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TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In 1872, William H. A. Howard was born in Columbus, Georgia. Howard graduated from the Georgia Industrial School (now Savannah State University) and taught there under the direction of Nathan B. Young. Recruited by President Young to teach at FAMC, Howard had a stellar 20-year career becoming Dean of Mechanical Arts and innovator of FAMC’s military training program. By all accounts Howard was a loyal friend to Nathan B. Young before being selected by the Board of Control to take over as acting president.
Synopsis
Though it appears that Howard was completely loyal to Young, rumors spread that he undermined Young before taking the job. Teachers resigned from their positions, and until advised otherwise by Young the alumni association pushed to have him return.
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Brent Kitto earned his second postseason academic honor in five days when he was announced Monday as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in men's track and field.
Kitto, a senior distance runner for the Gold Rush in 2016, is a repeat recipient of the award. A pharmacy major from Chalmette, La., and a graduate of Holy Cross School, Kitto is among 301 from 104 schools in men's track and field to receive the NAIA honor this season. Kitto is the only representative of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference or Louisiana.
To qualify for Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, student-athletes are nominated by their institution, must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.
Kitto was announced Thursday as Academic All-District 2 by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He will learn June 21 if he made the Academic All-America® team.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Get in step with the FAMU Marching 100 during a screening of the marching band’s documentary “Point and Drive” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the FAMU Band Rehearsal Hall, 206 Foster-Tanner Music Building on campus. It will kick off with a splashy red carpet arrival at 6:30 p.m., and the screening will be followed by a discussion with producer-director Brandi Mitchell, FAMU alum. The doc focuses on the legendary William P. Foster, who ran the band during its glory days from 1946 to 1998. Tickets at the door are $25 general public, $15 college students and $10 for members of the Marching 100. For more, visit www.pointanddrivemovie.com.
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State head football coach Latrell Scott continued to enhance his incoming recruiting class with the addition of three more players, including a pair of Division I FBS transfers. Scott announced Tuesday the signing of three North Carolina natives: N.C. State transfer defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton, East Carolina transfer defensive back Cody Purdie and high school athlete Johnathan Spencer.
Middleton (6-2, 305) will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at NSU after spending two seasons, including a redshirt year, at N.C. State. Middleton redshirted the 2014 season for the Wolfpack and did not see any game action in 2015.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C. and a product of Parkland High School, Middleton was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247 Sports coming out of high school. Scout, Rivals and ESPN all ranked him among the top 100 high school defensive tackles nationally in the class of 2014. Middleton was a first-team All-Piedmont Triad Conference selection and an All-Northwest honoree at Parkland. He registered six sacks and 30 tackles despite being limited to 4.5 games as a senior. Middleton recorded 45 tackles, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior.
"We expect Deshaywn to be able to make an immediate impact along our revamped defensive line," Scott said. "We feel he will fit well into the scheme we want to run and he has the talent to be a big difference maker for us in the MEAC."
Purdie (5-11, 190) will have two years of eligibility left after playing in four games each of the last two seasons at ECU. Purdie made one tackle in four games last season, and notched a pair of stops in four games as a true freshman in 2014.
A native of New Bern, N.C., Purdie was a standout defensive player and running back at New Bern High School. A two-star recruit according to 247 Sports, Purdie helped lead New Bern to the North Carolina state 4A title as a junior, logging 143 tackles, 20 for loss, and 10 sacks as a linebacker that season. He made his biggest contributions as a senior at the running back position, rushing for a team-high 1,317 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"Cody has good speed and is a physical defensive back. He'll get a look at corner and safety for us after playing both positions at ECU," Scott said. "He was a two-way starter on a state championship team in high school, which speaks to his athleticism."
Spencer (5-11, 180) was a standout defensive back, receiver and special teams player at Middle Creek High School in Apex, N.C. Spencer was a first-team All-Southwest Wake Athletic Conference performer at both defensive back and receiver. He was chosen as conference Offensive Player of the Year and was also chosen Co-Special Teams Player of the Year as a return specialist. Spencer led Middle Creek to a 14-1 record, the conference championship and an appearance in the state 4A semifinals. He had two touchdowns covering at least 90 yards in one game last fall, recording a 95-yard TD reception and a 100-yard interception return for a score in a game against Cary High School.
"Johnathan is a dynamic athlete," Scott said. "He has the ability to be a two-way player for us and has the potential to help us in the return game, as well."
