Toledo Aiming for 12-0 in Saturday Matinee vs. Coppin State

TOLEDO, Ohio  -- Toledo (11-0) looks to cap off a perfect non-conference home season and remain among the ranks of the unbeaten on Saturday, Dec. 28 when it hosts MEAC foe Coppin State (4-7) in Savage Arena. Tip-off time is set for 2:00 p.m. Entering Friday’s action, the Rockets were one of nine schools in the nation yet to be saddled with a loss.

UT has registered its best start to a season since its 1966-67 squad opened with 14 consecutive wins en route to a 23-2 mark. With one more victory, the Rockets would match the 1940-41 squad for the program’s second-best opening to a season.

All five of Toledo’s starters are averaging in double figures in the scoring column, led by senior G Rian Pearson at 16.1 ppg. He is followed by junior G Justin Drummond (14.9 ppg), junior G Julius Brown (12.8 ppg), junior F J.D. Weatherspoon (11.3 ppg) and sophomore C Nathan Boothe (10.7 ppg).

Pearson ranks fourth in the MAC in scoring and has ranked among the league’s top four scorers in each of his three seasons as a Rocket.
Brown ranks fifth nationally with 7.4 apg and second in the MAC with a 2.5 assist/turnover ratio. He has registered two double-doubles this season with 23 points and 10 assists at Boston College and 18 points and 11 assists vs. Florida A&M.
Toledo is 5-0 this year in games decided by four points or less, including a 71-67 win over Cleveland St. in its most recent outing.

The Rockets have made 60 more free throws (253) than their opponents have attempted (193). UT has a .744 free-throw percentage and ranks fourth nationally at 22.9 free throws made per game.

Senior F Michael Murray paces Coppin State offensively with 15.7 ppg, while junior F Brandon St. Louis is grabbing a team-high 5.8 rpg.

The Eagles, who will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, defeated PAC-12 foe Oregon State earlier this season by a 78-73 margin.

GAME NOTES (PDF)

Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk posted a seven-win improvement from Year 1 (10-20) to Year 2 (17-11) at Green Bay. He doubled that feat and more at Toledo in the 2011-12 campaign as UT registered 15 more wins than his first season at the Rocket helm. Last year, Kowalczyk guided Toledo to a 15-13 ledger as the Midnight Blue and Gold tied for first place in the MAC’s West Division. He now has UT in position as one of the favorites to capture the league title and put the Rockets into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1980.
     
When looking at his career record minus his first season at the helm at both Green Bay and Toledo, Coach Kowalczyk’s record is 171-122 (.584) overall and 86-64 (.573) in conference play. 

ROCKETS IN THE POLLS

Toledo is ranked No. 3 in this week’s CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll for its highest ranking ever in the 15-year history of the poll. The Rockets received 717 points and are one of four MAC schools to appear in the poll with No. 11 Akron (485), No. 14 Kent State (351) and No. 18 Ohio (225) also ranked. Eastern Michigan (35) is also receiving votes.
     
UT also is moving up the national polls and received 27 votes (No. 30) in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll and 13 votes (No. 31) in this week’s ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll.
     
The Rockets are also a near-unanimous pick to win the MAC’s West Division. UT received 24 first-place votes and 149 points in the conference’s preseason poll, while Akron was tabbed as the East Division winner with 18 first-place votes and 143 points.

ROCKETS RANKING AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Toledo’s red-hot start to the 2013-14 campaign has been buoyed by a high-scoring offense that is tied for seventh nationally (through games played Sunday, Dec. 22) with 86.4 ppg. The Rockets also rank 11th with an impressive 1.65 assist/turnover ratio.
  
A ROCKET VICTORY OVER COPPIN STATE WOULD...

• Equal UT’s second-best start to a season in school history, matching the 1940-41 squad’s opening. The Rockets’ school record is 14 by the 1966-67 edition.
• Extend Toledo’s winning streak dating back to the 2012-13 campaign to 14, equalling the third-longest in school history. The Rockets’ longest win streak is 17 from Feb. 19, 1940 - Jan. 25, 1941. UT also won 16 in a row from Feb. 14, 1947 - Dec. 30, 1948 and 14 straight from Dec. 3, 1966 - Feb. 1, 1967.
• Improve UT’s home record to 6-0 and extend the Rockets’ home court win streak to seven games.
• Give Toledo its first victory over Coppin State in three meetings.

ON THE HORIZON

Toledo will close out its non-conference schedule at No. 16 Kansas (8-3) on Monday, Dec. 30 in a game that can be seen on ESPN3.
           
UT opens its MAC season at Western Michigan (6-5) on Wednesday, Jan. 8 with its first conf
erence home game vs. Central Michigan (6-5) on Saturday, Jan. 11.

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The Smalls of Mississippi

• Alcorn State University returns just one starter, All-SWAC forward LeAntwan Luckett, from last year's 10-24 team. The Braves head coach Luther Riley has recruited some size to Lorman with junior college transfers Josh Nicolas (7-0), Stephane Raquil (6-10) and Shantardrick Hester (6-8). Alcorn State's only shot at reaching the Big Dance is by winning the SWAC Tournament.
• Mississippi Valley State University has one of the toughest coaching jobs. Head coach Chico Potts must try to win games facing a second straight postseason ban and, to make matters worse, without last year's SWAC leading scorer Davon Usher, who transferred. Potts hopes to improve on last year's 5-23 with junior college transfer Anthony McDonald and returning player Matt Smith.
• Tougaloo College enters its second year with Harvey Wardell as head coach. His first campaign finished with an 8-18 record. The Bulldogs feature Denzel Hardy, who made the Preseason All-Conference Team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Conference coaches picked Tougaloo to finish sixth in the conference.

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Memphis Basketball Notes vs. Jackson State

Saturday, December 28 - 11 a.m. CT | FedExForum
Jackson State Tigers (4-7, 0-0 SWAC) vs.
#17 Memphis Tigers (8-2, 0-0 The American)
Tigers On TV/Radio/Web
Television: ESPNU (Adam Amin, play-by-play; Mark Adams, analyst)/Memphis Comcast channel 228
Radio: WREC 600 AM (Dave Woloshin, play-by-play; Matt Dillon, color analyst; Forrest Goodman, studio host)
Web:WatchESPN (ESPN3.com)

SETTING THE SCENE• Memphis (8-2, 0-0 The American) returns to action after the Christmas break to host Jackson State (4-7, 0-0 SWAC) Saturday, Dec. 28. ESPNU is televising Saturday's 11 a.m. (CT) contest from FedExForum.
• The Memphis-Jackson State game also can be viewed via the web at ESPN3.com/WatchESPN.
• The Tigers remained in both national polls Dec. 23. Memphis dropped down to the No. 17 spot in both the Associated Press and USA Todaycoaches polls. Jackson State is not ranked. • Memphis enters Saturday's contest having won seven of its last eight games. The seven victories came over Nicholls, Siena, LSU, No. 5/8 Oklahoma State, Northwestern State, UALR and Southeast Missouri. The Tigers' lone loss in that stretch was a narrow 77-75 setback to No. 16/17 Florida in the 2013 Jimmy V Classic. • The Tigers are 5-0 at FedExForum this season, averaging over 85 points a game (87.8 ppg) in the five home wins. • Memphis returns three starters, but only five letterwinners from last year's squad. • Saturday's contest is the Jackson State Tigers' ninth road game in 2013-14. • Jackson State returns only one starter and two letterwinners from last year's squad.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS• Jackson State enters Saturday's non-conference clash with a 4-7 overall record.
• The Tigers bring a two-game win streak into Saturday's match-up. Jackson State's last two wins were over Evansville and Louisiana-Lafayette.
• Of Jackson State's seven losses, four were by single digits.
• Jackson State is playing its ninth road game Saturday. The Tigers are 3-5 on the road.
• Jackson State was picked to finish fifth in the 2013-14 SWAC preseason coaches/sports information directors poll.
• Julysses Nobles leads three Tigers averaging double figures at 16.8 ppg. Nobles is the SWAC's third-leading scorer.
• Brandon West (11.4 ppg) and Javeres Brent (10.4 ppg) also are averaging double digits in the scoring column.
• West leads Jackson State on the glass with an 11.2 rebounding average. He is the SWAC's only players averaging double-figure rebounds.
• Nobles is the team's top playmaker with 40 assists (3.6 apg). He also leads the Tigers with 17 steals.
• Brent is Jackson State's top three-point threat, hitting 38.2 percent from the arc.
• The Tigers are shooting 40.9 percent from the field, 29.9 percent from the arc and 72 percent from the free throw line.
• Jackson State is out-rebounding its opponents by margin of +2.0 boards per game (35.8-33.8).
• Wayne Brent, a former high school head coach in Jackson, Miss., is in his first season as Jackson State's head coach.

