MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review

Alcorn State University
Police: Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was murdered

The death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was a homicide, though police said Sunday they have not classified the death of woman who was involved in a romantic relationship with him. Police found McNair, 36, and Sahel Kazemi, 20, fatally shot in a condominium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday afternoon after receiving a phone call about an injured person. McNair was shot twice in the head and twice in the chest, while Kazemi was shot once in the head, Nashville Metropolitan Police Department Spokesman Don Aaron told reporters Sunday after announcing the autopsies were complete.

Asked whether the shooting was a murder-suicide, Aaron said investigators had ruled out nothing. "I would expect that it would be a number of days before the classification is placed on Miss Kazemi's death," he said. McNair, a married father of four, and Kazemi "apparently were involved in a dating relationship over the past several months," Aaron said...



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Delaware State University
Hornets bowling coach resigns

Kim Terrell-Kearney had been one of the best-kept secrets at Delaware State University the past two years as coach of the women's bowling team. But on Tuesday, Terrell-Kearney stepped down to take a position with the United States Bowling Congress in Arlington, Texas.

"It was a tough decision to leave Delaware State because of the wonderful student-athletes and staff I was privileged to work with the past two years," Terrell-Kearney said. "I'm grateful to the university administration and athletic department for the support which enabled the bowling program to reach new heights. "The student-athletes in the DSU bowling program are among the best in the country, and I'm certain they will continue to bring pride to the university."

Last season, Terrell-Kearney guided the Hornets to a school-record 119 wins against 38 losses and their first appearance in the NCAA Women's Bowling Tournament. Delaware State advanced to the semifinals, two wins shy of the national championship. Terrell-Kearney was named the 2008-'09 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference coach of the year after guiding the Hornets to their first MEAC Tournament championship in March...



Touring professional, Kimberly Terrell-Kearney, ends her second year as Delaware State head bowling coach. The winner of the prestigious 2008 U.S. Women’s Open championship, she coached DSU bowling to its greatest achievements in Hornet history.

Terrell-Kearney Accomplishments:

• Guided the Hornets to a school-record 119 wins against 38 losses and their first appearance in the NCAA Women's Bowling Tournament


• Terrell-Kearney was named the 2008-'09 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference coach of the year after guiding the Hornets to their first MEAC Tournament championship in March '09.


• Terrell-Kearney posted a 193-85 record, including a 48-9 mark in MEAC play, during her two-year stint at DSU.


• Coached four all-conference selections, including 2008-09 MEAC rookie of the year Adriana Jaime, eight academic all-conference honorees, and four NCTA All-Americans.


• First Delaware State coach in any sport to earn a victory in an NCAA postseason contest.


• Delaware State advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals, two wins shy of the national championship.


• The Hornets defeated defending NCAA Division I National Women Bowling Champions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore to win the 2009 MEAC Championship.

Florida A&M University
Basketball coach Harris expects Rattlers to play bigger

Florida A&M men's basketball coach Eugene Harris hopes he's found the cure for what ailed his team most last season in his second class of recruits that are mostly big men. The list includes four junior college transfers, three who are expected to give the Rattlers the inside presence they sorely lacked during Harris' second season as coach.

Jeremy Lightfoot, a transfer from Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss., comes as the most heralded of the big men. The 6-foot-9 post player was a key contributor in the Bulldogs' postseason in the NJCAA regional playoffs. Lightfoot's teammate Diamon Alexander (6-foot-6) is expected to give FAMU the strength it didn't have at wing. The two other junior college transfers are Chris Walker, a 6-foot-6 guard from Selma, Ala., and Rasheem Jenkins (6-foot-1) who played point guard last season at Panola Junior College in Texas. FAMU also signed Travis Wallace (6-6) who played forward at Campbell High School in Cobb County, Ga., Amin Stevens (6-6) of Mount Vernon Presbyterian in Roswell, Ga., and Nikko Acosta (6-8) from Hartford, Conn.




FAMU's Funderburk rediscovers his confidence

Jarvis Funderburk didn't shy away from the question about what has been holding him back during the past three seasons. He mentioned everything from a detected heart murmur to a hamstring and other injuries. Then he got to the issue that might have led to some of the injuries that slowed his progress as a receiver on FAMU's football team. "I was questioning myself. Why me?" he said. "Then, came the blame factor but when I was down and couldn't get any lower, something kicked in."

The spark was a burst of confidence. It showed this past spring when Funderburk, who did a stint with the practice squad, caught more than 75 percent of the balls thrown in his direction. Funderburk said his awakening occurred last season when he found himself on the bench after participating in the coin toss. All he has to show for the limited action he got in six games was minus-4 yards. He began to look for answers, he said, calling on his mentors. They weren't enough, as Funderburk turned to a high power. He began attending church more often and every sermon he heard seemed personal, he said.

Rocker joins former prep teammate Jacobs at FAMU

Former North Marion High running back Eddie Rocker has begun taking summer courses and participating in workouts at Florida A&M University. The all-state back will pay his own way this season, but the FAMU staff has promised to get him on scholarship by next year. “They had given out all of their scholarships,” Rocker explained. “So they asked me to walk on my freshman year, then I would get a scholarship for the next three years.”

It’s a common enough theme for Rocker, who said had offers from Boston College, Tulsa, Temple and Ball State during his senior season. The running back said he was confused as to when he needed to commit, and by the time he decided, the slots had been filled. Rocker rushed for 1,501 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, even though he battled a hamstring injury throughout the season. “I think (FAMU) is a good fit,” Rocker said. “They like to run the ball a lot, so as a running back, I like that.”

Rocker found a familiar face on the Tallahassee campus in the form of another former North Marion running back, Andre Jacobs, who was a high school senior when Rocker was a freshman. Jacobs had a breakout spring game for the Rattlers and will also be battling for playing time this fall. For now, Rocker is taking three summer courses and making team workouts a priority as he starts working his way up the depth chart. “I know I’ve got to work hard,” Rocker said. “Nothing is going to be given to me.”

Trip to homeland in Nigeria helps FAMU backup QB be content

Two years ago Martin Ukpai took a trip to Nigeria that is helping him put his situation as a FAMU quarterback in perspective. Ukpai redshirted his first year, then spent last season on the scout team. He worked his way from sixth to third on the depth chart, but as he prepares for the upcoming preseason camp, there is an ever-present reminder in starter Curtis Pulley and backup Eddie Battle that Ukpai is still a quarterback in waiting. Reflecting on the Nigeria trip that he took in 2007 to his parents' homeland, Ukpai said seeing people endure lives without some basic necessities makes him appreciate where he is on the football team. In a sense, he views it like him going from being a high school starting quarterback to one who has to wait his turn.

Savannah State University
Conference officials visit SSU

Savannah State University on Tuesday continued its pursuit of joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference by playing host to an official site visit by members of the historically black NCAA Division I conference. MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas and other conference representatives met with members of SSU's administration and athletic department, and toured the Tigers' athletic facilities. SSU paid the MEAC a $10,000 non-refundable application fee in 2005. The Tigers have competed as an NCAA Division I Independent without conference affiliation since leaving the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2002.

"We need to be a member of a conference and the MEAC seems to be an ideal match for us," SSU President Earl Yarbrough said before attending a luncheon inside Tiger Arena. "We've been doing everything we can to try and make sure we're attractive to the MEAC and, hopefully, they're attracted to us." The MEAC does not have a Georgia school among its 12 members.

