TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University's marching band reached a milestone Wednesday. "The Marching 100" celebrated its 70th anniversary.
The band also recently welcomed a new director.
Dr. Shelby Chipman says he's "blessed" to lead this group, which has been a hallmark at the university now for seven decades.
"The Marching 100" was founded on June 1, 1946, under the direction of Dr. William P. Foster.
The band grew over the years, making a number of national and international performances, including Super Bowl appearances and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Chipman says his time marching with the band as a student was special.
"Those were great times," he said, "and I never thought being here as a young pup, trying out for 'The Marching 100' in 1982 would lend itself to me being in the position I am."
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016
10 most intriguing SWAC games of 2016
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Only three months stand between now and the start of the college football season for the SWAC.Jackson State will be the first conference team to strap up the pads when it hits the road to face UNLV on Sept. 1.
With football season getting closer and closer, The Clarion-Ledger has decided to take a look at the 10 most intriguing SWAC conference games coming up this fall.
1. Alcorn State at Grambling, Sept. 24: Defending SWAC champion Alcorn State lost coach Jay Hopson, and conference runner-up Grambling lost quarterback Johnathan Williams, who was the conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2015. Despite the losses, these two programs will likely be projected to be in the SWAC title game in December, so this game could serve as an early preview.
2. Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling, at Dallas, Oct. 1: In terms of offensive fireworks, the State Fair Classic provided plenty when the Tigers beat the Panthers 70-54 last season. It could be more of the same this season if Prairie View A&M, which went 8-2 last season, finds a replacement for standout running back Johnta' Hebert.
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Seminoles should take ASU seriously
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Here’s the other side of Alabama State’s historic 28-0 SWAC championship run that led to a first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament – 10-15.That’s how the Hornets fared in their remaining 25 games this season.
So Florida State could look at that latter number and take ASU (38-15) lightly Friday, but that might not be a wise move for the top-seeded Seminoles (37-20) in the Tallahassee Regional.
Last season, ASU had Florida State down by two runs heading into bottom of the seventh inning before surrendering three runs in an 8-7 loss in Tallahassee. That’s even more reason for the Seminoles to take the Hornets seriously, but ASU suffered lopsided losses at Auburn this season.
The Tigers outscored ASU, 22-2, in the two games. Power 5 programs are expected to beat schools from smaller conferences, but Auburn won just 22 games this season. If ASU couldn’t hang with one of the SEC’s worst teams, the chances of it knocking off one of the ACC’s best teams aren’t good.
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016
from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: Summation of Life & Leadership of FAMU's Past Presidents, Series Part 3: William H.A. Howard, Acting [1922-1924]
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In 1872, William H. A. Howard was born in Columbus, Georgia. Howard graduated from the Georgia Industrial School (now Savannah State University) and taught there under the direction of Nathan B. Young. Recruited by President Young to teach at FAMC, Howard had a stellar 20-year career becoming Dean of Mechanical Arts and innovator of FAMC’s military training program. By all accounts Howard was a loyal friend to Nathan B. Young before being selected by the Board of Control to take over as acting president.Synopsis
Though it appears that Howard was completely loyal to Young, rumors spread that he undermined Young before taking the job. Teachers resigned from their positions, and until advised otherwise by Young the alumni association pushed to have him return.
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Xavier's Kitto repeats as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Brent Kitto earned his second postseason academic honor in five days when he was announced Monday as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in men's track and field.
Kitto, a senior distance runner for the Gold Rush in 2016, is a repeat recipient of the award. A pharmacy major from Chalmette, La., and a graduate of Holy Cross School, Kitto is among 301 from 104 schools in men's track and field to receive the NAIA honor this season. Kitto is the only representative of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference or Louisiana.
To qualify for Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, student-athletes are nominated by their institution, must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.
Kitto was announced Thursday as Academic All-District 2 by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He will learn June 21 if he made the Academic All-America® team.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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COUNT TO 100: “Point and Drive” Documentary Comes to FAMU
WATCH IN 720p HD, WIDE SCREEN
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Get in step with the FAMU Marching 100 during a screening of the marching band’s documentary “Point and Drive” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the FAMU Band Rehearsal Hall, 206 Foster-Tanner Music Building on campus. It will kick off with a splashy red carpet arrival at 6:30 p.m., and the screening will be followed by a discussion with producer-director Brandi Mitchell, FAMU alum. The doc focuses on the legendary William P. Foster, who ran the band during its glory days from 1946 to 1998. Tickets at the door are $25 general public, $15 college students and $10 for members of the Marching 100. For more, visit www.pointanddrivemovie.com.
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N.C. State, East Carolina Transfers Among 3 New Norfolk State Spartan Football Recruits
Middleton (6-2, 305) will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at NSU after spending two seasons, including a redshirt year, at N.C. State. Middleton redshirted the 2014 season for the Wolfpack and did not see any game action in 2015.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C. and a product of Parkland High School, Middleton was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247 Sports coming out of high school. Scout, Rivals and ESPN all ranked him among the top 100 high school defensive tackles nationally in the class of 2014. Middleton was a first-team All-Piedmont Triad Conference selection and an All-Northwest honoree at Parkland. He registered six sacks and 30 tackles despite being limited to 4.5 games as a senior. Middleton recorded 45 tackles, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior.
"We expect Deshaywn to be able to make an immediate impact along our revamped defensive line," Scott said. "We feel he will fit well into the scheme we want to run and he has the talent to be a big difference maker for us in the MEAC."
Purdie (5-11, 190) will have two years of eligibility left after playing in four games each of the last two seasons at ECU. Purdie made one tackle in four games last season, and notched a pair of stops in four games as a true freshman in 2014.
A native of New Bern, N.C., Purdie was a standout defensive player and running back at New Bern High School. A two-star recruit according to 247 Sports, Purdie helped lead New Bern to the North Carolina state 4A title as a junior, logging 143 tackles, 20 for loss, and 10 sacks as a linebacker that season. He made his biggest contributions as a senior at the running back position, rushing for a team-high 1,317 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"Cody has good speed and is a physical defensive back. He'll get a look at corner and safety for us after playing both positions at ECU," Scott said. "He was a two-way starter on a state championship team in high school, which speaks to his athleticism."
Spencer (5-11, 180) was a standout defensive back, receiver and special teams player at Middle Creek High School in Apex, N.C. Spencer was a first-team All-Southwest Wake Athletic Conference performer at both defensive back and receiver. He was chosen as conference Offensive Player of the Year and was also chosen Co-Special Teams Player of the Year as a return specialist. Spencer led Middle Creek to a 14-1 record, the conference championship and an appearance in the state 4A semifinals. He had two touchdowns covering at least 90 yards in one game last fall, recording a 95-yard TD reception and a 100-yard interception return for a score in a game against Cary High School.
"Johnathan is a dynamic athlete," Scott said. "He has the ability to be a two-way player for us and has the potential to help us in the return game, as well."
Middleton, Purdie and Spencer join an incoming recruiting class
that now stands at 22 players as of Tuesday.
Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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