Football Opening Kickoff and Giveaways

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — B-CUAthletics.com will host its 2012 football opening kickoff event Sunday night with a presentation that should last as long as an actual opening kickoff.

Users accessing the official B-CU athletics site Sunday night at 8 p.m. will have an opportunity to win tickets and hotel accommodations for the Wildcats’ Sept .22 Hall Of Fame game against Tennessee State in Daytona Beach.

The first user to access the contest page and correctly answer a trivia question will win four tickets and an overnight stay at Homewood Suites. Three other users will win a set of two tickets.

Visit B-CUAthletics for complete coverage of the Wildcats’ 2012 Season Opener against Alabama State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, September 2.

BCU volleyball closing the gap

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So here’s the skinny; Bethune-Cookman has a record setting athlete who can jump out the gym.  At 5’6”, which is roughly 3 inches shorter than the diminutive three time NBA Dunk Champion Nate Robinson, this athlete can touch a basketball rim. 

That’s pretty impressive right?   Would you be more impressed if you knew that this athlete was a she?

Krysta Gardner-Outside Hitter

Meet Krysta Gardner.  Gardner is a 1st team All-MEAC volleyball performer who set a BCU single season record last season with 479 kills.   The senior outside hitter from Ashburn, Virginia needs just 170 kills this season to top the 1,000 kill mark in her career; she needs 230 kills to become BCU’s all-time kills leader. 

But Gardner is not the only standout performer on BCU’s volleyball squad.  Janeen Davis, who is also a senior and outside hitter, registered 450 kills last season and would currently hold the single season record if not for her teammate.  Davis needs 325 kills this year to reach the 1,000 kills mark for her career.

Janeen Davis-Outside Hitter

Gardner and Davis are the cornerstones of Coach Isaac Raphael’s rapidly improving volleyball program.  They were the only teammates named to the MEAC’s All-Tournament squad last season.  Despite their relative lack of height by volleyball standards, Gardner (5’6 ½) and Davis (5’8”) are unquestionably two of the better outside hitters in the conference. 

“We definitely have a disadvantage because of our height but we make up for it with our verticals (leap)” Janeen Davis said. 

Krysta Gardner went on to state: “I don’t really think about my height much because I jump relatively high.   But like they always say, it’s not how tall you are, it’s how big you play”.

…and play big they do.

Coach Raphael was quick to heap praise on the tandem.  “Our strongest area (as a team) is that we have 2 of the best outside hitters in the conference in Jeanne and Krysta.  One was first team All-MEAC last season (Gardner), one was second team All-MEAC (Davis)”.   “Krysta is one of the best outside hitters in the country at her size.  She was 9th in the nation in aces and had nearly 500 kills last season.”

Coach Raphael went on to state: “not only are they great players, they are great individuals.  They are very humble young ladies.   I think they accept their roles as leaders (on this team) humbly and they are ready for the challenge of another great season”.

Ready to Compete

Gardner, Davis and junior defensive specialist, Jennifer Jimenez make up the core group around which Coach Raphael could recruit and address the issues that separated his squad from the top teams in the conference last season.  “We made a concerted effort to add more height.  We have several players over 6 feet tall this year and we’re much further along fundamentally than we were at this point last season”.

“Jennifer Jimenez (who set a school record with 395 digs last season) helps us.  Without her passing, we wouldn’t be where we are”.

“We needed better defense and better ability to block at the net which I think we have this year.  The other thing we need to compete (with the top teams in this conference) is confidence.  We’re starting to believe that we are a good program”.

“We have athletes.  They may need some more training, but they’re workhorses.  With some tweaking here and there, we’ll be right there with the top teams in this conference”.

Coach Raphael expects freshmen Delicia Pierre, Phylecia Armstrong, and Monica Lowe to step in and contribute right away.  Gardner and Davis also welcome the new additions.  “Last year, Jeanne and I hit most of the balls.  With this new team we have a lot more options (offensively) so I’m looking forward to that” Krysta Gardner stated.

Janeen Davis replied: “we have the players, we have the heart; I think we’re going to surprise some people this year.  I expect to win the MEAC”. 

Wildcat fans can catch their first glimpse at the 2012 edition of the BCU volleyball team when they host their annual Maroon and Gold game this Sunday, August 19th at 1:00 in Moore Gymnasium.

Brian Jenkins developing winners on and off the field

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Brian Jenkins

In the two short years that Brian Jenkins has been at the helm of the Bethune-Cookman football team, he has proven two things beyond question:

1. He is an excellent football coach.
2. He is an extremely passionate individual.

The third year head coach’s passion was on clear display at Sunday’s Media Day Event when discussing two specific topics: (a) his commitment to develop his players into responsible, productive men; and (b) how much he hates losing. 

