(Casey Printers) Ticats expect to be right in thick of it

Photo: Former Florida A&M quarterback Casey Printers will try to jump start his CFL career with the extra baggage of being the highest paid player in the Canadian Football League for the lowly Hamilton Ti-cats.

We expect to be right in there competing with them," Taaffe said. "We played very competitively most of the time. That's part of the growing process. When you've got a chance to win in the fourth quarter, that's the next step, learning how to close the deal."

The feeling is having Casey Printers at quarterback from the start of the season (he joined the Cats mid-2007) could go a long way to this team's return to the post-season. But will an improved Printers be enough to make up for weaknesses throughout the roster?

That's where veteran CFL talent guru Bob O'Billovich enters the picture, taking over as Hamilton's GM. Known for unearthing talent, most recently for the B.C. Lions, O'Billovich has also been forced to address a losing climate in Steeltown.

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MEAC tourney coming in '09

Photo courtesy Mark's Digital Photography, www.marksdigitalphotography.com

Joel Coliseum to be host for three years

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has been hopping from city to city, trying to make its basketball tournaments a success. It hopes that the next stop, Winston-Salem, will be the right one.

MEAC officials awarded the conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments to Winston-Salem and Joel Coliseum yesterday for the next three years. The contract will begin with the 2008-09 tournament scheduled for March 10-15. All men's and women's games will be played at Joel Coliseum.

Commissioner Dennis Thomas of the MEAC praised Winston-Salem for having all the ingredients to help the tournament grow.

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BCU Wildcats Like Chances At College World Series

Photo: Bethune Cookman University head coach Mervyl Melendez has the Wildcats poised for the upset in the NCAA Regionals.

ORMOND BEACH -- The road to the College World Series begins soon for the best NCAA programs in the game, and Central Florida has a potential giant-killer to add to the mix.

Bethune-Cookman University is heading to its third-consecutive NCAA baseball regional and they are underdogs. They have had a great season so far, but now they are headed to Coral Gables to face Missouri, Ole Miss and the No. 1 team in the country -- the Miami Hurricanes.

"It's going to be a way-different scenario now. NCAA regionals. There's something on the line. You have to lose two games, so I'm sure it's going to be a tougher game, but we're going to be ready for the challenge. A lot of people are probably not giving us a chance to play well or beat University of Miami and I think that we have a very good chance," said Mervyl Melendez, the BCU head coach.

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North Carolina A&T football player dies from heat illness complications

Greensboro, N.C. — A senior offensive lineman on the North Carolina A&T State University football team died Wednesday from complications of heat illness, school officials said.

Chad Wiley, 22, collapsed Tuesday after a supervised voluntary workout on campus, officials said. An A&T athletic trainer treated Wiley on the field before he was transported to Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital.

A&T officials said Wednesday afternoon that Wiley had been running hills during a workout when he became dizzy. A trainer gave him water and he continued his workout. He lost consciousness inside the training room.

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READ: Update 4:22 p.m., http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/NRSTAFF/957891935

READ: Aggie Football Player Dies After Workout, http://www.digtriad.com/news/mostpopular/article.aspx?storyid=104275&provider=top

Wiley profile from North Carolina A & T State University Athletic Website: http://www.ncataggies.com/Football/profiles/wiley_chad.htm

Dawn of a rivalry? ODU and NSU talk football series

Old Dominion and Norfolk State are negotiating a long-term series between the schools' football teams, with ODU officials looking at 2013 as a starting point.

Norfolk State athletic director Marty Miller was even more proactive when reached Tuesday. "Why not 2012?" he asked. ODU would have its first class of fifth-year seniors in 2012.

The Monarchs, after nearly seven decades without football, are kick-starting a Division I-AA program that will begin play in 2009 and will join the Colonial Athletic Association in 2011. The school's first class of recruits arrives on campus this fall.

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You gotta love Marty Miller's attitude--stomp Old Dominion University in the turf before they get any momentum to becoming a winning program. Great question, why wait until 2013? NSU has two opportunities with Colonial Athletic Conference foes William and Mary, and now ODU, that should improve the MEAC's future strength of schedule profile. These local contests are great for college football and its good to see NSU take a proactive approach to getting these games on their schedule.

ODU first game will be against CIAA newcomer (in football only), Chowan University Hawks on September 5, 2009.

-beepbeep

Texas Southern faces #7 National Seed LSU in NCAAs

Photo: Texas Southern Tigers will face the LSU Tigers on their home field in the first round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament.

LSU is the No. 7 national seed in the NCAA baseball tournament field released today, and the Tigers could host a super regional at Alex Box Stadium for the first time since 2004.

LSU would be at home for the super-regional round if it wins this weekend's regional at Alex Box Stadium.

The Tigers will face Texas Southern (16-32) at 1 p.m. Friday in the regional opener in Baton Rouge. New Orleans (42-19), the No. 3 seed in the regional at LSU, will face No. 2 Southern Miss (40-20) at 6 p.m. Friday in the other first-round matchup.

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Bethune-Cookman Travels to Miami for NCAA Baseball Regional

Wildcats draw top-seeded Hurricanes for opening game

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University Baseball found out Monday afternoon that they will stay in state and travel down I-95 south to the University of Miami for their NCAA Regional in Coral Gables, Fla. The Wildcats will be making their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Baseball Regional, as well as their third trip to a Regional hosted by the Miami Hurricanes. B-CU traveled to Coral Gables in 2003 and 1999 as well.

Joining the Wildcats in the Coral Gables (Fla.) Regional will be the University of Mississippi [Ole Miss], Missouri and of course homestanding and host University of Miami. B-CU faced off against the Rebels of Ole Miss two years ago in the Oxford (Miss.) Regional in one of the most exciting Regional games in Bethune-Cookman history. The `Cats fell 3-2 to the Rebels in the opening game in front of a sell-out crowd.

Bethune-Cookman University will make their second trip this season to Coral Gables to tangle with the Hurricanes. B-CU dropped both games of a midweek doubleheader (10-5 & 7-6) to the Canes earlier this season while Miami was ranked #3 nationally. The `Cats and Canes will hook-up on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium on the campus of the University of Miami. The entire Coral Gables Regional will be shown live on ESPNU, with games at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If necessary, Monday's contest will also be shown live on ESPNU at 7 p.m.

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Student Jazz Singers of Howard University

NPR - All Things Considered - Nine music majors at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University are also part of the schools vocal jazz ensemble AfroBlue. Michele Norris talks with the group's director, Connaitre Miller, and listens as the students demonstrate "crunchy" harmonies on a familiar tune, as well as some smooth chords on a cappella versions of "Surrey with a Fringe on Top" and "Sometimes I'm Happy."

LISTEN NOW: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=90832142&m=90832117

Former HU - Rookie Dixon Trying To Complete Trying Journey To NFL Cowboys

IRVING, Texas - Making the team will be hard enough as an undrafted free agent for rookie Marcus Dixon. The Cowboys signed Dixon to a non-guaranteed three-year, $1 million free-agent deal made up of three minimum base salaries, along with a modest signing bonus, and days later he found himself here at Valley Ranch for the rookie mini-camp.

"I haven't gotten any calls from Oprah, but I have gotten calls from people who have supported me," he said after his first practice. "I've gotten e-mails. Everyone is just overwhelmed."

Dixon was just like every other rookie that first weekend - cramming in an unfamiliar playbook and trying to keep up with the speed a pro team works at during these non-pad practices. He returned with the majority of the rookies this past week to also begin his off-season strength and conditioning program, along with taking part in the three-day OTA workouts, which continue with another three-day session out here on Tuesday.

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Former NCCU Eagles set to give back

For More Info: https://www.nccueaf.org/

Upcoming Schedule of Events

Date Event
7/01/2008 - 2008 Membership Drive
7/19/2008 - Inaugural Golf Tournament in Winston-Salem, NC
8/24/2008 - 2008 Membership Cookout

Hunter & Co. late last year founded the Eagle Athletic Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Charlotte dedicated to providing support for football student-athletes at N.C. Central.

Football is a topic that's close to the heart of the EAF executive team. Why? Because they're all former Eagle football players who developed a special bond that continues some 20 years later.

They are: Gerald Mack, a four-year starter at cornerback (1985-88); Gerald Patton, a four-year starter offensive lineman (1982-86); Robert "Green" Horsley, a three-year starter at wide receiver (1983-86); center Eric Montgomery (1983-86); linebacker Gregory Tate (1981-85); Brian McCorkle, a three-year starter offensive lineman (1986-89); and Hunter, a three-year starter at wide receiver (1979-1983).

They all know firsthand the trials and tribulations of being a student-athlete on an HBCU campus.

"Each of us experienced trying times during our tenure at NCCU - lack of money and lack of equipment," said Hunter, the spokesperson for the group. "But we're thankful for the program, and with NCCU being the elite institution that it is, we believe we should try to give back."

NCCU also has the support of other organizations like the Eagle Club, which gives thousands of dollars to the entire athletic department, and the QB Club, whose name says it all.

The EAF's focus is football, also for obvious reasons. Plus every genius knows that football can make or drain an athletic department. Not to mention it's the first major sport of the season. So goes football, so goes the HBCU fan's psyche.

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Prairie View A & M University Marching Storm

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(VIDEO: The Marching Storm of Prairie View A&M University prepares for its first halftime show of the season, by The New York Times.)

PVAMU @ Dallas,Texas

PVAMU at 2008 Houston MLK Parade

PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes

PVAMU Marching Storm and the Black Foxes at Angel City Classic



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Two more I-A transfers set to join JSU Tigers

Photo: Ricardo Kemp

Former Tennessee defensive back Ricardo Kemp said Friday that he will sign with JSU, joining 2007 teammate Antonio Wardlow, who transferred recently. Kemp (5 feet 10, 185 pounds) played 26 games for the Volunteers over the last two years after redshirting in 2005. He posted 24 tackles at UT and recorded two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble last season. Kemp was also considering Hampton.

UNLV defensive end Larry Dennis, a one-time Ole Miss commitment, said Thursday he will sign with Jackson State after sitting out the 2007 season. In 2006 he was rated a four-star recruit (on a five-star scale) by Scout.com. The 6-2, 265-pound Lakeland, Fla., native attended Compton (Calif.) Junior College, then signed with UNLV before 2007 but didn't play because of academic issues.

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Sources: MEAC chooses Winston-Salem

City has won bid to hold tournament for next 3 years

Winston-Salem has won the bid to play host to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament for the next three years, according to several sources. At the MEAC spring meetings, which took place last week in Virginia Beach, Va., presidents and chancellors voted to award the tournament to Winston-Salem. The meetings ended Friday with one of the final votes determining where the tournament would be played for the next three seasons.

An announcement is expected to be made early this week. Neither Dennis Thomas, the commissioner of the MEAC, nor Chico Caldwell, the athletics director at Winston-Salem State University, could be reached for comment yesterday.

But sources have said that the vote came down to Winston-Salem and Raleigh as the final two choices. Winston-Salem officials made a strong proposal to bring the tournament to Joel Coliseum, pledging $100,000 to bring the tournament here.

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Southern University names new chancellor

Dr. Kofi Lomotey holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree from Stanford University in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis, a M.Ed. from Cleveland State University in Curriculum and Instruction and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Economics. He previously served as President of Fort Valley State University, Senior Vice President, Provost and Professor of Education at Medgar Evers College (CUNY) and as a member of the faculties at Louisiana State University and the State University of New York (Buffalo).

Southern University picked a new chancellor Saturday. Southern University System President Ralph Slaughter and the Board of Supervisors chose Kofi Lomotey, 57, of Fisk University in Tennessee out of three finalists. Lomotey was picked on a 9-6 vote at the end of a five-hour meeting that included final interviews on campus.

Those board members voting in opposition said they wanted more time to deliberate after interviewing the three for the first time Saturday. The Fisk executive vice president and provost was chosen over Southern University at Shreveport Chancellor Ray Belton and Alcorn State University Vice President for Academic Affairs Napoleon Moses.

Lomotey will lead Southern’s main campus in Baton Rouge with an enrollment of about 8,000 students starting July 1 after his contract is worked out. “I’m attracted to the tremendous potential...

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Sneads’ Perry preparing to make college choice: FAMU or ...

Former Sneads Pirates wide receiver/kick returner Alex Perry will soon choose between FAMU and Valdosta St. for his collegiate football services. Perry will take the trip to Tallahassee Monday to workout for the new Rattler coach Joe Taylor before visiting Valdosta St. June 21.

Perry, who said he has a scholarship offer from both FAMU and Valdosta St, said that Taylor wanted him to come to the FAMU campus to go through position drill training and update his 40-yard dash time. Immediate playing time will be the biggest factor in his decision, Perry said.

“Basically, what it comes down to is that I want to start in my first year,” he said. “I think I could start at receiver right off the bat as a freshman.”

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SSU boosters: We'll support new athletic director

Photo: Savannah State University new athletic director Bart Bellairs will start on June 1.

'Race doesn't matter'

SSU booster Danny Parrish, a founding member with Alfred Berry of the Atlanta-Downtown Alumni Chapter, one of SSU's largest clubs, is ecstatic that Bellairs was selected from 32 applicants. The Richmond, Ky., native was chosen over Wichita State assistant AD Leonard Clark and NCAA assistant director of championships Keshia Campbell.

"I'm very excited to have him there," Parrish said. "He has the background and experience to build the program to what we need. Everybody wants the same thing: to turn the Savannah State athletic program around and have a successful athletic program. I think he's capable of doing that.

"Race doesn't matter at all. I think diversity is very good. We need to represent the entire Savannah community. I'm glad that we're getting past the color issue." Horace Scandrick, president of the SSU Community Booster Club, agreed with Parrish.

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UMES Hawks add six athletes to the Basketball Program

Head Coach Frankie Allen assembled a strong first-year recruiting class.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Head Men's Basketball Coach Frankie Allen announced the signing of six athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday.

"Overall we are very pleased with the signees and feel that we have started to put together a foundation that the entire basketball community will be proud of in the upcoming years," said Allen.

Coach Allen who took over the helm on April 10 put together a solid core of prospects during the late signing period that will look to contribute to the Hawk basketball program in 2008-09, including Reginald "Tyler" Hines (6-7, 220, PF/C, Sewell, N.J./Timber Creek H.S.), Mark Robertson (6-5, 215, SF/PF, Lakewood, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep), Christopher Conner (6-4, 210, SG/SF, Powell, Tenn./Hargrave Military Academy), Neal Pitt (6-6, 230, SF/PF, Ft. Washington, Md./Frederick C.C.), Hillary Haley (6-6, 210, SG/SF, Waldorf, Md./St. Bonaventure Univ.), and Samuel Obetoh (6-7, 190, SF, New York, N.Y./Washington Irving H.S./Boys' Club of New York).

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Frankie Allen is still a great recruiter of Division I level talent. The Hawks are going to make a big move forward this upcoming season. Way to go, Coach Allen! Great crop of student-athletes.

Jackson State University - J-Settes

JSU J-settes Field Routine (Man eater)


JSU J-Settes Dancing to "I'm Dreaming"

Bryant High's Patrick earns scholarships to Alabama State

TUSCALOOSA Joe Patrick learned a few things about priorities in his life during his career at Paul W. Bryant High School. Patrick capped his senior season by accepting academic and athletic scholarship offers from Alabama State University in Montgomery.

Patrick, who stands 5-foot-9, finished second in the high jump in the AHSAA meet by clearing a height of 6-6. Patrick ran in the 4x800-meter relay during sectional competition. He said he’d like to be a versatile performer in college.

It feels great just to know I’ve done a lot for myself with the help of my parents, the track team and God,” Patrick said. “It feels great to know I’ve lifted a burden off my parents so they don’t have to pay anything.

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ASU to pay outgoing president Joe Lee nearly $289,000

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama State University will pay President Joe Lee nearly $289,000 when he resigns May 31 under a severance agreement reported Friday. Lee announced unexpectedly at a Feb. 8 board of trustees meeting that he planned to resign, ending a seven-year administration that saw a $125 million building campaign and record enrollment.

But he also upset some alumni by firing the football coach and over accounting problems revealed by an audit. Most of the payout — $215,875 — is the balance remaining on Lee's contract that's set to expire Aug. 31, 2009; $47,446 is in retirement and other fringe benefits; and $25,666 is in accrued paid leave.

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A well deserved payout for a president that accomplished many great things for the Hornets.