Howard football preview: Bison try to keep building amid eligibility issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As its 2011 home opener against Norfolk State moved into the second half, Howard University tackle Cory Gwinner couldn’t help but steal glances at the Greene Stadium stands between offensive series. Usually, this would be the point in the contest when the crowd started to thin, fans heading toward the exits with another Bison loss assured.

But this time, Howard continued to hang tough into the second half against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference power, and the stands remained mostly filled with the promise of a rare conference victory. The upset bid crumbled into a 23-9 loss with a lackluster final quarter, but even in defeat, Gwinner left the field with a refreshing blast of hope.

“That showed me that [the fans] wanted to be here,” said Gwinner, now a fifth-year senior. “They’ve seen the improvement and the change in the athletes here. They gave us more pride in playing for them, and it hasn’t always been like that.”



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Five things we know about NSU

NORFOLK, Virginia - The Norfolk State football team won its first MEAC championship in Chris Carlson's second season on the beat. Coincidence? Absolutely. Either way, this is the place to keep up-to-date on the latest NSU football news.

1. Everett Goldberg gives Norfolk State a better kicking game than any MEAC team. By miles.

Goldberg made 6 of 10 field goals last year, a decent effort by MEAC standards. All of them came from 47 yards or more, nearly unheard of by MEAC standards. Hampton’s Taureen Durham was named All-MEAC Second Team in the preseason. His long last year was 37 yards, and he connected on 10 of 17, a worse percentage than Goldberg.

Don’t believe my words? Believe your eyes. Have you seen this video? He’ll win the Spartans a game this season.



2. Xavier Boyce is either going to draw double teams or light up the MEAC. And probably both.

Former offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell heaped a lot of the credit for last year’s offensive success on Boyce’s ability to draw double teams. Despite constant doubles, he still caught 68 passes for 750 yards. His receptions set a Division I record at NSU. His yardage was second in the MEAC.

All that came despite constant double teams, or at least safety help, that opened lanes for teammates. The MEAC isn't going to adjust its strategy. It's not going to matter.

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SSU hoping to take bigger steps toward competitiveness

SAVANNAH, Georgia - The record didn’t change from 2010 to 2011, but the process ultimately to make Savannah State competitive with the rest of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has begun, Tigers second-year coach Steve Davenport said.

“Some times it takes baby steps,” Davenport said. “Even last year when we were 1-10, there were steps taken in a positive direction. The kids’ mental approach to practice was different from what I had heard (about the past).”

Savannah State may have been encouraged by defeating North Carolina Central in the fourth week of the season for its first victory against a MEAC opponent in its first conference game.

The Tigers opened their renovated stadium the next week against Howard.

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Albany State Focused on Fundamentals

ALBANY, Georgia  -  One week away from the first Saturday of college football looking at the basics shouldn't be the top priority for Albany State.

But that's where ASU Head Coach Mike White and his Golden Rams are stuck. The secondary and offensive line are still working through the fundamentals of the Golden Rams system.

Only a week away from the North Greenville opener, that's a concern for Coach White especially with the offense the Crusaders are bringing to Albany.

“Playing a team who's going to come in here with a lot of speed, a lot of returning guys...you're going to have to have your A,B,C's and your 1,2,3's down and right now we seem to be kind of struggling with that,” Coach White said. “That's why we're going to keep it here and see how much we can improve.”

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Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Names Carpenter as Commissioner

HAMPTON, Virginia - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) today announced the appointment of Jacqie Carpenter as Commissioner of the conference, effective in early September.

“The CIAA Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Jacqie Carpenter as our new Commissioner. She is a very talented athletics leader who brings rich and varied experience and skills from years at the NCAA. We welcome her tremendous enthusiasm for the future of the CIAA. These are the principal reasons that the Board chose her to lead our conference to a higher level of excellence” said Dr. Mickey L. Burnim, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Carpenter is the first appointed African-American female Commissioner of the CIAA. The CIAA, celebrating the Centennial of its founding in 1912, is comprised of predominantly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.


Jacqie Carpenter, Director of Division I Men's Basketball, speaks at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome about the coming NCAA Men's Final Four (1/24/12).

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the CIAA Board of Directors and staff to develop a forward-looking strategic plan. We will provide effective, stable management reflective of the CIAA’s remarkable history. Our focus will be to deliver a successful second century to the CIAA within a culture that assures the highest quality experience and opportunities for our student-athletes and membership” said Carpenter.

Carpenter comes to the CIAA from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where she was promoted from assistant to associate director in her initial championship assignments. In more than nine years with the NCAA, she served as Director, Championships and Alliances, Director of the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship and finally, on the leadership team of the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship managing one of the largest events in the country, with annual viewership exceeding 150 million. Carpenter’s various responsibilities included oversight of tournament external operations and lodging, collaboration with corporate partners and champions, and the development of an industry leading community relations program for the championship.

Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University in 1991 while participating in volleyball and basketball and was a member of the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship team. Continuing her education, she earned a Master of Arts in Sports Management and Administration from Temple University in 1993. Carpenter also was the head volleyball coach and assistant women’s basketball coach at Virginia Union University and is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women in Athletic Administration (NACWAA) and the Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF).


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Phillip Teamer, Brandon Turman help Edward Waters Tigers trample Point University in opener

Edward Waters finishes with 515 yards of total offense in 66-34 victory

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - An offensive juggernaut or a weak opening foe’s defense? It’s too early to tell, but one thing is certain: Edward Waters College appears capable of scoring a lot of points this season.

The Tigers rolled up 515 yards of total offense and overwhelmed Point University 66-34 at Raines High School in the opener for both teams Saturday.

Seven of EWC’s 10 scoring drives took less than three minutes. And all but three scoring drives were of at least 58 yards. The short drives came on gifts from the Tigers’ defense or special teams. Ja’Tavius McCardell’s interception return went to the 4-yard line, the Tigers sacked Point’s punter on his own 12 and a Tony Goodman kickoff return of 56 yards gave EWC a short field of 40 yards.

But the day belonged to the offense. Running back Phillip Teamer and quarterback Brandon Turman combined for 267 rushing yards, most coming on option plays that Turman ran to perfection.

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SIAC Approves Central State University (Ohio) For Conference Membership

Atlanta, Georgia - The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Council of Presidents, by unanimous vote, approved the application of Central State University to become a football member of the SIAC, effective July 1, 2013.

“Central State University is so pleased, and excited to be received as an associate member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” Central State University Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond said. "The affiliation for our football program will promote great enthusiasm and energy for our alumni, students, and the entire CSU family! We look forward to participating as a SIAC member with "sister" SIAC institutions.”

Starting in 2013, the Marauders will compete against cross-state rival Kentucky State, Lane College, Stillman College, Tuskegee University, and 2011 SIAC Champion Miles College in the West Division. Albany State University, Benedict College, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, and Morehouse will continue to compete in the East Division.

“We are pleased to add Central State University as an associate member of the SIAC,” SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore added. "As the perennial NCAA Division II football attendance leader, I am certain that SIAC fans will welcome the addition of Central State University as we expand our footprint into Ohio.”

In its storied football history, Central State has won three NAIA Football National Championships and produced numerous players drafted or signed as free agents by the National Football League. The list includes former Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion offensive lineman Eric Williams, New Orleans Saints defensive back Vince Buck, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Hugh Douglas.

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