The Wildcats are 18-5 under coach Jenkins’ leadership and they enter the season ranked as high as 14th nationally in one pre-season publication.  However, Coach Jenkins repeatedly and emphatically stated that “our program is about more than winning football games”.

“I love my guys and I will shout it from the mountain top”.  “We have a program that’s dedicated to building men.  It makes you feel good to know that your program is looked upon nationally for not just your football accomplishments, but for building young people also”.

The Wildcat football program received the FCS ADA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award for being the Most Improved Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) school after improving to an APR score of 935 during the 2010-11 school year.

Several members of the squad have even already graduated and are enrolled in graduate school.   

Coach Jenkins’ fatherly influence extends far beyond the playing field and classrooms of his players; it also reaches into their family lives.

“I’ve got a lot of young father’s on this team.  We often counsel with them and tell them that there is no reason that you should not be there for your child.  You don’t let a team meeting or anything else affect that.  You got a lot of fathers that bring their kids to study hall and team meetings.  We have some ladies that work in our front office who offer babysitting to our guys so they can study and stay on topic”.

True freshmen Ray Martin of Sanford Seminole High School chose BCU over several BCS schools including Ole Miss and West Virginia.  Martin cited the pro-family environment established by Coach Jenkins as one of the primary appeals in his decision to sign with BCU.

“We try to provide a strong family for our team” Coach Jenkins stated.  “Our wives are heavily involved and they try to teach some of our players parenting skills”. 

At least two of BCU’s football players are single fathers who have sole custody of their children.

Coach Jenkins said “I am very proud of my guys for taking on their responsibility of being a (single) father in spite of playing a college sport and for maintaining a high level of both. So in my book I’m a grandfather and I couldn’t be more proud of them”.

“I love this team and my players so much.  They are not all angels.  They make mistakes but they don’t make excuses.  They give me all that I ask of them in every aspect”.

Coach Jenkins’ affinity for his players extends to his former players as well.  When asked about the team’s newest graduate assistant, (former BCU QB) Matt Johnson, Coach Jenkins liken him to “a friend that you bring home and feed once but then you can’t get rid of them”.  He went on to praise Matt Johnson’s accomplishments on and off the field namely being named as BCU’s first Jake Gaither award winner in 2010 for his on the field production as well as being recognized by the University as “Business Student of the Year” for his work in the classroom that same year.  He went on to state that Matt Johnson has “walked in the direction that they are trying to get the (current) players to walk in.  He is living what he has learned (as a BCU football player) and he’s done a tremendous job in life and with our quarterbacks”.

—“I hate to lose and hate is a strong word”— Brian Jenkins

The fatherly passion and care that was evident when speaking about his players quickly gave way to the intense and poignant side of BCU’s head ball coach when asked what would define a successful season for his squad.  “Win a national championship!!! Anything less is unacceptable”.

“Everybody is jumping around saying 8-3–you did good last year.  To hell with that.  Those 3 (losses) bother me a lot more than those 8 (wins).  The numbers look good but a national championship would feel a whole lot better.  I didn’t just take this job as a stepping stone or to build stats. We want to win a national championship and that’s what we work towards every day in every way! I let them (the players) know from day one.  We want to win a national championship.  It’s a dirty, grueling, ugly, hard process and you have to be willing to go through it.  I tell my guys that if you’re not willing (to go through the process of becoming a national champion) then leave, go somewhere else.  This might not be the place for you.  There are no bones, no mistakes, no false statements about it; our goal is to win the national championship”.

When asked if the Wildcats needed to upgrade their schedule to assist in reaching the goal of winning a national championship since the MEAC has gone so long without winning a playoff game the coach responded: “we do need to do a better job of winning in the playoffs but when you upgrade your schedule and then you have the record that you’re supposed to have, then they find a way to overlook you, is that the MEAC’s fault?  Let’s call it what it is.  People want to talk around it.  There are some teams that have been placed in the playoffs whose schedule is not ‘King Kong’. Of course you want to schedule (FCS) playoff teams (during the regular season), but do they want to do that.  (Sometimes we) make a phone call and they say that they will get back to you, but they never call you back.  What do you do in those situations?  I tell my guys to win them all and you won’t have to worry about it”.

The Wildcats will get their chance to win the first one of the 2012 season when they face off against Alabama State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando on Sunday, September 2nd at 12:00.

Rumor Mill–Tyrann Mathieu to Bethune-Cookman???

/ J Bell / 2 Comments

What if Bethune-Cookman landed the biggest HBCU/FCS recruit since Steve “Air” McNair walked off of the campus of Alcorn State?  That would be quite a story and a bit surreal wouldn’t you agree?

