Former TSU Player Will Wynn Passes Away

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Former Tennessee State football player Will Wynn died on June 4th at the age of 64.

Wynn, born January 15, 1949 in Apex, North Carolina, played for five seasons in the National Football League as a defensive end.
 

A seventh-round draft pick, Wynn played four seasons for the Eagles (1973-76) before moving on to play one more year with the Washington Redskins. Wynn, a 6-4, 245-pounder, wasn't noted as much for inflicting punishing tackles as he was for having a nose for the ball. He finished his Eagles career with eight fumble recoveries for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Patriots (1973) and the Packers (1974).

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Will Wynn, 64, Eagles defensive end in the '70s

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  OLD-TIME EAGLES fans might remember that Green Bay game in a driving rainstorm at the Vet on Dec. 1, 1974, when the Eagles kicked the Packers' butts, 36-14, and one of those scores was made by defensive end Will Wynn on an 87-yard fumble recovery.

It was one of the games in which Will became an unlikely hero. Remember the Dallas game in 1971 when the Eagles trounced the Cowboys, 30-16, and Will Wynn demoralized his opponents by blocking a field-goal try?

William Wynn, who played for the Birds from 1973 to 1976, and finished out his National Football League career with the Washington Redskins until 1977, died Tuesday of heart failure at age 64. He had lived in West Oak Lane for the past 20 years.

"He was one of the fastest defensive linemen I have ever seen, and he played the game hard," said former teammate Harold Carmichael, now the Eagles' director of player programs. "He was just a great guy. He loved living in Philadelphia and being part of the community. The fans loved him and he loved them. It's a big loss."

Will played 54 games for the Eagles. He was a seventh-round selection from Tennessee State who had eight fumble recoveries for 119 return yards and two touchdowns in his Eagles career, which included 27 starts.

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Athletics Director Shakeups At FAMU and FSU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Athletics directors at both Florida A&M and Florida State are out.

FAMU did not renew its contract with Derek Horne, largely because of the continued budget deficit in the athletics program. Horne has been placed on administrative leave with pay until his contract expires at the start of September.

FAMU’s athletics department has been plagued by a $7 million dollar deficit, incurred over several years.

Horne inherited the deficit when he accepted the job of athletics director in 2010, but he was never able to solve the athletics budget problems. Horne made $200,000 a year as athletics director. FAMU’s associate Athletics Director, Michael Smith, has been appointed as interim A.D. until a replacement is named.  The university says it’s looking for someone with experience in fundraising and finance.

Meanwhile, Florida State University’s athletics director is also out of his job.

Randy Spetman has been reassigned to an advisory position in the athletics department.  He had been scheduled to present a five-year plan for athletics to ...

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ASU's Cooper Named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State baseball outfielder Dillon Cooper has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team, selected by Collegiate Baseball.

Cooper (5-11, 200, Palm Bay, Fla.) hit .301 with three home runs and 26 RBI this season. He was the 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the SWAC's All-Tournament team. Cooper was fourth on the team in batting average, third in hits (59), first in doubles (12), third in home runs and sixth in RBI.

He went a perfect 5-for-5 against Florida A&M on April 16, with three singles and a pair of doubles in scoring three runs. He had eight assists this season, and perhaps his most dramatic putout vs. IPFW on March 23, making a leaping catch over the wall denying a two-run homer for the final out in a 2-0 victory.

In four games in the SWAC Tournament, Cooper hit .333 (5-for-15) with three doubles and three runs scored.

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NCCU's Michael Romano Signs Pro Baseball Contract With Taos Blizzard

Taos, New Mexico —  North Carolina Central University baseball senior pitcher Michael Romano (Spotsylvania, Va.) has been picked up by the Taos Blizzard of the Pecos League, becoming the first Eagle at the NCAA Division I level to sign a professional baseball contract.

“As cliché as it may sound, to sign with the Blizzard means that dreams do come true,” Romano said. “When you have dreamt your whole life and it suddenly becomes a reality it’s pretty overwhelming. It also shows that hard work and dedication truly does pay off. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people and I could not have done it without them. The Blizzard is giving me an opportunity to live out my dream and I am forever thankful.”

Romano was signed by the Blizzard after attending the Northeast Pro Showcase in Torrington, Conn.  The Blizzard organization is run by officials from the New York State League.

“We really liked what we saw out of Michael,” said General Manager of the Taos Blizzard Jay Acton.  “We liked his aggressiveness and willingness to challenge hitters during the showcase and our team needed another lefty out of the bullpen.”

The 6-1 lefty logged 84.0 innings in his final season at NCCU ending with a 3-9 record overall and an ERA of 5.25 with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks.  His final performance donning a maroon and gray uniform was one of his finest as he came on in-relief allowing only four hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts through 7.0 innings in the 12-6 victory over Norfolk State to eliminate the Spartans from the 2013 MEAC Tournament.

“We are very proud of Michael’s accomplishment,” said NCCU head coach Jim Koerner.  “He has worked hard and earned the opportunity to play professional baseball.  For me, it adds some significance knowing that he was one of the first players we recruited during the coaching transition.”

The Pecos League is a professional independent baseball league headquartered in Houston, Texas, which operates in cities in desert mountain regions throughout New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and West Texas.

For more information on the Pecos League and the Taos Blizzard, check out the website www.pecosleague.com

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Robinson: New FAMU AD must be versed in fundraising, finances

LARRY ROBINSON
 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Whenever FAMU finds its next permanent athletic director, that person will have a solid background in fundraising and dealing with finances.

Finding someone familiar with money matters is an absolute must, Larry Robinson, interim president at FAMU, said Wednesday after he fired Derek Horne. Horne is on administrative leave until his current $200,000 a year contract expires on Sept. 7.

Robinson, speaking to the Democrat by telephone from Los Angeles, where he is attending a business meeting, said he couldn’t discuss the specifics that led to terminating Horne. But he said resolving a deficit of more than $7 million that has plagued the athletic department for several years is a priority.

“One of the major challenges that we have in the program obviously is the on-going deficit,” Robinson said. “We’ve got to fix that year in, year out.”

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Five-a-Side: Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania –  The identity that Bethune-Cookman University football coach Brian Jenkins wants his team to take on this season is developing as you read this.

The Wildcats are getting ready.

Jenkins is all about hard work. He wants B-CU opponents and anybody watching his team to know the Wildcats will have themselves prepared in every phase of the game. And we're not just talking offense, defense and special teams, it's being ready emotionally, physically, even spiritually as a group.



The results of Jenkins' philosophy reflect how the outspoken coach has transformed the Wildcats program in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Before he became a Christmas present for B-CU after the 2009 season, the Wildcats were coming off a 5-6 record for the third time in four years. In his first three seasons in Daytona Beach, Fla., they have gone a combined 27-8 overall, including 21-3 in the MEAC, and reached the FCS playoffs twice with the conference's automatic bid.

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Albany State releases 2013 football schedule

ALBANY, Georgia --The Albany State University Golden Rams have unveiled their football schedule for the 2013 season, ASU Athletics Director Richard H. Williams and head coach Mike White announced Monday afternoon.  Highlighting the nine-game slate are two games against non-conference opponents, and a seven SIAC conference games that include matchups against two teams that made appearances in the 2012 NCAA Division II football playoffs.

“Albany State has generated a challenging schedule that will provide a lot of excitement during the 2013 season," said Williams. "Our Golden Rams are making great preparations, and they are ready to deliver some solid football action this season.”

The Golden Rams, who finished their 2012 season at 6-4, will kick off the season on September 7th on the road against the North Greenville University Crusaders.  North Greenville, an affiliate with the South Atlantic Conference, went 5-6 last season. ASU beat the Crusaders in the 2012 season opener 24-12.

Albany State will open SIAC play and renew a rivalry when they face the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers on September 14th.  Tuskegee, the defending SIAC champions, finished 2012 with a 10-2 overall record.  The Tuskegee game is the first of three West Division crossover games. The location and time for this contest will be determined at a later date.

Week three of ASU's schedule will have the Golden Rams at home. The Golden Rams will face CIAA foe Elizabeth City State University in their second-ever meeting on September 21st. The Vikings finished the 2012 season at 8-4, including a 13-12 win over ASU and 28-13 victory of Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl.

