Suggs named Savannah State athletics director

Marilynn Stacey-Suggs on Thursday became Savannah State University's first female athletics director. "It's very special. I'm very proud of that fact," she said following a news conference at Tiger Arena in which SSU President Earl Yarbrough announced her promotion.

Suggs, 52, fills the position vacated by Bart Bellairs, who resigned Nov. 23, 2009, to become the athletics director at Southeastern Louisiana University. Bellairs was SSU's first white athletics director.

Suggs, the interim AD since Nov. 24, 2009, was among 52 applicants for the job. She was chosen over two other finalists: Nicole Green, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at the University of Memphis; and William Weidner, previously the Deputy Athletics Director at the University of San Francisco. Suggs will be paid $90,000 and will be...



Marilynn Stacey-Suggs named director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University (SSU) President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D., today named Marilynn Stacey-Suggs as director of Intercollegiate Athletics effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Suggs, who has served as interim director of Intercollegiate Athletics since Jan. 2010, will be responsible for all matters related to managing Savannah State’s 16 NCAA Division I sport teams for men and women including budgeting; compliance with university, University System of Georgia and NCAA policies and rules; and fundraising for programmatic needs.

Suggs Named New AD at Savannah State

After a nationwide search, Savannah State University has settled on a familiar face to guide its athletic program. Interim Athletic Director Marilynn Stacey-Suggs was named to the post permanently today. Suggs has filled the role for nearly a year-- responsible for all matters related to SSU's 16 NCAA Division 1 sports teams.

In making the announcement, SSU President Dr. Earl Yarbrough said the chance to bring stability to the program set Suggs apart from more than 50 other applicants for the job. "I needed someone who was stable-- stability who could grow the program here. Someone who we know is loyal to Savannah State University," said Yarbrough.

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Getting sacked painful for A&T's Lee

Coach Alonzo Lee was fired on December 1, 2010, now one of four headed coaches sacked in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

 GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The wound is still open, the injury still fresh. There's no blood, no bruising, nothing visible at all. But you can hear the hurt in his voice. Alonzo Lee isn't the N.C. A&T football coach anymore. And the tough old linebacker -- a Division II All-American in his playing days -- didn't get to say goodbye to his players.

"It's like getting your heart cut out," Lee said.

The last team meeting was the sleepy Saturday after Thanksgiving, one week after the last loss in the Aggies' 1-10 season. "We sat down and really talked about being totally committed," Lee said. "I told them, 'Next season starts today, and it starts in study hall. ... We can't change what happened on the field this year. Let's win off the field in the classroom.' "



N.C. A&T fires football coach

GREENSBORO — N.C. A&T fired football coach Alonzo Lee on Monday after one year, 10 months and 13 days on the job. Lee ends his first job as a head coach with a 6-16 record. George Ragsdale, a former star running back at A&T and an Aggies assistant coach for 12 seasons, will oversee the program until the school hires a new coach.

“We’re going to identify the best candidate as quickly as we can,” said Earl Hilton, A&T’s interim athletics director. “What shape the search takes will be determined by how quickly we can find the right coach.”

Asked if there were already possible candidates, Hilton responded: “None that I can discuss.” Lee, who inherited a football program penalized by the NCAA for poor performance in its Academic Progress Rate, said the decision took him by surprise.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

AMAZING! These two NCA&T clips have eclipsed 1.4 million views (combined) in four months on YouTube. I have not found any other video of an HBCU Marching Band that has had more than a million views on any performance. The A&T's Bed Intruder Song arrangement was one of the best performances of the 2010 football season.  Exceptional performance, outstanding musicianship, and creative showmanship --North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine!  Like FAMU, you were not selected for the 2011 Honda Band Battle Invitational in Atlanta.  Shows you what Honda really knows about marching bands and music.  Stick to econo car production, Honda and leave the marching band selection to the real experts...

Commentary: TSU AD has stamp of a winner

TSU AD McClelland boosts wins, graduations

Texas Southern's success on the football field reflects a larger feel-good story, and that story includes someone who hasn't made a tackle or called a play this season. Charles McClelland is the school's 38-year-old athletic director, hired by TSU president Dr. John Rudley 21/2 years ago to clean up a program smothered in scandal and red ink.

As TSU tries to win its first Southwestern Athletic Conference football championship in 42 years on Saturday, there are plenty of other reasons for optimism.

"Dr. Rudley laid out a vision and a philosophy," McClelland said. "He wants to use our athletic program to help build the reputation of our entire university."

Soccer stadium/TSU football stadium, a done deal for Dynamo and Tigers

Texas Southern University, which will play its football games at the new stadium, is expected to contribute $1.5 million toward construction.

The Dynamo have agreed to pay $76 million to build a professional soccer stadium in downtown Houston and then lease it from the city and county for $65,000 a year.

The board of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, a joint city-county agency that acts as a pro sports stadium landlord, unanimously approved the deal Thursday morning. While the Dynamo will pay most of the cost of construction, the city and county will own the stadium.

Thursday's (Dec. 2, 2010) approval sets the stage for construction to begin as early as next month just across U.S. 59 from the George R. Brown Convention Center.

"It's an absolute win situation for not only Harris County but for the residents of Houston that for no expense to them — basically, no cost - we're getting a stadium," board member Tom Sprague said before the vote.

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Note: TSU currently pays $40,000 per game for use of the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium for home games.  The Tigers also rent Reliant Stadium at a cost $115,000 (2010 rate)  for the Labor Day Classic with Prairie View A&M University. TSU on-campus Delmar stadium seats only 4,500, too small for most SWAC football contests.

The Tigers are expected to sign a 20-year lease as consideration for the $1.5M (prepaid rent) towards stadium construction, and receive in return:  --  a private TSU locker room, 100% income from all TSU merchandise sales, 50% income from concession sales on all  its games and no per game rent for the entire lease period. 

