Mickell Gladness (AAMU) and Terrel Harris in for Heat; Eddie House out in final cut

MIAMI, Florida - Christmas came early for Mickell Gladness and Terrel Harris.  In a surprising move Saturday, the Miami Heat decided to keep the pair of free-agent rookies on their final 15-player roster, waiving guard Eddie House instead.  House, who was drafted by the Heat in 2000, was informed of the move Friday night.

"It was an extremely tough decision," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Eddie started his career with us, we drafted him and he’s part of our Heat family.  "(Gladness and Harris) simply overwhelmed us with their effort and their desire and their want this week. It was a little bit of a surprise and they continued to make us watch."



Miami was so intrigued that Gladness, a shot-blocking center out of Alabama A&M who spent time with the Heat in the team’s 2010 summer league, and Harris, a former Oklahoma State standout who went undrafted in 2009 and had played in recent years in France, Germany and the NBA Development League, will be with the Heat as they travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day.

"This was probably the best Christmas gift that I’ve ever gotten in my life," Gladness said. "I probably would have said that when I was younger and I got a Sega Genesis for Christmas, but now this just tops that."

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Prairie View A&M eyes spot in SWAC title game

Prairie View, Texas - Blackshear Stadium stands out as an eyesore on the Prairie View A&M campus, but it has been the site of some of the football program's biggest moments in recent years.

The Panthers beat Jackson State there Nov. 10, 2007 to clinch the program's first winning season since 1976. Prairie View topped Alcorn State a year later to finish 9-1 and capture its best regular-season finish since 1964. The Panthers did one better at Blackshear Stadium in 2009, whipping Arkansas-Pine Bluff 49-17 in their home finale to secure an undefeated Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season en route to the program's first conference championship since 1964.

Not bad for a dilapidated 6,000-seat stadium that has stood since 1960.

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AAMU Bulldogs will have to contend with Hamilton

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M had little success last week against Jackson State largely because of defensive ends Joseph Lebeau and Donovan Robinson. The Bulldogs will face another dynamic defensive Saturday when they visit Prairie View.

The Panthers feature arguably the best defensive end in the country in Adrian Hamilton. A transfer from Texas Tech, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Hamilton has 74 tackles and leads the Football Championship Subdivision in sacks with 15.5.

"He's a hell of a football player," A&M coach Anthony Jones said of Hamilton. "He's going to be very similar to what we saw last weekend with LeBeau and Robinson. He's quick. He's strong. He's relentless. He jumps off the screen."

Prairie View coach Heishma Northern said ...

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Magic City Classic economic impact tops $24 million, most ever

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Organizers estimate that this year's Magic City Classic packed an economic impact of $24.3 million, shattering previous records for the event. "We were projecting anywhere between $13 million and $15 million, and we would have been happy with that," Birmingham Mayor William Bell said.

Traditionally, the annual clash between Alabama State University and Alabama A&M has an economic impact between $15 million and $16 million, according to Gene Hallman, chief executive of the Alabama Sports Foundation, which organizes the Classic. The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, which routinely calculates economic impact figures for major events, came up with the $24.3 million figure for this year's game.

Organizers say:
• Corporate sponsorship amounting to $890,000 was the most ever.
• The 66,473 tickets sold was not a record, but when combined with the estimated 40,000 tailgaters that remained outside Legion Field during the game, Hallman said it set a new mark.
• The 2.75 night average hotel stay was higher than in previous years.
• The $450,000 paid to each school was a new record, blowing past the $425,000 paid last year.

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Alabama A&M football: Fuller playing up to his potential

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Jamaal Ware and Johnny Baldwin quickly come to mind when Alabama A&M fans talk about the Bulldogs' best inside linebackers since joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Ware and Baldwin are first and second all-time in tackles and Baldwin led A&M to the 2006 SWAC championship and was a fifth-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 2007.

Willie Fuller hoped to put his name alongside that elite list when he showed up four years ago. While Fuller's numbers won't come close to those of Ware and Baldwin, his play this season is one of the reasons A&M is in the hunt for the SWAC Eastern Division championship.

"Willie has stepped up and provided great leadership for this team," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "When you assume leadership, you also assume responsibility. When you say follow me, all eyes go to you. When you make mistakes, everybody sees it. When you misstep, everybody sees it.

