Hornets prep for Fall sports campaigns
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (bamastatesports.com) – The Alabama State University athletic department will begin its quest for a fourth consecutive James Frank Award which is the name of the SWAC Commissioner’s Cup award, next week as the school’s football, soccer and volleyball programs will show up to begin their preseason work leading into the 2016 fall athletic season’s.
Second-year coach Brian Jenkins will lead his Hornet football team into preseason practice Thursday, Aug. 4 at 3:30 p.m. Jenkins led the Hornets to a 6-5 record during his first campaign in Montgomery. The Hornets finished second in the East Division of the SWAC with a 5-4 record.
Jenkins will begin the season with 17 starters returning (7 offense/8 defense/2 kickers). ASU’s season will begin with a road contest at Texas San Antonio Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. It will be the first meeting between ASU and the Conference USA member.
Jodie Smith, the school’s career-leader in soccer wins, will also begin preparation for the upcoming season on Thursday, Aug. 4. Smith begins his ninth season overseeing the program and preseason practice will be short as the Lady Hornets begin their 19-match season on the road at Georgia State Friday, Aug. 19.
Penny Lucas-White enters her sixth season at the helm of the Lady Hornets volleyball program. ASU has won two SWAC Titles in the past three years and will be looking to add their third in four years when they begin practice Aug. 4.
The volleyball team will begin the 2016 season at home when they host the ISTAP Collegiate Cup 1 Aug. 26-27. North Carolina A&T, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Towson and Tennessee State will join the Lady Hornets in tournament action. ASU will open the tournament and the season when they host North Carolina A&T Aug. 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Head Cross Country coach Richie Beene has a little more time before his first meet scheduled for Sept. 3 in Cookeville, Tenn., at the Tennessee Tech Invitational. Beene will have his cross country team start preseason training Aug. 15. The Lady Hornets will be on the hunt for their sixth consecutive SWAC Championship.
