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MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama State football team held its second scrimmage of spring drills Saturday morning at Hornet Stadium. Running approximately 65 plays, the offense showed improvement from last week, gaining 248 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterbacks Greg Jenkins and Demetric Price combined to complete 12 of 21 passes for 148 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Jenkins also rushed 15 times for 42 yards, and threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Quendarius McKibben. Price completed a 48-yard pass to Jordan McFadden to set up the second touchdown, a one-yard sneak by Price.
"From an offensive standpoint, we moved the ball a little better," Hornets' head coach Reggie Barlow said. "(Both quarterbacks) were more in command of the offense. Naturally, there are some things we have to continue do better. I was impressed with the way they took ownership of the offense. Since the last scrimmage, we tried to identify 11 guys, and one or two backups, that we could try to stay with for first 15 or 20 plays to establish some type of camaraderie with those guys and I think it worked out.”
The light came on for a few moments Saturday morning. As Alabama State continues installing a new no-huddle spread attack, there are flashes of brilliance broken up by botched assignments, miscommunication and inconsistent performances.
The Hornet offense continues to be a work in progress, but there were significant strides in its second scrimmage as the offense managed 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns on six possessions.
"We made a lot of strides," offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss said. "I felt this was a big week for us. Granted, as soon as we made some strides, I pulled a couple of guys out and then we fell off, but the 'one' group is starting to get it. They had some success and hopefully they'll say, 'This stuff is going to work,' and they'll keep pushing."
Baton Rouge, LA - Southern baseball coach Roger Cador said his third baseman, Cameron McGriff, had been so solid on defense that he couldn’t afford to keep McGriff out of the starting lineup. Even though McGriff had struggled at the plate. A lot. When Saturday’s doubleheader against Grambling began, McGriff had a .160 batting average.
By the bottom of the 10th inning of the second game, when he stepped to the plate with one out and teammate Kevin Williams on first base, McGriff’s season average had dropped to .125. He was 0-for-7 on the day. “I’d been taking bad swings for a long time,” he said. Somehow, however, McGriff came through when the Jaguars absolutely needed him to.
McGriff laced a triple down the right-field line, easily scoring Williams and giving Southern a 9-8 win in the second game of its doubleheader with Grambling.
The Southern softball team scored runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings, and Michael Pless pitched a five-hitter as the Lady Jaguars edged Grambling 3-2 in the first game of their Southwestern Athletic Conference series Friday.
Southern (10-21, 4-5) scored one run each in the first, fourth and fifth innings. Gailyn Thibeaux, Audrey Phillips and Shabanese Brown each had RBIs.
Grambling (10-15, 3-6) scored twice in the sixth inning but stranded two runners in the top of the seventh.
As far as we know, the coaching carousel is nearly complete. Did you even notice?
The usually far-reaching dominoes haven't fallen as much with plenty of positions being filled by out-of-work coaches, mid-major coaches and assistant coaches. There hasn't been a whole lot of poaching from one major school to the next, or at least not as much as usual. One high-profile move to the NBA, though, and that could all change.
With that said, here is a quick breakdown of what has occurred so far, with 30 positions having been filled and 13 still to go as of Friday morning:
BATON ROUGE, LA – Southern University Chancellor Kofi Lomotey today (4/6/2011) dismissed Athletic Director Greg LaFleur. He will recommend to the university's Board of Supervisors that Lady Jaguar Basketball Coach Sandy Pugh become the interim athletic director.
LaFleur’s dismissal comes after his arrest for allegedly soliciting a prostitute in Houston, Texas.
“This decision was reached after consultation with campus and system administrators. We think the decision is in the best interest of Southern University,” Lomotey said.
The chancellor praised LaFleur for his guidance of Southern University athletics during tough economic times and coaching changes. “I appreciate his effort and the hard work he put in during some difficult situations,” Lomotey said. “I speak for the rest of my staff in wishing him well.”
Lomotey said his decision to fire LaFleur is one that had to be made and made quickly for the stability of Southern's athletic program. “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,” he said.
