S.C. State picked 2nd for MEAC title in 2012

NORFOLK, Virginia — South Carolina State was picked Friday to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2012 behind defending champion Norfolk State.

The Bulldogs, who had been given the first-place nod each of the last four seasons, received four first-place votes and 432 points, while the Spartans earned 11 first-place votes and 454 points in the poll of MEAC head coaches and sports information directors announced at the league’s annual Press Luncheon at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel.

Behind Norfolk State and S.C. State was Bethune-Cookman with three first-place votes and 417 points, Florida A&M with two first-place votes and 354 points and Hampton, which along with North Carolina A&T is ineligible for the MEAC title due to low APR scores, was fifth with one first-place vote and 268 points.

Despite finishing in last place last season and in the preseason poll, Savannah State received the only other first-place vote.

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BCU's Jenkins shares credit for success

DAYTONA BEACB, Florida  -  You don't have to tell Brian Jenkins how big the MEAC/SWAC Challenge is for his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Jenkins, the head coach, took the team to the classic HBCU game last year -- when the Wildcats manhandled Prairie View A&M, 63-14, in an impressive performance to open the season.

In the 2012 installment of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney -- taking place at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 2 -- Bethune-Cookman will again represent the MEAC, this time going up against Alabama State from the SWAC.

"It's going to be a tremendous game," says Jenkins. "Alabama State is a championship-caliber team. We're happy and thankful to be invited back to play in this venue. It puts you on the national stage, and that's good for your program."



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In the FCS Huddle: Taylor's influence all over the MEAC

NORFOLK, Virginia – Over the years, it's become almost impossible to keep track of the amount of players, coaches and individuals impacted by Florida A&M head football coach Joe Taylor. Not to mention, the influence he's had on the football conference he has been in for 20 years.

On Friday, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference held its annual preseason football media day and for many it was no surprise six teams received first-place votes.



"This is probably going to be the strongest competitive conference in football that I've seen," Taylor said. "And I've been in this game a long time."

For Hill-Eley and the other coaches who have spent time with Taylor, words can't express the respect and admiration they have for him.

"Nobody calls him friend because most of us call him our father and he has always acted that way towards us," Hill-Eley said. "The type of leadership and character he displays is amazing, and he consistently raises the bar for fellow coaches."

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Norfolk State developing winning tradition

NORFOLK, Virginia — Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said he expected to have a red "x" on his team's back going into the season, but being picked by the league's coaches to repeat as MEAC Conference Champions makes the "x" bright red.

"You can't sneak up on anybody anyway," Adrian said at MEAC Media Day.



With three consecutive winning seasons and a MEAC Conference Championship under its belt, Norfolk State isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore. With a less than sparkling football history, Adrian is now looking to establish a winning tradition, as the Spartans were picked to finish first in the MEAC again by league's coaches.

"We went from not being able to win a ball game to winning the championship," Adrian said. "It takes a lot to develop that, and now, when we take the field, we expect to win."

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Rose, Hampton U. eagerly anticipate challenging season

NORFOLK, Virginia — The term that Donovan Rose repeated to describe himself was that he is now a "full-fledged" head coach.

Yes, it was his name on the door to the big office at Hampton University's football complex for the past three years. Yes, wins and losses during that time were attached to his resume'. And yes, it was his program that got whacked recently by the NCAA for continued academic negligence.

But for Rose, "full-fledged" connotes a combination of experience, tenure, understanding, vision and direction. Four years in, he finally feels equipped to run the Pirates' program and to restore it to the level attained under his former boss, Joe Taylor.

"I've grown up," Rose said Friday at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference media day. "I realize as a head coach that everything is on me. In doing that, I put all of myself in everything. As a full-fledged head coach, in my fourth year, every recruit has come under me, every coach has come under me and everything else has come under me. With that in mind, I think we've turned the corner."

The Pirates return 17 starters from a ...



