NSU Athletics Announces Launch of Online Spartans Store

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University Athletics Department is proud to announce the launch of its online store for Spartans' apparel and merchandise.

NSU has entered into a partnership with TeamFanShop to provide the online store. The web address is shop.nsuspartans.com and can be accessed by typing it into any web browser, or by following the links at www.nsuspartans.com.

The site has more than 200 products available for purchase with plans to add even more in the near future. Fans can purchase a variety of T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, auto accessories and more in a variety of sizes and styles. All orders will include a $6.95 flat shipping fee.

Founded in 1995, TeamFanShop is the leading provider of outsourced e-commerce solutions to colleges, conferences, professional sports teams and sports media properties. Their partners include the NCAA, Yahoo! Sports, the Jacksonville Jaguars and universities such as Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma, Oregon and many more.

By Matt Michalec, Sports Information Director

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ONE TEAM, ONE VALLEY: Update on MVSU Weight Room Project

Delta Devils Head Football Coach Karl Morgan

PDF of Coach Morgan's Letter • PDF of Weight Room Expenses • Diagram of Proposed Weight Room

March 16, 2011

Dear Valley Alumni and Fans,

I trust everyone and their families are doing well. It's been about three and a half months since the initial letter requesting your support was written. A lot has happened and I want to take this time to get everybody up to speed on where we are. First of all, I've included the actual proposal and design layout from Power Lift.

Power Lift, the company we are going to use is considered the best in the field. As you can see, their estimated cost for this project is $49,170.05. That doesn't include flooring to cover the roughly 2,000 square foot metal building we are seeking to equip. The building is located right next to our practice field. It's an ideal place for a weight room and it has air/heat, restrooms and a shower area.

Over $25,000 had been raised before Valley alum, Mrs. Ennis Rucker, came by the office and asked to personally help. In our first meeting, she said, "Coach I'm tired of losing. How can I be of assistance?" Since Mrs. Rucker's affiliation, The Friends of MVSU Football initiative has raised an additional $16,000. We have received donations from $5.00 to a high of $5,000. (Some recent donations to the football program have been earmarked for specific areas such as recruiting and will not be used to meet our goal.)

This past Monday, a purchase order in the amount of $3,571.08 was generated and sent to a rubber flooring company in Atlanta. I was amazed at the number of flooring options that are available. We searched far and wide trying to find the best fit for our need and bank account. Eventually, we decided on 4 foot by 6 foot by 3/4 inch rubber mats. Eighty-nine (89) 100-pound mats were ordered and should be here within a week.

That's the very latest, we are close and the finish line is in sight. I want to greatly thank everyone who has contributed to the cause. However, our goal has not been completed and we are still in search of donations to reach the desired outcome. I really appreciate your help and the fact that you care about Mississippi Valley State University. I will periodically keep everyone informed about our progress. In the meantime, take care.

Let's Work to Win,

Karl Morgan

Courtesy MVSU Media Relations
VISIT: MVSU Delta Devils
Mississippi Valley State University

Auburn Montgomery teams shut down Xavier again

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Auburn Montgomery continued its tennis dominance of Xavier University of Louisiana, beating the Gold Rush 9-0 and the Gold Nuggets 7-0 Saturday at City Park.

AUM is 10-0 the last eight seasons against XU's men and 7-0 the last seven seasons against XU's women.

The closest matches were in the men's dual, where XU singles players Zach Taylor and Steffen Giles-Osborn split sets. But both lost third-set super tiebreakers — Bence Toth beat Taylor 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-4) at No. 2, and Loic Didavi defeated Giles-Osborn 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-4) at No. 3 in a matchup of top-30 NAIA singles players.

Bruno Savi and Claudio Andrade, the NAIA's top-ranked doubles team, beat Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson 8-2 at No. 2.

In the women's dual Xavier's Carmen Nelson lost 6-2, 6-3 to ninth-ranked Jade Curtis at No. 2 singles in the Gold Nuggets' most competitive match. The Lady Senators won all 12 sets, seven without dropping a game.

AUM's men are ranked third in the NAIA and the defending national champion, and the women are fourth. Both teams are 14-2. Xavier's men (11-6) are eighth, and the women (3-12) are receiving votes and 27th overall.