Now before you close your web browsers and dismiss this as just more internet hype (and it could very well be just that), consider that at least two Louisiana Television outlets believe that Bethune-Cookman could be the landing spot for 2011 Heisman Finalist and National Defensive Player of the Year, Tyrann Mathieu, affectionately known as ‘The Honey Badger’.  Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football team earlier this week by Coach Les Miles for violating team policies.

Television affiliates WLOX and WAFB (both of Louisiana) are reporting that Mathieu is likely to transfer to an FCS school so he can play this season.  Among the schools listed as likely landing spots is Bethune-Cookman where former LSU assistant coaches Earl Lane and DJ McCarthy are currently on staff.

In addition to the natural connections with Lane and McCarthy, BCU also offers Mathieu an opportunity to play for an FCS school with a recent history of producing Pro Bowl caliber defensive backs (i.e. Nick Collins formerly of the Green Bay Packers and Rashen Mathis of the Jacksonville Jaguars). 

McNeese State, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana, and Grambling State have also been mentioned as potential landing spots for the junior defensive back.

I am not certain if The Honey Badger himself knows for sure where he’ll be playing football this season at this moment, but I do know that Wildcat fans will be glued to this story until he makes his intentions known.

Stay tuned!!!

5 Questions heading into Bethune-Cookman football camp

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BCU’s 2012 football season officially kicked off on Thursday morning with the opening of Fall camp at the New Smyrna Sports Complex.  The new season brings with it a ton of excitement, high expectations, and the challenges of the unknown.

Here are 5 of our most pressing questions heading into camp.

1. Who will be the Wildcat’s primary signal caller this year?

Coming out of Spring practice, Jackie Wilson was tops on the Wildcats’ depth chart at quarterback.  Wilson completed over 66% of his pass attempts last year and was undefeated as a starter against FCS competition. The 6’0”, 215 pound Junior from Ft Lauderdale is expected to be pushed for the starting nod by Louisiana Tech transfer, Brock Waters (Sr.) and redshirt Freshman and 2010 Florida Mr. Football, Quentin Williams. 

Waters seems to be the best of the three with his legs, Williams with his arm, and Wilson the best dual threat.

2. Which newcomer will have the greatest impact on the squad?

Many HBCU pundits rated Bethune-Cookman’s 2012 signing class as the best in all of black college football.  Several of the 2012 signees will have a chance to step in and contribute right away.  Here are a few of the new faces that we’ll be watching closely. 

–Brandon Bryant, UCF transfer, has tremendous ability and could step in and fill one of the vacated defensive end slots right away.

–Brock Waters, La Tech transfer, is a versatile athlete who can play any of the three offensive skill positions (QB, RB, and WR).  

–Ray Martin is an explosive WR/return specialist from Sanford Seminole high school.  Martin was a bona fide playmaker at the high school level and a threat to “break one” at any time.

3. Will the Wildcats be able to compensate for the loss of six defensive starters from a year ago?

This year’s defensive unit may be more athletic, faster, and deeper than last year’s defensive group. The problem is this year’s defensive unit is far less experienced.

Gone are six starters from a year ago, three of whom are currently on NFL rosters (Ryan Davis-Jaguars, Jean Fanor-Chiefs, and Ryan Lewis-Dolphins). 

Defensive lineman Harold Love III, linebacker Jarkevis Fields, and safety DJ Howard are all 2012 Preseason All-MEAC selectees.  Love, Fields and Howard are proven playmakers at all three levels of the defense (line, linebackers, and secondary).  The trio will need to provide leadership and stability to those around them and help facilitate the growth of players like Brandon Bryant, Tavarus Dantzler, and Nick Addison. 

4. Will the Cats win their first ever FCS playoff game?

Bethune-Cookman is 0’fer in FCS playoff games and the MEAC is 0 for its last 12 in the FCS playoffs.  This year seems as good as any to finally break those dubious streaks.  But before the Wildcats can hope to win a playoff game, they must first navigate an arduous schedule and win the conference’s automatic qualifier.

The Cats first four conference matchups are against powerhouse South Carolina State (09/08), Hampton (09/29), North Carolina A&T (10/06), and Norfolk State (10/20).  BCU fell to SCSU and NCA&T last season, they narrowly escaped Hampton thanks to a replay decision after regulation time expired, and NSU is the defending conference champion.  YIKES!

5. Will the institution and the City of Daytona Beach resolve the issue surrounding the $3 surcharge added to game tickets before the season begins?

