5 Most Important Games for GSU

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Head coach Broderick Fobbs won’t tell you Grambling State is trying to defend its Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship from 2016. It’s a new season with a new team, and this year’s group hasn’t won anything yet, is what the fourth-year Tigers coach would say.

So instead of the word “defend,” let’s just stick with repeat. The much-anticipated 2017 season for the G-Men faithful kicks off in 11 days and GSU hits the road to capture back-to-back SWAC and HBCU titles Saturday, Sept. 2 versus Tulane at Yulman Stadium at 7 p.m.

As the season draws near, here’s my list of the top five most important regular season games for Grambling State as it pursues the program’s 26th SWAC and 16th HBCU national championship:

5. Clark Atlanta (Chicago Classic), Sept. 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Soldier Field

The first of four neutral site contests on the 2017 schedule takes the Tigers to historic Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, to close out the first month of the season to play Division II HBCU foe Clark Atlanta in the 20th annual Chicago Classic.

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UMES Hires Former Assistant Brian Hollamon to Lead Hawks Baseball Program

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday (August 21), appointed alumnus, one-time Hawks assistant and long-time Parkside High School coach Brian Hollamon to be its head baseball coach following the termination of former coach Charlie Goens.

“We feel strongly that this is a move that will take our team in the right direction to both compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and to have a strong and reliable recruiting footprint on Delmarva and throughout the region,” Davidson said. “Brian is someone who puts his all into everything that he does and he has always shown a genuine desire to see this program be successful.”

Hollamon was a graduate assistant with the Hawks from 1996-99 when he earned a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the university.

“I am very excited for the opportunity,” Hollamon said of his return to the Maroon and Gray. “When I coached here, I enjoyed my time and I’m looking forward to getting back to what we were building. From the moment I had to tell the players in 1999 that I wouldn’t be returning, I have had a desire to one day come back.

“I’m glad to not only be back at the university, but also excited to be with some quality players who make up the current roster.”

Over the last 14 seasons at Parkside, where he was also a guidance counselor, Hollamon has built a perennial power in the Bayside Conference, while consistently producing players who go on to play baseball at all levels including Division I.

Former Ram Hunter Parsons will be a junior on the University of Maryland pitching staff next season, while left handed pitcher Grant Burleson and fellow lefty Sean Fisher will be freshmen at College Park. Matt Smith, a 2016 graduate of Parkside will be entering his sophomore season at Towson University.

He has coached a number of players who went on to be Hawks including Zach Townsend, Dylan Bell, Cody Cauffman and Jamar Cadejuste.

Brian Hollamon coached for the Hawks as an assistant from 1996 to 1999
Hollamon coached the Hawks as an
assistant from 1996 to 1999
“Our team at Parkside High School was always first and foremost about the kids: Watching them grow, watching them develop and watching them move on and do bigger and better things,” Hollamon said. “Now the opportunity for me is to continue that growth and watch these young men develop and go on to whatever they want to do after the graduate from college. Our goal is going to be to not only give them an opportunity to play baseball, but also get their education and be successful human beings.”

Hollamon led the Rams to 14 straight winning seasons from 2003-2017. Parkside won three Bayside South Titles, one Bayside crown, two Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association 2A East Region Sectional Championships, four Maryland 2A East Regional Championships, and most notably made two MPSSAA 2A State Finalist Appearances (2009, 2014).

“My time away from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has changed me as a coach,” Hollamon said. “I had the experience of 18 years at the high school level. That makes you learn and grow and understand what players need and what they want including what they want from the college level. I had the experience of knowing and developing those kids and getting them ready for college and now that is what I’ll be looking for from the high school coaches who I will have relationships with in recruiting.”

He was named Bayside South Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2008, 2011) and District 8 coach of the Year twice (2009, 2014). In 2015, he coached in the prestigious Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game and that same year he was recognized by the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches as the Amateur Coach of the Year for his work in high school and American Legion Baseball.

“I think the quality of baseball on the Eastern Shore is pretty solid,” Hollamon said. “Obviously we don’t have the number of players in a small area you would find in a more highly populated area, but within just the state of Maryland you have some really good baseball players and you can put a good product on the field, not to mention Virginia, Delaware and the players that are available throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region that may want to come to Maryland Eastern Shore and play baseball.”

The graduate of Sussex Central High School in Georgetown, Delaware, played four years of baseball at Division III Salisbury University where he was team captain from 1992-1995 and earned a bachelor’s in Marketing and Management. He was named team MVP and earned All-Conference honors at shortstop.

Following his stint with the Hawks, Hollamon moved on to become the head coach at Mardela High School from 1999-2003.

