IRONDALE, Alabama - The Jackson State Lady Tigers softball team defeated the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes 6-2 in the 2011 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game Sunday evening at Shea Brothers Field. With the win Jackson State wins its first conference championship in softball and claims the SWAC's automatic bid to the NCAA regional.
The Lady Tigers never trailed in the championship finale against Valley. Wendi Reed, the tournament MVP, opened the game with a solo home run and Farren Wright scored on an Arianna Smith single to give JSU a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Reed scored a run for JSU in the third on a Wright single. Valley scored two runs in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 3-2. Anesha McClendon helped increase JSU's lead to 4-2 when she hit a solo homer in the sixth. JSU put the game out of reach in the seventh when Reed hit a two run blast to off the left field foul pole, scoring LeEthel Guillory.
Jackson State entered the tournament as the second seed in the eight-team double-elimination field. The Lady Tigers were one game out from elimination, but came back to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alcorn State twice to stay alive.
Videographer: SupportJacksonState
Jackson State became the third team from the state of Mississippi to win the softball crown in the last three seasons. Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State were the previous two winners.
Jackson State and first year head coach Rick Fremin will now await its seeding into the NCAA Softball Tournament. The selection show airs Sunday, May 15 at 9 p.m. CST on ESPNU.
2011 SWAC All-Tournament Team
CeCe Kolesar, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Kiah Williams, Southern
Audrey Phillips, Southern
Jasmine Hubbard, Alcorn State
Bianca Armstrong, Alcorn State
Nicole Burr, Mississippi Valley State
Alex Robertson, Mississippi Valley State
Janell Plaza, Jackson State
LeEthel Guillory, Jackson State
Wendi Reed, Jackson State (MVP)
VISIT: JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: JSUTIGERS
VISIT: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: MVSUDELTADEVILS
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Florida Classic to stay in Orlando through 2015
ORLANDO, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed and Florida A&M University President Dr. James H. Ammons, in concert with the Florida Classic Consortium, announced today that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has signed on to become the title sponsor for the annual football game between the two schools, as well as title sponsor of Battle of the Bands. The Consortium has also agreed to an extension with Florida Citrus Sports that will keep the game at Orlando’s Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium for the next five years.
The agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is for three years with an option to renew in years four and five. During that term, the game will be known as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida Classic, while the Battle will now be called Florida Blue Battle of the Bands.
Videographer: andremc69
The Florida Classic began in 1978 and has spent the last 17 years in Orlando. Since its move to Orlando in 1997, this annual clash between these two Historical Black Colleges and Universities has averaged more than 66,000 at the Citrus Bowl. The game has been a regular on national television -- the ESPN network of stations since 2005.
Due in large part to these strong attendance numbers and the number of people traveling to Orlando for the week leading up to the game, the Florida Classic generated an estimated $31 million in economic impact for Central Florida last year.
VIDEO: B-CU and FAMU renew rivalry in Orlando
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE
VISIT: FLORIDA CLASSIC
The agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is for three years with an option to renew in years four and five. During that term, the game will be known as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida Classic, while the Battle will now be called Florida Blue Battle of the Bands.
Videographer: andremc69
The Florida Classic began in 1978 and has spent the last 17 years in Orlando. Since its move to Orlando in 1997, this annual clash between these two Historical Black Colleges and Universities has averaged more than 66,000 at the Citrus Bowl. The game has been a regular on national television -- the ESPN network of stations since 2005.
Due in large part to these strong attendance numbers and the number of people traveling to Orlando for the week leading up to the game, the Florida Classic generated an estimated $31 million in economic impact for Central Florida last year.
VIDEO: B-CU and FAMU renew rivalry in Orlando
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE
VISIT: FLORIDA CLASSIC
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Alabama A&M continues search for men's basketball coach
HUNTSVILLE, AL - Alabama A&M could have a new men's basketball coach by the end of next week, a source close to the search committee told The Times Tuesday.
School officials, who were slowed by the recent tornado outbreak, are expected to conduct phone interviews with potential candidates today and Thursday. Based upon the phone interviews, the finalists will be brought on campus next week for additional interviews.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
School officials, who were slowed by the recent tornado outbreak, are expected to conduct phone interviews with potential candidates today and Thursday. Based upon the phone interviews, the finalists will be brought on campus next week for additional interviews.Two potential candidates, former Butler High coach Jack Doss and Eugene Harris, who most recently served as the head coach at Florida A&M and has also coached at Auburn, Alabama and South Alabama, told The Times Tuesday afternoon they had not been contacted for phone interviews. John Douglas, who led Calhoun Community College to the junior college national championship game in ...
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: AAMUSPORTS
Navy SEALs push CIAA athletes to get mentally tough
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Five teams of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association athletes hit the water and scaled walls as part of their training in April at the U.S. Navy SEALs’ Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Chowan University, Saint Paul’s College, Bowie State University, Saint Augustine’s College and Virginia State University players all got a taste of the rigors of training with the SEALs in a 12-foot-deep, Olympic-size pool and on the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Confidence Course, a 17-station land obstacle course.
The training—part of a “Mental Toughness, Never Quit” campaign conducted by the SEALs for CIAA schools—occurred April 16-17. The event was a follow-up to on-campus seminars at the CIAA schools in February and March.
The “Mental Toughness, Never Quit” program, focusing on schools in the CIAA—the nation’s oldest black athletic conference, established in 1912—was developed as part of the Naval Special Warfare’s effort to attract top minority talent. More than 1,000 athletes from 11 schools attended the on-campus “Mental Toughness” seminars.
The goal of “Mental Toughness, Never Quit”—which includes goal-setting, visualization, positive self talk and 4x4x4 breathing skills—is to provide valuable training to athletes while making them aware of potential career opportunities within the SEAL Teams. The SEALs provided players with a unique look into how mental preparation is essential to winning.
Navy SEALs are a special breed of warrior who conduct special operations in any environment, but who are uniquely trained and equipped to operate from, around and in maritime areas. SEALs take their name from the environments in which they are trained to operate: sea, air and land. Their small highly trained teams usually work quietly at night conducting some of the nation's most important missions. SEALs are constantly deployed throughout the world to protect U.S. national interests.
VISIT: THE CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
VISIT: U.S. NAVY SEALs
Chowan University, Saint Paul’s College, Bowie State University, Saint Augustine’s College and Virginia State University players all got a taste of the rigors of training with the SEALs in a 12-foot-deep, Olympic-size pool and on the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Confidence Course, a 17-station land obstacle course.
The training—part of a “Mental Toughness, Never Quit” campaign conducted by the SEALs for CIAA schools—occurred April 16-17. The event was a follow-up to on-campus seminars at the CIAA schools in February and March.
The “Mental Toughness, Never Quit” program, focusing on schools in the CIAA—the nation’s oldest black athletic conference, established in 1912—was developed as part of the Naval Special Warfare’s effort to attract top minority talent. More than 1,000 athletes from 11 schools attended the on-campus “Mental Toughness” seminars.
The goal of “Mental Toughness, Never Quit”—which includes goal-setting, visualization, positive self talk and 4x4x4 breathing skills—is to provide valuable training to athletes while making them aware of potential career opportunities within the SEAL Teams. The SEALs provided players with a unique look into how mental preparation is essential to winning.
Navy SEALs are a special breed of warrior who conduct special operations in any environment, but who are uniquely trained and equipped to operate from, around and in maritime areas. SEALs take their name from the environments in which they are trained to operate: sea, air and land. Their small highly trained teams usually work quietly at night conducting some of the nation's most important missions. SEALs are constantly deployed throughout the world to protect U.S. national interests.
VISIT: THE CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
VISIT: U.S. NAVY SEALs
Alabama A&M baseball building on enthusiasm of coach Ed McCann
 |
| AAMU Coach Ed McCann |
"The uniforms had vanished in the middle of the night," said first-year Alabama A&M baseball coach Ed McCann of the situation he inherited. And, as for his office, "it was early-auction furniture. It looked like it came over on the Mayflower."
That Alabama A&M has a baseball team may be news to some. That is has a chance to reach the Southwest Athletic Conference tournament by winning two of three against Jackson State in the next two days may be more shocking news. Even, he will confess, to Ed McCann.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: AAMUSPORTS
Foreigners a net gain for Shaw Bears
RALEIGH, N.C. -- As a tennis player at Shaw, Sunday Enitan overheard students say mockingly, "We have a tennis team?"That was years ago, before Enitan became coach of the Bears and ushered the tennis program into a new era. This season, the men's team claimed its seventh consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. The Bears went undefeated in conference play and have a 25-1 overall record.
Last week, the Bears outlasted Bluefield State and earned the school's first berth into the NCAA Division II championships. They leave today for Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla., where they'll face Abilene Christian at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the first round of the 16-team tournament.
The Bears defeated the Big Blues 5-3 in the Atlantic Region No. 1 finals, defending their home court at Biltmore Hills Tennis Courts before a host of Shaw supporters.
Shaw Men's Tennis Begins NCAA Play Wednesday
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Shaw University men's tennis team opens NCAA Division II Championship Tournament play on Wednesday, May 11, when they take on Abilene Christian at 10:30 a.m. The NCAA Division II Championships will be contested May 11-14 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
The Bears earned their place in the tournament by winning the NCAA Atlantic Region 1 with a 5-3 win over Bluefield State last week. The Bears finished their regular season 25-1 and ranked first in the region by the NCAA and 48 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). This is Shaw's first trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament, which includes the 16 regional pod winners.
Abilene Christian finished their season 19-9 and earned their place in the tournament by winning the NCAA South Central 2 championship. They are ranked third in that division by the NCAA and ranked sixth nationally by the ITA.
Abilene Christian is led by Hans Hach, ranked 15th in the nation by ITA. Hach and doubles partner Jake Hendrie are ranked 15th in the nation by ITA.
Shaw's number one doubles pairing of Gabriel Nicotra and Ataide Suca are ranked 39th nationally by ITA.
For more information on Shaw athletics, visit www.shawbears.com, and to follow the action live from Altamonte Springs, visit www.rollinssports.com and click on the Division II Tennis Championship banner.
By Sherri Fillingham, Sports Information Director
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: SHAW UNIVERSITY
VISIT: SHAWBEARS
CIAA Board of Directors Addresses Discontinuance of Saint Paul’s College Athletics Program
Charlotte, NC -- In a closed-door meeting of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors, the group of thirteen presidents and chancellors received a report from Saint Paul’s College President, Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Sr. of the action taken last Thursday by the SPC Board of Trustees to discontinue its athletic program.On behalf of the CIAA Board of Directors, Chairman and Livingstone College President, Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “received the report with sadness, but also recognizes that since the college is no longer participating in collegiate athletics, it will not continue as a member of the CIAA. In accordance with that fact, the Board acknowledges that the CIAA’s Two-Year Transfer Rule will no longer prove relevant for Saint Paul’s College student-athletes who wish to transfer to any CIAA school.”
The Two-Year Transfer Rule is instituted when a student-athlete transfers between two conference member institutions. The discontinuance of the college’s membership cancels the effect of this rule.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: THE CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
THE IMPACT: READ RELATED ARTICLES
CIAA member St. Paul's drops athletics
A&T foe quits sports
Saint Paul's to end athletics program
CIAA Will Allow St. Paul's Athletes To Transfer Within Conference
Rush get first-round bye at NAIA National Championship
The Gold Rush (13-9) are seeded eighth — the same position as in the final coaches poll announced Monday — and will play at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 against the winner of a first-round match between ninth-seeded Vanguard (7-13) and 24th-seeded Mobile (6-7).
All matches will be played at Copeland-Cox Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala. The Vanguard-Mobile dual will be one of eight played May 17, and the tournament will conclude May 21. Twenty-four teams qualified, and eight received byes.
Xavier qualified automatically for nationals by winning the Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament April 29-30 at Chattanooga, Tenn. Vanguard received an at-large bid, and Mobile qualified as host institution.
Xavier earned its first victory against a top-10 NAIA opponent with its 6-3 decision at Vanguard on March 4. The Lions, a quarterfinalist five of the last six seasons and a semifinalist in 2000 and 2004, beat the Gold Rush 6-3 in 2010 and 5-4 in 2008 in regular-season duals.
Xavier did not play Mobile this year, but the Gold Rush were 8-0 against the Mobile the previous three seasons, including victories in the finals of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournaments in 2008 and 2009. Mobile competed in the Southern States Athletic Conference this year.
This is the third consecutive year that the XU men qualified for the national tournament. In 2009 the Gold Rush defeated Oklahoma Christian 5-4 in the first round, then lost to eventual runner-up Auburn Montgomery 5-0. Last year the Gold Rush beat Tennessee Wesleyan 5-3 in the first round, then lost 5-1 to eventual runner-up Fresno Pacific.
Fresno Pacific, a 5-2 loser to Auburn Montgomery in the 2010 final, is the No. 1 seed and could play Xavier in the quarterfinals May 19.
Bracket
| NAIA National Championship (seedings in parentheses) First Round — 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17 Aquinas (16) vs. St. Thomas (Fla.) (17) Vanguard (9) vs. Mobile (24) Graceland (12) vs. Huntington (Ind.) (21) Concordia (Calif.) (13) vs. Bethany (Kan.) (20) Lindsey Wilson (14) vs. Lewis-Clark State (19) Shorter (11) vs. Hastings (22) Union (Ky.) (10) vs. Brescia (23) William Carey (15) vs. Olivet Nazarene (18) Second Round — 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 Fresno Pacific (1) vs. Aquinas-St. Thomas winner Xavier (8) vs. Vanguard-Mobile winner Azusa Pacific (5) vs. Graceland-Huntington winner Oklahoma Christian (4) vs. Concordia-Bethany winner Auburn Montgomery (3) vs. Lindsey Wilson - Lewis-Clark State winner Westmont (6) vs. Shorter-Hastings winner Point Loma Nazarene (7) vs. Union-Brescia winner Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (2) vs. William Carey-Olivet Nazarene winner Quarterfinals — 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 19 Semifinals — 9 a.m. on Friday, May 20 Championship — 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21 Xavier at Nationals (2-2) May 12, 2009 (first round): Xavier 5, Oklahoma Christian 4 May 13, 2009 (second round): Auburn Montgomery 5, Xavier 0 May 18, 2010 (first round): Xavier 5, Tennessee Wesleyan 3 May 19, 2010 (second round): Fresno Pacific 5, Xavier 1 |
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Athletic Program Discontinued at Saint Paul's College
**LAWRENCEVILLE, VA — (May 09, 2011) At its recent Spring Meeting, The Saint Paul’s College Board of Trustees took a bold step towards restoring financial stability to the 123 year old historical Episcopal College. The Board resolved to discontinue the entire Athletic Program at the College, effective July 1, 2011. The Administration is establishing a time schedule for implementation of the resolution with regard to its effect on the student body and their moral responsibility to the Athletic Staff. There was no doubt that once the College becomes financially stable again, consideration would be given to reinstating the Athletic Program.
While the Board of Trustees acknowledged that some notable progress has been made in the financial affairs under the current administration, in that the College has achieved a balanced budget twice in the last three years; however, the longstanding financial problems have yet to be remedied. Also, the U. S. Department of Education and the accrediting agency, SACSCOC have acknowledged some improvement in the financial affairs of the College.
Meanwhile, Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Sr., President and his Executive Cabinet have begun establishing a time schedule for the College to implement a full-scale Intramural Program for its students.
The 123-year old school fielded 7 men's and women's teams and was a member of the CIAA.
CIAA Statement Regarding Saint Paul’s College Athletic Department Dissolution
Hampton, VA -- It is with much sadness that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has learned of the dissolution of the athletic program at St. Paul’s College. The CIAA remains dedicated to the welfare of each affected student-athlete and will make every effort to protect their interests.
In anticipation of the discussion of this matter at the CIAA Board of Directors’ meeting slated for this week, the conference and Commissioner will wait to make any official comment until after its conclusion.
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
** From Saint Paul's College Press Release
While the Board of Trustees acknowledged that some notable progress has been made in the financial affairs under the current administration, in that the College has achieved a balanced budget twice in the last three years; however, the longstanding financial problems have yet to be remedied. Also, the U. S. Department of Education and the accrediting agency, SACSCOC have acknowledged some improvement in the financial affairs of the College.
Meanwhile, Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Sr., President and his Executive Cabinet have begun establishing a time schedule for the College to implement a full-scale Intramural Program for its students.
The 123-year old school fielded 7 men's and women's teams and was a member of the CIAA.
CIAA Statement Regarding Saint Paul’s College Athletic Department Dissolution
Hampton, VA -- It is with much sadness that the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has learned of the dissolution of the athletic program at St. Paul’s College. The CIAA remains dedicated to the welfare of each affected student-athlete and will make every effort to protect their interests.
In anticipation of the discussion of this matter at the CIAA Board of Directors’ meeting slated for this week, the conference and Commissioner will wait to make any official comment until after its conclusion.
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
** From Saint Paul's College Press Release
Jury: Grambling State owes Coach Spears nearly $600,000
 |
| Alcorn State Coach Melvin Spears |
Spears, who guided Grambling to the Southwestern Athletic Conference and black college national titles in 2005, was named head football coach at Alcorn State University earlier this year.
“It’s a great opportunity to be vindicated. I’m elated,’’ Spears, 51, said of the verdict by a jury of nine men and three women.
The panel voted unanimously to award Spears $449,500 for breach of employment contract and tacked on $11,000 in penalty wages and $139,000 in attorneys’ fees.
Spears wins lawsuit against Grambling State
Baton Rouge, LA — Former Grambling State head football coach Melvin Spears Jr. was awarded nearly $600,000 by a jury that ruled the school breached his contract when he was fired in 2006.
Spears had a five-year contract when the university believed it could fire him with cause after the third season due to an NCAA investigation. However, the NCAA didn't find any major violations.
Spears, who was 20-14 at Grambling State and led the Tigers to Southwestern Athletic Conference and black college national titles in 2005, was named head coach at Alcorn State, also a SWAC school, earlier this year.
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
Xavier Gold Rush eighth in final NAIA coaches poll of the season
The Gold Rush (13-9), idle since winning a qualifying tournament for the NAIA National Championship at Chattanooga, Tenn., on April 30, swapped places with Vanguard from last week's poll. Xavier won 6-3 at Vanguard on March 4.
Xavier first reached No. 8 in the March 8 poll and remained there for two additional rankings. XU's men were in the top 10 in five of the final six polls.
This is the first Xavier team to reach the top 10 in a final NAIA poll since women's basketball was No. 4 in 1997-98.
The Gold Rush are in the the top 25 for the 32nd consecutive time dating to April 4, 2007 — that's the fifth longest active streak among NAIA men's teams — and it's the 23rd straight time dating to April 30, 2008, that the Gold Rush are among the top 18. It's the sixth consecutive season that the XU men are among the top 25 in the final poll.
Xavier has qualified for the national tournament for the third consecutive season. The NAIA will announce seedings and pairings for the 24-team event by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The tournament will begin May 17 at Mobile, Ala.
Fresno Pacific received all the first-place votes and is No. 1 in the final poll for the second straight season.
Xavier's women, whose season ended April 30 with a 5-0 loss to Milligan in the semifinals of the qualifying tournament, are out of the top 25 for the fifth consecutive time after 44 straight appearances. The Gold Nuggets collected three points, two more than last week, to tie for 33rd place.
In last season's final polls, Xavier's men were 16th, and the women were 19th. This is the first time since 2003 that the Gold Nuggets are not among the final top 25.
NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, May 8)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, May 8)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Monday, May 9, 2011
Surging Texas Southern tops Southern Jaguars
As Texas Southern coach Michael Robertson emerged from a postgame huddle Sunday at Lee-Hines Field, he carried three things — his trademark slow-motion stroll, two weekend victories under his belt and the kind of grin money can’t buy. This, Robertson concluded, had been a nice trip to Baton Rouge.It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t have to be. It simply served as affirmation that the Tigers can compete with, and defeat, any opponent they face in the upcoming Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.
Sunday afternoon, TSU scored four runs in the sixth inning and got a standout performance from starting pitcher Abel Flores en route to a 5-3 victory — one that gave the Tigers two wins over Southern on the final weekend of conference play.
Box Score
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
Virginia State win PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship
In Division II, Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va., brought home its first-ever division title, defeating Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., by seven strokes. Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University finished alone in third place overall.
Virginia State Head Coach Jeff Hamilton was pleased with his team's performance. "This came all the way down to the wire and my kids played well enough to win," said Hamilton, in his fifth year as head coach. "It is always a battle with teams like Fayetteville State University and Lincoln University. It will be another battle next year, too."
John Cole of Fayetteville State University was the Division II medalist, finishing with a 220 three-day total.
Men's Team Division II
1. Virginia State (+63) 315-307-305--927
Stephen Genchi 78-77-75--230
Stuart Larus 82-78-77--237
Brian Wood 77-76-78--231
Mike Swope 87-76-80--243
Rashad Hunt 78-81-75--234
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Virginia State Head Coach Jeff Hamilton was pleased with his team's performance. "This came all the way down to the wire and my kids played well enough to win," said Hamilton, in his fifth year as head coach. "It is always a battle with teams like Fayetteville State University and Lincoln University. It will be another battle next year, too."
John Cole of Fayetteville State University was the Division II medalist, finishing with a 220 three-day total.
Men's Team Division II
1. Virginia State (+63) 315-307-305--927
Stephen Genchi 78-77-75--230
Stuart Larus 82-78-77--237
Brian Wood 77-76-78--231
Mike Swope 87-76-80--243
Rashad Hunt 78-81-75--234
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Champions are crowned at PGA Minority Collegiate Championship
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman University's men's team and the University of Texas-Pan American's women's team captured Division I titles Sunday in the 25th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management. The 54-hole Championship was contested at PGA Golf Club.The Bethune-Cookman men's team, which held a six-stroke lead heading into the final round, finished with an 887 total, 12 strokes ahead of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. Savannah (Ga.) State University finished in third place overall in the division.
Matthew McKnight led the Wildcats and was also the Division I medalist, firing a final-round 71 for a 1-under-par 215 total.
"The team played solid all week, we kicked it into gear today and it feels so good to win this title," said McKnight, who was playing in his first Minority Championship. "I was able to keep my game steady all week and to do this for my team makes it that much more special."
PGA Professional Scooter Clark, in his first year as head coach at Bethune-Cookman, was proud of his team's accomplishment.
Final-Round Photo Gallery
Second-Round Photo Gallery
Championship field
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
B-CU 'Cats extend MEAC win streak to 43
DAYTONA BEACH -- Senior Joey Munoz couldn't remember the last time Bethune-Cookman lost a baseball game to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival. Fellow senior Chris Anselmo, a junior college transfer, has never experienced a MEAC loss.The Wildcats won their 43rd consecutive game against MEAC competition and finished undefeated in the conference for the second straight season Sunday with a 9-4 victory over Delaware State at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
"To say I'm proud of what these guys have accomplished doesn't even begin to tell the story," said B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez, whose squad improved to 32-20 and finished 18-0 in the conference for the second straight year.
Perfect Again: Wildcats Top Delaware State to Go 18-0 in Consecutive Seasons
 |
| B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez |
Donning their pink-tinged uniforms in honor of the Mother’s Day holiday, the Wildcats celebrated their eight outgoing seniors in a ceremony prior to the game. In the spirit of the holiday, ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by the wives of Head Coach Mervyl Melendez and Associate Head Coach Jose Vazquez, Aixa Melendez and Janna Vazquez.
“We’re grateful for their contributions to this program,” Melendez said of his seniors, “there was a whole lot of dedication and time that they have put in to accomplish the things we have accomplished as a team. To say that I am thankful is an understatement.”
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
VISIT: BETHUNE COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
VISIT: B-CUATHLETICS
Ex-Warrior baseball standout happy to help WSSU to first-ever title
 |
| Coach Kevin Ritsche |
“People are really excited and happy,” said former East Gaston High standout Jordan Graham. “But when we got together last fall, we felt we could have a good team.”
But few could’ve imagined winning the school’s first-ever CIAA championship, which also means the Rams will make their first-ever NCAA Division in two weeks. That is, except for the WSSU players themselves.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS
Southern, TSU split doubleheader
Baton Rouge, LA - During his customary postgame huddle with his Southern baseball team, longtime coach Roger Cador was animated Saturday afternoon — more animated than usual, which, for him, is quite a lot.His voice boomed and echoed off the walls at Lee-Hines Field, where the Jaguars had just split a doubleheader with Texas Southern in their final regular-season Southwestern Athletic Conference series. Cador clenched and pumped his fists as he spoke. He was, if nothing else, passionate about the message he delivered, whatever it was.
But as he walked off the field, Cador said, Saturday wasn’t so bad.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE
VISIT: GOJAGSPORTS
Howard Bison Dominate UMES Hawks, 15-5
WASHINGTON, DC – Marissa Coats knocked in six runs as the Howard University softball team dominated Maryland Eastern Shore (7-40, 2-13 MEAC) 15-5 in five innings on Sun. May 8 at Banneker Field. The Bison conclude the regular season 16-26 and 8-7 in conference play.Samantha Gatson collected the win on the mound – fanning two batters and giving up six hits. Coats led the Bison at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored and six RBI.
HU started the game strong – erupting for seven runs in the bottom of the opening inning. Coats’ homerun quickly gave the Bison a 3-0 advantage with no outs. Christine Sborz hit a two-run double which drove in Andascha Moore and Rebecca Kirshner. Subsequently, a run by Sborz and Brittany Barker gave Howard a comfortable 7-0 cushion heading into the top of the second.
The Hawks tried to chip into the advantage, but only managed two hits and a run to cut it to 7-1. The Bison exploded with eight more runs in the bottom of the frame – highlighted by Cierra Gordon’s three-run homer to push the spread to 11-1. Gordon, who was held hitless the previous game, went 2-for-3 at bat with a run scored and five RBI. Coats also notched her second homerun of the game in the inning.
In the fourth inning, Charlise Castro homered to give the Hawks their second run. After posting 11 hits in the first three innings, the Bison were not allowed any hits in the bottom of the fourth. UMES added three more runs in the fifth, but fell short as the game ended via mercy rule at the conclusion of the top of the frame.
Howard softball now shits its focus to the upcoming MEAC Tournament held in Ormond Beach, Fla. from May 12-14.
BOX SCORE
By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Norfolk State takes MEAC track titles
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Norfolk State's men's and women's track and field team's won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.The Norfolk State women tallied 140 points to win their first MEAC Outdoor title, second overall, since 2001. The championship also marks the first time that both men's and women's programs won an outdoor title during the same year since 2001.
Defending champion Hampton finished second with 139 points while North Carolina A&T finished third with 124 points. S.C. State was fourth with 73 points.
Spartan Women Win 1st MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Title Since 2001
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Six event victories Saturday propelled the Spartan women’s track & field team to its first MEAC outdoor championship since 2001 at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T.
The Spartan women edged Hampton by one point, giving NSU a sweep of the men’s and women’s outdoor titles – the first time since 2001 a MEAC team has accomplished the feat. That year, it was also the Spartans who achieved that accomplishment.
Coach Ronda Berard was named the MEAC Outdoor Most Outstanding Coach for leading the Spartans to victory.
Final Results
Spartan Men Clinch 6th Straight MEAC Track Sweep
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Norfolk State men’s track & field team breezed to its sixth straight MEAC outdoor championship to pull off a sixth straight indoor-outdoor sweep on Saturday at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T.
The Spartans tallied 162 points and scored in 15 of the weekend’s 19 events to top second-place Maryland Eastern Shore by 25 points. NSU men's coach Kenneth Giles was named the MEAC Outdoor Most Outstanding Coach.
The Spartans posted two first-place finishes on Saturday. Sean Holston clocked his best time ever in the 400 meters, running a 46.00 to win the gold medal. Aramis Massenburg followed up his PR in Friday’s 110 hurdle semis with another strong effort in the final, running a 13.89 to take the gold medal in that event.
Final Results
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
VISIT: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NSUSPARTANS
Student-athletes, managers receive Xavier degrees
 |
| An all-time winner, 89 year old Herbert P. Douglas Jr., founder of International Amateur Athletic Association (1980) to honor Jesse Owens and XU's only Olympian (Bronze Medal, Long Jump, 1948 London Olympics) was awarded the honorary doctor of human letters at Xavier University 84th Annual Commencement. |
Also graduating were three student managers employed by the athletics department.
Student-athletes graduating were:
* Devin Emile Andrew, Harvey, La. (Vandebilt Catholic and Karr high schools), men's basketball, bachelor of arts
* Ashley Jennise Broden, Baton Rouge, La. (Baton Rouge Magnet), women's cross country, doctor of pharmacy
* Landon E. Bussie, Baltimore, Md. (Woodlawn), men's basketball, bachelor of science
* Melissa Lauren Tshepi DeLoach, Fort Washington, Md. (Bishop McNamara), women's tennis, bachelor of science
* Yuliem Dominguez, Destrehan, La. (Destrehan High School), women's tennis, bachelor of science
* Ebony Kashim Harding, Baton Rouge, La. (Baton Rouge Magnet), women's cross country, doctor of pharmacy
* Danielle Christine Jones, Baton Rouge, La. (Episcopal), women's basketball and volleyball, bachelor of science
* Colleen Tracy McArthur, Marietta, Ga. (Pace Academy), women's tennis, bachelor of arts
* Brittany Marie Powell, Milwaukee, Wis. (Divine Savior Holy Angels), women's basketball, bachelor of arts
* Mikhail Jeffrey Vaval, New Orleans (Da Le Salle), men's tennis, bachelor of science
* Erin Whitney Vincent, The Woodlands, Texas (Oak Ridge), women's volleyball, bachelor of science
* Stacey Ann Windon, Prairieville, La. (Redemptorist), women's cross country, bachelor of arts.
Student managers graduating were:
* Tamorah Marie Hawthorne, men's basketball, bachelor of science
* Valencia Latrice Johnson, women's basketball, bachelor of arts
* Mark C. Raymond Jr., men's and women's tennis, bachelor of science.
Bussie, Jones, McArthur, Powell and Vaval completed degree requirements in December. Vincent graduated cum laude. Jones -- who graduated summa cum laude and with honors in English, history, chemistry and biology -- will attend medical school at Johns Hopkins University beginning in August.
Herbert Douglas, an XU men's track and field standout from the early 1940s, was one of three recipients of honorary degrees. Douglas received a doctor of humane letters.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Johnson Homers Twice and Pitches One-Hitter in Howard's Final Home Series
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior Emily Johnson led the Howard softball team in their series opener against Maryland Eastern Shore, knocking out two home runs and holding UMES (7-39, 2-12 MEAC) to one hit to land HU (16-24, 7-7 MEAC) the 9-1 win.Johnson opened and closed the first game with a home run and went 3-for-4 at the plate and tallied 3 RBI. Shortstop Rebecca Kirshner also came up big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3.
Kirshner also tacked on 3 RBI of her own in HU’s game-defining third inning on a triple, where she scored Johnson, centerfielder Lorae Robinson – both of which reached base on bunt singles – as well as Marisa Coats. Prior to Kirshner’s triple, second baseman Trina Kindred led off the inning with a double and scored on Johnson’s bunt. Kirshner and Ciera Gordon scored the final two runs of the six-run inning.
After being on pace to landing her first no-hitter of the season, UMES spoiled Johnson’s run on the mound with their first hit of the game in the fifth inning. In the same inning, UMES scored their lone run of the game on the single, error and a wild pitch.
In all, Johnson finished the opening game with six strikeouts allowed one hit, one run and zero walks in her 5.2 innings of work.
In game two, Robinson got Howard on the board first with a grand slam, putting the Lady Bison up 4-0 in the second inning. Robinson’s grand slam came in back-to-back series as she blasted one last weekend against Morgan State. Robinson went on to notch two additional hits in the remainder of the game.
Despite leading UMES four runs, the Lady Bison spent the rest of the game playing catch up to their MEAC opponent after allowing eight runs in the third inning. The Lady Bison rallied two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth, but were unable to overcome UMES’s lead. Howard came up one run short as they dropped the game, 9-8.
Seniors Carly Martin and Johnson split the mound and each allowed five hits. Martin walked one, struck out two and was credited with the loss. Johnson struck out three batters and gave up two runs in her four innings in the circle.
Freshman Brittany Barker, senior Christine Sborz and Kirshner were notable performers at the plate in the loss, posting a two hits a piece.
The Lady Bison softball team will look to take the series against the Lady Hawks tomorrow at noon in their final game of the season. Visit www.howard-bison.com for more information on the Howard softball team.
By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Livingstone cross country/track and field student-athlete scores perfect 4.0
 |
| Winnie Chepchumba 3-Time All-CIAA Track and Field |
Winnie Chepchumba, 24, is from Kenya in East Africa. But for the past four years she didn’t let missing her family stop her from working hard to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
When she marches into Alumni Memorial Stadium this morning with fellow members of the Class of 2011, she’ll do so as salutatorian and with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“I feel great about being the salutatorian,” Chepchumba said. “I’m very proud of my accomplishments.”
Chepchumba transferred to Livingstone College after one year at Central Connecticut State University. She left Central Connecticut because it was just too cold for her in New England. Even though Salisbury offered a much warmer climate, Chepchumba wasn’t sure Livingstone would be a good fit at first.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
VISIT: LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
VISIT: BLUEBEARS ATHLETICS
VISIT: THECIAA.COM
Howard University Softball Salutes Senior Class
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, May 7 the Howard softball team will honor four of their graduating seniors in the team’s season finale against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent Maryland-Eastern Shore. Playing in their final home game of their career are seniors Jessica Hurston, Emily Johnson, Carly Martin and Christine Sborz.Jessica Hurston (Pitcher, Wallingford, Conn., Mark T. Sheean H.S.)
Despite sitting out her senior season as a result of injury, Hurston has posted a colorful career as a member of the Howard softball team. In her freshman year she made 14 appearances on the mound and started in half of those appearances. She posted a 4-2 record in her first year with the Bison and garnered a save. Also in her first year, she posted a career-best of 29 strikeouts and by the end of her junior season she tallied 62 in total. Entering into her senior season she generated a 13-13 record, pitched 147.0 innings and garnered 19 starts in the circle. At the plate Hurston recorded a 0.393 career batting average, and recorded another career best in her freshman year with a .500 batting average in her 20 games of play.
Emily Johnson (Pitcher/OF, Jacksonville, Fla., Paxon School for Advanced Studies)
Entering into her final season with the Lady Bison, Johnson recorded 99 hits, 61 RBI, successfully stole 17-of-21 bases, scored 81 runs and boasted a 0.314 batting average. In her first three seasons she tallied 16 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs. Her junior year proved to be a breakout season in the pitcher’s circle as she delivered a 2.77 ERA, posted a career-high of three saves, which ranked her No. 28 in the nation, and won 7-of-10 games that she started. In that year she pitched 96 innings and struck out 110 batters. During her senior year Johnson has been stellar at the plate and on the mound as she struck out the most batters in a game for the Lady Bison this season with 10 against Bowie State (March 30, 2011) and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak, marking the longest streak of the year for the Bison. In her last year she led the Howard in batting average (.415), slugging percentage (.732), on base percentage (.468), triples (2), homers (5), walks (10), and also in pitching with ERA (4.99) and batters struck out (60).
Carly Martin (Pitcher/OF, Hanover, Md., Seton Keough H.S.)
As one of Howard’s leaders on the mound, Martin started in 49 games, made 74 appearances, and produced 23 wins throughout her career. Martin’s senior season came with many successes, notably when she recorded a 0.00 ERA and struck out three batters in HU’s 6-0 win over George Mason, making her the first Bison to bring forth a shutout win in the 2010-11 season. Martin was also recognized as the MEAC Pitcher of the Week (April 4-April 10) for tallying a 1.00 ERA against Coppin State and she went on to tie a then-season-best of four strikeouts for the fourth time. A day later against Coppin State she broke her season-best in strikeouts and took down an astounding seven batters. To date the senior has totaled 164 strikeouts and leads the Bison with most wins this season with eight.
Christine Sborz (Catcher, McLean, Va., Bishop Ireton H.S./Brevard C.C.)
After transferring to Howard her junior year, Sborz has posted 55 runs, 34 RBI, 93 hits and generated an honorable .314 batting average. During her senior year she posted a remarkable 14 doubles – the most posted by a Bison this season – a triple and two homers. Her .326 batting average earned her the No. 5 ranking on the team and she is currently slated third on the team in hits this year with 43, and is ranked fourth on the team in slugging percentage (.492) and runs scored (19). Sborz also tabbed a season-high of three hits on two occasions, first against Bowie State on March 30, 2011 and again against George Mason on April 6, 2011. Currently, Sborz is third on the team with most games with multiple hits (12). As the anchor behind the plate, Sborz has posted a 98.3 fielding percentage, slating her second-best for the Bison in that category, and has also caught 10 runners stealing.
By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)