City agencies spar over sporting events

The Shreveport-Bossier City region will be a major player in Southwestern Athletic Conference events in 2010/11 with the first Port City Classic on Labor Day Weekend featuring Grambling State vs. Louisiana Tech at Independence Stadium; Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University on October 23 in the inaugural Shreveport Classic, played at Independence Stadium; the men's and women's SWAC basketball tournament; and the SWAC baseball tournament played at Fairgrounds Field in Shreveport.

Nicknamed the Sportsman's Paradise, Louisiana is known for sports. But the most contentious battle is happening off the field between two agencies vying to bring bigger and better sporting events to Shreveport-Bossier City. That competition is attracting attention from local officials and others who say this particular brand of infighting is not good business. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and Shreveport Regional Sports Authority are active members in the area's sports business. And both can stake respective claims to a certain measure of success.

This year, the tourist bureau will spend about $450,000 in sports marketing and assistance. In return, it expects to receive about $300,000 in revenue from events like the Port City Classic (featuring Grambling State University vs. Louisiana Tech University), the Sickle Cell Softball Tournament and USA Weightlifting.

The sports authority, a nonprofit by incorporation that receives city funding, is operating under a $193,890 budget in 2010 but projects it will generate a revenue figure that exceeds $206,000. But numbers alone don't tell the whole story. "We need the tourist bureau out of the sporting event business with the understanding that we have a properly led, properly managed, properly staffed sports authority," Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover said in a recent interview. "Have the bureau take care of the sports conventions. What we're doing right now is not making maximum use of our taxpayers' resources.

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Beach High back takes versatility to Savannah State

Simon Heyward was patiently waiting to hear the magic words. Finally, Savannah State University said them. Heyward, a senior at Beach High School, was holding out to receive a full scholarship for football. On Wednesday afternoon, he got his wish, signing a scholarship to continue his career with the hometown Tigers. "I was talking to Alabama State, Georgia Southern and Tuskegee, but none of them were talking the right words," Heyward said. "Then Savannah State came up to me and laid it out to me and I made that decision.

"(I wanted) a full ride," he added. "Where the money is at, is where I'm going to go play ball and get an education." In his senior season for the Bulldogs, Heyward became one of the city's most versatile weapons and prompted coach Ulysses Hawthorne to instill a portion of the wildcat offense, with the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder at the center of it. Heyward regularly played receiver, running back and quarterback. He totaled 41 receptions for 653 yards, rushed 68 times for 544 yards and completed 30 of 48 passes for 183 more yards. Defensively, he intercepted a pair of passes and made nine deflections and 37 tackles as a defensive back. He scored a total of 13 touchdowns.

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Prairie View A&M Makes The Right Choice--Promotes Wilson

Prairie View A&M University Lady Panthers assistant coach Toyelle Wilson has been promoted to head women's basketball coach, making the 28 year old Wilson one of the nation's youngest NCAA Division I coach. Coach Wilson succeed Cynthia Cooper-Dyke who moved on to University of North Carolina - Wilmington.

Prairie View A&M University athletic director Fred Washington finally made a good decision with the promotion of Lady Panthers women basketball assistant coach Toyelle Wilson to the head coach position. First, no one can "replace" a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach like Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who has moved on to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and the Colonial Athletics Association (CAA). Cooper-Dyke was hired away from Prairie View A&M (without a fight) for a mere $25,000 annual increase in pay.

This is where the PVAMU administration and I differ -- "Never let anyone hire away your top coach in the conference without a "battle." Otherwise, you will never be respected as an institution, conference and competitor, nor will your constituents believe that you are serious about your business in intercollegiate athletics."

To make matters worst for Prairie View, the gem of the Lady Panthers 2010/11 recruiting class -- Charlotte Amalie High School star center Aesha Peters has decided to follow Cooper-Dyke to the Colonial Athletic Association school. The 6'-4" Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands native was just what the doctor ordered in talent at center to take the Lady Panthers to the next level in 2010/11.

The difficult task now facing coach Toyelle Wilson, a 28 year old first- time head coach is holding together a recruitment class that is the best the Southwestern Athletic Conference has seen in the past 30 years. In addition to Peters, the Lady Panthers had inked to National Letters of Intent:

Alisha Andrews, Guard, 5-4 Freshman, Stone Mountain, Ga. Redan High School; Ranked as the 31st best point guard prospect in the nation with a grade of 90 by ESPN.com and second-best point guard in the state of Georgia…averaged 14 points, six assists and 4.3 steals…shot 40 percent from the three-point line…earned First Team All-Metro Dekalb County Honors…led her team on a 58-game winning streak….guided Redan back to the state finals as a senior where they fell in the state championship game to finish with a 31-1 record in 2009-10…dished out 11 assists on two occasions during senior campaign…also scored 32 points in a contest and recorded 10 steals in a game…drained seven three-pointers against Luella High School…scored over 1,000 points as a four-year starter in high school.

Gabrielle Scott, Guard, 5-8 Freshman, Vancleave, Miss. Vancleave H.S; Listed as the second-best player in the state of Mississippi by ESPN.com…ranked fourth by Mississippi Sportstalk.com…averaged 20 points and five assists as a senior…finalist for the Biloxi and South Mississippi Sun Herald Basketball Player of the Year…guided her team to the Class 5A South State semifinals…earned district MVP and all-state honorable mention honors.