Hollamon also coached with American Legion Post 64 in Salisbury as an assistant before taking over the team in 2015, and played 22 seasons for the Semi-Pro Perdue Chicks of the Eastern Shore Baseball League.

Hollamon lives in Delmar, Delaware with his wife Jodi and daughters Josie and Jordyn.

Goens spent one season with The Shore where the team went 12-40 and lost its first two games as the host team in the MEAC Baseball Tournament, played at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

“We thank Charlie for his work with the program, but it became clear to us during the season that we needed someone at the helm that is invested in this institution, in baseball in the region, in our student athletes and in the Eastern Shore community at large,” Davidson said. “We feel that Brian gives us exactly that along with the stability to lead the program into the future.”

Goens came to the Hawks from Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia. He replaced John O’Neil who won 32 games in two years as acting head coach from 2014-2016.

O’Neil stayed on as an associate head coach for the 2016-17 season, but will not return to the program.

Hollamon will put his own coaching staff in place in the coming weeks.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M tackles tough schedule with new No. 1

NORMAL, Alabama -- By the time Alabama A&M gets to its first conference game of the season, the Bulldogs will be battle-tested or worn out. Maybe both.

Alabama A&M starts the season on the road against three NCAA FBS opponents - UAB, Vanderbilt and South Alabama - before kicking off its SWAC schedule against Texas Southern on Sept. 23.

The Bulldogs were picked to drop to fourth in the SWAC's Eastern Division in the league's preseason poll after placing second last season.

But another preseason selection list would seem to indicate Alabama A&M has more talent than a next-to-last-place team. Four Bulldogs were first-team choices on the All-SWAC preseason squad - running back Jordan Bentley, linebacker Kenneth Davis, defensive back Tere Calloway and place-kicker Nick Carden. The other four SWAC East teams had five preseason first-team selections combined.

The all-star selections are the core of a team that returns seven starters on offense, including the entire interior line, and eight on defense.

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Luke Johnson breaks down the SWAC's 2017 football outlook

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- FOUR KEY GAMES

Grambling at Tulane, Sept. 2: This has no bearing on the SWAC race, but it should be a barometer of how good Grambling is. Can the Tigers pull off an upset against a rebuilding FBS team on the road?

Southern at Alcorn State, Sept. 23: This is the
SWAC's biggest early season matchup, as two teams that figure to contend meet up in Week 4. Southern snapped a long losing streak to Alcorn State in Lorman last year. Can the Jaguars top the Braves again?

Jackson State at Prairie View, Sept. 30: Two of the league’s dark-horse candidates meet in Texas, and the contrasting styles should be interesting, with Jackson State’s tough defense matching up against a potent Prairie View offense.

Southern vs. Grambling, Nov. 25 in New Orleans: The Bayou Classic is always appointment viewing, but will it carry the same weight as last year’s game between rivals unbeaten in SWAC play? That’s likely up to Southern, since Grambling looks like the heavy favorite to win the league.

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Judge rules FAMU doesn't have to pay fired basketball coach Clemon Johnson

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A Leon County circuit judge has sided with Florida A&M University in a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by former men's basketball coach Clemon Johnson, who was fired in April 2014 after three years in the job.

Judge James Shelfer this month issued a brief order granting summary judgment to the university. Johnson, a former Florida A&M and NBA basketball player, argued, in part, that he had a four-year guaranteed contract and that the university breached it by firing him a year early for “convenience.”

FAMU argued in court documents that it followed university regulations in deciding not to reappoint Johnson.

Johnson was fired in April of 2014 in the third year of a four-year contract after leading the Rattlers to a 14-18 record in his final season. He was let go a week after Kellen Winslow was introduced as the school's athletic director.

Winslow resigned Dec. 15, 2014.

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N.C. A&T Men's Golf Release Their Inaugural Schedule

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The inaugural season of the men’s golf team is only a month away. N.C. A&T men’s and women’s golf coach Richard Watkins released the schedule on Monday with eight tournaments scheduled over two semesters. The men will share four of those tournaments with the women’s golf team.

“It will be easy for people to expect from these gentlemen the same success our ladies had in their first season,” said Watkins. “Both teams are playing golf, yes, but they are facing different circumstances as well. We must let these young men make their own path to success and grow. As the season progresses, I think they will get better and better.”

2017-18 A&T Men's Golf Schedule

The men will hit the tee for the first time on Sept. 18 when they participate in the Queen University of Charlotte Invitational, Sept. 18-19 at par 72, 7,099-yard at The Club at Irish Creek course in Kannapolis, N.C. In their next tournament, the men will join the women for the women’s season opener at the Hampton Collegiate Golf Invite at the par 72, 7,000-yard Sleepy Hole Golf Course. The first and second rounds begins at 8:30 a.m., with shotgun starts. The men will play 36 holes on Sept. 25 and 18 holes on Sept. 26. The women will play 18 holes on both days.

