When asked what’s the game plan for the upcoming season, Coach Odums replied

@tommymeade_ WIN #GOJAGS

— Coach Dawson Odums (@Coach_Odums) May 8, 2013

But before the first-year Head Coach ”Claim the State” of Louisiana, he will kick-off the year by leading in another sport.

Coach Odums will host his first annual golf tournament Saturday on June 22 at the Copper Mill Golf Club in  Zachary, LA.

Tickets for the one-day event is $85 for singles and $500 for one-team foursomes.

For donations and sponsorships to the Golf Classic, contact Craig Pierre at 225-324-7234 or via email at craigpierre@bellsouth.net.

All proceeds from the event will be used to support the Southern University Jaguars Football program.

You can follow Coach Odums on Twitter @Coach_Odums

HBCU Buzz is the Most Influential Brand in the HBCU Community, and the Leading Source of HBCU News. Like The Buzz on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The total amount of graduates this year doubles the amount of nine the football team had last year.

After a .500 season during its 2012-2013 football schedule, the Virginia Union Panthers hope to have better overall success  this year when the team kick-off its opening season game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Sept. 9 at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fl.

For more information on the graduates click here

The Winston-Salem State Rams will kick-off its opening season game on CBS Sports Network.

Winston-Salem State has played in several big games over the past few seasons, but few of them have found their way to television. The Rams will reap the benefits of their success this year as the national runner-up will kick off the 2013 season on the tube. The NCAA announced on Monday that WSSU’s Sept. 5 season opener against UNC-Pembroke will be televised on CBS.

The Rams finished last season with a 14-1 record, completing its second consecutive undefeated regular season and making it all the way to the Division II Championship game, where they fell 35-7  to Valdosta (GA) State. Pembroke gave WSSU one of its few tightly contested games in the 2012 season opener. The game will take place at Grace P. Stadium in Pembroke and is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start.

Read more at HBCU Gameday

On Saturday, he’ll give another relative unknown a chance of not only winning the big race but joining him in the record books if that happens.

Kevin Krigger, the first black jockey in the Derby since 2000, will be aboard O’Neill’s Goldencents, considered a much stronger contender than last year’s winner, I’ll Have Another.

Only six trainers have won consecutive Derbies in 138 years, and no black jockey has won since 1902.

The 29-year-old Krigger hails from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and had some success on the smaller Northern California circuit before trying his luck in the big leagues of Los Angeles.

O’Neill is a friend of Krigger’s agent, Tom Knust, and was open to a suggestion of having the jockeyswing by his barn last summer. So Krigger started working out Goldencents in the morning about six weeks before the colt’s racing debut.

“He got off him and in his best U.S. Virgin accent just said, ‘Wow, man, this horse can really run,’” O’Neill recalled. “I had Kevin and Tom starting planting the seeds to the owners of Goldencents, and they fell in love with him right away, too.”

Read full article here

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The countdown begins! Events DC announced today that tickets for the third annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^® go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3 at Ticketmaster, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. The Howard Bison meet the Morehouse Maroon Tigers on Saturday, September 7 at RFK Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

All lower bowl tickets are $25 and mezzanine tickets are $50, plus applicable fees. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Lower bowl tickets are $20 from May 3-31 (while supplies last). Group sales for 50 or more begin June 1.

“Given the thrilling late-game finishes between Howard and Morehouse the last two years, we look forward to another competitive matchup in this year’s AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^®,” said Erik A. Moses, managing director of Events DC’s Sports and Entertainment Division. “Fans and alumni can take advantage of great price offerings starting this Friday, with very affordable lower bowl tickets and competitive room rates at premier Marriott properties.”

The Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (2455 Sixth Street, NW. Washington, DC 20059). The Morehouse College Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (830 Westview Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30314).

Marriott will once again serve as the “Official Lodging Partner” for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic®, resuming a successful partnership that offers Classic attendees discounted hotel room rates for an impressive portfolio of properties around the city. The JW Marriott Washington, DC is the headquarters hotel, and will serve as the hub for AT&T Nation’s Football Classic® activity during the weekend. Other participating properties include the Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Renaissance Washington, DC, Courtyard US Capitol, Courtyard Embassy Row and The Mayflower Renaissance. Hotels can be booked by visiting www.nationsfootballclassic.com. All hotels are discounted an additional $10 through June 30.