Sports with Walter Moore: What Does SSU Offer the MEAC?

Officials from the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) visited the campus of Savannah State University (SSU) earlier this week. MEAC officials are thinking about conference expansion while SSU officials are looking for a place to call home. Let’s take a look at what SSU has to offer.

Founded in 1890, SSU is the oldest public historically black college in Georgia and sits on 173 acres of land. Amidst the mossy oaks, one can pick from over 20 undergraduate majors and four graduate programs. Enrollment hit its highest peak during fall 2008 at 3,456. Forty-one percent of those enrolled were from the Savannah metro area while 19 percent hailed from the Atlanta metro area. Fiftyeight percent of the enrollment is made up of females and five percent are nonblacks.

Academically, Savannah State student-athletes are doing well in the classroom. During the 2007- 08 academic year, 31 athletes made the Honor Roll, 14 were on the Dean’s List and two made the President’s List. During the 2008-09 school term, 42 made the Honor Roll, 19 were on the Dean’s List and one made the President’s List. Athletically, SSU offers 15 sports and just ended a three-year NCAA probation for rule violations. SSU has been Division I since 2002 and excuses are beginning to run out on why the program has a hard time competing in the league.

North Carolina A&T State University
Aggies invited to preseason WNIT

Fresh off its first conference championship in 15 years, the N.C. A&T women's basketball team has been invited to play in the Preseason NIT this November. An invite to a tournament of this magnitude is truly an honor,'' said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs, who is heading into her fifth season. "Out of roughly 300 Division I schools, we are one of 16 teams invited. It shows the women's college basketball world is paying attention to this program and what it has accomplished over the past few seasons. This will be an outstanding experience for my ladies."

Ten of the 16 teams in the field played in the NCAA tournament last season, including Arkansas-Little Rock, Bowling Green, Florida Gulf Coast, Georgia Tech, New Mexico, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Winthrop and Marist. Also in the field are Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Northern Colorado, Towson and UTEP. Each team is guaranteed three games. The Aggies, who broke a one-year-old school record for wins last season by going 26-7 (15-1 MEAC) will open the tournament at Marist on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The winner will move on to play the winner of the Towson at West Virginia matchup.

South Carolina State University
SCSU hoops adds coach, loses player

One big addition. One major subtraction. That is the word coming out of the South Carolina State men’s basketball program. The good news. Thursday, Bulldogs head coach Tim Carter confirmed that he replaced former assistant Kyle Perry with Dwight Evans. The bad news. Jimmy Williams, an All-MEAC freshman team member this season, has decided to transfer to a junior college. “(Williams) called me and told me that he really felt like he could go to a higher-level program,” Carter said. “So, he’s going to transfer to a JUCO, play for a year, and then hopefully transfer to a bigger school.” Williams (6-4, 195), started 17 of the 24 games he played in for S.C. State, averaging 7.8 points per game. He led the team in assists with 69 and was third on the team in steals with 23.

“He was one of the top five freshman in the league this past year so that’s going to be a (heck) of a loss for us,” Carter said. “It happens a lot. That is one of the reasons why you want your players with you in summer school. You can keep them around you, especially a guy as good as he is. “We signed Devon McBride and Shaq Barber (two incoming guards), but I would have never thought we were losing Jimmy. It hurts. He is a tremendous player.”

Jamison becomes second H-K-T receiver to commit to S.C. State

The proclamation of Schawn Jamison as the best wide receiver at the Garden City Shootout last Friday came on a play where he didn’t even catch the pass thrown his way. Jamison (6-1, 150), a star receiver for Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, had just let a pass from quarterback Montaurus Gleaton skip off his fingertips during the waning moments of his team’s 7-on-7 game against the Woodland Wolverines when a Woodland coach looked back toward his sideline and made the announcement. “That’s the best receiver in this camp,” the coach said. “Did you see the routes he’s been running?”

Apparently, the South Carolina State Bulldogs have seen those routes. Wednesday, Jamison, who had 39 receptions for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns, became the second rising senior receiver for H-K-T to commit to play for the Bulldogs, joining teammate D’twane Fulmer (6-3, 195) who announced his plans to join the Bulldogs in May. “State has a lot of history behind it,” Jamison said during a break in the action at Wednesday’s passing league at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. “I thought that it would be an honor to attend South Carolina State.”

Jamison said he and Fulmer discussed the decision to attend SCSU, which happens to be the alma mater of their head coach, former Bulldogs’ star Jermaine Derricott. “We discussed that and we thought it would be great for both of us to stay together and stay true to Derricott’s system,” he said.

SCSU doing what good teams do

No doubt, this summer has been different on the campus of South Carolina State University. Due to the economic downturn, there was less money to go around and that meant less players on campus for summer school and fewer player-organized summer workouts. With Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman scheduled to open the season -- two road games in six days -- you can bet the turn of events has made for a few sleepless nights for Buddy Pough.

“It could be disastrous for us to not be able to condition our kids and to let them do some of the throwing exercises and drills that they can do among themselves that we’ve done the previous 3-4 summers here,” Pough said in an article in The T&D on June 11. “I’m kind of shaking in my shoes a little bit because the people that we play early will all be further along than us if the situation goes on right now as it looks like it probably will.”

But in tough times, strong teams pull together, and Bulldogs’ standout linebacker Marshall McFadden says that’s what the defending MEAC champions are doing. McFadden estimates around 25 Bulldogs are on campus and working out. Yes, that’s fewer than in past years. “It is a concern to a certain extent, but we have trust in our guys that if they are not going to be here, they are at home working out,” McFadden said after wrapping up a workout Monday afternoon. “Me and Markee (Hamlin) send out texts to make sure everybody is working out and things like that. Hopefully, everybody is on the same page. When they get here we will find out.”

Jackson State University
Shasta Averyhardt wins first professional title

SUNCOAST SERIES: Former JSU golfer Shasta Averyhardt of Flint, Mich., earned her first professional title in the SunCoast Ladies Series tournament that wrapped up Thursday at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden. Averyhardt finished at 222 (72-73-77). Jackie Barenborg of Vero Beach shot a final-round 1-under-par 71 to place second while posting a 223 (75-77-71). Anna Green of Fort Pierce tied for fourth at 226 (70-80-76) and amateur Elizabeth Alger of Tequesta was sixth at 231 (82-77-72).

Tennessee State University
Defensive back Wylie leaving Miami for Tennessee State...

Joseph Wylie spent just one season at the University of Miami. The school announced July 1, 2009 that Wylie has been released from his scholarship. "Freshman safety Joe Wylie has been granted his release by the University of Miami to transfer to Tennessee State University," the school said in a news report. "Wylie played in three games during his freshman season in 2008 (Charleston Southern, Georgia Tech and Duke)." Wylie was a three-star safety prospect coming out of Boyd Anderson High and signed with Miami after considering offers from schools like Ole Miss, Colorado, Auburn and South Carolina.

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MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review

Jackson State University
Giles speed burns Alouettes in Montreal

The CFL Grey Cup Champs, Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie RB Levarus Giles was impressive in his pre-season game at the Montreal Alouettes. The former JSU Tiger star ran for a 77-yard TD on a draw play. "He's a burner," said quarterback Stefan LeFors. "He's got speed to kill. I just saw a little crease in there, he hit it and he's gone and it's fun watching a back like that getting into the open field and outrun people."

Giles, by the way, comes by his speed honestly as he also ran track at Jackson State. "I ran the 100 and the 200 (metre races)," he said. "I ran a 10.4 100 and a 24.60 in the 200 ... I won the gold in the SWAC conference in the 100 and the 200." Giles also returned three kickoffs for 71 yards. "I did kickoff returns in college so I can do that, too," he said.

Lavarus Giles and Yvenson Bernard, both battling veteran Fred Reid for a job at running back, ran in TDs for the Bombers, while Alexis Serna kicked three field goals. The Montreal Alouettes downed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 31-27 in pre-season play on Tuesday night. Winnipeg used three quarterbacks in a long grind of a game to watch for the 20,202 fans at sold-out Percival Molson Stadium.

AD's Contract Up On Tuesday

The contract for athletic director Bob Braddy is set to expire Tuesday. A former longtime JSU baseball coach, Braddy has led the JSU athletic department for three full athletic years and the program has won the SWAC Commissioner’s Cup for performance across all sports each of those years. Braddy wants to return and president Ronald Mason has said he expects to bring Braddy back. Still, if nothing changes, Braddy will not be under contract after Tuesday. “We are family, we’re on talking terms,” Braddy said.

Florida A&M University
Ferrell enrolls at FAMU



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Former FAMU High football player Willie Ferrell has enrolled at Florida A&M University and intends to play for the football team, FAMU High head coach Ira Reynolds confirmed on Wednesday. Ferrell signed a letter-of-intent with Mississippi, but Reynolds said the linebacker has decided to remain home for personal reasons. A call to Ferrell was not returned. According to Reynolds, Ferrell indicated he would have to sit out one year before playing for the Rattlers because he had broken his contract with Ole Miss.

"He's excited about playing at FAMU," Reynolds said. "I know his mom is a season-ticket holder, so he grew up going to FAMU games. And I think he's excited about getting a chance to play with his brother (and sophomore defensive back), Jonathan, again." Originally, Ferrell had committed to Louisiana State, but when signing day came in February, Ferrell sided with the Rebels. Ferrell was a first-team selection to the Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend team as a junior and senior. During his senior year he finished with 174 tackles. Ferrell was the 33rd-ranked linebacker in the nation and the 75th-ranked player in Florida by Rivals.com. ESPN analysts rated him the No. 6 inside linebacker in the country, and Scout.com listed him as the 13th-ranked linebacker recruit. "What (Florida A&M) is getting is a four-star athlete that many teams in their division don't get, and he wants to be there," Reynolds said.

EXPERTS VIEW ON FERRELL: Willie Ferrell - College Football Recruiting 2009 - ESPN

Knight back for a 5th season at FAMU

Javares Knight had every reason not to come back to play a fifth year at receiver for FAMU. His right knee was so banged up last season that it required surgery. On top of that, he will have to compete against some receivers who had a solid spring to maintain his status as one of the Rattlers' go-to guys. Plus, he'll have graduate classes to concentrate on. All that, and Knight, who took a redshirt in his freshman year and graduated this spring, didn't agonize over whether he'll exercise his fifth-year option.

Counting the two years he played at Lincoln before finishing his high school career at FAMU High, he could have easily said farewell to football. "The decision wasn't hard to make because I felt like I have all my life to work (a career) but I only have four to five years to get that college experience," he said. "I also feel like we're going to have a special year this season so I want to be a part of that. I feel like everything is going to be an explosion for us."

Lincoln graduate transfers from Stanford to FAMU

Beads of sweat rolling down Padric Scott arms, neck and face said a lot about how much the defensive lineman wants to impress coaches at FAMU. He didn't waste much time either. Just a few weeks after transferring from Stanford University, the former Lincoln High School standout is already going hard during FAMU's conditioning drills. "I want to make the biggest contribution possible," Scott said. "I want to try my best, work the hardest that I can and get back in top shape to help the team out. I'm looking forward to being on the field and helping the Rattlers go 12-0."

Scott, a 6-foot-1, 286-pound Tallahassee native, redshirted his freshman season last year at Stanford and was expected to earn playing time this fall. But the distance from home and a strained relationship with his coaches prompted his move to FAMU, he said. "Sometimes me and my coach didn't see eye to eye," he said. "That was pretty much the gist of it." Playing at FAMU was a childhood dream, but the opportunity to go west and be part of a winning program weighed heavily in his decision. His admiration for co-defensive coordinator Earl Holmes and the influence of receiver Isaac West, a former Lincoln teammate, made the decision to come to FAMU easy, he said.

Padric Scott moves into his dormitory for summer school at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, June 21, 2008. The Tallahassee native is now a resident at Florida A&M, where the Rattlers, under Coach Joe Taylor are vying for the Division I FCS National Championship.

FAMU's Reed will get a chance to contribute

After every practice last season, defensive lineman Lymon Reed took a stroll up an incline path between FAMU's practice field and the field house. He was usually alone with a pensive look in his eyes. He had quite a bit to think about: He was projected to be a cog on the Rattlers defensive line, but instead he was ineligible to play. Those post-practice walks weren't always easy on the eve of a game. "It made me think about being a student first before being the athlete," Reed said. "It made me feel like I let my teammates down in terms of what we wanted to get done."

Reed, a senior, will get his chance to contribute this season. He said he found his in the classroom, regaining the scholarship he'd lost. He said he's spending less time in front of his television and avoiding other distractions. Having to sit out an entire season was a hard lesson, he said. "That whole process just reiterated to me that I've got to put it down in the classroom before I put it down on the field," he said. Indeed he put it down on the field in 2007. Reed recorded 45 tackles, 11.5 for loss. He made 10 tackles against Southern and in two other games had seven. "He is probably one of the quickest guys I've seen at that position," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "He doesn't stay blocked."

Delaware State University
DSU Women's Basketball Signs Four

Delaware State University head women’s basketball coach Ed Davis has announced four additions to the Lady Hornets for the 2009-10 season. Guard/forward Crystal Pitt (fr. - Ft. Washington, MD), forward Kianna D’Oliveira (fr. - Newport News , VA), guard Jamarra Robinson (jr. - Ft. Pierce , FL), and center Uchechi Ahaiwe (fr. - Riverdale, MD) recently signed the National Letter of Intent to attend Delaware State this fall. Pitt (5-7) averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 4.1 steals per-game as a senior at National Christian Academy (MD) last season.

D’Oliveria (5-10) was a Daily Press (VA) All-District Second Team selection after averaging 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds-per-game during her senior year at Woodside High School last season. Robinson (5-8) joins the Lady Hornets after two seasons at Palm Beach Community College in Florida . During the 2008-09 season, she led PBCC in scoring (9.9 ppg), assists (4.2 pg) and steals (2.6 pg), and was second in rebounding (6.2 pg). She was a two-time All-Florida Southern Conference First Team selection and team MVP. Ahaiwe (6-3) was an All-Prince George’s County Second Team selection and Prince George's County Senior All-Star at Bladensburg High School last season.

“I believe we addressed some critical team needs with this incoming class,” said Davis, who is 156-115 in nine seasons as head coach of the Lady Hornets. “This group will bring much needed speed and athleticism to our squad.” Delaware State was 15-15 overall and finished third in the MEAC regular season with an 11-5 record in league play last season. The Lady Hornets must replace last year’s starting guards Keyhana Wakefield and Jameka Smith, along with center Thea Littlepage. Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations

Mississippi Valley State University
MVSU signs four for 2010 softball campaign

The Mississippi Valley State women's softball team announces its initial four signees for the 2010 season. MVSU head coach Lee Smith hopes that the initial group of signees will become vital parts to the program as the Devilettes look to defend their six consecutive SWAC softball titles. “We were looking for ladies who fit our mold of aggressive players both at the plate and in the field,” said Smith. “We are continuing to build our program with the goal of having a successful 2010 season.”

Kimberly Spivey, a 5-foot-5 pitcher/utility from Dallas, Texas, comes to the Devilettes with an impressive resume. The Hillcrest High School product built an 84-17 overall record over her four seasons with Hillcrest. During her senior season, she was 18-1 with a 0.47 earned run average. She was Pitcher of the Year, first-team all-district and most valuable player for four consecutive seasons. Outstanding in the classroom, she also was a member of the A-B honor roll each academic high school year. Spivey currently plays travel softball for Texas Fusion Gold.

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
UAPB Athletics Department Announces The Hiring of Shelton

University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Director Athletic Louis "Skip" Perkins Jr. has announced the hiring of Cary Shelton to the position of head women's basketball coach. He will officially begin the post effective July 1st. "We're very excited to be able bring in a coach of the caliber of Coach Shelton," said Perkins. "We believe he will be able to take the women's basketball program to new and improved heights."

Shelton has been a member of the UAPB Athletics Department for the past four years serving as an assistant coach on both the men's and women's basketball teams. Last season he served as the number two assistant coach on a team that finished with a 10-8 conference record marking the first time in school history the program concluded the regular season with a winning mark in SWAC play. Shelton was also instrumental in the player development of Ciara Shields (2008-09 SWAC Defender of the Year) and Shay Holmes (2008-09 SWAC Newcomer of the Year). In addition he has played a vital role in the programs recruiting efforts as he helped the program land some of the top women's basketball recruits in the state and around the country. UAPB Sports Information

Coleman's Tournament Brings Celebrites to Pine Bluff

Many athletic celebrities will be flocking to Pine Bluff this weekend. The second installment of Arkansas-Pine Bluff football coach Monte Coleman’s celebrity golf tournament will bring about a dozen former professional athletes from both the NFL and NBA, UAPB athletic director Skip Perkins said. Coleman, who played 16 seasons with the NFL’s Washington Redskins and won three Super Bowls, has invited several of his former Washington teammates to Southeast Arkansas this weekend. Among those expected to attend are Tony Peters, who won multiple Super Bowl rings with the Redskins in a 10-year pro career; Vernon Dean, who was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 1982 NFL draft; and Ken Coffey. Perkins said Redskin Hall-of-Famers Art Monk and Darrell Green were also invited but unable to attend because of previous church commitments.

Other celebrities attending are Keith Jackson, a Little Rock-native who was a college All-American at Oklahoma and played nine seasons in the NFL, while winning a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers; Jackie Harris, a Pine Bluff-native who played 12 seasons in the NFL; Ceasar Belser, who played for UAPB when it was known as AM&N College and also played in the NFL; former NBA player Dennis Scott; and local television personality Matt Mosler.

“We have a stellar group of guys that are going to come and help support the Golden Lions,” Coleman said. Proceeds from the tournament will go to furnish new weight equipment for the J. Thomas May Fieldhouse, Perkins said, adding that after costs, the UAPB athletic department expected to raise a little more than $15,000.

RETROSPECT: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Marching Musicial Machine of the Mid South (M4) at President Barack Obama's Inauguration parade 1/20/2009, Washington, D.C.

The M4 students had an experience of a life time performing for President Obama and countless millions of viewers globally.



Alabama A&M University
A&M baseball coach resigns

Martin to focus on duties as football assistant coach ...
A month after helping Alabama A&M return to the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament for the first time since 2000, Jay Martin has resigned as the Bulldogs' baseball coach. Martin, who also doubled as the inside linebackers coach for the A&M football team, said he was eager to return to the football field on a full-time basis.

"I'm a football coach first and foremost, and that's where I belong," said Martin, who compiled a 31-99 record during his three seasons as the baseball coach. "I enjoyed my time working with the baseball team and the guys deserve a lot of credit for making the tournament, but they deserve a full-time coach. "They shouldn't have to share a coach, and I hope the administration will see that that won't happen again." The program made strides under Martin's guidance.

North Carolina Central University
The busy life of coach LeVelle Moton

LeVelle Moton has seen more chicken in the last three months than Colonel Sanders. The new men's basketball coach at N.C. Central is making the rounds of the chicken circuit from the Triangle to the Triad to the Piedmont. Everybody wants a piece of the Raleigh native since he was named coach on March 25. It's not hard to understand why. Moton is one of them. He's a 1992 graduate of Enloe High in Raleigh. He's a NCCU alum. He obviously loves his alma mater. He's young enough to relate to today's players but is still an old-school, no-nonsense disciplinarian. And he's a dedicated father and husband who's also deeply religious. What's not to like? "

"The is a very rounded individual. I kid him that he's an old man in a young body personality wise because he does have traditional views of discipline, and moral and ethical values in terms of being a student-athlete," NCCU Athletics Director Ingrid-Wicker McCree said. "He gives a lot of attention to really building these young men and preparing them for life after basketball. I don't know if everyone does that. They may say it, but LeVelle really means it."

PHOTO GALLERY

Texas Southern University
Like father, like son in prep football

Melvin and Sean Spears One thing Sean Spears and his father Melvin Spears have in common is versatility, and they also know the importance of balancing family and football. Melvin Spears, a Hall of Fame inductee from Alcorn State, currently serves as the wide receivers coach for the Texas Southern University Tigers. While at Alcorn State, Melvin played both quarterback and wide receiver. However, his son, Sean, bares quite a different responsibility on the field where he was a four-year starter for the Clinton High School Eagles at defensive tackle/offensive guard.

"I am bigger than my dad was in high school," laughed Sean, who is 6 feet tall and 295 lbs. "But, he's my size now."However, just because Sean differs in comparison to his father's size coming out of high school, he said he often gets told that he shares certain character traits of his father's. "I'm told I have the same heart as he did when he played. For instance, if I get hurt, I keep playing," Sean explained. "I've seen old video footage of my dad playing, and I see how it's pretty similar to me. There's a competitive nature in us, and sometimes after games people would come up to me and say ‘you are your daddy's boy.

"Much like his father who played dual positions, Sean has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. In 2008, Sean was named the District 8-2A MVP, having made first team All District on both offense and defense, as well as being a member of the All Metro and All State teams. "Sean has transcended into being an outstanding player. He had the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball, and he has extremely long arms and huge hands, which are great strengths to have, and he loves the game," Melvin remarked. "He has passion, enthusiasm and plays full speed. I love to play, and I love the game. I see the same qualities in Sean."

Tennessee State University
New TSU coach plans to build up basketball brand

While an assistant at Auburn, Oregon and South Carolina, John Cooper learned a thing or two about what a top-tier college basketball program looks like. And 12 weeks into his tenure as the new head coach at Tennessee State, Cooper hopes to start seeing some of those things here.
From buying new uniforms to renovating the locker room and other parts of the facility, Cooper said he's focused on transforming the men's basketball brand both on and off the court. But, he added, he understands that a tough economy and the budget of a mid-major university means the off-the-court changes could take awhile.

"This is completely different," Cooper said. "You're talking about a BCS school. You're talking about the SEC. You're looking at money from basketball, the bowls, the TV deals and all that. There are other streams of revenue that are coming in. You're looking at schools with 26,000, 27,000 students with alumni bases all over the world and big booster clubs that are raising money and putting money into the program. "There are very few mid-majors that open up the pocketbook and say 'go get it,' and have the means to do that. Still, there have been coaches at mid-major programs that have found a way and been creative in making sure to get what they need."

Already, Cooper said he's been surprised by the community enthusiasm for TSU athletics. He sees his challenge as turning that excitement into financial support. "We've got one of the bigger facilities (in the Ohio Valley Conference) on campus," Cooper said of the 10,500-seat Gentry Center. "Our hope is to get to the point of doing something to the locker room. Update it. Make it a showpiece as it pertains to our level."

Ex-TSU star views NFL career as a reality

Despite an injury-plagued, lackluster football career at Tennessee State University, Ahmaad Smith never doubted he could play at the next level. That self-confidence has taken him to lower-level arena ball, the Canadian Football League — and to 4th And Long, with a chance for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' 80-man training camp roster. As the Spike TV reality show premiered May 18, Smith was one of 12 players set to go through weeks of meetings, drills and one-on-one competitions under the scrutiny of NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, former Cowboy safety and special teamer Bill Bates and ex-Dallas assistant Joe Avezzano.



"When I first got there, I was like, 'this is going to be a joke,' " Smith said recently. "But Mike, Coach Avezzano and Coach Bates set the tone from Day One. We had to do those 110s and 40s (sprints) and all the special-teams drills. I'm looking at guys throw up. I was like, 'this is the real deal.' "Mike told us, 'Jerry (Cowboys owner Jones) told me to find a ballplayer, and that's what I'm going to do. If you want that spot, you've got to go through me.' The look on his face, you knew you were going to have to endure some pain and suffering so you could appreciate it at the end."

Players are eliminated over the course of the 10 episodes, until the final player emerges with his chance to go into preseason with the Cowboys. None of the 12 — six receivers, six defensive backs — have ever been on an NFL roster.

RETROSPECT: FAMU Coach Joe Taylor, Sermon on the Rattlers

"Coach Taylor was hired with expectations of winning championships...not just winning games"

The dialogue from FAMU's press conference on December 31, 2007 with the presentation of Florida A&M University new head football coach Joe Taylor quickly became an ole fashioned revival of Rattler Pride and an awaking of the Jake Gaither mystique.

Coach Taylor, like FAMU President Dr. James Ammons and director of athletics William "Bill" Hayes vowed to return Florida A&M University to its former greatness on the gridiron. The synergies of these three leaders are remarkable and Rattler Nation finally has the leadership and commitment necessary for us to work collectively together to accomplish these lofty goals.

As you read the transcript of Coach Taylor's remarks, you will have no doubts that this is all part of the master's plan or the master plans of the Ammons Administration.

Joe Taylor is now the highest paid football coach in Black College Football and is predestined to take the mighty Rattlers to their traditional place of football supremacy in the Football Championship Subdivision.

























Here are the remarks made by Coach Joe Taylor.

Thank you so much.

I didn’t have a prepared speech. I guess when you’ve been here and done some things for a while, it’s kind of here what you do. [Taylor points to his heart.] I do want to thank Dr. Ammons and let him know that really he’s the reason I’m here. I’ve researched. I’ve looked around. Everywhere I looked, everything I heard said this is a guy you really want to work for. That’s why I’m here.

When you look at Eddie Robinson, certainly he did a great job of molding and building and sending men forward. Then there is another guy I had the real fortunate occasion to meet. That’s the great Jake Gaither. He had built, in my mind, one of the most storied programs ever. I tell the story all the time when Eddie and Jake got together in the Orange Blossom Classic. Bob Hayes was one of the great receivers out of here.

This story I always share with my players because it sends a message. Bob was running down the sideline. He had caught a pass and he was about to score. One of the Grambling corner-backs was in pursuit and about to make the tackle. The fans from FAMU started to yell, ‘Go Bob Hayes. Go Bob Hayes.’

The corner-back stopped running. He was about to make the tackle. When he got back to the sideline, Eddie said, ‘Son, what happened? You could have made the tackle.’ The corner-back responded,‘I didn’t know that was Bob Hayes. I’m not supposed to be able to catch him.’ So I use that often because that’s a mystique.

You want that kind of tradition. You want people to know that what you stand for they can’t compete against. I would think that spirit can return. That spirit can still be here. With that in mind, what I intend to bring here is no magic. There’s no mystery.

In my mind, coaching is a ministry. Whenever you are trying to improve the lives of young people, it’s a ministry. We’re not going to be concerned with what happens on Saturday; we’re going to be concerned with what happens all week. You can not be a champion all week and expect to be one on Saturday.

I think that every Sunday everybody should start off in some-body's church. Find a man’s spirit, there also you find him. When his spirit is right, then everything else follows. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – class. You’ve got to go to class. That’s what champions do. You can’t get smarter turning in someone else’s homework. You’ve got to do it for yourself.

In the weight room, it’s not osmosis. You lift to get smarter. That’s what champions do. On the track, again you’ve got to run to get faster. If you could lay under a shade tree and drink kool-aid to get in shape, then we’d do that. But we know that doesn’t work.

Study hall – we’ve got to be there. Whatever responsibility there is, you have to manage. If you do that, the only thing that changes on Saturday is the atmosphere because you are already a champion.

In my mind there are four numbers that we all have. Those four numbers we have nothing to do with. That’s the year we were born. There will be, at some other time, four other numbers. Those will represent expiration. We really have nothing to do with that. But in between those numbers is a dash. That’s the only thing we have control over – that’s your dash.

How do you control your dash? Let’s spell it out.

Now, I’m letting you know that the players are going to hear this a little more intensely but I want you to hear the philosophy.

The ‘D’ is for discipline. I don’t care what you try to get done in life, it must start with discipline. You’ve got to do the right thing. There is no short cut. You’ve got to do the right thing.

‘A’ is attitude. We will never accept invitations to pity parties. Attitude. Attitude. We’re not concerned about what the naysayers are saying. We’re not concerned about what people say you can’t do.

We’ll find a way to reach inside and flush all of that negative programming because it’s about your attitude. And your attitude can get derailed by what I call noise. We’ve got to rise above the noise. Attitude. Attitude. You have to control your attitude.

KR #7 LeRoy Vann made believers out of MEAC opponents on his way to achieving All-American honors during the '08 season. With great blocking, Vann takes another punt 60 yards to the house for another Rattler score.

‘S’ is for sacrifice. You were not put here on this earth to be served. You were put here to serve. It’s about sacrifice. When you put forth the necessary effort to be the best person that you can be, that’s a sacrifice. But look at how many people it serves and who can sit there and feel great about what’s happening on that field or in that classroom. It’s a sacrifice. You need to think about that.

We are ambassadors for all the great things that ever happen here. We have to connect that. We need to understand that. Others made great sacrifices so that you could be here. How dare you think you don’t need to be of that same nature. You must sacrifice.

Then the ‘H.’ The ‘H’ is for habits. Man does not decide his future. Man decides his habits. And his habits decide his future.

A player comes into me and says, ‘Coach, I want to be a doctor.’ ‘That sounds good, son, but I heard you were out drinking last night.’ ‘Yeah, but I want to be a doctor.’ ‘No, you want to be an alcoholic.’ Let’s get that straight.

When you can get that D-A-S-H, when you can control that, then you’ve got a chance. The program has a chance. The people around you have a chance. More importantly, you will have a life that is full of quality. That’s what the Lord wants. He wants you to have a great life. But you’ve got to control the dash.

In a nutshell, that’s really the key to success.

Certainly, this profession has been great to me. Really, I was called for this. It’s not like you came out of the womb and said that’s what you wanted to do. As my life went on in terms of going on to college with a scholarship and graduating within four years and having all kinds of opportunities, my high school coach kept calling me back. It just evolved. I’m just being obedient.

Someone says, ‘Wow, 16 years and 13 championships and you want to move?’ I’m being obedient. I told them I wasn’t moving. I’m expanding the neighborhood.

This is another opportunity to come and to minister and to let young men understand why they are on this earth. We want the Jake Gaither spirit to rise. We want all of Rattler Nation to be proud of what’s going on and we want to be a part of that.

As I said, Dr. Ammons is the biggest reason but Bill Hayes and I go back a long ways. We faced each other across the field. I don’t know who got the record over the other one. I’m just saying let’s put both records together. Then, too, we all know this place has so much potential. Let’s let people know we were sleeping for a little while but we’re back.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity. I vow to you my best. My wife already knows that football is 13 months a year. It’s non-stop. It’s something you can always do because you enjoy. It’s not a job. It’s an opportunity and it’s something we look forward to doing in this community.

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MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review

Southwestern Athletic Conference
SWAC to return to 9-game league schedule in '10 The Southwestern Athletic Conference will revert to using a nine-game league schedule starting in the 2010 football season, one of several changes announced Friday. The SWAC council of presidents voted to add the extra conference games through at least the 2013 season. “Overall, some teams were finding it difficult to fill out the rest of the schedule,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “It was hard for some of our teams. Either people didn’t want to play them, or the payout wasn’t what they thought it would be.”

Since the SWAC expanded to 10 teams in 1999, the conference has flip-flopped between playing seven league games and nine league games. That first year, in ’99, then-commissioner Rudy Washington decided in August that only a team’s four divisional games would count. From 2000-04, seven games counted, but some SWAC teams opted to play each other in extra games that did not count in the conference standings. Then, from 2005-07, all nine games counted. Last season, the SWAC switched back to seven. “That’s the other advantage (of going to nine games),” Sharp said. “You can get a true champion.”

South Carolina State University
SCSU men's hoops loses assistant coach Kyle Perry Brandon (Kyle) Perry was more than just South Carolina State men’s basketball coach Tim Carter’s top assistant. The Gallatin, Tennessee native’s recruiting skills in luring the likes of former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year guard Carrio Bennett, Defensive Player of the Year Jason Johnson and College of Charleston transfer Josh Jackson helped turn around the program’s fortunes in two years. As Carter looks to improve on S.C. State’s first winning season in three years, he now finds himself having to replace the lone remaining assistant from his arrival.

On Monday, University of South Carolina-Upstate head coach Eddie Payne announced Perry’s hiring to a similar position. Perry, 31, will serve as Upstate’s recruiting coordinator and will serve in all aspects of the program, including scouting and floor coaching. “Kyle Perry is an outstanding person,” Payne said. “He has a lot of the things you look for in an assistant coach. He has great character and work ethic as well as the results. He’s an exceptionally good recruiter and he has proven that on a number of different jobs, including his last one at S.C. State. Carter would only cite “personal reasons” for the reason of Perry’s departure. During his two seasons with the Bulldogs, Perry’s responsibilities included recruiting, scheduling, scouting and on-the-floor coaching. After the Bulldogs went 13-20 during Perry’s first year, they posted a 17-13 overall record last year and finished second in the league with a 10-6 record. S.C. State would advance to the MEAC Tournament semifinals for the first time in four years before losing to Norfolk State.

Howard University
Homecoming Change: Georgetown University officials have rescheduled the 70th Homecoming Game, which will now take place Sept. 26 versus Howard Bison. Due to a series of academic conflicts, Homecoming was originally scheduled late in the season (Nov. 14) against Richmond, which would not only have pitted the Hoyas against the pre-season #1 ranked team in I-AA but would likely involve much colder temperatures and the possibility of a conflict with an early season basketball game. The earlier date, which coincides with Alumni Association events that weekend, should serve to bring more fans to Washington in September, as well as the possibility of a significant turnout from Howard fans across town.

The game should also be considerably more competitive than Richmond. The Bison were 1-10 last season and will play games with Rutgers and Florida A&M on the road before the Sept. 26 game at the Multi-Sport Field. In the first meeting between the schools, Georgetown upset Howard in the 2008 season opener, 12-7. http://www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/football.htm

Savannah State University
SSU Ready For MEAC Visit: Walter Moore--As Savannah State University gears up for a visit from officials from the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), this writer sat down with Dr. Earl Yarbrough (SSU president), Dr. Claud Flythe (SSU vice president of administration) and Bart Bellairs (SSU athletics director) last week to ask questions about SSU's preparation for the upcoming visit.

1- What will conference affiliation do for SSU? YARBROUGH- “Rivalries will be developed and teams will have a chance to compete for conference championships. It also gives SSU a chance to support the program. It’s hard to get motivated with no title to play for.” FLYTHE- “It helps level the student playing field. It gives students the opportunity to compete with peer institutions. Being independent does not offer the same opportunity. It also helps the alumni base connect with their peers. Many SSU alumni work with and socialize with alumni from FAMU, Bethune and SC State. It will also help with the traveling costs and will allow our students to stay close to home.” BELLAIRS- “It puts you in line with great academic institutions.”...

Delaware State University
When Football Goes Green We've all seen it, we've definitely all heard it. The latest trend these days is to "go green." It's a campaign that is simply inescapable. We're all supposed to live green, breathe green, drive green, eat green ... you get the picture. However, to "go green" in college football is to go for the dollar signs. One idea, playing neutral site games to get a large payout, aren't entirely a bad idea. For example, Alabama/Virginia Tech in Atlanta is a great way to kick off the football year. But what happens when a school chooses to lose a game, a conference game, for money?

Delaware State has done just that, agreeing to actually forfeit their MEAC matchup with North Carolina A&T for a trip to the Big House to play Michigan on Oct. 17th. This is when "going green" goes horribly wrong. We've entered a dangerous stage in collegiate athletics. The goal (or what used to be the goal, anyways) for collegiate athletes was to compete for championships. It wasn't about the money, it was about the trophies at the end of the season. Money was left out of the picture. With Delaware State's move, the new goal has been set. It's all about getting as much money as possible. Forget title banners and trophies; just send the Hornets up to Ann Arbor as a rent-a-win (let's face it, App. State isn't the norm), get the check, and if the team doesn't make the FCS playoffs, oh well! How sad is this?

I understand why Delaware State wants to go to Ann Arbor. Located in Dover, DSU is a small school with an enrollment of just over 3,000. The Hornets drew 6,000 fans just twice last season, and in a 27-26 lost to Winston-Salem State, drew just 891 fans. Playing in front of over 100,000 in maize and blue would be quite the experience for DSU. But forfeit a conference game? That's where things just get messy.

Florida A&M University
Lincoln's Aaron Smith signs to play baseball at FAMU For recent Lincoln High alum Aaron Smith, signing a baseball scholarship with Florida A&M University meant more than just pitching on the Division I level. In attending FAMU, the 6-foot-1 right-hander is following in the footsteps of his parents, grandparents and aunts.

























"The university is very important to my family," Smith said. "Everyone in my family went there, and I wanted to be a part of that." Smith moved to Tallahassee from Pensacola in 2007. As a junior, he maintained a 2.28 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 29 innings. This past spring, Smith was used mostly in late-inning relief, posting a 2.89 ERA in 261/3 innings. Smith's arsenal includes a fastball, curveball, changeup and slider.

RETROSPECT: FAMU Marching 100 Continues to Raise the Bar on Musicianship. What's amazing about the FAMU Marching 100 is they are several graduate school thesis within themselves. The more you study them, the more you realize they are in a class by themselves when it comes to musicianship. Regardless of the type of music played, the Marching 100 plays it to perfection with power, in both musical style and interpretation. Take for example the old standard marches--who does it better? View in HQ and enjoy the enthusiam of this great band--414 musicians strong playing the Thunder and Blazes March and Bennetts Triumphant March at the Florida Classic. Then, view the Hundred at work on the Patch under the baton of conductor, Dr. Julian E. White.





Winston Salem State University
Football Schedule Change: Winston-Salem State's football game against Florida A&M at Bowman Gray Stadium has been added to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference television package and rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. Kickoff will be at 7:30, with coverage on ESPNU. The game originally was scheduled Sept. 12. It will be the first live broadcast of a WSSU game from Bowman Gray since Oct. 25, 2003, when the Rams defeated N.C. Central 47-0.

Alabama A&M University
New A&M assistant no stranger to SWAC John McKenzie had great success as a player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He starred at quarterback at Jackson State in the 1980s, leading the Tigers to three conference titles while throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 43 touchdowns en route to earning All-SWAC honors on two occasions. He later had success as a coach in the league, first at Alabama State - helping the Hornets not only win the SWAC, but also a black college national championship - and also was successful at his alma mater and Alcorn State. So when he was let go at North Carolina A&T last season, McKenzie looked for an opportunity to return to the conference.

He found it at Alabama A&M, where he was recently named the Bulldogs' receivers coach. McKenzie replaces Roger Totten, who left to become an assistant at Alabama State in January.
"I'm familiar with the SWAC," McKenzie said Tuesday. "I played in the league and coached in the league. I know the players and the different areas. It's a little easier for me to adapt. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference was a great experience, but there's a different philosophy there as far as what they're trying to get done football-wise.

Southern University
Services today for Southern's Thomas Funeral services for Southern track and field coach Johnny Thomas are today. Viewing is at 9 a.m. today at the Living Faith Christian Center, 6375 Winbourne Ave. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Thomas, 68, died June 13. Thomas, who coached the men’s and women’s track and cross country teams, won 45 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships at SU.

Read Related Articles: Keys: Thomas' way made impact at Southern

The Mets signed pitcher Emary Frederick out of Southern University prior to the 2007 season. Frederick is a native of Deltona, Florida.

Paying debts with Mets Daytona Beach, FL--Emary Frederick plays professional baseball for a living. While Class A doesn't provide much of a living, the DeLand High graduate realizes things could be worse. "I'm very content with my situation right now. Things could be better or they could be a lot worse. Not very many guys that I played with have this opportunity," said Frederick, a relief pitcher for the St. Lucie Mets, who is in town playing the Daytona Cubs this week. "It's a choice. I could talk about settling, but the reason I'm here is it's a choice. If I put in my time now, hopefully I can relax later."

Frederick, a side-arming right-hander, pitched in a 5-4 loss to the Cubs on Monday night and will be on the mound again Thursday night when the two teams close out a four-game series.
Despite a 2-4 record, the reliever is having his best professional season to date with a 3.45 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 games (28 2/3 innings). "To me he's made some good progress," said Phil Regan, pitching coach for the St. Lucie Mets. "He's got tremendous sink on the ball and I think, in my opinion, he's got a good major-league sinker. It sinks that well."

At 25, it's hard for Frederick to not get a little anxious. Younger players are drafted with huge signing bonuses that move up the ladder quicker. "I feel like it's going kind of slow thus far. It's only my third year as a professional, but I'm 25. I definitely thought I'd be farther along by now," Frederick said. "It's tough. It's definitely a jump up from college and the SWAC conference.

"The fact that Frederick is playing pro ball is a blessing in and of itself. After a good, but not great, college career at Southern University, Frederick signed a free-agent contract in his home dugout after being seen at Scout Day on the Baton Rouge, La., campus. Two years ago he was sent to the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats, where he posted a 2-0 record and struck out 50 in 32 games despite sitting out 45 days with a impingement in his throwing shoulder. Last year he moved up to high Class A St. Lucie, where he went 2-5 and struck out 52 batters, while improving his ERA to 4.47.

Norfolk State University
Miller signs with NSU through June 2014 Marty Miller has signed on for another five years as Norfolk State's athletic director, agreeing to a contract extension through June 2014, the school announced Thursday. Miller has been AD since December 2004. A 1969 graduate, he's been a coach or administrator at his alma mater since 1972. He coached the Spartans' baseball team to 718 wins in 32 years. NSU has won the past five MEAC men's all-sports awards. "We have made significant accomplishments in enabling our athletic programs to become more competitive," Miller said. "But we are seeking to become major players on a national level."

North Carolina A&T State University
Hill adds regional, national honors North Carolina A&T softball standout Ryanne Hill added a pair of honors to her resume. The sophomore from Charlotte (Independence High) was named third-team all-America by Easton Sports Inc. and the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association voted her to the all-state team. Hill was named MEAC player of the year last month and all-Southeast Region by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association. “She has a very good work ethic and her academics are excellent,’’ said A&T head softball coach Mamie Jones. “She is a true student-athlete. She is constantly in the books, and she works tirelessly in making herself an excellent softball player.”

Hill led the MEAC in runs batted in and doubles (15). She also ranked second in the MEAC in hits (60) and total bases (96). In two years at A&T, Hill has a .340 batting average with 83 RBIs and 11 home runs in 94 games.

Jackson State University
ULL's Rogers fill out staff University Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Errol Rogers has added former Jackson State University recruiting coordinator and assistant Tomekia Reed. She will replace Paula Lee, who resigned to pursue other opportunities after a 3-27 season. Reed had coached at Jackson State for the past three seasons. She worked with the team's post players, including the 2006-07 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year in forward Shelita Burns, and was its academic liaison. In 2006-07, JSU won the SWAC regular season championship and earned a WNIT berth. The following season the Tigers clinched the SWAC Tournament crown for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Reed received an associate degree from Hinds (Miss.) Community College before going to Southern Miss and Georgia Southwestern State University. She earned her bachelor's degree from GSSU. "She carries herself the right way, has a great knowledge of the game and is an intelligent young lady," Rogers said. "She's recruited in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Jackson State recruited across the country, so she has plenty of experience in recruiting.
"I think she's going to be a very good recruiter, someone who can relate with the kids and someone who knows her X's and O's."

CIAA/SIAC Special Feature
ARIZONA CARDINALS Reels in Fourth-Rounder from Saint Paul's College (Va.)
The Arizona Cardinals have signed fourth-round pick CB Greg Toler to a three-year, $1.5 million deal which includes a signing bonus of $316,000, a league source told Scout.com.

"I never took my grades seriously like I should have." "My coaches kept telling me that education's first, that you'll never be a student-athlete unless you're a good student." At the end of his senior high school season, Toler was ineligible to attend high school all-star games.

Toler (6-0, 193) earned All-CIAA and Little All-American first-team honors as well as being named Virginia small school Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2008 after collecting a career-high 51 tackles (37 solos), seven interceptions, and three blocked kicks. The first player from Saint Paul’s ever to be drafted, Toler set school records with 16 interceptions and 38 passes defensed during his four seasons.

The Washington, DC native finished his collegiate career with 161 tackles (101 solos), 16 interceptions, 38 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 40 starts at Saint Paul’s. Despite being only a Division II standout and also not being invited to the NFL combine, Toler gained buzz around the NFL before the draft after making a bunch of visits to various teams and conducting strong personal workouts. Toler should have a good chance to make the team as a fourth cornerback or better based on the lack of current depth at the position.

The Cardinals have released WR Justin Brown. Brown signed with the team as a rookie free agent out of Hampton University on April 27.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
National Football League: NFL Draft 2009 - Greg Toler
From Small St. Paul's, Greg Toler's Big Draft-Day Dream Comes True ...
How super is this sleeper? Toler says watch on Sundays - NFL ...

Bill Laimbeer quits Shock gig; Rick Mahorn (Hamptonite) named new coach

Head Coach, Rick Mahorn, WNBA Detroit Shock

Former Pistons star Bill Laimbeer resigned as the head coach and general manager of the defending WNBA champion Shock this afternoon, following an immensely successful 6 1/2-year run. Rick Mahorn (Hampton University) was promoted to head coach and Cheryl Reeve was promoted to assistant coach/general manager. It is believed that Laimbeer’s long-term aspiration is to become an NBA head coach. The Shock is 1-2 this season.

“It’s disappointing that Bill has decided to step down as head coach and general manager of the Detroit Shock,” Shock president Tom Wilson said in a released statement. “But at the same time, Bill led the Shock to three WNBA championships and a league-record 27 postseason victories during his seven-year tenure. We thank him for his guidance and dedication to the franchise and our organization.”

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The Rick Mahorn Story...

• Derrick (Rick) Allen Mahorn, born 9/21/1958 in Hartford, Connecticut.
• Played high school ball at Weaver H.S. in Hartford, CT., but didn't start for the basketball team until his senior year. Received more scholarship offers as a tightend and defensive end playing for the Weaver football team.
• Played college basketball at Hampton University as a 6'10 center/power forward.
• Rick graduated with a degree in business administration and became the most successful basketball player in the history of Hampton University.
• First player from Hampton University ever drafted by the NBA.
• Drafted in 2nd round, 35th overall, 1980Washington Bullets (Washington Wizards).
• Pro career --1980–1999; Played for: Washington Bullets (1980–1985); Detroit Pistons (1985–1989); Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1991); Virtus Roma (1991–1992); New Jersey Nets (1992–1996); Detroit Pistons (1996–1998); and Philadelphia 76ers (1999).
• In 1981, Mahorn picked up his first NBA nickname playing for the Washington Bullets. Teamed with Jeff Ruland 6'11", 275-pound, they formed an intimidating inside tandem; one that Boston Celtics announcer Johnny Most dubbed "McFilthy" [Ruland] and "McNasty" [Mahorn].
• Mahorn won his only NBA championship (1989) with the Pistons and served as one of the team leaders of the Detroit Bad Boys teams of the late 1980s.
• Known as the master of intimidation, Mahorn shelled out $11,000 in fines for rough play in 1989 and was the baddest of the Bad Boys in NBA Detroit.
• 1989-91-- teamed with superstar Charles Barkley to form the top-rebounding duo of "Thump N' Bump."
• Served as assistant coach under former teammate Bill Laimbeer with the WNBA's Detroit Shock for five seasons.
• Won WNBA titles in 2006 and 2008 as an assistant coach to Bill Laimbeer, with Cheryl Reeve, former George Washington University women assistant coach.
• 6/15/2009, Mahorn became head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock with a head coaching resume limited to 22 games in the CBA.

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Pennsylvania All-star game stretching

Now in its ninth year, the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association East West All-Star Game continually broadens its horizons. Game alumni like Mike Cox, Bruce Gradkowski and Shaheer McBride (Delaware State - Philadephia Eagles) have gone on to play in the NFL. Ray Ventrone even made a tackle in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots.

Strong Vincent's Deonte Flemings (red/black in photo) lost only one game in his senior season-- at the PIAA Class AAA semifinals. The 5-10/170 Vincent is a triple threat athlete--running QB, WR and lock down cornerback. Flemings is a Grambling State Tiger signee.

Unless there is a change in plans in the next few months, Erie Strong Vincent's Deonte Flemings will expand the game's scope to a new frontier: Louisiana. Flemings, one of 68 high school seniors who arrived at the Blair County Convention Center Sunday morning to begin preparations for this year's East West Game, has signed a letter-of-intent with the legendary Grambling State Tigers. Although he'll spend a few months at North Carolina Tech Preparatory School in Charlotte, should he fulfill his commitment to Grambling, he'd be the first player from the game to play his college ball in Louisiana and the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He'd also be making one of the farthest trips to a college of anyone to have competed in the game. This year's contest will be held at Mansion Park on Friday at 6 p.m.

That its talent would now be reaching the SWAC is a feather in the cap of the game and the talent in Pennsylvania. SWAC schools have produced Walter Payton (Jackson State) and Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), the NFL's former all-time leading rusher and all-time leading receiver. Grambling is the most-storied football power in the conference, turning out four Pro Football Hall of Famers under the late Eddie Robinson, whom Penn State's Joe Paterno surpassed to become Division I college football's all-time winningest coach. That list doesn't even include No. 1 overall draft pick and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Doug Williams.

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It’ll take more than coaching to keep S.C. State ahead

Florida A&M’s new $26 million Teaching Gymnasium, which will hold 9,639 fans: "There’s been plenty of talk in recruiting circles that FAMU’s new building helped dissuade potential Bulldog men’s basketball recruits from coming to Orangeburg."

There’s one common belief among all college head coaches, regardless of the sport.

When trying to recruit a high school prospect, a winning tradition and geography are high selling points. However, the quality of the facilities is more than often the deal maker or deal breaker. Take a look at the most successful Division I college football programs this decade (Florida, Southern Cal, Ohio State). In almost all cases, the facilities are second to none. The same is true even in the lower divisions in which former three-time defending Football Championship Subdivision champion Appalachian State can raise $32 million toward an athletic-enhancement campaign that already has produced three facilities.

Truly, the adage “if you build it, (they) will come” is as true in college sports as it was in the movie “Field of Dreams.” In the case of South Carolina State head coaches like Oliver “Buddy” Pough (football) and Hardeep Judge (tennis), renovations to their facilities have only further bolstered their proven ability to produce winning teams without the advantages of state-of-the-art athletics facilities.

FAMU's Teaching Gym Basketball Court

It’s no secret that S.C. State has managed to overcome a distinct disadvantage among its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference brethren when it comes to location and facilities. Out of the nine conference schools competing in football (not including Winston-Salem State, which remains non-eligible for MEAC title play), S.C. State has the smallest population and most rural setting:

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