After a month away from competition, the men will participate in the VSU Trojan Fall Classic hosted by Virginia State in Petersburg, Va. The par 72, 6,605-yard Dogwood Trace Golf Course will host the tournament, Oct. 23-24. It will be their final tournament of the semester before they open the spring semester at the B-CU Wildcat Invitational at the par 72, 5,952 yard LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. The men will play March 1-2 in Daytona Beach before the women play on March 3-4.

On March 11-12, the men will travel to Leland, N.C., to participate in the Cape Fear National at Brunswick Forest. The men will also participate in the MEAC Invitational and the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Tournament, but those dates have not been set.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stanley Cromartie Named 8th AD in Edward Waters History

STANLEY CROMARTIE

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Edward Waters College President, Dr. Nathaniel Glover, Jr., has removed the interim tag from Stanley B. Cromartie and has promoted him to be the new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. With his appointment, Cromartie becomes the eighth full-time Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in EWC history.

A 1990 graduate of EWC, Cromartie "came home" to his alma mater in 2010 where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director in charge of day-to-day operations under former Athletic Director Johnny Rembert. "Cro" as he is known around the EWC community has been instrumental in revitalizing and re-energizing students, alumni, & fans of Edward Waters to be passionate in their support of the athletics programs.

 "I am honored and humbled to accept this position as the Athletic Director at Edward Waters College." said Cromartie. "This institution gave me my degree and I have a responsibility to give back and take this program to even higher heights."

He has also been key in bringing unprecedented revenue to the athletic department with fundraising efforts such as the annual Athletic Department Gala, which has featured keynote speakers such as NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green and Rev. Cecil Newton, Sr., the father of NFL All-Pro quarterback Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers. Cromartie also helped engineer two of the biggest paydays for the football program with guarantee games against Alcorn State in 2013 and Tennessee State in 2014 ($65,000 for ASU & $75,000 for TSU) and has also worked deals to make Under Armour an official outfitter of Tigers athletics.

Academically, Edward Waters student-athletes have made record breaking strides under Cromartie's leadership. In 2016-17, EWC student-athletes finished with a combined 3.16 grade point average, one of the highest combined GPA's in program history. In 2016, football student-athlete Sean Adkison was named Salutatorian while in women's track & field athlete Ariane Vitale and baseball student-athlete Alberto Rivera were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively for the Class of 2017. For the past two school years, EWC has led the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with the highest number of student-athletes on the Commissioner's Honor Roll and has several student-athletes who have received national academic honors as well.

"I have always said that our program is the best kept secret in America." Cromartie continued. "Now, it's my job along with all of those who support Tiger Nation to not keep this secret to ourselves and continue to do all that we can to ensure that this is the best athletic department in the country."

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With stadium on way, Edward Waters hopeful of new football era

COURTESY: EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETICS

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The first brick hasn’t yet been set in place for the new home of Edward Waters College football.

But for head coach Alvin Wyatt, the anticipation is already building.

“I’m excited and I haven’t even seen it yet,” he said.

Wyatt looked forward to his fourth full season at the helm of Tigers football at the 151-year-old school’s media day at the Adams-Jenkins Sports Center on Wednesday.

Mayor Lenny Curry proposed more than $4 million for athletic field upgrades at the school in his annual budget in July, a move that - among other things - would help give the football team a permanent home.

“Any time you can have your own football facility on the campus, it brings excitement for the student body. It makes alums more engaged, and it makes this community more engaged,” interim athletic director Stanley Cromartie said.

Cromartie said the field would include bleachers, a press box and a walking track around the field. He’s hopeful that the stadium would be completed in time for the 2018 football season.

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S.C. STATE FOOTBALL: Pough expects young players to step up in secondary

COURTESY : SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- By all accounts from South Carolina State head football Coach Pough and his defensive staff, the 2017 Bulldogs appear to be solid along the defensive front and at the linebacker position.

But there is some pause for concern when it comes to the S.C. State secondary, usually the last line of defense.

Two 2016 starters — All-MEAC safety Phillip Henry, the 2016 leader in interceptions (six) and pass breakups (10), and cornerback Marquise Jones -- have graduated, leaving some big shoes to fill and somewhat of a scramble to establish the depth needed at defensive back, according to Pough.

“Not having a talent like Henry is a big loss for our team, and Jones was a good player for us as well,” Pough said. “We have our work cut out for us to try and get close (talent-wise) to where we were last year.”

Strong safety Jason Baxter (6-2, 185 Gr.), a 2016 All-MEAC second-team selection and a 2017 preseason first-team choice, is one of two starters returning in the secondary. Baxter was third on the team in total tackles last season with 55, including 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. The Manning native is playing his final year of eligibility as a graduate student.

