Winston Salem Rams picked to finish second in division

Winston Salem, N.C. - Winston-Salem State, heading into its second season back in the CIAA, is predicted to finish second in the league's Southern Division in football. The CIAA coaches' preseason poll has defending champion Shaw predicted to finish in front of the Rams in the division.

"That's about where I thought we'd end up," said coach Connell Maynor of the Rams. WSSU was 8-2 last season and finished second behind Shaw in the division. "I mean, Shaw's won three out of the last four championships, so I knew they would be picked to win the division," Maynor said.

Maynor said he doesn't put much stock in preseason polls because the competition still has to be decided on the field. "We played them pretty good last year, but came up short and lost," Maynor said. "We know it's going to be another good game with them this year, so it's a natural rivalry and we'll do our best to be prepared."

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NEXT GAME: 9/3/11 AT ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, ELIZABETH CITY, N.C., 6 PM
VISIT: WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: WSSURAMS

ECSU, with 5 All-CIAA picks, gets nod in division

Elizabeth City, N.C. - Heading into the 2011 football season few people are questioning Elizabeth City State’s ability to score points. The biggest question is how the Vikings will manage to stop opposing teams with the loss of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year Malcolm Jenkins.

CIAA coaches think the Vikings will do just fine as they have picked the team to win the Northern Division in their annual preseason ranking.

The regard for ECSU’s offense is shown in the preseason All-CIAA team, where five Vikings were selected, four from the offensive side of the ball. Two Elizabeth City native lead the way...

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NEXT GAME: 8/27/11 at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS at 6:00pm CST
VISIT: ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: ECSUVIKINGS

ASU's Andrews accustomed to offensive changes

Montgomery, AL - At this point in his Alabama State career, senior receiver Nick Andrews isn't fazed by a change of offensive coordinators. He'd be surprised if there wasn't one. This is Andrews' fourth year at ASU. Fred Kaiss, hired prior to spring practice, is his fourth offensive coordinator.

"It's not unusual at all," Andrews said, smiling. "In a way, I think it's kind of helped us. We've learned a lot of different styles and techniques, and I think we're better off. And really, it's not that big of a deal. Football's football, you know. The terminology might be a little different, but we're still trying to do the same stuff out there."

What the Hornets are trying to do, of course, is work their way back to Birmingham and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game. They were there last year and fell to Texas Southern.

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Ex-SSU coach's lawsuit under gag order

Robert "Robby" Wells
Career Record: 7-15

ATLANTA, GA — Not much has been heard lately from lawyers involved in a discrimination lawsuit filed by former Savannah State University football coach Robby Wells because they are under a court order not to leak personnel files before the trial.

Wells alleges the predominantly black school fired him last year because he is white and because he was recruiting white players who might have outshone others on the team. He is seeking personnel records for top administrators and staff in the athletic department.

The school denies it discriminated against him since it hired him in the first place. It charged him with not following directions and sloppy record keeping.

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Former DSU Hornet and N.C. A&T Aggie sign with UFL teams

Washington, D.C. - Former Delaware State University offensive tackle Darryl Hicks (Boston, Mass.) has signed a contract with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. Hicks competed for the Hornets during the 2009 and 2010 seasons after transferring from Hudson Valley Community College. He was a starting tackle in each of his 21 games at Delaware State.

During the 2010 season, Hicks helped lead the Hornets to a MEAC-best 248.9 passing yards per game. DSU was also No. 2 in the league with a 134.8 pass efficiency rating last year. Hicks was recognized as a MEAC scholar-athlete during his two years at Delaware State.

The 2011 United Football League season begins Aug. 14.



The Virginia Destroyers added another veteran tailback to the offensive backfield in Maurice Hicks. Hicks, who will turn 33 on July 22, is expected to carry the load at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.  The former North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University running back from Emporia, Virginia was previously signed by the UFL Florida Tuskers (2010); NFL Minnesota Vikings (2008); San Francisco 49ers (2003-2007); and NFL Chicago Bears (2002).

While at A&T, Hicks finished his college career with a school-record 2,812 rushing yards. As a senior, he was a third team Division I-AA All-American selection, the Black College Offensive Player of the Year, a first team All-MEAC selection, and he led the MEAC in rushing yards with 1,325 rushing yards. During his senior season, in a game against Morgan State University, he broke the NCAA Division I and II single game rushing records by rushing for 437 rushing yards. As a junior, he was a first team All-MEAC selection, after rushing for 1,487 yards. Hicks at  5-11/205 was the number two back during his career at San Francisco.