Middleton, Purdie and Spencer join an incoming recruiting class
that now stands at 22 players as of Tuesday.
Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
CHRISDALE MCCARTHY 5-9" FRESHMAN
HOMETOWN: ST. CATHERINE JAMAICA
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPION - 100m HURDLES
BRADENTON, Florida -- Chrisdale McCarthy won the national title in the 100m hurdles, highlighting Lincoln's performance at the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day meet, hosted by the University of Tampa and IMG Academy, was held from Thursday through Saturday (May 26-28). McCarthy captured the national title in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.49. Two other Blue Tigers turned in individual All-American performances, with Jhevere Hall taking third in the 800m (2:05.98) and Kimberly Bailey placing seventh in the 200m (24.01). Earlier this week, Diana Cauldwell also earned All-American honors in both the triple jump and the long jump.
The highlight of Saturday for the Lincoln men came in the 4x100m relay, as the foursome of Roberto Smith, Miguel Barton,Roger Blake and Stephen Rose took second with a time of 39.77. Sedeekie Edie also competed in the triple jump on Saturday, finishing 16th with a distance of 14.66m.
The Lincoln women finished with 25 points and came in 10th place overall out of 59 programs. The LU men scored eight points and tied for 29th out of 69 programs. A total of eight Blue Tigers earned first team All-American honors this week. Complete 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship Results Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The 2016 SWAC Champion Alabama State baseball team will face Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional Friday at 5 p.m. CT.
The Hornets (38-15), the fourth-seed in the region, will face top-seeded Florida State (37-20) in one of two opening round games on Friday at Dick Howser Stadium/Mike Martin Field. #2-seed Southern Miss (40-18) will face #3-seed South Alabama (40-20) at 11 a.m. Friday in the double elimination tournament. Every Hornets game will be broadcast live on bamastatesports.com, with Friday's game also video streamed live on ESPN3.com.
This will be the second straight year the Hornets and Seminoles will play on the baseball diamond. FSU defeated Alabama State 8-7 on March 25 in Tallahassee.
"Going to a place that we are familiar with definitely gives us an advantage," said Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez, who makes his 12th NCAA Tournament appearance and sixth in the Tallahassee Regional. "We know the environment, as we played there last year. We played very well against Florida State. Traditionally, we have played very well against them, but we don't want to just play well. We want to win. South Alabama has a very good team. We're not familiar with Southern Miss, although we know they are a very good team. We're going down their thinking about ourselves, and the things we need to do to win."
Tickets for the 2016 NCAA Baseball Tallahassee Regional will go on sale to the public at 2 p.m. CT today at www.seminoles.com. Phone and walk-up orders begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning by calling 888-378-6653 or visiting the main Seminole Ticket Office located at Doak Campbell Stadium, University Center C.
Regional tournament passes are available for $55 for reserved seats and $40 for general admission seats. Individual game tickets will go on-sale beginning Friday, June 3. Individual game prices are $18 for reserved (if available) and $12 for adult general admission and $8 for youth general admission (ages 5-18). Children aged 4 and under are free with a paying adult.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — It was announced during the NCAA Baseball Selection Show on Monday, May 30, that Bethune-Cookman will travel to the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional for its appearance in the 2016 Division I Baseball Championship. Joining the Wildcats in the Regional will be host Florida, Connecticut and Georgia Tech with action taking place at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Bethune-Cookman (29-25) earned the automatic qualification to the NCAA Baseball Championships after winning its 18th Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title. For the Wildcats, this will mark the program’s 15th appearance in an NCAA Regional, not including three (3) NCAA play-in appearances. It also marks the fifth time in school history that Bethune-Cookman will travel to the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional, with the last being a visit in 2012 – the first NCAA postseason appearance under current head coach Jason Beverlin.
The Wildcats enter the weekend having won their last six games, as well as seven of their last 10 overall. Included in the three losses on the spin were decisions at top-ranked Florida (May 3) and third-ranked Miami (May 10). Bethune-Cookman enters having also won seven of their last eight series overall, with the lone exception being a three-game setback at Ohio State (April 1-3).
Bethune-Cookman will open the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional against the No. 1 national seed and host Florida Gators. Under the direction of head coach Kevin O’Sullivan, the top-seeded Gators enter the weekend with a record of 47-13, and finished as runner-up at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships over the weekend in Hoover, Alabama.
