CIAA Extends Football Contract in Salem, Announces 2017-18 Championships Schedule

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces 2017-18 locations and dates for its 14 championships, including the signing of a 3-year contract with Salem, Virginia to host the conference's football championship through 2019. For the 13th consecutive year, the annual men's and women's basketball tournament will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The CIAA's championship season begins in October with cross country and concludes in May with outdoor track & field.

The 2017 CIAA Football Championship will be held at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia on Saturday, November 11th. Last September, the CIAA and its Board announced the relocation of eight (8) conference championships six weeks prior to the scheduled football championship. The City of Salem has hosted nearly 90 NCAA National Championship events since 1993, including 25 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowls. The Division III National Football Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl has been played at Salem Stadium, the site of the upcoming conference championship. Last year's CIAA Football Championship impacted over 300 youth through school visits by football student-athletes while the game attracted nearly 3,500 fans during its first appearance in the new host city.

"The 2016 game was a great experience for local fans and Salem is honored and privileged to host the CIAA football championship for an additional three years," says Salem Mayor Randy Foley. "We have worked extremely hard over the years to earn the name 'Virginia's Championship City' and we're excited that the CIAA will now be an important part of our championship legacy."

The City of Salem will host three additional CIAA events throughout the 2017-18 season. Football Media Day will be held on July 20th at the Sheraton Hotel. Further details, including media registration, will be announced by the conference office on Thursday, June 8th. The 2017 Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships will be hosted at Green Hill Park on October 26th while softball will take place April 30 – May 2, 2018 at Moyer Park.

"The city of Salem did an exceptional job hosting last year's football championship. We were pleased with their support and welcoming spirit to host the competing member institutions, fans, and sponsors," stated CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "We are excited to bring the rich legacy and tradition of CIAA championships to a city known for hosting top NCAA championships and who understands the value of serving its community through athletics. Our priority, annually, is enhancing the student-athlete experience through community impact, leadership programs, and championships. We are confident that the city of Salem will continue to help us grow and expand our championship footprint."

The 2017 football season marks the 125th anniversary of black college football, which began with two CIAA member institutions. On December 27, 1892, Livingstone College hosted Johnson C. Smith University, then named Biddle Memorial Institute, for the first-ever black college football contest. The CIAA will honor its rich football history throughout the season, including the use of a celebratory football championship logo, leading up to the annual Commemorative Classic between Livingstone and Johnson C. Smith on November 4th and the CIAA Football Championship on November 11th.

While many locations remain consistent after a successful 2016-17 championship season, the conference's Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship will return to JDL FastTrack in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after a one year hiatus. The return will fulfill the last year of a previously drawn, 3-year contract with the facility. The two-day event will be held February 11-12, 2018.

Teams, alumni, and fans will return to Charlotte from February 27–March 3 for the 2018 CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament. Known as the largest basketball championship in NCAA Division II, the event will once again be held in two Queen City venues: Bojangles' Coliseum and Spectrum Center (formerly Time Warner Cable Arena). The CIAA's Fan Housing Program, which ensures the best hotel rates for Charlotte visitors, is now open. Fans may book reservations online via www.ciaatournament.org or by calling 1-844-293-6678.

With the close of the 2016-17 season, the CIAA has discontinued sponsorship of its baseball program. The conference dropped to five teams in 2014 after the departure of the Elizabeth City State University program while the NCAA requires a minimum of six teams for sponsorship. The 2017 Baseball Championship marked the end of the CIAA's grace period, officially concluding conference-wide support of the sport.

2017-18 CIAA Championships

Sport Date Location
Men's & Women's Cross Country October 26, 2017 Green Hill Park | Salem, VA
Football November 11, 2017 Salem Stadium | Salem, VA
Volleyball November 17-19, 2017 Virginia State University Multipurpose Center | Petersburg, VA
Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field February 11-12, 2018 JDL FastTrack | Winston-Salem, NC
Men's & Women's Basketball February 27-March 3, 2018 Bojangles' Coliseum & Spectrum Center | Charlotte, NC
Women's Bowling March 23-24, 2018 AMF Western Branch Lanes | Chesapeake, VA
Men's Golf April 19-20, 2018 The Crossings Golf Club | Glen Allen, VA
Women's Tennis April 19-21, 2018 Bowie State University | Bowie, MD
Softball April 30-May 2, 2018 Moyer Park | Salem, VA
Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field May 4-5, 2018 Bowie State University | Bowie, MD

For more official conference updates, follow the conference on Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports) or visit www.theciaa.com.

