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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — There have been doubts about Avery Johnson at every level in his NBA career. Some felt he wasn’t good enough to be a player. Others said the Spurs would never win a title with him at the point guard, and there were many who felt he didn’t have the characteristics or the experience needed to be an NBA head coach. All Johnson, a former Southern University standout, did was play 16 years in the league, win a ring with San Antonio and post the NBA’s all-time coaching record in 3 1/2 years with the Dallas Mavericks.
Johnson took on a new challenge Tuesday, the job of turning around the league-worst New Jersey Nets, and there was a cockiness about him. He smiled broadly, spoke of optimism and gave off a feeling of confidence that one expects from someone expecting to succeed again. “I am all about the positive,” Johnson said after being introduced as the Nets’ 16th coach. “I am about hard work. I am about dreaming. I have a big dream right now in my mind in terms of where this franchise can go and where we can take it and I see all the possibilities.”
Teammates on Beach High School’s girls basketball and track and field teams, seniors Brianna Little and Alicia Champion sat side by side Thursday and secured their collegiate futures. Little signed to play basketball at nearby Savannah State University, while Champion will run track at Tuskegee University. “I’m very excited knowing that I will have the opportunity to play on the next level,” Little said. Champion received a greater financial package via a full academic scholarship, rather than accepting an athletic scholarship, to attend Tuskegee.
“I know without academics, you can’t go as far as you want in life,” Champion said. “Plus, running track is something I love. I try to do my best on the field and in the classroom.”
Little, a 5-foot-6 point guard, spent the first three seasons of her basketball career at Beach overshadowed by star teammates Khalilah Watson and Monique Willis. But in her senior year, Little flourished for the Bulldogs in a prominent role. Little averaged 18.3 points and 3.6 assists per game while using her speed and quickness defensively to disrupt and frustrate opposing teams while coming up with an average of five steals.
“Savannah State has come in and gotten, what I think is, a major D-I player,” Beach coach Ronald Booker said. “She has tremendous potential because you can teach a lot of things, but you cannot teach the quickness she possesses. And she finishes well at the basket and she shoots the ball well.”
University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Talvin Skinner is a MEAC Hall of Famer (2002), UMES Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (2010); an all-conference selection (72-73 & 73-74) as well as the MEAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer (1974) . Skinner led the Hawks in rebounding in his final two seasons; was the 1973 NAIA Tournament's leading rebounder, and totaled nearly 400 points and rebounds the same year. Skinner's final year saw him post 456 points and grab 353 boards. He still stands eighth all-time in NAIA rebounding. Skinner was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 1974 in the third round and played under NBA Hall of Famer, (Coach) Bill Russell. The 6-5/195 forward is from Berlin, Maryland.
In the most recent installment of his series of interviews on players who are among the best pros to come out of their particular schools, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) great Talvin Skinner. Skinner was the leader of a UMES squad in 1974 that led the nation in scoring with an average of 96.7 points per game without the benefit of a three-point shot, and they also became the first HBCU to take part in the NIT.
Jon Teitel: In 1974 your team went 27-2 and you were named conference tournament MVP. How were you able to play your best when it mattered the most?
Talvin Skinner: Now you are starting to get serious, because the team that we played for the championship was Morgan State, which was Marvin Webster's team (which is kind of touching, because we lost Marvin in 2009). They had beaten us earlier in the year when we were 20-0, and had just became nationally ranked as the #20 team in the AP poll as a Division II school. They played a hard road trip from North Carolina through DC and back to Baltimore (four games in five days), which is something that I do not think that many basketball analysts or fans are aware of.
Basketball history, baby; I do not know if that has ever happened before. As a team, we were determined that they would pay and pay dearly. We beat them twice in 2 weeks by convincing margins, and took the championship. It was not just me: our team does not get the credit that it deserves. We did something that may never be done again in the MEAC or at any level of basketball (leading the nation in scoring with 96.7 PPG despite no three-point shot), and they did not even give us an invite to the NCAA tourney. I guess to answer your question: my teammates needed me to play my best.
JT: You played for Coach John Bates, who was the first coach to take a Historically Black College to the NIT. What was it like to play for Bates, and how big a deal was it to go to the NIT?
TS: Going to the NIT was okay by me as a senior, as well as for the other five seniors on the team. Our eyes were on the BIG dance; we had already proved that we belonged by playing in the then-64 team NAIA tourney in Kansas City and going to the 1973 national championship game against Guilford College (who had World B. Free & ML Carr: you know their legacies). Although we lost by three points, we felt that we could play with anyone in the country, and our records spoke for themselves.
As far as Coach Bates is concerned, I have nothing but respect fro him as a man and as a person, because he understood talent and he trusted us. He did not try to restrain that "something special" that he knew we had; as a matter of fact, he pushed the envelope. However, I can honestly say that he loved us as people: we were not some meal ticket to him who he was trying to exploit for his future. The funny thing is that it just worked out that way for him: it could not have happened to a better person. He is genuinely a good and honest human being, and we all love him.
Former Mercer County Freeholder Tony Mack, was elected the next mayor of Trenton, New Jersey following Tuesday’s convincing runoff victory over Manuel “Manny’’ Segura. Born and raised in the Wilbur section of the city, Mack captured 7,257 votes (62.24 percent), compared to 4,375 (37.52 percent) for Segura.
Mack, a former three-sports student-athlete at Howard University graduated from the Hilltop in 1989, and was a member of the football, wrestling and baseball teams from 1984-88. The HU Hall of Fame inductee played baseball under former head coach Chuck Hinton. He wrestled under former wrestling coach and current Howard alumni trustee, Dr. Paul Cotton. Mack played football under former head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Willie Jeffries. Mack was also a teammate of current Bison director of athletics, Charles Gibbs. He was a member of the 1987 football team that won the MEAC title and finished 9-1.
Mack will succeed Douglas H. Palmer, whose 20-year run as mayor officially comes to an end when Mack is sworn in July 1.
“I do not have the words to express my appreciation for the love and support I have received throughout this incredible journey,” Mack told his supporters at the Trenton Marriott Downtown. “The Wilbur section wasn’t New York, but the sentiment was that if you could make it there, you could make it anywhere. This is a humbling experience for me. We are going to put you first in everything we do … and I mean that. Things did not deteriorate overnight, and we can not fix it overnight. But we can get started right away.”
North Carolina Central University athletics directorIngrid Wicker-McCree, Ed.D., has been one of the driving forces behind the Eagles reclassification to NCAA Division I and membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The well-respected Wicker-McCree is a member of the NCCU Eagles Athletic Hall of Fame.
When LaVelle Moton was announced as N.C. Central's men's basketball coach in March 2009, it was his dream come true. The NCCU alumnus and third all-time leading scorer (1,714 points) had come full circle from NCCU, where he graduated in 1996; then overseas to play professional ball; back to Raleigh to coach at West Millbrook Middle before moving on to Sanderson High, where he led the Spartans to two straight Cap 7 tournament championships; and then back to the Eagles in 2007 as an assistant.
Now, just over a year after taking the head job, the honeymoon may be over. At press time, Moton was mulling over an offer from Xavier (Ohio) University to join the Musketeers coaching staff as an assistant. Six months ago, the mere thought of Moton leaving his beloved Eagles was as improbable as another gulf oil spill. But in the year since his hire, sources say his relationship with NCCU has been likened to dating a pretty woman. At first she looks good, talks good, even smells good, but the longer you get to know her, the uglier she gets. (And vice versa with men, of course).
LaVelle Moton, Men's Basketball Coach for NC Central University, speaks at the NC Center for After school Program...
Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes Softball Team ended the 2010 season with an overall record of 27-23. The Devilettes lost 6-3 in the SWAC Championship game to eventual champion Alcorn State University Lady Braves.
Mississippi State and Ole Miss will each spend about four percent more on athletics than they did a year ago, according to athletic department budgets approved Wednesday by the state College Board. Ole Miss has the larger of the two totals, checking in with a projected $43.7 million. Mississippi State's 2010-11 budget is $37.4 million. Both budgets are among the smallest in the Southeastern Conference. Southern Miss projects a $19.7 million budget, up 2.3 percent from last year.
Jackson State's $6.8 million, which increased by 3.3 percent, is the largest of the state's three Southwestern Athletic Conference teams. Budgets didn't rise everywhere, though. Mississippi Valley State's $3.3 million budget is 20 percent less than last year's edition. Alcorn State's $5.3 million budget stayed basically the same. Division II school Delta State has the smallest budget, at $2.7 million. That's down 2.5 percent from last year.
Florida A&M's Volleyball Coach Tony Trifonov has dominated the MEAC with nine consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championships. He has one of the smallest recruiting budgets in all of NCAA Division I, but the Lady Rattlers annually participate in the NCAA Tournament against teams with budgets at least one-hundred times greater.
While the two revenue-generating sports — football and basketball — have been able to weather the financial storm hovering over Florida A&M and stay in the recruiting hunt with their mid-major counterparts, coaches of Olympic sports have been finding ways to keep their programs competitive. From bowling to swimming, navigating the recruiting landscape could be a little bit of a landmine without enough full scholarships. But somehow bowling, tennis, softball and volleyball have done well enough to make it to the postseason in the face of cuts over the past three years.
Even men's and women's track have been able to get a handful of athletes into the NCAA regionals this past season, despite finishing in the bottom half of the standings at their conference meet. With that kind of success, there's a renewed emphasis to give more to non-revenue sports, said interim athletic director Mike Smith. "It ignites us to continue to look for ways to get them resources to enhance their recruiting effort to get the kind of athletes that we need," Smith said. "We are putting our efforts to give our coaches an opportunity to get out and recruit. They're doing a good job in looking at student-athletes that will bring success to the program.
It’s that time again, between spring training ending and just before fall practice begins, when you get those old pre-season jitters with anticipations of your team winning it all this year. Thanks to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, and to all the college head football coaches and their players who attended the Pig Skin Preview media event last week, here’s a few hints, stats and innuendoes which might help you determine how your team will actually perform this fall.
Savannah State University seems to change head coach’s more often than most teams change quarterbacks. Interim Head Coach Julius Dixon will direct the team this fall after a 2-8 season last year. Even though the Tigers are returning eight offensive and seven defensive starters things won’t get much better this year. They begin the season by traveling to Statesboro on September 4 to face GA Southern, and things won’t get any better after that. The team could be hard pressed to match last year’s record.
Fort Valley State University, last year under second year Head Coach Donald Pittman, the Wildcats finished number one in total offense and third in total defense within the SIAC, and with most of last year’s team in tact, will probably win their conference and advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. It all starts on August 28 when they travel to Miles College.
Clark Atlanta University Panthers are scheduled for the Gateway Classic in St. Louis, Missouri facing the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions on September 25, 2010.
Clark Atlanta University Head Coach Daryl McNeill said, “Starting strong and finishing strong is not just a goal for each game, it’s the goal for the season and will commence with our first game.” They’ll attempt to resurrect their program on August 28 when they travel to Jackson TN to take on Lane College.
Albany State University continues to be guided by Head Coach Mike White in his 10th season with the Golden Rams. Coach White has led his team to appearances in the NCAA Division II Championships in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. With 14 starters returning on offense and defense, he may be poised to win the SIAC again this fall. The team begins play on August 27 versus Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC.
