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The Texas Southern Tigers took their first step in preparation for the 2011 SWAC Championship Title. The defending champions started spring practice on Wednesday. About 70 players hit the field for conditioning and to run through drills. 2010 SWAC Coach of the Year, Johnnie Cole and his staff know it’s going to be a hard fought season to repeat as champions, but they believe the Tigers are up for the challenge.
“We know the target is on our backs,” Cole said. “So we must work harder and smarter than everyone else. Champions are built in the off season and it starts now.”
Over the next four weeks, the Tigers will practice three days and scrimmage once at TSU’s Durley Stadium. The Maroon and Gray game is schedule for Saturday, April 16th at Durley Stadium.
Practice starts at 4:00pm. There will be a Coaches Clinic on April 9th and the Johnnie Cole Golf Tournament on April 14th. The Football Championship Ring Banquet is on April 17th.
BOULDER, Colo. — If there was going to be a chance for Texas Southern to sneak up on Colorado, it came with five minutes left in the first half Wednesday night.
The Tigers trailed by three points, the crowd of 6,299 at the Coors Event Center was mostly quiet and the Buffaloes looked every bit like a team snubbed for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
“We thought we had the game,” TSU forward Travele Jones said. Colorado pulled away just before halftime and cruised to an 88-74 victory over TSU in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
BOULDER - Alec Burks had 27 points and seven rebounds, Cory Higgins scored 25 points and the top-seeded Buffaloes beat Texas Southern 88-74 in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on Wednesday night.
Freshman Andre Roberson had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Buffaloes (22-13), who will face California - a 77-74 winner over Mississippi on Wednesday - in Boulder on Friday night.
The prevailing feeling from coast to coast is that Colorado deserved to be in the NCAA Tournament. Well-respected Seattle Times columnist Bud Withers on bubble teams scorned: "Clearly, the team with a beef is Colorado, which was 6-7 against the top 50, usually a figure that would guarantee entry."
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, known for his love of all things Big East and ACC, said if this were a beauty contest, at-large selection Alabama-Birmingham would be Roseanne Barr and shunned CU would be Scarlett Johansson.
TEXAS SOUTHERN (19-12, 16-2 SWAC) vs. COLORADO (21-13, 8-8 BIG 12) INTERNET STREAMING BROADCAST: 7 p.m., ESPN3.com GAME NOTES: Game Notes #35: NIT 1st Round
BOULDER - In most cases, the NIT is all about appetite - that is, which teams can summon the hunger to stay competitive and keep playing in the aftermath of an overlook by the NCAA or being bounced out via an upset in a conference tournament.
Colorado is an uncomfortable fit in the first category, having been passed over by the NCAA Selection Committee, while Texas Southern falls into the second. They could commiserate Wednesday night at the Coors Events Center (7 p.m., ESPN3.com) in the first round of the NIT, but CU Coach Tad Boyle isn't expecting that from the Buffaloes.
Texas Southern's Tony Harvey was named 2011 Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year on Monday. Harvey, who is in his third season, led the Tigers (19-12) to a 16-2 mark in SWAC play and the regular-season title. TSU fell to Alabama State in the semifinals of the SWAC tournament but earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.
The eighth-seeded Tigers will open their NIT run against top-seeded Colorado at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Boulder, Colorado.
HOUSTON – The Texas Southern Tigers had high hopes heading in this past week’s SWAC Conference tournament. They dreamed of playing in the Final Four. Alabama State ruined those plans last Friday night with a 73-66 victory in the semifinals, ending the Tigers chance at making it to the NCAA Tournament.
There isn’t much consolation for that crushing loss, but TSU’s season isn’t over just yet. On Wednesday, the Tigers (19-12) will head to Boulder, Colorado to take on the Buffaloes in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.
HOUSTON - The Southwestern Athletic Conference will name Texas Southern men's basketball coach Tony Harvey as the SWAC Coach of the Year on Monday. TSU won the SWAC regular season championship and lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament to eventual champion Alabama State.
"It's a great honor," Harvey said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "I'm really excited. I'm blessed and I'm thankful. "It's tears of joy." Harvey said he won the award for TSU which has given him great support.
The Texas Southern Tigers fell just short of reaching the NCAA Tournament after bowing out to Alabama State on Friday in the semifinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.
But their consolation prize — an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament — represents a milestone for a program that hasn’t reached the postseason since the 2003, when it advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers (19-12), who were the SWAC’s regular-season champions, were named a No. 8 seed in the NIT and will face top-seeded Colorado (21-13) at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, Colo.