The City of Daytona, in hopes to offset the cost of installing the synthetic playing surface at Municipal Stadium, has once again proposed that a $3 surcharge be added to each BCU game ticket.   The school has offered a counter-proposal which the City is said to be reviewing. 

Neither side can afford to have this issue linger very long.  An unused stadium (and consequently unsold hotel rooms and fewer dollars spent at local restaurants, retail outfits, and gas stations) serves no benefit to the City of Daytona Beach. And changing venues this close to the start of the season would be a logistical nightmare for BCU. 

Let’s hope that an amicable solution can be reached in the coming days.

Duron Carter linked to Bethune-Cookman in possible transfer according to reports

/ J Bell / 1 Comment

Former Ohio State and University of Alabama receiver Duron Carter (son of NFL great Chris Carter) has been linked to Bethune-Cookman according to multiple reports.

According to OwlAccess.com, Carter has applied for admission to FAU and is in the process of pursuing an NCAA transfer waiver that would allow him to play this season for the FBS, Florida Atlantic Owls.  If the NCAA denies Carter’s transfer waiver request, Bethune-Cookman, where Carter would be eligible to play right away under NCAA transfer rules, appears to be Carter’s most preferred landing spot. 

Carter is a 6’-5”, 215 pound wide receiver from storied St. Thomas Aquinas High School located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Rivals.com rated Carter as a 4-Star recruit coming out of high school.  He signed a letter of intent and played one season at Ohio State in 2009 before transferring to a Community College in Kansas in 2010.  Carter signed with defending National Champions Alabama in 2011 but academic transcript issues brought his Crimson Tide career to an abrupt end. 

Whether or not Duron Carter ever plays a down for BCU, his interest in the Wildcats tells just how well and what type of athletes Brian Jenkins and his staff now recruits at Bethune-Cookman.

MEAC 2012 Preseason Honors

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North Carolina A&T running back Mike Mayhew and Howard linebacker Keith Pough received top honors as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its 2012 preseason football team at the annual Football Press Luncheon Banquet on Friday afternoon.  Mayhew was selected as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Pough was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 

Last year’s conference champion, Norfolk State Spartans, were predicted to finish atop the conference standings in 2012.  South Carolina State was picked to finish second followed by Bethune-Cookman.

All preseason honors are voted on by the MEAC’s head football coaches and sports information directors.

Four Wildcat student athletes received preseason all conference First Team recognition (Isidore Jackson-RB, Terrence Hackney-OL, DJ Howard-DB, and Jarkevis Fields-LB) and three Wildcats received Second Team honors (Harold Love III-DL, Marquell Rozier-OL, and Eddie Poole-WR). 

2012 Predicted Order of Finish

(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)

1. Norfolk State (11)……….. 454 pts.
2. South Carolina State (4).. 432 pts.
3. Bethune-Cookman (3)…. 417 pts.
4. Florida A&M (2)……….. 354 pts.
5. Hampton (1)………………. 268 pts.
6. N.C. A&T…………………. 216 pts.
7. Morgan State……………… 198 pts.
8. Howard…………………….. 188 pts.
9. N.C. Central ……………… 116 pts.
10. Delaware State……………. 78 pts.
11. Savannah State (1)………. 73 pts.

 
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) – 2012 Football All-Conference Preseason Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Mike Mayhew, North Carolina A&T                
Defensive Player of the Year: Keith Pough, Howard

2012 All-MEAC FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Greg McGhee So. Howard Pittsburgh, Pa.
RB Mike Mayhew Sr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte,N.C.
RB Isidore Jackson Jr. Bethune-Cookman Mossy Head, Fla.
WR Xavier Boyce r-Sr. Norfolk State Virginia Beach, Va.
WR Travis Tarpley r-Sr. Delaware State Danville, Va.
TE Joseph Hawkins Sr. Norfolk State Chicago, Ill.
C Michael Kay r-Sr. Norfolk State Capital Heights, Md.
OL Steven Robinson r-Sr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
OL Blake Matthews r-Sr. Norfolk State Manassas, Va.
OL Terrance Hackney Jr. Bethune-Cookman Chapel Hill, N.C.
OL Cory Gwinner r-Sr. Howard Ypsilanti, Mich.
         
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Tony Mashburn Sr. North Carolina A&T Tallahassee, Fla.
DL Padric Scott r-Sr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
DL Richard Ndubueze Sr. Morgan State Washington DC
DL Matthew Davis Jr. Hampton Chesapeake, Va.
LB Keith Pough r-Sr. Howard Orangeburg, S.C.
LB Jarkevis Fields r-Jr. Bethune-Cookman Sanford, Fla.
LB D’Vonte Grant r-So. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, N.C.
DB John Ojo Sr. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
DB DeVontae Johnson So. Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fla.
DB Travis Crosby Jr. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, NC
DB D.J. Howard r-Jr. Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla.
P Brandon Holdren Sr. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla.
PK Everett Goldberg Sr. Norfolk State Mesa Ridge, Col.
RS Geovonie Irvine r-Sr. North Carolina Central Durham, N.C.
         