BLUFF CITY VERSUS CROSSROADS OF THE SOUTH
• When the two Tigers teams meet Saturday, city pride will be on the line.
• Both squads -- Memphis and Jackson State -- are well represented by local talent.
• Jackson State has eight players on its roster from the Jackson, Miss., area. Jackson, Miss., also is known as the Crossroads of the South.
• On the Tigers' side, eight players hail from the Memphis area. Chris Crawford, Markel Crawford, Trey Draper, Joe Jackson, Nick King and Jake McDowell all are from Memphis, also know as the Bluff City. Sophomore Anthony Cole is from Arlington and freshman Austin Nichols is from Collierville, both suburbs of Memphis.

DO YOU REMEMBER?
• For many Tigers fans, they may know, but here's the question anyway.
• Name the opponent Memphis played in Josh Pastner's first game as the Tigers head coach?
• The answer: Jackson State.
• In his first game not only as the Tigers head coach but also his first as a collegiate head coach, Pastner directed Memphis to an 82-53 victory over Jackson State Nov. 13, 2009.

BRENT SUCCESS VERSUS MEMPHIS
• Although Saturday's contest is his first as a head coach against Memphis, Jackson State head coach Wayne Brent has faced the Tigers four previous times as an assistant at Ole Miss from 1998-2002.
• With Brent on the Rebels bench, Ole Miss won three of the four encounters over Memphis.
• Another note on Brent: As the Callaway High School head coach in 2012-13, he brought his Chargers squad by a Memphis practice last season. That Callaway squad won the state title.

HOLDING `EM IN THE FORTIES• The last time Memphis and Jackson State met Nov. 28, 2011, the hometown Tigers held the visitors to 45 points in a 70-45 victory at FedExForum.
• The 45 points is tied for the second-fewest points scored against Memphis in the Josh Pastner era.
• The Tigers also held SMU and UAB to 45 points in 2011-12.
• The fewest points allowed by Memphis in the Pastner era were 40 by Centenary (104-40 win) in the 2010-11 season opener (Nov. 12, 2010).

THE CROWD FACTOR
• FedExForum has been a great homecourt for Memphis, and Saturday could provide more of an advantage.
• For the first time in 2013-14, Jackson State could play before a crowd larger than 10,000.
• To date, the largest crowd Jackson State played in front of was 9,042 in a 94-70 loss at Colorado Nov. 16.
• In their eight previous road games, the Jackson State Tigers played before an average crowd of 4,204.
• In its five home games at FedExForum this season, Memphis is averaging 15,552 fans.


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The American Notes

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HOLDING `EM IN THE FORTIES
• The last time Memphis and Jackson State met Nov. 28, 2011, the hometown Tigers held the visitors to 45 points in a 70-45 victory at FedExForum.
• The 45 points is tied for the second-fewest points scored against Memphis in the Josh Pastner era.
• The Tigers also held SMU and UAB to 45 points in 2011-12.
• The fewest points allowed by Memphis in the Pastner era were 40 by Centenary (104-40 win) in the 2010-11 season opener (Nov. 12, 2010).

THE CROWD FACTOR
• FedExForum has been a great homecourt for Memphis, and Saturday could provide more of an advantage.
• For the first time in 2013-14, Jackson State could play before a crowd larger than 10,000.
• To date, the largest crowd Jackson State played in front of was 9,042 in a 94-70 loss at Colorado Nov. 16.
• In their eight previous road games, the Jackson State Tigers played before an average crowd of 4,204.
• In its five home games at FedExForum this season, Memphis is averaging 15,552 fans.

SWAC Updates Basketball Television Schedule

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southwestern Athletic Conference updated its 2013-14 men and women’s basketball television schedule for the season. The remaining television schedule features eight games on ESPN networks including 10 contests on the SWAC Digital Network (SDN).

The line-up of networks to feature SWAC basketball includes: ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3, FOX Sports Network, FOX SportsSouth, CSS, CSN Houston, Big Ten Network, PAC-12 Network, and Comcast Sports Net.

Four men’s SWAC conference games will air on ESPNU. The match ups slated features: Southern at Texas Southern (Jan. 6), Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern (Jan. 27), Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M (Feb. 3) and Mississippi Valley State at Southern (Feb. 17).

SDN will broadcast five men and women conference double-headers including: Jackson State at Alcorn State (Jan. 11), Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M (Feb. 8), Alabama State at Alabama A&M (Feb. 15) and Alcorn State at Alabama A&M (Feb. 24).

The broadcast schedule closes out in Houston, Texas at the 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament.

The women and men's championship game will be shown live March 15. The women on ESPN3 at noon with tape delay slated for Sunday (March 16) at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. The men’s final is set to air live on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. All times are central.

2013-14 SWAC BASKETBALL TELEVISION SCHEDULE
DATE GAME TIME NETWORK

Dec. 27 Mississippi Valley State at Washington 6:30 p.m. PAC-12
Dec. 28 Jackson State at Memphis 11:00 a.m. ESPNU
Dec. 28 Prairie View A&M at Wisconsin 1:00 p.m. ESPNU
Dec. 29 Texas Southern at TCU 1:00 p.m. FOX Sports
Dec. 30 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Auburn 7:00 p.m. CSS
Jan. 06 Southern at Texas Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Jan. 11 Jackson State at Alcorn State* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Jan. 27 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 03 Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 08 Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Feb. 15 Alabama State at Alabama A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Feb. 17 Mississippi Valley State at Southern 8:00 p.m. ESPNU
Feb. 24 Alcorn State at Alabama A&M* 3:00 p.m. SDN
Mar. 01 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State* 3:00 p.m. SDN

Mar. 15 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Women's Championship
12:00 p.m. ESPN3
Mar. 15 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Men's Championship
3:30 p.m. ESPN2
Mar. 16 REPLAY: 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament Women's Championship
4:00 p.m. ESPNU



COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Basketball: Spartans resume practice with heads high

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- There was no shortage of lessons to be learned by Norfolk State from Monday’s 66-56 loss at Virginia:

Sloppiness won’t fly against an elite opponent; it really helps when shots fall; playing with top scorers in foul trouble is unwise; and developing a reliable half-court offense would be a good idea.

But the biggest takeaway could be that things aren’t as bad as they might have seemed.



The jet-setting Spartans (8-5) return to the practice court Thursday to prepare for the end of a trying — but wholly interesting — four-game road swing. After a brief holiday break, they’ll practice again Friday and leave Saturday for Monday’s game at Hawaii, which follows an 86-82 overtime win at Boston University, a 70-67 loss at Seattle University and Monday’s brief foray into the Atlantic Coast Conference — all in a span of 15 days.

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Hampton job has Maynor ‘excited,’ Division I challenge awaits Pirates coach

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- Connell Maynor is stepping up to Division I competition at  Hampton University.

Maynor, who left Division II Winston-Salem State last week, led the Rams for the past four years., with three CIAA championships, three NCAA Division II playoff appearances and a national runner-up title under his tenure. He replaces Donovan Rose.

Maynor, who also interviewed for the N.C. Central opening, led WSSU to a 45-6 overall record and 29-2 in the CIAA. The program had gone 1-10 the season prior to his arrival, but was in the process of return to Division II after a failed attempt at Division I reclassification.

“I am very excited about having a ...

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ASU's Jackson, Seahawks Seek No. 1 NFC Seed - NFL Report

Tarvaris Jackson is one of four former Alabama State football standouts on NFL rosters.

SEATTLE, Washington  -- Former Alabama State star Tarvaris Jackson and the Seattle Seahawks will seek the top seed in the NFC in the final regular season game this Sunday at home against St. Louis.

Jackson, in his eighth NFL season, has played in three games this season as the No. 2 quarterback to starter Russell Wilson. Jackson has completed 10 of 13 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown for the 12-3 Seahawks, who need a win to clinch the NFC West title, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Another former Hornet QB, Greg Jenkins, is playing wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders and is the team's primary returner on punts and kickoffs. Jenkins, who began the season on the practice squad and was promoted to the 53-man roster in mid-November, is averaging 9.6 yards on five punt returns, and just over 22 yards on 10 kickoff returns. Jenkins scored his first career NFL touchdown on a fumble return on the opening play of the game against Dallas on Thanksgiving Day. The Raiders finish the season at home Sunday against Denver.

Former ASU standouts Terren Jones and Saeed Lee will complete the regular season with the Atlanta Falcons at home Sunday against Carolina. Jones was promoted from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster in late November and the offensive lineman is awaiting his first action in a regular season game. Lee has been on injured reserve with the Falcons throughout the 2013 season.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fisk Jubilee Singers at Duke University

DURHAM, North Carolina -- In October 2013, Duke Performances brought the Fisk Jubilee Singers® to Duke and Durham for a four-day residency to share the tradition of Negro spirituals. Dr. Paul T. Kwami, musical director of the Jubilee Singers, worked with over 500 singers from the Durham School of the Arts and Duke University.

Seventy-five choral students from Durham School of the Arts performed with the Jubilee Singers at the culminating sold-out concert at Duke's Baldwin Auditorium. Dr. Kwami also participated in a panel discussion on the history and influence of the Jubilee Singers at Duke's Forum for Scholars and Publics, with Professor Maurice Jackson, and Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, dean of Duke Chapel.

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A&M's Robert Mathis breaks Colts' franchise sack record

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Robert Mathis hasn't done too bad for fifth-round draft choice.

Sunday, the 32-year-old linebacker and Alabama A&M product broke the Indianapolis Colts' franchise sack with a stop of Houston Texans' quarterback Case Keenum in the third quarter of his team's 25-3 win.

It gave him an NFL-best 16.5 sacks on the season, also a team record, and 108 on his career to pass the previous mark set by former teammate Dwight Freeney.

He forced a fumble on the play which was recovered by one of his teammates for a safety as the first-place Indianapolis improved to 9-5 heading into a big match up against Kansas City next week.

Click here to watch the record-setting play. 

Mathis, an 11-year veteran, has 49 tackles and six forced fumbles on the season.

"I enjoyed it to the utmost," Mathis told Colts.com, "Never take it for granted because it is such an accomplishment. I'm just happy to have it."



COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Fisk Jubilee Singers Alumni Association

"He's The Messiah" - Morgan State University Choir

Merry Christmas from the Franklins - Morehouse College

Bluefield State College Blues Accepted as Full Member to Eastern College Athletic Conference

CENTERVILLE, Massachusetts -- Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinnis announced on Dec. 12, 2013 that Bluefield State College has been granted membership by the ECAC Board of Directors. Bluefield State College is eligible for all ECAC Championships, awards, officiating services and other benefits effective immediately.

With the addition of Bluefield State, the ECAC is now comprised of 306 member institutions competing in NCAA Divisions I, II and III.

The ECAC provides the opportunity for a championship experience by conducting high-level tournaments and events. The conference enhances the student-athlete experience by professionally administering nearly 100 preseason and postseason events in 37 men's and women's sports for over 120,000 student-athletes each year. The ECAC also publicizes the achievements of its member institutions' student-athletes through its weekly and postseason awards program, recognizing more than 2,500 student-athletes annually.

The ECAC also conducts the weekly Lambert Meadowlands Football Poll and distributes other information highlighting accomplishments and contributions of member institutions' student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

"Bluefield State College looks forward to competing as a full member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference" said Bluefield State College President Dr. Marsha V. Krotseng. "I'm very impressed with the Conference and its leadership. The ECAC has a proud 75-year history and is an excellent fit for BSC's athletic prdgram and our student athletes."

"BSC Athletic Director Terry Brown affirmed, "The Bluefield State College Athletic Department is extremely honored to be accepted into the ECAC NCAA Division II Athletic Conference. The ECAC philosophy mirrors BSC's commitment to the student athlete's welfare. ECAC, like BSC, has a major overall emphasis on positive student athlete experience that includes: graduation, student athlete individual recognition, team recognition, post season play, and post season championship."