Tesha Stokes, Forward, 6-0 Freshman, H, Hawthorne, Calif. Morningside H.S; Younger sister of former Lady Panther standout and first-ever recruit under Cooper-Dyke in Twila Stokes (2005-2009)…averaged 12.4 points, 15.4 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots per game as a senior…earned second-team honors by the Los Angeles Wave newspaper…named to the 2009-10 All CIF-Southern Section / SCIBA 4AA Second Team…played in the East-West 110 All-Star Basketball Game…ranked 54th nationally among class of 2010 standouts by Carolina’s Scouting Report…a rebounding machine as she pulled down 20-plus rebounds in 10 games this season…had seven games with 10 or more offensive rebounds…grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 26 of 30 games played as a senior.

Ryven Jackson, Guard, 5-9 Freshman, Little Rock, Arkansas Parkview; Earned Class 6A Girls All-State Honors….selected to play in the 2010 East-West Tyson/Arkansas Army National Guard High School Coaches Association in June…guided team to the Class 6A State Tournament…participated in the 11th Annual Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Metro Basketball Game…tournament MVP of Martin Luther King Tournament in Memphis, Tenn. and made history as the first girl’s out-of-state team to win the girl’s championship…ranked among the top prospects in the state of Arkansas.

Damika Abria Trice, Guard/Forward, 6-1 Freshman, Atlanta, Georgia, Dutchtown; Averaged 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and one block per game…can play both guard and post…guided team to the semifinals of the 2010 Georgia High School Association Class 4A Girls State Tournament…earned All-Southern Crescent Honors…also played softball and earned Class 4A First Team All-Region Honors at shortstop.

The future success of the Coach Wilson era will be dictated by the decisions made by these 18 year old that now have a choice to request a release from the NCAA from their NLI or stay put at Prairie View A&M. The outcome of this process will be announced at some point before the Fall term. Right now, their decision can go either way and it will lay the foundation on the future success of the Lady Panthers basketball program. Let's be honest here; without the thoroughbreds, Toyelle Wilson will become just another ordinary HBCU coach toiling in obscurity.

Nevertheless, I like this hire! Now, the rest of the story...

Wilson Elevated to head women's basketball coach

Prairie View A&M University Athletic Director Fred Washington announced today the promotion of Toyelle Wilson to head coach of the women’s basketball team. “We’re glad to have been able to retain Coach Wilson and are excited about the future of our women’s basketball program,” said Washington. “Wilson has been a part of all the success we’ve had and is deserving of a chance to show everyone her ability to coach on this level.”

Prior to accepting the position of head coach, Wilson spent the past four seasons as the top assistant coach for the Lady Panthers and played a large role in Prairie View A&M’s success with four consecutive postseason appearances, three straight Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season titles, two NCAA Tournament and two Women's NIT berths. Off the court, Wilson was involved in all aspects of the program with special emphasis on recruiting, the development of the team’s perimeter players, scouting, film breakdown, game strategy and operations such as team travel.

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Doty Commits to Florida A&M Lady Rattlers

Santa Fe College graduate Britany Doty will bring a big stick to the Rattlers softball team, with a .371 batting average.

Gainesville, FL - Britany Doty, a Tallahassee native and standout starting right fielder for the Saints, will attend and play for Florida A&M University beginning this Fall, SF Head Coach Chris Ahern announced today. "Britany did a great job for us on the field this year, stepping her game up even more from last season," said Ahern. "We are excited for her opportunity at FAMU."

Doty hit .371 on the season, with 15 doubles, two triples, six homeruns and 42 RBI in 54 games played this season, improving her batting average over .100 from the year before, earning First Team Mid-Florida Conference honors and was Second Team FCCAA All-State. She was not only successful on the field, but also in the classroom, earning FCCAA All-State and Mid-Florida Conference Academic Team honors in both of her years at Santa Fe.

Doty will join a FAMU team that finished the 2010 season with a 17-14 overall record and a 7-5 mark in the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Rattlers, led by Veronica Wiggins in her 19th year as the head coach, won the MEAC in 2009 and competed in an NCAA Regional at the University of Florida.

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B-CU sports complex wins approval

Bethune Cookman University President Trudie Kibbe Reed, Ed.D., said the Wildcat students have a $350 million dollar economic impact on the Daytona Beach area. The proposed Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center will address NCAA Title IX concerns for balancing men's and women's athletics sports facilities at the college.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University has a new addition coming: a 27,000-square-foot athletic facility on International Speedway Boulevard where students can work out and coaches can strategize. Students at the private, United Methodist school also will have a new place to pray together, and someday kids in the neighborhood might have a place to connect with mentors. The city's Midtown Redevelopment Area Board voted Wednesday night to let the $4 million project move ahead. Construction is slated to start in about a month, and should wrap up in roughly a year.

The vote brought smiles to dozens of students who packed into the City Hall meeting room. "Behind me you see a group of young men who probably would not have had an opportunity for higher education without the football program," said Bethune-Cookman President Trudie Kibbe Reed. University officials hope the sports complex will save their NCAA division status, something that came into question several years ago after NCAA inspectors called for improvements to Bethune-Cookman athletic facilities. Preserving that status should also protect the $1.5 million the school gets each year to play in the Florida Classic football game, money that goes toward academic programs.

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Familiarity leads Bell to South Carolina State‎

South Carolina State University Bulldogs have signed Polk State College 6-8/230 basketball center Presano Bell to a National Letter of Intent.

Cracker Barrel, a retail store and restaurant, is an institution in much of American, offering southern comfort food, rocking chairs for post-meal relaxation, and a checker’s table within the dining room for an added country feel. It’s more than just a place to eat and relax for Presano Bell. The former Thomas Edison star developed a bond with South Carolina assistant coach Dwight Evans, talking about why the restaurant chain is absent in New York, one of only nine states in American it doesn’t exit. Soon, the two realized, they were not only both from New York, but from Springfield Gardens, Queens, and raised just a few blocks away from one another.

