Friday, January 28, 2011

SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff



SSU’s Davenport remains a one-man coaching staff

With National Signing Day eight days away (Feb. 2), Savannah State University’s football program remains a one-man coaching staff. Steve Davenport, formerly the running backs coach at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, was hired Jan. 7 to replace Julius Dixon, the Tigers’ interim head coach since Jan. 28, 2010.

Davenport has not hired any assistant coaches, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said in an e-mail Sunday in response to an inquiry from the Savannah Morning News.

SSU gets verbal from Duluth LB

Justin Dixon, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound linebacker at Duluth High School, has verbally committed to play football at Savannah State University, the Gwinnett Daily Post reported.

Dixon, Duluth’s leading tackler the past two seasons, was named to the All-Region 7-AAAAA second team last season as a linebacker. He made 98 tackles, including two sacks, last season. As a junior, Dixon made 120 tackles, including two sacks.

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Thursday, January 27, 2011

New Mexico defends recruiting policies after Addison re-commits to B-CU

Bethune-Cookman University Head Coach Brian Jenkins
Following what his coach characterized as a disastrous flirtation with the University of New Mexico, Spoto three-way star Nick Addison has reaffirmed his commitment to Bethune-Cookman.

Spartans coach Dale Caparaso confirmed Addison's re-commitment Thursday. Addison, who committed to B-CU last fall, re-opened his recruitment and visited New Mexico last weekend, but Caparaso said the Lobos rescinded their offer after Addison and his mother made the cross-country flight to Albuquerque.

"They brought him out there and knew they were going to pull the scholarship," Caparaso said in a text message to the Times. "New Mexico paid for his trip. His mother paid for her trip. Pretty poor way of doing business. We all were shocked."

Spoto's Addison Commits To Bethune-Cookman After New Mexico Debacle

Dominic “Nic” Addison, arguably the most athletically gifted player in Hillsborough County prep football will play for Bethune-Cookman University next fall. He informed me that he will head to Daytona Beach this weekend for a face-to-face visit with Wildcat head coach Brian Jenkins where he will confirm his commitment to them. The 6’3” 180-pound dual threat Spoto High senior can do it all on the gridiron. He completed 24 TD passes as the Spartan QB last season but will be a shutdown cornerback, the position he prefers, at BCU. He ended his high school career with seven interceptions, including one plus a fumble recovery versus state power Plant, but most teams did not dare throw in his direction.

Click here for Addison's 2009 highlights 
Videographer: bigcountypreps.com

Spoto's Nick Addison re-opening his recruiting

Spoto two-way football standout Nick Addison, who committed to Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman just before Thanksgiving, is apparently opening up his recruiting again.

Addison, a Times' all-Suncoast first-team selection, said Friday evening that he is planning an official visit to New Mexico on Jan. 21. It is his only scheduled official visit. He said the Lobos are recruiting him as an athlete, so he might play cornerback or even wide receiver at New Mexico.

The 6-foot-3 senior emerged as a lockdown cornerback last season, but thrived this fall as Spoto's starting quarterback, throwing for 2,410 and 24 touchdowns, second-most in the bay area to Jefferson quarterback Florida Mr. Football Quentin Williams, who has committed to Bethune-Cookman.

Spoto's Addison a threat on both sides of the field

Ole Miss, Washington State and Iowa State have offered Addison scholarships and are recruiting him at cornerback.

RIVERVIEW, FL - Spoto senior Nick Addison is the type of player that can change the outcome of a football game, on both sides of the field. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he can throw, run, catch, defend and dish out punishing hits. Too bad Spoto can't clone more of him. In his last three games, he's put on quite a show.

In Friday's season opener against Wharton, a 37-10 victory, Addison finished the night with 300 total yards and five touchdowns. He threw for 239 passing yards with four touchdowns on plays of 4, 77, 9 and 35 yards and rushed for 61 yards with a touchdown.

Pick a position, any position, and Spoto's Addison can conquer it

RIVERVIEW, FL — Given Nick Addison’s ability to light up the scoreboard at quarterback, shut down opposing receivers at cornerback, and return kickoffs and punts, Spoto coach Dale Caparaso was already convinced his do-it-all senior could fill any need the Spartans had.