The Virginia Destroyers are under the command of  head coach/general manager Marty Schottenheimer, a former head coach of the Washington Redskins.

(From DSU Media Release/UFL Personnel Transaction Report)

Dr. Walter Kimbrough: No time to abandon black colleges

Little Rock, AR - In the Wall Street Journal, a recent article ran that questioned the need for black colleges and universities, because of falling enrollments. In the USA Today, Dr. Walter Kimbrough fired back with an op ed piece that ran on June 23rd.



In his piece, Dr. Kimbrough maintained that the black college continues to be more affordable for the economically challenged student. As he said on Today's THV at 6:30, taking race out of the equation, and instead using socioeconomic parameters, there is a place for black schools like Philander Smith. And as Dr Kimbrough pointed out, these schools, like Philander Smith also are a part of families histories and legacies. To close them down would be a disservice to the heritage of so many black families.

Here's more...



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Incoming Jackson State student ready for college life, football

Natchez, MS — Joseph Perry Jr. has wanted to build bridges and buildings ever since his days of tinkering with Legos. The Natchez High School Class of 2011 Valedictorian will attend Jackson State University in the fall to study civil engineering, a field on which he has been hooked since he was young.

“All my life I’ve liked the concept of putting things together,” Perry said. Perry said he chose Jackson State based on his academic passion, but he will not be neglecting his athletic passion in college — football. He will be a walk-on for the Tigers in the fall.

“I can’t wait to put some pads on and get on that field,” he said. Other universities offered Perry football scholarships, he said, but he accepted an academic scholarship at Jackson State because of the school’s engineering program. Perry graduated with a 4.1 GPA, showing a dedication to academics.



But the voluntary football workout in nearly triple-digit heat Wednesday proved his dedication to the game. Perry said he sometimes works out early mornings during the summer with the Natchez High football team to stay in shape for the fall.

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Hampton's McDaniel has breakout game in Hamilton Ti-Cats win

Hamilton, Ontario Canada - Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille spent 30 minutes this week talking to his players about pressure. Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Greg Marshall may be asking for a copy of that speech.

The Ticats dominated the Roughriders 33-3 on Saturday in front of 22,245 fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Hamilton improves to 1-2, while Saskatchewan falls to 0-3. It is first time the Roughriders have opened a Canadian Football League season with three consecutive losses since 2000, when they finished 5-12-1.

"We got our . hats handed to us," Marshall said. "I told the guys at halftime (that), if they weren't embarrassed by their performance in the first half, then they were in the wrong business. We have to do a better job of coaching, and they have to do a better job of playing." Hamilton led 23-0 at the break and did not let up.



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In addition to Hampton University's WR/KR Marquay McDaniel, other former HBCU players on the roster of Hamilton are: DB Marcell Young - Jackson State; DE Darius Power - Fayetteville State (Practice Roster); and DE Stevie Bragg - Bethune Cookman. For Saskatchewan, DL Remond Willis - Tennessee State and Patrick Brown - Bethune-Cookman made the Roughriders' practice roster.

Shrine All-Star game: Central valedictorian heading to Howard

EUREKA, IL — Travis Kellum of Peoria Central High will play in the 37th annual Shrine All-Star football game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Peoria Stadium. In a few weeks he’ll head to Howard University, in Washington, D.C., with the opportunity to walk on the Division I-AA football program. A year ago today he had yet to play his first game of high school football.

“All through high school the coaches were always trying to get me to come out for football,” said Kellum, also a four-year basketball player at Central. “With the merging of (Central and Woodruff) last year, I thought it might be the right time to give football a shot.”


Travis Kellum (#42) will be a football "preferred walk-on" at Howard. The Peoria Central (IL) High School valedictorian is planning to major in mechanical engineering at the Mecca.

A 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end, Kellum ended up all-area with the Journal Star and first-team all-conference in the Mid-State 6. He set an unofficial state record with 6½ sacks in a win over Rock Falls. "When I look back, the whole thing was like a dream," he said.

What got him into Howard, however, was his 4.0 grade point average. Kellum was Central’s 2011 valedictorian.  “I’m definitely going to Howard for academics,” he said. “At first I thought I would try to walk on with the basketball team. Now I’m going to try and walk on in football.”

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Pay for play: Texas Southern

Houston, TX - For Texas Southern, the argument about whether to pay players is more or less a moot point. The athletic department doesn’t make a profit, nor does it expect to. That’s not a goal.

A historically black college located in Houston, Texas Southern originally got its university status in 1947. (At that time, the University of Texas in Austin still did not admit African-American students.) Texas Southern’s overriding mission has been trying to help a segment of the population that has been traditionally denied equal access to higher education.

“We try to serve those who are historically underserved,” athletics director Charles McClelland said. “When you look at what we’ve done with a smaller amount of resources, colleges like us do the country a big service. In many cases, we are taking students who are less prepared for college, getting them adjusted and then graduated to make a significant difference in their communities.

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Flagler Palm Coast hoops' Certain signs with Southern University

PALM COAST, FL -- Lawrence Certain Jr. went from a Flagler Palm Coast graduate to a freshman student-athlete at Southern University with a stroke of a pen Thursday.

"This is a dream come true," said the 6-foot-7 power forward, who averaged 16.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a senior. "It looks like a good fit for me. They want to make a big turnaround with their program, get into the NCAA Tournament, and I hope I can help."

Certain's parents -- Tina and Lawrence -- younger sister Taylor, along with FPC coach Gary McDaniel and athletic director Steve DeAugustino, joined friends and assistant coaches Mark Odle and Lloyd Finley for the ceremony at the high school.

Southern's new head coach, Roman Banks, sent the paperwork, which gives Certain a full scholarship -- tuition, room, board, books -- for four years. "I've known Coach Banks a while," McDaniel said. "He's a dynamic first-year coach, and I'm certain he will do a great job.

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Bethune-Cookman Wildcats football vies for 3 of state's top 160

Daytona Beach, FL - Rivals' FlaVarsity.com recently released its top 160 football prospects for the class of 2012. While several of the recruits have already verbally committed to colleges, many others are mulling their choices and waiting for more offers.

Three players on the elite list -- Dondre Daley, Chris Murray and Elijah McClendon -- say Bethune-Cookman is among their top choices. The Wildcats and coach Brian Jenkins do not shy away from recruiting the top prospects in the state and have achieved several recruiting victories over bigger schools. But once a smaller school ventures into this stratosphere, the competition is pretty tough.

"If Bethune-Cookman gets two of the top 100 players in Florida, that's awesome," Sporting News recruiting reporter Brian McLaughlin said. Before National Signing Day in February, the Wildcats may be in the hunt for more of the state's top prospects.

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Journey completed, Lewis inducted into Grambling Hall of Fame

Houma, LA - Frank Lewis started his journey to Grambling State University with a hopeful phone call. Now, 45 years later, Grambling has called Lewis back to be a part of its Legends Sports Hall of Fame.

After a standout football career with the Tigers from 1967-70 and a highly successful NFL career that followed, the Houma native was inducted into the Grambling Hall of Fame on Saturday. He said he cherishes the honor and shares it with his family and legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson for whom Lewis played.

"I am truly blessed to a part of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Southwest Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, but my heart is Grambling," Lewis, 64, said. "This is my greatest honor because I know so many of the guys who played with me and before me were so great. It's a great honor for myself, my family and for Coach Rob. This is the pinnacle. It's Grambling's Hall of Fame, so it's the greatest honor I can receive."

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Edward Waters College hires basketball coaches for men's and women's programs

Jacksonville, FL - Edward Waters College introduced its new men's and women's head basketball coaches on Thursday, with both coaches making a pledge to bring an exciting style of basketball back to the EWC campus.

Frank Burnell, formally the head coach at Daytona Beach Community College and a standout at Ribault High School 30 years ago, will take over as coach of the men's team. Charmaine Wilson, who was the top assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman University, will coach the women's team.  Burnell has been coaching men's college basketball for 25 years. While at DBCC, he led his team to four Mid-Florida conference championships, two tournament titles and a Florida Community College Activities Association state championship.

"We're going to work our tail off to try and bring in the best basketball players we can get and to bring an exciting brand of basketball back to EWC," Burnell said. Burnell is a four-year letterman and graduate of Stetson.

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Family Ties: Grambling draws past players home

Grambling, La. - Grambling's rich history once again will be on display when the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame inducts its third class of stellar athletes, coaches and contributors at a 6 p.m. Saturday ceremony at the Fred C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

Much like the previous two classes, the inductees always come back to the same subject: the family atmosphere at GSU.

"My ties to Grambling are so very, very deep," said inductee Douglas Porter, who was an assistant coach under Eddie Robinson and has been a close adviser for the coaches who succeeded Robinson. "The people who I come in contact with, they say, 'Why did you come back to Grambling?' I say, 'It's because I'm a Gramblingite. It's because I've got friends here that are the greatest friends you could ever have, and when you've got friends it's priceless."

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MEET THE NEW HALL OF FAMERS (From http://www.gramblinglegends.net/)

More on this year's Grambling Sports Legends Hall of Fame class of inductees ...

FRANK GARNETT (baseball) – A New Orleans native, Garnett was a three-sport letterman and a state champion in both baseball and basketball at St. Augustine High. He then served as a team captain on the 1962-63 Grambling baseball teams, as the Tigers advanced to the national NAIA baseball tournament for the third of what would be four times between 1961-67. He was named all-conference in each of his four years on campus – once at first base, twice at third base and once a shortstop – and earned first-team All-America honors in 1963. Garnett, later a longtime Los Angeles area educator, then signed a baseball contract with the Washington Senators, and played seven seasons of minor league baseball.

JAMES “SHACK” HARRIS (football) – A senior personnel executive for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, the Monroe, Louisiana, native led Grambling to SWAC championships in each of his four years as quarterback and was named MVP of the 1967 Orange Blossom Classic. Drafted by the AFL’s Buffalo Bills, he would become the first black player to start a season at quarterback, the first to start a conference championship game and the first to be named MVP of the Pro Bowl over the course of a career that also included stops with the Rams and Chargers.

TASHA HOLLIS (women’s basketball) – A standout at Grambling from 1988-91, the Mobile, Alabama, native scored a total of 2,058 points. She boasted a career shot percentage of 58 percent, and a free-throw average of 64 percent. That included scoring in double figures 75 times in 85 games played. The Lady Tigers, under fellow Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame coach Pat Bibbs, claimed the SWAC regular-season and tournament titles in 1988-89. Hollis also notched double figures in rebounds in 69 career games, and had 140 blocked shots and 142 steals.

DELLES HOWELL (football) – Famously started at Grambling as a freshman cornerback, then in the NFL as a rookie. The Monroe, Louisiana, native starred on a trio of Southwestern Athletic Conference title teams for fellow Grambling Legends Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson, then for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets in a six-season NFL career – collecting 17 career interceptions. He has found a second calling in the ministry, serving as pastor of New Light Baptist Church in northeastern Louisiana.

JAMES “HOUND” HUNTER (football) – Drafted 10th overall out of Grambling, where the two-time All-SWAC corner claimed a league championship in 1974, Hunter led the NFL’s Detroit Lions in interceptions in 1976-77 and in 1980, eventually logging 27 career picks. Hunter was runner-up for NFL defensive rookie of the year before a neck injury in the early 1980s shortened a promising pro career. He died of an apparent heart attack in 2010; Hunter was just 56.


Grambling State (QB Kendrick Nord)  vs. Alcorn State (QB Steve McNair) Sept. 3,1994; This was the largest attended game in Robinson Stadium history at 25,347. The two teams combined for 1,318 yards total offense, as Grambling rolled up 612 and Alcorn gained 706. Grambling wingback Tyrone Jones caught six passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns, and Curtis"Hail" Ceasar had five catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns.

GARY “BIG HANDS” JOHNSON (football) – A three-time All-SWAC defensive tackle, the Shreveport, Louisiana, native helped Grambling to a trio of conference titles before becoming the first pick of the 1975 draft for San Diego, playing for the Chargers until a 1984 trade to San Francisco – where he won a Super Bowl. Johnson made the Pro Bowl in each of the 1980-83 campaign, setting a 17 ½ sack season record for San Diego that still stands. Johnson died in August 2010 at age 57, having never recovered from a stroke he suffered the previous July.

JAMES JONES (basketball) – Averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds a night over 104 career games, as fellow Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame coach Fred Hobdy led the Tigers to three SWAC championships, then was selected 13th overall by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1967 NBA Draft. He finished as one of the old ABA’s all-time leaders in every category, becoming just the second in league history to score more than 2,000 points in one season. Jones played seven years in the ABA and then three with the NBA’s Washington Bullets.

FRANK LEWIS (football) – Part of the Pittsburgh Steelers first two Super Bowl-winning squads, Lewis helped Grambling to a SWAC crown and then led the league in scoring over his final two seasons. A two-time all-conference wingback, he finished with 42 career touchdowns at Grambling, then had nearly 400 receptions and 40 touchdowns in the NFL. Later an all-pro with the Buffalo Bills, Lewis was the first player in league history to gain 100 yards in receiving in postseason games for two different clubs. He is employed in workforce development in south Louisiana.

