Sunday, August 7, 2016

Jackson State's offensive line seeks maturity

JACKSON, Mississippi -- During his tenure at Jackson State, Harold Jackson made people well aware of how young the Tigers' offensive line was.

The line has allowed 65 combined sacks the past two seasons, so there's been plenty of growing pains.

Now, under a new coaching staff, the offensive linemen are trying to grow up and mature as players.

"Markus Cook and Christian Marshall are kind of president and vice president of the line," said first-year JSU offensive line coach Matt Jones. "They've taken a leadership role and have kind of gotten (everyone else) on board. They took their lumps when they were young, so they get to recycle their pain. All that stuff that happened when they got beat up on, they use it as a learning experience. They've come a long way now."

Cook, who plays center, started in 2014, while Marshall, who lines up at tackle, received some playing time on a line that allowed 39 sacks in 12 games that season, which led to quarterback LaMontiez Ivy taking a physical pounding from opponents,

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Southern notebook: 'Elated' Demetrius Carter cleared for action in 2016

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Senior linebacker
Demetrius Carter has officially been cleared to participate with the Southern football team this season.

Carter was waiting to hear back from the NCAA, who was checking into whether his redshirt he received his freshman year was valid. He was originally seeking a medical redshirt after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, then had to wait for the NCAA to clear his freshman season redshirt.

He heard with about 30 minutes left in Thursday’s practice that he was cleared, and he was back on the field with his teammates Friday.

The word he used to describe his reaction to the news was “elated.”

“I’ve been through a lot, I worked very hard to get back, busted my (butt) in the weight room, conditioning trying not to get fat, eating the right things — I changed my whole diet — the whole deal,” Carter said.

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Southern has options at offensive tackle; now it just needs to find the right fit

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Don’t ask senior offensive lineman Anthony Mosley about how Southern needs to replace two starters on the offensive line.

He will be quick to point out that the Jaguars actually are bringing back four starters, since tackle Skyler Prol — listed as the starting left tackle on the preseason depth chart — started eight games at right tackle last year.

“We’re good, you know what I’m saying?” Mosley said. “Last year, the year before, usually there are some guys that go down. The (second-stringers) step in, and it doesn’t skip a beat. No matter what, we’re going to be good. We’ve got a great coach teaching us some great technique. We’ve got to buy into the technique and we’ll be good, as always.”



The Jaguars offense is bringing back much of the group that finished fourth in the SWAC in scoring (34.6) and total offense (422.4 yards per game). That includes the line, which features returning starters at all of the interior positions. Two of those linemen — Mosley and center Terrell Lee — were first-teamers on the preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference team.

But there will be change at the tackle positions and, despite Prol’s experience, there will be competition at both spots.

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Football Gameplan's 2016 MEAC Media Day Coverage: Alex Wood, Florida A&M



Football Gameplan

Jackson State Football Fall Camp Sights & Sounds






JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson State Women's Basketball Announces Newest Lady Tigers

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State women’s basketball team has just released the names of the 2016-17 Lady Tiger newcomers. Head Coach Surina Dixon has added five new names to the roster: Khadijah Moore, Jon’Nae Vermillion, Miyone Hill, Marneisha Hamer, and Jasmine Cowen.

Moore, a forward from Elkhart, Indiana signed with JSU during the early period. She joins the Lady Tigers after playing two seasons at Ancilla College. The former McDonald’s Michiana All-Star MVP averaged 20.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 2.2 apg.

Vermillion, forward from Sacramento, Calif., is a transfer from Mt. San Antonio where she was named Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) MVP and CCCAA Female State Athlete of the month for her incredible play. She averages 13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 2.0 apg.

Hill is a point guard from Memphis, Tenn. She played two seasons at Holmes Community College where she helped the Lady Bulldogs reach back-to-back post-season play. She was named to the Second Team All-State and was chosen to play in the MACJC All-Star Game. While at HCC, Hill averaged 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 5.4 apg.

