DSU's Franklin qualifies for track regionals

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Delaware State's Nekisha Franklin qualified for the NCAA outdoor regional championships by finishing fourth in the 200-meter dash at the Florida Relays this weekend with a time of 23.72 seconds.

For the Delaware State men, Larrone Moore qualified for regionals in the 100 (10.50) and 200 (21.23).

The DSU team of Moore, Lee Barnes, Andre Easton and Donte Holmes won the sprint medley relay in 3:20.32. The 4x200 team of Moore, Easton, Barnes and Duke Mack set a school record (1:24.50) and finished third.

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Southern routs Jackson State, 20-5

James Armstrong hit for the cycle, driving in seven runs and scoring five as Southern completed a sweep of Jackson State with a 20-5 rout Sunday in Jackson, Miss. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness.

Southern’s Victor Franklin was 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs as the Jaguars improved to 14-11 on the season. “We swung the bat well and pitched well until (starter) Jarrett Maloy got hurt,” Southern coach Roger Cador said. “It just doesn’t make any sense that we have all these kids hurt. It’s unfortunate.”

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BCU Wildcats sweeps North Carolina A&T

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University pitcher Eric Thomas was phenomenal on the mound as he helped the Wildcats cruise to a 7-1 victory in baseball action over North Carolina A&T State University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference match-up at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla. The game was broadcast live on ESPNU.

The MEAC regular season title is still undetermined as of yet, but the Wildcats of B-CU (19-11, 6-0 MEAC) made a claim that they want to be one of the teams in the hunt at the end. Their sweep of the second-ranked team in the league--North Carolina A&T, proved that point exactly this weekend.

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Bethune Cookman shut down the A&T Aggies in game one, 18-6; and 10-7 in the second game on Saturday. Phenomenal weekend for the baseball Wildcats of BCU.

Second scrimmage in the books for SSU

Photo: #22 Running Back Antwan Edwards.

Mother Nature dumped a different element - rain - on Savannah State's football team Saturday morning. But wet conditions were a delight to SSU first-year head coach Robby Wells, whose Tigers conducted their second scrimmage of spring practice at 10 a.m.

Although it was a pleasant 72 degrees, handling a wet football and maintaining footing presented challenges similar to those SSU faced for three weeks at 5:30 a.m. practices when it was 35 degrees.

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UAPB Golden Lions split double header with Prairie View

The opening pitch was perhaps a symbolic gesture of the type of day it was going to be for Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Golden Lions booted a routine grounder by Rashad White to open the day, and Prairie View A&M went on to take advantage of five UAPB miscues in an 8-2 victory in the opening game a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference series on Saturday at Regional Park.

UAPB came back in the second game of the doubleheader to defeat Prairie View 9-5.

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JSU players respond when called out

Photo: JSU head football coach Rick Comegy.

Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy had been blunt with his team leading into Saturday's Blue and White spring game. He wasn't happy with the performance of some players and Comegy told them they could be playing for their roster spot.

He admitted that three or four players made the team during the scrimmage.

"Some guys stepped up that had to step up," Comegy said. "There were some guys that we were going to get rid of that I don't think we can get rid of now. They showed me all they needed was some time.

"I learned today that you can be a little too fast about making decisions. All it took was three hours today to find out who could play and who couldn't play."

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Jackson State's Tigers retooled offense lagging behind defense

The Jackson State football coaches held a draft to create two teams for the Blue and White spring game on Saturday. It was the only way to be fair.

Both defenses, not surprisingly, owned the day as the Blue squad held on for a 16-10 victory inside Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. "The defense is going to dominate," senior linebacker Marcellus Speaks said. "Our offense isn't going to get anything against us. But after practicing against us, they're going go out and beat everybody else in the country."

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Transfer quarterback impressive in spring drills for NSU

Photo: Norfolk State University head football coach Pete Adrian.

Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian is only five days into spring football practice, but after the team's first scrimmage on Saturday morning, he knew this much.

Expect big things this fall from quarterback Dennis Brown and running back DeAngelo Branche. Both have impressed in drills along with redshirt freshman receiver Josh Reamon. Brown, a transfer from the University of Connecticut, completed a pair of passes to Reamon, one on a deep route and another on a sideline comeback in the scrimmage.

"Dennis is looking very sharp and runs the offense very well," Adrian said. "We're running a lot more with our quarterback now."

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Trail Blazer: Tennessee State's Olympian - Hampton U. Track Coach Mamie Rallins

TSU Olympian shares her story: Mamie Rallins was first black woman to coach at the Ohio State University.

The first black woman to coach at Ohio State University will share her story of coaching and Olympic prowess with area youth this April.

Mamie Rallins, who now lives in Port Clinton, Ohio will give a motivational speech at a luncheon at noon April 27 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Genoa.

Rallins began running as a teenager living in Chicago. "At the age of 15, I started running track for a track club, because we did not have track and field in the high schools in the '50s," she said.

Rallins competed in the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation Track Club, and placed second in the 80-meter hurdles during the 1967 Pan American Games. She went to the Olympics in Mexico City the next year.

Mamie Rallins holds an Olympic torch used during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in front of an Olympic banner that hangs on the wall in her home. (Jonathon Bird/News-Messenger).

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Coach Rallins is a very humble person. There is much that she accomplished that is not stated in this story.

Rallins Bio from Sept. 2, 1997 (provided by Onnidan's Black College Sports Online):

Prior to Hampton University, Rallins served as Head Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach for 18 years (1976-94) at Ohio State University. During that time she coached 60 Big Ten indoor/outdoor champions, 24 All Americans, nine Olympic trial qualifiers and one Olympian. She also served as assistant athletic director for three years.

Coach Rallins also had success on the national and international ranks serving as Head Coach of the U.S. Indoor World Championship team in 1987. She also served as assistant coach of the USA Olympic Games in 1996, 1995 World University Games, 1981 USA vs. USSR Meet and the World University Games in 1979.

Rallins stated, "I'm really pleased to be at Hampton because of being able to give something back to a historical black university. I feel I have something to offer the young ladies, especially with my background and the success I received when the opportunities were given to me.

The Chicago, Illinois native is a 1976 graduate of Tennessee State University, where she enjoyed a successful collegiate career. Prior to joining the Tigerbells at TSU, she was a member of the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation Track Club and placed 2nd in the 80 meter hurdles at the 1967 Pan American Games and made the 1968 USA Olympic Team.

In 1969 she was the number one 100-meter hurdler in the world.

Rallins entered TSU in 1971 and continued her success making the 1972 USA Olympic Team. Rallins was a two-time Olympian (1968 and 1972). She was an All-American in 1972, 1973 and 1974 in the 100-meter hurdles. She was under the tutelage of Coach Edward Temple at Tennessee State University.

As coach, Rallins steered the Hampton University Lady Pirates to two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships including indoor and outdoor track and field. She also coached two HU student-athletes who qualified for the 2002 NCAA Track and Field Championships, one of whom earn All-American status in the 400-meter hurdles.

BCU vs. North Carolina A&T Baseball on ESPNU Today

B-CU and N.C. A&T to play on ESPNU Today at 2 PM.

Bethune-Cookman will host North Carolina A&T State University on Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in front of a nationally television audience. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 2 p.m. in Daytona Beach.

Despite injury, Southern’s Lee gains confidence

Photo: Southern University Jaguars Second Team, All-Southwestern Athletic Conference quarterback Bryant Lee.

Bryant Lee, Year Two. Lee, preparing for his junior year, is coming off a wildly successful first season as Southern’s No. 1 quarterback.

Now, despite being limited in spring practice as his broken right thumb continues to heal, he’s working on adding to the foundation of last season, when he helped SU break a run of two losing seasons with an 8-3 finish.

“I’ve got a lot more confidence,” Lee said.

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Southern Jaguars claim pair of wins

Make it three in a row for the Southern University baseball team. The Jaguars beat Jackson State, 3-1, and Chicago State, 8-3, on Saturday afternoon at Lee-Hines Field. Southern (13-11) had beaten Chicago State 9-2 on Friday night.

On Saturday, freshmen pitchers Chase Richard and Kyle Wahl turned in strong performances for the Jaguars. “Both of our freshmen did good jobs,” Southern coach Roger Cador said. “It’s promising when you have freshmen come through for you.”

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FAMU coach Taylor not expecting to remember everyone

FAMU coach already seeing some separation

There are some names that Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor won't even try to remember. Then there are those that he won't ever forget, even if it's just the first or last names.

"Some guys are not going to play," Taylor said bluntly. "When 10 guys do their job and the ball gets to you, you've got to catch it. If you call yourself a team player, that's what a team player does."

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DSU Land's list of accolades grows

He used to be called "Fast Land," or sometimes "Little Land," nicknames that sprouted from his 5-foot-9, 195-pound frame. But these days, John Land, a onetime standout football player in the college and professional ranks, goes by only one nickname.

Big Daddy.

It's what Land, 64, is called by his four grandkids -- Kayla, Kimmi, Jackson and Riley -- and spending time with his grandkids is how Land now uses his free time. He regularly plays Uno with Kayla (she's "Little Nut," following her mother, Denise Woods, who was "Peanut") and younger sister Kimmi, who is "Munchkin."

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Casey Printers mania grips CFL Tiger-Cats fans

Former Florida A&M University quarterback Casey Printers is the CFL highest paid player and the starting QB for the Hamilton Tiger- Cats.

The new face of the Hamilton Tiger-Cat franchise has filled soup bowls for the poor, built houses for the homeless, phoned season-ticket subscribers and yesterday drove the lane to score points in a charity basketball game.

Actually scoring points is what Casey and his sunshine band of Ticat promotional, media and community staff have been doing a lot of. During and after a Cops and Cats charity basketball tilt yesterday against the Hillfield-Strathallan Trojans, quarterback Casey Printers was mobbed by throngs of smiling school kids.

Printers said he has a few more trips to Hamilton planned from his home in Houston before camp.

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Printers transferred to FAMU in 2002, from Texas Christian University where he led the Horned Frogs to three straight BCS bowl games. He was attracted to playing in FAMU's high powered 'Gulf Coast Offense' under legendary Coach William "Billy Joe."

After graduating from FAMU, Printers signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he rose from third-string quarterback in 2003, to be named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2004 season, leading the Lions toward an appearance in the 92nd Grey Cup. The CFL MVP threw for 5,088 yards, 36 touchdowns in 2004.

Printers left Canada in 2006, and signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. He spent the 2006/07 seasons on the Chiefs practice squad, never getting activated to play in a regular season game.

In September 2007, the Tiger-Cats put an offer on the table that lured Printers back to the CFL. Printers said good bye to Herm Edwards and the K.C. Chiefs practice/developmental squad, and then signed a three contract worth $500,000 per season that includes an option for a fourth year and makes him the highest-paid player in the league.

Casey Printers and Quinn Gray (Houston Texans) are the only FAMU quarterbacks currently playing at the major level of professional football. Both played under Coach Billy Joe and his famous Gulf Coast Offense.

Casey is 26 years old and a native of DeSoto, Texas.

Website: http://www.ticats.ca/

-beepbeep

Obama Honors King on the Campaign Trail

Southern knocks off Chicago State

Talbot throttles Jaguars in 9-2 victory

Southern University had six strong innings out of freshman pitcher Jordan Talbot and broke away with four runs in the third inning to beat Chicago State 9-2 Friday night at Lee-Hines Field.

Talbot (1-0) made his second appearance his longest of the season. He picked up his first career victory allowing two runs and five hits, while striking out five.

“Jordan and (Joesph) Hughes threw the ball well,” SU coach Roger Cador said. “We really needed it because we still have 27 innings to play this weekend with three more nine-inning games.

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Washington Redskins Sign (former HU) Wide Receiver Mathis

The Washington Redskins signed wide receiver Jerome Mathis, the team announced yesterday. Mathis, a member of the Houston Texans his first three seasons in the NFL, appeared in three games in 2007 before a leg injury ended his season.

As a rookie in the 2005 season, Mathis, 24, finished second in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 28.6-yard average. He scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns and went to the Pro Bowl. In his career, Mathis has six receptions for 80 yards (a 13.3-yard average) with one touchdown.

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Mathis, a wide receiver/kick returner was taken in the 2005 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick 114 by the Houston, Texans. The Petersburg, Virginia native is 5-11/191.

ASU Hornets set to scrimmage today

With the possibility of inclement weather on the way, and with a scrimmage set for this morning at 9 a.m., the Alabama State football team went light Friday afternoon. Instead of their usual full-scale practice, the Hornets went with a brief walk through at Cramton Bowl.

The walk through was in preparation for this morning's scrimmage, which Barlow said would focus primarily on game situations, particularly on the game management by the coaches.

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Alabama State Hornets releases 2008 Football Schedule

*08-30: @Florida A&M
* 09-06: @Bethune-Cookman
* 09-13: Concordia
* 09-20: @UAB
* 09-27: Mississippi Valley St.
* 10-04: OPEN
* 10-11: @Prairie View A&M
* 10-18: @Grambling
* 10-25: Alabama A&M#
* 11-01: @Alcorn St.
* 11-08: Jackson St.
* 11-15: Southern *
* 11-22: OPEN
* 11-26: Tuskegee%
#Birmingham, Magic City Classic
*Mobile, Gulf Coast Classic
%Turkey Day Classic

SCSU football to scrimmage this morning

On the eve of his team's second scrimmage of the spring, South Carolina State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough had a little to smile about Friday night. Of course, he had a little to frown about to. "It was a pretty good day by the defense," Pough said. But, a good day for the defense often means a bad day for the offense.

"The offense was a little bit ugly," he said with a sigh.

At least there was a reason for that. The Bulldogs were without lineman Nygel Pearson who was busy handing out report cards at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. The big, fifth-year senior, is practicing teaching at the school. While the Bulldogs practiced he met parents. So, South Carolina State was short a lineman before Johnny Culbreath took a knee to the thigh that ended his practice.

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South Carolina State University Marching 101 Band @ Nov. 2007 LowCountry Classic, Charleston, S.C.

Alabama State discussed future games with TSU Coles

Alabama State's 2008 football schedule is almost set. Finally. Athletic director Ron Dickerson's strange, and often frustrating, quest to fill the school's 12-game schedule lacks only the signatures of Southern University and Concordia College officials on contracts.

Those contracts would see ASU and Southern meet in the Gulf Coast Classic for the next four years and would bring Concordia to Montgomery for the Hornets' home-opener on Sept. 13.

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Spotlight: Greek Life at Hampton University

How do Black Greeks feel about their stereotypes?

Nevada transfer makes presence felt at Jackson State

Photo: Jackson State Tigers No. 1 free safety, Sergio Villasenor, transfer from University of Nevada.

Blue & White Game: Today, 1:30 p.m., Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium

Rick Comegy kept seeing the same face around the football offices, but it wasn't a familiar one. That's a little strange for the head football coach. Comegy finally decided to say something. "One day he walked out and he looked like a baseball player to me," Comegy remembered with a smile.

"I said, 'How's baseball?' Coach (James) Woody said, 'Man, he's one of our players.'" That player turned out to be Nevada transfer Sergio Villasenor - who's currently listed on the depth chart as the No. 1 free safety.

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FAMU Rattlers remain undefeated in MEAC

Photo: Dr. Carl B. Gooman is in his 11th season as the FAMU Men's Tennis Coach and has guided the Rattlers to eight MEAC championships.

Men's tennis able to take care of B-CU.

Paul Paige didn't need a lot of motivation, although he was playing the No. 6 spot for FAMU's men's tennis team. Just playing Bethune-Cookman University was enough motivation Friday afternoon.

He fought off a couple of service breaks to put down Kristofer Martin 6-2, 6-3 to help secure a 6-1 victory over the Wildcats. FAMU, 9-10 overall, remains the only undefeated team in the Southern Division of the MEAC standings with its third straight conference win.

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