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LUBBOCK, Texas -- The third-ranked Wiley College men's track and field team won three events in record-breaking fashion at Texas Tech University's Masked Rider Open Friday at the Terry and Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex. Quinn-Lee Ralph (JR/Trinidad &Tobago), who is a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American candidate ran 10.08 to win the 100-meter dash. His time broke his previous school record of 10.22, which he set earlier this year. In the 200-meter dash, Ralph won with a time of 20.78 - which broke Dan-Neil Telesford (SR/Trinidad)'s mark of 20.82.
Marbeq Edgar (FR/St. Lucia), who is a NAIA All-American candidate in the 800-meter run, set a new Wiley record with a time of 1:49.46. His time broke his previous mark of 1:51.08.
Moriba Morain (SO/Trinidad &Tobago), who is a NAIA All-American candidate in the 100-meter dash, finished just behind Ralph at 10.10. He ran a 21.11 to finish fourth in the 200-meter dash. Oraine Palmer (FR/Kingston, Jamaica) finished sixth (21.43) and Machael Mark (JR/Princess Town, Trinidad) finished seventh (21.49). Palmer also finished ninth in the 100-
meter dash (10.33). Woods finished 10th in the 400-meter dash (48.32).
Mark finished 11th in the 100-meter dash (10.57) and sixth in the long jump (6.78) Leonard Kiprono (SO/Eldore, Kenya) finished third in the 3,000-meter steeple chase (10.55.11). Roger Ali (JR/Trinidad and Tobago) finished 18th in the 400-meter dash (50.11).
The Wildcats hope to add to their national qualifiers in the Last Chance Meet in Huntsville, Texas, on May 14.
COURTESY WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida – Both the men and women of Bethune-Cookman University hold second-round leads at the 30th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, which is being contested at PGA Golf Club. The 54-hole, stroke-play Championship, which consists of six divisions (four team, two individual), concludes Sunday.
While Bethune-Cookman's women (597) hold a sizable advantage – 22 shots – in the Women’s Division over second-place Chicago State University and seem destined to collect their record fifth consecutive PGA Minority Championship, Loritz “Scooter” Clark’s men are in a tussle with a group of upstarts from Tennessee State University in Men’s Division I.
Riding the coattails of Drew Owens, who fired a second-round 74 amid windy conditions at PGA Golf Club, Tennessee State (603) is only three strokes behind Bethune-Cookman (600).
Following a breezy, but comfortable, loop on the Wanamaker Course, Owens said the primary difference maker was “the wind. It’s a lot harder out there today than it was .”
After opening with a 71 on Friday, Owens enjoyed Saturday’s showdown with Joel Ramirez of Bethune-Cookman. The two freshmen posted identical two-day totals of 145 (71-74) and are tied for the low score among Men’s Division I.
“Playing with Joel is really cool, although he hits it about 30 yards further than I do” admitted Owens, who hails from Atlanta. “Keeping up with him is an honor. He’s talented, and just a freshman, too.”
Owens is equally as impressed and excited about his team’s ability to keep up with Bethune-Cookman, which sports seven team Minority Collegiate Championships on the men’s side, including three in the previous five years (2011, ’13, ’14).
“Bethune-Cookman has an amazing history in this Championship, having won it so many times,” said Owens. “So for us to be right up there with them feels great.” CONTINUE READING
GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats made it three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships in a row Saturday by winning the 2016 affair at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.
The Wildcats tallied 151 points to out-distance North Carolina A&T State, who was second with 134 points and Maryland Eastern Shore (110) in third.
Steven Thomas, of Coppin State, was the Outstanding Field Athlete award winner after winning the discus, finishing second in the hammer and fifth in the shot put for 22 points in the meet. Maryland Eastern Shore’s Khalil Rmidi Kinini was named the Outstanding Runner. He won the 1500m, 5000m, 10000m and 3000m steeplechase to accumulate 40 points.
Bethune-Cookman’s Donald Cooper was selected as the Men’s Track and Field Outstanding Coach for the third time.
“It was a tough battle all weekend and the weather really caught us off guard the first day,” said Cooper. “All we could do was encourage the student-athletes and keep reminding them the weather was going to get warmer. We strategized throughout the summer and with cross country trying to make it not another one-point affair and we did.”
The first meet record of the event was set by North Carolina A&T State’s 4x100 meter relay team of Maurice Eaddy, Christopher Belcher, Michael Dickson and Rodney Rowe in 39.58. South Carolina State was second in 40.35, while North Carolina Central took third in 40.42. The former record was by Hampton in 2010 running 39.71.
The second meet record of the weekend fell in the 100m as Belcher broke a 34-year old record in 10.07. William Haynes, of Florida A&M, held the record, with a time of 10.23, set in 1981.