In addition to the football game, there are several free events that will be held throughout the weekend including the AT&T Kickoff Rally, Pepsi^® Fan Festival, Presidential Symposium, Morehouse vs. Howard Student Debate, Chapel Service and Alumni Mixer.

For more information on the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^®, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

About the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^®

The AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^® is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^® was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions. 

Tickets for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic^® are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced at $25 and $50.

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital.  Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities.

For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.

These stem from two alleged assaults in March and April. Chukwudi Ndudikwa and Malcolm Frank face rape and aggravated sodomy charges. Tevin Mgbo is looking at charges of aggravated sodomy, kidnapping and reckless conduct. In an unrelated incident Lucien Kidd was arrested and charged with Rape in April.

Once campus police were told of the incidents, they identified and arrested the four men.

As reported from Morehouse College, students who violate the school’s code of conducts and the law will receive disciplinary actions, which could mean dismissal from the College.

The Classic, which takes place at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 5, with a kickoff time yet to be determined, drew an announced 41,042 fans when Florida A&M took on Southern last September.

This season marks the first time since 1997 that FAMU has not been involved in the annual game between teams from historically black colleges or universities.

South Carolina State has played in it six times, its last coming in a 34-28 win over Tennessee State in 1997.

A&T’s game against South Carolina State was originally listed as a road contest when the Aggies released their 2013 schedule in late February. read full

Howard linebacker Keith Pough will enjoy wearing similar colors and a matching helmet as a member of the NFL Buffalo Bills.

It was a big day for HBCU student-athletes at the 2013 NFL Draft yesterday.

Here’s a quick recap:

• High school wide receiver turned feared linebacker Keith Pough was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Pough was the all-time FCS leader in tackles for loss.

Everybody’s path to greatness is different some take the elevator, some take the escalators & I have to take the stairs but I’ll get there

— Keith Pough™ (@ITsKPough13) April 27, 2013

• The 6-foot-2, 240-pounds Brandon Hepburn out of FAMU who had 86 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior was the 245th pick by the Detroit Lions.
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Terron Armstead, who set the offensive lineman record in 40-yard dash with a time of 4.71 seconds, was a third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints.
• Kansas City Chiefs signed Jackson State’s wide receiver Rico Richardson during post draft.
• Bethune-Cookman receiver KJ Stroud was officially picked up as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets.

Follow HBCUGameday on Twitter for the latest news on HBCU athletes and the NFL Draft.

Hepburn is 6-foot-2, 240-pounds. He had 86 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior.

Here’s a little bit more on Hepburn:

The path from Division I-AA walk-on to being selected in the NFL draft has been “a process”, according to Brandon Hepburn. It was an uphill battle from the start.

In April, Hepburn presented the results of his findings for a cure for cancer to an international audience at the American Chemical Society conference in Dan Diego, Calif.

Hepburn redshirted in 2008. In 2009, he mostly was relegated to special teams duties and had 13 tackles on the year. The following year, Hepburn played in all 11 games, recording 63 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. In his final season, Hepburn racked up 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Hepburn graduated from FAMU in 2012 with a b.s. in biochemistry, and then enrolled in the School of Business and Industry pursuing an MBA. He has stated that the combination goes toward his goal of one day owning a biochemical company. Read More

2013 Jackson State Pro Day: A total of 10 players from Jackson State worked out at the school’s pro day on March 8. The workouts were held outdoors on grass in front of six NFL teams. Rico Richardson, WR (5-11 ½, 167 pounds) – Richardson proved impressive enough to earn an invite to the Super Regionals in Dallas. He ran a time of 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 35½-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-1 broad jump. He ran a 4.12 short shuttle and 6.77 in the cone drill. Richardson recorded 12 bench presses and worked out as a wide receiver. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

While he didn’t wow anyone enough to get drafted, his numbers aren’t terrible by any means. His career stats won’t frighten Dwayne Bowe into thinking his job is in jeopardy, but they’re nothing terrible. In his senior year at Jackson State, he caught over 1,000 yards in passes and 11 TDs. Not too shabby. Read More

That was a long time ago, however, and now Pough is a 6’2″, 239-pound linebacker who leaves Howard University as the all-time FCS leader in tackles for loss. Now was drafted by the National Football Association to the Buffalo Bills More information coming soon.

