Tennessee State gets road win at Samford

The Tennessee State University Tigers evened their OVC record at 3-3 with a 55-46 win at Samford University’s new Pete Hanna Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Two TSU players Jerrell Houston and Reiley Ervin scored in double figures scoring 15 and 10 points respectively. Samford managed just two double figure scorers. Guard Josh Bedwell led all scorers and rebounders with 16 points and nine rebounds while center Travis Peterson tallied 14 points.

"We didn't shoot the ball well tonight at all," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "We can't have (Travis) Peterson go 0-for-5, (Joe Ross) Merritt go 1-for-7 and (Trey) Montgomery go 1-for-5 from 3-point range and expect to win. We need to be better in our zone offense and that falls on me, because I need to do a better job of coaching it."

The Bulldogs' loss was also their first home defeat against Tennessee State (6-9, 3-3 OVC) since Nov. 28, 1986.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, VIEW BOX SCORE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

Some schools should stay outta Division I

In the rush to cash in on the popularity of March Madness, more and more schools are declaring themselves Division I basketball programs. The number this year is 326.

But the NCAA needs to draw the line and set up some criteria to avoid disasters like the one we saw Monday night when Kansas State embarrassed Savannah State, 85-25, in Manhattan in a game that made everyone involved in the sport a little nervous. The Tigers - who joined Division I in 2002 - shot just 1-for-23 and were outscored 48-4 in the second half, setting NCAA records for worst field goal percentage and fewest points in a half in the shot-clock era.

CONTINUE TO READ THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

Saint Louis set a modern Division I record for fewest points in a game Thursday night, falling 49-20 to George Washington in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams. The Billikens (9-6), playing their first season under coach Rick Majerus, missed 23 consecutive shots at one point and finished 7-for-48 (14.6 percent) from the field, including 1-for-19 from 3-point range. They trailed 25-7 at halftime.

Some middle school kids can chunk in from half court and score 20.

The previous low since the shot clock was introduced in 1985-86 was 21 by Georgia Southern in a 40-point loss to Coastal Carolina in 1997. It was matched by Princeton in a 20-point loss to Monmouth in 2005. The fewest points ever by a Division I team was set by Arkansas State in a 75-6 loss to Kentucky in 1945. It was matched by Temple in an 11-6 loss to Tennessee in 1973.

So, should Saint Louis University consider moving down to Division II? Savannah State had a valid excuse--it was over matched with a 10-4 Big 12 Conference powerhouse program in Kansas State. What's Saint Louis excuse with GW not being an Atlantic 10 powerhouse this season?

-beepbeep

NCAA cuts Prairie View A&M women's basketball scholarships

Photo: Prairie View A&M University head women basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke

Compiled by beepbeep

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The NCAA on Tuesday penalized Prairie View A&M's women's basketball team for violations attributed to unfamiliarity with rules by coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, a former Houston Comets star and WNBA head coach for the Phoenix Mercury.

The Division I Committee on Infractions cited the transgressions as major violations in the PVAMU women's basketball program. The case involves violations of NCAA rules in the areas of institutional control, out-of-season practice and observation, extra benefits, and eligibility.

Penalties for the violations include four years of probation, a reduction in the number of women's basketball scholarships for two academic years, and a decrease in the number of women's basketball recruiting contact opportunities.

The committee attributed the majority of violations to the hiring of a head coach with no NCAA experience in rules education and the university's failure to educate her regarding rules compliance. In addition, the committee concluded that an environment of noncompliance existed in the university's athletic department.

The university previously appeared in a major infractions hearing in 2001 during which time the committee mandated that the university develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA rules. The committee stated in this most recent case that it was apparent the institution had not implemented this mandate from the committee, which led to the lengthy probation period.

Regarding the violations of impermissible tryouts and out-of-season practice activities, it was found that members of the women's basketball coaching staff conducted basketball drills and provided skill instruction to a number of women's basketball student-athletes on several occasions during the summer of 2005.

Coach Cooper-Dyke was named the Prairie View head mentor in July 2005.

Additionally, during the summer and fall of 2005, prior to the start of allowable preseason basketball practice, the head coach and two assistant coaches observed prospective student-athletes, with members of the women's basketball team, participating in pickup basketball games for brief periods of time in the university's facilities.

Also, during the summer of 2005, the head coach had an improper telephone call and an improper in-person, off-campus contact with a prospective student-athlete prior to the coach being officially recognized by the university as an authorized staff member.

This case also involves the head coach's provision of impermissible extra benefits to women's basketball student-athletes during the summer of 2005 and the 2005-06 academic year. Specifically, the head coach provided small amounts of cash ranging from $10 to $30, and in one instance, a personal item to numerous women's basketball student-athletes.

In addition, the head coach arranged for several student-athletes to receive impermissible complimentary admissions to professional basketball contests.

Regarding the eligibility violations, the university allowed an incoming freshman student who was not certified as a qualifier by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse to attend basketball practice sessions and engage in basketball practice activities with the team at a time when she was not allowed to do so according to NCAA rules.

It was also found that prior to the 2006-07 academic year, the university failed to record countable hours of athletically related practice and competition activities on a daily basis for each student-athlete as an individual in any team sport.

Based on these violations, the committee found that the university demonstrated a lack of institutional control over its women's basketball program during the summer of 2005 and the 2005-06 academic year. This finding was based on the university's failure to adequately educate the newly-hired women's basketball coach with regard to basic NCAA rules, as well as the environment of noncompliance that existed in the athletic department.

This environment set the stage for violations to occur and be ignored, as manifested when assistant women's basketball coaches and an athletics administrator witnessed violations in the women's basketball program and decided neither to confront the head coach nor to report the information to the proper authorities.

In determining the penalties, the Committee on Infractions considered the university's self-imposed penalties and corrective actions. The penalties, some of which were self-imposed by the university and adopted by the committee, are as follows:

• Public reprimand and censure.
• Four years of probation (January 8, 2008, to January 7, 2012).
• Reduction in women's basketball scholarships by three from 15 to 12 total for each of the 2007-08 through the 2009-10 academic years.
• For the first three weeks of the practice and playing season in the fall semester of 2007, the women's basketball team reduced practice hours from the maximum 20 hours allowed to 10 hours per week. (Self-imposed by university.)
• For the 2007-08 academic year, official paid visits for women's basketball will be reduced from the four-year average of slightly over four visits to two visits. (Self-imposed by university).

The Committee on Infractions consists of conference and institutional athletics administrators, faculty and members of the public. The committee independently rules on cases investigated by the NCAA enforcement staff and determines appropriate penalties. The committee's findings may be appealed to the Infractions Appeals Committee.

The members of the Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case are Josephine Potuto, the Richard H. Larson Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Nebraska College of Law and chair of the committee; Paul Dee, director of athletics at the University of Miami, and formerly the university's general counsel; Eileen Jennings, general counsel at Central Michigan University; Gene Marsh, James M. Kidd Sr. Professor of Law at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa School of Law; Alfred Lechner, Jr., attorney; Thomas Yeager, commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association; and Dennis Thomas, the commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and formerly director of athletics at Hampton University.

READ CYNTHIA COOPER-DYKE BIO BY CLICKING THE BLOG TITLE.

In a statement, Prairie View said it agreed with the findings and didn't plan to appeal the sanctions.

"Our athletics department views this report and its findings as an opportunity for the university to improve and address its NCAA compliance requirements," Prairie View President George C. Wright said. "We are currently working to implement corrective actions to meet and exceed the NCAA recommendations and requirements."

