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TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The process that’ll end with the selection of Florida A&M’s next head football coach is officially underway.
A nine-person search committee came together Tuesday night and is set to meet again next week, said interim Athletic Director John Eason.
The committee members are: Eason, former FAMU trustee Spurgeon McWilliams, FAMU National Alumni Association President Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, Rattler Boosters Treasurer Selvin Cobb, FAMU professor Ebenezer Oriaku, FAMU linebacker Elijah Richardson, 220 Quarterback Club President Eddie Jackson, SBI Dean Shawnta Friday-Stroud and FAMU’s director of track and field Darlene Moore.
Eason said there’s no timeline to hire the next head coach. Outgoing Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. said the job will be posted Thursday.
Eason officially starts Friday.
“No timeline,” Eason said. “I want to make sure that I get the right person. I don’t want to rush through the process. Teams are still playing. A lot of Power Five schools are making changes right now. I want to let that dust settle and then go from there.
NORFOLK, Virginia -- North Carolina A&T State University led the way in this year's All-MEAC voting as the Aggies had 12 student-athletes named to the first team. The team is voted on by the MEAC's head football coaches and sports information directors. North Carolina A&T State’s Brandon Parker made history as the first player to be named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year for three consecutive seasons. Howard University freshman Caylin Newton was tabbed as the league’s Freshman of the Year while North Carolina A&T State’s Rod Broadway was selected as Coach of the Year. In a partnership with the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame, the league’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced as part of the festivities surrounding the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will be televised live on ESPN3 at 9 a.m.
Parker capped off his final season in dominating fashion as he was named MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week seven times while serving as the anchor of an offensive line that allowed the least amount of sacks in the MEAC. The Aggie offense put together one of their finest offensive seasons in university history as they led the MEAC in scoring offense (36.4 ppg), pass offense (257.5), first downs (231), 3rd down conversions (42.9%), 4th down conversions (61.5%) and time of possession (32:57). The Kannapolis, N.C. native and Walter Payton Award nominee finished the season without allowing a sack as N.C. A&T finished the regular season with eight games over 400-plus yards of offense. Newton stepped onto the college football scene in style as he helped lead Howard to its first-ever FCS win at UNLV in his collegiate debut. From that point, Newton couldn’t be stopped as he guided the MEAC’s top-rated offensive unit (447.8 ypg) and rushing offense (217.4 ypg). Newton was the first freshman in MEAC history to surpass 3,000 yards of total offense (3,185) as he averaged 289.5 yards of offense per outing. The Jerry Rice Award nominee also led the MEAC in scoring as he combined for 25 touchdowns en route to leading Howard to its best finish and record since 2012. All Broadway did in 2017 was win as the Aggies capped off their best regular season in school history with a perfect 11-0 (8-0 MEAC) mark. The Aggies are one of only two undefeated teams in FCS play and are the 2017 MEAC champions for the third time in four years. For the first time in 14 years, the Aggies are the outright conference champions. The Eddie Robinson Award nominee became the school’s second all-time winningest coach this season and has reached 50 wins faster than any other coach in school history, getting his 50th win at N.C. A&T in 72 games coached. Broadway has one more game remaining as the Aggies will play in its second Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. No MEAC team has finished the season with both a perfect regular season and postseason mark. Listed below are the 2017 All-MEAC teams: 2017 MEAC Football All-Conference Teams Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T State Rookie of the Year: Caylin Newton, Howard Coach of the Year: Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T State
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB
Lamar Raynard
R-Jr.
North Carolina A&T State
High Point, N.C.
RB
Marquell Cartwright
Jr.
North Carolina A&T State
High Point, N.C.
RB
Anthony Philyaw
Sr.
Howard
Los Angeles, Calif.
WR
Elijah Bell
So.
North Carolina A&T State
Wheeling, W. Va.
WR
Jequez Ezzard
So.
Howard
College Park, Ga.
TE
Trey Scott
Gr.
North Carolina A&T State
Powder Springs, Ga.
C
Darriel Mack
Sr.
North Carolina A&T State
Clio, S.C.
OL
Brandon Parker
R-Sr.
North Carolina A&T State
Kannapolis, N.C.
OL
Gerald Wright
Sr.
Howard
Miami, Fla.
OL
Marcus Pettiford
So.
North Carolina A&T State
Durham, N.C.
OL
Dwayne Brown
Jr.
Bethune-Cookman
Indianapolis, Ind.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL
Darryl Johnson
So.
North Carolina A&T State
Kingsland, Ga.
DL
Kawuan Cox
So.
North Carolina Central
Summerville, S.C.
DL
Stefen Banks
Jr.
Savannah State
Columbus, Ohio
DL
Chris Lee
Sr.
Norfolk State
Woodbridge, Va.
LB
Darius Leonard
R-Sr.
South Carolina State
Lake View, S.C.
LB
Reggie Hunter
Sr.
North Carolina Central
Henderson, N.C.
LB
Jeremy Taylor
Sr.
North Carolina A&T State
Kinston, N.C.
DB
Davanta Reynolds
Jr.
North Carolina Central
Tucker, Ga.
DB
Franklin (Mac) McCain III
Fr.
North Carolina A&T State
Greensboro, N.C.
DB
Diquan Richardson
Sr.
Bethune-Cookman
Allen, S.C.
DB
Timadre Abram
Jr.
North Carolina A&T State
Lakeland, Fla.
P
Nathaniel Tilque
Sr.
North Carolina Central
Charlotte, N.C.
PK
Uriel Hernandez
Jr.
Bethune-Cookman
Homestead, Fla.
RS
Khris Gardin
Jr.
North Carolina A&T
Morganton, N.C.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB
Caylin Newton
Fr.
Howard
Atlanta, Ga.
RB
Yahkee Johnson
Sr.
Hampton
Richmond, Va.
RB
Isaiah Totten
R-Fr.
North Carolina Central
Apex, N.C.
WR
Jacen Murphy
Sr.
North Carolina Central
Wilmington, N.C.
WR
Ronald Bell
So.
Hampton
Fort Washington, Md.
TE
Josh McCoy
Jr.
North Carolina Central
Sharon, S.C.
C
Chris Adams
Sr.
Bethune-Cookman
Dayton, Ohio
OL
Marley Conley
Jr.
North Carolina Central
Fayetteville, N.C.
OL
Nick Leverett
So.
North Carolina Central
Concord, N.C.
OL
Obinna Nwankwo
So.
Florida A&M
Miramar, Fla.
OL
Ryan Gould
Sr.
Hampton
Clemmons, S.C.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL
Todney Evans
Jr.
Bethune-Cookman
Delray Beach, Fla.
DL
Antonio Brown
Sr.
North Carolina Central
Jacksonville, Fla.
DL
Malachi Washington
Jr.
Morgan State
Waldorf, Md.
DL
Ty Cravens
Sr.
South Carolina State
Austell, Ga.
LB
Dayshawn Taylor
R-Sr.
South Carolina State
Lincolnton, Ga.
LB
Anthony Smith
R-Sr.
Norfolk State
Norfolk, Va.
LB
Raheim Huskey
Jr.
Hampton
Gaffney, S.C.
DB
Jason Baxter
Gr.
South Carolina State
Manning, S.C.
DB
Bryan Cook
Fr.
Howard
Cincinnati, Ohio
DB
Alden McClellon
Jr.
North Carolina Central
Lake Butler, Fla.
DB
Keyjuan Selby
Jr.
Delaware State
Bear, Del.
P
Fidel Romo-Martinez
So.
Delaware State
Banning, Calif.
PK
Aedan Johnson
Jr.
North Carolina Central
Chula Vista, Calif.
RS
Marcus Taylor
Jr.
Norfolk State
Highland Springs, Va.
THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
QB
Larry Brihm, Jr.
Sr.
Bethune-Cookman
Delray Beach, Fla.
RB
Devin Bowers
Jr.
Florida A&M
St. Petersburg, Fla.
RB
Jamurez Tompkins
Sr.
Bethune-Cookman
Tampa, Fla.
WR
Kyle Anthony
So.
Howard
Miramar, Fla.
WR
Marcus Taylor
Jr.
Norfolk State
Highland Springs, Va.
TE
Brandon Jones
Jr.
Morgan State
Salt Lake City, Utah
C
Osman Aguilera
Sr.
Florida A&M
Miami, Fla.
OL
Phillip Norman
Jr.
Bethune-Cookman
Sebastian, Fla.
OL
Justin Evans
Sr.
South Carolina State
Florence, S.C.
OL
Kenneth Kirby
So.
Norfolk State
Newport News, Va.
OL
Malik Mackey
So.
Hampton
Atlanta, Ga.
THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
DL
Nigel Chavis
R-So.
Norfolk State
Richmond, Va.
DL
Brandon Carswell
Jr.