Harmer will enter her freshman season with Jackson State. The 6’0 forward graduated from Kirby High School in Memphis, Tenn. Because of her effort, she was named KHS MVP. Harmer averages 21.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, and 2.5 bpg.

Cowen will enter her freshman season with Jackson State. The 6’0 forward from Ramsye High School was named one of the top Alabama Hustlers. She also played with the Alabama Aces in 2016. Cowen averages 7 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.1 apg, and 1.0 bpg.

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Tiger Camp 2016: Day 2



Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team returned to the upper practice field for day two of Camp 2016.

Day one ended with head coach Rod Reed wanting even more energy. The second practice of the season provided that environment with players pushing their teammates for more attention to detail. The attitude continued through head-to-head matchups between the offense and defense.

The defense for the second straight day seemed to get the better of the offense with a pair of picks, pass breakups and fumble recoveries.

The offense would answer as Ronald Butler rolled out and hit Mazio Rhodes for a 50-yard pass play. Later, Tyler Black hit a large hole created by the line for another large gain, where the running back was stopped only by the whistle to end the play before he had a chance to enter the end zone.

Saturday will mark the first practice with the team wearing shoulder pads. Thursday, the team practiced in shorts and helmets. Friday saw the Big Blue switch to pad less pants to go with helmets.

NOTES: Practice Time Temperature: 84… Quarterbacks Ronald Butler, Michael Hughes and Roderick Robinson took all the snaps during 7-on-7 and full team action… Second of 20 practices for camp; before classes begin… Saturday’s practice is scheduled from 9:00-11:30 a.m. on the Upper Practice Field...

Junior Corner Back, Terrell Bonds
- On Team Expectations
“I am looking for us to be the best at what we do. This year we have no excuses. We have experience; and we have some transfers who can help us out. I am looking forward to a big year for us.”

Junior Linebacker, Joe Johnson
- On Camp Progression
“I feel like we are still getting better, it is just day two and we have a lot to work on but that is what camp is for. We have to take it one game at a time, one play at a time. Everybody has their own job to do if we want to be successful.”

Redshirt-Junior Wide Receiver, Quindell Cousins
- On Offensive Potential
“Day two was good, but we are still just getting back in the groove of things. I think we have an explosive offense and can put up 40 points a game. We have some pieces this year that we have not had in the past.”

Senior, Offensive Lineman - Kevin Kenton
- On Teams Improvement
“I think day two was better than day 1; people got more rust off and the tempo was a lot better. We still have a long way to go but we are headed in the direction. We are pushing for an OVC championship. In order to win we have to be selfless and play as a unit.”


TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tennessee State Tiger Camp 2016: Day 1

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team took to the field for the first time in 2016. The Tigers opened camp in the hopes to returning to their winning ways after a 4-6 season a year ago.

At this point last season, head coach Rod Reed was looking to see who would step in and fill the spots of nine departing starters on defense and over half of the offensive unit. Reed has the luxury this season of flipping the numbers on offense and bringing back eight from the 2015 defensive squad.

The Tigers opened the day with work on special teams before stretching and warming up for the two-hour workout. The Big Blue would then get the opportunity to work with their position coaches for the first time since spring practices.

The energy picked up as the Tigers moved into a 20-play 7-on-7 session, before a 25-play full team tussle. The defense seemed to claim bragging rights of the match-ups on day one.

The Big Blue will return to the practice field on Friday morning in a helmets-only workout for the second consecutive day. The weekend will consist of another workout on Saturday morning and picture day on Sunday.

Photo Gallery



Notes: First practice of the 2016 season under Head Coach Rod Reed… Reed is starting his seventh season at the helm… Only John Merritt (20) and Henry Kean (10) have coached more football seasons at Tennessee State… Practice time temperature: 88… First game is Saturday, Sept. 3 versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 18th John Merritt Classic…

TSU Head Coach Rod Reed
- On Camp Progression
"I think our guys understand where we're trying to get to, and I'm really happy with the overall progress from last spring until now. We've got a long way to go. No doubt about it. This is just the start of this whole thing. We've got 29 practice opportunities, and we've got to get better each day."

