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Norfolk State's Chris Walley endured an up-and-down first season. During his second year, the NSU quarterback will be up and down in the lineup.
After watching transfer Nico Flores through three weeks of spring practice, Spartans coach Pete Adrian said he expects to play both quarterbacks during the first four games of the season. That stretch will serve as something of an elongated warm-up to the meat of the MEAC schedule. It includes a game against West Virginia, other non-conference games against Virginia State and Charleston Southern and the conference opener against lightly regarded Howard.
"We'll use two quarterbacks," Adrian said. "Walley ran the ball well and Nico threw the ball well this spring. We'll see how it goes in the first part of the season. If it works out well, they won't have a problem with it. They just want to go out and win."
After concluding three weeks of spring practice, Norfolk State is set on four of its five starting offensive linemen. But the group will still face plenty of questions next fall.
"Obviously, that whole group is going to need game experience," coach Pete Adrian said. "Until you start playing, you don't really know what you have."
Kendall Noble, the only returning starter, will begin the year at left tackle, while Michael Kay, who got significant playing time last season, will start at center. Blake Matthews and Kenneth Johnson took hold at left and right guard, respectively. Still to be decided is who will play right tackle. Adrian said three or four players are in the mix.
Louis Theodore Williams
March 26, 1960 - April 20, 2011
NEW ORLEANS — Louis Williams, the leading scorer on Xavier University of Louisiana's 29-2 men's basketball team in 1981-82, died this past Wednesday (April 20) in Houston at age 51.
Williams died in his sleep of natural causes, his sister Dawn said.
A 6-foot-4 forward and a native of Gulfport, Miss., Williams averaged 17 points and 6.9 points per game and shot 57.4 percent from the floor to earn NAIA All-America honorable mention for Coach Denny Alexander's Gold Rush in 1981-82. Xavier lost its opener, then won 29 in a row to tie a school record for consecutive victories in one season. The XU men were 12-0 in league play during the first season of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, won the NAIA District 30 playoffs to qualify for the NAIA National Championship and ranked third in the final NAIA coaches poll.
"A tremendous athlete with fantastic leaping ability and a soft but deadly jump shot." Alexander said of Williams. "Capable of being unstoppable at times . . . sometimes he's downright awesome."
Williams was one of three freshmen from Alexander's 1979-80 team to reach 1,200 career points at Xavier. The others were Eugene Johnson and Alvin "Bo" Dukes. Williams played through his junior season and finished with 1,206 points — which still ranks him 17th on Xavier's career list — and 527 rebounds in 86 games.
Williams averaged 11.8 points and 5.1 rebounds as a freshman. As a sophomore he averaged 12.8 and 6.1 rebounds and blocked 67 shots — still a Gold Rush season record — for a 21-8 team which won the NAIA District 30 playoffs and qualified for the national tourney for the first time in eight seasons.
His single-game highs included 34 points at Paul Quinn on Jan. 11, 1982, 17 rebounds at Dillard on Feb. 14, 1981, and nine blocked shots against Philander Smith in the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Tournament on Dec. 19, 1980.
As a senior at Harrison Central High School in 1978-79, Williams averaged 19 points and 16 rebounds.
"Sweet Lou was the best," Dawn Williams said. "He was everyone's best friend. He would sit on his front porch and talk to everybody who passed by."
Williams is survived by six daughters and 16 siblings. A Mass of Christian burial will start at 10 a.m. Monday (May 2) at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 3521 19th Street in Gulfport, MS 39501, phone 228-863-0642. Burial will follow at Monroe Memorial Park at the corner of Canal and Hutter roads in Gulfport. In lieu of flowers, the Williams family requests donations to Dawn Williams accounts at Wells Fargo Bank or Hancock Bank to help defray funeral expenses.
Ed Joyner's 2011 recruiting class at Hampton University is proof it pays to be persistent — and that it helps to be a little lucky.
In addition to Phoebus product Dashawn Stitt, who verbally committed to Hampton in January, Joyner also has signed two players from Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C., which went 26-4 and finished the 2010-11 season ranked No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 25 in the country by MaxPreps.
