Former MEAC star C.J. Reed joins Georgia Southern Men’s Basketball

STATESBORO, Georgia. – Former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year C.J. Reed signed a scholarship agreement to attend Georgia Southern University and play basketball for the Eagles. Reed, a 6-3, 200-lb. point guard, sat out the 2011-12 season at UCF as per NCAA rules after transferring from Bethune-Cookman in June of 2011. The rising senior was permitted to transfer and can participate immediately following an NCAA ruling last month.

“C.J. Reed is just a great all-around player and he’s a coach’s son, so he plays the game the right way,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Charlton “C.Y.” Young. “I first saw him play as a ninth-grader and I’ve been a fan of his work ethic and the way he respects the game since.  I’m honored he chose our program as the place for him to finish his career.”

The HBCU National Player of the Year for 2010-11, Reed averaged 18.8 points per game as a junior during 2010-11, scoring 20 points or more on 16 occasions. He finished his three-year career at Bethune-Cookman as the Tigers’ all-time assists leader and sixth on the all-time scoring list with 1,654 points.

Reed earned All-MEAC recognition each of his three years as a Wildcat.  He garnered Rookie of the Year and second-team honors after ...

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Miles College: Defending a title

FAIRFIELD, Alabama - In 2011, the Miles College Golden Bears won their first SIAC football title in 26 years and now they've set out to defend it under 2nd year head coach Reginald Ruffin.

With 18 players returning, the Golden Bears have a good chance for a repeat season but it all starts out on the practice field.



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CIAA trying to bounce back after a $500K deficit

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has a $500K deficit. Officials say between ticket sales, a decline in sponsorships, and unexpected legal fees have caused the organization to go into the red.

"We are trying to deal with legal issues and challenges," CIAA Board Chairman Dr. Mickey Burnim said. "Sometimes that involves payment and sometimes it involves legal fees for lawyers to work on things."

Burnim said to help with the budget gap, the board is requesting each CIAA school to give $25,000 to help the organization bounce back. This is the first time in recent history the CIAA had to lean on schools to fill the void.

"A solid majority of the board," Burnim said. "Felt that was the best approach to take in dealing with it."

The organization hopes other money it claims is due to them will help raise the rest of the money. "This economy is tough," Burnim said. "And so the board exercised its fiduciary responsibilities and see the conference through it."

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Morehouse and Howard to open 2012 seasons in Classic as longstanding rivalry continues

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Morehouse College and Howard University football programs will meet for the 35th time in the 2nd annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ at RFK Stadium on Saturday, September 1 in the season opener for both schools. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m.

In the rematch, bragging rights are at stake for the two teams whose combined rosters include 12 preseason All-Conference selections.

The return of outstanding players such as Bison All-American linebacker Keith Pough and Maroon Tigers running back David Carter, coupled with the memories of last year’s inaugural Classic thriller in which Howard pulled out a nail-biting 30-27 win, promises to make this year’s rematch even more competitive.

The Bison hold a 22-10-2 advantage in the series including four straight wins.



“The sense of tradition between these two schools inspires a classic college football experience that we are happy to once again bring to our nation’s capital,” Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC’s Sports and Entertainment Division.

“Last year’s game was exciting for both schools and their fans. We expect the same determination and drive from both teams to come out victorious and register their first win of the season.”

Whereas last year’s inaugural game started a great sports tradition in our nation’s capital, the Bison victory set the stage for another enticing match-up this year. Howard Head Coach Gary “The Flea” Harrell will look to Pough for defensive leadership. Pough, who is included on most preseason football honors lists, was named a 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason All-American and the College Sports Madness Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Pough is also one of 20 finalists for the highly coveted Buck Buchanan Award presented annually to the best defensive player in the FCS. With a strong season, Pough could break the FCS record for both total tackles and tackles for a loss in a career.

Assisting Pough on the defensive side of the ball is red-shirt senior defensive back DeCarlos Knight. Knight, a 2012 preseason All-MEAC Second Team Selection, recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pair of blocked kicks in the 2011 Season.

Offensively for the Bison, quarterback Greg McGhee, last year’s MEAC Rookie of the Year, College Sports Networks “Inside the Huddle” 2011 Black College Freshman of the Year and inaugural Classic MVP, will be back under center for his sophomore season.

“Last year’s victory over Morehouse was a huge win for us and was a catalyst for a great season for us,” said Harrell. “With this year’s Classic being the season opener for both teams, the energy and level of play is going to be that much more intense.”

On the opposing sideline, the Maroon Tigers have reason to be confident as they were picked to win the East Division in the 2012 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Preseason Poll. Eight Maroon Tigers have been selected to the Preseason Football All-Conference Team including 2011 SIAC Player of the Year and AFCA All-American running back David Carter, who returns for his senior season.

Carter is just 150 rushing yards shy of setting the career rushing yards record at Morehouse currently held by John David Washington (son of actor Denzel Washington) with 3,669 total yards.



Last season, the Morehouse defense finished the season ranked second in total defense in the SIAC, and with three first team All-SIAC members they will aim to finish the 2012 season on top. They will look to build on a 2011-2012 season record of 8-2 as they seek redemption from last year’s Classic nail-biting loss.