Bluefield State competes in NCAA Division II, and the ECAC will assist with the College's national letters of intent, coaching certification and other services. The Blues will be able to qualify for ECAC championship play and earn awards in each of its sport offerings -- men 's and women's cross country, men's and women 's tennis, women's volleyball, men's and women 's basketball, men's golf, baseball, and softball.

"Bluefield State College is a welcome addition to the ECAC," said McGinnis. "We look forward to providing service to their administration, coaches, and student-athletes. The addition of Bluefield State College strengthens our NCAA Division II membership while expanding our footprint in the state of West Virginia."

About the ECAC
The ECAC is the nation's largest athletic and the only multi-divisional conference in the country with more than 300 Divisions I, II, and III colleges and universities. The ECAC stretches from Maine to North Carolina and westerly to Colorado. Established in 1938, the ECAC, a non-profit service organization, sponsors nearly 100 championships in 37 men's and women's sports and assigns more than 4,400 officials in 12 sports. The ECAC also administers nine affiliate sports organizations and six playing leagues, and through the public relations arm of the conference, more than 2,500 student-athletes in 23 sports are recognized annually. Finally, the ECAC serves as the primary conference for select members in the sports of men's and women's ice hockey and men's lacrosse.

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Morgan State University first snow 2013

Happy Holidays All, From Howard University!!!

JUCO Transfer QB Billerman Signs with NCCU Football As Coach Mack's First Recruit

QUINN BILLERMAN, QUARTERBACK
6'-3" 215 lbs.
NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE
(Courtesy NCCU Eagles Athletics)

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- New North Carolina Central University head football coach Jerry Mack wasted little time securing his first recruit.

Mack was announced as the Eagles' gridiron leader on Thursday (Dec. 19). On Monday (Dec. 23), former Ravenscroft High School quarterback and New Mexico Military Institute transfer Quinn Billerman signed a national letter of intent to attend NCCU.  Family and friends gathered at Ravenscroft in Raleigh, N.C., to witness the signing.

"Quinn is the type of quarterback that can dissect the defense, make all the throws and is intelligent," said Mack. "He ran a similar style of offense at NMMI, so the transition should be an easy one for Quinn as he comes into our system."

In three seasons at Ravenscroft, Billerman became the Ravens' all-time leading passer with 6,152 yards and 62 touchdown passes from 2009-11. He capped his scholastic career by being named to the 2011 NCISAA Football Division I All-State Team.
Billerman is coming off a record-breaking sophomore season at New Mexico Military Institute. He set new single-season standards with 2,962 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns in 2013. The 6-3, 215-pound signal caller completed 176-of-335 passes (52.5%), averaged 246.8 passing yards per game and led the Broncos to an 8-4 overall record.

During his record-breaking campaign, Billerman threw for a season-high 494 yards and six touchdowns versus Scottsdale Community College on Oct. 5, completing a season-best 23 passes on 39 attempts. In the final game of the 2013 season, he was named Offensive MVP of the El Toro Bowl by completing 21 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Arizona Western on Dec. 7.

As a freshman at NMMI, Billerman passed for 1,938 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 176.2 passing yards per contest during the team's 6-5 season.

"We're really excited to add a young man of such high character, solid academics and extraordinary physical ability," Mack said. "We're excited about Quinn being our first signee in this new era of NCCU football."

Billerman is expected to enroll for the spring semester at NCCU starting in early January.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Fitzpatrick Named AFCA FCS Coaches' All-American

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State football player Daniel Fitzpatrick was named to the 2013 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches’ All-America Team announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. 

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.

 

Fitzpatrick made the squad following a season in which he picked off six passes during the regular season and added two more in the team's first round FCS Playoff victory over Butler. The eight total interceptions currently leads all Division I players (FBS or FCS). Of those eight interceptions the junior returned three for touchdowns, scoring a 50-yarder against Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, returning what proved to be the game-winner 20 yards at UT Martin and a 26-yarder at Butler.

He added a season-high nine tackles twice during the season, in a victory at nationally-ranked Jacksonville State and against nationally-ranked Eastern Illinois in the playoffs.

Fitzpatrick anchored a secondary that ranked third nationally in total passes intercepted (21) and a defense that was sixth nationally in total defense (296.9 yards/game) and seventh in scoring defense (18.1 points/game).

