UMES TAKES 3rd AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS; FALL 4-2 TO VANDERBILT

Hawks and Commodores roll a classic seven-game slugfest decided by one pin.

 

CANTON, Michigan  -  Three in a row wasn't to be. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) bid to be the first team in the history of women's bowling to win back-to-back-to-back titles ended in the semi-final round of the 2013 NCAA Women's Bowling Championships late Friday night. But what a match to end it.

UMES and rival Vanderbilt went toe-to-toe in a match some on site were calling "one of the greatest matches ever in NCAA Championship history." It ended in gave seven with a single pin as the difference.

"What an amazing match," said head coach Kristina Frahm. "I couldn't have asked for any more, they did everything they could and threw the shots that were supposed to be thrown. I can't be upset."

Perhaps the shot thrown the best was T'nia Falbo's (Greensburg, Pa.) final one of her NCAA career.  "I know I couldn't have thrown it any better," said Falbo. "What can you do?"

The shot was the fill ball in the tenth frame and it was perfect, with the exception of a 10-pin.

Rewind ten frames.

After the match was tied three games apiece, UMES, the higher seed in the event got lane choice. They chose to stay on the right where they had just won, rolling a 202. More importantly Vandy hadn't rolled well on the left with a 184. They didn't seem to notice at first. The Commodores threw two quick strikes followed by five straight spares.

In comparison UMES opened with a turkey and followed it with three spares of their own. Vandy, on the left had to bowl first and the Hawks knew that in the nip and tuck match every pin mattered. When they saw that the Commodores spared they knew they had to strike.

Enter Megan Buja (Rockford, Ill.) The junior all academic, all-MEAC, all everything star tossed it a little harder than usual, you could tell by the thump. But she knew what she was doing, all ten came crashing down and the Hawks were in the driver's seat.

But in racing, as soon as you pull in front, someone else wants to be ahead and Vanderbilt surged. They tossed a double in their eighth and ninth frames. UMES couldn't strike in their final frames and spared their eighth and ninth.

Left lane goes first.

`Dores senior star Jessica Earnest wanted all ten, but nine fell. She spared. Vanderbilt could max out at 213, UMES at 224, things looked up. Earnest left the 10 pin, got nine. Vandy finished with 212.

A strike from the All-American Falbo, followed by a mark would give the Hawks the game. She got eight. UMES could now only max out at 212, to tie. Falbo spared.

All ten to tie and a chance to bowl again on Saturday was on the line.

As one reporter described it, "I knew she would give it a little extra, and I knew it would be in the pocket."

It was. It had the `umpf' too. Everyone knew she threw it perfect, everyone watched the pins explode when the ball hit the pocket. Everyone knew they were all going down. Someone forgot to tell the 10-pin. It stood firm and never flinched.

That one ten pin. It meant the Hawks lost 212-211.

To add insult to injury Falbo's strike ball came out of the return gouged by the belt. Apparently the 10-pin and the ball return were in league together.

After a few tears and a few "well what else can you do"s, UMES accepted their semi-finalist trophy and left for milkshakes.

The match ended the NCAA careers of Anggie Ramirez (Bogota, Colombia) and Falbo as well as first-year senior Valentina Collazos (Cali, Colombia). While all three get a shot next week at the USBC Collegiate title, it was a little emotional for the trio.

"I'm, glad I get one more shot," said Ramirez. "It was a great way to end it, in that kind of match, but a tough way too. I love college bowling so much, at least there's one more tournament."

This is the 14th tournament the Hawks bowled this season and the first they were not first or second.

They end the NCAA season at 116-26.

 In the first six games the heavyweights just slugged it out. The Hawks took game one 218-192, tossing five strikes over the final five frames to offset a turkey in the tenth for Vandy.

Game two was also a burn for the Hawks. One pin the prequel. Vanderbilt's Earnest struck out to give the `Dores a 203 while Falbo struck on her first ball, she spared the fill balls and that one pin would bite the Hawks for the first time. At least they all fell down that time.

The third game was also painfully close. Both squads left 7-2 opens in the eighth frame but the Commodores strung four strikes together from the fourth through seventh frames to hold the edge. UMES had three strikes and a spare. The Hawks had 203, Vandy 209. Six pins that time.

UMES dominated in the fourth game, posting a 248 after flushing the first six. Vanderbilt had the last five balls for strikes but mustered a 227 to make the match tied at two each.

Game five was ugly for UMES, four opens and just two strikes made it a low 168 game while Vandy had a four-bagger early to roll a 218.

Maybe a little too confident, Vanderbilt opened the sixth game with an open frame and UMES jumped on it with a strike. The Hawks spared the next four and got a double from Kristie Lopez (Ponce, Puerto Rico), who had a great tournament, and Buja. They would finish clean with a 202.  The `Dores opened again in the seventh and Earnest's turkey in the tenth pushed the score to 184.

Vanderbilt will face Nebraska for the title tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. It will be the Commodores second appearance in the match in three years. UMES beat them in 2011 for their second title. Vandy topped UMES in 2007 for their only championship. Nebraska is going for a record fourth NCAA Championship. The Huskers beat Arkansas State 4-1. Both teams escaped bracket play without a loss, the first time it has happened since 2010.

Photo Gallery

2013 NCAA Bracket & Day 2 Results

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

QB Bostick leads SSU in spring game

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Antonio Bostick thinks Savannah State’s football team can win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2013, and that’s exactly the attitude third-year coach Steve Davenport wants his players to have.