- On the Start of Camp
"It's great to see the guys back out here. It's great to be out here with all the coaches doing what we love to do. This time of year, you start to feel the juices flowing and when you first walk on the grass, you say, 'man, here it is again.' It's a great time of year for all of us."

- On the Focus of the Preseason
"We want to improve every day. We want to work on the fundamentals. We have five heat acclimation days, so we want to work on the fundamentals as much as possible. Alignment, assignment, execution."

Offensive Coordinator Jeff Parker
- On Returning to the Practice Field
“I’m very excited about being back out here. Ready to see the young guys improve on a really good spring. Offensively we want to put our guys in the best position for them to be successful whether that is running the ball or throwing it.”

Defensive Coordinator Osita Alaribe
- On Visions for the Defense
“It feels great having a lot of returning guys who have been through a season and have playing experience. I want to see us communicate, get aligned and execute our assignments. Today was about getting our nerves out and getting back in the swing of things.”

TSU Red-Shirt Sophomore Center, Thomas Burton
- On First Practice
“I am looking forward to running the ball this year. We want to run it down somebody’s throat. First day of practice felt great, we came out slow but we have to pick it up tomorrow.”

TSU Junior Defensive End, Latrell Lee
- On the Defense
“Defensively we have so many pieces coming back; I just want to see us be dominant this year.”

TSU Redshirt-Sophomore Safety, Laquarius Cook
- On Belief in the Defense
“I think we can be the best defense in the nation. We have been working hard all summer; and we have a bond together and we communicate effectively.”

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Former ECSU Wideout Makes 90-Man Roster One Day Before Training Camp

SEATTLE, Washington -- Former Elizabeth City State University wide receiver Montario Hunter has signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

He will be a part of the 90-man roster when training camp opens at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Saturday, July 30th. Camp will conclude on Tuesday, August 16th.

Hunter went undrafted out of ECSU but went on to spend rookie mini camp with the New York Jets. He played three seasons with the Vikings, his best coming in 2015 with 21 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns, giving him highest yard-per-catch average (25.1) in country in Division II. Hunter had 16 catches for 377 yards and two scores in 2014.

Click here to follow all information on the Seahawks’ 2016 training camp.





Visit www.ecsuvikings.com and follow us on Twitter @ECSUVikings.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson firefighter’s daughter competing in Brazil

JACKSON, Mississippi -- As the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil have officially begun this weekend, there will be a Jackson connection competing during the games this year.

Jackson firefighter Donnie Lewis has a daughter who will compete in women’s track and field for Panama. Her name is Yvette, and Donnie is a proud dad. Yvette will compete in the 100-meter hurdles.



“My wife and I, we’re planning on going down there [next week] to be a part of it a few days and watch her compete,” Donnie said. “This is something Yvette has dreamed about all her life, and we can’t wait for her to compete.”

Yvette is Donnie’s daughter from a previous marriage, so she hasn’t spent much time living in Jackson.

“She came to live with us for a semester when she was in high school,” Donnie said. “She planned on staying longer and went to Jackson Central-Merry, but she wanted to be in a place that had more people and that moved faster. So she went back to live with her mother in Virginia.”

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Saturday, August 6, 2016

As Redskins cornerback makes it in the NFL, the place that made him is no longer

RICHMOND, Virginia -- — Prime-time NFL games can give a glimpse inside a player’s past. In a three-second clip, the starters introduce themselves to the national audience and mention which school they attended. Most will represent their colleges, some their high or elementary schools, with a sense of pride.

For the past three seasons, Greg Toler, 31, has represented a defunct school. Saint Paul’s College, a historically black college and university (HBCU) in Lawrenceville, Va., ceased operations on June 30, 2013. This small school near the Virginia-North Carolina border typically had an enrollment of fewer than 1,000. It gave the Redskins cornerback a chance out of high school, one that altered his future for the better.
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The Arizona Cardinals drafted Greg Toler in 2009 with the 131st overall selection in the fourth round. He became the school’s first NFL draftee, although Redskins Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green finished his degree at Saint Paul’s.

