Frazier back as NCCU head football coach

DURHAM, North Carolina - Less than two weeks away from its first day of practice, the N.C. Central football team has back its leader.

"When a university hires a football coach, they hire the entire family," NCCU head football coach Henry Frazier III said. "And in a million years, I never would have thought something like this would have happened to me or my family. This has been the toughest period in my life, thus far."

NCCU athletics director Ingrid Wicker-McCree expressed confidence in Frazier while announcing his reinstatement on Monday in a conference room in NCCU's Leroy T. Walker Complex.



Frazier since May had been on paid leave from his $225,000-a-year job while his wife's allegation of assault made its way through the Wake County court system.

Shortly after midnight on May 14, police responded to Frazier's house on Bending Branch Court in Morrisville after being notified that a domestic assault had occurred. Officers found evidence of an assault, but Frazier wasn’t there.

Police later caught up with Frazier in his car not far from the house. The coach was charged with assault on a female and jailed at the Wake County Detention Center, where he was released the same day under a $1,500 secured bond.

Frazier signed a court document on which he admitted to getting into an argument with his wife before praying for her by rubbing anointed oil on her, but that's not something she wanted to occur.

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SWAC Reacts to NCAA Sanctions Against Penn State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - With the announcement of sanctions against Penn State University on Monday, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) acknowledges the decision by NCAA President Dr. Mark Emmert, and the NCAA Executive Committee. The SWAC expresses its condolences to the victims and their families who had their lives so deeply affected by this entire situation. It is the hope that with today's actions by the NCAA, the victims can begin to heal. While closure may be far away, perhaps this small measure of justice will aid in moving those affected in a positive direction.

The SWAC and its leadership continue to uphold the highest standards among its member institutions and promote exemplary behavior by its administrators, coaches and student-athletes.

While the SWAC recognizes the fact that former Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson is now the NCAA All-Time winningest football coach overall in Division I, the focus remains with the pain suffered by the victims. Coach Robinson's 408 wins came through many years of hard work and mentoring generations of student-athletes.

The SWAC is deeply saddened by the turn of events which led to today's actions. The conference reiterates its heart-felt sympathies to the victims and families of these terrible acts.

"The NCAA, President Emmert and the Executive Committee sent a clear message today with their decision," said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. "It is our hope that going forward, all member institutions in the NCAA will take proper steps to ensure that nothing like this happens again in the future."

COURTESY SWAC.org

Three Selected Preseason All-OVC; Team Picked Fifth

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University had three student-athletes selected preseason All-Conference and the team is picked to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference as voted by the coaches and sports information directors on Monday.

TSU's guard Kadeem Edwards, defensive end Antonio Harper and return specialist Weldon Garlington all garnered preseason accolades.

Edwards, a native of Sanford, Fla., earned a preseason selection after posting second team honors a year ago. Last season, the junior played in 10-of-11 games, grading out at 85 to 88 percent with five pancakes per contest.

As a junior defensive end, Harper returns as one of the most lethal tacklers in the OVC. In 2011, the Memphis product racked up 44 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks in 11 starts. His sack total ranked 52nd nationally as Harper garnered second team All-OVC.

Garlington, a sophomore for the Tigers, returns as one of the most prolific kick returns TSU has seen in the past decade. Last season, Garlington returned a kick (100 yards) and a punt (91 yards) for touchdowns. Garlington averaged 20.9 yards per kickoff return and 19.4 yards in punt returns. Earlier this month, Garlington was named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Punt Returner Award watch list.

These young men deserve these preseason accolades because they put the time and effort on and off the field," said third year head coach Rod Reed. "It's an honor that is richly deserved, but it's just the preseason. The real test will see if these young men can translate this into the season and come out with the honors at the end of the year."

In the preseason poll, the Tigers were slated to finish fifth with 69 points behind Eastern Kentucky (124 points), Jacksonville State (117), Murray State (85) and Tennessee Tech (83). The Tigers edged out UT Martin (67), Southeast Missouri (44), Eastern Illinois (42) and Austin Peay (47).

In 2011, the Big Blue finished the season with 5-6 record and a 4-4 mark in the OVC. TSU earned the coveted Sgt. York Trophy after winning the tie-breaker over rival Tennessee Tech.

