Getting sacked painful for A&T's Lee

Coach Alonzo Lee was fired on December 1, 2010, now one of four headed coaches sacked in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

 GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The wound is still open, the injury still fresh. There's no blood, no bruising, nothing visible at all. But you can hear the hurt in his voice. Alonzo Lee isn't the N.C. A&T football coach anymore. And the tough old linebacker -- a Division II All-American in his playing days -- didn't get to say goodbye to his players.

"It's like getting your heart cut out," Lee said.

The last team meeting was the sleepy Saturday after Thanksgiving, one week after the last loss in the Aggies' 1-10 season. "We sat down and really talked about being totally committed," Lee said. "I told them, 'Next season starts today, and it starts in study hall. ... We can't change what happened on the field this year. Let's win off the field in the classroom.' "



N.C. A&T fires football coach

GREENSBORO — N.C. A&T fired football coach Alonzo Lee on Monday after one year, 10 months and 13 days on the job. Lee ends his first job as a head coach with a 6-16 record. George Ragsdale, a former star running back at A&T and an Aggies assistant coach for 12 seasons, will oversee the program until the school hires a new coach.

“We’re going to identify the best candidate as quickly as we can,” said Earl Hilton, A&T’s interim athletics director. “What shape the search takes will be determined by how quickly we can find the right coach.”

Asked if there were already possible candidates, Hilton responded: “None that I can discuss.” Lee, who inherited a football program penalized by the NCAA for poor performance in its Academic Progress Rate, said the decision took him by surprise.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

AMAZING! These two NCA&T clips have eclipsed 1.4 million views (combined) in four months on YouTube. I have not found any other video of an HBCU Marching Band that has had more than a million views on any performance. The A&T's Bed Intruder Song arrangement was one of the best performances of the 2010 football season.  Exceptional performance, outstanding musicianship, and creative showmanship --North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine!  Like FAMU, you were not selected for the 2011 Honda Band Battle Invitational in Atlanta.  Shows you what Honda really knows about marching bands and music.  Stick to econo car production, Honda and leave the marching band selection to the real experts...

N.C. A&T rides play of Coleman, Hill

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In the aftermath of N.C. A&T's wild overtime win over Norfolk State on Saturday, Aggies head coach Jerry Eaves had already taken off his coat, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. As he took the walk to his seat in the postgame interview room, Eaves carried a telling look -- one of exhaustion, joy and most clearly, relief.

"I can't complain," Eaves deadpanned in response to how he was doing. Talk about an understatement. Thanks to 25 points after intermission from Marc Hill and a brilliant all-around effort from center Thomas Coleman, A&T escaped with an 89-81 win.

Norfolk State loses league opener in OT

GREENSBORO, N.C. - After committing a foul in the final seconds of overtime, Norfolk State forward Kyle O'Quinn pounded the ball on the floor over and over again. The score was already out of reach and his foul had no effect on the outcome, but O'Quinn couldn't help himself. His team had been so close, only to see a late lead crumble away - again.

"For them to shoot the way they did and for us to stay that close, we let it slip out of our hands," O'Quinn said of his team's 89-81 loss to North Carolina A&T (5-3). "It kind of makes you mad at the end if you don't come out the victor." The game quickly boiled down to a battle between the two tallest players on the court.

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North Carolina A&T Dismisses Head Football Coach

Coach Alonzo Lee ends A&T career with 5 wins, 16 losses.

Greensboro, NC -- North Carolina A&T State University announced Monday their head football coach Alonzo Lee was dismissed. Lee was named head football coach January 2009 and finished the 2010 season with a 1-10 record.

According to a statement from the school, George Ragsdale, current A&T assistant head football coach, will serve as interim head football coach until a new head coach is named. "Ragsdale's collegiate and professional experience will prove to be beneficial to our football program during this time of transition," said A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr.

Aggies Head Football Coach Out After 1-Win Season

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- North Carolina A&T State University has fired head football coach Alonzo Lee after Lee's teem turned in a 1-10 performance this season, the university announced on Monday. Lee was named head coach in January 2009. Before being named as head coach, Lee served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at A&T from 2003-2005.

