The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and HBCUAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Hillary Clinton speaks to Nashville voters at Tennessee State University
CONTINUE READING AND VIEW THE VIDEO REPORT FROM TSU BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.
The message here is get out and hear all the candidates, decide who you are going to support, and go VOTE! This was probably the first time some citizens in the Nashville region visited the Tennessee State University campus. Great job TSU in hosting this event.
Now, back to MEAC/SWAC sports...
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
WSSU glad NCA&T rivalry being revived
Senior forward Darrell Wonge is playing his best basketball at the right time and will have to be at his best again to help Winston-Salem State defeat rival N.C. A&T today. Tipoff will be at 4 p.m. at the Corbett Center in Greensboro.
“I heard a lot about the rivalry, and I was at both of the football games when we played A&T the last two years,” said Wonge, who scored a career-high 30 points Monday in a 64-62 loss to Hampton. “I like it. It feels like a Carolina-Duke thing, only a smaller version.”
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Saturday's contest will mark the first contest between the two teams in 10 years as the last meeting between the two storied programs came during the 1997-98 season in a contest that the Aggies won in Winston-Salem, NC by the score of 68-66. The two teams are no stranger to one another as they played annually during the late 80's and early 90's. The Rams will meet the Aggies on Saturday for the first time as a Division I program.
The Rams and Aggies have met 63 times in history with the all-time series slanted in favor of the Rams 35-28.
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SU Jaguars to face Alabama A&M
The Southern men’s basketball team (6-11, 4-2 SWAC) has three consecutive home games, beginning tonight, when Alabama A&M (4-11, 1-4) visits at 4 p.m. today at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Still ahead: SWAC-leading Alabama State (8-7, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Monday in a game that will be televised on ESPNU and Alcorn State (3-16, 2-4) at 4 p.m. a week from today. SU is then idle on Monday, Feb. 4.
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Juco QB oozing confidence at Jackson State
"He's an excellent quarterback," Onyiuke said. "We went to the (conference) championship and he took us there. He's got a strong arm. He can throw at least 60 yards on one knee. He makes good decisions with the ball when it's needed." It doesn't take much of a conversation with McKenna, who has signed and is taking classes at JSU, to see where Onyiuke got that feeling.
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MEAC/SWAC sports clipboard
1. Fort Pierce Central graduate and former Florida A&M star Terry Beauford has signed on to become the offensive line coach at Hampton University under new coach Jerry Holmes. Beauford had led the offensive line at Hampton for five years before spending two seasons as the head football coach at Morehouse College.
Beauford was a dominating lineman for the Cobras during the 1980s and was a two-time All-American at FAMU before being taken in the seventh round of the 1991 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played for the Green Bay Packers for 1 1/2 years after being waived by the Chargers. Beauford also spent time in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League before getting into coaching.
2. North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University are both on the 12 game 2008 schedule for Coastal Carolina University. The Chanticleers are in their seventh football season and will open their schedule at FBC Penn State. This will be Coastal Carolina first ever game against a football bowl championship team. They will play at North Carolina A&T on September 27 and host North Carolina Central on October 18. The Chanticleers finished '07 with a 5-6 record, which included a victory over Winston Salem State and a loss to Delaware State.
3. Morgan State University is scheduled to play Towson University of the Colonial Athletic Conference in the Tigers home opener on September 6, 2008. This will be the 21st meeting between the Baltimore area rivals. Towson of the CAA is playing a 12 game schedule in '08 and will open with their first ever FBC game at the U.S. Naval Academy on Aug 30.
4. Coppin State University athlete, Natoya Baird, a product from Zenith, Tobago continued her impressive early season form with a silver medal at the New York City Gothham Cup. Baird just missed another gold medal when she cleared the bar at 1.70 metres, the same height as the winner, Brenna Militello, from the University of Alabama. However, Militello was declared the winner because she cleared the bar in her first attempt.
Baird was also in ripping form at the Winter Invitational in Delaware on January 13. She was a member of the double gold elite club, winning the high jump with a 1.65m jump and capturing gold in the 110 metre hurdles final in 9.28 seconds.
5. Cuquie Melville, Delaware State University won a bronze medal in the 500m, with a 16.16 seconds clocking at the Purple Tiger Indoor Meet at LSU last Sunday.
6. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has become the first Historical Black College and the 20th university accredited by PGA of America to offer their Professional Golf Management Program. The PGA/PGM University Program is a 4½-year structured college curriculum for aspiring PGA Professionals. The educational program is accredited by The PGA of America and includes extensive classroom studies, internship experience and player development providing students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the golf industry.
7. The Southern University and Bethune-Cookman University baseball teams, along with USC and USC will take part in the Urban Invitational Feb. 29-March 2.
The Feb. 29 schedule has Bethune-Cookman at Southern Cal and Southern at UCLA, both at 6 p.m. On March 1 at the Urban Youth Academy, UCLA plays Bethune-Cookman at 5 p.m. and USC takes on Southern at 8. UCLA is at USC and Southern faces Bethune-Cookman at the academy on the Compton College campus March 2. Both have 1 p.m. starts.
8. The sixth annual Bethune-Cookman University Alumni Baseball Game has been set for Feb. 16, the school announced. The game will be held at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with a home run derby and the game will begin at 1 p.m. The 2008 Wildcats, coming off back-to-back Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship seasons, will open the year Feb. 22 at home against Temple University.
9. While the Bethune-Cookman University women's basketball team has been struggling lately, one player who has been excelling is freshman guard Demetria Frank. The 5-foot-9 Miami native had a strong performance Monday in the Wildcats' 54-52 loss to Morgan State. Frank scored 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Frank has scored in double-figures in four of her last five games, and for the season is averaging 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds.
10. The Prairie View A&M women's team is the only undefeated team in conference play at 5-0. The Lady Panthers are the defending SWAC champions and are coached by Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, a former WNBA Player of the Year. Before Cooper-Dyke's arrival three years ago, Prairie View was a perennial last-place finisher in the standings.
-Compiled by beepbeep
Savannah State bouncing back
The non-national news.
Three days later, Savannah State went to Bethune-Cookman and prevailed 50-36 for its third road victory this season (tripling last season's away-from-home output). "We have to keep striving," said Broadnax, whose Tigers, playing as a Division I independent, are 10-14 in his third season. "We play these money games against powerful programs and it benefits our entire athletic program. There's a reality to it.
"We fight and scrap, but our margin for error is zero. Would it really have been a big deal to score five points instead of four at Kansas State? Yeah, we're not in the record books, but you still get your head handed to you. So you've got to maintain some perspective. I'm always looking at how we fight, how we respond."
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South Carolina State to host 15 football recruits today
A larger, more heralded group of high school seniors are making a football recruiting trip to South Carolina State University this weekend.
A total of 15 prospective recruits will tour the campus and meet with the Bulldog coaching staff who find themselves -- in a couple of cases -- competing against Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the Carolinas. One of those recruits, running back Martin Ward (5-10, 190 lbs.) out of Mount Zion High School, had the University of South Carolina atop his list of college choices after decommitting from the University of Georgia.
CONTINUE READING ABOUT THE BULLDOGS LIST OF PROSPECTS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.
UMES freshman Chena Parker has risen from the bottom of the depth chart
"I saw early on, when she first came in for individual workouts, that she was something special," Batchelor said. "I saw some unique characteristics as far as her soft hands and her touch, but she wasn't quite ready for the defensive end, the transition, the speed of the game.
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Boubacar Coly’s effort fuels Morgan State Bears
BALTIMORE - After consulting with family and Amadou Gallo Fall, the director of scouting for the Dallas Mavericks who found 6-foot-9, 220-pounder in Ziguinchor, Senegal, Boubacar Coly transferred to Morgan State. “I needed a second chance,” Coly said. “Coach Bozeman has been given his second chance and he understood more than anyone else.”
This year, he’s playing like one of the best centers in the country, as he’s led the Bears to a 9-8 record and second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at 4-1. Coly is averaging 9.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, which is 10th-most in Division I. His 2.6 blocks per game rank 9th in major college basketball.
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Morgan State (9-8, 4-1 MEAC) is tied for second in the MEAC thanks in part to the play of forwards Marquise Kately, junior (California) and Boubacar Coly, senior (Xavier); Combined points: 22.1. Combined rebounds: 16.
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DSU Hornets head to Florida looking for momentum
Trip includes stop at nemesis FAMU
DOVER -- Delaware State's men's basketball team lost two conference games last season. On Jan. 27, 2007, DSU lost at Florida A&M 73-69. Less than two months later, those same Rattlers beat the Hornets at the buzzer 58-56 to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
DSU, coming off Monday's 63-61 home loss to North Carolina A&T, begins a two-game trip to Florida today with a 4 p.m. start at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach. On Monday, the Hornets take on Florida A&M at Tallahassee at 7:30 p.m. DSU hopes to emerge with two wins and momentum.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
Fallen FAMU Rattler continues to inspire greatness: Willie B. Newman, MD, JD
Born of humble beginnings, Willie Newman, M.D., J.D., knows the rags-to-riches story. He’s lived it – and he’s never forgotten it. It shapes his perceptions, his view of the world, and the way he practices medicine and lives life. From the time he was an adolescent, Dr. Newman faced adversity head-on, dispelled racial stereotypes, and overcame exceedingly great odds and obstacles to become one of the most respected, most trusted, most influential, and most sought-after OB/GYNs in Seminole County.
When others laughed at his aspirations, he chose to listen to the few who encouraged him. When racial myths threatened to prevent him from living his dream, he worked even harder to dispel them. From the time he was a boy, he knew where he was headed –and each day solidified his desire, furthered his drive.
Practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Seminole County (Sanford, Florida) since the early 1980s, Dr. Newman has played key roles in shaping the community’s obstetric services, establishing pivotal programs in high schools, clinics, and jails, and he’s become a hero and a friend to thousands of women and their families. He’s delivered more than 10,000 babies, watching as they took their first breath, smiling as they entered the world.
But on March 21, 2007, Dr. Newman received the news that would cause him to leave the office, to take a hiatus from doing what he loved best. “That day,” he says, “is a day of infamy.” That day, he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma – an extremely rare form of cancer affecting the bilary ducts inside the liver; it’s estimated that less than 2,500 cases of cholangiocarcinoma occur in the United States each year. The prognosis for these patients tends to be poor – many aren’t candidates for surgery, forcing them to face the reality that they may have less than six months left to live. But those who are candidates for surgery may get a second chance. Dr. Newman’s still waiting to find out which side of the fence he lands in – but he’s not too worried about it.
“Right now, I feel pretty darn good,” he says. “I say the serenity prayer – God grant me” the patience to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
In the beginning
Segregation was the law of the land. Born and raised in Sanford, Dr. Newman quickly learned which drinking fountains he could use, which hospital ward was for the “colored” patients, which restrooms he was allowed to use. As an African American, he couldn’t enter stores without an invitation from the owner, and he couldn’t eat in restaurants – in those days, African Americans only ordered take-out from a section in back. For Dr. Newman, though, the latter two restrictions didn’t really matter; born to poor, migrant farm workers, his big treat always came on Friday – the day his mother would bring him a box of Animal Crackers. It made all the hard work that week worth it.
Since the tender age of 7, Dr. Newman’s worked hard – delivering papers, working as a launderer, holding a position at a pool hall in a “less-than-stellar part of town,” picking oranges, and taking advantage of other odd jobs he could find.
“You do what you have to do,” he explains. “In poverty, there are lots of opportunities in agriculture. We called it ‘piecework.’ What you pick, you get paid for – in big families, that’s how you fed yourself. I was exposed to germicide, pesticide, you name it.”
Those were tough times, he recalls. He had a 10-digit family number with his welfare card, and his family relied on Medicaid and food stamps – for a while, he figured it was the norm. It made success seem impractical.
But throughout the years, in spite of the daily labor and struggles, Dr. Newman still managed to fit in education – his mother never let him forget: “education is the key.” It’s still his mantra. His mother had an eighth-grade education; his father had no formal schooling.
“Education is the backbone,” Dr. Newman says. “Reading and writing are commodities we take for granted. It made my choices easier – do you want this life or something else?” He wanted something else.
Inspirations
As a child, Dr. Newman knew the doctor’s office well. Suffering from asthma until age 12, Dr. Newman grew quite close to his family doctor, Edward Epstein, M.D., through multiple visits to his office and the emergency room. Over the years, Dr. Epstein served as a role model, a mentor, and a friend – eventually, his words and inspirations would bring Dr. Newman back home to Seminole County to serve the community that needed him so much.
Yet even during adolescence, Dr. Newman heard his calling, as key inspirations pointed him toward a career in medicine, specifically in obstetrics. He still recalls a teacher in elementary school who died during childbirth. Perhaps if she had better care, he thought, she may not have died.
And because of the poverty he knew too well, Dr. Newman knew he wanted a better life.
“Being a doctor was better than being an alcoholic or a day laborer – those were the things I was exposed to in my neighborhood,” he says. “I got to see very poor, non-influential people, and I got to see those of modest means, those who contributed to society. I chose all the things to get into because of the things I didn’t want to get into.”
He wanted to run from the incurables – things like cancer, which he considers somewhat ironic after his recent diagnosis. Combining obstetrics and gynecology, however, would result in mostly happy, smiling patients, trusting relationships, and positive outcomes, he believed.
And then his choice was solidified – twice, actually, in the same year.
It was during his undergraduate years at Florida State University. He remembers the vivid details of the defining moment in 1975 – the day he performed his first delivery. It was a surprise, really. He was doing an externship with a family physician and, one day, they headed to the hospital; Dr. Newman had no idea why. Once they arrived, they entered the delivery room.
“I’d never seen a delivery done before, never imagined what one would be like,” he remembers. He followed the physician’s lead, scrubbed up, went through some doors, and saw a lady positioned in stirrups, clearly in labor. “Words can’t describe my fear and terror at that moment!” he says.
So, with his mask half-off and hat tilted, Dr. Newman carefully followed the physician’s instructions, grasping the newborn, trying desperately not to drop it.
“I remember that moment – the smile extended beyond my mask. I remember the feeling –I was covered in Goosebumps. It was an amazing moment. I had to do this,” Dr. Newman recalls.
That same year, another experience cemented Dr. Newman’s aspirations. He went with a friend, who was attending Tulane Medical School, to the home of an obstetrician in New Orleans. The physician was hospitable, outgoing, and humorous – he seemed so happy with his life, his family, his career. He served as a mentor for the day, greatly impacting Dr. Newman’s decision to pursue obstetrics. But there was another thing that caught his eye, too.
“I saw his house,” Dr. Newman explains. “My friend and I both looked at each other –‘we need to have this.’ It was on the lake, one of the biggest houses I’d ever seen.” It was a different world than the one he grew up in.
PLEASE, CONTINUE READING THIS INSPIRING STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.
The late Dr. Newman was a lifelong family friend. His life and his accomplishments are a true testimony that African-Americans can overcome ALL adversity.
He never lost his desire to learn and to help others. Dr. Newman was one of the first Seminole County doctors to push for improving infant-mortality rates. He also worked with the Seminole County Health Department and provided prenatal care for indigent women.
His career became his life. December 1984 especially stands out in his mind – he delivered nearly 70 babies that month. He specifically remembers going to the hospital one Saturday night – and leaving the next Sunday, eight days later.
Newman served as a consultant and also gave free advice to friends. His constant educational pursuits served as a motivator for his children. Dr. Newman’s practiced both medicine and law, focusing his legal work primarily on contract, healthcare, and family law. “In the best of times and in the worst of times, knowledge is key,” he says.
His daughter, Courtney Newman, graduated from Boston University and is a psychiatric rehab counselor in Atlanta; his oldest son, William "Chris" Newman, is set to graduate from Harvard in June and has been accepted to the University of Florida School of Medicine; and his youngest son, Nicholas, is a ninth-grader in the pre-IB program at Seminole High.
"He started law school just to pass the time while waiting to deliver babies," said his wife, Dr. Joetta Bishop Newman. "Learning was something that he just really enjoyed doing."
"His children and his family meant everything to him. It was the reason for everything he did," Dr. Joetta Newman said. "Even the things he did for the community was ultimately his way to teach his kids that they have a responsibility to give back to the community and to be better people. That was his top priority."
Dr. Willie B. Newman passed away on January 13, 2008, at age 53.
He is survived by his children and lovely wife, Dr. Joetta Bishop Newman; and his sister, Nancy Newman of Lake Mary, Florida.
Well Done, Thy Good and Faithful Servant!
Footnote: Dr. George Stark, who served as an early mentor to Dr. Newman was a pioneering African-American physician and graduate of Howard University Medical School.
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Jacksonville Jam settles with players, coaches
The minor-league team hadn't been paid this season, Gillespie says.
The Jacksonville Jam will play on, as players and coaches for the Premier Basketball League team reached an agreement with owner Felix Krupczynski on Thursday to continue their season.
According to head coach Mike Gillespie, players and coaches received a partial salary payment, their first of the season. Gillespie said the team had played without pay since official practices began Dec. 15.
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We really don't like to see this type of situation happening to players and coaches of so-called professional leagues. Where was the PBL Commissioner, former NBA star and TNT analyst Kenny Smith in the resolution of this important matter?
The fallout of this mess is former Florida A&M University player and starting point guard Tony Tate decided to leave the Jam. Forward Napoleon Rhodes also decided to leave due to this payment issue. All work and no pay is not a good situation.
Former FAMU players Brian Greene, forward and Terrence Woods, guard will remain with Gillespie and the team. Clear case of breach of contract by the Jam owners and the PBL.
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Son of ex-NBA/Alcorn State guard, Phelps now a headline act
Man, have times ever changed.
Michael Phelps, the former Vicksburg High and Alcorn State star and NBA guard, is no longer the most-recognized basketball star in his own family. Not that it bothers him even a little bit. "Just watching him play, putting the team on his shoulders and doing whatever it takes kinds of puts me back in those days," Michael said. "But one of the reasons we named him Jonathan was because we wanted him to have his own identity,"
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Schools like Alcorn, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Grambling and Western Kentucky have shown interest in Phelps, who may play for a junior college next season.
Jackson State releases '08 football schedule
The Jackson State football program has released its 2008 tentative football schedule - highlighted by home games against Southern, Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M. The Council of Presidents voted to change to a seven-game schedule where schools will play each team within their division and rotate three games against teams in the opposing division.
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JSU 2008 football schedule:
Aug. 30 - at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 - Stillman College, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13 - at Tennessee State at Memphis, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 - at Grambling State, TBA
Oct. 4 - Southern, 3 p.m.
Oct. 11 - at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 4 p.m.
Oct. 18 - at Texas Southern, TBA
Oct. 25 - Mississippi Valley State, 3 p.m.
Nov. 8 - at Alabama State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 - Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
Nov. 22 - Alcorn State, TBA, 3 p.m.
Dec. 13 - SWAC Championship at Birmingham, TBA.
Southern University picks up two commitments
Southern University’s football team took a significant step toward addressing two of its more pressing needs for this year’s recruiting class. The Jaguars picked up commitments from defensive back Tim Berry of West Feliciana and offensive guard Rodney Ewing of Independence (Kan.) Community College.
Ewing finished his final season at Independence Community College after opening his career at Butler (Kan.) Community College. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder played tight end and offensive guard and was an all-state selection in track at Junction City (Kan.) High but signed with Butler after receiving no Division I-A scholarship offers.
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Ewing, chose Southern over East Carolina and Southeastern Louisiana. Ewing said he also has an offer from North Alabama where he plans to visit this weekend. His ICC team was 2-7 this past season.
Hampton U. to finish '08 football season against FAMU
Could Hampton University's hopes of a fourth Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in five seasons hinge on a win against Florida A&M and former Pirates coach Joe Taylor? That's possible by the looks of Hampton's 2008 schedule, released Thursday.
The Pirates close their regular season Nov. 15 against FAMU in Tallahassee.
"Not looking over all of the other games, but the last game against Florida A&M is going to be a very good game,"Coach Jerry Holmes said. "I know that when the team looks at the schedule, the first thing they are going to look for is to see when we play Florida A&M because they want to square off against Coach Taylor and some of the other former coaches."
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2008 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 Virginia Union
Sept. 06 at Southern Illinois
Sept. 13 Howard
Sept. 20 North Carolina A&T
Sept. 27 at Morgan State
Oct. 04 at Delaware State
Oct. 18 Norfolk State
Oct. 25 at South Carolina State
Nov. 01 Winston Salem State (homecoming)
Nov. 08 Bethune Cookman
Nov. 15 at Florida A&M
Borrowed instruments allow NCCU band to compete in Atlanta
DURHAM - The band will play on. By the time you read this, N.C. Central University's marching band and more than a dozen borrowed instruments will be well on the way to Atlanta for the prestigious Battle of the Bands, an invitational showcase for marching bands from historically black colleges and universities.
The band was scheduled to load up the bus this morning at 3 and head south. Its ability to perform came into question last week with the discovery that more than a dozen instruments -- including 14 massive sousaphones -- had been stolen from the band room in two break-ins in November and December. Since then, band officials worked to rescue the excursion with instruments borrowed from various sources.
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Winston Salem State games are back on radio
“There was some confusion, and that’s all been cleared up,” said Aaron Singleton, the director of news and media relations at WSSU. “They are going to be paid and will be back on the air.”
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Shameful! Shameful! Shameful! What's to get confused over--you either prepared a pay check for the hired contractors, or you did not. This is six transistor radio stuff, which may shed some light on why most HBCU and MEAC basketball games are not broadcasted over the Internet or by satellite radio services. No pay--no services is the American way.
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MEAC/SWAC Basketball latest RPI rankings
This is the official list of rankings, as released by the NCAA for games through January 20, 2008.
The RPI is derived from three component factors: Div. I winning percentage (25)%, schedule strength (50)%; and opponent's schedule strength (25)%. Games against non-Division I opponents are not used in calculating the RPI. Beginning with the 2004-05 season, road wins are weighed at 1.4; road losses at .6; home wins at .6; and home losses at 1.4. Neutral-site games are valued at 1.0. The NCAA provides only rankings without calculations.
CLICK ON BLOG TOPIC TO SEE ENTIRE NCAA RPI LISTING.
Hampton University has the highest RPI ranking of all the historical black colleges and universities, with a rank of #99. The teams that are ranked above and below the HU Pirates are #98 Davidson College, SoCon and #100 Western Kentucky, Sun Belt, respectively.
Grambling State University, SWAC is currently the lowest ranked HBCU at #336; however, North Florida, NJIT, Kennesaw State, Jacksonville State and Eastern Illinois are the bottom five in the RPI rankings.
Independents, Savannah State University is ranked at #249 and North Carolina Central University is at #291.
Tennessee State University, OVC is holding a ranking at #251.
The complete rankings of the HBCUs to January 20, are as follows :
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
#99, Hampton
#163 North Carolina A&T
#168 Delaware State
#199 Morgan State
#226 Florida A&M
#243 Coppin State
#283 South Carolina State
#299 Bethune-Cookman
#309 Howard
#314 Winston Salem* (playing MEAC schedule)
#317 Norfolk State
#334 Maryland Eastern Shore
HBCU Independents
#249 Savannah State
#291 North Carolina Central
#314 Winston Salem State*
Ohio Valley Conference
#251 Tennessee State University
Southwestern Athletic Conference
#239 Southern University
#262 Mississippi Valley State
#265 Alabama State
#281 Arkansas Pine Bluff
#289 Jackson State
#304 Texas Southern
#307 Prairie View A&M
#333 Alabama A&M
#335 Alcorn State
#336 Grambling
There are two ways to interpret this data--take it as a grain of salt or blow your own horn until you get beat by the team with a lesser RPI ranking.
-Compiled by beepbeep
Thursday, January 24, 2008
South Carolina State University hoops adds commitment
A graduate of North Charleston High School, Smalls is averaging 19 points, 5.33 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.93 steals per game for the 16-1 Bears, who are ranked fourth in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll.
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Two Defenders and Star RB make Verbal Commitments to NSU
NORFOLK - A pair of defensive players from Indian River High School made verbal commitments to Norfolk State on Wednesday. First-team All-Tidewater defensive end Terrence Pugh and outside linebacker Frank Clemmons said they will play for the Spartans this fall.
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NSU has struck gold in the commitment of Central Virginia's all-time rushing leader, Takeem Hedgeman, Monticello High School (Virginia) star running back. He is a 5-10, 195-pounder with speed, durability and great vision. (See Takeem profile below and view his highlights video.
WARNING: This posted video has offensive Rap music lyrics and you should TURN OFF your computer speakers if you do not want to hear the negativeness and profanity in the audio. The audio/video highlights were prepared and distributed by the player and his advisers and is not the product of MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street, Norfolk State University, the MEAC and The Virginian-Pilot. This audio is highly offensive to some listeners and to children. So, just turn off the music/audio!!
The player's video highlights are awesome.
Video Hightlights-- Running back Takeem Hedgeman, 8 minutes 30 sec.
Norfolk State pipeline is doing a great job in getting information out to the press on their football commitments. If you have noticed, only a few schools have allowed their commitments to speak with the press, alerting us who is on the radar for the respective programs. However, some in the MEAC are silent on this issue until National Signing Day, February 6.
So far, here are the commitments and transfers the have been documented for NSU Spartans:
1. Michael Alphonse LB 6-0 233 Miami, FL (Rivals 1 star)- Transfer from Akron
2. Dennis Brown QB 6-3 196 Miami, FL (Rivals 2 stars)- Transfer from UConn
3. Devon Lesesne OL 6-2 313 5.2 - Washington, D.C.
4. Marquis Cuffee DB 5-10 170 4.55 Virginia Beach, VA
5. Eric Hitch FB/LB 6-2 235 4.75 Virginia Beach, VA
6. Marcus Cooperwood 5-foot-10 175 4.6 Hampton, VA
7. Joey Christine, 6-2/300 OL/DL, Stephen City, VA
8. Blake Matthews, 6-4/295 OT, Manassas, VA
9. Terrence Pugh, 6-4/205 OLB, Chesapeake, VA
10.Frank Clemmons, 6-3/210 LB, Chesapeake, VA
11. Takeem Hedgeman, 5-10/195, Charlottesville, Virginia
Takeem Hedgeman, a.k.a. "The Dream," a.k.a. "Sonic," finished the 2007 season with 400 carries for 2,992 yards and a state-record 51 touchdowns. He holds two VHSL state football records -- 51 touchdowns in a season; and 310 points scored. Hedgeman is said to be a patient, smooth, durable running back and is Central Virginia's all-time rushing leader. He has Division I football talent and the speed to run away from tacklers as showed on the highlight video.
Norfolk State was selected over offers from Hampton University and Rhode Island.
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Hampton University Langford brings excitement to Senior Bowl practice
Senior Bowl Update, Mobile, AL:
The practice had a little extra excitement when a fight broke out between defensive lineman Kendall Langford, Hampton University, and 332-pound offensive lineman Heath Benedict of Newberry College. Action on the field stopped and their teammates watched, with no one stepping in to break it up. It didn't last long and both were wise enough not to take off their helmets.
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Photo: Heath Benedict, Newberry College/Tennessee, 6-6/335 OL.
This would be a rumble of major proportion--we'll take Langford in two rounds to drop the 335 pound tackle.
A Howard Bison's fast track to the Super Bowl
How was it that, he, Geoff Pope, cornerback from Howard University, undrafted by every NFL team, cast away by the worst club in the league, told years ago by the football coach at Eastern Michigan that he wasn't even good enough to play there, wound up on the New York Giants? On the field? Going to the Super Bowl?
"It's certainly a rush," Pope said that evening as he sat in a Starbucks near downtown Bethesda, Maryland. He wore a gray pinstripe suit, purple tie and a Giants playoff cap. Across the table sat his business manager, Omar Sillah. And they had put together an ambitious agenda for this first Tuesday of his Super Bowl life with the stock exchange visit in the morning, then some television interviews in New York, a flight to Washington and more television appearances before resting here while a car service waited on the street outside.
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Pope has his head screwed on correctly--"Yesterday, he planned to stop by Howard University and meet with school officials to figure out how he could finish the 20 credits he needs to complete his degree in advertising."
Great motivational story and outstanding advertising for Howard University and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. We only wish that more of us would take the initiatives of Pope when someone tells us--"You will never be good enough to play or perform at this level."--just prove them 100% wrong!
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Dover, Delaware Civic Center backers push statewide tax
Sullivan, board chairman of the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association, said he supports the concept of a civic center that would host local events and serve as a venue for Delaware State University athletic events. He said, though, such centers should be "stand-alone, break-even" facilities that would not have an impact on people who visit Dover for other reasons.
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This facility will be the primary venue for Delaware State University basketball and other indoor sport programs. It would be great if this facility is built with shared costs of county and state funding. If it has to come to DSU campus, the project size and costs will be downsized.
I-A Transfers gives Delaware State Hornets depth at quarterback and wide receiver
Glaud leaves Bowling Green to join MEAC champs
DOVER -- In November, there was little doubt about who was the starting quarterback at Delaware State. It was three-year starter Vashon Winton, a Chicago native who would lead the program to its first-ever NCAA Division I-AA playoff game against the University of Delaware.
Whether Winton is the starter in 2008 has suddenly become a question with the team's addition last week of Bowling Green transfer Anthony Glaud. Glaud has enrolled at DSU and will be able to play next season. Coming with Glaud is his teammate at Bowling Green, sophomore wide receiver Zach Charles, who also transferred to DSU. Charles can also play immediately.
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Photo: Sophomore transfer wide receiver (Bowling Green State University) Zach Charles, 5-10½/179, Winter Haven H.S., Winter Haven, Florida.
DSU Coach Al Lavan is not making it easy for the traditional MEAC powers, which is great for the growing positive reputation of the conference. We are not surprised by these latest developments, especially with the Hornets expectations of playing two Division I-A opponents in Kent State and Akron or Pittsburgh. This is the way to go if you are going to raise capital and improve your strength of schedule for an at-large bid to FCS playoffs. There is not much difference in the lower level of the MAC and the top level of the MEAC. Smart move by DSU to schedule a Division 1-A program that they can possible beat and be competitive.
The wire is reporting DSU has the following players in the commitment pipeline.
1. Anthony Glaud - RS-Freshman QB transfer, Bowling Green
2. Zach Charles - Sophomore WR transfer, Bowling Green
3. Jamil Heath - DE, Dover, DE
4. Carl Hinton - LB/DE, Georgetown, DE
5. Keith Hunt DE 6-1 225 - 5.1 Paterson, NJ (Rivals 2 stars)
For Delaware State, playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge may be a great experience for a program that highest attended games are at the opponents facility. Jackson State would have much difficulty in beating a Delaware State in this game. Go for it!
The skinny on Glaud ( pronounced: GLAWD)
In 2007, he was 23-of-36 for 266 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Glaud passed for 10-of-15 for 126 yards and a score versus Boston College and was 3-of-5 for 67 yards and a touchdown versus Miami. He redshirted in 2006.
Glaud is a 2006 graduate of Winslow Township High School in New Jersey ... a three-year letterwinner for the Eagles ... named Elite Recruits' #2 Quarterback in New Jersey ... elected to play in the New York/New Jersey Governor's Bowl ... compiled 2,349 passing yards with 23 touchdown passes as a senior ... also rushed for 386 yards and three touchdowns in 2005 ... coached by Felton Jones.
The skinny on Zacharri "Zach" Charles
Zach Charles grew up and attended school in same county in Florida as Coach Al Lavan.
2007: Played in all 13 games ... had seven catches for 52 yards at Minnesota and three receptions for 50 yards at Boston College ... had a career-long 49-yard reception at BC as well.
2006: Played in and started the first five games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending injury ... totaled 14 catches for 50 yards on the season ... recorded at least two receptions in all five games ... snagged four balls in back-to-back games against Buffalo and at Florida International ... also returned a punt for nine yards against Buffalo.
High School: A 2006 graduate of Winter Haven High School in Florida ... a three year letterwinner for the Blue Devils ... named All-State, All-District and All-County in 2005 ... selected to participate in the Florida-Cali All-Star game ... led the Blue Devils to the regional finals and a 9-4 record as a senior ... caught 26 passes for 550 yards in 2005 ... gained 450 yards on 20 catches in 2004 ... was a captain in 2005 ... coached by Charlie Tate ... also earned letters in track ... named track captain as a junior and senior ... was a regional track participant in the 100 meter and 4x100 meter relay in 2004.
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