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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Watkins Steps Down as Baseball Coach; Hornets Make Coaching Changes

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

By Alabama State University Sports Information

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Florida A&M Rattlers inks four hoopsters

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida A&M University men's basketball announces their 2011 signing class. The mixture of athletes concentrated on increasing the size of the Rattlers' front line. Four athletes have signed, with three coming from within the state of Florida and one from Georgia.

First year head coach Clemon Johnson, charged assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Tony Sheals, to get some size to bulk up the inside play and toughen the defense. The result is the signing of Eddie D'Haiti, Markee Teal, Nathaniel Drayton and D'Andre Bullard.  



D'Haiti, is from Orlando, Fla., and is a junior college transfer from Santa Fe College. He is 6'8" tall and weighs 235 lbs. He should help the Rattlers in the post position. He was an All-Mid Florida Conference player. He attended Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, where he led the team to a 43-13 record while playing there. He was shown interest by West Virginia, Valdosta St. and FAU.

Teal, is from State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College). He is from Ocala, Fla., where he attended Westport High School. He was also a first team Suncoast All-Conference selection as a post player. Teal stands 6'7" and weighs 220 lbs. He was shown interest by B-CU and St. Peters College.

Drayton, who goes by the name "Nate," is originally from Savannah, Ga. He is a junior college transfer from Salkehatchie Community College, where he was an All-Conference performer. Drayton plays the post and is 6'7" and 245 lbs. He was shown interest by Towson State, Coastal Carolina, and S.C. State.

Bullard, is a true freshman from Apopka, Fla. He attended Wekiva High School and was an All-County and All-Region player. He has good height for a point guard, standing 6'4" and 175 lbs. He was shown interest by Northeastern and Stetson University.

By Florida A&M Sports Information

Grambling State Eldred Barnett taken in MLB Baseball Draft

Grambling, LA---Grambling State Tigers junior outfielder Eldred Barnett was taken in the 29th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the World Champions San Francisco Giants.

The Benton, Louisiana native becomes the second consecutive Tiger outfielder taken in the MLB draft under head coach James Cooper who himself was taken in the 33rd round as an outfielder by the Houston Astros in 2004.

Barnett (6-2, 200), who was named to the All-Conference first team was also tabbed the Southwestern Athletic Conference newcomer of the year and selected to the 2011 SWAC Tournament All-Tournament team. Barnett led the team in hitting with a .355 batting average on 59 hits. He tallied 11 doubles on the season along with 41 runs scored and 44 RBI's.

“By far he was the best hitter on the team this past year, a guy you could just pencil in in the three hole for us, led the team in average and RBI and one of our top base stealers,” said Cooper.

“I'm proud of him. He started off here and had to transfer to another school because he wasn't a qualifier coming out of high school. The difference between him as a freshman here and after the JUCO did him some justice. He was able to come in and produce right away. It's going to be a tough road for him to make it to the big league but if he works hard and continues to get better day by day he will be able to make it.”

By GSU Sports Information

Former Claflin star Salley fields pro offers

Orangeburg, S.C. - Eric Salley has been spending a good deal of his time of late on Google. Tus far, the majority of the former Claflin star guard's searches have revolved around the country of Iceland. He hopes to have a few more destinations to search, but for now, it is the volcanic island in the North Atlantic that draws his interest because that is where his basketball career figures to take him.

"My agent has an offer for me from a team in Iceland," Salley said. "They are looking for a guard, and when they saw me, they went back and forth with my agent. Right now, we are just waiting to figure out the money situation."

And, Salley said, he is waiting on other offers. He said Spain would be an ideal destination.

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Saint Augustine's Rashaad Ingram Selected By San Diego Padres In MLB First-Year Player Draft

Raleigh, N.C. - Star shortstop Rashaad Ingram (Savannah, Ga.) of Saint Augustine's College was drafted Tuesday by the San Diego Padres on the second day of the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Ingram was taken by the Padres in the 28th round with the 863rd pick. He becomes the second Saint Augustine's College player in three seasons to be drafted. Anthione Shaw, also a shortstop for the Falcons, was picked by the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

Ingram was drafted after a remarkable senior season in 2011. He captured national, regional and conference honors after leading the Falcons to a modern school record of 36 wins. The NCAA Division II leader in steals (80) and stolen bases per game (1.48), Ingram was named Daktronics Third Team All-American, Daktronics First Team All-Atlantic Region, All-CIAA first team and CIAA player of the year. He was one of 36 players nationally who was named to the College Baseball Lineup DII All-Star Team. Ingram led the Falcons in batting average (.390), hits (67), runs (72) and doubles (15) as a senior.

Ingram, tied for third in Division II in runs, finished his four-year career as one of the most decorated baseball players ever at Saint Augustine's College. He was part of a senior group that sparked a resurgence in the baseball program after four straight losing seasons including six wins the year before Ingram arrived.

The Falcons amassed 119 wins in four years. The baseball team won two CIAA regular-season titles, one CIAA Tournament crown, and made four consecutive CIAA Tournament finals appearances during that period.

By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information

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Southern University's Frazier Hall and Cody Hall get drafted by Major League Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA --When the big day began, Frazier Hall had a few phone conversations with baseball people — scouts, advisors and the like — who gave him encouraging news. They told the Southern first baseman that when the second day of the Major League Baseball draft got under way, he might go as early as the seventh round.

