Friday, May 23, 2008

Eagles' undrafted quarterback (NSU Casey Hansen)

Photo: Casey Hansen (#3) left his mark at Norfolk State University as the second all-time leading Spartan passer with 4,277 yards in two season. Expect Hansen to surprise and stick with the Donavan McNabb led Eagles as a backup QB. (photo by Mark's Digital Sports Photography)

WITH HIS shirt off, Casey Hansen would tend to get noticed anywhere. A 6-5, thin, strawberry blond guy with a huge tattoo across his back - a pair of six guns framing a skull wearing a cowboy hat, with smoke from the guns curling up to where it spells out "HANSEN" across his shoulders?

That's a bit different, even without the large right-shoulder tattoo of a crown-wearing Jesus.

But Hansen, signed last month by the Eagles as a rookie free-agent quarterback, is used to standing out because of his looks, even fully clothed. To get on the field in college, to create the opportunity he's now pursuing in rookie camp, Hansen played his final two seasons at historically black Norfolk State University. The Spartans' Web site estimates that 86 percent of the school's 6,238 students are African-American, 7 percent are caucasian.

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Historic Rivarly moves to Historic Stadium in Charlotte

NCCU, NC A&T to Play Oct. 4 Football Game at Memorial Stadium in Charlotte

DURHAM, N.C. - In order to accommodate an anticipated crowd that exceeds the capacity of its own stadium, North Carolina Central University will move its home football game against long-time rival North Carolina A&T State University to Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

The 80th gridiron contest between the Eagles and Aggies will kickoff at 5 p.m. on Oct. 4.

"We are excited about partnering with the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department to bring this historic rivalry to Charlotte," said NCCU Director of Athletics Ingrid Wicker-McCree. "Memorial Stadium provides a terrific atmosphere for college football, and I am sure the fans will enjoy the many accommodations the Queen City has to offer."

A crowd of 19,320 witnessed the last meeting in 2007, played inside Aggie Stadium in Greensboro. Since 1994, the average attendance at an NCCU versus NC A&T football game is 35,478, including a high of 48,001 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh in 1997.

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New Blue QBs can run like the wind

Photo: Former South Carolina State University QB Cleve McCoy is now a Winnipeg Blue Bomber.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' playbook is about to get a little fatter and -- Doug Berry has his fingers crossed -- the offence a whole lot more difficult to defend.

The Bombers finally made official on Tuesday what has been speculated for days when they announced the additions of quarterbacks Bryan Randall and Cleve McCoy, both Canadian Football League neophytes. But what's intriguing about the two transactions isn't just the addition of QB depth behind incumbents Kevin Glenn and Ryan Dinwiddie, it's about the skill set they will both begin showcasing with the opening of rookie camp next Wednesday.

Simply put, both Randall and McCoy tore it up in college by using their legs to help open up the pass -- McCoy rushed for 823 yards last year for South Carolina State; Randall had 511 yards along the ground as a senior at Virginia Tech in 2004.

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AFCA honors FAMU legend Jake Gaither

Florida Governor Claude Kirk visited Jake Gaither, the nationally renowned coach of the Florida A & M University football team, circa 1967-70. (photo provided by Florida's Division of Historical Resources)

Coaches group lauds Rattlers great with Trailblazer Award

Almost 40 years after he coached his last football game, Jake Gaither is still winning.

Gaither, who became a legend during a 24-year coaching career at FAMU, was recently named winner of the Trailblazer Award, a posthumous honor. He is the fourth winner of the prestigious national award that is given by the American Football Coaches Association.

The award recognizes black coaches who became greats of the game during an era when their accomplishments were seldom recognized. Gaither is considered on the same plateau with legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, who Gaither once recruited during the 1950s to assist with a coaches' clinic.

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READ: Jake Gaither
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/FAMU/70824026

READ: Jake Gaither, 90, Successful And Influential Football Coach:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E0D9153BF93AA25751C0A962958260&sec=&spon=

Rudy Hubbard returns to sidelines tonight

Jamboree first test for new Rickards coach

Rudy Hubbard left football 23 years ago when he coached his last game at Florida A&M. Tonight he returns as the first-year coach for the Tallahassee's (FL) Rickards High Raiders, who take part in a three-team jamboree at Cox Stadium.

Hubbard built on Jake Gaither's legacy by guiding FAMU to the Black College National Championship in 1977 and the inaugural NCAA Division I-AA title in 1978. He took over the Rickards program on March 20.

The Raiders will open tonight's jamboree by playing West Gadsden at 6 p.m. West Gadsden then plays Leon at 7 p.m. and Rickards and Leon play at 8 p.m. in the third.

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WSSU choir sings leader's praises

D'Walla Burke's students say that she teaches them much more than music

» AUDIO: Click to hear a recording of the Winston-Salem State University Choir singing "That's How Good God Is," under the direction of D' Walla Simmons Burke

Christopher Hawley said he had trouble meeting people when he arrived at Winston-Salem State University ­-- so much so that he was thinking about going back home to Durham. Then, he said, a friend suggested that he try out for WSSU's choir.

He tried out, was accepted and decided to stay for another semester.

Now a senior, Hawley says that his relationships with choir members and the choir's formidable director, D'Walla Simmons Burke, made all the difference in his career at WSSU.
















Photo: Choir Director D'Walla Simmons Burke philosophy is simply, "You can do nothing great by yourself." The Fort Valley, GA native was educated at Hampton University, UNC Greensboro and has lead the WSSU Choir as conductor to perform Faure's Requiem at New York's Carnegie Hall, becoming the first black female professor to debut as a conductor in this venue. In 2006, the WSSU choir was invited to perform with the Dvorak Symphony Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic.


"The people in choir are like family to me," he said. "If it wasn't for choir, I probably would have transferred to another school."

He thinks of Burke, he said, as a second mother.

"She's very stern. She's going to push you, but that's a good thing," he said. "My mother's in Durham -- she's not with me now. Ms. Burke is right here with me."

Burke has been the director of choral and vocal studies since she came to WSSU in 1989. She had been teaching at Voorhees College near Denmark, S.C.

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

FAMU's Harris fits men's basketball recruits into place

Photo: Cecil Bent is the crown jewel of Coach Eugene Harris first incoming class. The 6-9/290 center will play immediately for the Rattlers.

Coach Eugene Harris isn't exactly starting from scratch, but he likes what he has so far as he attempts to rebuild the FAMU men's basketball program.

Harris said he believes he's found a center and a forward to improve the Rattlers in the post. Akini Akini did most of the work down low for FAMU last season in his final year of eligibility.

Incoming center Cecil Bent and forward Yannick Crowder will play right away, Harris said. Six of the seven other recruits are guards. They will join four returning players from last season's team.

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Bent averaged 14 points per game with 8 rebounds at Swainsboro (GA), Swainsboro High School. He was a member of the 2008 Region 3-AA Champions basketball squad. He also competed in the State Sweet 16 tournament. Bent played for the South team in the GACA North-South All Star Game in which his team defeated the North team 100-95. He was also ranked as one of the top 24 basketball players in the state of Georgia.

-beepbeep

SSU goes for experience in AD hire

Within seconds of being introduced as Savannah State University's athletic director, Bart Bellairs on Tuesday used words like "gold mine" and "sleeping giant" to describe Savannah's only NCAA Division I school.

He'll no doubt use those terms frequently in his quest to help SSU increase revenue, join a conference and achieve success, both athletically and academically. Bellairs will begin at SSU on June 1.



Bellairs, 51, has spent the past three years as Virginia Military Institute's senior associate athletic director. He was instrumental in tripling revenue during his first two years at the Lexington, Va., school, which competes in the Big South Conference.

Bellairs is the first white AD at SSU, a historically black university that began playing sports in 1915. His hiring comes five months after SSU hired its first white football head coach, 39-year-old Robby Wells.

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Barack Obama - in Portland, OR

Senator Obama spoke before a crowd of 75,000 people in Portland, Oregon on May 18th, 2008. This was the largest crowd of any event in the Democratic Primary.


Yolanda Adams recently performed during a political rally for Senator Barack Obama. during her performance she had a mutlitude of encoraging words for the audience.

Yolanda Adams recently performed in Louisville, Kentucky during a rally for Senator Obama. In this clip she performs her hit song "Open My Heart"

Carter adds seven to SCSU men's basketball team

With the exception of the coaching staff and four returning starters, the 2008-09 South Carolina State men’s basketball team will look altogether different than last year’s edition.

Last year’s 20-loss campaign only served to expedite head coach Tim Carter’s ongoing make over of the team. Taking advantage of the scholarships made available with the departure of four players and the dismissals of David Cobb and Derrick Davis, Carter was able to add seven players during the recently completed signing period:

- Guard Jimmy Williams (6-4), East Laurens High School in Dublin Ga.- The Class 2-A Player of the Year in Georgia, he averaged...

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Jim Brown, TSU team up to motivate potential college students

By TSU Media Services

Academy to feature life-skills program started by Jim Brown

Houston, Texas - NFL Hall of Famer and community activist Jim Brown’s “Amer-I-Can” program will be a major component in Texas Southern University’s conditional summer academic program for students who do not meet the University’s new admission requirements that will be phased in over the next year.

Hundreds of students will attend TSU’s summer program that will run June 6 through July 31. The summer program is a unique opportunity that prepares students for college-level coursework.

Photo: The 72 year old Jim Brown is still a force with his "Amer-I-Can" program.

The free program provides students with centered instruction in mathematics, reading, and writing along with leadership and character development. The “Amer-I-Can” program is a 60 to 90 hour, 15 chapter life management skills curriculum that will be part of the program.

Video: http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=246709&shu=1

“The beauty of the 'Amer-I-Can' program is that it is applicable to all people, as it transcends race, age, gender, religion, and socio-economic status,” said Brown. “The Amer-I-Can” program will change the lives of these students and will motivate them to make the best of their college experience and become great leaders on campus.”

Since its inception in 1988, more than 500,000 youth and young adults have successfully completed the “Amer-I-Can” program. Students who complete the program experience on average a 60% decrease in disciplinary incidents, a 38% decrease in absences, and a 35% increase in their grade point averages. The program is changing lives nationally in more than 16 states and internationally in the United Kingdom, Belize, and South Africa.

TSU’s recently adopted admissions standards change the University’s previous “open-admissions policy” by raising the bar for students upon acceptances. Prospective students will be required to graduate from high school with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Students who graduate in the top 25% of their class will be automatically admitted. Other students will need to submit an ACT score ranging from 15 to 17 or a combined SAT in the range of 775-825 (on the 1600 scale). Any student who does not meet the University’s minimum requirements will still have the opportunity to enroll at the University after successfully completing the conditional summer academic program.

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Jim Brown, The Greatest Player in NFL History

TSU top defending champ Prairie View for SWAC title

Candy Robinson spent most of a disappointing 2008 baseball season trying to convince Texas Southern it could be a good team.

On Monday the Tigers proved they’ve been listening to their longtime coach.

Texas Southern capped an improbable run through the 2008 SWAC tournament with an improbable victory against Prairie View A&M, claiming the championship with a 12-11 triumph at Lee-Hines Field.

The Tigers (16-32) will be the SWAC’s representative in the NCAA tournament after scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase an 11-7 deficit.

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Monday, May 19, 2008

PVAMU ousts SU to reach SWAC final

Prairie View will get the chance to win a third consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball title today after prevailing on a wild and gritty Sunday in which the Panthers took two games by one run from traditional powerhouse Southern on the Jaguars’ own field.

Adrian Canales froze Michael Gavion for a full-count strikeout, with a runner on second base, as the Panthers beat Southern 15-14 in a zany second game at Lee-Hines Field.

And Josh Lara struck out 11 in a complete-game gem, finishing by getting SU’s Frazier Hall, a .400 hitter, to fly out to center field with Gavion on third base, as PV forced the second game 5-4 — after trailing 4-0 in the fourth — earlier Sunday.

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Obama Warns GOP "Lay Off My Wife"

Sen. Barack Obama ripped into a Republican ad today that targets comments made by his wife, Michelle, and called the GOP tactic "low class" and "detestable."

The senator and his wife discuss the race for the White House. The Illinois senator told "Good Morning America" that he expects hardball tactics from the Republicans if he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

"But I also think these folks should lay off my wife," he told "GMA" as his wife chuckled beside him.

GMA Exclusive Video: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4883537

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Clark withdraws from SSU AD search

Clark withdraws from SSU consideration

Wichita State assistant athletic director Leonard Clark told The Wichita Eagle newspaper he withdrew from the athletic director search at Savannah State last week. Clark was one of three finalists for the position. The others are Bart Bellairs, Virginia Military Institute's assistant AD for operations and marketing, and Keshia Campbell, the NCAA's assistant director of championships.

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2007 Video Classics: Southern University Dancing Dolls

SU Dolls: The Hall Sisters (One night only)
SU Dancing Dolls - "Ain't no other man

SU Dancing Dolls - Sweet Escape

SU Dancing Dolls - D'Tara Feature

SU Dancing Dolls -Give it to me baby

SU Dancing Dolls (Gansta B**ch)

SU Dancing Dolls - Get It Shawty

SU Dancing Dolls - The Cupid Shuffle

SU Dancing Dolls - Suga Mama

SU Dancing Dolls - Neck

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Alcorn State Fires Women Basketball Coach

On Thursday, Alcorn State Athletic Director Dr. Darren J. Hamilton announced that longtime coach Shirley A. Walker has been removed of her duties. Walker has been running the Braves program for the last thirty years and posted a record of 492-332.

In 2006, the basketball program received a one-year postseason ban and a three-year probation. The Braves lost one scholarship and had to remove all references to their 2005 NCAA Tournament appearance. The NCAA cited a lack of institutional control that included violations such as the use of ineligible players, giving improper financial-aid benefits and travel expenses, exceeding weekly practice limits, failing to provide a day off from practice each week, and allowing non-certified assistant coaches to recruit off-campus.

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Fighting an Uphill Battle...Why Division I-AA and II Get The Cold Shoulder

Next time someone mentions a Division I-AA or Division II school or player to you, research the player. Research the school. Because odds are that player is better than 90% of your favorite BCS team's roster.

I-AA Winston Salem State University had an NFL 4th Round (#103) draft pick in Defensive End, Willaim Hayes (Tennessee Titans). (Photo by Mark's Digitial Sports Photography).

What happened along the way? Back in the "Good ole' days," we saw small schools being held in, actually, high regard when it came to college football. Grambling was respected, Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State, Jackson State, etc.

Now, when someone mentions that a Division I-AA school did this (FCS? What? Stop with that.), or a Division II did that, the first response is "Who cares?" I'll tell you who cares. Quick, name the alma maters of Steve McNair, Jerry Rice, and Walter Payton.

They were all named above.

Steve McNair, one of only a handful of college football players in history to pass for 10,000 career yards and rush for 3,000 career yards, attended Alcorn State and even made a run at a Heisman trophy.

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PVAMU Captures Emotional Win Over Southern Jaguars

BATON ROUGE, La.- The Prairie View A&M Panthers captured and emotional 5-4 victory over the Southern Jaguars in Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball action in the two team’s second meeting of the tourney.

PVAMU rallied from a 5-3 deficit to claim the win on Southern’s home turf. The win sets up a winner take all match-up where the victor will be awarded with an opportunity to participate in the SWAC’s title game where they will face Texas Southern.

PVAMU All-SWAC First Team Pitcher Wardel Taylor.

The Texas Southern Tigers remain as the only unbeaten team in tournament play as they have amassed a perfect 3-0 mark. TSU eliminated the Jackson State Tigers from title contention with a convincing 9-2 victory.

Prairie View A&M’s game versus Southern is set for 5:00 p.m. at Lee Hines field located on the campus of SU.

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UH Cougars Shamblin Pitches Perfect Game In 9-0 Win Over Delaware State

HOUSTON - University of Houston senior Angel Shamblin pitched her second perfect game of the season to guide the Cougars to a 9-0 win over Delaware State in the opening round of the 2008 NCAA Houston Softball Regional at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Houston (51-9), the No. 8 National Seed in the NCAA Championship, moved to 2-1 all-time in regional openers and 4-4 all-time in postseason play. Delaware State falls to 29-24 on the year.

Shamblin struck out 11 batters en route to the third perfect game of her career. She improves to 33-3 on the season with 17 shutouts.

The Cougar offense put up six runs in the second inning. Freshman Baillie Lott scored the first Houston run after reaching base on a walk. Junior Katie Bush hit her fourth double this season, scoring junior Jessica Valis.

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Parsons to play at NCAA Division I, MEAC and SWAC schools


As far as Snead State Community College men’s basketball coach Rodney Hampton is concerned, two members of the 2007-08 team set the standard for all Parsons to come. Brandon Bryant, of Tuscaloosa, and Gerald January, of Macon, Ga., have signed scholarships with NCAA Division I schools.

Bryant, a 6-2 guard, has signed to play with Florida A&M University, while January, a 6-7 forward, signed to play with Alabama A&M University. “Both Brandon and Gerald have really exemplified the true student-athlete. They embody the character and the skill level that coaches only dream about,” Hampton said.

“They have been good leaders here at Snead. We had a team of mostly freshmen, and under the circumstances, Brandon and Gerald have been integral parts of the team’s success over the last two years.”

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Thomas, B-CU win arms race in MEAC finals

Photo: Bethune Cookman Wildcat Justin Hoyte.

Bethune Cookman University wins MEAC Baseball Title by 13-2 score over NSU.

NORFOLK, Va. – After playing five games in the past three days in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament, fifth-seeded Norfolk State ran out of arms.

Top-seeded Bethune-Cookman was playing just its third game and had the best arm, claiming a 13-2 victory and its third straight MEAC title and 11th in the past 13 years.

Eric Thomas (9-0) was dominant for the Wildcats (36-20), going seven scoreless innings with six hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 61 for strikes.

The Spartans (25-24) had a 0.61 ERA in the first five games, but could not contain the bats of the Wildcats. Facing three pitchers in the first five innings ...

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Stadium's future now lies in Jackson State's, DFA's hands

For anyone looking seriously at the future of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the numbers tell the tale. The last time Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was filled to capacity was 1984, when Alcorn State University took on Mississippi Valley State University for the 1984 SWAC championship. Alcorn beat Valley 42-28 before 63,808 fans.

Originally called Mississippi Memorial Stadium, the stadium was proposed as a 35,000-seat monument to the state's veterans of World Wars I and II. The stadium was later completed to the 46,000 seat level in the 1950s.

Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium

The stadium often had capacity crowds for Southeastern Conference games in the 1960s and 1970s - crowds swelling to the point that in 1980, the decision was made to expand the stadium by 16,500 seats to 62,500 seats. Subsequent renovations dropped the current seating to the official 60,492 seats.

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Copperas Cove's Cotton signs with Southern U.

COPPERAS COVE, Texas – Anthony Cotton became the first Copperas Cove athlete in at least 15 years to ink a scholarship primarily for track.

On Thursday morning, Cotton signed his national letter of intent to pole vault for Southern University, a Division I school in track located in Baton Rouge, La. The senior was all smiles as he soaked in the fact that he will get to go to college and do what he loves.

The choice eventually came down to Southern and Texas State, but Cotton was wowed by the family atmosphere in Baton Rouge. "When I went down there for my visit, everything about it screamed family and closeness," he said. "Being from Cove, that's what we're all about, that's what we preach."

Cotton also said academics played a role in his choice. He thought Southern placed an emphasis on being a student, which was an important issue for the pole vaulter. "You're a student first and an athlete second (at Southern)," Cotton said. They're (Southern) so adamant about that and it appeals to me greatly." Cotton plans on pursuing a degree in engineering, either mechanical or electrical.

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Defense, big hits key to Southern U victory

Archive Photo: Jaguars head coach Roger Cador (left).

The Prairie View-Southern University baseball game unfolded as just the kind of go-for-broke donnybrook that was expected, so let’s get right to the crucial sequence where Southern won the game 14-9 Saturday at Lee-Hines Field.

With amazing defense to close the fourth inning. And with two big, first-pitch hits in a four-run fifth. That span of about 20 minutes lifted SU (28-16) into today’s 1 p.m. bracket championship game at the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.

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