GREENSBORO, N.C. -- It's easy to spot Rod Broadway on the practice field. Look for the big guy. N.C. A&T's new head coach, a 6-foot-4 former All-ACC defensive lineman, leads an undersized, shorthanded group into the annual Blue-Gold spring football game today at Aggie Stadium.
Broadway, who turns 56 today, towers over most of his players. And he'd rather not.
"Defensively, we're really little. I think there's one kid on the defense who's taller than me," Broadway said. "We're playing with 5-7 corners and 5-10 linebackers and 5-11 defensive tackles. Everybody else is playing with 6-4, 300-pound guys up front. One of our best defensive linemen weighs 230, so we're overmatched right now in a lot of areas."
Overmatched or not, Broadway and the all-new coaching staff plan to move forward with the existing team.
Public debut for A&T's new coach and new system
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The N.C. A&T football team wraps up spring practice with its annual Blue-Gold game at 1 p.m. Saturday. And the team, like Aggie Stadium itself, remains a work in progress. Admission to the game is free. Tailgating will be allowed, but it will be restricted to the A4 parking lot behind the scoreboard because of ongoing construction on the front side of Aggie Stadium.
The press box has been torn down, and a new two-level structure should be ready by Aug. 15. But will the Aggies be ready?
A whole new coaching staff led by Rod Broadway has worked with just 54 players this spring. They'll hold their 14th practice today, with the spring game serving as the 15th and final allowed practice.
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VISIT: NCAT STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCATAGGIES
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Virginia Union OT David Mims visits the Baltimore Ravens
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| Virginia Union University's 2-Time All-American, David Mims |
Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.
The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.
2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: David Mims, OT, Virginia Union
Every season there are a handful of small-school players who seemingly come out of nowhere, which is where they really are on the college football landscape, and make it into the NFL. Let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile to look at one player who might fill that bill this time around.
David Mims is a massive (6-foot-8, 331 pounds) offensive tackle from Virginia Union. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post was sold on Mims after watching his Pro Day. He wrote:
At 6-8, 331-pounds he’s definitely more of a right-sided player at the next level who is going to need some proper time to develop. However, physically and athletically the guy certainly possesses an NFL caliber skill set. He carries his weight well, has a thick base, long arms and displays natural fluidity and change of direction skills through contact when engaged.
Mims also still has a ton of upside to his game and after his impressive pro day workout he definitely has scouts buzzing about his long term potential. I spoke with a scout this weekend who told me following his workout, "Unfortunately he’s not a sleeper anymore."
Small school OT David Mims is no longer a “sleeper”
When I was going over small school tape this summer, I was instantly intrigued by the size of Virginia Union OL David Mims who at 6-8 and 350+ pounds was at the time one of the bigger prospects in the entire draft. Now, it was pretty obvious that he didn’t have a firm grasp on what he was doing from a technique standpoint. However, for his size he was an impressive athlete with a long, strong set of arms, could bend and displayed some natural explosion off the football.
He was an absolute dominant force at the D-II level and really opened my eyes with his ability to get out to the second level, breakdown and just destroy opponents on contact.
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VISIT: VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
VISIT: VUUPANTHERS
S.C. State: Cue looking to make his case in Bulldogs’ quarterback battle
Malcolm Long came to South Carolina State as the most heralded recruit of the Buddy Pough era.Long delivered, setting multiple school passing records and leading the team to three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles. His playing days at the school over, the big gunner from Gaffney High stood on the field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Thursday night in windbreaker pants watching the Bulldogs run through practice.
"Good throw Cue!" Long said looking up from talking with a reporter. A few seconds later, the same, "Good throw Cue!"
It is becoming a theme - the "Good throw Cue" thing - it seems, at Bulldogs' practice. Richard Cue, a 6-1, 185 redshirt sophomore from Wilson High School, entered into the spring in a three-way battle to replace Long. His opponents in that battle - a pair of brothers, TeDarrius and Derrick Wiley.
Deep and deeper: Bulldogs have stable of runners ready to hit the ground running
Assistant coach Danny Lewis looks at his South Carolina State running backs and sees plenty of potential.
