Tuesday, February 10, 2009

WSSU fires athletics director of 9 years

On Friday, the board of governors of the University of North Carolina system will vote on WSSU's request to increase student athletics fees. That vote could determine whether WSSU continues to Division I or returns to Division II and the CIAA.

Dr. Percy "Chico" Caldwell, the athletics director at Winston-Salem State since 2000, was fired yesterday by Chancellor Donald Reaves. Caldwell, who was hired by former chancellor Harold Martin, had been instrumental in steering the Rams athletics program to NCAA Division I status. The program is in its third year of transition after having left Division II and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. When reached yesterday by phone and asked why he was fired, Caldwell said: "I don't know -- that's what I'm trying to find out."

Reaves, who was hired in February 2007, did not return a phone call to discuss his decision but said in a prepared statement that it was time for "new leadership." "A stated goal in my short tenure as chancellor is to implement a talent strategy that has the right people in the right position at the right time," Reaves said in the statement. "The university, including its athletics program, is at a critical transition point where fresh ideas and approaches are needed, and in keeping with my commitment to the talent strategy, I believe that the athletics program and our student-athletes will benefit from new leadership."

Reaves named Tonia Walker, the associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator, as the interim AD. She has been at the school since August 2000, when she was hired as the volleyball coach and assistant AD after spending eight years as the director of public relations for the CIAA. Walker, a two-sport athlete in college, received a bachelor's degree from Hampton in 1993 and a master's degree from Old Dominion in 1998. At WSSU, she has twice been named the CIAA senior women's administrator of the year.

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WSSU Athletics Director Leaves Post

Note: The Winston-Salem Journal reports the candidates to replace Caldwell include Tim Grant, a former basketball player and assistant coach at WSSU, and Dee Todd, a former basketball player at WSSU and former AD at N.C. A&T. Please! You're $1.5 million in the tank heading to athletic purgatory and your top candidates are "unequipped retreads" with no fundraising skills. Time for the Rams to move away from X-HBCU retreads.

Only wish one president would make the same move at FAMU--Bill Hayes.

-beepbeep

Monday, February 9, 2009

ASU Hornets hit the jackpot

Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow figured some­thing must be wrong with George Washington Carver High School running back An­drew Pitts. In his prep career, Pitts had more than 2,600 yards and 36 touchdowns. He looked good on film. His grades were in order.But Pitts was getting very little interest from Division I colleges. So, Barlow put in a call to an old NFL buddy who was coach­ing at the University of Miami and asked what he thought of Pitts.

"The guy said, 'If we didn't have our backs already, we'd of­fer him,' " Barlow said. "That's exactly the way we felt. I'll tell you this -- I think he's going to make a lot of people regret not offering him. We're absolutely ecstatic to have him." Pitts was one of the stand­outs in a 27-player class signed by ASU on Wednesday. The group included 11 in-state players, seven tri-county standouts and four Carver stars. Joining Pitts from a Wolverines squad that finished a game short of the Class 5A finals are Terre­nce Walters, Edmond Davis and Therell Tyus.

"It means a lot to go over there with a group of guys who I've played with since we were little kids," Pitts said following a signing ceremony at Carver. "We're all very excited about going to ASU. We know about their crowd support here in the city. My mom and dad can come and see me play every game. That means a lot. It's a good fit for me." The ASU staff believes the rest of this year's class will fit nicely into the holes left by 23 seniors. The Hornets addressed immediate needs at linebacker and wide receiver and added several sought-after players.

ASU SIGNEES

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Alabma State University Stingettes

ASU 2009 Football Class


LB Demarques Taylor, 5-11, 220, Jack­sonville, Fla., Andrew Jackson HS ILB Joshua Abbott, 5-10, 220, Tifton, Ga., Tift County HS
MLB Avery Smith, 6-0, 215, Troup, Ga., Troup County HS
SS Marcus Solomon, 5-11, 193, Valdos­ta, Ga., Lowndes County HS
DE Lawrence Henderson, 6-5, 225, Jacksonville, Fla., Raines HS
LB Justin Marable, 5-10, 220, Lithonia, Ga., Lithonia Springs HS
DT Robert Harvey, 6-0, 280, Miami, American HS
OT Adam Calhoun, 6-8, 330, Newman, Ga., Newnan HS
FS Michael Green, 6-1, 185, Camden, Ga., Camden County HS
OT Jermaine Ridgeway, 6-5, 275, Adamsville, Minor HS
TE Najee Leftwich, 6-2, 220, Griffin, Ga., Spalding HS
DE Le'Andre Crawford, 6-3, 220, Troup, Ga., Troup HS
C Jaquan Bentley, 6-2, 285, Pahokee, Fla., Pahokee HS
OT Terren Jones, 6-7, 320, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Choctaw HS
OL Terrence Walters, 6-3, 270, Mont­gomery, Carver HS
C Edmond Davis, 6-1, 270, Montgom­ery, Carver HS
WR Therell Tyus, 5-9, 170, Montgom­ery, Carver HS
WR Landon Jones, 6-3, 180, Wetump­ka, Wetumpka HS
WR Raphael Poellenitz, 6-0, 177, Mur­phy, Murphy HS
RB Andrew Pitts, 5-10, 205, Montgom­ery, Carver HS
LB Leland Baker, 6-0, 200, Birming­ham, E.B. Erwin HS
ILB Maurice Tate, 6-1, 225, Linden, Linden HS
WR Demorius Beasley, 6-0, 175, Deca­tur, Decatur HS
DB Carlos Seawright, 5-11, 175, Bir­mingham, Huffman HS
Kejuan Riley,, 6-2, 185, Wetumpka, Wetumpka HS
WR Charles Payne, 5-11, 181, Mont­gomery, Sidney Lanier HS
DE Gary London Jr., 6-5, 260, Baton Rouge, La., Southern Lab HS

Alabama State University Stingettes






















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JSU-TSU rivalry set for another five years











When Fred Jones founded the Southern Heritage Classic in 1990, he modeled it after other major neutral-site rivalries. Jones looked to the Red River Shootout in Dallas between Texas and Oklahoma. He looked to the game formerly known as the World's Largest Cocktail Party between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla. He considered the Bayou Classic -- celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2009 -- pitting Southern and Grambling in New Orleans.

"That seemed to be the model you should follow," Jones said. "Two rival teams that are evenly matched and convenient to the game's location." Confirming Tuesday that Jackson State and Tennessee State have agreed to five-year contract extensions with the SHC -- ensuring that they will continue meeting each other on the second Saturday in September at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium through at least 2014 -- Jones solidified his own growing rivalry.

JSU and TSU have met in Memphis each year since 1994, and the SHC's profile has grown leaps and bounds in recent years with major increases in TV distribution. (Jones said he has struck a deal with SportSouth to televise the SHC in HD for the second year in a row.) "We obviously have something here that works from the fans', the sponsors', the schools' and the city's standpoint," Jones said.

The SHC, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, was not initially founded as a classic rivalry with two set opponents. While TSU has participated in all 19 contests, the Tigers played Grambling and Mississippi Valley State once each in the game's early years. Now, with JSU firmly on board, the SHC can continue developing the rivalry aspect of the event. The TSU and JSU football teams and marching bands have earned their schools more than $3 million each through their participation in the SHC. The new contract gives each school the opportunity to earn $300,000 per year from 2010 to 2014 to help fund educational activities and expenses.


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Norfolk State adds receiver, defensive back

Norfolk State signed two more football players to its fall recruiting class Friday. Defensive back Denzel Coleman and wide receiver Derrick Demps signed with the Spartans two days after National Signing Day. NSU signed five players Wednesday. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Coleman played four years at Mays High School in Atlanta. He recorded 71 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. Coleman also ran sprints on the track team for the past two seasons.

Demps, 6 feet and 180 pounds, hails from Florida High School in Tallahassee. The third-team all-state Class 2A selection caught 42 passes for 743 yards with seven touchdowns last fall. Demps also returned an interception 75 yards for a score.

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Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band


National Signing Day Signees to NSU

Karl Butler, OL, 6-5/310, Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend HS. Was an honorable mention all-district pick as a senior. Adrian says: “Butler is very athletic and comes off ball well. He is excellent in pass protection.”

Quartez Carter, TE, 6-5/250, Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania HS. Two-time first-team All-Battlefield District selection at tight end…also named honorable mention All-Region I as a junior and senior…selected to the all-district second team at defensive end in his final prep season…caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns as a senior…also an all-district pick in basketball. Adrian says: “He has a chance to help us right away. He runs well for his size, has good hands, and is big for a tight end.”

Kevin Leatherwood, QB, 6-2/205, Charlottesville, Va./Charlottesville HS. A three-year starter at quarterback for Charlottesville…missed most of his senior season due to injury…was an all-district and all-region performer as a junior, when he accounted for 2,000 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns…also the Jefferson District Player of the Year and an all-state selection in basketball as a junior. Adrian says: “Leatherwood is an exceptional athlete. He’s a smart player who throws the ball with good velocity and understands the game.”

Victor Martin, DL, 6-2/270, Fort Meade, Fla./Independence (Kan.) CC/Fort Meade HS. A second-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection last year…team captain…tallied 62 tackles, 12 for loss, and eight sacks…a first-team All-State Class 1A selection as a senior at Fort Meade HS, when he helped the Miners win the state title…redshirted his first year at Independence, and has three years of eligibility remaining. Adrian says: “Martin has a great ‘motor.’ He is tailor-made for our defense because he moves well and is always around the football.”

Cameron Williams, OL, 6-4/295, Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes HS. A second-team all-state (VISAA) offensive lineman as a senior. Adrian says: “Williams is another athletic lineman who has excellent strength and movement.”

Alcorn State signs 17 players

LORMAN, MS — There will be 17 new faces on the Alcorn State football team next year. The university signed 17 high school athletes Wednesday on National Signing Day, and interim head coach Earnest Collins is excited for the future. “This is a great group of kids,” Collins said in a statement released Wednesday. “They wanted to come to Alcorn and play.” Among those signed are receivers Sam Randall, of Wingfield High in Jackson, and Tavoris Doss, of Sheffield High in Memphis, Tenn.

“Those two guys in particular fit the need that we have for getting some speed on the team,” Collins said. “They both can run, and they’re pretty shifty. They’ll come in right away and make a big impact on the return teams. They can do something special when they get out in space.” Four other Mississippians, defensive lineman Joel Clems, of Hattiesburg High, Armand Stevenson, a defensive back from Murrah High in Jackson, linebacker William Seliby, of Harrison Central in Saucier, and linebacker Robert Gainwell of Yazoo City High also signed Wednesday.

Collins said Seliby and Gainwell, along with Darryl Ward of Homestead (Fla.) High, will make a big impact on a Braves team that lost three guys off its linebacker corps this year. Also on defense, the Braves signed defensive lineman Patrick Christian, of Whitehaven High in Memphis, Elijah Young, of Bowling Green (Ky.) High and Kevaughn Williams, of W.H. Adamson High in Dallas.

To view the 2009 Signee List, click here.

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ASU Braves 2009 Football Signees

NAME POS HT. WT. HOMETOWN / LAST SCHOOL
Patrick Christian DL 6'4 210 Memphis, TN / Whitehaven H.S.
Joel Clems DL 6'1 280 Hattiesburg, MS / Hattiesburg H.S.
Tavoris Doss WR 5'9 175 Memphis, TN / Sheffield H.S.
Robert Gainwell LB 6'2 220 Yazoo City, MS / Yazoo City H.S.
Terrance Green TE 6'4 210 St. James, LA / St. James H.S.
Matthew Haynes OL 6'2 255 Indianapolis, IN / Warren Central H.S.
Larry Moore WR 5'9 185 New Orleans, LA / Edna Karr H.S.
Mark Nyainda DB 6'1 185 Grand Prairie, TX / Mansfield Timberview H.S.
Donte Parker ATH 5'11 175 Arlington, TX / Mansfield Timberview H.S.
Samuel Randall WR 5'9 165 Jackson, MS / Wingfield H.S.
William Seliby LB/RB 6'2 215 Saucier, MS / Harrison Central H.S.
Armand Stevenson DB 6'0 180 Jackson, MS / Murrah H.S.
Bobby Tatum OL 6'3 250 Forney, TX / Forney H.S.
Arnold Walker RB 6'0 195 Atlanta, GA / McNair H.S.
Darryl Ward LB 6'0 200 Homestead, FL / Homestead H.S.
Kevaughn Williams DL 6'1 280 Dallas, TX / W.H. Adamson H.S.
Elijah Young DL 6'3 285 Bowling Green, KY / Bowling Green H.S.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Alabama A&M Bulldogs 2009 Football Schedule Released

Alabama A&M director of athletics Betty Austin and head football coach Anthony Jones announced Friday the release of the 2009 Alabama A&M football schedule. Along with a seven-game Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule, the lineup features three black college "Classics" and a the continuation of the in-state and regional rivalries with Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, and Tuskegee.

The Bulldogs will open the season by returning to the John Merritt Classic on Sept. 5 in Nashville at Tennessee State before coming home for the remainder of the month of September. A&M plays three straight home dates on Sept. 12, 19, and 26 against Hampton, Jacksonville State, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, respectively. The Sept. 26 date against Arkansas-Pine Bluff is both Homecoming and the SWAC opener.

The month of October will be spent on the road as the Bulldogs make a return trip to the Circle City Classic on Oct. 3 to again face Tuskegee in Indianapolis for the final non-conference game of the season. Back-to-back SWAC road games await the Dogs on Oct. 10 at Grambling and Oct. 17 at Alcorn State before a bye week on Oct. 24.

The month closes on Oct. 31 with the annual showdown with Alabama State at the Magic City Classic in Birmingham. The Bulldogs open play in November on the 7th at Prairie View A&M, and then return home for the final two games of the season on Nov. 14 vs. Jackson State and Nov. 21 vs. Mississippi Valley State. The SWAC Championship Game is set for Saturday, Dec. 12 in Birmingham.

Date Opponent Location Time/Result Details

9/5/2009 at Tennessee State Nashville, Tenn. - LP Field, John Merritt Classic
9/12/2009 HAMPTON Huntsville, Ala. - Louis Crews Stadium 6:00 PM
9/19/2009 JACKSONVILLE STATE Huntsville, Ala. - Louis Crews Stadium 6:00 PM
Homecoming
9/26/2009 * ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF Huntsville, Ala. - Louis Crews Stadium 3:00 PM

10/3/2009 vs. Tuskegee Indianapolis, Ind. - Lucas Oil Stadium, Circle City Classic
10/10/2009 * at Grambling Grambling, La. - Eddie Robinson Stadium

10/17/2009 * at Alcorn State Alcorn State, Miss. - Jack Spinks Stadium
10/31/2009 * vs. Alabama State Birmingham, Ala. - Legion Field 2:30 PM,
Magic City Classic
11/7/2009 * at Prairie View A&M Prairie View, Tex. - Blackshear Stadium
11/14/2009 * JACKSON STATE Huntsville, Ala. - Louis Crews Stadium 1:00 PM
11/21/2009 * MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE Huntsville, Ala. - Louis Crews Stadium 1:00 PM

SWAC Championship Game
12/12/2009 SWAC Championship Game Birmingham, Ala. - Legion Field


A&M Sports Info

Alabama State Hornets cater to new football philosophy

Somewhere near the end of the 2008 season, Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow came to a decision. Win or lose, Bar­low decided he was going to run the ASU program the way he felt was best. He had a specific offensive system he liked, and he was will­ing to fire his second coordina­tor in two seasons in order to find a guy who shared his be­liefs. He also had a specific de­fensive plan he felt would work best, and he was willing to fire a popular and successful defen­sive coordinator in order to run it.

Last Wednesday, Barlow and his staff signed a class that re­flected those new philosophies. And in terms of filling needs, it was a successful signing day. ASU welcomed in 28 players, almost all of which addressed a hole created by a graduating senior or a change in philoso­phy. Offensively, for example, Barlow's game plan is to create a hybrid-style offense that uses el­ements of the spread offense's short passes and the pro forma­tion's power rushing attack.

As the Hornets learned last season, when they employed the spread, quick, agile receivers are a must. Without them, the short passes in the spread are just short passes. In one game, ASU completed 23 pass attempts for only 136 yards. To address that issue, the Hornets signed six receivers in this year's class. All of them have good speed and four of the six were signed specifically be­cause of their ability to run after the catch.

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