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Kickoff set for OU Sooners home opener vs. FAMU

NORMAN, Oklahoma - Oklahoma’s string of night games will continue through the second week of the regular season. The Big 12 Conference announced on Friday that the Sooners’ Sept. 8 home opener against Florida A&M at Owen Field will kick off at 6 p.m.

The game will mark the first-ever meeting between the Sooners and the Rattlers. Oklahoma has won its initial game of the season in Norman each of the past six years. Dating back to the start of the 2006 campaign, the Sooners own a 36-1 (.973) home record. Among FBS teams, only Boise State at 37-1 (.974) has a better home winning percentage over that span.

Oklahoma begins the 2012 season at UTEP with kickoff set for 9:30 p.m. CT in El Paso, Texas. Thus far, they are the only games that have start times. The kickoff times for the remaining 12 regular-season games will be announced at a later date.

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MEAC coaches recruit Florida, Panhandle

NORFOLK, Virginia — When Norfolk State University won the MEAC football title last season, it was Tallahassee’s Chris Wally who led the Spartans into the NCAA playoffs.

Coach Pete Adrian is counting on receiver Derrick Demps, yet another Tallahassee native, to be a major offensive contributor this season. He praised Demps, a product of Florida High, at Friday’s gathering with reporters at the MEAC media day here at the downtown Sheraton.

“He has good speed and handles the ball real well,” said Adrian, whose team was picked to win its second straight conference title this season.

“He’s become a great team leader for us. He talks a lot but that’s OK because he’s always talking positive. He gets really excited about playing and that’s what you want.”

Actually, that’s what Joe Taylor would love to have more of for his Florida A&M football team, too. But Tallahassee players do escape from the Big Bend and FAMU recruiters.

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Coach Waltar Bright to enter Allen University Hall Of Fame

"Every year our first game was against Florida A&M. They liked to play home games at high noon under the hot sun," Bright said. "The only place you could find shade was under the bench."

EASTON, Pennsylvania  -  Waltar Bright's football career started with a hall-of-fame caliber team and will end up with him being inducted into his college's hall of fame.

The 71-year old Bright, who was a senior safety on the undefeated 1958 Easton High School team, considered by some to be the finest football team in school history, played his college ball at Allen University in Columbia, S.C.  He has been told he will be inducted into its Hall of Fame on Nov. 9. Bright was all-conference in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as a junior and a senior and an All-American as a senior.

"I haven't spoken directly to anyone from the school yet," Bright said. "They left a message on my voice mail telling me about the ceremony while I was at a basketball clinic at Kutztown University earlier this week."

Bright served in the Marines after graduating from Easton and played football against many NFL players in Marine football games. He was approached by the Allen athletic director about playing college football. When Bright told him that he still had almost two years left as a Marine, he gave Bright a business card and said "Call me when your hitch is done."

When Bright's hitch was done, he worked for a flooring company in Philadelphia. He thought about attending college, but "the money was too good." Finally his boss approached him, telling him that he himself had two daughters in college and would feel guilty if he prevented Bright from attending college.

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Winston-Salem State Picked To Repeat As CIAA Champs

HAMPTON, Virginia  -  The CIAA has released the 2012 All-CIAA Football Preseason team and Predicted Order of finish as voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association, and the Winston-Salem State University Rams were picked to repeat as CIAA Southern Division Champions and to repeat as CIAA Champions.

This year's press conference featured the 2012 season theme, "One Century Down," a tribute to the continued celebration of the conference's 100th Anniversary.



"We had a great run last season", says third year head coach, Connell Maynor. "But last season is last season. We can't live off of that. That season is over and we have to work to prepare for those teams in front of us this season, and that starts with UNC-Pembroke", says Maynor.

The WSSU Rams placed seven (7) players on the preseason All-CIAA team. The WSSU contingent is led by senior quarterback, Kameron Smith (5-11, 190, Sr, Garner, NC), who was the All-CIAA quarterback in 2011, as he passed for 2,706 yards and 33 touchdowns, while rushing for 226 yards and two scores.

