North Carolina A&T State Men's Track Wins First Indoor Title In 21 Years

LANDOVER, Maryland -- The North Carolina A&T State men’s indoor track and field team sprinted to its first title in 21 years after claiming the 2017 MEAC Indoor Championship.

Only 10.5 points separated four teams entering Saturday’s finals on the men’s side with Norfolk State sitting atop the ledger. Maryland Eastern Shore’s Khalil Rmidi Kinini won the mile run in a time of 4:14.86 but Hampton jumped to the top after claiming third, fourth and fifth in the event.

Because of the mile, North Carolina A&T State dropped to fourth but things would change in an instant once the sprints started as Dajuan Harding posted the top and a personal indoor-best time (47.75) in the 400 to claim the title. Hampton’s Charles Graham claimed the 60-meter hurdles as he clocked 7.95 but A&T racked up 15 points and moved to third after placing second, fourth and seventh in the event.

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FINALS RESULTS

The Aggies blew the meet open once the 60-meter dash commenced as Christopher Belcher (6.65), Rodney Rowe (6.76), Joel Thomas (6.78) and Caleb Gabriel (6.79) finished 1-2-3-4 to total 29 points and move atop the standings with 83.5 points. Belcher returned to the track several minutes later in the 200 and picked up his second individual title as he finished the race with a season-best run of 21.38. Belcher had a tough race as he held off fellow teammates Rowe and Gabriel down the stretch. With the lead comfortably in tow, the Aggies brought the crowd to its feet after posting the top time in the mile relay (3:16.91).

Howard’s Robert Mercer won his fourth MEAC pole vault title and his first since 2015 after posting a mark of 14-06. Christopher Lee of Norfolk State won his second consecutive indoor shot put title (55-3) after a tight battle with Hampton’s Sulaiman Fared. Michael Tiller of Bethune-Cookman closed out his career as a three-time MEAC indoor triple jump champion with a jump of 52-08.75 while Rmidi Kinini also went out in style with his third consecutive 3,000-meter run championship.

The Aggies, which ended Bethune-Cookman’s two-year MEAC Indoor Championship run, won their first MEAC Championship since 1996 behind the strength of 146.5 points. Norfolk State finished as the runner-up with 96 points followed by Hampton’s 91 points. Rmidi Kinini won Most Outstanding Runner for the third straight year while Coppin State’s Steven Thomas was named Most Outstanding Field Performer.

MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Four HBCUs to compete in the 10th annual Urban Invitational at the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy

NEW ORLEANS -- Four Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) will compete at the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy (MLBYA) in the 10th annual Urban Invitational, which is being hosted in New Orleans for the fourth consecutive year from Friday, February 17th to Sunday, February 19th.

Alcorn State University (Alcorn, Mississippi), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas), and Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) are returning to Major League Baseball's round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to highlight HBCUs and their baseball programs. This will be Southern University's 10th Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every tournament. Grambling State will make its sixth appearance, with both Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State University making their third appearance each.

The four HBCU teams will be joined by teams from the University of New Orleans and the University Illinois at Chicago, which will be making its tournament debut, with additional games throughout the weekend being played at Maestri Field at Privateer Park, the home of the University of New Orleans baseball team.

The games played by the four HBCU teams on Saturday, February 18th will air LIVE from the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy on MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Scott Braun and analysis from former All-Star Outfielder Cliff Floyd. Southern University will wear Negro League uniforms in commemoration of Black History Month. Below is the tournament schedule:

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 17, 11:00a.m., UIC vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 2:00p.m., UIC vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 5:00p.m., Grambling State vs. Alcorn State, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 17, 6:00p.m., Southern vs. UNO, University of New Orleans

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 18, 1:00p.m., UIC vs. UNO, University of New Orleans
Feb. 18, 2:00p.m.*, Alcorn State vs. Prairie View A&M, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 18, 6:00p.m.*, Grambling State vs. Southern, New Orleans MLBYA

Date, Time, Teams, Location
Feb. 19, 12:00p.m., UIC vs. Grambling State, New Orleans MLBYA
Feb. 19, 1:00p.m., Prairie View A&M vs. UNO, University of New Orleans
Feb. 19, 3:00p.m., Alcorn State vs. Southern, New Orleans MLBYA

*These games will air LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com.

In addition to tournament play, the New Orleans MLBYA will host youth-focused events before games on Saturday, February 18th. A PLAY BALL event will take place at 11:30 a.m., followed by regional trials for the Scotts MLB Pitch, Hit and Run and the Jr. Home Run Derby skills competitions beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m. The PLAY BALL initiative is proudly supported by MLB sponsors Chevrolet and Scotts.

Former Major Leaguers, including pitcher Marvin Freeman, catcher Lenny Webster and manager Jerry Manuel, as well as Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims, will attend various portions of the Urban Invitational, particularly the youth events throughout Saturday. Freeman (Jackson State) and Webster (Grambling State) are both HBCU alums. Manuel is a Youth Programs Consultant for MLB.

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) played in HBCU baseball programs. In 2015, Earl Burl III, who played for Alcorn State University and was the first player to be drafted out of the New Orleans MLB Youth Academy, was selected. During the 2016 Draft, Tyree Thompson, became the second player to be drafted out of the New Orleans Academy.

MLB's youth initiatives will be well-represented at the 2017 Urban Invitational as 12 players on this year's rosters are alumni of MLB Youth Academies, RBI programs or MLB Development Camps, such as the Breakthrough Series. At least one White Sox A.C.E and RBI program alumni will be represented on each HBCU team in the tournament, six of whom have participated in the Breakthrough Series (BTS): Tyler Laux (BTS), Tyler Gordon (BTS), and Andrew Garcia (BTS) from Prairie View A&M; Reggie Johnson (BTS) and Robert Fletcher II (BTS) from Alcorn State; Marshawn Taylor (BTS) and Nick Wheeler from Grambling State; and Justin Freeman, son of Marvin Freeman, from Southern University. Southern University has two other RBI alumni in J'Markus George (Atlanta Metro RBI) and Niko Hayes-Saltare (Miami Marlins RBI). The Breakthrough Series will have eight total alumni, with three coming out of Southern University, three out of Prairie View, one out of Alcorn State and one player out of Grambling State.

MLB PRESS RELEASE

Around the FCS: NCAA Approves Liberty's Waiver Request for FBS Reclassification Process

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Liberty University received notification today (Feb. 16, 2017) that the NCAA has approved its request to enter into the Football Bowl Subdivision reclassification process.
Liberty University submitted the waiver with the NCAA in January, requesting relief to enter into the two-year FBS reclassification process without an invitation to join a FBS conference.

The NCAA academic and membership affairs staff approved the request after seeking feedback from the NCAA Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee and the NCAA office of legal affairs.

The NCAA waiver approval was based upon Liberty providing substantial information demonstrating its readiness to begin the reclassification process, Liberty's ability to follow current FBS institutions who have demonstrated viability without a conference affiliation and the university's ability to satisfy FBS requirements.



Starting with the 2017-18 academic year, Liberty's football program will begin the two-year FBS reclassification process.

Liberty will compete as a FBS independent during the 2018 season, which includes having three FBS home games. The football program will be bowl eligible starting with the 2019 season and will be required to play at least five home FBS opponents.

History of Liberty University Athletics and its Football Program:
Liberty fielded its first athletics program during the 1972-73 academic year (men's basketball) and played its first season of football in 1973.

Liberty quickly climbed the collegiate athletics ranks, moving from the NCCAA level (National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association) to gaining full NCAA Division I status in 1988.

Liberty's football program joined the Big South Conference in 2002 and has won eight conference titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016).

Liberty made its first-ever NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in 2014 where the Flames advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

"Today is truly historic for Liberty University. This university aspired to compete at the highest levels of NCAA competition and began working toward that dream and vision from the day of its founding in 1971. We are deeply grateful to NCAA leadership and staff for considering this request and for acknowledging Liberty's readiness and the appropriateness of Liberty now moving to FBS football status as an independent. Congratulations to Athletics Director, Ian McCaw and Coach Turner Gill! We are grateful to have had the assistance of Dennis Coleman and his colleagues of Ropes & Gray to help navigate the NCAA process over the last year."

Jerry Falwell, Liberty University President
"This is a very exciting day for Liberty Athletics and our football program. We are grateful for President Falwell's vision and leadership in spearheading Liberty's move to FBS football. We look forward to continuing our upward trajectory of success and meeting the level of competition in FBS."