The strong safety finished the year with 75 tackles (52 solo), 5.5 TFL and eight pass breakups, leading TSU to a playoff victory for the first time since 1986.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Morgan State Bears Begin West Coast Swing at Cal-Northridge on Friday Night

Friday, Dec. 27, 2013
Opponent: Cal-Northridge (7-5, 0-0 Big West)
Site: The Matadome, Northridge, Calif.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Radio: n/a
MSU Coach: Todd Bozeman (131-107 - 8th yr)
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com / www.GoMatadors.com

BALTIMORE, Maryland — Morgan State (3-7) continues the 2013-14 campaign at California-Northridge (7-5) on Friday for the first of a three-game west coast swing. The trip will include matchups with Oregon (Dec. 29) and California-Irvine (Jan. 2). The Bears will enter the contest attempting to build upon its 85-74 non-conference win last week against High Point. Friday night's contest will mark the first basketball meeting between the teams.

SCOUTING THE MATADORS
The Matadors welcomed back six veterans, including five starters, from a squad that posted a 14-17 overall record and went 5-13 in the Big West. Stephen Hicks leads the Matadors by averaging 18.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg and is shooting 56 percent (78-140) from the field.  Stephen Maxwell leads the Matadors on the boards (8.4 rpg) and in blocks and also averages 16.2 ppg. Senior guard Josh Greene is also averaging double figures (13.8 ppg) and leads the team averaging 2.1 assists per contest. Reggie Theus (California Coast '02) enters his first season as Cal-Northridge's head men's basketball coach. Stephan Hicks scored 20 points while Josh Greene added 17 points and Stephen Maxwell collected 15 points to lead CSUN to a 79-69 win Saturday night against the Idaho Vandals. The Matadors collected a season-high 47 rebounds (compared to 33 for the opposition) and posted its fourth win in the last five outings.

MSU'S LAST TIME OUT
Dec. 18, 2013 -- Justin Black scored 23 points to lead five Morgan State players in double figures as the Bears defeated High Point 85-74 on Wednesday night at Hill Field House. The Bears (3-7), led 43-36 at halftime and used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to help extend to their largest lead of 17 points, 72-55, with 9:22 left. The Panthers wouldn't get closer than nine after that.
Black finished the game shooting 8-for-18 from the field and including a game-high six steals to go with three rebounds. Ian Chiles added 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. The Bears (3-7) hit 29 of 57 shots for 50.9 percent, outscoring the Panthers 46-18 in the paint. The Bears also collected 11 steals, six by Black, and scored 23 points off 19 High Point turnovers. Anthony Hubbard added 13 points and eight boards, while Blake Bozeman added 12 points and Shaquille Duncan had 10.

BEARS GO 1-2 AT PARADISE JAM
Morgan State particiapted in the 2013 Ezybonds Global Payments U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The Bears fell to La Salle in the first round of the by a 78-59 margin (11/22), followed by a 75-66 loss against Vanderbilt (11/23). MSU wrapped up the tournament by posting a 74-67 victory against Marist (11/25) to finish in 7th place.

MORGAN STATE TABBED SECOND IN PRESEASON POLL
Morgan State was picked to finish second in the 2013-14 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball preseason poll behind defending regular season champion Norfolk State.

BLACK, CHILES AND HUBBARD EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Morgan State senior Justin Black was selected to the Preseason All-MEAC First Team by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Redshirt-senior center Ian Chiles was selected to the Second Team and Anthony Hubbard to the Third Team.

BOZEMAN LOOKS FOR ANOTHER 20-WIN SEASON
For three of the last seven seasons, all as head coach, Todd Bozeman has guided teams to at least 20 victories. Bozeman set the Morgan State record for consecutive 20-win campaigns in 2007-08 with a 22-11 record and extended it with a 23-12 campaign in 2008-09, followed by a Division I school record 27-11 record in 2009-10. The previous record was back-to-back 20-win seasons under coach Nathaniel Frazier when he guided the Bears to a 20-8 record in 1972-73, followed by 28-5 in 1973-74.

BLACK MOVING IN ON 1,000 POINTS
Senior guard Justin Black has 982 points for his career and needs just 18 to join the 1,000 points club.