“We hit it off,” said Bell, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound center who plans to major in nursing and become an anesthesiologist. “That made me feel like I could trust him. That’s the most important thing in a relationship. He got that right away.” As a result of their bond, in addition to the immediate playing time the Bulldogs could offer, Bell signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) school recently. The decision ended a two-year journey for the physically imposing forward.

After helping Edison reach the PSAL Class AA semifinals in 2008, Bell landed at Snead State in Alabama. It was a culture shock, he said, although Bell made the best out of it. Following his one year there, he transferred to Polk Community College (Fla.) and averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds per game. His two JUCO years transformed Bell, as much as a player as a person. He improved academically in the classroom and defensively on the court, one of his shortcomings at Edison.

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Florida A&M Inks State Champion Brittany Jones

A lot of what was said about Brittany Jones’ ability as a runner was like old hat to her parents, as they flanked their daughter Tuesday morning at Rickards High School when she signed to run for Florida A&M University. Joseph and Stephanie Jones have been hearing their daughter referred to as a “phenomenal athlete” and “future Olympian” for several years. The first time the Joneses heard such glowing description of their daughter, she was just a middle school runner.

They got their first glimpse of things to come when Brittany ran the anchor leg to bring her Fairview Middle School team from the back of the pack to a second-place finish. Since then, she’s captured countless ribbons and trophies and even won a state high school title in the 300-meter hurdles for the Raiders last season. Her signing to attend FAMU makes her the third Rickards athlete to become a Rattler within a week. She also had offers from Georgia Southern and the University of North Florida. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Jones told the audience that included classmates, coaches and several Rickards administrators. “I want to thank my parents. They’ve been very supportive and they’ve been with me from Day One.”

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A Look At The Texas Southern Tigers‎

Texas Southern University head football coach Johnnie Cole has the Tigers moving in a winning direction.

Texas Southern University Tigers of the Southwestern Athletic Conference are coming to Connecticut vs. the U-Conn. Huskies.

When: Sept. 11, 2010, Rentschler Field. First meeting

Last season: 6-5, 5-2 SWAC

Quick facts about TSU: School colors are maroon and gray and the mascot's name is Pretty Baby II. TSU is an HBCU -- Historically Black College and Universities -- located in Houston. Its most famous football alumni is probably former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, but the Tigers have actually produced 15 All-Americans. Some well-know players were Horace Young, Herman Driver, Ernest Calloway and Kenny Burroughs in the 1960s to Mike Holmes and Ernie Homes in the '70s and Donald Narcisse in the 1980s. The 6-5 finish was one of the best in the last 10 years and it included a 42-0 loss to Rutgers. The Tigers are coached by Johnnie Cole, a former quarterback at TSU in the 1980s. He took the job at his alma mater in 2008 (4-8).

Who's gone, who's back: The Tigers will lose four starters – total. In this case, who's gone isn't nearly as important as who's back. So who is back? How about all three leading ground gainers from 2009: running back Martin Gilbert (644 yards, six touchdowns) quarterback Arvell Nelson (325, four TDs) and RB Joseph Warren (142, one) return. Nelson threw for 2,392 yards but also threw 13 interceptions compared to 12 TDs. Most of the TDs went to Joseph Anderson, who had seven TD receptions. Anderson is back, too. Warren also returns kickoffs and averaged 18 yards on 17 returns in 2009. All three leading tacklers are back including linebacker Dejuan Fulghum (88 tackles), defensive back Robert Joseph (80) and Shomari Clemons, also a linebacker who had 63 tackles.

The UConn-Texas Southern rivalry: There isn't one and probably won't be. UConn raced to fill a nonconference void after it had scheduled Northeastern and was left scrambling when the school decided to drop football last year.




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2010 Bowie State Bulldogs Football Recruits and Schedule

2010 Bowie State University Football Recruits

Austin Hochman, Annapolis HS, Annapolis, MD (OL, 6-4, 265) � Team Captain, 1st Team All-Anne Arundel County, Honorable Mention MD/ESPN Rise Big School All-State Football team, NCU Baltimore/Washington Combine Co-MVP Offensive Lineman and Two Star on Rivals.

Rodney Johnson, North County HS, Glen Burnie, MD (OL, 6-5, 290) � 1st Team All-County, 2nd Team All -State, Honorable Mention, All-County, 1st Team All-Metro, BTC Super 22 and BTC All Star Team.

Anthony Kees, Woodlawn HS, Baltimore, MD (LB, 6-2, 210) Baltimore All-County Honorable Mention, Team Captain, 11 game starter (89 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery).

Trevon Bennett, Riverdale Baptist HS, Upper Marlboro, MD (QB, 6-2. 200) 3-year starter, threw for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per carry.

Brandon Miller, Forestville Military Academy, Forestville, MD (LB, 6-1, 215).

Sean Garland, Westlake HS, Waldorf, MD (DL, 6-3, 245) PG/ SMAC All Star game participant

Leroy Williams, Surrattsville HS, Clinton, MD (DL/OL, 6-4, 320)

Delante White, Crossland HS, Temple Hills, MD (DB, 6-0, 180) 4-year varsity player, Team Captain junior and senior seasons, PG Gazette 1st Team DB, All-State Honorable Mention, Attended the All-American Camp for ASA Prep Star in Santa Ana, California

David Brockenberry, Potomac HS, Temple Hills, MD (TE, 6-4, 220) All-Met and All County Tight End

Greg Koepping, South River, Crofton, MD (K/P, 6-0, 160) 4-year HS K/P, averaged 38 yards per punt and over 80% in FG/XPA.

Dominique Johnson, Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, MD (LB, 6-2, 220)

Keith Brown, Suitland HS, Forestville, MD (RB, 5-11 190) Jr year All-League DB, All PG County DB Honorable Mention, All Met DB Honorable Mention and All Gazette Honorable Mention, senior season All-League RB, All PG County RB Honorable Mention, All Met RB Honorable Mention. Rushed for over 700 yards, accounted for 200 receiving yards and scored 12 TD�s during senior season. Also participated in the PG/SMAC All-Star game.



2010 Bowie State University Bulldogs Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
8/28/2010 Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA 3 p.m.
9/4/2010 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD 6 p.m.
9/11/2010 Fayetteville State University Fayeteville, NC 6 p.m.
9/18/2010 Livingstone College Salisbury, NC 6 p.m.
9/25/2010 Virginia Union University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/2/2010 Virginia State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
Western Virginia Education Classic (William Fleming H.S.)
10/9/2010 Saint Paul's College Roanoke, VA 1 p.m. Details
10/16/2010 Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (HOMECOMING) Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/23/2010 Elizabeth City State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
11/6/2010 Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC 12 noon

CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP
11/13/2010 TBD Durham, NC TBA

READ MORE AT: http://www.bsubulldogs.com

Orlando losing out on neutral-site games thanks to rundown Citrus Bowl‎

The Florida Citrus Bowl is home to the Florida Classic played between Bethune Cookman University and Florida A&M University. The 2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge featuring Delaware State University and Southern University will also be played at this venue.

Orlando has taken a double-whammy to the gut in recent weeks, losing potential neutral-site games featuring Notre Dame and Florida State. Nothing surprising there, right? Orlando simply cannot lure marquee college football matchups with its woefully out-of-date Citrus Bowl. You know it. I know it. Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan knows it. While the $10 million in initial renovations is a nice measure, it is going to do nothing to get Orlando into the neutral-site game. Sadly, this is the worst time for the Citrus Bowl to be lagging behind its competitors.

Neutral-site games are in vogue once again. This season alone, there will be some 23 games played outside home stadiums across the country, up from 13 in 2007. The Georgia Dome, new Cowboys Stadium and FedEx Field, are just a few of the stadiums hosting games in 2010. Now University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., wants a piece, too, announcing earlier this week it would begin to court teams to play a neutral-site game there. Fiesta Bowl director of public relations Andrew Bagnato said the game would provide another way to bring money to Arizona. "The tourism industry needs anything we get right now," he said.

Indeed, Orlando is losing anywhere between $30 and $40 million in potential economic impact because it cannot draw teams to play here. While the Citrus Bowl does host the Capital One Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Florida Classic and MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the last time it hosted a marquee FBS regular-season game was in October 2000 when Notre Dame played Navy.

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Bethune-Cookman Wins Fifth Straight MEAC Championship; Beat Aggies 7-4 For Title

Bethune Cookman University head coach Mervyl Melendez was suspended for today's championship game due to ejection from yesterday's game, but Wildcats wins 10th MEAC Title in 11 seasons under Coach Melendez.

Daytona Beach, FL -- Bethune-Cookman won its fifth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 7-4 victory Sunday afternoon over North Carolina A&T. Jeremy Davis was 4-4 with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and Alejandro Sanchez continued his hot hitting with a home run and two hits to pace the Wildcat offense. B-CU starter Roman Lancaro (4-2) pitched six innings for the win and Juan Perez pitched the ninth inning for his tenth save.

"What can you say about Jeremy Davis," said Head Coach Mervyl Melendez. "He has been a good player for us all season and saved his best game for the championship and the big game today. Roman Lancara gaves us a good pitching performance as the starter and we did what it takes to win."

"The comebacks by this team (12 this year) and play of this team all year was special. We talked last year and all this year about winning games and coming from behind. And like Florida's team last year (20 comeback victories), this team has the never quit attitude and we have a lot of baseball to play and to prepare for the regionals. I am very proud of these guys. They are a real team."

DJ Leonard Named Tournament Outstanding Player; NCAA Selection Day May 31

B-CU rallies to make title game

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- In a game that had a little bit of everything, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats provided plenty of drama on the way to a 7-3 come-from-behind victory Saturday over North Carolina A&T at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. A six-run rally in the seventh inning pushed the Wildcats to their 12th come-from-behind win of the season and earned them a spot in today's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.

B-CU (34-20), seeking its fifth straight MEAC crown and 10th in 11 seasons, plays the Aggies again for the title at 2 p.m. today. A North Carolina A&T victory would set up the "if necessary" game at 6 p.m. for the title. Bethune-Cookman trailed 3-1 heading into the seventh, but Jeremy Davis' RBI single provided the go-ahead run and D.J. Leonard's 10th home run of the season -- a three-run shot to left -- capped the comeback.

It was an emotional victory for the Wildcats, who saw head coach Mervyl Melendez get ejected in the top of the fifth inning moments after starting pitcher Ali Simpson was thrown out for pushing A&T's Alex Grubb. Simpson had reacted to a bump from Grubb as the B-CU pitcher covered first base on a groundout. "We've gotta stick up for our players and I thought it was my job to stick up for Ali," Melendez said. "The bottom line is our guys had the intensity to fight the adversity, and we were able to come back, which is a trademark of this team."

TV: Tape delayed at 5 p.m. Monday on ESPNU

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Florida A&M signs two players from Tallahassee Rickards

Tallahassee, FL - Adam Decker and Avery Moore must like going to the same school. The two athletes signed together to continue their education with FAMU, but their friendship before Rickards High. Decker says, "Avery has been a friend of mine since the sixth grade at Cobb (Middle School). Both of us signing and achieving this big of an accomplishment is great to do at the same time. It's just fun."

Moore says, "It's real good signing with Adam since we go way back to middle school at Cobb. We both played sports there together. We both went to high school together. It's an honor to sign with Adam because we've been together for so long." Decker will play baseball for the Rattlers while Moore looks forward to playing on the hardwood. FAMU's head basketball coach Eugene Harris wouldn't mind having some more Radiers committing to the Orange and Green.

Rickards' duo to don green and orange

The two MVP's sat there in their orange and green ties before more than 100 well-wishers. Thursday was a joyous day for Rickards High seniors Adam Decker and Avery Moore, both of whom signed to play collegiately at Florida A&M. Both Raiders athletes were named the most valuable player during their highly successful senior seasons. Decker, who led Rickards to two district titles as a pitcher, will play baseball. Moore, the most valuable player and defensive stopper on Rickards' undefeated basketball team, will fulfill his hoop dreams.

"I didn't want anyone to pay for my college," Moore said. "I wanted to do something on my own. There are a lot of people who doubted me at the Division I level, so I guess I proved them wrong." Those doubters certainly were not Moore's aunt and uncle, Cassandra and Andrew Molten. He has lived with the two since middle school and took time to thank them both for turning him into a young man who has the ability and drive to win a college scholarship. Moore may have been the more emotional during the brief speeches, but Decker was fulfilling a lifelong dream to play Division I baseball.

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U.S. House of Representatives passes North Carolina Central University Resolution

Washington, D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.Res. 1361, Recognizing North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on its 100th Anniversary by a vote of 408-1.

NCCU is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The resolution was sponsored by Representatives David Price (NC-04) and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01). Rep. Price’s district includes NCCU and Rep. Butterfield earned an undergraduate and juris doctorate from the university.

Yesterday, Rep. Price addressed the House of Representatives to recognize the institution’s impact on North Carolina and urge swift passage of the resolution. The text of Rep. Price’s remarks is below.

CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE
FLOOR STATEMENT ON H. RES. 1361
Recognizing North Carolina Central University on its 100th Anniversary
May 19, 2010

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.Res.1361, which commemorates the centennial anniversary of North Carolina Central University and honors its founder, Dr. James E. Shepard. I’ve introduced this resolution as the member of this body privileged to represent North Carolina Central, but I’m proud to say it has the support of the entire North Carolina delegation as well as a number of other members who recognize the university’s significance.

People frequently talk about the “Big 3” universities in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina – referring to Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – but I like to remind them that it is actually the “Big 4”. North Carolina Central is fully as integral to the historical fabric of our state as its three peer institutions; it is one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation; and it has rapidly assumed an important role as a research institution.

Established by Dr. James E. Shepard in 1909 in Durham, North Carolina, the University first opened its doors to students a year later as the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua. Dr. Shepard was a visionary leader guided by the conviction that individual self-improvement and collective self-advancement were inextricably intertwined. “There is no economy in ignorance,” he declared. “Education is a vastly expensive resource, but ignorance is incomparably more so. Ignorance and poverty are cures for nothing.”

Dr. Shepard led the University until his death in 1947, guiding the institution through several name changes; watching the University grow in size and mission; and helping the school to gain the support of the North Carolina state legislature. In 1925, thanks to Dr. Shepard’s leadership, the school became the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts college for African-American students.



Now an integral part of the University of North Carolina system, NC Central offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 fields of study and graduate degrees in about 40 disciplines to a student body of about 8,500. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked NC Central the top public HBCU in the nation and one of the top ten HBCUs overall. The NC Central School of Law has been named the “Best Value Law School” in the nation by National Jurist magazine for two consecutive years.

NC Central is also renowned for its contributions to the cultural and performing arts. The University is home to the “Marching Sound Machine,” an award-winning marching band that will be performing on New Year’s Day 2011 in the Rose Parade, and the NC Central Jazz Ensemble, which recently performed in the Newport Jazz Festival.

NC Central also has a strong history of athletic prowess: its sports teams have won 41 conference championships, three NCAA regional titles, and two national championships. More than 50 of its student-athletes have won individual NCAA and NAIA national championships; and student-athletes representing NCCU competed in every Olympic Games from 1956 to 1976 in track and field, capturing eight Olympic medals, including five gold medals, during that span.

As a co-chair of the congressional National Service Caucus, I must also note that NC Central was the first state university in North Carolina to establish community service as a requirement for graduation and has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “community-engaged university”. It should therefore come as no surprise that the University has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with its home city of Durham throughout its 100-year history.

Thousands of NC Central graduates have served Durham as community leaders, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs and volunteers. However, the reach of NC Central extends far beyond the borders of the Triangle region of North Carolina. In the century since its founding, the University has graduated approximately 40,000 students and proudly boasts many distinguished alumni, including civil rights lawyer and educator Julius L. Chambers, basketball Hall of Famer Sam Jones, two-time Olympic track gold medalist Lee Calhoun, NC Superior Court Judge Toby Fitch, state Senator and former Speaker Dan Blue, and state Rep. Mickey Michaux, not to mention my friend and lead cosponsor of this legislation, Congressman G.K. Butterfield.

In the words of NC Central’s current Chancellor, Dr. Charlie Nelms: "It's no small accomplishment that an institution of higher education - and in this case founded by African-Americans at a time when African-Americans were barred from most colleges - survived and thrived for 100 years." I could not agree more. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Shepard, Dr. Nelms, and all who served the institution in between, the University has flourished and has touched countless lives in North Carolina and throughout the country and the world.

With that, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution and yield back the remainder of my time.

Tuskegee University signs Prattville H.S. Bria Young

Bria Young, a four-year letter man on the Prattville High School softball team, inked a letter of in tent Tuesday afternoon in the high school's media center to attend Tuskegee University. Young will play for the Tigers' softball program headed by coach Tarsah Askew. The Golden Tigers ended the 2010 season with an 18-14 record and will be competing in the SIAC tournament this week end in Columbus, Ga.

Young earned two letters with the Prattville junior varsity and for the past two seasons she had played in the outfield for the varsity Lions. Not only is Young a versatile softball player, she is a well-rounded student, and quite popular. She was named the homecoming queen as well as the 2010 Prom Queen. "Bria is a very coachable young lady. She is very smart, an excellent student and a very good kid. She played centerfield for us, and had some clutch hits over the season. "Tuskegee is getting a very good player. Bria will earn early playing time next year at Tuskegee. More than an athlete, Tuskegee is getting an excellent student," head coach Sabrina Tutchtone said.

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Shaw's Asberry makes his mark‎

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Darrell Asberry can't erase this loss from his mind. The fourth-year Shaw football coach holds on to defeats and uses them as a source of energy. This particular loss, to Elizabeth City State, came during his first season with the Bears, in 2006. And it wasn't so much that his team lost, but that they were crushed 36-0 near the end of an ego-bruising 3-7 campaign. Vikings coach Waverly Tillar called for a two-point conversion after a fourth-quarter touchdown with five minutes to play. The run attempt failed, though it came as a stark reminder of how weak opponents considered the Bears.

"He called time out and went for two," Asberry said last month through coarse laughter. It's only funny now because that was the last game the Bears lost to Elizabeth City State. Two years later, Asberry's team won its second consecutive CIAA championship, defeating the Vikings 36-7 in the title game. Last season, the Bears were a botched snap away from returning to the conference championship game - led by their offensive-minded coach, who despite limited resources has spearheaded a successful program. "He made it known, you got me down now, but I'm not going to stay down," Tillar said.

A former quarterback at Jackson State, Asberry helped head coach Rod Broadway - now at Grambling State - orchestrate two CIAA championships at N.C. Central in 2005 and 2006, serving as an assistant head coach before accepting his first head coaching job at Shaw.

In a short time, Asberry, 38, has won 28 games, captured two conference titles, led the Bears to the NCAA Division II playoffs and distinguished himself as one of the nation's top Division II coaches. "To do what he's done at Shaw definitely puts him in the arena with successful [historically black college and university] coaches in the country," said LeCounte Conaway, an analyst with Heritage Sports Radio Network. "He's winning. ... He's proven that his teams are going to be very competitive, well-prepared and also they're going to have talent."



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Saint Augustine’s College Wins CIAA All-Sports Men’s Trophy

Saint Augustine's College athletic director George Williams.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Saint Augustine’s College capped an outstanding athletic year by winning the C.H. Williams All-Sports Trophy on Tuesday at the 2010 CIAA Coaches of the Year Award Program at the Crabtree Valley Marriott. The award is given to the season’s best men’s athletic program in the CIAA.

“It is another significant achievement by an institution which believes in academics first, athletics second and then a controlled social life,” said George Williams, athletic director and acclaimed head track and field coach at Saint Augustine’s College.

The Falcons earned the honor by winning CIAA titles in baseball, men’s basketball, and men’s indoor and outdoor track and field. In addition to their four league crowns, the Falcons finished second in men’s cross country, third in the Western Division in football, fourth in men’s golf and tied for third in men’s tennis. The winner of the Williams Trophy is based on the championship place finishes for each sponsored sport.

Three coaches and one student-athlete from Saint Augustine’s College also were recognized during the banquet. Williams was honored for winning four CIAA coach of the year awards – men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, women’s outdoor track and field and women’s cross country. Head coaches Lonnie Blow, Jr. received the CIAA coach of the year plaque for men’s basketball and Charles Whitaker accepted his plaque for CIAA baseball coach of the year. Blow is in his second year of coaching and Whitaker is a first-year head coach at Saint Augustine’s College.

The Falcons' Orolando Duffus was the winner of the CIAA male scholar-athlete of the year award. Duffus, a junior from St. Catherine, Jamaica, is an NCAA Division II All-American jumper in track and field and has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.96 in business administration.

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Southern coach Cador staying in background

Southern University Coach Roger Cador is taking it easy and will allow assistant coach Fernando Puebla to run the team during the SWAC Tournament.

On a hot, muggy afternoon Saturday, acting head coach Fernando Puebla had the Southern University baseball team running. The position players were doing 24 sprints in the outfield at Lee-Hines Field, the pitchers six laps around the warning track. “It’s going to be hot in Shreveport too,” said Puebla, looking forward to the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, which starts Wednesday at Fairgrounds Field. “We need to be in condition.” What was missing was the dragging of heels and the bickering of a bunch of young men having to toil in the heat of a day where one might break a sweat just standing in the shade.

Instead, players smiled and cracked jokes. Things were loose, almost relaxed — or at least as relaxed as things can be while running 24 sprints in the outfield — as the players put in the work in preparation for the postseason. A relaxed demeanor is part of the reason the Jaguars (23-20) won five of their final six regular-season games, all after Puebla took over for Roger Cador, who sat out the late part of the season for health reasons. And although Cador said he has been cleared to return to “do whatever I want to,” he said, the veteran coach knows a good thing when he sees it. Watching from the sideline, Cador has seen his team play well.

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SWAC Tournament Schedule
Southern routs Alcorn
SU, Alcorn to meet before tournament

Main Street Expands With CIAA and SIAC Sports

After 4,189 postings on black college sports, I believe we have learned a few things about the main stream press coverage of our Division I historical black colleges and universities.

First, the coverage is not equal, especially for institutions located in the States of Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Secondly, HBCUs can help themselves by updating their own athletic websites (daily) with future events, breaking news stories and press releases on the sport news on their campus. Finally, for changeovers in coaching personnel, HBCUs should release the story first on their school websites, so that their Administration's perspective gets out on the Internet before the facts get twisted by the local press corps.

For sometime now, I have been attempting to stop blogging and posting at "MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street" due to a need to devote time to other interests. But, I have a burning passion for HBCU sports and bands and can never find enough real-time information on either topic at one site--the very basis of this blog.

It is very difficult to argue with the facts--the data shows that this blog serves a very useful purpose and generates a considerable following around the globe. Here is what today's Google Analytic metrics says about the MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street blog:

• Over 253,623 visits have been made to the site this year, using 82 languages. There has been 429,355 page views and over 20,000 visitors have visited the site over 201+ times. The 253,623 visits came from 164 countries/territories; and approximately 239,904 from the United States, 3199 from Canada, 1217 from the United Kingdom, 946 from Germany, 477 from France and 69 from Iraq, just to name a few.

• Within the U.S., the top States with visitors to this blog are: Florida (39,394), Georgia (19,433), North Carolina (18,976), Texas (18,050), Virginia (14,172), Maryland (13,024), New York (10,817), Alabama (9,304), and California (9,218). Visitors came from all states with a high number from states with no HBCU or HBCU Division I institutions -- like California, New Jersey (4497), Michigan (3536), Pennsylvania (4338) and Illinois (5509). One could conclude that these states have a high concentration of HBCU graduates or fans/followers of black college Division I sports.

• In examining the data from Florida and the 39,394 visits via 562 cities, Tallahassee lead the pack with over 8,903 visits, followed by Orlando (2,652), Hialeah (2155), Miami (2000), Jacksonville (1723) and Lakeland (944). The greater number of visitors to the site in Florida are located in the big cities and urban areas. But more importantly, the fans in small towns and communities, visit the site just as often as fans in urban areas, according to the data.

Effective today, we are going to broaden our content to include the Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). There is no reason not to give the CIAA and the SIAC the same level of exposure that the MEAC and SWAC have enjoyed from this ONE MAN-- three year effort. Our goal is simply to provide greater global exposure and expand interests in our Historical Black Colleges and Universities athletic programs and their exceptional student-athletes.

We have a wonderful story to tell and it should be told from both a black perspective that accentuate the positives of HBCU culture and athletic accomplishments.

Recently, we did a blog on the football accomplishments of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The school was formally know as Maryland State College and played football in the CIAA, prior to ending the football program in 1980. The school's football coach, Vernon "Skip" McCain was legendary, but has been generally forgotten by main street America.

We are talking about a school--UMES-- that produced over 25 NFL players, including Pro Football Hall of Famer and the first African American NFL head coach of the modern era in Art Shell ( Oakland Raiders); College Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl III star half-back Emerson Boozer of the New York Jets; and Roger Brown, an anchor of the Fearsome Foursome of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. Both Brown and Coach Skip McCain have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Few articles are written on trailblazing pioneers of HBCU sports like Skip McCain (UMES), Jake Gaither (FAMU), John Merritt (TSU) , Clarence Big House Gaines (WSSU), Willie Jefferies (SCSU), Davey L. Whitney (Alcorn St.) and many other black icons of the modern era.

Few know that five UMES Hawks played in Super Bowl III, tying an NFL record with Florida State University for the most players in a single Super Bowl game from the same college.

How many know of Rudy Hubbard, Marino Casem, William "Billy Joe" or Arnett Mumford accomplishments. How many of you grasshoppers know that the second African American coach to win an NBA championship is none other than Alvin Attles from North Carolina A&T State University.

Attles is in the CIAA Hall of Fame, played 11 seasons in the NBA as a guard and ended his NBA coaching career with 588-548 overall in 14 seasons with 6 playoff appearances. His #16 was retired by the Golden State Warriors.

If you are interested in blogging and/or providing e-press clippings of your HBCU press releases, or local articles, please send me a message as I can use the help. The pay is zero but the greater reward is that your postings will get exposure annually to over 500,000 fans and readers in 164 countries and territories. Talk to me at email: oneproposal@yahoo.com.

Thank you readers for providing your feedback on this project and for your continued loyalty in reading the articles posted at MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street. To my alma mater, Florida A&M University, thank you for giving me the gift of sharing. On gridiron, diamond, track and field, Thy sons thy victory never yield, And while they tread a broader life, Thy love shall stay them in the strife. Hubba, Rattlers!

Welcome fans of the CIAA and SIAC. Let's talk HBCU Division I and II sports!!

CIAA - "Established in 1912"

Northern Division

Bowie State University

Chowan University

Elizabeth City State University

Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)

Saint Paul's College

Virginia State University

Virginia Union University

Southern Division

Fayetteville State University

Johnson C. Smith University

Livingstone College

Saint Augustine's College

Shaw University

Winston Salem State University

SIAC - "Established in 1913"
School: Location: Year Joined SIAC:
Albany State University, Albany, GA 1969
Benedict College, Columbia, SC 1932
Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC 2008
Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA * 1913
Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA 1941
Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 1997
Lane College, Jackson, TN 1929
LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN 1932
Miles College, Fairfield, AL 1927
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA * 1913
Paine College, Augusta, GA 1985
Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL 1978
Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL * 1913

*Founding Member Institution of the SIAC

-beepbeep

South's D'Andre Harris signs with Winston-Salem State

LANDIS, N.C. — Winston-Salem State's football program returns to its CIAA roots this fall, and South Rowan running back D'Andre Harris will be part of the excitement. Once Winston-Salem State found out D'Andre hadn't signed anywhere, he was an apple they were quick to grab," South coach Jason Rollins said. Harris had a tough recruiting experience. Rollins explained that North Carolina A&T offered a full ride pretty early. Harris — a productive back, solid citizen and strong student — wanted to wait to see what other options developed. Basically, that scholarship got pulled off the table and went elsewhere. It happens.

But what put Harris in a really difficult spot was that he appeared signed, sealed and delivered for A&T. Lots of schools had crossed him off their lists, and that helps explain why he was sort of a free agent longer than a player with his talent and transcript should've been. Fortunately, coaches still make the recruiting rounds in the spring. Sometimes they find a gem who finally made a decent SAT or ACT score after everyone had backed off. Sometimes they run across a player who got hurt and slipped through the cracks. Sometimes they discover a late-blooming lineman who's put on 30 pounds since football season ended.

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NCAA's: Alabama Softball Beats Alcorn State, 9-0

Alabama Softball Beats Alcorn State, 9-0

Tuscaloosa, Ala. - - The Alabama softball team (49-9) opened NCAA postseason play with a convincing 9-0 victory over Alcorn State (24-25) Friday evening in game two of the Tuscaloosa Regional at the Alabama Softball Complex. With the win the Crimson Tide has run off 25 straight victories, tying the third longest winning streak in school history. “We talked about whoever we play, you play your best and respect the opponent by coming out and playing a great game,” UA head coach Pat Murphy said. “I think we did just that. Lauren Sewell did a really good job and Amanda Locke was awesome in the three batters she faced. We scored in every inning and that’s what we do.”

Tide slugs its way past Alcorn State

TUSCALOOSA | Alcorn State coach Kevin Montgomery figured his team's only chance against the University of Alabama softball team would be if the Crimson Tide took his Lady Braves lightly in the first round of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. Fat chance. Alabama (49-9) needed less than an hour-and-a-quarter Friday to send Alcorn State (24-25) to the loser's bracket with a 9-0 victory, shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. The Crimson Tide, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, won for the 25th time in a row, extending the nation's longest winning streak.

“We talk about whoever we play — no matter the opponent, the situation, the site — you play your best and you respect the opponent by coming out and playing a great game,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “I think we did just that. “We scored in every inning. That's kind of like our … what we do. That's how we roll.” Alabama got rolling early against the Lady Braves, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding three in the second and three more in the third.

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Alcorn State will face the University of Alabama-Birmingham in an elimination game Saturday at 4 p.m.

Division I dream comes true for GSU recruit McIver

Killen High School (Texas) Volleyball star Tiara McIver selected the GSU Lady Tigers over offers from Tarleton State, Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M. The 5-10/145 left-handed spiker plans to major in English/Language Arts Teacher Education.

After two months of waiting for a response — any response — Tiara McIver would've given Grambling State "another week or two weeks or so," the Killeen High senior, affectionately known as "Tree," said. McIver got the response she was looking for from Lady Tigers coach Kim Young. Then, the Lady Roos outside hitter received her invitation to visit the Grambling, La., campus and was finally offered her opportunity to play Division I volleyball, which she accepted Friday in the Killeen High School gymnasium by signing her national letter of intent.

"I thought she was going to e-mail the next day. I really did ... but she didn't," McIver said. "I would check my e-mail all the time, I asked my mom to check my e-mail all the time when I was in school. I thought she was going to contact me back right then. "As soon as I heard from her, it was just a sigh of relief," said McIver, who posted 198 kills, 22 aces, 254 digs and 87 blocks as a senior and Killeen's only all-district first team selection.

McIver assumed the delayed response was because of the Lady Tigers' Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) tournament finals appearance and other end-of-season requirements. Whatever the reason, McIver said she never gave up on earning a Division I scholarship, despite receiving numerous offers from smaller schools. That goal was made all the more difficult by the Lady Roos' struggles. Killeen hasn't made the playoffs since 2004 and has a combined six district wins (of 30) and one winning season in the last three years. So McIver created a profile on the website berecruited.com and contacted Young via e-mail shortly after her final prep season at Killeen, where she finished as a three-year starter and the District 16-4A MVP blocker as a sophomore.

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More limbo for Vikings and former Alabama State QB Jackson

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Tarvaris Jackson has taken plenty of heat for his performance, and physically he’s been hurt a lot too over four NFL seasons. Last summer, he was brushed aside for Brett Favre. For all Jackson has been beat up or bumped back, though, he can’t hide his smile. There it was, on Wednesday after practice with the Minnesota Vikings, spreading fast across his face when asked if he had a gut feeling about whether Favre will return or not.

"Yeah, I do. I’m not going to share it," Jackson said, flashing that grin. "But I think everybody has their feeling, and I think everybody is pretty much on the same page." That sure sounded like an expectation Favre will be Minnesota’s quarterback again this year. Jackson said he’s traded text messages a few times with the 40-year-old star, but insisted they talked only about "life stuff" and not football. Jackson said he "wouldn’t dare ask" the burning question about Favre’s status for 2010.



Profile: Tarvaris Jackson, #7, QB, Minnesota Vikings, Height: 6-2, Weight: 225 Age: 27, Born: 4/21/1983 Montgomery , AL; College: Alabama State University, Experience: 5th season; Contract: one year, $1.176 million tender as a restricted free agent; High School: Sidney Lanier HS (Montgomery, AL).

"That’s not even in my character," Jackson said. Well, how about Favre’s health, the left ankle he’s considering surgery on? "I don’t know," Jackson said, laughing. "I didn’t even know he was hurt." Jackson attempted 21 passes last season, the fewest since he turned pro and all in mop-up duty — "Every time I got in the game last year, the game was pretty much over with," he said, smiling again.

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