First pitch for the Wildcats and Gators is scheduled for Friday, June 3, at 6 p.m.
Second-seeded Georgia Tech (36-23) will meet third-seeded UConn (37-23) earlier in the day at 1 p.m. The Yellow Jackets earned an at-large bid to the tournament, while the Huskies won the American Athletic Conference Tournament to earn an automatic bid.
The Regional continues through Sunday, with a final game to be played Monday night, if necessary. The winner of the Gainesville [Fla.] Regional will meet the winner from the Tallahassee [Fla.] Regional the following weekend in a Super Regional, best-of-three series. The eight Super Regional winners advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
The top eight national seeds are Florida, Louisville, Miami, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Clemson and LSU.
Each of the 16 Regionals features four teams, playing a double-elimination format. The Regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1 (if necessary). Selection of the eight Super Regional Hosts will be announced on www.NCAA.com/cws, Monday, June 1 at approximately 11 p.m. (ET).
The 70th Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 18, at the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
2016 NCAA Gainesville Regional Schedule
Friday, June 3
Game 1: 1 p.m. - No. 3 UConn vs. No. 2 Georgia Tech (ESPN3)
Game 2: 6 p.m. - No. 4 Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 1 FLORIDA (SEC Network)
Saturday, June 4
Game 3: TBA - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (SEC Network/ESPN3)
Game 4: TBA - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (SEC Network/ESPN3)
Sunday, June 5
Game 5: TBA - Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (SEC Network/ESPN3)
Game 6: TBA - Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (SEC Network/ESPN3)
Monday, June 6
Game 7: (if necessary) – TBA - Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (SEC Network/ESPN3)
BRADENTON, Florida -- The Johnson C. Smith University women's 4x400m relay team captured the NCAA Title in the final race of the third and final day at the IMG Academy Stadium in Bradenton, Florida on Saturday night. The team of Crystal Campbell (St. Catherine, Jamaica), Fellan Ferguson (Trelawny, Jamaica), Domenique Julius-Williams (Oshawa, Ontario), and Tovea Jenkins (St. James, Jamaica) were able to outdistance the second-place team from Shorter by nearly three seconds on their way to the title.
In other events, JCSU's women claimed two second-place finishes when Ferguson posted a 2:04.46 in the 800m and Jenkins claimed second in the 400m with a 52.42. Teammate Kendra Clarke (Edmonton, Alberta) came in fourth in the 400m with a 53.30. Mayah Edwards (Kingston, Jamaica) finished in 5th place with an 11.79 in the 100m
In the lone field event for JCSU, recent graduate LaTondra Morrow (Charlotte, N.C.) finished 11th by jumping to a 1.67m height.
On the men's side, Patrick Campbell (St. Elizabeth, Jamaica) and Kyle Robinson (Levelland, Tex.) finished in 5th and 8th place, respectively, in the 400m hurdles. Campbell posted a 52.01 while Robinson ran to a 54.35. Teammate Joshua Cunningham (Toronto, Ontario) claimed a 5th place finish in the 400m with a 46.23.
In the 4x400m relay, the JCSU team of Campbell, Cunningham, Waynee Hyman (Warwick, N.Y.) and Robinson posted a 5th place time of 46.23 to round out the men's competition.
As a team, the JCSU men finished tied for 21st place with 12 team points. The JCSU women finished in a tie for 6th place with 35 team points.
St. Augustine's won the men's team title while Pittsburg St. claimed the women's team title.
NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, May 26-28, 2016
Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)
JCSU Participant Schedule/Results
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Nathan B. Young was born to Susan Smith, an African American who escaped slavery when Young was just three years old. She settled in a home of her own in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and married Frank Young. Nathan assumed Frank’s surname. Susan was determined that Nathan receive a good education. Nathan Young received a teacher’s diploma from Talladega College before attending Oberlin College earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1888 and a Master of Arts degree in 1891. Late in his career, Talladega College and Selma University would award Young honorary degrees of Doctors of Letters.
In 1892, Booker T. Washington employed Young to teach at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Young stayed at Tuskegee for five years and served as the head of the academic department until conflict developed between Young and Washington over Washington’s emphasis on vocational training. In 1897, Young accepted the position of Director of Teacher Training at Georgia State Industrial College (now Savannah State University). While Young worked at the Georgia State Industrial College he became frustrated with the school’s board of directors’ efforts to limit black education to vocational training. Like FAMU’s first president, Thomas De Saille Tucker, Nathan Young believed in literacy.
At every stop he sought to balance the vocational education programs with liberal arts programs. This continuously placed him at odds with those who sought to limit the education of blacks to vocational training. Even after his days at FAMC, Young faced a similar situation as President of Lincoln University in Missouri. There, his emphasis on literacy led to him being fired, rehired, and not long thereafter resigning in 1931.
BRADENTON, Florida — Trisana Fairweather ran a 23.21 en route to capturing the 200 meter title at the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Fairweather finished third in the 100 meters with a time of 11.51 to earn Divison II Outdoor All-American status in both events. She was also a 2016 Division II Indoor Track All-American for her third place finish in the 200 meters.
The women's 4x100 meter relay consisting of Aliyah Miller, Makayla Jackson, Brenay Brown and Fairweather which finished fourth with a time of 45.60 (45.51 prelims) also earned All-American status.
The 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships were contested Thursday-Saturday, May 26-28, at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Filer will attend Florida A&M University in the fall on a full scholarship. Her father also attended FAMU and was valedictorian at his high school.
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Days after Mari Filer graduated as Central High School’s valedictorian, she’s still receiving college acceptance letters. So far, she’s been accepted to more than 40 colleges and universities. She has a 4.56 GPA and has earned nearly $3 million in scholarships. “I spent a lot of my time working. You just know when it’s time to work to get it done,” Filer said. Hours after she graduated, she posted her accomplishments on Twitter and Facebook. “I started getting like thousands of likes by the minute and it was just crazy,” Filer said. Filer received a lot of congratulations but some are shaming her saying she’s a fraud. “A few people were like you can’t get above a 4.0 GPA. She’s lying. $2.8 million in scholarships? I don’t believe that for one minute. One man was like, ‘Where is she going to school? Mars University?’” Filer said.
The teen is taking her 24 college credits to Florida A&M University, where she has a full ride.
NEW BERN, North Carolina -- Shawn Best knows the risk he’s taking. But like he has most of his life, the 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive lineman is looking forward to proving doubters wrong.
The former New Bern High standout is transferring from North Carolina A&T to Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona. He will play a season of junior college football and re-open his recruitment – and work for a scholarship at a Division-I program for the 2017 class.
“I’m very determined. There are a lot of people who have their opinions of me now because I am transferring,” said Best. “I’m taking a big risk by leaving A&T, but I’m working to better my pastures. “I’m looking forward to proving them wrong.”
His decision is already paying dividends. Best has already received an offer from Iowa State and Idaho, and has heard from others. He leaves for Arizona on June 29. After Best plays a season at Arizona Western, he will have two more seasons of eligibility at another school.
GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Southern University at New Orleans had its most successful trip to the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in more than two decades, finishing fourth overall and producing two national champions.
The Lady Knights were led by senior Orenthia Bennett, who captured the women's 400 meter crown. Bennett was also a member of the national champion 4x400 meter relay team, along with freshman Shantae Green, sophomore Shadae Hylton, and senior Leonie Robinson.
SUNO's women compiled six top-five finishes overall, with Hylton taking third place in the 400 meters,sophomore Oshin Brooks-Gillings finishing fourth in the 100 meters, Green ran fifth in the 400 meter hurdles, and the team of sophomore Chantal Pennie, Hylton, Brooks-Gillings, and Robinson finished second in the 4x100 meter relay.
"This was an outstanding team effort", said SUNO head coach Yhann Plummer. "The team was excited to finish fourth, but they felt like they could have done even better. We left a few points out there on the track this weekend, but overall I can't be anything but proud of the work that they put in this entire season and here at the national championships."
The SUNO men's team produced three All-Americans. Freshman Danielle Richards came in fifth in the 400 meters and senior Chad Thomas finished sixth in the 400 meter hurdles. Alex Saunders was the team's top performer, earning a third place finish in the men's 800 meter run.
"We're going to lose some great athletes and leaders in people like Orenthia (Bennett) and Chad (Thomas), but I think the future is very bright for SUNO track. We'll be back next year and we'll build on this. Right now I'm just excited for our team and our university."
SUNO Outdoor Track & Field All-Americans
Women
Athlete
Yr.
Event
Orenthia Bennett
Sr.
400m*, 4x400m relay*
Oshin Brooks-Gillings
So.
