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Albany, Ga. - Good things come to those who wait. Just ask the Albany State women’s basketball team, which had to wait a little over a month to get another crack at Fort Valley State after the Lady Wildcats handed the Lady Rams their first conference loss (74-69) in early January.
So when the time finally came for ASU to take the court against one of its fierce rivals, the Lady Rams did not hold anything back, especially Kourtney Alexander who scored a career-high 35 points, as ASU soundly defeated FVSU, 82-69, Saturday night.
“We needed this win,” ASU coach Robert Skinner said of the victory, which propelled into sole possession of No. 1 in the SIAC. Skinner than added: “This is what we have been waiting for, a chance to get an opportunity to get Fort Valley back in Albany and it feels good and we are really pleased with the win (Saturday night).”
The win gives ASU (15-9, 14-4 in the SIAC) sole possession of the No. 1 spot in the conference, while FVSU (15-9, 13-5) drops to the second spot.
Nashville --- The Tennessee State University softball team will officially kick-off the 2011 season at the fourth annual Tiny Laster HBCU classic this weekend in Conyers, Georgia.
The three-day event, named in honor of Hampton University's legendary softball and volleyball coach, will be held February 12 through 14, 2011, at the Earl O'Neal Sports Complex, located at 2709 Old Covington Road, Conyers, Georgia.
Teams from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) will participate in an inter-conference round robin tournament.
The Tigers will face four schools from the MEAC : South Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T, Hampton University and Florida A&M.
TSU will face South Carolina State in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the Tigers take on North Carolina A&T at 3 p.m.
South Carolina State was predicted to finish fourth in the Southern Division of the MEAC preseason poll. Last year the Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 9-43, winning one of their last three games.
North Carolina A&T was selected to finish third in the Southern Division of the MEAC after finishing last year with an overall record of 27-26.
On Sunday, TSU will match-up with Hampton University in the morning game at 10 a.m. before competing against Florida A&M in the afternoon game.
Hampton University, the only school from the Northern Division of the MEAC that TSU will face was picked to finish third in a preseason poll. The Lady Pirates are led by preseason selection Kelsei Saunders. HU finished last season with an overall record of 21-38.
Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the Southern Division of the MEAC. The 2009 MEAC Champions are led by preseason selection Jasmine Donaldson. The Rattlers concluded the 2010 season with an overall record of 30-24.
North Carolina A&T State University has dominated this tournament for the past two years posting a perfect 8-0 record. During the life span of this tournament, the MEAC and SWAC have split years in collecting the most wins for the tournament.
Tennessee State was scheduled to participate in the Tiny Laster tournament last year but it was canceled due to the inclement weather in the Georgia area.
Under first year head coach Jeff Dabney, Tennessee State returned nine letterwinners from last year's team that finished 11-34 and added seven newcomers to the squad. Among the key returners include seniors Caitlin Eaton and Brittany Webb.
Eaton and Webb were the offensive leaders for the Tigers for the majority of last season. They led TSU in the categories of batting average, hits, doubles and runs batted in.
NORFOLK, VA - Thin is in for Kyle O'Quinn. Anybody looking for answers as to why Norfolk State's 6-foot-10 junior center has been the best player in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past month should look no further than the scale. These days, it reads 235 pounds, 15 less than a year ago.
"I can get down the court now, almost all the time, where last year, I couldn't and didn't," said O'Quinn, who has averaged 25.4 points and 13.3 rebounds in his past five games. "Nothing tells you that you're dragging better than watching game film and running across a possession where your team is playing 4-on-5 because you haven't yet made it across half court."
So what spurred the weight loss? O'Quinn points to local high school basketball coach Walter Webb, whom O'Quinn met through a mutual acquaintance.
Today’s Game
WHO: Claflin (9-13, 8-12 SIAC) at Benedict (15-6, 15-4)
WHEN: Noon today
WHERE: HRC Arena, Benedict College
TV: CBS College Sports (channel 537 on Time Warner digital cable)
It’s been a long journey but Marcus Goode feels likes he has finally found a home. The much-traveled former Mid-Carolina star has landed less than 45 miles from his home and is leading a resurgent Benedict team to the top of the SIAC standings. Benedict is tied for the SIAC lead going into today’s game against Claflin at noon. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports.
“I went through a lot to get here,” Goode said of his journey. “I finally made it and I’m trying to stick with it. I’m here now and I just want to get my grades right and play ball.”
Goode’s travels have covered five schools. After playing at Mid-Carolina for two years, he transferred to the Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C., his final two years to try and get his grades in order.
The 6-foot-10, 295-pound center signed with Marshall but had to sit out his first year because of his grades. He played one semester during the 2008-09 season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds and eight minutes per game.
Ezinne Kalu's free throw with 4 seconds to play gave Savannah State University a 75-74 victory over Morris College in a women's basketball game Thursday night at Tiger Arena. A crowd of 610 watched as Kalu scored a game-high 34 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead SSU (12-10). Rikiah Gatlin added 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Morris College (7-17), an NAIA team from Sumter, S.C., was led by Tyneshia Eaddy, who scored 23 points. Staci Holmes and Erica Wilkerson scored 13 points apiece.
Morris led twice in the game. The Hornets took their first lead, 69-67, with 2:53 to play on Shaniqua Campbell's layup. SSU's Kalu made two free throws with 1:52 left to tie the game at 69.
HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Alabama A&M will play a former rival at home for the first time in over a decade along with a up-and-coming program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in addition to its rugged Southwestern Athletic Conference slate of games as athletics director Betty Austin released the school's football schedule Thursday.
The Bulldogs' non-conference schedule features a trip to Hampton University and a home game against long-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Tuskegee in addition to nine SWAC games.
"I think it's a very good schedule," Austin said. "We're returning a game at Hampton and our fans wanted Tuskegee for the Louis Crews Classic. What concerns me is...
Stump Mitchell, quite naturally, wants to win more than two games in his second season as Southern University’s football coach. Apparently, his team won’t grow fat on weak opponents. SU’s schedule for 2011 includes three games in NFL stadiums, home games against big rivals and a first month that looks like a doozy.
Southern opens its season in Nashville, Tenn., against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.
After that, the Jaguars face Alabama A&M and Jackson State on back-to-back Saturdays, followed by an appearance at the Georgia Dome in the Atlanta Football Classic, against an opponent to be announced later (Florida A&M University Rattlers).
September
3 Tennessee State Nashville, Tenn.
10 Alabama A&M Baton Rouge
17 Jackson State Baton Rouge
24 Florida A&M Atlanta Football Classic Atlanta October
1 at Mississippi Valley State Itta Bena, Miss.
8 Prairie View Baton Rouge
A week after National Signing Day, Florida A&M added more depth at two positions — quarterback and offensive line — that were on the brink of depletion by the end of last season when the Rattlers ended up sitting sophomore quarterback Martin Ukpai and going on to win a share of the MEAC football championship.
Thursday, Coach Joe Taylor announced the signing of quarterback Damien Fleming, a 6-foot-3, 175-pounder out of Jacksonville Ribault High School. FAMU also signed Ryan Templeton, a highly touted 6-foot-5, 280 pound offensive lineman from Chicago.
The signings give FAMU 24 of 25 players that it recruited leading up to signing day. Taylor also confirmed that Ukpai, whose inconsistencies cost him the starting job in the last three games last season, has left the program. He's now attending a junior college in South Florida, Taylor said.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Videographer: ospreywill;
Damien Fleming is an athletic quarterback with a live arm who can make all the throws. He is an accurate passer who has the ability to throw in the pocket or on the move & get the ball to his man. Damien has verbally committed to Vanderbilt university over offers from West Virgina & Southern. He has also received interest from Southern Miss, Louisville, Wisconsin, Ole Miss & Middle Tennessee St. Fleming is a 3.3 student and is the captain of the basketball team.
T.F. South senior offensive linemen Ryan Templeton said he is glad he chose a school in Florida. With school canceled Wednesday because of the weather, Templeton couldn't fax his letter of intent to play football for Florida A&M, which is located in Tallahassee. He said he will fax it today or Friday, weather permitting.
"I couldn't even get out of my house," Templeton said. "I called the coaches (at Florida A&M) and told them I would fax it over this week. I am still going there. "Next year at this time, I guess I won't have to worry about snow down in Florida. I hope not."
T.F. South High School's Ryan Templeton, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior, signed Wednesday with Floria A&M.
LANSING, IL | Ryan Templeton didn't need to take dance lessons to get his steps down. He just simply worked on his footwork. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound tackle knows he has to be agile as Templeton moves from right tackle to left tackle.
"I've got to be quicker, because on passing downs, I am protecting the blind side for (quarterback) Kevin Hallberg. I always tell him I got his blind side."
Hallberg is confident in his senior classmate. "He does tell me that, and I have all the confidence in Ryan, because I know he will make his blocks," Hallberg said. "He has really worked hard, and I know he lost a lot of weight since his freshman year, and he has just put in a lot of effort to getting better."
Videographer: RattlerBoosters; 2011 Rattler Signing Day Bash - Schedule & Team Analysis pt I
Jefferson second baseman Einar Munizhas committed to Bethune-Cookman University, Jefferson coach Pop Cuesta confirmed Thursday.
The 5-foot-3, 140-pound Muniz is small in stature, but has been one of the Dragons' top players. As a junior he hit .358 and struck out just five times in 81 at bats. He also made just three errors in the field in 28 games last year.
BCU Wildcats Pre-Season Pick to Repeat as MEAC Baseball Champs; O'Brien Named Pre-Season POTY, Four Named All-MEAC
NORFOLK, Va. - The votes are in and it's the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats getting the pre-season nod to be Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champions in the 2011 season, officials from the MEAC announced. The Wildcats are seeking their sixth consecutive MEAC title in 2011 under the guidance of 2010 MEAC Coach of the Year Mervyl Melendez. The Wildcats received a unanimous decision in the vote by the league's sports information directors and head coaches.
But the pre-season honors don't end there for the defending champions; B-CU junior catcher, recently tabbed as the #18 player in America by College Baseball Today, was selected as the MEAC's pre-season Player of the Year. O'Brien won final MEAC Player of the Year award last season.
oining O'Brien in recognition on the pre-season All-MEAC team, the 'Cats filled three other spots on the team. Pitcher Ali Simpson, first baseman Ryan Durrence, and outfielder DJ Leonard all earned pre-season accolades.
Joining the Wildcats on the Preseason Team is pre-season Pitcher of the Year Esterlin Paulino (NCAT), along with Ryan Shook (NSU), Marquis Riley (NCAT), Chris Joyce (NSU), Xavier Macklin (NCAT), John Lynch (NSU) and Bryan Chaikowsky (UMES).
The Wildcats set off their season on Friday, February 18th, as Alabama A&M travels to Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The first pitch of the 2011 B-CU season is set to be thrown at 6:00 p.m.
2011 MEAC Preseason Baseball Predictions
As voted on by the conference’s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
Team …................................. Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (14) .............. 196
2. North Carolina A&T ….................. 134
3. Norfolk State …........................... 128
4. Delaware State ........................... 100
5. Florida A&M ……........................... 60
6. Maryland Eastern Shore ................ 46
7. Coppin State .................................36
2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Preseason All-Conference Awards
As voted on by the conference’s Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
Player of the Year: Peter O’Brien, Bethune-Cookman Pitcher of the Year:Esterlin Paulino, North Carolina A&T
Pos Name School Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown
P Ali Simpson Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-2 170 Campbell River, British Columbia
P Esterlin Paulino North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-6 147 Santo Domingo
RP Ryan Shook Norfolk State Jr. 6-2 185 Virginia Beach, Va.
C Peter O’Brien Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-3 215 Miami Gardens, Fla.
1B Ryan Durrence Bethune-Cookman Sr. 6-2 230 Jacksonville, Fla.
2B Marquis Riley North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-10 190 Efland, N.C.
3B Chris Joyce Norfolk State Sr. 6-1 195 Chesapeake, Va.
OF DJ Leonard Bethune-Cookman Jr. 6-0 180 West Palm Beach, Fla.
OF Xavier Macklin North Carolina A&T Jr. 5-11 195 Rocky Mount, North Carolina
OF John Lynch Norfolk State Sr. 6-2 215 Newport News, Va.
DH Bryan Chaikowsky Maryland E. Shore Sr. 6-2 210 Bethlehem, Pa.
Demand for tickets to the 66th annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament is running ahead of last year’s pace. With former members Lincoln (Pa.) and Winston-Salem State universities rejoining the league, ticket sales are up, according to CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry. The men's and women's tournaments will take place Feb. 28-March 5 at Time Warner Cable Arena – their sixth year in Charlotte.
The CIAA consists of 13 schools – 12 of them historically black colleges and universities – from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Charlotte organizers and league officials have agreed to an extension of the tournament through 2014, the first time a host site has secured the event for nine straight years.
“Ticket sales are strong,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said at a press conference Feb. 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center. “Almost $2 million in ticket sales, that’s up from last year. What makes the CIAA go and what makes this great is the community, and the connection we have with the city.”
The tournament concludes March 5 with the women's final at 5 p.m. and the men’s final televised on ESPNU at 8 p.m. TV One will broadcast the men’s quarterfinals and the semifinal rounds.
CIAA alumni may buy tickets from their respective schools; the general public can buy them online at www.ciaatournament.org or Time Warner Cable Arena box office.
HAMPTON, VA – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) welcomes seven individuals as its 2011 class of inductees into the John B. McLendon, Jr. Hall of Fame. The honorees will officially be enshrined on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Charlotte Convention Center at 11:00am- as part of the CIAA Tournament’s week of events.
This year’s class is filled with star-power, exceptional talent and inspiring dedication to the conference through corporate support.
Anita Cooper Epps led the Lady Pirates Basketball Team to two Virginia Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (VAIAW) state championships; a CIAA tournament title, and to two appearances in the NCAA Division II national tournament. At the end of the 1986 season, Epps was named Kodak first team All-American and the American Women's Sports Foundation's Regional Player of the Year. She was voted to the All-CIAA team for the second time, captured Kodak All-District III honors and was named to the first team All-America by the Black College Sports Information Directors Association and made the National Association for Women's Sports All-America team. She currently holds the Hampton University career field goal record with a percentage of .542, is second in career field goals with 762 and is third in the Hampton University record book for career scoring with 1,795 points.
Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson spent 30 years coaching the nationally recognized Virginia State University “Woo-Woos” Cheering Squad. Setting the standard for HBCU cheering programs, the Woo Woos and Dr. Johnson have been featured on the BET television network, Urban Sports Network, ESPN and have had numerous appearances on locally based television stations. In the 1990's the squad performed at a boxing match staged by the legendary promoter Don King. In 1999, the Mayor of the City of Petersburg established “Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson Day”. Johnson is noted as the first female athletic director in VSU history and coached the VSU softball team to win its first CIAA Softball Championship. In the conference she was the first president and founder of the CIAA Cheerleader Coaches Association. She is 2003 inductee of the VSU Wall of Fame.
Gregory Hines is a four- year starter and men’s basketball letterman (1979-1983) for Hampton University. He is the university's second all-time scorer with 1,967 points and rebounder (1,254). Hines is ranked in the Top 30 of CIAA All-time career scorers and is 11th in CIAA career rebounding. He has been named as a three time All-American; CIAA Rookie of the Year (1980); CIAA MVP (1982), and is a member of both the 1982 and 1983 CIAA Championship teams. Even after his years as a Pirate, Mr. Hines continued to excel in his sport as an NBA draft choice for the Golden State Warriors. His professional sports career spanned for more than 12 years and included playing in Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, and Israel. Gregory Hines was inducted into the Hampton University Hall of Fame in 2009.
Charlie Neal began his broadcasting career over 30 years ago as a radio disc jockey before turning to television as a sportscaster, working for several affiliates in the Detroit, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. markets. In 1980, Charlie Neal commentated the first nationally televised regular season CIAA Basketball game and became the television voice and face of Black College Sports. Neal and Black Entertainment Television (BET) provided a platform to bring the CIAA into American homes. Neal became a part of the CIAA by serving as an emcee for tip-off banquets and refereeing CIAA All-Star games.
Yancey Thigpen was named to the All-CIAA Football teams of 1989 and 1990. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 4th round of the 1991 NFL Draft. After being drafted, he spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1992-97); breaking and recording several records which are still unbroken today. As a Steeler, he was a Pro Bowl alternate on special teams before emerging as one of the best receivers in the NFL. This two-time Pro Bowl honoree and most sought after free agent wide receiver, signed with the Tennessee Oilers; becoming the highest paid wide receiver in the league. Thigpen spent the next three years with the Oilers, assisting them in reaching the Super Bowl. Yancey Thigpen retired after the 2000 season with 313 career receptions for 5,081 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also rushed for four yards, returned two punts for 30 yards and gained 188 yards on eight kickoff returns.
Richard Franklin, Coca-Cola’s then African-American Consumer Marketing Manager, managed its corporate sponsor relationship with Commissioner Leon Kerry for a span of 18+ years. In 1998, he was involved in securing the first HBCU Conference $2 million dollar sponsorship commitment with the CIAA. He was also able to secure the first tournament visit of a Fortune 500 company president with the tournament participation of Coca-Cola Company President Jack Stahl. In 2003, he was instrumental in renewing the commitment for $3 million dollars and five more years. Under his guidance, Coca-Cola initiated numerous marketing programs such as the Ball Boy/Ball Girl program, the Slam Dunk Competition, the CIAA Step Show, High School Day sponsorship, the men's and women's tournament championship awards presentation, the Big House Gaines Men's Commemorative Championship Trophy and the Football Championship MVP trophies and hospitality tent.
James Morgan holds the CIAA Basketball Career rebounding record with 1,741rebounds (1967-70). While starring at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), he was a member of the CIAA’s first undefeated regular season basketball team in 1969-70, with a regular season record of 29-0. Morgan was named to the All-CIAA team in 1970 and the CIAA All-Tournament Team 1969 and 1970, where he was second in the NAIA in rebounds during the 1967-68 season (23.3). He played in the NAIA quarter finals in 1970 and was a 7th round draft pick for the Seattle Supersonics; but played in the Continental Basketball Association. Morgan was inducted into the UMES Hall of Fame in 1984.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Howard Volleyball Head Coach, Dawn Barnes has announced the signing of four student-athletes during early signing period. Alexis Skinner, Meagan Lagerlef, Assata Conway, and Stephanie “Teppi” Shultis will join the Lady Bison in the fall of 2011.
“I look for them to make our gym more competitive and bringing back the rich tradition Howard Volleyball once had,” said Barnes.
Skinner is a 5-7 outside hitter from Thomas Johnson High School. The Frederick, MD native led her team to the Maryland 4A State finals with a record of 15-4 this past season. She is a two-time first team All-Gazette selection, and a Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention. Skinner led her team in offense – boasting 163 kills, 104 digs and 32 aces as the team captain. She is also a leader in the classroom, maintaining a 3.25 GPA.
“Skinner is a competitor whose natural athleticism and versatility will allow her to play a couple of positions for us,” commented Barnes. “I am excited to see her future development in our program.”
Meagan Lagerlef
Lagerlef is a 5-10 outside hitter and defensive specialist from James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, MD. She is a four-time letter winner, a two-time first team All-Gazette selection, and a 2010 All-Met Honorable Mention. The Montgomery County Senior All-Star is a member of the nationally ranked Metro-American 18U Travel Team. Lagerlef maintains a 3.64 GPA and is a recipient of the Motion Scholar Athlete award.
“Lagerlef will bring a fierce and competitive edge into our gym. She is very athletic and explosive, and her tough mentality and work ethic will be a great addition to our program,” said Barnes.
Assata Conway
Conway is a 6-2 middle blocker from Westside High School in Missouri City, TX. She is a two-time first team All-District selection. She has also lettered in basketball and track, and maintains a 3.2 GPA.
“Conway has a huge upside and I am looking for her to make great strides as she prepares to play at this level,” commented Barnes. “Her natural athleticism and blocking ability will definitely add depth to our middle blocker position.”
Shultis is a 6-2 right side hitter and setter from Richmond High School. The Annadale, VA native served as team captain and received team MVP and Coach’s Award following her senior season. She is also a 2010 second-team All-District selection.
“I am expecting great things out of Teppi right away in the setter position,” said Barnes. “She is going to help us on the right side with her blocking abilities. Teppi will add a great deal of poise, intensity, and game savvy to this program. She has the opportunity to become one of the more poised setters to ever play at Howard.”
by Jamilah Corbitt Assistant Director of Sports Information Howard University
Videographer: meazteam1; Howard Athletics Volleyball Finale Home Game Fall 2010
For Reggie Holmes, father might prove to know best in this situation, too.
After finishing his career as Morgan State's all-time leading scorer with 2,051 points last season, Holmes ended up going overseas to play in Morocco. His father, Mark, thought Reggie should have tried something else instead.
"He wanted me to go to the D-League from the jump," Holmes said. "I was like, 'Nah!' and he said, 'You're grown now.' "
With things not going to his full liking overseas, Holmes, 23, has decided to give his dad's suggestion a shot. Holmes will make his D-League debut for the Erie BayHawks in their 7 p.m. game today against the New Mexico Thunderbirds (14-18) at Tullio Arena. OK, Dad, he'll give this a shot.
The Erie BayHawks are the NBA Development League Affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The NBA Development League is the official minor league of the NBA.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced a one-year extension for the City of Winston-Salem (NC) to host the annual men's and women's basketball tournament through 2012.
Mayor Allen Joines of the City of Winston-Salem and MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas made the official announcement during a press conference held in the main lobby of the Coliseum.
"The MEAC is extremely elated to extend our partnership with the City of Winston-Salem," said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Special thanks to Mayor Joines and the City Council, Bucky Dames, Jocelyn Johnson, the Steering Committee and others for their efforts in extending this great partnership and providing the support needed to make the MEAC Basketball Tournament a tremendous success."
The City of Winston-Salem has hosted the men's and women's Division I basketball tournament in 2009 and 2010. The 2011 Tournament is scheduled for March 7-12 and will be played at the Joel Coliseum.
Ticket books for the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament can be purchased at all 13 MEAC university ticket offices, Joel Coliseum Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at (757) 951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
For more information about the 2011 MEAC Basketball Tournament including brackets, ancillary events, tickets and travel information, log on to www.MEAChoops.com.
About the MEAC Basketball Tournament
The MEAC Basketball Tournament is a single elimination championship playoff that involves Division I historically black colleges and universities located across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, and South Carolina State. A bonus game featuring the men's teams from North Carolina Central and Savannah State will also highlight championship day.
The tournament is played at the Joel Coliseum. Both the men's and women's champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Written By: MEAC Media Relations Release: 02/09/2011
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Prairie View A&M bowling team returned to the lanes this past weekend and put forth a strong showing as they finished second in the FAMU Classic.
Prairie View A&M jumped out to a 4-1 record in Baker Set after the first day of tournament play as they beat Alabama State (702-600), Jackson State (720-664), Florida A&M (692-641) and Florida State (729-696). Their lone loss came at the hands of Sam Houston State as the No. 5 ranked team in the nation defeated them 674 to 629.
After a solid opening day, day two wasn’t as successful for the Lady Panthers in team format as they began with a heartbreaking two-pin loss to Sam Houston State (918-916). The Lady Panthers bounced back with wins over Alabama State (880-736) and FAMU (789-786) before dropping the last two matches to Florida State (1001-837) and Jackson State (822-773) for a 2-3 mark.
Going into the third and final day of competition, the Lady Panthers were seeded second overall and began bracket competition against top-seeded Sam Houston State. Playing in a 4-of-7 Baker format, the Lady Panthers fell 4-2 to SHSU and dropped into the loser’s bracket. Prairie View A&M bounced back and knocked off FAMU 4-2 and advanced to the championship match versus Sam Houston State once again. Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers couldn’t overcome their nemesis as SHSU defeated them 4-2 to win the championship.
Peay, a freshman basketball player at Winston-Salem State, probably knows more about the history of WSSU than anybody on campus. Peay, a former star at Reagan, has been deeply schooled in WSSU's storied history. His parents, William and Brenda, are 1974 graduates of WSSU and have been active boosters for many years.
"It's amazing," Peay said. "I didn't know I'd wind up here but I always wanted to come; and so when I got the chance, I was ecstatic with the opportunity."
There aren't a lot of young players who dream of one day putting on the WSSU uniform. But Peay is different. If his mother and father weren't regaling him with tales of their time in school — when Big House Gaines ruled the CIAA in basketball and Bill Hayes ruled the CIAA in football — his godfather, Devaldean Penn, was telling him one of his countless stories.
That was the reaction of Albany State women’s basketball coach Robert Skinner on Tuesday night after his Lady Rams narrowly pulled out a key SIAC win against Clark Atlanta on the road, 84-78, in overtime, to maintain its top spot in the conference race. Albany State is 12-4 and is tied with Fort Valley for first, and as long as FVSU takes care of business at home on Thursday against Claflin, it will set up a showdown for the regular-season SIAC title Saturday at HPER when the two teams meet for the second time this season.
“We got pushed to the limit (Tuesday night),” Skinner said. “No one’s going to make it easy on us.”
Claflin head baseball coach James Randall couldn't help but to think about what could have been. With his team just two games away from the 2010 SIAC Baseball Tournament's championship game, the Panthers saw their quest to be the conference's best team dashed at the hands of eventual champion Stillman College. Now that the season is here, Randall and his squad are ready to set their sights on a title run once again.
"Our mindset going in is to win our conference championship," Randall said. "From day one, our goal is to put ourselves in a position to win the conference championship."
