Driven Driver: Campus Magnet lineman commits to Alabama A&M

QUEENS, New York - James Driver’s route to a Division I scholarship was as unpredictable as a wild Campus Magnet victory. The mammoth offensive tackle entered the Queens school with zero football experience. After a standout four-year career, he was headed to JUCO Lackawanna, not because of any academic shortcomings but lack of Division I interest.

He entered the Empire Challenge, the annual all-star game pitting the top seniors from New York City against their Long Island counterparts, resigned to his situation. He didn’t feel any better after the city’s lopsided loss to Long Island.

Little did the 18-year-old from South Jamaica realize his life was about to change. A friend of Alabama A&M offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl was at the game and left impressed with the 6-foot-7, 315-pound Driver. Pearl saw film of the game and was equally taken with the offensive lineman. A week and a few phone calls later, Driver had the Division I scholarship he sought.

“Honestly, words can’t describe how surprised I am,” said The Post’s All-Queens first team selection who plans to study criminal justice and forensics at Alabama A&M. “I’ve had a smile on my face ever since [I committed]. It’s really happening. I’m loving this Division I dream.”

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign South Carolina State's Will Ford

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have added import running back Will Ford and import defensive lineman Youri Yenga to the practice roster.

Ford (5-8, 195, South Carolina State, DOB: December 15, 1986 in Travelers Rest, South Carolina) was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, rushing for 4,688 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-MEAC selection in 2009 one year after taking home the conference’s offensive player of the year award. Ford also spent time returning kicks and averaged 26.0 yards per return with one touchdown.



Twice, he earned All- America honors and was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton award, presented annually to the best offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Ford had a tryout with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in June 2010, but was released.

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Livingstone College names Andre Spring new director of athletics

Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. (L) and Mr. Andre Springs (R)
(Photo Courtesy: Livingstone College Athletics Department)

SALISBURY, North Carolina – Livingstone College President, Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., announced Andre Springs as the new Director of Athletics Monday at an on-campus press conference in the Hospitality & Events Center.

“We had to find a leader with the right chemistry,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Andre has camaraderie with the coaches and staff that will take Livingstone College Athletics to the next level.”

Springs is no stranger to Livingstone College or the CIAA. Springs started his second stint as a Livingstone employee in January 2010 when he was named the head men's golf coach and for the last six months has been working additionally as the Assistant Athletic Director for Fundraising.

“It's an honor and a blessing to be a part of the Blue Bear family,” Springs said. “Dr. Jenkins challenged me with improving this department overall and I stepped up to the challenge.”

Springs first came to Livingstone in 1979 as the head golf coach after playing four years at Fayetteville State and winning four CIAA Championships. Springs coached the Blue Bears for 10 years, helping put together a team that won three consecutive PGA Minority Golf Championships from 1987-89.

“When I left Livingstone the first time, I told myself that when I returned it would be as the Athletic Director,” Springs said. “Two years after I was hired as the golf coach, it's my time to lead this department.”

Springs spoke briefly of his plans to lead and elevate the athletic department by improving facilities and supporting the Livingstone student-athletes in their academic and athletic achievements.

Springs' future plans start with fundraising and during the press conference he received $3,000 in pledged donations from coaches and community leaders.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Price Selected to U.S. Paralympic Team

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Tennessee State University's Markeith Price was selected to the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field team on Sunday. Price will represent the United States at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, Aug. 29 - Sept. 9.

Price, who is legally blind, won two events at the US Paralympic Trials at the campus of IUPUI over the weekend. The rising TSU senior leapt 6.25m (20-6 ¼) in the long jump.

The Baltimore native also claimed the 400-meter dash title in the T13/F13 category with a blistering speed of 51.64 seconds, which ties for fourth best in the world.


This is footage of the first of three 4x100m relay competitions in the 2012 United States versus Canada Visually Impaired Relay Project. The United States team is made up of David Brown, Lex Gillette, Josiah Jamison, and Markeith Price. The United States VI relay team captured the first win and a world leading time in this competition by running 43.90 seconds.

Price holds five other top-10 marks in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rankings: 100m T13 (8th in the world), 200m T13 (5th), long jump F13 (6th) and triple jump F13 (1st).

