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Washington, D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.Res. 1361, Recognizing North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on its 100th Anniversary by a vote of 408-1.
NCCU is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The resolution was sponsored by Representatives David Price (NC-04) and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01). Rep. Price’s district includes NCCU and Rep. Butterfield earned an undergraduate and juris doctorate from the university.
Yesterday, Rep. Price addressed the House of Representatives to recognize the institution’s impact on North Carolina and urge swift passage of the resolution. The text of Rep. Price’s remarks is below.
CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE FLOOR STATEMENT ON H. RES. 1361 Recognizing North Carolina Central University on its 100th Anniversary May 19, 2010
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res.1361, which commemorates the centennial anniversary of North Carolina Central University and honors its founder, Dr. James E. Shepard. I’ve introduced this resolution as the member of this body privileged to represent North Carolina Central, but I’m proud to say it has the support of the entire North Carolina delegation as well as a number of other members who recognize the university’s significance.
People frequently talk about the “Big 3” universities in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina – referring to Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – but I like to remind them that it is actually the “Big 4”. North Carolina Central is fully as integral to the historical fabric of our state as its three peer institutions; it is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation; and it has rapidly assumed an important role as a research institution.
Established by Dr. James E. Shepard in 1909 in Durham, North Carolina, the University first opened its doors to students a year later as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua. Dr. Shepard was a visionary leader guided by the conviction that individual self-improvement and collective self-advancement were inextricably intertwined. “There is no economy in ignorance,” he declared. “Education is a vastly expensive resource, but ignorance is incomparably more so. Ignorance and poverty are cures for nothing.”
Dr. Shepard led the University until his death in 1947, guiding the institution through several name changes; watching the University grow in size and mission; and helping the school to gain the support of the North Carolina state legislature. In 1925, thanks to Dr. Shepard’s leadership, the school became the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts college for African-American students.
Now an integral part of the University of North Carolina system, NC Central offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 fields of study and graduate degrees in about 40 disciplines to a student body of about 8,500. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked NC Central the top public HBCU in the nation and one of the top ten HBCUs overall. The NC Central School of Law has been named the “Best Value Law School” in the nation by National Jurist magazine for two consecutive years.
NC Central is also renowned for its contributions to the cultural and performing arts. The University is home to the “Marching Sound Machine,” an award-winning marching band that will be performing on New Year’s Day 2011 in the Rose Parade, and the NC Central Jazz Ensemble, which recently performed in the Newport Jazz Festival.
NC Central also has a strong history of athletic prowess: its sports teams have won 41 conference championships, three NCAA regional titles, and two national championships. More than 50 of its student-athletes have won individual NCAA and NAIA national championships; and student-athletes representing NCCU competed in every Olympic Games from 1956 to 1976 in track and field, capturing eight Olympic medals, including five gold medals, during that span.
As a co-chair of the congressional National Service Caucus, I must also note that NC Central was the first state university in North Carolina to establish community service as a requirement for graduation and has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “community-engaged university”. It should therefore come as no surprise that the University has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with its home city of Durham throughout its 100-year history.
Thousands of NC Central graduates have served Durham as community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers. However, the reach of NC Central extends far beyond the borders of the Triangle region of North Carolina. In the century since its founding, the University has graduated approximately 40,000 students and proudly boasts many distinguished alumni, including civil rights lawyer and educator Julius L. Chambers, basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, two-time Olympic track gold medalist Lee Calhoun, NC Superior Court Judge Toby Fitch, state Senator and former Speaker Dan Blue, and state Rep. Mickey Michaux, not to mention my friend and lead cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman G.K. Butterfield.
In the words of NC Central’s current Chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms: "It's no small accomplishment that an institution of higher education - and in this case founded by African-Americans at a time when African-Americans were barred from most colleges - survived and thrived for 100 years." I could not agree more. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Shepard, Dr. Nelms, and all who served the institution in between, the University has flourished and has touched countless lives in North Carolina and throughout the country and the world.
With that, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution and yield back the remainder of my time.
Bria Young, a four-year letter man on the Prattville High School softball team, inked a letter of in tent Tuesday afternoon in the high school's media center to attend Tuskegee University. Young will play for the Tigers' softball program headed by coach Tarsah Askew. The Golden Tigers ended the 2010 season with an 18-14 record and will be competing in the SIAC tournament this week end in Columbus, Ga.
Young earned two letters with the Prattville junior varsity and for the past two seasons she had played in the outfield for the varsity Lions. Not only is Young a versatile softball player, she is a well-rounded student, and quite popular. She was named the homecoming queen as well as the 2010 Prom Queen. "Bria is a very coachable young lady. She is very smart, an excellent student and a very good kid. She played centerfield for us, and had some clutch hits over the season. "Tuskegee is getting a very good player. Bria will earn early playing time next year at Tuskegee. More than an athlete, Tuskegee is getting an excellent student," head coach Sabrina Tutchtone said.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Darrell Asberry can't erase this loss from his mind. The fourth-year Shaw football coach holds on to defeats and uses them as a source of energy. This particular loss, to Elizabeth City State, came during his first season with the Bears, in 2006. And it wasn't so much that his team lost, but that they were crushed 36-0 near the end of an ego-bruising 3-7 campaign. Vikings coach Waverly Tillar called for a two-point conversion after a fourth-quarter touchdown with five minutes to play. The run attempt failed, though it came as a stark reminder of how weak opponents considered the Bears.
"He called time out and went for two," Asberry said last month through coarse laughter. It's only funny now because that was the last game the Bears lost to Elizabeth City State. Two years later, Asberry's team won its second consecutive CIAA championship, defeating the Vikings 36-7 in the title game. Last season, the Bears were a botched snap away from returning to the conference championship game - led by their offensive-minded coach, who despite limited resources has spearheaded a successful program. "He made it known, you got me down now, but I'm not going to stay down," Tillar said.
A former quarterback at Jackson State, Asberry helped head coach Rod Broadway - now at Grambling State - orchestrate two CIAA championships at N.C. Central in 2005 and 2006, serving as an assistant head coach before accepting his first head coaching job at Shaw.
In a short time, Asberry, 38, has won 28 games, captured two conference titles, led the Bears to the NCAA Division II playoffs and distinguished himself as one of the nation's top Division II coaches. "To do what he's done at Shaw definitely puts him in the arena with successful [historically black college and university] coaches in the country," said LeCounte Conaway, an analyst with Heritage Sports Radio Network. "He's winning. ... He's proven that his teams are going to be very competitive, well-prepared and also they're going to have talent."
Saint Augustine's College athletic director George Williams.
RALEIGH, N.C. - Saint Augustine’s College capped an outstanding athletic year by winning the C.H. Williams All-Sports Trophy on Tuesday at the 2010 CIAA Coaches of the Year Award Program at the Crabtree Valley Marriott. The award is given to the season’s best men’s athletic program in the CIAA.
“It is another significant achievement by an institution which believes in academics first, athletics second and then a controlled social life,” said George Williams, athletic director and acclaimed head track and field coach at Saint Augustine’s College.
The Falcons earned the honor by winning CIAA titles in baseball, men’s basketball, and men’s indoor and outdoor track and field. In addition to their four league crowns, the Falcons finished second in men’s cross country, third in the Western Division in football, fourth in men’s golf and tied for third in men’s tennis. The winner of the Williams Trophy is based on the championship place finishes for each sponsored sport.
Three coaches and one student-athlete from Saint Augustine’s College also were recognized during the banquet. Williams was honored for winning four CIAA coach of the year awards – men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, women’s outdoor track and field and women’s cross country. Head coaches Lonnie Blow, Jr. received the CIAA coach of the year plaque for men’s basketball and Charles Whitaker accepted his plaque for CIAA baseball coach of the year. Blow is in his second year of coaching and Whitaker is a first-year head coach at Saint Augustine’s College.
The Falcons' Orolando Duffus was the winner of the CIAA male scholar-athlete of the year award. Duffus, a junior from St. Catherine, Jamaica, is an NCAA Division II All-American jumper in track and field and has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.96 in business administration.
Southern University Coach Roger Cador is taking it easy and will allow assistant coach Fernando Puebla to run the team during the SWAC Tournament.
On a hot, muggy afternoon Saturday, acting head coach Fernando Puebla had the Southern University baseball team running. The position players were doing 24 sprints in the outfield at Lee-Hines Field, the pitchers six laps around the warning track. “It’s going to be hot in Shreveport too,” said Puebla, looking forward to the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, which starts Wednesday at Fairgrounds Field. “We need to be in condition.” What was missing was the dragging of heels and the bickering of a bunch of young men having to toil in the heat of a day where one might break a sweat just standing in the shade.
Instead, players smiled and cracked jokes. Things were loose, almost relaxed — or at least as relaxed as things can be while running 24 sprints in the outfield — as the players put in the work in preparation for the postseason. A relaxed demeanor is part of the reason the Jaguars (23-20) won five of their final six regular-season games, all after Puebla took over for Roger Cador, who sat out the late part of the season for health reasons. And although Cador said he has been cleared to return to “do whatever I want to,” he said, the veteran coach knows a good thing when he sees it. Watching from the sideline, Cador has seen his team play well.
After 4,189 postings on black college sports, I believe we have learned a few things about the main stream press coverage of our Division I historical black colleges and universities.
First, the coverage is not equal, especially for institutions located in the States of Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Secondly, HBCUs can help themselves by updating their own athletic websites (daily) with future events, breaking news stories and press releases on the sport news on their campus. Finally, for changeovers in coaching personnel, HBCUs should release the story first on their school websites, so that their Administration's perspective gets out on the Internet before the facts get twisted by the local press corps.
For sometime now, I have been attempting to stop blogging and posting at "MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street" due to a need to devote time to other interests. But, I have a burning passion for HBCU sports and bands and can never find enough real-time information on either topic at one site--the very basis of this blog.
It is very difficult to argue with the facts--the data shows that this blog serves a very useful purpose and generates a considerable following around the globe. Here is what today's Google Analytic metrics says about the MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street blog:
Over 253,623 visits have been made to the site this year, using 82 languages. There has been 429,355 page views and over 20,000 visitors have visited the site over 201+ times. The 253,623 visits came from 164 countries/territories; and approximately 239,904 from the United States, 3199 from Canada, 1217 from the United Kingdom, 946 from Germany, 477 from France and 69 from Iraq, just to name a few.
Within the U.S., the top States with visitors to this blog are: Florida (39,394), Georgia (19,433), North Carolina (18,976), Texas (18,050), Virginia (14,172), Maryland (13,024), New York (10,817), Alabama (9,304), and California (9,218). Visitors came from all states with a high number from states with no HBCU or HBCU Division I institutions -- like California, New Jersey (4497), Michigan (3536), Pennsylvania (4338) and Illinois (5509). One could conclude that these states have a high concentration of HBCU graduates or fans/followers of black college Division I sports.
In examining the data from Florida and the 39,394 visits via 562 cities, Tallahassee lead the pack with over 8,903 visits, followed by Orlando (2,652), Hialeah (2155), Miami (2000), Jacksonville (1723) and Lakeland (944). The greater number of visitors to the site in Florida are located in the big cities and urban areas. But more importantly, the fans in small towns and communities, visit the site just as often as fans in urban areas, according to the data.
Effective today, we are going to broaden our content to include the Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). There is no reason not to give the CIAA and the SIAC the same level of exposure that the MEAC and SWAC have enjoyed from this ONE MAN-- three year effort. Our goal is simply to provide greater global exposure and expand interests in our Historical Black Colleges and Universities athletic programs and their exceptional student-athletes.
We have a wonderful story to tell and it should be told from both a black perspective that accentuate the positives of HBCU culture and athletic accomplishments.
Recently, we did a blog on the football accomplishments of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The school was formally know as Maryland State College and played football in the CIAA, prior to ending the football program in 1980. The school's football coach, Vernon "Skip" McCain was legendary, but has been generally forgotten by main street America.
We are talking about a school--UMES-- that produced over 25 NFL players, including Pro Football Hall of Famer and the first African American NFL head coach of the modern era in Art Shell ( Oakland Raiders); College Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl III star half-back Emerson Boozer of the New York Jets; and Roger Brown, an anchor of the Fearsome Foursome of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. Both Brown and Coach Skip McCain have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Few articles are written on trailblazing pioneers of HBCU sports like Skip McCain (UMES), Jake Gaither (FAMU), John Merritt (TSU) , Clarence Big House Gaines (WSSU), Willie Jefferies (SCSU), Davey L. Whitney (Alcorn St.) and many other black icons of the modern era.
Few know that five UMES Hawks played in Super Bowl III, tying an NFL record with Florida State University for the most players in a single Super Bowl game from the same college.
How many know of Rudy Hubbard, Marino Casem, William "Billy Joe" or Arnett Mumford accomplishments. How many of you grasshoppers know that the second African American coach to win an NBA championship is none other than Alvin Attles from North Carolina A&T State University.
Attles is in the CIAA Hall of Fame, played 11 seasons in the NBA as a guard and ended his NBA coaching career with 588-548 overall in 14 seasons with 6 playoff appearances. His #16 was retired by the Golden State Warriors.
If you are interested in blogging and/or providing e-press clippings of your HBCU press releases, or local articles, please send me a message as I can use the help. The pay is zero but the greater reward is that your postings will get exposure annually to over 500,000 fans and readers in 164 countries and territories. Talk to me at email: oneproposal@yahoo.com.
Thank you readers for providing your feedback on this project and for your continued loyalty in reading the articles posted at MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street. To my alma mater, Florida A&M University, thank you for giving me the gift of sharing. On gridiron, diamond, track and field, Thy sons thy victory never yield, And while they tread a broader life, Thy love shall stay them in the strife. Hubba, Rattlers!
Welcome fans of the CIAA and SIAC. Let's talk HBCU Division I and II sports!!
CIAA - "Established in 1912"
Northern Division
Bowie State University
Chowan University
Elizabeth City State University
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Saint Paul's College
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
Southern Division
Fayetteville State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Livingstone College
Saint Augustine's College
Shaw University
Winston Salem State University
SIAC - "Established in 1913" School: Location: Year Joined SIAC: Albany State University, Albany, GA 1969 Benedict College, Columbia, SC 1932 Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC 2008 Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA * 1913 Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA 1941 Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 1997 Lane College, Jackson, TN 1929 LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN 1932 Miles College, Fairfield, AL 1927 Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA * 1913 Paine College, Augusta, GA 1985 Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL 1978 Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL * 1913
LANDIS, N.C. — Winston-Salem State's football program returns to its CIAA roots this fall, and South Rowan running back D'Andre Harris will be part of the excitement. Once Winston-Salem State found out D'Andre hadn't signed anywhere, he was an apple they were quick to grab," South coach Jason Rollins said. Harris had a tough recruiting experience. Rollins explained that North Carolina A&T offered a full ride pretty early. Harris — a productive back, solid citizen and strong student — wanted to wait to see what other options developed. Basically, that scholarship got pulled off the table and went elsewhere. It happens.
But what put Harris in a really difficult spot was that he appeared signed, sealed and delivered for A&T. Lots of schools had crossed him off their lists, and that helps explain why he was sort of a free agent longer than a player with his talent and transcript should've been. Fortunately, coaches still make the recruiting rounds in the spring. Sometimes they find a gem who finally made a decent SAT or ACT score after everyone had backed off. Sometimes they run across a player who got hurt and slipped through the cracks. Sometimes they discover a late-blooming lineman who's put on 30 pounds since football season ended.
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - - The Alabama softball team (49-9) opened NCAA postseason play with a convincing 9-0 victory over Alcorn State (24-25) Friday evening in game two of the Tuscaloosa Regional at the Alabama Softball Complex. With the win the Crimson Tide has run off 25 straight victories, tying the third longest winning streak in school history. “We talked about whoever we play, you play your best and respect the opponent by coming out and playing a great game,” UA head coach Pat Murphy said. “I think we did just that. Lauren Sewell did a really good job and Amanda Locke was awesome in the three batters she faced. We scored in every inning and that’s what we do.”
TUSCALOOSA | Alcorn State coach Kevin Montgomery figured his team's only chance against the University of Alabama softball team would be if the Crimson Tide took his Lady Braves lightly in the first round of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. Fat chance. Alabama (49-9) needed less than an hour-and-a-quarter Friday to send Alcorn State (24-25) to the loser's bracket with a 9-0 victory, shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. The Crimson Tide, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, won for the 25th time in a row, extending the nation's longest winning streak.
“We talk about whoever we play — no matter the opponent, the situation, the site — you play your best and you respect the opponent by coming out and playing a great game,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “I think we did just that. “We scored in every inning. That's kind of like our … what we do. That's how we roll.” Alabama got rolling early against the Lady Braves, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding three in the second and three more in the third.
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Alcorn State will face the University of Alabama-Birmingham in an elimination game Saturday at 4 p.m.
Killen High School (Texas) Volleyball star Tiara McIver selected the GSU Lady Tigers over offers from Tarleton State, Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M. The 5-10/145 left-handed spiker plans to major in English/Language Arts Teacher Education.
After two months of waiting for a response — any response — Tiara McIver would've given Grambling State "another week or two weeks or so," the Killeen High senior, affectionately known as "Tree," said. McIver got the response she was looking for from Lady Tigers coach Kim Young. Then, the Lady Roos outside hitter received her invitation to visit the Grambling, La., campus and was finally offered her opportunity to play Division I volleyball, which she accepted Friday in the Killeen High School gymnasium by signing her national letter of intent.
"I thought she was going to e-mail the next day. I really did ... but she didn't," McIver said. "I would check my e-mail all the time, I asked my mom to check my e-mail all the time when I was in school. I thought she was going to contact me back right then. "As soon as I heard from her, it was just a sigh of relief," said McIver, who posted 198 kills, 22 aces, 254 digs and 87 blocks as a senior and Killeen's only all-district first team selection.
McIver assumed the delayed response was because of the Lady Tigers' Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) tournament finals appearance and other end-of-season requirements. Whatever the reason, McIver said she never gave up on earning a Division I scholarship, despite receiving numerous offers from smaller schools. That goal was made all the more difficult by the Lady Roos' struggles. Killeen hasn't made the playoffs since 2004 and has a combined six district wins (of 30) and one winning season in the last three years. So McIver created a profile on the website berecruited.com and contacted Young via e-mail shortly after her final prep season at Killeen, where she finished as a three-year starter and the District 16-4A MVP blocker as a sophomore.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Tarvaris Jackson has taken plenty of heat for his performance, and physically he’s been hurt a lot too over four NFL seasons. Last summer, he was brushed aside for Brett Favre. For all Jackson has been beat up or bumped back, though, he can’t hide his smile. There it was, on Wednesday after practice with the Minnesota Vikings, spreading fast across his face when asked if he had a gut feeling about whether Favre will return or not.
"Yeah, I do. I’m not going to share it," Jackson said, flashing that grin. "But I think everybody has their feeling, and I think everybody is pretty much on the same page." That sure sounded like an expectation Favre will be Minnesota’s quarterback again this year. Jackson said he’s traded text messages a few times with the 40-year-old star, but insisted they talked only about "life stuff" and not football. Jackson said he "wouldn’t dare ask" the burning question about Favre’s status for 2010.
Profile: Tarvaris Jackson, #7, QB, Minnesota Vikings, Height: 6-2, Weight: 225 Age: 27, Born: 4/21/1983 Montgomery , AL; College: Alabama State University, Experience: 5th season; Contract: one year, $1.176 million tender as a restricted free agent; High School: Sidney Lanier HS (Montgomery, AL).
"That’s not even in my character," Jackson said. Well, how about Favre’s health, the left ankle he’s considering surgery on? "I don’t know," Jackson said, laughing. "I didn’t even know he was hurt." Jackson attempted 21 passes last season, the fewest since he turned pro and all in mop-up duty — "Every time I got in the game last year, the game was pretty much over with," he said, smiling again.
Former SSU Tigers coach Robby Wells was asked to resign for committing two NCAA secondary violations reports the Savannah Morning News.
As Savannah State University was preparing to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, former football head coach Robby Wells was responsible for two of three secondary violations within the football program that SSU self-reported to the NCAA, according to documents obtained by the Savannah Morning News through a Georgia Open Records Act request. Wells, who resigned Jan. 28 after two seasons, broke an NCAA rule on Jan. 20 when he invited an SSU student - a non-qualifier - to participate in weightlifting and conditioning drills with the football team.
SSU Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance Shed Dawson wrote in a report he submitted to the NCAA that, during a routine practice site visit, he observed the prospective athlete participating in the practice session. The athlete had been declared a non-qualifier by the NCAA Eligibility Center and was not eligible to participate in team practices or competition.
Grambling State football coach Rod Broadway isn't shy about telling you his dislike of putting Football Bowl Subdivision schools on his nonconference schedule. The Tigers have played the likes of Nevada and Oklahoma State lately, and while the university gets an added financial benefit to play in the games, the Tigers have been dealt lopsided losses with numerous injuries.
Broadway used this argument as his push to get more fans in the stands for football games when he spoke at Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church for the Shreveport leg of the GSU sports caravan Thursday night. "If we sold our home games out, we don't have to play teams like Oklahoma State," Broadway said to about 50 members of the Shreveport alumni chapter. "The Oklahoma States have 22 more scholarships than we do. That's just not fair."
Dr. Phillips High School (Orlando, Florida) senior WR Chris Gallon, a transfer this year from Oviedo High School, located in adjacent Seminole County, landed his second NCAA Division I-A scholarship offer Tuesday night from Colorado State, and also received an offer from Florida A&M University. His other D-I offer was from University of Memphis. Gallon will be looking to fill huge shoes this season for the Panthers with the graduation of Kenny Shaw, who is headed to Florida State. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Gallon is ranked No. 20 on the Sentinel’s 2011 Central Florida Super60.
Dr. Phillips is the defending Metro Conference Champions. Gallon had over 450 yards receiving for Oviedo High and scored six touchdowns last season. "I'm transferring to Dr. Phillips, I think that's very good for me," Gallon said. "I'm having some family issues and I'm trying to do what's best for me." Gallon runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and is also being shown interest by Tennessee, Florida, and Miami.
The comments came from all over at any given time. He'd walk across campus and some-one thanked him. He'd walk into an office and someone thanked him. Sometimes Harry Williams (Potomac H.S.'06, Dumfries, VA) knew the well-wishers and other times he did not, but in either case what mattered most to him was they appreciated his dedication to the Coppin State baseball program. For four years, Williams has been face of an Eagle team that has gone through three coaches and two winless seasons. He's been the top hitter and played his share of different positions to help out wherever he could.
All-MEAC "Mr. Everything" Harry Williams, Jr. is batting .373 in leading the deserving Coppin State University Eagles to the 2010 MEAC Tournament. You gotta love the underdog--Eagles.
Still, it wasn't exactly the college baseball experience Williams hoped for when he signed with Coppin State, but he stuck with it, believing each new season brought a chance for improve-ment even if the end result was just the opposite at times. "All I can do is thank the people for noticing," Williams said. "It makes me feel good inside to see that they see all the hard work I've put in and what's going on." You take what you can take and Williams is pleased that this season was a breakout one for the Eagles.
For the first time since 2006, Coppin State is playing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tour-nament. The Eagles (13-31 overall, 7-11 in the MEAC) are seeded fifth and open up today against second-seeded North Carolina A&T at 10 a.m. Williams is the main reason the Eagles are at least competitive again. He earned second-team all-conference honors after finishing sixth in the league in hitting .373 while contributing two homers and 30 RBIs.
Hampton University has signed guard Chikilra Goodman to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Lady Pirates next season.
The top high school girls scorer in the nation is coming to Hampton University, where she'll follow in her mother's footsteps. Chikilra Goodman, a 5-foot-9 guard who averaged 36.6 points per game for Bodine High in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Pirates next season.
Lady Pirates coach David Six, who led HU to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship last year in his first season at the helm, was tipped off to Goodman by an HU alumn who emailed him an impressive YouTube video highlight package. Upon further investigation, Six discovered that Chikilra's mother, Tondalaya, is Hampton's all-time leading rebounder with 1,608, and is tied for 10th in all-time points with 1,253. "I think her mom was pulling for her (to choose Hampton), but her mom made it clear that it was her decision," Six said. Six has signed three other recruits, including 6-foot-3, 250-pound center Sherena Abercrumbia out of Lon Morris College in Texas.
NCCU, your time is near but let us take a brief look back at the year that was at the Eagle's nest. This is the video that was played at "The Eddies" culminating a year of exciting moments at North Carolina Central University. The NCCU Eagles will officially join the MEAC as its 13th member, as voted on by the conference's Council of Chief Executive Officers (CCEOs), effective July 1, 2010. Eagle Pride! Eagle Pride! Welcome Home...
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner, Dr. Dennis E. Thomas
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announces the 2010 Commissioner's All-Academic Team, recognizing 618 student-athletes from the conference's 12 member institutions who achieved academic success during the 2009-10 academic school year. The team honors student-athletes, including sophomores to seniors, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
"I am pleased to recognize 618 student-athletes who have maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average during the 2009-10 school year," said Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. "In addition to these academic achievers, I applaud the athletic academic support staff and personnel, coaches, institutions, and parents for their contributions to success of these student-athletes."
Listed below are the 2010 Commissioner's All-Academic Award Winners by institutions:
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY (54)
Women (27): Analisa Austin (WTR, Business Administration), Crystal Bardge (WTR, Mass Communications), Alexandria Condell (WTR, Physical Education), Jaquennee Flowers (WTR, Accounting), Marketa Ruffin (WTR, Music Performance), LaShondra Wilbon (WTR, Criminal Justice), Nickesha Williams (WTR, Criminal Justice), Jasmine Daniels (WBB, History), Demetria Frank (WBB, Physical Education/Recreation), Kimberly Roe (WBW, Elementary Education), Hanna Bews (WGO, Speech Communication), Brittani Austin (WSB, Sociology), Simone Ceasar (WSB, Business Administration/Marketing), Sabrina Ferguson (WSB, Psychology), Allison Garcia (Criminal Justice), Tameika Jonas (WSB, Physical Education), Briana Leverett (WSB, Nursing), Elizabeth Parish (WSB, Elementary Education), Cesley Tafoya (WSB, Computer Information Systems), Eva Hankova (WTE, Mass Communications), Stacey Lopez (WTE, Biology), Andrea Paez (WTE, Hospitality Management), Janeice Ward (WTE, Accounting), Linda Nwabuko (WVB, Biology), Shanick Reddick (WVB, Elementary Education), Daryl Rodriguez (WVB, Nursing), Chelle Ticeson (WVB, Physical Education/Recreation) .... Men (27): William Cosby (MTR, Psychology), Demetrius Douglas-Davis (MTR, Hospitality Management), Christopher Jackson (MTR, Mass Communications), Martin Embry (MTR, Physical Education/Recreation), Stephen Bertholet (MFB, Mass Communications), Jean-Gardy Fanor (MFB, Psychology), Christopher Perry (MFB, Criminal Justice), Joseph White (MFB, Biology), Emmanuel Castro (MBA, Physical education/Recreation), Justin Dahl (MBA, English), Jeremy Davis (Physical Education/Recreation), Ryan Durrence (MBA, Business Administration/Marketing), Rayan Gonzales (MBA, Biology), Justin Hoyte (MBA, Business Administration), Christopher Lauriello (Criminal Justice), Joseph Munoz (MBA, Hospitality Management), Alejandro Sanchez (MBA, Business Administration), Andrew Tilka (MBA, Educational Studies), Tyrel Adams (MBB, Criminal Justice), Kene Anusionwu (MBB, History), Sean Edey (MGO, International Business), Christian Cruz (MTE, Accounting), Kristofer Martin (MTE, Business Administration/Management Information Systems), Emil Vassilev (MTE, Hospitality Management), Richard Crow (MFB, Psychology), AnQelo Erilus (MFB, Computer Engineering), Ryan Griffin (MFB, History).
Women (68) Sade Bowen(WBB, Sports Sciences), Alexis Johnson(WBB, Criminal Justice), Samantha Koonce(WBB, Biology/Pre-Professional), Ashley Thompson(WBB, Physics), Jazmyne Hefflefinger(BO, Sports Sciences), Adriana Jaime(BO, Education), Tara McQueen (WBO,Computer Science), Brooke Peterson(WBO, Nursing), Samantha Scionti(WBO, Music Education), Courtney Varin (WBO, Biology), Kayln Washburn (WBO, English), Calis Emerson (WCC, Accounting), Capri Jones (WCC, Accounting), Kendra Mayers (WCC, Sports Sciences), Charnise McCombs (WCC, Biology), Brittany Roberson (WCC, Pre-Nursing), Ashley Blake (WTR, Education), Tracy Fan Fan (WTR, Pre-Nursing), Ayanna Kelly (WTR, Mass Communications), Victoria McGroary (WTR, Political Science), Krystina Muhammad (WTR, Sports Sciences), Marshae Richardson(WTR, Criminal Justice), Ashley Butler (WEQ, Management), Brittni Collins (WEQ, Agriculture), Caroline Foltz (WEQ, Agriculture), Amanda Hotz (WEQ, Agriculture), Jennifer McInnis (WEQ, Political Science), Jennifer Pierson (WEQ, Agriculture), Morgan Scuse (WEQ, Chemistry/Pre-Professional), Jessica Smith (WEQ, Agriculture), Elizabeth Tuttle (WEQ, Management), Chelsea Brown (WSO, Chemistry), Kelly Cheng (WSO, Sports Sciences), Brittany Curtis (WSO, Chemistry), Brianna Dingman (WSO, Management), Michelle Giorgilli (WSO, Forensic Biology), Ashlee Gourdine (WSO, Biology), Courtney Haas (WSO, Sports Sciences), Leah Hontz (WSO, Education), Kristin Mathis (WSO, Sports Sciences), Casey Beighley (WSB, Mass Communications), Janelle Lukens (WSB, Mass Communications), Leslie Pleasanton (WSB, Education), Twany Reeger (WSB, Chemistry), Jordan Reid (WSB, Criminal Justice), Allison Rubin (WSB, History), Sherelle Sheppard (WSB, History), JoCarol Shields (WSB, Sports Sciences), Andrea Waters (WSB, Political Science), Hannah Adewumi (WTE, Computer Science), Christina Andrade-Pires (WTE, Finance & Banking), Anna Kovtun (WTE, Criminal Justice), Cassandra Newton (WTE, Hospitality Tourism Management), Polina Razborova (WTE, Finance & Banking), Sonja Banicevic (WVB, Finance & Banking), Martina Ferrari (WVB, Political Science), Ashley Herman (WVB, Biology), Elisa Herman (WVB, Hospitality Tourism Management), Princess Puckett (WVB, Movement Science), Maja Rudolph (WVB, Mathematics), Erica Tajchman (WVB, biology/Pre-Professional), Jasmine Bolton (CH, Public Relations), Carlita Constant (CH, Psychology), Jasmine Cooper (CH, Accounting), Jessica Dickerson (CH, Political Science), Corrine Gramby (CH, Textiles & Apparels), Tynisha Hearne (CH, Music Education), Bethany Stewart (CH, History) .... Men (30): Scott Davis (MBA, Physical Education), Jordan Elliot (MBA, Sports Sciences), Joshua Harris (MBA, Physical Education), Keith Hernandez (MBA, Criminal Justice), Derrek Johnson (MBA, Psychology), Matthew Millman (MBA, Sports Sciences), Kevin Noriega (MBA, Marketing), Jose Portela-Berrios (MBA, Biology), Michael Rizzuto (MBA, Management), Joe Rush (\MBA, Sports Sciences), George Bansah (MFB, Undecided), Andre Carroll (MFB, Sports Sciences), BJ Conley (MFB, Criminal Justice), Mike Gable (MFB, Biology/Pre-Professional), Darryl Hicks (MFB, Criminal Justice), Byron Lewis (MFB, Criminal Justice), Calvin Miner (MFB, Criminal Justice), Nick Richmond (MFB,Sports Sciences), Steven Steinbacher (MFB, Management), Travis Tarpley (MFB, Management), Brandon Baylor (MBB, Psychology), James Marcellus (MBB, Management), Greg Smith (MBB, Movement Science), Trevor Welcher (MBB, Sports Sciences), Ryan Agan (MCC, Airway Sciences), Alan Laws (MCC, Sports Sciences), David Bruce (MTR, Sports Sciences), Brian Gelis (MTE, Computer Science), Roman Pitatelev (MTE, Accounting), Milos Velickovic (MTE, Management).
FAMU sophomore Derrick Shaw is getting in done in the classroom, in baseball and football. The 2010 first team All-MEAC infielder was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American team as a freshman; play the QB/DB position for Rattlers football; and has a 3.5 GPA in the classroom--majoring in Social Work.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY (26)
Women (8): Amanda Reyes (WSB, Architecture), Kierra Holiday (WTR, Criminal Justice), Tiffany Morrow (WTR, Criminal Justice), Ashley Melson (WBO, Criminal Justice), Danielle Anderson (WBB, Chemistry), Tameka McKelton (WBB, Criminal Justice), Kathline Durden (WTE, Computer Info), Jessica Bond (WVB, Business).... Men (18): Jack Dash (MSW, Engineering), Akie Smythe (MSW, Intem, Agriculture), Adeyemi Oluwatobiloba (MBA, Psychology), David Duncan (MBA, Undeclared), Darryl Evans Jr. (MBA, Criminal Justice), Isaac Brown (MBB, Journalism), Yannick Crowder (MBB, Business), Christopher Walker (MBB, Criminal Justice), Gallop Franklin (MGO, Pharmacy), Elijah Jackson (MGO, Pre-Med), Forrest Jenkins (MTE, Business), Micheal Moore (MTE, Political Science), Cameron Houston (MFB, Criminal Justice), Gregory Lee (MFB, African-American History), Cory McCloughen (MFB, History), Padric Scott (MFB, Biology), Derrick Shaw (MFB, Social Work), Isaac West (MFB, Criminal Justice)
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY (48)
Women (31): Mianna Armstrong (WVB, Biology), Tiffany Brents (WSB, Psychology), BreAnna Brown (WSB, Entrepreneurship), Tavonna Byrd (WSB, 5yr MBA), Lihi Elkayam (WVB, Psychology), Ashley Hampton (WBO, Business Management), Margaret Harris (WTR, Computer Engineering), Aaryn Harrison (WVB, Chemistry), Whitney Hill (WBB, Sociology), Whitney Hubbard (WVB, Public Relations), Jada Jeffries (WSB, Electrical Engineering), Jericka Jenkins (WBB, Criminal Justice), Kenya Jones (WTR, Sports Management), Sydnee Mack (WGO, Public Relations) Dara Martin (WBO, Marketing), Camille McGirt (WBB, Psychology), Choicetta McMillian (WBB, English), Jessi Mitchell (WGO, Broadcast Journalism), Brittani Reynolds (WBO, Business Management), Petrice Richards (WTR, Physical Education), Jazzmin Richey-Obey (WBO, Sociology), Jovanna Sangria (WTE, Public Relations), Kelsei Saunders (WSB, Communicative Science Disorders), Ivana Suput (WVB, Psychology), Brittany Thomas (WBB, Accounting), Racquel Vassell (WTR, Physical Education), Melanie Warner (WBB, Business Management), Jocelyn Watkins (WTR, Psychology), Dionne West (WGO, 5yr MBA), Kiara Williams (WBO, Pharmacy), Brittany Wynne (WVB, Psychology)....Men (17): Edson Alves (MTE, Business Management), Jahmal Blanchard (MFB, Art), Landon Collins (MFB, Biology), Damon Dixon (MTR, Finance), Ian Guagliardo (MSL, Aviation), Shane Horsford (MSL, Accounting), Darius Johnson (MFB, electrical Engineering), Winston Kennedy (MFB, Psychology), David Kimani (MTR, Nursing), Nelio Mattos (MTE, Business Management), Louis Preston (MFB, 5yr MBA), Marcelo Reda (MTE, Health/Physical Education), Jason Sherer (MGO, Biology), Bakari Taylor (MBB, Recreation), Gellert Varga (MTE, Finance), LaMar Veale (MTR, History), Andre Watkins (MFB, Art)
In Performance at The White House, Washington, D.C: The Howard University Choir, under the direction of J. Norris Weldon, sings "Lord, I Don' Done."Congratulation to the 2010 MEAC All-Academic Student-Athletes for an expectional job well done.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY (100)
Women (61): Carae Baulkman (WBB, Physical Education), Amanda-Gay Edwards (WBB, Biology), Courtney Fields (WBB, Physical Therapy), Jalisa Pullins (WBB, Radio/TV/Film), Shayla Haynes (WBW, Physical Therapy), Alesyn McCall (WBW, Radio/TV/Film) Brianna Uzzell (WBW, Administration of Justice), Desiree Cox (WLA, Leisure Studies), Eboni Farmer (WLA, Journalism), Ashley Foote (WLA, Communication and Culture), Ashley Lawrence (WLA, Human Performance), Amber Meeks (WLA, Communication and Culture), Imani Oakley (WLA, Biology), Ivy Pierce (WLA, Psychology), Lauren Rivers (WLA, Communication Sciences and Disorders), Chanel Bell (WSO, Sociology), Christina Bodison (WSO, Biology), Beatrice Charles (WSO, Human Performance), Camille Grayson (WSO, Journalism), Joslyn Johnson (WSO, Biology), Rachael Lee (WSO, Accounting), Stephanie McLean (WSO, Finance), Brittany Miner (WSO, Business Administration), Ciera Gordon (WSB, Biology), Jessica Hurston (WSB, Radio/TV/Film), Emily Johnson (WSB, Architecture), Trina Kindred (WSB, Biology), Rebecca Kirshner (WSB, Marketing), Morgan Plowden (WSB, Civil Engineering), Lorae Robinson (WSB, Biology), Candace Rogers (WSB, International Business), Nicole Saez (WSB, Administration of Justice),Christine Sborz (WSB, Political Science), Lauren Anthony (WSW, Fashion Merchandising), Polo Edwards (WSW, Human Performance), Monique Major (WSW, Psychology), Rochelle Smith (WSW, Communication and Culture), Anne Akhimien (WTE, Chemistry), Michelle Brown (MTE, Undecided), Amber Cuff (WTE, Fashion merchandising), Ashley Moore (WTE, Undecided), Caroline Snowden (WTE, Journalism), Alyssa Works (WTE, Health Science), Mya Aaten-White (WTR, Philosophy), Norell Abernathy (WTR, Radio/TV/Film), Shatima Aycock (WTR, Biology), Jami Hardy (WTR, Health Education), Ashley Hodges (WTR, Political Science), Brittany Jackson (WTR, Nursing), Krystal Jenkins (WTR, Spanish), Alexandria McKee (WTR, Political Science), Tamila Myles (WTR, Journalism), Brittany Stephens (WTR, Journalism), Jannelle Wallace (WTR, Marketing), Amelia Woodruff (WTR, Human Performance), Andrea Brown (WVB, Political Science), Oluwatosin Elebute (WVB, Health Science), Taylor Johnson (WVB, Undecided), Gabrielle Martin (WVB, Radio/TV/ Film), Monique McCoy (WVB, Human Development), Nia Moore (WVB, Journalism) ....Men (39): Nathaniel Cooper, Jr. (MBB, Economics), Paul Kirkpatrick (MBB, Human Performance), Kyle Riley (MBB, Leisure Studies), Mukole Tshimuanga (MBB, Leisure Studies), Kenneth Austin (MFB, Physical Education), Jermell Ellis (MFB, Leisure Studies), Patrick Jean-Mary (MFB, International Business), Lanny Kelly (MFB, Leisure Studies), Anthony Mendoza (MFB, Spanish), Xavier Rucker (MFB, Leisure Studies), Brandon Sherman (MFB, Leisure Studies), Dennis Wiehberg (Radio/TV/Film), Patrick Wolff (MFB, International Business), Chatman Young (MFB, Accounting), Gary Clark (MSO, Mechanical Engineering), Brian Cunningham (Supply Chain Management), Jamil Devers (MSO, Pre-Physical Therapy), Daniel Hernandez (MSO, Administration of Justice), Rotimi Iziduh (MSO, Systems and Computer Science), Harvey Livingston III (MSO, Leisure Studies), Mathew Marshall (MSO, Radio/TV/Film), Shamir Saddler (MSO, Computer Engineering), Christopher Southerland (MSO, Human Performance), Kelvin Goodman (MSW, Computer Engineering), Blair Matthews (MSW, Anthropology/Political Science), Omar McKenzie (MSW, Biology), Justin Morrison (MSW, Philosophy), Julian Moseley (MSW, Marketing), Damjan Strbac (MSW, Political Science), Christopher Brown (MTE, Radio/TV/Film), Eric Chavous (MTE, International Business), Tonique Merrill (MTE, Systems and Computer Science), Devard Wharton (Civil Engineering), Tyler Dragon (MTR, Political Science), William Gibbs (MTR, Finance), Marcus Harrison (MTR, Information Systems and Analysis), Mikael La Roche (MTR, Art), Tory McAlister (MTR, Mechanical Engineering), Benjamin Rosa (MTR, Economics)
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE (55)
Women (32): Rayna Brown (WBB, English/Sociology), Krystal Watson (WBB, Accounting), Latoya Coltrane (WTE, Criminal Justice), Latoya Jones-Stewart (WTE, Hotel and Restaurant Management), Ann Katenta (WTE, Biology), Kira Chapman (WTE, Hotel and Restaurant Management), Katherine Brown (WBW, Applied Design), Kristina Frahm (WBW, Accounting), Stacy Parsons (WBW, Business Administration/Marketing), Maria Rodriquez (WBW, Engineering), Maria Vilas (WBW/WTE, General Studies), Kaitlyn Young (WBW, Criminal Justice), Ebony Hann (WSB, English), Chelsea Logan (WSB, English Education), Britney Mcleod (WSB, Special Education), Kristi Miranda (Criminal Justice), Cy'Anna Scott (WSB, Environmental Science), Hadiyah Abdul-Saboor (WTR, Human Ecology/Business Administration), Jessica Abrantes (WTR, Criminal Justice/English), Cynthia Anais (WTR, Applied Design), Rashida Beckford (WTR, Human Ecology), Ariana Forbes (WTR, Criminal Justice), Amaris James (WTR, Physician Assistant) Tamica Thomas (WTR, Exercise Science), Zoe Bowens (WVB, English), Samantha Chukwura (WVB, Biology), Christine Edwards (WVB, Computer Science), Whitney Johnson (WVB, Exercise Science), Thonya Joseph (WVB, Sociology), Chelsea Myers (WVB, Exercise Science), Rebecca Prado (Human Ecology), Caylin Woodward (WVB, Social Studies Education) .....Men (23): Timothy Burns (MBB, General Studies), Reginald Hines (MBB, English), Lyvann Obame (MBB, Accounting), Mark Robertson (MBB, Accounting), Robert Tucker (MBB, General Studies), Rashad James (MTE, Sociology), Osvaldo Rivera (MTE, Music Education), Emmash Sudusinghe (MTE, Accounting), Richard Warren (MTE, Exercise Science), Elliott Alston (MBA, English), Elliott Arrington (MBA, Business Administration), Bryan Chaikowksy (MBA, Exercise Science), James Corriveau (MBA, Criminal Justice), Abraham Gonzalez-Loyola (MBA, History), Phillip Vaughn (MBA, Accounting), Nicholas Wiggins (MBA, Business Finance), Cameron Zimmerman (MBA, Aviation Science), Harrison Agbor-Eyong (MTR, Biology), Charles Elmer (MTR, Aviation Science), Thomas Keane Dawes (MTR, Business Administration/Marketing), Amon Kiprotich (MTR, Mathematics), Shadrack Maritim (MTR, Biology), Johan Welter (MTR, General Studies)
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (48)
Women (33): Danielle Gibson (CH, Information Systems), Tamera Lyons (CH, Telecommunications), Rashida Watson (CH, Speech), Corin Adams (WBB, Physical Education), Moneshia Davis (WBB, Sports Administration), Theresa Davis (WBB, Physical Education), Habibatou Diagne (WBB, Accounting), Brittany Dodson (WBB, Telecommunication), Pylicia Jones (WBB, Finance), Dekeisha Mathis (WBB, Biology), Brittany Noel (WBB, Management), Aaries Reed (WBB, Sociology), Tevonia Williams (WBB, Sociology), Corey Lissik (WBW, History), Keisheena Waldon (WBW, Mathematics), Lauren Campbell (WTR, Transportation), JaMia Robinson (WTR, Telecommunications), Kamice Smalls (WTR, Sociology), Porche Boddicker (WSB, Psychology), Kriston Gowan (WSB, English), Jaclyn Hall (WSB, Accounting), Hannah Montgomery (WSB, Physical Education), Angela Nunez (WSB, Health Education), Sakina Smith (WSB, Medical Terminology), Lydia Walther-Rodriquez (WSB, Finance), Viktoriya Lukyanenko (WTE, Accounting), Alexis McCoy (WTE, Psychology), Pola Olczak (WTE, Chemistry), Ivanti Bush (WVB, Family and Consumer Sciences), Delissa Carline (WVB, Industrial Engineering), Christa Rogers (WVB/WTE, Electrical Engineering), Rhyan Shy (WVB, Nursing), Hilary Tutman (WVB, Hospitality Management) ....Men (15): John Long (MB, Telecommunications), Tyron Benjamin (MTR, Physical Education), Salifu Cham (MTR, Business Administration), Jude Obiarinze (MTR, Accounting), Lawrence Brewer (MFB, Business Administration), Shaka Miller (MFB, Business Administration), Allen Stephens (MFB, Telecommunications), Jarvis West (MFB, Physical Education), Kevon Charles (MTE, Electrical Engineering), Dmitry Chehalatyy (MTE, Hospitality Management), Isaac Richardson (MTR, Industrial Engineering), Cabinere Whyte (MTR, Accounting), Justin Lawrence (MFB, Sociology), Troy Leftwich (MFB, Architecture), Terrell White (MFB, Business Administration).
North Carolina A&T State University's Ta'Wuana Cook (#5) had an All-American career for the Lady Aggies. The three time All-MEAC selection leaves A&T second in school history in scoring with 1723 points and as the all-time assist leader. Cook has been named first-team Division I all-state by the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association. She is the first women's basketball player in school history to be named MEAC Rookie of the Year. Cook will receive her Bachelor's degree with honors in Sports Science.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY (46)
Women (28): Tyronnica Alford (WBB, Psychology), Bianca Alsobrook (WSB, Political Science), Amanda Breendan (WTR, Mech Engineering), Lillian Bullock (WSB, Accounting), Tangala Conover (WSB, Criminal Justice), Ta'Wuana Cook (WBB, Sports Science), Nakia DeBlanc (Elementary Education), Katherine Forrester (WTR, Accounting), Jerrine Foster (WTR, Civil Engineering), Jasmine Gurley (WSW, JOMC), Nina Henry (WTE, Computer Science), Ruth-Cassandra Hunt (WTR, Criminal Justice), Amber Inman (WVB, Sports Science), Jessie Larson (WSB, Animal Science), Jennifer Luper (WSB, JOMC), Bridget McCaskill (WVB, Biology), Keisha McDonald (WSW, Criminal Justice), Crystal Murdaugh (WBB, Social Work), Lashawn Nevins (WSB, Industrial Engineering), Danielle Nguyen (WSB, Sports Science), Winnie Quick (WTE, Accounting), Britney Reddick (WSB, JOMC), Kimona Smith (WTR, Accounting), Sarah Taylor (WBW, Liberal Studies), Tierra Thomas (WBB, Nursing), Antoinette Torres (WSB, Animal Science), Signe Waldbauer (WSW, Secondary Education), Czamille Wright (WSW, Elementary Education) ....Men (18): Julian Alford (MFB, Electrical Engineering), Jared Baldwin (MBB, Computer Engineering), Danzeto Cephas (MTR, Business Administration), Carvell Copeland (MBA, Sports Science), Jamel Fitzgerald (MFB, Electrical Engineering), Mathew Hamler (MFB, Marketing), Marc Hill (MBB, Graphic Communication Systems), James Howard (MBA, Industrial Technology), Akinwole Jordan (MTR, Graphic Communication Systems), Justin Kearny (MFB, Transportation), Giorgio Lowrance (MFB, Sports Science), Esterlin Paulino (MBA, Liberal Studies), Nicholas Rogers (MBA, Architectural Engineering), Alex Sanders (MTR, Marketing), Jonanthan Smith (MBA, Sports Science), Isaiah Thompson (Sports Science), Jamal Wardlaw (MFB, Sports Science), Jared Williams (MBB, Computer Science)
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY (40)
Women (25): Breanna Allums (WVB, Health Services Management), Jennifer Astbury (WTE, Physical Education), Naeemah Brooks (WTE, Elementary Education), Genor Dalton (WBB, Computer Science), Antoinette Drakeford (WBW, Psychology), Danielle Drummer (WTR, Nursing), Brianiesha Eure (WSB, Information Technology), Brittany Foster ( WTE, Biology), Solange Monroe (WVB, Graphic Design), Tiffany Hunt (WBW, Computer Science), Aurelia Isham (WVB, Physical Education), Tanisha Jenkins (WTR, Political Science), Nicole Kessner (WVB, Kinesiotherapy), Tia Miles (WTR, Psychology), Alyssa Pickett (WTR, Kinesiotherapy), Casey Pomeroy (WSB, Accounting), Jaime Raab (WSB, Interdisciplinary Studies), Meghan Ramsey (WSB, Physical Education), Candace Shoates (MTR, Mass Communications), Shelia-Marie Smith (WBW, Sociology), Krystal Stevenson (WBW, Electrical Engineering), Danelle Tate (WBB, Business Management), Chengetayi Tsapayi (WTE, Accounting), Alyssa Velazquez (WSB, Business Management), Danielle Wright (WSB, Sociology) ....Men (15): Kyle Davis (MBA, Kinesiotherapy), Brett Dodd (MTR, Psychology), Jonathan Griffin (MTR, Sociology), Ryan Hathaway (MFB, Electronics Technology), Juan Herrera (MBA, Building Construction), Alex Moody (MFB, Mass Communications), Cameron Parsons (MBA, Accounting), Aleek Pauline (MBB, Mass Communications), Antoine Perry (MBB, Entrepreneurship), Terrance Pugh (MFB, Computer Science), Vincent Rono (MTR, Psychology), Anthony Taylor (MFB, Psychology), Anthony Tillman (MTR, Fine Arts), Ricardo Volcin (MFB, Sociology), Carnell Williams (MFB, Interdisciplinary Studies)
Howard University head basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry -- "I am not here to rebuild, I am here to renovate."
One of college basketball's most difficult rebuilding projects this offseason began with the new head coach making wholesale cosmetic changes, a first step toward refurbishing the perception of a program that has endured seven straight 20-loss seasons. "I'll show you all the stuff we just threw out of here," Nickelberry said. "We have someone coming to redo the floor, redo the walls, redo all of it. That's all part of the perception. I could talk, or come in here and do. I have to be the guy who is painting, I have to be the guy who is part of it. People around here need to see me knocking walls down."
Nickelberry's success with other reclamation projects -- most notably as an assistant at Holy Cross and Clemson, as a head coach at Hampton and with the Libya national team -- was a prime reason why the 45-year-old was tapped to return to his native city for what he has called a dream opportunity. But he is fully aware that he confronts his most daunting challenge as a head coach.
In addition to on-court struggles -- the Bison finished 7-25 last season -- Howard has been rendered irrelevant in the D.C. area. Nickelberry said there have also been concerns about the team's performance in the classroom, which he deems unacceptable at a school with an otherwise strong academic reputation.
Greensboro, NC -- Final preparations are underway at Ford Stadium Complex, where legendary track and field head coach, Roy W. Thompson Jr., is readying the Irwin Belk Track for senior football standouts from across the country, coming next weekend for a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to show their stellar physical abilities. North Carolina A&T State University is hosting the first annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine this Friday, Saturday & Sunday: May 21 through 23, 2010.
Thompson believes his electronically timed 40-yard dash event will catapult participants onto the “fast track” to success. “I’m privileged to be a part of this event and am looking forward to the recognition and opportunities this is going to bring to the overlooked potential of HBCU athletes,” remarks Thompson.
“This includes two of our own,” adds Head Football Coach Alfonso Lee, "NC A&T is going to be represented by two outstanding young men: Nichols Clement, a 6 Ft., 205-lb. safety, and Andre Thornton, a 6 ft. 1 in., 240 lb. linebacker.”
Also lending a hand to oversee the pull-up station will be active duty SEALs and former NAVY SEALs, retired Captain Dave Morrison and Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Courrier. Co-founder of this event, Gene Washington, explains, “The SEALS are comprised of elite athletes with superior character and a desire to serve others in a way that not many can. Having the SEALs join us creates a unique and thrilling twist to our event.”
“These gifted athletes have some of the same unique characteristics - mature, focused, committed, self-motivated and driven, that make a good Navy SEAL”, says Morrison. “The HBCU Pro Combine is an excellent venue for us to educate these young athletes on a possible career in the SEAL Teams.”
For more information on the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina A&T State University, please contact info@procombine.com or call 336-937-5202. The downtown Greensboro Marriott hotel will be hosting the players, coaches, and scouts. The Combine is for draft eligible QBs, DBs RBs, TEs, LBs and Wide Outs. Running the three-day programs will be Director of Operations, Coach John Falvey, former Defensive Coordinator at Winston-Salem State University. Falvey will be assisted by the Director of Competition, Coach Alfonso Lee, Head Football Coach at NC A&T State University; and the Director of Logistics, Coach Robert Massey, Assistant Head Football Coach at Shaw University.
When they saw their name pop up on the television screen in the honors dormitory, the Alcorn State University softball team immediately ran the spectrum of emotions. "We were excited and shocked," said starting catcher Chelsie Dahlbeck, a 2008 graduate of Estero High School in Estero, Florida.
Excitement is understandable for the team from southwestern Mississippi that will be making its first appearance in the NCAA tournament. The shock factor can be attributed to Alcorn's first opponent in the 64-team field, which was announced Sunday night during a selection show on ESPNU. Alcorn, whose school's undergraduate enrollment is less than 2,700, will meet powerful Alabama, whose 48-9 record and Southeastern Conference title earned the Crimson Tide the tournament's No. 1 seed.
Dahlbeck knows a daunting task awaits Alcorn, but she said it's a challenge that the Lady Braves won't shy away from. "It's a good experience. I know they're looking at us as the underdog. I hope we do well," Dahlbeck said. The double-elimination Tuscaloosa Regional also includes Alabama-Birmingham and Atlantic Sun Conference champion Lipscomb.
Alcorn (24-24) generated a minor miracle just to get into the NCAA tournament. After losing its first game in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, Alcorn had to reel off five straight wins -- including the title clincher against Mississippi Valley State -- to earn an automatic bid.
Washington, D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.Res. 1361, Recognizing North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on its 100th Anniversary by a vote of 408-1. 
NC Central also has a strong history of athletic prowess: its sports teams have won 41 conference championships, three NCAA regional titles, and two national championships. More than 50 of its student-athletes have won individual NCAA and NAIA national championships; and student-athletes representing NCCU competed in every Olympic Games from 1956 to 1976 in track and field, capturing eight Olympic medals, including five gold medals, during that span.
Thousands of NC Central graduates have served Durham as community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers. However, the reach of NC Central extends far beyond the borders of the Triangle region of North Carolina. In the century since its founding, the University has graduated approximately 40,000 students and proudly boasts many distinguished alumni, including civil rights lawyer and educator Julius L. Chambers, basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, two-time Olympic track gold medalist Lee Calhoun, NC Superior Court Judge Toby Fitch, state Senator and former Speaker Dan Blue, and state Rep. Mickey Michaux, not to mention my friend and lead cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman G.K. Butterfield.
NC Central also has a strong history of athletic prowess: its sports teams have won 41 conference championships, three NCAA regional titles, and two national championships. More than 50 of its student-athletes have won individual NCAA and NAIA national championships; and student-athletes representing NCCU competed in every Olympic Games from 1956 to 1976 in track and field, capturing eight Olympic medals, including five gold medals, during that span.
Thousands of NC Central graduates have served Durham as community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers. However, the reach of NC Central extends far beyond the borders of the Triangle region of North Carolina. In the century since its founding, the University has graduated approximately 40,000 students and proudly boasts many distinguished alumni, including civil rights lawyer and educator Julius L. Chambers, basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, two-time Olympic track gold medalist Lee Calhoun, NC Superior Court Judge Toby Fitch, state Senator and former Speaker Dan Blue, and state Rep. Mickey Michaux, not to mention my friend and lead cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman G.K. Butterfield.
