No. 1 recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux took a visit to a school in Tallahassee...FAMU, that is

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2019, took a significant visit over the weekend in Tallahassee. Thibodeaux spent the day at FAMU Saturday, one of the most notable HBCU’s in the country, located just miles from FSU’s campus. He essentially took a day trip to FAMU, flying into Tallahassee on Friday night to attend FSU’s “Saturday Night Lights” camp.

kayvon thibodeaux

✔@kayvonT8

I’m loving #FAMU i might have to rebook my flight and stay a couple more days

2:31 PM - Jul 28, 2018 · Tallahassee, FL

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kayvon thibodeaux

✔@kayvonT8

I had an unbelievable time at #FAMU , special thanks to the Admins, SBI, student-body, & Football staff and especially @HCWillieSimmons for inviting me down. #MoreThanAnAthlete #HBCU

10:46 AM - Jul 29, 2018 · Tallahassee, FL

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TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Bragg Memorial Stadium is coming along nicely. Check out this video by Gerald Tookes Aerial Productions,  Read more at FAMU ATHLETICS.COM.

COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling State places SWAC-high 15 on preseason team

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama| The Grambling State University football team placed a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) high 15 players on the preseason team, including 10 on the first team, as the conference announced the honors during Media Day on Friday morning at the Birmingham Marriott. 

All conference honors were selected by the 10-member institution head coaches and the sports information directors.

The Tigers landed 15 on the All-SWAC Preseason teams as De'Arius Christmas was selected the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Grambling State, which went 11-2 last season and fell just short in the Celebration Bowl, was voted to win the West Division.

The Tigers received 96 points to earn the top spot in the SWAC West Division. Southern (78), Prairie View A&M (65), Texas Southern (31) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (30) rounded out the division. In the East, Alcorn State was chosen to repeat with 95 points. Alabama State (72), Jackson State (55), Alabama A&M (51) and Mississippi Valley State (27) rounded out the East Division.

Joining Christmas on the All-SWAC Preseason First Team was Darrell Clark (WR), Jordan Jones (TE), William Waddell (OL), Kyle Davis (OL), Linwood Banks (DL), La'Allan Clark (DL), Brandon Varner (DL), Percy Cargo (DB) and Marc Orozco (K). Quintin Guice (WR), Anfernee Mullins (DL), De'Andre Hogues (LB), Malcolm Williams (LB) and Dedrick Shy (DB) were named to the All-SWAC Preseason Second Team.

Christmas, who was selected to the Street and Smith All-American team last month, earned several accolades in helping the Tigers to a back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship last season. The Vicksburg, Miss. native was a STATS FCS All-American Third team honoree, a BOXTOROW All-American, SBN All-American and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Last year, he led the Tigers defensively with 88 tackles, including 48 solo stops. He has 17.5 tackles for a loss of 61 yards and five sacks for a loss of 31 yards. Also, he has added five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
 
Darrell Clark, who was named to the All-SWAC Second Team last season as a wide receiver, led the Tigers with 44 catches for 528 yards and scored five touchdowns. He averaged 40.6 yards per game and 12.0 yards per catch.
 
Jones, who will make the move from tight end to running back this season, earned All-SWAC Second Team honors last season. He caught 17 passes for 316 yards and added five touchdowns, with his longest being a 59-yard score against Texas Southern. He averaged 24.3 yards per game and 18.6 yards per catch.
 
Waddell, an All-SWAC First-Team selection, BOXTOROW All-American Second Team honoree and HERO Sports Sophomore All-American last season, had an 85-percent grade in all 13 games. He had 28 pancakes and 23 knock downs, with no sacks. 
 
Davis played in 11 games on the offensive line and was part of an offense that averaged a SWAC-best 31.2 points a game and 367.3 yards per game.
 
Banks, who earned All-SWAC Second-Team honors last year, tallied 24 tackles, including 15 solo stops. He recorded 7.5 sacks for loss of 28 yards, along with three quarterback hurries.
 
