldogs| Instagram - @aamuathletics| Facebook - /aamubulldogs

STATS OF THE MATCH:
•      The Lady Bulldogs totaled 70 digs in four sets, led by 20 from Mine Centinoz.
•      Terra Brooks once again paced the offense, finishing the match with a game-high 17 kills.
•      Jaelin Gant secured a double-double with 15 kills and 15 digs.
•      Megan Evans led AAMU with 47 assists.

BOX SCORE
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
•      This is the first nine-game winning streak for Alabama A&M since winning 12 straight in 2009.

UP NEXT:
The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Tallahassee, FL on October 13 for the Florida A&M University Volleyball Tournament. AAMU will return home on October 19-21 to host the SWAC East Round-up.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine Band To Perform In The 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

NEW YORK, New York (Oct. 6, 2018) -- Today, Morgan State University’s Magnificent Marching Machine, was selected to perform in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®, representing the state of Maryland. This will mark the first Parade appearance by the band. The Marching Machine will join the Parade to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade,” the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924.

Each year, the Macy’s Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence, musical and marching abilities to captivate more than 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million viewers. Morgan State was selected from more than 100 applicants as one of nine selected bands to march in the 93^rd edition of the annual holiday spectacle. The band will join the revelry along with other iconic Macy’s staples: floats, giant character balloons, clowns and superstar performers galore on Thanksgiving Day 2019, helping to create an unforgettable experience for millions.

“Morgan State University is home to one of the finest and most exciting marching bands in the northeast, delivering high-energy, crowd-pleasing performances every fall season,” said Wesley Whatley, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Creative Producer. “Macy’s Band Selection Committee is proud to welcome The Marching Machine to New York City for their debut appearance in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!”

“The Magnificent Marching Machine and the students that make up its members are recognized nationally as a model for musical excellence and exuding that essential ingredient for what is known as that ‘Ole Morgan Spirit,’ Melvin Miles, director of Morgan State University bands. “Today, we are proud, honored and excited to be participants in one the world’s greatest parades-Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and to be given this wonderful opportunity for our band to present its ‘High Stepping’-show style to the world. There is not a greater stage than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”

The Magnificent Marching Machine will spend the next 12 months planning for their Parade appearance. Rehearsals and creative fundraising events not only bring the school and the community closer but also prepare the students for the march of a lifetime.

For more than ninety years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has given thanks to what Macy’s values most –- its loyal fans.  More than 5,000 Macy’s employees and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to create a spectacular event that entertains the cheerful crowds and provides joy to millions at home watching on Thanksgiving Day.  Stretching down a more than two-mile-long route in New York City, the spectacle is alive with gleaming color, music and smiles.

The Morgan State University Marching Band is comprised of 150 students. The marching band has had appearances at NFL, MLB and CFL games, local and regional parades, civic and public school performances as well as providing exciting performances for Morgan State University athletic events. The Band has appeared in the movies “Amazing Grace” and Chris Rock’s “Head of State,” as well as on the Tom Joyner Show and at The White House. The MSU Band program offers six different ensembles: Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band and the Jazz Combo. Its most popular and recognized ensemble is the Marching Band, fondly known as “The Magnificent Marching Machine.”

Immediately following the historical announcement, our Marching Machine hit the field & shut Hughes Stadium all the way down.

NYC, @TimesSquareNYC & @Macys, here's a taste of the heat that we plan to bring to the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. #MorganOnSocial#MSUHC2K18 pic.twitter.com/Ri0HeLIBkB

— Morgan State University (@MorganStateU) October 6, 2018

About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For more than 90 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons.  For more information on the Macy’s Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

About Morgan State University

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Shaw Lady Bears Sweep Claflin for 11th-Straight Win

RALEIGH, North Carolina – The Shaw University women's volleyball team won its 11th consecutive match to improve to 10-0 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference after defeating Claflin University, 3-0 (25-18, 25-15 and 25-12) in the historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

The victory adds to Shaw's Southern Division record at 4-0 while Claflin drops to 4-8 overall, 4-5 in the league and 0-3 in the division standings.

SU attacked the Lady Panthers early in the first set, building a 16-9 lead capped off by a kill from senior Jazmine Johnson-McCoy (Seattle, WA). After Claflin scored two-straight, the Lady Bears went on a 6-1 run to go ahead 22-12 before closing out the set with the 25-18 win.