Both Xavier teams will play Fisk in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference duals at 1 p.m. next Saturday at City Park.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
Visit: XULA Athletics

ASU debuts new $3.9 million baseball complex

MONTGOMERY, Alabama-- For the first time in 15 years, the Alabama State University baseball team will play on Hornet territory at the ASU Baseball Complex inaugural game this Saturday.

The first pitch of Saturday's game against Alcorn State will be preceded by a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by an introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State, including a new on-campus football stadium and softball complex currently under construction.



ASU Baseball set for return to campus

MONTGOMERY, AL - For the first time since the 1996 season, Alabama State baseball has returned home to the ASU campus. This Saturday, March 26th, the Hornets will play the inaugural game at the ASU Baseball Complex at 1 p.m. vs. Alcorn St.

The splendor of what will be a grand event will commence with a special pregame ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m. leading right up to the first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader. Other special events for the complex opening include an interactive area for kids and the introduction of former Hornet baseball players in attendance between the first and second games of the doubleheader.

The baseball complex is the first of several athletics construction projects that will come on line at Alabama State. The football team is scheduled to move into its new football complex building later this spring and the initial phases of the new on-campus football stadium and softball complex are underway.

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Tennessee State University Holds Football Pro Day

Nashville, Tenn. - Football players from Tennessee State University and several area universities, looked to impress scouts from the NFL and Canadian Football League during the annual Pro Day event held on TSU's campus, Thursday, March 24.

A large crowd of spectators and supporters were on hand at the Gentry Center, and then Hale Stadium, as scouts took measurables of height, weight, vertical and broad jumps, along with strength and speed.

More than 20 players from the senior class of TSU's football team and players from Austin Peay State, Tennessee Tech, Western Kentucky and Tennessee Martin participated in the event.

Participants looked to impress the pro scouts and gain the title, "diamond in the rough", and receive an invitation to training camp and possible roster spot on a professional football team.

TSU wide receiver Joe Hills turned in the top performances in the broad jump (10'10") and the vertical jump (37 ½ "). WR/DB Marques Wilkins leaped 10' even in the broad jump. DB Marguez Hall awed the crowd with the second best vertical jump of 36 ½ inches. Hall stands 5' 8".

TSU running back Preston Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2010, recorded a time of 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash and lifted 225 lbs in the bench press 20 times.

Last year, TSU's DB Anthony Levine impressed scouts in the Pro Day event and was invited to the Green Bay Packers camp. Levine made the team and earned a Super Bowl ring this year after the Packers won the World Championship. Each of the players in this year's event hope their performance will lead to a professional football contract.

Photo Album

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information

Florida A&M University Pro Day 2011

Tallahassee, Fla. - Fourteen NFL professional scouts came to Tallahassee to see the FAMU senior football players workout in front of a crowd of fans, family and other supporters. The workouts took place at the Hansel Tookes Recreation Center. The weightlifting and jumping drills took place inside the center, with the running and sprinting drills being held at the newly laid intramural turf fields.





1. Videographer: TheFranchisesports 2. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS 3. Videographer: RattlerBoosters 4. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS; Day #1 of Rattlers Spring Football Practice.



FAMU begins its quest to win the MEAC Championship outright in 2011. The Rattlers shared the 2010 championship with S.C.State and B-CU. Coach Taylor has reloaded the Rattlers, and with just nine players exhausting eligibility last season, the Rattlers will bring an experienced group to the task.

NCAA grants Jackson State full waiver from academic penalties

Jackson State University has received good news from the organization that had threatened to level harsh penalties against the school's football program.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has agreed to waive, for now, penalties the team faced for poor academic performance, according to documents obtained by The Clarion-Ledger.

Without the waiver, JSU likely would have been banned from post-season participation this fall and faced other punishment, including the loss of scholarships and even expulsion from Division I, the NCAA's highest classification for athletics. JSU's football program is in trouble because it has routinely fallen below the NCAA's benchmark score of 900 for Academic Progress Rate (APR)...


Videographer: JSUTigers1877; JSU Day at the Capitol w/ the Sonic Boom of the South

NCAA gives Jackson State more time to improve football team's academics

JACKSON, Miss. — The NCAA has given Jackson State University more time to improve the football team's academic performance.

The Clarion-Ledger reports documents it obtained through a public records request shows Jackson State will not be banned from postseason play this season and will get a break on scholarship reductions. Earlier reports were the academic performance rate by JSU was below — for a third straight year — what the NCAA required.

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