La'Allan Clark, who finished ranked 32nd in the nation in sacks, received All-SWAC First-Team honors last year. He registered 30 tackles, including 11 solo stops, including a team-high 11.5 sacks for a loss of 62 yards. Clark added a team-high 10 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
 
Varner, who was named to the All-SWAC First Team last season, recorded 26 tackles, with 17 coming as solo stops. He added six sacks for a loss of 21 yards, and registered two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He finished with one forced fumble, which helped the Tigers seal a 31-20 victory over Southern in the 44th Annual Bayou Classic.
 
Orozco, who earned All-SWAC First Team honors, BOXTOROW All-American Team and STATS FCS All-American, has been very consistent for the Tigers all season as he was 48-of-49 in extra points and registered 102 points. He was 18-of-22 on field goals, including booting a career-high 48-yarder in the SWAC Championship win over Alcorn State.
 
Cargo played in all 13 games as a defensive back and registered 54 tackles, including 37 solo stops. Also, Cargo tallied 3.5 tackles for a loss of 17 yards and finished with three pass deflections and one fumble recovery. He garnered one sack for a loss of 11 yards. The Donaldsonville, La. native earned the 2017 United States Marine Corps Excellence in Leadership Award winner and was selected to the 20th Annual FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team.
 
Guice appeared in all 13 games at wide receiver where he caught 26 passes for 357 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 27.5 yards per game and 13.7 yards per catch.
 
Mullins played in the final eight games of the 2017 season on the defensive line. The Mississippi State transfer registered 27 tackles, including 13 solo stops and tallied 8.0 tackles for a loss of 41 yards. He finished with seven sacks for a loss of 23 yards and added three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection.
 
Hogues appeared in all 13 games at linebacker where he finished with 57 tackles, including 26 solo stops. He tallied 12.0 tackles for a loss of 60 yards and added three pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery. The Mobile, Ala. native recorded eight sacks, with five coming as solos for a loss of 44 yards. In addition, Hogues was named the Defensive MVP of the 2017 SWAC Championship Game.
 
Williams appeared in 11 games at linebacker as he garnered 49 tackles, including 20 solo stops. He registered 4.5 tackles for a loss of 33 yards and added four sacks for a loss of 28 yards, with one quarterback hurry.
 
Shy played in 12 games at defensive back and registered 13 tackles, including nine solo stops. He tallied four pass deflections with two interceptions and one score.
 
Grambling State opens the 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Lafayette, La. against Louisiana. Kickoff from Cajun Field is set for 6 p.m.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

Embracing its heritage, HU is proud to join the Big South Conference

HAMPTON, Virginia -- William Harvey will always be proud of Hampton University’s standing as a historically black institution.

Founders established the school three years after the Civil War to educate former slaves and train teachers. Booker T. Washington studied there. Rosa Parks worked there.

But Harvey, HU’s president since 1978, is equally proud of the university’s Proton Therapy Institute, which treats cancer patients, and its 13-story Harbour Centre building that includes a $5 million weather antenna.

“The fact that we’re an HBCU is wonderful,” Harvey said. “But we happen to be an HBCU that’s one of the best modest-sized institutions in the entire country.”



Harvey has never backed away from taking a bold step. And that has extended to athletics.

In what generated some controversy in the HBCU world, Hampton announced in December it would join the Big South Conference after 23 years in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which is comprised entirely of HBCUs. The move became official on July 1.

In the Big South, Hampton is the only institution that is not predominantly white. It is also one of two HBCUs in Division I that does not belong to either the MEAC or Southwestern Athletic Conference. Tennessee State, in the Ohio Valley Conference, is the other.

“We’re always going to be an HBCU,” HU athletic director Eugene Marshall said. “That goes without saying. But we wanted to be in the cutting edge of where conference realignment is.”

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Seven Morgan Bears Named to 2018 Preseason All-MEAC Teams

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Seven (7) Morgan State football players were named today to the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. The announcement was made at the MEAC Football Luncheon at the Hilton Norfolk The Main.



Senior defensive lineman Malachi Washington and junior linebacker Rico Kennedy were first-team selections.
 
