Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL

Banks' book teaches history

Oree Banks has stood among giants.

In 30-plus years of coaching football, he has studied and coached with some of the all-time greats. Now, he's written about those giants. His new book, "Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL," recounts the exploits of the first seven black coaches inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and some of the players they coached.

In addition to Banks himself, who coached at West Virginia State and South Carolina State, the first coaches to enter the NAIA hall were Alonzo "Jake" Gaither, Florida A&M; Fred "Pop" Long, Paul Quinn College, Wiley College and Prairie View College; Harry Jefferson, Bluefield State, North Carolina A&T, Virginia State and Hampton College; Arnette W. Mumford, Jarvis Christian, Southern, Bishop and Texas College; Billy Nicks, Morris Brown and Prairie View A&M; and Eddie Robinson, Grambling University.

Banks, 67, coached at West Virginia State for seven seasons. He is retired from coaching but still teaches. He also conducts drug awareness seminars and has visited every college in the state to talk with student-athletes about drugs. In his quest to write the book, Banks spent three years doing research and traveling to the various colleges where the coaches worked. He thought it was important to tell the story of the struggles of black athletes and coaches in these historically black colleges in the days before desegregation.

"Today's young people need to learn the history of these coaches," he said. "These men all have a story to tell." He said he was surprised by some of the things he learned.

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Oree Banks is an associate professor, Health and Human Performance at West Virginia State University. The former head football coach is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and conducts drug awareness seminars for student athletes throughout the United States. Banks was head coach at West Virginia State and South Carolina State. He was one of the first full-time assistant coaches at the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia. Banks was also an assistant at Wisconsin and at Grambling State University, during a 30 year coaching career.

Rejuvenated Maxey helps Jackson State roll away with big road victory

Tigers bounce back from stunning loss to stay in contention for share of SWAC regular season championship

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -
Jackson State junior forward Grant Maxey was doubtful for Monday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff after being hit in the head last week and then going scoreless for the first time since his freshman year. But the second-leading scorer during SWAC play started and took all of one possession to eclipse that number - hitting a midrange jumper and looking like his normal self.

Maxey's presence plus a heavy dose of Darrion Griffin and Garrison Johnson kept Jackson State in the run for a possible share of the SWAC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament with a 75-66 victory at H.O. Clemmons Arena. "We still wanted to let Alabama State know we're a team to be reckoned with," Griffin said. "This was a message to the rest of the conference." JSU hosts the Hornets on Thursday.

The Golden Lions (11-17, 10-7) played the first half like there was blue blood in the water. JSU was coming off its first loss since Jan. 19 with Mississippi Valley State rallying from a 16-point deficit on Saturday. UAPB still could have stolen the No. 2 seed in the SWAC Tournament.

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ASU men on the cusp of SWAC title after win over Texas Southern

As Alabama State senior point guard Brandon Brooks walked off the Acadome floor for the final time in his ASU career, the partisan crowd gave Brooks the expected standing ovation. His coaches and teammates greeted him with hugs and high-fives. The public address announcer asked for more applause. None of those, however, were as telling as the reaction from Texas Southern head coach Tony Harvey.

Harvey, who had just watched Brooks orchestrate a 90-73 thumping of his Tigers, left his bench, walked past mid-court, got Brooks' attention with a slap on the backside and shook his hand. "That means so much -- to know that you've earned the respect of your peers like that," Brooks said. "That was a nice gesture and it meant a lot to me." Harvey's motivation was easy to spot Monday night.

While his numbers -- 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds -- don't jump off the stat sheet, Brooks was clearly in command in ASU's win. He controlled the flow of the game by pushing the ball early, as the Hornets jumped out to a 28-14 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. And he led the charge in the second half, as ASU recovered from a slump that allowed TSU to even the score and pushed its lead out to as many as 23 down the stretch.

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SPOTLIGHT: Bill would require Oregon universities to interview at least one minority football coach candidate

Oregon's bill would cover the six state universities with football teams: Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon and Southern Oregon.

The Oregon Legislature plans to introduce a bill this week that would require universities to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a head football coach. If it passes, Oregon would become the first state with such a law. House Bill 3118 is patterned after the NFL's Rooney Rule, which helped transform the league's head coaching ranks after being implemented in 2003. Oregon's bill aims to diversify hiring in major college football, where seven of 120 head coaches are minorities.