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Lane College football Media Day 2017

JACKSON, Tennessee — With two weeks before the Lane College Dragons hit the field, the team talked about getting more wins to get more fans in the seats.

Head Coach Derrick Burroughs says the 5-5 record in 2016 was disappointing and that team could have won two or three more games.

This season lane is working with only a few returners on defense but is loaded on offense with 10 of 11 returning players. Coaches and players say winning more games is the goal this season and to put Lane College on the map in the conference.

“I don’t think that’s what we’re all here for, to be average,” Lane Head Football Coach Derrick Burroughs said. It’s very easy to be average. I don’t expect that from our football team. We want to be better than average.”

“I plan to run the table,” Lane running back Marcus Holliday said. “For all the teams in the SIAC, we coming for y’all. Y’all put us 4th, its all good though.”

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Witness the Evolution: WSSU Unveils Fierce New Rams Logo

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- With 100s of camera phones raised in the air in anticipation, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) unveiled a fierce new mascot logo on Saturday, Aug. 19.

"This speaks to the work we've been doing to tell the WSSU story," said WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson. "Building upon our legacy, the new logo makes a bold statement about who we are. There is no other Ram like it. It is as distinct as our university and truly reflects the WSSU experience."

The new logo – which will be used by the university's athletics programs, on gear and as décor across campus – was unveiled after nearly a year of surveys and focus groups of students, alumni, coaches and administrators, said Jaime Hunt, the university's chief communications officer.

"The development of the new Ram head was truly a collaborative effort," Hunt said. "We are so thrilled with the final product."

WSSU engaged with Winston-Salem-based design firm One Hero Creative to create the logo. The new logo is seen as a spirit mark that can be used by departments across the campus to reflect Ram pride.

The Rams logo was unveiled at the conclusion of Meet the Rams, an event kicking off the fall athletics season attended by more than 1,000 students and fans. The new logo soon will begin showing on a billboard, on campuswide signage and on the field at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"Our fans are excited," said Director of Athletics Tonia Walker. "The new logo shows that Rams are fierce competitors and a force to be reckoned with."

WSSU students after the event agreed with Walker.

"I actually love it. It looks more aggressive than what we use to have," said Tyree Hooks, senior, accounting major at WSSU and 2017-18 Mr. 125. "I like it a lot. I didn't know what to expect."

Xavier Quick, a running back on the football team, said: "It has more attitude, and that's what we're trying to bring to this season.

After Meet the Rams, WSSU's bookstore rolled out all new Ram gear for fans. Gear will be available on the online store starting on Sunday.

Fall sports at WSSU get underway at home with women's volleyball on Sept. 8. WSSU football's home opener – a rematch of the 2016 CIAA Championship against Bowie State – is on Sept. 9, a game that will be streamed live on ESPN3.

Guidelines for the logo will be available next week at www.wssu.edu/brand.

The new Ram logo comes a little more than a year after the introduction of a new institutional logo and refreshed brand.

About the New Ram
The new logo, which features WSSU's red and white, draws on previous iterations of the Ram to create a more modern take that conveys courage, spirit, tenacity and pride. The new spirit mark has been designed to work well for print and digital applications.

Ram History
The Ram has been the mascot of Winston-Salem State since 1932. According to accounts, Theodore Hayes, a basketball player on the first collegiate team of any kind at the university, came up with the name. In 1978, Amon – inspired by the West African deity – was chosen as mascot's name. WSSU's previous Ram dates back to the mid-1990s and was designed primarily for use in print.

A bold past. A brilliant future.
For 125 years, Winston-Salem State University has fostered the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU's curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, "Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve," WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. Join us in celebrating our 125th anniversary with events throughout 2017. Learn more by visiting WSSU's 125th Anniversary website.



WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

S.C.State Bulldogs Close Out Preseason with Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — The South Carolina State Bulldogs closed out preseason camp with almost three-hour scrimmage Saturday (Aug.19th) at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.

The Bulldogs ran about 90-plays in steamy hot temperatures in preparation for the season-opener against Southern University in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Baton Rouge, LA on Sept.3 at A.W. Mumford Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and kickoff is 1:30 p.m. (CT)/2:30 p.m. (ET).

Head coach Buddy Pough noted, that the coaching staff are still evaluating players and an effort to put together a solid depth chart for the season.



"I am impressed with quite a few guys on offense and defense," said Pough. "Some of the new players are really picking up the process and working through camp to get better. We (coaches) are really excited with that adds more depth to each position."

This was the Bulldogs second scrimmage during preseason for Coach Pough and his team.

