GAMECOCKILLUSTRATED.COM

The Streak Is at Two

2012-01-27T07:04:00.000-06:00

Gamecocks step up in important game, top Eastern Illinois: James Green wouldn’t go so far as to say it was a must win, but everyone in the Jacksonville State dressing room knew what was at stake.

Dimetrio Tyson says PUT THAT CIGARETTE OUT!

2012-01-26T15:12:00.002-06:00

The A-Star reports that Dimetrio Tyson, the pride of Elba, Alabama, was out at Saks Elementary yesterday speaking to the kids about the dangers of smoking. Its great to see our players doing good works in the community.

Gamecock Rumor

2012-01-26T15:07:00.001-06:00

Secret sources inform us that there will be a real live Gamecock at the home softball games this year. Hopefully, nobody gets pecked.

Josh Barge (Recruiting Video)

2012-01-26T08:22:00.000-06:00

Josh Barge and Telvin Brown Commit to JSU

2012-01-25T12:01:00.003-06:00

Two Carrolton products, Josh Barge and Telvin Brown, have committed to JSU. More to come later. However, one Carrollton Football expert said that Barge was like former Carrollton Wide Receiver, Reggie Brown, but better. Reggie Brown now plays in the NFL.

Source: JSU great Lett to get associate AD job

2012-01-25T06:39:00.000-06:00

Source: JSU great Lett to get associate AD job: Ed Lett has given his teeth, his knees and his football insight to Jacksonville State, and now he’s giving the school his passion. The former Gamecocks quarterback will be named the school’s next ...

JSU AD Koegel Pays Respects to Patterno

2012-01-25T06:28:00.003-06:00

From the following link: http://blog.pennlive.com/bobflounders/2012/01/penn_state_football_players_pa.html, an article by Bob Flounders of the Patriot News.

Quoting:

"“Moose” showed up early, eager to get in.

He had to drive back to Philadelphia later in the day. Then there was a flight to Atlanta, followed by a 90-minute drive to Jacksonville, Ala.

Warren “Moose” Koegel, one of the co-captains of Paterno’s 1970 team, along with all-time great Jack Ham, didn’t think he could make it Tuesday. But the former offensive lineman found a window of time. He was determined not to miss the viewing.

Koegel, who is the Jacksonville State AD (and formerly the Coastal Carolina AD), woke up at 5 a.m. in Philly and drove to State College. He was there before 10.

“I’m heartbroken, very much so,” Koegel said.

“Joe has meant so much to so many people and he really loved my family, like he did every player’s families.”

So Koegel came.

“I know the family very well,” Koegel said.

“I know Sue [Joe’s wife], [sons] Jay and Scott and I don’t know all the other kids as well. But I know that family and I even fed a couple of them [baby] bottles when I was playing.

“Joe used to tell that story, ‘Moose and Jack used to babysit my kids.’¤” "

* * * * *

Hough Stays True To His Word

2012-01-25T06:22:00.003-06:00

Perhaps still smarting from the Gamecocks getting Jamari Kinnie on signing day last year, the Georgia State Panthers are attempting to turn Gamecock committment Jermaine Hough. According to Panthertalk.com, it appears the effort was unsuccessful:

"-ATH Jermaine Hough of Lovejoy HS who is a Jacksonville State commit came away extremely impressed. From Derrick Mahone of the Clayton News Daily who spoke to Hough on Sunday night:

“Good facilities and have his major but fully committed to Jacksonville State. Took visit because of location and relationships with coaching staff. Because of Lovejoy’s basketball success he is not taking any other visits. He has offers from East Carolina and Georgia Southern.” "

For the full story, go to www.panthertalk.com

EIU Has JSU Pegged As An "Easy Win" in Basketball

2012-01-25T06:21:00.000-06:00

EIU is 2-4 in league play, but they are still confident about their upcoming game against JSU.

Column: Panthers enter crucial stretch - The Daily Eastern News: Sports: At 2-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference, Eastern's men's basketball
team is in less than an ideal spot in the conference
standings.

