HOUSTON, Texas - The Urban Invitational, the annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed to give Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs national exposure, is relocating to Houston, Texas and will feature five HBCUs – the most-ever in the tournament’s five-year history.
The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be the primary site of the tournament on Friday, February 17th and Sunday, February 19th, while the games on Saturday, February 18th will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Two of those contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.
HBCUs Alabama State University (Montgomery, Alabama), Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana), Southern University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas) and Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas) will all participate in the Urban Invitational along with NCAA Division-I school University of California, Irvine.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year’s Urban Invitational,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball. "Through this event, Major League Baseball strives to bring much needed exposure to these individual institutions and attention to collegiate baseball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Additionally, we are very pleased to give local high school students the opportunity to learn more about higher education directly from the more than 20 colleges and universities at the college fair. This will be a great experience for all involved, especially these young men playing in a beautiful ballpark such as Minute Maid Park.”
“The Houston Astros are extremely excited about hosting the Urban Invitational in Houston this year,” said Daryl Wade, Manager of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy. “This event gives the organization a chance to reach out to inner-city high school youth with a message that seeking education after high school is attainable for anyone. The high quality of baseball, music and schools, at our college fair over the weekend, should give these students the idea that there are many routes that can be taken to reach that next step in their lives. Whether it’s through baseball, music, academics or all three, these kids have a chance, and we’re happy to support such a cause.”
As an additional aspect of the Urban Invitational weekend activities, MLB and the Houston Astros will host a college fair at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT. More than 20 colleges and universities will be represented and will provide information about college preparation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs, financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET), the games at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, February 18th will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com, with play-by-play from Greg Amsinger and analysis from two-time MLB All-Star Harold Reynolds. In between these contests, fans at Minute Maid Park will be entertained in a collegiate “battle of the bands,” with live performances from Southern University’s “Human Jukebox,” Texas Southern University’s “Ocean of Soul” and Prairie View A&M University’s “Marching Storm.”
Tickets to the games and events at Minute Maid Park will be available to the general public for $5.00, and parking for Minute Maid Park is also available for $5.00. There is a special ticket package available for $10.00, which will allow access to the ballpark and provide a concession voucher for a hot dog and soda. High School students and below with a valid student ID will be admitted to the ballpark for free.
Games at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be available on game day for a suggested $5.00 donation. Children 12 and under, and any student 18 and under with a valid student ID, will be admitted free. All proceeds from the ticket donations at the Academy will benefit the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation, which is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation.
Games and Entertainment Schedule (all times Central):
Friday, February 17, Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Friday, February 17, University of California, Irvine vs. Alabama State University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Friday, February 17, Grambling State University vs. Texas Southern University, 6:00 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Saturday, February 18, Alabama State University vs. Grambling State University, 11:00 a.m. at Minute Maid Park
Saturday, February 18, University of California, Irvine vs. Southern University, 3:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com
Saturday, February 18, Texas Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M University, 7:00 p.m. at Minute Maid Park – LIVE on MLB Network and MLB.com
Sunday, February 19, University of California, Irvine vs. Texas Southern University, 11:00 a.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Sunday, February 19, Alabama State University vs. Southern University, 2:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Sunday, February 19, Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M University, 5:30 p.m. at Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park
Major League Baseball is committed to addressing the issue of African-American participation in professional baseball through its various community and multicultural programs. With the three MLB Urban Youth Academies operating in Compton, California, Houston, Texas, and Gurabo, Puerto Rico; one under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana; two others announced in Hialeah, Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and additional soon-to-be announced facilities, MLB has continued to pledge resources to bringing America’s pastime to young people in urban communities.
HBCUs have long offered quality educational and athletic programs and have a proud tradition of outstanding baseball players. Baseball Hall of Famers Lou Brock and Andre Dawson (Florida A&M), as well as current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, played in HBCU baseball programs. Thirteen HBCU players were selected in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, six of whom played in last year’s Urban Invitational in Compton. Through the annual Urban Invitational, MLB aims to help these programs continue providing young players from underserved communities the opportunity to play collegiate-level baseball.
In just its first year, the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy has registered approximately 700 young athletes, conducted ten one-day baseball clinics and five week-long summer day camps, and currently provides daily Major League-style instruction. The Academy has hosted 150 games including NCAA, high school, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and Jr. RBI contests. The Academy also offers off-field and academic opportunities, and this spring provided students with Texas Assessment of Skills tutorials in advance of area-wide testing. In addition to baseball and softball instruction, boys and girls attending the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park can participate in free seminars on umpiring, athletic field management, scouting and player development, sports and broadcast journalism, public relations and statistics, as well as athletic sports training. Information about the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy is available at Astros.com/uya or by calling 281-960-9166.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Alabama A&M football: Jones feels recruiting delay won't be a problem
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - More than a month after leading Alabama A&M to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, coach Anthony Jones and his staff are working overtime to make inroads in recruiting. Jones said A&M lost two weeks on the recruiting trail while preparing for the championship game, but believes playing for the title will help the Bulldogs."You lose a little bit by playing in the championship game, but you gain a little bit because you're on TV," said Jones, who has compiled a 72-45 record in his 10 seasons. "While the coaches are going to the homes, we're coming into the homes, and the kids are seeing our program and we're trying to build upon that.
"Whenever you have a good year, it aids in recruiting. People are drawn to teams that have a winning history. The fact that we are 8-4 and came close to winning the championship, some kids think they can be a difference-maker and some look at the depth situation. We're going to go out and find the best kids we can find to fill our needs and try to sign them."
Morgan State reinstates men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman
 Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman has always openly expressed emotions for his players, as shown in this 2010 photo with former Bears star Reggie Holmes. After the unproven allegation by SCSU, will we see less of Bozeman in the future and more of a stoic John Wooden styled coach? |
Clinton Coleman, a spokesman for Morgan State president David Wilson, said in an interview that "results of the investigation were inconclusive" looking into the incident that led to Bozeman's suspension.
Bozeman's attorney was not as diplomatic. "He should never have been suspended before the investigation was completed," said Ricky Lefft, Bozeman's South Carolina-based attorney. "If the findings were inconclusive, a suspension was not appropriate. They punished him and damaged his reputation irreparably."
TSU Track & Field Gears Up for Illini Classic
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State University men's and women's track & field squads travel to Champaign to compete in the Illini Classic hosted by the University of Illinois on Friday and Saturday Jan. 20-21. This will be TSU's fourth event of the indoor season. TSU will compete against six other teams: Illinois, Illinois State, Lincoln (MO), Missouri, and Ohio Valley Conference members, Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. The meet will start on Friday at 4 p.m. with the women's pentathlon, followed by the men's pentathlon at 4:30 p.m.
Last weekend, TSU registered some solid performances at the Dick Taylor Invitational hosted by the University of North Carolina.
Brittani Logan's toss in the weight throw earned her a fifth place finish by registering a mark of 14.00m (45- 11 ¼). Logan also sits in the fifth spot in the conference. Senior Daniecce Ward earned a top five spot in the triple jump event when she recorded a mark of 11.31m.
The Flying Tigers were led by Royce Dates and Avian Hughes' performances in the long jump. Dates managed a second place finish with a mark of 7.36m (24-1 ¾), while Hughes' jump measured at 7.04 (23-1 ¼). Dates currently holds the top spot in the OVC, while Hughes currently sits in seventh.
Senior Arthur Combest managed a seventh place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.61 and is in third place in the conference. Combest's high jump mark of 6'8" (2.03m) has him in first place in the OVC.
Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Lincoln (Mo.), St. Augustine's and JCSU Are Preseason Top Teams in Division II Indoor Track and Field
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St. Aug's Falcons Head Coach George Williams has won 31 NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor titles combined. |
NEW ORLEANS – The men’s team at Lincoln University of Missouri and the women’s team at Grand Valley State University are the preseason No. 1-ranked teams in the country for the 2012 NCAA indoor track & field season in Division II. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national team computer rankings placed Lincoln – who placed third at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships – and Grand Valley State – the nation’s defending champion women’s team – in the top spot.
Lincoln’s men returns a squad that placed third (41 points) at last year’s NCAA Championships. The Blue Tigers return defending 200-meter champion Terrel Cotton among five other individual scorers set to make another run in 2012. In addition, Lincoln sophomore Romel Lewis currently leads the division with a 6.67 clocking in the 60 meters that was recorded in December.
Defending men’s national team champions Abilene Christian begin the season at No. 24 in the national rankings. Of the 49 points scored last year to win the national crown, only five return for the Wildcats with now-senior Nick Jones in the shot put (fourth place). No. 2 Saint Augustine’s placed sixth at last year’s indoor championships and is looking for their first indoor crown since 2009. No. 3 Adams State – seventh a year ago – won the NCAA title in 2010. Ashland, last year’s runner-up team, starts the season at No. 4 and returns defending weight throw champ Ryan Loughney who has already bettered his season-best from last year in the event.
Defending men’s national team champions Abilene Christian begin the season at No. 24 in the national rankings. Of the 49 points scored last year to win the national crown, only five return for the Wildcats with now-senior Nick Jones in the shot put (fourth place). No. 2 Saint Augustine’s placed sixth at last year’s indoor championships and is looking for their first indoor crown since 2009. No. 3 Adams State – seventh a year ago – won the NCAA title in 2010. Ashland, last year’s runner-up team, starts the season at No. 4 and returns defending weight throw champ Ryan Loughney who has already bettered his season-best from last year in the event.
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Falcons Second In Preseason D-II Men's Indoor Track & Field Poll
RALEIGH, North Carolina - Saint Augustine's College is ranked second in the preseason NCAA Division II men's poll for the 2012 indoor track and field season. The rankings were released Tuesday (Jan. 17) by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Falcons, who placed sixth among the men's teams last season at the NCAA Indoor Championships, received 129.28 points from the USTFCCCA national computer rankings. Lincoln (Mo.) is the preseason top men's squad with 176.75 points and Adams State is third with 124.29 points.
The Falcons are led by senior Christopher Copeland (Suffolk, Va.), who automatically qualified for indoor nationals in the high jump. Copeland leaped 7-1 ¾ at the CNU Holiday Classic in December 2011.
Four other Falcons have provisionally qualified for indoor nationals. They are junior Ramaan Ansley (60 Dash /6.84), junior Gerkenz Senesca (60 Hurdles/8.02), senior Jason Boyd (Waycross, Ga./60 Hurdles/8.03) and sophomore Eddie Shelton (Deltona, Fla./high jump/6-11 ¾).
In the USTFCCCA women's Division II poll, Saint Augustine's College is ranked 14th with 49.42 points. Sophomore Nicketa Bernard (Westmoreland, Jamaica) has provisionally qualified in the 400 dash in 57.74.
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Blue Tigers' Men's Track & Field Team Tops USTFCCCA Preseason Rankings
Women's Team Slated Second in NCAA DIvision II
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - The Lincoln men's track & field team is the preseason No. 1 NCAA Division II team in the country, according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national team computer rankings, released on Tuesday (Jan. 17). Additionally, Lincoln's women's team, which finished last season as the national runner-up, begins this season ranked No. 2 in the USTFCCCA women's poll.
The Blue Tiger men, coming off a third-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Division II national championships, received 176.25 in this season's initial computer rankings. They are the only MIAA ranked in the top five, with Central Missouri (eighth with 79.23 points) being the only other league team ranked in the top 25.
Lincoln returns six runners who scored points at last year's NCAA Division II Men's Inddor National Championships, including Terrel Cotton, the defending 200-meter champion. Additionally, the Blue Tigers' Romel Lewis currently has the country's best time the 60-meter dash this season, clocking in at 6.67 at Iowa State's Holiday Preview on Dec. 9.
The Blue Tigers received 46.97 points in the ranking system than Saint Augustine's which was picked second with 129.28 points. Adams State (124.29) was ranked third while Ashland (121.53) and Grand Canyon (115.41) round out the top five.
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Xavier's Simmons repeats as GCAC Player of the Week
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| ANTHONY SIMMONS |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Anthony Simmons is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's basketball for the second consecutive time.
Simmons, a 6-foot-8 junior forward from Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate of Allendale Columbia School, averaged 13.3 points, 11 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots and shot 57.7 percent from the floor to help the Gold Rush win two of three conference games. Simmons scored 15 points in an overtime loss to SUNO on Jan. 10, had 12 rebounds and a season-high 18 points in a victory against Edward Waters on Friday and had seven points and a career-high-tying 13 rebounds in a victory against Fisk on Saturday. Against Edward Waters in a 70-39 decision, Simmons was part of a defensive effort in which Xavier allowed its fewest points since November 2004.
Simmons has started 11 times in 16 appearances this season and leads Xavier with 10.4 points per game and 64.4 percent from the floor. He averages 6.4 rebounds to rank second on the team and eighth in the GCAC.
Xavier, 13-5 and ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, will conclude a five-game home stand with a 7 p.m. GCAC matchup Saturday against Talladega at The Barn.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Shawn Yonker: Frahm ready to fill big shoes for UMES Hawks
 COACH KRISTINA FRAHM |
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - A year ago today, Kristina Frahm was a senior on the No. 1 ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore bowling team, fresh off a strong showing at the Mid-Winter Classic in Cabot, Arkansas. She had finished fourth in a field of 89 bowlers, posting a total pin fall of 1,085 with three games of more than 200, including a 257, while helping the Hawks to a fourth-place overall finish.
My how things have changed.
Today Frahm sits "nervous, but excited" pondering the Hawks' future as their coach, while trying to fill the very big shoes left behind by former coach Sharon Brummell.
Brummell, the two-time national championship winning coach took a job at Georgetown, leaving the UMES Athletic Department with a coaching vacancy to fill.
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VISIT: UMESHAWKS
VISIT: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
Gators DE winds up at Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Virginia - Nearly two months after it was announced he would be transferring from Florida, defensive end Lynden Trail has found a new home.A spokesperson for 1-AA program Norfolk State confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that Trail had enrolled at the school, and because of NCAA transfer rules, will be able to play immediately.
Trail was a redshirt freshman this season but did not crack the two-deep of the depth chart and did not see any playing time. “I have decided that I would like to pursue opportunities elsewhere,” Trail said in a statement upon his decision to leave. “I want to thank the fans and Gator Nation for their support. I’ll always be a Gator at heart.”
Trail was a four-star DE out of Miami, FL, according to Rivals.com when he signed with the Gators in 2010.
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Nuggets return to 16th, Rush drop to 19th in NAIA polls
The poll, the fifth of the season, was announced late Monday afternoon, just before Xavier's home doubleheader against Philander Smith.
Xavier is 19th in the men's poll after tying for 18th a week ago.
The Gold Nuggets are in the top 25 for the 23rd consecutive time. The Gold Rush appear in the top 25 for the 16th time in 17 polls.
XU's women defeated Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents SUNO, Edward Waters and Fisk to extend a winning streak they started four days before Christmas. Then they defeated Philander Smith 56-27 for their eighth consecutive victory and longest streak since 2010.
In five polls this season the XU women have ranked 16th or 17th.
The Gold Rush had a 2-1 week at home, losing to SUNO in overtime, then beating Edward Waters and Fisk. The XU men then rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Philander Smith 87-80 and spoil a 45-point performance — best among NAIA men this season — by the Panthers' Ken Brown.
Both Xavier teams will conclude a five-game home stand with a GCAC doubleheader Saturday against Talladega at The Barn. The women's game will start at 5 p.m., and the men's game will start at 7. Xavier and Talladega are two of three women's teams unbeaten in conference.
The only other ranked GCAC school is Tougaloo, which is 25th in the men's poll and returned to the top 25 for the first time since Dec. 5. Tougaloo will play host to Xavier in a doubleheader Monday.
Oklahoma City's women, a unanimous No. 1 in the previous three polls, dropped to second after an 88-66 home loss to Lubbock Christian. Freed-Hardeman, a 66-54 winner at home against perennial power Union (Tenn.), climbed from third to first. Freed-Hardeman is the third No. 1 women's team this season.
Unbeaten Shorter became the fifth men's team to reach No. 1 this season. The Hawks swapped places with Oklahoma Baptist, which dropped to No. 2.
Xavier is one of 10 schools, one fewer than the previous poll, with women's and men's teams in the top 25. The other schools are Azusa Pacific, Campbellsville, Georgetown (Ky.), Lee (Tenn.), Lindsey Wilson, Robert Morris (Chicago), Saint Xavier, Westmont and Southern Nazarene.
NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 15)
Rank Team Record Points Last1 Freed-Hardeman (11) 15-2 312 3
2 Oklahoma City (1) 15-1 299 13 Union (Tenn.) 16-2 293 2
4 Westmont 16-1 278 4
5 Langston 16-0 273 5
6 Lee (Tenn.) 16-1 257 7
7 Lewis-Clark State 17-2 256 6
8 Cumberlands 16-1 244 8
9 Lubbock Christian 12-3 225 1210 Vanguard 11-3 218 tie-10
11 Saint Xavier 13-4 215 tie-10
12 Shawnee State 14-4 212 913 Azusa Pacific 11-5 189 13
14 Olivet Nazarene 14-5 181 14
15 Southern Nazarene 13-4 174 16
16 Xavier 14-5 161 17
17 Campbellsville 13-6 149 18
18-tie Georgetown (Ky.) 12-6 136 15
18-tie Belhaven 14-5 136 19
20 Lindsey Wilson 14-5 114 20
21 Westminster (Utah) 11-6 106 24
22 Robert Morris (Chicago) 12-3 95 23
23 Loyola 14-1 87 RV
24 MidAmerica Nazarene 13-5 81 RV
25 William Woods 11-5 73 22
Others receiving votes: Lyon 71, Shorter 63, Columbia (Mo.) 26, Rogers State 26, LSU-Shreveport 13, Avila 10, Rio Grande 4, Park 3, Montana Western 3, Point Loma Nazarene 1, Oklahoma Baptist 1, Martin Methodist 1, Our Lady of the Lake 1, St. Catharine 1.
NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, Jan. 15)
Rank Team Record Points Last1 Shorter (9) 17-0 280 2
2 Oklahoma Baptist (1) 15-1 269 1
3 Robert Morris (Chicago) (1) 16-1 267 3
4 Southern Poly 13-2 240 10
5 Rogers State 15-2 238 8
6 Concordia (Calif.) 14-3 231 4
7-tie Azusa Pacific 14-3 224 7
7-tie Georgetown (Ky.) 15-3 224 5
9 Martin Methodist 13-3 223 9
10 Our Lady of the Lake 13-3 199 17
11 Lindsey Wilson 13-4 189 14
12 Montana State Northern 17-2 184 13
13 Texas Wesleyan 12-3 169 6
14 Southern Nazarene 13-4 165 12
15 Mountain State 12-6 157 1116 Westmont 13-2 133 RV
17 Evangel 14-5 132 15
18 Lee (Tenn.) 11-3 126 21
19 Xavier 12-5 104 tie-18
20 Campbellsville 13-5 102 22
21 Saint Xavier 13-4 96 25
22 Montana Western 15-5 86 2323 Cumberland 12-3 83 RV
24 Columbia (Mo.) 14-5 68 RV
25 Tougaloo 14-5 59 RV
Others receiving votes: The Master's 49, Freed-Hardeman 43, Oklahoma City 31, Southwestern Assemblies of God 21, Cal State San Marcos 21, Pikeville 21, Westminster (Utah) 16, MidAmerica Nazarene 10, Missouri Baptist 1, Science & Arts 1, Cumberlands 1, Oklahoma Christian 1, Wiley 1, Union (Tenn.) 1, Rocky Mountain 1, Benedictine (Kan.) 1, Life 1.
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Shaw Names Robert Massey Head Football Coach
RALEIGH, North Carolina - Shaw University today named defensive coordinator Robert Massey its new head football coach.
"Coach Massey has proven himself as a coach and a loyal member of the Shaw family," said Shaw president Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy. "This promotion is well earned and a sign that our strong tradition of football at Shaw continues."
"This is a dream job for me," said Massey. "I'm devoted to the Shaw program and am proud that Shaw had the faith in me to continue what we've started here. There is a tradition of not just winning, but of winning championships, and that's something I'm dedicated to continuing."
Massey has served on the Shaw coaching staff for five years, the last two as defensive coordinator. In his first year as defensive coordinator, the Bears won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship, in large part because of Massey's "bend don't break" defense.
Prior to coming to Shaw, Massey served as the interim head football coach at Livingstone College and as assistant coach, receivers coach and defensive back coach for his alma mater, North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During his collegiate career at NCCU, Massey won several honors, including Black Collegiate All American, All CIAA 1st team and All CIAA Defensive Back.
He began his coaching career with the New York Giants as an assistant defensive back coach before moving to Hillside High School in Durham, N.C. where he served as both assistant and head football coach.
Before coaching, Massey completed l ten years as a successful defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in 1989 in the second round (46th pick overall) by the New Orleans Saints. That season he was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was the Saints' Rookie of the Year.
He then moved to the Phoenix Cardinals, where he was named to the 1992 NFC Pro Bowl Team. He also played for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants, where he completed his NFL career. He then assumed the position of assistant defensive back coach with the Giants.
Massey takes the helm from Darrell Asberry, who accepted the head coaching position at Division I Texas Southern. The Bears won the 2010 CIAA Championship, but finished last season with a 3-7 record.
The Bears open play in 2012 with a trip to Charleston, W.Va., to take on the University of Charleston on August 30.
VISIT: SHAW UNIVERSITY
VISIT: SHAWBEARS
"Coach Massey has proven himself as a coach and a loyal member of the Shaw family," said Shaw president Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy. "This promotion is well earned and a sign that our strong tradition of football at Shaw continues."
"This is a dream job for me," said Massey. "I'm devoted to the Shaw program and am proud that Shaw had the faith in me to continue what we've started here. There is a tradition of not just winning, but of winning championships, and that's something I'm dedicated to continuing."
Massey has served on the Shaw coaching staff for five years, the last two as defensive coordinator. In his first year as defensive coordinator, the Bears won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship, in large part because of Massey's "bend don't break" defense.
Prior to coming to Shaw, Massey served as the interim head football coach at Livingstone College and as assistant coach, receivers coach and defensive back coach for his alma mater, North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During his collegiate career at NCCU, Massey won several honors, including Black Collegiate All American, All CIAA 1st team and All CIAA Defensive Back.
He began his coaching career with the New York Giants as an assistant defensive back coach before moving to Hillside High School in Durham, N.C. where he served as both assistant and head football coach.
Before coaching, Massey completed l ten years as a successful defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in 1989 in the second round (46th pick overall) by the New Orleans Saints. That season he was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was the Saints' Rookie of the Year.
He then moved to the Phoenix Cardinals, where he was named to the 1992 NFC Pro Bowl Team. He also played for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants, where he completed his NFL career. He then assumed the position of assistant defensive back coach with the Giants.
Massey takes the helm from Darrell Asberry, who accepted the head coaching position at Division I Texas Southern. The Bears won the 2010 CIAA Championship, but finished last season with a 3-7 record.
The Bears open play in 2012 with a trip to Charleston, W.Va., to take on the University of Charleston on August 30.
VISIT: SHAW UNIVERSITY
VISIT: SHAWBEARS
Former Southern University Athletics Director Greg LaFleur found NOT GUILTY of prostitution charges
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| GREG LAFLEUR SERVED NEARLY SIX YEARS AS SOUTHERN'S A.D. BEFORE HIS GOOD REPUTATION AND CAREER WAS DERAILED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY/HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. |
HOUSTON, TEXAS - A jury has found former Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur not guilty on a charge of prostitution. The jury of six reached its decision Tuesday night, said a spokeswoman for the Harris County District Attorney's office in Houston.
"This should have never happened," LaFleur told WAFB 9NEWS Wednesday. "The chic solicited me. I have lived with this for a year. I'm more pissed off than happy."
At the time of his arrest, the prosecutor's office in Harris County characterized the case as "straight sex for pay." According to the police report, LaFleur was accused of picking up an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute.
Former Southern University Athletic Director Greg LaFleur has been found not guilty of solicitation of prostitution.
LaFleur lost his job as Southern’s Athletic Director when he was arrested in April of 2011, for allegedly trying to pay an undercover police officer for sex in Houston. According to his lawyer, LaFleur was acquitted of the charge Tuesday night by a Texas jury. His attorney says a lawsuit is pending against Southern, seeking back pay and damages.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Scores That Matters!!
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012
MEN'S BASKETBALL
OVC
Austin Peay 69, Tennessee State 63
SWAC
Arkansas Pine Bluff 75, Alcorn State 68
Jackson State 54, Texas Southern 51
Prairie View 81, Grambling State 64
Mississippi Valley 77, Southern 56
GCAC
Southern-New Orleans 89, Fisk 72
Tougaloo 58, Mobile 52
Dillard 64, Edward Waters 62
Xavier 87, Philander Smith 80
CIAA
Shaw 83, Elizabeth City 74
Bowie State 69, Livingstone 64
Winston Salem 59, Lincoln Pa. 52
St. Augustine's 66, Chowan 52
Virginia Union 85, Johnson C. Smith 84
SIAC
Tuskegee 82, LeMoyne-Owen 76
Claflin 68, Clark Atlanta 55
Miles 60, Stillman 56
MEAC
Norfolk State 74, Coppin State 66
Bethune Cookman 68, Savannah State 62
North Carolina Central 69, Howard 63
Florida A&M 86, South Carolina State 69
Morgan State 68, Hampton 56
OTHERS
Langston OK 81, Huston-Tillotson TX 78
Texas College 75, Wiley TX 64
Greensboro 82, Allen S.C. 45
St. Thomas TX 54, Paul Quinn TX 51
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
SWAC
Jackson State 55, Texas Southern 38
Alcorn State 65, Arkansas Pine Bluff 51
Mississippi Valley 78, Southern 61
Prairie View 68, Grambling State 55
GCAC
Xavier 56, Philander Smith 27
Dillard 71, Edward Waters 58
Southern-New Orleans 87, Fisk 55
CIAA
Winston Salem 94, Lincoln Pa. 44
Shaw 74, Elizabeth City 72
Livingstone 65, Bowie State 64
Johnson C. Smith 65, Virginia Union 51
St. Augustine's 65, Chowan 63
SIAC
Stillman 52, Miles 48
Clark Atlanta 66, Claflin 58
Tuskegee 76, LeMoyne-Owen 60
MEAC
Hampton 83, Morgan State 51
Howard 67, North Carolina Central 26
Florida A&M 79, South Carolina State 62
Coppin State 67, Norfolk State 62
Bethune Cookman 58, Savannah State 54 O.T.
OTHERS
Paul Quinn TX 59, St. Thomas Tx 48
Wiley 91,Texas College 75
Langston OK 87, Huston-Tillotson TX 63
Allen S.C. 49, Pensacola Christian 45
MEN'S BASKETBALL
OVC
Austin Peay 69, Tennessee State 63
SWAC
Arkansas Pine Bluff 75, Alcorn State 68
Jackson State 54, Texas Southern 51
Prairie View 81, Grambling State 64
Mississippi Valley 77, Southern 56
GCAC
Southern-New Orleans 89, Fisk 72
Tougaloo 58, Mobile 52
Dillard 64, Edward Waters 62
Xavier 87, Philander Smith 80
CIAA
Shaw 83, Elizabeth City 74
Bowie State 69, Livingstone 64
Winston Salem 59, Lincoln Pa. 52
St. Augustine's 66, Chowan 52
Virginia Union 85, Johnson C. Smith 84
SIAC
Tuskegee 82, LeMoyne-Owen 76
Claflin 68, Clark Atlanta 55
Miles 60, Stillman 56
MEAC
Norfolk State 74, Coppin State 66
Bethune Cookman 68, Savannah State 62
North Carolina Central 69, Howard 63
Florida A&M 86, South Carolina State 69
Morgan State 68, Hampton 56
OTHERS
Langston OK 81, Huston-Tillotson TX 78
Texas College 75, Wiley TX 64
Greensboro 82, Allen S.C. 45
St. Thomas TX 54, Paul Quinn TX 51
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
SWAC
Jackson State 55, Texas Southern 38
Alcorn State 65, Arkansas Pine Bluff 51
Mississippi Valley 78, Southern 61
Prairie View 68, Grambling State 55
GCAC
Xavier 56, Philander Smith 27
Dillard 71, Edward Waters 58
Southern-New Orleans 87, Fisk 55
CIAA
Winston Salem 94, Lincoln Pa. 44
Shaw 74, Elizabeth City 72
Livingstone 65, Bowie State 64
Johnson C. Smith 65, Virginia Union 51
St. Augustine's 65, Chowan 63
SIAC
Stillman 52, Miles 48
Clark Atlanta 66, Claflin 58
Tuskegee 76, LeMoyne-Owen 60
MEAC
Hampton 83, Morgan State 51
Howard 67, North Carolina Central 26
Florida A&M 79, South Carolina State 62
Coppin State 67, Norfolk State 62
Bethune Cookman 58, Savannah State 54 O.T.
OTHERS
Paul Quinn TX 59, St. Thomas Tx 48
Wiley 91,Texas College 75
Langston OK 87, Huston-Tillotson TX 63
Allen S.C. 49, Pensacola Christian 45
Lady Rattlers Beats SCSU 79-62 for Ninth Consecutive Win
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| TAMEKA McKELTON SENIOR GUARD W. PALM BCH., FL |
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| KIMBERLY SPARKMAN 5-8 SOPH. GUARD COLUMBIA, TN |
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| REGINA SMILEY 5-11 SR. FORWARD CLEVELAND, OH |
FAMU (12-5, 5-0 MEAC) was paced by Antonia Bennett as she scored a team high 27 points, followed by Tameka McKelton with 12, while Jamie Foreman added 10. Regina Smiley led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with nine, Kimberly Sparkman dished out a game high six assists.
SCSU (8-9, 3-3 MEAC) had four Lady Bulldogs to score in double-figures as Tiara Knotts scored a team high 17 points, followed by Cabriel Duren with 11. Tiana Hemphill finished with a double-double as she scored 10 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Trinese Fox added 10.
FAMU grabbed an 11-4 lead as Bennett sank a three pointer with 14:07 to go in the first half and they never looked back. SCSU would cut FAMU’s lead to 13-10 on a pair of Hemphill free throws with 12:19 to go in the half.
The Lady Rattlers would close out the first half with a 9-4 run and another 14-10 run to take a 38-24 lead into the break.
FAMU finished the first half shooting 48.4 percent (15-of-31), while SCSU shot 26.5 percent (9-of-34).
The Lady Rattlers opened the second half with a 12-4 run, giving FAMU a 50-28 lead, capped off by a McKelton three pointer, with16:44 to go.
FAMU would build their lead to as much as 27 points as Andreya Lacy nailed a jumper with 8:04 to go in the game.
SCSU would close the game with a 14-6 run, primarily against reserves as the Lady Rattlers held on for the 79-62 win.
The Lady Rattlers will return to action on Saturday, Jan 21 as they will travel to Princess Anne, Md., to take the University Maryland Eastern Shore in a MEAC contest in a 2 p.m. start.
Florida A&M University Sports Information
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS
VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
Day leads Tougaloo Bulldogs Past Mobile Rams, 58-52
2011/12 TOUGALOO COLLEGE BULLDOGS
HEAD COACH: Lafayette Stribling, (MS Industrial College, 1957)
Collegiate Record: 359-351 / 52 years
ASSISTANT COACH: Harvey Wardell (Alcorn, 1972)
The #25th-ranked Bulldogs would come into tonight's game knowing it would not be easy against the former GCAC foe Rams, but they were up for challenge in trying to extend their win streak to five straight.
Early in the first half, the Bulldogs would take the lead over the Rams with a pair a three pointers by Juan Gray and Kadon Day. The Bulldogs would continue to pour it on the Rams from downtown, as they would shoot 47% from behind the arc in the first half, taking a commanding 36-22 halftime lead over the Rams.
In the second half, the Bulldogs would continue to play good basketball, but late in the half the Rams would fight their way back within 3 points of the Bulldogs, forcing the Bulldogs would regroup its defense to try and hold off a scare by the Rams. Coach Stribling would do just that, regrouping its defense to hold off the Rams offense and escape the scare by the Rams and take the victory.
The Bulldogs were led by Kadon Day, who finished with 17 points. Horace Whitehead chipped in 14 points, Marquise Mems tacked in 11 points, and Juan Gray added 10 points. Whitehead also finished the night with 4 blocks, as he leads the conference in blocks.The Bulldogs will be back in action on Monday, January 23, 2012 as they host #19 Xavier University in a Top 25 showdown. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M.
VISIT: TOUGALOOATHLETICS
FAMU Rattlers Ignite Lawson Center With 86-69 WIn Over SCSU
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Florida A&M Men's Basketball team picked up their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season as they defeated South Carolina State 86-69, here Monday evening at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. FAMU (4-15, 2-3 MEAC) had two Rattlers to finish with double-doubles as Amin Steven pumped in 19 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, followed by Jeremy Dean scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Reggie Lewis continued his hot shooting, adding 18 points.
SCSU (4-15, 0-5 MEAC) had four Bulldogs to score in double-figures as Brandon Riley scored a team high 16 points. Both Khalif Toomb and Omar Sanders finished with 13 points each, while Luka Radovic pumped in 10. Sanders led the Bulldogs in rebounds with nine boards.
FAMU answered with a 10-0 run as they took a 15-10 lead on a Stevens layup with 11:58 to go in the first half. The Rattlers would extend their lead to 25-15, capping a 10-5 run on a Markee Teal field goal with 7:50 remaining in the first half.
FAMU would go into the break with a 44-32 lead as they shot 46.2 percent (12-of-46) from the field, while SCSU shot 50 percent (19-of-38).
The Rattlers would open up the second half with a 17-9 run as they took a 61-41 lead, capped off by a D'Andre Bullard layup with 15:02 to go in the game.
FAMU would never relinquish the lead as they went on to win 86-69.
The Rattlers finished the game shooting 49.3 percent (37-of-75), while the Bulldogs shot 48.3 percent (28-of-58). FAMU held the rebounding edge over SCSU 39-35.
FAMU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 21 as they will take on Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md., in a 4 p.m. tip.
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS
VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
Gold Rush survive Brown's 45, defeat Panthers 87-80
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| DENZELL ERVES SCORED CAREER BEST 23 POINTS,13 REBOUNDS OVER PSC. ERVES IS A 6-7/205 JUNIOR FORWARD FROM VICKSBURG H.S., VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. |
NEW ORLEANS -- Denzell Erves' career-best 23 points and 13 rebounds Monday helped NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana rally in the second half for an 87-80 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Philander Smith.
The Gold Rush (13-5 overall, 4-1 GCAC) survived a career-best 45 points by senior guard Ken Brown of Philander Smith (7-11, 2-3).
Erves recorded his third double-double of the season and fourth of his career. The junior forward had 17 points and nine rebounds in the second half.
Brown, NAIA Division I's scoring leader with more than 30 points per game, was 11-of-20 from the floor, 7-of-13 on 3-pointers and 16-of-19 from the line in 39 minutes. It was sixth his consecutive 30-point game and his second time this season to reach 40.
Brown scored 24 points in the first half to give the Panthers a 44-37 advantage at the break. But Xavier outshot the Panthers 46.7 to 29 percent from the floor in the second half and took the lead for good at 69-67 on Wanto Joseph's basket with 5:45 remaining. Chris Iles' 3-pointer with 4:19 remaining made it 79-70 and capped a 14-3 Xavier run.
Cordell Hadnot had 12 points and eight rebounds for Xavier, which won its third in a row and for the sixth time in seven games. Xavier won for the 29th time in its past 33 games at The Barn. Iles had 11 points and six assists, and Joseph had nine points and five assists.
Brandon Bell scored 16 points for Philander Smith, and Damarkus Lipscomb had 13 points, four assists and five steals. Jaron Egbe led the Panthers with 11 rebounds.
For the game Xavier outshot the Panthers 49.1 to 39.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded then 44-22. Philander Smith made 12 3-pointers -- three by Bell and two by Lipscomb -- and 24-of-30 free throws. Xavier made five 3-pointers -- two apiece by Iles and Jamaan Kenner -- and 28-of-34 free throws.
Xavier beat Philander Smith for the second time in 10 days and improved to 8-0 all-time against the Panthers. Brown scored 33 points at home Jan. 7 in Xavier's 76-70 victory.Both teams will play GCAC home games at 7 p.m. Saturday. Xavier will play Talladega, and Philander Smith will play SUNO, the GCAC leader by a half-game over Xavier and Tougaloo.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Hampton Lady Pirates runover Morgan State, 83-51
BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Hampton University women’s basketball team scored a season-high 83 points on Monday at the Talmadge Hill Field House en route to an 83-51 win over Morgan State.
Sophomore forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
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| CHOICETTA McMILLIAN |
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| JERICKA JENKINS |
BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Hampton University women’s basketball team scored a season-high 83 points on Monday at the Talmadge Hill Field House en route to an 83-51 win over Morgan State.
The Lady Pirates (13-3, 5-0 MEAC) ran their winning streak to four games and handed Morgan State its 12th loss in 13 games. Hampton has won every conference game so far this season by double digits.
Senior guard Choicetta McMillian (Fairfield, Texas) led the Lady Pirates with 22 points, hitting four 3-pointers, while senior guard Jericka Jenkins (Lancaster, Texas) added 16 points and tallied a season-high 12 assists to become the second player if program history to have 500 career assists.
Jenkins now has 511 career assists.
Sophomore guard Nicole Hamilton (Hampton, Va.), the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, added 15 points, while senior forward Melanie Warner (Tallahassee, Fla.) chipped in 13 points and junior forward Ariel Phelps (Virginia Beach, Va.) added 10 points.
Sophomore forward Alyssa Bennett (Hampton, Va.) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
Morgan St hung tough early, taking a 9-7 lead with 15:39 left in the first half after Amarah Williams sank a layup. But back-to-back jumpers from Jenkins and McMillian put Hampton up 11-9 with 14:49 left in the half, and the Lady Pirates never trailed again.
VISIT: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HAMPTONPIRATES
Kelly's double-double leads Nuggets past Philander Smith
NEW ORLEANS -- Jazmoné Kelly had 11 points and 13 rebounds Monday to lead NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 56-27 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Philander Smith.The Gold Nuggets (15-5 overall, 5-0 GCAC) have won eight straight for the first time since the 2009-10 season. It was their third victory in four days.
Kelly, a senior guard/forward, recorded her first career double-double. She also had four assists and two assists in 19 minutes.
Caryan Jones led Philander Smith (1-16, 0-5) with six points. The Lady Panthers, a first-year GCAC member, have lost 15 in a row.
Xavier committed 27 turnovers, seven more than the Lady Panthers, but outshot them 38.7 to 16 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 56-28. Philander Smith shot 24 free throws but made seven. Xavier blocked a season-best six shots for the second straight game.
It's the fifth consecutive game that the Gold Nuggets allowed less than 50 points and the third straight game they allowed less than 40. Xavier has 34 consecutive GCAC victories, 29 in the regular season.
Xavier, tied for first place in the GCAC with city rival Dillard, will play Talladega at 5 p.m. Saturday at The Barn. The Lady Tornadoes are unbeaten through three conference games.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
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