NEW ORLEANS, La. –  The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) launched a new slate of championship logos with design by Phoenix Design Works. The new championship logos extend the HBCUAC brand and galvanize fan enthusiasm.

“We are so happy to reveal our new championship logos, and we are thrilled to be working with our friends at Phoenix to extend our brand into our championships,” said Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCU Athletic Conference Commissioner. “Amy, Jamie, and everyone at Phoenix have been wonderful to work with, and Phoenix has been an essential branding partner for us. From strategic development to deploying the brand across our championships, we are confident the HBCU Athletic Conference brand will connect with our fan base and member schools.”

The logos feature the new conference branding, pay tribute to the new conference trophy design, and are modified to accommodate each sport. HBCU Athletic Conference Championship branding will be featured in events, online, and apparel.

“Commissioner Barnes, Dani, and the entire HBCU Athletic Conference team have been amazing to work with,” said Amy Skiles, Phoenix Design Works SVP Business Development, Client Service. “The HBCU Athletic Conference is such a wonderful team, and together, I believe we have been able to create some genuinely innovative work for the conference. We’re grateful for the experience of working with such a wonderful group!”

The HBCUAC sponsors championships for six sports, with hopes to increase that number as more member schools are added.

”It is an honor to work with Commissioner Barnes, Dani, and the HBCU,” said Jamie Skiles, Phoenix Design Works President & Creative Director. “Kiki and Dani are both wonderful team leaders, and the HBCU Athletic Conference is such a smart and talented group; it is a joy to work with them to create the new Championships branding. Working together to build the new Championships branding program has led to a family of new brand assets that will serve the conference for years to come.”

Phoenix has long been a champion of HBCU schools and HBCU principles and aspirations, and the work they do aligns with the mission and vision of the HBCUAC.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to be of service to the HBCU Athletic Conference,” continued Jamie Skiles. “The HBCUAC is doing good work, important work. It is our privilege to work with Kiki, Dani and the HBCU team. I would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Kiki, Dani and all our friends at the HBCUAC for having us on your team.”

For media inquiries, contact Dani Wright at communications@hbcuac.org or (833) 504-4228 x2.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A list of 43 student-athletes from across the nation have been nominated for the 2024 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year.

A total of nine nominees hail from Super Region 1, 12 from Super Region 2, 11 from Super Region 3 and 11 from Super Region 4.

Central Missouri’s Zach Zebrowski, the 2023 Hill recipient and a 2024 nominee from Super Region 3 could become the fifth repeat winner in award history. Slippery Rock quarterback Brayden Long, Valdosta State quarterback Sammy Edwards and Central Washington safety Tanner Volk return after reaching the finalist stage. Running back Jada Byers, a 2022 finalist from Virginia Union, also appears on the initial ballot.

The sports information directors at the 159 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. The 43 initial candidates will be placed on regional ballots and the top two players from each of the four NCAA regions will advance to the national ballot when regional voting concludes on Monday, December 2.

The sports information directors at their respective schools initially nominate candidates. The SIDs in those Super Regions vote for their top five candidates. The winner is then determined in a nationwide vote of the Division II sports information directors.

The group of 43 candidates includes 16 quarterbacks, nine running backs, six wide receivers, four defensive linemen, three defensive backs, two linebackers, a fullback, a return specialist and a kicker.

The list features 24 seniors, 17 juniors and two sophomores.

The winner of the 2024 award will be announced on Friday, December 20.

The Hill Trophy is named for the late Harlon Hill – the former University of North Alabama standout – who excelled with the Lions from 1950-53 before going on to fame in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears.

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NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Tuesday 20 inductees, including two teams, to the inaugural XULA Athletic Hall of Fame.

Inductees will be honored Nov. 3 during a 6 p.m. CDT banquet in the third-floor ballroom of XULA’s University Center. Inductees also will be recognized during XULA’s homecoming basketball doubleheader at the Convocation Center the afternoon of Nov. 5.

Inductees or their survivors must contact Nathan Cochran — XULA’s executive director of athletics and recreation — at (504) 520-7329 or ncochran@xula.edu to confirm their participation in the November events.

The inductees are:
•  Marino Casem (football)
•  Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton (men’s basketball)
•  Cassee Davis (women’s basketball)
•  Herb Douglas (men’s track and field)
•  Alvin “Bo” Dukes (men’s basketball)
•  Sister Grace Mary Flickinger (administrator)
•  Dr. Norman C. Francis (administrator)
•  Bernard Griffith (men’s basketball)
•  Janice Joseph-Richard (women’s basketball)
•  Kenny Loyd (men’s basketball)
•  Jimmie McDaniel (men’s tennis)
•  Henrietta Mitchell (women’s basketball)
•  Alfred Priestley (football coach)
•  Anthony Rachal (administrator)
•  Bruce Seals (men’s basketball)
•  Team, 1940-41 men’s basketball
— Joseph Connor
— Frank Crozier
— Leonidas Epps
— Oscar Green
— James Hall
— Henry Harris
— Wince King
— Ben Mourning
— Charles Perkins
— Edgar Reeves
— Eugene Saffold
— Allen Summers
— Lucius Thomas
— Eldridge Williams
— Oliver Williams
— Coach Giles Wright
•  Team, 1942 men’s track and field 440-yard relay
— Herb Douglas
— William Morton
— Clarence Doak
— Howard Mitchell
•  Otis Washington (football, baseball)
•  Donald “Slick” Watts (men’s basketball)
•  Kay Williams (women’s basketball)

A committee selected the inductees based on XULA and post-XULA accomplishments.
Future nominees can be submitted in two ways:
•  Online by clicking here
•  A letter of nomination emphasizing a candidate’s qualifications sent to Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, Box 92, New Orleans, LA 70125

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) is pleased to announce and welcome its newest members for the 2022-23 academic year: Clinton College, Covenant College, and Redeemer University.

“The 2022-23 roster of new members are a diverse group of institutions that share in the same Christian mission as our current members,” said NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood.  “With their unique sport offerings and intercollegiate athletic histories, we hope to assist them in accomplishing their Great Commission work through our support and opportunities.”

Clinton College
Clinton College, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, will be entering as a Division I member in the South Region. The Golden Bears will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Men’s & Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball.

“On behalf of our faculty, staff and students we are excited to join the NCCAA,” said Dr. Angelyne Brown, VP Student Success, Dean of Students, Iterim Athletic Director. “We look forward to contributing to the mission of the NCCAA, by promoting the values of Christ, through Christian faith, competition, and sportsmanship. We are equally excited about preparing for new competition within the NCCAA, and the opportunity to compete and fellowship with like-minded believers and competitors. Finally, we are excited to compete within the NCCAA and uphold the standard of Clinton College…Excellence Without Excuse. GO BEARS!”

For more information on Clinton College, visit www.clintoncollege.edu.

Covenant College
Located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Covenant College will be entering as a Division I member in the Mideast Region. The Scots will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Baseball, Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s & Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s & Women’s Tennis, and Women’s Volleyball.

“As a department, our mission is to explore and express the preeminence of Christ in intercollegiate athletics by cultivating disciples and pursuing excellence,” Covenant College Senior Staff said. “For us, this means not only competing at a high level regionally and nationally but also competing in such a way that furthers each athlete’s faith. We believe this mission fits well with the NCCAA model since they seek to facilitate a high level of competition while also competing for a higher purpose.”

For more information on Covenant College, visit www.covenant.edu.

Redeemer University
Redeemer University, located in Ancaster, Ontario, will be entering as a Division I member in the Midwest Region. The Royals will participate in the following NCCAA sports: Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Cross Country, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, and Men’s & Women’s Volleyball.

“I am thrilled the NCCAA has accepted our membership application,” said James Kryger, Director of Athletics. “We are honored to become a partner with such a fantastic, Kingdom-focused sporting organization. At Redeemer University, sports are a platform for His glory. By joining the NCCAA, our goal to provide a Christ-centered championship experience is not only further aligned, but additionally, our Vertical Purpose strategic plan that led our application interest is moving forward as we continue to provide #KingChasing opportunities to present and future Royals.”

“We are thrilled to join the NCCAA and become members of such a fantastic, Christ-centered sporting organization,” Redeemer University President Dr. David Zietsma said. “At Redeemer, athletics are a unifying element and a shared sense of pride experienced by the entire community. Joining the NCCAA, an organization that aligns closely with the mission and values of the University, provides our community with additional opportunities to train up students to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ wherever they are called to live and serve.”

For more information on Redeemer University, visit www.redeemer.ca.

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The Milestone and Legends awards are presented to deserving coaches and administrators that have made a long-standing impact within Conference Carolinas.