100m, 4x100m relay
Shantae Green
Fr.
400m hurdles, 4x400m relay*
Shadae Hylton
So.
400m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay*
Chantal Pennie
So.
4x100m relay
Leonie Robinson
Sr.
4x100m relay, 4x400m relay*
Men
Athlete
Yr.
Event
Danielle Richards
Fr.
400m
Alex Saunders
Jr.
800m
Chad Thomas
Sr.
400m hurdles
*National Champion COURTESY GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- While Butch Jones tries to talk prospects into coming to Tennessee at the Vols' first satellite camp June 5 at Tennessee State, Tigers coach Rod Reed will try to persuade Jones to do something he would like.
Make no mistake, Reed also will pitch his program to the 400-500 high school players who are expected to show up at Hale Stadium for what the Vols are calling Tennessee Statement Camp '16.
But at some point, Reed will take advantage of having Jones on his campus and try to talk him into doing something no Vols coach ever has done — play the Tigers.
UT has played other in-state Ohio Valley Conference teams Austin Peay and UT Martin over the past few years, and it will play Tennessee Tech this season.
The Vols also played Chattanooga, another in-state Football Championship Subdivision team, in 2014 and FCS power Montana in 2011.
But the Big Orange and the Big Blue never have played. CONTINUE READING
MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The Chowan University athletic department announced LaToya Jones as the Head Women's Basketball Coach on Friday morning.
Jones inherits a program that posted a program-best 20-9 overall record in 2015-16 under former Head Coach Patrick Mashuda. The Hawks made their second appearance in the CIAA Tournament semi-finals this past season while earning their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance with an at-large bid. After twelve seasons with the Chowan Blue and White as an administrator and coach, Mashuda departs on May 31st after accepting an Assistant Coach position at Kent State University.
President Dr. M. Christopher White commented, "We are extremely grateful to Coach Mashuda for his twelve years of service to the University. He came to Chowan at a time when we were really struggling. He was patient and committed to turning the program around, and I'm proud of the success he's had here. We wish him well in his new position. I'm eager to welcome Latoya Jones and her family to Chowan. The women's basketball program is primed for a successful season and I'm excited to see all that we will accomplish with LaToya as coach."
Jones stated, "Chowan University is a place of faith, family and pride. I felt the love for community, athletics, and family when I arrived on campus. Chowan continues to grow as a campus, student body, and in the athletic realm…I am grateful to be part of a thriving University that meets challenges with innovation, opportunity with enthusiasm, and change with embrace."
Vice President/Director of Athletics Ozzie McFarland noted, "I am very excited for the future of our women's basketball program. LaToya is ready to be a head coach. She is a person of incredible character with a wealth of basketball knowledge. Patrick Mashuda left our program in great shape and LaToya Jones is the right person to take leadership of the program and to continue the program's upward trend".
Jones added, "I am looking forward to leading and mentoring a group of young ladies that has thrived on and off the court. I am excited about coaching a team that has been successful and has a tradition of excellence. Coaching is my platform to build relationships that equate to winning on the court and ultimately, in life. Fans can expect to see the Chowan women's basketball team play with purpose, passion, and excitement."
Jones takes the reins of the Chowan women's basketball program after serving at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Spartans before being promoted to Director of Basketball Operations for the 2015-16 season. Jones orchestrated alumni outreach, recruiting, and community service initiatives for the program in that capacity, while working primarily with post players.
Prior to her time at UNCG, Jones gained coaching experience on staff at her alma mater, Gardner-Webb University. The Runnin' Bulldogs posted a 27-36 record during her two seasons as an assistant, highlighted by a 23-11 record in 2010-11. That same season, the Gardner-Webb women's basketball team earned the Big South Conference Tournament crown for the first time in program history and made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Jones began her coaching career at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina. There, she led the Chargers to two state championship appearances including a state title in 2010.
Jones earned a degree in Elementary Education from Gardner-Webb in 2008. As a four-year women's basketball student-athlete, she was named Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic four times and guided the Bulldogs to their first-ever Atlantic Sun Tournament finals appearance in 2006.
The Atlanta, Georgia native assumes the role of Head Women's Basketball Coach on June 1st. She is married to Alex Jones. The two have an infant son, Jeremiah Alexander. COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
The 2016 NCAA D-II National Outdoor Track and Field Champions Courtesy Matt Marriott/NCAA PhotosMatt Marriott | NCAA Photos
BRADENTON, Florida – The Saint Augustine's University track and field program continues to roll along.
The Falcons claimed their fourth straight men's title and the Lady Falcons finished as women national runner-ups on the final day of the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the IMG Academy Track and Field Stadium on Saturday, May 28.
The title was the 38th for the highly successful program under legendary Head Coach George Williams including their 15th men's outdoor championship. Starting the day with zero points, the Falcons zoomed past their opponents to win in dominating fashion. They scored all 85 points on the final day to rout Tiffin University and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, who both tied for second with 36 points.
"I thought the men would perform well, but I didn't expect them to win like they did," said Williams, who has won the most NCAA track and field championships of any coach regardless of division.
The Lady Falcons nearly captured their fifth national outdoor title. They were edged out by national champion Pittsburg State University 52-51 in the women's division which wasn't decided until the final event. Hillsdale College placed third with 45 points.
"I wish the women had won," Williams said. "We were right there. We gave too many bonuses away. I want all the kids to be winners. The women work hard, so I hate to see them lose by one point like that.
Had the Lady Falcons won, it would have been the first outdoor sweep for Saint Augustine's University since 2001 and the first women's crown since 2002. Still, the finish was the highest for the Lady Falcons in an outdoor meet since 2003 when they placed second.
The Falcons relied on their relay teams and depth to surge ahead Saturday. They had multiple qualifiers in four events – the 100 and 200 dashes, the 800 run and the triple jump. They scored 57 points in those four events and 20 points in the relays to take control.
Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC), the team's most versatile performer, led the way for the Falcons. He gained the 200 national title, finished second in the 100 and was a member of the winning 4x100 relay team.
"I am ecstatic," said Ellis, who has been a member of six national title teams including four outdoor champions. "We've been winning since my freshman year which has been great. To finish off with another championship and finally get the 200 national championship means a lot to me. I've wanted [the 200 title] bad since my freshman year."
Daniel Jamieson (Jr./Windsor, CT) was fourth in the 200, seventh in the 100 and ran on the winning 4x100 squad. Shaquille Dill (Fr./Pembroke, Bermuda) and Immanuel Hutchinson (Sr./San Jacinto, CA) were first and third, respectively, in the 800 and both ran on the winning 4x400 relay. Dill won his national title as a freshman.
Shawn Rowe (Jr./West Palm Beach, FL) finished second in the 400 hurdles and ran on the winning 4x400 relay while Kendall Kee (Sr./Shelby, NC) placed sixth in the 100 and ran on the winning 4x100 relay. David Shaw (Sr./St. Pauls, NC) was second and Jumonne Exeter (So./St. Vincent) placed fourth in the triple jump.
The men served notice that this would be their day in the first running event. The 4x100 team of Brent Arceneaux (Sr./Snellville, GA), Ellis, Kee and Jamieson outran the field in 39.41. When the 100 dash, the 800 run, the triple jump and the 200 dash were completed, the Falcons were ahead 75-36 over TAMU-Kingsville with two events left.
"We wanted to let everybody know we were here," said Jamieson about the 4x100 relay victory. "It set the tone."
The Falcons capped the meet with a convincing victory in the 4x400 relay. The squad of Rowe, Dill, Hutchinson and Khari Herbert, Jr. (Jr./Coral Springs, FL) won by nearly two seconds with a time of 3:05.47.
The Lady Falcons had less depth than the men but got the most out of their seven women qualifiers in the finals. The spectacular Tia-Adana Belle (Jr./St. Michaels, Barbados) provided the spark with plenty of help from Ornella Livingston (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica).
Belle broke the championship meet record again in winning the 400 hurdles. Her time of 56.13 was one-hundreth of a second better than the previous record time she set two days ago. She finished three seconds ahead of the second-place competitor. Belle was also on the 4x400 squad which placed fourth.
Livingston provided the bulk of the points with a victory in the 100 for a national title and a third-place finish in the 200. She also was on the 4x400 relay team and the 4x100 relay squad which placed fifth.
Shamia Lassiter (Sr./Chesapeake, VA) finished second in the 100 hurdles and also ran on the 4x100 team, which included Shakinah Brooks (Jr./Raleigh, NC) and Leah Barker (So./St. Michaels, Barbados). The 4x400 squad also included Barker and Ade Hunter (So./Philadelphia, PA).
After starting the day with eight points, the Lady Falcons started climbing up the standings. Livingston's third-place finish in the 200 put her team ahead for the first time at 46-42 with three events left.
The Lady Falcons trailed 52-46 with one event left after a victory by Pittsburg State in the high jump. They needed to place third or better in the 4x400 for the national crown but finished fourth. Still, their performance in the meet was one of the best in quite a while for a Lady Falcons' squad.
"After the relay, and I saw we came in fourth, I cried, because to miss it by one point, my mind went crazy," said Belle, who anchored the 4x400 relay. "I was thinking if I did this or that, it wouldn't have happened but I'm content and proud of my girls. It was a long season."
Belle added: "I'm proud at the end of the day. We came in third [in our heat], and finished second [overall]. I'm happy. The team this year was just great, we all put in effort and fought. We lost by one point but that's the best we have done in a while and I'm proud to be apart of this team.?
Each Falcons and Lady Falcons student-athlete who finished eighth or better earned All-America honors.
In the end, Pitt State held off St. Augustine's University by one point, 52 to 51, to claim the national title. SAU entered the final event of the meet, the 4x400m relay, needing to place first or second to claim the championship to itself or place third to share the title with the Gorillas. Instead, the Lady Falcons finished fourth in the race in 3:40.28 as they were edged out of third place by .17 seconds by third-place finishing Academy of Art (Calif.). COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
MIAMI, Florida -- Before Bethune-Cookman, it was Booker T. Washington High School in Miami for Larry Little.
The Wildcat and Miami Dolphin Hall of Famer was honored at his high school alma mater Wednesday as a Hometown Hall of Famer presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Ford Motor Company.
The program honors the hometown roots of football’s most famous hero with ceremonies and plaque dedication events. Little’s presentation was the 102nd in the program.
"I'm really honored by it all,” Little said. ‘It’s something that I knew would happen and I’m very excited about it. With the area Booker T. is in, I’m grateful that something like this can go into my high school and be there forever.”
After Booker T. Washington, Little came to Bethune-Cookman, where he was an all-conference defensive tackle during his playing days at from 1964-67.
Undrafted out of college, he spent two seasons with the San Diego Chargers before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1969.
During his 14 years with the Dolphins, Little’s play on the line spearheaded the NFL’s most punishing rushing attacks of the 1970s. Paving the way for Mercury Morris, Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka, Little helped the Dolphins win consecutive Super Bowls, including the perfect 17-0 season of 1972.
He returned to Bethune-Cookman in 1983 as head coach. During his tenure, the Wildcats won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships in 1984 and 1988. He would coach players that would themselves go on to Hall of Fame status, quarterback J.D. Hall (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), Jeff Parker (B-CU) and Stevie Thomas (Arena Football League).
Little was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. In 1999, he was ranked number 79 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Many of Little’s former Bethune-Cookman players and coaches were in attendance Wednesday, as well as former Booker T. Washington players, Dolphins players and coaches and his 96-year old mother, Ida Little.
Little hopes the plaque will inspire future generations.
"As long as if you believe in yourself, you can do anything,” Little said. “I knew what I wanted to be and I never quit.”
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
GULF SHORES, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kailey Williams, Kayla Quincy, Chinyere Jones and Clarke Allen finished eighth Saturday in the women's 1,600-meter relay final and earned All-America honors at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. The Gold Nuggets placed eighth in 3 minutes, 52.43 seconds. It's the second-fastest time in school history. Williams, Quincy, Jones and Allen ran an XU-record 3:49.87 in the preliminaries Friday. This is the third straight season and the fourth time in five years that the XU women earned All-America at this meet. This is the Nuggets' first All-America honor in an outdoor running event. Xavier's other women's All-America in a running event was Katrina Davis (600 meters) during the 2004 indoor season. It was the final collegiate competition for Williams, a senior who earned her bachelor of science degree May 7. Quincy is a junior, Allen is a sophomore, and Jones is a freshman. Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In 1872, William H. A. Howard was born in Columbus, Georgia. Howard graduated from the Georgia Industrial School (now Savannah State University) and taught there under the direction of Nathan B. Young. Recruited by President Young to teach at FAMC, Howard had a stellar 20-year career becoming Dean of Mechanical Arts and innovator of FAMC’s military training program. By all accounts Howard was a loyal friend to Nathan B. Young before being selected by the Board of Control to take over as acting president.