Albany State will travel to Birmingham, Alabama on September 22nd and take on the Miles College Golden Bears, who finished the 2012 season at 8-3. The Golden Bears, a member of the SIAC West Division, defeated the Golden Rams 41-6 in regular-season play.

After an open date on October 5th, another long road trip is scheduled for October 12th, as the Golden Rams travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face the Lane College Dragons. Albany State defeated the SIAC West Division opponent 36-14 in last season’s Music City Classic held in Macon, Georgia.  The Dragons finished the 2012 season with a 5-5 record.

The Golden Rams will face the first of SIAC East Division opponents on Oct. 19th as they face the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College at the Albany State Coliseum. On this day, ASU will also celebrate its’ annual homecoming. Albany State defeated Morehouse 16-13 in the 2012 contest. Albany State will then travel to Atlanta to take on the Clark Atlanta University Panthers on October 26th. ASU beat CAU 36-9 in 2012.

Albany State will return home on November 2nd and face the Benedict College Tigers. ASU Athletics will also honor the senior student-athletes.  The Golden Rams defeated Benedict 24-13 in last year’s Augusta City Classic.

Two of the biggest rivals in the SIAC, Albany State and Fort Valley State University will close their regular seasons in the 24th Annual Fountain City Classic on November 9th at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Rams 38-20 in the 2012 classic game. The FCC is touted as one of the biggest and best HBCU football classics.

The winners of the East and West divisions will play for the 2013 SIAC championship title on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia.

2013 Albany State Football Schedule (.pdf)

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TSU To Host Austin Peay in Lone Hale Stadium Game

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State football will play one game on campus at Hale Stadium during the 2013 season.

The Tigers will host in-state rival Austin Peay on Nov. 9. This is the second year in a row that TSU will play at Hale after a 13 year absence.

"Here at TSU, we have a very rich tradition," athletics director Teresa Phillips said. "Having games back at Hale last year was great for the fans, alumni and players. We look to continue the tradition and make more memories at Hale."

Tennessee State hosted Austin Peay for the first conference matchup in the OVC of the 2012 season and the first game held at Hale Stadium since 1998. "The fact that it is Austin Peay is exciting," said Phillips. "We were very happy with the turn out last year in the Hole, especially against Austin Peay. Hopefully the fans come out again this year to see another great game."

TSU went 8-3 during the 2012 season, including a perfect 5-0 at home.


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No play no pay: Birmingham Council members consider ending cash for SWAC in 2014 budget

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham city funding for the Southwestern Athletic Conference could be slashed or eliminated altogether following the college sport's conference decision to move its football and basketball championships to Houston, Texas.

Birmingham last year spent $500,000 on the Southwestern Athletic Conference and is set to increase the amount to $550,000 under Mayor William Bell's proposed 2014 budget.

But several council members question why the city would continue to provide for the Birmingham-based conference that is shipping its major events away from Birmingham.

"The city has shown good will toward them. Certainly we're not responsible for promoting their conference, but we have been a solid partner," Council President Roderick Royal said. "But if we cannot have certain tournaments and or the championship games in basketball and football, then the city needs to move to terminate the contract and let Houston pick up the weight."

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Grambling's Williams wants a finals in third NCAA trip

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The 200 meter dash was always Akeem Williams’ “baby.”

 

Despite pouring much of his focus into the 400 meter this season, the Grambling senior sprinter will make his third and last appearance in the 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week in Eugene, Ore.

 

Williams is one of 24 sprinters in the semifinals, and he is motivated to reach the eight-man finals after placing ninth in each of his first two championships.

 

“It’s in the back of mind, but this year, I definitely want to go in and try to get an automatic (qualifying) time,” said Williams, who will run in the semifinals Thursday at 6:15 p.m. “Missing the finals by just one place has been disappointing, but this week of practice has been going very well.

 

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Hampton University rising junior makes Puerto Rican National Softball Team

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Jailynn Jackson, a rising junior at Hampton University and former First Colonial High School Patriot, made the Puerto Rican National Softball Team.

Jackson led the Lady Pirates to their first ever NCAA tournament this year. The MEAC Pitcher of the Year struck out a program-record 255. Jackson ends the season with single-season program records in innings pitched (252.0), starts (39), and appearances (47). Her 26 wins are tied for the second-most in a season in program history, and Jackson’s 26 complete games are tied for third-most in program history.


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Florida A&M University fires athletic director Horne

DEREK HORNE

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  FAMU athletic director Derek Horne was fired Tuesday after almost four years of unsuccessfully trying to help the school's athletic department dig out from a huge financial deficit.

Horne told his staff of the news Tuesday after being informed by letter from interim president Larry Robinson that his four-year contract will not be renewed.

Horne was placed on immediate administrative leave with pay until his contract expires on Sept. 7, according to a statement from the university.

Associate athletic director Michael Smith will run the department on an interim basis until Horne’s replacement is hired following a national search.

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Ram Ramblings: Loss of Ziggy makes WSSU a doughnut team

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  There was something about Michel-Ofik Nzege that was a little different.

That was my first impression back in October when I met him for the first time before a Winston-Salem State basketball practice. He was confident, sure, but he seemed like he was on a mission to get better no matter what.

During Nzege’s only season at WSSU he was at times, very good, but at other times he was prone to getting into foul trouble and spending major minutes on the bench for Coach Bobby Collins.

It didn’t shock me when I found out that ...

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David 'Deacon' Jones, an Orlando legend, dead at age 74

ANAHEIM HILLS, California  --  Legendary Orlando football player David 'Deacon' Jones died Monday evening at his home in Southern California. He was 74. Reports are that he died of natural causes.

Jones, who played at Orlando's Hungerford High School prior to integration of city schools, was a member of the renowned Los Angeles Rams' Fearsome Foursome, with Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy, on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.



An obscure 14th-round draft in pick in 1961, Jones came out of Mississippi Valley State (then called Mississippi Vocational College) to the NFL, and would later be tagged the "Secretary of Defense." He also is credited with inventing the term "sack." Jones missed only six games in his 14 NFL seasons.

Jones was also credited with perfecting the old defensive move termed the "head slap," which was outlawed by the NFL. It is the name of his biography, "Headslap: The Life and Times of Deacon Jones."

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SWAC Mourns the Passing of Deacon Jones

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Mississippi Valley State University and NFL legend, David "Deacon" Jones, the original sackmaster, has died.

The Hall of Fame defensive end credited with terming the word sack for how he knocked down quarterbacks, was 74. The Washington Redskins said that Jones died of natural causes at his home in Southern California on Monday night.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Deacon Jones and the Mississippi Valley State community," said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. "We will truly miss this NFL pioneer and SWAC legend. I'm sure Mr. Jones will be measured by his actions on the field. We hope that he will be remembered by the impact he made off the gridiron and how he lived his life."

A 14th-round draft pick in 1961 out of MVSU, which later produced Jerry Rice, Jones was the first defensive lineman with 100 solo tackles, reaching that mark in 1967.

Jones, a native of Eatonville, Fla., played three college seasons at South Carolina State and one at Mississippi Vocational College (now Mississippi Valley State).

He was enshrined into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 1994. That class included Willis Reed (N.Y. Knicks - Basketball Hall of Fame) and Lou Brock (St. Louis Cardinals - Baseball Hall of Fame).

Because sacks didn't become an official statistic until 1982, Jones' total is uncertain. His impact as a premier pass rusher and team leader is not.

Jones was the leader of the Rams' Fearsome Foursome unit from 1961-71 and then played for San Diego for two seasons before finishing his career with the Redskins in 1974. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and made the league's 75th anniversary all-time squad.

Jones made the Pro Bowl every year from 1964-70 and played in eight overall. He combined with fellow Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy on a defensive line that at times was unblockable.

The Rams' stats show Jones with 159½ sacks for them and 173½ for his career -- all unofficial, of course. Jones also was one of the most durable players, missing just five games in his 14 pro seasons.

Jones also had several small acting roles both during and after his playing career. He was a guest star on a handful of television shows -- including episodes of "Bewitched," "The Brady Bunch" and "The Odd Couple" -- and appeared in the 1978 Warren Beatty film "Heaven Can Wait."

Most recently, Jones was the CEO of his own foundation, which he began in 1997. He also made several trips to visit troops on active duty in the Middle East.

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

FAMU in NCAA finals: Nakia Linson chases records

TALLAHASSEE. Florida -- Nakia Linson can’t remember the name of the little girl she raced against during a middle-school physical education class, but it was a life-changing experience.

At the time, Linson was considered the fastest girl in her Atlanta-area neighborhood.

“She was faster than me,” said Linson, now a star runner on the FAMU women’s track team. “I thought I was the fastest girl, but she shut me down. I was a bit jealous, but I didn’t show it.”

Linson recounted the story Monday while explaining her passion for running, saying the race was her inspiration for striving to be the best. That drive has won her a berth in the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., beginning Wednesday, when she runs with the Rattlers’ 4x100 track team.

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TSU Tennis Adds Four

COURTESY TSU ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State Head Tennis Coach Robert Cain announced his first signing class at TSU with a pair on the men's and women's team.

Trinity Randolph is a senior graduating from Central High School located in Little Rock, Ark.. "I have had the privilege to watch Trinity grow and develop her skills on and off the court," Cain said. "Her work ethic and willingness to practice has exceeded all my expectations. She continuously shows tremendous signs of improvement through her performance on the court and has elevated her level of fitness. Not only have I had the honor of watching Trinity develop into the young lady that she is today, but I have also had an opportunity to develop a relationship with Mr. & Mrs. Randolph. Knowing her parents and the principles that they live by makes me very confident the Trinity will be an excellent addition to the Women’s tennis team."

Victoria Haynes from McKinney, Texas, attended McKinney Boyd High School. Her top 50 Super champ ranking within Texas is a meager representation of her amazing talent and her natural athletic abilities. "Her willingness to practice will have a major impact on the development of her tennis game the next four years" Cain said. Not only is Victoria a brilliant tennis player but she is also an excellent student who finished with a 3.2 as her overall GPA. Victoria also displays good old fashion family values, instilled in her by her parents, which are very pleasant qualities to see.

Darry Hale is a JUCO transfer from Holmes Community College. During his freshman year, he was ranked top ten in the nation while only losing two matches the entire season. He also won an ITA Regional tournament and went undefeated in 2012. "His extensive player background and winning record will mature and generate new quality of leadership to our relatively young Men’s tennis team," said Cain.
Joe Daniels is a Tennessee native who is graduating from Beech Senior High School in Hendersonville. He is an exceptional tennis player, ranked #3 in the state, who has worked extremely hard to improve his game. Not only does he possess remarkable athletic ability but he also mentally sound and focused on the court. "There are many upsides to Mr. Daniels game, although there is still a long and difficult road ahead." Cain explains. 

"Joe realizes there is still room for improvement within his game and is looking forward to challenge. Having gotten to know Joe and his parents like I have, I can personally say Joe is a product of fine upbringing. He is very respectful and well mannered; these are qualities that I like to see in all of my recruits." 

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

 

 

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Bowie State linebacker discovering his potential

BOWIE, Maryland  -- When Antoine Young was a senior at Suitland High School during the 2010 football season, Bowie State coach Damom Wilson took notice. So Wilson, who was in his first year at BSU at the time, made Young one of the key members of his first full recruiting class.

“I remember seeing that he had a very high motor, and he was an extremely tough player,” Wilson said during an interview following a spring practice scrimmage in April. “As a coach, that is something you look for in a player.”

Young, who was one of 13 players to sign with Bowie State in February 2011, admittedly entered college as a raw prospect, and after taking a redshirt season, he said he had no doubt he would develop into one of the Bulldogs’ better players.

“A lot of guys came in my class as potential guys,” said Young, who was a second team All-Gazette selection in 2010. “This spring really showed off our talent and the vision of coaching staff. We are part of Coach Wilson’s first real recruiting class, and our goal is to get things going.”

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Official: Virginia HBCU to close

LAWRENCEVILLE, Virginia — Saint Paul’s College has informed an accreditation association the historically black college is closing.

President Belle S. Wheeler of the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges said the college alerted the commission of its plans.

St. Paul’s officials could not be reached over the weekend and the school’s website did not indicate it was closing.

Founded in 1888, the school had been struggling financially and it was denied accreditation by Wheeler’s group.

The school had considered merging with another school but that effort failed. It had also dropped its athletic programs, citing finances.

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Art Shell golf classic draws UMES and NFL greats

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Some NFL greats and University of Maryland Eastern Shore alumni will return to their roots on the Eastern Shore to help raise money for UMES's Professional Golf Management Program and Division of Athletics by participating in the annual Art Shell UMES Celebrity Golf Classic and Junior Tournament June 11-12.

 

The event, which will occur at Great Hope Golf Course in Westover, Md., is hosted by NFL, UMES and CIAA Hall of Famer Art Shell.

 

Following the Junior Tournament, for golfers age 11 to 18 on June 11, Shell and other former NFL players, such as the UMES Golf Academy director and men's golf head coach Marshall Cropper, will partner with foursomes to play in the 18-hole tournament June 12. They will attend an awards dinner in the Henson Center on campus that evening.

 

Cropper, the tournament's director and a former player for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins, said the funds from the event go to building the PGA program and golf academy, as well as funding scholarships.

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OP-ED: Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough -- Why USC and not a black college, Dr. Dre?

LOS ANGELES, California  --  I was in Detroit preparing to give a speech last week when the news came across my Twitter feed: "Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine donate $70 million to USC to create new degree." As one of the first university presidents from the hip-hop generation, I had to stop and read the story immediately.

The two music moguls and co-founders of Beats Electronics — recognizing that they needed a new type of creative talent for their growing music technology business — are funding a four-year program that blends liberal arts, graphic and product design, business and technology.

I understood their need to build a pool of skilled talent. But why at USC? Iovine's daughter is an alum, sure. And he just gave its commencement address. Andre Young — before he was Dr. Dre — grew up in nearby Compton, where he rose to fame as part of the rap group N.W.A. The Beats headquarters are on L.A.'s Westside.

Still, what if Dre had given $35 million — his half of the USC gift and about 10% of his wealth, according to a Forbes estimate — to an institution that enrolls the very people who supported his career from the beginning? An institution where the majority of students are low-income? A place where $35 million would represent a truly transformational gift?

Why didn't Dr. Dre give it to a black college?

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ULL rips Jackson State to stay alive in Baton Rouge Regional

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Nine relatively quiet innings at the plate might have gnawed at Louisiana-Lafayette.

As it turned out, Jackson State pitching was the perfect remedy.

Subdued in their NCAA tournament regional opener, the Ragin’ Cajuns woke up in a 15-1 elimination-game rout Saturday afternoon at Alex Box Stadium, pounding out 19 hits and recovering from an early one-run deficit to survive into Sunday.

ULL (42-19) faces the loser from the Sam Houston State-LSU matchup at 2 p.m. Sunday in another elimination game.

“We’ve just got to survive and advance,” ULL coach Tony Robichaux said. “We’ve got enough hitting to get through this.”

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Alabama Avoids Elimination with 3-2 Win over Savannah State

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The Alabama baseball team held on for a 3-2 win over the Savannah State Tigers in an elimination game in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional on Saturday afternoon from Dick Howser Stadium. Alabama will play on Sunday against the loser of the winner’s bracket game between Florida State and Troy.

“This time of the year you’ll take an ugly win, and that’s certainly what it was today,” Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “Credit Mike Oczypok, who was tremendous today. He developed a blister in the third inning and he really batted through it to give us seven. A lot of credit goes to Mike.”

Alabama (35-27) starting pitcher Mike Oczypok (5-2) gave the Tide another outstanding performance, going 7.0 scoreless innings against the Tigers. The walk-on freshman allowed six hits, walked one and struck out four en route to his fifth win of the season.  Closer Ray Castillo threw a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 12th save of the season, to set a school record for saves by a freshman.

“We weren’t very sharp today and haven’t been in this tournament,” Gaspard said. “We’re still breathing and tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity. We’ll try to take whatever momentum we have from today and into tomorrow and look for better play.”

