Monday, January 10, 2011

PVAMU Staff Expected to be Finalized on Wednesday

Staff decisions to be made

Prairie View football coach Heishma Northern said he expects to have his staff completed by the conclusion of the American Football Coaches Association Convention, which began Sunday and ends Wednesday in Dallas.

Northern, who is attending the convention, still has to find an offensive coordinator, running backs coach and defensive coordinator, the position he held for the last six seasons before replacing former coach Henry Frazier III on Dec. 13.

He said he'll likely end up promoting one of the current defensive assistants to coordinator while retaining the responsibility for calling the defensive plays.

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Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).



The Invitational Showcase Line-Up

For the highly anticipated 2011 showdown, the curtain will go up promptly at 3:00 p.m. EST. The bill includes a special guest performance by “Bow Wow,” along with crowd-pleasing routines by the nation’s top eight elite black college marching bands. Georgia’s own Albany State University will open the show and lead this year’s “great eight” performances in the following order:

1. Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band”
2. Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands”
3. Virginia State University “Trojan Explosion Marching Band”
4. Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers”
5. Jackson State University “The Sonic Boom of the South”
6. Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound”
7. South Carolina State University “Marching 101”
8. Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats”



Grants, Internships, and More

The Honda Battle of the Bands program not only provides a platform to shine a rare spotlight on the pageantry, pride and showmanship of HBCU music and culture, but it also is the only national music scholarship program of its kind. For the 2011 program, 45 HBCU marching bands participated in the pre-qualifying “Celebration Tour,” and received $1,000 grants for their music programs. An additional $20,000 will be awarded to the eight institutions selected to participate in this month’s Invitational Showcase.

In addition to the distribution of grant monies, the program also includes internship opportunities through the Fox Music Experience, and an HBCU Recruitment Fair will expose future college students to all HBCUs have to offer. The Fox Music Experience, now in its fourth year, provides one HBOB Invitational Showcase student-musician the opportunity to spend a few weeks during the summer months as an intern at Twentieth Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, learning film and television music production first-hand. The Honda Battle of the Bands HBCU Recruitment Fair, now in its sixth year, gives young people the opportunity to meet with marching band and admissions recruiters to discuss admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.

Group and individual tickets for the show are still available, but moving quickly. They can be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office, via www.Ticketmaster.com or www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com for just $10 and $12.



For more information on the Invitational Showcase, Fox Music Experience summer internship program and HBCU Recruitment Fair, photos, press materials and video footage visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com, the official online destination and clearinghouse for all HBOB information.

Hip-Hop Icon “Bow Wow” to Perform

Hip-Hop artist and actor “Bow Wow” will be on hand as the special guest performer this year. The Columbus, Ohio native is best known for his musical lineage, taking his stage name from his mentor, fellow rapper-actor “Snoop Dog,” Bow Wow’s film credits include The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Lottery Ticket. He is also noted for his cameo appearances in the critically-acclaimed television series, “Smallville,” “Ugly Betty,” “Entourage” and others.



Amateur Vocalists Welcomed To Audition for National Anthem

The Honda Battle of the Bands national anthem will be performed by a talented local vocalist selected once through a promotional radio “sing-off.” WVEE-FM, or “V-103,” Atlanta’s top-ranked urban radio station, is partnering with the Honda Battle of the Bands once again to invite listeners 16 years of age or older to demonstrate their vocal skills for a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity to open the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. This year, three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges at the open audition on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, Georgia. Music fans can then log on to the station's web site and vote for their favorite rendition of the national anthem. The winner will be announced on-air on January 21st, 2011, and he or she will command the spotlight to open the showcase on January 29th.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Morgan Bears Roll Past Howard, 75-62

MSU Coach Todd Bozeman
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Kevin Thompson recorded his seventh double-double of the season by halftime, and finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds to help lead Morgan State to a 75-62 home victory against Beltway rival Howard on Saturday.

Aric Brooks matched his season-high by scoring 17 points, including 10-for-10 shooting from the free throw line with four assists. With the win the Bears improved to 6-7 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The win also improved Todd Bozeman's record to 39-7 (.848) inside the confines of Hill Field House.

“Every win in Division I is a good win, especially a conference win,” said Morgan State coach Todd Bozemen. “Starting off 2-0 in the conference is a good thing, we just want to take it one game at a time.”

MORGAN STATE’S INSIDE PRESENCE AND DEPTH THE DIFFERENCE

Baltimore, MD—January 8---Mike Phillips poured in a game- and career-high 25 points and Dadrian Collins contributed 14, but it was not enough to offset the depth as Morgan State downed Howard, 75-62 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Hill Fieldhouse.

It appeared as though Phillips would single handedly lead the Bison to victory when he scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. But the Bears (6-7 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC) parlayed the power of Kevin Thompson and Ameer Ali, who combined for 18 points and 14 rebounds and their bench into a 47-33 halftime lead.

The undermanned Bison (2-12 overall, 0-2 in the MEAC) battled the defending champs despite foul trouble. Morgan State Coach Todd Bozeman went to his bench early and often and it paid dividends.

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Virginia State Lady Trojans win in OT over Shaw Lady Bears

ETTRICK, VA - If the Virginia State women's basketball team was going to reach its lofty goals for the season, the team from Ettrick needed to find a way to rebound after a 63-53 home loss to Winston-Salem State on Thursday.

That is exactly what VSU did in a 74-68 overtime victory over CIAA foe Shaw on Saturday at Daniel Gymnasium. The defending Eastern Division champions overcame an uninspiring shooting performance by outrebounding the Lady Bears 58-44.

The victory meant a little more to VSU coach James Hill, who was an assistant coach on three Shaw CIAA championship teams. Now in his fifth season with VSU, Hill said locking horns with Shaw coach Jacques Curtis still has a special feel.

TAYLOR'S DOUBLE DOUBLE POWERS VSU IN OT WIN

Senior guard, Rhon’Neisha Taylor matched her career best of 23 points in a 74-68 OT win over the Lady Bears of Shaw University in Daniel Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 8. Taylor scored 23 points in back to back CIAA conference games and recorded 11 rebounds. Junior, Pamela Muldrow led the team with 6 assists and Betty Appiah and Mariame Sylla both grabbed 9 rebounds apiece.

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Southern Jaguars rally falls short at Grambling State

Southern University Coach Sandy Pugh
It happened again. In keeping with a decade-long pattern, the Southern men’s basketball team played hard at Grambling on Saturday night. In fact, the Jaguars needed only one or two strong possessions to overtake their archrival on the road. They simply didn’t get what they needed.

Southern’s wild second-half rally fell just short when after Blake Sanford missed two 3-pointers with less than 1:30 remaining, helping the Tigers hold on for a 61-57 victory Saturday night before a crowd of 1,387 at the Grambling Assembly Center.

“First of all, we got behind big, and we spotted them too many points,” SU sixth-year coach Rob Spivery said.

Poor execution costs SU against Grambling

GRAMBLING — Another year. Another trip to Grambling. Another disappointment. Missing shots and failing to execute its halfcourt offense with much success Saturday night, the Southern women’s basketball team suffered a surprising 48-43 loss against Grambling on Saturday night, one that snapped the Jaguars’ two-game win streak to begin Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

It was certainly not what 11th-year coach Sandy Pugh expected.  “Look. I mean, we just didn’t ... I mean, this was one of those games where you say, ‘you’ve got to be kidding,’” said Pugh, who described herself as “frustrated” after the game.

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JSU Tigers blast winless Braves, extend SWAC run

JSU Coach Tevester Anderson
It was the week before Christmas when Tyrone Hanson knew his 3-point shot had to change. His flick of the wrist needed an adjustment. His stroke of the arm warranted a modification. Said Hanson: "I just figured out my shot."

Boy, did he. Hanson made six of eight 3-pointers and Jackson State pounded Alcorn State 90-64 Saturday evening, winning a seventh straight game over the rival Braves and scoring its most points in a regulation Southwestern Athletic Conference game in eight years.

The win gave the Tigers (7-8, 3-0 SWAC) a third straight victory. And JSU has now scored at least 80 points against Alcorn (0-13, 0-3) in seven of the last eight meetings with the Braves.

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CIAA Basketball: Livingstone 82, Lincoln 60

One knockout punch should have been enough for the Livingstone men’s basketball team Saturday night. But it a took a second haymaker — delivered late in the second half — to drop visiting Lincoln University to the canvas in an 82-60 CIAA victory.

