Boo Williams Sportsplex races toward completion

Photo: Marcellus "Boo" Williams standing at site during the skeleton phase of construction at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, VA.

Marcellus "Boo" Williams, 48, a Hampton native who played college basketball at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and professional basketball in Europe, is a longtime advocate for youth sports. He currently is the AAU chairman of boys basketball.

Williams started his summer basketball program in 1982, patterning it in part after the Sonny Hill League in Philadelphia, which he observed while in college. He pulled together the Sportsplex in a partnership with local investors and in conjunction with the city of Hampton. The venue will be the largest sports complex between Washington, D.C., and Greensboro, N.C., Sportsplex officials say.

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Boo Williams is an amazing individual that has built a $1 million annual economic engine for the Hampton Roads region. The world needs many more Boo Williams that do not mind being committed to improving life for our youth.

Great job, Boo!

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SCSU basketball teams take on Hampton today

Fresh off snapping its respective losing streaks, the South Carolina State basketball teams will look to end the three-game winning streaks of the two visiting Hampton University squads.The doubleheader at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center will kick off at noon today with a nationally-televised contest between the Lady Bulldogs (4-9, 1-1) and Lady Pirates (8-6, 3-0).

ESPNU (Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable) will air the contest which is the next-to-last contest in a nine-game homestand for the Lady Bulldogs.

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Delaware State's Douse may be lost for season

DOVER -- Just when things were looking better for Delaware State's men's basketball team, it has another injured player to worry about. The Hornets will play Norfolk State today at 4 p.m. in a game between unbeaten teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at Memorial Hall, but they'll do so without highly touted transfer Kris Douse, a sophomore guard.

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This football fan wants to see FSU play FAMU

It was just a rumor. Just some sportswriter's idea of an interesting possibility.

But it's time for Florida A&M to play football against Florida State for the first time. That idea was floated in a downstate newspaper last week, as FSU finalized a 2008 home schedule that includes Division I-AA teams Western Carolina and Tennessee-Chattanooga. FSU quickly vetoed the idea, as it has for generations.

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A FAMU vs. FSU football game is long overdue.

This is about athletic business, not social justice or politics. Save that debate for those that care about such things as ancient history, race relations in Florida from Slavery to 1991 or for studies on how to carry useless baggage for two decades.

This topic is about athletic business at the Florida A&M University.

This game will only happen if the financial field is leveled--financially for Florida A&M University's athletic department.

It will take more than bring your money, bring your people, bring your famous Marching 100 Band, buy our concessions, pay us parking for your vehicle, and here is a check for one-fourth of your current market value--$250,000.

This game is an economic engine for Leon County, Tallahassee and surrounding communities. Florida State University stands to gain $3.5 million or more from such a historic game.

The Jacksonville Business Journal reported that the economic impact of a Florida State football game alone on Northeast Florida was more than $17.6 million. That evolves out of $7.4 million in "direct spending" for 17,000 room nights in hotels in that four-county area for thousands of the 85,000 people who attended the game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

The Walt Disney World Florida Classic brings to the City of Orlando an estimated $9.7 million dollars in direct sales and $15.9 million dollars in economic impact, via jobs impacted and jobs created.

The Florida Classic is played annually between Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) MEAC foes Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University. EACH program earns $1.3 Million for the game played in Orlando, Florida's Citrus Bowl Stadium.

In the past five years, Florida Classic attendance has ranged from 65,000 to a maximum of 73,358 (stadium-record) for this rivalry.

Doak S. Campbell Stadium on the campus of Florida State University has a maximum seating capacity of 84,336 (2003 record with Miami). Florida A&M University Bragg Memorial Stadium has a maximum capacity of 30,000.

The current going rate for Football Bowl Championship vs. Football Championship Subdivision games are in the CY 2008 range of $275,000 to $400,000, based on the appeal of the opponent.

The FAMU brand is at the top of the classic charts in football attendance and Kentucky, Rutgers, South Carolina, Clemson, Air Force, Central Florida, Florida, Miami, South Florida have paid the MEAC teams greater than $250,000 for a home contest.

So, why should FAMU accept a pay day with FSU that is less than what it can earn hosting a Division II, like Virginia Union University in Bragg Memorial Stadium or playing at other FBS schools?

Florida A&M University is not Western Carolina or UT-Chattanooga that are just happy to be playing before a crowd greater than their home stadium capacity of 12,000 and 20,668, respectively. These programs averaged less than 6,765 fans per home contest in 2007 and neither school have a Band that could increase game attendance like the FAMU Marching 100.

Remember, the only reason this game should be played is for the economic impact to FAMU, FSU and the Tallahassee region and North Florida.

Unless the Seminoles are talking about a payday in the range of $750,000 to $1 million, the chatter you are hearing on this subject is only noise.

This game will continue to be long overdue until a reasonable financial package is placed on the Florida A&M University negotiations table.

Nothing else should matter in the business of Florida A&M University athletics other than show us the guarantee and contract.

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HU Vinny Simpson providing instant offense and comic relief

Photo: Vincent Simpson, 6-1 guard, Sophomore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Dougherty H.S.

HAMPTON--If guard Rashad West is known as the general on Hampton University's men's basketball team, teammate Vinny Simpson has to be the jester. The effervescent sixth man is providing as much offensive punch off the bench as he is one liners in the locker room. Even though the latter sometimes elicit something between a grimace and a death stare from Pirates coach Kevin Nickelberry.

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Former Steeler/Texas Southern's Ernie Holmes Dies at 59

DALLAS -- Ernie Holmes settled into a quiet life as a preacher in rural Texas after his "stone crazy" days with Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defenses. Holmes, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, died Thursday night after his car left a road and rolled several times near Lumberton, about 80 miles from Houston, a Texas Department of Public Safety dispatcher said. He was 59.

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Earnest Lee "Ernie" Holmes was drafted out of Texas Southern University in the 1971 NFL Draft, Round 8/Pick 203 as a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His seven year career highlights in the NFL was making the Pro Bowl in 1974 and 1975, and winning Super Bowl IX and X as a Steel Curtain defender. He retired from pro football as a member of the New England Patriots in 1978.

Savannah State hires five assistant football coaches

Photo: SSU Head Football Coach Robby Wells.

Savannah State University head coach Robby Wells' first coaching staff at SSU will be an experienced group consisting of:



1. John W. Montgomery II (assistant head coach/offensive line coach).

2. Alan Hall (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)

3. Allen Edwards (defensive line)

4. Roy Ravenell (inside linebackers/strength & conditioning)

5. Jose Gonzalez (outside linebackers).

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Savannah State squeaks past Stetson in O.T.

DELAND -- The effort was much better than it has been. So was the execution. In the end, however, all that counts in the books is that the Stetson University women have suffered another stinging defeat. This loss, a 58-56 overtime setback to Savannah State before 307 at the Edmunds Center, hurts more than most, if for no other reason than a victory was in reach.

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Tennessee State Tigers clobbers SEMO 87-75

Photo: TSU junior guard Bruce Price, 6-3/205, South High School, Minneapolis, MN

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information (1/18/08)

Bruce Price Leads Tigers with 33 points

Tennessee State University (7-10, 4-4 OVC) gained a season split with Southeast Missouri State (11-3, 6-3 OVC) by downing the Redhawks 87-75 at the Gentry Center in Nashville, Thursday. The Tigers dropped a 102-95 decision in Cape Giradeau earlier this season (12/06/07).

TSU guard Bruce Price led all scorers with 33 points, marking the sixth time he has scored over 30 points in his career at Tennessee State. Three other Tigers scored in double figures with freshman guard Gerald Robinson, Jr. adding 18 points, forward Jerrell Houston netting 12 points and guard LaDarious Weaver canning 11 points. Houston notched his second consecutive double-double pulling down a game high 14 rebounds.

Southeast Missouri, playing without one of their top players, Brandon Foust, had four players in double figure scoring, led by Kenard Moore (16). Jaycen Herring and Marcus Rhodes tallied 11 points each and Calvin Williams added ten points.

The Tigers opened the scoring at 18:56 on a lay up by Bruce Price and never trailed in the game. TSU built double-digit leads at 9:03 (23-10) and 5:52 (29-17), but only led by one point (34-33) at the half.

In the second half, The Tigers moved out to another double-digit lead, 47-37, at the 15:25 mark, but the Redhawks closed the lead to three points, 49-46, with 13:12 remaining. TSU went on a 19-2 run and a 66-48 lead with 8:05 left in the game. TSU held off any runs SEMO mounted through the end of the game, for the final twelve point win, 87-75.

On the game, TSU shot 45.3% (29-64) from the floor and 68% (21-31) from the foul line. SEMO had similar numbers, shooting 44% (24-55) from the floor and 69% (20-29) from the foul line. TSU hit 8-24 (33.3%) from behind the arc and SEMO hit 7-23 (30.4%) from 3-point land. Tennessee State won the battle of the boards 40-37.

The Tigers will host Eastern Illinois on Saturday (1/19) at 4:30 p.m. in the Gentry Center. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPNU-TV.

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.