“I think that bringing Sandy Pugh into the job provides us with someone who has done a great job of recruiting student athletes, who is a rising star in her profession and who commands respect immediately,” the chancellor said.
“Her presence and background will be invaluable in guiding our athletic department over the next several weeks and especially next week during crucial meetings with representatives from the NCAA,” Lomotey said.
Coach Pugh has brought the Lady Jaguar basketball program to an unprecedented level of prominence in her 11-year tenure. She presently serves on the Top 25 Coaches poll. Her teams have been to four NCAA Tournaments, two WNIT appearances and have won four regular season Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships, as well as having produced the only player ever drafted from the SWAC into the WNBA.
“But more importantly,” Lomotey said, “her teams have consistently averaged an APR score well above the standard.”
Lomotey said the University will launch a nationwide search for a new athletic director. “The person hired will come into the job with the full support of the campus, administration and the Jaguar Nation,” he said. “That person will be expected to help our coaches attract and graduate the best student-athletes available.”
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (April 5) - Alabama State University held off the Florida A&M University baseball team, as they scored a run in the bottom of the 11th inning to hand the Rattlers a 12-11 loss in extra innings, here Tuesday afternoon at the ASU Baseball Complex.
Both FAMU (10-23) and ASU (11-14) finished with 14 hits each.
The Rattler were led by both Tobi Adeyemi and Jimmie Terrell as they both finished with three hits each for FAMU, while Jourdan Mott and Gerald Washington both finished with three hits apiece for the Hornets.
Ron James (1-0) picked the win for the ASU as he pitched two and one-third innings giving up two hits and striking out one in relief, while Stephen Dollar received the loss for FAMU as he gave up two hits, two earned runs and striking out two in two and two-thirds innings of relief.
The Hornets took advantage of a FAMU infielder’s error to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as both Drew Quinney and Reginald Mitchell scored on the Rattler error.
MONTGOMERY, AL—The Alabama State University football team was back on the practice field today for session nine of the spring practice sessions. Today was the team's first day back since the scrimmage game that took place Saturday.
The coaching staff has spent the past three days looking over the 58-play scrimmage and breaking down the film to see some of the performances of both individuals and as an offensive team and a defensive team.
"We were able to take a hard look at the scrimmage on film and we saw a lot of things we knew we would see," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "It seemed our offense was trying too hard to do things the right way and with it being the first scrimmage they were just working their way into making too many mistakes."
The Seahawks have also scheduled a visit with 6-2, 218 lb. Arkansas-Pine Bluff WR Raymond Webber. Webber has about 4.5 speed and solid hands - he caught 101 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 TDs this last season for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. His catch and yardage total are truly ridiculous numbers considering the amount of games they play at the college level, and not surprisingly both were tops in the FCS. That's 129.91 yards per game. Not bad. Only three times has a receiver in the SWAC caught 100 balls in a season, and the other two were Jerry Rice in two different seasons. So you heard it here first, this guy is the next Jerry Rice. Here is a part of the welcome the Seahawks gave to Webb.
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Videographer: isasports; UAPB Raymond Webber College Hi-Lights
Three days after Greg LaFleur was arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution count in downtown Houston, Southern University called a news confernece “to address” its athletic director’s situation but canceled it Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the athletic department.
A statement will be released by the university on LaFleur, accoridng to the release.
SU blasts three home runs in win
NEW IBERIA, LA — Perhaps the Southern University baseball team should find a way to face Nicholls State on a neutral site every year. Tuesday night at Acadian Ballpark, the Jaguars got a solid effort from starting pitcher Belfred “T.J.” Pryer and rallied for four late-inning runs en route to a 6-4 victory.
“We took care of business tonight,” SU coach Roger Cador said.
It was Southern’s second win in as many seasons over the Colonels in a ballpark that didn’t serve as either team’s primary home. Last spring, the Jaguars dropped Nicholls 8-5 at Southland Field in Houma. Nicholls was the designated home team in both games.