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Chowan University Hawks Baseball Adds Fourteen for 2012

HEAD COACH TAYLOR FURLOUGH
CHOWAN UNIVERSITY HAWKS
BASEBALL

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  -  Head Coach Taylor Furlough announced today that the Chowan Baseball program will be adding fourteen players to the squad for next year. Coming off a 26-23 season and CIAA Championship Game appearance, the Hawks are looking forward to another successful season.

Coach Furlough is especially excited about this incoming group of student-athletes. "We knew going into this year that we were going to have a lot of holes to fill. We lost a lot of talent both at the plate and on the mound from last year's graduating class. Our staff has done a great job of addressing our need for players that are ready to contribute both on the mound and in the line-up," he stated.

The full list of 2012 signees is listed below:

Tyler Burden (Hertford County HS/Aulander, NC), Infielder, Right-handed Pitcher
Hunter Early (Manteo HS/Manteo, NC), Right-handed Pitcher
Jess Gullion (Dawson CC (MT)/Brigham City, UT), Infielder
Austin Hiatt (Jackson State CC/Collierville, TN), First Baseman
Evan Holton (College of the Abermarle/Columbia, NC), Infielder
John Hunter (College of the Abermarle/Hertford, NC), Infielder
Josh Martin (Gloucester County HS/Hayes, VA), Catcher/Outfielder
Andrew Mason (Garrett CC (MD)/Sterling, VA), Infielder/Outfielder
Bobby Mason (Parkview HS/Sterling, VA), Right-handed Pitcher/Infielder
George Mazza (College of the Abermarle/Kitty Hawk, NC), Right-handed Pitcher
Austin McGee (Thomas Dale HS/Colonial Heights, VA), Right-handed Pitcher/Infielder
David Menker (Marriots Ridge HS/Ellicot City, MD), Catcher
Keaton Scales (Thomas Dale HS/Colonial Heights, VA), Infielder/Outfielder
Carter Siweck (Colonial Forge HS/Stafford, VA), Right-handed Pitcher

Furlough had postive comments to add about this incoming group of student-athletes' abilities off the baseball field. "Additionally, this class is more than just a collection of good baseball talent. They are also involved with various community projects and outreach programs, as well as excelling in the classroom. I am excited to add these young men to the group of returning players we have coming back."

COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY HAWKS SPORTS INFORMATION

SWAC NEWS: Sharp agrees to contract extension

SWAC COMMISSIONER DUER SHARP

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents/Chancellors and chairman George C. Wright, President at Prairie View A&M University, announced today that SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp and the conference have agreed to a contract extension through June 30, 2015.

Sharp, 42, has been commissioner of the 10-team league for the last five years.

Under Sharp's leadership, the SWAC has negotiated long-term contract agreements with ESPN, Russell Athletic, Toyota, Coca-Cola and Nike. The conference basketball tournament has also set records for revenue and total attendance two of the last three years.

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XU Nuggets wrap up recruiting, announce three more signees

Talor Hixon

Danielle Tucker

Emoni Harvey

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana concluded its 2012-13 women's basketball recruiting class with the signing of Danielle Tucker of Rochester, N.Y., Talor Hixon of Carson, Calif., and Emoni Harvey of Memphis, Tenn., to scholarships. The Gold Nuggets will have eight newcomers next season.

Tucker, a 5-foot-10 forward, transferred to Xavier from NCAA Division II member Mars Hill (N.C.) College and will be an XU junior next season. She led Mars Hill with 12 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this past season, shot 52.6 percent from the floor and was a two-time South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week. At Rochester's East High School, she scored 1,226 career points, averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds for a 15-4 team her senior year and made the Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester second team.

Hixon, a 5-7 guard, will be an XU sophomore after transferring from Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. Hixon averaged 6.1 points and 4.4 rebounds this past season and led the Falcons with 72 steals. She was second-team All-South Coast Conference and helped Cerritos finish second in the league and 23-8 overall. At St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Calif., Hixon was a four-year varsity starter who averaged triple-doubles her senior and freshman seasons. She averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals and nine assists her senior year (2009-10) for a St. Anthony team which was the CIF Division V state runner-up.

