Follow Us theyardweekly theyardhbcu theyardhbcuwEEK oF AUGUsT 29, 2011

It’s REAL easy to pick a winner in the beginning of the sea-son. Just pick the guys that won it last year! Looks like that holds true in black college football in 2011. Every champion from last season (Shaw, Bethune-Cookman, Texas Southern and Albany State) is favored to repeat in their respective con-ference. I guess it’s easy to do when these programs return a solid nucleus of key players and an experienced coaching staff. Throw in the fact that several other schools within those con-ferences have made significant changes and those selections just became that much easier to make.

Even with all of this uncertainty, I won’t risk my “cred-ibility” by personally predicting a champion…this year. After all, you play to win the game and ANYTHING can happen. So with the 2011 college football season officially kicking off this weekend, I will give you a preview of the conference, picks made by coaches and other members of the media and a list of things to watch for this year.

1. ChangesEvery season brings change and 2011 isn’t any different.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) will move to divisional play. The 10-team conference will split into two-5 team divisions and the division winners will face off in the first Title Game in Atlanta.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has expand-ed into a 12-team league and a total of 10 teams have new head coaches. Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) cham-pionship contenders Grambling State (Doug Williams), Texas Southern (Kevin Ramsey) and Prairie View A&M (Heishma Northern) all bring in new coaches. The MEAC will bring in a total of 5 new head coaches (Blount/Delaware Stste, Har-rell/Howard, Broadway/NC A&T, Fraizer/NCCU, Dixon/SSU)

that are new to the conference.

2. SchedulingPlaying within your conference can be hard enough but I

want to know what Fort Valley State and Bowie State were thinking when they put their schedules together? The Bull-dogs three (yes, three) home games have forced them to have their Homecoming in early September.

The Wildcats can easily be considered the best team in black college football IF they can win out in 2011. Fort Valley State will face Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman and the Division II Runner-Up Delta State along with conference foes Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee. Wow.

3. Players To WatchIt’s easy to keep an eye on guys who have been picked to be

players of the year within their respective conference but here is a list of players who had big years last year and may have break out years this season:

David Carter, Running Back, MorehouseCarter averaged 122.5yds per game last season as a sopho-more.

Brandon Bridge, Quaterback, Alcorn state“Air Canada” was fourth in the league with a 190-yard pass-ing average per game in 2010. Only two passers, both upper-classmen, threw for more than his 19 touchdowns. Bridge also finished No. 7 in the SWAC for rushing, with 600 yards and tied for third overall with eight scores on the ground.

Rico Council, lineback, Tennessee stateLast year, he recorded the best season of his career leading TSU in sacks with four. Council finished second on the team in stops with a career season best with 79 tackles (39 solo).

AGAIN?!??

2011 FOOTBALL PREVIEWCIAA u MEAC u SIAC u SWAC

SCORESFOOTBALL Saturday, August 27Bellhaven 47, Texas College 3Delta State 28, Elizabeth City State 21 OTVirginia Union 12, Saint Augustine’s 0

VUU Downs St. Aug’s 12-0 in Hurricane: Virginia Union University’s Jerell Washington rushed for 150 yards as VUU downed Saint Augustine’s College 12-0 in a football game at Hovey Field on August 27 which was played under hurricane conditions.Washington carried the ball 38 times as the Panthers braved 35 mile per hour winds and gusts of 50 mph.VUU is now 1-0 and travels to Columbia, S.C., to face Benedict College at 3:30 p.m. on September 3.

Will NCAA academic changes hurt HBCUs? 2

MEAC MVP to UCF: Former Bethune-Cookman guard and reigning MEAC Basketball Player of the Year C. J. Reed is transferring to the University of Central Florida.Reed, who averaged an MEAC-best 18.8 points per game while leading the Wildcats to a 21-13 overall record and their first ever MEAC regular season title, received a release from B-CU in early July afterthe school abruptly dismissed his father, Clifford Reed, as the Wildcats head coach on June 27.

REED

EVERY CoNFERENCE CHAMP IS PICKED To REPEAT

The loss of former head coach Johnnie Cole has not stopped experts from picking Texas Southern to repeat as SWAC Champion in 2011.

Going to Homecoming?See when it will be 9IN

SID

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2THE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH COLLEGE FOOTBALL

INDIANAPOLIS—Less than 24 hours after emerging from a landmark Presi-dential retreat, the Division I Board of Directors unanimously approved the concept of increasing the required academic performance of all teams and mandated that teams must meet those requirements in order to participate in any NCAA-sponsored championship or football bowl game.

NCAA President Mark Emmert tout-ed the change as proof of the NCAA’s commitment to the academic success of all student-athletes. “This is about the academic performance of all of our stu-dents in all of our sports. This is about the academic expectations we have for all of our student-athletes.”

The board voted to raise the Aca-demic Progress Rate benchmark from 900 to 930 and supported a penalty structure that will require teams to earn at least a 930 four-year, rolling APR in order to participate in postsea-son competition.

These changes stemmed from the two-day presidential retreat which con-cluded Wednesday, Aug. 10 and focused on improving intercollegiate athletics in a variety of ways: academics, fiscal responsibility and integrity. The presi-dents also directed NCAA President Mark Emmert to assemble whatever groups are necessary to codify the rec-ommendations in all three areas dis-cussed at the retreat.

“We have made some very significant recommendations that we want to turn into action. We will begin working on this immediately,” Emmert said. “We will come before this group no later than october with a clear action agen-da to implement the ideas that were de-veloped over the past two days. Some of that action began today.”

The presidents felt strongly that the academic principles be adopted swiftly and decidedly, with details to be final-ized in october. The Board directed the Committee on Academic Performance to produce particulars about the new changes in academic requirements, in-

cluding a timeline for phased-in imple-mentation for both the new 930 bench-mark and the penalty structure.

Currently, the most serious APR pen-alties are assessed when a team falls be-low a 900 four-year APR. The move to 930 will be significant, especially as it relates to championship participation.

The 930 APR predicts an approxi-mately 50 percent Graduation Success Rate. Within the last year, the presi-dents on the Board stoutly affirmed a commitment to keeping the benchmark for penalties at a minimum 50 percent graduation rate. The relationship be-tween the two rates had changed over the last several years as adjustments were made to improve the fairness of the APR.

In other business, the Division I Board of Directors adopted a Legisla-tive Council recommendation that the number of schools required to initiate an override of legislative action be in-creased to 75 from 30, effective imme-diately.

The Council recommended the in-crease because the number of active Di-vision I members has increased signifi-cantly since the original number was set. The Board’s action also increased the number of requests necessary to suspend legislation from 100 to 125.

The numbers for Football Champi-

onship Subdivision-specific override requests changed as well, from 15 to 25 for an override and from 40 to 50 for suspension of legislation.

The Council believed it was impor-tant for the membership to have the opportunity to override legislation if a significant majority opposed the ac-tion taken by the Council and Board of Directors. However, the previous stan-dard represented less than 10 percent of the Division I membership. The new standard requires 22 percent of schools to disagree with a legislative action for an override to take place. The change is effective immediately and will apply to any legislation adopted going forward.

The presidents also directed the staff to apply NCAA recruiting rules concerning publicity of prospective student-athletes to institutional and conference networks and broadcasts, which will provide time to evaluate the proper application of NCAA rules. The NCAA is holding a meeting on August 22 with representatives from broadcast networks and several conferences to discuss the issue.

The Board heard an update from Bowl Task Force Chair Harvey Perl-man. The presidents expect a final re-port from the task force with recom-mendations for action at their october meeting.

Vikings Drop Opener in OT, 28-21

The raise to the Academic Progress Rate benchmark from 900 to 930 may make it harder for HBCUs that may not have the resources to assist athletes with academic issues. Southern’s football team was one of the eight teams banned from post season competition due to poor academic perfoprmance.

CLEVELAND, MS—No. 2 Delta State kicked off the 2011 season with an overtime thriller, defeating the Eliza-beth City State Vikings 28-21 on Sat-urday.

Statesmen sophomore Ixavier Triplett tipped a Creven Powell pass that eventually fell into the hands of Jerry Barnes to seal the victory for the green and white.

The Statesmen took the lead in over-time with a Brandon Lucas touchdown run of five yards. The key play of the drive was a 15-yard pass from Micah Davis to Erick Clayton to convert a third-and-15 down. Three plays later, Lucas scored what proved to be the game-winner.

The defense held the Statesmen in the game in the second half, holding the Viking offense to 11 yards of total

offense after halftime.Mark Hoskins led the way for the

defense with eight tackles and a sack. Triplett led the linebackers with seven tackles and Dominique Davenport led the secondary with six tackles.

However, the Statesmen need 14 points in the second half to force over-time.

With less than 30 seconds left, the Statesmen were able to tie the game at 21. Davis sneaked in from less than a yard out behind a big offensive line surge. The touchdown drive was con-tinued after the Statesmen converted a 4th-and-1 on a Brant Botill run to set up 1st-and-goal with less than a minute remaining in the quarter.

Davis connected with Lucas for a 35-yard touchdown pass to bring the Statesmen to within seven early in the

third quarter.Lucas had a solid game for the

Statesmen in the second half. The ju-nior finished with 79 yards on 17 car-ries and the one rushing touchdown in overtime. He also was a big player on special teams, setting up a touchdown with a long return. He also broke what appeared to be a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that was called back by an inadvertent whistle.

Chance Dennis brought in the lone touchdown for the Statesmen in the first half. The senior brought in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Davis that capped a three-play, 16-yard drive. The touchdown drive was set up by a 77-yard kickoff return from Lucas, fol-lowing the Vikings second touchdown of the game.

Powell and Elizabeth City State an-

swered two plays later. After a kickoff return and penalty took the ball to the 40, Powell found Keit Strickland for a 40-yard strike to go up 21-7 before the half.

Elizabeth City State turned Delta State turnovers into touchdowns in the first half, punishing the Statesmen for the mistakes.

Brant Botill fumbled deep in Vi-king territory in the first quarter. The Vikings recovered and immediately turned around a four-play drive that ended with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Anthony Faulcon.

In the second quarter, Davis fumbled deep in Statesmen territory and the Vi-kings added another quick strike. Pow-ell and Faulcon connected on their sec-ond touchdown pass of the night, this time from 16 yards out.

Second-ranked Delta State came up big on defense in the second half, shutting down Elizabeth City State for a 28-21 OT win.

DI Board Approves Increased Academic Performance Concept

3FOOTBALLTHE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

2011 pRojECTED CHAMpionPLAYERS TO WATCH

Nicholas Cooper, Running Back, WSSU Last season, finished ranked 19th in the nation in rushing yards with 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Robert Holland, Wide Receiver, Chowan Led the CIAA in receiving touchdowns (7) and receptions per game (6.5) in his sophomore year.

Brucelee Sterile, Linebacker, Lincoln (Pa) His 90 tackles ranked fourth in the CIAA, and the 9.0 stops-per-game average was 32nd in the nation.

CIAA

Back-To-Back Bears2011 pREsEAson All-CiAA

OFFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Creven Powell QB SRElizabeth City State

Daronte McNeill RB JRElizabeth City State

Nicholas Cooper RB SRWinston-Salem State

Robert Holland WR JRChowan

Tehvyn Brantley WR SOWinston-Salem State

Bobby Holiday TE SRShaw

Larry McDonald OL SRFayetteville State

Baron Coffin OL SRElizabeth City State

Bryan Garnett OL SRElizabeth City State

Allen Buckner OL SRShaw

Markus Lawrence C JRWinston-Salem State

DEFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Larry Jones DL SRElizabeth City State

Charles Deas DL SRShaw

Stanley Porter DL SRShaw

Akeem Ward DL SRWinston-Salem State

Delano Johnson LB SRBowie State

Brucelee Sterile LB SRLincoln (Pa)

Jeremy Pruitt LB SRVirginia State

Andre Lyles DB SRFayetteville State

Kenny Turner DB SRBowie State

Darrell Evans DB SOShaw

Alton Keaton DB SRWinston-Salem State

William Rudd P SOVirginia State

Austin Turner K SRFayetteville State

Tyron Laughinghouse RET SRSt. Augustine’s

SHAW

DON’T MISS GAMES

September 24Elizabeth City State at Shaw

Will these be the same teams that will face off in the CIAA Championship game?

October 15Virginia State at Elizabeth City State

The Vikings and Trojans will battle at ECSU’s Homecoming. This game could very well decide the CIAA North Title.

October 29Virgina Union at Virginia State

Throw the records out the window when these interstate rivals go head to head. Oh yeah, it’s going to be VSU’s Homecoming.

pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH(2010 Overall, CIAA Record)

Northern1. Elizabeth City State (6-4, 5-2)2. Virginia State (8-3, 6-1)3. Bowie State (6-4, 6-1)4. Virginia Union (3-7, 3-4)5. Chowan (3-7, 3-4)6. Lincoln (Pa) (0-7, 1-9)

Southern1. Shaw (9-3, 7-0)2. Winston-Salem State (8-2, 5-2)3. St. Augustine’s (9-2, 6-1)4. Fayetteville State (5-5, 4-3)5. Johnson C. Smith (2-8, 1-6)6. Livingstone (0-11, 0-7)

HAMPTON —The CIAA has released the 2011 All-CIAA Football Preseason team and Predicted order of finish as voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association.

The Vikings were picked to finish atop the CIAA North followed by defending division champion Virginia State Uni-versity. Bowie State, Virginia Union, Chowan and Lincoln (Pa.) round out the North’s lineup while the Shaw Bears, last year’s conference champion, leads the South’s picks followed by Winston-Salem State, Saint Augustine’s, Fayette-ville State, Johnson C. Smith and Liv-ingstone College.

It certainly wasn’t easy, but Shaw went undefeated against CIAA oppo-nents last year on the way to its third CIAA Championship in four years. Shaw will look to make it back-to-back championships for the second time in five years and the road could prove to be harder than last year. Shaw’s high-powered offense from a year ago will be looking for leadership this season. Gone is All-CIAA quarterback Kevin Atkins, Raymond Williams the school’s all-time leading rusher, four of five starters on the offensive line, including two All-CIAA selections, as well as four of the five leading receivers, although Tyrone Craig (30-532-8) looks to build upon a solid 2010 campaign. Quarterback Quinshon odom was thrown into the fire at times last year and even started in the Bears playoff game against Shep-herd. odom completed 26-62 passes on the season for 505 yards with 5 TDs and 5 INTs. Head coach Darrell Asberry has also gotten a couple of high-profile transfer quarterbacks into the program the last couple of years. Defense will be the strength of the Bears. It begins up front as Charles Deas and Stanley Por-ter are pre-season All-CIAA performers and combined for 29 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a year ago. Demarcus Rober-son will also be counted upon on the defensive line as well and was second on the team last year in tackles for loss (15.5). Cornerback Darnell Evans an-chors the secondary and had an excep-

tional rookie campaign last year on his way to first team All-CIAA honors with a league-tying six interceptions and led the nation in pass break-ups with 18.

2010 was a disappointment for head coach Waverly Tillar and the Vikings. The Vikings came into the season with perhaps the best team on paper in the league. Fast forward to the present and the Vikings once again have tremen-dous talent returning. Creven Powell returns for his senior season as the Vi-kings signal-caller. Despite injuries last season, Powell completed 124 of 219 passes for 1,662 yards with 10 TDs to 5 INTs. Running back Daronte McNeill returns after shattering the ECSU rush-ing record for yards in a season last year

when he rushed for 1,321 yards, aver-aging 5.6 yards per carry and 10 TDs. The offensive line is experienced, led by pre-season All-CIAA selections seniors Baron Coffin (6-3, 310) and Bryan Garnett (6-3, 330). Defense is normally the staple of a Tillar coached team and despite a wealth of talent last year, the unit struggled giving up 313 yards of total offense per game. only five starters return from last year led by linebacker Dewitt Dixon (56 tackles, 8 TFL) and lineman Larry Jones. The Vikings open the season at national championship runner-up Delta State and four of their first five games are on the road.

Elizabeth City State, Winston-Salem State and Shaw tied for the most rep-

resentation with five selections each. Making his second consecutive appear-ance on the preseason squad is senior quarterback Creven Powell, who earned second team All-CIAA honors last sea-son after passing for 1,662 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joining Powell is pre-season All-American tailback Daronte McNeill along with senior offensive line-men Baron Coffin and Bryan Garnett, a core that helped the Vikings to a second place ranking in both total and rushing offense in 2010. McNeill finished with 1,321 yards as a sophomore, the first Viking to break the 1,000 yard plateau since the 1994 season.

� —CIAA�Website�and�Donal�Ware

Senior Running Back Raymond Williams looks to lead the Shaw Bears back to another CIAA Championship.

BY THE NUMBERS

4The Shaw Bears have won 4 of the last 7 CIAA Football Championships (2004, 2007, 2008, 2010).

4FOOTBALLTHE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

CHARLOTTE —It was evident during football season last year that there isn’t a baseball program at South Carolina State.

Simply put, there wasn’t a closer on campus.

of course, it shows how good of a level that football program is on when coach Buddy Pough felt disappointed in a season which saw the Bulldogs earn a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Con-ference title and a spot in the FCS play-offs for the third straight year.

Had there been some fireballing 6-foot-4, 235-pound stud closer on campus, Pough would have converted him into a tight end. He didn’t think his squad was adept at finishing games or the season.

“I think we need to finish,” said

Pough, whose program has gone 29-8 overall and 23-1 in MEAC games over the last three seasons. “That’s probably our big role for the year, we’ve got to get our guys to the point where we do everything to the end.”

It’s a predicament that plagues the MEAC, which hasn’t shined in late No-vember. The conference’s last playoff win occurred in 1999.

Bethune-Cookman and South Caroli-na State split last year’s conference title with Florida A&M and gave the MEAC two playoff teams for the first time since 1999.

Bethune-Cookman might have need-ed a closer more than South Carolina State. It was the last unbeaten team in the FCS at 10-0 before it lost its regu-lar- season finale to rival Florida A&M

and then its first-round playoff game to New Hampshire, finishing 10-2.

“I’m not one that becomes compla-cent,” Wildcats second-year coach Brian Jenkins said. “That was last year and this is a new year. The number one thing for me is, what are we going to do this year?

“That’s where my mindset is at. Ten-and-two was good, but it wasn’t satisfy-ing enough for me.”

Last year’s trio of titlists and Hamp-ton seem most likely to battle for this year’s MEAC crown.

The MEAC is undergoing change this year with the addition of North Carolina Central and Savannah State to create an 11-team conference. Teams will contin-ue to play eight conference games, and not two of the other opponents.

There also are five new head coaches: Delaware State’s Kermit Blount, 53, the former Winston-Salem State head coach; Howard’s Gary Harrell, 39, who was Bowie State’s head coach the last two seasons; North Carolina A&T’s Rod Broadway, 56, who left Grambling State’s head coaching position; North Carolina Central Henry Frazier, 43, who won the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award at Prairie View A&M; and Savannah State’s Steve Davenport, 43, who had been UAB’s running backs coach since 2006.

It should be a terrific season for running backs and linebackers in the MEAC.

� —Sports�Network

pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH(2010 Overall, MEAC Record)

1. Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1)2. South Carolina State (9-3, 7-1)3. Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1)4. Hampton (6-5, 5-3)5. Norfolk State (6-5, 4-4)6. Morgan State (4-7, 3-5)7. Delaware State (2-6, 3-8)8. North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7)9. North Carolina Central (3-8)10. Savannah State (1-10)11. Howard (1-10, 0-8)

MEAC

Coach Buddy Pough and the South Carolina State Bulldogs look to do what they could not over the past three seasons, win a Divion I-AA playoff game.

MEAC Teams Want To “Finish”2011 pRojECTED CHAMpion

Mike Mayhew, Running Back, NC A&T The MEAC’s leading returning rusher (1,082 yds, 7TDs) from Charlotte shows real good instincts.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ryan Lewis, Linebacker, Bethune-Cookman The Junior from Pompano Beach, Fl. led the Wildcats with 81 combined tackles and five sacks.

Justin Wilson, Wide Receiver, Delaware State The junior native of Windsor, Ct. caught 59 passes for 937 yards with 11 touchdowns.

2011 pREsEAson All-MEAC

OFFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Chris Walley QB SRNorfolk State Tallahassee, Fl

Mike Mayhew RB SRNorth Carolina A&T Charlotte, NC

Antwon Chisholm [TIE] RB SOHampton Belle Glade, Fl

Jaashawn Jones [TIE] RB R-SRDelaware State Asbury Park, NJ

Willie Carter WR SRHoward Denmark, SC

Justin Wilson WR R-JRDelaware State Windsor, Ct

Antuanne Kerr TE R-SRSouth Carolina State Augusta, Ga

Alex Monroe OL SOBethune-Cookman Jacksonville, Fl

Javahr Nathan OL R-SRSouth Carolina State Goose Neck, SC

Kendall Noble OL SRNorfolk State Rocky Mount, SC

Lawrence Brewer OL SRMorgan State Fort Washington, Md

Natiel Curry C SRBethune-Cookman Miami, Fl

DEFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Ryan Davis DL JRBethune-Cookman Tampa, Fl

Sackie Kerkulah DL R-SRHoward Willingboro, NJ

Josh Turner DL SRNorfolk State Chesterfield, Va

Pat Washington DL R-SRSouth Carolina State Charleston, SC

Ryan Lewis LB JRBethune-Cookman Pompano Beach, Fl

Keith Pough LB R-JRHoward Orangeburg, SC

Reginald Sandilands LB SRBethune-Cookman Miami, Fl

Michael Williams DB SRBethune-Cookman Miami, Fl

Micah Pellerin DB SRHampton New Orleans, La

D’Vonte Graham DB JRNorth Carolina A&T Tallahassee, Fl

Dominique Ellis DB R-SRSouth Carolina State Wendell, NC

Brandon Holdren P JRFlorida A&M Jacksonville, Fl

Blake Erickson K SRSouth Carolina State Pensacola, Fl

BETHINE-COOMAN

DON’T MISS GAMES

September 4Bethune-Cookman vs. Prairie View A&M

The annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge held in Orlando will pit last season’s MEAC Champion verses the 2009 SWAC Champion.

September 10South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman

The 2011 MEAC Champion might be at stake in this Week 2 match-up of conference co-champions from las season.

November 19North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T

The first MEAC conference game betwwen these state rivals in Greensboro since 1978. By the way, the Aggies won that game 25-6.

BY THE NUMBERS

4The amount of time a team other than Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Hamp-ton or South Carolina State has won a MEAC Football Championship since 1993.

5FOOTBALLTHE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

2011 pRojECTED CHAMpionPLAYERS TO WATCH

DON’T MISS GAMES

September 5Fort Valley State at Florida A&M

The Wildcats start one of the most difficult schedules in Black College Football when they travel to Tallahassee.

October 1Tuskegee at Fort Valley State

The Tigers’ toughest games in the SIAC will come from outside of it’s division. Unfortunatley, those games (along with their match-up against Morehouse the following week) won’t be played at home.

November 5Fort Valley State vs. Albany State

This match-up in Columbus could decide who will represent the East in the first SIAC Championship game which will be held a week later.

Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings, left, looks for a receiver downfield during the Rams’ preseason scrimmage Saturday. Jennings led ASU to an 11-1 record and No. 4 final ranking last season, and based on that past suc-cess, ASU starts the season ranked in the Top 10 in three different D-II polls.

Stanley Jennings, Quarterback, Albany StateLast season, Jennings was named 2010 SIAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

Ricky Johnson, Linebacker, Ft. Valley State In 2010, the Stone Mountain, GA native led a Wildcat defense that was the best in the nation in total defense.

Ronnie Partridge, Punter, Stillman In 2010, Partridge led the nation with a 45.5 punting average which earned him several All-American honors

2011 pREsEAson All-siAC

OFFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Stanley Jennings QB SRAlbany State Marietta, Ga

David Carter RB JRMorehouse Marietta, Ga

Tony Reid RB JRFort Valley State Albany, Ga

Derrick Hector WR SRMorehouse Mobile, Al

Octavius Staton WR SRAlbany State Greenville, NC

Tony Davis TE SRFort Valley State Fort Valley, Ga

Mike Mavromichalis OL SRAlbany State Savannah, Ga

Travis Walker OL JRAlbany State Cordele, Ga

Marlon Jones OL JRMorehouse Atlanta, Ga

Jessie Mitchell OL SRKentucky State East St. Louis, Il

Norris Byrd OL SRAlbany State Atlanta, Ga

DEFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Justin Blash DL JRAlbany State Alma, Ga

Antorio Wells DL SRAlbany State Alma, Ga

Tyrone Davis DL SRBenedict Olympia, Wa

Darel Strong DL SRClark Atlanta Ft. Lauderdale, Fl

Ricky Moore LB SRClark Atlanta Brooklyn, NY

Ricky Johnson LB SRFort Valley State Stone Mountain, Ga

Isaiah Person LB SRTuskegee Auburn, Al

Dominique Patterson DB JRFort Valley State Brunswick, Ga

Dejuan Williams DB JRFort Valley State Baxley, Ga

Darrius Williams DB SRMorehouse Detroit, Mi

DeQuan Starling DB SRBenedict Hawkinsville, Ga

Ronnie Partridge P SRStillman Ridge Spring, SC

Andy Polanco K SRBenedict Los Angeles, Ca

ASU Garners Another Top 10 Ranking

ALBANY, GA—The preseason Top 25 rankings keep piling up, and the Albany State Rams just keep taking them in stride.

”It’s nice,” Rams coach Mike White said of ASU’s latest preseason honor -- a No. 10 ranking in the D2Football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll that was released Tuesday. “There were a lot of years where we were not (in the Top 25), so it’s nice to be there. I just want us to push to be there in the end.”

The Rams have been ranked in every major Division II poll this preseason, including ninth in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll, 13th in the Sporting News D2 Football Preview and 14th in the Lin-

dy’s Football Preview Preseason Top 25.The defending SIAC and SBN Black

College National Champions were also ranked on top of the Heritage Sports Radio Network Preseason HBCU Divi-sion II Top 10 Poll.

All of these honors come after the Rams finished 2010 with an 11-1 record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

And White and the ASU players are fully aware that these preseason rank-ings are based more on last season’s re-sults than anything else.

”Being on teams (growing up), I was always told not to worry about it be-cause it was just last year’s season,” said

senior receiver octavius Staton, who was the lone Ram selected to the Box-torow Preseason HBCU All-American Team. “It means something for what we did last year, but we have to show it this year to keep us up there.

”We still have a lot of work to do, but right now we are good. We are moving forward, and things are looking good.”

White agreed that the Rams are be-ginning to put things together on the field as the preseason -- one that saw two top linemen ruled academically in-eligible and two top running backs go down with serious knee injuries -- winds down.

”We had a good meeting (Monday),

and a scrimmage over the weekend,” White said. “I think some guys are get-ting the ABCs and 123s of the defense and offense down. I am proud of that, and we are just going to continue to work.”

ASU opens its season Sept. 3 in Ma-con against Division I Savannah State in the Music City Classic.

Also ranked in theD2Football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll are Valdosta State (14th) and Wingate (19th) -- ASU’s op-ponents on Sept. 10 and 17, respectively

� —John�Millikan,�albanyherald.com�

AlBANY STATEpREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH(2010 Overall, SIAC Record)

East1. Albany State (11-1, 9-0)2. Fort Valley State (8-3, 7-2)3. Morehouse (8-3, 7-2)4. Clark Atlanta (4-7, 4-5)5. Benedict (5-6, 4-5)

West1. Tuskegee (9-2, 7-2)2. Miles (3-8, 3-6)3. Kentucky State (3-8, 2-7)4. Stillman (3-8, 2-7)5. Lane (0-9, 0-10)

SIAC

BY THE NUMBERS

1Morehouse (2001) is the only school other than Albany St., Ft. Valley St. and Tuskegee to win a SIAC Title since 1992.

6FOOTBALLTHE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

2011 pRojECTED CHAMpionPLAYERS TO WATCH

DON’T MISS GAMES

October 8Alabama State at Texas Southern

Rematch of last year’s SWAC Title Game.

November 5Grambling State vs. Jackson State

The potential 2011 SWAC Championship game that will never be.

November 24Tuskegee at Alabama State

Two of HBCU’s best football teams from last season will face off at the Hornets’ Homecoming.

November 24Grambling State vs. Southern

Bayou Classic. ‘Nuff said.

SWAC

TEXAS SOUTHERN

Moses Ellis, Defensive Back, Prairie View A&MAn All-America selection after a 2010 season where he led the NCAA Div. I-FCS with 8 Ints and is on the 2011 Preseason Sports Network Buck Buchanon Award Watch List.

Cliff Exama, Linebacker, Grambling State Exama recorded 106 tackles in just nine games during his All-SWAC campaign last season.

2011 pREsEAson All-swAC

OFFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Casey Therriault QB SRJackson State

Marcus Wright RB SRTexas Southern

Martin Gilbert RB SRTexas Southern

Nick Andrews WR SRHoward

Marcellos Wilder WR SRJackson State

Renty Rollins TE SRJackson State

James Dekle OL SRPrairie View A&M

Sanford Banks OL JRGrambling State

Terren Jones OL JRAlabama State

Chris Browne OL JRSouthern

Roderick Gladney C SRJackson State

DEFENSEPlayer Pos. Class

Marquis Jackson DL JRTexas Southern

Donavan Robinson DL SRJackson State

Jomarcus Savage DL JRGrambling State

Kynjee Cotton DL SRAlabama State

Cliff Exama LB SRGrambling State

Jer-ryan Harris LB SOArkansas-Pine Bluff

Willie Fuller LB JRAlabama A&M

Moses Ellis DB SRPrairie View A&M

Kejuan Riley DB JRAlabama State

Zack Gallow DB SRTexas Southern

Tim Dandridge DB SRJackson State

Arturo Tamayo P SRAlcorn State

Zoltan Riazzo K SRGrambling State

B.J. Lee RET JRJackson State

Casey Therriault, Quaterback, Jackson State The senior QB was 3rd in the NCAA in passing yards per game in 2010 and is on the 2011 Preseason Sports Network Walter Payton Award Watch List...Again.

JSU, TSU Look To Lead SWAC

pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH(2010 Overall, SWAC Record)

Eastern Division1. Jackson State (8-3, 6-3)2. Alabama State (7-5, 6-3)3. Alcorn State (5-6, 4-5)4. Alabama A&M (3-8, 2-7)5. Mississippi Valley State (0-10, 0-9)

Western Division1. Texas Southern (9-3, 8-1)2. Grambling State (9-2, 8-1)3. Prairie View A&M (7-4, 6-3)4. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-6, 4-5)5. Southern (2-9, 1-8)

Doug Williams laughs that a lot of his football players at Grambling State didn’t know much about him when he returned to his alma mater for a second stint as head coach.

Dezmond Spivey knew him well. He just laughs at Williams’ style.

“He’s a character, he’s a comedian,” Spivey said. “When he imitates Coach Rob, he goes ‘only in America’ and cer-tain things. And I can say this, when there’s a scenario to be given, he has one for every single thing.”

Spivey’s father played with Williams for one season at Grambling State under Coach Rob - the legendary Eddie Rob-inson - so Dezmond has a history with the Tigers’ new coach that includes at-tending his football camp and playing with his sons.

There is one scenario that Williams doesn’t have to joke about: winning the Southwestern Conference champion-ship.

He’s serious about it after winning three as a Grambling quarterback from 1974-77 and three as the head coach from 1998-2003.

Williams’ return to the most-es-teemed black college football program was the brightest news of a troubled off-season in the SWAC, where three head coaches took jobs elsewhere, Johnnie Cole of the defending champion Texas Southern Tigers was fired over the pro-gram’s academic shortcomings and the program later received Academic Prog-ress Rate penalties as did Jackson State and Southern.

Jackson State (Eastern Division) and Grambling State (Western Division) were installed as the preseason favorites in the SWAC Coaches preseason poll.

Jackson State can’t play in the SWAC Championship Game as a result of the APR penalties, but it has the confer-ence’s best offensive player in record-ing-setting quarterback Casey Therri-ault, a returning finalist from last year’s Walter Payton Award, which goes to the FCS’ outstanding player, is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com.

“I think we have the right attitude go-

ing into the season and I think the kids are ready to play. You couldn’t ask for more than that,” Jackson State coach Ron Comegy said.

Jackson State’s ineligibility may open the door for Alabama State, the defend-ing division champion, or an Alcorn State squad that might have its most talented quarterback since Steve Mc-Nair in Brandon Bridge, a sophomore sensatiom.

Grambling State’s biggest challenge in the Western Division will come from Texas Southern, which elevated Kevin Ramsey to interim head coach. His Ti-gers feature the league’s only returning

1,000-yard rusher in Marcus Wright and a tough defensive front that helped them to finish first in the FCS in total defense (204.9 ypg) last season.

Grambling State is replacing the league’s rushing champion, Frank Warren, whom it relied on heavily last season. The Tigers know not to take anything for granted after last season’s preseason favorite, Prairie View A&M, was a disappointing 6-3 in conference play with a veteran lineup after being unbeaten in 2009.

“Last year, we had a couple things going on,” PAMU first-year head coach Heishma Northern said. “I thought we

suffered a little bit in our focus both from the players’ standpoint and the coaches’ standpoint. We had quite a few coaches on our staff that were up for head coaching jobs, we had quite a few players that had aspirations of playing in the NFL. So I think you get a little more away from the team concept - ‘let me do my thing’ type of thing. And the injuries didn’t help us at all last year. I think we had 14 season- ending injuries last year. We’re not going to make any excuses. We’re going to come back bet-ter.”

� —Sports�Network

Head Coach Doug Williams looks to take Grambling State back to the SWAC Championship Game.

BY THE NUMBERS

6Total SWAC Championships won by Doug Williams as a coach (3) and player (3).

7THE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH 2011 HBCU TEAm SCHEdULES

CIAA Bowie State (2010 Record 6-4)

S 3 at AssumptionS 10 BenedictS 17 Livingstone [HC]S 24 at Virginia UnionO 1 at Virginia StateO 6 at Fairmont StateO 14 at LincolnO 22 at Elizabeth City StateO 29 at ShepherdN 5 Chowan

Chowan (2010 Record 3-7)

S 1 at LivingstoneS 10 at UNC PembrokeS 17 Winston-Salem StateS 24 at Virginia StateO 1 at Virginia UnionO 8 at Lincoln (Pa)O 15 at StillmanO 22 Shaw [HC]O 29 Elizabeth City StateN 5 at Bowie State

Elizabeth City State (2010 Record 6-4)

A 27 at Delta StateS 3 Winston-Salem StateS 10 Livingstone1

S 17 at Fayetteville StateS 24 at ShawO 8 at Virginia UnionO 15 Virginia State [HC]O 22 Bowie StateO 29 at ChowanN 5 Lincoln (Pa)1in Rocky Mount, NC

Fayetteville State (2010 Record 5-5)

S 3 UNC-Pembroke S 9 at Carson NewmanS 17 Elizabeth City StateS 24 at Winston-Salem StateO 1 St. Augustine’sO 8 Virginia State [HC]O 15 ShawO 22 at LivingstoneO 29 at Johnson C. SmithN 5 at Virginia Union

Johnson C. Smith (2010 Record 2-8)

S 3 West Virginia StateS 10 at BrevardS 17 Virginia StateS 24 at DavidsonO 1 at Winston-Salem StateO 6 at ShawO 15 Virginia Union [HC]O 22 at St. Augustine’sO 29 Fayetteville StateN 5 Livingstone

Lincoln (Pa) (2010 Record 1-9)

S 3 at CheyneyS 10 at Kentucky StateS 17 Virginia UnionS 24 at St. Augustine’sO 1 West Virginia WesleyanO 8 Chowan [HC]O 14 Bowie StateO 22 Virginia StateO 29 at Virginia University of LynchburgN 5 at Elizabeth State

Livingstone (2010 Record 0-11)

S 1 at ChowanS 10 Elizabeth City State1

S 17 at Bowie StateS 24 Virginia University of LynchburgO 1 at ShawO 8 at Edward WatersO 15 Winston-Salem StateO 22 Fayetteville State [HC]O 29 at St. Augustine’sN 5 at Johnson C. Smith1in Rocky Mount, NC

St. Augustine’s (2010 Record 9-2)

A 27 at Virginia UnionS 3 CatawbaS 10 at New HavenS 24 Lincoln (Pa)O 1 at Fayetteville StateO 8 Winston-Salem StateO 15 at West GeorgiaO 22 Johnson C. Smith [HC]O 29 LivingstoneN 5 at Shaw

Shaw (2010 Record 9-3)

S 3 at StillmanS 10 at Delaware StateS 17 at BenedictS 24 Elizabeth City StateO 1 LivingstoneO 6 Johnson C. Smith [HC]O 14 at Fayetteville StateO 22 at ChowanO 29 at Winston-Salem StateN 5 St. Augustine’s

Virginia State (2010 Record 9-3)

S 3 at Norfolk StateS 10 at West Virginia StateS 17 at Johnson C. SmithS 24 ChowanO 1 Bowie StateO 8 at Fayetteville StateO 15 at Elizabeth City StateO 22 at Lincoln (Pa)O 29 Virginia Union [HC]N 5 at Gardner-Webb

Virginia Union (2010 Record 3-7)

A 27 St. Augustine’sS 3 at BenedictS 10 Winston-Salem StateS 17 at Lincoln (Pa)S 24 Bowie StateO 1 ChowanO 8 Elizabeth City State [HC]O 15 at Johnson C. SmithO 29 at Virginia StateN 5 Fayetteville State

Winston-Salem State (2010 Record 8-2)

S 3 at Elizabeth City StateS 10 at Virginia UnionS 17 at ChowanS 24 Fayetteville StateO 1 Johnson C. Smith [HC]O 6 at St. Augustine’sO 14 at LivingstoneO 22 Edward WatersO 29 ShawN 5 at UNC Pembroke

MEAC Bethune Cookman (2010 Record 10-2)

S 4 vs. Prairie View A&M1

S 10 South Carolina StateS 24 HamptonO 1 at MiamiO 8 at North Carolina A&TO 15 Fort Valley StateO 22 at Norfolk StateO 29 at North Carolina CentralN 5 Morgan StateN 12 Savannah StateN 19 vs. Florida A&M1

1in Orlando, Fl

Delaware State (2010 Record 3-8)

S 3 at VMIS 10 ShawS 17 at DelwareS 24 at South Carolina StateO 1 at Florida A&MO 8 Norfolk StateO 15 at North Carolina A&TO 29 Morgan State [HC]N 5 North Carolina CentralN 12 at HamptonN 19 Howard

Florida A&M (2010 Record 8-3)

S 3 Fort Valley StateS 10 at HamptonS 17 at South FloridaS 29 Southern1

O 1 Delaware StateO 8 Howard [HC]O 15 at Savannah StateO 22 at South Carolina StateN 5 North Carolina A&TN 12 at North Carolina CentralN 19 vs. Bethune-Cookman2

1in Atlanta, Ga, 2in Orlando, Fl

Hampton (2010 Record 6-5)

S 3 vs. Alabama A&M1

S 8 Florida A&MS 17 Old DominionS 22 at Bethune-CookmanO 8 PrincetonO 15 at Norfolk StateO 22 North Carolina Central [HC]O 29 at Savannah StateN 5 HowardN 12 Delaware StateN 19 Morgan State1in Chicago, Il

Howard (2010 Record 1-10)

S 3 at Eastern Michigan

S 10 vs. Morehouse1

S 17 Norfolk StateS 24 vs. Morgan State2

O 1 at Savannah StateO 8 at Florida A&MO 15 Georgetown O 22 North Carolina A&T [HC]O 29 South Carolina StateN 5 at Hampton N 19 at Delaware State 1in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, 2in Meadowlands, NJ

Morgan State (2010 Record 4-7)

S 3 at TowsonS 10 at Bowling Green StateS 17 Robert MorrisS 24 vs. Howard1

O 1 North Carolina A&TO 8 Savannah State [HC]O 15 at North Carolina CentralO 29 at Delaware StateN 5 at Bethune-CookmanN 12 Norfolk StateN 19 Hampton1in Meadowlands, NJ

Norfolk State (2010 Record 6-5)

S 3 Virginia StateS 10 at West VirginiaS 17 at Howard

S 24 at Charleston SouthernO 1 South Carolina StateO 8 at Delaware StateO 15 HamptonO 22 Bethune-CookmanO 29 North Carolina A&T [HC]N 5 at Savannah StateN 12 at Morgan State

North Carolina A&T (2010 Record 1-10)

S 3 Virginia University of LynchburgS 10 at Appalacian StateS 24 Coastal CarolinaO 1 at Morgan StateO 8 Bethune-CookmanO 15 Delaware State [HC]O 22 at HowardO 29 at Norfolk StateN 5 at Florida A&MN 12 at South Carolina StateN 19 North Carolina Central

North Carolina Central (2010 Record 3-8)

S 1 at RutgersS 10 vs. Central State1

S 17 ElonS 24 Savannah StateO 8 at South Carolina StateO 15 Morgan StateO 22 at HamptonO 29 Bethune-CookmanN 5 at Delaware StateN 12 Florida A&MN 19 at North Carolina A&T1in Cleveland, Oh

Savannah State (2010 Record 1-10)

S 3 vs. Albany State1

S 10 at Southeastern LouisianaS 17 at Appalacian StateS 24 at North Carolina CentralO 1 HowardO 8 at Morgan StateO 15 Florida A&MO 29 Hampton [HC]N 5 Norfolk StateN 12 at Bethune-CookmanN 19 South Carolina State1in Macon, Ga

South Carolina State (2010 Record 9-3)

S 1 at Central MichiganS 10 a Bethune-CookmanS 17 at IndianaS 24 Delaware StateO 1 at Norfolk StateO 8 North Carolina Central [HC]O 15 Georgia StateO 22 Florida A&MO 29 at HowardN 12 North Carolina A&TN 19 at Savannah State

SIAC Albany State (2010 Record 11-1)

S 3 vs. Savannah State1

S 10 WingateS 17 Valdosta State S 24 at MilesO 1 vs. Kentucky State2

O 8 at Lane

O 15 MorehouseO 22 vs. Clark Atlanta3

O 29 Benedict [HC]N 5 Ft. Valley State4

1in Macon, Ga, 2in Indianapolis, In, 3in Valdosta, Ga,4in Columbus, Ga

Benedict (2010 Record 5-6)

S 3 Virginia Union S 10 at Bowie StateS 17 Shaw S 24 Fort Valley State O 1 vs. Miles1

O 8 at StillmanO 15 Clark Atlanta [HC]O 22 at MorehouseO 29 at Albany StateN 5 Lane1in Augusta, Ga

Clark Atlanta (2010 Record 4-7)

S 2 Georgia State S 10 LaneS 17 Fort Valley StateS 24 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff1

O 1 at MorehouseO 8 Miles [HC]O 15 at BenedictO 22 vs. Albany StateO 29 at TuskegeeN 5 Stillman1in St. Louis, Mo, 2in Valdosta, Ga

Fort Valley State (2010 Record 8-3)

S 3 at Florida A&M S 10 Delta State S 17 at Clark AtlantaS 24 at BenedictO 1 TuskegeeO 8 at Kentucky StateO 15 Bethune-Cookman O 22 Stillman [HC]O 29 MorehouseN 5 Albany State1

1in Columbus, GA

Kentucky State (2010 Record 3-8)

S 4 vs. Central State1 S 10 Lincoln (Pa)S 17 Stillman S 24 at Kentucky Wesleyan O 1 vs. Albany State2

O 8 Fort Valley State [HC]O 15 at MilesO 22 Tuskegee O 29 at LaneN 5 Morehouse

Lane (2010 Record 0-9)

S 4 at Edward Waters S 10 at Clark AtlantaS 17 Point S 24 Morehouse O 1 at StillmanO 8 Albany StateO 15 Tuskegee [HC] O 22 at MilesO 29 Kentucky StateN 5 at Benedict1in Dayton, Oh, 2in Indianapolis, In

Miles (2010 Record 3-8)

S 4 vs. Morehouse1

8THE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH 2011 HBCU TEAm SCHEdULES

S 10 Concordia-Selma S 17 at West Georgia S 24 Albany State O 1 vs. Benedict2

O 8 at Clark AtlantaO 15 Kentucky StateO 22 Lane [HC]O 29 at StillmanN 5 at Tuskegee1in Birmingham, Al, 2in Augusta, Ga

Morehouse (2010 Record 8-3)

S 4 vs. Miles1 S 10 vs. Howard2 S 17 Edward Waters S 24 at Lane O 1 Clark AtlantaO 8 vs. Tuskegee3

O 15 at Albany StateO 22 Benedict [HC]O 29 at Fort Valley StateN 5 at Kentucky State1in Birmingham, Al, 2in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC,3in Columbus, Ga

Stillman (2010 Record 3-8)

S 3 Shaw S 10 at Samford S 17 at Kentucky StateS 24 at Tuskegee O 1 LaneO 8 Benedict

O 15 ChowanO 22 at Fort Valley StateO 29 MilesN 5 at Clark AtlantaN 12 Concordia-Selma [HC]

Tuskegee (2010 Record 9-2)

S 10 Langston S 17 at Alabama A&M S 24 StillmanO 1 at Fort Valley State O 8 vs. Morehouse1

O 15 at LaneO 22 at Kentucky StateO 29 Clark AtlantaN 5 MilesN 24 at Alabama State 1in Columbus, Ga

SWAC Alabama A&M (2010 Record 3-8)

S 3 vs. Hampton1

S 10 at SouthernS 17 Tuskegee S 24 at Grambling StateO 1 Arkansas-Pine BluffO 8 Mississippi Valley State [HC]O 13 Texas SouthernO 29 vs. Alabama State2

N 5 at Alcorn StateN 12 Jackson StateN 19 Prairie View A&M1in Chicago, Il, 2in Birmingham, Al

Alabama State (2010 Record 7-5)

S 3 at Mississippi Valley State S 10 at Eastern Michigan S 17 Grambling State S 24 at Jackson State O 1 Alcorn State

O 8 at Texas SouthernO 15 Prairie View A&MO 29 vs. Alabama A&M1

O 29 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff N 5 SouthernN 24 Tuskegee1in Birmingham, Al

Alcorn State (2010 Record 5-6)

S 3 Grambling State S 10 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff S 17 Mississippi Valley State S 24 at Texas SouthernO 1 at Alabama State O 22 Concordia-Selma [HC]O 29 at SouthernN 5 Alabama A&M N 12 Prairie View A&M N 19 at Jackson State

Grambling State (2010 Record 9-2)

S 3 vs. Alcorn State1 S 10 at Louisiana-MonroeS 17 at Alabama State S 24 Alabama A&MO 1 Prairie View A&M2 O 15 Concordia-SelmaO 22 Mississippi Valley State [HC] O 29 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff N 5 at Jackson State N 12 Texas SouthernN 26 Southern3

1in Shreveport, La, 2in Dallas, Tx, 3in New Orleans, La

Jackson State (2010 Record 8-3)

S 3 Concordia-SelmaS 10 vs. Tennessee State1

S 17 at Southern S 24 Alabama StateS 29 Texas Southern O 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff [HC]O 15 at Mississippi Valley State O 29 vs. Prairie View A&M2 N 5 Grambling State N 12 at Alabama A&MN 19 Alcorn State1in Memphis, Tn, 2in Shreveport, La

Mississippi Valley State (2010 Record 0-10)

S 3 Alabama StateS 10 Murray StateS 17 at Alcorn StateS 24 at Prairie View A&MO 1 Southern O 8 at Alabama A&MO 15 Jackson State O 22 at Grambling StateO 29 Texas Southern [HC] N 3 South Alabama1

N 12 Arkansas-Pine Bluff1in Mobile, Al

Prairie View A&M (2010 Record 7-4)

S 4 vs. Bethune-Cookman1

S 10 at Texas SouthernS 17 Arkansas-Pine Bluff S 24 Mississippi Valley State O 1 vs. Grambling State2 O 8 at SouthernO 15 at Alabama StateO 29 vs. Jackson State3 N 5 at Texas State N 12 at Alcorn State

N 19 Alabama A&M [HC]1in Orlando, Fl, 2in Dallas, Tx, 3in Shreveport, La

Southern (2010 Record 2-9)

S 3 at Tennessee StateS 10 Alabama A&MS 17 Jackson State S 24 vs. Florida A&M1

O 1 Mississippi Valley State O 8 Prairie View A&MO 15 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff O 22 Alcorn State [HC]N 5 at Texas SouthernN 12 at Alabama StateN 26 Grambling State2

1in Atlanta, Ga, 2in New Orleans, La

Texas Southern (2010 Record 9-3)

S 10 Prairie View A&MS 17 at Texas CollegeS 24 Alcorn State S 29 at Jackson StateO 8 Alabama State Texas Southern O 13 at Alabama A&MO 22 Central State [HC] O 29 at Mississippi Valley State N 5 Southern N 12 at Grambling StateN 19 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

INDEPENDENTS Central State (2010 Record 1-10)

S 4 vs. Kentucky State1

S 10 vs. NC Central2

S 17 at West Alabama S 24 DaytonO 1 Notre Dame CollegeO 8 North GreenvilleO 15 Southwest Baptist [HC]O 22 at Texas SouthernO 29 at Kentucky WesleyanN 5 at Austin PeayN 12 at St. Francis1in Dayton, Oh, 2in Cleveland, Oh

Cheyney (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conf.: 2010 Record 1-10, 1-6)

S 3 Lincoln (Pa)S 10 at Slippery Rock S 17 at EdinboroS 24 at Kutztown O 1 MillersvilleO 8 at BloomburgO 15 West Chester [HC]O 22 ShippensburgO 29 East Stroudsburg N 5 at C. W. PostN 12 California (Pa)

Concordia-Selma (NAIA: 2010 Record 4-4)

S 3 at Jackson State S 10 MilesS 17 New Orleans S 24 PointO 1 at Edward WatersO 8 Texas College [HC]O 15 at Grambling State O 22 at Alcorn StateN 12 at Stillman

Edward Waters (NAIA: 2010 Record 0-8)

S 3 Lane S 10 Virginia University of Lynchburg1 S 17 at MorehouseO 1 Concordia-Selma [HC]O 8 LivingstoneO 15 at Webber International O 22 at Winston-Salem StateO 29 ShorterN 5 at Ave MariaN 12 at Southern Virginia1in Kingsland, Ga

Langston (NAIA: 2010 Record 6-4)

S 3 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff1

S 10 at Tuskegee S 17 at Mo. Western State O 24 at Emporia StateO 1 at Bacone

O 8 Panhandle State O 15 SW Assemblies [HC]O 22 at NW Oklahoma State N 5 Texas CollegeN 12 at Southern Nazarene 1in Little Rock, Ar

Lincoln (Mo) (GLFC: 2010 Record 2-9)

S 3 Avila S 8 at WashburnS 17 NW Missouri State S 24 Missouri Southern1 O 1 Fort Hays State [HC]O 8 at Missouri WesternO 15 at Pittsburg State O 22 Emporia State O 29 Central Missouri N 5 at Truman State N 12 Nebraska Omaha 1in St. Louis, Mo

Tennessee State (2010 Record 3-9)

S 3 Southern S 10 vs. Jackson State1

S 17 at Murray State S 24 at Air Force O 1 at Austin PeayO 8 Southeast Missouri O 15 at Tennessee TechO 22 at Eastern KentuckyN 5 at Eastern Illinois N 12 Tennessee-Martin [HC]N 19 Jacksonville State 1in Memphis, Tn

Texas College (NAIA: 2010 Record 1-9)

A 27 at Bellhaven S 3 at Lamar S 10 at Arkansas-Monticello S 17 at Texas SouthernO 24 NW Oklahoma StateO 8 at Concordia-Selma

O 15 at Panhandle State O 22 at Southern NazareneO 29 Bacone [HC]N 5 at LangstonN 12 SW Assemblies

Virginia University at Lynchburg (2010 Record 0-0)

S 3 at North Carolina A&T S 10 vs. Edward Waters1 S 17 LouisburgS 24 at Livingstone O 8 West Virginia State O 15 Wesley [HC]O 21 at Fork Union O 29 vs. Lincoln (Pa)2

N 12 at George Mason1in Kingsland, Ga, 2in Petersburg, Va

West Virginia State (WVIAC: 2010 Record 0-10)

S 3 at Johnson C. Smith S 10 Virginia State S 24 at ConcordO 1 Seton Hill [HC] O 8 at West Liberty

O 15 Glenville State O 22 at ShepherdO 29 at West Virginia WesleyanN 5 Fairmont State N 12 Charleston

[HC] indicates Homecoming Game.

2011 HOMECOMINGS Saturday, September 17Livingstone at Bowie State Saturday, October 1Concordia-Selma at Edward WatersFort Hays State at Lincoln (MO)Seton Hill at West Virginia StateJ. C. Smith at Winston-Salem State Saturday, October 8Miss Valley State at Alabama A&MMiles at Clark AtlantaTexas College at Concordia-SelmaVirginia State at Fayetteville StateHoward at Florida A&MArkansas-Pine Bluff at Jackson StateFort Valley State at Kentucky StateChowan at Lincoln (PA)Savannah State at Morgan StateNorth Carolina Central at South Carolina StateJohnson C. Smith at ShawElizabeth City State at Virginia Union Saturday, October 15Clark Atlanta at BenedictSouthwest Baptist at Central State West Chester at Cheyney Virginia State at Elizabeth City StateVirginia Union at Johnson C. SmithTuskegee at LaneSW Assemblies at LangstonDelaware State at North Carolina A&TWesley at Virginia University of Lynchburg Saturday, October 22Concordia-Selma at Alcorn StateShaw at ChowanStillman at Fort Valley StateMississippi Valley State at Grambling StateNorth Carolina Central at HamptonNorth Carolina A&T at HowardFayetteville State at LivingstoneLane at MilesBenedict at MorehouseJohnson C. Smith at St. Augustine’sCentral State at Texas Southern Saturday, October 29Benedict at Albany StateMorgan State at Delaware StateTexas Southern at Mississippi Valley StateBethune-Cookman at North Carolina CentralNorth Carolina A&T at Norfolk StateHampton at Savannah StateAlcorn State at SouthernBacone at Texas CollegeVirginia Union at Virginia State Saturday, November 5Alabama State at Arkansas-Pine BluffMorgan State at Bethune-CookmanMiles at Tuskegee Saturday, November 12Concordia-Selma at StillmanTennessee-Martin at Tennessee State Saturday, November 19Alabama A&M at Prairie View A&M Thursday, November 24Tuskegee at Alabama State

9TWO-mINUTE WARNINGTHE YARD wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

Eaton, Campbell and Fuller are new DirectorsMARSHALL, TX—Wiley College made

history with the naming of its first fe-male director of athletics, Janet Eaton. Eaton is no stranger to the College. She joined the Wiley family in 2008 as head women’s basketball coach. The College announced its promotion of Eaton at a news conference on August 19th.

“I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity,” said Eaton at the confer-ence. “Wiley College has a rich tradition of excellence in athletics and academ-ics, and my team and I will continue to build on this great tradition.”

Eaton takes on the position at a time of firsts and new beginnings for the athletic program. Soccer returns to the College this fall after a six year ab-sence. The new soccer coach, Demetrio Hernandez, was introduced at the con-ference. Hernandez comes from confer-ence rival Texas College where he won a RRAC Championship in 2006.

In addition, bowling was introduced Friday as part of Wiley’s athletic pro-gram. Michael Vickerstaff was named the new head coach for bowling, which the Red River Athletic Conference de-scribes as an “emerging sport.”

other announcements included the naming of JB Haggerty as the new cross country and track and field coach, and the naming of Madeleine Harris as the new assistant coach for volleyball and track and field.

“I look forward to supporting each and every coach on my staff,” said Ea-ton. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead, guide, and direct the growth of this program.”

They day was filled with emotion for Eaton. Her mother and sister surprised her by driving six hours from Missis-sippi to be present for the historical an-nouncement.

Eaton earned her Bachelor of Arts de-gree in Health and Physical Education from Dillard University in 1994. She earned a master’s degree in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2001. She has one son who is entering his third year at Wiley College.

HAMPTON, VA—Hampton University has named Keshia Campbell as director of athletics. She becomes the first fe-male athletic director to lead the Pirates and will begin working on August 15.

Campbell, who served as assistant and associate director of athletics at Hampton from 2004-2006, succeeds Lonza Hardy, who has been named di-rector of athletics at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She comes to the Tidewater Area from the University of Texas at Dallas where she was director of business affairs.

“Ms. Campbell comes with athletics management experience, knowledge of the institution’s athletics program and direct experience from within the Na-tional Collegiate Athletics Association,” said Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for administrative services, who super-vises athletics at Hampton. “We are very excited to welcome her as a mem-ber of the Hampton family and we are looking forward to continued excellence from our student-athletes under her di-rection.”

Campbell held two administrative positions at the NCAA, assistant and as-sociate director of championships, from 2006-2009. In addition to her time at Hampton, she was head women’s bas-ketball coach at South Carolina State University for seven years.

A two-time graduate of South Caroli-na State, Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a mas-

ter’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.“I am thrilled and honored to be ap-

pointed to the helm of the Pirate athlet-ics program,” said Campbell. “Hamp-ton is recognized as one of the best Division I mid-major programs in the entire country and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence.”

Campbell is another in a long line of women being appointed to senior ad-ministration positions under William R. Harvey’s tenure as Hampton president.

“Ms. Campbell has the administra-tive skills and experience to continue to guide our student-athletes to academic and athletic success,” Harvey said. “We believe her passion and vision will fur-ther elevate the bright future of Hamp-ton University athletics.”

JACkSON, MS—Jackson State Uni-versity has named Vivian Fuller as its new athletics director. She will take the

helm of Jackson State’s athletics pro-gram later this summer.

“I’m excited to be a Tiger,” Fuller said. “Jackson State has such a long and proud tradition; I look forward to honoring that tradition and helping our student athletes be the best they can be.”Fuller

JSU President Carolyn Meyers an-nounced Fuller’s appointment during a press conference today inside the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Cen-ter’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“Vivian Fuller’s leadership skills, along with her experience as an athlete, academician, and director of athlet-ics at three institutions, make her the best choice for Jackson State University at this time.” Meyers said. “I’m very confident that she will be able to lead our athletics programs to prominence, ensuring that JSU student-athletes suc-ceed on the field or court as well as in

the classroom.”Fuller comes to Jackson State Uni-

versity from Sojourner-Douglass Col-lege, where she served as dean of the college’s Cambridge, Maryland campus. Before joining Sojourner-Douglass in 2003, Fuller spent more than a decade directing the athletics programs at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Tennessee State University and North-eastern Illinois University.

When named AD at Tennessee State in 1997, Fuller became the first Afri-can-American woman to lead a Na-tional Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Athletics program with a football team. That team finished its first season under her leadership with a 9-3 record and won the ohio Valley Conference championship.

Jackson’s State’s new AD is a nation-ally known expert on academic support programs for student-athletes, aca-demic advising, women in sports and management and gender equity. She has testified before the U.S. Senate in congressional hearings on gender equity and minority participation in sports and has been involved in numerous NCAA committees including the Management Council, the Peer Review Committee, the Initial Eligibility Standards Com-mittee, the Gender Equity Task Force and the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), for which she served as chair-person.

Fuller began her career in higher edu-cation at Bennett College in 1978 as the director of intramurals and instructor of physical education. From 1984-87 she served as assistant director for advise-ment programs for student-athletes at North Carolina A&T, earning a promo-tion to assistant director of athletics. In 1987, she became associate director of

intercollegiate athletics at Indiana Uni-versity in Pennsylvania, where she was responsible for internal operations of the program and developing the aca-demic component for student-athletes.

Fuller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Fayetteville State University in 1977, a Master’s of Education from the Uni-versity of Idaho in 1978, and a Doctor-ate in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University in 1985.

Chicago State re-certified DI by NCAACHICAGO—The National Collegiate

Athletic Association [NCAA] Division I Committee on Athletics Certifica-tion announced Thursday that Chicago State University [CSU] has met all of the requirements for re-certification as a member of Division I. A certified des-ignation denotes that an institution op-erates its athletics program in compli-ance with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

This announcement marks the cul-mination of an eighteen-month process that required a comprehensive review of the CSU Athletics Program and its in-terface with the university community conducted by five sub-committees and one steering committee composed of university stakeholders.

Dr. Wayne Watson, President of Chicago State University stated, “I am pleased with the exceptional work of our Steering Committee Co-Chairs, the Steering Committee and the sub-com-mittees composed of individuals from across the Chicago State University

campus, including administrators, fac-ulty, staff and students in the athletic certification process.

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution’s athletics program and to assist institu-tions in improving their athletics de-partments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.

The certification process, which in-volves completion of a self-study which was led by President Watson, includes a review of five areas of which were also the foci of the five subcommittees name-ly, Academic Integrity, Diversity, Gen-der, Governance and Commitment to Rules and Student-Athlete Well-Being.

“I am extremely proud that Chicago State University has earned NCAA Di-vision I certification”, said Dr. Watson. “The net effect of this work has been phenomenal in its revelations regard-ing the structural and human capital changes that we have and will continue to make. Lessons learned are strength-ening our athletics program for our student-athletes, campus life and the communities that we serve”, he further stated.

The NCAA Committee on Certifica-tion issued decisions for Chicago State University [CSU] and 26 other Divi-sion I institutions including Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, But-ler University, Northeastern University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Campbell, a two-time graduate of South Carolina State, becomes the first female athletic director at Hampton.

Mansfield Accepts Position at SEC: SWAC assistant director of communications, Chevonne Mansfield, has accepted a position as assistant director of media relations at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and will transition across town at the end of the month. Mansfield earned the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) University Division Rising Star Award in June as a member of the SWAC staff.

NC CENTRAl IS ACTIVE DIVISION I: At 12:31 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, North Carolina Central University received a letter from the NCAA confirming the university’s active membership in Division I athletics. The five-year reclassification process moving from Division II athletics competition to Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) is now over, and NCCU is eligible to participate in post-season championships starting this fall.