"Willie is a quiet guy, but ...



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Alabama A&M: Bulldogs bigger, stronger, faster

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - One of the biggest reasons for Alabama A&M's success over the years has been the work of James Hester, the Bulldogs' strength and conditioning coach.

Hester, who has served in that role since Anthony Jones became head coach in 2002, helped A&M rattle off six straight winning seasons, win three Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division titles and the 2006 SWAC championship.

The Bulldogs haven't been nearly as successful the last three years, having had two losing seasons during that span, but A&M did reach the SWAC championship game in 2009.

Even so, following last year's 3-8 season, A&M's worst during Jones' tenure, Hester made some changes and he says after the first week of practice...

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Willie Hayes Named AAMU Men's Basketball Coach

NORMAL, AL -- Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M University has announced that 16 year assistant coach Willie Hayes has been hired as the next head coach in the Bulldog men’s basketball program.

The Bulldogs have won over 250 games since Hayes joined the Bulldog staff. One of the best point guards to ever play for A&M, Hayes thrilled Bulldog fans with his pinpoint passing and deadly shooting. He held the school record for career assists with 669 until Craig Lottie surpassed the mark in 1997, by just four.

Still, Hayes will always be known for his fantastic performances on the court. In 116 games as a player in the Bulldog program, Hayes averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He shot 47.4 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from three-point range and ...

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Alabama A&M continues search for men's basketball coach

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Alabama A&M could have a new men's basketball coach by the end of next week, a source close to the search committee told The Times Tuesday.

School officials, who were slowed by the recent tornado outbreak, are expected to conduct phone interviews with potential candidates today and Thursday. Based upon the phone interviews, the finalists will be brought on campus next week for additional interviews.

Two potential candidates,  former Butler High coach Jack Doss and Eugene Harris, who most recently served as the head coach at Florida A&M and has also coached at Auburn, Alabama and South Alabama, told The Times Tuesday afternoon they had not been contacted for phone interviews. John Douglas, who led Calhoun Community College to the junior college national championship game in ...

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Alabama A&M baseball building on enthusiasm of coach Ed McCann

AAMU Coach Ed McCann

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- He had eight players and no uniforms. Mathematics, the rules of baseball and logic tell you that might not be the most ideal way to build a college baseball program.

"The uniforms had vanished in the middle of the night," said first-year Alabama A&M baseball coach Ed McCann of the situation he inherited. And, as for his office, "it was early-auction furniture. It looked like it came over on the Mayflower."

That Alabama A&M has a baseball team may be news to some. That is has a chance to reach the Southwest Athletic Conference tournament by winning two of three against Jackson State in the next two days may be more shocking news. Even, he will confess, to Ed McCann.

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Alabama A&M's Frank Kearse taken by Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins' Frank "Big Spoon" Kearse

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M defensive tackle Frank Kearse was selected by the Miami Dolphins Saturday in the NFL Draft. Kearse, taken in the seventh round, was the 231st player taken in the draft.

A 6-foot-4, 315-pounder, Kearse was a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection after managing 57 tackles, including 30 solos and 14 tackles for loss last season. Kearse is the first A&M player taken in the draft since Johnny Baldwin was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2007.

Savannah High grad Frank "Big Spoon" Kearse drafted by Miami Dolphins

Savannah High graduate Frank "Big Spoon" Kearse was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft on Saturday night. Kearse, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive tackle, attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Ala.

Kearse said he was watching NFL Network at his Savannah home when he received a phone call from the Dolphins about 10 seconds before his name appeared on the television screen.

Alabama A&M's Frank Kearse taken by Miami Dolphins

Excerpt:
A captain throughout the 2009 and 2010 season, Kearse was a second-team All-SWAC. He finished with 33 tackles, a career high 12 tackles for loss for 41 yards (11th in SWAC), 3.5 sacks for 41 yards, 3 quarterback hurries, a fumble and a forced fumble. Kearse was one of the four players to block a kick attempt. In 2008, he had 30 total tackles (nine solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (14 yards), 1.0 sacks (10 yards), two interceptions (six yards), and one pass break-up.

He was the only Southwestern Athletic Conference football player taken during the 2011 NFL draft.

