Shaw's Evans Picked as Preseason Football All-America

Darnell Evans
Shaw University Bears

Raleigh, N.C. - Madison High School graduate Darnell Evans continues to shine on the football field. The cornerback for Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. has been named to the Consensus Draft Service Preseason All-American First Team. Evans is one of only four sophomores on the first team.

The 5-8, 181-pound Evans in 2010 led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association with six interceptions and was the only freshman named to the all-conference First Team as he helped the Bears to their third CIAA football title in four years. He was also tabbed as the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year by the CIAA, an NCAA Division II conference of historically African-American schools.

Evans made 34 tackles in 2010, 22 of them solo. He led the CIAA in passes defended (17) and pass break-ups (10). He was also named the CIAA Defensive Back of the Week once during the season.

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AD's departure welcomed by Grambling State University family

Grambling, LA - There wasn't much of an attempt to hide the consensus opinion regarding Lin Dawson's resignation from his duties as Grambling State's athletics director. GSU alumni and fans are glad he's gone, and they've made the message loud and clear.

Usually when a coach or administrator leaves an athletic department, his departure is met with some boring comments about the hard work he put in for the betterment of the university.

Dawson's departure was met with brutal honesty. Head football coach Doug Williams — arguably the most important living figure in the Grambling family — said Dawson's departure was "in the best interest of the university." It seemed that Williams wanted to say more, but he chose to hold his tongue.

Jackie Hamilton, a GSU alum and the head football coach at Carroll, said, "I know ain't nobody gonna cry about it."

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Aaron James Named Grambling State's Interim Athletic Director

GRAMBLING, LA— Following the resignation of J. Lin Dawson, Grambling State University President Frank G. Pogue has asked Aaron James Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Sport and Leisure Studies, to serve as Interim Athletic Director, effective immediately.

James, a 1974 graduate of Grambling and first round draft pick up of the Utah Jazz, has also served Grambling as assistant Women's Basketball Coach, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Assistant Director of Athletics and Athletic Liaison for the Office of Development.

“I would like to thank Dr. Pogue for his confidence in me and I feel that as a Gramblinite and a former athlete it's a great opportunity to head the department,” said James.

Dr. Pogue announced that a search committee will be named very soon to conduct a national search, assisted by an executive search firm for Dawson's replacement. This search committee will be chaired by Dr. Steve Favors, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Promotions, Marketing and Advancement.

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Dawson resigns from GSU
Dawson resigns as athletic director at GSU

Former UMES Hawk Shines in Pro Bowling Debut

 Kristina Frahm
Professional Bowler
UMES Class 2011

EULESS, Texas - In the largest field ever to bowl the United States Women's Open, former University of Maryland Eastern Shore standout Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.) kept pace, finishing 37th overall in the 286 woman field, collecting her first professional payout of just over $1,000.

"It is a different experience than NCAA's, that's for sure," said Frahm. "You're on your
own now, making moves by yourself, there is no team support or team to help you. It
was exciting."

All bowlers bowled 24 games, three each, Saturday through this past Monday. The top 32 bowlers advanced to a semi-final round Tuesday of eight qualifying games to determine the top 16 for round robin play. The final five bowlers will bowl in Cowboys Stadium Thursday night. First place pays out $50,000 dollars but if a perfect 300 game is thrown in the finals the event pays out one million dollars. There have been several 300 games to date among the field, but none by the three former or one current Lady Hawks in the field.

Missing the cut by just five bowlers, Frahm was disappointed but humbled by her showing.

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South Carolina State's Pough finds success recruiting area stars

Augusta, GA - It makes sense for Oliver "Buddy" Pough to keep coming back to Augusta.

The South Carolina State football coach continues to see the benefits of trips to the area, and Thursday night was a chance for Augusta-area students and families to see what the Bulldogs have to offer. About 150 people interacted with South Carolina State alumni, representatives and officials as the Greater Augusta Alumni Chapter of South Carolina State University held its 15th annual Bulldogs Nite Out in the CSRA at Julian Smith Casino.

"We've got some good players from here. Any time you seem to have success somewhere, you tend to come back, so here we are," Pough said. "It's almost like an in-state area for us. These guys are only about 90 minutes away so there's a good recognition of South Carolina State here. We got a lot of alumni in the area. It's just a great place to come."