The selection to the U.S. Paralympic team is a first for Price and the second for Tennessee State. Price joins Ryan Fann, who won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2004 Summer Paralympic games.

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Former Jackson State Tiger Michael Tinsley Makes Olympics

EUGENE, Oregon - Former Jackson State men's track and field standout Michael Tinsley made it to his first Olympics Sunday evening. Tinsley will participate as a member of the 2012 US Olympic team in London, England. The 2012 Olympics start July 27 with the opening ceremony and end August 12.

On day 11 of the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., Tinsley won the men's 400 meter hurdles with a time of 48.33.



While at Jackson State, Tinsley placed his name on the national and world scene in 2006. He recorded with a sixth place finish at the USA Outdoor meet and a win at the NCAA Championships. With the win at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Tinsley became the first Jackson State University track athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. To celebrate his win, JSU proclaimed Thursday, June 15, "Michael Tinsley Day" and publicly recognized him and his family with a reception held in the Walter Payton Health and Wellness Center on campus.

With wins in 2006, at the Texas Relays and the NCAA Championships, Tinsley continued his move up the national rankings (#4), and ended the year with his first ever T&FN top ten world ranking (#10).

In 2005, he gave a hint of what was to come with a third-place finish in the 400 m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was ranked No. 7 at the end of the year, in the U.S. Track & Field News.

Tinsley won both the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles titles at the 2004 SWAC Outdoor Championships. A multi-event athlete, he ran the second leg of the team that captured the 4x400m relay title at the 2004 SWAC Championships.

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS MEDIA

Tougaloo College Coleman Receives GCAC A.D. of Year Award

TOUGALOO, Mississippi  -  The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) recently announced its 2012 Athletic Director of the Year.   Dr. James C. Coleman Athletic Director at Tougaloo College, received this prestigious honor voted on by his fellow ADs.

Coleman, a 1961 graduate of Tougaloo College, will be celebrating 50 years of service as a longtime educator and administrator this year. Coleman began his journey in athletics as a coach and moved up to athletic director after serving in several other positions like sports information director and athletic trainer. After countless years in athletics, Coleman moved from athletics to take on other administrative duties. In 2005, Coleman accepted the position again. Under his leadership, the athletics department has soared to unexpected heights.

After accepting the job, one of Coleman first assignments was hiring head men's basketball coach Lafayette Stribling. Since hiring Stribling, the men's basketball program has brought home 4 regular season championships and 1 tournament championship. They have also been to the national tournament 5 out of the last 6 years, including 2 trips to the "Sweet Sixteen." Also under the leadership of Dr. Coleman, the program has brought international athletes, a new volleyball program, and a growing women's basketball and baseball program.

Coleman brought a women's volleyball program to Tougaloo in 2011. In only their second season, the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team finished 5th with a conference record of 5-5. Head Coach, Shandrea Taylor, received GCAC Coach of the Year and two players were on the All-Conference Team. In 2005, Coleman was honored for his longtime success in athletics with the naming of the outdoor athletic complex the Dr. James C. Coleman Athletic Complex, which includes the baseball field.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Tougaloo, Coleman also received a master's degree from Tennessee State University and a doctorate of education from the University of Mississippi. Coleman is married to Dr. Marilyn Houston-Coleman and is the father of five children, all of whom graduated from Tougaloo College.

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Dillard University Alum named Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach at Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  -- The women's basketball staff at the University of Memphis solidified its coaching vacancy with the recent hiring of associate head coach Keila Whittington it was announced by head coach Melissa McFerrin Tuesday.

"We are excited to add someone with Coach Whittington's experience to our staff," McFerrin said. "She brings high level recruiting and coaching experience, including Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight experience. She also brings our staff some extensive contacts on the East Coast and in the upper Midwest, both important recruiting areas for us."

A Louisiana native, Whittington is a 1989 graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, where she earned a degree in Health and Physical Education. She then went on to receive her M.A. in Physical Education from Delaware in 1993. Upon earning her Master's Degree, Whittington excelled and enjoyed her first collegiate coaching job as a graduate assistant at Delaware, where she coached from 1991-1993. That collegiate job followed a stint as the assistant varsity girls' coach at McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans.

Photo Courtesy: DILLARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS AND ERIC EVANS

"I have been blessed to receive so many great Division I coaching opportunities as a Dillard University Alum," said Coach Whittington. "Anytime I am asked about where I attended college, I proudly say Dillard University in New Orleans, La. I was groomed for greatness as a Dillard student-athlete, and I will always be proud alum."

Whittington is not only heavily involved in basketball and coaching, but she has also donated her time and efforts to help those who are less fortunate than herself. She is responsible for organizing a supply relief drive consisting of non-perishable food items, water and toys that was sent to St. Bernard Parish in Chalmette, La., following Hurricane Katrina.

"We would like to congratulate her in another accomplishment in her career," said Kiki Barnes, Athletic Director at Dillard University. "She is a shining example of the kind of women that have come through the athletics program here at Dillard University."

She got her first full-time coaching job at Rhode Island (1993-1995). She worked her way up to the top assistant spot there and also served as the recruiting coordinator during the 1995 season.

Whittington has spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Oregon, where she coached the post players and served as the Ducks' recruiting coordinator, helping Oregon land nationally-ranked recruiting classes, including a top-50 ranked class by ESPN Hoopgurlz in 2011. As a post coach, Whittington has coached three student-athletes to Pac-10 all-conference honors.

Prior to joining the Ducks in April of 2009, Whittington served as an assistant coach at Marist (2007-09), where she helped guide the Red Foxes to back-to-back NCAA tournaments. In her time at Marist, the Red Foxes posted a mark of 61-7 over two seasons, winning two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season and tournament championships.

Posting an undefeated MAAC regular season mark of 18-0 in 2008, Marist made a splash on the national scene, eventually finishing the season with a mark of 32-3, and finishing the season ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Similar to her experience with the Ducks, Whittington assisted in recruiting, helping land a top-50 ranked class in 2008, the program's first ever nationally-ranked recruiting class.

At Memphis, she will serve as the Tigers' post coach, inheriting a core of players that includes second team all-C-USA forward Nicole Dickson, junior KK Harvey, sophomore Ann Jones and newcomers Asianna Fuquay-Bey, Devin Mack and Courtney Powell. The Tigers will play the 2012-2013 seasons in Conference USA, then move to the Big East conference for the 2013-14 season.

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Hampton Alum Wells, McCorory Qualify for Olympics in London

HAMPTON, Virginia - Hampton University alum Kellie Wells and Francena McCorory will both represent the U.S. during the upcoming London Olympics. 

Wells, a former Hampton track and field standout, qualified for Team USA after finishing second in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.77 seconds during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field on June 23.  The Richmond, Virginia born pro hurdler is the current USATF Outdoor National Champion in the 100-meter hurdlers event.



Hampton, Virginia born McCorory, a three-time NCAA track champion, also qualified for Team USA after finishing third in the women’s 400-meter race at the U.S. trials. McCorory is most famous for winning the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Indoor Track and Field title, while also breaking a 19-year old record in the 400-meter event.



McCorory also qualified and competed in the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. She joins Wells and Johnson C. Smith University's Leford Green (400M hurdles) as the only HBCU alum who will take the Olympic track in London next month.

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2012 Port City Classic Details Announced

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - The 2012 Port City Classic featuring the Grambling State University Tigers taking on the Alcorn State University Braves will be held Saturday, September 1, at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Kick-off for the game is set for 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at all Shreveport Federal Credit Union branches in Shreveport, Grambling and Bastrop, the Independence Bowl office and the State Fair of Louisiana office.

Ticket prices for the game are $125.00 for Club Suite Level Tickets, $20.00 for reserved seats, $15.00 for General Admission and $10.00 for Grambling and Alcorn students with a valid university ID. To purchase tickets by phone or for group rate pricing, contact the Grambling State University ticket office at (318) 274-2625 or the Alcorn State University ticket office at (601) 877-6822.

JCSU alumnus Leford Green qualifies for 2012 London Summer Olympics

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Johnson C. Smith alumnus Leford Green is headed to the 2012 London Summer Olympics after winning the 400 meter hurdles on Friday.

