North Brunswick punter signs with North Carolina A&T

LELAND, North Carolina -- Hard work has paid off for North Brunswick football player Mike Rivers.

Rivers signed a national letter of intent Tuesday to play at North Carolina A&T.

The punter chose the Aggies, who won the HBCU national championship last weekend, completing a 12-0 season with a win over Grambling.  A&T is the first MEAC team to ever have a perfect season.

Rivers said he always knew that football would help him pay for college.

"I knew right away because in fourth grade, I won my first competition,” said Rivers, who chose A&T over Elon and Coastal Carolina.  “So I was like, I am going to put my hard work in and try to get something with this”.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Hold Off WCU On Education Day At Corbett

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team played six sophomores Tuesday afternoon against Western Carolina at Corbett Sports Center. Only one of those sophomores played significant minutes last season. They played one graduate transfer, Jade Scaife, who did not play on the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship team in 2016. The Aggies also played one senior, Quenswayla Story, who averaged 9.5 minutes that season.

But it is Kala Green who garnered the most experience from that championship run, averaging 27.9 minutes per game. And it is Green, with all of her experience, who has caught fire recently which is good news for the Aggies. Green followed up her 23-point, six 3-pointers performance against Georgia last Thursday with 17 points and four assists in the Aggies 68-59 win over the Catamounts in front hundreds of cheering Guilford County students on Education Day at Corbett.

Sophomore C’Coriea Foy added 18 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Scaife posted 11 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Le’on Hill finished with a career-high 16 rebounds, seven on the offensive end. Green is 9-for-20 from 3-point range in her last two games.

“(Kala) is going to be very important to our chances of winning a championship,” said N.C. A&T coach Tarrell Robinson. “If and when we win a championship, it will be on the backs of her, Q and Scaife. But Kala and Q know what it takes. I really want them to take ownership of this team and this program.”

Green, who comes off the bench for N.C. A&T, made her first appearance at the 7:48 mark of the first quarter. A minute later she was into the scoring column with a 3-pointer that sparked an 11-0 run that included five points from Green and four points from Scaife as the Aggies took a 17-4 lead with 3:06 remaining in the first quarter.

N.C. A&T, who led from tip to finish and saw their lead increase to as many as 20 during the game, had moments where it appeared they were going to let the Catamounts (2-9) back into the game.

The Catamounts were within six by the end of the first quarter, 18-12. They were within four 3 ½ minutes into the second quarter before the Aggies sprinted out to a 15-1 run thanks to seven points from Foy and a three from Green that gave the Aggies a 35-17 lead with 1:42 remaining in the first half. The Aggies (4-6) maintained an 18-point lead at the half, 37-19, before WCU got the lead down to 45-35 by the end of the third quarter.

The inconsistencies, Robinson says, is the reason why his senior leadership is so vital. Sophomores Shantell Bostick, Cinia McCray and Hill averaged a little more than 10 minutes per game last season. Foy sat out last season, and sophomore Chrishyanah Alston sat out the majority of last season.

“A lot of our ladies have not played significant minutes before, so we’re still maturing,” said Robinson. “We didn’t do a good job of staying on (WCU). We jumped on them early, then got laxed, so we have to get better. It’s definitely going to be a maturation process with this group.”

WCU threatened to take down the Aggies sizable leads twice in the fourth quarter. A Tess Harris 3-pointer brought the Catamounts to within eight at 50-42 with 6:05 remaining in the game. But a bucket from Green followed by a 3-pointer from Foy rebuffed that attempt. WCU was within eight again, 58-50, on a JonTay Mitchem layup with 2:07 to play.

A corner three from Green and another three from Foy finally put WCU away as the Aggies took a 64-50 lead with 1:18 remaining.

Sherae Bonner led the Catamounts with 20 points and 14 rebounds. N.C. A&T does not return to action until Thursday, Oct. 28 when they travel to Athens, Ohio to face the Ohio Bobcats. The Aggies defeated the Bobcats 63-57 last season in Corbett.

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NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MVSU announces Dancy as new head football coach

HEAD COACH VINCENT DANCY
MVSU DELTA DEVILS

ITTA BENA, Mississippi — Mississippi Valley State University is pleased to announce that it will be removing the interim tag and naming Vincent Dancy as its 17^th head football coach. 

