WSSU trying to tweak its Stadium lease

AD Hayes, trying to trim costs, talks of purchasing Bowman Gray

There was much to celebrate in 2006 when the city-owned Bowman Gray Stadium began to build a state-of-the art field house that included two football practice fields.

Winston-Salem State University, the main tenants of the nearly 21,000 square foot complex, signed a 30-year lease then to begin paying off $3.3 million to the city. Most of the athletics department offices are in the field house, along with a weight room and a training room for the football team. However, the lease amount doesn't include the weekly rent that WSSU pays to play its home football games.

Bill Hayes, the athletics director since January, is talking with city officials to try to reduce the expenses for using the stadium on game days.

According to Bucky Dame, the director of Joel Coliseum and Bowman Gray Stadium, the rent for each game will be $3,785, plus operating expenses.

In 2006 the rent for each game was about $400 less, but Dame said that the gradual increase is because expenses are higher.

WSSU, which will play four home games at Bowman Gray Stadium this season, also pays operating expenses for each game. Dame said that those operating expenses vary depending on the size of the expected crowd and other factors.

When WSSU decided to leave the CIAA four years ago to begin transition to NCAA Division I, it decided to start charging for parking and tailgating at Bowman Gray Stadium. Dame said that the agreement, which is still in place, is that the city and WSSU split the revenue for parking.

The city receives all the revenue from concessions, according to Dame.



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State of Florida's Pro Football HOF status on rise

Former Florida A&M University 3-times All-American and Cincinnati Bengals 3-times AFC interception leader, Ken Riley is long overdue to be called for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


Bragging rights over which state plays the best high school football is an argument that rages on in Ohio, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and California, among others. With 28 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame born in Texas and 27 in Pennsylvania, both can make good arguments. Ohio checks in with 23 Hall of Famers, while California has 16.

What about Florida? The Sunshine State boasts eight — but that’s a figure growing rapidly. With Rickey Jackson and Emmitt Smith entering the Hall this year, that gives Florida five Hall of Famers in the last four years. Expect that number to continue to grow in years to come as Deion Sanders, Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp become eligible.

For a further example of Florida’s excellence, check out this 33-player All-Century team selected in 2007 by the Florida High School Athletic Association’s panel of experts. It’s an all-state team sure to stack up well against any other.

Excerpt:

Ken Riley, Union Academy (Bartow), 1965. Played offense and defense in high school and QB at Florida A&M, where he was a three-time All-American. Moved back to the secondary in the NFL, where he played 14 seasons with 65 interceptions. Was later head football coach (1986-93) and athletic director (1994-2003) at FAMU.



Willie Galimore, Excelsior High School (St. Augustine), 1952. “He was perhaps the greatest running back I ever saw or coached against,” said Earl Kitchings, former head coach of Matthew Gilbert and Raines high schools. Considered by some experts to be the best Florida high school RB prior to Emmitt Smith. Remains leading rusher in Florida A&M University history. Killed in an automobile accident in 1964. Played football for the NFL Chicago Bears.

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Six Bowie State Bulldogs Selected To Pre-Season All-CIAA Squad

Bowie State University head football coach Damon Wilson

Bowie, MD - The 2010 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team were announced at the annual Football Kick-Off Press Conference held Thursday morning at Jones Dining Hall on the campus of Virginia State University. The Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team are voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association.

The Bulldogs, who finished at 6-5 overall in 2009 and in a three-way tie in the Division (5-2), were picked to finish third overall out of the 13 CIAA teams.

Six BSU student-athletes received preseason honors; Seniors Terence Peete, Jr. (Memphis, TN, Northwest) (Defensive Back), Alexander Payton (Rockville, MD, Richard Montgomery) (Defensive Line), Rodney Webb (Baltimore, MD, Milford Mill Academy) (Running Back), juniors Reginald Berry (Washington, DC, James Madison Univ.) (Offensive Line), James Proctor, Jr. (Capital Heights, MD, Suitland) (Kick Returner) and Clifton Budd (Silver Spring, MD, Sherwood) (Punt Returner).

The Bulldogs will kick off the season on August 28th on the road against Seton Hill University, in Greensburg, PA.



