Thursday, May 8, 2008

Alabama State to answer NCAA charges by June 27

NCAA slaps 668 athletic violations on Alabama State University

The NCAA has issued a long list of allegations of possible rules violations to Alabama State University, bringing the nearly 5-year probe closer to a finish.

ASU has until June 27 to respond to the report, which details 23 violations that spring from the college's self-reporting of rules it felt were broken by the football staff of L.C. Cole. Some of the allegations dating from 1999 come from the NCAA's enforcement staff, which has been investigating ASU's program since the institution issued its self-report in July 2003.

Cole was fired in 2003 and replaced by Charles Coe, who resigned following the 2007 season and was replaced by Reggie Barlow.

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NCAA Member Institutions on Probation

Institution Division Starting Date Ending Date Sport(s)

Alcorn State University
I-AA 29-JUN-06 28-JUN-09
Women's Basketball

Ball State University I-A 16-OCT-07 15-OCT-09
Football
Men's Tennis
Women's Softball

Baylor University I-A 23-JUN-05 22-JUN-10
Football
Men's Basketball

Brigham Young University I-A 11-MAR-08 10-MAR-11
Men's Volleyball

California State University, Fresno I-A 26-APR-06 25-APR-10
Men's Basketball

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania II 28-JUN-07 27-JUN-10
Football

Florida A&M University I-AA 01-FEB-06 31-JAN-10
Baseball
Football
Men's Basketball
Men's Swimming
Men's Tennis
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Women's Basketball
Women's Bowling
Women's Softball
Women's Track, Indoor
Women's Track, Outdoor
Women's Volleyball

Florida International University I-A 07-MAY-08 05-MAY-12
Baseball
Football
Men's Basketball
Men's Cross Country
Men's Cross Country
Men's Soccer
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Women's Golf
Women's Soccer
Women's Softball
Women's Swimming
Women's Tennis
Women's Tennis
Women's Volleyball

Florida International University I-A 21-MAY-05 20-MAY-08
Football

Indiana University of Pennsylvania II 30-OCT-07 29-OCT-09
Men's Basketball
Men's Swimming
Women's Swimming

Kentucky Wesleyan College II 14-JUL-06 13-JUL-09
Football
Men's Basketball
Men's Golf
Men's Soccer
Women's Basketball
Women's Tennis
Women's Volleyball

Lane College II 27-FEB-08 26-FEB-12
Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball

Lewis University II 15-OCT-04 14-OCT-08
Baseball
Men's Golf
Men's Soccer
Men's Tennis
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Men's Volleyball
Women's Track, Indoor
Women's Track, Outdoor
Women's Volleyball

Lincoln University (Missouri) II 26-JAN-05 25-JAN-09
Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Cross Country

Long Beach State University I-AAA 06-MAR-08 05-MAR-11
Men's Basketball

Lynn University II 17-JUL-07 16-JUL-09
Women's Softball

MacMurray College III 04-MAY-05 03-MAY-09
Men's Tennis

McNeese State University I-AA 08-FEB-07 07-FEB-09
Men's Basketball
Men's Cross Country
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Women's Cross Country
Women's Track, Indoor
Women's Track, Outdoor

Mississippi State University I-A 12-JUN-04 11-JUN-08
Football

Morehouse College II 05-NOV-03 04-NOV-08
Men's Soccer

Nicholls State University I-AA 10-MAY-05 09-MAY-09
Football
Men's Basketball

Oklahoma Panhandle State University II 22-FEB-06 21-FEB-09
Women's Softball

Prairie View A&M University I-AA 08-JAN-08 07-JAN-12
Women's Basketball

Purdue University I-A 22-AUG-07 21-AUG-09
Women's Basketball

Savannah State University I-AA 19-MAY-06 18-MAY-09
Football

St. John's University (New York) I-AAA 11-MAY-06 10-MAY-08
Men's Basketball

Temple University I-A 10-MAY-07 09-MAY-09
Men's Tennis

Texas Christian University I-A 28-FEB-08 26-FEB-10
Men's Tennis

The Ohio State University I-A 10-MAR-06 09-MAR-09
Football
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville I-A 25-OCT-07 24-OCT-10
Men's Track, Indoor
Men's Track, Outdoor

University of Central Oklahoma II 20-FEB-08 18-FEB-11
Football

University of Colorado, Boulder I-A 21-JUN-07 20-JUN-09
Football

University of Iowa I-A 02-NOV-06 01-NOV-08
Men's Swimming

University of Kansas I-A 12-OCT-06 11-OCT-09
Football
Men's Basketball

University of Louisiana at Lafayette I-A 19-APR-07 18-APR-09
Football
Men's Basketball

University of Oklahoma I-A 24-MAY-08 23-MAY-10
Football

University of Southern Maine III 22-FEB-07 21-FEB-09
Baseball
Field Hockey
Men's Golf
Men's Ice Hockey
Men's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer
Men's Track, Outdoor
Men's Track, Outdoor
Men's Wrestling
Women's Basketball
Women's Ice Hockey
Women's Lacrosse
Women's Softball

West Virginia University I-A 01-MAY-07 29-APR-09
Men's Soccer


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Former A&M Standout Mickell Gladness Signs With NBA Agent

Huntsville, Ala. - Former men's basketball standout Mickell Gladness has recently signed with NBA agent Mark Fleisher of Enter Sport Management Inc. based in Connecticut. They will be sending Gladness to Las Vegas to train with one of the NBA's top workout specialist. While in training, the company will be working on Gladness' behalf for an invite to the Orlando pre-draft camp held for all rookies.

Gladness finished the 2007-08 season third on the team in scoring with a 10.3 average. He also led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in blocked shots with 4.5 per contest - good for a No. 2 NCAA-DI individual ranking.

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Morgan football takes hit


The NCAA yesterday penalized 123 colleges and universities, including Morgan State, for having athletic teams that fell short of academic guidelines.

Morgan State was punished with the loss of 1.68 scholarships in football and two scholarships in women's volleyball. Anticipating the result, the school said it had already cut back its number of football scholarships last fall from 63 to 60. "That gives you a sense of how serious and how diligent the athletic department is," university spokesman Jarrett Carter said.

Morgan State's APR was 902 in football and 860 in women's volleyball. UMES men's basketball scored 818 but was not penalized because of academic improvements and other considerations, the NCAA said. Coppin State's men's basketball and baseball teams scored below 925 but weren't penalized because the teams' performances eclipse that of the general student body, according to Coppin and the NCAA.

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Hampton University again loses scholarships

Photo: Hampton University head basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry interviewed last month for the University of Massachusetts head coaching vacancy. It's any body guess how long Coach Nickelberry stays committed to HU.

NCAA academic progress reports tell a good-news, bad-news story for Hampton University

Hampton University will lose athletic scholarships for the third consecutive year for failing to meet NCAA academic progress requirements. Hampton's men's basketball and men's indoor track teams lose one scholarship each, according to Academic Progress Rate (APR) data released Tuesday.

But Hampton's APR performance was better than the previous two years, and the news also is good for most other area and state programs. Hampton loses one of its 13 men's basketball scholarships because its four-year APR average is well below the benchmark of 925. An APR of 925 projects to about a 60-percent graduation success rate, a number the NCAA requires to avoid penalties.

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Howard University names Sidney Ribeau president

Photo: Dr. Sidney Ribeau (Courtesy Toledo Blade)

Howard University named the head of Bowling Green State University, Sidney Ribeau, as its 16th president Wednesday after an eight-month search, replacing the embattled Patrick Swygert.

Ribeau, who has led the 21,000-student Ohio university since 1995, will take over Aug. 1. A professor of communication, he previously was vice president for academic affairs at California Polytechnic State University in Pomona.

"I am excited by the opportunity to serve this historic institution," Ribeau said of the 10,000-student university. "Howard is a remarkable university, a truly international university and one that has made significant contributions not only in this country but around the world, training principally African-Americans for global leadership roles in America and the world."

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who co-chaired the search committee with Time Warner Inc. Chairman Richard Parsons, stressed Ribeau's reputation for communication.

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FAMU Hires Ledawn S. Gibson as New Women's Basketball Coach

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University today hired Ledawn S. Gibson, a former head coach at Winter Haven High School, as its new women’s basketball coach.

