The Classic Face Off - FVSU vs. ASU

                                                                     

 

                                                                       

                                                                            By : Jasmine Thomas

The Fort Valley State University Wildcats are sharpening their claws this week as they prepare for  Feb. 20,2016 as they take on arch rivals Albany State University Rams.

Because the matchup is considered FVSU’s Spring Basketball Homecoming, the activities will include appearances by the Blue Machine Marching Band, Phases Dance Team and the FVSU Cheerleaders.

The event will make the second time this season the Wildcats have faced the Golden Rams. On Feb. 6 , FVSU’s men and women won both games at Albany’s campus. The men’s game went into overtime with the Wildcats winning 66-63. The Lady Wildcats won 65-63.

   This season for the Wildcats has been one full of highs and lows for both teams, but they are fighting to end on a good note.

Tickets for general admission are $10 for faculty and staffers; FVSU students enter free with current ID. Group tickets are $15 for 20 or more. VIP seating tickets are $40. Children five and under enter free. For more information, visit wildcatticketoffice.com

FVSU student selected as SIAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week

Shereba Montgomery was recently selected as the SIAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, announced by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) on Monday.

Montgomery, a 5-11 junior forward from Abbeville, Ga. helped the Lady Wildcats to a 3-0 week. 

She averaged 9.7 points and 11.3 rebounds last week. 

In a 65-63 win against Clark Atlanta, Montgomery recorded 19 rebounds and nine points. Montgomery added 10 points and six rebounds in a 59-48 win over Tuskegee. In the final game of the week, she helped Fort Valley defeat Miles 71-55 with 10 points and nine rebounds. 

Montgomery also recorded five blocks, five steals, and three assists throughout the week.

Wildcats win first conference game over Paine 87-84

Special to the Peachite from FVSUSPORTS.COM

(January 16, 2016) – Senior center Ralph Wilson led Fort Valley State University Wildcats (3-15; 1-7) with a double-double team-high 19-points and game-high 13 rebounds to first conference win 87-84 of the season over Paine College (4-14; 1-8) Saturday afternoon at the HEAL Complex on Paine's campus. The Wildcats had lost 11 games straight games and 7 straight SIAC games.

Wilson made 7-of-14 shots from the field, went 5-for-5 at the free throw line, had one assist, blocked one shot and two steals. Senior guard Dareial Franklin added 19-points, senior point guard Marcelis Hansberry with 14 and junior guard LeRoy Broner chipped in 12.

Patrick Petty led the Lions in scoring with a game-high 28-points, while Kaderious Compton scored 21 and 11 rebounds, Christian Nobles and Arnis Libazs had 13 and 12-points.

First half, FVSU took a 46-38 lead to halftime. Wilson scored the first three points on a jumper and free throw 3-0 and Broner's jumper increased the lead to 16-points (33-17) at the 6:19 mark.

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Get ready for the 26th Annual Fountain City Classic - Nov. 7

Support the Fort Valley State University Wildcats during the 26th annual Fountain City Classic week. On Nov. 7, at 2 p.m., we take on the Albany State University Rams in Columbus, Ga. 

Tickets for the Fountain City Classic can be purchased at FVSU Ticket Office located on the second floor of the Troup Building.  

Tickets are $20.

FVSU defeats Benedict in SIAC conference football matchup, 33-3

                 

              FVSU Defeats Benedict in SIAC Conference Football  Matchup, 33-3

BY: LAWRENCE G. MALLOY

FORT VALLEY- Many obstacles were faced and overcome in a game Fort Valley State University Wildcat Football Team used its defense and special teams to come on top and win over the Tigers of Benedict College in Saturday night’s SIAC Conference Matchup.

FVSUs Starting Quarterback was forced to leave the game due to an injury but that did not stop the Wildcats from overcoming a victory. In the first half, George Maxey successful intercepted the ball twice, in which one was good for a return on the play 5 yards and another one set up for a 2-yard play by Malcolm Eady. Juan Serna, FVSU kicker and Punter, successfully scored a 32 yard field goal after Drelon Freeman returned a punt return. 

