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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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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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 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced its scheduling model for fall sports to be played during the 2021 spring semester, contingent on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and NCAA scheduling guidelines for fall championships being played in the spring.

Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson, Ph.D and Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha have provided statements regarding the MEAC’s decision to play fall sports during the spring 2021 semester: 

“We appreciate the MEAC’s forwarding thinking approach of laying out options for fall sports next spring,” said Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “The plan reflects the delicate balance of safeguarding the health of our student athletes while creating an opportunity for on the field competition, which is such an integral part of the college experience.” 

“We appreciate the MEAC for developing a comprehensive plan that would allow our student-athletes the opportunity to compete,” said Kortne Gosha, FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics. “COVID-19 has required our institutions to pivot and adjust to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes and respective campus communities. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to our fans, donors, season ticketholders, and campus community as the situations and further schedules develop. Our programs are still on a quest to win MEAC championships.”

MEAC Statement on Moving Fall Sports to Spring 2021 

NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has unveiled a scheduling model for how fall sports could be played in the spring 2021 semester, depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and the NCAA scheduling guidelines for fall championships being played in the spring. Each individual institution can opt out of competing in the spring based on local and state COVID-19 conditions.

This action follows the conference’s announcement in July that the fall season would be suspended.

“Although it’s still too early to tell if the coronavirus conditions will improve fast enough to allow us to reconvene spring sports, we want to be prepared with a plan of action,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University and chair of the MEAC presidents and chancellors. 

Next spring, football teams will play a slate of six regional conference games, with teams split into divisions. The season would span from February 27 through April 24, with a championship game set for May 1. Volleyball season in the spring semester will potentially span from the first weekend of January through February, with the MEAC Volleyball Championship being held the weekend of March 13-14 in Norfolk, Va. The volleyball championship game will be played on Sunday, March 14. These dates are tentative and subject to change. Teams’ schedules will be available at a later date. 

A regional schedule will be implemented for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball and softball. In addition to keeping the mental and physical health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff at the forefront, this scheduling model will also minimize the amount of time student-athletes spend out of class, eliminate air travel and reduce travel expenses.

The divisional breakdown will be as follows: Northern Division: Coppin State, Delaware State, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State. Southern Division: Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State.   

“As has been the case since this pandemic started in March, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, university staff and fans are paramount,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. “I want to thank both the Forecasting Committee and the Health and Medical Advisory Group for their tireless efforts in formulating this plan.”

The MEAC Forecasting Committee, comprised of several of the conference’s Directors of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs), has been working since April – meeting twice a week to formulate a variety of plans for intercollegiate competition in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Forecasting Committee has consulted with the MEAC Health and Medical Advisory Group, which is made up of the league’s team physicians and head athletics trainers. All options were considered, from a normal fall schedule to a modified fall schedule and moving the fall sports to the spring.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M University’s VP/Director of Athletics, Kortne Gosha, announced on Friday the promotion of Constance Orr as the new Head Softball Coach. 

“We are excited about the continuity Coach Orr will bring to our team,” Gosha said. “It was clear that the foundation of our softball program was solid and very important that we developed a long term plan. Coach Orr is the right fit and right philosophy to take our program to the next level.” 

Orr takes over for legendary head coach Veronica Wiggins, who will transition into the role of Director of Player Development and Alumni Affairs within the Athletic Department. 

“I am truly honored and blessed to have this opportunity to be the next head softball coach at Florida A&M,” Orr said “I want to thank Coach Wiggins for her wisdom, encouragement, and belief in me to continue building such a powerful program that she has respectfully built throughout her illustrious career. I am very excited about this new journey and am looking forward to being able to lead our team with the continued support of our amazing AD, Kortne Gosha, along with his staff, as well as our President, Dr. Larry Robinson and all of Rattler Nation.”

Orr, a native of Charlotte, N.C., was a former standout softball player at the University of North Carolina (UNC). During her playing career, Orr was named to the 2013 All-ACC and the 2013 All-ACC Tournament teams. She started all 60 games playing primarily at third base. Orr also spent time as a pitcher, finishing with a record of 6-2. She was named ACC Player of the Week during her senior season after tallying 11 RBIs and hitting three multiple-run homers, including a grand slam, over a six-game span. She led the team with 50 RBIs and 62 hits with a .959 fielding mark during her senior season. 

Orr earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from UNC in 2013.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha released a statement on Thursday in regard to the suspension of the 2020 Fall Sports schedule.

As we face unprecedented and uncertain times, the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, and campus community remain our number one priority.

“The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Florida A&M University has elected to suspend all fall sports due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. While we are disappointed by the fact that we will not be competing this fall, we do believe this is in the best interest for our student-athletes and our institution,” Gosha said. “Please understand that this decision was not taken lightly. I am extremely confident that we will continue to work through these challenging times together.”

Florida A&M Athletics is committed to exploring creative approaches and alternatives to provide future competitive experiences and opportunities for our student-athletes.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M University’s Director of Athletics, Kortne Gosha, announced the appointment of McNeese State University’s Assistant AD for Operations & Facilities, Michael Johnson, as the new Associate AD for Administration and Operations of FAMU Athletics.
 
“We are excited to welcome Michael Johnson to our administrative staff,” Gosha said. “As we implement our strategic plan and vision for Athletics, it was imperative that we identified a high-energy creative thinker and dynamic professional with a lense of experience as a former student-athlete, student-leader, and athletic administrator to oversee all of our events, facilities, policy management and internal operations.
 
“Mr. Johnson has already jumped in with two feet by spearheading our field house renovations, softball artificial turf installation, scoreboards, and entire departmental rebrand efforts. His passion to create a unique student-athlete experience has unequivocally identified him as a rising star in the industry.”
 
“I am elated to bring my Tiger blood to Rattler Nation,” Johnson said. “Serving a premier university like Florida A&M University is a tremendous honor and incredible responsibility that I do not take for granted. The positive trajectory of this administration is second to none and I am proud to be an instrumental change agent serving alongside an extraordinary team of professionals.
 
“As a product of an HBCU, I understand how imperative it is to serve at an HBCU and give back to the culture whom afforded me access and opportunities. I am prepared to build champions of life in Tallahassee and grateful to serve at the highest of seven hills. I stand ready to Strike, Strike, and STRIKE again to unprecedented heights.”
 
A native of Flint, Mich., Johnson is no stranger to the Power 5, Mid-Major, FCS, or HBCU communities. He comes to Florida A&M after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations and Facilities at McNeese State University. Johnson will oversee internal operations, sports medicine, equipment operations, strength and conditioning, contracts, facilities and all athletic events, including postseason competition. Additionally, Johnson will also assist with football and basketball, while serving as the primary sport administrator for baseball and men’s track.
 
Johnson hit the ground running in his role at McNeese, where he oversees all aspects of McNeese game day operations, management, and facilities for all 15 sport programs. He was responsible for day-to-day facility and maintenance, internal operations, planning team travel, information technology, access control, grounds, custodial, officials, playing surfaces, police and security, concessions, 60-plus game workers, and all capital projects. Additionally, Johnson coordinated efforts with the ticket office to maximize ticket sales and drive revenue for athletic programs; while hiring, training, and scheduling guest services, contractors, staff and student interns.
 
Johnson implemented the first-ever facilities management system for the athletics department that was also adopted by the McNeese campus facilities team. Additionally, he established policies and procedures for credentials, crowd control, and emergency management for the Cowboys. Johnson oversaw all capital projects for McNeese Athletics, directly overseeing the renovations to McNeese’s largest capital projects: the $41-million Health and Human Performance Arena, the Joe Miller Ballpark Enhancement Project, Doland Fieldhouse renovations, and the upcoming videoboard and light replacements at Cowgirl Field, Henning Track and Field Complex, and Cowboy Stadium; working directly with each head coach and the Director of Athletics. In addition to his official capacity, Johnson also served as a board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Louisiana Region and Chairman of the Diversity United Foundation.
 
Prior to joining the Cowboy family, Johnson served as the Coordinator of Game Operations and Facilities at the University of Miami. As a Hurricane, he coordinated all athletic and external event functions, implemented a brand new facilities management system (FMX) and coordinated capital projects such as the replacement of the Greentree practice fields, the tennis video board replacement, Knight Gym floor replacement, and Phase 2 of the $47 million Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility; directly working with multiple outside vendors, staff, and partners.
 
Before his stint with the Hurricanes, Johnson served as the Executive Coordinator of Athletic Operations at Middle Tennessee State University, where he assisted and coordinated the negotiations for the department’s licensing rights, renegotiating a contract extension with apparel provider Nike valued at $10 million, coordinated several million dollars in capital improvement projects, as well as directly assist the Director of Athletics with day-to-day operations for MTSU’s 17 varsity programs.
 
Johnson was the direct liaison for police, game officials, risk management, policy management, equipment operations, and the external arm for other agencies. Additionally, he oversaw the review and payment of team travel expenses and led multiple vendors, staff, and partners to provide clear and concise planning and communication to all service providers; as appropriate for each event and/or planning phase of the athletic calendar. Johnson wrote and established the operational policies and procedures for the Blue Raiders, writing a policy that led to the implementation of alcohol sales at athletic venues at MTSU; making it the first institution in Tennessee to serve alcohol on campus.
 
While at Tennessee State, Johnson was named Mr. Tennessee State University, a student-body elected position that serves as a liaison for the student population under the leadership and direction of the university President, Dr. Glenda Baskin-Glover. Johnson gained valuable experience in Intercollegiate Athletics operations as a graduate assistant at TSU. He is a former track and field student-athlete coached by legendary Olympic athlete and coach Chandra Cheeseborough.
 
A graduate of Tennessee State University, Johnson studied Pre-Law and earned his Bachelors and Masters of Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law. In addition, Michael worked for the United States Department of Defense, where he collaborated with hiring managers and company presidents to strategize and implement innovative pipelines to employ students, athletes, and veterans from collegiate populations; assisting them with earning federal internships and full-time careers with various federal government agencies. Prior to DoD, Michael worked for the State of Tennessee’s General Assembly.
 
Johnson also has memberships to the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association, Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, 100 Black Men, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In addition to being involved in the community, Johnson has made a career of empowering, connecting and marketing youth culture by exposing his peers and young adults to their untapped potential and unchartered opportunities. Thus, he founded his non-profit organization, where his mission is to create pipelines of access to resources and opportunities for diverse underprivileged communities in schools, workplaces, sports, and health; pioneering diversity in every career field.
 
FAMU fans can follow Johnson on Twitter at @MJTheProdigy_.

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TALLAHASSEE | The Florida A&M University football program was set for its showdown in Baton Rouge, La. against Southern University, but that game was cancelled last week due to issues surrounding COVID-19. However, the Rattlers didn’t have to wait long to fill that vacant spot in the schedule.

Florida A&M’s new opponent on Sept. 12 is another marquee rivalry game and will be an early preview as the Rattlers prepare to move to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 2021. That new opponent – Jackson State University.

The Rattlers will make the trip to Jackson, Miss. to face the Tigers on Sept. 12 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“We are excited that we were able to replace the game quickly once the game with Southern was cancelled,” FAMU VP/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said. “This will be a nice trip for our fans to still make a trip into SWAC Country. Thanks to Jackson State Vice President/Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson for working with us to make the game happen.”

Florida A&M and Jackson State have met 19 times in the series, with the Tigers holding a 10-7-2 record, including a thrilling 18-16 victory at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2018. The Rattlers’ last win the series came in 2003, a 28-14 victory.

“We are very excited about the decision to replace the Southern game with Jackson State,” Rattler head football coach Willie Simmons said. “Obviously the last time we played them left a bad taste in all of our mouths and I’m anxious to go into their backyard with an opportunity for some redemption against my former boss.”

Florida A&M will open the 2020 season in the Orange Blossom Classic against Albany State. Kickoff against the Golden Rams is set for 7 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

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