Savannah State announces 2008 football schedule

Savannah State on Friday released its 2008 football schedule featuring 12 games - the most since 2003.

The Tigers will play four home games - two on campus at T.A. Wright Stadium and two at Memorial Stadium. They will play three opponents - Jacksonville, Concordia and Webber International - for the first time.

SSU, which moved to NCAA Division I from Division II in 2002, competes in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in football. Since the move, the Tigers have not been affiliated with a conference, forcing them to scramble to find opponents.

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SSU FOOTBALL 2008 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location Time

Aug. 30 JACKSONVILLE Memorial Stadium TBA
Sept. 6 LIVINGSTONE T.A. Wright Stadium TBA
Sept. 13 Winston-Salem St. W.-Salem, N.C. 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 Bethune-Cookman TBA TBA
Sept. 27 *Howard Miami, Fla. TBA
Oct. 4 Clark-Atlanta Atlanta 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN Memorial Stadium TBA
Oct. 18 Mississippi Valley St. Itta Bena, Miss. TBA
Nov. 1 #CONCORDIA T.A. Wright Stadium TBA
Nov. 8 Edward Waters Kingsland TBA
Nov. 15 Webber International Babson Park, Fla. TBA
Nov. 22 N.C. Central Durham, N.C. 1 p.m.

HOME GAMES INCAPS *Miami Classic #Homecoming

UAPB Golden Lions head on down the Valley Road

Sometimes in sports, whenever a certain team has success, the other teams in that respective sport will “copycat” the formula that allowed the team before them to have success.

Guess what? (No, I don’t have a fever.)

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff went down The Valley Road.

No, Bruce Hornsby didn’t make the trip to southeast Arkansas. But George Ivory did.

Ivory is back in southeast Arkansas. He’s the new head men’s basketball head coach at UAPB and not a moment too soon for some folks.

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs set to play Tuskegee on Oct. 4

Alabama A&M will rekindle an old football rivalry this season when the Bulldogs travel to Indianapolis on Oct. 4 to take on Tuskegee University in the Circle City Classic.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1999 when A&M came away with a 54-0 victory. The Bulldogs lead the series 22-19-4.

Betty Austin, A&M's athletic director, released a trio of big games from the 2008 schedule, which is incomplete at this time.

Also, A&M will host Grambling for homecoming on Oct. 11 and will take on Alabama State in the Magic City Classic at Birmingham's Legion Field on Oct. 25. Start times are yet to be finalized.

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Southern, Prairie View working their way back

The teams which finished in the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament’s title game last season — Southern and Prairie View — will meet today to start a three-game series.

Both are still among the Western Division contenders, but both lost two of three to division leader Grambling, both make way too many errors and both are trying to find some consistency as they retool.


In short, even this weekend, both have a lot of work to do.

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S.C. State's Campbell, Smalls looking to emerge as Ford's backup

Photo: RB William Ford #28 is back for his junior campaign in leading the Bulldogs rushing attack. The 5-11/185 RB is from Travelers Rest, S.C./Travelers Rest H.S.

Anthony Campbell and Kenneth Smalls fit the description of what type of player new South Carolina State running backs coach Danny Lewis wants to see.

Both last saw significant playing time in high school, yet remain hungry and eager to finally prove themselves as worthy of contributing after spending last season on the scout team. Each player is also motivated by a sense of urgency as the clock ticks down on their collegiate eligibility.

"I'm fortunate to have a coach like coach Buddy Pough to give me an opportunity to play my last season here and just to be a part of this and just see the future, try to play and compete with some of these guys in the MEAC and try to be the best at South Carolina State and move on and do great things," Campbell said.

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FAMU RBs compete for time

Photo: FAMU's Greg Arline #33 (5-9/190, RS senior RB, Lake City, FL/Columbia H. S. ) is competing for playing time for the 2008/09 season.

FAMU RB is over last year's chronic hamstring issues

If there was any question whether running back Demitric Henry is healed from the hamstring injury that sidelined him last season, he answered it during the first day of workouts in pads. A herd of defensive players swarmed him, some lifting him by one leg off the ground.

Henry gathered himself and trotted back to the huddle. There he joined Philip Sylvester. Before the afternoon was over, senior Greg Arline, another player who saw limited time on the field last season, and walk-on Xavier Smith got their fair share of carries.

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Southern's Michael Williams: Going through it all

Photo: SU Michael Williams #7 (5-11/195 DB, Natchez, LA/Natchez H.S.) makes open field tackle on FAMU Rattlers' sensational TB Philip Sylvester #30 (5-10/185, Marianna H.S./Marianna, FL) in last season's MEAC/SWAC Challenge, won by the Jaguars 33-27.

Southern DB keeps up solid play despite adversity

Michael Williams will graduate at Southern with his concentration in early childhood education and child development on May 9.

