MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review

Morgan State University
Sriking Fear - By Jeff Glatzer, Football.com: Coaches love a defensive lineman with a nasty streak. That's exactly what defensive end Justin Lawrence from Morgan State of the MEAC conference play's with. This quick, powerful fifth-year senior has the mental make-up to be a fierce competitor. At 6-1, 280 pounds, Lawrence displays tremendous athleticism, earning him a selection to the All-MEAC first team in 2008. He also led the team in tackles for loss (17 for 82 yards), in sacks (8 for 60 yards lost), and forced fumbles (four).

Justin Lawrence #36 of the Morgan State Bears has the quickness and power to take over tackles and harass quarterbacks, especially cross-town rival Towson State.

Already a feared pass rusher, his strength has made him an excellent run stuffer at the nose position in 3-4 alignments. He has a tremendous motor in the trenches and is a very intelligent football player. He reads and defines his keys quickly as he reacts to the ball carrier and the quarterback. Off the field, Lawrence is a soft-spoken, friendly guy. He has a calm demeanor which translates well onto the field in pressure situations. When he peers across the line, anticipating what the tackles are going to do, he does so with a calm confidence. Film study is very important part of his game, helping to maintain his edge over the opponents.

Grambling State University
The First Annual Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame Induction: Grambling State University (GSU) has spawned many great athletes who have made a significant impact on the world of sports. These extraordinary sports legends have set many records that still stand to this day. The Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame spearheaded by James “Shack” Harris (former NFL Pro Bowl MVP) and Doug Williams (former Super Bowl MVP) is committed to ensuring that these legends, their memories and accomplishments are cemented into historical posterity.

On July 18th 2009, the first group of 25 legends will be inducted into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. The 25 inductees are; Willis Reed (Basketball), Tommy Agee (Baseball), Ernie Ladd (Football/Wrestling), Henry Dyer (Football), Ralph Garr (Baseball), Charlie Hardnett (Basketball), Robert Hopkins (Basketball), Lane Howell (Football), Stone Johnson (Football/Track), Willie Joseph (Football), Leglian “Boots” Moore (Football), Bo Murray (Football), Helen Richards-Smith (Basketball), Richard Stebbins (Track), Hershell West (Basketball), Willie Young (Football), Tank Younger (Football), Ralph W.E. Jones (College President and Coach), Eddie G. Robinson (Coach), Collie Nicholson (Sports Information Officer), Fred C. Hobdy (Coach), Willie Brown (Football), Buck Buchanan (Football), Willie Davis (Football) and Charlie Joiner (Football).

James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams

The induction ceremonies will also be broadcast live and will be available to fans and alumni worldwide on Pay per View. For details visit www.gramblingsportshof.com.




Delaware State University
DSU's Murray, Holmes earn All-American honors: Delaware State University freshman Leslie Murray has earned All-America recognition after finishing sixth in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2009 NCAA National Track & Field Championships. Murray was clocked at 49.91 seconds in the championship race of the NCAA 400-meter hurdles Friday evening at the University of Arkansas. A native of Beltsville, Md., and U.S. Virgin Islands, Murray set a DSU record in the 400 hurdles with a time of 49.83 seconds in the NCAA championship semi-finals on Thursday.

All-American MEAC 400 meter hurdles champion, Leslie Murray

The 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the 400-meter hurdles, Murray is Delaware State's first track & field All-America since the NCAA adopted its current championship format in 2000. Murray's sixth place finish in the 400-meter hurdle final also earned three points for Delaware State in the NCAA team standings, the first for the Hornets in the national championship competition.

Donte Holmes also attained All-America status for his performance at the 2009 NCAA National Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Holmes, a sophomore, was 11th in the semi-finals of the NCAA championship 800-meter run with a time of 1:47.61 last Thursday. He reached the semi-finals with a time of 1:48.05 in the preliminaries the day before. The 2009 MEAC 800-meter champion, Holmes has competed in the NCAA nationals in each of the last two years.

Southern University
Ex-Southern track coach Thomas dies: Johnny Thomas, whose SU men’s and women’s teams won 45 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in 23 years, died Friday morning after a battle with prostate cancer, leaving many of his former athletes to recall how many lives he had impacted. Funeral arrangements for Thomas are pending, SU sports information director Kevin Manns said.

Pin Tales: Dartmouth High (Mass.) senior heading South on bowling scholarship: It's official. Kate McConnell signed her letter of intent to attend Southern University next fall. She will be attending on a partial bowling scholarship that will pay at least three quarters of her tuition. She's excited. "I"ve been e-mailing every NCAA Division I college bowling coach for the past year," she said, "and got a reply from Southern."

She met the coach last year in Detroit when she bowled (she later dropped out due to an injury) for the Junior Gold Team USA. "I was invited down to Baton Rouge (where the university is located)," she said, "and I liked what I saw." In the meantime, the 18-year-old Dartmouth High School (Massachusetts) senior is looking forward to her second trip to Junior Gold Nationals this July in Indianapolis.

