FAMU eager to pump up its brand

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.

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Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy Jr. interviews at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy is interviewing for the same post at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a Southwestern Athletic Conference school.

An email from UAPB Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr., obtained Tuesday night by The Daily Press, invited university administrators, faculty and staff to a reception to meet Hardy on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"Over the past couple of days, I have visited with officials at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for discussions on their athletics program and their vacancy for an athletics director," Hardy said in an email Tuesday night. "Where those discussions may lead has not been decided, neither on the part of the university nor on my part. Consequently, my focus is on continuing to prepare Hampton University's athletics program for the start of a new school year and to continue getting our staff, coaches and student-athletes ready to fulfill the lofty goals that we have for all of our athletic teams."

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SWAC Assistant Commissioner Davis Moving to Howard

Shelley Davis
Senior Associate Athletic Director
Senior Women's Administrator
Howard University

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – SWAC Assistant Commissioner for Championships, Shelley Davis, has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Howard University and will move to her new position following the July 4th holiday.

Commissioner Duer Sharp congratulated Davis on her move back to on-campus athletics from the conference office. "The conference office thanks Shelley for her hard work and dedication to the SWAC, and we wish her success as she heads to Howard University."

Davis said she has enjoyed her time with the conference and feels the league has a bright future ahead. "From my colleagues at the conference office, to the individual coaches and administrators at the member institutions, to all the student-athletes I have seen perform to the best of their abilities, my tenure in the SWAC has been filled with great memories and great people. I see nothing but positives for the SWAC moving forward."

Davis graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in 1998. She is the first female graduate of NCCU (the first and only HBCU to have an accredited Athletic Training Education program) to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. Shelley is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and currently resides in Birmingham with her son Donovan.

by SWAC Media Relations
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NCCU near NCAA Division I full membership, school trustees told

DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University's eight-year trek to Division I status in athletics has almost reached the finish line. The university found out earlier this spring that the NCAA -- the governing body for intercollegiate athletics -- had certified the school's athletic programs "without conditions." The NCAA could have accredited the programs with certain conditions.

At the beginning of this month, NCCU submitted its final strategic plan and annual athletics report to a subcommittee of the NCAA's advisory council. The subcommittee reviewed the strategic plan last week and the full committee will make a decision on whether to forward to the Leadership Council by the end of the month.

The council -- the last necessary vote -- should give final approval to the move by August.

"We should know very shortly," athletics director Ingrid Wicker-McCree told the university's Board of Trustees Tuesday. "Everything has gone well so far and we just have this last step to go through."



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Basketball & Golfing high school stars sign with Prairie View A&M

Golfer Josh Mitchell with parents
Jeff and Stephanie Anderson

Tomball's Josh Mitchell lands on Prairie View A&M fairway

Houston, TX - Prairie View A&M University sent Tomball senior Josh Mitchell a timely birthday present and graduation gift in the mail. A few days before turning 18 and little more than two weeks prior to accepting his diploma, Mitchell received a scholarship offer to play golf for the Panthers. Sealing his college future only enhanced a time of celebration.

“I’ve been talking to the coach for about two months,” said Mitchell, adding the scholarship will cover tuition. “We’d been talking about getting a letter of intent together. I finally got it last week and decided to sign it on my birthday (May 23). I’m very proud of my accomplishment. A lot of people didn’t think I could do it in such a short time.”

Mitchell said he got a late start on the recruiting process and did not join the Cougars until January after recovering from a broken hand. Injuries continued to provide setbacks as the senior played the District 13-5A tournament with foot trouble. “I played the district tournament with a broken toe,” Mitchell said. “I couldn’t finish my swing. It wasn’t a very good day.”

Sierra Vista High School's Jackson Joins Prairie View A&M University 

Basketball Point Guard Jeanette Jackson
Sierra Vista High School
Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, NV - After four years of being on girls’ varsity basketball, senior Jeanette Jackson accomplished her dream. Jackson signed a contract to attend Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University in Texas for the 2011-2012 year over her other offers from Northern Arizona University and Texas-Pan American University.

