ASU Volleyball Adds Eleven To 2012 Squad

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - During the 2012 signing period second season Head Volleyball Coach Penny Lucas-White signed eleven student athletes that will be joining the ASU volleyball team. Lucas-White will be adding nine freshmen one sophomore and one junior college transfer to the 2012 Lady Hornets team.

Incoming freshmen Amber Bennett, Khryssnee Madison, Myla Marshall, Annii'ya Robinson, Chelsey Scott, Rachel Smith, Julia Griz, Portia Watkins, Ravenn Hill, also joining the Lady Hornets volleyball team will be sophomore Brooke Beasley and junior college transfer Latoya Ellington.

“I think it's great that we have a population coming in from all over the nation to represent Alabama State University”, Lucas-White said. “I think that indicative of the direction in were we are going, I think in order for us to grow and get better I think that we have to bring players from other regions of the countries, to best represent Alabama State. I am so excited to start the 2012 campaign and I think that all of the incoming freshmen, junior college transfer and returning players are just as excited. August isn't getting here fast enough.”

Bennett is a 6-1 middle hitter from Baton Rouge, La., and was picked to the All State Metro Volleyball Team. She was voted the MVP of district four, and tallied 309 kills, 100 digs, 88 block and 33 aces during her senior year at McKinley High School.

Ellington, the lone junior college transfer will be joining Bennett and Marshall as middle hitters. The 6 foot Gadsden State Community College transfer helped lead GSCC in qualifying for NJCAA National Tournament in 2012. She was chosen to the 2012 Alabama Community College Conference All-Region Team. Ellington averaged 3.01 kills per set and had a .450 hitting efficiency.

Marshall is a 6-0 Memphis, Tenn. native, led her Houston High School teammates with a .358 kill per game average tallying 404 kills her senior year. The District 15 MVP and All-Region athlete was selected to the 2011-12 Best of the Preps team. Marshall was also a part of her high school District 15 and Region 8 Championships.

Madison is a 5-10 outside hitter from Bosse High School in Evansville, Ind., was selected as the Courier and Press All Metro Player of the Year. She was voted to ESPN Radio Volleyball Player of the Week and was the MVP of her team leading them in kills and blocks for the past three seasons. The First Team All-Metro, First Team All City athlete also received the Kiwanis Award for the 2010 volleyball season.

Robinson is another 5-10 outside hitter that will be joining the front line with Madison and Smith. Robinson is a Phoenix, Arizona native from Desert Vista High School that also doubles as a setter. Robinson earned a spot on the 2012 Junior Nationals squad that earned the National bid for the Arizona Region.

Scott is a 5-10 outside hitter who led the 2012 Enterprise High School volleyball team to its first Elite Eight State Tournament since 2005, while winning the Area and Region Title. The Enterprise, Ala. native was a part of the All-State Team and the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team. She was the team leader both her junior and senior year in kills, blocks and aces.

Smith another outside hitter from Riverside, Calif. will be bringing in many accolades from her Martin Luther King High School experience. Smith was a 2012 third place Gold Division finalist with the Mavericks Club league. A 2011 All League Big VIII MVP also assisting her team to the league champship. In 2011 Smith was a part of the CIF SS Volleyball Championship and the Los Osos All tournament Volleyball team. She was also selected to the 2010 All Riverside County Team and the 2009 REV All Tournament Player and played on the CIF SS Volleyball Championship team.

Beasley will be transferring in from Wallace State-Hanceville after one year. The Winfield, Alabama native received honors on the First Team All-Region Alabama Community College Conference team as well as the NJCAA National Tournament team at WSH placed 12th overall. Beasley was selected as the MVP of the All Tournament Team and First Team All-Region.

Griz, a name familiar to the Lady Hornets will be joining her older sister Luiza Griz at ASU. Julia Griz, is a 5-7 defensive specialist/libero from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado. While at Lakewood the team was ranked 5th in the State of Colorado and she led her team to a Final Four State playoffs, after finishing as undefeated District Champions. She earned a spot on the 2011 and 12 Junior Nationals as the starting libero for the Denver Volleyball Club. In 2011 and 12 both teams won a National Championship bid for the Rocky Mountain Region.

Watkins joins the ASU program after a standout career at Central High School in Phenix City. The 5-9 setter was named All-Bi-City and was a two-sport star at Central, also playing on the basketball team.

Hill a 5-5 defensive specialist from Renaissance High School in Detroit, Mich. was an All City performer. She was named team Captain and was also named a Public School League Player of the Week. The Renaissance High School standout was named Detroit Public School League Proud Strong Learner of the Week twice during her career. She averaged 12 digs a game with and had a 75% passing percentage.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kentucky State Announces 2012 Regular Season Football Schedule

FRANKFORT, Kentucky - Kentucky State University's Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, announced today the 2012 Thorobred Football regular season schedule.

The Thorobreds kickoff the 2012 campaign on September 8 in a home, non-conference battle against Kentucky Wesleyan College at 7 p.m.

“We are very excited about the 2012 season,” stated Hendricks. “Coach Dickens and his staff have worked tirelessly to prepare the team for another competitive season.”



The nine-game regular season schedule consists of four home games, including homecoming, and five road games. Entering the second year of the East-West Divisional format in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Breds will play a seven-game conference schedule this year.

After opening at home, the Thorobreds hit the road for two weeks, playing at Lincoln University (Pa.) on September 15 and then at Stillman College on September 22 for their first West Division game. They end September with a home game against East Division foe, Albany State University.

KSU heads Georgia on October 6 for another cross-division game against Fort Valley State University. On October 13 at 1:30 p.m., the Breds battle will Miles College in the 2012 Homecoming game. Last year, KSU won it's first homecoming game in nine years with a 25-24 victory over FVSU.

The Thorobreds' final three games of the regular season feature battles against two West Division and one East Division school. On October 20 KSU takes on the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, a game sure to continue the high-intensity play after the Breds defeated TU last year for the first time in 13 years. The Breds have a home game against Lane College on October 27 and end the regular season with an away game on November 3 against Morehouse College.



2012 Kentucky State University Football Schedule

September 8 Kentucky Wesleyan College Frankfort, KY
September 15 Lincoln University Philadelphia, PA
September 22 Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL
September 29 Albany State University Frankfort, KY
October 6 Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA
October 13 Miles College (Homecoming) Frankfort, KY
October 20 Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL
October 27 Lane College Frankfort, KY
November 3 Morehouse College Atlanta, GA

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kentucky State University Women's Basketball Announces 2012-2013 Recruiting Class

FRANKFORT, Kentucky - Kentucky State University's Head Women's Basketball Coach, Serena King-Coleman, announced today her 2012-2013 recruiting class. The freshmen include Ikiah Palmer, Taylor Sanders and Tazzie Shaw, while King-Coleman signed four junior transfers in Style Harper, Kadera Jackson, Diminika King and LaShell West.

Palmer, a 5'10” guard from Hancock Central High School in Milledgeville, Georgia, averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game. King-Coleman, who is looking forward to Palmer being able to stretch the defense with her shooting range, stated, “Ikiah is a tall guard and will add size to the perimeter. Not only does she have a great shooting range, she is also a good defender.”



Sanders, a four-year starter for the Lawrence Central High School Bears (Indianapolis, Ind.), averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 steals per game. The point guard, who signed with the Thorobrettes during the early signing period, scored over 1,300 points during her high school career. “Taylor is a quick, true point guard who can help elevate our level of play,” affirmed King-Coleman. “She has a high basketball IQ, along with accurate passing and the ability to score.”

Tazzie Shaw, who hails from West Chester, Ohio, is a 6'1” forward who originally verbally committed to Marshall University in West Virginia. An exciting and versatile post player, King-Coleman stated Shaw will “add athleticism and strong rebounding, as well as the ability to score from beyond the arc and in the paint.” The Brettes will look for Shaw to create favorable mismatches against opposing defenders.

KSU's three freshmen will be joined by four transfers in Harper Jackson, King and West. Harper, a 5'8” junior coming from West Virginia University Institute of Technology, is from Cincinnati, Ohio. “We are looking for Style to be a vocal leader,” King-Coleman stated. “She is a physical, high-intensity player with the ability to get to the basket and finish while creating contact.”



Jackson is a 5'10 junior transfer from Marshalltown Community College. “Kadera will give us athleticism and defensive presence in the paint,” King-Coleman advised. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and forward runs the floor exceptionally well and, according to Coach King-Coleman, “has an uncanny sense for getting offensive rebounds and put-backs.” Jackson finishes well around the basket and will bring experience to the post position.

King, who stands at 6'3”, will give the Brettes immediate strength in the post with her size and physical prowess in the paint. The junior, center transfer from Lakeland Community College, averaged will also add to KSU's rebounding and scoring in the paint. The Brettes are gaining a student-athlete who was ranked in the top ten in the NJCAA Division II in three categories: 20.2 points per game (9th), 16.4 rebounds per game (2nd) and 57.6 field goal percentage (8th).

Rounding out this year's class is West, a Southfield, Michigan native transferred from Siena Heights University. A 5'9” junior, guard, West sets the tone defensively and is able to go to the basket with strength to draw contact. “LaShell will bring size and quickness to the perimeter,” said King-Coleman. “She fits well into our up-tempo style of play with her speed and has the knack to anticipate in passing lanes.”

With a solid recruiting class, the Thorobrettes look to contend for the 2013 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Title.

“We have a great group of young ladies coming in this year,” King-Coleman acknowledged. “They have bought into our program, and with hard work, we will continue to improve and compete for the conference title.”

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tamika Louis introduced as new Delaware State Hornets Women's Basketball Head Coach

DOVER, Delaware - A new era has begun for the Delaware State University women's basketball team as President Harry L. Williams introduced Tamika L. Louis, a former championship junior college head coach and Division I assistant coach, as the new head coach at a May 31, 2012 press conference.

Dr. Williams stated that he is "very happy" that Coach Louis has decided to become a member of the One Hornet Nation family.

"I expect that she will bring a high-level energy and excitement to our women's basketball program," Williams remarked.




Louis arrives at Delaware State with 14 years of coaching and recruiting experience on the NCAA Division I, Junior College and high school levels. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2011-12 season at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Louis commented that, "as the Lady Hornets' head coach, I will be a servant-leader and hope that my energy, dedication and work ethic will be infectious to the young ladies on the team."

"We will establish a winning culture here with an expectation to excel in the classroom and on the court, resulting in MEAC championships," Louis stated. "Just as important, we will develop future leaders who, upon graduation, will make an immediate impact in our global society and positively represent DSU."

The decision to hire Coach Louis culminated a two-month search process that began in late March upon the retirement of former head coach Ed Davis. Serving on the search committee for the head coaching post were committee chair Dr. Gwendolyn Scott-Jones (chair of the Department of Psychology), Dr. Jan Blade (faculty athletics representative), Candy Young (interim senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator), Dr. Joe Amoako (professor of English and member of the Athletics Council), Dr. Josette McCollough (DSU Alum and former women's basketball student-athlete), Dr. Sonja McCoy (associate director of mentoring and advising) and current women's basketball senior Kianna D'Oliveira.

Eric Hart, Interim DSU Director of Athletics, praised the search committee for their hard work and expressed great hopes for the Lady Hornet basketball program under Louis.

"We are starting a new chapter in women's basketball and I am confident that Coach Louis will be able to build upon a strong basketball legacy here at Delaware State University," remarked Hart. "Coach Louis has built a reputation on the Division I landscape as being a fierce recruiter and has built top tier programs at Illinois and St. John's in addition to being on her way to building a strong class at George Washington University."

From 2009-11, Louis was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for St. John's University, where she was in charge of organizing all recruiting initiatives, game scouting, overseeing player academic progress and of-court mentoring. Additionally, she was responsible for the development of the Red Storm guards, including Second Team All-Big East and Freshman All-American Shennieka Smith.

Prior to her time at SJU, Louis served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Illinois from 2007-09 where she was instrumental in signing the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players in the 2009 class in the country, according to ESPN Hoop Girl and Blue Star rankings, in All-Americans Destiny Williams and Karisma Penn.

From 2002-05, she was the head women's basketball coach at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., where she led her squad to a 58-33 overall record during her tenure. The 2004-05 squad boasted a 16-0 conference record and was 27-7 overall en route to a NJCAA Region XII championship and bid to the NJCAA Tournament. For her efforts during this stellar season, Louis was named the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and Region XII Coach of the Year.

Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Louis had stints as an assistant and associate basketball coach at Central High School in Fresno, Calif., Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio and Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

After playing her freshman year (1993-94) at West Virginia University, Louis transferred to Fresno State, where she was the starting point guard and captain from 1995-98. A native of Flint, Mich., she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in communications from Fresno State University.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rox add three more for summer of 2012

MICHAEL ROMANO
N.C. Central University Eagles

BROCKTON, Massachusetts --With the 2012 season less than a week away, the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) made some final additions to their roster with the signings of Jones County Junior College sophomore pitcher Vito Perna (Laurel, MS), North Carolina Central University junior pitcher Michael Romano (Spotsylvania, VA), and University of Maryland freshman outfielder A.J. Lardo (Baldwin, MD).

Perna, who is expected to be selected in the 2012 MLB Draft, joins the Rox for the summer of 2012 after spending two seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss. This past season, the towering right-handerwent 10-1 for the Bobcats with one save and a 2.03 ERA, while striking out 68 batters in 75.1 innings of work. The Laurel, Miss. native excelled as an infielder as well, hitting .358 (68-for-190) at the dish with 10 doubles, seven homers, 52 RBI, 18 walks, three stolen bases, and 32 runs scored. His success helped the Bobcats clinch their third straight Mississippi Association of Community & Junior College (MACJC) South Division title.

As a freshman in 2011, Perna earned First Team All-MACJC and First Team All-Region honors, while helping Jones County Junior College clinch the 2011 MACJC State Championship, as well as its first-ever Region 23 Championship. The Bobcats eventually finished as the runner-up in the 2011 NJCAA Division II College World Series after falling to Western Oklahoma State University in the title game.

Romano appeared in 15 games for the Division I Eagles of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) as junior in 2012. He made seven starts for North Carolina Central University, finishing with a 3-3 record to go along with one save and a 5.24 ERA through 56.2 innings of work. The southpaw fanned 31 batters while walking just 15. A native of Spotsylvania, Va., Romano transferred from Essex Junior College where he finished with a 3.60 ERA and 10 strikeouts through 20 innings pitched in 2011. Prior to that, Romano attended Riverbend High School, where he helped his team reach the Regional Semifinals in 2007 and was named Second Team All-Region along the way.

Lardo redshirted for the Division I Terrapins of the Atlantic Coast Conference as a freshman in 2012. Before his time with the University of Maryland, the Baldwin, Md. native attended high school at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, MD, where he hit .495 as a senior. Lardo was named Baltimore Sun All-Met team in 2011, while also being named to First Team All-Region in 2011 as an outfielder. He earned Louisville Slugger All-American honors and was also named to the Preseason All-State team in 2010.

COURTESY BROCKTONROX.COM

Sam Houston State holds off Prairie View

HOUSTON, Texas — Sam Houston State capitalized on two errors by Prairie View A&M during a three-run fifth inning and held on for a 4-2 win Saturday in an elimination game in the Houston Regional.

Justin Jackson (9-4) allowed two runs — no earned— on eight hits with two strikeouts in eight-plus innings for Sam Houston State (39-21).

“Prairie View was putting the ball in play early in the count, but our defense did a great job behind me,” Jackson said.

SHSU reliever Michael Burchett worked out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the ninth without giving up a run for his ninth save.

“I just wanted to throw strikes and get some ground balls,” Burchett said. “That strikeout for the second out was really a tough at-bat. We’re just excited to still be playing.”

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Bethune-Cookman eliminated from NCAA baseball tournament

GAINESVILLE, Florida - Hits were almost as hard to come by for Bethune-Cookman on Saturday as they were Friday night as the Wildcats lost their second consecutive game in the Gainesville Regional.

On the heels of Jonathon Crawford's no-hitter in Florida's 4-0 win over B-CU on Friday, the College of Charleston's Matt Pegler held the Wildcats to just two hits Saturday in an 8-2 victory.

The loss knocked B-CU (34-27) out of the NCAA tournament after two games for the seventh consecutive year.

"Tough way to end the season, no doubt," said B-CU's first-year coach, Jason Beverlin. "With as many strides as we've made as a team, I felt it was pretty disappointing that we didn't come out with a little more energy and fight in us than we had (Saturday)."

ESPN3 REPLAY: BETHUNE-COOKMAN VS. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

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Winston-Salem State University student fee hike could pay for Bowman Gray Stadium purchase

WILLIAM "BILL" HAYES
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State University has officially made an offer to buy Bowman Gray Stadium, but the school is considering raising student fees 5 percent in order to do that.

The City of Winston-Salem has valued the 17,000-seat stadium at $10 million. WSSU officials said the student fee increase would raise $7.5 million over the next 20 years.

The increase would add another $110 to the bill of full-time students, raising total student fees to $2,100 a year.

"We can't go to the state and say, 'Would you buy us a football stadium?' It has to come from auxiliary sources, and those sources have historically been student fees," said Owen Cooks with WSSU.

A bill that would authorize the stadium's purchase is currently heading through the General Assembly. If passed, a deal could be ready to be signed by the fall. The student fee increase would be implemented this fall as well.

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Jordan signs with the Albany State Rams

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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Three African-Americans Earn Doctorates in Chemistry, Set UM Record for Single Year

From left: Gregory Tschumper, UM associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry; doctoral graduates Kari Copeland, Jeffrey Veals and Margo Montgomery; Walter Cleland, assistant chair and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Steven Davis, professor of chemistry and biochemistry; and Maurice Eftink, associate provost and professor of chemistry and biochemistry. (Click on Photo to Enlarge).

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 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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XU All-Americans: Didavi 1st team, Taylor again 2nd team

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.



Loic Didavi

Didavi became Xavier's sixth men's tennis All-American of the modern era, all in the past five seasons. Hassan Abbas (2011), Mike Green (2009), Terry Richardson (2009) and Miroslav Vukicevic (2008) were second-team selections.

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.



Viktor Svoboda

Taylor, a senior from Monroe, La., and a graduate of St. Frederick High School and Ventura College, was 19-6 in singles and 25-7 in doubles. He was a three-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week and set a GCAC career record with six weekly awards.

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

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Gold Nuggets' Howell is second-team NAIA All-American

Kourtney Howell

NEW ORLEANS — Kourtney Howell, the leader of a Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis team which earned a berth in the national tournament, has been named second-team NAIA All-American for 2012.

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 Director
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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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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.

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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

PRESS RELEASE: Thursday May 31, 2012

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
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Ethiopia native Holobowicz signs to run for XU Gold Rush

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 Director

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