Harvey, a 5-6 guard, will be the eighth Memphian to play for the Gold Nuggets and the sixth during Bo Browder's 14 seasons as head coach. She averaged 11.2 points as a four-year starter for Briarcrest Christian High School, helping the Lady Saints finish second in Tennessee's Division II-AA state playoffs in 2010 and 2011 and reach the semifinals this year. She was all-region as a senior and first-team all-conference as a senior and junior.

Tucker will major in political science with a sociology minor and hopes to attend law school. Hixon will major in sociology, and Harvey — who had a 3.98 grade-point average at Briarcrest — will be a chemistry/pre-pharmacy major.

Previously signed were centers Whitney Gaston-Loyd of Shreveport, La., and Kelsee Singleton of New Orleans and guards Whitney Gathright and Schuyler Morton of New Orleans and Andraquay Quinnine of Elk Grove, Calif.

Xavier was 26-9 in 2011-12, won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and, for the second consecutive year, reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. The GCAC Tournament title was the Gold Nuggets' third in a row. Xavier reached 20 victories 19 of the past 20 seasons and qualified for the national tournament 16 of the past 18 seasons.

2012-13 Xavier University of Louisiana Women's Basketball Signees

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.*	Hometown	H.S./(College)
Whitney Gaston-Loyd	C	6-0	Jr.	Shreveport, La.	Southwood (Ark.-LR)
Whitney Gathright	G	5-4	Fr.	New Orleans, La.	John Curtis Christian
Emoni Harvey	G	5-6	Fr.	Memphis, Tenn.	Briarcrest Christian
Talor Hixon	G	5-7	So.	Carson, Calif.	St. Anthony (Cerritos JC)
Schyler Morton	G	5-7	So.	New Orleans, La.	Ursuline Academy (Fordham)
Andraquay Quinnine	G	5-9	Jr.	Elk Grove, Calif.	Franklin (Consumes River JC)
Kelsee Singleton	C	6-2	Fr.	New Orleans, La.	Karr
Danielle Tucker	F	5-10	Jr.	Rochester, N.Y.	East (Mars Hill)
* athletic classification at Xavier in fall of 2012

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

“One Century Down”: 2012 CIAA Football Campaign Begins with Preseason Picks and Predicted Order of Finish

PETERSBURG, Virginia - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced its Pre-season All-CIAA Football Team and Predicted Order of Finish at today's Football Press Conference and Luncheon.

This year's press conference featured the 2012 season theme, "One Century Down," a tribute to the continued celebration of the conference's 100th Anniversary.

Each football coach was interviewed by Stan Lewter of Urban Sports and Entertainment Group as they shared their outlooks for the upcoming year. Viewers and members of the media participating online also contributed to the conversation via www.livestream.com/ciaa.

The All-CIAA Pre-Season Team and Predicted Order of Finish are listed below:

Predicted Order of Finish
**As selected by the CIAA Football Coaches Association

2012 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish
1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Elizabeth City State University
3. Saint Augustine's College

4. Fayetteville State University

5. Shaw University

6. Bowie State University

7. Virginia State University

8. Johnson C. Smith University

9. Virginia Union University
10. Chowan University
11. Lincoln University

12. Livingstone College

Northern Division

1) Elizabeth City State University

2) Bowie State University

3) Virginia State University
4) Virginia Union University
5) Chowan University
6) Lincoln University of PA

Southern Division
1) Winston-Salem State University
2) St. Augustine's College
3) Fayetteville State University
4) Shaw University
5) Johnson C. Smith University
6) Livingstone College

2012 PRESEASON ALL-CIAA FOOTBALL TEAM

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#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HT	WT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
OFFENSE
TIGHT END
86	Khari Lee	BSU	SO	6'4	250	Banking & Finance	Baltimore, MD
LINESMEN
75	OgheneMaro Erhie	BSU	SR	6'6	305	Graduate School	Odenton, MD
55	Rico Arellano	JCSU	JR	6'7	280	Sports Management	Charlotte, NC
72	Kyle Catterton	VSU	SR	6'4	285	Sports Management	Waldorf, MD
52	Markus Lawrence	WSSU	SR	6'3	275	Business Management	Charlotte, NC
75	Daven Gray	WSSU	JR	6'3	310	Art	Kernersville, NC
WIDE RECEIVERS
86	Robert Holland	CU	SR	6'2	190	SSPE	Newport News, VA
1	Tyron Laughinghouse	SAC	SR	6'3	180	Sports Management	Greenville, NC
QUARTERBACK
6	Kameron Smith	WSSU	SR	6'0	195	Business Administration	Garner, NC
RUNNING BACKS
8	Daronte McNeill	ECSU	SR	6'2	220	Sports Management	Elizabeth City, NC
29	Jerell Washington	VUU	SR	5'8	180	Accounting	Fort Pierce, FL
PLACE KICKER
43	Alejandro Suarez	WSSU	SO	5'8	170	Undeclared	Liberty, NC
KICK RETURNER
88	Terry Anderson	LC	JR	5'9	180	Undeclared	Newark, NJ
DEFENSE
LINESMEN
42	Brad Davis	ECSU	SR	6'2	245	Business Administration	Charlotte, NC
92	Derrick Johnson, III.	JCSU	SR	6'2	275	Physical Education	Charlotte, NC
51	Tim Green	LU	SR	6'1	255	Criminal Justice	Fanwood, NJ
52	Shonquez Nelson	SAC	JR	6'1	290	Biology	Lake City, SC
LINEBACKERS
32	Tyheim Pitt	LC	JR	5'10	190	Mathematics	Freemont, NC
3	Chaz Robinson	SAC	JR	5'11	215	Sports Management	Hampton, VA
44	Carlos Fields, II.	WSSU	JR	6'1	220	Math Education	Henderson, NC
DEFENSIVE BACK
1	Nigel Rios	ECSU	JR	5'9	170	Business	Washington, DC
10	Joshua Scales	FSU	JR	6'0	175	Physical Education	Pinehurst, NC
1	Darnell Evans	SU	JR	5'8	180	Education	Madison, NJ
13	Malcolm Rowe	WSSU	SR	6'1	220	Business Administration	Fayetteville, NC
PUNTER
7	Landen Thayer	WSSU	SR	6'0	200	Physical Education	Clemmons, NC
PUNT RETURNER
1	Tyron Laughinghouse	SAC	SR	6'3	180	Sports Management	Greenville, NC

COURTESY CIAA.COM and VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

FAMU picked fourth in MEAC, six Rattlers earn conference preseason honors

NORFOLK, Virginia  -  The Florida A&M Football team has been picked to finish fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, while six Rattlers earned preseason All-MEAC honors, voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The defending MEAC Champion Norfolk State Spartans have been tabbed to win the conference once again as they tallied 11 first place votes and 454 points, while South Carolina State has been selected to finish second with four first place votes and 432 points. Bethune-Cookman was picked to finish third with three first place votes and 417 points, while FAMU finished with two first place votes and 354 points. Hampton was picked to finished fifth with one first place vote and 268 points, followed North Carolina A&T with 216 points for a sixth place finish. Morgan State was tabbed to finish seventh with 198 points, followed by Howard with 188 points for a predicted eighth place finish. Rounding out the cast of MEAC finishers is North Carolina Central with 116 points for a ninth place finish, followed by Delaware State with 78 points and picked to finish 11th is Savannah State with 73 points.

FAMU had five Rattlers to earn first team Preseason All-MEAC honors with four of them being from Tallahassee and one Rattler to earn second team All- MEAC honors.

Leading the Tallahassee connection is senior ...

