Friday, September 17, 2010

Wesley makes most of his chance with FVSU Wildcats

FORT VALLEY, GA — Denzel Wesley was late for practice Tuesday and stretched while the offense started its drills. But Wesley’s tardiness was more than acceptable. He had to finish a class, and it ended after football practice at Fort Valley State had started on this particular afternoon.

A year ago, it wasn’t a problem. Wesley’s grades weren’t good enough for him to suit up, and he had to watch. Now, he’s making the most of the new opportunity. “He has taken control of that position,” head coach and offensive coordinator Donald Pittman said. “He’s tough. He has speed and quickness. He can take it all the way at any moment.”

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Devin Dominguez thrives as QB; Former Harding standout stars for Alabama State

Perfection isn't in Devin Dominguez's future. The former Harding standout understands that even while not accepting it. “You strive for perfection and focus on being perfect,” he said. “Of course we know it's tough and that you'll never be truly perfect, but you might as well try.”

Dominguez tries these days as Alabama State's starting quarterback and the results, although imperfect, are impressive. He has led the Hornets to a 2-0 start and earned Southwestern Athletic Conference offensive player of the week honors.

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Speed sets Delaware State receiver apart

Delaware State University wide receivers coach Curt Thomas thinks highly of Hyattsville native and Northwestern High School graduate Larrone Moore.

In fact, Thomas said Moore holds a unique place among Hornets' players historically. "He flat out may be faster than any receiver that has come through Delaware State in the last 25 years," said Thomas, who recruited Moore out of high school. "He's probably the fastest ever. One thing you can't coach is flat-out speed. Sky's the limit for this kid. He can continue his career beyond Delaware State. Scouts have been watching him the last three seasons."

Moore has put his speed on display early...

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GSU Tigers will host Jackson State on Saturday

GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling is still feeling the physical effects of its season-opening loss to Louisiana Tech. GSU had an open date on Saturday, and it appears the bye came at the right time, even if it is still very early in the season.

"We needed it because physically we had some guys that were banged up quite a bit," coach Rod Broadway said. "I'd have preferred to continue playing, but if we would have played last week we would have been without a number of players so I guess it came at a good time."

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JSU's Johnson out for season

Jackson State defensive back Anthony Johnson will miss the rest of the season with an knee injury. Johnson suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Tennessee State. The Mississippi State transfer and former Provine star was considered to be the Tiger's first draft pick in almost five years.

Despite his injury JSU defeated Tennessee State behind the brilliant play of quarterback Casey Therriault who passed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. The win was the first over TSU in seven years and it has Terriault the talk of the SWAC. "I mean as long as our team keeps...



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FAMU's Robinson to miss rest of season



Offensive tackle Steven Robinson will miss the rest of the season with the Florida A&M football team after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left ankle that he sustained in Saturday's win over Delaware State University.

The loss of the former Lincoln High School standout will create a bit of shifting of personnel on the line, but coach Joe Taylor said Monday that he didn't expect the unit to see any drop off in talent. Jarian Moreland, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound transfer from the University of Central Florida, will replace Robinson at left tackle, Taylor said.

Robinson went down early in the fourth quarter of FAMU's 17-14 victory over Delaware State University. FAMU also had to play the second half without running back Philip Sylvester, who twisted his right ankle.



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ECSU Vikings' Jenkins an All-America

When Malcolm Jenkins arrived at Elizabeth City State as a freshman, coaches threw him No. 71. He took that as a slight. Wearing an offensive lineman’s number was unfitting for a defensive end. Now a senior, Jenkins’ No. 92 is a number Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks fear most.

“They didn’t even expect me to play.” Jenkins recalled of his freshman season. “They probably wanted me on special teams or redshirt and sit out a year. I had this big jersey on, an O-lineman jersey. I took it as a sign of disrespect, like they think I’m not going do anything, so...

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Twice ineligible, Fluker-Berry happy to have a home at NSU

Before transitioning from defense to offense and back at Norfolk State, Dwight Fluker-Berry signed with North Carolina, played for Fork Union Military Academy, attended West Virginia and went home to Miami. Compared to traversing the East Coast, traipsing around a depth chart isn't much of an imposition. In his senior season, his third year as a Spartan, the 23-year-old safety is finally locked in.