         
Second Team        
OFFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
QB Damien Fleming So. Florida A&M Jacksonville, Fla.
RB Antwon Chisholm Jr. Hampton Belle Glade, Fla.
RB Travis Davidson Sr. Morgan State Redford, Mich.
WR Eddie Poole r-Sr. Bethune-Cookman Belle Glade, Fla.
WR Justin Wilson r-Sr. Delaware State Windsor, Conn.
TE Kris Drummond So. Savannah State Washington, DC
C Tristan Bellamy r-So. South Carolina State Jonston, S.C.
C Vincent Harper Jr. Hampton Belle Glade, Fla.
OL Sam Hammond r-Sr. South Carolina State Union, S.C.
OL Nathan Isles Jr. North Carolina A&T Atlanta, Ga.
OL Cameron Williams r-Jr. Norfolk State Burke, Va.
OL Marquell Rozier Jr. Bethune-Cookman St. Pauls, N.C.
         
DEFENSE        
Pos. Name Cl. School Hometown
DL Xavier Proctor r-Sr. North Carolina Central Ellicott City, Md.
DL Leon Smith Sr. South Carolina State James Island, S.C.
DL Harold Love III Sr. Bethune-Cookman Portland, Oregon
DL Brandon Young r-Sr. North Carolina A&T Louisville, Ky.
LB Delbert Tyler Jr. Hampton Monroeville, Pa.
LB Joe Thomas r-Jr. South Carolina State Blackville, S.C.
LB Lyndell Gibson Sr. Hampton Virginia Beach, Va.
DB Justin Blake Sr. Hampton Piscataway, NJ
DB Kenneth Ridley Jr. Morgan State  
DB Darius Drummond Jr. South Carolina State Ashville, N.C
DB DeCarlos Knight r-Sr. Howard Nashville, Tenn.
P Jordan Stovall Jr. Hampton Elgin, S.C.
PK Taureab Durham Sr. Hampton Uniondale, N.Y.
RS Darius Drummond Jr. South Carolina State Ashville, S.C

BCU staffer offers assist to Kyle O’Quinn/NSU fans

/ J Bell / Leave a comment

During the 2011-2012 men’s basketball season, the Norfolk State Spartans defeated the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in two final possession contests.  The Spartans immediately followed up their second victory over BCU with a stunning NCAA first round upset over the #3 ranked Missouri Tigers.  NSU’s upset over Missouri not only shocked the sports world, it also introduced college basketball fans around the country to the bright smile, charming personality, and basketball skillset of 6’10”, MEAC Player-of-the-Year Kyle O’Quinn of NSU.

O’Quinn, now a second-round draft pick of the Orlando Magic, recently concluded NBA Summer League action where he averaged 8.8 points per game; 6.2 rebounds, and 55% shooting from the field.  The aforementioned stats were compiled by Bethune-Cookman University Sports Information Staffer, Dan Ryan, who chronicled O’Quinn’s Summer League action with the Orlando Magic.  Dan’s daily updates and interviews were published on NSU Athletics’ website: (http://nsuspartans.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&&tab=1). 

A big, big shout out to Dan Ryan for going well beyond the call of duty and providing an assist to the NSU, Kyle O’Quinn, and HBCU sports fans.  

Although Dan certainly did not have to share any feedback on O’Quinn’s Summer League participation, he stated he did so because he was “just trying to help a brother out“.  He went on to state that it was no big deal since “I was there anyway covering my beloved Utah Jazz.  And I got to interview jeff Hornacek and John Stockton’s kid so that was cool“.

Dan stated: “the things that impressed me were“:

1)O’Quinn immediately looks like he belongs on a NBA roster. He has an NBA body and he has the work ethic.  
2) (O’Quinn) was great with Orlando media, who took to him immediately, maybe because of Dwight Howard backlash, but still…

In addition to O’Quinn, other players BCU went up against were at Summer League including “NCCU’s Dominque Sutton (Orlando), Baylor’s Perry Jones (Oklahoma City), Tennessee Tech’s Kevin Murphy (Utah) and VT’s Malcolm Delaney (Detriot)”.

Be sure to read all of Dan’s Summer League’s notes on O’Quinn at: (http://nsuspartans.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&&tab=1).

Good looking out Dan.  A job well done!