Local students -- most coming from Aiken, Columbia and Richmond counties -- had the chance to meet members of the South Carolina State family, even getting time to walk around to different tables in a 30-minute information sessions period.

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Spotted: Bulldogs Nite Out in the CSRA

Improvements planned as JSU takes over Miss. Veterans Stadium

Jackson, MS - Gone will be that ancient video board towering over the field and that puny broken one atop the opposite end zone. Upgrades are coming to those rickety elevators and that paint-chipped press box, too.

Jackson State fans will see a few noticeable differences at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium this fall, the first year the university is in control of the 60-year-old venue. Today, JSU takes ownership of the stadium from the Department of Finance and Administration for at least three years, according to a legislative bill passed in March. University officials said earlier this year they will pour $1.5 million to $3 million into the structure - most, if not all of those funds, coming from a legislative bond bill.



The worn press box will get a new paint job and the elevator to the press box and club levels will be renovated. But more importantly, JSU fans will see two new scoreboards when they enter the 60,000-seat stadium on Sept. 3 for the team's opener against Concordia College.

The stadium's outdated jumbotron is to be replaced with a massive virtual scoreboard that will more than double the size of the current video screen.



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WVSU to open season versus Bowie State, Virginia State

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia State will open its 2011-12 men's basketball schedule against a pair of CIAA programs in a West Virginia Conference arena.

The Yellow Jackets, facing a rebuilding year after losing five starters from a second-place WVC club (20-10), will play Bowie State then Virginia State in the Clarion Hotel Classic at Shepherd to open Coach Bryan Poore's 13th season at the Institute school.

Those Nov. 11-12 are two of the four non-conference games for State. WVSU also has a home-and-home deal with Johnson C. Smith of the CIAA. The Jackets' schedule is completed by the league-mandated 22 WVC games.

"Our non-conference schedule is complete with (Atlantic) regional games against quality CIAA teams that should help us in the regional rankings," Poore said. "We also are fortunate to only have one of those actually on the road, with the two neutral site games in the Shepherd classic.

"The Conference portion of the schedule is a flip-flop of last years in the two-year cycle adopted by the WVC. We have an early home stretch and a late road stretch, so I guess it balances out."

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NCCU's New Football Coach Has Made a Career of Turning Losers into Winners

Durham, N.C. - Henry Frazier III knew he was taking on a pretty tough challenge when he left his head coaching job at Prairie View A&M to become NCCU’s new football coach.

But Frazier has spent most of his life overcoming obstacles. As an African American youngster raised in a single-parent household with two older sisters, he not only graduated from high school but became the first man in his family to finish college and even has a master’s degree.

He became quarterback at Bowie State and took the longtime CIAA doormat Bulldogs to a conference championship in 1989.



He took over a long-losing high school program at Central High in Capitol Heights, Md., and made it respectable before returning to Bowie as head coach and turning the program in the right direction again.

And in he went for the 2004 season as head coach at Prairie View A&M - which had just a few years earlier suffered through a record 80-game losing streak - and by 2009 had long-suffering fans crying tears of joy after a SWAC championship.

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One story earns Xavier's Cassiere three awards

Ed Cassiere, SID
Xavier University of Louisiana

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NEW ORLEANS — One feature story has produced three awards for Ed Cassiere, Xavier University of Louisiana's sports information director.

Cassiere's story — "McDaniel, Douglas Made July Memorable for XU Athletics" — received first place for features in the NAIA's Dr. W. Jack Bell Writing Contest. It also received first place in District 6 — which comprises Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas — in the College Sports Information Directors of America's coach/administrator profile/historical feature division. In the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's sports information contest, the story placed third among best releases.

The feature described the accomplishments of XU standouts Jimmie McDaniel (men's tennis) and Herb Douglas (men's track and field). McDaniel in 1940 played Grand Slam winner Don Budge in what has been called the first important interracial tennis match, and Douglas in 1948 long-jumped 24 feet, 9 inches in London to win bronze and become Xavier's only Olympic medalist.

It's the second time in three years that Cassiere received a best-in-the-NAIA award. He's earned nine awards the past three years in NAIA contests. Cassiere was the only Louisiana entrant to place first in CoSIDA District 6 this year.

Cassiere has won more than 60 awards in a sportswriting career which he started as a 10th-grader in 1974. The 2011-12 academic year will be Cassiere's sixth as Xavier's SID.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy Jr. interviews at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Hampton University athletic director Lonza Hardy is interviewing for the same post at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a Southwestern Athletic Conference school.

An email from UAPB Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr., obtained Tuesday night by The Daily Press, invited university administrators, faculty and staff to a reception to meet Hardy on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

"Over the past couple of days, I have visited with officials at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for discussions on their athletics program and their vacancy for an athletics director," Hardy said in an email Tuesday night. "Where those discussions may lead has not been decided, neither on the part of the university nor on my part. Consequently, my focus is on continuing to prepare Hampton University's athletics program for the start of a new school year and to continue getting our staff, coaches and student-athletes ready to fulfill the lofty goals that we have for all of our athletic teams."

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Clark Atlanta names Dale Brown as men's basketball coach

Atlanta, GA - In March, Clark Atlanta captured its first SIAC men’s basketball championship title in 46 years. Still, school officials saw untapped potential in the program.

“Today isn’t about what has happened in the past, it’s about building a team to ensure that we play even harder, work even smarter and aim even higher in the future,” associate athletic director D’Wayne Robinson said Wednesday upon the introduction of Dale Brown as the next head coach of the CAU men’s basketball program.

“I must say, we will win, and we will win right away,” Brown said. “My philosophy is real simple: Play hard, play smart and play together.”

Brown’s basketball résumé is extensive. During his junior college days at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Brown was named NJCAA men’s basketball player of the year in 1991.


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Pascagoula's Dale Brown named basketball coach at Clark Atlanta

Dale Brown, a Pascagoula native, has been named men's basketball coach at Clark Atlanta University, the school announced Wednesday.

Brown, 42, coached the last three seasons at Dillard University in New Orleans, but was named coach at Meridian Community College on June 10. But less than a month later, he's on the move again, taking over the program at CAU, a member of the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

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FAMU Rattlers arriving early to take care of studies

Tallahassee, FL - Florida A&M running back James Owens went home to Orlando for a brief stay, then returned to the grind of offseason conditioning. This week he began an even more important chapter in his summertime routine — attending classes.

For Owens and most of the 65 other players who didn't go home for the summer, attending classes is an option they decided they'd take. It's one way of easing the fall semester workload in the classroom and keeping them on course for on-time graduation.

"I probably would be at home watching a lot of TV and doing nothing," said Owens, a walk-on who earned a scholarship following an impressive spring. "Now I'm in Tallahassee working out and studying I know I'm doing the right thing."



For the football players, who have demanding fall semesters packed with playbooks, traveling and practices in addition to their class work, summer school means they could carry fewer than the average 16 hours during the season. But there are some like defensive tackle Padric Scott, who doesn't have much of a choice when it comes to summer school because of their majors.

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Comet standout taking talents to Virginia Union

South Boston, VA - Destiny Betts has used her unique talents to help the Comets (Halifax County High School) varsity girls’ basketball team (21-2 record) reach levels of success it hadn’t enjoyed in decades. Betts, a 6-2 center who was instrumental in her team’s unbeaten (20-0) regular season run to a Western Valley District championship and a win in the Northwest Region Tournament, is taking her talents to Virginia Union University this coming season.

The Lady Panthers, coached by Barvenia Wooten Collier, are a member of the Division II CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association), and Betts is happy with where she’ll play basketball.

“I’m happy I got this opportunity because at first I didn’t think I’d get a full scholarship,” said Betts, a First Team selection and Co-MVP for the Western Valley District her senior season, as well as a First Team All-Northwest Region selection.

An Honorable Mention selection to the VHSCA All-Group AAA team, she averaged 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game her senior season.

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Finishing well

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Daytona Chief: Fired B-CU coach refused to aid in rape case involving son

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University's men's basketball coach, fired this week, refused to cooperate with police as they investigated a sexual assault claim involving the coach's son, Police Chief Mike Chitwood said Tuesday.

In a letter to former coach Clifford Reed, B-CU president Trudie Kibbe Reed said her decision to terminate the longtime coach on Monday was based on his "failure to cooperate and insubordination with respect to the university's investigation into allegations against the university and its men's basketball program."

