Southern U’s Banks talks with players for first time

Baton Rouge, LA - His day was a virtual parade of handshakes, paperwork and face-to-face meetings with officials at Southern University — but as the sun crept closer to the Mississippi River, Roman Banks had one more important matter to handle Thursday.

It was, he said, the most enjoyable part of his first full day on campus as the new men’s basketball coach. It was, arguably, the most important part of the day. At about 5:30 p.m., he met with his new players. Together, he said, they had to restore pride to a hurting program.

“I remember when Southern, I thought, was one of the best programs in the state,” Banks said later. “I always dreamed of coaching and hopefully having a chance to bring that pride, that enthusiasm back to the (F.G. Clark) Activity Center. ... It always made Southern very appealing to me.”

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Spelman College Founder's Day Convocation

Videographer: yojartistry; 2009 Performance for Spelman's Annual Founder's Day Convocation.

Videographer: SpelmanCollege; Activist, philosopher, scholar, and sociopolitical critic Cornel West, Ph. D., was keynote speaker for Spelman College's 2009 commencement. Considered a drum major for justice and a tireless, fearless change agent in America's discourse on race, justice and democracy, Dr. West charged the Class of 2009 to challenge the status quo and fulfill their commitment to charge the world.

Videographer: HBCU247; Spelman College

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Spruill signs with Elizabeth City State University

HERTFORD, N.C. — Dustin Spruill has decided to play college baseball for the coach who remained most loyal to him. The Perquimans catcher, a Division I prospect until 11th grade when rotator cuff surgery scared off recruiters, has signed with Elizabeth City State.

While there were still some other suitors out there, Spruill wants to play for Vikings coach Terrance Whittle.

“He’s the one coach who has stuck with me all the way,” Spruill said. “He’s willing to give me a chance, even with my shoulder. I really want to thank him for that opportunity. “A lot of guys in my situation wouldn’t get a second chance.”

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Shaw Bears: Out Of The Wreckage In Raleigh, A Hero Emerges

LaMichael Howell,
Mobile, Alabama

Raleigh, N.C. - Faced with an emergency, a lot of us run away. But some of us run towards. That's what LaMichael Howell did this week when a tornado tore up his college campus.

Howell, a three-year captain of the Shaw University football team in Raleigh, N.C., was planning dinner with friends in his off-campus apartment Monday afternoon when the power went out. Moments later, the lights came back on and the news came in: a tornado had blown through the area and done catastrophic damage.

Howell decided to drive to campus to see for himself. And he'll never forget what he encountered.

"The student union was a wreck," says the 23-year-old senior. "Power lines were down. I couldn't see. Every turn you made, you had to turn back around. Trees everywhere. Dumpsters turned upside down."

Images from the Storm's Aftermath
Local Bank Establishes Shaw Relief Fund

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To help, make your tax deductible check payable to Shaw University Disaster Relief Fund, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, 13 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Paine College sign Fox Creek High School baseball standout

North Augusta, SC - Fox Creek High School baseball standout Rick Hickson recently signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Paine College in Augusta next year.

Paine offered Hickson a four-year scholarship to play for the Lions, who are members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Paine is fourth in the SIAC's east division this season at 16-22 overall, 5-7 in conference play.


Hickson is a senior and a four-year varsity letter-winner for the Predators. Primarily a pitcher, Hickson has been instrumental to the Predators' consistent winning seasons. That includes the 2011 campaign, where they're 17-6 overall and 12-0 in Region 4-A. Fox Creek head coach Wesley Brown has been most impressed with Hickson's dedication.



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B-CU ends 2-game skid via mercy rule on ESPNU

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- In a nationally televised match-up between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's first- and last-place teams, Bethune-Cookman stumbled early against cellar-dwelling Coppin State before roaring back to claim the win via the old skunk rule.

Friday's game at Jackie Robinson Ballpark was called on account of the NCAA's 10-run rule with B-CU up 16-6 after seven innings.

ESPNU cameras were watching as the Wildcats (23-19, 10-0), dressed in pink jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness, fell behind 4-0 in the first inning.

B-CU starter GabrielHernandez gave up four straight hits on his first 16 pitches against Coppin State (4-30, 1-8), allowing thre e runs to score. Wildcats coach Mervyl Melendez said Hernandez "pitches with a lot of passion" and after allowing one more hit in the inning to fall behind 4-0, Melendez said Hernandez got mad, "commanded his fastball" and turned things around.

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Alabama State: Officials huddle on stadium strategy

Montgomery, AL - As construction crews continue grading the site of Alabama State's new football stadium, the real work goes on behind the scenes as school officials and sports marketing consultants try to set prices for luxury suites, signage and other aspects of the stadium.

The ASU board of trustees' stadium committee met Thursday to discuss the next step in constructing an on-campus stadium that will include 24 luxury suites and seating for 26,500 fans.

Grading the site is phase one of the project. Bids will be evaluated Tuesday for the second phase, which includes the foundation and structural package for the stadium, estimated at $18 million.

Board chairman Elton Dean asked that those who evaluate the bids indicate a preference for minority contractors in at least 25 percent of the bids or, at the very least, make sure those contractors employ 25 percent minority workers.

NEW STADIUM FLY-OVER

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ASU men’s hoops signs four, aims for big rebound after tough season

ALBANY, GA — Josh Alford, Justin Wilcox, Tray Pearce and Tyrell Johnson. Remember those names. They’re the quartet of players Albany State’s men’s basketball program welcomed with open arms Friday during three separate signing ceremonies as the Rams look to rebuild and move past what happened a year ago when they finished 7-22 and dead last in the SIAC.

“All these guys are winners, from high school to junior college they won,” ASU coach Chris Cameron said. “We went out and tried to get guys who can restore that winning tradition — and I think we’ve done that.”



Restoring the winning tradition starts with Alford, the high-scoring former Worth County star who signed out of high school with Middle Georgia College. Cameron, who said Friday he’d had his eye on Alford from as early as his sophomore year when Alford attended one of ASU’s summer camps, got a chance to see him this past season during MGC’s trip to Albany to face Albany Tech.

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The Soccket Ball: A Solution of Usable Energy

Most of us take electricity for granted. (Good luck reading this story without it.)

But 95 percent of the population in Africa lives with little to no access to it. In fact, more than 1.5 billion people -- one quarter of the world's population -- live in areas with no access to electricity. But a group of Harvard University students thought up an innovative answer to this problem. They developed the "sOccket" -- a soccer ball that creates usable energy from every kick.



Kids play soccer all the time and all over the world, but the majority of these children do not have homes with dependable electricity. Hence this "portable energy-harvesting device" which has a magnet inside that activates a capacitor when the ball is kicked. So the sOccket is part soccer ball, part portable generator, part community builder and part global health tool.

"We have seen the critical power issues faced by people in these areas every day," says sOccket co-founder Jessica O. Matthews, "as well as the happiness these same people experience whenever they play soccer. These were key in providing the foundation for the idea."



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Dillard Bleu Devils Win Inaugural GCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship

Baton Rouge, LA - The Dillard Men's Track and Field Team put on an impressive performance and won the First Annual GCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship held at A.W. Munford Stadium on the campus of Southern University and A&M College on Good Friday.

The Bleu Devils dominated SUNO, Xavier University and Edward Waters College from start to finish en route to the championship. The Bleu Devils finished with 161.50 total team points. Edward Waters College finished 2nd with 136 points.

The Bleu Devils' relay team started the competition by finishing second in the 4x100-meter relay race with a time of 43.21. The 4x400-meter relay team, which has qualified for the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis, finished second in competition with a time of 3:24.42. Dillard's Men's 4x800-meter relay team finished first in team competition with a time of 9:29.18.

The Bleu Devils led the way in individual competition. Ladalrius Miller finished 1st in the 110-meter hurdles. Three Bleu Devils finished first, second and third in the Men's 400-meter hurdles. Emory Nash finished first in the Men's 800-meter race with a time of 2:04.22. Zachary Harmon finished first in the Men's Shot Put with a score of 9.92 meters.



Dillard Lady Bleu Devils finish 2nd in GCAC Track and Field Championship

Baton Rouge, LA-The Dillard Lady Bleu Devils' Track and Field team finished off their season with a second place finish at the First Annual GCAC Track and Field Conference Championship in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Lady Bleu Devils finished with 133 team points to Xavier University's 138.50 point total.

The Lady Bleu Devils finished in the top five in 13 of the 26 total events at the conference meet. Dillard's 4x100-meter relay team, which has already qualified for the NAIA Track and Field Championships on May 26th, put on another strong performance, finishing first in Friday's competition with a time of 48.06. Lady Bleu Devil Courtney Henry, who has qualified individually in the 100 and 200-meter dash for the NAIA Track and Field Championships, won both races on Friday. Henry finished with a time of 12.39 in the 100-meter dash and a time 26.06 in the 200-meter race.

The Lady Bleu Devils finished second in the 4x400-meter relay competition with a time of 4:09.11. In field events, Lady Bleu Devil Monique Waiters finished 3rd in women's long jump competition with a distance of 4.94 meters. Sophomore Jonquil Griffin finished tied for 2nd place in the women's triple jump with a distance of 9.90 meters.

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Salisbury's Isis Miller to WSSU

SALISBURY, N.C. — Salisbury girls basketball coach Chris McNeil had a feisty group on and off the court this season. “The toughest competition of all was to see who could get the highest GPA,” McNeil said. “They were all over 3.0s. They pushed each other hard in the classroom.”

Not only did the Hornets go 27-1 and win their third straight 2A state championship, they will have six seniors moving on to play college basketball.

The latest to sign is 5-foot-10 post player Isis Miller. She’s headed to Division II CIAA school Winston-Salem State. The always upbeat Miller was a big part of that daily quiz bowl on the basketball team.

“There was a lot of emphasis on schoolwork on the team and also from my mom,” Miller said. “She always told me there were no C’s allowed in her house. I’ve made all A’s and B’s in high school except one. I had one ‘C’ in pre-calculus.”

Prep Sports: Salisbury salutes three title teams

SALISBURY, N.C. — A decade ago, Salisbury High’s athletic program was suffering through its own version of the Great Depression. At least as far as the high-profile, flagship sports.

A 3-8 football season in the fall of 2000 was followed by the girls and boys basketball squads combining for a 10-34 record in a dreary winter in which a doubleheader sweep over anybody would have prompted a parade down Lincolnton Road. The Hornets’ indoor struggle was followed by the arrival of spring and a 6-15 baseball season.

 But that’s ancient history now.

Today, even with its enrollment down to 885, and with 72 percent of its students classified as “economically disadvantaged,” Salisbury has been rebuilt into a model environment that is churning out major scholars as well as ACC athletes.

Salisbury girls win again

Salisbury’s girls soccer team stayed unbeaten with a 6-0 romp against CCC opponent East Davidson on Monday. The Hornets (10-0-2, 5-0 CCC) opened up a two-game lead in the conference race at the midway point. Catawba signee Karen Presnell dominated the match, scoring four goals.

“She’s in a zone right now,” Salisbury coach Matt Parrish said. “She’s playing exceptional, high-level soccer.”

Susannah Dixon scored her first goal as a Hornet, burying a shot to the back post five minutes into the match to put fifth-ranked Salisbury on top and set the tone.

Salisbury Boys and Girls Track Teams

Salisbury boys and girls track teams won the Western Carolina High School Invitational meet in Cullowhee on Saturday. Salisbury’s girls scored 129 points to top A.C. Reynolds (88), North Buncombe (87) and 15 other teams, mostly from the mountains.

Salisbury’s Summer Taylor won the long jump (15 feet, 11 inches) and triple jump (33-0), while Alisha Bradshaw took the shot put (42-8) and discus (120-8).

Katherine Shields won the 1600 (5:23.17), and the 4x400 relay team also finished first in 4:16.89. Emily Shields placed third in the 800 (2:27.06), Ayanna Holmes was third in the high jump (4-6), and Cheyenne Gloster was third in the shot (29-6). Salisbury also was third in the 4x200 relay.

Salisbury's Heilig leads East all-stars, wins MVP

The Salisbury girls' basketball team, which has has claimed three straight state championships, is used to winning. Saturday afternoon, coach Chris McNeil and three of his best players led the East All-Star team to a 63-52 win in the Charlotte Pro-Am Classic at Providence Day.

Senior Jessica Heilig (Gardner Webb signee) was the most valuable player, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds. The East also got big contributions from her Salisbury teammates Olivia Rankin (Charlotte signee), who added 16 points and seven rebounds; and Ayanna Holmes (Charlotte signee), who had seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.

"It helps a lot to have familiar players around, especially late in the game because you know what to expect from them," Heilig said.

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Cheryl Dozier Named Interim President of Savannah State University

Cheryl Davenport Dozier, DSW
Interim President, SSU

Atlanta (April 21, 2011) - University System of Georgia Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst announced today that she has appointed Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer at the University of Georgia (UGA) since 2006, to serve as interim president of Savannah State University (SSU), effective May 9, 2011. Dozier will step in as interim president for current SSU president Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., who served from July 2007 and who was not reappointed.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Dozier’s strong leadership skills during this transition. Savannah State University has a great deal of momentum and I am confident that the institution will be in excellent hands under Dr. Dozier,” Herbst said, “Most of our university leaders across this state know her from superb leadership on the system wide diversity initiative, so like me, they are familiar with her tremendous intellect, her charisma, and most of all, her profound openness and humanity.”

Dozier previously served as assistant vice president of academic affairs at the Gwinnett University Center from 2002-2006. She is a tenured Professor in the School of Social Work. Dozier served as the director of the interdisciplinary Ghana Study Abroad Program from 2003-2010. She has served as the lead co-principal investigator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $4.9M National Science Foundation (NSF) program with the goal of broadening participation of minority students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics since 2007. The partner institutions include Savannah State University, Fort Valley State University, Southern Polytechnic University, Georgia Perimeter College and UGA.

In addition, Dr. Dozier is a faculty researcher with the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies and Research at UGA and recently served as the co-executive producer of the Donald L. Hollowell Documentary: American Freedom Fighter, which aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting. She recently co- chaired the 50th anniversary of the desegregation at UGA entitled “Celebrating Courage”. Dr. Dozier is an affiliate faculty member of the African Studies Institute and the Institute of African American Studies. She has published widely in professional journals and books and is a well recognized public speaker.

Dozier is an active member of many professional and civic organizations, and was recently elected President of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education. Dr. Dozier earned a Doctorate in Social Welfare (DSW) from Hunter College, at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and received a Masters in Social Work from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta), School of Social Work and a Bachelors degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Plans regarding the search for a permanent presidential appointee at Savannah State will be announced at a later date.

By University System of Georgia

Yarbrough Era Ends at Savannah State University

By Loretta Haywood, SSU Public Relations

Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., Ph.D 

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. addressed students, faculty, and staff Friday about the Georgia Board of Regents’ decision to not renew his contract, which expires June 30, 2011.

Yarbrough stressed that no misconduct occurred during his time as president.

“It is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal or violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia,” Yarbrough said. “In my opinion, and in this current climate, resigning would have implied misconduct on my part. I chose to stand on my principles of what is right.”

Yarbrough said when he arrived at SSU in 2007, he established four goals: improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates; continue strengthening academic programs; increase community partnerships; and ensure fiscal soundness. “I am happy to report that we achieved great success in all four categories,” he said.

Under Yarbrough’s leadership, SSU experienced unprecedented growth in various sectors, including: significant enrollment increases, major transformation of the campus, stability in the athletics department, new campus-community initiatives and the long-awaited return of teacher education preparation.

• Savannah State’s fall 2010 enrollment reached 4,080 students, up from 3,200 students in fall 2007. The 6.8 percent enrollment increase from fall 2009 to fall 2010 was the highest percentage increase among the 13 state universities — and continued the upward trend that saw enrollment rise 10.6 percent between fall 2008 and fall 2009.

• In February 2011, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved three, new degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science with a concentration in Chemistry or Biology; Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Secondary Education; and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education.

• Savannah State University received more than $45.2 million in funds for 44 active research grants, including a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen the university’s research capacity and infrastructure to promote minority health and eliminate health disparities. The NIH grant is the largest research grant received in SSU history.

• Construction will be completed by the fall 2011 semester on several key projects, initiated by the Yarbrough administration, including:

• $17 million for the renovation of Wright Stadium and a new student center construction, financed by the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority.

• $24 million - freshman housing complex that will add approximately 600 beds; the housing project includes the restoration of three buildings on the historic campus circle — Adams, Morgan and Camilla-Hubert halls — and once completed, all campus buildings will be occupied and operational.

• Yarbrough initiated numerous campus beautification projects that have transformed the 196-acre site, including a soon-to-be open pavilion and lake near the canal and clearing of previously overgrown areas to expose the breathtaking views of the adjacent salt-water marsh.

• In August 2010, Tiger Express diner opened, giving students a unique dining venue on the west end of campus. The $900,000 project was funded primarily by the SSU Real Estate Foundation LLC, Inc.

• A $320,000 brick-and-iron perimeter fence designed to enhance campus safety was also completed in 2010 and paid for through the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Major Renovation and Repair Funds.

• Approximately $3 million has been invested in new technology during the Yarbrough administration. The university’s first chief information officer was hired and technology infrastructure and systems were enhanced.

• Contributions to the Annual Fund increased 467 percent during the Yarbrough administration. The Annual Fund campaign supports the university’s areas of greatest need, including student scholarships, faculty development, community outreach, athletics and student travel.

• Savannah State University was extended provisional membership to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 2010, positioning the athletic programs for post-season championship opportunities as well as national exposure. In fall 2011, SSU will participate as a full member.

• The SSU Community Futures Corporation (CFC) was established in October 2010 to serve as a catalyst for public and private sector collaborations aimed at improving the educational, social and economic conditions of neighborhoods in the greater Savannah State community.

• In 2008, SSU partnered with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, local entrepreneurs and philanthropists on the Savannah Education Initiative Scholarship Program.

• During the Yarbrough administration, Savannah State University’s audit rating has continually improved. When he arrived in July 2007, the audit rating was a low of 5. The rating improved to a code of 3 in fiscal year 2007-2008, and to a code of 2 in 2008-2009. The Georgia Board of Regents Internal Audit Office annually rates the state audit reports on a scale from 1 (good) to 5 (bad). A rating for fiscal year 2009-2010 has not yet been released.

Earl Yarbrough: Differences with Regents led to contract non-renewal at SSU

Savannah State University President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. was swarmed by well-wishers Friday after a meeting to clear the air about his unexpected departure.

It was not mismanagement, or alumni pressure, he said, but administrative differences with the State Board of Regents which resulted in the non-renewal of his contract.

“As president I believe I need to lead the university and plan for its future, and hopefully my administrative team will follow and the University System will support it,” Yarbrough said. “But responsible people often have differences in their approach and it is the system that makes the ultimate decision.

For this reason there has been conflict over the last few years.”

Earl Yarbrough loses Savannah State University presidency

ATLANTA -- Earl G. Yarbrough will not continue as president of Savannah State University even if he isn’t selected as chancellor at Southern University because Tuesday he lost his job.

The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia voted not to renew Yarbrough’s annual contract to head the 4,000-student institution.

The board didn’t announce its reasons and held its discussion behind closed doors Tuesday along with other personnel matters. It met behind closed doors and then voted in “public session” after all of the members of the public attending the meeting had drifted away.

Earlier this month, the 64-year-old Yarbrough received the highest ranking among candidates for the Southern University post at the school’s Baton Rouge, La., campus. Southern University System President Ronald Mason Jr., is expected to interview Yarbrough this week, along with five other candidates, and to name the new chancellor any day.

Yarbrough holds press conference

Earl G. Yarbrough Sr., former president for Savannah State University, said today at a press conference held in SSU's Torian Auditorium that he conducted himself well as president.

"First, it is important for our campus community to know I have not done anything illegal, violated any laws, policies or procedures of the University System of Georgia," Yarbrough said. "Definitely no misconduct occurred over my four years as president."

Yarbrough says his vision for SSU was for it to expand, but he believes his approach was a source of conflict.

"As president I had a vision for SSU. My vision wasn't much different from that of most university presidents," Yarbrough said. " I believe we needed to grow, build an infrastructure and campus that would attract some of the best students in Georgia, this country, and internationally."

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Southern University names Banks new head basketball coach

Coach Roman Banks

The Southern University Department of Athletics is proud to announce Roman Banks as its new head men's basketball coach. He will officially take over the men's program on May 1, 2011.

His appointment is conditional, pending confirmation by the Southern University Board of Supervisors at its upcoming meeting on April 29, 2011.

Roman Banks replaces Rob Spivery, who coached the Jaguars from 2005 through this past season.

Banks has served as Southeastern Louisiana University's men's associate head basketball coach the past five years, and spent eight years total on the coaching staff.

Banks comes to Southern with a keen knowledge of the Baton Rouge community and surrounding Ark-La-Tex regions, along with his knowledge of recruiting and game preparation. He was worked extensively on athletic projects, including fundraisers with the community and has coached and lectured at numerous basketball camps throughout the state. He also brings a true knowledge and conception of the game of basketball and what the game brings to the community -- socially as well as economically. He also brings a strong work ethic.

During his tenure in Hammond, Banks was part of a program that produced seven winning seasons (the most of any Division I school in the state of Louisiana) and 140 total wins (second to LSU's 144 wins from 2003-11). He played a vital role in the Lions' defensive effort in 2004-05 as Southeastern finished fourth in the nation in scoring defense (55.8 ppg) and produced the school's first Southland Conference Tournament championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Banks played a key role in the recruitment of several of the Lions' standout players, highlighted by 2005-06 SLC Player of the Year Ricky Woods, along with All-Conference selections Daryl Cohen, Kevyn Green and Terry Bryant.

Regarded as one of the top recruiters in Louisiana, Banks spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Southern University where he served as the Jaguars' chief recruiter. While at Southern, he was responsible for the recruitment of two-time Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year Adarrial Smylie and Dionte Harvey, the 1997-98 SWAC Newcomer of the Year.

Banks played basketball at Northwestern State and was the Demons' point guard in their upset win over Kentucky at Rupp Arena. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader in assists while ranking second in steals and seventh in scoring. He led the Demons in four categories as a senior in 1991-92, including a 16.2 scoring average, was named honorable mention All-Southland Conference and was a third-team All-Louisiana selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Banks was named to the All-Southland Conference second team in 1989-90 after averaging 14.7 points and dishing out a career-high 157 assists. He helped the Demons to their first winning season in five years and helped the team establish 23 school records while leading the nation in team scoring, averaging 95.0 points per game.

