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Time is working against virtually every team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference except for Jackson State, and this weekend will have huge implications on the season-ending standings. Each team has seven games remaining except for Prairie View A&M (12-9, 7-3) and Texas Southern (11-11, 7-3), which have eight left. The weekend is huge for the two Houston programs as they get their home shots at JSU. If the Tigers go 0-for-2 on the trip, PVAM and TSU could pull into a three-way tie atop the conference, if they can also dispose of Grambling State (6-13, 4-7), which is making its Houston trip and attempting to hold off Southern (4-18, 2-9) for the last spot in the SWAC Tournament.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8-14, 8-3) quietly sits in the best position this weekend with road games at Southern and winless Alcorn State, who are a combined 2-20 in SWAC play. It beat reigning league champion Alabama State (9-13, 6-5) for the first time in five tries on Monday, and put the Hornets in a must-win situation against in-state rival Alabama A&M on Saturday.
PVAMU Coach Cynthia Cooper Dyke has the Panthers on pace to win its fourth consecutive SWAC regular-season title.
Prairie View A&M coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke must wonder whether she's running a women's basketball program or an infirmary. The Panthers are one of the most injury-riddled teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, having lost four players for the season. One of those players is senior guard and reigning SWAC Player of the Year Gaati Werema, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament during practice Jan. 29.
Werema joined guards Latia Williams and Dieynaba Toure on the list of players whose seasons were ended by torn ACLs. Guard Trinity Robinson was expected to return from a broken wrist this week, but she'll miss the rest of the season after opting for surgery to repair a broken bone. Werema was averaging 13.5 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds. To make matters worse, guard Candice Thomas (15.7 points per game) is playing with a sprained knee.
Florida A&M University has released its football schedule for the upcoming 2010 football season. To say the least, it has balance for the Northeast Corridor alums and for those that seldom travel outside of Florida and Georgia. The season opens on the road with the Rattlers traveling to Sun Life Stadium to face the University of Miami Hurricanes on September 2. After receiving a much needed $600,000 payoff from Miami, the Rattlers hit the road to face MEAC conference foe Delaware State Hornets on September 11, in Dover, Delaware.
The following week, September 18, the Rattlers are on the road again to play Howard University in Washington, D.C. Then, its off to Atlanta for the annual get together with rival Tennessee State at the Georgia Dome on September 25. in the Atlanta Football Classic.
Only four home contests are scheduled with the Rattlers facing the three challenger for the MEAC crown at Bragg Memorial Stadium. First up is a home date on October 2, with 2-Time MEAC champion, South Carolina State Bulldogs. This game will decide the MEAC championship, not that anyone is looking past the other conference foes. An open date is scheduled for October 2, followed by an October 16, home contest with FCS Independent Savannah State Tigers.
The next home game is scheduled for October 30, with the defensive-minded Morgan State Bears. This is FAMU's homecoming and it always is a difficult contest when the Rattlers and Bears get together. The final home date is November 13, when Joe Taylor's former team, the Hampton Pirates visits Tallahassee for the big payback.
The only surprise on the schedule is Norfolk State scheduling the Rattlers for their homecoming on October 23, at Dick Price Stadium. FAMU will have a tough contest with North Carolina A&T on November 6, in Greensboro, N.C. The Aggies are a few years away from competing for the MEAC crown, but can be the spoiler in 2010.
FAMU closes out the regular season on November 20 in Orlando, Florida, with Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic. With a soft road schedule in 2010, the Rattlers should be primed to do some damage in the FCS Playoffs, starting on November 27. Fans are expecting a regular season record of 10-1 and the MEAC Championship being returned to its rightful place in Tallahassee.
FAMU Rattlers 2010 Football Schedule 9/2 at University of Miami, Miami Gardens, FL 9/11 at *Delaware State, Dover, DE 9/18 at *Howard, Washington, D.C. 9/25 at Tennessee State, Georgia Dome, Atlanta (Atlanta Football Classic) 10/2 *South Carolina State, Tallahassee, FL 10/9 OPEN 10/16 Savannah State, Tallahassee, FL 10/23 at *Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA (Spartans homecoming) 10/30 *Morgan State, Tallahassee, FL 11/6 at*North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC 11/13 *Hampton, Tallahassee, FL 11/20 *Bethune-Cookman, Orlando, FL, (Florida Classic)
The legendary Willie E."Rat" McGowan, Sr. (#25 in photo) will be honored with the naming of the Alcorn State University baseball stadium.
JACKSON, MS — Alcorn State University could honor its sports history by naming its baseball stadium and the field inside the stadium after two former coaches. A bill that passed the Mississippi House 116-0 on Tuesday would name the park as the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan Sr. Baseball Stadium. McGowan retired in 2009 after coaching Alcorn State baseball for 40 years. The field inside the stadium would be named for the late William "Bill" Foster, the school's first baseball coach.
Foster was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s and '30s and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legendary "Rat" McGowan finished his Alcorn career with 720 wins and was inducted in the Alcorn State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, for baseball and football. The bill moves to the Senate for more work.
By: Representatives Holloway, Middleton, Clarke, Wooten, Arinder, DuVall, Espy, Gibbs, Harrison, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Jones (82nd), Thomas, Scott, Clark
House Bill 730 (As Passed the House) AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL PARK ON THE CAMPUS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY IN LORMAN, MISSISSIPPI, SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN, SR., BASEBALL STADIUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BASEBALL FIELD WITHIN THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN STADIUM SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIAM "BILL" FOSTER BASEBALL FIELD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The Alcorn State University Baseball Park on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. McGowan.
