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Showing posts with label Florida A and M University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida A and M University. Show all posts
Tallahassee, FL - The use of social networks has changed a lot of routines.
Coaching is no exception, at least that's the feeling of Tony Trifonov who suggested that his Florida A&M volleyball players might have paid a little too much attention to what they saw on the Internet heading into the postseason last year.
All over Facebook and Twitter much was being made of the Rattlers' chances of winning their 10th MEAC championship in 12 seasons. What was being written on the social sites might have influenced the performance of his players, said Trifonov, adding that the Internet has added a new wrinkle for coaches and how they address the psyche of their athletes.
His players didn't get on track and were eliminated in the semifinals of the conference championship tournament, a first since 1998.
Tallahassee, FL - Winning a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in football and the hiring of Clemon Johnsonto coach the men's basketball team are paying dividends at the box office for Florida A&M.
But just how much isn't clear, although FAMU's ticket manager confirmed through the school's sports information office that ticket sales for both sports are ahead of where they were this time a year ago. Logistical issues with purchases through Ticketmaster made it difficult to get an accurate count, said interim sports information director Vaughn Wilson.
FAMU's athletic department is making a steady push to keep the momentum going, said athletic director Derek Horne. "Trying to cultivate that enthusiasm is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week opportunity," he said.
Tallahassee, FL - After a week of training and practice, this is what it all came down too. "I've learned how to play my instrument better, how to dance better with my instrument, and also how to keep consistency as I play my horn," said camper, Lomario Marchman. More than 300 middle and high school students from around the United States flocked to Florida A&M's campus to sharpen their musical skills.
During their time at camp, students were mentored and trained by members of the FAMU Marching 100 and their directors. But it wasn't just about the music, life skills also played a big part. "I've learned how to cooperate with people. I've learned how to like have great relationships with people," said camper, Jasmine Bailey.
Over the past decade, fine arts programs across the nation have been on the chopping block due to lack of funding. FAMU's Associate Band director Shelby Chipman says budget cuts can be challenging, but this year's turnout proves that fine arts will never be completely out of the picture.
Tallahassee, FL - On a good day, the weekend golfer can hit a drive somewhere north of 250 yards. If you really get into one, you can go 300 yards. Maurice Allen doesn't even play golf that much--and he can almost double what you or I can do...so how in the world does he hit the ball over four football fields long?
Maurice Allen can flat out hit a golf ball. He's a big, strong guy, but what he can do on the range is ridiculous With a swing like this, you'd think he's had years of practice -- "I started 12 months and two weeks ago," said Maurice Allen.
Allen is a long drive hitting phenom. For years, he laughed at those who golfed because it just wasn't cool. But what is cool is how far he can hit a golf ball. His longest is 457 yards but it went out of bounds--the average PGA tour player goes about 320-350 on a good day.
Tallahassee, FL -- 58 days until FAMU opens its season against Fort Valley State and the Rattlers are staying as fit as they can in the summer months.
"Last year at this junction we had 12 athletes here," says director of Strength and Conditioning for FAMU Russell Barbarino. "This year for the first summer session we had 42 guys here. Now that the summer session two has started we have about 75 to 80 athletes because that includes some of the freshmen that are coming on campus."
"They are empowering each other," adds Joe Taylor. "They are there in the numbers."
Four days a week players are lifting and conditioning under their own free will. These workouts are voluntary as coaches can not instruct their players until practice begins.
Tallahassee, FL - Whenever Angela Suggs sits in front a potential corporate supporter of Florida A&M athletics, she seldom goes by the routine marketing script. She lets her on-campus background set the precedent. John Burt didn't grow up on FAMU's campus like Suggs did, but he understands the culture of an HBCU.
FAMU clearly is banking heavily on Burt and Suggs. He is a representative of the mega collegiate marketing firm IMG. She is FAMU's associate athletic director for marketing. Together, they have the task of helping the school's athletic department raise millions of dollars, and at the same time get fans back in the kinds of numbers that will have its teams performing in front of packed or near-packed arenas regularly.
