BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has named Jackson State’s Shedeur Sanders, James Houston, and Warren Newman along with Florida A&M’s Deonte Williams its SWAC Football Players of the Week for their outstanding performances during games played this past week of competition.

Offensive – It was a record-breaking performance for Jackson State freshman quarterback Sanders at the Southern Heritage Classic. The Canton, Texas product completed 30-of-40 passes for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Sanders’ 30 completions set a new Southern Heritage Classic record as he distributed the ball to a total of nine different JSU receivers.

Defensive- Houston led the Jackson State defensive effort on Saturday in the Tigers’ win over Tennessee State. The rush specialist totaled 10 tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks for negative 33 yards. Houston also added five total tackles for loss during Jackson State’s 38-16 win.

Specialist– Newman’s 81-yard punt return in the fourth quarter proved to be a key score in Jackson State’s 38-16 win over Tennessee State at the Southern Heritage Classic. The punt return was the longest in the history of the Southern Heritage Classic. Newman also tallied a game-high seven receptions for 26 yards.

Newcomer – Williams found his way into the backfield often as he recorded three tackles for loss, two sacks and forced a fumble during Florida A&M’s 34-7 win over Fort Valley State at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday. He was a key contributor for a Rattlers defense that held FVSU to 35 total rushing yards for the game.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is excited to officially welcome the additions of Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University as full members of the league on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University as official members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland.

“The additions of these two historic institutions of higher learning undoubtedly makes all of our institutions stronger,” added McClelland. “A significant number of SWAC member institutions have enjoyed long standing history of competition against both universities in several sports; most notably football.”

“We feel the new rivalries that will be forged significantly enhances our conference’s brand in all phases and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome all of Wildcat Nation and Rattler Nation to the Southwestern Athletic Conference.”

The Wildcats sponsor 17 varsity sports at the Division I level, with all 17 of those sports sponsored by the SWAC: football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s volleyball and women’s bowling.  

The Rattlers sponsor 14 varsity sports at the Division I level, with all 14 of those sports sponsored by the SWAC: football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field, baseball, softball, men’s golf, women’s volleyball and women’s bowling.  

With the additions of Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, the Southwestern Athletic Conference now has three members based in Mississippi (Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State), two in Alabama (Alabama A&M, Alabama State), two in Louisiana (Grambling State, Southern), two in Texas (Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern), one in Arkansas (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), and one in Florida (Florida A&M).  The league will begin exploring adjustments to future scheduling and championship formats with Florida A&M’s addition in the 2021-22 academic year.

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The Bainbridge, Ga. hurdler became the first FAMU men’s track & field student-athlete to reach the outdoor track and field championships since Dennis Pugh in 2015.  

Scott clocked a personal and school record 50.36 to finish seventh overall and qualify for next week’s NCAA championships. 

“I honestly didn’t even know that I broke the school record,” Scott said. “That’s definitely something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a freshman, just leave a legacy with FAMU and be remembered forever.” 

Scott’s previous school record in the 400m hurdles was set on May 16 at the Aggie Classic Twilight, breaking Pugh’s mark of 50.97, which was set in April 2015. 

On the first day of the preliminaries, Scott chalked up a time of 51.20 and qualified for the quarterfinals as he finished 13th overall, with the top 24 advancing to the quarterfinals. 

“I feel like my performance at the East Preliminary was pretty good,” Scott said. “Anytime I run, I always feel like there is room for improvement, and I’m probably my hardest critic because of that mindset.” 

FAMU head men’s track & field coach Skye Dawson knew Scott had the potential to be great.  

“When he came in as a freshman, I knew this was bound to happen,” Dawson said. “I’m extremely proud of him and the times he’s hitting now are phenomenal. He hasn’t even reached his max potential.”  

Scott, who has five 400m hurdles wins in his career, joined an elite group of sprinters over the past eight years who have qualified for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Pugh represented the Rattlers in 2015 in the 400m hurdles, while the women’s 4×100 relay team of Nakia Linson, Jasmine Smith, Ashley Ivey and Dynasty jones participated in the 2013 meet. 