"I haven't noticed anything different from this scrimmage compared to the first one on last week," stated Pough. "The defense is going to always make it hard for you to make big plays, but to their credit it helps make our offense better when we start playing."

"Now we turn our attention to Southern and start preparing for them," said Pough. "We have to be ready they are a very good football team and we go into their territory so it won't be easy."

Season tickets and single-game tickets for SC State's six home games are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Office on campus. For more information on how you can purchase your season tickets.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU head coach Wood excited as fall camp ends

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In less than a week, Florida A&M will take the field at Bragg Memorial Stadium to kick off the college football season.

The Rattlers will take on SWAC opponent Texas Southern at noon on Saturday in a game broadcast on ESPNU. It’s the first college football game of the year, as well as the first season opener at home for FAMU since 2011.

For redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Stanley, it’s a chance for the Rattlers to show how far they’ve come.

“We’re really excited,” Stanley said. “After this three-week camp, finally getting to go against a different-color jersey, we’re fired up.”

Stanley hasn’t officially been named the team’s starter yet – head coach Alex Wood said an announcement on that is likely to come Monday – but he spent most of fall camp working with the first-team offense.

He did share time with senior quarterback Vincent Jefferies. Stanley took the majority of the snaps in Sunday’s scrimmage, which was played against a scout team meant to simulate Texas Southern.

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Alabama State releases women’s basketball schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University women's basketball team released the schedule for the upcoming season, featuring 13 home games and a road trip to face the defending national champions.

"The non-conference schedule is extremely difficult as usual," Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "We kick it off with the defending national champions, and anytime you play a team coming off a national championship it is going to be tough."

Alabama State opens the season on the road against the defending national champion, South Carolina, November 10 – one of two games against an SEC foe this season for the Lady Hornets. After the opener, the Lady Hornets return home to face Savannah State (November 13) and another NCAA participant, Troy on November 16.

After the short home portion of the schedule, the Lady Hornets hit the road for their next three games beginning with Samford on November 19 and a pair of games at the Southern Miss Tournament (November 24-25). They close out the month of the November at home against South Alabama on November 28.

Alabama State opens the month of December with three consecutive road games, beginning with eight-time national champion and five-time national runner-up Tennessee (December 3). They then travel to the University of Miami (Fla.) for a match-up December 15, before playing at UAB (December 19). The Lady Hornets close out the non-conference schedule with a home game against Mobile (December 21).

"We also play at Tennessee," Jackson said. "We played them in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago, and they are a powerhouse. And then you add in a team like Miami and it makes it a major schedule. We also added some in-state schools to this year's schedule, which is a great opportunity to see where we match up with them.

"We have Troy and South Alabama on the schedule, and travel to UAB and Samford. If we can find a way to split, win a couple of those in-state school games, it would be good for our program. Of course you want to win all of them, and we are challenging our girls in the non-conference portion of the schedule. And then you open conference play on the road at Jackson State and Grambling State – a team that had a chance to win the conference last year. We have a chance to get off to a great start in conference play."

Following the Christmas break, Alabama State opens conference play against Jackson State (January 1) and Grambling State (January 3). They play three consecutive games at home against Mississippi Valley State (January 6), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (January 8) and Alabama A&M (January 13). The month of January ends with a pair of road games against Southern (January 20) and Alcorn State (January 22), and a pair of home games against Prairie View A&M (January 24) and Texas Southern (January 29).

The month of February is highlighted by three home games, in between a pair of road trips. The Lady Hornets travel to Mississippi Valley State (February 3) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (February 5), before playing three consecutive home games beginning with Alabama A&M (February 10). The month ends with a pair of home games against Southern (February 17) and Alcorn State (February 19); followed by road games at Prairie View A&M (February 24) and Texas Southern (February 26). The regular season ends with home games against Jackson State (March 1) and Grambling State (March 3).

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State women's basketball, please follow the Lady Hornets on social media at @BamaStateWBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama State Hornets gear up for contest in two weeks

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- With just two weeks remaining before the season opener against Tuskegee, the Alabama State University football team closed out the week with a 100-plus play closed scrimmage Saturday night.

The Hornets, practicing under the lights of ASU Stadium will begin game preparation next week for Tuskegee. The Hornets had some bright spots on both sides of the ball Saturday, but according to head coach Brian Jenkins, there is still a lot of work to be done before they line up to play on September 2.

"There were some bright spots but there was too much negative to get ready to play a game right now," Jenkins said. "We have to go back to the drawing board and see what we are doing as a coaching staff, and make sure we are ready to play.



"I will say this, we showed some bright spots but that is expected. The things that we didn't do well, those are the things I am concerned about. As always, we are going to look at it, get it corrected and come back tomorrow."