But last Thursday, while Spoto was going through its usual walkthrough on the field, Addison managed to again leave his coach bewildered. Rather than stand back and watch the second-team offense, the senior grabbed a ball, holder and center, went to the other side of the field and started nailing 40-yard field goals.

“Son, why didn’t you tell us you could do this?” Caparaso asked. “Coach,” Addison responded, “you didn’t ask.”

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Football, baseball and basketball star Ron Davis III set sights on colleges as National Signing Day Approaches


Videographer: rdavis1906

It's never too early to start setting goals and Ron Davis (dad) has the right ideal to get Ronald Davis III exposed to GSU Tigers fever. Watch, as the Grambling State University Marching Band serves as background to the exploits of a possible future Tigers 3-Sports superstar. The kid has talent and is well worth the long wait.

National signing day is February 2, 2011.  Tune in to read the latest on the bumper crop of talented student-athletes expected to sign National Letters of Intent with the CIAA, SIAC, SWAC and MEAC programs.

Grambling excited for its first Urban Invitational

James Cooper isn't even 30 years old, and he has only been the head baseball coach at Grambling State University for one full season. But he has already experienced some of the difficulties that come with trying to recruit the best baseball talent to a small college.

Twice he has seen an athlete essentially commit to his program, only to be spurned. One of those players went instead to Louisiana State, which guaranteed the recruit a walk-on spot.

And he has seen potential recruits turn down baseball for basketball and football elsewhere. That has happened at least four times.

Grambling State University Head Baseball Coach James Cooper















URBAN INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Date  Time   Game
2/25 6:30 p.m. Southern vs. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/25 6 p.m. B-CU vs. Grambling UYA
2/26 1 p.m. UC Irvine v.s B-CU* UYA
2/26 5 p.m. Grambling vs. Southern* UYA
2/27 1:05 p.m. Grambling vs. UC Irvine UC Irvine
2/27 1 p.m. Southern vs. B-CU UYA
* Broadcast on MLB Network
All times PT

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FAMU near top of list for Eastside's Powell

Offers are on the table from Bowling Green, Towson State, North Carolina A&T, and Marshall in addition to one from FAMU.

On the drive to Tallahassee for a visit at Florida A&M, the potential of becoming a Rattler football player wasn't in Eastside linebacker Darius Powell's plans. The trip was just part of what recruits do during the weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

While driving back home to Gainesville, Mike Powell realized that his son had added FAMU to the list of schools that he's seriously considering.

“Everybody knows that he is really, really interested,” Mike Powell said Wednesday, stopping short of officially disclosing his son's intentions to play football at FAMU. “Now FAMU is as strong as anyone that he is considering.”


Videographer: kissimmee352

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Fort Valley State University Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Fort Valley, GA - The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) will face one of its most challenging seasons with the announcement of its' 2011 football schedule. The rigorous campaign includes trips to two of the most popular Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs in the nation, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune Cookman University (BCU).

This year's meeting between FVSU and FAMU will be the first since the Wildcats upset the Rattlers (19-14) in Tallahassee in 1984. When FVSU travels to...

Fla. A&M, Delta St. and Bethune Cookman highlight FVSU's 2011 football schedule

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) enters the 2011 football campaign with an exponentially more difficult schedule on paper with the addition of two teams from the always-tough Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Bethune Cookman and Florida A&M.

Both Bethune Cookman and FAMU finished with identical 7 and 1 conference records in 2010 and pose a serious challenge for the upcoming season.

Wildcats in for a "Wild' ride in 2011 Football Season

Fort Valley, GA – The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) will face one of its most challenging seasons with the announcement of its’ 2011 football schedule. The rigorous campaign includes trips to two of the most popular Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs in the nation, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune Cookman University (BCU).

This year’s meeting between FVSU and FAMU will be the first since the Wildcats upset the Rattlers (19-14) in Tallahassee in 1984. When FVSU travels to Daytona Beach to meet the Wildcats of BCU, they will be playing the defending co-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champions. BCU shared the 2010 title with FAMU and South Carolina State University. The last time FVSU and BCU played was in 1964.

The 2011 schedule also features a bout between the FVSU Wildcats and region opponent, the Statesmen of Delta State University of the Gulf South Conference. The match up will be played at Wildcat Stadium and is the first between the two schools since the Wildcats defeated the Statesmen in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Division II Playoffs.

