CFL Calgary adds pair of MEAC stars

Former Norfolk State University quarterback Dennis Brown, #10 from Miami Central High School (Florida) has a legitimate shot with the Canadian Football League Calgary Stampeders.

Two more quarterbacks and one more defensive back have been added to the Calgary Stampeders' training camp roster. The Stamps announced Wednesday that quarterbacks Michael Desormeaux and Dennis Brown, as well as DB Jason Horton, have signed contracts with the team and will be at training camp, which kicks off with rookie camp a week from today.

Brown, meanwhile, completed his college eligibility at Norfolk State University last fall, passing for 2,228 yards while throwing for 18 touchdowns; he also set a school record with 571 yards in rushing and five touchdowns.

Horton will be trying to resurrect a career that started promisingly. After a brief stint with the Toronto Argos in 2003, the 30-year-old North Carolina A&T State University product played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers in 2004 and 2005, and has since spent time on practice rosters or injured reserve with Houston, Kansas City and Oakland without playing another game.

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Tuskegee Golden Tigers feature five home games in bid for fifth straight SIAC football championship

Under Coach Willie Slater’s leadership, Tuskegee is 42-5 for the last four years. Slater maybe the best head football coach in Division II.

Alvin Jackson, Tuskegee University director of athletics, recently released the 2010 football schedule, which includes an 11-game slate for the Golden Tigers, defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champions. The Golden Tigers, 10-2 in 2009, will play in three neutral site classics, five home games and three other road contests.

Homecoming 2010 will be celebrated on November 6, when the Golden Tigers tangle with the Dragons of Lane College. Nine games make up the required SIAC conference slate. Two out-of-conference games are booked with Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponents, Texas Southern University and Alabama State University.

Tuskegee opens the 2010 season at home against Benedict at Abbott Stadium in a conference matchup. On September 11, the Golden Tigers will face in-state conference rival Stillman in Tuscaloosa. Tuskegee will entertain Albany State at Abbott Stadium on September 18. The Golden Tigers will fly to Los Angeles, Calif., for a showdown with Texas Southern University in the Angel City Classic at the 100,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 25. After returning from the West Coast, Tuskegee will host Miles College at Abbott Stadium on October 2.

The 75th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic will be staged at McClung Stadium in Columbus, Ga., on October 9. This is the longest-running HBCU rivalry and the 2010 game will be the 100th overall meeting between Tuskegee and Morehouse. Two road encounters against SIAC foes, Fort Valley State and Clark Atlanta, on October 16 and October 23, follow the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic. The Golden Tigers will close out the month of October, hosting Kentucky State on October 30.

SIAC conference opponent Lane will serve as the Homecoming guest for Tuskegee on November 6. The regular season will end with the 87th Annual Turkey Day Classic against long-time in-state rival Alabama State at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery. The Golden Tigers and the Hornets will meet for the 97th time.

Tuskegee will seek its fifth consecutive conference title, 29th overall SIAC crown, and its ninth HBCU National Championship. Under Coach Willie Slater’s leadership, Tuskegee is 42-5 for the last four years. The Golden Tigers have won 63 of 71 games (63-8) in a streak that dates back to 2004 and will be gunning for their seventh consecutive 10-plus win season.

Tuskegee Golden Tigers 2010 Football Schedule

09/04/10 - *Benedict College, at Abbott Stadium, Tuskegee, AL 1:00 p.m.
09/11/10 - *Stillman College, at Stillman Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL 5:00 p.m.
09/18/10 - *Albany State University at Abbott Stadium, Tuskegee, AL 1:00 p.m.
09/15/10 - Texas Southern University at Angel City Classic, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
10/02/10 - *Miles College, at Abbott Stadium, Tuskegee, AL 1:00 p.m.
10/09/10 - *Morehouse College at A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus, GA 2:00 ET, 75th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic
10/16/10 - *Fort Valley State University at Wildcat Stadium, Ft. Valley, GA 2:00 p.m.
10/23/10 - *Clark-Atlanta University at Panther Stadium, Atlanta, GA 2:00 p.m. ET
10/30/10 -*Kentucky State University at Abbott Stadium, Tuskegee, AL 1:00 p.m.
11/06/10 -*Lane College (Homecoming) at Abbott Stadium, Tuskegee, AL 1:00 p.m.
11/25/10 - Alabama State University at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL 1:00 p.m.
(87th Turkey Day Classic)

*SIAC Conference Games

Bethune-Cookman draws Florida Gators in NCAA Regionals

B-CU draws UF in regionals

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Just as the NCAA baseball selection show was coming on Monday afternoon, the satellite dish at the local restaurant went on the blink due to a weather disturbance. "Don't they know that's the reason we're here," Bethune-Cookman coach Mervyl Melendez joked. But the satellite reception resumed just as the Gainesville Regional teams were being announced and the Wildcats lifted their heads from their conversations and meals long enough to find out their first regional opponent will be the Florida Gators for the second year in row.

Then they returned to their chicken wings and fries. No hoots, no cheers no applause. "We're used to it by now," senior pitcher Andrew Tilka said. "We expect to be someplace watching it every year. And we knew we'd be going to either Florida or Miami." The Wildcats will be playing in the regionals for the fifth straight year and for the 11th time in the past 12 years, but they are still looking for their first win over a No. 1 seed. They've never come closer than last year when they led 7-5 going into the bottom of the ninth where the Gators scored three runs to stave off the upset with an 8-7 win.

Gainesville Regional team capsules

Bethune-Cookman University, 2010 record: 35-20

Players to watch: C Peter O'Brien, 1B Ryan Durrence, OF DJ Leonard, P Roman Lacara

Of note: Sophomore ace Ali Simpson (6-1, 4.66 ERA) was suspended three games by the MEAC in the semifinals vs. North Carolina A&T for an in-game shoving incident. If the suspension holds, Simpson isn't eligible to pitch until game three of the regional as he sat out one game (the MEAC final).

Quotable: O'Sullivan on B-CU — "Obviously, we're real familiar with Bethune. We got rained out against them this year and they gave us everything we could handle last year (in the Gainesville Regional). They're very, very well coached and they're a good club and we'll have to play well (to beat the Wildcats Friday)."

Of note: This is Florida's 26th NCAA Regional appearance and the Gators have claimed seven titles. Five of those titles came while hosting in Gainesville. The Gators are a combined 37-6 all-time against FAU and Bethune-Cookman, including a 23-0 record against B-CU. If Oregon State and Florida meet, it will be the first time the two programs have played against each other.

Quotable: Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan: "We figured we'd be one of the eight (national seeds). That was the goal from the beginning of the season so we can host regionals, super regionals. It's awfully nice to play at home.“

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Grambling State to face Arkansas in NCAA Opener

Arkansas will host Grambling in the first round of the NCAA's Fayetteville Regional Friday at Baum Stadium. Arkansas announced that the Hogs would playing Grambling at 2:05 p.m. on Friday. No. 2 seed Washington State and No. 3 seed Kansas State will meet in the nightcap at 7:05. The winners will advance to play Saturday night at 7:05. The losing teams will play at 2:05 in an elimination game.

The Razorbacks (40-18) will host their first regional since 2007 and fourth in seven years while the Tigers will make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1985. Grambling (22-29) won the SWAC Tournament championship last week to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks were an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament.

Playing an afternoon game gives Razorbacks and Tigers a chance to get on the field first instead of waiting all day for the NCAA Tournament opener. If the Tigers win, they’ll have more than 24 hours to prepare for their next game. If they lose, they’ll still be the team with more rest heading into the elimination game. And when you’re dealing with the potential of playing four or five games in three or four days, any extra rest could prove very, very valuable.

Washington State (34-20) will travel to Fayetteville as the No. 2 seed in the regional and will face No. 3 seed Kansas State (36-20) on the first day. Arkansas and Washington State are no strangers to one another. The Razorbacks went 4-0 against the Cougars in 2009, winning 10-3 in the first game of the Norman Regional and sweeping Washington State in the season opener for both teams last year. The winner of the Fayetteville Regional will be paired with the winner of the Tempe Regional. Arizona State, the No. 1 overall seed, will headline that field.

Fayetteville Regional schedule:
Friday, June 4
Game 1 – Arkansas vs. Grambling – 2:05 p.m.
Game 2 – Washington State vs. Kansas State – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 5
Game 3 – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 – 2:05 p.m.
Game 4 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 2:05 p.m.
Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – 7:05 p.m.
Monday, June 7 (if necessary)
Game 7 – Same teams as in Game 6 – 7:05 p.m.

