BCSP Notes . . .
Billy Joe named head coach at Miles
Hall of Famer William "Billy" Joe has been named head football coach at Miles College, athletic administrators announced today. The former head coach at Florida A&M, Joe, 67, has recorded more victories than any other football coach at an HBCU other than Eddie Robinson.
"Billy Joe is a legend in black college football and we are excited
about the impact he will have on our program," Miles Athletics Director
Augustus James said during the press conference. "This brings a whole lot to
our program. A different caliber of student-athlete will be drawn to
our program. People want to play for a legend."
During his 31-year career as a head coach, Joe has won seven National Black College Football Championships and two NAIA titles. He led the FAMU Rattlers to five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) playoffs in seven of his 11 years at FAMU. He has a career coaching record of 237-108-4, making him the fourth all-time winningest coach in FCS history and second in black college football history. In addition to coaching at FAMU, Joe coached at Central State from 1981 to 1993 and Cheyney from 1972-1978.
Joe, who played seven years in the NFL for three teams and won a Super Bowl with the 1968 New York Jets, has been inducted into both FAMU Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundational College Hall of Fame.
Joe replaces Wade Streeter, who was fired Dec. 6 after going 35-41 in seven years at Miles.
MEAC basketball tournament to include bonus game of WSSU vs. NCCU men
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced last week that Winston-Salem State and North Carolina Central, two teams not currently eligible for conference titles, will play a special game during this year's MEAC Basketball Tournament's final day at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.
The game, between the men's teams, will be played on
Championship Saturday, March 15 at 4:30 p.m. between the men's and women's
tournament finals.
"We want to galvanize the Eagle and Ram fans' base, alumni and students to experience what our tournament is all about," said MEAC Commissioner, Dr. Dennis Thomas. " We feel this is an excellent opportunity for both teams to showcase their institutions."
Both programs recently moved from NCAA Div. II status and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to Div. I. Winston-Salem State has been accepted as an MEAC member and is eligible for conference championships in all sports during the 2009-2010 season. NCCU has applied for conference membership but has not had its application reviewed. The MEAC is currently observing a moratorium on expansion which Thomas has indicated may be lifted in the spring or summer of 2008.
"The MEAC is a great conference with a strong history and tradition and we are honored to participate," said Ingrid Wicker-McCree, interim director of athletics at North Carolina Central. "I am excited about our student-athletes and coaches having the opportunity to participate with Winston-Salem State University. Both schools are making great progress in their transition to Division I and I think this tournament will showcase what we have to offer to the Division I membership."
"We are excited about this opportunity," stated Dr. Percy Caldwell, director of athletics, at Winston-Salem State University. "When you are a reclassifying institution and in transition to Division I you look for any opportunity to showcase your team and institution. I think it is a great opportunity not only for our basketball team, but also for our institution."
Ticket books to the 2008 MEAC Basketball Tournament are on sale now and can be found through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide, at MEAC School Box Offices and at the RBC Center Box Office. Tickets can also be purchased at the MEAC administrative offices by calling (757) 416-7100 or logging on to www.meachoops.com.
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