Tyler, Phillips, White, Stewart and Holmes elected to 2011 MEAC Hall of Fame

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today the five members of its' 2011 Hall of Fame Class that will be honored during a brunch on Friday, March 11, beginning at 9 a.m. at the M.C. Benton, Jr. Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

"We are thrilled to recognize another class of remarkable inductees who have made a considerable impact to their communities, institutions and our conference," said Dennis E. Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. "I'd like to applaud the Hall of Fame Class for all of their achievements both athletically and professionally."

The Hall of Fame class will be honored in conjunction with the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament, held March 7-12 at the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

A limited number of tickets are available for the induction brunch at $30 per seat or $275 per table (10 persons). Tickets can be purchased by calling the MEAC Office at 757-951-2055.

 The MEAC Hall of Fame includes former student-athletes, coaches, university and/or conference administrators as well as special contributors, who have enriched the legacy of the conference since its inception in 1969. Enshrinees were selected by an 11-person committee made up of administrators from member institutions.

The first Hall of Fame class was inducted on May 29, 1981, during a 10-year anniversary banquet in
Greensboro, North Carolina. Since its establishment, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 108 people, including the Class of 2011.

The 2011 MEAC Hall of Fame Inductees are:

Inducted as a Student-Athlete:
Earl Holmes, Florida A&M - Holmes played for the Rattlers from 1992 to 1995, finishing as the school's all-time leader in tackles. Holmes, a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection, holds the school record with 509 total tackles (309 solo). During his senior season, he set school marks for solo tackles (103) and total tackles (171). He captured the NCAA Division I-AA and Black College All-American honors in 1994 and 1995. The 1995 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and Sheridan Broadcasting Network College Defensive Player of the Year, Holmes was selected in the fourth round of the 1996 National Football League (NFL) draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 10 seasons in the NFL as a member of the Steelers (1996-2001), Cleveland Browns (2002) and Detroit Lions (2003-05) before retiring. Holmes currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers coach at his alma mater.

Stephen Stewart, Coppin State - Stewart guided the Eagles to a 1993 MEAC Tournament title and was named the MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer in his rookie season. He earned back-to-back MEAC Player of the Year honors (1994, 1995) and helped lead the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament in 1993 and the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1995. The forward scored 19 points against St. Joseph's in the NIT aiding Coppin State in its first-ever postseason victory. Stewart ranks eighth all-time in scoring at Coppin State with 1,393 points and seventh with 546 rebounds. The 1993 MEAC Rookie of the Year Stewart earned All-MEAC First Team honors in 1994 and 1995. He joins his brother Larry, another former standout at Coppin State, who was inducted in the MEAC Hall of Fame in 2005.

Natalie White, Florida A&M - White played point guard for the Lady Rattlers, helping them to two regular season MEAC titles (1994, 1995) and the 1995 MEAC Tournament crown. During her career, FAMU earned its' first-ever NCAA Tournament bid (1995). White holds the NCAA Division I record as the all-time steals' leader (624) and is second all-time in the school record books in assists (497). She led the nation in steals as a freshman (143), junior (172) and senior (191). The 1995 MEAC Player of the Year White still holds the NCAA record for total steals as freshman. The guard earned All-MEAC First Team honors in 1993-1995. She was also a four-time Black College All-America recipient (1992-95).White currently serves as an Account Executive/Dream Ambassadors Coordinator for the Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) Atlanta Dream.

Inducted as a Head Coach:
James Phillips, Morgan State - Phillips guided the Bears to 13 MEAC wrestling championships from 1985-1994. Under his helm, over 75 wrestlers were named All-Americans and two earned NCAA Division II National titles. He earned MEAC Outstanding Coach accolades 12 times and was the only Head Wrestling Coach from a Historical Black College or University (HBCU) to host a NCAA Eastern wrestling regional in 1984. Phillips was also the Head Coach of the Morgan State football team from 1983-84. On the field, Phillips competed as a member of MSU's football team from 1963-65 and played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Phillips retired from Morgan State in 2004 after serving for more than 30 years as an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Sanya Tyler, Howard - became the Lady Bison's first full-time women's basketball coach in 1980. Under her tutelage, the Lady Bison earned five MEAC regular-season titles, nine MEAC tournament titles and eclipsed nearly 300 victories. In her first season at the helm, Howard became the first MEAC women's team to participate in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. In addition to the 1982 NCAA appearance the Bison earned berths in 1996-1998. She was the first MEAC women's basketball coach to have victories over an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent (North Carolina State). The eight-time MEAC Outstanding Coach and 1994 MEAC Coach of the Year coached five MEAC Players of the Year, seven MEAC Outstanding Performers and was the first coach in MEAC history to have a player drafted in the WNBA. Tyler was inducted into Howard University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Written By: MEAC Media Relations  Release: 01/19/2011

Alabama State University student-athletes get it done with high GPAs in the classroom

While Alabama State University athletic programs see plenty of individual success on courts and fields, much of it is equaled in classrooms on campus. Following the fall semester, 95 student-athletes had attained grade point averages of 3.0 or higher, according to the university.

Five student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 GPA while 29 others attained a 3.5 or higher.

The SWAC Eastern Division Champion football team led the way with 15 members reaching that mark while the softball team had 12 and the baseball team had 11. The soccer team had 10 student-athletes with a 3.0 or higher.

95 Student-Athletes Receive 3.0 GPA or Higher in Fall Semester

MONTGOMERY, AL — There have been several strong performances for the Alabama State University athletic programs so far this season, and that performance can also be seen in the classroom. Following the fall semester 95 student-athletes had attained grade point averages of 3.0 or higher.

Five of those student-athletes attained a perfect 4.0 gpa and another 29 student-athletes attained a gpa of 3.5 or higher.

The SWAC Eastern Division Champion football team led the way with 15 members of the team reaching that mark. The softball team had 12 team members and the baseball team had 11 members attain the mark while soccer had 10 student-athletes with a 3.0 or higher gpa.

