Spring over, but work just starting for Mississippi Valley‎

It was a hectic spring football season for new Mississippi Valley State coach Karl Morgan and his staff. Morgan was hired just three weeks prior to National Signing Day and had just finished assembling his coaching staff when spring training started a few weeks ago. The Delta Devils put a wrap on spring drills Saturday with a scrimmage at Rice-Totten Stadium. It was Morgan's final chance to evaluate his players before a 3 1/2-month layoff until fall practice. "I am pleased to see that we've made some strides, but we still have miles to go," Morgan said after watching his offense get a late score to tie the scrimmage at 17.

But just because Valley is putting up its pads for a while doesn't mean Morgan will get a break. He will likely work even harder as he tackles three main goals for the offseason: develop a quality strength and conditioning program, recruit more players and raise money to help offset his program's meager budget. All three are vital to turning around a losing program, and none of the three will be easy. But you've got to like Morgan's spirit as he tries. "I knew exactly what I was getting into before I came here, and I wouldn't have come if I didn't think I could get the job done," he said.

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The Delta Devils Fans and Alumni need to step it up in assisting Coach Karl Morgan and his staff in building this football program. A weight room with new equipment would be a great improvement for the team and funding for more that 39 scholarships will help immediately in the win column. The NCAA allows 63 for Division I, Football Championship Programs--so can't you Delta Devils alumni and fans fund 24 scholarships annually?

Yes, I think we can...The Delta Devils student-athletes deserve the best opportunity for success on the field and in the classroom. Write a check today--$5, $10, $20, $30, $50, $100 or more...send what you can afford to your MVSU Delta Devil Athletic Fund. Every donation helps your program.

-beepbeep

Fundraiser sought as Jackson State Tigers' next Athletic Director

Jackson State joins a growing list-- Florida A&M University, Mississippi Valley State University and Savannah State University-- seeking an experienced athletic director with fundraising, contract negotiations and creative marketing skills to elevate their athletic programs from financial distress.

Jackson State athletic director Bob Braddy will retire from his post on July 1 and one objective will be the primary task of his successor - fundraising. The athletic programs have had tremendous success on the field during the four years with Braddy at the helm, winning 12 SWAC championships and four Commissioner's Cup awards given to the league's top program across all sports. However, Braddy admits increasing revenue has fallen short of his expectations.

Jackson State worked under a $6.5 million budget in 2009-10 and there have been concerns in the last 12 months that some of the 18 individual programs could be cut if the department's financial situation does not improve. The next athletic director must have a skill set in one specific area. "A businessman or someone who understands the business of athletics, would be good," JSU president Ronald Mason said. "The next athletic director will have to be able to bridge the gap between traditional JSU (supporters) and potential JSU (supporters) and try to draw as much as we can from both."

Braddy was working on a $100,000 salary, and Mason hopes to increase that number. "The salary won't be extravagant, but we hope competitive enough," Mason said. "I think we can pay a little more, but not much more. ... We hope we can get some wiggle room there and we'll rely on Tiger Fund to help support that effort if necessary."

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff basketball signs four‎

Golden Lions slams Winthrop University for first NCAA Tournament victory in school history.

The 2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Champions, UAPB Golden Lions and second year Coach George Ivory, HSRN's Division I National Coach of the Year, have signed four solid players to the Golden Lions Den. The Golden Lions ended last season at 18-16, dropping a second round NCAA Tournament game to eventual National Champion Duke Blue Devils. However, the Golden Lions brought pride to the SWAC with a 61-44 thrashing of Winthrop University for their first victory in their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The win broke a 17 game conference losing streak for the SWAC in the tournament.

The Golden Lions lost five seniors, including four starters from their championship team. UAPB last won the SWAC basketball championship 42 years ago. But, Ivory is capitalizing on the Golden Lions rags to riches story after losing the first 11 games of a brutal schedule that took the program from Oregon to Michigan, and Georgia to Ohio in "Money Games" that UAPB had little chance of winning.

Coach Ivory is quickly proving he is more than a strong defensive coach, but also a top judge of basketball talent and an excellent recruiter. On Wednesday, the first day of the Spring open signing period, Ivory and his staff received official commitments from Daniel Broughton (Watson Chapel), Keith Ross (Watson Chapel), Lavoris Weathers (Paris Junior College) and Shamus Ferguson (Mineral Area College). "We're elated to be able to bring in players of the caliber of these four young men that we signed today," said UAPB's Ivory. "Our coaching staff is really excited about next season and the level of talent we'll have the ability to put on the floor at all five positions."