Southern University believes it does not have to pay the remainder of Rob Spivery’s contract because the coach oversaw a men’s basketball program that had a low Academic Progress Rate, Spivery’s attorney said Tuesday afternoon.
The attorney, Donald Dobbins, said he doesn’t believe low APR scores constitute a breach of contract. Dobbins contended that maintaining and improving APR is the responsibility of an athletic department, not a coach.
Three days after Greg LaFleur was arrested on a misdemeanor prostitution count in downtown Houston, Southern University will hold a news conference on campus “to address” its athletic director’s situation, according to a release late Tuesday from the athletic department.
The news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, the release said.
HOUSTON, TX - Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleurhas been arrested in Houston for prostitution. According to the police report, Greg LaFleur, 52,was arrested at 8:30 p.m. Sunday on Main Street in Houston for solicitation of a prostitute.
The prosecutor's office in Harris County characterizes the case as "straight sex for pay," because the police report says LaFleur picked up a female for sex. According to the police report, the female he picked up happened to be an undercover police officer.
The former LSU and NFL football player was booked on a misdemeanor charge by Houston Police, with bond set at $500 according to court records.
It’s been a wacky couple of days for NFL arrests, with Mike Vrabel’s beer heist almost topping Louis Murphy’s Viagra adventure for sheer ridiculousness. Now even ex-NFL players want to get in on the act.
The Associated Press notes that Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur is free on bond after being arrested for soliciting aprostitute. LaFleur was a third-round pick of the Eagles who played for the Rams for six seasons.
The Texas Southern football team was temporarily shaken up Friday when Johnnie Cole was relieved of his coaching duties in anticipation of an NCAA report that is expected to reveal major violations committed by the program.
But when the players resumed their spring practice with a scrimmage Saturday afternoon at TSU's Durley Stadium, things had mostly returned to normal. Of course, there was a different man in charge, as former defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey has been promoted to interim coach. There was also one less assistant coach after Ramsey fired associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Daryl Williams shortly after taking over the reins.
NEW ORLEANS — Southern University, the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion, defeated Xavier University of Louisiana 9-0 Sunday in a women's dual at City Park Tennis Center.
The Lady Jaguars (9-5) won every set but one and picked up defaults at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles to defeat the shorthanded Gold Nuggets (3-14) for the second straight season.
Jo'Vonna Gaines, Carlista Mohammed and Kathryn Curtis won singles and doubles matches for Southern. Gaines and Mohammed defeated sisters Melissa and Nicole DeLoach 8-0 at No. 1 doubles, and Mohammed beat Amber Brown 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Curtis and Lois Alexis improved their win streak to 10 matches with an 8-0 decision against Brown and Carmen Nelson at No. 2 doubles.
Nelson won her first set against Demetria Woods at No. 3 singles, but Woods rallied for a 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6) victory. Freshman Lisbeth Castaneda clinched the dual with her 6-3, 6-0 victory against Ashley McGill at No. 5 singles.
Xavier, an NAIA member, has dropped three consecutive duals — its second in as many days against an NCAA Division I opponent — and 12 of its last 13. Half of the Gold Nuggets' losses this season are against NCAA D-I.
Xavier's women and men will visit William Carey at 10 a.m. next Sunday. Southern will visit Nicholls State at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
K.J. Black started his collegiate career with Western Kentucky, he showed promise early but his path eventually brought him to the SWAC and to Prairie View, Texas where he called home while playing for Prairie View A&M, an HBCU team that is up and coming, long improved from its door mat years of ten to fifteen years ago.
Black was a vital contributor to the Panthers and is one of many HBCU athletes who are considered viable draft prospects. Black was the 2009 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year helping lead the Panthers to the 2009 SWAC Championship throwing for 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions his junior year.
Spivery leaves the Jaguars with a 37-87 career record, an
NCAA APR score of 847 and a two scholarships loss.
Southern University has decided to fire men’s basketball coach Rob Spivery — though that’s hardly news to him. The university released a brief statement late Friday afternoon that said Spivery will be terminated effective April 21.
The statement also revealed for the first time that the university informed Spivery of its decision on March 18, eight days after a face-to-face meeting between Spivery and SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur to discuss the direction of the program. The news release, in its entirety, reads:
“Rob Spivery’s tenure as head basketball coach at Southern University and A&M College will end April 21.
The Alabama State University Athletic Department has announced the 2011 football schedule for the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division Champions.
The Hornets will play five home games this season in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. In addition to the traditional matchups, highlighted by the Magic City Classic in Birmingham and the Turkey Day Classic on Thanksgiving Day, the Hornets will travel to face Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference.
“This game will accomplish several things for the program and the University,” Athletic Director Stacy Danley said. “It provides exposure and visibility for Alabama State in a unique geographical area that contains a high concentration of ASU alumni. It additionally gives us the opportunity to recruit a broader range of students and student athletes. As we continue to take ASU Athletics to new heights, it's not only important for us to play up but to win up. This contest also provides us with the opportunity to generate revenue.”
Former Hornet receiver Reggie Barlow begins his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, leading his team into another tough nine-game conference slate of games as Alabama State comes off a SWAC Championship game appearance for the first time since winning the title in 2004.
“I think it's a good schedule,” Barlow said. “As a whole, it gives us exactly what we need when we go out and recruit players of what they will get an opportunity to go out and experience here. You get to play in front of large crowds like we do in the Magic City Classic and Turkey Day Classic, as well as the chance to play a Division I opponent in Eastern Michigan. The SWAC schedule is very competitive as it always is. We're excited about it.”
Alabama State will begin the season with back-to-back road games and three of its first four contests away from home in September. The Hornets will begin the season at SWAC foe Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 3 before venturing to Michigan to face the Eagles one week later in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
The Hornets will play their home opener Sept. 17 when Grambling State and new head coach Doug Williams come to the Cramton Bowl. ASU will end the season's opening month at Jackson State on Sept. 24.
Alabama State will face former offensive coordinator and new Alcorn State head coach Melvin Spears on Oct. 1 as the Braves come to Montgomery. The Hornets will then travel to Houston for a SWAC Championship Game rematch with defending champion Texas Southern, before coming home to host Prairie View on Oct. 15.
Following an open week, the Hornets will face Alabama A&M University in the 70th Magic City Classic, held at legendary Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 29.
ASU will play its final road game in 2011 on Nov. 5, when they travel to face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Hornets will play their final SWAC game of the season at home against Southern in Cramton Bowl on Nov. 12. Following an open date, ASU will conclude the regular season with the 88th Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee University on Nov. 26th.
2011 ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept. 3 at Mississippi Valley St.* Itta Bena, Miss. 5 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Eastern Michigan Ypsilanti, Mich. TBD Sept. 17 GRAMBLING ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Jackson St.* Jackson, Miss. 4 p.m. Oct. 1 ALCORN ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Texas Southern* Houston, Texas TBD Oct. 15 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m. (Hornet Connection Day)
Oct. 22 open date
Oct. 29 ALABAMA A&M* Birmingham, Ala. TBD (70th Magic City Classic)
Nov. 5 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 SOUTHERN* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 open date Nov. 24 TUSKEGEE Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.(88th Turkey Day Classic)
Dec. 10 SWAC Championship Birmingham, Ala. TBD
Home games in CAPS; * denotes SWAC games; dates and times subject to change
Please help the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets give back to former director of bands, Dr. Thomas E. Lyle. There is a movement that is trying to get Dr. Lyle inducted in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (A.B.A).
ASU's former band students, band directors and ANY ASU ALUMNI may write letters requesting Dr. Lyle be inducted into the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
It is very important that we as Former Marching Hornets help get Dr. Lyle accepted into this prestige Hall of Fame. In your letter, please include the year you marched, and how Professor Lyle has influenced your life through music.
Your letters are to be sent to:
Dr. John Long
121 Hillcrest Blvd.
Troy, Alabama 36801
Please pass this information on to other former members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets Band.
Texas Southern University hired Johnnie Cole as its football coach because it wanted to win games. It hired Charles McClelland to be its athletic director for the same reason.
TSU also hired McClelland because it wanted to do things the right way. It fired Cole for the same reason. A college football program should be able to do both: win and do things the right way. Even TSU.
"The university's commitment to compliance is undaunted," McClelland said in a Friday statementthat announced the school has parted ways with Cole because of major rules violations that, according to an athletic department official, will be revealed when a report from an NCAA investigation is released.
Texas Southern interim football coach Kevin Ramsey said Saturday that associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Daryl Williams has been relieved of his duties.
Ramsey, the defensive coordinator who was named interim coach Friday after former coach Johnnie Cole was dismissed, informed Williams of the move shortly after being promoted by athletic director Charles McClelland.
Williams was hired by Cole in 2008 after serving as Alabama State’s director of football operations from 2005-07.
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama State football team reached the midway point of its 2011 spring football season with an approximately 50+play scrimmage Saturday morning at Hornet Stadium.
"I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep thinking about getting out there and watching these guys play," Hornets' head coach Reggie Barlow said of his anticipation of Saturday's scrimmage. "It was fun to have them out there to see them tackling. They've been itching at the bit to do that."
The defense was impressive in the session, scoring on a safety while making four sacks and allowing just four-of-14 third down conversions and one touchdown. DE Charlie Long led the defense with six tackles, including four for loss, and two sacks.
TSU Interim Head Coach Kevin Ramsey Click Here for Bio
Texas Southern University football coach Johnnie Cole was fired Friday afternoon in advance of an NCAA report that is expected to detail major violations committed by the program.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey was elevated to interim head coach, and a permanent replacement will be named after the 2011 season, athletic director Charles McClelland said in a release obtained by the Chronicle.
HOUSTON — Texas Southern University, expecting a report detailing major NCAA violations, says head coach Johnnie Cole will not be leading the Tigers next season.
Athletics Director Charles McClelland said Friday he appreciated the coach's service, however, "we have agreed that Coach Cole's separation from the program is best for all parties." The move is effective immediately. McClelland said the school anticipates "major NCAA violations toward our football program ...
HOUSTON – TSU on Friday said Johnnie Cole is no longer their head football coach, ahead of what they expect will be “major NCAA violations” toward their football program.
TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland said Defensive Coordinator Kevin Ramsey will serve as interim head coach while they search for Cole’s permanent replacement.
"We want to thank Coach Cole for his years of service at Texas Southern, however at this time, we have agreed that Coach Cole’s separation from the program is best for all parties," McClelland said. "We will utilize the next nine months to thoroughly search for a head football coach; one that will ensure that the needs of our students are met, and engage the alumni, employees and the entire TSU community."
Jackson, MS - Desmond Russell arrived in Jackson from his homeland of the Bahamas in August 2009, toward the end of Mississippi's sweltering summer. In his first trip to the Deep South, a couple of things surprised the Jackson State pitcher.
One: "It was kind of cold. It will be cold one moment, and it will be hot right away." Two: "There's no conch."
Born and raised on a tropical island, Russell had to get accustomed to Mississippi's sporadic temperature drops - even in the summer - and its lack of the popular Bahamian sea snail dish. But, Russell seems to be fitting in quite nicely here.
Prairie View A&M will feature a new look this season under first year head coach Heishma Northern and new offensive coordinator Mark Orlando, the Panthers will feature an up-tempo fast paced spread offense.
Orlando a Florida State graduate, has worked his way up the coaching ranks. Orlando started out in the high school ranks as he began his career coaching for Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Florida.
He then coached at Florida A&M for six years helping the team to a Division 1-AA National Championship, Orlando was then offered a position at Tennessee State where coached for another six years including a year at offensive coordinator in his final season with the Tigers.\
