TOWSON, Maryland -- Over its first nine games this season, the Towson men’s basketball team had played on Florida’s Gulf Coast and Northern Ireland’s East Coast. It had won in blowouts and on last-second jumpers, as in Saturday’s Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic final.
But what happened in Belfast — the seventh and eighth wins of the program’s best-ever start in Division I — would be moot if business were not taken care of in Baltimore. The Tigers have been workmanlike under coach Pat Skerry in that respect, having won eight straight games against Baltimore-area teams coming into the “Battle for Greater Baltimore” against Morgan State.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Sources: FAMU targeting Prairie View A&M coach Willie Simmons for next head coach
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Per multiple sources close to FAMU's athletic program, the athletic department has targeted Prairie View A&M head coach Willie Simmons as the Rattlers' next head football coach. An announcement could come as soon as Friday, per a source.
At the very least, interim head coach Edwin Pata will not be FAMU's next head coach. Pata on Wednesday informed the team he wasn't being considered to be the Rattlers next head coach.
"These folks really didn’t consider Coach Pata as a head coach... what kinda BS is that?" FAMU cornerback Orlando McKinley tweeted Wednesday night.
Simmons has been the head coach at Prairie View A&M for the past three seasons and has complied 21-11 overall record at the helm. His first season was by far his best. He led the Panthers to an 8-2 overall season with an 8-1 record in the SWAC.
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Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Black College Football Hall of Fame Announces BCF Player of the Year Award Finalists
#25 RB Trenton Cannon. Virginia State University
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced today four Finalists for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) that embodies the rich tradition of athletic excellence and integrity associated with HBCUs. Former North Carolina A&T State University, and current Chicago Bears Running Back, Tarik Cohen was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Award in 2016.
The 2017 Finalists include RB Trenton Cannon (Virginia State University), QB Amir Hall (Bowie State University), QB DeVante Kincade (Grambling State University) and QB Lamar Raynard (North Carolina A&T State University).
The Finalists were chosen by a five-member Selection Committee, which is composed of Black College Football Hall of Fame founders James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams, longtime SBN Broadcaster and Director of News and Sports for the Power News Radio Network Ty Miller, former USA Today sports writer Roscoe Nance, and ESPN College Football Analyst Jay Walker.
“The Black College Football Player of the Year Award showcases the immense talent of our HBCU student-athletes today,” said Doug Williams, BCFHOF Co-Founder and 2011 Inductee. “Each finalist has had an incredible season and we are excited to celebrate their success.”
The winner of the 2017 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on February 10, 2018 at the Ninth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Georgia. He will be presented with the Deacon Jones Trophy, named in honor of the football legend and inaugural BCFHOF inductee.
“On behalf of the Black College Football Hall of Fame Trustees, we congratulate the Black College Football Player of the Year Finalists,” said James “Shack” Harris, Co-Founder and 2012 Inductee. “These student-athletes represent the very best of HBCU football.”
The Finalists will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 16th, along with the BCFHOF Class of 2018, which will be televised on ABC.
2017 FINALISTS
TRENTON CANNON
Running Back … Virginia State University … Senior … Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) Offensive Player of the Year … 1st Team All-CIAA as a running back and kick returner … Led CIAA in rushing yards (1,638), rushing avg. (7.7 YPC) and all-purpose yards (2,686) … Scored 22 total touchdowns (2nd in CIAA) … Named CIAA’s Offensive Back of the Week five times … Became Virginia State's all-time leading rusher … Candidate for The Harlon Hill Award (Division II College Football Player of the Year) … Two-time All-CIAA 1st Team (2016 and 2017) … Born July 23, 1994.
AMIR HALL
Quarterback … Bowie State University … Junior … Two-time 1st Team All-CIAA … Led conference in passing yards (3,519), passing touchdowns (41) and total offense (3,929) … Also had 406 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns … Owns nearly every quarterback record for Bowie State, including career passing yards (6,974), passing touchdowns (69) and passing efficiency (163.6) … Candidate for The Harlon Hill Award (Division II College Football Player of the Year) … 2016 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year … Born September 26, 1997.
