Rams Place Eight On All-CIAA Football Teams - WINSTON-SALEM STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

A Quadrilogy Of First-Teamers Joins A Lone Second-Teamer And Three All-Rookie Selections

Nov. 3, 2004

Hampton, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced the selections for the All-CIAA Football teams on Wednesday afternoon and eight football student-athletes from Winston-Salem State University Rams have been awarded All-Conference honors. The Rams placed four student-athletes on the All-CIAA First-Team, one on the All-CIAA Second-Team and three on the CIAA All-Rookie Team.

Leading the way for the Rams were a quadrilogy of first-teamers who were led by sophomore running back Jed Bines (So./Winston-Salem, NC). Bines placed second in the CIAA in rushing yardage in 2004 as he recorded 1,137 yards on 176 carries en route to 12 touchdowns. This marks the second time that Bines has garnered All-CIAA honors as he was named to the CIAA All-Rookie team last season.

A pair of WSSU senior offensive lineman were also named to the team as Emmanuel Akah (Sr./London, England) and Brian Scott (Sr./Oxford, NC) were named to the first team as well. Scott and Akah were the only two seniors on a Ram offensive front that once again led the CIAA in rushing with 247.2 yards per game.

Rounding out the All-CIAA First-Team selections for the Rams was Philip Betts (Sr./Oxford, NC). The 6'2, 290-pound defensive lineman from Oxford, NC was once again an unstoppable force on the defensive side of the ball as he led the Rams with five sacks, and eight tackles for loss. He recorded 48 tackles on the season, good enough to place him fifth on the WSSU roster.

A surprising addition to the All-CIAA second team was running back Martin Hicks (Jr./Oxford, NC). Hicks, who led the CIAA and the Rams in rushing, bettering Bines rushing yardage by 11-yards, recorded 1,148 yards rushing en route to nine touchdowns and a 6.8 yards per rush average and was, to many football insiders, a lock for First-Team honors. A First-Team All-CIAA selection in 2003, Hicks has led the CIAA in rushing for two consecutive years and has eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in each of the past two seasons.

The Rams also placed a trio of freshman on the CIAA All-Rookie team. Opening up the selections for WSSU was Bennie Barbour (Fr./Rocky Mount, NC). Barbour, a 6-4, 300 pound offensive lineman who, as a true freshman, helped to lead a Ram offensive line that placed atop the CIAA in rushing yardage for the fifth consecutive season.

Joining Barbour on the All-Rookie team were Nathaniel Biggs (Fr./Durham, NC) and Corey Swinnie (Fr./Hoffman, NC). Biggs, a 6-0, 190 pound defensive back from Durham, NC started all ten games for the Rams this season. Swinnie, a linebacker, made significant contributions to the WSSU defensive front this season as he used his 6-2, 235 pound frame to run over, and around opposing teams en route to All-Rookie honors.

The Rams, who finished 4-6 in 2004 will look to the upcoming season with a hopeful enthusiasm as a young nucleus will combine with a veteran rushing game with the potential to once again return to the CIAA Championship football game.

For additional information on WSSU Football, or to arrange interviews with players and/or coaches, please contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143.