"The guys that were voted at the top are teams that beat us last year," said Reed. "It's just on paper. You still got to play the games. You got to go out there and play week-to-week. We are higher than we were a year ago, so we're making progress."

TSU opens the 2012 season in the 14th Annual John Merritt Classic at LP Field on Sept. 1 against rival Florida A&M.


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

Defendant in FAMU drum major's death talks

Rikki Wills faces felony charges

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - A man charged in the death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion is defending himself. Rikki Wills said Wednesday that he tried to protect Champion, his roommate, the night he died.

Wills, 24, said Champion had refused to go through the process known as "crossing bus C." He decided to go on Nov. 19, the night of his death.

Willis said that if the other drum majors had known, they would have been on the bus helping Champion. Instead, Willis said, it was only him.

“What the drum majors get on the bus to try to do is to try to help each other. Basically, I’m trying to stop him from getting as many hits,” said Wills. Wills said Champion was hit about 300 times. He said he broke his hand trying to pull another band member off Champion.



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NCCU coach reinstated following assault allegations

DURHAM, North Carolina - N.C. Central University has reinstated head football coach Henry Frazier following a resolution of a legal matter.

In May 2012 Frazier was arrested and charged with assault on a female. Police say he and his wife were arguing when he allegedly assaulted her.

NCCU officials say the legal matter involving Frazier has been resolved and as a result, he has been reinstated to his full duties and responsibilities as head football coach, effective July 23. University officials did not elaborate on how the case was resolved.

“Coach Frazier is remorseful for the distraction to the university,” said NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms in a press release.

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NCAA imposes sanctions on Penn State; School fined $60 million, all wins from 1998-2011 vacated

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  –  By perpetuating a “football first” culture that ultimately enabled serial child sexual abuse to occur, the Pennsylvania State University leadership failed to value and uphold institutional integrity, resulting in a breach of the NCAA constitution and rules. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors and NCAA Executive Committee directed Association President Mark Emmert to examine the circumstances and determine appropriate action in consultation with these presidential bodies.

“As we evaluated the situation, the victims affected by Jerry Sandusky and the efforts by many to conceal his crimes informed our actions,” said Emmert. “At our core, we are educators. Penn State leadership lost sight of that.”

According to the NCAA conclusions and sanctions, the Freeh Report “presents an unprecedented failure of institutional integrity leading to a culture in which a football program was held in higher esteem than the values of the institution, the values of the NCAA, the values of higher education, and most disturbingly the values of human decency.”

As a result, the NCAA imposed a $60 million sanction on the university, which is equivalent to the average gross annual revenue of the football program. These funds must be paid into an endowment for external programs preventing child sexual abuse or assisting victims and may not be used to fund such programs at the university.

The sanctions also include a four-year football postseason ban and a vacation of all wins from 1998 through 2011. The career record of former head football coach Joe Paterno will reflect these vacated records. Penn State must also reduce 10 initial and 20 total scholarships each year for a four-year period. In addition, the NCAA reserves the right to impose additional sanctions on involved individuals at the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.

The NCAA recognizes that student-athletes are not responsible for these events and worked to minimize the impact of its sanctions on current and incoming football student-athletes. Any entering or returning student-athlete will be allowed to immediately transfer and compete at another school. Further, any football student-athletes who remain at the university may retain their scholarships, regardless of whether they compete on the team.

To further integrate the athletics department into the university, Penn State will be required to enter into an “Athletics Integrity Agreement” with the NCAA. It also must adopt all Freeh Report recommendations and appoint an independent, NCAA-selected Athletics Integrity Monitor, who will oversee compliance with the agreement.

Effective immediately, the university faces five years of probation. Specifically, the university is subject to more severe penalties if it does not adhere to these requirements or violates NCAA rules in any sport during this time period.

Read the NCAA’s report

Explanation of sanctions

NCAA’s Authority to Act

Transfer options for football players The Freeh Report on Pennsylvania State University

“There has been much speculation on whether or not the NCAA has the authority to impose any type of penalty related to Penn State,” said Ed Ray, Executive Committee chair and Oregon State president. “This egregious behavior not only goes against our rules and constitution, but also against our values.”