The Washington native’s dream of playing in the NFL likely wouldn’t have come true without the existence of Saint Paul’s, which shut down primarily because of funding. Talent wasn’t the issue for the eight-year veteran. Toler was a cornerback, wide receiver and return specialist at Northwestern High in Hyattsville.

It was his grades that prevented Toler from getting much of a look from bigger colleges; his academics would not have allowed him to qualify.

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Howard University Bison Kick Off Season With Photo Day

COURTESY HOWARD BISON ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard University football team kicked off the 2016 preseason with photo day on Wednesday as players and coaches gathered in Greene Stadium for the event.

The Bison have begun practice as they prepare for the season opener on Saturday, September 3 when they travel to College Park, Md. to take on the Terrapins of the University of Maryland. The kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and will be aired on the Big 10 Network.

It will be the first time that the two schools have met on the gridiron.

Listed below is the 2016 schedule with date, locations and times:

DATEOPPONENTLOCATOINTIME
9/03/16at University of MarylandCollege Park, MDTBA
9/10/16at RutgersPiscataway, NJTBA
9/17/16vs Hampton at RFK StadiumWash., DC3:30 pm
9/24/16at Morgan StateMeadowlands, NJTBA
10/01/16at Norfolk StateNorfolk, VA2 pm
10/08/16vs MONMOUTHWash., DC1 pm
10/15/16vs SOUTH CAROLINA STATEWash., DC1 pm
10/22/16vs NORTH CAROLINA A&TWash., DC1 pm
10/29/16at Savannah StateSavannah, GA2 pm
11/5/16BYE
11/12/16at North Carolina CentralDurham, NC2 pm
11/19/16vs DELAWARE STATEWash., DC1 pm
All MEAC GAMES in bold
Home Games in ALL CAPS

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Kimberly Miller named Associate Athletics Director of Internal Operations & Compliance at WSCU

KIMBERLY MILLER
ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL
OPERATIONS AND COMPLIANCE

COURTESY WESTERN STATE COLORADO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
GUNNISON, Colorado – Western State Colorado University is excited to announce the hiring of Kimberly Miller as the next Associate Athletics Director of Internal Operations and Compliance. Miller will also assume the duties of Senior Woman Administrator for the athletics department.

"I would like to thank Jason Carmichael and the search committee for affording me this opportunity to service the coaches, staff and student-athletes at Western," Miller said. "Western has great traditions, leadership, a strong alumni presence and endless support from the Gunnison community. I am extremely excited to join the Western family."

Miller comes to Western after a stint as an instructor of sport management at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. Along with teaching core curriculum in sport management, Miller coordinated the entire sport management program, oversaw the Sport Management Major's Club and was in charge of formulating a more comprehensive curriculum for students.

"Kim's addition to our department is nothing short of a game changer," Western Athletics Director Jason Carmichael said. "Kim has routinely been identified by her peers as an administrator with a huge upside. Kim's work ethic, professionalism, integrity and insatiable desire to grow as an administrator are all huge assists for our department and institution."

Prior to Livingstone, Miller worked at Shaw University as their Assistant Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator from 2006-16. During this time, Miller supervised various men's and women's sports; managed and monitored the athletics department's budget; oversaw all athletic department operations in the Athletic Director's absence; oversaw internal operations, business operations, facilities and special events; assisted in fundraising, ticketing, marketing and promotions; advised the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; negotiated and evaluated all athletic contracts and guarantees. Miller also had many other duties during her decade at Shaw.

Miller also was named the head women's softball coach at Shaw in 2008. A title she held until the end of the 2014 season. As head coach, Miller created the Shaw University Softball Challenge that attracted 40 NCAA Division II women's softball teams over three days, grossing over $30,000 annually with a $500,000 economic impact to the city of Raleigh.