Alabama State and Tuskegee will kickoff at 7 pm inside ASU Stadium in two weeks, and tickets are still available by calling (334) 229-4551 or (334) 229-8479. They are also available online through BamaStateSports.com.

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State football, please follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State Athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Tiger Camp 2017: Day 25 - Third Scrimmage

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --  The Tennessee State football team closed out camp with its final scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. The offense started fast, moving across midfield on all three drives of the live portion of the scrimmage. The defense stood tall and forced a punt on the first series, while the offense converted on the second drive as Treon Harris hit Mahlon Medley on a 15 yard touchdown pass. A Latrelle Lee sack and a tackle for loss by Justin Culpepper put a stop to the final drive.

The Tigers focused the rest of the scrimmage on situational plays. Harris was up first in the third down session with eight chances from various distances and was followed by Michael Hughes with seven plays.

PHOTO GALLERY

SCRIMMAGE #3
Total Plays: 80
Sessions: 6
Scrimmage: 33 (Plays)
3rd Down: 15 (Harris - 8, Hughes - 7)
Coming Out (From the 3): 6 (Harris - 3, Hughes - 3)
4-Minute Drill: 7 (Harris - 7)
2-Minute Drill: 13 (Hughes - 14)
Overtime: 6 (Wells - 3, Harris - 3)
Location: Hale Stadium
Weather: Sunny, 85



The Big Blue continued with the two quarterbacks getting a chance to move the unit from the shadows of the goal posts, starting from the three yard line. Harris then ran two drives of a four minute drill with the lead before Hughes ran a two-minute drill while trailing.

The scrimmage closed with two overtime possessions. Kullen Wells ran the first series which ended in a 34 yard field goal by Coby Weiss. Harris engineered the second drive, which missed scoring as Mitchell Boudreaux’s field goal attempt went off the right upright.

TOTALS
Rushing: 26 carries for 68 yards
Passing: 25-of-41 for 219 yards
Touchdown: One (Receiving)
Latrelle Lee and Marvin Maddox each recorded a sack of Michael Hughes, while Chris Collins sacked Treon Harris

SCRIMMAGE

Treon Harris hit Mahlon Medley and Patrick Smith on 17 yard completions during the first drive
Tyler Black opened the second drive with two carries for 18 yards
Harris teamed with Steven Newbold on back-to-back plays for 25 yards
Andrew Knox carried twice for 17 yards moving the Tigers to the five yard line
Harris hit Medley for the 15 yard touchdown a play after a holding moved the offense back 10 yards
Michael Hughes kept the third drive alive running for 20 yards on a third and nine

TWO MINUTE DRILL

Hughes rushed for 20 yards and went 6-of-8 for 37 yards connecting with four different receivers (Lawrence Segree II 2-13, Mazio Rhodes 2-12, Chris Rowland 1-7, Ronnie Killings 1-6)
Drive ran for 12 plays
Coby Weiss missed a 51 yard field goal attempt wide left



OFFENSE

Redshirt junior Treon Harris was 12-of-23 for 122 yards and one touchdown
Redshirt sophomore Michael Hughes was 12-of-17 for 92 yards
Redshirt freshman Kullen Wells finished 1-of-1 for five yards
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Black rushed for 20 yards on three carries
Sophomore Steven Newbold caught seven passes for 89 yards
Patrick Smith had three receptions for 30 yards
Mahlon Medley caught two balls for 32 yards and a touchdown
Mazio Rhodes three catches for 27 yards

SPECIAL TEAMS

The place kickers converted 1-of-3 Field Goals
Coby Weiss 1-for-2 (Made 34, Missed 51); Mitchell Boufreaux 0-for-1 (Missed 40)
Coby Weiss was 1-for-1 on Extra Points
Austin Rowley punted four times

UPCOMING EVENTS

Game Prep scrimmage will take place on Thur., August 24
The Senior Kickoff Luncheon is set for Fri., August 25
Fan Day will be held on Sat., August 26
Tennessee State at Georgia State on Thur., August 31

QUOTES
Defensive Coordinator Garry Fisher
- On the positives for the defense on the day
“I thought we flowed around really well. The guys are starting to gel together and learn how to play together as 11. We did a good job getting to the ball, getting after it and just playing team defense.”



- On the progression of the defense during camp
“It’s been a long camp, but it’s given us a lot of time to have a lot of walk throughs and help the guys understand the details of the defense. We’ve really come a long way from the spring. Every day, the guys have been learning something and moving forward as far as learning the progression of the defense, so it’s been a good camp.”

Offensive Coordinator Jeff Parker
- On what he liked from the offense today
“I thought the guys competed at a high level. I was very pleased with the way they went out and competed. It’s little warm. We had a three-man rotation at the tackle and a few guys who are still out with injury, but I thought they sucked it up and competed hard on the offensive line. It was our focus to try to run the ball a little bit and count on those guys, and I think they did a heck of a job.”

