VS. ALABAMA A&M
NORTH CAROLNIA A&T STATE
AUGUST 31, 2014
B R I G HT H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L | $ 5.00
Inside Front Cover Coors Ad
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
ALABAMA A&M vs. NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE AU G UST 31, 2014 | B R I G HT H O US E N ETW O R KS STAD I U M | O R LAN D O, FL
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter From Disney 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter from Orange County Mayor 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter from City of Orlando Mayor 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ESPN Coverage Team 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MEAC Commissioner 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MEAC History 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SWAC Commissioner 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SWAC History 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About MEAC 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About SWAC 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Game Preview 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Executive Committee 16-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University History 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University President 19 . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University Athletic Director 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alabama A&M University Team Facts 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University Head Coach 23 . . . . . . . . . .Alabama A&M University Assistant Coaches 23 . . . . . . . . .Alabama A&M University Alphabetical Roster 25-28 . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University Football Team
30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alabama A&M University Band 31 . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University Band 32-33 . . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University History 34 . . . . . . . .North Carolina A&T State University Chancellor 35 . . . North Carolina A&T State University Athletic Director 36 . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University Team Facts 38 . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University Head Coach 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University Assistant Coaches 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Carolina A&T State University Alphabetical Roster 41-44 . . North Carolina A&T State University Football Team 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walter Payton Award Nominees 48-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends 50-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . History of MEAC/SWAC Challenge 53-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game Recaps 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sponsors
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CREDITS Student Writers: Dewayne Jones (AAMU) Kylan Rankin (AAMU) Whitley Windham (AAMU) Janay Boone (NCAT) Dominique Moody (NCAT) Edited By: Corinne Milien (ESPN) Patricia Porter (MEAC) Mark Wright (ESPN) Layout & Design: Summit Athletic Media (www.summitathletics.com) Priting: iTek Graphics (www.itekgraphics.com)
We’re excited to be part of the 10th anniversary of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and to see the matchup between Alabama A&M University and North Carolina A&T State University. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is more than a game–it’s a four-day event for our community that highlights Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and higher education. For the fans who attend the events and the game, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge showcases Central Florida and puts HBCU students and alumni in the national spotlight through the broadcast on ESPN. Walt Disney World Resort is proud to sponsor the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and bring HBCU student athletes, band members and alumni together to kick off the football season in Central Florida. We are delighted to have you join with us in this celebration of heritage, diversity and education. Enjoy the game!
Nancy Gidusko Director Corporate Citizenship Walt Disney World Resort
The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies are equal opportunity employers. We draw creativity from diversity. ©Disney 2014
10th Annual
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LETTER FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR TERESA JACOBS P.O. BOX 1393 • 201 SOUTH ROSALIND AVENUE • ORLANDO, FL 32802-1393 PHONE: 407-836-7370 • FAX: 407-836-7360 • MAYOR@OCFL.NET
Dear Friends, On behalf of Orange County and the Board of County Commissioners, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the participants, sponsors, and fans attending the 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. This annual challenge is a highly anticipated event and we are more than honored to welcome all of you to the Central Florida region. Having historically black colleges and universities compete in Orange County has been a tradition for many years and we are excited to add this annual challenge to the mix. Not only do these types of events bring in fans and alumni from all over the nation, but they also make an unmatched impression on the City of Orlando and the universities in attendance. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your unique culture by hosting your event at the University of Central Florida’s Bright House Networks Stadium. Additionally, Orange County has much to offer to help make your event memorable. Most significant, last year we hosted more than 56 million visitors from around the world. Aside from our beautiful Florida weather, we are home to more than 90 attractions and exciting theme parks, a world-class convention center, an award winning international airport, more than 150 world-renowned golf courses, a wide variety of sports events, fine museums, great shopping, cultural activities and many natural wonders which makes our region unique. There is a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. I hope you enjoy all of the festivities and wish both institutions playing in the challenge good luck! Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
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10th Annual
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LETTER FROM THE CITY OF ORLANDO MAYOR BUDDY DYER ORLANDO CITY HALL • 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE • P.O. BOX 4990 • ORLANDO, FL 32802-4990 PHONE: 407-246-2221 • FAX: 407-246-2842 • CITYOFORLANDO.NET
WELCOME! As Mayor of Orlando, the City Beautiful, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the President and Chancellor, faculty, alumni, participants and special guests attending the 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. Orlando is privileged to play host to this annual matchup this year between the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and North Carolina A&T State University Aggies. Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. and Dr. Harold L. Martin, Sr., the 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge is celebrating its first decade of this annual event, with the past seven years being held here in our City. It is clear that this annual gathering of sports lovers and supporters is more than just a game! This weekend will provide the opportunity to honor some of the top legends in the sports industry, as well as extended scholarship opportunities to deserving students. Our community is grateful for the annual local high school career session as well as the Annual Challenge Legends Reception in addition to enjoying the talented students that make up the bands as they perform during the battle of the bands at half time during the game. Again, welcome to Orlando. Thank you for visiting our City and best wishes for a wonderful weekend and enjoyable stay in our community. Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer Mayor
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10th Annual
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COVERAGE TEAM
COMMENTATOR - PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
MARK NEELY
COMMENTATOR - COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST
JAY WALKER
TIFFANY GREENE
Mark Neely has been a play-by-play announcer with ESPN for over a decade. He began calling Major League Baseball for ESPN in 2001 and in future years added college football, basketball and baseball, as well as a variety of Olympic sports including soccer, volleyball, softball and the men’s and women’s NCAA swimming & diving national championships. Neely has also been a part of ESPN’s Little League coverage since 2001.
Jay Walker joined ESPN in 2005 as a college football analyst. He has called the ESPNU Thursday Night games for the last four years, in addition to a studio analyst for the last two years. He has also been an analyst on College Football Overdrive.
Tiffany Greene is back to her first love! Tiffany is an avid sports fan and is truly passionate about reporting the Xs and Os, as well as sharing the stories beyond the score with the Central Florida & Tampa Bay communities.
Walker started his television career with BET and then joined the now defunct MBC Network from 2002-05.
Inspired by her own father, the first black anchor/reporter in Tampa and Tallahassee, Tiffany proudly followed in her father’s footsteps. She knew as early as kindergarten that she wanted to be a TV reporter. The Tampa native attended Florida A&M University to study Broadcast Journalism as an NCAA Scholarship athlete, for bowling of all things! While attending college, Tiffany won the Hearst Award for Radio News Feature Reporting.
He called play-by-play on ESPN for the 2010 New Orleans Bowl and 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. For ESPN Radio, Neely broadcast the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl, 2011 and 2012 New Mexico Bowl, 2012 Compass Bowl and the 2012 Alamo Bowl. Neely was hired as the lead play-by-play announcer for the San Diego Padres TV in 2009 and spent three season with the Padres. He was also part of ESPN’s coverage of the historic final night of the 2011 Major League Baseball regular season calling the St. Louis Cardinals win over the Houston Astros, and then reporting from the Cardinals’ clubhouse as the dramatic night unfolded. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Neely graduated from the University of Kansas.
Out of college, Walker was drafted in the seventh round in 1994 by the New England Patriots, where he played for two seasons. He also spent two years with the Minnesota Vikings. Walker was drafted out of high school to be a pitcher in the California Angles organization’s minor league team, one of a handful of players to play both minor league baseball and in the NFL. While playing in the minors, Walker decided to pursue his passion for football and was recruited as a quarterback to Long Beach State and eventually transferred to Howard University after football was cut as a sport at Long Beach. At Howard, Walker led the team to their first playoff berth in team history and was named an All-American, to the All-MEAC Team twice and was the I-AA football player of the year by Sports Illustrated. That year, 1993, Howard earned its only undefeated season in program history. A native of Los Angeles, Walker is a 1994 graduate from Howard with a political science degree. In 2005, he was inducted into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame, and most recently, he was named to the MEAC/SWAC All-Time Greatest Team. Currently, Walker is CEO and President of Walker Financial Services and has been a member of the House of Delegates in Maryland since 1997. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and its education and finance resources subcommittees. He is also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. –5–
REPORTER
After graduation, Tiffany started her TV career as a Production Assistant/ Photographer at WB38 in Tampa. For the next three and a half years she would call Savannah, Ga. her home, covering both sports and general assignment reporting at WJCL/ FOX 28 and then at WTOC. Before joining the BHSN family, Tiffany was a reporter for Central Florida News 13 in Orlando. Tiffany serves as a Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida (Universal Branch) and is an active member of the Greater Orlando FAMU Alumni Association. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, The Links, Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists. When the Tampa native is “off the air”, Tiffany enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family and of course, actively playing or watching sports.
10th Annual
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LETTER FROM THE MEAC COMMISSIONER MEAC and SWAC Alumni, Fans, and Supporters: I bring you salutations from 13 truly outstanding academic institutions as we welcome you to Orlando, Florida, for the tenth anniversary of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney.
DENNIS E. THOMAS, ED.D. MEAC COMMISSIONER
I am pleased that North Carolina A&T State University will represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in this year’s game against the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Alabama A&M University. I look forward to a competitive matchup that displays great sportsmanship and showcases the talented student-athletes, coaches and the respective institutions. As always, I know the 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge football game, as well as the ancillary events will provide an excellent athletic, educational and entertainment experience for the participants and fans. In addition, I am elated that the game will be broadcasted on a national platform such as ESPN. So don’t miss the excitement of the game and your chance to witness all the pageantry, bands and tailgating festivities. I would like to recognize the City of Orlando, Orange County and University of Central Florida for being such great hosts. I further extend gratitude to ESPN and the Walt Disney World Resort for their commitment to these two great conferences. Good luck to both North Carolina A&T and Alabama A&M on today’s game, as well as to our other MEAC and SWAC institutions on the remainder of the 2014 football season.
GO MEAC! Sincerely,
Dennis E. Thomas, Ed.D.
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10th Annual
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MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HISTORY The MEAC expanded again in the 1990s with the inclusion of Hampton University (1995) and Norfolk State University (1997). The conference grew once again in 2007 with the addition of Winston-Salem State University. Winston-Salem State, a MEAC provisional member, did not meet the qualifications for Division I and withdrew from the conference following the 2009-10 academic and athletic season. On July 1, 2010, the MEAC made its most recent expansion with the admittance of North Carolina Central and Savannah State University.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 45th year of intercollegiate competition heading into the 2014-15 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of 13 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University, and South Carolina State University.
On June 8, 1980, the MEAC was classified as a Division I conference by the NCAA. Prior to that year, the MEAC operated as a Division II conference. The month after it achieved Division I status, the conference received an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Currently, the conference has automatic qualifying bids for NCAA postseason play in baseball (since 1994), men’s basketball (since 1981), women’s basketball (since 1982), football (since 1996), softball (since 1995), men’s and women’s tennis (since 1998), and volleyball (since 1994).
The MEAC sponsors 16 Division I (FCS) sports with automatic qualifying bids for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) postseason competition in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, football, men’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, and volleyball. MEAC student-athletes excel on and off the field and several have been recognized on ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America and All-District teams. The conference sponsors All-Academic teams in each of its sports and awards two post-graduate scholarships of $5,000 each annually to one male and one female student-athlete who have excelled academically and athletically and are in their final season of intercollegiate athletics eligibility and competition under MEAC and NCAA regulations.
SPORTS HISTORY The MEAC declares champions in eight men’s sports – baseball, basketball, cross country, football, men’s golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and tennis - and eight women’s sports - cross country, basketball, bowling, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball, tennis and volleyball.
MEMBERSHIP HISTORY In 1969, a bold ad hoc group of innovators long associated with intercollegiate athletics met in Durham, North Carolina, to discuss the feasibility of organizing a new conference. From these discussions, they formed a steering and planning committee to fully investigate the idea, present a detailed report with recommendations to interested collegiate institutions and construct a workshop to outline proposals.
The MEAC initiated cross country in 1980, and North Carolina A&T earned the inaugural men’s crown. The first women’s cross country championship took place a year later, with Howard winning the first of its seven titles. Indoor Track and Field was also added in 1981, with South Carolina State capturing the men’s title and Howard winning the women’s crown.
After selecting a proposal and adopting a program, seven institutions (Delaware State College, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State College) agreed to become the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Their major objective was to establish, organize and supervise an intercollegiate athletic program among a compact group of educational institutions of high academic standards with a sound philosophy of co-curricular activities. The conference agreed to seek Division I status for its sports.
Tennis and golf returned as MEAC-governed sports in 1981 after a five-year hiatus. South Carolina State won all seven of the conference’s golf titles from 1972-1983 before the sport was discontinued after the 1983 championship. In wrestling, Morgan State won 13 of 24 conference championships before the sport was discontinued in 1995. Baseball, which began in 1972, was discontinued following the 1977 season. It was brought back as a MEAC-governed sport along with women’s volleyball in 1983. Women’s softball became a MEAC-sanctioned sport in 1992.
The conference was confirmed in 1970, kicking off its first season of competition in football in 1971.
Bowling was officially sanctioned as a MEAC sport in 1999. The MEAC was the first conference to secure NCAA sanctioning for women’s bowling by adopting the club sport prior to the 1996-97 school year.
In 1978, the MEAC reached a milestone when it selected Kenneth A. Free to be its first full-time commissioner. Free served the conference for 18 years before stepping down in May of 1996. In July 1996, Charles S. Harris was named commissioner and served in the capacity until April 2002. On September 1, 2002, Dr. Dennis E. Thomas was named commissioner and has served in the position for 10 years.
Men’s golf returned as a MEAC sponsored sport last year, 2013-14, with six teams participating in the conference championship. Bethune-Cookman was crowned the 2013 men’s conference champion. The Wildcats also won the 2013 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.
The conference’s first expansion occurred in October 1979, when Bethune-Cookman College and Florida A&M University were voted into the MEAC as members. Original members Morgan State, North Carolina Central and Maryland Eastern Shore withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year. Maryland Eastern Shore was readmitted in 1981 and Morgan State returned in 1984. Florida A&M opted to resign in 1984 but rejoined the conference in 1986. Coppin State College was granted admittance in 1985, becoming the ninth member institution.
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10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
LETTER FROM THE SWAC COMMISSIONER SWAC and MEAC Alumni, Fans, and Supporters:
DUER SHARP SWAC COMMISSIONER
On behalf of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, its Council of Presidents and Chancellors and 10 member institutions, it is my pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. For the second straight season, the Challenge will exhibit a first-time visit from one of our institutions. We are delighted to have first year head coach James Spady and Alabama A&M University represent our conference. Today’s game between the Bulldogs and MEAC representative North Carolina A&T should provide us with yet another stellar experience for the student-athletes and fans. I would like to thank the Walt Disney Company, the City of Orlando, and Bright House Networks Stadium for its hospitality as we have now watched this event reach the 10 year mark. We would also like to extend gratitude to ESPN and its family of networks. Thank you for the exposure and providing our student-athletes with a remarkable classic. I would like to thank all the supporters of HBCU athletics for their participation and passion in celebrating more than 4,000 student-athletes representing SWAC member institutions. Today’s game puts the SWAC and MEAC on different sides of the field, but it is vital that we are united in our pursuit of providing the best possible collegiate experience for our student-athletes and fans. To the fans in attendance, enjoy all the sights, sounds, and pageantry of today’s game. I am confident that both teams will leave everything on the field. Beyond today’s event, please continue to support the SWAC, its member institutions, and most importantly, its student-athletes. I wish both schools and the two historic conferences the best of luck. It is also my hope that this will be the start to a successful 2014 season.
Good luck to the Bulldogs! Go SWAC! Sincerely, Duer Sharp
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10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HISTORY Today, the SWAC, considered the premier HBCU conference, ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams, particularly in the sport of football. On the gridiron, the conference as been the biggest draw on the Football Championship Subdivision level of the NCAA, leading the nation in average home attendance for 19 of the 20 years the FCS has been in existence.
In 1920, athletic officials from six Texas HBCUs — C.H. Fuller of Bishop College, Red Randolph and C.H. Patterson of Paul Quinn College, E.G. Evans, H.J. Evans and H.J. Starns of Prairie View A&M, D.C. Fuller of Texas College and G. Whitte Jordan of Wiley College — met in Houston, Texas, to discuss common interests. At this meeting, they agreed to form a new league, the SWAC. Paul Quinn became the first of the original members to withdraw from the league when it did so in 1929. When Langston University of Oklahoma was admitted into the conference two years later, it began the migration of state-supported institutions into the SWAC. Southern University entered the ranks in 1934, followed by Arkansas AM&N (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) in 1936 and Texas Southern University in 1954.