He’s not going anywhere right away, though. Williams will return in the fall to enter graduate school for administration and supervision and he has his final year at cornerback, where he’s started the past three seasons after redshirting in 2004.

“I’ve seen it all,” Williams said. “I’ve seen the good times and bad times. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go.”

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Spring football drills begin for Grambling State Tigers

Photo: GSU head coach Rod Broadway starts his second season preparation for the Tigers after toying in the off-season with coaching vacancies at Duke University and Florida A&M University.

by Grambling State University Sports Information

The Grambling State Tiger football team began spring practice Thursday afternoon in the friendly confines of Robinson Stadium.

The Tigers began the first day with non-contact drills as they wore only helmets, jerseys and shorts. The players opened practice with station drills followed by offense/defense breakout sessions before wrapping up the first day with conditioning exercises.

Grambling State, which finished 8-4 last year, begins year two of the Rod Broadway era with a total of 14 starters returning on both sides of the ball. While that number bodes well in terms of experience, the eight starters who departed were mainstays the past four years such as Clyde Edwards (WR), Tavarus Cockrell (OL), Zaire Wilborn (DB), Jason Banks (DL), Tim Manuel (P/PK), DeMichael Dizer (DB) and Reginald Jackson (WR).

Per NCAA rules, the Tigers are allotted 15 practice sessions which concludes with the annual Black and Gold Game on Apr. 19 at 1 p.m. in Robinson Stadium With only a limited to evaluate players, each practice is critical to both the staff and players as the Tigers won’t suit back up as a team until the first week of August for the start of fall camp.

Caribbean sings (literally) Obama's praises

Obama Girl, move over. Your I've Got a Crush on Obama video has got some rhythmic competition and it comes in the form of reggae and calypso from some hot Caribbean icons.

With big-name U.S. celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney already stumping for him, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is also striking a chord with Caribbean-born artists.

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Mighty Sparrow: Barack the Magnificent


Coco Tea's tribute to Barack Obama


Barrack Obama and hit song by Prince Thompson

Delaware State University Equestrian Team to compete for national championship

Photo: DSU Hornets 2008 Esquestrian Team (Courtesy: Carlos Holmes)

DOVER, DE -- Delaware State University's equestrian program has been selected to compete in the Varsity Equestrian National Championships, April 17-18 at the Heart O' Texas Fairgrounds in Waco, Texas.

Delaware State will compete in the Hunt Seat (English) Division championship. The Hornets are ranked 10th among the 12 teams in the tournament.

The national championship field is selected on the basis of winning percentage, strength of schedule and number of competitions. In 2007, University of South Carolina defeated the University of Georgia to win the national championship for the Hunter Seat Division.

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Alabama State's NCAA case still ongoing

The longest NCAA rules investigation in history still has no definite end in sight.

Alabama State's rules infraction case, which began when the school submitted a self-report to the NCAA in July 2003, is still ongoing, with an investigator requesting an interview in the case within the last month. In the meantime, the three coaches at the heart of the investigation have new college jobs, several key figures have passed away and a mountain of paperwork in the case continues to grow by the day.

"Honestly, this case might not be wrapped up in a year or a year and a half," said Montgomery attorney Don Jackson, who has represented several witnesses in the case and reviewed numerous documents. "If (the NCAA) sent out a notice of allegations (the next step in the process) next week, you're still looking at this case not going before the NCAA Committee on Infractions for a hearing until February at the earliest."

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Featured Multimedia: SCSU James Lee

Former S.C. State standout James Lee speaks about his performance at Pro Day and the performance of his former teammates.



Scouts from three NFL teams -- the Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears and Saints -- showed up to workout the 25 athletes in attendance for the S.C. State Pro Day.

It has been reported that James Lee, the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, shined. Lee tied for the second most bench-press reps of 225 pounds with 26, ran a 5.2 40, and had a 31.5-inch vertical jump. He also turned in one of the days best broad jumps, 9'7".

"I feel like I went out there and made me some money today by increasing three of the six events, the bench, the broad and the vert, from last week in Athens,Georgia" Lee said. "I talked to the scouts and they said they were impressed. I feel like I put myself in a better predicament."

Lee said he also had a strong workout with the Cleveland Browns Sunday, and that the Browns, Chiefs, Saints and Bears all want him to come in for private workouts. Lee is a former transfer player from the University of Georgia and stands 6-6/300. The Bell Glade, FL/Glades Central HS native played offensive line for the Georgia and S.C. State Bulldogs, respectively.

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Southern U O-line eager after tough '07

Photo: SU head coach Pete Richardson will need to replace a defensive coach after losing line coach David Geralds to Shaw University. Richardson is also unsure if running backs coach Elvis Joseph will return.

As Southern huddled as a team at the close of football practice Thursday, center Ramon Chinyoung let out a challenge to the defense that the pads were coming on in the next few days.