- On how far the offense has come
“I think they’ve done a great job. We had a transition at the quarterback position and we have a couple of new offensive linemen, so we started from the ground up. We wanted to make sure everyone knew the calls and what we’re trying to get accomplished on offense. I think everyone is caught up, so we’re about to put a few more things in – a little more than expected.”



TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Browning Hired as TSU Head Softball Coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips announced on Thursday the hiring of Andrea Browning as the Head Coach of TSU’s softball team.

Browning, who served as an assistant coach for the Tigers during the 2017 season, will be the sixth head coach in program history.

Browning, who earned the job following a national search, will be embarking on her first Division I head coaching experience.

A native of nearby Franklin, Tenn., Browning joined the Tennessee State coaching staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2016, working closely with TSU’s pitchers.

Prior to her arrival in Nashville, Browning served as a volunteer assistant at the University of North Florida during the 2016 season. Browning aided the Ospreys’ pitching staff, as well as coordinating community service projects and assisted with the organization and implementation of camps. Prior to her work at UNF, Browning founded and served as the head coach of the Sudden Impact organization, while working as a private homeschool educator.

Following her collegiate playing career at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., Browning began her coaching Ohio Valley Conference school Austin Peay, where she spent three seasons. Browning continued her coaching career as an assistant at Belmont University in 2007.

Browning then moved to Florida where she continued to gain coaching experience at Fort Walton Beach High School, spending four seasons from 2007-11.

Browning graduated from Lambuth University in 2000 with a degree in Physical Education and Health. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Health and Human Performance – Wellness in Sports Leadership from Austin Peay in 2016.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Tennessee State Volleyball Camp Report: Alumni Match

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State volleyball team finished their last day of camp on Saturday afternoon with a scrimmage against alumni Tiger volleyball players.

The 2017 team swept the alumni with a 3-0 run (25-21, 25-18, 25-23), and continued the streak of beating the alumni during the preseason match.

The alumni team consisted of Naomi Wells, Tennessee State’s all-time leader in kills (1,275) and attacks (3,883), Christian Lowe, ranked top 10 in kills, attacks, block assists, total blocks and hitting percentage, Catherine Armwood, all-time leader in digs (1,691), Assistant Coach Vicmari Prospero, the all-time leader in hitting percentage (.266) and letter winners Danielle Howell and Christina Raiford.

PHOTO GALLERY

Head Coach Donika Sutton

-On the match

“We started off playing our alumni match, which we do every year. We had a great start, but we had an injury in the middle which slowed us down, but we picked it up and were able to finish it in three.”

Junior Middle Blocker, Rachel Henderson

-On the benefits of scrimmaging alumni

“They are very smart. They know what to do because they’ve been playing for a long time, and they actually played together. So, we have to be smarter and we had to communicate more.”



TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Better understanding + better communication = fewer big plays? Southern hopes so in Year 2 under Trei Oliver

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Look no further than the final game of the 2016 season to identify what Southern defensive coordinator Trei Oliver is seeking to improve most in Year 2.

Grambling rolled up a whopping 571 yards against the Jaguars in the Bayou Classic, but that total wasn’t necessarily what bothered Oliver. It was how the Tigers achieved it.

Of those 571 yards, 365 came on 12 "explosive" plays — rushes of 10 or more yards or passes of 20 or more yards. Five of Grambling’s six touchdowns from scrimmage came on these types of plays.

Grambling exposed a weakness in the Southern defense that the Jaguars had been able to cover up all season by forcing a Football Championship Subdivision-best 32 turnovers. But make no mistake, that weakness was there all season, especially in the run game.

Southern allowed 2,143 rushing yards last season, and nearly 75 percent of those yards (1,606) came on 79 "explosive" runs. More than 20 percent of the running plays by Southern opponents went for 10 or more yards.

The Jaguars were a bit better at containing big plays in the passing game, allowing just 28 plays of 20 or more yards, a little more than 2.5 per game.



CONTINUE READING

Baby, it's hot outside: Southern doing its best to prepare for likelihood of hot weather at season opener

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- It was another scorcher, and Southern coach Dawson Odums had already had his fill.

Last week, wearing his usual practice attire — wide-brimmed hat, sweatshirt and athletic shorts — Odums beckoned reporters to meet him for interviews in the gym, rather than the usual area behind the goalposts at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“It’s too hot out there,” Odums said once everyone was in the climate-controlled environment.



Southern, like just about every south Louisiana football team this time of year, is feeling the heat. But there’s an added layer to it this season, considering what awaits the Jaguars when they officially kick off 2017.