The Bulldogs return three juniors in Asheton Jordan, Devin Wherry and Chris Merrill, who each displayed moments of superior play last season. Looking to enter the mix is last year's highly sought high school senior running back Charles Brown and looming in the future are the anticipated arrivals of newly signed running backs Dondre Lewis-Freeman, Jalen "Scoop" Simmons, both out of Charlotte, N.C., and Darlington's Dominique Cooper.
On paper, it looks like a very deep backfield for S.C. State. Yet Lewis is taking a cautious, coy approach toward the expectations he has for the group he coaches.
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Robinson dual threat for FAMU
She leads the team in runs batted in. She has the second-highest slugging percentage and she's third in runs scored. And Whitney Robinson pitches as well as she hits for the Florida A&M softball team. That's a luxury the Rattlers haven't enjoyed since All-American Amber Alford made her name as a power hitter who pitched in the early 1990s.Robinson's all-around play creates high energy every time she pitches or gets a hit, said pitching coach Lori Goodart.
"The team sees her in the circle and they play behind her defensively, then they see her go and give so much more at the plate," Goodart said. "So when she talks, they're going to listen. It's a huge advantage."
FAMU offensive line showing improvements
Whether it was the first or the second team, Florida A&M's personnel on the offensive line didn't change much. The same players worked from left to the right hash mark then back to the left again. Such has been the life of an offensive lineman on the FAMU football team.
Shelley Anthony and Brandon Curry are the only seniors on the unit of nine, including four walk-ons. That makes for a thin line, but coach Joe Taylor took the glass-half-full approach.
"That's a good and bad thing; the veterans can't get hurt and if the freshmen get in it will be some valuable experience," Taylor said. "I think coach (Lawrence) Kershaw has done a good job in working with what he has."
FAMU relay team better with every step on track
They're getting better every time out. At least that's the way it seems for the Florida A&M quartet that makes up the women's 4x400 relay team.
But no matter how good they get, this team of three freshmen and a senior won't be content until they run at least 3:31. That time is the best ever ran by a FAMU 4x400 team and it has become their target since early March at the FAMU Relays where they met the women who set the standard more than two decades ago.
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VISIT: FAMUEDU
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS
2010-11 All-Louisiana includes XU's Warren on 3rd team
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| Xavier Gold Nugget Christina Warren |
Warren, a 5-foot-9 senior forward/guard from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and a graduate of Los Osos High School and Chaffey College, averaged a team-leading 11.9 points in 34 games for the Gold Nuggets, who were 27-7, repeated as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament champion and reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. Warren helped Xavier lead NAIA Division I in scoring defense for the second consecutive year.
A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the team.
2010-11 LSWA All-Louisiana Women's Basketball Team
First Team
Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Ashlyn Baggett, McNeese State
LaSondra Barrett, LSU
Danielle Nunn, Tulane
Tillisha Givens, Louisiana College
Second Team
Keiva Council, Loyola
Mercedes Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrienne Webb, LSU
Ricshanda Bickham, Nicholls State
Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey, Louisiana Tech
Third Team
Tiffany Aidoo, Tulane
Hannah Kador, Southern
Secrett Anderson, Grambling
Christina Warren, Xavier
KK Babin, Nicholls State
Player of the Year: Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Jordi James, Northwestern State
Freshman of the Year: KK Babin, Nicholls State
Coach of the Year: Brooks Donald-Williams, McNeese State
Honorable Mention: Freda Allen, Southern; Caitlyn Baggett, McNeese State; Roshaunda Barnes, Tulane; Jasmine Bendolph, Louisiana Tech; Jasmine Brewer, Loyola; Sharday Cotton, LSU-Shreveport; Jordi James, Northwestern State.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XAVIERATHLETICS
New coach brings new attitude to Hampton U's softball team
HAMPTON, VA — Her starting third baseman broke her arm two weeks before the season began. An outfielder broke her ankle sliding into second two weeks ago. Her pitching staff has of a total of two members, and her first season is off to a 9-23 start.