In 1994, the SWAC fell just 40,000 fans short of becoming the first non-Football Bowl Subdivision conference to attract one million fans to its home games. Current championship competition offered by the SWAC includes competition for men in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track, outdoor track & field and tennis. Women’s competition is offered in the sports of basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, indoor track, outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
Rapid growth in enrollment of the state-supported schools made it difficult for the church-supported schools to finance their athletics programs and one by one they fell victim to the growing prowess of the state-supported colleges. Bishop withdrew from the conference in 1956, Langston in 1957 and Huston-Tillotson (formerly Samuel Huston) in 1959, one year after the admittance of two more state-supported schools: Grambling College and Jackson State College.
Southwestern Athletic Conference 2101 6th Avenue North, Suite 700 Birmingham, AL 35203 Telephone: 205.251.7573 Fax: 205.297.9820 Website: www.swac.org
The enter-exit cycle continued in 1961 when Texas College withdrew, followed by the admittance of Alcorn A&M (now Alcorn State University) in 1962. Wiley left in 1968, the same year Mississippi Valley State College entered. Arkansas AM&N exited in 1970 and Alabama State University entered in 1982. Arkansas–Pine Bluff (formerly Arkansas AM&N) rejoined the SWAC on July 1, 1997, regaining full-member status one year later. Alabama A&M University became the conference’s tenth member when it became a full member in September, 1999 after a one year period as an affiliate SWAC member. Most of the former SWAC members that have left the conference are currently a part of the Red River Athletic Conference of the NAIA.
ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
JACKSON STATE PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
GRAMBLING STATE SOUTHERN
TEXAS SOUTHERN
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ALCORN STATE
ALABAMA A&M
ALABAMA STATE
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
MEAC NOTEABLE ALUMNI COPPIN Stephanie Ready (First Female Coach in Men’s Basketball)
DELAWARE STATE Jamaal Jackson (All-Pro NFL Offensive Lineman)
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
MEAC MEMBERS
Rick Mahorn (NBA Champion)
HOWARD UNIVERSITY Antoine Bethea (NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion)
MORGAN STATE BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
1979-1984 AND 1986-PRESENT
1985-PRESENT
1970-PRESENT
1979-1984 AND 1986-PRESENT
William C. Rhoden (NY Times Sports Columnist)
NORFOLK STATE Pee Wee Kirkland (Former NBA Player and Public Speaker)
BETHUNE COOKMAN John Chaney (Basketball Hall of Famer)
FLORIDA A&M HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
1995-PRESENT
1970-PRESENT
1970-1979 AND 1984-PRESENT
1997-PRESENT
Andre Dawson (8-time MLB All Star and Baseball Hall of Famer)
NORTH CAROLINA A&T Elvin Bethea (8-time NFL Pro Bowler and NFL Hall of Famer)
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL Robert Massey (NFL Pro Bowler)
TM
NORTH CAROINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
1970-1979 AND 2010-PRESENT
2010-PRESENT
1970-PRESENT
1970-PRESENT
SAVANNAH STATE Shannon Sharpe (8-time NFL Pro Bowler and NFL Hall of Famer)
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE Deacon Jones (8-time NFL Pro Bowler and NFL Hall of Famer)
MEAC SPORTS Men - EIGHT (Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor), Track & Field (Outdoor) Women – EIGHT (Women’s Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor), Track & Field (Outdoor), Volleyball
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10th Annual
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SWAC NOTEABLE ALUMNI ALABAMA A&M John Stallworth (NFL Hall of Famer)
ALABAMA STATE Tavaris Jackson (Super Bowl Champion)
ALCORN STATE Steve McNair (NFL MVP)
SWAC MEMBERS
JACKSON STATE Walter Payton (NFL Hall of Famer)
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE Jerry Rice (NFL Hall of Famer)
UA PINE BLUFF ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
1999-PRESENT
1982-PRESENT
1962-PRESENT
1958-PRESENT
L.C. Greenwood (Member of Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” Defense)
GRAMBLING STATE Doug Williams (Super Bowl MVP)
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M Ken Houston (NFL Hall of Famer) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
UA PINE BLUFF UNIVERSITY
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
1936-1970 AND 1997-PRESENT
1958-PRESENT
1920-PRESENT
1968-PRESENT
SOUTHERN Mel Blount (NFL Hall of Famer)
TEXAS SOUTHERN Michael Strahan (NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion)
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
1935-PRESENT
1954-PRESENT
SWAC SPORTS Men – EIGHT (Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor), Track & Field (Outdoor) Womens – TEN (Women’s Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor), Track & Field (Outdoor), Volleyball
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2014 orlando Classic NOV. 27, 28 & 30, 2014 • ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX • ORLANDO, FL
HOSTED BY: METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
THIS SEASON, TRAVELING , s n a Hey F IS ENCOURAGED!
Join us at ESPN Wide World of Sports for the Orlando Classic! NON-BRACKETED GAMES SANTA CLARA AT MSU ON 11/24 RIDER AT KU ON 11/24
NOV. 30
1:00 PM OR 4:00 PM
CHAMPIONSHIP
NOV. 28
12:00 PM OR 2:30 PM
VS. SANTA CLARA
NOV. 28
9:00 PM
VS. TENNESSEE
KANSAS
NOV. 27
VS. RHODE ISLAND
MICHIGAN STATE
NOV. 27
12:00 PM
VS. RIDER
MARQUETTE
NOV. 27
2:00 PM
GEORGIA TECH NOV. 27
6:30 PM
8:30 PM
NOV. 28
12:00 PM OR 2:30 PM
NOV. 28
6:30 PM NOV. 30
6:30 PM
VS.
VS.
NOV. 30
NOV. 30
OR
10:30 AM
ALL TIMES LISTED IN EASTERN TIME (ET)
1:00 PM/4:00 PM
VISIT ESPNEVENTS.COM/ORLANDO-CLASSIC FOR MORE INFORMATION TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL 407-939-2117 @OrlandoClassic
/ESPNEvents
#OrlandoClassic14
10th Annual
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NC A&T STATE, ALABAMA A&M ALL SET TO DUEL IN 10TH ANNUAL MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE BY DONALD HUNT
Having won all but two of the previous nine matchups in this series, the MEAC comes into the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney (11:45 am ET Sunday, Aug. 31, live on ESPN) with some understandable swagger. The North Carolina A&T State Aggies, who finished 4-4 in the conference and 7-4 overall, understand that better than anyone as they prepare to face the SWAC’s Alabama A&M Bulldogs. First-year Aggies head coach Rod Broadway has a bit of an advantage on this stage, having been here before. In 2009, he was the head coach of Grambling State, though his Tigers dropped a 34-31 decision to South Carolina State. While this matchup isn’t poised to be a battle of coaches, it will feature two teams that have never before met on the gridiron but know that winning this nationally televised game has implications bigger than just a “W” on their respective tables. Like Broadway, Alabama A&M first-year head coach James Spady got a good taste of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge while he was an assistant at Alabama State. In 2005, South Carolina State topped Alabama State 27-14 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.) And unlike any previous two coaches who’ve dueled in this series, Spady and Broadway are well-acquainted. Spady was an offensive coordinator on Broadway’s staff in 2009. “Coach Broadway has done a good job,” Spady said. “He has established a good system. He’s always prepared. I remember being a part of his staff. I know him very well.”
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE: HIGH-POWER OFFENSE Averaging 27.5 points a game in 2013, which ranked third in the MEAC, the Aggies
were one of the most explosive teams in the league. Led by running back Tarik Cohen and wide receiver Desmond Lawrence, their offense is potent.
Grant is projected to get plenty of support from the Aggies’ other defensive stalwart— outside linebacker Marcus Albert. A 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore, Albert is lightning-quick against the run. Up front, defensive lineman Daniel Pinnix, a 6 -1, 240-pound junior who had seven sacks and 22 total tackles last season, is the team’s best pass-rusher.
Named the MEAC Rookie of the Year last season, Cohen has proved that he can run between the tackles and get to the edge. He led the MEAC in rushing with 1,148 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards a carry and 104.4 yards a game. At 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, he is diminutive in size but giant in talent.
Special teams should also be strong again for the Aggies. Gastonia, North Carolina, native Cody Jones—a former standout soccer player at Huss High School, is one of the best place-kickers in the MEAC. He connected on 9 of 13 field goals and made 30 of 31 PATs to lead the team in scoring with 57 points.
Lawrence is a real speedster at wide receiver. An NCAA track and field All-American, he was A&T’s leading receiver, with 37 receptions for 403 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama A&M defensive backs should expect to see a lot of the Durham, North Carolina, native.
ALABAMA A&M: DEFENSIVE-MINDED Spady is looking to put his stamp on the Alabama A&M program. The former assistant at Nevada, where he was the tight ends and co-offensive line coach, knows he is tasked with rejuvenating a Bulldogs program that finished 4-8 last season (4-5 in the SWAC). His expectations are high—and he is looking forward to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge being a springboard for the season.
The Aggies’ maestro on offense is quarterback Kwashaun Quick. A 6-foot, 185-pound junior, Quick was listed as the No. 1 signal-caller on the team’s depth chart this spring. Last season he played in seven games, completing 14 of 28 passes for 115 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He’s also not afraid to tuck it and go. Quick had 14 carries for 79 yards, averaging an impressive 8.3 yards a carry. The Aggies will receive excellent run and pass blocking from offensive lineman William Robinson, an All-MEAC selection who has NFL size at 6 -3 and 305 pounds. On the other side of the ball, the Aggies were second in scoring defense last season, giving up just 16.8 points a game. Much of the credit can be attributed to the outstanding play of senior linebacker D’Vonte Grant. Truly a playmaking linebacker, Grant accounted for 102 total tackles (58 solo), leading the team. He also ranks seventh in the conference with 9.3 tackles a game, playing the run and the pass, as his three interceptions attests.
“It’s a great honor for them to have chosen us,” said Spady, who began coaching in 1995 at his alma mater, UTEP, and served as Grambling State’s offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009. “It’s a great classic to be involved in. We’re thrilled to be a part of it. North Carolina A&T is a quality opponent. It will be a tough game and a real challenge for us.” On offense, the Bulldogs had trouble putting points on the board last season—tallying just 16.4 points a game, ranking ninth in the conference. The Bulldogs will rely on quarterback Jaymason Lee to change that tide—and he’ll have a great teacher in quarterbacks coach Willie Totten, the former Mississip-
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pi Valley State University great (1981-1985) whose main target at wideout was Jerry Rice. With Totten’s tutelage, Lee, a 6 -1, 215-pound junior, will certainly put the ball in the air. As a sophomore, he connected on 98 of 212 passes for 1,553 yards, with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. He brings leadership and pocket presence, and will rely on All-SWAC receiver Montaurius Smith to make him look good. Smith had 56 receptions for 779 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging a respectable 13.9 yards a catch. Lee and Smith should be able to elevate a passing game that ranked eighth in the SWAC. Alabama A&M will employ a running attack to keep the defenses honest. The Bulldogs will depend on Bryan Brower and Brandon Eldemire to grind out some first downs. Eldemire, the team’s top returning rusher, had 72 carries for 545 yards and three touchdowns last season. With an eye-popping 7.6 yards a carry, expect Brower to be featured often. On D, the Bulldogs should shine brightest. The team was ranked fourth in the league, and Spady is excited about linebackers William Pritchett and Brower, and defensive lineman Quentin Parks and defensive back A.J. Clark, two key returning starters who have 77 tackles between them. “Alabama A&M Football is thrilled to be a participant in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge,” Spady said. “Anytime you play against a Rod Broadway-coached team, you better be ready to play technically sound, error-free and physical football. We look forward to the challenge.” Donald Hunt, a long-time sportswriter for The Philadelphia Tribune, has written about every MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup since the event’s inception in 2005.
10th Annual
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2014 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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ABOUT ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY BY WHITLEY WINDHAM
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University boasts a history as rich as the soil that covers its rolling hills. When the university was organized in 1875, there were 61 students, two teachers, and one very determined leader, founder and ex-slave, William Hooper Councill. With an appropriation of $1,000 per year, Huntsville Normal School, as it was named at the time, was able to draw the attention of students eager to make a better life for themselves, as well as investors willing to contribute to what one day would become a legendary institution. That institution will be at center stage at the start of college football season, when the Alabama A&M Bulldogs face – 16 –
off against the North Carolina A&T State Aggies in the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney on Sunday, Aug. 31, in Orlando, Florida. The game, which kicks off at 11:45 a.m. ET, will be televised live on ESPN. Today, with 5,000-plus students, Alabama A&M offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees, as well as four doctoral degree programs. Through the years, the university has been able to build a strong alumni network comprised of “Normalites” who now hold professional successes all over the U.S. and abroad. The foundation of service and academic excellence laid by Councill will forever continue as students “Start Here, and Go Anywhere,” touching lives and sparking change along the way.
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“Service is Sovereignty,” sculpted on the university’s seal, is an instilled belief from Councill, and it is the reason alumni return to assist students in reaching their goals by providing one-on-one career counseling, internship opportunities and corporate connections. With a campus comprised of 70 buildings on more than 1,000 acres of land, Normal, Alabama, is an integral part of Huntsville, Alabama. “The Rocket City,” as Huntsville is often called, is replete with diversified companies that offer training and internships in the areas of military, aerospace, telecommunications and biotechnology, and the city proudly has been named to several national top-10 lists and earned other notable designations. Without question, a piece of the school’s “heritage divine” is at almost every corner. As the university’s 140th anniversary approaches, each generation will cherish its personal tradition, from ringing the bell tower after every Bulldogs win to the new generation of students bringing their own new custom, such as Every Sunny Wednesday, in which students gather, play music and enjoy fellowship on the university’s newly renovated quad. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is much like a family heirloom: Its legacy of tradition is passed down from one family member to the next, and generations of families have come from near and far to matriculate on Normal’s Hill. – 17 –
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ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
DR. ANDREW HUGINE, JR.
DR. ANDREW HUGINE, JR. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. is a native of Green Pond, South Carolina, a small rural community in the low country of South Carolina. He is the son of an AME Minister, Rev. Andrew Hugine, Sr. and an elementary school teacher, Irene S. Hugine. Following his graduation from Colleton High School as an honor student, he enrolled in South Carolina State University where earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics followed by the Master of Education degree in mathematics education. The doctorate in Higher Education/Institutional Research was earned from Michigan State University. He has presented at numerous professional meetings is the author of three mathematics textbooks. His lengthy and productive career began as an instructor at Beaufort High School in Beaufort, South Carolina. His professional positions include Graduate Teaching Assistant and Assistant Professor of Institutional Research at Michigan State University. At South Carolina State University, positions held included: Director of Special Services; Director of University Year for Action Program—a service-learning program; Research Fellow, Assistant and Director of Institutional Self-Study; Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Professor of Mathematics; and
Interim Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer From 2003-08, Dr. Hugine culminated his 30-year affiliation with South Carolina State University as her President. In July of 2009 Hugine became the 11th President of Alabama A&M University. Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. was appointed as the 11th President of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University on July 16, 2009. Immediately upon his appointment, Hugine addressed the University’s probationary status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools resulting in the removal of the university from SACS’ sanction in December 2009; developed a financial plan to address the university’s budgetary issues; reorganized the five academic schools into four colleges: College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences; College of Business and Public Affairs; College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences; and the College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences; established the division and position of Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management/ Director of Admissions; expanded institutional advancement to provide increased emphasis on marketing and communication; instituted the Normal Legacy Society to recognize life-time contributions of $100,000 or more to the university; successfully raising the $1,000,000 amount required for the state matching of $1,000,000 under the Councill Challenge; initiated the 1875 Normalite Campaign; the Adopta-Band Drive to replace Band uniforms; established the “Service is Sovereignty” Society to formally recognize employees who have provided 30 or more years of service to the University; hosted the 2010 White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a National Poultry Conference jointly sponsored by two United States Cabinet members: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Hugine administration has focused on enhancing the aesthetics of the campus. Through the efforts of the Bulldog Pride Committee—consisting of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community—chaired by First Lady Abbiegail Hugine, and a partnership with Aramark, visible improvements in the aesthetics of the campus have been noted. – 18 –
Two state-of-the-art electronic marquees have been installed and over $10 million have been spent in upgrading, renovating, and addressing health and safety issues in campus facilities, particularly student residence halls. Hugine holds membership in a number of civic and professional organizations. He maintains membership in his home church of White Hall African Methodist Episcopal Church in Green Pond, South Carolina and is an active affiliate member of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Other memberships include the Huntsville Rotary; Huntsville /Madison Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors; Xi Omicron Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Life Member of South Carolina State University National Alumni Association; Edisto Lodge #39 Free and Accepted Masons; 100 Black Men of America, Huntsville Chapter; Epsilon Kappa Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; Life member of the NAACP; Alabama Council of Presidents; and the Alabama School for Science and Mathematics Board of Directors. He has been recognized for his contributions by several organizations. At South Carolina State University, the 781-bed residence hall, The Andrew Hugine, Jr. Living/ Learning Complex is named in his honor. Other honors include being named Father of the Year by the Orangeburg Chapter of Jack and Jill; Mason of the Year by Edisto Lodge # 39; Lay Person of the Year by the South Carolina Annual Conference Lay Organization; included in the 2012 Stellar Alumni Calendar of South Carolina State University; featured on the cover of the 2005 Winter edition of the Oracle and on the 2006 cover of the Oracle with Grand Basileus George Grace; named Citizen of the Year by Epsilon Omega Chapter; Advisor of the Year by the Sixth District; Omega Man of the Year by Epsilon Omega, and Honorary Chair of the Salute to Education during the Centennial Celebration of Omega Psi Phi. Dr. Hugine and his wife Abbiegail have an adult son, Andrew Hugine, III; a daughter, Akilah Hugine-Elmore; a son-in-law, Quincy Elmore; and a grandson, Amir.
