With all of the news coming off the wire concerning National Signing Day in college football, I found the following release from the MVSU Athletics Department to be a bit of a reality check. If nothing else, it proves that newly hired football coach Karl Morgan has his hands full.

ITTA BENA, Mississippi — As many high school football players found themselves signing National Letters of Intent on February 3, new Mississippi Valley State University head football coach Karl Morgan found himself surrounded by game film from both the collegiate and prep levels.

“The recruiting process is still moving forward,” said Morgan from behind his desk in the Devil’s Den.  “Recruiting players and evaluation of last year’s team is currently our top priority.”

Morgan, hired as MVSU 15th head coach in January, has been holding down the fort for the MVSU football program since he stepped foot on the Itta Bena campus.  While the endeavour has been an eventful one, he is still optimistic about the players who will be under his wing in 2010.

Although no players signed letters of intent for the upcoming season, Morgan continues to work with vigilance and hope as he develops his plan for the program.

“While we did not get any players to commit via NLIs (National Letters of Intent), we have had several players verbally commit to joining us in the upcoming season.  We are just waiting on the paperwork to be completed and submitted.”

While Morgan has been adjusting himself to Mississippi Valley State, he has been constantly watching film – both on last year’s team and players who have submitted film to the program in hopes of joining the team in 2010.

“One thing I have been able to accomplish is watching a lot of film.  We have some players on this team returning in the spring and the fall who can be vital performers for us next season.  Also, there are a number of potential prospects who look good on film.”

Morgan stated that although the day was quiet, he asks that fans and supporters continue to stay with the program as a number of signees are expected to sign over the coming weeks.

If Mississippi Valley is ever going to turn its situation on the gridiron around Morgan and his coaching staff will not be able to do it themselves. It will require unwavering support from MVSU alumni and fans. Support is something that the Mississippi Valley State football program hasn’t seen in years, no make that decades. If you ask the Valley faithful what went wrong with Valley football, they’d probably tell you that it was all Willie Totten’s fault. And to some degree they would have a valid argument. But the Valley folks have to take their share of the blame in turning what has become the absolute worst football program in the SWAC. The football program at MVSU is producing exactly what its supporters are investing in it…NOTHING! How ironic is it that MVSU managed to sign “zero” recruits on the official start of signing day?

However, if Governor Haley Barbour has his way there may not be a Mississippi Valley State University much longer. But that is another story.

The Tennessee State University Tigers have inked twenty football signees in the first hours (as of 12 noon) of National Signing day.

Coach Rod Reed’s first recruiting class include eleven defensive players and nine offensive players. Eight players hail from the state of Tennessee, six players from Florida, three players from Georgia, two from Alabama and one player from Delaware.

Offensively, TSU signed four linemen, two quarterbacks, two wide receivers and one tight end. The linemen include Derek Sibley (6-6, 303 – Stone Mountain, GA), Brandon Rogers (6-4, 300 – Jacksonville, FL), Robert Myers (6-6, 303 – LaVergne, TN) and Ishamel Lewis (6-2, 260 – Nashville, TN). Quarterbacks include Francis Drummond (6-2, 215 – Wilmington, DE) and Michael German (6-2, 210 – Pompano Beach, FL). Wide Receivers are Chris Deloney (6-2, 185 – Chattanooga, TN) and Wesley Samuels (6-4, 205 – Birmingham, AL). The tight end signed is Je-Marc Sears (6-3, 235 – New Smyrna Beach, FL).

Defensive signees include five defensive backs in Ayobami Ayoola (5-10, 170 – Plantation, FL); Stephen Godbolt, III (6-0, 175 – Cross City, FL); DeMarco McNeal (6-2, 180 – Atlanta, GA); Ken Pettiford (6-3, 200 – Nashville, TN) and Bryce Wilson (6-0, 190 – St. Petersburg, FL). Three linebacker signees include Stephen Brooks, II (6-0, 230 – Jackson, TN); Jimmie Kitchen (6-2, 265 – Lithonia GA) and Wilson Robinson (6-4, 210 – Hoover, AL). Three defensive line signees include Anthony Morris (6-7, 275 – Germantown, TN); Lawrence Peterson (6-2, 230 – Memphis, TN) and Romario Cathey (6-4, 300 – Nashville, TN). Cathey is a transfer from Texas Tech and a product of Maplewood High School.

The coaching staff feels there may be other signees later in the process.

Coach Reed will give details and show video clips of this year’s signees at a Meet and Greet, Wednesday evening, February 3, 2010 at 6:30p in the Faculty Dining Room at the Floyd-Payne Center on the TSU Main Campus. Reed will also introduce his new staff at the event.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – A total of 20 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play football for the 2009 SWAC Football Champion Prairie View A&M University on Wednesday.
Seven states were represented in the 2010 football signing class with the team’s home state of Texas leading the way with 11 signees while California, Illinois and Pennsylvania were represented with two recruits each.

As head coach Henry Frazier III has done since his arrival at Prairie View A&M, the Panthers continue to build via the high school ranks as 17 of his signees are incoming freshman along with two junior college recruits and one Football Bowl Subdivision transfer .

CLASS BREAKDOWN

Idreis Augustus
Running Back
5-9, 190
Springfield, Va. (Lee)
Three-star recruit by ESPN.com…ranked 84th nationally among running backs…recorded 160 attempts for 1,706 yards and 21 touchdowns…averaged 10.6 yards per carry… combined to rush for 2,500 yards and 26 touchdowns during sophomore and junior campaigns…named to The Washington Post’s All-MET First Team…earned All-Northern Region honors…selected to the All-Nike Combine team during the Baltimore NIKE combine.
Personal: Full Name: Idreis Alexander Augustus…Born: Feb. 12, 1992…Son of Zayd and Tanya Augustus…Intends to Major In Business.

Chris Barrick
Placekicker
6-4, 180
Copperas Cove, Texas (Copperas Cove)
Earned District 12-5A first-team honors as a kicker and second-team honors as a punter…first-team all-area punter…received his team’s special teams award…three-year varsity letterwinner…ranked the 22nd best recruit in Central Texas by Texas PrepInsider.com.
Personal: Full Name: Christopher W. Barrick…Born: July 6, 1992 in Temple, Texas…Son of Stephen Barrick…Intends to Major In Civil Engineering.

Shawn Brisker
Safety
5-11, 170
Monroeville, Pa. (Gateway)
Earned WPIAL All-Conference Honors…logged 49 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior…also caught nine receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns while playing wide receiver…broke up three passes…helped lead team to Class 4A title game… one of two signees from the state of Pennsylvania.

Danny Brownell
Linebacker
6-0, 230
Houston, Texas (Elsik)
Named first-team all-district…recorded 123 tackles (79 solo), seven sacks and recovered a fumble during senior campaign…had 10 or more tackles eight times as a senior…three-year varsity letterwinner.
Personal: Full Name: Danny Charles Brownell…Born: Nov. 26, 1991 in Houston, Texas…Son of Mickey and Mia Brownell…Intends to Major In Architecture.

Blake Dixon
Linebacker
5-11, 205
Arlington, Texas (Mansfield Timberview)
Played running back primarily in high school and earned all-district honors…projected to play linebacker in college…also runs track and qualified for regionals as a junior.
Personal: Full Name: Blake Sterling Dixon…Born: Feb. 2, 1992 in Arlington, Texas…Son of Andrew and Sheri Dixon…Intends to Major In Psychology.

Stephen Eggins
Athlete
5-9, 170
Garland, Texas (Naaman Forest)
First-team all-district at safety…caught 11 passes for 96 yards…had 533 yards and 34 receptions as a junior…rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries…blocked four punts and kicks…picked off nine passes.
Personal: Full Name: Stephen Markul Eggins…Born: Feb. 19, 1992 in Wichita Falls, Texas…Son of Mary Williams…Intends to Major In Kinesiology.

Omarr Finn
Offensive Line
6-3, 280
Monroeville, Pa. (Gateway)
Helped guide team to Class 4A title game… earned WPIAL All-Conference Honors…blocked for an offensive unit that averaged 41.8 points and 348.7 total offensive yards per game…paved the way for his offensive backfield to average 172.9 yards per game and 2,248 yards rushing…one of two signees from the state of Pennsylvania.
Personal: Full Name: Omarr Gemini Finn…Born: May 29, 1992 in Pittsburgh, Pa…Son of Ronald and Nicole Moore…Intends to Major In Accounting.

Tre Glover
Offensive Line
6-3, 275
Waskom, Texas (Marshall)
Named first-team all-county and all-district as a senior…helped lead team to a second-place finish in district play and blocked for an offense that produced a 1,300-yard rusher.

D’Cody Harris
Wide Receiver
5-11, 180
Dallas, Texas (Bryan Adams)
Two-star recruit by ESPN.com and rated nationally amongst players at the athlete position…named to the District 12-4A first team…played both quarterback and wide receiver in high school…threw for 629 yards and seven touchdowns…led his team in rushing with 440 yards on 90 carries and nine touchdowns…caught 44 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns…scored 14 touchdowns total.
Personal: Full Name: D’Cody M. Harris…Born: Dec. 12, 1991 in Dallas, Texas…Son of Raymond Harris and Latrica Neal.

JohnMark Henderson
Cornerback
5-11, 190
South San Francisco, Calif. (Syracuse)
Mid-year transfer who’ll participate in spring drills…signed with Syracuse in the spring of 2009…played on the 2007 NJCAA championship team as a freshman at City College of San Francisco…had 11 tackles, including eight solo, in 2007 as a freshman at CCSF…compiled 29 tackles, including 19 solo and three for a loss of 15 yards and one sack with one interception as a sophomore.

Joshua Holguin
Defensive End
6-2, 220
El Paso, Texas (El Dorado)
Versatile prospect who earned all-district first team honors at both defensive end and tight end…named all-city at defensive end…recorded 96 tackles and nine sacks as a senior…logged 10 or more tackles four times as a senior with a high of 13 against Del Valle High School…tallied five receptions for 77 yards at tight end.
Personal: Full Name: Joshua James Holguin…Born: Feb. 28, 1992 in Aurora, Ill…Son of Tony and Jannie Holguin…Intends to Major In Architecture.

Keith Hutchins
Safety
5-11, 180
Upland, Calif. (Upland)
A United States Army All-American Bowl Nominee…finished his senior campaign with 70 tackles and four sacks…played both safety and linebacker in high school…will play safety at Prairie View…earned first-team All-Baseline Honors at linebacker in 2009 and safety in 2008.

Jeremy Johnson
Defensive End
6-3, 260
Chicago, Ill. (College of Dupage)
Junior college transfer who should step in and contribute immediately on the defensive line…earned first-team Midwest Football Conference Honors this past season…completed the 2009 campaign with 36 tackles, four tackles for loss with three sacks…helped lead team to the NJCAA Region IV Playoffs…one of three signees from Illinois’ College of Dupage…prepped at Morgan Park High School in Chicago.
Personal: Full Name: Jeremy Hicks Johnson…Born: March 12, 1990 in Chicago, Ill…Son of Stacey Johnson…Intends to Major In Criminal Justice.

J’marcus Joubert
Linebacker
6-1, 205
Houston, Texas (Eisenhower)
Rated a one-star recruit by Scout.com…earned District 19-5A honorable mention honors…tallied over 100 tackles and six sacks.
Personal: Full Name: J’marcus Joubert…Born: Sept. 27, 1991 in Houston, Texas…Son of Lucious and Renita Joubert…Intends to Major In Psychology.
Jerry Lovelocke
Quarterback
6-5, 210
Baltimore, Md. (Edmonson-Westside)
Two-star recruit by Rivals.com, ESPN.com and Scout.com…combined to pass for nearly 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns over the past two seasons…threw for 2,384 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior and 1,673 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season…also rushed for seven touchdowns as a senior…finished his career with a 60 percent completion rating…participated in the 2009 Maryland Crab Bowl All-Star Game…recruited by several Mid-American Conference programs.
Personal: Full Name: Jerry Lovelocke…Born: Oct. 8, 1992…Son of Paula Tolbert…Intends to Major In Communications.

George Moore III
Wide Receiver
6-2, 180
Houston, Texas (Aldine)
Rated a one-star recruit by Scout.com…caught 32 receptions for 569 yards and six touchdowns…averaged 19 yards per reception…the second-leading receiver in receptions and yardage in District 19-5A…earned first team District 19-5A honors…two-year varsity letterwinner…also runs track.
Personal: Full Name: George Pitson Moore III…Born: Nov. 11, 1991 in Houston, Texas…Son of George II and Tonya Moore…Intends to Major In Mechanical Engineering.

Jacquez Polk
Athlete
6-2, 185
Bellville, Texas (Bellville)
Led his team with three interceptions for 23 yards in 2009…also tallied 43 tackles with a sack…three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and runs track…two-time first-team all-district honoree at two positions…played defensive end as a junior and moved to the secondary for his senior campaign…rated a one-star recruit by Scout.com.
Personal: Full Name: Jacquez Dupree Polk…Born: Feb. 7, 1992 in Bellville, Texas…Son of Jennifer Polk…Intends to Major In Biology.

Jamichael Rozier
Running Back
5-9, 200
Spring, Texas (Klein Collins)
Member of Houston’s Top 100 by The Houston Chronicle…son of former Houston Oiler and 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier…two-star recruit by Rivals.com…named to the 2009 Texas PrepInsider Greater Houston All-Area 5A Team…earned first team District 13-5A honors…led team to first-ever district championship with an undefeated regular season record…rushed for 1,703 yards on 240 attempts…scored 17 touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry…also caught eight receptions for 96 yards…posted a 249-yard rushing performance against Spring High School…third-leading rusher in District 13-5A…eclipsed the 100-yard mark 11 times during the 2009 season.
Personal: Full Name: Jamichael D. Rozier…Born: Nov. 15, 1990 in Houston, Texas…Son of Mike Rozier and Pamela Gobert…Intends to Major In Criminal Justice.

Jordan Turner
Defensive Tackle
6-2, 260
Las Vegas, Nev. (Canyon Springs)
Two-star recruit by Scout.com and Rivals.com…ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the state of Nevada…Dave Schuman’s National Underclassman Las Vegas combine MVP…tallied 57 tackles, six sacks and blocked three field goals…earned second-team All-Sunrise Northeast Division Honors.
Personal: Full Name: Jordan Tyrone Turner…Born: Sept. 24, 1991 in Las Vegas, Nev…Son of Daren and Antionette Turner.

Krystopher Watkins
Fullback
5-11, 250
Lombard, Ill. (College of Dupage)
Provides Prairie View with a powerful blocking presence in the backfield… earned second-team Midwest Football Conference East All-Region Honors this past season…primary blocker in a backfield that produced a 1,100-yard rusher…team averaged nearly 160 yards per game on the ground in 2009…helped lead team to the NJCAA Region IV Playoffs…one of three signees from Illinois’ College of Dupage.
Personal: Full Name: Krystopher Anthony Watkins…Born: Aug. 18, 1990 in Chicago, Ill…Son of Juana Hasken…Intends to Major In Business Management.

Houston, TX- The Texas Southern Tigers football team finished the 2009 with the second best record for the school this decade. The Tigers finished the season 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference…both records were only matched by the TSU’s 2000 season.

Nearly all of the 2009 team will return in 2010, which means competition will be tough and this season’s signees will have an opportunity to learn and grow.

“Our 2010 class will have the best of both worlds. They won’t be pressured to make an impact right away, but they also have an opportunity to fight for a spot in the rotation,” said head coach Johnnie Cole.

Coach Cole focused on two areas main areas in this class…quarterback and defensive line. “We have our senior quarterback Arvell Nelson returning and he will be the leader for the guys coming in. We brought in three capable young quarterbacks as we look toward the future of this program,” Cole said.

Rudy Johnson is a 6’1” quarterback from Chula Vista, CA. He passed for 2800 yards and 35 touchdowns in his high school career. He’s the 7th ranked QB in his county. Johnson is the son of Rudy Johnson, Sr. who played football with Coach Cole at Texas Southern. “Johnson is an example of former TSU Tigers helping to keep the long tradition of TSU football alive,” said Cole.

The two other quarterbacks are Andre Kelly from Chaves high school and Darveon Trahan from Jack Yates high school.
Kelly passed for more than 6,000 yards and 58 touchdowns in his high school career…both are records at Chavez. Trahan is an all around athlete who is a threat on the ground and in the air. He passed for 750 yards and rushed for more than 500 yards his senior year at Yates. He also rushed for six touchdowns and threw for 11 more.

Coach Cole also brought in some guys to help beef up the defensive line and add more power and depth in that area. “Our defense went from the bottom of the conference to first in two seasons, and we’re looking to keep growing and getting better.”

In all, Texas Southern signed 29 recruits so far and more than half of them are from Texas. You can look forward to more exciting football for the Tigers this coming season. The foundation has been laid…now the work begins in the quest for a SWAC Championship.

Houston, TX -  Texas Southern University will honor the Legacy of Coach Robert “Bob” Moreland by naming the basketball court in the H&PE Arena in his honor. The naming will happen on Monday, February 15th during the Texas Southern vs. Jackson State men’s basketball game at 8:00pm. The unveiling ceremony will take place during half-time of the game.

Moreland served 27 seasons as head coach of the Texas Southern University men’s basketball program. Over his nearly three decades as a Tiger, Moreland has more wins than any coach in the university’s history. He has 406 victories. He also has five SWAC conference championships, two SWAC conference co-championships and three SWAC tournament championships. Moreland is a five time SWAC coach of the year, American wire service 1994 National Coach of the Year and 1994 & 1995 American Wire Service National Black College Champion. He also coached three national scoring champions in Harry Kelly (2-times) and Kevin Granger.

During his career at Texas Southern, coach Moreland had six 20-win seasons including a NAIA National Championship in 1977 and three trips to the NCAA Tournament in the 1990’s (Georgetown University 1990, Duke 1994 & University of Arkansas 1995). Moreland started his coaching career at Greer High School in Carthage, Mississippi, where he coached from 1962 to 1963. The following year he assumed the reigns of Utica Junior College in Utica, Mississippi. While there, he won 78% of his games over a 12 year period. The last 10 years were 20 win seasons, including a 30 win season in his final campaign at Utica Junior College before heading west to Texas Southern University. It only took coach Moreland two seasons to post a 30-win season at TSU and win a national championship in the process. “All I ever thought about was coaching and winning,” said Moreland, “I never thought about the number of victories I would win.”

Moreland earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Tougaloo College (1962) and his Master’s (1969) and Directorate (1972) Degrees from the University of Indiana. Coach Moreland was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in December 2007 and he received the “SWAC Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award” for contributions to the Southwestern Athletic Conference in December 2009. He is also a inductee into the Tougaloo University Hall of Fame and Hines Community College Hall of Fame.

Houston, TX – The Texas Southern Tigers Football team had their second best season of the decade in 2009 (6-5 overall / 5-2 Conference), and it’s only the beginning.

The Fighting Tigers are already gearing up the 2010 season and they want you to get in on the excitement. “The success of our program centers on recruitment and we have some young men coming in who we are really excited about; and I believe they will give the fans and alumni more to cheer about this coming season,” said head coach Johnnie Cole.

The “Texas Southern University Football Program Second Annual Recruiting Showcase” will be held Wednesday, February 3rd at 6:30pm in the Durley Field house on TSU’s campus. The fans will be able to meet the new recruits up close and personal. Coach Cole will talk about his new players and about his vision for the 2010 season and beyond. Some of our top returning players will also be on hand, including SWAC 2009 Newcomer of the Year, quarterback Arvell Nelson. You will be able to ask the coach and players questions about the TSU football program.

Coach Cole, his coaching staff and the Texas Southern Football student-athletes have laid a solid foundation for the program to build upon. Now we need you to help bring that winning spirit and support back to the campus of TSU.

KCOH Sports Rap host Ralph Cooper will broadcast the “Second Annual Recruiting Showcase” live from the football field house.

We look forward to seeing a packed house on Wednesday evening. See you then.

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee State University men’s basketball head coach John Cooper announced the dismissal of juniors Josh Sain, Erick Peguero, Darius Cox and Hamilton Nash due to violations of team policy.

“We have put in place team rules and policies that we feel will establish and strengthen our program,” said Head Coach John Cooper. “Repeated violations will not be tolerated. It is in our best interest to release those who are detrimental to the team’s progress.”

Sain was the team’s leading scorer averaging 13.7 ppg with four rebounds per game. Sain missed four games this season due to disciplinary actions. He has scored in double figures in 15 of 19 games played. Sain transferred in from Chipola Community College.

Cox, a two-year letter winner and OVC preseason selection, returned as the Tigers’ leading scorer from last season. Cox (7.5 ppg) was the team’s second leading rebounder with 5.3 per game. Cox missed three games this season for violating team rules.

Peguero (2.9 ppg) and Nash (1.5 ppg) were both transfers in their first year on the team. Nash joined the team as the NJCAA’s leading rebounder last year while making five starts this season with TSU. Peguero, who saw limited action, made only two starts this season.

The Tigers currently post a 4-19 overall record and are 1-10 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

TSU now has nine players on the roster including eight scholarship players and one walk-on. The team is left with two seniors, one junior, one sophomore, and five freshmen to carry out the season.

The Tigers host OVC opponent Jacksonville State at the Gentry Center on Tuesday, February 02, 2010.

The HBCU Men’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, last opponent and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record-–1PV-Points–PWR–Next Game-(2-1-10/2-7-10)
1. %-Morgan State———-(15-7)–(10)–98-—–1-—(Beat Norfolk State (100-94-OT), at-N. C. A & T State, vs-Florida A & M)
2. Delaware State—-—-(10-8)———-85——4-—(Beat Hampton (58-56), vs-Howard, at-N. C. A & T State)
3. Texas Southern–——(10-10)—–—-76——3-—(Lost to Alabama State (62-61), at-Alabama A & M, at-Prairie View A & M)
4. Jackson State———(9-11)———-68—-5-—(Beat Miss. Valley State (77-59, vs-Arkansas P. B., vs-Alcorn State)
5. Bethune-Cookman——-(12-9)-———53——2-—(Lost to S. C. State (58-55), vs-Winston-Salem State, at-Coppin State)
6. Alabama State———(9-10)——–—-46-—–8-–(Beat Texas Southern (62-61), vs-Prairie View A & M, at-Miss. Valley State)
7. S. C. State————–(10-8)——-—–34-—–9-—(Beat Bethune-Cookman (58-55), at-Florida A & M, vs-Hampton)
8. Prairie View A & M–(10-9)-———–27——6-—(Lost to Alabama A & M (59-54), at-Alabama State, vs-Texas Southern)
9. Arkansas P. B.——(6-13)–——-19——10—(Beat Grambling State (92-69), at-Jackson State, vs-Alabama A & M)
10. Savannah State——–-(9-13)———-10——7-—(Beat Allen (81-62), at-N. C. Central)

Dropped Out: N/A

Receiving Votes: Alabama A & M-(7-9)-9, N. C. A & T State-(7-14)-8, Hampton-(6-14)-6, Winston-Salem State-(7-11)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

Morgan State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Men’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.

The HBCU Women’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, last opponent and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record-–1PV-Points-PWR–Next Game-(2-1-10/2-7-10)
1. %-N. C. A & T State-(13-7)-—(5)—96——2-—(Beat Coppin State (79-56), vs-Morgan State, vs-Delaware State)
2. Prairie View A & M–(10-7)—-(4)—–94——1-—(Lost to Alabama A & M (68-62), at-Alabama State)
3. Southern–————-–(13-6)—-(1)—78-—–3-—(Beat Alcorn State (70-43), Open)
4. Morgan State————(11-9)——-—59-—–4-—(Beat Norfolk State (70-55), at-N. C. A & T State, vs-Florida A & M)
5. Alabama A & M———(9-8)–——-—54——6-—(Beat Prairie View A & M (68-62), vs-Texas Southern)
6. Florida A & M———(11-7)——–—-47-—–5-–(Beat Winston-Salem State (67-55), vs-S. C. State, at-Morgan State)
7. Howard————-—(9-10)————36——9-—(Beat Maryland E. S. (54-51), at-Delaware State, at-Winston-Salem State)
8. Bethune-Cookman——-(9-10)——-—–28——10—(Beat S. C. State (71-64), vs-Winston-Salem State, at-Coppin State)
9. Texas Southern-——-(8-12)——–—-15——7-—(Lost to Alabama State (56-42), at-Alabama A & M)
10. Hampton——-——–-(9-10)———-11-—–NR—(Beat Delaware State (62-43), at-Maryland E. S., at-S. C. State)

Dropped Out: Maryland E. S.-(7-10)

Receiving Votes: Alabama State-(7-10)-9, Savannah State-(8-17)-6, Maryland E. S.-(7-10)-5, Coppin State-(7-11)-4, Tennessee State-(7-12)-2, Grambling State-(6-11)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

N. C. A & T State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Women’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.

The Tennessee State University football team will return to the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN for the 2010 season. TSU will be matched against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe North Carolina A&T University. The Aggies will replace Southern University on the Tigers 2010 schedule. TSU’s last appearance in the Circle City Classic was in 2005 when they dropped a16-3 decision to North Carolina A&T in the RCA Dome.

The Tigers will again participate in four “Classic” games against traditional rivals from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Coupled with their seven game Ohio Valley Conference schedule, the Big Blue will play an eleven-game schedule including four games on their home turf, LP Field in Nashville, TN.

The “Classic” match-ups begin on Labor Day Weekend, September 4th with the John Merritt Classic in Nashville, TN against Alabama A&M (SWAC), then on to Memphis, TN, Sept. 11th against Jackson State (SWAC). On September 25th the Tigers travel to Atlanta, GA to face off against Florida A&M (MEAC) and on October 2nd to Indianapolis, IN to battle North Carolina A&T (MEAC).

In Ohio Valley Conference play, TSU will host Austin Peay State on September 18th in the annual Bikers’ game. Road trips to Southeast Missouri State and Jacksonville State follow on October 9th an 16th respectively. The Tigers end the month of October hosting Tennessee Tech on October 23rd, followed by an open date on October 30th. The Big Blue finishes their regular season schedule hosting Eastern Illinois for Homecoming on November 6th and finishing with road games at Tennessee Martin and Murray State on November 13th and 20th respectively.

Tennessee State University

Tentative 2010 Football Schedule

Date
Opponent
Location
Time

Sept. 4
Alabama A&M
Nashville, TN
6:00p

John Merritt Classic
LP Field

Sept. 11
Jackson State
Memphis, TN
6:00p

Southern Heritage Classic
Liberty Bowl

Sept. 18
Austin Peay State
Nashville, TN
6:00p

Bikers’ Classic
LP Field

Sept. 25
Florida A&M
Atlanta, GA
TBA

Atlanta Classic
Georgia Dome

Oct. 2
North Carolina A&T
Indianapolis, IN
TBA

Circle City Classic
Lucas Oil Stadium

Oct. 9
Southeast Missouri State *
Cape Girardeau, MO
TBA

Oct 16
Jacksonville State *
Jacksonville, AL
TBA

Oct. 23
Tennessee Tech *
Nashville, TN
6:00p

Kids Day
LP Field

Oct. 30
O P E N

Nov. 6
Eastern Illinois *
Nashville, TN
5:00p

Homecoming
LP Field

Nov. 13
Tennessee-Martin*
Martin, TN
TBA

Nov. 20
Murray State *
Murray, KY
TBA

* – Ohio Valley Conference games

Home game in BOLD

All times listed are Central Time

Times and Dates are subject to change

BIRMINGHAM – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2010 preseason softball honors Thursday, with Southern’s Audrey Phillips and Mississippi Valley State’s Lisa Jansen claiming top honors. The teams were voted on by the schools’ coaches and sports information departments.

Phillips – a 5-foot-4 sophomore shortstop – has been named the 2010 Preseason Player of the Year. Phillips had an exceptional freshman campaign in 2009 for the Jaguars. She ranked eighth in the conference and second on her team with a .370 batting average. The Mansfield, TX native also finished the season ranked first in the SWAC in triples (8), third in hits (54), sixth in doubles (11) and eighth in runs scored (33). Her efforts helped guide the Jaguars to a number one seed in the Western division for the Conference tournament as well as a spot in the 2009 championship game. Along with being named to the 2009 SWAC First-Team, Phillips garnered SWAC Freshman of the Year accolades.

Jansen – a 5-foot-9 senior from Dietzenbach, Germany – has been selected the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. In 2009, Jansen ranked first on her team and second in the SWAC with a 2.64 earned run average. She also led the SWAC in wins (15), opposing bating average (.216) and batters struck out (144). Jansen’s performance helped the Devilettes to a 17-0 conference record in 2009 and a sixth consecutive SWAC softball title. For her efforts, Jansen was named the 2009 SWAC Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year and a first-team honoree.

In the predicted order of finish, Southern and Mississippi Valley State have been selected to win its respective divisions in 2010. The two teams have met in the conference tournament championship game five times over the past six years with the Devilettes emerging the victors in each game. MVSU has claimed the last six conference titles, while SU last won the title in 2003.

In the Western division, Southern collected 11 first-place votes en route to 77 voting points. Grambling State (two first-place votes) was second with 57 points while Arkansas-Pine Bluff (one first-place vote) was third with 47 points. Texas Southern (one first-place vote) registered 43 points and Prairie View A&M (two first-place votes) tallied 31 to round out the Western division.

In the Eastern division, six-time defending champion Mississippi Valley State was chosen first with 14 first-place votes as it received 82 points. Jackson State (three first-place votes) accumulated 65 points for second place while Alcorn State with 44 points was picked third. Alabama State (49 pts) and Alabama A&M (25 pts) close out the Eastern divisional list.

Mississippi Valley State led the way with seven players chosen for preseason honors – four on first team. Southern had five representatives on the preseason team, while Alabama State had three selections and Jackson State and Grambling State each had two. Alabama A&M, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern all had one player on the preseason squad

The HBCU Men’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record-–1PV-Points-PWR–Next Game-(1-25-10/1-31-10)
1. %-Morgan State———-(13-7)–(9)–—97-—–1-—(vs-Maryland E. S., at-Norfolk State)
2. Bethune-Cookman——-(12-7)-—(1)—81——6-—(at-Howard, vs-S. C. State)
3. Texas Southern–——(9-9)————-78——5-—(vs-Arkansas P. B., at-Alabama State)
4. Delaware State—-—-(8-8)————-69——2-—(at-Coppin State, vs-Hampton)
5. Jackson State———(7-11)———-57—-3-—(at-Alcorn State, at-Miss. Valley State)
6. Prairie View A & M–(9-8)-——-—–45——4-—(vs-Miss. Valley State, at-Alabama A & M)
7. Savannah State——–-(8-12)———-34——9-—(vs-Jacksonville, vs-Allen)
8. Alabama State———(7-10)——–—-29-—–7-–(at-Southern, vs-Texas Southern)
9. S. C. State————–(8-8)——–—–16-—–8-—(vs-Norfolk State, at-Bethune-Cookman)
10. Arkansas P. B.——(5-12)–—–—-15——NR—(at-Texas Southern, vs-Grambling State)

Dropped Out: Winston-Salem State-(6-11)

Receiving Votes: Winston-Salem State-(6-11)-11, Hampton-(5-13)-8, N. C. A & T State-(6-13)-6, Coppin State-(5-12)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

Morgan State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Men’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.