The Tigers concluded spring practice on Saturday with a controlled scrimmage and practice at TA Wright Stadium in front of a supportive crowd hungry for the taste of victory on Skidaway Road.  Davenport said Bostick established himself as the starting quarterback during spring practices, and the rising senior responded by completing 5-of-10 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown during the orchestrated offense vs. defense game on Saturday.

“Every coach in America is thinking they just want to get to the end of spring and be in good shape injury wise, and I can do that,” said Davenport, who has a 2-20 record at Savannah State. “We have a lot of kids who have come to understand our mentality and our expectations. Now that the kids understand what we expect, I hate to say it this way but they’re understanding what I’ll call the Davenport way and that took time.

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Big Plays Lead Gray Over Maroon in NCCU Spring Game

DURHAM, North Carolina  -  During North Carolina Central University's "Maroon vs. Gray" Spring Football Game, the Gray squad took advantage of big plays on offense, defense and special teams to hold off the Maroon team for a 10-6 victory in front of more than 3,000 fans inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Friday night.

Brandon McLaren opened the scoring for the Gray team by blasting a 47-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter.

In the final minute of the second quarter, linebacker Tazmon Foster intercepted a pass at midfield for the Gray squad and returned the pick 20 yards to the 30-yard line. On the next play, the final snap before halftime, Quenton Rucker completed a 30-yard bomb into the end zone to Lamar Scruggs for a touchdown to give the Gray team a 1 0-0 lead at intermission.

The Maroon team threatened to score in the third quarter, but Jordan Reid’s pass to the goal line was intercepted by Tim Thaniel to end the threat.

Near the end of the fourth quarter, quarterback Malcolm Bell raced through the line of scrimmage and into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown for the Maroon squad. The extra-point kick by Oleg Parent missed the mark to keep the Gray lead at 10-6.



After forcing a punt, the Maroon team got the ball back for one final drive with a chance to win the game. Bell completed passes of 20 and 16 yards, then benefitted from a 15-yard personal foul penalty, to move the ball to the 9-yard line.

With its back against the wall, the Gray defense posted a sack by lineman Phillip Mitchell, then forced two incomplete passes to keep the Maroon offense out of the end zone and preserve the victory.

Foster sparked the Gray defensive effort with seven tackles, including six hits for a loss, along with an interception. Fellow linebacker Neil Williams added six takedowns with two tackles for a loss.

Rucker threw for 78 yards and a touchdown on 7-for-14 passing for the Gray squad, while teammate Matt Goggans completed 10-of-13 passes for 84 yards.

Scruggs finished as Gray’s top receiver with six catches for 76 yards, including the 30-yard touchdown grab.

The Maroon offense was paced by Bell, who threw for 104 yards on 12-of-19 passing with an interception, while also recording a game-high 29 rushing yards, including a 14-yard touchdown scamper.

Adrian Wilkins led Maroon’s receiving corps with five catches for 40 yards.

For the Maroon defense, linebacker Allonte Tuppins collected a team-best seven tackles with three hits for a loss, including two sacks. Fellow linebacker Tiron Guion contributed six stops with three takedowns behind the line of scrimmage, including a pair of sacks, along with a forced fumble.

The Eagles open their 12-game 2013 schedule with the “Bull City Gridiron Classic” at Duke on Aug. 31. The first of six NCCU home games will take place on Sept. 7 versus Saint Augustine’s.

Season tickets are on sale now for only $105, an $80 savings off of the value of a reserved seat for each home game. For complete details about season ticket specials, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or call the NCCU Ticket Office at (919) 530-5170.

For more information about NCCU football, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.

BOX SCORE


COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU is host school for GCAC Championships at Gormley

XU sophomore Devinn Rolland is a defending GCAC champion in the
100, 200 and long jump.

Performance lists, meet results 

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will play host to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Tad Gormley Stadium.

The one-day meet will commence with field events at 8:45 a.m. Track events will start at 9:30 a.m. Scheduled to compete are the men's and women's teams of Xavier, Dillard, Edward Waters, Fisk and SUNO and the men's team of Philander Smith.

XU coach Joseph Moses said he expects his women to challenge for a team championship. XU sophomore Devinn Rolland, an NAIA All-America long jumper from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans, is the defending GCAC women's champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump.

Also back to defend titles for Xavier are Catherine Fakler in women's 1,500-meter run and Kwame Jackson in the men's 5,000.

Rolland has the GCAC's best marks this season in the 100, 200 and long jump. Also first in their events from Xavier are Christopher Kennie in the men's long jump and Chartia Hurt in the women's 400.

The men of Edward Waters and the women of Dillard are the defending team champions. Xavier won the GCAC women's title in 2011.

Meet admission will cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. The final event, the women's and men's 1,600 relay, is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Awards will be presented at 5:15 p.m.

Driving directions to Tad Gormley Stadium can be found by using 1000 Roosevelt Mall Street and the 70124 zip code as the destination. The Roosevelt Mall Street entrance will be the only one used for admittance to the stadium.

Here'a a Google Maps aerial view of Tad Gormley Stadium
and the practice track.

Meet Schedule

Field Events
8:45 a.m. — Men's Hammer (Women to follow)-practice track
9:30 a.m. — Men's High Jump (Women to follow)
9:30 a.m. — Women's Long Jump (Men to follow)
11 a.m. — Men's Javelin (Women to follow)-practice track
11 a.m. — Women's Shot (Men to follow)
1:35 p.m. — Men's Discus (Women to follow)
1:35 p.m. — Women's Triple Jump (Men to follow)
Based on entries the long jump, triple jump, shot and discus start times may be altered

Running Events
(in all running events, women will compete first)
9:30 a.m. — 3,000-Meter Steeplechase W/M
10:55 a.m. — National Anthem
11 a.m. — 400-Meter Relay W/M
11:20 a.m. — 1,500-Meter Run W/M
11:50 a.m. — 100-Meter Hurdles-Women
Noon — 110-Meter Hurdles-Men
12:15 p.m. — 400-Meter Dash W/M
12:45 p.m. — 3,200-Meter Relay W/M
1 p.m. — Break
2 p.m. — 100-Meter Dash W/M
2:20 p.m. — 400-Meter Hurdles W/M
2:45 p.m. — 800-Meter Run W/M
3:15 p.m. — 200-Meter Dash W/M
3:30 p.m. — 5,000-Meter Run W/M
4:45 p.m. — 1,600-Meter Relay W/M
5:15 p.m. — Awards and Presentations


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

TSU Track Set to Host Boston-Moon Relays on Saturday

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETICS

Nashville, Tennessee – After spending the first month of the outdoor season on the road, the Tennessee State track and field teams will return home on Saturday for the Boston-Moon Relays.

Last weekend, the team was at the University of Florida for the Pepsi Relays and experienced good results, especially from Ashontae Jackson.

Jackson, a sophomore from Gordonville, Va., placed third in the women’s long jump with a career-best leap of 6.14 meters. She also had a better final than some of the best jumpers in the nation from schools such as Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Florida and Florida State.

 Jackson’s jump is longer than any other in the OVC this season by .24 meters.

Another bright spot for TSU over the weekend was the Flying Tigers’ performance in the 4x100. The team of Tyler Anderson, Royce Dates, Jordan Green and Michael Johnson had a top-25 finish in the event with a final time of 42.03 seconds.

The team of Flying Tigers’ run is the second fastest relay time in the conference so far this year.

On Saturday, TSU will host nine other universities including schools from around the area such as Lipscomb and Vanderbilt along with 23 high schools from the state.

The meet begins at 9 a.m. with the hammer toss and continues with the running events starting at 9:30 a.m. The meet will conclude with the thrilling 4x400 meter relays at approximately 4 p.m.

List of Events

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets will play Jackson State on Sunday, too

Xavier senior Loic Didavi, the 2012 Louisiana Player of the Year, played
his final home dual this past Saturday. Here he receives a hug from his coach,
Alan Green, prior to that dual against Auburn Montgomery.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team has added Jackson State to its schedule. They'll play at noon Sunday at the JSU Tennis Complex in Jackson, Miss.

Xavier's men already were scheduled to play Jackson State at the same time and location.

The dual matches will be the last of the regular season for the Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush. Both will compete next Friday in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Jonesboro, Ga.

Winners of the two-day event will receive automatic bids to next month's NAIA National Championships.

On Sunday, the XU women will seek their sixth consecutive victory — they would match their longest streak since the first half of the 2010 season — and the XU men will seek their ninth victory in their last 12 duals. The Gold Nuggets (13-7) are ranked sixth in the NAIA, and the Gold Rush (11-7) are eighth. New coaches polls will be announced Tuesday afternoon.


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

Oak Ridge hires new coach; Ricky Watters will replace Elijah Williams, now an assistant at FAMU

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Oak Ridge has a new football coach, and he is a Super Bowl champion.

Ricky Watters, who rushed for more than 10,000 yards during a 10-year NFL career, was hired to replace Elijah Williams as the Pioneers' coach. Williams, who took an assistant coaching job at Florida A&M, played four seasons in the NFL and went to the University of Florida.

Former Gators defensive back Keiwan Ratliff was hired as an assistant coach at Oak Ridge.

Watters, 44, scored three touchdowns (two receiving) and rushed for 47 yards as the San Francisco 49ers beat the San Diego Chargers 49-26 in Super XXIX in 1995 in Miami. The former Notre Dame standout was taken in the second round of the 1991 draft by the 49ers.

CONTINUE READING 

UMES’ Ramirez says edge this season is in her head

CANTON, Michigan  – By all accounts, Anggie Ramirez didn’t have many improvements to make after the 2011-12 season concluded. Her Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks won the national championship, she was an All-MEAC first-team selection, earned All-American second-team honors and fired the highest single game in the MEAC (277).

However, it was an honor she didn’t get that let her know something was missing.

“After I didn’t make Team Colombia last year, it was a little bit rough,” Ramirez, a native of Bogota, Colombia, said. “I felt like I was a little bit weak, so this year was more about getting together my mental game. I think that was the next step I had to make to becoming a better bowler.”

And so, this star player who also has played volleyball on an international stage, began the process of improving her mental outlook.

“There were doubts in my game and my confidence, as well,” Ramirez said. “So I worked really hard on it. I’ve felt a real change. I just feel better prepared to compete tan I was a year ago.”

Part of that preparation included seeing two sports psychologists, one that normally works with the Maryland-Eastern Shore team and another in Colombia. Apart from the mental aspects, Ramirez also saw on-lane changes that she wasn’t expecting.

CONTINUE READING 

TSU's Cynthia Cooper-Dyke Named USC Women's Basketball Head Coach

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Southern California

LOS ANGELES, California -- Basketball Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who as a player helped lead USC to a pair of NCAA championships before winning an Olympic gold medal and four WNBA titles and then as a head coach resurrected three collegiate programs, was named head coach of the USC women's basketball program, Trojan athletic director Pat Haden announced today (April 11).

"In Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, we have a proven winning coach who happens to be a USC basketball icon," Haden said. "She was a part of the best basketball ever played here at USC, and she has seen success at so many levels of the game. As a coach she has turned around several programs. We believe she can lead USC back to successful women's basketball, and we welcome her back to the USC campus."

"If you were to ask me what my dream job was at any point in my coaching career, I would always have said my dream is to come back and lead the USC women's basketball team," Cooper-Dyke said. "I'm literally living the dream coming back to California and being named the new women's basketball coach at USC.

"I want to thank Pat Haden and Donna Heinel and the entire Trojan Family for giving me this awesome opportunity. I don't take it lightly. I feel like the different programs I've been a part of, from Prairie View A&M to UNC Wilmington to Texas Southern, have prepared me in many ways for the Pac-12 and USC. We've been successful at these programs. I can't promise it will happen in a year like it did at these other programs, but I promise we will put forth our best effort as a staff to create a program that embraces the work ethic and mentality that will help us be successful.

"I also want to thank my coaching staffs and all the players I've coached. The players are always in the forefront of everything we do. It's about helping these women grow and succeed in this world. As a coach, you can't be successful without your players believing in you and performing to the best of their abilities. I wouldn't be here without them.

"I'm very excited to coach every one of these USC players. I'm excited about the talent we have. I'm excited to teach and learn and motivate and really see them blossom into the players they can truly become. It's a very talented group of women and I'm excited to be their new head coach."   Cooper-Dyke, 49, has an eight-year collegiate head coaching record of 150-106 (.586), with seven post-season appearances and three league Coach of the Year honors.   She takes over a tradition-rich USC program that is among the nation's elite. The Women of Troy have appeared in four Final Fours, winning twice, and produced such icons as Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, the McGee twins, Tina Thompson and Cooper herself.

The 2013 USC squad was 11-20 overall and finished seventh in the Pac-12 with a 7-11 record under fourth-year head coach Michael Cooper (no relation). The Women of Troy last appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2006 and were a WNIT finalist in 2011.

Cooper-Dyke was the head coach at Texas Southern in 2013 and guided the Lady Tigers--who were 5-26 the previous year--to their first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season championship with a 16-2 league mark (14 more league wins than in 2012). TSU advanced to the SWAC Tournament's semifinals (as the tourney's No. 1 seed, a first in program history) and earned its first-ever WNIT berth. At 20-12 overall, the Lady Tigers set school records for season victories (20) and consecutive wins (15).

She spent the previous two seasons (2011-12) as the head coach at UNC Wilmington. Inheriting a Seahawks team that was 12-19 the prior season (and just 6-12 in league play), her debut 2011 squad notched a school record for victories with a 24-9 overall mark (14-4 for second place in the Colonial Athletic Association), won 11 consecutive home games, got to the semifinals of the CAA Tournament and advanced to the second round of the WNIT in the school's first-ever post-season appearance. She was the 2011 CAA Coach of the Year. Then in 2012, UNCW posted its second consecutive 20-win season (20-13) for the first time in school history, made it to the CAA tourney semis again after going 11-7 in the league and was a WNIT participant.

Cooper-Dyke began her college coaching career at Prairie View A&M, a program that had never had a winning season. She posted an 86-72 record with four post-season appearances during her five-year (2006-10) tenure there. After going 7-21 overall (6-12 in the SWAC) in 2006, she guided her second team in 2007 to the program's first winning campaign (19-14), its first SWAC regular season title (at 14-4), its first SWAC Tournament crown and its first NCAA Tournament berth, as she was named SWAC Coach of the Year. The Lady Panthers repeated as SWAC regular season champs in 2008 with a 15-3 league mark and finished at 22-12 with a trip to the WNIT. Prairie View won its third consecutive SWAC regular season title in 2009 (going 17-1), and also won the SWAC tourney title and played in the NCAA Tournament as she again was the SWAC Coach of the Year while her team had a 23-11 record. The Lady Panthers were 15-14 in 2010 (12-6 in for second in league play) and were a WNIT participant.

Cooper-Dyke was able to have such success at Prairie View, like Texas Southern a historically black college that faces financial and recruiting hurdles, despite having to endure NCAA sanctions her last 2 years that included scholarship reductions and probation. The program was penalized for violations that occurred during Cooper-Dykes' first season, but the NCAA said those violations were the result of the school's failure to educate her about NCAA rules.   One of the world's greatest and most decorated women's basketball players, Cooper-Dyke was the 1981 L.A. City Player of the Year at Locke High in Los Angeles while averaging 31 points a game and leading her team to the California State 4A championship. She also was on Locke's track team.

She then starred as a 5-10 guard for USC's 1983 and 1984 NCAA Championship teams. A four-time letterwinner (1982-84, 86), as a senior in 1986 she was named an All-Conference first teamer and made the NCAA All-Tournament team as the Women of Troy made it to the NCAA Final. She averaged 12.9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals during her career as USC won 114 of 129 games. She currently ranks ninth on USC's all-time scoring list (1,559 points), eighth in assists (381) and third in steals (256).

Cooper-Dyke began her pro career in Europe for Spain's Samoa Betera (1986-87) and Italy's Parma (1987-94) and Alcamo (1994-96) teams. She led the league in scoring once (36.7 average) with Samoa Betera and eight times in Italy. She was the MVP of the European All-Star team in 1987 and was named to the All-Star team of the Italian leagues in 1996 and 1997.   During that time, Cooper-Dyke collected five medals while representing the United States in international play. She won a gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games, a gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, golds at the 1986 and 1990 FIBA World Championships and a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

She returned to the United States in 1997 at the age of 34 to play with the Houston Comets of the newly-formed WNBA. She led the Comets to a record four consecutive WNBA championships (1997-2000), being named WNBA Finals MVP each time. She was the league's MVP in 1997 and 1998 and was a two-time WNBA All-Star (1999-2000) before retiring in 2000. She led the league in scoring three consecutive years. She became the first WNBA player to hit the 500-, 1,000-, 2,000- and 2,500-point career scoring plateaus. She scored at least 30 points 16 times and had a 92-game double figure scoring streak.

She moved into the coaching ranks in 2001 as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury and spent that season and the first half of the 2002 season there, going 19-23 overall, before returning to the Comets' 2003 playing roster until an early injury curtailed her season and led to her retirement. She earned her third WNBA All-Star honor in 2003 and, at 40, was the oldest player to play in a WNBA game at that time. She finished as Houston's all-time leader in scoring (2,601 points), free throw percentage (.871) and assists (602). She averaged 21.2 points per game in her career.

She was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 (the first WNBA player enshrined). She was the Women's Sports Foundation's 1998 Sportswoman of the Year. In 2011, she was voted by fans as one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history.

She was born on April 14, 1963, in Chicago, Ill., but grew up in Los Angeles as one of eight children. She speaks Italian fluently. She earned her bachelor's degree from Prairie View A&M.   She and her husband, Brian Dyke, who is a sports agent, have 10-year-old twins, son, Brian Jr., and daughter, Cyan.

In 2000, Cooper-Dyke published her autobiography, "She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey," chronicling her childhood, her basketball career and her mother's battle with breast cancer.

 Photo Gallery

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT Cynthia Cooper-Dyke  

"Some people, when they hire a coach, the athletic department hits a home run. Southern California has hit a grand slam, with two out and down three with the bases loaded. They hit it out of the park. This is one of the greatest hires. She's the perfect fit. She's the hardest working person I've ever been around. She's a recruiting machine and she loves Southern California. As a player she had the most tenacity, she was gritty, hard-nosed and hard-working. And she possesses the same characteristics as a coach as she did as a player. They better tie up their shoe laces in Southern California and tie them up now!"

-- Van Chancellor, former Houston Comets head coach

"It's obvious that she's going to be an outstanding coach. She'll make a splash on the national stage. I've had the opportunity to play against her and it's obvious that she's knowledgeable and she knows what she wants to do. She's a great coach. Her teams play hard and with purpose. She was clearly a great competitor herself. When it comes to USC, that's her heart. I can think of no better representative than her. She's a wonderful person and a great ambassador for the sport. She has the great respect of coaches across the country. She has given so much of herself to the game, she won't be satisfied with anything less than the best. She'll put out a product that USC can be proud of. I'm very excited for her."

-- C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers head coach

"I absolutely enjoyed playing with Cynthia Cooper. She is the ultimate winner. She has an incredibly work ethic and a deep passion for being the best in whatever she does. When I think about her, I think about passion, desire, and a work ethic to be a winner."
-- Coquese Washington, former Houston Comets teammate

 "She definitely has been an inspiration to my life on and off the court. She came to UNCW in my last year of playing and helped me become the all-time steals leader at UNCW. It was simple things, like jumping passing lanes. I got more steals because we focused on defense, and that defense created our offense. In her first year we made the WNIT for the first time ever. I found myself working harder just because of who was in front of me. It was motivating. It's hard not to give your all when you play for someone like that. Her energy and positivity on and off the court fed me and my teammates. She's been a listening ear when I needed her. There aren't words to describe the type of person she is. She has a passion for the game and for her student-athletes."
--Brittany Blackwell, former UNC Wilmington player

"One thing for sure she's really passionate about the game and the players. From the outside looking in, she's hard and she's in your face, but it's about positive reinforcement. It's really motivating. You want to do your best, but you need someone to bring it out of you and give you that extra push. All four years, our game developed so much every year. She took the time and taught us. She gave us a better basketball IQ and understanding. The way she had us work, she helped us create a strong work ethic and it was followed by victories. PVAMU hadn't won more than maybe eight games in a season and we had four straight winning seasons while I was there. Under anyone else's coaching we couldn't have done that. I really appreciated her as a coach."
-- Gaati Werema, former Prairie View A&M player

  "It is very exciting to see Cynthia Cooper return to USC as the head coach for women's basketball. Cynthia brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach as well as an unmatched spirit and passion for the game. I look forward to the next few years under coach Cooper, as USC women's basketball -- once again -- becomes a national championship program."

-- Barbara Hedges, former USC Senior Women's Administrator

YEAR-BY-YEAR WITH Cynthia Cooper-Dyke

YEAR	TEAM	OVERALL RECORD	LEAGUE RECORD/FINISH	POST-SEASON
2006	Prairie View A&M	7-21	6-21/8th tie SWAC	--
2007*	Prairie View A&M	19-14	14-4/1st SWAC**	NCAA
2008	Prairie View A&M	22-12	15-3/1st SWAC	WNIT
2009*	Prairie View A&M	23-11	17-1/1st SWAC**	NCAA
2010	Prairie View A&M	15-14	12-6/2nd SWAC	WNIT
2011*	UNC Wilmington	24-9	14-4/2nd CAA	WNIT
2012	UNC Wilmington	20-13	11-7/4th tie CAA	WNIT
2013	Texas Southern	20-12	16-2/1st SWAC	WNIT
	COLLEGE CAREER	150-106 (.586)	105-39 (.729)
2001	Phoenix Mercury	13-19	5th	--
2002	Phoenix Mercury	6-4	--	--
	WNBA CAREER	19-23 (.452)

*League Coach of the Year
**League Tournament Champion \

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATION

Cooper-Dyke named head women's basketball coach at USC

HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Southern California announced the hiring of Texas Southern head women’s basketball coach today (April 11).  Cooper-Dyke leaves TSU after leading the program to unprecedented heights during her first year at the helm of the program.

“Texas Southern University is ecstatic for the opportunity Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has to take over the USC women’s basketball program,” said TSU Director of Athletic Dr. Charles McClelland. “When we brought Coach Cooper-Dyke into our athletics program we asked her to recruit quality student-athletes, assist them with their progress towards graduation, and win championships. She was able to accomplish all of those goals during her first year at Texas Southern.”

“We’re extremely sad to see her leave but we’re very excited about the foundation that our women’s basketball program has built under her leadership and we look forward to our program continuing to succeed in the classroom and on the court.”

In 2013 Cooper-Dyke guided the Texas Southern Lady Tigers who were 5-26 the previous year to their first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season championship with a 16-2 league record.

TSU advanced to the SWAC Tournament's semifinals (as the tourney's No. 1 seed, a first in program history) and earned its first-ever WNIT berth. At 20-12 overall, the Lady Tigers set school records for season victories (20) and consecutive wins (15).

“This is a great opportunity for me but I will miss Texas Southern,” said Cooper-Dyke. “I’m excited for the opportunity to go back to California and coach at my alma mater where I have so many fond memories, where I grew up as a person, as a woman, and as a basketball player.”

A national search to find the next TSU head women’s basketball coach will begin immediately.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU's Ward ties Division I mark with hit streak

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Haley Ward didn't realize she made history.

When the Norfolk State sophomore outfielder grounded out in Game 2 of a doubleheader March 29, her streak of 13 consecutive at-bats with a hit ended.

That tied the NCAA Division I mark held by Boston University's April Setterlund, set in 2010.
"It shows that hard work is starting to pay off," said Ward, the preseason MEAC Player of the Year and former Cox High standout.



The key to her feat, Ward said, was staying focused and having a purpose when entering the batter's box. It also helped being oblivious to her hit parade.

"I probably would have had a differently mentality (if I knew about it)," Ward said.

Ward captured her second straight MEAC Player of the Week award on April 1. The first followed a 10-for-11, 12-RBI performance in a three-game sweep of Coppin State.

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In the FCS Huddle: Excellence starts with inner drive

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  (Sports Network) Falling from the top perch of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football hasn't lessened the pressure on South Carolina State.

"I think it might be more," says head coach Buddy Pough, who wants nothing to do with the middle of the standings, where the Bulldogs found themselves at season's end last year.

"It gives you a little different sense of urgency. I think you go through years where you've been successful for so long, you just kind of think that's something that's given. You don't necessarily think there's a possibility that you could have a year like we had last year. And now that we've had, I think it's created a little sense of urgency, where we know we've got to do something special or that can happen to us again."

The Bulldogs believe last year's 5-6 record was a ...

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NCCU Football Hosts Spring Game Tonigjht

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  The North Carolina Central University football program will host its “Maroon vs. Gray” spring game on Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m. inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on the NCCU campus. Admission is free.

For many years, NCCU’s spring game has featured the offensive and defensive units going head-to-head with a spattering of special teams play.  On Friday evening, the Eagles will be divided into two teams to provide fans with more of a game-like experience.

The Eagles will begin warm-ups and go through position drills at 6 p.m., with game kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

NCCU is coming off of its first winning season since 2007, as the Eagles posted an overall record of 6-5 in 2012, with a MEAC record of 5-3.

The Eagles open their 12-game 2013 schedule with the “Bull City Gridiron Classic” at Duke on Aug. 31. The first of six NCCU home games will take place on Sept. 7 versus Saint Augustine’s.

Season tickets are on sale now for only $105, an $80 savings off of the value of a reserved seat for each home game. For complete details about season ticket specials, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or call the NCCU Ticket Office at (919) 530-5170.

For more information about NCCU football, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.

Boxtorow’s 2013 National Spring Football Road Tour Makes Stop at NCCU

The fifth annual Boxtorow Spring Football Road Tour will stop in Durham, N.C., on Friday for the NCCU spring football game.

The nationally syndicated FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW with Donal Ware will broadcast live from 5:00-6:00 p.m. via its local radio affiliate, WAUG-AM 750 or online at www.boxtorow.com.

Visitors to the Boxtorow broadcast location underneath the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium press box will receive free giveaways.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW is a sports talk show which places a major emphasis on HBCU Sports.  The show airs weekly on radio stations around the country including top markets such as Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Austin, Texas, Nashville, Raleigh, and Greensboro, N.C.  The show can also be heard via the Internet on Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. ET at www.boxtorow.com.

Football Season Tickets On Sale Now    

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

DSU Hornests to Hold Red/White Scrimmage This Saturday

DSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

DOVER, Delaware  --  The Delaware State University football team will wrap its 2013 spring drills with the annual Red/White scrimmage on Saturday (Apr. 13)  at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

More than 70 players have participated in this year's camp.

The Hornets are projected to return 12 starters from their 2012 squad, which posted the team’s first winning record since 2007. DSU was 6-5 overall and tied for third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 5-3 mark in the league.

Delaware State must replace a number of key players, including quarterback Nick Elko, the 2012 MEAC Offensive Player-of-the-Year; and three other All-MEAC First Team performers.

Elko completed his DSU career as No. 2 in team history in passing yards (5,754) and completions (539); and third in touchdown passes (37). He set school season records for completions (259) and passing yards (2,828) last season.

Cory Murphy (r-jr.; 6-2, 205), a 2012 junior college transfer, and Esayah Obado (r-fr.; 6-200) have taken most of the snaps at quarterback this spring. Each was listed on the 2012 Hornet roster, but did not see playing time.

“Each of our quarterbacks is getting some valuable reps this spring,” said Delaware State head coach Kermit Blount. “This spring has been important in the development of our QBs; and I’m eager to see how each performs during our final scrimmage.”

The Hornets must also replace All-MEAC wide receivers Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson.

Tarpley, also a 2012 Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College All-American, was tops in the MEAC in receptions (7.8 pg) and receiving yards (96.2 pg); and tied for first in the league in touchdown catches (7). Wilson was third in the MEAC in receptions (6.0 pg) and receiving yards (73.3 pg) last season. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2010.

Milton Williams (jr.; 6-3, 200) and Mailk Golson (r-fr.; 5-10, 180) are among several players who will battle to replace Tarpley and Wilson as starting wide receivers.

Delaware State’s hopes to continue the improvement in the running game it began last season. The Hornets averaged 98.9 yards per game rushing in 2012, up from 50.3 per game in 2011. DSU also rushed for 13 touchdowns last season after tallying just six the previous year. 

Malcolm Williams (jr.; 5-10, 180) has had a productive spring after leading the Hornets with 437 yards rushing despite missing two games in 2012. Williams rushed for 120 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown, before hurting his ankle in Delaware State’s 23-7 loss to FBS Cincinnati last season.

Dae-Hon Cheung (so.; 5-9, 180) rushed for 410 yards (5.0 ypc) and three touchdowns, while Nagee Jackson had 238 yards rushing and a team-high seven touchdowns on the ground last season. Each player had at least one 100-yard rushing game in 2012.

The Hornet offensive line expects to return three starters this fall, led by 2012 All-MEAC Second Team center Brandon Cunningham (r-sr.; 6-2, 280). Keon Williams (so,; 6-2, 280) is emerging star at left guard.

The biggest loss along the offensive line is left tackle Nail Muradymov, a 2012 All-MEAC First Team performer.

Delaware State has seven projected starters returning on defense, led by 2012 All-MEAC First Team players Davon Moore (jr.; 5-11, 195) at free safety and inside linebacker Ernest Adjei (sr.; 6-0, 235).

Moore was third in the MEAC in tackles (8.8 pg; 97 total) and third for third with four interceptions in 2012.  His 175 interception return yards were tops in the MEAC and second among all FCS players last season.

Adjei was tied for sixth in the MEAC in tackles at 8.5 per game last season (93 total).

Delaware State defensive returners also include defensive back Terrick Colston (so.; 6-1, 190) and left end Rodney Gunter (jr.; 6-5, 300). Each was selected to the 2012 All-MEAC Second Team.

Colston, a 2012 Jerry Rice Award nominee (top FCS freshman), was second on the Hornets and fifth in the MEAC in tackles (8.6 pg; 95 total) last season.

Gunter was tied for seventh in the MEAC in sacks (0.5 pg; 5.5 total) and tops among DSU defensive linemen with 49 tackles (27 solo) last season.

Delaware State placekicker Mitchell Ward (jr.; 6-1, 180) and punter Marko Kano (jr.; 6-6, 220) also return. Ward was 12-for-19 on field goal attempts and perfect on 28 extra-point kicks in 2012. Kano averaged 39.4 yards (long 62) on 42 punts last season.

Returning defensive back Joe Boyd (jr.; 6-0, 195) was fourth on the team with 87 tackles last season. He was also credited with 3.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and two forced fumbles. 

“I’m pleased with the progress we have made so far this spring,” Blount said. “It’s important that we have strong finish to camp and do the necessary off-season work to be ready for the new year.”    

2013 DSU Football Schedule

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

No shortage of title-winning pedigree in championship field

CANTON, Michigan  --  When you take a look at the list of teams vying for the 2013 NC Bowling Championship beginning Thursday at Super Bowl Lanes in Canton, Mich., two-time defending national champion Maryland-Eastern Shore is sure to grab your attention.

And it should. After all, the Hawks are two-time defending national champions and have won 10 tournaments this season. What’s more, they haven’t finished worse than second in any event they’ve competed in this year.

“We are honored to be the second overall selection,” head coach Kristina Frahm said. “I do feel, however that we have a top team and I think our experiences can help us make a serious run at winning another national championship.

“Obviously, we are looking for a three-peat.”

Look a bit further at the team list and you’ll notice that the field includes every school that has won the national championship since its inception in 2004.

Current NTCA No. 1 Nebraska won the first two championships in 2004 and ’05 and the Huskers hoisted the hardware again in 2009. The Huskers, like the Hawks, have participated in every national championship tournament. This season’s Huskers, however, sport a bit of a different look than in years past. The team boasts just one senior, team leader Kristina Mickelson, who suffered a cracked elbow in a car accident in September and has seen limited action this season.

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THE QUEST FOR A THREE-PEAT BEGINS TODAY

 CANTON, Mich. - While the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team is no stranger to history and records, they are heading into uncharted territory today when they embark on a quest for a third straight NCAA Championship and fourth overall. No team has won four NCAA titles and no one has won three-in-a-row.

The two-time defending champions, fresh off their dominating win for the MEAC title, are the No. 2 overall seed and will attempt to collect a third consecutive title - and fourth overall. UMES, along with seven other finalists, are competing April 11-13. The best-of-seven-games finals will air live on ESPNU on Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m. with Dave Armstrong calling the action from the lanes, alongside analyst and PBA Hall of Famer Randy Pedersen.

Central Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt, Sam Houston State, Wisconsin-Whitewater and Fairleigh Dickinson round out the eight-team field. The final two days of the tournament will be played in the Baker format, in which teams of five compete against each other, with the members bowling one frame in order, through the 10 frames.

The event is held at Super Bowl Lanes, site of the 2009 Championships. While UMES didn't win in 2009, they did the last time they were in Michigan, 2011 when the event was in Taylor. Action begins Thursday the 11th at 11:00 a.m. The teams will bowl seven team games, facing each team in the field once. The second block starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. on the opening day. The first day determines seeding and the teams will then face-off in a double elimination bracket on Friday starting again at 11 a.m.

The official NCAA Bowling Championship digital program is available online and is free to view and will be updated after the championship. Fans can access that here.

The University of Detroit-Mercy is co-hosting the event and will update their website regularly throughout each day. Fans can find that by clicking here.The Detroit Sports Commission is the other host and will be updating social media regularly. The event is using a hash tag of #ncaabowling. Fans can find them at:

Facebook

Twitter

Fans can also match matches live via live streaming. Each match on Thursday and Friday is streamed and all matches are available here.

It can be found manually by going to www.ncaa.com, clicking the video tab, then NCAA Live-Winter Championships then the date.   The USBC will also be on hand and posting updates throughout the day at bowl.com

Everything will also be available on www.umeshawks.com

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Rand Paul goes to Howard University in peace, receives quiet

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Tea party titan Rand Paul, visiting Howard University on Wednesday, told students that he had been called “either brave or crazy to be here” at the historically black college.

Probably some of each: brave, because he’s trying to sell himself and fellow Republicans to African Americans, a singularly resistant demographic; and crazy, because he based his pitch on revised history and airbrushed facts — and the Howard kids weren’t fooled.

“No Republican questions or disputes civil rights,” the senator from Kentucky proclaimed. “I’ve never wavered in my support for civil rights or the Civil Rights Act.”

Howzat?


As a candidate in 2010, Paul questioned the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act’s Title II, which prohibits private discrimination. “I don’t want to be associated with those people,” he said when MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow asked him about private businesses that refuse to serve black customers, “but I also don’t want to limit their speech in any way in the sense that we tolerate boorish and uncivilized behavior because that’s one of the things freedom requires.”

VIEW PAUL'S HOWARD U. VIDEO

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BC Purple-Gold Football Game Set For Saturday

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  --  The Benedict College Tigers will wrap up their 2013 spring football practice this Saturday with the annual Purple-Gold Game.

Kickoff at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium is 2:30 p.m.

A full day of fun, family activities is planned. The inaugural “Powder Puff Game” between the Benedict College cheerleaders and the female members of the Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction kicks things off at 11 a.m. An alumni flag football game is set to take place at 12:30 p.m.

A fan zone with a live DJ, a skills challenge for the kids, face painting and food will also be available. Fans can have their photo taken with the 2013 SIAC Men's Basketball trophy, cheerleaders and the tiger mascot. The official team shop will also be open for fans to purchase Benedict gear.

All events are free.

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Changes continue in rebuilding CIAA

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Changes continue to cycle in the CIAA office. Director of Public Relations Shera White and Associate Commissioner of Governance Monique Smith have left the conference.

Smith, a former St. Paul’s administrator, came to the league as its PR director after a tumultuous series of events. (Long, long story there.) When she was promoted, she hired White in her old position. That was 13 years ago.

For a while, I thought Monique and Shera would ride out the new administration under Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter. But it appears all parties were just trying to get through the CIAA tournament before going their separate ways.

Got to hand it to Carpenter. She was everywhere and in every thing during tourney week. No one could accuse her of sleeping on the job. And many of her initial critics are slowly coming around.

Hey, I was just happy the media got ...

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FAMU's Smalls looking to fill big shoes at linebacker

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The suggestion that he is now the guy to beat for one of two starting inside linebacker spots was enough to make Will Smalls chuckle.

It wasn’t that the FAMU junior found humor in the question. He knows that the competition will heat up when fall workouts begin.

But he clearly established himself during Saturday’s Orange and Green spring game with two interceptions that would put him ahead if Coach Earl Holmes were to make a depth chart today.



“I’m going to come out here and do the best I can to try to help my team,” Smalls said, downplaying his eight tackles in the intrasquad game and the fact that he took one of the picks back for a 33-yard touchdown.

One thing that Smalls didn’t want to be hyped too much is that he is constantly being compared to Brandon Hepburn, who led the Rattlers in tackles last season. The comparisons are coming now despite the fact that Smalls spent two seasons waiting to prove he could contribute.

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FAMU finds cure for athletics budget woes

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  How do you make a sea of red ink disappear?

Simple: You cover it with black ink. 

  

That is essentially what Florida A&M’s Budget and Finance Committee endorsed Wednesday for addressing an estimated $2.2 million deficit in athletics for the current academic year.

Following a plan proposed by Ronica Mathis from the budget division, FAMU will use more than $2 million in earnings on investments in scholarship funds to cover all athletic scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year. It would give the university a $645,000 surplus in athletics going into the coming school year, Mathis said.

Florida statute allows the university to use earnings on investments for scholarships, she said.

FAMU’s intercollegiate sports programs have lost ...

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