Then the waiting began. And continued. And continued. Frazier Hall was about to leave for an afternoon workout when the 16th round began. He took a few more phone calls, then checked his computer. The wait was over. The Los Angeles Angels took Frazier Hall in the 16th round Tuesday, giving him the shot at pro baseball he’s always dreamed of.


Videographer: MLB, SU's Frazier Hall

Less than an hour later, the San Francisco Giants took his teammate, right-hander Cody Hall, in the 19th round. The celebration began.

Frazier Hall, Cody Hall get a shot at pro ball

Frazier Hall and Cody Hall are both off the board.

Southern’s top two baseball prospects were selected within an hour of each other Tuesday during the Major League Baseball draft — first baseman Frazier Hall going in the 16th round to the Los Angeles Angels; right-hander Cody Hall going in the 19th round to the San Francisco Giants.

Frazier Hall earned his second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year award this season, thanks mostly to his sparkling offensive numbers.

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Bethune-Cookman's Peter O'Brien selected by Colorado Rockies in 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University catcher Peter O'Brien became the first area player selected in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday, chosen with the 107th overall pick by the Colorado Rockies. O'Brien, a junior catcher for the Wildcats and a Miami native, was selected in the middle of the third round. This season he helped lead Bethune-Cookman to another NCAA Regionals appearance, batting .304 with 14 home runs and 69 RBIs.

"It's awesome and I'm so excited," O'Brien said by phone, a few minutes after being chosen. "It was a hectic time but I'm glad its over." O'Brien said the Rockies were one of the most interested teams in him this spring.



Peter O'Brien, C: Rockies third round selection / 107th overall out of Bethune-Cookman University

O'Brien, 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, spent three seasons at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL where he started all 61 games behind the plate for the Wildcats in 2011. In his junior season, O'Brien hit .304 (70-for-230) with 29 extra-base hits, including a team-high 14 home runs. O'Brien led the Wildcats with 20 home runs and a .384 batting average and picked off nine runners and catching 20 attempted base stealers during his sophomore season. He also drove in 56 RBI 2010. O'Brien was also named the MEAC Player of the Year following his sophomore season. O'Brien was rated the 13th-best prospect in the state of Florida, and the 103rd-best prospect overall in the draft by Baseball America. Additionally, he was ranked the seventh-best catcher available in the draft by Baseball America.

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Oakland Athletics select North Carolina A&T slugger Xavier Macklin in 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft

Xavier Macklin

GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina A&T slugger Xavier Macklin is a member of the Oakland Athletics organization. On the second day of the First-Year Major League Baseball Player Draft, Macklin was selected in the 12th round as the 376th pick. Macklin is the first Aggie taken in the draft since the St. Louis Cardinals selected C.J. Beatty in the 26th round in 2009.

Macklin, a junior out of Rocky Mount, N.C., posted impressive power numbers throughout his Aggies career. He hit .357 with 49 home runs and 183 RBIs as he set school marks in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage. Macklin's reputation for power can be measured in his .705 career slugging percentage. He ends his collegiate career with three first-team All-MEAC honors.

Macklin said he was informed about being drafted at approximately 5 p.m. Apprehension and nervousness drove him away from following the draft hours before the Athletics selected him. Macklin received a phone call from a friend notifying him of the good news. A local A's scout who lives in Greensboro made the official call for the organization.

"I can't describe this feeling right now," said Macklin. "It's crazy. It's surreal. It's like I'm not even here right now."

The 2011 season solidified Macklin's status as a MLB prospect. He hit .355 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs. Nationally, he ranks second in home runs and home runs per game. He owns the fourth-best slugging percentage in the nation and his RBIs per game ranks him 11th.

"He really deserves this," said N.C. A&T head coach Keith Shumate. "People recognize how much talent this young man has, but I don't think people know how hard he worked to get to this point. He had a legendary career at A&T."

Macklin is one of only two MEAC players who have been selected thus far. Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien went in the third round to the Colorado Rockies. Macklin becomes the seventh player under Shumate to be taken in the MLB Draft. He is the fourth Aggie in the last five years to be selected, and earned the second highest draft position of any Aggie selected during the Shumate era. Duron LaGrande was drafted in the 10th round by the Montreal Expos in 2004.

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

Alvin Brown and the Decline of the Willie Gary Football Classic

Early in the campaign, several local reporters commented on the elusive nature of his work history, lamenting that it was difficult to accurately assess Mayor-elect Alvin Brown’s performance in a seemingly endless series of over-lapping jobs held since leaving the Clinton Administration more than a decade earlier. It seems that Brown’s role as president and executive director of the once-promising Willie E. Gary Football Classic, a scholarship program featuring an annual match-up of historically black colleges, might provide the most important clue as to his leadership abilities.

Founded by flamboyant trial attorney Willie Gary in 2002, the annual football game started out as something of a smashing success. In its early years, the classic was played at Alltel Stadium and drew relatively decent crowds — averaging about 15,000 per game between 2002 and 2004. Not bad for an annual match-up between two smaller schools.

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Videographer: TheOProductions1907

Albany State University adds Valdosta to football schedule

ALBANY, GA — A rivalry has been renewed. Albany State University and Valdosta State University have inked a contract that will pit the football teams against each other on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., ASU athletic officials announced on Monday. The one-year deal — which could eventually turn permanent — also gives Albany State an additional home game this season and finalizes the 2011 football schedule.

“We would have liked to have this 10th game scheduled a long time ago, but it worked out this way,” ASU coach Mike White said. “(Valdosta) is a very good team, and they have a very good record against us.” In fact, the VSU Blazers have won 13 of the 14 meetings in the series, which dates to 1982. The teams haven’t played since 2007, when the Blazers won, 41-3, in Valdosta.

“We’re thrilled to have Albany State back on our schedule,” said VSU head coach David Dean. “With the proximity of the two schools, it has always been a great rivalry and a big event for South Georgia. Both schools always bring large crowds to the games, and they have seen...

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Videographer: MarchingsportHD; Albany State University Marching Band (2011) - Honda Battle of the Bands

WSSU losing two assistant coaches

Bobby Collins, the men's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, gave credit for his team's successes to the assistant coaches as often as possible. Whether it was in recruiting or in preparing for opponents, Collins said that Murray Garvin and Byron Jones were valuable assets for the Rams.

But next season, he'll be without them — both have left WSSU and moved on to other jobs. Garvin, WSSU's associate head coach for the past three seasons, has taken an assistant coach's job at S.C. State. Jones, who played a part in the Rams' 19-8 record and CIAA Southern Division title last season, has taken a job at Fresno State.

"It's good that my coaches are being noticed," Collins said. "I think that proves that my system works pretty well when you get the right players and the right mix." Collins said he hopes to hire new assistants by July 1 and said he already has received nearly 50 résumés.


Videographer: QCQT09

Former West Valley pitcher to throw for Arkansas-Pine Bluff

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Andrew Wixon is going to take the mound next season at the NCAA Division I level next season. The former West Valley High School standout and right-handed sophomore pitcher for Herkimer County Community College in New York recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

At the time of his signing, the 6-foot-5, 190-pounder had a 3-2 record with a 0.96 earned-run average. Wixon’s junior college career ended last weekend, when Herkimer lost a best-of-three NJCAA Region III Sub-Regional series to Erie Community College (N.Y.) in Little Falls, N.Y. Wixon started the first game, an 8-4 win for Herkimer on Saturday, and threw 2 1/3 innings, allowing an earned run.

Hermiker finished the season 19-17 overall, including 18-12 in Region III and 13-8 in the Mountain Valley Conference.

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Videographer: Krank04; M4 Fight Song and Bottoms Up

DSU Hornets To Compete at NCAA Track & Field Championships

DES MOINES, Iowa – For the third straight year, the Delaware State University men's outdoor 4x400 relay team will compete for a national title at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held this Wednesday through Saturday at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University.

The Hornet squad of sophomores Tyquan Brown (Neptune, N.J.), Ryan Carter (Wilmington, Del.) and Tariq Devore (Queens, N.Y.) in addition to junior Leslie Murray (Hyattsville, Md.) qualified for competition after posting a fourth-place time of 3:05.64 at the East Regional, held in Bloomington, Ind.

Prior to the regionals, the quartet was ranked seventh nationally with a time of 3:04.49 that was set at the IC4A Championships. Earlier this season, DSU won the MEAC and IC4A titles in the relay.

The relay will compete at 8:20 p.m. Thursday in the 4x400 semifinals. The finals will be held on Saturday at 1:50 p.m.

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16 Shaw High School (Ohio) members of marching band sign letters of intent to attend college

East Cleveland school band members college-bound

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - Although 16 graduating members of the Shaw High School marching band in East Cleveland did not have their musical instruments in their hands, there was music in where they all sat facing their parents and other supporters.

The students all signed "letters of intent" to attend colleges or universities. The East Cleveland School System makes a special program of the letter signings for its members of the high school marching band.

"Thirty percent of what we do is music," said Donshon Wilson, the band director. "However, the other 70 percent is academics."

The students sat shoulder-to-shoulder at long tables as their parents and other supporters beamed smiles across a room, where marching band trophies glittered under the daylight streaming through the windows. Some parents cried with happiness for the graduating seniors.

"Mr. Wilson made him realize that you start being serious," said Sheila Scruggs, describing how music helped her son find a stronger place in life. "Mr. Wilson taught him to be a leader, not a follower."


Videographer: WEWSTV; Shaw High School Mighty Cardinal Band, East Cleveland, Ohio, May 31, 2011.

Videographer: rodneyreynoldsrr; SHAW HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND, Jan. 23, 2011.

Videographer:jaboes; The Shaw Band marched in the 2008 International Marching Band Salute to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was an event of the Beijing City Festival "Perform in Harmony-With Olympic Spirit" and it was an honor for the Shaw Band students of inner-city East Cleveland, Ohio to be selected as one of the premier bands to represent the USA. Shaw was one of only five U.S. high schools playing in the International Salute to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China. Band director Donshon Wilson said the community donated about $500,000 to help send 52 students and 16 adults to China, purchase new uniforms and instruments, and funds to start a middle school band feeder program in East Cleveland.

The institutions the students agreed to attend were Central State (Ohio), Alabama State, Kent State, Bowling Green and Youngstown State Universities. Also on the list were Florida A&M, Wilberforce, Howard University, Cuyahoga Community College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Toledo.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies has opponent for home opener

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina A&T football team has an opponent for Saturday, Sept. 3. The Aggies are scheduled to play Virginia University of Lynchburg at Aggie Stadium. Game time is 4 p.m.

"I want to first thank the Aggie family for its patience while we searched for a new opponent," said Director of Athletics Earl Hilton. "It was important to provide our devoted fans with an exciting five-game home schedule. (VUL) is one of the original members of the CIAA, so we are pleased to be playing an institution with a similar history to ours."

Like N.C. A&T, VUL is a former member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. VUL is returning to collegiate football after nearly seven decades without it. The Dragons are currently a university-sponsored independent who offers students athletic scholarships. VUL is in the process of reapplying to the NCAA as a Division II athletics program with hopes of becoming a CIAA member again. The Dragons' current governing body is the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. VUL also sponsors men's and women's basketball, men's golf and men's and women's track and field.

North Carolina A&T finished 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season. With the hiring of a proven winner -- Head Coach Rod Broadway, expectations are high in AggiesNation.

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information


Videographer: SpeechlessQue; NCA&T Whoa

North Carolina A&T signs four 3-star players for basketball

GREENSBORO, N.C. - In an attempt to add speed and versatility to the 2011-12 North Carolina A&T women's basketball team, head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs has announced the signing of five new players.

Ariel Bursey, Kelsei Ewings, Chyanna "Chy" Cunningham, Kierra Dunnington, and Adriana Nazario will try to add to what has become a championship program at N.C. A&T. Bursey, Ewings, Dunnington and Nazario are considered three-star recruits (out of five stars) by ESPN HoopGurlz.

Recruiting expert Dan Olson of Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, called the Aggies' class "by far the best amongst all HBCUs."

Earlier this year, the Aggies inked Jaylan Bodiford (6-2, Ballard Louisville, Ky.), Jasmine Parker (6-2, A.L. Brown, Kannapolis, N.C.) and Eboni Ross (6-2, Eau Claire, Columbia, S.C.). Tiffanie Adair, a 2010 signee, will also be added to the Aggies roster this year, bringing the Aggies total number of newcomers to nine. Bodiford, Cunningham, and Ewings were McDonald's All-American nominees.

"There are some outstanding guards in our conference," said Bibbs. "We had to improve our depth and team speed so we can defend those guards. We want to be able to matchup with any lineup our opponents put on the floor."

Bursey (5-10, Western Harnett, Sanford, N.C.) is ranked the 35th best guard in the nation. Bursey enters her collegiate career with the reputation of being a scorer. Over the final two seasons of her high school career, she averaged 25.7 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. In the classroom, she earned a 4.2 grade point average. Her sister Trinity Bursey played at the University of North Carolina.

"She is super athletic and gets to the rim quickly," said Bibbs. "She is one of the highest rated players we have ever signed. She has good size and huge hands. But the thing I like about her most...she will play defense."

Ewings (5-5, West Point, West Point, Miss.) provides the Aggies with another scorer. She averaged 27.0 points and 6.0 assists per game. She is the No. 7 rated player in the state of Mississippi. ESPN HoopGurlz gives her a grade of 83 (out of 100), and ranks her as the 103rd best point guard in the country. In the Mississippi All-Star game, she was awarded Defensive Player of the Game.

"We are excited about finally having a smaller guard who can defend some of the small guards in our conference," said Bibbs. "She is lightning quick and a true menace defensively."

Cunningham (5-10, Tupelo, Tupelo, Miss.) is another Mississippi product headed to N.C. A&T. Ranked No. 17 in the state, Cunningham can play shooting guard, point guard and small forward. She is ranked 86th among guards in the nation. She averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game.

"She is going to be able to do so many things for us," said Bibbs. "She is a versatile athlete who can defend several different positions."

Dunnington (5-10, Indian River, Chesapeake, Va.) averaged 17.7 points and 8.1 rebounds as a senior. Maxpreps.com ranked her the 77th best player in the state of Virginia. The Aggies, who shot 27.7 percent from 3-point range during the 2010-11 season, welcome her ability to knock down perimeter jump shots. She is ranked the 121st guard in the country.

"We are so pleased to be able to go into the Tidewater area and get a player of this quality," said Bibbs. "That is a tremendous accomplishment for our program. She is lightning quick on the defensive end, and she is going to hit some big threes for us."

Nazario's father Dre Nazario told ESPN HoopGurlz, "North Carolina A&T offers (Adriana) a family environment with a top notch education along with a competitive team that always has a goal of challenging for a championship." Nazario (5-8, George Washington, Charleston, WVa.) verbally committed to Virginia Tech originally, but later decided to come to Aggieland. She is ranked No. 7 in the state of West Virginia, and Jumpoffplus.com ranks her 140th in the nation.

"We landed a steal here," said Bibbs. "You're talking about a young lady who was an All-State performer and the conference player of the year. She will be a perfect fit here."

By North Carolina A&T State Sports Information
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Video: Damon Allen and the great Canadian QB hope

When football fans rave about their favourite quarterbacks they usually talk about arm strength or how smart he is. Rarely do they speak about feet. And that’s a shame, according to Damon Allen. The Canadian Football League’s all-time leader in passing yards helped rookie Calgary Stampeders quarterback Brad Sinopoli train during the month of May. The main focus during their four workouts was footwork.