Dancy, 33, is a native of Shuqualak, Mississippi and the son of Mississippi Valley State University alumnus Willie Dancy '74 and Evelyn Murray. 

He served as MVSU football's defensive coordinator since Feb. 2015 before being appointed to the interim role late last month. 

MVSU Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee said promoting Dancy to the lead the Delta Devils is in the best interest of the program.  

"I have had the opportunity to evaluate his energy, synergy, and love for Mississippi Valley State University along with his desire to change the culture of this program," said Ford-Kee.  With all hands on deck—the campus community, Itta Bena, Greenwood and surrounding communities, alumni, fans and most important our football athletes— I am confident that Coach Dancy will give us 100 percent of his effort to build a competitive program that will position MVSU football to win a SWAC Championship and the opportunity to vie for the National Black College Championship," said Ford-Kee. 

Since his appointment as interim head coach, Dancy has been visiting future players, parents and coaches across the state in hopes of strengthening relationships with the Mississippi high schools and community colleges to build our new brand. 

According to Ford-Kee, Dancy's first order of business as head coach will be to assemble a staff and secure future members of the 2018 recruiting class. 

"He has really taken on the commitment of our new president's (Dr. Jerryl Briggs) addition to the motto, 'One Goal. One Team. Once Valley…In Motion," she said. 

"My goal is to build a championship program for the players, alumni, faculty, staff and fans of Mississippi Valley State University," said Dancy. My immediate concerns are filling the gaps in those areas that we were missing as it relates to player personnel, and meeting with our alumni chapters and community stakeholders to reconnect and assist us in restoring our brand from the glory days of Delta Devil football." 

"I will be in the trenches with my staff to build a program that meets the expectation of our fans," he said. You will not want to miss our home opener and fan experience. The stakeholders have expectations for the new head coach, and I have expectations for myself.  I will be accountable for this program's success on and off the playing surface." 

Dancy will officially assume his new role on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.   

"I want to first thank the search committee for taking time out of their very busy schedules and participating in this process," said MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs.  I trust this process and I am very excited and supportive of the decision to promote Dancy to head coach of the Delta Devils football program.    Valley is truly in motion and the efficiency in the way the committee handle this process is evidence of that."  

Dancy will available to greet fans during MVSU's home basketball game against The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff at 2 p.m. Jan. 1 in the R.W. HPER Complex. 

The official press conference reception introducing Dancy to the public will be held the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 9. 

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS 

ODU-Norfolk State basketball series is steeped in history. Why isn't it an annual affair?

NORFOLK, Virginia -- When Old Dominion and Norfolk State began playing basketball more than five decades ago, it may have been the best rivalry in the commonwealth.

Both were Division II powerhouses. ODU twice went to the Division II Final Four and won the 1975 national championship. Norfolk State advanced to the Elite Eight in 1974, upsetting the Monarchs in an NCAA regional game at ODU along the way.

Sellout crowds usually packed Scope or the old ODU fieldhouse. Most contests were physical, and victories were celebrated by players and fans .

I was there for many of them and got to see legendary players such as Bobby Dandridge, Dave Twardzik, Charles Bonaparte and Joel Copeland.

Unfortunately, the rivalry tailed off after ODU made the jump to Division I in 1977 and didn't pick back up much after the Spartans made the same move two decades later.

Friday night, the teams meet again at Scope in what officials view as a test drive to see if the rivalry still has drawing power.

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Willie Simmons adds to FAMU Football staff with two legendary Miami high school coaches

TALLAHASSEE, Floirida -- New Florida A&M head football coach Willie Simmons is adding some big names to his staff.

A source close to both coaches tells WCTV's Kenny Morales that the Quincy native is adding Miami Southridge head coach and FAMU alum Billy Rolle and Booker T. Washington head coach Tim "Ice" Harris to his staff.

Harris and Rolle both have had very successful high school coaching careers in South Florida, combining to win seven state championships and two national championships.

According to the source, both have already signed contracts with FAMU and are now negotiating relocation expense details.



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Welcome Home Willie: 2018 FAMU Investing in Champions Annual Giving Campaign

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --The fact that you are here, means the world to the success of the student-athletes of Florida A&M University, and we would like to thank you for your time and consideration.  Without your help, we would not be able to provide our student-athletes with the necessities required to compete at the highest levels.  In recent years, not only have they competed, they have won championships, bringing wide spread attention to our University, our region, our culture.

FAMU Athletics operates as an auxiliary enterprise of the University, relying on private donations, ticket sales, student fees and conference revenue to fund 16 varsity sports. As the costs of higher education and maintaining a successful athletic program continue to escalate, sustained private annual contributions are critical. In addition to funding annual scholarships (including tuition, fees, room and board), donations will supplement general operating costs, maintenance and upkeep of facilities, and provide budget support for individual sports.

As such, we must reach out to the masses in an effort to substantially increase philanthropic giving to the FAMU Athletics Department through the Investing in Champions Annual Giving and Lockers of Legacy Capital Campaigns.  Join us TODAY by making your championship investment.  Help us to preserve the rich legacy of Rattler Athletics by BUILDING CHAMPIONS:  IN THE CLASSROOM, ON THE FIELD, AND IN LIFE.  DONATE ONLINE NOW OR DOWNLOAD FORM - INCLUDES PAYROLL DEDUCTION OPTIONS.

Year two of the Investing In Champions Football Season Ticket and Annual Giving Campaign resulted in more records being smashed for FAMU Athletics.

• A third straight season ticket of over 5,400 season tickets
• Annual fund collection of over $780,000, up over 100%
• #1 in HBCU home average attendance for football in the country

Your tremendous support and committment for this program helped our exceptional student-athletes reach new heights in the classroom, on the field and in life.

• Combines sports GPA of 2.8
• 3 MEAC Championship titles in Men's Tennis, Women's Cross Country and Softball
• Runner-Up in MEAC Volleyball Tournament
• 45 Student-Athletes graduated in 2017 in 13 major sports

With the support of our Rattler FAMUly, we are confident we will achieve our 2018 goal of 6,500 football season tickets and $1 million Investing In Champions support.  Its a new era in FAMU Athletics and we will continue to persevere in our mission to Build Champions in the Classroom, on the Field, and in Life with Academic Excellence and Integrity.

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We cannot thank you enough for your supporting through athletics scholarships.  Through your support the Rattlers will continue to Strike, Strike, and Strike Again!

Dr. Alvin Parker Named Virginia Union Head Football Coach

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University has announced that Alvin Parker, PhD, will be the 27th Head Coach in the history of the VUU Football Program at a press conference on Monday, December 18, at the L. Douglas Wilder Library on the VUU campus.

Dr. Parker served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Virginia Union for five successful seasons. At VUU, Dr. Parker was part of a program that played in the 2000, 2001 and 2003 CIAA title games.

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The Panthers won three CIAA Eastern Division crowns, one CIAA title and played in the 2001 Pioneer Bowl. During his time at VUU, Dr. Parker coached André Braxton, the CIAA's all-time leading rusher and single season touchdown scorer. Braxton won the Alonzo "Jake" Gaither Award as the top black college football player.



"Dr. Parker won CIAA championships here at VUU as a player and later as an assistant coach under Willard Bailey," said Virginia Union Athletic Director Joe Taylor. "He also won CIAA championships as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Elizabeth City State University. While experiencing success on the field, he has earned his undergraduate, Master's and Ph.D. An accomplishment that few football coaches in America have obtained."

During his collegiate playing days at VUU, Dr. Parker earned offensive MVP honors in 1996 and 1998. He holds the school record for single season TDs and the Gold Bowl record for the longest TD — a 79-yard reception.

Dr. Parker returns to VUU after serving the past two seasons as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, N.C.

A 2016 AFCA National Assistant Coach of the Year Finalist, Dr. Parker has 19 years of coaching experience including 14 as a highly successful offensive coordinator.

During his years as an offensive coordinator, Dr. Parker helped guide teams to five CIAA title games, two NCAA playoff appearances and three Pioneer Bowls. As leader of one of the nation's premier offensive attacks at Elizabeth City State University, Dr. Parker was recognized as a 2015 National Assistant Coach of the Year Finalist by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Under his guidance, ECSU averaged more than 30 points per game in CIAA games his last five seasons including 2013 when the Vikings were one of two teams to average over 30 points and over 400 yards per game. The Vikings won CIAA division titles in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 and played in the Pioneer Bowl in 2009 and 2012.

A native of Washington, D.C., Parker is the proud father of Alan and Lani.

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION