NCCU Student-Athlete Plays Piano Too

DURHAM, N.C. -- Stephen Allsop, just having completed a match for the N.C. Central University tennis team, made a quick stop at the James E. Shepard Library on campus before racing off to study for his final in epistemology. Allsop, who will graduate summa cum laude from the university this week, is almost always busy, racing off somewhere. But he's comfortable handling multiple responsibilities. "The key is being able to prioritize," he said. "You have to determine what needs to be done and what needs to be done first."

Senior tennis athlete Stephen Allsop, from Beltsville, Maryland's High Point H.S. is the first student-athlete in the history of North Carolina Central University to be accepted into Harvard Medical School's M.D./Ph.D program. The undergraduate turned down offers from the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University to attend NCCU.

Doing that has made Allsop the first student-athlete in the history of NCCU to be accepted into Harvard Medical School's M.D./Ph.D program. A biology major who has minored in jazz piano and chemistry, Allsop already has a resume of awards and honors that would be the envy of those three times his age. A year ago he was one of just 278 college students across the nation to win the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. He has been a Chancellor's scholar and a National Achievement Scholar, an undergraduate research fellow and the president of the NCCU chapter of the Golden Key Honor Society.

"His thirst for knowledge separates him from many students I've come across," said Antonio Baines, a biology professor at NCCU in whose lab Allsop has worked. "His curiosity and inquisitiveness are very impressive. He's just genuinely curious. He wants to know the answer." And in addition to being very bright, Baines said, "Allsop works hard as well."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

A Legacy of Excellence: UMES Emerson Boozer to College Football Hall of Fame

Emerson Boozer, a University of Maryland Eastern Shore star half-back will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in July. Boozer was a star in Super Bowl III with the World Champions New York Jets (1968).

Video:

America's Game - 1968 New York Jets - Boozer ...

Long before there was a University of Maryland Eastern Shore, there was a black college football powerhouse in Princess Anne playing under the banner of "Maryland State College" coached by a nearly forgotten legendary coach, Vernon "Skip" McCain.

On Tuesday, the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame announced the induction of "Maryland State College" half-back Emerson Boozer, who will join two other Hawks presently in the Hall--Detroit Lions/Los Angeles Rams "Fearsome Foursome" massive tackle Roger Brown (inducted in 2009) and Coach "Skip" McCain (inducted in 2006).

Prior to coming North to play for the Hawks, Boozer was a 5-11/190 star half-back at Lucy Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia. Boozer, who was a running back for UMES between 1962-65, was a four-year letterman, compiling 2,537 yards and 22 touchdowns during his Hawks career. He averaged a robust 6.78 yards per carry playing for Coach McCain and later, Coach R. "Sandy" Gilliam.

Skip McCain compiled a career record of 102 wins, 17 defeats and 4 ties (82.9%) with four perfect undefeated seasons and four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championships. More importantly, Coach McCain and the powerhouse Hawks defeated Grambling State and the legendary Eddie Robinson in all four games played between the Hawks and Tigers, outscoring Grambling 87-20. This was achieved while McCain served as the head football coach, head basketball coach and athletic director.

During the period of 1946-1960, Maryland State College produced five undefeated football teams and a combined won-loss record of 139 wins, 36 losses and 7 ties.

Boozer graduated and went on to star for the New York Jets for 10 seasons as both a feature running back with speed and tremendous power, and later in his career, as a powerful blocking half-back. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore holds the distinction with Florida State for producing the most alumni (five each) appearing in a single Super Bowl game (Super Bowl III, 1968). Boozer, along with Hawks Earl Christy, Johnny Sample, Charlie Stukes and James Duncan holds this record that may never be broken. UMES discontinued their football program in 1979 due to the rising costs of Division I football.

Boozer was drafted by both the NFL and upstart AFL in 1966. He was selected in the Round 7/Pick 98 by the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and Round 6/Pick 46 by the AFL's New York Jets. Emerson became a Jets starter in 1967 and displayed talents that drew comparison to the Chicago Bears star running back Gale Sayers. Boozer was noted for his work ethic and his blocking and past catching abilities soon became legendary around the league. With quarterback Joe Namath, full back Matt Snell, and numerous support players like future college football hall of famer, Coach William "Billy Joe" (Cheney State, Florida A&M, Miles College), the Jets won Super Bowl III by an improbable 16-7 over the Johnny Unitas led Baltimore Colts.

Boozer scored 52 touchdowns and gained 5,135 yards in his 10 year NFL career. Emerson Boozer will forever be in the NFL record books for scoring the first regular-season over-time ("sudden death") touchdown in NFL history on a short pass from Joe Namath in 1974 to beat the cross-town rival New York Giants.