2016 MEAC Men’s Outdoor Award Winners
Outstanding Field Performer: Steven Thomas, Coppin State
Khalil Rmidi Kinini, Maryland Eastern Shore (10,000m, 3,000mSC, 1,500m, 5,000m); Steven Thomas, Coppin State (DT); Ed’Ricus Williams, Bethune-Cookman (HJ); Christian Kinney, Hampton (Dec.); Sulaiman Fared, Hampton (SP); Frank Quarles, North Carolina A&T State (LJ); Rico Duncan, Maryland Eastern Shore (HT); Dominic Harper, Bethune-Cookman (PV); Michael Tiller, Bethune-Cookman (TJ); Maurice Eaddy, North Carolina A&T State (4x100); Christopher Belcher, North Carolina A&T State (4x100, 100m, 200m); Michael Dickson, North Carolina A&T State (4x100); Rodney Rowe, North Carolina A&T State (4x100); Trey Holloway, Hampton (100mH); Joel Roberson, Morgan State (400m); Mark Blackmon, Maryland Eastern Shore (800m); Chris Collins, Bethune-Cookman (JT); Christopher Gaddist, South Carolina State (400mH); Justin Hamilton, North Carolina A&T State (4x400); Dorian Claggett, North Carolina A&T State (4x400), Corey Aiken, North Carolina A&T State (4x400), Dajuan Harding, North Carolina A&T State (4x400)
All-MEAC Second Team
Perry Cabean, North Carolina A&T State (10,000m); Clifton Thompson, Norfolk State (DT); Nehemiah Lipford, North Carolina A&T State (HJ); Jerrick Powell, Hampton (Dec.); Christopher Lee, Norfolk State (SP); Kenneth Fisher, Bethune-Cookman (LJ); Oussama Chouati, Maryland Eastern Shore (3,000mSC); Steven Thomas, Coppin State (HT); Princy Dorsainvil, Bethune-Cookman (PV); Shane Green, Coppin State (TJ); Christopher Gaddist, South Carolina State (4x100); Jeffrey Jones, South Carolina State (4x100); Demek Kemp, South Carolina State (4x100); Tyrell Richard, South Carolina State (4x100); Ronaldo Ball, Coppin State (1,500m); Malik Lewis, Bethune-Cookman (100mH); Steve Coles, Norfolk State (400m); Maurice Eaddy, North Carolina A&T State (100m); Michael James, Coppin State (800m); Rolando Reid, Morgan State (JT); Evan Johnson, Morgan State (400mH); Rodney Rowe, North Carolina A&T State (200m); Joel Robertson, Morgan State (4x400); Donovan St. Louis, Morgan State (4x400), Stephen Varella, Morgan State (4x400); Evan Johnson, Morgan State (4x400)
All-MEAC Third Team
Xavier Walton, Bethune-Cookman (10,000m, 3,000mSC); Rico Duncan, Maryland Eastern Shore (DT); Milan Bullock, Howard (HJ); Taj Showalter, Maryland Eastern Shore (Dec.); Antony Britt, South Carolina State (SP); Nicholas Williams, Bethune-Cookman (LJ); Matthew Aleruchi, South Carolina State (HT); Trey Clark, Hampton (PV); Kenneth Fisher, Bethune-Cookman (TJ); Joshua McClam, North Carolina Central (4x100); Deontae Williams, North Carolina Central (4x100); Jonathan Williams, North Carolina Central (4x100); Issac Roberts, North Carolina Central (4x100); Desmond Fogg, Norfolk State (1,500m); Christopher Gaddist, South Carolina State (100mH); Dajuan Hardin, North Carolina A&T State (400m); Rodney Rowe, North Carolina A&T State (100m); Mark London, Coppin State (800m); Christian Kinney, Hampton (JT); Kevin Vincent, North Carolina Central (400mH); Nigel Brown, Savannah State (200m); Antwuan Poole, Savannah State (4x400), Todd Woodring, Savannah State (4x400); Brandon Davis, Savannah State (4x400).
GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The Florida A&M University Women’s Track and Field team captured its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championship on Saturday at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.
Florida A&M tallied 164 points to win their 11th overall title. Hampton finished second with 139 points, while Bethune-Cookman placed third with 106.
Andrea Aaron, of Florida A&M, won the Outstanding Field Athlete award as she accumulated 29 points in the event. She won the shot put, finished second in hammer, third in the javelin and fourth in the discus.
Hampton’s Ce’aira Brown won her third straight Outstanding Runner honor after accounting for 35 points. She won the 800m, 1500m, placed third in the 10000m, fourth in the 5000m and was on the 4x400 relay team.
Florida A&M’s Darlene Moore was selected as the Outstanding Coach for the second year in a row.
“The girls have been performing well this year and we executed extremely well in the field and distance events over the first two days,” said Moore. “That helped us build up enough of a lead to hold off everyone in the final day which we did.”
A top two finish in the 5000m run for Florida A&M helped lock up the championship as Cynthia Chelalgo won the race in 17:46.78 and Judith Kibii finished second in 17:50.96. Maryland Eastern Shore won the 4x400 relay, with a time of 3:39.97 and Hampton took second in 3:43.65. Delaware State finished third in 3:45.94.
BRONX, New York -- The Hampton University sailing team has qualified for the College Sailing Nationals for the first time in program history. The Pirates finished a program-best ninth in the America Trophy this past Saturday and Sunday. The top nine teams qualified for the national regatta, which will be held in San Diego, Calif., hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club May 24-June 4. The Gill Co-Ed Championships are scheduled for May 31-June 3. "It's like a dream come true," head coach Alessandro Ambrosi said. "We finally made it after all these years that I've been here… we made it. It was very tough, because like always we were the underdog. But I'm incredibly proud of my team." "The Hampton University sailing team is a true testament that hard work pays off," said HU President Dr. William R. Harvey. "I want to congratulate Coach Ambrosi and these fine young men and women on this historic accomplishment."
The Pirates finished with 300 points, finishing ahead of such schools as Cornell (11th, 317), NY Maritime (12th, 370), Virginia (13th, 388), Christopher Newport (15th, 450), Maryland (16th, 474), and Syracuse (18th, 539).
St. Mary's College (Md.) won the regatta – and the MAISA championship – with 192 points. Maximilian Kuester, Giuditta Di Laghi, and Joshua Williams sailed in the A Division, racking up 170 points while recording a second-place finish and two third-place efforts. The B Division – Luca Taglialegne and Elisabeth Kuester – tallied 130 points. The duo recorded one second-place finish, two third-place finishes, and a pair of fifth-place efforts. Hampton is the nation's only HBCU co-ed sailing program, and the Pirates compete in MAISA (Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association). MAISA is one of four conferences within the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), the sport's governing body, and each conference sends nine teams to nationals. The program is in its seventh season under Ambrosi, and the team has won 18 regattas over that span – including seven this season. Prior to the America Trophy, the Pirates had won three straight regattas and four out of five. "This isn't the regatta you want to win," Ambrosi said with a chuckle. "This is the regatta where you want to qualify onto the national stage, then you want to win." Though this will be Hampton's first time competing in the College Sailing Nationals, it is not the program's first time experiencing the event; in 2013, Hampton and Old Dominion co-hosted the regatta at Strawberry Banks. For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com. COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The University of the District of Columbia's Simone Grant was selected as the East Coast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year as voted on by the conference's coaches.
Grant makes it a sweep of the ECC major awards on the year (she shared the Indoor honor with Chelsea Hayward of Roberts Wesleyan) and also repeats as the ECC Outdoor Athlete of the Year. She ranks in the top-five in the East Region in three individual events and in the top three as part of two relay teams. Her best event is the long jump, which she paces the region in with a mark of 5.76M. She's also 4th in the 400M dash with a time of 56.74s and 5th in the 200M dash with a time of 25.00s.
The Bronx, NY native was at her best during the ECC Championship, earning All-Conference honors in five different events to also claim the Most Outstanding Athlete of the ECC Women's Championship Meet. She won the Long Jump (5.72M), and 4x400M Relay (3:59.61), came in 2nd in the 4x100M Relay (48.43) and 200M dash (25.18s), and finished 4th in the 100M dash (12.45s).
In the four years the ECC has sponsored Outdoor Track & Field as a championship sport, UDC has claimed all four Athlete of the Year honors (Kaydian Jones 2013 & 2014; Grant 2015 & 2016), and at least a share of the Athlete of the ECC Championship Meet award in three of the four years (Jones 2013 & 2014; Grant 2016).
In addition, the ECC also announces the All-Conference finishers from the championship meet. The top two finishers in each event were named First Team All-Conference, while the third and fourth place finishers earned Second Team All-Conference distinction. A list of all winners can be found below.
2016 ECC Outdoor Track and Field All-Conference
Women's First Team
100 meter dash - Chelsea Hayward, Roberts Wesleyan & Terrilyn Britton, Queens
200 meter dash - Chelsea Hayward, Roberts Wesleyan & Simone Grant, Dist. Columbia
400 meter dash - Jerily Benjamin, Dist. Columbia & Kristina Button, Roberts Wesleyan
800 meter run - Gabriela Sloezen, St. Thomas Aquinas & Kristen Borriello, St. Thomas Aquinas
1,500 meter run - Rachel Hutchinson, Roberts Wesleyan & Kristen Borriello, St. Thomas Aquinas
5,000 meter run - Elizabeth Stirling, LIU Post & April Sablan, Roberts Wesleyan
10,000 meter run - Amy Trabert, Daemen & Kaitlin O'Grady, St. Thomas Aquinas
100 meter hurdles -Stacy-Ann Rowe, Dist. Columbia & Damira Banks, Queens
400 meter hurdles - Brianna Calderon, Roberts Wesleyan & Damira Banks, Queens
3,000 meter steeplechase - Cecelia Pfleging, St. Thomas Aquinas & Addison Sgroi,, Roberts Wesleyan
4 x 100 meter relay - Roberts Wesleyan (Danielle Budd, Kathleen Amstad, Kristina Button, Chelsea Hayward)
4 x 400 meter relay - Dist. Columbia (Marlena Wright, Jerily Benjamin, Jasmine Walker, Simone Grant)
4 x 800 meter relay - St. Thomas Aquinas (Kristen Borriello, Gabriela Sloezen, Meaghan Ventarola, Patricia Nersten)
High Jump - Saida Burns-Moore, Dist. Columbia & Myla Somerville, Dist. Columbia
Pole Vault - Kyra Kress, Daemen & Molly Luger, Roberts Wesleyan
Long Jump - Simone Grant, Dist. Columbia & Brittany Okon, Dist. Columbia
Triple Jump - Saida Burns-Moore, Dist. Columbia & Saralee Martelly, Queens
Shot Put - Katherine Mollahan, St. Thomas Aquinas & Brittany Sepe, Molloy
Discus - Brittany Sepe, Molloy & Emily Johnson, Daemen
Hammer - Brittany Sepe, Molloy & Danely Rodriguez, Queens
Javelin - Kristina Button, Roberts Wesleyan & Tiara Goode, Dist. Columbia Women's Second Team
100 meter dash - Kathleen Amstad, Roberts Wesleyan & Simone Grant, Dist. Columbia
200 meter dash - Kathleen Amstad, Roberts Wesleyan & Terrilyn Britton, Queens
400 meter dash - Danielle Budd, Roberts Wesleyan & Ronsheica Trotman, Queens
800 meter run - Patricia Nersten, St. Thomas Aquinas & Emilee Durso, Roberts Wesleyan
1,500 meter run - Rachel Prutsman, Roberts Wesleyan & Mackenzie Donahue, Daemen
5,000 meter run - Ashley Cheff, Daemen & Brittany Ward, Roberts Wesleyan
10,000 meter run - Veronica Stauffer, Roberts Wesleyan & Kellie Lawton, Roberts Wesleyan
100 meter hurdles - Saralee Martelly, Queens & Brianna Calderon, Roberts Wesleyan
400 meter hurdles - Saralee Martelly, Queens & Meaghan Ventarola, St. Thomas Aquinas
3,000 meter steeplechase - Hannah Putman, Roberts Wesleyan & Kymberly Johnson, Queens
4 x 100 meter relay - Dist. Columbia (Stacy-Ann Rowe, Jerily Benjamin, Jasmine Walker, Simone Grant)
4 x 400 meter relay - Roberts Wesleyan (Danielle Budd, Brianna Calderon, Chelsea Hayward, Kristina Button)
4 x 800 meter relay - LIU Post (Elizabeth Stirling, Kaitie Schillaci, Cllara Fischer, Talya Williams)
High Jump - Kristina Button, Roberts Wesleyan & Saralee Martelly, Queens
Pole Vault - Nicole Hein, Molloy
Long Jump - Katherine Dovi, Roberts Wesleyan & Saida Burns-Moore, Dist. Columbia
Triple Jump - Kristina Button, Roberts Wesleyan & Breanna Lyn, St. Thomas Aquinas
Shot Put - Tajah Franklin, Dist. Columbia & Ellory Roberts, Daemen
Discus - Kelsey Barnes, St. Thomas Aquinas & Ellory Roberts, Daemen
Hammer - Renee Lustin, Queens & Ellory Roberts, Daemen
Javelin - Brittany Sepe, Molloy & Aaliyah Holt, Roberts Wesleyan
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
New York Knicks big man Kyle O’Quinn has fulfilled a promise to his family to earn his college degree from Norfolk State University.
NEW YORK, New York -- Over the course of his four-year college career, Kyle O’Quinn became the face of the Norfolk State Spartans men’s basketball program. He was named the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year and Lou Henson Award winner, and earned back-to-back MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Four years later, O’Quinn has finished what he started.
During his remarkable 2012 season, O’Quinn led Norfolk State to one of the most shocking upsets in NCAA Tournament history. He recorded 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Spartans upset the No. 2 seed Missouri Tigers, thus becoming just the fifth 15-seed to win a game in March Madness.
Four years removed from that incredible run, Ian Begley of ESPN New York reports that O’Quinn has done something else to make his parents proud: he’s earned his college degree.
“It took me a little time,” O’Quinn says. “But just holding that promise to actually complete it, it feels good.”
“I did a heavy load in the summer, obviously, and I’d take one or two classes during the year, but everything’s so mobile nowadays that it makes it a little easier,” said O’Quinn, who will receive a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on education.
PORTSMOUTH, Virginia -- Charles Oakley has completed the journey.
A native of Cleveland, Oakley arrived in Virginia in 1981 as an 18-year-old freshman basketball player at Virginia Union University.
It was the start of great things.
Last Saturday, the powerful 6-foot-8 athlete known as “Oak” was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in Portsmouth.
“It’s a great moment,” he said in his induction speech.
“Family, friends, people who cheered me on, people who watched me play … they get a chance to see me in person, to come to the Virginia Hall of Fame. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Playing under former VUU Coach Dave Robbins, Oakley accumulated 2,273 points and grabbed 1,664 rebounds in four brilliant, All-CIAA seasons.
As a VUU senior in 1984-85, Oakley led the NCAA Division II in rebounding and was named National Player of the Year while helping VUU to a 30-1 record.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The FAMU Men’s Basketball Program continued its’ offseason recruiting haul Friday, announcing the signing of Tampa (Fla.) Freedom High point guard Nasir Core to a National Letter of Intent.
Core, a gifted 6-1, 195-pound athletic performer, was a three-time team captain of the Freedom High basketball team, for which he averaged 10.8 points, 4,0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game in his career, helping led his team to three District 7-A championships.
A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, who was MVP of the Hillsborough vs. Pinellas County All-Star Game, Core was also an All-Western Conference selection.
Core also starred on the Freedom High football team, as quarterback and team captain.
He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletics (FCA), President of the African American Studies group, and a Student Representative for the Positive Coaches Alliance at Freedom HS.
FAMU COACH BYRON SAMUELS ON CORE: “Nasir Core is a difference making point guard who is the ultimate competitor. I am delighted to announce that he has joined our basketball program and family.
“He has a drive and a will that makes him a winner, I can’t describe it, but I know that he will help move our program forward with his work ethic, his infectious attitude and spirit. To say it bluntly, this kid is a winner.
“Nasir will represent our program and Florida A&M University well. We are pleased to welcome him and his family to FAMU,” Samuels said.
CORE’S H.S. COACH: Core was coached by Cedric Smith, a former player
at USF.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Football has taken Warren Gatewood from Baltimore, Maryland to Alcorn State University and now to Green Bay, Wisconsin. The former Alcorn defensive back has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Packers.
Gatewood had a huge game against Grambling in the SWAC Championship Game, picking off three passes and returning one for a touchdown as Alcorn came up with a 49-21 win.
At 6'0, 190 pounds, Gatewood has the size that the NFL likes in defensive backs.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Football Champions Alcorn State University Braves will soon boast the nation's largest Historically Black College and University owned video scoreboard when they kick off the 2016 season at Spinks-Casem Stadium this fall.
The LED display is expected to measure 65 feet by 25 feet, will feature an impressive 10 mm pixel pitch and a high quality 1952x736 resolution. It will be capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or it can be divided into multiple smaller windows to show any combination of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
University president Alfred Rankins Jr. announced plans and unveiled the design to a packed assembly of alumni gathered on the Lorman campus for commencement weekend activities.
"We are excited to announce this new addition to the Braves football experience and extremely grateful to the Alcorn State University Foundation for its historic investment because it is going to significantly impact the entire Alcorn family from our students to our fans to our valued student athletes," Rankins said.
ASU Foundation Executive Director and Manager of the Foundation's Development LLC, Marcus Ward said, "The ASU Foundation is proud to be a part of this project that supports the university, because it's the foundation for which long-term athletic and business success can be built. Alcorn and its fans will enjoy and benefit from the new experience on football Saturdays in Lorman. This will be a great enhancement and very beneficial for the best school, best team, best fans and best game day atmosphere in all of HBCU football."
The Foundation's Development, LLC has contracted with Laurel, Mississippi based Capturion Network, LLC, a division of Busby Companies, a leading multi-format LED display company to construct and operate the new scoreboard.
Athletics Director Derek Horne said, "Alcorn's fans deserve the biggest and the best. The new video scoreboard will directly impact the performance of our student athletes on the field of play and will enhance our recruiting abilities to prospective student athletes."
Businesses and organizations interested in advertising opportunities on the new video board should contact the Busby Sales team at 800-268-3260 or email sales@busbycompanies.com.
ALCORN STATE DIVISION OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University kicks off its 2016 season with a game at the University of Maryland on September 3 in College Park, MD. It will mark the first time that the two schools, who are 20 minutes apart, have meet on the football field.
The Bison face another Big 10 opponent in Rutgers on September 10 in Piscataway, NJ. It will mark the fourth time that the two have met.
Howard then opens MEAC play on September 17 when it takes on Hampton University in the AT&T Football Classic at RFK Stadium at 3:30 pm.
Next up for the Bison is a showdown with longtime rival, Morgan State on September 24 at the NY Urban League Classic at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Howard continues conference play with a game at Norfolk State on October 1 at 2 pm in Dick Price Stadium.
The Bison will the step out of conference for their home opener against first time opponent, Monmouth on October 8. It is slated for a 1 pm kickoff.
It will be the first of three-straight home games as the Bison next host South Carolina State on October 15 at 1 pm. The three-game home stand concludes with an October 22 tilt against the Aggies of North Carolina A&T in Greene Stadium. That game will be homecoming and gets underway at 1 pm.
Howard then travels to Savannah, GA to take on the Tigers of Savannah State on October 29 at 2 pm before getting a break with a bye on November 5.
The Bison close out the season with a road game at North Carolina Central on November 12 before closing out the season in the home finale against Delaware State on November 19 at 1 pm. That will be Senior Day for Howard.
Listed below is the 2016 schedule with date, locations and times: :
DATE
OPPONENT
LOCATOIN
TIME
9/03/16
at University of Maryland
College Park, MD
TBA
9/10/16
at Rutgers
Piscataway, NJ
TBA
9/17/16
vs Hampton at RFK Stadium
Wash., DC
3:30 pm
9/24/16
at Morgan State
Meadowlands, NJ
TBA
10/01/16
at Norfolk State
Norfolk, VA
2 pm
10/08/16
vs MONMOUTH
Wash., DC
1 pm
10/15/16
vs SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
Wash., DC
1 pm
10/22/16
vs NORTH CAROLINA A&T
Wash., DC
1 pm
10/29/16
at Savannah State
Savannah, GA
2 pm
11/5/16
BYE
11/12/16
at North Carolina Central
Durham, NC
2 pm
11/19/16
vs DELAWARE STATE
Wash., DC
1 pm
All MEAC GAMES in bold
Home Games in ALL CAPS COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
NEW YORK, New York -- The NFL is partnering with two preeminent Historically Black College & Universities (HBCU) athletic conferences -- the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) -- to increase opportunities for ethnic minorities -- both professionals and students -- interested in pursuing careers in football administration, the league announced today.
The goal is to provide qualified individuals with the preparation and skills needed to secure employment in professional football administration.
"Our partnership with the MEAC and SWAC is not only important for our pipeline of qualified individuals at all levels of football, but also to improve the NFL's goals for diversity and inclusion," said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent. "With this partnership, we are making steady progress in developing future coaches, officials, scouts, managers, front office personnel and others through effective football resources, educational programs and internships."
In addition to the NFL providing much-needed support to academic and athletic endeavors, MEAC and SWAC personnel will benefit from programs that include internships at the club and league level, integration of their football operations staff -- including athletic trainers, video directors and equipment managers -- into existing NFL platforms such as the Regional Combines, and networking and mentorship opportunities.
"We are elated to continue our partnership with the National Football League, which includes our current officiating involvement, to advancing the NFL's diversity and inclusion initiatives with a strategic plan to increase diversity in all areas of employment at the league office and the clubs," said Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "The MEAC is pleased to work collaboratively with the NFL to achieve its diversity and inclusion goals."
A summit at the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl -- the annual game between the champions of the MEAC and SWAC, won by North Carolina A&T last season -- will feature panel discussions for student athletes competing in the game featuring NFL and club personnel who have played college football introducing the players to non-playing opportunities in pro football.
Top sports management students from the competing universities along with entry-level athletic department administrators will attend a separate NFL-themed panel.
"The Southwestern Athletic Conference is excited to partner with the NFL and MEAC to ensure that our student-athletes and students have exposure to superior professional development and the different career contingencies that the NFL and professional sports have to offer." SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. "This partnership is cutting edge and will allow our stakeholders and respective organizations the opportunity to foster long term relationships that will ultimately increase our visibility from campuses to corner offices. We are grateful that the NFL has taken such a profound stance in recognizing the potential of our student athletes, administrators, coaches and officials."
The NFL has a long association with MEAC and SWAC institutions, which have developed some of the greats of the game, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton (Jackson State), Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), Harry Carson (South Carolina State) and Aeneas Williams (Southern).
"The partnership between the NFL and these conferences will be outstanding," Williams said. "Many students, executives and other talented individuals, who may not have known about all of the avenues available to them in the NFL off the field, will have more of a chance to engage in activities and opportunities that will prepare them for a rewarding career in the game that we all love."
Here's a list of the colleges taking part:
Bethune-Cookman
Alabama A&M
Delaware State
Alabama State
Florida A&M
Alcorn State
Hampton
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Howard
Grambling State
Morgan State
Jackson State
North Carolina A&T
Mississippi Valley State
North Carolina Central
Prairie View A&M
Norfolk State
Southern
Savannah State
Texas Southern
South Carolina State
Coppin State University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore COURTESY NFL MEDIA RELATIONS
ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Virginia State University Athletics announced Reggie Barlow as the 25th Head Football Coach in the program's history.
Before arriving to VSU, Barlow coached at several secondary schools by way of his alma mater Alabama State University; where he was the quarterbacks coach from 2005-2006 and the head coach from 2007-2014.
Barlow joined the Alabama State University football staff as quarterbacks coach in 2005. In his first season, Barlow served as mentor and tutor to future NFL second-round draftee Tarvaris Jackson – currently a quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks.
In 2006, Barlow worked with a trio of quarterbacks without a single snap of college football experience between them. Under Barlow's guidance, Alex Engram would earn a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Newcomer of the Week award and finish eighth in the conference in total offense.
After that season, Barlow was named interim head coach. A few weeks later, the interim title was removed and he held the head position for 7 seasons.
In taking over as head coach in 2007, Barlow has compiled an overall record of 48-42. In 2010, the Hornets went 7-5, claimed their fourth outright SWAC Eastern Divisional title and made their third trip to the league's championship game in eight seasons. In 2011, the Hornets improved to 8-3 winning the Turkey Day Classic over Tuskegee.
His years in the league gave him an easy transition into coaching. Barlow spent eight years in the NFL five for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won a World Championship in Super Bowl XXXVII and one offseason on the Oakland Raiders roster. He was used as a secondary wide receiver and punt returner. In 1997, he led the NFL in punt return yards with 555 yards on 43 returns.
Barlow is the father of three children — Erica, Reggie Jr. and Simone.
VSU wrapped up the 2015 season with a 6-4 overall record, 4-3 in the CIAA conference. During the spring 2016 conditioning, VSU displayed great talent that will help make the team great for the 2016 campaign.
The Trojan football program has won 11 CIAA Championships (1929, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1945, 1952, 1970, 1972, 1995, 1996 and 2014). In 2014, the Trojans not only advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Playoffs, but they hosted the first round of the playoffs in Rogers Stadium against Long Island University- Post. The Trojans went on to defeat LIU-Post and advance to round two.
"I am pleased with the selection that the search committee has made," said VSU Director of Athletics, Peggy Davis. "We are excited to welcome Coach Barlow to the Land of Troy as the football program continues to move in the right direction."
The 2016 football season will begin on the road on September 3 against Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m.
For more information on VSU Trojans football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State manufactured three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a tie game and pull away for a 7-4 win over Richmond on Wednesday night in the Spartans' final home game of the season at Marty L. Miller Field.
NSU (24-18), which trailed 3-1 in the fifth inning, tied the game with a pair of runs in the fifth and overtook the Spiders (23-19) in the sixth. The win was NSU's second in a row over Richmond.
The Spartans scored in the first inning as Denathan Dukes led off with a single, stole second and later scored on a groundout by Brian Beard.
Richmond took the lead with two runs in the top of the third. Michael Morman doubled in Trey Beckwith and scored on a two-out balk. The Spiders added another run in the fourth on Aaron Newman's RBI single, putting the Spiders in front 3-1.
But NSU rallied in the middle innings. In the fifth, Tony Leite's base hit scored Angel Rosario, who singled to lead off the frame. Roger Hall, who drew one of his four walks earlier in the inning, scored the tying run from third when Leite stole second base and the catcher's throw to second sailed into center field.
The Spartans pieced together a three-run rally in the sixth. The only hit was Dukes' lead-off bunt single. Dukes scored on a wild pitch by UR reliever Jacob Lamb. Hall, who drew another walk earlier in the inning, scored on a two-out catcher's interference miscue against UR. Ismael Herrera coaxed a bases-loaded walk from Spider reliever Peter Bovenzi to cap the rally and give the Spartans a 6-3 lead.
UR got a run back in the seventh on a two-out RBI single by Kyle Adams. But Spartan reliever Alex Mauricio struck out Kurtis Brown with two runners on to help the Spartans maintain a 6-4 lead.
NSU stretched its lead back to three, at 7-4, in the eighth. Mauricio walked, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single by Chase Anderson.
Mauricio finished it off on the mound, working a scoreless ninth. With two runners on and two outs, Mauricio walked Brown. The fourth ball of the at-bat got away from Spartan catcher Herrera, but D.J. Lee was tagged out at home for the final out of the game trying to score on the wild pitch.
