Winston Salem Rams picked to finish second in division

Winston Salem, N.C. - Winston-Salem State, heading into its second season back in the CIAA, is predicted to finish second in the league's Southern Division in football. The CIAA coaches' preseason poll has defending champion Shaw predicted to finish in front of the Rams in the division.

"That's about where I thought we'd end up," said coach Connell Maynor of the Rams. WSSU was 8-2 last season and finished second behind Shaw in the division. "I mean, Shaw's won three out of the last four championships, so I knew they would be picked to win the division," Maynor said.

Maynor said he doesn't put much stock in preseason polls because the competition still has to be decided on the field. "We played them pretty good last year, but came up short and lost," Maynor said. "We know it's going to be another good game with them this year, so it's a natural rivalry and we'll do our best to be prepared."

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NEXT GAME: 9/3/11 AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, ELIZABETH CITY, N.C., 6 PM
VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

ECSU, with 5 All-CIAA picks, gets nod in division

Elizabeth City, N.C. - Heading into the 2011 football season few people are questioning Elizabeth City State’s ability to score points. The biggest question is how the Vikings will manage to stop opposing teams with the loss of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year Malcolm Jenkins.

CIAA coaches think the Vikings will do just fine as they have picked the team to win the Northern Division in their annual preseason ranking.

The regard for ECSU’s offense is shown in the preseason All-CIAA team, where five Vikings were selected, four from the offensive side of the ball. Two Elizabeth City native lead the way...

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NEXT GAME: 8/27/11 at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS at 6:00pm CST
VISIT: ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: ECSUVIKINGS

ASU's Andrews accustomed to offensive changes

Montgomery, AL - At this point in his Alabama State career, senior receiver Nick Andrews isn't fazed by a change of offensive coordinators. He'd be surprised if there wasn't one. This is Andrews' fourth year at ASU. Fred Kaiss, hired prior to spring practice, is his fourth offensive coordinator.

"It's not unusual at all," Andrews said, smiling. "In a way, I think it's kind of helped us. We've learned a lot of different styles and techniques, and I think we're better off. And really, it's not that big of a deal. Football's football, you know. The terminology might be a little different, but we're still trying to do the same stuff out there."

What the Hornets are trying to do, of course, is work their way back to Birmingham and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game. They were there last year and fell to Texas Southern.

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Ex-SSU coach's lawsuit under gag order

Robert "Robby" Wells
Career Record: 7-15

ATLANTA, GA — Not much has been heard lately from lawyers involved in a discrimination lawsuit filed by former Savannah State University football coach Robby Wells because they are under a court order not to leak personnel files before the trial.

Wells alleges the predominantly black school fired him last year because he is white and because he was recruiting white players who might have outshone others on the team. He is seeking personnel records for top administrators and staff in the athletic department.

The school denies it discriminated against him since it hired him in the first place. It charged him with not following directions and sloppy record keeping.

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Former DSU Hornet and N.C. A&T Aggie sign with UFL teams

Washington, D.C. - Former Delaware State University offensive tackle Darryl Hicks (Boston, Mass.) has signed a contract with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. Hicks competed for the Hornets during the 2009 and 2010 seasons after transferring from Hudson Valley Community College. He was a starting tackle in each of his 21 games at Delaware State.

During the 2010 season, Hicks helped lead the Hornets to a MEAC-best 248.9 passing yards per game. DSU was also No. 2 in the league with a 134.8 pass efficiency rating last year. Hicks was recognized as a MEAC scholar-athlete during his two years at Delaware State.

The 2011 United Football League season begins Aug. 14.



The Virginia Destroyers added another veteran tailback to the offensive backfield in Maurice Hicks. Hicks, who will turn 33 on July 22, is expected to carry the load at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.  The former North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University running back from Emporia, Virginia was previously signed by the UFL Florida Tuskers (2010); NFL Minnesota Vikings (2008); San Francisco 49ers (2003-2007); and NFL Chicago Bears (2002).

While at A&T, Hicks finished his college career with a school-record 2,812 rushing yards. As a senior, he was a third team Division I-AA All-American selection, the Black College Offensive Player of the Year, a first team All-MEAC selection, and he led the MEAC in rushing yards with 1,325 rushing yards. During his senior season, in a game against Morgan State University, he broke the NCAA Division I and II single game rushing records by rushing for 437 rushing yards. As a junior, he was a first team All-MEAC selection, after rushing for 1,487 yards. Hicks at  5-11/205 was the number two back during his career at San Francisco.

The Virginia Destroyers are under the command of  head coach/general manager Marty Schottenheimer, a former head coach of the Washington Redskins.

(From DSU Media Release/UFL Personnel Transaction Report)

Dr. Walter Kimbrough: No time to abandon black colleges

Little Rock, AR - In the Wall Street Journal, a recent article ran that questioned the need for black colleges and universities, because of falling enrollments. In the USA Today, Dr. Walter Kimbrough fired back with an op ed piece that ran on June 23rd.



In his piece, Dr. Kimbrough maintained that the black college continues to be more affordable for the economically challenged student. As he said on Today's THV at 6:30, taking race out of the equation, and instead using socioeconomic parameters, there is a place for black schools like Philander Smith. And as Dr Kimbrough pointed out, these schools, like Philander Smith also are a part of families histories and legacies. To close them down would be a disservice to the heritage of so many black families.

Here's more...



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Incoming Jackson State student ready for college life, football

Natchez, MS — Joseph Perry Jr. has wanted to build bridges and buildings ever since his days of tinkering with Legos. The Natchez High School Class of 2011 Valedictorian will attend Jackson State University in the fall to study civil engineering, a field on which he has been hooked since he was young.

“All my life I’ve liked the concept of putting things together,” Perry said. Perry said he chose Jackson State based on his academic passion, but he will not be neglecting his athletic passion in college — football. He will be a walk-on for the Tigers in the fall.

“I can’t wait to put some pads on and get on that field,” he said. Other universities offered Perry football scholarships, he said, but he accepted an academic scholarship at Jackson State because of the school’s engineering program. Perry graduated with a 4.1 GPA, showing a dedication to academics.



But the voluntary football workout in nearly triple-digit heat Wednesday proved his dedication to the game. Perry said he sometimes works out early mornings during the summer with the Natchez High football team to stay in shape for the fall.

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