Howard OLB Keith Pough to the #Bills, per Howard coach Gary Harrell.

— Buffalo Bills Draft (@BillsDraft) April 27, 2013

The New Orleans Saints have selected Terron Armstead, an offensive tackle out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with their third-round pick in the NFL draft.

The 6-foot-5, 306-pound lineman, picked 75th overall, represents New Orleans’ lone pick on Friday night. The Saints were docked their second-round selection as part of their punishment stemming from the NFL’s 2012 bounty findings.

#Saints select Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s OT Terron Armstead with the 13th pick in the 3rd round of the #NFLDraft!

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 27, 2013

Armstead gives the Saints depth at offensive tackle following the departure of former starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod to Chicago in free agency. Charles Brown, a 2010 second-round pick out of Southern California, could be Bushrod’s successor at that spot. The pick of Armstead was announced by former Saints special teams leader Steve Gleason, who has ALS.

The Saints took Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with their first-round pick, 15th overall, on Thursday night.

Coach Anthony Evans resigned from Norfolk State to coach the Florida International University Panthers.

Coach Anthony Evans rebuilt Norfolk State University’s basketball program, led the school to a MEAC title last year, lost Kyle O’Quinn and three other starters and then followed up by going unbeaten in the regular season this year–losing to Florida in the NCAA tournament.

There is no doubt why coach Evans is a “hot coaching commodity.”

Evans recently resigned from Norfolk State where he spent the last six years to assume a job at Florida International University in Miami, Fla.

He went 99-94 at Norfolk State and will take over for coach Richard Pitino.

“…this opportunity, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to be honest for me and my family,” said Evans after his arrival in South Florida. “It’s huge.”

Associate Coach Robert Jones was named as the interim coach for the 2013-14 season.

Coach Jones has been an “essential part in the Spartans continued rise” during the last fives years with the program.

He took to his Twitter account to thank all who wish him well.

thank you guys for all the congratulatory texts. It is truly an honor to now be the head coach at Norfolk State University

— Robert Jones (@NSUCoachJones) April 16, 2013

Read more here.

Pendarvis Williams averaged 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds to lead NSU to 21-12 record and an appearance in the National Invitational Tournament.

Norfolk State guard Pendarvis Williams (11) draws a foul as he is blocked by Virginia forwards Evan Nolte, right, and Darion Atkins, left, during the first half of a first-round NIT college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, March 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

For the second-straight year the Boxtorow HBCU Division Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Award went to a player from Norfolk State (Va.)

Last season, it was forward Kyle O’Quinn, who led the Spartans to a Mideastern Athletic Conference title and upset of then No. 2 Missouri, the Big 12 champs, in the second round of the NCAA tournament. This season, it’s 6-foot-6 guard Pendarvis Williams, who’ll be taking the honor home.

The junior averaged 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds to lead NSU to 21-12 record and an appearance in the National Invitational Tournament on his way to being named MEAC Player of the Year.

He’s joined on the Boxtorow first-team by three players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and an NBA prospect. The group includes Southern scoring guard Derrick Beltran, the SWAC’s third-leading scorer. The Jaguars won a conference title and nearly shook up the world tying top-seeded Gonzaga with three minutes before being denied the right to become the first No. 16 seed to outs a No. 1, Texas Southern’s guard Omar Strong and forwardFred Sturdivant, Bethune Cookman’s Adrien Coleman and Tennessee State’s  Robert Covington.

Read more here.

Upton, who at age 25 is already a five-year pro with a fully developed five-tool game, was just one of two major moves that took place in Atlanta’s outfield, as the Braves were committed to keeping things in the family. Just a few months prior to the trade for Justin, the Braves struck a free agency deal with his brother B.J.; the former phenom Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Upton signed a 5 year, $75.25 million dollar contract with the club to be their everyday centerfielder at age 28.

The talented brothers from Virginia Beach are now reunited in Atlanta and will join the third Braves outfielder with the longest tenure, even if he is just 23 years old.