Savannah State
Mount Vernon, Ga.
DL
Elijah Price
Sr.
Florida A&M
Jacksonville, Fla.
DL
Steven Smith
Sr.
Hampton
Virginia Beach, Va.
LB
Marcus Albert
Sr.
North Carolina A&T
College Park, Ga.
LB
Rico Kennedy
So.
Morgan State
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
LB
Kyle Archie
Sr.
Norfolk State
Virginia Beach, Va.
DB
J.T. Wahee
So.
Norfolk State
Norfolk, Va.
DB
Carl Garnes
Jr.
Morgan State
Columbus, N.J.
DB
Brendan Cole
Sr.
Hampton
Hampton, Va.
DB
Devondre Powell
Sr.
South Carolina State
Miami, Fla.
P
Chris Faddoul
Fr.
Florida A&M
Wesley Chapel, Fla.
PK
Tyler Scandrett
Sr.
South Carolina State
Barnesville, Ga.
RS
JaMichael Baldwin
Fr.
Savannah State
Conyers, Ga.
MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- After spending just over six years at the helm of the Bethune-Cookman Baseball program, Jason Beverlin has decided to step down as head coach of the Wildcats program in Daytona Beach. An acting head coach for the program will be announced in the coming days by Lynn W. Thompson, BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.
Beverlin, the 2014 recipient of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Giant Steps Award, compiled a record of 179-176 in six seasons with the Maroon and Gold. He leaves as the only coach in school history to compete for an NCAA Regional title – facing eventual national champion University of Florida in the final game of the NCAA Gainesville [Fla.] Regional in 2017 at McKethan Stadium.
The Royal Oaks, Michigan native is set for a new challenge as he departs BCU to become a regional scout for the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball (MLB). In his new job, Beverlin will scout the areas of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectfully.
MEAC CHAMPION COACH BEVERLIN TAKES POSITION WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TORONTO BLUE JAYS
"I want to thank Bethune-Cookman University, Lynn Thompson, Interim President Grimes and the baseball staff and student-athletes for everything," said Beverlin. "For just around seven years, I didn't just come to work each day. I had a family at my job each day. Everyone is family here at Bethune-Cookman, and they will always be a part of my life.
"This was certainly not an easy decision to make. It was one that I prayed on and spoke with my family about a lot about over the past few days. In the end, it was ultimately, the best choice for me right now, even though there's never a 'perfect' time for any change in collegiate coaching."
Beverlin helped the Wildcats win the 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament titles in his stint with the BCU program. He was also responsible for the development of 2014 ABCA All-Atlantic and MEAC Pitcher of the Year – Montana Durapau. Additionally, in 2016 and '17, respectively, Beverlin was instrumental in coaching first baseman Danny Rodriguez (2016) to being named as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, as well as pitcher Anthony Maldonado (2017) being selected to the Collegiate Baseball News Freshman All-American Team.
In 2017, Beverlin won his second, third and fourth NCAA Regional contests with the Wildcats, after becoming just the second coach in school history to win an NCAA Regional game when the Cats defeated Columbia in the NCAA Coral Gables [Fla.] Regional in an elimination game back in 2014. Last year, he helped the Cats defeat the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional host Florida Gators for the first time in school history.
"We want to thank Jason Beverlin, his wife Heather, and his two boys, for being a part of our family for just over six years," said Vice President Thompson. "I have been blessed to have a wonderful coach take our program to another level, and it was left in a great state by former head coach Mervyl Melendez, who is also family at BCU. Jason took what Mervyl established and continued to push forward.
"I am happy for the chance he has to be a father and husband more so than ever. He has been a father figure and raised so many kids in his time at BCU as a baseball coach. Now, he gets to see his oldest son finish high school, and watch his youngest son start high school – and be a dad first and foremost. We wish him well. But we know he will always be a part of our family."
Beverlin is a father to Cole (18) and Lucas (13). Less than a month ago, oldest son Cole signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate baseball at Florida State University.
Beverlin spent time in Major League Baseball with organizations such as the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A's, Anaheim Angels (now Los Angeles Angeles) and his hometown Detroit Tigers. After eight long seasons in the minors, Beverlin cracked the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians in 2002. Adding more diversity to his experience, Beverlin played three years professionally in Japan for the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama Baystars of the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He was selected as an All-Star in 2004.
"The true measure of the job I've done building the program will be in the professionalism that our coaches and players show throughout the upcoming season," added Beverlin. "I know they will continue to give everything they have on a daily basis to become champions."
Follow Bethune-Cookman Baseball on Twitter (@BCUDiamondCats) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).
NEW ORLEANS — Both Xavier University of Louisiana basketball teams will put winning streaks on the line Wednesday when they meet LSU-Alexandria in a doubleheader at the Convocation Center.
The women's game will tip off at 5 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7.
Not only have the Gold Nuggets (2-2) won their last two games, but they also led wire-to-wire in both. The first of those victories was an 84-68 victory Nov. 8 at LSUA. That's the Generals' only regular-season game, although they've also lost six exhibitions to NCAA Division I opponents.
XULA junior guard Mikayla Bates has a unique distinction; she's the only Gold Nugget of the last 14 seasons to reach 25 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in the first four games.
In the men's game, the Gold Rush (6-3) will seek to extend a four-game home winning streak that includes three victories this season. But to accomplish that they'll have to snap a three-game skid against the Generals (3-2), the NAIA's second-ranked team and a national tournament semifinalist last season.
LSUA defeated the Gold Rush 92-65 three weeks ago and by 17 and 15 points last season.
Leading season scorers for each team are Essence Wells (9.0 points per game) of the XULA women, Lillie Snowden (19.0) of the LSUA wo
men, Virgil Davison (13.4) of the XULA men and Jordin Williams (17.8) of the LSUA men.
The Generals will be the highest ranked team to play the Gold Rush in the Convocation Center since No. 1 Talladega defeated XULA in the championship game of the 2015 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournement.
NEW ORLEANS — For the first time ever, Xavier University of Louisiana track and field has been named an Accusplit Top Relay Team after posting a No. 1 time in the NAIA during the 2017 outdoor season. The XULA women's 800-meter relay team of Janelle Jones, Tramaine Shannon, Clarke Allen and Ry-Anne Riley earned that distinction with the NAIA's fastest 2017 time in that event — 1 minute, 42.01 seconds — at the McNeese Cowboy Relays in Lake Charles, La., March 11. Shannon and Jones are from Baton Rouge, La. Shannon, who completed her XULA eligibility this past season, is a McKinley High School graduate; Jones graduated from Episcopal. Allen is from Mendehall, Miss., and Mendenhall High School, and Riley is from New Orleans and Lusher Charter School. Allen is a senior on the 2018 XULA roster, Jones a junior and Riley a sophomore. XULA's Joseph Moses and other head coaches at the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA levels will receive Accusplit awards Dec. 13 during an afternoon general session of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Juliana Tomasoni has been named to the 2017 American Volleyball Coaches Association NAIA All-Southeast Region team.
Tomasoni — a senior outside hitter from Nova Trento, Brazil, and a mass communications major at XULA — led the Gold Nuggets this year with 280 kills and 57 aces. She was second on the team with a .285 hitting percentage and 364 digs. She was first-team All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and GCAC Tournament MVP, both for the second straight year.
For the seventh straight year XULA won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship. The Gold Nuggets finished 23-3 and set a school record for season winning percentage.
Tomasoni is the fourth Gold Nugget to be named all-region first team. Previous recipients were Kimberlee Rock (2004), Taylor Reuther (2013) and Claudia Haywood (2015).
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hampton University’s decision to leave the historically black Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has prompted questions about the ripple effect on the league, its institutions and HBCU athletics as a whole.
Last week, Hampton announced it would join the more visible and wealthier Big South Conference in July 2018, a change intended to raise the athletic profile of one of the most academically successful historically black colleges and universities. News reports indicated that the university has been in talks with the Big South for years, and Hampton's president, William Harvey, has been characterized as long wanting to advance the profile of Hampton athletics and the institution over all.
Hampton officials said the move would cut down on travel time and expenses for Hampton's athletics department and its players, citing the fact that Big South institutions are located in Virginia -- as is Hampton -- as well as North Carolina and South Carolina. The Mid-Eastern league spans the East Coast, from Delaware to Florida, but Big South members are also located in New Jersey and Georgia, too.
With the shift, MEAC loses one of its most well-funded members -- Hampton’s athletics budget, $13.8 million in the 2015-16 academic year, more closely resembles those of potential rivals in the Big South. And Hampton has some of the better facilities in the MEAC.
Hampton also has established rivalries with Howard University and Norfolk State University that generate big revenue for the conference ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The process that’ll end with the selection of Florida A&M’s next head football coach is officially underway. 