The Pirates were originally focused on recruiting 6-foot-5 shooting guard Keron Brown, who averaged 14 points and six rebounds last season, Joyner said. Dwight Meikle, his 6-8 power forward/guard combo teammate who averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, verbally committed to St. John's in November.
But when Meikle was released from that commitment last Wednesday, Joyner was waiting.
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Videographer: wworldp; Hampton University Campus Tour
Videographer: wworldp; Emancipation Oak at Hampton University
Miles Bowman Jr., of Parkland won't be playing college basketball in his hometown after all. Bowman, a versatile 6-foot-6 senior who had previously committed to Winston-Salem State, switched gears on Monday and signed with Delaware State, a Division I program that competes in the MEAC.
Coach Carlos Mumford of Parkland — a former basketball player at WSSU — said that Bowman had wanted a shot at playing in Division I and couldn't turn down the offer from Delaware State, which is coached by Greg Jackson, a former coach at N.C. Central.
"I am just happy for the kid," Mumford said. "I am a Ram, but once you have a kid with his mind set on something, you want what's best for the kid.
The NFL draft is a strange way to enter the workforce. Imagine watching ESPN Saturday and hearing that in the fifth round you've been selected by Presbyterian Hospital, Duke Energy or Charlotte Magazine. Don't you wish it were Sunday, and the draft had ended, and you knew what would come next?
"No," says David Mims. "I want to see how it plays out."
Mims, 23, was an All-Southwestern 4A offensive tackle at South Mecklenburg High and three times All-CIAA and twice Division II All-America at Virginia Union. He guesses he'll be selected Saturday in the fifth round of the NFL draft. His agent, Greg Linton, hopes for the fifth round.
Linton works for Hall of Fame Sports out of Canton, Ohio. Mims and his mother Regina and father Davvie and an uncle and an 80-year-old grandmother and few close relatives and friends will fly to Canton Friday morning.
Kyle O'Quinn, a junior basketball player from Jamaica, N.Y., and Thea Aspiras, a freshman bowler from Great Bridge High, were named Norfolk State's male and female Athletes of the Year at the school's athletic banquet Monday night.
O'Quinn became NSU's first MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and was named first team all-conference after ranking fourth in the nation in blocked shots (3.4 per game) and fifth in the country in rebounds (11.1 per game).
Aspiras was named the MEAC bowling Rookie of the Year, a first for NSU. She also became NSU's first first-team all-conference bowler, and is NSU's first bowling All-American after she was named to the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) second team. She averaged 197.5 per game this year, including a high game of 277.
Tallahassee, FL - Joe Taylor will have a bit of an uneasy feeling for the next three weeks that has absolutely nothing to do with his football team at Florida A&M.
What he'll be feeling comes from the fact some of his friends, family and just ordinary folks have planned to come together to roast and toast him.
"There is a little anxiety there because you really don't know," Taylor said Monday. "I hope it's more of a toast than a roast."
The event is scheduled for May 14 at the TCC Center for Workforce Development. It's being promoted by the Rattlers Special Edition, a fan-based organization that has traveled to out-of-town games each season for more than two decades.
Covington, Washington - Tahoma High's Sammii Jimenez signed on the dotted line Monday afternoon. Jimenez, a senior pitcher for the Bears fastpitch team, committed to play on scholarship at Texas Southern University located in Houston, Texas.
She celebrated with teammates, friends and family at Tahoma as she signed the paperwork. Jimenez plans to major in education. She hopes to teach kindergarten. "They have the major that I'm looking for," she said. "It also had a family feel and I love the atmosphere."
Texas Southern is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the SWAC. "I went down there in January... and I loved it," she said. "The weather was perfect. I loved it."
The seeds of Johnson C. Smith’s track and field championship were sown four years ago.
That’s when first-year Lennox Graham brought in world-class sprinters from his native Jamaica, Leford Green on the men’s side and Shermaine Williams on the women’s. From there, the Golden Bulls added pieces to the foundation, which bore fruit last week with the school’s first CIAA women’s title. Green won his third straight most valuable award with 33 individual points and JCSU’s men scored 119 points to finish second to national power St. Augustine’s with 176.5.
“I had two pretty good recruits,” Graham said. “I thought...
Highlights of the 2011 Prairie View A&M Spring Football Game and interview with head coach Heish Northern after the game. The Panthers wrapped up spring practice on Friday, April 15 with its annual Purple & Gold Game at Blackshear Field in Prairue View, Texas. Log on for more information at www.pvpanthers.com.
Morgan is a 6'3, 205-pound junior guard out of Hampton University who just entered his name into the 2011 NBA Draft last week. He was named to the 2011 Lou Henson Mid-Major All America team, as well as the All-MEAC (Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) second team. Primarily known as a shooter, Morgan shot 36.6 percent from downtown last season, helping lead the Hampton Pirates to a 24-9 record.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team will play host to Delaware State Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. at Robert E. Taylor Stadium.
Admission and parking are both free for Wednesday's games. Gametracker live stats will also be available.
The Terrapins (32-14, 8-5 ACC) took two of three in a series at Florida State over the weekend. Senior Kerry Hickey pitched her 11th career no-hitter for a 1-0 win in game one of the weekend and the Terrapins rallied behind Vangie Galindo's three-run home run in the top of the seventh to win game two 7-4.
Galindo is leading the ACC at the plate with her .434 average and league-high 63 hits. She went 13-for-20 over the last week and had multiple hits in all five of the Terrapins games. Bree Hanafin's average of .385 is fourth-best in the league.
The Terrapin pitching staff of freshman Ashley Czechner, Kendra Knight and Hickey lead the ACC with their team ERA (1.77), opposing batting average (.176) and strikeouts (402). Czechner and Hickey are Nos. 2 and 4, respectively, in the ACC in ERA and Knight is No. 6. Czechner's opposing batting average of .154 is tied for best in the league
The Hornets come to College Park with a 25-13 overall mark and a 7-2 record in the MEAC. They are led at the plate by Jordan Reid who is hitting .474 this season. Pitcher Ashlyn Campbell carries an ERA of 1.76 into Wednesday's games. The Terrapins own the all-time series over Delaware State 13-0, after winning two games last year in College Park.
ETTRICK, VA -- What makes Virginia State University junior Howard Spencer so easy to identify is not the free-flowing mane of dreadlocks that billows out of his football helmet. Nor is it the head-turning speed with which he roams the baselines.
It's his unfailing smile -- an ear-to-ear grin that rarely leaves his visage and has come to define the 21-year-old two-sport athlete. "Everybody always calls me 'Smiley,'" Spencer said. "They say I'm always smiling and they know something is wrong when I'm not."
To be fair, the 2007 Thomas Dale graduate has a lot to smile about. His work ethic and positive approach have become contagious and lifted him into leadership roles on the VSU football and baseball teams.
Alcorn State lands 4-Star Recruit in LeAntwan Luckett
Lorman, MS - LeAntwan Luckett admits he knows nothing about the glory days of Alcorn State basketball. "No clue," said the Dandy Dozen senior guard from Ridgeland High School. And he's also quick to point out Alcorn was nowhere on his recruiting radar just a month ago.
But just two weeks after Alcorn named Provine's Luther Riley as its coach, Luckett signed with the Braves on Wednesday. "I wanted to make a difference and bring something back to Alcorn and build the program with Coach Riley," said Luckett.
Luckett is rated the 77th best senior (and No. 20 shooting guard) in the country, according to rivals.com. Luckett said his final four choices were Alcorn, Mississippi State, Tennessee and TCU. A late-minute sales pitch from Riley swayed him.
Riley Signs Wendy's Heisman Luckett and More
ALCORN STATE, MS – Alcorn State head basketball coach Luther Riley had to start recruiting athletes to become players immediately after bring named new head coach and is proud of his first recruited class.
Riley announces the signing of five and one who will perform via an academic scholarship. Those signed on Wednesday to attend Alcorn State areLeAntwan Luckettof Madison County, Brandon Givens of Ellisville, Michael Willis of Nashville, TN, Jarvis Moore of Cleveland, MS, Anthony Evans of Greenville and Tyson Tufono of Jackson's Bailey Magnet H.S.
