Gold Team Defeats Black 24-14 to End ASU Spring Practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama .— Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Cyrus each scored a rushing touchdown and Myles Everett caught a scoring pass to lead the Gold Team to a 24-14 win over the Black Team bringing Alabama State's spring practice to a close.

“This was really a great day,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. “We had great weather and we appreciate the fans coming out and they were great. The spring game is an opportunity for these guys to go out and compete and have a good time. Of course we had 14 practices prior to this game to evaluate them on so today we kept them healthy and there were some guys that made some big plays.”

Playing before an estimated crowd of over 5,000, Crowell had 45 yards on nine carries, but none more exciting than his 35 yard run on the first play of the scrimmage, but an interception by Darius Knox of the Black Team halted the scoring threat.

Neither team scored in the first quarter, but the Gold Team added a 35 yard field goal from Bobby Wenzig with 10:20 left in the second quarter and a Malcolm Cyrus three yard scoring run giving the Gold team 10 first half points.

Wrapped around the two Gold Team scores was the Black's lone score of the first half, a four yard touchdown pass from Arsenio Favor to Zach Meadows. The two teams took a short halftime break with the Gold Team leading 10-7.

In the second half Crowell started the scoring on a two yard plunge with 8:45 left in the third quarter for a 17-7 lead. The Black Team came right back down the field to cut the lead to 17-14 on a five yard scoring run from Jahaad Coleman.

The Gold Team ended the scoring when Myles Everett took a short pass from Arsenio Favor, broke a tackle and scampered 29 yards for the final score with 3:56 left in the game.

Favor and Duhart played quarterback for both teams. Favors finished five-for-nine passing for the Gold team, throwing for 130 yards and the score. For the Black team Favors completed four-of-five for 12 yards and another score.

Duhart hit four of his eight passing attempts for the Gold Team for 48 yards and an interception. He completed his only attempt for the Black Squad for four yards.

Sam Gibson had a solid outing with all of his playing time coming for the Black Team. He completed nine of his 11 attempts for 99 yards and an interception.

“I wanted to keep it pretty equal for those guys and give them (Duhart and Favor) an opportunity to play for both squads,” Barlow said. “I though both of them did a good job of running the team and moving the ball down the field. I thought Sam (Gibson) did a good job. He had the Black team playing really fast their at one time and led them down the field. It will be some good film to grade these guys on and all three guys have really done some good things this spring and we are encouraged by that.”

Defensively for the Gold team, Chris Terry had five tackles, including one tackle for lost yardage (-3 yards) and a game-high three sacks (-15 yards).

Melvin Davis added an interception and Deandre Rashada had a fumble recovery and a pass broken up for the Gold's defense.

“We had some guys running around and doing some good things on defense like Maurice Tate,” Barlow said. “Overall we were pleased with what they did today.”

The rushing leaders for the Black team were Rodney Cross who finished with 23 yards on six carries. Coleman had 10 yards on three carries, which included the scoring run.

Kevin Bass was the leading receiver for the Black Team with a 37 yard reception for his only catch. Zack Meadows had only one catch but it was the four yard touchdown reception.

Brandon Slater and Edward Mosley led the Black Team's defense with five tackles each. Mosley also forced a fumble which he recovered. Knox had the interception to stop the first drive of the game and DeMarques Taylor added two sacks.

The Hornets are scheduled to open the 2013 season when they host in-state rival Jacksonville State University on Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. 

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman defends SIAC baseball title

OZARK, Alabama  --  Stillman College won the SIAC Baseball Tournament for the sixth time in seven years after defeating Tuskegee University 12-6 on Saturday.

The Tigers (30-14) scored six runs in the fourth inning and negated a comeback attempt by Tuskegee by adding another six runs in the final innings. Fernando Tanaka finished with three hits, three RBIs, including a solo home run, to lead Stillman.

Tyler Vails came on in relief, pitching three innings to pick up the win. Tanaka faced four Tuskegee batters to pick up the save.

Tanaka was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament and was named to the All-Tournament team along with pitchers Vails and Kyle McNorton.

Tuskegee, making its first appearance in the SIAC championship game since winning its last tournament in 1989, left 15 men on base, including ending two innings with the bases loaded.

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Get to know Brandon Hepburn: Detroit Lions add biochemist-linebacker to the mix with final pick

Brandon Hepburn
Detroit Lions
(Courtesy FAMU Athletics)

DETROIT, Michigan  --  With the 245th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions selected linebacker Brandon Hepburn out of Florida A&M University.

Hepburn is 6-foot-2, 240-pounds. He had 86 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior.

Here's a little bit more on Hepburn:

The path from Division I-AA walk-on to being selected in the NFL draft has been "a process", according to Brandon Hepburn. It was an uphill battle from the start.

In April, Hepburn presented the results of his findings for a cure for cancer to an international audience at the American Chemical Society conference in San Diego, Calif. 

Hepburn redshirted in 2008. In 2009, he mostly was relegated to special teams duties and had 13 tackles on the year. The following year, Hepburn played in all 11 games, recording 63 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. In his final season, Hepburn racked up 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble. 

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SU Board of Supervisors approve Roman Banks’ contract

COACH ROMAN BANKS
(Courtesy Southern University Athletics)

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  A little more than a week after Southern University announced it had come to terms with men’s basketball coach Roman Banks on a contract extension, the agreement became official Friday when the SU System Board of Supervisors approved the new deal for the coach.

Banks, whose original Southern contract was set to expire after the 2013-14 season, has a new five-year deal that will have him making $165,000 per season in base salary.

Banks could make in excess of $200,000 by triggering a number of performance-based incentives included in the contract.

The extension comes on the heels of Banks leading Southern to its first NCAA tournament in seven years and a scare of No. 1 seed Gonzaga in the first round. Banks was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s co-coach of the year after the Jaguars posted a 23-10 overall mark, finished second in the SWAC’s regular season and won the SWAC tournament title.

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Decatur To Host SWAC Softball Championship May 8-11

DECATUR, Georgia  --  The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala., will be the site of the 2013, 2014, and 2015 SWAC Softball Championship Tournament. The Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Decatur’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the event for over 200 athletes and coaches, along with their families, traveling from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The 2,000-seat facility will serve as host venue for the 13 game double-elimination tournaments May 8-11, 2013, May 7-10, 2014, and May 6-9, 2015. The top eight teams in the SWAC East and West Divisions qualify for the championship tournament and teams are seeded based on regular season results among the conference programs.

Daily admission is $6/adult and $3/child and weekend passes are $20/adult and $10/child. Parking is free. Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box and batting cages. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. Located at 300 Beltline Road, the facility can seat over 2,000 spectators with additional seating available. For more information on Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, visit www.decaturparks.com.

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Howard University Bison signs heralded basketball player

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Howard University announces the signing of JT Miller to a national letter of intent. Miller is a 6-3, 190-pound talented guard from Clinton, NC, who brings impressive credentials to the Hilltop. At Mount Zion Academy this past season, Miller averaged over 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game while leading his team to a 19-14 record and the USA National Prep championship.

Before coming to Mount Zion, Miller starred at Clinton High School where he scored over 1,800 points in his career and was named to the all-state team his senior season.

"TJ gives us a guard with the rare combination of size, outside scoring ability and the explosiveness to play above the rim," said an excited Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry. "His leadership abilities, work ethic and family values stood out to me as much as his exceptional talents on the court. We are excited to add him to a great group of newcomers for 2013-14."

Added Rick Lewis from Phenom Hoop Report, "The undeniable adjective that attaches itself to Miller's game is explosive. Without question, Miller is a big time athlete who plays above the rim."

After mulling over several offers from Divison 1 programs including LaSalle, St. Joseph's and Florida Gulf Coast. Miller selected Howard University to showcase his talents and pursue his education.

"After visiting Howard twice, learning the rich history of the University and developing a personal relationship with Coach Nickelberry, I knew that Howard was the place for me, " said Miller. "I fell in love with the school, the people and the basketball program immediately. I realized that there was no school better for me to flourish academically and athletically. A degree from Howard on my resume sticks out like no other and would be a great accomplishment."



Miller joins an outstanding group of newcomers that include James Daniel III, Damon Collins, Kofi Andoh, Keon Hill, Marcel Boyd and James Carlton.

• A 5-11 guard, Daniel was the state of Virginia Tri-Player of the Year from Phoebus High School in Hampton, VA.
• Collins is a 6-5 forward who played at nationally renown Prime Prep.
• Ando, a 6-3 guard, was a Washington Post honorable mention selection from CH Flowers High School.
• A 5-7 point guard from Riverdale Baptist, Hill sat out with an injury and will be a red-shirt freshman this coming season.
• Boyd is a 6-10 center who prepped at Mack Academy this past season after having an outstanding career at Gwynn Park; and
• Carlton is a talented 6-8 forward from Winterville, NC, who sat out last season after transferring from the College of Charleston.

"These newcomers allowed us to address some of our needs which was depth, athleticism and scoring ability inside and out."

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION, HOWARD-BISON.COM, AND COACH NICKELBERRY.COM

VSU leader: End ‘outdated rituals’

ETTRICK, Virginia  --  Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan Holmes were “young men of promise, young men of potential” whose legacy can serve to help end the type of behavior that led to their deaths, Virginia State University President Keith Miller said Friday.

“Outdated rituals performed in the name of brotherly love have no place in building a better world,” Miller told about 500 people at a memorial service in the VSU gymnasium.

“As an institution, as a community, we will not tolerate this behavior,” Miller said. “We must learn the lessons of Jauwan and Marvell to ensure that these young men’s deaths were not in vain.”

The two freshmen drowned April 20 as they tried to cross the Appomattox River on river rocks as part of an initiation for an unsanctioned social club called Men of Honor. Chesterfield County police on Friday confirmed through the medical examiner’s office that the cause of death was drowning.

Four men, including two VSU students, have been charged with hazing in the deaths.

Miller urged the mourners to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk. We must be the sermon, not just speak the sermon.”

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FSU Womens Basketball to host Skills Camp and Summer Shootout

(CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- The 2013 CIAA Southern Division Champions Fayetteville State women's basketball program will be holding two camps this summer in Felton J. Capel Arena. The Second Annual Lady Broncos Basketball Fundamentals & Skills Camp will be held from June 18-20. A Summer Shootout at the Broncos Corral will follow on June 22.

The Fundamentals and Skills Camp is open to girls from third grade up to rising seniors in high school. The three-day camp will last from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Campers will receive quality instruction from both college coaches and student-athletes. 2013 CIAA Player of the Year Kristen Hanzer and local standout Shuanda "Shaq" Ashford (E.E. Smith) will be on hand to assist with the camp. The two are currently pursuing WNBA opportunities.

The cost of the camp is $75; which includes lunch. Campers will also receive a camp T-shirt and certificate. Discounts are available for returnees and family groups with two or more participants at $60 each.

The Summer Shootout at the Bronco Corral will take place at both Capel Arena and Lilly Gymnasium on the FSU campus. The cost of the shootout is $175 for a team; guarantee of three games. A $50 non-refundable deposit must be made by Wednesday, May 1. Teams must have a minimum of seven players and provide their own jerseys and warm-up balls. Every player participating will have to complete a waiver form.

For more information, contact Assistant Coach Tyreece Brown by phone at (910) 672-2564 or e-mail at trbrown02@broncos.uncfsu.edu; or Head Coach Eva Patterson-Heath by phone at (910) 672-1513 or e-mail at epatters@uncfsu.edu.

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

New Orleans Saints select Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead in third round

Terron Armstead

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  --  Maybe New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton can sleep a little easier on Friday night. The Saints selected Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead with the team's third-round pick, No. 75 overall. The Saints drafted Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with their first-round pick.

Payton has mentioned several times since returning to the Saints in late January that left

tackle will be an open competition. Armstead will likely compete with Charles Brown and Jason Smith for the left tackle job.

Armstead (6-5, 306) crushed the NFL Scouting Combine with the best marks for a tackle in the 40-yard dash (4.71 seconds), vertical leap (34 1/2 inches) and broad jump (112 inches. He also ripped off 31 repetitions of 225 pounds.

NFL.com's scouting overview on Armstead said ...

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4 Charged in Virginia State University Hazing Death, Student Still Missing

PETERSBURG, Virginia  --  Four men have been charged after allegedly hazing two Virginia State University students by making them walk into the Appomattox River, resulting in the drowning death of at least one of the students.

The body of Marvell Edmonson, 19, was recovered from the river Monday.

Search-and-rescue teams are still searching for a second student, Jauwan M. Holmes, who disappeared during the group's outing in the early morning hours on Saturday, according to the Chesterfield County, Va., police.

The outing consisted of seven males wading through the Appomattox River for initiation into the group Men of Honor, a social club not sanctioned by the Petersburg, Va., university, police said.

Around 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Holmes and Edmonson were carried downstream by the river, and other members of the group called 911 for help, police said. Rescue teams combed the river for signs of the two men throughout the weekend.

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Virginia State student deaths renew debate over hazing abuse

PETERSBURG, Virginia  --  The apparent hazing death of two Virginia State University (VSU) students has renewed the debate over universities’ responsibility to combat hazing abuse.

In Virginia's Chesterfield County, police have charged four men, including two VSU students, with hazing after two students drowned in the Appomattox River on April 20 as part of an initiation rite for the social club Men of Honor, which is not a school-sanctioned group. One suspect is still at large.

Seven VSU students reportedly tried to use a “human chain” to cross the rushing rapids of the rain-swollen Appomattox River around midnight Sunday. A witness told local NBC affiliate WAVY that the water level rose to their chests, and the current swept away freshmen Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan Holmes. The evening was reportedly the culmination of a week-long pledging and hazing process for the group.

Police recovered Mr. Edmondson's body on Monday and are still looking for Mr. Holmes.

Historically black colleges and universities like VSU have struggled with a long tradition of hazing centered on physical abuse. But recent tragedies, including the November 2011 death of Robert Champion, a drum major in Florida A&M University’s celebrated marching band, have brought national attention to the issue, ratcheting up pressure for schools to take stronger action to discourage the practice.




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Paine College Lions to hold Football Tryouts

AUGUSTA, Georgia  --  The Paine College Football program will be holding open football tryouts, for all 2013 high school graduates, as well as players ready for fall enrollment, and current Paine College students, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Lucy C. Laney High School football stadium.

Registration will begin at 10:00 AM at the football field, with drills to start immediately after.

Proof of a current physical is required, and there is a $10.00 registration fee for the tryout. Download registration form here.

Players will need to be in workout clothes, cleats, and gloves.

For more information, contact Coach Greg Ruffin at 706-821-8498 or via email at gruffin@paine.edu.


COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Lincoln Blue Tigers holds spring scrimmage

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  --  One concern rose above the rest for Lincoln head football coach Mike Jones.

“Stay healthy,” the second-year head man said following the Blue Tigers’ annual spring game Saturday afternoon at Dwight T. Reed Stadium. “Most spring games, it’s more for the fans than it is for us. You worry about somebody getting hurt the last practice.”

Lincoln appeared to stay injury-free during the two-hour program of team drills and a controlled-situation scrimmage.



“I think it went OK,” Jones said. “We have a lot of guys that we kept out of practice. (Last season’s starting quarterback) Jake (Morris) only took about 10 snaps and then we had the young guys go. We were up and down.”

The Gray team (offense) faced off against the Blue team (defense) in a variety of different situations: two-minute drill, from midfield, deep in both their own and opposing territory, red zone and first-and-goal, among others.

“The first time we ran hurry-up, we ...

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Ram Ramblings: WSSU ends another good season with athletics banquet

William "Bill"Hayes
Director of Athletics



 

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State put the finishing touches on another outstanding athletics season with an awards banquet earlier this week at the Benton Convention Center.

The Rams completed their third season back in the CIAA and once again took home conference titles in football, baseball and men’s tennis.

In the three years that WSSU has been back in the CIAA the school has combined to win 14 conference titles.

In winning the men’s CIAA tennis title this spring it broke an eight-year run that Shaw had on the title.

Athletics Director Bill Hayes was pleased with the success of all the programs.

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MVSU football player killed, 3 others injured in wreck

LEFLORE COUNTY, Mississippi  --  A Mississippi Valley State University football player died and another player was seriously injured following a one-vehicle accident Thursday night in Leflore County.

Kevin Monzon, 19, a junior from Crystal Springs and the placekicker for the Delta Devils, died at the scene, a MVSU statement says. Monzon was the driver, according to a statement from the school.

Marcus Thompson, a junior from Houston, Texas, was airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for treatment.

Other passengers Rogers “Kevin” James Jr., a junior from Evans, Ga., and Joseph Hardnett, a sophomore from Chicago, were treated for minor injuries at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital.

MVSU PRESS RELEASE

 

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Bluefield State Men’s Tennis to Host NCAA Atlantic Region No. 1 Tournament

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia  – After winning their second consecutive WVIAC Conference Tournament Sunday, the No. 1 regionally ranked Bluefield State men’s tennis team was awarded Tuesday with a number one seed in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament Preliminary Round Sunday and Monday.

The Big Blues host Kutztown University and Shaw University, who are the No. 4 and No. 5 seed respectively. The Golden Bears and Bears play Sunday at 11 a.m. at Bluefield City Courts.

Monday, Bluefield State plays the winner between Kutztown and Shaw at 11 a.m.

If weather affects the matches, the contests will be moved to Virginia Tech Tennis Center. All matches are free admission.

In the other Atlantic Regional Tournament Preliminary Round, University of Charleston, the No. 2 seed hosts No. 3 seed West Va. Wesleyan, No. 6 seed Shepherd and Winston-Salem State.

No. 7

The winners of each preliminary tournament advance to the round of 16 at the NCAA Division II National Championship in Surprise, Arizona.

COURTESY BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE BLUES SPORTS INFORMATION

Where is Bluefield State College Blues heading?

School in limbo with regard to new conference affiliation.

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia   — Don’t think football controls college athletics at every level?

Just look at the blight of Bluefield State College, which still doesn’t have a place to call home 11 months after the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference began to implode.

The primary reason: Bluefield State hasn’t offered football since 1981, and there are no plans to do so in the near future.

“Day one it was football driven and took us out of the loop,” Bluefield State Athletic Director Terry Brown said. “We were not a consideration, but as time goes on, things change so once they change now we are back in the hunt.”

 Eight members of the WVIAC formed what would become the newly-created 12-team Mountain East Conference. One of those schools was fellow WVIAC program, Wheeling-Jesuit, which was added a month or so later as the only non-football playing school in the league.

It was that move that continues to give Brown hope that the fledging Division II circuit will also accept Bluefield State as a member.

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WSSU Rams looking forward to NCAA Tournament

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State’s baseball team won its third straight CIAA championship last weekend — but its work this season is not finished.

The Rams, who are 38-9 and ranked 30th in the Division II Collegiate Baseball poll, are gearing up for NCAA regional play by playing more regular-season games.

“Definitely, we are not finished and the guys have really responded in continuing to work to get better,” Coach Kevin Ritsche of the Rams said

WSSU is ranked second in the Atlantic Region behind Seton Hill; Ritsche said the Rams have a good shot at playing host to the regional May 15-19. There is one problem — finding a place to hold the regional. BB&T Ballpark, which is the Rams’ home field, will be in use by the Winston-Salem Dash during the regional, so that field is not an option.

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Felony weapons charges against Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell dropped

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --  Isaiah Crowell can exhale and just focus on his family, school and football now.

The Montgomery Advertiser reported that both felony weapons charges against the Alabama State running back, who transferred from Georgia where he was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2011 before the start of last season, were dropped Wednesday.

A piece written by longtime Montgomery Advertiser reporter Tim Gayle chronicles Crowell's journey from a guy coaches described as defiant and out of shape when he arrived on campus at ASU to the focused father he appears to be as he heads into what could be his final season of college football this fall.

Atlanta lawyer Steve Sadow represented Crowell in the case.

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Isaiah Crowell prepares for 2013 season: Alabama State football video


Charges dropped against ASU's Isaiah Crowell

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  There are plenty of attractive goals in front of Isaiah Crowell. And that’s just the way one of the nation’s highest profile college football players wants to keep his focus – looking ahead, not reflecting on past mistakes.

In his first interview since being dismissed from the University of Georgia after facing one misdemeanor and two felony criminal charges, the 20-year-old Alabama State University running back shows a more mature side willing to embrace leadership roles and interviews he once would have shied away from.

Crowell, considered by many the top high school running back in the nation as a senior at G.W. Carver High in Columbus, Ga., in 2011, was quickly thrust into the limelight after Georgia’s starting tailback, Washaun Ealey, was dismissed from the team and his backup, Caleb King, was declared academically ineligible.

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Profile: Norfolk State's James Taylor

Profile: Norfolk State's James Taylor

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk State University is known for its outstanding Track and Field program, and James Taylor appears to be the Spartans' next big star.

The young man from Suffolk had to be persuaded by his high school coach to even try the sport, and has since fought through highs and lows to become one of the top sprinters in the nation.

Now a Junior at NSU, James Taylor is a second team all American track athlete.

Monday, Norfolk State named Taylor the male Athlete of the Year, leaving him a bit surprised. A lot of people, including Taylor, thought the award would go to Pendarvis Williams of the NSU Men's basketball team.

Winning the award meant James overcame hurdles both on and off the track.

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WVSU Yellow Jacket Women's Tennis Opens NCAA Play

West Virginia State University 2012/13 Women's Tennis Team
ROSTER
(Click photo to enlarge)

INSTITUTE, West Virginia  --  The West Virginia State University women's tennis team has been seeded third in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament being held this weekend at Indiana University of Pennsylvania it was announced Tuesday night.

The Yellow Jackets (17-8) face sixth seeded Slippery Rock (12-8) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with host IUP (17-7) taking on CIAA champion Shaw (24-2) at 1 p.m. The winners meet Sunday with a spot in the Final 16 in Arizona May 8-11 on the line.

This is the sixth straight NCAA appearance for the program.

Chowan Spring football game set for Friday night

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina – The Chowan University football team will play their annual Blue-White scrimmage on Friday evening, April 26^th under the lights at Jim Garrison Stadium at 8 p.m.

The Blue-White scrimmage concludes the team’s spring practice season.

The Hawks are coming off one of the most successful seasons in recent history.  The 2012 team surpassed expectations in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) after ending their season with a 5-2 record in league play good for a 2^nd place finish in the Northern Division after being picked to finish 5^th.  The Hawks also enjoyed their first winning season since 1999 with a 6-4 overall record.

Anticipation and expectation will be even higher for the 2013 season which kicks off at ...

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Shaw Men's Tennis To Open NCAA Play Against Kutztown

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Shaw University men's tennis team will open play in the NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Tournament when they travel to Bluefield, W.Va., to take on Kutztown.

 

The Bears, the number five seed in the Atlantic Region, are 14-6 on the season while Kutztown, the five seed is 11-6.  Shaw earned an at-large bid after ranking third in the region going into CIAA Tournament play, where they lost to Winston-Salem State in the semifinals.

 

The winner of the match between the Bears and Golden Bears will face host and number one seed Bluefield State, who is 20-3, and defeated Shaw 5-0 earlier in the season.  The winner of that match will advance to the NCAA Tournament (the tennis equivalent of the Sweet Sixteen) to be held in Surprise, Ariz., May 8 through 11.

 

The other half of the region features number two Charleston (WV), who will meet seventh seed WSSU in the opening round.  The winner of that game will face off against the winner of the match between Shepherd and West Virginia Wesleyan.

 

Play begins Saturday, but times have yet to be announced.

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Shaw Women's Tennis To Open NCAA Play Against Indiana (PA)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Shaw University women's tennis team will open play in the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Tournament when they travel to Indiana, Penn. to take on host Indiana (PA).

 

The Lady Bears are the number seven seed in the Atlantic Region, qualifying for the tournament Saturday when they won their third CIAA Championship in four years, defeating Chowan 5-3.  Shaw is 23-3 on the season, while IUP, the second seed, is 17-7.

 

The winner of the first round matchup will play the winner of the match between number three seed West Virginia State and Slippery Rock, the six seed.  The winner of that match will advance to the NCAA Tournament (the tennis equivalent of the Sweet Sixteen) to be held in Surprise, Ariz., May 8 through 11.

 

California (PA) is the number one seed overall and will host the other half of the region, which includes number eight seed Virginia State of the CIAA.  West Liberty and Mercyhurst round out the slate in the Atlantic Region.

 

Play begins Saturday, but times have yet to be announced.

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Ends Season in Third Place in Final NTCA Poll

NASHVILLE, Tennesse  --  Last weekend's National Championship in the United States Bowling Congress' Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) reminded many that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is still one of the best teams in the nation, at any level. And one voter in the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) poll thought enough of the Hawks to give them a first place vote in the final NTCA Coaches poll for the 2012-2013 season.

UMES was ranked third in the final poll, where they finished in the NCAA Championships earlier this month, held in Canton, Mich. The semifinalist almost made another run at the NCAA title but missed it by one heartbreaking pin. Nonetheless, the Lady Hawks took all that emotion and disappointment to Lincoln, Nebraska where they claimed their fifth National Championship in school history at the ITCs.

In the final NTCA poll the Hawks tallied 324 points and that one first place vote to come in third. National Champion Nebraska was first with 384 points and 13 first place votes. Runner-up Vanderbilt was second in the poll with 348 points.

Arkansas State, who was also a semifinalist, was fourth for the third straight poll, this time with 300 points. Central Missouri rounded out the top five with 268 points. Fairleigh Dickinson, who made an impressive run, was sixth with 256 points, Sam Houston State and Wisconsin-Whitewater were seventh and eighth respectively. Stephen F. Austin and Adelphi rounded out the top ten.

Since the NCAA Championships were the only event since the last poll, spots 11-20 remained unchanged.

The coach's poll counts towards the Capital One Cup standings. Nebraska will earn 20 points for their spot in the poll and all DI teams in the top ten will earn points in the cup standings. Vnaderbilt earned 12 points while UMES garnered 10. Currently the Hawks are 32nd in the nation among women's teams in the cup standings.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

Florida A&M baseball team shocks Mercer

FAMU pounds out 19 hits in upset win

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  It was supposed to be an easy midweek tune-up for the Mercer University baseball team.

Instead, the FAMU Rattlers made it a slugfest and came away with their biggest win of the season, knocking off the Bears 11-5 Tuesday night at Moore-Kittles field.

Mercer entered Tuesday’s game with the nation’s No. 23 RPI — one spot behind ACC power Georgia Tech. It had been more than five years since the Rattlers beat a team with a top-25 RPI.

And four innings into the game, the Rattlers looked the part of underdogs just waiting to suffer yet another late setback. But after scoring seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings, FAMU went on to beat the Bears for the first time since 2008.

Beating Mercer (32-12) was just the fourth win all season for the Rattlers (4-37, 3-15 MEAC), but it should be a confidence-builder moving forward, said interim head coach Kevin Clethen.

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