By taking part in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Southern will get a rare shot to occupy a spot on the national marquee. Southern will host South Carolina State in a game broadcast on ESPN2 and played on Sunday, Sept. 3. It is unquestionably great exposure.

Now, the downside: The game — which, again, Southern is hosting — will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Exposure to the elements is the kind of exposure Southern is not particularly looking forward to.

CONTINUE READING

Dawson Odums says first-team offense impressed in Southern's final scrimmage of camp

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern’s third and final scrimmage of preseason camp Friday focused on situational football, and coach Dawson Odums came away satisfied with his team’s effort.

“I’m very pleased with where we are as a football team,” he said.

With senior quarterback Austin Howard back in the mix — Howard took part in just one play of last week’s scrimmage — the Jaguars' first-team offense ran smoothly, Odums said. Friday’s scrimmage was closed to reporters and the public.

Odums singled out Howard, running backs Herb Edwards, Devon Benn and Jamarqueza Mims and the first-team offensive line as having solid performances.

The scrimmage was heavily controlled, with an emphasis on simulating game-like conditions. The team practiced its two- and four-minute offenses and third-down situations, as well as punts and field goals.

Odums also wanted to use the scrimmage to pit some of the less experienced players against the first-team offensive and defensive units.

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Harris commits to Bethune-Cookman

SUFFOLK, Virginia -- Senior Lady Bulldog Camary Harris has decided where to play her college basketball.

Bethune-Cookman University will be getting a strong King’s Fork High School guard in Harris. This week, she decided she wanted to end her college recruitment and take her talents down to Dayton Beach, Fla., in the fall of 2018.

Harris was the starting point guard on an all-time historic King’s Fork girls’ basketball team. She orchestrated the offense and made plays for her teammates, which saw them playing for the 4A state championship back in March. What made Harris’ play so impressive last season was that she worked her way from an ACL injury. Because of her solid play at the point guard position, she started to spark the interest of NCAA Division I coaches. She was offered by both BCU and Hampton University and decided to roll with BCU.

“The reason I decided to go ahead and commit to BCU is because it was a very family oriented environment,” the senior Lady Bulldog said. “Everyone was really friendly and respectful to one another. The women’s basketball program is really good, and the coaching staff is wonderful.”

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UH hoops to open season vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii basketball team will open its 2017-18 season against a very familiar foe.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is the first official opponent on the Rainbow Warriors’ schedule Nov. 10, UH announced in revealing the order of its Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic opponents today. It is the second time in four years UH slotted the Golden Lions of the SWAC for its opener (2014-15), and in all it will be the sixth trip in eight years to Manoa for UAPB.

UH follows with games against North Dakota (Nov. 12) of the Big Sky and Troy (Nov. 13) of the Sun Belt in the round-robin tournament format. It hasn’t yet been announced if the last game of the tournament will be a late-night game in the ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon as in recent seasons.

Troy previously put out the field for the Rainbow Classic as part of its schedule but the order of opponents was unknown.

Pine Bluff went 7-25 last season, but North Dakota and Troy made the NCAA Tournament as 15 seeds. UH beat UAPB 64-44 last season and lost to Troy 65-63 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

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ASU, Tuskegee stars receive national preseason honors

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Head coaches Brian Jenkins and Willie Slater aren’t the only recognizable names competing in the rekindled Tuskegee-Alabama State rivalry game Sept. 2 at ASU Stadium.

Senior Sam Baptiste, Jonah McCutcheon and Osband Thompson made the Black College Football player of the year watch list and landed on the BOXTOROW preseason All-American team this week.

Baptiste earned first-team All-SWAC honors for the Hornets last season after helping clear run lanes for the conference’s top rushing attack led by 1,200-yard rusher Khalid Thomas. The 6-foot-4, 340-pound lineman out of Waycross, Georgia has the look of someone who could join another ASU lineman in the NFL.

The Oakland Raiders drafted Jylan Ware in the seventh round last April. Baptiste is on an early path to get that prized phone call next spring.

Right now, Baptiste and the ASU offense is preparing to find ways to move the ball on a Tuskegee defense led by Thompson and McCutcheon.

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Takeaways from Jackson State's final fall scrimmage

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Tony Hughes said Thursday that his Tigers aren’t anywhere close to being a finished product.

Jackson State held its third fall scrimmage on the campus of Germantown High School, and although Hughes liked the intensity and physicality he saw, he said he didn’t think his team was ready for the season opener against TCU in two weeks.

“We still have a lot of stuff to clean up,” Hughes said.

Here’s a few highlights and observations from that third scrimmage.

Backfield rising

Depth in the defensive backfield was the only real question mark on that side of the football coming into camp, and the Tigers have found some answers thanks to some young players.

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