SECTION 2. The baseball field within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, as designated in Section 1 of this act, located on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place on the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. Foster.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.
NORFOLK, VA – Norfolk State University released its 2010 football schedule on Wednesday. Highlighting the non-conference slate are another date at Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Rutgers, the continuation of the Spartans’ rivalry with Virginia State and a date at Savannah State to close the season.
The Spartans open the 2010 schedule by traveling to Piscataway, N.J., to face Rutgers University on Thursday, Sept. 2. The schools first met in 2007, with the 13th-ranked Scarlet Knights of the Big East prevailing 59-0. NSU went on to finish 8-3 that season, their best mark since moving to Division I in 1997. The Scarlet Knights finished 9-4 last year, winning their fourth straight bowl game with a 45-24 victory over Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity whenever you get to play an FBS team,” NSU head coachPeteAdrian said. “Rutgers has been an excellent program over the last several years and this year will be no exception. We felt like playing there in 2007 really helped serve as a catalyst to our 8-3 season, and it’s a great challenge to play them again.”
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NSU Spartans 2010 Football Schedule Date Opponent Location Time 9/2/2010 Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ TBA 9/11/2010 *North Carolina A&T (Fish Bowl Classic) Norfolk, VA 4 p.m. 9/18/2010 Virginia State Norfolk, VA 6 p.m. 9/25/2010 *Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach,FL TBA 10/9/2010 *South Carolina State Orangeburg,S.C. TBA 10/16/2010 *Hampton (Battle of the Bay) Hampton,VA TBA 10/23/2010 *Florida A&M (Homecoming) Norfolk,VA 2 p.m. 10/30/2010 *Howard, Washington,D.C. TBA 11/6/2010 *Morgan State Norfolk,VA 1 p.m. 11/13/2010 *Delaware State Norfolk,VA 1 p.m. 11/20/2010 Savannah State Savannah,GA TBA
Less than 24 hours after he fired Dee Stokes for leading the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams basketball team to a disastrous 2-21 mark, Director of Athletics Bill Hayes hired Walter Mebane as interim head coach for the final seven games of 2009-10 season. Mebane served nearly a full season as a volunteer assistant coach with Bobby Collins, head coach of WSSU's men's hoops squad. Prior to that, he spent 11 seasons with the Lady Pirates of Hampton, including five as head coach. At the helm of Hampton, he compiled a 70-77 mark, including a 51-35 record in the MEAC that included a berth in the 2009 tournament championship game.
Walter Mebane, a volunteer assistant for the Winston-Salem State men's basketball team, has been named the interim coach for the women's team. Mebane, 54, replaces Dee Stokes, who was fired Tuesday with seven games left in the season. Stokes had turned in her resignation in November but had planned on finishing the season. Before coming to WSSU. Mebane spent one month as an assistant for the N.C. State women's team. He also spent 11 years at Hampton, including five as the women's head coach. He had a 70-77 record with the Pirates. Bill Hayes, the athletics director at WSSU, said he has had nearly 50 applicants for the job and that he would like to have the women's coach hired soon after the season ends.
Florida A&M University President James Ammons, Ph.D. has a very difficult decision to make in the selection of the Rattlers next athletic director from finalist Mary McElroy and Derrick McGee.
A double shot of good news for Florida A&M. University president James Ammons announced that the school had narrowed is search for a permanent athletic director to two candidates. The news came on the heels of another announcement, this one from the NCAA that confirmed that the Rattlers have finished their four-year probation for various infractions and violations. Ammons said that the two finalists for the AD position are Derrick McGee and Mary McElroy.
McGee is currently chief financial officer for the University of Cincinnati Bearkats and is a former Rattler basketball player. McElroy finished a short stint as AD for compliance at SMU. Prior to that, she served three years as athletic director at Georgia State in Atlanta, where she initiated the school's first football program. "I've completed my interview and now I'm working on all of the due diligence that I have to do in order to make the appointment," Ammons said. "I'm hoping that within the week, we will have an announcement to make on the new director of athletics."
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The BIG EAST Conference and Rutgers University announced the 2010 football schedule Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights play seven home games next season and have four games already set to be televised on ESPN or ABC. Rutgers opens the season Thursday, September 2 vs. Norfolk State at Rutgers Stadium. The Scarlet Knights go on the road in week two of the season for their first visit to Florida International on Saturday, September 11.
Norfolk State was slammed 59-0 in their initial meeting with the Scarlet Knights in 2007. Hopefully, the 2010 game will be more than an easy "light scrimmage" for the State University of New Jersey this time around. The signing of this "money game" contract effectively takes Norfolk State University out of the running for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Florida on Sept. 7, 2010.
From our view, the likely candidate slips to the Morgan State Bears for the challenge. The MEAC's unnamed opponent will have to face the rebuilding Southern University Jaguars under first year Coach Stump Mitchell.
The NSU Spartans have not released their 2010 Football Schedule. But, we have been able to confirm the following dates for that schedule shown below. The MEAC home games will be Delaware State, Morgan State and North Carolina Central. The away conference games are at: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State and Howard.
Norfolk State Spartans "Partial" 2010 Football Schedule Sept 2, at Rutgers, Piscataway, N.J. Sept 11, North Carolina A&T, Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA (Fish Bowl Classic) Sept. 18, Virginia State, 6 p.m., Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA Oct. 16 at Hampton , Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA (Battle of the Bay Classic) Oct. 23, Florida A&M (homecoming), Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA
2010 Rutgers Football Schedule Thursday, September 2 Norfolk State Saturday, September 11 at Florida International Saturday, September 25 North Carolina Saturday, October 2 Tulane Friday, October 8 Connecticut* (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) Saturday, October 16 Army (New Meadowlands Stadium) Saturday, October 23 at Pittsburgh* Wednesday, November 3 at USF* (ESPN2, 7 p.m.) Saturday, November 13 Syracuse* Saturday, November 20 at Cincinnati* Friday, November 26 Louisville* (ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC) Saturday, December 4 at West Virginia* (ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC)
Athletic Director Bill Hayes releases Dee Stokes after completion of a 69-142 record in seven seasons as a head coach. Stokes compiled a four year record of 19 wins, 90 losses at WSSU.
Dee Stokes, the women's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, was fired yesterday with seven games left in the season. Stokes had submitted her resignation in November but said she would finish this season to fulfill her contract. Athletics Director Bill Hayes decided not to wait that long, several sources said, after he walked into the Gaines Center on Monday night to see the WSSU women trailing Hampton 60-10. The Rams (2-21) wound up losing 67-26, their 19th straight loss.
"I am disappointed in the results of our season, obviously," Stokes said. "A couple of weeks ago I realized that I wasn't going to accomplish the goals that I set for myself here at Winston-Salem State and that's been troubling to me." Stokes had a 19-90 record in four seasons at WSSU. She was being paid $85,000 a year, with her original four-year contract ending March 31.
During a Sunday practice in preparation for Monday’s game against Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff men’s basketball coach George Ivory reminded his team they hadn’t beaten the Hornets since he became coach prior to last season. The reminder of four straight losses — including one by two points in overtime in Montgomery, Ala., last month — was meant to provide a bit of extra motivation for his team. Turns out, they didn’t really need it.
UAPB Golden Lions Coach George Ivory gets first win against Alabama State University Hornets.
The three seniors on the team who began as freshman in 2006 reminded the coach — and their teammates who have since arrived — that nobody really knows when UAPB last beat Alabama State. They just knew that nobody on the court at the time had ever done it. “It’s been a four-year curse since I’ve been here,” forward Tyree Glass said. Glass, Terrance Calvin and George Davis, the three who arrived on campus four years ago, all played roles in ending the string of losses on Monday. In the slowest-paced game the Golden Lions (8-14, 8-3) have played this season, they outlasted the two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions in a 47-42 win.
More bad news coming out of Savannah State University this afternoon, from reporter Noell Barnidge blog with the Savannah Morning News...Talk about dysfunctional, SSU has an exclusive on this when it comes to athletic administration and coach selections. Does the MEAC really want this headache added to the conference?
...Add inside linebackers coach to the list of vacancies Savannah State University is attempting to fill. Jose Gonzalez, an SSU football assistant coach for the past three years, is no longer on the staff, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Wednesday morning. "Coach Gonzalez is no longer on the football staff," Mashariki wrote in an e-mail, responding to an e-mail inquiry from the Savannah Morning News. "He is the full-time head softball coach." Gonzalez previously handled the head softball coaching position with his duties as a football assistant coach. Gonzalez came to SSU from Georgia Southern University, where he coached wide receivers in 2006.
Prior to working at GSU, Gonzalez worked at Metter High School coaching wide receivers and defensive backs from 2004-05. In addition to an inside linebackers coach, SSU is searching for an athletics director, football head coach, football offensive coordinator and conference.
After being left to dangle in the air by the University of Memphis, Rashaad DeJarnett signed a national letter of intent with Alabama A&M in front of his peers at Elmore County High School on Thursday morning. As the unquestioned leader for the Panthers this past season, DeJarnett hauled in 59 passes for 927 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior campaign. The 6-foot-1 standout also discovered the end zone on the ground with five rushing scores. The coaching staff of A&M had never seen the senior receiver play in person, but that did not stop the SWAC school from offering him an athletic scholarship.
"With my confidence and with (the players) they lost, I should be able to step in and play right away," DeJarnett said about contributing as a true freshman. "I've been traveling behind him since Little League, and now he finally gets an opportunity to excel -- not only in athletics, but in education and in life," said Mable Lawrence, DeJarnett's mother. The senior become a victim of the recruiting process when Memphis fired Tommy West on Nov. 9 after nine years of running the program and hired LSU assistant Larry Porter later that month.
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AAMU Bulldogs signee RaShaad DeJarnett, Elmore County High School, AL
Note to Fans: We are very happy to see Rashaad DeJarnett sign with a SWAC program. He doesn't realize it today, but he increased his probability of earning a Bachelors Degree by 50-75 percent in signing with AAMU. Yes, the young man is talented on the football field but as a student-athlete he will need to excel in both venues--especially education. Get in the weight room young man, hit those text books hard in preparation for college and forget all that bull---- the Memphis, Western Kentucky, UAB and USM recruiters told you to get your commitment. Recruiting is ov-er!