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A&T's Mayhew Named MEAC Preseason Player of the Year

NORFOLK, Virginia - Mike Mayhew, one of the most decorated running backs in the history of North Carolina A&T football, continued to stockpile honors on Friday when he was named preseason MEAC Offensive Player of the Year at the 2012 MEAC Football Press Luncheon at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside Hotel.

Mayhew was the only player from the Aggies offense to make the preseason All-MEAC first team. Senior defensive end Tony Mashburn, junior linebacker D'Vonte Grant and junior safety Travis Crosby were named to the first-team defense. Junior offensive lineman Nathan Isles and senior defensive tackle Brandon Young made the second team.

As a team, the Aggies were picked to finish sixth in the conference following a season in which they were 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the MEAC. Norfolk State was picked to claim its second straight MEAC title after grabbing 11 first-place votes. The Spartans were followed by S.C. State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Hampton in the order of prediction.

"I think everyone gets excited at the start of a new season," said A&T head coach Rod Broadway. "It's our job as coaches to hold that excitement. If you hold it, they can see themselves getting better. Hopefully, that translates into us winning some football games. I think we have core group of guys who understand how we want to get things done. Guys are really putting forth the effort and going for it."

The cornerstone of that group is Mayhew. His preseason Player of the Year recognition comes eight months after he earned Co-MEAC Offensive Player of the Year honors following the 2011 season where he led the MEAC in rushing (101.8 per game). His other accolades include being named MEAC Rookie of the Year (2009), earning a spot on the 2011 Walter Payton Watch List for best offensive Division I-FCS player in the nation and he is a two-time first-team All-MEAC performer.

But none of that is what impresses Broadway. It is the maturity he has seen from his star back since last season.

"He is starting to show leadership," said Broadway. "I think Mike has come a long way in understanding how we do things, when we do things and why we do things. Others on our football team have come to that understanding too, but it's real important that Mike understands it because he is one of our better players."

Mayhew is trying to become the first Aggie in school history to rush for 1,000 yards three consecutive seasons. He would become only the third back in MEAC history to accomplish the feat. If he leads the Aggies in rushing this season, he will join Stoney Polite as the only two players in school history to lead the Aggies in rushing four consecutive years. He needs just139 yards rushing to become the school's all-time leading rusher.

"Mike is an excellent player, but what I like is his attitude," said Broadway. "His attitude has improved his effort, so there is no telling how good he can be this year."

A&T's defense could be as big of standout as Mayhew. The Aggies led the MEAC in rush defense and they had the eighth best defense in the nation. Tony Mashburn led the team in tackles for loss (12.5) as the Aggies held five different opponents to under 40 yards rushing in 2011. Mashburn also recorded 5.5 sacks.

Grant led the Aggies in tackles and made was a Jerry Rice Finalist for best FCS rookie. Crosby also had a standout season. He was second on the team in tackles, made 10 tackles for loss and he returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown against S.C. State.

Isles is a two-year starter who is slated to play right guard this season. Young played on the interior of the Aggies' stingy defense. He made four sacks from his defensive tackle position. A&T opens the season on Sept. 1 at Coastal Carolina. A time has not been posted yet. The Aggies' home opener is Sept. 8 against West Virginia State at 6 p.m.

2012 MEAC Football Preseason Predictions

1.      Norfolk State (11)                  454
2.      South Carolina State (4)        432
3.      Bethune-Cookman (3)          417
4.      Florida A&M (2)                   354
5.      Hampton (1)                          268
6.      N.C. A&T                             216
7.      Morgan State                         198
8.      Howard                                  188
9.      N.C. Central                          116
10.  Delaware State                      78
11.  Savannah State (1)                73

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coaches laugh it up, wax poetic at annual Pigskin Preview

CARY, North Carolina - It’s the largest event of its kind in the nation, this Tenth Annual Pigskin Preview of the Bill Dooley Triangle/East Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

And of course it helps that there are five Division I football programs between Orange and Pitt counties.



