THOMASTON, Georgia - One of the fastest athletes to ever attend Upson-Lee High School will continue to his education for free, thanks in part to his speed on the track and his performance in the classroom.
Senior Jared Jordan signed to run on the Albany State University track team Thursday morning. Jordan is the school’s record holder in the 200 meters (21.67 seconds), and was a key member of the Knights’ record breaking 4x100m relay team. The 2012 4x100m relay team finished second in the state in class AAAA, and posted the third fastest time in the state in any classification with a time of 41.73 seconds, a mark which also set a school record.
“This is a great day for our track program,” said UL Athletic Director Eddie Payne. “Since I have been here, Jared is the first person to earn a scholarship for track. Jared is an outstanding young man, who is looked up to by many in our school, which come from a humble personality and great upbringing by parents who were involved with his athletic and academic achievements.”
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Sunday, June 3, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Three African-Americans Earn Doctorates in Chemistry, Set UM Record for Single Year
OXFORD, Mississippi - Less than a year after launching an aggressive initiative to increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, the University of Mississippi has recorded an impressive national achievement.
Friday evening (May 11, 2012), the university graduated three African-American students with doctorates in chemistry, an exceptional number for any university.
“On average, about 50 African-American students receive Ph.D.s in chemistry nationwide each year, so UM produced 6 percent of the national total,” said Maurice Eftink, associate provost and professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
The history-making candidates who received their degrees were Kari Copeland of Coldwater, Margo Montgomery of New Orleans and Jeffrey Veals of Gloster. And a fourth African-American student, Shanna Stoddard of Louisville, Kentucky, is on track to earn her doctorate in chemistry in December.
“This is a significant achievement for these three graduates and their families, and it is also significant for the university,” Chancellor Dan Jones said. “UM 2020, our new strategic plan, calls on us as the flagship university of our state to lead our state and region in preparing professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, especially from underrepresented groups.”
It is the second time in recent years that UM has set a benchmark in STEM fields. The university produced four African-American Ph.D.s in mathematics in 2006.
“That was an even more outstanding achievement given that there are only 15-to-30 African-American Ph.D.s in math granted each year. But the current achievement is still pretty noteworthy,” Eftink said.
Charles Hussey, UM chair of chemistry and biochemistry, lauded his faculty for their support.
“Our three students represent a significant proportion of the national graduates,” he said. “This department and its faculty are absolutely devoted to the success of minority students, regardless of whether they are undergraduate or graduate students.”
Besides the three African-Americans, four more UM students were awarded doctoral degrees in chemistry and biochemistry this commencement: Rajesh Kota of India, Debra Jo Scardino of Moss Point, Lei Wang of China and Ashley Wright of Texarkana, Texas.
Overall enrollment of minority graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry at UM has been noteworthy over the years. In addition to the three students who graduated, four more minority students have passed their prospectus and are moving on to begin Ph.D. work.
“Hopefully, these graduates will view their UM experiences as positive and will spread the word, so that others may become interested in taking advantage of similar opportunities,” Hussey said.
The newest alums have already begun cheering for their alma mater.
“I am elated to earn my doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi,” Dr. Copeland said. “I feel my degree is just as worthy as a degree from Harvard or any other Ivy League institution.”
“I am truly honored to become an Ole Miss grad,” Dr. Montgomery said. “I hope to become a role model for future scientists. I want to remind students that no matter how impossible things may seem at times, if you continue to study and work hard, everything and anything is possible.”
Dr. Veals said receiving his degree felt “surreal, but great.”
“If you would have asked me nine years ago as a freshman if I would have a Ph. D. by the time I was 27, I would have laughed and said, ‘Yeah, right,’” he said. “Ole Miss has grown on me over the years, so it does feel good to have received it from here.”
Faculty advisers said each student was exceptional in his or her respective field of study.
“Kari’s general area is computational quantum chemistry,” said Greg Tschumper, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Copeland’s adviser. “She worked on characterizing the subtle interactions between molecules that influence many important processes in chemistry and biology, including how molecules in our bodies – proteins and DNA, for example – recognize each other.”
Copeland completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biochemistry from UM. Her immediate plans are to continue research at Jackson State University as a post-doctoral researcher.
Walter Cleland, assistant chair and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Montgomery’s adviser, said she proved herself during four years of teaching at UM and already has tenure track offers from several colleges, including one in Mississippi.
“Margo has had a long road to this achievement,” Cleland said. “She has endured a lot and is one of the bright spots in our program. Her research in bio-organic chemistry is exceptional, but she is very interested in teaching. She’s done a fantastic job with the students she has mentored. We’re terribly proud of her.”
Veals, whose field is computational chemistry, used computational methods to explore the possibilities of storing and releasing energy using strained molecular structures.
“Working with Jeffrey was every research adviser’s dream,” professor Steven Davis said. “He was very independent, hardworking and creative. One of the most memorable interactions was when he proposed a new method of interpreting strain energy in molecules that I had not even considered. It worked out remarkably well and will be used in one of our publications.”
Dr. Copeland is a Southern Regional Education Board Scholar. One of the organization’s initiatives is to increase faculty diversity in America’s colleges and universities. “In light of this, I plan to eventually seek a faculty position,” Copeland said.
Dr. Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana. Her dissertation was on “Synthesis and Characterization of Nickel Complexes with Relevance to Acireductone Dioxygenase.” She hopes to develop a summer science academy where students from all walks of life are exposed to the sciences in a nontraditional manner.
“Creating an interest for science at an early age will hopefully encourage more minorities to study science in college and beyond,” Dr. Montgomery said. “No longer will it be a phenomenon to have three African-Americans graduate with a doctoral degree in chemistry, but rather routine.”
Dr. Veals, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UM, is to be a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Missouri. His long-term goal is to become a chemistry professor.
“I think many otherwise qualified prospective African-American students in Mississippi may think that a Ph.D. in chemistry is beyond their grasp,” Hussey said. “Our graduates speak loudly to them and say, ‘Yes, you can do it!’ Have courage. You can succeed at the highest educational level in the sciences.”
For more information about chemistry and biochemistry education at UM, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/chemistry_biochemistry/.
COURTESY OLE MISS OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Aiken's Payton signs with Prairie View A&M University
AIKEN, South Carolina - Justin Payton and the Aiken High tennis team came up one win short of a state title this year, but Payton's tennis career is far from over. The Hornet senior signed his letter of intent Wednesday to play at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.Payton said that he chose the Division I Panthers over Florida A&M, Coastal Carolina, Xavier University of Louisiana and Benedict College because of how the team can help him improve as a player.
"I really liked the campus," he said. "I feel like the team is going to make me better." Payton said the coaching staff guaranteed him a spot in the Panthers' top five. He added the combination of experienced players at Prairie View and his deep playoff runs with the Hornets will help the Panthers' pursuit of Southwestern Athletic Conference titles.
"I feel like me going to the university as a freshman, and the team has a bunch of leaders," he said of the Panthers, who will only lose one senior from this year's team.
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Rice edges Prairie View A&M 3-2 in NCAA regionals
HOUSTON — Michael Fuda hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to give Rice the go-ahead run and the Owls held on to beat Prairie View A&M 3-2 in the opener of the Houston Regional on Friday night.
The Owls (41-17) scored one run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Ford Stainback and another in the third inning when Michael Ratterree tripled to score J.T. Chargois. The game remained tied until Fuda's home run.
Prairie View A&M (28-24) had a brief 2-0 lead after scoring in the second on Colby Hines' two-run double.
Rice starter John Simms (6-0) went seven innings, and allowed two runs — one earned — and two hits, while striking out seven and walking three. Tyler Duffey earned his seventh save by pitching two scoreless innings and striking out three.
Prairie View starter Derrick Mitchell allowed two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
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Florida's Crawford throws no-no vs Bethune-Cookman
GAINESVILLE, Florida -- Jonathon Crawford was nearly perfect for Florida. Turned out the Gators right-hander was plenty good enough to make some college baseball history. Crawford threw the seventh no-hitter ever in the NCAA tournament, shutting down Bethune-Cookman in a 4-0 victory in the opener of the Gainesville Regional on Friday night. "When I came out for the eighth, I got really nervous and excited and that's when it hit me that I could get a no-hitter," Crawford said. "I was pumped. It was crazy, but a lot of fun. I guess it's a pretty big deal." No doubt about it.
Crawford, a sophomore who wasn't even part of the Gators' three-man weekend rotation this season, faced the minimum 27 batters. The only player to reach base was Bethune-Cookman's Jake Welch on a walk in the third inning, and Florida catcher Mike Zunino threw him out trying to steal.
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'Historic' Class for ASU Basketball
ALBANY, Georgia -- The deadline for the college basketball signing period has passed, but the Albany State Golden Rams are still very much alive.
ASU Head Coach Chris Cameron gave this 2012 signing class the label of historic. Cameron is certainly confident in their talent (and his recruiting abilities), but the high praise stems from their South Georgia roots.
Local talent has been missing from the Albany State roster in the past, but not anymore- three of the four players in the 2012 class hail from Southwest Georgia.
The Golden Rams inked Thomasville point guard Trey Gosier, Worth County-native Jerome Hamilton and Americus-Sumter’s Shaquille Harris to round out their southern sweep.
Cameron believes bringing the “229” area code back to the Golden Rams should bring the team closer together.
“One of the things it does for us is it provides a team full of chemistry...guys that like each other. I think that's one of the biggest things that we're going to have on the upcoming team that we haven't had in the past- (these) guys have played against each other in high school and know each other,” Cameron said.
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ASU Head Coach Chris Cameron gave this 2012 signing class the label of historic. Cameron is certainly confident in their talent (and his recruiting abilities), but the high praise stems from their South Georgia roots.