The UMES Hawks are not done yet--with former NFL stars and notable alumni -- NFL Coach Art Shell, Johnny Sample, Sherman Plunkett, Carl Hairston, Billy Thompson, Charlie Stukes, Earl Christy, Mack Alston Jr., and James Duncan are awaiting their names to be called for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Not bad for a Hawks program that fielded it last football team 31 years ago.

SCSU's Jeffries earns 'top' honor

South Carolina State University Bulldogs Coach Emeritus Willie Jeffries will be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Jeffries had a career record of 179-132-6 and was the first black coach of a Division I school, Wichita State in 1979. The induction ceremony is July 16-17 in South Bend, Indiana at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Willie Jeffries spent a lifetime knocking down doors in the world of college football. Tuesday, the doors of the College Football Hall of Fame opened for him.
The former S.C. State football coach was named one of six new members of the 2010 Division Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation. The Division Hall honors players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA. Jeffries, who had two stints at S.C. State during a coaching career in which he won 179 games at four schools from 1973 to 2001, was thrilled by the news.

"This is an honor for me, my former players, South Carolina State and all the schools I've coached," he said. "This is about the top one a coach can receive." Jeffries won the most games in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference history, captured three historically black college national titles and was the first African-American head coach at an FBS school when Wichita State hired him in 1979. Jeffries, the only person to coach against both Bear Bryant and Eddie Robinson, recognized at the time that he was a pioneer.

"Once I got there (to Wichita), after about a week or two, I said, 'Oh, my goodness, I am a trailblazer.' There was a lot of weight on my shoulders," he said. "But I found out as I went across Kansas that people are people, and they will treat you well according to how you present yourself."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Southern Jaguars push on without Cador

Southern University Jaguars head baseball coach Roger Cador.

When Southern pitcher Sherrard Brooks left his hotel room Sunday morning and boarded the team bus, Roger Cador wasn’t waiting. That was the first clue. Something wasn’t right. Maybe the Jaguars’ legendary coach was out recruiting somewhere in Houston — even on a Sunday morning, just hours before their series finale against Texas Southern. That seemed strange, but Brooks figured he couldn’t put it past Cador. Worse yet, maybe Cador had been disgusted by Southern’s play the day before. In losing twice Saturday, the Jaguars suffered a double-header sweep to a Southwestern Athletic Conference foe for only the second time in six years.

Brooks decided that didn’t make any sense, either. Minutes before the first pitch of any game, in the team huddle, Cador always has a story to tell. He usually saves the most stirring of them for when the chips are down. “It would’ve been a good day to hear one of those stories,” Brooks said later. “He would have had a good one for us.” It wasn’t until the team arrived at MacGregor Park that assistant coach Fernando Puebla gave players the complete picture: Cador, who has worn a pacemaker for more than 20 years, was having health problems. The 58-year-old coach returned home Sunday to visit his cardiologist after experiencing an irregular heartbeat Saturday night and again Sunday morning in Houston.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Jackson State Sweeps MVSU Delta Devils

The Jackson State baseball team completed a season sweep over in-state rival Mississippi Valley, by taking three games from the Delta Devils Sunday and Monday. With the wins Jackson State improves to 32-14 overall record and a 16-5 SWAC record. The Tigers also took over sole possession of first place in the SWAC Eastern Division.

Six weeks ago the Tigers swept the Delta Devils in a three game series at Robert “Bob” Braddy Field in Jackson. In Sunday’s action JSU beat Valley 6-4. Quintavious Drains picked up his 11th win. In nine innings of work he struck out seven batters, while giving up four runs on 10 hits. Willie Wesley led JSU with four hits, a run and an RBI. Lynn Lewis followed with three hits and two runs.

In Monday’s opener the Tigers won 5-3. Courtney Nelson picked up his ninth win of the season. He pitched 7.1 innings of work. He struck out four batters, while giving up three runs and nine hits. Terrance Washington picked up the save. Chad Hall and Malcolm Tate recorded two hits each. JSU beat Mississippi Valley State 10-6 in Monday’s nightcap. Jeremy Gray picked up his fourth win of the season. In 8.2 innings he allowed 12 hits and six runs, while striking out two batters. Malcolm Tate led JSU’s offense with three hits, two runs and two RBI.

The Tigers will host Alabama State May 14-15 in a three game series at Braddy Field. Admission is $5 per game.



Provided by: JSU Media Relations

ESPN to air segment on Savannah State on May 16

Tigers Quarterback A.J. DeFilippis interview will be a part of the ESPN "Outside the Lines" program on SSU Football airing on May 16.

ESPN reporter Jemele Hill told the Savannah Morning News that her story on ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines" about Robby Wells and Savannah State University will air May 16 at 9 a.m. Wells, a former SSU football coach, accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter.

A crew from ESPN, including Hill, visited SSU on March 23-24. They interviewed administrators and coaches about Wells. The ESPN crew made a second visit to SSU on April 9. They attended the Tigers' practice that morning. SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon, quarterback A.J. DeFilippis and defensive back Darren Hunter participated in on-camera interviews.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

PVAMU's Cooper-Dyke Named UNC-Wilmington Head Coach‎

Former Praire A&M University coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke leaves the Lady Panthers in better shape, with a 85-72 record/64-26 in the SWAC over the past five years and two NCAA Tournament appearances. The PVAMU alumna accepted a four year contract at UNCW starting at $110,000 for the first year, with an annual increase of $5,000, thereafter. In 24 years in Division I, UNCW Seahawks have a record of 304-430 with no post season appearances.

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has been named the head coach of women’s basketball at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. FOX 26 Sports first reported on Friday that Cooper-Dyke was the leading candidate for the coaching job. Cooper-Dyke, 47, will be formally introduced as the new head coach at a news conference on Monday. She will take over the helm of the Seahawk program following five years of success at Prairie View A&M University.

"I have agreed to a four-year contract and I'm excited," Cooper-Dyke said in an interview Monday with FOX 26 Sports. "Every coach, every player wants to grow and this is part of my growth process. "The Colonial Athletic Conference is a strong conference with schools like Old Dominion, Drexel and James Madison. It is going to be a huge challenge and I think that's what every coach wants." Cooper-Dyke said it is not easy leaving Prairie View A&M. "I'm always sad to leave a program that gave me a chance to be a Division One head coach," Cooper-Dyke said. "I will always love Prairie View and I will always consider them as family."

As a former college great, Olympic gold medalist and Women’s National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, Cooper-Dyke will be enshrined into the James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Aug. 13 in Springfield, Mass. “We’re thrilled to welcome Cynthia to the Seahawk family,” said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW’s athletic director. “She has been ultra-successful at all stages of her life and I’m confident she will elevate our women’s basketball program. She has an intense passion for the game and loves motivating young people to achieve their best, both on and off the court.”
UNCW names Hall of Famer Cooper-Dyke women's hoops coach

Wilmington, N.C. (Michael Jordan's hometown) -- One of the greatest players in the history of women's basketball will soon call the Port City home. UNC Wilmington will introduce Cynthia Cooper-Dyke as its women's basketball coach at a Monday afternoon news conference. Cooper-Dyke replaces Ann Hancock, whose contract was not renewed. Cooper-Dyke will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

A native of Chicago, Cooper-Dyke was a four-year standout at Southern California, where she sparked the Women of Troy to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1983 and 1984. She later completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Prairie View A&M. Cooper-Dyke, 47, collected four medals while representing the United States. She won a gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, captured gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, claimed gold at the 1990 FIBA World Championship in Malaysia, and won bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Cooper-Dyke began her professional career overseas and played 10 seasons in Spain and Italy. She returned to the United States in 1997 to play with the Houston Comets of the newly-formed WNBA.

Cooper-Dyke file

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

I can understand Coach Cooper-Dyke making this move...all you need is one visit to the seaside town of Wilmington, N.C. and the campus of North Carolina-Wilmington and you will be packing up the family for a quick move. Never found a college town so peaceful and relaxing on a sunny fall day with beautiful weather nearly year round. I had the opportunity of driving my son over to Wilmington for a soccer tournament last year and enjoyed the entire day in Wilmington and the UNCW campus. Definitely a beach front city you would want to take the family for an inexpensive vacation. The magnet here is the lack of excessive commercial development that you find in most ocean front communities.

However, dang shame the SWAC and MEAC let a Hall of Fame coach get away to a directional school with no history of winning for $117,500 average salary over four years. Cooper-Dyke replaces Ann Hancock, who was fired. Hancock received a salary of $87,167 for the final season of her 10 year career at UNCW. (beepbeep)

UTPA, Bethune-Cookman, Morehouse and Talladega win PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship Titles

The University of Texas-Pan American men's team and Bethune-Cookman University's women's unit found such a formula is alive and well Sunday afternoon as each carved a path to NCAA Division I titles in the 24th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. Texas-Pan American senior Armen Kirakossian collected four back-nine birdies for a 4-under-par 68 on PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course, while his teammates didn't miss a beat and took advantage of stumbles by defending champion Tennessee State University for a two-stroke (872 to 874) victory. It was Texas-Pan American's fourth overall title and first since 2007.

"We found the chemistry that we needed at the start of the year," said Broncs Coach Santiago De Larrea. "Armen was great, but so were guys like his brother, Kevin, and [freshman] Brandon Reyna. This is just my second season as coach, and it makes me feel as good now as when I was here in 2002 on the team and playing for a championship."

The Bethune-Cookman University team, which won the Women's Division, celebrated by spelling out BCU with their coach. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Bethune-Cookman's quintet, which is more like five sisters than an international mix of English, Venezuelan and American golf talent, posted a 54-hole school and tournament-record 885 total for its eighth overall title. This Wildcat unit was led by junior Kim Wong of East Montpelier, Vt., whose closing 3-over-par 75 on the Ryder Course might have sealed medalist honors at 216, but senior teammate Emma Tayler of Devon, England, sprinkled in a bogey-free 70 to ensure that she would not be forgotten.

"The stage was set for the team to go on to a championship when I took over as head coach 10 days ago, and they performed tremendously," said Bethune-Cookman Coach and PGA Professional Loritz "Scooter" Clark, who succeeded PGA Professional Gary Freeman, who has reduced his coaching duties due to health reasons and was the architect of the Wildcats' golf powerhouse. "This was a team that supported each other on and off the course," said Wong. "We came in and did what we had to do. It's amazing -- three straight days of the same total scoring (295)! I'm really going to miss my four teammates next year. We have four freshmen coming in next year and with big shoes to fill."

RELATED
Return to Championship home Sunday photo gallery Saturday recap Saturday photo gallery Friday recap Friday photo gallery Tee times and scoring Field list Fact sheet Upbear Career expo Championship preview

2010 FINAL RESULTS: Scoring

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Ex-QB Randall among 11 Southern University Hall inductees

As the sun dropped behind the Mississippi River late Saturday afternoon, scores of sharply attired Southern University alumni trickled into the Smith-Brown Memorial Union. Inside, Charlie Granger, chairman of the SU Sports Hall of Fame committee, sat on the edge of the dais, slowly, steadily directing some late traffic — folks who bought tables at the last minute or honorees who brought an extra family member. By the end of the day, Granger said, there were more people than tables, which made this event a success. Somehow, it all worked — and the best was still to come.

Long after the attendees dined, shared stories and listened to live jazz, they shared their loudest applause of the night for Eric Randall — star quarterback of the SU football team from 1992-95, one of the evening’s 11 inductees and now an assistant principal at Baton Rouge High. Hearing cheers long after he led the Jaguars to two Southwestern Athletic Conference titles, Randall made a strong, short speech, thanking nearly everyone in the city. But on the night before Mother’s Day, he gave high praise to three women in particular.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

B-CU finishes year unbeaten in MEAC‎

B-CU Coach Mervyl Melendez's Wildcats clinch #1 Seed for MEAC Tournament and earned 2010 Regular Season MEAC Baseball Title.

For the second time in school history, Bethune-Cookman's baseball team has gone undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. B-CU scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning in a 13-9 win over Delaware State (12-30, 8-10) on Sunday. It's the first-ever 18-0 MEAC regular season; B-CU was 15-0 in 2006. The Wildcats (32-19) will have the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament May 20-23 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

Delaware State Falls to MEAC Champs‎

Dover, DE -- Bethune-Cookman scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning in a 13-9 win over Delaware State in MEAC baseball at Soldier Field today. The Wildcats, who clinched the MEAC regular season title on Saturday, completed the conference schedule with an 18-0 record (32-19 overall). Delaware State is 8-10 in the MEAC and 12-30 overall. Delaware State broke an 8-8 tie on a two-out single by Scott Davis in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Bethune-Cookman tied the game at nine on a single by Emmanuel Castro in the top of the ninth inning. The Wildcats pulled ahead 10-9 when Matt Wright followed with a run-scoring in the inning. BCU padded its lead when the next batter, Alejando Sanchez, followed with a three-run homer. The Hornets trailed 6-1 before scoring seven runs in the third inning to take the lead. Mike Rizzuto doubled in the first two runs of the inning. Also in the inning, Matt Aleman had a run-scoring single and Abe Eubank was credited with a RBI on a bases loaded walk. Brandon Crist capped off the inning with a three-run homer to give DSU an 8-6 lead.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Texas-Pan American Leads Defending Champions Tennessee State by Three after 36 Holes

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- After witnessing a tragic flood that just missed engulfing its Nashville campus and having the team charter bus break down, the prospect of fighting the South Florida sun and a three-stroke deficit is a mere bump in the road for Tennessee State University's men's golf team. It's all in a week's work for the Tigers, who rode senior Chris Seibel's career-best 6-under-par 66 Saturday at PGA Golf Club's Wanamaker Course to make it a race with pace-setter Texas Pan-American for the Division I men's title in the 24th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

"We made up two strokes today, and Chris gave us a great lift," said Tigers Coach Chip Taylor, a PGA Professional, recalling how his 2009 team erasing a 10-stroke deficit in the final round. "What we're looking for is a good performance from all five tomorrow." Texas Pan-American, bidding to capture its third overall national title and first since 2007, demonstrated the depth it needed from the balance of its line-up to post a 581 total through 36 holes. Tennessee State is next at 584, followed by Jackson State University at 596, and Bethune-Cookman University at 600.

Peni Sanjoto of Prairie View A&M University sent a shot flying on Friday. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

"We've had two decent rounds, and despite us letting about seven or eight strokes go on the last six holes, I'd rather us be leading by three than trailing by three," said Texas Pan-American Coach Santiago De Larrea. "I'm happy that Tennessee State is there with us. They're very good fighters. It's going to be very interesting tomorrow. We have always wanted to get this title back, and I feel my kids are pretty confident and know what it will take to win."

The Championship, making its 13th consecutive appearance at PGA Golf Club, features a field of 185 student-athletes representing 41 colleges and universities and golfers from 15 countries.

RELATED
Return to Championship home Saturday photo gallery Friday recap Friday photo gallery Tee times and scoring Field list Fact sheet Upbear Career expo Championship preview

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Young — both of them — to play college baseball at A&T

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Aggies head baseball coach Keith Shumate signs a set of twins, a pitcher and a catcher from Statesville (N.C.) High School.

North Carolina A&T might have the most interesting battery in the state over the next few years. Statesville seniors Brett and Sean Young, twin brothers, have both accepted scholarship offers from the Aggies. Brett Young was recruited as a pitcher and Sean Young will play catcher. "We didn't really set it up where we both were (intending) to go to the same school," Brett Young said. "That's just how it turned out. It fits both of us the best."

The Youngs are going to a program that has won a lot of conference games lately. The Aggies (22-23, 12-3) are the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament. The MEAC is a conference comprised of Division I schools. "It was a nice Division I offer," Brett Young said. "It's small Division I, but we play against top-notch competition like (N.C.) State and Carolina." Brett Young said the coaching staff intends to pack 30 pounds onto his frame. He expects to likely start out as a relief pitcher and progress from there.

Meanwhile, Sean Young has a shot to contribute right away. He plays his position well and can really swing the bat. Sean Young finished the North Piedmont 3A season with better than a .460 batting average, along with three home runs, against some really good pitchers.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

MVSU Woods not done yet; signs local star forward Falando Jones

Mississippi Valley State University Coach Sean Woods is building upon last year's 47th nationally ranked recruiting class with even a stronger class this year. The Delta Devils return four starters for next season and have signed point guard Jerome Harris, Jr., and Falando Jones.

Mississippi Valley State basketball coach Sean Woods is excited about the future of his program and the part Greenwood's Falando Jones will play in it. Jones, a former Greenwood High School (MS) standout, recently signed a national letter of intent with Valley after two seasons at Mississippi Delta Community College. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 72 percent from the free throw line while shooting 47 percent from the field, including 33 percent from 3-point range.

"Falando is a tremendous talent and can play either the two or three position. He's a tough defensive player. He's my type of player," said Woods. "He will come in and have a chance to contribute on a large scale right away. "He's not just a great player but a great kid, too. He's a great ambassador for Greenwood and will now be the same for Valley." As a freshman at MDCC, Jones averaged 12.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists while shooting 57 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

FIRST ANNUAL HBCU NFL COMBINE CLEARS NEW PATH FOR IMPACT PLAYERS INTO PRO FOOTBALL

Former Director of NFL Football Operations and NFL star, Gene Washington has organized the First Annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University later this month to expose undrafted senior players to 32 NFL Coaches and Scouting Directors. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native and Stanford University graduate has worked previously with the NCAA's Champs Life Skills Program assisting HBCUs.

Standout players from the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the U.S. are being invited to attend the first annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine, May 21 through 23, 2010, at North Carolina A&T State University.

The Combine is for draft eligible QB's, DB's RB's, TE's, LB's and Wide Outs. Events include the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, pull-ups, and agility drills. Former Director of NFL Football Operations, Gene Washington, is co-founder of the HBCU COMBINE event.

“The talent level at HBCU’s is stellar. Yet, the selection of only one player in this year’s NFL draft proves there is greater potential that is being overlooked. By hosting an HBCU Combine, our goal is to bring increased recognition to HBCU football programs and amplify the number of HBCU players on NFL rosters,” states Washington.

As an undergraduate at Stanford, Gene Washington was one of 25 black students out of 10,000 students. He attended Stanford because of its concerted efforts to integrate minority students into the college community. During his NFL career with the 49ers and the Lions, he made four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1969-1972. He was Director of NFL Football Operations from 1994-2009.

Florida A&M University standout quarterback (#11) and Kentucky transfer Curtis Pulley (6-4/200) had an excellent college career, but went undrafted and unsigned by the NFL in April. Pulley was 2004 Mr. Kentucky Football and passed for over 3200 yards, rushed for 1768, and scored 29 touchdowns in two seasons as a Rattler.

HBCU players are proven fruitful players for the National Football League. Great players like Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Michael Strahan, Aeneas William and Shannon Sharpe have all come out of HBCUs. While achievements made by HBCU college players were recently acknowledged with the opening of the Black College Football Hall of Fame this past February in Atlanta, Georgia, the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine is creating one more avenue for recognition of players representing historically black colleges.

“Few NFL players come from a historically black college. HBCU players bring an elevated level of pride to the league, knowing that they represent a select group. We wanted to give them a special venue to showcase their talent for NFL coaches and scouts, says Mark Bloomquist, Washington’s business partner and co-founder of the HBCU NFL COMBINE.

Southern University's quarterback Bryant Lee (6-3/205) was passed over in the 2010 NFL draft and free agent signings. The All-SWAC/All-American senior passed for 8,134 yards and 70 touchdowns in a stellar four year Jaguar career.

Mark Bloomquist is the President for The Milestone Team and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1975. Following his naval service, Mr. Bloomquist established himself in the community as a very successful businessman, entrepreneur, and leader. As a former professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, he is very familiar with the university system in general and HBCUs in particular.

For more information on the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina A&T State University, please visit the website: www.procombine.com or call 336-937-5202.

Event Schedule

•Host hotel will be the downtown Marriott
•All Activities will take place on the North Carolina A&T State University campus. Transportation will be provided.

•Tentative Schedule is provided below:
A. Friday: May 21
1200 – 1600 Check-In – Waivers , Eligibility Verified, and Films. Issue Gear
1600 – 1900 Medical Records Review
1900 – 2000 Coaches & Scouts Reception – off site. Bus provided.
2000 – 2200 Nutrition Booth & Lecture. Evening Snacks available for athletes at hotel.
B. Saturday: May 22
0600 – 0700 Breakfast
0700 – 0730 Transport to NC A&T University
0730 – 0800 All Hands Meeting
0800 – 0900 Stretching and Conditioning
0900 – 1200 Stations as Assigned : Bench Press , Vertical Jump & Agility Drills
1200 – 1300 Break – Snack
1300 – 1600 Stations as Assigned: Bench Press , Vertical Jump & Agility Drills
(Transport to Marriott hotel at end of Day)
1700 – 1900 Welcome Banquet at Marriott Hotel
2030 – 1900 Depart

South Carolina State University All-MEAC/All-American running back William Ford scored 35 touchdowns and rushed for 4,676 yards in 764 attempts during a record setting career for the Bulldogs. Ford owns the MEAC rushing record and three 1,000+ yard seasons, but suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament against Appalachian State in the 2009 NCAA FCS Division I Playoffs. Ford went undrafted and unsigned although he was the best running back in the FCS over the past four years.

C. Sunday: May 23
0600 – 0700 Breakfast
0700 – 0730 Transport to NC A&T University
0730 – 0800 All Hands Meeting
0800 – 0900 Stretching and Conditioning
0900 – 1200 Stations as Assigned : 40 yard Dash & Pull-ups
1200 – 1300 Break – Snack
1300 – 1600 Stations as Assigned. : 40 Yard Dash & Pull-ups

•Each school will only be allowed to send 2 Graduating Seniors (verified); selected by Head Coach.

•Each attendee will be issued a t-shirt
•Each participant will provide own transportation to and from Greensboro, NC
•Liability waivers will be signed and filed. No spectators will be permitted
•Milestone Marketing Company will provide all meals and water

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman talks about Golden Lions football team‎

The UAPB Golden Lions finished up spring practices with their annual scrimmage two weeks ago. Now Arkansas Pine Bluff is focused on the fall. UAPB lost their last two game of the 2009 season to finish with a record of 5-5. The Golden Lions open the season on the road against Texas El Paso. Friday afternoon head coach Monte Coleman called in to talk to Wess Moore. Click on the video button to see their conversation.

Texas-Pan American jumps out to Five-Shot lead over Tennessee State

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Kevin Kirakossian picked an opportune moment to match his personal-best collegiate round of golf. Making his debut at PGA Golf Club on Friday, the 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas Pan-American knocked home a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole of the Wanamaker Course to cap a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the 24th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. Kirakossian's seven-birdie, three-bogey performance propelled the Broncs' quintet from Edinburgh, Texas, to a 290 total and a five-stroke Division I lead over defending champion Tennessee State University, a team that arrived at the Championship from flood-ravaged Nashville having lost a week of practice.

Wesley Yates of Florida A&M kept his eye on the ball during Friday's first round. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Jackson State University, which won the last of its eight national titles in 1998, is third with 297 and Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Fla., fourth at 298. A native of Tualatin, Ore., Kirakossian collected four birdies in his final six holes, and credited keeping his round intact by making par on the 215-yard 17th hole, following a 3-iron tee shot to 25 feet. "It's my first time in this Championship and I really enjoyed the course and its design," said Kirakossian, whose brother, Armen, a senior and the 2009 Division I medalist, added a 72. "I knew that we would bring a good team here and hopefully we can keep it going." Texas-Pan American Coach Santiago De Larrea said that there's a difference from last year's squad, which finished third.

RELATED
Return to Championship home Friday photo gallery Tee times and scoring Field list Fact sheet Upbear Career expo Championship preview

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Former UCLA 5-Star Recruit Signs With Mississippi Valley St‎ate

Mississippi Valley State University signed its first 5-star recruit since NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice playing days at the Valley. Chicago's Jerome Harris Jr. was ranked as the number one basketball point guard in the recruiting Class of 2009 by some recruiting services and opted out of UCLA.

Former UCLA recruit Jerome Harris, who left Ben Howland's program early in the season due to qualifying issues has signed to play for Mississippi Valley State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Harris who was expected to be a one and done type of prospect is in route for a huge season at MVSU. Harris who left the program in November spent time at Spoon River Junior College, was rated as one of the top 3 juco point guards in the country.

MVSU Head Coach is former Kentucky standout point guard Sean Woods who spent some time in the NBA. Woods says Harris is a big time talent that can really make a name for himself this season as he has one of the toughest preseason schedules next season. Harris chose Mississippi Valley State over Texas, Minnesota, and USC.

Prior to signing at UCLA, Harris Jr., received offers from Central Michigan, St. Johns, Ohio State, Rutgers, UAB, Arizona, Florida State and Indiana University, among many other major programs too numerous to name.

The 6'-3" point guard, five-star recruit out of Collins High School (Chicago, IL), posses as one of the top players in the Midwest. ''I think I have great point guard skills,'' he said. "It's not rare, but I think I can be one of the ones to succeed. Although Harris is not banking on a future in the NBA, he does consider it a possibility. ''I think about it a lot, he said. I think if it did happen, that's a good life. I just have to work hard. I can never wake up one day and be like, `I'm this' or `I'm that.' "No matter where I'll be, even if I get to the NBA, I'll always keep working. You can always get better.''

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Chattanooga's Gordon Signs Florida A&M Softball Scholarship

Chariah Gordon of Chattanooga (Tennessee) School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) recently signed a college softball scholarship with Florida A&M University. Gordon is a multi-sport athlete at CSAS, most recently as a member of the basketball team that made it to the Class A semifinals at the state tournament in March.

Chariah's signing will make her the third athlete in the Gordon family to compete - concurrently - in collegiate sports. Chariah's sister Ciera plays softball for Howard University. Her brother Channing, a Baylor senior, will play football for Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. Since Florida A&M and Howard University are both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Chariah and Ciera may have a chance to compete against other.

See full size image - Gordan with basketball

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Southern basketball class grows by two more

Southern University men's head basketball coach Rob Spivery.

All too often, during a long, grim season for the Southern men’s basketball program, Rob Spivery watched his offense disappear for minutes on end. The result was predictable. All too often, Southern lost. “There were times last year when we just couldn’t buy a basket,” said Spivery, who enters his sixth season as SU’s coach. So as the offseason began, Spivery made his top priority Spartan simple: He vowed to recruit a few scorers. In adding to his signing class Tuesday, Spivery said he believes he has found two more: Mike Celestin, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Mount Laurel, N.J., and Fred Coleman, a 6-5 forward from Memphis, Tenn.

Celestin spent last season at Trinity-Pawling, a prep school in New York, where he averaged 17.0 points, 4.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He will have four seasons of eligibility. oleman spent the last two seasons at Marion (Ala.) Military Institute, where he averaged 12.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He will have two seasons of eligibility. Celestin and Coleman join Arsenio Francis, a 6-foot-4 forward from Baton Rouge Community College; Marceis Davis, a 6-4 guard/forward from Richwood High in Monroe; and Lloyd Hickerson, a 6-6 forward from Western Nebraska Community College.

“I think all these guys we’ve brought in, they have that scoring element to them,” Spivery said. “I think we’ve got a pretty good crew.”

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

JSU Tigers make some history, deal more misery to Mississippi State Bulldogs‎

PEARL, MS — Quintavious Drains pumped his fist, walked toward the Jackson State dugout and then met the mob of players pouring out in ecstatic celebration. There were chest bumps, bear hugs, high-fives and even a bit of dancing. Yep, David had beaten Golliath. Jackson State beat Mississippi State 3-1 Tuesday night at Trustmark Park, knocking off the tradition-rich program for the first time in 18 years. The Tigers (29-14), in position to win their first SWAC title in a decade, won their 10th straight game and won for just the eighth time in 58 meetings with Mississippi Sate (20-24).

"We were ready. We were ready," said Drains, a sophomore pitcher who got the save. Said JSU coach Omar Johnson: "It means a lot to the people at the university." Meanwhile, the Bulldogs dropped their seventh straight and lost to JSU for the first time since an 8-4 defeat in Jackson in 1992. State, which was swept in the past two SEC weekend series, beat Jackson State 18-2 on April 6 in Starkville to make it 23 in a row over the Tigers. This time around the Bulldogs failed to handle Drains and JSU starter Cortney Nelson. They had a season-low three hits and hit into three double plays. Their only run came in the sixth on Connor Powers' homer.

PHOTO GALLERIES: JSU - MSU

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Fired B-CU coach sues university

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Alvin Wyatt, the winningest football coach in Bethune-Cookman University's history, has sued the school, claiming breach of contract for firing him in November after a 5-6 season. Neither Wyatt nor his attorney could be reached for comment Thursday, but the lawsuit filed in circuit court Wednesday claims the 62-year-old coach was "wrongfully terminated" without cause and without written notice, as required in his contract with BCU.

Alvin Wyatt, Sr., former head football coach, B-CU.
















Wyatt seeks more than $800,000, including five years of his base salary of $90,000, five years of television appearance income at $35,000 per year and five years of "additional guaranteed income" that totaled $40,000 in 2009. The suit also opens the door for a possible age-discrimination action in federal court after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission completes its review of the case. Former Rutgers assistant coach Brian Jenkins, 39, was hired to replace Wyatt in December.

Liz Poston, a university spokeswoman, confirmed that B-CU has been served with the complaint, but declined to comment, saying the university has a policy to not discuss personnel matters publicly. Athletics Director Lynn Thompson also refused comment. Wyatt was fired on Nov. 23, 2009, two days after the Wildcats lost to arch-rival Florida A&M, 42-6. He compiled a record of 90-54 in 13 seasons as B-CU's head coach.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

SSU Men's Basketball Signs Three

Coach Horace Broadnax adds three solid players to the Tigers Den for their first MEAC basketball season.

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State men’s basketball head coach Horace Broadnax has announced the signing of three players to join the SSU basketball program for the 2010-11 school year. Inking with the Tigers were Christopher Spears, Jyles Smith and Stephen Wilson.

Spears (6-8, 225) was a four-year starter at Turner County High School in Ashburn, Georgia. Spears led his team to three final four appearances and two state championship game appearances. He was also named to the all-region team (2-A) during his sophomore, junior and senior years. With Spears in the lineup, Turner County had a record of 124-20. As a senior, Spears averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds per game and was named region Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the all-state team. Spears was Turner County High’s junior class president and senior class vice president.

Smith (6-8, 215) played at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia where he averaged 10 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.5 blocks a game. During the 2009-10 season Smith had three triple doubles. He was named first team all-region (4-AAAAA) and was selected to play in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game.

Wilson (5-11, 165) played at Mt. Zion High School in Jonesboro, Georgia where he was the team Offensive Player of the Year. During his senior year, Wilson averaged 20 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The second all-time leading scorer in Mt. Zion High history, Wilson was a third team all-region (4-AAAA) selection as a junior and a first team all-region pick as a senior.