SU's Roger Cador appears on ESPN's Sportscenter

ROGER CADOR

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  On the day when Major League Baseball celebrates the legacy of Jackie Robinson Day, Southern baseball head coach Roger Cador appeared on ESPN's Sportscenter to discuss his appointment to the MLB On-Field Diversity Task Force.

Cador discussed his appointment to the 18-member group and the challenge of addressing the declining numbers of African-American on MLB rosters. The 29-year veteran also shared his thoughts on Jackie Robinson's impact on the game of baseball and society when Robinson broke baseballs color barrier 66 years ago.

Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced the creation of an On-Field Diversity Task Force April 10 to address the talent pipeline that impacts the representation and development of diverse players and on-field personnel in Major League Baseball, particularly African-Americans.

The wide-ranging group, which includes representatives from club ownership, club front offices, MLB's central office, Minor League Baseball, former players, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the MLB Scouting Bureau, and collegiate baseball, will focus on the myriad of issues influencing on-field diversity at all levels of baseball.

"As a social institution, Major League Baseball has an enormous social responsibility to provide equal opportunities for all people, both on and off the field," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "I am proud of the work we have done thus far with the RBI program and the MLB Urban Youth Academies, but there is more that we must accomplish. We have seen a number of successful efforts with existing MLB task forces, and I believe we have selected the right people to effectively address the many factors associated with diversity in baseball."

Members of the Commissioner's On-Field Diversity Task Force:

* Stuart Sternberg -- Principal owner, Tampa Bay Rays; MLB Diversity Oversight Committee Chairman

* Dave Dombrowski -- President, chief executive officer & general manager, Detroit Tigers; On-Field Diversity Task Force Chairman

* Tom Brasuell -- MLB vice president of community affairs (representing Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities)

* Roger Cador -- Baseball head coach, Southern University (Historically Black College & University)

* Tony Clark -- Director of player services, Major League Baseball Players Association

* Larry Dolan -- Cleveland Indians; MLB Diversity Oversight Committee advisor

* Dennis Gilbert -- Special assistant to Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf

* Derrick Hall -- President & chief executive officer, Arizona Diamondbacks

* Wendy Lewis -- MLB senior vice president of diversity & strategic alliances

* Jerry Manuel -- MLB network analyst; Major League manager (1998-2003; 2008-2010); 2000 A.L. Manager of the Year

* Frank Marcos -- Senior director, MLB Scouting Bureau

 * Jonathan Mariner -- MLB executive vice president and chief financial officer

* Darrell Miller -- MLB vice president of youth & facility development (representing MLB Urban Youth Academy)

* Bernard Muir -- Athletic director, Stanford University

* Kim Ng -- MLB senior vice president of baseball operations

* Pat O'Conner -- President & chief executive officer, Minor League Baseball

* Frank Robinson -- Hall of Famer; MLB executive vice president of baseball development

* Ken Williams -- Executive vice president, Chicago White Sox

According to the Player Diversity Report (released on 11/13/12), the diversity of the Player Profile on 40-Man Major League rosters was 62 percent Caucasian, 28 percent Hispanic, 8 percent African-American, 1 percent Asian, and 0.2 percent Native American. And according to MLB records, which is a collection of data compiled by the clubs, the percentage of players on 2013 Opening Day, 25-man Major League rosters who identified themselves as African-American or black was approximately 8.5 percent, which is in a consistent range with the past few years. The first round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft featured the selections of seven African-American players, the most by total and percentage (7-of-31, 22.6 percent) since 1992.

Major League Baseball operates two youth initiatives designed specifically to address on-field diversity:

The Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and its Jr. RBI playing divisions provide opportunities for young people (ages 5 to 18) from underserved communities to play baseball and softball. RBI has served more than 1 million young people since 1989, and in 2012 had more than 210,000 participants around the country, in Canada and in Latin America. MLB Clubs have drafted more than 200 RBI participants, including 14 players in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

MLB Urban Youth Academies provide free, year-round and intensive baseball and softball instruction and educational programs for young people from underserved and urban communities. Seven MLB Urban Youth Academies are either operational or in development around the country and in Puerto Rico (Operational: Compton, Calif.; Houston, Texas; New Orleans, La.; and Gurabo, Puerto Rico; In development: Cincinnati, Ohio; Hialeah, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa). MLB Urban Youth Academies have served more than 10,000 young people, with more than 90 percent of participants in the United States reflecting a diverse segment of the respective local communities. Since 2006, nearly 200 Academy student-athletes have been selected in the First-Year Player Draft, including 17 in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.


COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Bill would name Alcorn State baseball facilities for former coaches McGowan and Foster

The legendary Willie E."Rat" McGowan, Sr. (#25 in photo) will be honored with the naming of the Alcorn State University baseball stadium.

JACKSON, MS — Alcorn State University could honor its sports history by naming its baseball stadium and the field inside the stadium after two former coaches. A bill that passed the Mississippi House 116-0 on Tuesday would name the park as the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan Sr. Baseball Stadium. McGowan retired in 2009 after coaching Alcorn State baseball for 40 years. The field inside the stadium would be named for the late William "Bill" Foster, the school's first baseball coach.

Foster was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s and '30s and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legendary "Rat" McGowan finished his Alcorn career with 720 wins and was inducted in the Alcorn State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, for baseball and football. The bill moves to the Senate for more work.

Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: William Foster
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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Public Property; Universities and Colleges

By: Representatives Holloway, Middleton, Clarke, Wooten, Arinder, DuVall, Espy, Gibbs, Harrison, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Jones (82nd), Thomas, Scott, Clark

House Bill 730
(As Passed the House)
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL PARK ON THE CAMPUS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY IN LORMAN, MISSISSIPPI, SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN, SR., BASEBALL STADIUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BASEBALL FIELD WITHIN THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN STADIUM SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIAM "BILL" FOSTER BASEBALL FIELD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The Alcorn State University Baseball Park on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. McGowan.

SECTION 2. The baseball field within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, as designated in Section 1 of this act, located on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place on the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. Foster.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.

Cooper named Position Coach at USA Baseball

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University head baseball coach James Cooper finally received the news that he had been waiting on for nearly two months as he was named on Wednesday to the United States of America (USA) Baseball National Development Under-16 Team as a position coach.

Cooper was selected by Matthew Blood, a former scout for the St. Louis Cardinals who thought that he fit the coaching description perfectly.

"Once he explained it to me and told me about the opportunity to possibly win gold medal for the USA, I totally accepted it," Cooper said. "I got extremely excited about it. I felt like a little kid at the candy store or a little kid on Christmas Eve getting ready to open all those gifts."

Although Cooper was unsure of how the selection process went for choosing the coaches, he said Blood did mention he had been following Cooper's success over the years, and even mentioned players such as Edwin Drexler, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 38th round in 2015, and Tanner Lee Raiburn, who was selected in the 33rd round to the Boston Red Sox to play for the Gulf Coast League in 2017. Additionally, Marshawn Taylor who won multiple Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) awards last season.

Currently in his ninth season as the head coach at Grambling State University, Cooper, who was will make his USA Baseball coaching debut at the 16U National Team Development Program (NTDP). He started his career at GSU as a player before becoming an assistant coach and then taking over at the helm. As a head coach, he led the Tigers to a SWAC championship in his first year and was selected the conference Coach of the Year twice (2010 and 2017). As a player, he was second team all-conference twice and received first-team All-SWAC honors after his senior campaign. He was selected in 33rd round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Houston Astros.

Joining Cooper, who will be a Stars Position Coach, on this journey will be Scott Berry (Stars Position Coach), Greg Brown (Stripes Position Coach), Rusty Filter (Starts Pitching Coach), Eric Kibler (Field Coordinator), Jayson King (Stripes Manager), Bill Mosiello (Stars Manager), Eric Patterson (Stripes Position Coach), Gregg Ritchie (Hitting Rover) and Ryan Schmidt (Stripes Pitching Coach).

The USA Baseball National Team Development Program offers athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars, intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games and exposure to professional scouts, college recruiters and the 18U National Team staff and task force.

The 2018 16U NTDP will take place August 4-7 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

About USA Baseball
USA Baseball is the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic, Olympic, Premier12 and Pan Am teams (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team; the USA Baseball 18U, 15U and 12U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women's National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year. The organization is responsible for the continued proliferation and health of the sport, and leads a number of amateur initiatives including PLAYBALL and Pitch Smart. USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. For more information, please visit the organization's official websites: USABaseball.com, USABaseball.Education, PLAYBALL.org, PitchSmart.org, GoldenSpikesAward.com and USABaseballShop.com.

Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathetics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

Paine College Baseball Marshall(s) In New Era

Head Baseball Coach Kirby Marshall

Augusta, GA - Melvin Le’Kerby Marshall (Kerby) joins the Paine College baseball staff as head coach, Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan announced. Marshall comes to the program from Edward Waters College, in Jacksonville, Florida where he was head coach for six years.

“We are excited to add a proven winner to lead the Paine College baseball program”, stated Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan. “Coach Marshall has a demonstrated track record of success and that was one of several factors that led to the decision to hire him as the leader of the Paine College baseball program.

“During the interview process, he impressed the committee with his preparedness, his vision for the program and his passion for the academic success of the young men he coaches. We are fortunate to add a coach of his caliber to Paine College.”

“I am truly honored and excited to be a part of the Paine College family as the new head baseball coach,” states Marshall. “It is my goal to continue to build upon and strengthen the foundation of academic excellence, athletics, and community service already in place here.”

During his tenure at Edward Waters, from 2005-2011, Coach Marshall led his team to four consecutive 20 plus win seasons, two 35 plus win seasons and a trip to the NAIA championships in 2011. Last season, Marshall’s team finished the season with a 37-24 overall record and recorded the first postseason trip in the history of Edward Waters College Baseball. Coach Marshall was named NAIA unaffiliated conference Coach of the Year, and received the number one ranking in Black College for NAIA and Division II baseball. Also under his tutelage at Edward Waters College, Coach Marshall helped produce the school’s first player selected for the Major League Draft (Charles Thomas/Chicago Cubs-2009). In 2008, Coach Marshall’s team set the school record of 35 wins and received their first national ranking in NAIA Top 25 poll. Coach Marshall has also spent time working as an assistant area scout for the Florida Marlins.

The Jacksonville, Florida native is a graduate of Englewood High School, where he was a three-sport letterman, and received a double scholarship to play basketball and baseball at Shaw University, in Raleigh, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management in 1992. As a student athlete, Marshall earned baseball MVP honors in his junior and senior seasons, and was also named to the All-CIAA conference honorable mention team.

Coach Marshall’s coaching career began at Ribault Middle School, where he coached baseball and basketball for a year, and then moved to the high school level, where he coached baseball from 1998-2005. While at Ribault, he was instrumental in teaching the game of baseball to inner city youth, who were not exposed to the sport. He coached his middle school basketball team to a 12-0 record championship, and his baseball team finished the season with a 13-2 overall record. Once coach Marshall transitioned to high school, several of his players received baseball scholarships to Alcorn State University, Shaw University, and Lake City Community College.

“We are extremely fortunate to retain the services of Assistant Coach Kenny Bellamy. Coach Bellamy did an outstanding job as interim head Coach. We think with the addition of Coach Marshall and the retention of Coach Bellamy, Paine College has the finest baseball staff in the SIAC and we look forward to competing for championships in the near future”, states Duncan.

“Our goal will be to produce a team and individuals who are competing at the highest level.” Marshall states. “I want to express my gratitude to Edward Waters College for giving me the opportunity to become a head coach and to Paine College for the opportunity to take the reins of this program and guide them in the future.”

Coach Marshall will officially begin August 1.

by Paine College Athletics

VISIT:  PAINE COLLEGE

VISIT:  PAINEATHLETICS

Auntwan Riggins hired as Prairie View A&M's baseball coach

AUNTWAN RIGGINS
HEAD BASEBALL COACH
COURTESY PVAMU ATHLETICS

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M baseball team began its latest chapter Friday when the school announced it hired Auntwan Riggins as its head baseball coach.

Riggins comes to Prairie View A&M from the Warriors Baseball Academy in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, he spent 13 years with Houston's Proway Baseball Academy as one of its premier instructors and coaches. Both academies train baseball players ages 7 through 18 years old, and can claim numerous players who went on to play NCAA Division I baseball among its alumni.

"I'm very excited to join the Prairie View A&M family," Riggins said. "It's almost like the day of the draft for me. You wait and you know they are going to announce at some point; it's a feeling that you can't really describe."

Riggins has provided individual instruction to numerous players who have gone on to successful NCAA Division I careers, some of whom were also drafted professionally. His most recent alumnus to be drafted was Kyle Survance, who played collegiately at the University of Houston; Survance was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the eighth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft.

"I'm very happy to bring him on as our head coach, and am excited about his vision for the baseball program," Prairie View A&M Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson said. "He brings a wealth of experience, has a great knowledge of baseball, and can teach the game and its fundamentals."

Another player Riggins trained was Spencer Dennis, whom Prairie View A&M fans may remember as a key player on the Panthers' 2007 SWAC championship team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

Riggins is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, having played collegiately at Texas Southern, concluding his career at the close of the 1998 season. In two seasons with the Tigers, he hit .364, and knocked 19 doubles, 11 triples, and six home runs. In 1997, he was named the SWAC's Newcomer of the Year after hitting .341 with five home runs.

At the conclusion of his junior season in 1998, Riggins was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He reached the AAA level in 2001 while playing with the Portland Beavers in the San Diego Padres organization.

After he retired from professional baseball, Riggins eventually returned to Texas Southern to receive his degree, graduating from the school in 2011.

A native of east Texas and a graduate of Houston's Madison High School, Riggins looks forward to being part of the Prairie View A&M community.

"I don't think I've ever encountered people who have so much love and passion for their university and alma mater as a whole, than I have seen with the Prairie View A&M community. I was drawn to that," Riggins said.

The Panthers qualified for the 2015 SWAC Baseball Tournament. Prairie View A&M has won three SWAC championships in the last 10 years, winning the tournament in 2006, 2007, and 2012.

Riggins will be the seventh head coach in Prairie View A&M's baseball history – which dates back to the 1925 season – and will be the Panthers' fourth coach since 1970. He and his wife, Deveka, have been married eight years, and they have a 5-year-old daughter, Masyn.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2014 Urban Invitational to be held in Southern Louisiana

Collegiate Baseball Tournament Designed to Place a Spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Their Baseball Programs

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The 2014 Urban Invitational will be held in Southern Louisiana, with games shared between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, for the first time in the event's history. The annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament, designed by Major League Baseball to place a spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, will feature returning Division-I HBCUs Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana) and Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), plus Division-I programs Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and the University of New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana).

The weekend will consist of six games played between the four schools and ancillary activities, from Friday, February 14^th through Sunday, February 16^th. Louisiana State University (LSU) will host games on Friday and Sunday, with the Sunday contests called live by Paul Severino, Darryl Hamilton and Joe Magrane on MLB Network. The fields at Southern University, New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and Zephyr Field, home of the New Orleans Zephyrs, will also host games throughout the weekend. In addition to a game on Saturday, February 15^th, the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy will host a baseball clinic and a college & career fair. All ticketing, parking and additional information can be found at MLB.com/UrbanYouthAcademy.

"Collegiate baseball represents a significant element of the game's future, so it is important to give these programs the opportunity for exposure to a larger audience," said Frank Robinson, MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Development. "We are thrilled to host this year's Urban Invitational in Southern Louisiana, and thank all of our participating schools."

The baseball clinic on Saturday will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CT) featuring players from each of the participating teams in the Urban Invitational who will provide instruction to New Orleans MLBUYA youth as well as boys and girls from local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs.

The college and career fair will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CT). Participating colleges and universities will provide attendees with information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Local businesses will also be on hand to provide career advice and discuss potential job opportunities. High school and college students from the New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama region are invited to attend at no charge. Parking at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy is free for all events throughout the weekend.

Major League Baseball is dedicated to its ongoing diversity efforts, including the implementation of programs that make it easier for underserved and inner city youth to participate in baseball and softball. With three operating MLB Urban Youth Academies in Houston (Texas), Compton (California) and New Orleans (Louisiana), plus groundbreaking on sites in Cincinnati (Ohio) and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and the announcement of an academy in Hialeah (Florida), MLB has continued to allot resources to bring America's pastime to young people in urban communities.

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (Southern University) played in HBCU baseball programs. Since 2008, the year of the inaugural Urban Invitational, 16 HBCU athletes who have played in the tournament have been selected in the MLB Player Draft; most recently being Cory Jordan, a Grambling State University alumnus, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 35^th round of the 2013 MLB Player Draft.
           
This will be Southern University's seventh Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every Urban Invitational. Grambling State will make its third appearance, while LSU and the University of New Orleans are each participating for the first time.

Complete Game Schedule (Central Time):

Friday, February 14, Grambling University at Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Southern University

Friday, February 14, University of New Orleans vs. Louisiana State University, 7:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University

Saturday, February 15, Southern University vs. Grambling University, 1:00 p.m. at New Orleans MLBUYA

Saturday, February 15, Louisiana State University vs. University of New Orleans, 2:00 p.m. at Zephyr Field

Sunday, February 16, Southern University vs. University of New Orleans, 12:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University

Sunday, February 16, Grambling University vs. Louisiana State University, 4:00 p.m. at Louisiana State University

Five Historically Black Colleges and Universities to participate in 2012 MLB Urban Invitational as tournament relocates to Houston

HOUSTON, Texas - The Urban Invitational, the annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to give Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs national exposure, is relocating to Houston, Texas and will feature five HBCUs – the most-ever in the tournament’s five-year history.

The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be the primary site of the tournament on Friday, February 17th and Sunday, February 19th, while the games on Saturday, February 18th will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Two of those contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

HBCUs Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas) and Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) will all participate in the Urban Invitational along with NCAA Division-I school University of California, Irvine.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year’s Urban Invitational,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball. "Through this event, Major League Baseball strives to bring much needed exposure to these individual institutions and attention to collegiate baseball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Additionally, we are very pleased to give local high school students the opportunity to learn more about higher education directly from the more than 20 colleges and universities at the college fair. This will be a great experience for all involved, especially these young men playing in a beautiful ballpark such as Minute Maid Park.”



“The Houston Astros are extremely excited about hosting the Urban Invitational in Houston this year,” said Daryl Wade, Manager of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy. “This event gives the organization a chance to reach out to inner-city high school youth with a message that seeking education after high school is attainable for anyone. The high quality of baseball, music and schools, at our college fair over the weekend, should give these students the idea that there are many routes that can be taken to reach that next step in their lives. Whether it’s through baseball, music, academics or all three, these kids have a chance, and we’re happy to support such a cause.”

As an additional aspect of the Urban Invitational weekend activities, MLB and the Houston Astros will host a college fair at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT. More than 20 colleges and universities will be represented and will provide information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET), the games at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Greg Amsinger and analysis from two-time MLB All-Star Harold Reynolds. In between these contests, fans at Minute Maid Park will be entertained in a collegiate “battle of the bands,” with live performances from Southern University’s “Human Jukebox,” Texas Southern University’s “Ocean of Soul” and Prairie View A&M University’s “Marching Storm.”

Tickets to the games and events at Minute Maid Park will be available to the general public for $5.00, and parking for Minute Maid Park is also available for $5.00. There is a special ticket package available for $10.00, which will allow access to the ballpark and provide a concession voucher for a hot dog and soda. High School students and below with a valid student ID will be admitted to the ballpark for free.

Games at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be available on game day for a suggested $5.00 donation. Children 12 and under, and any student 18 and under with a valid student ID, will be admitted free. All proceeds from the ticket donations at the Academy will benefit the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation, which is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.



Games and Entertainment Schedule (all times Central):

Friday, February 17, Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Friday, February 17, University of California, Irvine vs. Alabama State University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Friday, February 17, Grambling State University vs. Texas Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Saturday, February 18, Alabama State University vs. Grambling State University, 11:00 a.m. at Minute Maid Park

Saturday, February 18, University of California, Irvine vs. Southern University, 3:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com

Saturday, February 18, Texas Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 7:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com

Sunday, February 19, University of California, Irvine vs. Texas Southern University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Sunday, February 19, Alabama State University vs. Southern University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Sunday, February 19, Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M University, 5:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Major League Baseball is committed to addressing the issue of African-American participation in professional baseball through its various community and multicultural programs. With the three MLB Urban Youth Academies operating in Compton, California, Houston, Texas, and Gurabo, Puerto Rico; one under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana; two others announced in Hialeah, Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and additional soon-to-be announced facilities, MLB has continued to pledge resources to bringing America’s pastime to young people in urban communities.

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, played in HBCU baseball programs. Thirteen HBCU players were selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, six of whom played in last year’s Urban Invitational in Compton. Through the annual Urban Invitational, MLB aims to help these programs continue providing young players from underserved communities the opportunity to play collegiate-level baseball.

In just its first year, the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy has registered approximately 700 young athletes, conducted ten one-day baseball clinics and five week-long summer day camps, and currently provides daily Major League-style instruction. The Academy has hosted 150 games including NCAA, high school, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and Jr. RBI contests. The Academy also offers off-field and academic opportunities, and this spring provided students with Texas Assessment of Skills tutorials in advance of area-wide testing. In addition to baseball and softball instruction, boys and girls attending the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park can participate in free seminars on umpiring, athletic field management, scouting and player development, sports and broadcast journalism, public relations and statistics, as well as athletic sports training. Information about the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy is available at Astros.com/uya or by calling 281-960-9166.

BCSG 360 and Black College Nines Team Up to Create Baseball’s First Black College World Series

A new chapter in the legacy of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) baseball will soon be written with the announcement of a Black College World Series. The event will serve as the stage for an annual postseason invitational tournament to determine a national champion for HBCU “small school” baseball programs. 

The inaugural series will feature eight HBCU baseball teams, mad
e up of four from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and four from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). School baseball programs from these two athletic governing associations constitute the “small school” division. 

The Black College World Series will take place on April 28, 2021 - May 1, 2021 and will allow HBCU baseball programs to write the next chapter of a much needed showdown to determine a national champion of black college baseball. 

The particulars…

• Who: NCAA Division II and NAIA Baseball Programs
• What: Inaugural Black College (Small School Division) World Series
• When: April 28 - May 1, 2021
• Where: Riverwalk Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits)200 Coosa Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
• Format: Two divisions (one division of four NCAA Division II teams/one division of four NAIA teams) with each division playing a double-elimination format and winners of each division face off in a one-game playoff to determine a champion.
• Events:
  • Black College World Series Press Conference (Virtual)
  • Opening Pitch Reception/Luncheon TBA
  • The HBCU Experience (Virtual)
  • Black College World Series - Riverwalk Stadium

More on ticket information to come. 

The world series invitational is organized by Erwin Prentiss Hill, Executive Director of BCSG 360, a 501(c)(3) organization which is a global advocate of the Historically Black College and University experience. Technical assistance and development of the tournament has been provided by HBCU baseball guru Michael Coker, lead writer at BlackCollegeNines.com. Black College Nines is an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of HBCU baseball through current and historical news reporting. 

The mission of BCSG 360 is… 

Educate students of the value and benefits associated with attending and graduating from Historical Black Colleges and Universities. 

Provide engaging historical content, programming and curriculums to middle and high school systems to teach students about the history and pride associated with HBCUs. 

Connect students and community to HBCUs using engaging events and programming to create awareness and participation in the admittance and scholarship process. 

Serve as a clearinghouse of qualitative and quantitative information to be used to educate communities on the outcomes associated with HBCU and the HBCU experience. 

Selection and seeding for the tournament will be based upon Black College Nines’ weekly HBCU small school division national baseball poll of April 22, 2021. Pollsters come from a diverse group of informed and impartial individuals who follow college baseball on all levels, including HBCU baseball. Included in the group are college athletic administrators and educators, college baseball writers and other sports journalists and broadcasters, former HBCU and other college ballplayers and above all else… college baseball enthusiasts who have an interest in promoting HBCU baseball. 

The Black College Sports Network, who has teamed with BCSG 360 to live stream the Jax Diamond Classic and the Lonestar Diamond Classic previously this year, will once again stream the Black College World Series. Games will be available live on the Black College Sports Network at www.mybcsn.net/diamond. Game will also be available on the BCSN YouTube channel (myjbnonline) and via the MyJBN/My BCSN App, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

BCSN will also carry live coverage of the release of the final rankings and selection show. 

About The Black College Sports Network: The Black College Sports Network is the first online media outlet dedicated to LIVE coverage and broadcasting of HBCU sporting events on a weekly basis. The BCSN is the flagship product of the JERICHO Broadcast Networks (JBN). 

Arrangements for the Black College World Series were made in conjunction with guidelines provided by administrators of both the NCAA and NAIA, as well as with school officials and coaching staffs. 

For more information about BCSG 360, visit www.bcsg360.org, for more information about Black College Nines, visit www.blackcollegenines.com. and for more information about Black College Sports Network, visit www.mybcsn.net/diamond.

Michael Coker

Black College Nines

Lead Contributing Writer 

michael@blackcollegenines.com

blackcollegenines.com

ASU's Melendez Reflects On 500 Career Wins

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Friday night was a time for reflection for Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez.

The Hornets pulled out a win over Winthrop for their first victory of the season. For the Hornets' fifth-year coach, it was the 500th of his coaching career, making him the third youngest coach ever to hit that milestone.

"I've been very fortunate in my life and I have to thank a lot of people for giving me an opportunity to do what I do," he said. "First and foremost, I think my parents have had the biggest influence in baseball on my career. Professionally, Brian Reese, as my mentor, is the one who had the biggest influence in me being a college coach. And the one that believed in me and gave me the actual job was (athletic director) Lynn Thompson at Bethune-Cookman.

"I have a lot to be thankful for, but those people God put in my path to allow me to do what I do. You never know which way God is going to turn you and which way you're going to go, but fortunately enough He put the right people in front of me for me to do this."

Melendez never thought much about coaching as a youth, but he thought about baseball a lot. He grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the same hometown as Major League standout Roberto Clemente, but for him the idols lived much closer. His father Gamaliel had been a baseball player and pointed Mervyl in that direction at an early age.

"My mom (Nellie Nunez) and dad, especially my dad, is an avid baseball fan," he said. "He played baseball, semi-pro in Puerto Rico, so we grew up playing organized baseball -- there was no T-ball or anything like that -- at the age of four. He knew his sons were going to be baseball players. And my mom was my biggest fan. I think they both worked to make our dreams come true. I think they both sacrificed their careers, in a lot of ways, to make sure that their sons were going to do whatever they set out to do."

The baseball talent was enough to earn him a ticket to Bethune-Cookman, where he earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior in 1995-96 while splitting time between third base and relief pitcher. Even then, if he thought about a future in baseball, it would have been as a player, not a coach.

"My last year in college, before I became an assistant coach, I didn't want to coach," he recalled. "I was approached by Coach Reese, telling me, what do you think about staying here and being an assistant coach? I had to think about it because it wasn't in my sight. I didn't want to do that. That's why I have to thank him because he brought it up to me and he brought it up to me in a way that made sense."

He served as an assistant in 1997-99 before the job as head coach was presented to him. Over the next 12 seasons, Melendez would advance to the NCAA regionals 11 times, winning 10 conference titles and compiling a record of 379-320.  Along the way, he developed a style of baseball that preached defense and pitching but relied on aggressive base running to generate offense.

"I think you develop your own ideas and your own patterns and your own philosophies of coaching, but I do like the aggressiveness," he noted. "I've taken a lot from different coaches and different programs. It's a good thing philosophies are not copyrighted.

"I have taken some from Andy Lopez when he coached at Florida, I've taken some from Jim Morris at Miami, from (Florida coach) Kevin O'Sullivan.  Even when we played Oral Roberts, I got a couple of things, how aggressive they were in the base-running part of it. Once again, my mentor and the one that takes most of the credit in the baseball part of it and how to coach the game of baseball in college is Brian Reese. I think I owe a lot to him. I've mentioned it to him but he doesn't know to what magnitude."

One part of his success which is fairly unique is Melendez's willingness and ability to recruit his native Puerto Rico, a hotbed of untapped collegiate baseball talent.

"It didn't start out that way," he said. "It became that way a little later when we started recruiting the Florida area and we knew the ones we were recruiting against were taking the bulk of our players. I'm proud of that because a lot of those guys don't get the opportunity because a lot of college coaches don't go there to recruit. Now, in hindsight, I'm giving opportunities that may not have had that opportunity. It didn't start like that."

The aggressive offense, combined with a talented defense, has led to success both at Bethune-Cookman and at Alabama State, where he is 122-105 in his fifth season with the Hornets, who return to action Wednesday at Jacksonville State before hosting Jackson State this weekend. In 17 seasons, he has 501 wins for an average of 30 wins a year.

"I never looked at it that way," Melendez said. "To me, the internal pressure of winning was never about wins and losses. It was about doing it the way I want it done, which eventually will translate into wins and losses. I never really thought about how many championships I would win and how many wins I would rack up. What was important to me was to run a good program."

At Alabama State, his 100 wins in 2013-15 marks the best three-year stretch in the history of the program. In 2014, the Hornets were 37-20 with a first-place finish in the Southwestern Conference East Division. The overall wins, conference wins (21) and first-place division finish were all high water marks for the Hornets' baseball program. Along the way, Alabama State has posted wins over programs such as Troy and Auburn and baseball powerhouses like Miami and Cal State-Fullerton, creating an expectation for success that was unprecedented at ASU.

"The honest truth is when you're coming into a new program, you don't know how it's going to work out," Melendez said. "You try to do the best job you can at whatever you know, but you never expect a lot of success because you've got to live day to day and not have those expectations that if we don't win a championship, it's been a failure. We've been able to win, we've been able to beat a lot of opponents that a lot of people here seven or eight years ago didn't think this program could but in the meantime we've graduated a lot of kids.

"You know what I'm most proud of? We had a section here of former players. We never called them, we never told them come to the home opener, but about 10-15 players were here (for Friday's game against Winthrop) that were proud of being a former ASU baseball player. That makes me feel good, that they want to give back and still be part of the program. In that sense, that's why we do what we do."

Youngest to 500 NCAA college baseball wins
1.       Keith Guttin, Missouri State, 40 years, 9 months, 18 days, recorded his 500th win on May 17, 1996 vs. Wichita State.
2.       Gene Stephenson, Wichita State, 41 years, 5 months, 23 days, recorded his 500th win on Feb. 22, 1987 vs. Kearney State.
3.       Mervyl Melendez, Alabama State, 42 years, 22 days, recorded his 500^th win on Feb. 26, 2016 vs. Winthrop.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson State coach Bob Braddy, Named to 2016 College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees announced:

ROBERT BRADDY

LUBBOCK, Texas -- The winningest coach and the winningest pitcher in college baseball history, as Robert Braddy
Jackson State University well as one of the leading hitters of his era, highlight the 2016 National College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class.

This year's class, which will be inducted as a part of the annual Night of Champions celebration of college baseball on July 1-2 in Lubbock, Texas, is headlined by University of Texas coach Augie Garrido, winner of five national championships and the winningest coach in college baseball history, and Florida State's JD Drew, a two-time consensus All-American and winner of five national player of the year awards in 1997.

"We are excited to induct this class," said Mike Gustafson, president and CEO of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. "It is remarkable that this is our 11th induction class and they are this accomplished."

Garrido entered the 2016 season with 1,950 wins and has led 15 teams to the College World Series. He has received National Coach of the Year honors six times. On March 25, 2014, he earned his 1,893rd win and passed 2009 College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gordie Gillespie to become the winningest coach in college baseball history.

Drew becomes the second inductee in the storied history of the Florida State program. In addition to winning five player of the year awards in 1997, he was consensus All-American in both 1996 and 1997. He was drafted fifth overall in1998 by the Cardinals and completed a 14-year major league career in 2011. In 1999, he was listed eighth in Baseball America's collegiate "Player of the Century" poll.

Also included in the class are Jackson State coach Bob Braddy, the winningest baseball coach in Southwestern Athletic Conference history with 824 wins and 12 SWAC championships; Marietta College pitcher Matt DeSalvo, whose 53 wins make him the winningest college pitcher in history; Arizona State outfielder Rick Monday, named National Player of the Year in 1965 by The Sporting News; the University of Houston's Tom Paciorek, a two-time first-team All-American who led the Cougars to the finals of the 1967 College World Series; and Valdosta State coach Tommy Thomas, the winningest coach in NCAA Division II history.

Braddy compiled an 824-546 record in 28 years at Jackson State. His teams advanced to the NCAA tournament three times and he was named NAIA District Coach of the Year twice and SWAC Coach of the Year eight times. He was the first African-American to be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003, and he also was inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2005.

DeSalvo's 53-6 career record represents the most wins by any collegiate pitcher at any level, and his 603 career strikeouts are the second most of any pitcher at any level of college baseball. He was named the Division III National Player of the Year by ABCA in 2001 and was a three-time first-team D-III All-American.

Monday made the most of his one varsity season as an Arizona State Sun Devil, earning National Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News for the 1965 National Champions. He batted .359 with a school-record 11 home runs and blasted two home runs during the College World Series to earn All-CWS team honors. Monday was drafted No. 1 overall by the Kansas City A's in the first MLB amateur draft in 1965 and played parts of 19 years in the big leagues. ASU retired his number in 1997.

Paciorek was the first University of Houston Cougar player to receive first-team All-American honors in school history. Named first-team All-American in 1967 and 1968 by both ABCA and The Sporting News, he led Houston to the championship game of the 1967 College World Series by hitting .435 with 10 home runs in 32 games played. He later became the first Cougar to play in the big leagues, where he spent a total of 16 seasons.

Thomas owns the record for most wins in NCAA Division II history with 1,308. He graduated from Valdosta State after a four-year career where he played third base and batted .316. He was named head coach in 1967 and led the VSU baseball team to 34 winning seasons, eight trips to the national tournament and an NCAA Division II national title in 1979. He was named the National Coach of the Year by ABCA in 1979 and was inducted into Valdosta State's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

"I want thank our voting committee of over 200 strong for their time and effort in choosing this class," Gustafson said. "They represent so much history as college baseball media members, active and former coaches, retired umpires, past inductees, college baseball historians and, in several cases they are also former players, and their experiences and knowledge are reflected in this class."
Tickets for the 2016 induction are available on the Hall of Fame's website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

COURTESY www.collegebaseballhall.org.

SWAC officially moves Baseball Tournament to New Orleans

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference has selected the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium as the site for its upcoming 2014 SWAC Baseball Tournament.

The venue, located in Pontchartrain Park in New Orleans, La., is a replacement site after the league decided to move the tournament from LaGrave Field as a result of student-athlete safety concerns. LaGrave Field was host to last year's SWAC postseason tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We would like to apologize to the fans, families, coaches and administrators for the delay and inconvenience the decision of switching venues may present," said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “The health and welfare of the student-athletes will always be our primary concern.”

The tournament will follow its original schedule at the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and will be held from May 14-18. The championship game on the final day is slated for broadcast on ESPNU.

“We would like to thank the New Orleans Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy for hosting the SWAC Baseball Tournament," Commissioner Sharp added. "We believe the venue will give our fans and student-athletes a great experience. The MLB Urban Youth Academy is a state-of-the-art facility and the SWAC has been tied in with the Urban Youth Academies for several years through MLB's Urban Invitational."

At least one team from the SWAC has been featured in all seven editions of the MLB Urban Invitational, which the annual round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed by Major League Baseball to place a spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and their baseball programs. The 2014 Urban Invitational featured two schools from the conference (Grambling State and Southern) with the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy serving as one of four sites during the round robin play.

“We are looking forward to hosting the SWAC Tournament, especially as it will give the young Academy participants the experience of witnessing collegiate baseball played at a high level of competition and serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for their future,” said Ben Baroody, Senior Director, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball. “This is a terrific opportunity to not only showcase our facility, but extend our relationship with SWAC, which has been an integral part of our annual Urban Invitational tournaments.” 

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS MLB URBAN YOUTH ACADEMY

The New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy at Wesley Barrow Stadium opened in 2012 replacing a 55-year-old facility that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The new facility has capacity for 650 fans, with a 200-square-foot climate-controlled press box, a public address system and new LED scoreboard. It also features administration facilities, including two 300-square-foot conference rooms. The baseball field also features professional-sized artificial turf with a clay pitcher's mound. Other components include a three-lane batting practice cage outdoors and a two-lane indoor batting practice building. The facility operates in partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission on a dynamic youth program that provides free, year -round baseball and softball instruction as well as educational and baseball vocation programming for young people from underserved and urban communities throughout southern Louisiana

 

ABOUT THE SWAC

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), established in 1920, is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., which is comprised of historically black universities in the Southern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

 

COURTESY THE SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

 

Florida A&M's new baseball coach has a winning plan for success

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --   It was a dream come true.  For a coach who spent 21 years as an assistant, today marked a step to the forefront for Jamey Shouppe as he was announced to the FAMU community as the next head baseball coach.  For a team coming off back-to-back 44 loss seasons and single digit wins, this was a prized catch.

Shouppe feels the benefits are mutual.  “In my presentation to the selection committee, I had three words…Why not FAMU?  That sums it all up.  When you look at Al Washington, Al Davis, Andre Dawson, Hal McRae, Vince Coleman and Marquis Grissom, there need to be more of that caliber players coming out of this university,” Shouppe said.  While Shouppe, who spent 21 years as an assistant coach at Florida State University, mostly as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, it wasn’t just about returning to familiar territory.  “ This is not all about coming home.  This is about a Division I opportunity,” he said.

Shouppe has a concentration in pitching, in which he has produced 10 ACC team ERA pitching titles, recruited and coached 63 professional drafted pitchers including six first round draftees, recruited and coached 26 first team All-Americans and coached in nine College World Series.



Shouppe will be the first permanent coach for the Rattler baseball team since the departure of Willie Brown early this year.  Kevin Clethen coached the Rattler baseball squad on an interim basis this past season, with assistance from Brett Richardson.  Shouppe credited Clethen and Richardson for being team players and holding the FAMU baseball program together in his absence.

Accompanied by his wife Karen and two sons in the audience, he holds family values close to him.  He’s no stranger to FAMU either.  His oldest son Jake is in the Pharmacy school at FAMU, where he will earn his doctorate in pharmaceutical medicine in the Spring.  Shouppe’s ties include a friendship with FAMU faculty athletic representative Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku, who works in the FAMU School of Pharmacy.

In an over-capacity crowd in the media room of the Al Lawson Center, Shouppe was greeted by well-wishers from across the city.  Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox, City of Tallahassee Commissioner Scott Maddox and State Representative Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee), were all in attendance at the event.  FAMU National Alumni Association president Tommy Mitchell and Capital City Bank’s Bill Smith were also in attendance.  Several former players, current players, friends and fans were on hand to catch a glimpse of the future of FAMU baseball.

Michael Smith, who is interim director of athletics, felt the selection committee vetted the candidates well, resulting with the eventual hiring of Shouppe.  “Our committee represented some of the most successful eras of Rattler baseball, and we feel they were solid in their commitment to finding someone who could restore success to our program,” Smith said.  “Judging by the faces and numbers in this room, I think they’ve done just that,” he added.

Shouppe revealed his spiritual side during the press conference.  “I’ve been carrying around a note in my bible, that I’ve had for over 20 years.  The note says ‘to be the best leader of men, you must first be a follower of God,’ ” Shouppe said.  He added, “My job as a believer is to do uncommon things here at this university.”

Shouppe is currently a coach with USA baseball.  In 2012 and 2013, he was the pitching coordinator for 18-up Summer league baseball.  Professionally, he played with the Houston Astros from 1982-1985, where he was drafted in the eighth round of the 1982 draft.

Shouppe is confident that he can build the program through mental toughness.  “I believe that I am the man to lead FAMU baseball to a level of success that no one believes possible,” Shouppe said.  He added, “anything can happen with a plan for success.  I have a plan and I possess the characteristics that are necessary to lead FAMU baseball to unprecedented levels.”

With a core of returning players, the Rattlers could rebound with some additional firepower.  Shouppe is very focused on junior college players to add some immediate help for the Rattlers.  “Good recruiting makes coaching easier.  Bad recruiting or not recruiting makes coaching more difficult,” he said.  He went on to describe a mix of junior college transfers and high school players to make the team successful.

As for the MEAC, his only experience was a few games against Bethune-Cookman in the NCAA playoffs.  He feels it’s not imperitive to have in depth knowledge of the conference to be successful at this point.  “I am not that familiar with the MEAC but I am familiar with baseball.  I know what a good baseball team looks like.  If you play the game and are proficient at what you do, you will win,” he said.

Shouppe was approved by FAMU interim president Dr. Larry Robinson, who is excited about the hire.  “We look forward to Coach Shouppe establishing a winning baseball program,” said Robinson.  “We want to celebrate the success of our students athletes on the field and in the classroom for many seasons to come.”

Shouppe Press Conference   FAMU Welcomes Head Coach Jamey Shouppe COURTESY FLORIDA A&M ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM

The MLB Urban Invitational Returning to New Orleans for the Second Consecutive Year

NEW ORLEANS  -- The Major League Baseball Urban Invitational is returning to New Orleans for the second consecutive year, with every game, from Friday, February 20th through Sunday, February 22nd, scheduled to be played exclusively in the city for the first time in the event's history. In 2014, Louisiana State University hosted Urban Invitational games in Baton Rouge, with other games being held at the University of New Orleans and the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy.

The round-robin collegiate baseball tournament, launched by Major League Baseball in 2008 to place an annual spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, will feature Division-I HBCUs Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and Alcorn State University (Alcorn, Mississippi), as well as the University of New Orleans. Six games will be played between the four schools, with the University of New Orleans hosting games on all three days. Special guest appearances throughout the weekend will include Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (MLB Senior Advisor and Honorary American League President) and Sharon Robinson (MLB Educational Programming Consultant, author and daughter of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson).

Saturday's contests at the University of New Orleans will air LIVE on both MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Matt Yallof and analysis from former MLB outfielder and Louisiana native Darryl Hamilton.

In addition to games on Friday, February 20th and Sunday, February 22nd, the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy in Pontchartrain Park will host a private youth baseball clinic on Saturday morning, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (CT). Players from each of the participating Urban Invitational teams will provide instruction to Urban Youth Academy participants and kids from local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs.

A college and career fair will be held at the University of New Orleans from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ten colleges and universities will be represented to provide attendees with information about college preparation, undergraduate/graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Local businesses also will be on hand to provide career advice and discuss potential job opportunities. High school and college students from areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are invited to attend at no charge.

Also at the University of New Orleans, Sharon Robinson will meet with students (in grades 4-9) on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., to talk about her father and help them craft and edit their own essays for the Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life essay contest. The Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is a chance for students across the U.S. and Canada, in grades 4-9, to write an essay about their personal stories of how they use Jackie Robinson's nine values to overcome their own barriers: Citizenship, Commitment, Courage, Determination, Excellence, Integrity, Justice, Persistence and Teamwork. The Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life program, in partnership between Major League Baseball and Scholastic, is generously supported by Church & Dwight, maker of Arm & Hammer and OxiClean products.

"The Urban Invitational is an extraordinary event that not only highlights the quality of HBCU baseball, but also the character of these young men who participate," said Sharon Robinson. "As an alumna of an HBCU [Howard University], I am excited to join in the recognition of these wonderful academic institutions in all that they do to shape the leaders of tomorrow."

HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of attracting outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University) and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as Seattle Mariners infielder Rickie Weeks (Southern University) played in HBCU baseball programs. Since 2008, the year of the inaugural Urban Invitational, 20 HBCU athletes who have played in the tournament have been selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Four tournament alumni were taken in the 2014 Draft, including Emmanuel Marrero, an Alabama State University alumnus, who was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round.

This will be Southern University's eighth Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every tournament. Grambling State will make its fourth appearance, the University of New Orleans will make its second appearance and Alcorn State University will be participating for the first time.

Local high school bands will have the opportunity to perform around Saturday's contests as the Landry-Walker High School band will perform the National Anthem prior to the first game (2:00 p.m.), while the band from St. Augustine High School will perform prior to the second game.

Complete Game Schedule (Central Time):

Friday, February 20, 3:00 p.m. @ New Orleans MLBUYA: Grambling State University vs. Southern University
Friday, February 20, 6:00 p.m. @ University of New Orleans (UNO): Alcorn State University at University of New Orleans
Saturday, February 21, 10:00 a.m. @ New Orleans MLBUYA: Private Youth Baseball Clinic for UYA and RBI participants
Saturday, February 21, 10:00 a.m. @ UNO: Sharon Robinson Breaking Barriers visit with local students
Saturday, February 21, 11:00 a.m. @ UNO: College & Career Fair
Saturday, February 21, 2:00 p.m. @ UNO: Alcorn State University vs. Grambling State University, (will air LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com)
Saturday, February 21, TBD @ UNO: Southern University at University of New Orleans (will air LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com)
Sunday, February 22, 1:00 p.m. @ New Orleans MLBUYA: Southern University vs. Alcorn State University
Sunday, February 22, 1:00 p.m. @ UNO: Grambling State University at University of New Orleans

Major League Baseball is dedicated to its ongoing diversity efforts, including the implementation of programs that make it easier for underserved and inner city youth to participate in baseball and softball. With four operating MLB Urban Youth Academies in Cincinnati (Ohio), Compton (California), Houston (Texas), and New Orleans (Louisiana), plus an Academy in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) that is currently under construction, MLB has continued to allot resources to bring America's pastime to young people in urban communities.