"I have higher hopes this year," said McConnell, "I should be healthy and I'm more mature and I'll give it my best shot." She's been bowling since she was five years old and now bowls in the Wonderbowl Classic Junior League, the A.M. Junior League and the Junior Travel League. She carries a 180 average and has a career-high 268 game and 660 series. Once past the nationals, she can look forward to her trip down to her new school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Savannah State University
SSU names offensive coordinator: Eddie Johnson, who coached Savannah State's wide receivers last season, has been promoted to offensive coordinator, SSU head coach Robby Wells said. Johnson, 40, is in his second season with the program. He also served as the Tigers' strength and conditioning coach last season. In addition to being the offensive coordinator, Johnson will be the quarterbacks coach. He fills the void left by Alan Hall, who resigned in March to become Winston-Salem (N.C.) State's offensive coordinator. Johnson is a native of Cincinnati and a 1993 graduate of Georgetown (Ky.) University. He came to SSU from NCAA Division II Newberry (S.C.) College, where he was the defensive backs coach from 2005-07.

SSU 2009 Football Game Canceled: Because of a scheduling conflict, the football game between Savannah State and North Greenville has been canceled. The teams were supposed to have met October 10 in Savannah. North Greenville will play Samford in a Thursday night game Oct. 8. SSU will not schedule another opponent and will play a 10-game schedule.


Denver Broncos To Honor Shannon Sharpe: The Denver Broncos will honor former tight end Shannon Sharpe by placing him in the Ring of Honor. The ceremony will take place September 20 at halftime of the Denver 2009 home opener against the Cleveland Browns. The Savannah State grad played 12 seasons with the Broncos.

Jenkins' Mahany signs to SSU Baseball: Jenkins senior Chris Mahany wanted to play college baseball and he also wanted to stay close to home. Wednesday he got his wish granted on both fronts as he signed a national letter of intent to continue his career at the next level at Savannah State. "I would say that's probably their best athletic program, their baseball program," Mahany said. "I got a chance to meet the coach and he seems like a pretty cool guy and I should have a fun time over there." In his senior season, the 5-foot-9 Mahany hit .413 with 21 RBIs with five doubles, a triple and a home run in helping the Warriors to a 22-5 record and a Region 3-AAAAA championship. "My strengths, this year, I would say my hitting," Mahany said. "My hitting was real good and my arm, throwing from the outfield, is probably my strong point."

Prairie View A&M University
Cooper-Dyke to be inducted: Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is among the six 2009 inductees to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. An exhibit honoring Sonja Hogg, Jennifer Azzi, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Jennifer Gillom, Jill Hutchison and Ora Washington was unveiled Friday. The class was to be celebrated at a ceremony Saturday night in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Cooper-Dyke won a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. She was a national champion at Southern California in 1983 and 1984 and a four-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets. She was the first WNBA player to reach 2,500 points. Cooper-Dyke now coaches at Prairie View A&M. "The players of today don't necessarily see the game the way I saw it," Cooper-Dyke said. "The opportunities that we have now -- 20, 30, 40 years ago they just weren't there."

Bethune Cookman University
Simpson named to NCAA Div. 1 All-American Freshman Team: Courier-Islander, Canada --Campbell River's Ali Simpson, from Bethune Cookman University Wildcats, was honoured last week being named to Louisville Slugger Baseball America - 2009 NCAA Division 1 "All-American" Freshman Team. Last month Simpson was named Rookie of The Year in the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference and to the first team All-MEAC honour squad. Simpson and his teammates won their fourth straight MEAC championship ending the year 32-28 with two heart-breaking 8-7 losses in the Gainesville NCAA Division 1 Regional tournament.

The game highlight of the season for Simpson was a 5-2 win over the Miami Hurricanes. The No. 15 Nationally ranked Hurricanes were limited to four hits in 8 1/3 innings by Simpson. On the season, Simpson was 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA, striking out 79 batters in 75 1/3 innings. Simpson allowed 68 hits and only 14 extra base hits through the season ending with seven straight wins and a no-decision at NCAA Regional's last month.



Interview with Bethune-Cookman University All-American and 110 Meter Hurdles NATIONAL CHAMPION, Ronnie Ash at5th Pepsi Florida Relays4/3-4/09.

NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship: The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats men were tied for 23rd with Arizona in the final team standings as the four-day meet concluded Saturday on the John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas. The 'cats sophomore sensation All-American, Ronnie Ash smoked the field in the 110-meters hurdles for a first place finish and the national title at a personal best 13.27 seconds at Saturday's finals. Ash also won the indoor title in the event in March. Ash's indoor-outdoor sprint hurdle sweep is just the 14th in NCAA history, the last time coming in 2006 by Tennessee's Aries Merritt.

As a freshman, Ash finished third in the 110 hurdles at last year's outdoor championships behind Jason Richardson, the winner from South Carolina. On Saturday, Ash blew away the Gamecock with his personal-best 13.27 seconds, which also eclipsed Richardson's NCAA-best time of the season. Jason Richardson came in second in 13.49.

In the 200 meters, senior Joel Redhead finished in 8th place with a time of 21.15, ahead of Florida's Jeremy Hall 9th place finish at 21.30 seconds. His semifinal time of 20.49 would have been good enough to beat the 20.55 Charles Clark of Florida State put up to win the final. Redhead accomplishments on the national stage earned him All-American honors on Saturday.

South Carolina State University
South Carolina football to pay out more than $1.2M: South Carolina will pay out more than $1.2 million in guarantees to home football opponents this season, including $800,000 to Florida Atlantic. The payouts were detailed in the athletic department's 2009-10 budget Thursday. South Carolina will pay South Carolina State $230,000 for its Oct. 3 visit this fall. The Gamecock athletic department will also pay $250,000 to Clemson for its annual rivalry game on Nov. 28. South Carolina receives a similar amount when the game is played at Clemson's Memorial Stadium. A season ago, South Carolina paid out $1.18 million in such guarantees.

Alabama State University
RETROSPECT: The Alabama State University Marching Hornets and Stingettes:
Rivalry weekend took on a new meaning when the Alabama State University Marching Hornets came to Tallahassee, Florida to open the 2008 season at Bragg Memorial Stadium and re-new its long time rivalry with FAMU. With the electrifying performance of the Stingettes, this was one of the best performances by a visiting band in Bragg Stadium history. The FAMU Marching 100... as usual, won the half-time competition, but the event overall was worth the price of admission for the fans of HBCU football and bands. Alabama State went on to stomp their SWAC band competition with one of the best ASU bands of the decade. Check those Honey Bees! A-S-U! A-S-U! Go Hornets!


SPECIAL FEATURE: Saint Augustine College Wins D-II Men's National Track Championship.

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Saint Augustine’s College claimed the 4x400 relay in the last event to knock off seven-time defending champion Abilene Christian University and win the men’s national crown Saturday, May 23 at the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Angelo State University.

The Falcons scored 94 points to beat Abilene Christian, which scored 86. Adams State University was third with 75 and Lincoln (Mo.) University was fourth with 53. In the women’s division, the Lady Falcons placed fifth with 38 points. Lincoln (Mo.) gained the women’s crown with 85, edging Angelo State University with 82. The Falcons won their 10th outdoor men’s title and 31st overall under acclaimed head coach George Williams. This is their first outdoor men’s crown since 2001 when they beat Abilene Christian. Either Saint Augustine’s College or Abilene Christian has won the men’s championship since 1982.

The legendary and Olympic icon, George "Pup" Williams has won 25 NCAA Division II titles during his tenure and has received 90 Coach of the Year honors. His scholarship athletes at St. Augustine's have achieved a 95 percent graduation rate with his CIAA dynasty.

The Falcons, who practiced without a track on campus this season, also won the 2009 Division II national indoor men’s championship in March. They swept both indoor and outdoor men’s national crowns for the first time since 2001. “This is one of the most amazing championships that we’ve won,” Williams said. “We didn’t have a track and the talent pool wasn’t there like in the past but everything paid off.”

Both teams were tied at 84 points heading into the last event, setting the stage for a dramatic finish similar to 1994 when the Falcons won by one point over ACU, 118-117. But the Falcons outran the Wildcats in the 4x400 relay to take the crown. The foursome of Alvin Miles (Sr./Kingsville, Texas), Randy Curry (Sr./Atlanta, Ga.), Antonio Abney (Soph./Willingboro, N.J.) and Rashaud Johnston (Sr./St. Louis, Mo.) finished first in 3:06.90 while the Wildcats were seventh.

Miles replaced an injured Scott, who along with the other Falcon trio set the Division II national mark in the 4x400 (3:02.10) at the Penn Relays in April. Saint Augustine’s College also produced three individual national champions at the championship meet. Scott became the first Falcon since 1998 to win the men’s 400 dash. Scott beat Dane Hyatt of Lincoln (Mo.) University 45.41 to 45.77 Saturday for his first outdoor 400 title. Ledford Green of Johnson C. Smith University was third in 46.26.

Angelique Smith (Fr./Union City, Calif.) won her first outdoor title when she defeated Kim Prather of Abilene Christian in the women’s 400 dash Saturday. Smith edged Prather across the finish line 54.43 to 54.44.

On Thursday, Joe Kindred (Sr./Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) became a two-time winner in the men’s high jump. Kindred leaped 7-2.25 to defeat Oliver Harsanyi of Western State, who jumped 7-1. Chris Copeland (Fr./Suffolk, Va.) of the Falcons took third at 6-11.75. Kindred, named Division II national and regional outdoor male field athlete of the year, also placed second in the men’s triple jump and third in the men’s long jump.

Barbara Pierre (Jr./Winter Haven, Fla.) placed second Saturday in the women’s 100 dash, snapping her two-year title run in the event. Samoy Hackett of Lincoln (Mo.) was the winner, tying the Division II national record of 11.18 Saturday which Pierre set two days ago in the qualifying round. Pierre ran a time of 11.22 in the finals. She also placed second in the 200. Ramon Gittens (Soph./St. Michael, Barbados) was second Saturday in the men’s 100 dash, finishing in 10.18. Kawayne Fisher of Lincoln (Mo.) won the race in 10.15.

--Courtesy of Saint Augustine Athletics

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