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| Rattler Booster Announcements
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| Fall Kick-off sponsored by Checkers SELLS OUT - for second year in a row - Sunday, August 29, 2010Ammons, Taylor give Rattlers' fans jolt
BY ST. CLAIR MURRAINE • DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER • PUBLISHED: AUGUST 29. 2010 2:00AM
During a two-hour football kickoff, Florida A&M President James Ammons declared Saturday afternoon that the Rattlers will return to their title-winning ways. Ammons proclaimed South Carolina State's dominance of FAMU will end.
"They have been around here all summer, they've performed in the classroom, they are working out and they've done everything coach and his staff have told them to do," Ammons said. "Now it's time to shake, rattle and roll."
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| Dr. Foster Passes Away - Saturday, August 28, 2010Dr. William Patrick Foster, the founder, and creative genius, of the internationally acclaimed Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching “100” Band passed away earlier this morning after a brief illness. He was 91 years old.
For more than 50 years, Foster transformed halftime into showtime. His unique style of band pageantry dazzled millions the world over with their showmanship and musicianship. Foster's emphasis was always on music first, and his marching bands sounded like moving orchestras.
Dr. Foster truly revolutionized marching band techniques and reshaped the perception of the art form. His doctoral thesis "Band Pageantry" became must read material for scores of marching band directors. Foster published over 18 articles for professional journals, 4 published marching band shows, and ia composer of Marche Brillante, National Honors March, March Continental, and Centennial Celebration.
Under Foster's direction, the FAMU band received the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Trophy in 1985, and was selected as the official representative of the United States at the French Bastille Day Parade in Paris, which celebrated the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. |
| Orangeburg, SC - SC State against Legacy Bowl - Tuesday, August 24, 2010Cooper wants answers about Legacy Bowl
By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer | Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 4:38 am
Since word leaked in June about the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's contemplating participation in the ESPN-sponsored Legacy Bowl, South Carolina State administrators have kept silent on the matter.
Only Board of Trustees member Maurice Washington has spoken publicly and in opposition to a game that would pit the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic Conference champions against each other in a revival of the Heritage Bowl of the 1990s.
Now S.C. State President George Cooper has voiced an opinion to MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas.
The Times and Democrat has obtained a copy of a Aug. 20 letter sent by Cooper to Thomas.
In the letter, Cooper expresses concern about the lack of specifics regarding the proposed season-ending game for the mythical "Black College Football National Championship."
"While all of these conversations have taken place to gather information that may lead to a decision on a game and contract with ESPN, I am still concerned that we don't have any more details on the terms of a contract related to the proposed December 2011 Legacy Bowl being facilitated by the MEAC Office," Cooper said in the letter.
The Dec. 17 contest, which according to Cooper's letter would take place in Atlanta, would have the MEAC relinquish its automatic qualifier berth for the conference champion to participate in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Reports also have had the two historically black college conferences splitting $3 million from ESPN and among its participating teams and members.
However, Cooper indicated only a $600,000 gross to the MEAC with allocations to the representing team and conference members, with the participating team using some of the money to cover expenses.
The payout and expenses were among numerous issues Cooper indicated should be clarified before the MEAC Council of Chief Executive Officers can review the proposal and make a final decision. Others include:
1. Accommodations and travel for the team, band and cheerleaders and covering the cost.
2. Can the conferences and schools negotiate with other sponsors to offset direct costs associated with the game and marketing requirements?
3. Whether the conference brand is more valuable in the FCS playoffs or through a matchup with the SWAC, and the "low probability" of a non-MEAC champion receiving an at-large berth.
4. Discussing with the NCAA the probability of the MEAC regaining its FCS automatic-qualifier status after four years.
5. The options of negotiating another start date for the Legacy Bowl with ESPN.
6. Maintaining representation on the NCAA playoff committee should the MEAC opt out of the FCS playoffs.
7. Keeping the same sponsorship options because of the MEAC brand to participate in the FCS playoffs.
"Until there is a response to these issues, I do not feel that we are ready to approve the concept," Cooper wrote in closing the letter.
On Monday, S.C. State spokesperson Erica Taylor confirmed the president's letter to Thomas but said Cooper would have no public comment.
MEAC spokesperson Patricia Porter also indicated Thomas had no comment on the letter.
In early August, Thomas said a final decision on the MEAC's involvement in the Legacy Bowl would be made in the fall. Meanwhile, SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp has called it an "easy decision" for his conference to jump abroad on the idea for the game. The SWAC does not have an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.
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| Tallahassee Democrat: Meeting the New Athletic Director, Derrick Horn - Wednesday, August 18, 2010 |
| Tallahassee Democrat: No Turf but Grass - Thursday, August 12, 2010 The Tallahassee Democrat confirmed what we knew earlier in the week as we posted pictures of the sod removal from Bragg memorial Stadium to our Facebook page (Rattler Boosters) - there will be grass planted on the playing surface of the football field.
GO TO PHOTO PAGE - CLICK ON BRAGG STADIUM RENOVATIONS FOR PICTURES. You must register to the site to see the pictures.
Bragg Stadium not getting
artificial turf just yet
By St. Clair Murraine • DEMOCRAT STAFF
WRITER • Published: August 12. 2010 2:00AM
The Florida A&M football team will play its home games on a grass field this season after all.
Construction crews were completing removal of the old grass turf since earlier this week. Interim athletic director Mike Smith confirmed Wednesday the field will be resurfaced with sod instead of an artificial turf.
An effort to raise $750,000 for the new artificial turf will continue, while the plan to get it in place is suspended, Smith said.
Smith said resurfacing of the field inside Bragg Stadium will be completed in time for it to be playable when the Rattlers meet South Carolina State on Oct. 2 in their first home game.
"They are charged with doing what they have to do around the clock," Smith said. "This company has experience putting down these types of field. We recognized that it's a very aggressive timeline, but it's one which has to be met because we have to be ready to play football on Oct. 2."
FAMU started an ambitious plan to raise $750,000 in time to purchase and install an artificial field by the end of September, with coach Joe Taylor and vice president Carla Willis leading the fundraising effort. The goal was to get 1,453 people each to donate $516 before the end of this month.
But on Tuesday when a construction crew began tearing up the old field, it was obvious those plans were put on hold. Fundraising for the artificial turf didn't reach the halfway mark, Smith said.
"It takes money to do that," he said. "We had to be in a position to raise enough money to do that in a short period of time. It was in our best interest to move forward with the grass field. Coach Taylor called me (Tuesday) because he was excited when he saw the dirt moving.
"We are excited about it."
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| "Coaching aginst the Wind" - Tuesday, July 06, 2010
"Coaching Against the Wind" is a must read for all FAMU Football fans.
It is a candid historical overview of the beginnings of FAMC football to the new age FAMU Rattlers. It gives great insight into the obstacles overcome by many of the excellent coaches and administrators who helped create the tradition of Rattler football and made it what it is today.
Kudos to Eddie Jackson for his work and research done on this project.
If you are interested in this $25.00 purchase - please call Eddie Jackson at 850.212.5700 |
| Upcoming Special Event - Legacy Weekend - Thursday, July 01, 2010
LEGACY WEEKEND
Renewing our legacy with a
celebration of the 50 year
anniversary of the founding of our Rattler Boosters
Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Rattler Boosters and we are planning a weekend of activities to commemorate the occasion, April 15 – 17, 2011 at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The Legacy Cookout and Recognition Celebration will be highlighted by Dr. Ammons, Dr. Gainous, Dr. Humphries, and Dr. Smith as the Presidents who led Florida A&M University during the Rattler Boosters 50 years of service to the University.
The event will also include all of the former head and assistant coaches over the past five decades. This would include former athletic directors, athletic managers, trainers, and ALL former athletes as well.
What athletic reunion would be complete without all of the University former cheerleaders and former members of the Marching 100, complete with Dr. Foster and Dr. White in attendance for this event.
A peak at the early events include but not are limited to:
Blood, Sweat and Tears Luncheon
Celebrity Basketball Game
Comedy Show
Celebrity Golf Tournament
Legacy Cook out and Recognition Celebration
After Party
ALL former athletes - cheerleaders - band members - trainers - please register to the Booster site so that we will be able to contact you or call the Rattler Booster office and let us have your email address and/or phone information to keep you abreast of this event.
Thank you. |
| Rattler Booster Contribution Tops Half a MILLION - Thursday, July 01, 2010Rattler Booster support continues to grow
Rattler Booster contributions continue to show a significant increase over the past 6 years. This year’s contribution shatters the 2009 record setting contribution of $149,142, with $564, 520 given to the University, to date.
The installment purchase of the Rattler Jumbo-Tron in the football stadium and the 4-sided LED Scoreboard in the new Al Lawson Center were major contributions of the Rattler Boosters.
In addition the Rattler Boosters continue to pay for the Coach Joe Taylor Show and for the radio broadcasts of the Rattler football broadcasts.
During Dr. Ammons three years as President of Florida A&M University, the Rattler Boosters have contributed nearly $900,000 to the University. The figure of $856,514 does not include any of the in-kind donations given during that time period. The Rattler Boosters continue to seek to find ways to secure funding for the advancement of Florida A&M University’s intercollegiate athletic department.
Your continued support of the Rattler Boosters makes all of this possible.
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Rattler Booster Cash Contributions the Past 6 years
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$600,000
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$564,520*
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$550,000
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$500,000
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$450,000
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$400,000
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$350,000
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$300,000
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$250,000
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$200,000
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$150,000
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$142,802*
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$149,192*
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$100,000
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$100,100
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$50,000
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$31,100
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$5,000
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$1,350
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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| Rattler Boosters create FAN PAGE on Facebook - Thursday, June 24, 2010The Rattler Boosters have created an overwhelming amount of support in less than 4 months. The Rattler Boosters have reached the maximum amount of friends that can be accumulated on Facebook. That number is 5,000 friends and supporters. As a result we have created a Rattler Boosters, Inc FAN PAGE. Please go to it and click - "LIKE".
The Rattler Boosters are also twittering now.
Twitter with us at RattlerBoosters. We are working with a couple of food sponsors that will allow those twittering with the RattlerBoosters to receive food discounts at various times. We also will be having various give-aways, including ticket give-away. These promotions will only be available through your twittering with the RattlerBoosters. |
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| 2010 Rattler Football Schedule
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2010 Rattler Football Schedule
| Sept |
02 |
@ University of Miami |
tba |
| Sept |
11 |
@ Delaware State |
tba |
| Sept |
18 |
@ Howard University |
tba |
| Sept |
25 |
@ Atlanta - Tenn. State Univ. (Atlanta Classic) |
tba |
| Oct |
02 |
HOME - SOUTH CAROLINA STATE |
6pm |
| Oct |
16 |
HOME - SAVANNAH STATE |
3pm |
| Oct |
23 |
@ Norfolk State |
tba |
| Oct |
30 |
@ MORGAN STATE (HOMECOMING) |
3pm |
| Nov |
06 |
@ North Carolina A&T |
tba |
| Nov |
13 |
HOME - HAMPTON |
3pm |
| Nov |
20 |
@ Orlando - BCU - Fla. Classic |
tba |
The Rattler Boosters are not responsible for changes or alterations in the schedule. Please consult the FAMU Sports Information Department for additional information.
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