A police report released Tuesday concerning rape allegations made by an 18-year-old basketball player on B-CU's women's team names C.J. Reed as the lone suspect in the assault, even though the accuser never mentioned him as her attacker.

C.J. Reed, a junior guard, was the conference player of the year after leading the Wildcats to their first MEAC championship in school history. C.J. Reed has not been arrested or charged in the case.

The investigation was closed after the accuser refused to follow through with it, police said.

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Dillard Lady Bleu Devils' Basketball Team Add Six Recruits

Coach Kiki Baker Barnes

New Orleans, LA - The Dillard University Lady Bleu Devils' Basketball Team has announced the signing of six players who will join the Lady Bleu Devils' program for the 2011-12 season.

Dillard University Athletic Director and Head Women's Basketball Coach Kiki Barnes and staff have secured the services of Kiante Ageous, of Harvey, LA, Jaliesa Hicks, of Jackson, MS, Ariel Harrell, of Jonesboro, LA, Brittany Smith of Richmond, TX, Keylantra Taylor, of Houston, TX, and Kierrariel Mitchell, of Jackson, MS.

Ageous is an athletic 5'11 shooting guard who originally signed with the University of Arizona coming out of high school. In 2010, Ageous was ranked the 116th best player in the nation at her position by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. Ageous averaged 21.2 points and 11.2 rebounds her senior season for Sam Houston High in San Antonio, Texas after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. She was a McDonalds All-American nominee as well as an ESPN/RISE 3rd Team All-Area selection for the Hurricanes.

Ariel Harrell is a 6'0 forward who attended Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Jonesboro, LA. A prospect for Hoop Gurlz, Harrell averaged 13.1 points and 15.3 rebounds as a senior. She was All-District Second Team her senior year and scored a season-high 32 points vs. state champion Winnfield High School.

Kierrariel Mitchell, a guard/forward from Jackson, MS. Kierrariel attended Jim Hill High School and averaged 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game her senior year. She had a game-high 26 points vs. Murrah High School, 3rd best school in state of Mississippi. She was voted All-State Honorable Mention as well as All-District and All-Metro Area First-Team as a senior, leading her team to an overall record of 26-8. Mitchell is ranked the 19th best player in the Mississippi FILA Class of 2011 Top 40.



Jaliesa Hicks is a 5'5 point guard who also attended Jim Hill High School in Jackson, MS. She averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds her senior season. She was named to the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger All-Metro Team all four years of high school.

Brittney Smith is a 5'7 guard who attended George Bush High School in Richmond, TX. She averaged 16 points and 2.6 assists per game as a senior and earned 1st-Team All-District honors. Smith had a season-high 36 points vs. Fort-Bend Austin. Smith was also MVP and Team Captain her senior season.

Rounding out the class is Keylantra Taylor, a 6'0 forward who played prep ball at Klein Forest High School in Houston, TX. Taylor averaged 16 points and 14 rebounds her senior season, earning 1st-Team All District honors. She was ranked 91st overall at the wing position in the nation by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. She was voted Team Captain and MVP, leading the Golden Eagles to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in ten years.

"I am very excited about the about the six young ladies that we are adding to an already good core group of girls," said Kiki Barnes. "Not only is each one these young ladies extremely talented, but they also possess a winning attitude."

The Lady Bleu Devils open the 2011-12 regular season on Friday, November 11, 2011 in an exhibition contest at Southern University at Baton Rouge.

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Xavier Volleyball tryouts scheduled for July 16 at The Barn

Coach Christabell Hamilton

NEW ORLEANS — Tryouts for the 2011 Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball team will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 16 at The Barn.

Junior-college players, high-school students in the class of 2011 and Xavier students are eligible to try out. Prospects may bring a DVD of themselves in competition or in skills demonstration, an academic transcript and a player profile/resume.

There is no fee for the tryout, and water will be provided. Contact Coach Christabell Hamilton at (504) 520-5344 or chamilt5@xula.edu for more information.

Driving directions to The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium, can be found online by using 3999 Short Street and the 70125 zip code as the destination.



By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Hampton U. grad Kellie Wells wins national title in 100M hurdles

Eugene, Ore. - Kellie Wells' long, tough road back has reached a golden milestone. The 2006 Hampton University graduate is America's new women's 100-meter hurdles champion and bound for the IAAF World Championships of Track and Field starting late August in Daegu, Korea.

It took Wells just 12.50 seconds to take the gold medal at the USA Championships on Sunday at historic Hayward Field and put all her past tribulations behind her. She fought off old rivals Danielle Carruthers (second in 12.59) and Dawn Harper (third in 12.65) to claim her first American title and a trip to her first Worlds.

"It was tough at times but I was always hopeful a day like this would come," said Wells. "I'm just happy to be on top, to be looked as the best hurdler. "This (the Worlds) will be my first team, my first time to wear the US logo on my chest. "It will be an amazing honor and I can't wait to represent my country."




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Former Hampton U. star Francena McCorory close second to Allyson Felix in 400M at U.S. Track Championships

Allyson Felix won her first U.S. title in the 400, topping former Hampton University's Francena McCorory with a time of 50.40 to 50.49.  Debbie Dunn, Norfolk State University alum finished third for a ticket to the IAAF World Championships Aug. 27-Sept. 4 in Daegu, South Korea.  Dunn posted a time of 50.70.



Allyson Felix extends self, wins U.S. title at 400

Eugene, Ore. -- Allyson Felix powered down the home stretch to capture the women's 400 meters at the U.S. championships Saturday, setting up the possibility she might compete in two events at the world championships this summer.

Felix already has a spot in the 200 as the defending world champion. She has yet to decide whether she will attempt the 200-400 double at the worlds in Daegu, South Korea, in late August.

Going double the distance she normally runs, Felix got stronger as the race went along Saturday and held off Francena McCorory at the finish, winning in 50.40 seconds to become the first woman to win national titles in the 100, 200 and 400 over a career. Debbie Dunn (Norfolk State) was third.

The 200-400 double would not be easy to pull off in South Korea, given all the rounds and the lack of recovery time between them. That's why the decision will be a difficult one for Felix and her coach, Bobby Kersee.

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B-CU Releases Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed

B-CU fires men's basketball coach Clifford Reed after most successful season in school history

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) announced today that it has released Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed, effective immediately. The University made the decision to release Coach Reed following an internal administrative review. Assistant Head Basketball Coach Gravelle Craig is currently managing all B-CU basketball program operations.

B-CU fires basketball coach

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman has fired longtime men's basketball coach Clifford Reed, a little more than three months after the Wildcats completed their best season in 30 years.

Reed was fired for refusing to cooperate with a university investigation and insubordination, according to his termination letter obtained today by The News-Journal.

The letter reads: "Please be advised that the University has decided not to offer you a new employment contract as head men's basketball coach, and your employment as head men's basketball coach is terminated effective immediately. This decision is based on your failure to cooperate and insubordination with respect to the University's investigation into allegations against the University and its men's basketball program."

Reed, 46, said he was presented the letter, which was signed by Bethune-Cookman President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, at a meeting this afternoon. Clifford Reed added that Athletic Director Lynn Thompson also was at the meeting.

Clifford Reed fired as Bethune-Cookman men's basketball coach

Bethune-Cookman has fired men's basketball coach Clifford Reed. The school announced the decision in a short press release Monday evening. It did not give a reason, but the decision came after an internal administrative review. Assistant Cravelle Craig will take over the program for now.

Reed, a B-CU graduate, was 125-166 in 10 seasons as coach, including an 74-88 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This past season the Wildcats had one of their best, going 21-13, winning the conference in the regular-season at 13-3 and qualifying for the NIT Tournament where it lost to Virginia Tech.

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Cole says he has accepted JD job; MPS official says no recommendation has been made

L.C. Cole

Montgomery, AL  -  L.C. Cole, the former Alabama State head football coach, said he has accepted the head coaching position at Jeff Davis High School.  Montgomery Public Schools senior communication officer Tom Salter, however, said in an email that Cole is not an employee of the Montgomery Public Schools.

Salter said in order for a person to be hired, the superintendent must to make a recommendation to the board of education during a board meeting. The majority of the board must vote on a personnel report to affirm the superintendent's recommendation. When asked what the next step would be, Salter said Thursday that the next board meeting is scheduled for June 28.

"However, it is possible that there could be a called meeting earlier than that date, not specifically for this hire, but for a number of personnel items," Salter said. Cole said he interviewed for the position with a four-person committee. Cole said a member of the committee called him back later and offered him the job and he accepted it.

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North Carolina Central hires head softball coach

NCCU Softball Coach Theresa Stephens

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina Central University announced Theresa Stephens as its head softball coach on Monday. Stephens joins NCCU with more than eight years of coaching experience at the Division I, II and III levels, as well USA Softball and semi-professional playing experience.

“I am very excited about joining the Eagle family and I am very blessed to be given this opportunity to rebuild the program,” said Stephens. “Having the opportunity to coach against these young ladies during the past few years at Campbell really did inspire me more to want to coach them and be a part of North Carolina Central.”

Prior to accepting the position at NCCU, Stephens was the top assistant softball coach at Campbell, primarily coaching and developing a pitching staff of five student-athletes. Preceding her three years at Campbell, Stephens was the assistant softball coach at UNC Pembroke during the 2007-08 year. As a member of the UNC Pembroke coaching staff, Stephens assisted the squad in setting or tying 33 school records in 2008, along with ending the year with an overall record of 46-15 and finishing 17-1 in the Peach Belt Conference.

Stephens obtained her first head coaching position at Meredith, a Division III institution in Raleigh, N.C., where she spent two seasons leading the Avenging Angels. In all of her travels in North Carolina, Stephens attributes the beginning of her coaching career to Greensboro College, where she served as the assistant coach and an adaptive physical education assistant from 2003-05.

“I am so very excited about Coach Stephens,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. “With her background as a head coach and assistant coach on the Division III, II and I levels, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the game.”

As Stephens looks to rebuild the program, there are three character traits she believes are key to success: energy, passion and leadership.

“Energy is one of the things I would like to bring to this program - getting them fired up and getting them to play with a purpose by helping them to remember why they play this sport,” said Stephens. “I want them to look forward everyday to practice and games, and I want them to build that swagger a confident player should have.

“I will also bring passion to the program, through myself and the staff I surround the young ladies with,” Stephens said. – “When they see how passionate we are, how much we love the sport and how much we care, they will be drawn to that desire to want to succeed. Finally, I feel that I will display strong leadership qualities that anyone will be proud of and desire to follow. If I am a strong leader on and off the field, my student-athletes will emulate that same behavior on and off the diamond.”

Stephens obtained her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation with a concentration in behavioral health from Temple in 2003, after a two-year stint at South Carolina State. The Phoenixville, Pa., native played softball at both institutions and was honored numerously for her pitching and utility abilities. While a sophomore at SCSU in 1999, she was named an Onnidan All-American. During her freshman year in 1998, Stephens was invited to the United States Olympic Team Trials.

After graduating from Temple, Stephens played in with a trio of women’s major class A fastpitch organizations, the New Jersey Majestics, Pennsylvania Royal Ladies and the Pennsylvania Haze over the course of four years.

“Our softball program is headed in the right direction and Coach Stephens will be able to continue taking us to the next level in Division I,” said Wicker-McCree. “Our young women will definitely benefit from her experiences as a coach and a dynamic young woman.”

Along with Stephens’ dedication to success on the diamond, she is even more dedicated to success in the classroom.

“Education is so important,” said Stephens. “I do not want this team to just be champions on the field, but I also want them to strive to be excellent in the classroom.” - “It is my belief that competing in the classroom will carry on to competition on the field.

“As coaches, we are in our student-athletes’ lives’ - most of the year and their parents are expecting us to lead them in the right direction both in the classroom and in their social lives. Players who trust and respect you will value the advice and guidance you provide for their education and growth.”

By North Carolina Central University Athletics

Savannah State says T.A. Wright Stadium will be ready Oct. 1

Savannah, GA - Savannah State University's football team has not played a game on its campus since Nov. 14, 2009. Last season, because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium, nine of the Tigers' 11 games were on the road. The final two games were played at Memorial Stadium.

That will change Oct. 1, when SSU returns to T.A. Wright Stadium to play its first home game as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Tigers will face Howard University at 7 p.m.

"It's going to be done," SSU Vice President for Student Affairs Irvin Clark said of the stadium's completion. "Folks are going to have a lot to be proud of. I must be honest with you, it's a project that's long overdue."

The game is being billed as the "Coming Home/Hall of Fame Game" by SSU's athletics department. It won't be SSU's "Homecoming Game" - that will be Oct. 29 against Hampton - but it undoubtedly will have a homecoming-like atmosphere.

Savannah State has spent $10.2 million to upgrade its athletics facilities, including $6 million on T.A. Wright Stadium, which opened in 1967. SSU students voted in 2009 to pay an extra $150 per student each semester to fund a $21.95-million construction project that includes:

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Former Saint Augustine's Bershawn 'Batman' Jackson makes 400M hurdles IAAF World Championships

EUGENE, Ore. – Jeshua Anderson hardly could have cut it closer Sunday afternoon. Still wearing his Washington State uniform after concluding his collegiate career two weeks ago, Anderson took the first big step in the transition to his professional career by winning the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. track championships – in the narrowest fashion.

Leading off Sunday’s national telecast on NBC, Anderson held off four-time national champion Bershawn Jackson (Saint Augustine's College, 2006/Miami Central H.S., Miami, Fla. 2002) and two-time Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor in the final 25 meters to win his first USA title.

“This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time,” Anderson said. “I’ve been preparing to run my best race at the USAs. I gave it my all. I’m so thankful to have won.” The 22-year-old from Woodland Hills, Calif., was timed in a WSU-record 47.93 seconds – the same as Jackson – with the electronic timer showing Anderson just .009 ahead. Taylor was third in 47.94. Johnny Dutch, the hurdler who kept Anderson from sweeping four NCAA titles as a Cougar by beating him in 2010, was fifth.



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Hayes finally running the show at Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Just before preseason basketball practice started in 2004, then-Alabama A&M men's basketball coach Vann Pettaway called his staff together - Willie Hayes and Sammy Jackson - and told them they were going to have to run the show.

Pettaway had been disagnosed with cancer and was about to undergo the biggest fight of his life. Hayes, the associate head coach at the time, and Jackson, who recently was named the head coach at Fort Valley State, was asked to keep the program headed in the right direction.

"Coach Pettaway let us know what he was going through and he was going to put the program in our hands and he needed us to run things until he could get back into the swing of things," Hayes said.

Not only did Hayes and Jackson runs things, they ran them so well that A&M went on to win not only the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season championship, but the tournament title as well. As a result, the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I program where they lost to Oakland (Mich.).

Now, six years later...

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Alabama A&M ticket prices on the rise

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M football fans will have to pay a few more dollars to watch the Bulldogs play this season. Athletics officials, charged with raising $700,000, increased prices to rent the 22 skyboxes inside Louis Crews Stadium and ticket prices also went up, according to sales manager Tourischeva Stubbs.

Skyboxes range from $10,250 to $12,700, while season tickets have increased $25 and single-game tickets have increased anywhere from $5 to $7. "The skyboxes sold quickly," athletics director Betty Austin said. "There is a great demand for skyboxes. We hope season tickets will sell just as fast or faster." Selling season/reserved tickets was difficult last season, Stubbs said. Only 361 reserved seats were sold in 2010. There are more than 2,000 available.

"We have to change the culture of our fans," Stubbs said. "We need to get people to really see the value of our product and we need to value our product and one way to do that is with the price. Eventually, with time, our fans will see the value and they'll pay for it."

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Canadian Football League: Hampton's McDaniel shines in win over Alouettes

Pre-Season Recap: Montreal 20, Hamilton 57


HBCU Players on defending Grey Cup Champion Montreal Alouettes Roster:
34 Marc, Emmanuel RB Import 5.11 200 17-11-1982 Delaware State
29 Jones, Kitwana DE Import 6.00 240 07-07-1981 Hampton

HBCU Players on Hamilton Tiger-Cats Roster:
37 Young, Marcell DB Import 6.02 200 1987-09-02 Jackson State
97 Powell, Darius DE Import 6.03 225 1988-09-17 Fayetteville State (Practice Roster)
6 McDaniel, Marquay WR Import 5.10 205 1984-04-20 Hampton (Injured List)
55 Baggs, Stevie DE Import 6.02 240 1981-12-30 Bethune-Cookman