Friday, May 11, 2012
Ineligible band members implicated in FAMU hazing death of Robert Champion
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - - Dr. Julian White's leadership has been under scrutiny in the wake of a hazing death of a drum major, and it turns out not all of those arrested in the scandal were students; 101 people on the band's roster were not enrolled in school's music department.
Now Florida's top education official says the band should remain suspended indefinitely.
CBS News correspondent Mark Strassman reports that when Florida A&M's famed band traveled to Orlando last November, 60 of the more than 300 performers on the field had no business being there because they were not enrolled in a mandatory band course. It was a direct violation of school policy. The school can't confirm they were even enrolled in college.
Hours later, drum major Robert Champion Jr. was beaten to death in a hazing ritual aboard a band bus. Eleven defendants were charged for that crime; three - Caleb Jackson, Bryan Jones and Lasherry Condor - were among the ineligible performers.
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SSU's Gonzalez named MEAC softball coach of the year
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| JOSE GONZALEZ HEAD SOFTBALL COACH SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY (COURTESY SSU SPORTS INFORMATION) |
Last Sunday, the Tigers captured the MEAC Southern Division Title with their 24th win of the season, the most wins in school history.
Today SSU will play in its first MEAC postseason tournament as the top seed in the Southern Division, facing off with the Northern Division’s fourth seed, Hampton University, at 10 a.m. at Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Gonzalez, in his fifth year, holds the best coaching record for Savannah State softball since the program’s inception, at 76-132. At 24-22 (12-3 MEAC), the Tigers, regardless of post-season results, will have the first .500 season in softball in school history.
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Thursday, May 10, 2012
2 charged in drum major's hazing death are not FAMU students
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| I DON'T ATTEND COLLEGE, BUT I MARCH AND HAZE OTHERS IN THE FAMU BAND. NOW, WHO IS CLUELESS? |
In addition, nearly 100 others who were allowed to travel with the band may have been ineligible at the time of Champion's death after the Florida Classic football game in Orlando on Nov. 19.
FAMU's board of trustees was made aware of these potential violations of school policy Tuesday in documents sent to board members by school President James Ammons and his chief of staff, Rosalind Fuse-Hall.
Christopher Chestnut, a lawyer for Champion's parents, Pamela and Robert Champion, said Ammons' revelations underscore the family's belief that the university lacked procedures to protect band members from hazing.
"There were no rules, no regulations, no supervision," Chestnut said.
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Tarrell Robinson Introduced As N.C. A&T's New Womens Hoops Coach
GREENSBORO, North Carolina - North Carolina A&T has a new head women's basketball coach. Today, Director of Athletics Earl Hilton introduced Tarrell Robinson as the Lady Aggies 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 ...
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Vandebilt Catholic's Williams signs with XU Gold Nuggets
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| CeCe Williams photo from the signing ceremony (via Facebook) |
Williams signed an XU scholarship Wednesday afternoon at her school.
Williams was chosen to The Courier/Daily Comet All-Region first team in 2011 and was all-district for the third consecutive year. She helped lead the Lady Terriers this past season to a 34-10 record, the District 5-III championship and, for the third straight year, the semifinals of the state tournament.
"CeCe is very athletic, explosive at the net, and has good ball control in the back row," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She definitely will raise the competitiveness of our team."
Williams' club team, Blue Crab Volleyball of New Orleans, will compete in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships this summer.
Williams also started for two years on Vandebilt's basketball varsity and was second-team All-District 8-4A as a sophomore.
Two of Williams' cousins, Kristen Brown-Frank and Allison Williams-Betts, played women's basketball for Xavier. Williams' 2011 volleyball coach at Vandebilt, LaTashia Wise, also played basketball for the Gold Nuggets.
"Xavier is a really good school in my major (speech pathology)," Williams said. "My family wanted me to go to Xavier. And it's close to home."
Middle blocker Jodi Hill of Prairieville, La., and Dutchtown High School signed with Xavier on Feb. 16.
Xavier was 23-7 in 2011, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Former TSU Football Players to Honor Gilliam with Roast
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Former Tennessee State University football athletes will honor TSU legendary coach Joe Gilliam, Sr., in a roast on Saturday, May 26 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel.
Tickets for the roast are $50 per person. Each ticket sold will support the Joe Gilliam Scholarship fund, whose purpose is to support any football player and their immediate family as they pursue his or her education at TSU.