"You go through some of those trials, when you get here, when you get through that, you just want to play football," defensive backs coach Marco Butler said. Through two games, Fluker-Berry is tied for fourth at NSU (1-1) in tackles with nine. He delivered the crucial play in a victory Saturday that opened the MEAC schedule, picking up a fumble and running 50 yards for a score.

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Valley, Alcorn taking rivalry to Windy City

Soldier Field in Chicago is the unlikely site of this year’s matchup between Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State. The rivals clash on at 5 p.m. in the Windy City because the Delta Devils’ home, Rice-Totten Stadium, is under renovation and will be unavailable this season. Valley (0-2) has struggled through two games.

“Things have jolted me, but I’m not knocked off track,” Delta Devils coach Karl Morgan said. “I knew the limitations when I took the job.” Alcorn coach Ernest Collins doesn’t have a problem with playing in Chicago because the Braves (1-0) can attract recruits. “It will be great experience for the players to go out in an NFL stadium and play,” Collins said. “We’ve got a big alumni base in Chicago; it will be great for Chicago alums to see us play on their home turf.”

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Defenses zero in on A&T's running game

GREENSBORO, N.C. — What's wrong with Mike Mayhew? Why has the tailback who was last season's MEAC rookie of the year struggled to gain yards in A&T's first two games?

Mayhew is fine. But the arithmetic is certainly against him right now. When the Aggies (0-2, 0-1 MEAC) lost starting quarterback Lewis Kindle with a knee injury in an August practice, it did more than simply set back A&T's passing game.

Mayhew, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry and rushed for six touchdowns last year, became the focal point of opposing defenses. In losses to Winston-Salem State and Norfolk State, the Aggies routinely faced defenses crowding the line of scrimmage with eight — sometimes nine — players.

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Southern tries to regroup from defeat

First-year Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell has covered a wide range of emotions in just two weeks of the Jaguars' season. He experienced the thrill of a come-from-behind win in the season's first week against Delaware State. On Saturday, he got the opposite feeling as his team lost to NCAA Division II member Arkansas-Monticello at home.

"We had a bunch of mental mistakes in that ballgame," Mitchell said Monday. "It cost us. "It was the second week in a row we also had a special teams breakdown. We had a punt returned against us for a touchdown which put the defense in a bad position and we were inefficient in the red zone. We got down there a couple of times and were not able to score. As a result, we ended up losing that ballgame, 31-7."

State Roundup: Ark.-Monticello breezes past Southern

BATON ROUGE — Johnny Polite rushed for two touchdowns and Jywin Ceasar scored on a 94-yard punt return to help Arkansas-Monticello beat Southern University 31-7 on Saturday night. The Boll Weevils (1-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on Polite's 2-yard rushing score, Ceasar's punt return for a touchdown and a 1-yard touchdown by Nakita Myles.

Scott Buisson led Arkansas-Monticello with 101 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also completed 9 of 15 passes for 164 yards. Polite finished with 37 yards rushing on 11 attempts.

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North Dakota State Football Hosts Morgan State in Home Opener

No. 23-ranked North Dakota State (1-1, 0-1 MVFC) is scheduled to host Morgan State (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, in the 2010 home opener in the Fargodome (18,700) ... The Bison lost 16-9 to 13/14th-ranked UNI on Sept. 11, while Morgan State lost 62-3 at Atlantic Coast Conference member Maryland ... NDSU is looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the Fargodome ... The last Bison win at home was against Wagner, 59-28, on Sept. 19, 2009 ... This will be NDSU’s 100th game in the Fargodome.

TICKETS: Tickets for North Dakota State home football games are available in advance at the Bison Sports Arena ticket office, online at GoBison.com/tickets, or toll free at (888) 231-NDSU.

AT HOME: North Dakota State has compiled a 224-34-3 record at home since 1964 ... The Bison are 79-20-0 in the Fargodome since moving from Dacotah Field in 1993 ... NDSU was 1-4 last season and are 30-9 at home since head coach Craig Bohl took over in 2003.

SERIES RECORD: This is the first meeting between North Dakota State and Morgan State, located in Baltimore, Md., and members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ... It is NDSU’s first meeting with a member of the MEAC.

GoBISON.COM VIDEO/AUDIO/LIVE STATS: Follow on the Internet at GoBison.com with live streaming video, audio (Bison Radio Network) and live in-game statistics.

IN THE NCAA FCS STATISTICS: North Dakota State’s defense ranks 4th in scoring defense in the NCAA FCS at 9.5 points per game ... The Bison allowed 82 points in the first two games last season ... NDSU is also 6th in net punting, 8th in sacks, tied for 13th in turnover margin, 15th in punt returns and 24th in pass efficiency defense nationally ... Individually, John Prelvitz is 6th in punting, defensive end Coulter Boyer is tied for 14th in sacks, kicker Ryan Jastram is tied for 15th in field goals, and linebacker Matt Anderson and cornerback Freddie Banks are tied for 24th in interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS X-FACTOR: Senior punter John Prelvitz punted six times for an average of 45.5 yards and net of 43.7 per punt at UNI ... Prelvitz ranks 6th in NCAA FCS in punting at 44.71 avg. and the Bison are 6th in net punting at 40.50 ... He matched a career-high with eight punts for an average of 44.1 and net of 38.1 yards per kick (compared to 23 net per kick for Kansas) ... Against UNI, Prelvitz placed one inside the 20 (33 in career) and had two of 50+ yards (15 in career).



BISON QUICK-HITTERS: North Dakota State has six takeaways through the first two games compared to 12 overall in 2009 ... Update from Saturday’s UNI game, linebacker Matt Anderson forced the fumble in the second quarter that went out of the end zone for a touchback and free safety Daniel Eaves forced the fumble picked up by defensive end Coulter Boyer to set up the NDSU TD in the fourth quarter ... Boyer had a career-high five solos and six tackles overall ... He returned a fumble 26 yards to stop a UNI drive inside the red zone in the fourth quarter ... It was Boyer’s fourth career fumble recovery ... He is tied for 14th nationally in sacks ... Cornerback Freddie Banks recorded his first career interception late in the second quarter. ... Tight end Landon Smith made a career best three receptions for 47 yards at Northern Iowa (9-11-10) ... Quarterback Jose Mohler completed 20 of 35 passes for 247 yards -- all career-highs -- in the loss at nationally-ranked UNI (9-11-10) ... Mohler, who completed passes to nine different receivers, also rushed 16 yards for NDSU’s first touchdown of the season ... The -41 yards rushing (including 11 sacks for -77 yards) against UNI is the lowest figure since the Bison had 3 yards in a 20-14 loss to UC Davis during the 2005 season. ... North Dakota State was ranked No. 23 in both national polls released Sept. 13 ... On Sept. 6, the Bison made their first appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coaches Poll since Nov. 17, 2008, and The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll since Oct. 13, 2008 ... Wide receiver Titus Mack made a career-high four receptions for 46 yards against Kansas (9-4-09) ... The 6-3 win over Kansas was the lowest combined output since NDSU’s 9-0 loss at Southern Illinois (11-19-05), while the three points allowed were the lowest since a 45-0 shutout vs. Mississippi Valley State (10-14-09), and the six points scored is the lowest since a 37-6 loss at Cal Poly (10-8-05) ... The 59 points vs. Wagner in 2009 were the most scored by NDSU since 2006 when the Bison defeated Concordia-St. Paul 66-7 in the season opener ... Speaking of home openers, the Bison have won 11 straight dating back to 1998 when Emporia State defeated NDSU 23-21 ... With a 53-26 record, NDSU head coach Craig Bohl is No. 5 on the school’s all-time win list ... Bohl is one of four Bison coaches with 50 wins ... NDSU is 7-7 against nationally-ranked opponents over the past five seasons (2010: L UNI; 2009: L Southern Illinois, L UNI; 2008, L South Dakota State; L, Youngstown State, W Southern Illinois, L Western Illinois; L UNI; 2007: W, Cal Poly, W, Western Illinois, W, Sam Houston State, 2006: W, Georgia Southern, W, Cal Poly, W, South Dakota State) ... North Dakota State was ranked in the top five for 19 weeks (including eight weeks at No. 1) during the 2007-08 seasons ... The Bison were ranked in the top 10 for 21 weeks in a row and were in the top 25 for 41 weeks in a row ... The 48-45 shootout with Sam Houston State was the most points allowed since 2002 when the Bison lost 49-42 at Nebraska-Omaha.

Courtesy: NDSU Athletic Media Relations

A&M prepares for SWAC opener

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - The preseason is over for Alabama A&M. A run for a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game starts at Texas Southern Saturday. Kickoff is noon.
It is the first of nine straight grueling conference games for the Bulldogs after league officials elected to go back to the nine-game schedule after playing only seven each of the last two years.

"We're going to take it one step at a time," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Sunday afternoon, a day after the Bulldogs whipped Central State 45-0 in the inaugural Louis Crews Classic to even their record at 1-1. "We're going to get ourselves ready for this long bus ride and get down there and deal with the heat and the adversity of playing on the road."

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Scouting the 2010 S.C. State Marching 101 Band

Hey fans...don't know who is going to get dropped from our Top 5 Marching Bands performances over the course of the next week, but evaluating the entire body of work produced by the South Carolina State University Marching 101 Band, and the Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band last weekend, somebody gotta go! Stay tune...






Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bowie State Names Goff New Athletic Director

BOWIE, Md. - Bowie State University named Anton Goff as the institution's new director of athletics, effective October 1. Goff, formerly associate director for the Academic Support and Career Development Unit (ASCDU) at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), served in collegiate athletics administration for the past 15 years.

A press conference at Bowie State is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 3 p.m. The event's location is the Thurgood Marshall Library in the Special Collections Room on the second floor.

Goff succeeds interim athletic director Arlene Creek, an alumna who has been associated with Bowie State for over 30 years.

At UMCP, Goff focused on leading the Terps' academic support unit in providing quality developmental programs and need-based services that enhanced academic progress, facilitated career development and encouraged the psychosocial growth of all student-athletes.

"Mr. Goff brings an array of experiences that are certain to enhance the athletic programs at Bowie State University," said Mickey L. Burnim, president of Bowie State University. "His credentials are impressive and we are indeed delighted he is joining BSU to help lead an already thriving Division II program to the next level of excellence."

At Bowie State, Goff will oversee its 13 men's and women's athletic teams, which are part of the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

Goff will take on the role soon after Bowie State unveils its new artificial turf at Bulldog Stadium on September 25 at the first home football game versus Virginia Union University.

It is a great day to be a Bulldog," stated Anton Goff. "This is a tremendous opportunity for me professionally and personally. My goals and values mirror those of BSU and I am looking forward to leading the Athletic Department in pursuit of academic and athletic excellence as well as community participation. I am honored to be placed in this leadership position. My family and I are excited to become contributing members of the Bowie State University community."

Goff served as the sport supervisor and administrator at UMCP for six of its 27 varsity sports (men's and women's track and field program), while overseeing the program's yearly budget. He managed the areas of student services, academic support, community service, and life skills for all 27 varsity sports and 700 student-athletes.

While at Michigan State University, Goff served as the academic coordinator for the Spartan football team, where he was responsible for tracking the student-athletes' classroom efforts and monitoring progress toward their degrees in compliance with NCAA and Big Ten regulations. Goff was responsible for overseeing the tutoring programs and study table at MSU and coordinated a faculty/staff mentorship program. Goff supervised four full-time academic counselors/learning specialists, graduate students and several undergraduate tutors.

Prior to his tenure at MSU, Goff provided academic support for Maryland men's basketball, men's and women's track, men's and women's soccer and softball programs from 1998 to 2001. During his first stint in College Park, Goff was instrumental in the development of the Terrapin Student-Athlete Handbook and the implementation of educational programs concerning alcohol and drug abuse, academic integrity, gender violence and human diversity.

He completed the NCAA Leadership Institute and is a member of several associations and societies including the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the African American Scholars Honor Society, the Golden Key National Honors Society, the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics, the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Goff earned a bachelor's degree in the administration of justice from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 1991, before receiving a master's degree in the same discipline from VCU two years later. He completed all of the requirements, excluding the dissertation (ABD), for a doctorate degree from Kent State University in Education Administration with a concentration in Sports Administration. He lives in Bowie with his wife and two daughters.

From Press Release: Bowie State University 9/10/2010

S.C. State-Benedict game could be one-year deal

It was a study in contrasts at Monday’s news conference kicking off a week of activities leading up to Saturday’s South Carolina HBCU Classic football game between South Carolina State and Benedict at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. A parade of Benedict spokespersons, including football coach Stan Conner and athletics director Willie Washington, were effusive in praise and support of the first-time event.

Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough, one of two S.C. State representatives on hand, tried to be noncommittal about the future of the game, but he seemed to indicate the HBCU Classic might be a one-year deal. “We’re happy to be part of this event and looking forward to playing in Columbia. But as far as us playing again in the future, that is a question for our athletic director,” Pough said.

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Perfect start for Albany State Golden Rams

ALBANY, GA — From the moment the two teams got together for the handshake — or lack thereof — it was apparent the game between Albany State and Clark Atlanta at Albany State University Coliseum was going to be ugly. And boy, was it ever.

The Rams defeated the Panthers, 28-13, on Saturday night, but the game was a lot closer than the final score, as both teams dealt with multiple fumbles, interceptions and plays for negative yards.

“Our biggest thing is that we did not complete drives and that we turned the ball over for two touchdowns,” ASU offensive coordinator Steve Smith said. “That puts you behind, and (doesn’t help).” The good news? ASU’s defense didn’t allow any of those 13 Clark points. The better news? ASU is now 2-0 overall and in the SIAC.

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Next Game: Saturday at Tuskegee, 2 p.m.

Taylor pleased with FAMU's performance

DOVER, Del. — Coach Joe Taylor's palms might be a little sore today after applauding his Florida A&M football team as much as he did Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. When he wasn't letting his players know how much he appreciated their play, he paced the sidelines with his hands akimbo.

He might have clasped his hands to his hips more times than he wanted to because the gesture didn't always come when Taylor liked what he saw on the field. The penalties that the Rattlers committed in their 17-14 victory over Delaware Sate bothered him. FAMU committed six penalties in the first half and finished the game with nine for a loss of 57 yards.

FAMU AD Horne enjoys wearing his new colors

DOVER, Del. – At halftime of Saturday's game, Florida A&M athletic director Derek Horne was smiling broadly. It was still there at the end as the Rattlers' new AD got his first live view of a MEAC football game. He liked the fact that the Rattlers were on top 10-6 at the half on the road. The Rattlers had to rally from a 6-3 deficit to get the lead after the first 30 minutes.

"I think they are rebounding real well from a tough loss last week," Horne said, referring to the Rattlers' season-opening loss to the University of Miami. "As we go through the season they will get better and show some improvement. We just hope they can keep their heads up and get on a good roll."

Twins hit the road to follow FAMU

DOVER, Del. — Jackie Bryant and her twin sister Joyce Miller had good reason to drive more than 1,000 miles from Tallahassee to Alumni Stadium for Saturday's game between Florida A&M and Delaware State University. "We have high expectations of winning," Jackie said.

Those expectations were met. FAMU beat the Hornets 17-14 to improve to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the MEAC. The sisters will put another 1,500 miles or so on their car when this road-trip is over. After Delaware, they'll head to Washington, D.C., to catch the Rattlers against Howard University. Then after reloading back home, they'll head back on the road to the Atlanta Football Classic.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

President Obama: "Education Means Emancipation"



Remarks by President Obama to presidents of historically black colleges and universities, as provided by the White House at HBCU President's Reception


Grand Foyer, September 13, 2010, 10:36 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody!

AUDIENCE: Hello!

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome. Welcome to the White House. It is good to see some old friends and familiar faces. And I want to especially welcome three of our newest board members of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I am so grateful that they’ve agreed to join, and I’m looking forward to working with all of you.

Now, last February, I saw some of you here when I signed the executive order to strengthen the White House initiative on HBCUs. And this is allowing the government to collaborate with educational associations, with philanthropic organizations, and with the private sector to increase your capacity to offer a college degree to as many students as possible.

We’ve also declared this week to be National HBCU Week. And we do this for two reasons: first of all, to remember our history. We remember all the men and women who took great risks and made extraordinary sacrifices to ensure that these institutions that you lead could exist. We remember that at a critical time in our nation’s history, HBCUs waged war against illiteracy and ignorance -- and won. You’ve made it possible for millions of people to achieve their dreams and gave so many young people a chance they never thought they’d have -- a chance that nobody else would give them. And that’s something to celebrate. And that’s something to be very, very proud of. (Applause.)

But we also use this week as an opportunity to look forward towards the future and to take stock of the work that we’ve got left to do. As many of you know, I set a goal that by 2020, the United States would once again lead in the number of college graduates, have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. I set that goal because our success in a 21st century economy is going to depend almost entirely on having a skilled workforce, how well trained our young people are.

We cannot reach that goal without HBCUs. We can’t get there -- (applause) -- we can’t get there unless all of you are improving your graduation rates. We can’t get there unless all of you are continuing to make the dream of a college education a reality for more students. We want to help you do that in every way that we can. Already, we’ve eliminated billions of dollars of unnecessary subsidies to banks and financial institutions so that that money could go directly to your students. And that is incredibly important. (Applause.) And as a consequence of that, we’re making it possible for millions of more students to attend colleges and universities and community colleges all across the country.

We also want to keep strengthening HBCUs, which is why we’re investing $850 million in these institutions over the next 10 years. (Applause.) And as I said in February, strengthening your institutions isn’t just a task for our advisory board or for the Department of Education; it’s a job for the entire federal government. And I expect all agencies to support this mission.

Now, none of this is going to be easy. I know -- I’m sure you know that. As leaders of these institutions, you are up against enormous challenges, especially during an economic crisis like the one that we are going through. But we all have to try. We have to try. We have to remain determined. We have to persevere.

That's what the first founders of HBCUs did. They knew that even if they succeeded, that inequality would persist for a very, very long time. They knew that the barriers in our laws, the barriers in our hearts would not vanish overnight. But they also recognized a larger and distinctly American truth, and that is that the right education might one day allow us to overcome barriers, to let every child fulfill their God-given potential. They recognized, as Frederick Douglass once put it, that education means emancipation. And they recognized that education is how America and its people might fulfill our promise.

That’s what helped them get through some very difficult times. It’s what kept them fighting and trying and reaching for that better day, even though they might not be able to live to see that better day. That’s the kind of commitment that we’re going to need today from everybody here at the White House, from all of you at your respective institutions.

We are extraordinarily proud of what you’ve done. But we’ve got a lot more work to do. And I just want everybody here to understand that you’ve got a partner in me, and you’ve got a partner in the Department of Education -- and you’ve got a department with everybody here at the White House who’s absolutely committed to making sure that you can succeed in your mission.

So thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. (Applause.) Thank you.

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Symonds Leads Group Preparing Launch Of HBCU Network

Dedicated To African-American Universities, Sports Channel Looks To Summer 2011 Bow

Historically Black Colleges and Universities will have a cable channel to call their own next summer with the proposed launch of the independently-owned and sports-themed HBCU Network.

The basic-cable service, targeting African-American and multicultural high school and college- aged students will be anchored by live Division I and II college sports programming from the major HBCU sports conferences, as well as HBCU-produced educational and entertainment programming, according to network CEO and former BET executive Curtis Symonds.

"This is an opportunity to talk about the 143-year history of HBCUs and provide opportunities for their growth and future prosperity and target a demographic that advertisers want to reach," Symonds told Multichannel News.

Independent holding company C3 Media LLC, comprising veteran cable executives Symonds, Clint Evans and Candace Walker, hold a majority financial stake in HBCU Network, which will be based in Atlanta. Symonds noted that the group is talking to other potential investors, but would not reveal specifics.

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SWAC coach says S.C. State should stay in FCS playoffs

Coach Karl Morgan and his Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils received a first hand view Saturday evening of a potential FCS National Championship football program at S.C. State.

Sitting outside the visitors locker room Saturday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, a drained Mississippi Valley State head coach Karl Morgan watched his players limp quietly into the dressing quarters.

His Delta Devils were physically pounded on both sides of the football by 15th-ranked South Carolina State, 44-0. Compared to what it showed against the Bulldogs, Mississippi Valley State looked more competitive a week earlier in scoring two field goals in a 34-6 loss at Alabama State.

On Saturday, the Delta Devils managed just 44 total yards and were held to just six first downs, two aided by penalties. Despite their constant blitzes which at times disrupted S.C. State's passing game, Mississippi Valley State allowed 489 total yards and this does not include the 117 in kick return yards.

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Williams celebrates as Tuskegee gets win over Stillman

TUSCALOOSA, AL - Jeremy Williams turns 21 on Monday, but he celebrated in his hometown on Saturday night. Williams, a sophomore quarterback, engineered a couple of touchdown drives and the visiting Tuskegee Golden Tigers handed Stillman College a 41-15 loss.
Williams, a graduate of Tuscaloosa’s Central High School, said he had to secure 10 tickets for family and friends.

“It was more like a homecoming game for me,” said Williams, who led Central to a 15-0 record and the Class 4A championship in 2007. “When I got in, I wanted to capitalize on each of my drives, kind of make a statement. I was glad that we got a win, especially in Tuscaloosa in front of a lot of people I know.”

Tuskegee, the defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion, lost a fumble in the first half but was almost perfect in building a 28-0 lead. Stillman cut the margin to 28-15.

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Hampton Humbles Howard 31-21 in Battle of the “Real HU”

The crowd. The colors. The camaraderie. Hampton vs. Howard is more than just a football game; it’s the battle for the title “The Real HU.” But lately it hasn’t been much of a battle at all on the gridiron between the schools.

The Hampton Pirates have tamed the Bison 13 years in a row and in front of a packed Greene Stadium on Sept. 11, Virginia’s HU version won a 14th claim for the undisputed title. Hampton’s 31-21 road victory over Howard extended its win streak in this long-standing rivalry and resolved any doubt about who holds the title of the Real HU— at least for another year.

Early in the first half however, it appeared the Bison (0-2) and third string quarterback Casey Council were ready to shake the rivalry up a little.

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ALABAMA STATE 38, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 31: Rickerson revs up Hornets for key win

Alabama State was slowly wearing down and the Hornets were in need of a big play. And early in the second half Jacques Rickerson delivered. The Hornets' defensive back had asked for the assignment of covering Arkansas-Pine Bluff receiver Raymond Webber and when quarterback Josh Boudreaux threw his first pass of the second half toward Webber, Rickerson was waiting.

"They started running crossing routes against the zone, so we came out in the second half and decided to 'man' up," Rickerson said. "I told Coach I wanted 86 (Webber) and he put me on him the rest of the game."

Rickerson's 17-yard interception return on the second play of the third quarter set up the Hornets' go-ahead touchdown and Alabama State went on to win 38-31 before 14,199 fans at Cramton Bowl on Saturday night.

Photo Gallery: ASU battles Arkansas Pine Bluff






Fumble return keys Norfolk State's 23-14 win



NORFOLK, VA - Hit them when they're up, hit them when they're (headed) down. That's Norfolk State linebacker Corwin Hammond's philosophy on dealing with quarterbacks. Hammond said he was just trying to punish North Carolina A&T quarterback Shelton Morgan when he helped Norfolk State pull away in a 23-14 win in front of 14,550 at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.

"He was going down, so you might as well hit him," Hammond said. "You might as well. If he's going to run it, he's going to get hit." Trailing 13-7 with 8:12 left in the third quarter, the Aggies (0-2) were moving the ball well for the first time against NSU (1-1). North Carolina A&T finished with just six first downs, but Morgan looked ready to move the chains for the third time on the drive.

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Viewings of North Carolina A&T's "Bed Intruder Song" arrangement has now reached over 631,400 on YouTube within 30 days.