HBCU News, Commentary and Information
Friday
July 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Sports
The SWAC and Commissioner Duer Sharp have agreed to a three year extension. Sharp was named conference commissioner in 2007.
Under Sharp’s leadership, the SWAC has negotiated long-term contract agreements with ESPN, Russell Athletic, Toyota, Coca-Cola and Nike. The conference basketball tournament has also set records for revenue and total attendance two of the last three years.
Thursday
June 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Sports
Check out this database of programs recognized by the NCAA for proficiency in its Academic Progress Rate formula. Both the MEAC and SWAC have solid lists of men’s and women’s teams making the grade.
Nice for the NCAA to recognize the good side of HBCU athletic programs making the APR cut, but is there anything it can do to stem the tide of negative press when teams don’t make the APR threshold?
Without increased funding, the answer is a resounding ‘no.’
Monday
February 2012
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Sports
Kenn Rashad of TSPNSports.com asks if a recent rash of lawsuits against SWAC member schools reveals a deeper problem with leadership.
Wednesday
November 2011
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in CIAA, Sports
The presenters of the 2011 HBCU All-Star Bowl recently announced the rosters for the east and west teams of the 3rd annual football all-star event. The rosters are comprised of players from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Tuesday
April 2011
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Grambling State University, Louisiana, Southern University, Sports
The Southern Lady Jaguars met the challenge over the weekend, and completed a three game sweep of the Grambling State Lady Tigers, winning games one and two, 3-2 and game three, 2-0.
Game #1: Southern scored runs in the first, fourth and fifth inning, to hold off a late Grambling State rally, to earn a 3-2 win in the first game of the three game series.
Michael Pless pitched a five hitter in the win.
Gailyn Thibeaux, Audrey Phillips and Shabanese Brown each picked up RBI’s in the win.
Read the full story at:
LADY JAGUARS COMPLETE SWEEP OF GRAMBLING – SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
Thursday
October 2010
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alcorn State University, Headlines, Mississippi, Sports
The Southwest Athletic Conference has announced its Player of the Week awards for games ending October 23. From the release:
SWAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 8
The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its football players of the week for games played October 21 and 23.
Offensive Player of the Week
Frank Warren – RB, Grambling State (5-9, 200, Sr., Pleasant Grove, Ala.) Warren carried 27 times for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in Grambling’s 35-14 victory at Mississippi Valley State. He became Grambling’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2001, and he is the only player in FCS this season to have 3 separate 200-yard rushing games. For his career, Warren has 3,515 yards, just 48 from passing Walter Payton for fifth all-time in the SWAC rushing records.
Defensive Player of the Week
Shomari Clemons – LB, Texas Southern (6-2, 235, Jr., West Monroe, La.) Clemons finished with 5 total tackles (3 solo), 2.0 sacks (17 yards), 2.0 tackles-for-loss (17 yards), and an interception in leading the SWAC’s top defensive unit to a victory over Jackson State’ high-powered offense, 21-18. The win keeps Texas Southern in control of its own fate to make the Farmers SWAC Championship Game by winning the remainder of its conference games..
Special Teams Player of the Week
William Griswold – PK, Southern (6-1, 175, Fr., Tampa, Fla.) Griswold connected three more field goal attempts (36, 42, 37) and completed his 20th PAT on the season without a miss in Southern’s 30-16 loss to Prairie View. The freshman kicker has now made 7 straight field goal attempts for the Jaguars and is 10 of 14 on the season with a long of 44 yards on the season.
Newcomer of the Week
Brandon Bridge – QB, Alcorn State (6-5, 195, Fr., Mississauga, Ontario) Bridge accounted for 413 yards of total offense and 4 touchdowns in the Braves’ 39-35 loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He rushed for 142 yards and 2 TDs and completed 17 of 39 passes for 271 yards and 2 TDs.
Monday
October 2010
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Sports
The Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents has extended conference Commissioner Duer Sharp through 2014. Council Chairman and Prairie View A&M University President Dr. George Ross made the announcement today. From the release:
“The presidents and chancellors of the SWAC member institutions are unanimous in their support of the progressive leadership Commissioner Sharp has provided this conference during his tenure,” said Wright. “Duer has been very successful in the developing the structure by which our athletic programs operate and those resources have greatly benefited our athletic programs and the thousands of student-athletes they serve.”
Sharp joined the conference in 2004 as an assistant commissioner, and was named commissioner in January 2008.
Tuesday
September 2010
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Sports
The Southwestern Athletic Conference has released its weekly Players of the Week, for the week ending September 12. From the release:
Offensive Player of the Week
Devin Dominguez – QB, Alabama State (6-5, 201, Junior, Fort Wayne, Ind.) Dominguez led Alabama State to its second conference win, a 38-31 decision over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, by throwing 5 touchdown passes to five different receivers. The game-winner came on a 4-yard strike to Nick Andrews with 5:26 to play in the contest. He completed 13 of 28 passes for 152 yards, and also rushed for 19 yards on 8 attempts. Alabama State is 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the SWAC.
Defensive Player of the Week
Milton Patterson – LB, Jackson State (6-1, 235, So., Atlanta, Ga.) Patterson led Jackson State to a win over Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic by recording 12 total tackles, 8 of which were solo, and 3.0 tackles-for-loss for a total of 6 yards. JSU’s win broke a 7-game streak by Tennessee State in the game and gave the Tigers (JSU) a 2-0 overall record for the first time since the 2001 season.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Chance Wilson – PK/P, Alabama A&M (5-9, 185, So., Huntsville, Ala.) Wilson pinned Central State inside its 20-yard-line on 4 of his 6 punts, averaging 39.8 yards per kick, and helping lead the Bulldogs to a 45-0 victory in the inaugural Louis Crews Classic. He had a long punt of 51 yards and connected on his first career field goal, a 27-yard attempt. He also made all 6 PAT kicks.
Newcomer of the Week
Jacques Rickerson – DB, Alabama State (5-10, 185, Jr., St. Augustine, Fla.) Rickerson recorded an interception and returned it for 17 yards, plus 5 tackles. He also averaged 33.5 yards on 2 punt returns and 25.0 yards per kick return.
Tuesday
August 2010
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Headlines, Jackson State University, Sports, University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff
Jackson State University and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff are the favorites to advance to the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s women’s soccer championship, the conference announced today. Along with topping the predicted order of finish for the Western division, the UAPB juniors Jade West and Ericka Forbes claimed SWAC Offensive and Defensive Preseason Players of the Year Awards, respectively. From the release:
West, the league’s Offensive Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, ranked first in the SWAC in goals (11), assists (10) and points (32). She led her team in four different categories and garnered First Team All-SWAC honors in 2009.
Forbes, a 2009 All-SWAC First Team selection, finished second in the conference in assists (8) and fourth in points (20). She was a three-time SWAC Player of the Week honoree in 2009.
2010 SWAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Honors
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jade West, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Erika Forbes, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
First Team
Name Pos. Ht. Cl. School Hometown
Rachel Harker M 5-7 Jr. Ark.-Pine Bluff Burnaby, British Columbia
Bupe Okeowo M 5-8 So. Jackson State Dumfries,Va.
Abigail Escobar M 5-5 So. Prairie View A&M San Juan, Texas
Nakesha Rolle M 5-6 Sr. Southern Nassau, Bahamas
Brittany Joseph D 5-5 Jr. Alabama A&M Pasadena, Calif.
Erika Forbes D 5-5 Jr. Ark.-Pine Bluff Whitby, Ontario
Monica Diaz D 5-6 Sr. Prairie View A&M Katy, Texas
Jade West F 5-5 Jr. Ark.-Pine Bluff Ajax, Ontario
Ashley Baker F 5-5 Sr. Grambling El Paso, Texas
Yosselyn Aguilar F 5-6 So. Prairie View A&M Houston, Texas
Allison Lane GK 5-7 So. Jackson State Marlton, N.J.
Second Team
Name Pos. Ht. Cl. School Hometown
Joice Avila M 5-6 Jr. Alabama A&M East Elmhurst, N.Y.
Deanna Barclay M 5-6 Jr. Jackson State Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Kayla Boyd M 5-6 So. Mississippi Valley London, Ontario
Nailah Johnson M 5-7 So. Texas Southern Cathedral City, Calif.
Joell Gibson D 5-4 So. Jackson State Frere Pilgrim, Barbados
Mandi Quirk D 5-9 Sr. Mississippi Valley Mississauga, Ontario
Saycha Mitchell D 5-7 Sr. Texas Southern Sacramento, Calif.
Celeste Roberts F 5-8 Jr. Alabama A&M Far Rockaway, Ala.
Nicole Parks-Powell F 6-1 Jr. Ark.-Pine Bluff Tracy, Calif.
Rachele Dobbins F 5-6 Jr. Grambling Little Rock, Ark.
Chelsea Nash GK 5-6 Sr. Alabama State Tifton, Ga.