Because Penn State accepted the Freeh Report factual findings, which the university itself commissioned, the NCAA determined traditional investigative proceedings would be redundant and unnecessary.

“We cannot look to NCAA history to determine how to handle circumstances so disturbing, shocking and disappointing,” said Emmert. “As the individuals charged with governing college sports, we have a responsibility to act. These events should serve as a call to every single school and athletics department to take an honest look at its campus environment and eradicate the ‘sports are king’ mindset that can so dramatically cloud the judgment of educators.”

Penn State fully cooperated with the NCAA on this examination of the issues and took decisive action in removing individuals in leadership who were culpable.

“The actions already taken by the new Penn State Board of Trustees chair Karen Peetz and Penn State President Rodney Erickson have demonstrated a strong desire and determination to take the steps necessary for Penn State to right these severe wrongs,” said Emmert.

COURTESY NCAA PRESS RELEASE 7/23/12

FOOTNOTE: 
Grambling State University's Eddie Robinson becomes the Division I leader with 408 wins in 57 seasons, which ended in 1997. Florida State's Bobby Bowen is now the major college leader with 377 victories.  Bowden also had 12 wins vacated due to NCAA violations.

FAMU eyes improved attendance

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida A&M athletic department is ramping up its campaign to get fans to Bragg Stadium in a season that its football team will have to play without the sound of the Marching 100 in the background.

And the effort by athletic director Derek Horne is getting a little help from the Leon County Tourism Development Council. Horne said during an interview with the Democrat on Tuesday that entertainment is being planned to fill the void created by the absence of the band.

Former president James Ammons suspended the Marching 100 earlier this year amid an investigation following the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. Ammons resigned last week.



Meanwhile, Horne is making an aggressive push to not only win back fans who might have decided they won’t attend games without the band but to those in nearby areas. A grant from the LCTDC will be used primarily to target fans from Jacksonville to Pensacola and nearby Georgia areas, he said.

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Savannah State picked 11th in preseason MEAC football poll

NORFOLK, Virginia - The Savannah State football team has been picked to finish last in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2012.

The Tigers received one first place vote, but were still picked to finish 11th in the conference by MEAC coaches and sports information directors. SSU won just one game in 2011. Savannah State opens the season on September 1st in Stillwater, Oklahoma against Oklahoma State. The following week the Tigers travel to Florida State.



Norfolk State has been tabbed as the team to beat in the MEAC. South Carolina State was second followed by Bethune-Cookman in third.

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UDC Coach Butler Hosts Youth Basketball Camp

WASHINGTON, D.C. - University of District of Columbia (UDC) women’s head basketball coach Lester “Jay” Butler believes in the importance of giving back to the community that supports you. That’s why he and his staff at UDC hosted a basketball camp for the youths of D.C.

Butler held the first session of his second annual Jay Butler Basketball Camp on the campus of UDC from June 25-29, inviting both boys and girls ranging in age from 7-17-years-old.

According to Butler, the week-long camp consisted of a number of basketball drills and workouts emphasizing fundamental skill development such as defense, boxing out, and footwork. The campers also competed in daily scrimmages and contests, emphasizing a team-friendly atmosphere.

“All camp drills and instruction were led by qualified instructors ranging from former UDC players to myself,” Coach Butler said. “At the conclusion of each camp day, one lucky camper was selected as “Camper of the Day” and one selected as “Camper of the Week.” All campers received certificates of completion upon dismissal on the last day.”

UDC assistant coach Robin Williams ...

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Howard University Athletic Director Discusses Bison Resurgence on News Channel 8's Sports Talk

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Athletic Director Louis "Skip" Perkins appeared on the Thursday, July 19 edition of Sports Talk with Glenn Harris on News Channel 8. Mr. Perkins discussed the academic and athletic successes last season and preview of the upcoming season. To learn more about Howard Athletics, www.howard-bison.com.





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More good APR news for Southern University

BAGON ROUGE, Louisiana - During lunch on Thursday, Southern Athletic Director William Broussard’s phone kept buzzing in his pocket. When he checked it, he saw three missed calls from assistant academic counselor Trayvean Scott.

