PETERSBURG, VA (July 26, 2007) - The Shaw University football team under the direction of second year head coach Darrell Asberry, is predicted to finish fourth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Western Division as selected by the league's coaches.  The Bears finished the 2006 campaign with a 3-7 overall record and a fourth place finish in the Eastern Division.

"I have been baptized," stated Asberry.  "Last year, I was the new kid on the block and when you are the new kid on the block everyone beats up on you and I was baptized.  We have only two returning players from last season. From a 55 team roster we only kept two, but my coaches have done a great job of recruiting."

Asberry and his staff know that they have a lot of work cut out for them as the players will report back to campus for pre-season camp on August 1, 2007.

In addition, the community and fans will get a chance to see the 2007 edition of the Bears during Media Day on August 16th @ 11:00 a.m. at Durham County Stadium located at 2700 Stadium Drive in Durham, North Carolina.  Media Day will bring fun,  free food and drinks, music, and the newly featured  Kid Zone with inflatable rides that will be a part of each home game.

The Bears will open up the 2007 season on the road August 25, 2007 when they travel to Fairfield, AL to take on the Golden Bears of Miles College.  Kick-off will take place at 5:00 pm CST.


2007 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish

Western Division

T-1. Fayetteville State University

T-1. Saint Augustine's College

3.   Johnson C. Smith University

4.   Shaw University

5.   Livingstone College


Eastern Division

1.  Elizabeth City State University

2.  Bowie State University

3.  Virginia Union University

4.  Virginia State University

5.  Saint Paul's College