10th Annual
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ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
BRYAN HICKS
A new era for Bulldog Athletics began on June 4, 2012 when President Andrew Hugine Jr. introduced Bryan Hicks as the third Athletic Director in the short Division I history of Alabama A&M University.
BRYAN HICKS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Hicks returned to his alma mater after serving at Missouri State University as Associate Athletic Director for Student Development from August 2009 to June 2012. Prior to his arrival in Springfield, Hicks spent thirteen years at the University of Louisville as an academic advisor for athletes, compliance coordinator, Associate Director for Academic Services, and the last five years as Assistant Athletic Director for Academics overseeing the academic responsibilities for the Cardinal football team, Papa John Cardinal Stadium computer lab, and other team operations. Hicks was also an assistant coach for men’s basketball and multicultural admission coordinator at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon. The Huntsville native was a college basketball and baseball student-athlete at Tuskegee University. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Alabama A&M in 1992 and earned his master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from Portland State in 1996. Hicks set the tone early for excellence in all phases of Bulldog athletics. In his first six months back on “The Hill”, he coordinated facility renovations and upgrades of Louis Crews Football Field, the men’s & women’s tennis courts, and men’s & women’s basketball locker rooms. In addition, Alabama A&M partnered with the City of Huntsville and the Huntsville School Board for purchase of new field turf for football. This agreement included the usage of Louis Crews Stadium for high school and middle school football games. He hired Willis Mbandi, one of the Bulldogs’ most outstanding former men’s tennis players, as Head Coach for Men’s & Women’s Tennis and Michael Tompkins, the youngest Division – 19 –
I Head Baseball Coach. He also hired former University of Tennessee All-American basketball standout Semeka Randall as Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Hicks has also enhanced the brand of A&M by scheduling BCS institutions (Auburn 2012, Georgia Tech 2013) for football and celebrating their first win in school history over an SEC opponent (Mississippi State) in Men’s Basketball. His priorities for the athletic department are to put the student-athlete first, be fiscally responsible, maintain NCAA compliance, win conference championships, and finally to exude class in all of those areas. Hicks completed executive level career development with Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium (2011, 2012) and the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males (2002). He was the Director for the 2012 Missouri Valley Baseball Tournament and sat on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Portland, Oregon. Hicks is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, Black Coaches and Administrators, National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He and his wife, Kellie, are the parents of three children, Hailey, Sydney and Garrett.
Alabama A&M University Salutes
Betty Kelly Austin History-Making Volleyball Coach; Exemplary Athletics Administrator; and Loyal AAMU Alumna
John Stallworth
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Wide Receiver; Pro Football Hall of Fame; Entrepreneur; Philanthropist - On Your Well-Deserved Honor -
MEAC-SWAC Legend 2014
“ ... Only the Pure of Heart ...�
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ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL INFO
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47
TIME SWAC CHAMPION (2006)
OVERALL RECORD: 398-372-31
1ST TEAM ALL-SWAC SELECTIONS
SCORING DEFENSE
RECEPTIONS/GAME
MONTAURIUS SMITH RECEIVING YARDS/GAME
MONTAURIUS SMITH TACKLES FOR LOSS
ANTHONY LANIER
[4.7 RPG (6TH IN SWAC)] [64.9 YPG (6TH IN SWAC)] [10 (18TH IN SWAC)]
PLAYERS HAVE PLAYED IN THE NFL
2013 SWAC STATISTIC + RANKINGS SCORING OFFENSE
2013 NOTABLE INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS (RETURNING PLAYERS)
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TOTAL OFFENSE TOTAL DEFENSE RUSHING OFFENSE RUSHING DEFENSE PASSING OFFENSE PASSING DEFENSE TURNOVER MARGIN
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[16.4 PPG - 9th] [27.8 PPG - 4th] [342.5 YPG - 7th] [343.8 YPG - 1st] [151.5 YPG - 6th] [144.9 YPG - 3rd] [191.1 YPG - 8th] [198.9 YPG - 2nd] [10 (-0.83 Per/G) - 9th]
10th Annual
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ALABAMA A&M HEAD COACH
JAMES SPADY
JAMES SPADY
ALABAMA A&M FOOTBALL HEAD COACH
James Spady enters his first season on “The Hill” as head football coach. He is coming off a strong season that saw Nevada produce one of the top tight ends in their conference in Mackey Award semifinalist Zach Sudfeld. Spady is no stranger to developing talent. In his first year, he guided All-WAC tight end
Virgil Green, who was picked in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Green, a multi-year starter proved himself to be one of the best tight ends in program history during his career in Reno. Green, who played in more than 50 games in his career at Nevada, caught 72 passes in his career for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns while also serving as a devastating blocker in the run game.
He came to Reno after three successful seasons as the offensive coordinator at Grambling State. During his time with the Tigers, the team grew offensively and reached the SWAC championship game in his first year. Grambling State led the SWAC in a number of offensive categories and a handful of Tigers players set school records and earned all-conference accolades.
In 2012, Spady guided one of the best comeback stories in college football as Zach Sudfeld came back for a sixth season in his injury-riddled career at Nevada to start every game and become a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award. Sudfeld earned All-Mountain West second-team honors as he caught 45 passes for 598 yards and set a school record for most touchdowns by a tight end with eight.
Spady went to Grambling State after one season (2006) at North Carolina Central, where he helped the Eagles to a perfect 11-0 season and a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. NCCU finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in the D-II Top 25 poll. NCCU led its conference in 12 offensive statistical categories and Spady’s offensive line yielded just 10 sacks in 289 pass attempts.
A four-year starter at UTEP, Spady twice earned first-team All-WAC honors at center. After a three-year career in the Arena Football league, Spady returned to UTEP to begin his coaching career.
Prior to his stint at North Carolina Central, Spady spent two seasons as the offensive line coach at South Carolina State from 2004 to 2005. Under Spady’s tutelage, the offense line at SCSU was directly responsible for clearing the way for 9,049 yards of total offense and 34.7 points per game during the 2004 and 2005 seasons combined. Spady began his coaching career at the University of Texas at El Paso where he spent 11 seasons helping to develop both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the tight ends. Spady coached the tight ends at UTEP from 1996-1999 when he aided in the development of Brian Natkin, a unanimous consensus All-American in 2000. From 1993-1995, Spady was a student graduate assistant coach working with both the offensive and defensive lines. Spady was the defensive line coach at UTEP from 2000-2003, he returned to the offensive side of the ball during the 2003 season when he took over the tight ends again for the second time at UTEP. In addition to his collegiate coaching duties, Spady is also an avid student of the game as he has served two NFL Minority – 22 –
THE FILE ON JAMES SPADY BORN: Jan. 5, 1966 HOMETOWN: Biloxi, Miss. FAMILY: Wife - Barbara, Daughter - Aidine, Sons - Jalen and Mason EDUCATION: - Bachelor’s, Criminal Justice, UTEP, 1995
COACHING EXPERIENCE 2013- Present: Head Coach, Alabama A&M 2010-2013: Tight Ends/Co-Offensive Line, Nevada 2007-09: Offensive Coordinator, Grambling State 2006: Offensive Line, North Carolina Central 2004-05: Offensive Line, South Carolina State 2000-03: Defensive Line, UTEP 1999: Coaching Intern, Philadelphia Eagles 1997: Coaching Intern, Green Bay Packers 1996-1999: Tight Ends, UTEP 1993-95: Student/Graduate Assistant, UTEP
PLAYING EXPERIENCE UTEP: Four-year starter at center (1985-88). Two-time first-team All-WAC selection Denver Dynamite (AFL): 1989-90 Sacramento Attack (AFL): 1991
Internships with the Green Bay Packers in 1997 and again in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. During June of 2007, Spady had the opportunity to acquire more knowledge as he was one of 28 coaches selected to participate in the 2008 NCAA Expert Coaches Academy in Dallas, Texas.
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ALABAMA A&M COACHING STAFF A 1986 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, the former standout quarterback, Totten was the first quarterback to be voted All-SWAC four consecutive seasons and he earned All-American honors before leaving the Delta Devils. For WILLIE TOTTEN their collegiate exploits, the former Magnolia Stadium – home of the Delta Devils – was renamed Rice-Totten Stadium in the spring of 1999 in honor of Totten and former MVSU standout receiver Jerry Rice. After a tenured professional career that spanned two stints in the Canadian Football League – drafted by the British Columbia Lions and a member of the Toronto Argonauts – Totten moved on to the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburg Gladiators of the Arena League. He then went on to pursue a master’s degree at Grambling State University and embarked on his coaching career. A member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, in August 2005, Totten was enshrined as part of the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana, and recently inducted into the HBCU Football Hall of Fame.
inside linebackers each of his years in Fayetteville. Johnson was on head coach Bobby Petrino’s staff at Louisville from 2003-06 and remained on the Cardinals’ staff in 2007.
Former Viking Head Coach, Phil Dorn, is beginning his 33rd year of football coaching and just completed his 9th year as Head Coach at Bishop Verot. He joins the Bulldogs staff to serve as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Before arriving at PHIL DORN BVHS, Phil Dorn was the Head Coach at Wilmington College. Prior to that, Coach Dorn was the Assistant Head Coach at the University of Cincinnati where he coached in the New Orleans Bowl. He served as defensive graduate assistant coach for the University of Michigan for the Big 10 Champion Wolverines and coached in the Rose Bowl. The Wittenberg University graduate received his Masters Degree from The Ohio State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
After a senior season at Auburn where he was named Shug Jordan Outstanding Senior, Fuller played tight end and won a World League (WAFL) title with Barcelona in 1997. While at Auburn, Fuller was involved in many community service projects, including being featured in a United Way commercial. Fuller holds a Bachelor’s degree from Auburn in business management.
Johnson returns to “The Hill” after a pair of seasons at UAB after spending four years on the coaching staff at Arkansas. At A&M he will coach the linebackers and serve as the defensive coordinator. Johnson began his coaching career REGGIE JOHNSON as a defensive graduate assistant at UL in 1998. His first full-time coaching position was at Alabama A&M. He coached defensive tackles in 1998 and 1999. In 2000 he coached inside linebackers. While with the Razorbacks, Johnson coached the
Johnson was a four-year letterman at the University of Louisville from 1987-90. He ended his career with 252 tackles. After the 2000 season, Johnson moved to the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and his master’s degree in education from Louisville. Andy Fuller came to Alabama A&M in 2007 after a successful seven-year playing career as an offensive and defensive lineman with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the Arena Football League 2. Fuller served as Alabama A&M’s fullbacks coach as a graduate ANDY FULLER assistant in 1998 and 1999. He is now charged with coaching the A&M running backs. A tight end on the 1993 Auburn football team that finished the season 11-0, Fuller was named all-SEC in 1993, 1994, and 1995.
Ashley Lelie, the former Denver Broncos wide receiver, and a firstround pick (19th overall) in the 2002 draft will join the Maroon & White as the wide receivers coach. Lelie started his coaching career at the University of Nevada whose “pistol” offense sent quarterback ASHLEY LELIE Colin Kaepernick into the NFL in 2013. Lelie played seven years in the NFL, including four in Denver. He was traded to the Falcons before the 2006 season. In all, he caught 217 passes for 3,749 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lelie also played for San Francisco (2007) and Oakland (2008).
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BRENT PRADIA
Brent Pradia hails from Mesquite, Texas. Pradia has held coaching positions on multiple levels including high school, community college and the university level. Pradia’s latest coaching stint was as a varsity assistant coach with the Mesquite High Skeeters. While on “The Hill”, Pradia will coach the defensive backs.
Matt Sanders is in his first season on the coaching staff at Alabama A&M. Sanders will serve as the Bulldogs recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach. Sanders recently spent time at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. MATT SANDERS He coached three seasons at Lehigh in two separate stints before joining Garrick McGee’s staff at UAB. He previously served as Lehigh’s outside linebackers coach for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and won back-to-back Patriot League Championships. Sanders came to Lehigh following a stint as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Louisville. Sanders graduated from Louisville in 2006 with a degree in accounting. He then went onto earn his MBA from Louisville in 2007. While an undergrad, Sanders was a two year letterwinner on the Cardinals’ football team, playing at middle linebacker and on special teams. He was a member of the 2004 Conference USA and Liberty Bowl Champions. Sanders career was cut short due to injury however, and he then assumed the role of student assistant coach in 2007. Bryan Cummings comes to A&M from Texas A&M where he served as a special teams quality control assistant. Prior to his time with Aggies, Cummings served as an assistant coach at New Bern High School in New Bern, N.C., working BRYAN CUMMINGS with the team’s linebackers. He also coordinated the strength and conditioning program. During the 2008 season, he served as an assistant at Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y. Prior to beginning his coaching career; Cummings was a four-year starter as a linebacker and on special teams at Buffalo. The former Aggie will be the special teams coordinator and coach defensive line for the Bulldogs.
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A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
2014 ALABAMA A&M ROSTER No Name 1 Brandon Eldmire 2 Tajze Battle 3 Damion May 4 Montarius Smith 5 Brandon Wells 6 Quinton Parks 7 Danny Johnson 8 Ahab “AJ” Clark 9 Tevin Mckenzie 10 Jaymason Lee 11 William Pritchett 12 Roderick Randolph 13 Devon Johnson 14 Cesar Ramon-Diaz 15 Cody Lui-Yuen 16 Rashad Anderson 17 Chris Leachman 18 Corey Cockrell 19 O’Darius Williams 21 Marcus Dozier 23 Deonte Nicholson 24 Justin Brown 25 Nick Carden 27 Jamel Morris 28 Veron Molen 29 Antonio Carey 30 Brendon Johnson 31 Byran Brower 32 Bryan Brower 33 Darrian Graham 34 Harvey Harris 35 Juaquin Davis 39 Dominique Goodwin 40 Ladarion Heath 41 Justin Lucas 42 Devonte Simon 43 Daveon Dillard 44 Alvantae Kirksey 45 Tavion Thompson 46 Jimel Harper 47 Diondre Lewis
Pos. RB DB QB WR QB DE QB DB WR QB LB WR WR K QB DB QB DB WR DB DB DB K DB LB DB RB RB LB LB RB WR DB WR/TE DB LB LB TE TE TE LB
YR. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. R.So Fr. Sr. So. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Sr. R-So. R-So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. Jr.
