NCAA comes down hard on TSU football

Houston, Texas - Texas Southern will lose 14.78 of the 63 football scholarships allowed for the 2011-12 school year because of its historically low performance under the NCAA’s Academic Progress Report formula, and an athletic department administrator said TSU could post a perfect APR score for the next two years and still run the risk of more sanctions because of past failures to retain and graduate football players.

TSU, which won the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s 2010 football title but dismissed coach Johnnie Cole this spring as it awaits the results of an NCAA probe that could include evidence of academic irregularities, suffered the most severe hit, in terms of lost scholarships, of any program sanctioned by the NCAA for APR shortcomings. Its football practice schedule will be cut from 20 hours per week to 16.

Across all sports, 103 programs received postseason bans, practice reductions or scholarship cuts. That group included NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion Connecticut, which will lose two scholarships...



Videographer: TexSouthern; TSU Commencement 2011 - Speaker John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., Part 1&2.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Cerritos Hoops Stars Boatner and Perry Sign with SUNO

APRIL PERRY

ROSE BOATNER

Norwalk, California -- Cerritos College women's basketball players April Perry (5'-6") (Cabrillo HS) and Rose Boatner (5'-10") (Centennial HS), who were both two-time 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selections, have both signed scholarships to continue their collegiate careers at Southern University of New Orleans, and NAIA school. The duo helped the Falcons finish in a tie for second place in the SCC, as the team concluded with a 23-7 record.

Perry led the team with a 15.7 scoring average and netted a team-high 40 three-pointers, while dishing off a team-high 3.8 assists per game. She scored a season-high 31 points in the team's 83-70 upset win over Mt. San Antonio College, while she scored over 20 points in five other games and was held in single-digits just five times all year. As for Boatner, she averaged 7.4 points a game, while pulling down a team-high 10.2 rebounds a game. She added a team-high 12 blocked shots and was second on the team with 35 steals. Boatner hauled in 16 caroms against East Los Angeles College and had 15 rebounds in three games, including the last two contests of the season.

In her career, Perry finishes with 801 points, which is the 12th most in school history, while her 470 points this season were the 21st-highest in one season. Boatner, a rebounding specialist, concludes her Falcon career second in all-time rebounds with 616, with Ebony Charles holding the all-time record with 854 rebounds from 1995-97. The 306 rebounds this season for Boatner are the seventh-most in school history, while her 10.6 rebound average as a freshman ranks as the fifth best and her 10.2 average this year tied for the eighth best.

They will be joining a Lady Knights team that went 18-6 last season and lost their opening game in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament to end their year. The team, which finished in a tie for third place in the GCAC, is losing their shooting guard and power forward, which are roles that both Perry and Boatner can fill for the team.

By Cerritos College Athletics

Moody's Perales sign baseball scholarship with Alcorn State

Justin Perales

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Moody's Justin Perales reached big goals Tuesday, but he has big plans for the rest of the week. Perales signed a letter of intent to play at Alcorn State, but has his focus squarely on Boerne Champion, this week's playoff opponent. The Trojans face Champion in a three-game region semifinal series beginning Thursday at Whataburger Field.

"It feels great to sign, but really it's good just to get this out of the way so we can get ready for this week," Perales said. "We've got a lot of goals left to reach, so that's where our focus is now."

Perales, Moody's first baseman, leads the team with a .438 average, and is second on the squad with 7 homers and 42 RBI.

"(Alcorn State) has been on me since the beginning," said Perales, who is expected to be used as a corner infielder and eventually hit in the middle of the lineup. "I went on a visit, and there's not a lot you can do over there. Really, all you'll be able to do is play baseball and work out, so I think that will be good for me to continue to get better."


Videographer: NCSAbaseball; Justin Perales (Baseball Recruiting Video)

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: ALCORNSPORTS

49ers Draft Pick Curtis Holcomb: Phillip Adams Redux?

We continue our run through the 49ers 2011 NFL Draft picks as we check out Trent Baalke's comments about each player's film. Baalke broke down some tape and gave some background on each of the 49ers draft picks, giving the media a better idea of who some of these guys are and how they might fit in with the 49ers.

Today we check out the 49ers last draft pick, cornerback Curtis Holcomb of Florida A&M via Trent Baalke's film discussion.

In 2010 the 49ers drafted cornerback Phillip Adams out of South Carolina State with their final pick. A year later the49ers drafted Holcomb out of Florida A&M. Both schools are in the MEAC and based on the 49ers.com roster page, they're actually similar builds. I have no idea whether this means we're looking at similar players. Given their late round status, it can be difficult to get more details on such players. As Baalke says in the video in reference to Holcomb, "The guy Mel Kiper had to fumble through his stuff for cuz he wasn't rated."


Videographer: sanfrancisco49ers; Baalke's Film Review - FAMU's Curtis Holcomb

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

Santa Fe Saints D'Haiti Signs with Florida A&M

Eddie D'Haiti

Gainesville, FL - A member of the Santa Fe Saints men's basketball team has signed a letter of intent with Florida A&M University, Coach Chris Mowry announced. Eddie D'Haiti inked with Florida A&M University on May 26, 2011.

D'Haiti joins a FAMU team that finished the 2010-11 season 12-20 overall and 7-9 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rattlers are coached by newly hired Clemon Johnson, the former head coach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 2007-2010. Johnson is a graduate of FAMU (1978) and played 10 years in the NBA, winning a championship with the Portland Trailblazers in 1983.

As a sophomore at SF, 6'8" D'Haiti averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 30 games. For his efforts, he was named to the All Mid-Florida Conference First Team.

D'Haiti will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Florida A&M University Rattlers.

PROFILE
Place of Birth: Orlando, Florida
High School: Oak Ridge High School (Orlando, Florida)
Size: 6-foot-8, 210 Strong Forward, Averaged 16 pts/11 rebounds per game.
Honors: Honorable-Mention Class 6-A All-State Selection, First Team All-Metro, All-Orange County and 2nd-Team All-Central Florida.
Rank: Ranked as one of the top 40 seniors in Florida by FloridaHoops.com and Hoop Scoop. Considered a four-star recruit by the recruiting services.
Colleges: Out of high school, signed NLI with Youngstown State University (Ohio).
Senior Year: Lead Oak Ridge to 21-8 record and advanced to the regional quarterfinals of the state tournament losing to eventual semifinalist Winter Springs (77-67). Pioneers had a 43-13 record during his junior and senior years...coach was Matt Turner.
Prospectus - A transfer from Youngstown State University, D’Haiti is a skilled big man with crafty post moves who can score with his back to the basket or knock down jumpers. Eddie has great court vision, which makes him a very good passer.

Parents: Odilbert Lubin and Rosemonde Milien

Major: Business

Born: January 30, 1989

By Santa Fe College Media Relations


Videographer: ysusports

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

Fastpitch Players Sign with Jackson State and Florida A&M

JSU's Jasmine Warren

Gainesville, FL - Two members of the 2011 Mid-Florida Conference Santa Fe College Saints Fastpitch team have signed letters of intent with NCAA universities, Coach Chris Ahern announced. Jasmine Warren signed with Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) and Venica Brown signed with Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL).

FAMU's Venica Brown

Warren, a pitcher and outfielder the past two seasons for Santa Fe, has signed with Jackson State University, a NCAA Div. I school in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. In 2011, first year head coach Rich Fremin led the Tigers to their first ever NCAA Regional Tournament appearance and the SWAC tournament championship.

A duel position player at SF, Warren started 17 games at pitcher for the Saints as a sophomore, finishing with a 10-3 record and a 1.48 ERA. As a hitter, she had a .314 average (48-for-153) with five doubles, 10 RBI and a team leading 22 stolen bases.

Brown has signed her letter of intent with Florida A&M, a NCAA Div. I university in the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Rattlers are coached by Veronica Higgins and finished the 2011 season with a 26-26 overall record and a 8-4 mark in the MEAC.

As a sophomore, Brown came off the bench as the back-up catcher and drove in seven runs in 36 plate appearances.

For complete schedules and more information on Saints Fastpitch, please visit www.sfcollege.edu/athletics.

By Santa Fe College Media Relations

Academic Progress Rate performance costs Hampton University in football, men's indoor track

Hampton, VA -- Hampton University lost 6.3 scholarships in football and 0.28 in men's indoor track in the 2011 Academic Progress Rate data released Tuesday by the NCAA, mirroring a larger trend among historically black colleges and universities, which continue to struggle with the annual measurement of classroom performance and athlete-retention rate of Division I teams.

Norfolk State lost two scholarships from its men's basketball program.

HBCUs accounted for 33 of the 103 penalties assessed for the 2009-10 APR reporting year, a fact officials attribute to a combination of factors -- including lack of resources at the traditionally smaller, less-funded schools, as well as a high rate of turnover within the athletics department and at the presidential level.


Videographer: tbutlerthe3rd; Melissa Chastang named salutatorian and Jeffrey Eugene named valedictorian of the class of 2011, Hampton University. Their grade point averages were 4.058 and 4.059 respectively.

Videographer: Willworkforchocbar; Hampton University 2011 Spring Concert - Phantom of the Opera, played by the 2010/11 Hampton University Chamber Orchestral.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Livingstone College: Former West QB Aycoth now throwing javelin

Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. When Bryan Aycoth used to play football in the fall at West Rowan, he was a quarterback who was named Rowan County Offensive Player of the Year.

When Aycoth suits up for Livingstone College in the fall, he’s be a linebacker.

When Aycoth used to play baseball in the spring at West Rowan, he was an all-state catcher, using that strong right arm to throw out runners.

When Aycoth suits up in the spring at Livingstone, he is still using that strong right arm, only now to throw the javelin.

The what? That’s right. The javelin.

Bryan Aycoth Named to 2011 CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic Team

HAMPTON, VA – Junior Bryan Aycoth, a two-sport athlete in football and track and field was named to the 2011 CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic Second Team, it was announced Friday by the conference office.

This year's team defines the total NCAA DII student-athlete experience with each member excelling on their respective playing fields as well as in the classroom and in their communities.

Aycoth, a native of Salisbury, NC, has a cumulative GPA of 3.87 as a biology major. Aycoth led the Livingstone football team in tackles this season with 67 total tackles including 11.5 tackles for loss.

On the track and field team Bryan excelled in the javelin throw, breaking his own school record five times over the season. At the conference championships Bryan threw his collegiate best of 60.27 meters which won the CIAA title for the second year in a row, set the CIAA record and provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

The CIAA Commissioner's All-Academic Team is voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors' Association and is in its 14th year. To be eligible for the team a student-athlete must have completed one academic year at a CIAA institution, earned a minimum 3.2 grade point average, and have excelled as a starter or significant reserve in a CIAA sanctioned sport.

Bryan Aycoth Named to USTFCCCA All-Region Atlantic Team

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Bryan Aycoth has been named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II outdoor track & field Atlantic All-Region Team, for his performance in the javelin, it was announced Tuesday.

Aycoth was named to the All-Region team by virtue of finishing in the top-five in the Atlantic region in the javelin throw. Aycoth's top performance came in the 2011 CIAA Championships where he threw 60.27 meters which won him the CIAA title, set the conference record and provisionally qualified him for the NCAA National Championships.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
VISIT: BLUEBEARATHLETICS

West Virginia State added to JCSU football schedule

Johnson C. Smith will open its 2011 football season against West Virginia State.

The Golden Bulls will open their season Sept. 3 against the Yellow Jackets at McGirt Field, according to a revamped schedule on JCSU's website. The change became necessary when original opponent St. Paul's eliminated its entire athletics program earlier this month. As a result, the Tigers have been removed from CIAA membership, leaving the league with 12 schools.

JCSU officials opened the search for a new opponent shortly after St. Paul's announced its intention. Golden Bulls coach Steve Aycock and athletics director Steve Joyner confirmed JCSU was in contact with multiple Division II schools and one Division I program about filling the open date in order to keep its preseason schedule intact.

2011 JCSU Golden Bulls Football Schedule

DATE        OPPONENT            LOCATION                                    TIME
09/03/2011 West Virginia State  Charlotte, NC, Irwin Belk Complex     4:00 PM
09/10/2011 Brevard College       Brevard, NC                                       2:00 PM
09/17/2011 Virginia State           Charlotte, NC, Irwin Belk Complex     4:00 PM
09/24/2011 Davidson                  Davidson, NC                                     7:00 PM
10/01/2011 Winston Salem State Winston Salem, NC                            1:00 PM
10/08/2011 *Shaw                      Raleigh, NC                                        1:00 PM
10/15/2011 Virginia Union           Charlotte, NC, Irwin Belk Complex     1:00 PM
10/22/2011 Saint Augustine's        Raleigh, NC                                        1:30 PM
10/29/2011 Fayetteville State       Charlotte, NC, Irwin Belk Complex     1:00 PM
11/05/2011 **Livingstone            TBA                                                    1:00 PM

* Homecoming
**Commemorative Classic

VISIT: JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
VISIT: GOLDENBULLSPORTS

Howard Women's Basketball Among the teams in Preseason WNIT Field

Washington, D.C.(May 26,2011) – The 16-team field for the 2011 Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament was announced today.

Top 10 teams Baylor, Notre Dame, and UCLA headline the field that also includes Akron, Chattanooga, Detroit, Drexel, ETSU, Hartford, Howard, Indiana State, Long Island, Manhattan, McNeese State, Tennessee Tech, and UAB.

The Preseason WNIT bracket will be announced in June. Here’s a quick snapshot of the field:

- Akron loses just one senior from its 14-16 team, and with the return of four starters, the Zips expect to get back to their form of 09-10 when they posted their best season in school history at 18-14.

- Baylor is a favorite to win next season’s national title after advancing to the Final Four in Indianapolis. The Lady Bears have U.S. Basketball Writers Association coach of the year Kim Mulkey to lead freshman of the year Odyssey Sims, All-American Brittney Griner, and the vast majority of the Bears that went 34-3 last season and captured the Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament titles.

- Chattanooga won 11 straight Southern Conference titles until last season’s youth-laden team lost in overtime in the semifinals of the tournament. This year’s team is a year older and will build on a 17-14 mark with everyone on the roster back for another season under coach Wes Moore.

- Detroit is a program on the rise, as the Titans return all five starters from their 13-18 team that defeated Michigan on the road for the first time since 1983.

- Drexel earned its third straight trip to the postseason and finished 19-12 despite suffering some key injuries. The Dragons welcome all but one player back for next fall.

- ETSU has won three of the past four Atlantic Sun Tournament titles. The Lady Buccaneers return three starters from their 19-12 team, including Destiny Mitchell, who earned all-conference freshman team honors after suffering a season-ending knee injury in February.

- Hartford finished last season on a high note by winning the America East tournament and earning its sixth trip to the NCAAs despite a slow start with an inexperienced team. The Hawks, who were 27-5 a year ago, will again be a favorite this fall in the America East.

- Howard finished runner-up at the MEAC championships and returns conference Player of the Year Saadia Doyle for her junior season. The 16-18 Bison return all five of their starters for their first appearance in the Preseason WNIT.

- Indiana State head coach Teri Moren set a school record for most wins in a rookie season as the Sycamores were 16-16. They get all but one player back from a team that advanced to the Missouri Valley tournament’s semifinal round.

- Long Island returns its top players from a 19-11 team in the Northeast Conference, including senior Ashley Palmer, a two-time NEC first-team all-conference honoree.

- Manhattan is coming off its winningest season in school history, as it finished 24-10 and played in the postseason. The Jaspers welcome back four starters.

- McNeese State posted a record-setting season and tied the best turnaround in NCAA history with a 26-7 record after winning seven games the year before. The Cowgirls captured both the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and played in their first NCAA Tournament in school history. Their top players return to the team this fall.

- Notre Dame made it all the way to the NCAA championship game before falling to Texas A&M, and the Fighting Irish (31-8) will be back in force this fall for another strong run. They are led by point guard Skylar Diggins, who is among a record three Irish players who recently made the 14-player cut for the U.S. World University Games.

- Tennessee Tech won the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title and played in the Postseason WNIT. The Golden Eagles posted a nine-game turnaround from the season before, finishing with a 23-8 overall record. They get all five starters back this fall.

- UAB rolled to its first 20-win season in a decade, going 20-15 and winning the WBI postseason event. The Blazers return four of their five starters and all but one player on their roster.

- UCLA earned more regular-season wins (26) than ever before, and matched its highest seed in history in the NCAA Tournament at No. 3. The Bruins (28-5) will have a new coaching staff led by Cori Close after Nikki Caldwell took the LSU job, but should again be picked to finish around the No. 2 spot in the Pac-12 Conference this fall.


Videographer: howarduniversity; Performer Frenchy Davis tells how Howard University shaped her career

The Preseason WNIT features a three-game guarantee format. The event opens Nov. 11 with first-round games. Second-round games will be played Nov. 13-14; semifinals will be Nov. 16-17; and the championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 20. Teams that lose in the first two rounds will play consolation games on the second weekend, Nov. 18-19. All games are hosted by participating schools.

In last year’s Preseason WNIT, Purdue defeated DePaul 67-58.

For more information, visit the website at www.womensnit.com.

Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDATHLETICS

Alcorn State home of the brave

Braves tough schedule has them ready for first regional

The old saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” That quote had to pop into Alcorn State head coach Barrett Rey’s mind when he was putting together the Braves’ schedule this season.

If you take a look at the non-conference schedule Alcorn State endured this season, it reads like a who’s who of college baseball: Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi State, LSU, Wichita State, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Southern Miss. Even Division I independent Dallas Baptist boasts a 39-17 record and currently ranks No. 45 in the RPI.

On paper, the Braves may have not had much success against those clubs this season, but the experience of facing them definitely prepared Alcorn State for the challenge of Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents.

“There was a method behind the madness of that scheduling,” Rey said. “The guys really bought into it and understood that it wasn’t just us doing a wild schedule. It was to prepare us for this if the time arose. It prepared us for the conference tournament and going into a hostile environment.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Willie Hayes Named AAMU Men's Basketball Coach

NORMAL, AL -- Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M University has announced that 16 year assistant coach Willie Hayes has been hired as the next head coach in the Bulldog men’s basketball program.

The Bulldogs have won over 250 games since Hayes joined the Bulldog staff. One of the best point guards to ever play for A&M, Hayes thrilled Bulldog fans with his pinpoint passing and deadly shooting. He held the school record for career assists with 669 until Craig Lottie surpassed the mark in 1997, by just four.

Still, Hayes will always be known for his fantastic performances on the court. In 116 games as a player in the Bulldog program, Hayes averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He shot 47.4 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from three-point range and ...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: AAMUSPORTS

Hale will not return as XU Gold Nuggets' head volleyball coach

Al'lisa Hale

NEW ORLEANS — Al'lisa Hale will not return next season as head women's volleyball coach at Xavier University of Louisiana, Athletics Director Dennis Cousin announced Wednesday. A national search for a successor will begin immediately.

Hale coached the Gold Nuggets to an 11-26 record and third place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in 2010, her lone season at Xavier.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Jacksonville Ends B-CU Wildcats' Season With 8-0 Decision At NCAA Regional

The Bethune-Cookman University softball season ended Saturday with an 8-0 loss in six innings to Jacksonville in the NCAA Gainesville Regional.

Staving off elimination in the fifth gave the Wildcats' top of the batting order another at bat and All-MEAC Allison Garcia's last collegiate appearance at the plate was a solid double off the left field wall. Garcia led the Wildcats in hitting all four of her playing seasons while registering 83 victories as a pitcher.

Jacksonville (43-16) scored once in the bottom of the sixth to end the game and the right to face defending national champion UCLA in the late Saturday game. The Dolphins also beat the Wildcats (33-26) for the third time this season.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Is Moses Ellis the real deal?

Anyone who watched Moses Ellis play for Prairie View A&M over the years, and particularly last year, knows why he's considered one of the top defensive backs in the country.

He led the SWAC and the FCS with eight interceptions and 22 passes defended. In addition, Ellis had 41 total tackles with 28 solos, and was selected to the Walter Camp Foundation Football Championship Subdivision All-American team.

In case you missed Ellis' moves last season, you'll have the chance to see the senior take center stage in the seventh annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney in September at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla, pitting the Prairie View A&M Panthers against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Ocala Vanguard graduate has been a force at Bethune-Cookman

B-CU OF Matt Wright
Daytona State College/Ocala Vanguard

Wright stars for MEAC champion Wildcats

Matt Wright is making the most of his final collegiate season.

The Vanguard High graduate helped Bethune-Cookman University earn its sixth straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball title over the weekend.

As a result, the Wildcats (35-22) earned the MEAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Championships, with pairings to be announced at 12:30 p.m. Monday on ESPN.

The senior outfielder heads into regional play hitting .326 with six homers, 17 doubles, a team-high five triples, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

JSU Football Receives Postseason Ban

Jackson State University head football coach
Rick Comegy is in final season of contract.

Nearly 90 percent, 16 of 18, of Jackson State University's athletic programs scored at or above the national average when the National Collegiate Athletic Association released its annual Academic Progress Rate (APR) report Tuesday, May 24. Two sports, football and baseball, failed to meet the standards.

Two JSU teams were nationally recognized for being in the top 10 percent, in regards to Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores and achievement. The women’s golf and tennis teams both received perfect APR scores of 1,000. Four other teams recorded scores of 970 and above: men’s tennis (970), volleyball (978), softball (982) and women’s cross country (994). Eight teams scored in the range 926-968: bowling (926), men’s indoor track (943), women’s indoor track (946), men’s outdoor track (946), men’s golf (946), soccer (963), women’s outdoor track (965) and men’s cross country (968). The women’s basketball team recorded a score of 917 and the men’s basketball team scored 906.

Football and baseball were the only two sports to fall below the national benchmark of 900. The football program scored 879 and the baseball team scored 888. The football team will be limited to 50.46 scholarships, 16 hours of practice time five days a week and a ban from post-season play (with the exception of the Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship game according to NCAA Bylaws). However, the final decision...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SWAC takes big hit in latest APR report

Southern's head football coach Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell
 was not with the Jaguars during the APR reporting period
-- 2006/07 through 2009/10. Former coach Pete Richardson
compiled a career record at SU of 134-62, including 5
SWAC Championships and 4 Black College National Titles.
Richardson was fired on Dec. 7, 2009 after 17 seasons
at Southern University.

INDIANAPOLIS -- NCAA President Mark Emmert expects athletes at historically black colleges and universities to make the grade -- and he's willing to help after seeing the results of the latest Academic Progress Rates.

The NCAA banned Jackson State and Southern of the Southwestern Athletic Conference from postseason play in football next season and did the same thing for Southern and Grambling in men's basketball, citing poor classroom performance by all three schools and a host of others in the SWAC and Mid-Eastern Athletic conferences.

The SWAC does not get an automatic bid to the NCAA's FCS playoffs, but its own conference title game could be affected. The NCAA released the penalties Tuesday. Southern became the first school to be banned from the postseason in two sports in the same year -- football and men's basketball -- because of academic performance.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

NCAA Academic Metric Hits HBCUs

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has banned a record eight teams from postseason play because of their athletes’ poor academic performance -- the most since the academic penalty system was first used two years ago. But, in a sign of the widening gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in college sport, four of those punished teams are from historically black colleges and universities, and a fifth is from an institution designated by the federal government as predominantly black.

Tuesday, the NCAA released its annual set of Academic Progress Rates -- scores for each Division I sports team based on the academic eligibility and retention of each scholarship athlete. Teams scoring below certain APR thresholds can face penalties ranging from scholarship losses and practice time reductions to postseason bans and, ultimately, suspension of their institution’s NCAA membership. The longer a team scores below a certain threshold, the more severe its penalty. Each teams is judged on the four-year average of its APR. The latest scores are from the 2006-7, 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 academic years. (A searchable database is available showing complete APR scores and penalties per institution and team.) This year, of the 6,400 teams in Division I, 103 teams from 67 institutions were punished. Sixty teams lost scholarships, 16 received public warnings, 19 lost practice time and 8 have postseason bans.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

XU's Abbas, Taylor are second-team NAIA All-Americans

Hassan Abbas

Steffen Giles-
Osborn

Zach Taylor

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Hassan Abbas and Zach Taylor were second-team selections on the 2011 NAIA Men's Tennis All-America Teams announced Tuesday.

Earning honorable mention was XU's Steffen Giles-Osborn.

Abbas and Taylor are Xavier's fourth and fifth men's tennis All-Americans of the modern era. Mike Green (2009), Terry Richardson (2009) and Miroslav Vukicevic (2008) also were second-team selections. Abbas, a senior from Saltaire, England, and a graduate of Bingley Grammar School and Ventura (Calif.) College, was 15-6 in singles and 15-8 doubles this season and was 31st in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association/NAIA singles rankings.

Taylor, a junior from Monroe, La., and a graduate of St. Frederick High School and Ventura College, was 11-10 in singles and 15-8 in doubles. He was 24th in ITA/NAIA singles rankings. Taylor and Abbas are 15th nationally in doubles.

Giles-Osborn, a junior from Atlanta, Ga., and a graduate of Westlake High School, was 12-14 in singles and 13-14 in doubles. He was 17th in the South in the ITA/NAIA singles rankings and 15th in the South in doubles with Sean Richardson.

Xavier was 13-9 this season, winning the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament and qualifying for the NAIA National Championship for the third consecutive year. The XU men's No. 8 final ranking was their highest ever.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

DSU's Caroll, Adjei Sign Professional Football Contracts

DOVER, Del.- With the National Football League currently on lock down, two former Delaware State University standouts are pursuing their professional football dreams north of the border.

The Canadian Football League Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced the signing of former DSU defensive tackle Andre Caroll to two-year contract, while the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats have inked former Hornet cornerback Francis Adjei to a three-year deal.

Caroll was a 2010 All-MEAC First Team and SportsNetwork FCS All-America Third Team selection. Last season, he was tops on the Hornets and fifth in the MEAC in tackles (8.7 pg). He set a Delaware State record for defensive linemen with 96 total tackles last year. In addition, Caroll was eighth in the MEAC in tackles-for-loss (1.23 pg … 13.5 total) and 13th in sacks (0.36 pg … 4.0 total). The Neptune, N.J., native was also credited with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five quarterbacks hurries and an interception. Caroll was an All-MEAC Second Team pick in 2009.


Videographer: Da1nOnly99;

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Forty-One Bowie State Student-Athletes Earn Degrees

Bowie, MD - Forty-one current and former student-athletes, managers and cheerleaders were among Bowie State University graduates who received degrees in the 2011 Spring Commencement – Friday, May 20th in BSU's Bulldog Stadium.

“We are very proud of our student-athlete graduates today. These young men and young ladies are the true examples of student-athletes. They have embraced the mission of the Athletic Department and understand the importance we have stressed about academics. It is a proud moment for our coaches and administrators to be a part of the joyous occasion”, said Athletic Director Anton Goff.

The graduating class included six student-athletes who graduated with honors, BSU Athletics Male Student-Athlete of the Year Sterling Grant-Jones, two-time winning CIAA Softball Champion Danielle McClay, two-time winning CIAA Bowling Champion Rebecca Frusciante and Jatyra Heath member of the Women's Volleyball team who won this year's CIAA team's highest grade point average for women's volleyball.

We thank you for your contribution to BSU Athletic Department and your respective sport. Congratulations and best wishes to you as you begin your next journey.

Academic Honors
JaTyra Heath – Magna Cum Laude – Women's Volleyball
Shawnita Briggs – Magna cum Laude – Women's Basketball
Lacreshia Mason – Cum Laude – Cheerleading
Daryl Sanders – Cum Laude – Men's Cross Country/Track
Brianna Taylor – Cum Laude – Women's Basketball
Jayde Gavin – Academic Recognition – Men's Basketball

Current Student-Athletes
Ashley Cook – B.A. Fine Arts - Softball
Ciarra Roulhac - B.A. English - Cheerleading
Adeshola Ashiru – B.S. Biology – Women's Bowling
Santiato Ennis – B.S. Communications - Men's Track
Sterling Grant-Jones - B.S. Communications - Football
Courtney Halsey - B.S. Communications - Cheerleading
Lacreshia Mason – B.S. Communications - Cheerleading
Brianna Taylor – B.S. Communications - Women's Basketball
Rodney Webb – B.S. Communications – Football
Brittney Jackson – B.S. Business Administration - Women's Basketball
Daryl Sanders – B.S. Business Administration - Men's Cross Country/Track
Rebecca Frusciante – B.S. Elementary Education - Women's Bowling
April Johnson – B.S. Elementary Education - Cheerleading
Anthony Green – B.S. Child and Adolescent Studies - Football
Tiffany Queen – B.S. Child and Adolescent Studies – Football Manager
Jayde Gavin – B.S. Sociology - Men's Basketball
Jatyra Heath – B.S. Sociology - Women's Volleyball
Danielle McClay – B.S. Sociology - Women's Softball
Travis Reed - B.S. Sociology - Football
Nicole Robinson – B.S. Sport Management – Football
Joyous Willis – M.A. Organizational Communications

Former Student-Athletes
Shawnita Briggs – B.S. Biology – Women's Basketball
Meron “Mary” Wudneh – B.S. Biology – Women's Basketball
Erica Barron – B.S. Communications – Women's Tennis
Maurice Berry – B.S. Communications – Football
Arthur Bowers – B.S. Communications – Men's Basketball
James Hardaway, II – B.S. Computer Technology – Football
Irby Alexander – B.S. Business Administration – Football
Antonio Carter – B.S. Business Administration – Football
Carmen Herbert – B.S. Business Administration – Softball
Juwuhn Smith – B.S. Business Administration – Football
Jonathan Mason – B.S. Sport Management – Football
Dajuana Hill – B.S. Nursing – Women's Track
Jasmine McNair - B.S. Nursing - Women's Volleyball and Tennis
Elise Perkins – B.S. Early Childhood/Special Education - Women's Track
Ashley Robinson – B.S. Business Administration - Women's Volleyball
Joseph Embree – B.S. Child and Adolescent Studies – Football
Krystle Earle – B.S. Psychology – Women's Basketball
Donovan Carroll – B.S. Sociology - Men's Track
Bianca Lee – B.S. Sociology – Women's Basketball
Annette Makle – B.S. Sociology – Softball
Hamzat Saba – B.S. Sociology - Football

By Bowie State University Sports Information


Videographer: jvspears

St. Aug's star looks to MLB draft

Rashaad Ingram

RALEIGH, NC -- When Rashaad Ingram stepped on first base, opposing infielders adjusted their stances and automatically anticipated a steal. Everyone knew the 6-foot speedster from St. Augustine's intended on taking an extra base. Or two. Or three.

Coaches tried signaling. Pitchers tried pitch-outs. Catchers tried throwing him out.

"No offense to any catcher out there," Ingram said. "They really don't have a chance. ... I'm stealing off the pitcher. I'm reading moves. It's something that comes natural to me." Ingram gave teams plenty of chances to throw him out in four seasons with the Falcons. Few ever caught him in the act, allowing the senior to finish his collegiate career with 186 stolen bases in 206 attempts.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SAC Falcons thrilled with new track

Falcons Coach George Williams

RALEIGH, NC -- George Williams studied the stop watch tied around his neck during a track and field practice last week. Every so often, the legendary St. Augustine's track and field coach glanced at the sprinters barreling down the straight. "Turn it on," he instructed.

It was mostly a familiar scene for the former U.S. Olympic coach, who has led the school's women's and men's track and field teams to 31 national titles during his 35-year career at St. Aug's. Yet last Wednesday there was something significantly different about practice.

For the first time in three years, the Falcons were jogging, sprinting and jumping on their home track. They had been without a home facility while construction was completed on the state-of-the-art George Williams Athletic Complex. Student-athletes used the new facility - which is scheduled for official completion in late September - for the first time last Monday. The complex features a nine-lane track, an artificial turf football field and a custom scoreboard.


Videographer: StAugCollege; Beyond the Dream (Facility to be completed Sept. 2011)

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Alcorn wins SWAC title

Shreveport, LA - Before Sunday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament championship game, Alcorn State left-hander Brent Blaum and Braves coach Barret Rey shared ties to Baton Rouge. Afterward, they shared the title of SWAC champions.

Blaum, a former LSU golfer, tossed 5 1-3 effective innings and the relentless Alcorn offense scored in double figures for the third straight tournament game as the Braves defeated Southern University, 12-6, at Fair Grounds Field to claim the tournament championship and an NCAA Regional berth.

“I never got a ring at LSU, so I finally have ...

CONTINUE

Braves Roll to First SWAC Title

Shreveport, La. - For the first time in school history, Alcorn State is celebrating a SWAC baseball championship. The Braves continued their offensive assault on the rest of the teams in the tournament with a 12-6 victory over Southern in Sunday’s championship final at Fair Grounds Field.

Tournament most valuable player, Alcorn designated hitter, Kilby Perdomo, hit his third home run in four games to give Alcorn a 1-0 lead before the Jaguars had even a chance at bat. Cameron McGriff tied the game in the bottom of the second with a solo shot of his own.

Alcorn State, however carded four run innings in the fourth and sixth, and then added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to keep the Jaguars at arm’s length all day.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.