I certainly would love to observe his first Bulldog practice in pads in the fall, as a few junior and senior linebackers give him his first lessons in humility for his freshman-like statements: "When (Memphis) dropped out and had that coaching change, they didn't want the same guys," DeJarnett explained. "So I had to downgrade to Division I-AA -- that's another reason I know I can go in and play at that level, because of the competition" or “I knew I was a Division I player, but with the coaching change there it was frustrating,” said DeJarnett. “With my ability, I think I can see a lot of playing time as a true freshman.”
Mr. DeJarnett will soon get a memorable lesson that playing in the SWAC is not a downgrade in competition from Memphis. The difference is 63 scholarship student-athletes vs. 85 scholarship student-athletes and 20 preferred walk-on athletes at the Football Bowl Subdivision (1-A) programs. He will learn very quickly that everyone on the AAMU team was a star in high school and was recruited by some big brand FBS or FCS program at some point in their career. The MEAC and SWAC schools receive FBS and FCS transfers every year, and some never make any significant contributions on the football field, if they make the cut. Nothing is guaranteed in college football--other than competition.
We look forward to seeing Bulldog Coach Anthony Jones and staff develop this young man into a productive SWAC and FCS player. 2010 is going to be a fun season in SWAC/MEAC football.
--beepbeep
Description: Truman Franklin hook and ladder pass to Tanner Falk who pitches to Rashaad Dejarnett for a 75 yd TD vs. Alabama Christian Academy
Nothing against The Who, mind you. Or its surviving original members -- 65-year-old singer Roger Daltrey and 64-year-old guitarist Pete Townshend. Pretty much everyone on The Plain Dealer's editorial board loved The Who -- back in the day. But the day was a long time ago, as we were reminded again during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime. How long? The Browns were NFL defending champions when "My Generation" was released.
Alas, most vintage performers aren't well served by tight camera shots, let alone HDTV. And when Daltrey sang, "Let's get together, before we get much older," there was no arguing with the teenager on the couch who hooted, "It's too late for that."
The NFL's been obsessed with "safe" halftime acts since Janet Jackson's 2004"wardrobe malfunction." Since then, the Super Bowl's gone classic rock: Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and finally The Who -- with guest drummer Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's 44-year-old son. Enough already. Baby boomers don't need bifocaled rockers to remind them of their age. Next year, how about a nice marching band?
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MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street is in total agreement with the comments posted (above) by The Plain Dealer Editorial Board(Cleveland, OH). Enough already! Here you have a global television audience with 106 million watching and you schedule America's Band--the "Incomparable" Florida A&M University Marching 100 for only a "pre-game" performance.
Unfortunately, only 74,059 fans at Super Bowl XLIV in Sun Life Stadium had the experience of seeing the awesome display of musicianship and precision of the FAMU Marching 100 Band. The Marching 100 has been credited for 30 innovative techniques which have become standard operating procedures for many high school and collegiate marching band programs throughout the nation.This was the FAMU Marching 100 fifth appearance in a Super Bowl, performing a medley of Michael Jackson tunes before the Saints and Colts took the field.
Too bad big business comes first--$2.5 million dollar 30 second commercials and last second football hype by sportscasters who are clueless, to the point that the 10 minute pre-game show was a total blackout. Again, America missed out on the seeing the best marching band in the land--in another electrifying and fabulous performance. Enough already with the over-the-hill rockers who can't give away free CDs.
One suggestion to the NFL....book for the next five Super Bowls the Florida A&M Marching 100, Southern University Human Jukebox, Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South, Prairie View A&M Marching Storm and the Alabama State University Marching Hornets. All of these bands are better than "nice" and will put on a memorable half-time show that will connect with the 106 million audience. FAMU Marching 100--you again made us proud!!
WINNIPEG, MB - The Canadian Football League (CFL)Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce today they have agreed to terms with import running back Emmanuel Marc. Marc (5-10, 205, Delaware State '06) was in B.C.'s training camp in 2009. He played his College football at Delaware State where he notched 1,401 career rushing yards on 237 carries and added 14 touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for an additional 242 yards. He also returned 29 kickoffs for 633 yards.
In 2006, he ran for 1,230 yards, the fourth-best single-season total in team history, and 12 touchdowns to help lead the Hornets to an 8-3 record. He was an All-MEAC Second Team selection that year. Marc is a native of Spring Valley, New York.
Without a doubt, Coach Todd Bozeman's Morgan State Bears are the hottest program in the Mid-Majors. The 2009 MEAC Champion Bears have moved to No. 17 in the latest Mid-Major Poll.
BALTIMORE, MD -- Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman 48-47 on Monday night to remain perfect in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bears trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left, before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats regained the lead, 47-46, on a Jarrell Thomas 3 with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, B-CU had two chances for the win. C.J. Reed missed a jumper with 6 seconds left and Albert Abrahams, who came down with the offensive rebound, missed a layup with 4 seconds left, giving the Bears their eighth-straight win. The Bears shot 34 percent (16-of-47) from the field and the nation's No. 6 scorer, Reggie Holmes (22.8 points per game), was held to six points.
Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman, 48-47, to remain undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The host Bears (18-7, 10-0) trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats (15-9, 6-4) regained the lead, 47-46, on a 3-pointer by Jarrell Thomas with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, Bethune-Cookman had two chances for the win.