Senior offensive linemen Joshua Miles and Matthew Thompson were third-team picks, along with junior wideout Manasseh Bailey, junior linebacker Ian McBorrough, and senior defensive back Carl Garnes.
 
The seven preseason All-MEAC performers are part of a group of 37 lettermen and 16 starters returning for the 2018 Morgan State football season.
 
The Bears, under the direction of interim head coach Ernest T. Jones are predicted to finish ninth in the MEAC standings, according to the poll of the conference head coaches and sports information directors.
 
North Carolina A&T quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while North Carolina Central defensive back Davanta Reynolds was picked preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
North Carolina A&T received the first place ranking in the conference's preseason poll for the 2018 MEAC football season.
 
Listed below are the 2018 MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish. For Preseason All-MEAC teams, click here:
 
2018 PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. North Carolina A&T
2. Howard
3. N.C. Central
4. Bethune-Cookman
5. Florida A&M
6. Norfolk State
7. S.C. State
8. Savannah State
9. Morgan State
10. Delaware State
 
About Morgan
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of high education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

Philander Smith Lady Panthers Earn 2017-18 NAIA Scholar-Team Recognition

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Philander Smith College Women's Basketball team has made national recognition with the "2017-18 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Scholar-Teams." The Lady Panthers earned a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.11.  Philander Smith Women's Basketball and Xavier University of Louisiana Women's Cross Country teams were the only two Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) teams to earn recognition.

The Lady Panthers had six student-athletes on The GCAC Commissioner's Honor Roll this past May. The Women's Basketball team also recorded the highest GPA in the Athletic Department for 2017-18. Head Coach Brandon Greenwood stated, "I am extremely proud of my women's team. Our team motto has always been: It's bigger than basketball." Greenwood continued, "I truly believe in that motto and that is why I push my team on and off the court."

Athletic Director, Nathan Cochran, said, "I am very excited about our Women's Basketball team earning this recognition. I cannot say enough about their hard work and the work of Coach Greenwood"

You can see the complete list of schools by clicking the following link:

2017-18 NAIA Scholar-Teams (PDFs) Sorted by Institution | Sorted by Sport 

For complete coverage of Philander Smith College Athletics, please follow @PSCAthletics1 on Twitter and Philander Athletics on Facebook. You can also find up-to-date information on all things Philander Smith Athletics at www.philanderathletics.com.

Langston's TeNeisha McKinney Selected as Vice President for ACAA

LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- The NAIA unveiled the Athletics Compliance Administrators Association (ACAA) with Langston University Assistant Athletic Director and Compliance Administrator TeNeisha McKinney being named Vice President of the organization.

The ACAA will assist with the professional development of athletics compliance administrators. In addition to McKinney, Georgia Gwinnett's Dr. Ian Potter will serve as the ACAA Chair and Vanguard's Mike Teague was selected as secretary.

"Our goal is to simplify the compliance process for our fellow compliance administrators which will in turn help our student athletes at every institution," McKinney noted. "We're here to serve our student athletes, first and foremost, so anything we're able to do to help with process is a win-win for the NAIA. I think it's extremely important that we display the change we want to see."

An ACAA webpage is currently under development and will be shared once complete. Please contact any of the officers if you have questions.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Four Panthers Named Preseason All-Conference During SIAC Football Media Day; Ramsey Looking Forward to New Season

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Clark Atlanta University head football coach Kevin Ramsey was full of smiles as he talked to reporters at this week's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Media Day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Ramsey's optimism permeates a Panther football program that will feature new additions to the squad, to his staff, and even to Panther Stadium.

"My message to fans is this: we have some outstanding football," Ramsey said. "Our product is going to be a product worthy of seeing. We want to get into the playoffs and make some noise. Above all to the fans, I want them to remember this is the year of the Panther."

The conference announced Tuesday that four Panthers – defensive back Quantavious Singletary, kicker Carlos Saldana, offensive lineman Jah-Mai Davidson, and wide receiver Johnathan Sanders – were all named to the Preseason All-SIAC team.

