Texas-Pan American, Bethune-Cookman and Fayetteville State capture team titles

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- Drama ruled the day on Sunday at PGA Golf Club, as the University of Texas-Pan American took home the Men's Division I title and Bethune-Cookman University claimed its Championship-record ninth team title in the Women's Team Division at the 26th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management.

Texas-Pan American, the first-round leader, used a furious comeback to claim its fifth overall title.

The Broncs, who finished with a total team score of 904, trailed Tennessee State University by five strokes entering the final round. But the team used a solid 1-under-par 71 by team captain Kevin Kirakossian, and solid play by the rest of the team to win the division by two strokes over Tennessee State.

Bethune-Cookman University and Savannah State University tied for third at 911. Savannah State senior Cedomir Ilic of Serbia took home medalist honors in the Division with a 220 total in the 54-hole event.

"My team has worked hard all year and it really paid off today," said Ofelia Lopez, the director of golf at the University of Texas-Pan American. "They came out with fire and determination and looking to win a title. And it happened."

Lopez was particularly impressed with Kirakossian, a junior from Oregon.

"He has always been our go-to guy," said Lopez. "He plays to win and plays for his team. That's what a leader is all about. That's what being a team captain is all about."

The Bethune-Cookman women's team, which led South Carolina State University by five strokes entering the final round, used a team effort to take home its second consecutive title, this time by eight strokes. The Wildcats finished with a 916 team total.

Hampton (Va.) University finished third at 956.

"We fought all year and it all led to this," said head coach and PGA Professional Scooter Clark. "We needed to come out and respond to South Carolina State, who played great, and we did. It was no doubt a challenge."

Tiana Jones of Alliance, Ohio, was the medalist in the Women's Team Division. The junior opened with an 82 on Friday, but bounced back with a sparkling 68 on Saturday, and a solid 74 in the final round on the Ryder Course.

Jones also earned an exemption from the LPGA into one Symetra Tour event during the 2012 or 2013 season.

"I wanted to play smart but I also wanted to play aggressive," said Jones. "I was dreaming about winning the individual title last night and my heart was in my throat all day. It feels awesome."

In Division II, Fayetteville (N.C.) State University ran away with the title, winning the division by 36 strokes and finishing with an 896 total.

The Broncos were led all weekend by Junior Jake Barge. The Fayetteville native shot a final-round 70 on the Ryder Course, and also claimed Division medalist honors.

"It was great for our team to get back in the winner's circle this year," said Barge. "We haven't won since 2009 so this is really satisfying. We got the job done."

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., finished second overall, while Morehouse College of Atlanta, finished alone in third.

See the final-round photo gallery

See the second-round photo gallery

In the Men's Independent Division, Justin Watkins from the University of Central Oklahoma took home medalist honors after a final-round 78.

Aaron Burton of Adelphi University in New York finished second, two strokes back of Watkins. Casey Foster of Central Oklahoma was third.

"It wasn't exactly the way I wanted to finish but I was still able to close it out with a win," said Watkins. "I am exhausted mentally, but was still able to hold it together. It feels amazing."

In the Women's Independent Division, Ariel McNair of Xavier University closed with a 76 to win the title by two strokes over Mia Campbell of Alabama State University.

Shanequa Valentine of Prairie View A&M University finished third.

"I made a couple of birdies on the back nine which really propelled me to this win," said Campbell. "It was a grind all day, but was satisfying to finish strong like this."

The 2012 Championship was played on the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses at PGA Golf Club, and featured nearly 180 players representing over 40 colleges and universities.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management, which celebrated its 26th edition this year, originated in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament and has elevated golf in minority colleges and universities by providing opportunities to more players to compete in a national championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund. In 2008, the Championship featured a record number of participants, with nearly 200 students from 47 schools, with representatives from 14 countries.

See the first-round photo gallery

See the Welcome Dinner photo gallery

Final-Round Scores

Men's Team Division I

1. Texas-Pan American 294-309-301--904
Kevin Kirakossian 73-78-71--222
Santiago Bueno Bragado 72-73-79--224
Mathew Charles 74-78-73--225
Jonathan Sloss 75-80-78--233
Chris Felix 76-82-79--237

2. Tennessee State 302-296-308--906
Cameron Scitern 74-74-76--224
Ryan Pierson 75-73-76--224
Dallas Hill 79-81-80--240
James Stepp 77-77-80--234
Andrew Warner 76-72-76--224

T3. Bethune-Cookman 306-303-302--911
Matthew Mcknight 77-77-79--233
JaMichael Jones 80-76-73--229
Alex Clapp 74-74-80--228
Emmanuel Petrich 75-80-72--227
Rafael Abad 83-76-78--237

T3. Savannah State 304-308-299--911
Cedomir Ilic 76-72-72--220
Travis Roe 76-79-76--231
Ryan Lassiter 75-82-76--233
Brandon Neals 77-84-75--236
Calib Simons 80-75-81--236

5. Alabama State 301-311-307--919
Scott Benson 77-73-71--221
John Montgomery 74-77-72--223
Jose Rodriguez 85-NC
Robert Grant 73-79-84--236
Joseph Killebrew 77-82-80--239

6. Florida A&M 306-309-308--923
Justin Stills 78-77-70--225
Cody Sapp 80-83-79--242
Randon Holt 87-74-79--240
Anthony Phipps II 76-77-84--237
Shephard Archie III 72-81-80--233

7. Arkansas at Pine Bluff 305-318-326--949
Caleb Ray 75-84-84--243
Nqobani Ndabambi 75-77-77--229
Gregory Robinson 78-76-83--237
Shane Kelly 77-81-82--240
Elliott Rollins, Jr. 86-87-84--257

8. Texas Southern 322-321-322--965
Dominique Worthen 78-80-67--225
Jason Barton 78-73-78--229
Michael Calvillo 87-87-92--266
Quinton Leonard 93-90-91--274
Luis Colon Gonzalez 79-81-86--246

9. Maryland-Eastern Shore 322-329-333--984
Mike Veverka 78-76-79--233
Greg Raad 81-85-83--249
Paul Cecil 82-85-84--251
Christopher Toney 81-83-87--251
Sedrick Bailey 92-98-98--288

10. North Carolina Central 333-343-345--1021
Spencer Jones 78-80-82--240
Ryne Toole 83-85-82--250
Andre Jones 84-86-82--252
Walter Batts 88-92-99--279
Jack Waissen 115-100-108--323

11. Hampton 351-359-346--1056
Geoffrey Napper 100-93-102--295
Curtis Fearrington 79-82-77--238
Mark Irwin 91-88-92--271
Tyler Davis 90-103-94--287
Sean Moore 91-96-83--270

Men's Team Division II

1. Fayetteville State 300-293-303--896
Jake Barge 72-71-70--213
Brandon Jobe 80-74-76--230
Jedidiah Frazier 71-73-76--220
Lincoln Jackson 77-75-81--233
Michael Wallace 81-89-NC

2. Lincoln 313-305-314--932
Steven Mallow 84-74-77--235
Jacob Sandbothe 77-77-76--230
Kyle Brennaman 76-76-83--235
Eric Kosmatka 76-78-78--232
Jordan Morris 93-86-87--266

3. Morehouse College 319-323-313--955
Bryan McElderry 78-75-82--235
Clifton Jordan 81-85-79--245
Justin McElderry 78-84-78--240
Alexander Atkinson 82-84-78--244
Bruce Cousin 85-80-78--243

4. Virginia State 317-338-328--983
Stephen Genchi 70-NC
Rashad Hunt 79-84-83--246
Aaron Bryant 88-88-77--253
Adam Clary 82-80-83--245
Dalton Jolly 86-86-85--257

5. Benedict College 344-328-330--1002
Anthony Wik 83-82-80--245
Eddie Smith III 94-80-79--253
Jordan Buchanan 78-75-84--237
Kelly Willis 89-91-87--267

6. Paine College 341-332-337--1010
Carlos Solis 76-74-75--225
Victor Tapia 82-82-77--241
Patrick Mobley 90-82-85--257
Ralpph Godbee 93-94-100--287
Keith Godbee 123-116-122--361

7. Winston Salem State 341-335-339--1015
Glendon Mabe 75-77-82--234
Zach Sheets 83-78-74--235
Mike Asbury 86-82-80--248
Kyle Collins 97-98-103--298

8. Kentucky State 362-346-360--1068
George Dundon 89-86-96--271
Josh Jackson 83-81-77--241
RhoShawn Johnson 99-82-84--265
Carlton Foreman 104-107-103--314

Women's Team Division

1. Bethune-Cookman 305-311-300--916
Patrizia Trevisan 72-79-74--225
Estefania Acosta 78-75-80--233
Andrea Orozco 74-79-76--229
Marie Bergelin 81-78-75--234
Jennifer Hide 81-81-75--237

2. South Carolina State 324-297-303--924
Tiana Jones 82-68-74--224
Cheryl Chua 79-76-74--229
Carmen Jones 83-87-78--248
Cherie Chua 82-79-78--239
Cabriel Duren 81-74-77--232

3. Hampton 329-314-313--956
Kayla Williams 80-76-81--237
Nicole West 83-76-71--230
Iman Ellis 87-87-86--260
Dionne West 81-85-78--244
Maria Stewart 85-77-83--245

4. Texas-Pan American 329-322-318--969
Sam Garcia 80-82-76--238
Elena Arroyo 84-76-78--238
Blake Peterson 87-82-82--251
Marisa Canales 78-82-82--242
Ashley Garcia 89-83-85--257

5. Lincoln 351-332-312--995
Kaitlyn Schwartze 81-84-74--239
Payton Schooler 84-74-82--240
Shea Colley 87-87-82--256
Sophia Pardalos 100-87-74--261
Kara Harwood 99-98-90--287

6. Texas Southern 337-339-321---997
Kassandra Rivera 78-82-70--230
Adrianna Trevino 89-86-77--252
Bridget Johnston 89-81-89--259
Tyler Lawrence 85-90-85--260
Angela Rafac 85-98-89--272


Men's Independent Division

Justin Watkins, University of Central Oklahoma - 74-74-78--226
Aaron Burton, Adelphi University - 79-75-74--228
Casey Foster, University of Central Oklahoma - 80-76-76--232
Juan Diego Fernandez, Louisburg College - 83-72-78--233
Julio Gonzalez Galvan, Louisburg College - 77-74-83--234
Louis Kelly, Adelphi University - 76-74-84--234
Michael Ferguson, Univ. of Maryland East Shore - 79-81-82--242
Joseph Morrison, Alabama State University - 82-81-80--243
Christopher Davis, Carroll University - 74-87-84--245
Corey Price, Alabama State University - 88-82-75--245
Barry Davis, Alabama State University - 78-89-79--246
Minsoo Soh, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 87-82-78--247
Jacob Mendez III, Calumet College of Saint Joseph - 86-79-83--248
Lawrence McKenzie, Livingstone College - 89-79-81--249
Erik Potts, Hannibal-LaGrange University - 85-83-82--250
Ben Davis, Calumet College of Saint Joseph - 86-86-83--255
Bryan Martin, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 85-90-83--258
Joseph Journey, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 85-89-85--259
Edgar Evans Jr., Southern University Baton Rouge - 87-83-90--260
Norris Brown, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 84-90-87--261
Sean Wilson, Chowan University - 96-90-88--274
Delton Pounds, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - 98-88-89--275
Michael Harden, Clemson University - 97-93-94--284
Richard Sheppard, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 98-91-99--288
Patrick Harris, Methodist University - 98-97-98--293
Dylan Watts, Edward Waters College - 99-95-100--294
William Brown, Prairie View A&M - 100-97-99--296
Richard Fleming, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 102-100-97--299
Charlois R. Fletcher, Louisburg College - 96-105-106--307
Spencer Smith, Edward Waters College - 112-126-109--347
Anthony Long, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 89-91-WD--WD
Buddy Senatore, California Polytechnic State Univ. - 80-87-WD--WD
Joseph Sable, Prairie View A&M - 117-88-WD--WD

Women's Independent Division

Ariel McNair, Xavier University - 84-79-76--239
Mia Campbell, Alabama State Univ. - 83-80-78--241
Shanequa Valentine, Prairie View A&M - 88-78-78--244
Whitney Young, Wheeling Jesuit University - 85-89-85--259
Alexandra Uduk, Univ. of Maryland East Shore - 98-87-83--268
Michelle Gifford, Savannah State University - 98-90-93--281
Allison Brown, SCSU - 105-106-96--307
Cheiwah Ferguson, Texas Southern University - 106-103-100--309
Jamie Bruce, Benedict College - 112-119-111--342

COURTESY PGA-AMERICA MEDIA RELATIONS

Bethune-Cookman to face Texas A&M at NCAAs

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M softball team battled through adversity this season to earn a No. 8 seed for the 64-team NCAA Division I Softball Tournament, getting the good news in a fitting way.

A&M watched Sunday night's Selection Show Special on ESPNU at the Denver Airport. The Aggies, who swept a nonconference series at Boise State that concluded Saturday night, had to wait more than six hours for a flight that was delayed.

The players and coaches couldn't find a television at the airport that was showing the show, so they watched it on the computer of softball sports information director Meredith Collier.

"They all screamed [when it was announced]," Collier said. "I'm pretty sure all of Terminal B heard them scream."

It was cold and the air was thick, Collier said, but everyone was smiling for good reason. Their favorable path to the Women's College World Series is lined with familiar opponents with the opportunity to play in one of the nation's best home environments.

The Aggies (39-16) will host Bethune-Cookman (29-29), Louisiana State (34-22) and Texas State (37-15) on Friday through Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex.

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Fayetteville State golfers win national minority tournament for 7th time

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- Fayetteville State ran away with the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship on Sunday, winning by 36 strokes at 32-over 896.  Fayetteville State's Jacob Barge was the medalist, shooting a 70 to finish at 3-under 213.

"It was great for our team to get back in the winner's circle this year," Barge said. "We haven't won since 2009, so this is really satisfying. We got the job done."

Barge is the second straight Fayetteville State golfer to win the individual title. John Michael Cole of Fayetteville won last year but has since transferred to Appalachian State.

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., was second.

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Alcorn State expected to name Armour head coach

LOMAN, Mississippi - Michael Armour will reportedly return to Alcorn State to rebuild the football program as head coach.

Footballscoop.com reported Saturday the Southwestern Athletic Conference school will hire Armour, who was a member of the Braves' staff from 2008 to early 2011 until he followed Earnest Collins III to Northern Colorado to become offensive coordinator.

He coached the quarterbacks and wide receivers at Alcorn State in 2008 and '09 before becoming offensive coordinator in 2010.

The 1996 graduate of Eastern Michigan, where he was a quarterback, also has coached at Lane College, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Texas A&M-Kingville, Norfolk State and Alabama A&M.

Alcorn State has had a long search for a head coach after putting Melvin Spears Jr. on administrative leave in December and then firing him in February. The Braves were 2-8, including 1-8 in the SWAC, in their only season under him last year.

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B-CU wins MEAC championship, off to NCAA softball tournament

ORMOND BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman is off to the NCAA softball tournament for the third straight season after its 2-1 win over Florida A&M in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship Saturday at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

B-CU's conference title is its eighth overall, as it won five straight from 2000 to 2004.


Photo Gallery

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'Cats and Rattlers make MEAC title game

ORMOND BEACH, Florida -- Shamaria Engram went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run Friday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex to lead Bethune-Cookman past Hampton 3-2 and earn a fourth straight berth in the MEAC Championship title game.

Karina Romero went 2-for-3 with a run and Shanel Tolbert threw her third complete game of the tournament for the defending champion Wildcats (29-29), who will face Florida A&M at 1 this afternoon for the championship.

If the second-seeded 'Cats lose, they will play the third-seeded Rattlers (28-28) again at 3:30 p.m.

The Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run double to left by Engram, who is batting .444 with five RBIs and three runs in the tournament. Aurelia Gamch knocked an RBI single in the fourth to make it 3-0.

The Pirates (25-32) cut the deficit to ...

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18 student-athletes, 3 managers receive Xavier degrees

NEW ORLEANS — Eighteen student-athletes received degrees Saturday at Xavier University of Louisiana's 2012 commencement at Lakefront Arena.

Also graduating were three student managers employed by the athletics department.

Student-athletes graduating were:

• Iva Bobkova, Brno, Czech Republic (Ludvika Danka), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Shayla Arnae Boyd, Gonzales, La. (St. Amant High School), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Anna Maria D'Souza, Baton Rouge, La. (St. Michael), women's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Patrice Elaine Hightower, New Orleans (McGehee), women's
volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Joyy Jermaine Joseph, Donaldsonville, La. (Ascension Catholic), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Wanto Joseph, New Orleans (O. Perry Walker), men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Jazmoné Elisse Kelly, Cincinnati, Ohio (Ursuline Academy), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Danielle Louise Kennebrew, Atlanta, Ga. (Archbishop Carroll), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Jamaan L. Kenner, LaPlace, La. (East St. John), men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Cameron D. Knowles, Omaha, Neb. (Central), men's tennis, doctor of pharmacy.

• Ashley Nicole McGill, Memphis, Tenn. (Northside), women's basketball and tennis, bachelor of science.

• Anastesia Dede Opata, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett), women's tennis, bachelor of arts.

• Celeste Helena Poe, Cerritos, Calif. (Gahr), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Sean Eugene Richardson, Ellendale, Ga. (Stockbridge), men's tennis, bachelor of science.

• Ashley Nicole Taylor, LaPlace, La. (Cabrini), women's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Raymond Anthony Walston III, Atlanta, Ga. (Mays), men's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Christina Leanna Warren, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos), women's basketball and cross country, bachelor of science.

• Jordan Sinclair Wilson, Baton Rouge, La. (Baton Rouge Magnet), men's cross country, bachelor of science.

Student managers graduating were:

• Taurah Nicole Dizadare, women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Shakiyah Octavia Huston, men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Herstyn Branford Jones, men's basketball, bachelor of science.

Boyd and Opata completed degree requirements in July. Wilson completed degree requirements in December.

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

Life in Division I: Q-and-A with N.C. Central’s athletic director

DURHAM, North Carolina - Excerpted from an interview that originally appeared in the Spring 2012 issue of NCCU Now.

In 2011–12, North Carolina Central University entered Division I athletic competition as a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Composed of teams from 13 historically black universities from Delaware to Florida, the MEAC is in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision, the second tier of Division I. As NCCU’s first year of competition at this higher level draws to a close, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, the university’s athletics director, talked with NCCU NOW editor Rob Waters about the rewards and challenges of Division I membership, and predicted a bright future for Eagle teams.

Q. How does it help NCCU to be in Division I?

The biggest benefit is that we’re now aligned with schools that share our academic profile. And it so happens that it is a Division I conference. Our profile – with all of our new programs, including our new Ph.D. program, is similar to that of most MEAC schools. Almost all are master’s level and Ph.D. level. The geographic base of the MEAC is broader than the CIAA – Delaware to Florida – so it gives us exposure and an opportunity to recruit students and student-athletes from a much greater recruiting base.

The four-year transition period when we weren’t in a conference was a difficult time, but it did improve our national visibility. Our teams were playing all over the country – often in front of people who didn’t previously know about NCCU. West of Texas there are no HBCUs, so we were able to reach out to a population of students, some of whom might like to go to an HBCU but don’t have that option in their home states, and show them, “Here’s a school you might consider.”

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Standout DE Jackson leaves Texas Southern program

HOUSTON, Texas - All-SWAC defensive end Marquis Jackson has been granted his release from Texas Southern University's football program. Houston, TX (Sports Network) - All-SWAC defensive end Marquis Jackson has been granted his release from Texas Southern University's football program.

Jackson, from Northridge, California, requested the release heading into his redshirt senior season.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound standout earned All-SWAC first-team honors in each of the past two seasons. Last season, Jackson had 50 tackles and six sacks while also ranking sixth in the conference with 18.5 tackles for loss.

TSU, which finished 4-7 last season...

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Southern Jaguars cancel LSU-E games

NEW ORLEANS - The Southern baseball team has canceled the final two games of its exhibition series at Lee-Hines Field, coach Roger Cador said.

The Jaguars lost a 9-6 exhibition Thursday. They were scheduled to play the Bengals again Friday and Saturday, but had to wipe out the games because of the weather.

Southern was hit by rain Friday morning and afternoon. Typically, the infield at Lee-Hines would’ve been covered by tarp, but the infield was re-sodded earlier this month. The new sod needed rain, Cador said, but also could’ve been damage if it had been covered by the tarp.

Southern wants the field in the best possible condition for next week’s Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.

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NEW ORLEANS - Listen to an exclusive audio replay of Southern University head baseball coach Roger Cador on Inside the SU System hosted by Robyn Merrick.

Cador and the Southern Jaguars, who won the SWAC Western Division title after sweeping UAPB, are preparing for the 2012 SWAC Baseball Tournament in Baton Rouge, La. May 16-20. The Jaguars will open postseason play at the double-elimination tournament against Mississippi Valley St. on May 16 at Lee-Hines Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Inside the Southern University System airs Sundays at 6 p.m. on KQXL 106.5 FM in Baton Rouge and on the web at q106dot5.com.

Memphis standout becomes XU Gold Nuggets' third signee

CLAUDIA HAYWOOD
photo from the signing ceremony (via Facebook)

NEW ORLEANS — Claudia Haywood, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Memphis, Tennessee, and Cordova High School, is Xavier University of Louisiana's third women's volleyball signee for the 2012 season.

Haywood signed an XU scholarship Friday afternoon at her school.

As a senior in 2011, Haywood led Cordova's Lady Wolves to a 19-10 record, a district championship and the Class AAA city championship. She was selected the outstanding player of the city championship match. Haywood also was named to the Memphis Commerical Appeal's Best of the Preps Division 1 team. She was all-district her final two seasons, and she had 30 kills in a five-set match as a senior.

"I'm excited to welcome Claudia to our family," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She is strong at the net and will contribute to our offensive game. She is the second middle blocker we've signed in her class, so the level of competition in our gym will be intense and high, just the way I like it."

Haywood was a four-year varsity starter and played her first two seasons at Southwind High School before transferring to Cordova. She played four seasons of club volleyball, the first two with the Memphis Juniors, then two more with Memphis Volleyball Academy. She helped MVA qualify for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships in 2011.

Haywood will be a biology/pre-medical major at Xavier.

Middle blocker Jodi Hill of Prairieville, La., and Dutchtown High School signed with Xavier on Feb. 16, and outside hitter CeCe Williams of Houma, La., and Vandebilt Catholic High School signed on Wednesday.

Xavier was 23-7 in 2011, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

2012-13 Xavier women's volleyball signees
Name Pos. Ht. Yr.* Hometown High School (College)
Claudia Haywood MB 5-11 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Cordova
Jodi Hill MB 5-9 Fr. Prairieville, La. Dutchtown
CeCe Williams OH 5-6 Fr. Houma, La. Vandebilt Catholic
* classification at Xavier in 2012-13



Clips from Xavier University of Louisiana Head Coach Christabell Hamilton Volleyball Clinic at American Samoa, March 2012.

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

Eagle Stadium a big hit for baseball tournaments

DOTHAN, Alabama - Since Steve Sherrill arrived as director three years ago, things have really been looking up for the City of Ozark Parks and Recreation Department. And if you really question that, just try to find a hotel room in Ozark this weekend.

“Every single hotel is booked solid,” Sherrill said Friday afternoon. “Some of the umpires called today and they couldn’t find any rooms here at all. There is nothing left.”

Sherrill has helped to bring in tournament after tournament to Ozark. Including the tournaments scheduled for later this summer, that total is now up to 11 in just three years.

This week, it’s the third consecutive year Ozark has hosted the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament. Last week, it was the SIAC Tournament.

So how has Sherrill been so successful at bringing so many tournaments to Ozark?

“Well the first thing we did is bring Eagle Stadium up to NCAA standards,” he said. “We built new dugouts, added new fencing, a warning track, and a lot of other upgrades. Then we just went out and worked hard to get people in here.”

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Sean Woods Named Head Men's Basketball Coach at MSU

MOREHEAD, Kentucky -- Sean Woods, who has spent time with five Division I men’s basketball programs and led Mississippi Valley State to the 2012 NCAA Tournament, has been named the 13th head coach in Morehead State University history.

Woods will be formally introduced during a press conference on Monday at 2 p.m. ET.   The press conference, which is open to the public, will be held at MSU’s Adron Doran University Center.

“I am very pleased to welcome Sean as the new head men’s basketball coach at Morehead State University,” said Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, MSU president. "I believe that Coach Woods' experience, character and integrity will help us continue the momentum that our basketball program has achieved in recent years. I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding leader for our young men.”

“We are very excited to add Sean and his family to the Morehead State athletics family,” said Brian Hutchinson, MSU director of athletics. “Sean is a strong leader and tireless worker. We were impressed with his energy, character, vision and professionalism throughout the interview process.”

Woods led Mississippi Valley State to 50 overall wins and 44 Southwestern Athletic Conference victories the past four years. The 2011-12 Delta Devils finished 21-13 overall, 17-1 in the SWAC, won the conference tournament and advanced to the school’s fifth-ever NCAA Tournament.

MVSU improved by 14 overall wins and 10 conference victories from his first season to his fourth. Woods was recognized as the 2011-12 SWAC Coach of the Year and earned the prestigious Ben Jobe Award, which honors the top minority coach in NCAA Division I men’s college basketball.

Prior to accepting the head job in Itta Bena, Miss., Woods spent time on the coaching staffs at TCU (2006-08), Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2005-06) and High Point (2003-05).

Woods may be best known as one of the “Unforgettables” from Kentucky’s 1992 East Regional final team. He scored 21 points against Duke in one of the NCAA Tournament’s most memorable games, but Christian Laettner’s buzzer beater gave the Blue Devils a 104-103 overtime win over the Wildcats.

Woods, a UK Athletic Hall of Famer, played in 91 games for the Wildcats from 1989-92. He was coached by Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, Herb Sendek and Billy Donovan at Kentucky. Pitino, Smith and Donovan all have won national championships as head coaches.

“Sean has an impressive background, ties to the state of Kentucky and has been around some of the top coaches in the game,” Hutchinson added. “Our men’s basketball program has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years, and we look forward to keeping the bar high with Sean at the helm.”

Woods succeeds Donnie Tyndall, who accepted the head job at Southern Mississippi in late April.

Morehead State has enjoyed a postseason berth in three of the past four seasons. The Eagles have won 102 games the past five years, including a 2011 upset of Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.

COURTESY MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Today Is A Great Day and Tomorrow Will be Better!

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - The "Beep" is on a little R&R and family business in Ann Arbor.

At 3:00 p.m. today, my daughter will be conferred the Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan Medical School.   For any parent, this is a day to be proud.  I am and we are!

She has raised the bar significantly higher for her two brothers and step-sister, that all will soon be pursuing their own pathway in life.  Her undergraduate major --- bio-chemistry, Spelman College, only four years ago.  Seems like forever, and also valedictorian of her high school class.  If you can get your first born to a high level, hopefully the rest will follow and make good decisions.

Second daughter will be a junior at her college in Virginia and doing well.  Older son has won three high school championships in soccer and lacrosse.  Just elected to be the captain of his track and soccer teams for his senior year.  Bright future with good grades and good athletic skills.

The eight year old --my joy and giving the ole man a real challenge in staying physical fit.  May become a Rattler --if the mess can ever get cleaned up!

FAMU, an institution with a proud 125 year history, and now enduring its worst scandal in decades.  Not over academic integrity or research shortcomings -- but the marching band!

We are talking about an entertainment group with 100 "semi-pro" non-students that have made FAMU ground zero for a  life-style of hazing and beat downs of tuition paying students that were pursuing a college education.

One such student, drum major Robert Champion ends up dead after a severe beating at the hands of these thugs.

Robert Champion deserved better than what Julian White and his staff provided.

I'm a FAMU graduate (undergrad) and former Marching 100 member - a few decades ago. Without that Dr. William P. Foster music scholarship, I may not have earned a college degree.  Certainly, I would not have had the pleasure of marching with 193 other men and three women, in the pre-final decade of the celebrated career of Dr. William P. Foster. 

Make no mistake, without FAMU's band and the many lessons learned, I would not have had a successful career that has led me to the highest levels in my career fields, and one that gave me the entrepreneur skills to form my own corporation, and build it into a successful regional employer and service firm. 

Back in the day, I was in a hurry.  Earned degree in less than three years at FAMU and rushed off to face life challenges and pursue my dreams.  No time for frats and foolishness.  On a  mission, seeking success for my future family.

My car has a FAMU-1 plate.  Over the years, I have been an active donor, but today, I have mixed emotions about my institution.

How can you have 100 folks marching in the band and they are not even students at your university?

Read the report yourself. at the Rattler Nation Blog.  What good is expulsion, when they never were qualified to even be on the bus or field with legitimate, tuition and board paying college students.

It is unimportant when Dr. White and Dr. Ammons made the wrong turns -- but this is inexcusable!  Period!

Pay the Champions whatever they want for their son's death! Case Closed!!

And end the Marching 100.

The program ended forever with the retirement of Dr. Foster. These impostors are not the "Marching 100" that I once knew and loved.

The University can survive without a marching band.

FAMU is better than the 100 idiots that have been parading around in its uniforms for possibly the past few years with no financial or academic connection to the institution.  Flat out fraud and abuse of the higher education system.

The FAMU -1 plate will come off my vehicle once I return home.  Dr. White, James Ammons and others within the Department of Music have demolished a legacy that took Dr. William P. Foster a lifetime to build.

Back in the day, when I marched with 195 others, we stood for something greater than our individual goals.  Back in the day, we were 1,000 times better than this 420 member -- bloated, gang minded version, formally known as the Incomparable Marching 100.

I can't get pass 100 people marching in the band that are not students at FAMU.

Why would leadership let folks with no school affiliation, and students at Florida State University or Tallahassee Community College march on the "Patch" or in official university performances as members of the FAMU band?

Only full-time FAMU students should be allowed in the FAMU's band. Case Closed! 

I am outraged!  Rattlers everywhere are outraged!  Clean house!

This is a great teaching moment for our children.  You can learn from other folks mistakes.
 
Have a great day!  Tomorrow will be better.  Hubba Doc!

beepbeep

B-CU tops North Carolina A&T at MEAC Softball Championships

ORMOND BEACH, Florida -- Shamaria Engram hit a two-run home run and had an RBI double as Bethune-Cookman beat North Carolina A&T 6-1 to go 2-0 on the first day of the MEAC Championships at Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

B-CU beat Norfolk State 3-2 in its opener to move into the winner's bracket, where it will face Hampton at 1 this afternoon.

Engram went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs for the Wildcats (28-29) in their win over the Spartans (26-34).

The game was scoreless until Engram's two-run blast that highlighted the Wildcats' three-run fifth inning. B-CU added three more in the sixth on RBI hits by Romeo, Engram and Amari Foster.

Karina Romero went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs, and Shanel Tolbert (28-24) scattered six hits and allowed one unearned run to pick up her second win of the day.

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WSSU Rams to rely on pitchers Johnson, Edwards

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - Sure, Winston-Salem State can hit, but in next week's NCAA regional baseball tournament, good pitching will be just as important.

That's where the Rams might have an advantage, with workhorse seniors Sheldon Johnson and Wes Edwards. Both right-handers are expected to see plenty of action in the six-team tournament, which will start May 17. Pairings and sites will be announced Sunday.

Johnson, 23, was drafted in the 41st round by the Atlanta Braves in 2007 and also was recruited to play quarterback at Syracuse. He decided baseball was his sport, but suffered an arm injury in 2008 that led to Tommy John surgery.

"We've come a long way as a pitching staff since the beginning of the season," said Johnson, the No. 2 starter who also can pitch in relief if needed. "Everybody knows their role, and we've got a good backbone with the bullpen, and I think myself and Wesley are kind of the leaders."

Johnson transferred to WSSU after helping ...

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FAMU band director Julian White retires unexpectedly

Dr. JULIAN E. WHITE

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University band director Julian White, who has been under intense criticism since the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion in Orlando last fall, retired unexpectedly Thursday amid more troubling revelations about the embattled Marching 100 band.

White's attorney, Chuck Hobbs, announced the decision late Thursday afternoon. White, 71, chairman of the university's music department and director of bands since 1998, had been fighting for months to keep his job.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott and the chancellor of the State University System said Thursday that FAMU's famous band, which is under indefinite suspension, is not ready to take the field again.  White's retirement comes days after FAMU revealed that at least two band members charged in Champion's death — and possibly a third — should not have been in the band, and that nearly 100 others may not have been eligible to join the band.

Percussionists Caleb Jackson and Brian Jones, both charged with felony hazing in Champion's beating Nov. 19, were allowed to travel with the band and be on a parked charter bus where the attack took place.

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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

JOSE GONZALEZ
HEAD SOFTBALL COACH
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
(COURTESY SSU SPORTS INFORMATION)

NORFOLK, Virginia — Savannah State’s Jose Gonzalez was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Coach of the Year, and freshman Amber Hallman was named Rookie of the Year by the conference Wednesday.

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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2 charged in drum major's hazing death are not FAMU students

I DON'T ATTEND COLLEGE, BUT
I MARCH AND HAZE OTHERS
IN THE FAMU BAND.
NOW, WHO IS CLUELESS?

ORLANDO, Florida -- At least two of the people charged with felony hazing in connection with the beating death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion last fall should not have been traveling with the band because they were not enrolled in FAMU or one of the nearby schools that would allow participation in the band, according to school records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.

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

CeCe Williams
photo from the signing ceremony
(via Facebook)

NEW ORLEANS — Cecily "CeCe" Williams, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter from Houma, La., and Vandebilt Catholic High School, is Xavier University of Louisiana's second women's volleyball signee for the 2012 season.

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

Andre the Giant: Former Forest Hills star signs with Coppin State

ANDRE ARMSTRONG
6-2 GUARD
QUEENS, NEW YORK
MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NEW YORK, New York - Andre Armstrong's journey to a Division I scholarship featured as many stops and starts as the Brooklyn/Queens Expressway.

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.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, May 6) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Fresno Pacific (12) 22-1 312 1 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 302 2 3 Oklahoma Christian 16-3 290 3 4 Azusa Pacific 19-2 284 4 5 Auburn Montgomery 16-7 272 5 6 Vanguard 14-10 262 6 7 Xavier 17-7 252 7 8 Westmont 11-9 241 8 9 Point Loma Nazarene 12-10 227 9 10 William Carey 16-4 225 10 11 Concordia (Calif.) 8-12 209 11 12 Lindsey Wilson 18-5 207 12 13 Aquinas 25-2 190 13 14 Bethany (Kan.) 21-3 184 14 15 Belhaven 15-3 172 15 16 Cumberland 17-2 162 16 17 Warner 13-4 149 17 18 Campbellsville 14-6 143 18 19 Lewis-Clark State 11-9 129 19 20 Northwestern Ohio 19-7 121 20 21 Olivet Nazarene 15-4 110 22 22 Shorter 12-15 105 21 23 Webber International 15-7 88 23 24 Our Lady of the Lake 7-7 67 24 25 Lee (Tenn.) 9-8 63 25 Others receiving votes: Spring Arbor 56, Pikeville 55, McPherson 50, Biola 30, Bethel (Tenn.) 8, Northwood (Fla.) 7, Asbury 6, Hastings 5, Davenport 3, Graceland 1, Georgetown (Ky.) 1, Oklahoma Baptist 1, Roberts Wesleyan 1, SCAD Atlanta 1. Tournament bracket (PDF) NAIA tournament website

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