Alcorn Braves pointing up

Excerpts:

Ernest Jones has no problem speaking his mind. Remember, this is the first-year coach who proclaims Alcorn State will compete for a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship this season, despite astonishing odds against it. Jones has tried to combat the losing mentality with high energy and expectations. But he looked at the seat to his right when asked what was most important for on-field success at the SWAC Media Day in Birmingham. Sitting there was senior linebacker Lee Robinson.

"Defense is the strength of our football team," Jones said. "We'll go as far Lee Robinson will carry us, as he'll lead us. The defense is going to have to carry us until the offense catches up." Jones wants to exploit the entire field by playing quicker and getting the ball snapped within seven seconds of it being set in play. He plans to have a 50-50 run-pass ratio and wants to give the defense something to think about with a variety of formations.

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Alcorn looks for success with new coach

LORMAN — Since Ernest Jones was hired as Alcorn State’s football coach last December, the mantra for the program has been, “It’s a new day.” That new day arrives Aug. 30 when the Braves host Southeastern Louisiana at Jack Spinks Stadium.

“I’m chomping at the bit,” Jones said. “I want it to get here, but I’m not in that big of a hurry. We need these days to prepare. We just want to get out there.”

Since Jones was hired, excitement around the Alcorn program has been at a fever pitch. Now, the coach knows his team must produce results on the field to keep the excitement level up. “The fanfare has been very positive,” Jones said. “The alumni and administration are excited and we expect to sell the stadium out on Aug. 30. It’s time for the fans to see something exciting and positive and we plan to give them that.”

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Former Lehigh Senior High School (Alcorn State) football player Adams dies in car accident

Ladarrius Adams remembered

The Lehigh Senior High School weight room has been quiet the last two days. “Pure silence,” Lehigh running back Otis Jiles said. “You could only hear the AC running. I’ve never seen it like that before.” That’s the impact Ladarrius Adams’ death has had on the school’s football team as well as his family.

Adams, 17, was killed Thursday morning in a car accident near Fayette, Miss. An incoming freshman at Alcorn State University, Adams had arrived early to go to class and take part in summer workouts. Teammates D’Angelo Buckner and Isaac Williams were also injured.

“I lost my husband (Robert) two years ago, but this is nothing like that,” said Lorraine Curry, Adams’ mother. “Your child comes from you and I just can’t tell you the pain my family is going through; but we stick together and keep the faith and believe that we will make it. But right now, it’s devastating to get that kind of phone call.”

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Alcorn Braves planning to aim high

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Anyone paying attention to the Alcorn State football program can tell there's a stark difference between the lively new coach Ernest Jones and his stoic predecessor Johnny Thomas. But as the saying goes, "Talk is cheap." Jones can say all the right things, but if players don't buy what he's selling none of it will matter for a team picked to finish dead last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division.

But when Emmanuel Arceneaux drops the phrase, "It's a new day," in a casual conversation at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day in Birmingham, you get the feeling he's been paying attention to the new face of Alcorn football. "It did need to change," said Arceneaux, the team's top returning receiver. "The mindset is the pride and tradition that he's trying to bring back to Alcorn. No disrespect to the former coaches, but they came in and gave a boost of energy. Everything is just fired up."

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ASU Braves up ante on coaches' salaries

AD Hamilton ushers in change as athletic budget goes from $3.1M to $4.5M

Alcorn State announced the hiring of its third new head coach since December on Tuesday. And for the third time, the athletic department made a significant financial commitment.

Tonya Edwards will make her Division I head coaching debut for the Alcorn State women's basketball program this fall. Athletic director Darren Hamilton signed Edwards to a four-year, $95,000-a-year deal. Alcorn football coach Ernest Jones was hired at $140,000 per year, a $55,000 increase over his predecessor, Johnny Thomas. Larry Smith received a $125,000 base salary when he was hired to replace Sam West in May.

Both Hamilton and Edwards repeated the mantra started when Jones was hired - that it's a new day at Alcorn State and the bar has been raised.