Green is the national champion in the event for the third consecutive year. He won the race with a season best time of 48.88. Green ran a strong race to secure the men's 400m hurdles final at the JAAA/SVL Jamaica National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.



Green's time of 48.88 seconds, beat Josef Robertson and Roxroy Cato into second and third. Robertson clocked a time of 49.53 seconds, while Cato did 49.65 seconds. Olympic medallist Danny McFarlane did not make the cut this time around as he finished 4th in a time of 49.69 seconds.

While at Smith, Green won the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division II crowns in the 400-meter dash during his senior season. He ran his best time in the 400-meter hurdles (48.47) at the 2010 CAC Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

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Shaun McCarty takes small-town toughness to Daytona Beach

COTTONWOOD, Arizona -- Ever since Shaun McCarty won the 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove award, his phone has been blowing up. University coaches from across the country were giving him offers to play ball.

In 41 games at shortstop for the Paradise Valley Pumas last season, McCarty posted a .975 fielding percentage with 71 put outs and 123 assists. He did it all with an injured glove wrist.

Maroon and gold will be the colors of his jersey next season, but he'll be playing in the Sunshine State, not the Valley of the Sun.

"Since he was nine years old, when I asked him what his goal was, he said, 'Dad, I want to play Division 1 baseball someday and I don't want my parents to pay for any of my college.' Shaun's goal remained true. He's going to end up playing Division 1 in Florida on a full-ride offer," said Tom McCarty. "He turned down probably 20 or 30 offers from colleges across the country. He finally found Bethune-Cookman out of Daytona Beach, so he loves the location, and they play all the tough Florida schools. Miami, Florida, Florida St."

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Denmark comes home to FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Beads of sweat were no longer on Brandon Denmark’s chiseled body soon after he settled inside the air-conditioned Florida A&M field house. The first day of off-season workouts was done for the former Rickards High School linebacker, who transferred to FAMU after two seasons at Illinois.

“It wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be,” Denmark said. “I’m a real strong person so I’ve been working on speed and endurance.”

He got a good start on Thursday, lifting weights and running sprints in the blazing afternoon heat. Denmark was ahead of the rest of the players for most of the runs up and down the field.  He hopes his off-season conditioning work would prepare him to compete for a spot on the Florida A&M depth chart. He decided to come home in hopes of gaining ...

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FAMU Begins National Search for a New Director of Bands

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) has begun its national search for a new Director of Bands.

The university started the process today by posting an advertisement on its website, soliciting candidates for the position. The job description will also be posted in the Chronicle of Higher Education and Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The university’s goal is to hire a new band director before the end of the fall 2012 semester, said Larry Robinson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. The new Director of Bands will play a lead role in implementing new policies and procedures that are critical to the future of the Marching “100,” which has been suspended for the 2012-13 academic year.

To head the nationwide search, Robinson appointed Rodner Wright, dean of the School of Architecture as chairman of the search committee, which will consist of 13 members and include faculty, staff, students and alumni.

“We want an individual with outstanding experience in band management, the proven ability to educate and inspire students to excel in the class room and in the traditions of FAMU’s renown performance style, and the capacity to lead and mentor faculty, staff and other colleagues,” said Robinson. “We desire someone with unrelenting commitment to our core values, particularly those related to anti-hazing. The ideal candidate would have the ability to promote the values of respect and dignity among all members of the Marching “100.”



The new director will report to the chairman of the FAMU Music Department. That is a change from the previous director, who also served as department chairman. Robinson explained that would add an extra layer of supervision. Qualifications include a degree in music and a minimum of five years experience directing bands at the collegiate level. It will be a full-time, tenure-track position and will be either an associate or full professor position, based on the person’s experience and expertise.

The new director will oversee all aspects of the marching and pep bands. Specific duties and responsibilities include overseeing all activities of band student organizations and ensembles; providing creative direction; recruiting students for membership; teaching the marching band courses and other courses as needed; planning and directing the summer high school band camp; fund raising; planning and executing the band's travel to athletics events and other events that have been approved by the University and functioning as the liaison between the Athletics Department, the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Music.



The director will work closely with the Music Department Compliance Officer, a newly created position. Together, they will ensure that staff and members of the Marching and Pep Bands are made aware of and comply with the University's policies and procedures regarding anti-hazing, academic requirements, rehearsal hours and travel.

Queens' Norfolk State product Kyle O'Quinn heads to Orlando Magic as 49th overall pick in 2012 NBA draft

Center who lead Norfolk State Spartans past No. 2 Missouri in historic NCAA Tournament victory looks to make big impact at the next level

QUEENS, New York -- Kyle O’Quinn became the darling of the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend by leading No. 15-seeded Norfolk State to an upset win over No. 2 Missouri.

It was a great story for the 6-10 Queens product, whose only scholarship offer out of Campus Magnet High was from the Spartans. And now the story has another great chapter after he was selected by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the NBA draft Thursday night.



The 6-10 center’s selection (No. 49) rounded out a strong night for the borough of Queens, which had three players taken. St. John’s Maurice Harkless went at No. 15 to Philadelphia. Doron Lamb, shooting guard from national champion Kentucky, was selected in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 42nd pick.

Iona point guard Scott Machado, a fourth Queens product, did not see his dream realized. After leading the nation with 9.9 assists per game and piloting the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament, he went undrafted. Machado, who also averaged 13.6 points and won the Haggerty Award as the metro area’s top player last season, likely will end up in some team’s camp as a free agent.



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NSU's Kyle O'Quinn to Orlando Magic: 2nd Round, Pick 49

ORLANDO, Florida - Kyle O'Quinn isn't necessarily a household name, unless you're a fan of Missouri or Norfolk State basketball.

O'Quinn played a major role in Norfolk State's upset of the No. 2 Missouri Tigers this past March, and that tournament performance has garnered him some well-deserved interest. At 6'10'' and 241 pounds, O'Quinn is a raw talent who can help solidify his team's frontcourt while also managing to spread the floor with his perimeter shooting abilities.

What O'Quinn Brings to the Team

O'Quinn is the type of player who can make an immediate impact coming off the bench with his above-average rebounding skills and his physical presence in the paint.

In the past two seasons at Norfolk State, O'Quinn has combined averages of 16.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.  O'Quinn isn't going to have that kind of impact immediately against NBA talent, but there's no doubt that with time and the right coaching, he'll be able to mature into that kind of a player. He certainly has the work ethic and physical demeanor to do just that.

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MSU, Mississippi Valley State Cancel 2013 Game

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi State's 2013 football game against Mississippi Valley State has been canceled due to MVSU's failure to meet NCAA-mandated financial aid guidelines.

The teams were scheduled to meet in the season opener on Aug. 31, 2013, in Starkville. MSU athletics director Scott Stricklin said he has a "pretty good idea what we're doing to replace them but aren't ready to announce."

The game had to be canceled because playing Valley would not count toward bowl eligibility for MSU. Normally, Division I-A teams can have one game versus a I-AA foe count toward bowl eligibility. But for that to happen, the I-AA program must average 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of grants-in-aid in football over a rolling two-year period. Valley does not meet the requirement.

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CAU: Dutchtown’s Tanner back to old form

MCDONOUGH, Georgia -- Kelvin Tanner only swung once his entire senior season of baseball at Dutchtown High School. Now he swings a lot.

At Dutchtown, he was on the shelf on the disabled list for the entirety of the 2010 season. His one at-bat was a tribute from coach Michael Breedlove, a surprise pinch-hitting appearance on Senior Night with strict guidelines — if Tanner made contact, he had to jog cautiously to first base to save his ACL injury from flaring up.

Nothing is holding back Tanner now. Completely healthy, the left-handed hitting first baseman and rising junior at Clark Atlanta has terrorized Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pitching.

He’s coming off a first-team all-SIAC season as a sophomore, in which he hit .355 with 13 doubles, one home run and 36 RBIs. Which only served to validate his Freshman of the Year performance the previous season.

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Former Florida A&M Swimmer Dies In Afghanistan

Photo Courtesy Florida A&M University Athletics Department

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU family mourns the loss of former middle/long distance swimmer Steven Stevens II. Stevens, who was a swimmer for two years at FAMU before joining the Marines, was killed in battle in Afghanistan from shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade.

Private First Class Stevens is survived by his wife Monique and his three-month-old son Kairo, who was born just eight days after his deployment. Stevens never had the opportunity to see his son in person.

Stevens grew up in northwest Detroit and attended Detroit Technology High School.  His wife  Monique is from Pensacola, Florida.

Derek Horne, FAMU director of Athletics, expressed the sorrow of the Rattler nation in learning of the news.

"We are saddened to hear of the untimely sacrifice made by former Rattler student-athlete PFC Steven Stevens II. FAMU Athletics and the university as a whole became aware of his demise on today. Because of Stevens' competitive spirit and athleticism, we know that he was the perfect fit for our U.S. Marines and we are very proud of him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Monique, son Kairo and his entire family. The swimming records he earned while he was here may one day be broken, but the respect and admiration earned for making the ultimate sacrifice for his country will never subside. The Rattler nation salutes a fallen Rattler," Horne said.

Stevens came to FAMU on a swimming scholarship under Ian Lee. Lee would train Stevens and place him as a middle distance swimmer, as well as designate him the lead-off leg on some of the relay races.

His talent shined brightly in the Northeast Swimming Conference championship of 2007. Overall the Rattlers took third place in the meet. In the 200-yard medley, he swam a 29.44 split to lead off the Rattlers. In the 400-yard medley, Stevens swam a lead leg of 1:00.40 to take second place.

Individually, Stevens took fifth in the 400-yard IM, with a time of 5:22.99. He also took fifth in the 200-yard backtroke and seventh in the 500-yard freestyle.

He holds three FAMU swimming records. He ranks fourth in time for the 400-yard Individual Medley (4:56.18 - 2007), fourth as a member of the 400-yard medley (Stevens,Lowe, El-Amin,Barnett - 3:44.00 - 2007) and sixth in the 200-yard backstroke (2:12.81 - 2007)

Douglass Carrington was the assistant swimming coach during Stevens' tenure at FAMU, before becoming the head coach in 2008. "It was bad to hear the news. Steven was so young. He was a pretty bright kid, and one of our talented athletes. He was fun to be around and this is one of those things that's tough to talk about. We were tough on him to make the team better. When he first came he was unsure of his path, but he soon settled in and began to perform in the pool. The whole military life seemed uncharacteristic, because he seemed gentler than a soldier," Carrington said.

Stevens was a good swimmer, but always had a heart for art. His desire to travel the world prompted him to leave FAMU after two years. He would enlist in the U.S. Marines.

Stevens enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 1, 2009. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. This was Stevens' first tour in Afghanistan.

Stevens was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. He died while conducting combat operations in the Helmand province in Afghanistan.

Funeral services for Pfc. Steven Stevens II are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., in Southfield. Viewings will be 4-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday at the church, with family hour at 10 a.m.

The James H. Cole Home for Funerals in Detroit is handling other arrangements.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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Paine Men's Basketball Coach to hold Basketball Camp

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Paine College Head Men's Basketball Coach, Jimmy Link will host the Inaugural Jimmy Link Basketball Camp. The camp is for youth ages 6-15, starting July 9- 12 at Riverview Park, North Augusta, SC. Sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. each day.

The purpose of the camp is to teach and develop basketball skills. This camp will highlight individual skill development and organized team play. Participants can aspire to increase shooting percentage, obtain more assists, improve defense techniques and gain confidence in their game.

“The coaches and I are committed to providing personalized and qualified instruction,” Link said. “This camp will provide a safe, welcoming environment where youth can learn the fundamentals of the game, enhance their skills, gain confidence and most importantly have fun!”

Each camp participant will receive a camp T-shirt and are eligible for contest prizes. Registration is now open for all sessions. To download and print a camp brochure, visit www.paineathletics.com.

For more information contact, Jimmy Link at (706) 945-1361 or jlink@paine.edu.

COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Wise grad heads from PGCC to Bowie State

BOWIE, Maryland - Prince George’s Community College’s loss is Bowie State University’s gain. After a standout sophomore season at PGCC, David Golladay plans to continue his basketball career this winter at Bowie State, stepping into a quality opportunity to contribute on a guard-oriented team.