It is the first time in at least 20 years that FAMU has made such an intense effort.
So the obvious concept is this: Increase attendance to make the work of Burt and Suggs a little easier. In the meantime, the duo believes FAMU's past success, such as its victory in the first Division I-A championship game in 1978 and its past history of winning titles along with academic achievements and social involvement, make the school recognizable.
Tallahassee, FL - Florida A&M running back James Owens went home to Orlando for a brief stay, then returned to the grind of offseason conditioning. This week he began an even more important chapter in his summertime routine — attending classes.
For Owens and most of the 65 other players who didn't go home for the summer, attending classes is an option they decided they'd take. It's one way of easing the fall semester workload in the classroom and keeping them on course for on-time graduation.
"I probably would be at home watching a lot of TV and doing nothing," said Owens, a walk-on who earned a scholarship following an impressive spring. "Now I'm in Tallahassee working out and studying I know I'm doing the right thing."
For the football players, who have demanding fall semesters packed with playbooks, traveling and practices in addition to their class work, summer school means they could carry fewer than the average 16 hours during the season. But there are some like defensive tackle Padric Scott, who doesn't have much of a choice when it comes to summer school because of their majors.
Tallahassee, FL - Quinn Gray won't be surprised if he is asked by participants in next week's football camp at Florida A&M about how he almost brought the Jacksonville Jaguars back from an 18-point deficit when he played his first regular-season NFL game against the Tennessee Titans in the 2005 season finale.
Gray, who was named the Rattlers' quarterbacks coach in the spring, would more than likely oblige with some explanation of his 100-yards, two-touchdown passing performance.
But it won't be all that the aspiring football players will hear from Gray and the other coaches participating in coach Joe Taylor's first camp since he became head coach at FAMU almost four years ago.
"X's and O's aren't the only aspect of football," Gray said Thursday. "Life itself is a big part of football because your life will definitely have a direct impact on the game if you plan it. Different (distractions) in your life could determine what happens in the game."
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida A&M University coach LeDawn Gibson released her list of 2011 signees today. The class of 10 recruits represents a rebuild of the team that went 15-15 last season. In an effort to get a combination of players ready to play immediately and talent that the coaching staff will develop in building the program, the Lady Rattlers welcome four junior college transfers and six high school recruits.
Shannon Washington
Leading the class of signees is the Illinois Valley Community College standout Shannon Washington. Washington is a two-time junior college All-American and two-time 1st team all-conference player. The 5'11" guard from Sarasota, averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, five steals and five assists per game. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., honored her for her play last season.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the country's top players on all levels, from pro to high school. In making the team, Washington's jersey will hang in the ring of honor at the museum in Tennessee, where she is among other greats such as Candace Parker (Univ. of Tennessee), Sue Byrd (Univ. of Connecticut) and Britney Griner (Baylor).
Keturah Martin
Keturah Martinwill also join the Lady Rattlers this fall. Martin is a junior college transfer from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Last season she averaged 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She is a 5'11" guard from Memphis, Tenn.
Ra'Shawn Sparkman is a versatile 5'8" guard from Columbia, Tenn. She signs with FAMU, via Volunteer State Community College. She was a junior college All-American, averaging 14 points, five assists and four rebounds per game last year. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.
Ra'Shawn Sparkman
Patrice Collie is a 5'10" guard out of Palm Beach. As a freshman at Indian River State College, she averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game. She was a second team all-conference selection. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.
Carrington Caise comes to the Lady Rattlers from Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Ky. Caise stands 5'7" and plays point guard. Her senior year, she earned 1st team all-conference, all-district team, all-region team, all-region tournament and best defender awards. She averaged 10 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds per game last season.
Cashala Thompson
Cashala Thompsonis a 5'8" guard from Tucson, Arizona., where she attended Sahuaro High School. Thompson averaged 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. She is the all-time leading scorer in Sahuaro High School history. She attained All-Southern Arizona and first team All-State honors. She was also the Kino Region 4A Co-player of the year.