Ian McCaw, Liberty University Director of Athletics
"This is truly a blessed day from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior for allowing the vision of our late founder Jerry Falwell, Sr., along with the hard work of President Jerry Falwell to come to fruition! It gives our university great national exposure to build Champions for Christ!"

Turner Gill, Liberty University Head Football Coach
Support The Flames Move to FBS - Join the Flames Club Today!

Fans can support Liberty Football and enjoy special game-day privileges by joining the Flames Club. The Flames Club exists to underwrite Liberty Athletics' three-fold mission to train Champions for Christ, provide a world-class student-athlete experience and win with integrity.

Flames Club membership starts at just $60 and members can enjoy preferred parking, seating and pregame hospitality benefits, based upon membership level. All seats at Williams Stadium other than general admission bleacher seats require membership in the Flames Club.

For more information about red reserved bench-back seats, blue premium chair-back seats, or club seats, call the Flames Club at 434-582-CLUB (2582), email FlamesClub@liberty.edu, or visit www.LibertyFlames.com/FlamesClub.

Season tickets are available to purchase now, while renewal statements will be mailed to 2016 season ticket holders in March. Prices for season tickets will remain the same as last year. Fans can fill out the attached order form below for Season Tickets and submit it to tickets@liberty.edu, or order to Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-SEAT (7328) for more information.

2017 Football Ticket Order Form

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Rush, Nuggets defeat ranked teams at Grizzly Invitational

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia -- The men's and women's tennis teams of Xavier University of Louisiana earned their first victories of the season against ranked opponents on the opening day of the Grizzly Invitational Friday.

The Gold Rush, ranked second in the NAIA, defeated No. 3 Keiser 5-2. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 19th, beat No. 25 Cumberlands 5-3.

The XULA men also defeated Cumberlands 6-1. The XULA women lost 5-2 to ninth-ranked Keiser.

The XULA men beat a top-3 team for the first time in their history and won for the 18th time in their last 26 duals against top-10 opponents. Antoine Richard and Moses Micheal won in doubles and singles for the Gold Rush. Richard rallied from a 4-1 second-set deficit to defeat Bastien Song 7-5, 7-5 at No. 1 singles and clinch the dual.

"Today's match against Keiser was the real deal. That team is so talented and very deep," XULA coach Alan Green said. "Our guys just stepped up and played like some grown men. I was very proud of our effort."

The Gold Nuggets clinched against Cumberlands when Lacee Ancar won 7-5, 6-3 against Denee Lyttle at No. 4 singles. Charlene Goreau and Brandi Nelson won in doubles and singles.

Against the Cumberland men, Pierre Andrieu clinched at No. 5 singles when he beat Dev Sivam 6-3, 6-4.

The Gold Nuggets (2-4) will play NAIA No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan at 5 p.m. EST Saturday. The Gold Rush (4-2) will travel to Atlanta to play Emory, ranked second in NCAA Division III, in a non-Grizzly Invitational dual at 6 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Florida A&M Tames Wofford Terriers 17-4 on Friday

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M (1-0) pounded out 17 runs on 18 hits to defeat Wofford (0-1) by a score of 17-4 on Friday at Moore-Kittles Field. JoJo Durden (1-0) earned the win on opening day for the 2nd year in a row for the Rattlers. John Capra led the way at the plate going 4-5 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored.

The FAMU bats picked up right where they left off last year, as the Rattlers had 6 players with multi-hit performances. Juniors Aubrey McCarty and Ty Russ had great days at the plate in their first career game as Rattlers. McCarty had 3 hits, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI, while Russ went 2-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Senior Ben Ellzey, and sophomores Willis McDaniel and Kaycee Reese got in on the action as well, each recording 2 hits and an RBI.

The Wofford Terriers jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning. After the leadoff hitter reached base on a throwing error, Wofford had back to back doubles down the left field line, making the score 2-0. Durden was able to work out of the jam, and the Rattlers quickly answered back in the bottom of the first, scoring 6 runs on 7 hits.

John Capra got things started with a single to center field. After a Brian Davis walk, senior Ben Ellzey singled through the hole at shortstop, loading the bases. McCarty drove in FAMU’s first run on a single to center field. The next 5 Rattler hitters singled making the score 6-2. In the inning, Capra, Oliver, Michaud, and Russ each recorded their first hits as Rattlers.

