TSU Flying Tigers & Tigerbelles Wrap Up Competition In The Hoosier State

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana  --  For the first time this season, the Tennessee State Track & Field teams left the state to compete as TSU traveled to the University of Indiana to take part in the two-day Gladstein Invitational, which ended Saturday.

 

Sophomore Ashontae Jackson impressed with her jumping and running as she won the long jump at 19 feet, 7.5 inches. She was also a part of the 4X400 meter relay team, along with Gabrielle Todd, Breanna Adams and Jasmine Owens, that clocked in at 3:50.67 which was good enough for second place behind Ohio State.

In the triple jump, a distance of 39 feet, 1/4 inches gave Ja'Lyn Burr third place, while Quanisha Sales' also claimed third with a time of 25.22 seconds in the 200 meters

The highlights for the men came in the high jump and long jump. Daryl Rice cleared 6 feet, 8.75 inches to finish first in the high jump, two inches higher than second place. In the high jump, junior Royce Dates came in third with a distance of 23 feet, 4 1/2 inches.

TSU is off next week before returning back to the Gentry Center to host the TSU Invite on Saturday Feb. 2.

 

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers, Twitter @TSU_Tigers and YouTube

 

2013 Gladstein Invitational Results

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Rush rally late to take sole possession of GCAC lead

Anthony Simmons

Nick Haywood

NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Simmons scored a season-high 23 points, and Nick Haywood scored all five of his points during a closing run Saturday which gave Xavier University of Louisiana an 84-79 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Philander Smith.

The Gold Rush (17-3 overall, 5-0 GCAC), ranked 13th in NAIA Division I, took sole possession of first place in the conference. They ended the nine-game win streak of the Panthers (13-5, 4-1), who are ranked 22nd.

Simmons was 7-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the line before fouling out with 35 seconds remaining. But that came 13 seconds after Haywood made his only 3-pointer of the game to put Xavier ahead to stay, 80-78.

Xavier outscored Philander Smith 9-1 after Juvon Demerson's two free throws a 78-75 lead with 1:46 remaining. Haywood's basket at 1:35 cut the Panthers' lead to 78-77, and he followed with the go-ahead trey after Denzell Erves rebounded Alvin Nance's missed shot at 1:04.

Philander Smith, a second-year GCAC member, had a chance to tie the score when Simmons fouled out, but Demerson made one free throw and missed a second to keep Xavier ahead 80-79. The Gold Rush made 4-of-4 free throws thereafter -- two by Wanto Joseph with 27 seconds remaining, two by Olivier Siewe with 10.4 to play -- to preserve a season-high-tying sixth consecutive victory. Philander Smith missed a pair of 3-pointers in the final 11 seconds.

Simmons produced back-to-back 20-point games for the first time in his career. Joseph had 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds -- he has scored in double figures in every game this season -- and Renard Smith made four 3-pointers and scored 17 points for Xavier. Erves missed his third consecutive double-double but grabbed 11 rebounds to reach double figures for the sixth time in seven games.

Haywood's late points came after he scored a combined four points in the previous two games. He was scoreless Monday in an overtime home victory against SUNO.

Nance made 4-of-4 3-pointers, scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Philander Smith. Demerson had 22 points and four blocked shots, D'Alvin Brown scored 13 points, and Clayton Busby scored 11. Damarkus Lipscomb had 16 assists, 10 in the first half, to set a record in XU's first-year Concovation Center. His assists matched the most by an NAIA D-I player this season.

The Panthers made five 3-pointers, two each by Nance and Busby, to take their largest lead, 22-10, at 12:24 of the first half. But Xavier rallied to take a 45-41 lead and built its advantage to 70-58 after Smith's 3-pointer with 8:12 remaining. Then the Panthers regained the lead by making 10-of-11 free throws in a 20-5 run during the next 6½ minutes.

Xavier shot 45.9 percent from the floor, including 9-of-18 3-pointers, and made 19-of-23 free throws. Philander Smith shot 43.4 percent from the floor, including 10-of-25 3-pointers, and made 23-of-31 free throws. Xavier had a 35-32 rebound advantage.

The teams will meet again Feb. 9 in Little Rock, Ark. Next for Xavier will be a 1 p.m. Monday GCAC home game against Fisk, which lost 80-72 Saturday at Dillard.

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

SAU Falcons Edge 11th-Ranked Winston-Salem State 63-61

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  An excellent week of practice translated into a stunning victory for Saint Augustine's University over nationally-ranked Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013.

The Falcons were intense from tip-off and didn't let up despite falling behind at halftime. By time the final horn sounded, the Falcons came away with a 63-61 win at packed Emery Gymnasium in the CIAA Southern Division opener for both teams. The Falcons snapped the Rams' 12-game win streak which was their longest in 13 years.

“I had a good feeling all week in practice,” St. Aug Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. said. “I told [our players] that. I felt good before the game, and I think they felt the same way.”

Coming off an eight-point win over Virginia Union University Monday, the Falcons (11-6 overall, 4-3 CIAA, 1-0 Southern Division) had five days to prepare for the Rams, ranked 11^th in the NABC/Division II Coaches Poll. It was the longest break between games since the Christmas and New Year's holidays for the Falcons. Blow and his assistant coaches Erasto Hatchett and MarQus Johnson stressed the importance of intensity to the team during the week.

The players carried the message into the contest against the Rams (13-3, 6-1 CIAA, 0-1 Southern Division), the defending CIAA champions. The Falcons shot out to a 17-10 lead early, but the Rams rallied to take a 28-23 halftime lead. Still, Blow was not discouraged in the first-half play of the Falcons.

“I thought we did a good job in the first half,” Blow said. “[The Rams] started trapping and pressing which made us rush a bit. In the second half, we went back to doing what we did earlier in the game.”

The Falcons relied on their strength - rebounding - to re-gain momentum. Misses were rare in the second half as the Rams shot 56 percent and the Falcons 53 percent, but the Falcons snatched the few rebounds which came off the rim. For the game, the Falcons, who lead the CIAA in rebounding margin, outrebounded the taller Rams 33-25 including 18-8 on the offensive end. Senior guard Tyquan Stroman (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and sophomore center Jonathan Crawley (Richmond, Va.) led the Falcons with six rebounds apiece.

The Falcons showed intensity in other ways. Senior guard Nick Chamblee (Hampton, Va.) dished out six assists compared to two turnovers despite playing with an injury. The trio of junior guard Joel Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.), his brother senior guard/forward Jon Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.) and Crawley all came off the bench to give the Falcons a 33-11 advantage in bench points while making key stops on defense and helping the Falcons crash the boards.

Joel Kindred scored 11 points and Crawley, listed at 6-8 and 340 pounds, added 10 points in addition to his six rebounds while Jon Kindred had eight points and four rebounds. The win was especially sweet for Crawley, a former football offensive lineman for the Rams.

“I try to play hard every game but I can say I was a little bit more enthused [against Winston-Salem State].” Crawley said. “I have some friends on their team and it was a little friendly competition.”

Crawley felt the practices during the week helped the team get past the Rams.

““Everybody was competing against each other and pushing each other,” Crawley said. “We came out and did the right things against the Rams, who were ranked 11^th. This game will help us move forward.”

The Falcons led much of the second half though never by more than five points. Senior guard Percy Woods (Washington, D.C.), who led all scorers with 19 points, put the finishing touches on the contest. His three-pointer with 4:14 left made the score 54-49, but the Rams wouldn't quit. A three-pointer by Tyre Desmore (10 points) put the Rams within three with a minute left, but Woods hit three of four free throws to give the Falcons the win.
.
““We treated every play in practice like it was a real game,” Woods said. “Everybody is buying in to what Coach Blow is teaching. A win like this show we can make our mark in this league.”

Justin Glover led WSSU with 15 points. WyKevin Bazemore added 12 points for the Rams.

The Falcons need to bring the intensity again on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, when they face another Southern Division foe. Johnson C. Smith University comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. encounter at Emery Gymnasium. It will be the fifth straight home game for the Falcons.

“This win has to help our confidence,” said Blow about his squad, off to a good start despite being picked to finish last in the Southern Division in the preseason. “[The Rams] are really talented. To beat a team like that lets you know you can play with the big boys. We have to build on it. We can't be satisfied. We have to move forward.

“We have another big game Wednesday. Smith is coming in here and it is going to be another dogfight.”

WAUG-TV will televise the contest versus Johnson C. Smith on Time Warner Digital Cable 168. Fans can also follow the action via live stats on saintaugfalcons.com.

Boxscore




COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M signs JUCO quarterback, running back

NORMAL, Alabama  --  After losing 23 seniors from a team that started the season 6-0 and earned the school's first ever ranking in the FCS Top 25 Poll, Alabama A&M has a lot of work to do on the recruiting trail this season.

And with National Signing Day less than three weeks away the Bulldogs have already addressed two of their biggest needs---quarterback and running back.

They've secured signatures from a pair of JUCO standouts in Kyle Harmyk, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller out of Mendocino Community College in California, and tailback Jabari Baker of Hinds Community College in Mississippi.

The duo will be working for the opportunity to fill some sizeable cleats when spring practices begin.

Former A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason earned the Bulldogs' starting gig in 2009 after transferring from Kentucky. The former Tennessee Mr. Football finished his career with a 19-14 record. He was second-team choice to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference squad as a junior when he led A&M to the conference title game. As a senior, he was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week four weeks ago.



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Howard pulls out 44-42 victory over North Carolina A&T

Saadia Doyle
Howard University 
(Courtesy Howard University Athletics) 

GREENSBORO, N.C. (www.howard-bison.com) –  Howard University worked to the bitter end for its fourth Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season, despite an effortless first-half eight point lead, as the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University fell 42-44 to the Lady Bison on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Corbett Sports Complex in Greensboro, N.C.

Senior Saadia Doyle finished the contest with her sixth double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Nicole Deterville tallied a season-best nine points. Senior Kara Smith finished eight points, as Cheyenne Curley-Payne and sophomore Cheyenne Brown gathered four points apiece. Curley-Payne also notched a team-best five assists.

After ending the first half of play with an eight point lead, Howard returned to the hardwood missing its first half momentum.

North Carolina A&T went on a 6-0 run to lead 24-22 by the 17:04 mark.

HU appeared unsynchronized, as they couldn't assemble an offensive front and tallied continues turnovers.

Doyle broke the Lady Aggie run with a jumper at the 16:04 mark, 26-22.

By the 12:01 mark, on a 7-3 run, the North Carolina Lady Aggies tied the ball game 29-29 for the second gridlock of the afternoon.

The back-and-forth action continued well into the final media timeout of the game, as a long-range basket from North Carolina A&T's Ariel Bursey turned a three point Howard lead into the fifth and final tie for a score of 39-39 at the 3:46 mark.

NCAT sent Doyle to the charity strip on two occasions four a four-point Howard lead.

Red-shirt junior Jerrelle Gorham sent A&T's Amber Calvin to the free-throw line, to bring the Lady Aggies within four by the 23-second mark. Fellow Aggie Eboni Ross hit the line and made a single free throw to bring her host squad within one, 43-42.

In under five seconds, NCAT sent Smith to the line for a chance at four points on two 1-of-1 options. Regrettably, the senior misses both opportunities.

With 1-second remaining, Curley-Payne sank a basket from the charity stripe securing the 44-42 win.
The mighty blue and white hit the first half with a slow start, as Doyle led the squad with seven of its eight points by the 11:40 mark.

Sharp-shooter Smith woke up her shot at the 9:53 with a two-pointer in the paint.

Fellow classmate Deterville led HU to its first dominate lead of the half with three consecutive drop-step layups for a score of 16-15 by the 4:46 mark.

On a 6-1 run, Howard headed to the locker room with an eight-point 24-16 lead.

Howard advances to 9-7 on the season and 4-1 in the MEAC.

The mighty blue and white continues its stint in North Carolina with a Monday, Jan. 21 5:30 p.m. meeting with the Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central University in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on the NCCU campus.

For more information on Howard Women's Basketball, visit the official athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.

Box Score

By Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON.COM
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

FAMU women pull away from Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State’s women survived one Florida A&M run but the second proved fatal.

Jasmine Grice had 15 of her game-high 25 points during the final 10 minutes as the Rattlers defeated the Tigers 59-49 at Tiger Arena on Saturday afternoon.

It was SSU’s third straight loss. The Tigers (6-12, 1-4 MEAC) have dropped six of seven games since losing leading scorer Ezinne Kalu to a knee injury on Dec. 20.

Erin Hogue, a transfer from Alabama, scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to keep SSU close against the Rattlers.

But the Tigers couldn’t find a second offensive threat. They shot only 29.6 percent from the floor.

“We’re a much different team than we were at the start of the school year,” SSU coach Cedric Baker said. “Right now, it’s about finding offensive chemistry. Defensively, I thought we were sound.”

A&M (6-11, 3-1 MEAC) went on an 11-1 run midway through the first half and built a 21-12 lead.
Behind Hogue, however, the Tigers fought back and had a 35-33 advantage with 10:45 to go.
Hogue had five points in SSU’s 7-0 spurt into the lead.

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Shakeem Copeland commits to Norfolk State

WOODBRIDGE, Virginia  -- Norfolk State got a verbal commitment this week from Gar-Field (Woodbridge) running back Shakeem Copeland.  Copeland, a 5-foot-9, 190-pounder who battled hamstring issues throughout the season, said he picked NSU over an offer from North Carolina Central and heavy interest from Richmond.

NSU coach: Potential QBs 'all starting even' in spring

NORFOLK, Virginia --  Chris Walley arrived from junior college laden with experience. Jake Basmagian had very little.

Norfolk State's newest junior college quarterback, Jason Stewart, has a resume somewhere in between and will be a potential option at the position heading into the Spartans' spring practice, according to head coach Pete Adrian.

Stewart, 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, is at NSU for the second semester and is already working out with the team, while Basmagian and punter Dylan Shaddix did not return to school, Adrian said.

Adrian said he plans to have an open competition when spring practice begins.

"They're all starting even," Adrian said of the quarterbacks. "And it starts now when we're able to meet with them for an hour, an hour-and-a-half here and there."

Walley guided the Spartans to their first MEAC title as a senior in 2011, but the team slipped to 4-7 last season.

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FAMU Rattler Track Team Strikes At Florida Gator Invite

GAINESVILLE, Florida  -- (Jan.17) The Florida A&M Men's track team embarked on Gainesville for the Gator Invite indoor track meet and came away with several promising results. He coach Wayne Angel is building the squad to a total team after his first full year at the helm and several first-year athletes proved themselves on today.

One of the runners Angel knew he would have to depend on this season is freshman Troy Pollard. Pollard is a California junior college state champion from Minnesota, who showed he was as good as advertised as he won the 400m dash in a time of 48.42. He would place third in the 200m dash, coming in at 22.48. Newcomer Dennis Pugh came in fourth place in the 200m run in 22.67. Lee Williams took the No.10 spot, running 23.45 to complete the trifecta of Rattlers in the top 10.

Angel was pleased to see that Pollard has been able to adapt his successful high school career to a solid college start. "You never know. When you have a transfer to come in as decorated as Troy, the best way to find out if it translates to the collegiate Division I level is to put them in a race against solid competition, as was present today," Angel.

Sophomore Elias Chesire cruised to a victory in the mile run. He finished in 4:23.40, just ahead of senior teammate Lamere Buchanon, who ran 4:24.59 time. Dieumy Duclos finished seventh in the race (4:35.34), while Robyel Kidane took ninth place (4:41.05). Cheshire has qualified for the MEAC championships in both the 3000m and mile run in just two events this season. The reigning MEAC Most Outstanding Athlete for cross country, looks to maintain his dominance in the conference in distance running.

Dual sport athlete Williams, who is also a member of the Rattler football team, took fourth place in both the long jump and triple jump. He leaped 13.92m (45-08.00) in the triple jump and 6.44m (21-01.50) in the long jump.

Corey Jones, also a newcomer to Angel's squad, took seventh place in the 55m dash. He blazed the distance in just 6.56 to get a Top 10 finish.

Another on the Rattlers' new sprinters, Jabrelle Crawford, ran 51.44 in the 400m dash to finish 14th, while heptathlete Jean Leon grabbed the No.16 spot in 52.73. Leon would also place ninth in the long jump at 6.0m (19-08.25).


Veteran McDaniel Olivier got a fifth-place finish in the 800m run, finishing that race in 1:56.98. Isaiah Smith would round out the team with a 1:58.88 finish, which was good for the No.10 position.

Dennis McGee finished fourth in the shot put. His toss of 14.39m (47-02.50) was a crucial throw in a packed field of throwers. He would also take eighth place in the weight throw at 13.10m (42-11.75), just ahead of teammate Xavier Mackey's 12.29m (40-04.00).

Angel was pleased with the overall performance of the team. "I think there were some solid performances today. (Troy) Pollard, (Elias) Cheshire and Dennis McGee had admirable shwings today. We have a young team and we're trying to get better. Each week we're making an improvement, so at this point I'm pleased with our progress," Angel said.

The Rattlers will get back to the track on next Friday, Jan.25 at the Rod McRavey Invitational (E.J. Nutter Field House) in Lexington, KY.

The following represents the updated list of track athletes who have qualified for the MEAC Indoor Championships:

60m dash/Triple Jump: Lee Williams

400m dash: Troy Pollard
800m run: Lamere Buchanon

800m run: Troy Pollard/McDaniel Olivier

Mile run: Kevin Marindich/Elias Chesire/Lamere Buchanon
3000m: Dieumy Duclos/Robyel Kidane

Shot put/Weight throw: Dennis McGee

Heptathlon Leon Jean

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Grambling Band Headed to DC for Inaugural Parade

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band will represent Louisiana on Monday at the parade honoring the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

This is the third time the Grambling band has marched in an inaugural parade. The band also marched in the inaugural parades of presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, in addition to the 2009 inaugural of Obama.

Participants in the parade will follow the traditional route down Pennsylvania Avenue from Fourth Street past the White House.

Obama and Biden, along with their families, will watch the parade from a reviewing stand across from Lafayette Park.

Participants in the parade are responsible for paying their own expenses.

Grambling State President Frank Pogue said the university will provide some assistance to band members, including contacting alumni for aid donations.

GSU is the only HBCU band participating in the 57th Inaugural Parade.



COURTESY SWAC.org

WSSU to start division play today at St. Aug’s

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State will head into the most crucial part of its basketball schedule today as it starts Southern Division play in the CIAA.

The Rams (13-2, 6-0 CIAA) are ranked No. 11 in Division II and riding a 12-game winning streak. They’ll play at St. Augustine’s (10-6, 3-3) at 4 p.m. today, starting a 10-game stretch of Southern Division opponents leading to the CIAA Tournament.
 “Everybody knows each other,” senior forward Kimani Hunt said of Southern Division play. “We have almost all our team back, so teams are going to know us pretty well. But we are a different team.”

The Rams, defending CIAA champions, have depth, experience (seven seniors) and a solid defense. They are second in the CIAA, behind St. Aug’s, in scoring defense, allowing 65 points a game.

“It’s a fun part of the season because every game is a rivalry game,” Hunt said of WSSU’s playing each of its five Southern Division opponents twice. “Every game is either here at home or close by, and your family can get to most of the games.”

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WSSU Notes: Games against J.C. Smith moved to Annex

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State’s doubleheader against Johnson C. Smith on Feb. 20 has been moved from the Gaines Center to Joel Coliseum Annex to accommodate what is expected to be an overflow crowd.

Some fans were turned away at the door at last year’s women’s-men’s doubleheader at the Gaines Center.

Kevin Manns , an assistant athletics director, said another reason for move is that it will be Senior Night. The women’s game will start at 5:30, and the men’s game will start about 7:30.

“We are very limited in seating in the Gaines Center,” Manns said of the on-campus arena, which seats about 3,000. “With the crowd we are expecting, we have the opportunity to host comfortably and also have some space to entertain and cultivate donors and sponsors.… Moving the game just gives us more options.”

The Annex seats about 6,000 and has more parking options than the Gaines Center.

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TSU Men's Basketball Wins Tight One Over JSU, 66-60

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Deshawn Dockery hit a three with 13 seconds remaining, helping the Tennessee State men’s basketball team upended Jacksonville State, 66-60, on Thursday night.  The victory pushed the Tigers’ home record to 8-0 and their OVC record to 6-0, which are the best marks since the 1994-95 season.

Kellen Thornton and Patrick Miller led TSU in scoring with 17 apiece while Jordan Cyphers also scored in double-figures with ten.

M.J. Rhett narrowly missed his third double-double in five games as the sophomore grabbed a game-high 10 boards and scored nine points.

Rhett’s work on the glass helped the Tigers to a 30-22 rebounding advantage during the contest.

JSU started the game on a 6-2 run, but the swing was promptly ended by an emphatic two-handed slam by Rhett at the 17-minute mark. Rhett flew by and over defenders to complete the play, got fouled and made the following free throw to put the Tigers down one.

Rhett finished the first period with five points (2-of-3), a half-high five rebounds and a block.

Another dunk, this one by Kellen Thornton, put TSU up by three with just over 13 minutes left in the half. Thornton’s bucket was the exclamation point on a 9-2 TSU run.
 

TSU maintained a small advantage for the better part of the first half and Thornton was again able to extend the Tigers’ lead with a coffin corner triple and a lay-in on the following possession. The second hoop put TSU up 23-17 with six minutes to go in the opening frame.

Thornton had a half-high 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting (66.7 percent) and grabbed two boards during the opening stanza.

Tennessee State got up by as many as 11 points during the first, and Jordan Cyphers poured in a three with just seconds remaining to send the Tigers into the locker room with a 33-22 advantage.

TSU ended the half on a 22-9 run and shot 55 percent (11-of-20) while holding the Gamecocks to a 36.4 line (8-of-22) during the first 20 minutes.

The Gamecocks started the second half off strong and took the lead, 43-42, with a 21-9 run that spanned over seven minutes. JSU only missed one of nine field goals during the stretch (88.8 percent).

TSU eventually regained the lead when Miller nailed a jumper at the 11:08 mark, and raised the score to 53-45 when Miller converted his second triple in as many trips down the floor.

Again, JSU came back and eventually pulled within one when Ronnie Boggs hit a three with three minutes to go.

Thornton answered with a triple of his own, but the score remained tight until Dockery canned his game-sealing three.

Miller drained one-of-two free throws and that would be all the Tigers needs, as they defeated the Gamecocks 66-60.

TSU shot 50 percent (22-of-44) for the game and 57.1 percent from downtown (8-of-14).

TSU will next play at Belmont, Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner of that contest will take sole possession of first place in the OVC East Division.

NOTE: head coach Travis Williams will appear on Steve Ulry’s 180 Show on 104.5 FM tomorrow at 12:50.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M hires anti-hazing leader for Marching 100

Bryan F. Smith, Esq.
Special Assistant to the President
for Anti-Hazing
Florida A&M University

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M University (FAMU) has announced that Bryan F. Smith will serve as the new special assistant to the president for anti-hazing. Recently, Smith, who is a FAMU graduate, was the executive director/co-founder of Destined for Success Educational Services, Inc. in Decatur, Ga.

“We welcome Mr. Smith back to FAMU,” said Interim President Larry Robinson. “We are confident that with his expertise, he will ensure that all of the initiatives that have been put in place will be implemented.”

“I know this position will require a high level of communication with various entities around campus, with the local community and with investigative agencies,” said. “It will be a demanding position but I am very confident in my abilities and I vow to be organized, timely, fair, proactive, open and honest, ethical and hard-working. It will be my goal to change any culture of hazing through a variety of strategies, to maintain an efficient reporting process for any allegations of hazing, to facilitate tangible informational sessions regarding hazing, to ensure that the Student Code of Conduct is being adhered to and to help maintain the integrity of the University.”

Smith received his juris doctorate from John Marshall Law School, a master’s degree in public management from FAMU and a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University. 
 
He is registered as a certified mediator for the State of Georgia. He has been offered a salary of $90,000 and is scheduled to report to work on Feb. 1.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/01/famu-hires-anti-hazing-czar.html#storylink=cpy

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE

TU running back Derrick Washington talks about time in prison

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Derrick Washington vividly remembers the darkest point in his life.

His college football career was on life-support and his reputation was in a far worse condition as he endured a four-month prison stint.

Washington was a standout running back at the University of Missouri who had more than 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns during three years at the then-Big 12 Conference school. He was an all-conference selection in 2008 and earned team-captain status following his junior season.



Those accomplishments meant absolutely nothing the day he was accused of a sexual offense against a former Missouri tutor in 2010, a felony deviate sexual assault charge he would later be convicted of in 2011. Washington would be released from scholarship and kicked out school just weeks prior to the start of what was supposed to be his final season with the Tigers.

"It was a real stressful situation," said Washington, who finished his career at Tuskegee and will suit up for the Stars team in Saturday's Raycom All-Star Classic at Cramton Bowl. "From being the starting running back to captain of the team to being at home not knowing what's going to happen next to going through the court stuff – it was real stressful."

Washington, who was 21 at the time, was sentenced to five years in prison. He would serve only 120 days as part of a "shock incarceration" program specially designed for first-time offenders.

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MEAC Announces 2013 Hall of Fame Class

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today the five members of its 2013 Hall of Fame Class. The inductees will be enshrined during a brunch on Friday, March 15, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Hall of Fame class will also be recognized during the 2013 MEAC Basketball Tournament, March 11-16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia.

"I'd like to applaud the 2013 Hall of Fame class for all of their accomplishments both athletically and professionally," said Dennis E. Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. "They have made significant contributions to their communities, institutions and the conference."

Tickets for the induction brunch are $35 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons). Tickets can be purchased by calling the MEAC office at 757-951-2055.

The MEAC Hall of Fame highlights former student-athletes, coaches, university and/or conference administrators as well as special contributors, who have enriched the legacy of the conference since its inception in 1970. Enshrinees were selected by a 13-person committee made up of administrators and representatives from member institutions.

The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted on May 29, 1981, during a 10-year anniversary banquet in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since its establishment, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 118 people, including the class of 2013.

The 2013 MEAC Hall of Fame Inductees are:

Inducted as Student-Athletes:

John H. Alford, South Carolina State - Alford led a South Carolina State football defense that ranked among the best in NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) during his junior and senior seasons. The Bulldogs won three MEAC titles during his tenure (1977, 1978, 1980). As part of the 1980 team that went 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC, the 1980 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year led his team in tackles and was named an All-MEAC first team honoree and was selected to the Black College All-Star Team.

Alford was also a member of the Bulldog wrestling team. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Alford was inducted into the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named to the university's Centennial (1907-2007) football team in 2007. He is currently a member and Treasurer of the former South Carolina State Athletes Association.

LOUIS BREEDEN

Louis Breeden, North Carolina Central - Breeden was a four-year letterwinner at North Carolina Central. He is tied for fourth among NCCU's career interceptions leaders with 17 and led the team in interceptions for three straight seasons (1974-1976). Breeden holds the NCCU record for career punt return average with 20.2 yards per return. He is also tied for fourth in single season interceptions with seven for NCCU. He received All-MEAC second team honors in 1974 and was an All-MEAC first team selection in 1975 and 1976. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Breeden in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL Draft, where he played 11 seasons. On November 8, 1981, he set a club record with a 102 yard interception return against San Diego. He was named to the All-Pro first team in 1982 and inducted into the NCCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. He was named one of NCCU's Centennial 100 Sports Legends in 2009. Breeden is a co-founder of the Curtis-Breeden Foundation, which raises over $300,000 for local charities in Cincinnati.



YVETTE LEWIS

Yvette Lewis, Hampton - Lewis, a track and field student-athlete from 2004-2007, earned four All-MEAC first team selections, three All-MEAC second accolades and one All-MEAC Third Team honors during her tenure at Hampton. She was a four-time NCAA All-American in both indoor and outdoor track and field and holds MEAC indoor track and field records in the high jump (1.78m, 2005) and individual points (48, 2006). She also holds MEAC outdoor track and field records in the triple jump (13.34m, 2007) and individual points (58, 2006). She is Ethe Hampton record holder in the indoor 200m dash (23.82), indoor long jump (6.17m), indoor triple jump (13.21m), indoor pentathlon (3,852 points), indoor individual points (48), outdoor 100m hurdles (13.06), outdoor high jump (1.78m), outdoor long jump (6.26m), outdoor triple jump (13.73m), and outdoor individual points (58). Lewis is a two-time NCAA champion, winning the indoor triple jump in 2006 and the outdoor triple jump in 2007. She has represented the USA as a professional track runner since 2007, winning a gold medal in the 2011 Pan-American Games 100m hurdles and ranking eighth in the world.

Inducted As Coaches:

COACH SHARON D. BRUMMELL

Sharon D. Brummell, Maryland Eastern Shore - Brummell coached Maryland Eastern Shore's bowling team for 14 seasons. She became the first African-American and woman to win a woman's bowling national championship in 2008. The title was also the first for a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). In 2011, under Brummell's tutelage, the Lady Hawks repeated the feat to win the team's second NCAA title. During the same season, UMES won the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC), becoming the first team to win two national championships during the same year. For her efforts, she was named National Coach of the Year in both 2008 and 2011.

Brummell is a five-time MEAC Coach of the Year (2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010). She won five MEAC titles and was named MEAC Outstanding Coach five times. From 2007-2012, she won 82-percent of her matches and amassed nearly 600 wins. She coached several MEAC Players of the Year, All-MEAC first and second team selections, National Tenpins Coaching Association (NTCA) All-Americans, and MEAC Women of the Year during her tenure.

COACH STEVE WILSON

Steve Wilson, Howard University - Wilson coached the Howard football team from 1989-2001. He led his team to an 8-3 overall record and was named MEAC Coach of the Year in his first season with the Bison. During the 1990's he recorded a 70-percent winning percentage and his team was named Black College national champions twice. His 1993 team recorded an 11-0 overall mark and competed in the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) playoffs for the first time in school history. During that same year, Wilson earned MEAC Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career. Wilson, Howard's winningest football coach, won the Heritage Bowl in 1996. Several of his players earned All-MEAC first and second team honors, All-American accolades and Player of the Year recognition. Wilson's former players, such as Roy Anderson (Indianapolis Colts), Pep Hamilton (Offensive Coordinator at Stanford), Gary Harrell (current Howard Head Football Coach), Jay Walker (ESPN analyst) and Ted White (current Offensive Coordinator/QB's at Howard, played professionally in the National Football League (NFL).

Wilson in a member of the Black College Hall of Fame and was named a MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legend in 2012.

By MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama State hires Ramsey as defensive coordinator

COACH KEVIN RAMSEY

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Kevin Ramsey has been named Alabama State defensive coordinator, head football Reggie Barlow announced.

Ramsey joins the Hornets from SWAC rival Texas Southern University, where he spent nearly four seasons with the program. He served in the same capacity for the Tigers from 2009-10, and during most of the 2012 season, after a stint as interim head coach in 2011. Ramsey's Tigers led the FCS in total defense in both 2010 (204.9 ypg allowed) and 2011 (245.0 ypg allowed), and in fewest first downs allowed (140 in 2010, 141 in 2011).

His 2010 squad led the nation in six statistical categories: total defense, fewest first downs allowed, sacks (45), tackles for loss (112), lowest third down percentage allowed (22.5) and pass efficiency defense (78.9).

Prior to Texas Southern, Ramsey spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Carson-Newman (2004-08), where his units ranked in the top 20 in several national categories each season.

Ramsey began his coaching career at Kansas State (1984-85) as a graduate assistant and junior varsity defensive coordinator at Mission High School in Mission, Texas (1986) before coaching at some of the nation's biggest schools - Kansas State (1987-89, outside linebackers), Northwestern (1990-92, defensive line/defensive backs), West Virginia (1993-94, defensive backs), Tennessee (1995-98, defensive backs), Georgia (1999, defensive coordinator) and Michigan State (2000, defensive backs).

Ramsey, who participated in NFL coaching internships with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, coached three seasons as secondary coach for the Arizona Cardinals (2000-02) before returning to the college ranks at Arizona State in 2003.

Teams that Ramsey has coached have been to a number of bowl games including the Outback Bowl with Georgia in 2000, the Carquest Bowl in 1995 and Sugar Bowl in 1994 with Big East Champion West Virginia and two trips to the Citrus Bowl in 1996 and 1997, the Orange Bowl in 1998 and the Fiesta Bowl National Championship Game with Tennessee in January of 1999.

“Hiring Kevin was huge for our program,” Barlow said. “Here's a guy who has coached on all levels. He has had much success at all stops. He has coordinated an SEC defense, and he was on a staff that has won a national championship. He brings an aggressive brand of football to Hornet Nation, and we're excited to have him.”

Ramsey was a three-time All-Missouri Valley pick at defensive back while playing at Indiana State from 1980-83. He was a second team All-American as a senior and also played baseball for the Sycamores. He graduated from Indiana State with a degree in Physical Education in 1984.


COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Finalist for FAMU Marching 100 band director job turns it down

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M University interim President Larry Robinson says the school will start from scratch in its search for a new Marching 100 band director.

Robinson admitted that North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid was in Tallahassee Tuesday and that Robinson had expected to name Reid as the new band director during a morning press conference. The event was delayed, then cancelled, leaving a room full of FAMU students and supporters buzzing.

Reid ultimately turned down the job after he was unable to come to agreement with the university on the structure of the music department and the role of the marching band director, Robinson said this afternoon.

The university also issued a press release saying the search would be reopened and FAMU would consider hiring a search firm.

A search committee had interviewed four fiinalists for the job. One of them, Pompano Beach high school band director Richard Beckford was later taken out of the running because he failed to meet certain qualifications, Robinson said.

That leaves two finalists remaining: Penn State assistant band director Gregory Drane and Shelby Chipman, FAMU's associate band director who has been groomed to assume the top position.

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2001: A Space Odyssey/ Carmina Burana by FAMU Marching 100;
Conductor: Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands, Florida A&M University

FAMU reopens search for director of Marching 100 band

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  FAMU announced this evening that it is reopening the search for a director of its famous marching band, which was suspended indefinitely after the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.

Florida A&M University had been prepared Tuesday morning to name the new band director but abruptly canceled a press conference when it failed to reach an agreement with the finalist for the job.

Interim President Larry Robinson said Wednesday that there was a last-minute disagreement with finalist Jorim Reid, a FAMU graduate who is the director of bands for North Carolina Central University.

"We thought we were close to a decision on the band director and, turns out, there were some issues we didn't think we could get resolved," he said.

While Robinson did not go into detail about the disagreement, he said it had to do with the way the university was restructuring the music department in the wake of Champion's death in November, 2011.



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Tuskegee's Buford, Washington added to All-Star Classic roster

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  Tuskegee football players William Buford and Derrick Washington were selected to play in the Inaugural Raycom College Football All-Star Classic played Saturday, 2p.m. (CT) at the Crampton Bowl Stadium in Montgomery, AL.

The game, formerly known as the Blue-Gray game, will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network.

Washington, who was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, had a banner year, while leading the Golden Tigers to an 11-1 record and 2012 SIAC Football Championship. The 6-foot 215-pounder from Raymore, MO rushed for 1,679 and 14 touchdowns and was named the 2012 SIAC Player of the Year, in addition to being named to All-Region consensus All-American, among his other accolades.



Buford, a two-sport athlete, was one of the top players on the heralded Golden Tigers defense. As a First Team All-SIAC Defense selection, finished the season with 58 tackles, five interceptions, 10 passes defended, and three interception returns for touchdowns.

The Raycom College Football Classic will be a week long event that features elite college football seniors participating in NFL-formatted practices that are open to the public. Former NFL head coaches Jim Bates and Dan Reeves will also coach the game.

The tandem from Tuskegee will join Lane College cornerback Vernon Kearny competing on the “Stars” squad.

COURTESY SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Lakeland coach takes job at Hampton University

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Lakeland High School head football coach Glenwood Ferebee has accepted an assistant coaching position at Hampton University in the MEAC after leading the Cavaliers to consecutive Eastern Region Division 5 playoff appearances.

A formal announcement is expected on Monday, but the coach announced the move to his team on Wednesday, and by the afternoon, the news had spread though social networking websites.

As part of Donovan Rose’s coaching staff with the Pirates of HU, Ferebee will serve as quarterback coach. The chance to move on to the next level was attractive to him.

“When I first got the Lakeland job, I really wasn’t thinking about college football, to be honest. Over the last three years though, it really hit me that was something I wanted to start heading towards,” Ferebee said.

“I talked to a couple of coaches that when they come in to recruit kids, tried to sit down and pick their brain a little and spoke with a couple of the guys from Hampton. They liked some of the things we did on film, complimented me and when the job came available I reached out to them.”

Ferebee, 35, grew up in Hampton Roads and was the starting quarterback at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, where he threw passes to Plaxico Burress, who later caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII. Ferebee played college football at Liberty University, transitioning from playing quarterback to wide receiver for the Flames.

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Ram Ramblings: Ziggy having an impressive freshman season

Michel-Ofik Nzege
Courtesy Winston-Salem State University Athletics
 

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  I wondered over to Winston-Salem State practice today at the Gaines Center and was able to catch up with freshman Michel-Ofik Nzege. We talked at length for a feature story that will be in Thursday’s Journal.

Nzege, who is most likely the first Swiss-born player to play for the Rams, has been holding his own this season. He’s made the transition from high school, where he played at Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham last season, look easy.

What I love about Nzege’s game is he plays hard – all the time. There’s never much wasted movement from him when he’s on the court. He can hit the 3-pointer, the mid-range jumper and he also has an uncanny nose for the basket.

One reason he isn’t playing at a Division I school is he fell two credits short of qualifying through the NCAA clearinghouse. Instead of going to junior college he elected to sign with WSSU where he could play right away at the Division II level.

“A lot of big schools came after me but unfortunately ...

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Valley View's Mengoni chooses Delaware State Hornets

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania  --  Anthony Mengoni is set to continue Valley View's run of football players who are continuing their athletic careers in college.

After a weekend visit, the three-year starting center for the Cougars verbally committed to Delaware State, which is a Football Championship Subdivision school.

He is the fifth player from Valley View in the last two seasons to commit to play Division I football.
"It's just incredible," Mengoni said. "To see all of the hard work that I put in over the last three years pay off is just great. It's nice to see that I was able to realize something that I dreamed of doing going back as far as junior football.



"I really think that the success that we have had as a team and the work that coach (George) Howanitz has put in to get us college attention is also very important."

As the anchor of the offensive line for the past two seasons, Mengoni has played a big part in the Cougars' powerful running game that helped produce two straight District 2 Class AAA playoff appearances and an Eastern Conference championship in his sophomore season.

In his junior year, Valley View had two running backs - Pat Jeffers and Tyler Phillips - surpass 1,000 yards on its way to the District 2 Class AAA championship. Mengoni earned Lackawanna Football Conference Division I coaches' second-team all-star honors at center.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 265-pound Mengoni helped ...

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FAMU's Head Baseball Coach Brown to be dismissed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  FAMU has informed baseball coach Willie Brown he will be fired, following allegations of sexual harassment by a walk-on infielder that he cut from the baseball team twice.

Brown was notified of the university’s decision in a letter dated Monday, Jan. 14, and signed by interim president Larry Robinson.

The letter was provided to the Democrat on Wednesday by Brown’s attorney, Steven Andrews, who received it a day earlier.

Andrews also released to the Democrat a letter he sent to FAMU on Wednesday requesting a hearing for Brown to state his case.

Andrews said he won’t attempt to have Brown reinstated as coach, but he wants his client’s name cleared. Andrews said he intends to take the case to court if needed.

Brown remains on administrative leave with pay pending a final written decision from the university.

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WSSU Rams climb to No. 11

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  The Winston-Salem State men’s basketball team climb ed six spots to No. 11 in this week’s Division II coaches poll. The Rams (13-2, 6-0 CIAA) are in the midst of a 12-game winning streak.

West Liberty (W.Va.) is the top-ranked team. No. 19 is Barton, located in Wilson.

Winston-Salem State will hold Earl Monroe Legacy Weekend on Feb. 1-2 in conjunction with men’s and women’s games against Livingstone College.

Six individuals and members of the 1963 CIAA men’s c hampionship team will be honored. The individuals are William English (‘69), Carlos Terry (’78; posthumously), Reggie Gaines (‘80), Keenan Menefee-Long (‘86), Carolyn Huntley (‘87) and Sandy Smith (‘73).

The WSSU alumni cheerleaders ...

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Hampton University Football Releases 2013 Schedule

HAMPTON, Va. –  The Hampton University Department of Athletics has released the 2013 football schedule, a 12-game slate that includes five home games. Moving forward, the program seeks to secure a minimum of six home games annually beginning with the 2014 season.

The Pirates will open the season, their fifth under head coach Donovan Rose, with two road games; on Aug. 29, Hampton will take on Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill., before heading to Williamsburg, Va. on Sept. 7 to take on William & Mary.

Hampton’s 2013 home debut will be on Sept. 14, when the Pirates square off against Tennessee Tech.

The Pirates will travel to Conway, S.C. on Sept .21 to take on Coastal Carolina, before opening MEAC play on Sept. 28 against South Carolina State. It will be Hampton’s first game against SCSU since 2009.

After a bye, Hampton will return home on Oct. 12 to take on North Carolina A&T, before heading to Norfolk, Va. on Oct. 19 for the annual Battle of the Bay against Norfolk State. A home game will follow on Oct. 26 against Delaware State, before the Pirates head to Baltimore, Md. on Nov. 2 to take on Morgan State.

After playing host to North Carolina Central on Nov. 9, the Pirates will head to Daytona Beach, Fla. on Nov. 16 to take on Bethune-Cookman. Hampton will close out the regular season on Nov. 23 at home, taking on Howard in the Battle for the Real HU.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.



Full Schedule

HAMPTON U. PIRATES 2013 CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

8/29   @ Western Illinois, Macomb, IL

9/7     @ William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
9/14        Tennessee Tech, Hampton, VA
9/21   @ Coastal Carolina, Conway, SC
9/28   @ South Carolina State, Orangeburg, SC*

10/5        OPEN
10/12      North Carolina A&T,  Hampton, VA*
10/19  @ Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA*
10/26      Delaware State, Hampton, VA* 

11/2    @ Morgan State, Baltimore, MD*
11/9         North Carolina Central, Hampton, VA
11/16   @ Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach, FL*
11/23        Howard University, Hampton, VA

TBD         NCAA FCS Playoffs

*MEAC Games

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION