Thursday, June 27, 2013

Florida A&M Lifts Suspension of 'Marching 100' Band



TALLAHASSEE, Florida  —  FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson announced at a press conference today that he has lifted the suspension on the Marching “100,” highlighting the sweeping changes the university has implemented during the past year and a half to address hazing.

“When considering all of the measures we have put in place, I believe this constitutes us having the right conditions,” said Larry Robinson. “Our newly appointed Director of Marching and Pep Bands, Dr. Sylvester Young, will decide when the band is ready for public performances.

We have created a comprehensive anti-hazing plan in which we:

• Revised the BOT Anti-Hazing policy;
• Revised the Student Code of Conduct procedures;
• Implemented enhanced procedures for reporting and investigating hazing allegations;
• Launched a new anti-hazing website, StopHazingFAMU.com;
• Awarded funding to FAMU faculty and students for research on hazing prevention;
• Created two unique positions to provide a comprehensive approach to implement the anti-hazing initiatives, hired a special assistant to the President for anti-hazing, and a music compliance officer — to make sure that all music department ensembles including the band meet all standards to be eligible to perform.
• Scheduled campus training and forums and anti-hazing sessions.
• Enhanced the membership intake process for clubs and organizations;
• Revised the organizational structure of the Department of Music and hired a new Director of Marching and Pep Bands; and

“As a result of these actions, it helped us respond more swiftly and decisively to deal with allegations of hazing in any university groups, emphasizing our zero tolerance approach to hazing,” said Robinson.

In May of this year, the university launched anti-hazing tour conceived by our students featuring the Music Department ensembles, reaching out to students in three counties in South Florida.

According to Sylvester Young, the director of Marching and Pep Bands, he is continuing his assessment of the band. Since his appointment in May, Dr. Young has been communicating with the University in scheduled sessions regarding the right conditions needed for the return of the Marching “100.” He officially reported to work June 14.

“We are looking at the faculty who will be involved in the band under the new structure, the maximum and minimum sizes of musical units needed for standard of excellence we’ve grown accustom to. We are also assessing equipment, uniforms, pre-drill activities and other related processes to determine our readiness,” said Young. “As soon as the assessment is completed, we will announce when the first public performance is scheduled.”

Young said that he is honored to be back at FAMU and is excited about preparing the band for its first performance.



COURTESY: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

Hampton University's McCorory aims for podium at world championships after running personal best at nationals



HAMPTON, Virginia --  From Richmond to Rome, from Des Moines to Daegu, Olympic gold medalist Francena McCorory has run hundreds of races. Never had she blazed 400 meters like this.

At the USA outdoor track championships Saturday in Iowa, McCorory ran a personal best of 50.01 seconds to qualify for her second world championships. But it wasn't good enough.

It wasn't good enough to beat Natasha Hastings, and it certainly wasn't good enough to satisfy her coach.

"She should have won that race," said Maurice Pierce, McCorory's coach since her college days at Hampton University.

Pierce contends and McCorory confesses that she ran the first 200 meters "too relaxed," allowing Hastings to build a margin that withstood McCorory's strong finish.

"I thought I had it in me," McCorory said of her career best. "It's been my goal for awhile to run under 49 seconds, and 50.01 is pretty darn close."



Natasha Hastings. Francena McCorory. Ashley Spencer -- that's your World Championship team.

Hastings' 49.94 is the second fastest time in the world. She was in complete control the whole time, but McCorory was charging hard in the final 50m. She's now #3 in the world.  Entering the U.S. Championships, McCorory was #2 in the world and Hastings was #4. The third spot was up for grabs and the two-time NCAA 400m champ came up big. Fighting all the way to the line, Illinois' Ashley Spencer went from fifth to third in the final few steps and will continue her season in Moscow.

CONTINUE READING

Hampton University Olympian Kellie Wells finishes 4th in U.S. Outdoor Championships



DES MOINES, Iowa --  Brianna Rollins broke the 13-year-old American record in the 100-meter hurdles, running the fastest time in the world since 1988. Her world-leading 12.26 seconds (shattering Gail Devers’ mark of 12.33), made world and Olympic champion Sally Pearson of Australia tweet that she would have to bring her “A++ game to Worlds.”

Rollins, the NCAA champ from Clemson who just turned pro, finished comfortably ahead of Queen Harrison, a 2008 Olympian in the 400-meter hurdles, whose time of 12.43 equaled sixth on the U.S. all-time list. Nia Ali, the 2011 NCAA champion, had a personal best of 12.48 to edge 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Kellie Wells (12.54) and two-time Olympic hurdler and Olympic bobsled hopeful Lolo Jones (12.55).

Dawn Harper Nelson, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist, competed in the preliminaries and withdrew, knowing her 2011 world title assured her of the fourth U.S. berth in Moscow.

CONTINUE READING

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

NCAA Clears Two ASU Hornet Teams For Postseason Play

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The Alabama State University women's volleyball and baseball teams have been cleared to participate in postseason competition in the upcoming 2013-14 season.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) informed ASU of its decision, which will allow the women's volleyball and baseball teams to be eligible to qualify for, and compete in, Southwestern Athletic Conference championship tournaments, and subsequent NCAA Tournament play if postseason bids are won.

Alabama State still awaits decisions on the NCAA's previously announced postseason bans for its football and men's basketball programs for the upcoming season.

