IT'S OFFICIAL -- NCCU Now Active NCAA Division I Member

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – At 12:31 p.m. on Thursday (Aug. 11), North Carolina Central University received a letter from the NCAA confirming the university’s active membership in Division I athletics.

The five-year reclassification process moving from Division II athletics competition to Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) is now over, and NCCU is eligible to participate in post-season championships starting this fall.

"Gaining full membership to NCAA Division I has been our goal for several years now and I am excited and delighted to see it come to pass," said NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms. "I appreciate what a tremendous effort this was for Athletic Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree and her entire team, and I thank and congratulate them for the superb job they did. The Eagles have arrived!"

In Thursday’s letter to Nelms, Stephen Mallonee, the NCAA’s Managing Director of Academic and Membership Affairs/Division I Governance Liaison, wrote, “It is my pleasure to inform you that the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved the recommendation from the NCAA Division I Administration Cabinet to elect North Carolina Central University to Division I active membership effective September 1 (or the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year if earlier than September 1).”

“I am thrilled about the NCAA’s final decision,” said NCCU Athletics Director Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “We worked diligently towards meeting all of the requirements set forth by the NCAA and with the continued support from Dr. Nelms and our Board of Trustees, we accomplished a magnificent task. We will strive to continue meeting all NCAA Division I and MEAC requirements. Our continued goals are to graduate our student-athletes, win championships and maintain institutional control.”

The journey to NCAA Division I ranks officially began on Nov. 16, 2005, when the NCCU Board of Trustees voted unanimously approving the university to move forward with making an application to the NCAA to reclassify its athletics program to Division I.

The Eagles captured eight conference team titles in their final two seasons as a Division II member in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) before competing as an independent without conference affiliation starting in the fall of 2007.

On Sept. 10, 2009, the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) announced that NCCU will become its 13th member institution effective July 1, 2010. The Eagles spent the 2010-11 campaign as provisional members of the MEAC, meaning they were not eligible to compete for a conference championship or earn conference accolades.

On Friday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., the NCCU volleyball team will host the first athletic competition as an active Division I member when the Eagles host Campbell inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Ironically, it was the volleyball team that opened NCCU’s Division I era back on Aug. 24, 2007. Although just one year removed from Division II status and playing as a reclassifying program without a conference to call home, the Eagles captured wins over MEAC foe Norfolk State and ACC opposition North Carolina State on that historic Friday.

By Kyle Serba, Associate A.D. for Media Relations, NCCU
VISIT: NCCUEAGLEPRIDE
VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

S.C. State coaches displeased with progress of offense

Coach Oliver 'Buddy" Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - At two and a half hours, Thursday's practice in full gear was the longest of the preseason thus far for the South Carolina State football team. It was also the most vexing for the coaching staff, who could not contain their displeasure, particularly with the offense.

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kevin Magouirk was especially critical of his group's execution during drills.

"We're too soft," he said. "We've got to toughen up. We've got to get to the same level of our defense and maybe we'll stand a chance in a game." Head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough acknowledges the offense is particularly impeded by ...

READ MORE

Comegy and QB build expectations

Jackson, MS - Jackson State coach Rick Comegy believes he’s going to have a good football team this season. And he’s not afraid to say so.

“We’ve got guys who are mature and we’ve got guys who can play ball,” said Comegy, who enters his fifth season with the Tigers. “This should be the kind of year where we show how football at Jackson State is played.”

Confidence abounds at Jackson State, which is coming off an 8-3 season.

Much of that bravado is due to the return of quarterback Casey Therriault, who is coming off one of the best passing seasons in school history. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior threw for 3,436 yards last season and tied a school record with 31 touchdowns passes. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns in his first season...

READ MORE

Alabama A&M football: Mason near flawless in first scrimmage

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Deaunte Mason strengthened his grip on Alabama A&M's starting quarterback job with a near flawless performance Wednesday night during the Bulldogs' first preseason scrimmage.

Mason completed his first seven passes as the first-team offense dominated the first-team defense, scoring on back-to-back possessions, to open the scrimmage. Mason finished 7-of-8 for 74 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Montarius Smith to cap a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. Mason was 5-for-5 for 51 yards on the drive.

On the second possession of the scrimmage, Mason was 2-for-2 for 23 yards and capped the seven-play, 70-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown ...

READ MORE

In the FCS Huddle: 2011 SWAC Preview

Philadelphia, PA - Doug Williams laughs that a lot of his football players at Grambling State didn't know much about him when he returned to his alma mater for a second stint as head coach.

Dezmond Spivey knew him well. He just laughs at Williams' style.

"He's a character, he's a comedian," Spivey said. "When he imitates Coach Rob, he goes 'only in America' and certain things. And I can say this, when there's a scenario to be given, he has one for every single thing."

Spivey's father played with Williams for one season at Grambling State under Coach Rob - the legendary Eddie Robinson - so Dezmond has a history with the Tigers' new coach that includes attending...

READ MORE

Hampton University, ODU among eight teams in hoops series

RICHMOND, VA - Standing on the Richmond Coliseum court, Governor Bob McDonnell along with coaches, athletic directors and other officials from eight Virginia universities announced today the “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic”, a basketball doubleheader to benefit Virginia’s Food Banks. The “Classic” will take place in December 2012 and 2013 and feature in-state teams representing the ACC, CAA, MEAC and Atlantic 10.

ODU, HU among 8 teams in hoops series: wavy.com

The “Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic” Matchups:

December 2012

George Mason vs. University of Richmond (early game)

The University of Virginia vs. Old Dominion University (late game)

December 2013

Hampton University vs. James Madison University (early game)

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Commonwealth University (late game)

READ MORE

Southern’s Rice finally getting his chance

Baton Rouge, LA - Even these days, after the Southern football team finishes off a long practice in gruesome conditions, Brandon Rice often bounces through the hallways of the A.W. Mumford Field House with an ear-to-ear grin.

No relief from the heat? No relief from preseason camp? No end in sight to team meetings and film sessions? No problem. At least, that’s the kind of attitude teammates often see from Rice.

At any moment, the junior tailback has a few things on display: his long dreadlocks, his length-of-the-arm tattoos, and an intimate knowledge of the Jaguars’ playbook. Not to mention that ear-to-ear grin.  Plenty are the times when Rice has a joke or a compliment for someone in the room.

READ MORE