TOUGH IN THE PAINT
Ian Chiles and Cedric Blossom are both shooting better than .500 from the field this year. Thru the first 10 games Chiles is shooting 55.8 pct. (58-104), while front court teammate Blossom is shooting .571 (28-49) from the floor.

CHILES STANDS TALL
Redshirt senior Ian Chiles returns as one of the tallest centers in the state of Maryland. The 7-foot-2 senior averaged 9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 1.7 bpg last season. The New Jersey native was also one of the most efficient low-post players in the league by shooting 53.5 percent from the field. "Big Slew" used the offseason to improve his strength and conditioning and is expected to be among the most dominant post players in the league. "Slew" is currently averaging 14.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg.

HOMECOMING
Morgan State has three players on the roster from California. Thair Heath and Hassante Manning are both from Los Angeles, while Rasean Simpson is from San Diego.

UP NEXT
After Cal-Northridge, the Bears will face Oregon (Dec. 29), followed by California-Irvine (Jan. 2).



COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Al Lawson joins 43 other FAMU president hopefuls

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As he promised, former state legislator Al Lawson has applied for the Florida A&M University presidency. He joins a crowded field with 43 others who want the job, including many who applied before the search was suspended in March. And there could be even more by the time the Board of Trustees starts reviewing candidates on Jan. 6.

Here is the field of candidates in alphabetical order. We put an asterisk by those who were listed as candidates in March, meaning the rest applied since the search resumed last month.

The Board of Trustees hopes to select a winner at its Jan. 9 meeting. Meanwhile, alumni continue to campaign in favor of allowing interim President Larry Robinson to stay on the job.

Here is a list of all 44 candidates in alphabetical order:

Tony Atwater: Former president at Norfolk State University. He was fired abruptly by the school's board in August following news of delayed financial audits and academic issues at the nursing school.

Desa Allen Ballard: Attorney and an adjunct professor at University of South Carolina School of Law.

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Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/12/al-lawson-joins-43-other-famu-president-hopefuls.html#storylink=cpy

Alabama State University Selects New President

Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd
(Courtesy Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- By unanimous consent, the Alabama State University Board of Trustees will extend an offer to Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd to become the next president of Alabama State University.

During its December 20 meeting, the Alabama State University’s Board of Trustees selected Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd to serve as its new president. Boyd marks the 14th president to serve in the position in the school’s 146-year history. The Board selected Boyd after a nearly year long search process. Boyd will succeed Dr. William H. Harris, interim president and president emeritus.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley presided over the meeting, during which each of the three candidates was interviewed individually for approximately an hour, fielding questions from trustees on issues ranging from experience and leadership style to expansion of the University's academic and athletic programs. Onlookers at the meeting included ASU faculty and staff, student government officials, members of the governor's staff, and a slew of media outlets. The meeting was broadcast live on some television stations.

After a short deliberation, the Board voted unanimously to select Boyd.

The Board recognized that Boyd also was the consensus choice among the University’s student body, as expressed in a letter by SGA President Sharod Campbell. The Board also authorized the Board Chair and Executive Committee to negotiate a contract for presentation to the full Board. Boyd received a standing ovation from the Board and the gallery when she returned to the boardroom after her selection.

“We are proud to have selected an accomplished, capable, nationally recognized leader with the skills and experience to move Alabama State University forward,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Elton Dean. “Dr. Boyd is the embodiment of what is great about ASU. As an ASU graduate, she will serve as a daily reminder to our students that ASU is preparing them to impact the world; as a Montgomery native, she is the representation of what makes Montgomery the Capital of Dreams; and as a leader, she has the vision and drive to lead ASU to Vision 2020 and beyond.”

Governor Bentley agreed, stating that “I think Dr. Boyd will make a great president. She has my full support and I will not interfere unless asked.”

Boyd currently serves as an engineer and executive assistant to the Applied Physics Laboratory chief of staff at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., where she has worked for the past 33 years.

Boyd is a former Miss Alabama State University and an initiate of ASU’s Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She earned a B.S. in mathematics from ASU and became the first African-American to earn a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University. She also holds a doctoral degree in ministry from Howard University.

Boyd continues to be a trailblazer, as she is the first female president in ASU’s history.

Her history of leadership is extensive. She served as national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., chaired the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Barry Goldwater Foundation for Excellence in Education.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS