Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Top Stories of the Year, No. 6: Grizzle makes most of college change

Marquise Grizzle
SALISBURY, North Carolina  --  While destroying defenses as the Daily Advance Football Player of the Year in 2011, Currituck running back Marquise Grizzle was known for his ability to change directions quickly.

That proved useful after Grizzle’s plans to attend Murray State on a football scholarship fell through in the middle of the summer when was unable to meet the school’s academic requirements.

Grizzle, who rushed for a mind-boggling 3,085 yards and 50 touchdowns as a senior, didn’t let the Murray State setback trap him, however.

Within weeks he signed with Division II Shaw, where he was eligible to play immediately.

Currituck coach John Wheeler said he was “devastated” when he found out Grizzle, the first Knight football player to sign with a Division I program since 1981, would not be able to play at Murray State, a Kentucky school which competes in the Football Championship Subdivision.

“We looked at our options after we were notified and we were lucky we could get him a scholarship to Shaw,” Wheeler said. “They did a great job of recruiting him and staying in touch.”
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Collie takes big step for FAMU Rattlers

TALLAHASSEE, Florida   --   Forward Patrice Collie wasn’t quite expecting the gist of a conversation that she had with coach LeDawn Gibson to be what it turned out to be when they talked before the season began for the FAMU women’s basketball team.

Collie was expecting to hear about how much more would be expected of her at the small forward position. Instead Gibson informed Collie that she would have to take on the more physical role of playing power forward because academics and injuries had reduced the Rattlers’ personnel in the post.

Collie obliged and went about preparing for the role. Not just in the weight room and on the floor, though.

“I had to get my head right because I knew I would be facing girls that are way bigger than me,” Collie said. “It’s not about your size; it’s about your heart.”

Collie, a 5-foot-11 junior college transfer from Indian River State College, put her soul into the role too, many nights playing more than 25 minutes. She turned in a double-double (10 rebounds and 13 points against Stetson), averaging 5.4 rebounds per game, with 7.4 points per game.


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Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holidays!

Oh, baby! Hamilton looks forward to her life after Xavier


NEW ORLEANS — When Xavier University of Louisiana announced the hiring of Christabell Hamilton in June 2011 as women's volleyball head coach, Hamilton expressed the need for her new student-athletes to "represent their families in a positive light" and that growing up in American Samoa made her "very family oriented."

Ultimately — and not surprisingly — family responsibilities ended Hamilton's incredibily successful 17-month tenure at Xavier.
    

Her husband, Ronnie, left New Orleans in July. An assistant men's basketball coach at Tulane from 2010-12, Ronnie Hamilton accepted a new position on coach James Dickey's staff at Houston. It's a fact that modern-day college coaches can change jobs and domiciles quickly and unexpectedly. For Christabell Hamilton and her rising XU program — which in 2011 posted its first winning season, won its first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and made its first appearance in the NAIA National Championship — this was the worst possible news.
 
Hamilton's Gold Nuggets were 45-15 overall in two seasons.

"We weren't planning to move," Hamilton said, "but Houston contacted Ronnie and made him a great offer. It happened very quickly."

Added to this plot was a new recruit: Hamilton's first pregnancy. She learned of her condition in May and is due Feb. 9. (The ultrasound says it's a girl.) What to do next?

"You could see that I was being pulled in a few directions," Hamilton said. "I wanted to coach (the 2012 season) because I didn't want to let those players down. It was so close to the start of the season. I had a large freshman class that I recruited, and I felt an obligation to them. But there was zero chance of a commuter marriage long term. I knew I would have to leave Xavier and New Orleans."
    

Hamilton broke the news to XU athletics director Dennis Cousin and asked for permission to coach one more season. He agreed without hesitation.

"Christabell did us a tremendous favor by staying on for one more season," Cousin said. "She didn't have to stay. She could've gone to Houston with her husband immediately. We were going to support her and give her our blessings no matter what she decided. But we were thankful that she stayed."
    

When Xavier's preseason practice began in early August, none of her players knew what had transpired the month before. The first day the 2012 team assembled, Hamilton broke the news . . . eventually.

"I couldn't get it out," Hamilton said. "It took 15 minutes for me to get it out and tell the players what was happening. There were a lot of tears. But I was

so glad they got to hear it from me first."
    

After the eyes dried, Hamilton and the Gold Nuggets set out to assimilate eight freshmen and maintain the excellence they created a year earlier. They succeeded, winning a school-record 11 consecutive road matches and repeating as GCAC regular-season and tournament champions. They became the first HBCU (historically black college or university) to make consecutive appearances at the NAIA volleyball national tournament.


The Gold Nuggets were 28-0 against GCAC opponents the past two seasons.

Hamilton became the second coach to win conference championships in each of the first two seasons of an XU tenure. The Nuggets clinched the GCAC regular-season championship by rallying from a two-set deficit against SUNO in XU's final appearance at The Barn on Nov. 1. Nine days later, they swept Tougaloo in the GCAC tourney final and extended their two-year run against GCAC opponents to 28-0. Overall, the Gold Nuggets were 45-15 in Hamilton's two seasons — 23-7 in 2011 and 22-8 in 2012.
    

"If you had told me when I started that we would do all that in the first two years, I probably would've laughed at you," Hamilton said.
    

But Hamilton faced challenges in her final season. First, there was the separation from her husband. "It didn't hit me when I was at work and when we were practicing and playing," Hamilton said. "But it hit me when I got home every night to that empty apartment. There were several doctor's appointments where I went by myself because Ronnie was in Houston." Citing a need to be around people, Hamilton moved to another apartment in October with two roommates. She felt better immediately.

Then there were the physical demands of her pregnancy, increasing as late-season matches coincided with the end of her second trimester.

"One time during the conference tournament, I got really flustered and slammed my clipboard on the floor," Hamilton said. "And when I did that, I felt a rush of heat. I just sat down and didn't say a word to the team. I told (assistant) Hannah (Lawing) to coach the team for awhile. (Trainer) Tiffany (Gary) was worried about me dehydrating and made me drink some water.
    

"Then at Georgetown (at nationals), I felt a sharp pain in my left side after I called a timeout. I had to catch myself from falling. I knew I needed to slow down because there's a life inside of me."
    

But, more than a month since the season ended, baby girl Hamilton is doing fine, mom-to-be reports. No problems. Life is good.
    

Xavier formally announced Hamilton's departure — and the promotion of Lawing to head coach — on Dec. 11. But many of the players shared their feelings about Hamilton in the final home-match program of the season. Here's what they said:
    

Sophomore Jeanay Butler: "Coach Hamilton is someone I look up to and respect very much. She has never given up on me. Wherever she goes she lightens up the room. It is upsetting to see her go as she is a great coach, but I wish her and her family the very best."    
Freshman Jodi Chatters: "Coach Hamilton is very compassionate. She is always here for us on and off the court."    
Junior Kerris Crier: "I'll miss Coach Hamilton a lot. She is a beautiful, kind person and will be a great mother. She is an awesome coach that is very understanding, has patience, and knows a heck of a lot about volleyball. I love her and will miss her dearly, and I know she will make an impact wherever she goes and definitely the next place she coaches at, just like she did here at Xavier."
Sophomore Chinedu Echebelem: "It has been a blessing to be able to play under Coach Hamilton. I love having a coach who knows when it’s time to be serious and when it’s time to be playful and funny. I will always have a special bond with coach, not only as my coach but also as a friend."
Freshman Jodi Hill: "Coach knows that in this day and age women can still be degraded. But she’s constantly telling us that we must respect ourselves, work hard and set goals. Furthermore, that we have the power to attain all our goals. That is a great mentality!"
Sophomore Moira Kirk: "Thanks for being more than just an amazing coach. Your presence and guidance in my life will always hold a special place in my heart as an athlete and person! You will truly be missed!"
Freshman Franziska Pirkl: "Coach Hamilton is a very understanding person. Even though she is merciless on the court, she is always ready to listen to our wishes or concerns."
Sophomore Taylor Reuther: "Christabell has really taught me many things about volleyball and life in general. She has enhanced my game as a player on the court, but she really has made me the person I am today. I’m so lucky to have spent two years with her and have her help shape the person I am today, and I will be forever thankful to her for that. She is more than just a coach, she is a mentor. She is always there whenever you need her, and she always gives you her advice whether you want to hear it or not, which is a good thing. Things definitely won’t be the same without her, but I wish her the best in life. I love you lots, Coach! Thank you so much for everything."
Freshman CeCe Williams: "It was a pleasure having you as a coach! I will miss you and will never forget the great memories that we shared as a team. Good luck with everything! I love youuuu" 

 
When the 2012 season ended with a four-set loss at 13th-ranked Georgetown (Ky.) in the opening round of nationals, Hamilton did not cry. That surprised a few players, but not the coach.

"That was not the place for crying," Hamilton said. "I was more proud of the performance. Our freshmen weren't afraid. They played all out. They accomplished what I set out to teach them before the season started. Our group of freshmen and sophomores played older than you would expect."
    

The plan in Houston is clear. Hamilton is a full-time wife, and soon she will become a full-time mother. Coaching again may be on the table one day, but for now it's on the back-burner. Hamilton, though sad about leaving Xavier, is thrilled about the next chapter of her life.
    

"I am a product of two parents being there for their children," Hamilton said. "I want to pass that on to my child. I want to take my daughter to practice, to dance rehearsals and plays. I want to be around for all the important moments in her life. Being a parent will be challenging, but I'm not afraid."
    

Although Hamilton calls coaching "a passion of mine," she doesn't foresee a return to college coaching. "Maybe club, maybe middle school, maybe high school," she said. "A club team would probably be best because I could set my own hours. I would like to be around college athletics one day. Maybe as an academic adviser, maybe in promotions. We'll see."

The next best thing to returning to college athletics will be for Hamilton to maintain ties with her 2012 team. That would fit well in her family oriented world.
    

"I told the players that it's not the end of our relationship," Hamilton said. "I said they can visit me in Houston, and I will come back to watch them play. We will have a bond of friendship that will last a lifetime."
 
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

Column: BSC sports are improving — and deserving of support

BIG BLUE
BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE
BLUEFIELD, West Virginia  — The times, they are a-changing.

For those too young to know, those are lyrics from a popular Bob Dylan song of the 1960s. The phrase can also be used to describe the basketball programs at Bluefield State College.

J.J. Oliver is in his third year as head coach of the Lady Blues and has assembled a roster that is not only complete, but competing, proven by the early success of the team this year.

In his two previous seasons there have been at most nine players on the roster, and many times the Lady Blues began games with six, or seven players in uniform.

This year all the seats on the bench are full and it is commonplace to see Oliver use a 10-lady rotation during the games, which so far has been a success for the Lady Blues.

Bluefield State defeated WVIAC foe Alderson-Broaddus this past week to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Furthermore, the BSC women are riding a four-game winning streak.

Coaching at Bluefield State is a difficult task, unique when compared to all the other schools in the WVIAC. Unlike Concord, West Virginia State, Glenville State, or any school in the conference, BSC does not have on-campus housing. It is the only commuter school in the conference.

As such, coaches face difficulty when it comes to recruting because they do not have, nor can they offer housing, or even a meal plan for students. In past years we have seen many athletes, both men and women play one year at BSC and depart. Retention has been a major problem for especially the basketball programs.

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gold Nuggets' Reuther selected first-team All-Louisiana

TAYLOR REUTHER
NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Taylor Reuther was a first-team selection on the All-Louisiana women's volleyball team announced late Saturday.

It's the second consecutive year that Reuther -- a 5-foot-7 sophomore outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School -- was named All-Louisiana. She made the second team in 2011.

Reuther led the Gold Nuggets in kills, aces and digs for the second consecutive season and led the NAIA in aces per set. She was third-team Capital One Academic All-America® and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Reuther's coach, Christabell Hamilton, was the runner-up for Coach of the Year. Hamilton, the winner of this award in 2011, lost 6-5 in the voting to Northwestern State's Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman, who led the Lady Demons to their first winning season since 1987. Hamilton recently resigned after two seasons at Xavier and was replaced by her assistant, Hannah Lawing.

Xavier was 22-8 in 2012 and, for the second consecutive year, won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the All-Louisiana team, which consists of players from NCAA Division I and NAIA members.


2012 All-Louisiana Volleyball

First Team
Stacey DiFrancesco, Northwestern State
Courtney Donald, Southeastern Louisiana
Desiree Elliott, LSU
Mandi Gandi, Louisiana-Lafayette
Madie Jones, LSU
Taylor Reuther, Xavier
Libero: Meghan Mannari, LSU

Second Team
Carolyn Baker, Dillard
Courtni Bauer, McNeese State
Helen Boyle, LSU
Blair Claypoole, Louisiana-Lafayette
Cori Martone, Tulane
Emily Sweet, Northwestern State
Libero: Keelie Arneson, Northwestern State

Player of the Year: Courtney Donald, Southeastern Louisiana
Libero of the Year: Meghan Mannari, LSU
Freshman of the Year: Caiti O’Connell, Northwestern State
Coach of the Year: Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman, Northwestern State

Honorable Mention
Caitlyn Auxillen, Louisiana-Lafayette; Maria Coelho, Louisiana Tech; Caiti O’Connell, Northwestern State; Lavinia Tataran, Louisiana-Lafayette

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

WSSU Rams will have to make history another day

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Devout Winston-Salem State football fans are very likely still feeling the nagging numbness of last weekend’s 35-7 loss to Valdosta State (Ga.) in the NCAA Division II championship game. Watching your favorite team go into out-of-sync mode in the biggest game of the year can be a hard pill to swallow.

It wouldn’t be surprising to learn there are still folks out there who are endlessly analyzing what transpired in Florence, Ala. a few days ago. From the WSSU perspective, the game certainly had its share of what ifs and would’ves and could’ves and should’ves. Nevertheless, no amount of conjecturing can erase reality.



For now, history will have to wait. Florida A&M still has bragging rights as the only black college to ever win an NCAA football championship. It’s still true that no HBCU has ever won it all in Division II football.

The outcome of Saturday’s game is not the end of the line. It’s really a continuation of a vision that Connell Maynor brought to Winston-Salem State when he assumed command as head football coach three years ago. The Rams seem to be well on their way to firmly establishing themselves as possibly the Alabama of Division II.

Maynor’s playoff resume (5-2) against the nation’s best says a lot. Keep in mind that the two losses came in the national semifinals and the national championship game in back-to-back years. You can’t come much closer to winning a national title than that.

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