A&T fires football coach Lee

Lee was fired Monday after the Aggies went 1-10 with losses to arch rivals N.C. Central and Division II Winston-Salem State. Assistant coach George Ragsdale was named interim head coach while the search for a replacement unfolds. Ragsdale was interim coach for four games when Lee Fobbs was fired during the 2008 campaign. Lee finished his A&T stint with a 5-16 record.

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A&T's inside game is too much for Greensboro College

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Thomas Coleman scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead N.C. A&T over Greensboro College 79-58 on Friday night, but it wasn't the kind of performance Aggies coach Jerry Eaves wanted.

"I think we overlooked Greensboro College,'' Eaves said. "We didn't play with the enthusiasm that we needed, and we also shot the ball poorly. It was good to get a win, but I think we had our minds on what is going to happen on Monday (against UNCG). It's never good to look ahead when you have an opponent staring you in the face."

The Aggies (3-3) led 43-23 at halftime and led by as many as 22, 43-21, before a jumper by Luqman Tijani with 37 seconds left before the break pulled the Pride within 20.

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South Carolina State Bulldogs playoff bound

SCSU Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough 

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Malcolm Long had four touchdowns to become South Carolina State's all-time TD leader with 48, and the Bulldogs defeated North Carolina A&T 48-3 on Saturday. With the win, the Bulldogs (9-2, 7-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) earned their third consecutive trip to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Long threw an 8-yard pass to Tyler McDonald late in the first quarter to start the scoring. He then added his first of three rushing touchdowns, a 1-yard run early in the second quarter.

Gaffney's Long sets SC State TD mark, leads Bulldogs to playoffs

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Gaffney’s Malcolm Long had four touchdowns to become South Carolina State’s all-time TD leader, and the Bulldogs defeated North Carolina A&T 48-3 on Saturday. With the win, the Bulldogs (9-2, 7-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) earned their third straight trip to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Long, who was tied for the Bulldogs’ career mark with 44 heading in, threw an 8-yard pass to Tyler McDonald late in the first quarter to start the scoring. He then added his first of three rushing touchdowns, a 1-yard run early in the second quarter.

S.C. State earns FCS playoff berth

As Oliver "Buddy" Pough taped his weekly television show early Sunday morning, he remained unsure if his South Carolina State football team had played their final game for 2010 hours earlier.

At 10:10 a.m., the Bulldogs' head football coach got the answer he was hoping for - an at-large berth into the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The now three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions will travel to Statesboro, Ga. this Saturday to face Georgia Southern at Paulson Stadium in one of four noon opening round games.

Aggies finish 1-10 season with loss to Bulldogs

As Oliver "Buddy" Pough taped his weekly television show early Sunday morning, he remained unsure if his South Carolina State football team had played their final game for 2010 hours earlier.

At 10:10 a.m., the Bulldogs' head football coach got the answer he was hoping for - an at-large berth into the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The now three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions will travel to Statesboro, Ga. this Saturday to face Georgia Southern at Paulson Stadium in one of four noon opening round games.

ATTENDANCE: 10,348
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Sylvester's TD helps FAMU prevail over N.C. A&T in OT

Greensboro, N.C. - Redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Trainor has never been shy about saying he could take the Florida A&M football team to a possible Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.

He got off to a good start Saturday in his first collegiate start, carrying the Rattlers to a 22-19 victory in overtime over North Carolina A&T. Trainor, who just two years ago was playing for North Florida Christian, spent the afternoon at Aggies Stadium mixing his booming passes with the bulldozing running of Philip Sylvester. What the duo accomplished, along with two big interceptions by linebacker Brandon Hepburn, kept alive FAMU's chance at the MEAC title. It improved to 6-3, 5-1 in the MEAC with two games remaining.

NC A&T's Lee has maintained touch with Taylor

GREENSBORO, N.C. — One heck of a chess match unfolded Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium. Joe Taylor sent his Florida A&M Rattlers to checkmate Alonzo Lee's North Carolina A&T Aggies. At the end, the Rattlers captured Lee's king, 22-19, even though it took overtime.

No surprise there that the football game played out the way it did. Joe Taylor knows Alonzo Lee and vice versa. They went at each other with a sense of purpose — Lee looking for a win and Taylor looking for something spectacular from the redshirt freshman he decided to start at quarterback over Martin Ukpai.