Richard Lapchick, founder and director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics In Sport at University of Central Florida, said the bill could push the NCAA to drop its resistance to enacting a similar rule. "I think it's very significant and very welcome by people who have been fighting for this for a long time," Lapchick said. Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, drafted the measure at the behest of constituent Sam Sachs, a former college football player and minority-rights activist.

"It seems to me it only makes sense," Greenlick said. "Because (the Rooney Rule) has had an effect and because I don't think minority coaches have been given a fair shake in Oregon, certainly in football." The bill contains an exception for a school "bound by contract to promote a member of the institution's current coaching staff." Call it the Oregon Out: In December, the Ducks promised their head coaching job to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly when Mike Bellotti becomes the school's athletic director.

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SU rides Spear, big fourth inning to 10-3 victory over PVAMU

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — Taking the mound on an early-but-crucial Sunday afternoon in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, Southern pitcher James Spear made sure the Jaguars didn’t stumble. The senior right-hander gave Southern its third straight quality start to begin SWAC play, allowing three runs in seven innings. Better yet, the Jaguars’ batting order erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning to topple Prairie View, 10-3 — clinching the first conference series of the season for SU.

“James Spear threw a lot of strikes and got the job done for us today,” Southern coach Roger Cador said. “It makes me feel awful good that we had all three of our starting pitchers have a good outing here so early (in the season). ... We have some other guys who we’re going to look at. But for them to pitch, it’ll be in midweek games and in mop-up situations in SWAC series.”

The Southern offense, meanwhile, came alive in the top of the fourth, chasing off Prairie View starter Brandon Kendricks in the process. Trailing 2-0, the Jaguars sent 14 batters to the plate and scored nine runs on five hits. SU drew three walks and took advantage of two Panthers errors in the inning.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: Connecticut Governor Calls Jim Calhoun Salary Tirade 'Embarrassing'

Connecticut governor Jodi Rell is the latest person to weigh in on the Jim Calhoun salary controversy, and the governor said Tuesday that she found Calhoun's response to a question about his status as the state's highest-paid employee "embarrassing." Said Rell of Calhoun's answer to a question about his salary, "I think if Coach Calhoun had the opportunity right now, he would welcome a do-over and not have that embarrassing display."

Rell, whose salary is $150,000, wouldn't directly answer whether she believes Calhoun should take a pay cut. Calhoun declined to answer when the Hartford Courant asked him about the governor's comments. Calhoun was asked at a weekend press conference about getting the biggest paycheck in a state that is currently running a deficit, and before the questioner could even finish asking, he interrupted with "not a dime back." He then lectured the questioner about the revenue that his team generates, and told the questioner to shut up.

Although the questioner (a political activist who got to the press conference with a photo pass) didn't conduct himself in a very professional manner, the underlying question is a legitimate one, and Calhoun is wrong to suggest that his own salary is above being questioned. Rell is right to call his response embarrassing.



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If there was ever a case for a salary rollback, Jim Calhoun should be at the top of the list. I wonder what percentage of his former basketball players earned their degrees and make over $100,000 annually? This guy is a $2 million dollar jerk!

-beepbeep

GSU, ASU win SWAC track

The Grambling men and Alabama State’s women took home team titles at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field championships on an afternoon when extracurricular activities caused a delay during the meet’s final day. The men’s competition was marred by a scuffle that broke out in the stands between the Southern and Jackson State squads following the 60-meter hurdles.

The cramped field-house seats, populated mainly with coaches and athletes, had meet officials scrambling to restore order. At the time, JSU and Southern were in second and third place, respectively, but both men’s squads were ultimately disqualified from the championship. All finishes by both men’s teams were deleted, with lower finishes moved up and point totals recalculated.

“I am extremely disappointed by today’s incident,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said in a statement released Sunday evening. “Championship events are to celebrate and reward the achievements of our student athletes. Today, the actions of those involved in the altercation have not exemplified that competitive spirit of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and its member institutions. This behavior is unacceptable, and we will investigate completely before taking further disciplinary action.”

SWAC Indoor Track and Field Results

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B-CU Beats FGCU 6-1 In Tournament Finale

By B-CU SID Mark Johnson

Freshman Lefty Starter Ali Simpson Pitches Solid Game -Now 2-0 on Season

Lefty starter Ali Simpson won on the second straight Sunday for B-CU pitching six innings of two hit ball allowing one run and striking out six for the win. The Campbell River, B.C. native freshman got the pitching win last Sunday vs. Southern University (10-4 win) in the MLB Urban Invitational in California.

"Ali was outstanding today," said B-CU Head Coach Meryvl Melendez. "He was throwing strikes and keeping them off balance, just like he did last week (vs. Southern University) last Sunday. I was proud of him and the way he pitched. We got timely hitting and scored early and put the opponent on their heals," said Melendez.

B-CU (4-4) led 5-1 after three innings, with run scoring hits from Alejandro Jimenez, Emmanuel Castro, and freshman catcher Peter O'Brien. O'Brien was 2-4 with 2 RBI and is B-CU's leading hitter through eight games with a .435 average (10-23). Freshman infielder Alejandro Sanchez was 3-4 with a RBI and sophomore Ryan Durrence was 2-4 with two runs scored.

"It was a good end to the tournament with a win and to get back on the winning track, " said Melendez. "We have been playing a lot of players, a lot of young players and they have played well for us against some tough competition." B-CU was 2-2 in the four games in Ft. Myers beating Towson University Thursday (12-4) and losing Friday to Boston College (10-5) and falling late Saturday night, 4-2 to Samford University.

Seniors Mark Brooks (2B) and Drew Clark (C) have been injured and will be day-today for the busy week ahead (6 games) for B-CU. DH/OF Chris Brown is nursing a hand injury and pitcher Rayan Gonzalez is injured as well in the early season.

The Wildcats next play Tuesday hosting Mercer, 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in a two-game series (game two - Wednesday at 6 p.m.). B-CU plays four games over the weekend in the Wildcat Tournament - Friday night vs. Xavier (7 p.m.), Saturday vs. Michigan State (7 p.m.) and again Sunday vs. the Spartans at noon. The tournament finale Sunday will face off Georgia State vs. the Wildcats, at 4 p.m.

Shannon Sharpe ready to embrace Savannah State again

MACON, GA - Shannon Sharpe recalls the day the late Bill Davis walked onto his family's yard in rural Tattnall County and delivered his simple recruiting pitch. "Son," Davis said, "I want to build Savannah State's football program around you." Now, 25 years later, Sharpe is hearing a similar spiel from his alma mater. He is out of eligibility as a player, but the football program is desperate for his public support, be it moral, financial or all of the above.

And just as Sharpe embraced the Tigers then, he's ready to do so again now. Finally.
Sharpe pledged Saturday to sit down with Savannah State's administration "soon" to discuss taking part in a ceremony to retire his jersey number. The retirement would be the first step toward ending a decade-long divorce between the school and the greatest athlete ever to wear its colors.



"We can move forward in that direction now," Sharpe said Saturday prior to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "For someone to think that the No. 2 jersey is so well-respected that they don't want anybody else to put it on is a huge honor, and I don't take it lightly." Savannah State officials won't take Sharpe's willingness to reconnect to the school lightly either. The school's athletic director, Bart Bellairs, breathed an audible sigh of relief when told of Sharpe's comments.

View dozens more images of Shannon Sharpe
View Shannon Sharpe's tribute case at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame



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North Carolina A&T Aggies clinch MEAC

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- N.C. A&T junior forward Jaleesa Sams made the best of Friends and Family night at Corbett Sports Center Saturday. Fifty-to-60 people from her hometown of New Castle, Pa., bused to Greensboro to watch her play. She rewarded their long trip by scoring a career-high 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting and had six rebounds and five steals to lead the A&T women's basketball team to an 84-60 win over Howard. The Aggies (21-6, 13-1 MEAC) clinched their second-straight MEAC regular-season title.

"I always play better with my family in the stands because they are my worst critics,'' Sams said. "I have no other choice but to play well. It was very important that I got out there and played. They told me if I didn't play tonight they weren't going to speak to me."

Aggies put together back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time and Coach Cage-Bibbs building strong case as the best coach in HBCU women's basketball ever!

Sams' outing was satisfying because she had missed the previous two games with a leg injury. She has missed seven games this season, and A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs was happy to see her back. "We were just happy to have Jaleesa back,'' Bibbs said. "The way Jaleesa played tonight, I wish all of our players would have a busload of people come in every time we play." The Aggies also got a lift from Ta'Wuana Cook. Cook came off the bench to score 12 points, dish out three assists and record three steals. Brittanie Taylor-James added 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the free throw line.

Box Score

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Johnson C. Smith sweeps CIAA titles

For Johnson C. Smith, this was time for reinvention. Virginia Union had beaten the Golden Bulls twice during the regular season, so a “tweak,” to use coach Steve Joyner's term, was essential. So he threw in a matchup zone Saturday that scrambled things just enough to pull off a 70-63 victory in the CIAA men's championship game. “Us changing up a bit, they did act a bit confused,” Joyner said after J.C. Smith held Virginia Union below 65. “Just enough confused.”

And just enough scoring, too. Jerry Hollis kept driving for 19 points, and Ryan Scott hit two 3-pointers – the first to build an 11--point lead and the second a game-saver – after Virginia Union had closed to four with 11/2 minutes left. Scott's dad, former NBA star Dennis Scott, was at Time Warner Cable Arena, but the Golden Bulls senior hadn't done much. He picked up two quick first-half fouls but knew he'd get his chance.

JSSU star Wendy Stywalt splits the defense to score a basket over Bowie State's Juliette Turner on way to a 49-36 win and the 2009 CIAA Championship. (YALONDA M. JAMES)

That's because Hollis was so effective (6-of-11 from the field and 7-of-10 from the foul line), Virginia Union had no choice but to contract its defense around him. “I knew I'd get my time,” said Scott, who had 13 points. “The way Jerry was working down-low, I just told him, ‘Let me know – I'm ready.'” Those times came with just under 10 minutes left – for a 51-40 edge – and with 1minute, 23 seconds left, after Virginia Union's Brandon Byerson made a 3 to cut J.C. Smith's lead to four.

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Transfers ready for Rattlers

Division I transfers Branden Curry and Jamil Paris have taken two very different paths to FAMU that brought them to a point where they'll have to prove themselves all over again. Curry said he made his move from Marshall to be a part of a winning program at a position where he'd be comfortable at right tackle. Paris turned to FAMU after he was dropped from Kentucky's football team following heart surgery. In less than a month, Curry and Paris, a defensive end, will begin competing for spots on the Rattlers football depth chart. For the two transfers, the start of spring workouts on March 23 can't come fast enough.
















FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor stands with the statue of legendary Rattlers coach Jake Gaither.

Thursday was the first day that Paris participated in off-season workouts with the team. Since his enrollment at FAMU, he's undergone a battery of medical exams and wasn't cleared to play until Wednesday. Anxiety got the best of him Wednesday night and he was the first player out for the 5:45 morning run, he said. "I have such a burning desire to get started," Paris said. "I have it in my head that FAMU is not going to lose a game this season and that's what I'm approaching this season with. I'm really excited."

Paris knows that his former Division-I status doesn't guarantee a starting position. Coach Joe Taylor's policy is that every player competes and their performance ratings determine their position on the depth chart.

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Mississippi Valley rallies past instate rival JSU

For Jackson State, wins are hard to come by in Itta Bena. That fact was evident Saturday night before a standing-room-only crowd (Attendance: 4,719) at the Harrison HPER Complex as Mississippi Valley State erased a 16-point second half deficit to rally past JSU for a 73-67 victory. "We've been able to fight back all year, but we haven't been smart enough to finish games," Valley head coach Sean Woods said. "We finished tonight. This shows we're getting better."

Valley first year head coach Sean Woods gets big win over Tigers.

Eric Petty helped lead the comeback for Valley (6-23, 6-10 in the SWAC) with 14 of his team-high 18 points coming in the second half. Shannon Behling also played a key role in the Delta Devils' rally, going for 10 of his 15 points after the break. JSU (13-14, 12-3), which hasn't won at Valley since 2006, saw its SWAC-high eight-game win streak snapped by its instate rival. Julius Cheeks came off the bench to score 13 for Valley, and point guard Dewayne Harmason had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

JSU center Jeremy Caldwell fouled out in the second half but not before scoring a team-high 25 points.Petty's strong play inside helped draw four second-half fouls on Caldwell.

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Southwestern Athletic Conference Update 3/1/09
TEAM CONF. W-L OVERALL W-L
Alabama State 14-1 17-8
Jackson State 12-3 13-14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10-6 11-16
Prairie View A&M 9-6 13-15
Southern University 8-8 8-20
Mississippi Valley State 6-10 6-23
Alabama A&M 5-10 7-16
Texas Southern 5-10 5-23
Grambling State 4-11 6-20
Alcorn State 4-12 6-23

Prairie View easy prey for ASU Hornets

Hornets senior Andrew Hayles

Alabama State seniors Andrew Hayles and Brandon Brooks celebrated Senior Night in style Saturday in a 64-49 rout of Southwest Athletic Conference rival Prairie View A&M at the ASU Acadome. Hayles led all scorers with 19 points, and Brooks contributed 17 points and eight assists. Sophomore Roland Fitch added 15 points, and junior Wesley Jones posted 12 rebounds.

Senior center Chief Kickingstallionsims turned in a solid defensive effort, making it difficult for any Prairie View player to get off an easy shot or drive the lane. Not a single Panther scored in double digits -- Alex Richman and Darnell Hugee each finished with nine points. With the win, the Hornets (17-8, 14-1 SWAC) remain at the top of the conference standings. The Panthers fall to 13-15 overall and 9-6 in the conference. The Hornets host SWAC rival Texas Southern at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

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UAPB Golden Lions jockey for SWAC position

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas - Those dreams of a No. 1 seed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament pretty much ended a month ago for Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Not too recently, a No. 2 spot became an impossibility as well. But the Golden Lions are looking at a possible third-place conference finish after polishing off Grambling State 69-61 Saturday at Clemmons Arena.

With two games left in the regular season, including an ESPNU televised home game with Jackson State tomorrow, Arkansas-Pine Bluff still can overtake Prairie View A&M for third place in the SWAC. Thanks to Prairie View A&M losing Saturday, the two teams are tied for third.

UAPB Golden Lions head basketball coach George Ivory

Better yet, the Golden Lions' offensive play Saturday hinted at a team peaking just in time for the postseason. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11-16, 10-6 SWAC) put the Tigers on their heels early, taking a 17-2 lead in the first seven minutes and shooting 59 percent from the floor in the first half. On the way, the Golden Lions revealed a new offensive wrinkle: three-point shooting.

One of the league's shakiest teams from behind the arc, Arkansas-Pine Bluff made five of nine three-point attempts in the first half, starting with an early one by Tyree Glass that put the Golden Lions up 8-0. "They've been working pretty hard at the threes," Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach George Ivory said. "They're better focused on offense."

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North Carolina A&T Aggies adds 3 recruits

North Carolina A&T has signed three more football players to grants in aid. Two recruits are from Tallahassee, Fla., which brings the total count of Tallahassee players in the 2009 recruiting class to four. The total number of players in head coach Alonzo Lee’s first recruiting class as the Aggies head coach stands at 25.

North Carolina A&T head coach Alonzo Lee

The Tallahassee signees are D’Vonte Graham (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) and Brandon Hoover (6-foot, 205 pounds). Graham, a defensive back, recorded 12 pass breakups and picked off three passes last season. On offense, he caught 30 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. “We’re looking for him to be outstanding cover corner for us,’’ Lee said. “He can definitely run. He has been clocked at 4.3 (seconds) in the 40. Plus, he comes from a high-caliber program that is routinely in the state playoffs.”

Hoover, a linebacker, made the 2008 All-State team. He also made the 2008 All Big Bend team. Over his career, Hoover recorded 225 tackles with nine of those stops coming behind the line of scrimmage. “He is another young man who’s going to bring tremendous speed to our team,’’ said Lee. “Hoover was just a steal, so we felt good about the opportunity to be able to land him. They played him at outside linebacker in high school even though he can play the strong safety position. He runs a 4.4 (seconds) in the 40, and we’ll likely look at him to play linebacker here.”

Ivan Coulton (6-foot-6, 235), a linebacker from Ahoskie’s Hertford County High, racked up 17 ½ sacks, 22 tackles for loss and broke up seven passes.

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Ex-Crabbers receiver returns to play for HU

Reginald "P.J." Hicks' long football road has brought him back home. Hicks, a former wide receiver for Hampton High, will play next season for Hampton University, completing a two-year odyssey that took him to Kansas and California. After concentrating on basketball for most of his high school career, Hicks played one season for Crabbers football coach Mike Smith, catching 23 passes for 458 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2006. The Crabbers went 9-1 in that regular season but lost their playoff opener.

"(Football) was just always something my mama always wanted me to do," Hicks said, and it ended up being his path to college — albeit a winding one. Hicks, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, first went to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, but couldn't find a spot on a roster crowded at his position. So he ended up at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif., where he played for one semester.

Hicks is one of four additions to the Pirates' 10-member 2009 signing class announced Feb. 4. The others are T.J. Patterson, a 5-11, 180-pound athlete from Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont, Texas; Jordan Stovall, a 6-2, 185-pound kicker/punter from River View High School in Elgin, S.C.; and Ken Overstreet, a defensive back from West Los Angeles College.

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'Drumline Live' brings marching band tradition to theater stage

"Drumline Live" brings the black marching band tradition to the theatrical stage for the first time in a 62-engagement U.S. tour, followed by dates in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

When actor Orlando Jones’ character in 2002’s “Drumline” urges his university marching band to “hit ‘em with a little ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’,” the band director’s not talking about serving up a sedate recital of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s famous 1900 orchestral work. This is musical warfare, and the operatic interlude’s dizzying sting of frenetic 16th-note runs becomes a weapon in a half-time battle to outdo high-stepping, percussion-pounding and brass-blasting opponents on the football field.

The film, starring Nick Cannon as a Harlem street performer recruited to join a drumline at a southern university, helped reignite interest in a tradition begun more than 50 years ago at Florida A&M University, where marching-band performances were as much about the high-energy music as the funky, athletic choreography.

“Drumline Live,” a stage show set to take over the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord (N.H.)on Wednesday, March 4, serves up a powerful drumroll in homage to that legacy with a cast of performers from some of the United State’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), institutions established prior to 1964 with the mission to educate black Americans.





NH Weekend recently asked “Drumline Live” creator and musical director Don P. Roberts about the powerhouse production, which features the rousing and rhythmic sounds of the likes of brass masters Earth, Wind and Fire and Tower of Power, along with contemporary hip-hop and R&B selections.

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Wichita Wild (IFL) add Alcorn State's OL Jammal Young

The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) has added two more players that should impact the team in 2009. The Wild signed former Kansas State defensive back Byron Garvin and former Alcorn State offensive lineman Jammal Young. Garvin was in mini-camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last May after going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Garvin's final season for the Wildcats was in 2007. Garvin played in nine games and recorded 42 tackles and two interceptions on the season. Garvin saw action in 12 games as a junior in 2006. The Miramar, FL native tallied 58 tackles, which ranked fifth on the team. Garvin scored the game-winning touchdown vs. Illinois State by returning a fumble. As a sophomore, Garvin started seven games and recorded 30 tackles. Garvin saw action in 11 games on special teams as a freshman.

Young started all but three games in his four years of college. His final season at Alcorn State was in 2008, where he was named to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Team. Young allowed only one sack in his two seasons with the Braves. Before attending Alcorn, Young started every game for two seasons at Coahoma Community College in Mississippi. In 2006, Young was named to All-Region First Team. He was also named Offensive Lineman of the Year for the Tigers. The Clarksdale, MS native stands at 6-4 and 320 lbs.

Fans are encouraged to call the Wild office at 316-440-5044 to reserve their seats in the brand new Hartman Arena for the 2009 season. Wild season tickets start at $98 for the entire season.

Indoor Football League (IFL) Wichita Wild

FAMU's McGriff and Williams signed by IFL Sioux City Bandits

Former Rattlers DB Earnest Williams

Sioux City,IA -- The Sioux City Bandits of the Indoor Football League are pleased to announce the final signings for the 2009 season announced today by Head Coach Jarrod DeGeorgia.

Earnest Williams: 5'10 190 Defensive Back from Florida A&M (the brother of current Bandit player, Buddy Williams) had an outstanding career at FAMU. Williams selected to play in the American Heritage Bowl at Cal State Fullerton in January 2008. During his senior season he compiled 58 tackles, a fumble recovery, and 1 interception. He finished his career with 171 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 7 pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries. In 2007, Williams was selected to the All-MEAC Second Team.

Tyrone McGriff: 6'0 230lb Defensive Line from Florida A&M. DeGeorgia will likely move the 6-foot, 230-pound McGriff from the defensive line to linebacker considering his coverage skills and instincts. The Bandits' second-year head coach is looking forward to training camp, where he believes McGriff will push Ralph Scott. McGriff was a 2-time All-Conference 1st team selection, 2006 All-American, and Team MVP his senior season. In his sophomore year, he was 4th in the nation in forced fumbles, and 5th in fumble recoveries. In addition, during the 2006 season he was named the 2006 Sports Network #4 Defensive End in the nation and also named the Conference player of the week 4 times.

Efi Eyo: 6-1 195lb Quarterback. Eyo has experience in the indoor game, which Coach DeGeorgia is excited about. While at Division 3 Benedictine College, he was 77 for 130 for 1,706 yards and 15 touchdowns. Eyo has worked out at several pro-days for teams such as the Washington Redskins and AF2 Austin Wranglers. He also played for the Evansville Bluecats of the UIF in 2007. He played in 8 games for the Wichita Wild in 2008, including 6 starts. He's noted for having run a 4.42 40 yard dash at his Pro Day Workout.

Milton Moses: 6-6, 208lb Defensive Back from Concordia College - Chicago. Moses was an All-Conference track athlete at Concordia. Over his career at Concordia, he had 166 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 forced fumbles. His senior season (2007-2008) he was named to the 2nd team all conference and was named the Defensive Team MVP as well as the team's hardest hitter. Moses was ranked 7th in the nation in solo tackles.

Tayler Michels: 6-0, 220 Defensive Back from Minnesota Crookston College. His junior season at Minnesota he had 66 tackles and 3 interceptions. Michels' senior season included 56 tackles and 2 interceptions. In his last three seasons at Minnesota Crookston, he ended up 9th on the list of tackles for the college, and is 5th on the career interception list. He was nominated for Male Athlete of the Year at Crookston College in 2007 and 2008.

The Bandits start Training Camp on Feb. 27 and open the 2009 regular season on March 15th, at the Billings Outlaws. Home opener is scheduled for March 21st, with the Bloomington Xtreme at the Tyson Events Center.

Indoor Football League (IFL) Sioux City Bandits

Washington Named Prairie View A.D.

Retaining Cooper-Dyke Top Priority

Fred Washington takes over as the permanent athletics director at Prairie View A&M after serving for 11 months as the interim. Washington replaced Charles McClelland when he left for a similar position at Texas Southern University. "I was originally going to continue as the interim athletics director until Aug. 31, 2009," Washington said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "After meeting with Dr. Wright (school president George Wright) I agreed to continue as the athletics director on a full-time basis and we don't have an end date on it.

"I've been really satisfied with the the coaching staff that we have and the commitment that we have from the university and from the Texas A & M system that we are a part of." Panthers athletics has achieved unprecedented success on Washington's watch. Head Coach Henry Frazier led Prairie View's football team to a 9-1 record in 2008, the school's finest season in 50 years.

In women's basketball Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has the Lady Panthers in first place in the SWAC and in position to capture their third consecutive league championship. In 2007, in just her second year on the job, Cooper-Dyke led the Lady Panthers to their first winning season in school history, a share of the conference title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

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UD-DSU Agree on Historic Four-Game Football Series

DOVER, Del.- Delaware State University and the University of Delaware announced Tuesday that they have reached a formal agreement that will result in the scheduling of four future football contests. In a joint announcement made by DSU acting President Claibourne D. Smith and UD President Patrick T. Harker at Delaware State's Administration Building, the two universities will play a series of games that will take place on Sept. 8, 2012, Sept. 7, 2013 and Sept. 6, 2014. All three games will be played at the University of Delaware's 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium.

The series will kickoff this fall when the two schools will play a scheduled game on Sept. 19, 2009 at Delaware Stadium. The game time and ticket information will be released later this spring. The 2009 game came about when Furman announced earlier this month that it was dropping out of a scheduled Sept. 19 game at Delaware earlier this month in order to schedule a game at the University of Missouri on that date. In addition to Smith and Harker, also taking part in the announcement were Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler, and DSU head coach Al Lavan.

The DSU Hornets and the UD Blue Hens played for a historic first time in 2007 when both teams earned bids to play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Series. The first round game, won by the Blue Hens by a 44-7 score, drew a Delaware Stadium playoff record crowd of 19,765, was broadcast live nationally on ESPN, and generated extensive local and national media attention.

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Ex-Norfolk State football coach Dick Price dies at 75

NSU's William "Dick" Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia

Dick Price, who took Norfolk State University football to new heights and is enshrined in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, died Monday at the age of 75 after a long battle with cancer. Price, born in the Norfolk neighborhood of Lamberts Point, was Norfolk State's winningest football coach. His teams compiled a 61-42-4 record between 1974 and 1983 and won three consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships in the mid- '70s. In 1997, the school named its new football stadium after him.

"During Dick Price's era, that's when Norfolk State football took off," said Bill Archie, a former football coach and athletic director at the school, who hired Price as his assistant in 1962. Price, who served as director of athletics after leaving coaching, also led the school's track team to Division II national championships in 1973 and '74. Because Norfolk State did not have a track at the time, Price's sprinters went through their paces on the sidewalks and streets adjacent to campus. Despite the unusual training situation, Price developed several All-Americans, including Olympic gold medalist Steve Riddick.

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Caldwell, former athletics director, hires attorney to get his job back with WSSU

Chico Caldwell, fired as Winston-Salem State's athletics director on Feb. 9, has hired an attorney and is hoping to get paid for the last two years of his contract. Chancellor Donald Reaves fired Caldwell, saying he wanted "fresh ideas" for the athletics department. Caldwell, who hired Robert Elliot as his attorney, had contract worth about $125,000 a year. Elliot said that Caldwell is due the rest of the money on his contract.

"We feel there was no cause for termination," Elliot said. "…Chico really wants to feel whole again and get this behind him." Elliot said that he and Caldwell have sent a letter to WSSU officials hoping to resolve the situation. Elliot also released a statement detailing Caldwell's accomplishments during his eight years of service to WSSU. The statement outlines Caldwell's arguments that his firing was unjustified. "Chancellor Reaves has announced that he wished to replace Dr. Caldwell with a new athletics director of his choosing," the statement reads.

"Given Dr. Caldwell's performance, there is no justifiable cause for Chancellor Reaves' action which constitutes a break of Dr. Caldwell's employment contract." A spokesman in Reaves' office said that Reaves would not comment about the firing or the contract status. Caldwell's statement said that he remains committed to Winston-Salem State. "While Dr. Caldwell will exercise all legal remedies available to him to correct this wrongful action, he remains committed and loyal to Winston-Salem State which he has served so well for the last eight years," the statement said.

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MEAC gives green light to expansion

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced late Monday afternoon that it is lifting a moratorium on expansion and now will consider applications for membership from N.C. Central and Savannah (Ga.) State. N.C. Central has long felt that its transition from NCAA Division II to Division I would be made easier if it could join a conference. NCCU submitted an application to the MEAC in December 2006. "Getting into a conference will definitely enhance our sports programs, particularly in the areas of recruiting, increased revenues, consistent travel schedules and fan support," NCCU's athletic director, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, said in a prepared statement.

If the MEAC isn't officially closing the door on applications from other schools, NCCU and Savannah State certainly are first in line. For one thing, both play football, and the MEAC wants to add two football schools to its current 10. Overall, the league plans to expand from 12 members to 14. "Obviously, you can go to divisional play [in football]," commissioner Dennis Thomas said in a phone interview. Plus, "we need a Georgia presence," Thomas added, though insisting he wasn't referring to a specific school. With expansion, he said, "now we would have three institutions in the state of North Carolina."

The conference implemented a moratorium so it could come up with an expansion plan.

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