Florida A&M University Pro Day 2011

Tallahassee, Fla. - Fourteen NFL professional scouts came to Tallahassee to see the FAMU senior football players workout in front of a crowd of fans, family and other supporters. The workouts took place at the Hansel Tookes Recreation Center. The weightlifting and jumping drills took place inside the center, with the running and sprinting drills being held at the newly laid intramural turf fields.





1. Videographer: TheFranchisesports 2. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS 3. Videographer: RattlerBoosters 4. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS; Day #1 of Rattlers Spring Football Practice.



FAMU begins its quest to win the MEAC Championship outright in 2011. The Rattlers shared the 2010 championship with S.C.State and B-CU. Coach Taylor has reloaded the Rattlers, and with just nine players exhausting eligibility last season, the Rattlers will bring an experienced group to the task.

NCAA grants Jackson State full waiver from academic penalties

Jackson State University has received good news from the organization that had threatened to level harsh penalties against the school's football program.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has agreed to waive, for now, penalties the team faced for poor academic performance, according to documents obtained by The Clarion-Ledger.

Without the waiver, JSU likely would have been banned from post-season participation this fall and faced other punishment, including the loss of scholarships and even expulsion from Division I, the NCAA's highest classification for athletics. JSU's football program is in trouble because it has routinely fallen below the NCAA's benchmark score of 900 for Academic Progress Rate (APR)...


Videographer: JSUTigers1877; JSU Day at the Capitol w/ the Sonic Boom of the South

NCAA gives Jackson State more time to improve football team's academics

JACKSON, Miss. — The NCAA has given Jackson State University more time to improve the football team's academic performance.

The Clarion-Ledger reports documents it obtained through a public records request shows Jackson State will not be banned from postseason play this season and will get a break on scholarship reductions. Earlier reports were the academic performance rate by JSU was below — for a third straight year — what the NCAA required.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Hall on roll for Southern University

Baton Rouge, La. - Frazier Hall knew he’d been swinging a pretty strong bat lately, but he didn’t know exactly how strong. Frankly, the Southern first baseman liked it that way. Wednesday night, however, his dad ruined the blissful ignorance for him, shortly before a game at McNeese State.

“He comes up and he’s like, ‘You know you’ve got a hitting streak going, right?’ ” Hall recalled. At the time, it was at nine games. “I was like, ‘Yeah. Thanks, Dad. ... If I go 0-for, it’s your fault,’ ” Hall said.

The good news was that there was no jinx. Hall went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. His hitting streak stands at 10 games as Southern (11-7, 4-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) prepares to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-10, 3-3) in a three-game series that begins with a doubleheader at noon today at Lee-Hines Field.

McNeese holds off SU, 10-8

LAKE CHARLES — McNeese State scored early and held off a late Southern University rally to claim a 10-8 nonconference baseball victory Wednesday night. The Cowboys (13-9) scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and led 10-3 lead after five innings.

Southern (11-8) rebounded with two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh before McNeese held the Jaguars scoreless over the last two innings. SU left the bases load twice, according to coach Roger Cador, who was not totally disappointed with the effort of his team even though a four-game winning streak came to an end.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Spring Football Practice Underway for 2010 SWAC Champion Tigers

The Texas Southern Tigers took their first step in preparation for the 2011 SWAC Championship Title. The defending champions started spring practice on Wednesday. About 70 players hit the field for conditioning and to run through drills. 2010 SWAC Coach of the Year, Johnnie Cole and his staff know it’s going to be a hard fought season to repeat as champions, but they believe the Tigers are up for the challenge.

“We know the target is on our backs,” Cole said. “So we must work harder and smarter than everyone else. Champions are built in the off season and it starts now.”

Over the next four weeks, the Tigers will practice three days and scrimmage once at TSU’s Durley Stadium. The Maroon and Gray game is schedule for Saturday, April 16th at Durley Stadium.

Practice starts at 4:00pm. There will be a Coaches Clinic on April 9th and the Johnnie Cole Golf Tournament on April 14th. The Football Championship Ring Banquet is on April 17th.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Hampton's defensive tackle in demand

Massive Hampton defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis worked out for the New England Patriots today (March 25, 2011), according to his agent, Howard Shatsky.

Ellis is also is drawing serious interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers, according to league sources with knowledge of the situation. The 6-foot-5, 346-pounder has drawn second-round grades from several draft analysts.

Per a source, Ellis interviewed well at the NFL scouting combine and was accountable for past transgressions that got him dismissed from South Carolina (reportedly failed drug tests) before transferring to Hampton and being suspended for one game.

"We like the kid," an NFL source said. "We were impressed with him." Ellis addressed the off-field problems at the NFL scouting combine during an interview with a crowd of media.


Videographer:ckparrothead; DT Kenrick Ellis at the 2011 NFLPA All Star Game

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Xavier teams defeat Loyola on City Park's new courts

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana, in the first collegiate matches on the newly dedicated hard courts at City Park Tennis Center, defeated city rival Loyola 6-3 in the women's dual and 9-0 in the men's dual Friday.

The Gold Nuggets (3-11) snapped a nine-dual losing streak, and the Gold Rush (11-5), ranked eighth in the NAIA, have won two straight and three of four.

The City Park courts were dedicated Thursday, and Xavier will play all remaining home matches there this season.

XU's women again defaulted the No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles matches because of an incomplete roster but won six of the seven completed matches. Carmen Nelson snapped her 10-match singles losing streak by defeating Loyola's Katie Beargie 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2. Nicole DeLoach clinched the dual by beating Cristiana Krtalic 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4.

Nelson and the DeLoach sisters won in singles and doubles. Melissa DeLoach did not lose a game; she and Nicole DeLoach defeated Frances Bonnin and Beargie 8-0 at No. 2 doubles, then Melissa beat Bonnin 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.



Loyola's women (1-6) have lost six in a row, and the men (1-5) have lost five in a row. The Wolfpack's lone victory in a non-forfeited match was Claire Landry's 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7) decision against Amber Brown at No. 1. Brown, a freshman, is 0-4 in third-set super-tiebreakers this season.

Xavier's men dropped four games in nine matches and lost their fewest games in six completed singles matches (two) since Feb. 23, 2008, against Belhaven. Zach Taylor's 6-0, 6-0 decision against Joshua Laviolette at No. 2 clinched the dual, and teammates Hassan Abbas, Sean Richardson, Amir Rahbar and Jonathan Aubrey also won 6-0, 6-0. Richardson didn't drop a game in the dual; he and Steffen Giles-Osborn won 8-0 at No. 2 doubles against Jordan Hunting and Laviolette.

Both Xavier teams will play Auburn Montgomery -- whose men are ranked third and women fourth in the NAIA -- at 4 p.m. Saturday at City Park. AUM's men are the defending NAIA champion. Xavier's Sunday duals at the University of New Orleans were postponed by mutual agreement and will be rescheduled for April.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
Visit: XULA Athletics

Howard Lady Bison Fall to Longwood Lancers, 16-4

FARMVILLE, VA. – The Howard women’s lacrosse team failed to muster their first road win as they fell to Longwood, 16-4. The game’s finish marked Howard’s (3-6) second National Lacrosse Conference (NLC) loss of the season after HU was previously taken down by Presbyterian earlier in the year.

The Lady Bison were unable to keep an offensive pace with Longwood (6-3) who nearly doubled Howard’s 19 shots with 36 of their own. Longwood spread their scoring attack throughout their roster as 12 Lancers tallied a goal against the Bison, four of which scored twice. Bison goal keeper Amber Meeks generated 11 saves by the conclusion of the match.

Keeping HU afloat was senior Desiree Cox who scored all of Howard’s four goals. Cox topped the day with 11 shots for the Bison, which led both teams as did her four goals scored.



Cox currently leads the team with 33 goals and 67 shots, boasting an 82.1 shot-on-goal percentage.

Sydney Satchell and Courtland Lackey each garnered a team-high of four groundballs in the match. Lackey also zipped three shots, including one shot on goal, and led the Lady Bison defensively with five caused turnovers.

Up next the Howard lacrosse team will challenge fellow NLC opponent Liberty University and seek to obtain their first conference and road win. The Lady Bison will take on Liberty on Sunday, March 27 at 3 p.m. Visit howard-bison.com for the latest updates on the Lady Bison lacrosse team.

LADY BISON LAX REMAINING GAMES:

Mar. 27 at Liberty * 3:00 PM
Apr. 1 at High Point * 5:00 PM
Apr. 3 at Davidson * 1:00 PM
Apr. 9 (SATURDAY) Jacksonville * 1:00 PM GREENE STADIUM
Apr. 16 at Detroit Mercy * 12:00 PM
Apr. 20 (WEDNESDAY) Fresno St. 7:00 PM, GREENE STADIUM

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

Lacrosse is Cool...Come out to Greene Stadium April 9 & 20 for Bison LAX

Women LAX: Longwood vs. California Highlights

Bowie State Bulldogs Release 2011 Football Schedule

BOWIE, Md. - Bowie State University will kick off its 10-game, 2011 season with a September 3rd road game at Assumption College (Worcester, Massachusetts).

The Bulldogs open the home portion of their schedule Saturday (September 10th), hosting Benedict College at 1 pm. Bowie State begins conference play September 17th, welcoming the Blue Bears of Livingstone College to Bulldogs Stadium.

Bowie State hits the road in week four and five, traveling to Virginia Union University (September 24th) and Virginia State University (October 1st).

Saturday, October 8th will mark Homecoming on the Bowie State campus with the Bulldogs entertaining the Tigers of Saint Paul’s College.

Bowie State will pack their bags for three straight road games in weeks seven, eight and nine. The Bulldogs first stop will be at the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Lions on October 15th followed by a key Northern Division clash at Elizabeth City State University on October 22nd. Bowie State makes a trip to Shepherdstown (WV) – October 29th to battle the Rams of Shepherd University.



Bowie State will close out the regular season at home (November 5th) against the Hawks of Chowan University at 1 pm.

Specific home theme days and final game times for all games will be released at a later date.

FULL SCHEDULE

By Bowie State Sports Information

Alcorn Head Men's Basketball Coach Search Committee Announces Finalists

The Alcorn State University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Search Committee has narrowed the list of candidates for head men’s basketball coach down to three finalists. The finalists are Richard Horton, David Ponton and Luther Riley.

Horton, a Belzoni native and former Braves standout player under the legendary Davey L. Whitney, was named 1982 All SWAC and All Tournament for Men’s Basketball is currently Head Boys and Girls Basketball Coach and Athletic Director for the Humphreys County School District. Horton was a graduate assistant for Lady Braves Basketball team under the legendary Shirley Walker from 1983-1985 and is also a professional scout for College sports to the NFL, NBA and MLB under James “Bus” Cook. Horton is a 1982 graduate of Alcorn State University.

Ponton, is a Monroe, Louisiana native and former Grambling State Lady Tigers coach and three time SWAC Coach of the Year with over 25 years of experience. He was ...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Carter finds way to Florida A&M after all

 Rattlers Head Football Coach Joe Taylor

A little more than a year ago, when Jimmie Tyson was recruiting Ravonne Carter out of Hialeah High School, Tyson saw all sorts of possibilities. Tyson, secondary coach at Florida A&M, saw a lot of Carter at cornerback, but figured he'd be the perfect nickel back. Special teams was also an option.

Tyson felt that the special relationship he'd developed with Carter meant he was on his way to FAMU. He went to New Mexico State instead. But right after the Lobos completed their second 1-11 season, Carter headed out. One of his first calls was to Tyson, who didn't hesitate to let Carter know he could come to FAMU.

"Things didn't work out as I had planned, and I felt like I needed to be closer to home," said Carter, who was a highly-touted player in high school. "FAMU was my only hope.

FAMU High grad set to make mark with Rattlers

At the urging of some parents who were watching him coach a pee-wee flag football team, George Stanley inserted his son, Jordan. Jordan was only 4 years old, but what happened next pretty much explains why he excelled at FAMU High and is hoping to do the same at Florida A&M.

"He scored a touchdown," the older Stanley said, recalling his son's first touchdown. "He was so happy, he took off running. He didn't realize that we had to finish the game. He didn't care. He was having fun."

Jordan Stanley, 5-feet-9, 190 pounds, is having even more fun nowadays for two reasons: First, he is playing his favorite position at running back; and second, he'll be playing the next three seasons as a Rattler. He's already making an impression in spring practice as he competes against Eddie Rocker and LaVante Page for a spot on the depth chart.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Stillman faces Albany State in SIAC series

TUSCALOOSA | The Stillman College baseball team, riding a six-game conference winning streak, will take on Albany State in a key Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series this weekend at historic Eagle Stadium in Ozark.

The teams will play a nine-inning game tonight at 7, then wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. The doubleheader will consist of two, seven-inning games.

Stillman (12-13, 6-0 SIAC) will serve as the home team for the three-game series to be played in one of the state’s oldest minor league ballparks.

Ozark stadium to host its first four-year college baseball game

OZARK, AL – Several baseball fans and players from Tuscaloosa and Albany, Ga., are expected to be in Ozark this weekend for the city’s first baseball game with four-year, Division 2 college players.

Baseball teams from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa and Albany State University are playing a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game at Eagle Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday and will have a double-header at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Department of Leisure Services Director Steve Sherrill said Auburn University in Montgomery will play at the stadium against Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga., on April 12.

The stadium, which seats 800, was built in 1946 for the Ozark Cardinals Class D Minor League Baseball team. Sherrill said renovations to the facility have since drawn several junior college and high school baseball teams to the city for regional and state tournaments.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Saint Augustine's Sikes had season to remember

Allison Sikes, CIAA MVP

CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Allison Sikes grabbed the neckline of her dark blue basketball jersey and brought it to the side of her face. She used the rough polyester to wipe the tears that rolled down her cheek.

The senior from Hermitage High School had just played the final game of her career at Saint Augustine's College. She scored a game-high 22 points, but the Falcons had fallen to Shaw 74-65 in the CIAA semifinals in Charlotte, N.C., earlier this month.

Shaw advanced to the Final Four. The Bears lost to Clayton State, which plays Michigan Tech today in the NCAA Division II championship game.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Sikes Earns All-Region Honor

CIAA player of the year Allison Sikes of Saint Augustine's College earned another women's basketball award Wednesday. She was named to the Daktronics All-Region second team.

Sikes is the only CIAA player on either the first or second team. A 5-10 senior swing player from Richmond, Va., Sikes led the Lady Falcons to the CIAA Tournament semifinals for the second time in three years last week. She averaged 17.0 points and 7.2 rebounds this season.

Her scoring average led the team and ranked second in the CIAA. SIkes was also the conference leader in steals (3.1 spg).

The Lady Falcons finished 19-11 overall under the leadership of Sikes, who is believed to be the second Lady Falcon to win CIAA MVP. Sikes is the third Lady Falcon in school history to make the All-CIAA team three consecutive years. The Lady Falcons won 70 games during the four-year career of Sikes, who was the 2008 CIAA rookie of the year.

A psychology major, Sikes also produces in the classroom. She was named to the CoSIDA All-Region academic team in February for the second straight year.

By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information Office
Visit: Saint Augustine's Athletics

Shaw women fall in national semifinal 63-46

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Shaw missed shots in every form. There were blown layups, wayward 3-point attempts, misfired jump shots and errant free throws in the first half of Wednesday's night's Division II national semifinal against Clayton State. Despite a poor early offensive showing, the underdog Bears made a run at keeping its amazing streak alive.

Shaw's season ended with a 63-46 loss to Clayton State at St. Joseph Civic Arena, ending an 11-game winning streak. The eighth seed of the Atlantic Region's drive for an unlikely national championship finally ran out of gas.

Clayton State Ends Shaw's Cinderella NCAA Run

Saint Joseph, MO - They never wore glass slippers - more like well-worn steel-toed work boots - but Shaw remained the Cinderella of this year's NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament until Clayton State knocked them out of the dance by beating the Lady Bears 63-46 in the national semi-final.

Shaw was hamstrung by poor shooting and a plague of turnovers, often when trying to push the ball inside.

"We didn't play well tonight," said Shaw Head Coach Jacques Curtis. "Some of that had to do with them and some of that had to do with us. Every time we had a chance to make a run, we would have a turnover or something that just kept letting it get away.

"When we took the lead by one, we thought we had something," he continued. "But we let it get away."

The Lady Bears took a lead with 15:58 left in the game when Demaria Liles drained two free throws to give Shaw a 34-33 lead.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Alcorn State Braves Releases 2011 Football Schedule

The Alcorn State Brave football schedule for the upcoming 2011 season is official with the Braves playing ten opponents and four of these games are being played in Jack Spinks Stadium in Alcorn State, MS.

The Braves are opening up the season September 3, 2011 against Grambling State in the Port City Classic in Shreveport, LA at 6:00 PM. In the past this was known as the Red River Classic. The Braves are the home team in the battle against the G-Men.

The Braves will then travel to Little Rock, Arkansas on the September 10th, to face Arkansas Pine Bluff at 6:00 PM. Both Grambling and UAPB defeated the Braves in 2010.

The Braves will come home to face in- state rival Mississippi Valley State on the 17th at 4:00 PM in the first home opener at Jack Spinks Stadium.

The Braves will go on the road for two straight games, facing defending SWAC champion Texas Southern on the 24th in Houston at 1:00 PM and Alabama State on October 1st in Montgomery.

Homecoming will be October 22nd, after two straight open weekends, hosting Concordia College at 2:00 PM. The Braves will close out October by facing Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA at 6:00 PM, on the 29th.

The Braves play two straight at home opening up November against Alabama A&M on the 5th at 2:00 PM and then hosting Prairie View on the 12th, also now tentatively scheduled for 2:00 PM.

The Braves will close out the regular season by meeting arch rival Jackson State on the 19th in the Capital City Classic scheduled for 1:00PM in Jackson, MS.

ASU 2011 Football Schedule

9/3, vs. Grambling State,Port City Classic, Shreveport, LA 6 p.m.
9/10 at Arkansas Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR, 6 p.m.

9/17 vs. Mississippi Valley State, HOME, 6 p.m.

9/24 at Texas Southern, Houston, TX, 1 p.m.

10/1 at Alabama State, Montgomery, AL

OPEN

10/22 vs. Concordia College, HOMECOMING, 2 p.m.

10/29 at Southern, Baton Rouge, LA, 6 p.m.

11/5 vs. Alabama A&M, HOME, 2 p.m.

11/12 vs. Prairie View A&M, HOME, 2 p.m.

11/19 at Jackson State, Capital City Classic, Jackson, MS, 1 p.m.

Notes:  All HOME games played at Jack Spinks Stadium

By Alcorn State Media Relations

Williams, Grambling expect to win

Philadelphia, PA - He's only an internet search away, but Doug Williams laughs that some of his Grambling State football players may not know a lot about what he has accomplished within the storied program or during his NFL career.

"Those young guys, sometimes they don't keep up with stuff. They might not," he said, chuckling. "They don't have to embrace me. I think it's important they embrace Grambling - the legacy and the history of Grambling."

There's no escaping that Williams has been a big part of the program that legendary coach Eddie Robinson built, first as a player from 1973-77 and then as Robinson's successor during a six-year coaching tenure from 1998-2003.

READ MORE,CLICK TITLE.

'Gramps' leads WSSU's baseball resurgence

WSSU Rams Michael Robbins

Catcher Michael Robbins doesn't need people to remind him that he's the oldest player on the Winston-Salem State baseball team. His body does that for him. "It can get rough out there on this old dude from time to time," said Robbins, 25, "but I'm handling things pretty well."

WSSU revived the program this spring after a 37-year absence, and Robbins, a 2002 Glenn High graduate and former assistant coach there, decided he wasn't done playing.

"I just kind of kept an eye on the situation because I heard they might bring baseball back," Robbins said. "Once they brought it back, I felt like it was an opportunity, and I took advantage."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

XU Gold Nuggets Warren does honorable thing, and she's still seeking votes

Christina Warren
NAIA Division I All American
Honorable Mention

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana extended its streak with Wednesday's announcement of the 2010-11 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball All-America Team. Christina Warren is the third Gold Nugget to earn honorable mention during the last five seasons.

Warren — a 5-foot-9 senior forward/guard from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and a graduate of Los Osos High School and Chaffey College — led the Gold Nuggets with 11.9 points per game and 41 made 3-pointers this season. She was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a three-time GCAC Player of the Week. Xavier was 27-7 this season, won the GCAC Tournament for the second straight season and reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship.

Jarryn Cleaves earned All-America honorable mention for Xavier in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and Brittany Powell did the same in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Warren was one of four from the GCAC to receive honorable mention. The others were Dillard's Jazzmin Smith, SUNO's Christine Conners and Tougaloo's Victoria Jones.

Warren is a nominee in the Heritage Sports Radio Network National Player of the Year fan poll for Division II women. Fans can visit www.hsrn.com, then scroll down to the left and vote for Warren before 2 p.m. CDT on March 30.

Xavier Gold Nuggets NAIA All-Americans

First Team
1986-87 — Demetria Lang (WBCA/Kodak team)
1988-89 — Henrietta Mitchell (WBCA/Kodak team)
1989-90 — Henrietta Mitchell (WBCA/Kodak team)
1997-98 — Cassee Davis

Second Team
1980-81 — Gwendolyn Brule
2003-04 — Jackie Tucker
Third Team
1995-96 — Cassee Davis

Honorable Mention
1981-82 — Gwendolyn Brule
2001-02 — Alisheian Graham
2006-07 — Jarryn Cleaves
2007-08 — Jarryn Cleaves
2008-09 — Brittany Powell
2009-10 — Brittany Powell
2010-11 — Christina Warren

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
Visit: XULA Athletics

Andrew is honorable mention on NAIA All-America team

NAIA All American Honorable Mention
Devin Andrew

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Devin Andrew received honorable mention Wednesday on the 2010-11 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball All-America Team.

Andrew — a 6-foot-4 senior guard from Harvey, La., a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma and a former student at Karr High School in New Orleans — led the Gold Rush this season with 10.9 points per game, 1.2 steals per game and 111 free throws in 147 attempts. He won two January home games with points in the final two seconds.

He helped the Gold Rush finish 27-6 this season — the most victories by an XU men's team since 1983-84 — finish second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament and earn an at-large bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship. Andrew
scored 946 points and made 77.3 percent of his free throws in 113 games during four seasons.

Andrew was one of four from the GCAC to be honored. Tougaloo's Marquise Mems made the first team, and SUNO's Brent Leduff and Tougaloo's Mario Luckett received honorable mention.

Xavier Gold Rush NAIA All-Americans
First Team
1972-73 — Bruce Seals

Third Team
1981-82 — Alvin "Bo" Dukes
2006-07 — Shaun Dumas
2008-09 — Shaun Dumas
Honorable Mention
1971-72 — Bruce Seals
1971-72 — Don "Slick" Watts
1985-86 — Derrick Collins
1987-88 — Juan Mercier
1990-91 — Merlin Peters
2000-01 — David Egans, Kermit Smith
2004-05 — Timothy Green
2007-08 — Shaun Dumas
2010-11 — Devin Andrew

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
Visit: XULA Athletics

Savannah State's Davenport conducts first spring football practice

Senior RB Justin Babbs receives medical redshirt from NCAA

With the sounds of constructing a new T.A. Wright Stadium echoing across the street, Savannah State University’s football team on Wednesday conducted its first spring practice under new head coach Steve Davenport.

SSU worked out for two hours on its practice field near Tiger Arena. It was the first of 13 practices the Tigers will conduct in a four-week period, ending with their annual Orange and Blue game April 14. Players wore helmets, jerseys and shorts. Their first practice in full pads will be Saturday at 10 a.m. Their next practice is Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Davenport, who was hired Jan. 7 after four seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, said it was a strange but great feeling overseeing his assistants as they instructed players.

Spike Lee tells SSU students to seek education and passion

It wasn’t Spike Lee’s first time talking to college students in Savannah — he spoke to Savannah College of Art and Design students in 2005. But the opportunity to speak at Savannah State University — the city’s historically black university — he said, was one he could not pass up. Especially considering that Lee is a product of a historically black school, Atlanta’s Morehouse College.

“There was a time when (blacks) couldn’t go to any other school,” Lee said to applause. “We couldn’t go to the University of Georgia.”

For well over an hour Tuesday night the acclaimed filmmaker told SSU students to fight ignorance with education and find their passions. Using anecdotes from his own experiences, the bespectacled Lee told the hundreds gathered in Tiger Arena what he believes is the key to a positive, happy life.

Click here to view Spotted® photos of his lecture at SSU

SSU football begins spring practice today

Savannah State University football coach Steve Davenport will pay close attention to running back Justin Babb and offensive lineman Demetrius Edwards when the Tigers begin spring practice today.

The NCAA granted Babb and Edwards medical hardships, also called medical redshirts, giving the seniors an extra year of athletic eligibility. A medical hardship may be obtained from the NCAA to replace a season lost to injury if an athlete plays in 30 percent or less of his or her team’s games.

Babb, SSU’s leading rusher in 2009 and 2008, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the Tigers’ third game last season against Bethune-Cookman. Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury against Bethune-Cookman.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Albany State: Coach Steve Smith -- Two-and-done

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State “Gold Rush” offense has officially lost a little bit of its glow.

Steve Smith, the school’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, turned in his resignation March 7 to head coach Mike White to take over as running game coordinator and offensive line coach at Tennessee State, a Division I program in Nashville.

Stanley Jennings - 2010 SIAC MVP and Offensive Player
 of the Year. 

“I wasn’t looking for another opportunity, it just happened,” Smith, a Chicago native, told The Herald via telephone Thursday afternoon. “It was just a good opportunity, closer to home, bigger school, little better financial situation — all of that.”

Smith was afforded the opportunity by Tennessee State offensive coordinator Mike Jones, who Smith worked with during his time with the NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy in Germany.

White confirmed Smith’s resignation Thursday.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Florida A&M's Rocker steps up as man to beat

Sophomore Eddie Rocker will tell you that he is not Philip Sylvester. He also will tell you that he's seen enough of the former Florida A&M running back to learn well.

Rocker finds himself as the one to beat for the starting running back job as the Rattlers go through the first week of spring practice. It wasn't supposed to be that way. But when Rutgers transfer Casey Turner didn't pan out, Rocker became Sylvester' heir apparent.

"Playing behind Phil is some big shoes to fill, but I know I can't be Philip Sylvester; I can only take from him what I've learned and capitalize on it," Rocker said after Tuesday's practice.

FAMU working out the kinks at spring practice

Just as soon as the play was over, receiver Kevin Elliott trotted off the field. He started a conversation with quarterback Austin Trainor.

They were quickly joined by almost every other receiver who wasn't involved in the ensuing play on the field. Trainor double-checked with Elliott to make sure they had the sequence of the play they'd just run.

"You've got to be able to play confidently otherwise you're going to play slow," Trainor said. "We definitely need everybody, me included, to figure it out."

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

S.C. State's Judge earns 300th victory

South Carolina State men's and women's tennis coach reached a milestone in Bulldog history Saturday, March 19 when the S.C. State women downed N.C. A&T (7-0).

Judge, was already the winningest tennis coach in S.C. State history, earned his 300th career win with the triumph.

"When I started coaching I never thought I would reach such a milestone so early on in my career," said Judge. "It's a great feeling and I am really happy for our program and where we are headed."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: SCSU Athletics

Late basket lifts Shaw women to semifinals

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Brittney Spencer's pass didn't look like it would reach the intended target. Without the junior guard's vision, Shaw's women's team likely would have seen its storybook season come crashing down. Spencer hit Brittany Ransom with a pass that eluded the fingertips of two Metro State defenders in the closing seconds of Tuesday afternoon's Division II national quarterfinal at St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Ransom's spinning layup bounced off the glass and caromed around the rim and down as time expired to give the Bears a 46-45 win.

The Spencer-Ransom connection provided a thrilling end to a game in which both teams shot just a shade over 30 percent. The hero proved to be a reserve guard who averages only 6.8 points per game.

Metro State loses at buzzer in women's Elite Eight

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Brittany Ransom's layup at the buzzer knocked Metro State out of the women's basketball NCAA Division II Elite Eight on Tuesday. The Roadrunners lost 46-45 to Shaw (N.C.) University. Their season ended at 30-3, while Shaw improved to 24-11.

"I knew the ball was coming," Ransom, who scored a game-high 13 points, told the The (Charlotte) News & Observer. "I didn't know how much time was left, but I had to make the basket somehow." Metro State, which led virtually the entire game, held a four-point lead with 19 seconds left after Jasmine Cervantes made 1-of-2 free throws for the Roadrunners.

But Kyria Buford, who was 2- for-17 from the field in the game, made a 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds remaining to cut Metro State's lead to 45-44.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

XU Nuggets exit top 25, then lose to first-year NAIA program

NEW ORLEANS — It was a double whammy Tuesday for the Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis team. First the Gold Nuggets dropped out of the NAIA top 25 for the first time since February 2004. Then they lost their ninth consecutive dual match — 9-0 to SCAD Atlanta at the University of New Orleans Tennis Center.

The Gold Nuggets (2-11) had appeared in 44 consecutive top 25s dating to Feb. 25, 2004, but missed by 10 points this time and fell to 27th overall.

SCAD Atlanta (8-2) — an NAIA independent in its first year of intercollegiate sports but ineligible for rankings or the postseason until 2011-12 — dropped only one set in winning its fifth dual in a row. The closest match was at No. 3 singles, where Christina Swindall defeated XU's Nicole DeLoach 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 1-0 (10-4).

Once again, because of only five available players, Xavier was forced to default at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. The good news was that senior Ashley McGill returned to action for the first time in six duals after completing her basketball eligibility Friday.

Xavier's women and men will return to the courts Friday in a 3:30 p.m. makeup match against city rival Loyola at City Park Tennis Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
Visit: XULA Athletics

Bison Lead MEAC With Three Softball Honorees

NORFOLK, Va. -- Howard freshman outfielder Ashley Turner earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week honors in softball, the conference announced Monday.

Meanwhile Delaware State senior Janelle Lukens and teammate Casey Beighly garnered Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively. Howard represented the MEAC with most players honored during the week of March 14-20 with three, as shortstop Rebecca Kirshner and pitcher Carly Martin were also recognized by the conference.

Turner (OF, Fr.) aided the Lady Bison to a 3-2 mark last week. The rookie hit .333 from the field in a win over Monmouth and added an RBI, and two runs in 13 appearances.

Lukens (1B/C, 5-9, Sr., Williamsport, Pa.) tallied nine hits, while averaging a .643 from the plate in 14 at-bat appearances to aid the Lady Hornets to a 5-0 mark last week. The senior scored four RBI, one home run and two doubles for the Lady Hornets. Lukens also added two assists and 31 putouts defensively.

Beighly (P, 5-7,Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.) was undefeated with a 0.00 ERA including non-conference wins over North Carolina Central, Maryland Eastern Shore and Mount St. Mary's last week. She pitched a combined 16.0 innings and struck out 6 of the 53 batters faced. Beighly allowed just five hits in the three games and improved her record to 5-4 on the season.

Other Top Performers:

Kirshner tallied her first home run of the season in a 5-3 win over Monmouth. Kirshner accounted for nine of Howard's 49 hits, four of which came against Albany (N.Y.) where she posted two doubles in back-to-back innings.

Martin recorded a 0.00 ERA and struck out a three batters in a 6-0 win against George Mason. The shutout marked the first one of the season for the Lady Bison.

Ryanne Hill (NCAT) recorded three RBI and one home run while hitting .500 from the plate for the Lady Aggies.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison athletics