The HBCU Women’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record-–1PV-Points-PWR–Next Game-(1-25-10/1-31-10)
1. Prairie View A & M–(9-6)-—-(6)—–97——1-—(vs-Miss. Valley State, at-Alabama A & M)
2. %-N. C. A & T State-(11-7)-—(4)—94——2-—(at-Winston-Salem State, vs-Coppin State)
3. Southern–————-–(11-6)———-73-—–7-—(vs-Alabama State, vs-Alcorn State)
4. Morgan State————(9-9)——–—62-—–5-—(vs-Maryland E. S., at-Norfolk State)
5. Florida A & M———(10-6)——–—-57-—–4-–(at-Hampton, vs-Winston-Salem State)
6. Alabama A & M———(8-7)–——-—46——3-—(at-Alcorn State, vs-Prairie View A & M)
7. Texas Southern-——-(7-11)——–—-38——6-—(vs-Arkansas P. B., at-Alabama State)
8. Maryland E. S.——–-(6-8)———–25——NR—(at-Morgan State, vs-N. C. Central, vs-Howard)
9. Howard————-—(7-9)————-17——NR—(vs-Bethune-Cookman, at-Maryland E.S.)
10. Bethune-Cookman——-(7-10)——-—–8-——10—(at-Howard, vs-S. C. State)

Dropped Out: Savannah State-(8-15), Alabama State-(6-9)

Receiving Votes: Savannah State-(8-15)-7, Alabama State-(6-9)-6, Hampton-(7-10)-6, Tennessee State-(7-11)-4, Coppin State-(6-10)-2, S. C. State-(5-12)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

N. C. A & T State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Women’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.

The HBCU Men’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record–1PV-Points-PWR–Next Game-(1-18-10/1-24-10)
1. %-Morgan State———-(11-7)-(8)–—97-—–1-—(at-Winston-Salem State, vs-Delaware State)
2. Delaware State—-—-(7-7)————81——9-—(at-Florida A & M, at-Morgan State)
3. Jackson State———(6-10)—(1)—78—-NR—(vs-Texas Southern, )
4. Prairie View A & M–(8-7)-—(1)—–76——2-—(at-Grambling State)
5. Texas Southern–——(7-9)——–—-52——5-—(at-Jackson State)
6. Bethune-Cookman——-(10-7)——-—-43——3-—(vs-Maryland E. S., at-Hampton)
7. Alabama State———(6-10)——-—-35-—–NR–(at-Alcorn State)
8. S. C. State————–(7-7)——–—-27-—–4-—(vs-Coppin State, vs-N. C. A & T State)
9. Savannah State——–-(6-12)———19——6-—(vs-N. C. Central, vs-Longwood)
10. Winston-Salem State-(5-10)–—–—10——NR—(vs-Morgan State, vs-Norfolk State)

Dropped Out: Coppin State-(5-10), Hampton-(4-12), N. C. A & T State-(5-12)

Receiving Votes: N. C. A & T State-(5-12)-9, Coppin State-(5-10)-7, Hampton-(4-12)-6, Arkansas P. B.-(3-12)-5, Tennessee State-(4-15)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

Morgan State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Men’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.

The HBCU Women’s Major Division Basketball Top 10, with number of first-place votes, record in parentheses, total points, previous ranking, and next opponent:

Name——————————–Record–1PV-Points-PWR–Next Game-(1-18-10/1-24-10)
1. Prairie View A & M–(7-6)-—(5)—–93——1-—(at-Grabling State, vs-Arkansas P. B.)
2. %-N. C. A & T State-(9-7)——(4)—87——2-—(vs-Hampton, at S. C. State)
3. Alabama A & M———(8-6)–-(1)–—79——4-—(at-Southern)
4. Florida A & M———(9-5)——–—-64-—–3-–(vs-Delaware State, at-Howard)
5. Morgan State————(7-9)——-—48-—–7-—(at-Winston-Salem State, vs-Winston-Salem State)
6. Texas Southern-——-(6-9)——–—-36——10—(at-Jackson State, vs-Miss. Valley State)
7. Southern–————-–(9-6)———-51-—–NR—(at-Miss. Valley State, vs-Alabama A & M)
8. Savannah State——–-(8-13)———28——5-—(at-N. C. Central, at-Georgia Tech)
9. Alabama State———(6-8)————23——6-—(at-Alcorn State)
10. Bethune-Cookman——-(6-9)——–—-9-——8-—(vs-Maryland E. S., at-Hampton)

Dropped Out: S. C. State-(5-10)

Receiving Votes: Maryland E. S.-(5-7)-8, Howard-(6-9)-7, Hampton-(6-9)-5, Coppin State-(5-9)-3, S. C. State-(5-10)-2, Tennessee State-(6-10)-1

PWR = Previous Week Ranking
1PV = 1st Place Votes

N. C. A & T State % = TSPN & 3C 2008-2009 HBCU Women’s Basketball Major Division National Champion

Major Division = NCAA Division I

© 2003-2010 3C Communication – A THG Agency, LLC Company
www.thg-agency.com & 3C Communications – All Rights Reserved.