The skinny on the CIAA

RICHMOND, Virigina - The skinny

What's new: Founded in 1912, the CIAA will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, maintaining its claim as the oldest predominantly black conference in the nation. On Aug. 1, Saint Augustine's College officially became Saint Augustine's University, right on time to commemorate the school's 145th anniversary.

Who's new: Just two seasons removed from winning the CIAA championship, Shaw will have a new head coach in Robert Massey. Massey was promoted from the defensive coordinator post he served the past two seasons under former Bears head coach Darrell Asberry, who is now the head man at Texas Southern.

Top five players: Elizabeth City State RB Daronte McNeil, Elizabeth City State DE Brad Davis, Lincoln DE Tim Green, Saint Augustine's WR Tyrone Laughinghouse, Winston-Salem State QB Kameron Smith.

Preseason offensive player of the year: Elizabeth City State RB Daronte McNeil

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Clark Atlanta University marching band suspended for possibility of hazing

ATLANTA, Georgia - Clark Atlanta University has suspended performances of the "Mighty Marching Panthers" to investigate a hazing allegation. University leaders made the decision on Friday.

The University's Official Statement is as follows:


“Mighty Marching Panthers” Band Performances Temporarily Suspended

August 30, 2012--Clark Atlanta University today suspended performances of its “Mighty Marching Panthers” Marching Band in light of an allegation regarding the possibility of hazing within its ranks. While there is no immediate evidence of hazing or any other foul play, the University of its own volition chooses to takea thorough, comprehensive look into this serious matter.

Even the possibility of hazing is unacceptable under any circumstance. Therefore, an investigation will commence immediately. The University aims to be thorough, comprehensive and aggressive in its review.

Ideally, the allegations will prove untrue and the band can return to its planned schedule of performances as quickly as possible. However, regardless of the findings, Clark Atlanta is prepared to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure a safe, healthy, non-threatening experience for our student musicians. The integrity of our University, our band program and the honor of the musicians therein warrants no less.!

The Mighty Panthers Marching Band was a participant in the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase at the Georgia Dome.

The Mays High School band will substitute during CAU's first football game of the season on Saturday. CAU will play the University of West Alabama at Panther Stadium in Atlanta.



CAU Press Release, August 30, 2012

FAMU's Joe Taylor climbs higher in record books

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Joe Taylor was attending a press conference in Nashville a few weeks ago to promote Saturday’s game between FAMU and Tennessee State when John Merritt’s name came up in a conversation that Taylor wasn’t expecting.

The game is a classic named in Merritt’s honor, but until he was informed, Taylor didn’t know that he could surpass the legendary black college coach with just six victories this season. Such a milestone would make Taylor the second-winningest HBCU coach.

“I didn’t start this thing off by saying let’s see how many championships I could win or how many records I could set,” Taylor said. “I went with the idea of how much I can give back because somebody helped me.

“You can’t lose sight. You have to be concerned about these young men because when they grow the program grows.”

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FAMU will overcome its challenges

MIAMI, Florida - Before Florida A&M University accepted me in 2006, I’d heard rumors and stories about FAMU — that it was nothing but a party school, that it did not offer a serious education and that the bar for success was set pretty low.

When I enrolled, I planned on tolerating the school for two years, getting my associate’s degree and transferring to the more well-regarded Florida State University.

Over the next four years, however, my perspective was turned completely on its head, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to remain a Rattler.

Now as the school is stuck in a difficult moment, I can’t help but think back to the tough stories I once heard about the college from those who did not really know it — and about how wrong they were.

Yes, students party and some of the friends I met freshman year didn’t make it to graduation, but those who base reputations on rumors rarely think of the thousands of other students each year, and the hundreds of thousands throughout the years, who have become successful adults because of their education and experiences at FAMU.

Bits of negativity sometimes create an aura that envelops an institution, and it simply isn’t fair.

In no way am I ignoring reckless acts of some members of our beloved Marching 100 band, but they made up only a small fraction of our student body, faculty, staff and other organizations who are passionate and loyal Rattlers. Their acts, which are undeniably unfortunate, do not reflect the ideals of the university as a whole. We are so much more than that ugly fragment.

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TSU faces rival in John Merritt Classic

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State-Florida A&M rivalry dates to 1944, but tonight marks the first time the two have met in the John Merritt Classic. Coach Rod Reed makes all his players aware of the significance of the rivalry by putting them through a required class — History of TSU Football.

“We’re young and not as battle-tested as we have been some of the last few years,” Reed said. “That’s why the first thing we do when these guys get on campus is have them take that class. We show them the Richard Dents, the Ed “Too Tall” Joneses, the Leon Moores and then we get into the rivalries. After it’s over they get it. They know this is a really, really big game. Plus, we have more than 20 guys on our team who are from Florida, and that helps them to understand the rivalry.”

TSU tied the series 25-25 by winning the last game in 2010, Reed’s first season as coach, 29-18.



Last season marked the first time since 1982 that TSU and FAMU didn’t play. They had met in the Atlanta Football Classic 13 consecutive years, but organizers did not invite TSU back after 2010.

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Prairie View, TSU eye trophy, bragging rights

HOUSTON, Texas - Prairie View A&M coach Heishma Northern was taking his son, Adam, to his first day of kindergarten Monday when Adam noticed the Labor Day Classic trophy nestled in the back of the truck.

Adam, who is used to seeing the trophy in his father's office, inquired why it wasn't in its usual location.

Northern explained that he had to take the trophy to a joint Prairie View-Texas Southern news conference that afternoon and that the winner of Saturday night's game at Reliant Stadium would get to keep it.

"Well, you might as well as leave it in the office," Adam said.

Given recent history, Adam's intuition could prove to be true.

The Durley-Nicks Traveling Trophy, as it is officially named, has been in Prairie View's possession for the last five years and seven of the previous eight. TSU last retained the trophy in 2006 when it slipped away with a 17-14 victory at Reliant Stadium.



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Alabama A&M football: Mason craves one step more

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Faith. Fire. Focus. Those three words are printed on a wrist band that Alabama A&M football players wore last season when they reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Quarterback Deaunte Mason wants to add one more word to the band before Saturday's season opener against Tuskegee.  Finish.

"One of the main things we focused on this summer is finishing," Mason said. "We've got all the elements together."



While the entire team would like to finish and win a championship, the onus is likely on Mason, who has led the Bulldogs to the SWAC championship game two of the last three years, but hasn't come away with a title. A&M blew a 15-3 halftime lead to Grambling last year before falling 16-15.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself," said Mason, a 6-foot-3, 233-pound redshirt senior from Nashville. "I feel like it's my duty to the team to win it. It's that simple."

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