Longtime Fayetteville State sports information director Marion Crowe dies at 80

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Marion Crowe Jr. already had retired from a 24-year stint in the Army, and was about to end a career with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department in January of 1993 when a call came from Ralph Burns.

Burns was then the director of athletics for Fayetteville State University and in dire need of someone to manage the school's sports information department. It was a part-time job at the time, and in a fledgling department requiring some serious updating.

"We decided to give him (Crowe) a try, and I'm happy we did that because he did a tremendous job for us,'' Burns said. "He was a genuine person who care about everybody he came in contact with. We certainly loved him in the department because of his personality and leadership.''

Crowe, who went on to become one of the most beloved figures in FSU athletics during 14 years as the sports information director, passed away Thursday at ...

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Ram Ramblings: Blount excited about being back in CIAA

KERMIT BLOUNT
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
Courtesy: JCSU Athletics

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Kermit Blount says this will likely be his final stop in a long career as a football coach.

Blount, 56, landed the head coaching job at Johnson C. Smith earlier this week. He spent 17 seasons at WSSU as its head coach before being fired in 2009 after a 1-10 season.

Blount, a WSSU graduate, has been around the CIAA block and he should do well, especially with around 30 scholarships and the high-school talent that’s in the Charlotte area.

“You have to cut your own back yard,” Blount said by telephone earlier this week. “If you don’t cut your own back yard when it comes to getting players from around Charlotte then it will be much harder to be successful.”

Blount, who has the most wins in WSSU history with 91, won two CIAA titles as a coach and two more as a player. He was the quarterback for the Rams in 1977 and ’78 when Coach Bill Hayes put the WSSU football program on the map.

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UDC Men’s Tennis Earns No. 4 Ranking in NCAA Division II East Region Poll

UDC FIREBIRDS TENNIS TEAM 2014/15
ROSTER

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The University of the District of Columbia men's tennis team earned a No. 4 ranking in the first NCAA Division II East Region poll released Wednesday, April 8th.

The Firebirds are currently 7-5 overall and 3-1 in East Coast Conference play, with victories over No. 5 ranked Chestnut Hill and No. 8 ranked Roberts Wesleyan. Two of UDC's losses are to Division I opponents, and three are to regionally-ranked Division II foes: No. 2 NYIT, No. 3 Merrimack and Atlantic Region No. 6 Edinboro.

UDC has four regular season matches remaining, of which, the first three consecutive matches are against East Region-ranked opponents. First, the Firebirds will visit Flushing, NY to battle No. 6 ranked Queens on Saturday, April 11th, then return home to host the No. 1 ranked team in the East and No. 6 team in all of Division II, Concordia (NY) on Sunday, April 12th. UDC then travels to Garden City, NY to play No. 7 ranked Adelphi on Tuesday, April 14th.

NCAA Division II Regional Polls

REGION/RANK SCHOOL     OVERALL RECORD     IN-REGION RECORD

Atlantic
1 Bluefield State College Blues (W.VA) 12-4 10-1
2 Mercyhurst 7-1 6-1
3 West Liberty 13-2 11-1
4 West Va. Wesleyan 5-5 5-4
5 Charleston (WV) 7-4 7-4
6 Edinboro 8-6 5-4
7 Chowan 7-6 7-6
8 Shaw 7-6 7-6
9 Kutztown 3-1 3-1

Central
1 Neb.-Kearney 12-1 11-1
2 Southeastern Okla. 7-2 5-1
3 Northwest Mo. St. 10-3 10-2
4 Ouachita Baptist 7-3 7-3
5 Southwest Baptist 10-3 7-2

East
1 Concordia (NY) 8-4 3-0
2 NYIT 8-4 7-0
3 Merrimack 5-5 5-2
4 University of the District of Columbia 7-3 7-3
5 Chestnut Hill 7-4 7-2
6 Queens (NY) 6-2 6-2
7 Adelphi 6-2 6-2
8 Roberts Wesleyan 4-3 3-3
9 Stonehill 4-4 4-2

Midwest
1 Drury 12-1 12-0
2 Northwood (MI) 8-2 7-0
3 Indianapolis 7-2 7-1
4 Southern Ind. 11-3 10-1
5 Ferris St. 9-2 6-1
6 Ohio Dominican 8-1 6-1
7 Rockhurst 8-2 8-2
8 Lewis 9-5 6-3
9 Bellarmine 4-3 4-3
10 Mo.-St. Louis 7-5 6-5

South
1 Barry 10-0 8-0
2 West Florida 19-2 14-0
3 Saint Leo 9-3 4-3
4 Lynn 9-1 6-1
5 Valdosta St. 12-4 11-3
6 Rollins 9-6 2-5
7 North Ala. 7-2 7-2
8 Palm Beach Atl. 11-2 3-2
9 Florida Tech 9-5 3-5

South Central
1 Midwestern St. 10-2 6-0
2 Cameron 8-6 8-6
3 Western N.M. 6-5 6-4
4 Newman 8-6 8-6
5 Colorado Mesa 8-7 7-6
6 Metro St. 7-5 7-5

Southeast
1 Armstrong 13-4 9-2
2 Lander 10-1 10-1
3 Columbus St. 13-2 11-2
4 Georgia College 9-7 9-5
5 North Georgia 10-3 9-3
6 Mount Olive 10-0 10-0
7 Wingate 10-3 10-3
8 Tusculum 15-1 13-1
9 Young Harris 8-7 8-7
10 Francis Marion 7-6 6-6
11 Anderson (SC) 11-3 11-3

West
1 Hawaii Pacific 13-0 7-0
2 Azusa Pacific 9-2 8-1
3 UC San Diego 9-5 9-4
4 BYU-Hawaii 11-4 7-2

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Storylines, players to watch before FAMU's 2015 spring game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since being hired as the FAMU's new head football coach, Alex Wood has instituted a new media policy, brought on 14 recruits and made scheme changes to a team that ended the 2014 season in disarray.

Wood said he's found several leaders over spring practice, including Carson Royal, who will enter Saturday's Orange and Green game as the starting quarterback. Almost just as important has been the emergence of sophomore Gerald Hearns as the team's starting running back.

The Rattlers will be a "run-first" team, Wood said. Last season, no running back scored a rushing touchdown — something Hearns said he's eager to change.

Wood also said the defense has adjusted well to coordinator Theo Lemon's 4-3 scheme. Akil Blount, who led the Rattlers with 72 tackles last season, said the team has enjoyed the structure of the new coaching regime.


Football: FAMU 2015 Football Signing Class

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JSU simplifies defensive scheme

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Keep it simple, stupid.

Don't take that as an insult. Jackson State's defense certainly hasn't.

Alonzo Lee, the Tigers' new defensive coordinator hired in February, hasn't been with the football program long, but the system he's installed is allowing JSU to see results early in spring practice.

In 2014, Jackson State (5-7, 3-6 in SWAC games) ranked third in total defense (354.8 ypg), fourth in scoring defense (27.6 ppg), second in pass defense (195.2 ypg) and fifth in run defense (171.6 ypg) among its conference opponents.

Lee's first step in creating a new identity began with going back to the basics. The defensive coordinator switched the Tigers' base defense from a 3-4 to a traditional 4-3. The move did exactly what JSU coach Harold Jackson wanted in making the Tigers' scheme easier for his players to grasp.

"You just can't put too much on their plate. You have to be simple with it," Jackson said. "What I've seen Coach Lee do out there with those guys this spring, they're running around like they know where they're going because they've put time into understanding the playbook."

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DSU Carter's Hornet Outreach Makes Stop in Wilmington

COACH KENNY CARTER
Courtesy DSU Athletics Media Relations

WILMINGTON, Delaware -- New Delaware State head football coach Kenny Carter is making good on his pledge to visit anywhere in the state to promote the university and his team.

The Monday Club of Wilmington was the latest stop in Carter’s tour of the First State on Thursday evening.

After sharing his reason for accepting the Delaware State job and his vision for the Hornets, Carter answered audience questions for more than a half-hour, often gaining nods of approval from club members. The audience included several prominent Wilmington business and civic leaders, along with former Hornet football players.

The members questioned Carter on his academic and recruiting philosophy, the upcoming season; and his coaching staff, among other topics.

Carter also reached out to the audience to support the team through its attendance at games and financially as well. He told the Monday Club members that he’s not just committed to building a winning team on the field, but success for his players in the classroom and the community.g

PHOTO GALLERY

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FAMU’s offensive line coming together

Spring game: 2 p.m., Saturday, Bragg Memorial Stadium

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Keonte Cash has been a fixture on Florida A&M’s offensive line since 2013.

The 6-foot-1, 290-pound lineman said after going through numerous coaching changes last season, he’s pleased with what first-year head coach Alex Wood is bringing to the table, and he’s looking forward a successful season with a clear mission.

“I think the new coaches are solid and I like what they’re doing with the offense,” Cash said. “I think the scheme fits our play. I think, as a unit, we’ve grown closer and we know how to put the offense together.

“I think this year we’re just more on the same page. Last year we were kind of discombobulated and on separate pages.”

Offensive line coach Edwin Pata is the only coach from last year’s team retained by Wood. On National Signing Day, Pata — who originally came on staff in 2007, when Rubin Carter was the head of the football team, before working with Florida International for three years — said he’s excited for this season.

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SCSU Spring Practice Brief: Day #12 of 15

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs wrapped up its 12th of 15 scheduled spring workouts, Thursday morning in a 6:15 a.m. session at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs conducted a two-hour lively session in full gear, consisting of an overview of team and individual style offensive and defensive schemes.

"We are done with the installation process on offense and defense, "said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "Our main focus now is getting the players ready for the spring game on Saturday."

Pough stated, "The past few practices we try to get a lot more out of these guys physically and mentally. What we don't want to do is get players hurt during the spring session, but we at least want to make the last couple days more physical than usual."

Despite holding out the more experience veteran players, the Bulldog coaches are getting more familiar with new players during the process.

"We are trying to develop as many new guys as we possibly can so it can provide us with more depth moving forward," said Pough.

SC State in the final stages of spring drills will play an 11-game schedule in 2015. The Bulldogs open the campaign on September. 6 when Pough's team battle SWAC foe Arkansas Pine Bluff in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.

The Bulldogs return to the practice fields Friday (April 10) at 6:15 a.m., for the 13th spring workout. SC State will hold its annual Garnet & Blue Spring game Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. in Dawson Stadium.

LIFT-A-BULLDOG KICKOFF RALLY
The Bulldogs will hold their annual Lift-A-Bulldog Scholarship Fundraiser Seafood Extravaganza Friday, April 10 at the I.P. Stan back Museum, beginning from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $65 per person. For more information or to R.S.V.P call (803) 536-8579. All proceeds and donations will go to sponsor summer school and the football scholarship program.

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TSU's Davis and Hayes-Perry get long-term contracts

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern has agreed to new five-year contracts for men's basketball coach Mike Davis and women's coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry.

Both were named SWAC Coach of the Year following the 2014-15 season.

In his third year at TSU, Davis led the Tigers to the SWAC regular season and postseason tournament titles, earning the school's second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

During his stint at TSU the Tigers have won a pair of SWAC regular season titles (2013, 2015) and a pair of postseason tournament titles (2014, 2015).

Davis' new deal replaces his contract, which still had three years left.

His new contract runs through 2020, with a mutual option for an additional year.

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TSU's Lazo currently leads NCAA Division I in stolen bases

Ryan Lazo

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern baseball second baseman Ryan Lazo has quickly established himself as one of the top base runners in Division I this season.

Lazo currently leads the nation in stolen bases per game as he has tallied 25 steals so far on the season.

"We always try to recruit student-athletes that can play in our system," said TSU head coach Michael Robertson. "Ryan Lazo has great instinct, when he is on base and he possesses great speed. Those two combinations I think have helped make him one of the top stolen base leaders in Division I."

This is Lazo's first year on the Tigers baseball team and his work ethic and determination has already helped propel into a leadership role on the team.

"Ryan is an extremely hard worker and a true student of the game," said Robertson. "I haven't coached many student-athletes like him. He is an even better person than he is a ball player."

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Southern U. seeks 6th straight tennis title

Courtesy: Southern University Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- All of Southern’s teams have been under an NCAA postseason ban for more than a year, but none has felt its impact as much as the women’s tennis team.

The Jaguars will go for their sixth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament title this weekend in New Orleans, knowing that even if they win they will be unable to accept the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA’s for a second consecutive season.

Last season there was hope that the university might be able to supply the NCAA with sufficient documentation on student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates to get the ban lifted in time for the NCAAs.

But two days after the SWAC tournament and just a few days before the Jaguars’ annual “watch party” for the unveiling of the NCAA field, coach Jeffrey Conyers told the players they couldn’t go and runner-up Jackson State would go in their place.

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Jake Gaither house marker unveiled Friday

COURTESY CORNELIUS JONES
visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A ceremony to unveil a Florida historic marker at the former home of Florida A&M legendary football coach Jake Gaither will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday. The house and marker are at 212 Young St., the home Gaither lived in the last 40 years of his life. The home was bought in 2013 by local contractor Cornelius Jones, who spent more than $150,000 to buy and restore the home, display Gaither’s memorabilia and open the house to visitors and meetings. Gaither led FAMU to seven black college national championships and three undefeated seasons. Gaither died in 1994. Saturday is the anniversary of Gaither’s birth on April 11, 1903.

To book a rental or donate to the Jake Gaither House, visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com



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Tennessee State T&F to Host Boston-Moon Relays

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State track and field teams will host their lone outdoor meet of the season this weekend, the Boston-Moon Relays.

The Boston-Moon Relays honors TSU greats Ralph Boston and John Moon and will be the sole chance to see the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles at home this Outdoor Season.

The TSU track and field team will also recognize last season’s OVC Championship team and present the members of the squad their championship rings at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the 4x100 meter relay.

In last year’s Boston-Moon, TSU racked up 13 first-place finishes including Amber Hughes who started the day with a win in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.92.

Jerome Henderson took home titles in the 100 (10.73) and 200 meters (21.20) and Quamel Prince followed suit in the 800 meter (1:53.64).

Admission to the Boston-Moon Relays is $5 for adults and $3 for fans ages 5-17. TSU students and children five and under are free.

LIVE RESULTS

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Second-year running back Hearns expected to shoulder offensive load

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Gerald Hearns is looking to erase memories of Florida A&M’s sub-par rushing attack from last season.

The Rattlers were second-to-last in the MEAC in rushing yards and tied for last in the conference with only five rushing touchdowns – all scored by senior quarterback Damien Fleming.

New head coach Alex Wood said Hearns has stepped up during spring football, and the sophomore running back will be expected to carry the load on offense next season.

“It’s no pressure at all,” Hearns said.

“I take what my coach teaches me and perfect my craft on and off the field. I’m learning the plays and I understand different defensive fronts and gap control from the line. It’s going pretty good.”

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TSU Lady Tigers Honored with Resolution at State Capitol

PHOTO GALLERY

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Wednesday, April 8, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team was honored at the State Capitol for winning the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship.

After roll call, opening prayer and the national anthem, the Lady Tigers were escorted into the House Chambers and celebrated with a standing ovation by the Tennessee House of Representatives. Once the team, coaches and administrators made it to the front of the room, Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr. presented the team with a Resolution for their accomplishments.

“When you talk about student athletes and the achievements that they make on and off court, I think it’s good for us to recognize them,” commented Love. “The Lady Tigers were not slated to win the OVC because of the other teams that maybe had better records or were presumed to be the champions but to have the determination to go into the tournament and not let the other teams intimidate them is a testament to how we should live our lives… Not being intimidated by the circumstances we’re faced with and to keep on striving and pushing to achieve our goals.”



After the Resolution was read and presented to the team. Head Coach Larry Inman addressed the House. “This is such a great honor. The ladies on this team are about more than just basketball. They are good students in the classroom and in life. They are all going to be very successful people serving the communities that they represent. And what representatives they were for Nashville and the state of Tennessee.”

As the Lady Tigers left the Capitol they were met by a number of Tennessee State supporters and alumni that congratulated them. Senator Thelma Harper and Representative Brenda Gilmore were on hand to show their appreciation and took photos with the team after the presentation.

“I’m very proud young ladies who have gone above and beyond the call of duty so to speak,” Inman added. “They’ve worked extremely hard and have been very successful. Their lives have touched so many and I’m so proud of them and what they’ve accomplished. I’m thankful to the Legislative body of Tennessee that recognized that.”

Tennessee State defeated UT Martin on March 7 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship to claim the program’s first OVC crown in 20 years.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tiger Camp Update: DBs

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team kicked off the final week of spring practice, Monday, inside of the Indoor Football Facility because of rain.

One area that featured a large number of young faces was at defensive back.

At safety, both Daniel Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Vinson are gone, leaving underclassman in their place. Javon Brandon, Laquarius Cook and LaKhalon Holland all saw action last season, but will be asked to do more for next year’s team.

TSU will also be bringing in JUCO transfer AJ Flowers and true freshman Trevion Duncan in the fall to fight for playing time and provide depth.



The cornerbacks will be led by senior Bernell Brooks who looks to continue the line of great players at the position. Taking over for De’Ante Saunders should be sophomore Terrell Bonds, who had a stellar freshman campaign a year ago.

Also in the fold are jack-of-all-trades Ezra Robinson who could be asked to play a variety of positions and David Kamara who transferred from Ole Miss in time for spring practices.

The Tigers will take one day off before re-taking the practice field on Wednesday.

The Blue & White Game will occur this Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.

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Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015

WACO, Texas -- The Texas Sports Hall of Fame announces its Class of 2015 presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Those to be honored on Thursday, April 9, 2015 include Prairie View A&M and NBA star Zelmo Beaty (deceased), former Dallas Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt, BYU Heisman Trophy QB Ty Detmer, Dallas Cowboys All Pro safety Cliff Harris, former University of Texas swim coach Richard Quick (deceased), former University of Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson, Dallas Cowboys All Pro DB Everson Walls (Grambling State) & Baylor NCAA & Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner.

The inductees are scheduled to appear in Waco for the banquet which will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 6:00pm. There will be a reception at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame before the banquet beginning at 4:00pm. Combination Reception/Banquet tickets are $200 each or $1,500 for a reserved table of 10. The banquet will be held at Baylor University's Ferrell Center. Banquet only tickets can be purchased for $75 each or a table of 10 can be reserved for $675. Tickets can be ordered by calling the museum at 800-567-9561 or securely online through our website.
For breaking news regarding the banquet for the TSHOF Class of 2015 follow us on twitter at @TXSportsHOF.

TICKETS



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Avery Johnson to Be Introduced Wednesday as Alabama's New Men's Basketball Coach

04-07-15 MBB New Head Coach Arrival
 Alabama Men's Basketball Head Coach Avery Johnson  arrives at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Tuesday afternoon.
Photo by Amelia J. Brackin
Courtesy University of Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle will formally introduce Avery Johnson as the Crimson Tide's new head men's basketball coach at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning on the UA campus. Johnson was announced as the 20th head coach in the program's 102-year history on Monday night.

"We are very pleased to welcome Avery Johnson as our next men's basketball coach," Battle said. "Avery brings our program an impressive level of experience as a head coach and player at the highest levels of the game. We are confident that he will bring an exciting style of play to Coleman Coliseum and will produce a team that our fans will enthusiastically embrace and support."

As a player, Johnson won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. As a head coach, he was named the 2006 NBA Coach of the Year after his first full season as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson brings a 254-186 (.577) career coaching record to the Crimson Tide after spending four seasons with the Mavericks and two-plus seasons with the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

"I am extremely excited about this new opportunity, to become the men's basketball coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide," Johnson said. "Coaching on the collegiate level has always been a lifelong dream. I am thrilled that I have an opportunity to do it at one of the most prestigious universities in all of America.

 Photo Gallery            Watch the Press Conference

"Our goal is to make Alabama the leader of the college basketball world. Our fans can expect a team that is going to be very exciting to watch, on both the offensive and defensive ends. A team that's well-prepared and plays with passion, with high energy. The type of team that our fans can support with a lot of enthusiasm. We're going to recruit at the highest level, both in-state and out of state. Recruiting in the state of Alabama is a high priority. Our vision is to recruit and develop student-athletes that the University of Alabama and the community can be proud of. Our players are going to be players of high character, people that care about winning and their teammates more than themselves.

"I want to thank Athletics Director Bill Battle for making the trip to Dallas to present this wonderful opportunity to me and my family. I am looking forward to meeting our fans; our former players; our President Dr. Bonner; our boosters; our staff and administrators.

"Get ready for the ride of your life at Coleman Coliseum!"

During his time in Dallas, Johnson led the Mavericks to the postseason in each of his three-plus seasons as head coach. He led the Mavericks to a record of 194-70 (.735) and set an NBA record for reaching the 50-win plateau (62 games) and the 150-win plateau (191 games) the fastest of any head coach in league history. In 2005-06, Johnson led the Mavericks to their first appearance in the NBA Finals en route to earning NBA Coach of the Year honors.

Johnson was appointed head coach of the Mavericks on March 19, 2005, following the resignation of coaching legend Don Nelson, for whom Johnson served as an assistant coach. An immediate success, Johnson finished the season with a 16-2 mark, earning Western Conference Coach of the Month honors for April.

In his first full season as head coach, Johnson led the 2005-06 Mavericks to a 60-22 record and the team's first Western Conference Championship. He was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in November of 2005, becoming the first coach in league history to win the award in his first two full months of coaching. Johnson picked up the award for a third time in January, 2006. As the coach with the best record in the conference, Johnson earned the honor of coaching the 2006 Western Conference All-Star Team.

The following season (2006-07), Johnson guided Dallas to an NBA-best 67 wins. In his final season in Dallas (2007-08), Johnson led his club to its third consecutive season of 50-plus wins, finishing with a record of 51-31. Making the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, Johnson holds a career postseason record of 23-24 (.489). Johnson began the 2004-05 season as an assistant coach with Dallas after retiring as a player on October 28, 2004.

In 16 NBA seasons as a player, Johnson averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 25.3 minutes played in 1,054 career games with seven different teams. Known as "The Little General" for his on-court leadership and diminutive stature, Johnson helped guide the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999. On March, 28 2003, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson became the 75th player in league history to play 1,000 career games. At 5-11, he joined Calvin Murphy (Houston Rockets) as the only other player under six feet in height to reach that milestone.

A New Orleans native, Johnson played his final two collegiate seasons at Southern University, leading the NCAA in assists both years, and was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the SWAC Tournament as both a junior and senior. He still owns several NCAA Division I records, including most assists in a single game (22 - shared with two other players), most games with 20 or more assists (4), the highest single-season assists average (13.3), and the highest career assists average (12.0). As a senior in 1988, he averaged 11.4 points and 13.3 assists per game, making him the first men's Division I player to average double figures in points and assists in the same season.

Johnson earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern University in 1988. He and his wife, Cassandra, were married in July of 1991 in New Orleans. The Johnsons are the parents of two children, a daughter Christianne (22), a 2015 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a son Avery Jr. (19), who just finished his freshman season on the men's basketball team at Texas A&M.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

TSU Athletics to Host "Spring Fling" on Apr. 11

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State Athletic Department is pleased to announce “Spring Fling” for Saturday, Apr. 11.

The festivities will include the Boston-Moon Relays starting at 9 a.m., continue with the football Legends Game at 1 p.m. and conclude with the Blue & White Game at 3 p.m.

The Boston-Moon Relays honors TSU greats Ralph Boston and John Moon and will be the sole chance to see the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles at home this Outdoor Season.

The TSU track and field team will also recognize last season’s OVC Championship team and present the members of the squad their championship rings at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the 4x100 meter relay.

While the Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers wrap up their meet, former football players will take the field at Hale Stadium for the annual Legends Game.

Tiger alums will play flag football and will make way for the current crop of TSU players at 3 p.m.

The Blue & White game will pit the offense (Blue) against the defense (white) with a unique scoring system. The offense will get points by getting into the end zone and by getting first downs while the defense can get on the scoreboard via forcing turnovers or three-and-outs.

The Blue & White game will signal the end of spring practices and be the final chance to see the Tigers until fall camp.

Admission to the Boston-Moon Relays is $5 for adults and $3 for fans ages 5-17. TSU students and children five and under are free.

There is no charge for the Legends and Blue & White Game.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gee & Joseph: The Redzone, State of HBCU Sports (with Filmmaker Intro)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- "The Redzone: State of HBCU Sports," is narrative feature produced by Quintin Gee and Jason Joseph, two broadcast journalism students at Florida A&M University. This version has the filmmaker intro, and as you can see the film was produced to examine and bring to light the continuing struggle HBCU's have with their athletic programs.

Gee and Joseph are award-winning broadcast journalism students and showcased their short films during the revival of the Florida A&M University’s “Artists in Bloom” festival in Tallahassee.



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