Jaleesa Blue is a 6'0" combo player form Leesburg, Florida. She averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocked shots per game as a senior at Leesburg High School. She was honored as the Lakes County Player of the Year. She also made 1st team All-State. She was ranked the No.1 power forward in the state of Florida. She holds the record for most rebounds and blocked shots in Leesburg High School history.
Kaylin averaged 10.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.3 blocks and two steals per game her senior year. She lettered three years in volleyball and four years in basketball. She made the all-region team in both volleyball and basketball.
Jamie averaged 19 points, 12.3 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals per game. She was the Augusta Chronicle Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged a double-double her junior and senior years in high school. She scored 1,362 points in high school. She was selected as an all-region player and the most valuable player.
Kabrina Merriweather
Kabrina Merriweather is a 5'11" forward/center from Indianapolis. She played at Tindley Accelerated School, where she averaged 20.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She was selected 1st team all-city her junior and senior seasons and team MVP her senior year. She finished her career with 1,494 points and 1017 rebounds.
Brandon Hepburn #53 Linebacker, 6'4/235, Redshirt Junior Pomona, New York Major: Biochemistry
Excerpt:
Tallahassee, FL - Brandon Hepburn, a linebacker with the Rattlers, isn't banking on making it to the NFL. He is majoring in biochemistry. This summer he is at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, where he is participating in a program funded by the National Science Foundation.
"The opportunity is great because it allows us to step out of the classroom and apply what we've been learning," Hepburn said. "It's great to be able to put it into work in the actual environment in which you plan to get a career in one day.
"I think one of the big things with Corporate America is, 'Can you do what we want you to do how we want you to do it?'"
That's part of what FAMU's Career Center does under director Delores Dean. Students aren't just settling for the odd jobs but focusing more on what will benefit their careers, Dean said, adding the tough job market has also brought a change of attitude about limiting the areas they might want to work.
Tallahassee, FL - Curtis Holcomb didn't waste a minute after walking into the Success Athletic Training building. The former Florida A&M cornerback swirled his outstretched arms at shoulder height a few times and dove right into a rigid workout. He worked his way around a variation of weights and at a non-stop pace, then went on to knock out almost 100 push-ups.
As the 250th pick by the San Francisco 49ers in this year's draft, Holcomb knows that little is guaranteed. The current NFL lockout brings on a certain level of anxiety, too.
"I'm working hard every day, but I've got to keep that mindset that I'm working harder than the next person," said Holcomb, the first FAMU football player to be drafted since quarterback JaJuan Seider in 2000. "But, then again, I want to work hard because it gives me motivation."
The daily evening workouts that usually run for an hour is a boost of confidence as well as preparation, he said. He's been training with SAT owner...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida A&M University men's basketball announces their 2011 signing class. The mixture of athletes concentrated on increasing the size of the Rattlers' front line. Four athletes have signed, with three coming from within the state of Florida and one from Georgia.
First year head coach Clemon Johnson, charged assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Tony Sheals, to get some size to bulk up the inside play and toughen the defense. The result is the signing ofEddie D'Haiti, Markee Teal, Nathaniel Drayton andD'Andre Bullard.
D'Haiti, is from Orlando, Fla., and is a junior college transfer from Santa Fe College. He is 6'8" tall and weighs 235 lbs. He should help the Rattlers in the post position. He was an All-Mid Florida Conference player. He attended Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, where he led the team to a 43-13 record while playing there. He was shown interest by West Virginia, Valdosta St. and FAU.
Teal, is from State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College). He is from Ocala, Fla., where he attended Westport High School. He was also a first team Suncoast All-Conference selection as a post player. Teal stands 6'7" and weighs 220 lbs. He was shown interest by B-CU and St. Peters College.
