UR's London Speaks at Phoebus Football Banquet
HAMPTON - Mike London spent part of Thursday shoveling snow from the practice field at the University of Richmond. So much for the glamor and status bestowed upon a national championship football coach.
After spending four years as an assistant at Boston College, London knows a thing or two about removing snow from artificial turf, so he told the worker bees at UR that he’d pitch in to help prepare the field for spring practice.
Whatever it takes, London figures. That’s the only way he knows, and in part, that’s why he and Richmond had the season they did in 2008 — ending at the top of the Football Championship Subdivision pile in his first year as a head coach.
Eagles wrap up third practice sessions
The weather warmed up during Georgia Southern Football’s third spring practice session on Thursday morning (March 5). It marked the third of four straight practice days this week.
Thursday also marked the first day in shoulder pads for the Eagles. According to head coach Chris Hatcher his team lacked the intensity he wanted to see.
UTSA: No Decision on Coach Yet
Officials are saying that reports the University of Texas-San Antonio has hired former University of Miami coach Larry Coker are premature. That means that Northwest Missouri State University coach Mel Tjeerdsma is still in the running for the head coach post.
A San Antonio television station News 4 WOAI is reporting that the UTSA has chosen Coker to start the Roadrunners football program. News 4 reporter Don Harris quoted unnamed sources “close to the process.” However, the school’s sports information department is saying that no decision has been made.
Chants Look For Chance at the Pros
A group of Coastal Carolina football players who finished their eligibility last fall have been working out with strength coach Viktor Boyd in advance of the school’s pro day later this month. Coastal will host professional scouts on March 27th at 10 a.m.
Boyd has been working with corner Marrio Norman, offensive lineman Britt Leggett, defensive end Ron Washington, defensive lineman Ronnie Mason, linebacker D.J. Rice and tailback Jamie Fordham. Tailback Arthur Sitton and corner Whittmin Reese are also preparing for the event, though they are not working out with Boyd.
MEAC Expansion Could Bring 2 Divisions, Title Game
Fourteen schools. Two divisions. One conference.
That’s the direction the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has set for itself in announcing last week that the league has lifted a moratorium on expansion.
The MEAC, which includes Norfolk State and Hampton, could soon be adding North Carolina Central and Savannah State. Both institutions have submitted applications to join the league, currently comprised of 11 schools, nine of which play football. Winston-Salem State, which also plays football, is working toward inclusion in the MEAC in 2011.
Georgetown Football Alum Makes Rounds as NASCAR Driver
Rookie driver Brendan Gaughan, the son of South Point owner Michael Gaughan, took an extra moment with Runnin’ Rebels head coach Lon Kruger during the introductions before jumping into the No. 62 car for the race’s opening.
Gaughan and Kruger have had many conversations over the years, but usually over their shared sport – basketball. Despite being born into a racing family, Gaughan was a two-sport athlete at Georgetown.
He was a Division-I AA football player for the Hoyas as a placekicker and was on the basketball team under legendary head coach John Thompson. But Gaughan has drawn more attention for his sleeping arrangements than for his on-court exploits. While at Georgetown Gaughan roomed with the Detroit Pistons’ Allen Iverson.
UTSA To Hire Coker: Announcement Could Come Friday
UTSA could have their first head football coach by as early as this Friday. Sources close to the process tell News 4 WOAI’s Don Harris that it will be former Miami Coach Larry Coker.
News 4 WOAI has learned that the interview process ended on Tuesday. Coker, Tulsa’s Paul Randolph, and Mel Tjeerdsma from Northwest Missouri were all in town for interviews this week.
Scott Stoker, Lee Hays join SHSU staff
Scott Stoker, former head football coach at Northwestern State University, and Lee Hays, who served as offensive coordinator for the Baylor Bears, have joined the Sam Houston State football coaching staff, Bearkat director of athletics Bobby Williams and head football coach Todd Whitten have announced.
In addition, Mike Walton, who has worked the past two seasons as a volunteer defensive assistant, has been named as interim defensive secondary coach.
Kevin Lewis Added To Richmond Staff
Richmond head coach Mike London has announced the final addition to his 2009 football staff, hiring Kevin Lewis as the assistant defensive line coach. The local product played for Varina High School and Virginia Tech and comes to the Spiders after a three-year stint on Varina’s coaching staff.
Maugle of Excellence
Hollidaysburg grad finishes Penn career.
In his final game for the University of Pennsylvania football team, Hollidaysburg graduate Tyson Maugle had one of the best performances of his career. The defensive back registered nine tackles, three for loss including a sack and forced a fumble.
But perhaps his greatest achievement came prior to the game, when he convinced doctors and Pennsylvania coach Al Bagnoli he was able to play despite undergoing his second surgery of the season just a week before.
‘’It felt good,'’ Maugle said. ‘’It was a good way to finish my career. I felt like it reassured that I made the right decision [to play].
At Last, a Big Game to Rile Delaware
Proximity, history could charge UD-DSU meetings.
The University of Delaware and Delaware State University have some catching up to do.
Football rivalries don’t form overnight. But UD and DSU already have many of the ingredients to make this one special.
On Tuesday, the schools announced their first regular-season meeting will take place Sept. 19, followed by three annual games beginning in 2012.
New Lights Installed on Georgetown's Multi-Sport Field
Georgetown students, who have grown accustomed to noticing the new sights that are surfacing in the construction area near Tondorf Road, may have noticed the latest addition to campus from last Thursday morning as towering stadium lighting now surrounds Multi-Sport Field.
University spokesperson Julie Bataille said the lighting was installed last week as part of the gradual Multi-Sport Field renovation process to make night games and practices possible for Georgetown sports teams.
“The field has been enhanced over the past few years, with the project being completed in phases as funds are available,” said Bataille. “The lighting will provide more hours of field use.”
Former Iona AT J.B. Buono Passes Away At 97
The Iona College community is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Joseph “J.B.” Buono at the age of 97 this morning. An Iona and New Rochelle Hall of Famer, J.B. served as an athletic trainer for more than 50 years at the College.
“New Rochelle, the Iona College community and the athletics world have lost a legend this morning,” said Iona President Br. James A. Liguori. “J.B. Buono was an integral part of Iona College for the last half century and his friendship, dedication and loyalty will sorely be missed.”
W&M Tribe to Induct Eight Member Hall of Fame Class
The College of William and Mary’s Athletics Department will induct a eight-member class to its Hall of Fame in a ceremony-taking place on March 28th, 2009 at the Williamsburg Hospitality House. The event is schedule to start with a cocktail hour at 6 pm.
The College’s Class of 2009 includes: Derek Fitzgerald (football), Bill Rush (football), Ann Cook (women’s soccer), Steve Jolley (men’s soccer), Scott McCall (men’s gymnastics), Mickey McFadden (men’s lacrosse), Lauren Nikolaus (women’s tennis), and Scott Whitley (men’s basketball).
Tough early schedule for Bears next year
Missouri State’s football team will follow a major season-opening test with a three-game homestand.
The Bears face the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sept. 5 in Little Rock, Ark., to kick off the season.