UAPB signees Keith Ross (L) and Daniel Broughton (R) have been playing on the same teams since sixth grade.

Keith Ross, 6'4 205, Guard, Watson Chapel, Arkansas, High School: Watson Chapel High School...Ross brings depth to the Golden Lions basketball program with his pure athletic talent and versatility. While in high school he was a key contributor for a high school team which made three consecutive semi-final appearances in the state playoffs. Ross averaged 12 points per game and led his team in 3 pointers made...High School Honors/Awards: He had an impressive high school career where he provided the Wildcats with a scoring threat and strong defender. A 2009 and 2010 All-State Class 6A Selection, Ross should be able to contribute immediately for the Golden Lions next season. Both Ross and UAPB signee, Daniel Broughton compiled a 65-23 record over the last three seasons, including a 47-8 mark over the last two and won a pair of conference titles.

Daniel Broughton, 6'8 255, Forward, Watson Chapel, Arkansas, High School: Watson Chapel High School...Broughton brings a physical, tough inside presence to the Golden Lions front court rotation and should be able to make an immediate impact next season. He has good fundamental skills and great size for low post position at the collegiate level. Broughton averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds per game at Watson Chapel...High School Honors/Awards: As a prepster he was dominating force leading his high school team to three consecutive semi-final appearances in the state playoffs. Broughton is a 2009 and 2010 Class 6A All-State selection, and currently ranks as one the top high school basketball players in the State of Arkansas and in the South Region. He selected the UAPB program over Central Arkansas (Coached by former NBA and University of Arkansas star Corliss Williamson, who was named head coach at UCA last month), Arkansas State, Murry State, Southeast Missouri State and others...Keith Ross and Broughton have been playing together since sixth grade on local AAU teams, and their familiarity with each other helped to bring success to Watson Chapel Junior and Senior high schools.

Lavoris Weathers, 6' 7 240, Forward, Paris Junior College, Texas (Greenwood, MS, High School)l...Weathers is a strong, athletic talent who can overpower opponents with his size and agility. He was a participant in the 2006 Mississippi High School all-star game. He signed with Division I, Ohio Valley Conference member Jacksonville State University for the 2007-08 season. He left JSU to attended Paris Junior College, Texas where an injury made him unavailable to compete for the 2008 season...High School Honors/Awards: Weathers had a standout career in high school. A 2 star rated performer according to Rivals.com, he had a dominating senior campaign averaging 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks per contest for the Bulldogs with numbers that led him to being named an All-State performer. He first started as a freshman while in prep school. As a sophomore, he averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots per game. During his junior season, he averaged 21 ppg, 12 rpg and 4 bpg. Chosen Honorable Mention All-State by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper as a junior.

Shamus Ferguson, 6'10 255, Center, Toronto, Canada, High School: Francis Libermann Catholic High School...Ferguson is an athletic big man that can run the floor and finish well in transition, block shots, and has a strong ability to score in the paint. He also attended Mineral Area College...High School Honors/Awards: MVP Senior Year, MIP Junior Year, Ferguson was an impact player for Francis Liebermann during his senior season averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks a game. He helped lead his team to the Metro Semi-Finals in Toronto in 2008 with his dazzling interior play. Shamus earned team "MVP" honors and was tabbed as the "Most Improved Player" by his coaching staff.

ASU's offense finds big plays in Black and Gold Game

ASU Hornets quarterback Anthoy Spleite (5th year senior) had a fumble in the red zone and interception for touchdown in the Black and Gold game. The Hornets 2010 season opener is on Sept. 4 against Mississippi Valley State at the Cramton Bowl.

Alabama State didn't show a lot of offensive firepower last season, forcing Hornet coach Reggie Barlow to bring in Melvin Spears to run the offense this season. The Hornets, determined to stretch the field with its passing attack, used big plays on Saturday in its annual Black and Gold Game at Hornet Stadium in a spring game pitting the offense against the defense.