Height Weight Hometown 5-8 185 Miami, Fla. — — — 6-1 190 Biloxi Miss 6-0 170 Birmingham, Ala. 6-3 190 Calera, Ala 6-4 225 Houston, Tx 6-2 185 Huntsville, Ala 6-2 185 Pensacola, Fla 5-9 185 Mobile, Ala 6-1 215 Honolulu 6-0 200 Mobile, Ala 6-1 210 Madison, Ala 6-1 180 Huntsville, Ala 5-10 165 Stevenson, Ala 6-3 225 Honolulu 5-10 160 Hazel Green, Ala 6-3 180 Long Beach, Cali 5-9 180 Bessemer, Ala 6-1 170 Montgomery Ala 5-9 187 Huntsville, Ala 5-11 175 Pensacola, Fla 5-11 195 Odenville, Ala 6-3 190 Huntsville, Al 5-9 160 Tuscumbia, Ala 6-1 215 Birmingham, Ala 5-10 160 Dallas, TX 5-9 190 — 5-10 225 Millbrook, Ala 5-10 225 Millbrook, Ala 6-1 200 Russellville, Ala 5-9 165 Montgomery, Ala 5-6 16 Garland, TX 5-11 175 Birmingham, Ala 6-4 195 Phoenix City, Ala 5-8 170 Notasulga, Ala 5-11 170 Reform, Ala 5-10 205 Cedar Hill, TX 6-1 225 Mobile, Ala 6-5 245 Hampton, Ga 6-1 210 Madison, Ala 6-1 215 Miami, Fla
No Name 48 Dexter Reese 49 Virgin Johnson 50 Kevin Atwood 53 Germaine Calmes 54 Conard Johnson 56 Embrel Vaughn 57 Cedric Tigner 58 David Dagrin 59 Chaz Wilson 61 Courtney Brown 62 Akeem Samuels 63 Jawanza Vickers 64 Baron Hobbs 65 Austin Boyle 66 Adrian Saterfield 67 Nhan Mai 68 Allen Cruz 70 Devin Dobbins 71 James Driver 72 Anthony Jones 73 Jordan Shelton 74 Winston Hunt 76 Austin Simmons 78 Malcolm Johnson 81 Clarence Jones 82 Justin Jackson 83 Derrick Square 84 Kalias Robertson 85 Raener Fleming 88 Octavious Miles 89 Wayne Craig 90 Anthony Lanier 91 Jordan Strong 92 Dominique Wright 93 Areka Jackson 94 Ricky Clarke 95 Averee Giles 96 Kailin Jackson 97 Patrick Burroughs 98 Jordan Puente 99 Corey Johnson
– 24 –
Pos. DB LB LB DL LB LB LB DL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL TE WR WR WR TE WR WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL K DL
YR. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Jr. So. Jr. R-So. So. R-Jr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Jr. R-So. Jr. Jr. Sr. R-Jr. R-So. R-So. R-Fr. Sr. So. R-Fr. So. R-So. Sr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-So.
Height Weight Hometown 5-9 150 Roanoke, Ala 5-10 220 Orangeburg, SC 6-0 190 Pensacola, Fla 6-1 230 Matteson, Illi 6-0 225 — 6-2 228 Jackson, Ala 5-11 250 Birmingham, Ala 6-3 200 Miami, Fla 6-2 285 New Orleans, La 6-0 290 Birmingham, Ala 6-2 280 Miami, Fla 6-1 290 Enterprise, Ala 6-2 290 St Louis, Mo 6-1 300 Huntsville, Ala 6-3 290 Milton, Fla 6-3 300 Corpus Christi, TX 6-5 345 Huntsville, Ala 6-1 310 Oklahoma City, Okla 6-6 315 Queens, NY 6-3 340 Meridianville, Ala 6-4 285 Madison, Ala 6-7 310 Wetumpka, Ala 6-7 350 Montgomery, Ala 6-2 300 Jonesboro, Ga 6-2 215 Kansas City, Mo 6-3 190 Daphne, Ala 6-3 180 Birmingham, Ala 6-4 187 Tuscaloosa, Ala 6-3 230 Birmingham, Ala 5-10 180 Mesquite, TX 5-11 170 Birmingham, Ala 6-6 260 Savannah Ga 6-3 235 Phoenix City, Ala 6-2 225 Hollandale, Fla 6-3 310 Valley, Ala 6-2 325 Athens, Ga 6-2 320 Lilburn, Ga 6-2 245 Huntsville, Ala 6-4 235 Pleasant Grove, Ala 6-1 215 San Louis Mexico 6-3 205 Anniston, Al
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
1 BRANDON ELDMIRE RB • Jr. • 5-8 • 185 HOMETOWN: Miami, Fla.
7
2
3 TAJZE BATTLE
DAMION MAY
4 MONTARIUS SMITH
DB • FR. HOMETOWN: Fort Myers, Fla.
QB • FR. • 6-1 • 190 HOMETOWN: Biloxi Miss
WR • SR. • 6-0 • 170 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala.
QB • FR. • 6-3 • 190 HOMETOWN: Calera, Ala
DE • R.SO • 6-4 • 225 HOMETOWN: Houston, Tx
11 WILLIAM PRITCHETT
12 RODERICK RANDOLPH
LB • R-FR. • 6-0 • 200 HOMETOWN: Mobile, Ala
WR • FR. • 6-1 • 210 HOMETOWN: Madison, Ala
9
DANNY JOHNSON
8 AHAB “AJ” CLARK
TEVIN McKENZIE
10 JAYMASON LEE
QB • FR. • 6-2 • 185 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala.
DB • SR. • 6-2 • 185 HOMETOWN: Pensacola, Fla
WR • SO. • 5-9 • 185 HOMETOWN: Mobile, Ala.
QB • SR. • 6-1 • 215 HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hi.
13
14
15
5 BRANDON WELLS
6
16
17
QUINTON PARKS
18
DEVON JOHNSON
CESAR RAMON-DIAZ
CODY LUI-YUEN
RASHAD ANDERSON
CHRIS LEACHMAN
COREY COCKRELL
WR • FR. • 6-1 • 180 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala
K • SO. • 5-10 • 165 HOMETOWN: Stevenson, Ala
QB • FR. • 6-3 • 225 HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hi.
DB • SO. • 5-10 • 160 HOMETOWN: Hazel Green, Ala
QB • SR. • 6-3 • 180 HOMETOWN: Long Beach, Cali
DB • R-SO. • 5-9 • 180 HOMETOWN: Bessemer, Ala
19 O’DARIUS WILLIAMS
20 MARCUS DOZIER
21 23
24
25
27
DEONTE NICHOLSON
JUSTIN BROWN
NICK CARDEN
JAMEL MORRIS
WR • R-SO. • 6-1 • 170 HOMETOWN: Montgomery Ala
DB • SR. • 5-9 • 187 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala
DB • FR. • 5-11 • 175 HOMETOWN: Pensacola, Fla
DB • FR. • 5-11 • 195 HOMETOWN: Odenville, Ala
K • FR. • 6-3 • 190 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Al
DB • SR. • 5-9 • 160 HOMETOWN: Tuscumbia, Ala
– 25 –
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
28 VERON MOLEN LB • FR. • 6-1 • 215 HOMETOWN: Dallas, TX
34 HARVEY HARRIS RB • FR. • 5-9 • 165 HOMETOWN: Montgomery, Ala
43
29 ANTONIO CAREY DB • R-FR. • 5-10 • 160 HOMETOWN: Dallas, TX
35 JUAQUIN DAVIS WR • R-FR. • 5-6 • 160 HOMETOWN: Garland, TX
DAVEON DILLARD
44 ALVANTAE KIRKSEY
LB • FR. • 5-10 • 205 HOMETOWN: Cedar Hill, TX
TE • R-FR. • 6-1 • 225 HOMETOWN: Mobile, Ala
49
50
30 BRENDON JOHNSON
31
32
33 DARRIAN GRAHAM
BYRAN BROWER
BRYAN BROWER
RB • FR. • 5-10 • 225 HOMETOWN: Millbrook, Ala
LB • R-FR. • 5-10 • 225 HOMETOWN: Millbrook, Ala
LB • SR. • 6-1 • 200 HOMETOWN: Russellville, Ala
39 DOMINIQUE GOODWIN
40 LADARION HEATH
41
42 DEVONTE SIMON
DB • FR. • 5-11 • 175 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
WR/TE • FR. • 6-4 • 195 HOMETOWN: Phoenix City, Ala
DB • R-FR. • 5-8 • 170 HOMETOWN: Notasulga, Ala.
RB • SR. • 5-9 • 190
45
46
TAVION THOMPSON
JIMEL HARPER
TE • FR. • 6-5 • 245 HOMETOWN: Hampton, Ga
TE • R-SO. • 6-1 • 210 HOMETOWN: Madison, Ala
VIRGIN JOHNSON
KEVIN ATWOOD
53 GERMAINE CALMES
LB • R-FR. • 5-10 • 220 HOMETOWN: Orangeburg, SC
LB • FR. • 6-0 • 190 HOMETOWN: Pensacola, Fla
DL • R-SO. • 6-1 • 230 HOMETOWN: Matteson, Illi
54
– 26 –
JUSTIN LUCAS
47 DIONDRE LEWIS LB • JR. • 6-1 • 215 HOMETOWN: Miami, Fla.
56
LB • FR. • 5-11 • 170 HOMETOWN: Reform, Ala
48 DEXTER REESE DB • R-FR. • 5-9 • 150 HOMETOWN: Roanoke, Ala
57
CONARD JOHNSON
EMBREL VAUGHN
CEDRIC TIGNER
LB • R-JR. • 6-0 • 225
LB • SO. • 6-2 • 228 HOMETOWN: Jackson, Ala
LB • JR. • 5-11 • 250 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
58
59 DAVID DAGRIN
CHAZ WILSON
61 COURTNEY BROWN
DL • R-SO. • 6-3 • 200 HOMETOWN: Miami, Fla
OL • SO. • 6-2 • 285 HOMETOWN: New Orleans, La
OL • R-JR. • 6-0 • 290 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
66
67
65
62 AKEEM SAMUELS OL • R-FR. • 6-2 • 280 HOMETOWN: Miami, Fla.
68
63 JAWANZA VICKERS
64
DL • SR. • 6-1 • 290 HOMETOWN: Enterprise, Ala
OL • R-JR. • 6-2 • 290 HOMETOWN: St Louis, Mo.
70
BARON HOBBS
71
AUSTIN BOYLE
ADRIAN SATERFIELD
NHAN MAI
ALLEN CRUZ
DEVIN DOBBINS
JAMES DRIVER
OL • R-SO. • 6-1 • 300 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala
OL • JR. • 6-3 • 290 HOMETOWN: Milton, Fla
OL • JR. • 6-3 • 300 HOMETOWN: Corpus Christi, TX.
OL • SR. • 6-5 • 345 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala
OL • R-JR. • 6-1 • 310 HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, Okla
OL • R-SO. • 6-6 • 315 HOMETOWN: Queens, NY
78 MALCOLM JOHNSON
81 CLARENCE JONES
72 ANTHONY JONES OL • R-SO. • 6-3 • 340 HOMETOWN: Meridianville, Ala
82 JUSTIN JACKSON WR • R-SO. • 6-3 • 190 HOMETOWN: Daphne, Ala
73
74 WINSTON HUNT
76
OL • R-FR. • 6-4 • 285 HOMETOWN: Madison, Ala
OL • SR. • 6-7 • 310 HOMETOWN: Wetumpka, Ala
OL • SO. • 6-7 • 350 HOMETOWN: Montgomery, Ala
OL • R-FR. • 6-2 • 300 HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, Ga
TE • SO. • 6-2 • 215 HOMETOWN: Kansas City, Mo
83 DERRICK SQUARE
84
85
89
KALIAS ROBERTSON
RAENER FLEMING
88 OCTAVIOUS MILES
WR • SR. • 6-3 • 180 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
WR • R-FR. • 6-4 • 187 HOMETOWN: Tuscaloosa, Ala
TE • R-SO. • 6-3 • 230 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
WR • FR. • 5-10 • 180 HOMETOWN: Mesquite, TX
WR • R-FR. • 5-11 • 170 HOMETOWN: Birmingham, Ala
JORDAN SHELTON
AUSTIN SIMMONS
– 27 –
WAYNE CRAIG
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
90 ANTHONY LANIER
JORDAN STRONG
92 DOMINIQUE WRIGHT
DL • FR. • 6-3 • 235 HOMETOWN: Phoenix City, Ala
DL • SR. • 6-2 • 225 HOMETOWN: Hollandale, Fla
98
KAILIN JACKSON
97 PATRICK BURROUGHS
DL • FR. • 6-2 • 245 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala
DL • FR. • 6-4 • 235 HOMETOWN: Pleasant Grove, Ala
DL • JR. • 6-6 • 260 HOMETOWN: Savannah Ga
96
91
93
94
95
AREKA JACKSON
RICKY CLARKE
AVEREE GILES
DL • SR. • 6-3 • 310 HOMETOWN: Valley, Ala
DL • R-FR. • 6-2 • 325 HOMETOWN: Athens, Ga
DL • FR. • 6-2 • 320 HOMETOWN: Lilburn, Ga
99 JORDAN PUENTE
COREY JOHNSON
K • R-SO. • 6-1 • 215 HOMETOWN: San Louis Mexico
DL • R-SO. • 6-3 • 205 HOMETOWN: Anniston, Al
William “Bill” Hamilton
Harry Carson
– 28 –
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
MARCHING MAROON AND WHITE BAND MARCHING MAROON AND WHITE BAND HISTORY
MARCHING MAROON AND WHITE BAND: PAINTING ORLANDO MAROON BY DEWAYNE JONES AND KYLAN RANKIN
Excitement is in the atmosphere, and we hear music in the air on the mountainside campus fondly referred to as “The Hill.” Indeed, members of the Alabama A&M University “Marching Maroon and White” Band are proud to participate in this year’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney, ably representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference. On Sunday, Aug. 31, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs will open the 2014 football season against the North Carolina A&T State Aggies in the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Florida. The game, which kicks off at 11:45 a.m. ET, will be televised live on ESPN. “This is a great honor, and we feel it is important to make everyone proud,” AAMU Band Director Carlton Wright said. “It is our aim to work hard so that we can let it all hang out as we have fun putting on highly energized and exciting performances all weekend.” Each gridiron season, HBCU band supporters regularly concern themselves with the size of their favorite band — the larger, the better. Wright counters not only that a band’s size is difficult to predict, but his philosophy is rooted in quality and not so much in quantity. “We believe as the quality grows, so will the quantity,” he said. Regardless of numbers, one thing is certain: Wright is right for the job. He is a 1986 AAMU music education graduate who has distinguished himself as a band director at several schools in the metropolitan Birmingham area. He has served as band director at Minor High School, Carver High School and Fairfield High Preparatory School. “I have really seen a positive transition over the past year,” said Daniel Watt, a senior biology major and head drum major for the past three years. “Not only has the sound quality changed dramatically, but the band is productive and fun again.”
Watt adds that Wright is a family-oriented man who maintains a focus on academics and sees to it that the band operates as a single unit. “He keeps it real,” Watt said, “but he constantly builds you up as well.” A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Wright has performed teaching duties at Bottenfield Middle School in Adamsville, Alabama, Southlawn Middle School in Montgomery, and serves as an assistant orchestra director and trumpeter at the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. “I like his approach to life and his vision for the band program,” said Gerald Williams, a snare drummer who is majoring in political science and criminal justice. “Mr. Wright let us know that he was strictly about business from Day 1. He reminded us that we are not simply playing for ourselves, but for the audience.” Williams recalls that Wright once took the entire band to a local church on a Sunday. “He sets an example,” Williams said, “and he is like a father figure.” Wright, a proponent of challenging young musicians and helping them mature, has been recognized for numerous distinctions, including service as a guest conductor/clinician for honor bands at Jacksonville State University, Talladega County Schools, Alabama Band Masters Association District 8, DeKalb County (Georgia) Schools, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Stillman College and Mississippi State University. It is no surprise that this musical servant has been honored as Teacher of the Year at three different schools. “We’re looking forward to the friendly competition between the Marching Maroon and White and the North Carolina A&T University Band,” Wright said. “Dr. Ruff and his staff do a great job each year in preparing the N.C. A&T band to display – 30 –
The Alabama A&M University band program has been in existence since 1890. The progress of the program has been maintained by an outstanding team of musicians and teachers. Among these are: William Grant Still, Sr., the father of the renowned American composer, William C. (W. C.) Handy, universally known as the “Father of the Blues”, Wade Hammonds, the first black to be appointed as Chief Musician (Band Master in the United states Army), Thomas Dawson, James Wilson, Barney Smart Sr., Arthur B. Wesley II, and Interim Director of Bands Derrick K. Yates. The band is currently under the leadership of Carlton J. Wright, a 1986 graduate of Alabama A&M University. Mr. Mario Warren, a 2000 graduate of Tennessee State University, serves as the Assistant Director of Bands. The Marching Maroon and White has performed at various high-profiled events over the years, to include NFL Games, 1996 Olympic Games, political events, and others. The Band program includes the University Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and the Woodwind Ensemble, the Pep Band, and the “Marching Maroon & White” Band.
Official Name: Marching Maroon and White Band Director of Bands: Carlton Wright Assistant Director of Bands: Mario Warren Logistic/Ops Manager: Sherryl Forman Dancin’ Divas Sponsor: Chrishana Granger Fabulous Flags Sponsor: Jasmine Peterson magnificent shows. They are certainly one of the finest bands in the country. I think that we’ll be up to the challenge, because we like to go up against the best, and N.C. A&T is one of the best.” Finally, the Marching Maroon and White is flanked by the Fabulous Flags and the Dancin’ Divas. The entire AAMU student body and alumni network of “Normalites” the world over will join in support of the Marching Maroon and White Band on its participation in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
BLUE & GOLD MARCHING MACHINE ONE OF THE PREMIER BANDS IN THE NATION!
MARCHING MACHINE TO DAZZLE AT MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY DISNEY BY JANAY BOONE
Just as the Aggies football team prepares for gridiron battle, so do the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University marching band and pep band. University Bands Director Kenneth Ruff will have his marching band ready when, on Sunday, Aug. 31, the Aggies open the 2014 season against Alabama A&M University in the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney in Orlando, Florida. The game, which kicks off at 11:45 a.m. ET, live on ESPN, will not only be a showdown between two football programs. It will also feature an epic Battle of the Bands at halftime.
Ruff leads his students by example, holding a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from North Carolina A&T. He also holds a master’s degree in music education, a specialist’s degree in education and a doctorate in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“The marching and pep bands are a critical element of the pride-filled gameday atmosphere for football and basketball games,” Ruff said. “Alumni and students alike enjoy attending athletic events for the combination of competition and entertainment. The student section seats, located directly beside both bands, are deemed as the best in the house.”
He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Fraternity of Music, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Before becoming the director of University Bands, Ruff served as an assistant principal at Eastern Guilford High School in Gibsonville, North Carolina. During that time, he also served as an assistant director of bands for A&T on a part-time basis.
Ruff’s duties include directing the “Blue and Gold Marching Machine” marching band, the symphonic bands and the concert and pep bands. He also creates the drill designs for the marching band and is responsible for the organization and planning of the band program.
Official name: Blue and Gold Marching Machine
With more than 200 members, University Bands is one of the largest organizations on A&T’s campus. The band participates in most aspects of student life on campus.
Assistant Director of Bands: Brass – Thomas Warner
Ruff said the program benefits all A&T students, and the band is ready to celebrate the spirit of “Aggie Pride” at any opportunity. The marching band won the 2014 Honda Battle of the Bands, participated in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and has been named among the country’s top 10 bands by “Sports Illustrated.”
Director of Bands: Dr. Kennth Ruff Assistant Director of Bands: Brass – ReShonda Thompson
Assistant Director of Bands: Percussion – Lamon Lawhorn Operations Management Manager: Robert Moore Golden Delight Director: Tiffany Brown
– 31 –
The name is synonymous with high stepping performances, precise drills, powerful yet melodic sounds and energy! As the premier band of North Carolina and ranking high among the top HBCU Marching Bands, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine of NC A&T State University is a force to be reckoned with! Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Kenneth Ruff, “The Blue and Gold Marching Machine” brings crowds of fans to their feet year after year. The hard work of band members has lead to numerous recognitions such as the 2003 Defeat the Beat Champions, official band of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise, the lead band for the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and a top 10 band as reported by Sports Illustrated. Additionally, the Marching Machine was the first HBCU band to perform at the NASCAR Banking 500 breaking color barriers and introducing the HBCU style of performance to many fans that had never witnessed it. The Blue & Gold Marching Machine’s brilliant performance in the Georgia Dome in January of 2014 not only brought the crowd to its feet, it clenched the win for the Aggies being chosen to receive the Fan Favorite Award during the 2014 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. The University Band Program uses the art of music as a teaching aid and a tool to strengthen participation in all areas of student life. The program is designed to create an understanding of the diversity in music and culture while preserving and enhancing the history and traditions of the Aggie Bands as goodwill ambassadors and cheerleaders for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The band performs at a variety of school and community functions and consists of approximately 200 members from very diverse majors and concentrations. The band is an auditioned group. The audition is open to all students of the university who wish to participate. The Marching Machine performs different genres of music and incorporates all styles of marching and maneuvering. The unit is a source of pride for the university and the community.
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
REMEMBERING THE PAST, CELEBRATING THE PRESENT:
THE HISTORY OF THE AGGIES BY DOMINIQUE MOODY
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University thrives off of its well-respected fan base and sense of community. The university’s motto is AGGIE PRIDE: Achieving Great Goals In Everything While Producing Renowned Individuals Dedicated to Excellence. This fall, fans will look forward to cheering on A&T’s football program as the Aggies play the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney on Sunday, Aug. 31. The game kicks off at 11:45 a.m. ET, live on ESPN, in Orlando, Florida. And it’s more than a game, considering the dedication and determination that went into constructing the Aggies’ athletic department. Earl Hilton, North Carolina A&T’s director of athletics, agrees that great changes have and will continue to come for the Aggies’ athletic program. “The new and improved mindset of our coaches and players is simply incredible,” Hilton said. “When I first came to A&T I could smell the willingness to win, and now the program has grown tremendously. We still want to continue to make improvements to our outstanding athletic program.” – 32 –
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
In 1891, with the passage by Congress of the Morrill Land Act, “Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race” was created in a small section under a fellow HBCU known as Shaw University. John Oliver Crosby became the college’s first president in 1892. N.C. A&T was granted access to allow African-American men and women in 1893. However, the Board of Trustees restricted the right for women to be admitted in the university, a policy that would stand until 1928. Despite this policy, the expansion of the school gradually increased, with the addition of a 100-acre farm and new labor and farm devices. A new name came with the farm: Negro Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina. Dr. Ferdinand Bluford, selected as the college’s third president in 1925, joined the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and in 1928 female students were able to enroll and attend the university. In 1967, the college became North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. N.C. A&T played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. On Feb. 1, 1960, freshmen Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond sat at the whites-only Woolworth’s lunch counter in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, as
part of a nonviolent protest that the university and community eventually would join. Eight decades after the school opened during that tumultuous time, Ronald McNair graduated from N.C. A&T with a bachelor’s degree in physics. The Presidential Scholar went on to become an astronaut and logged more than 190 hours in space for NASA. McNair was killed in the 1986 Challenger explosion. He was posthumously awarded a Congressional Space Medal of Honor. The university celebrates the achievements of these five men annually and recognizes excellence in alumni as well as faculty, staff and students. “We have a rich history in the useful arts: engineering, business, as well as in civil rights activism, and social justice,” Hilton said. “It is something that we encourage our students to remember with pride.”
– 33 –
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
HAROLD LEE MARTIN SR., PH.D.
HAROLD LEE MARTIN SR., PH.D. UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
Dr. Harold Lee Martin Sr. was elected the 12th chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and assumed his position on June 8, 2009. As chancellor, Dr. Martin serves as the chief executive and administrative head of the university, exercising overall authority, subject to the direction of the North Carolina A&T Board of Trustees and the president of The University of North Carolina (UNC) system. The UNC system is comprised of 17 campuses, including the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and it is governed by the UNC Board of Governors. Dr. Martin’s responsibilities include setting a strategic direction for the institution; maintaining fiscal integrity; broadly marketing the institution; building strong and lasting relationships with institutional constituents, business and community leaders, alumni and friends; and raising funds to meet the needs of the institution. Since his arrival, Dr. Martin has been instrumental in the development of North Carolina A&T’s Preeminence 2020 strategic plan, the opening of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering at the Gateway University Research Park (South Cam-
pus), and playing a significant role in Opportunity Greensboro, the city’s most recent alliance between the seven colleges and universities and the business community as they work to make Greensboro a national model for collaboration in knowledge-based economic development. Before becoming chancellor at A&T, Dr. Martin served as the senior vice president for academic affairs for the UNC system, assuming the post in July of 2006. In this role, he led the development and implementation of the system’s academic mission, including teaching, research, international programs and student affairs. He advised the president and provided leadership for the President’s Council; advised the Board of Governors on academic affairs issues of university-wide importance; led strategic academic planning and the implementation of resulting policies affecting the system; worked closely with campus chancellors and chief academic officers on University-wide academic initiatives; worked to maintain the focus of the missions of the campuses, and implemented the academic portion of the longrange plan. In addition, he led the system’s research and educational missions and oversaw the offices of academic planning, faculty support and international programs, academic and student affairs, sponsored programs and research, strategic development and analysis, and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. Prior to joining UNC General Administration, Dr. Martin was the 11th chief administrator and the seventh chancellor of Winston-Salem State University from January 2000 to July 2006. While at WSSU, he guided the reclassification of the university from a Baccalaureate I to a Master’s II institution, created a School of Graduate Studies and Research, established seven master’s degree programs, and enhanced the quality of academic programs. The university’s enrollment doubled during his tenure, giving WSSU the fastest growing enrollment in the UNC system. Before working at WSSU, he held several administrative positions at A&T including acting chair and chair of the Department of Electrical – 34 –
Engineering (1984-85 and 1985-87, respectively), dean of the College of Engineering (1989-94) and vice chancellor of academic affairs (1994-99). Dr. Martin is a major contributor in the Greensboro community, lending himself to service on various boards and committees including Action Greensboro, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Community Foundation Board of Directors, Gateway University Research Park, Greensboro Partnership, Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, N.C. Office of the State Treasurer Investment Advisory Committee, Opportunity Greensboro, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, Research Triangle Institute, Southern Education Foundation, and the USDA/1980 Task Force. On November 27, 2012, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Martin to a key administrative post as a member of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development. Dr. Martin has written and co-authored numerous articles and has made many presentations at national and international conferences. He has served as a consultant to major corporations and companies and is a member of Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honor Society, Eta Kappa Nu, International Honor Society for Electrical Engineers, Beta Gamma Sigma, and the International Honor Society in Business. Dr. Martin holds bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in electrical engineering from A&T and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is married to the former Davida Wagner, and they have two sons, Harold Jr. and Walter. Davida is the County Attorney for Forsyth County; Harold Jr. is a graduate of Morehouse College, Harvard Business School and Yale Law School and currently works for McKinsey & Company; and Walter is a graduate of Hampton University, the University of Maryland Dental School and is currently in dental residency at UNC Chapel Hill.
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
EARL M. HILTON III, J.D. Earl M. Hilton III was announced as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics on Feb. 3, 2011 after serving as the interim for three months. As the director of athletics, Hilton serves as the chief executive and administrator for 16 Division I varsity sports governed by the NCAA. In his position, Hilton oversees the fiscal management of North Carolina A&T Athletics, provides guidance for 10 head coaches and he sets the department’s direction through his communications with University leaders and constituents, alumni and friends, city and community leaders and financial supporters.
EARL M. HILTON III, J.D. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Hilton is no stranger to North Carolina A&T. For the last 14years, Hilton has served in various leadership roles throughout the university. He came to North Carolina A&T in 2000 as an assistant athletics director for compliance. A year later, he was promoted to the position of associate athletics
– 35 –
director for internal affairs. Hilton’s responsibilities included serving as the finance, compliance and personnel director for Aggie Athletics from 2000-02. After his first stint with Aggie Athletics, he spent eight years an assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the university. His duties included budget oversight, personnel development and management. In addition to his role in student affairs, Hilton assisted Aggie Athletics in its second-cycle NCAA certification. Hilton received his B.S., degree in political science in 1992 from Lamar University. He also has a Master’s degree in public administration and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University.
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL INFO
8
114
TIME MEAC CHAMPIONS
1ST TEAM ALL-MEAC SELECTIONS
(1972, 1973, 1975, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1999, AND 2003)
OVERALL RECORD: 446-421-34
SCORING DEFENSE
SCORING
CODY JONES RECEIVING YARDS/GAME
DESMOND LAWRENCE SACKS
DANIEL PINNIX
[6.3 PPG (3RD IN MEAC)] [3.4 RPG (T-6 IN MEAC)] [7 (7TH IN MEAC)]
PLAYERS HAVE PLAYED IN THE NFL
2013 MEAC STATISTIC + RANKINGS SCORING OFFENSE
2013 NOTABLE INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS (RETURNING PLAYERS)
32
TOTAL OFFENSE TOTAL DEFENSE RUSHING OFFENSE RUSHING DEFENSE PASSING OFFENSE PASSING DEFENSE TURNOVER MARGIN
– 36 –
[27.5 PPG - 3rd] [16.8 PPG - 2nd] [336.8 YPG - 4th] [277.9 YPG - 3rd] [178.1 YPG - 4th] [90.3 YPG - 1st] [158.7 YPG - 6th] [187.6 YPG - 7th] [+7 (0.64 Per/G) - 1st]
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE HEAD COACH
ROD BROADWAY in 2008, the Tigers finished second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and made an appearance in the SWAC Championship Game. Five players received either All-American or All-SWAC honors, and Broadway was a finalist for the nationally-recognized Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.
ROD BROADWAY
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE FOOTBALL HEAD COACH
Rod Broadway enters his fourth season as the head football coach at North Carolina A&T. He is 19-14 (.576) over his first three years as the Aggies head man. The back-to-back winning seasons were the programs first since posting winning seasons in 2000 and 2001. The Aggies also finished the season with the No. 1 rush defense in the nation and No. 4 overall defense in the country. The foundation for the Aggies’ resurgence on the field has been defense. In three years, the Aggies overall defense has ranked no lower than eighth nationally. A&T’s run defense has never finished lower than seventh nationally.
Year two led to even more improvements for the GSU program. The Tigers ascended to the top of the SWAC with a 9-0 record and a 41-9 win over Jackson State in the SWAC Championship Game. GSU’s 2008 season also produced an 11-2 overall mark, a No. 24 national ranking in the Sports Network Division I-FCS poll and a Black College National Championship. Accolades for Broadway included being named SWAC Coach of the Year and The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year. In 2009, GSU continued to play well. The Tigers finished 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the SWAC. The Tigers led the nation in punt return yardage and they had the ninth-best scoring offense. The next season resulted in a 9-2 mark that was complemented by an 8-1 SWAC record. The Tigers’ rushing attack produced more than 200 yards per game, which ranked 15th nationally.
The prior year opponents went an amazing 17 straight quarters without scoring an offensive touchdown against the Aggies defense. The Aggies were also No. 1 nationally in pass defense efficiency in 2012.
Before his stint at GSU, Broadway turned N.C. Central into a Division II national power. His four-year stint (2003-06) at N.C. Central produced a 33-11 record, back-to-back CIAA titles for the first time in 50 years and the Eagles made two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The 2006 season was the highlight of Broadway’s tenure at NCCU.
Broadway came to A&T with an impressive history of winning championships with a brand of football that is exciting offensively and punishing defensively. In his last two head coaching positions – N.C. Central and Grambling State – each school came away with a Black College National Championship.
Broadway led the Eagles to an 11-1 season and the top seed in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region. After fielding the No. 1 rated offense in the CIAA and the 15th ranked defense nationally, individual honors included two players being named Associated Press Little All-Americans.
The year before he arrived at GSU, the Tigers went 3-8. During his first season there
There were also 12 players named All-CIAA, 10 Eagles earned Daktronics
All-Southeast Region recognition and four members from the 2006 team were named SBN All-Americans, including freshman quarterback Stadford Brown, who was also named SBN Player of the Year. During his stint at NCCU, Broadway also put together a 16-game regular-season winning streak and led the Eagles to their first-ever victory over a SWAC opponent with a win over Southern in 2006. Broadway began his collegiate coaching career at East Carolina University in 1979. His other coaching positions included stays at Duke University (1981-94), the University of Florida (1995-00) and the University of North Carolina (2001-02). As an assistant at UNC, Broadway helped the Tar Heels to a No. 15 national ranking in total defense and an appearance in the Peach Bowl. At Florida, he served as a member of the Steve Spurrier’s staff. In 1996, he helped the Gators win an NCAA National Championship. Broadway’s stay also included four SEC Championships and six bowl appearances. The Gators defense led the SEC in sacks four straight seasons (1996-99), and the team set a school record for fewest rushing yards allowed, as offenses produced just 70.7 yards per game.
THE FILE ON RON BROADWAY COACHING EXPERIENCE 2011-Present: N.C. A&T Aggies (Head Coach) 2007-2010: Grambling State Tigers (Head Coach) 2003-2006: N.C. Central Eagles (Head Coach) 2001-2002: North Carolina Tar Heels (Defensive Line) 1995-2000: Florida Gators (Defensive Line) 1981-1994: Duke Blue Devils (Defensive Line) 1979-1980: East Carolina Pirates (Nose Guards)
BOWL GAMES AS A PLAYER 1974: Sun Bowl 1976: Peach Bowl 1977: Liberty Bowl
BOWL GAMES/ POSTSEASON AS A COACH 1989: All-American (L) 1995: Fiesta Bowl (L) 1996: Sugar Bowl (W) 1997: Florida Citrus Bowl (W) 1998: Orange Bowl (W) 1999: Florida Citrus Bowl (L) 2000: Sugar Bowl (W) 2001: Peach Bowl (W) 2005: NCAA Division II Playoffs (2nd Round*) 2006: NCAA Division II Playoffs (2nd Round*) 2007: SWAC Championship Game (L*) 2008: SWAC Championship Game (W*) * Denotes Broadway was the head coach at the time.
CHAMPIONSHIPS WON 1989: ACC Co-Champions (Duke) 1995: SEC Champions (Florida) 1996: SEC Champions/National Champions (Florida) 2000: SEC Champions (Florida) 2005: CIAA Champions (N.C. Central)* 2006: CIAA Champions/Black College National Champions (N.C. Central)* 2008: SWAC Champions/Black College National Champions (Grambling)* *Denotes Broadway was the head coach at the time.
HEAD COACHING HONORS/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2005: CIAA Coach of the Year 2005: Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year 2006: CIAA Coach of the Year 2006: Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year 2007: Eddie Robinson Award Finalist 2008: Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year 2008: SWAC Coach of the Year
– 38 –
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE COACHING STAFF Rickey Bustle is in his second season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for North Carolina A&T’s football program in 2013. In his first season, Bustle’s offense produced the MEAC’s leading rusher in Tarik Cohen (104.4 RICKEY BUSTLE yards per game). Cohen also OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS captured MEAC Rookie of the Year honors and earned a conference weekly accolade five times. Bustle has been a part of nine bowl teams during his collegiate coaching career and brings 33 years of Division I experience to the Aggies staff, including nine years (2002-2010) as the head football coach at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Bustle also spent 14 seasons (1987-93, 1995-2001) at Virginia Tech, where he was the offensive coordinator in the Hokies Bowl Championship Series title game against Florida State in 2000. Sam Washington is in his fourth season as the Aggies defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He has established himself as one of the best defensive coaches in Division I-FCS. The Aggies defense has never finished lower than SAM WASHINGTON eighth nationally in the three years DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR under Washington. A year before his arrival in 2011, A&T was ranked 89th in total defense, 114th in rushing defense and 78th in pass defense in the nation. A&T led the MEAC in total defense, rush defense and were second in pass defense. Nationally, the Aggies had the No. 2 overall defense in addition to the No. 3 rush defense and the No. 1 pass defense. Courtney Coard is in his fourth season as the Aggies defensive line coach. He has taken undersized defensive lines and transformed them into a ferocious foursome in the interior. Coard’s success is aided by the fact he COURTNEY COARD understands Rod Broadway’s phiDEFENSIVE LINE losophy, having been with the head coach as player and assistant coach for 10 years. The Aggies defense has never been ranked lower than seventh nationally in rush defense over the first three years of Coard’s tenure, including a No. 1 ranking in 2013. Thanks to A&T’s defensive line play, the defense has also never finished lower than eighth nationally in total defense over the past three years.
Keith Wagner is in his fourth season as the Aggies offensive line coach. In three seasons, Wagner has built an offensive line that has cleared the path for the MEAC leading rusher in two out of the last three years. A&T quarterbacks KEITH WAGNER have also been able to stay OFFENSIVE LINE upright. In 795 pass attempts, A&T quarterbacks have only been sacked seven percent of the time. This resulted in the Aggies producing the program’s first ever 2,000 yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in a single season (2011). Trei Oliver is in his fourth season as the Aggies outside linebackers coach. Oliver has worked under head coach Rod Broadway at three different institutions. Oliver also serves as the staff’s financial aid liaison. A&T’s outside linebackers have made tremendous TREI OLIVER OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS strides during Oliver’s first three years at A&T. No one more than D’Vonte Grant, who has led the Aggies in tackles three straight seasons. Grant is also a twotime second-team All-MEAC performer and he has scored four defensive touchdowns in his career, a school record. Shawn Gibbs is in his fourth season as the running backs coach at North Carolina A&T. In has been a prosperous three years for A&T running backs under Gibbs. In two out of the last three seasons the MEAC’s leading rusher has played for the Aggies. Two of his SHAWN GIBBS RUNNING BACKS/RECRUITING running backs have also earned COORDINATOR end of the year accolades from the conference as Tarik Cohen earned MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2013 and Mike Mayhew was voted MEAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2011. Mayhew also broke the Aggies’ all-time rushing record in 2011 and was named second-team All-MEAC in 2012. Ricky Lewis had a career year in 2012, rushing for 437 yards and six touchdowns on 97 carries. Dominique Drake, Cohen and Lewis combined to score 19 rushing touchdowns in 2013. In each of the past three seasons A&T’s running game has ranked now lower than fourth in the MEAC.
– 39 –
Chip Hester enters his first season as an assistant football coach for the North Carolina A&T program. Hester will be responsible for coaching the Aggies wide receivers. Hester previously spent 11 seasons (2002-12) at NCAA Division II Catawba College in CHIP HESTER WIDE RECEIVERS Salisbury, N.C., as its head football coach. His 70 wins placed him second on Catawba’s all-time wins list and his .588 winning percentage stands fourth all-time. He came to Catawba as an assistant under then head coach David Bennett in 1995. Hester served in that capacity for seven seasons before becoming Catawba’s head coach. Colin Williams is in his fourth season as the Aggies tight ends coach and video coordinator. As the video coordinator, Williams oversees all aspects of the video operations within the A&T football program. Among his many duties COLIN WILLIAMS are managing the exchange of TIGHT ENDS/VIDEO COORDINATOR video with other programs, assuring practices and games are videoed and breaking down and editing video for the use of scouting opponents. Charles Cheek is in his third season with North Carolina A&T. Cheek will coach inside linebackers for the 2014 season. Cheek competed for the Grambling Tigers during his football collegiate career. He served as team captain CHARLES CHEEK in 2010 and played tight end for INSIDE LINEBACKERS three seasons before becoming a running back during the 2010 season. He played fullback as a freshman. He was also named to the Grambling State Presidents List in 2007 and ‘09.
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
2014 NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE ROSTER No. Name 1 Marcus Albert 2 Kwashaun Quick 3 Xavier Griffin 4 D’Vonte Grant 5 Desmond Lawrence 7 Donald Mattocks 8 Khris Gardin 9 Zerius Lockhart 10 Denzel Keyes 12 Darren Bullock 13 Jordan Dawson 14 Lamar Raynard 15 Tard McCoy 16 Michael Weaver 17 Hasaan Klugh 18 Frank Foster 19 Kevin Francis 20 Daniel Robinson 21 Tony McRae 22 Marquell Cartwright 23 Amos Williams 24 Lorenz Suttles 25 Jamaal Darden 26 Tyree Purcell 27 Marquis Boyan 28 Tarik Cohen 30 Tyree Andrews 32 Marquis Willis 33 Tyshawn Siders 34 Timadre Abram 35 Jerome Beatty 36 Anthony McMinn II 37 Landis Shoffner 38 Jose Garcia-Camacho 39 Marlowe Wood 40 Daniel Pinnix 41 Aaron Leach 42 Cody Jones 43 Tajir Wharton 44 Dominic Frescura 45 Joshua Patrick 46 Austin Venable
Pos. OLB QB WR LB WR DB WR FS WR WR QB QB DB WR QB QB TE RB DB RB DB OLB DB — DB RB DB DB DB DB S FB OLB K RB DE OLB K DB K/P LB LS
Ht. 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-8 5-8 5-10 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-5 5-9 5-7 6-3 511 6-5 5-8 5-9 5-9 5-8 6-2 5-10 — 5-11 5-6 6-1 5-9 5-9 5-10 5-8 6-1 6-0 5-7 5-8 6-1 6-2 5-11 5-9 6-2 6-0 5-10
Wt. 203 188 183 195 181 178 160 175 210 188 185 190 188 171 185 195 207 188 175 190 180 187 185 — 185 172 193 175 175 165 159 228 172 197 190 237 215 136 184 202 225 220
Cl. So. Jr. So. R-Sr. Sr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Fr. So. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Fr. So. Fr. Jr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. — Jr. So. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. Jr. Sr. R-Jr. Sr. R-So. So. R-Jr. So. Fr. Fr.
Hometown College Park, Ga. Laurinburg, N.C. New Castle, Del./Fork Charlotte, N.C. Durham, N.C. Burlington, N.C. Morganton, N.C. Auburn, Ala. Kinston, N.C. Durham, N.C. Cary, N.C. High Point, N.C. Delray Beach, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Concord, N.C. San Diego, Calif. Brooklyn, N.Y. Lumberton, N.C. Laurinburg, N.C. High Point, N.C. DeFuniak, Fla. Dallas, Ga. Raeford, N.C. — Columbia, S.C. Bunn, N.C. Washington, D.C. Statesville, N.C. Jacksonville, N.C. Lakeland, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Hendersonville, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Burlington, N.C. Bowie, Md. High Point, N.C. High Point, N.C. Gastonia, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. South Pasadena, Calif. Dekalb, Ga. Greensboro, N.C.
No. Name Pos. Ht. 47 Courtney Edmonds LB 6-3 48 Jeremy Taylor OLB 5-11 50 Angelo Keyes LB 6-1 51 D’Anthony Ross DL 6-2 53 Gerald Caskey LB 6-1 54 Leroy Hill — 6-2 55 Michael Neal DL 5-11 56 Denzel Jones LB 5-9 59 Dorian Belcher LB 6-0 60 Ronald Canty OL 6-0 61 Josh Mattocks OL 6-3 65 Reginald Tyler OL 6-3 66 Izayah Moore OL 6-3 67 Major Kay OL 6-4 68 Charlie Jones OL 6-4 70 Brandon Parker OL 6-7 71 William Robinson III OL 6-2 72 Darriel Mack OL 6-2 74 Olin Leak OL 6-3 75 Jessie Dove OL 6-4 76 Shawn Best OL 6-6 77 Wes Cole OL 6-6 80 Joseph Spann WR 5-10 81 Caleb Gabriel WR 5-9 82 Keenan Medley WR 5-10 83 Quentin Todd WR 5-9 84 Ty’Shaun McCollum TE 6-5 86 Ashanti Foster-Felder WR 6-0 87 Dequan Swann TE 6-1 88 Malik Wilson WR 6-0 89 Jonathan Hall — 6-1 90 Malik Hampton-Prioleau DL 6-4 91 Kenneth Melton DE 6-2 92 Justin Smith LB 6-1 93 Oluwafemi Bamiro TE 6-4 94 Nicholas Dease DT 6-1 95 Julian McKnight DL 6-3 96 Matthew Reed DT 6-0 97 James Morris DL 6-0 98 Phillip Martin DL 6-4 99 Marquis Ragland DT 6-3
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Wt. 200 183 263 257 216 240 270 231 215 277 310 313 332 311 240 280 307 284 293 278 320 306 164 165 170 200 217 190 226 175 180 265 226 245 215 317 275 290 304 300 265
Cl. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. So. R-So. Fr. Jr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. So. R-Fr. R-Sr. So. R-So. Fr. Fr. So. So. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-So. Jr. R-Jr. Fr. R-So. So. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. R-So.
Hometown Graham, N.C. Kinston, N.C. Kinston, N.C. Atlanta, Ga. Greensboro, N.C. Smithfield, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Durham, N.C. Chester, S.C. Swansboro, N.C. Kenansville, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Lincolnton, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Kannapolis, N.C. Clinton, Md. Marlboro, S.C. Lexington, N.C. Fr. Apex, N.C. Fr. New Bern, N.C. Norwood, N.C. McDonough, Ga. Raleigh, N.C. Kannapolis, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Bennettsville, S.C. Long Island, N.Y. Sanford, N.C. Burlington, N.C. Salisbury, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Elizabeth City, N.C. Garland, N.C. Washington, D.C. Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Jacksonville, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Chicago, Ill. Fayetteville, N.C.
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
1 MARCUS ALBERT
OLB • 5-10 • 203 • SO. HOMETOWN: College Park, Ga.
8
2 KWASHAUN QUICK
QB • 6-0 • 188 •JR. HOMETOWN: Laurinburg, N.C.
9 KHRIS GARDIN
WR • 5-8 • 160 • FR. HOMETOWN: Morganton, N.C.
ZERIUS LOCKHART
4 XAVIER GRIFFIN
WR • 6-1 • 183 • SO. HOMETOWN: New Castle, Del./Fork
10 DENZEL KEYES
D’VONTE GRANT
5 DESMOND LAWRENCE
7 DONALD MATTOCKS
LB • 5-10 • 195 • R-SR. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C.
WR • 5-10 • 181 • SR. HOMETOWN: Durham, N.C.
DB • 5-8 • 178 • R-SR. HOMETOWN: Burlington, N.C.
12
13
14
DARREN BULLOCK
JORDAN DAWSON
WR • 5-11 • 188 • JR. HOMETOWN: Durham, N.C.
17
18
TARD McCOY
16 MICHAEL WEAVER
QB • 6-3 • 185 • FR. HOMETOWN: Concord, N.C.
QB • 511 • 195 • JR. HOMETOWN: San Diego, Calif.
TE • 6-5 • 207 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, N.Y.
RB • 5-8 • 188 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Lumberton, N.C.
23
24
25
26
TONY McRAE
22 MARQUELL CARTWRIGHT
DB • 5-9 • 188 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Delray Beach, Fla.
21 DB • 5-9 • 175 • JR. HOMETOWN: Laurinburg, N.C.
WR • 5-7 • 171 • SO. HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
RB • 5-9 • 190 • FR. HOMETOWN: High Point, N.C.
HASAAN KLUGH
19 FRANK FOSTER
AMOS WILLIAMS
LORENZ SUTTLES
DB • 5-8 • 180 • FR. HOMETOWN: DeFuniak, Fla.
OLB • 6-2 • 187 • SO. HOMETOWN: Dallas, Ga.
– 41 –
QB • 6-0 • 185 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Cary, N.C.
LAMAR RAYNARD
WR • 6-4 • 210 • SO. HOMETOWN: Kinston, N.C.
15
FS • 5-10 • 175 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Auburn, Ala.
3
QB • 6-5 • 190 • FR. HOMETOWN: High Point, N.C.
20
KEVIN FRANCIS
JAMAAL DARDEN
DB • 5-10 • 185 • FR. HOMETOWN: Raeford, N.C.
DANIEL ROBINSON
TYREE PURCELL
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
27 MARQUIS BOYAN
28
35
36 ANTHONY McMINN II
DB • 5-11 • 185 • JR. HOMETOWN: Columbia, S.C.
JEROME BEATTY
S • 5-8 • 159 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C.
41
30 TARIK COHEN
RB • 5-6 • 172 • SO. HOMETOWN: Bunn, N.C.
FB • 6-1 • 228 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Hendersonville, N.C.
42 AARON LEACH
32 MARQUIS WILLIS
TYREE ANDREWS
DB • 6-1 • 193 • JR. HOMETOWN: Washington, D.C.
DB • 5-9 • 175 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Statesville, N.C.
37
38
LANDIS SHOFFNER
OLB • 6-0 • 172 • JR. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
JOSE GARCIA-CAMACHO K • 5-7 • 197 • SR. HOMETOWN: Burlington, N.C.
43 CODY JONES
TAJIR WHARTON
34 TIMADRE ABRAM
39 MARLOWE WOOD
40
DB • 5-9 • 175 • FR. HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, N.C.
RB • 5-8 • 190 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Bowie, Md.
44 DOMINIC FRESCURA
45
53
OLB • 6-2 • 215 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: High Point, N.C.
K • 5-11 • 136 • SO. HOMETOWN: Gastonia, N.C.
DB • 5-9 • 184 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C.
K/P • 6-2 • 202 • SO. HOMETOWN: South Pasadena, Calif.
47 COURTNEY EDMONDS
48
50 JEREMY TAYLOR
ANGELO KEYES
51 D’ANTHONY ROSS
LB • 6-3 • 200 • FR. HOMETOWN: Graham, N.C.
OLB • 5-11 • 183 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Kinston, N.C.
LB • 6-1 • 263 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Kinston, N.C.
DL • 6-2 • 257 • SO. HOMETOWN: Atlanta, Ga.
– 42 –
33 TYSHAWN SIDERS
DB • 5-10 • 165 • FR. HOMETOWN: Lakeland, Fla.
DANIEL PINNIX
DE • 6-1 • 237 • SR. HOMETOWN: High Point, N.C.
46
JOSHUA PATRICK
LB • 6-0 • 225 • FR. HOMETOWN: Dekalb, Ga.
AUSTIN VENABLE
LS • 5-10 • 220 • FR. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
54 GERALD CASKEY
LB • 6-1 • 216 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
LEROY HILL 6-2 • 240 • FR. HOMETOWN: Smithfield, N.C.
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
55 MICHAEL NEAL
56
59 DENZEL JONES
60
DORIAN BELCHER
61 RONALD CANTY
JOSH MATTOCKS
65 REGINALD TYLER
DL • 5-11 • 270 • JR. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
LB • 5-9 • 231 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
LB • 6-0 • 215 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Durham, N.C.
