MEAC Football Press Luncheon Scheduled July 25

Courtesy MEACsports.com

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will host the annual MEAC Football Press Luncheon, Friday, July 25 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Virginia 23510/757-640-2754). MEAC head football coaches and various players from each team will be on hand to offer an inside view of the upcoming 2008 football season.

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the press luncheon and can be purchased by calling Stacey Kiger at (757) 416-7100. Tickets are $30 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons) and must be purchased before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interview sessions by completing an application found on http://www.meacsports.com/ or by contacting Patricia Porter at porterp@themeac.com or (757) 416-7100. One-on-one interviews with various offensive and defensive players from each team will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by head coaches beginning at 10:30 a.m.

In addition to the press luncheon, the MEAC will host the 2008 Woman of the Year ceremony on Wednesday, July 23 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheraton. Sponsored by the conference’s Senior Woman Administrators, the Woman of the Year ceremony honors female student-athletes for their collegiate achievements in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.

The 2008 MEAC football season kicks off on Saturday, August 30 featuring five MEAC football teams in action, including two classics. The Hampton University Pirates highlight the opening day list, as they face Jackson State University in the fourth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge beginning at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.

The annual Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic kicks off at 6 p.m. featuring the Norfolk State University Spartans against NCAA D-II non-conference opponent Virginia State University Trojans.

Florida A&M University hosts Alabama State University and Johnson C. Smith University will travel to North Carolina A&T State University as the Rattlers and Aggies kick off their home openers beginning at 6 p.m. The South Carolina State University Bulldogs will travel to Orlando, Florida to face Conference USA’s University of Central Florida at 6 p.m.

For more information about the MEAC, log on to http://www.meacsports.com/

B-CU baseball loses 4 recruits to pros

Bethune-Cookman's 2008 baseball signing class has become less crowded since last week's major league draft. Of five Wildcat recruits who were drafted, four have signed or have agreed to sign with their teams, B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said Thursday.

Bethune-Cookman shortstop Jose Lozada, drafted in the 17th round by the Nationals, has signed and will be a teammate of Pruitt's with Vermont. Pitcher Joseph Gautier, taken in the 19th round by Arizona, has not yet signed. The B-CU recruit rated highest going into the draft, right-hander Ryan Gonzalez, who was selected in the 18th round (544 overall) by the Oakland Athletics, will likely be at school this fall, Melendez said.

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Work ethic to remain high for FAMU transfer Bryant

Brandon Bryant had no clue that Florida A&M would be the Division I school where he'd play college basketball. He just knew wherever he ended up that he'd be prepared.

Bryant also knew his 6-foot-3 frame was a little too lean at 160 pounds. So he spent the past two seasons honing his skills, working with what he had. He also gained 20 pounds in the process while playing at Snead State Community College in Alabama.

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For FAMU football's Taylors, no separating father-son

Joe Taylor planted the seeds early. He didn’t get to every one of his sons’ pee-wee games, but they talked a lot of football at home. He was at more of their youth baseball games and occasionally he’d get to a basketball game. Taylor’s wife, Beverly, always made sure the boys got there. As they got older with their own issues, Taylor was never too busy to get involved, Aaron said.

He didn’t coach his sons in football. His job conflicted with their season, but dad was there when Aaron made a play that’s still vivid almost 20 years later.


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JSU Comegy signs contract extension

Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy signed a contract extension through 2011 after winning the 2008 SWAC championship. The deal is worth $186,000 annually, including bonuses based on ticket sales, academic achievements, Coach of the Year honors and winning the Black College National Championship.

The third-year coach will receive an extra year and $15,000 for winning additional SWAC championships.

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DSU Football Game Times Announced

Photo: DSU quarterback Vashon Winton, 6-2/195, Senior, Chicago, IL (Simeon HS).

Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

DOVER (June 12, 2008) – The Delaware State Athletic Department has announced the times for the 2008 football season. Comprised of 11 games, the 2008 schedule has the Hornets hosting six home games in defense of their 2007 MEAC Championship.

The Sept. 6 contest between the Hornets and the Florida A&M Rattlers will be start at 7:30 p.m. to kickoff the 2008 campaign. Two weeks later, DSU will host the Central Connecticut Blue Devils on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

A 1:00 p.m. kickoff is scheduled for the remainder of DSU’s slate – Hampton (Oct. 4), North Carolina A&T - Homecoming (Oct. 18), South Carolina State (Nov. 1) and Winston-Salem State (Nov. 8).

Tickets for the 2008 DSU football season can be purchased by calling (302) 857-7497 or toll free at (866) 378-2845. Season ticket packages are available for purchase with Early Hornet discounts for any packages purchased before July 25. Season tickets include parking, reserved seating for all six home games, a 2008 DSU Football media Guide and first priority for post-season ticket purchases. Single-game tickets go on sale on August 11. Tickets can also be purchased by logging on to the team’s official website http://www.dsuhornets.com/

Carver’s Coleman signs with North Carolina Central

Carver baseball standout Cedric Coleman has played more baseball games than anyone he knows at Carver. As a matter of fact, he finished his prep career second on the all-time list of games played at CHS.

“He’s played in just about every game,” said Carver head baseball coach Melvin Palmer. “He’s been a tremendous impact player for us for four years. Anytime you lose a four-year starter it’s big. He impacted the team in every game. We’re also losing a leader. He’s the type of guy that motivated other players to play hard.”

Coleman played rather well for the Yellowjackets too. He finished with a .410 batting average. Coleman had a .640 slugging percentage, to go along with a .450 on base percentage. He also finished with 37 RBIs, 12 triples, 32 doubles, 54 runs scored, 24 steals and 22 strikeouts in four years. Those numbers, as well as a few other things helped Coleman get a scholarship to play baseball for North Carolina Central University. He signed his letter of intent in front of family and friends last Friday — one day before graduating from Carver.

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