Florida A&M releases its 2011 football schedule

FAMU Athletic Director Derek Horne

The Florida A&M football team will play just four home games in 2011, but for at least two of the away contests that makes up the schedule, followers of the Rattlers won't have to travel much farther than they already do for the annual Atlanta Classic.

In one of the school's earliest releases of its football schedule, the athletic department announced the Rattlers' 2011 slate of games late Thursday night. The season will begin on Sept. 3 against Fort Valley State at Bragg Stadium.

Rattlers release 2011 football schedule

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 6) - The Florida A&M University Department of Athletics released its’ 2011 football schedule which features four home games, a September match up with a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and two Classic events.

Last season the Rattlers finished with a record of 8-3 and 7-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, by winning their last six of seven games and handing, Bethune-Cookman their only regular season lost in the Annual Florida Classic.

FAMU will open its 2011 campaign Sept. 3 with a non-conference home contest against Fort Valley (Ga.) State in Bragg Memorial Stadium. After the season opener, the Rattlers will hit the road for three weeks, travelling to Armstrong Stadium for their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Sept. 10 against Hampton University at Hampton, Virginia.

The Rattlers will then travel to Tampa, Fla., to take on the University of South Florida at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 17, then will conclude their three-game road swing on Sept. 24 in the annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.

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Rattlers 2011 Football Schedule

09-03 Fort Valley State                             Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
09-10 at Hampton University+                 Hampton, VA/Armstrong Stadium
09-17 at University of South Florida         Tampa, FL/Raymond James Stadium
09-24 at BofA Atlanta Football Classic      Atlanta, GA/Georgia Dome
10-01 Delaware State+                                 Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
10-08 Howard University+                          Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
10-15 at Savannah State+                            Savannah, GA/Ted Wright Stadium
10-22 at South Carolina State+                    Orangeburg, SC/Dawson Stadium
11-05 North Carolina A&T+                 Tallahassee, FL/Bragg Stadium
11-12 at North Carolina Central+            Durham, NC/O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium
11-19 at Fla. Classic - Bethune-Cookman+  Orlando, FL/Florida Citrus Bowl

(+)-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games
All game times will be finalized at later date

The MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET Blog understands that FAMU is in negotiations with an unnamed opponent (message board leaks say its "Southern University") for the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic. You may have noticed that neither the Tallahassee Democrat nor FAMU Athletic site named "Tennessee State" as the opponent for the 9/24/11 game in the linked articles. More to come...

Alcorn forms football coach search committee

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University administration has released the names of those who will serve on the search committee that will be in charge of finding the Braves’ next football coach.

Those who will be helping to select that person include Alcornite and former head baseball coach and assistant football coach Willie ‘Rat’ McGowan of McComb, who was recently inducted into the SWAC Hall Of Fame.

The committee will also include Dr. John Igwebuike, who is associate dean of business at ASU and a faculty representative as president of the A Club; alum Nathaniel Hughes of Columbus a track star when he was a student; Jackson native Marcus Ward, associate vice president of development and alumni affairs at the university; Harry Brown of Vicksburg, who played...

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3 finalists for SSU football head coach

Savannah State University has three finalists for its football head coaching job, the Savannah Morning News has learned.

The finalists are Steve Davenport, running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; Everette Sands, running backs coach at The Citadel; and Earnest Wilson, offensive coordinator at Jackson State University, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Thursday morning.

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READ EACH COACH BIO, CLICK HYPERLINKS

Howard University names Gary "The Flea" Harrell as its new head football coach

Bison Coach Gary Harrell

WASHINGTON (January 6, 2011) – Howard University Director of Athletics Louis "Skip" Perkins has announced the hiring of Gary Harrell as the new head football coach."Our goal is to re-establish a competitive football program and athletic program overall at Howard University," Perkins said. "As an alumnus, a championship athlete and a strong coach, we are confident in Coach Gary "The Flea" Harrell."

Gary Harrell recently completed his two seasons as the offensive coordinator for Bowie State University's football team. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Harrell served as the quarterbacks coach at Morgan State University (2008 - 2009) and the wide receivers coach for Team Michigan, a member of the All-American Football League (Feb. 2008 – May 2008). The Miami native began his coaching career at Howard (2002-2004) as wide receiver coach. After two seasons at Howard, Harrell also served as Wide Receiver coach at Texas Southern (2004-2006), and Florida A&M (2006-2008).

Howard expected to name Gary Harrell as its new head football coach

Howard is expected to name Gary Harrell as its new head football coach, individuals with knowledge of the school's search said. Harrell, the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Bowie State, would replace Carey Bailey, who was let go last month. The individuals asked not to be identified because they aren't authorized to speak on the school's behalf. 

By bringing in the 38-year-old Harrell, Howard is reaching back into its past. Harrell, who was known as "The Flea," was a member of the Bison's most successful team, the 1993 squad that went undefeated, won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title, reached the division I-AA playoffs and was unofficially crowned the black college football national champion.

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Second-half surge pushes Savannah State beyond Maryland Eastern Shore

Savannah State women's basketball coach Cedric Baker admitted some things could be better, some a little worse, while summing up the Tigers' .500 season pretty accurately.

The positive shined brightly at Tiger Arena on Wednesday night. SSU received key contributions from its bench and used a solid defensive effort in the second half to pull away from Maryland Eastern Shore, 71-50.

The Tigers raised their record to 7-1 at home while evening their overall mark at 8-8. A year ago, SSU finished 9-21 overall, so .500 has a nice ring right now. "This was an important win for the program," Baker said. "The kids have bought into what we've been telling them."


UMES Announces Annual 'Take a Kid to the Game' Day

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore today announced its annual NCAA® Men's and Women's Basketball Take A Kid to the Game® day will be held on Saturday, January 15 when the Hawks take on the Florida A&M Rattlers at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center. The Lady Hawks take on the Lady Rattlers at 2 p.m. with the men's teams following at approximately 4 p.m.

Area youth ages 12 and younger are invited to experience the college game day atmosphere and action with a free ticket when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

"We are excited to once again host a youth-focused game day at the Hytche this season," said G. Stan Bradley, Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs. "We hope the community will embrace this event and bring children out to experience a college athletic event at the UMES campus, while cheering on the Hawks."

SAVANNAH STATE'S HOT SHOOTING SECOND HALF SINKS UMES, 71-50

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah State shot 53.8 percent in the second half, breaking open a tie game at halftime on its way to a 71-50 win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team at Tiger Arena Wednesday.

Ezinne Kalu scored 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting to help the Lady Tigers even their record to 8-8 while Amber Cook (Greensboro, N.C.) paced UMES with a career-high-tying 16 points and eight rebounds in its sixth consecutive defeat. Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) became the fourth player in UMES women's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier with a 3-pointer in the first half and finished with 10 points.

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Saint Paul's hands WSSU first loss

LAWRENCEVILLE, Va.- Winston-Salem State's unbeaten season came to a halt Tuesday night with a 93-84 loss at St. Paul's. Even though both teams play in the CIAA, the game was designated as a nonconference game, giving Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams some solace.

"It didn't count in the conference standings, but we still didn't come ready to play, and that's disappointing," Collins said by telephone after the game. "St. Paul's just stepped it up when they had to, and we didn't make the plays. We missed a lot of easy layups, and they hit their free throws." WSSU fell to 6-1. St. Paul's improved to 3-4.

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North Carolina A&T 71, Clemson 77

CLEMSON, S.C. - Coming off of a week in which she was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, Jaleesa Sams recorded eight steals Monday night against Clemson, but the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team fell just short of an upset with a 77-71 loss to the Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Sams also scored 22 points and collected eight rebounds for the Aggies (4-7). Jaquayla Berry added 15 points. Sams needs just one point to reach 1,000 points for her career.

N.C. A&T trailed by six early in the second half. But Berry's layup with 7:53 to play moved the Aggies to within one at 56-55. The Tigers began to pull away as they scored the next seven points to take an eight-point lead.


Videographer: ClemsonAthletics

Clemson Women's Basketball Snaps Skid with 77-71 Win

CLEMSON, SC - The Clemson women's basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 77-71 win over North Carolina A&T (4-7) on Monday night in Littlejohn Coliseum. The Lady Tigers (7-8) shot a season-high 51.9 percent, and Shaniqua Pauldo scored 12 of her 22 points during a crucial second half run as Clemson pulled away.

Pauldo scored her 22 points on 9-14 shooting, including 14 in the second half, while senior Kirstyn Wright had 24 points, and tied a school and career record with six made three-point goals. She made her first six attempts, and her attempt at a school-record seventh straight rimmed out in the second half.

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Former Memphis QB Tyler Bass transferring to FAMU

Tyler Bass, a highly-touted quarterback when he left Stockbridge High School in Georgia three years ago, is expected to enroll at Florida A&M this week as a transfer from the University of Memphis.

Bass played briefly for the Tigers in just one game late in the season, after starting three games in 2009. He was relegated to third string when Larry Porter took over from Tommy West this season. He said he decided on Sunday that he'd transfer to FAMU after considering North Carolina Central and Norfolk State. Bass confirmed that he will be on campus today, when students begin enrolling in classes.


Videographer: Football Recruiting Expos; presents Tyler Bass, University of Memphis QB

The Tyler Bass Question - Coming from University of Memphis

Tiger coach Larry Porter responded, concisely, to a question this week about giving third-string quarterback Tyler Bass -- the Memphis QB with the most Division 1-A playing experience entering the season -- an opportunity when starter Ryan Williams and backup Cannon Smith are struggling.

Bass has only played in one game, seeing action in one series and an additional play against Southern Miss last month. "Well, again, it's based on guys who have proven themselves to us as a staff that they are capable of leading our offense...

The Tyler Bass Perspective - Coming from University of Maryland

Growing up in Prince George’s County and graduating from Gwynn Park High School, Harold Bass held a longstanding affinity for all things Maryland. So when his son, Stockbridge, Ga. quarterback Tyler Bass had the opportunity to take an official visit to College Park last weekend, the elder Bass was happy to tag along.

“He loved it,” Tyler Bass said of his father. “He’s from PG County … so he enjoyed going home and was excited going to Maryland. It was the school he wanted to go to, but he went to Tuskegee [University in Alabama]. But he lived in PG County his whole life, so he was happy [when I told him] I was going to Maryland.”

Player Bio: Tyler Bass - MEMPHIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

2009: Played in four of 12 games at quarterback, making three starts as the Tiger signal caller...Averaged 213.2 yards of total offense per game (45.0 rushing, 168.3 passing)...Had shoulder surgery on Oct. 20 and missed the remainder of the season...Ranked first on the team in passing efficiency (149.79)...Finished second on the team in passing yards (673), passing touchdowns (6) and average yards per carry (4.3)...Third on the team in rushing yards (180) and total offense (853) and fourth in carries (42)...His 85-yard touchdown pass against UT Martin ranked tied for the 17th highest passing play in 2009 in the NCAA FBS and his 80-yard TD pass against Marshall tied for 28th...Did not play in the season opener against Ole Miss...

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Alcorn's Defensive Coordinator lands at Northern Colorado

Zach Shay was one of the over 30 applicants who recently applied for the Galesburg High School (Illinois) football coaching job. He didn’t even get an interview. Shay, who has served on the defensive staff at Alcorn State University for the past three years, will assume a similar position with the University of North Colorado starting today.

Alcorn State’s head coach Earnest Collins Jr. was hired as the new head coach at UNC last week and Shay will accompany him to the Division IAA school located in Greeley, Colo., about 45 miles north of Denver.

“It’s just a better situation, better facilities and they play in the IAA playoffs which is a better opportunity if they win,” said Shay. “I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity.”

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NCCU band's big moment had some hurdles

PASADENA, Cal. -- N.C. Central University's Marching Sound Machine had to overcome funding problems, sieges of bad weather and even fear of flying to complete its long-standing goal: marching in Saturday's 122nd Rose Parade.

Thousands of roadside spectators cheered on the Marching Sound Machine as they played Michael Jackson's "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" while executing some of Jackson's most famous dance moves - the moonwalk and anti-gravity lean.

"I never imagined how many people would be there," said Letitia Harris, a junior trombone player. "I can't even think right now; I'm just trying to catch my breath."


Videographer: Music 213

Sound Machine 'brings it'

PASADENA, Calif. -- The N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine's debut at the Rose Parade on Saturday was a success. The tricky 110-degree turn onto Colorado Boulevard? Flawless. The moon-walking dance moves? Smooth as silk. The response of the crowd? Almost louder than the band's drum line.

"It went very, very well," said Brian Henry, tuba player and senior in mass communication at NCCU. "The turn was very easy. Everybody did an excellent job. It was awesome!"

NCCU plays Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For members of the N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine band, Tuesday was their longest day -- it began with packing up in Durham at 2 a.m. and ended 22 hours later in California with the receipt of their new uniforms.

The new costumes arrived at the hotel just in time for their first performance at Disneyland on Wednesday. The design is the same as that developed in 2003, but the band members appreciated having bright new uniforms for their Tournament of Roses Parade performance on New Year's Day in Pasadena.


Videographer: Music 213 -  NCCU Marching Sound Machine performance @ Pasadena Bandfest, Part 1.

NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band honors FAMU's late Dr. William P. Foster

The North Carolina Central University Marching Sound  Machine Band honored the late Dr. William P. Foster at the December 30, 2010, Bandfest in Pasadena, California. The band played a tribute to Dr. Foster, performing Michael Jackson's Bird Song.  Dr. Foster was the "dean and innovator of American university marching bands."

The NCCU band has been greatly influenced by the legendary musical and marching innovations of Dr. Foster through their director, Mr. Jorim E. Reid.  Mr Reid is a positive example of the many fine musicians that have fully developed, enhanced and perfected their craft and musicianship under the late Dr.William P. Foster's leadership at Florida A&M University.

Mr. Reid, a former FAMU Marching 100 drum major, oboe player, piano major, student music arranger for the famous Marching 100 Band, and conductor extraordinaire, is creating his own legacy and influence on student- musicians throughout North Carolina and the World.

Take a listen to the superb musicianship, showmanship, symphonic arrangements and marching precision of the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band on part 2 of the Pasadena, California Bandfest performance. Eagle Pride - Amplified!


Videographer: Music 213 - NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band, Part 2.

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Texas Southern 60, #23 Baylor 68

Baylor Bears Survives Scare from Texas Southern

WACO, Texas - LaceDarius Dunn scored all but two of his 17 points in the second half, and A.J. Walton and Quincy Acy made key defensive plays down the stretch as Baylor held off Texas Southern 68-60 Sunday.

Acy had 16 points and eight rebounds, as well as two big blocks in the closing moments that helped Baylor (9-3) survive its first game since two losses in Hawaii's Diamond Head Classic the week of Christmas that dropped the Bears out of the AP Top 25 for the first time this season.

Walton added 13 points and a career-high seven rebounds, and forced a key turnover by Travele Jones with 48 seconds left that snuffed out the Tigers' final bid.

Video Highlights

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Tennessee State 86, #21 Memphis 91

Antonio Barton scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half, including two key free throws with 17 seconds left, as No. 21 Memphis escaped 50 percent 3-point shooting by Tennessee State in a 91-86 victory Sunday at FedExForum.

Tarik Black was 9 of 11 from the field and had 22 points for Memphis (11-2), while Will Barton finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Tennessee State (6-8), which was trying to record its first victory over a ranked team in school history, put a scare into Memphis. Tennessee State, which led most of the way, was 12 of 24 from outside the arc.

Photo Gallery

Coach John Cooper Post Game Comments

TSU Tigers fight hard in loss to No. 21 Memphis

Memphis, Tenn. - In a tale of two Tigers that featured 10 lead changes, Tennessee State University dropped a tough, 91-86, loss at No. 21 (AP) Memphis on Sunday afternoon at the FedEx Forum. In front of a crowd of more than 15,831, TSU (6-8) tied a season-high shooting from the floor, 50 percent, with five players scoring in double figures.

Kenny Moore tied a career-high, 22 points, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor, while helping the Tigers shoot 50 percent (12-of-24) from behind the arc, nailing 5-of-6 of his own. Wil Peters notched 17 points and a team-high seven assists. Robert Covington followed, hitting 7-of-12 overall, to finish with 16 points. Patrick Miller added 12 points and Jacquan Nobles hit 4-of-8 to chip in 11 points off the bench.

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NEXT GAME: January 6, 7:30 p.m. at MURRAY STATE

North Carolina Central Marching Sound Machine debut at 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade and at Disneyland

2011 Rose Bowl Parade- Part 1 Bands included in this video: Southwest Dekalb High School Marching Panther Band (Decatur, Ga.), North Japan Green Marching Band, North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band. Professor Jorim E. Reid - NCCU Director of Bands.

By Videographer: TheOProductions1907


Videographer: Music213 (Live Stand View)


Videographer: SFVCyclone


Videographer: MrTJ85
NCCU Marching Sound Machine Performance at Disneyland, California

Videographer: aespejo104
NCCU Marching South Maching at the 2011 Bandfest in Pasadena, CA

Videographer: TheCyberTraveler

Videographer: Music213

Jorim E. Reid

NCCU Director of Bands

Professor Jorim Edgar Reid graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he was a student of the renowned bandmaster, Kenneth Rudolph Tolbert.

He then graduated from Florida A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music education (1999) with piano as his major instrument. There he privately studied arranging, composition, and film scoring with Professor Lindsey B. Sarjeant and Dr. Marty Robinson. Reid served the band program as principal oboist for wind ensemble and symphonic bands and head drum major, saxophone, and student arranger for marching band.

He later received his masters degree in music education (2000) from the Florida State University School of Music with oboe as his major instrument. There he studied arranging and composition under Professor Brian Gaber and Professor Bill Peterson. Jorim is currently studying for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University (2009, DMA). Reid is on faculty of music department and serves as director of bands at North Carolina Central University. He is also advisor to Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Mr. James O. Seda

Director of Bands

Southwest Dekalb High School, Decatur, Georgia

James O. Seda is currently the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School. He is a product of the Atlanta Public School System, having graduated from Southside Comprehensive High School. Mr. Seda received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University. While there, he studied conducting with Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. He was also in the trumpet studio of Dr. Marty Robinson. Mr. Seda is currently enrolled in the Masters of Music Education Program at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois.

Mr. Seda has been the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School since 2001. Prior to that he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Chapel Hill Middle School for two years, the primary feeder school to Southwest Dekalb High School, also assisting with the band program at Southwest Dekalb simultaneously. Mr. Seda is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, The International Trumpet Guild, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Screen Actor's Guild and MACE. Mr. Seda was The STAR Teacher for Southwest Dekalb High School in 2005-2006 and has been recognized and honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers multiple times.

While attending Florida A&M University, Mr. Seda was a very active musician. He held the principal trumpet chair in the FAMU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and the lead trumpet chair in the FAMU Jazz Ensemble. As a member of the world famous 'Marching 100' Mr. Seda served as trumpet section leader for two years, as well as being elected business manager, vice-president, and president in consecutive years.

Mr. Seda has performed in Paris, France, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland and the North Seas Jazz Festival in The Haag, Holland. He has also performed in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Television and radio features are also to his credit as CNN displayed his talents in a television documentary on the life of jazz musician Jesse Stone. He has done studio sessions for television and radio commercials, as well as short films and movies. Mr. Seda also worked on the 20th Century Fox motion picture DRUMLINE as a music arranger, band organizer, instrumentalist, and actor extra.

The Southwest Dekalb High School highly acclaimed marching band is 230+ musicians and is performing in its second Tournament of Roses Parade (2006, 2011).

Mr. Seda's and Southwest Dekalb Marching Panther Band assistant directors of bands are: Mr. Steven L. Cooper (West Palm Beach, FL), Florida A&M University; Mr. Demetrius Hubert (Atlanta, GA) - Director of Percussion, Florida A&M University; Mr. Byron Ellie Jackson (Decatur, GA), Staff Assistant/ Director of Drum Majors, Florida A&M University; and Ms. Stasha Dion Ogletree (Atlanta, GA), Dancing Diva Director/Choreographer, Albany State University.

Former S.C. State OL Lee sets sights on playoffs with Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. - James Lee will play the biggest game of his young career today in New Orleans.

In 2007, Lee was playing at South Carolina State as an offensive lineman honing his craft in hopes of one day being a integral part of an offensive line in the National Football League. Three years later, the former Bulldog will play against the defending Super Bowl champions and division rival Saints as he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers try to make their way into the playoffs.

After giving everything he had at Pro Day and other workouts three years ago, Lee was intiailly signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. After a short stint with Cleveland, Lee...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' James Lee, Jeremy Trueblood battle for right tackle spot

James Lee, who missed most of the last two games with an ankle sprain, took the first reps Thursday at right tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but still alternated with Jeremy Trueblood. Coach Raheem Morris did not name a starter for Sunday's game at New Orleans and said he plans to evaluate the practice tape.

"The first team reps are being split right now. I would have to say James Lee went out first. Trueblood went out second and they went out there and competed again today. I've got to go watch tape and evaluate it, obviously.''


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Hampton 77, Colorado State 75

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Hampton’s Kwame Morgan tallied 29 points, none bigger than the final three, as the junior guard knocked down a trey with 0.8 seconds left, to defeat Colorado State, 77-75, snapping the Rams’ six-game win streak.

Colorado State trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half, but fought back to take their first lead, 62-61, with 7:20 left to play in the contest. And with CSU clinging to a one-point lead, 75-74, with 7.3 seconds left, Morgan’s shot all but ended the game. The Rams’ ensuing inbound was deflected back out of bounds and when they got the ball in play, Travis Franklin’s desperation heave with 0.4 left came up well short.

The Rams committed a season-worst 18 turnovers, and the Pirates converted those extra possessions into 23 points. With the loss, Colorado State falls to 10-4 on the season while Hampton improves to 11-3.

MORGAN SHOOTS PIRATES PAST RAMS

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Hampton University junior guard Kwame Morgan hit a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining to lift the men’s basketball team past Colorado State 77-75 on Saturday in the final day of the Hilltop Classic at War Memorial Gym.

It was Morgan’s second game-winning trey of the season; he also hit the game-winner in the closing seconds on Dec. 22 against Liberty. Morgan (Largo, Md.) scored a career-high 29 points on 8-for-19 shooting and 6-for-14 from 3-point range in keying Hampton’s fourth win in its last five games. Hampton’s win also snapped Colorado State’s six-game winning streak.

Junior guard Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) scored 17 points and dished out a team-high four assists. Senior forward Charles Funches (Jersey City, N.J.) and junior guard Christopher Tolson (Laurel, Md.) each added 10 points, with Funches adding a team-high eight rebounds.

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NEXT GAME: 1/8/2011, 4 p.m., Pirates (11-3, 1-0 MEAC) at Coppin State Eagles (4-7, 0-1), Baltimore, MD

Ellie Hyppolite Signs with Florida A&M Football

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Erie Community College defensive lineman Ellie Hyppolite (Daytona Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll and play football at Florida A&M. The 6-foot-4, 270 pound Hyppolite recorded 13 tackles (9 solo/4 assists) in eight games in 2010. He made 3.5 tackles for loss, broke up one pass, and forced one fumble. Hyppolite posts a 4.8 40-yard dash time.

Florida A&M won a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2010, finishing with an 8-3 overall record. The midyear junior college transfer signing period started December 15, 2010 and runs until Jan. 15, 2011.



Boyd Anderson QB is leaning toward FAMU

Boyd Anderson High School quarterback Dane James would like to take advantage of early enrollment at a university so that he would have some leverage to compete for the starting job during spring workouts. James and his father told the Democrat on Saturday that there are at least four schools on his list. Florida A&M is the front-runner, they said.

Mark James also said his son will make his decision within a week so that he could enroll no later than a week after classes begin next week.

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Texas Southern signs Chicago star basketball player Kenny Stevenson

Seton Academy's Kenny Stevenson Jr., a sharp shooting 6-2/175 combo guard, attended prep school in New Jersey and will enroll at Texas Southern University for the upcoming semester. Kenny  was coached by his well-respected father, who served as the school's athletic director and head coach, leading the program to the 2009 IHSA Class 2A State Championship.

Chicago, IL - Former Seton Academy basketball star Kenny Stevenson doesn't mind sitting out a semester. Stevenson, a 2010 Seton grad, will enroll at Texas Southern University after spending a semester at Central Jersey Each One Teach One in Somerset, N.J.

"I think it will make me better, because I will have that much more time to learn the plays and the system," Stevenson said. "I know they are graduating a few guards, so if I work hard, I think I will have a chance to play right away."

Right away is the 2011-2012 season. Stevenson originally committed and signed with Illinois-Chicago, but when coach Jimmy Collins retired, he decided to look elsewhere.


Videographer: danpon1 (Kenny Stevenson (Seton) Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman)

Seton basketball coach Ken Stevenson leaving school

Ken Stevenson is the reigning Chicago Catholic League and Illinois Times Coach of the Year (2009).  Sevenson was 106-75 in seven years in building Seton's program from scratch.

He came, he saw, he conquered.

Now, he's moving on. After starting a boys basketball program from scratch when Seton Academy went coed in the fall of 2003 and leading the Sting to a Class 2A state championship last spring, Ken Stevenson told The Times on Wednesday that he has resigned as head coach. He'll also step down from the athletic director's position at the end of the school year.

"I'm going to leave the whole shebang," Stevenson said. "I've had seven wonderful years at Seton Academy. I had the opportunity to build a program to my liking, but I just felt it was time for me to do something a little different.

Ken Stevenson named coach at Urban Prep's South Shore campus

Ken Stevenson will be starting from the ground floor again.

He started the boys basketball program at Seton Academy and won the Class 2A state title in 2009. The Hales Franciscan grad built the Sting into a Class 2A power before stepping down after last season. He was 106-75 in seven years.

Stevenson was named to a similar position at the new Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men's South Shore campus. He said he is excited about the challenge of starting a program.

"I believe in giving back, and this is one way to give back is to help develop young men and help guide them in their lives," Stevenson said. "Whether it is city kids, suburban, Seton, Catholic school or public school, I am looking forward to getting the program going and working with these young men."

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Florida A&M Shoots Down East Carolina 89-85

AMES, Iowa - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball team had four Lady Rattlers to score in double –figures as the Lady Rattlers held on for a 89-85 win over East Carolina in their final game of the Cyclone Challenge, here Thursday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum.

FAMU (5-6) was paced by Antonia Bennett as she scored a game high 24 points to lead all scorers. Tameka McKelton dropped in 22 points, followed by Christian Rateree with 16. Shekeira Copeland in her first collegiate start at FAMU finished with 10 points. Qiana Donald led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 12 rebounds, while McKelton dished out a team high five assists.

ECU (6-7) also had a quartet of Pirates to score in double-figures with...

FAMU coming off big win

While doing her review of a midweek loss to No. 25 Iowa State, coach LeDawn Gibson saw enough encouraging signs in the Florida A&M women's basketball team. She pointed them out to her players then sent them out to take on East Carolina.

"I told them about, pride, fight and the heart that they play with (against ISU) and we needed to go out and play like that every night," Gibson said. "They showed a lot of class."

Florida A&M Shoots Down ECU, 89-85

AMES, Iowa - East Carolina could not overcome Florida A&M's hot shooting in the first half, seeing a second-half rally fall just short in an 89-85 loss to close out the Iowa State Cyclone Challenge. The Pirates will enter Conference USA play at 6-7 overall while the Rattlers are now 5-6.

East Carolina matched its program record for three-point field goals, knocking down 13. Senior Allison Spivey also took over sole possession of second place on the school charts as she now owns 167 as a result of the four in Thursday's game.

ECU converted 31 of 81 shots from the floor for a 38.3 shooting mark, but FAMU had the accurate hand, shooting 31-for-65 (48.8 percent). The Rattlers also ended with a 47-43 advantage on the glass with East Carolina grabbing 24 offensive boards to 16 for FAMU. The Pirates were stronger in the paint, winning the battle down low with 30 points as compared to 22 for the Rattlers. Florida A&M also turned the ball over 23 times while East Carolina recorded 16 miscues.

No. 20 Iowa State 85, Florida A&M 60

Ames, Ia. — The Iowa State women’s basketball team didn’t show much rust from an eight-day break Wednesday. Senior forward Kelsey Bolte made 7-of-13 3-pointers and poured in a career-high 28 points as the 20th-ranked Cyclones (9-2) rolled past Florida A&M 85-60 in the first night of the Cyclone Challenge. Iowa State will play at 7:30 p.m. tonight against Prairie View A&M (4-6), which lost 68-55 to East Carolina (6-6).

“Kelsey’s having a phenomenal senior season,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “Right now, when she plays well, we’re hard to beat. They started in a zone and her eyes got really big.” Playing before a crowd of 7,512 at Hilton Coliseum, the Cyclones took command by making 13-of-15 shots during a 31-10 run in the first half. That gave them a 42-15 lead.

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NEXT GAME: 1/2/2011, 6 p.m. CT  @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln
                          WATCH LIVE FREE: CLICK LINK - FAMU vs. NEBRASKA 

Earnest Collins Jr. ready to make Northern Colorado football coaching job his own

UNC Bears Coach Earnest Collins Jr.

The University of Northern Colorado football program has enlisted a strong choice to serve as its next leader.

 Earnest Collins Jr. has his job. He has sought this position, worked for it, prepared for it, learned for it and now has ownership of it. It is not a stepping stone. It is not a learning experience. It's what he wants, and that is a good thing for the Bears.

Collins first attempt to claim his job occurred in 2005 when he interviewed to replace Kay Dalton. Not hired, he listened closely to the critiques relayed to him.

His true calling: Earnest Collins achieves goal to become UNC coach

Earnest Collins, Jr., didn't always know where life was going to take him, but he certainly knew that it would someday lead him back to the University of Northern Colorado.

That dream happened for Collins, the former Alcorn State head coach, on Thursday when he was officially introduced as the new head football coach at UNC before a full house in the Champions Room of the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Speaking from his heart and without any script, Collins, who is the Bears 16th head coach, displayed his passion for the UNC football program, his family and his faith as he was introduced publicly for the first time before a room filled with media, UNC personnel and supporters of the program.

Collins aims to restore passion for program

GREELEY, CO - New University of Northern Colorado head football coach Earnest Collins Jr. made one thing clear Thursday at his introductory news conference: He is going to make sure that Colorado and the school's alumni are excited about UNC football again.

Collins promised he would restore the winning tradition the school had during his playing days and his time as an assistant coach when it was a Division II program. "My No. 1 focus right now is to recapture the state of Colorado," Collins said. "That's the No. 1 goal for me, because when I was here, that's what it was. I don't know what it's like to lose. We never lost here."

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Link: UNC Bears Football

Commentary: Where Are They Now -- Coaches Alvin "Shine" Wyatt and Archie "the gunslinger" Cooley?

Former Bethune-Cookman Coach Alvin B. "Shine" Wyatt

Why have highly successful football coaches Alvin B. Wyatt Sr., and Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley practically disappeared from the Sports landscape?

Just a few years ago, NFL Pro Bowlers Eric Weems and Nick Collins were recruited to Bethune-Cookman University by former Wildcats head football coach Wyatt.

Wyatt, also known as "Shine," is a B-CU graduate and former All-American defensive back for the Wildcats. As a student-athlete, he was drafted in the NFL 6th Round by the Oakland Raiders in 1970. Coach Wyatt also played for the Buffalo Bills (1971-72) and Houston Oilers (1973).

He landed back at B-CU in 1975 as a defensive assistant football coach under legendary NFL Hall of Famer, Larry Little. In 1978, he was asked to re-build the Wildcats women basketball program, along with coaching football.

In 13 seasons, Wyatt became the winningest head coach in B-CU football history with a record of 90-54 (.620). He also wasn't a shabby basketball coach, setting the school record for wins in 18 seasons with a 260-200 (.565) career record, and two MEAC Titles.

Shine holds the distinction of being unceremoniously dumped (November 23, 2009) by his Alma Mater quicker than you can say, Coach Ralph Friedgen and University of Maryland, after a 5-6, 4-4 MEAC season in 2009. He finished 2008 with an 8-3, 5-3 MEAC record.

One of Coach Wyatt's greatest deficiency was the inability of his "Wyatt-bone offense" to consistently beat in-state rival -- Florida A&M University and its hall of fame coaches, William "Billy" Joe and Joseph "Joe" Taylor. Wyatt was 4-9 during his career with the football Wildcats in the Florida Classic.

Lately, it has become virtually impossible for any Bethune-Cookman football coach and team to defeat the FAMU Rattlers in the 2nd largest attended FCS game. Just ask Wyatt's replacement, Coach Brian Jenkins, who undefeated 10-0 Wildcats were soundly stomped 38-27, by the Rattlers before 61,712 fans and a national ESPN Classic broadcast audience last month.

History repeated itself with FAMU (8-3, 7-1 MEAC) spoiling the Wildcats perfect season and gaining a three-way share of the 2010 MEAC championship with South Carolina State and B-CU.

NFL caliber players Wyatt did produce -- cornerback Ricky Williams (Chicago Bears) and Rashean Mathis (Jacksonville Jaguars), Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers) and Eric Weems (Atlanta Falcons), among other standouts. And Shine ran a "clean program" without any run in with the NCAA.

But, Wyatt's lawsuit against the university for breach of contract, ageism and wrongful termination has not been resolved by the parties nor the Court system. The school basically threw Wyatt under the proverbial bus after getting stampeded 42-6 by a bunch of Rattlers from FAMU, in the 2009 Florida Classic.

Surprisingly, Wyatt name is not even in the conversation for current vacancies at NCAA Division I or Division II programs. What's wrong with this picture -- with current head coaching vacancies at North Carolina A&T, Alcorn State, Savannah State, Delaware State, Howard University, Lincoln (Missouri) and Miles College? What say, Elon, Oklahoma Panhandle State (NAIA D2), Furman, Gardner-Webb, and Texas State. And non-BCS programs like Kent State and Miami-Ohio should all be blowing up Shine's cell phone.

Will Coach Wyatt become another iconic figure in football lore like former Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley?

Cooley produced the greatest player in NFL history --Wide Receiver, Jerry Lee Rice and a "Satellite" quarterback --Willie Totten, who set numerous (18) NCAA passing and offensive records. In the 1984 season, Totten threw for 5,043 yards and 58 touchdowns and then threw for 39 touchdowns in 1985, without Rice, averaging 51 points per game.

Legend has it that Totten, and the Delta Devils team of hard working country boys once bused 21 hours from Itta Bena, Mississippi to Topeka, Kansas (1984) to play Washburn University. It was a no-contest with the Delta Devils demolishing the Ichabods 77-15.

Prior to arriving at MVSU in 1980 as the head coach, believe it or not, the gunslinger had been a defensive assistant at Alcorn State and Tennessee State. Within three years, Valley was the number one team in all of 1-AA Football.


Videographer: bruceeien: "Rare film clips of a 1984 game between Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Louisiana Tech."

Few know this true fact -- Coach Cooley was the innovator of the SPREAD offense that is run by every NFL team today, and most of the college and high school football programs in America. Cooley's "Satellite Express" offense broke just about every NCAA 1-AA passing record during the 1980's.

They can call it the West Coast Offense, Gulf Coast Offense, No-huddle offense, Run and Shoot, the Shot Gun, the Spread, the Gun Spread, the Gun Option, the Air Raid, the Zone Read, or the Pistol. But it all comes from the creative offensive coaching genius of Archie "the gunslinger" Cooley and the more than 200 offensive plays he innovated.

But, its Coach Cooley's offense that he perfected in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) long before Jerry Rice's first NFL coach, Bill Walsh, saw film of MVSU running the "Satellite Express" and decided to incorporate the passing schemes into the 49'ers offense for Rice and Joe Montana.

Award winning author Denny Dressman wrote about how Cooley's offense was stolen by San Francisco 49ers Coach Bill Walsh with the help of legendary coach W.C. Gorden, Jackson State -- in Jerry Rice's Hall of Fame Career a Tale of Stolen Magnolias. The rest is history of how Walsh integrated Cooley's passing innovations into the 49ers offense to win three Super Bowls and a permanent home in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Today, Coach Cooley barely gets mentioned and received no job or economic windfall from the NFL for his innovation of the passing game. Not even one lousy "consulting job" was offered by any major college program to Coach.

Because of the same barriers that exist today for black head football coaches, Cooley head coaching career lasted a total of 13 years combined at Mississippi Valley (1980-86), Arkansas - Pine Bluff (1987-90) and Norfolk State (1993), based on records in the College Football Data Warehouse. It's a crying shame that the gunslinger never received the recognition that his talents truly deserved.

The next time a grasshopper or a recruit criticizes the coaching in the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA or SIAC, please send him a link to the Stolen Magnolias article or the few articles on Marino "The Godfather" Casem, Coach Cooley or W.C. Gorden. Maybe it will help him/her realize the ice is not colder on the other side of the tracks or at the PWCs.

Based on the recent 2010 Football Hiring Report Card, at no time in our history have black head football coaches been better prepared to lead major college football programs, with experience as both NFL players, position coaches, and prior head coaching experience at the lower divisions. Just check the biographies of Wyatt and all the current head coaches in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA and SIAC, who continue to toil in obscurity and for below market compensation.

Then, check the biography of the coaches currently job jumping each season hoping to win off the talent coached and assembled by the previous successful coach, who has moved on or been removed before the 10-2 season comes to fruition the very next season. Sounds familiar, B-CU?

The greater question--Is Coach Wyatt football coaching career over or will Shine be provided the opportunity by a smart athletic director to build another program to championship level? Only time will reveal his fate...

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BETRAYAL OF TRUST: Why SSU fired football coach Robby Wells

1/1/2011 UPDATE:  SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN DISMISSED FROM THE ROBBY WELLS LAWSUIT BY THE COURT.  MORE TO FOLLOW, AS WE SEEK A COPY OF THE DISMISSAL DOCUMENT.

Savannah State University played its final football game Saturday and ended its season with a losing record for a 12th consecutive year. The Tigers' troubles, however, extend well beyond the football field.

On Dec. 22, 2007, SSU - an institution listed among the South's historically black colleges and universities - broke tradition when Robby Wells became its first white football head coach. Barely more than two years later, Wells was gone, having resigned amid a cloud of charges and countercharges that included allegations of unethical behavior on his part and racism on the part of the university.

View documents on ethical issues involving Robby Wells

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2 ex-Bethune-Cookman stars make NFL Pro Bowl

Undrafted out of Bethune-Cookman. Cut in training camp. Nearly a season a half on the practice squad. All of Eric Weems' struggles to become an NFL player were validated Tuesday, as the former Seabreeze and Bethune-Cookman standout -- and now current Atlanta Falcons special teams ace -- was named to NFC roster for the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl as a specialist.


Videographer: tonypanzarella: Eric Weems 12/05/10 103 Yard Return

Joining Weems in the Jan. 30 game in Honolulu will be former Wildcats teammate Nick Collins, a Green Bay Packers cornerback who was selected to the NFL's all-star game for the third straight season.

The pair will become the first from B-CU to play in the same Pro Bowl, and Weems becomes just the fifth Wildcat to be selected for the game, joining Collins, Rashean Mathis, Larry Little and Cy McClairen.


Videographer: bbgun1967

Bethune-Cookman's Eric Weems Joins Seven Atlanta Falcons at The 2011 Pro Bowl

The Atlanta Falcons, who have the NFC’s best record at 12-3, placed an NFL-best seven players on the National Football Conference All-Star team that will face the American Football Conference All-Stars in the 2011 Pro Bowl – the kickoff to Super Bowl week – the NFL announced today.

The 2011 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii one week before Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Broadcast live on FOX at 7:00 PM ET, the Pro Bowl will be held prior to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year and serve as the signature kickoff event of Super Bowl week.

Packers Get 5 Pro Bowlers; Rodgers, Williams Snubbed

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers will send five players – left tackle Chad Clifton, safety Nick Collins, wide receiver Greg Jennings, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson – to Hawaii for the 2011 Pro Bowl.

But three players who arguably deserved to be on that list as well – or instead – were snubbed: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Tramon Williams and nose tackle B.J. Raji.

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Pellum scores 34 as Hampton Pirates wins in San Francisco

Darrion Pellum scored a career-high 34 points for Hampton University (10-2), which pulled away late to beat Dominican (Calif.) 78-65 Wednesday at the Hilltop Challenge in San Francisco.

Pellum, a Hampton High graduate, knocked down a career-best nine 3-pointers for the Pirates, who outscored Division II Dominican 17-6 over the final 4:59. Charles Funches had 14 points and 16 rebounds for Hampton. Kwame Morgan added 20 points.

Marin brief: Dominican men lose basketball tourney opener

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The Dominican University men's basketball team overcame an early 8-0 deficit to take a 19-18 first-half lead, but in the end the Penguins were unable to hold off Hampton, falling 78-65 in the first round of the Hilltop Challenge at USF.

Dominican (0-8) trailed 37-24 at halftime but the Division II Penguins got no closer than seven points in the second half. The Pirates (10-2), a Division I team, pulled away late in the game.

Leon Hart led the Penguins with 17 points and Killian Larson added 16. Hampton's Darrion Pellum scored 34 points, hitting 9 of 13 3-point attempts in the process.

Troy Trojans Fall to Hampton University at Georgia State Invitational

ATLANTA – Dressing only nine players, the Troy University women's basketball team fell behind early on Wednesday afternoon and were unable to recover, falling 61-43 to Hampton University in the opening round of the Georgia State Invitational.

Junior DeAngela Sword (Montgomery, Ala./Pensacola JC) led the Trojans with 16 points, as she was the only player in double figures. Meanwhile, senior Donette McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) recorded team-high eight rebounds just hours after arriving in Atlanta due to the blizzard in the northeast.

Quanneisha Perry led Hampton with 15 points and 17 rebounds, as she was one of two players to record a double-double on the night. Choicetta McMillian added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Jericka Jenkins scored 13 and Melanie Warner added 11 points in the win.

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