The Henry A. Wise High School graduate averaged 15.9 points per game and helped the Owls reach the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III District 7 championship game. PGCC went 22-10 and fell one win short of a berth in the NJCAA Division III national tournament.

Golladay played two years ago at NCAA Division I Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., but left the school after a coaching change. At PGCC he was reunited with high school teammate Josiah Woodruff, who was the Owls’ leading scorer (17.6 ppg).

“I felt like I started losing a little of my love for basketball at Mount St. Mary’s,” Golladay said. “Then I went to PGCC and got that love back. I don’t know if it was the coaches or playing with my friends, but I got it back. That’s the biggest thing. If you don’t love something, it’s going to be hard to do it. It was really easy to play this year.”

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Robinson Introduces New Women's Basketball Coaching Staff at A&T

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- As he heads into his first season as the North Carolina A&T women's basketball coach, Tarrell Robinson has assembled an impressive staff .

"I have a staff I feel will help me take Lady Aggie Basketball to new heights," Robinson said. "I know each individual is no stranger to hard work and dedication. That's what it's going to take to climb back to the top of the MEAC. There's work to be done, and I think I found the right people to help me do it."

Robinson announced the hiring of Laphelia Doss, Franklin Scott and Shavon Earp as assistant basketball coaches. Former A&T women's basketball player Reisha Bullock will be his director of basketball operations. 

Doss arrives with 10 years of coaching experience, which includes four appearances in the NCAA tournament as a coach and one as a student-athlete with Eastern Kentucky. Prior to coming to A&T, Doss was the head women's basketball coach and senior woman administrator at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga. In 2011-12, she tripled the team's win total from the previous season, while also making the conference tournament. She also served as an assistant coach at Austin Peay State University for three years, at Southern Polytechnic State for one year and at James Madison for a season. She spent four years as an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky.

"Laphelia will bring a competitive edge with her experiences of winning championships as a player in college and as a coach," Robinson said. "She will be responsible for development of our post players, a position she dominated as a player. In her 10-plus years of service in this profession, she has developed several all conference performers in that area and that's what our expectations are here with our post."

Scott brings plenty of coaching and player development experience with him to A&T. Scott comes to Greensboro after serving as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. The Vikings won more than 50 games over the last two seasons. Last season, the Vikings finished seventh in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I tournament after winning the Region XVI championship . Scott also served as an assistant coach at Neosho County Community College (Kan.) and Arizona Western College.

Robinson expects Scott to be a huge asset in recruiting. He will also be counted on to assist in player development and game scouting.

"I really think I got a steal in Franklin" Robinson said. "He is a tireless worker who will make everyone have to raise the bar to keep up with him. He has unlimited connections and relationships that he developed from being on the (junior college) circuit."

Earp joins the Aggies after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at William & Mary. With the Tribe, she worked with guards and perimeter players, which resulted in an All-CAA player in Taysha Pye. Earp also worked as an assistant girls varsity basketball coach for Hampton High School and the heralded Boo Williams 16-and-under Elite AAU Team. She also worked as a graduate student for the Radford University women's basketball program. Earp played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh and Radford.

"Shavon is one of the most promising young recruiters in the country," Robinson said. "She has that rare ability to connect with anyone who crosses her path. She has the background of being affiliated with one of the most respected organizations and people in this business, Boo Williams. In a short period of time she has developed relationships with high school and AAU coaches that will be beneficial to our continued success in recruiting student-athletes who can be stellar in the classroom as well as on the court."

As an A&T assistant, she will be responsible for the development of the Aggie guards. Robinson expects her to raise the level of play on the perimeter, calling her one of the best prep guards to come out of the Tide Water area before playing well collegiately.

Bullock will be a familiar face for Aggie fans, as she competed as a student-athlete in the program for three seasons starting in 2008. After transferring from Copiah Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss., she helped the Aggies win the 2009 MEAC Tournament Championship, which subsequently earned the team an NCAA tournament appearance. She ended her A&T career with 302 points, 192 rebounds, 94 assists and 51 steals in 53 games played.

Robinson met Bullock in 2005, as he tried to recruit her to A&T during his first year as an assistant coach under former A&T women's basketball coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. Since that time, Robinson said he has watched her grow and mature into a responsible young adult.

"I've also watched her desire to get started in this profession grow," he said. "Her basketball pedigree has her destined to be successful in the profession. As our operations person, I expect her to take care of and be the liaison for a lot of the everyday activities of a Division I program."

Robinson's three new assistants and new operations director will be working with Robinson to lead the Aggies on a campaign for the program's third MEAC Championship Tournament title. The Aggies return all five starters, including 1,000-point scorer JaQuayla Berry, six-time MEAC Rookie of the Week Tiffanie Adair, A&T Female Athlete of the Year Amber Calvin and double-figure scorer Tracy King.  

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

J.C. Smith track athletes aim for Jamaican Olympic berths

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Akino Ming has one final step to take before he can reach his goal of competing in this summer’s Olympic Games in London.  But Ming understands how challenging that step is.

Ming, a junior at Johnson C. Smith and the NCAA Division II champion in the 400 meters, will compete in Jamaica’s track and field Olympic trials Thursday through Sunday in Kingston.

“This is a lifelong dream, to be able to compete in the Olympics,” said Ming, who won the NCAA final in a time of 46.14 seconds. “It’s very exciting and humbling. But I think my chances are as good as anybody else’s.”

Ming has a shot. According to Golden Bulls coach Lennox Graham, Ming is ranked fifth in Jamaica in the 400. The top three in the trials will make the Olympic team.


Shermaine Williams@Utech Classic 2012

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27 years of basketball camp and it continues to be a success

BOBBY COLLINS
MEN'S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

BISCOE, North Carolina -- For the past 27 years, East Montgomery varsity men’s basketball coach Buggy Green love for basketball has been instrumental in the success of the Montgomery County Basketball School Camp. June 11-14, the East Montgomery High School campus was busy with activity as 76 children, 15 camp staff and parents showed up for the fun and the hard work. Green had several coaches and basketball gurus lined up to speak to the children attending the camp.

Bobby Collins, the head coach of the Winston-Salem State University basketball team who won the CIAA championship in 2012, opened the camp as the guest speaker. June 12 found Mike Apple, who led the Sandhill Community College Flyers to their first NJCAA national championship in 2012, spoke June 12. June 13 had Austin Lehman, a world-renowned ball-handling expert, showing off his skills and teaching the children about other fundamentals.

The final night of the camp, Kinston Scott and his family cooked ...

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Mott's Walter Davis fulfills dream of playing Division I basketball by signing to Florida A&M University

FLINT, Michigan - After Mott Community College's historical men's basketball run this past season—which ended with a national title -- Walter Davis didn't think he had a shot of playing on the Division I level in college. Florida A&M University, however, thought differently.

The Rattlers offered Davis a full-ride scholarship to play basketball at FAMU starting next season and he officially signed to the program on Tuesday, June 12.

"I'm real excited because I didn't think nothing would play out for me," Davis admitted. "With (Mott's) Coach (Steve) Schmidt and the rest of the coaching staff just giving me the opportunity to win the national championship it really helped me because they would be like 'you're Walter Davis and you won a national championship at Mott' and that helped me out."

On MCC's a star-studded roster, Davis was certainly the team's most athletic player, the strongest defender but his stats weren't phenomenal.

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Digital Harbor grad Davon Usher headed to Mississippi Valley

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Waiting two years for a shot at Division I basketball was something Davon Usher had accepted over time. But the six extra weeks the former Digital Harbor star spent hoping for that elusive DI offer seemed nearly interminable.

Usher, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing, had a solid junior college career at Polk State College in Winter Haven, Fla., averaging around nine points and seven rebounds for the Eagles as a sophomore. North Carolina Central, Western Illinois, San Jose State, Quinnipiac and North Carolina A&T were among the many DI programs interested in the former Rams standout, but reluctant to offer a scholarship.

“[Some] of the schools talking to me, they didn’t really have confidence I was going to finish up my degree, which I did,” Usher said. “I was just thinking at times, feeling as though I’m not good enough for them. [I thought], ‘Why are they turning me down?’”

The one school that wouldn’t turn Usher down was Mississippi Valley State, a SWAC school located ...

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