OL • 6-0 • 277 • R-SR. HOMETOWN: Chester, S.C.
OL • 6-3 • 310 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Swansboro, N.C.
OL • 6-3 • 313 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Kenansville, N.C.
66
67
68 CHARLIE JONES
70 BRANDON PARKER
71 WILLIAM ROBINSON III
72 DARRIEL MACK
80
81
IZAYAH MOORE
MAJOR KAY
OL • 6-3 • 332 • FR. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
OL • 6-4 • 311 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Lincolnton, N.C.
OL • 6-4 • 240 • SO.. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
OL • 6-7 • 280 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Kannapolis, N.C.
74
75
76
77
OLIN LEAK
OL • 6-3 • 293 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Lexington, N.C.
82 KEENAN MEDLEY
WR • 5-10 • 170 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Kannapolis, N.C.
JESSIE DOVE
OL • 6-4 • 278 • FR. HOMETOWN: Apex, N.C.
83 QUENTIN TODD
WR • 5-9 • 200 • R-SR. HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
SHAWN BEST
WES COLE
OL • 6-6 • 320 • FR. HOMETOWN: New Bern, N.C.
OL • 6-6 • 306 • SO. HOMETOWN: Norwood, N.C.
84 TY’SHAUN McCOLLUM
86 ASHANTI FOSTER-FELDER
TE • 6-5 • 217 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Bennettsville, S.C.
WR • 6-0 • 190 • JR. HOMETOWN: Long Island, N.Y.
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OL • 6-2 • 307 • R-SR. HOMETOWN: Clinton, Md.
JOSEPH SPANN
WR • 5-10 • 164 • SO. HOMETOWN: McDonough, Ga.
87
OL • 6-2 • 284 • SO. HOMETOWN: Marlboro, S.C.
CALEB GABRIEL
WR • 5-9 • 165 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
88 DEQUAN SWANN
TE • 6-1 • 226 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Sanford, N.C.
MALIK WILSON
WR • 6-0 • 175 • FR. HOMETOWN: Burlington, N.C.
10th Annual
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89 JONATHAN HALL
90
91 MALIK KENNETH HAMPTON-PRIOLEAU MELTON
6-1 • 180 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Salisbury, N.C.
DL • 6-4 • 265 • SO. HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
95
96 MATTHEW REED
JULIAN McKNIGHT
DL • 6-3 • 275 • FR. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C.
DT • 6-0 • 290 • FR. HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, N.C.
92 JUSTIN SMITH
DE • 6-2 • 226 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Elizabeth City, N.C.
97 JAMES MORRIS
LB • 6-1 • 245 • R-FR. HOMETOWN: Garland, N.C.
TE • 6-4 • 215 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Washington, D.C.
98
99 MARQUIS RAGLAND
PHILLIP MARTIN
DL • 6-0 • 304 • R-JR. HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
93 OLUWAFEMI BAMIRO
6-4 • 300 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Chicago, Ill.
94 NICHOLAS DEASE
DT • 6-1 • 317 • JR. HOMETOWN: Charlotte, N.C.
DT • 6-3 • 265 • R-SO. HOMETOWN: Fayetteville, N.C.
CONGRATULATIONS!
10 years of Tackles, Tailgates and Tunes but still…
More Than Just A Game!
– 44 –
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
WALTER PAYTON ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINEES BY MARK W. WRIGHT
First presented in 2008, the Walter Payton Achievement Award is an honor given annually to one player from each of the two schools participating in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. The award is named in honor of the late Walter Payton, the Professional Football Hall of Fame running back who spent his entire NFL career (1975-1987) with the Chicago Bears. Payton attended Jackson State University, a SWAC school, in the 1970s.
Athletic Conference’s Alabama A&M University (Normal, Ala.) were selected by a committee of academic advisers and coaches. The two winners — each school nominates a pool of three players — is determined via online fan voting through the summer and announced before the game. Voting for the 2014 Walter Payton Achievement Award opens July 24 and closes Aug. 20, with the winners announced Aug. 30, from the welcome reception banquet at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Three nominees from each school — the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, N.C.) and the Southwestern
Here are the nominees from each school:
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY NOMINEES
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY NOMINEES
JORDAN PUENTE, PK
DENZEL KEYES, WR
HOMETOWN: San Luis, Mexico MAJOR: Business Administration CLASS: Junior When James Spady was appointed head football coach at Alabama A&M in January, he expressed his exuberance by saying: “Starting this morning, we’re in the process of building a dynasty.” With student-athletes like place-kicker Puente, Spady is well on his way. “He is a great student, good team member and a good person to be around in the locker room,” Spady said of the Business Administration major with a 3.58 GPA. A standout soccer star in high school, Puente — who is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese — played in five games last season, posting 10 kickoffs (for 404 yards, averaging 40.4), five PATs, and was 1-for-1 on field goals. Spady said of Puente, who is on the Dean’s List: “We are excited to have him on our team, and look for him to do great things.”
HOMETOWN: Kinston, N.C. MAJOR: Chemistry CLASS: Sophomore A two-sport athlete (he also plays basketball) at North Carolina A&T, Keyes is also a two-sport starter, proving that he’s not one to shy away from a challenge — all while maintaining a 3.14 GPA. “You have to admire his fortitude and willingness to take on such a challenge,” coach Rod Broadway said of the Chemistry major. “In order to do something like this you need to be a pretty good athlete, and Denzel is definitely as superb athlete.”
QUENTIN TODD, WR
HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C. MAJOR: Broadcast production CLASS: Redshirt Senior A valuable special teams player the last two seasons, Todd will compete in 2014 for time at receiver alongside a solid group of Aggies route-runners. Todd is a speedster (4.65 40-yard dash) with hops (31-inch vertical) who also has an excellent academic history at A&T. His resume includes scholar athlete and All-MEAC Academic Team honors, as well as a 3.12 GPA. “Todd will likely step into a larger role during the 2014 season,” Broadway said of Todd. “He is a hard worker and dedicated to the role we give him each year.”
DAVID DAGRIN, DL
HOMETOWN: Miami, Fla. MAJOR: General studies CLASS: Redshirt junior A decorated high school track star and football star, Dagrin participated in the Florida North vs. South All-Star game and was a third-team All-Dade County player. Having been on “The Hill” since 2011, Dagrin played in 17 games, netting 21 tackles (three for loss), two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defended. “We are looking for [Dagrin] to give us depth in our defensive front,” Spady said. “We like coaching smart football players, and he fits our mold: smart, fast and physical.” Dagrin maintains a 2.91 GPA.
WILLIAM RAY ROBINSON III, OL
HOMETOWN: Clinton, Md. MAJOR: Journalism and mass communication CLASS: Redshirt Junior Robinson is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the MEAC, having been named First-Team All-MEAC as a sophomore. Tasked with protecting the quarterback’s blindside, Robinson has been a constant through 30 games (29 starts). “William has been a leader for us on and off the field,” Broadway said of Robinson, who is looking to return to the field after a knee injury to add to the 100-plus pancake blocks in his career. “We’re looking forward to seeing how well he performs his senior season.”
ALAN CRUZ, OL
HOMETOWN: Huntsville, Ala. MAJOR: Physical education CLASS: Senior Since a 2010 redshirt season, Cruz has been on a tear. In 2011, he anchored an offensive line that gave up only 22 sacks on 399 passing attempts and 1,805 rushing yards. In 2012, while seeing action in only 10 games (due to injury), Cruz was vital on an A&M line that opened holes for 1,657 yards rushing while yielding only 21 sacks. Through 34 games in three years, Cruz was the lone returner on a line that gave up just 1,840 rushing yards and 2,300 passing yards. “He’s maybe our biggest contributor on the field,” Spady said of Cruz, who maintains a 2.78 GPA, “a very mature player who has contributed quite a bit up front.”
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©2014 McDonald’s
#alwaysgrinding #nosleeptil #scholarforreal #toomanynotes #readyforit
No matter how it unfolds, there’s a whole neighborhood invested in nurturing your dream. We’re here too, proudly supporting the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,® which provides scholarships to help make it a reality. Deeply Rooted in the Community.®
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
LEGE BETTY AUSTIN
ELVIN BETHEA
HARRY CARSON
Betty Austin, a native Alabaman, received her bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M in 1974 and her master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1975. She then returned to her alma mater to establish women’s sports at the university. Austin had such an impact on Bulldog athletics that she was inducted into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
New Jersey native Elvin Bethea was a three-time All-American football player at North Carolina A&T. After graduation, he was drafted in 1968 by the Houston Oilers as an offensive guard in the third round. Thus began a 16-year NFL career, spent entirely with the Oilers. Bethea played 210 games, including 137 consecutive games from the opener in 1968 to November 1977 (the third-longest streak in franchise history). Along the way he had 105 career sacks, a franchise record four decades later, and 691 recorded tackles (not counting additional stats before 1974), a number that remains near the top of Oilers/Titans statistical history.
For four years as a defensive lineman at South Carolina State University, Harry Carson never missed a game. The twotime team captain—and first MEAC player to earn back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors—helped the Bulldogs to two straight conference championships, setting school records in his senior season with 117 tackles and 17 sacks. In 2002, Carson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and in 2012, into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
REPRESENTING: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
Austin’s accomplishments include serving as women’s volleyball head coach for the Bulldogs for 30 years, leading the team to huge success—603 wins, 11 SIAC titles, six SWAC titles, and six SWAC Coach of the Year honors for Austin. After retiring as volleyball coach in 2006, Austin became A&M’s interim athletics director. The role became permanent in 2007, as Austin was credited with increasing revenue for the department and exposure for the university. She also introduced a student-athlete academic resource center and opened a new sports medicine treatment facility.
REPRESENTING: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
Bethea’s No. 65 jersey was retired by the Houston Oilers immediately after the close of his NFL career. Additional honors include being named to the Pro Bowl eight times; being named to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2005; and being inducted to the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. After retiring from the NFL, Bethea worked for Anheuser-Busch until 2005. That year he wrote a book, Smash Mouth: My Football Journey from Trenton to Canton, a chronicle of his ascension from poverty to what he eventually called the greatest day of his life—his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2003, becoming the first alumnus from North Carolina A&T State to achieve that honor.
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REPRESENTING: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Carson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1975, and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, the team with which he would spend all 13 years of his NFL career. In the NFL, Carson made his mark as a member of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, and, later, the formidable Crunch Bunch. He made 11 interceptions for 212 yards, had 19 sacks, recovered 14 fumbles, and helped the Giants in 1988 to their first Super Bowl victory. Most notably, Carson was named team captain for 10 of his 13 years. Carson was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. The two-time book author then enjoyed a second career as a broadcaster and football analyst, and became an advocate of and frequent lecturer about health and wellness. In 2012, Carson was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Man of the Year, and he earned the United Way of New York City’s MVP Award for Lifetime Achievement.
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
ENDS
PAST LEGENDS 2013 LEGENDS Bernard & Shirley Kinsey (Florida A&M) Chuck Maldonado (North Carolina A&T State) Willie Totten (Mississippi Valley State) Charlie Neal (Villanova University) Lucille O’Neal (Bethune-Cookman) David “Deacon” Jones (SC State & Mississippi Valley State)
2012 LEGENDS Eddie Robinson (Alabama State) Rev. Canon Nelson W. Pinder (Bethune-Cookman) Jack “Cy” McClairen (Bethune-Cookman) Stephanie Ready (Coppin State) Steven Wilson (Howard University) John Chaney (Bethune-Cookman)
2011 LEGENDS
WILLIAM “BILL” HAMILTON
REPRESENTING: SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY For 40 years, Bill Hamilton served as South Carolina State’s sports information director, publicizing and promoting sports at one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs. Hamilton was hired for the position just two months after graduating from the school. South Carolina State’s rich sports history gave Hamilton a lot to work with, and Hamilton’s career included publicizing the achievements of such football standouts as Donnie Shell; fellow 2014 Legends inductee Harry Carson; and Robert Porcher, who was inducted as a MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legend in 2011. Hamilton’s trailblazing efforts not only had a big impact on athletes and coaches from South Carolina State, but enhanced the sports reputations of other FCS and small colleges around the country. He helped open the door for players and coaches from HBCUs and other small colleges to be eligible for the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. Hamilton’s numerous professional accolades include receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America, and South Carolina State has honored him with a football stadium press box bearing his name.
JOHN STALLWORTH REPRESENTING: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
John Stallworth had the kind of NFL career that college players dream of—14 seasons as a wide receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers, four Super Bowl rings and, to cap it off, a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He prepared for his playing career at Alabama A&M University, where he played for the Bulldogs from 1970 to 1973. In 1974, the Steelers selected Stallworth in the fourth round. During his career with Pittsburgh, Stallworth had 537 receptions for 8,723 yards and 63 touchdowns—numbers that earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame this year. In 1980, Stallworth furthered his devotion to Alabama A&M by establishing the John Stallworth Foundation, which awards merit-based scholarships to deserving students who attend the school. In 2013, the program expanded to include recipients who attend other universities in Alabama.
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Ken Houston (Prairie View A&M) Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman) Robert Porcher III (South Carolina State) Vice Admiral David Brewer III (Prairie View A&M) Nikki Giovanni (Fisk University)
2010 LEGENDS Omar Tyree (Howard University) Mel Blount (Southern University) Doug Williams (Grambling State) Lt. Cmdr. Zeita Merchant (Tougaloo College) Celeste Clark (Southern) Robert Brazile (Jackson State)
2009 LEGENDS Barney Lewis Chavous (South Carolina State) Jimmie Giles (Alcorn State) Congressman James Clyburn (South Carolina State) Commissioner Daisy Williams Lynum (BethuneCookman College) Ray “Smokie” Norful (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) Everson Walls (Grambling State University)
10th Annual
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HISTORY OF THE
MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE TEN years … that’s the milestone we celebrate this year … and we’re reminded of our goal: to bring HBCU football to a national stage while grooming student-athletes for success off the field. Guess what? We’ve achieved that goal … but we’re not done, or satisfied. The 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney is, and continues to be, an experience unlike any other: More than just a game and more than the Battle of the Bands. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney was built on years of tradition that’s produced leaders in every walk of life – even Super Bowl champions. This journey began in 2005 with our inaugural event taking place in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement: Birmingham, Alabama between South Carolina State and Alabama State.
In 2008, we took our talents to Central Florida – setting up shop in Orlando, with a new presenting sponsor Disney and home to Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse. Since the move, we have continued on our course while promoting the same message to our student athletes: Prioritize education, prepare for life after football and seize every opportunity. Over the years we have reinforced that message with a variety of influential figures who have shared their wisdom about football – and life. We’ve been honored to build on this experience – with family and tradition at its core. But it doesn’t stop there. As 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge participants, it’s up to Alabama A&M University and North Carolina A&T State University to carry the torch.
For 3 years in the Magic City, we taught, we learned, and we showcased some classic MEAC/SWAC battles … building a rivalry and relationships. – 50 –
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
12 MOMENTS THAT MARKED THE MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY DISNEY When the North Carolina A&T State Aggies and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs enter Bright House Networks Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, it’ll be history in the making. The two schools will be making their MEAC/SWAC Challenge debuts, and the game will mark the event’s 10th anniversary. Throughout the last decade, many events—on and off the field—have made this HBCU game an exceptional experience. Here are 12 such milestones. SEPTEMBER 3, 2005
SEPTEMBER 2009
Led by SWAC commissioner Robert C. Vowels Jr. and MEAC commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, the first MEAC/SWAC Challenge game is played, featuring South Carolina State and Alabama State at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. SC State won the inaugural game, 27-14.
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends award is established, paying tribute to individuals whose achievements have impacted Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Among the individuals honored are Pro Football Hall of Famers Everson Walls (Grambling State); Harry Carson (South Carolina State), Ken Houston (Prairie View A&M); Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman); and John Stallworth (Alabama A&M); and award-winning poet and writer Nikki Giovanni (Fisk).
SEPTEMBER 2, 2006 Derius Swinton blocks Grambling State’s point-after attempt in overtime to preserve Hampton’s 27-26 victory. This remains the MEAC/SWAC Challenge’s only overtime game.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
SEPTEMBER 1, 2007
Southern defeats Delaware State, 37-27, to give the SWAC its second victory in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge series. Heading into 2014, the MEAC leads the series 7-2.
A record crowd of 30,106 gathers at Legion Field in Birmingham to watch Southern defeat Florida A&M, 33-27.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
APRIL 11, 2008
Bethune-Cookman scores a record 63 points against Prairie View—the most points scored in a MEAC/SWAC Challenge game.