And though the Panthers finished 4-6 last season and were picked by SIAC coaches and sports information directors to finish fifth in the SIAC East this year, particularly with some key graduation losses on offense and defense, Ramsey points to a solid group returning and his new additions as a reason for his optimism.

The offense will be led new offensive coordinator Willie "Satellite" Totten. Totten, the legendary Mississippi Valley State quarterback who's main target was NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, is himself a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

He now is a veteran offensive coordinator and former head coach who promises a faster tempo on offense for CAU.

"I'm excited," Totten said. "I like the way the guys embraced the offense during the Spring," Totten said. "We did do some exciting things to bring a different tempo, no huddle offense to Clark Atlanta, and I think the guys embraced that very well."

Charles Stafford and P.J. Sanford are the top candidates to replace Johnathan McCrary at quarterback. They will have Sanders, one of the SIAC's top receivers last season, to throw to, as well as Josh Banks who is returning from injury.

On defense, the Panthers also suffered some key graduation losses, but return Singletary, defensive back Kenneth Morgan, and defensive linemen Xavier Lewis and De'Angelo Penn among others.

"It starts on the defensive side of the ball," Ramsey said. "We lost some kids. We lost a couple of linebackers. In this league, you have to be ready in all three phases of the game – special teams, offense and defense. I thought this spring was a good boost for our defense with guys flying around."

Another addition every one at CAU is excited about is a state-of-the-art video board at Panther Stadium that will significantly increase the fan experience on Saturdays.

"That's a good thing, as long as we get that thing lit up and then have a goose egg on the other side," Ramsey quipped. "Our president, Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, and athletic director J Lin Dawson did a good job in getting that video board out there. And it's sitting there facing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, so hopefully we get more fan in the stands supporting these guys. It's just another example of how great our university supports our student-athletes."

The Panthers report for fall practice in early August and begin preparations for the season-opener at Mississippi College on Aug. 30. After a trip the next week to Central State, the Panthers then open the home season against Tuskegee on Sept. 15.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five Savannah State Tigers Named to Preseason All-MEAC Team

NORFOLK, Virginia --  Five Savannah State football players have been named to the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason All Conference Team which was released during the annual Football Press Luncheon which was held at the Hilton Norfolk The Main hotel.

All votes were submitted by the MEAC's ten head football coaches and sports information contacts.

Senior defensive lineman Stefen Banks was named to the First Team Defense; junior place kicker Giovanni Lugo was named to the Second Team Special Teams; senior tight end Paris Baker was named to the Third Team Offense; Brandon Carswell, a senior defensive lineman, was named to the Third Team Defense; and sophomore return specialist JaMichael Baldwin was named to the Third Team Special Teams.

Banks, a 2017 BOXTOROW All-American, finished last season with 71 tackles, 18 tackles for losses, 10 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and seven quarterback hurries. The Columbus, Ohio native led the MEAC in sacks and was second in tackles for losses.

Lugo made 26 of 27 extra point attempts last year and kicked eight field goals with a long of 43 yards. He also punted 29 times for an average of 40.1 yards per punt and had a long of 66 yards. Lugo is from Belle Glade, Florida.

Savannah, Ga. native Baker caught seven passes for 203 yards and a score last season.

Carswell, who hails from Mount Vernon, Georgia, had 34 tackles, nine tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one quarterback hurry.

Baldwin returned 30 kickoffs for 664 yards and a touchdown and averaged 22.1 yards per return. The Conyers, Ga. native also returned 15 punts for 202 yards and averaged 13.5 yards per return. He was second in the MEAC in kickoff returns.

Last season Banks made the All-MEAC First Team Defense while Carswelland Baldwin both made the All-MEAC Third Team Defense.

North Carolina A&T State quarterback Lamar Raynard was selected as the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while North Carolina Central defensive back Davanta Reynolds was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Savannah State was picked to finish eighth in the conference preseason poll.

North Carolina A&T State was picked to defend its MEAC Football Championship as the Aggies topped the league's annual preseason poll.

Howard was predicted to place second followed by North Carolina Central in third place and Bethune-Cookman in fourth. Florida A&M was picked fifth followed by Norfolk State, South Carolina State, SSU, Morgan State and Delaware State.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Can S.C. State Surprise In 2018?

The legacies of the 2018 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame inductees: Tougaloo College Coach Lafayette Stribling

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- All but one of the six inductees into this year's Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame shaped their legacy through coaching.

Former Murrah High basketball coach, Anna Jackson, led her girls teams to nine class 5A state championships. Not only is that a state record, but her team won all nine.

She said being inducted felt winning the first state title.

"I had to exhale, first," said Jackson. "And then I wanted to celebrate like I did when I won the first state championship with a big yay."



Former Ole Miss track and field coach Joe Walker, Jr. joins Jackson in this class.

"A lot of us are coaches," Walker said. "I always believed coaches made a difference in people's lives, so that's why we're all here because evidently we had some impact and did some things good that way."

Before Walker won at Ole Miss and Florida, he coached championship teams at Mississippi College where he mentored Larry Myricks, an Olympic medalist and Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer.

Joining Walker and Jackson is Lafayette Stribling.

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Panthers Open Training Camp Presented By Texas Farm Bureau Insurance

Click To Watch Comments From Head Coach Eric Dooley

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University Football Training Camp presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance opened Friday morning at Panther Stadium.

Coverage of Panthers Training Camp on pvpanthers.com is sponsored by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Texas Farm Bureau Members get free tickets to Panther home athletics contests by showing proof of membership at the PVAMU Ticket Office. Panther Nation can visit the local Texas Farm Bureau Agent in Waller to become a member today.

With a major focus on individual skills, first-year head coach Eric Dooley took his team through the first fall practice, with the season opener Saturday August 25 at Rice at 6 p.m.

"It's going to always be tough out here because of the expectations," Dooley said. "We have high expectations, and that's the way it should be. I'm pretty sure some guys did some great things and we'll get a chance to take a look at it once we watch the video."

There was marked level of increased intensity from the first spring under Dooley to today's practice session.

"I thought the intensity was turned up a lot," Dooley said. "I thought the guys tried to fly around but we kind of surprised them with some things we did at the beginning of practice. A lot of the veteran guys took it and challenged themselves. I know what I'm expecting will always be tough, but just looking at the overall picture, there are some pleasing sights and some positions we have to work on."

The Panthers will practice Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Kevin Darcy Names to guide Hampton Women's Soccer

HAMPTON, Virginia – The Hampton University athletic department named Kevin Darcy to head the women's soccer program for the 2018 season. He is the third head coach in program history, taking over for Frank Hughes who spent the last two seasons with HU.

"I am excited and appreciative to be given this opportunity by Mr. Eugene Marshall and Hampton University to take Pirate soccer to the next level.  Coach Hughes and Reoyo have laid the groundwork and with the commitment from the school to enter the Big South Conference, the tools are in place for success," said Darcy.  "I have been very fortunate to play and coach at all levels of the game and am ready to return to Division 1 college coaching. The experiences and relationships established throughout the region as a player and coach will serve me well as I dig in to create a fast, competitive environment to challenge the student/athletes daily.  Hard work and details will turn things around and I'm ready to get on the field to compete!"  

Darcy brings a vast array of knowledge and experience to Hampton as a USSF "A" licensed coach, NSCAA Premier diploma holder and coaching education staff instructor. He most recently served as the head coach of Legacy 76, a member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), from 2015 through 2018. In addition, he also served as the head coach and general manager for the PDL Virginia Legacy, the PASL Tidewater Sharks men and for the WPSL Tidewater Sharks women's team.

Darcy led his Legacy 76 squad to the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament after winning the Mid Atlantic Conference Championship. His squads also qualified for the regional playoffs in 2016 and 2017.

