Grambling State Announces 2018 Women’s Soccer Schedule

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University second-year head women's soccer coach Justin Wagar announced the 2018 schedule on Wednesday as the Lady Tigers will play eight games and will make a trip to the west coast.

"We're excited to play a challenging schedule this year that includes road games against three opponents who competed in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament last year," Wagar said. "We'll have three important holes to fill in our line-up from the 2017 season, but we're hopeful that a talented recruiting class will provide the depth and competition we need as a program to keep moving forward."

Grambling State is coming off one of the best seasons in school history. The Lady Tigers, under the direction of Wagar, went from a one-win season in 2016 to an 11-7-2 mark in 2017. Grambling State finished the regular season second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and nearly won a conference crown, falling short in a penalty-kick shootout to Alabama State in the title game.

The Lady Tigers kick off the 2018 campaign with four straight road games, with trips to Beaumont, Texas, Thibodaux, La., Moscow, Idaho and Cheney, Wash. Grambling State opens the year on Aug. 17 against a Lamar team that went 18-4-1 last season and was a national tournament qualifying team. Grambling State visits Nicholls State on Aug. 19, before heading west to meet Idaho (Aug. 24) and Eastern Washington (Aug. 26).

The Black and Gold have its 2018 home opener to wrap up the month of August against Southern Miss. (Aug. 31) and the Lady Tigers conclude the weekend on Sept. 2 at the GSU Soccer Complex against LSU Shreveport.

Grambling State remains in the state for its next six matches as the Lady Tigers make back-to-back short trips to Ruston, La. and Monroe, La. to take on Louisiana Tech (Sept. 6) and Louisiana-Monroe (Sept. 9). GSU follows those trips with four straight home games against North Dakota (Sept. 14), Texas A&M-Texarkana (Sept. 16), Alcorn State (Sept. 21) and Mississippi Valley State (Sept. 23).

The Lady Tigers take to the road for their next three games, with trips to Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, La., and Jackson, Miss. GSU meets Howard (Sept. 28) to open the three-game road swing, followed by matches at Southern (Oct. 5) and Jackson State (Oct. 7).

Grambling State wraps up its home campaign against Prairie View A&M (Oct. 12) for Parents Weekend and Texas Southern (Oct. 14) for Senior Day.

The Lady Tigers conclude their regular season slate at Alabama A&M (Oct. 19), Alabama State (Oct. 21) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Oct. 26).

The 2018 SWAC Women's Soccer Tournament begins Nov. 1, with the championship game to be played on Nov. 4.

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Golden Bulls recruit far and near for basketball roster upgrades

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith is recruiting backcourt help for the 2018-19 season.

The Golden Bulls, who advanced to the CIAA championship game last season, added five guards among eight signees as they look to replace CIAA player of the year Robert Davis and Christian Kirchman, last year’s assists leader. JCSU went for scorers in Ervin Bennett, a 6-2 guard who averaged 24.9 points and 6.0 rebounds a game as a senior at Anson Senior High and and Da’Quann Hamrick, who averaged 15 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals a game as a senior at East Rutherford High. Both are classified as redshirt freshmen.

Michael Roberson, a 6-1 guard from Indianapolis Central Christian, averaged 25 points and 5.8 rebounds per outing last season with the Chargers, who went 17-9. A team captain, Roberson also averaged 2.9 steals per game.

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Week 2: CFL Game Notes; 19 HBCU Players makes the grade

TORONTO — One week is all it takes to get down over a tough loss or excited about a season-opening win. But for the five teams yet to pick up a point, there’s plenty of season left to get things on track.

For the Ottawa REDBLACKS, specifically, there are at least 18 more games, starting on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Saskatchewan Roughriders come to town. The Thursday Night Football Concert Series continues with Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine performing at halftime at TD Place.

Friday Night Football features a double header. First, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium at 7 p.m. ET, where both teams will be looking for their first victory of the season. The second game features the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are completing their Alberta road trip against the Edmonton Eskimos who will be looking to start the season 2-0.

