Gold Rush, Nuggets lose to Vanguard in California finales

COSTA MESA, California — Vanguard, ranked seventh in NAIA men's tennis, won all three doubles matches and a pair of three-set singles matches Thursday in a 6-3 victory against ninth-ranked Xavier University of Louisiana.

Vanguard's 15th-ranked women defeated Xavier 5-4.

Loic Didavi and Zach Taylor of the Gold Rush (12-6) defeated ranked opponents in singles. Sean Richardson earned XU's other singles victory. In the women's dual the Gold Nuggets (3-20) got singles victories from Amanda Materre, Nicole DeLoach and Ashley McGill, plus a doubles victory from DeLoach and Kourtney Howell.

Vanguard's women (8-9) overcame a 4-3 deficit by winning two doubles matches.

The Lions' Lucas Pereira, ranked ninth by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, retired with an injury against No. 11 Didavi, who led 6-3, 1-0. XU's 17th-rated Taylor defeated No. 43 Roger Muri 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Vanguard's men, who eliminated Xavier in the second round of the 2011 national tournament, are 10-7. The Lions clinched when Robin Wagner beat Viktor Svoboda 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 at No. 4 singles.

"Our men got off to a slow start and dug a huge hole by losing all the doubles," XU coach Alan Green said. "It is almost impossible to come back from that. We fought hard and came within the final three matches. It was too much to overcome."

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
MEN'S TENNIS TEAM
ROSTER

Nicole DeLoach ended her five-match singles losing streak when she defeated Gabriele Alford 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4, and Ashley McGill snapped her four-match losing streak by beating Ashley Tebeau 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 at No. 6. Tebeau and Ekaterina Gabashvili clinched at No. 3 doubles with an 8-3 decision against McGill and Jordyn Goody.

"The Nuggets almost pulled off a big upset," Green said. "The match was back and forth the whole time. I was proud of the fight we gave them."

The Gold Rush finished 2-2 on their California trip, and the Nuggets were 0-4. All the matches were against ranked NAIA teams.

Results:  Men    Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Texas Southern's Wells-Broughton resigns

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern women's basketball coach Yolanda Wells-Broughton has resigned after four seasons.  The Tigers were just 5-26 this past season and reached the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament, bowing out to Mississippi Valley State.

"I want to sincerely thank coach Broughton for her years of dedication to Texas Southern," said Texas Southern athletic director Dr. Charles McClelland. "She has truly laid a solid foundation for the program. I am extremely appreciative for her dedication and hard work, and I will forever be grateful and supportive of her future endeavors."

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HU to debut latest offense in spring game

HAMPTON, Virginia — Earnest Wilson had proven all he could where he was. Wilson, offensive coordinator for the past two seasons at Jackson State, directed the most prolific attack in FCS play last year. Wilson's Tigers led the nation with 490.9 yards per game and averaged 6.58 yards per play, finishing 9-2 and ranked in top 25.

Wilson, hired to replace Willie Snead as Hampton University's offensive coordinator last month, wanted more. "In the SWAC, you can't compete for a national championship," he said. "We took the program as far as we could go."

The Southwestern Athletic Conference, home to Jackson State, competes in a post-season conference championship game. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, where HU plays, is part of the FCS playoff system, and Wilson is eager to see how his offense, descended from the Air Raid attack of former Kentucky and New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme, stacks up against broader competition.

Wilson, HU's fifth offensive coordinator in the past five seasons, debuts his system during Friday's annual Blue-White game, which caps two weeks of spring practice

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Interim coach pleased with Alcorn State spring practices

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Interim Alcorn State football coach Todd McDaniel has been pleased with the Braves' progress as they wrap up their first week of spring practices.

McDaniel has provided stability for the Southwestern Athletic Conference program while the university seeks to replace Melvin Spears Jr., who was fired in February.

"The team has been grasping the systems over the past two days," McDaniels, who coaches the defensive line, said. "They understand the type of offensive, defensive and special teams schemes that we are trying to incorporate. Practice has been high tempo and all business. The team has been having fun while learning the system."

Quarterbacks Darius Smith and Brandon Vessel have...

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TSU Spring Football Update: A Focus on the Quarterbacks

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State football added a few wrinkles to the offense on Wednesday as the Tigers near the backstretch of spring practice.
Coach Rod Reed and the coaching staff added a few more offensive plays and started the day with goal line scenarios.

