Delaware State Hornets shock U Delaware Hens in ninth, 10-6 win

Photo: Photo: Delaware State's Troy Drummond reacts after striking out as the Hornet try to rally in the ninth.

DSU posts eight runs in final frame to top in-state rival for Blandin's 200th coaching victory

NEWARK -- A Delaware State-Delaware baseball game that was drifting toward a typical conclusion instead made a sudden about-face late Tuesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. That was bad for the Blue Hens and great for the Hornets, who found themselves in possession of a satisfying and impromptu victory over their state rivals.

Designated hitter Ryne Mailen's bases-loaded triple concluded an eight-run, ninth-inning rally that gave Delaware State a 10-6 nonconference win, its first at UD since 2002 and just DSU's seventh in 35 all-time games against the Blue Hens. Such an outcome didn't appear likely when Delaware (10-19) cruised into the ninth on top 6-2.

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PVAMU McClelland to Take Over TSU Athletics Program

Photo: TSU new athletic director, Charles McClelland.

HOUSTON -- Texas Southern University will name Prairie View A and M athletics director Charles McClelland as TSU's new athletics director at a news conference Thursday.

"I am excited about accepting the athletics director's job at Texas Southern but I am not going to make any further comment until the news conference tomorrow," McClelland said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

Texas Southern had been searching for a new A.D. since firing Alois Blackwell in February. Prairie View A and M President George Wright told FOX 26 McClelland officially resigned from the school Wednesday morning.


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Spotlight: Ex-Raider/Grambling Tiger now playing All-Pro as Texas grape grower

Photo: Former pro football player Alphonse Dotson now grows coveted grapes at his Certenberg Vineyards (Photo by Dutch Rall).

Former Grambling State University All-American defensive tackle Alphonse A. Dotson hopes to open winery

VOCA, Texas — As he strides through his vineyard wearing a wide-brimmed hat and tan coveralls, the years fall away so easily from Alphonse Dotson that, even at age 65, one can picture him lining up at defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders. While nearly 40 years have passed since Dotson was tossing aside blockers, he remains an imposing figure — the result of 70-hour work weeks tending some of the most prized grapes in Texas.

His broad grin and outstretched hand belie his fearsome football image as he greets visitors to his 83-acre vineyard northwest of Austin. His handshake, which threatens, but doesn't crush, reveals the calluses that come from hard work.

Here, at Certenberg Vineyards, Dotson's grapevines — some 1,800 plants in all — have produced what some say are the best cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay grapes in the Texas Hill Country. Wine is hot in Texas and the wine coming out of the Hill Country is winning numerous awards. In January, Saveur magazine included Dotson and the vineyard in its 10th annual list of 100 favorites in the world of food.

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Dotson not only grow the best wine grapes in Texas, but has produced a line of great football players in his family. His son is defensive tackle Santana N. Dotson who was NFL Rookie of the Year in 1992 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played in two Super Bowls with the Green Bay Packers. He was a Super Bowl champion winning Super Bowl (XXXI) with the Packers and ended a 10 year career playing with the Washington Redskins in 2002.

Dotson's grandson is Alonzo Dotson ... nephew of Santana Dotson. Alonzo is an Oklahoma senior DE that is preparing for the NFL draft.

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ASU Hogan almost back to his old self

Even at a little under 6 feet, Alabama State senior linebacker John Hogan is hard to overlook. He's one of those guys you just don't miss. Whether it be on the playing field with 80 other guys dressed exactly the same or strolling around campus with hundreds of other students, when Hogan is around, people know it -- for a variety of reasons.

First of all, his voice is unmistakable. It's loud, it's attention-getting and it's constant. Then, there's his hair, which is often flying in a dozen different directions. There's also the friendly smile that's always in place and the confident demeanor that tends to draw people to him. Add it all up and John Hogan might just be the hardest guy to overlook on the ASU campus.

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Southern Jaguars hurting with Nicholls up next

Southern’s baseball team is on a roll, but limping badly as the Jaguars head into a midweek road game at Nicholls State. SU and the Colonels take the diamond at Ray Didier Field in Thibodaux at 6:30 p.m. today.

“We’re limping pretty darn bad right now,” Jaguars coach Roger Cador said. “But we’ve played relatively well despite our physical condition.” That condition hit the SU pitching corps hard over the weekend when starters Chase Richard and Jarrett Maloy went down with injuries. Richard suffered an arm injury that a team doctor said could cause him to miss a couple of weeks.

