Even with bad weather, one bad cloud no longer hangs over SCSU football

Rainfall and scattered thunderstorms did not interrupt this weekend's spring practices schedule for the South Carolina State football team.

A bigger concern, however, are the winds of change encircling the Bulldogs, where they are looking to replace 11 starters for the upcoming season. For head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, it dwarfs any other potential problems created by the weather or other outside forces.

"We've got a lot of new faces," Pough said. "Anytime you're replacing the positions we are replacing ... when you're responsible for replacing three offensive linemen (tackle Johnny Culbreath, guard Josh Harrison and center Sam Timothy), a quarterback (Malcolm Long), a running back (Chris Massey), some of the key personnel we lost offensively, that's probably as big a concern as we have...

SC State Conducts First Spring Drill in Full Pads

ORANGEBURG, SC – It's four practices down and eleven to go for South Carolina State after Sunday's spring football workout at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, the first in full pads for Coach Buddy Pough's team.

Pough, who is in his tenth season at SC State head football coach, said Sunday's practice -- which although in full pads did not have full live hitting until a goal-line activity near the end of the session -- was “interesting.” In addition to the lively goal-line activity, the Bulldogs conducted a mini waist-up session.

The players continue to show enthusiasm, something pleasing to Pough and his staff.  “We are getting a lot of installation done,” said Pough. “We have about another practice and a half left before we complete this phase of our workouts. We are throwing a lot of information at our players and today (Sunday), we really tested them by going in full pads.

SC State Spring Football Practice Brief

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State held its third spring football practice Saturday, the first in shorts and shoulder pads for the Bulldogs. During the approximately two-hour workout, Coach Buddy Pough's team continued to concentrate on installation of the schemes SC State plans to employ this fall.

Pough said his players continue to move around well and demonstrate a lot of hustle, however, he noted that the first practice in shoulder pads was a bit raggard at times, something he felt could be corrected with repetition.

SCSU Bulldogs 2011 Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
9/1/2011 Central Michigan Mt. Pleasant, MI
9/10/2011 * Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, FL
9/17/2011 Indiana TBD
9/24/2011 * Delaware State% Orangeburg, SC
10/1/2011 * Norfolk State  TBD
10/8/2011 * North Carolina Central@ Orangeburg, SC
10/15/2011 * Georgia State Orangeburg, SC
10/22/2011 * Florida A&M& Orangeburg, SC
10/29/2011 * Howard    TBD
11/5/2011 OPEN
11/12/2011 * North Carolina A&T# Orangeburg, SC
11/19/2011 * Savannah State Savannah, GA

Home Games are in bold
Neutral Site Games are in italics
* denotes a Default contest
@-Homecoming
&-Youth/ROTC Day
%-Community Day
#-Senior Day

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Howard Drops Third Conference Match to Lady Flames

LYNCHBURG, VA. – The Lady Bison women’s lacrosse team faced off against the Liberty Lady Flames on Sunday afternoon. Howard (3-7, 0-3 NLC) entered the match with three consecutive losses on the road, most recently against two-time defending National Lacrosse Conference champion Longwood on Friday, and hoped to end the streak. Unfortunately, however, Howard fell to their conference opponent, 19-9.

Courtland Lackey led the Bison in goals for the first time this season, tallying three on the day. Chastity Dailey and Taylor Tynes each posted two goals, as Desiree Cox and Cynithia Smalls added a score a piece for Howard.

Headlining the Bison in groundballs was goalkeeper Amber Meeks with six and Lackey with five. Meeks finished the game with 14 saves bringing her season total to 116 (.439). Dailey also caused three turnovers in the match.

The Lady Flames (4-3, 2-0 NLC) found the back of the net early in the game as Audra Menez scored unassisted within the initial 50 seconds of play. Shortly after Tynes lit her first goal of the game to even the score. Liberty answered back with 6-0 run.

Smalls and Cox ended Liberty’s 10-minute scoring frenzy to close the goal differential to four. The Lady Flames remained aggressive on the offensive front and tallied another score. Tynes quickly responded with 4:36 on the clock with her second of the game on a free position shot. Within seconds the Lady Flames scored again and ended the half with the 9-4 lead.

The Lady Bison fought back and brought the game to a competitive height, notching four straight goals in opening of the second half to trail Liberty 9-8. Defensively, Howard was able to control the Lady Flames, keeping them scoreless for 14 minutes, however Liberty responded with a 10-1 run that spread throughout the remainder of the game.

Lackey was able to muster a score for the Lady Bison with 6:05 on the clock, it would be HU’s last goal of the game.

Howard was outshot 39-29, and surrendered advantages in draw controls (18-12), groundballs (32-22) and team clears (15-11) to the Lady Flames.

The Lady Bison will hit the road twice more against High Point on April 1 at 5 pm and Davidson on April 3 at 1 pm before returning home to host Jacksonville on April 9. Visit Howard-Bison.com for more information on the Howard lacrosse team.

