'07 thriller sets rematch's stage: Hampton vs. NSU

Hampton University (4-1, 3-0 MEAC) coach Jerry Holmes suffered a sudden, convenient bout of amnesia as he tried to remember last year's game against Norfolk State. "What happened last year?" Holmes asked. He turned to the Pirates players sitting beside him at HU's weekly media luncheon. "Do y'all remember?" With no answers forthcoming, Holmes, in his first year as head coach following three seasons as the Pirates' defensive coordinator, faced his audience again. "Any more questions?"

What happened was that Norfolk State (2-4, 1-2 MEAC), which had won just two games against Hampton since 1992, stunned the Pirates with a 20-19 victory when HU kicker Carlo Turavani's 49-yard field-goal attempt with two seconds left sailed wide right. "It felt really good," Spartans senior defensive lineman Dennis Marsh said. "The first year I got here (from Maryland), in '06, they beat us pretty bad (42-13). They try to set themselves apart from us, and for us to come out and beat them, it felt really good."
























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Former HU - Rookie Dixon Trying To Complete Trying Journey To NFL Cowboys

IRVING, Texas - Making the team will be hard enough as an undrafted free agent for rookie Marcus Dixon. The Cowboys signed Dixon to a non-guaranteed three-year, $1 million free-agent deal made up of three minimum base salaries, along with a modest signing bonus, and days later he found himself here at Valley Ranch for the rookie mini-camp.

"I haven't gotten any calls from Oprah, but I have gotten calls from people who have supported me," he said after his first practice. "I've gotten e-mails. Everyone is just overwhelmed."

Dixon was just like every other rookie that first weekend - cramming in an unfamiliar playbook and trying to keep up with the speed a pro team works at during these non-pad practices. He returned with the majority of the rookies this past week to also begin his off-season strength and conditioning program, along with taking part in the three-day OTA workouts, which continue with another three-day session out here on Tuesday.

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Hampton's Marcus Dixon prepares for 2008 NFL Draft, Looks to Escape Past

Photo: Marcus Dixon, #94 (left) intercepts pass from defensive end position against Morgan State.

Marcus Dixon, a defensive end from Hampton University, is hoping to get selected in the 2008 NFL Draft on Saturday despite his troubled past. While in high school, Dixon, then a student at Pepperell H.S. in Lindale, Georgia, had a controversial record of incidents.

Two alleged incidents got him suspended from school for a total of 10 days. In March of his sophomore year, Dixon exposed himself in a classroom, and a year later he allegedly touched a 14-year-old girl inappropriately after track practice. Neither situation was reported to the Floyd County police despite his suspension.

According to an ESPN report, the first incident was a "stupid prank", while the second incident was of Dixon and the girl "making out".

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Hampton U. to open football season vs. Jackson State on ESPN2

The Pirates adjust their football schedule to open the season by playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 31.

Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy announced a huge upgrade on Wednesday to the Pirates' football schedule. The Pirates now will open the 2008 season against defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Jackson State of Mississippi in MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

The contest is set for 2 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., and will be telecast on ESPN2, Hardy said. The Pirates had been scheduled to open the season on Aug. 30 at home against Division II Virginia Union.

But Hardy said that a little more than three weeks ago, the Pirates were offered the opportunity to represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the annual MEAC\SWAC Challenge because...

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Hampton University 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time/Result

8/30/2008 Jackson State (MEAC/SWAC Challenge) Orlando, Fla. 2:00 p.m.
9/6/2008 Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 6 p.m. (CST)
9/13/2008 * Howard Hampton, Va. 6 p.m.
9/20/2008 * North Carolina A&T Hampton, Va. 6 p.m.
9/27/08 OPEN
10/4/2008 * Delaware State Dover, Del. TBA
10/11/2008 OPEN
10/18/2008 * Norfolk State - Battle of the Bay Hampton, Va. 1 p.m.
10/25/2008 * South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. TBA
11/1/2008 Winston- Salem State - Homecoming 2008 Hampton, Va. 2 p.m.
11/8/2008 * Bethune-Cookman Hampton, Va. 2 p.m.
11/15/2008 * Florida A&M Tallahassee, Fl. TBA
11/22/2008 * Morgan State Baltimore, Md. TBA

Home Games are in bold
Neutral Site Games are in italics
* Denotes a conference game.

Competitive Sailing: Hampton University remains sharp

One historically black institution can boast of a sports achievement that no other black university can. Indeed, as colleges have transitioned into spring sports, Hampton University has fielded yet another scrappy team that is raising eyebrows in the rarefied, and mostly white, world of competitive collegiate sailing.

Hampton is the only historically black college to have a sailing team, and two Hampton students from Maryland, Jason Major-Henson and Nicole Clark, have been part of the team’s success.

Halfway into the season the Hampton University Pirates have already qualified for the conference championship regatta, the America Trophy, on April 12-13 at Hobart William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y.

Photo: Seniors Ray Potter and Yasmina Beckles helped lead the Pirates to a second place finish in both the A-Division and B-Division at the annual MAISA/SAISA Intersectional (Mid-Atlantic Division vs. Southeast Division) on March 24-25 at the Strawberry Banks.

They qualified by finishing seventh out of 16 teams in the Old Dominion University Open/South No. 1 regatta in March. Besides the Pirates the field at Old Dominion included Georgetown University, Navy, Washington College and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, which finished first and always has a tough squad. Hampton managed to top the University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, William & Mary College and others.

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MORE INFO ON HAMPTON UNIVERSITY CO-ED SAILING PROGRAM: http://www.hamptonpirates.com/index.asp?path=sailing

Hampton U football coach: Let's get physical

Photo: Returning starting DB Sam Pope will anchor the secondary.

Jerry Holmes is confident as he begins his first spring practice as HU's head coach.

HAMPTON - — Jerry Holmes' first day of spring football practice as coach at Hampton University was like a reunion. Enough past and potential NFL talent was on hand Monday to remind Holmes about the legacy he's charged to continue and the holes he must fill.

Greg Scott and Zuriel Smith, HU alumni who played in the NFL, watched from the sidelines. Kendall Langford and Marcus Dixon — All-American defensive ends last season — also dropped by after completing workouts in preparation for likely visits next month to NFL rookie camps.

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Coach: Hampton U 'ahead of schedule'

Photo: Coach Kevin Nickelberry

Year 2 with Kevin Nickelberry shows the progress of a new era at Hampton University.

Hampton University men's basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry's glass is half full this week as he assesses his second season on the job.

His Pirates finished 18-12 overall, 11-5 and tied for second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Hampton, seeded second, fell to seventh-seeded and eventual champion Coppin State 75-74 in overtime in a conference tournament quarterfinal last Wednesday.

But Nickelberry isn't bemoaning the early exit or making excuses. He talked all season about working toward long-term goals for the program and continued to do so after the dust cleared on his second season.

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Hampton advances over Maryland-Eastern Shore

Photo: 20 points, 8 rebounds and senior leadership from Rachel Butler provided the Lady Pirates a another big win towards the MEAC Tournament Championship.

RALEIGH, N.C.-- Bad basketball can still lead to good results. The Hampton Pirates took what they could get in the second round of the MEAC Tournament Thursday — a 56-49 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore and a ticket to the semifinals vs N.C. A&T.

But getting there wasn’t pretty. A combined 5-for-31 on 3-point attempts and a 24.2 first half shooting percentage for the Pirates. But still, they advanced. “We might have been a little nervous. I talked to some of the freshman and tried to calm them down,” said Hampton guard Rachel Butler, one of the game’s bright spots, scoring 20 points.

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Hampton Pirates lose in OT to Coppin State

Photo: Senior guard Rashad West had a monster scoring game with 27 points and 3 assists in loss to Coppin State Eagles to closeout his MEAC career.

Hampton squanders a 17-point lead and drops a heartbreaking MEAC tournament quarterfinal.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Coppin State ousted No. 2 seed Hampton University from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament, 75-74 in overtime Wednesday in a quarterfinal at the RBC Center.

Hampton dominated the first half and led by 15 points at halftime, but the Pirates allowed the Eagles to chip away at their lead. It was down to single digits midway through the second half and soon gone.

