"People are coming by the bus loads; it's going to be an amazing sight," said Bob Hayes Jr., a Dallas resident who will help present his father for induction along with Roger Staubach, the Cowboys' Hall of Fame quarterback." Many of Hayes' Gilbert High classmates and football players from the 1958 black state championship team are taking a charter bus to Canton. Dr. James Ammons, the Florida A&M president, and three past presidents of the school will also be in attendance.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — You called him "Bullet." But they called Bob Hayes "Crow." Long before he became the world’s fastest human by winning double gold medals at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo — and well before he came to Dallas to play for the Cowboys, earning a Super Bowl ring and in the process changing the game — he was "Crow."
On the brink of his posthumous induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his former high school teammates and childhood friends shared their memories of Hayes as a youth. Not of the world-renowned "Bullet" Bob Hayes, who is still the only man in history to win an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring and was so fast that opposing teams had to revise how to play zone defenses. But of "Crow:" the playground speedster yet reluctant athlete who honed his skills in the sand and muck on the east side of Jacksonville in an area called the black bottom.
Sitting in a wheelchair outside a beat-up old house on the corner of Odessa and Iona, Charles Sutton started to laugh. "I would say 'Bullet’ and he would say, 'Stop that, Knotts,’ " said Sutton, whose childhood nickname was Knotts because he would bump his head so many times that it would swell up in, well, knots. "I said, I can’t call you Bullet. They call you Bullet. He said call me what you been calling me."
2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement
WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday.WHERE: Canton, Ohio. TV: ESPN/NFL Network. Inductees: Bob Hayes, Ralph Wilson, Randall McDaniel, Rod Woodson, Derrick Thomas, Bruce Smith.
CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.
USA wins the 4 x 100m relay at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in a then World Record time of 39.06 seconds. The improbable victory was made possible by the phenomenally swift anchor leg run by FAMU's (#702) Robert Lee "Bullet Bob" Hayes.
READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Hayes' family anticipates a mix of tears, cheers
Prep, FAMU college, NFL teammates will be among supporters turning out ...
Football Hall of Fame drops ticket prices
Family recalls a visit from Hall of Fame quarterback
Bigger and Taller Will Always Mean Faster
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
MEAC/SWAC/OVC Sports: This Week in Review
Alcorn State University
Alcorn mourns huge loss in its family
WHETHER IT WAS the flags, jerseys or baseball caps, the Alcorn State presence was very evident Saturday at former football star Steve McNair's funeral at Reed Green Coliseum. Just as many people think of Brett Favre when Southern Miss is mentioned, Alcorn State will always be associated with the NFL MVP quarterback from Mount Olive.
http://www.officialstevemcnair.com/
"Steve McNair is someone that Alcorn was very proud of and put the school on the map." said Charles Longmire, an ASU alum wearing his purple and gold baseball cap. When asked how the Alcorn community is handling the death of it's greatest legend, Longmire just let out an exhausted sigh, "sadness." "He was really a family member," the former ASU football trainer said. "Even if you graduated in 1955, you still know him as a true family member. He's a fallen comrade so I just wanted to come out and support the family."
READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Friends recall relationship between McNair, wife
Slain ex-QB McNair mourned as a 'hero,' 'legend'
McNair's fans from all over bid 'Air' goodbye
Final goodbye
Respect for McNair
'Truest competitor'
McNair laid to rest as 'hero'
Seemingly indestructible QB's death hard to accept
Family, friends bid farewell to former quarterback
RIP, Steve McNair: Remembering the former Titans quarterback
All walks of life come for McNair
Media descriptions hurtful to survivors
Delaware State University
Carter ready for future at DSU
DOVER, DE -- It has been a whirlwind summer so far for Derek A. Carter, who was hired as Delaware State University's athletic director in April. Carter, who came to DSU after serving as athletic director at Bowie State University since 2003, has met all of the school's head coaches and all of the staff and has had to acclimate himself and his family to their new home. He knows it will only get more hectic as fall approaches, but he wouldn't want it any other way.
"I am excited with the opportunity and challenge to join DSU and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference," Carter said. "I am looking forward to all the great things that will take place." Carter has been involved in athletics for most of his life and was a starting cornerback for Virginia Tech, where he was a defensive teammate of former Buffalo Bills defensive lineman and 2009 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Smith. He even earned an opportunity to try out as a free agent with the Eagles in 1985. Now, Carter has taken on a new challenge. He has a plan to revitalize the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at Delaware State University.
Tennessee State University
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Islanders Adds New Associate Head Coach
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Perry Clark has a new and battle-tested lieutenant at his side heading into the next Islander basketball season. He's added Cy Alexander as associate head coach. Alexander was let go by Tennessee State earlier this year after his sixth season with the Tigers. He led them to the conference title game in 2008, but had a losing overall record.
The legendary Cy Alexander is the winningest coach in MEAC and South Carolina State (277-202) history. He has a career record of 344-306 in 24 seasons, leading the S.C. State Bulldogs to five seasons of 20-plus wins, five NCAA Tournaments and five MEAC championships.
It was a stark contrast to his first stop at South Carolina State, where he spent 16 seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament five times. He replaces Billy Garrett, who left to take a job at DePaul. Garrett also served as the team's recruiting coordinator, a job Alexander should fit right into. Combined with Clark, the duo has piled up more than 600 career coaching victories. "I don't think there will be very many situations on the court that either one of us have not seen. I think that's going to bring a very positive influence to what we're trying to get done. I don't think we'll be outcoached," Alexander said.
Video: Islanders Coach Perry Clark Adds New Associate Head Coach
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
FAMU Marching “100” Hosts its Annual Band Camp and Parade
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching “100” will host its Annual Band Camp from Monday, July 13 through Saturday, July 18. The “100” will lend its talent to hundreds of the nation’s best high school band students. More than 400 band participants will have the opportunity to master and emulate the style and concepts of the world-renowned Marching “100”. The participants will showcase their new skills and moves to the FAMU family and the Tallahassee community at the annual band camp parade scheduled for Friday, July 17, at 2 p.m. Ranging from grades 9 through 12, these young students have shown a sincere desire to better themselves as not only musicians, but as leaders of their respective band programs.
Sights and sounds from FAMU Summer Band Camp 2008 -- Building another generation of Incomparable Marching 100s...
The parade’s grand marshals are Linard McCloud (Class of 1976), director of bands for Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina; Attorney Daryl Parks, Parks and Crump, LLC; Gallop Franklin, president of FAMU’s Student Government Association; and Mr. & Miss FAMU. The special guest will be the legendary Marching "100" director (retired), William P. Foster, Ph.D. This year’s parade will consist of both campus and community organizations.
Band participants will continue to showcase their new skills at events through the end of the week. Thursday, July 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., an ensemble concert is scheduled and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., a symphonic concert is scheduled. Both concerts will be held in Lee Hall Auditorium. Participants attending the camp will travel from around the world such as California, Detroit, Bahamas and Virgin Islands. For more information, call the FAMU Band Department at (850) 599-3024.
Reserved Grice not shy when on the Rattler court
Jasmine Grice's father can't remember when he wasn't a part of his daughter's basketball life. It doesn't appear that will change now that she is taking her game to the college level at FAMU. Grice called on her father, Vincent, for just about every answer during her first sit-down interview since becoming a Rattler. But when it came to talking about what she brings to coach LeDawn Gibson's women's program, Grice was pretty succinct. And, by the way she puts it, not much is going to change in her approach that led to an average of 25.6 points per game when she played at East Gadsden High School.
2009 First Team All-Big Bend (Florida) and Co-Big Bend Player of the Year, Jasmine Grice, 5'-7" wing guard averaged per game - 29.7 points, 4.3 steals and 5.4 rebounds at East Gasden H.S.
"I've got to stay determined," said Grice, named the Big Bend girls' basketball co-player of the year as a senior. "I'll be more focused." Grice should be able to do that now that the recruiting frenzy is over. For at least a year, she said, a long list of schools that included Boston College, Wisconsin and LSU sought after her. She said she saw the onslaught of letters and telephone calls coming, but she wasn't prepared to handle them. Yes, that job was handed off to her father.
Rattlers' walk-ons vying for chances
There weren't too many significant offers for Austin Trainor when he was looking for a place to play college football. He listened to everyone's pitch anyway. Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor and his staff struck the right chord with the former North Florida Christian quarterback. "When I went to FAMU and met all the coaching staff, everybody seemed sincere and real," Trainor said. "I asked them if I had a chance and they told me yes. They told me everything happens on the field and that's all I needed to hear. All I needed to prove myself was the opportunity."
Austin Trainor is a Rattler freshman QB prospect from Tallahassee's North Florida Christian H.S.