“Football is a game you play waist down,” Allen said following a training session with Sinopoli last Friday at Toronto’s York University. “No matter what position you play I always believed if you can make a guy’s feet better then he’ll become a better all-around player automatically.”


Videographer: nationalpost; 5 Drills: Damon Allen trains Calgary Stampeders quarterback Brad Sinopoli

In the video above Allen, who retired following the 2007 season, explains five different drills he had Sinopoli do, which will help improve his footwork.

“How often does a quarterback actually get a chance to throw in a balanced situation? Never,” said Allen. “A quarterback is almost always throwing on the move. It’s rare that you just drop back and get the time to throw. The majority of time you’re on the move and you have to slide and reset and throw or throw on the run or make something happen outside the pocket.”


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Hampton University: Dream come true' for new Stamp

CALGARY - LaMarcus Coker called his audition with the Calgary Stampeders a “dream come true.” As it turned out, the shifty running back didn’t get much chance to dream about it on the eve of rookie camp at McMahon Stadium.

“It’s been a while since I’ve practised at this level of competition, so I was anxious. I didn’t even get much sleep last night,” Coker said. “I stayed up studying my playbook till 2 a.m., and by the time I finally fell asleep, it felt like I was opening my eyes back up at 5:30 a.m. to come over here and get treatment and get my ankles taped up.”

If Coker was feeling sluggish, it didn’t show during Thursday’s opening sessions of Stampeders rookie camp at McMahon Stadium. During offensive drills, the 24-year-old ball-carrier rattled off a couple of impressive runs, showcasing his speed on the big field. If he shows enough to earn a full-time job with the Red & White, he’s not expecting many more late nights.  “I’m just here to work, and the recreational stuff, just leave that to the side,” Coker said.

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Morgan State, Mississippi Valley and Tennessee State in 2011 iBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational

The 11th annual iBN Sports Las Vegas Invitational is pleased to announce their lineup for the 2011 tournament. The stellar field includes 2007 LVI Champion North Carolina Tarheels, UNLV, USC, University of South Carolina, Morgan State, Cal. Poly., Mississippi Valley, and Tennessee State.

The first two rounds will be played on campus sites with the semifinals and finals set for the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 25 and 26.

Two-day basketball tournament on Friday, Nov. 25 & Sat. Nov. 26, with 4 games each day. Sold as a 2-day package ONLY. Package prices are $170, $138, $117 and $85. Game times are TBD.

SPECIAL HOTEL ROOM AND TICKET PACKAGE
Call 800-675-3267 to book now!
Includes Friday night and Saturday night (November 25 & 26, 2011), resort fee, and two ticket packages
$400 = 2 nights and 2 $85 ticket packages
$466 = 2 nights and 2 $117 ticket packages
$508 = 2 nights and 2 $138 ticket packages
$572 = 2 nights and 2 $170 ticket packages

Southern University: “Remembering a Forgotten First: The Story of Charlie Granger”

The documentary World Premieres at 7 p.m. June 11 in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, Southern University and A&M College. This event includes: Meet and greet session (6pm) with filmmaker Cindy Hurst (Southern University alumna) and Charlie Granger and other NFL players with photographer available for pictures; Viewing the film (7pm - 8pm), and SU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (8pm - 10pm) where former Southern University athletes are honored for their athletic sucesses.

Baton Rough, LA  -  Minutes before the final game of the 1961 NFL preseason, Tom Landry stood before his rookie right tackle from Southern University, prepared to issue one more steep challenge — the toughest yet for young Charlie Granger. The icy, mild-mannered Dallas Cowboys coach liked what he’d seen from Granger, but the regular season loomed, which meant that roster spots were in high demand and short supply.


The Film recounts the life of Charlie Granger, who played professional football during the NFL's reintegration of African-Americans into the league in the early 1960s. Mr. Granger is a 2-Time Southern University Football All-American, 4-Time Track & Field All-American, and a member of Southern University Hall of Fame and the SWAC Hall of Fame.

This last exhibition game, against the mighty Baltimore Colts, was Granger’s biggest test yet. And maybe his last chance. “I’ll never forget (Landry) saying to me: ‘Granger, tonight, I’m going to find out if you can play in the NFL,’” he recalled. Granger’s assignment: block Colts defensive end Gino Marchetti, a future Hall of Famer and seven-time All-Pro. Right. No pressure there.

Granger admits he took a severe beating that night. But he stood firm against Marchetti, and after the game, the Dallas staff gave him a grade of 100 percent. He made the final cut, and, in doing so, became the first black man to start on the Cowboys offensive line.

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Join Producer/Director Cindy Hurst, this Sunday, June 5, 2011 with host Robyn Merrick of "Inside the Southern University System" from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Central Time on KQXL 106.5 FM CLICK HERE to listen live) as she talks about the WORLD SCREENING PREMIERE of "Remembering a Forgotten First: The Story of Charlie Granger.

Release Date	June 11, 2011
Genre	Documentary
Studio	The Sankofa Project, LLC
About	Biography

Description	This film depicts the life of Charlie Granger, a Former NFL player (Dallas Cowboys and Boston Patriots), SWAC Hall of Fame Inductee, and College All-American in track and football.
Plot Outline	This is the story of how a poor and determined boy from Southern Louisiana beat the odds of making it to the professional football league during the re-integration period of African-Americans into the league in the early 1960's. It recounts his college and professional experiences as an African-American player and how the racial climate of the times impacted his career as a professional player.
Starring	Appearances by: Eugene Daniel (Indianpolis Colts/Baltimore Ravens, Frank Pitts (Played in Superbowls 1 and 4 - Kansas City Chiefs), and Garland Boyette (Houston Oilers)
Directed By	Cindy Hurst
Written By	Cindy Hurst
Produced By	A Sankofa Project Productions

Alcorn State University Names JSU Sonic Boom’s Renardo Murray as New Marching Band Director

Dr. Renardo R. Murray
Director of Marching & Pep Bands

ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State University’s new Director of University Bands Samuel Griffin introduced the institution’s new Marching Band director, Renardo R. Murray on May 31,2011 on the Lorman campus.

“It is a tremendous honor and pleasure to introduce my former band student as the new Marching and Pep Band director,” stated a proud Samuel Griffin. “He was a talented student and is a skillful musician and director. I am proud to welcome him back home.”

An accomplished band director and music educator, Dr. Murray holds an outstanding track record in assuring student success both musically and academically. He has an extensive background of developing, operating, and maintaining quality band programs. Dr. Murray has been serving Jackson State University first as assistant band director from 2004 to 2009, and then as interim director of bands/instructor of music since 2009. He has also served as band director at the secondary education level: for Yazoo City High School, Yazoo City, Mississippi; Blackburn Middle School, Jackson, Mississippi; Clinton High School, Clinton, Louisiana; and as assistant band director for Wilkinson County High School, Woodville, Mississippi.

“Alcorn State University has given me so much,” says Dr. Renardo R. Murray. “It is always good to come home. I have carried Alcorn State with me throughout my career and all of my successes can be attributed to the solid foundation I received from Mr. Griffin and my institution.”


Videographer: asutrpt; Alcorn State Marching Band - Halftime, Capital City Classic 2010

M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn State University, acknowledged Samuel Griffin for his 40 plus years of service to the University and thanked him for leading the search process for a new marching and pep band director. “Let us applaud Mr. Griffin for his dedication to the task at hand and for his numerous years of outstanding service to the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite. His successes as a marching band director are astonishing, and his innovative view on our new band structure will take our program to even higher heights. I am certain our band leaders will learn a great deal from his experience and wisdom.”

Murray earned his doctorate degree in music education in 2011 from the University of Mississippi, a master’s degree in music education from Jackson State University in 2004 and his bachelor’s – also in music education – from Alcorn State University in 1995.

“We are extremely excited about our future with Dr. Renardo R. Murray,” says President Brown. “Renardo brings a depth of experience to the University and we are confident that he will take the Marching and Pep bands to the next level nationally.”

Dr. Murray and his wife Alicia have two sons - Malcolm (17) and Nicholas (11).

By Alcorn State University Media Relations

UMES Lady Hawks signs an Elite Lady, Sweeney Style

Chester, VA -- For Shawnee Sweeney, life's motto is simple. Life is only as good as what you make of it. The harder you work the better you will become. That is not just a life lesson that is a basketball lesson for the Thomas Dale (High School) senior. Since Sweeney was five years old, shooting hoops was a poignant part of her life.

"My dad taught me how to shoot and I would keep working on it. That drive to wanting to get it right, to be perfect came natural to me," Sweeney said. Those long hard-working hours have paid off as Sweeney signed her letter of intent to play Division I college basketball at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore next fall.


Videographer: sweeney2tes; Shawnee Sweeney signs to UMES. Shawnee posted a 4.2 GPA, is in the top 25 of her senior class and played all five positions on the court at Thomas Dale H.S.

"At first I was interested in going to Virginia Wesleyan or Christopher Newport, but at the very end of my high school season, Maryland of Eastern Shore got in touch with me and asked me to come for a visit," Sweeney said. "It was love at first sight with the school, the facilities to the coaches and players."

Sweeney who primarily played shooting guard and averaged about 15 points per game liked the fact that Maryland of Eastern Shore's coaches took the time to come see her play.

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Florida A&M University Annual Giving Campaign

Videographer: FAMUTube1887

B-CU Pitcher's Duel Evolves into a 16-5 UCF Victory

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In a span of three-consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, No. 2 UCF scored five runs and eventually plated 13 runs in the final three innings to defeat No. 4 Bethune-Cookman, 16-5, in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Saturday. It was the most runs scored in a game by the Knights (39-22) in their NCAA Tournament history.

UCF advances to Sunday's noon game and will await the loser of Saturday night's contest between No. 1 Florida State and No. 3 Alabama. If the Knights rumble with FSU, the game will air on Sun Sports.

"I'm very proud of the effort of our guys," said head coach Terry Rooney. "We faced an outstanding Bethune-Cookman club, a team that we played (twice) during the year and their starting pitcher did a tremendous job. But our guys continued to battle throughout the day. I thought Danny Winkler pitched fantastic. He was incredible."

A day after combining to go 1-for-15 vs. Alabama, Beau Taylor, D.J. Hicks, Jonathan Griffin and Derek Luciano all tore apart Wildcat (36-25) pitching. The quartet went 13-for-21 with 11 RBI, 11 runs and five extra-base hits. Hicks and Griffin each collected four hits, with Griffin driving in five to tie a UCF record for most RBI in a NCAA Tournament game.

Griffin crushed his 19th home run of the season as well, putting him in sole possession of second on the UCF single-season chart. He trails only Chris Duffy, who belted 21 four-baggers last year. The senior also has 32-career homers in just two seasons as a Knight to place him in a tie for sixth in UCF history.

Winkler was on his way to possibly his best outing of the season, pitching 5.2 shutout innings with just two hits against and six strikeouts. Yet two errors on a single play with nobody on base and two outs in the sixth inning led to four unearned runs to help the Wildcats eliminate a 3-0 deficit, and Winkler's day was over.

"I just stuck to my game plan like I've been doing the last couple of weeks," said Winkler. "I was getting ahead early, but I wasn't happy with (my slider). So I was trying to command my fastball. And with their starting going like he was, that kept me in it so I kept pounding the zone."

The Wildcats decided to start righty Rayan Gonzalez on the mound vs. the Knights. And the junior surrendered three-straight one-out singles in the top of the first to Taylor, Hicks and Griffin with Griffin driving in Taylor on a chopper over the head of third baseman Emmanuel Castro.

Given an early 1-0 lead, Winkler proceeded to limit Bethune-Cookman to just one hit in the first three innings, striking out five. That was highlighted by the right-hander sitting down the side on strikes in the third. Winkler then stranded a pair of runners with one out in the fourth.

UCF was unable to build its advantage on the scoreboard due to Gonzalez mowing down the Knights. They did have a two-out opportunity after Darnell Sweeney singled to center and Ronnie Richardson drew a walk, however the B-CU right-hander picked up his eighth strikeout of the game to return to the dugout.

Although Gonzalez motored through to get to the sixth inning, his pitch count was well into triple figures after UCF finally got the big hit it had been searching for all day long. As Griffin stood in the on-deck circle, he witnessed Hicks drive a 3-2 pitch into right for a leadoff single. The first baseman strode to the plate and quickly fell behind 0-2. And for some reason he did not like his mugshot on the left-field scoreboard, so he attempted to alter it by demolishing a 1-2 offering that came within a few feet of his face for a two-run homer.

Now jogging out to the hill with a 3-0 lead in the sixth, Winkler, who had thrown just 61 pitches, continued to cruise, getting the first two outs and inducing Peter O'Brien to send a lazy fly ball to left-center. That was when the state of the game changed, as there was miscommunication in the UCF outfield. Two errors on the play led to a hit by pitch and two walks to bring in the Wildcats' first run.


Videographer: flstateseminoles; FSU Baseball defeats Bethune-Cookman 6-5 in Tallahassee Regional on June 3, 2011.

Final Stats 

Winkler tried to get that crucial third out, but Brashad Johnson delivered a two-run, two-out, two-strike single into left to tie it up at 3-3. Nick Cicio entered earlier than expected from the pen, and DJ Leonard sent his second pitch to left for a RBI single.

All of a sudden down 4-3, the UCF bats were not concerned by their newly-found one-run hole. A pair of two-strike singles by Sweeney and Richardson greeted reliever Chris Anselmo in the seventh, and although Taylor failed to get a sac bunt down, he ripped a 1-2 pitch off the high fence in right for a long single to load the bases.

Similar to Bethune-Cookman taking advantage of its scoring chance in the previous inning, the Knights were not going to let this one slip away either.

Freshman Bryan Rivera was called in from the B-CU bullpen and the southpaw threw only three pitches in his appearances. All of them resulted in RBI hits, as Hicks punched a single between first and second, Griffin dropped a two-run double into left and Luciano lined a two-run single up the middle. That was it for Rivera, who gave way to Gabriel Hernandez, and the Knights tacked on three more runs highlighted by RBI from Travis Shreve and Sweeney.

With the eight-run inning complete, UCF added a four more in the eighth to stretch the lead to 15-5. Kick-started by a double out of Taylor, Hicks drove in the catcher on a single, Griffin walked on five pitches and Luciano socked a two-run double into the right-field corner. And with the sun beating down onto Dick Howser Stadium, lightning was detected which delayed play for 3:20. When play ultimately resumed, Luciano eventually scored UCF's 15th run on a wild pitch. To close out the offense, Kevin Vasquez drew a RBI walk with two outs in the ninth, and Bryan Brown tossed the final 2.0 innings to send UCF back to the hotel in a jolly mood.

Game Notes
No. 2 UCF - 39-22 Overall
No. 4 Bethune-Cookman - 36-25 Overall
-The game featured a 3:20 hour weather delay with no outs in the top of the eighth inning.
-Saturday marked the 83rd meeting between UCF and Bethune-Cookman, but the first in the NCAA Tournament.
-It was UCF's first NCAA Tournament victory since defeating Florida State, 7-5, June 6, 2004.
-UCF had not committed more than one error in a game since two miscues vs. Houston May 1 (a span of 16 games). But the Knights had two errors Saturday.
-The eight-run seventh inning was the biggest inning in an NCAA Tournament game in school history. It also matched an overall postseason record as UCF scored eight runs in an Atlantic Sun Tournament game vs. Centenary in 1996.
-UCF set a school record for most runs in an NCAA Tournament contest, and tied the school mark with 20 hits (also had 20 vs. Princeton May 25, 2001). The Knights posted at least 20 hits in a game for the second time this year (20 at UAB May 15).

By UCF Athletics

Cal comes back for 10-6 win over Alcorn State

Excerpt:
Houston, TX - Few things have come easily for Cal this season. Saturday was no different.

Cal's struggles unfolded in the second inning on Saturday, when Alcorn State (27-30) put together its biggest inning of the day. The Braves picked up six hits off Cal starter Kevin Miller, including an RBI double from Eduardo Gonzalez to start the scoring followed by an RBI groundout by Jann Butler and RBI singles by Brandon Hollins and Angel Rosa for a 4-0 lead.

The last hit prompted Esquer to call on sophomore southpaw Justin Jones, whom he hoped to use as today's starter. Jones (8-6) responded with 6 1/3 magnificent innings, keeping the Braves off the scoreboard until the ninth when they scratched out two unearned runs.

"With no tomorrow, we were going to fire all of our bullets now or never," Esquer said. "It didn't go as planned. We wanted to have Justin ready to go (today). But in an elimination game, it doesn't do you any good to have him rested for tomorrow if there is no tomorrow."


Videographer: swactube; Alcorn State SWAC Baseball Championship Ceremony.  GREAT SEASON BRAVES!!

Cal Baseball Defeats Alcorn State, 10-6

HOUSTON, TEXAS - Behind the outstanding relief pitching of sophomore left-hander Justin Jones and a six-run third inning, the Cal baseball team defeated Alcorn State, 10-6, Saturday (June 4) in NCAA regional action at Rice's Reckling Park. Jones (8-6), who entered the game in the second inning with the Golden Bears down 4-0, went on to pitch 6.1 innings, allowing only two hits, no earned runs, with three walks and 10 strikeouts.

With the win, Cal improved to 32-21 overall, and will next play the loser of the No. 1-seed Rice and No. 2-seed Baylor game Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. CT (12 p.m. PT). If the Bears win the Sunday afternoon game, they would play the winner of Rice-Baylor at 6 p.m. (4 p.m. PT) Sunday night.

Trailing 4-0, Cal's offense came alive in the top of the third inning off of Alcorn State (27-30) starter Troy Williams (7-6, 2.2 innings, six hits, six runs, two earned runs, one walk, one strikeout). Sophomore designated hitter Vince Bruno started the inning with a single and later scored on junior catcher Chadd Krist's two-run double to left field - his Pac-10 leading 24th double of the season. Other key hits for the Bears in the third inning was junior right fielder Chad Bunting's two-run double down the left field line after an error by the Braves' third baseman Antolin Morales, and sophomore center fielder Darrel Matthew's RBI double down the right field line.

The game slowed down considerably after the third inning as neither team scored between the fourth and the seventh inning and Jones settled into a grove after replacing Bear senior right-hander Kevin Miller. Finally, Cal added an insurance run in the eighth inning on senior left fielder Austin Booker's RBI single up the middle, and scored three runs in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly to center field by Matthews and a two-run throwing error by Alcorn State second baseman Ryan Akins.

The Braves scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth before Cal closer Matt Flemer struck out Morales to end the game.

"I thought today was one of those classic elimination games where the outcome is in doubt to the very end," said Cal coach David Esquer, who led the Bears to their first NCAA regional victory since he coached Cal to a 9-3 win over Minnesota in the 2001 Baton Rouge, La. Regional. "It was two teams playing for their seasons. I thought Alcorn State played a great ball game. I thought they were up to the challenge. But I've got to hand it to our club too, with Justin Jones coming in there and shutting down their momentum. Justin came in there when we had to have it. He gave us a chance and our offense was able to come back.

"It was a big win for us. It was hard fought, not easy. We don't do it easy, so this was typical Cal baseball at this point."

Krist was again an offensive force for the Bears, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. On Friday, he was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and an RBI single. Sophomore second baseman Tony Renda added a pair of hits and Bunting and Matthews had two RBI apiece.

Box Score

Post Game Quotes/Game 3, Alcorn State vs. California, Cal Head Coach David Esquer

“I thought today was one of those classic elimination games where the outcome is in doubt to the very end. It was two teams playing for their seasons. I thought Alcorn played a great ball game. I thought they were up to the challenge. But I’ve got to hand it to our club too, with [pitcher] Justin Jones coming in there and shutting down their momentum. He came in there when we had to have it. He gave us a chance and our offense was able to come back.

“It was a big win for us. It was hard fought, not easy. We don’t do it easy so this was typical Cal baseball at this point.”

On starting pitcher Kevin Miller:  “Kevin Miller’s been outstanding for us. He’s pitched so many different roles for us – probably our most valuable pitcher. We expected him to be outstanding as usual. They did a good job. They rolled some hits up the middle; they were aggressive; they had a hit and run that was a big play for them. They jumped on him for four funs and we just couldn’t stop them. Then we when had to go to Justin. With no tomorrow we were going to fire all our bullets now or never.”

By Cal Athletics Media Relations

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