“I started thinking, is the place on fire?” Broussard said.

In darker days — those marred by severe penalties related to the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate — a flurry of calls from someone in Scott’s position may have spelled trouble, but those days are becoming a thing of the past at Southern.

Scott was calling with good news. SU had heard from the NCAA on its grant proposal, and the results were a first for all parties involved.

Southern received $21,300 from the NCAA’s Supplemental Support Fund — believed to be a school record — to be put toward sprucing up the Jaguars’ academic support of student-athletes.

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Colts acquire JSU's cornerback D.J. Johnson from Philadelphia

D.J. JOHNSON

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  -  The Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles have engineered a trade, sending cornerback D.J. Johnson to Indy in exchange for defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu.

Johnson is 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds out of Jackson State, where he was named the Defensive MVP of the 2007 SWAC Championship game. In that contest, he returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the 42-31 victory over Grambling. After leading his team in 2008 with four interceptions and leading the conference in pass breakups (13) and passes defended, Johnson was named first team All-SWAC.

He signed with the Denver Broncos in 2009 as an undrafted free agent and has since spent time with the New York Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Minnesota Vikings, the Washington Redskins, and the Eagles. He has recorded a total of 10 tackles in 10 NFL games in his career--all of which were with the Giants. He spent the 2011 season on the Eagles' practice squad.

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FAMU QB Fleming has new look, attitude

NORFOLK, Virginia — At the end of last football season, Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming reviewed film of every game that he played and decided he needed to make some changes.

He set out to fix the mistakes and work on the aspects of his game that looked shaky. It started with his movement in the pocket.

He didn’t just stop with his techniques. Fleming said his personality needed some work too. Off went the long locks that had become his trademark since his first day of practice, dangling from under his helmet.



Fleming’s assessment of ways to improve went farther. He’s adopted a new attitude that he hopes will trickle down to every player on offense.

“I’m looking forward to making the average players great,” he said. “I’m looking to my O-line; those guys held me up last year. I just hope I can make everybody much better.”

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Inside the MEAC: Pough, Adrian not surprised by selections

NORFOLK, Virginia - Head coach Buddy Pough was not surprised South Carolina State was not selected as the preseason favorite for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

Even less surprised about the poll was the head coach of the team picked to repeat as conference champion Norfolk State.

“Oh yeah, great,” Norfolk State Pete Adrian was quoted by The Virginian-Pilot saying after the Spartans were introduced as the preseason favorites during Friday’s MEAC media day. “Nice little surprise. We knew we had an X on us. Now they just put a little red paint on it.”

The preseason poll, which includes votes from each school’s coach and sports information director, had the defending champion Spartans first with 11 of the 22 first-place votes. The Bulldogs received four first-place votes to finish second, followed by Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Hampton, which is ineligible for the post-season for low Academic Progress Report scores.

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President Obama talks FAMU hazing on campaign trail

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - President Barack Obama weighed in this week on a hazing incident at Florida A&M University which attracted national attention and resulted in the death of a band member.

Following a campaign appearance in the state on Thursday, CNN affiliate WCTV in Jacksonville caught up with the president who commented on last November's death of band member Robert Champion. Champion was badly beaten on a band bus after a football game in Orlando.

"Well, obviously the loss of that young man's life is heartbreaking. I think that we can't tolerate bullying of any sort, anywhere. And when we send our young people to college we expect them to be there to learn and to get a great experience, not to be beaten. So, you know, I'm pleased this has gotten attention," said Obama, adding that while tradition is something to be continued, "We don't need this kind of bullying to be a part of it."

Provost Larry Robinson, acting interim President at FAMU, is a former member of the Obama administration.



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Grambling petitions to remove Joe Paterno wins record

Breedlove said the letter was sent on behalf of the city of Grambling, not the university, though a favorable NCAA decision would benefit both entities.


GRAMBLING, Louisiana - The Grambling city attorney, in concert with Mayor Edward R. Jones, has sent a letter to the NCAA asking the college athletics governing body to vacate some of Penn State coach Joe Paterno's wins in order to restore the Division I football victories record to Grambling State's Eddie Robinson.

Pamela N. Breedlove of Bossier City sent a three page letter to the NCAA on Wednesday, explaining the city's position regarding Robinson, who won 408 games in his 57-year career at Grambling State.

“Even though it was done by outside counsel, the Freeh Report was the university’s report,” Breedlove said. “It said what their employees, including coach Paterno, did wrong. We’re hoping the end result of this is coach Robinson will get his record back so everyone will think a great man holds this record.”

Breedlove’s letter, written in concert with Grambling mayor Edward Jones, cites the cover-up of recently convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky, a longtime Paterno assistant coach, as violating NCAA constitutional articles 2.4 and 6.4 as well as operating bylaws articles 2.4, 11.1.1 and 11.2.1.

VIEW: THE FREEH REPORT ON PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

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JCSU football picked fifth in CIAA South

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Johnson C. Smith football is predicted to finish near the bottom of the CIAA South.

The Golden Bulls were picked fifth in the six-team division in a preseason poll of league coaches at Thursday’s media conference in Petersburg, Va. JCSU, which was the preseason No. 5 pick in 2011, went 6-5 (4-3 CIAA), finished third in the South and won the Pioneer Bowl.

The Golden Bulls, who are looking to post consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1973, return 21 lettermen and 12 starters in 2012, including quarterback Keahn Wallace, the CIAA offensive rookie of the year. They also return all-CIAA defensive end Derrick Johnson (Hopewell High) and offensive tackle Rico Arellano (Butler), both of whom were named to the 2012 preseason all-conference team.

Four South teams were among the coaches’ top five squads, with 2011 division champion and Division II semifinalist Winston-Salem State the preseason No. 1.

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Alabama A&M: Former Bulldog guard suits up for Hungary

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Obie Trotter was one of the best basketball players in the country during the early to mid-2000s.

A former Alabama A&M star, Trotter led the Bulldogs to the 2005 Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament. That year, Trotter was named the league's Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player during the SWAC Tournament.

He finished his illustrious career as a three-time All-SWAC first team selection and was twice named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Trotter was also a two-time All-American, led nation in steals as a junior and finished third as a senior.



Trotter has spent the last six years playing professionally in Europe, but could find himself on a bigger stage later this month.

He recently received his Hungarian citizenship and was named to the Hungarian National Team and could find himself in the Olympics if Hungary is fortunate enough to make it there.

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Blount hopes low ranking motivates Delaware State

DOVER, Delaware - Delaware State University’s football team struggled to a 10th-place finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in Kermit Blount’s first year as the Hornets’ head coach last season.

The league’s coaches and sports information staffers don’t think much will change this season, as the Hornets were picked to once again finish 10th out of the 11 teams in the MEAC at the conference’s annual kickoff luncheon in Norfolk, Va., on Friday.

Blount, whose team went 3-8 overall, 1-7 in the conference last season, took the preseason ranking in stride.

“Predictions are just what they are,” Bount said. “We are not going to let predictions keep us from moving forward as a football team. I know this is not going to be a 10th-place football team. We’ll just take what we did last year and keep moving forward.”

Norfolk State was picked to win ...

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Prairie View picked to finish 2nd in SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Five members from the Prairie View A&M Panther football team were selected to the 2012 Preseason All-SWAC Team prior to the start of the league’s annual media day in Birmingham, Ala. on Monday. As a team, the Panthers were selected to finish second in the SWAC West by fellow coaches, sports information directors and media personnel.

Wide receiver Spencer Nelson, defensive tackle Ryan Love and outside linebacker Raheem Cardwell led the way with first team honors.

Nelson is the team’s top returning offensive threat as the senior from Georgia caught a career-high 53 receptions for 659 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned both punts and kickoffs on a part-time basis last fall and is slated to do both heading into fall camp. Cardwell was the third-leading tackler on the team last fall with 66 stops and seven tackles for loss.

The redshirt junior from Alexandria, Va. also logged a sack with two pass breakups. Redshirt senior defensive tackle Ryan Love rounds out the first teamers as the Houston native is coming off a career-best season with 42 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.

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Life of Riley: ASU safety doesn't let honors distract him

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - The awards came pouring in for Alabama State safety Kejuan Riley last year, but the former Wetumpka High star didn’t let the acclaim go to his head this offseason.

“I put in twice the work I usually do,” he said. “I just know what I have to do and keep working. I just thank my teammates for (all the awards) because without them I wouldn’t have any of this.”



Riley was the Southeastern Athletic Conference’s only returning Football Championship Subdivision All-American, a consensus pick in 2011 along with Prairie View A&M defensive end Adrian Hamilton, but was not the preseason choice as SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. That award went to Jackson State defensive end Joseph LeBeau, who was voted the league’s top newcomer in 2011.

Both Riley and LeBeau are among the 20 players on the watch list released Thursday for the 18th annual Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the nation’s top FCS defensive player. The watch list includes six finalists from last season, including Riley, who ranks second among returning players who received votes for last year’s award.

With 17 career interceptions, he is the FCS leader among active players and needs just one this season to set the school record. He had nine last season to rank second nationally.

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Fayetteville State Broncos picked for fourth in CIAA football poll

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - The Fayetteville State Broncos are expected to be one of the best football teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 2012.

But living up to those expectations won't be easy with two teams predicted to contend for the league championship competing in the Southern Division with the Broncos.

Head coaches predicted a third-place finish in the Southern Division for FSU on Thursday at the CIAA's annual preseason press conference in Petersburg, Va. Picked ahead of the Broncos were the preseason favorite for the conference title, defending champ Winston-Salem State, and Saint Augustine's.

In overall rankings, FSU was picked as the fourth-best team in the league behind the Rams, Northern Division favorite Elizabeth City State and the Falcons.

"We're looking forward to an exciting year,'' FSU coach Kenny Phillips said. "But we have a tough challenge ahead in the Southern Division race.''



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CIAA football: Union, State picked to finish in bottom half

ETTRICK, Virginia -- One century down. That's the motto as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association kicked off the 2012 football campaign with its press luncheon Thursday at Virginia State University. This season will mark the 100th year of CIAA football.

Three CIAA programs made it to the postseason in 2011, with Johnson C. Smith winning the 13th annual Pioneer Bowl over Miles College. Elizabeth City State and CIAA champion Winston-Salem State advanced to the Division II playoffs. The Rams fell to Wayne State in the Division II semifinals and the Vikings lost in the first round.

Virginia State, coming off a 5-5, 4-3 CIAA record and a second-place finish in the North, is slated to finish seventh.

"It's preseason rankings," Trojans coach Andrew Faison said. "The coaches do it, the SIDs (sports information directors) do it, so it's exactly what it is. It's not how you start, but how you finish."

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S.C. State picked 2nd for MEAC title in 2012

NORFOLK, Virginia — South Carolina State was picked Friday to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2012 behind defending champion Norfolk State.

The Bulldogs, who had been given the first-place nod each of the last four seasons, received four first-place votes and 432 points, while the Spartans earned 11 first-place votes and 454 points in the poll of MEAC head coaches and sports information directors announced at the league’s annual Press Luncheon at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel.

Behind Norfolk State and S.C. State was Bethune-Cookman with three first-place votes and 417 points, Florida A&M with two first-place votes and 354 points and Hampton, which along with North Carolina A&T is ineligible for the MEAC title due to low APR scores, was fifth with one first-place vote and 268 points.

Despite finishing in last place last season and in the preseason poll, Savannah State received the only other first-place vote.

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BCU's Jenkins shares credit for success

DAYTONA BEACB, Florida  -  You don't have to tell Brian Jenkins how big the MEAC/SWAC Challenge is for his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Jenkins, the head coach, took the team to the classic HBCU game last year -- when the Wildcats manhandled Prairie View A&M, 63-14, in an impressive performance to open the season.

In the 2012 installment of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney -- taking place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 2 -- Bethune-Cookman will again represent the MEAC, this time going up against Alabama State from the SWAC.

"It's going to be a tremendous game," says Jenkins. "Alabama State is a championship-caliber team. We're happy and thankful to be invited back to play in this venue. It puts you on the national stage, and that's good for your program."



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