Author: J. Mark Bryant

To the surprise of many local sports fans, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has notified Spring Hill College President Christopher Puto, Ph.D., that the Badgers have been granted an additional year within the provisional period during the 2017-18 academic year. On July 14, the Division II Membership Committee notified SHC it would not recommend to the NCAA Division II Management Council that the Badgers be allowed to advance to full membership. This came despite the group saying it was impressed by the Jesuit school’s compliance program and enhancements to its athletics department. The sole reason cited by the membership...

Since 1972, the United States Sports Academy has worked to help meet the educational needs of students preparing for a career in sports. Now, thanks to an agreement with Stillman College, USSA plans to share its knowledge with the historically black college in Tuscaloosa. Stillman President Cynthia Warrick, Ph.D., recently visited the USSA campus in Daphne to sign the deal with Academy President and CEO T.J. Rosandich, Ph.D. Qualified students from the bachelor’s degree program at Stillman will now be admitted into USSA’s Master of Sports Science degree program. This will offer the students majors in sports coaching, sports...

When football fans start to file into Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Friday night for the University of South Alabama’s home opener, some crucial changes will be found at the turnstiles. Beginning this season, the Jaguars are implementing a clear-bag policy for all gridiron games. Anyone who has attended a New Orleans Saints contest lately knows the same clear-bag policy is standard at all National Football League stadiums. Numerous NCAA institutions are now introducing the rules. “Implementing a clear-bag policy for football games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium will enhance the safety of all fans at our games and make their entry into...

The 2016 football campaign was one to remember for University of South Alabama fans. The season included the first win over a Southeastern Conference opponent, the initial victory against a nationally ranked team and a second trip to a bowl game. However, head coach Joey Jones is only concerned with the present. He enters his ninth year roaming the sidelines at Ladd-Peebles Stadium with perhaps his best roster. In the latest Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, USA was selected to finish fourth. “We’re looking forward to the season,” said Jones, who is 48-42 since starting the Jaguar football team...

As Bishop State Community College prepares to enter its 90th year of providing educational opportunities to local students, the Wildcats’ athletic program is looking to the future with the addition of new sports. Trenton Eager is starting his second season as Bishop State’s athletic director and women’s basketball coach. He recently sat down with Lagniappe to discuss the plans for his school, which has four campuses across Mobile. “We are adding golf for the fall of the 2017-18 academic year,” Eager said. “Ronald Davis, who has been a computer information system instructor here for 25-plus years, will serve as...