"They love my personality and the way I play basketball," said Jackson. "Plus, they are in need of a new point guard."

Her contract includes a full ride scholarship that covers: room and board, meals, books, instates intuition, and all her basketball finances. "I feel like there was a lot of weight lifted off my chest, because all my hard work paid off," stated Jackson. Jackson will be majoring in business management and wishes to reach her potential in basketball.

"I want to become the best of what I strive to do, hopefully I will reach my goals at PVAMU," said Jackson. Not only is Jackson proud of herself but so is her family and her coaches Lindsey Whalen and Jennifer Brown. Right now Jackson feels everything is working out just fine.

"Now I am stress-free and can enjoy the days I have left in town," said Jackson.




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FAMU athletes spending summer fine-tuning future

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.

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SWAC issues postseason bans for low APR

Presidents Adopt Postseason Ban Policy; SWAC adheres to NCAA ban, effective immediately

Birmingham, Ala. - The SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted Thursday to adopt a league policy to prohibit any member institution subject to NCAA postseason bans to include SWAC championships and tournaments. The policy is effective immediately.

Currently, the policy prohibits Southern University and A&M College and Jackson State University from being eligible to participate in the 2011 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship, and it prohibits the Southern University and A&M College and Grambling State University men’s basketball teams from participation in the 2012 Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament.

The NCAA already hit both schools with a postseason ban because of low APR scores, which were released last month. But the SWAC football championship did not apply because the NCAA considers the game an extension of the regular season. The league does not receive an automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

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Countdown to Football: 86 Days -- Alabama State off probation

This season, Alabama State will finally be free from the NCAA sanctions placed on the program in 2008.

The probation included a ban on postseason play in 2009 and a reduction in recruiting activities and scholarships in addition to the elimination of victories in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, including the 2001 SWAC championship.

"You can tell the student-athletes we're free and can get on with the business at hand," said fifth-year ASU coach Reggie Barlow.

Photo Galleries:
The Week in Pictures at ASU
May 15-21, 2011

The Week in Pictures at ASU
May 22-28, 2011

The Week in Pictures at ASU
May 29-June 4, 2011



Watkins Steps Down as Baseball Coach; Hornets Make Coaching Changes

Longtime Head Baseball Coach Larry Watkins has stepped down to take an administrative position within the Athletic Department, Athletic Director Stacy Danley announced Tuesday.

In other coaching moves, Head Volleyball Coach Sonia Price and Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach Bernard Sewell were relieved of their duties.

Assistant Coach Anthony Macon has been named Interim Head Baseball Coach, and Assistant Coach Frederick Whitt has been named Interim Head Volleyball Coach.

Watkins served as head baseball coach for 30 seasons and was just the third baseball coach in the school's history. A 1974 ASU graduate who played centerfield, Watkins became assistant coach upon graduation and was named head coach in 1982. This past season, the Hornets went 14-29 overall, 6-18 in conference play and were eliminated in the first round of Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.

"To be associated with a program for more than 40 years takes a special individual," Danley said. "Coach Watkins is truly that person, one who has been tremendously dedicated to ASU and the baseball program. In this day and time, serving as head coach for 30 consecutive years at one school speaks of Coach Watkins' devotion and is a milestone that will be difficult to match. I am looking forward to working with him in this new capacity."



Price had served as head volleyball coach for 16 seasons (1995-2010), while Sewell led the tennis programs for 14 seasons (1997-2011).

“After careful evaluation of the past history of each program, we are not receiving the needed results and will go in a different direction,” Danley said. “We will conduct a national search for whom we believe is the best candidate to lead these respective programs to a championship level.”

Last season, ASU Volleyball posted a 12-21 overall record and 3-5 in conference play as the Lady Hornets were eliminated in the second round of the SWAC Tournament. Price came to Alabama State in 1992 as an assistant coach in volleyball and women's basketball. She was named interim head volleyball coach in 1995 and became the permanent head coach one year later after relinquishing her role with women's basketball. Price also was Interim Athletic Director from August 2003-April 2004.

Sewell led the Lady Hornets to the 1999 SWAC Tennis Championship. This past season, the men's team was eliminated in the first round of the SWAC Tournament, while the women's team failed to qualify for postseason play.

By Alabama State University Sports Information

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KEYS: What will new Southern University A.D. need?

Baton Rouge, LA -- The football team posted its worst record in school history.

So did the men’s basketball program.

Both teams face NCAA postseason bans next year, thanks to substandard performance in the classroom.

Revenue streams have dried up. The fan base is fractured and shrinking.

This is what Southern University faces as it searches for a new athletic director. This is, obviously, a tough sell.

And the perfect man (or woman) has not yet emerged.

Interim athletic director Sandy Pugh has said that come July 1, she wants to return to “calling timeouts.” In other words, she wants to return to her full-time job as women’s basketball coach.

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NCAA Academic Metric Hits HBCUs

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has banned a record eight teams from postseason play because of their athletes’ poor academic performance -- the most since the academic penalty system was first used two years ago. But, in a sign of the widening gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in college sport, four of those punished teams are from historically black colleges and universities, and a fifth is from an institution designated by the federal government as predominantly black.

Tuesday, the NCAA released its annual set of Academic Progress Rates -- scores for each Division I sports team based on the academic eligibility and retention of each scholarship athlete. Teams scoring below certain APR thresholds can face penalties ranging from scholarship losses and practice time reductions to postseason bans and, ultimately, suspension of their institution’s NCAA membership. The longer a team scores below a certain threshold, the more severe its penalty. Each teams is judged on the four-year average of its APR. The latest scores are from the 2006-7, 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 academic years. (A searchable database is available showing complete APR scores and penalties per institution and team.) This year, of the 6,400 teams in Division I, 103 teams from 67 institutions were punished. Sixty teams lost scholarships, 16 received public warnings, 19 lost practice time and 8 have postseason bans.

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Mouton beats the odds, becomes a success

Success should not have been an option for 18-year-old Ulysse Mouton. Statistically, young black men with his upbringing — surrounded by drugs, abuse, poverty and an unstable, mobile family — end up with a couple children, in jail or dead.

Ulysse beat the odds, and on Saturday he wore a gown decorated with a National Honor Society stole and performed his role as Northside High School's master of ceremonies. He looked like any other driven teenager with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships that will allow him to attend Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

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FAMU athletic director outlines future ideas at national alumni conference

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.


Videographer: FAMUTube1887;

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Cheryl Dozier Named Interim President of Savannah State University

Cheryl Davenport Dozier, DSW
Interim President, SSU

Atlanta (April 21, 2011) - University System of Georgia Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst announced today that she has appointed Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer at the University of Georgia (UGA) since 2006, to serve as interim president of Savannah State University (SSU), effective May 9, 2011. Dozier will step in as interim president for current SSU president Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., who served from July 2007 and who was not reappointed.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Dozier’s strong leadership skills during this transition. Savannah State University has a great deal of momentum and I am confident that the institution will be in excellent hands under Dr. Dozier,” Herbst said, “Most of our university leaders across this state know her from superb leadership on the system wide diversity initiative, so like me, they are familiar with her tremendous intellect, her charisma, and most of all, her profound openness and humanity.”

Dozier previously served as assistant vice president of academic affairs at the Gwinnett University Center from 2002-2006. She is a tenured Professor in the School of Social Work. Dozier served as the director of the interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program from 2003-2010. She has served as the lead co-principal investigator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $4.9M National Science Foundation (NSF) program with the goal of broadening participation of minority students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics since 2007. The partner institutions include Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University, Southern Polytechnic University, Georgia Perimeter College and UGA.

In addition, Dr. Dozier is a faculty researcher with the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies and Research at UGA and recently served as the co-executive producer of the Donald L. Hollowell Documentary: American Freedom Fighter, which aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting. She recently co- chaired the 50th anniversary of the desegregation at UGA entitled “Celebrating Courage”. Dr. Dozier is an affiliate faculty member of the African Studies Institute and the Institute of African American Studies. She has published widely in professional journals and books and is a well recognized public speaker.

Dozier is an active member of many professional and civic organizations, and was recently elected President of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education. Dr. Dozier earned a Doctorate in Social Welfare (DSW) from Hunter College, at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and received a Masters in Social Work from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta), School of Social Work and a Bachelors degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Plans regarding the search for a permanent presidential appointee at Savannah State will be announced at a later date.

By University System of Georgia

Yarbrough Era Ends at Savannah State University

By Loretta Haywood, SSU Public Relations

Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D 

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. addressed students, faculty, and staff Friday about the Georgia Board of Regents’ decision to not renew his contract, which expires June 30, 2011.

Yarbrough stressed that no misconduct occurred during his time as president.

“It is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal or violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia,” Yarbrough said. “In my opinion, and in this current climate, resigning would have implied misconduct on my part. I chose to stand on my principles of what is right.”

Yarbrough said when he arrived at SSU in 2007, he established four goals: improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates; continue strengthening academic programs; increase community partnerships; and ensure fiscal soundness. “I am happy to report that we achieved great success in all four categories,” he said.

Under Yarbrough’s leadership, SSU experienced unprecedented growth in various sectors, including: significant enrollment increases, major transformation of the campus, stability in the athletics department, new campus-community initiatives and the long-awaited return of teacher education preparation.

• Savannah State’s fall 2010 enrollment reached 4,080 students, up from 3,200 students in fall 2007. The 6.8 percent enrollment increase from fall 2009 to fall 2010 was the highest percentage increase among the 13 state universities — and continued the upward trend that saw enrollment rise 10.6 percent between fall 2008 and fall 2009.

• In February 2011, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved three, new degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science with a concentration in Chemistry or Biology; Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Secondary Education; and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education.

• Savannah State University received more than $45.2 million in funds for 44 active research grants, including a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen the university’s research capacity and infrastructure to promote minority health and eliminate health disparities. The NIH grant is the largest research grant received in SSU history.

• Construction will be completed by the fall 2011 semester on several key projects, initiated by the Yarbrough administration, including:

• $17 million for the renovation of Wright Stadium and a new student center construction, financed by the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority.

• $24 million - freshman housing complex that will add approximately 600 beds; the housing project includes the restoration of three buildings on the historic campus circle — Adams, Morgan and Camilla-Hubert halls — and once completed, all campus buildings will be occupied and operational.

• Yarbrough initiated numerous campus beautification projects that have transformed the 196-acre site, including a soon-to-be open pavilion and lake near the canal and clearing of previously overgrown areas to expose the breathtaking views of the adjacent salt-water marsh.

• In August 2010, Tiger Express diner opened, giving students a unique dining venue on the west end of campus. The $900,000 project was funded primarily by the SSU Real Estate Foundation LLC, Inc.

• A $320,000 brick-and-iron perimeter fence designed to enhance campus safety was also completed in 2010 and paid for through the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Major Renovation and Repair Funds.

• Approximately $3 million has been invested in new technology during the Yarbrough administration. The university’s first chief information officer was hired and technology infrastructure and systems were enhanced.

• Contributions to the Annual Fund increased 467 percent during the Yarbrough administration. The Annual Fund campaign supports the university’s areas of greatest need, including student scholarships, faculty development, community outreach, athletics and student travel.

• Savannah State University was extended provisional membership to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2010, positioning the athletic programs for post-season championship opportunities as well as national exposure. In fall 2011, SSU will participate as a full member.

• The SSU Community Futures Corporation (CFC) was established in October 2010 to serve as a catalyst for public and private sector collaborations aimed at improving the educational, social and economic conditions of neighborhoods in the greater Savannah State community.

• In 2008, SSU partnered with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, local entrepreneurs and philanthropists on the Savannah Education Initiative Scholarship Program.

• During the Yarbrough administration, Savannah State University’s audit rating has continually improved. When he arrived in July 2007, the audit rating was a low of 5. The rating improved to a code of 3 in fiscal year 2007-2008, and to a code of 2 in 2008-2009. The Georgia Board of Regents Internal Audit Office annually rates the state audit reports on a scale from 1 (good) to 5 (bad). A rating for fiscal year 2009-2010 has not yet been released.

Earl Yarbrough: Differences with Regents led to contract non-renewal at SSU

Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. was swarmed by well-wishers Friday after a meeting to clear the air about his unexpected departure.

It was not mismanagement, or alumni pressure, he said, but administrative differences with the State Board of Regents which resulted in the non-renewal of his contract.

“As president I believe I need to lead the university and plan for its future, and hopefully my administrative team will follow and the University System will support it,” Yarbrough said. “But responsible people often have differences in their approach and it is the system that makes the ultimate decision.

For this reason there has been conflict over the last few years.”

Earl Yarbrough loses Savannah State University presidency

ATLANTA -- Earl G. Yarbrough will not continue as president of Savannah State University even if he isn’t selected as chancellor at Southern University because Tuesday he lost his job.

The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia voted not to renew Yarbrough’s annual contract to head the 4,000-student institution.

The board didn’t announce its reasons and held its discussion behind closed doors Tuesday along with other personnel matters. It met behind closed doors and then voted in “public session” after all of the members of the public attending the meeting had drifted away.

Earlier this month, the 64-year-old Yarbrough received the highest ranking among candidates for the Southern University post at the school’s Baton Rouge, La., campus. Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr., is expected to interview Yarbrough this week, along with five other candidates, and to name the new chancellor any day.

Yarbrough holds press conference

Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., former president for Savannah State University, said today at a press conference held in SSU's Torian Auditorium that he conducted himself well as president.

"First, it is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal, violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia," Yarbrough said. "Definitely no misconduct occurred over my four years as president."

Yarbrough says his vision for SSU was for it to expand, but he believes his approach was a source of conflict.

"As president I had a vision for SSU. My vision wasn't much different from that of most university presidents," Yarbrough said. " I believe we needed to grow, build an infrastructure and campus that would attract some of the best students in Georgia, this country, and internationally."

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Jackson State AD search on hold, but 1 candidate emerges

A.D. Charles McClelland 

Even though Jackson State's search for an athletic director hasn't officially begun, one former finalist for the position has voiced his interest in the job again.

Charles McClelland, a Jackson native entering his fourth year as athletic director at Texas Southern, said the "opportunity to get interest from JSU and come home is exciting.

"Being from Jackson, I understand the rich history and tradition at JSU and what it means to the city of Jackson," said McClelland, a finalist for the job in 2006.

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Former Southern University athletic director files suit

Former Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur, who was fired three days after his April 3 arrest on a misdemeanor prostitution count in Houston, is suing the school for breach of contract. LaFleur contends in a lawsuit that Southern fired him “before giving him written notice and an opportunity to refute the alleged cause’’ for his termination.

Administrator arrested in Houston sues school over firing

BATON ROUGE, La. — Former Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur, who was fired three days after his April 3 arrest on a misdemeanor prostitution count in Houston, is suing the school for breach of contract. LaFleur contends in a lawsuit that Southern fired him “before giving him written notice and an opportunity to refute the alleged cause” for his termination.

“The cause alleged by Southern does not constitute just cause, good cause, reasonable cause, or other cause,” the suit, filed against the Southern University Board of Supervisors, alleges.

LaFleur, 52, is seeking damages, including his base salary for the remainder of his contract, which he says was to expire June 30, 2013.

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Grambling climbs back into SWAC hunt

(CLICK ON FLYER TO ENLARGE)

In 2010, the Grambling State baseball team seemingly came out of nowhere when it caught fire late in the season, captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

This season, the Tigers have been in the thick of the SWAC race all along.

Grambling (16-15 overall, 10-5 SWAC) now sits in second place in the SWAC Western Division standings, one game behind first-place Southern (19-12, 11-4). The Tigers visit Alabama State today for a doubleheader starting at noon in Montgomery, Ala.

ASU Black and Gold game, other athletic events set for Saturday

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University has a busy Saturday of athletic events planned, which will include the annual Black and Gold football game set for 2 p.m. at Hornet Stadium.

The Hornets held their final of 14 spring practices prior to the game, which will feature a defensive unit returning several key players and a defensive coordinator back for another year. The defense ranked second in the SWAC in fewest points allowed and third in total defense.

The offense is learning a new scheme, which is being installed by first-year offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss.

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Howard Lady Bison Rallies 6-5 Win Over CSU in Eight Innings

BALTIMORE, MD. – The Lady Bison softball team secured the game-winning runs at the top of the eighth inning and blocked Coppin State from scoring the tying run at the plate, landing them the thrilling 6-5 win on Monday at the Coppin State field.

Rebecca Kirshner was placed on second utilizing international tie-breaker rules and advanced to third courtesy of Carly Martin’s sac fly to right field. Trina Kindred and Samantha Gatson went on to bring in the final two runs of the game, giving Howard (12-21, 3-3 MEAC) the 6-4 lead.

Melanie Buck gave Coppin State (8-11, 2-4 MEAC) one run with an RBI single to shallow centerfield. Howard prevented Tiffani Whaley from scoring from first base and caught her at the plate for the final out on the relay throw from Kindred.

The win gave Howard the series as the Lady Bison took the 2-3 advantage over the Lady Eagles. Both teams went even at the plate with 11 hits each.

Martin pitched the complete game and walked one in addition to striking out seven batters, marking a season-high.

Lorae Robinson led the Bison with three hits and scored two runs while Marisa Coats, Emily Johnson, and Kirshner added two hits each. Coats chimed in with two RBI.

The Lady Bison softball team will take on Morgan State on April 30 followed by Maryland Eastern Shore on May 7 before heading to Daytona, Fla. for the MEAC Tournament on May 12.

Visit www.howard-bison.com for more information on Howard softball.



By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
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Join The Bison Nation: Howard Athletics add Five New Coaches in 2010-2011

Howard University Athletics has added five new head coaches to their staff in 2010 and 2011 along with a new athletics director, Louis "Skip" Perkins, a native of Fort Washington, Maryland.


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Keys: Southern University Pugh takes on a tough assignment

Southern Interim Athletic Director Sandy Pugh

Baton Rouge, LA - Monday afternoon, less than a week into her new role as the interim athletic director at Southern University, Sandy Pugh was all smiles. Above her head, sunlight poked through a field of fast-moving clouds. All around her, trees swayed in a strong breeze. What a day it was.

“I want people to believe some fantastic things are getting ready to happen,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day here at Southern.”

Lately, fewer and fewer people are able to share Pugh’s sunny disposition. Who could blame them? After all, this has been the wildest, most disturbing year in the history of Southern athletics. The football team posted its worst record ever, going 2-9. The men’s basketball team posted its worst record ever for the third straight year, going 4-26, and coach Rob Spivery was fired.

Southern University seeks to fill the athletic director position quickly

Baton Rouge, LA — To borrow a phrase from the sports teams it presides over, Southern’s athletic department has lost some big names, and the work of replacing them must now begin.

Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur was let go from his post last week after being arrested for allegedly soliciting a prostitute. LaFleur was in Houston scouting potential hires for the men’s basketball team after the firing of former coach Rob Spivery following a 4-26 season.

“Given the circumstances, I think it would be difficult for the university to move forward with Mr. LaFleur as the head of the athletic program,” Southern Chancellor Kofi Lomotey said in a release last week.

The decision leaves Southern with two big positions to fill.

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