Bowie State Defense ranked #1 in NCAA Division II 2009 Total Defense. The "Darkside" as they are known also finished top 3 in NCAA Division II in 3 other categories and top 15 in 10 other categories.

The complete predicted order of finish is as follows:

Northern Division
Bowie State
Elizabeth City State
Virginia Union
Virginia State
Chowan
Saint Paul’s
Lincoln (Pa.)

Southern Division
Fayetteville State
Shaw
Winston-Salem State
Saint Augustine’s
Johnson C. Smith
Livingstone

The Bulldogs junior defensive back Kenneth Turner was named to Lindy's Pre-Season Division II All-America Second Team. Turner, from Oxon Hill High School, Oxon Hill, Maryland was a member of the 2009 All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) Defensive Second Team. Tuner topped the CIAA in Passes Defended (14), tied for third in conference interceptions (5) and ranked sixth on the team in total tackles (32).

The Bulldogs home games are:

9-25 vs. Virginia Union - 1:00PM
10-2 vs. Virginia State - 1:00PM
10-16 vs. Lincoln (PA) - 1:00PM
10-23 vs. Elizabeth City State - 1:00PM

For more information on Bowie State Athletics, visit http://www.bsubulldogs.com.

New ASU athletic director takes over

Stacy Danley was certainly aware of Alabama State's revolving door in the athletic department. The university has had six different athletic directors since Rob Spivery left in 2002, seven if you want to count execu tive vice president John Knight, who has run the department since interim direc tor Sterling Steward resigned in June.

Danley, a former star running back at Auburn in the late 1980s, served as Tus kegee University's athletic director in 2008 and 2009 so he couldn't help but no tice the turmoil of the Hornets' program as it went through coaching transitions, NCAA sanctions and constant changes at the top of the athletic department.

Danley also noticed other changes on campus. New baseball, softball and soccer facilities as well as a football complex were the latest developments for a pro gram trying to put its chaotic struggles in the past.

"It was very clear to me they were at a position where they were ready to transform this athletic department," he said. "They made a commitment to me that they wanted me here and they wanted me here for some time. I'm not going any where any time soon. We've got a lot of work to do. It's not going to happen over night but we're going to get it done."

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Ravens' Harewood a long way from home

OWINGS MILLS, MD - Ramon Harewood was ambling through a college fair in his native Barbados six years ago as a high school senior, pondering his future when he was discovered by Atlanta track and field coach Michael Grant.

The chance meeting between a towering, hulking teenager and Grant ultimately created a historic path that guided Harewood to the Baltimore Ravens as the first player from Barbados to reach the NFL.

Harewood had the brain of a rocket scientist and a body frame that approached the height and bulk of former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown. "I'm looking at him from a recruiting standpoint, going, ‘Oh my God,'" Grant said. Grant couldn't believe his eyes.

Harewood was academically gifted with a 1370 SAT score. He was 6-foot-6 and well over 300 pounds. And the young man was athletic enough to excel on junior national teams in rugby, track and field, and volleyball. He also played a mean game of cricket.

Grant went to work on Harewood, convincing him to enroll at Morehouse after he first attended the University of West Indies. "He saw me at a rugby game and some track meets and was like, ‘Dude, I'm telling you, you need to be overseas playing sports," Harewood said.



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Morehouse College Glee Club in Concert

The Morehouse College Glee Club embraces a ninety-year tradition of musical excellence and achievement. The Glee Club has continued in this tradition through the dedication and commitment of its members and the leadership that our directors have provided throughout the years. It is a tradition that has bestowed upon the Glee Club a vast history of attainment and shall provide it with a secure future of even greater accomplishments. It is the mission of the Morehouse College Glee Club to keep its standard of excellence.

Music calms the beast in all of us, so enjoy this cultural experience of the world famous Morehouse College Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. David Morrow.

READ MORE @ http://www.mcgclub.com

How the Legacy Bowl could ruin S.C. State football

Orangeburg, S.C. -- (Excerpts) : South Carolina State has finally come clean about the Legacy Bowl. Around a month after Florida A&M issued a statement denouncing the bowl, earlier this week, the school issued a press release confirming that it, along with the rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are engaged in talks regarding a potential Legacy Bowl that would put the winner of the MEAC against the winner of the SWAC at the end of the 2011 season.

All interview requests by T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr., directed to South Carolina State President George Cooper and Athletic Director Charlene Johnson were rejected. Looking at things from Johnson and Cooper's point of view, and for that matter the MEAC's, and in their defense, the game may actually provide an initial financial benefit. But, it's also a very near-sighted move, especially for South Carolina State.

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SU names former Jaguars' Olympian Interim Track & Field Coach

Southern University has announced that former two-sport athlete and 2008 USA Olympian, Brian Johnson, has been named Interim Head Track & Field Coach. Johnson takes over after the resignation of interim head track coach, Tinnequo Lightfoot-Ross.

Ross had just completed her 10th year at Southern University and her first as interim head track & field coach. She took over the program after the long illness, and death of long-time SU Track Coach, Johnny Thomas. She previously served as an assistant coach for eight years.

"With our cross country student-athletes reporting next week, we needed to have someone in place as soon as possible", says Greg Lafleur, SU Athletic Director.

Johnson qualified for his first Olympic Team with his runner-up finish at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he posted his best jump of the year. His 2007 season was highlighted by wins at Baton Rouge and Rethymno, where he had his best mark of the season of 8.31meters/27-3.25. He is currently the #2 ranked long jumper in the US, and 9th worldwide.

Johnson enjoyed a banner season in 2006, highlighted by victories at the AT&T USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, and ending the season ranked #3 in the U.S. by Track & Field News.

Three years after suffering a devastating knee injury, the former Southern University All-American became a world class long jumper when he captured the 2005 USA Indoor title, later that summer Johnson placed third at the USA Outdoor Championships with a leap of 8.09m 26-6.5. That effort qualified him for a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2005 World Outdoor Championships in Helsinki, where he barely missed qualifying for the final.

Johnson earned his degree in Political Science in 2003 from Southern University and A&M College. His wife, Pamela, is also a Southern U. graduate and they have a son, Kobe.

READ MORE SU SPORTS @ http://gojagsports.cstv.com

Preseason poll shows little faith in DSU

Lavan confident despite 7th position.

Delaware State University was picked Friday to finish seventh in this year's MEAC football race and that did not stun Hornets head coach Al Lavan. "I'm not surprised by the preseason rankings, given the number of question marks surrounding our team this season," Lavan said in a press release.

South Carolina State was picked to win its third straight MEAC title this fall. The Bulldogs collected 15 of 18 first-place votes and 315 total votes. Florida A&M was picked second, garnering two first-place votes and 268 total votes. Delaware State collected 120 votes. Lavan is 38-28 in six seasons with the Hornets, including 30-18 in MEAC contests. The Hornets begin their preseason football camp on Aug. 10.

Delaware State opens its 2010 season on Sunday, Sept. 5, against Southern University (La.) in the sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla. The contest, which will kickoff at noon, will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN3. com.

DSU's home opener takes place on Sept. 11 against Florida A&M with a 6 p.m. starting time. Delaware State (4-7, 3-5 MEAC) finished tied with Hampton and North Carolina A&T for sixth place in the MEAC last season.



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SSU hires 3 football assistant coaches

Savannah State University football interim head coach Julius Dixon has hired three assistant coaches: Carl Funderburk (offensive line), Corey McCloud (defensive line) and Dwayne Curry (linebackers). They will join SSU assistant coaches Alan Hall, Eddie Johnson, Hans Batichon and Barry Casterlin.

John Montgomery (offensive line) resigned earlier this year.

Coach Funderburk is a 1989 graduate of Elon University and coached the offensive line at Winston-Salem State University in 2009. Prior to WSSU, he served seven years at Methodist University (Fayetteville, N.C.), where he was the offensive line coach and travel coordinator.

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S.C. State, Pirates' Sanchez cited in improving MEAC

NORFOLK, VA - South Carolina State is the clear favorite to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football champ, but league coaches say that if the Bulldogs win the title they will have earned it. The word "parity" was heard quite often Friday at the MEAC's football media shindig, where league coaches voted S.C. State quarterback Malcolm Long and Hampton linebacker Julio Sanchez preseason players of the year.

"I'd say this is the best it's ever been," said Norfolk State's Pete Adrian, who is in his 13th year in the conference as a head coach and assistant. "There might have been better teams, … but out of the original members that are here, every one of them can beat you. You have to be ready to play."



Florida A&M was picked to finish second. Adrian's Spartans, on paper he said the best returning team he's had, were voted third. Hampton University was picked fourth.

"That's what the coaches around the league think, but that's not something we use as a measuring stick," said Pirates coach Donovan Rose, who overhauled his staff after a 5-6 record and uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the conference.

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New FAMU AD comes from Ole Miss

FAMU's president James Ammons confirmed Friday that Horne has accepted the job as the Rattlers' athletic director, under a three year contract.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Derek Horne, an associate athletic director at Ole Miss, has been hired as the athletic director at Florida A&M, FAMU president James Ammons confirmed tonight.

“I think Derek has a wide-range of experiences at the University of Mississippi and in the SEC, a conference that is a football powerhouse,” Ammons said. Ammons touted Horne’s leadership abilities, saying that he has “the potential to help us usher in a new era in Rattlers sports.”

According to an offer letter sent by the school to Horne and obtained by the Democrat, Horne will receive a three-year contract at $200,000 annually. “This offer is conditioned upon your written acceptance, and successful completion and review of a criminal background check,” Ammons wrote in his offer letter to Horne.

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FAMU picked to finish second in MEAC »

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FAMU offers Mississippi's Derek Horne AD job »

NSU receiver Hayden ruled ineligible this season

Coach Pete Adrian has stated that Norfolk State's recently-released Academic Progress Rate (for 2008-09) was tops in the MEAC and among all HBCUs.

Norfolk, VA -- Norfolk State wide receiver P.J. Hayden, the second leading receiver on last year's team, will redshirt this season after being ruled academically ineligible. His loss means Norfolk State will be trying to replace more than two-thirds of its receiving yardage, more than half its receptions and all but one touchdown. In addition to Hayden, the Spartans lost quarterback Dennis Brown to graduation and receiver Chris Bell, who left a year early to attempt to go pro.

Coach Pete Adrian said the academic issue was not grade-point-average related, but occurred because Hayden repeated a class and didn't meet the NCAA's credit-hour requirement. He will remain in school and participate with the scout team. Running back DeAngelo Branche becomes the team's leader among returning players in receiving yards with 250, and the top pass-catcher due in camp will be wideout Jeremy Wicker. He caught 25 passes for 191 yards.

"We have four guys who played regularly," Adrian said. "We had three freshmen redshirt - they have speed - and we brought in a JUCO (Montel Gamble). We've also got some running backs who are hybrids and can catch the ball and run with it."

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Albany State Rams: 'Get it done'

ALBANY, GA — Every college football season begins with uncertainty. Players come and go, strategies change and teams that don’t win a championship the year before look for areas to improve the next season. Albany State is no exception, coming off a season where it started 7-0, only to lose three out of its last four and finish the season at 8-3, leaving area fans scratching their heads.

The team was back at the drawing board this summer, but as far as head coach Mike White is concerned, there is no doubt the Rams can add another Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship to their stash this season. “We think we’re going to be a very good football team in 2010,” said White, who has led ASU to four championships as he enters his 10th season as the Rams’ head coach. “We have to constantly improve. Each year, the goal is the same, to improve on what we did (the last year) and find those things we have to work on and get ready for the season.”

As if ASU didn’t have enough incentive, the SIAC’s preseason predictions — released Wednesday — picked nine Rams for the first team, but surprisingly picked the team to finish second behind Tuskegee. Those rankings don’t matter to White, though, who said his team’s play on the field does all the talking. “That’s the difference in being at Albany State,” White said. “You just gotta get it done.”

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SC State Leads MEAC 2010 Preseason Poll

NORFOLK, VA – Two-time defending champion South Carolina State has been picked to win the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title by a poll of league coaches and sports Information directors, the league announced Friday at its annual press luncheon at the downtown Marriott. SC State head football coach emeritus Willie Jeffries served as Em Cee for the event.

Friday's predictions marked the fourth consecutive time Coach Buddy Pough's team has been picked to win the coveted crown which the Bulldogs have captured each of the last two seasons. The only season SC State did not live up to its previous preseason billing was the 2008 campaign when Pough's team finished second.

S.C. State Coach Oliver "Buddy Pough Bulldogs are once again the MEAC favorite to three-peat as conference champions.

Pough, who has to find replacements for 10 starters -- including All-America running back Will Ford, who ended his career as the all-time leading rusher in SC State and MEAC history – said the selection of his team as this year's preseason favorite, demonstrates the respect the conference has for the Bulldog program.

"It's a tremendous tribute to our program to be selected to win our league again," Pough said. "It shows the respect the coaches and SIDs around the league has for our program, our players, and our staff and also for what we have managed to do the last two years.

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When the halftime show is better than the game

Tokyo, Japan -- University marching bands can be seen taking the field at halftime shows throughout the United States during football season. The hundreds-strong groups consist of brass, a huge drum section and woodwinds, and keep the football-hungry fans entertained before the second half. Unless you are in the South, that is. There, the football game is just the lead-up; the bands are the show.

"There are two battles going on: There's the football game and the bands," says Brian Snell, drum major and casting director for Drumline Live, a touring show highlighting the musical traditions of the United States' Historically Black Colleges and Universities. "The team makes a great play and you hear the crowd, then the band is great and you hear the crowd: There's so much more going on to keep you entertained."

In the 2002 sleeper hit movie Drumline, Nick Cannon plays a particularly talented snare drummer who joins one of the country's most respected marching bands. As in real life, the musicians find themselves in serious rivalries with other schools, with the high-precision bands interrupting each other midperformance, and the fans as rabid about the high-energy music and dancing as they are about the football.

"There are situations where we're going into a hostile territory, and it's like, 'Hey, you're not our band. What are you doing here? Get out of here!'" he says.



With a cast consisting of nearly 40 top musicians from throughout the South, the rivalry is the first thing the cast of Drumline Live had to overcome, Snell--an alumni of top drumline school Florida A&M--says. "At the end of the day, we do respect each other's organizations, we respect our rivals, we all represent the same band. We love our craft and we want to promote it.

"But, when it comes to Saturday night, if you are cross that stadium, you're not my friend!"

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RELATED LINK: http://www.drumlinelive.com/

Playoff or pay-off? MEAC decision a 'win-win'

Norfolk, VA - There's a difficult decision ahead for Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference football, and there may not be a right or wrong answer considering both of the given options have merit.

"A win-win situation," according to Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian.

Just as the FCS is expanding its playoff format from 16 to 20 teams this season, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schools are weighing in on the idea of giving up the automatic bid afforded its champion, beginning in 2011, to return to a bowl game against the champion of the nation's other Historically Black Colleges and Universities league, the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Talk of the potential Legacy Bowl has gone on for some time. Decision day is nearing.

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Norfolk State University "Hot Ice" vs. North Carolina A&T State University "Golden Delight"

Flowers named JCSU offensive coordinator

Successful high school coach returns to alma mater

Maurice Flowers greatest coaching challenge will come from his college alma mater. Flowers, Johnson C. Smith’s new offensive coordinator, will be responsible over a unit that averaged 18.7 points and 279.5 yards per game in 2009. Both ranked near the bottom of the CIAA in a 3-7 campaign. “I’m excited about it,” said Flowers, 40, a 1991 JCSU graduate who resigned from Chester (S.C.) High in May. “I want to get my feet wet. I’m looking forward to it. It’s short notice, but that’s no excuse.”

Flowers developed a reputation as one of the top offensive coaches in the Charlotte region, earning playoff berths at Olympic, West Charlotte and Chester. In two seasons at Chester, the Cyclones went 21-6 and advanced to the 2008 S.C. 3A championship game. Flowers' 2007 West Charlotte team went 13-2 and advanced to the N.C. 4A semifinals and his 2006 Olympic squad tied a school record with 10 wins.