“We are pleased that we found someone that we believe is a good fit for our program,” said FAMU Athletic Director Bill Hayes. “She is a talented coach who has demonstrated from year-to-year that she has what it takes to lead us to a championship.”

FAMU Board of Trustees today approved a three-year contract for Gibson with an annual salary of $90,000.

“When you consider her record and history, I’m confident that we have found the right coach for our program,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We were looking for consistency and a person with the ability to build a winning program. We found it in Coach Gibson.”

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View Video of Gibson: (http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid464021271/bctid1445126719 )

I'M NOT IMPRESSED WITH THIS HIRE!

First, congratulations to the Ammons Administration for killing the progress of the FAMU Women's Basketball Program. Certainly, a change was necessary from the substandard performance of the Debra Clark era; but to completely ignore accomplished NCAA Division II experienced head basketball coaches and experienced non-HBCU Division I top assistant coaches at Mid-Major programs is just completely stupid.

Ledawn S. Gibson is a very fine "high school coach" with a nice history of productivity. However, if you believe her statements made on March 6, 2008, to The Ledger.com, (read: http://www.theledger.com/article/20080306/NEWS/803060561/1008/SPORTS01 ) she has gone from needing a change from girls coaching to planning to becoming an assistant principal, to FAMU's head women's basketball coach is less than 60 days. And all of this maneuvering was done before Debra Clark was ousted on March 24.

No one with both paddles in the water quits a gig in the mists of a national recession, without a firm offer in hand to pay the bills. I don't think Gibson is totally nuts; but she may be unrealistic regarding what lies ahead, coming to the college arena with a record of 0-0 and ZERO Division I college experience to boot.

The Bob Wade Story

Secondly, this scenario reminds me of the Robert Pernell Wade ("Bob Wade") experiment. Some of you may recall this story of the former Morgan State great who played college football for the MSU Bears. After college, ole Bob had a nice NFL career playing for the Steelers, Redskins and Broncos, before returning to Baltimore to coach basketball and mentor inter-city kids.

Prior to his coaching stint at University of Maryland, Wade had coached at Baltimore's Dunbar High School for ten years, where he compiled a 341-25 record and was often ranked in the nation's top 10. Wade was legendary in Baltimore circles and for stocking both John Thompson's Georgetown Hoyas and Maryland's program with key pieces of their championship teams.

Wade was originally hired to replace College Basketball Hall of Famer, Charles "Lefty" Driesell, Maryland's basketball coach of 17 years. Driesell resigned over concerns about the death of All-American forward Len Bias and subsequent revelations about his players' poor academic performances.

In high school, Wade had been a strong disciplinarian, and he was appealing to University of Maryland administrators who were attempting to clean up the basketball program.

He was also hired in order to increase diversity as he became the first African American coach of a major sport in the Atlantic Coast Conference, despite the fact that he had no prior experience in coaching a team at the collegiate level.

Wade resigned on May 12, 1989 after three years as head coach, compiling a 36-50 record. Not only was he unable to rebuild the basketball program during his tenure, but his resignation came amid allegations that he broke NCAA rules in dealing with players and recruits, and as a result the university received severe sanctions.

Thirdly, Gibson, like Cynthia Cooper Dyke at Prairie View A&M University did two years ago, will be coming to FAMU with total unfamiliarity of NCAA rules and regulations. You may recall that PVAMU lost three scholarships attributed to the former WNBA coach and Houston Comets star major violations in practice and financial support due to unfamiliarity with the required NCAA regulations. PVAMU women's basketball program is currently on four years of NCAA probation.

And Ammons wants you to believe that Gibson will bring consistency and win championships with no preparation for what lies ahead in the complex and competitive world of Division I women's college basketball. As Bob Wade learned, it's one thing to coach high school kids in high school, but it is a completely different world to persuade these same players to come play for a coach with no track record at all beyond junior varsity and high school.

Gibson may one day become a great college coach. Too bad that Ammons has decided that FAMU should become her training ground for his silly experiment, and not some low profile JUCO, Division III or Division II level program. This should not be--FAMU should always strive to hire the best experienced coach available--that can compete with Coppin State University, North Carolina A&T, Morgan State University and Delaware State University; conference programs that are consistently at the top of the MEAC standings.

What does Savannah State and FAMU now have in common? They both hired inexperienced high school coaches to lead their purported Division I major programs in football and basketball, respectively. Unfortunately, Gibson will soon learn that coaching and recruiting against the upper echelon of Division I experienced coaching leadership is not the same as her success on the lesser level.

Did FAMU not learn anything valuable from the Rubin Carter experiment?

You get the picture--I'm not impressed with this hire.

-beepbeep

Monday, May 5, 2008

Grambling's football game at Texas Southern moved to a Thursday night for ESPNU

Grambling State's football game at Texas Southern has been moved to a Thursday night to accomodate plans to broadcast the action on ESPNU.

Texas Southern will host Grambling on Thursday, Nov. 20, with kickoff set for 8 p.m.
The date is one of three SWAC football games that have been moved to Thursday night contests. On September 18, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will take on Alcorn State at 6:30 pm . On September 25, Alabama State will travel to Mississippi Valley State for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

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Sunday, May 4, 2008

Southern University sweeps to SWAC West title

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — Southern University baseball coach Roger Cador could tell his team was ready when the Jaguars took infield practice Saturday.

SU took that intensity into the games, with two big first-inning outbursts that carried the Jaguars to a doubleheader sweep and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division title 7-5 and 9-3 at Prairie View.

Photo: Southern University baseball coach Roger Cador team has a 25-15, 17-6 Western Division record.

Ignited by James Armstrong’s solo home run, Southern took a 5-0 lead to start the first game. And the Jaguars took a 4-0 lead in the first inning of the second game.

“The kids wanted it today,” Cador said. “For the first time all year, I saw something. They took the field to take infield like I’d never seen them do. It was their body language, their approach. I knew we had a chance.”

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Texas Southern signs Armondo Barbour

Armondo Barbour is a true student-athlete, combining the parts equally to produce a bright future within both the chalk lines of a baseball diamond and the chalk-etched walls of a classroom.

A senior at Salesian High in Richmond, Barbour recently signed a baseball scholarship to play at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. However, unlike most college-bound athletes who first gain recognition for their prowess on the field of play, academics helped the American Canyon native get his foot in the door.

After deciding he wanted to attend college, Barbour's journey began with a little research, investigating possible schools he would like to attend. He was considering a couple of California schools, but was also examining options a little further from home.

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Wildcats Complete Signing Class with Three Additions

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University men's basketball has completed their 2008 men's basketball signing class with the addition of three students on Thursday afternoon.

One of the signees is Tyrel Adams, 6'9 Jr. Forward/Center (Hillsborough C.C./University of Missouri-St. Louis)

Tyrel gives us a legitimate center who is a good post defender and a solid rebounder. Offensively, he has good moves around the basket and can finish plays with either hand. His leadership, size and toughness will be a great addition to the program.

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Hampton University Lady Pirates win sixth straight MEAC Track Title, HU men finish third

Photo: Francena McCorory, sophomore, Hampton, VA Bethel H.S.

Hampton University sophomore Francena McCorory clocked the fastest collegiate 400-meter time in nation this season on Saturday, when she ran 51.54 seconds to win the event at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference track and field meet in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, MD – The Lady Pirates did it again!

For the sixth consecutive year, the Hampton University women’s track and field team captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship. This time around, they did it in a dramatic fashion.

Sitting in fifth place after the first two days of the championships, which were being contested at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Morgan State University, the Lady Pirates slowly edged their way into the lead over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore but found their margin at a mere three points entering the meet’s final event, the 4x400 meter relay. In that decisive event, Hampton rolled to a first place victory, leaving no doubt that the league’s powerhouse program still resides in Hampton, Virginia.

“Entering the championship, we did a quick score projection and figured we’d win by 13 or 15 points,” said HU head coach Maurice Pierce, “but we made some mistakes. It was a dogfight throughout the meet. Winning it is a sign of us being a true champion and of the great track and field teams in this conference.

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HU Rookie DE a free spirit for Dallas Cowboys

Faith and prayer carried Marcus Dixon through prison, and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime

IRVING, Texas – An elaborate tattoo stretches from the top of Marcus Dixon's left shoulder nearly to his elbow and contains a passage from Revelations 20: 1-3. On the inside of Dixon's left forearm, Psalms 91 is tattooed in cursive.

If you had been to hell and back like Dixon, you'd understand why he's permanently engraved religious passages on his body. You'd understand why he reads Psalms 91 every morning before he brushes his teeth. And you would understand why the defensive end from Hampton University spends his free time reading the Bible.

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Saturday, May 3, 2008

Alcorn State Coach Accepts Internship with the Houston Texans

Alcorn State Head Football Coach Ernest T. Jones, has accepted an internship with the Houston Texans. His duties will be coaching the entire offense in addition to attending meetings with the actual coaching staff of the professional football team.

Jones stated that he is “elated to have another opportunity to bring exposure to Alcorn State University and is proud to represent his alma mater.” He also said he is excited about working with 3rd round draft pick Steve Slayton and veteran quarterback Matt Schaub.

Jones will report to his internship on July 20, 2008 and end on August 3, 2008.

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Friday, May 2, 2008

SSU down to three AD finalists

Savannah State University has narrowed its search for an athletic director to three finalists, all of whom are scheduled to visit campus early next week. SSU's finalists are:

Bart Bellairs, Virginia Military Institute assistant AD for operations and marketing, who will visit Monday.

Keshia Campbell, NCAA assistant director of championships, who will visit Tuesday.

Leonard Clark, Wichita State assistant AD for corporate relations, who will visit Wednesday.

SSU vice president for administration Claud Flythe, who oversees the athletic department, said he hopes to reach a decision by May 9 and announce a hire May 10.

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Delaware State Hornets extend Lavan's contract

DOVER, DE -- Al Lavan took the Delaware State football team to its first NCAA Division I-AA playoff game last fall. On Thursday, he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension through the 2012 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Lavan had been earning $200,000 annually after signing a one-year extension last spring. DSU athletic director Rick Costello said Hornets coaches typically receive a 5 percent annual raise.

Costello would not say if Lavan's assistant coaches also would get a raise. "It's well-deserved and he's done a super job as coach, and the faculty and administration is certainly happy to have him as our football coach," Costello said of the new deal. Since his arrival in 2004 from Eastern Michigan University, Lavan has compiled a 29-16 record. Last year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship was the school's first since 1991.

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COMMENTARY : Small schools can produce big-time players

Photo: Hampton University's DE, Kendall Langford #98 was selected in the 2008 NFL Draft 3rd Round by Bill Parcell to help rebuild the Dolphins defense. Here he crushes Norfolk State's QB Casey Hansen in backfield for another sack.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hampton, Georgia Southern and Idaho. What is this ? Ohio State’s 2007 nonconference football schedule ? Delaware, Maine and Montana. Must be the top of the NCAA Division I-AA hockey poll, right ?

OK, you’ve probably figured it out by now. All of these low-profile schools, plus Portland State and Toledo, are represented on the Miami Dolphins’ new roster as part of Bill Parcells’ brawny draft weekend haul.

The guy from Hampton (enrollment 6,000 ) is defensive end Kendall Langford, the 66 th overall pick in the NFL Draft, and he’s just one of four Miami draftees from non-Bowl Championship Series schools.

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South Florida loaded with RB talent

As we get ready for this month-long spring practice, Miami Killian's Lamar Miller and Palmetto running back Jaamal Berry aren't the only Class of 2009 running backs to watch. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach is loaded with quality runners.

In the Miami area, Northwestern boasts a pair of game breakers in Daquan Hargrett (5-9, 180) and Tyresse Jones (5-9, 185). Branden Oliver (5-7, 185) out of Southridge and Darian Mallery (5-8, 170) from Gulliver are also rising athletes.

In Broward, Deshaun Sands (5-9 175), the son of former St. Thomas and University of Kansas standout, ''Tuxedo'' Tony Sands, is one of the area's best .....

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

FCS (1-AA) Football: A major road to the NFL

When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was taken as the 16th pick of the NFL draft on Saturday, it was a fitting culmination of a journey that began on what might have looked like a bumpy, unpaved road to nowhere. Rodgers-Cromartie wasn't on the college radar when he was graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2004. He decided to play for Tennessee State University, a Division I-AA program in Nashville.

Not a bad choice. Division I-AA may not be the big time, but it has a long history of pumping star players into the NFL. Many of the cornerbacks that signed with Division I-A schools that year will be watching Rodgers-Cromartie play football on Sunday this fall.

Doesn't matter where you play your college ball. As the list of Division I-AA alumni in the NFL proves, talent is a difficult secret to keep.

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Bethune-Cookman Corrals USF Bulls, 10-3

Photo: BCU Coach Mervyl Melendez.

Wildcats improve winning streak to five games

Tampa, Fla. - José Lozada was 4-for-5 at the plate including a homerun to push Bethune-Cookman University past the University of South Florida, 10-3 on Wednesday night in a non-conference baseball contest at Red McEwen Field in Tampa, Fla.

After dropping a month's worth of midweek contests, B-CU (30-17) is back in full gear as they were in the beginning of the year ... injury free, and looking to roll into the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament as the three-time defending champs. And they look every part the champs of old, if not better.

Junior pitcher Chris Chapman toed the rubber on Wednesday for the Wildcats and he was a stud--as preseason reports predicted, as he limited the Bulls of USF (25-21) to just three runs on seven hits in six frames on the bump. He evened his record at 2-2 on the campaign.

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MEAC Track and Field Championships Return to Morgan State May 1-3

BALTIMORE, Md. - Morgan State University will host the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Track and Field Outdoor championships this weekend at Hughes Stadium on Thursday, May 1 through Saturday, May 3 at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Morgan State. The championships will host some of the best athletes in the country as 51 individual, and 9 relays are nationally ranked.

On the men’s side, Norfolk State will try to pursue its third straight outdoor title and fifth overall. The Spartans are led by Marlon Woods, whose leap of 7-feet in the long jump ranks him in the top five, while his jump of 25-feet in the high jump ranks 10th in the nation. Woods is also ranked in the top five in the triple jump. Also headlining the men’s individual events will be North Carolina A&T’s Calesio Newman, who is ranked fifth and seventh nationally and #1 ranked in the MEAC in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

The women’s team title is going to be a cat fight as favored Hampton will compete for its third straight MEAC Outdoor title and sixth overall, however North Carolina A&T, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Morgan State are all capable of dethroning the champs. The premier events should be the women’s 100 hurdles, as the top five competitors are only separated by 2/10 of a second, the 400, and the 4x400 relay, which the host Lady Bears are currently No. 1 ranked.

Thursday’s competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the women’s heptathlon and the men’s decathlon events. Friday’s competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the conclusion of the women’s heptathlon and men’s decathlon events and will continue with field events along with the 5,000m run. Semifinal races will wrap up Friday’s action.

The MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. on the field with the men’s and women’s triple jump, men’s shot put, men’s pole vault and women’s discus. Teams will move back to the track for the 110m hurdles, 400m, 100m, 800m, 400m hurdles, 200m, and 3,000m steeple chase finals. The championship will conclude with the women’s and men’s 4x400m relays. In case of rain, Sunday, May 4, has been designated as the rain date. A complete schedule of events is available on http://www.meacsports.com/ .

Admission for the 2008 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships is $3 for children, students and senior citizens and $5 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the Hughes Stadium box office the day of the event.

This release is courtesy of the Morgan State track and field office and meacsports.com

HU wins nationally televised softball game during sweep

In softball Wednesday, Hampton University swept host Norfolk State 5-4 and 10-7 on a day in which Game 1 was televised nationally on ESPNU.

Game 1 winner Amanda Black pitched a complete game and went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI for HU (28-15), which scored the winning run on a throwing error in the sixth inning. HU's Angela Balser was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

In Game 2, HU had several offensive contributors and overcame a 5-2 deficit with a five-run fifth. Poquoson's Evelyn Garcia was 1-for-2 with a run and two RBI, Britta Davis was 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, and Tiffa Brents was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.

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Coppin State Earns Split With Georgetown, Lose 14-2, Win 10-8

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University baseball team split a doubleheader with Coppin State on Wednesday, losing the first game, 10-8, and winning the second contest, 14-2, at Shirley Povich Field. The Hoyas fought back from a six-run deficit to make things interesting late in game one and used a nine-run second inning to coast in game two. Sophomore Billy Concannon earned his first win as a Hoya and eight players recorded multi-hit games during the nightcap.

Game 1
Trailing 8-2 going into the top of the seventh inning, the Hoyas mounted a comeback that almost saw them draw even. With one out, junior Greg Pustizzi singled to left field and sophomore Tom Elliott was hit by a pitch. After a fielder's choice resulted in the second out, sophomore Chip Malt singled to right field to bring home one run, while an errant throw by the Coppin State rightfielder resulted in a second run crossing the plate.

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Update: MEAC/SWAC - NFL Free Agent Signings

Photo: Morgan State University All-American RB, Chad Simpson signs a free agent contract with the Colts.

The 2008 NFL Draft is not an exact science; the reason for all the free agency signings after the big two day draft party. Like always, the majority of the MEAC and SWAC players that are provided an opportunity to make the league are picked up on the cheap at the day after signing party. This year is no different than prior years, with the exception that a few of these players will make the final rosters.

The 2008 free agent signings that will be reporting to mini-camps are:

Jacksonville Jaguars
Clyde Edwards, WR; Grambling State University
Brian Witherspoon, CB, Stillman College**

Arizona Cardinals
Thaddeus Coleman, T, Mississippi Valley State University
Jason Banks, DT, Grambling State University

Seattle Seahawks
DeMichael Dizer, CB, Grambling State University

Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Dixon, DE, Hampton University

Indianapolis Colts
Curtis Johnson, DE, Clark-Atlanta University**
Chad Simpson, RB/KR, Morgan State University

Cleveland Browns
James Lee, OT, South Carolina State University
DeShawn Baker, RB, South Carolina State University

Detroit Lions
Rudy Hardie, DE, Howard University
Bobbie Williams, DB, Bethune Cookman University
Jeremy Breath, OL, Delaware State University

Philadelphia Eagles
Shaheer McBride, WR, Delaware State University

Buffalo Bills
Jason Jones, WR, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

St. Louis Rams
Vernon Bryant, DT, Hampton University

Washington Redskins
Bryan Wilson, LB, Morgan State University

Tennessee Titans
Eddie Williams, WR, Lane College**

San Diego Chargers
Lamar Divens, DT, Tennessee State University

New York Giants
Kelly Rouse, DE, Delaware State University

Cincinnati Bengals
Russell Reeves, LB, Delaware State University

New Orleans Saints
Cleve McCoy, WR, South Carolina State University
(Has contract offer from Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a QB, his college position. CFL Team approved tryout with Saints).

2008 NFL - HBCU Draft Picks

Arizona Cardinals
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State University
1st Round, #16

Miami Dolphins
Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton University
3rd Round, #66

Tennessee Titans
William Hayes, DE, Winston Salem State University
4th Round, #103

Minnesota Vikings
Jaymar Johnson, WR/KR, Jackson State University
6th Round, #193

Cleveland Browns
Alex Hall, DE/OLB, Saint Augustine's College*
7th Round, #231

* CIAA
**SIAC

DSU players to attend NFL minicamps

DOVER, Delaware -- Kelly Rouse, meet Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. And welcome to the NFL. Rouse, a former Delaware State defensive end, has an imposing task ahead -- making an impression on the Super Bowl champion New York Giants at next week's minicamp.

"Anytime you're going to camp, it's tough," Rouse said, "but I'm going to a Super Bowl team where there's a Pro Bowler [Umenyiora] and future Hall of Famer [Strahan] ahead of you. I just have to stay humble and get it done."

Rouse was among three former DSU players to be invited Tuesday to NFL minicamps. Linebacker Russell Reeves is heading to the Cincinnati Bengals and offensive lineman Jeremy Breath will get a shot with the Detroit Lions. Wide receiver Shaheer McBride signed a free-agent contract Monday with the Eagles and will report to minicamp Friday.

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