ALEX PERO (baseball) – In 1962-63, Pero had a staggering 0.00 ERA to help Grambling to the national NAIA baseball tournament. Grambling led the nation in ERA that season, and the team would earn NAIA berths four times between 1961-67 under fellow Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame coach R.W.E. Jones. In 1965, Pero set a Division II mark for strikeouts per nine innings amongst 50-game starters that to this day remains second all time. He played for three seasons in the minor leagues. Pero passed in 2009 at age 65.

EVERSON WALLS (football) – An all-conference selection for the SWAC champion Tigers, Walls led the nation in interceptions in 1980 – setting a school record that still stands. He then played 14 NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, leading the league in picks in both 1982 and 1985, earning All-Pro honors three times and a Super Bowl after the 1990 season with the Giants. The Texas native works as a businessman in Dallas.

ROBERT WOODS (track and field; football) – A two-sport star, Woods left Grambling in 1978 with a SWAC championship and all-conference honors as an undersized but unstoppable wingback for fellow Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson. He was the Bayou Classic MVP of 1977, then was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in ’78. Woods played two seasons in the NFL. Now executive director of a residential treatment center for adolescents in Houston, Texas, he has worked in the mental health field for more than 20 years.

LARRY WRIGHT (basketball) – Wright, of Richwood, Louisiana, helped Grambling to the 1976 league tournament championship and then led the Washington Bullets to an NBA title in 1978. A former head basketball coach for the Tigers, Wright was a two-time all-conference selection, a two time NCAA small college All-American and the SWAC player of the year in 1975-76. Later, Wright was a celebrated player overseas, earning MVP honors as Roma claimed its first-ever European title. He currently serves as an associate high school principal in northeastern Louisiana.

AL DENNIS JR. (pre-1960 honoree) – A New Orleans native and World War II veteran, the late Dennis was one of Grambling’s most celebrated early football captains. Playing from 1946-49, he was a two-time All-America blocker for future College Hall of Famer Paul “Tank” Younger. In 1968, he would become the first African-American to receive a master’s degree in health and physical education from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. He coached and taught for more than 45 years, notably at Brown High in Springhill, Louisiana.

DOUGLAS PORTER (contributor) – A former assistant at Grambling under Eddie Robinson, Porter was a head coach at FCS programs Mississippi Valley State (1961-65) and Howard (1974-78) and finally at Division II Fort Valley State (1979-94), earning induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. He has remained a trusted advisor for every coach to have succeeded Robinson, and was instrumental in the efforts to construct a museum in Robinson’s honor on the Grambling campus.

Ticket sales on rise at FAMU

Tallahassee, FL - Winning a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in football and the hiring of Clemon Johnson to coach the men's basketball team are paying dividends at the box office for Florida A&M.

But just how much isn't clear, although FAMU's ticket manager confirmed through the school's sports information office that ticket sales for both sports are ahead of where they were this time a year ago. Logistical issues with purchases through Ticketmaster made it difficult to get an accurate count, said interim sports information director Vaughn Wilson.

FAMU's athletic department is making a steady push to keep the momentum going, said athletic director Derek Horne. "Trying to cultivate that enthusiasm is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week opportunity," he said.

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Hundreds Flock to FAMU Band Camp

Tallahassee, FL - After a week of training and practice, this is what it all came down too. "I've learned how to play my instrument better, how to dance better with my instrument, and also how to keep consistency as I play my horn," said camper, Lomario Marchman. More than 300 middle and high school students from around the United States flocked to Florida A&M's campus to sharpen their musical skills.



During their time at camp, students were mentored and trained by members of the FAMU Marching 100 and their directors. But it wasn't just about the music, life skills also played a big part. "I've learned how to cooperate with people. I've learned how to like have great relationships with people," said camper, Jasmine Bailey.

Over the past decade, fine arts programs across the nation have been on the chopping block due to lack of funding. FAMU's Associate Band director Shelby Chipman says budget cuts can be challenging, but this year's turnout proves that fine arts will never be completely out of the picture.

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Former Asheville High standout Wakefield Ellison transfers to Winston-Salem State

Asheville, N.C. - As a young boy growing up, Wakefield Ellison used to marvel at the grand stage of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament each year that his parents took him to the event.

This coming spring, he’ll play in it. The former Asheville High standout announced on Friday that he’ll play for Winston-Salem State this year after requesting and receiving his full release from Division I East Carolina in March. Though Winston-Salem State competes at the NCAA Division II level, Ellison knows well that the talent level is quite high.

“The CIAA speaks for itself,” Ellison said. “That conference tournament is one of the biggest events in the country year in and year out. A lot of great players have played in the CIAA. My father (Gene Ellison) played in the CIAA (for Virginia Union). It’s a real good conference.”

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Southern's Cador savors 2-week twin bill

Coach Roger Cador (left)

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern baseball coach Roger Cador experienced a special doubleheader in the past couple of weeks. It started July 3 in Lubbock, Texas, when he witnessed Danny Goodwin, a teammate of his with the Jaguars in 1972-73, becoming the first Southern player inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

The nightcap came Tuesday night in Phoenix when Cador was at Chase Field to watch Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks become the first player he has coached to play in the Major League All-Star game.

“To see a former teammate and also the first player from Southern go into the College Baseball Hall of Fame was really rewarding,” Cador said after returning to Baton Rouge on Wednesday. “And the All-Star events are always exciting. You get to see and meet so many people, shake hands and talk to everyone. Everyone wants to talk. That’s the beauty of it.”

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Grambling State Walls' belief paid off

Grambling, LA - When nobody believed in Everson Walls, and that was often, he always believed in himself. "You're going to have to have the heart," he would tell himself. "You're going to have to come through for yourself."

Finally, after years of steady effort, the former Grambling State defensive back came to understand one of football's basic truths: "Whatever was going to happen for me," Walls said, "would have to happen because of what I did on the field."


During Walls 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and won a Super Bowl with the NY Giants.

That tireless ambition to overcome whatever obstacles lay in path paid off with league titles in college, pro bowls and a championship in the NFL and, this weekend, induction as part of the third class of the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. The sold-out ceremonies will be held Saturday at the Hobdy Assembly Center on the Grambling campus.

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Calhoun County's Brown commits to NC A&T

Saint Matthews, SC - Walt Wilson called it a good day for Calhoun County football.

Turns out, Clyde Johnson, who announced his intentions to play at S.C. State, wasn't the only Saint to give a verbal commitment Thursday. Calhoun County defensive tackle Javontae Brown (6-1, 280), a T&D All-Area first team selection after finishing with 94 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2010, gave his verbal commitment to North Carolina A&T.

Should Brown follow through on his verbal and sign with the Aggies in February it would be a coup for the MEAC school. As a sophomore, MaxPreps ranked Brown among the top 100 prospects in the country and, at one time, he had interest from such major colleges as South Carolina.

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UMES Announces 2011 Recruiting Class

Hawks adds four transfers, five freshmen to four-time defending MEAC Northern Division champion

Princess Anne, MD - UMES head volleyball coach Don Metil has announced the addition of nine players for the 2011 season, joining five returners from last year after the Hawks won the MEAC Northern Division for the fourth time in a row.

"UMES will definitely have a different look on the court this upcoming season," says Metil, "we will need our recruiting class to make an immediate impact due to the loss of Samantha Chukwura and Stephanie Sierra."

Four players join the Hawks with collegiate experience plus five freshmen will suit up at the college level for the first time.

Coming from Indiana State University, Auriel Armstrong (Long Beach, Calif.) transfers to UMES with two years of eligibility remaining. With the Sycamores, the 6-2 middle blocker played in 31 matches in 2010, leading the team in solo blocks with 14 and finishing with 69 total. She also notched 177 kills with a hitting percentage of .224 plus 22 aces and 95 digs.

"I saw Auriel play in 2009 for MLB out of California and wanted her to join us then. Now that she's decided to finish her career with us, she'll make an immediate impact with her athleticism, ability to play back-row, aggressive serve, and her setting ability."

Also providing a boost at the middle blocker position, Ndidi Ibe (North Richland, Texas) joins UMES after two years with the United States Naval Academy. The 6-0 junior started 25 matches last season with 28 appearances overall, leading the Mids and ranking third in the Patriot League in total blocks with 96, also adding 174 kills. Last year, UMES defeated Navy 3-2 during the Kristen Dickmann Memorial Tournament in Annapolis, with Ibe notching 14 kills and eight blocks against the Hawks.

"When we played Navy in 2010, Ndidi hurt us offensively, so when the opportunity became available that she could join us, I definitely wanted her to be playing for us, and not against us."

Corey Haynes (Falls Church, Va.) will look to boost the setter position, coming in with junior standing after two years at St. Peter's College. She is the tallest setter to play for Coach Metil at UMES, standing at 6-3. Hayes played in all 31 matches for the Peahens in 2010, starting 29 of them, leading the squad with 436 assists. She contributed in a variety of ways, including offensively with 160 kills and 18 aces and defensively with 72 blocks and 218 digs.

"Corey touches a great ball and has the height we have needed in this position for a long time. She has experience running 5-1 as well as 6-2 which will give us some flexibility in our offensive systems we plan on using."

Rounding out the transfers is Raquel Rogers (Baltimore, Md.), the lone representative from the state of Maryland. Coming from CCBC-Essex, the 5-9 Rogers will contribute as an outside hitter. For the Knights in 2009, Rogers contributed 186 kills and dug out 171.

"Raquel has worked hard to become a part of the Hawk program, and we look for her to contribute on the right and left sides."

Saitaua Iosia (Long Beach, Calif.) will join the Hawks as a freshman, coming from the same high school as Zoe Bowens, Long Beach Poly. The 5-10 hitter led the Jackrabbits, ranked as high as #3 in the nation, to the state finals, averaging 12 kills and digs a match and will help bolster the outside.

"Sa has played club ball for MLB and TCA as well as for a highly success high school team and brings international experience, too. She jumps well, hits a very heavy ball, plays all the way around, and is a true leader. Sa has the skill set and drive to be one of the best athletes to come through our program here at UMES."

Also hailing from California, Victoria Williams (Los Angeles, Calif.) will play her first season for UMES. The tallest outside hitter on the team at 6-3, the left-handed Williams, who also played for TCA, will contribute primarily from the right side and is in her second year in Princess Anne.

"Tori trained off the court during the 2010 campaign and made huge gains. She is long, lean, left-handed, powerful, jumps well over 10' and is an incredible blocker. She could potentially develop into a key six-rotational player."

Finishing out the freshman outside hitters, Emily Shannon (Cross Junction, Va.) joins the maroon and grey standing six feet tall. She was the first player in James Wood High School history to record 1,000 kills, getting 344 her final season, and was named to the 2010 Winchester Star All-Area Volleyball Team.

"Emily jumps well, hits a heavy ball, is a primary S/R passer, and a six rotational player. Emily is level-headed on the court and will give us some consistency on the outside. She also has experience in the middle which gives us the flexibility to do some creative plays offensively."

With the final freshmen of the class, the Hawks bring in two international players to boost the team's strengths.

Hailing from America's neighbor up north, Jessie Vicic (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) arrives in Princess Anne after playing for the Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, leading the Trojans to league championships all four seasons plus earning First Team All-Star status in Central Ontario. At 5-9, Vicic was the primary setter for the KW Predators in Ontario.

"Jessie has the drive, determination, ability and knowledge to run our offense. She has been trained by some well-known, respected individuals of the game, and her experience, even though a freshman, will prove invaluable to our success."

The final player of the class is Nadja Nemeth (Bettlach, Switzerland), becoming the second European player to suit up for Coach Metil, the other being Karin Vikterlof from Sweden in 2009. The 5-9 Nemeth, coming from Kantonsschule Solothurn, will serve as a utility player for the Hawks. She played in the Swiss Junior Championships, where her teams took first place three times.

"Nadja has played at a very high international level and has great S/R passing, is defensively quick, and shows great range when attacking. Nadja will be an integral part of our team play and will swing from both pins."

With these nine newcomers joining a team that went 20-12 last season and won the MEAC Northern Division, the future looks bright for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

"I'm eager to see the growth in this young squad," says Metil, "This team has the potential to achieve some of the best results since my time here at UMES."

By UMES Sports Information

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With development coming on all sides, Howard University takes a look inward

Washington, D.C. - Howard University sits in the midst of one of the country’s best real estate markets, and there are signs all around it.

A few blocks to the west, a 184-unit building, View 14, recently sold for $104 million, or $670 per square foot, maybe the highest ever for a Washington apartment building.

A few blocks to the south, atop the Metro station that bears the university’s name, the mixed-use “Progression Place” is under construction, which will add another new 205 apartments and a new headquarters for the United Negro College Fund.

While the neighborhood around it has seen an incredible growth of new housing and retail in the past 20 years, Howard has allowed large swaths of property its owns in the Cardozo-Shaw neighborhood north of U Street Northwest to be used as surface parking lots or to languish vacant.

Meanwhile Howard residence halls are currently able to house just 45 percent of the school’s students, compared with 60 to 70 percent at competing schools. Of the students who do live on campus, about three-quarters live in buildings that are at least 50 years old.

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New Howard University Campus Plan Finalized

While campus plans for American and Georgetown Universities -- the latter of which is apparently considering expanding into Northern Virginia to circumvent the wrath of its Advisory Neighborhood Commission -- Howard University's plans are rolling along. The University officially released its finalized decennial Campus Master Plan to the public on July 12, 2011.

The plan has been under development since 2009. (Neighborhood blog Left for LeDroit has a fine repository of information on the several drafts that have been produced since that time.) Among the key features of the plan are the closure of several alleys, the construction of new residence halls and the renovation of several buildings around the campus. A minority of Howard's student population lives on campus -- the overarching goal of the plan is to attempt to pull more students closer to the University's core, enrich Georgia Avenue's commercial potential and increase transportation options -- including Bikeshare -- inside the campus.

You can read an entire copy of the plan below; all of the maps in the final plan can be viewed here.

Pigskin Preview: Fort Valley State Wildcats

Fort Valley, GA - Depending on how you look at the 2010 season, Fort Valley State Wildcat fans and players alike debate on whether their 8-3 finish was successful or disappointing. After going 8-1 before the season ending SIAC championship game with Albany State, the Cats dropped two straight to end the season while losing their starting quarterback to off the field trouble in the process.

"We just fell short," says head coach Don Pittman. "We felt like we just lost our momentum. We were disappointed that we didnt make the playoff and we lost in the Pioneer bowl because of that I think that was the main reason."



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Paine College Baseball Marshall(s) In New Era

Head Baseball Coach Kirby Marshall

Augusta, GA - Melvin Le’Kerby Marshall (Kerby) joins the Paine College baseball staff as head coach, Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan announced. Marshall comes to the program from Edward Waters College, in Jacksonville, Florida where he was head coach for six years.

“We are excited to add a proven winner to lead the Paine College baseball program”, stated Director of Athletics, Tim Duncan. “Coach Marshall has a demonstrated track record of success and that was one of several factors that led to the decision to hire him as the leader of the Paine College baseball program.

“During the interview process, he impressed the committee with his preparedness, his vision for the program and his passion for the academic success of the young men he coaches. We are fortunate to add a coach of his caliber to Paine College.”

“I am truly honored and excited to be a part of the Paine College family as the new head baseball coach,” states Marshall. “It is my goal to continue to build upon and strengthen the foundation of academic excellence, athletics, and community service already in place here.”

During his tenure at Edward Waters, from 2005-2011, Coach Marshall led his team to four consecutive 20 plus win seasons, two 35 plus win seasons and a trip to the NAIA championships in 2011. Last season, Marshall’s team finished the season with a 37-24 overall record and recorded the first postseason trip in the history of Edward Waters College Baseball. Coach Marshall was named NAIA unaffiliated conference Coach of the Year, and received the number one ranking in Black College for NAIA and Division II baseball. Also under his tutelage at Edward Waters College, Coach Marshall helped produce the school’s first player selected for the Major League Draft (Charles Thomas/Chicago Cubs-2009). In 2008, Coach Marshall’s team set the school record of 35 wins and received their first national ranking in NAIA Top 25 poll. Coach Marshall has also spent time working as an assistant area scout for the Florida Marlins.

The Jacksonville, Florida native is a graduate of Englewood High School, where he was a three-sport letterman, and received a double scholarship to play basketball and baseball at Shaw University, in Raleigh, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management in 1992. As a student athlete, Marshall earned baseball MVP honors in his junior and senior seasons, and was also named to the All-CIAA conference honorable mention team.

Coach Marshall’s coaching career began at Ribault Middle School, where he coached baseball and basketball for a year, and then moved to the high school level, where he coached baseball from 1998-2005. While at Ribault, he was instrumental in teaching the game of baseball to inner city youth, who were not exposed to the sport. He coached his middle school basketball team to a 12-0 record championship, and his baseball team finished the season with a 13-2 overall record. Once coach Marshall transitioned to high school, several of his players received baseball scholarships to Alcorn State University, Shaw University, and Lake City Community College.

“We are extremely fortunate to retain the services of Assistant Coach Kenny Bellamy. Coach Bellamy did an outstanding job as interim head Coach. We think with the addition of Coach Marshall and the retention of Coach Bellamy, Paine College has the finest baseball staff in the SIAC and we look forward to competing for championships in the near future”, states Duncan.

“Our goal will be to produce a team and individuals who are competing at the highest level.” Marshall states. “I want to express my gratitude to Edward Waters College for giving me the opportunity to become a head coach and to Paine College for the opportunity to take the reins of this program and guide them in the future.”

Coach Marshall will officially begin August 1.

by Paine College Athletics

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