FAMU's Benson moves from gridiron to diamond

FAMU Head Baseball Coach Robert Lucus and the Rattlers season opener is Friday, Feb. 19 in Jacksonville in a three-team tournament at the University of North Florida. The Rattlers will face Richmond, followed by Ohio State and UNF. (See complete schedule below)

Four years ago when Mykel Benson asked his FAMU football coach's permission to join the Rattlers' baseball team, he was denied. He didn't ask third-year coach Joe Taylor for fear of the answer he might have gotten. Now that his career as a fullback is over, Benson is making a comeback to the diamond after seven years. He's shown in practice that he hasn't lost much — at least with his bat — to earn a starting position at first base. "It's actually brought me some joy," said Benson, 6-foot, 240 pounds. "It's gotten me back to loving the game.

When I was trying out for high school, it wasn't fun to me, but I like it out here with these guys. They're a lot of fun." Benson grew up in Palm Bay playing football and baseball on several youth teams. He couldn't convince his baseball coach at Bayside High School that he deserved a starting position. Instead, he devoted time to playing football. But all the time that he was plowing over defensive players on the gridiron, he believed that he could still swing a bat and make plays. The rust was there during his first week in practice and he remains a work in progress, said coach Robert Lucas, who expects Benson to become more of an offensive spark for the team.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Delaware State defeats Florida A&M, 66-63
Delaware St. Holds Off Florida A&M
Poor shooting dooms DSU women
Defense does trick for DSU in victory
FAMU bowlers ready to regroup

Florida A&M University Rattlers 2010 Baseball Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time

North Florida Tournament
2/19/2010 University of Richmond Jacksonville, FL 3 PM
2/20/2010 Ohio State University Jacksonville, FL 5 PM
2/21/2010 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL 3 PM
2/23/2010 Mercer University Tallahassee, FL 4 PM

Savannah State Tournament
2/26/2010 Delaware State University Savannah, GA 11 AM
2/27/2010 Savannah State University Savannah, GA 11 AM
2/27/2010 Norfolk State University Savannah, GA 3 PM
3/2/2010 Mercer University Tallahassee, FL 4 PM
3/5/2010 Jackson State University (DH) Tallahassee, FL 2 PM
3/6/2010 Jackson State University Tallahassee, FL 12 PM
3/10/2010 Albany State University Tallahassee, FL 3 PM
3/13/2010 Savannah State University Tallahassee, FL 11 AM
3/14/2010 Savannah State University Tallahassee, FL 12 PM
3/16/2010 Mercer University Macon, GA 6 PM
3/17/2010 Mercer University Macon, GA 4 PM
3/20/2010 * Bethune-Cookman University (DH) Tallahassee, FL 1 PM
3/21/2010 * Bethune-Cookman University Tallahassee, FL 1 PM
3/25/2010 Selma University (DH) Tallahassee, FL 12 PM
3/30/2010 Edward Waters (Fla.) Jacksonville, Fla 1 PM
3/31/2010 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL 6:30 PM

April
4/2/2010 * North Carolina A&T (DH) Greensboro, NC 1 PM
4/3/2010 * North Carolina A&T Greensboro, NC 1 PM
4/7/2010 Alabama State Montgomery, AL 1 PM
4/13/2010 Edward Waters (Fla.) Tallahassee, FL 2 PM
4/14/2010 Alabama State Tallahassee, FL 1 PM
4/17/2010 * Delaware State (DH) Dover, DE 1 PM
4/18/2010 * Delaware State Dover, DE 1 PM
4/21/2010 Southern Baton Rouge, LA 6 PM
4/22/2010 Southern Baton Rouge, LA 3 PM
4/24/2010 * Maryland Eastern Shore (DH) Tallahassee, FL 12 PM
4/25/2010 * Maryland Eastern Shore Tallahassee, FL 12 PM
4/27/2010 Jackson State University (DH) Jackson, MS 3 PM
4/28/2010 Jackson State University Jackson, MS 12 PM

