Thursday, June 23, 2016

Legendary JSU Golf Coach Eddie Payton Retires



JACKSON, Mississippi -- Eddie Payton, Jackson State University's head golf coach, has retired from the position after leading the Tigers and Lady Tigers programs for 30 years.

During his tenure the trailblazing men's golf team won 25 conference championships and eight National Minority titles. In 1995 the Tigers made history by becoming the first HBCU to compete in the NCAA Men's National Golf Championships.

"Following my professional football career, it was an honor and privilege to return to my alma mater as head golf coach," said Payton. "It was an opportunity for me to give back to the University that had given me so much."

Payton helped start the women's golf program in 1994 and the Lady Tigers went on to win 16 SWAC titles. The Lady Tigers program also holds a special place in history by becoming the first women's team from an HBCU to compete in the NCAA National Golf Championship in 1999.

"My goal when I returned to coach golf at JSU, was to win a National Title. Unfortunately we came up short. But it was not from a lack of trying."

90 percent of Payton's golfers graduated and program has received the NCAA's Public Recognition Award three times (men's golf in 2013-14 and women's golf in 2009-10 and 2010-11).

Tim O'Neal, AJ Montecinos, Shasta Averyhardt and Clay Myers are some of the standouts who went on to have professional golf careers during Payton's tenure.

Payton's retirement begins July 1. Jackson State will hold an official retirement party for Payton at a later date.



COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XULA's Cassiere earns 2 CoSIDA district firsts for writing


NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Ed Cassiere has received two more awards for his work, this time in the College Sports Information Directors of America Fred Stabley Jr. Writing Contest.
     
Cassiere received first place in District 6 (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) in the categories of event and season preview/recap. The event was a women's tennis dual match against Oklahoma Baptist in the second round of the 2015 NAIA National Championship. The other winner was a men's basketball preview of the 2015-16 season.
     
Of the 59 district-winning entries nationwide, Cassiere was the only one from a Louisiana school, and he was the only NAIA entrant with more than one victory. CoSIDA's writing contest includes entries from the NAIA, all three NCAA divisions and community colleges.
     
Cassiere this past week received second place in the NAIA for website and seventh place in winter publications.
     
Cassiere in July will begin his 11th year as Xavier's SID and his 25th as a fulltime college sports publicist. The Shreveport, La., native previously worked at the University of New Orleans and at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold

www.facebook.com/xulagold 

MEAC Football Press Luncheon Kicks Off July 29

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host the annual Football Press Luncheon, Friday, July 29 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel (235 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510/ (757) 627-4200).  MEAC head football coaches and two student-athletes from each team will be on hand to offer an inside view on the upcoming 2016 football season. 

A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the press luncheon and can be purchased by calling Natiara Satsatin at (757) 951-2055 or satsatinn@themeac.com.  Tickets are $30 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons) and must be purchased by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22. 

Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interviews by completing an application found on www.MEACSports.com.  One-on-one interviews will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The 2016 MEAC football season kicks off on Thursday, September 1 as Delaware State visits Delaware in a non-conference game.

Bethune-Cookman will compete against Alcorn State in the 12th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge also on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 4.  Details and ticket information can be found on www.meacswacchallenge.com.

For more information about the MEAC, log on to www.MEACsports.com.

Click the link to access the credential application:

Click the link to purchase tickets:

Southern Heritage Classic tickets on sale Friday for JSU, TSU showdown


MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- Are you ready for some football?

Tickets to the 27th Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx went on sale June 10th. More than 50,000 fans from Jackson State University and Tennessee State University will gather Sept. 8-10 in the River City to witness a lively longstanding football rivalry.

Even if you’re not a football fanatic, there will be a plethora of exciting entertainment that includes a parade, fashion show, golf tournament and not one but two star-studded concerts. Of course, there will be plenty of tailgating.

“The Fun Never Stops” is the theme for 2016, and no one has more fun than JSU Tigers and supporters. Many look forward to the Southern Heritage Classic, and founder Fred Jones is no different.

“We hope to repeat the nice weather of last year and bring out, even more, fans. The classic is dedicated to presenting quality events that allow people to enjoy themselves while supporting these two wonderful universities and the local economy. It’s not uncommon for some of the events to sell out, so the earlier individuals purchase their tickets the better,” Jones said.

Tickets can be purchased at Jackson State Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420; jsutigers.com; and Ticketmaster outlets at ticketmaster.com



THE HAPPENINGS

The JSU vs. TSU football game weekend is one of the most thrilling productions of the year.

Sept. 8: Attendees will be treated to the Grammy Award-winning vocals of Stephanie Mills and comedian Jammin Jay Lamont. The concert will be at the Orpheum Theatre at 8 p.m.

Sept. 9: Everyone should slide into his or her best all-white apparel and join the funky R&B band MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly for the Classic Music Festival’s “All White Friday” at the Landers Center at 8 p.m. Neo-soul artist KEM will also hit the stage, and Jammin Jay Lamont returns as host.

Sept. 10: JSU and TSU supporters will swarm the parking lot of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for one of the most monumental tailgating enterprises ever held in the soulful South. Expect cool giveaways from classic sponsors, in addition to vast quantities of food and an endless supply of enjoyment and camaraderie.

The climax begins at 6 p.m. when JSU and TSU face off to determine the “baddest” football team in the land. Expect a routinely amazing halftime performance from the No. 1 ranked HBCU Band for 2015 — JSU’s Sonic Boom of the South followed by TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands. After the game, the highly anticipated and fiery battle of the bands will bring the evening to a close. For those who still have energy, Memphis nightlife is always ready to shake things up.



LODGING

The host hotel for 2016 is the Sheraton Memphis Downtown. For a listing of other suggested hotels, visit southernheritageclassic.com/events/hotels.

MISSION

The Southern Heritage Classic (SHC) provides an annual cultural celebration as the premier sports and entertainment event in Memphis, helping to create a strong economic impact and promote higher education. Each year, the teams’ participation allows them to earn dollars to support their institutions of higher learning. Since the classic began in 1990, JSU and TSU have earned more than $10 million collectively. Students, alumni, and fans see the importance of the classic and don’t mind coming year after year to support the event while enjoying themselves. It’s also become a welcomed tradition for many people who make the classic a part of their family reunion, class reunions, and other important gatherings. Additionally, the classic brings tourism dollars to Memphis. A 2014 study conducted by the University of Memphis revealed that each year $21 million is pumped into the local economy.

SPONSORS

SHC is sponsored by FedEx and other major supporters such as AutoZone, Allstate Insurance, Nike, Carrier Corporation, Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office and Coors Light.

Jones said he considers it a blessing to be able to host the event each year.

“I don’t take the success the classic has had lightly. Jackson State and Tennessee State are wonderful schools to work with, and we are all grateful for the dedicated individuals who return to Memphis year after year and bring new friends with them. I appreciate their support,” he said.

SWAC Coach of the Year Domond resigns as GSU women's hoops coach

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The 2016 Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year won't be on the sidelines for Grambling in 2017.

Nadine Domond has resigned from her post as Grambling women's basketball coach after just two seasons and is expected to join the staff at Rutgers as an assistant coach.

Domond submitted her resignation letter June 17, according to HBCU Sports, which came about six weeks before her contract was set to expire. Domond and men's coach Shawn Walker both agreed to one-year, $120,000 deals last year that run through July 29, 2016. Grambling, which is without a permanent athletic director, had yet to approach Domond or Walker about new contracts.

HBCU Sports first reported the news Thursday.

For a coach who always mentioned changing the culture at Grambling and starting a rebirth of the Lady Tigers' program, Domond leaves on a high note after orchestrating a noteworthy turnaround in 2016. Domond gets a chance to reunite with her mentor at Rutgers in Vivian Stringer, who coached Domond at Iowa in the 1990s.

CONTINUE READING 

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Taking the FAMU Marching 100 to new acclaim

Dr. Shelby Chipman
Director
Florida A&M University Marching 100
Miami native Shelby Chipman named director

MIAMI, Florida -- The announcement caught some fans by surprise. But the alumni of Florida A&M’s famed Marching 100 say the selection of Shelby Chipman as the new director is more than music to their ears.

Chipman, a Miami native and longtime musician, has taken the reigns as head of the uber popular band. He becomes just the fourth director in the band’s modern history, following in the footsteps of legends William P. Foster and Julian White. And, he also is the first South Floridian to lead that prestigious program.

Chipman’s first on-field performance will be Labor Day weekend in South Florida when the FAMU Rattlers will face the University of Miami Hurricanes. But even before that, Chipman will return home late July to help groom another generation of budding bandsmen at the annual band camp, sponsored by the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida.

And South Florida band heads already are savoring the idea of seeing the Chipman-led Marching 100.

“We’re getting lots of calls … with Dr. Chipman having been a student in the band. Alumni are excited,” said Miranda Albury, an alumna who operates the HBCU Shuttle transportation service. “When they come to Miami the stands are going to be filled.”

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FAMU Marching "100" Summer Band Camp 2016


TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Marching “100” Summer Band Camp is one of the most comprehensive band camps in the country. This band camp offers middle and high school students the opportunity to improve their music proficiency, improve their marching concepts, play in small chamber groups as well as perform solo/ensembles. We have an excellent auxiliary staff that instructs our color guard, dancers, twirlers and drum majors.

Be a part of the internationally famous Florida A&M University Marching Band Programs for grade levels 9th-12th. A special invitation is extended to middle school students who will be entering a high school band in the fall 2016. Emphasis is placed on developing music and marching skill.

Learn from the FAMU band staff, alumni and visiting directors. Over 100 of the band's present members have volunteered their time and effort in order to make this the best summer band camp in the country!

Dates:
July 09 - 16, 2016
Deposit Due:
June 24, 2016 ($100.00) non-refundable per student
Balance Due: June 24, 2016
Refunds/Cancellation Deadline: June 24, 2016 (No refunds after June 24, 2016)
Registration Deadline:
June 24, 2016

MORE INFORMATION

Group Registrations: Please contact Eric Williams at 850-599-3474 or eric.williams@famu.edu .
No on-site registration



Registration and on-line full or partial payments are available by using VISA or MasterCard debit or credit cards only.