Coach Gilliam’s career spanned more than 24 years at Tennessee State, as he helped the Big Blue to an impressive 254-93-15 record. Approximately 144 football players were drafted into the National Football League (NFL), including Hall of Fame inductee Richard Dent.
The gala begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by the program and dinner at 7 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets through any committee member or at Harper’s Restaurant on Jefferson Street. For additional information, call 901-340-5581.
Joe Gilliam Sr. Roast Flyer
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Andre the Giant: Former Forest Hills star signs with Coppin State
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| ANDRE ARMSTRONG 6-2 GUARD QUEENS, NEW YORK MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE |
After four solid years at Forest Hills, it included one year of prep school at Notre Dame Prep, two junior college years at Monroe Community College and a verbal commitment to Maine. The talented shooting guard’s plan was to attend Maine after one year at Monroe, but the NCAA red-flagged his transcript, forcing Armstrong to do a second year at the JUCO.
Armstrong’s Division I goal was finally realized on Tuesday as the 6-foot-2 Flushing, Queens native signed with Coppin State of the MEAC conference.
“I was relieved, finally after everything,” he said. “I’m very excited. I went through a lot to go to where I’m at. A lot of people doubted me, said I couldn’t play at this level. A lot of people were trying to force me to go Division II. I felt I deserved a chance to play Division I.”
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Xavier Rush await Point Loma-Mobile winner in NAIA 2nd round
NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive season, Xavier University of Louisiana has a first-round bye in the NAIA Men's Tennis Championship at Mobile, Ala. The Gold Rush will play at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 against the winner of an opening-round match between Mobile and Point Loma Nazarene.
The NAIA announced the pairings Tuesday.
The XU men (17-7) are seeded seventh, the same position as in the coaches poll announced Monday. Point Loma is the No. 10 seed, and Mobile is 24th. Xavier is in the top 10 for the 10th straight time, including all eight sthis season, and in 13 of the last 14 polls.
The Gold Rush received an automatic bid by virtue of winning an unaffiliated group tournament. It's the fourth consecutive season that the Rush compete at nationals.
Xavier won 5-4 at Point Loma Nazarene on April 2. The Rush have not played Mobile since the Rams left the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference for the Southern States Athletic Conference in the summer of 2010, but Xavier was 8-0 against Mobile from 2008-10, including victories in the finals of GCAC tournaments in 2008 and 2009.
Loic Didavi, seniors Zach Taylor and Steffen Giles-Osborn and sophomore Viktor Svoboda are Xavier's top four players. Didavi is eighth, Taylor 19th, Svoboda 21st and Giles-Osborn 47th in the Campbell's-Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA singles rankings. Didavi and Corey Huggins were chosen NAIA Men's Tennis Player of the Week on consecutive occasions in April.
Fresno Pacific is the defending champion. Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is the tournament venue.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
The NAIA announced the pairings Tuesday.
The XU men (17-7) are seeded seventh, the same position as in the coaches poll announced Monday. Point Loma is the No. 10 seed, and Mobile is 24th. Xavier is in the top 10 for the 10th straight time, including all eight sthis season, and in 13 of the last 14 polls.
The Gold Rush received an automatic bid by virtue of winning an unaffiliated group tournament. It's the fourth consecutive season that the Rush compete at nationals.
Xavier won 5-4 at Point Loma Nazarene on April 2. The Rush have not played Mobile since the Rams left the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference for the Southern States Athletic Conference in the summer of 2010, but Xavier was 8-0 against Mobile from 2008-10, including victories in the finals of GCAC tournaments in 2008 and 2009.
Loic Didavi, seniors Zach Taylor and Steffen Giles-Osborn and sophomore Viktor Svoboda are Xavier's top four players. Didavi is eighth, Taylor 19th, Svoboda 21st and Giles-Osborn 47th in the Campbell's-Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA singles rankings. Didavi and Corey Huggins were chosen NAIA Men's Tennis Player of the Week on consecutive occasions in April.
Fresno Pacific is the defending champion. Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is the tournament venue.
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By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XU Nuggets get rematch with Vanguard at NAIA tournament
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will play Vanguard at 9 a.m. next Tuesday in the opening round of the NAIA Women's Tennis Championship at Mobile, Ala.
The NAIA announced the pairings Tuesday.
It will be a rematch between the Gold Nuggets (7-21) and the Lions (9-14), who won the final two doubles matches to rally for a 5-4 victory against Xavier on April 5 at Costa Mesa, Calif. Since then Xavier has won 4-of-5 duals, including all three in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament which earned the Nuggets an automatic bid to nationals.
It will be the sixth time in eight seasons that the Nuggets compete at nationals. They're 5-0 in first-round matchups there, but never have they advanced past the second round.
Vanguard finished fifth in the Golden State Athletic Conference, which has of the tournament's 24 teams, and received the last of 10 at-large bids.
Vanguard was 15th and Xavier 20th in the coaches poll announced Monday. The Nuggets dropped one place from a week ago, but it was the first time this season that the XU women appeared in back-to-back top 25s.
Sophomore Kourtney Howell and freshman Amanda Materre are Xavier's top two players. Howell is 27th in the Campbell's-Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA singles rankings, and Materre is 38th. Howell was the NAIA Women's Tennis Player of the Week for April 23-29.
Auburn Montgomery is the defending champion. Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is the tournament venue.
NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, May 6)
Tournament bracket (PDF) NAIA tournament website
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The NAIA announced the pairings Tuesday.
It will be a rematch between the Gold Nuggets (7-21) and the Lions (9-14), who won the final two doubles matches to rally for a 5-4 victory against Xavier on April 5 at Costa Mesa, Calif. Since then Xavier has won 4-of-5 duals, including all three in an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament which earned the Nuggets an automatic bid to nationals.
It will be the sixth time in eight seasons that the Nuggets compete at nationals. They're 5-0 in first-round matchups there, but never have they advanced past the second round.
Vanguard finished fifth in the Golden State Athletic Conference, which has of the tournament's 24 teams, and received the last of 10 at-large bids.
Vanguard was 15th and Xavier 20th in the coaches poll announced Monday. The Nuggets dropped one place from a week ago, but it was the first time this season that the XU women appeared in back-to-back top 25s.
Sophomore Kourtney Howell and freshman Amanda Materre are Xavier's top two players. Howell is 27th in the Campbell's-Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA singles rankings, and Materre is 38th. Howell was the NAIA Women's Tennis Player of the Week for April 23-29.
Auburn Montgomery is the defending champion. Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is the tournament venue.
NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, May 6)
| 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 | 310 | 4 |
| 5 | Azusa Pacific | 17-3 | 299 | 5 |
| 6 | Point Loma Nazarene | 16-5 | 286 | 6 |
| 7 | Brenau | 13-5 | 279 | 7 |
| 8 | Concordia (Calif.) | 14-7 | 266 | 8 |
| 9 | William Carey | 14-9 | 253 | 9 |
| 10 | Southern Nazarene | 12-5 | 243 | 10 |
| 11 | Lindsey Wilson | 15-3 | 231 | tie-11 |
| 12 | Shorter | 19-8 | 226 | tie-11 |
| 13 | SCAD Savannah | 9-3 | 209 | 13 |
| 14 | Lewis-Clark State | 7-14 | 201 | 14 |
| 15 | Vanguard | 9-14 | 187 | 15 |
| 16 | Indiana Wesleyan | 22-2 | 181 | 16 |
| 17 | Campbellsville | 13-6 | 158 | 18 |
| 18 | Lee (Tenn.) | 9-7 | 154 | 17 |
| 19 | Westmont | 7-11 | 145 | 20 |
| 20 | Xavier | 7-21 | 141 | 19 |
| 21 | Martin Methodist | 11-4 | 126 | 21 |
| 22 | Robert Morris (Chicago) | 17-2 | 126 | 22 |
| 23 | St. Thomas (Fla.) | 5-4 | 97 | 23 |
| 24 | Oklahoma Baptist | 10-8 | 89 | 24 |
| 25 | Marian (Ind.) | 21-6 | 76 | 25 |
Others receiving votes: Northwestern Ohio 68, Davenport 36, Webber International 35, Belhaven 27, Nebraska Wesleyan 26, Olivet Nazarene 10, Georgetown (Ky.) 9, Bethel (Kan.) 8, Indiana Southeast 4, Missouri Valley 3, Milligan 1. | ||||
Tournament bracket (PDF) NAIA tournament website
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Fourteen Savannah State Athletes Graduate With Honors
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Several former Savannah State athletes were awarded their degrees during the university's 180th commencement ceremony in Tiger Arena on May 5.
Michael King (baseball) earned his master of business administration degree.
Receiving undergraduate degrees were Julius Green (baseball), Dexter Kelley (baseball), Rod Mitchell (basketball), Derek Williams (football), Ashley Roper (women's basketball), Cheick Diop (football), Darren Hunter (football), Cordarian Robertson (baseball), AJ DeFilippis (football), Ivy Smith (women's basketball), Courtrevez McTier (baseball), Treasure Monroe (women's basketball), Chris Herans (football), Brittany Lewis (volleyball), Matthew Nowacki (baseball), Channing Welch (football), Courtney Long (women's basketball), Alisha Nelson (women's basketball, track), Thelmore Jackson (football), Amara Jones (women's track), William Edwards (football), Damon McKinney (football), Eric Ransom (baseball), Calvin Leonard (football), Vince Cochran (football), Brandon Miller (football), Angela Palmer (tennis), Patrice Rogers (softball), Jarvis Thomas (football), Rodney McDowell-Turner (track), Shamyra Adama (softball), Craig Huling (football) and Devin Stowers.
A total of 14 athletes graduated with honors.
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Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Lamar Cardinal assistant Price leaves to coach Grambling State
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| JOSEPH PRICE MEN'S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY (PHOTO COURTESY: LAMAR UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS) |
Joe Price, an assistant to Knight in his only season at Lamar, has left the school to be the head coach at Grambling. The Louisiana-based school announced the hiring Tuesday.
"When I took this job, I said I wanted assistants to move on to bigger assistants jobs or to be head coaches," Knight said. To replace Price, Lamar will move Kermit Holmes from director of basketball operations, a position that will be ...
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Alabama State, Tuskegee Agree to Play in Turkey Day Classic
MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama State University President William H. Harris has announced that ASU and Tuskegee University have signed a contract that will allow the two teams to be matched against each other in this year's Turkey Day Classic (TDC) football game.The TDC game will be played on Thanksgiving Day, which is Nov. 22.
The game will be played in ASU's new Hornet Stadium.
“The Alabama State University family is excited that the tradition between Tuskegee and Alabama State will be continued during this year's 2012 Turkey Day Classic,” Alabama State President Dr. William H. Harris said. “We look forward to the annual reunion between the institution and our students, alumni, family and friends. It will be an exciting day in the history of ASU as we open the new ASU Stadium and are elated that our first opponent will be none other than Tuskegee University.”
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Grambling wins SWAC track and field title again
NEW ORLEANS — Three-time defending champion Grambling’s men’s track and field team trailed Southern by two points (64.50-62.50) after eight events when the Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s 1,500-meter run started Sunday at Tad Gormley Stadium.But Grambling senior Darwin Price wasn’t fazed by the pressure. The Tigers distance runners and jumpers have been carrying the team most of the season.
Price finished in 4 minutes 1.90 seconds for his fourth consecutive championship in the 1,500 to give Grambling the lead. And when his teammate Deonte Pope finished second in 4:04.17, the Tigers were well on their way to their fourth consecutive SWAC championship.
Grambling finished with 149.50 points, followed by Prairie View (125) and Southern (112.50). The Tigers have won titles in seven of the past eight years.
Alabama State won its third consecutive women’s title with 243 points. Prairie View finished second with 166.
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Sarah Needleman signs with Tennessee State
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| Sarah Needleman signs with Tennessee State Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics |
Needleman competed on the golf team at Fishers High School in Indiana for four years. She also received Hamilton Southeastern County honors.
In an article posted on school's site, Fishers assistant coach Abbey Rhodes said Needleman has been a leader for her golf team a both on and off the course.
Rhodes continued by saying: "She focused on her goal to play college golf, and achieved it while giving younger players on her team the incentive to adopt her devotion to her team. Sarah is a leader and motivator that her Fishers girls' golf team family will miss, but she's also a radiant example of what can be achieved through focus, determination, positive-thinking, and practice."
Sarah has plans to major in sports marketing in the fall.
"I am proud to bring in a student-athlete who has a solid golf game and is an excellent student," commented head women's golf coach Chris Seibel. "As a coach, it is nice to have a player receive the President's Academic Award. It gives me a feeling of comfort knowing that she will be just fine in the classroom, and we can go full force on the golf course. Sarah is the definition of a STUDENT-ATHLETE."
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
NSU Spartans Clinch 7th Straight MEAC Track and Field Sweep
GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The Norfolk State men’s track and field team added another title to its MEAC championship legacy Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T, winning its seventh consecutive conference outdoor title and clinching its seventh straight sweep of the MEAC indoor and outdoor titles.NSU amassed 145.5 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up North Carolina A&T’s 95, as the Spartans also recorded their fourth straight MEAC running triple crown since 2008 thanks to 2011-12 titles in men’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track.
The Spartans won five of the 10 track events contested on Saturday, including a pair of victories by junior Keith Nkrumah in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles. Nkrumah clocked personal-best times of 13.68 in the 110 hurdles final, and 50.40 in the 400 hurdles. The victories marked the first two MEAC gold medals in Nkrumah’s career. He tied with Florida A&M's Elias Chesire as the Most Outstanding Runner of the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Both tallied 20 points toward their team scores.
Two other Spartans also picked up their first career MEAC outdoor titles Saturday. Rookie Nathnael Meseret won the 1,500 meters in a PR of 3:53.62, and James Taylor won the 200 meters in 20.74 seconds.
NSU’s final win on Saturday came via Sean Holston, who repeated as MEAC 400 meter champion. Holston clocked a time of 46.01 seconds, .01 off his personal-best set in his 2011 MEAC victory. Holston was also runner-up to Taylor in the 200.
The Spartans also got solid performances from Vincent Brown, who ran a PR of 1:50.09 to place fourth place in the 800 meters, and Vincent Rono, who was third in the 3,000m steeplechase (9:55.98). Junior Amos Kipkosgei placed fifth in both the 1,500 and steeplechase, and Damtew Adnew was fourth in the steeplechase.
Kenneth Giles was named MEAC Outdoor Most Oustanding Men's Coach for leading the Spartans to their 25th conference title in his tenure (11 cross country, seven indoor and seven outdoor titles).
The Spartans will have a number of participants in the NCAA East Regional later this month in Jacksonville, Fla. Entries will be released in the coming weeks.
Final Results
COURTESY Matt Michalec, SID, NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS
Hampton takes MEAC championship - winning ninth crown
GREENSBORO, North Carolina - Hampton won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships on Saturday afternoon at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State.
The Pirates tallied 136 points to win their ninth title in program history. Maryland Eastern Shore finished in second place with 106 points, followed by North Carolina A&T in third with 84 points.
South Carolina State’s Shamire Rothmiller tallied 26 points to earn the Outstanding Field Athlete award while Maryland Eastern Shore’s Cynthia Anais posted 25 points and was named the Outstanding Runner.
Hampton’s Maurice Pierce was selected as the Women’s Track and Field Outstanding Coach for the eighth time in his career.
“It feels good to win another championship,” Pierce said. “My assistant coaches and athletes did a great job. It wasn’t our best performance but at the end of the day we scored the most points so I’m excited to win.”
It was a record setting day as Bethune-Cookman’s Sasha Smallwood posted a meet record in the pole vault with a mark of 3.58m (11-09.00). Hampton’s Carolyn Lewis held the previous record of 3.35m, which she earned in 2007.
UMES’ Cynthia Anais topped her own meet record with a time of 2:05.97 in the 800m run. Anais set the previous mark of 2:07.97 during Friday’s semifinal.
Kadian Dunkley of Bethune-Cookman ran a time of 11:06.99 in the 3000m steeplechase to earn a new conference record. Hampton’s Jahlisa Smith held the previous mark of 11:15.28 in 2010.
Results | Photo Gallery
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2-star G Alea Godfrey picks a MEAC program, B-CU
CROSBY, Texas -- Alea Godfrey of Crosby, Texas, has verbally committed to Bethune-Cookman, according to her club team coach, Howard Randle of the Houston Elite.The 5-foot-10 junior guard also considered Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State, Southern Mississippi, Stephen F. Austin, and Wichita State.
Godfrey is rated a two-star prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz. She is the first commitment for the Wildcats of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. She will be in the class of 2013.
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Monday, May 7, 2012
Paine golf team looks to build on SIAC title
AUGUSTA, Georgia - Frustrated with the sport, Victor Tapia kicked golf to the curb. The Morelia, Mexico native decided to focus on getting an economics degree at a college in his home country. Then, his buddy Carlos Solis called him.Paine College needed another golfer, and Tapia took little time mulling the decision. With everything already in orders – SAT scores, passport, etc. – Tapia enolled in January. “I like golf,” he said. “This is something I always wanted to do.”
The freshman golfer and his Lions teammates are enjoying golf a little more these days. After winning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Classic almost two weeks ago, Paine is shifting its focus to its biggest event of its season.
On Friday, the Lions will play in the NCAA Division II portion of the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at PGA Golf Club, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The 54-hole event runs through Sunday.
“I think we’re going to do well over there,” Tapia said. “We’re just enjoying the moment of winning this (SIAC) championship.”
Jacob Barge gives FSU golf hope at regional
HERSHEY, Pennsylvania - Fayetteville State struggled as a team in the first round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Super Regional on Monday. But junior Jacob Barge provided a bright spot for the Broncos.
The Jack Britt High School alum carded a 6-over-par 77 on a chilly day with steady rain to finish the first round tied for 14th on the East Course at Hershey Country Club, playing his way into competition for an individual berth in the NCAA championship.
"I just tried to keep my head," Barge said in an FSU release. "It was really easy to lose it out here. I think I did a pretty good job of it."
Fayetteville State, which won its 26th CIAA championship last month and is making its eighth appearance at the super regional, finished the opening day alone in 13th after shooting a team total of 324. Freshman Brandon Jobe, also out of Jack Britt, shot 80. Jedidiah Frazier added an 81, while Pinecrest High School graduate Lincoln Jackson shot an 86 for the Broncos' aggregate total.
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The Jack Britt High School alum carded a 6-over-par 77 on a chilly day with steady rain to finish the first round tied for 14th on the East Course at Hershey Country Club, playing his way into competition for an individual berth in the NCAA championship.
"I just tried to keep my head," Barge said in an FSU release. "It was really easy to lose it out here. I think I did a pretty good job of it."
Fayetteville State, which won its 26th CIAA championship last month and is making its eighth appearance at the super regional, finished the opening day alone in 13th after shooting a team total of 324. Freshman Brandon Jobe, also out of Jack Britt, shot 80. Jedidiah Frazier added an 81, while Pinecrest High School graduate Lincoln Jackson shot an 86 for the Broncos' aggregate total.
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TSU's Ward Named to CFPA Award Watch List
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University redshirt junior tailback Trabis Ward was named as one of the top returning running backs in the NCAA Football College Subdivision according to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) on Monday.
Ward, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was one of 39 student-athletes selected to the 2012 CFPA Running Back Award Watch List.
Trabis Ward Bio - Tennessee State Tigers Athletics
Last season, Ward led the Tigers with 193 carries for 978 yards. He led TSU with 11 rushing touchdowns, including a season-long 40-yard scamper. Ward rushed for an average of 88.9 yards per game.
The redshirt junior was also versatile, catching 12 passes for 144 yards. He caught a 49-yard pass for the Big Blue last season.
Tennessee State University opens the 2012 football season with the 14th Annual John Merritt Classic on Sept. 1 against Florida A&M at LP Field.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Ward, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was one of 39 student-athletes selected to the 2012 CFPA Running Back Award Watch List.
Trabis Ward Bio - Tennessee State Tigers Athletics
Last season, Ward led the Tigers with 193 carries for 978 yards. He led TSU with 11 rushing touchdowns, including a season-long 40-yard scamper. Ward rushed for an average of 88.9 yards per game.
The redshirt junior was also versatile, catching 12 passes for 144 yards. He caught a 49-yard pass for the Big Blue last season.
Tennessee State University opens the 2012 football season with the 14th Annual John Merritt Classic on Sept. 1 against Florida A&M at LP Field.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Chowan Volleyball Will Begin New Era Under Makini Thompson
MURFREESBORO, North Carolina - The Chowan University Department of Athletics announced today Makini Thompson as the new head coach for volleyball. Thompson comes to Chowan with a diverse playing and coaching background. Thompson will serve as the program's third head coach since transitioning to NCAA DII status in 2006. She replaces Peter Green, who resigned his position as head coach in March.
"I am very honored to be chosen for this position and looking forward to moving and getting started at Chowan," stated Thompson.
Thompson will have the task of taking over a program that has claimed two CIAA Championships in three seasons (2009, 2010). The team will return four All-CIAA players from a year ago to help Thompson on her new quest. This will be Thompson's first collegiate head coaching position.
"We are excited to have a vibrant and enthusiastic coach take over the Chowan volleyball program," stated Meredith Long, Deputy Athletics Director. "We are confidant that she will continue with the winning tradition that volleyball program is known for, dating back to the junior college days."
Thompson has a diverse playing and coaching background, which includes international and professional play.
"I can't wait to get to know the girls and continue the winning tradition," stated Thompson.
A 6'-0" outside hitter, Thompson enjoyed three superb seasons at Florida State University from 2005-2007. In 2006, she became the first Florida State player to earn All-AVCA honors as a junior when she collected an honorable mention nod.
Thompson recorded more than 1,200 kills during her three-year stint with the Seminoles, the 21st player in school history to reach 1,000. For her efforts, Thompson collected a First Team All-ACC award in 2006, as well as a Second Team All-ACC selection as a senior in 2007.
In 2008, Thompson played professionally for Langenthal VBC in Switzerland. She is also a member of the Jamaican Senior National team and competed in last year's Caribbean Championships in Suriname, where she helped the Jamaicans take fifth place.
During the 2010 season, Thompson served as a co-coach of Smash 18, the top-ranked club team in New England. Smash won the Great Nor'Easter and Mizuno Winterfest Tournaments and represented New England at the USAV Nationals in Reno. She also has club experience with the North Florida Volleyball Academy (2005-2008).
Following graduation from Florida State University in 2008, Thompson served three seasons as the head volleyball coach for Robert F. Monroe High School. She accumulated a 49-28 record while at RFM High School. She also served as the Coordinator for Communities in Schools, Inc. where she helped foster at-risk youth in the community.
In 2011, Thompson served as a volunteer assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University. She worked with the outside hitters where the team led the CAA in hitting percentage and blocking.
This past fall Thompson was selected to participate in the AVCA Minority Coaching Program which was held at the 2011 AVCA Convention.
Thompson has had strong coaching influences over her volleyball career but attributes her biggest influences to the Jamaican National Team coaches.
"My biggest coaching influences have been the coaches in Jamaica who have little to no resources to help them but give so much of their time and knowledge without a second thought," Thompson said.
Thompson will begin her tenure at Chowan in May and will prepare to lead her new team onto the court in August. They will open the season with the 5th Annual Janet Collins Invitational on August 31st.
COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Alabama A&M: Hicks excited about new challenge
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Bryan Hicks was successful at Warner Pacific College. He was successful at the University of Louisville and again at Missouri State University. Because of that, he won't settle for anything less at Alabama A&M. Hicks was introduced (May 1) today as the school's new athletics director, replacing Betty Austin, who retired at the end of February.
"It's good to be back on the Hill and be a Bulldog," Hicks said. "This is a destination job for me. Our future is now. It's going to take all of us [- administration, faculty, staff and student-athletes.
"Our goal is to be the best in all that we do. We want to exude class all the time. If we do that, we will take Alabama A&M athletics to new heights."
Hicks, a Huntsville native and A&M graduate, talked about the school's athletic program when he was growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s. The Bulldogs fielded some of the best teams the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference had to offer. A&M's facilities were also among the best the league had to offer.
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"It's good to be back on the Hill and be a Bulldog," Hicks said. "This is a destination job for me. Our future is now. It's going to take all of us [- administration, faculty, staff and student-athletes.
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| BRYAN HICKS DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS |
"Our goal is to be the best in all that we do. We want to exude class all the time. If we do that, we will take Alabama A&M athletics to new heights."
Hicks, a Huntsville native and A&M graduate, talked about the school's athletic program when he was growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s. The Bulldogs fielded some of the best teams the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference had to offer. A&M's facilities were also among the best the league had to offer.
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Kyetta May tabbed as UAPB's new volleyball coach
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| KYETTA MAY HEAD WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACH UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF |
According to Lonza Hardy Jr., UAPB's athletics director, May will join his staff in Pine Bluff on May 25.
“I'm extremely delighted that we're able to hire a head volleyball coach with such impressive credentials,” noted Hardy. “Coach May has been a winner as a college student-athlete and she's been a winner as a college head coach. She knows how to win and what it takes to be a winner. I know that she'll bring that mindset into our volleyball program.”
In five years as Kentucky State's head coach, May led the volleyball program to back-to-back Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championships in 2010 and 2011. Her teams finished in second place in 2008 and 2009. She was tabbed conference coach-of-the-year three times, in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
For five consecutive seasons, May-coached teams at Kentucky State eclipsed the 20-win plateau, including records of 23-18 (15-1 SIAC) in 2011, 26-11 (15-1 SIAC) in 2010, 26-14 (16-0 SIAC) in 2009, 29-20 (10-0 SIAC) in 2008 and 21-18 (10-0 SIAC) in 2007. Her career record at KSU stands at 125-81.
Prior to her stint at Kentucky State, May coached briefly at Harris-Stowe State University, an NAIA school in St. Louis, Mo., and at Clayton High School in Clayton, Mo.
As a college player at Alabama A&M University under legendary coach Betty Austin between 1998-2001, May helped to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a pair of SWAC championships (2000 and 2001). The Dean's List scholar-athlete was tabbed Lady Speedstick Sportswoman-of-the-Year in 2000.
A native of East St. Louis, Ill., May said coaching at UAPB helps her to achieve one of her major dreams.
“I've always wanted to coach in the Southwestern Athletic Conference,” said May. “This is a great opportunity for me as a young coach.
“I'm definitely thankful and grateful for this opportunity,” added May. “This program has a lot of potential. I'm used to winning and hard work is embedded in my bones. I'll try to instill that in the players and into the program at UAPB.”
May graduated from Alabama A&M on May 12, 2001 with cum laude honors in environmental science and a minor in chemistry. She holds a Master's degree in education from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.
By Andrew Roberts, Sports Information Director
VISIT: UAPBLIONSROAR.COM
VISIT: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF
Nate Kilbert named new head women's basketball coach at UAPB
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| NATE KILBERT HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH UNIVERSITY OF ARKASAS AT PINE BLUFF |
“Wow. This is a great moment for me and for my family,” said Kilbert. “I'm excited about this opportunity. I'm really looking forward to meeting with the young ladies and getting ready for next year. With hard work, I know that we can do great things with this program.”
The hiring of Kilbert was announced at a press conference at 2 p.m. Friday at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex on the UAPB campus. In making the announcement, UAPB athletics director Lonza Hardy Jr. said he was elated to bring in a coach with the credentials that Kilbert has.
“Coach Kilbert is a highly motivated and skilled individual who is committed to the overall well-being of his student-athletes, both on and off the court,” said Hardy, who also hired Kilbert at Mississippi Valley State when he became that university's athletics director in 2001.
“He has a work ethic that should serve as a model for all coaches, he is innovative in his approach to coaching and he is well-connected in recruiting circles, both nationally and internationally. I'm thrilled that he is about to bring those credentials to UAPB.”
Kilbert, a 49-year-old native of Sallis, Mississippi, has more than 25 years of coaching experience, including an 11-year stint as Mississippi Valley State's head coach, his first stint as a head coach. He also excelled as the assistant women's coach at Alcorn State University from 1991 to 2001 and as an assistant coach at MVSU from 1989-91.
While at Alcorn State, and working alongside legendary coach Shirley A. Walker, the Lady Braves captured seven SWAC regular-season championships, including five straight between 1991 and 1995. At MVSU, the Devilettes were runners-up in the 2005 SWAC tournament and last season's team captured the 2011-12 SWAC regular-season championship, earning a berth to the WNIT, where they lost a close contest at Tulane University.
Kilbert's teams at MVSU also performed well in the classroom, earning SWAC accolades for amassing the highest combined grade point average of any women's basketball team in the conference in 2010-11.
Because the contract of former head coach Cary Shelton doesn't expire until the end of June, Kilbert's tenure at UAPB won't officially start until July 1. Nonetheless, Kilbert said he will immediately begin getting things in order for the upcoming season.
“The sooner you can get started, the better it would be for the program,” said Kilbert. “But I understand the situation, so I'm really starting as of today. I just won't be getting paid for it.”
Shelton, who served as UAPB's head coach the past three seasons, resigned from the position on March 18, effective at the end of his contract on June 30.
By Andrew Roberts, Director of Sports Information
VISIT: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF
VISIT: UAPBLIONSROAR.COM
Hard times for the SWAC?
"Anybody who thinks you can’t play because you are from an HBCU is out of their mind" -- Michael StrahanBIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Southwestern Athletic Conference has given the NFL Jerry Rice, the league’s all-time reception leader; Walter Payton, the No. 2 all-time rushing leader; Michael Strahan, the league’ single-season sack champion and Doug Williams, MVP of Super Bowl XXII. In three of the past four NFL drafts, the SWAC has given the league nothing.
Zero. Zilch. Nada. Bupkiss.
Have the SWAC and HBCUs lost their swagger? To get a handle on this, consider that Alabama had four players drafted in the first round this year, a number equal to players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities taken in the last two years – all four coming from the Mideastern Athletic Conference. The only player taken this year was Christian Thompson, a safety from South Carolina State selected in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens. Since 2005, only five SWAC players have been drafted.
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