Several teams with smaller squad sizes had a high percentage of the student-athletes attain the mark such as seven members of the men's golf team and five members of the women's golf team.

Men's tennis, women's basketball and volleyball all had five team members with high gpa's while men's track had six members and women's track had seven members with solid gpa's.

Bowling (three), women's tennis (two) and men's basketball (two) also had student-athletes reach a 3.0 or better gpa.

Below are the student-athletes that have attained the 3.0 and higher gpa.

Baseball                                                 Women's TrackJahmal Brooks                                       Jamie Brooks
Ronald Frost                                          Quayana Browne
Kyle Granger                                          Courtney Gooch
Jourdan Mott                                           Tokeyah Jones
Trent Popp                                              Breana Kelly
Josue Quinnoes                                      Melissa Romelus
Drew Quinney                                        Shanice Mells
Anthony Ricciardi                                  SoccerMitchell Smith                                        Alex Ayers
Rashad Snell                                          Samantha Bruno
Marc Threet                                            Jordan Creel
Women's Basketball                           Melissa Douglas
Yahindra Edwards                                Stephanie Howard
Jasmine Evans                                      Dominique Humphrey
Erica Henderson                                    Lenna Lamas
Tanika Jackson                                      Franka Schauss
Talaih Robertson                                    Jasmine Wilson

Volleyball                                                Helma Von Zadow
Deidra Byner                                           Football
Roselande Corneille                              John Andrews
Genise Fletcher                                      Nick Andrews
Jessica Lindsey                                     Daquandra Campbell
Ana Pego                                                 Tim Clark
Bowling                                                    Drequay Everette
Jessica Ledbetter                                   David Hate
Paige Roquemore                                  Carlton Jones
Briana Wells                                            Saeed Lee
Women's Golf                                         Lorenzo Leonard
Amelie Buhl                                             Andrew Lyons
Taaj Hubbard                                          Zachery Meadows
Danielle Robinson                                Tuipulotu Ofahulu
D'Anrrielle Robinson                             Montavious Paulk
Jessica Williams                                    Corey Schofield
Men's Golf                                               Gregory Smith
Scott Benson                                          Softball
Anthony Dadamo                                   Courtney Crossley
Joseph Killebrew                                   Meagan Dixon
John Montgomery                                  Ayesha Famble
Joseph Morrison                                    Quayanna Forte'
Corey Price                                             Mercedes Frazier
Sam Strachan                                         Ariel Gainey
Men's Tennis                                          Amanda Gracia
Joshua Donaldson                                 Boshia Richardson
Clifford Frazier                                      Brehanna Rodrigues
Jonathan Freeman                                Megan Surovik
Alexis Pierre                                            Brittany Webb
Kevin Tan                                                Tiffany Wooden
Women's Tennis
Shenice Rawlins
Shameka Williams
Men's Basketball
Harvey Dwayne
Ivan Johnson
Men's Track
Jeffery Adams
Vincent Butler
Joaquin Dugan
Christopher Duncan
Jonathan Franklin
Kekei Jephtah

Courtesy: Alabama State University Sports Information Director
 Darrell Orand

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Alcorn State picks Melvin Spears as new football coach

Melvin Spears is returning to Alcorn State.

Spears, the former Alcorn receiver and Grambling State head coach, has been selected as the Braves new football coach, Spears’ family and friends confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger late Tuesday night. Spears and Alcorn administrators did not return multiple phone messages Tuesday.

Spears’ selection ends a three-week long search to replace Earnest Collins, who left after two years to lead his alma mater, Northern Colorado

Hornets' OC Spears takes Alcorn State job

Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow is looking for another offensive coordinator. Melvin Spears, who helped the Hornets generate enough offense to win the SWAC East Division title this past season, accepted a job on Tuesday night to become the head football coach at Alcorn State.

An announcement will be made at a formal news conference today in Lorman, Miss.

"It's a major blow," Barlow admitted. "One of the reasons we brought coach Spears in was his experience. Me being a younger guy, I wanted as many guys with experience as possible. He can talk about the traditions with the players, he can talk about the conference with the players, he can talk about what teams are going to do. He's a really great recruiter as well.

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VIEW ALCORN'S NEW ATHLETIC WEBSITE: CLICK HERE 

SU Jaguars fall just short against Valley

One stop. One rebound. Those were the two things Southern really needed Monday night against Mississippi Valley State. The Jaguars got one out of two, and that wasn’t enough in a 65-62 loss. With the final minute of Monday’s game ticking away inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center, the Jaguars needed one defensive stop and one defensive rebound for a chance to tie the game at the other end.

Playing solid half-court defense, they forced an off-balance shot by Valley’s Orlando Smith — and had they grabbed the ball, they could’ve tied the score. But in a scene that seemed to repeat itself time after time in the second half, the Delta Devils came up with a loose ball and gave themselves another chance to score.

Foster nails buzzer-beater for SU women

Tiffany Foster was in foul trouble, turnover-prone and stuck on the bench to begin the second half. Worse yet, she’d missed most of her open jumpers for the better part of a month. Monday night against Mississippi Valley State, she hit a big one when the Jaguars absolutely needed it.

Foster dribbled the length of the court, pulled up near the baseline and drained a jumper from 12 feet away with 0.2 seconds left, giving Southern a thrilling 47-45 win at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

“That takes a lot of guts, and my hat’s off to her,” SU coach Sandy Pugh said. “It was her first (career) game-winner, and it was a big one.”

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In wild game, Hampton University holds off North Carolina A&T

HAMPTON, VA — In a frantic back-and-forth game that involved 11 ties and three lead changes, Hampton University defeated North Carolina A&T 82-77 Monday night at the HU Convocation Center.

Junior guard Kwame Morgan led all scorers with a career-high 36 points, going 11-for-22 from the floor and hitting six 3-pointers. His short jumper from 24.1 seconds to play sealed the victory for HU (14-4, 4-1 MEAC). Junior guard Darrion Pellum, a Hampton High product, added 19 points while Charles Funches scored 12. Seven Pirates made the scoring column. Danny Agbelese grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Missed free throws ruin A&T's upset bid

HAMPTON, Va. — Thomas Coleman scored his 1,000th point and a few more, but N.C. A&T had no answer for Kwame Morgan, particularly in the second half Monday. Morgan scored 36 points — 21 in the second half — and fueled a 15-5 run that stretched a two-point lead into an 82-77 win in MEAC play at Hampton's Convocation Center. It was the best night of his career.

The Aggies (8-10, 3-2 in the MEAC) climbed back to within three at 76-73, but — typically on this evening — Morgan hit a 16-footer to establish a Hampton lead that couldn't be overcome.

HAMPTON 71, N.C. A&T 36

Hampton (12-5, 5-0 Mid Eastern Athletic Conference) trounced visiting N.C. A&T (6-9, 3-2) 71-36 Monday for the Pirates’ fourth straight win. Freshman Pirates guard Nicole Hamilton (of Phoebus) scored 18 of her career-high 23 points in the first half, and Quanneisha Perry grabbed 13 boards.

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Panthers Fall 70-63 To Jackson State

Jackson State outscored Prairie View A&M 11-3 over the final 5:36 as the Panthers dropped 70-63 nationally televised heartbreaker on Monday evening in the William Nicks Building.

Playing before an ESPNU television audience and a spirited dome crowd that topped 3,800 spectators, Jackson State threatened to blow the game away early as they stormed out to a 10-3 lead five minutes in. Prairie View fought back via two huge treys from senior Trant Simpson to remain close but JSU continued to lead as they upped its margin to 27-17 after a Raymond Gregory basket at the 5:33 mark.

The roles began to reverse from that point as Prairie View A&M found its groove as junior Beloved Rogers scored five consecutive points to begin a huge half-ending spurt. JSU added a Rod Melvin free throw after the basket but PV went back to work offensively as they outscored JSU 6-2 to go into the half down 30-28.

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UMES men fall to Bethune-Cookman

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team tried to make a late second-half comeback, but fell short 71-64 on Monday to Bethune-Cookman. The Hawks trailed Bethune-Cookman 38-28 at halftime. UMES outscored Bethune-Cookman 36-33 in the second half.

Tyler Hines led the Hawks with 19 points, and also grabbed six rebounds. Hillary Haley chipped in with 12 points in the loss.

Morton steps up game in UMES win

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- Paced by guard Casey Morton matching her career high of 24 points, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team cruised to a 69-52 win over Bethune-Cookman in the first game of Monday's matinee doubleheader. The win was their second in a row and second straight at home.

"I'm Casey's biggest critic, so I always look at her turnovers," said UMES head coach Fred Batchelor. "I look and say she had too many turnovers in any given game, but the fact is when she puts the ball in the basket, she makes us a better team. When she can control the ball and take care of it and get us going, we go when she goes."

B-CU stays perfect in MEAC

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- C.J. Reed and Garrius Holloman scored 15 points each as Bethune-Cookman defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore 71-64 on Monday to remain unbeaten in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Wildcats (10-8, 5-0) led by 14 points, 47-33, less than 5 minutes into the second half, but the Hawks (4-13, 1-3) didn't fold, coming within a point, 49-48, after a 15-2 run that included two 3-pointers by Dishawn Bradshaw -- his only 3-pointers in 10 attempts.

The Hawks trailed by two, 62-60 with 1:53 to play, but a layup by Reed made it 64-60, and Stanley Elliott, Javoris Bryant and Holloman each hit two free throws for Bethune-Cookman down the stretch.

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Jackson State offers Therriault an oasis

Therriault's Journey To Redemption

In this unlikely story of redemption, Casey Therriault, a white QB from Michigan finds a home and fans at Jackson State a historically-black university.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."

-- Martin Luther King Jr., Aug. 28, 1963

JACKSON, Miss. -- Scenes from an oasis:

A fence separated the old black woman from the football field, but it didn't stop her. She wanted to meet the young white quarterback. She asked the coach to bring him over. If you don't have a place to go for Thanksgiving, the old woman told the quarterback through the fence, we will feed you.

In the stands in Memphis, Tenn., weeks earlier, a black stranger struck up a conversation with the white quarterback's father. He was easy to pick out, after all, a pale face in a section full of dark faces. By the end of the game, the quarterback's father had been invited to stay at the stranger's house for the next home game.

Everyone wanted to reach out to the white quarterback. He had come hundreds of miles from his native Michigan to this strange place -- to Jackson State University....

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Note: Exceptionally great story coming from the Southwestern Athletic Conference on quarterback Casey Therriault and the Jackson State University Tigers. Beautiful job by Pat Forde, ESPN.com.

Source: Athletic director hit list at Lincoln University (Pa.)?

LU Lions Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee

LOWER OXFORD, Pa. — The mid-December departure of women's basketball coach Andy Haman is not the end of alleged house cleaning within the Lincoln University Athletic Department, several people with direct knowledge of the situation told the Daily Local News.

Two unnamed sources independently confirmed that Lincoln Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee openly acknowledged having an unwritten "hit list" of athletic department personnel she was targeting for dismissal. Former assistant track coach Bobby Young -- reportedly on the alleged list along with Haman and several others -- said that the hit list was common knowledge among Lincoln coaches and administrators.

"I know I was on the list," said Young, who resigned on Dec. 20. "I thought it was inappropriate for (Ford-Kee) to tell everybody about the hit list and who she wanted to get rid of.

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Commentary: Plan B, Tennessee State and FAMU has to work out a deal

Tennessee State has the home stadium that provides infinite possibilities.

Florida A&M has one of the Top-5 premier brands in all of the Football Championship Subdivision football.

Tennessee State was once the most feared football rivalry for the Rattlers.

FAMU has the world-renowned "Marching 100," which is worth the price of admission to any venue.

TSU has the Sophisticated Ladies and the Aristocrats of Bands.

Tennessee State Tigers embarrassed FAMU on national television in the Atlanta Football Classic in 2010, which later denied the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Champion Rattlers an FCS playoff spot.

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., has dropped TSU for the next two years, and is working out a contract with Stump Mitchell's Southern University Jaguars, for all the wrong reasons.

Tennessee State University has the Gentry Center which seats 10,500 for collegiate basketball.

FAMU has a new athletic director, Derek Horne, who's on a mission to help FAMU live up to its national legacy as a championship athletic program. Horne, from Southeastern Conference (SEC) University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is accustomed to big games and large athletic budgets.

TSU athletic director Teresa Lawrence Phillips is in a pickle to replace longtime rival FAMU on its 2011 schedule and find a new revenue source for the $450,508.00 (2008 payout) loss from the Atlanta Football Classic.

What seems like a big problem, is an opportunity for greatness for TSU and FAMU.

Let me say that again...but more slowly, so that it sinks in...

What appears to be a huge problem is an opportunity for greatness and increased athletic income for Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University on a much larger stage.

The Rattlers/Tigers game must go on in 2012.

If a FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman rivalry (Florida Classic) has earn the Rattlers and Wildcats $1.5 million dollars EACH annually, there is no reason that a "Tennessee Classic" cannot earn a greater payout for FAMU/TSU in the capital city of Tennessee, with a statistical population area estimated at 1.67 million people.

The 2010 Florida Classic had 61,712 fans in attendance.  No reason that a "Tennessee Classic" can't exceed the Florida Classic numbers in a few years as this is a more serious football rivalry for TSU and FAMU.  It's more marketable -- OVC Football vs. MEAC Football.

Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State should be all about the maximum money that can be made off of this game for both institutions, annually. With that being said, forget about home and home for this classic match up.

Let us suggest that the universities' administration book it for the next five years at Nashville's LP Field (or equal), the home stadium for the TSU Tigers and NFL Tennessee Titans. LP Field seats 68,800 in a state of art facility.

Using the same self-governing business model used for the Florida Classic, FAMU/TSU should set-up the same type of  consortium for the proposed "Tennessee Classic" and hire an outside management company (like a Florida Citrus Sports) to manage the game affairs for a reasonable fixed fee.

There is absolutely no reason that this type of rivalry game cannot gross each school $1.5 million to $2 million annually, after expenses, when marketed properly, and when based on the structured business model of the Florida Classic. All the physical ingredients that makes the Florida Classic and Atlanta Classic successful are present in Nashville.


Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

More importantly, put the dang game out for bid for additional guaranteed money based on a projected economic impact of $30+ million dollars, based on a projected annual attendance of 52,000 fans or greater.  Let Nashville, Jacksonville (Florida), Tampa (Florida), Memphis, and Knoxville all submit bids for the game to be played in their city and stadium for five years.

What we are suggesting is let Nashville and LP Field earn the rights to host the football game and other events by paying for those rights through the highest bid of cash to be paid to FAMU and TSU and/or reduced hotel rooms, stadium fees and the like for each university.

Let Versus, Fox Sports South and ESPN bid for TV rights to broadcast the game from Nashville, the 29th largest television market in the U.S.   And offer others the regional and national Radio rights for fair market value. The two universities will remain the sole owners of the Tennessee Classic football game, basketball tournament and all of its ancillary events, like the Tennessee classic parade, battle of the bands, step shows, etc. and concerts.

FAMU and TSU products are more valuable than the $450,508.00 each paid by the 100 Black Men in Atlanta.  If anyone knows this better, its athletic director Teresa Phillips, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business education from Vanderbilt University.


Videographer: hbcusportsonline - Excepts from FAMU 's half-time show at 2010 Florida Classic

It is long overdue that athletic directors Phillips and Derek Horne, recognizes the needs of their strong fan base and the financial needs of their respective athletic departments to maximize the earning power of this rivalry game.

Self-management and oversight of this game is the key to maximizing earnings for each university program.

Yes, it will take a little work from the respective athletic departments, but the gain for our student-athletes will be greater than the payouts from a FBS money game or a home game in Tallahassee (13,000 fans) with a strong Division II program, like a Fort Valley State.

The 100 Black Men did both institutions a major favor by giving TSU the boot.

It now forces TSU and FAMU to look beyond guaranteed losses (money games) with Football Bowl Championship/BCS programs; minimum pay days with third parties like the 100 Black Men; or so-called money games with the Division I basketball powerhouses--that buys guaranteed wins from barnstorming Division I programs like the MEAC, SWAC and OVC.

Our student-athletes deserves a fair opportunity to win every game scheduled and adequate financial support for academic excellency.  Horne understands this from this playing days in SEC basketball and having worked in true Division I athletic administration at Ole Miss.

Phillips needs to avoid the "quick fix" solution used by most Division I HBCU athletic directors to raise cash quickly by scheduling FBC or Division II blowouts.  Either way, the loyal fan base is severely short changed.

FAMU vs. Tennessee State rivalry must continue in 2012.

That's what makes our suggested Plan B so intriguing, and invites further study, discussion and consideration.

Schedule the rivalry game the last week of October or first Saturday in November 2012 and take advantage of hosting a season opening basketball tournament at the TSU Gentry Center.  The tournament could operate under the same brand ("Tennessee Classic") and would invite six men and women programs, i.e., TSU, FAMU, Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Southern.  The goal is to earn an additional $600,000 for the two-day basketball events scheduled around the football game, on Friday and Sunday.

Again, thank you 100 Black Men of Atlanta for giving TSU the boot!

Without adversity, TSU/FAMU would continue to schedule the same unprofitable football games with the third party reaping all the benefits.  Now, each institution is forced to go to a Plan B.  Tigers and Rattlers fans must keep the pressure on their respective administrations for a university owned "Tennessee Classic" or some variation of what we are suggesting in this blog.

There will never be a new Bragg Memorial Stadium at FAMU with 45,000 seats, field turf and luxury suites if we continue along the financial pathway created by athletic directors who have long since been fired and forgotten for fund raising and financial management incompetency.

Please, no more scheduled Bowl Championship Series (BCS) blowouts for $450,000 (pay your own expenses) or less. No more home dates with Division II football opponents.  No more 10-12 game basketball tours of the Midwest for only a check and a guaranteed loss for the Rattlers and Tigers men and women basketball programs.

No more painting over the rust in Bragg Memorial Stadium. As we all know,  FAMU is long overdue for a major Stadium upgrade with luxury suites, field turf and 45,000 seats with backs.  It all cost millions of dollars that FAMU has not earned under the past business models.

That's why the TSU/FAMU rivalry is so important and should be developed into a three day event in Nashville. I am reminded of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., always spoke on the urgency of now.  We all have a responsibility to support the continuation of this historic rivalry and NOW is the time to move forward to make this event a reality.

Author: (beepbeep 1/17/2011)

Tennessee State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released the tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent, Florida A&M University.

"The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," said Phillips. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”

The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.

Phillips added, "Considering our long-standing rivalry with Florida A&M, we are looking to negotiate future home-and-home games with the Rattlers to renew and sustain our series."

Tennessee State University Tentative 2011 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Site Event Time
Sep 3 Southern Nashville, TN John Merritt Classic TBA
Sep 10 Jackson State Memphis, TN Southern Heritage Classic TBA
Sep 17 TBA TBA    TBA
Sep 24 TBA TBA    TBA
Oct 1 Austin Peay State* Clarksville, TN    TBA
Oct 8 SE Missouri State* Nashville, TN    TBA
Oct 15 Tennessee Tech * Cookeville, TN    TBA
Oct 22 Eastern Kentucky * Richmond, KY    TBA
Oct 29 O P E N     
Nov 5 Eastern Illinois * Charleston, Il    TBA
Nov 12 Tennessee Martin * Nashville, TN Homecoming TBA
Nov 19 Jacksonville State * Nashville, TN Senior Day TBA

* = Ohio Valley Conference Game
Home games in Bold

Author: Tennessee State Sports Information

TSU out, Southern may be FAMU's opponent in the next Atlanta Classic

Florida A&M and Tennessee State University definitely won't meet in this year's Atlanta Football Classic, while Southern University is the apparent front-runner to replace the Tigers in the late-September game on the Rattlers' schedule.

While both FAMU and Southern athletic officials have been mum about negotiations for both teams to renew their long-time rivalry, several sources have said that the Rattlers and Tigers will meet this season for the first time since 2008.

TSU football coach gets a pass on first evaluation

Tennessee State's football players and coaches will move into a plush new locker room soon and have an indoor facility for practice, which is rare for most Football Championship Subdivision programs.

It might seem odd for a 3-8 team to be rewarded after its first season under Coach Rod Reed. But TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips points out the new amenities are not a reward, but a sign of support from an administration that expects improvement.

Phillips met recently with Reed to give her season-ending evaluation, as she does with all sports, and cut him some slack for the dismal record because he dealt with injuries to so many key players.

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Wild About Bethune Cookman

Boca Ciega (Florida) WR Tyree Green has committed to Bethune-Cookman University, not a bad landing spot for the 6-2, 190-pounder. Green had a good junior season and was hoping to use a bigger senior season to attract some notice. But the Pirates struggled in 2010, and his stock never quite rose. But Bethune-Cookman, which had seen him play in the spring, stepped up with an offer a few weeks ago, telling Green he had a chance to play immediately.

"I feel relieved," Green said. "I feel like I made the right decision. They have some good talent going there next year. It's close to home and they showed the most interest out of everybody." Green had drawn interest from USF, Middle Tennessee State and Iowa State, and he always seemed closest to West Virginia until the coaching changes there last year.



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Conference Pretenders vs. Contenders

Albany State men, women beat Paine

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State Golden Rams, losers of three straight conference games, looked like they were going to make it four in a row as they trailed Paine by as many as 14 points in the second half, but instead of throwing in the towel, the Rams started throwing the ball in the basket and cut the Paine lead to one point (63-62) with 35 seconds remaining in regulation.

This set up for a game-winning drive and score by Demarcus Blunt with just six second on the clock to give the ASU a 64-63 win.

WSSU Rams pound ECSU Vikings 89-63

Shelton Carter got the rout started for Winston-Salem State and walk-on Ricky Bolton finished it. The Rams played perhaps their best all-around game in Coach Bobby Collins five seasons to thoroughly whip Elizabeth City State 89-63 on Saturday night in front of nearly 3,000 at the Gaines Center.

Carter, a 6-5 senior guard, hit his first nine shots on his way to 29 points and the Rams shot a season-best 66 percent from the field. They were an incredible 33 of 50 from the field for one of the highest shooting percentages in their long and storied history.

Bowie State 67, St. Augustine's 54

Host Bowie State (9-2, 4-0 CIAA) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Falcons (3-9, 2-2). St. Aug's led 40-29 with 16 minutes left in the game but made only two field goals the rest of the way. Freshman Joel Kindred scored 13 of his 21 points in the first half for the Falcons. Shaun Washum added 11 points for St. Aug's, and Travis Hyman had 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

CLEMENT, WILKERSON PROPEL NCCU EAGLES TO VICTORY OVER COPPIN STATE

BALTIMORE, Md.- The junior-senior duo of Landon Clement (Raleigh, N.C.) and C.J. Wilkerson (Oxford, N.C.) scored a combined 48 points, breaking open a back-and-forth contest in the second half with a 22-8 run in leading North Carolina Central University to the 77-71 win over Coppin State University on Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore, Md.

North Carolina A&T Aggies Cruise To Win Over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard came into Saturday's men's basketball game with North Carolina A&T with a few injuries. The Bison is in the midst of a rebuilding stage with first-year head coach Kevin Nickleberry. The Bison is also not shooting the ball well.

The Aggies cruised to a 78-65 victory over Howard at Burr Gymnasium. It gave N.C. A&T (8-9, 3-1) just its second victory in the nation's capital in 13 years.


Videographer: dcheston88

Howard Lady Bison Takes Advantage Of Youthful NCA&T Lady Aggies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - When the makeup of the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team is truly studied, senior Jaleesa Sams is the only player who has played more than two years. Junior College transfer Reisha Bullock sat out last season, therefore, she and Sams are the only two players on the team who played on the team that dominated the MEAC in 2009.

Considering those facts, there aren't too many players on the Aggies team who have actually experienced how good the Aggies have been in the conference over the past four seasons.

Hampton U wins Battle of the Bay

Hampton, VA (WAVY) - Kwame Morgan scored a game-high 20 points, and host Hampton held on late for a 63-56 win over Norfolk State before 5,765 fans on Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center. Morgan scored 10 points in each half, and Darrion Pellum added 16 for the Pirates (13-4, 3-1 MEAC). Kyle O’Quinn (Jamaica, N.Y.) led NSU with 19 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.


Videographer: nsuathletics, Recap of Battle of the Bay Basketball Game

Morgan State handles Bulldogs for 3rd straight win, 71-55

BALTIMORE, Md. – Aric Brooks scored a game-high 16 points to lead Morgan State to a 71-55 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday night in an ESPN2 nationally televised contest. The Bears recorded their third straight victory and improved to 8-7 overall and remain unblemished in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record.

Kevin Thompson added 13 points and DeWayne Jackson had nine points with a career-high 10 rebounds for the Bears, who shot 46.3 percent and avenged a 71-68 home loss to the Bulldogs during last season's ESPNU televised matchup.

Another Big Road Win For B-CU; Cats Down DSU 61-60

DOVER, Del. - CJ Reed could manage just six points Saturday against Delaware State, but, boy, were the last two huge for Bethune-Cookman. Reed sank two free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to a 61-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over the Hornets and give B-CU (9-8,4-0) its first-ever 4-0 start in conference play.

B-CU remained in a first-place tie with Morgan State thanks to its fourth straight victory. All the Wildcat wins have come on the road. "I'm going to savor this win for a few hours," said B-CU Coach Clifford Reed, Jr. "This win a great win for our program and we've shown the poise and heart of a champion to win four on the road."

Maryland Eastern Shore Holds Off Lady Rattlers 64-62

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball scored 36 second half points, but it was not enough as Maryland Eastern Shore held on for a 64-62 win over the Lady Rattlers, here Saturday afternoon at Hytche Center.

FAMU (6-9, 2-2 MEAC) was paced by Antonia Bennett with a game high 26 points to lead all scorers, followed by Qiana Donald, who finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. UMES (4-11, 1-2 MEAC) had a pair of Lady Hawks to finish in double figures as both Kwinnyata Mercer and Chelsea Sanders finished with 15 points each. Mercer led UMES in rebounds with eight boards.

UMES notches first conference victory of season

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Junior Dishawn Bradshaw (Baltimore, Md.) and redshirt junior Hillary Haley (Oxon Hill, Md.) each scored five points during the overtime period to lead the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team to an 86-81 victory over Florida A&M Saturday.

The win marks the first of the season for UMES in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the team improves to 4-12 overall and 1-2 in the conference while FAMU falls to 5-11 overall and 0-4 in the MEAC.

WSSU women come up short in overtime

Kenyatta Gill scored 22 points, including five in overtime, as Elizabeth City State won 81-76 at Winston-Salem State on Saturday night. Shaquella Johnson added 12 points for the Vikings (10-4, 3-1 CIAA). Courtney Medley led WSSU (8-6, 3-2) with 20 points, Jasmine Newkirk had 14, and Vontisha Woods 12.

Tennessee State upsets Austin Peay in OT

Wil Peters’ game-winning shot that lifted Tennessee State to its upset overtime victory over Austin Peay was the final nail in the coffin. But there was plenty before then that had the Govs feeling they let an OVC victory slip from their hands with mistakes made late in regulation, and poor play in the first half. The Govs couldn’t hit free throws and were out rebounded in a 76-74 loss to the Tigers on Saturday at Gentry Center.

The loss was the first for Austin Peay (12-6, 6-1) in the OVC, halted its six-game winning streak, and was its second-straight loss to TSU (8-9, 5-2).

SU men edge past UAPB

Julius Ingram was worried. Saturday night, inside a surprisingly lively F.G. Clark Activity Center, Southern’s senior forward had missed three free throws in the closing minutes, and the Jaguars trailed Arkansas-Pine Bluff by two points.

“We were behind, and I’m feeling guilty, because we could’ve been tied at that point,” Ingram said. “But we got a second chance.” And Ingram made up for it with the biggest play of the night.

SU women hold off UAPB

Sandy Pugh praised her Southern women’s basketball team for holding on Saturday against winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff, getting a late layup by Tiffany Foster and two key defensive stops in a 62-59 victory. Past that, she said, there weren’t many positives coming out of the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

“The fans paid money to come watch a good team, and we didn’t look like a decent team,” the Jaguars’ 11th-year coach said. “I was really disappointed in the kids’ effort. They’ve got to pick it up. We’ve got to do a better job. We did too much standing and watching.”

Balanced Attack Leads Panthers To Win Over Grambling

DALLAS, TX - Four players scored in double figures as Prairie View A&M ended its two-game conference slump with a 71-54 win over Grambling State at the Ellis Davis Field House.

Both teams struggled to begin the contest as Grambling State only led 3-2 with 15:04 remaining in the first half. Prairie View’s Brandon Webb ended the scoring drought after a layup at the 12:01 mark but GSU’s Rupert Rose answered with a jumper on the ensuing possession for a 5-4 advantage. From that point, the pace picked up as both teams exchanged leads several times but the Panthers took control and went on a 13-2 run to claim a 24-14 margin with 5:31 left in the half. PV upped its lead to 14 at 31-27 with 3:39 left but GSU made a late run to trim PV’s halftime lead to 35-27.

Tobar, A&M remains perfect with win over ASU

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Whiquitta Tobar took matters into her own hands late Saturday afternoon. With Alabama A&M clinging to a four-point lead over arch-rival Alabama State with just over two minutes remaining, Tobar decided it was go time.

The 5-foot-7 junior guard scored the Bulldogs' last six points of the game as A&M outlasted ASU 55-50 to stay unbeaten in the Southwestern Athletic Conference before an announced crowd of 2,015 at Elmore Gym.

Alabama A&M 75, Alabama State 60

The Bulldogs got 54 points from their bench and snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Hornets with a convincing victory before an announced crowd of 4,368.

A&M improved to 6-8 overall and 3-2 in league play. ASU fell to 5-13 and 2-3. DeMarquelle Tabb and Jonathan Inman finished with 16 points apiece for the Bulldogs, while Desmond Jackson and Casey Cantey scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. A&M shot 53 percent (27-of-51) from the field, limited ASU to 46 percent shooting (22-of-48) and out rebounded the Hornets 35-22.

MVSU defeats Alcorn State 87-70

LORMAN, Miss. -- D'Angelo Jackson scored 20 points to lead Mississippi Valley State to an 87-70 win over Alcorn State on Saturday. The Delta Devils shot 54.1 percent (33 of 61) for the game, paced by 7-of-12 shooting by Jackson. He was 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

MVSU led 41-30 at halftime and started the second half on an 8-2 run to stretch its lead to 49-32 with 17:43 to play. Alcorn State trimmed the lead to 54-48 with 10:59 remaining, but the Delta Devils pushed the lead to 20 points in the final minutes.

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Alcorn narrows down list of head coaching candidates

THE NEW COACH WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 19TH.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University Head Football Coach Search Committee has narrowed the list of candidates for head football coach down to three finalists.

The finalists are Fred L. McNair, Melvin Spears Jr. and Dwayne A. White.

McNair, a Mount Olive native and former Braves standout quarterback and 2005 ASU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, is currently assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the 2009 and 2010 1A State Champion Mount Olive Pirates. He also served a five year stint as quarterback and wide receivers coach for the Millsaps Majors and spent 10 years in the Arena Football League as a quarterback.

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Earnest Collins Jr. finalizes University of Northern Colorado football coaching staff

While the University is still ironing out all the details of the contract for Collins, his base salary will be $95,000, pending UNC Board of Trustees approval. The $95,000 was the same amount that former UNC head coach Scott Downing was making before he was fired. Collins had a yearly salary of $140,000 at Alcorn State University.

University of Northern Colorado football coach Earnest Collins Jr. has completed his coaching staff with an offensive and defensive coordinator and the retention of two coaches from the previous staff, the university announced Wednesday.

Offensive coordinator Michael Armour and defensive coordinator Zach Shay come to the Bears from Alcorn State, where they worked under Collins, the Braves’ former head coach.

Collins also retained longtime UNC assistant coach Keith Grable, who will stay on as recruiting coordinator, and will move from running backs coach to wide receivers coach.

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Head coach in NFL a fate fit for Mississippian Leslie Frazier

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier

For Leslie Frazier, it became a ritual on road trips that required the Alcorn State University football team to travel by air: Just before the plane taxied toward the runway for takeoff, assistant coach Willie "Rat" McGowan would seek out the all-conference cornerback.

McGowan was scared silly of flying, and he always wanted Frazier praying hard that the jet would reach its destination. So out of a plane full of players, coaches, managers, trainers and school officials, why did he choose Frazier?

"When he spoke, people listened," McGowan says. "So I figured ..." Yes, he figured God would listen to Frazier a little more closely than anyone else.

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Success adds to recruiting focus at Fort Valley State

Fort Valley State has gone 7-4 and 8-3 the past two seasons, giving head coach Donald Pittman an impressive 15-7 record. Add to the fact that the Wildcats have only a two-year-old stadium, and it would be easy to think that recruiting is getting a little easier. “Never,” Pittman said with a chuckle. “Never.”

While most fans are tuned in to the heat put on big-name coaches like Mark Richt at Georgia, it stays pretty warm on the Division II level. “The pressures of it is the last two (head) coaches didn’t make it past their third year here,” Pittman said, referring to John Morgan and Deondri Clark. “After the last two years, more is expected of us.”

The 2010 season ended on a sour note with two losses, 12-7 to Albany State and 20-9 to Saint Augustine’s in the Pioneer Bowl.



Videographer: SIACSPORTS

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Johnson-Danner leads TSU men past Jackson State

A balanced group of scorers has been the key to Texas Southern’s strong start in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

That group came up big again in Saturday’s ESPN2-televised showdown against Jackson State.

TSU got double-digit scoring from four players and clamped down on defense in the final two minutes to escape with a 66-62 victory before a crowd of 1,132 at the H&PE Arena. TSU (6-9, 4-0) won its fourth straight game and moved into sole possession of first place in the SWAC.

TSU Tigers Stay Perfect at 4-0

The Texas Southern Tigers stay perfect in conference play after beating their toughest SWAC opponent so far this season before a national TV audience on ESPN2. TSU defeated Jackson State 66-62 to become the only unbeaten team in the conference.

The Tigers took the lead from the tip off and played strong for the first six minutes of the game. TSU held a 13-2 advantage with 14:42 on the clock. Jackson State put together a 10-0 run to get within one point of Texas Southern’s lead (13-12). TSU got back into their rhythm and worked their way to a 12 point lead with 56 seconds left in the first half. The TSU Tigers ended the period up 31-21.

TSU gave up some ground in the second half but kept an 8 point advantage with 9 minutes on the clock. Jackson State made another run and TSU fought back to stay up 57-49. J-State came back again and tied the game 58-58 with just over 3 minutes left to play. TSU fell behind briefly but regain the lead on a layup and follow-up free-throw by Daniel King at the 1:28 minute mark (63-61). The TSU Tigers never trailed again and picked up a 4 point win.

Four TSU Tigers scored in double figures. Lawrence Johnson-Danner led the way with 15 points and four steals. Kevin Galloway had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Harrison Smith had 13 points while Travelle Jones had 12. King finished the night with 9 points and six rebounds.

Texas Southern will host Grambling State on Monday at 8:00 pm in the H&PE Arena.

Author: Rodney Bush, Texas Southern University Sports Information Director

First Annual Cleveland Classic Football Game books North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Central State (Oh.) Marauders

Cleveland, OH – The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced at a press conference on January 12, 2011 that they will launch its first annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s football game on September 10, 2011 when Central State University Marauders will battle North Carolina Central University Eagles at Cleveland Browns Stadium at noon.

The Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s is more than just a football game and will include an entire weekend of festivities and events for all ages while celebrating premier historically black universities.


Videographer: chicagomarchingbands

"I would like to welcome the Cleveland Classic back home! It's another example of people choosing to host their events in Cleveland. Our downtown sports venues, superb theater district and top of the line restaurants are just a few of the amenities that truly offer a uniquely Cleveland experience,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City of Cleveland.

The weekend festivities will begin with a College and Career Fair and a Greek Step Show on Friday, September 9th On Saturday, September 10th, a free tailgate party will energize the community and crowd prior to the noon kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The game will also include a dynamic Key Bank Marching Bank Half-time Show. The Cleveland Classic weekend is estimated to provide an economic impact of several million dollars to the local region.


Videographer: Music213

“The development of the annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s serves as an exciting, catalytic and economically beneficial event for Northeast Ohio. It’s a phenomenal weekend full of events with unique cultural opportunities for all ages. We’re very excited about the match up and look forward to an amazing Classic weekend,” said David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Tickets to the Cleveland Classic football game are now on sale through Ticketmaster and start at $15. FOX Sports Ohio is the official television sponsor of the Cleveland Classic game and will air it live in High Definition. As the area’s leading provider of local sports programming, FOX Sports Ohio reaches more than five million households in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, western Pennsylvania, western New York and West Virginia.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.clevelandclassicfootball.com.

FAMU A.D. Derek Horne's Rattler Progress Report

You will want to watch the exclusive interviews (see below) conducted by Tallahassee WCTV's Elton Gumbel with Florida A&M University athletic director Derek Horne. I can honestly say that the RattlerNation is well pleased with Horne's actions to raise the bar on Rattler athletics.

Yes, we know the Rattlers men basketball program need some serious attention, but that's coming with the completion of the present coaching staff contracts.

When the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., finalizes negotiations with Southern University to be the 2011 classic opponent for FAMU, the football schedule will have some great new flavor, with Fort Valley State (SIAC), University of South Florida (Big East), North Carolina Central (MEAC) and possibly Southern (SWAC).

The FVSU Wildcats finished 8-2 in 2010, and will be an exciting season opener for FVSU's eighth president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers on his return to the hill. Dr. Rivers previously served as one of two FAMU “distinguished university professor” and dean of the FAMU College of Arts and Sciences. We will talk more about the schedule later.

Now, back to Derek Hornes and his perspectives on where he is leading the Rattlers athletic programs.

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Just a few years ago the FAMU Rattlers' athletic road seemed to be full of speed bumps and maybe even a few wrong turns. But now their Wahnish Way is brighter and brighter by the day. For the last 149 days (and counting), Quitman, Georgia native Derek Horne has been settling into his role as athletic director.

Having the Rattlers win a MEAC football title just 4 months into the job helps make the new gig easier... But now that FAMU has transitioned from football and started putting the focus on Winter and Spring sports, the new leader has had a little bit of time to sit back and evaluate the state of the program. Safe to say, he likes what he sees.

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Please Click Each Title below to view WCTV Video Interview

FAMU's Derek Horne on FAMU Optimism
FAMU's Derek Horne Unplugged
FAMU's Derek Horne on Spring Sports
FAMU's Derek Horne on Atlanta Classic Changes
FAMU's Derek Horne on First 4 Months as A.D.

WSSU rallies to beat Chowan

Winston-Salem State’s new uniforms were nearly a bust. The Rams had to rally from a 13-point deficit on Thursday night at a packed Gaines Center but did enough to hold off upstart Chowan 65-62. Chowan didn’t look at all like a team that was 1-9 coming into the game.

“How many times can I tell my guys that every team in this league is going to give us their best shot?” a sweat-soaked Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams said afterward. “(Chowan) was very good, and they made us play their style.”

What the Hawks did to the Rams (9-2, 3-1 CIAA) was use an effective halfcourt trap that had the Rams running in circles most of the night. The Hawks went on a 14-4 run to start the second half and with 16:45 left had what appeared to be a comfortable 13-point lead.

Transfer worked out for Medley, WSSU

Turning around a program is never easy, but junior Courtney Medley, a transfer from Elon, is doing all she can to help the Winston-Salem State women's basketball team.

Medley leads the team in scoring with an average of 14.4 points and has been a big reason Coach Steve Joyner Jr.'s first WSSU team has been able to escape the losing ways of recent seasons.

"She's definitely stepped up to be a leader, especially when you talk about scoring and being aggressive on the offensive end," Joyner said. "I kind of tease her that she needs to do that a little more on the defensive end, but for right now, she's meeting all of my expectations."

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