Sunday, December 19, 2010

FHSAA Class 4A state football final: Tallahassee Lincoln 17, Armwood 14

ORLANDO, FL — The sun made a brief, belated appearance Saturday at the Citrus Bowl, peering from behind the clouds late in the first half of the Class 4A state football final. It was a meteorological tease for the Armwood High Hawks. A depression unlike any they’ve experienced in recent memory was only starting to form.

On an overcast, periodically rainy afternoon, the top-ranked Hawks (14-1) let a team they had statistically outplayed for three quarters stick around and, in the end, surpass them. Senior kicker Carlos Gaston’s 37-yard field goal with four seconds to play — set up seven plays earlier when he drew a roughing-the-punter penalty — lifted Tallahassee Lincoln (11-4) to a 17-14 upset before a meager audience of 2,217.

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Lincoln wins title in Class 4A

Tallahassee Lincoln senior Carlos Gaston nailed a 37-yard field goal with four seconds left to give Lincoln a 17-14 victory against Seffner Armwood in the Class 4A state championship game at the Citrus Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Orlando.

Armwood (14-1) came into the game nationally ranked and a heavy favorite against Lincoln (11-4), which started the season losing four of its first seven games. ``Our kids knew that nobody gave us a chance and nobody expected nothing,'' said Lincoln coach Yusuf Shakir, a Lincoln alumnus.

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FHSAA: Dr. Phillips' title hopes defused by Miami Central

Orlando, FL - Miami Central's swarming defense corralled the state's all-time scoring leader, Demetrius Hart, and the Rockets rode their own thoroughbred running back to a 42-27 victory over Dr. Phillips in Saturday night's Class 6A football state championship game at the Citrus Bowl.

Devonta Freeman, a 5-10, 192-pound senior who has orally committed to Florida State, put the Rockets on his back after DP took advantage of Central miscues to take a 17-0 second quarter lead. He carried 36 times for 308 yards and scored three touchdowns.

 
A paid crowd of 10,078, easily the biggest for a year when finals attendance dipped, included FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher.

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Best (or worst) of Southern University season

Since elementary school, we’ve all known that, like snowflakes and fingerprints, no two words in the English language are identical. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that “memorable” does not always mean “enjoyable.”

Take, for example, the 2010 football season at Southern University. For fans and alumni, it was rarely enjoyable. But it was, indeed, memorable.

It started with the hiring of a bold new head coach in Stump Mitchell, who vowed to instill discipline in the SU program and, of course, win. A lot. The Jaguars, he said, had enough talent on hand to go 12-0. Instead, they won two times in 11 games, clinching their first nine-loss season in school history.

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Williams Helps N.C. Central Edge Liberty

North Carolina Central's Chasidy Williams scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, helping the homestanding Lady Eagles come from behind to defeat Liberty, 50-48, Saturday afternoon at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Despite Avery Warley's third double-double of the season (14 points, 10 rebounds), Liberty drops its second straight contest, falling to 3-6 on the year. The Lady Flames are 0-4 in road matchups this season. North Carolina Central improves to 2-8, while snapping a seven-game losing streak. The Lady Eagles improve to 19-8 at home since beginning their transition to the NCAA Division I level in 2007-08.



NCCU women topple Liberty

DURHAM, N.C. -- Sophomore Chasidy Williams scored a season-high 18 points off the bench to push the N.C. Central women's basketball team past three-time reigning Big South champion Liberty 50-48 on Saturday at McDougald-McLendon Gym to snap a seven-game losing streak.

"I am very pleased with what we were able to do today," NCCU coach Joli Robinson said after her 210th career victory. "We needed our younger players to grow and mature, and it was amazing to see what they did against this team." Williams did not miss a shot, going 6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. She added a team-high seven rebounds.

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Livingstone College Concert Choir nominated for award

When members of the Livingstone College Concert Choir took the stage at Carnegie Hall on April 26, chances are they were nervous and not sure how they would perform. They couldn’t have known that after 30 minutes they would bring the usually reserved Carnegie Hall audience to its feet in a rousing standing ovation.

And they certainly didn’t know their debut performance at Carnegie Hall would help them eventually garner a nomination as Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities Choir — but that’s exactly what has happened. Officials with the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy recently announced that Livingstone College is among six historically black colleges and universities that have been nominated for Best HBCU Choir.

Joining Livingstone in that category are the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Morehouse College Glee Club, Tuskegee Golden Voices Choir, Morgan State University Choir and Kentucky State Gospel Choir.

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Videographer: CharlieBladeRemus:  Livingstone College Concert Choir at Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon, NY, LCCC performs Raymond Wise's arrangement of "There Is A Balm In Gilead." This video was shot on April 25, 2010, the day before the LCCC grand debut at world-renown Carnegie Hall.


Videographer: lrich115, Kentucky State Gospel Choir with James Davis, Student Director, Natasha Sanders, soloist (Aug. 15, 2010).


