Hampton overcomes SCSU scorers in road win

Photo: Sophomore forward Matthew Pilgrim dropped in 16 on the Bulldogs to keep the Pirates unbeaten in conference play. The 6-8 Pilgrim is a product of Bridgton Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio.

ORANGEBURG-Sophomore Rashad West had 21 points and sophomore Matthew Pilgrim tossed in 16 as the Pirates of Hampton defeated the Bulldogs of SC State 82-76 Saturday to remain unbeaten in the Mid-Eastern Athletic conference. The Pirates improved to 9-6 overall and 4-0 in the league.

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DSU routs Norfolk State Spartans

Photo: Senior guard Ashlee Burbage (Seaford H.S., Seaford, DE) scored 11 for the Lady Hornets.

DOVER—Playing without starting guard and leading scorer Rocky Collier, the Delaware State women's basketball beat Norfolk State 63-42 Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest at Memorial Hall. Keyhana Wakefield led the Hornets with 14 points, Katreem Palmer had 13 and Ashlee Burbage, in place of Collier, added 11 to give DSU a 2-0 league record (7-9 overall) heading into Monday’s anticipated showdown against North Carolina A&T.

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Delaware State rides Bright to win over NSU

Photo: Senior Roy Bright continues to carry the DSU Hornets on his back with 20 ppg and 6 rpg.

DOVER — Playing at Memorial Hall for the first time since Nov. 11, the Delaware State men's basketball team handed Norfolk State a 69-54 defeat today. The Hornets' win, combined with Hampton’s 82-76 defeat of South Carolina State today, kept the Hornets as one of only two teams to remain undefeated in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

DSU Senior Roy Bright led all scorers with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting and junior Donald Johnson had 12 to help give DSU (6-9, 3-0) its third win in a row.

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Poor shooting dooms FAMU at Morgan State

Photo: Joe Ballard led Rattlers with 8 points and 8 boards in loss to Morgan State.

BALTIMORE, Md. - The Florida A&M Rattlers made their patented second half rally here Saturday afternoon, but the home standing Morgan State Bears managed to hold off the visitors in a 57-41 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball game at Hill Field house. Florida A&M (5-11, 1-3 in MEAC) dropped their second straight, while Morgan State (8-8, 3-1) won for the second time in their last three games Saturday.

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Morgans State rolls over Lady Rattlers

Photo: Corin Adams added 11 points and 3 steals to help lead the Lady Bears to a 60-48 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over FAMU Lady Rattlers.

BALTIMORE, Md.- Reserve forward Jasmine Sellers came off the bench and scored a game-and career-high 17 points and Corin Adams added 11 points to lead the Lady Bears to a 60-48 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over visiting Florida A&M on Saturday afternoon at Hill Field House.

With the win, Morgan State (9-6, 3-1 MEAC), improved to 3-0 at home this season and extended its home winning streak to six, dating back to last season. The Lady Bears’ 3-1 league record is their best start since in seven years, matching the 2000-01 squad’s start through four games.

Joslyne Jackson led the Lady Rattlers with 13 points, while Q’Vaunda Curry added 11. Denise Tate and Halley had a team-high seven rebounds for FAMU (9-6, 1-3 MEAC).

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Florida A&M University Gospel Choir in Concert

Presenting the Florida A&M University Gospel Choir ministering in songs of praise and worship...

FAMU 2007 Gospel Choir & Lillian Lloyd "One More Chance" Part 1



FAMU 2007 Gospel Choir & Lillian Lloyd "One More Chance" Part 2



FAMU 2007 Gospel Choir "Our Father, You Are Holy"



FAMU 2007 Gospel Choir "All to Jesus"



FAMU 2007 Gospel "Everything"



FAMU 2007 Gospel Choir "Let Everything That Have Breath"



2007 FAMU Gospel Choir "Due Season"



2007 FAMU Gospel Choir "Safety in Your Arms"

Former Oklahoma State QB Reid transfers to Texas Southern

Photo: Bobby Reid will play his final season for Texas Southern University.

HOUSTON - Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid said Friday he will transfer to Texas Southern for his final season rather than keep himself eligible for the NFL draft. Reid, who decided to leave the Cowboys after a junior season in which he was benched after two games, made the decision hours after the NCAA granted him a waiver to transfer to a Championship Subdivision school.

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This is the best news coming out of Texas Southern since the firing of Steve Wilson and hiring of Johnnie Cole. Bobby Reid has earned this undergraduate degree from OSU and will provide much needed leadership from the QB position to the 0-11 Tigers. This is a good first step for Coach Cole.

Has Cole hired any assistant coaches, yet?

WSSU Rams success starts with Lewis

Photo: Senior Forward, Greg Lewis, 6-7/255, Solebury School

Greg Lewis’ importance to Winston-Salem State goes beyond what he does on the court. Lewis, a senior center from Trenton, N.J., doesn’t take himself too seriously. A self-proclaimed jokester, he constantly takes the edge off for teammates during what can be a long and tedious season. But he also loves the game so much that he agreed to play this season without a scholarship.

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Veltkamp brings a touch of CLASS at UMES

Photo: Forward Kristi Veltkamp #3 is a star on both the basketball court and classrooms at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

UMES basketball player is a nominee for national award

PRINCESS ANNE -- I'll take a slab of meat loaf, a side of mashed potatoes and a big glob of good news. Well, that's not quite how it happened, but it was in the cafeteria at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where basketball player Kristi Veltkamp found out she was a nominee for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

"I heard about it from the lady that works in the cafeteria," Veltkamp said. "I just walked in and she said 'Congratulations,' and I was like, 'What are you talking about?' She saw it in the newspaper and showed it to me. I didn't even realize what it was at first. I was really thankful, (the coaching staff) surprised with nominating me. I'm really blessed."

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CLASS stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award is given to a senior in eight Division I sports and focuses on classroom, character, community and competition. Veltkamp has a GPA of just under 4.0 while majoring in human ecology and is one among 30 outstanding student nominees for the national award.

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!

-beepbeep

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.

-beepbeep

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

-beepbeep

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.

-beepbeep

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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