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Saint Augustine's College Successfully Defends Division II National Track and Field Crown

St. Augustine's earns men's Division II track title ‎

Saint Augustine’s dominated the sprints to claim the NCAA Division II men’s track and field title Saturday at Johnson C. Smith’s Irwin Belk Complex. The Falcons ran away with the men’s competition on the third day, outscoring second-place challenger Abilene Christian 82 to 62. Central Missouri finished third with 38 points. Angelo State won the women’s crown with 87 points, besting 2009 champion Lincoln (Mo.'s) 73. Grand Valley State was third with 47.
The Falcons won their 31st NCAA crown overall behind Josh Scott, who won the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes. Scott also anchored the winning 4x400 relay team and ran on the winning 4x100 squad. The host Golden Bulls had two sprinters in the top four places in the 400 men’s meters. Junior Leford Green finished second with a time of 45.68 seconds, behind Scott’s 45.11.

James Howell of Angelo State clocked in at 45.95 to capture third. Freshman Akino Ming was the only first time competitor in the event and placed fourth with a time of 45.96.
JCSU’s Shermaine Williams won the women’s 100 hurdles for the second straight year by with a time of 13.14 seconds. Indira Spence of Adams State placed second at 13.15, followed by JCSU’s Rosemarie Carty in 13.37. Scott’s time of 45.11 seconds in the 400 is the 10th fastest in Division II history, and the 4x400 team’s time of 3:04.95 was the fastest in Division II this season. It was about two seconds faster than second-place Angelo State.

Saint Aug's men do it again on track

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Longtime St. Augustine's track and field coach George Williams held up his index finger as he took a photo with the members of his winning 4x400-meter men's relay team at the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Championships late Saturday at Johnson C. Smith's Irwin Belk Complex. The gesture signified that his men's relay team had won yet another title in its signature event (18th in the past 24 years) and that his team had won again, as well.

The Falcons, paced by their sprinters and jumpers, took their second consecutive NCAA Division II men's outdoor track and field title, and 11th overall, and Josh Scott cemented it when he crossed the line to give his relay the victory in 3 minutes, 4.95 seconds. "We don't think about winning as much as people think we do," said Williams, who took over the program in 1976 and has coached U.S. World Championship, World Cup and Olympic teams. "We just come to perform at our best. If we win, that's a blessing."

Saint Augustine's College athletic director and head track and field coach George Williams:

"I just take what I get and try to mold them the best way I know how," said Williams, whose team started the day with just five points but totaled 82 to beat runner-up Abilene Christian by 20.

"Whether we're at the top or the bottom, we know we did the best we could. That's all we could do." Central Missouri's men finished third with 38 points. Johnson C. Smith's men tied for 11th, and Queens finished tied for 23rd. Angelo State won the women's crown with 87 points, 14 more than 2009 champion Lincoln (Mo.). Grand Valley State was third with 47 points. Queens was sixth, Johnson C. Smith was 10th, and St. Augustine's was 11th.

D-II Outdoor Track Championships: view gallery

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Division II 2010 Outdoor Track & Field All-Americans Announced

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Monday the 336 student-athletes that will receive USTFCCCA All-America honors in Division II. A total of 434 awards will be presented to the 336 individuals as a result of a national top-eight finish in last weekend’s NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Charlotte, N.C.

USTFCCCA All-America PDFs: By Team | By Event | Previous Award Recipients
Final National Team Ranking PDFs: Week-by-Week
NCAA Championship Scoring Summary

Saint Augustine’s College won the NCAA men’s team title for the second-straight year and for the 11th time overall. With 82 points and five event champions, the Falcons took the spot over Abilene Christian who scored 62. Saint Augustine’s men led with 20 individuals receiving All-America nods, followed by Angelo State (12) and Central Missouri and Lincoln (Mo.) (11).

On the women’s side, Angelo State also received 20 All-America certificates while Lincoln (Mo.) earned 16 nods and Grand Valley State tallied 13. Angelo State won their first NCAA team title, scoring 87 points with three event champions. Lincoln (Mo.) took second with 73 team points.

MEN’S NOTES

Saint Augustine’s College junior Josh Scott recorded double NCAA crowns in the 200 and 400 meters. Scott, the defending 400-meter champ won this year’s one-lapper in 45.11 over CIAA rival Leford Green of Johnson C. Smith University. Scott won the 200 meters in 20.53. Scott also claimed double relay NCAA national titles with a lead-off leg of the 4×100 (39.75) and as the anchor of the Falcons’ 4×400 (3:04.95).

JCSU's Green did win the 400-meter hurdles in a blazing time of 48.67. Only Olympic medalist Bershawn Jackson has run faster at an NCAA Division II Championship (48.50). Scott’s time also places him as a top-10 World performer in the event in 2010.

WOMEN’S NOTES

Sophomore Semoy Hackett of Lincoln (Mo.) reset the all-time Division II best in winning the women’s 200-meter dash in 22.75 and into a headwind (-0.5 m/s). Hackett topped what was the Division’s all-time best and NCAA meet record of 22.85 set in 1993 by Norfolk State’s Chandra Sturrup. Hackett also won the 100 meters, marking the second-straight year in which she earned the double-sprint win.

Johnson C. Smith University junior Shermaine Williams won a second-straight NCAA championship in the 100-meter hurdles, clutching victory over Adams State’s Indira Spence by an eyelash in a 13.14 to 13.15 photo finish.

In another thriller, Lincoln (Mo.) frosh Michelle Cumberbatch held off Angelo State multi-eventer Aisha Adams to clock a championships-meet record time of 56.85. Adams’ time of 56.93 was also under the 2006 meet record of 57.18 set by Lynnsey Dailey. Defending champ Christine Merrill of UC San Diego was third at 58.04.

Lincoln (Mo.) took the 4×100-meter crown for the second-straight year. This year’s squad of Kirlene Roberts, Semoy Hackett, Sudian Davis, and Tia Rolle clocked 44.73. Hackett and Davis were also on the 2009 squad that won the NCAA title.

Lincoln (Mo.) Racquel Anderson won the long jump over teammate and defending champ Anna Kay Campbell by virtue of second-best jumps. Anderson and Campbell both notched a best of 19-11½ (6.08m) in their opening jumps, but Anderson’s second-best mark of 19-6¼ (5.95m) on her fourth attempt bettered Campbell’s second-best, fifth-round attempt of 19-5½ (5.93m).

Fort Valley State junior Antionette Oglesby captured the NCAA title in the triple jump for the second-straight year, leaping to 42-6¼ (12.96m) this year to win by 17 inches.

HBCU MEN ALL-AMERICANS

200m Dash Antoine Thomas Albany State (Ga.)
400m Dash Antoine Thomas Albany State (Ga.)
Long Jump William Bailey Bowie State
4×100m Relay Aaron Allen Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay John Brown Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay Roger Chaney, Jr. Fort Valley State
100m Dash Keon Montgomery Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay Keon Montgomery Fort Valley State
400m Dash Leford Green Johnson C. Smith
400m Hurdles Leford Green Johnson C. Smith
400m Dash Akino Ming Johnson C. Smith
400m Hurdles Sabiel Anderson Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Sabiel Anderson Lincoln (Mo.)
400m Hurdles Steve Banton Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Steve Banton Lincoln (Mo.)
100m Dash Kimour Bruce Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Kimour Bruce Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Dwain Bryden Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Mandela Clifford Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Jean Nougues Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Rupert Smith Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Gavin Terrelonge Lincoln (Mo.)
Triple Jump Barry Batson Morehouse
100m Dash Lemario Bland Morehouse
00m Dash Antonio Abney Saint Augustine’s
400m Dash Antonio Abney Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Antonio Abney Saint Augustine’s
100m Dash Richard Boone Saint Augustine’s
200m Dash Richard Boone Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Richard Boone Saint Augustine’s
110m Hurdles Jason Boyd Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Jason Boyd Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Jason Boyd Saint Augustine’s
High Jump Christopher Copeland Saint Augustine’s
Long Jump Orolando Duffus Saint Augustine’s
Triple Jump Orolando Duffus Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Kelly Fisher Saint Augustine’s
200m Dash Josh Scott Saint Augustine’s
400m Dash Josh Scott Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Josh Scott Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Josh Scott Saint Augustine’s
110m Hurdles Steve Simeus Saint Augustine’s
100m Dash Sean Stuart Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Sean Stuart Saint Augustine’s
High Jump Hoova Taylor Virginia State
110m Hurdles Melvin Edison Virginia Union

HBCU WOMEN ALL-AMERICANS

Javelin Melinda Bastian Benedict
4×100m Relay Shankevia Burke Fort Valley State
Triple Jump Kiana Key Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay Tiffany Moore Fort Valley State
4×400m Relay Tiffany Moore Fort Valley State
Long Jump Antionette Oglesby Fort Valley State
Triple Jump Antionette Oglesby Fort Valley State
4×400m Relay Latonya Payne Fort Valley State
100m Dash Portia Wilson Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay Portia Wilson Fort Valley State
4×100m Relay Raven Wilson Fort Valley State
4×400m Relay Raven Wilson Fort Valley State
4×400m Relay Portia Wilson Fort Valley State
100m Hurdles Rosemarie Carty Johnson C. Smith
4×100m Relay Rosemarie Carty Johnson C. Smith
4×100m Relay Monique Kelly Johnson C. Smith
4×100m Relay Lakaevia Tyler Johnson C. Smith
100m Hurdles Shermaine Williams Johnson C. Smith
4×100m Relay Shermaine Williams Johnson C. Smith
Long Jump Racquel Anderson Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Anna Kay Campbell Lincoln (Mo.)
Long Jump Anna Kay Campbell Lincoln (Mo.)
100m Dash Nyoka Cole Lincoln (Mo.)
200m Dash Nyoka Cole Lincoln (Mo.)
400m Dash Nyoka Cole Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Nyoka Cole Lincoln (Mo.)
400m Hurdles Michelle Cumberbatch Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Michelle Cumberbatch Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Sudian Davis Lincoln (Mo.)
100m Dash Semoy Hackett Lincoln (Mo.)
200m Dash Semoy Hackett Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Semoy Hackett Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Keniesha Jones Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Kirlene Roberts Lincoln (Mo.)
4×100m Relay Tia Rolle Lincoln (Mo.)
4×400m Relay Sheena Johns Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Sheena Johnson Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Kyra Mobley Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Keisha Parris Saint Augustine’s
200m Dash Barbara Pierre Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Barbara Pierre Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Barbara Pierre Saint Augustine’s
4×100m Relay Angelique Smih Saint Augustine’s
400m Dash Angelique Smith Saint Augustine’s
4×400m Relay Angelique Smith Saint Augustine’s

Fayetteville State Broncos sign future stars

Football star makes decision to play for FSU ‎

Manteo, N.C. -- Manteo High School's C. J. Bailey accepted a full scholarship to Fayetteville State University and will play football for the school next year. “I was so excited when I got the news,” Bailey said. “I told my parents, and my mom freaked out and started kissing me and my dad was so proud.” Bailey has played football for the Redskins for four years. As a freshman, he played on the JV team. However, he has been on the varsity team for the past three years. “Football has [always] been my favorite sport,” Bailey said. “I really like scoring touchdowns and getting sacks. I really like the running back position too, I’ve played it for a long time and I get to score.”

“CJ has finished his career with 3,647 yards rushing, 40 touch downs, had a total of 366 tackles, 7 sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries. He has also been All-Conference for the past 2 years and was MVP for the past 2 years. CJ was the Four Rivers conference player of the year this year. All of these things are statistics that show he can play at that level. I think the most important thing is that he is just an all around good kid and a great leader,” head football coach Eddie Twyne said.
Bailey cites dedication and determination as two of the main reasons for how he go to where he is today. “I had to work hard and commit myself to get to the point that I am at,” Bailey said. While attending FSU, Bailey plans pursue a degree in physical education.

During the 2009 season, the 5-11/205 running back had 184 carries for 2,002 yards and 25 touchdowns--a whooping 10.88 yards per carry average. C.J. longest run was 94 yards. On defense, playing at line backer position, C.J. had 55 solo tackles, assisted on 82 others for a 137 season total. On special teams, Bailey averaged 62.8 years on five returns, and had one return of 95 yards. Too say the least, this fellow can play football! CJ lead Manteo High School in 2009 to a 12-1 season record and the second round of the Class 1-A state playoffs.

Tiffany Locklear Signs with Broncos!

‎

PEMBROKE, N.C. - When it came down for Purnell Swett's High School Tiffany Locklear to chose a college to continue her softball career at, she wanted to find one that felt like a family. Locklear believes she found what she was looking for when she signed a letter of intent to attend Fayetteville State. "They have a good softball program and the coach Miguel Justiniano is easy to get along with," said Locklear. "It felt not only like a softball team, but a family. It's not too far down the road so my family can come support me and watch most of my home games."

Besides the campus' proximity to her home, Locklear was looking for an opportunity to play as a freshman. "There's an opportunity to play there at shortstop," Locklear said. "The coach came to a couple of my games and has assigned me to shortstop. It's right there for me." The senior is currently hitting .424 with a double and 13 runs batted in for the Rams, who are the No. 3 seed out of the Southeastern Conference. Locklear also plays with the Dixie Diamondbacks, a traveling softball team. She hit .408 last summer and helped the team to finish first in four of the eight tournaments the team played in, as well as a third place finish in the World Fastpitch Connection A Class World Series.

Purnell Swett coach James Graves said Locklear has been a pleasure to coach because she puts the team above her personal achievements.

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