NEW ORLEANS -- Going into Saturday’s Bayou Classic game against Grambling, Southern felt somewhat disrespected.
Whether the slight was manufactured or real, Southern’s players took the field believing that nobody believed in them.
Although they did not come away with a win, the Jaguars felt they proved something to those that may have doubted them in a hard-fought 30-21 loss.
“To come into a game like this, where nobody picked us to win, and to fight like that, that’s why the emotion was so high,” said senior cornerback Danny Johnson. “After we leave here, I don’t feel like we have anything to (hang) our heads about.
“Nobody can question our character; nobody can question our effort. We played hard.”
Southern coach Dawson Odums said his team was “embarrassed” by its 52-30 loss in the 2016 Bayou Classic and came out aiming to prove it was on more equal footing with a Grambling team that has won 25 straight conference games since Southern beat it in the 2014 Bayou Classic.
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Monday, November 27, 2017
Having their kicks (and blocks and returns): Grambling special teams paves way for Bayou Classic victory
NEW ORLEANS -- After Southern scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5 minutes, 2 seconds left in the Bayou Classic, things didn't look good for Grambling.
There was plenty of time left, but Southern's defense had forced a Grambling punt on four of the previous five Tigers' possessions up to that point.
However, Calief Samon, a junior, returned the Jaguars' ensuing kickoff 41 yards to the Southern 40, setting up Grambling's winning touchdown in what became a 30-21 victory with that 10-point spurt after falling behind 21-20.
“We were very dominant in the kicking game,” Tigers coach Broderick Fobbs said. “I thought it was the deciding factor in the game.
"We blocked a kick, they missed a kick because of our pressure, we ran a kickoff back across the 50. We were able to flip the field with a punt return. And, then we had (three) touchbacks (two on kickoffs)."
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WSSU football schedule for next fall nearly complete
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s football schedule for next fall is nearly complete.Athletics Director Tonia Walker is trying to fill one more date for a nonconference game on Sept. 15. The rest of the schedule, however, is already.
The Rams, who went 6-4 this fall and missed out on playing for the CIAA championship for the first time in six years, will open next season with two straight home games.
“It’s good to open at home two weeks in a row but you have to be prepared and that will start with spring ball and carry over into the summer,” Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said.
The Rams will open against UNC Pembroke on Sept. 1 and will then welcome Catawba on Sept. 8 to Bowman Gray Stadium. Catawba went 9-2 last season and just missed qualifying for the Division II playoffs.
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Sunday, November 26, 2017
Hampton's Marching Force band preparing for national 'battle'
Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr., Director of University Bands, Music
HAMPTON, Virginia -- Thomas Jones is very good at keeping a secret. And for a week or two, he had a good one to keep.
Jones, director of bands at Hampton University, learned in late October that the school’s Marching Force unit had been selected as one of eight finalists to compete in the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase on Jan. 27 at the Mercedes Benz Dome in Atlanta.
“I got the phone call from the organizers, but we had to keep it quiet until they were ready to make the announcement,” Jones said. “I didn’t even tell the band until the day before the press release was going to come out.”
And when he told them, how did the 100 or so members of the band and dance teams react?
“They were so excited,” Jones said. “It meant a lot to them. It was a validation for everything we’ve been doing this year.”
The event, in its 16th year, is a showcase for marching bands from historically black colleges and universities. The selection process incorporates input from band directors, school presidents, corporate sponsors and online voting. Each of the eight finalists receive a $20,000 grant from Honda to support music education, and the sponsor covers all travel expenses for the showcase.
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Pennsylvania State System BOG names Aaron A. Walton President of Cheyney University
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| Aaron A. Walton, President CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY |
Walton has served as Cheyney’s interim president since May, shortly after the Middle States Commission on Higher Education ordered Cheyney to “show cause” as to why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. Since then, the university has made significant strides, including submitting a detailed operating plan to Middle States that explains, among other things, how it will balance its budget in the future while meeting the educational needs of students.
“While I came here to help transform Cheyney University, I can tell you that Cheyney University has changed my life. It beats in my heart. It courses through my veins,” said Walton. “The students on this campus will forever be part of my family. These remarkable young people deserve every opportunity to receive a high-quality education here and to earn a degree that will help ensure their successful future, and I will do everything within my power to make that happen.”
Last week, the Council of Trustees recommended Walton be named the university’s next president and in accordance with state law, the Council conferred with students, faculty and alumni prior to voting on the recommendation.
Cheyney University is America’s oldest historically Black university, and it has an important role in our society.
“When we considered who would be best to ensure the university's future, it was clear that Aaron Walton is that person,” said Robert W. Bogle, chair of Cheyney University’s Council of Trustees. “I applaud what he has accomplished in just six months, and I can only imagine what he will do with more time.”
“Since the day he arrived on campus, Aaron has demonstrated his commitment to securing Cheyney’s continuing accreditation and—just as important—to ensuring the university’s long-term future so it can continue to serve students,” said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. “There is no stronger advocate for Cheyney University, and no one better able to lead the effort to shape the future of this historic institution and ensure it is on the road to success.”
“We are confident that the strides the university already has taken under President Walton’s leadership will demonstrate to Middle States that Cheyney has a bright future,” said State System Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney. “He crafted an exceptional multi-year recovery plan that was submitted to Middle States. There is no better person to ensure the university’s success.”
Among the issues cited by Middle States in its “show cause” order was the importance of leadership. Walton is scheduled to appear before the commission Thursday, after which a decision regarding the university’s accreditation will be made.
PSSHE voted to forgive $30 million in loans it provided to the school, providing the budget is balanced in each of the next four years. So, Walton has agreed to serve until then.
“I welcome the opportunity that has been given to me, and commit my all toward working together with the Board, the Trustees, and the students, faculty, staff and alumni to ensure there is a Cheyney today, and a Cheyney forever,” said Walton.
Prior to his arrival at Cheyney, Walton was previously employed by Highmark Inc., where he was one of nine principle officers responsible for providing overall management and direction of all of the organization’s corporate activities. During his 40-year tenure with Highmark, he held progressively higher key management roles in both corporate and subsidiary operations. Additionally, he has served on more than 35 community boards.
Walton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
CIAA Basketball Legend Cal Irvin Passes Away
Calvin "Cal" Irvin finished his career with a remarkable 401-132 record at Johnson C. Smith University and North Carolina A&T State University, finishing third in the NAIA Tournament twice. Irvin was a giant at A&T, where the basketball court now bears his name.GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- I stood in a funeral line several years ago with one of the greatest basketball minds in the history of the game. We didn’t talk about basketball.
Cal Irvin, a legendary basketball coach and a giant at N.C. A&T, died Saturday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Irvin brought big-time basketball to Greensboro long before the ACC Tournament came here, leading A&T to the 1959 NCAA College Division Final Four, the first historic black university to even earn a bid to the NCAA tournament, much less reach a Final Four.
Irvin would win 308 games in 18 years as the coach of the Aggies, leading A&T to CIAA titles in 1959, 1962, 1964 and 1967.
He’s a member of the CIAA Hall of Fame, the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
The brother of Negro League baseball legend Monte Irvin, Cal was also a great baseball player who played for the Newark Eagles and the Raleigh Grays before coming to Greensboro, where he would coach basketball and serve as the athletics director at A&T.
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