Stephen Joyner, Jr. named new head women's basketball coach at Johnson C. Smith University

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith University announced Stephen Joyner, Jr., as the new head women's basketball coach on Thursday, July 5, during a news conference on campus.

Joyner, Jr., transitions from Winston-Salem State University to the Gold and Blue after two seasons as Rams head coach. During that time, his teams posted back-to-back winning seasons for an overall record of 35-21. Last season, Joyner Jr., coached his squad to the quarterfinals game of the CIAA Tournament and just missed a bid into the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament.

“I am pleased to have Steve Joyner, Jr., join our Athletics staff as head women's basketball coach,” said JCSU President Ronald L. Carter. “Steve brings solid coaching experience in women's athletics. I look forward to his leadership as our women's basketball team continues to excel at their growing edge.”

Joyner, Jr., returns to his alma mater, where his roots are deeply planted, to lead the women's basketball program. A 2001 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Joyner, Jr., was also one of the top point guards in the CIAA during his Golden Bulls playing career.

Playing under the tutelage of his father, Stephen Joyner, Sr., Director of Athletics and a longtime head men's basketball coach at JCSU, Joyner, Jr., amassed 399 assists with an average of 4.53 assists per game during his final three seasons (1998-2001). During his senior campaign, JCSU captured the 2001 CIAA Tournament Championship, won the NCAA DII South Atlantic Regional title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight – all firsts in school history.

“Now that I'm here, the sky's the limit,” said the newly appointed head women's basketball coach. “Johnson C. Smith is a great environment and I'm confident that I will be provided with the support to continue to grow this program and maintain a high level of competitiveness.”

Following his playing career, Joyner, Jr., spent the 2001-02 season as an assistant men's basketball coach at Livingstone College under the guidance of his uncle and head coach, Ed Joyner, Sr. While at Livingstone College, Joyner, Jr., also served as an assistant men's basketball coach for the Charlotte Stars AAU team.

After his stint at Livingstone, Joyner, Jr., spent four seasons on the women's basketball coaching staff at North Carolina Central University (2002-06). Following his four seasons at NCCU and a brief coaching tenure at UNC-Asheville, Joyner, Jr., returned home to spend two seasons at JCSU, where he served as assistant coach for the women's basketball and women's cross country teams.

Joyner, Jr., then moved to the Division I ranks and spent two seasons (2008-10) as an assistant women's basketball coach at Florida A&M University. Alongside head coach LeDawn Gibson, Joyner, Jr., helped the Lady Rattlers reach a 32-28 record during his two-season span on the bench.

“Steve's knowledge of JCSU culture and his tie to his alma mater will be key assets as our women's basketball team rebuilds during the next few years,” said JCSU Athletics Director Steve Joyner, Sr., “He brings a solid set of credentials and experience at both the Division I and Division II levels. We're happy to have him join our coaching staff as we push our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in academics and in sports.”

Joyner, Jr., follows Moses Sharpe, Stephen Joyner, Sr., Hythia Evans, Barry Street, and Vanessa Taylor to become the sixth head coach of the JCSU women's basketball program.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Get to know a '12 opponent: Norfolk State

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Back for the second of five blog posts giving readers insight into Liberty University’s non-conference opponents. On Wednesday, we took a look at Wake Forest, whom the Flames will face in their season opener on Sept. 1. Today, it’s reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Norfolk State, which is the opponent for the Flames’ home opener on Sept. 8.

COACH: Pete Adrian, 43-36, eighth season at Norfolk State.

2011 RECORD: 9-3, 7-1 MEAC, lost to Old Dominion 35-18 in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

A LOOK BACK

Norfolk State was a program on the brink of breaking through for three years. The Spartans went 5-7 in 2008 but improved to 7-4 in 2009 before slipping to 6-5 in 2010. Before Adrian’s arrival on campus, the program was abysmal. Prior to 2007, Adrian’s third season, the Spartans had not had a winning season since going 7-4 in 1996. After being outscored by their opponents for nine straight years, Norfolk State has outscored its foes in each of the last five seasons, including in 2011 when the Spartans outscored their opponents by 119 points, the highest total since 1985 when they outscored teams by 130 points. The Spartans rode the arm and legs of MEAC offensive player of the year Chris Walley to the FCS playoffs for the first time, and they lost in the first round to Norfolk rival Old Dominion. There may be some rebuilding this season, especially on the defensive side where NSU lost its top three linebackers, but the last five years point to Norfolk State’s competitive not being a fluke. Last year’s 9-3 season was the second winningest mark in program history, behind only the 1984 team that went 10-2.

WHO’S BACK?


Dance Dimensions Dance & Music Academy located on 415 N. Military Hwy - Norfolk VA. 23502 - presents Hot Ice Auditions for the Norfolk State University Marching Spartan Legions upcoming 2012-13 Marching Band Season. Come join the sophisticated ladies of "Hot Ice" of Norfolk State University. (under the direction of Eboni Young). Auditions are scheduled for Saturday - July 7 at 11:00 a.m. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Call 757-435-5426 for more info. 

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In-state rivals highlight Southern University 2012 Soccer schedule

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Southern University women's soccer finalized its 2012 schedule, which features a season-opening alumni game on Aug. 18 at A.W Mumford Stadium.

In 2011, Southern posted several milestones in the programs history, including most wins (5) and first postseason win. Southern defeated Alcorn State

"(The 2011 season) was our team's first winning record in SWAC play," said assistant coach Courtnie Prather. "Our older players bring a lot of experience to the team."

Following the alumni game, Southern welcomes Lamar on August 24 and Nicholls State on Aug. 31 to A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Lady Jaguars will have a week off before traveling down I-10 to Lafayette as to face UL-Lafayette on Sept. 7 followed by a home match against UL-Monroe on Sept. 14.

Southern concludes the month of September with a road trip to north Louisiana to face LSU-Shreveport in Shreveport on Sept. 17.

Two divisional home games open SWAC play as head coach John Knighten and the Jaguars host rival Grambling on Sept. 28 and defending SWAC champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 30.

Southern dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to UAPB in the semifinals of the 2011 SWAC Championships in Alexandria.

Southern then makes the journey through the state of Mississippi in early October for a 3-game road swing, traveling to Alcorn on Oct. 5, Mississippi Valley on Oct. and Jackson State on Oct. 12.

The Lady Jaguars return to Baton Rouge to host Alabama A&M on Oct. 19 before conducting senior day festivities on Oct. 21 against Alabama State. Southern will look to close the 2012 season on a high note in Texas for two divisional games at Prairie View on Oct. 26 and at Texas Southern on Oct. 28.

For the second consecutive year, The 2012 SWAC Championship will be held in Alexandria, La. at Johnny Downs Park Nov. 1-4.

2012 Women's Soccer schedule

Sat, Aug 18	Alumni Game	A.W. Mumford Stadium	3:00 p.m.
Fri, Aug 24	Lamar	A.W. Mumford Stadium	7:00 p.m.
Fri, Aug 31	Nicholls State	A.W. Mumford Stadium	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 07	UL-Lafayette	Lafayette, La.	7:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 14	UL-Monroe	A.W. Mumford Stadium	7:00 p.m.
Mon, Sep 17	LSU-Shreveport	Shreveport, La.	4:00 p.m.
Fri, Sep 28	Grambling *	A.W. Mumford Stadium	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Sep 30	Arkansas-Pine Bluff *	A.W. Mumford Stadium	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 05	Alcorn State	Alcorn State, Miss.	4:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 07	Mississippi Valley St.	Itta Bena, Miss.	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 12	Jackson State	Jackson, Miss.	4:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 19	Alabama A&M	A.W. Mumford Stadium	7:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 21	Alabama State	A.W. Mumford Stadium	1:00 p.m.
Fri, Oct 26	Prairie View A&M *	Prairie View, Texas	4:00 p.m.
Sun, Oct 28	Texas Southern *	Houston, Texas	1:00 p.m.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach at odds over Municipal Stadium fees

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Although practices start in a month and tickets are already on sale, Bethune-Cookman University's football team still doesn't have an agreement with the city to use Municipal Stadium this fall for games.

The two high schools that use the city-owned stadium for their home games, Mainland and Seabreeze, finalized agreements this week that will end a three-year limbo period for their use of the stadium. But Bethune-Cookman, which has its first home game scheduled for Sept. 22, is still negotiating with the city over fees to use the 10,000-seat facility.



"We're having frank discussions," said Lynn Thompson, Bethune-Cookman's athletic director. "At this point we've had a couple of meetings. We want to put this behind us."

The city proposed a $3 per ticket surcharge, the same proposal that was rejected last year, and Bethune-Cookman said no again.

"We're waiting for a response," Thompson said. "We want a figure and a process that works for everybody."

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TSU Volleyball adds seven for 2012 season

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State University head volleyball coach Kathy Roulhac has added seven student-athletes to the roster for 2012.

Brittany Bunch, Lindsay Hornsby, Shawneis Jones, Jordan Piper, Sarah Sawyer, Lais Soares and Jordan Strickland have all made commitments to play volleyball for TSU.

"I'm extremely excited about this 2012 recruiting class," said head coach Kathy Roulhac. "It's the best complete recruiting class in the history of TSU volleyball. I'm looking for the incoming players to make an immediate impact in the overall success of the 2012 season."

Lindsay Hornsby (6-1*Fr.*MB*Corona, Calif.) - #14

At Temescal HS: Recorded 169 kills and 89 digs during senior campaign... Named to the All-Valley second team in 2011... Selected to the All-League first team for consecutive years... 2010 All-Academic Selection... Student of the Month in September 2008...

Lais Soares (5-11*Jr.*MB/OPP *Brazil) - #10

At Western Nebraska Community College: Selected to the Region IX All-Regional Team... Helped her team to a 2010 Regional Championship.... Led team to 2010 National Title... Team won second consecutive Regional Championship in 2011... Placed third in 2011 National Tournament...

Jordan Strickland (5-9 *Fr.*S* Lexington, Ky.) - #2

At Henry Clay HS: Tallied 850 assists, 230 digs and 67 kills during senior campaign... Earned ESPN Powerade Fab 50 Ranking... KVCA first team All-State selection... KHSAA All-State Tournament Team... 2011 KVCA Region 11 Player of the Year... 11th Region Tournament MVP.... Region All-Tournament Team... Lexington Herald Leader Player of the Year... Lexington Herald Leader All-City Team...

Jordon Piper (5-5 *Fr.*DS * Grand Prairie, Texas) - #5

At South Grand Prairie HS: Registered 242 kills and 164 digs as a senior... Served as team captain during senior campaign... 2011 Most Valuable Player... First-Team All-District senior year... Named to 2010 Lewisville All-Tournament Team... 2009 District Newcomer of the Year... 2009 Offensive Player of the Year....

Brittany Bunch (5-3*So.*DS/L*Denver, Colo.) - #1

At Overland HS: Named Most Valuable Player of the 2010 Overland Classic... 2010 All-Conference second team selection... All-Conference honorable mention in 2009...

Shawneis Jones (5-9.*Fr.*OH/MB*Danville, Ill.) - #15

At Danville HS: Recognized as United States Scholar Athlete... Led Danville HS to the best record in program history as a senior... Named the Most Valuable Player in 2011... Garnered All-Area honors in back-to-back seasons... Served as team captain during junior and senior campaigns... Freshman of the Year...

Emilie Sandve Aase (5-11*Fr.*MB*Norway) - #9

Bio information coming soon...

Tennessee State is coming off a successful season behind an 18-11 record and a second place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference race. The Tigers recorded their first winning season since 2007...

2012 Volleyball Signees

Brittany Bunch - DS/L - Denver, Colo. (Colorado State)

Lindsay Hornsby - MB - Corona, Calif. (Temescal Canyon HS)

Shawneis Jones - OH/MB - Danville, Ill. (Danville High School)

Jordon Piper - DS - Grand Prairie, Texas (Grand Praire HS)

Sarah Sawyer - MB - Midland, Texas (Midland CC)

Lais Soares - MB/ OPP - Brazil (Western Nebraska CC )

Jordan Strickland - S - Lexington, Ky. (Henry Clay HS)

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn State hires new defensive coordinator

ALCORN STATE, Mississippi - Alcorn State has announced the hiring of Tony Pecoraro as its new defensive coordinator under first-year head coach Jay Hopson.

Last season, Pecoraro was the defensive coordinator for Division II North Alabama, where the Lions made a second consecutive NCAA playoff appearance under head coach Terry Bowden.

"This place has a lot of good history," Pecoraro said. "I know it's going to be a challenge, but I think it's going to be a good challenge."

Hopson, who was hired by Alcorn in late May, is the first-ever white head coach in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

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UAPB's Shawn Forrest Named To Men's Basketball Staff at UL-L

SHAWN FORREST
ASSISTANT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA at LAFAYETTE
(Photo Courtesy ULL Athletics)

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – Shawn Forrest, a 14-year collegiate coaching veteran who spent the last four seasons at North Texas, has been named assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Louisiana. The announcement was made by men's basketball head coach Bob Marlin, and the hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

“We are happy to welcome Shawn into the Ragin' Cajuns basketball family,” Marlin said. “As we went through the search and tried to determine which candidate fit best in our program, Shawn's name kept coming to the top.

“Shawn’s experience as a coach and recruiter in the Sun Belt Conference should provide an immediate benefit to the program,” Marlin added. “The knowledge that he has gained as a coach at the Division I level over the last two decades will help us to achieve the level of success that we are working towards.”

While serving as an assistant coach at North Texas (2008-09 through 2011-12), Forrest worked with teams that averaged 21.3 wins per season. In 2009-10, the Mean Green went 24-9, won the Sun Belt crown and faced Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Championship.

Forrest was instrumental in helping land the 2010-11 recruiting class of Tony Mitchell, Jordan Williams, Chris Jones, and Roger Franklin, which was ranked as high as No. 31 in the country.

Prior to moving to Denton, Texas, Forrest worked as an assistant coach at Arkansas State for six seasons (2002-03 through 2007-08). He helped the Red Wolves to multiple Top 100 recruiting classes, which included a pair of two-time All-Sun Belt Conference players, a Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year, a league-leading scorer, second-leading scorer and third-leading scorer in the conference.

A standout athlete at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Forrest joined the ASU staff in August 2002 after serving as the recruiting coordinator at Florida A&M.

While at FAMU (2001-02 season), Forrest helped the Rattlers to a fourth-place finish in the MEAC – the highest they had finished in 10 years. Forrest also recruited Terrance Woods, who was a two-time First Team All-MEAC performer. Woods holds the third and fourth best single-season three-point field goals made in NCAA?history and in 2004 won the NABC All-Star Three-Point Contest at the Final Four in San Antonio.

Prior to his stint in Tallahassee, Forrest was an assistant at Troy from the 1997-98 season through 2000-01. During that time he worked with recruiting, academics, scheduled travel and worked with the guards.

While at Troy, Forrest helped land four straight Top 100 recruiting classes, producing five all-conference players and two players of the year in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Forrest helped the Trojans to two regular season and one Atlantic Sun Conference tournament championship, one NCAA?Tournament appearance and one postseason NIT appearance.

Forrest received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 1998.


BY BRIAN MCCANN, SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR, ULL ATHLETICS

Hayes is architect of Winston-Salem State Rams' recent success

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Bill Hayes, Winston-Salem State's energetic athletics director, knows how to deliver a good punch line when asked the right question.

When the topic was his interest in being the CIAA commissioner — a position that is open — he shuffled in his seat, looked up and said: "I would love to be the commissioner of the CIAA…."

Then, after an appropriate pause: "…I would love that challenge — in my next life."



Hayes, who just turned 69, gave a hearty laugh and then got back to discussing how much fun he's having running WSSU's athletics department.

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FAMU Battles the Heat in Summer Workouts

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- 59 days until FAMU kicks off the season in Nashville against Tennessee State. The Rattlers are in the midst of their summer offseason workouts, but are fighting more than just time until fall camp opens up.

"This is only going to make us better. The hotter it is, the better. Teams that come down here ain't going to be ready to play in this."

The heat. Throughout the week the Rattlers brave the high temperatures and the humidity to get stronger for the season.



"When they're tired, they're bending over, when their hands are on their knees, we're going to be standing up, just like this, ready to go. Ready for the next play."

Russell Barbarino has twenty years of athletic training experience. He is using the heat as an advantage to prepare for training camp in August.

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Tuskegee University hires new athletic director

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Patric Simon, the former athletic director for Langston University in Oklahoma, has been chosen as Tuskegee's new athletic director. He will replace Alvin Jackson who had been the university's athletic director since February 2010. Simon will assume his responsibilities today.

During his four-year tenure with Langston, Simon had a combined total of 10 conference championships in the Red River Athletic Conference and Central State Football League of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. His conference championships include: the RRAC championships for track and field in 2009 and 2010, consecutive championships for the Langston's women's basketball team in 2009, 2010 and 2011; championships for the Langston football team in 2008 and 2009 and a RRAC championship for the women's cross country team in 2010.

Under Simon, Langston was ranked the No. 1 Historically Black University and College in the NAIA in Director's Cup standings. In the 2011 standings for Learfield Sports, Langston University was the top school in both the Red River Athletic Conference and Central States Football League for a third consecutive year.

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Alcorn State declares independence from Capital City Classic

LORMAN, Mississippi – Alcorn President M. Christopher Brown II and interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dwayne White held a call-in with university stakeholders informing them of the decision to exercise Alcorn’s home game status for this year’s football contest. The regularly scheduled SWAC game between Alcorn State University and Jackson State University will be held November 17, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium on the Lorman campus.

Heralded by some alumni as “the return of the Soul Bowl”, campus officials detailed the decision of AD White, Alcorn’s 18th President Brown, and 18th Head Football Coach Jay Hopson to end the 18-year history of the annual matchup between the Braves and Tigers in the city of Jackson. AD White stated, “As an Alcorn alum and now administrator, I know firsthand the importance of hosting prospective students and high school athletes on campus to allow them to see the quality of the facilities. Alcorn has a beautiful campus with lots of new construction that never get showcased by playing annually in Jackson.”

Coach Hopson agreed, “It is time for this game to come home. Ole Miss and State used to play the Egg Bowl in Jackson, but realized that it was more beneficial to player morale, fan support, and finances to rotate the game between the two campuses.” Hopson offered details about the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University game at Veterans Stadium and the traditions that continue with the Golden Egg Trophy that now rotates between campuses based on who wins each year.

President Brown detailed the almost two-year process that led to the decision to discontinue the popular Capital City Classic. He reminded callers of the 2011 Study Group Report that recommended a forensic audit of all “Classic and ancillary events”, making certain that any decision caused no harm to Jackson State, requiring the reestablishment of a bicameral oversight committee, and determining the cost-benefit of the Jackson location for Alcorn State University. President Brown acknowledged the rich cultural history of the Jackson location, but stressed that the Ayers mandated transfer of Memorial Stadium from general state-ownership to Jackson State complicated the perceived neutral game field gridiron. He added that the inability to identify a title sponsor delimits the cost-benefit of the location.

President Brown said, “Shreveport offers significant dollars from the tax-base to support the Port City Classic, but much of the support in Jackson is in-kind. Absent a corporate sponsor, the diminution of revenues to cover stadium rent, game security, parking attendants, and travel logistics not to mention a growing list of extraneous events is not a conservative fiscal approach at a time when state universities must prudently spend every penny.”

CFO and Senior Vice President for Administration Betty Roberts agreed and stated, “When you look at best financial case scenarios, the money difference in Lorman edges out Jackson. DFA records show a clear decline in both ticket sales and turnstile attendance. The 2011 audit forecasted 25,000 tickets and only 22,733 people came through the turnstile. Spinks-Casem Stadium seats 22,500 not to mention our end-zones. Last year, Alcorn improved our parking operations and campus ingress and egress was timely, without incident. Facilities is prepared and we can host this game with minimal challenges.”

Marcus Ward, Vice President for Institutional Affairs advised callers that he has begun conversations with the ASU Foundation and campus facilities vendors to enhance the stadium appearance for the 2012 football season. “We had a number of film crews on campus since the President named the new AD and football coach. ESPN is scheduled to do filming throughout the season. It is imperative that we prepare our facilities for national exposure. If we are also hosting the Jackson State game, we will have to be on-point with the details, parking, signage, and concessions. Beautifying the stadium is central to advancing our image and brand.”

The overall response to the decision was extremely positive with several callers sighing in relief that a firm decision had been made. Alumni callers were also happy to hear the thorough description of how the decision was made and the actions that are already being taken to host a successful on-campus football visit from Jackson State for the first time in almost 20 years.



Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Samuel White added his approval saying “This decision is a boon for our students. Annually, we have to transport band and football students to Jackson after classes have ended and return them campus to retrieve their belongings for Thanksgiving Break only to have them drive back out. Hosting Jackson State on campus is a great capstone to our football season.” Cheryl Ponder, the Vice President for Student Affairs stated, “It was unbelievable to me that Alcorn would not be holding such a major game on campus every other year. High profile athletics events have an ability to boost admissions applications and enrollments. Games like this also provide an important forum for student activities and campus events.”

“I have reviewed all the contracts going back through President Bristow. The dissolution of the independent Capital City Classic Committee poisoned the event, and we have been on life-support ever since. The time has come to pull the plug. This is Alcorn’s home game and we will play it at home”, President Brown said. “I have wrestled with the Capital City Classic – Soul Bowl issue since being named in 2010. As president, I have a fiscal and leadership responsibility to Alcorn State University and this decision is in our best long-term interest. It makes this most sense at this point in our history. All contracts for this Classic have expired and there is no viable offer on the table that makes sense for me to sign.”

Given the impending holiday, President Brown began his remarks paraphrasing the Declaration of Independence stating, “On tomorrow each of us will celebrate a great document that reads, ‘When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.’ This conference call is to discuss the history of the Capital City Classic and the reasons why it is no longer in Alcorn’s best interest to play the game in Jackson, under that name, and without a corporate sponsor. The facts are self-evident that the Lorman campus is an equal and adequate venue for ANY football game, including Jackson State. The time has come to declare our independence from hosting the Capital City Classic on our rival school’s home field.”

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Harvey steps down as TSU Head Men's Basketball Coach

Harvey ends TSU career with record of 56-72

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern University has announced that head men’s basketball coach Tony Harvey has resigned from his position effective July 2, 2012.  Coach Harvey determined that it was in his personal and professional interest to resign to pursue other goals.

Harvey became the head men’s basketball coach at TSU in 2008. While at the helm he helped orchestrate several significant achievements within the program on the court and in the classroom.

Under Harvey’s guidance, the team won the regular season SWAC Championship in 2011, played in the SWAC Tournament Championship game twice, while also qualifying to participate in the 2011 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Harvey was named SWAC Coach of the Year during the 2010-11 season and was also named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award.

In the classroom the program significantly raised its APR scores under Harvey’s guidance and as a result of these efforts the team will be penalty free for the upcoming academic year.

“We appreciate the hard work put in by Coach Harvey over the past several seasons and we wish him well in his future endeavors, said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland. “It is our goal to maintain as much continuity as possible within the men’s basketball program as it relates to the student-athletes currently on the team and the coaching staff in place. Moving forward we will name an interim head coach who will serve in that capacity for the 2012-13 season. At the conclusion of the season we will conduct a national search to find a permanent replacement.”

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SEC and SWAC must produce limited TV/licensing documents for Ed O'Bannon lawsuit

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- An Alabama federal judge recently ordered the SEC and SWAC to produce excerpts of their television and licensing contracts to ex-college athletes in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA. But the ruling fell short of what the players sought.

For months, lawyers representing players such as Ed O'Bannon, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Tyrone Prothro and others have wrestled with conferences, schools and TV networks to acquire discovery against the NCAA, Collegiate Licensing Company and Electronic Arts, Inc. The players claim the NCAA and those companies violate federal antitrust laws by preventing players from getting paid based off their name and likeness even after leaving college.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins ruled June 15 in Alabama that within 30 days the SEC and SWAC must provide excerpts from football and men's basketball TV and licensing contracts since 2002. Those excerpts are limited to mentions of publicity or image rights for athletes and must identify the parties and sports involved in the particular agreement.

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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.

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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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