Videographer: miriam1627; Morgan State University Choir singing "It Is Well"- Arranged by the late Dr. Nathan Carter.

Videographer: lefrazier; The Tuskegee University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Barr, celebrated the Tuskegee Airmen during the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Grand Opening Ceremonies on October 11, 2008. Song: Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Announces Nominees for Inaugural HBCU Awards

The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc today (Dec. 13, 2010) announced the finalists for the inaugural 2011 HBCU Awards to be held on March 18, 2011 at the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni- Foundation Event Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. Crowning winners in the fields of leadership, arts, athletics, research, and community engagement, the HBCU Awards is the first and only event to recognize the influence and impact of HBCUs on American culture.

“Historically black colleges and universities have authored and continue to author some of the great American success stories in higher education and personal achievement,” says Center Founder and Executive Director Jarrett L. Carter, Sr. “These awards provide an national opportunity for recognition and celebration, for the HBCU communities that have long wished for these stories to have a place among national headlines.”

A three-month nomination process received more than 1,000 entries submitted by administrators, students, alumni, faculty and supporters of HBCUs throughout the country. Finalists were selected by Center leadership, and winners will be named by a panel of HBCU students, alumni and administrators. Winners will be announced on the evening of the ceremony.

The HBCU Awards are the Center’s primary fundraising initiative, and all proceeds raised by the awards are tax deductible contributions made to support the Center’s mission objectives, and student scholarship funding for HBCU students in and around the host city.

Based in Baltimore, MD, the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Inc. seeks to promote the mission, culture and development of America’s historically black colleges and universities through new media exposure, training and education. For more information, visit www.hbcumedia.org.

From 12/13/2010 Press Release

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Fulton Named Arkansas-Pine Bluff Interim Athletic Director

Pine Bluff, AR – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., has named Willie Fulton, the interim athletic director. Fulton, the Golden Lions associate athletic director for business, replaces Louis "Skip" Perkins who is now the athletic director at Howard University, Washington, D.C.

“He is experienced, knows how to handle the administrative end and works well with the rest of the Athletics staff,” says Davis. “I’m very pleased with Chancellor Davis’ selection of me,” says Fulton. “I want to thank the athletics staff and all those that have supported me. This is a great opportunity.”

New interim AD at UAPB

Longtime athletic department employee Willie Fulton has been named interim athletic director at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Fulton was appointed to the position by Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr. on Thursday and began Friday. He’ll serve as interim athletic director until Davis finds a permanent replacement for Skip Perkins, after which Fulton will be allowed to return to his previous post as associate athletic director for business.

Perkins took over earlier this month as athletic director at Howard, a position he accepted in October before staying at UAPB through the remainder ofthe fall semester.

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TODAY: 2010 Russell Athletic HBCU All-Star Bowl



The HBCU All-Star Bowl kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. It is a radio only affair and you can listen in at: www.classicsportsradio.com, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Visit: http://www.hbcubowl.com or click title.

Choctaw grad Cragin to play in HBCU Bowl

Josh Cragin isn’t approaching his appearance in the Historically Black College and University’s Bowl as the ultimate opportunity to get noticed by NFL scouts. For him, it’s just a perk. “It’s definitely an honor,” Cragin said. “They say it’s the best of the best in the HBCU, so it’s definitely a privilege.”

The Alcorn State University star and Choctawhatchee graduate is just thankful for the chance to play in today’s game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It’s a showcase for the top 100 draft-eligible seniors — including 10 alternates — from all HBCU football conferences (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

Lamar's McFadden, Lake City's Harrison to play in HBCU bowl

Seven South Carolina State players, including Pee Dee natives Marshall McFadden and Josh Harrison, will be playing in the HBCU Bowl on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

The HBCU Bowl teams are made up of the top senior football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The East team is made up of players from the MEAC and CIAA and coached by Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor, while the West team is made up of players from the SWAC and the SIAC and coached by Tuskegee coach Willie Slater.

McFadden, who played at Lamar, had 47 tackles, two sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown this season for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the FCS playoffs ...

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Lincoln women's coach steps down; Kisha Middleton named interim head coach

With just seven victories in 59 tries dating back to the start of the basketball season in 2008, Lincoln University announced on Wednesday that head women's coach Andy Haman has resigned and that assistant coach Kisha Middleton has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2010-11 season.

Lincoln stated in a press release that the move was Haman's decision, but he was reluctant to confirm that version of the story when contacted Wednesday evening.

"I am still confused about some things that still need to be worked out," Haman said when asked if he resigned or was forced out. He declined to comment further.

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Thursday, December 16, 2010

No Surprise, Henry Frazier III Named North Carolina Central's Head Football Coach

Frazier will begin his five-year term on January 1, 2011 and will be paid an annual salary of $225,000.

DURHAM, N.C. – With 12 years of collegiate head coaching experience and a reputation for rebuilding football programs, Henry Frazier III was announced as North Carolina Central University’s 21st football head coach in school history on Thursday (Dec. 16, 2010) during a press conference in the William Jones Building on the campus of NCCU.

Frazier comes to NCCU after seven seasons as the head mentor at Prairie View A&M University. Prior to his arrival in Texas, the Panthers experienced the nation’s longest losing streak from 1989-98, dropping 80 contests in a row, and struggled through back-to-back 1-10 seasons in 2002 and 2003. Frazier closed his tenure with four straight winning seasons and delivered consecutive 9-1 records in 2008 and 2009, including a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title in 2009, the program’s first conference championship since 1964.

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Videographer: NCCU Eagles

North Carolina Central University hires a new football coach

DURHAM -- N.C. Central has been looking to recharge a football program that’s endured a rocky transition to the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision. Thursday, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school announced it had hired the coach credited with turning around one of the most beleaguered college programs in recent history.

N.C. Central has hired former Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III, who compiled a 43-30 record there in seven years. Before his arrival at Prairie View, the Panthers program endured an 80-game losing streak – the nation’s longest from 1989 to 1998 – and struggled through back-to-back 1-10 seasons in 2002 and 2003.

Photo Gallery      


Videographer: NCCU Eagles

Frazier tabbed as new NCCU football coach

Durham, NC (Sports Network) - North Carolina Central University has named Henry Frazier III as the school's new head football coach.

Frazier replaces interim head coach Darryl Bullock, who took over after Mose Rison was fired following a 2-4 start to the 2010 season. The Eagles finished the campaign at 3-8.

The 42-year-old Frazier stepped down from the top job at Prairie View A&M on Monday night. He compiled a 43-30 mark during his seven-year tenure with the Panthers and was the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award recipient as the top FCS coach.

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Ex-Cat Woods makes his home on the road

MVSU Delta Devils Coach Sean Woods
MVSU Delta Devils' fans haven't seen them play

You'll have to forgive former Kentucky point guard Sean Woods if he feels little sympathy for his alma mater's early-season basketball schedule. More than once, UK Coach John Calipari lamented the rigors of a trip to Maui and just two home games in the first six for his freshman-oriented team.

Boo hoo, Woods might say. His Mississippi Valley State team plays its first 14 games on the road. The first home game is still more than three weeks away. This week is especially hellish for the Delta Devils with games at Mississippi on Monday, at Arkansas on Wednesday and at Kentucky on Saturday. "We have the toughest schedule in the country," Woods said in a telephone...

Razorbacks run past Devils

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — You wouldn't know it by the final score, but for a half the Arkansas Razorbacks had a devil of a time subduing the Delta Devils.

The Razorbacks — now 7-1 going into Saturday's ESPN2-televised game with No. 25 ranked Texas A&M in Dallas — only led the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils, 43-38 at half before breezing, 87-64, Wednesday night at Walton Arena.

The Delta Devils of the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) are only 1-8 but played Arkansas tough for awhile like they had played SEC member Georgia all the way before losing, 72-70 in Athens, Ga.

Former Cat Woods To Return To Rupp As Head Coach At Miss. Valley State

Going through some of the old footage from 1991 for a story on Sean Woods brought back a lot of memories of a really fun time to cover UK basketball. The road for Sean Woods has had more than it's share of twists and turns. He thought he was going to the NBA. I still think had he stuck with it, he would have been at worst, a back up in the NBA for a long time.

Sean is Sean. He doesn't look any older. The smile and big laugh are still there. "You know it's basketball, it's not work to me," says the head coach of Mississippi Valley State.

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SWAC football is getting better

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp
HUNTSVILLE, Al. - For as long as anyone can remember, the Southwestern Athletic Conference has been a three-headed monster when it comes to football.

Grambling, Southern and Jackson State have been by far the best programs in the league. Grambling has won 22 SWAC championships. Southern has won 18 and Jackson State 16. Nobody else even comes close.

Since 1960, the trio has won or shared ...

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Former JSU's Shasta Averyhardt ties for 22nd at Qualifying School to earn conditional status on LPGA Tour in 2011

Follow Averyhardt career at http://www.shastagolf.us

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Two measly strokes in 90 holes were all that kept Flint's Shasta Averyhardt from having full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour next season.

Averyhardt shot 7-over-par 77 Sunday in the final round of Qualifying School on LPGA International's Champions course to fall from a tie for eighth into a tie for 22nd. Averyhardt finished at 4-over-par 364. She would have tied for 20th with a score of 362.

The top 20 players are fully exempt next season while those in Averyhardt's category are exempt into the Monday qualifying tournaments and ...

Bramlett not the only African-American to earn Tour Card for 2011

On Sunday 24-year-old Shasta Averyhardt became the only African-American player to earn status on the LPGA Tour. Averyhardt will be just the fourth African-American woman in the 60 year history of the LPGA Tour to play as a member.

The rookie professional out of Flint, Mich., was on pace to finish inside the fully-exempt top-20 after a round of 67 on Saturday tied her for eighth. Averyhardt struggled through Sunday’s final round conditions but her 79 was good enough to keep her inside the top-30 (T22) and earn her LPGA Tour card through the Priority List Category 16.

Flint's Shasta Averyhardt trying to see bright side after making history at LPGA Tour Q-School

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Flint's Shasta Averyhardt made LPGA Tour history Sunday despite failing to earn full playing privileges for the 2011 season.

Averyhardt, 24, shot 7-over-par 79 in the fifth and final round of Qualifying School at LPGA International to fall from a tie for eighth into a tie for 22nd with a total of 4-over 364.
The top 20 finishers are fully exempt for 2011 and Averyhardt missed a playoff for the 20th and final spot by two shots.

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RELATED LINK: http://www.shastagolf.us/

S.C. State football schedule close to completion

With the date confirmed of a second game next season against a Division I opponent, the 2011 football schedule for South Carolina State is close to completion.

Visit Indiana University’s athletics website and it lists the Hoosiers playing host to the Bulldogs Sept. 17. Earlier this year, it was revealed the school was finalizing talks with Central Michigan for a tentative Sept. 3 season-opening game.

TENTATIVE 2011 S.C. STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SEPT. 3 - at Central Michigan
SEPT. 10 - TBA
SEPT. 17 - at Indiana University
SEPT. 24 - TBA
OCT. 1 - FLORIDA A&M
OCT. 8 - at Norfolk State
OCT. 15 - at Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 22 - at Savannah State
Oct. 29 - DELAWARE STATE
Nov. 5 - at Howard
Nov. 12 - NORTH CAROLINA-CENTRAL
Nov. 19 - NORTH CAROLINA A&T

Report: CMU to open 2011 season against South Carolina State

The Central Michigan football team will open the 2011 season against Football Championship Subdivision opponent South Carolina State on Sept. 3, 2011, according to a report Wednesday by The (Orangeburg, S.C.) Times and Democrat.

The game marks the third consecutive time CMU will play its home opener at Kelly/Shorts Stadium against an FCS team. The Chippewas beat Hampton 33-0 on Sept. 2 in their first game of the season.

South Carolina State, an all-black school in Orangeburg, S.C., plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs finished the 2010 season 9-3 and 7-1 in the MEAC, clinching an FCS playoff berth for the third consecutive season. This will be the...

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Former Plant City star continues passion as college coach

Savannah State University's men's basketball team played Indiana University, one of the country's best known college basketball programs, live on ESPNU on Dec. 4. The Tigers lost, 79-57, but it marked the first prime-time televised game for Savannah State against a big-name opponent.

The loss dropped SSU's record to 1-9 on the season, but under the leadership of head coach Horace Broadnax, a former basketball star at Plant City High, the program is reaching new heights.

Marshall Men's Basketball Travels To Savannah State‎

Following its longest layoff of the season, the Marshall University men’s basketball team will take on Savannah State Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Tiger Arena.

Marshall enters the game riding a three-game win streak following a 67-63 victory over James Madison last week in Huntington. Senior Tirrell Baines led the way for the Herd against the Dukes, scoring 17 points. He has also been a threat on the boards, hauling in 7.4 per game, top on the Herd. His average of 3.4 offensive rebounds per game puts him third in Conference USA.

Nigel Spikes had one of the top outings of his career, hauling in 13 rebounds, a career-high for the sophomore and the highest total for a Marshall player this season. Since the game against Chattanooga, Spikes has averaged 7.2 boards per game.

Marshall basketball: Presley has Herd ready for foes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Dino Presley knows all about Savannah State, Marshall's non-conference opponent tonight at 7 in the coastal Georgia city. Without pause, Presley, the Herd assistant basketball coach, can tell you about the Tigers' 1-2-2 zone defense, how leading scorer Jovanni Shuler "likes to put it on the floor," or even minutiae like the fact that third-leading scorer Joshua Montgomery is a lefty.

Presley, who is known for his recruiting acumen and lauded by Herd Coach Tom Herrion for his rapport with players, has been on scouting duties as Marshall (6-2) prepared for Savannah State (1-10).

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ECSU’s Jenkins first team All-America

Elizabeth City State defensive end Malcolm Jenkins was named to the first team Daktronics All-America team on Tuesday, becoming just the second Viking to be named to the Division II honor squad. Defensive back Howard Williams is the only other ECSU player to make the team. He was selected in 2004.

In the preseason, Jenkins was named to the Lindy’s All-America team and did not disappoint throughout the season.

Jenkins CIAA’s top defender

Just one Elizabeth City State football player made the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association first team, but it was big one. Defensive end Malcolm Jenkins not only made the first team for the second year in a row, but he was also named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

“Malcolm did a lot of things good,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said. “He’s consistent most every game out and he gave the offenses we faced a fit.”

 Jenkins led the CIAA in sacks with 13 and tackles for loss with 18.5. The senior from Florence, N.J., led the Vikings with 27 quarterback hurries and was third on the team with 42 tackles.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

Videographer: knightstreetprod

2010 Walter Camp Football Championship Subdivision All-America Team

NEW HAVEN, CT – Three-time selection Mark LeGree (Appalachian State) headlines the Walter Camp Football Foundation 2010 Football Championship Subdivision All-America team. The team was selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the Football Championship Subdivision schools and certified by the accounting and auditing firm, Marcum LLP.

A defensive back, Legree is just the third player to be a three-time Walter Camp All-America selection, joining former New Hampshire standouts, wide receiver David Ball (2004-2006) and quarterback David Santos (2005-2007).

Legree and repeat All-America linebacker J.C. Sherritt (East Washington) lead the defensive unit. Legree had five interceptions on the season, while Sherritt has totaled 125 tackles and three interceptions to lead the Eagles to a berth in this weekend’s FCS semifinals against Villanova.

The 2010 Walter Camp All-America defensive squad includes 10 players who are candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award, presently annually to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

On offense, lineman Ben Ijalana (Villanova) is a repeat All-American selection. Ijalena has been a key part of a Wildcats’ rushing attack ranks in the top five in the nation. Placekicker Matt Bevins (Liberty) is also a repeat selection to the team. Bevins connected on 20-of-26 field goals and all 45 of his point-after kicks in 2010.

The quarterback is Jeremy Moses (Stephen F. Austin). A Walter Payton Award finalist, Moses led the Lumberjacks to the FCS quarterfinals. He passed for 3,998 yards and 34 touchdowns on the season.

Joining Moses in the backfield are Henry Harris (Southeast Missouri State) and Nate Eachus (Colgate). Harris has rushed for 1,735 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Eachus has totaled 1,871 yards and 21 touchdowns.

In all, players from twelve different conferences and 24 institutions were represented on the 2010 Walter Camp FCS All-America team. The Big Sky and Southern Conferences had the most selections with 4 selections each. The Colonial Athletic Association and Missouri Valley Conference each had 3. Two schools - Appalachian State and Stephen F. Austin (2) - had multiple players selected.

Download the PDF

2010 Walter Camp Football Championship Subdivision All-America Team

OFFENSE

Pos. Name, School Class Hgt Wgt Hometown

QB Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin Sr. 6-0 195 Baytown, TX

RB Henry Harris, Southeast Missouri State Sr. 5-8 185 Memphis, TN

RB Nate Eachus, Colgate Jr. 5-10 216 Drums, PA

WR Tysson Poots, Southern Utah Sr. 6-3 220 Las Vegas, NV

WR Raymond Webber, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Sr. 6-3 220 St. Louis, MO

TE Andrew Kennedy, Columbia Sr. 6-3 242 Westport, CT

OL Ben Ijalana, Villanova * Sr. 6-4 320 Hainsport, NJ

OL David Arkin, Missouri State Sr. 6-5 302 Wichita, KS

OL Mike Person, Montana State Sr. 6-5 295 Glendive, MT

OL Johnny Culbreath, South Carolina State Sr. 6-6 310 Monroe, GA

C Ryan McKnight, South Dakota State Sr. 6-1 295 Sioux Falls, SD

PK Matt Bevins, Liberty * Jr. 6-2 185 Newport News, VA

DEFENSE

Pos. Name, School Class Hgt Wgt Hometown

DL Ameet Pall, Wofford Jr. 6-0 245 Montreal, Quebec

DL Kendrick Ellis, Hampton Sr. 6-3 280 West Palm Beach, FL

DL Jabari Fletcher, Appalachian State Sr. 6-3 265 Atlanta, GA

DL Martin Parker, Richmond Sr. 6-3 290 New Haven, CT

DL Brent Russell, Georgia Southern Soph. 6-2 287 Comer, GA

LB J.C. Sherritt, Eastern Washington * Sr. 5-10 220 Pullman, WA

LB Kyle Glazier, Western Illinois Sr. 6-1 220 Geneseo, IL

LB Matt Evans, New Hampshire Soph. 6-0 219 Hanover, MA

DB Mark LeGree, Appalachian State # Sr. 6-0 220 Columbus, GA

DB Eugene Clifford, Tennessee State Sr. 6-2 205 Cincinnati, OH

DB Moses Ellis, Prairie View A&M Jr. 5-8 175 Fort Worth, TX

DB Trumaine Johnson, Montana Jr. 6-3 197 Stockton, CA

P David Harrington, Idaho State Jr. 6-3 185 Huntington Beach, CA

KR Gralyn Crawford, Stephen F. Austin Soph. 5-10 175 Palestine, TX

* 2009 Walter Camp All-America selection

# - 2008 and 2009 Walter Camp All-America selection

Walter Camp, "The Father of American football," first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp — a former Yale University athlete and football coach — is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation — a New Haven based all volunteer group — was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All America team.

Heishma Northern Named Prairie View A&M University Head Football Coach

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Prairie View A&M Director of Athletics Fred Washington announced that defensive coordinator Heishma Northern, who was named head coach in-waiting this past October, will become the 31st head coach in university history effective immediately. Northern will replace Henry Frazier III, who stepped down as head football coach this afternoon to pursue other opportunities.

“These are exciting times on the “Hill” and we were definitely not looking forward to separating from Coach Frazier,” said Washington. “He brought our football team to a point of stability on the field and in the classroom and you just can’t ask a coach for any more than that. He came to Prairie View and did what we asked him to do and we will always appreciate him. He is and will always be a Panther.”

Frazier leaves Prairie View as the second-most successful head coach in school history with a Prairie View A&M mark of 43-30 during his seven-year span. During his tenure, Frazier captured the school’s first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship since 1964 in 2009 and has guided the Panthers to four consecutive winning seasons. Named the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award winner as the top coach on the Football Championship Subdivision level, Frazier leaves behind a program that has become a consistent contender in the SWAC and on the FCS ranks.

A 14-year veteran on the collegiate level, Northern has moved the Prairie View A&M defense to new heights during his six-year tenure as the team’s defensive coordinator. Under his watch, Prairie View’s defensive unit has produced several All-Americans in addition to ranking near the top of several statistical categories on the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). As a result of the unit’s success, Northern was named the 2008 Division I-AA Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.com and has participated in the NCAA Champions Forum and NCAA Expert Coaches Academy. He has also completed an NFL training camp internship with the Oakland Raiders.

“Northern is just one of those guys who you would never really know is in the room but he knows the game of football and has been a big part of our success,” added Washington. “He’s our guy now and we are excited about opening up the 2011 season giving him this opportunity.”

A native of Baton Rouge, Northern is a 1996 graduate of Southern University with a degree in mathematics. He began his coaching career at Glen Oaks (La.) High School before moving on to the collegiate level at Morehouse College under former NFL standout Doug Williams. After a stint at Morehouse, Northern moved on to Grambling State with Williams and spent seven seasons there as the team’s defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, running backs coach and special teams coordinator. Northern has collected a total of five SWAC Championships with one coming as a player in 1993 and four as a coach (2000-2003, 2009).

“I’m happy for the opportunity to become head coach at Prairie View A&M University,” said Northern. “Being a head coach on the collegiate level was one of the goals I’ve set since entering the coaching profession and I plan to go above and beyond while carrying out my goal. I also want to thank Coach Frazier for allowing me to work alongside him for six years as he was more than just a head coach. He was very good administrator who taught me more than Xs and Os as he believed in letting his coaches do the jobs they were assigned to do.”

Northern, who also holds a master’s in Sports Administration from Grambling State, is the oldest of three siblings and is married to the former Paula Duell of Baton Rouge, La. Together, they have one son, Adam (3).






Videographer: ProfessorSea

Press Release 12/14/2010

Ryan McGinty
Interim Sports Information Director
Prairie View A&M University
P.O. Box 519, Mail Stop 1500
Prairie View, Texas 77446
rjmcginty@pvamu.edu

http://sports.pvamu.edu
http://twitter.com/PVAthletics
www.facebook.com
(Search for Prairie View Panthers)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Prairie View coach Frazier steps down; defensive coach elevated

Coach Henry Frazier III is considering offers from Delaware State, North Carolina Central and Howard University in the MEAC. Sources from Washington D.C. have confirmed Frazier will accept the NCCU offer.

When Henry Frazier III arrived at Prairie View A&M in December 2003, he was tasked with turning around a program that lost an NCAA-record 80 games from 1989-98 and hadn’t had a winning season since 1976. Seven years, a conference championship and four consecutive winning seasons later, Frazier is ready for a new challenge and a chance to move closer to his hometown.

Frazier stepped down Monday after seven years at the Prairie View helm to pursue other coaching opportunities. Sixth-year defensive coordinator Heishma Northern, who was named the Panthers’ coach-in-waiting on Oct. 13, will succeed Frazier.

A person familiar with the situation said Frazier will accept the head coaching position at North Carolina Central...

Frazier Steps Down at Prairie View

HOUSTON, TX - Prairie View A&M athletics director Fred Washington told FOX 26 Sports Monday head football coach Henry Frazier has stepped down for personal reasons. Washington said Heishma Northern, the Panthers head coach-in-waiting, is Prairie View's new head football coach.

In 2009 Frazier led the Panthers to their first SWAC championship since 1964. Because of that success Frazier was named the SWAC Coach of the Year. Frazier also won national honors in 2009 when he was named the Eddie Robinson Award winner given to the coach-of-the-year in the Football Championship Subdivision.  Frazier was the first coach from the SWAC or a historically black college or university to win the Eddie Robinson Award which is given annually to the top coach in the FCS.

Frazier likely Eagles' next coach

DURHAM -- N.C. Central may have a new football coach.

The NCCU Board of Trustees will hold a specially called meeting by private teleconference on Thursday at 2 p.m. with one agenda item -- head football coach. NCCU athletic director Ingrid Wicker-McCree is listed by the agenda item and will make a presentation to the board.

The Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday morning that Prairie View A&M coach Henry Fraizer III resigned on Monday, and he likely would accept the head coaching position at NCCU. Frazier had three years remaining on his contract at Prairie View.

Wicker-McCree did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

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Fayetteville State women's basketball team heads for Hawaii

Eva Patterson-Heath's road to success made up a relatively short trip when she led her Fayetteville State women to a CIAA tournament title in her first season as head coach last year. This year, off to an 0-5 start, the Lady Broncos will go considerably further in search of the team's first win of the season.

Today, the team sets off for Hawaii to play in the Honolulu Hoop 'N' Surf Classic as one of 14 teams in a field comprised of NAIA and NCAA Division II and III schools.
With two games scheduled in the tournament -- the first Wednesday against BYU Hawaii and another Thursday against Hawaii Pacific -- the Broncos have a pair of chances at a W.

The trip has been in planning since...



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Hampton U's Rose gets multi-year extension

Hampton University Pirates Coach Donovan Rose

Hampton University has announced a multi-year contract extension for football coach Donovan Rose, who is 11-11 in two years as the Pirates' head coach and coming off a 6-5 season. The university wouldn't release terms or length of the contract.

Rose, an 18-year assistant with the Pirates and a 1979 graduate of HU, replaced Jerry Holmes before the 2009 season. Holmes, another former Pirates assistant, went 6-5 in one season after replacing longtime coach Joe Taylor, now the head coach at Florida A&M who was 136-49-1 in 16 seasons at Hampton, winning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships from 2004-2006, before leaving in 2007.

"Coach Rose has worked relentlessly to return our football program to its glory years, and ...

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Monday, December 13, 2010

SWAC champion TSU returns home to hero's welcome

The Texas Southern Tigers received a hero’s welcome one day after winning their first Southwestern Athletic Conference championship since 1968.


The Tigers arrived at TSU’s HP&E Arena on Sunday night and were greeted by a small group of cheering fans and members of the media who had seen them beat Alabama State 11-6 on Saturday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala. For the Tigers (9-3), it was a fitting end to an amazing weekend.

Cole makes case for TSU: Black college national title to be awarded this week

Texas Southern accomplished its primary goal by capturing the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship with Saturday’s 11-6 victory over Alabama State in the league title game. Coach Johnnie Cole, however, believes his squad should also be considered for the black college national championship.

The Tigers (9-3) were ranked fourth in the previous Sheridan Broadcasting Network black college football poll with 192 points, behind Albany State (276), Bethune-Cookman (253) and Grambling State (228), which they beat Nov. 11. TSU will likely have passed Grambling when the final ranking is released early this week, but it would hard-pressed to leap the other two teams.

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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Herd women falter late in 57-53 loss to North Carolina A&T

HUNTINGTON, WV -- It was only fitting that the last set play of the Marshall University women's basketball game Saturday was a turnover. On a night when Marshall and North Carolina A&T combined for 53 turnovers, the Aggies used a 17-6 run over the last nine minutes of the game to earn a 57-53 win over the Thundering Herd. A crowd of only 189 in Cam Henderson Center saw the Herd drop to 2-6.

"I think we turned it over about every way you can and we didn't play tough down the stretch when we needed to," Marshall coach Royce Chadwick said. "We just didn't execute as well as I would have hoped at this stage of the game." Marshall had several chances to win down the stretch but didn't come up with points when needed.

Gallery: Marshall Women's Basketball vs North Carolina A&T

Marshall Women's Basketball Falls Short Against North Carolina A&T, 57-53

Marshall’s Tynikki Crook posted her third double-double of the season with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds but it wasn’t enough to push the Herd past North Carolina A&T, 57-53, in Saturday night’s non-conference women’s basketball game at the Cam Henderson Center.

The Thundering Herd drops its second-straight, falling to 2-6 on the season while the Aggies improve to 3-4 and grab its first-ever win against MU bringing the series to 2-1 in favor of the Herd.

In a battle of two win teams, both struggled to gain control early combining for three turnovers in as many possessions. The Herd shot 14-of-20 from the field, 70%, in the opening stanza to grab a 33-30 advantage at the break.

Aggies Knock Off Marshall

HUNTINGTON, WV - North Carolina A&T used its strongest defensive performance of the season to defeat Marshall 57-53 Saturday night in women's basketball action at the Cam Henderson Center. Freshman Sabre Proctor led the Aggies with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting. The Aggies shot just 31. 8 percent for the game but forced the Thundering Herd into 34 turnovers.

"Defense definitely won this game,'' said N.C. A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. "We played extremely hard and kept our composure throughout the entire game."

N.C. A&T trailed 47-40 with nine minutes remaining. Jaquayla Berry capped a 10-2 run with a layup that gave the Aggies a 50-49 with four minutes to play. Layups by Nikia Gorham and Proctor put the Aggies ahead by three.

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SWAC Championship Game: Big defense, backup QB deliver Texas Southern victory against Alabama State

After Texas Southern secured the school's first outright SWAC title Saturday afternoon, coach Johnnie Cole didn't need to institute a 24-hour rule. Twenty years will be ample time to let an 11-6 victory against Alabama State sink in.

"I told the guys, 'You won't understand what you've done until you're my age, 20 years from now,' " Cole said. " 'You're the best team in Texas Southern history. You've taken the SWAC championship.' "

Playing at Legion Field, before a crowd of 22,350 fans, Texas Southern (9-3) turned to something old - Division I-AA's second-ranked defense - and something new - backup quarterback Riko Smalls -- to take home the trophy.

Photos from Birmingham



Cole has look of a winner

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Johnnie Cole wanted to be under this hot light, in this spotlight, for a long time. He used to sit in his dorm room at Texas Southern in the early 1980s, when he was a quarterback on teams that never once posted a winning record, thinking he could one day coach the Tigers to a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

Several times the school told Cole he could not do that and instead hired men who would fail to do what Cole was certain he could. It was painful for him to watch from afar, as he trekked around the college coaching landscape for more than 20 years, all the while dreaming of one day becoming a championship coach for the Maroon and Gray. Saturday was that day.



SWAC Championship football game at Legion Field

Texas Southern tops Alabama State, wins 1st SWAC title since 1968

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Prairie View A&M did it last year. This season, it was Texas Southern’s turn to rise from longtime cellar dweller to Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. The Tigers earned their first SWAC title since 1968 on Saturday behind coach Johnnie Cole’s swarming defense and backup quarterback Riko Smalls, holding off Alabama State 11-6 at Legion Field.

"I’ve been waiting on this job for over 20 years," said Cole, who played quarterback at Texas Southern in the mid-1980s. "I’ve been in the business for 24 (years) and I always wanted to come back to Texas Southern and get us to this championship."



Tigers Roar: TSU Wins SWAC Title

Birmingham, Ala. - Texas Southern did Saturday what it has done all year. The Tigers rode on the strength of their defense and wound up with a SWAC championship to show for it. TSU defeated Alabama State 11-6 at Legion Field in the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship Game.

The toughest defense in the SWAC, and #2 ranked in the nation, and led by SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and SWAC Championship Game Defensive MVP, Dejuan Fulghum, the Tigers held the Hornets to 72 total yards and an average of just 1.7 yards per play. The "212" defense, named for the boiling point when water turns to steam, even scored two points of its own.

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ATTENDANCE: 22,350


Ammons, Taylor have FAMU football team walking stage

Little of what Joe Taylor tells his football players when they show up in the spring changes during the years. At some point in the conversation, he'll tell them if they don't attend classes they won't play for him. His reason is this: If a student-athlete commits to the classroom he will show the same commitment on the field. Frankly, Taylor says, it's about trust.

"You cannot have a relationship if there isn't trust involved," Taylor said. "I can't help you and you can't help me if we can't trust each other."

It's a philosophy that has worked well for Taylor, especially at Florida A&M where a record number of football players are graduating from the program. Taylor has gotten a lot of help from FAMU president James Ammons, who has made the Rattlers' athletic program top priority since becoming president three years ago.


Videographer:FAMUSPORTS

Olaves rebuilding FAMU swimming program

The stoic look on Jorge Olaves' face was a good sign that he wasn't joking as he stared at the list of records set over the past eight years by Florida A&M swimmers, then made a very bold statement. "I want to break all those records," he said emphatically. "All those records."

That from a man who took over the men's and women's teams for a second time with a handful of swimmers and without a home pool. But he said he's seeing progress as his swimmers are dropping their times and he's getting overseas inquiries from potential recruits.

All he needs is time, said Olaves, who coached the Rattlers from 1997 to 2002. Back then, he started with five swimmers and had a men's and women's squad of 35 when he left the program.

Stevens stepping into leadership role for Rattlers

Defenders were all around Amin Stevens early in the second half as Florida A&M was in the midst of a run. Stevens got enough clearance to sink a layup that trimmed Bethune-Cookman's lead to one. The Rattlers scored on their next possession to go up by one point for their only lead in the game, which they eventually lost. But with every touch of the ball, Stevens tried to deliver.

"I just try to make plays for everybody," he said. "I drive to the goal and if anybody collapses on me I just kick it out for the open shot. But I'm looking to score more than I did last year."




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Ned, longtime Southern assistant trainer, dies at 53

Terrence Graves was hard at work Friday night in Itta Bena, Miss., when his cell phone practically fell off the table, ringing with calls and text messages from old friends from Southern University. Graves, the former Southern defensive coordinator, knew that was bad news.

His worst fear about a longtime friend was true: Assistant trainer John Ned, a fixture at Southern University for the better part of four decades, died late Friday night from cancer at 53, leaving behind friends and family who were saddened by the loss and stunned by how quickly his life ended.

“He and I became like family, so it’s kind of rough right now,” said Graves, now coaching at Mississippi Valley State. “I want to remember Ned like he was — healthy and happy.”

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