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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

B-CU GridIron Adds 19 During National Signing Day

HEAD COACH BRIAN JENKINS

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University inked 19 young men to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Wildcats in 2014 on Weds., Feb. 5, as part of National Signing Day for collegiate football. B-CU will hold a Signing Day Bash on Wednesday evening beginning at 7 p.m., inside the President’s Ball Room of the Center for Civic Engagement.

Recently completing his fourth year at the helm in Daytona Beach, Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins was excited about this year’s class that hit on a number of areas for which they were seeking new additions.

“I’m very excited about our recruiting class,” said Jenkins Wednesday afternoon. “We think this class is special because we have a lot of height, and we added guys that can really run. They have great athleticism amongst the big guys as well.”

The faxes began rolling in at 8 a.m. for the Wildcats, and the group of 19 comes into a program that has won three of the last four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) crowns, including the last two consecutive. In that span, the Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA FCS Playoffs three times, including two home contests at Municipal Stadium.

This year’s class got not only height, but defensive and offensively, the Maroon and Gold got a number of heralded players that solidified a good mix amongst the group.

In all, Jenkins and his staff added 17 players from high school/prep backgrounds and two from junior college. Of the 19 signees in this year’s class, 16 hail from the state of Florida, with nine coming from the South Florida area. Four come from Central Florida; two from the west coast around Tampa; and another from the northern coast in Jacksonville.

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown/High School
Trenton Bridges	LB	6-2	220	DeLand, Fla./DeLand HS
Tysheem Bryant	DL	6-4	245	Lake Worth, Fla./Lake Worth HS/Garden City CC
Khaleel Castillo	DE	6-2	275	Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire HS/Eerie CC
Kendon Davis	WR	6-3	180	Lauderhill, Fla./Plantation Senior HS
Tyler Gildner	TE	6-5	265	Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville HS
Barry Johnson	DL	6-3	265	Gainesville, Fla./Eastside HS
Derrick Johnson	DL	6-6	310	Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast HS
Antonio Joseph	DE/LB	6-5	195	Tampa, Fla./Wharton HS
Deonte Mayo	SAF	6-2	207	Ocala, Fla./Forest HS
Alexander Morales	OLB/SS	5-11	195	Miami, Fla./Hialeah HS
Gerald Nesbitt, Jr.	DE/OT	6-3	250	Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Ft. Lauderdale HS
Anton Paige	DL	6-4	210	Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee HS
Cameron Rigby	RB	5-9	175	Miramar, Fla./Miramar HS
Greg Taylor	QB	6-3	210	Atlanta, Ga./Riverdale HS
Austin Walker	ATH	6-3	180	Sarasota, Fla./Riverview HS
Broddrick Waters	DB	5-11	175	Palmetto, Fla./Palmetto HS
Demetrius Weaver	OL	6-3	275	Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely HS
Troy Wilkins II	DL/OL	6-3	310	Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
Milton Williams	ATH	5-10	175	Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS

Fans can keep up-to-date with all B-CU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/BCUathletics, in addition to the official football twitter page at Twitter.com/BCUGridIron. You can also become a fan of the Wildcats on Facebook at Facebook.com/BCUathletics.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Inks 2014 Rattler Football Recruiting Class

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Head coach Earl Holmes and the Rattler football staff completed their first full signing class today, with some very talented student-athletes. Addressing the holes left by graduates and area that needed bolstering, Holmes looked all over the country to find players that were the right fit for his squad.

"We feel like we had a successful recruiting effort. We were able to get some talent from the pan handle area of Florida, as well as three players from the Miami area. The whole country comes to our area to recruit, so we wanted to maximize our footprint and get prime athletes to come to FAMU. With this being our first full recruiting class as coaches, we feel we've addressed the areas we needed to and are bringing in some talented athletes, who are also good students," Holmes said.

2014 Florida A&M Football Signees

Name                                      Ht        Wt       Pos.                 Hometown/ Previous School

Addison, Joshua                    6-5       305      OL                  Miami, Fla./Miami Central HS
Notes: Two-Star Recruit…Led Miami Central to 2013 Championship…Blocked for two of the top running backs in the country, who committed to Florida State and Miami…Only give up two sacks in two seasons…Recorded 70 pancakes his senior season… Recruited by Bethune-Cookman, Tennessee State, Tuskegee and Alabama A&M…

Aguilera, Osman                  6-5       300      OL                  Miami, Fla./N. Miami Beach HS
Notes: Three-year starters at North Miami Beach High School…Recorded over 100 career pancake blocks…On defense recorded 63 tackles, four sacks and 13 tackles for loss… Recruited by FIU, Tulane, Georgia State and Bethune-Cookman…

Calabro, Joshua                    6-3       280      OL                  Delton, Fla./Deltona HS
Notes: Recorded 70 pancake blocks his senior season...Graded out the season at 90 percent as an offensive lineman…

Daruche, Marcellin              6-6       300      OL                  Longwood, Fla. / Lyman HS
Notes: Recorded 75 pancakes blocks in his senior season of play...Graded out the season at 92 percent as an offensive lineman…

Fuse, Daikwon                      6-4       285      DE                   West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer HS
Notes: Led his team to a perfect 15-0 record and 7A State Championship…Dwyer High School finished the season rank No. 12 in the nation ….Started at both Defensive Tackle and Offensive Left Tackle his senior season…Three-year starter… Senior season recorded 59 tackles, eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss… Reaped First Team All-County and All-State honors his senior season…Played in the County All-Star Game….

Hearns, Gerald                     5-9       205      FB/RB             West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer HS
Notes: Led his team to a 15-0 record and 7A State Championship…Dwyer High School finished the season rank No. 12 in the nation…. Blocked for a 1,000 yard rusher his senior season…Three-years starter…340 yards rush for eight TDs and a punishing blocker… Reaped All-County and All-State honors as a FB….Played in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game…

Negron, Andrew                    6-5       275      OL                  Jacksonville, Fla./Christian
Notes: Averaged four pancake blocks per games...Graded out the season at 91 percent as an offensive lineman…

Price, Elijah 6-4       230      DE/LB Jacksonville, Fla./Sandlewood HS
Notes: Recorded 59 tackles, nine sacks, 12 tackles for loss in his senior season of play…Reaped First Team All-Gateway Conference honors his senior season….

Snow, Jestin                          6-4       295      OL                  Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
Notes:   A very versatile and physical offensive lineman that can play all five positions…Recorded 55 pancakes his senior season… Recruited by FIU; Tennessee State; and Albany State…

UDC Men’s Lacrosse Announces Inaugural 2014 Schedule; Home Site Moved to Georgetown

Head Coach Scott Urick addresses his team during the first official practice at
UDC Athletic Field
(Courtesy UDC Firebirds Athletics)

2014 Schedule

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Head coach Scott Urick announced the inaugural University of the District of Columbia men's lacrosse team's 2014 schedule on Wednesday, February 5^th. The Firebirds will host six home games which will be played off-campus at Georgetown University Multi-Sport Field.

Urick's squad will play the school's first ever lacrosse game on February 22^nd at Marymount University. The Saints, who compete in Division III's Capital Athletic Conference, were 7-7 overall last season.

One week later, the Firebirds will visit Rochester, NY on March 1^st for their first ever East Coast Conference game at Roberts Wesleyan.

On March 4^th, UDC will host the school's first ever home lacrosse game vs. non-conference opponent, Mount Olive College of the Division II Conference Carolinas. Then it is back on the road for a visit to Division II powerhouse LIU Post - the reigning ECC Regular Season Champion – on March 8^th.

Dominican College (NY), an Associate Member of the ECC for men's lacrosse, will visit the nation's capital on March 15^th, followed by a road non-league game at Hood College on March 19^th.

The Firebirds will then host back-to-back home games vs. the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference's Post University (March 22^nd) and ECC foe NYIT (March 29^th). They travel to Dobbs Ferry to take on league foe Mercy on April 5^th, and then return home to host another ECC opponent, Dowling, on April 13^th.

Another CACC school, Chestnut Hill College, welcomes UDC to Philadelphia on April 19^th before the Firebirds close out the season at home on April 27^th vs. ECC foe Molloy.

For directions to Georgetown's Multi-Sport Field, visit here.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SWAC Basketball Tournament Special Events Announced

Weeklong Celebration Highlighted by Championship Night Party Featuring Wale & Sevyn Streeter

HOUSTON, Texas – Officials with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) have announced the schedule of conference-sanctioned special events that will take place in support of the 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament. Events begin in Houston on March 11 and carry on through March 15.

Activities begin with the “Tip-off Tuesday” mixer on Tuesday, March 11 at the House of Blues located at 1204 Caroline Street in downtown Houston from 4pm – 7pm. The events continue with the late night “SWAC Turn Up Tuesday with DJ Good Grief” party at Social Junky located at 2412 Washington Avenue from 10pm – 2am.

Following tournament play on March 12, “Wednesday Night Live HBCU Alumni/Greek Mixer” will take place at Sugarhill Social Club located at 2533 Southmore from 8pm – 2am. Additionally, the SWAC will partner with Mathew Knowles and ICE Artistry for the ICE Artist Showcase at the House of Dereon Media Center at 2204 Crawford Street from 8pm – 11pm.

Thursday, March 13, SWAC will feature a College and Community Expo in the 94-95 Room at Toyota Center from 12pm – 6pm. Through this event, all ten SWAC schools will feature booths and admissions information to prospective students. The College and Community Expo is free to the public and accessible from the Polk Street entrance.

After the quarterfinal games on Thursday, SWAC will present “Neo-Soul Unplugged” featuring live performances by Dwele and Raheem DeVaughn. The concert will take place at the House of Dereon with doors opening at 9pm. SWAC “Thursday at 5^th” will conclude the night with the late night party at 5^th Amendment located at 2900 Travis Street.

The talent continues to heat up following the semifinal games on Friday, March 14. SWV and Bel Biv Devoe will take the stage at center court of Toyota Center with the “Post Game Old School Concert” that is included in the Friday night game ticket.

The “SWAC Alumni Happy Hour & Free Friday Tip-Off Party” will take place at Grooves of Houston with the alumni happy hour running from 4pm – 7pm and the tip-off party going from 8pm – 2am. Grooves is located at 2300 Pierce Street.

The evening continues with the SWAC “March Madness Official Alumni Party” at Sugarhill Social Club from 8pm – 2am. Additionally, SWAC and Aristocrat Life will present the “Official Weekend Kick-off Party Hosted By August Alsina” from 10pm – 2am at Gatsbys located at 1902 Washington Avenue.

After the SWAC basketball champions are crowned on Saturday, March 15, fans will be treated to a “Post Game New School Concert” at Toyota Center featuring Wale and Sevyn Streeter. The concert ticket is included with the tournament championship ticket for Saturday.

Wale will keep the party going at the “Official SWAC Championship After Party” at Club Venue located at 719 Main Street from 10pm – 2am. The “Official SWAC Alumni Championship After Party” will take place at Prospect Park at 3100 Fountainview Drive from 10pm – 2am.

Festivities will conclude on Sunday, March 16 with the “SWAC Sunday Funday Party” at Social Junky from 2pm – 5pm.

Tickets to the 2014 Toyota SWAC Football Championship are available online at www.houstontoyotacenter.com, on the phone at 1-866-446-8849, or in person at the Toyota Center box office. All session booklets are available starting at $125 for access to all men’s and women’s tournament games. The purchase of an all session booklet is the only way to access off-site special events at no additional charge. Individual session passes and tickets to the championship night games are also available for purchase. Discounted ticket pricing is available for groups of ten or more by calling the Toyota Center box office.

The 2014 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament will feature men’s and women’s teams vying for the conference title with the chance to advance to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Additional information may be found on the official basketball tournament website at www.swachoops.org.

Southwestern Athletic Conference

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), established in 1920, is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., which is comprised of historically black universities in the Southern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Sixteen New Additions Sign NLI for NCCU Eagles Football

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Stay up-to-date with all of the North Carolina Central University football recruiting commitments on 2014 National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 5, by visiting http://www.nccueaglepride.com/ or following @NCCU_Football on Twitter.

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	Previous School	Video
Mike Robinson	DB	6-1	185	Spencer, NC	North Rowan HS	Video
Derrick Mason	WR	5-10	170	Durham, NC	Southern HS	Video
Ramone Simpson	RB	5-11	185	Wilmington, NC	New Hanover HS	Video
Davanta Reynolds	DB	5-10	190	Tucker, GA	Tucker HS	Video
Jamarcus Johnson	DB	5-10	170	Greensboro, NC	Ben L. Smith HS	Video
Mykael Martin	DB	6-0	170	Greensboro, NC	Dudley HS	Video
Noah Chase	OL	6-6	280	Durham, NC	Southern HS	Video
Daquan Herring	DE	6-3	240	Statesville, NC	Statesville HS	Video
Quentin Atkinson	WR	6-0	190	Raleigh, NC	Georgia Military College	Video
Richard Mitchell	DL	6-5	250	Southaven, MS	Holmes Comm. College	Video
Franky Okafor	WR	6-3	190	Arlington, TX	Trinity Valley Comm. College	Video
Quinn Billerman	QB	6-3	215	Raleigh, NC	New Mexico Military Institute	Video
Michael Gray	LB	6-1	220	Aberdeen, NC	Pinecrest HS	Video
Sterlin Houston	OL	6-4	300	Charlotte, NC	West Mecklenburg HS	Video
Nathaniel Tilque	P/K	6-2	185	Charlotte, NC	Mallard Creek HS	Video
Brandon Galloway	WR	6-2	190	High Point, NC	T. Wingate Andrews HS	Video

BY THE NUMBERS

Total Recruits = 16
High School Seniors = 12
- HS Team Played in State Playoffs = 11
- HS Team Won State Championship = 5
Junior College Transfers = 4

By State:
North Carolina = 13
Georgia = 1
Mississippi = 1
Texas = 1

By Position:
Defensive Back = 4
Wide Receiver = 4
Offensive Line = 2
Defensive Line = 2
Quarterback = 1
Running Back = 1
Linebacker = 1
Punter/Kicker = 1

Mike Robinson
Defensive Back, 6-1, 185
Hometown: Spencer, N.C.
North Rowan High School
2013: Named All-Rowan County. Collected 62 tackles (45 solo), 3 interceptions, 12 pass break-ups, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 4 blocked punts. Team posted 13-1 overall record, with lone loss coming in third round of NCHSAA state playoffs. Also lettered in basketball.

Derrick Mason
Wide Receiver, 5-10, 170
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
Southern High School
2013: Named Big Eight All-Conference as a wide receiver. Recorded 58 catches for 1,131 yards and 13 touchdowns. Caught 10 passes for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns in win over Orange H.S. (Nov. 8) to clinch Big Eight Conference championship. Team won NCHSAA 3-AA state championship with 14-2 overall record.

Ramone Simpson
Running Back, 5-11, 185
Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
New Hanover High School
2013: Named Second Team All-Mideastern Conference as both a running back and specialist. Amassed 21 touchdowns (19 rushing) and 3,000 all-purpose yards (1,200 rushing yards, 600 receiving yards). Rushed for five touchdowns and 251 yards against Purnell Swett (Sept. 13, 2013). Accounted for five touchdowns - all in the first half – in the first round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs against Northern Durham (Nov. 15, 2013), with 5 carries for 52 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 8 receptions for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. Team finished with 9-4 overall record. Received Top Athlete Award at New Hanover High School.

Davanta Reynolds
Defensive Back, 5-10, 190
Hometown: Tucker, Ga.
Tucker (Ga.) High School
Ranked as a two-star cornerback prospect by Rivals.com. Team posted 14-1 record with only loss in 2013 Georgia 5A state championship game. Also lettered in basketball as a point guard, earning all-region honors.

Jamarcus Johnson
Defensive Back, 5-10, 170
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
Ben L. Smith High School
2013: Named All-Conference (All-Metro).

Mykael Martin
Defensive Back, 6-0, 170
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
Dudley High School
2013: Named to All-Metro all-conference team as a defensive back. Team won NCHSAA 4-A state championship by beating Scotland County in title game to finish season with a perfect 15-0 record. Also lettered in track as a sprinter.

Noah Chase
Offensive Lineman, 6-6, 280
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
Southern High School
2013: Named All-Conference (Big Eight 3-A) and All-Metro (News & Observer) as offensive lineman. Rated 3-star offensive tackle prospect by ESPN. Team won NCHSAA 3-AA state championship with 14-2 overall record. Key blocker for offense that averaged 46.1 points per game.

Daquan Herring
Defensive End, 6-3, 240
Hometown: Statesville, N.C.
Statesville (N.C.) High School
2013: Amassed 67 tackles (53 solo) for an average of 5.6 tackles per game, including 8.0 hits for a loss, 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception (MaxPreps.com). Team posted 7-6 record and advanced to the NCHSAA playoffs.
Also lettered in track & field (shot put and discus throw).

Quentin Atkinson
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 190
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Georgia Military College
2013: 13 receptions, 219 yards, 1 touchdown. 3 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown at Ellsworth Community College (Oct. 5, 2013). 2 catches for 40 yards in NJCAA national championship game versus East Mississippi Community College (Dec. 8, 2013).Team 11-1. Only loss of season in NJCAA national championship game.
2012: 22 receptions, 399 yards, 1 touchdown. Team 7-4.
Southeast Raleigh High School
2011: Greater Neuse River Conference 4A All-Conference selection. 55 receptions, 860 yards, 9 touchdowns. Also lettered in basketball and track & field (triple jump, high jump).

Richard Mitchell
Defensive Lineman, 6-5, 250
Hometown: Southaven, Miss.
Holmes Community College (Goodman, Miss.)
2013: 39 tackles (24 solo), 6.5 hits for a loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, 1 blocked kick in nine games. Amassed season-high 8 tackles, including 3 hits for a loss, with a fumble recovery for a touchdown at Northeast Mississippi Community College (Sept. 12, 2013).
2012: 14 tackles (9 solo) in nine games.
Southaven (Miss.) High School: Also lettered in track & field.

Franky Okafor
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 190
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas)
2013: 42 receptions, 398 yards, 6 touchdowns. Season-high six catches for 53 yards at Kilgore College (Sept. 14, 2013). 5 catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns at Blinn College (Oct. 12, 2013). Team posted 10-2 record, including nine straight wins to end the season.
Lamar High School (Arlington, Texas): Also lettered in track & field (high jump, triple jump).

Quinn Billerman
Quarterback, 6-3, 215
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
New Mexico Military Institute
2013: 12 games, 8-4 record, 2,962 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, 246.8 passing yards per game, 176-of-335 passing, 52.5%, 10 interceptions. Broke NMMI single-season records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Passed for season-high 494 yards and 6 touchdowns versus Scottsdale Community College on Oct. 5, 2013, completing season-best 23 of 39 passes. Threw for 322 yards and 3 touchdowns at Snow College on Sept. 28, 2013. Named Offensive MVP of the El Toro Bowl by completing 21 passes for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns against Arizona Western on Dec. 7, 2013, in Yuma, Ariz.
2012: 11 games, 6-5 record, 1,938 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 176.2 passing yards per game, 139-of-271 passing, 51.3%, 6 interceptions. Passed for 387 yards and 5 touchdowns at Scottsdale Community College on Oct. 27, 2012. Completed season-best 22 passes on 36 attempts (61.1%) for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns at Eastern Arizona College on Oct. 13, 2012.
Ravenscroft High School (Raleigh, N.C.)
2011: Finished scholastic career as Ravenscroft's all-time leading passer with 6,152 yards and 62 touchdown passes from 2009-11. Named to 2011 NCISAA 11-Man Football Division I All-State Team.
2010: 137-of-280 passing for 1,968 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Michael Gray
Linebacker, 6-1, 220
Hometown: Aberdeen, N.C.
Pinecrest High School
2013: First-Team All-Southeastern Conference selection. Team's Defensive MVP. Recorded 155 tackles with 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Team posted 11-2 record (10-1 in regular season, 1-1 in 4-AA state playoffs).

Sterlin Houston
Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 300
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
West Mecklenburg High School
Three-time All-Conference selection. Named All-County. Placed on AP All-State ballot in 2012. Team advanced to NCHSAA state playoffs and finished with 9-3 record. Also lettered in track & field (shot put, discus throw).

Nathaniel Tilque
Punter/Kicker, 6-2, 185
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Mallard Creek High School
2013: Averaged 44.0 yards per punt, made 70-of-72 extra-point kicks and 2-of-2 field No. 1 in North Carolina with a perfect 16-0 record.

Brandon Galloway
Wide Receiver, 6-2, 190
Hometown: High Point, N.C.
T. Wingate Andrews High School
2013: Caught 21 passes for 432 yards and 6 touchdowns (MaxPreps.com). Team posted 14-1 record to win NCHSAA 2-AA state championship. Earned all-conference honors in track. Also lettered in basketball.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern Jaguars enjoying recruiting head start

SU hopes to land 19 of 24 offers

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern has a good head start on its football recruiting class. And coach Dawson Odums sounds like he’s expecting good news to roll in when scholarship papers start arriving at Southern Wednesday morning.

The Jaguars have offered scholarships to 24 players, and Odums said he’s hopeful of landing about 19. Eight of those players are transfers already enrolled at Southern, and the high school players who join them beginning with Wednesday’s national signing day will determine just how good this class is.

“We think this is going to be a good class,” Odums said Tuesday. “If we get 19 or 20 of the 24, it will be a great class.”

Odums said he thinks the Jaguars have 12 players “locked up,” but, “You can always lose some you think you’ve got.”

CONTINUE READING

FAMU Alumnus John W Thompson Named Chairman of Microsoft

John W. Thompson

REDMOND, Washington -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus John W. Thompson was appointed the independent chairman of computer software giant Microsoft Corp., replacing company founder Bill Gates.

Thompson, a 1971 graduate of the School of Business and Industry (SBI), first joined Microsoft's board of directors in February 2012, serving as a lead independent director, a role he will continue in tandem with the appointment.

“Florida A&M University celebrates this achievement with John as he continues to excel in the world of business,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. “This is an excellent example of how the education our students receive at FAMU will propel them from the classroom to the boardroom and beyond.”

Thompson was inducted into the FAMU SBI Hall of Fame in 2011.

“John’s selection as chairman of Microsoft, one of the world’s most accomplished software companies, is a testament to the preparation that students receive at FAMU,” said Shawnta Friday-Stroud, dean of SBI. “He has been a major supporter of SBI through both his time and resources. We are extremely proud.”

In addition to chairman of the Microsoft board, Thompson is the chief executive officer of privately held Virtual Instruments. He is the former chairman and CEO of Symantec where he served for 10 years. Previously, he held a number of leadership positions at IBM, including sales, marketing, software development and general manager of IBM Americas.

“One of my key contributions, I hope, will be to engage with shareholders and keep focus on how together we can bring great innovation to the marketplace and drive strong long term shareholder value,” said Thompson in a video statement from Microsoft.

Thompson received his bachelor's degree in business administration from FAMU. He earned a master's degree in management from the Sloan Fellows program of the MIT Sloan School of Management.

According to Microsoft, Gates will assume a new role on the Board as founder and technology advisor. Thompson was named chairman of the Board and Satya Nadella was named chief executive officer, taking over for Steve Ballmer.

Gold Nuggets ranked 20th after moving up three places

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana is in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 for the third consecutive week. The Gold Nuggets (17-7) climbed three places to No. 20, their highest rank since the preseason.

No team in this week's top 25 climbed more than Xavier. No. 5 Campbellsville and No. 16 John Brown also moved up three places.

The Gold Nuggets, who have won 13 of their last 15 games, are in the top 25 for the 48th time in the last 51 polls.

The other Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team in the top 25 is Talladega, which is 22nd.

Vanguard received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the seventh time in as many polls this season. Vanguard and No. 2 Freed-Hardeman are the only unbeaten teams in the division.

Xavier will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 3 p.m. Saturday. New rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Feb. 11).

The top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Freed-Hardeman
3. Westminster (Utah)
4. Oklahoma Baptist
5. Campbellsville
6. Oklahoma City
7. MidAmerica Nazarene
8. Georgetown (Ky.)
9. The Master's
10. Our Lady of the Lake
11. Westmont
12. Wiley
13. Lewis-Clark State
14. Columbia (Mo.)
15. Bethel (Tenn.)
16. John Brown
17. Hope International
18. Baker
19. Montana State-Northern
20. Xavier
21. Martin Methodist
22. Talladega
23. Cumberlands
24. LSU-Shreveport
25. Mobile

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

FAMU Alumna Pam Oliver brushes off criticism

NEW YORK (1/31/14) -- ON SUPER BOWL Sunday, most football fans will have their eyes directed on the field.

But a whole lot of us Super Bowl watchers also will have our eyes trained on the sidelines watching for a glimpse of Fox Sports' Pam Oliver.

She's easily the baddest female sports reporter on TV. But last month, during the NFC Championship Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, armchair refs called a technical foul on her.

No, it wasn't because Oliver, an industry veteran, got her facts wrong. Oliver's too up on the game for that. As a female reporter, she did something far more egregious. Oliver had a bad hair day. Gulp!

Honey, stop the presses.

Even casual viewers could see that her hair needed refreshing and that her auburn highlights were on overdrive. It wasn't her best look. But who hasn't had a bad hair day? I've had bad-hair weeks, not just a day.

Fans were merciless. They went in hard on Oliver, turning to social media to poke fun at her. Her locks soon started trending on Twitter. People were mean, comparing her to Chewbacca from "Star Wars" or worse. From all the ruckus, you'd think Oliver had run onto the football field naked during halftime.

CONTINUE READING

SEASON PREVIEW: Mix of freshmen, returners to defend ASU’s SIAC title

ALBANY, Georgia — Albany State softball coach Robert Skinner stood next to the Lady Rams’ field before a preseason practice two weeks ago and paused for nearly a minute as he tried to think of his freshman shortstop’s name.

“What’s my shortstop’s name? There’s just too many names,” laughed Skinner, a three-sport coach who is in the middle of basketball season and wrapped up volleyball season just two months ago, making him the coach of about 50 athletes. “I never even got half of my volleyball names right.”

Eventually — with the help of an upperclassman — Skinner remembered Kayla Alexander’s name. And it’s a name that might be hard to forget by the end of ASU’s 2014 season.

In fact, Skinner has an entire group of freshmen who could make names for themselves this season, which begins Friday on the road with a doubleheader against Georgia College & State.

HU women defeat Morgan State for 39th straight MEAC win

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Hampton simply overwhelmed Morgan State in a 54-point victory when the teams first met last month. The song remained the same when they met again Monday night.

The Lady Pirates dominated every aspect of the game. They used their staples, tough defense and solid rebounding, to overcome a bit of a slow start on offense and cruised to their 39th consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory in a 90-46 rout of Morgan State at Hill Field House.

Hampton (18-4, 9-0 in MEAC) has won 25 consecutive road games in conference. The Pirates are on an eight-game winning streak overall this season.

Alyssa Bennett led Hampton with 22 points as four Lady Pirates scored in double figures. Malia Tate-DeFreitas and Nicole Hamilton both added 17 points and nine rebounds while Kenia Cole chipped in 15 points. Sade King (eight points) and Brielle Ward (seven points, nine rebounds) pitched in on a night when HU needed over three minutes to score its first basket.

"We were a little lax in the first half (on offense)," Hampton coach David Six said. "(Eventually) they figured out what they should do."

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Gold Rush improve to No. 11 in NAIA coaches rankings

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana climbed again Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25. The Gold Rush (18-5) improved to a season-best 11th in the rankings.

Xavier climbed for the fifth consecutive poll and reached 11th or higher for the 16th time in Dannton Jackson's 11 seasons as head coach. Another climb next week would put the Gold Rush in the top 10 for the first time in three years.

The Gold Rush won 74-69 at Tougaloo on Saturday, then won 83-78 Monday at then-No. 20 Philander Smith. The Panthers moved to 17th in the poll.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 31st consecutive time -- the longest active streak in the division -- and the 44th time in the last 45 polls. Columbia (Mo.) is second with an active streak of 29 polls, and Evangel is third with 21.

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's other top-25 team is Talladega, which remained seventh and is in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive poll.

Cal State San Marcos received 9-of-10 first-place votes and took sole possession of No. 1 after sharing the top spot with Freed-Hardeman a week ago.

Xavier, winner of 13 of its last 15 games, will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 5 p.m. Saturday. New rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Feb. 11).

The top 25:

1. Cal State San Marcos
2. Pikeville
3. Freed-Hardeman
4. Southwestern Assemblies of God
5. William Carey
6. Columbia (Mo.)
7. Talladega
8. Evangel
9. Vanguard
10. Emmanuel (Ga.)
11. Xavier
12. Culver-Stockton
13. Georgetown (Ky.)
14. Mid-America Christian
15. LSU-Shreveport
16. Rocky Mountain
17. Philander Smith
18. Biola
19. Rio Grande
20. Benedictine (Kan.)
21. Wiley
22. Concordia (Calif.)
23. Montana State-Northern
24. St. Gregory's
25. Montana Western

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Alabama State chops down Mike Davis-led Texas Southern 79-73 in OT

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State earned its 79-73 overtime victory against Texas Southern Monday night the hard way.

The Hornets, picked to finish seventh among 10 SWAC teams in the preseason, trailed by a dozen at the half did most of their damage on the inside against the league's most imposing figure---6-foot-10 high-major transfer senior Aaric Murray.

Redshirt freshman Tony Armstrong and junior Maurice Strong combined for 40 points and 16 rebounds as the Hornets improved to 13-7 (7-2) and a perfect 10-0 at home.

"Our intent was to try to make it difficult for him to catch the ball in good scoring position," ASU coach Lewis Jackson said of Murray, the SWAC's leading scorer. "They did such a good job of spreading us out. It was hard for us to get to him in and double-team him. But in addition to that, we just wanted to try to tire him out, run him, make him play defense and things like that."

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Made for TV: Banks' 'best game' lifts Alabama A&M past Prairie View

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- This is the stuff of great television. This is the "where'd he come from?" of reality TV.

Justan Banks, averaging 2.2 points per game this season and an occasional source of vexation for the Alabama A&M coaching staff, found himself on national TV Monday night, with the ESPNU broadcast from Elmore Gym.

All Banks did was "have the best game of his career" according to coach Willie Hayes, as the Bulldogs zipped past Prairie View 67-55.

Reading off the stat sheet - 17 points, 7-for-8 shooting, 8 rebounds, 4 blocked shots - "you can't ask for nothing better than that," Hayes continued. Well ... there is one more thing: "Stay humble and continue to do that."

Photo Gallery

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Close, but no consolation: Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs' streak grows to six

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Close is no consolation. Just because the final margin is shrinking, it is no less troubling for Alabama A&M women's basketball coach Semeka Randall.

The Lady Bulldogs dropped a 68-60 decision to Prairie View A&M Monday night, their sixth consecutive defeat. The last three have been by three, five and now eight points.

"It's becoming old and repetitive," Randall said. "You catch yourself saying the same things to your team.

"I can only stand on the sideline and beg and plead for them to play hard. It has to come from the five out there on the floor," she said.

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Bears overcome Pirates in double overtime, 94-92

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Torin Childs-Harris scored 5 points, Blake Bozeman hit a big three-pointer and Kyle Thomas nailed a few free throws in double-overtime that helped Morgan State beat Hampton 94-92 on Monday night in an ESPNU nationally televised game.

Morgan State improved to 8-12 overall and 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and snapped Hampton's 3-game winning streak.

"It was a great college basketball game – and what a game for TV," said MSU head coach Todd Bozeman."Hampton played extremely hard. Obviously no team wants to lose that game, but it was a great game. I'm just so proud of the guys."

Childs converted a 3-point play and scored a fastbreak layup to help put the Bears ahead 85-83 with 1:37 remaining. Blake Bozeman hit a deep 3-pointer to extend the lead to 90-85 with 22 seconds left.

Hampton's Brian Darden hit a trey with 2 seconds on the clock to cut the lead to 1, but Shaquille Duncan converted the back-end of two free throws to put the game away.

"That was the best atmosphere in Hill Field House in all of my three years here thus far," said Blake Bozeman." The game was amazing; the crowd was into it and they never let up on us. It was a great game. Probably the best game, better than the Coppin game -- and that's the best game every year, but this game topped it off."

The Bears followed the lead of Justin Black in the second half. Hampton had a 48-38 lead before Black led the Bears on a 12-2 run to give them a 52-50 lead at the 10:57 mark of the second half.

Black, who had just 3 points in the first half, exploded for 23 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 26 points (7-14 FG) before fouling out.

"I really can't explain that game, it was probably one of the best games that I've ever been in," said Black.

Du'Vaughn Maxwell led Hampton (11-11, 6-3 MEAC) with 25 points, 11 rebounds and a game-high 7 blocked shots. Deron Powers added 15 points and Brian Darden had 11.

Morgan State pushed it to a second overtime after Donte Pretlow was fouled near the sideline with 3 second on the clock and trailing 80-78. The sophomore stepped up and tied the game with a pair of clutch free throws.

Anthony Hubbard had a monster double-double by posting 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds before fouling out in regulation.

"I really can't explain that game," said Anthony Hubbard. "It was probably one of the best games that I've ever been in. As far as the team effort is concerned, everybody played like me, Justin Black, Ian [Chiles] … we all fouled out so it was like we had to be on the bench and continue to give those guys motivation. But they came in and did their thing, so that was big."

The Bears will return to action when they host the Norfolk State Spartans on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m.

Box Score

Bear Notes

+ Hampton held a commanding 61-46 rebounding margin, and outscored the Bears 40-30 in the paint

+ Morgan State shot 55% (33-60) from the free throw line, while the Pirates were 33-of-55 from the stripe

+ Anthony Hubbard collected his fourth double-double of the season

+ Torin Childs-Harris saw action for the first time this season

+ Morgan State scored 22 points off of Hampton's turnovers (16)

+ 10 players fouled out of the game (4 Bears - Hubbard, Chiles, Black and Blossom)

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Topple Savannah State Tigers 78-72

Grice, Jasmine
COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Women’s Basketball team picked up win No.20 against Savannah State with a 78-72 win over the Lady Tigers, here Monday night at the Al Lawson Center in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest.

FAMU jumped out to a 13-6 lead on a Jasmine Grice three-pointer with 15:22 left in the first half.

SSU would cut FAMU’s lead to 21-20 with a 14-7 run, capped off by a Jasmine Norman jumper with 7:56 left in the half.

The Lady Tigers would take a 39-38 lead into the break as SSU finished the first half with a 17-9 run, capped off by a Rhianna Warren three-pointer with four left in the half.

FAMU finished the first half shooting 50.0 percent (15-of-30) from the floor, whereas SSU shot 51.5 percent (17-of-33).

In the second half, the Lady Tigers would extend their lead to as much as 11 points on a Charmaine Green jumper, giving SSU a 56-45 lead with 13:25 left in the game.

FAMU would answer, as the Lady Rattlers put together a 15-4 run to tie the contest at 60-60 with 8:18 left in the game, capped off by a pair of Patrice Collie free throws.

The contest would see its seventh tie of the game as FAMU would knot the game at 66-66 on a pair of Taneka Rubin free throws with 5:05 left in the game.

Collie would then connect on another free throw followed by an Alicia McCray layup to give, the Lady Rattlers a 69-66 lead with 4:43 to go in the game.

The Lady Rattlers finished the contest shooting 38.5 percent (26-of-65), while the Lady Tigers shot 43.9 percent (29-of-66).

FAMU (11-11, 5-4 MEAC) was led by Grice with a game-high 34 points to lead all scorers, while Rubin poured in 10 to round out the cast of double-digit performers. Tierra Prothro led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 14.

SSU (13-10, 6-3 MEAC) was paced by Norman as she recorded a double-double on the night with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Jasmine Kirkland pumped in 14 points.

FAMU will return to action as they will travel to Durham, N.C., to take on North Carolina A&T in a MEAC contest on Saturday, Feb, 8 in a 2 p.m. start.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Rattlers Win In 54-51 Comeback Over Savannah State

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team picked up their eighth win of the season with a 54-51 win over Savannah State, here Monday night at the Al Lawson Center in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest.

With the win, FAMU snaps SSU’s five-game win streak against the Rattlers and FAMU Head Coach Clemon Johnson notches his first-ever win against the Tigers of Savannah State.

SSU jumped out to a 13-7 lead on a Terel Hall layup with 11:03 to go in the game.

Reggie Lewis would give the Rattlers their first lead of the game with a made three-pointer with 1:08 left in the first, capping an 18-10 run by FAMU.

A Devein William jumper with 41 seconds left in the half tied the contest at 25-25.

FAMU would finish the first half shooting 32.1 percent (9-of-28), while SSU shot 31.0 percent (9-of-29).

SSU opened the second half with a 6-0 run, capped off by a Harel jumper with 16:19 left in the contest.

FAMU would tie the contest at 43-43 on a Lewis jumper with 6:31 to go in the game, capping a 7-4 run by the Rattlers. The Rattlers would then extend their lead to 47-43 with 2:13 left in the game capped off by a Jamie Adams free throw.

Jyles Smith would cut the Rattlers’ lead to 52-51 with a dunk with :26 left in the game.

Both Willie Conner and D’Andre Bullard would hit one free throw each for the 54-51 win.

FAMU finished the contest shooting 29.2 percent (19-of-65), while SSU shot 30.4 percent (14-of-46). The Rattlers held the rebounding margin over the Tigers, 54-39.

The Rattlers were led by Adams with a game high 17 points to lead all scorers. Lewis added 15, while Jamari Bradshaw finished with 11. Bobby King led the Rattlers on the boards with eight.

SSU was paced by Smith with 10 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots on the night, while Hall pumped in 11 on the night.

With the win, FAMU increases their record to 8-14 and 4-5 in MEAC play, whereas SSU lowers their record to 8-15 and 6-3 in MEAC action.

FAMU will return to action as they will travel to North Carolina to take on North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Corbett Center in a 6 p.m. start in Greensboro, N.C.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rush beat 20th-ranked Panthers to remain atop GCAC

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Anthony Goode scored 14 points and keyed a late first-half run which helped Xavier University of Louisiana earn an 83-78 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Philander Smith in a matchup of ranked NAIA teams.

The Gold Rush (18-5, 7-1), ranked 13th, won for the ninth time in 10 games and snapped the five-game win streak of the Panthers (16-6, 5-2), ranked 20th. Philander Smith had not lost at home since Nov. 12.

Xavier is the only GCAC team with one loss and holds a 1½-game lead over Philander Smith, Talladega and Edward Waters. Talladega lost 89-84 in overtime at Voorhees.

Sydney Coleman scored 13 points for Xavier, and Morris Wright and RJ Daniels scored 10 apiece.

D'Alvin Brown, with 19 points, was the Panthers' lone double-figure scorer. Philander Smith entered the game averaging 93 points and had five players averaging in double figures.

Xavier, led by Goode's six points, outscored Philander Smith 17-2 in the final five minutes of the first half to turn a 35-27 deficit into a 44-37 lead at halftime. The Panthers tied the score three times in the second half, but a Daniels 3-pointer with 13:27 remaining put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 54-51.

Xavier led by 11 points twice in the final five minutes.

Aquill Baynard missed a 3-pointer which would have tied the score with six seconds remaining. Coleman grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made two free throws to clinch Xavier's fifth consecutive road victory.

It was the first time since 2009 that the Gold Rush won on the road against a ranked opponent. It was Xavier's second victory this season against a ranked team.

Xavier outshot the Panthers 52 to 41.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 35-25. All 10 Gold Rush players scored. Lucas Martin-Julien, Xavier Rogers and Olivier Siewe scored nine points apiece, and Martin-Julien grabbed a career-best nine rebounds.

Xavier had three second-half turnovers after committing 13 in the opening half.

Xavier and Philander Smith will meet again Feb. 17 at XU's Convocation Center. The next Gold Rush game will start at 5 p.m. Saturday at conference and city rival SUNO.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Monday, February 3, 2014

Gold Nuggets lose for first time in conference this season

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Jerricka Scott scored a season-high 30 points Monday and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Philander Smith to an 83-59 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball upset of NAIA No. 23 Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Lady Panthers (14-11, 5-2) ended the five-game win streak of the Gold Nuggets (17-7, 7-1).

Xavier never led. Philander Smith outscored the Gold Nuggets 28-6 in the first 13 minutes and led 36-19 at halftime. Xavier never got closer than 12 points in the second half, the last time after Whitney Gathright's basket with 13:37 remaining made it 49-37.

Gathright, with 21 points, was Xavier's only double-figure scorer. She also had six assists. Chelsea Broussard had eight points and five rebounds.

Scott, a junior forward and an All-GCAC selection a year ago, was 8-of-10 from the floor, made her only 3-point attempt and was 13-of-18 from the line. Caryan Jones scored 14 points for Philander Smith, and Kanesha Merritt had 12.

Philander Smith outshot the Gold Nuggets 51.8 to 31.9 percent from the floor. Xavier made its first 11 free throws and finished 11-of-12 -- Gathright made all eight of her attempts -- and Philander Smith was 22-of-30. The Lady Panthers committed 23 turnovers and gained 28.

The loss was the fifth in Xavier's last 60 GCAC games. It was the Gold Nuggets' first double-digit loss in a conference game since 2009 and largest loss in a conference game since 2000.

Xavier and Philander Smith will meet again Feb. 17 at XU's Convocation Center.

Xavier will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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NCCU Eagles Releases 2014 Football Schedule

NCCU Announces 'Quality' Football Schedule in Mack's First year as Head Coach

Complete Schedule Printable Football Schedule (PDF)

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University's 12-game 2014 football schedule features six home games, an NCAA Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent, a program transitioning to the FBS level, and three teams that competed in the NCAA playoffs last season.

"This is a quality schedule," said first-year NCCU football head coach Jerry Mack. "We open up with East Carolina, who won a bowl game last year and is a high-caliber FBS program. We play a Charlotte team that is transitioning to the FBS level; and we face three opponents that participated in the NCAA playoffs last season (Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State and Towson), including a Towson squad that played in the national championship game.

"Our fans will be excited to see the level of competition we are playing in 2014," Mack said.

NCCU kicks off the 2014 season on Aug. 30 with its first gridiron meeting against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C. The Pirates will be playing in their first season in the American Athletic Conference after a 17-year run in Conference USA. ECU is coming off one of its best campaigns in school history, compiling a 10-3 overall record, including a win over Ohio in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.

The Eagles' home-opener on Sept. 6 is against an old acquaintance from their CIAA days, Elizabeth City State. The contest is a rematch of the 2006 CIAA Championship Game, which NCCU won on a last-second field goal to cap a perfect 11-0 regular season. The Eagles lead the series with ECSU 19-8, including victories in nine of the last 11 meetings.

NCCU returns to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Sept. 13 to host Charlotte for the first time. The 49ers ended last year's inaugural gridiron campaign with a 5-6 record, the first loss being handed to them by the Eagles in the Queen City. Charlotte will be playing in its final season as an FCS independent before moving to the FBS ranks as a member of Conference USA in 2015.

In week four, the Eagles leave their home state for the first time, travelling up to Maryland to challenge Towson on Sept. 20. The Tigers posted a 13-3 record last season, including a road win at NCCU, and advanced to the NCAA Division I-FCS national championship game.

After a bye week, NCCU begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play by hosting Howard on Oct. 4. This will be the Bison's first visit to the Bull City since 1994. The Eagles beat Howard last season in the nation's capital, but the Bison still hold a 9-8-1 series advantage.

NCCU journeys to South Carolina State on Oct. 11 for the first of two straight road games. The Bulldogs posted a 9-4 overall record last season, including a 7-1 conference mark to earn a share of the MEAC title. SCSU has won eight of the last nine matchups with NCCU to take a 12-9 series lead. The Eagles have not won in Orangeburg, S.C., since 1972, their only win south of the border since the two teams first met in 1927.

On Oct. 18, NCCU continues its two-game road swing at Morgan State in Baltimore, Md. These two programs have ruined each other's homecoming festivities for the past two seasons. The Bears have won six of the last eight meetings with the Eagles to extend their series cushion to 23-13-2.

The Eagles return home on Oct. 25 to host Savannah State. NCCU has won the last two meetings with the Tigers, both in Georgia, to push its series advantage to 6-2-1. In the last match-up in Durham in 2011, Savannah State edged the Eagles 33-30.

The month of November begins with NCCU's longest road trip of the season, a 1,140-mile round-trip venture to Daytona Beach, Fla., to challenge last year's MEAC co-champion Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 1. In 2013, the Wildcats amassed a 10-3 overall record and a 7-1 league tally to advance to the NCAA playoffs. The Eagles defeated Bethune-Cookman in the first meeting back in 1994, but the Wildcats have beaten NCCU in each of the last four contests since 2010.

Homecoming festivities will surround the Nov. 8 home game against Hampton. The Eagles beat the Pirates in their last trip to Durham in 2012, but that is NCCU's only win during the last nine contests in the series, which Hampton leads 18-6.

NCCU's final regular-season road game is at Norfolk State on Nov. 15. The Eagles have not played the Spartans in Virginia since 1995. NCCU defeated Norfolk State 24-13 last season in Durham to earn a 6-5 edge in the series.

The Eagles close out the regular season at home with the 86th meeting against rival North Carolina A&T on Nov. 22. Two years ago in Durham, in front of a sellout crowd at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, the match-up ended in overtime for the fourth time in the past 17 contests between the in-state rivals. Last year's victory by the Aggies improved their series lead to 49-31-5.

NCCU will hold its spring football game on Friday, April 11 at 6 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Details about NCCU football season tickets will be announced at a later date.

For more information about NCCU football, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app for iOS and Android devices.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ex-NFL player joins staff of Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Another former NFL player expects to join Jackson State’s coaching staff.

Paul Spicer, who spent a majority of his playing career with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2000-09, is expected to be named the Tigers defensive line coach. Former Southern Methodist lineman Tommy Poynter is also expected to join the staff, likely as the offensive line coach. A university source confirmed the hires Friday to The Clarion-Ledger.

Spicer would work alongside head coach Harold Jackson and defensive coordinator Derrick Burroughs, both whom played in the NFL.

Spicer, who played defensive end, officially retired from the NFL in 2011 and served as an assistant defensive line coach for the Jaguars in 2012.

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Ready for prime time? Alabama A&M hosting Prairie View on live ESPNU broadcast tonight

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Fresh from a thrilling one-point victory over Texas Southern, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs have some national television exposure tonight.

The Bulldogs (7-11 overall, 6-4 in the SWAC) host Prairie View A&M (6-14, 4-4) at 8:05 (C.T.), with ESPNU broadcasting the game live from Elmore Gymnasium. A&M officials have been encouraging fans to make banners and help create a festive atmosphere.

The A&M women (3-15, 1-7) hope to end a five-game losing streak as they host Prairie View at 5 p.m.

In Saturday's win over Texas Southern, Jeremy Crutcher was fouled on a ...

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