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BREAKING NEWS: HAILWILDCATS.COM 1st WATCH PARTY!

/ D Will / 1 Comment

ALL WILDCAT NATION!!!!!

In a last minute deal struck between Hailwildcats.com staff and Buffalo Wild Wings of Daytona, Hailwildcats.com will host the 1st Hailwildcats.com Watch Party tonight at 8 p.m. EST when the Mighty Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University take on the Tigers of Tennessee State University on ESPN 3. We will be streaming the game live on the “BIG SCREEN” of Buffalo Wild Wings at 2479 W. International Speedway Blvd  Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

If you are in the Daytona area, put on your Maroon and Gold and come out and share with the Wildcat Nation in this momentous and joyous occasion and see

“Who will ascend to the top of the mountain?”

We look forward to seeing you there! Kickoff AT 8 P.M.

Tenn State Coach Rod Reed Almost got job at BCU

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Nashville– Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee State fans alike would have a hard time imagining anyone other than Brian Jenkins and Rod Reed roaming the sidelines of their respective programs over the past 3 seasons.  But four years ago, Rod Reed stood at a crossroads in his football coaching career that could have changed the portrait of both programs.

Credits – TSUTigers – TSU Head Coach Rod Reed

Reed had emerged as a finalist for the head coaching position at Tennessee State and Bethune-Cookman.

He’d spent four seasons as linebackers coach at Bethune-Cookman, met his wife there and liked living in Daytona Beach, Fla.

But TSU was his alma mater, and when athletics director Teresa Phillips offered to promote him from the Tigers’ defensive coordinator to the top job, he accepted.

Bethune-Cookman eventually hired Brian Jenkins, who has led the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons, including last year’s 9-3 record.

TSU and Bethune-Cookman meet at 8 p.m. today in the John Merritt Classic at LP Field in what will be an emotional game for Reed, who has so many connections with both programs.

“I am sure I would have been happy as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman. I like the school and I like the people there,” Reed said. “I went down there when the head coaching position was open, came back and interviewed with TSU, and the next day I was the coach here.”

Reed’s second college coaching position was at Bethune-Cookman (1992-95), and it was during his time there when he developed the desire to be a head coach — so much so he was willing to leave the college ranks in 1996 to take the head coaching job at Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, Fla.

In 2000, he returned to college coaching at East Texas Baptist and three years later became TSU’s defensive coordinator.

Reed left a strong impression at Bethune-Cookman.

Continue Reading: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130901/SPORTS06/309010059/TSU-coach-Rod-Reed-almost-got-job-Bethune-Cookman?nclick_check=1

2 New features: “Who Will Ascend” & “All Hail Yes!”

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

Today, we’re announcing two new features to HailWildcats.com. The first is the “Who Will Ascend” preview/wrap-up page.

Beginning this season, all Hailwildcats.com pregame previews and postgame write-ups will be tagged in the category “Who Will Ascend.” Site users can now quickly access game previews and write-ups from a centralized location. Simply click the “Who Will Ascend” widget from the sidebar or the self-titled heading link to access the content.

The “Who Will Ascend” title was inspired by longtime Bethune-Cookman football public address announcer Rev. Isadore Williams. At each B-CU home game, fans are treated to Rev. Williams’ silky baritone voice. Rev. Williams is best known for his dramatic pauses during his announcements of Wildcat firstdowns; and for his legendary pregame oration which is commonly referred to as “Who Will Ascend.” The monologue is carried out as follows:

    “In just a few short hours, the question will be answered;

     who will ascend to the top of the mountain?

     Will it be (insert visiting mascot and team) from (insert visitor’s city);

     or will it be the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida.”

The crowd then cheers like it’s the first time they ever heard the monologue.

It’s an awesome piece of HBCU and college football pageantry and with his blessing, all previews and write-ups will now be tagged under the “Who Will Ascend” category.

The second new feature we are rolling out this season is the new All Hail Yes! spotlight. In the spirit of B-CU’s All Hail/Hail Wildcats mantra, the recurring All Hail Yes! feature will honor a player (current or former), coach (current or former), administrator, auxiliary group, alumnus, and/or supporter who has made a positive contribution to B-CU athletics. Check in frequently to view and vote for All Hail Yes! honorees.

College Colors Day – Friday, August 30th

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

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Greetings Wildcats and HBCU fans!  We are less than a week away from the kickoff of the 2013 college football season and the atmosphere is ripe with anticipation.

On this upcoming Friday, August 30th, thousands of fans from across the country will adorn themselves in the colors and paraphernalia of their favorite universities during the annual Wear Your College Colors Wherever You Are – COLLEGE COLORS DAY.  We encourage all Wildcat and HBCU fans to join in this celebration by proudly sporting your school colors and gear throughout the day on Friday, August 30th.

College Colors Day is an annual celebration dedicated to promoting the traditions and spirit that embody the college experience by encouraging fans across America to wear their favorite college or university apparel throughout the day on Friday, August 30th.

 

Rashean Mathis working with Detroit Lions’ First Team

/ J Bell / Leave a comment
Rashean Mathis - Credits ESPN.com

Rashean Mathis – Credits ESPN.com

ALLEN PARK — Rashean Mathis was signed by the Detroit Lions on Friday.  Four days later, the defensive back is working with the first-team defense.

The longtime Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback got his first major reps with the first team on Tuesday at nickelback. He split time there with Bill Bentley, once the clear favorite to win that job.

He also has repped at corner and especially safety, providing a veteran versatility that could help him land a spot on the 53-man roster.

“We value versatility,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “He’s a very experienced player and a very savvy player. It showed in his ability to pick things up quickly and be able to get him on the field.”

Mathis was a standout safety at Bethune-Cookman, and played the position for 10 games as a rookie with the Jaguars before an injury to another player forced him to corner.

He found a home there, playing 10 years for the Jaguars and making one Pro Bowl in 2006.

Read on: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/08/new_signee_rashean_mathis_alre.html

All-American Tackle Terrance Hackney Academically Ineligible

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

The Bethune-Cookman football team will be without the services of All-American left tackle Terrance Hackney when they take to the gridiron this season. Sources close to the program have stated Hackney is academically ineligible this season.

The 6-6, 310 pound junior from Chapel Hill, NC helped anchor the MEAC’s top offense in 2012 and earned numerous All-American honors including Lindy’s 2013 Preseason All-FCS First Team and Sports Network 2013 All-FCS Second Team recognition.

Sources state an official release regarding Hackney’s status is expected on Monday.

Additionally, class of 2012 signee and highly regarded wide receiver Ray Martin has also left the program. According to online reports, Martin has transferred to Fresno City College in California

Wildcats debut at #20 in FCS coaches poll

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

FCS_logoSPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are ranked 20th in the 2013 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Preseason Coaches Poll.  BCU, winners of two of the last three MEAC crowns, finished 23rd in the final Coaches Poll last season and 15th in 2010.

Two time defending FCS National Champions North Dakota State received 23 of 26 first place votes and grabbed top honors in the poll.  Montana State earned the No. 2 preseason ranking, Eastern Washington is third, followed by Sam Houston State and Wofford rounding out the top 5.

The FCS Coaches Poll is based exclusively on a voting panel of head coaches in the FCS under the cooperation of the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and is administered by the Southern Conference.

Preseason 2013 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll

Team (No. 1 Votes) 2012 Record Points Final 2012 Ranking

1. North Dakota State (23) 14-1 645 1

2. Montana State (1) 11-2 591 5

3. Eastern Washington 11-3 549 4

4. Sam Houston State (1) 11-4 534 2

5. Wofford 9-4 450 7

6. Central Arkansas 9-3 428 10

7. South Dakota State 9-4 410 17

8. New Hampshire 8-4 386 13

9. Villanova 8-4 381 16

10. Illinois State 9-4 379 9

11. Cal Poly 9-3 348 11

12. Towson 7-4 347 15

13. Stony Brook 10-3 326 12

14. Richmond 8-3 274 18

15. James Madison 7-4 235 21

16. Northern Iowa 5-6 218 NR

17. Lehigh 10-1 198 14

18. Northern Arizona 8-2 196 20

19. Eastern Kentucky (1) 8-3 188 19

20. Bethune-Cookman 9-3 159 23

21. Coastal Carolina 8-5 140 24

22. Montana 6-2* 135 NR

23. Eastern Illinois 7-5 120 25

24. Youngstown State 7-4 107 NR

25. Chattanooga 6-5 104 NR

Others receiving votes: Wagner (87), Colgate (67), Tennessee State (52), Harvard (48), Delaware (47), The Citadel (39), Liberty (39), Arkansas Pine-Bluff (35), Indiana State (27), Stephen F. Austin (19), McNeese State (16), Penn (13), Alcorn State (12), Jacksonville State (11), Samford (10), Norfolk State (7), Alabama State (7), UC Davis (7), Southern Illinois (6), Maine (5), Albany (5), Tennessee Tech (5), UT Martin (4), Gardner Webb (4), Sacramento State (3), Hampton (3), San Diego (2), Jackson State (1), Missouri State (1), Brown (1)

* Final 6 games of 2012 vacated

Note: The following programs are ineligible for the Coaches Poll due to their transition to the FBS- Appalachian State, Charlotte, Georgia Southern and Old Dominion.