COURTESY CIAA.COM

Tough, too easy FCS non-conference schedules

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State is opening the season upstate against Delaware - a program that's beaten the Hornets seven times by an average of 28 points since they first met 10 years ago.

And that's Delaware State's easiest non-conference game this season.

The Hornets will pick up big paydays when they play at West Virginia and Florida State, but also lopsided defeats in one of the hardest non-conference schedules for an FCS team.

But after a winless 2016 season, the MEAC's Hornets aren't expected to be much better this year, so their difficult non-conference schedule is not going to make an impact on a national scale.

For teams that ranked in or received votes in the final STATS FCS Top 25 last season, it's a bigger deal. Plenty of non-conference schedules stand out - the difficult ones and those that are not tough enough.

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Hughes determined to get new JSU Tigers ready for football, college life

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State coach Tony Hughes is taking steps to ensure as many of his 28 high school freshman signees as possible make it to campus.

The athletic department confirmed Tuesday that 16 freshmen football players and one transfer were already enrolled in summer classes.

"I'd like to see 10 or 11 more in the second session of summer school," Hughes said.

Among the freshmen who are already enrolled are quarterback Tavis Williams, offensive linemen Donovan Runnels and Valanez Hopson, defensive linemen Tyler Casby, Jaiqavius Bell and Mark Smith, tailbacks Keyshawn Harper, Joshua Little and DeAndre Williams, tight ends Trevarious Clark, Kyland Richey and Laquantis Hennington and defensive backs Markel Gladney, Kendrick Paul and Kevin Berthey.

That number also includes Mississippi State transfer Jamoral Graham, a 5-foot-10 cornerback who transferred from Starkville after recording 28 tackles and three interceptions, including a pick-six in Mississippi State's 47-35 win over Massachusetts, as a junior.

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5 JSU Tigers primed for a big season in 2017

JACKSON, Mississippi -- There's no doubt the Tigers have some big shoes to fill before they take the field against TCU on Sept. 2.

And while there is plenty of time for players to step up in Fall camp, there's a handful of players on which Jackson State is already counting.

Here's five Tigers who are primed for a big season in 2017.

No other player had the kind of breakout performance in the spring game like Lyles did.

The red-shirt sophomore completed an efficient 23 of 26 passes for 237 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Blue team past the White team 41-38.

With the departure of Jarin Morikawa, who decided to forego his senior season after suffering another concussion in the spring game, the quarterback race appears to be Lyles’ to lose.

Although he played sparingly last season, he’s a guy who brings athleticism — something the Tiger offense lacked last season — at that position.

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McCullum Signs Two to Florida A&M Rattler Hoops Squad

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M head basketball coach Robert McCullum wasted no time preparing for the 2017-18 season. Today FAMU Athletics announced the signing of two players to the Rattler basketball squad.

Forward Darian Jones is a transfer from Tulane University. Jones will come in as a sophomore after playing sparingly for the Green Wave last season. Out of high school, Jones averaged a double-double. He earned All-District honors while also averaging three blocks per game.

McCullum welcomes Jones' athleticism to the squad. “We're elated to add Darian (DJ) Jones a 6'9”, transfer from Tulane University, and Kamron Reaves, 6'1 from Champaign, IL.

DJ, played sparingly last season at Tulane as he lacked the physical strength and weight necessary to play in the AAC. But what he doesn't lack is athleticism. His ability to run & jump sets him apart from most players his size and is what attracted him to the Tulane coaching staff. He averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks as a high school senior. He was named 1st Team All District, 2nd Team All Region, and Honorable Mention All-State. In addition to “DJ's” athleticism, his versatility and tremendous upside is what gets me so excited. We can play him in different positions on both ends of the court making us much more effective offensively and defensively. He plans to major in engineering, and is the younger brother of the Golden State Warriors 2016 1st Round draft pick Damian Jones who played collegiately at Vanderbilt,” McCullum said.



Point guard Kamron Reaves will be a true freshman from Champaign, IL. Reaves' speed and ability to move the basketball are two of his top qualities. The 6'0” one guard could see action this season.

McCullum felt the team could use the assistance of a pure point guard with great distribution skills.

“Kamron is a point guard who thinks ‘pass first,' understanding the importance of getting his teammates involved, where the ball should go and why.  He's very good in transition at advancing the ball via the pass as opposed to over dribbling. His ability to see the floor, and get the ball to open teammates sets him apart. While he thinks pass first, he's very comfortable shooting the three-pointer as he had three games with four three-pointers, and a season high of six in a win vs crosstown rival Champaign Central. Kamron played off the ball his senior year at Centennial high school after transferring across town from Central HS. He averaged 13 points, four assists per game scoring 20 or more six times with a season high of 30 in the first round of the district tournament. He was named to both the All-Conference and All-Area Teams.

Kamron more than held his own last summer at the prestigious Pangos All-American Camp in Cerritos, CA. The camp featured 15 of the nation's top 40 rising seniors, and 40 of the Top 100 players in the 2017 class. Clark Francis of Hoop Scoop Scouting Service rated Kamron the 14th best point guard out of the 24 that made up the 120 player camp,” McCullum said.

McCullum, whose contract was approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees on yesterday, will enter his first campaign this Fall as head coach of the Rattlers. His team will be built on the success of senior Desmond Williams, who is the lead returning player.

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B-CU's Tiller Finishes 12th At NCAA Championship

EUGENE, Oregon – Bethune-Cookman senior Michael Tiller concluded a champion's career Friday night with a 12th place finish in the triple jump at the NCAA Track and Field Championship at storied Haywood Field.

The five-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion improved on his first jump of 51 feet, two and three-quarters inches with a final attempt of 51 feet, seven and a quarter inches, but did not qualify for the finals.

His 12th place finish was the highest for a Bethune-Cookman athlete at the NCAA meet since 2016 Olympian Ronnie Ash won the 110 hurdles in 2009.

"That puts him in great company and among the elite," Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Donald Cooper said of Tiller. "I'm very proud of what was a solid effort here and even prouder of a great college career."

Tiller scratched on his second attempt, and Cooper thought that contributed to him not being able to deliver a third jump that would have advanced him into the finals.

"He needed a 52 (feet)," Cooper said. "The foul put him into a tentative mode."

Tiller appreciated the opportunity to compete in his first national championship.

"To be able to be here felt pretty good," Tiller said.
Tiller will now focus on the USA Track and Field championships in Sacramento June 23-25, 2017 for a chance to qualify for the IAAF World Championships.

"Hopefully, he'll have the one jump in him," Cooper said.

Florida's KeAndre Bates won the event with a leap of 55 feet.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five A&T Aggies Earn Second-Team All-American Nods

EUGENE, Oregon – The North Carolina A&T women's track and field team did not have anyone making through to Saturday's finals on Thursday at Historic Hayward Field, but they did earn two second-team All-American recognitions to complete their experience at the 2017 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships.

N.C. A&T's women started their afternoon by coming one spot shy of qualifying for the final of the 4x100 meter relay. The team of freshmen Tori Ray and Taliyah Townsend and junior India Brown and sophomore Kayla White finished ninth in 44.41 to earn second-team All-American honors. The top-8 teams qualify for the finals. The Aggies could have lowered their school record run of 44.01 they set two weeks ago at the NCAA East Preliminary Round, they would have bested Kansas State's eighth place finish of 44.27.



“There was a bad exchange between our second and third legs,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs, about the exchange between Brown (No. 2) and Townsend (No. 3). “That completely took us of the race. Those are the type of little mistakes you can't afford when you're going against the best in the country. But they're young. They will get another chance.”

White will also come away with second-team honors in the 100-meter hurdles. She completed the second heat in 13.29 to finish fourth in the heat and 13th overall. Two weeks prior she ran a 12.94 which would have easily qualified her on Thursday.

“When you come here, you have to run your (personal record) to make sure you're in the finals,” said Ross. “I can't pinpoint what it was with Kayla today. She just didn't seem to have the same pop she normally has.”

Ross said the same of Brown after she finished seventh in the second heat and 18th overall in 11.49 in the 100 meters. But not even Brown's PR of 11.34 would have qualified her for Saturday's final. Brown later ran a 23.43 to finish seventh in her heat and 18th overall.

“This group of young women are young. India is the only one who has been here before,” said Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs. “It is just something we have to look back on and where we went wrong in terms of preparation. I know they can do better. What I like is they're not pleased. I don't think they looked bad. They executed, but it just wasn't there today. They know today was just not their day.”

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION