Hampton U. grad Kellie Wells wins national title in 100M hurdles

Eugene, Ore. - Kellie Wells' long, tough road back has reached a golden milestone. The 2006 Hampton University graduate is America's new women's 100-meter hurdles champion and bound for the IAAF World Championships of Track and Field starting late August in Daegu, Korea.

It took Wells just 12.50 seconds to take the gold medal at the USA Championships on Sunday at historic Hayward Field and put all her past tribulations behind her. She fought off old rivals Danielle Carruthers (second in 12.59) and Dawn Harper (third in 12.65) to claim her first American title and a trip to her first Worlds.

"It was tough at times but I was always hopeful a day like this would come," said Wells. "I'm just happy to be on top, to be looked as the best hurdler. "This (the Worlds) will be my first team, my first time to wear the US logo on my chest. "It will be an amazing honor and I can't wait to represent my country."




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Former Hampton U. star Francena McCorory close second to Allyson Felix in 400M at U.S. Track Championships

Allyson Felix won her first U.S. title in the 400, topping former Hampton University's Francena McCorory with a time of 50.40 to 50.49.  Debbie Dunn, Norfolk State University alum finished third for a ticket to the IAAF World Championships Aug. 27-Sept. 4 in Daegu, South Korea.  Dunn posted a time of 50.70.



Allyson Felix extends self, wins U.S. title at 400

Eugene, Ore. -- Allyson Felix powered down the home stretch to capture the women's 400 meters at the U.S. championships Saturday, setting up the possibility she might compete in two events at the world championships this summer.

Felix already has a spot in the 200 as the defending world champion. She has yet to decide whether she will attempt the 200-400 double at the worlds in Daegu, South Korea, in late August.

Going double the distance she normally runs, Felix got stronger as the race went along Saturday and held off Francena McCorory at the finish, winning in 50.40 seconds to become the first woman to win national titles in the 100, 200 and 400 over a career. Debbie Dunn (Norfolk State) was third.

The 200-400 double would not be easy to pull off in South Korea, given all the rounds and the lack of recovery time between them. That's why the decision will be a difficult one for Felix and her coach, Bobby Kersee.

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B-CU Releases Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed

B-CU fires men's basketball coach Clifford Reed after most successful season in school history

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) announced today that it has released Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed, effective immediately. The University made the decision to release Coach Reed following an internal administrative review. Assistant Head Basketball Coach Gravelle Craig is currently managing all B-CU basketball program operations.

B-CU fires basketball coach

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman has fired longtime men's basketball coach Clifford Reed, a little more than three months after the Wildcats completed their best season in 30 years.

Reed was fired for refusing to cooperate with a university investigation and insubordination, according to his termination letter obtained today by The News-Journal.

The letter reads: "Please be advised that the University has decided not to offer you a new employment contract as head men's basketball coach, and your employment as head men's basketball coach is terminated effective immediately. This decision is based on your failure to cooperate and insubordination with respect to the University's investigation into allegations against the University and its men's basketball program."

Reed, 46, said he was presented the letter, which was signed by Bethune-Cookman President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, at a meeting this afternoon. Clifford Reed added that Athletic Director Lynn Thompson also was at the meeting.

Clifford Reed fired as Bethune-Cookman men's basketball coach

Bethune-Cookman has fired men's basketball coach Clifford Reed. The school announced the decision in a short press release Monday evening. It did not give a reason, but the decision came after an internal administrative review. Assistant Cravelle Craig will take over the program for now.

Reed, a B-CU graduate, was 125-166 in 10 seasons as coach, including an 74-88 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This past season the Wildcats had one of their best, going 21-13, winning the conference in the regular-season at 13-3 and qualifying for the NIT Tournament where it lost to Virginia Tech.

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Cole says he has accepted JD job; MPS official says no recommendation has been made

L.C. Cole

Montgomery, AL  -  L.C. Cole, the former Alabama State head football coach, said he has accepted the head coaching position at Jeff Davis High School.  Montgomery Public Schools senior communication officer Tom Salter, however, said in an email that Cole is not an employee of the Montgomery Public Schools.

Salter said in order for a person to be hired, the superintendent must to make a recommendation to the board of education during a board meeting. The majority of the board must vote on a personnel report to affirm the superintendent's recommendation. When asked what the next step would be, Salter said Thursday that the next board meeting is scheduled for June 28.

"However, it is possible that there could be a called meeting earlier than that date, not specifically for this hire, but for a number of personnel items," Salter said. Cole said he interviewed for the position with a four-person committee. Cole said a member of the committee called him back later and offered him the job and he accepted it.

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North Carolina Central hires head softball coach

NCCU Softball Coach Theresa Stephens

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina Central University announced Theresa Stephens as its head softball coach on Monday. Stephens joins NCCU with more than eight years of coaching experience at the Division I, II and III levels, as well USA Softball and semi-professional playing experience.

“I am very excited about joining the Eagle family and I am very blessed to be given this opportunity to rebuild the program,” said Stephens. “Having the opportunity to coach against these young ladies during the past few years at Campbell really did inspire me more to want to coach them and be a part of North Carolina Central.”

Prior to accepting the position at NCCU, Stephens was the top assistant softball coach at Campbell, primarily coaching and developing a pitching staff of five student-athletes. Preceding her three years at Campbell, Stephens was the assistant softball coach at UNC Pembroke during the 2007-08 year. As a member of the UNC Pembroke coaching staff, Stephens assisted the squad in setting or tying 33 school records in 2008, along with ending the year with an overall record of 46-15 and finishing 17-1 in the Peach Belt Conference.

Stephens obtained her first head coaching position at Meredith, a Division III institution in Raleigh, N.C., where she spent two seasons leading the Avenging Angels. In all of her travels in North Carolina, Stephens attributes the beginning of her coaching career to Greensboro College, where she served as the assistant coach and an adaptive physical education assistant from 2003-05.

“I am so very excited about Coach Stephens,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “With her background as a head coach and assistant coach on the Division III, II and I levels, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the game.”

As Stephens looks to rebuild the program, there are three character traits she believes are key to success: energy, passion and leadership.

“Energy is one of the things I would like to bring to this program - getting them fired up and getting them to play with a purpose by helping them to remember why they play this sport,” said Stephens. “I want them to look forward everyday to practice and games, and I want them to build that swagger a confident player should have.

“I will also bring passion to the program, through myself and the staff I surround the young ladies with,” Stephens said. – “When they see how passionate we are, how much we love the sport and how much we care, they will be drawn to that desire to want to succeed. Finally, I feel that I will display strong leadership qualities that anyone will be proud of and desire to follow. If I am a strong leader on and off the field, my student-athletes will emulate that same behavior on and off the diamond.”

Stephens obtained her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation with a concentration in behavioral health from Temple in 2003, after a two-year stint at South Carolina State. The Phoenixville, Pa., native played softball at both institutions and was honored numerously for her pitching and utility abilities. While a sophomore at SCSU in 1999, she was named an Onnidan All-American. During her freshman year in 1998, Stephens was invited to the United States Olympic Team Trials.

After graduating from Temple, Stephens played in with a trio of women’s major class A fastpitch organizations, the New Jersey Majestics, Pennsylvania Royal Ladies and the Pennsylvania Haze over the course of four years.

“Our softball program is headed in the right direction and Coach Stephens will be able to continue taking us to the next level in Division I,” said Wicker-McCree. “Our young women will definitely benefit from her experiences as a coach and a dynamic young woman.”

Along with Stephens’ dedication to success on the diamond, she is even more dedicated to success in the classroom.

“Education is so important,” said Stephens. “I do not want this team to just be champions on the field, but I also want them to strive to be excellent in the classroom.” - “It is my belief that competing in the classroom will carry on to competition on the field.

“As coaches, we are in our student-athletes’ lives’ - most of the year and their parents are expecting us to lead them in the right direction both in the classroom and in their social lives. Players who trust and respect you will value the advice and guidance you provide for their education and growth.”

By North Carolina Central University Athletics

Savannah State says T.A. Wright Stadium will be ready Oct. 1

Savannah, GA - Savannah State University's football team has not played a game on its campus since Nov. 14, 2009. Last season, because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium, nine of the Tigers' 11 games were on the road. The final two games were played at Memorial Stadium.

That will change Oct. 1, when SSU returns to T.A. Wright Stadium to play its first home game as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Tigers will face Howard University at 7 p.m.

"It's going to be done," SSU Vice President for Student Affairs Irvin Clark said of the stadium's completion. "Folks are going to have a lot to be proud of. I must be honest with you, it's a project that's long overdue."

The game is being billed as the "Coming Home/Hall of Fame Game" by SSU's athletics department. It won't be SSU's "Homecoming Game" - that will be Oct. 29 against Hampton - but it undoubtedly will have a homecoming-like atmosphere.

Savannah State has spent $10.2 million to upgrade its athletics facilities, including $6 million on T.A. Wright Stadium, which opened in 1967. SSU students voted in 2009 to pay an extra $150 per student each semester to fund a $21.95-million construction project that includes:

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Former Saint Augustine's Bershawn 'Batman' Jackson makes 400M hurdles IAAF World Championships

EUGENE, Ore. – Jeshua Anderson hardly could have cut it closer Sunday afternoon. Still wearing his Washington State uniform after concluding his collegiate career two weeks ago, Anderson took the first big step in the transition to his professional career by winning the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. track championships – in the narrowest fashion.

Leading off Sunday’s national telecast on NBC, Anderson held off four-time national champion Bershawn Jackson (Saint Augustine's College, 2006/Miami Central H.S., Miami, Fla. 2002) and two-time Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor in the final 25 meters to win his first USA title.

“This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time,” Anderson said. “I’ve been preparing to run my best race at the USAs. I gave it my all. I’m so thankful to have won.” The 22-year-old from Woodland Hills, Calif., was timed in a WSU-record 47.93 seconds – the same as Jackson – with the electronic timer showing Anderson just .009 ahead. Taylor was third in 47.94. Johnny Dutch, the hurdler who kept Anderson from sweeping four NCAA titles as a Cougar by beating him in 2010, was fifth.



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