Moving Towards A Facility That Matches The Team That Plays On It

2012-01-24T12:28:00.002-06:00

There is some great news surrounding JSU Softball. Thanks in large part to the generosity of JD Hess, the Calhoun County Commission and Carmen Industries, the softball field is improving in the following ways:

*There is a new entrance with brick columns that will have black iron archway with "GAMECOCKS" signage.

*There will be an illuminated wall of honor at the entrance commemorating players that have received various honors. Special thanks to Carmen Industries for the plaques and the metal archway

*The visitors dugout has been redone with a new brick facade.

*There is new black fencing down the right and left field lines.

*There is a new brick storage building beside the batting cage.

*The bathrooms have been cleaned up with new tile flooring.

*A new artificial turf pitching bullpen with 2 pitching lanes is being installed. It has cleaned it up and we really appreciate it. JD Hess and the County Commission were a big part of this improvement. Carmin Industries in Jacksonville are helping us the the wall of honor plaques and all the metal lettering and arch way.

The work is not done however. To truly move to an elite facility, the Gamecocks need to install sunken dugouts. Please contact JSU to find out how you can donate to this worthy cause.

Gamecocks Crowing in the Classroom

2012-01-24T12:26:00.001-06:00

The Anniston Star reports that 10 of 15 JSU sports teams posted a 3.0 or better in the classroom last semester. Read more details at www.annistonstar.com

News About Pope

2012-01-24T07:40:00.002-06:00

The Gamecocks' top recruiting target is Anniston running back Troymaine Pope a/k/a "Buster". The A-Star reports via twitter that he is committed to JSU but still listening to suitors.

JSU AD Warren Koegel recalls legacy of Penn State’s Paterno

2012-01-23T07:10:00.000-06:00

JSU AD Warren Koegel recalls legacy of Penn State’s Paterno: Warren Koegel was getting ready for church Sunday morning when he heard the news of Joe Paterno’s passing. It hit close to home.

Darrell Smith Transferring to JSU!

2012-01-20T20:44:00.003-06:00

As reported by our good friend eagle owl, Darrell Smith is transferring from Arkansas to JSU. Smith, a safety, was a 3 star Rivals player out of Port. St. Joe HS in Florida. Here is what Scout.com had to say about him in high school:

"Smith is an excellent athlete and has good size for a safety prospect. He's played some linebacker and will come up and hit you. He's not afraid to really mix it up. He needs to become more fluid in coverage and doesn't have great speed yet." -- Mike Bakas

Here is his right up from Arkansasrazorbacks.com:

"2010: He appeared in eight games for the Razorbacks, mostly on special teams, while also seeing time in the defensive backfield. Smith finished the season with three tackles, collecting one in the Razorbacks' 31-7 win vs. ULM, one in their 31-24 win at Georgia and one in their 49-14 victory vs. Vanderbilt. He also saw time vs. Tennessee Tech, vs. No. 1 Alabama, at No. 7 Auburn, vs. Ole Miss and vs. UTEP.

HIGH SCHOOL: Smith was an explosive player on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker and safety who also played running back at Port St. Joe High School for coach Vern Barth. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 80 safety in the nation. As a senior, he had 94 solo tackles and 45 assisted tackles and he also recorded four tackles for a loss and one pass deflection, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. On offense, he rushed for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs of 95 and 97 yards for touchdowns. He made more than 100 tackles as a junior when he was a second-team Class 1A all-state selection. He chose Arkansas over Toledo, Duke and Tulane.

PERSONAL: Born March 31, 1991, he is the son of Andrew Gainer and Carolyn Bailey. He is enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences."

Walker Russell Makes The Big Time

2012-01-20T08:48:00.001-06:00

from the website ridiculousupside.com. Go to that website for the full article.

"The NBA Development League likes to tout that it's the fastest way to get to the NBA and, on Thursday night, that motto proved true. The Detroit Pistons decided to make their first first ever foray into the D-League player pool, according to a source close to the situation, when they decided to call-up Walker Russell from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Russell is no stranger to the Pistons organization as he spent training camp with them this season, but it's been a long time coming for the 6-foot point guard as this his first in-season NBA opportunity after spending parts of five seasons -- dating back to 2006 -- in the D-League.

The former Jacksonville State standout has had a terrific year thus far as he's dished more than 12 assists five times on his way to averages of 16 points and 9.9 assists. His best game came at perhaps the most important time, too, as he scored 19 points and dished 19 assists at last week's NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nev., as scouts from all 30 NBA teams were in attendance."

Waiters’ free throw lifts JSU over Tennessee Tech

2012-01-20T07:18:00.000-06:00

Waiters’ free throw lifts JSU over Tennessee Tech: COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — As he watched his team shoot around in the Eblen Center earlier in the day, Jacksonville State coach James Green just wasn’t sure how his emotionally-drained team would react on...

Don't Tease Me Like That.

2012-01-19T06:53:00.003-06:00

Anniston Star tweeted yesterday that running back Troymaine a/k/a Buster Pope was committed to the Gamecocks. Later that same day they backed off indicating that Troymaine was hoping for an offer from Oklahoma State. In any event, it appears that the Gamecocks are still the front runner.

In other recruiting news, the Gamecocks apparently lost out on Terris Lewis a very talented defensive player from Linden, Alabama that has committed to Troy. Perhaps JSU will have another shot at Lewis if the Trojans ask him to gray shirt. The Gamecocks may be in the mix for J'Terrius Brown, a defensive end from Mill Creek (Ga) high school who apparenlty has offers from several MAC schools.

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Tabbed To Win 2012 OVC Softball Crown

2012-01-19T06:14:00.000-06:00

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Tabbed To Win 2012 OVC Softball Crown

JSU’s women’s basketball coach inspires Exchangites

2012-01-18T07:08:00.000-06:00

JSU’s women’s basketball coach inspires Exchangites: The women’s basketball team at Jacksonville State University might have lost more than they won so far this season, but they should not be dismissed.

Gamecocks give No. 15 Racers tough time, fall short

2012-01-13T07:04:00.000-06:00

Gamecocks give No. 15 Racers tough time, fall short: MURRAY, Ky. — The Murray State student section in the CFSB Center broke into the not completely unexpected chant of “Un-def-eat-ed” at the end of the game, but it didn’t start until the final 45 se...

World's Tallest Receiving Group

2012-01-12T12:02:00.003-06:00

The Gamecocks just got taller. Gavin Ellis, a tight end from Cullman, Alabama is transferring to JSU from Troy. Ellis, a big target at 6-6, was a 2 star prospect by Rivals out of high school. Depending on the situations, the Gamecocks could have Denzell Cheeks (6-5), Ellis and Trey Smith (6-4) all in the game at the same time. Additional information about Ellis from Troy's website is below.

Named first team All-State, All-Area, and All-District as a senoir ... Senior year, he recorded 82 catches for 1,263 yards (both led the state) and scored 16 touchdowns (second in the state) ... Lead the state in receptions in a single game with 15 ... Was selected to the AHSAA North-South All-Star game ... Was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association 5A All-State team ... Was a Birmingham News Super Senior Best of the Rest selection ... Set a school record for receiving yards in a season ... Biggest offensive game came against Hartselle when he had 165 yards and three touchdowns ... Also lettered in basketball ... Ranks 9th in receiving yards in a season, 11th in single season receptions and 6th in receptions in a single game in AHSAA history ... Was selected as a team captain in both football and basketball ... Was a member of the FCA and the FFA ... Football coach was Mark Britton

Should I Stay or Should I Go

2012-01-11T07:04:00.003-06:00

Rumors are that Washaun Ealey is considering the NFL draft. Ealey gave the Gamecocks a good year. Next year could be great, but best of luck to him if he does turn pro.

Gamecocks get first OVC win

2012-01-08T11:34:00.000-06:00

Gamecocks get first OVC win: JACKSONVILLE — James Green saw something in his Jacksonville State basketball team Saturday he hadn’t seen this year, maybe the last two.

Old News About a Good Deed by Ealey

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-06:00

This is old news, but thought readers might find it interesting.

Ledger-Enquirer.com | 12/17/2010 | Georgia football notes: Justin Houston submits name to NFL draft advisory board; Washaun Ealey, Mike Gilliard help student bus driver after crash

More Mitchell Roland Hilights

2012-01-02T10:05:00.000-06:00