NORFOLK, Virginia -- Ticket books are on sale now for the highly-anticipated 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. This year’s tournament gets underway March 6-11 at the Norfolk (Va.) Scope Arena.
Each ticket book contains nine tickets, one for each session, which provides entrance for one (1) person to attend all 23 men’s and women’s games including the championship finals on Saturday, March 11 beginning with the men’s game at 1 p.m. and the women’s title game at 3 p.m.
Ticket books are available for purchase at all 13 member institutions, the Scope Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Administrative Office and online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at (757) 951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
Ticket books for general admission are available for $140 plus handling fees. Senior and student prices are also available with proper identification for $106.50. Floor seating is also available for weekly packages.
Fans interested in sitting within their university’s fan block are encouraged to contact their institution’s ticket office directly.
For more information about the 2017 MEAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament visit www.MEAChoops.com.
Session 1 - Monday, March 6 - 5 games - 11 a.m.
Session 2 - Tuesday, March 7 - 4 games - 12 p.m.
Session 3 - Wednesday, March 8 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 4 - Wednesday, March 8 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 5 - Thursday, March 9 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 6 - Thursday, March 9 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 7 - Friday, March 10 - 2 games - 12 p.m.
Session 8 - Friday, March 10 - 2 games - 6 p.m.
Session 9 - Saturdays, March 10 - 2 games - 1 p.m.
About the MEAC Tournament
The MEAC Basketball Tournament is a single elimination championship playoff that involves Division I historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, and South Carolina State.
The tournament games are played at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia. Both the men’s and women’s champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament. The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies and the Hampton Pirates won the 2016 women’s and men’s titles, respectively and received bids to the NCAA Tournament.
MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
Saturday, February 18, 2017
North Carolina A&T State Women's Track Captures First Indoor Title In School History
FINALS RESULTS
LANDOVER, Maryland -- North Carolina A&T State captured its first-ever MEAC women’s indoor championship, tallying 145 points and finishing well ahead of runner-up Florida A&M (94), third-place Hampton (73.5) and fourth-place Norfolk State (72).
Aggies coach Duane Ross was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Coach.
Martha Bissah of Norfolk State was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Runner on the women’s side after adding two more titles to her ledger on Saturday, taking gold in the women’s mile with a time of 4:53.48 and the 3,000-meter run with a 10:13.70.
These titles came in addition to the 800 and distance medley titles she won on Friday.
Morgan Knight of North Carolina A&T State defended her title in the women’s pole vault, leaping 3.52 meters (11 feet, 6.5 inches). It was the first of six event titles on the day for the Lady Aggies; in other field action, Most Outstanding Field Performer Anisa Toppin won the women’s triple jump with a mark of 12.73 meters (41 feet, 9.25 inches).
India Brown gave North Carolina A&T State the women’s 200 title with a time of 24.08, and her teammate Tori Ray won the women’s 400 in 55.77.
Kayla White ran an 8.36 to win gold in the women’s 60-meter hurdles.
The Lady Aggies also took gold in the 4x400m relay, as Ray, Brown, Asya Macon and Taliyah Townsend turned in a time of 3:46.63.
Bethune-Cookman’s Catoria Sirmon won the women’s shot put with a mark of 15.22 meters (49 feet, 11.25 inches).
Shenel Crooke of Morgan State won the 60m dash with a time of 7.41.
COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
Florida A&M Rattlers Upset Maryland, 5-1
GAINESVILLE, Florida – The FAMU Softball Team (1-8) snapped an early season slide here Saturday morning, knocking off Big Ten foe University of Maryland, 5-1 in their third game of the 2017 Aquafina Softball Invitational at KSP Stadium.
Senior pitcher Kenya Pereira (1-3) went the distance against the Terps (0-8), allowing one run on five hits, striking out three against no walks in seven innings of work.
Pereira scored FAMU’s first run in the top of the second, drawing a leadoff walk, eventually scoring from third on a fielding error for a 1-0 lead.
Maryland tied the game in the bottom of the third at 1-1, but FAMU clinched their first win with a four-run top of the seventh.
Shakayla Nixon scored from second on a Taylor Rosier RBI single for a 2-1 FAMU lead. Tashayla Irvis scored from third on a RBI fielder’s choice grounder by Amber Fullwood for a 3-1 lead.
Rosier scored from third on a fielder’s choice grounder by Jamesia Stoudamire for a 4-1 edge, then Fullwood tallied when Toni Anderson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for the 5-1 final.
Whtiney Farris led FAMU with three hits, with Rosier and Miesha McBride each finishing with two hits, and Nachelle Watson and Irvis each adding a hit apiece.
FAMU was slated to play FIU at 3:45 p.m. Saturday evening, and close their appearance in the event Sunday morning against Northwestern (La.) State at 9:00.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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.
WATCH ESPN3 BROADCAST
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
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
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