Luckett is a 6'4 combo guard who avenged 19.8 points and 9.7 rebounds his senior year while making the All State team. He is a four time All Madison County performer, two time All Metro who said, at his signing, that he is “BRAVE enough to make a difference at Alcorn State University.”
He is the son of Joe Luckett and Cynthia Clay and his coach was Roderick Davidson. “He is very athletic and can score from in and outside:” states Riley” “and he will make an immediate impact as we expect great things from him.”
Givens, a 6'-7" 220 pounder from Jones Junior College averaged 25.4 points and 9.2 rebounds the past season. Coached by Bubba Skelton, he was the MVP of the Junior College All Star Game, on the MS Junior College All Star team and a first team Mississippi Jr. College All American. Raised by his grandmother Littery Givens, Riley says that “he is a very good scorer and will come into this league and do well.”
Willis from Moorehead Jr. College stands 6'-8" and weighs 220 pounds. Averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds last season, Riley sees coach Derrick Fears player bringing fans out to home games. “He is a real athletic forward who will bring back excitement and energy to the reservation. He is a relentless player who competes night in and out.”
Moore, a 5'-11" 180 pound point guard, the son of Deborah and Aaron Moore, likes to be behind the steering wheel. “He is a fierce competitor who loves to run the show:” states Riley: “having the leadership abilities that breeds winning.” He was a Mississippi Jr. College All Star in 2011 and made the All Conference team.
Luther Riley is transitioning from coaching high school basketball at Jackson's (Miss.) Provine high school to taking over Alcorn State University, a Division-1 program. On signing day, Riley made sure he brought in a player he is familiar with. Jarren Mallory, a star at Provine high school is part of the first Riley recruiting class. Playing for his former coach, is a major reason why Mallory chose Alcorn State.
"I don't know if I'm gonna be able to start, but I know I'm gonna get a lot of playing time. He knows what I can do, I know how he can coach and we're gonna be on the same page," Mallory said. Riley and Mallory finished 2010-11 at 24-3.
For the 14th straight season, and 28th time in the past 29 years, St. Augustine's won the CIAA men's outdoor track and field championship on Sunday.
At Petersburg, Va., the Falcons men accumulated 176.5 points over the two-day event. Johnson C. Smith finished in second place with 119 points. Winston-Salem State was third with 106. On the women's side, Johnson C. Smith (153 points) won its first CIAA title. Winston-Salem State (129) was second and St. Aug's (105.5) third.
The Falcons dominated the jumping and sprinting events, leading to the victory. Men's field MVP Orlando Duffus won the long jump (7.44 meters) and the triple jump (14.98 meters), and Christopher Copeland took the high jump (2.16 meters).
PETERSBURG, Va. - Defending NCAA Division II champion Saint Augustine's College took home its 14th straight CIAA men's outdoor track and field title Saturday on the campus of Virginia State.
The Falcons have won the men's outdoor crown 31 of the last 33 years under legendary head coach George Williams. They won this year's championship behind CIAA Field MVP Orolando Duffus (Sr./St. Catherine, Jamaica.), who won the long jump and triple jump in addition to placing fourth in the high jump.
Duffus, the 2010 CIAA male scholar-athlete of the year, scored 25 points for the Falcons, who finished first with 176.50 points. Johnson C. Smith was second with 119 points and Winston-Salem State was third with 106 points.
The Falcons perform traditionally well in the sprints and jumps, and this year was no different. Ramon Gittens (Sr./St. Thomas, Barbados) won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, and Jason Boyd (Jr./Waycross, Ga.) won the 110-meter hurdles Saturday. The Falcons were first in the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays. On Friday, Christopher Copeland (Jr./Suffolk, Va.) was the high jump winner.
Led by Gittens, the Falcons placed four sprinters in the top seven in the 100. Sean Stuart (Soph./Miramir, Fla.) was third, Marquis White was fifth and Julius West (Soph./Washington, D.C.) was seventh. In the 400, Josh Edmonds (Fr./Jacksonville, Fla.) was second, Kelly Fisher (Jr./Tinton Falls, N.J.) was fifth and James Quarles (Fr./Washington, D.C.) sixth.
A tornado ravaged Saint Augustine’s College’s campus, leaving in its wake a significant amount of damage and changing the face of the historic grounds. But, in true Falcon spirit, we worked to restore a sense of normalcy in a matter of days after the storm.
There is still much work left to do. Your gift to the recovery fund will provide assistance in restoring the campus to its historic beauty.
Make your gift to the Saint Augustine’s College Recovery and Restoration Fund c/o North State Bank, 4270 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh, NC 27609.
You can also mail your gift to Saint Augustine’s College Office of Institutional Advancement and Development, 1315 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610.
Ole Miss won't be the only university with a new mascot on the football field this fall. After a quiet, months-long process, Alcorn State University has overwhelmingly selected the bravehawk as its new sideline spirit builder.
Alcorn athletic teams still will be known as the "Braves" but a costumed hawk will cheer alongside them, in a move similar to the University of Mississippi's plan to incorporate a new black bear mascot to represent the Rebels.
"We knew it was something that had to be done," said Corey Cooper, a senior radiation technology major from Vicksburg who served on the mascot committee. "The mascot sets the mood, so there was a big need for it." The effort to adopt a new on-field mascot at Alcorn has nearly mirrored ...
The SIAC softball championship game featured the No. 1 seed Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University facing second-seeded number Kentucky State University for the second time in this year’s tournament. FVSU defeated KSU in the quarterfinal round, and on Saturday the Lady Wildcats beat K-State again, taking a 16-3 victory and the tournament title in Columbus, Ga.
In the championship game, the Thorobrettes scored two runs in the first inning when Danielle Garay and Jenna Shingary reached on singles. Garay scored on a single by Shenaaz Burrell, and Shingary scored on a sacrifice fly by Lamara Parker.
In the bottom half of the first, after a single by Kataia Wilson and a walk to Ronkeya Garner, left fielder Kim Hughes cleared the bases with a three-run homer to give the Lady Wildcats a 3-2 lead.
Fort Valley State won the SIAC softball tournament on Saturday in Columbus, topping Kentucky State 16-3 in the championship game.
After allowing two runs in the top of the first inning, Fort Valley State took the lead in the bottom of the first with a three-run homer by Kim Hughes. The Lady Wildcats added four runs in the second on two-run singles by Katara Wilson and Ronkeya Garner, and Fort Valley State had control of the game the rest of the way.
The game was called after 4½ innings because of the eight-run mercy rule.
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – The 2011 SWAC Women's Golf Champion Alabama State Lady Hornets added another title to the mantle Sunday, winning the 17th National Women's Collegiate Golf Classic at Stone Mountain Golf Course.
The Lady Hornets finished with a 671 score in the 36-hole event, holding off a strong charge from second place South Carolina State (678). Hampton University (690) finished third.
ASU shot 344 on Sunday, not as strong as they did Saturday, while S.C. State improved by 24 strokes. However, it was not enough to take the title away from the Lady Hornets.
“I'm relieved” said Hornets' Gary Grandison said of winning the event for the first time. “It was definitely a tough round on a tough course. We struggled. We had a lot of bad breaks today. One of our players (Aileen Meredith) had five birdies and still shot in the 80s.”
PETERSBURG, VA — Chowan University head baseball coach Aaron Carroll has been named 2011 CIAA Coach of the Year. Carroll was awarded the honor at the CIAA ceremony on the campus of Virginia State University this past week before the start of the conference tournament.
Carroll, a Fort Defiance High School graduate, led Chowan to a 29-14 overall record in the regular season, the most wins the program has had since the 2008 campaign. The Hawks earned the top seed in the CIAA tournament after compiling a 25-3 conference record, but were eliminated from the tournament Saturday. Chowan finished the year with a 30-16 record.
COLUMBUS, Ga. - It wasn't pretty but, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) overcame Lindenwood 2-1 to win the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITCs) and with it their second National Championship this season, claiming, unequivocally, the title of best women's college bowling team in the land.
"I'm still trying to feel if this is real or not," said head coach Sharon Brummell. "Knowing that our team is the champions in both events, there's no doubt anymore that we are the best team in the nation."
Last weekend, UMES knocked off Vanderbilt to claim their second NCAA Women's Bowling title and a week later hoisted the Kerm Helmer Cup at the Intercollegiate Team Championships, besting a third place finish in 2008, the first time they won the NCAA title.
This is the Hawk's first ITC title in their eighth appearance. They have participated every year since 2003 with the exception of 2007.
UMES' Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia) barely converted the 3-6-9 spare in the final frame to beat Lindenwood, 164-158, in the deciding game. The Hawks dropped the opening game to the Lions, 182-156, before rallying back to win the second game, 189-183.
PETERSBURG, Va. -- Winston-Salem State defeated St. Augustine's twice Saturday, 7-6 and 3-0, to win the CIAA tournament championship and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
WSSU (30-19) had to win the first game to force the second in the double-elimination tournament after losing 3-2 to St. Aug's in Thursday's opener. The Rams took a 7-2 lead in the first game, then survived a four-run rally by the Falcons (36-18).
Reliever John Markley struck out Kevin White with the tying run on third and the winning run on second to end the game, and Andrew Smith went 3 for 5. In the second game, Markley (5-3) pitched seven shutout innings, and Brice Rivenbark pitched the last two for his second save of the year. Markley allowed three hits, struck out four and walked three.
Two Bulldogs, Frank Kearse (AAMU)
and Derrick McPhearson (Bowie State)
are on NFL Colts draft board.
Colts Director of Pro Personnel Tom Telesco said yesterday at the team's pre-draft news conference that defensive line was one of the strongest areas, in terms of talent, in the 2011 NFL Draft. So, it should come as no surprise that Indianapolis has more than a passing interest in Alabama A&M defensive tackleFrank Kearse.
According to our buddies at National Football Post, the 6'4, 315 pound tackle is 'on the radar' for the Colts.
Just FYI: Alabama A&M produced Colts all-world defensive end Robert Mathis. Indianapolis also conducted a private workout for Bowie State wide receiver Derrick McPhearson. McPhearson returned punts and kicks in college. He also played defensive back and even a little QB.
ATLANTA, GA - A dedicated proponent of service and working with young people, first lady Michelle Obama is an example of how one woman can positively influence the world. On Sunday, May 15, at 3 p.m., at the Georgia International Convention Center, Mrs. Obama will inspire more than 500 graduates to also leave their mark on the world when she delivers the commencement address to the Spelman College class of 2011. Mrs. Obama will also receive an honorary degree.
Honorary degrees will also be bestowed upon director, actress and choreographer Debbie Allen, and her sister, actress and director Phylicia Rashad. Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder of Teach For America will receive the National Community Service Award.
"Having Mrs. Obama as our 2011 Commencement speaker is a true honor because she embodies the Spelman College mission which is to prepare women to change the world in a meaningful way," said Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., president, Spelman College. "I know our students will be inspired by her powerful presence."
As first lady, Mrs. Obama uses her platform to support military families, help working women balance career and family, encourage national service, promote the arts and arts education, and foster healthy eating and healthy living for children and families across the country. In 2010, she launched the Let's Move! Campaign, a nationwide effort to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.
Underscoring the important contributions made by all the honorees, Dr. Tatum said "Our honorees have made a significant impact on the world just as Spelman women do. They offer our graduates empowered examples of excellence in action with game-changing results. We could not be happier!"
Honorary Degree Recipient: Debbie Allen, director, choreographer and author
Debbie Allen continues to be one of the most respected, relevant, and versatile talents in the entertainment industry today. She is an internationally recognized director, choreographer and author. Allen has received three Emmy awards honoring her choreography, and two Emmys and one Golden Globe for her role as "Lydia Grant" in the hit series "Fame." Allen has choreographed for artists such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson, and also holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards a total of ten times, six in consecutive years. She has accumulated a long list of directing and producing credits for television, including "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "The Parkers," "That's So Raven," "All of Us," "Girlfriends," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Hellcats" and "Grey's Anatomy." She also produced the Steven Spielberg epic film "Amistad" in 1997.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Phylicia Rashad, actress, director
Phylicia Rashad is an actress, director and singer, best known for her role as Claire Huxtable on the NBC sitcom "The Cosby Show." She is the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, for her role in the revival of "A Raisin in the Sun." Rashad recently made her directorial debut at the helm of Seattle Rep's production of August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean." Her other Broadway credits include "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Dreamgirls," "The Wiz" and "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death." Rashad has received many awards, including an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her roles on "The Cosby Show" and the CBS sitcom "Cosby," on which she played Ruth Lucas. She has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and has received two People's Choice Awards.
National Community Service Award Recipient: Wendy Kopp, CEO and founder, Teach For America
Wendy Kopp is CEO and founder of Teach For America, an organization established to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting the nation's most promising future leaders in the effort. Today more than 8,000 Teach For America corps members are in the midst of two-year teaching commitments in 39 regions across the country, reaching over 500,000 students. Last year, more than 20 percent of Spelman seniors sought Teach for America posts.
Kopp is the author of "A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn't in Providing an Excellent Education for All" (2011) and "One Day, All Children: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach For America and What I Learned Along the Way" (2000).
Baccalaureate Service:
Spelman will hold its Baccalaureate ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2011 on the Spelman College Oval beginning at 9 a.m. This year's speaker will be Emilie M. Townes, Ph.D., Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African-American Religion and Theology at the Yale Divinity School.
Spelman College:
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts an 83 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman.
ITTA BENA, Miss. — Mississippi Valley State starting quarterback Oliver Hughes and transfer defensive lineman Ronald Byrd will miss the 2011 season with torn ACLs.
Delta Devils coach Karl Morgan tells the Delta Democrat Times that Hughes was injured during a scrimmage last week. Morgan says Byrd, a transfer from South Carolina, had surgery last week after being injured in the team's first spring practice. Morgan says both players will seek a medical redshirt and plan to return next year.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Byrd sat out the 2009 season at South Carolina after tearing an ACL during a team scrimmage. Morgan says he doesn't know if it was the same knee.
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University split a home baseball doubleheader against visiting North Carolina A&T of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Saturday afternoon at Charles Buddy Bolding Stadium in Farmville. The Lancers (24-14) won the first game versus the Aggies (13-24) by a score of 7-6 in 10 innings before falling 2-1 in the second game. Senior captain Brant Jones|Richmond (Monacan) had three hits, including a triple and a double, with an RBI in the opener while junior Mark Montgomery| Williamsburg (Bruton) earned the pitching win with the final three innings of scoreless relief on the mound. Longwood and MEAC member North Carolina A&T will play another doubleheader on Easter Sunday, April 24, though this time in Greensboro, North Carolina beginning at 1 p.m.
In game one, Longwood allowed the Aggies to take a 4-0 lead through four innings en route to leading 5-0 in the fifth before the Lancers put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth to trail 5-3. The visitors made it 6-3 with a run in the sixth, but the hosts scored three runs in the seventh to tie it at 6-6 and force extra innings during the scheduled seven-inning contest. It remained tied until the bottom of the 10th when Longwood finally pushed across the winning run with two outs, unearned via a throwing error, nonetheless. Freshman Scott Burkett|Williamsburg (Jamestown) (2-5, rbi) reached on a separate throwing error to open the at-bat, moved to second on a single by sophomore Justin Lacy|Glen Allen (J.R. Tucker) (2-5), and scored the decisive run after advancing to third on a bunt-single to the pitcher from junior Dustin Sollars|Midlothian (Cosby) (2-5) and continuing on across the plate when the pitcher threw wildly to first base on the play.
Norfolk State's Chris Walley endured an up-and-down first season. During his second year, the NSU quarterback will be up and down in the lineup.