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FAMU Walk-ons working to impress

Photo: #3 Former FAMU Rattler WR Willie Hayward, Miami Jackson Senior High School, Miami, FL. , vs. WSSU Rams in last season's Circle City Classic.

Aja Hayward heard the voices. They were telling him to play receiver like his older brother, Willie. He refused, deciding to play safety instead.

Willie is no longer a Rattler, leaving at the end of last season with legacy as one of the best receivers to play at FAMU in the last two seasons. Now it's Aja's turn to try to make become a Rattler as a walk-on, the same route that his brother took to join the team.

It has not been an easy quest through the first two and a half weeks of spring practice, though. FAMU has plenty of experience in the secondary, but Aja isn't backing down as one of a handful of players who are trying to earn their keep without scholarships.

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Former FAMU's Hicks moves to Eugene, Oregon with hopes of regaining spot among 800’s elite

Photo: Miami, Florida native Kevin Hicks; Career Highlights: 2005 USA Indoor champion; 3rd at 2005 USA Outdoors; 2nd at NCAA Outdoors.

Three years ago, Kevin Hicks was one of the rising stars in U.S. track and field.

The Florida A&M sophomore won the NCAA indoor title in the 800 meters, took second at the NCAA outdoor meet with a time of 1 minute, 44.94 seconds, and placed third at the U.S. outdoor championships to earn a trip to Helsinki for the 2005 World Championships. The future looked bright for Hicks.

He was ranked third in the U.S. in the 800 by Track & Field News, and his exploits were being compared to the school’s two former Olympians — the late Bob Hayes (1964) and Rey Robinson (1972), the present FAMU coach.

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Collegiate, professional athletics akin to slavery

Blacks sold like cattle to white schools looking for brawn, not brains

The situation of black male athletes in America is an interesting one. In one sense, they are heroes - to their communities and the nation - but in another sense, they are comparable to slaves. No, I did not just call black male athletes, slaves. I said the situation is comparable.

Imagine it this way: The predominantly white institution is the plantation, the white head coach is the slave master and the black athlete is the slave. The crops being reaped: Money, prestige and reputation.

It is generally known that there are more black athletes competing on national collegiate and professional teams than there are owners and coaches of these teams.

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Will it be 1st and 10 or 9 to 5?

Photo: With a 2007 FAMU degree earned in public management, former Rattlers defensive back Carlos Rolle pursues NFL dream.

Athletes weigh in on the probability of going pro after collegiate careers

When it comes to college football, each player's goal varies. While some see themselves going pro, others are content with their athletic careers ending upon graduation.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association estimates that out of the 56,500 students playing football in America, only 2 percent will play professionally. "You have a better chance at becoming a rocket scientist than going to the NFL," said Joe Taylor. "So you better go to class."

Taylor, the new head coach of Florida A&M University's football team, said he doesn't want anyone on his team...

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Ashley Hampton completes stellar prep career with mom along for the ride

Florida A&M University's incoming recruit Ashley Hampton named Ocala Star-Banner 2008 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, same award her Mom won in 1987.

OCALA, FL — It was one of those seasons you dream about as a little kid. Leading your tiny school to the big time with your mother and coach along for the ride. St. John Lutheran forward Ashley Hampton made it all a reality in 2008, willing her Saints to the private school's first-ever final four and filling her scrapbook along the way.

She did it with sheer talent - Hampton's 25.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.7 assists per game compare favorably to any player in the state. She did it with leadership - setting a standard for her teammates while never developing the ego that can easily haunt a star.

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More importantly, Ashley carries a 4.4 grade point average and plans to major in Pharmacy at FAMU. She will soon join a family legacy that have had seven other family members attend and graduate from Florida A&M.

Howard University Announces 2008 Football Schedule

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard University will open the 2008 season with a home game against the Hoyas of Georgetown University. It will mark the first time that the two schools have met on the gridiron. That match-up will take place in Greene Stadium.

The Bison will follow with a road game at Hampton, VA against the Pirates of Hampton University on September 13. Howard will then return home for a MEAC showdown with rival Florida A&M University on September 20.

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The following is the complete 2008 schedule:

Sept. 6 vs GEORGETOWN Wash., DC 1 pm
13 at Hampton University Hampton, VA TBA
20 vs FLORIDA A&M Wash., DC 1 pm
27 vs Savannah State Miami, FL TBA
Oct. 4 at Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, NC TBA
11 OPEN
18 vs MORGAN STATE Wash., DC 1 pm$
25 at North Carolina A&T Greensboro, NC TBA
Nov. 1 vs NORFOLK STATE Wash., DC 1 pm
8 at South Carolina State Orangeburg, SC TBA
15 at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, FL TBA
22 vs DELAWARE STATE Wash., DC 1 pm
HOME GAME IN UPPER CASE
$ Homecoming

Howard University Showtime Marching Band

ASU Hornet coaches hope reinforcements are on the way

Photo: ASU Hornets head coach Reggie Barlow.

As Alabama State's final week of spring practice opened on Monday, the guys in charge were not very happy. There was a lot of yelling, a lot of running after practice and some very frank comments from the head coach.

"When we came into the spring, we had our eyes on the players we thought would step up and step out," ASU coach Reggie Barlow said. "So far, some of those guys haven't played as well as we think they can. We were looking for the five-to-eight guys who would take that next step and be big contributors, and we've had only a couple of guys to do that."

The lack of productivity has the coaching staff eyeing the arrival of several transfers and junior college signees expected ...

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Grambling State Tailgating: Possibly the Best in the SWAC

Grambling/I-20 Classic Tailgating and Band 2007

Rattler head coach, Taylor: Battle is FAMU's starting QB

Photo: #8, Eddie Battle is No. 1 on the Rattlers quarterback depth chart, followed by Robert Love and Tobias Lee.

Although Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor didn't hesitate to call redshirt sophomore Eddie Battle his No. 1 quarterback after Monday's spring practice, Taylor was just as quick to point out that Robert Love is right on his heels. Battle's leadership and ability to make quick decisions are what led Taylor to name Battle the number one guy, for now.

"Eddie is just a good manager, he's a good decision maker and he takes over the huddle," Taylor said. "He has a lot of authority. He's really moved forward, but Love is right there with him."

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SCSU defense frustrated in Sunday's scrimmage

Photo: SCSU LB Tony White.

South Carolina State University head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough praised his team's defense for its performance in Friday's practice, but in Sunday's scrimmage there wasn't much praise being handed out to anyone on the defensive side of the ball.

On the bright side, the South Carolina State offense -- especially the second unit against Brooks and the Bulldogs' first-team defense -- looked good. Actually, it was Malcolm Long and the Bulldogs' first-team offense that got the ball rolling, mounting an 11-play scrimmage opening drive that was capped by a short touchdown pass from Long to tight end Octavius Darby.

While Long and the starters remained consistent throughout the scrimmage, backup quarterback DeWain Clark and the second team offense were explosive. After turning the ball over on four downs on its first possession, Clark and the second-team were backed up and given the ball again. On the third play of that series, Clark connected with tight end Sean Lampkin over the middle for a 60-yard touchdown. Shortly after, Clark tossed another touchdown, this one 40 yards, to receiver Semaj Moody.

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Alabama State Hornets' schedule hits another snag

Alabama State's 2008 football schedule isn't quite so final. Athletic director Ron Dickerson said Saturday morning that it appears as if the game against Concordia College won't happen, leaving ASU with just 11 total games and only three games in Montgomery.

"(Concordia officials) told us they could get out of a game on that date and it now appears as if they can't," Dickerson said. "We're still looking, still working, but for now, we're going to go with an 11-game schedule. Hopefully, we can work out something soon. But right now, it's 11 games."

If Dickerson and ASU officials are unable to fill that Sept. 13 spot on the schedule....

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QB surprise emerges from ASU scrimmage

Photo: Sophomore QB Brandon Dowdell, 6-3/190, Opelika, AL, had a break-out scrimmage on Saturday for the Hornets.

Reggie Barlow studied the forecast almost as closely as he did his playbook late Friday night. The ASU head football coach knew that Saturday morning's scheduled scrimmage -- the last before the Black & Gold game -- was vital to his team staying on track in preparing for the fall.

After considering pushing back the time, or canceling it altogether, Barlow and the Hornets boarded the buses and made the quick trek to Cramton Bowl for a spirited scrimmage that featured big plays from and unlikely source.

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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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