Tag: SWAC

UAPB women’s hoops names Roderick Woods as assistant coach

Brandon King

New Arkansas Pine Bluff women’s head basketball coach Erica Leak rounds out her coaching staff, as the program announced the hiring of Roderick “Rodd” Woods as an assistant coach.  “We are so excited to announce coach Woods as the final piece to our staff,” said Coach Leak. “Woods is a competitor, a strong recruiter, and a passionate coach whose experiences will serve him well here at UAPB. A connector by nature, who is experienced in leadership development and team development, embodies our ‘six C’s, (Character, Commitment, Confidence, Class, Courage Culture)’…

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Arkansas Pine Bluff names Xavier Johnson as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator

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The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women’s basketball coach, Erica Leak, has announced the hiring of Xavier Johnson as the program’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Coach Johnson to Golden Lions Nation,” Leak said. “He will bring an incredible amount of experience both on and off the court to our program. Xavier is an elite-level recruiter and teacher. Our student-athletes are going to thrive under his leadership. He brings great experience and knowledge of the women’s basketball circuit landscape to help continue our vision…

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Florida A&M gets commitment from former ACC Player and three-star prospect

Brandon King

Former three-star defensive back Bralyn Oliver has committed to Florida A&M. Oliver, announcing the latest chapter in his collegiate career in a post to his X account.  He didn’t take part in any games last season for the Orange; Emily Leiker of syracuse.com reports that he was not halfway through the season and entered the transfer portal in December. Leiker adds that then-coach Dino Babers was asked why Oliver, who appeared in 9 games in 2022, was noticeably absent on the field, with the coach saying it was not related…

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Alabama A&M women’s hoops recipient of sizablele donation

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 The Alabama A&M women’s basketball program received a large donation as the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) donated a golf cart on Tuesday morning at the AAMU Event Center. “We have a walking campus,” Thornton said about the much-needed gift. “This golf cart will allow us to transport recruits, alumni and potential donors who come to visit our amazing campus. It has endless possibilities and we are so thankful to Dr. Catherine Coleman Flowers and the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice for is donation.” Thornton enters…

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SWAC Spring Meeting Recap: SWAC to make changes to Conference Basketball Tournaments

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Courtesy of the Southwestern Athletic Conference The Southwestern Athletic Conference recently held its annual SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors Spring meeting. A wide range of agenda items were discussed at the meeting, listed below are some of the highlights of new legislation that was passed for the 2024-25 academic year.     The league voted to expand the number of teams that will participate in the SWAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments from eight to ten teams on both sides for the 2025 tournaments. The 2026 SWAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball…

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Hakim McClellan out at Mississippi Valley State

Brandon King

According to the Mississippi Valley State athletic director Hakim McClellan is stepping down from his current role to become the Deputy Athletic Director at Jackson State, saying it “was time.” The move to JSU is a return to familiar grounds for McClellan, where he previously worked as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance.  McClellan assumed the role of Athletic Director on June 6, 2022.  In his time as Athletic Director, the field at Rice-Tottem was replaced with FieldTurf and the venue also received a new Jumbotron. Additional upgrades included updates…

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SWAC Announces Attendees for 2024 Football Media Day

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Courtesy of the SWAC BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the student-athletes set to participate in the league’s annual SWAC Football Media Day on Tuesday, July 16 at 10:00 am CST at the Sheraton-Birmingham. All twelve SWAC head football coaches will also be in attendance to address media about the upcoming 2024 football season. A complete listing of the student-athletes slated to be in attendance is listed below. Alabama A&MDonovan Eaglin, Running BackEmari Pait, Defensive Back Alabama State Andrew Body, Quarterback  James Burgess, Defensive Back  Alcorn State Tavarious Griffin, Tight End Malachi Bailey,…

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SWAC extends contract of Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland through 2032

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Courtesy of the Southwestern Athletic Conference The Southwestern Athletic Conference Councilof Presidents and Chancellors has unanimously approved a contract extension for SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. The extension which will run through 2032 academic year, wasannounced on Friday afternoon. “Over the course of the past five years the SouthwesternAthletic Conference has made significant strides towards becoming one of the most widely recognized and visibleathletic conferences in the country,” said SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors Chairman Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D. “The visionary and dynamic leadership of CommissionerMcClelland has helped propel our conference to prominence on a national stage while also increasing the availability of financial resources that have positively impacted the overall student-athlete experience. We are undoubtedly excited about the continued upward trajectory of our league under his leadership.” McClelland was named the sixth commissioner of the SWACduring the summer of 2018. Since that time the league has significantly increased its visibility and presence on a nationalstage through the broadcasting of conference football and basketball games on ESPN and HBCUGO platforms. Overall viewership of league football events reached a historic highthis past season with fans able to access the vast…

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Alcorn State football to make 8 appearances on ESPN Networks

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t Courtesy of Alcorn State Sports Information  Alcorn State University football will be featured on various ESPN networks throughout the 2024 season. Head coach Cedric Thomas and Braves football will play in eight televised contests for fans to enjoy.     Alcorn fans can see the Braves play on Aug. 29 at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. ASU will travel to Vanderbilt University on Sept. 7 on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m. On Sept. 21, Alcorn State will face McNeese State University on the road in Lake Charles,…

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Grambling football headed to The Horseshoe in 2025

Brandon King

Monday Grambling football announced that they would take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025.  The Tigers are headed to The Horseshoe to replace UCONN, who Ohio State is no longer set to face, on Saturday, September 6.  The Buckeyes were scheduled to face the Huskies on September 18, but according to the OSU athletic department, the decision to cancel the game and alter their schedules was a mutual one between Ohio State and UCONN. The now-open September 18 date for the Buckeyes will be filled by a Big10 opponent…

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