Saturday features a Grey Cup rematch from last season. The Calgary Stampeders will be looking to avenge their loss on that snowy Sunday in November when they travel to BMO Field to take on the Toronto Argonauts

Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET: Saskatchewan at Ottawa
Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET: Winnipeg at Montreal
Friday, 10:00 p.m. ET: Hamilton at Edmonton
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET: Calgary at Toronto

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CALGARY -- The final roster cut-down for the race for the 107th Grey Cup got off to a rough start for 18 HBCU players. Most were cut from CFL teams June 3 through June 19.  After the process was completed only 19 HBCU players remained on Week 2 rosters.  Those that made the grade are listed as follows by team and current status:

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
84 Arceneaux, Emmanuel SB I 6'2 210 30 Alcorn State
63 Olafioye, Jovan OL I 6'6 325 30 North Carolina Central
8 Young, Marcell DB I 6'0 190 30 Jackson State

1-GAME INJURED LIST
13 Elliott, Kevin WR I 6'3 213 29 Florida A&M

PRACTICE SQUAD
50 Norman, Phillip OL I 6'4 318 22 Bethune Cookman

EDMONTON ESKIMOS
None

CALGARY STAMPEDERS
6-GAME INJURED LIST
77 Peguese, Brandon DL I 6'1 245 30 Hampton

PRACTICE SQUAD
17 Brihm, Larry QB I 5'11 209 24 Bethune-Cookman

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
66 Bladek, Dariusz OL N 6'4 300 24 Bethune-Cookman
68 Coleman, Thaddeus OL I 6'8 320 32 Mississippi Valley State
9 Watford, David QB I 6'2 212 25 Hampton

6-GAME INJURED LIST
27 Francis, Kevin LB N 6'5 220 25 North Carolina A&T

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
None

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
12 Jones, Mike WR 6'0 181 25 Southern University

PRACTICE ROSTER
98 Trail, Lynden DL I 6'7 277 27 Norfolk State,

TORONTO ARGONAUTS
18 Tyms, Brian WR I 6'3 204 29 Florida A&M  Cut 6/19/18

OTTAWA REDBLACKS
95 Leonard, A.C. DL I 6'2 250 26 Tennessee State

MONTREAL ALOUETTES
2 Ellis, Dominique DB I 5'11 204 28 South Carolina State
31 Stanback, William RB I 6'0 233 23 Virginia Union

PRACTICE SQUAD
26 Moore, C.J. DB I 6'2 200 24 North Carolina Central

CFL TEAMS -- NUMBER OF HBCU PLAYERS - Total 19:(June 19, 2018)

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS - 5 
EDMONTON ESKIMOS - 0
CALGARY STAMPEDERS - 2
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS - 4
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS - 0
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS - 4
TORONTO ARGONAUTS - 0
OTTAWA REDBLACKS - 1
MONTREAL ALOUETTES - 3

CFL TEAMS -- NUMBER OF HBCU PLAYERS - Total 37:(June 3, 2018)

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS - 7 
EDMONTON ESKIMOS - 3
CALGARY STAMPEDERS - 2
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS - 8
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS - 3
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS - 2
TORONTO ARGONAUTS - 2
OTTAWA REDBLACKS - 2
MONTREAL ALOUETTES - 6

--beepbeep

Florida A&M Breaking Records Two Months Out From Kickoff

Bragg Memorial Stadium Getting Upgrade -- New AstroTurf Field

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For the Florida A&M football program, the excitement for the upcoming football season has been building ever since December when the University announced that Willie Simmons was coming home to coach the Rattlers.

Fans so excited that even though we're over two months out from kick-off, premium seats at Bragg are already sold out. The Investing in Champions Campaign? Set to hit over $1,000,000 dollars for the first time in school history.

"When Dr. Eason and I first talked about the job, both of our eyes kind of sparkled at the opportunity to come here and do something special," said Simmons. "This fan base, these alumni, this student body, they're waiting for FAMU to get back to the glory days and I think with the excitement we've been able to bring with the spring game turnout, with the various speaking engagements that we've had throughout the state of Florida. even up into Georgia, I can see a change in the mindset of Rattler Nation. This is an exciting time, and we want to make sure we continue to capitalize on it."

It's an exciting time for the Orange and Green and one look at the facilities will tell you that. There is new fencing around the practice field, the locker room has had work done, and now the latest project? Installing new AstroTurf inside Bragg.

Longtime assistant coach moves into head coach position for Southern University's women's basketball

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Longtime assistant coach Carlos Funchess will be the next head women's basketball coach at Southern University.

Funchess served the program as assistant coach for the past 13 seasons under outgoing head coach Sandy Pugh. During this time, Funchess has been described as "instrumental" to the women's basketball program's success. Since he began in Baton Rouge in 2005, he's guided the program to five SWAC regualr season and three SWAC Tournament titles.