“He has the hardware,” said Justin after agreeing to play left field instead of his natural right field position. That’s the amount of respect that Jason Heyward, the 2012 Golden Glove winner (awarded to the person who plays the best defense at their position) has earned from the elder Upton brothers. Heyward, who doubles as a homegrown hero to his native McDonough, Georgia, might be more talented than both Uptons, although he’s still figuring out how to put his talents to use consistently at the major league level.

However, the 6’5” 240-pounder has proven formidable with his sheer athleticism and his discipline. From covering ground like a cornerback in the outfield to his discipline at the plate, there’s plenty of things to love about Heyward’s game.

Seeing the new outfield trio take shape has many Braves fans excited, and for some, its a reminder of what used to be a recognizable entity for an Atlanta team a few decades ago. While Major League Baseball was introduced to their first all-black outfield back in 1951 by the San Francisco Giants (featuring Hank Thompson and Hall of Famers Monte Irvin and Willie Mays), the Braves seemed to always have an abundance of black outfielders.

Read full article at TheGrio.com

Question: How has Alabama State prepared you for the “real world” and perhaps even a shot to play in the NFL?

Answer: Alabama State really prepared me for the real world because if you do not manage your time you can fall behind with school work. Being surrounded by former NFL players that are now on the coaching staff at Alabama State really gave me an idea on what to strive for as far as working hard on and off the field.

Alabama State quarterback Greg Jenkins.

Question: Ever thought about being a receiver before being scouted as one?

Answer: It may have crossed my mind a few times, but prior to the NFLPA collegiate bowl game I was focused on being a Quarterback.

Question: What are two reasons why student-athletes earn the most respect on the yard?

Answer: Student athletes earn the most respect because they have more responsibilities than the average student. Also, a student athlete is held to a higher standard not only by the administrators but also by their peers.

Question: I could picture you in a Seahawks jersey…sounds fitting?

Answer: Being drafted or signing a Free Agent deal with any NFL team would be a blessing no matter who it may be.

Question: Be honest: Tell me why Central State University is the best HBCU in the land.

Answer: Alabama State is the best HBCU in the land, not only can you have fun there but you can get a good education.  Furthermore, the city of Montgomery has so much history tied into it when it comes to the African American culture.

Question: Any advice for future HBCU students?

Answer: My advice for future HBCU students, make sure you have your priorities in the right order to succeed. Time management will take you as far as you want to go. In closing, always remember you are not only representing yourself but you are representing for the university you attend and your family.

HBCU Buzz is the Leading Source of HBCU News, and the Most influential brand in the HBCU Community. Like ‘the Buzz’ on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

This year, the featured speaker is Yolanda Moore. Ms. Moore is a founding member and former basketball star player with the WNBA. Yolanda was deemed one of the top 15 U.S. high school female basketball players by USA Today and she was the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year.  Her dreams were nearly shattered when she became a teenage mother. However, because of a promise from her mother to help if she finished college, Yolanda went on to attend and graduate from the University of Mississippi.

Despite the many set-backs of injury and personal challenges, Yolanda finished with the following honors: two first team All-Southeastern Conference selections, Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention, and Most Valuable Player in her junior and senior year. She now ranks as 9^th on the Ole Miss Scoring Chart.

Following her collegiate career, she became one of the founding members of the WNBA.  Her stint with the WNBA also afforded her four playing seasons where she garnered two championships with the Houston Comets in 1997 and 1998.  She also played in Europe and Asia.  Ms. Moore was inducted into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and she was named an SEC Great in 2012.  Following her Bachelor’s degrees in English and Radio & Television from Ole Miss, she obtained a master’s degree from Alcorn State University and she is completing an Education Specialist and PhD degree program.

The Leadership and All Sports banquet will be held Thursday, April 18^th at 7 p.m. in the Tornado Alley Gymnasium.  Tickets are $10 per person and children 12 and under are free.  Tickets can be purchased in the Talladega College Business Office or online at www.eventbrite.com.  For more information, call 256-761-6224.

Contact:  Talladega College

Office of Public Relations/Mrs. Nicola Lawler

Telephone:  256-761-6207

E-mail: nllawler@talladega.edu