NSU Spartans Celebrate Homecoming, Host NCCU Saturday

NORFOLK, Virginia  – Two teams coming off bye weeks meet in another key MEAC football clash this Saturday when Norfolk State (3-2, 1-1 MEAC) and North Carolina Central (2-3, 1-1) meet up at William "Dick" Price Stadium. The Spartans' Homecoming game, sponsored by The Virginia Lottery, kicks off at 2 p.m.

MEDIA COVERAGE
• Live Video: ESPN 3 / Watch ESPN App
• Radio: WNSB 91.1 FM (1:30 p.m. pre-game): Play-by-Play – Ross Gordon/Color – Glen Mason
• Twitter Updates: @NSUSpartans / @NSU_FB

SERIES INFORMATION
• Record: NCCU leads 9-6
• Last Meeting: 10-21-17 (NSU 28-21)
• First Meeting: 11-14-81 (NCCU 27-21)

OPENING KICKOFF
• The Spartans had an off week after a 17-0 road loss at Florida A&M on Oct. 6.
• The Eagles also had last week off, following their 40-35 win over Howard in Durham on Oct. 6.
• Both teams are 1-1 in the MEAC and are looking to stay in the MEAC title hunt.
• NSU and NCCU are two of six teams who have just one MEAC loss, and all six of those teams face each other this weekend. FAMU (4-0) is the lone team remaining without a conference loss.

LAST MEETING
• Juwan Carter threw a career-high four touchdown passes, including two long hookups with Marcus Taylor, in a 28-21 NSU win over No. 25 NCCU on Oct. 21, 2017 at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
• Carter threw three TD passes in the first half to stake the Spartans to a 21-0 halftime lead.
• NCCU rallied within 21-14 in the fourth quarter before Carter hit Taylor on a 58-yard TD pass.
• NSU linebackers Anthony Smith (18 tackles) and Kyle Archie (10) both had INTs in the final two minutes to help seal the win.
• Taylor had eight catches for a career-high 132 yards. Carter passed for 230 yards.
• The win was NSU's first over a ranked team since beating No. 10/12 Bethune-Cookman in 2013.

INSIDE THE SERIES
• Last year's Spartan victory broke NCCU's four-game win streak in the series and was also the Spartans' first win over the Eagles since the two teams moved to the Division I level.
• The last four meetings have all been decided by a touchdown or less.

NSU BY THE NUMBERS
3 - Number of interceptions thrown by NSU in the game at Florida A&M, the team's most since also throwing three against Delaware State in 2014.
20 - Number of catches the last three games by Isaiah Winstead (7 at SCSU, 8 vs. DSU, 5 at FAMU).
24.7 - Yards per catch this season for sophomore Justin Smith (7-173), who had a 51-yard grab in the FAMU game two weeks ago.
79 - Rushing yards for the Spartans at FAMU, their fewest this year in a completed game.
996 - Passing yards through four games played this year for Juwan Carter, who ranks second in the MEAC in passing (249.0 ypg).
2005 - The last time the Spartans scored at least 54 points in a game prior to the Delaware State game.

A WIN OVER NCCU WOULD...
A win this week over NCCU would...
• Help the Spartans earn their first-ever win over NCCU at Dick Price Stadium (NSU is 0-2).
• Give the Spartans their first-ever two-game win streak over NCCU since the teams joined the Division I ranks.
• Keep the Spartans in the thick of the MEAC race.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
NCCU snapped a two-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 40-35 win over Howard on Oct. 6. Chauncey Caldwell scored on a 3-yard run with 24 seconds left to lift the Eagles to the win.

Caldwell, one of three Eagle quarterbacks to play this season, ran for 153 yards and a score while also throwing for 311 yards and two TDs. Marcus Martin intercepted a Howard pass in the NCCU end zone with six seconds left to clinch the win.

Caldwell is averaging 185.8 total yards per game this season and leads the Eagles in both rushing (240) and passing yards (689) this season.

NCCU, which has posted four consecutive winning seasons, was picked to finish third in the MEAC.

 By: Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MEAC Tournament Tickets on Sale Now

PHOTO COURTESY: MSUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY

NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State University has MEAC Basketball Tournament tickets available for sale, and fans can take advantage of a special discount through Dec. 21.

Tournament ticket books are now on sale at the NSU Ticket Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. NSU has tickets available in sections 111, 214, 215 and 216. All 200-level seats are buy one, get one half off from now through Dec. 21. Tickets in the 200-level sections are $100 per book, or $150 for two books, during the promotional period.

This will be the only special sale offered for NSU's seating block for this year's tournament. Beginning Dec. 22, all 200-level tickets revert to regular pricing of $100 for each book.

Ticket books in section 111 are $130. There is no special discount for tickets in section 111. All tournament tickets must be bought in-person only at the NSU Ticket Center, located between Joseph Echols Hall and William "Dick" Price Stadium.

The 2019 MEAC Tournament runs March 11-16 at the Norfolk Scope.




By: Mike Bello, Asst. SID
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Texas Southern's Haywood Addresses Media Week 8

Listen to "THE TSU FOOTBALL SHOW WEEK 8" on Spreaker.
START AT 7:30

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern head football coach Michael Haywood participated in the Weekly SWAC Teleconference on Monday as well as the TSU Football Show with Lary "Chattabox" Hale on Tuesday.

SWAC Teleconference     TSU Football Show

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks at No. 7 in NTCA preseason rankings

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Women's Bowling team showed up at No. 7 on the opening National Tenpins Coaches Association poll of the season, one spot higher than the squad finished the 2017-18 season.

"I was a little surprised because we finished the season ranked eighth, so it was a gratifying seventh," Hawks head coach Kayla Bandy said. "It's based off other coaches and their opinion of your program and who you brought in. Looking at our program, they knew that last year we had no All-Americans and we were still ranked in the Top 10 of the country consistently throughout the season."

Despite key losses from last year's team, the Hawks strong showing in the poll — among a group of coaches who pride themselves on voting knowledgeably — is a testament to the status of the program.

"It is an opinion poll, but I think the coaches look at a lot of factors," Bandy said. "When I go to vote for a team I am looking at the coach's ability, the talent they have on their team and what they have historically done the previous season. I think all those factors played into where we were voted."

They Hawks returned six players from last year's squad including seniors Alexandra Hernandez (Maracaibo, Venezuela), Quianna Macares (Willenstad Curacao) and Danielle August (Milillani, Hawaii) as well as juniors Brigitte Jacobs (Freeport, Illinois) and Cayla Hicks (Salem, Virginia) and sophomore Paulina Torres (Ponce Puerto Rico).

They also added one new face in Isabel Hughes (Raleigh, North Carolina).

The National Tenpin Coaches Association
2018-2019 Preseason Poll
October 3, 2018

No. 1 Adjusted Previously
Votes Division Points Ranked
1 Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 32 I 1497 1
2 McKendree University, Lebanon, IL 6 II 1409 2
3 University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 1 I 1320 3
4 Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX I 1222 5
5 Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 1 I 1194 4
6 Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX I 1092 6
7 University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD I 942 8
8 Delaware State University, Dover, DE I 888 7
9 Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ I 811 9
10 Tulane University, New Orleans, LA I 780 10
11 North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC I 712 13
12 Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT I 666 11
13 St. Francis University, Loretto, PA I 528 12
14 Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN II 442 17
15 Adelphi University, Garden City, NY II 389 14
16 University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL I 375 16
17 Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA I 342 20
18 University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO II 336 18
19 LIU Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY I 330 15
20 Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA I 267 19
21 University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI III 222 21
22 Maryville University, St. Louis, MO II 180 23
23 Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ I 129 24
24 Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA II 125 22
25 Texas Southern University, Houston, TX I 19 NR

Also receiving points:
Youngstown State, Youngstown, OH; Valparaiso University, Valparaiso IN; Norfolk State, Norfolk VA; Jackson State University, Jackson, MS; St. Francis College Brooklyn, Brooklyn N;, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL; Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

UMES Volleyball tabs Heather Feldman as assistant coach

Assistant Coach Heather Feldman

Former Gardner-Webb setter joins Callarman, Slaughter as third member of staff

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announces the hiring of Heather Feldman as the new volleyball assistant coach, effective immediately.

A native of Eden, New York, just outside Buffalo, Feldman comes to The Shore from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. She was a four-year setter for the Runnin' Bulldogs as an undergrad and worked as a graduate assistant beginning in January 2016.

"I want to thank Keith Davidson and Trevor Callarman for this opportunity." Feldman said. "I'm looking forward to continuing to grow the culture of success that is Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball. Being part of a youthful and energetic staff is exciting, and I'm ready to work towards winning a MEAC championship."

With 4,545 assists, Feldman ranks second all-time in Runnin' Bulldogs history. Her career also includes 1,112 digs, 314 kills, 149 blocks and 92 service aces. The 314 kills came with a .316 attack percentage - the highest-ever for a Gardner-Webb player. The team made the Big South tournament three years out of four during her career.

Feldman's play on the court earned her a North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) All-State selection and a Big South Conference All-Freshman selection in 2011. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2015 with a bachelors' in music and completed a master's in business administration in August of this year.

Her academic accolades were recognized with two placements on the Capital One Academic All-District Team and three placements on the Big South All-Academic Team.

As a graduate assistant, Feldman assisted coach Leo Sayles in several aspects of the program, including practices, team travel, study hall and managerial support staff.

When her volleyball playing career finished, she faced and beat her toughest opponent, defeating Stage 3 Non-Hodgkins lymphoma after being diagnosed in 2016. Feldman has also worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as an event coordinator, marketing and managing a "Dig Lime" charity fundraiser.

"Heather adds experience to our coaching staff. She was a great setter and has worked well at Gardner-Webb as a member of their staff," Callarman said. "Her great personality and skill level makes a combination that will fit our team well."

