JSU, UAPB picked to win SWAC women's soccer titles

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff forward Silvia Fuentes and defender Erika Forbes, also from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, the conference announced today. Preseason honors were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Jackson State Lady Tigers (92 points) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions (99 points) were picked as the preseason favorites in the SWAC Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively. Jackson State, the defending conference champion, received 15 out of 20 first-place votes while Arkansas-Pine Bluff tallied 19 first-place votes.

Fuentes, a 5-5 senior from Moreno Valley, Calif., was the league's Player of the Year in 2010. She led the nation with 1.00 assists per game last season and ranked first in the SWAC in points (30), points per game (1.67) and assists (18). Fuentes was an All-SWAC First-Team selection in 2010.

Forbes, a 5-5 senior from Whitby, Ontario, was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year last season. She helped the Lady Lions to the Western Division regular-season title and was sixth in the conference in goals (7). Forbes garnered SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors three times last season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff posted a 4-0-0 league record and a 13-6-0 overall mark last year. Jackson State recorded a 4-0-0 conference mark and a 13-7-1 overall record in 2010 en route to the SWAC Championship.

Mississippi Valley State, the runner-up to the SWAC Championship a year ago, tallied four first-place votes in the Eastern Division and was picked to finish second with 73 points. Alabama State finished with 54 points for third followed by Alabama A&M (48 points) and Alcorn State (31 points).

Texas Southern was picked to finish second in the Western Division with 70 points. Prairie View A&M (57 points) was tabbed third followed by Grambling State (40 points) and Southern (34 points).

The 2011 SWAC Women's Soccer Championship will be held November 3-6 at the Johnny Downs Soccer Center in Alexandria, La.

By SWAC Media Relations

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Florida A&M University Launches New Website To Celebrate FAMU's 125th Anniversary

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida A&M University was originally founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students that served the underrepresented and underprivileged.

Today, Florida A&M University boasts an extraordinarily diverse student body including citizens from across the State of Florida and the globe. For nearly 125 years, Florida A&M University has served as a beacon of hope for thousands of talented young men and women seeking to improve their lives through the pursuit of a college education.

To celebrate its rich history, Florida A&M University will kick off its 125th anniversary on October 3, 2011. The University is proud of its history and is dedicated and committed to providing “Excellence with Caring” to a new generation of scholars.

A year-long series of special events are planned to celebrate the aspirations and accomplishments achieved over the past 125 years as well as illuminate the university’s vision for its future.

FAMU Yesterday. FAMU Today. FAMU Forever.

President's 2011 Gala Honoring the Marching "100"
Florida A&M University will kick off its year long 125-year Anniversary Celebration during the President’s Gala on Friday, October 7, 2011. This year’s gala theme is “Marching for Excellence” and will pay tribute to the life of William P. Foster, the “Dean of America’s Band Directors,” and the incomparable Marching “100.”




In video #2, the late Dr. William P. Foster, conducting "Knocks Me Off My Feet" with the 1996 edition of the Florida A&M University "Marching 100". The arranger was Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Assistant Director of Bands and University Arranger, Florida A&M University.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 125TH CELEBRATION EVENTS -- VISIT: FAMU125.COM.

FAMU football team bonds with its fans

Tallahassee, FL -- Freshman offensive lineman Austin Edwards beamed with every stroke of the Sharpie he used to sign autographs for fans. The crowd around his table had thinned out a bit when his mother walked up. They both flashed huge smiles.

Shonnice Booker could hardly contain the pride she felt to see her son among the Florida A&M football players who met about 700 of their fans at the Lawson Center on Saturday.



"I'm very proud and I'm excited for him … seeing the community come out and support them," said Booker, who walked the complete circle inside the huge center to visit and mingle with her son's teammates. "To hear the guys saying how they plan on bringing back home a championship ring and to hear my son really, really want to be a part of that is really great."

Fans began to trickle into the building about 20 minutes before the event officially started. Some took individual photos with the players, and almost every fan made the rounds to get autographs and pick up team trinkets.

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N.C. Central: It's Wide Open

DURHAM, N.C. — The strength of N.C. Central’s offense is its wings — the ones out there at wide receiver. Now to find the triggerman who will utilize those weapons through a spread, West Coast play-calling scheme that is being installed by NCCU offensive coordinator Michael Bryant.

“We’re not going to scale back anything,” Bryant said. “We’re gonna throw the entire offense at these guys. We’re gonna require these guys to learn. We’re gonna require these guys to study, because we don’t want to limit ourselves.

“The more we feel like our players know, the more we’ll be able to do and the more pressure we’ll be able to put on defenses.”



Among the 10 teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a year ago, the Eagles would have ranked fifth in total offense, though NCCU competed as a provisional member and was not included in conference statistics. On Thursday, NCCU officials received notice...

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Lane's goals don't stop at ending losing streak

Jackson, TN -- The Lane College football team doesn't have its sights set on just winning one game this season, which would end a 21-game losing streak that dates back to a 52-2 win over Miles College on Nov. 1, 2008.

Players and coaches, including plenty of new faces, were optimistic about the Dragons' chances to win multiple games and compete in the new West Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

"Our goal is definitely not just to win one or two games," said linebacker Corey Jones, who is transferring from Los Angeles Southwest Community College. "We're coming in trying to win every game we can and give it all we've got."

Ronnel Ramsey, a 6-foot-11 offensive tackle who transferred from Seton Hill (Pa.), said the incoming players want to learn from the returning Dragons and send the seniors out with multiple wins.

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5 questions for the JCSU Golden Bulls to work on

Charlotte, NC -- Johnson C. Smith football coach Steve Aycock promises his Golden Bulls will get off to a fast start in 2011.

At the CIAA preseason media day in July, Aycock predicted Smith will win at least three of its first four games - a bold statement given the Bulls' 5-15 record in his first two seasons.

"I feel good about the young men who are coming back and the way they've dedicated themselves over the last six months," he said. "We'll see a difference come Sept. 3."

But will it be enough to move Smith to the middle of the pack in the CIAA South? Maybe, if the Bulls answer these questions:

1. Can the defense be fixed?

Former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter and Craig Cox are the new co-coordinators of a unit that allowed 39 points and 405 yards per game.

"From the defensive side, we've made some changes and are doing some things different and most definitely placing a lot of emphasis on stopping the run," Aycock said.

2. Who'll start at quarterback?

Redshirt freshman Maliek McCall closed spring drills...

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Hampton University hopes new locker room improves team chemistry

HAMPTON, VA -- Something happened this summer that Donovan Rose hadn't seen in more than 20 years at Hampton University. Football players attending a summer camp were shown the Pirates' locker room. That may not sound like a big deal, but it was a noteworthy happening for Rose, a 19-year HU assistant who is going into his third season as Hampton's head coach.

"Since I've been here, since 1991, we've never shown a recruit the locker room," Rose said. "Never."

If a recruit asked to see the formerly cramped quarters, with freshmen and walk-ons shepherded to a separate room, Rose said, "I would just change the subject: 'We don't have time,' or, 'Maybe we can come back a little later.' "

That's no longer the case. Rose presided over a tour of HU's newly refurbished locker room on Saturday, showing off rows of gleaming wood and lush blue-and-silver carpeting. Each player has a spacious cubicle, complete with a bar for hanging jerseys and hooks for helmets and a padded bench with a small locker underneath.

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