Edward Waters Releases 2017 Football Schedule

JACKSONVILLE, Florida --Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Stanley Cromartie has finalized and released the 2017 Edward Waters Tigers football schedule. 

Head Coach Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr. and the Tigers will look to build on the momentum of a strong 2016 finish which saw EWC win three of its last four contests.  The Tigers will be moving to the 20-team Mid-South Conference, the largest college football conference in the country, in 2017 as a football-only member and will have a nine game conference schedule and two non-conference contests.

Edward Waters will be a member of the MSC Sun Division, joining former Sun Conference rivals, Webber International, Warner, Southeastern, Ave Maria and new rival Faulkner, with the winner of the division earning an automatic bid to the NAIA Football Playoffs. A venue for Edward Waters home contests for 2017 will be announced at a later date.

The 2017 slate begins on the road in McKenzie, Tennessee as the Tigers will face new Mid-South Conference opponent Bethel University on August 26th at 1:30pm for the first ever meeting between the two teams. 

After a bye week, September begins with another MSC road contest on the 9th at 6:30pm against another first time opponent, Bluefield College in Bluefield, West Virginia. The Tigers will come home for the first time in 2017 on September 16th against the Phoenix of Cumberland University at 4:30pm, followed by another home date on the 23rd at 4:30pm against the University of the Cumberlands Patriots. 

EWC will wrap up September against MSC Sun Division and longtime foe, Ave Maria on September 30th in Naples, Florida at 12:00pm. This will be the seventh time that the Tigers and Gyrenes will meet on the field, with the series tied 3-3. Edward Waters defeated Ave Maria, 29-19 last season in Jacksonville.

Edward Waters will celebrate Homecoming on October 7th at 3pm against the Glory Eagles of the University of Faith in an exhibition contest. Edward Waters defeated UFaith 45-6 last season and has a 3-0 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers will hit the road once again and return to MSC Sun Division play on October 14th at 1pm in Polk County against the Warriors of Webber International. This is the longest current rivalry for EWC as the Warriors and Tigers have met 12 times on the gridiron, with WIU owning a 9-3 lead in the all-time series. 

Last year's scheduled meeting in Jacksonville was cancelled due to the affects of Hurricane Matthew. EWC will return to Jacksonville on October 21st at 4:30pm against MSC Sun Division opponent Warner University. Warner and EWC have played each other three previous times with the Tigers enjoying a 2-1 series advantage. The Royals picked up their first ever victory over EWC last season in Lake Wales, beating the Tigers 42-21. October will close with the purple and orange stepping out of conference for another exhibition contest on the 28th against the Disciples of the University of God's Chosen. EWC and UGC last played in 2015 with the Tigers demolishing the Disciples, 57-8.

November will feature two MSC Sun Division games to close out the regular season. On the 4th, EWC will play its final home contest of 2017 against the Sun Conference Champion Southeastern University Fire at 4pm in Jacksonville for Senior Day. The Tigers will be looking for their first ever victory over the Fire as they have been unsuccessful in three previous tries. 

The 2017 regular season will close on November 11th at 1:30pm in Alabama's state capital, Montgomery as Edward Waters will take on the Eagles of Faulkner University. This will be the first time the EWC and Faulkner have met since 2007 when the Tigers defeated the Eagles, 28-21 in Montgomery.

2017 Edward Waters Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time	Location
Aug. 26	*Bethel	1:30pm	McKenzie, TN
Sept. 2	OPEN DATE
Sept. 9	*Bluefield	6:00pm	Bluefield, WV
Sept. 16	*Cumberland	4:30pm	Jacksonville, FL
Sept. 23	*Univ. of the Cumberlands	4:30pm	Jacksonville, FL
Sept. 30	*Ave Maria	12:00pm	Naples, FL
Oct. 7	^Univ. of Faith (Homecoming 2017)	3:00pm	Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 14	*Webber International	1:00pm	Lake Wales, FL
Oct. 21	*Warner	4:30pm	Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 28	^Univ. of God's Chosen	12:00pm	Jacksonville, FL
Nov. 4	*Southeastern	7:00pm	Jacksonville, FL
Nov. 11	*Faulkner	1:30pm	Montgomery, AL

*Mid-South Conference Contest

^Exhibition Contest (Does Not Count Against 2017 Record)

Schedule Subject To Change

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Edward Waters Unveils New Athletics Website

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- -The Edward Waters College Department of Athletics is pleased to unveil its new website for athletics, EWCTigerPride.com.  EWC has partnered with SIDHelp, a leader in college athletics website design based in Montgomery, Alabama, to create a one-of-a-kind website access and inside information on each of the College's 10 varsity sports programs.

"This is something that has been a long time coming for our department." remarked Assistant Sports Information Director, Joshua C. Jackson. "For years, our student-athletes, coaches and fans of Tiger Nation have clamored for a number of years and for this day to finally come around is really exciting for our department and our institution."

Jackson along with Senior Women's Administrator Charmaine Wilson and athletics consultant George Selmont worked closely with the designers and developers at SIDHelp to create a site that best represents Edward Waters Athletics. Jackson along with a select group of students from the Mass Communications Department will be responsible for updating the site on a frequent basis.

"We're pleased to give our Mass Communications students an outlet to display their sports writing skills as well." Jackson said.

SIDHelp manages a large number of fellow Gulf Coast Athletic Conference schools including Dillard, Tougaloo, Philander Smith, and Talladega, as well as several NAIA institutions. "The fact that SIDHelp manages several of our fellow GCAC and NAIA institutions made this a no-brainer for us." remarked Jackson. "They have a track record of producing great work, and we are thrilled to be among their list of clients."

"This is an exciting time to be a part of Tiger Nation!" remarked Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Stanley B. Cromartie. "Our College President, Dr. Nathaniel Glover has challenged us to go from good to GREAT and with the unveiling of our new website, this shows our commitment to taking our program to the next level."

The all-new EWCTigerPride.com also provides easy navigation to the department's social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter and soon will provide an opportunity for Tiger Nation to donate directly to the department, via a "Donate Now" page. The site can not only be easily accessed via desktop or laptop, but can also be accessed for those on-the-go via mobile device or tablet.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Under-the-radar FCS coaches: NCCU's Jerry Mack

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Sometimes the reason is they work in a smaller conference, sometimes it’s just the presence of a longtime coach in the conference. But the great coaching jobs in recent years in the FCS have gone beyond the likes of James Madison, North Dakota State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State.

Here are five under-the-radar coaches who are doing as good a job as any other on the lower half of Division I college football:

Jerry Mack, North Carolina Central – The Eagles only moved to the FCS level in 2010, so they’ve received way more than they could have imagined when hiring Mack after the 2013 season as the third-youngest coach in Division I. He’s 3-for-3 in winning MEAC titles, posting a 24-11 overall mark over that time. The 36-year-old guided the Eagles to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl last December.

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Atlanta Classic, expanded beer sales at Bragg in FAMU's future

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- There are plenty of reasons for Florida A&M football fans to get excited for the 2017 season.  The Rattlers get to open their season at home on national television. Tennessee State is back on the schedule in the newly-minted FAMU Tampa Football Classic. FAMU is coming off its best season in years.

If Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. has his way, 2018 will be even better.  Overton last week said contracts are waiting to be signed to revive the Atlanta Classic for the 2018 season. He’s steadily tried to pick up more classic games for the Rattlers, particularly ones FAMU owns.

A discussion that was supposed to come up during last week’s Board of Trustees meeting, but was tabled, centered on the formation of a nonprofit to make the classics on the Rattlers’ schedule FAMU-owned.  "Now that I've actually got a game, I want to make sure we have a business structure," he said

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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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