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Alcorn State Fires Women Basketball Coach

On Thursday, Alcorn State Athletic Director Dr. Darren J. Hamilton announced that longtime coach Shirley A. Walker has been removed of her duties. Walker has been running the Braves program for the last thirty years and posted a record of 492-332.

In 2006, the basketball program received a one-year postseason ban and a three-year probation. The Braves lost one scholarship and had to remove all references to their 2005 NCAA Tournament appearance. The NCAA cited a lack of institutional control that included violations such as the use of ineligible players, giving improper financial-aid benefits and travel expenses, exceeding weekly practice limits, failing to provide a day off from practice each week, and allowing non-certified assistant coaches to recruit off-campus.

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Former Alcorn star Smith hired as Braves’ basketball coach

VICKSBURG — Former Alcorn State University star Larry Smith was introduced as the school’s men’s basketball coach in a news conference here today. Smith, 50, replaces Sam West, who posted a 44-103 record in five seasons. Alcorn State won just seven games and lost 24 in 2007-08 and did not qualify for the SWAC tournament.

“I know it’s not going to be easy,” said Smith, who signed a four-year contract with a $125,000 base salary. “But this thing’s going to happen. Believe me, I’m here for the duration. It’s not going to be easy getting rid of me.

Smith spent 23 years as a player and coach in the NBA and was an assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA until last week. He was an assistant with the Houston Rockets when they won NBA titles in 1994 and ’95.

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Alcorn's Steve McNair left lasting impression

Where do I start in talking about former Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair, who announced his retirement from the Baltimore Ravens last week? The many last-second wins at Henderson Stadium and then Jack Spinks Stadium where a concert-like crowd was treated to another rock-star type performance?

Steve McNair NFL Retirement Speech


The guy who went from saying maybe four sentences a game following a game his freshman year to a go who talked with ease with the country smile when he was a senior? The guy who played through so much pain and through so many injuries that bandage companies probably lost revenue after he left town?

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New Alcorn AD Hamilton set to lead Braves' transition

Fundraising, hiring of men's basketball coach high on list of priorities

A billboard reading "In Transition" would be appropriate on the stretch of Highway 61heading into Lorman. In the last five months Alcorn State has welcomed a new president (George Ross), a new football coach (Ernest Jones) and a new athletic director (Darren Hamilton).

Samuel West was fired the day before Hamilton started last week, so a new basketball coach is on the way. "I'm sure it's a transitional phase," Hamilton, 44, said. "It's a very vibrant time on campus. "I think everybody is really, really hungry and ready to bring it back to the level of excellence and envy that was there in the past."

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Alcorn State Braves to play Arkansas Razorbacks, April 16

Photo: #25 Alcorn State head baseball coach Willie “Rat” McGowan, Sr.

Press Release: University of Arkansas Athletic Media Relations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas has added a game to its 2008 baseball schedule and will host Alcorn State University Braves at Baum Stadium on Wednesday, April 16, at 6:35 p.m.

Alcorn State is 19-6 on the year which included a 14-game winning streak in March. Since that time, the Braves have lost five of their last eight games including two of three from Jackson State two weeks ago.

The Razorbacks added games to the 2008 schedule after missing three dates due to inclement weather. Arkansas’ first weather outage came on Feb. 26 against Southeast Missouri State followed by rainouts on March 28 against Vanderbilt and April 2 against Mississippi Valley State. Unused tickets to any 2008 regular season game will be honored for admission to the April 16 contest. Tickets may also be purchased on game day at Baum Stadium.

For more information regarding Razorback baseball or University of Arkansas athletics please visit http://www.hogwired.com/ and for Alcorn State athletics, visit http://alcornsports.com/.

Alcorn State basketball coach West fired

Photo: Alcorn State's head men's basketball coach Samuel West (gray suit) ends 12 year coaching career with the Braves. West is a native of Natchez, MS and a 1977 graduate of Texas Southern University.


Alcorn State men’s basketball coach Samuel West was fired Tuesday after five seasons on the job, a school official confirmed.

West’s removal coincides with the arrival of new athletic director Darren Hamilton, who started Tuesday, replacing interim AD Wiley Jones. Alcorn State officials would not comment further but said a news release with more details would be issued on Wednesday.

West, 52, won 44 games and lost 103 in his five seasons as the Braves coach. The former Northwest Rankin High School boys coach was an assistant at Alcorn for seven years under legendary coach Davey Whitney before being named head coach in April of 2003.

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Alcorn State football to play Southern Miss in 2009

Photo: Alcorn State University's new head football coach Earnest Jones is bringing excitement to the Braves program by playing Mississippi's Division I football programs.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State Braves are on the verge of making some football history.

The Braves released their 2009 football schedule on Wednesday, which includes a trip to M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg to play Southern Miss. It will be the first time in the 88-year history of the football program that the Braves will play one of the three Division 1A schools in Mississippi.

Alcorn State football coach Ernest Jones said the game is a way to give the Alcorn State program some good recognition and step the program up a notch.

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The Golden Eagles will host Alcorn State on Sept. 12, 2009, in the first meeting between the two schools located about 150 miles apart.

USM will pay Alcorn between $150,000-$160,000. The Braves also will get the proceeds from the first 5,000 tickets they sell and the proceeds from a second allotment of tickets to ASU, if needed, would be split.

-beepbeep

Alcorn State baseball sweeps Alabama State, leads SWAC East 6-0

LORMAN - Alcorn State moved to 10-1 and 6-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference East by completing a three-game sweep over Alabama State on Saturday.

The Braves put 15 hits together with 12 walks. They beat the Hornets 14-5 two times on Friday. For the three games, Alcorn racked up 40 runs and 45 hits.

Alcorn State douses Hornets' SWAC flame

Photo: Alabama State University head coach Lewis Jackson.

Alabama State has a "blackout" night planned for Monday's game against Southern University. But Saturday's game against Alcorn State was an unannounced flameout night. Against the SWAC's last-place team, the first-place Hornets shot a paltry 11 percent from behind the 3-point line (2-of-17), were out-rebounded 34-27 and were generally out-hustled most of the night. Worst beat first, 73-69.

"They just play hard and tough and they come out here tonight and took it to us," ASU head coach Lewis Jackson said of his team's second home loss of the year. "It was a bad night for us from the free throw line, a bad night from behind the 3-point line and a bad night around the basket. Just overall, we didn't play well and we need to regroup somewhat."

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Alcorn State facing constant battles as Division I have-not

ALCORN STATE, Miss. -- The bus rocked gently, bringing the Alcorn State basketball team back from its pregame meal. Standing in the aisle, sophomore Troy Jackson held on to the back of a seat as he recited from memory a few lines of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

I've known rivers.
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

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Alcorn State Announces 2008 Recruiting Class

Photo: Alcorn State University head football coach Ernest T. Jones.

Alcorn State, MS—With the first home game a little over six months away, Alcorn State has announced its 2008 recruiting class. The Braves have recruited three (3) linebackers, one (1) middle linebacker, five (5) offensive linemen, three (3) defensive ends, two (2) defensive backs, two (2) quarterbacks and one (1) running back. Alcorn State also has four mid-year recruits from community colleges and universities. This is the first class of recruits for Coach Jones.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY 2008 SIGNEES

NAME POS HT WT HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOL

1. D’Angelo Buckner DB 6’0 185 Clinton, MS Clinton HS.

2. Josh Cragin* LB 6’2 225 Fort Walton Beach, FL Arizona Western CC.

3. Artis Evans LB 6’2 220 Pahokee, FL Pahokee HS.

4. Cedric Everson* DB 6’0 175 Detroit, MI University of Iowa.

5. Nathan Fears OL 6’5 240 Arlington, TX Bowie, HS.

6. Shavikia Gaines MLB 6’3 230 Fayette, MS Jefferson County HS.

7. John Hughes DE 6’3 225 Tuscaloosa, AL Northridge HS.

8. Obie James DE 6’1 225 McComb, MS McComb HS.

9. Stephen Johnson OL 6’4 265 Crystal Springs, MS Crystal Springs, MS.

10. Antoine Mason DB 6’1 190 Oak Park, MI Oak Park HS.

11. Brandon Morris DE 6’2 240 Arlington, TX Sam Houston HS.

12. Michael Mosley* TE 6’1 240 Cleveland, MS MS Gulf Coast CC.

13. Kenny Roby LB 6’2 225 Macon, MS Noxubee County HS.

14. Ke’onn Rutley RB 5’10 180 Tuscaloosa, AL Northridge HS.

15. Willie Ryas OL 6’4 285 Indianola, MS Gentry HS.

16. Jerry Salas OL 6’3 265 Arlington, TX Sam Houston HS.

17. Aaron Shavers QB 6’0 185 Detroit, MI Inkster HS.

18. Michael Simmons* WR 5’10 185 Jackson, MS Northeast MS CC.

19. Percy Turner QB 6’1 185 Fayette, MS Jefferson County HS.

20. Kavon Tyson LB 6’2 200 Delray Beach, FL Atlantic HS.

21. Isaac Williams OL 6’2 280 Clinton, MS Clinton HS.

* Denotes Mid-year Signees

Pop diva Roberta Flack sets musical future for students at Bronx school

Photo: Famed pop singer Roberta Flack was raised in Arlington, Virginia (born in Asheville, NC) and entered Howard University on a music scholarship at age 15 and graduated at age 19.

The house was packed, but easily the most enthusiastic fan at the Roberta Flack School of Music's first Winter Music Festival last week was the school's chief benefactor and namesake. Time and again the multi-Grammy Award-winning Flack leaped from her first-row center seat to lead the applause during the two-hour program, held in the Hyde Leadership Charter School auditorium in Hunts Point, the Bronx.

She stalked the footlights for better angles, hugged every child - and many adults - who ventured within arms' reach and even admonished the crowd to quiet down. "I didn't know it was going to be this good!" Flack said with a grin. "These children have worked so hard. Please give them your undivided attention."

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The school is trying to raise $12,000 to send a dozen students to the 28th annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival in Lorman, Mississippi on April 19, 2008. Contributions can be sent to the school, 730 Bryant Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 10474. The phone number is (718) 991-5500.

Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Southern Lady Jaguars tops Alcorn State

The Southern women’s basketball team beat Alcorn State 46-39 Saturday even while missing 49 shots in a victory that provided further proof of how the Jaguars win with their energetic defense and their ultra-active freshman forward Freda Allen.

Allen played the final 10 minutes with four fouls and still came up with her customary double-digit rebounding and making a host of hustle plays — and also canceling out one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s top scorers. “Freda is one of those players like (Dennis) Rodman was to the (Chicago) Bulls,” Southern coach Sandy Pugh said.”

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Southern University rip Alcorn State Braves

Joseph Jack’s two-hand jam in the waning seconds was insignificant in that it didn’t change the outcome any. The point, rather, of those points was in giving Southern a winning margin of 19 in its 86-67 victory over Alcorn State. That’s the same margin as the Jaguars blew earlier Saturday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Up 19. Down three. Finish up 19.

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Up next, Southern University visits Grambling State at 1 p.m. Saturday. This game will be televised on ESPN2.

Son of ex-NBA/Alcorn State guard, Phelps now a headline act

The phone rang and the caller politely identified himself to a reporter. "This is Michael Phelps, Jonathan's father."

Man, have times ever changed.

Michael Phelps, the former Vicksburg High and Alcorn State star and NBA guard, is no longer the most-recognized basketball star in his own family. Not that it bothers him even a little bit. "Just watching him play, putting the team on his shoulders and doing whatever it takes kinds of puts me back in those days," Michael said. "But one of the reasons we named him Jonathan was because we wanted him to have his own identity,"

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Schools like Alcorn, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Grambling and Western Kentucky have shown interest in Phelps, who may play for a junior college next season.