From our view, this is a great deal for a $91 million-state-of-art stadium with luxury boxes in the 10th largest television market in the United States. Texas Southern football should become in short order, one of the premier brands and a hot destination point for the Labor Day Classic within five years. Mr. McClelland and TSU president Dr. John Rudley are clearly on an upward path with an economic engine (Dynamo Stadium) that will generate dollars comparable to other highly successful mid-major Division I FBC programs.

The question is, who's laughing now? Congratulation's TSU....Go Tigers!!
(beepbeep)

UAPB’s Webber named to All-American team

Arkansas-Pine Bluff wide receiver Raymond Webber was named AFCA Football Championship Subdivision first-team All-American team on Tuesday. Webber, a senior who caught 101 passes for 1,429 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, was the first UAPB player to be named a first-team FCS All-American since the school moved from NAIA in 1997.

He was the only member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference named to this year’s team.

Webber benefited from a new pass-oriented offense brought in by first-year coordinator Jerry Mack. The Golden Lions, who finished 5-6, were third in the SWAC in passes attempted and total offense. Webber had more than 100 yards receiving eight times this season, including ...

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TONIGHT: Aggies Look for Fifth Straight Win, Host Prairie View A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M puts its four-game win streak on the line Wednesday night when the Aggies (7-1) host the Prairie View A&M Panthers (2-8) at Reed Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. and the game will air regionally on FOX Sports Southwest.

Texas A&M AGGIES (7-1)vs. Prairie View A&M PANTHERS (2-8)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 • 7:05 PM (CT) • TV: FOX Sports Southwest
Reed Arena (12,989) • College Station, Texas
TELEVISION: FOX Sports Southwest*
Greg Lucas (play-by-play), Jim Haller (commentary)
DirecTV Ch 678
ESPN Full Court DirecTV 722/Dish 457
RADIO: Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South (play-by-play), Al Pulliam (commentary)
Local/Internet WTAW-AM 1620/radioaggieland.com



• FOX Sports Southwest will air Wednesday's game live from Reed Arena ... fans in the Dallas/Ft Worth market or those in the Dallas Mavericks coverage area can view the game on FS Southwest Plus ... DirecTV subscribers should find the game on FS Houston (Channel 678) ... Dish Network subscribers should check listings for channel number.

• Those outside of the coverage area can catch the game on ESPN Full Court's PPV college basketball package ... DirecTV will run the game on Channel 722 and Dish Network on Channel 457.

About Prairie View A&M (2-8)

• Prairie View A&M is 2-8 on the season after competing against a very strong non-conference slate, which includes losses at Marquette, Wisconsin, Providence, Baylor and TCU, among others ... the Panthers' wins have come in their only two home games, against Arlington Baptist and in their most recent action, a 90-65 win over Ecclesia College on Saturday.

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TSU President Says SWAC Run a Renaissance

HOUSTON - Texas Southern University has made history. The football team won the Western Division title for the first time ever, but this run is not over. The Tigers will meet Alabama State battling for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. TSU President Dr. John Rudley calls it a renaissance.

"We haven't had this kind of excitement for 42 years, since 1968. That's what it means to this school. All these years without having a sense of pride in your campus, always being put in a negative light. It's about time for Texas Southern to get in a positive light."

That sentiment is echoed by virtually everyone on campus, including head football coach and alumni Johnnie Cole. Cole tried to get the coaching job twice before. When he was hired last year, he made changes from the ground up.



'Second Chance U' appropriate nickname for TSU

Joseph Warren remembers receiving recruitment letters from Texas Southern during his days as a standout running back at Madison. He also remembers the trash cans those letters ended up in. "Back in the day, nobody wanted to come to TSU, even me," Warren said. "When I was in high school, I would get a letter from TSU and throw it away. I wasn't even trying to hear (about) TSU."

Given the atmosphere surrounding the TSU program at the time, Warren's indifference was understandable. When Warren graduated from Madison in 2005, TSU had just come off a disastrous 0-11 finish. Warren took three years off from football after leaving Madison, working a number of jobs to help support his mother. When the 5-10, 175-pounder returned to football in the spring of 2009, he found a home as a walk-on at TSU.

ASU, Texas Southern set to play for SWAC crown

The Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game is set for Saturday at Bir­mingham's Legion Field, but Texas Southern coach Johnnie Cole has already seen enough from the competition to anoint his team as the best HBCU team in college football.

"I think we're the best black college football team in the country," Cole said. "We've rolled off seven straight wins, we've dominated our confer­ence. When you look at confer­ence stats, we dominate on of­fense and defense. The only thing (that's less than domi­nant) is the passing. We play football the old way here, run and tackle on defense and on of­fense run the football."

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Alabama State (7-4) vs. Texas Southern (8-3)

DATE & TIME: Saturday, December 11, 2:05 p.m. ET.

FACTS & STATS: Event: SWAC Championship. Annual: 12th. Site: Legion Field (72,000) -- Birmingham, Alabama. Surface: Artificial Turf. Television: ESPN Classic. Announcers: Anish Shroff, Jay Walker, Charlie Neal. Home Record: Alabama State 4-2; Texas Southern 4-0. Away Record: Alabama State 2-2; Texas Southern 3-1. Neutral Record: Alabama State 1-0; Texas Southern 1-2. Current Win/Loss Streak: Alabama State 1L; Texas Southern 7W. Series Record: Tied, 11-11-2. Last Meeting: October 2, 2010 (Texas Southern, 21-7 at Alabama State). Series Streak: Alabama State has won six of the last eight meetings. Nicknames: Alabama State Hornets; Texas Southern Tigers. Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll Rankings: Alabama State (10); Texas Southern (5). Heritage Sports Radio Network Poll Rankings: Alabama State (7); Texas Southern (3). Sports Network/Fathead.com Rankings: Alabama State (51); Texas Southern (31). All- Time Records: Alabama State (438-418-41); Texas Southern (242-308-15). Coaches: Alabama State - Reggie Barlow (19-25 at Alabama State and Overall); Texas Southern - Johnnie Cole (18-16 at Texas Southern, 33-32 Overall). SWAC Championship Record: Alabama State (1-2); Texas Southern (0-0).

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Alabama State facing former assistant coach Johnnie Cole in SWAC championship game

Nearly a decade ago, Johnnie Cole helped his older brother, L.C., resurrect the Alabama State football program. The younger Cole served as the team's offensive coordinator, and his High Octane, Big Offense (HOBO) immediately turned things around.

The Hornets claimed back-to-back SWAC Eastern Division championships in 2000 and 2001, but the school was charged with 668 NCAA rules violations, which led to the firing of the Cole brothers.

Now the head coach at Texas Southern (8-3), Johnnie Cole will face his old team when the Tigers take on Alabama State (7-4) in the SWAC championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Birmingham's Legion Field. The game will be televised live on ESPNU.

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Delaware State stands in the way of Pittsburgh's 10-0

Although the 9-0 University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball team has yet to face a Big East opponent, head coach Jamie Dixon stressed that the nonconference schedule is not to be overlooked.

“I don’t think there is anything easy about our schedule,” Dixon said. “Just because we’re beating teams by a large margin doesn’t mean they’re easy. It means we played well.”

The Panthers frequently play well in nonconference contests, as they’ve won their last 53 such games at home, including their most recent win against Rider on Saturday. No. 3 Pitt executed its game plan en route to an 87-68 victory this weekendand will look to continue those efforts as it hosts the Delaware State Hornets tonight at the Petersen Events Center.

Delaware State, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, boasts two outstanding freshmen players who will be a primary focus for the Panthers’ defense. Casey Walker and Desi Washington combined for 37 points, including eight 3-pointers, in the Hornets’ most recent 75-56 victory over Maine.

No. 3 Men's Basketball Hosts Delaware State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET

Contest will be broadcast on the internet on ESPN3.com; Pitt is 17-0 all-time vs. MEAC schools; owns an 81-1 record vs. non-conference opponents at the Petersen Events Center.

GAME 10: DELAWARE STATE (4-3, 1-0 MEAC) at #3 PITT (9-0, 0-0 Big East)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 • 7 p.m. ET
Petersen Events Center (12,508) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
Television: ESPN3.com (John Sanders and Anthony Buford; Producer: Matt McCandlish).

The Coaches: Pitt: Jamie Dixon, 12th year at Pitt, 8th year as head coach (197-54); Delaware State: Greg Jackson, 20th year at Delaware State (323-228), 20th year overall (323-228).
Rankings: Pitt: AP-3; ESPN-3. Delaware State: AP-NR; ESPN: NR.

Series: Pitt and Delaware State meet for the third time with Pitt leading with a 2-0 record. The last time the two schools met was on November 14, 2006, a 67-50 Pitt win at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt is 17-0 all-time vs. the MEAC (Coppin St. 3-0, Delaware St. 2-0, Florida A&M 1-0, Howard 3-0, Maryland Eastern Shore 1-0, Morgan St. 2-0, Norfolk St. 2-0, North Carolina A&T 3-0).

 Delaware State Basketball 

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UMES Hawks signs 6'-11" developing "Big Man"

UMES Hawks Coach Frankie Allen

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball head coach Frankie Allen has announced the signing of 6-11 center Olatunji Kosile from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss. for the 2011-12 season. Kosile, who is known by his teammates and friends as TJ, averages 3.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game through seven contests for the Wolfpack this season.

"TJ is an excellent signee and he'll give us the size and strength that we need to compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference," stated Allen.

"His rebounding and defensive skills are formidable which will give us added strength on our front line. There is a tremendous wealth of potential in a player with his size, strength and ability and he is a very welcome addition into our program. We're excited to work with TJ and develop him into a quality Division I player."

Kosile inks with UMES

WESSON, Ms. - The game of basketball has taken Olatunji Kosile half way around the world. The game has taken the 6-11 center away from his home in Lagos, Nigeria, to the small town of Niceville, Fla. After playing one season for Northwest Florida State, Kosile has landed in the tiny town Wesson, suiting up to play this season for the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolfpack.

On Monday, Nov. 15, Kosile signed a national letter of intent to play basketball, which will take him on the next step of his journey, to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.

Kosile, know by his teammates and friends as TJ, is coming off of his best game as a member of the Wolfpack. On Thursday, Nov.11, against Holmes Kosile scored 10 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots in Co-Lin’s 68-58 win.

“The coaches from Eastern Shore view TJ as a big 6-11 ball of clay and I think that’s a great description of what he can be,” said Co-Lin Assistant Coach Cliff Furr.

Lady Jaspers Notch Fourth Straight Victory

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - On Monday night, the Manhattan College women's basketball team hit the road for the first time in three weeks looking to extend its winning streak to four straight. After Maryland Eastern Shore pulled within one in the second half, the Lady Jaspers (5-2) outscored the Lady Hawks (1-3) 16-4 over the final 7:08 to pull away for a 61-49 triumph in a tough, physical contest at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

"This was a very difficult game in an extremely hostile environment," Head Coach John Olenowski said. "Our girls really came through, and I'm proud of our effort."

With the score knotted at 10-10 early in the first half, Monica Roeder (Marlton, N.J.) and Toni-Ann Lawrence (Elmont, N.Y.) took over. The duo combined for all of Manhattan's points during a 16-5 run that gave the Lady Jaspers an 11-point, 26-15, advantage with 8:31 remaining before halftime. Maryland Eastern Shore responded with a pair of treys to get back within six, but another 10-4 Manhattan rally followed and the Lady Jaspers took a 36-25 lead into the locker room.

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MEAC entertains nixing FCS playoffs for new bowl

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins may never again take the Wildcats to the playoffs, regardless of how well he coaches and how well his team plays.

Leaders of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference -- the school presidents, ultimately -- are expected to vote next March on whether or not to skip the Division I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) playoffs and instead schedule a new mid-December game, the "Legacy Bowl," pitting the winner of the MEAC with the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (the other major conference for Historically Black College and Universities).

Bethune-Cookman Football: New Boys on the BC Block

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – When college football fans see the initials BC, the team that immediately comes to mind is Boston College, a powerhouse among teams in the Northeast, nestled atop Chestnut Hill just outside of Beantown. But there's another BC football team, not quite holding the national stature of the Eagles, but climbing fast.

That would be Bethune-Cookman University tucked away in northeastern Florida, just this side of sunny, sandy Daytona Beach. The Wildcats, who prefer to refer to themselves as B-CU...

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Howard University fires football coach Carey Bailey

Carey Bailey era ends at 8-36, 2-30 MEAC.

Howard University fired football coach Carey Bailey on Monday, according to a source who requested anonymity because details of the financial settlement are still being worked out. Bailey, who just completed his fourth season, has two years remaining on his contract.

The firing was the first order of business for Howard's new athletic director, Louis "Skip" Perkins, who started at the school Monday. Perkins, who spent the previous three years in the same position at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, can immediately put his imprint on Howard's signature sport.

One of Perkins's first hires at UAPB in 2007 was former Washington Redskins linebacker Monte Coleman as football coach.

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KEEPING SCORE - COACHING CHANGES
1. 10/18/10, North Carolina Central, Moses Rison (18-21), Interim Coach Darryl Bullock,(1-5).
2. 12/01/10, North Carolina A&T State, Alonzo Lee (5-16), Interim Coach George Ragsdale
3. 12/02/10, Delaware State, Al Lavan (41-36), Interim Coach Rayford Petty
4. 12/06/10, Howard University, Carey Bailey (8-36)
5. 12/01/10, Stillman College, L.C. Cole (7-15); New Coach Teddy Keaton, 12/3/2010.
6. 10/04/10, Miles College, William "Billy" Joe, Interim Coach Patrick Peasant

-beepbeep

Maryland - Eastern Shore hosts Manhattan Lady Jaspers

Manhattan-Maryland Eastern Shore Game Notes

Game 7: Manhattan Lady Jaspers (4-2) at Maryland Eastern Shore Lady Hawks (1-2)

Monday, December 6, 2010-6 p.m.

Princess Anne, Md.-Hytche Athletic Center (5,500)

 

Live Webcast: www.umeshawks.com

Live Audio: www.gojaspers.com,www.umeshawks.com

TONIGHT'S GAME
Manhattan (4-2) hits the road for the first time in five games tonight, as the Lady Jaspers visit Maryland Eastern Shore (1-2). The Lady Jaspers have won three straight, including a 68-51 triumph over New Hampshire on Friday night.

The Lady Hawks defeated UMBC in their season opener, but have lost two straight since, including a 73-50 defeat at Syracuse on Wednesday night. Tonight's game is Manhattan's only non-conference contest outside the State of New York.

THE LADY HAWKS
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-2) has played just three games this season, the fewest among all Division I teams. The Lady Hawks enter tonight's contest on a two-game losing streak after suffering a 73-50 defeat at Syracuse on Wednesday night. This is the Lady Hawks' first home game since their season-opening 64-52 win over UMBC on Nov. 14.

Senior guard Casey Morton paces the Lady Hawks in both scoring and rebounding. She averages 11.7 points and 5.7 points per contest. Junior guard/forward Kwinnyata Mercer averages 10.5 points per game off the bench, while junior guard Amber Cook contributes 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds to go along with a team-leading 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals per outing. As a team, the Lady Hawks are shooting .417 (20-of-48) from three-point land, while holding their opponents to just .151 (8-of-53) shooting from beyond the arc.

Maryland Eastern Shore was picked to finish ninth in the MEAC Preseason Poll.

THE LADY JASPERS
The Lady Jaspers (4-2), who are coming off a 68-51 home victory over New Hampshire, have won three straight and are two games above .500 for the first time in Head Coach John Olenowski's tenure. Manhattan is looking to win four straight for the first time since Jan. 2-11, 2004.

Senior guard Abby Wentworth is the only Manhattan player averaging double-figures in the scoring column with 14.0 points per game. She also leads the Lady Jaspers in assists (4.2 apg) and steals (3.0 spg), and ranks second in rebounding (5.3 rpg). Junior forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer averages 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while junior forward Nadia Peters leads Manhattan with 6.7 boards per contest. Peters also averages 2.5 assists and a team-high 1.5 blocks per game.

After playing four straight at home, tonight's game is the start of the span where Manhattan plays three out of four on the road.

SERIES HISTORY
This is the first time that Manhattan and Maryland Eastern Shore areplaying in Princess Anne. Both previous meetings took place at Draddy Gymnasium, including last season's 88-58 Lady Jaspers victory. The only other time the teams met, Manhattan notched a 78-51 win on Nov. 30, 1991. The Lady Jaspers are 8-1 all-time against members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

N.C. A&T rides play of Coleman, Hill

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In the aftermath of N.C. A&T's wild overtime win over Norfolk State on Saturday, Aggies head coach Jerry Eaves had already taken off his coat, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. As he took the walk to his seat in the postgame interview room, Eaves carried a telling look -- one of exhaustion, joy and most clearly, relief.

"I can't complain," Eaves deadpanned in response to how he was doing. Talk about an understatement. Thanks to 25 points after intermission from Marc Hill and a brilliant all-around effort from center Thomas Coleman, A&T escaped with an 89-81 win.

Norfolk State loses league opener in OT

GREENSBORO, N.C. - After committing a foul in the final seconds of overtime, Norfolk State forward Kyle O'Quinn pounded the ball on the floor over and over again. The score was already out of reach and his foul had no effect on the outcome, but O'Quinn couldn't help himself. His team had been so close, only to see a late lead crumble away - again.

"For them to shoot the way they did and for us to stay that close, we let it slip out of our hands," O'Quinn said of his team's 89-81 loss to North Carolina A&T (5-3). "It kind of makes you mad at the end if you don't come out the victor." The game quickly boiled down to a battle between the two tallest players on the court.

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Auburn survives to beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff

AUBURN, AL -- Maybe some of the euphoria surrounding Auburn's SEC championship in football has rubbed off on the men's basketball team.

The Tigers survived a scare to beat winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff 76-72 Sunday in front of several hundred fans at a largely empty Auburn Arena. In a season that is likely to be full of indignities for Auburn (3-4), Sunday's game nearly became the most embarrassing.

The Golden Lions (0-7), a SWAC team that typically starts its season on an impossible non-conference barnstorming tour, had lost their first six games by an average margin of 26 points but led Auburn by seven late in the second half.

Auburn comes back to top winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff

AUBURN -- Auburn basketball coach Tony Barbee was still hoarse from cheering the Tigers' football team to victory a day earlier in Atlanta, so he shrugged off the sparse crowd Sunday afternoon at Auburn Arena. "It is what it is," he said. "Believe me, I'm caught up in the football hype, too."

The Tigers survived a scare to beat winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff 76-72 in front of a crowd listed at 4,561 fans -- and probably had about 4,000 fewer than that.

Payne's layup with 8 seconds left lifts Auburn past Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 76-72

AUBURN, Ala. — The play Auburn coach Tony Barbee called in the final seconds of a tie game broke down — and it worked out perfectly. Allen Payne hit a layup with 8 seconds left and Rob Chubb added two free throws to lead Auburn to a come-from-behind, 76-72 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday.

The Tigers (3-4) scored the final 11 points to rally from...

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Finney: In Lavan, Delaware State cuts loose a man who put Hornets back together

We live in a stinky world where we only care about the "W."

It is easy to sympathize with Al Lavan, who discovered he was fired as coach of Delaware State's football team on Thursday morning. That's because Lavan has poured his heart and soul into turning the Hornets into a consistent contender in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since he took over the football program back in 2004.

In fact, he was originally supposed to be the coach -- the first major hire by then-university president Dr. Allen Sessoms -- who would spearhead the Hornets' move to Division I-A football, where Sessoms harbored dreams of playing the Notre Dames, Floridas and Penn States of the world at a new 30,000-plus seat stadium in Dover.

Upon his hiring, Dr. Hallie Gregory, who was then DSU's athletic director, said, "[Lavan's] got a lot of NFL and Division I experience. With his background...

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JFK High great going into Hampton’s Hall of Fame

Suffolk native Terrence Warren was an 11-time All-American, eight-time CIAA champion and two-time NCAA national champion as a sprinter at Hampton University. Warren won five state championships on the track for John F. Kennedy High School. On the gridiron, Warren went on to a pro career in the NFL and CFL. He’s been selected as part of the second class to enter the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Suffolk, VA - Former John F. Kennedy High track and football star Terrence Warren was overcome with pride when he learned of his induction into the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame. Most of his emotion goes out to the people who helped and coached him along the way.

“The biggest part of this, for me, is not that it’s a celebration of my accomplishments, but a way to pay homage to those who guided me and gave me a chance to develop,” Warren said. “I can’t take credit without giving them credit.”

In high school and again as a Pirate, Warren was a track athlete first and a football player second. The football idea was good enough to take Warren to a career in the NFL and Canadian Football League.

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Jackson State hands FIU men third loss in a row

Jenniro Bush scored 23 points to help lead Jackson State to a 61-52 victory over visiting FIU on Saturday night. Jackson State (2-6), playing at home for the first time this season, struggled to take advantage of its surroundings and fell behind 22-12 with 3:57 left in the first half. But three consecutive three-pointers from Bush and a layup by Chris Hyche cut FIU's lead to 24-23 at halftime.

Jackson State surged in the second half, shooting 12 for 21 (57.1 percent) from the field to take a 59-46 lead with 50 seconds remaining. FIU has lost three in a row after starting the season 4-1.

No place like home: Bush, Tigers rally past Panthers

Jackson, Ms. - Starting the season with seven straight road gameEdit HTMLs looked like it was affecting Jackson State early in Saturday's home game against Florida International. Coach Tevester Anderson said he felt like he was coaching in a strange gym. Junior forward Jenirro Bush, a transfer from Arkansas-Fort Smith, was playing in a strange gym.

It didn't take long for either of them to overcome all that, however. Bush scored 23 points to lead the Tigers to a 61-52 victory over Isiah Thomas-coached Florida International in JSU's first home game of the season and Bush's first game as a Tiger at the Williams Athletic and Assembly Center.

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ATTENDANCE: 4,480

Big Apple Classic: Brad Byerson's 26 points power VUU past VSU in New York City

NEW YORK -- Braxton Byerson swiveled toward the Spike Lee seats at Madison Square Garden and yapped with the fans at yesterday's Big Apple Classic. He had just hit an important 3-pointer at the end of the first half to solidify a lead Virginia Union (2-0) did not relinquish in a 66-46 win over rival Virginia State (1-4).

Byerson soaked in the moment. His screams stretched through the iconic arena. His post-shot swagger made him the game's most theatrical performer. But it was his scoring -- 26 points, trumping the 23 he scored on the same court last season -- that made the difference in the victory.

"Coach said when I first got here, 'You're a crowd pleaser,'" Byerson said. "It just always stuck with me. I just get in touch with the crowd when they start talking to me. It just gives me energy. I feed off it. I tend to play better when I feed off it."

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Big Apple Classic: Funches scores 20, Hampton beats Howard 67-55

NEW YORK — Charles Funches scored 20 points and Hampton defeated Howard 67-55 on Saturday night in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The Pirates (7-1) used a 9-3 run to break a 41-41 tie midway through the second half and secure their seventh straight win.

The Bison (1-7), who trailed 34-27 at halftime, took a 38-36 lead with 15:54 left in the game following an 11-2 run. Mike Tuitt's 3 put the Pirates back on top with 14:50 to play before Dadrian Collins' 3 tied it one more time at 41-41.

Lack of Production from Bench Again Dooms Howard

New York, NY - Mike Phillips poured in a career-high 20 points and Anton Dickerson added 19 but it was not enough to offset the production of the Hampton bench as the Bison lost to Hampton, 67-55 in the 5th Annual Big Apple Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Phillips, a 6-7 sophomore forward from Fredricksburg, VA, recorded a double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Dickerson, a 6-2 sophomore guard from Brooklyn, NY, tallied 14 of his points in the first half as the undermanned Bison (1-7 overall, 0-1 in the MEAC) battled the streaking Pirates (7-1 overall, 1-0 in the MEAC) through most of the contest.

Hampton which has now won seven in a row, was able to get some distance between them and their rival by using a late push to take a 34-27 lead to the locker room.

Hampton men run winning streak to seven

Hampton University ran its winning streak to seven, beating Howard 67-55 Saturday night in the Big Apple Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Pirates (7-1), who are giving up about 54 points per game, haven't lost since dropping a close season-opening contest at Wake Forest.

Howard tied the game at 41 on a 3-pointer by Dadrian Collins, a former Woodside High player. But the Pirates went on a 9-3 run to take a 50-44 lead with 9:42 to play on a dunk from junior guard Darrion Pellum.

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2nd-half explosion puts DSU in D-II semis

ALBANY, GA. — Delta State spotted undefeated Albany State an early touchdown, then used a dominating second-half performance to beat the Golden Rams 28-7 Saturday and advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II football playoffs.

DSU (10-3) will play Shepherd University (11-2) of West Virginia in the semifinals on Saturday. The site and time will be announced today. The game will be televised live by CBS College Sports.
Shepherd advanced with a 49-14 victory on Saturday over Mercyhurst.

Albany State (11-1) took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards for a touchdown, scoring on a 35-yard pass from Stanley Jennings to Ronnie Childs. With the game barely four minutes old, DSU trailed.

Not to be

ALBANY, Ga. — The Rams came into their Division II quarterfinal playoff game Saturday on the verge of making history. Unfortunately, they repeated it. Albany State fell to another Gulf South Conference team in the postseason, this time, 28-7, to Delta State on Saturday at Albany State University Coliseum, thus ending another magical undefeated season. Only this go round, the Rams beat themselves.

“(Delta State) just played better than we did (Saturday). We made a lot of mistakes and they capitalized on them, and that really was the difference in the game,” ASU head coach Mike White said. “We talked a little about 2004 (when we lost to Valdosta State in the quarterfinals) and how we’ve (had) this opportunity before. We didn’t want to get behind because they have such a good combination on offense, so we knew we had to stay on top of them.

Albany State falls to Delta State in D-II quarters, season ends at 11-1

Albany State scores the first points of the game Saturday against Delta State in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, then doesn't score again the rest of the game in a 28-7 loss to the Statesmen, ending their amazing season at 11-1 and two wins shy of the national championship.

SO LONG, SENIORS: A historic ASU team says goodbye to historic players

ALBANY, GA — This season has been one to remember for Albany State football fans. Close games, winning streaks and home-field advantage in the playoffs mean the area won’t be forgetting the 2010 Rams any time soon. But with the 28-7 defeat to Delta State on Saturday in the D-II quarterfinals, ASU lost more than just a game. It lost a bunch of key seniors — Jacob Hardwick, Ronnie Childs, Mario Fuller, Prathon Wilkerson, LiRonnie Davis and Robert Welton to name a few.

“That’s always a difficult one for a coach, because most of those guys are five-year guys. You’ve been with them for a while,” ASU head coach Mike White said. “It’s a good relationship and we hate to see it go out this way.”

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Saint Augustine's Falcons win Pioneer Bowl

COLUMBUS, GA -- Saint Augustine’s survived a conversion returned for a touchdown in the first half and the absence of standout Walter Sanders to score 14 second-half points and knock off Fort Valley State 20-9 on Saturday afternoon in the Pioneer Bowl. The Falcons ended their season at 9-2 while the Wildcats concluded at 8-3, losing their second game in a month at A.J. McClung Stadium.

Saint Augustine’s Jone’ Jones was named the offensive and game MVP for his three receptions for 54 yards, two going for touchdowns. FVSU’s Ricky Johnson was the defensive MVP. Deonte Toliver rushed for 70 yards on 17 carries for the Falcons, who got 220 yards passing from Joaquin Green and Teddy Bacote.

Wildcats stumble to finish

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- At least this time, Ricky Johnson had a positive momento. But being named the defensive MVP of the Pioneer Bowl didn’t help. “We had this nasty taste in our mouths here (four) weeks ago,” the senior from Fort Valley State said. “It came back.”