Virginia State University Trojans coach Merrill Morgan has compiled over 100 wins and has guided VSU to four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships, including three consecutive championships. Morgan is a 1986 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, and batted .308 in Rams baseball his junior season.
While high school baseball has ended, American Legion baseball has only just begun within the Tri-Cities for the Colonial Heights (Virginia) Post 284 Bucs and Pirates teams. For fourth-year Post 284 Bucs coach Merrill Morgan, also the head baseball coach at Virginia State University, he is excited to get going. "I just like helping young players develop. I love baseball and working with young players improve for college," Morgan said. "I get a chance to watch and follow many of the players because I coach at Virginia State and live within the area."
As a Dinwiddie native, both of Morgan's sons, M.L. (Merrill,Jr.) Morgan and Marcus have gone to play collegiate baseball. M.L. is currently on the Virginia Commonwealth baseball team and also graduated from Dinwiddie High School while Marcus went to VSU. Both sons last year coached with Morgan during the American Legion season and this year M.L. will join him again.
While at Virginia State, Morgan has coached six seasons - leading the Trojans to over 100 wins with four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships, including three straight titles. He has also been named CIAA baseball coach of the year three times (2004, 2006 and 2007). Because of the good relationships that the Morgan family has developed over the years within the local community, it has only made the teams under the fourth-year coach that much closer.
"The kids that we get are pretty polished. All we try to do is give them the guidance and confidence to play college ball," Morgan said. "They already come from good programs so that experience certainly helps."
GRAMBLING, LA -- Jeremy Shelby saw a lifelong dream fulfilled when his name was called by the Baltimore Orioles during the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. Taken in the 38th round, Jeremy contends that playing in the MLB is a dream shared by his entire family.
The second oldest of six children, Jeremy proudly enters the rank of Shelby's to play in the major league. Jeremy now follows in the footsteps of his father, John "T-Bone" Shelby, Jr., who was drafted in the first round by the Orioles in the 1977 and his brother, John Shelby, III, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2006.
To say baseball is in his blood would be an understatement. Jeremy has been around baseball his entire life. By the time Jeremy was five, he and his brothers were out catching fly balls while his dad was coaching in the minor league.
The year after he was born was the year Kirk Gibson hit the walk off homerun for the Dodgers (Los Angeles) in the World Series. His dad was the centerfielder for the Dodgers in that game.
Jeremy, who is now 22, had not originally intended to go to Grambling. Instead, his journey to Tigerland began with a trip to a junior college in Tennessee. In fact, Jeremy was previously drafted in the 46th round by San Diego in 2000, but passed up the offer to attend Columbia State (TN) Junior College where his dad had also played briefly.
Jeremy's trek to Grambling did not happen by chance, but after a lot of encouragement by his teammate, Byron Huff. Byron thought Jeremy's speeding and hitting skills would be better showcased in the Southwestern Athletic Conference which he thought would also improve Jeremy's chances of being drafted.
GSU's 6-4/190 senior Jeremy Shelby
Jeremy says he didn't initially listen to his friend but finally decided to call Coach Barnett Rey (former GSU head coach) who offered him a deal he couldn't pass up. Right then, Jeremy verbally agreed to come to Grambling. He says that was the best decision of his life. Jeremy contends that the support he received from the coaches and the fans helped get him into the league.
The Kentucky (Lexington) native became the first Tiger to go in the MLB draft since current interim head coach James Cooper was taken in the 33rd round as an outfielder by the Houston Astros in 2004.
Named to the 2010 First Team All-SWAC, Jeremy had a career batting average of .314 in 112 games for the Tigers with 114 hits, 89 runs scored and 64 RBI's. He also recorded 19 doubles and 12 homeruns and was 26-of-29 in stolen bases.
Jeremy has followed in his father's footsteps, attending the same junior college, being drafted by the same team, and playing rookie ball at the same field. Now, Jeremy is looking forward to playing on the very same team where his dad is the first base coach.
This is truly a dream come true, not just for Jeremy but also for his dad.
According to theAtlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC),Dr. Claud Flythe, VP for Administration at SSU is leaving the school at the end of the month. Flythe is named in the Well's lawsuit and chaired the search committee that selected Robert Wells as the Tigers football coach.
The January firing of Savannah State University head football coach Robert Wells was one of “the most poorly handled situations,” one school administrator said. “This should have been addressed in January,” when Wells was given a “resign-or-be-fired” ultimatum from university officials after they called his coaching ethics into question two years after he was hired. Wells last month sued the school and several administrators, including the interim athletic director and administration vice president Claud Flythe. Wells, the first white football coach in the school’s history, said he coached the team to the most victories it has had in years and that he was fired because his fiancée is black.
During his first year as coach, the team won five games -- equal to the total amount of victories during the five previous seasons. It was the school’s best season in 11 years, the lawsuit said. In Wells' second season, the Tigers were 2-8. In speaking with the AJC, Flythe called Wells a “pathological liar” and is adamant that race had nothing to do with his dismissal. “It’s ludicrous that someone would make those accusations,” a heated Flythe told the AJC. Wells was given a one-year contract extension in December 2009. The university confirmed other news reports that 13 of the players were ineligible to participate in spring practice and that 20 players had either quit or were dismissed from the team.
SACRAMENTO, CA - State funding cuts and tuition increases are forcing California students to look out of state when it comes to attending college. Texas Southern University brought a team of enrollment workers to Sacramento Wednesday for a mini-orientation camp for incoming students. They were able to arrange class schedules and sign up for students housing and financial aid according to TSU vice-president of enrollment Hasan Jamil.