Cooper-Dyke, a two-time WNBA MVP, helped lead the Comets to the first four WNBA titles, winning the finals MVP each time. She's in the third year of her first college coaching job.

The Panthers went 7-21 her first season, then 19-14 last year, the school's first winning record. The team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference title and went to the NCAA tournament.

The team is 7-7 this season.

MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAINSTREET COMMENTS: Another case of the NCAA killing a mosquito with an ax.... Cynthia Cooper-Dyke made mistakes and is certainly culpable, along with Prairie View A&M University athletic director Charles McClelland and compliance coordinator, Angela McMorris.

But is the punishment fair and reasonable?

The violations here were really the direct result of the failure to educate the coach on (NCAA) rules," said Josephine Potuto, the chair of the NCAA Committee on Infractions. "It was also a failure of the university to have a culture of compliance."

"I am relieved that it's all over, first off and then I'm relieved that the NCAA saw the violations for what they were," Cooper-Dyke told Houston television station KRIV. "They were mistakes that were made by a rookie coach with no previous NCAA experience and not very familiar with the NCAA rules and that was my mistake."

Cooper-Dyke is thrilled her team will still be able to play for the SWAC title and can still earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. The NCAA did not levy any post-season bans against Prairie View. McClelland says he remains totally committed to Cynthia Cooper-Dyke as the Lady Panthers head coach.

Reference: NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions Report No.277 Case No. M268

A 'Team of the Century' - Matthew Gilbert H.S.

Photo: Members of the 1958 Matthew Gilbert High School undefeated football team gather with assistant coach William Higgins (right) and New York City Councilman and Gilbert alumnus Larry Seabrook (fifth from left) as the team is honored Friday at the school's reunion at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Seabrook worked to make sure the team was recognized for its achievement.

50 years later, Jacksonville, Fla. Matthew Gilbert High football champs finally recognized.

They were members of the 1958 Matthew Gilbert High School football team. They traveled as far away as Pensacola and Miami to find opponents and finished 11-0. But they couldn't play against their neighbors who attended Jacksonville's white high schools because of segregation laws. Last month, the 1958 Gilbert team was named one of the "Teams of the Century" by the Florida High School Athletic Association, the same governing body that didn't represent black schools in the '50s.

In 1958, the state association governing black high school athletics held a football championship for the first time. Gilbert's team traveled to Fort Lauderdale where it beat Dillard High School 14-7 in front of a crowd of 11,000. The reaction back home reflected the segregationist attitude of the city. They were a black team from a black school that won a black championship, and the city's white majority generally overlooked them.

The players knew how much they had accomplished that year, but they also knew not to expect widespread recognition. "It was the way it was," said Roy Mitchell, a senior tackle on the team. "Segregation was at its zenith at the time." Instead, they moved on.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW PHOTOS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

Photo: Bullet Robert "Bob" Hayes

They graduated from Gilbert and went on to college, the military or to work.

One of the players, Bob Hayes (Florida A&M University), eventually became an Olympic gold medalist in track and an NFL All-Pro standout. But at Gilbert, he wasn't even among the best. During the 1958 season, as a junior, he played behind more talented halfbacks.

Today, Bob Hayes remains the only player in history to win both an Olympic Gold Medal and NFL Super Bowl ring. It's a doggone shame that he is not immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

FCS (1-AA) shows argument for football playoffs isn't all academic

Either Ohio State or Louisiana State will claim the Bowl Championship Series title tonight, a designation drenched in ambiguity no matter who wins. For years, division I-A football officials have opposed the kind of playoff format that would avoid such murkiness, using final exams as part of the reason for favoring the current bowl structure. Players shouldn't have to balance football and academics when both become most demanding, the argument goes.

And yet, division I-AA players do it every season. Kenneth Peacock, the chancellor at three-time defending I-AA champion Appalachian State, meets annually with the presidents from his league, the Southern Conference. The topic of football distracting from academics -- or vice versa -- has never been brought up. "It's never been an issue," he said.

PLEASE CONTINUE READING THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

Winston Salem may bid for 2009 MEAC tournaments

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is looking for a city for its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, and Winston-Salem might be in the running. Commissioner Dennis Thomas of the MEAC said that information on the bid process was sent to Winston-Salem officials. The next step is for the city to submit a proposal to the MEAC, if it’s interested.

Chico Caldwell, the athletics director at WSSU, is a member of the Greater Winston-Salem Sports Commission. He says that the commission has not met to discuss the MEAC Tournament. But Caldwell said that landing the tournament would be a good thing.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

The facility being discussed for Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the Joel Coliseum, which seats 14,500. Norfolk, Virginia is countering with the Scope, which seats 10,000. Richmond, Virginia is also one of the MEAC's targeted cities, expecting to place a bid for the tournaments.

-beepbeep

Western Michigan grounds North Carolina Central Eagles

Photo: NCCU Eagles received tough introduction to Mid-American Conference basketball at WMU on Wednesday.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan opened up 2008 by holding North Carolina Central to 30-percent shooting en route to a 79-43 defeat of the Eagles in front of 2,832 fans at University Arena on Wednesday night.

Sophomore gaurd David Kool led the Broncos (6-7) with a game-high 17 points and hit a career-high five three-pointers. Kool also set a career-high with 11 three point attempts. Junior forward Derek Drews pitched in 13 points and senior center Joe Reitz scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Junior point gaurd Mike Redell scored seven points and dished out a career-high 10 assists to notch only the 10th double-digit assist game in Western Michigan history. Sophomore center Donald Lawson tied a career high with six rebounds and set a new career high with five blocked shots. Junior guard Andre Ricks scored all seven of his points in the second half. All 12 players saw at least four minutes on the court and 11 scored to give WMU a 27-6 advantage in points off the bench.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE, VIEW VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AND BOX SCORE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

The North Carolina Central Eagles season record is now 1-18 in their first season of NCAA Division I basketball. The Eagles next will visit East Carolina at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Road to Redemption Winds Slowly for MSU Bozeman

by beepbeep

We read this story a few days ago regarding Morgan State University head basketball coach Todd Bozeman. Most of you know his story, but its worth your time to read it again as there are several nuggets that a matured Bozeman passes on in this story.
Not only is Bozeman an amazing coach, but he is a person that has overcome a major mistake in his life that would have destroyed lesser men.

Most certainly would not consider leaving the United States to pursue the craft that they loved, which Bozeman did without hesitation. Bozeman is proving that good coaches can attract blue chip players at any institution when you place priority on developing the student-athlete into a first class person and player. We expect to see this trend grow as black coaches and players begin to see that the sky is the limit at HBCUs.

Coach Bozeman is an asset to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

CLICK ON THE BLOG TITLE TO READ THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE ON TODD BOZEMAN AND MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BEARS.

Photo: The California Connection - Jerrell Green, left, Jamar Smith, center, and Marquise Kately migrated 3,000 miles to Morgan State to play for Coach Bozeman.

It's official: Joe Taylor signs to coach FAMU

Photo: New Florida A&M University Head Football Coach Joe Taylor is 3rd winningest coach in FCS.

by beepbeep

What we knew last evening regarding the historic signing of future College Football Hall of Fame inductee Joe Taylor, has been confirmed Sunday evening by the man himself. Taylor indicated in a conversation with the Newport News Daily Press newspaper that he has signed his Florida A&M University contract today, to become head football coach of the Rattlers program.

FAMU issued an official press release to the Associated Press this evening that announced the hiring of Taylor. Florida A&M President James Ammons and new athletic director Bill Hayes will introduce Coach Taylor on Monday to the local press and Rattlers community.

Taylor said that the many positives regarding FAMU's program went into his decision to select the Rattlers over Western Carolina University. Both were simultaneously seeking his services as head coach last week.

MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street is very pleased with this selection for Florida A&M University, but more importantly it keeps this talented hall of fame coach in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to continue to help build our conference supremacy. In the end, FAMU got the best coach in the market and that's all that matters. He was the top choice.

No one can debate the point that the ice is colder at Florida A&M University for Joe Taylor.
Welcome, Coach Taylor to the Hill and thank you Dr. James Ammons and Administration for the exceptional work in the hiring a superb new football coach.

Let's get this party started--Go Rattlers!

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING OUR BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

The Florida A&M University Marching 100

Kately making bear tracks from California to Baltimore

Photo: Morgan State forward Marquise Kately is third in scoring for the Bears, averaging 12.6 points per game.

Even more than 3,000 miles from home, Marquise Kately couldn’t be more comfortable playing at Morgan State.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward from San Francisco is one of three Bears players with ties to California, lured to Baltimore by Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman, who spent four seasons coaching at the University of California in the 1990s.

Continue reading article by clicking link Title above or: http://www.examiner.com/a-1117630~Kately_making_bear_tracks_from_California_to_Baltimore.html

Savannah State University head coach finalists announced

Compiled by beepbeep

Former Florida A&M University head football coach Rubin Carter has been named among the four finalists for the Savannah State University head football coaching vacancy.

In addition to Rubin Carter, Raymond Gross, Robby Wells and FAMUan Kent Schoolfield were invited to the campus yesterday by SSU vice president for administration Claud Flythe to continue the interview process. President Earl Yarbrough will make the selection tomorrow.

The final selection will be announced Saturday before a 2:00 p.m. basketball game at Tiger Arena with High Point University with the coach being introduced to the fans. This will be the ninth head coach for Savannah State in the past 13 years.

The football program is currently under NCAA probation until May 19, 2009 for violations in recruiting, playing and practice seasons, financial aid, ethical conduct and institutional control.

Theo Lemon and his eight assistants were fired on November 30 after a two season record of 3-18, with only 24 scholarship players at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) level. Lemon was not responsible for the school being placed on NCAA probation.

Savannah State currently plays as a FCS Independent having been denied membership into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2006. The position previously paid $65,000 annually, but the school has indicated that the new coach will earn more, but Flythe has not stated publicly what that amount will be. The scholarships will also be increased, but Flythe did not disclose the number that would be allotted.

National signing day for student athletes is February 6, 2008.

Savannah State is reporting that 68 candidates submitted applications on December 14. The announcement for the job was issued on December 1, with selection to be made on December 22.

Bios:

1. Rubin Carter (Fired November 20, 2007 after compiling a 3-8 record, 16-17 record in three seasons; paid $135,000 annually with 2 years remaining on contract).
http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carter_rubin00.html

2. Kent Schoolfield - Inductee in FAMU Hall of Fame. Assistant coach (wide receivers) at Capital University, a Division III school in Columbus, Ohio. He spent the 2005 season as the offensive coordinator at North Carolina A&T. He coached at Capital in 2003 and 2004. Prior to that, Schoolfield was the head coach at Fort Valley State and guided the Wildcats to three Division II playoff appearances in six seasons.
http://www.ncataggies.com/Football/profiles/schoolfield_kent.htm

3. Ramond Gross - Inductee in Georgia Southern University Athletic Hall of Fame; currently Assistant Coach - Quarterbacks at Bethune Cookman University (2nd year).
http://bccathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gross_raymond00.html

4. Robby Wells - Assistant coach at Benedict College, a Division II school in Columbia, S.C. Wells is the Tigers' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
http://www.benedict.edu/exec_admin/athletics/football/staff/bc-football-staff.html

MEAC/SWAC Sports Clipboard: ASU and FAMU makes progress

by beepbeep, MEAC/SWAC Sports Mainstreet

Alcorn State University has indicated that they have received 30 applications in response to the posted vacancy to replace the fired head football coach, Dr. Johnny Thomas. The interim athletic director, Wiley Jones said the search committee is made up of nine people associated with the university and they are expected to have a short list ready by next week.

The Braves, who finished 2-8 this past season are expected to have a new coach hired before the end of the month. Jones said that three and no more than five names will be presented to Alcorn State Interim President Malvin A. Williams for his consideration.

Jones said the committee’s first choice would be someone with Division I coaching experience but that is not a requirement. “We haven’t made any decisions yet,” Jones said. “We’re looking at everybody. No one has been eliminated.” Thomas finished with an overall record of 48-61 and a SWAC record of 34-41 in his 10 years at the helm of the Alcorn State program.

Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers Basketball Head Coach Debra Clark is headed for the NCAA Tournament in 2008. If the first seven games are any indication, Coach Clark and the 7-0 FAMU Lady Rattlers will overcome every adversity placed in their path to reach this goal.

First, before the season begin, Clark lost 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Rookie performers Secrett Anderson and Marke Freeman, due to transfer. No problem, as two players don't define the success of the FAMU progam. Then Coach Clark had to have surgery to remove her thyroid on November 14. Again, no problem as her trusted assistant coaches and the Lady Rattlers were successful in defeating Albany State (76-73) and Savannah State on the road 71-54 to raise the season record to 4-0.

More importantly, Coach Clark signed to a national letter-of-intent Ashley Hampton, a senior forward with St. John Lutheran, who is a top basketball player in the Ocala, Florida region. Hampton will be a very important piece for the 2008-09 Lady Rattlers program. All of these events occurred while the coach was out recovering from her surgery.

Then Clark returns and runs over Bethune Cookman on the road 78-65; uses Stetson for a home scrimmage with a final score of 54-37; and then clobbers a good Jacksonville Dolphin squad at home 66-57 for a 7-0 record. The Dolphins are no scrub team having beaten Miami and Florida on the road for a 6-3 season record.

The Lady Rattlers are off to their best start ever and the 7-0 record ties the 1983-84 FAMU women team coached by Mickey Clayton.

The Lady Rattlers are going to Tampa on Saturday to play South Florida on Sunday at the Sun Dome. New FAMU athletic director Bill Hayes will get a homecoming of sorts when North Carolina Central University Eagles comes to Tallahassee on December 15. Then its Florida Gulf Coast at Gaither Gym on December 17 to close out 2007.

In the MEAC Standings, the FAMU Lady Rattlers are in a three way tie for first place with North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies and Morgan State Lady Bears with one victory in the conference.

So, who are the stars on the Lady Rattlers team that finished 2006-07 with a 16-16 record?

Photo: FAMU Guard Joslyn Jackson, 5-7 senior guard,
Marietta, GA McEachern HS leads Lady Rattlers in scoring.

Starting guards Joslyne Jackson and Deidra Jones are scoring 16.5 and 14.8 points per game, respectively. Jones is snatching 8.0 boards. Stephanie Foster is scoring 12.3 per game and our girl, Q'Vaunda Curry is hitting an average of 9.7 points and 43 percent of her 3 point shots. Taniyah Dawson is averaging 30 minutes per game and 6.2 points, with 3.2 steals and 4.3 assists. Forward Denise Tate and center Thyeis Halley are clocking 24 and 16 minutes each game and 5.3 points each. Tate is pulling down 9.3 rebounds to lead the team. Forward Kirsten Stallings, center Melissa Daniels, guards Evette Young and Jarquella Woods have played important minutes as they develop the needed bench depth for the Lady Rattlers.

The entire Lady Rattlers team is listed below and their schedule for 2007/08. This team is worth the price of admissions, so go out and see them play when they come to your area, HBCU sports fans.

NO NAME HT POS Year Hometown Last School
1 Jarquella Woods 5-1 G FR Columbus, GA Hardaway HS
2 Deidra Jones 5-10 G JR Powder Springs, GA McEachern HS
5 Evette Young 5-6 G RS JR Sunrise, FL Ft. Lauderdale HS
11 Taniyah Dawson 5-7 G JR Mesquite, TX Poteet HS
15 Chelsea Pennick 5-11 G FR Orlando, FL Orlando Christian Prep
20 Q'Vaunda Curry 5-6 G SR Quincy, FL East Gadsden HS
21 Joslyne Jackson 5-7 G SR Marietta, GA McEachern HS
22 Devin Williams 5-9 F FR Sarasota, FL Sarasota HS
23 Stephanie Foster 6-0 G/F JR Columbus, OH Brookhaven HS
25 Leanne Randall 6-0 G FR Fayetteville, N.C. Trinity Christian Prep
31 Melissa Daniels 6-3 C JR Jasper, FL Hamilton Co. HS
35 Kirsten Stallings 6-0 F SO Memphis, TN Ridgeway, HS
40 Denise Tate 6-1 F JR Cleveland, OH Glenville HS
42 Thyeis Halley 6-1 F/C SR Cleveland, OH Lakeland CC
44 Brandi Hollingsworth 6-2 F/C FR Columbus, GA Pacelli HS

Coaches

Debra Clark - Head Coach
John Clark - Assistant Coach
Niki Washington - Assistant Coach
Melaney Denson - Assistant Coach

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result

11/01/07 at Valdosta State ! Valdosta, GA 5:00 p.m. ET
11/09/07 at Georgia State Atlanta, GA W, 60-58 (F)
11/13/07 vs. Mercer Tallahassee, FL W, 78-57 (F)
11/14/07 vs. Albany State Tallahassee, FL W, 76-73 (F)
11/20/07 at Savannah State Savannah, GA W, 71-54 (F)
12/01/07 at Bethune Cookman @ Daytona Beach, FL W, 78-65 (F)
12/03/07 vs. Stetson Tallahassee, FL W, 54-37 (F)
12/06/07 vs. Jacksonville @ Tallahassee, FL W, 66-57 (F)
12/09/07 at USF Tampa, FL TBA
12/15/07 vs. North Carolina Central Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
12/17/07 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Tallahassee, FL 5:00 p.m. ET
01/02/08 at Florida Gainesville, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
01/04/08 vs. Savannah State Tallahassee, FL 7:00 p.m. ET
01/12/08 at Howard @ Washington, D.C. 2:00 p.m. ET
01/14/08 at Hampton University @ Hampton, VA 6:00 p.m. ET
01/19/08 at Morgan State @ Baltimore, MD 2:00 p.m. ET
01/21/08 at Coppin State @ Baltimore, MD 5:30 p.m. ET
01/26/08 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
01/28/08 vs. Delaware State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/02/08 at Winston-Salem State @ Winston-Salem, N.C. 2:00 p.m.

02/04/08 at South Carolina State @ Orangeburg, S.C. 5:30 p.m. ET
02/09/08 vs. North Carolina A&T @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
02/11/08 vs. Norfolk State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/16/08 vs. Morgan State Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
02/18/08 vs. Coppin State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
02/23/08 at Maryland Eastern Shore @ Princess Anne, MD 2:00 p.m.
02/25/08 at Delaware State @ Dover, MD 5:30 p.m. ET
03/01/08 vs. Winston-Salem State @ Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
03/03/08 vs. South Carolina State @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET
03/06/08 vs. Bethune Cookman @ Tallahassee, FL 5:30 p.m. ET

MEAC Tournament:TBA
NCAA Tournament: TBA

Some Names are just funny--or are they if you have to spell it for the 6 millionth time.

If you have been a long time Florida A&M University sports fan, you may recall a basketball player that played guard at FAMU with center Jerome James (NBA New York Knicks) during the 1995-96 season. The fellow name is Mapp--Scientific Mapp. No, I'm not kidding and his brother played basketball for Virginia and his name is Majestic Mapp. Well, we found a few more this morning that are surely the best names in college hoops history.

Alabama State University currently has a 7-1/265 starting junior center from Boyton Beach, Florida that has our vote for the most unique name in sports history but the guy can play basketball and is a force in the middle. When was the last time the SWAC had a seven footer that could actually play? Yes, it has be a while. Here is our list:

Photo: Alabama State University basketball junior center Chief Kickingstallionsims

1. Grlenntys "Chief" Kickingstallionsims Jr., Alabama State University
(Goes by "Chief Kickingstallionsims") with his given first name being Grlenntys, whose name means “Strength of Fallen Rocks.” He is a member of the Navajo nation. Chief transferred from Stetson University (Deland, Fla) to Alabama State University and is playing his first season for the Hornets. He is a graduate of Blanche Ely High School.

2. Scientific Mapp--5-10 starting guard on 1995-96 FAMU men basketball team with current NBA Knicks center Jerome James. No, he did not major in Geography.

3. Majestic Mapp, Virginia/West Georgia --brother of Scientific Mapp.

4. God Shamgod, Providence College

5. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, George Washington

6. Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown

Photo: FAMU Basketball senior center Akini Akini

Florida A&M current 6-10/231 senior center "Akini Akini" is a tremendous student-athlete, so we are going to cut this brother some slack and leave him off our list because he has the same first and last name. Akini Ferdinand Akini is married and a native of Cameroon majoring in construction engineering. He is an excellent Rattler!

FAMU "sole source" new athletic director

Compiled by beepbeep

Photo: FAMU president Dr. James Ammons

The Tallahassee Democrat announced in today's edition that Florida A&M University president Dr. James Ammons has recommended to the FAMU Board of Trustees that William "Bill" Hayes be accepted as the hire for the athletic director position. More importantly, Dr. Ammons requested the academic committee of the board of trustees issue a waiver for advertising the vacant post on a competitive basis and confirm Mr. Hayes hiring immediately. The academic committee is composed only of trustees.

The Board is also expected to vote today on issuing a waiver for the advertisement for the head football coaching position vacated by the fired Rubin Carter. Dr. Ammons also advised the Trustees that he would be bringing forth a recommendation for a head coach by December 17.

First, is anyone surprised by this development?

We're not, as Dr. Ammons has shown a personal preference in hiring the familiar or individuals that worked with him previously at North Carolina Central University, i.e., William "Bill" Hayes and possibly--Rod Broadway (head coach).

Upon being selected at NCCU in May 2003, Hayes stated, “I’m excited,” while giving credit to current head football coach Rod Broadway for helping get him off the golf course and back to work in athletics. Broadway had known Hayes since his coaching days at WSSU and had maintained a relationship over the years. “Coach Broadway called me two or three times a week,” Hayes stated. “He wasn’t interested in Xs and Os, he wanted to know about building a program. As I thought about all this free advice I was giving I decided to pursue this opportunity.”

Photo: William 'Bill" Hayes is proposed FAMU new athletic director.

Coach Broadway is in his first season at Grambling State University, but may be committed only until completion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on December 15, in Birmingham, Alabama. The 48 hours thereafter, is just enough time to raise the SWAC Championship trophy, issue a letter of resignation and make travel plans to Tallahassee. Broadway has won 74 percent of all of his games at both NCCU and Grambling State and coached NCCU to an undefeated regular season in 2006 and the Black National Championship.

Not even opening the 2008 season at Western Athletic Conference foe University of Nevada at Reno on August 30, 2008, can keep Rod Broadway at Grambling State. Broadway said as much in his outburst to alumni that were unhappy with Grambling 22-13 loss in the Bayou Classic. It's difficult for Broadway to meet their unrealistic expectations--with a possible 9-3 record playing with the other guys players.

Broadway is one of 16 finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award. He is the second highest paid coach in the SWAC behind Southern University's Pete Richardson (3-years $200,000 annually) and above Jackson State University Rick Comegy. The fourth highest paid football coach in the SWAC is Anthony Jones at Alabama A&M University--that has interviewed with Southern Conference member Western Carolina University for the head coaching vacancy. Jones has a contract offer on the table at $155,000 annually from AAMU that he has not yet signed.

We will provide you with the exact numbers of Broadway's contract that was effective on January 25, 2007 later. Broadway did earn $100,000 annually under a six year deal at NCCU and $114,125 as an assistant coach at University of North Carolina.

Mr. Hayes is expected to receive a three year contract at $175,000 per year, upon Board of Trustee approval. Hayes was hired as athletic director by Dr. Ammons on July 1, 2003 and accepted a three year contract paying $110,000 annually at North Carolina Central University. He was instrumental in formulating a highly successful $1,000 Eagles Campaign--1000 Eagles giving $1,000 to fund student-athletic scholarships. This initiative raised over $1 million dollars for the program in short order.

You may read Bill Hayes complete Bio at: www.nccuatlanta.org/pdf/HayesBilly.pdf

Our only question is--are we limiting our goals and outlook for FAMU by hiring Bill Hayes?

We see Hayes as a great short term solution to bring leadership, professionalism and stability to the Rattlers athletic department. This may be just what the doctor ordered and is necessary to later make the push to the higher echelons of the Football Championship Subdivision. Hopefully, Hayes will hire his successor as an assistant athletic director so that there will be no detours as the Rattlers move to their rightful place among the college athletic elite.

We are all for a simple initiative of 2000 Rattlers at $1,000 to payoff Rubin Carter's contract and lay a solid financial foundation for 2008. It will take this additional infusion of cash to supplement the contract of a Rod Broadway or Al Lavan (Delaware State). Let's not forget that Al Lavan is a Florida native who graduated from Colorado State and coached at Eastern Michigan prior to leading the Hornets to the MEAC championship and FCS playoffs. The connection is Ammons and Lavan are from the same neck of the woods--Winter Haven and Fort Pierce, Florida, respectively.

We don't expect Broadway to have a change of heart for Grambling or FAMU to go after Lavan, unless Grambling steps up to keep Broadway. Based on the information we have received, it's going to be a Funky, Fun-ky Broadway at Bragg Memorial Stadium in 2008 and beyond.

Great move Dr. Ammons!!

MEAC/SWAC Sports Clipboard

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The Southern University Board of Supervisors approved a new three-year, $200,000 annual contract for football coach Pete Richardson. Richardson is 121-52 in 15 seasons at Southern and 163-70-1 in 20 seasons overall, including five seasons at Winston-Salem State University. His current contract is set to expire on December 31. Richardson will continue to be paid $200,000 annually, which is one of the best salaries in the Football Championship Subdivision...

Photo: Southern University Dancing Dolls 2007.

Southern University (7-3, 5-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) plays No. 16 Grambling State University (8-2, 8-0) in Bayou Classic XXXIV at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Superdome. Richardson is 12-2 in the Bayou Classic…

A Judge has issued an arrest warrant for Jackson State University's Jimmy Oliver, starting quarterback for the Tigers. Oliver apparently missed a Court date that hopefully will not land him in jail for 21 days and a fine for failure to appear. Magee Mississippi police arrested Oliver last month and he was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana. JSU football coach Rick Comegy said he does not expect his quarterback to face any jail time after the case is reopened next week. The Tigers are scheduled to play Grambling State University in the SWAC Championship game in Birmingham on December 15…

NBC will air a half-hour special, “Every Man a Tiger: The Eddie Robinson Story,” presented commercial-free by State Farm and narrated by Andre Braugher, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. A trailer can be viewed at www.nbcsports.com. This show is prior to the XXXIV Bayou Classic with Grambling State University and Southern University…

Photo: Tennessee State University Sophisticated Ladies 2007 .

Tennessee State won its first Ohio Valley Conference volleyball tournament championship Saturday in Jacksonville, Alabama beating Morehead State 30-24, 30-17, 29-31, 26-30, 15-12 to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Tigers 17-6, will learn of their pairing on November 25 on the NCAA selection show at 7 p.m. on ESPNU...

Morgan State Bears improved to 3-1 as they beat American University 62-54 in their men basketball home opener Tuesday night. Jamar Smith scored 16 points and had three blocks for Morgan…

Hampton University defensive end Kendall Langford, 6-6, 295 pounds will play in the East-West Shrine Game set for January 19, 2008 in Houston, Texas...

Hampton University defensive end Marcus Dixon, 6-4, 295 pounds has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl, a college football all-star game NFL scouts use to evaluate draft prospects. Dixon will play for the East Squad in the game on January 12, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He led the Pirates this season with 16 tackles for loss, including a team-high six sacks. Dixon has started at defensive end for the Hampton since midway through his freshman season…

Photo: Alcorn State University Golden Girls 2007.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker and former Hampton University standout Justin Durant has endowed an athletics scholarship at Hampton University. In the 2007 NFL draft, Durant was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 16th pick of the second round and the 48th overall, making him the highest selection in Hampton University history and highest paid rookie from HU with a four-year $3.4 million contract, including $1.72 million in guarantees. Durant said that he simply wants to give back…

Delaware State University could not contain running back Omar Cuff, as University of Delaware beat Delaware State 44-7 today in the first-round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. This was the first ever meeting between the two schools in football, located 45 minutes apart. Cuff ran for a school record 288 yards and four touchdowns against the Hornets before a Delaware Stadium record crowd of 19,765. The MEAC Champions Hornets ends the season at 10-2. UD advances at 9-3 to face the winner of #1 seed Northern Iowa and New Hampshire…

Florida A & M University Lady Rattlers ended their regular season in Volleyball in falling 3-0 (30-20, 30-28, 30-28) to the University of South Florida on Wednesday. The MEAC champions are 18-7 on the season and await their next opponent in the NCAA Tournament. FAMU won their seventh Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Title in a row and their eighth in nine seasons. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for 8p.m. Sunday on ESPNU...

Photo: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff M4 - Golden Girls.


--beepbeep

Saay What! MEAC/SWAC sports and people

by beepbeep

Saay What, ya'll!

Morgan State University men basketballers nearly pulled off an upset of the Connecticut Huskies last night in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic at Storrs, Connecticut. The Bears in their season opener, held the Huskies to 42 percent shooting from the floor, busted a 14-2 run in the second half and tied UConn at 52 with seven minutes remaining in the game. However, the Huskies prevailed 69-65 over the Bears.

MSU head coach Todd Bozeman crew was able to overcome a 37-28 first half lead over the Bears and outscore UConn 37-32 in the second half. Guard Reggie Holmes came off the bench for MSU to throw down 6 of 12 shots to lead the Bears with 18 points; Boubacar Coley hit a double/double with 12 points and 10 rebounds; and senior guard Jamar Smith popped in 16 points to lead the Bears. Morgan State shot 50 percent from 3-point land (11-22), had 11 steals and 24 personal fouls. UConn shot 24-33 free throws (72%) where as, Morgan hit only 4-9 (44%). If they quit fouling ya'll, the Bears walks away with the win. Coach Bozeman is in his second season at Morgan State and it appears the Bears are ready to compete...

What the heck is the Atlantic Sun Conference? Well--anyhow, Alabama A&M University Bulldogs drops two games to start the season in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic at Rupp Arena to Gardner-Webb University 69-55 in the first round and Central Arkansas 69-59 in the consolation game. That Gardner-Webb bunch pulls off the upset of the season by embarrassing the #22 ranked Kentucky Wildcats 84-68 before 20,000 Kentucky fans in their home arena. Yep, the Southeastern Conference gets steamrolled by the Atlantic Sun and Gardner-Webb University, a 2,474 student private school located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The Runnin' Bulldogs accomplished something above and beyond anything it had ever achieved in the sport. You can hold your heads up Alabama A&M Bulldogs as you held the Running' Bulldogs to 69 points, which Kentucky could not...

Photo: Head Coach Clemon Johnson, UAF

Former Florida A&M University and Philadelphia 76ers basketball star Clemon Johnson got a great start to his head coaching career as the new leader of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks. Coach Johnson's team was able to put it on cruise control in two wins over Simpson University 110-84 and 93-81 on November 1 and 3rd, respectively. Just how good the Nanooks will be this season under Coach Clem Johnson will be revealed tonight in a Division I game at California and November 15, in the BP Top of the World Classic, where the Division II UAF club will face Tennessee State University Tigers in the hosted Division I classic. Johnson earned both his undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master's Degree in Sports Management from FAMU. You can read more about the 6 foot-10 inch Clemon Johnson and the UFA basketball program at: http://www.uaf.edu/news/featured/07/coaches ...

The Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University are becoming a total embarrassment to Division I football. The Florida A&M University Rattlers were able to kick a field goal in the final minute of their homecoming contest to beat the Aggies 24-21 at Bragg Memorial Stadium for NCA&T's record 26 consecutive loss. We don't mean to rag on the Aggies but these guys are virgins when it comes to laying someone out and winning a ball game. Their last recorded victory came in the 2005 season and they now lead all of Division I with the current losing streak. Maybe the Aggies can pull off an upset at South Carolina State on November 17, 2007 at Charleston, South Carolina. Probably not on a well coached Buddy Pough team that fell short on the hype of being the favorite to win the MEAC. Coach Lee Fobbs Jr. is currently 0-21 in his second season as the head of the Aggies football program and if they don't win their final game with SCSU, it will give NCA&T two consecutive 0-11 virgin seasons. We understand abstention, but this is a bit much to stomach.

Aggies, please do your fans a favor and schedule Livingstone College or Savannah State as your 2008 season opener and end this streak. Strike that last suggestion--Savannah State University school colors does have Orange, so they probably will beat you too. Substitute Texas Southern University Tigers, who have their own dreadful losing streak going with 12 consecutive loses that should be at 14 by next season with UAPB and UHouston left on their schedule for this season. Saay What! ...

FAMU's Wesley Taylor #20 kicks winning field goal in last week homecoming game with North Carolina A&T State University. Rattlers win 24-21.

Hampton University head football coach Joe Taylor announced on Wednesday that T.J. Mitchell will be the starting quarterback against Florida A&M University Rattlers on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., in Armstrong Stadium. However, expect Herbert Bynes to play against FAMU, also. Mitchell had been benched in favor of freshman Herbert Bynes for arguing with teammates during games for missed plays during two previous games. This two head monster at quarterback may cause problems for FAMU as both played well in the 31-24 win last week over Bethune Cookman.

Expect Jeremy Gilchrist to hook up with T.J. to break the Hampton school record of 977 yards, held by Houston Texans Jerome Mathis. Gilchrist is currently 25 yards shy of this record and has 63 receptions on the season. The Rattlers owe the Pirates big time for a 59-7 azzkicking they received last season in Bragg Stadium. FAMU r-freshman Eddie Battle is expected to continue his development at quarterback with senior QB Leon Camel providing much needed leadership. FAMU sensational freshman running back Philip Sylvester leads the MEAC in all-purpose yards averaging 159.8 yards per game. The Pirates leads the MEAC in scoring offense (30.2 per game), 4th in scoring defense (22.0 per game), 1st in passing offense (238.0 per game), 1st in punting (39.3 net/P, 44.8 average yards)and first in first downs. On paper, Hampton beats FAMU in just about every statistical category, but nothing is worst than tangling with angry Rattlers. FAMU will not get blown out this weekend by the 5-4,4-3 MEAC Pirates. The Rattlers are 3-6,2-4 MEAC in a disappointing season...

Saay What! brothers. The Florida A&M University Volleyball Team played just well enough to knockoff the University of North Florida at home on Tuesday night by a score of 30-25, 27-30, 30-22, 30-27 for a total 3-1 score. The Lady Rattlers are 13-6 on the season and usually plays to the level of the competition, which is not good especially playing a club that is 4-25 like the Ospreys. FAMU was coming off a spirited showing against #3 ranked Texas where they loss 3-0 to break a 14 game Rattlers win streak. The Lady Rattlers are undefeated in MEAC play and have a 96 game win streak intact in the conference. FAMU Seniors Hannah Uckelmann and Iva Lakic were honored and played their last home game as Rattlers. The next match is at South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs on November 10, 2007, at 5:00 p.m., Orangeburg, S.C....

Senior running back Chad Simpson, Morgan State University is MEAC leading rusher with 248 att/1272 yards, 12 TDs/10 games, 5.1 average/127.1 yards per game. Simpson is 2nd in all-purpose yards with 1589 yards at 158.9 per game.

The lotto question of the day--will Morgan State Bears end the football season on a winning note and with a winning record? Standing in the Bears (5-5, 4-3 MEAC) way for a winning season are the South Carolina State University Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2 MEAC), who have won 22 of the last 23 games in the series. MSU Coach Donald Hill-Eley is very close to leading the Bears over the hump but it will take a monster game (i.e. 250+ yards) from MEAC leading rusher Chad Simpson and a complete shutdown of SCSU running back Will Ford and quarterback Cleve McCoy for the Bears to win. This is going to be Morgan's Superbowl, so expect Hill-Eley to have the Bears in championship form and successfully pull off the upset. Saay What! Bears win...

Will it be #10 ranked Delaware State (8-1, 7-0 MEAC) or #26 ranked Norfolk State (7-2, 6-1 MEAC) crowned as MEAC Champions this Saturday? It's any body's guess, but Delaware State has found a way to overcome adversity the past few weeks to keep their undefeated conference record intact. However, the DSU Hornets does not dominate in any conference statistical category but just find ways to win. Norfolk State is a half game behind DSU in the MEAC standings.

On the other hand, Norfolk State Spartans has "the bus" at running back, who can takeover a running game. I'm speaking of none other than senior Daryl Jones who is tied for #2 in MEAC rushing with 989 yards and 12 TDs on 211 carries. Jones is a 250 pound load to tackle and will run over you in a one-on-five situation. If the Hornets focus solely on stopping Jones and company, the Spartan quarterback Casey Hansen will go over the top for completions to keep the drives alive. In ten seasons of division I football, NSU has never had a winning season nor won a MEAC championship in football. The Spartans should be ready to jump on the bus with Daryl Jones for this contest.

Delaware State has too much riding on this game to let Norfolk State march into Alumni Stadium and steal the victory. Not only will a win give the Hornets the MEAC crown and automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs, but a date with in-state #6 ranked University of Delaware Hens (8-1, 5-1 CAA) in the first round of the playoff. UD and DSU have never met on the football field although they are both in the FCS and are located only 40 miles apart. Saay What!! This should be sufficient motivation for Coach Al Lavan Hornets to tell the Spartans to beat it, literally and musically. Expect DSU to clobber MEAC upstart Norfolk State, as it has been proven by Howard and SCSU that they can be stopped for -15 and 56 yards rushing. The Hornets balanced attack with several NFL prospects (junior RB Kareem Jones, junior QB Vashon Winton, senior WR Shahee McBride and senior kicker Peter Gaertner) may provide the MEAC with the best opportunity to get past round one of the FCS playoffs. Just beat it, Norfolk State University! Just beat it...

Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band (playing: "Beat It.")

Grambling State Band: How are they this season?

If you have not heard the famous band from the deep, deep South--here is a clip for your listening pleasure. We all know Grambling football team is headed for the SWAC Championship but is the band up to their usual championship quality? Holla back and let me know your opinions....

Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band (@ UAPB 10/13/07)

SSU undecided about Kilcrease's playing status

Photo: QB JaCorey Kilcrease

By Noell Barnidge, Savannah Morning News

Savannah State starting quarterback JaCorey Kilcrease practiced Tuesday but he will have his left (non-throwing) shoulder re-evaluated by the team's physician today, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said.

Kilcrease re-aggravated his shoulder while being hit after a 20-yard scramble with 4 minutes remaining in the first half of SSU's 32-14 loss at Morehouse last Saturday night.

It was Kilcrease's first time playing in a game since Sept. 15, when he separated the shoulder against Bethune-Cookman. The sophomore was sidelined against Fort Valley State (Sept. 29) and Charleston Southern (Oct. 6).

Kilcrease's status for the Tigers' game Saturday against North Carolina Central is undetermined. SSU (1-5) will play host to NCCU (5-2) at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
NCCU defeated North Greenville, 17-14, last Saturday. The Eagles are competing in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA).
The Durham school is the defending Black College Football national champion and won the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship last season.

McCrary developing at QB

If Kilcrease can't play Saturday, freshman Greg McCrary will start at quarterback. McCrary produced the best performance of his career against Morehouse, leading SSU's offense with 112 total yards.

He ran 10 times for 40 yards, and was 5-for-11 passing for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once, did not fumble and was not sacked.

"We were happy with the way (McCrary) played," SSU second-year coach Theo Lemon said. "He did some things where we had a chance to score some points. We haven't done a lot of that in the last three weeks."

After the Charleston Southern game, McCrary said he was having trouble adjusting to the speed of the college game, something that Lemon said only experience can alleviate.

Against Morehouse, McCrary took over for Kilcrease and led SSU to its first scoring drive in 10 quarters when he connected with freshman running back Justin Babb for a 34-yard touchdown early in the third quarter.

McCrary found wide receiver Deleon Hollinger for a 21-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Hollinger, a sophomore from Miami, caught two passes for a team-high 25 yards.

Johnson still punter; Justiniano out for season

After the Charleston Southern game, Lemon said the starting job at punter was up for grabs between senior Jeremy Johnson and freshman Brandon Webster, a McIntosh County Academy graduate.

Lemon said the starter for the Morehouse game would be determined by how Johnson and Webster performed during practice last week.

Johnson kept the starting job and executed all five of the Tigers' punts against the Maroon Tigers for a 31.8-yard average, including two attempts inside Morehouse's 20-yard line. His longest punt traveled 36 yards.

Johnson also made an extra point and kicked off once while filling in for sophomore kicker Luis Justiniano, who was injured against Morehouse.

Justiniano is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees, Mashariki said.

Justiniano, a walk-on from Bluffton (S.C.) High School and Armstrong Atlantic State, was 1-for-5 on field goals and 6-for-7 on extra points this season.
SSU senior defensive end Dominique Clark (ankle sprain) will not play against NCCU, Mashariki said.

Beach High grad led all receivers

Morehouse wide receiver James Steadman, a Beach High School graduate, made five catches for 58 yards, both game highs, against SSU.

Steadman, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior, is the Maroon Tigers' leading receiver with 26 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns. He has played in six of seven games for Morehouse (5-2).

Defensive standouts

SSU junior middle linebacker Calvin Leonard made a game-high 12 tackles against Morehouse.

Sophomore strong safety Antwan Allen and junior weakside linebacker Chris Herans made 10 tackles apiece.

Allen and junior free safety Javorris Jackson each intercepted passes. Jackson has a team-high four of the Tigers' nine interceptions.

No early rest for the N.C. Central women

Photo: NCCU Head Women's Basketball Coach Joli D. Robinson

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Joli Robinson couldn't get practice started quite early enough for her N.C. Central women's basketball team.

McLendon-McDougald Gym wasn't available over the weekend because of homecoming festivities, so the Eagles couldn't get started preparing for their first season of Division I competition on Friday when most teams did.

But they were ready to go at 5:15 on Monday. That's 5:15 a.m., and players were required to be on site by 4:45. That pattern will be the pattern for four weeks.

"I never get that much sleep during the season anyway," said Robinson, who will enter her 13th season with a 181-135 record that includes four 20-win seasons including a 26-6 mark and a CIAA title last season.

She may be getting even less sleep this season. The Eagles will be facing 14 Division I foes in 26 games, with all of those games on the road. The biggest challenges are in their season opener, Nov. 9 at UNC (34-4 last season), and their Jan. 3 game at Duke (32-2).

"Those are games we need to play," Robinson said of the local challenges. "They should be good experiences for our student-athletes."

The measuring-stick game may be on Nov. 20 when NCCU travels to traditional MEAC power Coppin State (25-8 last season) in a battle of Eagles. The two shared the Black College National championship.

NCCU lost some major firepower from last season, as all-time leading scorer Cassie King (16.5 points per game, 7.9 rebounds) finished her career and had her jersey retired. Additionally, both sophomore LaQuanda Williams (14.2, 5.6) and classmate Jasmine Newkirk (11.2, 3.2) will miss this season because of separate violations of team policy.

But Robinson is most concerned about the road, where NCCU will play all but six games including the first 10.

"We'll just have to get used to it," the coach said.

And they'll be going as far away as Tallahassee, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Pittsburgh; and Wilberforce, Ohio by bus.

"I'd rather go by bus than fly," Robinson said. "That way you have more control over when you leave."

The Eagles return six of their top nine scorers, led by sophomore center Jori Nwachukwu (11.7, 9.3). Guards Jennifer Hukill (5.9, 1.1) and Jordan High alumna Casey Daniel (4.6, 1.8) are the only seniors. Guards LaVonna Hailey (5.7, 5.6 assists) and Northern alumna Tonia Roundtree (4.2, 2.4 rebs.) are juniors and post player Latoya Bennett (4.0, 3.3 rebs) a sophomore.

"We're all going to have to score more," Hukill said. "I know I have to step up my game and show I can do things other than shoot 3-pointers."

Robinson said 6-0 center Losamo Osby from Richmond, Va., and 5-9 guard Shanice Blanks of Wilmington New Hanover have been the most impressive of the current freshmen.

"They're all looking pretty good," Roundtree said of the newcomers. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of this season. Some people are expecting us to get blown out, so we don't have anything to lose."

NOTES -- The Eagles will have two exhibition games -- at home against Virginia State on Nov. 3 and at Wake Forest on Nov. 7 -- before taking on the Blue Devils. ... Daniel is in her fourth season with the Eagles. If NCCU wins at least 14 games, she will become the first player in school history to participate in four straight winning seasons.

2007-08 NCCU Women's Basketball Schedule

Day Date Opponent Location Time/Result Record

SAT. NOV. 03 VIRGINIA STATE (EXHIBITION) DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Wed. Nov. 7 at Wake Forest (Exhibition) Winston-Salem, NC 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov. 9 at North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC 8:30 pm
Mon. Nov. 12 at Elon Elon, NC 7:00 pm
Wed. Nov. 14 at Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov. 16 at Appalachian State Boone, NC 7:00 pm
Tues. Nov. 20 at Coppin State Baltimore, MD 7:00 pm
Wed. Nov. 21 at Morgan State Baltimore, MD 5:30 pm
Fri. Nov. 23 vs Lenoir-Rhyne (Catawba Classic) Salisbury, NC 6:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 24 at Catawba (Catawba Classic) Salisbury, NC 4:00 pm
Thurs. Nov. 29 at Tennessee State Nashville, TN 7:00 pm
Wed. Dec. 5 at Armstrong Atlantic Savannah, GA 7:00 pm
FRI. DEC. 7 ELIZABETH CITY STATE
(Lady Eagle Classic)
Fayetteville State vs. Barton - 7:30 pm DURHAM, NC 5:30 PM
SAT. DEC. 8 FAYETTEVILLE STATE
(Lady Eagle Classic)
Barton vs. Elizabeth City State - 2:00 pm DURHAM, NC 4:00 PM
Sat. Dec. 15 at Florida A&M Tallahassee, FL 2:00 pm
Mon. Dec.17 at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, FL 5:30 pm
Sat. Dec. 22 at Towson Towson, MD 2:00 pm
SUN. DEC. 30 MERCY COLLEGE DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Thurs. Jan. 3 at Duke Durham, NC 7:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 5 at High Point High Point, NC 7:00 pm
Mon. Jan. 7 at Duquesne Pittsburgh, PA 7:00 pm
WED. JAN. 9 NORFOLK STATE DURHAM, NC 6:30 PM
Sat. Jan. 12 at West Virginia Tech Montgomery, WV 6:00 pm
SAT. JAN. 19 WEST VIRGINIA TECH DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Mon. Feb. 4 at Fayetteville State Fayetteville, NC 7:00 pm
Wed. Feb. 6 at Central State Wilberforce,OH 7:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 8 at Lincoln Lincoln, PA 5:30 pm
SAT. FEB. 16 LIVINGSTONE DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM

Home Games at McLendon-McDougald Gym in CAPS

FAMU QB Battle shines in debut

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M's present may not look too bright after Saturday's 49-14 loss at South Carolina State, but a glimpse at a brighter future may have appeared in Orangeburg, S.C.

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Eddie Battle saw his first action as a Rattler on Saturday, playing the entire fourth quarter. He led the offense on three drives, generating a touchdown on the second drive.

“Eddie got a chance to go in, execute the offense and show his leadership at the quarterback position,” FAMU coach Rubin Carter said. “I was really pleased with his performance.

“He was one of the bright spots on a dismal day for us as a football team.”

Battle was one of three quarterbacks signed to FAMU's 2006 class, joining Eugene Smith and Robert Love. Smith did not qualify.

Smith and Love were both redshirted last season and began competing for a place on the totem pole this past spring. It was generally thought that Love came out of the spring ahead of Battle.

But Love was suspended before the start of fall practices for three games. Love also had academic issues that he was unable to clear up once his suspension was over and he has yet to rejoin the team.

With Love's status uncertain, it is a strong possibility the 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback from Titusville's Astronaut High will enter the 2008 season as the Rattlers' starting quarterback. Saturday was the first major step toward that process.

Photo: #8, QB 6-2/215, Eddie Battle, Titusville FL/Astronaunt H.S., is ready to do battle with Norfolk State.

“I learned a lot,” Battle said. “I got my first collegiate snap in this game. The speed of the game, the connection with the receivers and the O-line - it was a lot to take in.

“The circumstance was terrible to come into, but everybody kept me positive. If I ever have to come in again, I feel I will be alright.”

Battle's first drive under center wasn't anything to write home about. A rush for a three-yard loss, a rush for a six-yard gain, an incomplete pass to Isaac West and it was over.

Battle's second drive, however, was something for him to write home about. It included his first complete pass - a 23-yarder to Derek Williams that was also his first completion for a first down.
Battle also completed his first touchdown pass to sophomore fullback Mykel Benson.

“I got to throw to one of my great friends,” Battle said. “I played against him a lot in high school. Mykel Benson is a great receiver and it was a terrific feeling.”

Battle finished the quarter completing 5 of 7 passes for 54 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

While his play was insignificant as far as the outcome of Saturday's game was concerned, it may have had a great impact on the future of FAMU's football program.

“It was like going from an infant to a grown man,” Battle said. “I took my first hit in the first series. It was the first time I received a signal from Leon and it actually meant something.”

ESPN focuses on UD, DSU

By KRISTIAN POPE and KEVIN TRESOLINI, The News Journal

Failure to meet in football examined

The ESPN show "Outside the Lines" will feature an upcoming segment on the lack of a Delaware-Delaware State football rivalry.

Producers from the show were in Dover on Tuesday to tape interviews with representatives from DSU. They are scheduled to meet with University of Delaware officials in Newark today.

A telecast date has not been announced.

Delaware and Delaware State, two NCAA Division I-AA programs, have never met in a football game. But, as of now, both teams are in contention for a I-AA playoff berth and, under NCAA guidelines, the two could meet in a first-round game Nov. 24 at Delaware Stadium.

Hornets coach Al Lavan said Tuesday he was to be interviewed for the ESPN show with DSU athletic director Rick Costello and senior linebacker Russell Reeves. The network also is planning to tape footage of DSU's game Saturday against Morgan State at Alumni Stadium. Crews shot footage of Delaware's win over Northeastern last Saturday.

"It's good exposure for us," Lavan said. "It is what it is. They are just doing some followup to the recent stories."

The story received national attention when Delaware graduate and former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman wrote a column for ESPN.com that lambasted UD for not scheduling a game with DSU.

DSU (5-1, 4-0) shares the lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; the champion earns an automatic NCAA bid.

Delaware (6-1, 4-1) is second in the CAA's South Division, but in the running for an at-large bid. The overall conference winner earns the CAA's automatic bid.

The 16-team I-AA field will be announced Nov. 18.

The NCAA handbook reads as follows:

1. The teams awarded the top four seeds are placed in the appropriate positions in the bracket (Nos. 1 and 4 in the upper half, and Nos. 2 and 3 in the lower half), and will be paired with teams that are in closest geographic proximity;

2. The remaining teams will be paired according to geographic proximity and placed in the bracket according to geographic proximity of the four pairings previously placed in the bracket.

The four seeded teams are given a chance to host a game if they can meet the I-AA tournament's minimum financial guarantee requirements: $30,000 for the first round, $40,000 for quarterfinals and $50,000 for semifinals. After that, the NCAA's first three criteria for selecting a host site are "quality of facility," "revenue potential" and "attendance history and potential."

While 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium routinely is filled to capacity during the regular season, playoff crowds always are smaller, in part because students have to pay for tickets and most aren't on campus Thanksgiving weekend.

Delaware's State's 6,800-seat Alumni Stadium would not, therefore, be considered for a Hens-Hornets playoff game.