Box Score | Savannah State Photo Gallery

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Hot bats, unruly fans highlight FSU's 10-0 win over SSU in NCAA Regionals

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Go figure - the most resistance Savannah State could muster against Florida State actually came from the stands during the NCAA Regional on Friday night.

Top seed Florida State dismantled the fourth-seeded Tigers with ease, scoring 10 runs in the first three innings on the way to a 10-0 win in front of 3,084 at Dick Howser Stadium.

And with all on-field drama gone early, that left the pinnacle of suspense to a stadium walkway in the third inning as a small group of unruly Savannah State fans had to be corralled and ejected by FSU athletic director Randy Spetman.

FSU, which snapped a four-game losing skid, moves on from a wild Friday to play No. 3-seed Troy on Saturday at 5 p.m. Troy beat Alabama 5-2 in the early game, meaning Alabama and Savannah State, the MEAC Champions, will play in an elimination game at Noon Saturday.  "Anytime that you can shut out a team with the ability of Savannah State, you have to certainly be pleased as a coach," FSU coach Mike Martin said. "It was a good win for us."

Photo Gallery: FSU AD Randy Spetman escorts unruly SSU fans out of stadium

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FSU AD Randy Spetman breaks up near-fight during Regional

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Fans of opposing athletics programs take note: if you get out of line during games at Florida State, this is how the school's athletics director will take care of you.

First, he'll be polite. Slowly, casually he'll walk over to you and your unruly group and try to speak peacefully. No, you may not know who he is, but to him, that's OK. You don't need to know. He just wants you to calm down and to get off his property.

If the calm approach doesn't work, and you're still causing a scene, the Air Force graduate and former fighter pilot will take things up a notch.

Get in his face, and he'll make sure his is the last you see before walking out of his facility.

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Xavier's Hopkins selected for Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS — Bob Hopkins, who coached Xavier University of Louisiana to NAIA District 30 men's basketball championships in 1972 and 1973 and three victories in the NAIA Division I National Championship, has been selected for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
     
Hopkins will be inducted Sunday, Nov. 24 at Midland Theatre in Kansas City, Mo., as part of a three-day celebration of the sport.
     
Hopkins played for Grambling from 1952-56 and set an NCAA men's career scoring record of 3,759 points. He's still No. 2 on that list. He played four seasons in the NBA with the Syracuse Nationals (now the Philadelphia 76ers) and won more than 250 games as a men's head coach at Xavier, Alcorn State, Grambling, Maryland Eastern Shore and Southern. He also coached the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics for part of the 1977-78 season and Grambling's women in 1983-84.

Hopkins was 82-45 from 1969-74 as head coach of the Gold Rush, and his 1972-73 team — led by Donald "Slick" Watts and Bruce Seals — upset top-ranked and unbeaten Sam Houston State 67-60 in the second round of the NAIA's national tournament. Until 2012, the 1972-73 Gold Rush were the only XU team in any sport to reach the NAIA national quarterfinals. Men's tennis did it in 2012, and both the men's and women's teams accomplished that earlier this month.
     
He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1963, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame in 2009. Hopkins is 78 years old and lives in a Seattle suburb.
      
Also inducted in November with Hopkins will be Tom McMillen, Marques Johnson, Gene Keady, Rollie Massimino, George Raveling, George Killian and the 1962-63 Loyola University Chicago men's team.

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

WSSU Volleyball star forgoing fun in the sun for internship

AVONI SEYMOUR
(Courtesy: WSSU RAMS Athletics)

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  There won’t be much vacation this summer for Winston-Salem State University senior outside hitter
Avoni Seymour.

Instead of spending the summer on the beaches of her native Nassau, Bahamas, she will complete an internship in biomedical research at WSSU.

“It’s a really big deal because it’s my last summer as an undergrad and my goal is to go to medical school,” Seymour said.

“So this is the perfect opportunity for me to sharpen my skills and prepare for the next level.”

A rising senior on the Lady Rams volleyball team, Seymour earned second team All-CIAA last season after totaling 242 kills and finishing second on the team with 302 digs.

The Provost Scholar of Biomedical Research internship will allow her to ...

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