2011 SIAC Football Championship

The Albany State Golden Rams & The Miles College Golden Bears Battle For The Throne in The Inaugural SIAC Football Championship in Atlanta, GA.

Historical Black College All-Star Classic

Columbus, GA - The 8th Annual Historical Black College All-Star Classic is coming to Columbus (Georgia) on April 23rd with the game being played the Civic Center. The event pits the best players from the SWAC, MEAC, SIAC, and CIAA against each other in a battle of East and West.



In addition to the College game the event will also feature matchups including local boys and girls high school all stars. Among those expected to attend include: Jordan's Harry Short, Kendrick's Elbert Elliot, Dwayne Belfield, Erica Stanley, and Janai Merritt, Hardaway's Valenta Williams and Jamaine Burrey and many more.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).



The Invitational Showcase Line-Up

For the highly anticipated 2011 showdown, the curtain will go up promptly at 3:00 p.m. EST. The bill includes a special guest performance by “Bow Wow,” along with crowd-pleasing routines by the nation’s top eight elite black college marching bands. Georgia’s own Albany State University will open the show and lead this year’s “great eight” performances in the following order:

1. Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band”
2. Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands”
3. Virginia State University “Trojan Explosion Marching Band”
4. Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers”
5. Jackson State University “The Sonic Boom of the South”
6. Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound”
7. South Carolina State University “Marching 101”
8. Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats”



Grants, Internships, and More

The Honda Battle of the Bands program not only provides a platform to shine a rare spotlight on the pageantry, pride and showmanship of HBCU music and culture, but it also is the only national music scholarship program of its kind. For the 2011 program, 45 HBCU marching bands participated in the pre-qualifying “Celebration Tour,” and received $1,000 grants for their music programs. An additional $20,000 will be awarded to the eight institutions selected to participate in this month’s Invitational Showcase.

In addition to the distribution of grant monies, the program also includes internship opportunities through the Fox Music Experience, and an HBCU Recruitment Fair will expose future college students to all HBCUs have to offer. The Fox Music Experience, now in its fourth year, provides one HBOB Invitational Showcase student-musician the opportunity to spend a few weeks during the summer months as an intern at Twentieth Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, learning film and television music production first-hand. The Honda Battle of the Bands HBCU Recruitment Fair, now in its sixth year, gives young people the opportunity to meet with marching band and admissions recruiters to discuss admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.

Group and individual tickets for the show are still available, but moving quickly. They can be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office, via www.Ticketmaster.com or www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com for just $10 and $12.



For more information on the Invitational Showcase, Fox Music Experience summer internship program and HBCU Recruitment Fair, photos, press materials and video footage visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com, the official online destination and clearinghouse for all HBOB information.

Hip-Hop Icon “Bow Wow” to Perform

Hip-Hop artist and actor “Bow Wow” will be on hand as the special guest performer this year. The Columbus, Ohio native is best known for his musical lineage, taking his stage name from his mentor, fellow rapper-actor “Snoop Dog,” Bow Wow’s film credits include The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Lottery Ticket. He is also noted for his cameo appearances in the critically-acclaimed television series, “Smallville,” “Ugly Betty,” “Entourage” and others.



Amateur Vocalists Welcomed To Audition for National Anthem

The Honda Battle of the Bands national anthem will be performed by a talented local vocalist selected once through a promotional radio “sing-off.” WVEE-FM, or “V-103,” Atlanta’s top-ranked urban radio station, is partnering with the Honda Battle of the Bands once again to invite listeners 16 years of age or older to demonstrate their vocal skills for a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity to open the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. This year, three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges at the open audition on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, Georgia. Music fans can then log on to the station's web site and vote for their favorite rendition of the national anthem. The winner will be announced on-air on January 21st, 2011, and he or she will command the spotlight to open the showcase on January 29th.

SIAC signs five-year contract with Crons

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has signed a five-year agreement with The Crons Brand™, making it the official uniform and apparel provider for the conference and its member schools.

Crons will be the exclusive provider of SIAC Championship apparel and gear for all student-athletes and conference championships. The company will outfit teams in conference-sponsored sports with game uniforms, practice and workout gear, and travel apparel.

The SIAC becomes the first NCAA Division II conference to join The Crons Brand™, one of the fastest growing team sports apparel brands in the country. Crons, which created its name as an acronym from the phrase “Come ready or never start,” is based in Pittsburgh and describes what it sells as “motivational apparel.” Crons’s founder and owner is Pat Cavanaugh, 42, who played in the NCAA basketball tournament three times as a walk-on starter at Pittsburgh in the late 1980s.

“When I began the search for a new apparel partner, I wanted a company that understood the rich ethos of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in general and the SIAC in particular. As a relatively new brand, Crons “Come Ready Or Never Start” approach not only mirrors the commitment and work ethic of our student-athletes, but Crons is also well positioned to tap into the enormous brand building, taste making, and trendsetting prowess of our nearly 35,000 SIAC students and SIAC 400,000 alumni,” stated SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore.

The Crons Brand is also the official apparel and uniform provider for the Big South Conference, Robert Morris University, University of Texas-Pan America, and others. “It’s kind of the haves and have-nots these days, and Crons is taking advantage of that, making quality apparel that’s affordable” for our fans and sports teams.

Come ready or never start!

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

14-year-old college student to speak at scholarship fundraiser

Stephen Stafford II, in front of MLK statue on Morehouse College campus. The triple-major (math, computer science and pre-med) child prodigy will receive his college degrees in 2012, and will go on to Morehouse School of Medicine. Georgia law requires a student to be 16 to graduate high school, so he will be getting his high school diploma the same year he receives his college degrees. Stephen is from Lithonia, Georgia and was home schooled by his mother, Michelle Brown-Stafford (SEE Web Link Below).

Scholars of Minnesota-COPE Project is holding its Fifth Annual Scholarship Program Fundraiser/Gala on Sunday, August 15, 2010, from 4 to 8:30 pm at the Airport Hilton Hotel/Bloomington, Minnesota. This year’s guest speaker for the evening will be scholar/child prodigy Stephen Stafford II, a 14-year-old student currently attending Morehouse College.

According to Stafford’s biographical statement, “…Whe Stephen’s parents enrolled him in Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth, that Stephen soared into advanced mathematics and began mastering… geometry at age seven and algebra two years later.

“Soon after, Stephen was then allowed to audit a course at Morehouse College once his talents outpaced his mother’s ability to teach him. There Stephen scored the highest averages in both his college honors algebra and pre-calculus at the age of 11 and was honored by the college’s mathematics department.

“Stephen uses his gifts in mathematics and computer science to uplift other students. Stephen tutors students in K-12 schools as well as students twice his age enrolled at Morehouse in both subjects. He also lends his programming talents to projects on campus while offering technical assistance in the college’s computer lab.

“In addition, Stephen speaks to youth in schools, churches and community organizations in hopes that they will choose education as a means to better their lives. Stephen has even contributed his talents and notoriety to scholarship committees for the purpose of making education available to more youth.”

The COPE Project mentors community youth, provides scholarships, and acknowledges outstanding students in the metropolitan areas.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

RELATED WEB LINK:: http://www.gifted-spirit.com

Savannah State and Tuskegee signs Beach High teammates

Teammates on Beach High School’s girls basketball and track and field teams, seniors Brianna Little and Alicia Champion sat side by side Thursday and secured their collegiate futures. Little signed to play basketball at nearby Savannah State University, while Champion will run track at Tuskegee University. “I’m very excited knowing that I will have the opportunity to play on the next level,” Little said. Champion received a greater financial package via a full academic scholarship, rather than accepting an athletic scholarship, to attend Tuskegee.

“I know without academics, you can’t go as far as you want in life,” Champion said. “Plus, running track is something I love. I try to do my best on the field and in the classroom.”

Little, a 5-foot-6 point guard, spent the first three seasons of her basketball career at Beach overshadowed by star teammates Khalilah Watson and Monique Willis. But in her senior year, Little flourished for the Bulldogs in a prominent role. Little averaged 18.3 points and 3.6 assists per game while using her speed and quickness defensively to disrupt and frustrate opposing teams while coming up with an average of five steals.

“Savannah State has come in and gotten, what I think is, a major D-I player,” Beach coach Ronald Booker said. “She has tremendous potential because you can teach a lot of things, but you cannot teach the quickness she possesses. And she finishes well at the basket and she shoots the ball well.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

North Carolina A&T State University Aggies All Fired Up to Host Inaugural HBCU and Small College PRO COMBINE

Greensboro, NC -- Final preparations are underway at Ford Stadium Complex, where legendary track and field head coach, Roy W. Thompson Jr., is readying the Irwin Belk Track for senior football standouts from across the country, coming next weekend for a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to show their stellar physical abilities. North Carolina A&T State University is hosting the first annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine this Friday, Saturday & Sunday: May 21 through 23, 2010.

Thompson believes his electronically timed 40-yard dash event will catapult participants onto the “fast track” to success. “I’m privileged to be a part of this event and am looking forward to the recognition and opportunities this is going to bring to the overlooked potential of HBCU athletes,” remarks Thompson.

“This includes two of our own,” adds Head Football Coach Alfonso Lee, "NC A&T is going to be represented by two outstanding young men: Nichols Clement, a 6 Ft., 205-lb. safety, and Andre Thornton, a 6 ft. 1 in., 240 lb. linebacker.”

Also lending a hand to oversee the pull-up station will be active duty SEALs and former NAVY SEALs, retired Captain Dave Morrison and Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Courrier.
Co-founder of this event, Gene Washington, explains, “The SEALS are comprised of elite athletes with superior character and a desire to serve others in a way that not many can. Having the SEALs join us creates a unique and thrilling twist to our event.”

“These gifted athletes have some of the same unique characteristics - mature, focused, committed, self-motivated and driven, that make a good Navy SEAL”, says Morrison. “The HBCU Pro Combine is an excellent venue for us to educate these young athletes on a possible career in the SEAL Teams.”

For more information on the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina A&T State University, please contact info@procombine.com or call 336-937-5202. The downtown Greensboro Marriott hotel will be hosting the players, coaches, and scouts. The Combine is for draft eligible QBs, DBs RBs, TEs, LBs and Wide Outs. Running the three-day programs will be Director of Operations, Coach John Falvey, former Defensive Coordinator at Winston-Salem State University. Falvey will be assisted by the Director of Competition, Coach Alfonso Lee, Head Football Coach at NC A&T State University; and the Director of Logistics, Coach Robert Massey, Assistant Head Football Coach at Shaw University.

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.procombine.com

Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL

Banks' book teaches history

Oree Banks has stood among giants.

In 30-plus years of coaching football, he has studied and coached with some of the all-time greats. Now, he's written about those giants. His new book, "Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL," recounts the exploits of the first seven black coaches inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and some of the players they coached.

In addition to Banks himself, who coached at West Virginia State and South Carolina State, the first coaches to enter the NAIA hall were Alonzo "Jake" Gaither, Florida A&M; Fred "Pop" Long, Paul Quinn College, Wiley College and Prairie View College; Harry Jefferson, Bluefield State, North Carolina A&T, Virginia State and Hampton College; Arnette W. Mumford, Jarvis Christian, Southern, Bishop and Texas College; Billy Nicks, Morris Brown and Prairie View A&M; and Eddie Robinson, Grambling University.

Banks, 67, coached at West Virginia State for seven seasons. He is retired from coaching but still teaches. He also conducts drug awareness seminars and has visited every college in the state to talk with student-athletes about drugs. In his quest to write the book, Banks spent three years doing research and traveling to the various colleges where the coaches worked. He thought it was important to tell the story of the struggles of black athletes and coaches in these historically black colleges in the days before desegregation.

"Today's young people need to learn the history of these coaches," he said. "These men all have a story to tell." He said he was surprised by some of the things he learned.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Oree Banks is an associate professor, Health and Human Performance at West Virginia State University. The former head football coach is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and conducts drug awareness seminars for student athletes throughout the United States. Banks was head coach at West Virginia State and South Carolina State. He was one of the first full-time assistant coaches at the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia. Banks was also an assistant at Wisconsin and at Grambling State University, during a 30 year coaching career.

A&M, Tuskegee together again - in Indianapolis

Alabama A&M and Tuskegee are finally getting back together in football - only the field is three states away. A&M and Tuskegee play today in the 25th annual Circle City Classic in Indianapolis at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Colts. It's the first time the teams have met since an A&M 54-0 victory in 1999. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. and the NFL Network will televise it. The Division II Tigers are riding a 20-game win streak, including a 4-0 mark this season, and are ranked 11th in the nation. The I-AA Bulldogs are 2-3 and enjoying a modest two-game winning streak.

"It's an exciting venue," A&M head coach Anthony Jones said. "We haven't played there since 2002, but every time I've been associated with it it's always been a great college football game.
"With two teams from the state of Alabama who have a rich history, it almost can't get any bigger than this." A&M leads the series that started in 1932, but ended soon after the Bulldogs left Division II, 23-18-4, according to the school. TU scores the series 22-19-3, still A&M's way.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band

Tuskegee University Crimson Pipers Marching Band & Dancin' Divas

AAMU Maroon and White Marching Band & Dancin' Divas


READ RELATED ARTICLES:
hhhh
Bump in road to success
Alabama A&M notebook
A&M defense makes strides
Alabama A&Mnotebook
Tuskegee's power starts with its QB
Circle City Classic game has a lot in common with 1st event in 1984
Circle City Classic Pep Rally
McKnight goes easy at Classic concert