Led by preseason All-SIAC selections Julius McDougal, Donald Smith, Leonard Williams and Fedor Herrera, the Panthers return a number of players from their 2010 campaign in hopes of winning a title and earning a bid in the NCAA Division II Championship tournament.
Tuesday proved to be a long day for James Randall. The Claflin University head baseball coach arrived at historic Mirmow Field at 3:30 a.m. to work on a soggy infield, ensuring that the surface was playable for his team and the visiting USC Beaufort Sandsharks. About 15 hours later, Randall's hands were tied as he could only watch as the Sandsharks capitalized on critical infield miscues, handing his Panthers a season-opening 9-3 loss.
Claflin (0-1) wasted no time taking a 1-0 lead when Chauncey Davis, who reached thanks to a leadoff walk, scored on a sacrifice fly by Randolph Brown in the bottom of the first inning.
USC Beaufort (1-0) responded in the top of the second with two runs of their own. After reaching on a 1-out walk and stealing second, Keifer Youmans tied the game 1-1 on an RBI double by Brett Martin. Two batters later, David O'Neal drove in Martin on a single, giving the Sandsharks a 2-1 lead.
OPPONENT DATE DAY GAME TIME SITE
USC-BEAUFORT FEB. 8 TUESDAY S 2:00 PM HOME
BREWTON-PARKER FEB. 12 SATURDAY D/H 1:00 PM HOME
COKER COLLEGE FEB. 15 TUESDAY S 2:30 PM HARTSVILLE, SC
DAVIS & ELKINS FEB. 19 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
DAVIS & ELKINS FEB. 20 SUNDAY S 2:00 PM HOME
SAVANNAH STATE FEB. 23 WEDNESDAY S 2:00 PM SAVANNAH, GA
PAINE COLLEGE FEB. 25 FRIDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
VOORHEES COLLEGE MAR. 2 WEDNESDAY D/H 12:00 PM DENMARK, SC
USC-BEAUFORT MAR. 8 TUESDAY S 4:00 PM BLUFFTON, SC
PAINE COLLEGE MAR. 12 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM AUGUSTA, GA
PAINE COLLEGE MAR. 13 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM AUGUSTA, GA
ELIZABETH CITY ST. MAR. 15 TUESDAY D/H 1:00 PM HOME
ST. AUGUSTINE'S MAR. 16 WEDNESDAY S 5:00 PM HOME
ALBANY STATE MAR. 19 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM ALBANY, GA
ALBANY STATE MAR. 20 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM ALBANY, GA
ST. AUGUSTINE'S MAR. 23 WEDNESDAY D/H 2:00 PM RALEIGH, NC
TUSKEGEE MAR. 26 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM TUSKEGEE, AL
TUSKEGEE MAR. 27 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM TUSKEGEE, AL
MORRIS COLLEGE MAR. 30 WEDNESDAY S 5:00 PM HOME
STILLMAN COLLEGE APR. 2 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
STILLMAN COLLEGE APR. 2 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
MORRIS COLLEGE APR. 5 TUESDAY S 5:00 PM SUMTER, SC
CLARK-ATLANTA APR. 9 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM ATLANTA, GA
CLARK-ATLANTA APR. 10 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM ATLANTA, GA
COKER COLLEGE APR. 12 TUESDAY S 6:00 PM HOME
MOREHOUSE APR. 16 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
MOREHOUSE APR. 17 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
VOORHEES COLLEGE APR. 19 TUESDAY D/H 4:00 PM HOME
BENEDICT COLLEGE APR. 23 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
BENEDICT COLLEGE APR. 24 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
SIAC TOURNAMENT APR. 27-30 WEDNESDAY TBA ALBANY, GA
Videographer: Checkpoint2010; prod. by: Racardo Davis
Leon Hunt has his eyes set on the 2012 Olympics. But before he punches his ticket for London, the St. Croix, Virgin Islands native wants to be the best college long jumper in the country.
He set a personal best last weekend at the Niswonger Invitational track meet at East Tennessee University when he leaped 7.75 meters (25 feet, 4 inches). The Florida A&M University senior won the event and is nationally ranked in the top 15 of all NCAA indoor long jump athletes.
"The rankings are updated almost every week, so you never know what's going to happen," Hunt said Monday after a workout in Tallahassee, Fla. "But I've been pretty happy with what I've done so far this indoor season."
According to USVI track and field team coach Wallace Williams, Hunt's leap last weekend set a territory record for the indoor long jump. Hunt set the previous record in 2009 and also holds the outdoor long jump record.
Hidden one floor beneath a college gymnasium, tucked at the end of a hallway and through two sets of heavy double doors, Matt Salerno checked his stopwatch and shouted time results to swimmers crisscrossing a small, six-lane pool whose very existence is unknown to even some students at Howard University.
As one of three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to field a swimming and diving team, Howard faces a number of challenges - lack of recognition, for one, but also in recruiting, resources, competitiveness and its role in the continued expansion of a sport across racial boundaries. But despite those issues, many on the team believe they are on the right path toward forming a competitive program over the next few years - and one that can continue to break down barriers.
"I don't even know if they know how much of an inspiration they are to many black swimmers or African American swimmers or divers," Salerno said. "That they're doing something that's 1 in 50. And I think when they look back on it, they'll feel a lot of pride for their accomplishments."
PINE BLUFF, Ark.- The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Athletics Department has released its 2011 Football Schedule highlighted by a total of five home games and two classics.
The Golden Lions will open their 2011 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 3rd at the Delta Classic 4 Literacy in Little Rock against Langston University. Arkansas-Pine Bluff will then get set to open Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home against Alcorn State on September 10th.
After facing the Braves, the Golden Lions will compete in their first road outing of the year as they travel to face Prairie View A&M (Sept. 17th) before traveling to St. Louis to participate in the Gateway Classic on September 24th against Clark Atlanta.
UAPB will take on SWAC East foes Alabama A&M and Jackson State on October 1st and October 8th in Huntsville, Ala. and Jackson, Miss. respectively. The Golden Lions will then host the Southern Jaguars on October 15th.
The following week Arkansas-Pine Bluff will have a bye followed by a meeting with the Grambling State Tigers at Golden Lions Stadium (Oct. 29th). Homecoming 2011 has been slated for November 5th as the Golden Lions will take the field against the Alabama State Hornets.
The Golden Lions last road game of the season will take place on Nov. 12th versus Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena, Miss. UAPB’s home finale will take place the next week on November 19th against Texas Southern (Senior Day).
Videographer: bleuismOMG; UAPB M4 at in Shreveport, 1/2011.
UAPB Golden Lions 2011 Football Schedule
September 3 Langston University Little Rock 5:00pm Delta Classic 4 Literacy
September 10 Alcorn State University * Home 6:00pm
September 17 Prairie View A&M Univ. * Away TBA
September 24 Clark Atlanta University St. Louis, MO 3:00pm Gateway Classic
October 1 Alabama A&M University * Away TBA
October 8 Jackson State University * Away TBA
October 15 Southern University * Home 6:00pm
October 22 OPEN
October 29 Grambling State University * Home 2:00pm
November 5 Alabama State University * Home 2:00pm Homecoming
November 12 Mississippi Valley State* Away TBA
November 19 Texas Southern University * Home 2:00pm Senior Day
(*) Denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference Game
Head Football Coach Monte Coleman
Grant Maxey scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds and Jackson State rebounded from Saturday's loss at rival Alcorn State with a 72-43 whipping at Southern University on Monday night.
"Every one's a big win for us," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said on his postgame radio interview. "You need big wins when you're competing for a championship."
With Mississippi Valley State's loss Monday, the Tigers (13-10, 9-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) now hold sole possession of second place in the conference standings with a home showdown against SWAC-leading Texas Southern set for Saturday.
"It should be a big game. I hope our fans will come out," Anderson said. "We'll be competing for first place. They win, they'll take a two- game lead."
The slump is over. The streak lives. And the Southern women’s basketball team may be close to reaching its full potential — just in time for the stretch run.
Locked in a tight game against Jackson State on Monday night, the Jaguars used a sharp, timely second-half run to pull away for a 72-55 victory inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center, extending their winning streak to eight games and maintaining their grip on first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.
But it wasn’t just that Southern (13-8, 10-1) put an opponent away. It was how the Jaguars did it, using the talents of four seniors to stretch out their advantage. Leading 52-46 with less than six minutes remaining, the Jaguars went on a 16-0 run.
Videographer: tarentulami; Southern University Drumline performs in Algeria.
With 46.9 left on the clock Monday night, Tameka McKelton walked to the free-throw line. She seemed relaxed. She hit the two shots. They were mere formality as the Florida A&M women's basketball team was about to wrap up a 73-62 victory over Coppin State University.
More importantly, the foul shots were McKelton's 20th and 21st points of the night as she became the first junior in a decade to score 1,000 career points at FAMU. The night's work at the Lawson Center was enough to give McKelton a career total of 1,011 points on a night that she obviously was pressured more by the probability of the milestone than anything that the Eagles did defensively.
Florida A&M might want to put up a sign outside the Lawson Center that lets visiting teams know that they're likely to come out of the place nicknamed the snake pit with a loss. Or so it seems.
Coppin State University became the sixth team to find out that the Rattlers are very protective when it comes to their home court. FAMU used the long ball in the second half to build a 14-point cushion then held off a late surge by the Eagles for a 60-58 victory.
The Eagles became the second consecutive team of the top three in the MEAC standings to stumble...
Videographer: atomicdog1983; FAMU vs. MSU, 2/5/11.
His men's basketball team had just taken down Morgan State University, the team that the rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference had been looking up to for the past two seasons. Florida A&M head basketball coach Eugene Harris couldn't help feeling a little proud Saturday night. FAMU had won its eighth game in the Lawson Center for an 8-1 home record.
So you're feeling real good about this, eh coach? "Our motto is we're going to defend to the end," seems a good enough response. It was a beauty to watch. Just like Harris said, every player on the floor brought some hustle. Larry Jackson matched up tough against the Bears' two big men. Yannick Crowder was swatting rejections all over the place.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In its largest margin of victory on the season, the Howard Bison overtook fellow MEAC opponent South Carolina State, 59-25, extending its winning streak to five-straight games. Cheyenne Curley-Payne got the Bison (10-14, 6-4 MEAC) rolling with three crisp shots behind the arc to immediately put HU up, 15-3.
“Cheyenne hit big shots for us,” Bison assistant head coach Brian Johnson said. “We had good execution of our plays and in our defense. We made key stops and we scored which resulted in great execution tonight.”
With a little over five minutes into the game, Bison threat Tamoria Holmes temporarily left the game with a shoulder injury. She would return later in the half where she quickly converted back-to-back field-goals, including a three-pointer and a layup on a breakaway steal to push up the Bison, 32-5. Holmes finished with 10 points after the first 20 minutes.
Offensively, the Bison would break away to a 36-7 lead going into halftime as the Bulldogs (2-8, 6-14 MEAC) failed to convert shots and recorded a mere five offensive rebounds.
The Bison outpaced the Eagles in rebounding, 23-11, as HU capitalized on 14 defensive rebounds. Howard would score six of its first half points on second chances, whereas the Bulldogs were limited to none. South Carolina State’s Tiara Knotts, however, would attempt to bring her team up late in the game after landing three baskets from behind the arc, closing the scoring gap, 54-23.
Holmes, Curley-Payne, and MEAC leading-scorer Saadia Doyle would return to the game in attempt to slow down the Eagles’ momentum. The dynamic trio powered forward with an impressive Bison defense until the close of the game, holding SCSU to 18 points in the second stint. In their noteworthy defensive stance, the Bison tallied 14 assists, three blocks, 12 steals and a season high of 44 total rebounds.
Curley-Payne dominated with 12 rebounds (three offensive, nine defensive) in the conference win. Meanwhile, Doyle finished with 12 points in the game, leaving her 103 points shy of the monumental 1,000 point mark. Tasia Majors made an appearance in the second half and recorded her first points in her collegiate career.
“Minutes are valuable for preparing for tournaments,” Johnson said. “We try to give everybody at least two to three minutes, here and there. As for today’s game, we were focused on playing hard against a team that beat us twice and knocked us out of the tournament last year. We made sure we won and Cheyenne helped with key shots early on.”
In the final stretch of the regular season, every game is crucial for the Bison. Entering in Monday’s battle with South Carolina State, the Bison were locked in a five-way tie for third place in the conference and look to stay on pace to break higher the conference ranks as they hit the road to take on North Carolina A&T on Sat. Feb. 12.
“Our focus was to win the home games, and we accomplished that,” Curley-Payne said. “Now we have to take the confidence we build with us on the road.”
by Jamilah Corbitt Assistant Director of Sports Information Howard University
Jackson State University announces that Athletics Director Robert Braddy has retired.
“The entire Jackson State University family joins me in thanking Coach Braddy for his more than 30 years of service to this university,” said Carolyn Meyers, university president. “I know that all who know him join the university in wishing him and his family well.”
Braddy, affectionately known as “Coach,” started his retirement February 1.
Having served as athletics director for five years, Braddy previously served as the Tigers’ baseball coach for 28 years. A 1964 JSU graduate, Braddy also served as the university’s interim director of athletics in 2000. Under his leadership, the JSU athletics programs have won 17 SWAC titles and captured the Commissioner’s Cup (the James Frank Award) four times, as well the men’s and women’s all sports awards.
Nick Collins etched his name into the Green Bay Packers history books on Sunday when he helped his team beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, in Super Bowl XLV.
Collins, a former Bethune-Cookman University player from Cross City, Florida (Dixie County High School), intercepted a first-quarter pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. The score put the Packers up 14-0 at the time.
Collins, who also had four solo tackles and a pass deflection, was one of 13 players with Florida ties on the Steelers or Packers. That included Steelers rookie All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey (Florida/Lakeland HS). Pouncey was injured in the AFC championship game and did not play. His absence was noticeable, as the Packers successfully put pressure on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger with a variety of blitz packages.
Videographer: SBSuperBowl; Collins ran for 37 yard touchdown, scoring on the 13th interception return in Super Bowl history.
ARLINGTON, Tex. - For all the hype swirling about the star quarterbacks, the Packers' defense made the three most pivotal plays of Super Bowl XLV. Dom Capers' unit intercepted Ben Roethlisberger twice in the first quarter and forced a game-changing fumble in the fourth to help the Pack win its fourth Lombardi Trophy.
"You can't turn the ball over," Steelers wideout Hines Ward said. "You can't do it at this stage of the game for the Super Bowl."
Aaron Rodgers converted the Steelers turnovers into three TDs to help prevent Pittsburgh from winning its seventh title.
The Packers got help from Jets castoff Howard Green, who forced the first mistake of the night. Green, who was released by Gang Green in October for being overweight, forced Roethlisberger into an errant throw in the first quarter with pressure up the middle. Green hit Roethlisberger, whose underthrown pass was intercepted by Nick Collins. The safety weaved through traffic before leaping into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
Videographer: akaGameBoy; Nick Collins post-game interview.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Throughout the week, Nick Collins was the forgotten free safety in Super Bowl XLV. While the Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu garnered the lion's share of the attention for his flowing locks, friendly demeanor, big-play reputation and newly minted NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Collins, the Green Bay Packers' six-year veteran, quietly went about his business.
Once the Super Bowl rolled around, however, it was Collins, not Polamalu, who made the biggest defensive play of the game. He gave the Packers a 14-0 lead when he intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, a critical play in their 31-25 victory over the Steelers on Sunday.
