Nobody's Hero: The Olympian: An American Triumph

Who was the first First African-American to Win an Olympic Gold Medal ?

I am sure 99 percent of our readers may have guessed James Cleveland Owens, i.e., Jesse Owens was the first African-American to win four Olympic gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. While Owens four gold medals were a blow to Adolf Hitler, he is not the first African-American to win Olympic gold. The correct answer is Dr. John Baxter Taylor, Jr.

Check out the video above that features the life and times of John Baxter Taylor Jr., the first African American to win an Olympic Gold medal. The story is from Craig T. Williams Book - The Olympian: An American Triumph.

For you historians, Dr. Taylor was the first African American to win a gold medal, doing so at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, some 28 years before Jesse Owens improbable achievements. Taylor was a member of the United States winning medley relay team, clocking a time of 49.8 over 400 meters in his leg of the race.
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The Olympian: An American Triumph [Book] by Craig T. Williams
$19 online

"I dare greatly, and I shall live my life as no ordinary man bound by a game of chance. "
- John Baxter Taylor Jr.

Running is his sacred ritual. As his legs gracefully carry him around the track at the University of Pennsylvania, he feels the wind in his face and freedom at his back. It is 1905, and John Baxter Taylor Jr. is three years away from representing the United States at the Olympic Games in England, where he will become the first African American Gold Medalist in Olympic Game history.

Taylor has done everything in his power to live an uncommon life and defy those who dare to stand in his way. As he transforms himself from a skinny boy who licks at the heels of his fellow high school competitors while ignoring racial slurs to becoming one of the best quarter-milers in the world, he beats not only his competitors on the track but also shines academically, eventually earning a degree in veterinary medicine.

In this compelling historical novel, the story of one man's extraordinary life led by his unyielding determination to achieve his dream despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles will inspire you to remember that glory does not die, but is instead passed on to the next person willing to carry the torch in their heart.

- Craig T. Williams

Howard U's Carly Martin Named MEAC Pitcher of the Week

Senior Pitcher Carly Martin
Click Here to Read Carly's Article,
"My Life as an Athlete: The Minority Experience"

NORFOLK, VA. – Senior pitcher Carly Martin of the Howard softball team was selected as the Pitcher of the Week (April 4-April 10) while Delaware State’s Jordan Reid and Stephanie Martello were named Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Junior Trina Kindred also represented HU as she was recognized as a Top Performer of the Week.

Martin went 1-0 over the course of the week and was recognized for her performance over Coppin State, where she led the Lady Bison to a 3-1 defeat over their conference opponent.

The senior tallied a 1.00 ERA against Coppin State and pitched a full seven innings. Martin went on to strike out four batters, tying a season-best, and marked the fourth time she reached this benchmark. The last time Martin took out four batters came on March 12 against Creighton.

Martin allowed seven hits and walked one batter against her opponent. Martin’s single walk tied another season-best and marked her fifth consecutive appearance where she gave up only one walk.

Martin has improved to 6-4 on the season, holds a 5.26 ERA and has struck out 29 batters thus far in the 2010-11 season.

Also making large production for the Lady Bison over the course of the week was Kindred who went 7-of-15 from the plate (.467) and boasted four RBI and a double in HU’s five games played.
Kindred’s four RBI came in Howard’s 8-5 win over George Mason, marking a season-best for the second baseman.

The Lady Bison have two remaining games in the regular season – against conference opponents Morgan State on April 30 and Maryland Eastern Shore on May 7 – before they depart to Daytona, Fla. for the MEAC Championship Tournament on May 12.


Videographer: HUReaction; Mr.& Miss Howard University Pageant 2011(4/8/11).

Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
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ASU baseball finishes off series with Morehouse with 14-10 win

ALBANY, GA — Fresh off a doubleheader sweep of Morehouse on Saturday, the Albany State baseball team made it 3-for-3 when it won a slugfest, 14-10, in the series finale Sunday. The Rams moved to 21-16 overall and 8-1 in the SIAC one year after winning the conference title.

Dallas Neloms led the way, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI, while posting two hits each were Corbin Williams (two runs scored, RBI), former Westover star Jacob Campbell (two runs scored, RBI), Brandon Small (two runs scored, RBI) and Desmond Towns (three runs scored, two RBI).


Videographer: albanystatega; The Past, Present and Future: The Role of HBCUs in Higher Education

ASU mashes Morehouse in twin bill sweep, moves to 7-1 in SIAC

ALBANY, GA — Talk about laying it on thick. That’s what Albany State’s baseball team did to Morehouse College in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Maroon Tigers (10-19 overall, 1-7 SIAC) did not stand a chance as they tried the bounce back from a 20-7 thumping in Game 1, only to fall in similar fashion by a final of 12-2 in the night cap.

“I thought we came into the second game with a little more sense of urgency — (we) jumped right on them,” said ASU interim coach Kenyan Conner, whose team improved to 20-16 overall and 7-1 in the SIAC. “Anytime you don’t have a lot of walks and (play) good defense then you will always give yourself a chance to win.

But the effort by the Rams, who won the SIAC title last season under longtime coach Edward Taylor before Taylor left and Conner took over, on the defensive side of the ball was just one reason for their dominance in this meeting as their bats got hot early — and stayed that way for the entire afternoon.

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TSU softball team continues to shine

Houston, TX - The Texas Southern softball team is surging at the right time.

The Tigers swept rival Prairie View A&M in a three-game series over the weekend at Memorial Park to improve to 20-22 overall and 11-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. TSU, which has won nine of its last 10 conference contests, has a 3½-game lead over Grambling State in the SWAC Western Division.

The Tigers dismantled Prairie View in convincing fashion. Sophomore Rebecca Villarreal tossed a one-hit shutout in Friday's run-ruled 9-0 victory, and TSU polished off the sweep with Saturday's 11-3 (5 inn.) and 7-2 wins.



The TSU All-Sports Athletics Banquet will include the Football Championship Ring Ceremony

The Texas Southern Football Championship Ring Ceremony will now take place on Thursday, April 14th along with the Texas Southern 2010-11 All-Sports Athletic Banquet.

“In light of our recent changes, we had many complications in continuing with the original plans for the football ring ceremony,” said TSU athletics director Dr. Charles McClelland. “Therefore, we will have the ceremony along with our overall athletics banquet where all the student-athletes, supporters and administrators can enjoy the event.”

The All-Sports Banquet will be held at the Intercontinental Houston Hotel (2222 West Loop South) at 7:00 pm in the Discovery Center Rooms A&B.

Members of the 2010 championship football team will be presented with their rings and recognized for their accomplishments. The 2010 TSU Tigers Football team defeated Alabama State to capture TSU’s first lone football championship title.

Outstanding student-athletes from all Texas Southern sports will also be recognized for their accomplishments both on and off the playing field.

If you purchased a table or tickets to the football ring ceremony, those tickets will be honored for the combined event on April 14th. If you cannot attend, the athletics department will offer refunds. Please contact Tonia Kirven for more information at 713-313-7048 or kirventm@tsu.edu.

By Rodney Bush, TSU Sports Information Director

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XU Gold Rush doubly disappointed in loss at William Carey

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey swept three doubles matches and rolled to a 6-3 victory over Xavier University of Louisiana in a meeting of ranked NAIA men's tennis teams Sunday.

William Carey's 13th-ranked women defeated Xavier 8-1.

Carey's men (10-8), ranked 19th, avenged a 5-4 loss to the No. 8 Gold Rush (11-8) from four weeks ago at the AUM Invitational, when Xavier won two of three doubles matches. Jody Claassen and Thomas Rizk, a 9-8 loser to Zach Taylor and Hassan Abbas in March, won 8-2 against the ITA's 15th-ranked tandem to give the Crusaders their first point of the dual. Anton Ivanov and Alvar Ribalta made it 3-0 when they beat Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson 9-8 (7-5), and Claassen clinched at No 1 singles when Giles-Osborn retired while trailing 5-7, 6-1, 1-0.



Results:  Men    Women

Abbas, Amir Rahbar and Richardson won in singles for Xavier. Abbas rallied to beat Toni Gauta 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 at No. 2, Rahbar defeated Younes Hidass 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 at No. 4, and Richardson beat Dominik Kardell 6-2, 6-3 at No. 6. But the Abbas and Rahbar victories came after the dual was decided.

Xavier (3-15) scored its only point of the women's dual when sisters Melissa and Nicole DeLoach snapped a three-match losing streak by holding off Anastasia Khabirova and Petra Pesic 8-6 at No. 2. But the Gold Nuggets again were shorthanded, defaulting the No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles matches, and William Carey (12-5) clinched when Joyce Oliviera defeated Ashley McGill 6-1, 6-0 at No. 5 singles.

Melissa DeLoach lost 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6) to Alexandra Kaluza at No. 3 in DeLoach's first singles super-tiebreaker of the season.

Both William Carey teams have four-dual win streaks. Xavier's men have lost three in a row, and the Gold Nuggets have lost four straight and 13 of their last 14.

Both Xavier teams will close the regular season this week — the Gold Rush at Tulane at 3 p.m. Wednesday, the Gold Nuggets against South Alabama at 11 a.m. Saturday at City Park — then travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., for an NAIA National Championship qualifying tournament April 29-30.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Howard Softball Trades Wins with With Coppin State

BALTIMORE, MD. – The Howard softball team traded wins with Coppin State in their Sunday doubleheader. The games were originally scheduled for Saturday, April 9, but were postponed due to threat of bad weather. The Lady Bison (11-21, 2-3 MEAC) dropped the first game to Eagles (8-10, 2-3 MEAC), 5-3 in eight innings of play, but conquered their conference opponent in the second, 3-1.

Centerfielder Lorae Robinson led the Bison at the plate, hitting .750 and recorded HU’s first RBI of the game on an infield single to shortstop in the top of the second.

Howard scattered five additional hits in the third through fifth innings, but didn’t post any additional runs until the sixth where they dished out their final two runs of the game on a trio of hits. Robinson singled to right, advancing Trina Kindred to third who made it on base on an infield single to shortstop earlier in the inning. Emily Johnson secured the game for the Bison and fired a triple to right field with two outs, bringing home two insurance runs.

The triple was Johnson’s second of the season, and inched herself one RBI behind Rebecca Kirshner in most runs batted in on the team this season with 14.

Overall the Lady Bison outhit the Eagles 14-7 in game two. Carly Martin pitched the entire game and recorded four strikeouts and one walk.


Videographer: MarshGoody; A Day in the Life: Howard University Student Athletes

Unlike the second game, Howard was unable to shutout the Lady Eagles for six straight innings, instead the game remained scoreless on both sides until the fourth inning where HU broke the stalemate with two runs. Kirshner opened the inning with a single and scored on the next at bat where Christine Sborz delivered a double to left centerfield. Sborz went on the score HU’s second run following an Eagles fielding error.

Howard maintained their 2-0 lead until the sixth inning where Coppin State scored a run on two hits. Johnson was brought to the mound to take over for Samantha Gatson who struck out five, walked one and allowed one run on four hits. CSU would tie the game on an unearned run.

In the eighth the Lady Bison regained the lead after Kirshner tallied a monumental RBI single. The game unraveled for HU during Coppin State’s final at bat as the tying run scored on two back-to-back illegal pitches and the winning run was brought home on a two-run homer.

Johnson gave up three runs on four hits and struck out a batter during her time in the circle. The Lady Bison softball team will break until April 30 where they will play Morgan State in Washington, D.C. and then Maryland Eastern Shore on May 7 for their final games of the regular season. The MEAC Tournament will take place in Daytona, Fla. beginning May 12.

Visit www.howard-bison.com for more information on the Howard softball team.

BOXSCORE

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
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Bowie State Lady Bulldogs Wins Three At CIAA RoundUp

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - Playing in their third CIAA Round-Up of the season, the BSU Lady Bulldogs women's tennis team won three of five matches. With the three victories, Bowie State improves its overall record to 7-9 overall.

Day one of the three-day Round-Up event hosted by Lincoln University of Pennsylvania was postponed due to inclement weather. When the Lady Bulldogs were able to take the court on Saturday (4/9), Bowie State lost matches to Virginia State University (8-1) and Chowan University (7-2), but defeated Virginia Union University 5-4.

The final day of competition (4/10) was all Bowie State as the Lady Bulldogs rolled to victories over Elizabeth City State University (7-2) and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (8-1).

Bowie State is scheduled to play their only home match of the season Friday (April 15) versus Coppin State University in a non-conference match. Match time is 2 pm and will played on the BSU campus.



BOX vs. VIRGINIA STATE          BOX vs. CHOWAN      BOX vs. VIRGINIA UNION
BOX vs. ELIZABETH CITY STATE          BOX vs. LINCOLN (PA)

By Bowie State Sports Information
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Livingstone Spring Football Goes Airborne

SALISBURY, N.C. — Anthony Holland is jumping at the bit to rid Livingstone of its lingering pain from its 0-11 season in 2010.

The sense of urgency was transparent on the first play of 7-on-7 drills on Saturday at Livingstone’s black and blue spring football game. Holland, a sophomore receiver, snatched a rocket over the middle from the brisk, cool air and proceeded to the end zone 35 yards ahead.

It wasn’t the dawn of a new era at Alumni Stadium, but Livingstone can hope it was a sign of things to come. “The Blue Bears are going to change,” was Holland’s declaration after the game. “It ain’t no more 0-10, 0-11. We’re going to change the program. You’ll see that first game.”



As the top returning receiver, Holland tried to energize a struggling offense that was outscored 494-48 last season. “I like to not just talk junk to the other team, but uplift my teammates,” Holland said. “If you can get inside...

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Honorable mention for XU's Simmons on All-Louisiana team

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Anthony Simmons received honorable mention on the All-Louisiana collegiate men's basketball team announced late Saturday.

Warren, a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward from Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate of Allendale Columbia School, averaged nine points and 5.5 rebounds in 32 games with 19 starts for the Gold Rush, which was 27-6 and earned an at-large bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship. Simmons was Xavier's No. 2 scorer and rebounder and led the team with a .598 field-goal percentage.

All-Louisiana Basketball Honorable Mention
Anthony Simmons

Simmons helped the XU men record their first 13-0 start since 1940-41 and their winningest season since 1983-84.

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the team.

2010-11 LSWA All-Louisiana Men's Basketball Team
First Team
Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State
Kendall Timmons, Tulane
Pat Richard, McNeese State
Olu Ashaolu, Louisiana Tech
Ryan Brock, Loyola

Second Team
William Mosley, Northwestern State
Will Pratt, Northwestern State
Diego Kapelan, McNeese State
Zach Kinsley, New Orleans
Justin Patton, Grambling

Third Team
Eric Young, LSU-Shreveport
J.J. Thomas, Louisiana-Lafayette
Derrick Parker, LSU-Shreveport
Fred Brown, Louisiana-Monroe
DeAndre Brown, Louisiana Tech

Player of the Year: Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State
Newcomer of the Year: Eric Young, LSU-Shreveport
Freshman of the Year: J.J. Thomas, Louisiana-Lafayette
Coach of the Year: Dave Simmons, McNeese State

Honorable Mention: P.J. Alawoya, McNeese State; Devon Baker, Northwestern State; Trent Hutchin, Southeastern Louisiana; Brent Leduff, SUNO; Anthony Simmons, Xavier; Tommie Sykes, Louisiana-Monroe; Rolston Turner, LSU.



By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XAVIERATHLETICS

Defense Dominates N.C. A&T Spring Game

GREENSBORO, N.C. - When a coach of Rod Broadway's considerable reputation steps on the field, expectations soar without hesitation. But following North Carolina A&T's annual Spring Football Game on Saturday, the first-year Aggies head coach had one reminder: "It's only been 15 days."

Broadway was cautious about being too critical of his team. He understands many of his players are learning a new system and a new coaching staff for the third time in four years.

"Our goal is simple," said Broadway. "We're just going to get better. We're going to get it turned around. I don't know how much time that will take us because we're down so far when you talk about scholarships and (Academic Progress Rate). But once we get our scholarships back, we'll be okay."



The Aggies concluded their spring session at Aggie Stadium with Saturday's scrimmage clearing showing the defense is ahead of the offense. After the Aggies ran 100 plays, the gold-jerseyed Aggies defense recorded four turnovers and four three and outs to come away with a 26-10 win over the offense in blue.

Defensive back Travis Crosby and linebacker Ben Binder led the Aggies defense with eight tackles apiece. Crosby also forced and recovered a fumble. D'Vonte Graham, who led the MEAC interceptions last season, had one on Saturday.

"I thought our defense played fairly well," said Broadway. "We're a little bit undersized on defense so we have to move around quite a bit."

Who wasn't playing on offense was as notable as who was. First-team All-MEAC running back Mike Mayhew did not play. Also on the sideline was quarterback Lewis Kindle. Kindle missed all of last season with an ACL injury. He is still recovering from last October's knee surgery, and has not been cleared to play at full speed.

His absence left the quarterbacking duties in the hands of Terrence Webb and Ricky Lewis. The two alternated possessions, and both saw their passing numbers hurt by dropped passes. Lewis threw for 80 yards on 8-for-19 passing with a touchdown and an interception. The Aggies offense put its first points on the board during the sixth possession of the afternoon.



It was a 12-play, 53-yard drive that ended with a 34-yard field goal from Sullivan Shidler. The key play was a 22-yard run through the middle by Chauncey Burgess. Burgess finished the day with 118 yards on 20 carries. Larry Raper chipped in with 71 yards on 17 carries. Raper also had the other score of the day when he caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Lewis. Wallace Miles, who has led the Aggies in receiving the last three seasons, had five receptions.

"We had some dropped balls, some bad throws and some penalties," said Broadway. "Those are things we have to get cleaned up, but that is to be expected this time of year. We have a new staff and they're learning a new system. We have a good group of kids, and a good foundation to build from. We have to continue to coach them and coach them well."

Photo Album

By NC A&T Sports Information
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Some improvement for Hornets in second scrimmage of spring

MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama State football team held its second scrimmage of spring drills Saturday morning at Hornet Stadium. Running approximately 65 plays, the offense showed improvement from last week, gaining 248 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterbacks Greg Jenkins and Demetric Price combined to complete 12 of 21 passes for 148 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Jenkins also rushed 15 times for 42 yards, and threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Quendarius McKibben. Price completed a 48-yard pass to Jordan McFadden to set up the second touchdown, a one-yard sneak by Price.

"From an offensive standpoint, we moved the ball a little better," Hornets' head coach Reggie Barlow said. "(Both quarterbacks) were more in command of the offense. Naturally, there are some things we have to continue do better. I was impressed with the way they took ownership of the offense. Since the last scrimmage, we tried to identify 11 guys, and one or two backups, that we could try to stay with for first 15 or 20 plays to establish some type of camaraderie with those guys and I think it worked out.”



Hornets' offense takes a step forward

The light came on for a few moments Saturday morning. As Alabama State continues installing a new no-huddle spread attack, there are flashes of brilliance broken up by botched assignments, miscommunication and inconsistent performances.

The Hornet offense continues to be a work in progress, but there were significant strides in its second scrimmage as the offense managed 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns on six possessions.

"We made a lot of strides," offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss said. "I felt this was a big week for us. Granted, as soon as we made some strides, I pulled a couple of guys out and then we fell off, but the 'one' group is starting to get it. They had some success and hopefully they'll say, 'This stuff is going to work,' and they'll keep pushing."

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Frazier Gives Defense Edge After NCCU Spring Football Game

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – With five sacks and three interceptions, including a pick returned for a touchdown, new North Carolina Central University head coach Henry Frazier III gave the defensive squad the victory in the Maroon vs. Gray Spring Football Game on Saturday afternoon at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

“I definitely thought the defense won,” said Frazier. “I thought we hit, I thought we played clean and played hard.

“The offense was able to get into the red zone three or four times, but we left some points off the board and the defense made the plays and got two red zone turnovers. I am an offensive guy, so it’s hard for me to give the nod to the defense, but they did play well.”



Sophomore defensive back Malik Cromartie was responsible for both red zone turnovers. The Elizabethtown, N.C. native saved a touchdown with his first pick by ripping the pigskin away from 6-4 receiver Jonathan Nicely as he was falling to the end zone turf. Cromartie’s second interception was also in the end zone off of a deflected pass.

The contest ended with an interception by redshirt freshman Jeremy Bellamy, who raced 41 yards for a touchdown.

Junior linebacker Brandon Outlaw led the maroon squad with six tackles, including a pair of sacks. Defensive back Tyrique Williams added four stops, while lineman Chase Tripp tallied three takedowns. Junior defensive back Fred Ominde contributed two tackles with a sack and a pass break-up.

Sophomore quarterback Jordan Reid executed 35 plays in three possessions in the first half, completing 9-of-13 passes for 108 yards with two interceptions. Junior signal caller Michael Johnson took 23 snaps in five series, completing 5-of-12 throws for 79 yards with an interception and a six-yard touchdown toss to sophomore receiver Earl Pridgen.

By Kyle Serba, Associate A.D. for Media Relations

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Run defense shines at TSU football scrimmage

Run defense shines at TSU football scrimmage

The scoreboard favored the Offense but Tennessee State University Coach Rod Reed praised the Defense in Saturday's Blue and White Spring Game. The scoring system used to award points to each unit gave the offense a 61-37 victory over the defense, but many of those points were scored late in the contest at Hale Stadium before an estimated crowd of 3,500.

"The No. 1 thing you've got to do in any defense is stop the run," Reed said. "Our offense hangs its hat on running the ball, so for us to come out and do a good job against the run really pleases me."

The defense stifled the running game well into the second quarter, holding it to minus-4 yards on 14 carries. By halftime the offense had only 20 yards on 19 carries, and the defense was leading 23-17.  The two quarterbacks — senior starter Jeremy Perry and redshirt freshman Michael German — were not allowed to be hit, so the truest test was the running game against the defense.

TSU receiver embraces change to new position

The decision to change positions in football can be difficult. Tennessee State offensive coordinator Mike Jones made it easy for Jamal Ramsey, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State, who has moved from quarterback to wide receiver during spring practice.

"If he stays at quarterback he probably would never see the field," Jones said. "If he goes to wide receiver he's got a great opportunity to see the field. I asked him which one did he want to play? He said he wanted to play wide receiver and we're happy to have him at that position."

The Tigers need receivers more than quarterbacks as they look to improve their passing game after finishing seventh in the OVC last year (165.6 yards per game).

Blue Team Prevails 61-37 Over White In Spring Game

On a sunny and festive day that saw over 3,500 fans and the "Aristocrat of Bands" come to "The Hole" of Hale Stadium, the Tennessee State University "Blue" team (offense) prevailed 61-37 over the "White" team (defense) in the 2011 Spring game.

Utilizing a point system that rewarded the defense points for such things as interceptions, fumbles and third down stops, the defense took a 25-21 lead into the halftime. The defense gained fifteen points on three interceptions alone as they stymied the offensive attack.

In the second half, however, the offense came alive scoring thirty points on two touchdowns and a field goal along with gaining scoring points on several plays over twenty yards. Key among the 20-plus yard plays were long pass receptions by Brandon Brown (49 yds) and Travis James (30 yds).

Spring Game Stats

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Videographer: MarchingsportHD; Tennessee State University Marching Band (2011)- Honda Battle of the Bands

McGriff, Southern Rally To Gain Split With Grambling

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern baseball coach Roger Cador said his third baseman, Cameron McGriff, had been so solid on defense that he couldn’t afford to keep McGriff out of the starting lineup. Even though McGriff had struggled at the plate. A lot. When Saturday’s doubleheader against Grambling began, McGriff had a .160 batting average.

By the bottom of the 10th inning of the second game, when he stepped to the plate with one out and teammate Kevin Williams on first base, McGriff’s season average had dropped to .125. He was 0-for-7 on the day. “I’d been taking bad swings for a long time,” he said. Somehow, however, McGriff came through when the Jaguars absolutely needed him to.

McGriff laced a triple down the right-field line, easily scoring Williams and giving Southern a 9-8 win in the second game of its doubleheader with Grambling.

Box Score: Grambling vs. Southern


Videographer: AaronMychael; 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Jordan Miller/DT  Pro Day

SOFTBALL: SU edges Grambling, 3-2

The Southern softball team scored runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings, and Michael Pless pitched a five-hitter as the Lady Jaguars edged Grambling 3-2 in the first game of their Southwestern Athletic Conference series Friday.

Southern (10-21, 4-5) scored one run each in the first, fourth and fifth innings. Gailyn Thibeaux, Audrey Phillips and Shabanese Brown each had RBIs.

Grambling (10-15, 3-6) scored twice in the sixth inning but stranded two runners in the top of the seventh.

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Delaware State Hornets Equestrian Team to Battle for 2011 National Championship

Waco, TX - The field is now set after the Varsity Equestrian Selection Committee chose the 2011 Varsity Equestrian National Championship (VENC) seeds. This year’s championship will be held April 14-16, 2011, in Waco, TX, and is expected to provide plenty of excitement throughout the competition as the top 12 teams in the country battle it out for the overall national championship title.

In the hunter seat bracket, Auburn University was selected as the No. 1 seed, followed by The University of Georgia as the No. 2 seed. Host institution, Baylor University, will be the third seed, followed by Big 12 foe, Oklahoma State University. Texas A&M University will be seeded fifth, followed by The University of South Carolina (6), Fresno State University (7), Kansas State University (8), Texas Christian University (9), University of Tennessee-Martin (10), Delaware State University (11) and New Mexico State University (12).

On the western side, Texas A&M University earned the No. 1 seed after an impressive 11-1 season. Oklahoma State University will be seeded in the No. 2 spot, followed by Auburn University in the third seed. The University of Georgia rounds out the team who earned a bye with the No. 4 seed. The University of South Carolina will start in the fifth seed, followed by Texas Christian (6), Kansas State (7), Baylor University (8), New Mexico State University (9), University of Tennessee-Martin (10), Fresno State University (11) and Delaware State University (12).

2011 DSU Equestrian Team (Roster - Click Here)
(Photo: DSU SID/Mike Baker)

Complete brackets are available at www.varsityequestrian.com. You can also follow along during the competition at www.baylorbears.com.

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New offense improves, defense doesn’t in SCSU’s second scrimmage

South Carolina State Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - Derrick Wiley dropped back in the pocket, scanned the field and took off.

Like a blur, the fleet-footed quarterback from North Carolina hit a seam in the defense, bounced to the outside and scooted up the sideline for a first down. Four plays into S.C. State's second scrimmage of the spring Saturday, the first apparent passing play called, Wiley was on the run.

All indications heading into the team's April 16 spring game are that such will become the norm in 2011. The Bulldogs passed the ball during Saturday's scrimmage, which lasted just under an hour and a half, but they ran it more. And, when they ran it, they did so with a spread-option, up-tempo style attack similar to the one employed by Oregon.

SC State Conducts Second Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State's second scrimmage of the spring was cut short after approximately 90 minutes Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Coach Buddy Pough called the scrimmage after center Tristan Bellamy, who has taken virtually every snap in spring drills, developed cramps. Backup center Erskine Johnson was slowed by an allergy.

'We wanted to go longer,” Pough said “But we have so many linemen out and Tristan (Bellamy) came up with cramps and Erskine (Johnson) has a little bit of an allergy issue so we decided to cut it short.”

During the one hour and 30-minute workout, the Bulldog offense was very effective at times as both junior Derrick Wiley and redshirt sophomore Richard Cue combined to direct several scoring drives against the usually vaunted SC State defense. Pough was glad to see the offense sustain its momentum from earlier in the week; however, he was disappointed that the defense was not very effective.

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SSU sweeps FAMU in baseball

Savannah, GA - Savannah State University swept Florida A&M, 6-5 and 3-2, in a baseball doubleheader Saturday at Tiger Field. SSU (19-15) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the first game. The Tigers’ Matt Nowacki was 2-for-3, including a home run and two RBIs, and Matt Oglesby was 1-for-5 with two RBIs.

SSU starter Kevin Herlihy earned the win, striking out six, walking one and allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits in nine innings.

In the second game, the Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to win. Kyle McGowin earned the win for SSU, striking out eight, walking three and allowing two earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.

Savannah State Rallies Past FAMU

SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 9) - Savannah State used a pair of late inning rallies to rally past the Florida A&M University Baseball as they won game one 6-5 and game two 3-2 in a doubleheader here Saturday afternoon at Tiger Field.

In the first game, the Tigers score three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the come from behind win. FAMU (10-24) finished with nine hits, while SSU (19-15) finished with seven. The Rattlers had three players to finish with two hits each in Tobi Adeyemi, Cory Franklin and David Duncan, while Matthew Nowacki finished with two hits lead the Tigers.

Kevin Herlighy picked the win for SSU as he went the distance giving up nine hits, four earned runs and striking out six in nine innings on the mound.

Stephen Dollar (2-2) received the loss for FAMU as he gave up one hits, three earned runs, and striking out one in two-thirds innings of relief. A two-run homer by Jarryd Reid gave the Rattlers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.


Videographer: GCubeVision
Tiger Talk Live is Savannah State University's first live television show! Geno & Dferg claw at the issues and trending topics that affects your everyday college students. What makes this show special? You! Not only is it a talk show but it's also an interactive show between Savannah State University students & our host. You can Tweet us @SSUTigerTalk or Facebook us your ideas & comments for the show!

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Howard's Lackey Scores Three in Loss to Jacksonville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Howard lacrosse team returned to Greene Stadium after a six-game road campaign, marking their first National Lacrosse Conference match at home. The Lady Bison (3-10, 0-6 NLC) faced off against NLC leader Jacksonville, but were unable to overcome the Dolphin’s (11-4, 6-0 NLC) 15-goal first half lead and eventually fell 22-6.

Howard contained the NLC’s No. 1 team in the opening minutes of the game as the Dolphins scattered only two scores in the first ten minutes of play. HU surrendered the draw control advantage (12-5), allowing Jacksonville to score 13 additional goals by the end of the first.

Cynithia Smalls was the only member of the Bison to score in the first half where she sliced JU’s 8-goal run.

Senior Desiree Cox was shutout of the first half and attempted to score within the final minutes, but was unable to convert her two shots into points on the board.

After JU scored two early goals in the second, the control of the game transitioned into the hands of the Lady Bison. Until the final five minutes left in regulation, HU held Jacksonville to three goals and led 5-3 in the half.

Ashley Lawrence was the first to score for the Bison and Courtland Lackey went on to add three goals. Cheryse Cox also chimed in, nailing Howard’s fourth goal of the game.

The Dolphins would regain an offensive momentum however, and went on a 4-0 run in the final two minutes, concluding the game at 22-6.



Howard tallied 12 groundballs compared to JU’s seven but were outshot, 39-16. Ashley Foote led Howard with seven groundballs while Lackey led with five shots.

Up next the Lady Bison will take on Detroit Mercy for their final away game on April 16 at noon before returning back to Greene Stadium for the season finale against Fresno State at 7 p.m. For more information on the Howard lacrosse team, visit www.howard-bison.com.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

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DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY HORNET FAN FRENZY!

Broadway: A&T still comes up a bit short

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- It's easy to spot Rod Broadway on the practice field. Look for the big guy. N.C. A&T's new head coach, a 6-foot-4 former All-ACC defensive lineman, leads an undersized, shorthanded group into the annual Blue-Gold spring football game today at Aggie Stadium.

Broadway, who turns 56 today, towers over most of his players. And he'd rather not.

"Defensively, we're really little. I think there's one kid on the defense who's taller than me," Broadway said. "We're playing with 5-7 corners and 5-10 linebackers and 5-11 defensive tackles. Everybody else is playing with 6-4, 300-pound guys up front. One of our best defensive linemen weighs 230, so we're overmatched right now in a lot of areas."

Overmatched or not, Broadway and the all-new coaching staff plan to move forward with the existing team.



Public debut for A&T's new coach and new system

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The N.C. A&T football team wraps up spring practice with its annual Blue-Gold game at 1 p.m. Saturday. And the team, like Aggie Stadium itself, remains a work in progress. Admission to the game is free. Tailgating will be allowed, but it will be restricted to the A4 parking lot behind the scoreboard because of ongoing construction on the front side of Aggie Stadium.

The press box has been torn down, and a new two-level structure should be ready by Aug. 15. But will the Aggies be ready?

A whole new coaching staff led by Rod Broadway has worked with just 54 players this spring. They'll hold their 14th practice today, with the spring game serving as the 15th and final allowed practice.

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Virginia Union OT David Mims visits the Baltimore Ravens

Virginia Union University's 2-Time
All-American, David Mims

OWINGS MILLS, MD -- Virginia Union offensive tackle David Mims visited the Baltimore Ravens this week, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. The hulking Virginia Union offensive tackle is 6-foot-8 and 331 pounds after playing at nearly 350 pounds for the majority of his career.

Mims bench pressed 225 pounds 29 times at his Pro Day workout, running the 40-yard dash in 5.32 seconds. He registered a 4.8 20-yard shuttle, an 8.1 on the three-cone drill, an 8-6 broad jump and a 27-inch vertical leap. Mims' workout numbers are superior or equal to many of the top tackle prospects.

The Division II All-American and All-CIAA selection is an imposing blocker who displays a mean streak. Although he played left tackle in college, Mims is regarded as a classic right tackle for the next level.

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: David Mims, OT, Virginia Union

Every season there are a handful of small-school players who seemingly come out of nowhere, which is where they really are on the college football landscape, and make it into the NFL. Let's use today's 2011 NFL Draft prospect profile to look at one player who might fill that bill this time around.

David Mims is a massive (6-foot-8, 331 pounds) offensive tackle from Virginia Union. Wes Bunting of the National Football Post was sold on Mims after watching his Pro Day. He wrote:

At 6-8, 331-pounds he’s definitely more of a right-sided player at the next level who is going to need some proper time to develop. However, physically and athletically the guy certainly possesses an NFL caliber skill set. He carries his weight well, has a thick base, long arms and displays natural fluidity and change of direction skills through contact when engaged.

Mims also still has a ton of upside to his game and after his impressive pro day workout he definitely has scouts buzzing about his long term potential. I spoke with a scout this weekend who told me following his workout, "Unfortunately he’s not a sleeper anymore."

Small school OT David Mims is no longer a “sleeper”

When I was going over small school tape this summer, I was instantly intrigued by the size of Virginia Union OL David Mims who at 6-8 and 350+ pounds was at the time one of the bigger prospects in the entire draft. Now, it was pretty obvious that he didn’t have a firm grasp on what he was doing from a technique standpoint. However, for his size he was an impressive athlete with a long, strong set of arms, could bend and displayed some natural explosion off the football.

He was an absolute dominant force at the D-II level and really opened my eyes with his ability to get out to the second level, breakdown and just destroy opponents on contact.

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S.C. State: Cue looking to make his case in Bulldogs’ quarterback battle

Malcolm Long came to South Carolina State as the most heralded recruit of the Buddy Pough era.

Long delivered, setting multiple school passing records and leading the team to three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles. His playing days at the school over, the big gunner from Gaffney High stood on the field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Thursday night in windbreaker pants watching the Bulldogs run through practice.

"Good throw Cue!" Long said looking up from talking with a reporter. A few seconds later, the same, "Good throw Cue!"

It is becoming a theme - the "Good throw Cue" thing - it seems, at Bulldogs' practice. Richard Cue, a 6-1, 185 redshirt sophomore from Wilson High School, entered into the spring in a three-way battle to replace Long. His opponents in that battle - a pair of brothers, TeDarrius and Derrick Wiley.

Deep and deeper: Bulldogs have stable of runners ready to hit the ground running

Assistant coach Danny Lewis looks at his South Carolina State running backs and sees plenty of potential.

The Bulldogs return three juniors in Asheton Jordan, Devin Wherry and Chris Merrill, who each displayed moments of superior play last season. Looking to enter the mix is last year's highly sought high school senior running back Charles Brown and looming in the future are the anticipated arrivals of newly signed running backs Dondre Lewis-Freeman, Jalen "Scoop" Simmons, both out of Charlotte, N.C., and Darlington's Dominique Cooper.

On paper, it looks like a very deep backfield for S.C. State. Yet Lewis is taking a cautious, coy approach toward the expectations he has for the group he coaches.

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Robinson dual threat for FAMU

She leads the team in runs batted in. She has the second-highest slugging percentage and she's third in runs scored. And Whitney Robinson pitches as well as she hits for the Florida A&M softball team. That's a luxury the Rattlers haven't enjoyed since All-American Amber Alford made her name as a power hitter who pitched in the early 1990s.

Robinson's all-around play creates high energy every time she pitches or gets a hit, said pitching coach Lori Goodart.

"The team sees her in the circle and they play behind her defensively, then they see her go and give so much more at the plate," Goodart said. "So when she talks, they're going to listen. It's a huge advantage."

FAMU offensive line showing improvements

Whether it was the first or the second team, Florida A&M's personnel on the offensive line didn't change much. The same players worked from left to the right hash mark then back to the left again. Such has been the life of an offensive lineman on the FAMU football team.

Shelley Anthony and Brandon Curry are the only seniors on the unit of nine, including four walk-ons. That makes for a thin line, but coach Joe Taylor took the glass-half-full approach.

"That's a good and bad thing; the veterans can't get hurt and if the freshmen get in it will be some valuable experience," Taylor said. "I think coach (Lawrence) Kershaw has done a good job in working with what he has."

FAMU relay team better with every step on track

They're getting better every time out. At least that's the way it seems for the Florida A&M quartet that makes up the women's 4x400 relay team.

But no matter how good they get, this team of three freshmen and a senior won't be content until they run at least 3:31. That time is the best ever ran by a FAMU 4x400 team and it has become their target since early March at the FAMU Relays where they met the women who set the standard more than two decades ago.

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2010-11 All-Louisiana includes XU's Warren on 3rd team

Xavier Gold Nugget Christina Warren

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Christina Warren is third team on the All-Louisiana collegiate women's basketball team announced late Friday.

Warren, a 5-foot-9 senior forward/guard from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and a graduate of Los Osos High School and Chaffey College, averaged a team-leading 11.9 points in 34 games for the Gold Nuggets, who were 27-7, repeated as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament champion and reached the second round of the NAIA Division I National Championship. Warren helped Xavier lead NAIA Division I in scoring defense for the second consecutive year.

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel selected the team.


2010-11 LSWA All-Louisiana Women's Basketball Team
First Team
Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Ashlyn Baggett, McNeese State
LaSondra Barrett, LSU
Danielle Nunn, Tulane
Tillisha Givens, Louisiana College

Second Team
Keiva Council, Loyola
Mercedes Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrienne Webb, LSU
Ricshanda Bickham, Nicholls State
Tarkeisha Wysinger-Mackey, Louisiana Tech

Third Team
Tiffany Aidoo, Tulane
Hannah Kador, Southern
Secrett Anderson, Grambling
Christina Warren, Xavier
KK Babin, Nicholls State

Player of the Year: Adrienne Johnson, Louisiana Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Jordi James, Northwestern State
Freshman of the Year: KK Babin, Nicholls State
Coach of the Year: Brooks Donald-Williams, McNeese State

Honorable Mention: Freda Allen, Southern; Caitlyn Baggett, McNeese State; Roshaunda Barnes, Tulane; Jasmine Bendolph, Louisiana Tech; Jasmine Brewer, Loyola; Sharday Cotton, LSU-Shreveport; Jordi James, Northwestern State.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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