"We believe this decision is evidence of progress, showing that changes we have implemented, both in programs and personnel, are providing positive measureable results," Alabama State Interim President Dr. William H. Harris said. "We are pleased and appreciative of the decision rendered by the NCAA in regards to our women's volleyball and baseball programs regaining their postseason eligibility. We will continue our commitment to ensure all athletic programs meet and exceed established standards, and remain optimistic for favorable outcomes for our football and men's basketball programs."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

GW Men's Hoops to Prep for 2013-14 With Bowie State Exhibition

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  The 2013-14 George Washington men's basketball team will hit the Charles E. Smith Center's newly designed hardwood for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 2 with an exhibition contest against the Bowie State Bulldogs. 

It marks the third time in the last four seasons that GW will be tested by the local NCAA Division II program in an exhibition at the Smith Center. The Colonials posted an 82-64 victory in November 2010 and a 92-65 triumph over the then No. 8 nationally ranked Bulldogs before Coach Mike Lonergan's debut 2011-12 season.

GW has gone 9-0 in exhibition games since 2004 when the NCAA required Division I programs to face college teams, including last season's 72-46 victory over district Division III foe Catholic. Isaiah Armwood, one of five starters set to return for the Colonials in 2013-14, grabbed 16 rebounds against the Cardinals in his first-ever appearance for the Buff and Blue.

Bowie State enters its fifth season under the direction of Darrell Brooks, a former GW assistant coach and 1979 BSU alumnus who has led the Bulldogs to a 77-36 mark during his tenure. BSU is coming off a 16-14 season in 2012-13 during which it captured the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title en route to its second NCAA D-II Tournament appearance in the past three seasons.

Be sure to check back to GWsports.com each day until the release of season tickets on July 8 as a new men's basketball non-conference event is announced and broken down by Coach Lonergan.

2013-14 George Washington Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. Bowie State - Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, DC

COURTESY GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU's William Bennett Named Best In NCAA FCS


William Jerrod Bennett
(Courtesy: FAMU Athletics)
 TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Since 2006, all Rattler football coaches have come to depend on the craft of one of it’s behind-the-scenes most valuable players.  William Jerrod Bennett has been responsible for logging every practice, scrimmage and game for the Rattlers for the last seven years.

Affectionately known as “Will” by all who encounter him, Bennett was recognized by his peers as the best in the FCS by the Collegiate Sports Video Association on May 16.  He was awarded the Bob Matey National Video Coordinator of the Year Award for his professionalism, engagement of new technologies and innovation.  Bennett stays on the cutting edge of technology, allowing the best possible imagery and ease of use for all of the coaches.

“I like the fact that most of the coaches call me coach.  It relates to the fact that I’m the first line of defense.  I am the first person to make contact with an opposing team, as I contact them to exchange game film.  I then have to break that down before our coaches even see it.  It’s a tremendous responsibility, but it’s one of the things I enjoy about this position,” Bennett said.

Bennett came to FAMU in 2006 after leaving the U.S. Army, where he was a communications specialist.  He is a native of Plant City, Fla., and held a post at Florida’s News Channel before coming to FAMU.

Bennett not only assists the football staff, but all 18 sports at Florida A&M.  He often travels with other sports to ensure that they are getting the coverage, practice footage and game recordings necessary to be successful.  Bennett has integrated the use of GoPro cameras for point-of-view photography, as well as migrating from standard definition to high definition.  “When I first started in the video coordinating field, we used VHS tapes.  Today we use mini DV tapes, but I am migrating our system to a tapeless setup.  Our coaches need every technological advantage I can give them,” Bennett said.

Head coach Earl Holmes has relied upon Bennett’s craft to evaluate his defenses.  “When I was defensive coordinator, good video was critical to showing the result of a strategy, or reviewing what went wrong.  I’m not surprised at all that Will was recognized for his efforts.  This is a chance for the world to see what we already knew.  It’s an honor to have him on our team,” Holmes concluded.

“One of the most rewarding things is to be able to see the players grow from freshmen to seniors.  Watching them improve their abilities, talent and maturity level, and knowing that you are a part of that is one of the big rewards of this job.  I also get the opportunity to mentor some of the athletes as well.  Often times athletes come to me with issues that they feel comfortable discussing with me.  That’s when I have to switch hats to a life coach, because these kids are at a turning point in their lives, and they need encouragement and guidance,” Bennett said.

Bennett looks at his responsibility as a challenge to always deliver for the coaches.  To be recognized by his peers takes that responsibility to a whole new dimension.  “I was surprised and shocked to be voted on by my peers.  It is truly a humbling recognition.  With my military background, I take this award seriously, but can’t rest on it.  I feel I have to continue to deliver for our coaches even if it isn’t recognized by anybody but them.  Right now, I feel like FAMU is in position to have a great athletic year, and I’m ready to do my part to continue to make our teams successful,” Bennett concluded.

by Florida A&M Sports Information

Ball in CIAA’s court for tournament host

League considers negotiating extension for Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  The CIAA doesn’t have a home for 2015, but Charlotte will get a long look.

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter said league officials are weighing whether to extend Charlotte as host city or put the tournament up to the highest bidder next month.

“We’re continuing to refine the vision for the ideal tournament and how best to deliver the vision, so the conversation will continue moving forward,” she said. “We’re doing our homework right now to determine how best to move in this process, both with Charlotte and the long-term best interests for the conference.” Charlotte boosters, headed by regional visitors authority chief Tom Murray, have pushed for an exclusive negotiation period to extend the tournament’s contract after it expires in 2014. CIAA board of directors – comprised of the league’s 12 presidents and chancellors – haven’t made a commitment yet, but are considering its options.

“I think before we make any ...