Trainor's situation could easily be that of the 29 other walk-ons who are hoping they'll catch the eyes of Taylor. The ones who make the mark could actually have a better-than-average chance of getting playing time next season with 24 players expected to graduate after this season. Considering the slots that will be opened up, Taylor has assigned assistants coaches Jimmy Tyson and Edwin Pata to monitor the walk-ons. "The program is going in the direction now that we could have some pretty good walk-ons," Taylor said. "I don't want anybody who looks at TV and thinks they're football players," he said. "Usually that's a hospital bill. We want the young man who the only reason is not on scholarship is because he came late or because we don't have the scholarship."
FAMU's Taylor preaches restraint
What a difference a 9-3 record makes. FAMU football coach Joe Taylor took a few minutes Wednesday to tell members of the Tallahassee Rotary Club how last season's success is affecting his team. For one thing, going from 3-8 to 9-3 has raised the expectations of Rattler fans. Then there are those who want to jump on the bandwagon — something that Taylor obviously is leery about. One of the biggest concerns is the outpouring of volunteerism when it comes to conditioning his players. He said he's warned them not to seek outside help and stick with what they're getting from strength and conditioning coach Antonio Wallace. Anything else, he said, is a distraction.
"So many people now want to jump on board and supposedly want to help," Taylor said, following his talk to the Rotarians in a small room at the Civic Center. "We need to stay in our tree, stay within our realm. When you were 3-8 nobody wanted to talk to you. Now everybody wants to talk to you." Taylor told the audience how he and his staff turned around the program in his first season as head coach, using the same blueprint that worked during 16 seasons at Hampton University. The change has more to do with the players' attitudes, he said.
Stevens offers a lot to FAMU
Recruit can be scorer and make impact early for team Curtis Berry, who coached Florida A&M basketball signee Amin Stevens, might as well have been talking about a prizefighter when responding to a question about his protege's tenacity. "He will fight back," said Berry, who coached at Mount Vernon Presbyterian High in Roswell, Ga. "That's one thing that will toughen him up — when someone is in his face challenging him." That's the very reason Eugene Harris didn't hesitate to get in the fray to recruit Stevens. Stetson and South Carolina State also made bids for Stevens.
"I knew that he would be a guy that didn't shy away from contact," Harris said. "He is a guy that likes to score and I like scorers. There should be no reason why he can't come in here and play as a freshman." Stevens, a 6-foot-6 small forward, is expected to get plenty of playing time in his first season with the Rattlers. He's already on campus attending summer school and spending his spare time in the weight room. His willingness to face up to the challenge that awaits him, especially during conference play, will give FAMU more options on defense.
FAMU's Battle is like a coach on the football field
A receiver chased a pass from quarterback Curtis Pulley, dropping the ball. Eddie Battle didn't like what he'd just witnessed. Battle, Pulley's second on FAMU quarterback depth chart, stood back, shook his head and folded his arms. His displeasure was obvious. Another play and the receivers pulled in the catch. Battle didn't take his eyes off the receiver as he trotted back to the huddle. The look on his face was one of approval. So went the afternoon for Battle as he took charge of running Monday evening's 7-on-7 unsupervised workouts.
Rattler QB Eddie Battle
With help from some of the veterans on the team, Battle has the undertaking of keeping order and structure during the 60 minutes that the Rattlers participate in the practice intended to stay sharp for the upcoming preseason drills. He seemed especially concerned about the timing between receivers and quarterbacks. "You could have a defensive lineman that is just causing hell up front," Battle said, "but if you have a receiver who is running perfect routes, the quarterback can give him the ball." Lallygagging annoy him as much as horse playing. He roams the field looking for the good and the bad, just like a coach.
FAMU able to fill some holes University's athletic dept. digging itself out of crisis
While Florida A&M's athletic department continues to crawl out from under a financial blanket of red, head coaches in two revenue-generating sports won't have to sing the blues over a shortage of money to hire assistants. FAMU is currently searching for coaches to run the men's and women's track program. Those positions as well as vacancies in football and basketball will be filled, said athletic director Bill Hayes. He also said Tuesday that cost-cutting measures that he implemented several months ago will stay in place.
The athletic department operated last year with a deficit of $7 million, prompting concerns about how the current economic crisis would affect FAMU athletics. Additionally, FAMU's administration is looking for ways to make cuts in other departments. "We are making every effort to be frugal and manage the monies that we have without being wasteful in any way," Hayes said. "That's the direction that we are going in.
Grambling State University
Grambling product welcomes challenge in Detroit
You have to hand it to James “Shack” Harris. He sure knows how look at his job with a “glass is half-full” point of view. The Grambling legend was named the Detroit Lions’ Senior Personnel Executive in February, joining General Manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz in the task of rebuilding the franchise that recently became the first in NFL history to suffer through a winless season. But the Lions aren’t 0-16 any more. They’re 0-0. “It’s going good — we’re tied for first place, so we’re feeling pretty good,” Harris said of his first few months on the job.
Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University
Grades on A&M's mind
Alcorn mourns huge loss in its family
WHETHER IT WAS the flags, jerseys or baseball caps, the Alcorn State presence was very evident Saturday at former football star Steve McNair's funeral at Reed Green Coliseum. Just as many people think of Brett Favre when Southern Miss is mentioned, Alcorn State will always be associated with the NFL MVP quarterback from Mount Olive.
http://www.officialstevemcnair.com/
"Steve McNair is someone that Alcorn was very proud of and put the school on the map." said Charles Longmire, an ASU alum wearing his purple and gold baseball cap. When asked how the Alcorn community is handling the death of it's greatest legend, Longmire just let out an exhausted sigh, "sadness." "He was really a family member," the former ASU football trainer said. "Even if you graduated in 1955, you still know him as a true family member. He's a fallen comrade so I just wanted to come out and support the family."READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Friends recall relationship between McNair, wife
Slain ex-QB McNair mourned as a 'hero,' 'legend'
McNair's fans from all over bid 'Air' goodbye
Final goodbye
Respect for McNair
'Truest competitor'
McNair laid to rest as 'hero'
Seemingly indestructible QB's death hard to accept
Family, friends bid farewell to former quarterback
RIP, Steve McNair: Remembering the former Titans quarterback
All walks of life come for McNair
Media descriptions hurtful to survivors
Delaware State University
Carter ready for future at DSU
DOVER, DE -- It has been a whirlwind summer so far for Derek A. Carter, who was hired as Delaware State University's athletic director in April. Carter, who came to DSU after serving as athletic director at Bowie State University since 2003, has met all of the school's head coaches and all of the staff and has had to acclimate himself and his family to their new home. He knows it will only get more hectic as fall approaches, but he wouldn't want it any other way.
"I am excited with the opportunity and challenge to join DSU and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference," Carter said. "I am looking forward to all the great things that will take place." Carter has been involved in athletics for most of his life and was a starting cornerback for Virginia Tech, where he was a defensive teammate of former Buffalo Bills defensive lineman and 2009 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Smith. He even earned an opportunity to try out as a free agent with the Eagles in 1985. Now, Carter has taken on a new challenge. He has a plan to revitalize the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at Delaware State University.Tennessee State University
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Islanders Adds New Associate Head Coach
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Perry Clark has a new and battle-tested lieutenant at his side heading into the next Islander basketball season. He's added Cy Alexander as associate head coach. Alexander was let go by Tennessee State earlier this year after his sixth season with the Tigers. He led them to the conference title game in 2008, but had a losing overall record.
The legendary Cy Alexander is the winningest coach in MEAC and South Carolina State (277-202) history. He has a career record of 344-306 in 24 seasons, leading the S.C. State Bulldogs to five seasons of 20-plus wins, five NCAA Tournaments and five MEAC championships.
It was a stark contrast to his first stop at South Carolina State, where he spent 16 seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament five times. He replaces Billy Garrett, who left to take a job at DePaul. Garrett also served as the team's recruiting coordinator, a job Alexander should fit right into. Combined with Clark, the duo has piled up more than 600 career coaching victories. "I don't think there will be very many situations on the court that either one of us have not seen. I think that's going to bring a very positive influence to what we're trying to get done. I don't think we'll be outcoached," Alexander said.
Video: Islanders Coach Perry Clark Adds New Associate Head Coach
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
FAMU Marching “100” Hosts its Annual Band Camp and Parade
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching “100” will host its Annual Band Camp from Monday, July 13 through Saturday, July 18. The “100” will lend its talent to hundreds of the nation’s best high school band students. More than 400 band participants will have the opportunity to master and emulate the style and concepts of the world-renowned Marching “100”. The participants will showcase their new skills and moves to the FAMU family and the Tallahassee community at the annual band camp parade scheduled for Friday, July 17, at 2 p.m. Ranging from grades 9 through 12, these young students have shown a sincere desire to better themselves as not only musicians, but as leaders of their respective band programs.
Sights and sounds from FAMU Summer Band Camp 2008 -- Building another generation of Incomparable Marching 100s...
The parade’s grand marshals are Linard McCloud (Class of 1976), director of bands for Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina; Attorney Daryl Parks, Parks and Crump, LLC; Gallop Franklin, president of FAMU’s Student Government Association; and Mr. & Miss FAMU. The special guest will be the legendary Marching "100" director (retired), William P. Foster, Ph.D. This year’s parade will consist of both campus and community organizations.
Band participants will continue to showcase their new skills at events through the end of the week. Thursday, July 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., an ensemble concert is scheduled and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., a symphonic concert is scheduled. Both concerts will be held in Lee Hall Auditorium. Participants attending the camp will travel from around the world such as California, Detroit, Bahamas and Virgin Islands. For more information, call the FAMU Band Department at (850) 599-3024.
Reserved Grice not shy when on the Rattler court
Jasmine Grice's father can't remember when he wasn't a part of his daughter's basketball life. It doesn't appear that will change now that she is taking her game to the college level at FAMU. Grice called on her father, Vincent, for just about every answer during her first sit-down interview since becoming a Rattler. But when it came to talking about what she brings to coach LeDawn Gibson's women's program, Grice was pretty succinct. And, by the way she puts it, not much is going to change in her approach that led to an average of 25.6 points per game when she played at East Gadsden High School.
2009 First Team All-Big Bend (Florida) and Co-Big Bend Player of the Year, Jasmine Grice, 5'-7" wing guard averaged per game - 29.7 points, 4.3 steals and 5.4 rebounds at East Gasden H.S."I've got to stay determined," said Grice, named the Big Bend girls' basketball co-player of the year as a senior. "I'll be more focused." Grice should be able to do that now that the recruiting frenzy is over. For at least a year, she said, a long list of schools that included Boston College, Wisconsin and LSU sought after her. She said she saw the onslaught of letters and telephone calls coming, but she wasn't prepared to handle them. Yes, that job was handed off to her father.
Rattlers' walk-ons vying for chances
There weren't too many significant offers for Austin Trainor when he was looking for a place to play college football. He listened to everyone's pitch anyway. Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor and his staff struck the right chord with the former North Florida Christian quarterback. "When I went to FAMU and met all the coaching staff, everybody seemed sincere and real," Trainor said. "I asked them if I had a chance and they told me yes. They told me everything happens on the field and that's all I needed to hear. All I needed to prove myself was the opportunity."
Austin Trainor is a Rattler freshman QB prospect from Tallahassee's North Florida Christian H.S.
Trainor's situation could easily be that of the 29 other walk-ons who are hoping they'll catch the eyes of Taylor. The ones who make the mark could actually have a better-than-average chance of getting playing time next season with 24 players expected to graduate after this season. Considering the slots that will be opened up, Taylor has assigned assistants coaches Jimmy Tyson and Edwin Pata to monitor the walk-ons. "The program is going in the direction now that we could have some pretty good walk-ons," Taylor said. "I don't want anybody who looks at TV and thinks they're football players," he said. "Usually that's a hospital bill. We want the young man who the only reason is not on scholarship is because he came late or because we don't have the scholarship."
FAMU's Taylor preaches restraint
What a difference a 9-3 record makes. FAMU football coach Joe Taylor took a few minutes Wednesday to tell members of the Tallahassee Rotary Club how last season's success is affecting his team. For one thing, going from 3-8 to 9-3 has raised the expectations of Rattler fans. Then there are those who want to jump on the bandwagon — something that Taylor obviously is leery about. One of the biggest concerns is the outpouring of volunteerism when it comes to conditioning his players. He said he's warned them not to seek outside help and stick with what they're getting from strength and conditioning coach Antonio Wallace. Anything else, he said, is a distraction.
"So many people now want to jump on board and supposedly want to help," Taylor said, following his talk to the Rotarians in a small room at the Civic Center. "We need to stay in our tree, stay within our realm. When you were 3-8 nobody wanted to talk to you. Now everybody wants to talk to you." Taylor told the audience how he and his staff turned around the program in his first season as head coach, using the same blueprint that worked during 16 seasons at Hampton University. The change has more to do with the players' attitudes, he said.
Stevens offers a lot to FAMU
Recruit can be scorer and make impact early for team Curtis Berry, who coached Florida A&M basketball signee Amin Stevens, might as well have been talking about a prizefighter when responding to a question about his protege's tenacity. "He will fight back," said Berry, who coached at Mount Vernon Presbyterian High in Roswell, Ga. "That's one thing that will toughen him up — when someone is in his face challenging him." That's the very reason Eugene Harris didn't hesitate to get in the fray to recruit Stevens. Stetson and South Carolina State also made bids for Stevens.
"I knew that he would be a guy that didn't shy away from contact," Harris said. "He is a guy that likes to score and I like scorers. There should be no reason why he can't come in here and play as a freshman." Stevens, a 6-foot-6 small forward, is expected to get plenty of playing time in his first season with the Rattlers. He's already on campus attending summer school and spending his spare time in the weight room. His willingness to face up to the challenge that awaits him, especially during conference play, will give FAMU more options on defense.
FAMU's Battle is like a coach on the football field
A receiver chased a pass from quarterback Curtis Pulley, dropping the ball. Eddie Battle didn't like what he'd just witnessed. Battle, Pulley's second on FAMU quarterback depth chart, stood back, shook his head and folded his arms. His displeasure was obvious. Another play and the receivers pulled in the catch. Battle didn't take his eyes off the receiver as he trotted back to the huddle. The look on his face was one of approval. So went the afternoon for Battle as he took charge of running Monday evening's 7-on-7 unsupervised workouts.
Rattler QB Eddie BattleWith help from some of the veterans on the team, Battle has the undertaking of keeping order and structure during the 60 minutes that the Rattlers participate in the practice intended to stay sharp for the upcoming preseason drills. He seemed especially concerned about the timing between receivers and quarterbacks. "You could have a defensive lineman that is just causing hell up front," Battle said, "but if you have a receiver who is running perfect routes, the quarterback can give him the ball." Lallygagging annoy him as much as horse playing. He roams the field looking for the good and the bad, just like a coach.
FAMU able to fill some holes University's athletic dept. digging itself out of crisis
While Florida A&M's athletic department continues to crawl out from under a financial blanket of red, head coaches in two revenue-generating sports won't have to sing the blues over a shortage of money to hire assistants. FAMU is currently searching for coaches to run the men's and women's track program. Those positions as well as vacancies in football and basketball will be filled, said athletic director Bill Hayes. He also said Tuesday that cost-cutting measures that he implemented several months ago will stay in place.
The athletic department operated last year with a deficit of $7 million, prompting concerns about how the current economic crisis would affect FAMU athletics. Additionally, FAMU's administration is looking for ways to make cuts in other departments. "We are making every effort to be frugal and manage the monies that we have without being wasteful in any way," Hayes said. "That's the direction that we are going in.
Grambling State University
Grambling product welcomes challenge in Detroit
You have to hand it to James “Shack” Harris. He sure knows how look at his job with a “glass is half-full” point of view. The Grambling legend was named the Detroit Lions’ Senior Personnel Executive in February, joining General Manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz in the task of rebuilding the franchise that recently became the first in NFL history to suffer through a winless season. But the Lions aren’t 0-16 any more. They’re 0-0. “It’s going good — we’re tied for first place, so we’re feeling pretty good,” Harris said of his first few months on the job.
Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University
Grades on A&M's mind
Eligibility of several Bulldogs depends on summer courses -- Defensive end Jeremy Maddox and wide receiver Nate Baxter are among a handful of key Alabama A&M players who are in summer school seeking to become eligible for the upcoming season, coach Anthony Jones said.
The Bulldogs report for preseason practice Aug. 2 and open the season at Tennessee State on Sept. 5.
"We have a couple of guys in summer school that have some issues this summer," Jones said. "The guys who are on the border ... all you can do is encourage them to go to class and monitor their progress. Ultimately, a lot of that responsibility has to fall upon them. They have to go to class and make the grades. The summer is always tough because everything is condensed and you have a ton of distractions. If it's important to them, they'll endure." According to Jones, approximately 40 players are in summer school, but most of them are trying to get ahead.
CONTINUE READING, CLICK INDIVIDUAL BLOG TITLE.
Monday, July 6, 2009
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...
READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Steve McNair (1973-2009)
McNair family copes with sudden loss
Nashville remembers McNair
McNair public memorial Thursday in Tennessee
McNair Won't Be Remembered for His Flaws
McNair's Death Is Ruled a Homicide
Steve McNair's death brings other side of his life to light
Steve McNair's wife was unaware of affair with Sahel Kazemi until ...
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:
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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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).
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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Sunday, June 28, 2009
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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