FAMU football makes blockbuster hire: Earl Holmes

Photo: FAMU Inside Linebacker Coach Earl Holmes brings a Resume with 11 NFL seasons as an impact player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

Although it is the offense that is credited with the success Florida A&M's football program enjoyed in the mid to late 1990's, it was actually a one man wrecking crew on defense that ushered in the Rattlers' golden age under former head coach Billy Joe. His name was Earl Holmes, and if you were an offensive player in 1994 and 1995, you didn't want to see him on the other side of the ball.

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Like most, I've been waiting patiently for FAMU Coach Joe Taylor to make the announcement that will unite Rattlers from all generations and give Rattler Nation the competitive edge in Florida recruiting. Earl Holmes is a major piece in this puzzle--the only guy that could make folks jump into their cars and drive 2000 miles (round-trip) to see FAMU play in Tallahassee. It did not matter who the opponent was as Earl Holmes was going to implode their offense from his linebacker position before a full house at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Holmes told the Tallahassee Democrat, ""I am so, so blessed. It's like being drafted again." Mr. Holmes, Rattlers everywhere are blessed and the defensive Gods are rejoicing that we have a former 11 Year NFL talent with your teaching capabilities on our sidelines.

I recall a statement Earl made to a reporter when he first went to the Detroit Lions which exhibits what drives Holmes on the football field and gives him that special leadership quality. “Winning is contagious,” said Holmes. “Once you win one game you want to feed off that. You want to keep that feeling and you want there to be a snowball affect. You want to win as many as you can but all it takes is to win one or two. It all starts with a ‘W.’”

That's the type of defensive attitude that has been missing from Rattler football for sometime. Holmes' notoriety in the Big Bend area also should open many doors to top flight recruits that want to be mentored by an impact player that led his NFL teams for six straight seasons in tackles (Steelers, Browns and Lions).

Here is an updated snapshot of the FAMU coaching staff today:

Head Football Coach - Joe Taylor
1. Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach - Lawrence Kershaw
2. Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers - Steven Jerry
3. Running backs - Aaron Taylor
4. Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator - Timothy Edwards
5. Defensive Line Coach, George M. Small
6. Inside Linebackers - Earl Holmes
7. Defensive Coordinator -vacant
8. Tight Ends/Special Teams -vacant

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FAMU makes cuts in athletic department

Florida A&M Athletic Director Bill Hayes has fired three key administrators within the department, including former head baseball coach Joseph Durant. Hayes also fired Senior Associate Athletics Director for Operations and Compliance Robert Raines and Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services E. Dwayne Robinson.

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In Concert: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and Nat Adderley

The Florida A&M University legacy continues...but let us not forget two musical trailblazing Rattler giants in Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley.

Straight No Chaser, Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley


Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! - Joe Zawinul's tune played by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Slideshow.

Cannonball Adderley - Work Song - Jazz Scene USA


Cannonball Adderley - Jive Samba - Jazz Scene USA

Cannonball Adderley Sextet - Jazz 625 - Poor Butterfly

Maryland Eastern Shore baseball inks three early to national letters of intent

Photo: UMES head baseball coach William Garner (in Middle) gives instruction to his players.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Head Coach William Gardner is getting ready to begin his second season as skipper of the Fighting Hawks. In just his second shot at getting commitments, Gardner landed three big players, all signing National Letters of Intent in the early signing period. UMES adds defensive and offensive stars in the form of Michael Turner, Stokey Jackson and Dajuan Stallworth.

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Hampton University Freeman returning to form

It wasn't that Mike Freeman was ineffective for Hampton University early this season — he just wasn't as dominant. This led to rumblings of a sophomore slump for the 6-foot-8 forward, who was last season's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the year.

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Photo: 6-8 Sophomore power forward Michael Freeman is a man among boys in the MEAC.

Has anyone checked the Hampton University basketball roster lately. It looks like an NBA roster with a five player practice squad, totalling 19 active players. By comparison, Florida A&M has only 12 scholarship players. Who's advising the Pirates athletic department--Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys?

Seriously, Hampton has put together a team that has all the potential of a mid-major powerhouse, with only four seniors on the roster. With three 6-10 guys, a 6-8 and 6-9 forward, the Pirates have the size and talent to go deep within the NCAA Tournament. But, their greatest difficulty is playing the peewee teams like FAMU and other MEAC clubs that specialize in small ball.

Until Hampton learns to cope with this irritating form of basketball, Coach Kevin Nickelberry and team will be siting at home watching the NCAAs like the rest of us and the MEAC in '08.

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Freshman Lumpkin steps in to ASU starring role

Photo: Erica Lumpkin, 5-10 freshman forward, Selma High School, Orrville, Alabama, Major: Early Childhood Education.

When Erica Lumpkin signed with Alabama State last year, the plan was to bring her in, let her ease into playing time and give her a chance get comfortable before any big expectations were placed on her shoulders.

That was the plan. Until reality set in.

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TSU surprisingly tops SWAC basketball standings

Sharing first place is fine, but having it alone is even better.

Such is life for the Texas Southern University men's basketball team, which finds itself atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings with a 3-0 record. The Tigers — who completed a perfect three-game homestand with a 70-65 victory over rival Prairie View A&M on Saturday — took sole possession of first place when Jackson State (3-1) fell at Southern on Monday night 85-69.

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Thieves steal North Carolina Central's band thunder

DURHAM, N.C. -- More than a dozen sousaphones were stolen from the band room at North Carolina Central University, officials said.

The instruments were taken sometime in December or early January.

The instruments – six Conn sousaphones and eight Jupiter sousaphones – are worth about $3,000 each. Along with the 14 sousaphones, thieves took trumpets, trombones, flutes and piccolos, some of which police have already recovered from area pawnshops.

A reward is offered.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call NCCU Detective A.J. Carter at 560-5397, NCCU Detective Billy Boyd at 560-7365 or Crime Stoppers at 683-1200. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

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NCCU Band is scheduled to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA on January 26, 2008 03:00 PM. Also participating will be bands from:

Albany State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University, Texas Southern University, Tuskegee University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Virginia State University, Winston-Salem State University.

A band without a bass line (Sousaphones) is in a world of trouble in a band competition. Here is what the Eagle Band looked and sound like with the Sousaphones thumping at the bottom.

North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band with Sousaphones.

Linwood Ferguson among top contenders to become EKU head football coach

Photo: Coach Linwood Ferguson, former MEAC coach at HU, NCA&T, NCCU and WSSU is a top contender to become head football coach at Eastern Kentucky.

RICHMOND, KY — Speculation continues to build about who will be selected as Danny Hope’s successor at Eastern Kentucky University, but school officials aren’t saying much, if anything, about the situation.

Still, it would appear that five candidates have emerged as top contenders to become EKU’s new head football coach — current defensive coordinator Donn Landholm, current offensive coordinator Linwood Ferguson, Georgetown College head coach Bill Cronin, Bowling Green University wide receivers coach Steve Bird and Wake Forest defensive coordinator Dean Hood.

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Ferguson, who has more than 31 years of coaching experience, spent the 2006 season as Howard University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Bison finished 4-4 in MEAC action in 2006 while ranking third in the conference in rushing yards per game (184.8). Ferguson has also been the offensive coordinator at North Carolina Central University (2003), North Carolina A&T State University (2002) and defensive back coach at Winston Salem State University (2004-05).

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Orlando (FL) Jones High hires Kenard Lang as head football coach

Former NFL player and Evans High great Kenard Lang has accepted the head football coaching job at Jones High School and will replace Boris Jackson.

Jones Principal Bridget Williams said the school is waiting for completed paperwork before making it official. Lang, who takes over a team that went 1-9 last season, played at Evans for current Edgewater Coach Bill Gierke and graduated in 1993. He spent last season coaching tight ends and helping with strength and conditioning at Edgewater.

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Lang is a University of Miami Hurricane and former Washington Redskins player, but we won't hold that against him. It's great to see someone with his considerable playing skills to start at a level where the rubber meets the road--at the high school level at a historical program like Jones High School. The connection here is Jones High has always been a feeder for both Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman, for athletes, band members and outstanding students.

Hopefully, Lang will keep the pipeline open for the MEAC and SWAC programs. Lang had an 11 year NFL career as a first round, #17 pick for the Washington Redskins in the 1997 NFL Draft. He later played linebacker and defensive end for Cleveland and closed out his career with Denver.

Hiring assistants first on Florida A&M Taylor's to-do list

Taylor said he was in the process of putting together the rest of his staff this week, including filling the offensive and defensive coordinator positions. Taylor spent last week at the annual American Football Coaches Association convention, where he received more than his share of inquiries.

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Photo: FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor

It appears that Coach Joe Taylor is behind the eight ball with National Signing Day looming on the horizon with February 6, only 20 calendar days away. The Offensive and Defensive Coordinators have yet to be appointed, says Taylor, but it will happen this week. That's the best news yet coming out of the FAMU camp.

Let's get ready to sign some blue chip student-athletes. No time to be dilly-dally around with a few folks that should be on the far end of the bench come game time. Sometimes, life is just not fair.

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Kentucky among Norfolk State's football opponents in 2008

Another game against a Division I FBS opponent and the first matchup with in-state foe William & Mary in 23 years highlight the 2008 Norfolk State football schedule, which was announced Wednesday.

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Photo: Norfolk State pounded Coach Adrian's former MEAC mentor, Alvin Wyatts' Bethune Cookman University Wildcats into the turf in '07. Will there be more of the same in '08 for the Spartans?

For those that need just the facts, here it is in the abbreviated version.

Norfolk State has one of the more attractive MEAC schedules for 2008, along with South Carolina State University. NSU athletic director Marty L. Miller is quickly becoming the top Athletic Executive in black college sports with his ability to set up his head football coach, Pete Adrian for an outstanding season, among other positive initiatives.

Last season, Norfolk State University was tops in HBCU football for accumulated home attendance. The Spartans were ranked #7 in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS") with 103,320 accumulated attendance for six home games. NSU average game attendance was 17,220 (see our Blog dated 11/22/07 on this topic).

We expect the Spartans to exceed this number in '08, with Virginia State, North Carolina A&T, Florida A&M, Morgan State and Delaware State on the slate. The first three teams are noted to travel well with a very large fan base in the Baltimore, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Richmond commuting regions.

But more importantly, the rivalry games with Hampton University and William and Mary have the flavor of a playoff contest before large crowds. Both the VSU and FAMU games should set new attendance records at William "Dick" Price Stadium, especially with Joe Taylor's Rattlers first return to the Hampton Roads region for Norfolk State's homecoming.

If the famed FAMU Marching 100 Band makes an appearance, expect standing room only with 30,000 plus fans for the FAMU game.

We foresee NSU being in the hunt for an FCS playoff spot in '08.

Remember, its still January so we can go overboard a little for the Spartans. However, by the time the battle with Delaware State is completed in November, the blitz that the Spartans will have received from Joker Phillips and the Kentucky Wildcats will have been forgotten by most on the FCS playoff committee.

All of these ingredients will make for a very exciting season in the Hampton Roads region. We just as well buy season tickets to guarantee us a seat for an exciting season in the Tidewater.

Will this be the season that the MEAC sends more than one team to the playoffs, in a five way battle with Delaware State, Norfolk State, Hampton, FAMU and SCSU State for a playoff spot and the MEAC championship?

Beating William and Mary and with only one loss in the MEAC could get a 10-2 Norfolk State into the playoffs, without winning the MEAC championship. A 9-3 record will get Norfolk State an early start on '09 recruiting.

Outstanding schedule, Spartans!

Photo: Armed with a new contract, will NSU Coach Pete Adrian prove the critics wrong in '08 with a MEAC championship or FCS Playoff berth.

Norfolk State University 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Site Time

Aug. 30 Virginia State Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. (Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic)

Sept. 6 at Kentucky Lexington, Ky. TBA

Sept. 13 North Carolina A&T Norfolk, Va. 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 at William & Mary Williamsburg, Va. TBA

Sept. 27 at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA

Oct. 11 at South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. TBA

Oct. 18 at Hampton Hampton, Va. TBA (Battle of the Bay)

Oct. 25 Florida A&M Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m. (Homecoming)

Nov. 1 at Howard Washington, D.C. TBA

Nov. 8 Morgan State Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m.

Nov. 15 Delaware State Norfolk, Va. 1 p.m.

Nov. 22 at Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, N.C. 1 p.m.

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Hampton University football adds three assistant coaches and five transfers

HAMPTON - Jerry Holmes added some muscle to Hampton University's football program on Wednesday with the announcement of three new assistant coaches and five transfers. Holmes was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach on Dec. 29, when Joe Taylor left to become the coach at Florida A&M.

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Photo: Hampton University head football coach Jerry Holmes



















In summary, Coach Holmes staff consists of the following:

Jerry Holmes, Pirates Head Football Coach (WVU '79)
1. Terry Beauford, Offensive Line (FAMU '95)
2. Canute Curtis, Defensive Line (WVU '97)
3. Milo Austin, Running Backs (WVU '05)
4. Devan Hill, Defensive Backs (Hampton '04)
5. Roy Johnson, Quarterbacks(Hampton '99)
6. Donovan Rose, Assistant Head Coach/Secondary (Hampton '79)
7. Corey Sullivan, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers (Tennessee State '02)

The Pirates transfers consists of four Jucos and a speedy tailback from University of Tennessee. All will have two years of eligibility at Hampton University.

Lamarcus Coker, (U. of Tennessee)5-foot-10, 195-pounds, tailback
Davion Wright, Feather River Community College, Cal., 6-6, 320, offensive linemen.
Darius Collins, Feather River CC, 6-4, 250, tight end.
Lawrence Ferrell, Fork Union Military Academy, 5-10, 230-pound, fullback.
J.R. Carter, Feather River CC, 5-10, 200, safety.

We love HBCU presidents that are serious about their school's academics and athletics. Hampton University is well on its way to building a dynasty in football, basketball, track and field to go with their stellar academic reputation.

Way to go Pirates--keep snatching those bluechip players.

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Alcorn State Ernest Jones salary disclosed

It didn't take long for the information to get out regarding the contract for new Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Jones. He signed a three year contract paying $140,000 per year.

Former ASU coach Dr. Johnny Thomas was paid by comparison $84,637.00 per year in his last season over the Braves program. Rick Comegy at Jackson State University receives $155,000 annually, with two years remaining on a four year contract.

Hampton University receives 3-Star freshman transfer from Virginia Tech

Photo: Hampton University transfer freshman guard/forward Darrion Pellum, a legitimate 3-Star ranked basketball player.

Former Hampton High guard Darrion Pellum has transferred to Hampton University from Virginia Tech to play basketball. Pellum, 6-foot-6, started classes Monday and will become eligible to play for the Pirates in December 2008. He chose Hampton University after consulting with local coaches and mentors.

Pellum signed a national letter of intent for the 2007-08 academic year with Virginia Tech. However, after arriving in Blacksburg last fall he was declared academically ineligible. Pellum said the issue involved accreditation of instructors at Massanutten Academy and an online course he took to get admitted to Virginia Tech.

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Pellum, a 6-6, 210-pound shooting guard/small forward averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game as a senior for coach Richard Moore at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Va. As a senior at Massanutten, Pellum averaged 40 percent from three-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line.

Pellum averaged 20 points per game as a junior at Massanutten. He transferred to Massanutten in 2005 after playing for Hampton High School for coach Walter Brower. Pellum has played for Boo Williams' AAU team during the summer.

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg described Pellum as--"he's big; he's physical; he's athletic. He reminds me of a bigger version of Jamon Gordon. He doesn't play one position; he can play all perimeter positions.

Pellum is ranked as a 3-Star player by both Rivals.com and Scout.com ranking systems.

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Former OSU QB Reid may get to come to Texas Southern University

Photo: Quarterback Bobby Reid,6-3/235 Junior, Galena Park North Shore High School, Houston, Texas

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid has declared for the National Football League Draft. However, he tells FOX 26 Sports if Texas Southern University is successful in its request for a transfer waiver from the NCAA, Reid says he may pull his name from the Draft and use his final year of college eligibility at TSU in his hometown of Houston.

"I'm fired up about it," Reid said. "If I gotta go, I'm going to go and take care of business the way I know how and try to bring a championship to TSU." Reid graduated in December from Oklahoma State with a degree in Education. He was replaced by Zac Robinson as the Cowboys starting quarterback two games into the 2007 season. He faces a Jan. 19 deadline to remove his name from the NFL draft should he choose to continue his college career and he says TSU is the only school he will consider.

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During his career at OSU, Reid played in 27 games throwing for 3,143 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also ran for 654 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks third in career passing touchdowns with the Cowboys and eighth in passing yards.

Linebacker transfers to Norfolk State from Akron

Photo: Michael Alphonse, Linebacker, 6-0/230, Sophomore from Miami Norland HS, Miramar, Florida runs a 4.6 40 yard dash.

With signing day just a few weeks away, Norfolk State has added a second transfer to its football roster. Inside linebacker Mike Alphonse, who spent three years at the University of Akron, including a redshirt season, already is enrolled at NSU. Alphonse will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The Spartans recently added Dennis Thomas, a backup quarterback from the University of Connecticut. Thomas also is enrolled at NSU for the spring semester.

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For those non-believers out there in the blogsphere, it does make a difference that Norfolk State has College of William and Mary, and University of Kentucky on its schedule for 2008.

NSU track record proves the fact that quality players do not transfer to programs just for the opportunity to play MEAC or SWAC competition. Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Delaware State, Delaware, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State understands what is required to build a highly competitive program--play FBC competition and recruit D-1 talent.

It's not difficult to understand that great players want to play the best at the upper division level.

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Lady Aggies get huge win over Coppin State

Photo: Ta'Wuana Cook scored 12 points, 4 assts., and 3 rebounds to help the Aggies to win. "Tweet" Cook is a 5-8 sophomore guard from Seventy-First School, Fayetteville, N.C.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – In terms of a nice reward for a coach who has coached at the historically black college and university level her entire career, Patricia Cage-Bibbs’ 400th win was certainly a significant win.

But in terms of the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball program as a whole, the Aggies 61-50 win over two-time defending regular-season champion Coppin State is by far the biggest win in Bibbs’ three-year stint at N.C. A&T.

The Aggies defeated the Eagles for the first time in four seasons. The Aggies are tied for first with Bibbs’ former team Hampton at 3-0, and in the process of knocking off the Eagles the Aggies held two-time MEAC Player of the Year Rashida Suber to 3-for-17 shooting and nine points. It was a nice step forward for a program that won 27 games from 1999-2004.

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Hot-shooting Southern topples Jackson State

Photo: Jackson State University 6-3/185 junior guard #12, Darrion Griffin, Toledo, Ohio, torched the Jaguars for 24 points, 3 assts., 4 reb. to lead all scorers.

The Southern men’s basketball team scored 85 points Monday night. Eighty-five points. Oh, and by the way, the Jaguars also notched a huge win, knocking off preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference favorite Jackson State, 85-69, at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Monday’s victory clearly stamped SU (5-10, 3-1 SWAC) as a contender in the conference race.

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ASU runs away from UAPB in 69-40 win

Montgomery, Ala. - When Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson looked down his roster before the season, he had high hopes for his squad.

But despite the talent and versatility he envisioned, he knew it would take time for all of the new players to mesh with the returnees. How long, he wasn't sure. But after a 69-40 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday night, the answer may be sooner, rather than later.

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DSU Hornets slams WSSU with hot shooting

Photo: Senior guard Roy Bright led the Hornets in scoring with 24 points.

Winston Salem, N.C. - The Hornets shot a season high 56.5% from the floor in the first half, including 60% (6-10) from behind the arc and took a 36-30 lead into the locker room. Pre-season MEAC Player of the Year Roy Bright led all scorers early with 17, connecting on three of five shots from downtown Winston Salem. Bright finished with a game high 24 points.

The Delaware State Hornets improved to 5-9 on the season with a 66-59 win over 6-8 Winston Salem State Rams.

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Delaware State Lady Hornets gives Coach Ed Davis 300th career win

Photo: In his 16th season, Delaware State University head women basketball coach Ed Davis joins exclusive 300th win club with Hornets victory over Winston Salem State University.

Winston-Salem, NC --- Delaware State head coach Ed Davis has joined the 300-win club as the Lady Hornets toppled Winston-Salem State 49-27 Monday evening. DSU won its third straight to improve to 6-9 on the season, while the Rams fell to 0-12.

Davis, in his eighth season at Delaware State, is now 129-95 with the Lady Hornets. Prior to his stint at Delaware State, he was 171-54 in eight years at Bowie State.

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Florida A&M rally falls short at Hampton

Photo: Senior guard Leslie Robinson, 6-0/180 from Rockford, IL Highland CC scored 22 points on the Pirates.

HAMPTON - Hampton University held off a late Florida A&M rally to win less comfortably than it could have Monday night. The Pirates hit enough buckets late to salvage a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory 69-63 at HU Convocation Center. They remain unbeaten in the league and play at South Carolina State on Saturday.

FAMU (5-10, 1-2) got 22 points from guard Leslie Robinson and 14 from reserve Lamar Twitty. The Rattlers steadily cut into Hampton's lead until finally tying it at 61 with 3:29 left on Ernest Maul's 3-pointer from the right corner.

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Hampton U. women surge past FAMU in second half

Photo: Hampton University senior guard Artavia Burns scored 16 points against FAMU. The 5-5 Dallas, Texas Lincoln H.S./Trinty Valley College star was recently selected to the Trinity Valley College Hall of Fame.

HAMPTON - Rachel Butler scored 18 points and Artavia Burns pitched in 16 as Hampton broke open a close game with 45 second-half points on its way to a 80-72 victory over Florida A&M. The Lady Pirates (8-6, 3-0 MEAC) seized control by outrebounding the Lady Rattlers 30-12 in the second half, leading to 27 second-chance points.

Taniyah Dawson and Joslyne Jackson each scored 17 points for Florida A&M (9-5, 1-2).

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FSU, FAMU football teams might play this season

The university campuses have grown to the point where Florida State and Florida A&M are nearly connected. But it's always seemed like a continental divide on the idea the two schools pair for a football game in Tallahassee.

That may change.

Immediately.

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We can agree with T.K. Wetherell on one point--a FAMU vs. FSU football game is long overdue!

FAMU has played Miami, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, South Florida and Florida in the past decade. Central Florida and FSU should be next in the Joe Taylor era at FAMU.

South Carolina State University will open the 2008 season at Central Florida. FSU will host a horrible Western Carolina program with a new head coach and staff on September 6, 2008. So, why should FAMU turn down a good $500,000 PLUS payday for what amounts to a road game in Tallahassee with a weaken FSU team?

If FAMU expects to become a national force under Joe Taylor, the Rattlers need to play two games with FBS teams each season to grow the program, expand the athletic budget and improve FAMU and the MEAC strength of schedule. Let us not forget Florida A&M is a Division I program with high aspirations for winning another FCS national championship.

You cannot get better by playing a schedule that is full of MEAC weaklings that will not prepare the Rattlers to compete with Delaware, Appalachian State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Richmond or Eastern Washington in the football championship subdivision playoffs.

Some folks have quickly forgotten the Rattlers 2004 season where FAMU played Illinois, Virginia Tech, Tulane, Temple, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Nicholls State, Tennessee State, Virginia Union, Bethune Cookman, and Savannah State. This schedule was deemed the toughest in 1-AA history.

By comparison, FSU is no more difficult to play than Illinois or Tulane.

So go play the game, collect the fat pay check, invest it wisely in the Rattler program and use the game as a recruitment tool to get better student-athletes that want to play for FAMU against the Florida BCS schools.

FSU President T.K. Wetherell has the right ideal. It's just a football game that has a tremendous upside for earning more than $3 million for a sellout home game. For some, just seeing the FAMU Marching 100 blow away the FSU Marching Chiefs is worth the price of admission.

This game is long overdue--let's make it happen in 2008 or 2009.

It would be devastating for FAMU's Florida recruiting if South Carolina State, Norfolk State or Delaware State came to Tallahassee to play the Seminoles in a money game. SCSU has already made inroads in Florida with their game at UCF this season and it will be interesting to see how this translates in Florida recruiting.

SCSU once recruited a future Pro Football Hall of Famer from FAMU in David "Deacon" Jones, "the Secretary of Defense" from Hungerford High School, Eatonville, Florida back in the 1960's. Jones is considered to be one of the greatest defensive ends of all time. The Bulldogs appears to be returning to Florida to re-establish themselves for more bluechips like Jones?

Rattler Nation need to wake up before its too late.

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