Darcy coached internationally in Costa Rica and Czech Republic with VA ODP and was selected as one of six coaches nationally to the "USL Experience" staff in 2016, as well as the USL Regional Scouting Series. Proving his success at all levels, Darcy has served as Technical Director for the Legacy, Chesterfield United and the Sharks youth clubs in the region.  Named a seven-time high school Coach of the Year in Maryland and Virginia, he has recently completed a four year run at Walsingham Academy as the Technical Advisor coaching the boys and girls varsity programs.

Collegiately, Darcy was an assistant coach for the women's soccer program at the College of William & Mary from 2009 to 2010. He began his collegiate career in 1992 as the assistant men's soccer coach at Salisbury University. He held that position until 1995, when he began building his playing and coaching resume at the professional level.
 
Darcy finished his professional playing career with the Maryland Mania of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) A League in 1999 after spending prior seasons with the Delaware Wizards, Baltimore Bays, and Eastern Shore Sharks of the D3 Pro League.
 
After a successful soccer and basketball career at Pocomoke High School in Maryland, Darcy began his college playing career at Old Dominion University before transferring to Salisbury State University where he graduated in 1991 with a Bachelors of Arts in liberal studies.

 
For more information on Hampton University women's soccer, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
 

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Picked to Finish Fourth in Preseason MEAC Poll

NORFOLK, Virginia  – Bethune-Cookman Football has been predicted to finish fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason poll released Friday, July 27 during the annual MEAC Kickoff Luncheon held at The Hilton The Main Hotel. Additionally, five Wildcats student-athletes were voted to the All-MEAC Preseason First-, Second- or Third Team.
 
Leading the preseason team members for Bethune-Cookman was senior offensive lineman Dwayne Brown (Indianapolis, Ind.). The only returning starter along the offensive line for fourth-year Head Coach Terry Sims and the second place team from a season ago, Brown was selected to the First Team on offense. The transfer from Eastern Michigan ended the 2017 campaign as a First Team All-MEAC Team member after playing and starting in all 11 games for the Maroon and Gold. In blocking for quarterbacks Larry Brihm Jr. and Akevious Williams, Brown helped pave the way for an offensive unit that finished fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with an average of 341.2 yards/game. He was an anchor on the offensive front that finished the league season with the third-best passing offense (215.3 yards/game). He would grade out at 92 percent on all assignments throughout the campaign, seeing action on 94 percent of all plays. He was selected as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week (Oct. 2) following BCU's win over Savannah State.
 
Joining Brown on the All-MEAC Preseason First Team for the special teams unit is senior kicker Uriel Hernandez (Homestead, Fla.). A season ago, Hernandez led the Wildcats in scoring with 60 points, connecting on 12-of-18 field goals, in addition to 24-of-26 point-after attempts. On kickoffs, the former soccer player in high school toed the tee 24 times, booting the ball for an average of 55.8 yards per kick, totaling 1,339 yards altogether. He would also secure three punts, placing a pair inside the 20 yard line when used as a spot kicker.
 
Redshirt senior Todney Evans (Delray Beach, Fla.) represented Bethune-Cookman on the All-MEAC Preseason Second Team along the defensive line, earning his place as a defensive end/rush end. Last year, the transfer from Middle Tennessee State secured his spot as a second team member of the 2017 all-conference team. Playing and starting in 10 games – missing just one game due to injury, Evans finished the 017 campaign eighth on the team with 34 tackles (15 solo / 19 assisted). He also led the Maroon and Gold with 8.5 tackles for loss, pulling down 2.5 quarterback sacks. In all, he would tally three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries from his rush end position along the line.
 
Making his way onto preseason third team for offense is running back Tupac Isme (Naples, Fla.). The junior running back that is a deadly threat out of the backfield accepting passes from the quarterback as well, played in 10 games last season, missing just one game (at Howard). He rushed for 173 yards on 50 carries across the season, finishing third on the squad in total rushing yards. Isme, a fan-favorite since his arrival to Daytona Beach, averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He would score one touchdown via the ground, in addition to averaging 17.3 yards per game via the rush. He stepped out of the offensive backfield to register eight catches for 161 yards and an average of 20.1 yards per reception across the year.
 
The final Wildcats performer earning a spot on the all-conference preseason third team for defense is redshirt senior Kevin Thompson (Baltimore, Md.). The defensive tackle missed almost all of the 2017 campaign after suffering a season-ending injury during the Southeastern Louisiana win on the road. In two games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent Miami (Fla.) and FCS power Southeastern Louisiana, respectfully, he secured three tackles from his interior position along the defensive front.
 
As a team, BCU was predicted to finish fourth overall, sitting behind defending champion North Carolina A&T (1st), Howard (2nd) and North Carolina Central (3rd).
 
North Carolina A&T senior quarterback Lamar Raynard was predicted as the MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while North Carolina central senior defensive back Davanta Reynolds was tabbed the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
For more information on the 2018 Preseason All-MEAC Team and predicted order of finish, please visit MEACsports.com.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

North Carolina A&T State Reaps Rewards From Championship Seasons

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – After the conclusion of spring sports, North Carolina A&T State University ranks 99th in the Learfield Director’s Cup Standings, first amongst Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schools.

The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. In the Directors’ Cup, schools may count points in up to 19 sports programs, four of which must be men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball



Earning points for N.C. A&T in the spring was baseball and men’s track and field. The Spring brought in 48 points adding to the winter score of 94 points and the fall score of 45 points.

The baseball team made their second postseason appearance in school history reaching the NCAA Baseball Championship Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional aiding to their 25 Learfield points. N.C. A&T opened the season 5-10 but went 27-13 over their last 40 games including a 3-0 sweep through the MEAC Baseball Championship Tournament to win the title for the first time in 13 years. The Aggies also claimed the MEAC Southern Division title, broke the school record for wins (32) and the school record for conference wins (16).

The men’s track and field team added 23 Learfield points. Junior sprinter Rodney Rowe finished fifth in the 200 meters earning his third first-team All-American honor. The men's 4x100 relay team of Rowe, Joel Thomas, Michael Bell and Michael Dickson earned second-team All-American honors along with Trevor Stewart in the 400 meters during the NCAA outdoor championships.

Joining the Aggies in the 2017-18 Learfield Directors’ Cup Division I Final Standings out of the MEAC was South Carolina State (83.50), Bethune-Cookman (25.00), Morgan State (25.00), Norfolk State (23.50) and North Carolina Central (5.00).

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU picked to finish fifth in preseason MEAC poll

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In the eyes of its peers in the Mid-Eastern Conference, Florida A&M will be a middle-of-the-pack team in 2018.

During the league's Media Day festivities in Norfolk, Va., the Rattlers were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll.

This position is an upgrade from 2017, when FAMU earned a sixth-place ranking.


"Of course, preseason doesn't mean anything to coaches. This gives us a barometer and the fans some excitement," FAMU coach Willie Simmons said.

This was the first Media Day for Simmons in the MEAC. He previously attended this affair on multiple occasions while coaching in the SWAC.

While on stage during the question-and-answer session with ESPN's Jay Walker, Simmons was asked to give his thoughts on a variety of topics. They ranged from working so close to his hometown of Quincy to the long losing streak to rival Bethune-Cookman. The Rattlers last defeated their top nemesis in 2010.

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FAMU's James Spady brings depth to coaching staff

Football lifer with 25 years of experience joins Rattlers as associate HC, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The coaching fraternity is a close-knit circle where stories are exchanged and network opportunities developed.

However, the bond which led to the eventual connection between James Spady and Willie Simmons was the byproduct of an encounter with their wives - Barbara Tatum-Spady and Shaia Simmons.

In 2014, the women exchanged pleasantries during a game when Spady, who coached at Alabama A&M, matched wits against Simmons' Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Their conversation continued after the game where the wives gathered near the locker room with their rival husbands. This led to a chain reaction of multiple off-the-field discussion between the men on a variety of topics.

Last season, the coaches parted ways from their respective teams. Simmons resigned and took over at Florida A&M. Spady was relieved of his duties at Alabama A&M.

As Simmons began to pick his assistants, one of the coaches he called to join him in Tallahassee was Spady.

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TSU Football: OVC Media Day 2018