FVSU’s sudden quarterback problems were too much to overcome and a struggling offense was the roadblock as the Wildcats fell 20-9 on Saturday to St. Augustine’s in the Pioneer Bowl. A crowd of about 1,500 watched the bowl game between the SIAC and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, the site of the Fountain City Classic between FVSU and Albany State.



FVSU Ends Year With Loss in Pioneer Bowl

On Saturday the Fort Valley St. Wildcats made their first postseason visit since 1999. Don Pittman's team entered the Pioneer Bowl shorthanded thanks to the arrest and suspension of standout quarterback Eugene Smith, and the departure of backup Nick Stephens, who decided to leave the team for personal reasons.

Behind center for FVSU was freshman Chris Broomfield, getting his first start. A year ago Broomfiel as the team equiptment manager.

ATTENDANCE: 1,500

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FCS playoffs: UNH rolls past Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. – The University of New Hampshire survived a very shaky second period and roared back in the third behind junior quarterback Kevin Decker on the way to a 45-20 FCS playoff win over Bethune-Cookman University Saturday at Municipal Field.

The Wildcats, now 8-4, head to the NCAA playoff quarterfinal round for the sixth time in the last seven years, and will travel to Newark, Del., to take on No. 3 seed Delaware next weekend. Bethune-Cookman, which won its first 10 games of the season, lost its last two games and finished at 10-2.

B-CU backup QB played tough

DAYTONA BEACH -- It wasn't ideal circumstances for Bethune-Cookman quarterback Jackie Wilson to make his first college start on Saturday. To say the odds were against the true freshman would be an understatement. Wilson wasn't fully recovered from a high ankle sprain sustained two weeks earlier in B-CU's loss to Florida A&M, yet he was the best option for coach Brian Jenkins because Matt Johnson -- the senior who started every other game -- has a shoulder injury.

Playing against a New Hampshire team that has years of playoff experience, Wilson was sacked five times, fumbled twice and threw two interceptions in the 45-20 loss at Municipal Stadium.



Wildcats kept it close early on

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman sophomore Kory Kowalski nailed a 44-yard punt and then was leveled by New Hampshire's Chris Setian in the second quarter Saturday. Kowalski lay flat on Municipal Stadium's Field Turf as trainers attended to him. Then he got up and fell down again.

Many of the 5,738 fans at Muncipal Stadium had to be wondering what B-CU would do if it had to go the rest of the game without the only healthy punter and kicker on its team. But Kowalski, who bruised his left knee on the play, admitted after the game that his second collapse was just milking the situation, giving B-CU's offense a little time to rest.

Backup QB Decker leads UNH football to 45-20 playoff win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Making his first start of the season in place of injured starter R.J. Toman, junior quarterback Kevin Decker threw for three second-half touchdowns to lead the University of New Hampshire football team to a 45-20 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the second round of the Division I playoffs on Saturday afternoon.

Tenth-ranked UNH, which improved to 8-4 with the win, will meet No. 3 seed Delaware next weekend in the quarterfinals. The Blue Hens dispatched Lehigh, 42-20, in their second-round game Saturday. The Wildcats won a postseason game for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Bethune-Cookman, the MEAC champion making its first postseason appearance since 2003, saw its season end with a record of 10-2.



Bethune-Cookman loses in 2nd round of FCS playoffs

DAYTONA BEACH — Game-changing adjustments usually happen on the field. But the decision to bench starting quarterbacks for both Bethune-Cookman University and New Hampshire came just hours before their 1 p.m. kickoff at Municipal Stadium.

BCU coach Brian Jenkins chose to sit Matt Johnson, voted MEAC offensive player of the year, Saturday despite receiving clearance from team doctors for a left shoulder injury. Jackie Wilson, a freshman backup, quarterbacked the Wildacts in a 45-20 loss in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Meltdown

DAYTONA BEACH -- For Matt Johnson the toughest game was his last one. And he never got off the sideline. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Year had to stand and watch as his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats succumbed to a second-half offensive barrage that propelled visiting New Hampshire to a 45-20 victory Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division I playoffs at Municipal Stadium.

"It was hard -- very, very hard. I couldn't even put it in words," said Johnson, who broke his left shoulder blade two weeks ago in a loss to Florida A&M.

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ATTENDANCE: 5,738



BCU Wildcats 2010 a mix of success, promise

DAYTONA BEACH -- It was nearly 10 minutes into the third quarter when it began looking like Bethune-Cookman's football season would finally end on its 12th Saturday of the fall.

New Hampshire quarterback Kevin Decker lobbed a pass toward the right sideline, where receiver Chris Chandler, angling toward the B-CU bench, had a half-step on B-CU defender Dion Hanks. Chandler made the catch; Hanks missed the tackle. As Hanks fell aside, Chandler gathered his footing and took off down the sideline toward the end zone, with B-CU's Chris Perry giving a desperate chase that came up just short.

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NSU women have already tied last season's win total

Debra Clark is resurrecting the Lady Spartans at Norfolk State

If the early bird really does get the worm, Norfolk State's women's basketball team might eat its way out of its losing ways this season.

The Spartans have been in a decade-long decline that reached its bottom the past three seasons, which produced a combined two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victories. Included in the stretch was an 0-16 record in the MEAC last season and a 4-23 overall mark. That came on the heels of a 1-27 record in 2008-09.

But as the Spartans head for their MEAC opener at North Carolina A&T today, they feel the tide has actually turned. Norfolk State is off to a 4-1 start this season.

"It seems every time I turn around, someone's asking, 'Hey, what's going on? You guys are winning this season,' " said sophomore point guard Recca Trice. "What's going on is we have some pride and ambition."

I-AA Playoff fever captures Bethune-Cookman football

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Author a successful season at the highest level of college football, you're rewarded with a bowl game. It's a trip that includes gift bags, fancy downtown dinners and, depending on the host city, anything from a cow-milking contest to a group hug with Minnie Mouse.

But outside of that marquee world -- where the Alabamas, Ohio States and Floridas reside -- the rest of college football rewards its best with a different type of post-season action, the type recognized by nearly every other sport at every level: Playoffs. Win and continue; lose and go home. Or, in Bethune-Cookman's case, lose and stay home.

Quarterback Matt Johnson still a question mark as Bethune-Cookman hosts New Hampshire today

There will be one anxious moment at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium Saturday when the Bethune-Cookman offense first takes the field. Fans will be waiting to see if No. 13 runs onto the field to take his usual spot in the huddle.

Matt Johnson suffered a dislocation of his left, non-throwing shoulder two weeks ago in the Wildcats' loss to Florida A&M and B-CU coach Brian Jenkins has danced around questions about his senior signal caller's availability since then.

Saturday, however, will finally shed light on the mystery of Johnson, the MEAC offensive player of the year, when BCU takes on New Hampshire in the second round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and NCAA.com is supposed to have live coverage of the game.

New Hampshire (7-4) at Bethune-Cookman (10-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL
Local Radio: WELE 1380-AM
LIVE GAME VIDEO BROADCAST VIA NCAA.COM - CLICK HERE

Eddie Poole helps lead Bethune-Cookman into NCAA Division I-AA playoffs

Eddie Poole has a steel rod in his left leg, the result of surgical procedures to support a broken fibula he suffered last year. One would figure, with the changing Central Florida weather this week, that the star Bethune-Cookman wide receiver might be having issues with his repaired leg. Of course, if he was hurting, as Wildcats' head coach Brian Jenkins has come to know, he wouldn't admit it.

"He'll just tell me, 'I ain't coming out, coach,' " said Jenkins, the first year coach who...

Dueling 'Cats face QB dilemmas: Bethune-Cookman, UNH ready for Saturday's battle

DURHAM, NH - Who will be playing quarterback? If it is the expected starters, how well will they be able to play through nagging injuries? Whether you're a University of New Hampshire Wildcat or a Bethune-Cookman Wildcat, those questions are being asked about your own QB and the other team's signal-caller. UNH senior R.J. Toman is nursing an ankle sprain. Bethune-Cookman run-pass threat Matt Johnson has an injured left (non-throwing) shoulder.

The two teams will meet for the first time Saturday in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. No. 13 Bethune-Cookman (10-1), champions of the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference is hosting No. 10/11 UNH (7-4), which finished third in the Colonial Athletic Association, at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m. The game will not be televised. It will be broadcast live on radio (WGIN-AM 930, WQSO-FM 96.7, WASR-AM 1420).

UNH, Jellison now have totake it one game at a time

Thanksgiving was a little bit different this year for Amherst’s Sean Jellison. He was able to spend it at home instead of with his University of New Hampshire football teammates. But the Wildcats reassembled last weekend in preparation for Saturday’s game in Daytona, Fla., against Bethune-Cookman.

It’s the seventh straight post-season appearance for the Wildcats, who recovered from a rocky start to finish 7-4 and gain one of the 20 playoff bids in the Football Championship Subdivision. Because the field was expanded to 20 teams and UNH drew a first-round bye, the Wildcats had Thanksgiving weekend off for the first time in a long time.

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Jackson State new prez must deal with athletic issues

The hiring of a new president at Jackson State could greatly affect the school's athletic program at a time when key decisions have to be made. Carolyn Meyers, who the state College Board approved as the university's new president Wednesday, has two important athletic issues facing her when she begins in January.

Meyers will be in charge of hiring a new athletic director and dealing with football coach Rick Comegy's contract. JSU's current athletic director, Bob Braddy, plans to retire in the summer, and Comegy is heading into the final year of his contract. Meyers was caught by surprise Wednesday when asked about finding a new athletic director.

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Pioneer Bowl: FVSU Wildcats look to rebound from missing playoffs

FORT VALLEY, Ga. -- Not being included in the NCAA Division II playoffs was obviously disappointing for Fort Valley State. But getting three more weeks of practice and getting to play in one of three Division II bowl games and having the chance to end the season on a winning note is a pretty good consolation prize.

It took a little while for the Wildcats to realize it after getting over a loss to end the regular season that kept them out of the playoffs. “You saw some pep in their step,” FVSU head coach Donald Pittman said of recent practices. “Everybody’s about back.”

FVSU takes on St. Augustine’s at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Pioneer Bowl at Columbus’ A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, home to the Fountain City Classic between FVSU and Albany State.

Former Huss standout hoping to help St. Aug's to school record

GASTONIA – Stedman Gardner says his St. Augustine’s College football coaches haven’t talked about the Falcons’ opportunity at history in Saturday’s 1 p.m. Pioneer Bowl at McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ga. “They’re just trying to keep us focused on what’s ahead,” said Gardner, a 2008 Hunter Huss High graduate. “But it would feel great to get in the record book.”

St. Augustine’s (8-2) missed its first opportunity at history when it dropped its regular-season finale to crosstown rival Shaw 10-6 in its Nov. 6 regular-season finale. Then, the Falcons could’ve taken a school-record 9th victory while also advancing to the CIAA championship game for the first time. St. Augustine’s, which restarted its football program in 2002 after a 35-year absence, had previously won eight games in 1950, 1965 and 2005. The 1950 team has a school-best 8-1 record.

The Pioneer Bowl appearance against Fort Valley State (8-2) gives the Falcons a second chance to win their 9th game of the season. The contest is in its 12th season and pits a CIAA team against a SIAC team.

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