"We took the first 13 plays or so to focus on goal line situations," said Reed. "We then shifted our focus to 7-on-7 before turning to individual workouts."

TSUTigers.com sat down with quarterbacks coach Jeff Parker to discuss the return of OVC Freshman of the Year Michael German and a look at how the quarterback situation sits for the fall.



TSU takes a final scrimmage on Saturday at Hale Stadium. The scrimmage is slated for a 9:15 a.m. start.

Next week provides a full slate of activities for Big Blue fans. The Tigers host the annual Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Celebrity Slam Jam on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. The TSU Legends football game with Vanderbilt takes place Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by the Blue-White Spring game at 3:30 p.m.

UPCOMING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Saturday, April 7 - 9:15 a.m.
Monday, April 9 - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11 - 4 p.m.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Concordia (California) doubles up to defeat Rush, Nuggets

COSTA MESA, California (April 4) — For the third straight day at a Xavier University of Louisiana men's tennis dual match, higher rankings didn't guarantee success. But Wednesday the disappoinment belonged to the Gold Rush.

Needing one victory from either of its NAIA-ranked doubles teams to clinch a dual against Concordia (Calif.), ninth-ranked Xavier lost both and dropped a 5-4 decision to the 10th-ranked Eagles.

Concordia's eighth-ranked women defeated Xavier 9-0.

The Gold Rush (12-5) were looking for a third victory in as many days against a higher ranked opponent. The XU men got singles victories from Zach Taylor, Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson and led 4-3 after Viktor Svoboda and Corey Huggins defeated Rafael Coutinho and Ashkon Babaee 8-2 at No. 3 doubles.

But the Eagles (7-9) tied the dual when Ryan McNamara and Patrick Szeremeta rallied for a 9-7 victory against 25th-ranked Richardson and Giles-Osborn at No. 2, then Bruno Santarelli and Gernot Hagemann upset third-ranked Loic Didavi and Taylor 8-5 to complete the comeback. Neither of Concordia's winning tandems was ranked, and the Santarelli-Hagemann triumph gave the Eagles their only lead of the day.

On Tuesday Didavi and Taylor defeated second-rated Bryan Cox and Rodrigo Schaefer to cap a 6-3 victory against No. 8 Westmont. What's more, the XU men had won at least two doubles matches in their previous eight duals against ranked NAIA teams this season.

"It was a crushing way to lose," XU coach Alan Green said. "Our guys fought hard, and we had a match point up 7-6 at No. 2 doubles. Hats off to Concordia. They played very well and showed how tough it is to win out here."

Didavi and Amir Rahbar, both three-set singles winners Monday in a 5-4 victory at No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene, both lost in three sets this time. Bruno Santarelli defeated Didavi 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in a matchup of top-15 players, and McNamara beat Rahbar 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1 to give the XU sophomore his first defeat in six three-set matches this spring.

"The sun will rise tomorrow," Green said, "and we will have to do the same."

The Gold Nuggets (3-19) didn't win a set against Concordia's women and lost for the 10th time in 11 duals. Seven of the losses in that stretch are against ranked NAIA teams.

Ninth-ranked Bettina Radke of Concordia (9-6) improved to 14-1 in singles this spring by defeating No. 35 Kourtney Howell 6-1, 6-1. Howell beat top-40 players the previous two days. Jordan Kimura, ranked 16th, clinched the dual with a 6-3, 6-1 decision against Amanda Materre.

Xavier will conclude its spring-break trip by returning to Costa Mesa Tennis Center for 10 a.m. PDT Thursday duals against Vanguard's seventh-ranked men and 15th-ranked women.

Results:  Men    Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Former WSSU basketball player killed in wreck

Jillian Rose Charlet
22-year old senior Accounting
major was scheduled to graduate in
May 2012, passed away from injuries
 in a one-car crash on April 4, 2012.
The Mabe, Indiana native was a
graduate of  New Washington H.S.

  WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (March 28, 2012) — A former Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball player was killed in a single-car wreck early Wednesday in Winston-Salem.

Police said Vince Sherman Williams Jr., 27, was driving a 2005 Honda Civic north in the 3700 block of Cherry Street when he lost control at the intersection with Reynolds Boulevard and crashed into a telephone pole around 2:30 a.m.

Jillian Rose Charlet, 22, of Brownsboro Road in Winston-Salem, died at the scene of the wreck, police said. The driver and another passenger, 21-year-old Choloe Claudette Morse, were both taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Police said speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash.

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Former New Washington student killed in crash

CLARK COUNTY, Indiana (March 28, 2012) — A former New Washington High School student and basketball player was killed early Wednesday morning in a car accident in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she was attending college.

Jillian Rose Charlet, 22, a 2008 New Washington graduate died at the scene when Vince Sherman Williams Jr., 27, lost control of the car he was driving, a 2005 Honda Civic, police told the Winston-Salem Journal. The car then struck a utility pole. Williams and Charlet’s roommate, Choloe Claudette Morse, 21, who was also in the car, were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Terry White, basketball coach at New Washington, had coached Charlet during her junior and senior years in high school. He said the team won sectionals during her junior year. He described Charlet as a strong-willed person, who was also a gentle giant.

White said Charlet had visited two weeks ago when she was on spring break.

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Howard University self-reported violations to NCAA, ruled some athletes ineligible

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the midst of an ongoing internal investigation, Howard University recently self-reported violations to the NCAA, a school spokeswoman said Thursday. Howard last week ruled ineligible a number of athletes participating in a variety of spring sports, and the school’s ability to compete in those spring sports remains in question.

Kerry-Ann Hamilton, the school’s director of strategic communications and marketing, declined in a telephone interview to reveal the number of student-athletes who have been ruled ineligible. She also declined to state whether the self-reported violations were secondary or major in nature or whether the NCAA is now conducting its own investigation.

Multiple NCAA media relations representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hamilton denied requests to speak with Howard’s athletic director, provost and university president.  “The university is working aggressively to reinstate student-athletes as quickly as possible,” Hamilton said. “That process has begun. I don’t know how long those processes take.”

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FAMU athletics in deep debt

DEREK HORNE
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M trustees and administrators are determined to see the university's athletics department stop hemorrhaging money.

The department came into the 2011-12 school year almost $5 million in the hole and it has added another $1 million to its deficit this school year, Athletic Director Derek Horne reported during the trustees' Budget and Finance Committee meeting Wednesday.

"It's a huge concern," FAMU President James H. Ammons said. "We have a rich athletic tradition at Florida A&M, but at the end of the day athletics has to be self-sufficient."

Teresa Hardee, FAMU's CFO, said she does not believe the athletics department is "wasting money." She added that she doesn't know where it can cut expenses, either. "What they have to do is increase their revenue," Hardee said.

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After loss of mentor, Stillman Tigers Savage excelling

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Ashley Savage lost her most prized possession one week before her collegiate softball season began. Savage’s longtime softball mentor, coach and friend, Tommy Barnhill, lost his three-month battle with lung cancer Feb. 1. He was diagnosed with the disease in October, while Savage was playing on the Stillman College volleyball team.

“It was tough not being there, but I honestly thought nothing would stop him or slow him down,” Savage said. “I never thought it would come down to this or that it was as bad as it really was.”

He lost his battle 10 days before her debut with the Tigers.

“He taught me everything I know about ...

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St. Aug's Falcons Ink 30 Football Signees

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Saint Augustine's College announced the signing of 30 football recruits for the 2012 football season on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. This is the largest incoming class since 2002 when the Falcons re-started football after 37 years.

The list of players includes 16 in-state players and 14 players from eight different states in addition to Washington, D.C. That is a marked departure from previous years when most of the recruits were out-of-state.

The Falcons stocked up on offensive linemen (8) and defensive backs (7), but they also focused on defensive linemen (5), wide receivers (4) and linebackers (4). Head Coach Michael Costa expects several of the recruits to make an impact this upcoming season.

“This is a good class,” Costa said. “We have a lot of kids that will help the program. We have good kids who are smart.”

The recruits will join 41 lettermen from last year's squad which finished 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the CIAA. Top returning lettermen for the Falcons include quarterback Teddy Bacote (Hampton, Va.), wide receiver-return man Tyron Laughinghouse (Greenville, N.C.) and wide receiver Brian Richards (Waldorf, Md.) on offense. Bacote and Laughinghouse were All-CIAA selections last season. Richards ranked first in the league and 10th nationally in receptions per game (7.0) last season.