“Last year was the kind of game that football fans love to see, especially in an inaugural HBCU classic,” said Morehouse Head Coach Rich Freeman. “While we didn’t come out on top, I know our team played hard until the very last snap. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for and
this rivalry inspires the best performances out of our young players. We are looking forward to traveling back to the nation’s capital, playing in this year’s Classic and bringing the trophy home to Atlanta.”

Individual tickets for the football game are priced $25 to $50 (plus applicable fees), and on sale at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office located at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Group tickets, suites and premium tickets are available by calling the ATTNFC Hotline at 202-608-1135. Credit card payments accepted only (Mastercard and VISA).

The JW Marriott Washington, DC is the headquarters hotel and will serve as the hub for AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ activity during the weekend. Promotional rates for this hotel, and other participating Marriott properties, can be reserved at www.nationsfootballclassic.com or 800-266-9432 (use reference code: NFF).  For more information on the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

ATTNFC website: www.NationsFootballClassic.com
ATTNFC Twitter: @nationsclassic
ATTNFC Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NationsFootballClassic
Howard University website: www.howard.edu
Morehouse College website: www.morehouse.edu

Contacts: Teri Washington, Events DC: (202) 494-5737
Courtney Eiland, Events DC: (202) 608-1140
Lisa Milner / Bryant Mortimer, Swanson Communications: (202) 783-5500



About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™

The AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. This year, the game features Howard University against Morehouse College. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions.

Tickets for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced $25 to $50.

San Francisco 49ers Rookie wideout Tyms runs toward future

SAN FRANCISCO, California -- After he'd lived in four group homes, been kicked out of the house by his foster family and spent two months sleeping in a car, 49ers rookie wide receiver Brian Tyms finally found an oasis when he arrived at Florida A&M three years ago.

After living a nightmare, he was suddenly surrounded by people - professors and coaches - paid to help him realize his dreams.

On Wednesday, Florida A&M wide receivers coach Steven Jerry recalled driving by the football facility and seeing a solitary figure who seemingly never left campus. It would be Tyms lugging a sled, or running routes through cones - a young man with an NFL body and sprinter's speed determined to distance himself from his painful past.

"He was so happy to be a college student because the alternative was so bad," Jerry said. "You could tell there was a genuine appreciation for everything, every day. He ate, slept and breathed football and school for three years, and now it's paid off for him."

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Tennessee State Tiger Camp: Week Three Begins

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - With less than two weeks before the season opener, Tennessee State began another week of preparation on the practice field Monday morning.

"I thought that the tempo in practice was way down from what I expected," said head coach Rod Reed. "I thought we came out extremely flat today.

The Tigers started off practice with a goal line period hoping to set a good tempo from the opening whistle, but it had mixed results Reed said.

"The intensity came up for a little while and then it came back down. We did not practice at a high level today and I am very disappointed in my football team."

Practices and situations like this allow the coaches to turn it into a teaching moment for the players.

"What I am trying to implore to these kids is if you are going to be a dominating defense, you have to put games, you have to put practices together in back-to-back situations and we didn’t do that today," Reed said. "We are still young on that side of the ball. They have to understand that you have to bring their "A" game every day."

Watch an interview with Special Teams/Linebackers Coach Jerrell Cogmon :



Fan Day Set

TSU Fan Day will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at the indoor practice facility. Fans are invited to come out and collect autographs and photos with the 2012 football team.

Kick-Off Times Confirmed

TSU Athletics announced last week that kick-off times have been set for all home games. The John Merritt Classic against Florida A&M is slated for a 6pm contest on Sept. 1. All Hale Stadium games (Austin Peay - Sept. 15, Eastern Kentucky - Oct. 6 and Tennessee Tech - Oct. 27) are scheduled for a 1pm start time. TSU kicks off Homecoming against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 29 at 5pm.

2012 TSU FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Aug. 21 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Wednesday, Aug. 22 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am
Thursday, Aug. 23 - Scrimmage - 7:30-9:30am/Special Teams 5:45-7:45pm
Friday, Aug. 24 - Practice (full) - 7:45-9:30am
Saturday, Aug. 25 - Practice (full) - 9:15-11:30am

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers and Twitter @TSU_Tigers.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Benedict football hopes to improve in 2012 with ‘brutal camp’ and Marcus Graham at QB

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - Benedict struggled through a 2-8 season in 2011, a year in which the head coach was fired and the Tigers scored 14 points or fewer seven times. There is catching up to do.

“This is going to be a brutal camp and I want them to understand that,” head coach James Woody said as preseason practice began. “This is going to be a brutal camp from the physical aspect of it, as well as the mental aspect of it.”

A blend of work ethic and continuity might allow Benedict to finish better than fifth place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division, the official basement forecast from league headquarters.

Leading rusher Tyquan Bazemore (220 yards, 5.1 yards per carry) is back and challenged by impressive freshman Trent Miles. Leading receiver Emmanuel Houston (28 catches, 6 touchdowns) also returns.

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