A&T to host kickoff for CISCO sponsored robotics competition for teenagers
Terri Godwin
GREENSBORO, N.C.-North Carolina A&T State University and CISCO Systems Inc. will host the FIRST Technology Challenge (FTC) Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at CISCO Systems, 7100-7 Kit Creek Road Durham, N.C. 27709. At the event, FTC coaches, team mentors and volunteers will participate in interactive workshops and the FTC tournament theme will be announced.
FTC is a technology competition for students in grades 7-12. Teams are responsible for designing, building and programming robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. FTC’s mission is to teach students the value of hard work, innovation and creativity. FTC goes beyond competition by teaching teens the importance of working together, sharing ideas and treating each other with respect and dignity.
The College of Engineering at N.C. A&T manages all regional and state competitions for NC FIRST LEGO League and NC FIRST Tech Challenge. CISCO Systems Inc. located in Research Triangle Park, has been a long time supporter of the FIRST programs.
For more information about FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Technology Challenge contact Dr. Kory Bennett at firstrob@ncat.edu.
CIAA shares new tournament look, event details for 2015 Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament and new contract with the Queen City
Adrian Ferguson, Associate Commissioner for Media Relations
Charlotte, N.C. (September 3, 2014) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) gathered at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 3 to share event details on the upcoming 2015 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, set for Feb. 23 – 28, 2015. CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams, City of Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter, Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Trevor Fuller, Hornets President Fred Whitfield and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) CEO Tom Murray were on hand to honor the commitment made last March following the 2014 tournament to bring new vision to the multi-day, citywide celebration.
The new six-year partnership between the City of Charlotte, Hornets Sports & Entertainment and the CIAA has been many months in the making. A strong focus on scholarship dollars has remained a top priority with the CIAA receiving $1.4 million to benefit the 12 conference colleges and universities. The scholarships will be funded via dollars committed by the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the CRVA in addition to actively pursuing external fundraising sources through corporate partners.
"Charlotte has been a tremendous partner over the years and we’re happy to have the opportunity to make further contributions to the city’s growth," said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.
The CIAA also plans to relocate their conference headquarters to Charlotte in the coming years. The contract specifies $100,000 in relocation support. The transition will enable the conference, the CRVA and other Charlotte entities to more effectively partner in the community, providing increased visibility for the CIAA and helping to secure enhanced sponsorships benefiting the 12 member-institutions.
Plans also outline tournament play in 2017 and beyond at the GoodSports and Bojangles' Coliseum complex that is currently under review by Charlotte City Council and looks to enhance the development into a multi-purpose sports destination for the region. Early rounds of the tournament would move from Time Warner Cable Arena to the facility, freeing up the arena for potential Hornets games. Later rounds would still be held at the arena.
Adding to the excitement of the upcoming year, the CIAA revealed the 2015 tournament logo. In addition to the new events, McWilliams addressed the launch of the CIAA Fan Housing Program. Fans will be able to secure lodging in Center City Charlotte at lower rates than previous years directly from the CIAA. Ticket sales and hotel rooms associated with the event will be available via theciaa.com beginning Sept. 8.
"We want to thank our hotel partners for coming to an agreement we believe will meet the needs of our most loyal fans and those just being introduced to the CIAA," said McWilliams.
The three-party contract for future years between the CIAA, CRVA and Hornets Sports & Entertainment was signed during the press announcement and is set to be shared with the CIAA and CRVA boards of directors. Once complete, the CRVA will share the contract upon request.
The 2015 CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will feature 22 action-packed basketball games, and free activities for the community, alumni and all fans of the event – from Career and Education Days to the fan festival event, Fan Experience, and more. In 2015, the event will see a variety of improvements, including more in-arena entertainment and VIP packages.
Touted as the third most attended basketball tournament among all NCAA divisions, the CIAA Tournament has become an integral event that the Charlotte community rallies around year after year. Most importantly, it has fostered an important legacy for the future through the funding it has provided in scholarships for the 12 member institutions, enabling students to attend CIAA schools. CIAA has consistently ranked as one of Charlotte’s largest events, only second behind the 2012 Democratic National Convention to date. A valuable economic engine for the community, the 2013 event generated $29.86 million in direct spending and $47.17 million in economic impact.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the oldest African-American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Hampton, Virginia, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About the CRVA
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region's economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Time Warner Cable Arena, Bojangles' Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, 'Charlotte's got a lot.' For more information about Charlotte, visit charlottesgotalot.com.
CIAA Media Contact:
Adrian Ferguson, Associate Commissioner for Media Relations
9/3/2014 12:42:00 PM
Allie Kolezynski
MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University men's and women's soccer teams open up the 2014 season at Hawks Field on September 4thagainst Shepherd University The women take on the Rams at 2:00pm followed by the men's contest at 4:00pm. The contest is the first of the season for both institutions.
On the women's side, the Hawks welcome a key group of returnees along with a host of newcomers to the squad this year. They look to build off a 1-17 finish from the 2013 season. Shepherd posted an 8-92 mark on the season last year and picked up a tight 2-1 victory against the Hawks on their home field. After Thursday's game, the Chowan women's team will hit the road for four straight road games before returning home on September 17th to take on St. Andrews.
The Chowan men's team enters the contest with a new coaching staff, 16 newcomers, and high hopes of improving off of last season's 1-14 mark. The Rams travel to Murfreesboro for their first
Twitter updates will be available throughout both contests. Game notes for both games can be found HERE.
Allie Kolezynski
Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Communications
XU's
Fakler and Jackson receive GCAC weekly awards Ed Cassiere September 3, 2014
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Catherine Fakler set a school record Friday and tied a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's cross country record Wednesday.
After setting a school mark of 12 minutes, 42.18 seconds for two miles in the Xavier Big Easy Opener at City Park, Fakler was chosen GCAC Women's Runner of the Week for the eighth time in her career. Fakler matched the conference record in that sport held by teammate Zahri Jackson and Spring Hill's Kate Imwalle.
Xavier's Kwame Jackson, Zahri's older brother, was named GCAC Men's Runner of the Week for the 10th time in his career. He is No. 2 on that GCAC career list behind former teammate Matt Pieri, who was honored 13 times.
Fakler and Jackson were the individual champions at the Big Easy Opener, and Fakler led the Gold Nuggets to the women's team championship. Jackson's time of 16:21.57 for 5,000 meters was the second-fastest of his career.
The victories were the fourth of Jackson's XU career and the third of Fakler's. All of Fakler's victories occurred in Xavier's last four meets.
Both honorees are seniors. Fakler is from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School, and Jackson is from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School.
Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the Louisiana Army National Guard/ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational at Lafreniere Park in suburban Metairie, La. The women will race at 7:50 a.m., followed by the men at 8:25. Both races will be 5,000 meters.
Casey Rafferty
Central Islip, N.Y. - In a tightly contested vote, LIU Post came in two points ahead of Bridgeport as the coaches’ favorite in the 2014 East Coast Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll. Bridgeport’s Biljana Savic (Novi Sad, Serbia) a senior outside hitter/setter has been named the Preseason Player of the Year.
LIU Post finished with four first place votes and 75 points to top the poll. Last season, the Pioneers earned the program's first-ever berth into the NCAA Division II Elite Eight by winning the East Region Championship. LIU Post returns seven players from the squad that finished with a 25-10 record and ranked No. 25 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 poll last season.
Bridgeport, who won their second straight ECC title in 2013, also received four first place votes in the preseason poll but finished two points behind LIU Post for the top spot. The Purple Knights, who finished the season with a 22-3 overall record and a 15-1 ECC mark, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight year. Gary Mullin, who takes over for reigning ECC Coach of the Year, Leo Uzcategui, returns a talented roster with only two players and one starter gone from the Purple Knights' 2013 roster.
Daemen and New York Institute of Technology received 55 points to come in a tie for third in the poll. Daemen, who is not yet eligible for a conference championship berth as NCAA Provisional members, had a successful first year in the ECC. The Wildcats finished with a 23-10 record and a 10-6 mark in ECC play that would have qualified them for the ECC Championship if eligible. NYIT, who made their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance last season, tied for third despite a huge turnover. The Bears lost seven seniors from last year's roster and only return five players in 2014.
Dowling, who comes in at No. 5 with 50 points, received the final first place vote following a season which also ended up with their 12th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Savic earns the Preseason Player of the Year honor after capturing the conference's Player of the Year award last season. The three-time All-Conference First Team selection was a versatile player for the Purple Knights, excelling both as a setter and an outside hitter. She finished in the top 10 in the ECC with a .260 hitting percentage, 578 assists, and 5.90 assists per set. She also finished the season with eight triple-doubles, including two in one week to be named the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week.
2014 ECC Volleyball Preseason Poll
School Pts. 2013 Record
1. LIU Post (4) 75 25-10 (11-5 ECC)
2. Bridgeport (4) 73 22-3 (15-1 ECC)
T3. Daemen 55 23-10 (10-6 ECC)
T3. NYIT 55 27-7 (12-4 ECC)
5. Dowling (1) 50 19-14 (10-6 ECC)
6. Roberts Wesleyan 39 12-17 (5-11 ECC)
7. Molloy 24 9-20 (3-13 ECC)
8. Queens 21 10-14 (4-12 ECC)
9. Mercy 13 11-20 (2-14 ECC)
( ) – first place votes
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About the ECC
Founded as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1989 and rechristened the East Coast Conference in July 2006, the ECC was formed to enhance intercollegiate athletic competition among member institutions and to assist them in integrating athletics into their academic program in a fiscally sound way. The ECC is committed to the highest standards of scholarship, sportsmanship, teamwork, and citizenship. Its mission is to promote the total person concept in its student-athletes, which stresses the abilities to excel in academic achievement, athletic competition, and positive character traits. East Coast Conference members include: University of Bridgeport (Bridgeport, Conn.); University of the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.); Daemen College (Amherst, N.Y.); Dowling College (Oakdale, N.Y.); LIU Post (Brookville, N.Y.); Mercy College (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.); Molloy College (Rockville Centre, N.Y.); New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, N.Y.); Queens College (Flushing, N.Y.); Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester, N.Y.) and St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, N.Y.). Associate Members include: Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, Pa.), Dominican College (Orangeburg, N.Y.), and Georgian Court University (Lakewood, N.J.).
The ECC sponsors the following championship sports: baseball; men’s and women’s basketball; men’s and women’s cross country; men’s and women’s lacrosse; softball; men’s and women’s tennis; men’s and women’s indoor track and field; men’s and women’s outdoor track and field; men’s and women’s soccer; and women’s volleyball.
The East Coast Conference is a proud member of the NCAA and Division II. Division II is a dynamic and engaging group of colleges, institutions and conferences of varying sizes and educational missions. Division II members encourage and support diversity; value sportsmanship, fairness and equity; and place the highest priority on the overall educational excellence of the student-athlete.
Casey Rafferty
Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications
East Coast Conference
FOOTBALL
SET FOR HOME OPENER AGAINST WILLIAM AND MARYHAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team will hold its 2014 home opener on Saturday, as the Pirates square off against No. 21/24 William and Mary at Armstrong Stadium. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Live Video: Pirates Sports Network.
Radio: WHOV 88.1 FM (tape delay; Richie Summerville, Donovan Rose, and Jay Lang on the call).
Live Stats: Click here.
Maurice D. Williams
Last Time Out: The Pirates (0-1) opened the Connell Maynor Era this past Saturday with a hard-fought 41-28 loss at Old Dominion, despite a career-high and school-record 407 passing yards from junior quarterback Jaylian Williamson (Chesapeake, Va.). Senior running back Jorrian Washington (Los Angeles, Calif.) caught four passes for a career-high 99 yards and a touchdown, while freshman linebacker Hayden Gregory (Nashville, Tenn.) led the defense with 10 tackles and a sack.
William and Mary’s Last Game: The Tribe (0-1) opened the 2014 season this past Saturday with a 34-9 loss at Virginia Tech. Despite the loss, William and Mary is ranked No. 21 in The Sports Network Top 25 poll and No. 24 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
The Series: William and Mary leads the all-time series between the two teams 4-0, and the Tribe won last season’s meeting 31-7 in Williamsburg, Va. The two teams last met at Armstrong Stadium in 1998, when William and Mary won 41-34. This will be the Tribe’s second-ever trip to Armstrong Stadium, as three of the last four meetings were held at Zable Stadium.
Pirates at Home: Hampton went 3-2 at home last season, picking up wins against North Carolina A&T (31-26), Delaware State (30-7), and North Carolina Central (29-21). In five games at Armstrong Stadium in 2013, the Pirates averaged 31.2 points per game on offense. Hampton’s last home win over a non-conference opponent came in 2011, when the Pirates defeated Princeton 28-23.
Pirates in Home Openers: The Pirates are 44-26-1 in home openers dating back in 1943, and Hampton has lost its last two home openers – including a 30-27 loss to Tennessee Tech last season. Prior to 2012, the Pirates had won nine straight home openers dating back to 2003.
Vs. the CAA: The Pirates are 2-11 against teams that currently compete in football in the CAA, with both of those wins coming against James Madison. Hampton is 2-0 against JMU; 0-3 against New Hampshire; 0-1 against Richmond; 0-2 against Rhode Island; 0-1 against Villanova; and 0-4 against William and Mary. The Pirates have never faced Albany, Delaware, Elon, Maine, Stony Brook, or Towson.
The Coaches: Maynor is in his first season at the helm at Hampton after four years as the head coach at Winston-Salem State – where he went 45-6 and made three straight trips to the NCAA Div. II Playoffs. Jimmye Laycock is in his 35th season as the head coach at William and Mary, where he is 222-166-2. During his tenure, the Tribe have won four conference titles and made nine NCAA playoff appearances.
Coach Maynor Says: “Our guys came out last week and fought hard. They didn’t give up, and that’s really all you can ask for. I’m disappointed in the result, but not the effort. You just go out there, give it all you’ve got, and look up at the scoreboard after the game to see where you stand.”
Coach Maynor on William and Mary: “They’re a very good team … (from looking at tape of the Virginia Tech game), we know they want to come downhill at you, so we have to try to take the run game away, force them to throw. They held an ACC school to 34 points and scored nine on them, so I’d say that was a pretty good effort. This will be a big test, and we look forward to the challenge.”
Williamson Had a Record Day: Williamson had a record day at Old Dominion this past Saturday, throwing for a school-record 407 yards against the Monarchs. He did so in completing 32 of his 45 passes, throwing for three touchdowns – including a 75-yard catch-and-run connection with Washington. Williamson’s performance marked the first time since Herbert Bynes in 2008 that a Pirate has thrown for 400 yards in a game – and it’s only happened three times in program history.
Washington a Threat: Washington led the Pirates in rushing last season, tallying 699 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 58.2 rushing yards per game. He had three 100-yard rushing games in 2013, including a season-high 137 yards at Morgan State. In addition, Washington averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff return in 2013, and he is the last Pirate to run back a kickoff for a touchdown – he last did that in the 2012 opener at Tennessee Tech, taking a kickoff back 100 yards for the score. On Saturday at Old Dominion, he caught four passes for a career-high 99 yards, including a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Key Making an Immediate Impact: Junior defensive back Breon Key (Hampton, Va.) made his presence felt on the basketball court for the Pirates last season, but it didn’t take him long to get acclimated to the football field again in 2014 – as he nabbed two interceptions at Old Dominion this past Saturday in his team debut. The Phoebus (Hampton) High product is the first Pirate to intercept two passes in a game since Lyndell Gibson did it against Norfolk State in 2012.
Panthers
Battle to 6-6 Tie in Final ScrimmageJim Juno 8/30/2014 | Football
Virginia Union University's football team staged its annual Maroon & Steel Scrimmage on Saturday, August 30, in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va., as the two squads battled to a 6-6 tie.
VUU's Shawheem Dowdy took almost all of the snaps at quarterback for the Maroon squad in the first half. Dowdy connected with Lenworth Lennon for a long touchdown pass in the second quarter to put the Maroon squad up 6-0.
In the third quarter, freshman Danta Gross returned a kickoff 80 yards to tie the score.
In the third and fourth quarters VUU's Kenneth Graham and Dane James handled quarterback duties for the Maroon team.
VUU's Henry Boothe held down the quarterback spot for the Steel team throughout the game.
Virginia Union opens up the 2014 regular season on Saturday, September 6, when the Panthers face Siena Heights University at 12:00 p.m. in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.