North Carolina A&T Aggies

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North Carolina A&T Aggies
Logo
University North Carolina A&T State University
Conference Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
NCAA Division I (FCS)
Athletic director Earl M. Hilton III
Location Greensboro, NC
Varsity teams 13
Football stadium Aggie Stadium
Basketball arena Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center
Baseball stadium War Memorial Stadium
Mascot Aggie & Aggietha
(Bulldogs)
Nickname Aggies
Fight song Old Aggie Spirit
Colors
     Blue       Gold
Website www.ncataggies.com

The North Carolina A&T Aggies are the athletic teams that represent North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. The Aggies compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and have been a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since 1969. North Carolina A&T fields varsity teams in 13 sports, five for men and eight for women. The football team competes in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA.

Home football games are played at Aggie Stadium,[1] while basketball, volleyball, and swimming events are held at the Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center.[2] The university's baseball team plays at War Memorial Stadium.[3]

Sports teams

Interlocking A&T logo

A member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, for all sports with the exception of Women's swimming, North Carolina A&T sponsors teams in 6 men's and 8 women's NCAA sanctioned sports:[4] In August 2013, NC A&T's athletic department announced the addition of Men's Tennis in 2015;[5] Men's and Women's Golf in 2016 & Women's Soccer in 2020. A&T's athletic department also announced the discontinuation of the Women's Swimming program after the 2015-2016 season.[6]

Football

2015 MEAC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
#21 North Carolina A&T +   7 – 1         10 – 2  
Bethune-Cookman +   7 – 1         9 – 2  
North Carolina Central +   7 – 1         8 – 3  
South Carolina State   6 – 2         7 – 4  
Hampton   5 – 3         6 – 5  
Morgan State   4 – 4         4 – 6  
Norfolk State   4 – 4         4 – 7  
Savannah State*   1 – 7         1 – 9  
Florida A&M*   1 – 7         1 – 10  
Delaware State   1 – 7         1 – 10  
Howard   1 – 7         1 – 10  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • Florida A&M and Savannah State ineligible for postseason due to APR violations
Rankings from STATS FCS Poll

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See also: North Carolina A&T Aggies football

The Aggies are led by head coach Rod Broadway. Broadway assumed the position as head coach on February 3, 2011. He is a former head coach at Grambling State University and NC A&T arch rival North Carolina Central University. Broadway took over control of the program from Alonzo Lee, who was in his second year at the head coach position at the time of his release. The 1990 season was arguably the most successful in North Carolina A&T history with the Aggies winning their most games in a season (11), winning the 1999 MEAC football championship and earning their first NCAA I-AA playoff victory against the Tennessee State Tigers.[7] Former Aggie football coach William "Bill" Hayes is the all-time most winningest coach in Aggie history, with a record of: 106 victories, 64 losses, and 1 tied game.[7]

Over the years, North Carolina A&T has developed intense rivalries with Winston-Salem State University, South Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University. The rivalry between the Aggies and North Carolina Central University dates back to 1924. Numerous players from North Carolina A&T have played in the National Football League (NFL). They include NFL Hall of Fame member Elvin Bethea, Dwaine Board, Curtis Deloatch, Jason Horton, Maurice Hicks, Jamal Jones, Mel Phillips, Junius Coston and George Small.

The Aggies play home football games at Aggie Stadium, which opened in 1981. Before the construction of Aggie Stadium, North Carolina A&T Aggies played their home football games at Greensboro’s World War Memorial Stadium, which was home to the nearby minor league baseball franchise.

Year Coach Conference Overall Record Conference Record
1927 Lonnie P. Byarm CIAA 8–0–0 7–0–0
1950 William M. Bell CIAA 6–2–1 5–0–1
1958 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 7–2–0 7–0–0
1959 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 6–2–0 6–0–0
1964 Bert C. Piggott CIAA 6–3–1 6–0–1
1975[Notes 1] Hornsby Howell MEAC 5–1–0 6–0
1986 Maurice “Mo” Forte MEAC 9–3–0 4–1–0
1991 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 9–3–0 5–1–0
1992 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 9–3–0 5–1–0
1999 William “Bill” Hayes MEAC 11–2–0 8–0
2003 George Small MEAC 10–3–0 6–1–0
2014[Notes 2] Rod Broadway MEAC 9–3-0 6–2-0
2015[Notes 3] Rod Broadway MEAC 9–2-0 7–1-0
Total conference championships 13[7]

Men's basketball

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Main article: North Carolina A&T Aggies men's basketball

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See also: Corbett Sports Center

The head coach of the Aggies is Cy Alexander. On April 20, 2012, Alexander became the ninth head coach in the program's history.[8] Alexander was hired to lead the program after former coach Jerry Eaves was relieved of his duties following a 51–50 loss to Howard University in the first round of the 2012 MEAC basketball tournament.[9] Alexander's previous coaching experience includes six seasons at Tennessee State University and sixteen seasons at fellow MEAC Conference member South Carolina State University, where he led the program to five MEAC tournament titles.

During his time at South Carolina State, Alexander maintained a 277-202 overall record and a 191-79 MEAC Conference record. By his second season with the program, Alexander lead the Bulldogs to a record-breaking 25-8 regular season and advancement to the NCAA tournament. During the same season, the Bulldogs gained national prominence by winning the San Juan Shootout. One of the victories in the shootout included a win over No. 11 Villanova. By the end of his time at SC State, Alexander earned three MEAC Coach of the Year honors and three American Sports Wire Black College National Championships.[10]

The most notable coaches in Aggie history are Don Corbett and Cal Irvin, which the Aggie's home basketball court is named after (the Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center). Corbett is most known for leading the Aggies to seven straight MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament titles from 1982 to 1988. Corbett is also known for his 37-game home winning streak that lasted from January 18, 1986 to November 30, 1988.[2] Irwin's legacy stems from his 18-season run as the Aggies basketball coach. During his tenure, the Aggies never finished below .500. Irvin’s success carried the Aggies over from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) into the MEAC, where he won the school’s first league championship in 1972. Irvin's held a 308–105 record as coach of the Aggies. His first CIAA championship came in 1958. Irvin’s teams won CIAA titles in 1959,1962, 1964, and 1967.[11]

The Aggies have appeared in the NCAA Tournament ten times (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, and 2013). The Aggies have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament twice (1976 and 1981). The Aggies play home basketball games at the Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center, which opened in 1978. Corbett Sports Center, known for its intense playing atmosphere and loyal fan base, was chosen by ESPN columnist Kyle Whelliston as one of his favorite arena atmospheres.[12] Additionally, Corbett Sports Center was ranked the 14th best atmosphere in the nation in an espn.com fan poll. North Carolina A&T was the only historically black college or university (HBCU) in the poll, and in 2007 they had three games nationally televised on ESPNU.[2]

In 2013, the Aggies made their tenth appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament and had their first win.

NC A&T Men's Basketball Championships
CIAA Championships: 1958, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1967

MEAC Championships: 1972, 1973, 1976, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 2013
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, and 2013
NIT Tournament Appearances: 1976, 1981

Women's basketball

Tarrell Robinson was named the sixth head coach in the history of the North Carolina A&T women's basketball program on May 2, 2012. The Lady Aggies are one of the top teams in the MEAC, staking claim to six MEAC regular season and two MEAC tournament championships. Bibbs' most notable accomplishments include her victories over Wake Forest University and UNC-Charlotte in the 2010 WNIT Tournament, making the Lady Aggies the first Division-I HBCU program to win two postseason games in an NCAA Division I tournament.[13] The Lady Aggies bost a 41–4 home court record and a 25 home court win streak that began during the 2007 season. Their most recent MEAC title was during the 2009 season. The Lady Aggies won the MEAC regular season championship in 2008, 2009, and 2010.[2]

NC A&T Women's Basketball Championships
MEAC Championships: 1994, 2009, 2016

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1994, 2009, 2016
NIT Tournament Appearances: 2010, 2014

Baseball

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Main article: North Carolina A&T Aggies baseball

The North Carolina A&T baseball team is coached by Ben Hall. The Aggie Baseball program has claimed three MEAC championships and 14 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships, including a six-season streak from 1950 to 1955.[14] The Aggie baseball program plays all home contests in nearby War Memorial Stadium. The stadium has served as the home of various local minor league baseball clubs from the 1930s to 2004.[15]

NC A&T Baseball Championships
MEAC Championships: 1974, 1993, 2005

CIAA Championship: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1970
Source:NCAT Alumni Baseball Association[16]

Bowling

The Lady Aggies bowling team is coached by James Williams. Williams took over the Aggie bowling program from former coach Courtney Stith, who became coach in 2004. Prior to Stith, the Aggies were led by coach Jimmy Mack. Mack is responsible for the early success of the program in which the Aggies won four out of the first five MEAC Bowling Championships since the sport was officially recognized as a varsity sport by the conference in 1999.[17]

The Lady Aggies host their home contests at the local All-Star Lanes in Greensboro.

NC A&T Bowling Championships
MEAC Championships: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
Source:NCAT Athletics[17]

National championships

North Carolina A&T has earned a total of 1 national championship in the program's history. In 2015, the Aggies won the United States Bowling Congress's Intercollegiate Team Championship, in their first appearance, defeating Robert Morris.[18]

Year Coach Selector Overall Record Conference Record
2015 James Williams United States Bowling Congress 74-37
National Championships 1

Golf

The North Carolina A&T women's golf team is led by Coach Richard Watkins. Watkins will be the first head coach in the program's history and will coach both the women's and men's teams. The women's program will play their inaugural season in 2016 and the men's program will begin in the fall of 2017.[19] A&T will use Bryan Park Golf Course as their home course. Bryan Park has served as the host course for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in 2010. The Bermuda grass course was recently awarded the prestigious 4-star ranking in Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play Guide.[20]

Softball

The Lady Aggies softball team is coached by Kenya Peters. Peters assumed the head coaching position from former coach Mammie Jones who was served as head coach since 1996. In 2003, Jones led a team with only one senior and three juniors to the school's first winning season in fastpitch, with a 31–27 record. The 31 victories set a new NC A&T record, the previous of 23 wins set in 2000. Jones has coached seven all-MEAC players during her career and has had at least one player placed on the All-MEAC first team in four out of the last six seasons.[21] In 2008, Jones was named MEAC Softball coach of the year. This was the same year that the Lady Aggies had arguably the best regular season record in program history with a 31–15–1 record.[21]

The Lady Aggies play their home contests at the Aggie Softball Complex which was built in 2005.

Swimming

The North Carolina A&T women's swimming team is led by Shawn Hendrix. Hendrix has been at the head of the Aggie Swimming program since it was recognized by the university as a varsity sport in 1998.[22] The Aggies host their home swim meets inside the Corbett Sports Center Natatorium. Renovated in 2003, the Natatorium has played host to the Historically Black College and University Swim Meet.[23] The HBCU Swim Meet is a three-team meet which features North Carolina A&T, along with fellow MEAC institutions Howard University and Florida A&M.

The Aggies compete in the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), which is an NCAA Division I swimming-only conference that was formed in 2007. Within the CCSA, the Aggies compete against fellow MEAC schools Howard University and Florida A&M. In addition, North Carolina A&T competes against Campbell University, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida from the Atlantic Sun Conference, Gardner-Webb, Radford, and VMI from the Big South, and The College of Charleston, Davidson, and Georgia Southern from the Southern Conference.[24] The Aggies competed in the Northeast Conference from 2004 until their move to the CCSA in 2007.[23]

Tennis

The North Carolina A&T men's and women's tennis teams are led by Coach Richard Akande. Akande joined the Aggies in 2014 and led the men’s team into their first spring competition since the program was disbanded in 2006.[25] The Aggies host their home matches at the Aggie Tennis Center. The facility, built in 2003, possesses eight synthetic surface courts where the Aggies play five to six tennis matches per year.[26]

Track and field

The North Carolina A&T men's and women's track and field teams are led by Coach Duane Ross. Ross oversees all six of NC A&T's track and field programs, which include men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field and men's and women's outdoor track and field.[27]

Before becoming the coach of the Aggie track and field programs, Veney spent six seasons at UCLA as an assistant coach for sprints and hurdles. His other collegiate experience includes Portland State University (2001–03), the University of Oregon, Ventura Community College, and Cal State Los Angeles (1996–98).[27] At UCLA, Veney established himself as one of the premiere hurdles and sprints coaches in the nation. Fifteen Bruins earned either indoor or outdoor All-American status under Veney. He also coached six Pac-10 Champions and four NCAA West Regional Champions. Veney also served as the recruiting coordinator at UCLA.[27]

Veney's resume also includes coaching experience on the international level, as he has served as head women's coach for Team USA at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. Eleven years prior, Veney was named the Olympic Festival Sprint Coach. Veney's international experience also includes serving as sprints coach at two Pan American Games, the 1991 Junior Pan Am Games in Kingston, Jamaica, and the 1995 Senior Pan Am games in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.[27] Veney was named the director of Track and Field programs in June 2011. He took over the NC A&T Track program after the retirement of former coach Roy "Spaceman" Thompson in 2010.

Before his retirement, Roy Thompson served as director of the Aggie track and field programs for the previous 26 seasons. Thompson is credited by officials in the city of Greensboro's sports community for building the A&T track program's national reputation, in addition to helping shape an athletics center that hosts major national, state and regional track meets.[28] Thompson's most notable accomplishments include coaching 65 individual MEAC champions and five All-Americans through 2009, and earning four MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, One MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championship, and four MEAC Coach of the Year awards. In 2005, a Thompson-coached 4 × 100 meter relay team placed fifth in the NCAA Division I national championship.[28] Thompson has also coached Olympians Ruth Morris and Troy Douglas. Both Morris and Douglas both competed in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics in Athletics.[28]

The Aggie track Program held its first season in 1930 under coach C. G. Cooke. In the program's second season, the Aggies took third in the crack mile relay in front of 60,000 spectators at the Penn Relays.[29]

The Aggies host their home track meets on Irwin Belk Track inside the Aggie Stadium. The facility, installed in 2004, is named after the former president of Belk Department Stores and a major financial contributor to the project. The surface is Mondo Super X Performance track and features eight 48-inch lanes and wide turns.[30] Belk Track has played host to many regional, national, and international events, such as International Friendship & Freedom Games, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships – East Regional, the New Balance Outdoor Nationals (formerly the Nike Outdoor Nationals), and the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships.[31]

NC A&T Track & Field Championships
MEAC Men's Outdoor Championships:1994, 1995, 1996

MEAC Men's Indoor Championships:1996†
MEAC Women's Outdoor Championships:1995
MEAC Women's Indoor Championships:none
Source:NSU Athletics[32][33]

† The 1996 MEAC Championship was Shared with The University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Volleyball

The North Carolina A&T volleyball team is coached by Hal Clifton. Clifton is the ninth head coach in the program's history, and he replaced former coach Toni Conway, who took over the program in 2009.[34] Prior to joining NC A&T, Clifton held previous assistant coaching positions at NCAA Division II St. Andrews Presbyterian College, as well as six seasons at Division I Elon University. Clifton played an integral part in turning the Phoenix program from a 9–23 team, in the 2005 season, into a squad that finished in first place in the Southern Conference North Division in 2010 with a 21–14 overall record and an 11–5 mark in the league.[35]

The Lady Aggies volleyball program currently hosts all home contests inside Moore Gymnasium.

Ghhddkdidncodncisncistant vice chancellor of student affairs and has also served as the associate athletics director for North Carolina A&T. Hilton's previous experience includes a position as assistant athletics director at Buffalo State University and academic counselor for athletics at Texas Tech University.[36]

Facilities

Aggie Stadium
Corbett Sports Center
Facility Sport(s) Capacity
Aggie Stadium Football 21,500
Aggie Tennis Complex Tennis –
Ellis F. Corbett Sports Center Basketball, Swimming 6,700
Gate City Lanes‡ Bowling –
Irwin Belk Track Track and Field 21,500
Lady Aggie Softball Complex Softball –
Moore Gymnasium Volleyball 1,200
War Memorial Stadium‡ Baseball 7,500

‡ Denotes Off Campus Facility

Traditions

The Legend of The Aggie Bulldog

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See also: Aggie (Mascot)

Aggie, sometimes referred to as the "Aggie Dawg" or "Aggie Dog," is the official mascot of A&T's athletic teams. Aggie and his female counterpart, Aggietha can be seen at Football, Men's & Women's basketball games, and other university events. Although the physical representation of the athletic teams is a bulldog, the term "Aggie" has a historical connection to the university's agricultural roots as a land grant university.

According to Albert W. Spruill, the origin of the school's Bulldog mascot stems from a tale of a shepherd dog, that was kept on the A&T farm to assist in herding the animals to shelter. During a football game the Aggies had become despondent and tn the game's last few minutes, an A&T fullback broke through the opposition's defense and scored a touchdown that was ruled no good by a referee. It is said that at that moment, an unidentified person untied the bulldog which then attacked the referee. The incident was said to almost cost the school its membership in the CIAA, but it vindicated the Aggies. It is said that from that day on, the mascot for the football team has been a bulldog.[37]

Dear A&T

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Main article: Dear A&T

"Dear A&T" is the Alma Mater of North Carolina A&T. The song traditionally concludes formal university events, including athletic contests such as football and basketball games attended by the North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine or the A&T Pep Band. It is more formal than the traditional fight songs such as "Old Aggie Spirit" and the "A&T Fight Song", and is typically played and sung in a more reverent fashion than other university songs.[38]

North Carolina A&T Fight Song

The A&T fight song made its debut in 2005. The song is traditionally performed athletic contests such as football and basketball games attended by the North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine or the A&T Pep Band. It is standard practice for the marching band to perform the song after an Aggie Touchdown.

Old Aggie Spirit

"Old Aggie Spirit" is a popular song sung by fans and played by the band at many A&T athletic events, especially at football and basketball games. Before the creation of the school's fight song in 2005, the song served as the de facto fight song for the university's sports teams. It is standard practice for the marching band or pep band to perform the song during the pre game show at football games, after a touchdown, in lieu of the school's fight song, or during time outs at basketball games. The melody of the song is based on the Gospel Music song "Old-Time Religion."

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ North Carolina A&T shared the 1975 MEAC Championship with the South Carolina State Bulldogs
  2. ↑ The 2014 MEAC Championship was shared between Bethune-Cookman,Morgan State, North Carolina Central & South Carolina State
  3. ↑ The 2015 MEAC Championship was shared between Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina Central

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Collegeovals.com
  31. ↑ Aggie Stadium MileSplit.us profile
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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