Former Lincoln player starring at N.C. A&T

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Despite its losing record coming into Saturday's game, North Carolina A&T has been getting impressive individual performances each week. The list includes former Lincoln High School standout D'Vonte Graham.

Never mind that at times he has to cope with homesickness. Graham has been the most efficient player in the secondary for the Aggies. Coming into the game Graham was tied for the most interceptions in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with four. In addition to 11 tackles, he also has eight pass breakups. He picked off Florida A&M's Austin Trainor twice Saturday.

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ATTENDANCE: 7,242

North Carolina A&T Aggies Blow Out Howard Bison, 52-32

The Howard Bison may not be winning, but they are progressing. Although they fell to 1-6 after suffering a 52-32 road loss to the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Oct. 23, Howard scored their highest point total this season behind freshman quarterback Randy Liggins, Jr. Howard entered the game averaging just 11 points per game, but lit up the scoreboard in the losing effort.

Howard turned the ball over five times, and North Carolina A&T took full advantage, jumping out to a 14-0 lead after Jeremy Graham returned a fumble 38 yards for a score on Howard's opening drive of the game. Howard battled back behind Liggins, who threw consecutive scoring strikes to Brandon Drayton and Daley Gunter for 56 and 31 yards, but the team failed both two-point conversions to make it 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Aggies get first victory

GREENSBORO -- N.C. A&T coach Alonzo Lee couldn't help but crack a furtive smile before addressing the media following his team's 52-32 runaway win against Howard. When your team came in on a 10-game losing streak -- a run that began at last year's homecoming -- you're allowed to smile.

Lee reverted to his usual stoic demeanor after a few seconds, but there was no question how much the victory meant to him and the program. "I first want to thank God for a long-time-coming victory," Lee said. "There's no doubt I was just as excited for the young men."

Gallery:N.C. A&T 52, Howard 32

ATTENDANCE: 6,351

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A&T loses lead and 10th straight game

DOVER, DE -- Through a winless football season, Delaware State University could count on one offensive weapon from week to week: running back Jaashawn Jones.

On Saturday, Jones led the Hornets with 144 yards on 30 carries. More importantly, he drew enough attention from N.C. A&T's defense to open up big plays for the Hornets' other weapons. The result was a 31-26 homecoming win for the Hornets in front of 4,131 fans at Alumni Stadium. DSU (1-5, 1-3 MEAC) had seven plays of 20 yards or more, six of which came through the air.

DSU Earns First Win of the Season

Dover, Del. -- Delaware State is celebrating a victory for the first time this season after a 31-26 homecoming win over North Carolina A&T at Alumni Stadium this afternoon. The Hornets improved to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), while the Aggies fell to 0-7 and 0-4.

Jaashawn Jones rushed for a career-high 144 yards and a touchdown to lead the Delaware State attack. The Hornets racked up 351 yards in the contest, including 195 passing.

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Wheeler Brown dismissed as A&T athletics director

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In his most high-profile move since a student collapsed and died in an unofficial track practice, N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold Martin fired athletics director Wheeler Brown on Friday.

“I commit to you that I will take constructive steps to move our athletics program in a different direction,” Martin said during a news conference at the school.

Brown’s dismissal comes nearly two months after sophomore Jospin “Andre” Milandu, 20, of Knightdale, died on Aug. 19 due to complications of sickle cell trait. He was one of several students participating in the tryout without medical paperwork required by the NCAA.

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Chancellor Memo

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
Release: 10/15/2010

TO: University Community
FROM: Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr.
DATE: October 15, 2010
RE: Milandu Internal Investigation Closed

On yesterday, the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released the autopsy report for our former student, Jospin "Andre" Milandu, showing that he died as a result of "complications of sickle cell trait." Andre, a sophomore from Knightdale, North Carolina, was described by his peers as a caring and kind-hearted young man. His presence has been and will continue to be missed at North Carolina A&T State University.

This continues to be a sad time for the University family, the Department of Athletics, and one beyond measure for the Milandu family. As a parent, my heart continues to ache for Andre's family and friends.

We deeply regret Andre's loss. Since my arrival at North Carolina A&T, I have consistently stressed the importance of adherence to University policies, practices and procedures with all University administrators. This has been reaffirmed throughout my tenure, and even more so since this tragic incident. I commit to you that I will take constructive steps to move our athletics program in a different direction.

Today, I have discontinued the employment of our Athletics Director, Wheeler Brown. I have asked Dr. Deborah Callaway, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, to assume administrative oversight for the immediate future until an interim Athletics Director is named within the next week. I will immediately launch an aggressive, national search for a new leader of our Athletics program.

This new leadership for Athletics will be expected to bring significant managerial and leadership skills, knowledge of Athletics, the ability to develop a high performing organization and the ability to manage the necessary cultural changes to ensure enhanced services, transparency and individual accountability.

Let us continue to pray for the Milandu family.

North Carolina Central Eagles host North Carolina A&T Aggies

Complete Game Notes            Ticket Information

THE GAME 
North Carolina A&T State Univ. “Aggies” vs. North Carolina Central Univ. “Eagles”

THE KICKOFF 
Saturday, September 25, 2010 – Kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

THE SITE 
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.

2010 RECORDS 
North Carolina A&T (0-3); North Carolina Central (1-2 overall) 

MEDIA COVERAGE 
Audio: NCCU Sports Network - flagship station WRJD 1410 AM (Durham), WHNC 890 AM (Henderson), WELS 1010 AM (Kinston), WYRN 1480 AM (Louisburg), WCBQ 1340 AM (Oxford), WEED 1390 AM (Rocky Mount), WXKL 1290 AM (Sanford); NCCUEaglePride.com. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Video: NCCUEaglePride.com features GameCentral by Stretch Internet ($8.95). Starts at 5:45 p.m. 

Defenses zero in on A&T's running game

GREENSBORO, N.C. — What's wrong with Mike Mayhew? Why has the tailback who was last season's MEAC rookie of the year struggled to gain yards in A&T's first two games?

Mayhew is fine. But the arithmetic is certainly against him right now. When the Aggies (0-2, 0-1 MEAC) lost starting quarterback Lewis Kindle with a knee injury in an August practice, it did more than simply set back A&T's passing game.

Mayhew, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry and rushed for six touchdowns last year, became the focal point of opposing defenses. In losses to Winston-Salem State and Norfolk State, the Aggies routinely faced defenses crowding the line of scrimmage with eight — sometimes nine — players.

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Fumble return keys Norfolk State's 23-14 win

NORFOLK, VA - Hit them when they're up, hit them when they're (headed) down. That's Norfolk State linebacker Corwin Hammond's philosophy on dealing with quarterbacks. Hammond said he was just trying to punish North Carolina A&T quarterback Shelton Morgan when he helped Norfolk State pull away in a 23-14 win in front of 14,550 at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.

"He was going down, so you might as well hit him," Hammond said. "You might as well. If he's going to run it, he's going to get hit." Trailing 13-7 with 8:12 left in the third quarter, the Aggies (0-2) were moving the ball well for the first time against NSU (1-1). North Carolina A&T finished with just six first downs, but Morgan looked ready to move the chains for the third time on the drive.

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Viewings of North Carolina A&T's "Bed Intruder Song" arrangement has now reached over 631,400 on YouTube within 30 days.

NC A&T Aggies kickoff season with four ineligible players & a loss to WSSU

A&T head coach Alonzo Lee prides himself on being an eternal optimist, but even he has to be shaking his head these days when contemplating some of the setbacks that have recently besieged his football team.

Just one game into the 2010 campaign, the Aggies are already searching for answers following a disappointing 21-14 loss to rival Winston-Salem State University last weekend. Contributing to that surprise defeat was the fact A&T saw its top quarterback go down with a possible season-ending knee injury in a preseason scrimmage two weeks ago and, just hours before the Winston game on Saturday, learned that at least four players were declared academically ineligible by the university.

Not exactly the way Lee envisioned the start of his second year in Aggieland. However, don’t expect A&T’s fiery leader to throw in the towel anytime soon.

» GAME PHOTOS: Saturday-Night College Football
WSSU vs. NC A&T - Click to view...

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WSSU Rams Score With Under One Minute To Play As They Down North Carolina A&T 21-14

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The fifth-annual I-40 Showdown between the Rams of Winston-Salem State University and the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University would come down to a drive dominated by a player with virtually no knowledge of the long-standing rivalry. Redshirt sophomore Kameron Smith, a transfer from the U.S. Naval Academy, accounted for 65 yards and the game-winning touchdown on the Rams final drive en route to propelling WSSU to a 21-14 victory over the rival Aggies on Saturday evening in Greensboro, N.C.

The contest would prove to be a matchup of two staunch defenses as both the Rams and Aggies used a physical style that generated a total of eight fumbles and two interceptions and held the two powerful offenses to a combined 464 total yards.



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Bad break means A&T needs new QB

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- On the practice field, the red jersey is a red light. The red jersey means hands off. The red jersey means no contact. The red jersey is no guarantee. Lewis Kindle, the sophomore projected as N.C. A&T's starting quarterback, wore a red jersey when he tore up a knee in the waning days of a hot August training camp.And so the Aggies start the second season of coach Alonzo Lee's rebuilding project Saturday with a quarterback who has never handled a snap in a college game.

Terrence Webb, a redshirt sophomore, played sparingly and made two tackles in four games as a defensive back last year. Now he's the quarterback. "We're going with the best athlete on our team," Lee said. "In the weight room, in practice, in everything we do, Terrence Webb is pound-for-pound the best athlete on our team."

The Aggies were counting on Kindle, who played in four games as a freshman last year and started the last two. He came to camp bigger, stronger and more confident.

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WSSU ready for rivalry game against NC A&T

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — With just 33 miles separating Winston-Salem State from North Carolina A&T, the two HBCU schools have had a long-standing rivalry for 49 years. To win the fifth annual I-40 Showdown has implications reaching further than just a "W." in the record books. Fifth-year senior linebacker, Juan Corders said that it is all about the bragging rights which brings the entire community into this rivalry.

"Bragging rights... bragging rights living a whole year to the next game. That's what the whole community loves: the rivalry; that's all they remember is the rivalry," said Corders. Winston-Salem State Head Coach Connell Maynor knows all too well about the rivalry. In 1987 as the starting quarterback for the Rams, he won a CIAA championship.




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North Carolina A&T Remembers Jospin Milandu

Greensboro, NC -- Students and faculty at North Carolina A&T remembered a student who died on campus last week. Jospin Milandu collapsed and died Thursday during a track team tryout from complications of an elevated heart rate. Milandu was a 20-year-old sophomore from Knightdale, which is east of Raleigh.

Today, his family and friends gathered to celebrate his life...



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NC A&T: No Trainer On Track Field During Student's Deadly Collapse

Greensboro, NC -- North Carolina A&T State University's athletic director said no trainer was present during track tryouts where a student collapsed and later died. Wheeler Brown said 20-year-old Jospin Milandu was a sophomore walk-on trying out for track. He could not confirm why no trainer was present, but said school policy requires a trainer attend tryouts and other events.

Brown also said he did not know whether Milandu had taken a required physical test before trying out. He said university investigators are examining whether school policies were violated.

NC A&T student dies during track team tryout

GREENSBORO—Officials at A&T University are investigating death of a student at track tryouts on Thursday. Jospin “Andre” Milandu, 20, of Knightdale, N.C. collapsed after running and later died. His death has left classmates in shock. Athletic Director Wheeler Brown said Milandu was a sophomore walk-on, who had unsuccessfully tried out for the team last year.

"Apparently he had stopped by the coach's office, earlier in the week, and, to tell the coach that he had been working out all summer and that this was the year that he was going to make the team," said Brown.

Knightdale man dies after college track tryout

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A North Carolina A&T State University student from Knightdale died Thursday from complications of an elevated heart rate during a track team tryout, the school said. Officials said at a news conference Friday afternoon that Jospin "Andre" Milandu, 20, a sophomore, collapsed during a workout during which no athletic trainer was present – a violation of university policy.

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Aggie Pride On Full Display At A&T Fun Fest

Greensboro, NC -- It was all about Aggie pride at North Carolina A&T State University Saturday. The Aggie women's volleyball team performed karaoke at the Aggie Fun Fest.
There was a lot of excitement building on campus as student athletes prepare for the new season.

NC A&T Holds Picture Day For The Aggies

Greensboro, NC - The school year is gearing up to start, which means it's time to dust off the cleats, wash the jerseys and of course, put on your best smile. Today was picture day for NC A&T State University's football team. The entire Aggie squad, in their yellow and blue, was on the 50 yard line of Aggie Stadium in Greensboro.





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