The format meant there was no official score kept, but the offense scored on six of its 13 possessions, including a pair of Andrew Lyons' field goals and four touchdown receptions, three by Nick Andrews and another by Kyrea Rozier. The defense stopped two possessions after three plays and five more with turnovers, using interceptions by Kejuan Riley, Jacques Rickerson and Donovan Masline and fumble recoveries by Masline and Corey Schofield. Barlow split the offense's work between two quarterbacks, with redshirt freshman Rashard Burkette directing six possessions and fifth-year senior Anthony Speight at the helm of seven possesions.

Photo Gallery: ASU A-Day game

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Delaware State Hornets upbeat at Spring Camp‎

DOVER, DE -- The atmosphere at Delaware State University's Alumni Stadium for Saturday's Red-White football scrimmage was light years away from the doom-and-gloom that seemed to constantly envelop the Hornets last year. Quarterback Anthony Glaud was consistently finding his receivers in stride and the team's young defense showed promise at the linebacker positions. The feelings were of promise and great expectations for when the Hornets return to the field in August for summer football camp. "It was good in processing this entire spring," Glaud said, preparing for his senior season. "This is actually the best we've looked and it's a good thing to be the best that you are at the end of spring [camp], so now we have something to carry into the summer and then into the fall camp."

Coach Lavan sees signs of improvement in young DSU squad. Delaware State will open its 11-game 2010 season on Sunday, Sept. 5, against Southern University (La.) in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Al Lavan, preparing for his seventh season as DSU's head coach, wasn't looking for greatness. He just wanted to see signs of improvement. "I think overall we accomplished in the last 15 days what we needed to accomplish which was to see an improvement of our football team," said Lavan, who is 38-28 overall with the Hornets. "It's such a young team in the offensive line and a lot of different areas, but I thought we made improvement, which was the main thing.

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TSU will practice indoors this year

Tennessee State University athletic director Teresa Phillips adds to the Tigers growing list of capital assets for improving the student-athletes quality of life in Division I, Ohio Valley Conference Sports -- a new Indoor Football Practice Facility with field turf. The Tigers home games are played at Nashville's LP Field, home to the NFL's Tennessee Titans and Tennessee State University football.

Tennessee State is ready to break ground for a new indoor football practice facility that Coach Rod Reed hopes will break new ground in recruiting. A groundbreaking ceremony is set to take place later this month for the $3.2 million facility that is to be completed this year, Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. The date has not yet been set. The building will house an artificial surface practice field, meeting and film rooms, along with coaches offices.

It will be located at the west end of the Gentry Center parking lot and one of the first features Reed points out to prospects. "It's going to be a nice new structure and pleasing to the eye and definitely something you want recruits to see the minute they hit campus,'' Reed said. "Kids don't like practicing in cold or really hot weather. It absolutely is a recruiting tool because I don't know of any other OVC school that has an indoor practice facility." A construction notice-to-proceed was issued April 7 to Lee Adcock Construction Company, contractor for the facility.

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QB DeFilippis hot, cold in SSU scrimmage‎

SSU Tigers QB A.J. DeFilippis

Savannah, GA (4/12) - There was a lot to like and a little to worry about for Savannah State's starting - and only academically eligible - quarterback, A.J. DeFilippis, during the Tigers' intrasquad spring game Sunday at T.A. Wright Stadium. During three untimed periods, the sophomore completed 14 of 27 passes for 114 yards with a 12-yard touchdown pass and an interception that was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by junior linebacker Vince Cochran. In 11 possessions, the Tigers ran 65 plays and scored a touchdown and four field goals, and at one time DeFilippis completed six straight passes.

Sophomore receiver Alakan Thomas caught DeFilipis' toss for a touchdown to end a 50-yard drive, during which DeFilippis completed all three of his pass attempts for 32 yards and scrambled for six yards. The Tigers' other offensive highlight was sophomore kicker Derek Williams, who connected on field goals of 34, 42, 37 and 36 yards. He missed his only point-after attempt. The Tigers only dressed 47 players for the scrimmage, and 31 of those players were either freshman or sophmores. DeFilippis, who appeared in seven games as a freshman in relief of starter Kurvin Curry and threw three touchdown passes against five interceptions, is the only SSU quarterback academically eligible for spring practice.

Curry was not in uniform for the spring game. SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said Curry is expected to play for the Tigers in the fall. Despite the tumult of the current offseason and the challenges facing the program, DeFilippis has embraced being the Tigers' only option at quarterback. He said he did not consider transferring to another school.



View more photos from SSU's spring game here

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