Upon halftime, FVSU completely held the Tigers scoreless, 20-0 and went on to completely dominate the second half. In the second half, Benedict College was able to score a 32 yard field goal, which gave them 3 points. Dominating the second half, Eady was able to score a pair of touchdown passes whereas; interceptions were made left and right on multiple occasions in the second half.

FVSU Wildcat Football Team has seen a great year so far both conference wise and overall. While taking on and winning Saturday night’s game, FVSU improved to a 3-1 overall standing while 3-0 in the SIAC.  However, the Tigers of Benedict College remained winless in the conference (0-1 SIAC, 0-4 OVERALL).

FVSU takes on the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus University this upcoming Saturday at Wildcat Stadium. Game time is at 2:00 P.M. If you would like to obtain more information on the game or to purchase tickets, please contact the Wildcat Ticket Office at (478) 825-6522or visit http://www.wildcatticketoffice.com/. 

A tale of two games

A Tale of Two Games  

By: Jasmine Thomas

It was far from easy, but just when you lose hope, that’s when the Fort Valley State University Wildcats show up and surprise you the most.

On Sept. 12, the FVSU Wildcats recorded a 50-point victory over Lane College.   The final score read 50 - 38, giving the Wildcats a win for their first home game of the season. Though the team was down in the first half, they came back strong and ready to win.

Head Coach Pittman said, “This is our year: no matter how bad things may seem there is nothing we can’t do."

Pittman was very proud of his team as they gathered around for the last hustle after the game while the Blue Machine Marching band played the school song. The stands were full throughout the game as the crowd cheered the Wildcats on to victory.

Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Title

Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Title

Serena Williams defeated Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4, to win her sixth Wimbledon title on Saturday June 11.  Williams won four straight majors completing the “Serena Slam” and is on the way to the 2015 U.S. Open. Williams told reporters “ I honestly wouldn’t have thought last year after winning the U.S. Open I would win the Serena Slam at all, it’s super exciting.” If you’re not familiar with the “Serena Slam” it is when you win four Grand Slams in a row. Williams won the 2014 Open, and has now won the first three Grand Slams of 2015. This is the second time Serena has achieved the “Serena Slam” in her career the first was between the years 2002 and 2003. Williams will be playing in the 2015 U.S. Open that is scheduled to start on August 31 2015. This is a must watch event as Williams is well on her way to making history.

Serena Williams at the Champion’s Ball at the Guildhall in London

Wildcats Win Over Clark Atlanta

FORT VALLEY, GA (February 23, 2015) – It was senior night in the Valley with six Wildcats playing in their final regular season game on the Wildcat hardwood floor. With this being said,  the senior went out with a bang with senior point guard Derrick Spear (Atlanta, GA) leading  the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (4-22; 4-15) to victory with a game-high 27-points over Clark Atlanta University (6-20; 5-14) at the HPE Complex.

Spear's added to his total by hitting 10-of-15 field goals, making 3-for-6 three pointers, 4-for-7 at the free throw line, 5 rebounds, 2 assist and one steal. Senior forward Tyrone Brinson (Savannah, GA) was hot in the first half scoring 16-points and finished with 22-points, 7 rebounds, 7-of-10 foul shots, two steals and blocked two shots. Senior point guard Desmond Lofland (Augusta, GA) tie a team record in assist with 12 assist dished out, while grabbing a game-high 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Senior guard De'Mario Black (Warner Robins, GA) added 10-points, 4 assist and banked 4-of-4 free throws, while senior center Montreal Holley (Montgomery, AL) chipped in 8-points, 3 rebounds and scored on 3-of-4 field goals and made 2-of-3 foul shots. Senior point guard Douglas Turner (Stone Mountain, GA) ended his career by pulling in 2 rebounds. Junior center Ralph Wilson (Americus, GA) put up 12-points, 5 boards and sank 4-of-4 free throws with one block.

FVSU fell short on rebounding to CAU 40-45 for the game, but the Wildcats dished out 19 assist to CAU's 11.

FVSU made 15-of-33 baskets in the first half (45.5 percent), went 4-of-11 from 3-point line (36.4 percent) and made 6-of-9 free throws for 66.7 percent. For the game, the Wildcats shot 45.2 percent from the floor on 28-of-62 shots. The Wildcats made 69.2 percent at the foul line while hitting 27-of-39 shots.

The Panthers were led by Damien Enoch with 19-points and Earl Lawrence and Kenneth Green in rebounding with 7 each.

The Panthers shot 37.5 percent from the floor (12-of-32) and drained 66.7 percent at the foul line (10-of-15) at the half. CAU hit 30-of-69 baskets for the game for 43.5 percent and went to the free throw line 33 time, making 19 for 57.6 percent on the night.
CAU outscored the Wildcats in the paint 42-40 and FVSU scored 23-points to CAU's 16-points off turnovers. The Panthers made 17-points to FVSU's 4 on second chance shots.

Six Ways to Minimize the Risk of Student Loans

The student loan crisis has permeated the news headlines lately, such as “Are Politicians Waking Up to the Student-Loan Crisis?”, or “Don’t Believe the Hype: There’s Still a Student Loan Crisis.” 

And yet, unwary students and their parents continue to pile the debt on in pursuit of what can be a valuable college degree. All too often, the result is a Phi Beta Kappa key to the poor house. That risk is real, especially today. 

Here’s how your clients can minimize it:

Know the End from the Beginning

Before students begin making promises they may not be able to keep, H. Jude Boudreaux, founder of Upperline Financial Planning, suggests they look at what he calls career risk, the risk the student will step off campus and into her first job, only to discover she hates her work and has a mountain of debt to boot. Instead, Boudreaux says, students should seek internships or conduct informational interviews to find out if the career they’re contemplating will actually be fulfilling. “Sit down with people in your family’s network and ask, ‘What does a day on your job look like?’ ‘What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing your career?’ Have four or five good questions,” he says. “People are usually willing to share that kind of information.”

Don’t stop there. Financial aid letters finally in hand, the student should take out a calculator or fire up a spreadsheet. What will all those loans add up to in four or five years and what will the monthly payment be? (Keep in mind that tuition and fees have been increasing at a 5 percent clip on average over the last five years and that the baseline is already quite high, especially at private schools.) Then compare that figure to entry-level salaries in the student’s chosen field. Do the numbers add up? It’s important to get real about this early on, Boudreaux argues. “I know somebody who accumulated $250,000 in loans for a five-year degree in textile design. That may not have been a great investment.” If the student plans ahead, she can see that coming—and avoid it.

Free Money First

Even if the student thinks he won’t qualify for grants or scholarships, he should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FASFA, regardless. Colleges and universities typically require one before they’ll make awards anyway. The student may be surprised at the result. And he won’t have to pay those dollars back. “No one should skip the FASFA application,” says Heather Jarvis, an attorney specializing in student loan law and founder of AskHeatherJarvis.com.

Cheap, Flexible Money Second

After the free money, students have two basic choices: federal student loans and private or bank-made student loans. The first type is typically less expensive and offers more advantages than the second. Those advantages could come in handy if risk becomes reality. Say that Goldman has no need for someone with a degree in basket weaving, and the student is forced to actually weave baskets. Federal student loans allow for an income-based repayment plan. Private loans typically do not. Or say after 20 years, the student is still looking at virtually the same mountain of debt. Federal student loans may allow for some loan forgiveness, while private loans typically do not. “Remember, you are trying to protect yourself from unlikely, but devastating worst case scenarios,” Jarvis says. “In such cases, federal student loans are super-useful.” Often they’re also subsidized.

To read the entire article, visit here.