Johnson named Interim Head Football Coach at Cheyney U.

Coach Anthony Johnson Takes the Reins of the Cheyney Wolves Football Program
Photo Courtesy: Cheyney University Athletics

CHEYNEY, Pennsylvania  -- Anthony Johnson has been named Interim Head Football Coach. Johnson came to Cheyney in 2010 as the Offensive Coordinator under Head Coach Jeff Braxton and continued in that role under Coach Lockard. As the offensive coordinator, Johnson also coached the running backs and quarterbacks.

Prior to his appointment at Cheyney he spent three years at Salisbury University. While at Salisbury, Johnson was responsible for the running backs and slot backs which featured a nationally ranked offense and the number one rushing offense in the nation. Four of his backs earned all- conference honors and the Seagulls participated in the ECAC Southwest Championship Game.

Johnson was an All-Conference performer at Salisbury and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 at Salisbury University.  In 2004 as a player, the Seagulls finished the regular season undefeated, for only the third time in program history, and were ranked No.5 in the nation. He has won two conference championships and has two NCAA tournament appearances at Salisbury University.  Johnson earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary studies specializing in Physical Education, while minoring in Athletic Coaching and a M.ED in Post-Secondary Education in 2010. He is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association.

"I am extremely grateful, honored, and blessed that Cheyney University has recognized all the hard work I have been doing for my four years at this University," Johnson states.  "I will surround myself with great men that bring a wealth of knowledge along with a passion for the game. We are leaders of men first and foremost under my leadership.  I understand that being an educator is the most important aspect of being a coach," he adds.  "My passion, energy, and competitive drive are noteworthy.  I thrive off helping each student reach his full potential by teaching core values that will enable all students to become visionary leaders and responsible citizens in society and life."

Lastly he states "Now being appointed Cheyney's Head Football Coach, my primary objective would be to revive the Cheyney University football program by changing the culture of the student athletes. I envision instilling an unparalleled work ethic, strict discipline, and mature self-confidence in the student athletes, thereby developing winners who want to contribute and help the football program grow to be a championship caliber team.  I further envision building a structured program with a solid foundation based off recruitment, education, community service, and fundraising. This will be done through the recruitment of staff and the efforts to adhere to all NCAA rules and regulations would be imperative."

As the offensive coordinator Johnson played a significant role in obtaining the first PSAC win in snapping a 32 game losing streak and a 24 game PSAC East conference losing streak with a 20-17 win at Millersville. That same season the Wolves scored a career high 34 points against West Chester University, the second most the Wolves have ever put on the scoreboard against the Golden Rams. In 1979, the Wolves scored 36 points and won by two. Johnson also led the Wolves offense to beat Lincoln the first time in school history two years in a row. Johnson has spoken at several Glazier clinics up and down the east coast on the Triple option.

It hasn't gone un-noticed that in each of the last three years one student athlete has been presented an Academic Award by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Football foundation and College Hall of Fame.  Johnson has implemented a structured academic system for the student athletes to follow in the Academic Success Center which has led to improved retention rates.  The football roster has grown every year since Johnson has been associated with the program.  There has been an average of fifteen football student athletes that have earned a 3.0 GPA or better and been on the Dean's List each semester.

COURTESY CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Football sets dates for youth camp

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Football team will hold its' annual Monte Coleman Summer Football Day Camp for youth grades first through eighth on June 12 and high school camp for grades ninth through 12th on June 13 at Golden Lion Stadium.

The cost of the camp is $50 per camper with each camper receiving lunch and a t-shirt. Registration each day will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. with camp activities beginning promptly at 9 a.m. each day.

Athletic trainers are will be on duty to treat minor injuries and sickness. Camp medical staff will not be responsible for administering prescribed medication.

For information contact Keith Saine at 870-575-8605 or via e-mail at sainek@uapb.edu.

2014 UAPB Football Camp Brochure


COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU coaching search narrows

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Tonia Walker, the athletics director at Winston-Salem State, says the search for the next men’s basketball coach has been going well.

Walker said on Wednesday that there were 52 who applied for the opening that came about after Bobby Collins resigned and took the opening at Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Collins spent eight seasons at WSSU, the second-longest tenured coach for the Rams behind the late Big House Gaines, who was there for 47 years.

“We had a strong pool of applicants,” Walker said. “We are trying to identify a coach who will make sure our academic success will be maintained and that we remain competitive in the CIAA and that the coach has the ability to turn boys into men.”

Walker said that the new coach will be named in the next two weeks.

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Kunz, Newell, Graham and Woinowsky Join Chicago State Volleyball

Photo: (L) Jana Kunz, Selena Newell, Amber Graham and Elisa Woinowsky

CHICAGO, Illinois – Jana Kunz (Olton, Switzerland/ Kantonsschule Solothurn/Palm Beach State College), Selena Newell (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Pembroke Pines Charter HS/Palm Beach State College), Amber Graham (Las Vegas, Nev./Arbor View HS/Arizona Western CC) and Elli Woinowsky (Berlin, Germany/Merian Oberschule/San Jacinto College) have each signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Chicago State University volleyball program for the 2014 campaign.

"This is a very solid, athletic class," Chicago State interim volleyball head coach Dawn Barnes said. "I'm excited about this group and what they each bring to our program both on and off the court. They all add depth and athleticism to their respective positions."

Kunz, a 6-2 setter, was an all-state selection in high school and attended the Swiss Youth National Team Training Camps. She played for TV Schönenwerd for four years. She played setter, middle blocker and opposite hitter for Palm Beach State College.

"Jana gives us size and bigger block on the right side," Barnes said. "She is a versatile player and will raise the level of play in the gym. She will make an immediate impact at several positions."

Newell, a 6-0 outside hitter, was voted most outstanding player in 2013 at Palm Beach State College. She was listed as one of Max Prep's top athletes in 2012. She helped Pembroke Pines Charter High School to a pair of district championships and a regional appearance. Newell made the Dean's List and honor roll in high school. In 2011-12 she played with the South Florida Volleyball Club and won first place in gold at the Capitol Hill Classic. She was named the MVP in 2010-11 with the Ohana Volleyball Club.

"Selena is very dynamic and is a true outside hitter," Barnes said. "Her versatility and athleticism will allow us to do some different things offensively. She will definitely add creativity and competitive energy."

Graham, a 5-10 outside hitter, averaged 3.06 kills and 2.23 digs per set for Arizona Western College last season. She finished second on the team in total points (302.0). Graham helped the Lady Matadors to a record of 20-6. Her club won the District C Championship and earned a trip to the national tournament.

"Amber brings the mentality of a hard nosed kid and has a great competitive spirit," Barnes said. "She is an amazing talent. She is dynamic, explosive and has different shot selections that will throw off a lot of teams. Her ability to find the holes on the court while in the air is something that we are looking forward to."

Woinowsky, a 5-11 outside hitter, was named First-Team All-Conference at San Jacinto College last year. She averaged 3.26 kills and 3.53 digs per set. Woinowsky totaled 408.5 points on the year. She helped San Jacinto to a 22-10 record.

"Elli will make an immediate impact to the Cougars' offense and defense," Barnes said. "She is a six rotation kid that plays at a very high level. Elli brings more than ball control to our team. She has an incredible work ethic and a solid passing platform."

These four join previously announced additions Chelsea Sheldon-Medina (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North), Milica Zmiric (Sombor, Serbia/Gimnazija Veljko Petrovic), Essence Jackson-Jones (Muskegon, Mich./Muskegon) and Alex Messner (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) to make up the eight-member 2014 recruiting class.

Chicago State opens the 2014 season in late August.

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

The Lincoln University Announces Jacob Mullins as their New Director of Compliance

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lincoln University is pleased to announce the hiring of Jacob Mullins as the Director of Compliance. Mullins comes to LU after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Compliance at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Mr. Mullins primary responsibility will be certification of student athletes, monitoring of recruitment, and rules education.

Dr. Pope, Director of Athletics at The Lincoln University believes that Mr. Mullins is a veteran compliance professional who will bring to the department a level of confidence needed to allow the administration to concentrate on growing the department on and off the field. " I look forward to Mr. Mullins joining our team. His background and knowledge is just what the department needs at this time," states Dr. Pope.

Mullins spent the last eight years at Bryn Mawr as the department's chief communication officer for both internal and external relations. He was charged with and led the department's publicity efforts as well as all marketing and promotions for the Division III institution's 12-sport athletic program. Mr. Mullins contribution to the overhaul of the athletic website including: the addition of photography and videography, the use of social media and QR codes, has created a website that has become one of the finest in the Centennial Conference.

As the Compliance Director, Mullins ensured that Bryn Mawr's coaches, athletes, staff, administration and other institutional figures adhered to NCAA rules and regulations as well as promoted the Division III philosophy. He administered the annual NCAA Rules Test, reported violations to the conference office, oversaw databases, monitored playing and practice seasons, as well as the academic and athletic eligibility for more than 200 athletes. In addition, Mullins served as the liaison to the NCAA, Centennial Conference, local, regional and national sports media.

For the start of the 2013 school year, Mullins led the athletic department's partnership with Stretch Internet to be the home for the Bryn Mawr's live video streams. During the 2013-14 athletic year, more than 150 athletic-related events were live streamed in HD.

During the summer of 2012, Mullins overhauled the athletic website with the help of Presto Sports' CMS to make it the website more user friendly and visually appealing. In addition, Mullins helped change the layout of the popular live stats feature where fans can follow all home game action with up-to-the minute statistics.

Prior to Bryn Mawr, the Delaware native worked at Gallaudet University, the only institution of higher learning dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing. While in the nation's capital, Mullins ran all aspects of the Sports Information Office and was the sole publisher of athletic publications. Before Gallaudet, Mullins worked at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where he was in charge of marketing and promotions efforts for the 24-Division II athletic department.

Mullins graduated from Lynchburg College in Virginia in 2004 where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management. While at Lynchburg, Mullins was a standout on the Hornet track and field team were he earned numerous academic awards as well as All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) honors in 2002, 2003, and 2004 in the javelin throw.

Mullins helped lead the Hornets to three ODAC Conference Championships during his tenure. After completing his bachelor's degree, Mullins attended Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., where he earned his master Master's Degree in Sports Administration for Higher Education in 2005.

Mullins is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA), National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC), College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), and Philadelphia Area College Sports Information Directors Association (Philly-SIDA). Mullins served as the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Women's Track and Field coordinator for Philly-SIDA. He also serves as an administrative delegate and representative of Bryn Mawr College at Centennial Conference and NCAA meetings and conventions.

Mullins resides in West Chester with his wife, Melissa, and daughters, Emma and Lily.

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Florida A&M's Robinson turns attention to MLB draft




BENNIE ROBINSON
 Photo Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- He finished the season with a national top-15 batting average, led the MEAC in hits and is now one of only two former FAMU players that have had 213 at-bats in a season.

With those kinds of statistics, you’d think that first baseman Bennie Robinson had been on everybody’s radar for some time. But that was not the case for the left-handed slugger who ended the season at the MEAC’s Player of the Year.

And all of doubting that he endured just pushed him to play with a sense of purpose, said Robinson, who is now a hot prospect to be selected in the first 10 rounds of the MLB draft next week.

“I just want to be successful in the game of baseball,” Robinson said. “When you want to be successful in what you do every day, you find a way to get it done.”

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros have already had a close up of Robinson in workouts. The Yankees and Diamondbacks have also invited him to work out for them, he said.

Should he get drafted, Robinson will be the first FAMU player to do so since Derek Shaw was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.

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Southern Football announces kickoff times for 2014 schedule

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University's 3-game homestand set for the month November has been assigned a 1 p.m. kickoff at A.W. Mumford Stadium as the football program announced the remaining start times to its 2014 schedule.

Southern will host Alabama State on Nov. 1 before welcoming Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley State to Baton Rouge on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15.

Kickoff times for all road games during the 2014 season has been finalized except for the Jaguars' 2014 season opener against UL Lafayette Aug. 30 in Lafayette.

Following the battle between defending conference champions at Cajun Field, the Jaguars will host Central Methodist on Sept. 6 and Northwestern State Sept. on 13 before opening defense of its SWAC title against Prairie View A&M on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.

Southern will travel to face Alcorn State in Lorman, Miss. on Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. before hosting UAPB for homecoming on Oct. 4. The Jaguars road schedule concludes with a back-to-back games at Alabama A&M on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. and at Jackson State on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.



2014 Southern U. Jaguars Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time (CT)       Sat, Aug 30  Louisiana-Lafayette Lafayette, La.  TBA     Sat, Sep 06  Central Methodist A.W. Mumford Stadium   6:00 p.m.     Sat, Sep 13  Northwestern State A.W. Mumford Stadium   6:00 p.m.     Sat, Sep 20  Prairie View A&M * Prairie View, Texas | Blackshears Stadium   6:00 p.m.     Sat, Sep 27  Alcorn State * Lorman, Miss.   4:00 p.m.     Sat, Oct 04  Arkansas-Pine Bluff * A.W. Mumford Stadium | Homecoming   5:30 p.m.     Sat, Oct 11  Alabama A&M * Huntsville, Ala.   1:00 p.m.     Sat, Oct 25  Jackson State * Jackson, Miss.   6:00 p.m.     Sat, Nov 01  Alabama State * A.W. Mumford Stadium   1:00 p.m.     Sat, Nov 08  Texas Southern * A.W. Mumford Stadium   1:00 p.m.     Sat, Nov 15  Mississippi Valley State * A.W. Mumford Stadium   1:00 p.m.   Bayou Classic   Sat, Nov 29  Grambling State * New Orleans, La. | Superdome   1:30 p.m.

* Conference Games

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

AAMU Women's Basketball adds three players for the 2014-15 season

NORMAL, Alabama  -- Head women's basketball Coach Semeka Randall announces three more additions to her inaugural class for the 2014-15 season.

Combo guard Jaylan Snowden (Wallace State Community College; Mobile Alabama), power forward Janie Myles (Conumnes Community College; Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and center Deborah Martin (Volunteer State Community College; Jefferson City, Missouri) will provide much needed depth and experience to the roster in the efforts to compete against a highly competitive non-conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule.

Snowden, a 5'8 combo guard finished her 2014 season at Wallace State with a team leading of 4.3 assists while scoring 8.4 points a game. Her efforts contributed greatly for a balanced team and successful campaign at Wallace State with a 27-5 overall record.

"Jaylan's versatility allows her to play the 1-2 or 3 position on the court, but her unselfish nature and pass first mentality will make her most effective in our team schemes," Randall mentioned.

Myles, the 5'11 power forward looks to help shore up the rebounding deficiencies that plagued the team at crucial moments last season.

Myles was named to the California Community College Athletics Association Northern Cali. All-State First Team with averages of 20.7 points, 53.4 percent in field goals, and led the CCCA in rebounding with a 16.2 per game. Her abilities are a welcome addition to a developing front court for the Lady Bulldogs.

"Janie is truly a throwback type player with her abilities to finish at the basket and rebound out of her area which what makes her special," said Randall.

Martin, a 6'2 center from Volunteer State Community College, provides the Lady Bulldogs with some much needed length and athleticism at the center position. Deborah finished her 2014 campaign averaging 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds a contest.

"Deb's ability to defend not only in the post but also on the perimeter makes her a vital piece to what we will try to do defensively nightly," Randall quoted. "Her shot blocking and rebounding will be essential in our efforts to dictate tempo in our games next season."

"All three of these young ladies have the potential to contribute greatly next season for our program. They are great individuals and students but I am even more encouraged that they chose Alabama A&M to complete their degree studies which to me continues to show the appeal of our university.


COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Team Champs Saint Augustine’s Men & Lincoln U. (Mo.) Women Headline Division II Outdoor T&F All-America Honorees

2014 Men’s Team Winner: Saint Augustine’s, 112 | NCAA Recap
2014 Women’s Team Winner: Lincoln (Mo.), 64 | NCAA Recap
Championships Video (NCAA): 
Men | Women

NEW ORLEANS  -- The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Tuesday the list of those Division II student-athletes who earned USTFCCCA All-America honors for the 2014 outdoor track & field season.

Student-athletes were honored for their performances at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend in Allendale, Mich. Those who earned any portion of a team point at the championships earned the distinction, so long as their teams are a member of the USTFCCCA.

The full men’s list can be found here, and the full women’s list here.

Two-time defending national men’s champion Saint Augustine’s led the way with 22 total All-America awards, including six student-athletes who claimed multiple honors, to nearly double-up Ashland’s 12.

Representative of how close the race for the women’s team title was, champion Lincoln (Mo.) and third-place host Grand Valley State both accumulated 18 total All-America honors, followed by runner-up Johnson C. Smith and Southern Connecticut with 10 apiece.

Of the nine male athletes from around the nation who earned at least three awards each, four came from Saint Augustine’s: the nation’s lone four-time All-American in Burkheart Ellis, Jr., as well as three-time honorees Joshua Edmonds, Jermaine Jones and Taffawee Johnson.

Also among the three-time honorees were 100 and 200 meters champion Tim Price of Texas A&M-Kingsville, shot put champion Christopher Reed of Minnesota State, and 400 meters champ Jordan Edwards of Academy of Art.

Romone Hill of Lincoln (Mo.) and Elijha Owens of Ashland rounded out the three-time All-Americans.

Hill’s Lincoln (Mo.) squad and Price’s Kingsville crew both also recorded double-digit All-America honors with 11 and 10, respectively.

While the Lincoln (Mo.) women with three different individuals who earned three All-America awards each in Yanique Ellington, Janae Johnson and Tamara Keane topped the list of nine three-time honorees, it was the Johnson C. Smith duo of Danielle Williams and Samantha Elliot who headlined the multiple honorees.

The duo combined for four individual national titles with Williams claiming crowns at both 100 and 200  meters and finishing runner-up by just .006 in the 100-meter hurdles to Elliot, who also took the 400-meter hurdles title. Both received three All-America honors apiece.

Salcia Slack of New Mexico  Highlands also turned in a multiple national title weekend with wins in the heptathlon and the long jump, and a third-place showing in the triple jump.

Rounding out the three-time honorees were New  Haven’s Ada Udaya, Academy of Art’s Keanna Moody and Southern Connecticut’s Shataja Wattely.

The women of the MIAA led all leagues in total awards with 42 to the GLIAC’s 36, while the men’s conference list was topped by the CIAA with 37. That total edged out the Lone Star Conference with 33, the MIAA with 31 and the GLIAC with 29.

COURTESY Kyle Terwillegar, USTFCCCA

Lincoln University's Victor Thomas Named USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year

COACH VICTOR THOMAS
Courtesy: Lincoln University Athletics
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  -- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Lincoln's Victor Thomas as its National Women's Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach of the Year. The USTFCCCA announced the honor on Wednesday (May 28).

Thomas led Lincoln to its seventh outdoor national title, and its 11th overall track & field national championship, on Saturday (May 24). The Blue Tigers won both relay events and scored 64 team points to beat Johnson C. Smith, which finished second with 59 points. In the process, Lincoln recorded a nation-best 18 All-American performances, with Janae Johnson, Yanique Ellington and Tamara Keane each earning three All-American awards apiece.

Prior to winning the national championship, Lincoln's first in outdoor track & field since 2009, Thomas coached the Blue Tigers to their eighth consecutive MIAA championship. Lincoln, which had won all four league indoor titles since rejoining the conference, ran away with the 2014 MIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The Blue Tigers won eight events and recorded 28 top-eight finishes to score 182 points, nearly 80 more than the second-place team, winning their fourth-straight MIAA outdoor championship in the process.

Thomas, who just finished his 12th season as head coach of the Blue Tigers, also coached Lincoln the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2
006, 2007 and 2009.

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SAU's Williams Selected National Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach of the Year

Coach Williams Has Captured Two Straight
Indoor  and Outdoor National Men's Head
Coach of the Year Awards.

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- George Williams of Saint Augustine's University was named the 2014 NCAA Division II National Men's Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

"I didn't win it, the kids won it," Williams said. "When you have a good group of kids, anything can happen. I would like to thank my peers for voting for me."

This is the second consecutive year and the seventh time overall that the legendary coach has won the award. In March 2014, Williams was selected the USTFCCCA Division II Men's Indoor Track & Field Head Coach of the Year for the second straight year.

Williams was honored Wednesday after guiding Saint Augustine's University to its second straight NCAA Division II Men's Outdoor National Title over the weekend. The Falcons have won the last two Division II Men's Indoor National Crowns as well. The men's and women's track & field program under Williams have combined to win 35 NCAA Division II national championships.

The Falcons won the men's outdoor title by a whopping 112 to 67 score over Adams State University in Allendale, Mich., this past weekend. The winning score was the highest since Abilene Christian scored 115 points in 2000. The Falcons earned 22 All-America honors, which was the most in Division II this year.

The Falcons won four men's events including the 110 meter hurdles by Ty'reak Murray (Sr./Portsmouth, VA), the 400 meter hurdles by Roxroy Cato (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica), the 4x100 meter relay race and 4x400 meter relay race. The 4x100 team is comprised of Daniel Jamieson (Soph./Windsor, CT), Taffawee Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica), Burkheart Ellis Jr. (Soph./Raleigh, NC) and Jermaine Jones (Jr./Wilmington, NC). The 4x400 squad consists of Cato, James Quarles (Sr./Washington, DC), Ellis Jr. and Joshua Edmonds (Sr./Jacksonville, FL).

The Falcons had five second-place and three third-place finishes at the outdoor championship meet. Five sprinters competed in the men's 200 meter finals which is a national record.

The honor caps another banner year for Williams, who has won over 150 coach of the year awards in his dynamic career at Saint Augustine's University, his alma mater. Two weeks ago, Williams was selected CIAA Athletic Director of the Year and CIAA Coach of the Year in four sports - men's and women's cross country, men's indoor track & field and men's outdoor track and field. He was chosen USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach of the Year and CaptainU Division II Indoor Track & Field Winter Coach of the Year. His men's track & field team has won 18 straight outdoor and 17 consecutive indoor CIAA conference titles.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JCSU's Danielle Williams Named 2014 NCAA DII Women's Outdoor National Track Athlete of the Year

DANIELLE WILLIAMS
Courtesy: Johnson C. Smith University Athletics

JCSU's Danielle Williams has been named the USTFCCCA Division II Women's National Track Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – On the heels of the NCAA Championships and with the 2014 Division II Outdoor Track and Field season coming to a conclusion; the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced Danielle Williams of Johnson C. Smith University as the National Track Athlete of the Year. Williams is the only female student-athlete at JCSU to ever receive this honor and this is her second consecutive year being selected for the award.

Williams won dual individual titles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Fractions of a second were all that separated Williams, a recent graduate from St. Andrew, Jamaica, from becoming the first woman in Division II history to win three track events in the same championships. Prior to winning titles both at 100 and 200 meters, Williams lost out to teammate Samantha Elliott (Kingston, Jamaica) in the 100-meter hurdles by just .006 as both ran 13.05. This was an encore from last year's championships, where Williams won the 100m, 200m, and runner-up in the 100m hurdles.



In 100 meters, Williams would ultimately be a runaway by comparison as she edged out top-seeded Ada Udaya of New Haven by .06 in 11.55. She capped her day in the 200 meters; where she was able to just barely hold off Janae Johnson of Lincoln (Mo.) by .01 of a second in 23.48.

Williams' season also included a runner-up 100-meters hurdles finish at the Penn Relays and CIAA titles in all the aforementioned events.

Three other student-athletes received honors. All-time DII heptathlon record-holder Salcia Slack of New Mexico Highlands – a multiple-time champion herself – claimed the Women's Field Athlete honor. Steeplechaser Tabor Stevens of Adams State and record-breaking high jumper Jeron Robinson of Texas A&M-Kingsville claimed the Men's Track Athlete and Men's Field Athlete award.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Dan Schumacher Resigns as Chicago State Director of Athletics

DAN SCHUMACHER
Courtesy: Chicago State University Athletics

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Chicago State University Director of Athletics Dan Schumacher announced Friday (May 23) that he has resigned and accepted the same position at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Schumacher's final day at Chicago State will be June 13.

"I would like to thank the Board of Trustees and President Dr. Wayne Watson for giving me this opportunity," Schumacher said. "I especially would like to thank the athletics staff, coaches and faculty for such dedication to their craft. I am a Chicagoan, a South Sider. It was an incredible experience to be part of Chicago State Athletics and the Western Athletic Conference. I wish Cougar Athletics great success."

Schumacher's leadership helped Chicago State earn entrance into the Western Athletic Conference in 2013-14, the Cougars' first conference with an automatic bid to the NCAA postseason since 2006.

In the classroom, the NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores released earlier this month have Chicago State entering next year without a team under an APR penalty for the first time in the department's history.

In competition, several Chicago State teams have made major strides during Schumacher's two seasons as Director of Athletics. Men's basketball won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament and earned a berth in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. It was the first championship and postseason berth for the program as a Division I member. In 2013-14, men's basketball matched a program record with eight conference wins. The squad earned the No. 3 seed in the WAC Tournament, the highest seed by a Division I team in Illinois in their respective conference tournament. Baseball won 17 games in 2014, the program's most wins in 14 years. The squad picked up two wins over city-rival UIC. Women's golf set records for team and individual scoring averages. Men's golf saw an individual win a tournament for the first time in nine years.

"Over the past four years Chicago State University has undergone a significant transformation and Dan Schumacher has been a vital part of that process," CSU President Dr. Wayne Watson said. "Under Dan's leadership, our athletic department has become an area of strength for CSU. He helped facilitate our move to the Western Athletic Conference, created a culture of accountability that strengthened our NCAA compliance, and perhaps most importantly, worked to create an athletic department that emphasized academic success above all. The average GPA of our student athletes is now 3.24, and for the first time in the department's history we have zero academic progress penalties. I've immensely enjoyed working with Dan, I appreciate his service to CSU and I wish him all the best as he moves to his next endeavor."

The University has named Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Nino Berticelli as the Interim Director of Athletics. Berticelli has over 14 years of experience in collegiate athletics including seven years in athletic administration. A committee will be formed to conduct a nation-wide search for a permanent replacement.

"I came to Chicago State a year ago because I see the great things that can be achieved here," Berticelli said. "Dan Schumacher has built a fantastic foundation for us to not only meet, but also exceed that potential. It's most important now that we continue to stress those same values which have gotten us to this point: academics as a priority, accountability and doing things the right way. I want to thank President Watson for this opportunity, and for his confidence in me to keep this upward trend going."

COURTESY CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama A&M names Rose Powell Volleyball Coach

ROSE MAGERS-POWELL
Courtesy: AAMU Athletics
 

NORMAL, Alabama -- The Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M University Bryan Hicks has named Rose Magers-Powell, head volleyball coach at Alabama A&M.

A native of Big Springs, Texas, she attended the University of Houston, earning awards such as Most Improved, Best Spiker, and Most Valuable Player of the Southwest Conference. She was a member of the 1984 US Olympic Volleyball team winning the Silver Medal, the highest finishing women's team in United States history.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Powell to the Bulldog family as head volleyball coach," Hicks said. "Her experience as a student-athlete, coach and community leader will continue to enhance our proud volleyball program."

Prior to her tenure at the helm of the RedHawks program. Powell, having one of the finest volleyball careers in American history, has applied her magic to local schools, camps, and collegiate programs. Through her coaching career at Martin Methodist, she has compiled a 367-279 overall record and entered 2013 ranked 11^th in the NAIA in total wins among active coaches.

"Her expertise, high level of competition as a player, and winning attitude will be instrumental in expanding our brand in the volleyball community," commented Hicks.

Following her collegiate stint, Rose played for two years on the USA National Team. During those two years, Rose helped the team achieve a Silver Medal at the Super Three Tournament (China, Japan and USA), a Gold Medal at the Pan American Games, a Bronze Medal at the World Championships, and a Gold Medal at the NORCECA Games.

She played nine years (1984-1993) in Japan as a professional player/coach. During this time she was a three-time MVP, six-time Best Spiker, one-time Best Blocker, and six-time Most Point Maker in the league.

"I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead a well-respected and proven volleyball program like Alabama A&M," Powell said.

"I would like to thank Mr. Hicks for trusting me and believing in the vision and philosophy that I will bring to the program. As anyone around here knows, the passion and history of volleyball in this area is the best in the country. To be a part of it is truly special."

Before accepting the head coaching position at Martin Methodist, she coached at Lee High School in Huntsville for four years. While there, she compiled a record of 108-50 and was ranked in the top 10 among volleyball coaches in the state.

In her first year at Martin Methodist, she was voted by her peers as the 1996 TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year. Under her guidance, Martin Methodist has turned their volleyball program into greatness. They have competed in numerous TranSouth Conference Tournament Finals and NAIA Regional Tournaments.

During the 2005 season she guided her team to the school's first-ever volleyball TransSouth Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships and first NAIA Region XI Final, thus earning her recognition as the TSAC Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. She also had two players selected as NAIA All-Americans.

In recognition of her brilliant volleyball career, in 2007 Rose was honored as the recipient of the most prestigious award available to volleyball players. She was named to the All-Time Great Volleyball Player Award – an award that has been bestowed upon fewer than 100 players, both men and women.

Most recently, she was able to finish her education, by completing her studies and receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Martin Methodist College in 2000. She now makes her home with her husband, Harry, and two sons, William and Brandon, in Huntsville, Alabama.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Saint Augustine's University Earns Nation's-Best 22 Men's All-America Track & Field Awards

NEW ORLEANS  -- Eleven Saint Augustine's University student-athletes led the way with 22 All-America men's awards on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II All-America list for the 2014 outdoor track & field season. The USTFCCCA released the list on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

Seven women recorded eight All-America honors for the Lady Falcons. A student-athlete earned All-America honors if he or she earned a team point in their respective event at the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Men's and Women's Track & Field Championship this past weekend in Allendale, Mich. Saint Augustine's University outscored Adams State 112 to 67 for its second straight men's outdoor championship and 35^th NCAA title overall for the program led by legendary Head Coach George Williams.

Burkheart Ellis Jr. (Soph./Raleigh, NC) of Saint Augustine's University was the only student-athlete to claim four All-America accolades. Teammates Joshua Edmonds (Sr./Jacksonville, FL), Jermaine Jones (Jr./Wilmington, NC) and Taffawee Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica) were three-time All-American honorees.

Saint Augustine's University had four of the nation's nine male student-athletes who earned at least three All-America awards. On the women's side, Tia-Adana Belle (Fr./Bridgetown, Barbados) of the Lady Falcons earned multiple All-America awards, winning two.

Below is the list of men's and women's All-Americans from Saint Augustine's University and their respective events:

WOMEN

Tia-Adana Belle – 400 Hurdles, 4x400 Relay
Shakinah Brooks – Long Jump
Brittany Brown – 4x400 Relay
Akeisha Dumont – 4x400 Relay
Shamia Lassiter – 100 Hurdles
Ornella Livingston – 100 Dash
Cherrisse Lynch – 4x400 Relay

MEN

Roxroy Cato – 400 Hurdles, 4x400 Relay
Joshua Edmonds – 200 Dash, 400 Dash, 4x400 Relay
Burkheart Ellis Jr. – 200 Dash, 400 Dash, 4x100 Relay, 4x400 Relay
Daniel Jamieson – 4x100 Relay
Taffawee Johnson – 100 Dash, 200 Dash, 4x100 Relay
Jermaine Jones – 100 Dash, 200 Dash, 4x100 Relay
Elhadji Mbow – 400 Hurdles
Ty'reak Murray – 100 Hurdles
James Quarles – 4x400 Relay
David Shaw – Triple Jump
DeJon Wilkinson – Long Jump, Triple Jump

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ECSU to suspend Baseball Program for next three seasons

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- Elizabeth City State University has announced the temporary suspension of its baseball program effective immediately.

During the next few years, ECSU will strengthen its fundraising efforts in support of all its athletic programs, including scholarships and facilities. ECSU anticipates a return to the baseball diamond beginning with the 2017-18 academic year. Head baseball coach Terrance Whittle will be reassigned within the Department, working on behalf of the program with a focus on the completion of a baseball field and other fundraising ventures for baseball scholarships.

Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, the Athletic Department's sports sponsorship will be 10 sports, the minimum for NCAA Division II membership.

This decision may monetarily affect four baseball student-athletes who will be seniors this upcoming year. Student-athletes that continue their undergraduate education at ECSU will receive their athletic aid for 2014-15.Those who desire to transfer to another institution will be granted releases so that they may continue their playing careers.

"Suspending or eliminating a varsity sport should always be the last option for an athletic department because many people are impacted by such a decision", says J. Lin Dawson, Interim Athletic Director. "At the center of every decision and course of action are the student-athletes who trust Elizabeth City State University with their academic and athletic careers. Therefore, the decision to suspend baseball for three years is regretful and unfortunate. The Department of Athletics commits to (1) providing sound and well organized athletically-related experiences that lead to high achievement and lends to the overall satisfaction of student life and alumni pride, (2) graduating student-athletes, and (3) developing them as leaders to impact the community at large now and beyond their playing days. "

Due to financial restraints, the Athletic Department, like other entities at the University, must make significant changes to address the recent decline in enrollment. The temporary suspension of baseball is part of the University's intensive right-sizing plan to achieve financial stability.

While baseball is on hiatus, the University will use the time to raise the necessary resources to sponsor a competitive team and revive the efforts for proper facilities for our future home games.

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former SSU Tiger McGowin Promoted To Double-A

22 Year Old Kyle McGowin was drafted in in the fifth round of last year’s draft
out of Savannah State University by the Los Angeles Angels Major League
Baseball Club.
Courtesy Savannah State University Athletics

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas  --  Former Savannah State pitcher Kyle McGowin was recently promoted from High Single-A to Double-A in the Los Angeles Angels Minor League Baseball farm system.

McGowin started the season with the Inland Empire 66ers located in San Bernardino, California of the California League but is now a member of the Arkansas Travelers located in Little Rock, Arkansas and plays in the Texas League.

The lanky right-hander had an earned run average of 2.93 with the 66ers this season. McGowin made his debut with the Travelers two nights ago but took the loss, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out three in five innings.

During the month of April, McGowin was named the Angels farm Most Valuable Player. He pitched 33 innings, had a 1.91 ERA, gave up 27 hits, struck out 26 batters and walked nine, last month.

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Legendary author Maya Angelou dies at age 86

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- -- Maya Angelou, a renowned poet, novelist and actress, has died at age 86, her literary agent, Helen Brann, said Wednesday.

She died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Brann said.

Also a professor, singer and dancer, Angelou's work spans several professions. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her with the Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor.

One of Angelou's most revered books was "I Know Why the Caged Sings."

Writer Julian Mayfield is said to have described the autobiography as "a work of art which eludes description."

Angelou spent her early years studying dance and drama in San Francisco but dropped out at age 14, instead becoming the city's first African-American female cable car conductor.

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St. Aug celebrates second straight outdoor crown

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Saint Augustine’s University celebrated their second straight men’s outdoor track and field national crown Tuesday.

The Falcons scored 112 points to win by a 45-point margin over the competition at the 2014 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Grand Valley State Track and Field Stadium Saturday.

“Most of the time we have an older team but this year we had old and young and they all performed very well,” said head coach George Williams Tuesday. “I think that’s what makes this team very special.”

The title was the 12th men’s outdoor title for the Falcons, who also swept the last two men’s indoor national titles. Overall, the Saint Augustine’s University track and field program has won 35 NCAA Division II national championships under Williams.

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XU's Jackson to conduct skills camp for boys June 9-12

NEW ORLEANS — Dannton Jackson, the winningest coach in the history of Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball, will conduct a skills camp June 9-12 for New Orleans-area boys age 7-16.
   
Xavier's Convocation Center will be the site of the DJ Hoops Skills Academy. Featured guest coaches and speakers will include Brandon Bass of the Boston Celtics, DJ Augustin of the Chicago Bulls and Mo Williams of the Portland Trailblazers.
   
The camp costs $165 and is open to a limited number of participants. To obtain a registration form, visit djhoops.com or call (504) 521-7849.
   
Jackson is 249-107 in 11 seasons at Xavier and was selected Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year each of the past three seasons. He was the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Small College Coach of the Year in 2014. Jackson's teams have won five GCAC regular-season championships and qualified eight times for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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National seed Ragin' Cajuns opens NCAA tourney with JSU

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana  – Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns will play host to the NCAA Lafayette Regional at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field Friday when the Cajuns meet Jackson State at 6 p.m. in the nightcap of the first day. San Diego State will face Mississippi State at 1 p.m. Friday in the opening game of the four-team regional.

The regional continues Saturday and Sunday and, if necessary, will finish on Monday. The winner of the Lafayette Regional will face the winner of the Oxford Regional in an NCAA Super Regional next weekend.

The Sun Belt Champions have earned a national seed for the first time in program history with a No. 6 seed.

The Ragin' Cajuns are playing host to a regional for the second time in school history, with the first ever regional host coming in 2000. All games of the regional may be viewed on ESPN3.com.

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Miami Hurricanes’ baseball regional opener Friday vs. Bethune-Cookman

MIAMI, Florida  -- As expected, the Miami Hurricanes were not named one of eight national seeds Monday for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament coming this weekend to 16, four-team regional sites around the nation.

However, the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee graced the Hurricanes with one of the least-intense regionals.

Coming to Coral Gables this weekend: No. 4 regional seed Bethune-Cookman (26-31, 208 RPI) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; No. 3 seed Columbia (29-18 and No. 35 RPI) of the Ivy League; and No. 2 seed Texas Tech (40-18, No. 17 RPI) of the Big 12.
     
The No. 1 regional seed Hurricanes (41-17 and No. 15 RPI) will face Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m. Friday (according to ESPNU) at Alex Rodriguez Park, with Columbia vs. Texas Tech opening the Coral Gables regional at 2.

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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/26/4139553/miami-hurricanes-baseball-regional.html#storylink=cpy

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are happy to be going south to Miami for regional

ORMOND BEACH, Florida — Bethune-Cookman couldn’t have drawn up a better NCAA regional pairing if the selection committee had given Wildcats coach Jason Beverlin a Sharpie and an easel pad.

Sure, the ’Cats got a No. 4 seed, which was expected considering their 26-31 record, but they were assigned to the Coral Gables Regional, which is headed by No. 1 seed Miami.

The Wildcats have beaten the Hurricanes in each of the last two seasons at Mark Light Field, a fact not lost on B-CU players and coaches as they excitedly reacted to the bracket as it was unveiled Monday on ESPNU.

 

“Anytime you’re familiar with your opponent I think it gives you an opportunity to game plan and know what to expect, and it more or less comes down to execution,” Beverlin said. “I think our guys aren’t going to be overwhelmed by the situation, because we’ve played them before and had success. Now it’s just a matter of going down there and playing like we can.”

 

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Jackson State overcomes slump, bus fire to make NCAAs

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- Three weeks ago, Jackson State’s baseball team stood on the side of the interstate, watching as a fire destroyed its bus.

Now the Tigers (31-23) are headed to the NCAA tournament.

It’s been a crazy May for Jackson State, which was struggling before the team’s bus caught on fire May 5 during a road trip to play Savannah State. No one was injured in the blaze, but nearly all of the team’s equipment was destroyed. Several players also lost a substantial amount of personal items — including wallets, keys and clothes.

But the Tigers pushed aside the adversity to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament one week later. Now they’ll face No. 6 overall seed Louisiana-Lafayette (53-7) in the NCAA tournament’s opening round Friday.

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Money woes, declining talent plague HBCU football

CB Qua Cox, 2014 Indianapolis Colts Free Agent Signee
 Jackson State Tigers
Courtesy: JSU Athletics 

JACKSON, Mississippi — Years before Jackie Slater was a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, he was playing for Wingfield High School in Jackson, Mississippi, and hoping to attract the attention of college scouts.

This was in the early 1970s — about the time Southeastern Conference football teams were just beginning to recruit black players — so this massive teenager was mostly ignored by the big schools. But Jackson State welcomed him.

"It was where I was wanted," Slater recalled. "And it's where I could excel."

Slater was one of many players who thrived at the nation's historically black colleges and universities, particularly from the '60s through the '80s. NFL superstars Jerry Rice and Walter Payton were part of that wave.

But HBCUs have slowly turned into an afterthought on the college football landscape.

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