North Carolina A&T Aggies has opponent for home opener

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina A&T football team has an opponent for Saturday, Sept. 3. The Aggies are scheduled to play Virginia University of Lynchburg at Aggie Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.

"I want to first thank the Aggie family for its patience while we searched for a new opponent," said Director of Athletics Earl Hilton. "It was important to provide our devoted fans with an exciting five-game home schedule. (VUL) is one of the original members of the CIAA, so we are pleased to be playing an institution with a similar history to ours."

Like N.C. A&T, VUL is a former member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. VUL is returning to collegiate football after nearly seven decades without it. The Dragons are currently a university-sponsored independent who offers students athletic scholarships. VUL is in the process of reapplying to the NCAA as a Division II athletics program with hopes of becoming a CIAA member again. The Dragons' current governing body is the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. VUL also sponsors men's and women's basketball, men's golf and men's and women's track and field.

North Carolina A&T finished 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season. With the hiring of a proven winner -- Head Coach Rod Broadway, expectations are high in AggiesNation.

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information


Videographer: SpeechlessQue; NCA&T Whoa

North Carolina A&T signs four 3-star players for basketball

GREENSBORO, N.C. - In an attempt to add speed and versatility to the 2011-12 North Carolina A&T women's basketball team, head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs has announced the signing of five new players.

Ariel Bursey, Kelsei Ewings, Chyanna "Chy" Cunningham, Kierra Dunnington, and Adriana Nazario will try to add to what has become a championship program at N.C. A&T. Bursey, Ewings, Dunnington and Nazario are considered three-star recruits (out of five stars) by ESPN HoopGurlz.

Recruiting expert Dan Olson of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, called the Aggies' class "by far the best amongst all HBCUs."

Earlier this year, the Aggies inked Jaylan Bodiford (6-2, Ballard Louisville, Ky.), Jasmine Parker (6-2, A.L. Brown, Kannapolis, N.C.) and Eboni Ross (6-2, Eau Claire, Columbia, S.C.). Tiffanie Adair, a 2010 signee, will also be added to the Aggies roster this year, bringing the Aggies total number of newcomers to nine. Bodiford, Cunningham, and Ewings were McDonald's All-American nominees.

"There are some outstanding guards in our conference," said Bibbs. "We had to improve our depth and team speed so we can defend those guards. We want to be able to matchup with any lineup our opponents put on the floor."

Bursey (5-10, Western Harnett, Sanford, N.C.) is ranked the 35th best guard in the nation. Bursey enters her collegiate career with the reputation of being a scorer. Over the final two seasons of her high school career, she averaged 25.7 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. In the classroom, she earned a 4.2 grade point average. Her sister Trinity Bursey played at the University of North Carolina.

"She is super athletic and gets to the rim quickly," said Bibbs. "She is one of the highest rated players we have ever signed. She has good size and huge hands. But the thing I like about her most...she will play defense."

Ewings (5-5, West Point, West Point, Miss.) provides the Aggies with another scorer. She averaged 27.0 points and 6.0 assists per game. She is the No. 7 rated player in the state of Mississippi. ESPN HoopGurlz gives her a grade of 83 (out of 100), and ranks her as the 103rd best point guard in the country. In the Mississippi All-Star game, she was awarded Defensive Player of the Game.

"We are excited about finally having a smaller guard who can defend some of the small guards in our conference," said Bibbs. "She is lightning quick and a true menace defensively."

Cunningham (5-10, Tupelo, Tupelo, Miss.) is another Mississippi product headed to N.C. A&T. Ranked No. 17 in the state, Cunningham can play shooting guard, point guard and small forward. She is ranked 86th among guards in the nation. She averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

"She is going to be able to do so many things for us," said Bibbs. "She is a versatile athlete who can defend several different positions."

Dunnington (5-10, Indian River, Chesapeake, Va.) averaged 17.7 points and 8.1 rebounds as a senior. Maxpreps.com ranked her the 77th best player in the state of Virginia. The Aggies, who shot 27.7 percent from 3-point range during the 2010-11 season, welcome her ability to knock down perimeter jump shots. She is ranked the 121st guard in the country.

"We are so pleased to be able to go into the Tidewater area and get a player of this quality," said Bibbs. "That is a tremendous accomplishment for our program. She is lightning quick on the defensive end, and she is going to hit some big threes for us."

Nazario's father Dre Nazario told ESPN HoopGurlz, "North Carolina A&T offers (Adriana) a family environment with a top notch education along with a competitive team that always has a goal of challenging for a championship." Nazario (5-8, George Washington, Charleston, WVa.) verbally committed to Virginia Tech originally, but later decided to come to Aggieland. She is ranked No. 7 in the state of West Virginia, and Jumpoffplus.com ranks her 140th in the nation.

"We landed a steal here," said Bibbs. "You're talking about a young lady who was an All-State performer and the conference player of the year. She will be a perfect fit here."

By North Carolina A&T State Sports Information
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Video: Damon Allen and the great Canadian QB hope

When football fans rave about their favourite quarterbacks they usually talk about arm strength or how smart he is. Rarely do they speak about feet. And that’s a shame, according to Damon Allen. The Canadian Football League’s all-time leader in passing yards helped rookie Calgary Stampeders quarterback Brad Sinopoli train during the month of May. The main focus during their four workouts was footwork.

“Football is a game you play waist down,” Allen said following a training session with Sinopoli last Friday at Toronto’s York University. “No matter what position you play I always believed if you can make a guy’s feet better then he’ll become a better all-around player automatically.”


Videographer: nationalpost; 5 Drills: Damon Allen trains Calgary Stampeders quarterback Brad Sinopoli

In the video above Allen, who retired following the 2007 season, explains five different drills he had Sinopoli do, which will help improve his footwork.

“How often does a quarterback actually get a chance to throw in a balanced situation? Never,” said Allen. “A quarterback is almost always throwing on the move. It’s rare that you just drop back and get the time to throw. The majority of time you’re on the move and you have to slide and reset and throw or throw on the run or make something happen outside the pocket.”


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Hampton University: Dream come true' for new Stamp

CALGARY - LaMarcus Coker called his audition with the Calgary Stampeders a “dream come true.” As it turned out, the shifty running back didn’t get much chance to dream about it on the eve of rookie camp at McMahon Stadium.

“It’s been a while since I’ve practised at this level of competition, so I was anxious. I didn’t even get much sleep last night,” Coker said. “I stayed up studying my playbook till 2 a.m., and by the time I finally fell asleep, it felt like I was opening my eyes back up at 5:30 a.m. to come over here and get treatment and get my ankles taped up.”

If Coker was feeling sluggish, it didn’t show during Thursday’s opening sessions of Stampeders rookie camp at McMahon Stadium. During offensive drills, the 24-year-old ball-carrier rattled off a couple of impressive runs, showcasing his speed on the big field. If he shows enough to earn a full-time job with the Red & White, he’s not expecting many more late nights.  “I’m just here to work, and the recreational stuff, just leave that to the side,” Coker said.

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Morgan State, Mississippi Valley and Tennessee State in 2011 iBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational

The 11th annual iBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational is pleased to announce their lineup for the 2011 tournament. The stellar field includes 2007 LVI Champion North Carolina Tarheels, UNLV, USC, University of South Carolina, Morgan State, Cal. Poly., Mississippi Valley, and Tennessee State.

The first two rounds will be played on campus sites with the semifinals and finals set for the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 25 and 26.

Two-day basketball tournament on Friday, Nov. 25 & Sat. Nov. 26, with 4 games each day. Sold as a 2-day package ONLY. Package prices are $170, $138, $117 and $85. Game times are TBD.

SPECIAL HOTEL ROOM AND TICKET PACKAGE
Call 800-675-3267 to book now!
Includes Friday night and Saturday night (November 25 & 26, 2011), resort fee, and two ticket packages
$400 = 2 nights and 2 $85 ticket packages
$466 = 2 nights and 2 $117 ticket packages
$508 = 2 nights and 2 $138 ticket packages
$572 = 2 nights and 2 $170 ticket packages

Southern University: “Remembering a Forgotten First: The Story of Charlie Granger”

The documentary World Premieres at 7 p.m. June 11 in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, Southern University and A&M College. This event includes: Meet and greet session (6pm) with filmmaker Cindy Hurst (Southern University alumna) and Charlie Granger and other NFL players with photographer available for pictures; Viewing the film (7pm - 8pm), and SU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (8pm - 10pm) where former Southern University athletes are honored for their athletic sucesses.

Baton Rough, LA  -  Minutes before the final game of the 1961 NFL preseason, Tom Landry stood before his rookie right tackle from Southern University, prepared to issue one more steep challenge — the toughest yet for young Charlie Granger. The icy, mild-mannered Dallas Cowboys coach liked what he’d seen from Granger, but the regular season loomed, which meant that roster spots were in high demand and short supply.


The Film recounts the life of Charlie Granger, who played professional football during the NFL's reintegration of African-Americans into the league in the early 1960s. Mr. Granger is a 2-Time Southern University Football All-American, 4-Time Track & Field All-American, and a member of Southern University Hall of Fame and the SWAC Hall of Fame.

This last exhibition game, against the mighty Baltimore Colts, was Granger’s biggest test yet. And maybe his last chance. “I’ll never forget (Landry) saying to me: ‘Granger, tonight, I’m going to find out if you can play in the NFL,’” he recalled. Granger’s assignment: block Colts defensive end Gino Marchetti, a future Hall of Famer and seven-time All-Pro. Right. No pressure there.

Granger admits he took a severe beating that night. But he stood firm against Marchetti, and after the game, the Dallas staff gave him a grade of 100 percent. He made the final cut, and, in doing so, became the first black man to start on the Cowboys offensive line.

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Join Producer/Director Cindy Hurst, this Sunday, June 5, 2011 with host Robyn Merrick of "Inside the Southern University System" from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Central Time on KQXL 106.5 FM CLICK HERE to listen live) as she talks about the WORLD SCREENING PREMIERE of "Remembering a Forgotten First: The Story of Charlie Granger.

Release Date	June 11, 2011
Genre	Documentary
Studio	The Sankofa Project, LLC
About	Biography

Description	This film depicts the life of Charlie Granger, a Former NFL player (Dallas Cowboys and Boston Patriots), SWAC Hall of Fame Inductee, and College All-American in track and football.
Plot Outline	This is the story of how a poor and determined boy from Southern Louisiana beat the odds of making it to the professional football league during the re-integration period of African-Americans into the league in the early 1960's. It recounts his college and professional experiences as an African-American player and how the racial climate of the times impacted his career as a professional player.
Starring	Appearances by: Eugene Daniel (Indianpolis Colts/Baltimore Ravens, Frank Pitts (Played in Superbowls 1 and 4 - Kansas City Chiefs), and Garland Boyette (Houston Oilers)
Directed By	Cindy Hurst
Written By	Cindy Hurst
Produced By	A Sankofa Project Productions

Alcorn State University Names JSU Sonic Boom’s Renardo Murray as New Marching Band Director

Dr. Renardo R. Murray
Director of Marching & Pep Bands

ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State University’s new Director of University Bands Samuel Griffin introduced the institution’s new Marching Band director, Renardo R. Murray on May 31,2011 on the Lorman campus.

“It is a tremendous honor and pleasure to introduce my former band student as the new Marching and Pep Band director,” stated a proud Samuel Griffin. “He was a talented student and is a skillful musician and director. I am proud to welcome him back home.”

An accomplished band director and music educator, Dr. Murray holds an outstanding track record in assuring student success both musically and academically. He has an extensive background of developing, operating, and maintaining quality band programs. Dr. Murray has been serving Jackson State University first as assistant band director from 2004 to 2009, and then as interim director of bands/instructor of music since 2009. He has also served as band director at the secondary education level: for Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, Mississippi; Blackburn Middle School, Jackson, Mississippi; Clinton High School, Clinton, Louisiana; and as assistant band director for Wilkinson County High School, Woodville, Mississippi.

“Alcorn State University has given me so much,” says Dr. Renardo R. Murray. “It is always good to come home. I have carried Alcorn State with me throughout my career and all of my successes can be attributed to the solid foundation I received from Mr. Griffin and my institution.”


Videographer: asutrpt; Alcorn State Marching Band - Halftime, Capital City Classic 2010

M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn State University, acknowledged Samuel Griffin for his 40 plus years of service to the University and thanked him for leading the search process for a new marching and pep band director. “Let us applaud Mr. Griffin for his dedication to the task at hand and for his numerous years of outstanding service to the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite. His successes as a marching band director are astonishing, and his innovative view on our new band structure will take our program to even higher heights. I am certain our band leaders will learn a great deal from his experience and wisdom.”

Murray earned his doctorate degree in music education in 2011 from the University of Mississippi, a master’s degree in music education from Jackson State University in 2004 and his bachelor’s – also in music education – from Alcorn State University in 1995.

“We are extremely excited about our future with Dr. Renardo R. Murray,” says President Brown. “Renardo brings a depth of experience to the University and we are confident that he will take the Marching and Pep bands to the next level nationally.”

Dr. Murray and his wife Alicia have two sons - Malcolm (17) and Nicholas (11).

By Alcorn State University Media Relations