Wofford answered with two more runs of their own in the top of the second inning, making the score 6-4. In the bottom of the frame, Ellzey led things off with his 2nd hit of the day. The Rattlers would then load the bases with one out, forcing Wofford to make a pitching change. Elliot Lance was able to work out of trouble after Austin Michaud hit a sharp line drive to 3rd base for a double play.

Florida A&M extended its lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the third inning. Ty Russ led off the inning with his second hit of the day. Kaycee Reese was then hit by a pitch and the Wofford pitcher balked, placing runners on 2nd and 3rd for Capra, who ripped his second single, this time to left-center field, scoring 2.

After the first 2 innings, Durden kept the Wofford hitters off balance, and off the scoreboard. Durden allowed 5 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) with 4 strikeouts in 5 innings pitched.

The Rattlers tacked on another run in the bottom of the 5th inning when junior Aubrey McCarty drew a bases loaded walk, making the score 9-4.

With Danny Rodriguez on the mound for Florida A&M, Kaycee Reese laid out to make an amazing 2 out catch in shallow right field to save a run in the top of the 6th inning. Rodriguez had a great performance out of the bullpen, earning his first save of the season, allowing only 1 hit and no runs with 3 strikeouts in 4 innings.

Wofford made another pitching change to start the bottom of the 6th and Michaud led off with a walk. Garrett Wilkinson then entered the game, pinch hitting for Ty Russ, and singled in his first at bat as a Rattler. Reese then laid down a perfect sac bunt to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd. John Capra promptly delivered his 4th hit of the game making the score 10-4. Brian Davis added a sacrifice fly to center field pushing the lead to 11-4.

FAMU added 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th on 5 hits and one error for a final score of 17-4.

Wofford starting pitcher Adam Scott (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing 6 runs, all earned, on 8 hits in 1.1 innings.

Florida A&M and Wofford will play the second game of the three-game series tomorrow at 1pm at Moore-Kittles field.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Live Stats are also available on the baseball schedule page of FAMUAthletics.com.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State Sweeps SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championship

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama State men's and women's Indoor Track and Field programs swept league competition for the first time in school history as both programs earned the 2017 SWAC Indoor titles on Friday, Feb. 17 in Birmingham, Ala., and the Birmingham CrossPlex.

On the women's side, the Hornets continued their dominance, as ASU earned its ninth-straight women's indoor title with a 78-points advantage over second place competitor, Texas Southern.

For the men, history was made as the Hornets edged Grambling State by a single point to bring home their first championship title since 2010 .

For a team comprised mostly of rookies, six gold medals were earned for the women during the championship; Lekeyah Blackmon (pole vault - 3.21), Kaila Lewis (60m - 7.50), Tatiana Etienne (800m - 2:16.87), Kaila Lewis (200m - 24.26), Arion Span (1 mile - 5:17.26) and the distance medley relay team of Brandee Ebert, Etienne, Chyna-Joi Staton and Span (13:12.21).

On the men's side the Hornets earned three gold; Roshaine Byfield (shot put - 15.33m), Jamie Brown (long jump - 7.17m) and Norris Spike (60m - 6.76).

Head coach Ritchie Beene earned his 26th program title with the Hornets while being SWAC coach of the year, times two (men's and women's). ASU's Jamie Brown won Most Outstanding Men's Field Performer with 19 points and Arion Span won the Most Outstanding Women's Track Performer award with 26 points.

Complete Results

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

'Plan' is for GSU to play at Solider Field in 2017

GRAMBLING, Louiana -- Grambling is on the verge of taking its traveling show on the road to Chicago's historic Soldier Field.

Grambling recently scheduled a nonconference game with Clark Atlanta University for Sept. 30, and Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said Wednesday night the "plan" is to play the game at the home of the Chicago Bears.

"It's not finalized. That's why it's to be announced," Fobbs said. "Worst case scenario if we're unable to get that worked out then of course we'll play that game in Atlanta at a neutral sit which is just as good for us because the city of Atlanta is big for us in recruiting.

Grambling finalized its full 11-game schedule over the weekend. Clark Atlanta, a Division II HBCU program from Georgia, was the latest and final addition to the slate.

Instead of playing a non-Division I team at home like the Tigers have done in the past, Grambling was able to hit a big market.

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