“The first time we got the big lead we didn’t bury them like we should have,” LC forward Darius Cox said at Trent Gym, where the Blue Bears (5-3, 1-1) snapped a two-game losing streak. “We weren’t very good at using the clock and working for high-percentage shots. And on defense we didn’t make them work for their buckets.”

Winning coach James Stinson wasn’t exactly turning cartwheels after Livingstone earned its first conference win. He was upset that his team team allowed a 21-point second-half lead to shrink to 66-57 with 4:31 remaining.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE 77, VIRGINIA UNION 48

Tiffany Clarke scored 10 points, but VUU (0-8, 0-1 CIAA) fell to Winston-Salem (7-4, 3-0), which was led by Courtney Medley's 16 points.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S 67, SAINT PAUL'S 43

Jasmine Stewart scored 10 points, but Saint Paul's (1-8, 0-3 CIAA) shot only 25 percent from the field and lost to Saint Augustine's (8-4, 2-0).

JOHNSON C. SMITH 60, ELIZABETH CITY STATE 52

Shavonda Price scored 18 for the Golden Bulls (9-0, 2-0 CIAA), who used a 14-4 second-half run to win at Elizabeth City State (8-4, 1-1).

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SIAC Basketball: Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats top Albany State Lady Rams

Kendra Evans doesn’t care much for sitting on the bench. But after picking up two early fouls in the first half, that’s exactly what she did Saturday against Albany State. But the second half was a different story.

Evans spearheaded an 11-0 run to start the second half, scoring seven points and giving the Lady Wildcats the lead, and then she came up with two steals and two assists in the final three minutes to lead her team to a come from behind 74-69 win. The win improves the Lady Wildcats to 6-1 in the SIAC, while it was the Lady Rams’ first loss in the conference.

Stillman rallies past Claflin

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Senior point guard Rakee Anderson scored 32 points on Saturday, and the Stillman College men's basketball team rallied to defeat Claflin 75-75 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. Stillman, 6-3 overall and 5-2 in league play, trailed 43-31 at halftime. Anderson started the second half by nailing three 3-point shots.

He went 10-for-17 from the field, 8-for-11 on 3-point tries and 4-for-6 from the foul line. He also had three assists and two rebounds. Senior LaJay Sears, a guard and forward, added 13 points. He collected seven rebounds and had five assists and two steals. Guard Lee Riley had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. Center Kevin Johnson, who scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds.

KSU takes doubleheader from Paine College

It took two overtimes to finish, but the Kentucky State men’s basketball team overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat Paine College 94-87 at Carter Gymnasium in Augusta, Ga. on Saturday. The win moves the Thorobreds to 7-1 on the season with the same record in the SIAC.

KSU managed to keep it close until the 4:45 mark of the first half, when their 24-23 deficit became a 35-23 lead for Paine following a 11-0 run by the Lions to end the half. The teams were relatively even at the midway point, as both squads pulled down 17 rebounds. However, two fewer turnovers for KSU didn’t translate into a lead for the Thorobreds, who committed nine to Paine’s 11.

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Hampton Keeps Coppin Winless In MEAC

BALTIMORE -- Kwame Morgan scored 17 points, including a pair of key 3-pointers in the second half, as Hampton defeated Coppin State 67-59 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday.

The lead changed hands five times in the first 2:10 of the second half. Jordan Ellis hit a pair of 3-pointers and Akeem Ellis one for Coppin State, and Morgan and Brandon Tunnell connected for the Pirates (12-3, 2-0).

After the Eagles (5-8, 0-2) took their final lead of the game, Morgan sank another 3 to put Hampton on top 44-43 with 13:39 remaining. That began a 14-2 run that included two dunks by Koron Reed and gave the Pirates a 55-45 advantage with 9:48 left.

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NC A&T Wins At Home Against FAMU 82-72



Greensboro, NC - The Florida A&M University Rattlers, with only eight players dressed, stood firm against the MEAC's leading team. The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies, faltered against the Rattlers, but held on to seal the victory with a solid shooting performance in the second half.

The Rattlers were led in scoring by Avery Moore, who put up 23 points, including five three-pointers. Moore was the leading scorer for the game. Amin Stevens dropped in 19 points for the Rattlers and scraped the boards for 13 rebounds. Yannick Crowder grabbed 10 boards.

FAMU basketball teams defeated at North Carolina A&T

The Florida A&M men's and women's basketball teams were defeated by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday. In the women's game, the Aggies jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first seven minutes, which wound up being too much for the Rattlers to overcome.

FAMU got within four with 45 seconds remaining, but N.C. A&T closed the game out, 75-71, with stingy defense. Tameka McKelton led FAMU with 17 points. Antonia Bennett had 15 and Shekeira Copeland finished with 14. Qiana Donald led FAMU with 10 rebounds.

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Doug Williams’ son commits to play at Grambling State

He lived in Tampa, Fla., where his dad first played pro football. He lived in Grambling, where his dad played, coached and became one of Grambling’s most celebrated legends. He has the same name. So, yes, D.J. Williams knows what it’s like to live in Doug Williams’ long shadow. Evidently, he’s very comfortable with that.

Doug Williams III, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback known to everyone as D.J., has committed to play next season at Grambling, saying he has no problem with the added pressure of being the son of a campus legend. “I mean, I’ve been handling it my whole life,” he said. “I’ve got the same exact name as him. The comparisons start from there.

“It’s pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with.”

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Rutgers RB Casey Turner Transfers to Florida A&M

Promising running back Casey Turner of Jacksonville, Fla., who did not play as a true freshman last year, announced his decision to transfer to Florida A&M.

Turner, a highly regarded 5-11, 190 pounder, never got the chance to play because of persistent groin problems. Turner redshirted in 2010 after suffering a groin injury before the season opener with Norfolk State.

He rushed for 2,232 yards and 31 touchdowns as a high school senior and was viewed as Rutgers' running back of the future. Coming out of Edward H. White High School, he was timed in 4.45 seconds for the 40-yard dash and rushed for 1,950 yards as a junior. Turner was ranked as a 3-star running back by Rival.com.

He committed to Florida International in the fall 2009, committed to Rutgers in December (2009) and then committed to North Carolina in January 2010. He flipped back to the Scarlet Knights the night before signing day.

Turner is expected to compete for the starting running back position vacated by Rattlers' graduating senior Phillip Sylvester.

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WSSU wears down Virginia Union

RICHMOND, Va. -- As Andrew Jackson and the rest of the his Winston-Salem State teammates skipped into the locker room after dispatching Virginia Union 59-54 Saturday night, they couldn't help but brag.

"We are deep," Jackson said as he high-fived a bystander. And the rest of the Rams agreed as their solid 10-man rotation wore down the Panthers. The Rams got 17 points from Shelton Carter, who had one of his better games of the season, and 14 more from Jackson as they picked apart a zone defense that usually is one of the CIAA's best.

The Panthers (3-4, 1-1 CIAA) employ an extended 2-3 zone to make teams shoot over them, but the Rams penetrated it at key times and never were really threatened after building an 11-point lead at halftime.

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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Ex-SMU QB Mitchell leads Eastern Washington to FCS title at Pizza Hut Park

FRISCO, TX – Bo Levi Mitchell completed his journey from SMU's bench to national champion Friday night, covering Eastern Washington's crowning moment with his signature drama. Mitchell threw three touchdown passes in the final 16 minutes, 48 seconds, as the Eagles stunned Delaware, 20-19, in the FCS national title game at Pizza Hut Park.

His 11-yard pass to a leaping Brandon Kaufman in the back of the end zone tied the score, 19-19, with 2:47 to play. Mike Jarrett's extra point gave the Eagles their first lead, and the defense stopped the Blue Hens on a fourth-and-10 play at their 39 to give Eastern Washington (13-2) its first title.

"To come full circle like this, this is all I could ask for," said Mitchell, a junior from Katy, Texas. "All I wanted to do was play. All my life I wanted to win a national championship. I'm glad I'm here."


Videographer:cityoffriscotx - Speaker: Everson Walls, Grambling State University/Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion

Glorious homecoming for EWU's Mitchell

Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - Friday night, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made a rare visit to Frisco, Texas. The University of Delaware alumnus' trip proved to be in vain, however, as his Blue Hens fell, 20-19, to Eastern Washington in the Football Championship Subdivision title game.

Biden's attendance added a certain cache to the event. Local newscasters documented his arrival as secret service agents moved stolidly through the mass of tailgating fans. On this night, though, the V.P. was overshadowed by Eastern Washington and M.O.P Bo Levi Mitchell, who guided the Eagles to a stunning comeback victory.

Mitchell, who has a penchant for late-game heroics, earned the game's Most Outstanding Player award after throwing a touchdown pass on three straight EWU possessions.

Keeler adamant referees erred in fourth-down call

FRISCO, Texas -- University of Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said he thought the Hens had the game won late in the fourth quarter, on a fourth-and-one play from the 23-yard line. There were less than four minutes left, and Eastern Washington, trailing by six points, gave the ball to running back Mario Brown, who ran into a wall of UD defenders, desperately trying to get the first down.

He was stopped, and the referees came out to measure. Brown was given the first down. But the referees decided to review the spot, making sure their placement was accurate. After the review, they moved the ball back about 6 inches, measured again, and this time Brown had gotten the first down by about an inch.

Three plays later, Eastern Washington scored the winning touchdown, sending UD to a 20-19 loss in the NCAA Division I-AA championship game Friday.

ATTENDANCE: 13,027


Videographer: cityoffriscotx - 2011 Championship in Review

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WSSU knows task at hand vs. Virginia Union

RICHMOND, Va. -- Two of the most storied men's basketball programs in the CIAA will meet tonight when Winston-Salem State takes on Virginia Union.

The Rams and Panthers have combined to win 28 CIAA titles, and both are expected to contend this season. Coach Bobby Collins of WSSU, whose team is coming off a 67-56 win over Virginia State, said he's looking forward to the game, which will be the Rams' third in five days. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

"We will be prepared, and we will know what they do and what they have," Collins said of the Panthers. "We just have to go out and play like we are capable. We can't let them go out and beat us on the boards. We have to take care of the basketball, and if we can do that, we can be in the game."

The Panthers (3-3) are 1-0 in the CIAA with...

PHOTOS: Image Gallery for Rams tough

Medley nets 24 as Winston-Salem State topples Virginia State

ETTRICK, VA - The Virginia State women's basketball team was undone by a Medley of 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers and dribble drives against Winston-Salem State on Thursday. The likes of which cut the Trojans so deep, not even a Taylor could stitch things back together.

WSSU junior Courtney Medley and VSU senior Rhon'Neisha Taylor both racked up 24 points, but Medley erupted for 11 points down the stretch to spur the Lady Rams to a 63-53 road victory at Daniel Gymnasium. The matchup was the first CIAA game of the year for the Lady Trojans, who were picked to finish first in the conference in a preseason poll. VSU coach James Hill said the loss was the result of poor defensive rotation.

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Friday, January 7, 2011

Savannah State University Hires Davenport To Lead Football Program

Davenport said the SSU job appealed to him because of the MEAC

SSU hires Davenport as new football coach

Excerpt:
Davenport was chosen from more than 200 applicants, SSU athletics director Marilynn Suggs said. He will be paid $125,000 annually - more than Wells ($90,000), Theo Lemon ($65,000), Richard Basil ($61,164) and Ken Pettiford ($61,000), the Tigers' coaches since moving up to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in 2002.

Suggs said a search committee, chaired by prominent booster Henry Nash, submitted a list of three finalists: Davenport, Jackson (Miss.) State University offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson and The Citadel running backs coach Everette Sands. They interviewed at SSU on Tuesday.

"And after meeting with them, the choice was clear," Suggs said. "After making my recommendation to the university president (Earl Yarbrough), who concurred, I contacted and offered this man."

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SSU OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE 

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University has hired Steve Davenport as the Tigers’ new head football coach, Athletics Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs announced today.

Davenport’s appointment is effective immediately. He replaces Julius Dixon, who served as the interim coach for the 2010 season.

The Decatur, Ga., native comes to SSU from the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he served as the Blazers running back coach since December 2006.

While at UAB he also served as the Director of Community Relations, where he organized and facilitated all community service programs.

Davenport, 43, spent two years (2005-06) as the offensive coordinator at Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga. At Rockdale County, he joined a staff that previously went 1-9 in 2004 and finished runner-up in Region 8-AAAA, and advanced into the second round of the state playoffs.

He was the head coach at Decatur High School for two seasons (2003-04) and in 2003 was named the Georgia Class AA State Coach-of-the-Year as his team finished 13-1, losing in the state semifinals.


Videographer: KEN SLATS, WSAV 3

Davenport also spent four seasons (1997-2001) as the head coach at Redan High School in Lithonia, Ga., and served as the offensive coordinator at Southwest DeKalb High School in Atlanta from 1994-96, when the school won the 1995 Georgia State AAAAA state championship. He also worked as a defensive backs coach at Southwest DeKalb (1990-91) and helped the team reach the 1990 AAAA State Championship game.

Davenport was a graduate assistant coach at Georgia Tech during the1992 and 1993 seasons. Under head coach Bill Lewis, he assisted in coaching the wide receivers; served as assistant recruiting coordinator; aided in coordinating recruiting weekends, breaking down film and assisting in game plan preparations; and was responsible for the defensive scout team during practices.

Davenport was a four-year letterwinner as a player at Georgia Tech from 1985-88. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket team that defeated Michigan State in the 1985 All-American Bowl played at Legion Field.

A three-year starter at wide receiver, Davenport earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in 1990 and his master’s degree from Tech in 1994.

He is married to the former Stephanie Gilstrap.

From: SSU Press Release 1/7/2011

Florida A&M releases its 2011 football schedule

FAMU Athletic Director Derek Horne
The Florida A&M football team will play just four home games in 2011, but for at least two of the away contests that makes up the schedule, followers of the Rattlers won't have to travel much farther than they already do for the annual Atlanta Classic.

In one of the school's earliest releases of its football schedule, the athletic department announced the Rattlers' 2011 slate of games late Thursday night. The season will begin on Sept. 3 against Fort Valley State at Bragg Stadium.

Rattlers release 2011 football schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 6) - The Florida A&M University Department of Athletics released its’ 2011 football schedule which features four home games, a September match up with a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and two Classic events.

Last season the Rattlers finished with a record of 8-3 and 7-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, by winning their last six of seven games and handing, Bethune-Cookman their only regular season lost in the Annual Florida Classic.

FAMU will open its 2011 campaign Sept. 3 with a non-conference home contest against Fort Valley (Ga.) State in Bragg Memorial Stadium. After the season opener, the Rattlers will hit the road for three weeks, travelling to Armstrong Stadium for their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Sept. 10 against Hampton University at Hampton, Virginia.

The Rattlers will then travel to Tampa, Fla., to take on the University of South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 17, then will conclude their three-game road swing on Sept. 24 in the annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.

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Rattlers 2011 Football Schedule

09-03 Fort Valley State                             Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
09-10 at Hampton University+                 Hampton, VA/Armstrong Stadium
09-17 at University of South Florida         Tampa, FL/Raymond James Stadium
09-24 at BofA Atlanta Football Classic      Atlanta, GA/Georgia Dome
10-01 Delaware State+                                 Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
10-08 Howard University+                          Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
10-15 at Savannah State+                            Savannah, GA/Ted Wright Stadium
10-22 at South Carolina State+                    Orangeburg, SC/Dawson Stadium
11-05 North Carolina A&T+                 Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
11-12 at North Carolina Central+            Durham, NC/O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
11-19 at Fla. Classic - Bethune-Cookman+  Orlando, FL/Florida Citrus Bowl

(+)-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games
All game times will be finalized at later date

The MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET Blog understands that FAMU is in negotiations with an unnamed opponent (message board leaks say its "Southern University") for the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic. You may have noticed that neither the Tallahassee Democrat nor FAMU Athletic site named "Tennessee State" as the opponent for the 9/24/11 game in the linked articles. More to come...

Alcorn forms football coach search committee

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University administration has released the names of those who will serve on the search committee that will be in charge of finding the Braves’ next football coach.

Those who will be helping to select that person include Alcornite and former head baseball coach and assistant football coach Willie ‘Rat’ McGowan of McComb, who was recently inducted into the SWAC Hall Of Fame.

The committee will also include Dr. John Igwebuike, who is associate dean of business at ASU and a faculty representative as president of the A Club; alum Nathaniel Hughes of Columbus a track star when he was a student; Jackson native Marcus Ward, associate vice president of development and alumni affairs at the university; Harry Brown of Vicksburg, who played...

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

3 finalists for SSU football head coach

Savannah State University has three finalists for its football head coaching job, the Savannah Morning News has learned.

The finalists are Steve Davenport, running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; Everette Sands, running backs coach at The Citadel; and Earnest Wilson, offensive coordinator at Jackson State University, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Thursday morning.

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Howard University names Gary "The Flea" Harrell as its new head football coach

Bison Coach Gary Harrell
WASHINGTON (January 6, 2011) – Howard University Director of Athletics Louis "Skip" Perkins has announced the hiring of Gary Harrell as the new head football coach."Our goal is to re-establish a competitive football program and athletic program overall at Howard University," Perkins said. "As an alumnus, a championship athlete and a strong coach, we are confident in Coach Gary "The Flea" Harrell."

Gary Harrell recently completed his two seasons as the offensive coordinator for Bowie State University's football team. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Harrell served as the quarterbacks coach at Morgan State University (2008 - 2009) and the wide receivers coach for Team Michigan, a member of the All-American Football League (Feb. 2008 – May 2008). The Miami native began his coaching career at Howard (2002-2004) as wide receiver coach. After two seasons at Howard, Harrell also served as Wide Receiver coach at Texas Southern (2004-2006), and Florida A&M (2006-2008).

Howard expected to name Gary Harrell as its new head football coach

Howard is expected to name Gary Harrell as its new head football coach, individuals with knowledge of the school's search said. Harrell, the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Bowie State, would replace Carey Bailey, who was let go last month. The individuals asked not to be identified because they aren't authorized to speak on the school's behalf. 

By bringing in the 38-year-old Harrell, Howard is reaching back into its past. Harrell, who was known as "The Flea," was a member of the Bison's most successful team, the 1993 squad that went undefeated, won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title, reached the division I-AA playoffs and was unofficially crowned the black college football national champion.

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Second-half surge pushes Savannah State beyond Maryland Eastern Shore

Savannah State women's basketball coach Cedric Baker admitted some things could be better, some a little worse, while summing up the Tigers' .500 season pretty accurately.

The positive shined brightly at Tiger Arena on Wednesday night. SSU received key contributions from its bench and used a solid defensive effort in the second half to pull away from Maryland Eastern Shore, 71-50.

The Tigers raised their record to 7-1 at home while evening their overall mark at 8-8. A year ago, SSU finished 9-21 overall, so .500 has a nice ring right now. "This was an important win for the program," Baker said. "The kids have bought into what we've been telling them."


UMES Announces Annual 'Take a Kid to the Game' Day

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore today announced its annual NCAA® Men's and Women's Basketball Take A Kid to the Game® day will be held on Saturday, January 15 when the Hawks take on the Florida A&M Rattlers at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center. The Lady Hawks take on the Lady Rattlers at 2 p.m. with the men's teams following at approximately 4 p.m.

Area youth ages 12 and younger are invited to experience the college game day atmosphere and action with a free ticket when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

"We are excited to once again host a youth-focused game day at the Hytche this season," said G. Stan Bradley, Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs. "We hope the community will embrace this event and bring children out to experience a college athletic event at the UMES campus, while cheering on the Hawks."

SAVANNAH STATE'S HOT SHOOTING SECOND HALF SINKS UMES, 71-50

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah State shot 53.8 percent in the second half, breaking open a tie game at halftime on its way to a 71-50 win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team at Tiger Arena Wednesday.

Ezinne Kalu scored 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting to help the Lady Tigers even their record to 8-8 while Amber Cook (Greensboro, N.C.) paced UMES with a career-high-tying 16 points and eight rebounds in its sixth consecutive defeat. Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) became the fourth player in UMES women's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier with a 3-pointer in the first half and finished with 10 points.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Saint Paul's hands WSSU first loss

LAWRENCEVILLE, Va.- Winston-Salem State's unbeaten season came to a halt Tuesday night with a 93-84 loss at St. Paul's. Even though both teams play in the CIAA, the game was designated as a nonconference game, giving Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams some solace.

"It didn't count in the conference standings, but we still didn't come ready to play, and that's disappointing," Collins said by telephone after the game. "St. Paul's just stepped it up when they had to, and we didn't make the plays. We missed a lot of easy layups, and they hit their free throws." WSSU fell to 6-1. St. Paul's improved to 3-4.

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North Carolina A&T 71, Clemson 77

CLEMSON, S.C. - Coming off of a week in which she was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, Jaleesa Sams recorded eight steals Monday night against Clemson, but the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team fell just short of an upset with a 77-71 loss to the Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Sams also scored 22 points and collected eight rebounds for the Aggies (4-7). Jaquayla Berry added 15 points. Sams needs just one point to reach 1,000 points for her career.

N.C. A&T trailed by six early in the second half. But Berry's layup with 7:53 to play moved the Aggies to within one at 56-55. The Tigers began to pull away as they scored the next seven points to take an eight-point lead.


Videographer: ClemsonAthletics

Clemson Women's Basketball Snaps Skid with 77-71 Win

CLEMSON, SC - The Clemson women's basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 77-71 win over North Carolina A&T (4-7) on Monday night in Littlejohn Coliseum. The Lady Tigers (7-8) shot a season-high 51.9 percent, and Shaniqua Pauldo scored 12 of her 22 points during a crucial second half run as Clemson pulled away.

Pauldo scored her 22 points on 9-14 shooting, including 14 in the second half, while senior Kirstyn Wright had 24 points, and tied a school and career record with six made three-point goals. She made her first six attempts, and her attempt at a school-record seventh straight rimmed out in the second half.

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Former Memphis QB Tyler Bass transferring to FAMU

Tyler Bass, a highly-touted quarterback when he left Stockbridge High School in Georgia three years ago, is expected to enroll at Florida A&M this week as a transfer from the University of Memphis.

Bass played briefly for the Tigers in just one game late in the season, after starting three games in 2009. He was relegated to third string when Larry Porter took over from Tommy West this season. He said he decided on Sunday that he'd transfer to FAMU after considering North Carolina Central and Norfolk State. Bass confirmed that he will be on campus today, when students begin enrolling in classes.


Videographer: Football Recruiting Expos; presents Tyler Bass, University of Memphis QB

The Tyler Bass Question - Coming from University of Memphis

Tiger coach Larry Porter responded, concisely, to a question this week about giving third-string quarterback Tyler Bass -- the Memphis QB with the most Division 1-A playing experience entering the season -- an opportunity when starter Ryan Williams and backup Cannon Smith are struggling.

Bass has only played in one game, seeing action in one series and an additional play against Southern Miss last month. "Well, again, it's based on guys who have proven themselves to us as a staff that they are capable of leading our offense...

The Tyler Bass Perspective - Coming from University of Maryland

Growing up in Prince George’s County and graduating from Gwynn Park High School, Harold Bass held a longstanding affinity for all things Maryland. So when his son, Stockbridge, Ga. quarterback Tyler Bass had the opportunity to take an official visit to College Park last weekend, the elder Bass was happy to tag along.

“He loved it,” Tyler Bass said of his father. “He’s from PG County … so he enjoyed going home and was excited going to Maryland. It was the school he wanted to go to, but he went to Tuskegee [University in Alabama]. But he lived in PG County his whole life, so he was happy [when I told him] I was going to Maryland.”

Player Bio: Tyler Bass - MEMPHIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

2009: Played in four of 12 games at quarterback, making three starts as the Tiger signal caller...Averaged 213.2 yards of total offense per game (45.0 rushing, 168.3 passing)...Had shoulder surgery on Oct. 20 and missed the remainder of the season...Ranked first on the team in passing efficiency (149.79)...Finished second on the team in passing yards (673), passing touchdowns (6) and average yards per carry (4.3)...Third on the team in rushing yards (180) and total offense (853) and fourth in carries (42)...His 85-yard touchdown pass against UT Martin ranked tied for the 17th highest passing play in 2009 in the NCAA FBS and his 80-yard TD pass against Marshall tied for 28th...Did not play in the season opener against Ole Miss...

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Monday, January 3, 2011

Alcorn's Defensive Coordinator lands at Northern Colorado

Zach Shay was one of the over 30 applicants who recently applied for the Galesburg High School (Illinois) football coaching job. He didn’t even get an interview. Shay, who has served on the defensive staff at Alcorn State University for the past three years, will assume a similar position with the University of North Colorado starting today.

Alcorn State’s head coach Earnest Collins Jr. was hired as the new head coach at UNC last week and Shay will accompany him to the Division IAA school located in Greeley, Colo., about 45 miles north of Denver.

“It’s just a better situation, better facilities and they play in the IAA playoffs which is a better opportunity if they win,” said Shay. “I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity.”

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