Conference Carolinas presented two Legends awards at its annual awards ceremony that was held in person for the first time since 2018-19.

Emmanuel women’s basketball head coach Mike Bona was honored as a Legends Award recipient. Bona has been a fixture at Emmanuel for over 45 years and has collected over 750 wins as a women’s basketball head coach and has also served the athletic department in various capacities such as Athletics Director and much more. In 1991 he was voted by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association as the Converse Junior College Women’s National Coach of the Year. As an Athletics Director he was instrumental in the progression of the athletic program from a two-year college with just a few sports teams to a full blown four-year athletic program with several teams. He has been a key part of helping the institution transition from a two-year athletics program to the NAIA to NCAA Division II and Conference Carolinas.

Retired Mount Olive Director of Athletics Jeff Eisen was also presented with the Legends award. Eisen served in a leadership role at Mount Olive for over 16 years before retiring at the conclusion of 2021. During his time as Director of Athletics, Mount Olive won a national championship in baseball, expanded from 14 to 22 sports and finished first or second in the conference’s Hawn Cup in each of his last 10 years as Director of Athletics. Under Eisen, Trojan athletics saw rapid growth, including the establishment of the Mount Olive Athletics Hall of Fame, the creation of new positions within the athletics department, and facility enhancements, including the construction of the Ray McDonald, Sr Sports Complex, the softball field house, baseball dugouts and stadium seating, the Big Rock Tournament Field House and the Jay Bundy Field House.

The conference presented four Milestone awards at the annual awards ceremony.

The first Milestone Award winner was a student-athlete on the Mount Olive men’s tennis team and then an assistant coach before moving into the head coaching role. As a head coach, Kevin Coghill captured 282 wins, five combined Conference Carolinas tournament championships, six combined Conference Carolinas regular-season championships and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament during a historic career at Mount Olive.

The second Milestone award recipient was a vital part of the Mount Olive athletics department as an administrator from 2006-2021. Dr. LaToya Lindsey began her career at Mount Olive as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Compliance Coordinator in the summer of 2006. Lindsey was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics in 2014. She also served as Senior Woman Administrator. Lindsey’s most significant duties outside of compliance was working with the Mount Olive Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Under her direction, the SAAC won the Conference Carolinas MVP Award for raising the most money of any conference school for the Make-A-Wish Foundation six times.

Calhoun Parr has been the head tennis coach at Erskine for over 20 years. In being recognized as one of the Milestone award recipients, Parr has picked 338 wins overall and 220 wins in conference play as the women’s tennis head coach at Erskine. The Fleet have won 11 regular-season titles and 12 conference tournament titles during his time at the helm of the program. The nine-time Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year has had 15 teams earn ITA All-Academic recognition.

The final Milestone recipient was a huge part of the King athletics department for over 17 years as the head athletic trainer, SWA and Assistant AD. Sheila Crockett spent her final 10 years at King as an Assistant Athletic Director and the Senior Woman Administrator. She served on numerous committees and she was the Chair of the Gender Equity Committee and was a member of the Wellness Strategic Planning Committee. Prior to moving into the role of Assistant Athletic Director, Crockett started out as the first full-time athletic trainer at King in 2002 where she built the athletic training program from the ground up.

Legends Award Winners

2015-16 Class: (First Year)
George Pitts (King)
Carl Lancaster (Mount Olive)
Bob Reasso (Pfeiffer)

2016-17 Class:
Rita Smith (Lees-McRae)
Todd Wilkinson (Barton)

2017-18 Class:
Br. Paul Shanley, O.S.B. (Belmont Abbey)

2021-22 Class:
Mike Bona (Emmanuel)
Jeff Eisen (Mount Olive)

Milestone Award Winners

2015-16 Class: (First Year)
Ron Lievense (Barton)
Sheryl Neff (Barton)
Wendee Saintsing (Barton)
Alleen Hawkins (Erskine)
Kevin Nichols (Erskine)
Charles Wimphrie (Southern Wesleyan)

2016-17 Class:
Tina Parks (Mount Olive)

2017-18 Class:
Debbie Bost (Belmont Abbey)
Paul Lyon (Belmont Abbey)
Stephen Miss (Belmont Abbey)
Craig McPhail (Lees-McRae)
Dennis Bloomer (Limestone)
Mike Cerino (Limestone)
J. B. Clarke (Limestone)
Corey Fox (Limestone)
Jimmy Martin (Limestone)
Scott Tucker (Limestone)
Dr. Brenda Cates (Mount Olive)
Wendy Lee (Mount Olive)

2021-22 Class:
Kevin Coghill (Mount Olive)
Dr. LaToya Lindsey (Mount Olive)
Calhoun Parr (Erskine)
Sheila Crockett (King)

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NORMAN, Okla. – The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) released the 2022 NCAA Division II PING All-Region teams and Conference Carolinas had three student-athletes honored.