Before Shaw, Miller was the Senior Administrative Assistant at American University. Here she assisted the Associate Athletics Director for Business with departmental budgetary management and reconciliations. Miller also monitored and provided reports on scholarship awards. During her time at American, Miller also served as the liaison to financial aid and admissions, as well as aiding the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations in donor communications and special events.

A year prior, Miller began working with the Charlotte Bobcats – now Hornets – as a Graduate Intern for the Administrative and Basketball Operations Office. Here she assisted with facility relocation logistics, assisted the Director of Human Resources with processing, screening and hiring of employees, and assisted with the 2005 Bobcat Training Camp operations, planning and team travel logistics.

From 2002-05 Miller worked at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the Championships and Officiating Assistant. Along with assisting in the planning and management for all championships and special events, Miller assisted with the publication efforts for hosts, participants and local organizing committee championship manuals. Miller served as a liaison to the Conference Coaches Associations and Delegate Assembly Members. Miller was also charged to formulate future conference schedules and the conference fee/penalty payment schedules, as well as assisting the coordination of the conference hall of fame nominations and voting procedures. Not to mention, Miller worked with the coordinators of officials for various sports for invoicing, contracting and dissemination of game assignments.

Miller also has a background in sports information as a Broadcasting/Media Relations Intern at Ohio University and a Sports Information Intern at Bethune-Cookman University.

Miller is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA), the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA), Minority Opportunities Athletic Associations (MOAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Athletic Directors Association (NCAA D2ADA).

In 2001, Miller earned her bachelor's degree in sport management from Winston-Salem State University. She also holds a master's degree in sports studies from High Point University and is expected to earn her doctorate degree of philosophy in education with a specialization in sport management from Northcentral University in 2016.

"We are excited Kim has chosen Western as the next stop on her journey in college athletics," Carmichael remarked. "Personally, I am thrilled to have her as a colleague in the department and as a department, we look forward to beginning the upcoming academic year with Kim in place at such a vital position."

WESTERN STATE COLORADO UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

University of the District of Columbia Announces Hiring of Rodger Colbert as Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

RODGER I. COLBERT
HEAD MEN'S LACROSSE
UDC FIREBIRDS
Courtesy: UDC ATHLETICS
WASHINGTON, D.C.  – University of the District of Columbia Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Patricia Thomas, has announced the hiring of Rodger I. Colbert as the new Head Men's Lacrosse Coach. Colbert, an Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach at UDC since 2013, replaces Scott Urick, who was recently announced the new head boys' lacrosse coach at Georgetown Prep.

"Rodger Colbert is an experienced educator who was an outstanding student-athlete on the highest level," Thomas said. "He was instrumental in helping Scott Urick build our men's lacrosse program, and I am confident he will continue the momentum successfully."

Colbert served as a full-time assistant men's lacrosse coach and Defensive Coordinator at UDC the past two seasons, guiding a defensive unit that last year improved its goals allowed per-game average by over three, and assisting in the planning and execution of all practices.

Before UDC, Colbert gained extensive coaching, as well as academic and administrative experience throughout his career. Since Fall 2013, he has served as the Founder and Director of RCDC Lacrosse Prep, Inc. – a non-profit organization partnering with communities to expose quality mentoring and coaching to all potential lacrosse players. In that capacity, he works as the Elective School course leader for 6th and 7th grade students at City Neighbors-Hamilton in Baltimore, MD and as team trainer in the fall and winter for St. Peter's Prep HS in Jersey City, NJ and Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, NJ.

On the academic side, Colbert served as a Principal Intern, while at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, at Dorchester Academy – a district public school in Boston MA – from 2011 to 2012. He also worked at St. Paul's School – an independent boarding high school in Concord, NH – as the Coordinator of Multicultural Programming (2007-2011) and a Math Instructor (2008-2011).