May
5/1/2010 * Coppin State (DH) Tallahassee, FL 1 PM
5/2/2010 Coppin State Tallahassee, FL 1 PM
5/4/2010 Albany State Albany, GA 3 PM
5/5/2010 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FL 4 PM
5/8/2010 * Norfolk State (DH) 1 p.m.
5/9/2010 * Norfolk State Noon
5/12/2010 Alcorn State Alcorn State, MS 6 PM

5/20 -22/2010 MEAC TOURNAMENT, Daytona Beach, FL , TBA

Morgan falls to S.C. State, 71-68

South Carolina State punctured Morgan State's aura of invincibility at Hill Field House on Monday night and dealt the Bears their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss in nearly a year, 71-68. Led by Jason Flagler's 24 points, the Bulldogs hit 57.1 percent of their shots and held a 12-point lead with 6:39 to play. But Morgan had one final run and narrowly missed pulling off a dramatic comeback when a pair of 3-point shots missed in the final seconds.

The Bears battled foul trouble - they lost leading scorer Reggie Holmes and DeWayne Jackson in the final minute - but still got to within 70-68 on a runner by Joe Davis with 21 seconds left. Both teams missed free throws in the final minute. "It's a great win on their floor because they're a great team in our conference," South Carolina State coach Tim Carter said. "It's a great win because you don't go on their floor and beat them. We did a tremendous job executing the game plan, but we were frazzled the last two minutes."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Adams' 22 carry Morgan to seventh win in row, 86-64
Adams Scores 22 in Win Over SC State, 86-64; Lady Bears Sweep Season Series
Q&A: Todd Bozeman, Morgan State Basketball Coach
Bears Upset by SC State, 71-68
SC State ruins Morgan State's perfect run in MEAC

Hampton Pirates hand North Carolina A&T Aggies first MEAC defeat

HAMPTON, Va. -- Bernadette Fortune scored 30 points and added 11 assists as Hampton knocked off N.C. A&T 90-80 on Monday night in MEAC women's basketball. It was the first conference loss of the season for the Aggies (17-8, 11-1). Hampton is 14-10 overall, 9-3 in the league. Jaleesa Sams led A&T with a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds. JaQuayla Berry added 20 points, and MEAC Player of the Week Lamona Smalley recorded her fourth double-double in five games (16 points, 12 rebounds).

"That was our first loss," said Patricia Cage-Bibbs, A&T's coach. "I'd much rather have it happen now than to have it happen in the tournament. My young ladies really wanted to go undefeated in the conference. ... If we take care of business, everything will be fine."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
HAMPTON ENDS AGGIES UNDEFEATED BID
A&T hits boards to sink Pirates
N.C. A & T responds to challenge, edges Hampton 69-65

Texas Southern Extends McClelland's Contract

Texas Southern University athletic director, Charles McClelland (L) and President, John Rudley, Ph.D.

The Board of Regents at Texas Southern University approved a contract extension on Friday for Tigers athletics director Charles McClelland. McClelland told FOX 26 Sports TSU has given him a two-year extension that ties him to the school until Dec. 31, 2014. "I am ecstatic about the confidence that (TSU) President (John) Rudley has in my abilities to continue to lead this Texas Southern University athletics program to achieving our goals," McClelland said.

"President Rudley and the Board of Regents have shown this commitment to me personally and I want to show my commitment to Texas Southern and its alumni that I am here for the long haul." TSU hired McClleland in 2008 when he signed his original five-year contract. He has three years to go on that deal before his extension kicks in. On McClelland's watch TSU has flourished on the field of play and in the all-important arena of raising money. "Over the past two years we have generated over $825,000 in corporate sponsorships and in-kind gifts," McClelland said. "We proposed a new student fee that was approved by the students that generates approximately $2.2 million a year which goes into the TSU athletics budget."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Norfolk Women Wins MEAC Indoor Track Championship

LANDOVER, MD — The Norfolk State women’s track team moved one step closer to completing the cross country and track and field MEAC sweep on Saturday when they tallied 159 points en route to their first MEAC indoor track and field title since 2000 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex. A total group effort carried the Spartans to victory as they scored in each event they participated in.

“Our expectations were there and our ladies performed in every event,” said head coach Ronda Berard, who was named the Women’s Outstanding Coach. “The women put their heart into it and I’m extremely proud of the full they gave. To win the championship on both the men’s and women’s side is exceptional,” stated Berard.

Elaine Rhoades (Norfolk, Va.) was named the Outstanding Field Performer after scoring 17 points in three events. She finished second in both the pentathlon (3,394 points) and the triple jump (39 feet, 6 inches) and came in eighth in the long jump (17-5 ¾). NSU dominated the pole vault for the second straight year by taking the top four spots in the event. Katie Wright (Virginia Beach, Va.) defended her 2009 title by clearing 10-2 ¼ for the win. Candace Shoates (Newport News, Va.) was the runner-up (9-8 ½) and Andrea Saunders (Chesapeake, Va.) and Ashleigh Joseph (Chesapeake, Va.) tied for third after clearing 8-8 ¾.

Final Results Photo Gallery

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Norfolk State Spartan Men Win Record 5th Straight MEAC Indoor Track Title

LANDOVER, MD – The Norfolk State men’s track & field team was in a record-breaking mindset on Saturday, tallying a meet-record 188 points en route to its MEAC-record fifth consecutive indoor championship at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex. NSU broke its own record for points at the indoor meet, surpassing the 2008 title team’s total of 170. Saturday’s biggest star was first-year sophomore Sean Holston (Springfield, Va.), who earned a sweep of the men’s 200 and 400 meters. He just missed a meet-record with a winning time of 47.88 seconds in the 400, and a short while later set a new meet standard with his winning time of 21.32 seconds in the 200.

Holston claimed half of NSU’s four individual wins on Saturday. Senior Raphael Hall (Chesapeake, Va.) won the high jump (6 feet, 8.75 inches) and sophomore Philemon Kimutai (Eldoret, Kenya) won the mile (4:16.24). That trio of winners joined pole vaulter Brett Dodd (San Antonio, Tex.), 3,000-meter winner Amos Kipkosgei (Eldoret, Kenya) and the victorious distance medley relay team to give NSU a total of seven victories in the two-day event.

Final Results Photo Gallery

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

New Louisiana Museum Pays Tribute to Grambling's Eddie Robinson

(New York Times) - BATON ROUGE, LA — When Eddie Robinson was growing up here in Louisiana’s capital city about 80 years ago, he discovered the only way a black person infatuated with football could attend a game at the state university: He showed up at 5 a.m. on Saturdays to clean the stadium. To take his first job as a football coach, in 1941, Mr. Robinson had to travel several hundred miles north, to a segregated teachers’ college in an unincorporated hamlet called Grambling. Mail arrived by train, and students helped harvest peaches and sweet potatoes from the college farm.

As for the white world, it was if anything more hostile than Baton Rouge. Just three years before Mr. Robinson’s arrival, a black man had been raped with a hot poker, then lynched in the neighboring town of Ruston. Yet Mr. Robinson worked and lived nowhere else for the rest of his life. In 55 years of coaching the Grambling Tigers, he amassed 408 victories and an .844 winning percentage and sent more than 200 players to the pros. He also personally oversaw their regular attendance at class and church.

And now, three years since Mr. Robinson died at age 88, the state that once subjugated him has put its money and imprimatur on a museum devoted to his life and legacy. Some 900 coaches, admirers, and former players, including the head coaches of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame, are streaming into Grambling for the official opening of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum on Saturday.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Grambling opens Robinson museum
Hundreds pay homage
GENERATIONS: Eddie Robinson Museum opening highlights influence on those who ...
Eddie Robinson Museum fitting tribute
Statue unveiled as Robinson Museum's grand opening finally arrives
'It has taken off': Robinson Museum opens after years of twists, turns
Museum for Grambling coach opens
Admirers pay tribute to coach Robinson
Robinson museum at Grambling opens

Bethune-Cookman Baseball Opener at Major League Baseball Urban Classic In California

B-CU will play Cal State Northridge, UCLA, and Southern University at Classic on February 19, 2010. This is Wildcats third straight year at MLB Classic.

The 2010 baseball edition of B-CU returns six returning starting players including team hitting leader (C. J. Lauriello, .403, 4 HR, 36 RBI), team home run, RBI leader Ryan Durrence (11 HR, 48 RBI), and freshman All-American catcher Peter O'Brien (.314, 30 RBI). Also returning is a talented group of pitchers led by freshman All-American sophomore lefty Ali Simpson (9-2, 3.23 ERA, 79 K's). Coach Mervyl Melendez expects junior OF Matt Wright (transfer from Daytona State College) to be a starter in the outfield and four-year OF Justin Hoyte (.270, 32 starts in 2009) returns for his senior season. Transfer OF DJ Leonard adds depth to the B-CU outfield and will battle for a starting spot.

"Our team returns most of the position players from our NCAA regional team," said Coach Melendez. "C.J. (Lauriello) is a very advanced hitter will have a tremendous year for us. He is a very tough out and hits well in big games. We have high expectations as a team. We want to play for championships and have won four straight and nine of out the last 10 MEAC championships and NCAA regionals. We want to go out and play hard and out-play our opponents. I am excited about our team. We have the pieces in place to be a very good team."

The starting left side of the infield returns - in sophomore SS Alejandro Sanchez (.299, 2 HR, 24 RBI) and the teams' second leading hitter in 2009 - Jr. 3B Emmanuel Castro (.345, 4 HR, 36 RBI). Hard-hitting Sr. 1B Alejandro Jimenez looks for a solid final season with the Wildcats. Jimenez led the `Cats with 22 stolen bases last year and he hit .330 with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jimenez did have surgery again following the 2009 season to repair the bone chips in his non-throwing elbow. Valuable infielders Sr. 3B Jeremy Davis (.333, 1 HR, 20 RBI) and So. 2B-SS-3B - Jairo Acevedo return in 2010. Both were impressive offensively in the Fall season and are solid veteran players.

The 2009 season was highlighted by winning the fourth straight MEAC championship and earning B-CU's ninth NCAA regional appearance in 10 years. Winning milestone game number 300 for Coach Mervyl Melendez, at Maryland-Eastern Shore in late April, was icing on the cake for the Wildcats.

Sophomore LHP Ali Simpson, last year's MEAC Rookie of the Year, will be the number one starter in 2010. His role expands from last year as the number three starter behind senior 1-2 aces Hiram Burgos and Eric Thomas. Simpson was tabbed the pre-season 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year in February balloting and he hopes to add to his Freshman All-American status of last year. Jr. LHP Joseph Munoz (3-6, 5.14) will be a specialist in the bullpen in 2010 and his new role bolsters the B-CU relief pitchers.

Sophomore RHP Rayan Gonzalez hopes for an injury free season and Jr. LHP Roman Lancara will be in his third year of pitching for the Wildcats. Both Gonzalez and Lancara are projected into the starting rotation as the season opens in February. Returning relievers RHP Andrew Tilka and LHP Justin Dahl (coming back off of knee surgery during the off-season) both return in 2010. Dahl had four saves and was the B-CU closer in the early season before his injury in March. The 2010 roster includes eight new pitchers all vying for innings and starts. Six are freshman and two are JC transfers (Jr. RHP Julio Morales and Jr. RHP/3B Juan Perez). Perez is the projected closer entering 2010 Spring practice after an impressive Fall practice season on the mound.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Bethune Cookman University 2010 Baseball Schedule
Date Opponent Event Location Time

February
Fri., Feb. 19 vs. vs. Cal State Northridge @ MLB Urban Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 20 vs. vs. UCLA @ MLB Classic Compton, California 6:00 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 21 vs. vs. Southern Univ. @ MLB Classic Compton, California 2:00 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 22 at UC-Riverside Riverside, California 3:00 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 25 at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 4:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 26 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 27 vs. Washington State Lubbock, Texas 1:00 p.m.
at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 5:00 p.m.

March
Tue., Mar. 2 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 3 vs. Jacksonville Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 5 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 6 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 6:00 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 7 vs. Troy Troy, Alabama 1:00 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 10 vs. Wagner Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 12 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 2:30 p.m.
vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 13 vs. Wagner - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 14 vs. VCU - B-CU Invitational Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m.
Tue., Mar. 16 vs. Stetson Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 20 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 21 at Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 22 vs. Ohio State Daytona Beach, Florida 3:00 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 24 vs. North Florida Daytona Beach, Florida 6:00 p.m.
Thu., Mar. 25 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 26 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 27 vs. Dartmouth Daytona Beach, Fla. 12:00 p.m.
Tue., Mar. 30 at UCF Orlando, Florida 6:30 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 31 vs. UCF Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.

April
Wed., Apr. 7 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 10 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sun., Apr. 11 vs. North Carolina A&T * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 13 at North Florida Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 14 at Florida International Miami, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 17 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 1:00 p.m.
vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Sun., Apr. 18 vs. Norfolk State * Daytona Beach, Florida 1:00 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 20 at Miami Coral Gables, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 21 at UCF Orlando, Fla. 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 24 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m.
at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 4:00 p.m.
Sun., Apr. 25 at Coppin State * Baltimore, MD 1:00 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 27 at Stetson DeLand, Fla. 6:30 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 28 at Florida Atlantic Boco Raton, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 30 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 4:00 p.m.

May
Sat., May 1 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore * Daytona Beach, Fla. 1:00 p.m.
Tue., May 4 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6:30 p.m.
Wed., May 5 vs. Florida International Daytona Beach, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Sat., May 8 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m.
at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 4:00 p.m.
Sun., May 9 at Delaware State * Dover, Delaware 1:00 p.m.
Tue., May 11 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m.
Wed., May 12 at West Virginia Morgantown, WV 7:00 p.m.
Thu., May 20 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA
Fri., May 21 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA
Sat., May 22 vs. MEAC Tournament * Daytona Beach, Fla. TBA

No pitching coach for Southern Jaguars

After weeks of rotten luck and disjointed practice schedules, the Southern baseball team caught a break Saturday afternoon. Rain and snow vanished, the sky cleared and the sun showed up. In the parking lot outside Lee-Hines Field, with the constant ring of aluminum bats in the distance, pitchers stretched and laughed. Right-hander/class clown Seth Monaghan made goofy faces and goofier dance moves. Teammates talked trash. Minutes later, they took off for some running exercises.

With less than a week to go before the Jaguars’ season opener at UCLA, everything seemed in place. Except for the presence of a pitching coach. For the second straight year, Southern will attempt to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship without a full-time pitching coach — something longtime head coach Roger Cador had hoped for this summer when he agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him at least $125,000 per season. Two months after winning his 14th conference title, Cador — who begins his 26th season behind the wheel of the baseball program — interviewed twice with the University of New Orleans (Cador agreed to a new deal with SU, his alma mater, before UNO made an offer).

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SU Jaguars 2010 Baseball Schedule

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

FEBRUARY
19 Friday UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (Jackie Robinson Stadium) 8:00 P.M.
20 Saturday Cal State Northridge, Los Angeles, CA (MLB Urban Youth Academy) 4:00 P.M.
21 Sunday Bethune-Cookman, Los Angeles, CA (MLB Urban Youth Academy) 4:00 P.M.
24 Tuesday University of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
27 Friday Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA (Pete Goldsby Field) 1:00 P.M.

MARCH
2 Tuesday University of Loyola, New Orleans, LA 6:00 P.M.
6 Saturday +Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 1:00 P.M.
6 Saturday University of New Orleans, Thibodaux, LA 4:00 P.M.
7 Sunday Nicholls State University, Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
9 Tuesday Southeastern Louisiana Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
13 Saturday *+Prairie View A&M Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
14 Sunday *Prairie View A&M Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
16 Tuesday Univ. of Louisiana-Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 6:00 P.M.
20 Saturday +Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
21 Sunday Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA (Pete Goldsgy Field) 1:00 P.M.
23 Tuesday Nicholls State University, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
27 Saturday *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ., Pine Bluff, AR 1:00 P.M.
28 Sunday *Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ., Pine Bluff, AR 1:00 P.M.
30 Tuesday Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 6:00 P.M.

APRIL
3 Saturday *+Texas Southern University Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
4 Sunday *Texas Southern University Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
6 Tuesday University of New Orleans Baton Rouge, LA 6:30 P.M.
10 Saturday *+Grambling State Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
11 Sunday *Grambling State Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
13 Tuesday University of Loyola Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
17 Saturday *+Prairie View A&M Univ. Prairie View, TX 1:00P.M.
18 Sunday *Prairie View A&M Univ. Prairie View, TX 1:00P.M.
20 Tuesday Delgado CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
21 Wednesday FAMU, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
22 Thursday FAMU, Baton Rouge, LA 3:00 P.M.
24 Saturday Jackson State University Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
25 Sunday Jackson State University Jackson, MS 1:00 P.M.
27 Tuesday Southeastern Louisiana Hammond, LA 6:00 P.M.

MAY
1 Saturday *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
2 Sunday *Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
5 Wednesday Alcorn State University Lorman, MS 6:00 P.M.
8 Saturday *+Texas Southern University Houston, TX 1:00 P.M.
9 Sunday *Texas Southern University Houston, TX 1:00 P.M.
11 Tuesday Univ. of Louisiana Lafayette Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
15 Saturday *+Grambling State Univ. Grambling, LA 1:00 P.M.
16 Sunday *Grambling State Univ. Grambling, LA 1:00 P.M.
18 Tuesday Alcorn State University Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
26-29 Wed.-Sun. SWAC Tournament Shreveport, LA TBA

Bold = Home Games
* = Conference Games
+ = Double Header Games
All game times are Central

Morgan State Bears Knocks Off WSSU Rams for 11th Straight Win

Coach Todd Bozeman Bears continues to roll -- to 19th win of season (19-7, 10-0 MEAC).

BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes scored 26 points in Morgan State’s 79-65 win over non-conference opponent Winston-Salem State on Saturday that extended the Bears’ winning streak to 11 games. “We’re happy about the victory,” Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman said after the Bears (19-7, 10-0) improved to 8-0 at Hill Field House this season. “You value any win you get in Division I, the tough part is playing a team like this (non-conference) in the middle of your conference season. I’m just glad we were able to pull through.”

Morgan State jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but the Rams woke up and trimmed the lead to 13-10 with 12:23 left in the first half. DeWayne Jackson ignited a 10-3 spurt by scoring seven points during a four minute stretch to help give the Bears a 23-13 lead. The Bears went into the intermission with a 42-24 lead. Holmes, who entered the game ranked among the nation's leading scorers (22.2 ppg), dropped in 15 points in the first half, and surpassed Yarharborough Roberts as the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in Morgan State history. The senior finished the contest with 26 points (13-15 FT) and has amassed 1,837 points for his career.

Boxscore

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Warren Central's Collins signs with University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

UAPB Golden Lions signee "ReeRee" Collins maintains a 3.89 GPA and hold school records in the 800, 1600, 3200 and 4000 meter races. Her best recorded times are 400-58:46, 800-2:17, 1600 - 5:14, 3200-12:03, 4K-15:50 and 5K-18:42.

Vicksburg, MS - With a full ride in hand, Warren Central High School track and cross country standout Condrea "ReeRee" Marie Collins is running her way to the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff. Collins signed across country and track athletic scholarship with the Golden Lions on Thursday in front of her parents, Derrick and Connie Collins, and Warren Central’s cross country coach Chad McMullin.

Collins said it was not a hard decision to sign with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Golden Lions won the 2009 SWAC cross country championship for the first time in school history and also earned a bid to the NCAA Division I Cross Country Southern Regional meet.

“They gave me the best scholarship. Coach (Curtis) Pittman has been after me since my sophomore year,” Collins said. “They offered me a full ride, including tuition and no out-of-state fees.” Collins will compete in both cross country and track and field for the Golden Lions. “I loved my visit there,” Collins said. “They are going to work me pretty hard. For cross country, their runners put in 60 miles a week.” Collegiate cross country competes in the fall and track performs in the spring, so Collins will have no problem doing both. She said she expects to run the 800 meters and the 1,600 meter relay for Arkansas - Pine Bluff.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

NCCU Gridiron Slate Includes Six Home Games in 2010

DURHAM, NC - The 2010 North Carolina Central University football schedule features six home contests, including a Thursday night season-opener and the return of rival North Carolina A&T to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, along with four games against conference foes, as NCCU announced its gridiron slate on Thursday (Feb. 11).

The 2010 NCCU schedule also includes the continued series with rival Winston-Salem State, a return trip to Appalachian State, the first home contest against Hampton in 19 years, a game inside the Georgia Dome, and Bethune-Cookman's first visit to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. "It's a very competitive schedule," said Mose Rison, entering his fourth season as head football coach at NCCU. "We play six games on our campus, which is a big plus. Our kids enjoy playing in front of our student body and our fans.

The NCCU Eagles have an exciting 2010 home schedule and road games at Georgia State and Appalachian State.

"Without a question, this is a great home schedule, with the likes of Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton and Bethune-Cookman coming to Durham. Plus, the return of former CIAA opponent Johnson C. Smith and Edward Waters for Homecoming," Rison added. "We're excited." NCCU will become members of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) on July 1, 2010, but will not be eligible for the conference championship during the upcoming season.

2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football ScheduleDate Opponent

9/2 JOHNSON C. SMITH, DURHAM, N.C. 7:00 PM
9/11 WINSTON-SALEM STATE, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
9/18 at Appalachian State, Boone, N.C. TBA
9/25 NORTH CAROLINA A&T, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
10/9 HAMPTON, DURHAM, N.C. 4:00 PM
10/16 at Georgia State, Atlanta, GA TBA , Georgia Dome
10/23 BETHUNE-COOKMAN, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM
10/30 EDWARD WATERS, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM, “Homecoming"
11/6 at Delaware State, Dover, Del. TBA
11/13 at Savannah State, Savannah, Ga. TBA

Complete Schedule in PDF Format

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Savannah State: The Value of a Coach

Savannah State University Head Basketball Coach Horace Broadnax.

Taking a 0-28 team to a 15 win season in less than four years is an accomplishment that is pretty hard to miss. This is something Horace Broadnax was able to do with the Savannah State University men’s basketball program. Something even more compelling was Broadnax’s ability to do this with the second lowest basketball budget in all of Division I (339 out of 340)! But what does it really mean in comparison to the rest of college basketball?



Broadnax’s 2009 season produced argubly the best Dollar-Per-Win ratio in modern college basketball. With 15 wins and a budget of $376,968, it came to roughly $25,131 per win. This may sound like a lot, but when you compare Coach Broadnax to his colleagues it is pretty apparent he may be the best bang for your buck in college basketball. Compared to the likes of big names like Howland, Williams, Self, and Donovan, Broadnax’s productivity is astounding. The bottom line is for less than one tenth the cost of the coaches just named, Horace Broadnax can get you a win.

One point of hot contention is whether completely turning around a program or doing it on such a meager budget is greater accomplishment? Regardless, Horace Broadnax has proved himself amongst the coaching ranks. It is hard to imagine what this guy could do with a little financial support and a program with an already well-established tradition as some of the heavy hitters listed above possess. The only disparity in Broadnax’s case is in the wins columns. His 15 wins is less than the generously budgeted basketball powerhouses mentioned above were able to achieve. This raises the question, how did Broadnax compare to coaches with the same number of wins?

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Savannah State University Responds to Robby Wells’ Resignation Letter

Former Savannah State University football coach Robby Wells has broken his silence regarding his departure from the Tigers football program. Wells’ official resignation letter was sent to University administrators Thursday afternoon from his legal team’s office in Atlanta.




Here is the statement from Savannah State released Thursday at 7:50 p.m. regarding Wells’ resignation.

Feb. 11, 2010

Statement on Robby Wells’ February 11, 2010, Resignation Letter

Robby Wells has submitted his letter of resignation to Savannah State University. Wells’ resignation has been accepted and he will be assigned to other duties within the University until March 31, 2010. As mandated by the University System of Georgia, Coach Wells was given the opportunity to address all of his concerns with SSU President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. He specifically declined to do so. Coach Wells’ decision to go public with this instead of directing them to the University through proper channels is truly unfortunate.

While the accusations in Wells’ resignation letter are troubling, SSU remains a diverse institution that affords equal employment opportunities to everyone in all instances specifically including this one. Savannah State has a strong commitment to diversity, particularly in its hiring practices. Furthermore, President Yarbrough has three diversity goals that he previously submitted to the University System of Georgia:

READ ROBBY WELLS RESIGNATION LETTER, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Controversy Surrounds Savannah State Football Recruits
Sports with Walter Moore
Savannah State University Loses Its Seventh Head Coach in 11 Years
Opinion on Robby Wells' departure
SSU football coach Robby Wells resigns after 2 seasons
Savannah State football coach suddenly resigns

As clock winds down, teams jockey for SWAC seeding position

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Injuries bedevil PVAMU Panthers

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Florida A&M Releases 2010 Football Schedule

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)

11/27 FCS National Playoffs

-beepbeep

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
FAMU's game vs. Bulldogs will define season
FAMU men's basketball seeks to redeem themselves this weekend against the Eagles
FAMU athletics cleared by NCAA
Derrick Shaw plays dual roles in FAMU baseball and football
FAMU list down to two for AD job

Bill would name Alcorn State baseball facilities for former coaches McGowan and Foster

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.

Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: William Foster
----------
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Public Property; Universities and Colleges

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.

Finally, Norfolk State Releases 2010 Football Schedule

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 coach Pete Adrian 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.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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

That was quick: Hayes hires Mebane to replace Stokes at Winston-Salem State

Interim Lady Rams Basketball Coach, Walter Mebane

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.

Rams name interim coach

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

FAMU narrows selection for AD, finally gets off NCAA probation

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."

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
FAMU athletics cleared by NCAA
FAMU list down to two for AD job
NCAA: FAMU athletics no longer on probation
gua: Rams football players commit to colleges
NCAA Probation Ends for FAMU
FAMU has two candidates for AD; decision expected next week »
FAMU's transfers are not guaranteed playing time »
FAMU's bats hope to pick up from '09 »

Norfolk State opens 2010 football season at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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)

*Denotes BIG EAST game

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Stokes fired as coach of WSSU women

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.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Dee Stokes Released As Head Women's Basketball Coach At WSSU ...
Winston-Salem fires women's basketball coach Dee Stokes
Ram Pride: Hayes returns home to WSSU to rebuild athletics program

UAPB WIN SNAPS ‘CURSE’ OF HORNETS

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff rolls to 62-55 victory
UAPB softball picked third
LADY LIONS WIN AFTER HEARTBREAKER FOR 2ND STRAIGHT WEEK
LADY LIONS AIM TO IMPROVE DEFENSE, STAY IN TOURNAMENT HUNT

Gonzalez out as Savannah State football assistant

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.