Bryson Boyette of Barton, Alberto Dominguez of Erskine and Samuel Trueba of King were each named to the Southeast All-Region team.

Boyette, the 2022 Conference Carolinas Men’s Golf Championship runner-up, finished the season ranked 12th in NCAA Division II with a 70.67 adjusted scoring average and was named the 2022 Conference Carolinas Men’s Golfer of the Year and a first team All-Conference selection.

Dominguez earned a trip to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional as an individual as he finished the regular season ranked 22nd with a 72.01 adjusted scoring average and was also an All-Conference selection.

Trueba, who finished tied for third as an individual at the 2022 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championship, finished the regular season ranked fifth with a 71.25 adjusted scoring average.

The complete All-Region release is available here.

PING ALL-SOUTHEAST REGION

Oscar Abrahamsson, South Carolina Aiken
Mauro Baez, Flagler
Bryson Boyette, Barton
Tom Bueschges, Newberry
Nico Cabello, Clayton State
Alberto Dominguez, Erskine
Jordan Doull, Columbus State
Simon Estrada, Georgia Southwestern
Erik Fogel, Georgia Southwestern
Luke Harries, Lincoln Memorial
Alex James, Lincoln Memorial
Leo Johansson, USC Aiken
Stephen Kinsel, North Georgia
Hugo Lari, Lander
Kristoffer Larsson, Limestone
Maxime Legros, Lander
Harry Lord, Lincoln Memorial
Levi Moody, Limestone
Jonathan Nielsen, Carson-Newman
Pontus Samuelsson, Limestone
Samuel Trueba, King
Evan Thompson, North Georgia

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WINGATE, N.C. – Conference Carolinas placed a region-best 14 student-athletes on the 2022 All-Southeast Region Teams from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released on Thursday.

Conference Carolinas had seven of 15 first-team selections led by 2022 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year Marek Chlup who was named first-team outfielder along with Bobby Dixon of UNC Pembroke. John Michael Faile joined teammate Chlup as the first team catcher while Reece Fields also represented the Crusaders as a starting pitcher. Darius Nobles of Francis Marion was the first team first basemen with Jack Casbarro of Mount Olive at second base and Todd Mattox of Francis Marion at third base on the first team.

Seven other student-athletes earned second team recognition in Alden Cottle of Mount Olive (third base), Ben Gobbel of Belmont Abbey (shortstop), outfielders Will Hardee (Francis Marion) and Sean Johnson (Belmont Abbey), designated hitter Leniel Gonzalez (Francis Marion), utility player Ben Ferguson (Belmont Abbey) and starting pitcher Alex Hart of Barton.

In all, 13 of the 15 Conference Carolinas first team All-Conference selections were represented on the All-Region teams. Francis Marion had the second-most selections of any region program with four while top-ranked North Greenville tied defending national champion Wingate with three first-team selections.

The complete NCBWA All-Southeast Region release is available here.

NCBWA All-Southeast Region

First Team

C – John Michael Faile, North Greenville
1B – Darius Nobles, Francis Marion
2B – Jack Casbarro, Mount Olive
3B – Todd Mattox, Francis Marion
SS – Braylin Marine, Newberry
OF – Marek Chlup, North Greenville
OF – Crews Taylor, North Georgia
OF – Bobby Dixon, UNC Pembroke
DH – Drew Yniesta, Lenoir-Rhyne
UT – Mitch Farris, Wingate
SP – Jared Donalson, Georgia Southwestern
SP – Brody McCullough, Wingate
SP – Joshua Lanham, Lenoir-Rhyne
SP – Reece Fields, North Greenville
RP – Sam Brodersen, Wingate

Second Team

C – Robert Brooks, Columbus State
1B – Steven Minter, Columbus State
2B – Seaver King, Wingate
3B – Alden Cottle, Mount Olive
SS – Ben Gobbel, Belmont Abbey
OF – Nick Brassington, Queens
OF – Will Hardee, Francis Marion
OF – Sean Johnson, Belmont Abbey
DH – Leniel Gonzalez, Francis Marion
UT – Ben Ferguson, Belmont Abbey
SP – Joel Haney, USC Aiken
SP – Alex Hart, Barton
SP – Matt Bradley, Carson-Newman
SP – Austin Mitchell, Wingate
RP – McLain Harris, Young Harris

Player of the Year | Braylin Marine, Newberry
Pitcher of the Year | Jared Donalson, Georgia Southwestern
Coach of the Year | Jeff Gregory, Wingate

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ROCK HILL, S.C.  – The South Atlantic Conference had three schools ranked in the NCAA Southeast Region Women’s Basketball poll released by the NCAA on Wednesday (Feb. 17). Wingate, Carson-Newman and Catawba are all under consideration for this year’s NCAA Southeast Region Championship.

In addition to the three SAC schools ranked in this week’s poll, there are three Conference Carolinas schools and four Peach Belt schools under consideration.

Wingate’s overall record is 21-3, Carson-Newman has a 20-5 overall record and Catawba is 19-4 overall.

The rankings are the official poll utilized by the NCAA in the championship selection process and will continue to be released each week by the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee up to the NCAA Championship selections.

NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Regional Rankings can be found at https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-women/d2/regional-ranking.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Chancellor Henry Fernandez and Vice President Brian Hankerson announced on Tuesday that the next head coach for the Eagles Football team would be Quincy Wilson.

“I’m very pleased and excited about the hiring of Quincy,” said Fernandez. “He brings experience at the NCAA level and has been successful there, as well as experience in the NFL. He is very energetic, a strong recruiter and a talented football coach. Wilson brings great passion to the UFTL family, and we are excited to see what he can do as he gets on campus.”

Wilson takes over the helm of the UFTL football program after spending the last four seasons as the Associate Head Coach, Running Backs Coach and the Director of Football Operations at West Virginia State University.

Before WVSU, Wilson spent 2016 at Glenville State College as the Running Backs Coach.

He got his start in the college ranks at his Alma mater, West Virginia University, where he was the Assistant Director of Football Operations from 2012-15.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Wilson said. “I’m inspired by the challenge, and I’m grateful to be the leader of this program. My role as the head coach at the University of Fort Lauderdale is to cast the vision for t our future and drive a strong, healthy culture.”

“My family and I would like to thank the committee,” Wilson said. “I’m very humbled by the selection, and I’m excited to join the UFTL family.”

Wilson attended Weir High School in Weirton, W.V.; he would become the first football player in West Virginia history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a single season. He finished with 3,262 yards on 351 carries (a 9.4 avg.), averaging 233 yards per game. This performance gave him third ranking amongst prep football players. Wilson set several records and led Weir High School to a 14-0 record and a Class AA State Championship where he rushed for 250 yards. He managed 47 touchdowns and 290 points that year, a state record. Over his high school career, Wilson rushed for 6,161 yards and scored 90 touchdowns.

Wilson earned Third-team AP All-American honors and was an All-Big East First team pick by ESPN, his senior year at WVU, in 2003. He amassed 1,380 yards with a 4.9 average and 12 touchdowns. His senior year, he was also named the WVU offensive MVP and he won the team’s Ira Rodgers Award for all-around excellence. His rushing yardage total was the 12th most in the NCAA on the year.

During his career, he played in 44 games at West Virginia; on 474 rushing attempts, he turned in a total of 2,608 yards and 20 touchdowns, to go with 25 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. His rushing attempts and yards both ranked fifth in school history at the close of his career.

Wilson is known for one of, if not the greatest play in WVU football history, “The Run,” against the No. 2 Miami Hurricanes in the 2003 season. He would catch a screen pass on third and 13, and he would go on to break three tackles, trucking and leaping over a player, to score the go-ahead score late in the game.

Wilson was selected in the seventh round (219th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He would go on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2004-07.

Wilson has a son, Trenton Xavier Wilson, who is currently a sophomore at Ohio Dominican University pursuing a degree in Pre-Med. His mother, Kyle Wilson, resided in Weirton, WV. He is the son of former All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion with the Chicago Bears Otis Wilson. He has two sisters, Danielle and Chlyla Wilson and a niece Lyla Wilson.

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