With a 5-1 spurt to start the second set, Shaw then pushed its lead 10-3 after a ball handling error from Claflin. The Lady Panthers pull within three (14-11) but that would be the closets they would get to Shaw as the Lady Bears pulled away with a 11-4 scoring spread for the set win and 2-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

In the third set, it would be all Shaw. The Lady Bears aggressively outscored the Lady Panthers 12-5 in kills led by a .500 hitting percentage. A 13-7 run sealed the deal for Shaw for the 25-12 win and 3-0 sweep.

The Lady Bears were led by both seniors Saraya Klink (Fuquay-Varina, NC) and Keveesha Wattley (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) with eight kills apiece. Senior Michelle Olmeda-Gonzalez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) dished out 20 assists while senior Kelly Murphy (Mukwonago, WI) recorded nine digs.

The Lady Bears return to action Monday, Oct. 8 with a home match against Livingstone College. First serve is at 6 p.m.

SHAW UNIVERSITY BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush place 9th at Mississippi College meet

Results (PDF):  Men    Women

CLINTON, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana, in its first of three consecutive appearances at Choctaw Trails, scored a ninth-place finish in the men's division of the Watson Ford Invitational cross country meet Saturday.
     
The XULA men and women will return to Choctaw Trails next Saturday for the Mississippi College Invitational and Oct. 19 for the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships.
     
Freshman Jordan Ashmore was the first Gold Rush finisher for the second time in three meets. He ran 8,000 meters in 29 minutes, 51.86 seconds and finished 42nd out of 74 men. Also finishing for the Gold Rush were Camren Sewell (47th, 30:17.46), Kadeem Burton(55th, 32:02.58), Darrick Williams (60th, 32:38.62) and Oji Wells (62nd, 34:11.83).
     
Taylor Price led the XULA women for the second consecutive meet. She ran 6,000 meters in 27:57.80 to finish 42nd out of 78 women. The Gold Nuggets' other finishers wereMaliya Vaughan (43rd, 28:00.10), Toni Trail (62nd, 32:48.80) and Mariah Cox (67th, 34:27.30).
     
XULA scored 212 points in the men's division. Because only four Gold Nuggets competed, XULA did not qualify for the women's team standings.
     
Tarleton State won the men's team title with 22 points, and Troy won the women's team title with 41 points. Individual champions were Tarleton's Quenten Lasseter (25:13.02) in the men's race and Mississippi Valley's Scolasticah Kemei (21:07.7) in the women's.
     
Mississippi College was the meet host.
     
XULA's men will lead off the Mississippi College Invitational with an 8K at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the women's 5K at 9.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Norfolk State Football: Florida A&M Recap

Recap of Norfolk State's 17-0 loss to Florida A&M on Oct. 6, 2018.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

A&T Aggie Women Win HBCU Challenge, Butler Wins Again

CARY, North Carolina (Oct. 6, 2018)  – The North Carolina A&T men’s cross country team was not able to win their fifth straight 8k HBCU Cross Country Challenge finishing second. But N.C. A&T did come away with a title from the HBCU challenge for a fifth straight time because the Aggie women won their 5k event with an average time of 19:59.28 at the Wake Med Soccer Complex on Saturday.

That was not the only streak the Aggies kept going. For the second straight week, junior G’Jasmyne Butler took first place at an event. A week after winning the Greensboro Cross Country Invitational at Hagan Stone Park, Butler crossed the finish line in record time (18:52.2) to win the HBCU challenge. It was also the women’s second straight week as meet winners.

As a team, the women scored a meet-low 26 points followed by Fayetteville State (83), N.C. Central (123), Benedict (141) and St. Augustine (145). Morehouse took the men’s title with 45 points followed by the Aggies (50), N.C. Central (94), Benedict (110), and St. Augustine (159) rounding out the top-5.

In the men’s 8k event, freshman Morris Kimble (25:37.5) was the fastest Aggie with a second-place finish shaving nearly 90 seconds off his old personal best. Morehouse prevented the Aggies from getting the five-peat by placing three runners in the top-5 including meet winner Trey Simons. After N.C. A&T, the top-5 included N.C. Central (94), Benedict (110) and St. Augustine’s (159).

WOMEN'S RESULTS
MEN'S RESULTS

The Aggie women earned their second straight win of the season by having three runners record personal best with two others running season bests. In addition to Butler, who earned her second career win, freshmen Shalah Means (20:05.7) and Monzerad Creary (20:39.9) set personal records. Juniors Camille Martin (20:29.5) and Khadijah Reid (21:05.2) ran season-bests.