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A&M University closer to hiring new men's basketball coach

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M is getting closer to hiring a new men's basketball coach, a member of the search committee told The Times Tuesday.

Nearly 60 applicants, including former South Carolina State and Tennessee State coach Cy Alexander, former Florida A&M coach coach Eugene Harris, who is also a former assistant at Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and South Alabama, and Stillman coach Michael Grant, who led the Tigers to a near upset of the University of Alabama-Huntsville last month in the NCAA Division II South Regional final, have applied for the job, but sources say only half of them meet the criteria. Alexander, Harris and Grant have emerged as serious contenders for the job, according to the source.

The committee is trying to trim the number of quality candidates down to 8-10 in hopes ...

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Alabama A&M hoops coach Vann Pettaway out after 25 years

Coach Vann Pettaway ends AAMU
era with a 453-279 record

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Vann Pettaway is expected to resign early next week, ending his 25-year tenure as Alabama A&M's men's basketball coach, The Times has learned.

Attempts to confirm Pettaway's resignation with A&M president Dr. Andrew Hugine, athletics director Betty Austin and Pettaway were unsuccessful by The Times.

Sources say Pettaway asked school officials to allow him to talk to his team before an official announcement is released. That meeting is expected to take place Monday night. An official announcement is expected to be made Monday or Tuesday.

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Texas Southern Clinches Share of SWAC Title in OT Win

Normal, AL - Harrison Smith scored 19 points as Texas Southern survived blowing a 14-point lead to edge Alabama A&M, 83-78, in overtime at Elmore Building in Normal Saturday.

With the victory, the Tigers (16-10, 14-1) clinched at least a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season title. Even if TSU loses its last three games and Jackson State (11-4 SWAC) wins its last three, they would be tied. TSU swept the season series between the two and would earn the top seed in the SWAC tournament.

Tigers win eighth straight, clinch regular-season SWAC title

NORMAL, Ala. — Harrison Smith scored 19 points and Travele Jones added 18 to lead Texas Southern to an 83-78 overtime victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday night.

The Tigers (16-10, 14-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) shot 45.5 percent from the field (5 of 11), including 2 of 2 from 3-point range in the extra period en route to their eighth straight victory.

Kevin Galloway knocked down 1 of 2 free throws with 26 seconds left in regulation, tying the score at 70 and forcing overtime. Galloway finished with 10 assists.

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Videographer: bestartdoc; www.tsumurals.org
There are 123 murals by African American artists at Texas Southern University (TSU). Save the Murals initiative is underway to benefit art conservation/restoration efforts to provide for collection care needs. See more at www.tsumurals.org.

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Link: Walk Together Children: The Poetry of Harvey Johnson with Tribute to John Biggers

SU Jaguars hold off A&M rally

When the final horn sounded and the Southern women’s basketball team walked off the floor with its 12th consecutive victory Monday night, players smiled, high-fived each other and hugged a few die-hard fans.

Their sense of joy was noticeable. But it was matched by a sense of relief. “This one got to me,” said coach Sandy Pugh, who watched her team hold off Alabama A&M for a 65-57 win. “I’m happy with the win, but not happy with our defensive performance in the second half.”

One look at the final statistics showed why.

Alabama A&M-SU women: By the numbers

Southern’s losing streak continues

Yet again, in a desperate attempt to keep up with an opponent, the Southern men’s basketball team tried almost everything Monday night against Alabama A&M.

The Jaguars took timeouts. They substituted liberally. They changed defensive schemes and tried an array of offensive sets. In the end, it was the same song, eighth verse.

The visiting Bulldogs spent the entire second half building on their lead, and pulling away for an easy 64-45 victory in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs open 2011 with tough slate

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Alabama A&M will play a former rival at home for the first time in over a decade along with a up-and-coming program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in addition to its rugged Southwestern Athletic Conference slate of games as athletics director Betty Austin released the school's football schedule Thursday.

The Bulldogs' non-conference schedule features a trip to Hampton University and a home game against long-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Tuskegee in addition to nine SWAC games.

"I think it's a very good schedule," Austin said. "We're returning a game at Hampton and our fans wanted Tuskegee for the Louis Crews Classic. What concerns me is...

Alabama A&M Bulldogs 2011 Football Schedule

Sept. 3 at Hampton
*Sept. 10 at Southern
Sept. 17 Tuskegee (Louis Crews Classic), 6 p.m.
*Sept. 24 at Grambling
*Oct. 1 Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m.
*Oct. 8 Mississippi Valley State (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
*Oct. 15 Texas Southern, 1 p.m.
*Oct. 29 Alabama State, Birmingham, 2:30 p.m.
*Nov. 5 at Alcorn State
*Nov. 12 Jackson State, 1 p.m.
*Nov. 19 at Prairie View

*Indicates Southwestern Athletic Conference game

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A&M holds off Tuskegee

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M beat Tuskegee 73-70 Saturday night at Elmore Gym, but the Bulldogs paid a heavy price for the victory. Starting point guard Jabari Deshields, backup point guard Jeremy Crutcher, backup power forward Jonathan Inman and reserve forward/center Chris Burks were ejected with 3.9 seconds left. All four players must sit out Saturday's game at Alabama.

LONG ROAD ENDS

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Anthony Jones was almost in tears late Saturday afternoon. Nobody would have blamed Alabama A&M's head coach if he had broke down and cried after the kind of the year the Bulldogs had. A&M finished its worst season in Jones' nine years with a 35-14 loss to Prairie View before an announced crowd of 3,967 at Louis Crews Stadium.

"It's been a long, rough year," said Jones' whose team finished 3-8 and lost six of its last seven games after starting 2-2. "It's over and we've got to start all over. I'm going to take a look at a lot of things because I don't like this feeling and I don't want to repeat it."

Alabama A&M notebook

While his career didn't end like he wanted it to, Alabama A&M inside linebacker Afu Okosun was still proud. The Bulldogs' 35-14 loss to Prairie View was the final game for the 13 seniors, who began their careers with Southwestern Athletic Conference championships rings, but it ended it with the worst record since 1992.  "It was one of those years," Okosun said. "When it rains it pours and it definitely poured this year. We kept fighting and trying to make the best of it and I'm proud of that."

Grading the Bulldogs

OFFENSE: F. The Bulldogs managed just 271 total yards and committed four turnovers [- three interceptions and a fumble. Quarterback Justin Jones threw two interceptions in the end zone and also fumbled at the Prairie View 1 when the Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game midway through the second quarter.

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ATTENDANCE: 3969

A&M avoids East Division cellar

GREENVILLE, Miss. - Alabama A&M won't finish last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division. The Bulldogs can thank Tony Green and Kaderius Lacey for that. The Bulldogs' talented tailback tandem combined for 234 yards rushing and scored a touchdown apiece as A&M beat Mississippi Valley State 21-7 Saturday afternoon at Greenville-Weston High School to snap its five-game losing and avoid finishing in the Eastern Division cellar.

"It was an ugly game, but we came out with the win and that was our goal," said Green, who finished with 118 yards on 22 carries. "You can't be too picky, especially with the way our season is going."

Jones finds himself starting QB for rest of the season

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Before the season began, Alabama A&M backup quarterback Justin Jones figured he'd be lucky to play in a mop-up role.

Deaunte Mason, who started the final five games last season and led the Bulldogs to the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title and to the league championship game, was back and seemed poised to have a breakout year as a sophomore. Jones was content with learning the system. He missed last season after failing to qualify academically after signing with the Bulldogs following a terrific senior year at West Morgan High School in Trinity.

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ATTENDANCE: 2398

Videographer: AAMUBAND

Today's SWAC Football Reviews

ASU Hornets can secure spot in SWAC title game with win today over Southern

Alabama State (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) at Southern (2-7, 1-6), Radio - WVAS-FM 90.7 (Montgomery)

Following last week's wild win over Jackson State -- a game in which Jackson State was flagged 17 times for 143 yards, resulting in an expletive-filled tirade from its coach that drew a one-game suspension -- Alabama State can secure its spot in the SWAC title game this week.

The Hornets (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) meet a Southern squad (5:30 p.m.) that has struggled under first-year coach Stump Mitchell, particularly on defense. In each of its six conference losses, Southern (2-7, 1-6) has allowed 27 points or more.

Jackson State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Jackson State (6-3, 4-3 SWAC), UAPB (5-4, 4-3 SWAC), 3:30 p.m. ET at Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Radio: JSU Network (WHLA-95.5 FM, Jackson), Yahoo Internet Radio: JSU vs. UAPB .

Jackson State's chances of winning the SWAC East and traveling to Birmingham for the conference title game are hanging on by the thinnest of threads.

A loss at Pine Bluff seals the once high-flying Tigers' fate. They won't win the East. A win and JSU will anxiously await the final score of the Alabama State-Southern game. If the Jaguars pull the upset, the Tigers will have a chance to claim the East crown with a win over Alcorn State.

That said, the most intriguing storyline heading into the game is the absence of coach Rick Comegy, who was suspended by the SWAC for his profane criticism of officials last week. Comegy said the coordinators will handle head coaching duties, but who makes the tough calls: Kick a field goal or go for it on fourth? And what about calling timeouts?

Braves to face Panthers

Alcorn State (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) 2:00 p.m. ET,

It’s a position that every school in the SWAC East division wants to be in, but right now, only Alcorn State can say the magic words. “We control our destiny.”

With Alcorn’s win over Alabama A&M and Jackson State’s loss to Alabama State last week, the Braves move to the head of the class in the East division. A win in their final two games means the Braves (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) will advance to the SWAC championship game for the first time ever.

Battle of have-nots when A&M and MVSU get together

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M usually is a contender for the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title. The Bulldogs have won four East Division titles under coach Anthony Jones and won the school's lone SWAC championship in 2006.

This season, Jones and company will be lucky to escape the East Division cellar. "We're seeing and feeling what it's like to be on the other side of the stick," Jones said. A&M (2-7, 1-6) will try to stay out of the East Division cellar when it takes on Mississippi Valley State (0-9, 0-8) Saturday at 1 p.m. in Greenville, Miss. The Bulldogs, mired in a five-game losing streak, will try to avoid losing to the Delta Devils, who have lost 10 straight games dating back to last season when they fell to A&M 17-12.

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Bridge leads Alcorn State over Alabama A&M 41-24

NORMAL, Ala. -- Brandon Bridge passed for four touchdowns and ran for another as Alcorn State scored 28 first-half points and defeated Alabama A&M 42-24 on Saturday. Three of Bridge's touchdown passes came in the first half, when the Braves (5-4, 4-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) built a 28-10 lead. He also scored on a 15-yard run in the second quarter.

Alabama A&M defense struggles

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M's defense, which has struggled over the last month or so, did so again Saturday against Alcorn State. The Braves, who entered the game averaging 30.5 points and almost 370 yards per game, scored on their first three possessions and four of their first five and compiled 302 yards in total offense in a 41-24 victory.

"We didn't execute on defense," defensive tackle Frank Kearse said. "We didn't come ready to play." Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge, the leading candidate for Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors, was 9-of-14 for 175 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard touchdown jaunt.

MORE MISERY

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M, enduring its worst season in almost two decades, had seemingly come to life. The Bulldogs, who trailed Alcorn State by as many as 21 points at one time, had pulled to within 34-17 late in the third quarter and was driving toward yet another touchdown that could have made it a 10-point game. Unfortunately, like it has so many times this season, A&M self-destructed.

Grading the Bulldogs

OFFENSE: C: Alabama A&M running back Tony Green had a career-day with 156 yards and a couple of touchdowns, but the Bulldogs committed three turnovers, including two interceptions by quarterback Justin Jones, one of which was returned 65 yards for a touchdown that gave Alcorn State a commanding 41-17 lead late in the third quarter.

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ATTENDANCE: 4,181





Videographer: AAMUBAND

ASU-A&M prepare for Magic City Classic

Alabama State and Alabama A&M have significantly different goals for the rest of the season. ASU remains in the thick of contention for the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title, while A&M is trying to end a three-game losing streak and salvage a season gone sour. But for one week, both these teams have the same objective: win the Magic City Classic. In many ways, winning this game is one of the primary objectives for any season.

"This game goes a long way in determining whether you have a successful year," said A&M coach Anthony Jones. "You feel more pressure on this game than any other one. Nobody will accept any excuses for losing." The 69th playing of the Magic City Classic is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field in Birmingham.

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