Drayton, who goes by the name "Nate," is originally from Savannah, Ga. He is a junior college transfer from Salkehatchie Community College, where he was an All-Conference performer. Drayton plays the post and is 6'7" and 245 lbs. He was shown interest by Towson State, Coastal Carolina, and S.C. State.
Bullard, is a true freshman from Apopka, Fla. He attended Wekiva High School and was an All-County and All-Region player. He has good height for a point guard, standing 6'4" and 175 lbs. He was shown interest by Northeastern and Stetson University.
Tallahassee, FL -- Joe Taylor has received more than a few telephone calls in the past month. They come from throughout the Southeast and other parts of the country from players, parents and alumni who try to convince the Florida A&M football coach that they've got his next super athlete.
"It's been crazy in terms of the number of calls that we've received," Taylor said Thursday. "Then, you have alumni calling because they know somebody."
The current dead recruiting period hasn't stopped Taylor's phone from ringing, in part, because of the program's success last season when the Rattlers won a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. Taylor estimated that he's fielded at least 10 calls per day for the past month.
"I told the coaches this morning that it's a good thing that people want to be a part of you," he said. "When you do great things, you're going to attract more people. Winning (a share of the MEAC) championship didn't hurt either so what that allows us to do is be more selective."
Videographer: jesudomine; Who will be the next great one from FAMU? Bullet Bob Hayes (#702) winning the 100m final in a time of 10.0 seconds, equaling the world record. Taken from Kon Ichikawa's documentary Tokyo Olympiad (東京オリンピック Tōkyō Orinpikku) from 1965.
Tallahassee, FL -- Clemon Johnson, a Monticello native who set records at Florida A&M and also wears an NBA championship ring, finally experienced a homecoming Tuesday afternoon that was in the making for 18 years.
With about 200 Florida A&M fans looking on with the Marching 100 and cheerleaders as the backdrop at the Lawson Center, Johnson was introduced as the new men's head basketball coach. He hugged little children, signed autographs and took countless photographs, then pronounced himself ready to rebuild the program that had foundered as a bottom tier team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past four years.
At the same time, Johnson was at the University of Alaska Fairbanks gaining experience that he said will help him make the Rattlers winners. He was hoping to...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 31) - Florida A&M University welcomed home one of its favorite sons to lead the men's basketball program today at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Clemon Johnson, was officially presented to alumni, fans and family at a pep rally and press conference in his honor. The world-famous Marching "100" and the MEAC Co-ed Champions Cheerleaders were on hand to add to the excitement.
Johnson was a star basketball player for the Rattlers from 1974-1978. He was an All-SIAC and All-American selection his senior year at FAMU, with several of his records still standing to this day. Johnson went on to a solid career in the NBA, winning a world championship with the Philadelphia 76ers. He later started coaching in the high school ranks, before being hired at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks
FAMU interim Sports Information Director, Vaughn Wilson, presided over the event. FAMU Director of Athletics, Derek Horne, gave the welcome from the FAMU Athletic Department and FAMU President, Dr. James H. Ammons, welcomed the crowd of about 300 people to the event and introduced new head basketball coach Clemon Johnson.
Horne, was excited to have the search completed and a Rattler hired to guide the team. "It's a great day for not only FAMU, but our athletic department. We have an alum coming back to the hill that we think will do a great job for us," said Horne.
Ammons, was emphatic about doing what it takes to regain championship composure for the basketball program. An emphatic Ammons said, " We wanted someone who could come back and ignite that old Rattler spirit. When you think about Rattler sports, you immediately think about some of the great student-athletes who have been a part of this campus. You think of Althea Gibson, Bob Hayes and legendary coach Jake Gaither. Then, when you think about basketball, you think about Clemon Johnson."
We continue our run through the 49ers2011 NFL Draft picks as we check out Trent Baalke's comments about each player's film. Baalke broke down some tape and gave some background on each of the 49ers draft picks, giving the media a better idea of who some of these guys are and how they might fit in with the 49ers. Today we check out the 49ers last draft pick, cornerback Curtis Holcomb of Florida A&M via Trent Baalke's film discussion.