GARLAND, TX – Alabama State primed itself for a showdown with No. 1 seed Texas Southern by handling Alabama A&M, 81-61, in Thursday’s quarterfinals of the Farmers Insurance SWAC Tournament.
Alabama State opened up a 20-point lead midway through the second half and had four players score in double figures, led by Tramaine Butler with 21. Alabama State shot 60.9 percent in the second half and finished with a 40-24 rebounding edge.
Fourth-seeded Alabama State (15-17) will meet Texas Southern in the semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday at the Special Events Center. Alabama State handed Texas Southern (19-11) one of its two losses in SWAC play, 60-48, on Feb. 28 in Montgomery.
HOUSTON, TX -- Former Houston Oilers standout Kenny Burrough is hospitalized in Houston after suffering a heart attack. Burrough underwent triple bypass surgery at Saint Luke’s hospital after the Friday attack, according to his spokesperson. He is resting comfortably and has been moved to a private room.
Burrough, 62, was a first-round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints in 1970. He then spent 11 NFL seasons with the Oilers in Saints from 1971 to 1981. Burrough was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1975 and 1977.
The TSU graduate led all NFL wide receivers with 1,063 yards in 1975. The Jacksonville, Florida native is a member of the SWAC and TSU Halls of Fame.
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Video: Kenny Burrough talks about 00Wear.com, his clothing line.
GARLAND, TX — Top-seeded Texas Southern needed clutch free throws at the end to hold off an upset bid by Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 50-45, in Wednesday’s opening round of the Farmers Insurance SWAC Tournament at the Special Events Center. SWAC Player of the Year Travele Jones scored 19 for Texas Southern, but the win wasn’t secure until teammate Justin Ray hit two free throws with 2.5 seconds left.
Arkansas Pine Bluff (7-24), the No. 8 seed, had lost both regular-season meetings with Texas Southern. UAPB led by five, 42-37, with 6:10 to play after a three-pointer by Allen Smith. But UAPB went nearly six minutes without scoring while Texas Southern chipped away.
GARLAND, TX — Texas Southern survived its first challenge at the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament. The challenge, however, proved to be much bigger than many might have initially thought. The top-seeded Tigers rallied from a five-point deficit late in the second half to stall an upset bid from No. 8 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff and escape with a 50-45 victory in Wednesday night's first-round matchup at the Special Events Center.
TSU (19-11) advances to the SWAC semifinals, where it'll face the winner of today's matchup between fourth-seeded Alabama State and fifth-seeded Alabama A&M. The Tigers' semifinal will be played at 8 p.m. Friday.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University men's basketball team defeated the red-hot Texas Southern 60-48 Monday night in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, extending the Hornets' winning streak to seven.
The Hornets shot 49 percent from the field and held Texas Southern to just 32 percent shooting. Senior Tramayne Moorer led ASU with 14 points, followed by Kenderek Washington's 12 points and Ivory White's 10. ASU also outrebounded TSU 34-27.
Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama State (7-20, 4-12) Women's basketball team ended a four game losing streak by defeating Texas Southern (5-22, 3-13). The final from the Dunn-Oliver Acadome was 61-41. The win gives the Lady Hornets a much needed boost in order to solidify the 8th and final seed for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament next week.
ASU led 22-17 at halftime holding TSU to under 30 percent shooting from the field. Meanwhile, the Lady Hornets shot 45 percent for the game.
Defense was the difference in the contest. In fact, ASU led 53-37 with three minutes to play. They also forced 29 TSU turnovers. “I feel like if we can continue to play like we did tonight and finish the season strong, we can make some strides leading into post season play”. Head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said.
Tanika Jackson, who played her final game as a Lady Hornets on the home floor led all scorers with 20 points 14 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assist.
Normal, AL - Harrison Smith scored 19 points as Texas Southern survived blowing a 14-point lead to edge Alabama A&M, 83-78, in overtime at Elmore Building in Normal Saturday.
With the victory, the Tigers (16-10, 14-1) clinched at least a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season title. Even if TSU loses its last three games and Jackson State (11-4 SWAC) wins its last three, they would be tied. TSU swept the season series between the two and would earn the top seed in the SWAC tournament.
NORMAL, Ala. — Harrison Smith scored 19 points and Travele Jones added 18 to lead Texas Southern to an 83-78 overtime victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday night.
The Tigers (16-10, 14-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) shot 45.5 percent from the field (5 of 11), including 2 of 2 from 3-point range in the extra period en route to their eighth straight victory.