Junior Kristoni Barnes finished fourth overall with a time of 19:49.1. Means, Martin and Creary finished fifth, seventh and ninth respectively to place five Aggies in the top-10. Reid finished 12th.

N.C. A&T’s men saw juniors Mar’Quise McGee (26:55.8) and Dequan Maddox (27:08.3) join Kimble in the top-10 as they finished eighth and ninth.

Cross country has one more meet before the MEAC Championships take place, Saturday, Oct. 27 in Smyrna, Del. The Aggies will run in the VertCrossInvitational hosted by High Point University, Friday, Oct. 12. The women start at 4 p.m. with a 5k run. The men’s 8k follows at 4:45 p.m.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Washington Named Vice President/Director of Athletics at Prairie View A&M University

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Fred E. Washington has been named Prairie View A&M Vice President and Director of Athletics, President Ruth Simmons announced today.

The appointment is effective immediately.

"With more than 75 applicants, the search committee invited several to campus for interviews," Simmons said. "Among the finalists, Fred stood out as a true leader, capable of taking charge of our beloved Panthers. He has the breadth of senior leadership experience and an in depth knowledge of how to manage successfully a first class, NCAA Division I athletics department. In the final analysis, the committee unanimously supported his permanent appointment."

Washington is in his twenty seventh year of service to Prairie View A&M University and the State of Texas. He is also retired as a Major in the United States Army Reserve and served twenty-three years in that regard.

Washington is in his second stint directing PVAMU Athletics. Washington served in two positions as Vice President for Administration as well as Auxiliary Services and Athletic Director from 2008 to 2013. In this current appointment, Washington will only oversee Panther Athletics.

"I would like to thank the students, coaches, staff and administrators that were part of the selection committee, for having the confidence in me to lead the Prairie View A&M University athletic department," Washington said. "I am both humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead my alma mater forward as I work with the athletics staff to create a vision for the department that is determined to see student-athletes compete and succeed in the classroom and on the athletic fields."

Washington's previous tenure as Athletic Director was at the beginning of a storied period in the annals of Panther Athletics. His five-year tenure was highlighted by PVAMU football returning to its tradition of winning as the program won the 2009 SWAC Championship, the first title in football since 1964. That championship season was the highlight of a current run in which PVAMU football is second in wins in the SWAC since 2007.

Women's basketball was the dominant program during that time, winning SWAC regular season and tournament crowns in 2008 and 2009, and, in 2011, began a streak of four consecutive SWAC Tournament Championships, earning NCAA Tournament appearances after each tourney win.

Women's Bowling won back-to-back SWAC championships in 2012 and 2013, and PVAMU baseball won the SWAC championship in 2012. The men's tennis program won a pair of SWAC titles during that time as well (2010, 2013).

In 2009-10, the athletic program earned the Barbara Jacket/Sadie Magee Award as the top overall women's sports program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for only the second time in school history.

PVAMU Athletics then went on to win back-to-back Commissioner's Cup crowns as the top overall sports program in the SWAC in 2011-12 and 2012-13. All totaled, the Panthers won 14 SWAC regular season or tournament titles during Washington's tenure as Athletic Director.

"Our main goal was to find the best qualified candidate for the Athletic Director's job who we truly believed can best move the PVAMU Athletic program to greater heights," Search Committee Chair Dr. Corey S. Bradford said. "The search committee looked far and wide across the country - yet the best candidate was right here, ready to take up the challenge. Fred has a proven track record of helping all sport teams win championships. I am confident that he has the passion, commitment to excellence, and business acumen to effectively make PVAMU among the best athletic programs in the nation,"

As a commissioned officer, Washington served in several leadership positions throughout his twenty-three year career. He retired with honors after his seventh (7) year as the senior logistic trainer for the 75th Division and five (5) years and a logistics planner for the 373 Combat Service Support Battalion of Beaumont Texas. Prior to this assignments include (2) years as a supply and services officer four (4) years as a unit commander, (2) years as an executive officer (XO) responsible for all unit administrative operations and three (3) years as a platoon leader. Mr. Washington graduated from the Army Logistics Management College (ALMAC) and has three certifications in logistics management.

Washington is a three-time graduate of Prairie View A&M, receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (1992), Master of Business Administration in Management (1996), and Master of Arts in Community Development (2016).

Washington and his wife Alvina have four children, Andrew, Elysia, Matthew and Maegan. They reside in the northwest Houston.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS