Witness the Evolution: WSSU Unveils Fierce New Rams Logo

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- With 100s of camera phones raised in the air in anticipation, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) unveiled a fierce new mascot logo on Saturday, Aug. 19.

"This speaks to the work we've been doing to tell the WSSU story," said WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson. "Building upon our legacy, the new logo makes a bold statement about who we are. There is no other Ram like it. It is as distinct as our university and truly reflects the WSSU experience."

The new logo – which will be used by the university's athletics programs, on gear and as décor across campus – was unveiled after nearly a year of surveys and focus groups of students, alumni, coaches and administrators, said Jaime Hunt, the university's chief communications officer.

"The development of the new Ram head was truly a collaborative effort," Hunt said. "We are so thrilled with the final product."

WSSU engaged with Winston-Salem-based design firm One Hero Creative to create the logo. The new logo is seen as a spirit mark that can be used by departments across the campus to reflect Ram pride.

The Rams logo was unveiled at the conclusion of Meet the Rams, an event kicking off the fall athletics season attended by more than 1,000 students and fans. The new logo soon will begin showing on a billboard, on campuswide signage and on the field at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"Our fans are excited," said Director of Athletics Tonia Walker. "The new logo shows that Rams are fierce competitors and a force to be reckoned with."

WSSU students after the event agreed with Walker.

"I actually love it. It looks more aggressive than what we use to have," said Tyree Hooks, senior, accounting major at WSSU and 2017-18 Mr. 125. "I like it a lot. I didn't know what to expect."

Xavier Quick, a running back on the football team, said: "It has more attitude, and that's what we're trying to bring to this season.

After Meet the Rams, WSSU's bookstore rolled out all new Ram gear for fans. Gear will be available on the online store starting on Sunday.

Fall sports at WSSU get underway at home with women's volleyball on Sept. 8. WSSU football's home opener – a rematch of the 2016 CIAA Championship against Bowie State – is on Sept. 9, a game that will be streamed live on ESPN3.

Guidelines for the logo will be available next week at www.wssu.edu/brand.

The new Ram logo comes a little more than a year after the introduction of a new institutional logo and refreshed brand.

About the New Ram
The new logo, which features WSSU's red and white, draws on previous iterations of the Ram to create a more modern take that conveys courage, spirit, tenacity and pride. The new spirit mark has been designed to work well for print and digital applications.

Ram History
The Ram has been the mascot of Winston-Salem State since 1932. According to accounts, Theodore Hayes, a basketball player on the first collegiate team of any kind at the university, came up with the name. In 1978, Amon – inspired by the West African deity – was chosen as mascot's name. WSSU's previous Ram dates back to the mid-1990s and was designed primarily for use in print.

A bold past. A brilliant future.
For 125 years, Winston-Salem State University has fostered the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU's curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, "Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve," WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. Join us in celebrating our 125th anniversary with events throughout 2017. Learn more by visiting WSSU's 125th Anniversary website.



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S.C.State Bulldogs Close Out Preseason with Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — The South Carolina State Bulldogs closed out preseason camp with almost three-hour scrimmage Saturday (Aug.19th) at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.

The Bulldogs ran about 90-plays in steamy hot temperatures in preparation for the season-opener against Southern University in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Baton Rouge, LA on Sept.3 at A.W. Mumford Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and kickoff is 1:30 p.m. (CT)/2:30 p.m. (ET).

Head coach Buddy Pough noted, that the coaching staff are still evaluating players and an effort to put together a solid depth chart for the season.



"I am impressed with quite a few guys on offense and defense," said Pough. "Some of the new players are really picking up the process and working through camp to get better. We (coaches) are really excited with that adds more depth to each position."

This was the Bulldogs second scrimmage during preseason for Coach Pough and his team.

"I haven't noticed anything different from this scrimmage compared to the first one on last week," stated Pough. "The defense is going to always make it hard for you to make big plays, but to their credit it helps make our offense better when we start playing."

"Now we turn our attention to Southern and start preparing for them," said Pough. "We have to be ready they are a very good football team and we go into their territory so it won't be easy."

Season tickets and single-game tickets for SC State's six home games are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Office on campus. For more information on how you can purchase your season tickets.

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FAMU head coach Wood excited as fall camp ends

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In less than a week, Florida A&M will take the field at Bragg Memorial Stadium to kick off the college football season.

The Rattlers will take on SWAC opponent Texas Southern at noon on Saturday in a game broadcast on ESPNU. It’s the first college football game of the year, as well as the first season opener at home for FAMU since 2011.

For redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Stanley, it’s a chance for the Rattlers to show how far they’ve come.

“We’re really excited,” Stanley said. “After this three-week camp, finally getting to go against a different-color jersey, we’re fired up.”

Stanley hasn’t officially been named the team’s starter yet – head coach Alex Wood said an announcement on that is likely to come Monday – but he spent most of fall camp working with the first-team offense.

He did share time with senior quarterback Vincent Jefferies. Stanley took the majority of the snaps in Sunday’s scrimmage, which was played against a scout team meant to simulate Texas Southern.

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Alabama State releases women’s basketball schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University women's basketball team released the schedule for the upcoming season, featuring 13 home games and a road trip to face the defending national champions.

"The non-conference schedule is extremely difficult as usual," Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "We kick it off with the defending national champions, and anytime you play a team coming off a national championship it is going to be tough."

Alabama State opens the season on the road against the defending national champion, South Carolina, November 10 – one of two games against an SEC foe this season for the Lady Hornets. After the opener, the Lady Hornets return home to face Savannah State (November 13) and another NCAA participant, Troy on November 16.

After the short home portion of the schedule, the Lady Hornets hit the road for their next three games beginning with Samford on November 19 and a pair of games at the Southern Miss Tournament (November 24-25). They close out the month of the November at home against South Alabama on November 28.

Alabama State opens the month of December with three consecutive road games, beginning with eight-time national champion and five-time national runner-up Tennessee (December 3). They then travel to the University of Miami (Fla.) for a match-up December 15, before playing at UAB (December 19). The Lady Hornets close out the non-conference schedule with a home game against Mobile (December 21).

"We also play at Tennessee," Jackson said. "We played them in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago, and they are a powerhouse. And then you add in a team like Miami and it makes it a major schedule. We also added some in-state schools to this year's schedule, which is a great opportunity to see where we match up with them.

"We have Troy and South Alabama on the schedule, and travel to UAB and Samford. If we can find a way to split, win a couple of those in-state school games, it would be good for our program. Of course you want to win all of them, and we are challenging our girls in the non-conference portion of the schedule. And then you open conference play on the road at Jackson State and Grambling State – a team that had a chance to win the conference last year. We have a chance to get off to a great start in conference play."

Following the Christmas break, Alabama State opens conference play against Jackson State (January 1) and Grambling State (January 3). They play three consecutive games at home against Mississippi Valley State (January 6), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (January 8) and Alabama A&M (January 13). The month of January ends with a pair of road games against Southern (January 20) and Alcorn State (January 22), and a pair of home games against Prairie View A&M (January 24) and Texas Southern (January 29).

The month of February is highlighted by three home games, in between a pair of road trips. The Lady Hornets travel to Mississippi Valley State (February 3) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (February 5), before playing three consecutive home games beginning with Alabama A&M (February 10). The month ends with a pair of home games against Southern (February 17) and Alcorn State (February 19); followed by road games at Prairie View A&M (February 24) and Texas Southern (February 26). The regular season ends with home games against Jackson State (March 1) and Grambling State (March 3).

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State women's basketball, please follow the Lady Hornets on social media at @BamaStateWBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

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Alabama State Hornets gear up for contest in two weeks

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- With just two weeks remaining before the season opener against Tuskegee, the Alabama State University football team closed out the week with a 100-plus play closed scrimmage Saturday night.

The Hornets, practicing under the lights of ASU Stadium will begin game preparation next week for Tuskegee. The Hornets had some bright spots on both sides of the ball Saturday, but according to head coach Brian Jenkins, there is still a lot of work to be done before they line up to play on September 2.

"There were some bright spots but there was too much negative to get ready to play a game right now," Jenkins said. "We have to go back to the drawing board and see what we are doing as a coaching staff, and make sure we are ready to play.



"I will say this, we showed some bright spots but that is expected. The things that we didn't do well, those are the things I am concerned about. As always, we are going to look at it, get it corrected and come back tomorrow."

Alabama State and Tuskegee will kickoff at 7 pm inside ASU Stadium in two weeks, and tickets are still available by calling (334) 229-4551 or (334) 229-8479. They are also available online through BamaStateSports.com.

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State football, please follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

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TSU Tiger Camp 2017: Day 25 - Third Scrimmage

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --  The Tennessee State football team closed out camp with its final scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. The offense started fast, moving across midfield on all three drives of the live portion of the scrimmage. The defense stood tall and forced a punt on the first series, while the offense converted on the second drive as Treon Harris hit Mahlon Medley on a 15 yard touchdown pass. A Latrelle Lee sack and a tackle for loss by Justin Culpepper put a stop to the final drive.

The Tigers focused the rest of the scrimmage on situational plays. Harris was up first in the third down session with eight chances from various distances and was followed by Michael Hughes with seven plays.

PHOTO GALLERY

SCRIMMAGE #3
Total Plays: 80
Sessions: 6
Scrimmage: 33 (Plays)
3rd Down: 15 (Harris - 8, Hughes - 7)
Coming Out (From the 3): 6 (Harris - 3, Hughes - 3)
4-Minute Drill: 7 (Harris - 7)
2-Minute Drill: 13 (Hughes - 14)
Overtime: 6 (Wells - 3, Harris - 3)
Location: Hale Stadium
Weather: Sunny, 85



The Big Blue continued with the two quarterbacks getting a chance to move the unit from the shadows of the goal posts, starting from the three yard line. Harris then ran two drives of a four minute drill with the lead before Hughes ran a two-minute drill while trailing.

The scrimmage closed with two overtime possessions. Kullen Wells ran the first series which ended in a 34 yard field goal by Coby Weiss. Harris engineered the second drive, which missed scoring as Mitchell Boudreaux’s field goal attempt went off the right upright.

TOTALS
Rushing: 26 carries for 68 yards
Passing: 25-of-41 for 219 yards
Touchdown: One (Receiving)
Latrelle Lee and Marvin Maddox each recorded a sack of Michael Hughes, while Chris Collins sacked Treon Harris

SCRIMMAGE

Treon Harris hit Mahlon Medley and Patrick Smith on 17 yard completions during the first drive
Tyler Black opened the second drive with two carries for 18 yards
Harris teamed with Steven Newbold on back-to-back plays for 25 yards
Andrew Knox carried twice for 17 yards moving the Tigers to the five yard line
Harris hit Medley for the 15 yard touchdown a play after a holding moved the offense back 10 yards
Michael Hughes kept the third drive alive running for 20 yards on a third and nine

TWO MINUTE DRILL

Hughes rushed for 20 yards and went 6-of-8 for 37 yards connecting with four different receivers (Lawrence Segree II 2-13, Mazio Rhodes 2-12, Chris Rowland 1-7, Ronnie Killings 1-6)
Drive ran for 12 plays
Coby Weiss missed a 51 yard field goal attempt wide left



OFFENSE

Redshirt junior Treon Harris was 12-of-23 for 122 yards and one touchdown
Redshirt sophomore Michael Hughes was 12-of-17 for 92 yards
Redshirt freshman Kullen Wells finished 1-of-1 for five yards
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Black rushed for 20 yards on three carries
Sophomore Steven Newbold caught seven passes for 89 yards
Patrick Smith had three receptions for 30 yards
Mahlon Medley caught two balls for 32 yards and a touchdown
Mazio Rhodes three catches for 27 yards

SPECIAL TEAMS

The place kickers converted 1-of-3 Field Goals
Coby Weiss 1-for-2 (Made 34, Missed 51); Mitchell Boufreaux 0-for-1 (Missed 40)
Coby Weiss was 1-for-1 on Extra Points
Austin Rowley punted four times

UPCOMING EVENTS

Game Prep scrimmage will take place on Thur., August 24
The Senior Kickoff Luncheon is set for Fri., August 25
Fan Day will be held on Sat., August 26
Tennessee State at Georgia State on Thur., August 31

QUOTES
Defensive Coordinator Garry Fisher
- On the positives for the defense on the day
“I thought we flowed around really well. The guys are starting to gel together and learn how to play together as 11. We did a good job getting to the ball, getting after it and just playing team defense.”



- On the progression of the defense during camp
“It’s been a long camp, but it’s given us a lot of time to have a lot of walk throughs and help the guys understand the details of the defense. We’ve really come a long way from the spring. Every day, the guys have been learning something and moving forward as far as learning the progression of the defense, so it’s been a good camp.”

Offensive Coordinator Jeff Parker
- On what he liked from the offense today
“I thought the guys competed at a high level. I was very pleased with the way they went out and competed. It’s little warm. We had a three-man rotation at the tackle and a few guys who are still out with injury, but I thought they sucked it up and competed hard on the offensive line. It was our focus to try to run the ball a little bit and count on those guys, and I think they did a heck of a job.”

- On how far the offense has come
“I think they’ve done a great job. We had a transition at the quarterback position and we have a couple of new offensive linemen, so we started from the ground up. We wanted to make sure everyone knew the calls and what we’re trying to get accomplished on offense. I think everyone is caught up, so we’re about to put a few more things in – a little more than expected.”



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Browning Hired as TSU Head Softball Coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips announced on Thursday the hiring of Andrea Browning as the Head Coach of TSU’s softball team.

Browning, who served as an assistant coach for the Tigers during the 2017 season, will be the sixth head coach in program history.

Browning, who earned the job following a national search, will be embarking on her first Division I head coaching experience.

A native of nearby Franklin, Tenn., Browning joined the Tennessee State coaching staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2016, working closely with TSU’s pitchers.

Prior to her arrival in Nashville, Browning served as a volunteer assistant at the University of North Florida during the 2016 season. Browning aided the Ospreys’ pitching staff, as well as coordinating community service projects and assisted with the organization and implementation of camps. Prior to her work at UNF, Browning founded and served as the head coach of the Sudden Impact organization, while working as a private homeschool educator.

Following her collegiate playing career at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., Browning began her coaching Ohio Valley Conference school Austin Peay, where she spent three seasons. Browning continued her coaching career as an assistant at Belmont University in 2007.

Browning then moved to Florida where she continued to gain coaching experience at Fort Walton Beach High School, spending four seasons from 2007-11.

Browning graduated from Lambuth University in 2000 with a degree in Physical Education and Health. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Health and Human Performance – Wellness in Sports Leadership from Austin Peay in 2016.

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