The save was the fourth of the year for Mauricio, who pitched the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run. He struck out two. Anderson (4-2), who began the game playing third base, got the win with 1.2 innings of relief and two strikeouts.
Spartan righty Michael Parmentier got the start and took a no-decision. He struck out seven batters, matching a career high, and allowed three runs over five innings.
Beard went 2-for-5 with an RBI for NSU. Both Dukes and Hall scored two runs apiece. Mauricio went 1-for-1, drew three of the Spartans' 10 walks and stole two bases in addition to his save on the mound.
Adams went 3-for-5 to pace the Spiders, who outhit NSU 12-7.
NSU hits the road for its final MEAC series of the season this Saturday and Sunday at Coppin State. Box Score
Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
BALTIMORE, Maryland – Chase Carlton and David Syfax have signed a national letters-of-intent to play college basketball at Morgan State University, Bears coach Todd Bozeman said Thursday.
Carlton, a 6-1 guard from Austin, Texas, played as a freshman and sophomore at Ranger College in Austin, Texas and will have two years of eligibility at Morgan State. Carlton averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 assists and 1.7 rebounds at Ranger and earned all-conference honorable mention by leading his team to a 31-7 record, 12-0 conference mark and capped a historic season by taking fourth at the 2016 NJCAA Division I Men's National Basketball Championships. It was the Ranger's first Final Four appearance in the institution's 90-year history. Carlton was also named the recipient of the 2016 Bud Obee Small Player Award.
As a senior at Austin Westlake High School in Austin, Carlton averaged over 20 points per game and earned all-district honors and was the catalyst behind the only loss that Converse Judson had prior to the Texas State Tournament. He originally committed to being a preferred walk-on at Texas A&M before playing two seasons at Ranger College.
"Chase is a tough, gritty point guard that plays extremely hard and has great range from 3-point distance," said Bozeman. "He will add quality depth to our backcourt."
This spring, Morgan State also signed 6-6 forward David Syfax of Detroit, Michigan.
"David is a tough versatile, high energy forward that can score and defend," Bozeman added. "He will add quality depth to our frontcourt."
Syfax was a standout at Detroit Pershing High School where he was selected Class C All-State, All-Detroit honorable mention and Detroit News All-Area honorable mention.
Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman has led the Bears to NCAA appearances in 2009 and 2010. MSU has won three MEAC Tournaments (1977, 2009 & 2010) and has made six c
hampionship appearances in 10 seasons under Coach Bozeman.
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball is the recipient of the NAIA's Buffalo Funds Five-Star Champions of Character Team Award for the 2015-16 season.
The NAIA presents this award annually to a member school in each of its 23 championship sports. Winners demonstrate the NAIA's five core values — integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership — in everyday decisions. These institutions and athletic programs strive for excellence in and out of competition and are part of communities throughout the country dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics.
Gold Rush community service this past year included the collection of winter coats and toiletries for the homeless, plus volunteering for the Times-Picayune Doll & Toy Fund in the distribution of toys to thousands of needy New Orleans children.
"Building character is the primary reason that I do what I do," said Dannton Jackson, Gold Rush head coach the past 13 seasons and a recent hire by the University of Alabama at Birmingham as an assistant coach. "Basketball is just a pathway to helping young men develop into people that will help to change our world; some in small ways, some in large, but for the better.
"A team cannot work without character. Character defines how you practice, how you play, how you handle adversity and success. It takes character to deal with all of the daily challenges of being a student and to put those aside to give your best effort on the practice court. It takes character to walk out onto the court on game day and know that you represent thousands of students and alumni from your school. It takes character to endure the physical and mental challenges of a long season."
The Gold Rush presented the NAIA's five core values to approximately 350 students at Joseph A. Craig Charter School in New Orleans during the fall semester.
"I don't think that character is something that we have to talk about as a team on a regular basis because it really just seems to be a part of our program," XU senior guard Gary Smith said. "Our coach has never made basketball the most important thing in our lives. Since I was recruited, he's dealt with me as a person first and an athlete second. So I think that has helped us as a team because we're able to keep things in perspective.
"We all want to win. You don't come to Xavier if you're not thinking about playing for championships. What makes Xavier different and what makes our team so special is how much we care about the next man. We think beyond ourselves. It doesn't matter who scores or who gets the numbers, we're out here trying to win together. There are 31 other teams at this tournament, but we look at ourselves as a family. These are my brothers. That's Xavier character to me."
This is the first time an XU team has won this award.
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The third-ranked Wiley College men's track and field team won three events in record-breaking fashion at Texas Tech University's Masked Rider Open Friday at the Terry and Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex.