“He was a potential candidate (for the position) last year, but it didn’t work out,” second-year Golden Bulls head coach Steve Aycock said. “He’s here now, and I’m looking forward to his contribution. It’s a situation where he’s confident in what he does and I can’t wait to see what he does in the college ranks.”

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Origin of the Tennessee State University Football Program

Joe Gilliam, Sr., followed the legendary John Merritt to Tennessee State University, where, as defensive coordinator, he helped the Tigers to four undefeated seasons and seven Black College National Titles in a 20-year span. He served as TSU head coach from 1989 to 1992, earning Ohio Valley Conference Coach Of The Year honors in 1990.

He is the father of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joe Gilliam, Jr., (deceased) and the grandfather of R&B singer/record producer, Joi Gilliam. "Jefferson Street" Joe Gilliam, Jr., was a two-time All-American at TSU and 11th round draft pick of the Steelers in 1972. Coach Gilliam was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall Of Fame in 2007.

White: SIAC title will be won on field — not with votes

ALBANY, GA — Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference predictions? What predictions? As far as Albany State head football coach Mike White is concerned, the SIAC’s predicted order of finish for the 2010 season Wednesday didn’t happen. “I have no reaction (to the SIAC predictions),” White said. “I understand what it is, but (I think) everything is solved by going on the field and taking care of business on Saturdays.”

That may be true, but that fact is, the SIAC coaches picked nine players from Albany State for the Preseason All-Conference team — the most in the conference — but didn’t pick the Rams to win it all, choosing Tuskegee University instead. “Tuskegee’s been the champ the past few years,” White said. “They’re well-deserved to be picked first.”

While ASU had the most official All-Conference team members, in reality, they were tied with Tuskegee, Fort Valley State and Kentucky State with eight selections. White confirmed Thursday that defensive linesman Joshua Ingram (Sr.) — a first-teamer — will not be returning next season. “I believe some of (those All-Conference teams are) misleading,” White said. “(For instance), Ingram is no longer with the team, so he won’t be back next year. ... It just boils down to trying to stay healthy and finish some football games.”



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Collins: It's time for Alcorn State to win

NATCHEZ, MS — Alcorn State head football coach Earnest Collins had one message for Braves fans Thursday night. It’s time to win. Collins and Alcorn offensive coordinator Michael Armour and defensive coordinator Zach Shay addressed Braves fans at the annual Alcorn State Powwow on the ASU Natchez campus. “We’re not going to be satisfied just beating Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State every year,” Collins said. “We want to win SWAC championships. You didn’t hear me say that last year. But what I’m saying now is that we expect to win.”

















Collins said his team has built off last season’s 14-7 victory over Jackson State in the season-ending Capital City Classic, and has ridden that momentum into this season. “The phenomenal thing about that game was we played as a team on both sides of the ball,” Collins said. “The offense scored two quick touchdowns and that was all we needed. We held Jackson State to minus-12 yards rushing, and anytime you can do that, you’re going to win the football game. “I told the guys after the game that we were on our way if they just continued to do what they were doing.”

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GSU's Kim Young Named UNO Volleyball Head Coach

NEW ORLEANS, LA - University of New Orleans interim athletic director Amy Champion announced the hiring of Kim Young as the school's new head volleyball coach on Wednesday afternoon.

Young comes to UNO after spending the last six years in a similar role at Grambling State University, where she compiled a 128-79 overall record and an impressive 45-2 mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.

In five of the last six years, Young's season has come to a conclusion in the league tournament's championship game with all six campaigns highlighted by a SWAC West Division championship.

"Kim has a very successful track record as a coach and recruiter here in the state of Louisiana," said Champion. "When she came in for her interview, the energy and enthusiasm that she had for becoming our next volleyball coach was recognized quickly by our staff."

"We are excited to have Kim as part of our staff and feel that the experience she provides, both as a head coach and a former student-athlete and will give her the tools to build on the recent success of our volleyball program."

An accomplished player during her time at Grambling, Young was a three-time SWAC Player of the Year for head coach Fredrick Payne from 1996-1998, leading the Tigers to league titles in 1996 and 1997.

Her success as a collegiate player led to a stint at the next level with the United States Professional Volleyball League. The East St. Louis, Illinois native had the opportunity to play for the nearby St. Louis Quest while also participating in professional competition in Japan and the Dominican Republic.



Coach Young was a 2009 inductee into the Grambling State University Alumni Hall of Fame Gallery of Distinction.

Young returned to Grambling as an assistant coach in 2003 and earned her Masters' degree in Sports Administration in 2004 before rising to the position of head coach later that year.

"I've had a vision of coaching outside the SWAC," said Young. "UNO has available what I need to complete that vision from great facilities to a great education."

"I believe competing in Division III at UNO will afford me the opportunity to compete for national championships. The school has the heritage, recent success and location that will assist in getting quality student-athletes."

This year, UNO will compete as a Division I Independent in all sports as part of a multi-year transition to Division III status.

Young has already began working to finalize a roster that currently includes returning starters Cassidy Asebroek and Edina Dobi at setter and outside hitter, respectively.

The 2009 Privateer volleyball team posted a 20-13 overall mark while winning the Sun Belt Conference West Division title under then-head coach Jozsef Forman.

The new head coach will make her UNO debut against a familiar foe from her days in the SWAC as the Privateers open the 2010 campaign at Jackson State on Aug. 27.

By: Jason Plotkin
Director of Athletic Media Relations
University of New Orleans
Office: (504) 280-6284
www.UNOPrivateers.com
On Twitter @UNOPrivateers

Digital Harbor's Justin Jackson selects Morgan State

Justin Jackson was all set to stay in Baltimore for college until a Division II program in Ohio extended a late scholarship offer earlier this month. Digital Harbor’s (formerly known as Southern-Baltimore), star point guard planned on visiting the Urbana University campus before deciding between the Blue Knights and a preferred walk-on opportunity at Morgan State. But ultimately, Jackson never took the trip to Ohio.

“I was just talking to my family and they said that Morgan looks like a good choice because they’ve got the [financial aid] situation straight, so it’s good,” Jackson said. “… [The Morgan coaches] basically thought I was going there from Jump Street, so they were just happy to have me on the board. I talked to my assistant coach and I’ll be playing there my first year.”

Jackson’s been a well-known name throughout the city basketball scene for the past several years, culminating with the 2008-09 high school season when he and older brother George Jackson guided the Rams to the Class 1A state championship. Jackson looked the part of a Division I prospect, but things didn’t go quite as planned after the initial buzz about his game.



Digital Harbor's Justin Jackson is #15 (dark blue) in this video clip.

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Grambling State locals honored for contributions

The Monroe-Ouachita Chapter of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association will host its eighth annual Evening with the GSU Athletic Department tonight at the Monroe Civic Center. Athletics Director Lin Dawson and head football coach Rod Broadway are expected to be on hand to discuss the upcoming season, and a selection of local alumni will be honored for their contributions to GSU: James "Shack" Harris, Delles Howell, Lee Fobbs.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Fort Miro Room, with a silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Door prizes will be given away, including Bayou Classic tickets and GSU football season tickets. Ezzard Burton, a former president of the Monroe-Ouachita Chapter, said the event drew a crowd of about 180 last year and raised about $4,000 for GSU athletics. He hopes for a turnout of over 200 this year.

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Prairie View looking for feel-good sequel

As feel-good football stories go, Prairie View’s tale is tough to top. Most of us know about the rough times — that 80-game losing streak in the early ’90s, an under-funded program for decades, no Southwestern Athletic Conference titles since the Lyndon Johnson administration.

Then, at long last, there was last season. Capping an undefeated record in SWAC play, the Panthers outlasted Alabama A&M in the conference championship game at Legion Field, setting off a celebration that took even the players by surprise. “We had fans coming on the field, and they were crying,” Prairie View quarterback K.J. Black said. “People in their 50s and 60s — they were crying because it had been so long since they’d seen something like that.” It had been quite a ride.

Since coach Henry Frazier III took over in 2004, the Panthers had been building toward last season. From the moment players reported to preseason camp, they had one goal: Win the SWAC. All season long, they carried around a WWE-style championship belt, claiming that if other teams wanted the title, they had to take it from Prairie View.



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