Jamil said the number of California students attending TSU has grown over the last few years because tuition at the University of California and California State University have jumped. Last year the two school systems raised fees by 32 percent and CSU is considering bumping them up by another 10 percent. "I think it's a loss for California to lose these bright students," Jamil declared. "If they do not have access to higher education, what are these students going to do? They're options are limited. And California's workforce is going to suffer."
Shantell Phillips of Elk Grove was excited to learn TSU is offering her a $40,000 scholarship. When she adds in a grant and money from the school's work-study program, her father will only have to pay $110 a year for her to go to school. "Words just explain how this makes me feel. I'm just so happy," Phillips said.
Brian Kennedy is a native of the Charlottesville, Virginia area and is a rising junior in political science at North Carolina Central University. He was recently elected vice-president of the NCCU Student Government Association. Brian qualifications could have easily gotten him into University of Virginia, or any university for that matter, but he chose only to apply to Howard University and NCCU.
Brian gave the lunch address in a session entitled, "Student Matters: Manifestations of the HBCU Experience." Brian was swamped with attention following the session but he took time later in the day to share the highlights of his talk in this video.
The Golden Bulls JUCO transfer, Terrell Barrett is a rugged 6-6/225 athletic player who has a Division-I body, possesses the ability to put it on the floor, post up and shoot from beyond the arc. The All-Panhandle conference player also made the conference All-Academic Team. Barrett originally signed with Gardner-Webb University out of high school, a NCAA Division I, Big South Conference program.
Johnson C. Smith's basketball overhaul has seven new parts.
The biggest prize in the class of seven signees is Providence High forward Terrance Hampton, who averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a senior. Hampton, 6-6, was the fourth Providence player to break the 1,000-point barrier with 1,115. He played in the Charlotte Pro-Am All-Star Classic and was named MVP in the Lindberg Moody Holiday Classic. Hampton also earned All-District honors from the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association. “We expect Hampton to be one of our instant contributors,” Golden Bulls coach Steve Joyner said in a statement. “He has good size, scoring ability, and awareness in the low post; he has the potential to be All-CIAA.”
JCSU recruited frontcourt help, adding Zachary O’Brien from Watchung Hills (N.J.) Regional High, Terrell Barrett of Farmville Central, Antwan Wilkerson of Western Guilford and Robert Williams of Sandy Creek (Ga.) High. The Bulls signed guards Richard Daniels from Winston-Salem Carver and Charlotte transfer Trevin Parks. Barrett (6-6, 225) is transferring from Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College, where he was all-conference for two consecutive seasons. He averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in his senior season at Farmville Central.
Fifteen contributors from Grambling State University lore – including Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams – have earned 2010 induction into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame.
This year’s honorees also include two-time American Football League all-star Garland Boyette, 400-game winning women’s college basketball coach Patricia Bibbs, hall of fame trainer Eugene “Doc” Harvey, 1950s-era basketball standout James Hooper, former Grambling school president Joseph B. Johnson, two-time NFL Pro Bowler Roosevelt Taylor, and former NFL rookie of the year Sammy White.
“There is such a legacy at Grambling,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Brown, part of last year’s inaugural Grambling Legends Hall of Fame class. “We have so many great athletes to come out of Grambling, and this is a way for those athletes to be recognized because of the things they have done.”
The second annual Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010, at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, LA.
The 2010 class is rounded out by Jerry Barr (former all-conference basketball honoree), Adolph Byrd (ex-football player and valued scout), Mary Currie (women’s basketball standout), Mackie Freeze (two-sport athlete and mentor of future Grambling stars as a high school football coach), Melvin Lee (two-way player on Grambling’s undefeated 1955 football team, then longtime offensive assistant), Jerry Robinson (two-time rushing leader) and Robert Williams (former Grambling baseball player).
Tickets are $60 each, and $500 for a table of eight, with all proceeds going to the non-profit Legends group for distribution in support athletics at Grambling. Tickets can be purchased at the Monroe Civic Center box office. Call 318-329-2837.
“It says a lot,” said Williams, who followed his standout playing career with a six-season stint as Grambling’s head coach that included three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships. “Grambling will always be home.”
A special reception is also scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2010, at the just-opened Eddie G. Robinson Museumon the Grambling campus. Robinson, the winningest coach in Division I college football history, was inducted into the Legends Hall during last summer’s inaugural event.
The Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame was founded by former NFL Pro Bowl MVP James “Shack” Harris, a four-time championship-winning Grambling quarterback from 1965-68, and a host of GSU greats who say they want to help ensure that their alma mater’s most storied athletic accomplishments are remembered into posterity.
“The Legends Hall of Fame provides the recognition and notoriety that should have come to those individuals who made great contributions to the university a long time ago,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Davis, also a previous inductee. “There’s nothing in life more gratifying than being recognized and honored for those things they did on the field.”
Expanded bios on this year’s Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame inductees:
JERRY BARR: Part of a 1958-59 squad that won 28 games in a row before falling to Lenoir Rhyne in the NAIA finals at Kansas City, Barr ultimately netted 1,656 career points. He was All-Midwest Conference honors during Grambling’s final season before joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference, then was NAIA All-America in 1958. Inducted into Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction in 1988.
GARLAND BOYETTE: Helped Grambling to its first-ever SWAC football championship in 1960, then earned first-team All-SWAC honors in 1961, as well as Little All-America honors as the Tigers won 17 games over his junior and senior seasons. An American Football League All-Star in 1968-69, Boyette played for the Houston Oilers from 1966-72, as well as NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals (1962-63), the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes (1964-65) and in the World Football League’s Houston Texans and Shreveport Steamer (1974-75). A versatile athlete, Boyette played guard, defensive end, outside linebacker, and middle linebacker. He even tried out for the 1960 Olympic U.S. decathlon team, but barely missed qualifying.
PATRICIA CAGE-BIBBS: Coached the women’s basketball team to six championships over a 13-year tenure at Grambling – including three over a four-year span that included the first-ever undefeated season in SWAC conference play. She has added six more league titles during subsequent stops at Hampton and North Carolina A&T. Bibbs just completed a record-breaking year with A&T, where she led the Lady Aggies to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s regular-season title with a 14-2 mark, then became the first HBCU (historically black college or university) to make it to the Sweet 16 of a Division I postseason event – advancing to the third round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. A SWAC Hall of Famer, Bibbs was inducted into Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction in 2008.
ADOLPH BYRD: Served as a tackle on Grambling’s 1940s teams before becoming one of the football program’s most important talent scouts in south Louisiana. Amongst the players he directed to GSU were Leroy Carter, Henry Davis, Henry Dyer and both Doug and Mike Williams. A football, track and basketball coach between 1950-66 at Baton Rouge’s McKinley High, Byrd was inducted into Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction in 1984.
MARY CURRIE: Finished her career at Grambling with 2,256 points and 905 rebounds over the 1983-87 seasons, averaging 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. A prolific shooter, Currie once scored 52 points in a single game for Grambling. She would become the first female player to score more than 2,000 points in a career at GSU, averaging 51.9 percent from the field and 74.8 percent from the free-throw line. Named All-America by Black College Sports Information Directors Association in 1986, she died at age 34 in 2000 after a bout with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
MACKIE FREEZE: A two-sport star who played football and, as a standout pitcher, helped Grambling win 120 of 137 baseball games over his final three college seasons. He signed a 1950 contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers before coaching at Richwood from 1954-67. There, he earned victory in 116 of 139 football games – including a run of 66 in a row – on the way to four consecutive state titles. Freeze sent guided scores of youth to Grambling, and had 11 players who were drafted or signed to pro football contracts.
Honorable Eugene "Doc" Harvey
EUGENE “DOC” HARVEY: A trainer for the Dodgers over four seasons in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Harvey subsequently served as Grambling’s trainer and physical therapist for 32 seasons, joining the staff in 1959. He then worked part time as a coordinator of sports medicine until last season, and continues to operate a private clinic. Harvey was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association’s Hall of Fame in 1986, and was the first African-American to be named to the Louisiana Trainers Hall of Fame, in 1982. He received NATA’s 50-Year Award in 2005.
JAMES HOOPER: Averaged 25 points per game in 1957, as Grambling entered the SWAC, and was named NAIA All-American 1958, then led the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1959 while averaging 29 points per game. “James Hooper Day” was proclaimed later that summer by then-Mayor W.P. Seiver, of Tallulah, LA, Hooper’s hometown. Inducted into the Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction in 1989, and named a starter on the Tigers’ all-time team in January 2010 by The Bleacher Report.
JOSEPH B. JOHNSON: A former basketball player, Johnson served as president at Grambling from 1978, when he succeeded Ralph W.E. Jones, until 1991. He earned the Thurgood Marshall Educational Achievement Award and Ebony’s American Black Achievement Award during a career that also included stops as an assistant to the president at the University of Colorado (1969-77) and Talladega College (1991-98). Johnson has been inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame and, in 1986, Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction.
MELVIN LEE: A quarterback of the offensive line at center and team captain on Grambling’s undefeated 1955 black college championship squad, Lee ultimately had an astonishing impact on future generations of young men as a 37-year offensive assistant coach to Eddie Robinson. Credited with perfecting the program’s fabled Wing-T offense that would contribute to a record-breaking 408 career wins for Robinson at Grambling.
JERRY ROBINSON: Nicknamed “Ghost,” Robinson was a two-time first-team all-conference halfback beginning in 1960 as Grambling won its first-ever SWAC title. He led all Grambling rushers over through 1962, gaining 1,300 yards. Robinson played in the Senior All-American Bowl, then joined the AFL’s San Diego Chargers where he claimed three championships on a team that included fellow Grambling Legends Hall of Famer Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd. Robinson held the school record for career touchdowns until Frank Lewis set a new mark in the early 1970s.
ROOSEVELT TAYLOR: Part of Grambling’s staggeringly talented SWAC championship defense in 1960 – the group boasted four future All-Pros – Taylor went on to lead the NFL with nine interceptions in 1963, on the way to 32 career picks. In 1968, he scored 6 TDs, including 96-yard interception return. Twice selected to the Pro Bowl, Taylor never missed a game in nearly nine seasons with the Chicago Bears and later appeared in Super Bowl VII with the Washington Redskins. He is a member of the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, and was named among The 50 Best Bears earlier this year by the Chicago Sun-Times.
SAMMY WHITE: A former three-time SWAC champion receiver and 11-year assistant football coach at Grambling, White won both football and basketball state titles in high school before twice being named all-conference (1973, ’75) as a wingback at Grambling. After college, White went on to become an integral part of a Minnesota team that reached the Super Bowl after the 1976 season, the 1977 NFC championship and then the divisional playoff round both a year later and in 1982. White was named All-Pro three times. He is also a member of the Louisiana Sports and SWAC halls of fame.
DOUG WILLIAMS: After winning two SWAC titles at Grambling from 1974-77, the Heisman Trophy finalist became a groundbreaker in the NFL as the first African-American quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. He’s still the only one to win the game, as Washington topped Denver after a record-smashing second-quarter performance by Williams, and still the only one to be named Super Bowl MVP. Previously, Williams led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL Championship Game, then later succeeded Eddie Robinson as coach at Grambling – winning a trio of league titles in 2000-02. He has been inducted into the Louisiana Sports and SWAC halls of fame and, in the 1985, to Grambling State University’s Gallery of Distinction.
ROBERT WILLIAMS: A standout pitcher as Grambling completed a run of four straight SWAC titles in 1960-64. Needing three wins for the 1963 crown and facing rival Southern in the final series, Williams started Games 1 and 3, and was the closer in Game 2 – and the junior won them all. The Tigers were also national runners up in the 1963-64 NAIA championship tournaments. Williams shone as a reliever in the ’63 tournament, and was approached about a contract by Gene Autry, then owner of the Los Angeles Angels. He ultimately signed with the Cleveland Indians, but his pro career was cut short by a rotator cuff injury in 1968. Elder brother of 2010 Legends inductee Doug Williams, who has always called Robert Williams his greatest inspiration.
OWINGS MILLS, MD – Baltimore Ravens rookie offensive tackle Ramon Harewood’s patience has been tested as he continues to recuperate from an injury to his right knee suffered last month during Mini-Camp. The sixth-round draft pick from Morehouse College incurred soft tissue damage. Although Harewood has returned to individual drills, he hasn’t been cleared medically for the passing camp.
“I feel a lot better,” Harewood said. “I have decent range of motion back. I can put weight on it now. We’re just waiting until it’s 100 percent. I don’t think it’s quite there yet.” The 6-foot-6, 341-pound Barbados native has been putting in extra time rehabilitating his knee and studying his playbook, remaining at the Ravens’ training complex until 5:30 p.m., every day to go over the plays with offensive line coaches John Matsko and Andy Moeller.
Harewood is the first NFL player from Barbados.
“It’s easy to learn it in the classroom,” said Harewood, an honors student at Morehouse. “It’s different under fire on the field. I guess that’s what the biggest setback for me. I’ve been in the books. I’m doing what I need to do. Right now, it’s a little bit of hard work and perseverance."
“Ramon Harewood is a huge man,” said Ravens director of college scouting Joe Hortiz. “He’s a giant. He can knock down his side of the line of scrimmage. He’s raw, and he needs a lot of developmental work with technique, but he’s got foot speed – he ran a 5.08 [40-yard dash] at his pro day. He’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s got the passion and drive to get better.”
See the incredible CNN story of Ramos Harewood, who came to Morehouse College on an academic scholarship, majoring in Engineering--having never played American football to becoming a 6th round NFL draft pick from the Division II, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Morehouse honors student.
San Francisco 49ers rookie cornerback Phillip Adams' four-year deal is worth $1.84 million and includes a $57,900 signing bonus, according to a league source. The seventh-round draft pick received minimum base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000. The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder was a first-team All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection at South Carolina State, leading the team as a senior with three interceptions. He returned two for touchdowns and tied for first in the conference with 11 pass deflections. As a junior, he tied for first in the conference with five interceptions and returned 11 punts for two touchdowns.
Adams Doing It All Now: Pratice, Study, eye on Mom...
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - There are the long, sweltering days sprinting and conditioning in the sunny yet cool Northern California climate. Just as much study time is spent behind closed doors studying a playbook as thick and in-depth as a dictionary. Through it all, time is always made to keep in touch with his mother back in the Palmetto State still recuperating from injuries suffered in an October car accident.
This is the daily grind post-South Carolina State football for San Francisco 49er rookie defensive back Phillip Adams. Since getting selected in the seventh round, the Rock Hill native has found himself balancing the NFL business with adjusting to the differences in time zone, location and personal responsibilities. "I'm just working hard, just trying to stay on top of my game and learn everything that I can learn," Adams said.
Hampton University's American and Collegiate Indoor record holder Francena McCorory, won her third NCAA National Championship title in the 400 meters on Friday. The senior All-American is from Bethel High School, Hampton, Virginia.
(photo by Mark Sutton)
EUGENE, Oregon – Hampton University senior Francena McCorory made her final collegiate track meet unforgettable, winning her third NCAA championship by outracing her competitors in the 400-meter dash late Friday night at famed Hayward Field.
McCorory ran a season-best time of 50.69 seconds to take her third title in the event – her first in the outdoor season. The Bethel High graduate also won the indoor 400 in 2009 with a 51.54, before repeating that title in March 2010, setting the American record with a 50.54. McCorory's title is also the fifth NCAA Division I crown in HU history; former Lady Pirate Yvette Lewis, who attended Denbigh High and then Menchville, won a pair of NCAA triple-jump titles, taking the indoor crown in 2006 and the outdoor title in 2007.
The Pirates sophomore sprinter Reggie Dixon ran a 10.39 in the 100-meter dash final to finish seventh. Jeff Demps of Florida won in 9.96. Dixon, from Plainfield, N.J., ran the seventh-fastest preliminary time in the 100-meter dash, turning in a 10.24 to advance to the final. The Hampton men's team finished the meet tied for 60th and the women's team was tied for 26th place with Georgia and Hawaii-Manoa.
Francena McCorory of Hampton Breaks the American and Collegiate Indoor Record with an amazing run of 50.54 at the 2010 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this year.
For only the second time in school history, Prairie View A&M University has earned the Barbara Jacket/Sadie Magee Award as the top overall women’s sports program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Prairie View A&M, who totaled 80.5 points, finished tied with Jackson State for the award. This past year, the women’s athletic programs at Prairie View boasted several solid performances highlighted by second place finishes in women’s basketball, bowling, soccer and outdoor track and field. The last time Prairie View A&M captured the award occurred during the 1984-85 athletic campaign.
“We’re always excited to see our student-athletes be successful in the classroom and on the playing field,” said Prairie View A&M University Athletic Director Fred Washington. “This award represents the hard work and dedication of our female sports and it was earned by our student-athletes, coaches and support staff as they represent the best of our Panther Spirit.”
“This award is well-deserved for our female student-athletes,” added Assistant Athletic Director for Female Sports Alicia Pete. “Our student-athletes carry their leadership and athleticism on and off the field. We would like to thank all faculty, staff and administrators for helping our female student- athletes achieve their accomplishment on their well-deserved award.”
NSU Spartans Dwight Fluker-Berry avoids North Carolina A&T State University tacklers.
NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State University has won its sixth straight Talmadge Layman Hill Award, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's all-sports trophy, the league announced. This marks the first time a MEAC men's program has won six straight all-sports awards since South Carolina State won 11 in a row from 1974-84. The Spartans tallied 70 points to win their seventh Talmadge Layman Hill Award overall, 15 points ahead of runner-up Delaware State. The Spartans first won the award in 2001.
Hampton University (74.5 points) won its ninth straight Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award, with NSU (68 points) finishing a close third. The Lady Pirate programs totaled 74.5 points, besting North Carolina A&T, which finished second with 68.5. Hampton won conference titles in women's basketball and outdoor track and field and finished runner-up in indoor track and field and women's tennis.
“Winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Trophy again is symbolic of Hampton University’s commitment to the welfare of our student-athletes by providing expert coaching, superb training and superior game and practice facilities,” said HU athletic director Lonza Hardy in a release.
5-10 junior forward Quanneisha Perry, from Decatur, Georgia Tower High School continues to make major contributions to the Lady Pirates basketball program.
Each winning school also receives $20,000, meaning NSU has totaled prize winnings of $145,000 over the past six years. Points are awarded in a descending order beginning with 12 points for championships or first-place finishes. Second-place teams get 10 points, third-place teams nine, and so on. Tied teams split the total points.
Highlighting the year for the Spartan men were three more running titles, one each in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. NSU became the first men's program to sweep the indoor and outdoor MEAC track championships in five consecutive years. The baseball and football teams placed third in the regular-season MEAC standings, and the men's basketball team finished fourth.
The women's teams were led by first-place finishes by the cross country and indoor track teams, and a second-place finish at the outdoor track and field championship. The Spartan bowling team also finished second in the regular-season Southern Division conference standings.
Grambling has been honored for its across-the-board achievements in the 2009-10 sports season. The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced on Tuesday that the GSU won the James Frank Award, an all-sports award that assigns points based on performance in each of the conference's 18 varsity sports. GSU's men's and women's sports teams combined for 150.5 points, beating second-place Jackson State, which finished with 143.5 points. Grambling also won the C.D. Henry (men's all-sports) Award. GSU had 71 points, beating out Arkansas-Pine Bluff (66.5) and Alabama State (64.0).
Neither award would have been possible without a late-season surge in men's spring sports. First, GSU won a conference title in men's outdoor track and field on May 2. The Tigers were led by Darwin Price, who captured an individual title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finished second in the 1,500-meter run, and finished third in the 800.
The "Little General" Avery Johnson, new head coach of the New Jersey Nets.
Former Southern University and A&M College star Avery Johnson has agreed to coach the NBA's worst team, the New Jersey Nets (12-70). The Nets announced on Thursday that they had reached an agreement in principle with Johnson, with the notice coming less than 24 hours after Johnson text messaged The Associated Press that he was going to become the team’s coach. Rod Thorn, president and general manager, refused to disclose details on the multiyear contract, but he said it should be signed in “a reasonable period of time.” A current ESPN analyst who coached Dallas for three-plus seasons, Johnson had a 194-70 regular-season coaching record and a 23-24 mark in the playoffs. He guided the Mavericks to the NBA finals in 2006, and was fired after a first-round playoff series loss to New Orleans in 2008. Johnson led the Mavericks to the postseason in each of his seasons as a head coach. He has the highest coaching winning percentage in NBA history and set the record for reaching the 150-win plateau the fastest (191 games). In 2005-06, Johnson led the Mavericks to their first ever appearance in the NBA finals en route to earning NBA Coach of the Year honors.
The Baltimore Orioles chose center fielder Jeremy Shelby,Grambling State University with pick number 1,138, 38th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. The 6’3, 180 pound senior helped lead the Tigers to the SWAC tournament title and an NCAA berth in 2010. Shelby hit .354 with 6 home runs and 39 RBI while stealing 20 bases. Shelby is the son of former Baltimore Orioles, Dodgers and Tigers center fielder John Shelby.
In the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, 35th round, pitcher Cody Hall, Southern Universitywas selected by the Detroit Tigers with pick number 1,063 overall. The 6’4, 230 pound Hall is a junior and a former Baton Rouge Community College and Central High player. The hard throwing right-hander Hall was 2-2 with a 5.84 earned run average in 20 relief appearances for the Jaguars.
RikiahGatlin has transferred to Savannah State University from University of Miami (FL). Gatlin has been attending classes at SSU since January 2010 and should be eligible to play for the Lady Tigers in December. The 6-2 sophomore center is a native of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Christian County High School. Gatlin is a four time high school letter winner in basketball, three time in track and field (shot put) and twice in volleyball.
Delaware State University softball standout Jordan Reid has been selected to compete for a major Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) team this summer. Reid has earned a spot on the nationally recognized Storm USA fastpitch squad of Corona, California. Storm USA is considered one of the top amateur teams in the nation. he selection is the latest honor for Reid, who was named the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player-of-the-Year last month. The junior outfielder was also selected to the 2010 Louisville Slugger All Mid-Atlantic team. A native of Accokeek, (Prince George's County)Maryland, Reid was tops in the MEAC, and ninth among all NCAA Division I players, with a .457 batting average during the 2010 regular season. She also led the MEAC in on-base percentage this season (.500). In addition, Reid was 24th in the nation in runs per game (1.0 pg) and 47th in stolen bases (0.51 pg) during the regular year.
Mississippi State women's basketball coach Sharon Fanning-Otis announced Tuesday the hiring of Wanika Owsley to the staff as an assistant coach. Owsley comes to Mississippi State after a one-year stint at Morgan State University where she helped lead the Lady Bears to a 22-13 record and a school-best third-place finish in the MEAC conference. Prior to her stint at Morgan State, Owsley spent three years as the top assistant at Jefferson (Mo.) Community College, going 97-9 during that span. Owsley recruited one national junior college player of the year and four All-Americans. Two of the teams were academic teams of the year which included six academic All-Americans. As a player at Southeast Missouri State, Owsley helped the Redhawks to a 46-16 overall record and their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance during her senior season. Owsley is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana.
From the NFLNiners Nation Blog: What they are saying about Florida A&M University's LeRoy Vann....Will LeRoy Vann make the active roster? | Calling It: N/A | Vann is the "flavor of the month" here at Niners Nation, drawing a following much like Thomas Clayton and Brit Miller. I'll admit, his chances weren't looking good until Singletary stated that 3-to-4 spots would likely be open for special teamers, not counting kickers. It doesn't hurt that Vann also has exceeded expectations as a cornerback in OTAs. Has a decent chance, in my mind.
Michael Merritt, head track and field/cross-country coach at Howard University for the past 10 years, has announced his retirement from coaching. It’s been an unbelievable run,” says Merritt. “When you first take a job you never think of things like years, wins or championships. But then, at the end, you look back and feel good.” Merritt has a lot to feel good about. In his 10 seasons at Howard he was instrumental in the development of David Oliver, Lauren McNary and Landria Buckley. Merritt won three MEAC women's cross-country championships (2002, 2003, 2005) and coached three MEAC individual cross-country champions while earning MEAC cross-country Coach of the Year honors.
Hampton University's sophomore women's basketball swing player, Jasmine (Jazz) Williams-Hayes from Yorktown, Virginia has transferred to Division II, Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. The 5-9 guard will join first year head coach Kate Glusko's 27-5 squad that ended the year ranked 20th nationally and made the program's third consecutive NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance. The former Grafton High School star saw limited action as a Lady Pirate freshman--10 games--for the 20-12 MEAC Tournament Champions, who advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's National Tournament. Jazz will play for the Patriots this fall, who returns eight letter winners.
2010 Major League Baseball draft -- CIAA, MEAC, SWAC selections..
Virginia State University John Bivens was taken in the 12th round (at #369 overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers. Bivens batted .293 for VSU with five triples, five homers, 33 RBI and 16 steals.
Florida A&M's Derrick Shaw, selected by the Brewers in the 41st round, based on his season stats of 45 runs, 36 RBI, 11 doubles and 67 hits with a .411 average.
Bethune-Cookman's junior relieverJuan Perez selected at 560 in the 18th round for the Colorado Rockies. Perez notched a school-record 10 saves in a season. He also batted .347 with 13 doubles and 34 RBI, while tallying 68 putouts and 111 assists at second base.
Burch Smith, Howard -- taken by Cleveland (20th round -- #600)
Cody Hall, Southern -- selected by Detroit (35th -- #1063)
Jeremy Shelby, Grambling -- taken by Baltimore (38th -- #1138)
Ronald Barnes, Howard-- Tampa Bay (48th -- #1451).
Florida A&M University LeRoy Vann is attempting to make the 49'ers roster as an undrafted free agent.
Delta Devils coach Sean Woods has signed the #1 ranked class in the MEAC/SWAC for 2010-11. Woods has complied a record 16-48 over his first two seasons including 24 money games scheduled at the other guy's arena.
Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils basketball coach Sean Woods wrapped up an already impressive signing class with a bang by inking former East Mississippi Community College standout Rodricko "CoCo" Ware. Ware, a 2009-2010 National Junior College Athletic Association All-American first-team selection, ranked among the national leaders in scoring with 19.4 points per game and steals (2.5 spg) for the second straight year. The 6-foot-1 guard helped spark the 27-7 Lions to their school-first NJCAA Tournament appearance after claiming the NJCAA Region 23 championship and capturing the North Division regular-season crown and state runners-up.
Having started all 62 games of his community college career in helping the Lions to a 44-18 record the past two years, Ware totaled 1,196 career points (19.3 ppg), 382 rebounds (6.2 rpg), 168 steals (2.7 spg) and 120 assists (1.9 apg). Ware joins earlier signees Falando Jones (Mississippi Delta Community College/Greenwood), Jerome Harris (Spoon River Community College/Collins (Ill.) HS and Paul Crosby (Navarro Junior College/Holt (Mich.) HS). Valley returns four starters led by Shannon Behling, who averaged 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Warning: You may want to turn your speakers off! Music may be inappropriate for most viewers! Coco Ware is #23.
Ware chose MVSU over Howard University and Alcorn State University, and his scoring prowess will give the Delta Devils a boost in returning to their Southwest Athletic Conference Tournament winning form of 2008. "CoCo Ware is a great addition to the MVSU program," Woods said. " He brings a wealth of basketball experience and athleticism that will fit in well with our style of basketball."
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — There have been doubts about Avery Johnson at every level in his NBA career. Some felt he wasn’t good enough to be a player. Others said the Spurs would never win a title with him at the point guard, and there were many who felt he didn’t have the characteristics or the experience needed to be an NBA head coach. All Johnson, a former Southern University standout, did was play 16 years in the league, win a ring with San Antonio and post the NBA’s all-time coaching record in 3 1/2 years with the Dallas Mavericks.
