Archive for July, 2011

Georgia State football coach Bill Curry declined to sign a contract extension earlier this year, keeping a promise he made when he accepted the job in 2008.

Back then, the now-68-year-old Curry said he would work for the five-year duration of the contract, and then decide if he wanted to continue  beyond that.

“I want to stay as long as I’m asset, and not beyond when I’m a liability,” he said.

There is a provision in his contract that provides on June 30 either Curry or the University, in this case athletic director Cheryl Levick, an option to extend the deal that pays Curry an average base salary of $350,000 per year.

Discussions started but Curry said, “I promised five years and I will keep my word.”

Levick said she is “perfectly fine” with Curry’s decision. “We want him to be our coach as long as he wants to continue coaching.”

The Panthers went 6-5 last season. They will open against Clark Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Georgia Dome.

—

In other notes, quarterback …

Continue reading Why Curry turned down a contract extension »

Running back Donald Russell and tight end Alex Smith, formerly at Kentucky, say they are enrolling at Georgia State, according to their facebook pages. The sports information department can’t confirm if they are going to join the football team, though Smith posted that he is a studying football player at Georgia State. SB Nation Atlanta reported that they have, citing sources.

Russell, a 5-11, 209-pound native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., rushed 77 times for 430 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons with the Wildcats. He also caught 14 passes for 134 yards. His best game came last season against Charleston Southern when he rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Curiously, he got just one carry in the next game at Vanderbilt and didn’t play in the regular-season finale against Tennessee.

He could provide an instant boost to an offense whose leading rusher last season, backup quarterback Kelton Hill, may face a cloudy future with  the team.

The Panthers averaged …

Continue reading Georgia State picks up two transfers from Kentucky »

The investigation of Georgia State football player Kelton Hill has been turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney, according to Carlton Mullis, Georgia State University Deputy Chief of Police.

Hill was arrested and charged with forcible entry related to a burglary by campus police on June 22.

Hill allegedly entered the University Lofts room of a student through an unlocked window and stole a laptop valued at $1,300 on June 17.

Hill, who played at Lithia Springs, was projected to be the Panthers’ starting quarterback this season. He led the team with 426 rushing yards as a back-up last season. He also rushed for three touchdowns. He completed five passes for 64 yards.

The Panthers are scheduled to begin practice on Aug. 4 and are very thin at quarterback because Drew Little, last year’s starter, has been suspended for the first four games of the season for breaking team rules.Hill was expected to be challenged by Bo Schlechter and true freshman Ben McLane, …

Continue reading Hill investigation turned over to Fulton County »

Aside from the legal issues that Georgia State quarterback Kelton Hill may face in the wake of his arrest and being charged with burglary is whether he will be allowed to stay in school. His arraignment date hasn’t yet been set.

The process works this way:

Continue reading What’s next for Kelton Hill? »

Georgia State football player Kelton Hill was arrested and charged with forcible entry related to a burglary by Georgia State University police on June 22.

He was released on a $10,000 bond on June 24. An attempt to reach Hill at his parent’s home was unsuccessful. His court date hasn’t been set. The charge is a felony.

Because Hill has allegedly violated the university’s code of conduct, any additional punishment will first be handled by the dean of students, according to Georgia State sports information director Allison George. However, coach Bill Curry has had a short leash with his team, suspending four players, including Drew Little, last year’s starting quarterback, for violating team rules earlier this year.

Hill allegedly entered the University Lofts room of a student through an unlocked window and stole a laptop valued at $1,300 on June 17, according to the police report obtained by the AJC. The laptop was later recovered and returned to the owner.

Hill, who played …

Continue reading Georgia State QB Hill charged with forcible entry »

Kickoff times for Georgia State’s six home games this season:

Sept. 2, Clark Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 10, Old Dominion, Noon

Oct. 8, Murray State, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22, South Alabama, 3 p.m. (Homecoming)

Nov. 5, St. Francis, 1 p.m.

Nov. 19, Campbell, 1 p.m.

The road schedule includes:

Sept. 17 at Jacksonville State

Sept. 24 at Houston

Oct. 15 at South Carolina State

Oct. 29 at University of Texas-San Antonio

Nov. 12 at West Alabama

– Follow me on twitter @ajcgsu

Continue reading Home kickoff times announced »