JSU's Gorden reaches top with Hall of Fame induction

SOUTH BEND, IND. — They showed W.C. Gorden around Notre Dame Stadium this weekend. He took a long look at Touchdown Jesus. Stood in the stadium Knute Rockne built. Strolled in the grass where guys like Paul Hornung, Joe Theismann and Tim Brown became legends.

Like any lifelong football man, Gorden was emotionally moved. After all, the history of the Fighting Irish is maybe the most celebrated in the sport. Some of the greatest football games on Earth were played in this very spot. But don't get things misconstrued. Even though Gorden was impressed by the sights of South Bend, he was far from jealous. In fact, the 78-year-old is more than comfortable with the career path sent his way.

"I've already been to the mountaintop," said Gorden with a grin. "I've been the coach of Jackson State University's football team."

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Southern QB ready to get back in the flow

Southern quarterback Bryant Lee is ready to get going — really going — for the first time since late November. Held out of contact drills during spring practices after breaking a thumb in the Bayou Classic, the junior will join his teammates in returning to campus July 31. The Jaguars start practice Aug. 2.

“I’m ready to get back into the flow of it now,” Lee said. Now that the thumb is good, SU, 8-3 last season, needs Lee to get back where he was — and continue to improve. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” Lee said. “(SU strength and conditioning coach Thomas Hall) has us working extra hard in the weight room. And as players we’re taking it as a responsibility for us to get the job done.”

SU lost wide receiver Gerard Landry and running back Darren Coates, who completed their careers last season. As the top playmaker returning, Lee is a key piece in SU’s success or failure.

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Q&A: ASU men's basketball coach Lewis Jackson: Hornets coach endures tumultuous offseason

The life of a college basketball coach -- even one in the middle of the offseason -- is rarely a walk in the park. If you doubt that, spend a few minutes with Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson. Since his team's season ended with a shocking upset loss to Jackson State and a trip to face Arizona State in the National Invitation Tournament, Jackson and his assistants have endured the death of a player, the signing of four highly-touted new players and the departure of their most promising young stars.

They've also spent weeks on the road recruiting and some time working on next season's schedule. Jackson, who was still out recruiting, took a little time this week to talk to the Montgomery Advertiser about all of it.

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Tennessee State offense not a problem

Offensively, the Tigers return 10 of 12 starters, including the OVC's leading passer, senior quarterback Antonio Heffner. Heffner completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,486 yards and 10 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the seventh game of the season.

One of Heffner's favorite targets, senior receiver Chris Johnson, grabbed 41 passes for 740 yards and four touchdowns last year. He'll be a key part of the Tigers' effort to end an eight-year OVC title drought. "We always had the pieces, but we didn't have the mental toughness to do what we needed to do," Johnson said. "But now since we have matured, we believe we can break a lot of school records and we'll make a deep playoff run."

Photo: TSU QB Antonio Heffner is back for his senior campaign to lead the big blue Tigers.

TSU travels to Normal, Ala., for its first test of the season against Alabama A&M. The Tigers then return to LP Field to face Southern in the 10th annual John Merritt Classic, a game that honors the Tigers' late coach and helps raise scholarship money for TSU students.

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Quarterback to transfer to Tennessee State from Missouri

Dominic Grooms, a backup quarterback last season for Missouri, is transferring to Tennessee State. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Tampa, Fla., said he wanted to be closer to home and since he is transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision team, he will be eligible to play this fall.

"There wasn't a problem (at Missouri) at all," Grooms told the St. Petersburg Times. "I had to get closer to home. I feel like being closer to home is best for the family. And I have some other family (in Nashville). That kind of makes it more of a home-like situation."

He was listed third on Missouri's depth chart this past spring behind Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel and Chase Patton.

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Here is what Mizzo had to say about Grooms...

2007 SEASON: Did not see playing time but was a valuable member of the offense throughout the year in practice, and spent the entire season as the team's No. 3 signal caller depth-wise.-+

2006 SEASON: Redshirted in his first season in the program, working as part of the practice squad.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year starter at QB who was rated as the No. 24 dual-threat QB in the nation, according to Rivals ... Had a very successful senior season, that saw him compile 1,600 yards and 16 TDs passing, and he added 512 yards and 8 TDs on the ground ... Transferred to Middleton High School for his senior year, and he led the Tigers to a 7-4 record in 2005 and to the 4A quarterfinals ... Played his first three years of ball at Tampa Bay Tech, where he exploded on the scene as a sophomore, when he threw for 1,928 yards and 18 TDs, and ran for 382 yards and 3 TDs ... Missed 5 games due to a foot injury as a junior, but still amassed 1,010 yards passing and 6 TDs, and ran for 212 yards and 2 TDs ... Started his first game late in the year as a freshman at Tampa Bay Tech and had 492 yards passing (3 TDs) and 120 yards rushing (1 TD) ... Also competed in track at Middleton ... High school coach - Harry Hubbard.

PERSONAL: Mother - Vicki Grooms ... Chose Mizzou over South Florida, North Carolina State, Clemson, North Carolina, Vanderbilt and Bowling Green, among others ...

TSU center leaves to be closer to family

Photo: James Craft, Jr., is a native of Glen Allen (Richmond), Virginia and a graduate of Mercerburg Academy.

James Craft, a 7-foot center, has decided to leave the Tennessee State men's basketball team and transfer to Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. Craft spent only one season at TSU after transferring from Wright State in 2005-06. He sat out the 2006-07 season and then started four games for the Tigers last season.

Craft, who will be a junior this season, played in 25 games and averaged 7.5 minutes per game. He averaged 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds while blocking 11 shots. TSU Coach Cy Alexander said Craft left so he could be closer to his fiancée, who lives in Oregon. It wasn't anything against TSU or anything negative against James," Alexander said. "He wanted to be closer to his family and I applaud him for that and wish him the best in what he is trying to do."

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SWAC to hold Luncheon and Media Day

The SWAC will hold its annual Kickoff Luncheon & Media Day on Tuesday, July 22 at 9 a.m. The media activities will be held at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame while the luncheon will take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in downtown Birmingham.

The speaker for the luncheon is former Southern University and National Football League standout Aeneas Williams. During his senior season at Southern, he tied the NCAA Division I-AA record for interceptions. He went on to the NFL as a member of the Arizona Cardinals in 1991. In his rookie season, he tied the League record for interceptions. Over his career he accumulated a staggering 12 defensive touchdowns (nine interceptions and three fumbles) and 55 career interceptions.

Limited tickets are available to the public for $30 and can be obtained by contacting the Conference Office at (205) 251-7573.

SSU basketball player arrested on charges of theft

Photo: SSU star player Patrice "Nikki" Robinson.

Savannah State University women's basketball player Patrice "Nikki" Robinson, the Tigers' leading rebounder and shot-blocker last season, was arrested July 9 on a charge of theft by deception. Robinson, 24, a former Swainsboro High School star and the Savannah Morning News 2002 Player of the Year, is accused of stealing clothing valued at $114.02 from her employer, Goody's Family Clothing in Swainsboro.

Swainsboro Police Department Cpl. Craig Morris wrote in an incident report that Ellen Palmer, manager of the store at 664 South Main St., is the complainant. According to the police report, the "complainant stated that the offender (employee) stole merchandise by ringing items up and then voiding the transactions."

Robinson was arrested July 9 and released the same day. "I was told not to say anything about it," Robinson said Friday from her home in Swainsboro. Palmer said she, too, has been advised not to talk about the incident.

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READ COMPANION STORY ON "NIKKI ROBINSON": http://meacswacsports.blogspot.com/2008/02/heres-to-you-savannah-state-ms-robinson.html

HU's Vernon Bryant signs St. Louis Rams contract

HAMPTON, VA — Vernon Bryant, a graduate of Southampton High School and Hampton University, has signed a contract with the National Football League's St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent. Bryant graduated from HAMPTON UNIVERSITY in May with a bachelor's degree in sports management. Even before graduation, he was a member of the St. Louis Rams. He was approached by the Rams after April's NFL draft.

"They contacted me about 10 minutes after the draft. They called and said come on down as a free agent," Bryant said. Bryant has already attended mini-camp to familiarize himself with the plays and has been playing defensive tackle and special teams. The Rams' full training camp opens on July 25.

In 2007, Bryant, a 6-2, 285-pound defensive tackle, played in 11 games and started nine games for HU. He made 47 tackles, including nine in Hampton's final game against Southern Illinois University. During the season he also had nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, and recovered a fumble. He was ranked 45 out of 148 defensive tackles coming out of college this year by www.nfldraftscout.com.

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New Joe at FAMU

Photo: FAMU Head Football Coach Joe Taylor (Mark's Digital Photography)

Joe Taylor is three victories shy of 200 as a college football coach.

The question is whether it will take his entire debut season at Florida A&M to reach the milestone. Taylor has endured only two losing seasons in a quarter-century, the past 16 at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Hampton University. His 136-49-1 record with the Pirates helped him earn eight MEAC championships and league coach of the year honors three times in the past four years.

FAMU is relying on Taylor, who was serving Friday on an NCAA committee in Indianapolis that conflicted with the Florida Sports Writers Association media conference at the Marriott Waterside, to restore a winning tradition in Tallahassee. The Rattlers are coming off a 3-8 season and haven't won a conference title since 2001. Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt figures it's only a matter of time.

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Grambling athletic director Mathieu bidding farewell to Tigers

GRAMBLING — Grambling State athletic director Troy Mathieu has submitted his resignation and will leave on July 31 for another job. In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Mathieu said his new job would be in athletics administration but did not want to elaborate because he did not want to pre-empt a formal announcement by his next employer.

"I'm moving on to another professional challenge," said Mathieu, who took the Grambling job in 2006 and has hired seven current coaches. "I'm appreciative of having had the opportunity to serve at Grambling over the past two years and I wish the university continued success. During my tenure at Grambling we had the opportunity to hire some outstanding coaches."

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Lewis a pioneer on, off CU court

Former Buff set for induction into school's athletic Hall

Excerpts:

Today's players and coaches have it easy on the road compared to Billy Lewis' experiences away from the friendly confines of Colorado University Balch Fieldhouse. Lewis, the first black basketball player in CU history, experienced blatant racism during his college career from 1956-60.

On Oct. 17, Lewis will be enshrined into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame with eight other legends, including Frank Clarke, the first black football player in school history, and Claude Walton, the first black letter winner at CU.

After graduating from CU in 1960, Lewis married JoKatherine Holliman, the first black woman on CU's homecoming court. He earned his Juris Doctor of Law degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. and had a very successful legal career that included becoming the first black corporate attorney at IBM in 1964 and opening a private law practice in Denver from 1966 to 1979 with partner Morris Cole.

Lewis then moved back to Washington D.C. where he served as the general counsel of the District of Columbia Board of Election and Ethics for 15 years. "When I took retirement from District government they researched my career and ...

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TSU receives NCAA probation for infractions in softball, tennis

The NCAA came down hard on Texas Southern University on Wednesday, placing the athletic program on four years' probation for major violations in softball and men's and women's tennis. The NCAA's Committee on Infractions banned TSU's softball program from postseason play in 2009, suspended the already-dropped tennis programs, and disallowed victories in softball and tennis.

Former tennis coach Alberto Rojo Jimenez, the 2006 Southwestern Athletic Conference coach of the year, and former softball coach Yolanda Sinegal also received NCAA sanctions. The two coaches can seek employment with other schools but would have to appear before the Committee on Infractions. Jimenez's sanctions are for four years, Sinegal's for three.

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N.C. A&T football coach Fobbs adds 4 to his staff

N.C. A&T football coach Lee Fobbs announced the hiring of four new assistants, including two new coordinators. John McKenzie is the first offensive coordinator Fobbs has hired to his staff. Fobbs served as the Aggies' offensive coordinator during his first two seasons.

Tayrone Odums, a former defensive coordinator at Clark Atlanta, will take over as the Aggies' defensive coordinator. Myron Jackson, a former standout at tight end at Florida State, will coach the defensive line. Rounding out the staff will be Chris Robinson, a recent Bethune-Cookman graduate who will coach outside linebackers.

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FAMU launches new athletic website

Photo by Mark's Digital Photography

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida A&M University Athletics, in cooperation with the Rattler Boosters, Inc., on Thursday launched its' new athletic website, http://www.famurattlersports.com/.

The internet site will offer a general home page for the 18-sport Rattler Athletic program, with dedicated pages for each sport, featuring stories, rosters, statistics and results.

In addition, easy access to sports schedules, ticket information and other items of interest can be had via the site's home page.

Check It Out:
www.FAMURattlerSports.com

FAMUan Nate Jacobs - KEEP MARCHING - featuring FAMU Marching 100

TSU to name LSU's Wells-Broughton women's basketball coach

Texas Southern University will name LSU assistant Yolanda Wells-Broughton as its new women's basketball coach at a 2 p.m. news conference today. Wells-Broughton will replace Surina Dixon, who was hired in March but was relieved of her duties last month.

Wells-Broughton, a native of Houston, coached at LSU this past season, helping the Tigers reach the Final Four and being instrumental in their having one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Wells-Broughton previously served as an assistant at TCU. The Horned Frogs were 63-33 during her time in Fort Worth.

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Spillman might transfer to Tennessee State

Tennessee State football coach James Webster said yesterday that former University of Louisville wide receiver JaJuan Spillman is interested in transferring to his program.

Spillman, whom U of L dismissed after his arrest on drug and gun charges this month, would be eligible to play immediately at Tennessee State -- an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) program in the Ohio Valley Conference. If he transfers to another Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) team, he would have to sit out a year.

Spillman could not be reached for comment. Webster said it was premature to say that Spillman, who is 5 feet 9 and 180 pounds, will attend the Nashville school.

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Would John Merritt, Jake Gaither, Billy Joe or Eddie Robinson consider transferring in a player with Spillman history of drug use and guns? I don't recall they ever had a player on their team with this type of history--two arrests in 18 months, driving under the influence, toting a conceiled weapon and driving without insurance. Case closed! Let him go play JUCO or Division III football with the non-scholarship players until he proves he can function successfully at an upper tier university. Just say no, TSU! Spillman caught nine passes for 64 yards last season and his strength is as a KR. Don't waste your valuable scholarship on this 5-7/162 pound cowboy!

-beepbeep

Southern University's Mumford expansion set for '09

Southern fans have been complaining about Mumford Stadium for awhile, and now they're finally seeing results.

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B-CU names women's basketball coach

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman's new women's basketball coach is anxious to hit the court and start working with her new players. Hitting the road can wait.

Vanessa Blair-Inge, who was the head coach for nine seasons at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Maryland, takes over a B-CU team that has had little success on the court during the past four seasons but returns 13 players, including nine rising sophomores. The Wildcats signed one player, center Chelsea Gordon from Fort Myers Dunbar, for next season and expect to have just two more spots available for 2009-10.

"Our biggest class will be in 2011," said Inge, who was on campus Tuesday. But that doesn't mean it will take her that long to assemble her own team. "This is my team," she said. "This is the here and now. These players are here and ready to play for Bethune-Cookman. And my job is to serve the university. These are my players."

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Blair-Inge is the first and only person in league history to have been named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Garnering two NEC Player of the Year awards, NEC Player of the Decade (1985-1995) and NEC Coach of the Year (1998-99), Blair-Inge holds three of the highest honors given to a player or coach in the NEC. In the Spring 2003, Inge was honored for her dedication to Mount St. Mary's University and its athletic department by being inducted into the Mount's Sports Hall of Fame.

She is married to former Mount St. Mary's star basketball player and assistant women's coach Riley Inge.

-beepbeep

Southern University making summer news

The lull in the Southern University sports year is on the verge of ending. Next month, football players will be on campus and Brian Johnson will be making long jumps in the Beijing Olympics. The full-on gumbo will be ladled hot and heavy later. Here’s a little summertime shrimp-and-corn soup to tide Jaguars fans over for now.

• Friday, in cool, hip and beautiful San Francisco, the Giants host the Milwaukee Brewers and leading off for both teams will be two former Southern players: Fred Lewis with the Giants and second baseman Rickie Weeks with the Brewers.

Both players arrived with little fanfare, Weeks as a freshman in 2001 and Lewis as a junior-college transfer in ’02, his only season at SU.

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Documentary: The Saint Augustine Marching 100 - A Band Reborn

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a New Orleans, male, Catholic, African American, high school marching band must rebuild to continue its proud legacy.

Much of SU offseason work done off campus

Southern University strength and conditioning coach Thomas Hall said he spends between an hour and an hour-and-a-half most weekday nights calling football players to keep up with the progress of their summer workouts. The reason? A reduction in scholarship money available for student-athletes to attend summer school has sliced into the number of players who usually participate in voluntary conditioning sessions.

File photo: Southern University QB Bryant Lee.

Because of the cutback, more than half the team is away from campus this summer. As a result, Hall calls to check on the progress of those players. “I know the guys are working out,” Hall said. “These guys, I can count on.”

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2008 SWAC - MEAC Television Schedule

2008 SWAC TELEVISION SCHEDULE

August
30 Prairie View vs. Texas Southern (Houston) 7 p.m. ESPNU
31 Jackson State vs. Hampton (Orlando) 1 p.m. ESPN2

September
18 Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alcorn State 6:30 p.m. ESPNU
25 Miss. Valley State at Alabama State 7 p.m. ESPNU

October
18 Florida A&M at Southern 7 p.m. ESPNU
25 Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State (Birmingham, Ala.) 2:30 p.m. ESPNU

November
20 Grambling at Texas Southern 8 p.m. ESPNU
22 Jackson State vs. Alcorn State (Jackson, Miss.) 1 p.m. ESPNU
29 Grambling vs. Southern (New Orleans) 1 p.m. NBC

December
13 SWAC Championship Game (Birmingham, Ala.) 1 p.m. ESPN Classic




2008 MEAC Television Schedule

August
31 Hampton v. Jackson State ESPN2 2 p.m. Live
(MEAC/SWAC Challenge)

September
4 Florida A&M @ Delaware State ESPNU 7:30 p.m. Live
13 North Carolina A&T @ Norfolk St. ESPNU 4 p.m. TBD (taped delayed)
27 Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State at Atlanta, GA, FoxSports South TV 3 p.m. Live (Atlanta Football Classic)

October
9 Winston-Salem State @ Florida A&M ESPNU 7:30 p.m. Live

November
1 South Carolina State @ Delaware State ESPNU 1:00 p.m. TBD (taped delayed)
6 Howard @ South Carolina State ESPNU 7:30 p.m. Live
8 Bethune-Cookman @ Hampton ESPNU 2 p.m. TBD (taped delayed)
15 Delaware State @ Norfolk State ESPNU 1 p.m. TBD (taped delayed)
22 Bethune-Cookman v. Florida A&M ESPN Classic 2 p.m. Live
(Florida Classic)

All times Eastern Time Zone

NSU Announces 2008-09 Track & Field Recruiting Class

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University men’s track and field coach Kenneth Giles announced Friday the addition of 11 athletes to his program, which has won the last three MEAC indoor and outdoor titles.

Giles signed an array of accomplished sprinters, hurdles, middle distance specialists and throwers who he feels will help NSU remain among the top track programs on the East Coast. The recruiting class includes two national champions and five state champions.

Leading the list of sprinters to join the Spartans is Sean Holston (Fairfax, Va./Robert E. Lee HS). Holston, a 2007 high school graduate who originally signed with Florida State, has enrolled at NSU and plans to join the track team this season. He won the 200 and 400 meters at the 2007 Nike Indoor National Championships. Holston clocked a meet-record time of 47.12 seconds in the 400, the seventh-fastest time ever run by a U.S. high school athlete. He went on to run a PR of 46.47 outdoors last year at the Southern Track Classic.

Holston, the 2007 Virginia (VHSL) outdoor champion in the 200 and 400, has also run personal-best times of 21.07 in the 200 and 10.59 in the 100. ,

“Sean could be the next Chris Brown for us,” Giles said, referring to the NSU All-American and current Olympian for the Bahamas. “Simply put, Sean is one of the top recruits we’ve ever had here.”

Sean Holston may re-write the MEAC record book before his career is over at NSU. In the 200 meter race on this clip, Spartans signee Thomas Speller finishes second to Holston for a 1-2 finish. Look out MEAC!


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Kids work with former MVP Steve McNair

A chance to learn some life lessons and brush up on some football skills, all while brushing shoulders with a local legend, brought some 700 youngsters out on a scorching-hot morning. The 10th annual Steve Air McNair Football Camp drew a large, enthusiastic crowd Friday to the University of Southern Mississippi campus, where the focus was on more than just football.

"We have a lot of people here talking about alcohol, drugs and crime," McNair said. "We touch a little of everything to try to get kids on the right track. It's about life. You can't succeed on the field if your life is not on track. Football comes second to that."

This is the first year the camp, which was free of charge, has come to the USM campus, after previously being held at Gulf Coast Community College, Alcorn State and in Nashville, Tenn., where McNair played for the Tennessee Titans.

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