Latest news with #SouthwesternAthleticConference
NBC News
28-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Colorado coach Deion Sanders had bladder cancer 'cured' after surgery
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders announced Monday he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had surgery to remove his bladder. His doctors announced the procedure resulted in Sanders being "cured." "We're going to beat it, aren't we?" Sanders asked Dr. Janet Kukreja on stage at a news conference in Boulder. "It's beaten," she answered. Sanders, 57, said he expects to coach on the sidelines next season. Sanders played 14 seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. A star defensive back, he earned six All-Pro honors and nine Pro Bowl teams while leading the 49ers and Cowboys to Super Bowl victories in 1994 and 1995, respectively. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Sanders was named head coach of Jackson State in Mississippi in 2020 and helped turn around the FCS program. After a 4-3 first season (that was shortened due to COVID), he led the Tigers to an 11-2 record in 2021 with a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. They repeated as titleholders the next year with a 12-1 record. Colorado hired Sanders in 2023 to lead the Buffaloes. Despite a 4-8 initial year, the Buffaloes went 9-4 in 2024 with an Alamo Bowl appearance. Sanders' son, Shadeur Sanders, threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions en route to being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders was not with Colorado in June due to an unspecified health issue, he said on social media. 'Wow, I am truly blessed for the abundance of well wishes, for all the thoughts and all of the prayers,' Sanders wrote. 'THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! 🙏🏾 I can assure you all that everything is OKAY and will continue to be so. God got me like no other. I have so much more work to do to Glorify God so please believe God got me! I'm excited to get back to Colorado to be at home with my staff, team & all associated to our program. When we arrive back to Boulder you will be updated on everything. Until then, I'M COMING BABY, #CoachPrime.' In a video released by Sanders' son, Deion Sanders Jr., on Sunday, Sanders said he had made a will. 'Mentally, emotionally, last night was tough, yesterday was tough, because I had to make a will,' he said in a video. 'That's not easy at all, to think that you may not be here.' Sanders in March that runs through the 2029 season.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Could LSU Baseball land SWAC Player of the Year out of the transfer portal?
LSU baseball could be in a position to land another top transfer portal prospect. Cardell Thibodeaux entered the portal on Tuesday in search of his third school. He spent 2025 at Southern University, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards. In his breakout junior year, Thibodeaux batted .435 with 71 RBI, 18 home runs, 13 doubles, and three triples. He also swiped 23 bases. The outfielder started 49 games and now has a chance to move up the college baseball ladder. Thibodeaux played his first two seasons of college baseball at Louisiana-Monroe. A dip in production playing time as a sophomore led him to make a switch to Southern, which paid off as he recorded the best year of his career. Would Thibodeaux fit at LSU? The Tigers may return their entire outfield for 2026, but also need help at the plate with slugger Jared Jones off to the MLB. Thibodeaux proved his abilities to see the ball and make things happen when he gets on base, but facing SEC pitching would be an adjustment. At five-foot-eight, it's unclear if Thibodeaux could find the same power he did in the SWAC, but he would give the Tigers a versatile weapon to challenge for starting time.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HBCUs make huge move on NCAA House settlement
The post HBCUs make huge move on NCAA House settlement appeared first on ClutchPoints. Several HBCUs are opting into the NCAA House settlement that is set to shape the future of college athletics, specifically football. Per HERO Sports Senior Analyst Sam Herder, all 12 SWAC member schools will be opting into the settlement. Advertisement 'FCS News: All 12 SWAC members will opt into the House settlement. The conference will not set scholarship caps, meaning football teams can go above 63 equivalency scholarships if they can afford to do so,' Herder posted on his X account. The Southwestern Athletic Conference held its 2025 Annual Spring Meetings last Friday and Saturday, during which a vote was taken to opt into the settlement. The conference decided not to impose scholarship caps on any of the sports it currently sponsors. Per a statement released by the conference, SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland underscored the importance of the decision. 'This is undoubtedly a significant moment for the Southwestern Athletic Conference and our twelve member institutions. As we move forward into a new era of intercollegiate athletics, the Southwestern Athletic Conference remains steadfast in our commitment to provide our membership with the resources needed to positively impact our student-athletes academically and athletically.' Advertisement The settlement, which compensates former and current athletes denied opportunities to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) prior to NCAA policy changes in 2021, also introduces a revenue-sharing framework. This new model enables institutions to directly allocate resources to student-athletes while maintaining compliance with NCAA guidelines. Norfolk State also opted into the House settlement, correlating the move with the arrival of Michael Vick as the head coach of the institution. Norfolk State joined Morgan State in opting into the settlement. 'Our decision to join the NCAA's revenue-sharing plan emphasizes Norfolk State's unwavering commitment to our student athletes,' Norfolk State Director of Athletics Dr. Melody Webb said in a statement. 'This choice to opt into the principles of the House Settlement underscores our dedication to advancing our athletics department as we prepare for a new era in collegiate athletics. As we join other institutions in adopting this evolving revenue-sharing model, we remain committed to navigating this journey for the benefit of our student-athletes. We are resolute in our goal to not only stay competitive but also achieve championship success.', She added 'NSU is fortunate to have true Spartan fans, and for the first time ever, their purchase of a season ticket will benefit the NSU Athletic Department while providing direct financial support to our student athletes.' Related: Michael Vick hire brings 82% increase to Norfolk State ticket prices Related: Son of Florida Gators legend transfers to Florida AM
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
SWAC makes decision on NCAA House settlement
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has officially opted in to the House v. NCAA settlement. This move marks a major step forward in the future of college athlete compensation. The announcement came after the SWAC's 2025-26 Annual Spring Meetings held over the weekend. All twelve member schools voted to join the settlement. In addition, the conference will not place scholarship caps on any sport it currently sponsors. "This is undoubtedly a significant moment for the Southwestern Athletic Conference and our twelve member institutions," said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. "As we move forward into a new era of intercollegiate athletics, the Southwestern Athletic Conference remains steadfast in our commitment to provide our membership with the resources needed to positively impact our student-athletes academically and athletically." House Settlement Finalized on June 6 The House settlement was officially finalized on June 6, 2025, marking a historic shift in college athletics. The agreement allows NCAA Division I schools to share up to $20.5 million per year in revenue directly with student-athletes. This ends the NCAA's longstanding amateurism model and introduces a new era of compensation and benefits. Other HBCUs Already Opted In Before the SWAC's announcement, several HBCUs had already opted in to the settlement. These include: Morgan StateMaryland Eastern ShoreTennessee StateNorth Carolina A&THampton University These early decisions reflect a broader trend within the HBCU community to adapt to a changing NCAA landscape. By opting in, these schools are taking proactive steps to support their athletes and remain competitive. The post SWAC makes decision on NCAA House settlement appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FAMU football vs Mississippi Valley's 2025 game moved to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Florida A&M football will play a game in Atlanta for the third consecutive season. Over the weekend at the FAMU National Alumni Association Convention in Frisco, Texas, FAMU's Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs announced that the Rattlers will face the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, on Saturday, Oct. 4. Advertisement The Week 6 Southwestern Athletic Conference football game between the Rattlers and the Delta Devils was initially scheduled to be played at MVSU's Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Mississippi. 'They decided they were coming to FAMU, Georgia ― also known as Atlanta,' Suggs said at the FAMU NAA Convention's AD's Breakfast on Friday, May 30. 'So once October 4, we won't be in Itta Bena, Mississippi. We will play Mississippi Valley State University in the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.' FAMU has a large contingent of graduates in Atlanta and holds one of the largest alumni chapters for the HBCU. FAMU Athletics Director Angela Suggs speaks at FAMU Day at the Capitol Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The Rattlers played in Atlanta in 2024 for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, squeaking a 24-23 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Center Parc Stadium, formerly the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field. In 2023, FAMU football won its first-ever Celebration Bowl 30-26 over the Howard Bison to secure its 16th Black College National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Advertisement The Rattlers will look to avenge last season's 24-21 loss versus the Delta Devils, a shortfall that ended its 23-game home winning streak at Bragg Memorial Stadium, which spanned over five years. It was MVSU's lone victory last year. FAMU, led by second-year head coach James Colzie III, returns from a 7-5 season in 2024. MVSU, fresh off a 1-11 showing, has a first-year head coach in Terrell Buckley. Both coaches played college football as cornerbacks for Florida State University, with Buckley being there from 1989 to 1991 and Colzie spending his spending 1993 to 1996 on the Seminoles roster. Florida A&M coach James Colzie III leads his team onto the field during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. FAMU football will play a 12-game regular season schedule this season, opening versus the Howard Bison in the Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30. Florida A&M Football 2025 Schedule Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 30 ― vs. Howard (Orange Blossom Classic at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium), 4 p.m., ESPNU Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 6 ― at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m., ESPN Plus Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 13 ― vs. Albany State, 6 p.m. Week 4: BYE/OPEN WEEK Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 27 ― vs. Alabama State (SWAC) Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 4 ― at Mississippi Valley State (SWAC/at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium) Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 11 ― vs. North Carolina Central Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 18 ― vs. Alcorn State (SWAC/Homecoming) Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 25 ― at Southern (SWAC) Week 10: Saturday, Nov. 1 ― vs. Jackson State (SWAC) Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 8 ― at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), 3 p.m Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 15 ― at Alabama A&M (SWAC) Week 13: Saturday, Nov. 22 ― vs. Bethune-Cookman (SWAC/Florida Classic at Orlando's Camping World Stadium) Saturday, Nov. 29 ― NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 6 ― SWAC Championship Game (If Necessary) Saturday, Dec. 13 ― Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium (If Necessary) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 ― NCAA FCS National Championship Game at Nashville's FirstBank Stadium (If Necessary) Advertisement All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time. Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat. Follow his award-winning coverage on and contact him via email at GDThomas@ or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football 2025 schedule: Rattlers vs MVSU moved to Atlanta