There was life for Hampton (17-12) late, but eventually the inspired seventh seed pulled this one out.

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Hampton Pirates seeks some redemption

Photo: Hampton University head basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry.

Blown out in NCAA in'06, Pirates gird for MEAC tourney

HAMPTON, VA -- Hampton coach Kevin Nickleberry spent much of Friday in Richmond in search of a recruit or two who could further help elevate the Pirates' program to national prominence.

The Pirates, of course, captivated college basketball fans with a stunning victory over No. 2-seed Iowa State in the NCAA tournament in 2001. They were invited back to the postseason party two years ago but suffered a 22-point setback to Monmouth in an opening-round game at the University of Dayton.

Nickleberry, in his second season, is eager to prove the Pirates are a far better team than the one that appeared shell shocked in the spotlight of March Madness.

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Hampton University Pirates achieve No. 2 seeding at expense of Howard Bison

Photo: Senior Rashad West lead the Pirates with 17 points, 9 assists and 2 rebounds.

Hampton's Senior Night victory, plus Norfolk State's loss to NC A & T, drops the Spartans to third.

HAMPTON - Thursday's game was as much a celebration of Hampton University's men's basketball seniors as it was a regular-season finale. Pirates coach Kevin Nickelberry started all four seniors after a pregame ceremony to honor them at the HU Convocation Center. Then his team dismantled Howard 71-58, which, coupled with North Carolina A&T's victory at Norfolk State, left Hampton with the No. 2 seed for next week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament.

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Hampton University Lady Pirates topped North Carolina A&T

Photo: Rachel Butler led the Lady Pirates in scoring with 19 points over the previously undefeated conference leaders, Lady Aggies.

Artavia Burns hit a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left Monday night, lifting Hampton to an 85-84 victory over visiting North Carolina A&T. It was the first MEAC loss of the season for the Aggies (22-6, 14-1), who are coached by former HU coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs.

"This is my first time beating Coach Bibbs and obviously from a personal standpoint it means a lot,'' said fourth-year HU coach Walter Mebane, who was an assistant under Bibbs. "it was one of the most hard-fought games I've even coached in my life and beating her is something that this team wanted to do."

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Morgan State ambush Hampton in O.T.

Photo: Morgan State's Boubacar Coly had an awesome game scoring 18 points, 15 boards, 6 blocks, 1 steal and 3 assists. The 6-9/220 senior forward is from Ziguinchor, Senegal/Laurinburg Institute (N.C.) and had his 11th career double/double in leading the Bears.


Boubacar Coly scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Morgan State hung on for a 66-62 overtime victory against visiting Hampton on Monday. Hampton took its first lead of the game 8 seconds into overtime on a 3-pointer by Matthew Pilgrim.

But Jerrell Green scored nine of his 13 points in the extra session and Morgan State made five free throws in the final 47 seconds. Green added five assists, while Marquise Kately finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Morgan State (18-9, 12-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).

Hampton (15-11, 8-5) scored eight of the first 11 points of the second half...

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MSU Bears can benefit from Norfolk State loss

Photo: Morgan State University head basketball coach Todd Bozeman

BALTIMORE - Morgan State received a gift Saturday when South Carolina State upset Norfolk State, enabling the Bears to move into sole possession of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference following their 64-59 victory against Howard.

But now, Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman hopes his team isn’t in a giving mood. The Bears have three games remaining and one loss —beginning with tonight’s game at 7:30 against Hampton at Hill Field House — gives Norfolk State the opportunity to regain the inside track for the regular season title.

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Coppin State Holds Off Hampton for Fifth-Straight Win

Photo: Coppin State's #34, Whitney Cunningham scored 18 points and collected 11 rebounds in the victory over Hampton. The 6-3 junior center is from Baltimore, MD/Western H.S.

BALTIMORE -- Whitney Cunningham had 18 points and 11 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket with 1:07 to play and Coppin State University went on to a 63-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Hampton University on Saturday in the Coppin Center.

Cunningham, who finished the game 8-of-12 from the floor, scored inside on a feed from Shalamar Oakley and was fouled on the play. The ensuing free throw gave the Eagles a 61-60 lead with 1:07 left.

Shalamar Oakley led Coppin State (16-11, 10-3 MEAC) with 19 points and Rashida Suber added 11 points. Hampton (14-11, 7-5 MEAC) was led by Butler who scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

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Hampton Pirates hoping Justice is served

HU might have a replacement for Kendall Langford in Jalal Gee.

Can Richmond-area lightning strike again for Hampton University? New coach Jerry Holmes thinks Jalal Gee of John Marshall High can become the program's latest Capital City bolt from the blue. Gee, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive tackle, signed to play for the Pirates on Tuesday to little fanfare. Gee, who carries a 3.0 grade-point average, chose Hampton over Old Dominion.
He bench-presses 370 pounds and runs a 5.0-second 40-yard dash. His other attributes are similar to those Langford brought to HU. "He has good footwork and an explosive first step." "He'll clog up some holes and tackle whatever comes through them. "He's that quick and he's that strong."

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Hampton gets past cold North Carolina A&T

Photo: Vincent Simpson, 6-1/170 guard scored 13 points against the Aggies. The sophomore is from Cardinal Dougherty H.S., Philadelphia, PA.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Teams that live by the 3 will die by the 3. One game after setting a season high with 65 percent shooting on 3-pointers, N.C. A&T hit just 4-of-21 shots from the beyond arc and fell, 68-52 to Hampton on a nationally televised game Monday night at the Corbett Sports Center.

In a contest that featured two of the top scorers in the MEAC, the Pirates' Rashad West outdueled Steven Rush. West scored a game-high 17 points, including three 3-point baskets. Meanwhile, Rush had seven points and was 1-for-7 on 3s. A&T (11-10, 5-3 MEAC) shot just 30 percent for the night, hitting only 15 field goals.

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Battle of the Bay: Hampton at Norfolk State in major MEAC battle

Photo: NSU Tony Murphy #5, senior guard, 6-4/220, Eastside HS., Paterson, NJ.

The Spartans are seeking their eighth win in nine games and a chance to maintain their chase of first-place Morgan State. NSU has handed the Bears their only league loss this season. Tony Murphy is the team's top offensive threat at 17.9 ppg, but guard Corey Lyons (15.1 ppg) and Michael Deloach (12.4 ppg) provide balance. Lyons has reached double figures in scoring nine straight games and is shooting 50 percent from the field in that span. NSU is perfect at home this season in six games.

Both teams enter the game with 5-1 MEAC records, one-half game behind first-place Morgan State (6-1) in the conference standings. The game can be heard live on WNSB Hot 91.1 FM in the Hampton Roads area. WNSB's audio stream and live stats are available at the NSU official website, www.nsuspartans.com


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Coppin State dumps Hampton Lady Pirates

Photo: 5-6 Senior point guard Shalamar Oakley scored 24 points in the upset win over Hampton. The Camden, NJ star is from Woodrow Wilson H.S. and is majoring in Criminal Justice .

HAMPTON, Va. -- Seniors Shalamar Oakley and Rashida Suber combined for 42 points leading Coppin State to a 64-54 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Hampton on Saturday and handing the Pirates their first conference loss of the season.
The Lady Pirates (10-7, 4-1 MEAC), trailing 33-31 at intermission, shot a miserable 15.6 percent in the second half (5-for-32) and were never in it after Coppin State (9-10, 4-2) opened the second half with a 10-3 run. Oakley scored six points during the run.

Oakley was 9-of-12 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free throw line to lead the Eagles with 24 points, while Suber added 18 points. Whitney Cunningham added seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Rachel Butler scored 15 points to lead Hampton. Artavia Burns and reserve Roneisha Corbitt added 12 points apiece.

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HU Vinny Simpson providing instant offense and comic relief

Photo: Vincent Simpson, 6-1 guard, Sophomore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Dougherty H.S.

HAMPTON--If guard Rashad West is known as the general on Hampton University's men's basketball team, teammate Vinny Simpson has to be the jester. The effervescent sixth man is providing as much offensive punch off the bench as he is one liners in the locker room. Even though the latter sometimes elicit something between a grimace and a death stare from Pirates coach Kevin Nickelberry.

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