The start of the 2011 also marks the beginning of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) transition to an East/West Divisional format with the winner of each division competing for the conference title on November 12th in Columbus, Ga.

As a member of the East division, FVSU will play seven conference games in 2011.

Conference match ups include away games at Clark Atlanta University, Benedict College, and Kentucky State University. Home, conference contests include visits to Wildcat Stadium by Tuskegee University, Morehouse College, and Stillman College. The October 22nd game against Stillman College has been designated as Homecoming 2011 for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will conclude the regular season on November 5th in the 22nd Annual Fountain City Classic when they meet the Golden Rams of Albany State University at McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ga.



“Talk about a challenging schedule! This is about as demanding as they come,” said third-year FVSU Head Coach Donald Pittman. “The combination of two FCS schools, a region opponent who made last year’s NCAA playoffs, and an always tough conference schedule, provides us with an opportunity to show just how competitive FVSU football can truly be. While challenging, we embrace the chance for a real breakout season for Wildcats Football. From start to finish, this will be an exciting year for the Wildcats.”

Those wishing to reserve tickets for the 2011 season can contact the FVSU Cashier's Office at 478-825-6433 or go to the following link on FVSU's website: http://www.wildcatticketoffice.com.

2011 FVSU Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT CONFERENCE GAME HOME / AWAY LOCATION TIME
9/3/2011 Florida A&M University A Tallahassee, FL 6 p.m.
9/10/2011 Delta State University H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
9/17/2011 Clark Atlanta University * A Atlanta, GA 2 p.m.
9/24/2011 Benedict College * A Columbus, SC 6 p.m.
10/1/2011 Tuskegee University * H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
10/8/2011 Kentucky State University * A Frankfort, KY 1 p.m.
10/15/2011 Bethune Cookman University A Daytona Beach, FL TBA
10/22/2011 Stillman College (Homecoming) * H Fort Valley, GA 2 p.m.
10/29/2011 Morehouse College(Senior Day)* * H Fort Valley, GA 6 p.m.
11/5/2011 Albany State (22nd Annual Fountain City Classic)*N Columbus, GA 2 p.m.
11/12/2011 SIAC Championship * N TBA TBA

By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
LINK: FVSUSPORTS


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Nansemond River Warrior now sprints for Norfolk State Spartans

James Taylor won seven individual state track crowns and two state titles on Nansemond River relay teams. He made Virginia prep sports history as a Warrior senior becoming the first athlete to win four individual state championships in the same indoor meet.

Two things off the track slowed him down for a year, the SAT and NCAA rules. Taylor missed one year from the Norfolk State track team for being academically ineligible.

“Academically ineligible” sounds bad. It sounds as though it’s something a young person might not rebound from, academically or athletically.

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Videographer: sixerthree

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Jackson State QB's recovery is 'going well'

Quarterback Casey Therriault's recovery from a broken collarbone is "going well," Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said.

A right-handed thrower, Therriault broke his right collarbone in the second quarter of JSU's season-ending win over Alcorn State. Comegy said his quarterback is no longer wearing an arm sling and should participate in spring practice. "We're going to be very careful with him," Comegy said.

Therriault finished with the second most passing yards in the Football Championship Subdivision last season and a school record-tying 31 touchdowns.



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Former Michigan quarterback Forcier headed to S.C. State?

Trading in the maize and blue for garnet and white. That is apparently what South Carolina State is hoping former University of Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier will consider as he mulls his future options. According to ESPN.com and The Sporting News, the sophomore mentioned the Orangeburg university among eight schools he is examining as transfer options.

S.C. State, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Florida A&M and Montana were the three Football Championship Subdivision schools Forcier mentioned as destinations. He also told the news outlet that Football Bowl Subdivision schools Miami, Washington, Baylor, San Diego State, New Mexico and Middle Tennessee State are also under consideration, although enrolling there would require him to sit out a year.



Tate Forcier Transfer Options Include Miami, Washington, Florida A&M and South Carolina State

Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tate Forcier, who infamously sent out multiple tweets to announce he was transferring from the school, has announced a list that could include his next landing spot. Forcier is considering a wide range of schools that includes Washington, Miami, New Mexico, San Diego State, Middle Tennessee State and Baylor. Plus he is considering a few FCS schools in Montana, South Carolina State and Florida A&M.

Forcier is planning on looking for his next school immediately:

Tate Forcier mulls next move

Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier said Tuesday that Miami, Washington, Baylor, San Diego State, Middle Tennessee State and New Mexico are among the FBS schools he is considering transferring to. Forcier said he is also considering lower-division schools such as Montana, South Carolina State and Florida A&M.

"I'm really just looking for the best situation and the best opportunity," Forcier said. "I have a few schools at all levels that I'm interested in. I'm going to set up all my visits as early as possible because all the schools are already wanting me to come visit starting this weekend."

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MEAC to use some instant replay

Norfolk, VA  - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will institute instant replay during its 2011 football games broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

After the season, the MEAC will evaluate the replay system's effectiveness and future implementation.

Pough gets wish - MEAC to experiment with instant replay

When asked in 2007 about the possibility of instant replay being used by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in football games, S.C. State head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough was an immediate supporter

"We need in this league more than anybody," he said. "The lower level leagues, supposedly those of us in the Football Championship Subdivision style probably need it more than the big leagues.

"Now whether or not we can afford it or not, I don't know. But we need it BAD!!!"

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

'BIG SPOON': Former SHS player to showcase his football talent in all-star game

AAMU's  Frank "Big Spoon" Kearse
Frank "Big Spoon" Kearse's ability to make the best of situations could result in an NFL job.

A 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior defensive tackle at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Kearse got his nickname as a freshman because Justin Harper, a junior defensive tackle at the time, noticed Kearse ate all of his meals with a spoon.

"I didn't really know the campus and the cafeteria and stuff like that, and the first thing I always saw when I went in the cafeteria was the spoons," Kearse said during a telephone interview last week. "There were forks on the other side, but I never knew about the other side. My teammates noticed that I ate everything with a spoon for the first couple of months after I got here."

A&M's Kearse Named to NFL Players Association Game, formerly the Texas vs. The Nation Game

NORMAL, AL – Defensive lineman Frank Kearse was recently named to the Texas versus the Nation All-Star football contest to be held in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 5, 2011.

Kearse complied four memorable years on “The Hill”. The 6-5, 325 pound, defensive tackle amassed 122 tackles, five passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, a block kick, 44 games played, 7 sacks for 35 yards and 2 interceptions.

The Savannah, Georgia native participated in the Russell Athletic HBCU bowl which was played in Atlanta, Georgia on December 18, 2010 in the Georgia Dome. Before the start of the 2010 season Kearse was named to the 2010 Preseason All-SWAC first team, 2010.

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Winston-Salem subdues Brevard

Winston-Salem State took a break from its CIAA schedule Monday night but couldn't completely coast against Brevard at the Gaines Center.

The Rams (13-3) had their inside game working and hit enough from the outside to carve out a 77-64 victory. It was their third game in five days, but they showed no signs of fatigue.

"It was a hard game, and it's hard just playing a team that's not in your conference," said center Paul Davis, who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. "It was a different style of play, and they aren't as fast as most CIAA teams, but they shoot the ball really well…. We played a good team tonight."

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AMTRAK STEPS UP AS TITLE SPONSOR OF 2011 CIAA STEPSHOW CAMPUS TOUR

Amtrak sponsors multi-city tour and continues sponsorship of CIAA Tournament Stepshow at Charlotte Convention Center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Amtrak is the proud title sponsor of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Stepshow Campus Tour visiting 13 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) campuses throughout Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, January 18-27, 2011. The tour will end at the 2011 CIAA Tournament Stepshow at the Charlotte Convention Center on March 4, 2011 where Amtrak is also a sponsor.

"Amtrak is excited to serve as title sponsor of the CIAA Stepshow Campus Tour," said Sharon Gilbert, Amtrak Field Marketing Manager for North and South Carolina. "Combined with our continued sponsorship of the CIAA Stepshow at the Convention Center, Amtrak shows its commitment to the advancement of the HBCU community. Plus, this is fun!"

Campus stops will include music, entertainment, games, prizes and give-a-ways to the CIAA Tournament and Stepshow. Amtrak will visit the following 13 CIAA-affiliated HBCU campuses:

Elizabeth City State University / Fayetteville State

Saint Augustine College / Shaw University / Livingstone College

Johnson C. Smith University / Saint Paul's College / Virginia State University

Virginia Union University / Bowie State University / Chowan University

Lincoln University / Winston Salem State University



During the Stepshow on March 4, attendees will also get a chance to play an Amtrak mobile trivia game on the Convention Center's jumbotron for a free trip on Amtrak.

For more information about the tour, stepshow and tickets please visit www.earthquakeproductions.net. Visit Amtrak's African American microsite, MyBlackJourney.com for more information on Amtrak's work in the African American community.

About Amtrak:
Amtrak is America's Railroads, the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeysm at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Amtrak.

Oakley likes to listen, then he makes his point

Don't let the touch of gray in Charles Oakley's hair lead you to think he's going soft. "Everybody that knows Oak knows how he is. He only knows one way - tough," Charlotte Bobcats center Kwame Brown says. "That's how he played. That's how he is as a man. He's straightforward and in your face."

Oakley might be 47 years old now - eight years removed from his NBA playing career - but the toughness that defined him remains. It's one of the reasons he was called to join coach Paul Silas' staff as an assistant after Larry Brown was fired.

The thick, muscular 6-foot-9 frame that was instantly recognizable to a generation of NBA fans remains.


Videographer: ESNEWS
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TSU men toppled by Mississippi Valley State 89-76

ITTA BENA, Miss. — Terrence Joyner scored 21 points as Mississippi Valley State got off to a sizzling start and held on to beat Texas Southern 89-76 Monday night. The Delta Devils (7-13, 6-1) moved into a tie for the Southwestern Athletic Conference lead with the Tigers (8-10, 6-1) and idle Jackson State.

Mississippi Valley, which averaged 77.5 points in its first six SWAC contests, nearly reached that by intermission, taking a 60-36 halftime lead on 63.9-percent shooting (23 of 36).

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B-CU Wildcats take over 1st in MEAC

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Facing last place Howard on Monday, Bethune-Cookman needed a win to hold onto a share of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. With a little help, Bethune-Cookman (11-9, 6-1) did one better. The Wildcats won 56-49 in front of a crowd of 800 at the Ocean Center.

And their conference co-leader, Hampton, lost to Florida A&M, giving B-CU sole possession of the top spot in the MEAC.

Photo Gallery

HOWARD WOMEN BREEZE PAST WILDCATS

Daytona Beach, FL – The Howard University women's basketball team defeated Bethune Cookman, 56-42 at the Ocean Center on Mon. Jan. 24.  HU improves 6-14 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Bethune Cookman started the game with a jumper from Amanda Hairston. The Lady Wildcats took the lead with an 8-1 run. HU stopped the run with a jumper by Kara Smith at the 16:14 mark to make it 9-3.

Doyle's 27 leads Howard past B-CU

DAYTONA BEACH -- Two days after pulling off a 17-point comeback win, Bethune-Cookman found itself in need of another rally, but it wasn't in the cards against Howard. The Wildcats started strong in the game at the Ocean Center on Monday. But then their offense fell apart in a 56-42 loss.

Down nine at the half (30-21), the Wildcats (9-9, 3-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) started the second half with five straight turnovers and didn't score a basket for nearly seven minutes.

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FAMU shocks Hampton

Florida A&M basketball coach Eugene Harris doesn't take off his jacket except on a rare occasion.

Monday night was one of them. With 37.2 seconds on the clock and the Rattlers holding a three-possession lead on the top team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Harris was down to his white shirt and tie. On the other end, Hampton University's head coach Edward Joyner constantly wiped the sweat that had beaded up on his face, as if he knew his team's second conference loss was inevitable.

It reached the boiling point in the Lawson Center when the final buzzer went off with FAMU on top of the Pirates 62-58. Beating Hampton (15-5, 5-2 MEAC) is the biggest upset in the program's history since the team made it to the NCAA Tournament four years ago.



Rattlers Women come up short against Hampton

For 14 minutes, the Florida A&M women's basketball team executed the game plan to perfection Monday night at the Lawson Center. Then, the Rattlers stopped getting rebounds and Hampton University began to find gaping holes in their man-defense.

By the time FAMU gathered itself it didn't have enough time to avoid a 59-47 loss on a night when a win would have made the difference between being in a first-place tie with the Pirates (13-6, 6-1) or where they have fallen to fourth place in the MEAC.

Pirates with a tough road loss at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, FLA – The Hampton University men’s basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped on Monday night, as the Pirates fell 62-58 to Florida A&M at the Lawson Center.

Junior guard Kwame Morgan II hit a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to pull Hampton within three, 58-55, before hitting a free throw with 15 seconds left to cut the score to 60-58. Yannick Crowder and Amin Stevens each hit a free throw down the stretch, and junior guard Christopher Tolson missed what would’ve been a game-tying 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining.

Florida A&M upsets Hampton; Pirates' three-game win streak snapped

Florida A&M (7-12, 2-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) snapped a three-game Hampton (15-5, 5-2) winning streak with a 62-58 win and knocked the Pirates out of a first-place tie with Bethune-Cookman.

The Pirates' Kwame Morgan hit a 3 with 36 seconds left and a free throw with 15 left to bring the game to 60-58. The Rattlers' Yannick Crowder and Amin Stevens hit one free throw apiece, and the Pirates’ Christopher Tolson missed a game-tying 3 with nine seconds left.

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Paine coach Ronnie Spry resigns

Augusta, Ga-- After 31 years at the helm of the Paine College men's basketball team and as the school's athletic director, today, Ronnie Spry steps down and resigning both positions.

Emotions were running high as Spry made the decision with family and friends on hand. This comes mid-season in the midst of controversy surrounding Spry and the program. You may remember he's has been on administrative leave for nearly a month now and his future had been uncertain. While no one, including spry, will address why exactly he was placed on leave, he's just glad the situation has been resolved.



Paine College Issues Statement On Ron Spry's Indefinite Leave


Augusta, GA -- Paine College athletic director and men's basketball head coach Ron Spry is still awaiting the decision of the college in regards to his indefinite administrative leave from the school. Paine College officials issued a statement Wednesday. WJBF News Channel 6 Sports' Merissa Lynn has more.

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Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta



BATTLE OF THE BANDS: Marching 101 to compete Jan. 29 in Atlanta

South Carolina State University's Marching 101 has joined the ranks of the top eight Historically Black College and University marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

Other bands participating in the showcase, set for Jan. 29 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, are Virginia State University's Marching Trojan Explosion, Albany State University's Marching Rams Show Band, Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South, Bethune Cookman University's Marching Wildcats, Clark Atlanta University's Mighty Marching Panthers, Winston-Salem State University's Red Sea of Sound and Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands.

Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

FAMU's Marching 100 won't defend Honda Battle of the Bands title in Atlanta

Has the Marching 100 lost its mojo?  The Marching 100, Florida A&M University's famed marching band, will not be defending its title later this month in the annual Honda Battle of the Bands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Marching 100, winners of the event last year, didn't receive enough votes to qualify as 2011 finalists.

The voting process is broken down among fans, band directors and university presidents, said Erika Braxton-White, a spokeswoman for Honda. Each band director and university president gets one vote for any band except their own.

"We didn't campaign to participate," said Julian White, Marching 100 band director. He noted that the band wanted to focus this semester primarily on concert band performances.

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WSSU races past Fayetteville State

There were no empty seats at the Gaines Center for Winston-Salem State's showdown with Fayetteville State on Saturday night.

On a night when several past WSSU greats were honored, Lamar Monger stole the show. He scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Rams to a 76-62 victory in front of 3,200. It was as full as the Gaines Center has been since the Rams were last in the CIAA, five years ago.

"We had all these Hall of Famers and our fans here watching, so we couldn't let them down," said forward McIntoche Alcius, who had eight points and five rebounds. "After watching those legends get their jerseys honored and all that (on Friday night) we kind of got excited, so we wanted to play well."

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

SU women beat ASU for fourth straight victory

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Defense, rebounding and strong guard play helped the Southern women’s basketball team in a 50-41 victory at Alabama State on Saturday night, extending the Jaguars’ winning streak to four games. Now, it’s on to Alabama A&M and a showdown for control of the Southwestern Athletic Conference race.

Saturday night in the Dunn-Lover Acadome, for the seventh time in seven conference games, Southern shot below 40 percent from the floor — but the Jaguars, as usual, made sure their 50 points were enough.

Southern (9-8, 6-1) forced 20 turnovers and owned a 33-25 advantage in rebounds against Alabama State (4-13, 1-5). The Lady Hornets got 14 points from Tanika Jackson and 10 points from Erica Henderson, but six of their 11 players went scoreless.

ASU falls short, Moorer or less

Former Central-Hayneville standout Tramayne Moorer returned to the Alabama State lineup for just the second time this season Saturday.

He responded with only the third double-double by a Hornet this season, scoring a team-high 11 points and grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds. But it wasn't enough, as the Hornets lost to Southern 64-52 at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

For Moorer, it's a double dose of frustration. Sidelined for all but one game of his second and third years at ASU with a broken kneecap and a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA to play this season.

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A throwback page from FAMU Marching 100 history -- the Hundred' greatest hits!

Sixty-five years is a long time to be a dynasty in the music field, and without a doubt, Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band has been more than that and some more.

In the Spring of 1989, the Marching 100 was invited to represent the United States in the French Bicentennial Bastille Day Parade in Paris (Bicentennial of the French Revolution) by Artistic Director Jean Paul Goude.  The FAMU Marching 100 was the sole band from the U.S. invited.

Mr. Goude specifically requested that the Marching 100 play a medley of James Brown music, the Godfather of Soul.  Within this window before the world, Jean Paul Goude wanted the French people and the world to be exposed to Black Music, music based on African rhythms and riffs.  The band had made a lasting impression on Goude ten years earlier, while he lived in New York, and he had seen the Florida A&M band playing at the Super Bowl or some other game at the Orange Bowl. He thought the band was extraordinary and needless to say, it left a lifetime impression on him.

The legendary Dr. William P. Foster stated, "this was a tribute to black music."

The parade was basically about the rights of man, first--representing all countries with a touch of African music. There was an under theme--World Music and world music is based on African music and rhythms.  The Bastille Day Parade would be a global showcase of the impact of African music on the world.

James Brown "influenced pop music like no one had  before and he deserved recognition," said Goude. Folks had made careers off of one riff of James Brown music and he was the "Godfather of Soul" in American music.

Goude, in a documentary explaining why the FAMU Marching 100 was chosen, stated, "Afro-American music is the music that makes the planet dance."  "Florida A&M University Marching 100 does it better than anyone else in the World."












The brilliant music arranger and composer, Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Assistant Director of Bands, Arranger made the rare transition in 1972 from recent graduate from FAMU (1971) to assistant university music arranger and composer under Mr. Richard Powell, a white guy from Puget Sound, Washington.  Powell was a truly gifted arranger that was a somewhat music pioneer in arranging wonderful black pop music of the day (late 60's -70's era) for the Marching 100. He was also an excellent music composition instructor.

Mr. Sarjeant has been  responsible for the powerful and dynamic, artistic sounds of the internationally famous Florida A&M University Marching 100 for nearly 40 years.  He is an Associate professor at Florida A&M University and serves as Director of Jazz Studies, director of jazz ensembles and arranger for the famous Marching “100” Band, symphonic Band and jazz ensemble. He is a brilliant jazz pianist, composer, jazz lecturer, jazz historian, adjudicator and jazz keyboard clinician.

Video number 9 and 10 are very rare--back in the day with black and white television and video cameras. Studying the Marching 100 performances from 1946 to 2011 is a doctoral thesis in our social, political and economic evolution and black pop music culture.  Like the Godfather of Soul revolutionized pop/soul music to the masses, so did the Marching 100 on the American and World stage.

(beepbeep)

Credits:
1. Videographer: BAGHDAD11B, "JAMES BROWN RIFFS" PART 1: FAMU HOMECOMING 08'
2. Videographer: BAGHDAD11B, "JAMES BROWN RIFFS" PART 2: FAMU HOMECOMING 08'
3. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28, FAMU 1989 Band "Spend The Night"
4. Videographer: FAMU 1996 "Knocks Me Off My Feet"
5. Videographer: hhorns2002, "FAMU 2008 Segment on "CBS Evening News"
6. Videographer: ImmaaBeGaga, "FAMU 2007 Super Bowl performance with PRINCE
7. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28,"Never Would Have Made It 2008 (ATL Classic)" with Minister Genleah "Star" Crawford, former FAMU Marching 100 Trombonist.
8. Videographer: bayshawn, "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral, 2007"
9. Videographer: hhorns2002, FAMU Marching 100, "Tribute to Paris" Halftime Show 1989 -- in Paris, France
10. Videographer: TAPEMASTER28, FAMU Marching 100 "Congratulations" - 1989

Sunday, January 23, 2011

NCAA Investigating Texas Southern University Athletics

The investigation is on inconsistent Academic Performance Program data provided to NCAA for the years of 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, found by the present university administration and self-reported.

HOUSTON - FOX 26 Sports has learned the NCAA is investigating the athletics programs at Texas Southern University. The school was formally notified of the investigation on Oct. 18, 2010. The investigation is scheduled to be completed next month according to a letter written by NCAA vice-president of enforcement David Price and sent to TSU president John Rudley.


NCAA Investigating TSU Athletics: MyFoxHOUSTON.com
LINKS:
READ NCAA Letter, Page 1
READ NCAA Letter, Page 2

TSU probe nears end

The NCAA’s investigation into possible violations committed by the Texas Southern athletic department is expected to be completed in February, according to a letter the NCAA sent the school Oct. 18.

The letter, which was obtained through an open records request, was written by NCAA vice president of enforcement David Price and addressed to TSU president John Rudley. It indicated that violations mostly involve those found by the institution and the NCAA during an Academic Performance Program data review.

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Former Redskins Vernon Dean terminated after drug charges

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- News out of Pine Bluff  Thursday is linebackers coach Vernon Dean has been terminated.

Pine Bluff police pulled over UAPB linebacker coach Vernon Dean on January 11 around 11- p.m. for turning without a signal and an improper turn.

According to the police report, officers searched Dean's car and found what tested positive to be crack cocaine in the vehicle.



Dean arrived at Pine Bluff in 2010 after spending the 2009 season at Fort Valley State where he coached outside linebackers. The Houston, Texas native spent seven seasons in the NFL tallying 22 interceptions and winning two Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins.

Dean NFL career ended in 1988 with the Seattle Seahawks. Wellington Vernon Dean played college football at San Diego State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft.

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Delaware State Snaps MSU's Streak, 70-65

DOVER, Del. – Jay Threat hit two free throws and Casey Walker drained a 3-pointer in the final moments to help Delaware State snap the Bears' 3-game winning streak with a 70-65 victory Saturday night before a packed crowd at Memorial Hall.

The Bears (8-8, 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) hadn't lost to Delaware State since a 56-53 overtime setback on March 9, 2007 at the semifinals of the MEAC Tournament, during Todd Bozeman's first year at the helm for Morgan State. From there, they went on to win three MEAC regular season titles, two MEAC tournament titles and two NCAA tournament appearances.

The loss also marked the first conference road loss suffered by the Bears since losing to Hampton on Feb. 23, 2009.

DSU men finally beat Morgan State

DOVER, DE -- Trevor Welcher had been the only player on the Delaware State men's basketball team who remembered what it felt like to defeat two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Morgan State.

That last happened March 9, 2007, in the conference tournament.

Welcher now has plenty of company in what had been an exclusive club after freshman forward Casey Walker drained a pivotal 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining to spark Delaware State to a dramatic 60-55 triumph over the Bears on Saturday.

DSU women falter against Morgan State

DOVER, DE -- Things can't get much more frustrating for coach Ed Davis and his Delaware State women's basketball team. The Hornets, who went more than nine minutes without scoring in the first half against Morgan State on Saturday, clawed their way back to within three points with 2:08 left.

That was as close as Delaware State would get as critical turnovers burned the Hornets down the stretch in a 51-44 loss to the Bears in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game. Davis, whose team suffered its third consecutive loss to fall to 5-12 overall, 1-4 in the MEAC, was left searching for answers.

PHOTO GALLERIES
DSU womens basketball

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