Banks started his coaching career at Shreveport's Green Oaks High School before spending two years at Southern University-Shreveport, where he was the Athletic Director and head men's basketball coach.

A native of Shreveport, Banks was a three-time All-District 2-4A selection at Captain Shreve High School where he averaged 22.7 points and 7.6 assists as a senior in helping lead the Gators to a 28-7 record.

Banks, a member of the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches, is married to the former Tiffaney McCoy, a school teacher in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. They are the parents of two children, a son Tre'lun (15) and a daughter Kennedi (9).

Banks gets Southern men's basketball job

Thursday morning, Roman Banks pulled out of his driveway in Hammond and headed west toward Southern University, where he agreed to become the new men's basketball coach. Along the way, his car might have been on Interstate 12. But at some point, Banks' head started to wander down Memory Lane.

Banks, who has two family members in the SU Hall of Fame, started to think of his days as an assistant there from 1996-2002. There was the time the Jaguars got thumped at Alabama A&M. "They came to us a couple weeks later," he said. "Our guys just put on a clinic. One of our better wins in school history. It was special to me." There was the time in late 1998, when Texas A&M came into the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

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By Southern University and A&M College
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Virginia State rolls to CIAA crown

Simpson rallies, wins individual crown for Virginia Union

FORT LEE, Va. – Virginia Union’s Mason Simpson shot a final-round 70 Thursday to win the 2011 CIAA Men’s Golf Championship individual title while Virginia State took home the team title with a two-day total of 603.

Simpson came into the final round two shots behind the first-round leader Mike Swope of Virginia State, but his final-round 70 was enough to overtake Swope to win the title by four strokes. Simpson was the only golfer under par for the tournament while Swope finished with a 1-over par 145.

Virginia State followed its opening round 301 with a final-round 302 to win the team title by 14 strokes ahead of Winston-Salem State, which shot a two-day total 617.

Fayetteville State finished in third place with a two-day score of 645 (322-323) while Chowan finished fourth (650, 319-331) and Virginia Union came in fifth (693, 345-348). Livingstone pulled in the sixth-place finish (699, 349-350) followed by St. Augustine’s in seventh (723, 368-355), Elizabeth City State in eighth (756, 394-362), Johnson C. Smith in ninth (768, 394-374) and St. Paul’s in 10th (918, 471-447).

The all-tournament team, which consists of the top five golfers by score for the two-day tournament, included: Mason Simpson (Virginia Union), Mike Swope (Virginia State), Glendon Mabe (Winston-Salem State), John Cole (Fayetteville State) and Brian Wood (Virginia State).

The all-conference team was also announced and included: Brandon Bailey (Virginia Union), John Cole (Fayetteville State), Cliff Forbes (Chowan), Stephen Grenchi (Virginia State), Rashad Hunt (Virginia State), Glendon Mabe (Winston-Salem State), Lawrence McKenzie (Livingstone) Zack Sheets (Winston-Salem State), Mike Swope (Virginia State), Michael Thornton (Livingstone), Brian Wood (Virginia State). The all-conference team is selected based on overall average scores from the two divisional tournaments and the conference championship. To be eligible players must have competed in all three tournaments.

Virginia State will now represent the CIAA as a team in the 2011 NCAA Super Regional Golf Tournament.

By Virginia State Athletics

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Arkansas Pine Bluff Raymond Webber ready for the NFL

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- Raymond Webber is one of two(2) players to finish a season in the Southwest Athletic Conference(SWAC) with 100 or more passes. The other player was Jerry Rice.

Like many football players, Webber hopes to hear his name called at some point in the 2011 NFL draft. Webber says playing under Monte Coleman has prepared him for the NFL. He understands the NFL Lingo thanks to the pro style offense at UAPB.

He's visited 8 teams leading up to the draft and hopes one of those will become his new home soon. He sat down with Today's THV and talked about his visits and his approach to the pro game.

The NFL draft is April 28-30th.



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Videographer: isasports; Raymond Webber UAPB Pro-Day 3-7-2011

WR Webber: From PHL to Rams?

Call him a late bloomer, or a classic case of someone who slipped through the cracks. But St. Louisan Raymond Webber, a wide receiver from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, is a secret no more to NFL teams.

Webber, who finished his high school career at Miller Career Academy in the PHL, is in the midst of a whirlwind tour of the NFL. He already has visited Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, and Green Bay. Next week, he tours Florida with pre-draft visits to Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Miami.

He also had a visit and a private workout for his hometown team, the Rams, at the end of March. So when did Webber realize he was an NFL prospect?

"I really didn't know," Webber said. "It's all overwhelming. We have a top prospect in our ‘d-tackle' _ Ibraham Abdulai. During the season a lot of scouts were coming to scout him, and I was just riding his coattails, hoping to get seen, hoping to just talk to a scout to give me more motivation."

Webber participated in two lesser known postseason all-star games: the Russell Athletic HBCU All-Star Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 18; and the inaugural Eastham Energy All-Star Game Jan. 23 in Tempe, Ariz. But he didn't get invited to the NFL scouting combine, and didn't realize there was this kind of interest in him until about a month ago.

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Videographer: isasports; Raymond Webber UAPB College Highlights

WSSU Rams sign six players for basketball, with five of them coming from junior college

It has been a busy offseason for coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State. After losing six seniors from a team that went 19-8 and won the CIAA's Southern Division, Collins and his assistants worked overtime on the recruiting trail.

The Rams signed five junior-college players to help offset the loss of so many seniors. The Rams also signed freshman Wykevin Bazemore from Bertie High School and will also welcome 6-foot-9 center David Best, a transfer from N.C. Central.

"I'm extremely happy," Collins said. "We knew we had to really step it up in our recruiting because we had so many seniors on last year's team. I'm very pleased with how my assistant coaches worked long and hard hours to help me put this class together."


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Ex-Alabama A&M soccer player Patricia Ofori killed in car accident

Patricia Ofori
(Photo Courtesy AAMU)

Huntsville, Alabama - An ex-Black Queens player, Patricia Ofori has died following a car accident on April 20, 2011 in Huntsville. Media reports suggest that Ofori, born on June 9, 1981, was on the way to graduate school class when the accident occurred.

Ofori was a former player of Alabama’s A&M women soccer team and played for the Ghana Black Queens at two World cups in 2003 and 2007.

She played for the Bulldogs from 2005-2007 and led the team to the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, Alabama news website al.com said.

“This is the biggest shock of my life…its unbelievable”, A&M women’s soccer coach Frank Davies was cited by the publication as saying.

Former Black Queens player killed in car crash

Former Black Queens player Patricia Ofori was killed in a car accident Wednesday in Huntsville in the United States. The 29-year-old, who played in two World Cups, lost control of her Ford Mustang while driving. Her car slid into the northbound lane, where it was hit by a pickup truck and caught fire.


She started her career in Ghana with Mawuena Ladies before she was called to the national team in 2003.

Ofori, played for the Bulldogs from 2005-2007 and led the team to the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.



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South Aiken's Dingle signs to play college tennis at Prairie View

Aiken, S.C. - South Aiken High School senior Jonathan Dingle took the next step to continuing his tennis career on Wednesday, signing to play at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Dingle chose the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) institution over Winston-Salem State, North Carolina Central and Florida A&M for the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage.

"The fact that they were a major D-I school and the better chances to win the conference title and make it to the NCAA Tournament," was key, he said.

The Panthers' men's tennis team advanced to the SWAC semifinals this season, and played in last year's NCAA Tournament. Dingle said he was looking forward to the travel arrangements of college tennis.


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Harrison's new destiny is Division I athlete at Howard University

Seoul American's Destinee Harrison blasts a spike kill past the block
 of Osan American's Alina Hauter during Saturday's Korean-American
 Interscholastic Activities Conference girls volleyball match.

Destinee Harrison is taking her volleyball game to a new level.

Seoul American’s two-time All-Far East Division I Tournament middle blocker on Thursday signed a national letter of intent and accepted a full volleyball scholarship at Howard University in Washington starting next fall.

“I think I made the right choice,” Harrison said. “It’s a prestigious school and when I went there, everybody was so welcoming and (coach Dawn Barnes) was a really nice lady and made the process very easy.”

Playing Division I volleyball is a lifelong dream come true, Harrison said. “People are always going to be nervous about change, but more than nervous, I’m excited about playing at the Division I level.

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HU's Lackey Scores Winning Goal in Sudden Death Overtime

 Midfielder Courtland Lackey

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For nearly three hours amongst 80 shots, 23 groundballs, and 38 saves the Lady Bison lacrosse team battled back and fourth with the Fresno State, ending every period in a tie, until quadruple-overtime where junior Courtland Lackey found the back of the net to give Howard (4-11, 0-7 NLC) the thrilling 19-18 win in the team’s season finale.

In the first half the Bulldogs (0-13, 0-5 MPSF) jumped off to a 4-0 run and Lackey broke their skid with Howard’s first score of the game on a free position shot. Howard went on to produce two 3-0 runs before the end of the half, pulling the Bison up to a 7-7 tie with Fresno State by the end of the first.

Senior Desiree Cox – who entered her final game inside Greene Stadium ranked No. 16 in the nation in most goals scored with 43 – included two scores in the first. Cynithia Smalls also recorded a score in the opening half. Lackey went on an offensive attack, scoring the last three goals of the half, including an unassisted bomb into the back of the net with 0:18 left before halftime.

Exploding in the second half was Smalls who posted three quick scores for the Lady Bison. With 15 minutes into the second half Howard was on a 7-1 run and notching scores alongside Smalls in the run was Lackey, Cheryse Cox, Chastity Dailey and Desiree Cox, giving Howard the 14-8 lead.

Before Howard could close out the game in regulation, the Bulldogs fought back with a 8-2 run, which included the game-tying goal by FSU’s Kara Concheck who scored with 20 seconds left in regulation, pushing the game into overtime.

The Bulldogs scored first in the overtime, but Ashley Lawrence tied the game back at 17 a piece to give the Bison life for a second overtime. Smalls scored first for the Bison in the second-overtime, but FSU answered back with another tying goal.

Going into triple-overtime the game transitioned into a sudden death, in which the first team to score would take the game. The third-overtime went scoreless courtesy of HU goalkeeper Amber Meeks who blocked three shots from entering into the net. She also made a key save in the fourth-overtime, leaving room for Lackey to make her triumphant finish. Meeks recorded four saves in the overtime series and tallied 17 total in the game.

Lackey’s game-breaking goal was her sixth in the game and marked a career-high, tying Desiree Cox for most goals scored in a single game for the Lady Bison. Lackey also led the team defensively with five caused turnovers while Sydney Satchell and Ashley Foote finished with three. Foote also garnered seven draw controls for Howard.

Desiree Cox finished with four goals, marking her eight game of the season with at least four goals. Fellow senior Ashley Lawrence scored a goal and recorded three draw controls for the Lady Bison. Cheryse Cox finished with two scores and led the team in assists with two.

With the regular 2010-11 season in the books the Howard lacrosse team will prepare for the National Lacrosse Conference Championship in Davidson, N.C. set to begin on April 28 inside Richardson Stadium. For more information on Bison lacrosse during the conference tournament, visit www.howard-bison.com.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
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A&M University closer to hiring new men's basketball coach

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M is getting closer to hiring a new men's basketball coach, a member of the search committee told The Times Tuesday.

Nearly 60 applicants, including former South Carolina State and Tennessee State coach Cy Alexander, former Florida A&M coach coach Eugene Harris, who is also a former assistant at Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and South Alabama, and Stillman coach Michael Grant, who led the Tigers to a near upset of the University of Alabama-Huntsville last month in the NCAA Division II South Regional final, have applied for the job, but sources say only half of them meet the criteria. Alexander, Harris and Grant have emerged as serious contenders for the job, according to the source.

The committee is trying to trim the number of quality candidates down to 8-10 in hopes ...

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Jackson State AD search on hold, but 1 candidate emerges

A.D. Charles McClelland 

Even though Jackson State's search for an athletic director hasn't officially begun, one former finalist for the position has voiced his interest in the job again.

Charles McClelland, a Jackson native entering his fourth year as athletic director at Texas Southern, said the "opportunity to get interest from JSU and come home is exciting.

"Being from Jackson, I understand the rich history and tradition at JSU and what it means to the city of Jackson," said McClelland, a finalist for the job in 2006.

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Young Grambling enjoys SWAC success

Coach James Cooper

Grambling head baseball coach James Cooper had a lot of holes to fill heading into this season as his team began the defense of its 2010 SWAC Tournament championship.

 The Tigers had to replace their entire outfield, both corner infielders, a second baseman and a catcher. Only three of the top players from the championship run — shortstop Chris Wolfe and starting pitchers Adrian Turner and Richie Bautista — were back in 2011.

Yet the Tigers are playing better now than they were at this point last season, holding on to second place in the SWAC Western Division standings. GSU is 10-5 (17-17 overall) in league play, and has the same number of losses as first-place Southern (13-5).


Videographer: weareintime

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Senior powers Morehouse Tigers golf to victory

Olajuwon Ajanaku can finally cut his hair. The Morehouse College senior wanted to wait until he won a tournament, and his three-round total of 8-over-par 224 was more than enough as Ajanaku placed first individually and his team won the SIAC Golf Classic at par-72 Jones Creek Golf Club on Wednesday.

"I've never seen this much hair on my face," Ajanaku said with a smile.



Morehouse had four of the top five scorers as it ended at 69-over-par for a comfortable victory. The victory gave Bill Lewis coach of the year honors as Morehouse won for the third consecutive year. Benedict College came in second at 135-over and Kentucky State grabbed third at 182-over. Paine College was next in fourth place at 226-over and LeMoyne-Owen College rounded out the team scores at 370-over.

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