Kevin Galloway knocked down 1 of 2 free throws with 26 seconds left in regulation, tying the score at 70 and forcing overtime. Galloway finished with 10 assists.
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Videographer: bestartdoc; www.tsumurals.org
There are 123 murals by African American artists at Texas Southern University (TSU). Save the Murals initiative is underway to benefit art conservation/restoration efforts to provide for collection care needs. See more at www.tsumurals.org.
HOUSTON—Lawrence Johnson-Danner scored 15 points and Texas Southern hung on to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 71-68 on Saturday.
Travele Jones and Justin Ray scored 14 points each for the Tigers (14-10, 12-1), who are in first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Texas Southern has won six in a row.
Kevin Galloway had 10 assists for the Tigers.
Videographer: George Jensen / 11 Sports Photgrapher, khou.com
The target on Texas Southern’s back grows larger as the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule nears its end. Arkansas-Pine Bluff gave TSU its best shot Saturday, but the SWAC frontrunner was able to fend off the threat.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Savalace Townsend missed a game-tying 3-pointer as time expired, and the Tigers held on for a 71-68 victory before a crowd of 1,103 at the H&PE Arena.
TSU (14-10, 12-1) won its sixth consecutive game and swept its regular-season series with the Golden Lions (6-20, 6-8). Lawrence Johnson-Danner led the Tigers with 15 points, and Travele Jones and Justin Ray each scored 14.
ATLANTA, Ga. - The Georgia State baseball team kicks off its much anticipated 2011 season with a three-game series against Southwestern Athletic Conference contender Texas Southern, beginning Friday at 4 p.m. at the Field at Panthersville. Game two with the Tigers will be Saturday at 1 p.m. The series wraps up Sunday with game three, also at 1 p.m.
Junior Justin Malone, GSU's career winning percentage leader, will get the start in Friday's season opener for the Panthers.
Georgia State returns seven players from last year's starting lineup that led the nation in runs per game at 10.5. In all, 22 letter winners are back from the 2010 squad that shattered ten school season records including batting average (.356), hits (751) and home runs (82).
Georgia State has been picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association this season...
Last season, Michael Robertson shepherded a young Texas Southern baseball team to the best record in the program's Division I history and the Southwestern Athletic Conference's Western Division title. One year later, Robertson returns a veteran-laden team that is poised to again be a force in the SWAC.
The Tigers lost just two seniors from last season's 30-26 squad that went 18-6 in the SWAC and fell in the semifinals of the conference tournament. They retained all three of their weekend starting pitchers and two stoppers in the bullpen. The roster is stocked with potent hitters.
The ingredients are there for another successful run.
Nashville --- The Tennessee State University softball team will officially kick-off the 2011 season at the fourth annual Tiny Laster HBCU classic this weekend in Conyers, Georgia.
The three-day event, named in honor of Hampton University's legendary softball and volleyball coach, will be held February 12 through 14, 2011, at the Earl O'Neal Sports Complex, located at 2709 Old Covington Road, Conyers, Georgia.
Teams from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) will participate in an inter-conference round robin tournament.
The Tigers will face four schools from the MEAC : South Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T, Hampton University and Florida A&M.
TSU will face South Carolina State in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the Tigers take on North Carolina A&T at 3 p.m.
South Carolina State was predicted to finish fourth in the Southern Division of the MEAC preseason poll. Last year the Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 9-43, winning one of their last three games.
North Carolina A&T was selected to finish third in the Southern Division of the MEAC after finishing last year with an overall record of 27-26.
On Sunday, TSU will match-up with Hampton University in the morning game at 10 a.m. before competing against Florida A&M in the afternoon game.
Hampton University, the only school from the Northern Division of the MEAC that TSU will face was picked to finish third in a preseason poll. The Lady Pirates are led by preseason selection Kelsei Saunders. HU finished last season with an overall record of 21-38.
Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the Southern Division of the MEAC. The 2009 MEAC Champions are led by preseason selection Jasmine Donaldson. The Rattlers concluded the 2010 season with an overall record of 30-24.
North Carolina A&T State University has dominated this tournament for the past two years posting a perfect 8-0 record. During the life span of this tournament, the MEAC and SWAC have split years in collecting the most wins for the tournament.
Tennessee State was scheduled to participate in the Tiny Laster tournament last year but it was canceled due to the inclement weather in the Georgia area.
Under first year head coach Jeff Dabney, Tennessee State returned nine letterwinners from last year's team that finished 11-34 and added seven newcomers to the squad. Among the key returners include seniors Caitlin Eaton and Brittany Webb.
Eaton and Webb were the offensive leaders for the Tigers for the majority of last season. They led TSU in the categories of batting average, hits, doubles and runs batted in.
Texas Southern survived an ugly contest to claim another victory over rival Prairie View A&M.
The Tigers’ prize? Sole possession of first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
TSU rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit and benefited from a slew of Prairie View miscues in the closing minutes to capture a 63-58 victory before an energetic crowd of 5,578 Saturday night at the H&PE arena.
The Tigers (11-10, 9-1 SWAC) shot better from the field (40.7 percent) than it did from the free throw line (39.4 percent), but the Panthers were equally as bad. Prairie View (6-17, 3-7) shot only 36.5 percent from the field and made only eight of 24 free throws (33.3 percent) en route to suffering its fifth loss in the last six games.
HOUSTON—Travele Jones snagged his third double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, to lead Texas Southern past Prairie View 63-58 on Saturday night.
After shooting just 25.9 percent from the field in the first half, the Tigers (11-10, 9-1 Southwestern) came back in the second to hit 55.6 percent. Jones made two free throws with 6:47 remaining to put Texas Southern ahead for good. The Tigers led by as many as seven points down the stretch.
HOUSTON - The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers claimed their fourth straight victory defeating rival Texas Southern 43-38 on Saturday evening at HP&E Arena. The Lady Panthers stormed out to a 15-8 lead to kickoff the first half before the Lady Tigers crawled back via a 9-3 run cutting the deficit to 18-17 at the 6:37 mark.
Texas Southern continued to chip away at the lead and earned their first lead of the contest with Jasmine Cannon’s slashing drive to the basket that gave the Lady Tigers a 19-18 advantage in the closing five minutes of the period. However, Prairie View wouldn’t trail long as they turned up the heat defensively holding Texas Southern scoreless the remainder of the half as sophomore guard Latia Williams nailed a string of jumpers which ignited a 6-0 spurt en route to a 24-19 edge at the half.
Coach Rod Reed and his staff have signed twenty-two football players to National Letters of Intent on national signing day, February 2, 2011.
The Tigers inked twelve players on defensive, nine players on offense and one player termed an athlete. The 2011 recruiting class consists of five players from Tennessee, five from the state of Florida, three players from Louisiana, two players each from Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. One player each comes from the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and Indiana.
The position breakdown sees the addition of six defensive linemen, four linebackers and two defensive backs. The offensive additions are as follows, three tight ends, two wide receivers, two running back and one each at offensive line and quarterback. The one player listed as an athlete has played as running back, quarterback, receiver and kick returner.
HOUSTON -- Travele Jones scored 18 points to lead Texas Southern past Alabama State 73-59 Monday night. Kevin Galloway added 15 points and Lawrence Johnson-Danner had 14 to help the Tigers (10-10, 8-1) remain tied for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Tramaine Butler led the Hornets (6-16, 3-6) with 17 points.
Texas Southern took control of this one early by quickly building double-digit lead and shot 51 percent in winning for the eighth time in nine games. The Tigers led 12-0 2:49 into the game, went into halftime up 41-32 and led by 18 after intermission.
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern hit four free throws down the stretch Saturday afternoon and went on to hold off Alabama A&M 65-61 in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game.
The Bulldogs trailed 34-30 at intermission, but tied it a couple of times in the second half, the last time at 54 apiece on a 3-pointer by Desmond Jackson with 4:01 remaining. The Tigers scored seven unanswered points to go up 61-54, but A&M battled back and pulled within 61-59 on a layup by DeMarquelle Tabb with 46 seconds left, but couldn't get any closer.
Tonight’s victory was not the most attractive but it was a win nonetheless. Texas Southern beat Alabama A&M 65-61 in a very close match-up with lots of turnovers and missed free-throws by the Tigers.
“It was an ugly game for us tonight. I don’t mean to sound down but a victory is a victory I guess,” said head coach Tony Harvey.
This game was played close for the entire 40 minutes. The Tiger’s biggest lead in the first half was 19-14 at the 10:19 mark. TSU finished the period up 34-30.
Whiquitta Tobar's jumper with no time left lifted the Bulldogs to a thrilling win over the Tigers. A&M, which snapped a two-game losing streak, improved to 10-8 overall and 6-2 in league play with the victory. TSU fell to 3-16 and 1-7.
Tobar, who was 7-of-22 from the field, scored A&M's last six points, including the game-winning basket, to help the Bulldogs beat the Tigers. She finished with a game-high 17 points, including 13 in the second half.
Texas Southern held victory in its grip. But a last-second shot allowed Alabama A&M to sneak out of H&PE Arena with a win. TSU women's basketball team fell, 52-50, in a game that came down to the final second.
Texas Southern senior forward Gabrielle Rosiji sank a free throw with 1:14 left to tie the game at 50-50. After Alabama A&M (10-8, 6-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) missed two scoring opportunities, TSU (3-16, 1-7) had a chance to take the lead. But the Tigers couldn't convert on the offensive end, and the Bulldogs had one last crack at it.
The investigation is on inconsistent Academic Performance Program data provided to NCAA for the years of 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, found by the present university administration and self-reported.
HOUSTON - FOX 26 Sports has learned the NCAA is investigating the athletics programs at Texas Southern University. The school was formally notified of the investigation on Oct. 18, 2010. The investigation is scheduled to be completed next month according to a letter written by NCAA vice-president of enforcement David Price and sent to TSU president John Rudley.
The NCAA’s investigation into possible violations committed by the Texas Southern athletic department is expected to be completed in February, according to a letter the NCAA sent the school Oct. 18.
The letter, which was obtained through an open records request, was written by NCAA vice president of enforcement David Price and addressed to TSU president John Rudley. It indicated that violations mostly involve those found by the institution and the NCAA during an Academic Performance Program data review.
Tennessee State has the home stadium that provides infinite possibilities.
Florida A&M has one of the Top-5 premier brands in all of the Football Championship Subdivision football.
Tennessee State was once the most feared football rivalry for the Rattlers.
FAMU has the world-renowned "Marching 100," which is worth the price of admission to any venue.
TSU has the Sophisticated Ladies and the Aristocrats of Bands.
Tennessee State Tigers embarrassed FAMU on national television in the Atlanta Football Classic in 2010, which later denied the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Champion Rattlers an FCS playoff spot.
The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., has dropped TSU for the next two years, and is working out a contract with Stump Mitchell's Southern University Jaguars, for all the wrong reasons.
Tennessee State University has the Gentry Center which seats 10,500 for collegiate basketball.
FAMU has a new athletic director, Derek Horne, who's on a mission to help FAMU live up to its national legacy as a championship athletic program. Horne, from Southeastern Conference (SEC) University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is accustomed to big games and large athletic budgets.
TSU athletic director Teresa Lawrence Phillips is in a pickle to replace longtime rival FAMU on its 2011 schedule and find a new revenue source for the $450,508.00 (2008 payout) loss from the Atlanta Football Classic.
What seems like a big problem, is an opportunity for greatness for TSU and FAMU.
Let me say that again...but more slowly, so that it sinks in...
What appears to be a huge problem is an opportunity for greatness and increased athletic income for Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University on a much larger stage.
The Rattlers/Tigers game must go on in 2012.
If a FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman rivalry (Florida Classic) has earn the Rattlers and Wildcats $1.5 million dollars EACH annually, there is no reason that a "Tennessee Classic" cannot earn a greater payout for FAMU/TSU in the capital city of Tennessee, with a statistical population area estimated at 1.67 million people.
The 2010 Florida Classic had 61,712 fans in attendance. No reason that a "Tennessee Classic" can't exceed the Florida Classic numbers in a few years as this is a more serious football rivalry for TSU and FAMU. It's more marketable -- OVC Football vs. MEAC Football.
Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State should be all about the maximum money that can be made off of this game for both institutions, annually. With that being said, forget about home and home for this classic match up.
Let us suggest that the universities' administration book it for the next five years at Nashville's LP Field (or equal), the home stadium for the TSU Tigers and NFL Tennessee Titans. LP Field seats 68,800 in a state of art facility.
Using the same self-governing business model used for the Florida Classic, FAMU/TSU should set-up the same type of consortium for the proposed "Tennessee Classic" and hire an outside management company (like a Florida Citrus Sports) to manage the game affairs for a reasonable fixed fee.
There is absolutely no reason that this type of rivalry game cannot gross each school $1.5 million to $2 million annually, after expenses, when marketed properly, and when based on the structured business model of the Florida Classic. All the physical ingredients that makes the Florida Classic and Atlanta Classic successful are present in Nashville.
Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
More importantly, put the dang game out for bid for additional guaranteed money based on a projected economic impact of $30+ million dollars, based on a projected annual attendance of 52,000 fans or greater. Let Nashville, Jacksonville (Florida), Tampa (Florida), Memphis, and Knoxville all submit bids for the game to be played in their city and stadium for five years.
What we are suggesting is let Nashville and LP Field earn the rights to host the football game and other events by paying for those rights through the highest bid of cash to be paid to FAMU and TSU and/or reduced hotel rooms, stadium fees and the like for each university.
Let Versus, Fox Sports South and ESPN bid for TV rights to broadcast the game from Nashville, the 29th largest television market in the U.S. And offer others the regional and national Radio rights for fair market value. The two universities will remain the sole owners of the Tennessee Classic football game, basketball tournament and all of its ancillary events, like the Tennessee classic parade, battle of the bands, step shows, etc. and concerts.
FAMU and TSU products are more valuable than the $450,508.00 each paid by the 100 Black Men in Atlanta. If anyone knows this better, its athletic director Teresa Phillips, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business education from Vanderbilt University.
Videographer: hbcusportsonline - Excepts from FAMU 's half-time show at 2010 Florida Classic
It is long overdue that athletic directors Phillips and Derek Horne, recognizes the needs of their strong fan base and the financial needs of their respective athletic departments to maximize the earning power of this rivalry game.
Self-management and oversight of this game is the key to maximizing earnings for each university program.
Yes, it will take a little work from the respective athletic departments, but the gain for our student-athletes will be greater than the payouts from a FBS money game or a home game in Tallahassee (13,000 fans) with a strong Division II program, like a Fort Valley State.
The 100 Black Men did both institutions a major favor by giving TSU the boot.
It now forces TSU and FAMU to look beyond guaranteed losses (money games) with Football Bowl Championship/BCS programs; minimum pay days with third parties like the 100 Black Men; or so-called money games with the Division I basketball powerhouses--that buys guaranteed wins from barnstorming Division I programs like the MEAC, SWAC and OVC.
Our student-athletes deserves a fair opportunity to win every game scheduled and adequate financial support for academic excellency. Horne understands this from this playing days in SEC basketball and having worked in true Division I athletic administration at Ole Miss.
Phillips needs to avoid the "quick fix" solution used by most Division I HBCU athletic directors to raise cash quickly by scheduling FBC or Division II blowouts. Either way, the loyal fan base is severely short changed.
FAMU vs. Tennessee State rivalry must continue in 2012.
That's what makes our suggested Plan B so intriguing, and invites further study, discussion and consideration.
Schedule the rivalry game the last week of October or first Saturday in November 2012 and take advantage of hosting a season opening basketball tournament at the TSU Gentry Center. The tournament could operate under the same brand ("Tennessee Classic") and would invite six men and women programs, i.e., TSU, FAMU, Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Southern. The goal is to earn an additional $600,000 for the two-day basketball events scheduled around the football game, on Friday and Sunday.
Again, thank you 100 Black Men of Atlanta for giving TSU the boot!
Without adversity, TSU/FAMU would continue to schedule the same unprofitable football games with the third party reaping all the benefits. Now, each institution is forced to go to a Plan B. Tigers and Rattlers fans must keep the pressure on their respective administrations for a university owned "Tennessee Classic" or some variation of what we are suggesting in this blog.
There will never be a new Bragg Memorial Stadium at FAMU with 45,000 seats, field turf and luxury suites if we continue along the financial pathway created by athletic directors who have long since been fired and forgotten for fund raising and financial management incompetency.
Please, no more scheduled Bowl Championship Series (BCS) blowouts for $450,000 (pay your own expenses) or less. No more home dates with Division II football opponents. No more 10-12 game basketball tours of the Midwest for only a check and a guaranteed loss for the Rattlers and Tigers men and women basketball programs.
No more painting over the rust in Bragg Memorial Stadium. As we all know, FAMU is long overdue for a major Stadium upgrade with luxury suites, field turf and 45,000 seats with backs. It all cost millions of dollars that FAMU has not earned under the past business models.
That's why the TSU/FAMU rivalry is so important and should be developed into a three day event in Nashville. I am reminded of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., always spoke on the urgency of now. We all have a responsibility to support the continuation of this historic rivalry and NOW is the time to move forward to make this event a reality.
The Texas Southern Tigers took their first step in preparation for the 2011 SWAC Championship Title. The defending champions started spring practice on Wednesday. About 70 players hit the field for conditioning and to run through drills. 2010 SWAC Coach of the Year, Johnnie Cole and his staff know it’s going to be a hard fought season to repeat as champions, but they believe the Tigers are up for the challenge.