The men’s 400m hurdlers semifinals are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9 at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the event on ESPN2 and ESPNU. 

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) senior Mulbe Dillard IV wrapped up his collegiate career by finishing tops in the final Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Collegiate Ranking. 

Dillard earned an exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s REX Hospital Open, June 3-6, at TPC Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, N.C. 

“I appreciate everything the APGA, PGA Tour University and Korn Ferry Tour have done for this opportunity to play in the REX Hospital Open, to be exposed to a lot of great golfers, and to compete with them,” Dillard said. “It was a lot of hard work. I’m just happy that hard work is going to be put to good use and that I’m going to be able to show that a kid from the south side of Chicago, who went to an HBCU, is going to be out there competing with some of the best golfers in the world.” 

Dillard, who had two top-10 finishes in three starts on the APGA Tour as an amateur, solidified his spot atop the APGA Collegiate Ranking when he finished tied for 28^th in his final college start at the NCAA Division I Tallahassee Regional.  

“I am super proud of him and how hard he has worked,” said Mike Rice, FAMU head golf coach. “I am also proud to have three other guys finish inside the top five. These players have continued to improve all season and have excelled on and off the golf course.” 

Dillard’s achievement wasn’t the lone FAMU accomplishment as his teammates, Mahindra Lutchman (third), Cameron Riley (fourth) and Prince Cunningham (fifth), also finished inside the top five. Michigan State’s Andrew Walker earned the second spot to round out the inaugural class of the APGA Collegiate Ranking. 

All five players receive APGA Tour membership and entry into this season’s tournaments, starting with the APGA Tour event at TPC Louisiana, May 31-June 1.  

“The path of professional golf has never been stronger for Black golfers, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the top players in this year’s APGA Collegiate Ranking,” said Ken Bentley, co-founder and CEO of the APGA Tour. “This year’s inaugural class is an important step forward as the APGA Tour continues to grow and provide opportunities in professional golf to Black players.” 

The APGA Collegiate Ranking was announced in October 2020 through a partnership between PGA Tour University and the APGA Tour. Eligible players are Black golfers from NCAA Division I, II or III programs – including HBCUs – who exhaust a minimum of four years of college eligibility.

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A year ago, Florida A&M University (FAMU) baseball senior pitchers Kyle Coleman and Josh Hancock were preparing for life after college and a shot at playing professionally. 

But after 15 games, the 2020 season ended when FAMU Athletics cancelled the spring sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Having the 2020 season cut short was nothing less than heartbreaking,” Coleman said. 

The Rattlers were coming off a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship season and had high expectations for a repeat. Coleman recalled when the decision was announced; you could hear the air leave the roof. 

“We had worked so hard coming into that season and all we wanted to do was play,” Coleman said. “Now we have the opportunity to play for a championship this year.” 

Coleman, a native of St. Cloud, Fla., recorded a team-high 20 strikeouts in just four appearances in 2020. The right-hander was being heavily scouted by several professional teams after helping FAMU win the 2019 MEAC Tournament Championship. 

Hancock also entered the 2020 season with high expectations. He shared Coleman’s frustration and disappointment about the abrupt ending to the 2020 season. 

“I didn’t know if I would ever get to play in another meaningful game since that was my senior year,” said the Altamonte Springs, Fla., native. 

Hancock was second on the team with 18 strikeouts last season, but it was his love for the game and a chance to play professionally that brought him back for an extra season. 

“Obviously, I have the same dream every little kid has to be drafted and play professional baseball and coming back gave me that opportunity to keep chasing that little boy’s dream,” he said. 

While both players are excited to be back, Hancock said he wasn’t so fortunate to avoid COVID-19. He contracted the virus on his birthday in September. 

“Luckily, my symptoms weren’t bad, so I felt okay, but it was pretty boring spending your birthday alone,” said Hancock. “Thankfully, the rest of my family did not get the virus.” 

Coleman has escaped infection thus far, but a sibling wasn’t so was lucky.  

“My younger brother is the only one in my family to have contracted COVID and his symptoms were very mild, only a small headache,” Coleman said. 

Both players are delighted to get an extra year of eligibility. While Hancock leads the team in victories (four) and strikeouts, Coleman has struggled to regain his rhythm on the mound. Both are expected to play an integral role in the team’s success for the rest of the season.   

The Rattlers have 21 games remaining before playing in their final MEAC Baseball Tournament. Florida A&M will face North Carolina Central (April 23-25) and North Carolina A&T State (May 7-9) at Moore-Kittles Field. 

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A record 14 former Florida A&M University (FAMU) volleyball players were named to the all-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 50th anniversary volleyball team. 

Nicole Abreau, Maria Andronova, Jovana Blazeski, Valentina Carrasco, Susan Egoavil, Shante’ Haymore, Adriana Kostadinova, Randi Lee, Ginna Lopez-Chavez, Anna Nicholson, Mariela Portocarrero, Marrita Royster-Crockett, Adriena Ruiz and Maria Yvette Garcia earned the conference honor. 

FAMU led the way with a record number of former players selected to the all-time MEAC 50th anniversary volleyball team, with Howard placing nine on the team. Morgan State (eight), Maryland Eastern Shore (six), North Carolina A&T State (four), South Carolina State (three), Coppin State (two), North Carolina Central (one), Bethune-Cookman (one), Delaware State (one) and Hampton (one) rounded out the all-time team. 

Abreau earned MEAC Co-Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and was selected to the 2017 All-MEAC First Team. 

Andronova was named the 2005 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and the 2006 MEAC Player of the Year. In addition, she was a two-time (2005, 2006) All-MEAC First Team recipient.  

Blazeski had several accolades during her collegiate career including, 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year, 2009 MEAC Player of the Year, 2009 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and two-time (2007, 2009) All-MEAC First Team. 

Carrasco garnered back-to-back (2017, 2018) All-MEAC First Team selections. 

Egoavil posted All-MEAC First Team selections in 2007 and 2009. 

Haymore was a two-time MEAC Player of the Year along with All-MEAC First Team in 2000 and 2001. In addition, she was tabbed the 2001 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer. 

Kostadinova, who was inducted into the 2020 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame, had several accolades, including two-time MEAC Player of the Year (2004, 2005), three-time All-MEAC First Team (2003-2005) and three-time MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer (2002-2004). 

Lee posted All-MEAC First Team honors in 1993 and 1994. 

Lopez-Chavez was tabbed a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection from 2013-2016. 

Nicholson earned 1999 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and All-MEAC First Team. 

Portocarrero was a three-time All-MEAC First Team honoree (2001, 2003-2004). 

Royster-Crockett garnered 2006 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and All-MEAC First Team honors. 

Ruiz tabbed All-MEAC First Team (2002-2004). 

Yvette Garcia was a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection (2016, 2018-19). 

To be considered on the ballot, players must have been named to one of the following: First Team All-MEAC, MEAC Player of the Year, AVCA All-American or All-Region or a MEAC Hall of Fame inductee. 

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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) women’s basketball team will not compete this 2020-21 season due to concerns with COVID-19. 

The NCAA directed all member schools to provide student-athletes with an option to “opt-out” of competition this year due to concerns of the virus. In doing so, the NCAA will allow the student-athletes to keep that year of eligibility.  

The Rattlers began preseason camp with a limited number of players on the roster. With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, it has been determined that moving forward would not be feasible.  

“We are very disappointed but obviously we are taking concerns and circumstances within the women’s basketball program and COVID-19 very seriously. Student-athletes’ health and safety is and will remain our top priority,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said. “The department of athletics and the University are committed to adhering to all COVID-19 protocols and making sure we keep every Rattler student-athlete safe.  

“We will continue to support our student-athletes as the navigate these difficult times. We apologize to our scheduled opponents, as we know this will present scheduling challenges. However, we must keep student-athlete safety as our number one priority.” 

First year head coach Shalon Pillow also expressed disappointment over cancellation of the season. 

“I’m disappointed for my two seniors and the young ladies who have worked very hard to get to this point; however, the safety and health of our student-athletes is our top priority. Although this was a tough decision, we will continue to support our young ladies during this time.”

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) former punter Greg Coleman was among six iHall of Famenductees named to the 12th class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday. 

Coleman, who played for the Rattlers from 1972-1975, will be enshrined with Coy Bacon (Jackson State), Jimmie Giles (Alcorn State), Winston Hill (Texas Southern), Roynell Young (Alcorn State) and coach Willard Bailey (Virginia Union, Norfolk State, St. Paul’s and Virginia-Lynchburg) as members of the 2021 Black College Football Hall of Fame class. 

“On behalf of the board of trustees, congratulations to the Class of 2021,” Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founder and 2011 inductee Doug Williams said. “It is a significant achievement to be considered one of the best to ever play or coach football at a Historically Black College and University.” 

Coleman, who earned the nickname “coffin corner,” was the first African-American punter in NFL history. He was selected in the 14th round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and had a career that spanned 12 years. Coleman spent the 1977 season with the Cleveland Browns and played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1978-1987, before ending his career with the Washington Football Team (formerly the Washington Redskins) in 1988. He was selected by the fans to the Vikings 40th Anniversary team. 

Votes were tallied from the 11-member selection committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, and historians, as well as former NFL general managers and executives, and from members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame to determine the inductees.  

The Class of 2021 will be honored at the 2021 Black College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony and Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Atlanta Falcons on June 19, 2021. The induction ceremony will take place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. 

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.| The Florida A&M University Department of Athletics has announced its decision to opt out of the 2021 spring seasons for football, indoor track & field and volleyball.
 
“Florida A&M Athletics’ decision to opt-out and forgo the 2021 spring football, indoor track & field and volleyball season was made with the health and safety of our student-athletes as our top priority. This was a collective decision with our coaches and staff, given the varying circumstances that COVID-19 has created for our program.” said Florida A&M VP/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha. “We are certainly disappointed that some of our student-athletes will not be able to compete this year; however, we will shift our focus to achieving our academic priorities while planning a safe return to play in fall 2021, our inaugural season in the Southwest Athletic Conference.”

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Four former Florida A&M University (FAMU) football players and one former coach were among the 25 finalists named for the 2021 Black College Football Hall of Fame. 

Punter Greg Coleman (1972-75), offensive lineman Henry Lawrence (1970-73), offensive lineman, Tyrone McGriff (1976-79) and offensive lineman Nate Newton (1979-82) were among the 22 players selected as finalists. Rudy Hubbard, who guided the Rattlers to its only NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in 1978, was named one of three coaching finalists. 

The finalists were selected from a field of more than 150 nominees by an 11-member selection committee comprised of prominent journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL general managers and football executives. 

“Being named a finalist for the Black College Football Hall of Fame should be celebrated. The list of 25 highlights the amount of talent to come from historically Black colleges and universities,” Black College Football Co-Founder and 2012 inductee James “Shack” Harris said. 

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by Harris and former Grambling State University quarterback Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from HBCUs.  

FAMU has placed six members into the Black College Football Hall of Fame – coach Jake Gaither (2010), running back Willie Galimore (2010), wide receiver “Bullet” Bob Hayes (2011), quarterback Ken Riley (2015), coach Billy Joe (2017) and coach Joe Taylor (2020). 

This year’s inductees will be announced on Nov. 19 and will be honored during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Feb. 20, 2021 in Atlanta. 

“As chairman of the selection committee, I’m extremely proud of the work and effort the committee has put in to come up with the finalists who are being considered for induction. It’s not an easy task, because every name on the list is deserving to be in the Black College Football Hall of Fame,” Committee Chairman Charlie Neal said. 

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