Those are the negatives. The positives radiate from Hampton softball coach Trena Peel's face, attitude and players.
"People keep saying, 'I feel bad for you. Your first year, you're in a trial by fire,' " said Peel, who responds to such talk with advice received from mentor and legendary UCLA coach Sue Enquist: " 'Keep believing and keep teaching the ones you have.' Just believe, and then we'll get the results."
A rookie head coach, Peel's career to this point has produced plenty of those.
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VISIT: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HAMPTONPIRATES
Those are the negatives. The positives radiate from Hampton softball coach Trena Peel's face, attitude and players.
"People keep saying, 'I feel bad for you. Your first year, you're in a trial by fire,' " said Peel, who responds to such talk with advice received from mentor and legendary UCLA coach Sue Enquist: " 'Keep believing and keep teaching the ones you have.' Just believe, and then we'll get the results."
A rookie head coach, Peel's career to this point has produced plenty of those.
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VISIT: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HAMPTONPIRATES
Friday, April 8, 2011
Benedict College Tigers Release 2011 Football Schedule
Columbia, SC-- Athletic Director Willie Washington, Head Football Coach Stanley Conner and the Benedict Tigers, have announced its complete 2011 football schedule for the upcoming Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season.The Tigers will play a total of 11 games, five at home, five away, and one conference game at a neutral site (Augusta City Classic). Benedict’s schedule will feature three classics, the Palmetto Kick-Off Classic against new Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) opponent Virginia Union University, the South Carolina Historically Black College and University Classic (SCHBCU) versus another CIAA opponent Shaw University, and the Augusta City Classic against Miles College.
Benedict will open its season on Saturday, September 3rd against the Panthers of Virginia Union in the Palmetto Kick-Off Classic. The following week the Tigers will hit the road to face-off against CIAA power, Bowie State University. The Tigers will then have a two game home-stand that includes contests against the Bears of Shaw University in the SCHBCU Classic and on Saturday September 24th by facing off with the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University.
On Saturday October 1, the Tigers will hit the gridiron against the Golden Bears of Miles College in the Augusta City Classic in Augusta, GA.
During the second week in October the Tigers will be on the road traveling to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to face off against Stillman College and then on October 15, return home to the Charlie W. Johnson Football Stadium to hit the gridiron against the Clark Atlanta Panthers on Homecoming.
On October 22, the Tigers will head back on the road and collide with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. The following week the Tigers will travel again to Albany, Georgia and trade blows with Mighty Rams of Albany State University. The final home game of the 2011 season is set for Senior Recognition Day/High School Day on November 5th against the Blue Dragons of Lane College.
“With the announcement of the schedule, the 2011 season is definitely upon us. We are excited to kick off another season with our participation in three Classics,” said Willie Washington.
Benedict finished the 2010 season with a 5-6 overall record, while going 4-5 in the SIAC.
VISIT: BENEDICT COLLEGE
VISIT: BCTIGERSATHLETICS
BENEDICT COLLEGE 2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE | TEAM | LOCATION | TIME/RESULTS |
September 3 | Virginia Union University Palmetto Kick-Off Classic | Columbia, SC | 5:00pm |
September 10 | Bowie University | Bowie, MD | 1:00pm |
September 17 | Shaw University SCHBCU Classic | Columbia, SC | 5:00pm |
September 24 | *Fort Valley State University Military, Business, Greek, Church, and Community Day | Columbia, SC | 6:00pm |
October 1 | *Miles College Augusta City Classic | Columbia, SC | 2:00pm |
October 8 | *Stillman College | Tuscaloosa, AL | 5:00pm (CST) |
October15 | *Clark Atlanta University Homecoming | Columbia, SC | 2:00pm |
October 22 | *Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA | 2:00pm |
October 29 | *Albany State University | Albany, GA | 2:00pm |
November 5 | *Lane College Take A Kid to the Game Day High School/Senior Recognition Day | Columbia, SC | 2:00pm |
November 12 | SIAC CHAMPIONSHIP | TBD | TBD |
GAMES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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