SWAC coaches express respect for ASU's Jenkins

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins put the other nine SWAC coaches on notice Friday.

He's coming.

At SWAC Media Day, each coach gave introductory statements on a stage at Birmingham Marriott about his team, the upcoming season and whatever else came to mind.

Jenkins closed out his comments by letting everyone know he's ready to battle.

"The 'Swarm and Sting' is on," said Jenkins in making reference to Alabama State's team theme for the 2015 season. "I can guarantee you that."

ASU was picked to finish fourth in the five-team East Division, but opposing SWAC coaches expect Jenkins to have Hornets seriously contend for a conference title, something they haven't won since 2004.

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Ex-NFL/JSU player’s alleged mistress kills wife, self after kidnapping

ATLANTA, Georgia -- A former NFL player's wife was kidnapped by his alleged lover and killed in a murder-suicide along an Alabama interstate Thursday, according to reports.

Sandra Barnett, who was married to former Buffalo Bills player Buster Barnett, was shot dead nearly 24 hours after being forced from her Ellenwood, Ga., home, WXIA reported.

The 49-year-old victim, identified as a middle school special needs teacher, had been heard arguing with a woman during a phone call with a co-worker moments before she vanished around noon Wednesday, AL.com reported citing a police report.

Barnett was reportedly heard saying "please don't hurt me." She also didn't seem to know the person she was arguing with.

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SWAC coaches set a low bar for Golden Lions coming off 4-7 year

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Monte Coleman was reminded during an interview Friday that he is now the dean of Southwestern Athletic Conference football coaches.

Coleman has been at Arkansas-Pine Bluff since 2003 and has served as its head coach since 2008, making him the longest-tenured head coach in a conference that regularly sees changes among its leaders.

"That's a hard pill," said Coleman, noting that UAPB has won one SWAC title in his seven seasons. "When I came in my first year as head coach, I'm expecting to win the SWAC [the first year]."

Coleman won the conference title in 2012 -- the school's first outright conference title -- but the Golden Lions aren't expected to deliver another this season.

A poll of league coaches and sports information directors picked UAPB to finish ...

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Six Jackson State players earn preseason SWAC honors

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Six Jackson State football players earned All-SWAC honors at the end of the 2014 season, and the Tigers will begin the 2015 season with the same amount of honorees as six players garnered spots on the 2015 Preseason All-SWAC team.

Offensive lineman Markus Cook, wide receiver Daniel Williams and kicker Ryan Deising were named first-team all conference, while LaMontiez Ivy was named second-team All-SWAC.

No JSU defensive players were put on the first team, but defensive end Javancy Jones was and defensive back Robert Porter were put on the second team.

Here's the full list for ...

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Record Setting Shotblocker Perry Murray Signs With Fisk

Jason Perry Murray
 COURTESY GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

BATAVIA, New York -- Jason Perry Murray recently signed a Letter of Intent to join the Fisk University Bulldogs (Nashville, Tenn.) men's basketball program beginning this fall.

The 6' 9 center from Harlem set the school record for career blocks with 117, topping the previous mark by eight. Perry Murray started in 36 out of the 49 career games he played at GCC and averaged 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Fisk is a Division I Independent and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Bulldogs are coached by Larry Glover.

  Jason Perry Murray

The Murray File:

Height: 6'9"
Hometown: Harlem, NY
High School: Believe Academy

2014-2015: Recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in win against Columbus State Community College ... Had 10 points at home against St. John Fisher College (JV) ... Scored a career/season-high 18 points and had 15 rebounds and four blocks in road win at Elmira College (JV) ... Finished with 13 points in win against Cuyahoga Community College ... Collected 12 rebounds and scored 10 points to help beat the Community College of Rhode Island ... Grabbed 19 rebounds and scored nine points in win against Columbus State Community College ... Was named the Cougar Holiday Class Tournament MVP ... Just missed a triple-double, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking nine shots in win against the College of Southern Maryland ... Finished the first semester with a double-double (14 points and 13 rebounds) against Planet Athlete Academy.

2013-2014: Scored two points in first career game at Genesee in win vs. Jefferson Community College ... Made first career start and scored two points vs. St. John Fisher JV ... Collected 10 rebounds and scored eight points in win vs. Houghton College JV ... Recorded first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in road win vs. Lakeland Community College ... Grabbed eight rebounds and scored four points in win over Davis College ... Came off the bench to grab four rebounds and score two points in win vs. Community College of Rhode Island ... Collected nine rebounds and scored eight points in win over Cayuga Community College ... Scored 13 points and grabbed eight boards on the road at Niagara County Community College ... Recorded eight points and five blocks at Monroe Community College ... Played 42 minutes and scored 11 points in overtime game vs. Erie Community College ... Had 10 points and nine rebounds in win over Jamestown Community College ... Scored 13 points on 6-7 shooting and collected nine boards vs. Herkimer County Community College ... Was 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points in road win at Mercyhurst North East ... Recorded 10 points and seven rebounds at Jamestown Community College ... Scored 12 points and grabbed 10 boards in Region III Opening-round vs. Jamestown Community College ... Put together second straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in Region III Semi-finals vs. Erie Community College.

COURTESY GENESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

JSU Bowler Marcela Sanchez to Represent El Salvador in Pan Am Games

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State University sophomore bowler Marcela Sánchez will represent El Salvador, her home country, in the 2015 Pan American Games. The Pan Am Games are the world’s third largest international multi-sport Games; they are only surpassed in size and scope by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games. This year’s games are held in Toronto, Canada on July 10-26. The bowling portion will begin on July 22.

Sánchez sat down with JSUTIGERS.com to discuss the upcoming competition.

Q: How does it feel to be selected to represent your country in the Pan Am games?

A: It means the world to me. Being able to represent my country El Salvador in a tournament of this magnitude, puts a lot of responsibility on me. But it is a responsibility that I’m proud to take.

Q: When did you first find out that you had been selected?

A: I bowled the tryouts two months ago and after bowling 35 games on different lane conditions I placed second.

Q: What about this opportunity most excites you?

A: I'm excited about the event in general. This is a really big tournament where I'll (face) the top bowlers of all America, including bowlers who currently are participating in professional leagues. So besides taking this challenge, it is also an honor to be competing against all these people.

Q: How do you plan on representing Jackson State while competing?

A: Unfortunately I'm not allowed to use other (apparel) than the El Salvador's official uniform at a tournament of this magnitude and formality. Everything will resume when people ask me about the changes I've had since I have improved a lot in the last year thanks to the weekly practices and Coach Boykins.

Q: What does such an accomplishment mean to you and the rest of your JSU bowling family?

A: I have participated on international tournaments before but this is a very important one so it pushes me further on my bowling career. I have no doubt it will give me more experience and maturity which I expect to sow in the JSU bowling family in the future.

Q: What does bowling 300 game during practice before such an event do for your confidence?

A: The 300 game was completely unexpected but really satisfactory. I believe it is an achievment every bowler is constantly trying to reach. I don't want to be overconfident because I know that was just a game but I showed myself what I'm capable to do.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish during the Pan Am Games?

A: My main goal is to classify individually in the first 20 positions. I'm really looking forward to win a medal in doubles with my teammate. Even though it's a really tough competition I believe I have to set myself high goals in order to obtain the best results.

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Seven SU Jaguars named to 2015 Preseason All-SWAC team

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Seven Southern Jaguars earned 2015 Preseason All Southwestern Athletic Conference honors Friday as the league unveiled its preseason teams and predicted order of finish at the 2015 SWAC Media Day held at the Birmingham Marriot.

Members of the 2015 All-SWAC teams were selected by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Fifty-one players were named to this year’s preseason teams as a result of receiving 2014 All SWAC honors. In the event that a player was named to the first team during the post season, and does not return, the second team player for that position was elevated to the first team. Players were ranked in their position based on the number of votes received.

Running back and Baton Rouge native Lenard Tillery, along with wide receiver Willie Quinn and sophomore defensive back Danny Johnson received First Team All-SWAC honors after landing a spot on last season's team. Offensive lineman Anthony Mosley, who was named to the 2013 All-SWAC second team, earned Southern's final spot on the first team.

Senior defensive lineman Gabe Echols returns to the 2015 All-SWAC second team and is joined by newcomers center Terrell Lee and safety and Evangel Christian product Dionte McDuffy. Quinn earned a spot on the All-SWAC second team as a return specialist for the second consecutive year.

After earning First Team All SWAC and being named conference player of the year at the end of last season, Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs was voted on as the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. For the second straight year, Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry was tabbed as SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Gibbs led the Braves to an eastern division title and the team’s first berth to the conference championship game. He completed 169-of-294 passes for a total of 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gibbs also ran for a career-high 1,006 yards on the ground and another 12 scores last season.

Gibbs, a Houston, Texas native, is joined on the preseason first-team offense with running back Johnta’ Hebert (Praire View), wide receivers Daniel Williams (Jackson State), tight end Jordan Payne (Alcorn State), along with offensive linemen Marcus Cook (Jackson State), Damian Love (Alabama State), Glen Haisley (Prairie View) and Jylan Ware (Alabama State).

Berry led the SWAC in total tackles during his first two years grabbing over 100 tackles, including a SWAC-high 128 last season. He is a two-time First Team All-SWAC performer and has been named to several pre-and post-season honors

Others to join Berry include: defensive linemen Anthony Lanier (Alabama A&M), Darien Moody (Alcorn State), Demarcus Berry (Arkansas Pine Bluff), and Devohn Reed (Prairie View), linebackers Damon Watkins (Alcorn State), Willie Duncan Arkansas Pine Bluff), with defensive backs, Damond Jackson (Prairie View), Warren Gatewood (Alcorn State) and Kevin Rucker (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) rounding out the voting.

On special teams, kicker Ryan Deising (Jackson State), punter Kory Carter (Texas Southern) and return specialist Johnta’ Hebert (Prairie View) were all tabbed as first team selections.

For the predicted order of finish in both divisions, the defending champion Alcorn State Braves totaled 95 votes including 10 first place votes to become the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Jackson State followed with 83 points, Alabama A&M gathered 66 points, with Alabama State (50) and Mississippi Valley State (31) closing the division’s preseason ranking.

In the West Division, Grambling State totaled 93 points with eight first-place votes. Southern received 91 points followed by Prairie View (72), Texas Southern (40) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (34).

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: John Gibbs Jr. (QB) – Alcorn State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kourtney Berry (LB) - Alabama State

2015 Preseason All SWAC Football Team

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS