The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl is a premier FBS Division I level College Football All Star Game played in Daytona Beach, Fla., annually in mid January. The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl showcases the top college football seniors to NFL scouts and GM’s who travel from around the country to the event. The weekend is focused on scouting, teaching, and football. The Inaugural 2016 game was held at FIU/FIU North Stadium and the 2017 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl in cooperation with the City of Daytona Beach moved to Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., and has since returned .The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has partnered with the Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center as the main Host Hotel for the “Tropical Bowl Weekend.” The organizing company East Preps LLC. is responsible for several high end college football all star games at FIU since 2013 and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl has featured 70+ NFL Scouts and 26+ NFL Teams. Over 110 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl alumni have gone on to the NFL since it’s inception in 2016. https://www.tropicalbowl.com/home
Credits: Orlando Sentinel
The annual all-star game for seniors from Football Bowl Subdivision programs will kick off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday in DeLand, Fla. The game will be played at Spec Martin Stadium, home of Stetson University and can be viewed online at FloFootball.com. The Tropical Bowl website estimates, through its parent organization (East Prep LLC), that upwards to 40% of players that participate and actually pursue a Pro career are placed and many players play from the NFL to Europe!
Best of luck to Jimmie and Trevor! Hail Wildcats!
BREAKING NEWS: HAILWILDCATS.COM 1st WATCH PARTY!
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
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
(Baseball) Wildcats sweep FAMU
Scott Gardner
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (6-6, 3-0 MEAC) completed their first series sweep of the 2013 season, taking down in-state rivals Florida A&M Rattlers (0-11, 0-3 MEAC) in a three game set at Jackie Robinson ballpark.
The Wildcats used a pair of bottom of the 8th inning comebacks in games one (8-6 final) and three (3-2 final); and a complete game shutout by junior right-hander Scott Gardner in game two (7-0) to secure the weekend sweep.
Gardner pitched all 7 innings in the second game of Saturday’s double-header and registered 3 strikeouts, 1 base on balls, 4 hits, and no runs. Other standouts this weekend included closer Jordan Dailey who saw action in games one and three recording a win and save respectively; and third baseman Matt Noble who had a hit in each of the 3 contests batting .455 (5 for 11) with 5 RBIs in the process.
BCU’s record now stands at 6-6 on the year with wins over perennial power Arizona State and last year NCAA Regionals participant UCF.
The Cats conclude their seven (7) game homestand with a couple of midweek matchups against Central Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.
Coastal Carolina’s Joe Moglia expects tough matchup with Bethune-Cookman
Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia – Photo Credits / GoCCUSports.com
Bradford Gillens – Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia has somewhat of an idea of the competitiveness in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, having played conference member North Carolina A&T in his first game as head coach of the Chants. CCU won the game 29-13, but the former TD Amertrade CEO knows there is a big difference between the Aggies team he faced in September and the Bethune-Cookman team he will face Saturday in Daytona Beach in the opening round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
“From an offensive perspective, they’ve done a great job of moving the football, Moglia said. They create issues for the defense that is playing them because of the multiple sets they face.”
While Moglia was quick to offer praise of the Wildcats, his Chanticleers enter the game riding a five game winning streak where they’ve averaged 46.2 points per game in those contests. Leading the offensive explosion has been senior dual threat quarterback Aramis Hillary. The All Big South first teamer leads the conference in total yards this season with 2,617 (2,133 passing, 484 rushing) and 20 total touchdowns and is the catalyst for the Coastal Carolina offense.
“He’s a great leader and everybody on our team respects him, Moglia said. One of his biggest strengths is that he makes good decisions. We give him progressions on all of his reads, whether it be through the option run or through the pass that are reasonably simple, but you still have to be able to make them and execute them and he’s been great at that. He’s been effective when he’s had to run and throw the ball and that’s primarily due to the fact that he’s been able to make good decisions.”
Wildcats continue their dominance over Norfolk State in Daytona Beach
Ike Jackson runs pass NSU defenders
Coach Pete Adrian and his Norfolk State Spartans came to Municipal Stadium looking for their first ever victory over Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach. The Spartans left the World Most Famous Beach on Saturday evening on the wrong end of a 48-3 woodshed beating.
The 48 points was Bethune’s highest scoring output of the season and the most points the Wildcats have scored since defeating Savannah State 59-3 in November last season.
Redshirt freshman quarterback, Quentin Williams, finished the afternoon with a career high 157 yards passing completing 9 of 11 attempts with 2 touchdowns. Fellow quarterback, Brock Waters, finished the contest with a team high 103 yards rushing. Waters also hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard touchdown strike midway through the 4th quarter.
The Wildcats raced out to an early 7-0 lead after taking the opening possession 75 yards on 16 plays. The drive culminated with a 5 yard Quentin Williams to Eddie Poole touchdown reception. Poole out-leaped defensive back Natturner Harris in the corner of the endzone to secure the catch.
“I give credit to KJ (Stroud) for that touchdown reception” Poole stated. “KJ set the play up when he saw the coverage and he actually switched sides with me. I just told Quentin to lob the ball up and I would go and get it. I definitely feel that anytime there is one-on-one coverage, I should and I will win that match-up”.
KJ Stroud’s generosity was rewarded early in the second quarter when Williams hit the senior receiver on a 28 yard leaping touchdown reception.
The two passing touchdowns sandwiched a 69 yard DJ Howard fumble return for a touchdown. Isidore Jackson added two rushing touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to stretch BCU’s lead to 34-0. Everett Goldberg put Norfolk State on the board with a 33 yard field goal late in the second quarter.
Brodrick Waters scored on an 8 yard run with 6:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter and hooked up with Jhomo Gordon on a 13 yard pass with 6:58 left in the contest.
Coming into the contest, NSU boasted the 3rd ranked defense in the nation yielding just 270 yards per game. The Wildcats surpassed the 270 yard mark by halftime outgaining the Spartans 271 yards to 72 yards through the first two quarters and 435 yards to 239 yards in the game.
The Wildcat defense stretched their consecutive game with an interception streak to 14. The defense forced 3 Norfolk State turnovers in total. Donald Smith led Wildcat defenders with 6 tackles including 1 tackle-for-loss.
“It was a tremendous team victory” coach Jenkins remarked. “It is difficult to keep your momentum and focus after a bye-week and our players should be commended”. “We had some miscues that we need to address but this was the most complete game of the season for us”. Coach Jenkins ended his postgame press conference stating that his heart goes out to Norfolk State Head Coach and former BCU defensive coordinator Pete Adrian. Coach Jenkins would not elaborate on the specifics but he did state that the veteran coach was faced with some things that are very tough right now and that his prayers are with him.
Bethune’s victory sets-up a huge battle for first place next week with North Carolina Central. BCU and NCCU are the only remaining unbeatens in conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 in Daytona Beach.
Team Stat Comparison
| NORF | COOK | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total Yards | 239 | 435 |
| Passing | 164 | 171 |
| Rushing | 75 | 264 |
| Penalties | 6-65 | 7-55 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 3-11 | 11-17 |
| 4th Down Conversions | 0-1 | 1-2 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Possession | 24:37 | 35:23 |
Scoring SummaryFIRST QUARTER NORF COOK
TD 08:20 Eddie Poole 5 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick) 0 7
TD 03:41 D.J. Howard 69 Yd Fumble Return (Sven Hurd Kick) 0 14
SECOND QUARTER NORF COOK
TD 12:37 KJ Stroud 28 Yd Pass From Quentin Williams (Sven Hurd Kick) 0 21
TD 08:26 Isidore Jackson 33 Yd Run (Pat Failed) 0 27
TD 01:13 Isidore Jackson 1 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick) 0 34
FG 00:05 Everett Goldberg 33 Yd 3 34
THIRD QUARTER NORF COOK
TD 06:54 Brodrick Waters 8 Yd Run (Sven Hurd Kick) 3 41
FOURTH QUARTER NORF COOK
TD 06:58 Jhomo Gordon 13 Yd Pass From Brodrick Waters (Sven Hurd Kick) 3 48
BCU game against Norfolk will be Streamed Live (video)
Brock Waters
I really hope that all who wish to attend Saturday’s matchup against Norfolk State in Daytona Beach can make it. For those of you who can not attend Saturday’s contest, you’ll be happy to know that the game will be streamed live on the CatEye Network. The cost of the broadcast will run you about the cost of a Whopper Combo Meal ($7.95).
Viewers can be assured that the broadcast is of high quality. If you have concerns about the quality of the feed and/or the content, I suggest that you watch the replay of the Homecoming contest against NC A&T also on the CatEye Network. That broadcast is free and available here: http://www.bcuathletics.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?catid=48432&id=1068896
The official announcement regarding the live stream can be found on BCU’s Athletics website. http://www.bcuathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205716126&DB_OEM_ID=23910
Think Pink this Saturday
Courtesy of BCU Athletics
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – It was announced Wednesday that Bethune-Cookman University Football will join the nation in spreading the message about breast cancer awareness this weekend when the Wildcats host Norfolk State to Municipal Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
Already billed as the Second Annual Biker Classic, the game will also serve as the Wildcats’ contest to show support continuing research for breast cancer.
Head football coach Brian Jenkins and his team will host an auction for a limited edition pink Bethune-Cookman football helmet through BCUathletics.com, as well as at the stadium throughout the first half of the game. Bids for the helmet will begin Thursday at 9 a.m. In addition, donations will be collected throughout Saturday’s game from fans in attendance.
The Wildcats football team will also wear pink towels and wristbands during the game.
All proceeds from the auction and donations will go towards supporting breast cancer awareness and research.
At the request of Coach Jenkins, breast cancer survivors will lead the Legacy Walk.
Limited edition Bethune-Cookman Football breast cancer awareness shirts are on sale at the B-CU Box Office for just $5. Fans may also purchase a combo pack with a shirt and a ticket with admittance to the game in the Cat Zone for just $10. Order your shirt and tickets now by clicking here, or by calling (386) 481-2465.
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or “Like Us” on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.
-www.BCUathletics.com-
Stadium issue still unresolved
DAYTONA BEACH — Although practices start in a month and tickets are already on sale, Bethune-Cookman University’s football team still doesn’t have an agreement with the city to use Municipal Stadium this fall for games.
“We’re having frank discussions,” said Lynn Thompson, Bethune-Cookman’s athletic director. “At this point we’ve had a couple of meetings. We want to put this behind us.”
The city proposed a $3 per ticket surcharge, the same proposal that was rejected last year, and Bethune-Cookman said no again.
“We’re waiting for a response,” Thompson said. “We want a figure and a process that works for everybody.”
The city is going through the college’s counter proposal, which includes some creative ideas such as Bethune-Cookman officials and athletes volunteering at the new Midtown Cultural and Educational Center and putting on free football camps for kids. The city should have a reply soon and then another meeting should be held soon after that, Percy Williamson, the city’s leisure services director, said this week.
Click here for the full story. http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/college/2012/06/29/bethune-cookman-university-daytona-beach-at-odds-over-fees-for-municipal-stadium-games.html
God’s Speed Tank Johnson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Former Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Lloyd “Tank” Johnson,” recognized by many as the father of what is today’s Florida Classic, passed away Sunday. He was 77.
A 1958 graduate, Johnson served as athletic director from 1972 to 1991, His visionary leadership oversaw the Wildcats’ ascent to Division I and partnership with Florida A&M’s Hansel Tookes in laying the groundwork for the Florida Classic, which made its debut in Tampa in 1978. The archrivals had met to capacity crowds at Florida State University, Daytona International Speedway and Orlando, the current site, prior to that.
Johnson also served as a defensive coordinator for the Wildcat football team from 1961-78 in addition to coaching track and field in the days where coaches would oversee multiple sports.
He was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall Of Fame in 1995 and is also included in several addition halls of fame, including the 100-percent Wrong Club of Atlanta.
As a student, Johnson was on the Wildcat football, basketball, track and golf teams in 1952-54. After a two-year stint in the army he returned to B-CC in the fall of 1956 and competed in football, golf and track for the next two school years before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1958.
Johnson also served on the City of Daytona Beach Planning Board.
He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn, and was preceded in death by his daughter, Crystal Lynn.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. Please visit www.b-cuathletics.com for updates and continued coverage of the passing of a Wildcat legend.
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