Defensively, the Falcons bring back linebacker Chaz Robinson (Hampton, Va.), linebacker Antonio Stewart (Ellenwood, Ga.) and defensive tackle Shonquez Nelson (Lake City, S.C.). Robinson and Nelson both made the All-CIAA squad and Stewart was named 2011 CIAA defensive rookie of the year.

The Falcons open the 2012 season at home against Wingate University. The contest starts at 1:30 p.m.

The Falcons' list of recruits are as follows:

NAME POSITION STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Cory Craig RB Norwood, NC South Stanly High School
Dajon Montague DE Garner, NC Middle Creek High School
Alan (AJ) Gilford QB Savannah, GA Jenkins High School
Wesley Perkins DB Lincolnton, NC Lincolnton High School
Donald Brinkley OL Greenville, NC Rose High School
Craig Johnson LB Raeford, NC Hoke County High School
Sayer Robinson DB Statesville, NC West Iredell High School
Jamiah Johnson WR Durham, NC Southern Durham HS
John Perkins OL Fayetteville, NC Jack Britt High School
Jered Mckenzie OL Aberdeen, NC Pinecrest High School
William Jenkins OL Henrico, VA John Marshall High School
James Walls DB Richmond, VA John Marshall High School
Christian Kama OL Waimanalo, HI Kailua High School
Joseph Pelesasa LB Waimanalo, HI Kailua High School
Jaylynn Nicholas OL Graniteville, SC Aiken High School
Lionel Davis DT Memphis, TN Westwood High School
Antzale Henry WR Memphis, TN Westwood High School
Antoine Smith LB Washington, DC Friendship Collegiate Acad.
Marquis Pegues WR Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
JaQuice Oates-Bethea DE Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
Caison Murphy DB Laurinburg, NC Scotland County HS
Ryan Bowman LB Fort Valley, GA Peach County High School
Justin Jones DB Fort Valley, GA Peach County High School
Terrance North DB Prattville, AL Prattville High School
Kenneth Patten OL Winterville, NC South Central High School
Jordan Griffin DB Middletown, DE Middletown High School
Sharif Humes DE Statesville, NC Statesville High School
Justin Davidson WR Statesville, NC Statesville High School
Kyle Johnston DL Pennsauken, NJ Pennsauken High School
Henry Capers OL Raeford, NC Hoke County High School

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

XU men knock off another top-10 team; Nuggets lose by 1

COACH ALAN GREEN
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

SANTA BARBARA, California — Xavier University of Louisiana's Loic Didavi, Zach Taylor and Viktor Svoboda defeated ranked singles players Tuesday to lead the ninth-ranked Gold Rush to a 6-3 NAIA men's tennis victory against eighth-ranked Westmont.

Xavier (12-4) has beaten top-10 teams in consecutive duals for the first time in the program's history. The Rush defeated No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene 5-4 on Monday.

Xavier's women, who dropped out of the coaches' top 25 poll Tuesday, lost 5-4 to 21st-ranked Westmont.

Svoboda and Corey Huggins clinched against Westmont (7-7) with their 9-8 (10-3) victory at No. 3 doubles against Lukas Zielen and Joshua Barnard. Didavi and Taylor, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's third-ranked NAIA doubles team, beat second-ranked Bryan Cox and Rodrigo Schaefer 9-8 (11-9).

Didavi, ranked 11th, beat fifth-ranked Cox 6-4, 6-3. No. 17 Taylor defeated No. 23 Schaefer 6-0, 6-3, and 47th-rated Svoboda defeated No. 39 Tim Goranson 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5).

The XU men are 8-2 this season against ranked NAIA opponents, 3-2 against top-10 teams.

"Our guys are stepping up on this trip," XU coach Alan Green said. "This was another tough battle. These matches are so hard, and I hope they can prepare us for the national tournament. Westmont had a good crowd, and they were loud and on us the whole time."

Although the Gold Nuggets (3-18) dropped their fourth in a row and ninth in the past 10 duals, they earned a pair of singles victories against ranked opponents. XU's Kourtney Howell, ranked 35th, beat No. 38 Nicci Yvanovich 6-3, 6-2. Amanda Materre defeated No. 45 Tara Yekrang (WC) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3.

The women's dual was not decided until the final completed match, when Alyson Meyer rallied for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory against Nicole DeLoach at No. 5 singles. Sunset at Westmont's Abbott Tennis Courts, which has no lights, forced Meyer and DeLoach's final set to be moved to Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in nearby Carpinteria.

Xavier will continue its California trip with duals at 2 p.m. PDT Wednesday against Concordia — whose women are ranked eighth and men are ranked 10th — at Costa Mesa Tennis Center.

Results:  Men    Women

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 1) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Fresno Pacific (10) 16-1 250 1 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 13-2 242 2 3 Oklahoma Christian 10-3 232 3 4 Azusa Pacific 15-1 228 4 5 Auburn Montgomery 10-7 215 5 6 Point Loma Nazarene 9-6 211 7 7 Vanguard 9-7 202 6 8 Westmont 7-6 191 10 9 Xavier 10-4 186 9 10 Concordia (Calif.) 6-8 177 8 11 William Carey 11-2 174 11 12 Lindsey Wilson 13-4 163 12 13 Aquinas 14-1 152 13 14 Bethany (Kan.) 12-3 145 14 15 Belhaven 12-2 137 17 16 Cumberland 8-0 134 16 17 Warner 11-2 117 18 18 Lee (Tenn.) 7-5 114 15 19 Campbellsville 7-4 103 19 20 Martin Methodist 6-4 93 20 21 Our Lady of the Lake 6-6 89 21 22 Webber International 14-5 74 23 23 Northwestern Ohio 14-4 72 25 24 Lewis-Clark State 5-7 61 24 25 Shorter 7-13 53 22 Others receiving votes: Pikeville 41, Olivet Nazarene 35, Spring Arbor 35, McPherson 33, Biola 21, Northwood (Fla.) 19, Roberts Wesleyan 3, Mobile 3, Taylor 1, Indiana Southeast 1, SCAD Savannah 1, Cumberlands 1.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 1) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Auburn Montgomery (13) 15-2 343 1 2 Fresno Pacific 15-4 332 2 3 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 15-2 321 3 4 Oklahoma Christian 7-3 309 4 5 Azusa Pacific 14-2 300 5 6 Point Loma Nazarene 10-5 285 6 7 Brenau 9-3 280 7 8 Concordia (Calif.) 7-5 264 8 9 William Carey 11-6 257 9 10 Southern Nazarene 6-3 241 10 11 SCAD Savannah 11-2 236 11 12 Lindsey Wilson 10-2 222 12 13 Shorter 16-7 215 13 14 Lewis-Clark State 5-12 197 14 15 Vanguard 6-9 191 15 16 Indiana Wesleyan 16-2 171 17 17 Lee (Tenn.) 8-4 167 16 18 Martin Methodist 7-3 150 18 19 Campbellsville 8-4 131 20 20 St. Thomas (Fla.) 4-4 129 19 21 Westmont 4-7 126 21 22 Robert Morris (Chicago) 9-1 109 NR 23 Oklahoma Baptist 6-7 107 tie-21 24 Marian (Ind.) 19-6 89 23 25 Davenport 15-5 84 25 Others receiving votes: Xavier 78, Webber International 36, Bethel (Kan.) 35, Belhaven 29, Indiana Southeast 26, Northwestern Ohio 24, Milligan 5, Taylor 5, Nebraska Wesleyan 4, Northwood (Fla.) 3, Cumberlands 1, Olivet Nazarene 1, The Master's 1.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Keshia Campbell, hired as athletic director in July, resigns from Hampton University

HAMPTON, Virginia - Keshia Campbell's tenure as Hampton University's first female athletic director lasted less than a year. Campbell, hired on July 20, has left the school.

"In a nutshell, I did resign," Campbell told The Daily Press on Wednesday. She declined further comment.

HU issued a release late Wednesday afternoon that said Campbell "stepped down" for "personal reasons." The release said Rodney Smith, HU's vice president for administrative services, will act as athletic director "while the university conducts a national search."

"Ms. Campbell did a very good job for us and I hate to see her go," HU president William Harvey said in the release. "All of us wish her well in any future endeavor."

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Southern U, Alcorn State game postponed due to weather

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Southern's mid-week contest at Alcorn State has been postponed due to weather.

At the present time, no specific rescheduled date has been determined. Today's postponement marks the fifth time this season the Lady Jaguars have cancelled or postponed a game due to weather.

Southern will host Southeastern La. Monday, April 9 at Lady Jaguar Field in a game which was originally scheduled for March 21.

For more news and information, visit http://www.gojagsports.com/.

Courtesy Southern University Athletic Media Relations

6:31 PM Update: Howard University investigating possible NCAA violations

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard University said Wednesday that it is conducting an internal investigation into possible NCAA violations committed by its athletic department.

In an e-mail, school spokeswoman Kerry-Ann Hamilton said the school has “temporarily withheld a number of student-athletes from competition as a self-imposed action. Most teams will compete as scheduled.”

According to a Howard softball player, the school is investigating the practice by which some of its student-athletes acquire their textbooks. The student said some athletes apparently were pocketing the difference between the cost of their textbooks and their textbook allowance. 

The softball player and a former Howard football player, who both requested anonymity so they could speak freely without fear of repercussion, said this was a common practice for all of the school’s athletic teams.

“It’s been going on for a long time,” the softball player said. “A good majority of the athletes were taking advantage of this. There were some people who were saving the money. They didn’t spend it. Or some would go buy frivolous things, nothing that relates to school. Some people bought books and other school supplies.”

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Note:  Most NCAA revenue comes from a 14-year, $10.8 billion agreement with Turner Broadcasting and CBS Sports for rights to the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Projected NCAA revenue for 2011-12 is $777 million, $700 million of which (90 percent) is projected to come from media rights payments 

And these opportunistic business men and women are concerned about a poor University student-athlete getting $40 - $100 bucks to pay for school supplies, clothes or a few dollars to order a pizza.  Give me a break for crying out loud.  Change the rule and pay all NCAA players a stipend beyond their normal school scholarship expenses.  Then you won't have to worry about these silly rules that keep the players broke during their entire college careers. 

As my kids remind me monthly, there are no life lessons to learn in being broke hundreds of miles away from home at college with an empty debit card.  The heck with Kiplinger and his six principles of being broke.

(beepbeep)

Howard University Suspends Entire Athletic Department Over NCAA Violations, According To Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Howard University Bison, for the time being, are no more, according to a Washington City Paper report by Shani Hilton and Maya Rhodan, which cites a university spokesperson. According to the report, there appears to be some sort of a NCAA violation involved.

The statement:  "It is with great regret that we have temporarily suspended intercollegiate athletic competition. This is a self-imposed action while the University conducts a review. We are working quickly to resolve this issue."

Howard is a private school in Washington D.C. with an enrollment of about 10,000. Its teams compete in the MEAC, with three black college national championships in football among their achievements.

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Rutgers could need new football opponent after Howard 'temporarily suspends' athletics program

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey  -  Rutgers' Sept. 8 home football opener could be in jeopardy after Howard University, the Knights' scheduled opponent that day, "temporarily suspended" all sports for a possible violation of NCAA rules, the Washington City Paper reported today.

A Rutgers spokesman said the school is in the process of gathering more information before deciding whether to pursue a replacement opponent, which would almost certainly be another Football Championship Subdivision school if it comes to that.

Because the suspension is temporary there's the hope from Rutgers' standpoint that the situation will be resolved before the fall and that the game will go on as scheduled.

Athletic director Tim Pernetti was not immediately available for comment.

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FAMU's famed Marching 100 band may miss football season

TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M University is making plans in case the famed Marching 100 band is not available during the fall football season.

FAMU trustees heard a lengthy presentation on Wednesday about a more than $1 million deficit in the school’s athletic program. It was during that discussion that FAMU officials acknowledged that they are looking at offering other entertainment in case the popular band remains on suspension.

FAMU President James Ammons suspended the band in the wake of the death of FAMU death major Robert Champion last November. He died following what police said was hazing while the band was in Orlando.

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FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY RATTLERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2012

Sept. 1, at Tennessee State, "Big" John Merritt Classic, Nashville, TN
Sept. 8, at University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Sept. 15, Hampton,* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL#
Sept. 22, at Delaware State,* Dover, DE
Sept. 29, at Southern, Atlanta Football Classic, Atlanta, GA%
Oct. 6, at Howard, * Washington, D.C.
Oct. 13, Savannah State* (Homecoming), Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL*
Oct. 20, South Carolina State,* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Nov. 3, at North Carolina A&T,* Greensboro, NC
Nov. 10, North Carolina Central,* Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL$
Nov. 17, Bethune-Cookman, at Florida Classic, Orlando, FL+

Key:

# Hall of Fame Weekend
% Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic
* Homecoming
$ Prince Hall Shriner's Diabetes Classic/Community Day
+Blue Cross/Blue Shield Florida Classic
Games Times to be announced when confirmed.

Season Tickets Prices
$60 General Admission (Limited Quantity
$75 - Reserved
$100 Chair Back Box Seating (Renewal Only)
$125 - Reserved Basketball Included
$150 - Chair Back Box Seating with Basketball Included (Renewal Only)

For ticket information, please call (850) 599-3141

Rattler Booster packages are available now by calling their office at (850) 224-6093. For more information on the Rattler Boosters, please visit TheRattlerBoosters.com.

Don't forget, if you can't make it to a home game, you can sign up to Rattler Vision, where you can watch the game streamed to your laptop or home computer. To sign up to Rattler Vision, go to FAMUAthletics.com.

One Florida teacher gets all his kids to graduate

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - (CBS News) -- If you worry about the future of our kids, listen to the story of Miramar High School. Miramar was one of the worst schools in Florida, but in 10 years, with a new administration and dedicated teachers, it's now among the best. Leading the way is Alvin A. Davis, the band director, who is now a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts reports that Davis is more than the music teacher and band director. He's old-school, no-nonsense, and an inspiration.

"I see every report card. I see every interim, and if the grades aren't up to par, they're gonna take a break from being in my program," Davis said.

Davis' program was key to Miramar High's turn around. The band grew from 40 students to 150 and became the pride of the school. Ninety-percent of Miramar students graduate, but nobody beats the band. For four years in a row, 100 percent of the band has graduated and gone on to college. Davis said his kids would probably describe him as "rough."

"His number one priority and goal is to get all of us to college," said Sandra Romero, a member of the band.



Davis doesn't just get kids to college, he keeps them there. Andrew Wan is one of Davis' former students. Like Davis, Wan enrolled at Florida A&M University and joined the famous MARCHING 100 band. When college got tough Wan wanted out.

"He said it so simply: 'If you quit band now and you come back home, what are you gonna do?'" Wan said.

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Miramar High School (Florida) teacher Alvin Davis named finalist for nation’s top educator

Miramar High School Director of Bands
 Alvin A. Davis is a finalist for
 the 2012 National Teacher of the Year.
The Chicago native and Florida A&M
University graduate is Broward County
and Florida's Teacher of the Year.

(Photo Courtesy: Broward County

School District)

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/19/2597433/miramar-high-school-teacher-alvin.html#storylink=cpy

MIRAMAR, Florida - He’s already been named top teacher in Broward County and Florida for 2011, but now Miramar High School music teacher Alvin Davis is in the running for National Teacher of the Year.

On Thursday, the Council of Chief State School Officers announced their four finalists for the nation’s top K-12 educator — including Davis who has taught music for the past 11 years.

“Alvin is a competent and passionate educator who makes sure his students have every chance for success,” Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson wrote in a press statement. “He knows that teachers are the most influential factor in a student’s academic accomplishments and I am honored to congratulate him for this nomination.”

As band director, Davis requires a one-hour study hall for all band members, and also pairs students with mentors to track their academic progress. Before Seniors even think about performing in the band, they must show Davis proof that they’ve applied to college and have registered to take their college entrance exams.

As Florida’s Teacher of the Year, Davis also serves as the state’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, visiting schools throughout Florida to speak on education issues.

Davis’s competition for the national prize includes the teachers of the year for Alabama, California, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

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FAMU linebacker Brandon Hepburn puts his passion into research

BRANDON HEPBURN
SENIOR, BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR
6'-4"/235 LINEBACKER
HOMETOWN: POMONA, NEW YORK
POMONA HIGH SCHOOL

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- At the end of almost every workout since spring practice began two weeks ago, Florida A&M linebacker Brandon Hepburn gathers the defensive unit, his voice bellowing over the circle of helmets.

Seldom does his talk last more than a few minutes, but it's important, he insists.

"I'm a high-intensity guy," he said. "I know a lot of times people get into a monotonous rut. As a leader, it's my responsibility to make sure that my teammates are prepared to play. I do my best to encourage them through the intensity to get them super-charged."

He has the same attitude when it comes to his studies in biochemistry. Hepburn was just as wired last week when he presented the results of his findings for a cure for cancer to an international audience at the American Chemical Society conference in San Diego, California.

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TSU Spring Football Update: Coach Roberts Talks Defense

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University football completed another practice on Monday afternoon. The Tigers are midway through the spring calendar and conclude next week with the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 14.

TSUTigers.com sat down with Co-Defensive Coordinator Justin Roberts to talk about the Tigers' progression on defense. Coach Roberts highlighted some of the focus for the Tigers, while addressing the absences of OVC Defensive Player of the Year Rico Council, HBCU All-American Jospeh Wylie, linebacker John Jones and stalwart lineman Donte'e Nicholls.

TSU practices again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and scrimmages Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at Hale Stadium.



Next week provides a full slate of activities for Big Blue fans. The Tigers host the annual Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Celebrity Slam Jam on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. The TSU Legends football game with Vanderbilt takes place Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by the Blue-White Spring game at 3:30 p.m.

UPCOMING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, April 4 - 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 - 9:15 a.m.
Monday, April 9 - 4 p.m.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU Gold Rush defeat seventh-ranked Point Loma Nazarene

SAN DIEGO, California — Loic Didavi defeated Tyler Bowman 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 Monday to clinch a 5-4 NAIA men's tennis victory for ninth-ranked Xavier University of Louisiana against No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene.

Point Loma's sixth-ranked women defeated No. 24 Xavier 8-1, but XU's Kourtney Howell defeated Maika Adair 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5 in a matchup of ranked singles players.

The Gold Rush (11-4) won for the seventh time in nine duals this season against ranked opponents and beat a seventh-ranked team for the second consecutive year. The XU men have two victories this season against top-10 teams.

Didavi's victory gave Xavier a 5-2 lead. The Gold Rush won all three doubles matches, two against ranked teams.

The other Xavier singles victory came from Amir Rahbar, who is 5-0 in three-set matches this spring after his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 decision against Diego Tavera to give the Rush a 4-2 lead.

Didavi and Zach Taylor completed the doubles sweep with their 8-5 victory against Bowman and Gregory De Andrade. It was Didavi and Taylor's sixth consecutive victory and their 13th in 14 matches this spring. Including fall tournaments, Didavi and Taylor are 20-3.

Viktor Svoboda and Corey Huggins scored XU's first point with an 8-0 decision against Andrew Combs and Kaptan Kaster, then Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson won 8-4 against Angel Tavera and KC Ensley.

Chad Rubin ended the 10-match singles win streak of XU's Sean Richardson with a 6-3, 6-1 decision at the sixth flight.

"This was a hard-fought match," XU coach Alan Green said, "and a great start for us in doubles."

Howell's victory was her third of the season against a ranked singles player. Freshman teammate Amanda Materre also went three sets but lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Jessica Kwan at No. 2.

Wileen Chiu improved to 13-0 in singles this semester with her 6-0, 6-0 victory against the Gold Nuggets' Jordyn Goody at No. 5.

Point Loma's men are 9-7, and its women are 11-5. Xavier's women are 3-17, 1-7 against ranked teams.

This was the first of four consecutive days that both XU teams play ranked teams in California. They'll travel to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to play Westmont's 10th-ranked men and 21st-ranked women at 2 p.m. PDT.

Results: Men Women

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

GSU still in second after PVAMU victory Sunday

Prairie View, Texas -- Grambling had an opportunity to move into a first-place tie in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's West Division with a win in Sunday's series finale.

But Prairie View A&M quickly put an end to that thought en route to a 10-4 victory at Grambling, winning the series at GSU two games to one. The Panthers (18-10, 9-2 SWAC) retain the top spot in the SWAC West while Grambling (14-11, 8-4) remains in second place.

Prairie View outhit Grambling 14-5 in the win. Grambling's Joel Deleon gets the loss with four earned runs in five innings.

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SSU's Broadnax receives inaugural John McLendon Award

HORACE BROADNAX
HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Savannah State men’s basketball coach Horace Broadnax received the inaugural John McLendon National Coach of the Year Award at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet in New Orleans. The award will be presented annually to the top collegiate head coach. The award encompasses Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO.

Broadnax, one of 15 finalists, won the award after leading Savannah State to a 21-12 record and winning the regular-season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in SSU’s first year in the conference with a 14-2 record.

In addition to this award, Broadnax was also tabbed the MEAC Coach of the Year for the 2011-12 season.

The former Georgetown point guard took over a program that went 0-28 during the 2004-05 and his teams have shown steady progress going from two wins during the 2005-06 season to 21 wins during the 2011-12 campaign.

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