Local talent has been missing from the Albany State roster in the past, but not anymore- three of the four players in the 2012 class hail from Southwest Georgia.
The Golden Rams inked Thomasville point guard Trey Gosier, Worth County-native Jerome Hamilton and Americus-Sumter’s Shaquille Harris to round out their southern sweep.
Cameron believes bringing the “229” area code back to the Golden Rams should bring the team closer together.
“One of the things it does for us is it provides a team full of chemistry...guys that like each other. I think that's one of the biggest things that we're going to have on the upcoming team that we haven't had in the past- (these) guys have played against each other in high school and know each other,” Cameron said.
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ASU Tees Off for Title Drive
ALBANY, Georgia -- The Albany State football team is prepping for a drive to the SIAC title with summer workouts. On Friday, Boosters of the “Blue and Gold” did some driving and pitching to fundraise for the ASU program.
The Golden Rams held their 10th annual at the Flint River Golf Course raising money for the program. The ASU athletes on the football field are working to reclaim the SIAC championship after falling to Miles College in the inaugural championship game last season.
ASU Head Coach Mike White talked about how his team handled that first championship game and how it will be different this season.
“(We) kind of know what to expect this year...how that's all going to work out. There won't be any changes in the middle of the year like it was last year, but we expect to be right back in the hunt and just kind of understand how you play your cards this time,” Coach White said.
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The Golden Rams held their 10th annual at the Flint River Golf Course raising money for the program. The ASU athletes on the football field are working to reclaim the SIAC championship after falling to Miles College in the inaugural championship game last season.
ASU Head Coach Mike White talked about how his team handled that first championship game and how it will be different this season.
“(We) kind of know what to expect this year...how that's all going to work out. There won't be any changes in the middle of the year like it was last year, but we expect to be right back in the hunt and just kind of understand how you play your cards this time,” Coach White said.
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XU All-Americans: Didavi 1st team, Taylor again 2nd team
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| Zach Taylor |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Loic Didavi is a 2012 NAIA Men's Tennis All-America first-team selection, and doubles partner Zach Taylor made the second team for the second straight year.
Earning honorable mention was XU's Viktor Svoboda.
Taylor is Xavier's first two-time men's tennis All-American of the modern era. But Didavi made the team for the third straight year — he was second team in 2011 and 2010 at Auburn Montgomery.
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| Loic Didavi |
Didavi, a junior from Cotonou, Benin, was 25-6 in singles and 27-8 doubles and earned top-10 rankings in singles and doubles from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He was ITA/NAIA South Regional champion in singles and doubles (with Taylor) in October and was NAIA Player of the Week for April 2-8.
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| Viktor Svoboda |
Svoboda, a sophomore from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and a transfer from Lewis-Clark State, was 18-12 in singles and 19-10 in doubles in his XU debut. He recorded three singles victories and three doubles victories (with Corey Huggins) against NCAA Division I opponents.
Xavier was 18-8 this season, winning a conference/group championship for the seventh consecutive season, setting a school record for season victories and qualifying for the NAIA National Championship for the fourth straight year. The Gold Rush reached the quarterfinals at nationals and became the first XU team in any sport to advance that far since 1973.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Friday, June 1, 2012
Gold Nuggets' Howell is second-team NAIA All-American
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| Kourtney Howell |
She is the fourth XU women's player in six seasons to earn that honor, joining Dominique Bell (2007 first team, 2008 second team), Angelina Callis (2009 second team) and Anastesia Opata (2008 and 2009 first team).
Howell, a sophomore from Cypress, Texas, and a graduate of Cypress Woods High School, was 17-16 in singles and 15-17 in doubles this season, her first at Xavier since transferring from Navy in January 2011. She recorded five singles victories against ranked NAIA players, and she won a three-set super-tiebreaker against Chane Hines of NCAA Division I South Alabama. The Gold Nuggets trailed 2-0 in the semifinals and finals of an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in April, but they got doubles and singles victories from Howell to rally for 5-2 decisions which gave Xavier an automatic berth at nationals.
Howell tied a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference season record with four Player of the Week awards, and she was NAIA Player of the Week for April 23-29.
"Kourtney is a very talented player," XU coach Alan Green said. "She is the first female I have coached who has the ability to finish almost every point at the net. She is a very smart and powerful young lady."
Xavier ranked 19th in the NAIA postseason coaches poll after qualifying for nationals for the sixth time in eight seasons.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Grambling's Ellis to direct Baton Rouge Regional
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - The 2011 college baseball season has started winding down, but it’s only getting started for former Grambling State coach Wilbert Ellis.As he’s done for nearly 15 years now, Ellis will again serve as director of NCAA regional and super regional tournaments this postseason. He starts his tourney action today as director of the Baton Rouge Regional hosted by LSU.
Louisiana-Monroe, Oregon State and Belmont are the other three teams in the LSU Regional. Belmont plays Oregon State this afternoon to open things up before LSU and Louisiana-Monroe face off tonight.
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Green Bay Packers claims Hampton Pirates' Pellerin from Waivers
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin -- The Green Bay Packers have claimed safety Micah Pellerin off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts and waived WR Marcus Rivers. The transactions were announced Friday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.Pellerin, a 6-foot, 195-pound rookie out of Hampton University, signed with the Colts as a non-drafted free agent on May 4. He earned first-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors in 2011 after leading the conference with 19 passes defensed and finishing second in the MEAC with four interceptions. Pellerin also led the conference in passes defensed in 2010 with 16 on the season.
During his three seasons at Hampton, Pellerin registered 124 tackles (80 solo), seven interceptions and 43 passes defensed. He began his career at Southern Mississippi before transferring to Hampton. Pellerin will wear No. 32 for the Packers.
Rivers, a rookie from the University at Buffalo, signed with the Packers as a non-drafted free agent on May 4.
Samantha Edwards from Elmont, N.Y., named ‘Women’s NCAA Athlete of the Year’
ELMONT, New York - Virginia State University’s Samantha Edwards and head coach Jason-Lamont Jackson were recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as the NCAA Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year and the NCAA Atlantic Region Women’s Head Coach of the Year, respectively, for the 2012 NCAA Division II outdoor track and field season.
The Lady Trojans’ five-time All-American, Edwards was named the NCAA Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments during the 2012 outdoor season. She entered the NCAA Championship ranked No. 1 in the women’s 400-meter dash and No. 3 in the women’s 200-meter dash. Edwards is the 2012 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion in the 400-meter and runner-up in the 200-meter. Edwards has the fastest time in NCAA Division II in the 400 meters, with a season-best of 52.15, and the second-fastest time in the 200 meters at 23.80. Edwards competed in those events over three days at Pueblo, Colorado.
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The Lady Trojans’ five-time All-American, Edwards was named the NCAA Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments during the 2012 outdoor season. She entered the NCAA Championship ranked No. 1 in the women’s 400-meter dash and No. 3 in the women’s 200-meter dash. Edwards is the 2012 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion in the 400-meter and runner-up in the 200-meter. Edwards has the fastest time in NCAA Division II in the 400 meters, with a season-best of 52.15, and the second-fastest time in the 200 meters at 23.80. Edwards competed in those events over three days at Pueblo, Colorado.
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George Zimmerman's bond revoked in shooting of Trayvon Martin
SANFORD, Florida -- A Florida judge on Friday revoked the bail for George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case, saying he had misled the court about his finances, and ordered him to present himself to the court within 48 hours.
Prosecutors alleged that Zimmerman, 28, hid from the court the fact that he had raised $135,000 on a website he set up before he was granted $150,000 bail on April 20. Zimmerman is facing second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Martin, 17, in February.
In a hearing in Sanford, Fla., that Zimmerman did not attend, Judge Kenneth Lester said Zimmerman engaged in a "material falsehood" about his finances.
Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda said Zimmerman's wife, Shelly, led the court to believe they were penniless, which he called a “blatant lie."
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Prosecutors alleged that Zimmerman, 28, hid from the court the fact that he had raised $135,000 on a website he set up before he was granted $150,000 bail on April 20. Zimmerman is facing second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Martin, 17, in February.
In a hearing in Sanford, Fla., that Zimmerman did not attend, Judge Kenneth Lester said Zimmerman engaged in a "material falsehood" about his finances.
Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda said Zimmerman's wife, Shelly, led the court to believe they were penniless, which he called a “blatant lie."
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College World Series 2012, Florida Vs. Bethune-Cookman: Game Time, TV Schedule And More
GAINESVILLE, Florida -- In last year's NCAA Baseball tournament, the Florida Gators rolled through their competition, only to get swept by South Carolina in the championship series of the College World Series. This year, all of last season's star sophomores return as juniors, making Florida one of the clear favorites to win the tournament. They're a No. 1 seed, and they begin their trek towards a title on Friday against Bethune-Cookman in Gainesville.Poor Bethune-Cookman. They're pretty good. They're always pretty good, actually. They played well in an 8-6 loss to Florida in Gainesville earlier in the year and they won the MEAC tournament, but they were 'rewarded' with a very difficult draw.
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Advocates outline anti-hazing campaign, legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Lawmakers, fraternity leaders and civil-rights advocates on Thursday outlined details of a national anti-hazing campaign conceived after the November death of a Florida A&M University drum major.
The campaign will include a national ad campaign, anti-hazing training on campuses and creation of a national anti-hazing day, leaders said at a press conference at the National Press Club.
Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida laid out the key provisions of an anti-hazing bill she plans to introduce by July 1.
STORY: Robert Champion Hazing Death: 2nd Fla. A&M drummer reportedly beaten on same bus before Champion died
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Congresswoman Wilson Announces Framework for Anti-Hazing Legislation
“Hazing is dangerous, and hazing is deadly,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Hazing is not a university problem. It is not a Greek problem. It is not a student problem. It is an American problem.”
According to research performed by Franklin College professor Hank Nuwer, there has been at least one hazing-related death on a college campus every year since 1970, and hazing deaths in the U.S. date back as far as 1838.
According to “Hazing in View: College Students at Risk,” authored by professors Elizabeth J. Allan and Mary Madden of the University of Maine, more than half of all college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.
“No mother sends their child to college to be killed in an act of hazing,” Congresswoman Wilson said. “College is where we send our children to shape society’s next generation of leaders.”
Under the anti-hazing bill that Congresswoman Wilson plans to introduce, students convicted of a hazing crime under state law or who are officially sanctioned by an institution of higher education would lose their eligibility for student financial aid.
The bill would establish an “Advisory Committee on Hazing Prevention and Elimination,” to be housed within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Additionally, states that do not currently have, or fail to enact, a felony criminal hazing statute will have their federal transportation funds restricted.
Congresswoman Wilson has been continuously holding meetings with university presidents and Greek letter organizations for the past several months to gather their input, and she will continue to work with them moving forward.
When Congresswoman Wilson was the South Atlantic Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha, she earned the nickname “The Haze-Buster” for her efforts to end hazing in her sorority.
The press conference was to announce a coordinated campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers of hazing.
Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida laid out the key provisions of an anti-hazing bill she plans to introduce by July 1.
STORY: Robert Champion Hazing Death: 2nd Fla. A&M drummer reportedly beaten on same bus before Champion died
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Congresswoman Wilson Announces Framework for Anti-Hazing Legislation
PRESS RELEASE: Thursday May 31, 2012
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| Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) |
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) introduced the framework for her anti-hazing legislation at a press conference at the National Press Club with Jonathan Mason, international first vice-president of Phi Beta Sigma, a video greeting from the Rev. Al Sharpton (founder of the National Action Network and a Sigma brother), members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Dan Robbins, a rising senior at Cornell University.
“Hazing is dangerous, and hazing is deadly,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Hazing is not a university problem. It is not a Greek problem. It is not a student problem. It is an American problem.”
According to research performed by Franklin College professor Hank Nuwer, there has been at least one hazing-related death on a college campus every year since 1970, and hazing deaths in the U.S. date back as far as 1838.
According to “Hazing in View: College Students at Risk,” authored by professors Elizabeth J. Allan and Mary Madden of the University of Maine, more than half of all college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing.
“No mother sends their child to college to be killed in an act of hazing,” Congresswoman Wilson said. “College is where we send our children to shape society’s next generation of leaders.”
Under the anti-hazing bill that Congresswoman Wilson plans to introduce, students convicted of a hazing crime under state law or who are officially sanctioned by an institution of higher education would lose their eligibility for student financial aid.
The bill would establish an “Advisory Committee on Hazing Prevention and Elimination,” to be housed within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Additionally, states that do not currently have, or fail to enact, a felony criminal hazing statute will have their federal transportation funds restricted.
Congresswoman Wilson has been continuously holding meetings with university presidents and Greek letter organizations for the past several months to gather their input, and she will continue to work with them moving forward.
When Congresswoman Wilson was the South Atlantic Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha, she earned the nickname “The Haze-Buster” for her efforts to end hazing in her sorority.
The press conference was to announce a coordinated campaign to raise public awareness of the dangers of hazing.
Norfolk State Signs Anthony Evans to 3-year Contract Extension
NORFOLK, Virginia - Norfolk State University athletics director Marty Miller announced Friday that Spartan men’s basketball coach Anthony Evans has agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season.
Evans, whose current contract would have expired after the 2013-14 season, will also have his annual salary increased from $125,000 to $175,000 beginning July 1, 2012.
“The overall performance of the men’s basketball team has improved under the supervision of coach Evans,” Miller said. “We are fortunate to have one of the great up-and-coming basketball coaches in America leading our men’s basketball program for the next five years.”
Evans led the Spartans to an historic season in 2011-12. NSU set a new Division I era school record with 26 victories en route to its first MEAC title and NCAA Division I Tournament berth. The Spartans, seeded 15th in the West Region, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in modern day NCAA Tournament history by defeating No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 in the West Region second round in Omaha, Neb. Evans’ accolades from the season include being selected 2012 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach and the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Award winner as the nation’s top Division I minority head basketball coach.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that (NSU President) Dr. Atwater and Mr. Miller have given me in continuing to lead the men’s basketball program,” Evans said. “I look forward to building on the program’s recent success in the coming years.”
Overall, Evans has a 78-82 record in his five seasons as NSU’s head coach. His ledger also includes two winning seasons (16-15 in 2007-08, 26-10 in 2011-12) and the first two MEAC Tournament finals appearances in school history (2009, 2012).
By Matt Michalec, Sports Information Director
VISIT: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NSUSPARTANS.COM
What's the buzz on NSU...
1. 67 NSU Athletes Make MEAC All-Academic Team
2. NSU Wins 8th Consecutive MEAC Men’s All-Sports Award
Evans, whose current contract would have expired after the 2013-14 season, will also have his annual salary increased from $125,000 to $175,000 beginning July 1, 2012.
“The overall performance of the men’s basketball team has improved under the supervision of coach Evans,” Miller said. “We are fortunate to have one of the great up-and-coming basketball coaches in America leading our men’s basketball program for the next five years.”
Evans led the Spartans to an historic season in 2011-12. NSU set a new Division I era school record with 26 victories en route to its first MEAC title and NCAA Division I Tournament berth. The Spartans, seeded 15th in the West Region, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in modern day NCAA Tournament history by defeating No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 in the West Region second round in Omaha, Neb. Evans’ accolades from the season include being selected 2012 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach and the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Award winner as the nation’s top Division I minority head basketball coach.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that (NSU President) Dr. Atwater and Mr. Miller have given me in continuing to lead the men’s basketball program,” Evans said. “I look forward to building on the program’s recent success in the coming years.”
Overall, Evans has a 78-82 record in his five seasons as NSU’s head coach. His ledger also includes two winning seasons (16-15 in 2007-08, 26-10 in 2011-12) and the first two MEAC Tournament finals appearances in school history (2009, 2012).
By Matt Michalec, Sports Information Director
VISIT: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NSUSPARTANS.COM
What's the buzz on NSU...
1. 67 NSU Athletes Make MEAC All-Academic Team
2. NSU Wins 8th Consecutive MEAC Men’s All-Sports Award
Ethiopia native Holobowicz signs to run for XU Gold Rush
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| DAVID HOLOBOWICZ |
NEW ORLEANS — David Holobowicz, born in Ethiopia but living in Montgomery, Texas, is Xavier University of Louisiana's first men's cross country signee for the 2012 season.
Holobowicz (pronounced holla-bob-itch) was a four-time team MVP for Montgomery High School and will graduate Saturday. He had the third-fastest 4,000-meter time — 12 minutes, 47.7 seconds — during the 2010 U.S. prep cross country season, according to the website MileSplit.us. Holobowicz qualified four times for the regional meet and twice for the state meet. As a junior he was second-team all district and finished 41st in the state in Class 4A.
In track and field, Holobowicz was a 2011 regional qualifier in the 3,200 outdoors. His best times include 16:03 for 5,000 meters in cross country and 4:41.61 in the 1,600 and 10:00.78 in the 3,200 in track.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Johnsonville's Turner signs on to play for Claflin in 2012
JOHNSONVILLE, S.C. -- After helping lead her team to a lower state title appearance, Johnsonville’s Keyarah Turner will be taking her game to the next level as a member of the Claflin University volleyball team in 2012. Turner, a middle setter on one of the school’s most successful volleyball teams in recent memory, will leave behind her time as a Flash to carry out her dreams of studying sports medicine and playing for the perennially powerful Panthers volleyball program.
On Wednesday, May 30, Turner signed to play volleyball for Claflin in the fall, which brought out classmates, friends and family – something that let Turner know why Johnsonville will always be special to her.
“It’s good, but then again, I’m going to miss everybody,” she said. “I don’t really know how to say it. It’s good, but then again, it’s kind of sad. I’m glad to be moving on, but I’ll miss everyone.”
Xavier's Jackson to serve as USA Basketball court coach
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| Coach Dannton Jackson led Xavier to a 23-9 record in 2011-12 and was voted GCAC Coach of the Year. |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Dannton Jackson is one of four selected as a court coach for the 2012 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team training camp June 5-7 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jackson, South Carolina's Frank Martin, Chattanooga State's Jay Price and North Carolina Wesleyan's John Thompson will assist the national team coaching staff and the 24 players who will attend the training camp, which will determine the 12-member U.S. roster for the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Brazil later in the month.
"It's an honor to be able to represent, first of all the NAIA, as well as Xavier and our country," Jackson said. "It will be an honor to work with some of the best coaches in the country, as well as some of the most talented under-18 players in the country. I’m looking forward to the experience and can't wait to get to work."
Jackson is 202-90 in nine seasons as Xavier's head coach with three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season co-championships, seven 20-victory seasons and six appearances in the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship. His Gold Rush were 23-9 this past season, sharing the GCAC regular-season title with Tougaloo, qualifying for nationals for the second straight year and ranking 24th in the NAIA postseason coaches poll. Xavier is the only men's team in the NAIA or NCAA to rank in the top six in scoring defense in its division each of the past five seasons.The U18 coaching staff consists of Florida's Billy Donovan, Gonzaga's Mark Few and VCU's Shaka Smart.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Mead, Pieri make Capital One Academic All-District team
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| JAVON MEAD |
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| MATT PIERI |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Javon Mead and Matt Pieri have been chosen to the Capital One Academic All-District 4 college division men's track and field/cross country team. The College Sports Information Directors of America selected the five-member team.
Xavier has produced six Academic All-District athletes, all in the past four seasons.
Mead, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School, is an accounting major at Xavier with a 3.66 grade-point average. Mead is a two-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference cross country runner who finished third in the conference meet in 2010 and fifth in 2011. He has four top-10 finishes and two top-5s in two years.
Pieri, a junior from New Orleans and a graduate of Brother Martin High School, is a pharmacy major with a 3.79 GPA. Pieri is a three-time All-GCAC runner and was the league's 2010 individual champion. He was a 2011 Daktronics Scholar-Athlete and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. Pieri has won a GCAC career-record 10 Runner of the Week awards, four this past season. He has 13 top-10 finishes and nine top-5s in three seasons.
District 4 in the college division comprises athletes in Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. Xavier and Morehouse (District 5 of NCAA Division II) were the only HBCUs to be represented on the any of the Academic All-District men's track/cross country teams this year. Nominees must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. They also must have completed at least one full calendar year at their current institution and reached sophomore athletic eligibility. First-team Academic All-District members advance to the Academic All-America® ballot.
Xavier's previous Academic All-District honorees were Kelechi Okoroha in men's basketball, Joe Drexler-Dreis in men's track/cross country and tennis player Terry Richardson (at-large) in 2008-09 and Brianna Dekine in women's track/cross country in 2010-11.
Xavier is a six-time defending GCAC team champion in men's and women's cross country. Both squads qualified for the NAIA National Championships three of the past four seasons, including 2011.
Academic All-District teams (PDF file)
MSU student charged with killing, eating man's brain, heart
BALTIMORE, Maryland - The 21-year-old college student allegedly told detectives that he hadn't just killed the man who'd lived with his family for months, but had eaten his heart and portions of his brain. The victim's severed head and hands were found in the men's Harford County home; more remains were left in a trash container outside a church.
Authorities outlined the macabre circumstances Thursday in charges against Alexander Kinyua, an electrical engineering major at Morgan State University and member of his school's ROTC program, of first-degree murder in the death of 37-year-old Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie, a Ghanaian national and a former master's degree student.
Kinyua's father reported that Agyei-Kodie went missing last Friday after going for a jog, but the investigation eventually led back to the family home. Kinyua was being held Thursday without bond, and authorities were exploring whether ...
VIDEO: Suspect says he ate victim's heart, brain
VIDEO: Charges against man who says he ate heart, brain of housemate
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Accused Maryland cannibal's online postings show him in war paint
BALTIMORE, Maryland - For an image to accompany his "Warrior Syndicate" Internet radio show, alleged cannibal Alexander Kinyua apparently chose a photo of his face covered in green and white war paint.
The show, he said, was for "warriors skilled in combat or warfare … coming together to form a syndicate learning portal for Warrior Clans."
The web page is part of a disturbing online trove on accounts linked to Kinyua, made all the more chilling by charges from police in Harford County that he admitted this week to killing a 37-year-old man and eating his heart and portions of his brain.
MD DISTRICT COURT STATEMENT OF CHARGES
Pictures: Missing man found dismembered, partially eaten
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Authorities outlined the macabre circumstances Thursday in charges against Alexander Kinyua, an electrical engineering major at Morgan State University and member of his school's ROTC program, of first-degree murder in the death of 37-year-old Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie, a Ghanaian national and a former master's degree student.
Kinyua's father reported that Agyei-Kodie went missing last Friday after going for a jog, but the investigation eventually led back to the family home. Kinyua was being held Thursday without bond, and authorities were exploring whether ...
VIDEO: Suspect says he ate victim's heart, brain
VIDEO: Charges against man who says he ate heart, brain of housemate
READ MORE
Accused Maryland cannibal's online postings show him in war paint
BALTIMORE, Maryland - For an image to accompany his "Warrior Syndicate" Internet radio show, alleged cannibal Alexander Kinyua apparently chose a photo of his face covered in green and white war paint.
The show, he said, was for "warriors skilled in combat or warfare … coming together to form a syndicate learning portal for Warrior Clans."
The web page is part of a disturbing online trove on accounts linked to Kinyua, made all the more chilling by charges from police in Harford County that he admitted this week to killing a 37-year-old man and eating his heart and portions of his brain.
MD DISTRICT COURT STATEMENT OF CHARGES
Pictures: Missing man found dismembered, partially eaten
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Brown becomes first female All-American for Claflin University
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Tanekka Brown, a senior from Columbia, SC, has earned the status of All-American in Track and Field. The Sociology major accomplished the feat during the NCAA II National Track and Field Championships in Pueblo, CA, last week. Tanekka finished 8th in the 400M Hurdles with a time of 1:00.87.
Brown is a four year letter winner for the Claflin University Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams. Tanekka, ran the 100M Hurdles for the past three years finishing 1st in the SIAC Track and Field Championships the past two seasons. That was her specialty until this season when Coach Harry Freeman suggested that she try the 400M Hurdles. The advice paid off for Taneeka as she won the 400M Championship this spring, which qualified her for the NCAA II Nationals.
Tanekka completed her goal of becoming Claflin University's first women, All-American. The NCAA II Track and Field All-American obtained the distinction at the NCAA II National Championships. Coach Freeman said, “Tanekka has become a model for all of the female student-athletes here at Claflin University. Now women who participate in any sport will be able to not only become an All-American, but a National Champion if they are dedicated and contentious about their sport. She has set the bar high and is worthy of this distinguished honor.”
Tanneka graduated in May and plans to move to Florida and apply for a coaching position in the track and field profession.
COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY
VISIT: CLAFLIN PANTHERS
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| TANEKKA BROWN NCAA DIVISION II ALL- AMERICAN SIAC CHAMPION CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY |
Tanekka completed her goal of becoming Claflin University's first women, All-American. The NCAA II Track and Field All-American obtained the distinction at the NCAA II National Championships. Coach Freeman said, “Tanekka has become a model for all of the female student-athletes here at Claflin University. Now women who participate in any sport will be able to not only become an All-American, but a National Champion if they are dedicated and contentious about their sport. She has set the bar high and is worthy of this distinguished honor.”
Tanneka graduated in May and plans to move to Florida and apply for a coaching position in the track and field profession.
COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY
VISIT: CLAFLIN PANTHERS
Banks, Southern U. Men's Basketball set to host camp June 11
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Southern head men's basketball coach Roman Banks will host the Future Jaguars Basketball Camp June 11-14 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.Campers will learn basketball fundamentals directly from Banks and members of his coaching staff, present and past Jaguar greats. The camp, which is open to students entering the first grade through the sixth grade in the Fall, will emphasis basic fundamentals needed to build a solid foundation for basketball.
Admission to the four-day camp is $70 and is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A snack for the camp attendants is included.
Click here to download the application for the Future Jaguars Basketball Camp.
COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Thursday, May 31, 2012
California defensive specialist is sixth to sign with Xavier Nuggets
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| ALEXIS CLAY photos from the signing ceremony (via Facebook) |
NEW ORLEANS — Alexis Clay, a 5-foot-1 defensive specialist from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., is Xavier University of Louisiana's sixth women's volleyball signee for the 2012 season.
Clay was a four-time defensive player of the year on the Palos Verdes Peninsula High School varsity, and she was second-team All-Bay League as a senior. She led the Panthers this past fall with 247 digs and averaged 3.58 digs per set.
"We are very excited to add Alexis to our volleyball family," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "She will definitely bring in a high level of play as well as a thirst for competition. So far she's our only true libero we've signed and she's excited to take on such a big role, especially coming in as a freshman."
Clay will be a communications major at Xavier.
"I was most interested in attending an HBCU," Clay said. "After researching Xavier and visiting the campus, I knew it was a place where I would fit in. And I am so looking forward to playing for Coach Hamilton. I love that she can be fun and serious at the right times."
Previously signed with the Gold Nuggets were defensive specialist Darian Harris of Gretna, La., middle blocker Claudia Haywood of Memphis, Tenn., middle blocker Jodi Hill of Prairieville, La., right-side hitter Patrice Smith of Glenn Heights, Texas, and outside hitter CeCe Williams of Houma, Louisiana.
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)
Alexis Clay DS 5-1 Fr. Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Palos Verdes Peninsula
Darian Harris DS 5-3½ Fr. Gretna, La. McGehee
Claudia Haywood MB 5-11 Fr. Memphis, Tenn. Cordova
Jodi Hill MB 5-9 Fr. Prairieville, La. Dutchtown
Patrice Smith RS 5-9 Fr. Glenn Heights, Texas DeSoto
CeCe Williams OH 5-6 Fr. Houma, La. Vandebilt Catholic
* classification at Xavier in 2012-13
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Chuck Landon: Former MU assistant is first white SWAC coach
ALCORN STATE, Mississippi -- Doesn't Jay Hopson's new job count as a minority hiring? It should. When a black man is hired as a head football or basketball coach at a college, isn't it hailed as a progressive move in racial equality? Yes. So, shouldn't the converse also apply? I believe so.
And that's precisely what happened when Hopson, a well liked and fondly remembered former Marshall University assistant coach, was hired Monday to be Alcorn State University's head football coach. Hopson is white, you see.
But Alcorn State is a historically black school. So, when Hopson became the Braves' 18th head coach in school history, he also became Alcorn State's first white football coach.
Videographer: cameraguy06
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And that's precisely what happened when Hopson, a well liked and fondly remembered former Marshall University assistant coach, was hired Monday to be Alcorn State University's head football coach. Hopson is white, you see.
But Alcorn State is a historically black school. So, when Hopson became the Braves' 18th head coach in school history, he also became Alcorn State's first white football coach.
Videographer: cameraguy06
READ MORE
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