Feldman is taking over the position previously held by Callarman, who ascended to the head coaching position earlier this year. She becomes the third member on staff this season, following the appointment of Evann Slaughter as a volunteer assistant.

Maryland Eastern Shore will travel to Liberty to face the Flames this Tuesday (Oct. 23).

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State wins UMES Collegiate Golf Tournament

BERLIN, Maryland | Alabama State placed four student-athletes in the top-10 at the Maryland Eastern Shore Collegiate and ran away with its first tournament win of the fall with a nine-stroke victory over second-place North Carolina A&T.

"Our win was a team effort. Due to an injury, we had to rely solely on the remaining four players' scores. Our senior, Mbongeni, led the way today alongside our three freshmen," head coach Dr. Gary Grandison said.

Teams compete with five individuals and the top four scores are counted, making it all the more impressive what the Hornets were able to do in the face of adversity.

Senior Mbongeni Maphosa Jr. was stellar on his final 18 holes, leading all Hornets at one-under par, which included a bogey-free back nine on the Seaside Course at Ocean City Yacht and Country Club. The 71 was Maphosa's lowest round of the season to date and vaulted him four spots up the leaderboard to finish tied for fourth.

The Hornets were additionally paced by a trio of freshman with Thacher Neal (+3) finishing in second place courtesy of a final round 74. Neal was consistent all week (73-72-74) and capped off the tournament with three birdies over the duration of his final 18 holes. Ben Swaffield continued his torrid start as a Hornet with another quality showing en route to a fourth-place finish. Thomas Caddell (T7) rounded out the efforts for Alabama State, leading all Hornets with four birdies on the day

The Hornets make a quick turnaround this weekend with the Gulf Shores Collegiate October 20-22.

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

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State Eley meets with media during bye week

MONTGOMERY, Alabama| Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley met with the media during weekly press conference Wednesday morning as the Hornets are in midst of a bye week following their contest at South Alabama.

Alabama State (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) will being preparations for Alabama A&M next week as the two teams will meet in the 77th annual McDonald's Magic City Classic at Birmingham's Legion Field October 27.



The game is slated for a 2:30 pm (cst) kickoff on ESPN3, and the game can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network beginning at 2 pm (cst) with the pregame show.

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

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

OVC Football Previews - Week 8, Tennessee State

This Week’s Schedule

Saturday, October 20
*#4 Jacksonville State at Southeast Missouri, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
*UT Martin at Eastern Illinois, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
*Murray State at Eastern Kentucky, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
*Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State, 4:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+)

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Men's Basketball Selected Sixth in OVC Media Preseason Poll

COURTESY: OVC SPORTS

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State men’s basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference Media Preseason Poll, released on Friday by the OVC office. The poll was voted on by media members who cover OVC basketball.

The OVC Coaches/SID Preseason Poll will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at OVC Basketball Media Day in Evansville, Indiana.

The Tigers, under the direction of first-year Head Coach Brian “Penny” Collins, return six letterwinners including starting point guard Armani Chaney. The leading scorer among TSU’s returners is redshirt junior guard Kamar McKnight, who posted 8.5 points per game a year ago.

Over the last three seasons, TSU has won 52 games – one of the best three-year runs in the program’s Division I history.

TSU will host an exhibition game on Oct. 31 versus Tennessee Wesleyan before kicking off the regular season on Nov. 10 at Lipscomb.

OVC MEDIA POLL
1. Belmont (6) - 137 points
2. Murray State (5) - 135
3. Jacksonville State (1) - 118
4. Austin Peay - 110
5. Tennessee Tech - 75
6. Tennessee State - 71
7. Eastern Illinois - 66
8. Eastern Kentucky - 62
9. Southeast Missouri - 54
T- 10. UT Martin - 41
T-10. Morehead State - 41
12. SIUE - 25
(FIRST PLACE VOTES)

Preseason Player of the Year: Dylan Windler, Belmont

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Albany State Set To Face Clark Atlanta for 2018 Homecoming Game, Relocated To Hugh Mills Stadium

ALBANY, Georgia -- The Albany State University Golden Rams will host the Clark Atlanta Panthers for Homecoming 2018 on Saturday, Oct. 20. Kick off begins at 2 p.m. at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

The football game was originally scheduled to be played at the ASU Stadium. However, significant damage to the field and facility caused by Hurricane Michael prompted the relocation.

"Although we will not be able to compete on our home field, we are excited about competing at Hugh Mills Stadium," said ASU Athletics Director Sherie Gordon. "It will be a flashback to when it was the home field for our Golden Rams. We look forward to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community packing Hugh Mills to support the home team."

Tickets
Game tickets are on sale for $20 for general tickets and $5 for youth ages 5-17 and visiting college students with valid ID. ASU Athletics will provide 1,000 complimentary tickets to Southwest Georgia residents in the 32 counties impacted by Hurricane Michael. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis the day of the game. Those who have previously purchased tickets for the Homecoming match up should bring them to Saturday's game. Please visit www.asuramstickets.com to purchase tickets.