Though some of that bellow is eagerness after being academically ineligible and missing last season, the enthusiasm — combined with just having Chinyoung and two others in similar circumstances, tackle Adrian Banks and guard Joshua Keelen, back at work — is welcome.

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Practice intensity picks up on FAMU Rattler football field

Photo: RS senior LB Vernon Wilder, 6-0/248, Miami Carol City H.S., Miami, FL

An unusually large crowd of onlookers gathered closer to the fence that separated them from the Florida A&M practice field, as the Rattlers lined up in pads for the first time Thursday during spring practice.

The onlookers were close enough to see some of the things that left coach Joe Taylor believing his team is finding its identity.

Running back Philip Sylvester dashed for 40 yards into the end zone. Kicker Troy Walker hit a 30-yard field goal before he had two blocked by special teams defense.

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UAPB to name Mississippi Valley assistant George Ivory head coach

Mississippi Valley State assistant coach George Ivory will be named the new head men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to UAPB Athletic Director Louis “Skip” Perkins.

A press conference has been scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Golden Lion Stadium. The press conference is open to the public.

Ivory served under James Green at MVSU for one season as the Delta Devils won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship and played UCLA in the NCAA Tournament last Thursday. Mississippi Valley State ended the Golden Lions’ season on March 14 in the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament in Birmingham, Ala.

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Coach Ivory is expected to sign a four year deal worth $ 85,000 annually, not including incentives.

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SCSU holds second day of Spring Practice

By: By SCSU Sports Information

South Carolina State conducted its second day of spring drills Wednesday going through the basic fundamentals on offense and defense.

"Once again it was another pretty exciting practice going through the motions," said SCSU coach Buddy Pough. "The kids are working hard learning their assignments so when we do get into full gear everything goes smoothly."

Pough noted that all the players are enthusiastic and seemed to be taking to the new coaches well.

The Bulldogs will continue with a light workout the next few days before suiting up in shoulder pads on Friday.

"This will give us a chance to start more of our team style drills," stated Pough. "A lot of the guys are running around out there so now we get a chance to see what they can do in different positions."

SC State will resume practice on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and will conduct a light scrimmage beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Bulldogs will wrap up spring drills Apr. 19 with their annual Garnet and Blue game.

Governor, Legislature salute DSU Football Champs

Photo: Seated (L-R): DSU Dir. of Athletics Rick Costello, Governor Ruth Ann Minner and DSU head coach Al Lavan surrounded by Hornet football team during visit to Governor's office.

By: DSU Athletic Media Relations

Dover, DE --- Delaware State’s 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football champions were guests of honor during a recent visit to Legislative Hall. Led by Director of Athletics Rick Costello, along with head coach Al Lavan and his staff, more than 40 members of the Hornets were honored for their historic 2007 season by Governor Ruth Ann Minner and the General Assembly.

Last season, the Hornets posted a school record 10 wins (10-2), captured the school’s first MEAC championship since 1991 and made the first NCAA playoff appearance in team history. The ’07 Hornets became the third team in the 36-year history of the MEAC to post an 8-0 league record during the regular season.

Alcorn State football to play Southern Miss in 2009

Photo: Alcorn State University's new head football coach Earnest Jones is bringing excitement to the Braves program by playing Mississippi's Division I football programs.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State Braves are on the verge of making some football history.

The Braves released their 2009 football schedule on Wednesday, which includes a trip to M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg to play Southern Miss. It will be the first time in the 88-year history of the football program that the Braves will play one of the three Division 1A schools in Mississippi.

Alcorn State football coach Ernest Jones said the game is a way to give the Alcorn State program some good recognition and step the program up a notch.

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The Golden Eagles will host Alcorn State on Sept. 12, 2009, in the first meeting between the two schools located about 150 miles apart.

USM will pay Alcorn between $150,000-$160,000. The Braves also will get the proceeds from the first 5,000 tickets they sell and the proceeds from a second allotment of tickets to ASU, if needed, would be split.

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Receivers shine for FAMU Rattlers

Florida A&M assistant football coach Jerry Stevens is still getting the names of all of the players under his watch down pat, but he can point them out one by one and give an account of their abilities.

Stevens, FAMU's receivers coach, already knows what lanky Isaac West can do with his height. Small but speedy Jarvis Funderburk is another one that Stevens is already familiar with. Even those whose names he's still learning bring something that Stevens is already getting a little ecstatic about.

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Southern U needs receivers to fill void

Archive Photo: SU Pete Richardson begins his 16th season as head of the Jaguars football program.

Who will be making up the 575 yards and nine catches of Gerard Landry and the 737 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and the other 566 yards and five touchdowns through the air of Darren Coates?

This was what Southern, 8-3 last season, was trying to figure out as spring practice began Tuesday.

Juamorris Stewart, who has teased with flashes in his first two seasons, and Corderious Gregory, who will be a sophomore but missed last season with a knee injury from spring practice a year ago, are in Landry’s “X” spot.

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