BCSP Football Notes
SIAC Kickoff Luncheon set
Tucker, GA _ The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) will host its annual Football Kick-Off Luncheon on Friday, July 24, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Atlanta-Northeast (2001 Clearview Ave., Atlanta, GA 30340). The time is set for 12:30 pm.
The luncheon will feature head football coaches, players and athletic directors from all ten SIAC football playing institutions. The coaches will provide insight on the 2009 football season including expectations, key acquisitions, and returning impact players. Each team's coach and players will be available for one-on-one interviews following the luncheon.
In addition to the luncheon, the 2009 Preseason SIAC All Conference Football team and predicted order of finish will be announced. The SIAC television schedule will also be announced during the luncheon.
Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interview sessions by contacting Harry Stinson III at hstinson@thesiac.com or by calling (770) 908-0482.
The 2009 SIAC football season will once again mark the start of college football beginning on August 22, 2009 featuring Tuskegee University vs. Benedict.
The conference will continue to operate on a nine game conference schedule. Highlighting the early part of the season is a match-up between Fort Valley State and Clark Atlanta which will mark the unveiling of the Wildcats new stadium and will commemorate the 1972 FVSU football squad.
For those interested in staying at the Holiday Inn Atlanta Northeast please call 877-863-4780 and mention the SIAC to receive the $69.00 a night room rate.
For more information on the SIAC please visit www.thesiac.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/thesiac
St. Paul's Toler inks deal with Arizona Cardinals
Former Saint Paul's standout
Greg Toler signed a three-year contract with the
Arizona Cardinals Friday.
Toler becomes the fifth of Arizona's eight draft choices that are now under contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Toler will reportedly receive a $316,000 signing bonus.
To make room on the roster for Toler, the Cardinals released wide receiver Justin Brown, an undrafted rookie out of Hampton.
Toler made a surprise climb up draft boards in April after playing at tiny Saint Paul's College in Virginia. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder has drawn comparisons to Cards starting cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the team's top pick in 2008 out of Tennessee State, because both are from small schools.
Toler, however, is a bit older than Rodgers-Cromartie. He ended up without a major scholarship because of poor grades, eventually finding his way to Saint Paul's. There, Toler had 14 interceptions, 36 pass breakups and 50 passes defended in 40 games.
He is trying to battle his way up the depth chart. Behind starters DRC and Bryant McFadden at cornerback, the Cards also have veterans Ralph Brown and Michael Adams and have used free safety Antrel Rolle as a nickel cornerback.
Lindy's names NC Central recruit top FCS newcomer
DURHAM, N.C.- North Carolina
Central University's highly touted transfer
linebacker, Michael Baker, was named Football
Championship Subdivision (FCS) "Preseason
Newcomer of the Year" according to Lindy's Football
2009 College Football Preview magazine.
The signing of Baker made waves across the nation back in February, simply because the former All-State linebacker from Cardinal Ritter High School in St. Louis, Mo, was rated as the No. 18 outside linebacker prospect in the nation by ESPN.com out of high school in 2007. When he decided to transfer from Miami University, the school he originally signed with, many schools were after the young prospect.
"Michael is a legitimate Division I football player," NCCU head coach Mose Rison said.
"He had several Division I scholarship offers, but we had a long relationship with him and his family, so he felt most comfortable with NCCU. We are pleased to have him in our program.
"He will make a significant impact on our defense with his size, athletic ability and aggressive attitude," Rison said.
At 6-0, 210 pounds, Baker definitely put up the numbers to deserve the praise in high school. In three seasons with the Lions, he amassed 357 tackles, including 192 solo stops, and seven interceptions, along with being named to the Missouri All-State team his junior and senior campaign.
During his senior season, the All-Metro athlete showed his versatility by also playing quarterback and running back, piling up 726 yards on the ground, while reaching paydirt eight times.
Under center, the three-time All-Conference athlete threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Baker also was a two-time team captain, and led Cardinal Ritter High School to a 26-17 record.
NCCU is coming off a 4-7 campaign in 2008 and return 18 starters for Rison's third squad. The 2009 season kicks off on September 5 at 6:00 p.m. when the Eagles travel to Hampton, Va. to take on the Pirates of Hampton University at Armstrong Stadium.
© 2009 Azeez Communications, Inc.