Robinson: New FAMU AD must be versed in fundraising, finances

LARRY ROBINSON
 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Whenever FAMU finds its next permanent athletic director, that person will have a solid background in fundraising and dealing with finances.

Finding someone familiar with money matters is an absolute must, Larry Robinson, interim president at FAMU, said Wednesday after he fired Derek Horne. Horne is on administrative leave until his current $200,000 a year contract expires on Sept. 7.

Robinson, speaking to the Democrat by telephone from Los Angeles, where he is attending a business meeting, said he couldn’t discuss the specifics that led to terminating Horne. But he said resolving a deficit of more than $7 million that has plagued the athletic department for several years is a priority.

“One of the major challenges that we have in the program obviously is the on-going deficit,” Robinson said. “We’ve got to fix that year in, year out.”

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Five-a-Side: Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania –  The identity that Bethune-Cookman University football coach Brian Jenkins wants his team to take on this season is developing as you read this.

The Wildcats are getting ready.

Jenkins is all about hard work. He wants B-CU opponents and anybody watching his team to know the Wildcats will have themselves prepared in every phase of the game. And we're not just talking offense, defense and special teams, it's being ready emotionally, physically, even spiritually as a group.



The results of Jenkins' philosophy reflect how the outspoken coach has transformed the Wildcats program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Before he became a Christmas present for B-CU after the 2009 season, the Wildcats were coming off a 5-6 record for the third time in four years. In his first three seasons in Daytona Beach, Fla., they have gone a combined 27-8 overall, including 21-3 in the MEAC, and reached the FCS playoffs twice with the conference's automatic bid.

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Albany State releases 2013 football schedule

ALBANY, Georgia --The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2013 season, ASU Athletics Director Richard H. Williams and head coach Mike White announced Monday afternoon.  Highlighting the nine-game slate are two games against non-conference opponents, and a seven SIAC conference games that include matchups against two teams that made appearances in the 2012 NCAA Division II football playoffs.

“Albany State has generated a challenging schedule that will provide a lot of excitement during the 2013 season," said Williams. "Our Golden Rams are making great preparations, and they are ready to deliver some solid football action this season.”

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2012 season at 6-4, will kick off the season on September 7th on the road against the North Greenville University Crusaders.  North Greenville, an affiliate with the South Atlantic Conference, went 5-6 last season. ASU beat the Crusaders in the 2012 season opener 24-12.

Albany State will open SIAC play and renew a rivalry when they face the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on September 14th.  Tuskegee, the defending SIAC champions, finished 2012 with a 10-2 overall record.  The Tuskegee game is the first of three West Division crossover games. The location and time for this contest will be determined at a later date.

Week three of ASU's schedule will have the Golden Rams at home. The Golden Rams will face CIAA foe Elizabeth City State University in their second-ever meeting on September 21st. The Vikings finished the 2012 season at 8-4, including a 13-12 win over ASU and 28-13 victory of Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl.

Albany State will travel to Birmingham, Alabama on September 22nd and take on the Miles College Golden Bears, who finished the 2012 season at 8-3. The Golden Bears, a member of the SIAC West Division, defeated the Golden Rams 41-6 in regular-season play.

After an open date on October 5th, another long road trip is scheduled for October 12th, as the Golden Rams travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Lane College Dragons. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 36-14 in last season’s Music City Classic held in Macon, Georgia.  The Dragons finished the 2012 season with a 5-5 record.

The Golden Rams will face the first of SIAC East Division opponents on Oct. 19th as they face the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College at the Albany State Coliseum. On this day, ASU will also celebrate its’ annual homecoming. Albany State defeated Morehouse 16-13 in the 2012 contest. Albany State will then travel to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on October 26th. ASU beat CAU 36-9 in 2012.

Albany State will return home on November 2nd and face the Benedict College Tigers. ASU Athletics will also honor the senior student-athletes.  The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 24-13 in last year’s Augusta City Classic.

Two of the biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University will close their regular seasons in the 24th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 9th at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 38-20 in the 2012 classic game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics.

The winners of the East and West divisions will play for the 2013 SIAC championship title on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia.

2013 Albany State Football Schedule (.pdf)

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU To Host Austin Peay in Lone Hale Stadium Game

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State football will play one game on campus at Hale Stadium during the 2013 season.

The Tigers will host in-state rival Austin Peay on Nov. 9. This is the second year in a row that TSU will play at Hale after a 13 year absence.

"Here at TSU, we have a very rich tradition," athletics director Teresa Phillips said. "Having games back at Hale last year was great for the fans, alumni and players. We look to continue the tradition and make more memories at Hale."

Tennessee State hosted Austin Peay for the first conference matchup in the OVC of the 2012 season and the first game held at Hale Stadium since 1998. "The fact that it is Austin Peay is exciting," said Phillips. "We were very happy with the turn out last year in the Hole, especially against Austin Peay. Hopefully the fans come out again this year to see another great game."

TSU went 8-3 during the 2012 season, including a perfect 5-0 at home.


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

No play no pay: Birmingham Council members consider ending cash for SWAC in 2014 budget

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham city funding for the Southwestern Athletic Conference could be slashed or eliminated altogether following the college sport's conference decision to move its football and basketball championships to Houston, Texas.

Birmingham last year spent $500,000 on the Southwestern Athletic Conference and is set to increase the amount to $550,000 under Mayor William Bell's proposed 2014 budget.

But several council members question why the city would continue to provide for the Birmingham-based conference that is shipping its major events away from Birmingham.

"The city has shown good will toward them. Certainly we're not responsible for promoting their conference, but we have been a solid partner," Council President Roderick Royal said. "But if we cannot have certain tournaments and or the championship games in basketball and football, then the city needs to move to terminate the contract and let Houston pick up the weight."

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Grambling's Williams wants a finals in third NCAA trip

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The 200 meter dash was always Akeem Williams’ “baby.”

 

Despite pouring much of his focus into the 400 meter this season, the Grambling senior sprinter will make his third and last appearance in the 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week in Eugene, Ore.

 

Williams is one of 24 sprinters in the semifinals, and he is motivated to reach the eight-man finals after placing ninth in each of his first two championships.

 

“It’s in the back of mind, but this year, I definitely want to go in and try to get an automatic (qualifying) time,” said Williams, who will run in the semifinals Thursday at 6:15 p.m. “Missing the finals by just one place has been disappointing, but this week of practice has been going very well.

 

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Hampton University rising junior makes Puerto Rican National Softball Team

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Jailynn Jackson, a rising junior at Hampton University and former First Colonial High School Patriot, made the Puerto Rican National Softball Team.

Jackson led the Lady Pirates to their first ever NCAA tournament this year. The MEAC Pitcher of the Year struck out a program-record 255. Jackson ends the season with single-season program records in innings pitched (252.0), starts (39), and appearances (47). Her 26 wins are tied for the second-most in a season in program history, and Jackson’s 26 complete games are tied for third-most in program history.


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