He's worked primarily with post players such as All-SWAC performers Frederika Lewis, Freda Allen, Jasmine Jefferson and Briana Green.

Southern University is set to announce Funchess as the next head coach at a press conference at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Funchess himself has earned national recognition for his win at ESPN's 1991 College slam Dunk Contest following his senior season. He's also a former two-time All-Southland Conference performer and the 1991 co-Player of the Year at then-Northwest Louisiana University.

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Alabama A&M Announces Women's Soccer Schedule

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  – The Alabama A&M women's soccer program has announced its 2018 schedule.

Alabama A&M opens the season on Aug. 8 at South Alabama in an exhibition game, and the following week, on Aug. 13, the Bulldogs host Alabama-Huntsville in an exhibition game.

Alabama A&M opens its regular season on Aug. 18 at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and the Bulldogs play their regular-season home opener on Aug. 27 against South Carolina-Upstate. AAMU hosts Wofford on Aug. 31.

Alabama A&M opens SWAC play on Sept. 21 at Jackson State. The SWAC tournament, which is being held this season in Texas at Prairie View A&M, is scheduled to begin on Nov. 1.

Emanuel Stephens is heading into his second season as the Alabama A&M women's soccer coach. Stephens expects the Bulldogs, who were one of the SWAC's youngest teams in 2017, to improve on last season's 3-7 conference record and compete for a spot in the SWAC tournament.

AAMU 2018 WOMEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE
8/8/2018 University of South Alabama (Exhibition) Mobile, AL TBA 
8/13/2018 The University of Alabama in Huntsville (Exhibition) Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
8/17/2018 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN 3:00 PM (ET) 
8/19/2018 University of North Alabama Florence, AL 1:00 PM 
8/24/2018 Austin Peay University Clarksville, TN TBA
8/27/2018 University of South Carolina - Upstate Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
8/31/2018 Wofford College Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
9/7/2018 Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC TBA 
9/10/2018 The University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL 7:00 PM 
9/14/2018 South Carolina State University Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
9/21/2018 * Jackson State University Jackson, MS TBA 
9/23/2018 * Southern University Baton Rouge, LA TBA 
9/28/2018 * Alcorn State University Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
9/30/2018 * Mississippi Valley State Huntsville, AL 1:00 PM 
10/5/2018 * Texas Southern University Houston, TX TBA 
10/7/2018 * Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX TBA
10/12/2018 * Howard University TBA 
10/19/2018 * Grambling State University Huntsville, AL 4:00 PM 
10/21/2018 * University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff Huntsville, AL 1:00 PM 
10/26/2018 * Alabama State University Montgomery, AL TBA 

SWAC Tournament
11/1-5/2018 * SWAC Tournament Prairie View, TX TBA 

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

UAB, Monmouth Join MEAC For Women's Bowling

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today that the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) and Monmouth will join the conference as associate members for women’s bowling, effective for the 2018-19 season.

“I am excited to welcome UAB and Monmouth to the MEAC as associate members for women’s bowling,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. “To add two nationally-ranked bowling programs to our conference speaks highly to the level of competition in the MEAC, as well as our commitment to competing on a national level in the sport.”

UAB finished this past season No. 16 in the final National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Coaches Poll after going 60-41 and competing in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships. The Blazers were an independent in women’s bowling last season.

The Blazers’ first season in women’s bowling was 2011-12. Michelle Crews has been the head coach since the program’s inception.

“We are honored and excited to join the MEAC and want to thank Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas for this opportunity,” UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram said. “Having a conference affiliation will allow our program to compete nationally on a larger scale while vying for championships year in and year out. This is a fantastic partnership and the future is bright for UAB Bowling.”

Monmouth was 24th in the final 2017-18 NTCA Coaches Poll. The Hawks finished fourth in the Southland Bowling League Championships last season, ending the campaign with a 60-57 overall record.

“Monmouth is excited to join the MEAC as an associate member in the sport of bowling,” Monmouth University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil said. “This is a premier conference for women’s bowling and Monmouth eagerly anticipates some great competition and some new conference relationships.”

Three MEAC teams finished 2017-18 ranked in the NTCA poll; Delaware State was ranked seventh, Maryland Eastern Shore eighth, and defending MEAC champion North Carolina A&T State was 13th.

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU Head Football Coach Simmons scoring big with fundraising

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Willie Simmons is a skilled offensive tactician known for drawing up play to points on the board.

Six months on the job as Florida A&M's new football coach, he's proving to the masses he's just as skillful in scoring big off-the-field numbers.

In recent weeks, the early stages of the summer, the head coach has been barnstorming from Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale like a candidate running for office. Simmons has even crossed state lines, traveling up to Atlanta to interact with the school's largest alumni base outside of Florida.

His days and nights include speaking engagements and rubbing shoulders with Rattler fans to generate funds for the program.

According to the latest reports from the athletics department, FAMU's Investing in Champions campaign has yielded over $950,000.

The Investment in Champions package starts at $250. Fans making a purchase of $1,000 receive tickets to the Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman in Orlando along with season passes to men's and women's basketball games.

Additionally, premium seating at Bragg Memorial Stadium have sold out for the team's six home games. Individuals can still purchase Investment in Champions package. However, it will not include access to North End Zone Club, which seats 1,011.



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Two-time defending SWAC soccer champion releases schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Alabama State released the 2018 soccer schedule that features 10 home games and contests against two teams that compete in the NCAA Tournament a season ago.

Alabama State opens the season at home against Faulkner August 11 in an exhibition contest at the ASU Soccer Complex, before hitting the road for a pair of road games to start the season. The Lady Hornets will open the regular season against North Alabama in Florence (Ala.) August 17, before heading to Boiling Springs (N.C.) to face Gardner-Webb on August 19. The Lady Hornets will then play three of their next four games at home beginning August 24 against in-state foe Samford, before facing Presbyterian on the road in Clinton (S.C.) August 31.

Alabama State returns home for a pair of games against Sun Belt Conference foes South Alabama and Georgia State. The Lady Hornets face South Alabama, a tournament team from a season ago on September 2, before taking on Georgia State five days later on September 7. Alabama State finishes their non-conference portion of the schedule with two out of three games on the road, beginning with Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond (La.) on September 9. Following a four-day break, Alabama State returns to the ASU Soccer Complex for a contest against Mercer September 14, before facing Auburn - an NCAA Tournament team from last season - on the road September 16.

The Lady Hornets open conference play on the road September 21 against Southern, followed by Jackson State September 23. They return home to face Mississippi Valley State (September 28) and Alcorn State (September 30), before a three-game road swing that includes a trip to Texas to face Prairie View A&M (October 5) and Texas Southern (October 7). They conclude their conference road contests against Howard in our nation's capitol October 12, before returning home for a three-game homestand to conclude the regular season.

Alabama State faces UAPB (October 19) and Grambling State (October 21), before closing out the regular season against rival Alabama A&M October 25 at the ASU Soccer Complex.

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For complete coverage of Alabama State University women's soccer, follow us on social media at @BamaStateWSC (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instgram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

Alabama State releases 2018 volleyball schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State, winners of four of the last five Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) volleyball championships and the last two, released the 2018 schedule this afternoon.

The Lady Hornets, who set a school record with 28 victories last season and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, will play in four tournaments and host eight home matches this season. They will open the season with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta (Ga.) against North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central (August 24), before facing Gardner-Webb and South Carolina State (August 25). They will continue their road swing against at Georgia Tech against the host Yellow Jackets August 31, before facing Tulane and Wofford on September 1.

Alabama State will play their first home match of the season September 4 against in-state foe UAB, whom they beat on the road last season, before hitting the road for seven consecutive matches. They will head west to the Hampton Inn & Suites UNC Classic against Pacific and San Jose State on September 7, before facing host Northern Colorado September 8. They will continue their road swing at South Alabama on September 11, before heading south to play in the VolleyKnights Tournament and host Central Florida September 14. They will face Yale (September 14) and Florida Gulf Coast (September 15) to close out the preseason road schedule.

The Lady Hornets return home to face Troy on September 18 before opening conference play just three days later in the first of two SWAC Roundups hosted by Southern. The Lady Hornets face Prairie View A&M and Grambling State on September 21, before facing Southern and Texas Southern on September 22, and UAPB September 23. Prior to the second SWAC Roundup, the Lady Hornets will have six matches including a pair of non-conference matches against Alabama on the road (October 10) and Southern Miss at home (October 16).

The Lady Hornets will also face Mississippi Valley State (September 30) and Alcorn State (October 1) on the road, before returning home to face Alabama A&M (October 4) and Jackson State (October 8) in conference action.

Alabama State hits the road to Alabama A&M for the second SWAC Roundup to face Southern and Grambling State (October 19), Prairie View A&M and UAPB (October 20), and Texas Southern (October 21). They return home to face Mississippi Valley State (October 28) and Alcorn State (October 29), before hitting the road to face Alabama A&M (November 1) and Jackson State (November 5).

The Lady Hornets close out the regular season at home against Florida A&M November 7, before heading to the SWAC Championship Tournament hosted by Mississippi Valley State November 16-19 with an automatic berth on the line for the NCAA Tournament.

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For complete coverage of Alabama State University volleyball, follow us on social media at @BamaStateVB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instgram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

GCAC champion Gold Nuggets sign six more

NEW ORLEANS -- — Xavier University of Louisiana has signed six more student-athletes to its women's track and field program.

Joining coach Joseph Moses's Gold Nuggets as freshmen for the 2018-19 school year will be:

• Mariah Cox, a distance runner from Corona, Calif., and Chino Hills High School. She will be a neuroscience major at XULA.
• Bryanna Lucas, a distance runner from Louisville, Ky., and Central High School. She will major in exercise science.
• Raven Riley, a hurdler and high jumper from New Orleans and Lusher Charter School. She will be a biology/pre-medical major.
• Clarke Taylor, a sprinter from San Diego, Calif., and Scripps Ranch High School. She will be a biology/pre-medical major.
• Alexis Williams, a sprinter from Luling, La., and Hahnville High School. She will be a dual-degree engineering major with concentration on biology and biomedical.
• Hannah Young, a sprinter, hurdler and triple jumper from Plaquemine, La., and The Church Academy in Baton Rouge. She will be a biology/pre-medical major.

Cox was all-league in cross country and soccer and has PRs of 19 minutes, 36 seconds for three miles, 20:30 for 5,000 meters and 12:49 for two miles. As a junior she tied the Chino Hills school record by high-jumping five feet.

Lucas finished third in the Kentucky Class AAA state meet in the 800 this year and was state runner-up as a freshman. Her PR of 2:14.69 is a school record.

Riley finished in the top three at the LHSAA 3A state outdoor meet in the 300 hurdles for four straight seasons, including a third this year with a PR and school record of 44.97. She was a member of three state-champion relay teams during her career. Other PRs include 16.06 in the 100 hurdles and 12.71 in the 100. Her older sister is Ry-Anne Riley, an NAIA All-American in the 1,600 relay as a freshman in 2017.

Taylor was a member of Scripps Ranch 400 relay teams that broke the school record each of the past two seasons. She was a state-meet qualifier as a junior, and she qualified for the CIF San Diego Finals as a junior and senior in the 400 relay, 100 and 200. Her PRs are 12.34 in the 100 and 25.68 in the 200.

Williams placed fourth in the 400 at the LHSAA 5A state meet each of the past two seasons. She also helped Hahnville finish second at state in the 1,600 relay this year. Williams won four meet MVP awards as a senior. She was a regional runner-up in the 400 as a junior, and her PR at that distance is 57.13.

Young was a five-year standout in track and volleyball at The Church Academy, formerly known as Christian Life. As a senior she was third in the 100 hurdles, fourth in the triple jump, fifth in the 200 and sixth in the 200 at the LHSAA 2A state meet. Her PRs include 15.80 in the 100 hurdles and 12.45 in the 100.

Cox and Lucas also will compete for XULA cross country. Lucas, however, will not enroll at XULA until January because of a commitment to the U.S. Navy Reserve.

The Gold Nuggets have seven newcomers for next season. Sprinter Ariel Ford of Mansfield, Texas, and Lake Ridge High School was a November signee.

The XULA women won five of the last six GCAC outdoor track team championships, including 2017 and 2018. They won the last 11 GCAC team championships in cross country.

2018-19 XULA women's track and field signees

Name Events Ht. Yr.* Hometown High School

1. Mariah Cox Distance 5-10 Fr. Corona, Calif. Chino Hills
2. Ariel Ford Sprints 5-5 Fr. Mansfield, Texas Lake Ridge
3. Bryanna Lucas Distance 5-2 Fr. Louisville, Ky. Central
4. Raven Riley Hurdles, High Jump 5-7 Fr. New Orleans, La. Lusher Charter
5. Clarke Taylor Sprints 5-3 Fr. San Diego, Calif. Scripps Ranch
6. Alexis Williams Sprints 5-8 Fr. Luling, La. Hahnville
7. Hannah Young Sprints, Hurdles, Triple Jump 5-5 Fr. Plaquemine, La. The Church Academy

* athletic classification at XULA in 2018-19

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Trelanne Moore-Powell Named New Women's Basketball Coach at Tuskegee University

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Tuskegee University Director of Athletics, Willie Slater has announced the hire of Trelanne Powell as the school's new women's basketball head coach. She will officially be introduced at a media press conference Wednesday morning on campus inside Logan Hall.

"We are thrilled that Coach Powell has accepted our offer to become the new women's basketball head coach at Tuskegee," TU director of athletics Willie Slater said. "She had tremendous success as an assistant at Mercer University, where she was able to help them win their league three straight years in a very difficult Southern Conference. Her experience coaching in the NCAA Tournament along with a proven track record as an outstanding recruiter also made this a homerun hire.

"Tuskegee University has a storied history of athletic prowess, and I am excited to build on that tradition, "Powell stated. "I am honored to be the head coach of the TU women's basketball program. I am grateful to Interim President Dr. Charlotte Morris athletic director Willie Slater and staff for the opportunity to work for such a prestigious university. I look forward to working with the team, building relationships within the community and constructing a culture of success."

Powell comes to Tuskegee after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Mercer University, where she helped lead the team to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Regular Season and Tournament crowns posting a (24-9,12-2) record. She also apart of assisting the Bears win the 2016-17 and 2015-16 Regular Season Championships.

Before her time at Mercer, she was the head assistant coach at Francis Marion University, a Division II school in Florence, S.C. While at Francis Marion, Moore's duties included player development, recruiting, serving as an academic liaison, film coordination and public relations.

Prior to her time at Francis Marion, Moore spent three years as the head coach at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Ala., where she was named the 2013-14 ACCC Southern Conference Coach of the Year. She guided the Chattahoochee Valley to a 2014 ACCC Southern Conference Championship after a second place finish in 2013 and a third place finish in 2012. Additionally, she recruited and guided the development of 2014 ACCC Southern Conference Player of the Year, Braxtyn Talton.

From 2009-2011, Moore served as an assistant coach at Chattahoochee Valley, helping CVCC claim the ACCC Southern Conference regular season title in 2011 after a fourth place finish in 2010. She also recruited Shan Basley, the 2011 NJCAA Honorable Mention/Southern Conference Player of the Year.

A Macon native, Powell played collegiately at Hiawasee Community College from 2000-2002 and Columbus State from 2002-2004. She also played at the professional and semi-professional levels for four seasons. Additionally, Moore was a graduate assistant coach at Columbus State for the 2007-2008 season, helping the Cougars to a 17-12 record.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Countdown to Kickoff: Texas Southern looks for improvement in 2018

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern rolls into San Marcos on Sept. 8 for the Bobcats’ home opener.

The Tigers, who play in the SWAC, are coming off a 2-9 2017 campaign. TSU has had 17 straight losing seasons.

The Tigers’ offense struggled in 2017. Texas Southern only scored 17.5 points per game, threw for a total of 1,443 yards and ran for total of 1,265 yards. The Tigers ranked No. 112 out of 123 FCS schools in passing offense averaging 138.4 yards per game.

Texas Southern will turn to either Elijah Odom, Jay Christophe or Glen Cuiellette at quarterback in 2018. Odom and Christophe saw action for the Tigers in 2017. Christophe played in three games and threw for 411 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Odom played in five games and threw two touchdowns on 365 yards. Texas Southern will have to find new threats in the passing game with only one of its top three receivers returning. Malik Webb caught 16 passes for 264 yards. But he didn’t haul in a touchdown pass in 2017.

In the running game, TSU ranked No. 86 in FCS with 124.5 yards per game. Then-junior Brad Woodard led the Tigers with 497 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.

Overall, the offense finished ranked No. 115 in FCS averaging 262.9 yards per game.

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Ted Cruz Defeats Jimmy Kimmel in 'Blobfish' Charity Basketball Game at Texas Southern University

HOUSTON, Texas -- In a highly-anticipated showdown dubbed the “Blobfish Basketball Classic,” Texas Senator Ted Cruz defeated late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel in a charity game Saturday.

Though the match was supposed to end at 15 points, they agreed to call it quits early during the tiring two-hour one-on-one game at Texas Southern University. Cruz came out on top at 11-9 in the match described by the Houston Chronicle as “a slow-motion car-crash of half-court basketball.”

“We apologize to the game of basketball,” Kimmel said on behalf of both players.

The match was inspired by a comment Kimmel made during one of his late night monologues, in which he joked that Cruz looked “like a blobfish.” Cruz followed by challenging Kimmel to a one-on-one match.

The beneficiaries of the face-off were Houston-based charities Texas Children’s Hospital and Generation One.



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CFL Week 1 Highlights; HBCU Player Cuts and Additions

On the final cut to get to roster limits, the following players were deleted or added to CFL rosters:

CFL TRANSACTIONS: HBCU PLAYERS

ADDITIONS 6/11/18
BC ADD  INT Philip NORMAN (OL)    Bethune-Cookman  6/11/18
CAL ADD  INT Larry BRIHM (QB)    Bethune-Cookman

CUTS 6/10/18
MTL DEL  INT Marcel CAVER (WR)   Winston-Salem State  
MTL DEL  INT CJ MOORE (DB)    North Carolina Central 
MTL DEL  INT Anthony MORRIS (OL)    Tennessee State  
HAM DEL  INT Chris HUBERT (WR)    Fayetteville State   
MTL DEL  INT Frederick HENRY-AJUDUA (LB)    North Carolina Central  
HAM DEL  INT Willie QUINN (WR)    Southern
HAM DEL  INT Lynden TRAIL (DL)    Norfolk State
WPG DEL  NAT Abubakar CONTEH  (DB)    Grambling State
WPG DEL  INT Brian WALKER (DB)    Fayetteville State
SSK DEL  INT Timothy GARDNER (OL)    Alcorn State
SSK DEL  INT Rudy JOHNSON (DB)    Winston-Salem State
SSK DEL  INT Arthur MILEY (DL)    Southern
BC DEL  INT Jac’Que POLITE (OL)    Winston-Salem State

INJURED RESERVE
SSK TRF TO INJURED NAT Kevin FRANCIS (DB) North Carolina A&T – to Aug-01^^ (20-Jul)

Hampton University AD oversees an eventful year

HAMPTON, Virgina -- College athletic directors, at least those in a mid-level conference, are rarely as visible as the coaches they hire.

Eugene Marshall, on the other hand, was front and center as Hampton University had a busy year in the headlines.

It started last November when the Pirates announced that, after 22 years, they were leaving the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the Big South. That led to plenty of conversation, some accusing HU of ignoring its HBCU heritage.

Three weeks later, Marshall hired a new football coach — former East Carolina defensive coordinator Robert Prunty, whose résumé included time as a Power Five conference assistant. Then, in May, Marshall announced Hampton had signed a five-year deal with Under Armour.

A new conference, a new football coach and new head-to-toe apparel provider. All in a 24-week span, and all under Eugene Marshall’s watch.

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B.C. Lions DB Marcell Young (Jackson State) takes out streaking fan with big hit

VANCOVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- On Saturday, the BC Lions took on the Montreal Alouettes in their CFL season opener, earning a 22-10 victory.

However, one of the most-exciting moments in the game took place during a break in the action, when a fan made his way onto the field.

As you can see in the video below, BC Lions DB Marcell Young, a former Jackson State Tigers player, was not amused.  He delivers quite a forearm shiver to the streaking fan, ending the chase for security officers.

Hit of the night and reason not to streak or possibly drink at a BC Lions game! pic.twitter.com/vtnNx8sGWm

— Jaden S (@Jadenfootball21) June 17, 2018

Young had four tackles during the actual game as well, but none was met with the sort of fanfare and applause as this big-time takedown of a trespasser.

The Jackson native is in his 8th season in the CFL. Young won a Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015. He has 203 career tackles and 3 interceptions.



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Eason talks present, future of FAMU athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University has undergone wholesale changes within high-ranking positions of leadership in recent times.

Among the major transitions of power include a university president (Dr. Larry Robinson) along with hiring an athletics director (Dr. John Eason) and football head coach (Willie Simmons).

Eason stepped into his role on Dec. 1 and was presented with the daunting task of re-establishing the program's credibility with fans, their peers in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the NCAA.

His first significant move took place on Dec. 12 with the selection of Simmons to lead the football team.

Throughout Eason's brief tenure, the Ocala native and former tight end who played under Jake Gaither in the late 1960s, has been busy sowing seeds with the vision of a fruitful harvest for FAMU.

These plans encompass increased revenue, upgraded facilities, soaring attendance figures and championship plaques to decorate the trophy case inside his office.

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Tougaloo's Coleman is GCAC''s Top Dog

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Every dog gets his day, and today belongs to Tougaloo Bulldogs Director of Athletics Dr. James Coleman.


The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference today announced the selection of Dr. Coleman as 2018 GCAC Athletics Director of the Year. Coleman, who is in his 41st year and third tour of duty as Tougaloo's Director of Athletics, received 42.9% of the vote from a panel of the GCAC's athletics directors. Xavier University of Louisiana Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn, who was the 2017 GCAC Athletic Director of the Year, nearly repeated, receiving 28.6% of the total vote. Edward Waters (Fla.) College's Stanley Cromartie and Talladega (Ala.) College's Kevin Herod each received 14.3% of the vote.

Coleman, a native of Jackson, Miss., is a graduate of Tougaloo College. He earned a Master of Education from Tennessee State University and a doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi. Coleman has a long tenure in athletics, having previously served as head basketball coach and intramural director at Tougaloo College. He has also worked in professional sports with the Harlem Magicians.

Coleman is also active in the athletics community, both locally and nationally. He serves on the National Association of Intercollegiate Coaches, Mississippi Alliances for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, National Collegiate Association for Director of Athletics, and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Coleman thanked his peers for selecting him for the honor.

"I am totally overwhelmed," said Coleman. "To be respected by my peers to have faith and trust in me to lead Tougaloo Athletics to the top and to be selected Athletics Director of the Year is absolutely amazing. I am very honored to receive such recognition."

GCAC Commissioner Steve Martin also acknowledged Coleman's long history at Tougaloo and service to the GCAC in awarding the honor.

"Dr. Coleman has long been a champion for the GCAC," said Martin. "His leadership and advocacy for the conference, as well as his passion for Tougaloo College are unparalleled, and he is highly deserving of this recognition."

As the conference's winner, Coleman will now represent the GCAC in the national voting for NAIA Athletics Director of the Year. The NAIA AD of the Year winner will be annouced on National Awards Day in September.

EWC Henry Smith Named Inaugural GCAC SID Of The Year

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Notch another one up for the Tigers. Topping off a banner year for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based athletic program, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference today announced Edward Waters (Fla.) College Sports Information Director Henry Smith as the recipient of the 2018 GCAC Sports Information Director of the Year award. The distinction is awarded annually to the GCAC's most outstanding SID for accomplishment in the areas of athletic communication, sports information, promotion and service to the GCAC.

In his 18th year at Edward Waters as sports information director and director of gameday operations, Smith is the first sports information director to receive the SID of the Year distinction. At Edward Waters, Smith also oversees sport information, marketing and operations for the athletics division.

A native of Jacksonville and a graduate of William M. Raines High School, Smith has been an active member of the NAIA-SIDA, working as a presenter and table topics panelist at the National Association of College Marketing, and has served as the Coordinator for the NAIA Division I South Region as a Poll Rater. Smith was inducted into the Robert "Bullet Bob" Hayes Invitational Hall of Fame for outstanding community service.

Over the past year, Smith has overseen a complete overhaul of the Tigers' brand identity, revamping the athletic department's Web site and logo, strengthening the program's social media presence, and incorporating video content into the Tigers' overall sports information strategy.

GCAC Commissioner Steve Martin praised Smith's selection as GCAC SID of the Year.

"I'm pleased to announce Edward Waters' Henry Smith as the GCAC's first ever SID of the Year," said Martin. "Henry's hard work, vision and leadership in leading the sports information arm of Edward Waters has been transformative for the Tiger Nation. I'm excited to see what's next for Smith, Assistant SID Joshua Jackson, and for the Tiger Nation as they continue to enhance the Tiger brand."

Smith was voted the 2018 winner by a panel of the conference's sports information directors. He received 50% of the vote. Xavier University of Louisiana's Associate Athletics Director for Communications Edward Cassiere was second in the voting, with 33% of the vote. Tougaloo (Miss.) College's was third in the voting with 16.7% of the vote. Smith thanked his fellow sports information directors in accepting the distinction.

"Words can't begin to describe the feeling of gratitude I have toward my fellow SIDs on being honored as the GCAC SID of the Year," said Smith. "We've come a long way in athletics here at Edward Waters, and we will continue to tell the stories of our student-athletes and continue to promote our program in the best and most innovative ways possible."

As the conference's winner, Smith will now represent the GCAC in the national voting for NAIA SID of the Year. The NAIA SID of the Year winner will be annouced on National Awards Day in September.

Follow the Tigers
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