LADY BISON LAX REMAINING GAMES:

Apr. 1 at High Point * 5:00 PM
Apr. 3 at Davidson * 1:00 PM
Apr. 9 (SATURDAY) Jacksonville * 1:00 PM GREENE STADIUM
Apr. 16 at Detroit Mercy * 12:00 PM
Apr. 20 (WEDNESDAY) Fresno St. 7:00 PM, GREENE STADIUM

Lacrosse is Cool...Come out to Greene Stadium April 9 & 20 for Bison LAX

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

Davis leaving S.C. State for Fairfield Central job

This year's spring practice will have added meaning for South Carolina State assistant coach Demetrius Davis.

When the Garnet and Blue game is finished April 16, Davis will close the book on nine seasons with the Bulldogs. Following the conclusion of Thursday's practice, it was learned that Davis was leaving the program to become the new head football coach of his alma mater Fairfield Central High School.

Davis will be officially introduced today during a 9 a.m. press conference at the school district office in Winnsboro. He replaces former Bulldog linebacker and Orangeburg-Wilkinson head coach Reggie Kennedy, who went 27-8 in his second stint at the school before becoming the new head football coach at Blythewood High School.

VIDEO: Davis accepts job at Fairfield Central

The brothers Wiley, Cue ready to battle it out for Bulldogs' starting QB spot

As the most "battle-tested" quarterback currently on the South Carolina State roster, redshirt junior Derrick Wiley currently has a hold on the starting job.

It would not shock quarterbacks coach Kevin Magouirk, however, if either Wiley's younger brother, TeDarrius, or Richard Cue can progress enough to move into the top spot for the Sept. 1 season-opener at Central Michigan.

Bulldogs don shoulder pads for first time -- and get physical

Spring practice got more physical Saturday for the South Carolina State as the players donned shoulder pads for the first time.

The two-hour session at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium was the longest so far as the Bulldogs' offenses and defenses spent half the time working against each other. The 7-on-7 passing drills to close practice saw both sides displaying enough hustle and aggressiveness right up to the restriction point placed by head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

Bulldogs open spring practice for a 2011 season of transition

The players' faces have changed over the past nine seasons, and spring practice still brings a sense of newness for South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

"It never gets old," said Pough during a break from the opening practice for spring football Tuesday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. "It's the one time of the year to see what you've got as far as these guys' development and see how they come out of running and conditioning. So I'm excited as I can be to check out the new guys."

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VISIT: SCSU ATHLETICS
VISIT: THE BULLDOGZONE

Southern gets back-to-back wins over UAPB Golden Lions

Baton Rouge, La. - The Southern Jaguars baseball team improved to 13-8 overall and 6-2 in the SWAC after taking a doubleheader from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, beating the Golden Lions 6-5 and 11-1. The Jaguars came back from a 5-1 deficit to beat the Golden Lions 6-5 in game one. Wilmy Marrero drove in Taylor Roy for the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Frazier Hall knocked out his fifth home run of the season when he drilled a two-run shot off the scoreboard in the fifth inning. The Jaguars won game two with ease, beating the Golden Lions 11-1 behind three hits and three RBI by Marrero. Jaguars pitcher Jesse Holiday picked up the win going 4 2/3 innings, striking out five batters, while allowing only one run on one hit.



SU sweeps Pine Bluff

As it turned out, a day like this was just what Wilmy Marrero needed. Marrero, who spent much of this season starting at third base and batting cleanup for the Southern baseball team, woke up Saturday morning, had a little breakfast, then took a seat in the dugout as the Jaguars began their doubleheader sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Lee-Hines Field.

Marrero, a junior from Houston, had been 2-for-12 in his last four games. But by the end of Saturday’s first game — in which SU rallied for two ninth-inning runs and a 6-5 win — Marrero found himself back on the field, shortly after SU coach Roger Cador made a double switch.

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Coker is out as coach at Virginia Union University

Coach Willard Coker

Virginia Union will not renew the contract of men's basketball coach Willard Coker, who confirmed the decision Saturday. The administration notified him Thursday. Coker was hired in 2008 to replace legendary coach Dave Robbins, who won 713 games and three national championships with the Panthers.

Coker served as an assistant for 23 years under Robbins and was described as a perfect fit to take over the program. In three seasons, Coker had a record of 55-25.

In his first season, the Panthers advanced to the NCAA tournament. In the last two, they were eliminated in their first game of the CIAA tournament.

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NCCU Coach Henry Frazier, III Mic'd Up

DURHAM, N.C.- Get inside access of NCCU's Spring Practice for 2011 as new head coach Henry Frazier, III wore a microphone for the NCCU Sports Network during practice. The 2011 Spring Game is April 9, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

NCCU opens the 2011 gridiron campaign on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Rutgers, followed by the Cleveland Classic against Central State on Sept. 10 inside Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Eagles first home game is on Sept. 17 versus Elon.

Season tickets are now on sale with reserved seating for five home games at only $130. For a complete listing of season ticket options, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or call the NCCU Ticket Office at (919) 530-5170.

By Chris Hooks, Assistant Sports Information Director/ Broadcast Media Coordinator


Videographer: NCCUEagles

MAISA/SAISA Another Step In Process For Hampton U. Sailing

HAMPTON, Va. – Hampton University head sailing coach Alessandro Ambrosi, in his second year, understands that building and developing a program takes time. Short-term results are nice, but his goals require a more long-term investment.

“It’s been my goal from day one to develop the program,” Ambrosi, a native of Trento, Italy, said. “And in order to develop the program, we have to be willing to take the next step.”

That next step is this weekend, when the Pirates host the annual Middle Atlantic InterCollegiate Sailing Association and the South Atlantic InterCollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA/SAISA) Intersectional regatta on Saturday and Sunday at Strawberry Banks. The regatta will feature some of the nation’s best teams – last year’s regatta featured nationally-ranked programs such as Old Dominion, South Florida, Charleston and the U.S. Naval Academy.

This will mark the third straight year in which Hampton has hosted the event, a qualifier of sorts – in which the top two teams advance to the Admirals’ Cup.

The top eight teams advance to regionals, which then feed to the national regatta.

“Strawberry Banks is ideal, I think, for regattas,” Ambrosi said. “It’s a very good venue with a beautiful waterfront. It’s really the best spot we can ask for.”

In showcasing that spot again, Ambrosi hopes to make Hampton a destination for future regattas on every level. The Pirates have two home regattas on the schedule this year – this weekend’s MAISA/SAISA and the Edward Teach Memorial back on Sept. 18-19.

HU Pirates Remaining Competitive Sailing Schedule

3/26/2011 MAISA/SAISA Intersectional Hampton, Va. All Day
3/27/2011 MAISA/SAISA Intersectional Hampton, Va. All Day
4/2/2011 South Spring Qualifier Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/3/2011 South Spring Qualifier Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/9/2011 William & Mary 2-on-2 Team Race Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/9/2011 Ocean County 2-on-2 Team Race TBA All Day
4/10/2011 Ocean County 2-on-2 Team Race TBA All Day
4/10/2011 William & Mary 2-on-2 Team Race Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/16/2011 America Trophy St. Mary's City, Md. All Day
4/16/2011 Leroy Grant Regatta TBA All Day
4/17/2011 Leroy Grant Regatta TBA All Day
4/17/2011 America Trophy St. Mary's City, Md. All Day
4/23/2011 Army Spring Open West Point, N.Y. All Day
4/24/2011 Army Spring Open West Point, N.Y. All Day
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Hampton Coach Alessandro Ambrosi

Ambrosi expressed the desire to eventually host the America Trophy or the South Spring Qualifier … with the ultimate goal being the host of the first round of nationals in 2015.

St. Mary’s (Md.) and King’s Point (N.Y.) are currently in consideration as sites in 2015, but Ambrosi has submitted Hampton as a candidate to host. His experience hosting the MAISA/SAISA intersectional – along with expected future experience hosting other regattas – has Ambrosi confident his program would be able to handle the exposure.

Hampton has never been the host of a national collegiate competition – a reality Ambrosi is determined to change.

“Nationals are the biggest event we have in sailing,” he said, referring, in part, to the fact that ESPN broadcasts the national regatta. “Between now and (2015), we have to show that we can handle an event like that.”

In order to do that, Ambrosi said, Strawberry Banks would need a new pier capable of housing 36 boats. He has proposed co-hosting the event with Old Dominion, a nationally-renowned sailing program, where ODU would supply 18 boats (half the necessary fleet).

Sponsorship would also be key.

“Naturally, this is going to take money,” he said. “But I believe, in the long run, it would be worth it, not only for the benefit of the sailing program, but for the university. We would both benefit from this.”

Ambrosi has also benefitted from the success he’s already enjoyed; in his first two years at Hampton, the Pirates have won five regattas. Ambrosi said that has attracted the attention of students interested in coming to the school – students from all over the world.

“I have international students calling me and asking how they can come to Hampton,” he said. “I’m not finding them, they’re coming to me.”

Recruiting for sailing is different than for other sports, Ambrosi said, because he doesn’t have athletic scholarships to offer. Students who sail can receive other scholarships and financial assistance, but they aren’t offered scholarships to sail.

“Success is a great recruiting tool,” Ambrosi said, “but so are things like hosting big regattas. This weekend, we host MAISA/SAISA. I hope, over the coming years, we host more and more, all the way up to nationals in 2015.

“I think that would benefit everybody.”

Courtesy Hampton University Sports Information