Colbert has also spent five years working at his high school alma mater – The Peddie School – an independent boarding high school in Hightstown, NJ. There he served as the Assistant Director of Admissions and the Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment.

Colbert also managed to gain a myriad of coaching experience while working at these various high schools. He started out serving as the Defensive Coordinator for the Ridgewood HS Varsity Lacrosse team in Ridgewood, NJ. He helped guide the team to a 16-2 record and a NJ State runner-up finish.

At Peddie, he was a co-coach of the Freshmen/Sophomore Football team (2002-2003), Head Boys' Freshmen Lacrosse Coach (2003), Head Junior Varsity Basketball Coach (2002-03), Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach (2004) and Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach (2004-07). He also coached Varsity Lacrosse from 2008-2011 and was an assistant varsity football and junior varsity basketball coach at St. Paul's.

A former high school and college All-American at The Peddie School (1997) and Georgetown University (2001), Colbert was picked 12th in the 2001 Major League Lacrosse Draft and played for the Bridgeport Barrage, New Jersey Pride and Boston Cannons over a six-year career. He captained three sports teams at Peddie in 1997 and captained the Hoyas Lacrosse team his senior year in 2001.

UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Michelle Wells named new women's basketball coach at Stillman

MICHELLE WELL
HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
STILLMAN COLLEGE
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Stillman College Athletic Director Donte Jackson has announced the hiring of Michelle Wells as the new women's head basketball coach. Coach Wells brings a wealth of experience to the program, as well as familiarity. Wells has five years of experience with the Lady Tigers' program, including four as an assistant (2009-2011 and 2014-2016) and one partial season as the interim head coach in 2009 when she led Stillman all the way to the SIAC Tournament Championship game.

"I am excited to promote Coach Wells to the position of head women's basketball coach here at Stillman College," said Jackson. "She understands and promotes our mission as an institution, and an athletic department. Coach Wells possesses all of the coaching qualities that we value at Stillman, and I look forward to seeing her take our women's program to the next level."

Before joining the Stillman, Wells was an assistant coach at Central High School under Jim Holland where the team won the 1996 AHSAA 6A State Championship. Coach Wells is a 1987 graduate of Central High School where she was named All-American and earned a full scholarship to play basketball for the University of Alabama. Wells went on to earn a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in English.

Statement from Coach Wells:

"I am excited to be selected as head coach for the Stillman College Women's basketball program. Though I have served in this capacity before in 2009 I am just as excited today as I was then. We are looking forward to a great season with the players that are returning, as well as the newcomers. This year will shape the path into the future of women's basketball here at Stillman College. As we embark into a new conference, we welcome the competition, as well as the challenge. It is going to exciting and I cannot wait for the season to get started. So, please come out and support your Lady Tigers."

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Coppin State Announces Derek Carter as Director of Athletics

BALTIMORE, Maryland – Coppin State University President Dr. Maria Thompson announced on Friday, July 29, 2016 the appointment of Mr. Derek Carter to the position of Director of Athletics effective September 1, 2016.

Mr. Carter currently serves as Director of Athletics at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD and has served in the same capacity at Delaware State University and Bowie State University.  He received his bachelor's degree in Marketing Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master's degree in Sport Management from University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Interim Athletic Director Mrs. Alecia Shields-Gadson will continue to serve the university as Associate Athletic Director.

For more information on Eagle athletics and recreation please visit www.coppinstatesports.com.


COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SCSU Football: Buddy Ball Is Back



ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State kicked off preseason practice Friday with a crisp workout that seemed to suggest the players have a sense of urgency.

Given that the first three games on the schedule are road games against Central Florida, Louisiana Tech and Clemson, it's understandable that the players would have a little edge in early August.

"That's our exhibition season," S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough joked.

"If we can make it through those games alive and get into our regular conference schedule, we feel like we have a chance to be okay."

MEAC Preseason Player of the Year Darius Leonard says he's excited about the challenge of the first three games which lead into the MEAC opener at Florida A&M.



