FMU Patriots host WSSU Rams in PBC tournament tuneup

FLORENCE, South Carolina — It has been two weeks since the No. 6 Francis Marion baseball team played a game, or faced any live pitching, for that matter.

That’s one reason the Patriots wanted to reschedule an April 5 rainout against Winston-Salem State ahead of next week’s Peach Belt Conference tournament in Columbus, Georgia. After taking two of three games from USC Aiken two weekends ago, the Patriots had a long break for final exams.

FMU (33-14) is hoping tonight’s game against the Rams will help it get ready for Wednesday’s first-round tournament game against host Columbus State.

"Regardless of the outcome of this game, we just needed to play somebody, to see live pitching, to get our pitchers out there to do more than just throw some bullpen sessions,” FMU coach Art Inabinet said. “We needed to get our competitive juices flowing and hopefully get us ready for next week.”

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FAMU Athletics Marches 40 Athletes Across the Stage

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- In three ceremonies that stretched the capacity of the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, FAMU held commencement ceremonies on April 28, signaling the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Among the droves of graduates were 40 FAMU student-athletes.

Topping the list was former FAMU golfer Gallop Franklin. Franklin played for the Rattler golf team from 2008-2011. During his career he was also elected FAMU SGA president twice. Then Governor Charlie Crist appointed him president of the Florida Student Association, where he was responsible for being the student representative on the Florida Board of Governors, for over 300,000 students in the state university system. Dr. Gallop Franklin, earned his doctorate in Pharmacy on Saturday.

Another milestone was the graduation of Danielle Anderson (basketball), Gina Davis (bowling) and Brandon Hepburn (football). These three student-athletes all attained Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry. With the university having just five total chemistry graduates in the entire university, student-athletes made up 60% of the university's chemistry graduates this semester.

Several athletes walked across the stage, as FAMU President Dr. James H. Ammons recognized them and took the opportunity to congratulate them on their accomplishments.

The three dynamic commencement speakers were a conglomeration of international symbolism. In the first commencement, FAMU alumnus, the Honorable Arthenia Joyner, was the keynote speaker. She graduated from FAMU Law School and is the only woman in the history of Florida to practice law for 42 consecutive years. Joyner is currently the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus' Pro Tem.

The second commencement speaker was the Honorable James E. Clyburn. Clyburn is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 6th District in South Carolina. He is currently the highest-ranking African-American in the United States Congress, the third ranking Democratic overall.

The final speaker of the evening was the Honorable Raila A. Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya. Odinga is credited with restoring peace to Kenya following the controversial elections of 2007, which garnered international attention.

FAMU Athletics has made a commitment to pursuing athletes who could bolster the school's NCAA-required APR, and with 40 student-athletes graduating this Spring, the system is gaining consistency. Summer school and the newly renovated student learning center have also contributed to the academic success of FAMU's athletes.



Here is the full list of student-athletes who graduated this semester by sport (Ranked in order of # of graduates):

Football (15):Alexander O. Ajayi (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Mondrell Demareo Clarke (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
Jack W. Culpepper (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Branden Richard Curry (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Qier Naloy Hall (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
*Robert L. Hartley (Bachelor of Science in Political Science)
Gregory Terrell Harvey, Jr. (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
*Brandon Alexander Hepburn (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry)
Kory I. McCloughen ( Bachelor of Science in History)
Ronald G. Jackson (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Padric Herndon-BivensScott (Bachelor of Science in Biology )
Anthony Allen Shutt (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Philip Martin Sylvester (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering)
Brian Edward Tyms (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Jerry Anthony Willis, Jr. (Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business

Women's Basketball (5):
Danielle Anderson (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry)
Antonia Monique Bennett (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Tameka Jordan McKelton (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Regina Tanisha Smiley (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Euneshia Reshelle Proctor (Master of Science in Sports Management)-[Grad Asst.]

Cheerleaders (4):
Blayre A. Barlow ( Bachelor of Science in English Education)
Applemania L. Cook (Master of Education in Educational Leadership)
Zakiya Nailah Gaillard (Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology)
Ashley Lashay Garrett (Bachelor of Science in Journalism)

Men's Basketball (3):
Yannick Marquise Crowder (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
Rasheem Jenkins (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
*Jeffrey L. Neal II (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Delon S. Turner (Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business) [Returning student-athlete]

Softball (3):
*Britany Ann Doty (Bachelor Criminal Justice)
Amanda Nicole Reyes (Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies)
*Taylor J. West (Bachelor of Science in Health Science)

Men's Track (3):
Patrick Jerard Cooney (Bachelor of Science in Accounting)
Shelton Moran Tarver II (Bachelor of Science in Political Science)
Phillip James Washington (Bachelor of Science in Health Science)

Golf (3):
Shepherd Archie III (Bachelor of Science in Biology)
Gallop Phedro Franklin (Doctor of Pharmacy)
Wesley Calvin Yates ( Bachelor of Science in Economics)

Men's Tennis (2):
Michael Anthony Moore (Bachelor of Science in Political Science)
Simbrashe Happy (Master of Science in Sports Management)

Baseball (2):
Jarryd V. Reid (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
Cory Dennis Franklin (Bachelor Criminal Justice)

Bowling (1):
Gina Marie Davis (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry)

*Denotes student-athlete has eligibility remaining.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

After horrible tragedy, DSU's Jaashawn Jones keeps his NFL dream alive

DOVER, Delaware - Like any player from a small school hoping to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent, Delaware State's Jaashawn Jones has plenty of supporters echoing the same sentiment. Just give him a chance.

During the past six years, those words have had an entirely different meaning, haunting him as he grew into a chiseled 6-foot-1, 225-pound running back. They reminded him of the worst night of his life, a vivid memory that could be triggered in an instant by a simple turn of a doorknob or a loud noise.

Now those words refer to a potential NFL career, an opportunity to honor a brother, a chance to represent a community aching for a role model, and the ability to take care of the family that has watched over him amid the hardest of times. All Jones wants is a chance.

Jones' NFL prospects received a boost when he was selected to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) All-Star Bowl on Dec. 18 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. He had nine carries for 50 yards for the highest per-carry average (5.6) of any back in the game for the victorious East squad. His combination of size and speed had numerous teams at least inquiring about his draft day contact information.

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Golden Ram Becomes New Athletic Director

BAINBRIDGE, Georgia - Stanley Bell, a native of Bainbridge, has been hired as the new Athletic Director for Bainbridge Leisure Services. Bell has been tasked with managing Bill Reynolds Sports Park, as well as coordinating all of the city’s baseball, softball and adult sports leagues.

A 2002 graduate of Bainbridge High School, Bell was a member of the BHS baseball team, where he played for Coaches Heath Horn and El Willis. After graduation, Bell attended Albany State University and was a pitcher for the Rams. While there, they earned three SIAC Conference Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Bell earned a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from ASU in 2007.

After graduation, Bell joined the staff of Albany Parks and Recreation as a Recreation Supervisor, focusing on adult sports and assisting with their youth sports programs.

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Texas Southern's Joe Anderson Signs with the Chicago Bears

HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern wide receiver Joe Anderson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears. During his senior year, Anderson, 6-1, 195, Texarkana, TX, had 47 catches for 638 yards and four touchdowns. He was 6th in the conference for receptions per game and 9th in the SWAC for receiving yards per game.

Over his three year career at Texas Southern, Anderson played in 34 games. He recorded 154 catches for 2010 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 289 yards.



COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS 2012

2012 HBCU NFL FREE AGENT SIGNEES

1. Brian Tymes, WR, Florida A&M, San Francisco 49'ers
2. Ryan Davis, LB, Bethune-Cookman, Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Jean Fanor, Safety, Bethune-Cookman, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Nicholas Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem State, Green Bay Packers
5. Donovan Robinson, LB, Jackson State , New York Jets
6. Donovan Richard, LB, South Carolina State, Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Micah Pellerin, Cornerback, Hampton U., Indianapolis Colts
8. Adrian Hamilton, DE, Prairie View A&M, Dallas Cowboys
9. Lamont Bryant, TE, Morgan State, Baltimore Ravens
10. Rico Council, LB, Tennessee State, Atlanta Falcons
11. Casey Therriault, QB, Jackson State, Atlanta Falcons
12. Demario Pippen, RB, Tuskegee, Denver Broncos
13. LaQuinton "Smoke" Evans,WR, Southern U., Tennessee Titans
14. Mario Louis, WR, Grambling State, Houston Texans
15. Marquette King, P, Fort Valley State, Oakland Raiders
16. James Dekle, G, Prairie View A&M, Arizona Cardinals
17. Kevin Elliott, WR, Florida A&M, Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Delano Johnson, DE/LB, Bowie State, Houston Texans
19. Jared Green, WR, Southern U., Carolina Panthers
20. Paul Cox, WR, Mississippi Valley, San Diego Chargers
21. Dominique Ellis, DB, South Carolina State, Kansas City Chiefs
22. Joe Anderson, WR,  Texas Southern, Chicago Bears
Updated 3:00 p.m. EDT, 5/4/12.

TSU Track & Field Turns Focus to OVC Championship

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University's men's and women's track & field teams participate in the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship this Friday and Saturday, May 4-5. The championship starts Friday at Noon at Abe Stuber Track Complex in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Majority of the field events take place on Friday, while most running events are in the preliminary stages. On Saturday, the opening ceremony kicks off field events at 10 a.m., followed by the final running events beginning at 1 p.m.

As of Thursday, TSU has 15 top-5 marks in the OVC. Freshman Ashontae Jackson has two top-5 marks.

The Gordonville, Va., product ranks second in the women's long jump, leaping 5.93m (19-5 ½) at the Vanderbilt Invitational. In the 200-meter dash, Jackson sprinted 24.25 seconds for fifth in the league.



Senior Arthur Combest has two top-5 marks. Combest is third in the high jump, clearing 2.03m (6-8) at the Boston-Moon Classic. He ranks fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, pacing a time of 14.72 seconds.

Also in the high jump, freshman Sean Jenkins is tied for fourth after his distance of 1.98m (6-6) at the Vanderbilt Invitational.

Jahleel Michael, a freshman for the Flying Tigers, is fifth in the 400-meter hurdles with his time of 53.88.

The Tigerbelles have two top-5 marks in the women's triple jump. Ja'Lyn Burr's distance of 11.60m (38-0 ¾) is third, followed by Daniecce Ward's fourth-place leap of 11.58m (38-0).

In the men's triple jump, senior Avian Hughes ranks fourth with his three-step distance of 14.12m (46-4). Brittani Logan enters the OVC Championships with a fifth-place ranking of 13.64m (44-9) in the shot put.

The TSU relay 4x400-meter teams are both ranked third with the men logging a time of 3:16.75 and the women pacing 3:47.31.

Live results of this weekend's OVC Championships will be available online at GoSoutheast.com. Recap and official results will be posted online at TSUTigers.com.

OVC Championship Central

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU hazing suspects turning themselves in

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Eight of the 13 people facing hazing charges after the death of a Florida A&M University band member had turned themselves in by Thursday afternoon, a state police spokeswoman said.

All eight who have surrendered so far face felony charges in the November death of 26-year-old Robert Champion, said Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Of the remaining three who face the same count, two are in Georgia and one is in Delaware, she said.



"We're in contact with their attorneys or their families, and are expecting them to turn themselves in," Plessinger said.

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N.C. Central football coach: Building something special

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Henry Frazier III is still on his honeymoon. “We are building something special, something that will stand for years to come, and we are doing it the right way,” Frazier, into his second year as head coach at N.C. Central, told the Durham Sports Club on Wednesday.

“Our student-athletes are going to represent N.C. Central, Durham and the state of North Carolina very well, but it’s going to take time.” Frazier arrived in Durham 16 months ago with a trunk-load of coaching awards and something of a reputation as a miracle worker after reviving a moribund football program at Prairie View A&M, which had the nation’s longest losing streak (80) before he turned it into a conference champion.

After a 2-9 record in Frazier’s first year at N.C. Central, the Eagles will return their entire coaching staff, 57 lettermen and 16 starters, convinced they can do better in their second year as a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team, Frazier said.

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Frazier: Eagles are building football program for future

DURHAM, North Carolina — N.C. Central football will be better this season, Eagles coach Henry Frazier III told the Durham Sports Club on Wednesday afternoon at Croasdaile Country Club. Of course, after NCCU’s fourth losing season in a row, there’s hardly anywhere for the Eagles to go except up.

Frazier said the 2011 season was so bad for NCCU that he figured the Durham Sports Club wouldn’t let him return as a guest speaker for their luncheons. “I didn’t think I was getting another invitation after going 2-9,” Frazier said. But things are going according to plan, Frazier said.

This will be NCCU’s second season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which Frazier said has some good teams. But NCCU can run with every single one of them, Frazier said. NCCU lost four games after surrendering leads in the fourth quarter. Frazier said part of that had to do with his decision to redshirt 25 players, which cost the Eagles some lumps.

But that’s how a program establishes a foundation, said Frazier, whose most recent recruiting class added 30 more players to the program.

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A&T Selects Robinson As New Women's Head Basketball Coach

COACH TARRELL ROBINSON
HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
(PHOTO COURTESY: VCU ATHLETICS

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - North Carolina A&T has a new head women's basketball coach. Today, Director of Athletics Earl Hilton announced Tarrell Robinson will head the program. A press conference will be held next week to introduce the new head coach.

In choosing Robinson, A&T didn't stray far from the formula that has made the women's program successful over the past seven seasons. Robinson replaces legendary coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs, who resigned last month to take the head women's basketball coaching position at her alma mater Grambling State University.

Robinson, 34, served as an assistant coach to Bibbs for four seasons. Prior to the 2008-09 season, he was promoted to associate head coach. The four-year working relationship resulted in the program's most prosperous era in terms of championships and player accolades.

After a 9-19 season in 2005-06, Robinson made his mark at A&T through rigorous recruiting. He assisted Bibbs in landing Fayetteville, N.C., native Ta'Wuana Cook. Cook went on to be the program's first MEAC Rookie of the Year, its second all-time leading scorer and its all-time leader in assists. He was also instrumental in signing two-time MEAC all-tournament performer Lamona Smalley and 2009 MEAC Player of the Year Brittanie Taylor-James. When Jaleesa Sams, who was ranked as high as No. 31 nationally by Scouts.com, signed to play at A&T in 2007, the women's basketball team had its most highly-touted recruit in history.

The recruiting efforts helped the Aggies compile a 51-15 record, two MEAC regular-season championships and a MEAC tournament championship from 2007-09. Three current players - guard Amber Calvin, forward JaQuayla Berry and center Nikia Gorham - were also a part of Robinson's recruiting efforts. Cook, Sams, Taylor-James and Berry are all 1,000-point career scorers and all-conference performers.

"I am humbled and honored to be named the new head women's basketball coach at North Carolina A&T State University," said Robinson, who is a 2001 graduate of the school. "I want to thank Chancellor Harold Martin, Earl Hilton and the Board of Trustees for giving me this opportunity. North Carolina A&T stands for excellence. Excellence is what we will strive for every day in the classroom as well as on the basketball court. I am excited to be back in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, one of most competitive leagues and fun atmospheres in the country."

Robinson has spent the previous three seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University as an assistant under then head coach Beth Cunningham. Prior to the start of the 2011-12 season, he was promoted to associate head coach after serving as the program's recruiting coordinator in 2010-11. During his first two seasons at VCU, the Rams earned WNIT bids, including a run to the third round in 2010. Robinson's impressive recruiting credentials were evident in Richmond, Va., as well. He helped Cunningham land 2011 second-team All-CAA performer Andrea Barbour, a one-time McDonalds High School All-American Semifinalist. In the process, he also signed four players ranked among the top 30 at their positions in the country.

The Rams' freshman class this season included 6-foot-3 center Aprill McRae, who was the 22nd ranked post player in the nation by ESPN.

Robinson played for the Aggies men's basketball team for four seasons, starting in 1997. He scored more than 900 points and grabbed more than 700 rebounds during his career. As a junior, he led the Aggies in rebounding.

"I have known Coach Robinson for a long time, dating back to his days as a player, and my days as A&T's compliance director," said Hilton. "I have always liked him as a person, and I've always respected how hard he works. I think he is just the person to replace a coaching legend. He worked under Coach Bibbs for a number of years, and therefore is knowledgeable on what it takes to win here. It is important to me that we take what has already been established as one of the best programs in the MEAC, and make it better. I think Coach Robinson can get us there."

By NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Howell is NAIA Player of Week; Taylor wins GCAC award

Kourtney Howell rallied Xavier to victories
in the semifinals and title round of
an NAIA unaffiilated tourney.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell has been selected NAIA Women's Tennis Player of the Week for April 23-29.

Howell also was selected Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, and Xavier's Zach Taylor won the GCAC award in men's tennis for the third time this season and the sixth time in two years to extend his conference career record.

Howell, a sophomore from Cypress, Texas, and a graduate of Cypress Woods High School, was 3-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles to help the Gold Nuggets win an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga., and earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship. She rallied her team in the final two rounds after trailing 2-0 against Milligan and 2-0 against then-17th-ranked Martin Methodist.

Howell clinched the semifinals dual with her 6-1, 6-3 singles victory against Milligan's Kayla Kelly, then she put Xavier ahead to stay in the championship round with her 6-4, 6-1 victory against Martin Methodist's 47th-ranked Paloma Cortina.  It was Howell's fifth victory this season against a ranked singles opponent and her second against Cortina. Howell teamed with Nicole DeLoach for an 8-5 decision against Martin Methodist's Maria Charrys and Jeanna Stanford — their sixth consecutive doubles victory.

This is the third time this year and the fourth time in two seasons that a Xavier tennis player was NAIA Player of the Week. The XU men produced the other three recipients — Corey Huggins for April 9-15, Loic Didavi for April 2-8 and Taylor for April 25-May 1, 2011. Howell is the first XU female athlete to win the NAIA award since Brittany Powell (women's basketball) did it for Jan. 18-24, 2010.

The conference award is Howell's fourth this season, which ties a GCAC record set by Xavier's Anastesia Opata in 2009.

Zach Taylor

Taylor, from Monroe, La., and a graduate of St. Frederick High School and Ventura (Calif.) College, also was 3-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles at the unaffiliated tournament to help the Gold Rush qualify for nationals and, for the second consecutive year, win the men's title of the qualifying event. He did not lose a game in the quarterfinals or semifinals.

In Xavier's 5-0 championship victory against 16th-ranked Cumberland, Taylor and Didavi defeated Evan Sanna and Jeremy Fleming 8-3 in doubles, and Taylor defeated Sanna 6-1, 6-2 in singles. The singles victory was Taylor's seventh in a row.

The national tournaments for men and women will begin May 15 in Mobile, Ala., Pairings will be announced Tuesday. Xavier's men are ranked seventh, and the women are 19th.


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

Saint Augustine's Athletic Staff Adds Two Assistant Coaches

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Saint Augustine's College announced the addition of football assistant coach Chris Parker and women's basketball assistant coach Jarita Crump to the athletic staff on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

Parker joined the Falcons' football staff as safeties coach after spending the 2011 season as secondary coach with the Omaha Knighthawks of the United Football League. While at Omaha, Parker coached several players who signed with NFL teams.

Before joining the Knighthawks, Parker spent the summer of 2011 with the NFL's Detroit Lions as a defensive coaching intern. He entered the college coaching ranks in the 2009-10 season at Alma College in Alma, Mich., as secondary coach. The following season, he was the wide receivers coach at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

“I am very pleased to have Chris on the coaching staff,” Head Football Coach Michael Costa said. “He is an extremely hard worker and will be a terrific asset to the football program.”

Parker was a three-year football letterman at Georgetown University where he earned a sociology degree in 2009. A Stone Mountain, Ga., native, Parker was a prep standout at Tucker High School where he earned conference, region and state honors. He played several positions at Tucker including outside linebacker and safety. Parker was named team MVP his senior season.

Crump returns to the Lady Falcons basketball staff after spending the 2011-12 season at Leesville Road High School where she was head varsity girls basketball coach. She produced one all-conference player at Leesville Road.

Crump started her college coaching career at St. Aug as an assistant coach during the 2010-11 season. She helped guide the Lady Falcons to a 19-11 overall record, an 11-6 CIAA mark and a CIAA Tournament semifinals appearance.

“I am very happy to have Coach Crump back,” Head Women's Basketball Coach Rachel Bullard said. “She played a key role in our success when she was here, and I know she will be an integral part of our success going forward.”

From 2008-2010, Crump was the head varsity girls basketball coach at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C. During her two seasons as head coach, the Lady Holy Rams won the NCISAA state 1-A title and were state runner-ups. The Lady Holy Rams were unbeaten in conference play both seasons. Crump was named conference coach of the year twice at Word of God.

In college, Crump was a basketball and academic standout at Campbell University where she graduated in 2003 with a degree in trust management. She also minored in financial planning and earned a master's degree in business administration. As a prep player, Crump starred at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C. where she won conference honors in basketball and track. She was the school's female athlete of the year two consecutive seasons.

By Anthony Jeffries, Sports Information Director
VISIT: SAINTAUGFALCONS.COM
VISIT: SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

SAC's George Williams’ coaching track record speaks volumes

RALEIGH, North Carolina - George Williams’ track record (pun intended) is unlike any other in the track and field world. As the longtime head coach at Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C., Williams, 69, has guided the small, historically black college to an impressive 31 national championships since being hired in 1976.

Throughout his career, Williams has coached 32 Olympic athletes, and has won more than 100 coach of the year awards for track and field. In 2010, he captured the Division II national outdoor men’s coach of the year award, given by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). It was one of seven coaching awards Williams received that year. In 2011, Williams’ honors included the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) men’s indoor and outdoor coach of the year, and the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region men’s coach of the year.

Williams is quick to pass the credit for his success onto ...

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13 charged in hazing death of FAMU drum major

ORLANDO, Florida -- Thirteen people have been charged with hazing crimes in the beating death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion, a Florida prosecutor announced Wednesday.

State Attorney Lawson Lamar said 11 people are accused of death with hazing, a third-degree felony punishable by up to six years for defendants with no criminal record. Two defendants face misdemeanor charges in the November death aboard a band bus in Orlando.


May. 2, 2012 - A prosecutor says 13 people will be charged in the death of Florida A&M university drum major who died after being beaten during a hazing ritual in November. 26-year-old Robert Champion died aboard a bus parked outside a hotel.

The state also has filed 20 counts of misdemeanor hazing against others in unrelated incidents. Lamar declined to identifiy those charged because they are in multiple jurisdictions and have not yet been arrested.

"I have come to believe that hazing is a form of bullying," Lamar said at a news conference in Orlando. "It's bullying with a tradition."

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13 charged in FAMU hazing death

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (NSF) - Thirteen people have been charged in the hazing death of Robert Champion, the drum major for Florida A&M University's "Marching 100" whose death shook the university and led to the suspension of the iconic band.

Eleven individuals were each charged with a single count of hazing resulting in death, a third-degree felony, and two counts of hazing, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to information released by the office of State Attorney Lawson Lamar. Two more people were each charged with a single count of hazing.

Lamar's office didn't immediately release the names of those charged, saying they were concerned that doing so might prompt the defendants to flee. One defendant is in custody and authorities across the state and in Georgia were working to arrest the other 12 individuals.

In a nationally televised press conference, Lamar called Champion's death "homicide by hazing" but said he couldn't charge the defendants with murder because the death couldn't be linked to a single act. The maximum prison time for hazing resulting in death is six years.

Lamar also suggested that the investigation was continuing.

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Charges Filed in Hazing Death of Florida A&M Drum Major

ORLANDO, Florida - Florida state prosecutors have filed 13 felony charges and 20 misdemeanor hazing charges against students who allegedly took part in the beating death of Florida A&M band drum major Robert Champion. But because the medical examiner concluded his death was not caused by any single blow, no murder or manslaughter charges were filed.

At a press conference on Wednesday, state attorney Lawson Lamar said the students were charged under a 2011 Florida statute that defines hazing and labels it a felony and administers more severe punishment if the hazing results in injury or death. The suspects, all FAMU students, were not named because all but one are at large. That student is currently in custody.

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RELATED ARTICLES AND VIDEO
http://www.wpix.com/videogallery/69714419/News/13-charged-in-FAMU-hazing-death-of-Robert-Champion

13 charged in FAMU hazing death

Family of FAMU band member who died in hazing ritual wanted more severe charges for 13 people

13 charged in hazing death of FAMU band member; family says stiffer charges warranted
13 charged in FAMU drummer's hazing death

2 FAMU music professors quit after FAMU moved to fire them for role in hazing

5 to be charged in FAMU hazing death

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Two Florida A&M University professors have quit under pressure after being told by the school that they were being fired for their role in an off-campus student hazing incident.

Anthony Simons, one of the two music professors who were investigated by FAMU and the Tallahassee police department told the Orlando Sentinel that he resigned on Friday after receiving a termination letter from the university.

The other professor, Diron Holloway, also resigned last week — before the two men's termination took effect on May 3, said their Tallahassee attorney, Mutaqee Akbar.

"They just didn't have a chance, so they decided to protect their own careers and resign," Akbar said. Early Tuesday, the president of the faculty union, Elizabeth Davenport, told the Sentinel that the two professors "have been fired."

This is part 1-2 of the FAMU story/interview that ESPN showed March 25, 2012, reported by T.J. Quinn and the live interviews done by Bob Ley. The investigative story went into the Culture of Hazing in the FAMU Marching 100 Band. Drum major, Robert Champion, was brutally beaten and killed in November, 2011. Thanks to ESPN and their show Outside the Lines for interviewing the Executive Director of HazingPrevention.Org, Tracy Maxwell.
To see more about the story go to this link:
 http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/page/FAMU-hazing/culture-hazing-florida-u...

To learn more about HazingPrevention.Org go to our website: http://www.hazingprevention.org/

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Charges coming today in FAMU hazing death

A press conference is planned at 2 p.m. ET.  10 News will stream the press conference live.   Click here to watch News 10 live video player broadcast.

ORLANDO, Florida -- Several people could soon face charges in the death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion. After five months of investigations, the announcement will come at a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

There were a lot of people who were possibly involved in the hazing that was happening within the marching band. Investigators interviewed more than 50 people. Champion, 26, died in November after he was beaten while on a charter bus after the Florida Classic football game in Orlando.


12/21/11 Video on Robert Champion's Complete Autopsy Report

His death has brought attention to other hazing incidents at the university. Some have called it a "hazing epidemic." The band's longtime director, Julian White, has been on paid leave since the incident.

Meanwhile, two music teachers have resigned after learning they would be fired.

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Texans waive Lane College WR Jacoby Jones after 5 seasons

The Texans selected Jacoby Jones out of Lane College (Marion Abramson HS - New Orleans, Louisiana) in the third round of the 2007 draft. He was released Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

HOUSTON, Texas - Those of you in that long line of people who think Jacoby Jones was to blame for the Texans’ playoff loss at Baltimore aren’t likely to be in the mood to hear about the positives he brought to the Texans.

Then again, you might just surmise this would be a particularly short column if that were indeed its intended direction. Such is Jones’ lot in life or, more accurately, his lot in Texans history: some shining, bright moments but far too few.



For every eye-popping display that made you marvel at Jones’ big-play ability, there was a head-scratcher that made you wonder why he still was on the roster. Not any longer. He was released Tuesday.

Jones, a fun-loving sort whom teammates liked, did have 51 receptions in 2010, when it was believed he had taken that elusive step forward coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith talked about during the offseason after Jones’ rookie season. And after his second season. And after his third season.

Jones seemed to ...

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Gold Rush seventh, Nuggets 19th in NAIA coaches polls

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is riding high in the NAIA Tennis Coaches' Top 25 polls announced Tuesday afternoon.

The XU men are seventh, the highest rank in the program's history. The women are 19th, their highest position in two years.

Winning championships Saturday in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament at Norcross, Ga., helped the Gold Rush (17-7) and Gold Nuggets (7-21) climb. XU's men beat 16th-ranked Cumberland 5-0 for their title, and the women rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2 against Martin Methodist, which was 17th at the time but is 21st in the new rankings.

The Gold Rush were eighth in the previous poll on April 17, and the Nuggets were atop the list of others receiving votes.

XU's men appear in the top 25 for the 39th consecutive time — that streak began April 4, 2007 — and in the top 10 for the ninth straight time, including all seven this season, and in 12 of the last 13 polls.

XU's women are in the top 25 for the second time this season — the first was on March 20 — and just the second time in the past 12 polls. That's a relative drought for a program which appeared in 44 consecutive top-25s from 2004-11.

The Saturday victories earned both Xavier teams automatic berths in the NAIA National Championships at Mobile, Ala., on May 15-19. The Gold Rush qualified for the fourth consecutive year, and the Gold Nuggets
qualified for the sixth time in eight seasons.

Fresno Pacific is No. 1 in the men's poll for an NAIA-record 21st consecutive time. Auburn Montgomery leads the women for the seventh time in as many polls this season. New polls will be announced Monday and on May 22. Pairings for the national tournaments will be revealed next Tuesday.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 29) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Fresno Pacific (13) 22-1 343 1 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 332 2 3 Oklahoma Christian 16-3 318 3 4 Azusa Pacific 19-2 312 4 5 Auburn Montgomery 16-7 297 5 6 Vanguard 14-10 291 9 7 Xavier 17-7 271 8 8 Westmont 11-9 268 10 9 Point Loma Nazarene 12-10 253 6 10 William Carey 16-4 244 11 11 Concordia (Calif.) 8-12 238 7 12 Lindsey Wilson 18-5 224 12 13 Aquinas 23-2 207 13 14 Bethany (Kan.) 18-3 200 14 15 Belhaven 15-3 188 15 16 Cumberland 17-2 182 16 17 Warner 13-4 161 17 18 Campbellsville 14-6 155 18 19 Lewis-Clark State 11-9 142 24 20 Northwestern Ohio 18-6 132 22 21 Shorter 12-15 124 tie-25 22 Olivet Nazarene 15-4 106 tie-25 23 Webber International 15-7 95 23 24 Our Lady of the Lake 7-7 92 21 25 Lee (Tenn.) 9-8 83 20 Others receiving votes: McPherson 59, Spring Arbor 53, Pikeville 50, Biola 41, Roberts Wesleyan 17, Northwood (Fla.) 12, Bethel (Tenn.) 11, Taylor 3, Hastings 1, Asbury 1, Davenport 1, Oklahoma Baptist 1, Mobile 1, SCAD Atlanta 1.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 29) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Auburn Montgomery (13) 22-2 343 1 2 Fresno Pacific 20-4 332 2 3 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 321 3 4 Oklahoma Christian 16-3 309 4 5 Azusa Pacific 17-3 300 5 6 Point Loma Nazarene 16-5 285 6 7 Brenau 13-5 280 7 8 Concordia (Calif.) 14-7 266 8 9 William Carey 14-9 252 9 10 Southern Nazarene 12-5 246 10 11-tie Shorter 20-8 227 11 11-tie Lindsey Wilson 15-3 227 12 13 SCAD Savannah 9-3 210 13 14 Lewis-Clark State 7-14 200 14 15 Vanguard 9-14 189 15 16 Indiana Wesleyan 22-2 181 16 17 Lee (Tenn.) 9-7 149 18 18 Campbellsville 13-6 148 19 19 Xavier 7-21 147 RV 20 Westmont 7-11 131 20 21 Martin Methodist 11-4 129 17 22 Robert Morris (Chicago) 17-2 125 21 23 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-4 102 22 24 Oklahoma Baptist 10-8 93 23 25 Marian (Ind.) 21-6 79 24 Others receiving votes: Northwestern Ohio 66, Davenport 45, Webber International 31, Belhaven 31, Nebraska Wesleyan 17, Bethel (Kan.) 15, Olivet Nazarene 11, Missouri Valley 6, Georgetown (Ky.) 5, Indiana Southeast 5, Milligan (Tenn.) 3.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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TSU Football Announces 3rd Annual Golf Tournament



Photo Courtesy Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  The Tennessee State University football team hosts the third annual fundraiser golf tournament on Friday, May 18 at the Ted Rhodes Golf Course in Nashville.

The golf tournament helps raise money for the TSU Tiger Paw Foundation, which helps maintain expenses for the Big Blue Football program.

There are plenty of opportunities to take part in the golf tournament ranging from a title sponsor to individual contributions. Organizations can also contribute prizes for Beat the Pro, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.

For more information about the costs of sponsorship or to register, click here for the brochure. For more information, call the TSU Football Office at 615-963-7562.

3rd Annual TSU Tiger Football Golf Tournament Sponsorship Information
Title Sponsor - $2,000
Hole Sponsor - $400
Contest Sponsor - $200
Individual - $125

2012 TSU Tiger Football Golf Tournament Brochure



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UAPB Golden Lions Men's Basketball inks pair of top hoopsters

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced the signing of a pair of high scoring high school men's basketball players to NCAA National Letters of Intent.

Trent Whitting, a 6-6, 210-pound small forward at Des Arc High School in Des Arc, Ark., signed with the Golden Lions after posting impressive averages of 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds for his Des Arc High School team. He also averaged 3.0 blocked shots per contest.

Trent Jeffries, a Gulfport, Mississippi native, also signed with UAPB after averaging 17.5 points per game last season at Gulfport High School. The 6-3, 180-pound shooting guard also dished out 3.8 assists and grabbed 5.1 rebounds an outling.

Whitting and Jeffries are head coach George Ivory's first two signees thus far this spring.

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Virginia State University Wins NCAA Community Engagement Award of Excellence

PETERSBURG, Virginia -- Virginia State University won the annual Division II Community Engagement Award of Excellence for the CIAA conference. VSU held a Military Appreciation Day and Fellowship Day for the Petersburg, VA community during the Chik-Fil-A Classic back in November 2011.

The Virginia State University Athletic Department hosted a Community Engagement Weekend on Friday November 25- Sunday November 27, 2011. VSU incorporated two themes within this weekend to honor two major groups within the nearby community, the military personnel and the local churches. On Friday they invited all of the local churches for a Fellowship Day at their women’s basketball game against Mercy College. This day gave our local churches an opportunity to attend the game at no charge and fellowship while they interacted with and cheered on our Lady Trojans. During the game, the churches received recognition through announcements and from the players, welcoming them to our arena.

Saturday’s basketball games was devoted to the local military personnel during Military Appreciation Day. Virginia State University is located only five miles from Fort Lee Military Base which houses over 70, 000 troops and a daily population of over 40,000 military officials. By inviting these troops to their games, VSU gave them an opportunity for leisure outside of their normal activities while honoring them for their commitment and service to our country. This event really portrayed VSU’s gratitude for our military and created a lasting relationship between Fort Lee’s Army personnel and Virginia State University’s Athletic Department.

That weekend of events really made an impact on the campus by exposing the student body and student-athletes to two major community groups in Petersburg, VA. This allowed VSU students the opportunity to network, foster relationships and thank these groups for the support that they give to VSU. The student-athletes really felt the support from the community and were appreciative that these groups came out to support them during the Thanksgiving holiday while the student body was on break.

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HU track signs two area stars

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton's women's track and field program has added two local stars. Bethel High's Maya Moore, the 2012 Virginia Group AAA indoor champion in the 500 meters, and Landstown's Tanisha Greene, the 2012 Group AAA indoor champion in the 300, have signed national letters of intent with the Lady Pirates.

Moore is also the 2012 1,600-meter relay state runner-up and the 2011 state champion in the event. She is also the 2012 Peninsula District champion in the 500 meters and the 1,600 relay.

Moore is the second state champion HU has signed from Bethel, joining three-time NCAA champion and 2012 Olympic hopeful Francena McCorory.

Greene also won a state title in the 300 meters in 2011.

"Both of these athletes will make an immediate impact on my team and will play a big part in us continuing to win MEAC championships and qualify athletes for the NCAA championships," HU coach Maurice Pierce said in a release.

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Shaw men's tennis advances to NCAA National Tournament

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Shaw University men's tennis came back from a 3-0 deficit to down Bloomsburg 5-4 and claim a spot in the Division II NCAA National Tournament.

The Bears (27-2) dropped all three doubles matches to the Huskies (16-5) and could not afford to lose more than one of the singles matches in the best-of-nine format match.

Charles Silva - at number three singles - was the first to report ... with a win over the Huskies' Lee Wexler 6-1, 6-2. Not long after, Shaw's Daniel Vasquez turned in a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Jeff Nuhfer in the number four singles slot.

Shaw's Gabriel Nicotra tied the match with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Mark Schroeder at number two. With the score tied at three, the three remaining matches all went into a third set.

Bloomsburg's Mike DiSanto downed Shaw's Andre Monti 6-1, 6-7, and 7-3 in the tiebreaker in the number six slot.

Shaw could not lose another match if they wanted to advance to tennis' version of the Sweet Sixteen.

Artur Latypov, Shaw's number one, had won his first set easily at 6-1, but lost the second set to Ricky Dove just as spectacularly 6-1. With fans now watching both the number one and number five matches intently, Latypov bounced back and claimed the third set 6-3 to tie the match at four apiece.

That left fifth singles Juan Sanchez of Shaw versus Tyler Pultro of Bloomsburg to decide this section of the Atlantic Regionals. Pultro had taken the first set 6-3, but Sanchez had rebounded with a 6-4 decision in the second.

After holding a 3-0 lead early in the third set, Sanchez allowed Pultro back in the set. Tied at 5-5, Sanchez held serve to go up 6-5 and then broke Pultro's serve to take the set and match with a 7-5 score.

Shaw now advances to the NCAA National Tournament May 16-19 in Louisville, Ky. This is the second straight season the Bears have made it out of regional play.

Box Score

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