On Thursday five coaches — new UNC coach Larry Fedora, N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien, Duke’s David Cutcliffe, East Carolina’s Ruffin McNeill and N.C. Central assistant Dwayne Foster — occupied the head table for what has become the first big event of each football season. (Foster was sitting in for NCCU coach Henry Frazier, who is on leave as he awaits a court date on domestic assault charges.)

And unfortunately the event’s 78-year-old namesake was ill and unable to attend.  But the coaches entertained a wide array of questions from ...



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Grimsley hires former A&T player Griffis as boys basketball coach

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - Grimsley has hired former N.C. A&T basketball player Thomas Griffis as its boys basketball coach. He replaces longtime Whirlies coach Darren Corbett, who accepted an assistant coaching position on the men’s basketball staff at A&T, where his father formerly served as head coach.

Griffis, a graduate of Raleigh Athens Drive, walked on to the A&T men’s basketball team before earning a scholarship his sophomore year. He played for Corbett’s father, Don Corbett, and helped lead the Aggies to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and MEAC championships from 1985-88. Don Corbett, who racked up a 254-145 overall record in 14 seasons with the Aggies, left the program in 1993.

Griffis is scheduled to be inducted into the A&T Sports Hall of Fame in September.

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S.C. State's Buddy Pough gears up for another title run

NORFOLK, Virginia — The lineup of teams and head coaches has changed over the past 11 years in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

If there’s one constant, it’s the presence of South Carolina State’s Buddy Pough. Only Morgan State’s Donald Hill-Elay has shown up for the conference’s annual football press luncheon with the same team since 2002 as many times as the second-winningest coach in school history.

For the first time in three years, Pough arrives today at the Sheridan Waterside Hotel not as the head coach of the current MEAC champion. A pair of 3-point losses to eventual titleholder Norfolk State and Florida A&M ended the Bulldogs’ three-year reign and run of Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances.

Entering his 11th season at the helm, Pough talked about his “elder statesman” role, regaining the conference title and concerns about the schedule:

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Miles football coach Reginald Ruffin fills off time with family, SpongeBob

The 2012 Labor Day Golden Classic will be held on September 2, 2012 at Legion Field at 6:00pm. The Miles College Golden Bears will take on the Lions from the University of North Alabama.


CHELSEA, Alabama -- Coach Reginald Ruffin is a fighter. He learned that from his mother. "I watched her for 12 years fight cancer, and I took her to all her treatments up until she passed," he says. "She fought until the end, and that fighting is in me."

That fighting spirit has served Ruffin well, from his football-playing career at the University of North Alabama, where he was a three-time All-American, to coaching stints at UNA, Tuskegee University and elsewhere.

Ruffin just finished his first season as head football coach of the Miles Golden Bears, where he fought his way to the top. The team won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and he was named SIAC football coach of the year.

But at home in Chelsea—with wife Monica and son Gabe, 8—it may surprise folks to know that Ruffin is all about HGTV and SpongeBob SquarePants.

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HU forges into football without FCS playoffs goal

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Before preseason practice begins, Hampton University's football team knows the playoffs are unreachable. The Pirates are ineligible for the FCS tournament because of failure to meet NCAA Academic Progress Rate requirements, a sanction announced in June.

An APR is calculated annually for every Division I sports team. The APR is based on the eligibility and retention of each scholarship recipient. The three FCS schools ineligible for the 2012 playoffs are Hampton, North Carolina A&T, and Texas Southern. Hampton and N.C. A&T belong to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

HU returns 17 starters from last season's team, which went 7-4 and lost three games by four or fewer points. Coach Donovan Rose said he told his players, "A lot of this happened before you guys were here. We're going to accept that, and move on, and go forward."

Hampton's fourth-year coach, a former Pirates star player, said the school isn't addressing the APR issue only in a verbal way. The academic profile of the Pirates' incoming class of football recruits represents improvement from previous years, according to Rose. "Out of my 18 freshmen, 14 of them had a 3.0 (grade-point-average) or better," he said.

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