CONTINUE READING 

5 things to ponder as HU begin preseason practice

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Coming off its first winning season since 2011, Hampton University is picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

1. Who runs the show? The burning question is quarterback, where head coach Connell Maynor says there isn't a set No. 1. The favorite is senior J.J. Williamson, who has started 12 games in his career. But redshirt freshman Wesley Wolfolk and transfers Keon Marsh and Malik Watson (the latter from FBS San Jose State) also are in contention.

Maynor said he might need to evaluate the first two games of the season (ODU on Sept. 3, W&M on Sept. 10) before making a call.

2. The running game. With David Watford at quarterback last season, the Pirates were 50-50 with the run and pass. Don't be surprised if HU is more ground-heavy this year with the return of Eric Carter (5-foot-9, 233 pounds) and Dwayne Garrett (6-0, 200).

Carter, a sophomore, tore his ACL in last year's opener and didn't return. According to Maynor, he's good to go.

CONTINUE READING

Friday, August 5, 2016

Eight CIAA Representatives are in Rio for the Olympic Games

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The CIAA has produced a plethora of track and field greats throughout its long standing history. The legendary Saint Augustine's University's athletic director and track and field coach George Williams has won a combined 38 NCAA Division II national championships; the most NCAA track and field championships of any collegiate coach amongst all divisions. Coach Williams was the 2004 United States Olympic Track and Field Coach and has coached over 40 Olympians.

The approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will highlight eight CIAA representatives performing in the track & field stadium. George Williams will join current and former Saint Augustine's Falcons competing in the Games. Tia-Adana Belle, Burkheart Ellis, Jr. and Ramon Gittens will represent their homeland of Barbados. Roxroy Cato will represent Jamaica.

Johnson C. Smith University's head coach Lennox Graham has been selected to serve as an assistant coach for the Jamaican National Team. 2016 NCAA All-American Kendra Clarke will represent the Golden Bulls and Canada while graduate Shermaine Williams will compete for Jamaica.

At a media briefing held at the Barbados Olympic Association, Chef de Mission for the Barbados delegation Dr. Adrian Lorde announced Belle, Ellis Jr. and Gittens as three of their eight representatives in the sport of track and field.

Tia-Adana Belle, a rising senior, will compete in the women's 400-meter hurdles. She earned the bronze medal in the NACAC U23 Championships in 57.16 seconds. This past outdoor season, she broke the women's NCAA DII record (55.82) and championship record (56.13).

Burkheart Ellis, Jr. will compete in the 200-meter dash. The 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, who led the Falcons to four straight national titles, ran the third fastest (20.36) 200m time in Division II history.

Former Falcons' Ramon Gittens is the Barbados 100 and 200 meters national champ. He will participate in both in Rio.

In his one season with Saint Augustine's, Roxroy Cato won the 400-meter hurdles NCAA DII national title in 2014. He will run under Jamaica's colors.

Kendra Clarke, an Edmonton Alberta native, advanced through the rounds of the Canadian Olympic Trials to claim a bronze medal in the 400 meters in 52.19 seconds. She will also participate as a member of the 4x400 relay squad.

Shermaine Williams claimed the silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the Jamaican Olympic Trails and surpassed the qualifying standard of 13.00 seconds with a 12.90 mark.

The Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, August 5th with track and field events beginning the morning of Friday, August 12th.

COURTESY CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Basketball coach Chase Campbell leaves Paine for Benedict

AUGUSTA, Georgia -- With all the uncertainty surrounding Paine College, basketball coach Chase Campbell has left the program and taken the associate head coaching job with Benedict College.

Campbell, who is a PC graduate, leaves the Lions after one year as head coach. This past year, Paine went 7 and 23 and had the conference player of the year leave the team early on.

Needless to say there are a lot of questions about the future of Paine and Campbell knew this would be the best decision to have a more certain future. Year after year Benedict is not only one of the top teams in the SIAC, but is usually a NCAA Divisioin II Tournament team.

CONTINUE READING