S.C. State Bulldogs in familiar role as MEAC favorites

Orangeburg, S.C. - South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough has only himself to blame for his current predicament. If S.C. State hadn't won or tied for the last three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football championships, then the Bulldogs wouldn't be considered the favorite to win their fourth straight title in 2011.

If Pough hadn't recruited so well over the last five years and had the Bulldogs not dominated the MEAC like they have - winning 25 of their last 26 conference games - then maybe Bethune-Cookman or Florida A&M would have had to carry that "favorite" tag into the regular season.



"You look on paper at what Bethune and Florida A&M have coming back, and I don't understand why people would pick us," Pough said. "I guess I should take it as a compliment because of what we've been able to accomplish around here over the last couple of years, but I don't see it."

Now, is that just coach-speak or is there some truth in what Pough says?

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FAMU's Lee wants final shot at winning

Tallahassee, FL - More than anything else, Tobias Lee wanted a championship ring in baseball or football, or both. It turned out he missed the chance to have a ring as a tight end on the Florida A&M football team because of a shoulder injury last season.

And baseball? Well, that quest was cut short too due to the same injury that occurred during spring football practice in 2010. At that time, he was trying to make the Rattlers' baseball team as a left-hander out of the bullpen.

Now he finds himself with one last shot. It comes after FAMU won a share of the MEAC football championship while he was sitting out.

"This is for all of the marbles," said Lee, a redshirt senior. "All the marbles are on the table this year so it's either go hard or go home. That's the mentality I have right now; trying to make some plays and contributing to the team."




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VSU football, a force to be reckoned with

Petersburg, VA - After falling in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) championship to Shaw University last season, Virginia State University’s (VSU) football team is gearing up for another hard-hitting season on the grid iron. The team is currently undergoing preseason training camp, preparing for their season opener on Monday, Aug. 29, against Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C.

Ranked sixth (out of 12 teams) in CIAA’s 2011 overall preseason poll, the Trojans are defending a season in which they finished first in the conference’s North division – where they are currently predicted to finish second.



Coach Andrew Faison, soon to begin his tenth season as the team’s head coach, isn’t the least bit bothered by the polls.

“It’s only preseason. I tell our guys: It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” he said. “Last year we were predicted to finish eighth, and, hey, look what happened. They moved us up a little bit, so hopefully this time around we will bring home the trophy.”



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WSSU's Ward says diet has helped

Rams Coach Connell Maynor

Winston Salem, N.C. - Akeem Ward smiles at his new nickname — Slim. "Thanks," he said when told about it, "I appreciate that." However, Winston-Salem State's opponents this football season might not appreciate that Ward is 30 pounds lighter.

Ward, a senior defensive end from Holly Springs, helped WSSU lead the CIAA last season in sacks, contributing 4½ of the team's 32, and in total defense (245 yards a game allowed). He also had a team-best 11½ tackles for losses.

"This is the best I've felt coming into a season and I really feel like I'm in great shape," Ward said.

For his first three years at WSSU, the 6-foot-4 Ward weighed about 285 pounds. He's now at 255 pounds and feeling less like an interior lineman. Ward, a four-year starter, has 25 career tackles for losses and is drawing the attention of NFL scouts.

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Football Gameplan's 2011 MEAC Preview

2011 MEAC Preview
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Delaware State Hornets
Florida A&M Rattlers
Hampton Pirates
Howard Bison
Morgan State Bears
Norfolk State Spartans
North Carolina A&T State Aggies
North Carolina Central Eagles
Savannah State Tigers
South Carolina State Bulldogs

Morgan State -Towson Opener To Be Televised

Baltimore, MD - The season-opening football game between local rivals Towson University and Morgan State University, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3 at Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas Stadium, will be televised by Comcast SportsNet. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

"We are excited to return to Johnny Unitas Stadium to open the season and rekindle a local rivalry," said Floyd Kerr, Morgan State Director of Athletics.

"With Comcast SportsNet broadcasting our games, this gives the two schools another avenue to promote our institutions and their programs," said MSU head coach Donald Hill-Eley. "It's exciting that this year's game will be televised and we're hoping that MSU fans will still come out and support us at the game."

Calling the game will be Comcast SportsNet anchor/reporter and Towson graduate Brent Harris, '95 and former Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl Champion linebacker and Comcast SportsNet football analyst Brad Jackson.

The Tigers and the Bears will be meeting for the 23rd time in a series that started in 1979. Although the Tigers own a 16-6 series lead, Morgan State won the most recent meeting in 2009.

Towson and Morgan State have met in the season opener eight times since 1979. Each team has won four times when they are matched up in the season opener. Towson has won four of the six season openers that have been played at Unitas Stadium.

The MSU Athletics Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster locations and via www.ticketmaster.com.

By Morgan State University Media Relations
VISIT: MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
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New LSHS band director ready to bring in different flavor

Lexington, N.C. - The new band director for Lexington Senior High School has hopes of bringing a different flavor to the program, school and community.

Andrew George has joined the faculty after being approved by the board of education in July. He replaced Elizabeth Hotchkiss, who left the system.

"I'm honored to be in Lexington," said George, 32. "I'm very excited to serve Lexington City Schools, the students and the community through the performance of good music and worthwhile projects."

George, a native of Wilmington, graduated from N.C. Central University in 2002 with a degree in instrumental music education. After 4 1/2 years of being in NCCU's Marching Sound Machine band, he has developed more than 10 years of experience in teaching music and working with high school bands. He has taught at high schools in Burlington, Durham and Pennsylvania. Through his experience, George said he has developed a distinctive sound, philosophy and musical work ethic that he is eager to share.

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