Walt Disney World Resort is announced as presenting sponsor of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge – and the “MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney” is born.
AUGUST 30, 2013
AUGUST 29, 2008
John Skipper, President, ESPN; Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks Group, addresses the players from Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge welcome reception.
The inaugural Walter Payton Achievement Award, created to honor one of HBCU football’s greatest players, Jackson State alumnae Walter Payton, is presented to a player from each team: Kevin Teel of Hampton and Marcus Smith of Jackson State.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 Professional Football Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow gives a memorable keynote speech at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge kickoff banquet, encouraging players to “seize the moment.” Winslow joins a star-studded list of speakers, including Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, former NFL coach and ESPN NFL analyst Herman Edwards, to deliver the keynote.
FEBRUARY 2, 2014 Tarvaris Jackson, a backup quarterback for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, earns a Super Bowl ring. Jackson was the starting quarterback for Alabama State in the inaugural MEAC/SWAC Challenge game in 2005, and is among 34 NFL players from HBCUs who’ve participated in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
AUGUST 31, 2014 North Carolina A&T State of the MEAC and Alabama A&M from the SWAC, make their MEAC/SWAC Challenge debuts in the 10th anniversary game.
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速
10th Annual
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PAST MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGES
27-14 ALABAMA STATE 2005 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE
27-26 (OT) GRAMBLING 2006 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE
South Carolina State University (SCSU) quarterback Cleveland McCoy took home the most valuable player as he racked up 240 yards of total offense in their 27-14 win over Alabama State in the inaugural MEAC/SWAC Challenge in front of an announced crowd of 18,452 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. Opposing Alabama State University (ASU) quarterback Tarvaris Jackson threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns to take most valuable player honors for the Hornets. ASU never led and had significant problems moving the football for most of the afternoon. McCoy finished off a five-play, 70-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage on their first series. Their next series ended with a 28-yard field goal by Stephen Grantham and when DeShawn Baker scored from one yard out 41 seconds into the second quarter, SCSU had built a 17-0 advantage. SCSU racked up 416 yards in total offense. By halftime, the Bulldogs led 17-7. After a roughing the kicker penalty erased a 22-yard field goal by Grantham, SCSU’s Jonathan Woods marched in from the 4-yard line to put the Hornets into a 24-7 hole with five seconds left in the third quarter. A 22-yard field goal by Grantham with 10 minutes to go expanded the SCSU lead to 27-7, but Jackson and Hoffman hooked up on a 79-yard touchdown pass on the Hornets’ next play from scrimmage to close out the scoring.
Derius Swinton blocked Grambling State University’s point-after attempt in overtime to preserve Hampton University’s 27-26 victory. The game featured the 2005 champions from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Hampton dominated on the ground, running for 203 yards while limiting Grambling to 30. Van Morgan ran for 82 yards and Alonzo Coleman gained 72 for Hampton. Kevin Beverly scored on a 10-yard pass from TJ Mitchell to open the overtime scoring for Hampton. Grambling State answered with Tim Abney’s 12-yard scoring pass from Brandon Landers, but Swinton averted a second OT period with his block. Hampton had tied the game with Mitchell’s 9-yard TD pass to Onrea Jones with 1:10 left in regulation, a drive that began with Landers’ fumble at Grambling State’s 13-yard line. Grambling moved downfield, but Tim Manuel’s 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired went wide left. Mitchell completed 6-of-16 passes for 85 yards with an interception. Princeton Shepherd was 8-of-11 for 120 yards, and Marquay McDaniel had six receptions for 113 yards. Landers finished 21-of-41 for 273 yards, throwing touchdown passes to four different players. He was intercepted once.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
TOP PERFORMERS Passing: T. Jackson (ASU) – 255 YDS, 2 TD, 1INT Rushing: D. Baker (SCSU) – 18 CAR, 71 YDS, 1 TD Receiving: L. Hoffman (ASU) – 5 REC, 133 YDS, 1TD
HAMPTON
TOP PERFORMERS Passing: B. Landers (GRAM) - 273 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT Rushing: V. Morgan (HAMP) - 14 CAR, 82 YDS Receiving: M. McDaniel (HAMP) - 6 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD BOX SCORE
BOX SCORE 1
2
3
4
T
SCST
10
7
7
3
27
ALST
0
7
0
7
14 – 53 –
1
2
3
4
OT
T
HAMP
7
GRAM
7
3
3
7
7
27
0
13
0
6
26
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
33-27 FLORIDA A&M 2007 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE SOUTHERN
Bryant Lee completed 22 of 29 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown and Darren Coates rushed for 142 yards and two scores to lead the Southern University Jaguars to a 33-27 victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers in the third annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Jaguars trailed 20-12 at halftime, but scored three touchdowns on their first four possessions of the second half to jump to a 33-20 lead. Lee put Southern in front 26-20 with a 3-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter and then Coates’ 1-yard plunge early in the fourth made the score 33-20. The Rattlers were unable to overcome injuries to their top two quarterbacks. Backup Leon Camel played most of the first half because of a shoulder injury to starter Albert Chester. Camel then left the game with a foot injury in the third quarter, forcing Chester to return. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: B. Lee (SOU) - 215 YDS, 1 TD Rushing: D. Coates (SOU) - 10 CAR, 142 YDS, 2 TD Receiving: G. Landry (SOU) - 7 REC, 81 YDS, 1 TD BOX SCORE 1
2
3
4
T
SOU
6
6
14
7
33
FAMU
7
13
0
7
27
17-13 JACKSON STATE 2008 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE HAMPTON
Hampton University converted a pair of second half turnovers into touchdowns to rally past Jackson State 17-13. Kendrick Ellis set up the Hampton’s first touchdown by recovering a fumble at Jackson State’s 11-yard line. Hampton’s Jerry Cummings slammed in from a yard out three plays later. Cummings scored on a 1-yard run and Jeremy Gilchrist caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Herbert Bynes to rally the Pirates from a 7-3 halftime deficit in the season opener for both teams. Jackson State’s Trae Rutland hit Rodney Gray with a 31-yard scoring pass on the Tigers’ first possession of the game, but the SWAC team didn’t score again until the middle of the fourth quarter when Rashad Smith dove into the end zone with a 10-yard scoring toss from backup quarterback Michael Mosley. Three turnovers in the third quarter destroyed the Tigers. Rutland had a pass intercepted in Hampton’s end zone and JSU lost two fumbles in their own territory to give Hampton hope. Bynes completed 14-of-23 passes for 151 yards. Dennis Mathis was the Pirates leading rusher with 46 yards on 15 carries. Rutland was 14-of-23 for 198 yards and touchdown for Jackson State, but got pulled in favor of Mosley after the third quarter errors. Mosley was four of 16 for 50 yards and earned the Tigers’ last touchdown. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: T. Rutland (JKST) - 198 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing: D. Mathis (HAMP) - 15 CAR, 47 YDS Receiving: R. Gray (JKST) - 2 REC, 57 YDS, 1 TD BOX SCORE
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1
2
3
4
T
JKST
7
0
0
6
13
HAMP
0
3
7
7
17
10th Annual
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37-27 DELAWARE STATE 2010 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE SOUTHERN
34-31 GRAMBLING 2009 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
South Carolina State quarterbacks Malcolm Long and Derrick Wiley combined to throw three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 34-31 win over Grambling in the fifth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Bulldogs jumped to a 14-0 lead behind two touchdown passes from Long and never trailed the remainder of the game. Wiley, who replaced Long in the first half after he went down with cramps, made his impact in the second half. He had a 39-yard run on a designed quarterback draw to set up a short touchdown run by Travil Johnson, giving the Bulldogs a 28-17 lead. But South Carolina State needed an interception from Semaj Moody in the final minute to stop a late rally by Grambling. Grambling quarterback Greg Dillon threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns but also lost two fumbles. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: G. Dillon (GRAM) - 269 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT Rushing: D. Wiley (SCST) - 13 CAR, 77 YDS, 1 TD Receiving: V. Phillips (GRAM) - 3 REC, 48 YDS, 1 TD
Dray Joseph threw for 162 yards and a touchdown and Southern scored 21 fourth-quarter points for a 37-27 victory against Delaware State in the sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The victory gave Southern coach Stump Mitchell a successful debut as Jaguars coach and the SWAC its second victory in the series with the MEAC. Delaware State led 19-16 at halftime behind two long touchdowns by Larrone Moore. He scored on an 85-yard pass from Anthony Gluad and a 90-yard kickoff return. Nick Elko’s 38-yard pass to Justin Williams five minutes into the third quarter put Delaware State up 27-16. Joseph, a freshman, was pressed into his first start when Southern’s Jermia McGinty was sideline with body cramps. Joseph accounted for two of the three Jaguars’ fourth quarter scores as Southern erased a 27-16 deficit. Joseph’s 5-yard run cut the lead to 27-23 with 7:59 remaining. Southern took a 30-27 lead with 4:43 left on Corey Cushingberry’s 64-yard punt return. Jason House’s 23-yard interception set up Joseph’s 4-yard TD toss to Rashuan Allen with 1:53 left. Sylveste Nzekwe led the Jaguars with 98 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Southern’s defense took control after that, holding the Hornets without a first down on their next five possessions. Gluad threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns for the Hornets. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: A. Glaud (DSU) - 198 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT Rushing: S. Nzekwe (SOU) - 15 CAR, 98 YDS, 1 TD Receiving: L. Moore (DSU) - 2 REC, 92 YDS, 1 TD BOX SCORE
BOX SCORE 1
2
3
4
T
GRAM
0
10
14
7
31
SCST
14
7
13
0
34
– 55 –
1
2
3
4
T
SOU
0
16
0
21
37
DSU
7
12
8
0
27
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
38-28 ALABAMA STATE 2012 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE BETHUNE-COOKMAN
63-14 PRAIRIE VIEW 2011 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Jamarr Robinson ran for two touchdowns and passed for another to lead Bethune-Cookman (BCU) past Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) 63-14. Isidore Jackson and Anthony Jordan scored two touchdowns each for the defending MEAC co-champs. Robinson began the scoring with a 10-yard run on BCU’s first possession. After a 9-yard TD run by Robinson at 13:03 of the second quarter, the Wildcats scored two defensive touchdowns 95 seconds apart. D.J. Howard went 31 yards with a fumble and Reggie Sandilands scooted 51 yards for another. The Wildcats forced five first-half turnovers by PVAMU. The Panthers committed six turnovers overall, three leading directly to BCU touchdowns in the first meeting between these schools. Robinson, a transfer from Maryland, completed 22-of-31 passes for 251 yards. BCU took a 42-0 lead late in the second quarter and finished with 500 total yards. Robinson went to the bench after taking the Wildcats on a 76-yard touchdown drive to start the third quarter. Jonathan Troast was 12-of-22 for 116 yards and two interceptions for the Panthers, who finished with 262 total yards. Troast hit Deandre Cooper from 11 yards 3:45 before halftime to make it 42-7.
The Hornets of Alabama State scored on three of their first four possessions to take a 21-0 second quarter lead. Greg Jenkins scored two touchdowns to cap off drives of 75 and 72 yards, and Isaiah Crowell’s 2-yard run was set up by a fumbled punt on Bethune-Cookman’s own 20-yard line. Broderick Waters threw two touchdowns and ran for another as Bethune-Cookman erased a three-touchdown, first-half deficit and defeated Alabama State 38-28. Waters came off the bench to help Bethune-Cookman score 38 straight points. He completed six of nine passes for 109 yards and rushed for an additional 100. BCU took a 24-21 lead on Waters’ 6-yard run with 4:28 remaining in the third quarter after instant replay overturned a call on a fumbled kickoff return and gave the Wildcats the ball on the Alabama State 25. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: B. Waters (BCU) - 110 YDS, 2 TD Rushing: R. Scott (BCU) - 13 CAR, 103 YDS, 1 TD Receiving: T. McWilliams (ASU) - 6 REC, 89 YDS, 1 TD BOX SCORE
TOP PERFORMERS Passing: J. Robinson (BCU) - 251 YDS, 1 TD Rushing: I. Jackson (BCU) - 9 CAR, 59 YDS, 2 TD Receiving: M. Francois (BCU) - 4 REC, 74 YDS BOX SCORE 1
2
3
4
T
PV
0
7
7
0
14
COOK
14
28
7
14
63 – 56 –
1
2
3
4
T
ALST
14
7
0
7
28
COOK
0
10
14
14
38
10th Annual
O R L A N D O, F L | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4
27-10 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 2013 MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE FLORIDA A&M
Damien Fleming, Omari Albert and Al-Terek McBurse of the Rattlers ran for touchdowns as Florida A&M beat Mississippi Valley State 27-10. Fleming passed for 110 yards and ran for 38, before leaving in the third quarter because of leg cramps. The Delta Devils of the SWAC struggled with the Rattlers defense as quarterbacks Patrick Ivy and Jeremy Collins combined to throw three interceptions and were held to 88 yards passing. Ivy ran for 74 yards, including a 64-yarder. The Rattlers of the MEAC took a 20-0 lead going into halftime behind touchdown runs from Fleming and Albert and two short field goals by Chase Varnadore. Mississippi Valley State closed to 20-10 after Collins scored on a 2-yard sneak with 10:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. TOP PERFORMERS Passing: D. Fleming (FAMU) - 110 YDS, 1 INT Rushing: A. McBurse (FAMU) - 6 CAR, 55 YDS, 1 TD Receiving: L. Lennon (FAMU) - 4 REC, 85 YDS BOX SCORE 1
2
3
4
T
MVSU
0
0
3
7
10
FAMU
7
13
0
7
27 – 57 –
10th Annual
A U G U ST 3 1 , 2 0 1 4 | B R I G H T H O U S E N E T W O R K S STA D I U M | O R L A N D O, F L
2014 SPONSORS
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued generosity and support:
1-800-411-PAIN… A Legal and Medical Referral Service
Darling Media Group
SunTrust
Accelerated Learning Solutions
Florida Sun
Team ESPN
Interactive One
The Shadow Leauge
Liquid Soul
Tires Plus
McCoy Federal Credit Union
United States Coast Guard
Mid-eastern Athletic Conference
University of Central Florida
North Carolina A&T State University
Visit Orlando
Oak Ridge High School
WBHK 95.7 Jamz
Rock ‘Em Apparel
WCFB Star 94.5
Sheen Magazine
WHAT Hot 107.9
Southwestern Athletic Conference
WJHM 102 Jamz
Summit Athletic Media
WEUP 103
Alabama A&M University Amscot Anthony Travel Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc. CanDo Event Planning Centerplate City of Orlando Coca-Cola Walt Disney World Resort - Corporate Citizenship
– 58 –
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December 9, 2014
Minnesota vs. Louisville
Boston College • College of Charleston • Dayton George Mason • New Mexico • Texas A+M Connecticut • West Virginia
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WOMEN’S JIMMY V CLASSIC
STATE FARM CHAMPIONS CLASSIC INDIANAPOLIS, IN – BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE
November 18, 2014 www.theChampionsClassic.com Duke vs. Michigan State Kentucky vs. Kansas
GILDAN CHARLESTON CLASSIC CHARLESTON, SC – TD ARENA
November 20, 21 & 23, 2014 www.CharlestonClassic.com Akron • Charlotte • Cornell • Drexel • Miami (FL) Penn State • South Carolina • Southern California
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November 27, 28 and 30, 2014
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Villanova vs. Illinois Indiana vs. Louisville
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December 6, 2014
Long Beach State • Princeton • San Diego San Jose State • UTEP • Washington Western Michigan • Xavier
UCONN vs. Notre Dame
ORLANDO CLASSIC ORLANDO, FL - ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS
November 27, 28 & 30, 2014 www.espnevents.com/Orlando-classic Georgia Tech • Kansas • Marquette • Michigan State • Rider • Rhode Island • Santa Clara • Tennessee
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December 22, 23, and 25, 2014 www.DiamondHeadClassic.com Colorado • DePaul • George Washington • Hawai’i Loyola Marymount • Nebraska • Ohio University Wichita State
CONGRATULATES THE CLASS OF 2014
MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE LEGENDS ELVIN BETHEA
BILL HAMILTON
BETTY AUSTIN
JOHN STALLWORTH HARRY CARSON
The Lifestyle Marketing Agency
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PROUD TO HYDRATE
LEADING THE COMMUNITY TOWARD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
The U.S. Army is proud to partner with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in sharing the vision of empowering young Americans and changing lives. As an Army Soldier, young men and women gain valuable career, education and leadership experience to become thought leaders—enhancing their future and their communities. Join us as we work to empower the nation. Find out all the ways being a Soldier can empower your community at goarmy.com. © 2014. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.