In 2010 the 49ers drafted cornerback Phillip Adams out of South Carolina State with their final pick. A year later the49ers drafted Holcomb out of Florida A&M. Both schools are in the MEAC and based on the 49ers.com roster page, they're actually similar builds. I have no idea whether this means we're looking at similar players. Given their late round status, it can be difficult to get more details on such players. As Baalke says in the video in reference to Holcomb, "The guy Mel Kiper had to fumble through his stuff for cuz he wasn't rated." Videographer: sanfrancisco49ers; Baalke's Film Review - FAMU's Curtis Holcomb READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Gainesville, FL - A member of the Santa Fe Saints men's basketball team has signed a letter of intent with Florida A&M University, Coach Chris Mowry announced. Eddie D'Haiti inked with Florida A&M University on May 26, 2011.
D'Haiti joins a FAMU team that finished the 2010-11 season 12-20 overall and 7-9 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rattlers are coached by newly hired Clemon Johnson, the former head coach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 2007-2010. Johnson is a graduate of FAMU (1978) and played 10 years in the NBA, winning a championship with the Portland Trailblazers in 1983.
As a sophomore at SF, 6'8" D'Haiti averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 30 games. For his efforts, he was named to the All Mid-Florida Conference First Team.
D'Haiti will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Florida A&M University Rattlers.
PROFILE Place of Birth: Orlando, Florida High School: Oak Ridge High School (Orlando, Florida) Size: 6-foot-8, 210 Strong Forward, Averaged 16 pts/11 rebounds per game. Honors: Honorable-Mention Class 6-A All-State Selection, First Team All-Metro, All-Orange County and 2nd-Team All-Central Florida. Rank: Ranked as one of the top 40 seniors in Florida by FloridaHoops.com and Hoop Scoop. Considered a four-star recruit by the recruiting services. Colleges: Out of high school, signed NLI with Youngstown State University (Ohio). Senior Year: Lead Oak Ridge to 21-8 record and advanced to the regional quarterfinals of the state tournament losing to eventual semifinalist Winter Springs (77-67). Pioneers had a 43-13 record during his junior and senior years...coach was Matt Turner. Prospectus - A transfer from Youngstown State University, D’Haiti is a skilled big man with crafty post moves who can score with his back to the basket or knock down jumpers. Eddie has great court vision, which makes him a very good passer.
Parents:Odilbert Lubin and Rosemonde Milien
Major: Business
Born: January 30, 1989 By Santa Fe College Media Relations Videographer: ysusports
Unquestionably one of the top sleepers in the upcoming draft. High character and great talent, a steal for any team looking for an impactful person in the lockerroom and on the field.
ORLANDO — Florida A&M athletic director Derek Horne outlined his strategy for improving attendance and making the Rattlers' teams more competitive, while pleading with alumni for financial support that is necessary to make the programs flourish.
Horne, who eight months ago became FAMU's athletic director, made his pitch Thursday morning during FAMU's National Alumni Association conference at the Rosen Center. He also promised "radical changes," and said he hopes to be the school's AD for the long haul.
Winning championships and improving facilities are two of the major changes he promised. But he warned that a complete turnaround won't happen overnight.
Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman has a lot at stake in the first-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at 2 p.m. today. When the Wildcats take the field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark vs. Florida A&M, they will begin their defense of a conference championship they have won five consecutive years.
The Cats' are going for their sixth straight MEAC title and 13th overall.
Bethune-Cookman finished the season 32-22 overall and 18-0 in conference. It is the Wildcats' second straight 18-0 season in conference and their third undefeated season since 2006 when they went 15-0. The Wildcats have only lost four conference games since 2006 and they currently have an NCAA record of 43-straight wins against conference opponents. The last time the Wildcats dropped a conference game was May 2, 2009, at home against Delaware State.