DEVANTE KINCADE
Quarterback … Grambling State University … Senior … Led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in passing yards (2,409), efficiency (143.8), completions (184) and total offense (2,649) … Threw 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions … 2016 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year … 2016 1st Team All-SWAC … 2016 Black College Football Player of the Year Finalist … Led Grambling to the SWAC Championship both years as starting quarterback and the 2016 Black College Football National Championship (Celebration Bowl) … Born September 16, 1994.
LAMAR RAYNARD
Quarterback … North Carolina A&T State University … Junior … 1st Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) … Led MEAC in passing yards (2,707), efficiency (171.6), completion percentage (65.3%) and touchdowns (26) … Broke school record for passing yards in a season … Also had 168 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns … Finalist the Walter Payton Award for FCS Offensive Player of the Year … Led the Aggies to an undefeated season and the MEAC Championship … 2nd Team All-MEAC in 2016 … Born February 1, 1996.
ABOUT DEACON JONES
David “Deacon” Jones played defensive end for South Carolina State University and Mississippi Valley State University from 1958 to 1960. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the “Deacon” became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. He won unanimous All-NFL honors six straight years from 1965 through 1970 and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Jones is an inaugural Black College Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS/BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Morgan State Drops FIU 62-51
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- FIU lost its third of three games on its mid-Atlantic road trip, falling 62-51 Monday afternoon in NCAA women's basketball action. FIU is now 2-7 on the season. Morgan State improved to 6-3, winners of six in a row at home, dating back to last season.- Redshirt junior Kiandre'a Pound (Gifford, Florida / Sebastian River HS) finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. She hit six of 12 field-goal attempts, the best shooting mark for any Panther for the afternoon.
- The Panthers had trouble finding the bottom of the net early on, starting 1-for-10 from the floor. After a Panthers' timeout and quick refresher of the game plan, FIU hit its last four attempts to pull to within six at the quarter break, 16-10.
- The Panthers tried to run a little more in the second, but missed layups cost the team on several possessions. FIU was 6-for-18 in the second quarter, while the Lady Bears were a scorching 9-for-18 (.500) and extended the lead to 13 at intermission, 38-25. It was FIU's lowest-scoring first half of the season.
- FIU shot its best quarter of the game in the third, but the Lady Bears had twice as many shot attempts due to six FIU turnovers and three MSU offensive rebounds.
- The Panthers outscored Morgan State 13-10 in the fourth, but the margin was too great to overcome.
- In addition to Pound's 17, freshman Callie Cavanaugh (Holyoke, Massachusetts) scored 10 and a season-high 10 came from freshman Cabria Lee (Lake Worth, Florida / Northeast HS). Lee finished with a season-best three assists and hit her first collegiate three-point bucket in the game.
Stat of the Match
FIU had 10 more free-throw attempts and eight more rebounds, but MSU gained a 20-point edge in points in the paint, along with eight blocks.
From the Sideline
"We really lacked energy today," said FIU Head Coach Tiara Malcom. "Toughness has been an issue and we really didn't focus on what we worked on defensively. Once we got down, we just could not get back in the game today."
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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
Tennessee State Tiger Football Announces 2018 Schedule
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State announces its 2018 football schedule, which features four home games and a trip to crosstown, Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent, Vanderbilt.
The Tigers open the home slate by hosting Bethune-Cookman in the John Merritt Classic on Sept. 1. TSU will hit the road for the next six contests, including their annual meeting with Jackson State at the Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 8 in Memphis, Tenn.
The remainder of the home line-up consists of a trio of Ohio Valley Conference matchups. Tennessee Tech visits Nashville on Oct. 20 for Homecoming 2018, while Jacksonville State and UT Martin make visits to close out the Tigers regular season on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17, respectively.
TSU will begin the road portion of the schedule at Hampton on Sept. 15, a week before the start of OVC play. The Tigers open conference play at Eastern Illinois on Sept.22. The Big Blue will step out of conference play on Sept. 29 with its second game with Vanderbilt in three years. It also marks the third consecutive year with a contest against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent.
The Tigers close out the road trip with stops at Austin Peay and Murray State. The final OVC road contest will take place on Nov. 3 at Southeast Missouri.
Dates are subject to change and times will be announced at a later date.
2018 TSU Tigers Football Schedule
Sept. 1 Bethune-Cookman John Merritt Classic
Sept. 8 Jackson State Southern Heritage Classic
Sept. 15 at Hampton
Sept. 22 at Eastern Illinois
Sept. 29 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 6 at Austin Peay
Oct. 13 at Murray State
Oct. 20 Tennessee Tech (Homecoming)
Nov. 3 at Southeast Missouri
Nov. 10 Jacksonville State
Nov. 17 UT Martin
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
UMES Golf Coach Marshall Cropper Inducted Into Eastern Shore Golf Hall of Fame
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| COACH MARSHALL CROPPER |
The event begins at 6 p.m. and will feature the induction of six new members. Tickets are $75 per guest and reservations can be made at 443-528-7945. Proceeds from the event will benefit Maryland Eastern Shore’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program.
An Eastern Shore native from New Church, Virginia, Cropper studied physical education, played baseball and football, and found his interest in golf all while attending then Maryland State College in the 1960s.
Upon graduating in 1967, Cropper went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins. He found gratification for golf during Steelers training camp. The Steelers practiced by Arnold Palmer’s home and driving range in Latrobe, and after receiving many tips form Mr. Palmer himself, it paid off in the long run. Having a passion working with youth, he used golf as a tool to teach life skills, and used golf as a fundraiser during his NFL days to finance youth camps.
Following retirement from the NFL, Cropper was chosen to develop a degree program at Maryland Eastern Shore that would introduce more African-Americans to the game of golf. As a result in 2008 the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program was established, and Maryland Eastern Shore became the first HBCU in the nation with such a program.
His fundraising acumen continued with work for The Art Shell Golf Classic, an event so successful that it grabbed the attention from Congressmen, University administration and alumni. Now serving as head men’s golf coach and the as the Universities’ Golf Academy Coordinator, Cropper started a Hall of Fame Golf Outing this past fall, again featuring his former Hawk teammate and NFL Hall of Famer Art Shell. True to his fundraising roots, the proceeds were set aside for men’s golf.
Cropper was inducted to the Maryland Eastern Shore Hall of Fame for his contributions to the Hawks in 1984.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION
Monday, December 4, 2017
XULA defeats No. 13 OLLU for 5th straight victory
NEW ORLEANS — Essence Wells had a career-high-tying 18 points Saturday, and Xavier University of Louisiana produced its highest scoring second half of the season in a 70-65 women's basketball victory against NAIA No. 13 Our Lady of the Lake.
After trailing 31-27 at the break, the Gold Nuggets (5-2) outscored the Saints (5-4) 43-34 in the second half to extend their win streak to five games, XULA won for the third time in four days at its Convocation Center.
Wells, a sophomore guard, made 5-of-5 free throws in the 35th minute to give XULA a 60-56 lead. OLLU never got closer than four points in the final three minutes.
Ireyon Keith scored a season-high 12 points for XULA, and Gina Smith had season highs of 11 points and eight rebounds. Smith was 5-of-6 from the floor.
Francesca Patrick scored 16 points for OLLU, and Destinee King had 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and four steals.
XULA's previous high point total in a second half was 35, and the Gold Nuggets never reached 30 points in five of their first six second halves this season.
"Our chemistry is getting better," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "Our guards are learing how to play with our post players, and we're just doing a better job of moving the ball on offense."
Quintianna LeShore's basket at 6:04 gave OLLU an 11-4 lead. But the Gold Nuggets answered with seven straight points, and the Saints led 17-14 by the end of the quarter. OLLU three times led by seven points in the second quarter, but a Wells 3-pointer — her third of the half — reduced the Saints' advantage to 31-27 at the break.
Mikayla Bates's back-to-back 3-pointers — her only scores of the game — keyed a 13-2 run that gave XULA a 45-38 lead at 3:35 of the third quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 51-47 through three after scoring 24 points, their most in a third period this season.
Smith's layup — her final points of the game — came after a Jayla Nichols pass and put XULA ahead to stay, 54-53, with 7:38 remaining.
OLLU outshot XULA 42.3 to 34.4 percent from the floor, and both team made six treys. Boosting the Nuggets were a season-high 22 free throws made in 30 attempts. The Saints were 15-of-24 of the line, but they faded there after going 8-for-8 in the first six minutes. The Gold Nuggets produced a double-digit and season-best rebound margin for the third straight game — they won the boards 46-32.
XULA will break for fall-semester academic final exams, then visit the University of New Orleans in an 11 a.m. game Dec. 14. Note that UNO has pushed up the tip-off time.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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