Florida A&M Student Garners National Boxing Title, Featured in Sports Illustrated

Photo: A sneak peek of Willie Ferrell's feature in the April 14 edition
of Sports Illustrated.  
Image courtesy: Sports Illustrated.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) is the home of the 2014 U.S. Intercollegiate Boxing Association’s heavyweight champion.

FAMU student Willie Ferrell not only took home the championship belt earlier this month, but also defended his title as the 2013 heavyweight champion.

Ferrell’s journey to triumph in the boxing ring is depicted in the April 14 issue of Sports Illustrated, which is available now on newsstands and online.

The multi-page feature in Sports Illustrated also stories Ferrell’s extraordinary relationship with his late brother Jonathan, a former Rattler football player, whose controversial 2013 death has been attributed to alleged racial profiling.

Ferrell’s inspiring story of how his brother, even in death, encouraged him to defend his title is also told in an upcoming issue of FAMU’s A&M magazine.

“I was proud to represent my brother. I was proud that I was able to show the world what FAMU has to offer,” said Ferrell about what it felt like to be handed the championship belt once again.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Five Former Florida A&M University Presidents Issue Statement in Opposition to Split of FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Joint Statement From Five Former FAMU Presidents

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  As former leaders of Florida A&M University, we oppose the move to decouple the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and consider this a sudden and unplanned act, void of discussion and input from the current leadership of the two universities, the university Boards of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. This action sends the wrong message to the citizens of Florida, and other interested parties, about how the Legislature and academic institutions should interact.

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is a strong program that represents a successful collaboration for the State of Florida between two research institutions with elements of their student populations woefully underrepresented in engineering disciplines. Through this long-term collaborative effort, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has received high praise for addressing this nationwide dilemma.

A second program in Tallahassee would compromise the integrity of what is already a very successful venture. Furthermore, one can only look to our sister university, Florida Polytechnic University, to see how expensive it is to support a stand-alone engineering program in today's economy. In fact, a major focus of the Florida Board of Governors over the past few years has been a concerted effort to reduce duplication of academic programs throughout the State University System.

Proposing such a drastic change without any obvious consideration or discussion of the above factors is surprising and not in the best interest of our State University System or the citizens of Florida. As an alternative, we request that the Legislature provide additional support to our existing program, which has produced successful graduates for both Florida A&M University and Florida State University since 1982.

With all due respect to the power and authority of the Legislature to appropriate funding, we respectfully request engagement in a collaborative process to include both academic institutions and our governing bodies to determine how such funding will be used to build on our past successes. We are pleased to work transparently within appropriate guidelines and authorities to create life-changing opportunities for students in Florida to pursue a quality education in engineering through the joint engineering program.

Sincerely,

/s/
Walter Smith, Ph.D. (President 1977-1985)
Frederick Humphries, Ph.D. (President 1985-2001)
Fred Gainous, Ph.D. (President 2002-2004)
James Ammons, Ph.D. (President 2007-2012)
Larry Robinson, Ph.D. (Interim President 2012-2014)


READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Letter from Mangum to Gov Scott_4.10.2014
FAMU calls for $100M for new engineering school 
Commentary: FAMU-FSU School School of Engineering, Letters to Governor Rick Scott
Chuck Hobbs: Analysis of Potential Litigation Regarding the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown Says Separate is Inherently Unequal
Our Opinion: Attack on engineering school stinks
Joseph Webster Commentary: No black engineers, please! Just ballplayers

CIAA Baseball Honors: 2014 All-Conference Teams, Top Rookies and Players of the Year Announced

HAMPTON, Virginia  --   CIAA Baseball Player of the Year is Ray Crawford, an outfielder for Winston-Salem State University.  Crawford leads the conference in RBI (59) and has the second leading batting average (.382) in CIAA baseball.  He's scored 35 runs in 44 games and leads the conference in hits with 63.

Chowan University's Tanner Woods is the CIAA Baseball Rookie of the Year.  Woods is a third baseman for the Hawks.  He ranks second in the conference in doubles (14) sporting a .306 batting average in 40 games.

The All-Conference and Rookie Teams will be honored at the 2014 CIAA Spring Sports Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00pm on the campus of Virginia State University.

All-CIAA Baseball First Team
# | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HT | HOMETOWN
Right Handed Pitcher: #14 | Colton Gunn | VSU | SO. | 6'3 | Dinwiddie, VA
Left Handed Pitcher: #15 | Byran Rivera | SAU | Jr. | 6'1 | Puerto Rico
Catcher: #1 | David Markins | VSU | FR. | 5'11 | Colonial Heights, VA
Designated Hitter: #25 | Ryan Moore | CU | Sr. | 6'2 | Chester, VA
Utility: #2 | Tyler Burden | CU | So. | 6'0 | Aulander, NC
First Base: #26 | William Thomas | SAU | SO. | 5'11 | Yorktown, VA
Second Base: #14 | Rafael Gonzalez | WSSU | SR. | 5'10 | Caracas, VZ
Third Base: #11 | Joshua Markins | VSU | JR. | 6'0 | Colonial Heights, VA
Short Stop: #23 | Nicholas Christopher | VSU | JR. | 6'1 | Dinwiddie, VA
Outfield:
#23 | Ray Crawford | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Greensboro, NC
#8 | Leland Clemmons | WSSU | JR. | 5'9 | Chesapeake, VA
#1 | Gavin Culler | WSSU | FR | 5'9 | Clemmons, NC

Player of the Year:
#23 | Ray Crawford | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Greensboro, NC
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, in conjunction with the CIAA Baseball Coaches Association, announces its selections for the 2014 All-Conference Teams, All-Rookie Team and Players of the Year.

All-CIAA Baseball Second Team
Right Handed Pitcher: #12 | Scott Wells | WSSU | SR. | 6'0 | Kernersville, NC
Left Handed Pitcher: #34 | Wes Helsabeck | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Rural Hall, NC
Catcher: #30 | Connor Andrus | WSSU | Jr. | 5'10 | Winston-Salem, NC
Designated Hitter: #2 | Darien Hardaway | SAU | SR. | 6'2 | Atlanta, GA
Utility: #9 | Anthony Nutall | WSSU | Sr. | 5'7 | Kankakee, IL
First Base: #24 | John Hunter | CU | Sr.  | 6'1 | Hertford, NC
Second Base: #4 | Calvin Butcher | SAU | SR. | 5'9 | Dewey Beach, DE
Third Base: #6 | Tanner Woods |  | Fr. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA
Short Stop: #4 | Colby Wiggins | CU | Sr. | 5'10 | Gloucester, VA
Outfield:
#7 | Jason Baytop | SAU | SO. | 6'0 | Manchester, MD
#5 | Jamie Scott | SAU | SR. | 5'10 | Hampton, VA
#23 | Clarence Peace | SAU | SR. | 6'0 | Creedmoor, NC

Baseball All-Rookie Team
# | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HT | HOMETOWN
Right Handed Pitcher: #10 | Stephen Hux | CU | FR. | 6'2 | Hampton, VA
Catcher: #3 | Matt Wisniewski | CU | FR. | 5'9 | Williamston, NC
Utility: #4 | Ronald Lashley | LU | FR. | 5'4 | Brooklyn, NY
First Base: #32 | Kyle Cross | CU | FR. | 6'3 | Grimesland, NC
Third Base: #6 | Tanner Woods | CU | FR. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA
Short Stop: #9 | DeVante Parker | LU | FR. | 5'9 | Bear, DE
Outfield:
#1 | Gavin Culler | WSSU | FR. | 5'9 | Clemmons, NC
#22 | Latuan Boggerty | LU | FR. | 5'10 | Dover, DE

Rookie of the Year:
#6 | Tanner Woods | CU | FR. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA

COURTESY THECIAA.COM

Delaware State Names Keith Walker as Hornets' Head Men's Basketball Coach

DOVER, Delaware  -- DSU President Harry L. Williams today announced the hiring of Keith Walker – who served as the interim Delaware State men’s head coach for the last third of the 2013-2014 season – as the permanent Hornet men’s head basketball coach.

In announcing the head coaching appointment, Dr. Williams said that Walker made a strong case for himself by the way he took over the leadership of the team and energized the players as interim coach.

“Coach Walker did everything we asked of him when he agreed to be the interim head coach in last month of the past season,” Dr. Williams said. “He stabilized the team, resulting in a more competitive unit on the court and a higher winning percentage.”

The DSU president commended the search committee, noting that it ultimately came up with a group of strong finalists for the post. “The fact that Walker emerged from this tough search process as the head coach selection reflects well on his most recent interim performance as well as on his long-time dedicated service as assistant coach,” Dr. Williams added.



DSU Director of Athletics Candy Young said the team’s performance under his interim leadership has led to the conclusion that he can move the men’s basketball program in the right direction. “The players responded positively to his coaching during his interim tenure and we believe that trend will continue and result in greater success for the Hornet men’s basketball program with Walker at the helm,” she said.

Walker said that he is “very appreciative” of the head coaching opportunity. “I look forward to getting this men’s basketball program back to the championship level where it used to be,” the new head coach said.

Walker, a DSU men’s basketball assistant coach since July 2000, was appointed as interim Hornet head coach on Jan. 30, 2014. In the subsequent 11 games, Walker led the Hornets to a 5-6 overall record and 5-5 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Prior to the appointment, the team was 4-15 overall and 0-6 in the conference. During Walker’s interim tenure, Delaware State posted a season-high three-game win streak and later achieved an upset victory over the 2014 MEAC Tournament runner-up Morgan State.  

As an assistant coach, Walker worked primarily with the DSU forwards and centers. During the 2013-14 season, Walker’s work with 3^rd-year player Kendall Gray was instrumental in the Hornet center’s team record of 81 blocks that year and being named on the All-MEAC Second Team.

Walker’s defensive coaching was also validated during the 2011-12 season when the Hornets had a school-record 192 blocks, leading the MEAC in that category.

Walker was a part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Hornets to three consecutive MEAC regular season titles from 2004-2007, during which the Hornets posted a league record of 46-8 (.850). The Hornets appeared in three consecutive MEAC Tournament championship games, capturing the title and accompanying NCAA Tournament berth in 2005. The following year, Delaware State defeated Northern Arizona on the road in the National Invitation Tournament for the team's only national post-season win.

Prior to his arrival at DSU, Walker served as head coach at Division II Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., from 1993 to 2000. He posted a 91-102 overall record at Shaw, including a 21-9 mark and the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament berth during the 1994-95 season.

Before entering the coaching ranks, he enjoyed a playing career of seven years with various European and U.S. professional basketball leagues, including a brief stint with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers during the 1985-86 season.

As a three-year collegiate player at Clemson, he helped lead the Tigers to a 23-9 overall record and an Elite Eight appearance in the 1980 NCAA Tournament.

Walker has a 1981 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clemson and a 1991 master’s degree in Student Personnel Services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The newly appointed head coach and wife Kim have three children – Dockery, Zachary and Sawyer. Dockery is a member of the Brown University men’s basketball team.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Nuggets, still 2nd in NAIA, win 6-3 vs. Southern

NEW ORLEANS -- Brion Flowers and Nour Abbes won in doubles and singles Tuesday to help Xavier University of Louisiana's women defeat Southern University 6-3 at XU Tennis Center.

Also Tuesday, the Gold Nuggets (13-6) remained second in the new NAIA coaches poll. It's the third consecutive poll that Xavier is No. 2.

Flowers teamed with Kourtney Howell for an 8-3 doubles victory against Laura Syori and Kendall Bunch. Flowers clinched the dual with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Bunch at No. 3 singles.

Abbes and Simone-Alyse Ewell won 8-1 against Morgan Taylor and Camara Bunch. Abbes dropped her first three games against Syori at the top singles flight before winning 7-5, 6-0.

Abbes is 13-0 for the season in singles -- 6-0 against NCAA Division I opponents -- and 11-2 in doubles. Ewell has won 14 straight in doubles and is 16-3 this season.

Southern (7-8) had five available players and defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. The Lady Jaguars got their points from Darnesha Moore in a 6-1, 6-3 decision against Kourtney Howell, Taylor in a 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-4) decision against Brandi Nelson and Davis in a 6-2, 7-5 decision against Amber Brown. Davis snapped Brown's seven-match win streak in singles.

Xavier has won 10 of its last 12 duals and defeated an NCAA Division I opponent for the second time in three days. Xavier had lost to Southern each of the previous four years and defeated the Lady Jaguars for the first time since Feb. 7, 2009.

It was the final regular-season dual for both teams. Next week Xavier will play host to an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament, and Southern will return to New Orleans for the SWAC Tournament. The Nuggets will compete next on April 25.

The NAIA women's top 25:

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. Xavier
3. Lindsey Wilson
4. Auburn Montgomery
5. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
6. Brenau
7. SCAD Savannah
8. Vanguard
9. Northwood (Fla.)
10. Oklahoma Baptist
11. Westmont
12. Graceland
13. Coastal Georgia
14. Concordia (Calif.)
15. Milligan
16. Lewis-Clark State
17. Davenport
18. Indiana Wesleyan
19. Cardinal Stritch
20. Northwestern Ohio
21. Campbellsville
22. Marian (Ind.)
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. St. Thomas (Fla.)
25. Warner

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Gold Rush remain at No.10 in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana held on to its No. 10 position Tuesday in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush (8-9) have been in the top 10 for 26 consecutive polls -- a streak which began nearly three years ago -- and in 29 of the last 30 polls.

Xavier was 2-0 since the previous poll, winning 8-1 at home against No. 13 William Carey on Saturday and 5-2 at NCAA Division I's Jackson State on Sunday.

Defending champion Embry-Riddle (Fla.) received 9-of-13 first-place votes and remained No. 1 for the sixth time in as many polls this season. There are no newcomers in this week's top 25.

Xavier will be one of three ranked men's teams in next week's NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in New Orleans. Joining the Rush will be No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett and No. 25 Oklahoma Baptist. Matches will be played at XU Tennis Center the University of New Orleans. Tournament winner will receive at automatic berth in next month's NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

The next team rankings will be announced April 29.

The top 25:

1. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Georgia Gwinnett
4. Vanguard
5. Westmont
6. Cumberland
7. Lindsey Wilson
8. Belhaven
9. Aquinas
10. Xavier
11. Bethany
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. William Carey
14. Graceland
15. Coastal Georgia
16. Warner
17. Northwestern Ohio
18. Bethel (Tenn.)
19. Davenport
20. Lewis-Clark State
21. Pikeville
22. (tie) Olivet Nazarene
22. (tie) Webber International
24. Northwood (Fla.)
25. Oklahoma Baptist

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Brewbaker Tech G Steven Rogers follows father's footsteps, commits to Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brewbaker Tech's Steven Rogers could have gone away to school. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard had scholarship offers from Savannah State, Clark-Atlanta and Arkansas-Monticello.

But instead, he chose to stay close to his family, literally, announcing his commitment to Alabama State, where his father is an assistant under head coach Lewis Jackson, today.



"I've always looked up to my dad and saw all the great things he did at Alabama State as a player and as a coach," said Rogers of his father, Steven Rogers, Sr. , a former two-time SWAC Player of the Year. "I'd like to play under him and coach Jackson and I think it's a good fit for me. I think I have a chance to be successful and that's really all it came down to."

The younger Rogers certainly had success as a senior, averaging 32.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while leading his team to an appearance in the AHSAA South Regional tournament in Dothan. He was a first-team selection to the Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state squad and is a ...

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