Lady Aggies Coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs has A&T rolling with a 10-0 MEAC record.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Senior guard Tu'Wuana "Tweet" Cook scored 22 points and N.C. A&T forced 26 turnovers as the Aggies routed Maryland-Eastern Shore 76-46 on Monday night in women's basketball at the Corbett Center. It was the 10th consecutive win for the Aggies (16-7, 10-0 MEAC), who held the Hawks to 30 percent field-goal shooting. Lamona Smalley, the MEAC's player of the week, had 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jaleesa Sams added 11 points off the bench for A&T.
The Aggies went up 9-1 on a 3-point play by JaQuayla Berry at the 15:16 mark. Cook then hit consecutive 3-pointers to push the lead to 20-7 at 8:45. After a pair of Sams free throws, Cook knocked down her third 3 of the half to make it a 25-9 game and A&T never looked back again. April McBride led UMES (8-12, 5-5) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Chena Parker added eight points and 13 rebounds. FINAL STATS
GRAMBLING, LA — The Grambling women's basketball team took down Alcorn State 82-74 on Monday. It was GSU's second win in a row and fourth in five games. Secrett Anderson (transfer from Florida A&M) came off the bench and had a game-high 35 points for the Lady Tigers (8-12, 5-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference). The forward also had a game-high 11 rebounds. In large part to Anderson's play, GSU had 38 points in the paint. The game was tied eight times, but GSU separated itself late in the second half. GSU went on a 9-3 run with 8:56 left in the game. The Lady Tigers had a 34-30 lead at halftime and extended it to 10 — their largest of the game — with 2:02 left in the game. Alcorn State dropped to 13-7 and 7-3 in the SWAC.
They couldn't stay on fire forever. The Jackson State Tigers had blown out their last three opponents by shooting them out of the gym early with gaudy percentages. The shots weren't falling Monday, but JSU is quick to remind you the team is built for defense and rebounding first. Oh, and there was the we're-part-of-this-team-too performance out of the trio of Jackson State centers.
JSU made it six straight victories with a 63-53 win over Southern in front of an announced 1,451 at the Athletics and Assembly Center. The first-place Tigers (12-11, 10-1) moved above .500 for the first time and hold a 2 1/2-game cushion going into the most crucial road trip of the SWAC season - Prairie View (12-9, 7-3) and Texas Southern (11-11, 7-3). "We always know we've got to be prepared to play, got to contribute," JSU center Gertavian Blake said. "We basically have to step up."
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leading scorer, Reggie Holmes, MSU Bears.
BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes and freshman DeWayne Jackson scored 25 points apiece and Morgan State (No. 20 in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll) extended its winning streak with a lopsided victory by routing Florida A&M 94-68 on Sunday at Hill Field House. Holmes, who entered the contest ranked No. 5 among the nation’s leading scorers, poured in 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.
Kevin Thompson, who entered tonight’s game ranked No. 4 in the nation in rebounding, collected his 15th double-double of the season by posting 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with two blocked shots. Sean Thomas added a career-high 11 assists. Morgan State, who improved to 17-7 overall and 9-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, shot 54.8 percent overall and 58.6 percent during the second half, using a big surge in the second half to extend their lead to as many as 33 points and claim their sixth home win of the season.
Travis Wallace had 14 points to lead Florida A&M (6-17, 2-7) who fell to the Bears for the third consecutive time. Christopher Walker chipped in 12 points and Yannick Crowder finished with 11 points for the Rattlers.
In his thoughts today, Ken Pomeroy asks that someone give Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman (right)a chance. And quite honestly, there is nothing on his coaching resume on the court to discourage the notion that Bozeman is an excellent basketball coach. He won at California and he's winning at Morgan State - a school that hadn't had a winning season since 1989 before he took over - and his team is now on the verge of going undefeated during the regular season in conference.
Morgan State plays in the MEAC, but that hasn't stopped them from compiling an impressive 17-7 record and a 129 ranking in Pomeroy. That record should only continue to improve as the Golden Bears beat up on other MEAC squads. This is a team that won at Arkansas and lost by 9 at Louisville. They can play.
Prairie View A&M University Panthers are scheduled to face University of Southern Mississippi on Sept. 11, 2010, is the first meeting between the 2009 SWAC champions and the C-USA Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss’ 2010 football schedule includes both 2009 Conference USA championship game participants from a year ago, the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion and a BCS automatic-qualifying conference school for the second consecutive year. Although C-USA does not release its game dates for another month for league contests, the Golden Eagles will play both East Carolina and Houston, the C-USA East and West Division champions from last season, as well as fellow league foes Marshall and UAB at Roberts Stadium.
Non-conference home dates include Prairie View A&M on Sept. 11 and Big 12 foe Kansas on Sept. 18. USM will play road games at South Carolina, Louisiana Tech, UCF, Memphis, Tulane and Tulsa. “This is another extremely challenging schedule for Coach Fedora, his staff and players,” said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini. “We are excited about having both teams that played in the C-USA championship game in 2009 here during the upcoming season, as well as bringing in both Prairie View A&M and Kansas for the first time. This is the second straight year we have been able to bring in a team from a BCS automatic-qualifying conference to Hattiesburg.”
FAMU baseball went 24-29 last year, and the majority of that team is back this season and hoping to make waves in 2010.
FAMU head baseball coach Robert Lucas says, "We should be able to be a lot better this year because we have more arms. We got another year of experience, and I feel probably better about this team than any the last three years." FAMU shortstop Jarrod Jeffries adds, "Things are going great. Everyone is showing they put in the personal time to get better, we're just trying to communicate as a team."
Preseason predictions have the Orange and Green finishing tied for fourth in the MEAC. Lucas says, "Predictions don't mean anything to me because we determine what our outcome is going to be. People sitting in an office don't decide what we do on a baseball field."
Former South Carolina State University Bulldogs cornerback Phillip Adams is playing in Texas vs. The Nation All-Stars Game, Sunday, February 7, 2010, at Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas, 2 PM EST.
Phillip Adams has his eyes on the future today when he plays in the Texas Vs. The Nation All-Star Football Game at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. The game will be broadcast nationally for those who have a satellite dish beginning at 2 p.m. Adams, a former standout in football and basketball at Rock Hill, sees the game as an opportunity for him to be drafted by an NFL team. Scouts attended practice all week, and Adams said several have shown a strong interest in his abilities.
“I feel like I’ve showcased my talents this week and have been noticed,’’ Adams said. “At (South Carolina) State, I was known as a physical corner. I’ve had to back off some this week and show the pro scouts I can backpedal. That’s what they like to see in a player, because you have to be able to do that in the NFL.
“My agent is trying to get me an invitation to the NFL combine, which would give me more exposure. But if it doesn’t happen, I’ll get at least another chance. We have Pro Day at State on March 31. We have other seniors that deserve a shot at the NFL, so I’m hoping they get noticed.’’ Adams, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, spent the last four years in Orangeburg playing for coach Buddy Pough’s S.C. State Bulldogs. Adams admits he’s come a long way since his freshman season and has continued to improve after being moved from safety to cornerback when he got to college.
The verdict is still out as to which of the MEAC schools grabbed the most talented players on the first day of the national signing period, but FAMU's coach Joe Taylor ended the day praising his recruiters. He gave them credit for beating out Florida schools such as Division-I upstarts FIU and FAU, along with Hampton and Bethune-Cookman in his league.
"When you look at the other schools that we're recruiting the same guys, that really impressed me," Taylor said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. "I felt like we were able to compete. Jacksonville State, FIU, FAU were recruiting some of these guys and they still decided to come here. The Bethune-Cookman's and Hampton's, we were able to win on those guys."
When LeRoy Vann was making national headlines on his way to setting records for returning punts and kicks last season, Ocala Forest High School safety Devan Roberts was watching with the rest of nation. Every time he saw or heard anything about Vann, Roberts began to think how he could do the same for the Rattlers. After signing a letter of intent Wednesday to play his college football at FAMU, Roberts said he doesn't intend to take long to prove his point.
"I have a knack for the end zone," Roberts said during a telephone interview. "I know LeRoy Vann is a great return person. It's huge shoes to fill but I'm going to try." Roberts and linebacker Anthony Hamm were the two biggest names signed by FAMU on the start of the national signing period. Hamm comes with a reputation for being a ball-hound (nine career sacks), while Roberts is a speedster who had more than 700 return yards and scored 10 touchdowns during his high school career.
Michael Ethridge Ethridge a 6'3" - 245 lb tight end is regarded as an excellent run blocker with great hands. In his time at Godby, Ethridge had 25 receptions for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ethridge is also a fierce and tenacious run blocker who recorded over 100 pnacakes as a tight end. A 2-star recruit on Scout.com, he was also rectuited by FAU and FIU.
Dennis Hall Hall 5'10" - 170 lb Wide Receiver from Pahokee High School. Hall possesses incredible athleticism and speed out of football powerhouse Pahokee HS in Belle Glade, Fl. In his career at Phaokee, Hall recorded 84 receptions, 14 touchdowns and over 700 yards receiving. In their state championship game, Hall caught the game winning touchdown pass vs. nationally ranked Trinity Catholic. Hall is also 1st cousin of NFL Pro Bowler Anquan Bolden who is also from Pahokee. Also recruited by Eastern Michigan, Eastern illinois, Villanova, Appalachian State and B-CU.
Dante "Bubba" Black Black is a 5'9" running back from (Ocala) Dunnellon HS. he was one od Dunnellon High School's all-time rushing leaders with over 5,000 rushing yards and over 50 touchdowns in his career for the Tigers. With blazing 4.3 speed and 10.8 spped in the 100-meter stretch. Black is an incredible return specialist with 18 career returns for touchdowns and kick off returns and punt returns.
Christopher White White is a 6'4" - 225 lb defensive end from Newberry High School. he is a relentless defensive lineman with incredible athletic ability and knack for sacking the quarterback. In his senior season, White recorded 11 sacks while anchoring the defensive squad with 67 tackles and 17 for loss. He was also recruited ny North Carolina A&T, B-CU and Hampton.
Kevin House House is a 6’3 315 Offensive Lineman from Edward White HS-1ST Team All State & All Conference Offensive Lineman out of Edward White HS in Jacksonville, FL. he was awarded Offensive Lineman of the Year and dominated at his position with 78 Pancakes in his senior campaign and 0 sacks allowed in two years at Edward White HS. Rated : 3 Star Recruit. Also Recruited by Western Carolina, Tennessee State, BCU, Western Michigan.
Lenworth Lennon Lennon is a 5’10 180 WR Boyd Anderson HS- 3 Star recruit out of Boyd Anderson HS in Fort Lauderdale Fl. WHe was a top 5 in Broward County in Receiving Yards, receptions and touchdowns with 768 yds, 47 receptions and 8 touchdowns. He was also a starter in the Dade vs. Broward All Star Game where he recorded 2 receptions for 36 yds. He also Recruited by Buffalo, Central Michigan and West Carolina.
Shawn Brown Brown is a 6’3 290 OL/DT from Miami Central HS- 1st Team All Miami Dade & 2nd Team All State (6A) from Nationally ranked Miami Central HS. Brown is a 3 year starter with tremendous athleticism, size and strength to go along with over 50 pancakes in his career as a Rocket. On the Defensive side of the ball Brown also recorded 6 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 57 total tackles at DT. Rated: 2 Star Recruit. Also recruited by FAU, FIU, Tennessee State, BCU, and Hampton.
Aaron Wynn Wynn is a 6’5 280 OL from Lakewood HS- 2 star recruit out of Pinellas County where he was also voted 1st Team All County and Most Valuable Lineman in Pinellas county. As a Junior Wynn also made 2nd Team All Pinellas and gave up only 4 career sacks out of Lakewood HS. Also recruited by Hampton, Norfolk State, and New Mexico.
Devon Roberts Roberts is a 6’1 180 DB from Ocala Forest HS- 1st Team All County Playmaker out of Forest HS in Ocala, Fl. In his just his senior season alone Roberts had over 72 Tackles, 7 Interceptions, 18 Pass Break Ups, and 4 sacks. Also specializing on Kick Off and Punt Return, Roberts accumulated over had 700 career return yardage and 10 touchdowns. He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Troy, and FAU.
Patrick Davis Davis is a 6’1 240 FB from Eastside HS- out of Gainesville Fl, with a nose for contact at the Fullback position. He was a dominant force at both run blocking and pass receiving and collected 23 pancakes and 6 touchdowns during his senior season. Davis also was the starting Fullback in the Florida/Georgia All Star Game this past season and also boasts a 3.0 gpa and an Honor Roll student at Eastside HS.
Rodney Johnson Johnson is a 5’9 175 RB out of Hillsborough HS. The 4.4 speedster out of Hillsborough High School has the ability to take it the distance on any play, Johnson averaged over 10 yds per carry with 832 yds on the ground and 17 touchdowns. Johnson is also one of the strongest, bench pressing over 375 pounds and squats 485 pounds. Recruited by Bowling Green, Toledo and FIU.
Terry Johnson Johnson is a 5’11 180 Ath/CB out of Rickards high School in Tallahassee. Johnson was a 1ST Team All Big Bend athlete with ability to excel on both sides of the ball. On offense Johnson passed for over 1200 yards and 20 touchdown passes. While on defense, Johnson dominated with 7 Interceptions, 16 Pass Break Ups and 45 tackles. He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee State, Northern Iowa and Colorado State.
Anthony Hamm Hamm is a 6'2"-220lb, LB from Mainland High School. He was a 3-star outside linebacker that can also play defensive end. He totaled over 200 tackles in his career at Mainland, which included 18 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. He was also recruited by north Carolina A&T, B-CU, hampton and UT Chattanooga. He started every game at Mainland since a freshman.
Shelley Anthony Anthony is a 6’3 295 OL from Sandy Creek HS/WKU- The transfer from Western Kentucky Anthony is expected to compete for the starting position at the center this upcoming Spring. He lettered all four years at Sandy Creek High School, helping the Patriots to a 35-10 record during that span . He was a three-year starter. SCHS reached the state playoffs in each of those seasons, winning the regional title in both 2003 and ’04 . Earned first-team all-area and all-county honors as a senior after grading out at 87 percent with 32 knockdowns.
Saf Ahmad Ahmad is a 6’3 270 OL from Miami Norland HS/FIU- He is a transfer from FIU. Ahmad is expected to compete for starting Guard position this upcoming spring. He was a three-year starter and team captain as a senior. He didn’t allow a sack as a prep senior .2006 Second team All Dade County selection by the Miami Herald.
James Poe Poe is a 6’4 240 HB/TE UCF/Freedom HS- 3 star transfer from UCF. Poe is expected to compete for a starting position this upcoming spring. He attended Georgia Military College before coming to UCF. He played for Freedom High School in Orlando. He was selected as the team MVP his final two years after being ranked as the fifth-best running back in the state with 1,500 rushing yards as a senior, and 700 yards as a junior. He was also recruited by West Virginia, Louisville, Florida, East Carolina and Iowa.
Eric Watts Watts is a 6’2 215 LB Wolfson HS- 3 star transfer linebacker from the University of Illinois. He is expected to come in and compete for starting LB position this spring. In High School: Ranked on the Florida Times Union's Top-24 Jacksonville Prep players ... A member of the Florida Times- Union Super-24 team ...Ranked as the No. 79 strong side linebacker nationally by Scout.com ... Earned first-team All- Conference honors as a junior and senior ... Rated the No. 85 outside linebacker in the country by ESPNU ... Totaled 91 tackles, 16 behind the line of scrimmage as a senior ... Averaged over 10 tackles per game in 2008 ... Posted 110 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior ... Three-time All-First Coast (city) honoree ... Recruited by Illinois, Ole Miss and South Florida.
Joshua Newkirk Newkirk is a 6’3 240 LB WSSU- is a transfer from WSSU. Newkirk is expected to come in and compete for a starting linebacker position this spring. A native of Richmond, Va., he is a 2006 graduate of Meadowbrook High School where he was an All-District and Academic-All District selection as a senior.
Steven Robinson Robinson is a 6’3 300 OL Lincoln HS/UCF- He is a transfer offensive lineman who is expected to come in and compete for a starting position this summer. He earned four letters in football for head coach Kyle Rice at Lincoln High School . He was named first-team Class 4A All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association following his senior season. He earned All-Big Bend first-team honors by the Tallahassee Democrat as a junior and senior. He is a four-year starter on the offensive line. He earned third-team All-State honors as a junior and also lettered in wrestling, track and field and played the tuba in the school band. Ranked as the No. 25 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com. Ranked as the No. 24 offensive guard prospect in the country and the No. 69 overall prospect in the state of Florida by Scout.com. Ranked No. 90 on the top 100 high school football prospects 2007 list by the Orlando Sentinel. He was also recruited by Clemson, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and USF.
Jarien Moreland Moreland is a 6’5 320 OL Glades Central HS/UCF- He is a transfer offensive lineman who is expected to come in and compete for starting position this summer. He earned four letters for head coach Willie Snead at Glades Central High School. He helped lead his team to the 2006 Class 3A state championship as a junior and Class 3A Region 4 titles as a sophomore, junior and senior. He Ranked No. 36 nationally among offensive guards by Rivals.com and the 90th best prospect in the state of Florida. He ranked No. 95 nationally among offensive tackles by Scout.com. He also received recruiting interest from Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Pitt and USF.
Willie Ferrell Ferrell is a 6'2" - 235 lb LB from FAMU High. He is a transfer from OLE MISS. He is a 4-star linebacker. He was rated the No.33 linebacker in the nation and No.75 player in Florida as ranked by Rivals.com. he was a PrepStar and SuperPrep all-Region selection. Scout.com ranked him the No.13 linebacker in the nation. he earned first team Class 2B All-State honors from the Florida Sports Writers Association as a senior at FAMU DRS. He is a two-time Tallahassee Democrat All-Big bend selection. he totaled over 300 tackles as a junior and Senior and was a 2009 Nike All-American under FAMU-DRS coach Ira Reynolds.
Brandon Green Green is a 2009 Tampa Catholic H.S. grad who played a season at prep school, at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, which is considered to be one of the country’s elite prep schools for football. FAMU signed the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder to play LB and DE. Brandon is the older brother of Tampa Catholic H.S. QB Christian Green, who signed to play at FSU on National Signing Day.
Jordan Stanley Stanley is a 5-11/185 Running Back out of Florida A&M University H.S., Tallahassee, who is signed on an academic scholarship. Jordan is clocked at 4.42 forty and is a shifty runner with the power to go inside or outside. Jordan had over 1200 yards and 17 Touchdowns for the 2009 season.
Note: The Orlando Sentinel reports OL Davonnie Coard (Evans HS) signing w/FAMU. Tampa Tribune reports WR/DB Chaise Dunn (Pasco HS) signing w/FAMU. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale) reports DL/TE Linval Williams (Boyd Anderson HS) signing w/FAMU. MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street will verify this new info, if time permits.
Alabama A&M University Bulldog coach Anthony Jones: "Walk-ons are a huge part of our program with the scout teams," he wrote. "They also add depth to our team and help on special teams until they develop into quality players, once they learn the game at the college level."
Wednesday was National Signing Day, when recruited athletes commit to football programs and receive scholarships. Throughout my coaching career, I felt winning recruiting battles was as important as winning games, and I'm sure coaches today feel the same. However, there is another aspect of building a successful team that most college fans overlook: the importance of acquiring walk-ons. The NCAA clearly defines the role of a walk-on. Walk-ons cannot receive institutional financial aid.
Alabama's legendary coach, Bear Bryant, was responsible for that rule being instituted in the 1960s. To override the NCAA's scholarship limit at that time, Bear provided football players with baseball, track, tennis and even golf scholarships to create a deep roster that is essential in building a competitive team. Walk-ons may not be important to fans, but to coaches they are often vital to a program -- especially since the NCAA capped Division I football scholarships at 85 (Division I-AA limit is 63 scholarships).
Eighty-five scholarship players sounds like a lot, but those numbers are often reduced by 5 to 10 percent due to injuries, eligibility problems, disciplinary suspensions and players quitting or transferring. Also, factor in one or two place-kickers, one or two punters and a long snapper who rarely are involved in rough, tough drills and scrimmages. That reduction in numbers can have a negative impact on a critical part of building a successful team: practice.
Time is working against virtually every team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference except for Jackson State, and this weekend will have huge implications on the season-ending standings. Each team has seven games remaining except for Prairie View A&M (12-9, 7-3) and Texas Southern (11-11, 7-3), which have eight left. The weekend is huge for the two Houston programs as they get their home shots at JSU. If the Tigers go 0-for-2 on the trip, PVAM and TSU could pull into a three-way tie atop the conference, if they can also dispose of Grambling State (6-13, 4-7), which is making its Houston trip and attempting to hold off Southern (4-18, 2-9) for the last spot in the SWAC Tournament.