Transportation and Parking
Parking at Hugh Mills will be free for the general public. The University will provide ASU students with a shuttle service from the ASU East and West campuses to Hugh Mills Stadium. All Ram Fund members will have a designated location for parking but must present their season parking pass. Those who have purchased tailgating spots on the ASU campus must bring previously distributed parking passes with them to the East Campus for admittance to their tailgating location. Tailgaters and those attending the ASU Hurricane Relief Block Party can utilize the Ram Rush bus system for transportation from the East Campus to Hugh Mills. The Department of Athletics will be in touch with tailgaters and Ram Fund members with more details.

Tailgating
Due to limited parking areas at Hugh Mills Stadium, tailgating will not be allowed there. ASU alumni, friends, and supporters are invited to tailgate Saturday on the East Campus across from the ASU Coliseum beginning at 8 a.m. The end time is tentatively set for 10 p.m. Tailgating spots are available for purchase at www.asuramstickets.com until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18. Those who have previously purchased tailgating spots but are unable to attend due to challenges caused by the recent storm, may credit payments toward the 2019 football season. As an alternative, full refunds are available for those who wish to receive them. Please email asutickets@asurams.edu or call 229-317-6558 for details regarding refunds.

For more information related to ASU Athletics, please call 229-317-6558. For more information about the revised Homecoming schedule, please visit the ASU website.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU Supports Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts

Not only did our Rattler football players provide assistance to the Army National Guard and Salvation Army today, they provided some much needed laughter to folks who are working brutal shifts to help restore the Panhandle to some normalcy. #FAMUCares pic.twitter.com/k23vwAqoC4

— FAMU Athletics (@FAMUAthletics) October 18, 2018

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2018-19 TSU Men's Basketball Preview - Point Guards

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- TSUTigers.com previews the upcoming Tennessee State men’s basketball season with a three-part series highlighting point guards, wings/guards and post players. The season begins with a home exhibition game on Oct. 31 versus Tennessee Wesleyan before officially getting underway at Lipscomb on Nov. 10.



Led by senior Armani Chaney, the Tennessee State men’s basketball team’s point guards will be relied upon to facilitate the offense for first-year Head Coach Brian “Penny” Collins during the 2018-19 season.

PHOTO GALLERY

Chaney, who is the lone returning starter from last year’s squad, played in all 30 games with 29 starts a year ago. He led TSU in assists 21 times and ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference’s leaders in steals per game (6th – 1.4), assists per game (8th – 3.7) and assist to turnover ratio (11th – 1.3).

Another returner with game-experience is Tripp Davis, who has appeared in 23 games for TSU. The redshirt junior from Nashville earned minutes in 18 games in 2017-18, including seven OVC regular season games and the OVC Tournament game.

Among the point guards on the roster who have yet to play for TSU are Michael Littlejohn and Dave Morris.

Littlejohn was ultra productive for Southwest Tennessee Community College a year ago, leading the team in scoring (14.4 ppg), assists (3.2 apg) and three-point shooting (42.9 percent) en route to First Team All-Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Region 7 accolades. Morris, who redshirted at TSU last season, scored 2,270 points in his high school career and was a finalist for Mr. Basketball in the state of Pennsylvania as a senior in 2016-17.

POINT GUARD BREAKDOWN

NAME	CL	HT	WT	NOTE
Armani Chaney	Sr.	5'10	165	83 career games played, 37 starts; Ranked top 10 in OVC in steals and assists
Tripp Davis	R-Jr.	6'3	180	Local product; 23 career games played
Michael Littlejohn	Jr.	5'10	160	1st Team All-Tennessee CC Athletic Association; Scored 14.4 ppg in JUCO
Dave Morris	R-Fr.	6'1	180	Redshirted in 2017-18; Finalist for Mr. Basketball in PA as a senior in HS

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

CU Football Week 7: Rivalry Week At Elizabeth City State

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina – The Chowan Football heads down the road to face Elizabeth City State in a rivalry contest on Saturday, October 20 in CIAA Northern Division action.

WHEN        Saturday, October 20 | 1:30 pm

WHERE      Elizabeth City, N.C. | (Roebuck Stadium)

FOLLOW    GAME DAY CENTRALChowan Game Notes

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

Turnovers led to the rise and fall of Chowan in the past two contests.  Against Bowie State, Chowan did not commit a turnover leading to a 42-23 victory.  In the 48-38 loss to Virginia Union, Chowan turned the ball over three times.

Chowan leads the CIAA in yards per game, offensively, with 484.2 yards per outing.  Most of the yardage is through the air with 297.3 yards, second in the league behind Bowie State, with the third most rushing yards per contest with 186.8 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Chowan allows the most yards per contest, 473.8, and second most points at 42.3.

SINKING THE VIKINGS

Elizabeth City State is 1-4 on the season and winless in the CIAA this season.  The Vikings allowed Lincoln to snap a 25 game losing streak last week with ECSU falling 21-20 after Lincoln led 21-0.

The Viking offense has been virtually non-existent this season averaging the fourth worst yardage total in the league leading to the second worst scoring output at 276.4 yards per game and 16.2 points per contest.

INSIDE THE SERIES

Chowan and Elizabeth City State will meet for the 11th time in the lopsided rivalry series.  The Vikings lead the series 8-2, but the Hawks have won two of the last three meetings including picking up a 28-18 win last season for homecoming.  Both wins have come at home for the Hawks.

ON THIS DATE

Chowan has played twice on October 20 and has a 0-2 record.  The Hawks fell against North Greenville in 2007 and again in 2012 against Elizabeth City on the road, 47-21.

CHOWAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU's Rivera Ortiz Named OVC Defensive Player of the Week

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee -- Freshman Gina Rivera Ortiz has been named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon.

After week four of conference play, the libero from Lajas, Puerto Rico racked up a season-high 37 digs against Murray State, followed by an impressive 27 dig performance against conference-leader Austin Peay.

Over the weekend, Rivera Ortiz finished with 64 digs, averaging 7.11 per set, placing her 56th in the nation in digs per set and third in the league.

Rivera Ortiz and the Tigers will be back in action Friday at UT Martin for a 6 p.m. match at the Skyhawk Fieldhouse.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU's Robert Covington Ready for Another NBA Season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State men’s basketball alumnus Robert Covington will officially begin his sixth professional season with the 2018-19 opener for the Philadelphia 76ers scheduled for tonight versus the Boston Celtics.

The 2013 TSU graduate is in his fifth season with the Sixers after beginning his NBA career with the Houston Rockets.



Covington is coming off arguably his best all-around season as a pro. During the 2017-18 campaign, Covington put up 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He also led the NBA in deflections en route to NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. Covington and the Sixers advanced to the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

At TSU, Covington earned All-Ohio Valley Conference accolades three times. He finished as the team leader in rebounds and steals three seasons and blocks and points two seasons.

The Sixers’ opener at Boston is set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) and air live on TNT.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Week 7: SIAC Cross Country Runners of the Week

ATLANTA, Georgia – Dawnel Collymore (Benedict) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Female Runner of the Week, while Raymond Korir (Central State) earned Male Runner of the Week, released by the league office on Wednesday.
 
Female Runner of the Week – Dawnel Collymore, Benedict
 
Collymore finished in 36th place this past weekend at the Royals Cross Country Challenge in Charlotte, N.C. The sophomore ran a lifetime best and a conference lead with a time of 00:18:17 while breaking the school record behind some Division I and Division II opponents.
  
Male Runner of the Week – Raymond Korir, Central State
 
Korir, a freshman runner from Kenya, continues to lead the CSU cross country efforts. He finished in fourth place at this past weekend's Jenna Strong 8K Invite in Wilmington, Ohio with a time of 25:07.8. While temperatures were in the low 50s with light rain, Korir managed to post his second time best time this season.
 
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED
 

MEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK

Trey Simons (Morehouse); Evans Korir (Benedict)

SIAC MEDIA RELATIONS

MEAC Cross Country Nearing 2018's Finish Line

DAVID TOO

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Just one more weekend separates the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) 12 cross country institutions from the annual championship races in Smyrna, Del., and most squads having wrapped up their regular seasons this past weekend.

The Savannah State men, Maryland Eastern Shore men and Morgan State women all secured team titles over the weekend, and there were several standout individual efforts as well. The Tigers took team gold in the Georgia Southern meet on Saturday, while the Hawk men and Lady Bears won their respective team titles in the Delaware State Alumni Run.

Norfolk State's Martha Bissah also flourished this past weekend, winning her third gold medal in as many races this season after turning in a MEAC-best 20:51.70 on the 6K course at the East Carolina Pirate Invitational.

MEAC Weekly Cross Country Notes | MEAC Weekly Cross Country Honors
MEAC Cross Country Championship Central

David Too, of Florida A&M, also took gold over the weekend, winning his third race of the season in the UAB Blazers Classic. He completed the 8K course in a MEAC-best 23 minutes, 57 seconds on Friday, marking the second time in his career that Too has broken the 24-minute mark.

He is the only MEAC runner to dip below that mark this season.

Maryland Eastern Shore's Mercy Chemutai won her third title of the season this weekend as well, taking gold in the Delaware State Alumni Run. John Akakeya, also of Maryland Eastern Shore, won individual gold in the men's race, claiming his first title of 2018.

Only Bethune-Cookman and Savannah State are set to compete this coming weekend, with both teams scheduled to run in the Sand Shark Cross Country Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

The 2018 MEAC Cross Country Championships will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Delaware State Outreach & Research Center in Smyrna, Del. The women's 5K race will begin at 9:45 a.m., with the men's 8K race following at 10:30 a.m.

The day before, the MEAC and Delaware State will host the Power in Pink Run/Walk on Delaware State's campus to benefit breast cancer awareness. Click here to read more on that initative.

Saturday, Oct. 20
Bethune-Cookman at Sand Shark XC Invite
Savannah State at Sand Shark XC Invite

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Pivotal Games Headline This Weekend's MEAC Football Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia -- If the MEAC race was a single elimination bracket, this weekend begins the tournament as the right to remain in the championship hunt is on the line with several pivotal games. With Florida A&M claiming sole possession of first place, everyone is fighting to chase the undefeated Rattlers as the league features five, one-loss teams entering this weekend’s contests.

Delaware State at South Carolina State*	1:30 p.m.	ESPN3
North Carolina Central at Norfolk State*	2 p.m.	ESPN3
North Carolina A&T State at Bethune-Cookman*	4 p.m.	ESPN3
Howard at Morgan State*	7 p.m.	ESPN3

• Based on the past two years, just one loss damages a team’s chances at a MEAC Championship as the 2017 and 2016 champions both finished undefeated. In 2015, three teams with one loss shared the title while five teams with two losses in 2014 were crowned co-champions. There are five, one loss teams now with FAMU the only undefeated team remaining. 

• North Carolina A&T State was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Aggies received 19 first-place votes and was a unanimous choice to defend their MEAC Championship and represent the league in the annual Celebration Bowl on Dec. 15 in Atlanta, Ga. The Aggies have not won consecutive MEAC Championships since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns. Howard University was predicted to place second in head coach Mike London’s second season followed by N.C. Central in third place and Bethune-Cookman in fourth. Florida A&M was picked fifth followed by Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Savannah State, Morgan State and Delaware State.

•Name tags will be needed this season as five MEAC teams feature new head coaches. Delaware State, Florida A&M, Morgan State, N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central will have new leaders. Both head coaches at Morgan State and NCCU coaches have the interim tag attached.

• The MEAC’s streak of FBS wins continues for the third straight year after North Carolina A&T State’s win over East Carolina on Sept. 2. The MEAC picked up two FBS wins last season (2017) as North Carolina A&T State defeated Charlotte (Conference USA) while Howard defeated UNLV. The 2016 North Carolina A&T State win over Kent State was the Aggies’ first FBS win in school history and the first MEAC FBS win since Bethune-Cookman defeated C-USA’s Florida International 14-12 in 2014.

• North Carolina A&T State remains the lone MEAC team ranked amongst FCS teams. The Aggies are now ranked No. 18 in the STATS FCS and 19th in the latest FCS Coaches polls.

•North Carolina A&T State University quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while N.C. Central defensive back Davanta Reynolds was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

• Last year’s MEAC Champions, North Carolina A&T State, finished the 2017 season with their highest national ranking ever as they finished No. 6 in the NCAA FCS Coaches Poll. They entered the 2018 season with their highest national preseason ranking ever with voters ranking the Aggies preseason No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. However, the Aggies will feature a new look as head coach Sam Washington takes over for the retired Rod Broadway. Washington was formerly N.C. A&T’s defensive coordinator.

• History suggests a team has to win its conference opener in order to chart its path to the MEAC Championship. The last championship team which opened with a league loss was Bethune-Cookman in 2015 as they fell to N.C. Central. North Carolina A&T State, BCU and NCCU all tied for a share of the title in 2015.

• The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced a partnership with the MEAC to reveal the league’s offensive and defensive players of the year as part of the festivities surrounding the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. This marks the third consecutive year the players will be honored in New York.

• The 14th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge saw North Carolina Central fall to Prairie View A&M on Sunday, Sept. 2. The SWAC holds a two-game winning streak for the first time in series history.

• The winner of the MEAC’s regular season title will earn a bid to the 4th annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec. 15 at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The bowl, which pits the MEAC Champion versus the SWAC Champion, is the only FCS league to host a bowl game as the MEAC leads the series 2-1.

 By Ryan McGinty, Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

2018-19 Preseason All-SWAC Women's Basketball Honors Announced

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – In a vote conducted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, defending Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament champion Grambling State has been tabbed to finish atop the league for the 2018-19 season.

The Lady Tigers garnered 144 total points, outdistancing Texas Southern, who received 123 total points. Prairie View A&M was close behind with 119 points, and defending SWAC regular-season champion Southern totaled 118 points.

Grambling stands to return a solid core from last season tournament victory, highlighted by Shakyla Hill, who was selected as the SWAC Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year. The senior guard from Little Rock, Ark. is coming off an excellent junior season where she averaged 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.8 steals per game on her way to her second-straight first team all-conference selection.

The 2017 SWAC Women’s Tournament Most Valuable Player and the 2017 Preseason Player of the Year made national headlines by recording the first quadruple double by an NCAA player in more than 25 years.

Rounding out the predicted order of finish was Jackson State (73), Alabama A&M (66), Alabama State (65), Alcorn State (57), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (39) and Mississippi Valley State (21).

The full preseason all-conference teams are listed below. Grambling, Prairie View A&M and Southern each had two selections, while Jackson State, Alabama A&M, Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff received one choice.

2018-19 SWAC Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Grambling State
2. Texas Southern
3. Prairie View A&M
4. Southern
5. Jackson State
6. Alabama A&M
7. Alabama State
8. Alcorn State
9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
10. Mississippi Valley State

Preseason Player/Defensive Player of the Year
Shakyla Hill, Grambling State

Preseason All-SWAC 1st Team
Guard – Shakyla Hill, Grambling State
Guard – Shala Dobbins, Prairie View A&M
Forward – Alyric Scott, Southern
Forward – Jhyrah Cobb, Prairie View A&M
Center – Tatyana Calhoun, Alabama State

Preseason All-SWAC 2nd Team
Guard – Jazmin Boyd, Grambling State
Guard – Skylar O’Bear, Southern
Forward – Marneisha Hamer, Jackson State
Forward – Ashlyn Dotson, Alabama A&M
Center – Shawntayla Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

2018-19 SWAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Teams selected

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Grambling State has been picked to finish first in the 2018-19 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) men's basketball standings in a preseason poll conducted by the conference office from the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The announcement was made by the SWAC during its annual media teleconference call on Thursday.

The Tigers finished the 2017-18 season strong with conference best marks of 17-14 overall and 13-5 in conference play to earn the program’s first regular season championship since the 1988-89 season. Reigning SWAC Coach of the Year Donte Jackson returns to the bench for his second season.



Following close behind for a projected second place finish is Texas Southern, a program that has won the SWAC Championship in four of the previous five seasons and earned a 64-46 play-in round victory against North Carolina Central in the 2017 NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, who vastly exceeded preseason projections last season, was selected to finish in third place after topping Mississippi Valley State and Southern in last year’s SWAC Tournament to reach the Championship game.

Prairie View A&M, a semifinalist from a year ago after defeating Alcorn State in a quarterfinal before falling to Texas Southern, was slotted fourth while Alabama State has been selected to finish in fifth place.

Rounding out the poll includes: Southern, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M.

2018-19 All-SWAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Team
Returning for his senior campaign, Arkansas-Pine Bluff guard Martaveous McKnight was named the SWAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. McKnight ranked third in the conference in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game, was eighth in field percentage at 45.7%, fourth in assists at 3.6 per contest, third in steals per game at 1.9 per contest, ninth in 3-point percentage at 36.4%, seventh in 3-pointers made at 1.9 per game, fifth in assist to turnover ratio at 1.4, eighth in defensive rebounds per game at 3.9 and was ranked third in minutes with an average of 33.4 minutes logged per game.

The Walls, Miss. native scored in double figures in 22 games and had at least once steal in all, but three of his games played. He had 16 games in which he made at least two 3-pointers and eight games in which he had at least five assists. McKnight led the Golden Lions to their first championship game appearance since 2010.

The SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year award went to Texas Southern redshirt senior center Trayvon Reed. A near unanimous selection, the 7-foot-2 Reed averaged a conference-best three blocks per game, was tied for first in rebounding with 8.8 per game, was first in defensive rebounds per game (6.2), was second in field goal percentage at 68.4%, and was ranked 22nd in scoring at 9.7 points per contest.

The Mobile, Ala. native was instrumental in protecting the net and helping the Tigers to a fourth title in the previous five seasons.

Joining McKnight and Reed on the All-SWAC Preseason First Team were guard Ivy Smith Jr. (Grambling State), and forwards Charles Jackson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and Dante Scott (Mississippi Valley State).

Smith Jr., a junior from Tacoma, Wash., ranked fourth in scoring at 16.7 points per game, second in assists at 5.0 per game, fourth in free throw percentage at 80.5%, second in steals at 2.0 per game and first in minutes played (35.1 per game).

Jackson, a senior from Cleveland, Miss., averaged 8.5 points per game (27th), 2.1 assists per game (11th), 1.1 steals per game (10th), 1.5 3-pointers made per game (14th) and was 15th in minutes per game (28.8).

Scott, a senior from Miami, Fla., ranked ninth in scoring at 14.9 points per contest, 10th in rebounding (5.6 per game), 12th in field goal percentage (42%), tied for eighth in free throw percentage (77.5%), seventh in 3-point percentage (37%), 15th in 3-pointers made at 1.5 per contest, 14th in offensive rebounds per game (1.7) and 11th in defensive rebounds per game (3.9) and ninth in minutes (31.6 per game).

In an event that a player was named to the First Team during the postseason and does not return, the second team player for that position was elevated to the First Team. Players were ranked in their position based upon the number of votes received by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

MEN’S 2018-19 PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS
(Selected by SWAC Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Martaveous McKnight, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Trayvon Reed, Texas Southern

FIRST TEAM
Guard – Martaveous McKnight, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Guard – Ivy Smith Jr., Grambling State
Forward – Charles Jackson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Forward – Dante Scott, Mississippi Valley State
Center – Trayvon Reed, Texas Southern

SECOND TEAM
Guard – Gary Blackston, Prairie View A&M
Guard – Reginald Gee, Alabama State
Forward – Devante Jackson, Grambling State
Forward – Sydney Umude, Southern
Center – Brandon Johnson, Alabama State

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Grambling State (173)
2. Texas Southern (151)
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (143)
4. Prairie View A&M (132)
5. Alabama State (107)
6. Southern (104)
7. Alcorn State (81)
8. Jackson State (72)
9. Mississippi Valley State (45)
10. Alabama A&M (37)

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

SWAC Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Class

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2018 Hall of Fame class this week, with seven of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s most impactful contributors selected to be enshrined.

Alcorn State’s Dave Washington, Jr., Alabama State's Larry Watkins, Grambling State's Ralph A. Garr, Sr., Jackson State’s Eric Strothers, Prairie View A&M's Nathaniel Gross, Southern's Roger Cador, and longtime league administrator Lonza Hardy will be enshrined on Nov. 30 at The Sheraton in Birmingham, Ala. The induction is set to begin with a reception at 6 p.m.

The newest members of the Hall of Fame were selected from a list of nominees who were submitted by his or her respective institution. The nominees were then elected for induction by the selection committee from members appointed by SWAC Presidents and Chancellors.

During his time on the Reservation, Washington – one of two SWAC Legends honorees – was a dual-sport star in the late 1960s, emerging as a key contributor for the Braves at linebacker under coach Marino Casem as the team won the 1968 and 1969 Black College National Championships. Additionally, Washington played for the 1969 Alcorn State basketball team, which compiled a 27-0 record en route to a conference title. To date, Washington is the only athlete in NCAA history to have played for a conference-championship winning football and basketball team in the same season.

Washington went on to enjoy a 10-year career in the NFL, garnering All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during stints with Denver, San Francisco and Buffalo.

Watkins is synonymous with Alabama State baseball, having played for the team as a centerfielder nicknamed the “Toy Cannon.” A member of the first Alabama State team to appear in the NCAA playoffs, the Hornet lifer coached the program for more than 30 years, amassing a school-record 513 victories and numerous postseason appearances. Watkins was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 1991 and twice won Eastern Division Coach of the Year honors.

Currently, he serves as a Special Assistant to the Athletic Director at his alma mater, and the Hornets’ home field carries his namesake alongside former ASU coach Herbert Wheeler.

Garr, a SWAC Legends nominee, was one of the greatest hitters to ever suit up for the Grambling baseball program, hitting.585 – a figure that led the nation – during the 1967 season, during which the Tigers posted a 35-1 regular season record. Garr was then drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Braves, carving out a role as speedy contact hitter that was also known as “Road Runner.”

Garr won the National League batting title in 1974, garnering All-Star honors as well that season. Garr hit better than .300 five times in his career and earned a spot in the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in 2006.

Strothers is a member of Jackson State’s 1,000-point club, starring as an all-conference forward from 1987-1991. Strothers twice earned All-SWAC honors – during his junior and senior seasons – and averaged 17.4 points per game in the 1991 season, leading the Tigers to a SWAC regular-season and tournament championship. Following graduation, the Vicksburg, Miss. native played professionally for the Continental Basketball Association as well as internationally. Currently, Strothers is an assistant coach for the Mississippi Valley State basketball team.

One of the most dominant sprinters in the SWAC during his competitive days, Gross starred at Prairie View during the late 1990s. He was a member of Prairie View A&M’s first indoor track and field championship team (1998) and also helped lead the Panthers to team titles in 1999 and 2000. The Hockley, Texas native won multiple titles in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 4x100-meter relay events.

Cador is one of the SWAC’s greatest coaches, regardless of sport, after an illustrious 32-year career as coach of the Southern Jaguars baseball program. Building the Jaguars into a perennial power during his heyday, Cador won 913 games in his career, amassing a winning percentage of .604. In addition, Cador won 14 SWAC championships over his time as Southern’s skipper.

A 13-time recipient of the SWAC Coach of the Year award, Cador guided the Jaguars to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, two Black College National Championships (2003, 2005), and the first-ever NCAA tournament win by a historically-black college or university (1987). Cador also coached the first Golden Spikes Award winner to have played at a HBCU (Rickie Weeks, Jr., 2003).

Hardy spent nearly four decades within the SWAC, making his mark in the realm of sports information as well as athletics administration. As sports information director of Alcorn State (1980-86) and Southern (1986-89), Hardy was recognized as the league’s sports information director of the year four times in the decade. From there, Hardy took over a similar role within the league office, eventually becoming the first assistant commissioner (1995) and associate commissioner (1998) in the history of the conference headquarters.

From there, Hardy became athletics director at Mississippi Valley State University in 2001 and during his six-year tenure, the Delta Devils and Devilettes won five conference titles in softball, women’s soccer and men’s basketball. After a similar tenure of success at Hampton University from 2007-2011, Hardy returned to the SWAC as athletics director of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where Hardy restructured the school’s compliance and academic services and ultimately oversaw a significant increase in student-athlete graduation rates as well as athletics fundraising. UAPB also won the 2012 SWAC Football Championship under Hardy’s leadership.

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS