SWAC Baseball Players Selected in 2013 MLB Draft

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Three baseball players out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference were selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.

During the three-day event, Angel Rosa (Alcorn State), Jose De Leon (southern), and Cory Jordan (Grambling State) were drafted moving the count of SWAC baseball players selected overall to 249.

Rosa (SS • 6-2 • 182 • Sr. • Guaynabo, PR / Puerto Rico Baseball Academy) was selected in the 13th round with the 397th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Rosa, 2013 Pre-Season SWAC Player of the Year, finished the last year with a .294 batting average. He also led the Braves in stolen bases (17), on base percentage (.372) and recorded 50 hits and 26 runs scored.

An All-SWAC First Team selection in 2013, De Leon (RHP • R/R • 6-2 • 210 • Sr. • Isabela, Puerto Rico/Colegio San Antonio) was picked in the 24th round with the 724th pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished with a 4-3 overall record and in the top ten in the league in ERA (3.28) and innings pitched (81.2). He led the Jaguars with 73 strikeouts including 25 strikeouts looking. Both marks were ranked second in the conference.

Jordan (RHP • R/R • 6-5 • 215 • Sr. • Houston, Texas / Bellaire HS) was taken by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 35th round with the 1,058th overall selection. Last year as a relief pitcher, Jordan finished with a 2-3 overall record, two saves and a 4.22 ERA. He recorded 27 strikeouts while appearing in 14 games in relief.

SWAC MLB Draft Notes

• There has been a player from the SWAC drafted every year since the amateur draft started in 1965
• The players drafted in 2013 moves the SWAC count of baseball players of current member institutions drafted to 249
• The last time the SWAC had three or more players drafted was 2011 - Chretien Matz (Arkansas-Pine Bluff / Detroit Tigers), Frazier Hall (Southern / L.A. Angels), Cody Hall (Southern / San Francisco Giants), Rodarrick Jones (Southern, Pittsburgh Pirates), and Eldred Barnett (Grambling State / San Francisco Giants)
• Jose DeLeon becomes 91st player drafted from Southern and first since Frazier Hall was drafted in 2011. SU continues to lead the SWAC in baseball players drafed by a MLB team.
• Angel Rosa becomes the 12th player in Alcorn State baseball history to be selected via the draft and first since 2007 after Marcus Davis was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Cory Jordan becomes Grambling State's 51st player and fourth consecutive drafted overall since 2010. Chris Wolfe was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012. GSU is ranked second among SWAC schools to have a player drafetd by a MLB team
• Rosa becomes the second consecutive shortstop after GSU shortstop, Chris Wolfe, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
• The last time the SWAC had multiple pitchers drafted was 2007 - Southern's Baron Short (Angels), Roy Merritt (Mets) and Jeff McCollum (Nationals)
• Rosa becomes the first player from Alcorn State and 15th player from the SWAC drafted by the Angels organization
• De Leon becomes the 11th player from the SWAC and ninth from Southern drafted by the Dodgers organization
• Jordan becomes the first player from Grambling State and third player from the SWAC drafted by the Rays organization.

COURTESY SWAC.org 

Alcorn's Rosa Selected by Angels in 2013 MLB Draft

ANGEL ROSA
(ALCORN STATE ATHLETICS)

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Junior shortstop, Angel Rosa was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 13th round of the  2013 Major League Baseball Draft, with the 397th overall pick.

Rosa, 2013 Pre-Season SWAC Player of the Year, finished the 2013 season with a batting average of .294.  He led the Braves in stolen bases (18) and recorded 50 hits and 26 runs.  Rosa, 6'-2"/182 lbs., is from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. 

"Rosa is a special player who works hard in season as well as in the off-season, stated head baseball coach Barrett Rey."  He deserves the opportunity and we know he will make the Alcorn family proud. 

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N.C. A&T's Kelvin Freeman taken in 17th round of MLB Draft

KELVIN FREEMAN
(Courtesy: North Carolina A&T Athletics)

LOS ANGELES, California  --  The Chicago Cubs selected N.C. A&T first baseman Kelvin Freeman with the 498th pick in the 17th round of the MLB Draft on Saturday.

Freeman, a Wilmington native, was the MEAC Player of the Year and a third-team All-America selection as a senior, according to Collegiate Baseball.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound slugger led the MEAC with 16 home runs and 59 RBI, hitting .342, slugging .663 and also stealing 14 bases in 15 attempts.

Freeman is the third A&T player to be picked in the past five years, after Xavier Macklin went in the 12th round to the Oakland A's in 2011 and C.J. Beatty went to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 26th round in 2009.

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SIAC Battle Of Bands Week 4: A Look Back to 2012

Howard trustee says university in ‘trouble’

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  A vice chairwoman of Howard University’s board of trustees recently told the board that the historically black school in Northwest Washington “is in genuine trouble” because of fiscal and management problems, according to a report published Friday.

“Howard will not be here in three years if we don’t make some crucial decisions now,” Renee Higginbotham-Brooks wrote in a letter dated April 24, which the Chronicle of Higher Education published on its Web site.

Among the concerns Higginbotham-Brooks cited were competition for students from less expensive public colleges, the possibility of a reduction in federal appropriations, expenses associated with the university’s hospital, the absence of a robust fundraising system to offset declines in tuition revenue and a university workforce that she said is too large.

Rachel Mann, a spokeswoman for Howard, said Friday afternoon that the university would refer questions about the letter to the board chairman, Addison Barry Rand, who was traveling and was unavailable for an interview.

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Earnest Wilson III hired as new SSU football coach

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  It’s been a coaching carousel with the struggling Savannah State football program for the last 20 years — and Earnest Wilson III has patiently waited for the opportunity to take a ride.

On Friday, the 48-year-old offensive coordinator from Hampton University finally got his chance when he was named the 24th head coach in Tiger history — and the 12th since 1992. Wilson takes over for Steve Davenport, who was dismissed after posting a 2-20 record over the last two seasons.

“People don’t know this, but I probably applied for this job five times,” said Wilson, who ran an offense that averaged 317 yards and 21.7 points a game for a Hampton team that went 3-7 last season. “And every time, I felt like I got closer. The good thing is I learned more and more each day I coached, and I’m going to learn more and more each day here. I’m going to learn to be a better leader, a better coach and learn what I need to do to win games.”

Wilson, a veteran of 23 years of coaching, beat out three other finalists — John Hendrick, E.J. Junior and Robert “Mickey” Joseph — for the job.



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ART SHELL CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC & JUNIOR TOURNAMENT READY TO TEE OFF

Click here for more information
 

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland --  The 2013 version of the Art Shell UMES Celebrity Golf Classic & Junior Tournament will be held June 11-12 at Great Hope Golf Course in Westover, Md. The annual event benefits the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's (UMES) Professional Golf Management Program and Division of Athletics.

NFL, UMES and CIAA Hall of Famer Art Shell returns to host the tournament and bring with him a bevy of friends and colleagues from professional sports and UMES Athletic lore. The celebrities will partner with foursomes on the course to enjoy a full round of fundraising golf. Among those returning is Redskin Great and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams who attended his first event last year.

For more information, or to register for the tournament or one of the associated events, call 410-651-8045. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. The event is an activity of the UMES Foundation.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Kristina Frahm Steps Down as UMES Bowling Coach

COACH KRISTINA FRAHM
 

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - With a ring for every finger, five-time National Champion Kristina Frahm has decided to step down as the head coach of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and return home to Illinois to work in her chosen field of accounting.

"This was a really tough decision, but one that I know is right," Frahm said.  I am heading back home to Illinois, where my family is, to pursue a career in accounting. I now get to work in the other field I am passionate about. I will also start studying to sit for the CPA exam," she said.

Frahm earned a degree in that field from UMES in 2011 and was the University's Bernstein Award winner, the highest academic award the school gives. That same year she won the NCAA Elite 88 Award, the highest academic award given in each sport by the NCAA.  Just recently she completed her M.B.A. from Salisbury University.

"We can't thank Kristina enough," said Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. "When her coach and mentor stepped down she was the chosen person to keep the ship afloat. She did so much more than that, so much more than we expected. She coached us to two more National Championships."

"I appreciate all the support and knowledge I gained from the University. It was a great experience and I am grateful for the opportunity they have given to me," Frahm added.

Frahm is one of the most decorated persons in athletic history at UMES. As a player she won three National Championships, the NCAA in 2008 & 2011 and also won the USBC Collegiate Championship in 2011. She was a four-time All-America performer and a National Rookie of the Year. As a coach she guided the Hawks to another NCAA title in 2012 and another USBC trophy in 2013.

"She has been spectacular," said Davidson. "We are sorry to see her go, but we knew when we made this decision that she was pursuing her M.B.A. and one day would want to return home to her family. We are grateful for the time she gave us and wish her nothing but the best in future."

"I would like to thank Mr. Davidson, Neema Connor, G. Stan Bradley my Assistant Coach Tyler Schmitz and all the athletic staff for all the help and support they have shown me both as a player and as a coach," said an emotional Frahm.

"I also have to thank Sharon Brummell, Doug Dukes and Vince Brummell for instilling in me the confidence to succeed and knowledge to be a better player and coach. They built this program into the powerhouse that it is and I am thrilled that I could be a part of it."

UMES will begin a National search immediately for Frahm's successor. The selected candidate will be just the fourth coach in UMES Bowling history.  "This is probably the best bowling job in the country," Frahm said. "UMES values the sport and values its coaches and athletes, they make it a priority and the next coach will be lucky to work here."


COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Saint Aug's White Headed to Italy on AIST U.S. Softball Team

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Saint Augustine’s University standout Jo’Landa White will play in Italy on a U.S. all-star softball team from June 10 to June 21, 2013.

White will compete for the Stars squad of the American International Sports Teams (AIST) travel organization. She is one of 14 players on the softball team but the only one from North Carolina. Her teammates consist of 13 Division II players and one Division III player.

White is thrilled to represent her country against international competition.

“It is an honor,” she said. “I have never been away from home like this before. This will be my first plane flight. I am looking forward to seeing Italy.”

The Stars will play several games against teams from Italy and other countries during the tour, which includes sightseeing in places such as Milan, Florence and Venice. White expects to see action at catcher, shortstop and the outfield. She will wear No. 7.

White was invited to the AIST team based on her stellar play at St. Aug the past two seasons. A rising junior from Leland, N.C., White has 18 career home runs including a CIAA-leading 10 homers as a freshman in 2012. As a sophomore in 2013, she earned Daktronics All-Region honors after smacking eight homers, which tied her sister Daja for tops in the CIAA.

White also posted a .422 batting average and drove in 29 runs this season, which ranked her among the CIAA's top 10 in both categories. She helped lead the Lady Falcons to their first winning season in 10 years (17-12-1) and a fourth-place finish in the CIAA Championships, their highest finish in recent years.  As good as her numbers were this season, White looks to improve even more as a hitter in Italy.

“We will play good teams and face good pitchers,” White said. “This will be a great experience.”

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Two charged in FAMU hazing case get house arrest, probation

ORLANDO, Florida -- Rikki Wills, the roommate of the Florida A&M drum major who died after undergoing a hazing ritual in 2011, won't spend any time in jail for his role in the death, and neither will fellow drum major Shawn Turner.

Both Wills and Turner previously pleaded no contest to felony hazing charges in connection with Robert Champion's death aboard a bus in Orlando.  The two were sentenced in Orange County on Friday.  Wills will serve one year of house arrest and five years probation.  Turner will serve 18 months of house arrest and three years probation.

Champion's parents, Robert Sr. and Pamela, traveled from their home in Georgia to Orlando for the sentencings.

"I don't have any hatred," said Pamela Champion, who spoke for about 25 minutes before Wills was sentenced, most of the time looking directly at him.  "It hurts more than anything to know how much my son loved me, how much he would do anything to help anyone," she said, "and the person that he shared a living quarters with wouldn't reach out to him."



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From Colleton County to college baseball glory

WALTERBORO, South Carolina --  In this weekend's super regional, you won't see Savannah State, which is no surprise. But it was a surprise that you saw them in the tournament at all.

What the Tigers did was almost surprise everyone watching the tournament.

The small school, playing in their first ever NCAA tournament, was led by a guy who is small in stature, but big in heart. Colleton County's Darien Campbell ended his career in a 3-2 loss to Alabama in the Tallahassee regional.

"I'm not that big," said Campbell. "I'm 160, 5-foot-5. Coming out of high school I was 125 pounds soaking wet. Big schools weren't interested in a guy small in stature but Savannah State gave me a chance. I became a freshman starter and took off from there."

When Campbell started at Savannah State, they weren't even in a conference. The Tigers were playing as an independent before they joined the MEAC two years ago.

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Alabama State Coaches Caravan To Roll In July

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  The Alabama State University Coaches Caravan will roll through Alabama and Georgia July 11-20.

The caravan, in its third year aimed at promoting and increasing awareness of Hornet Athletics, will make stops in seven cities beginning Thursday July 11 in Mobile, Friday July 12 in Tuscaloosa, and Saturday July 13 in Atlanta. The caravan will resume Tuesday July 16 in Dothan, Thursday July 18 in Columbus Ga., Friday July 19 in Birmingham, and will culminate Saturday July 20 in Montgomery.

Alabama State acting athletic director Melvin Hines, head football coach Reggie Barlow and head men's basketball coach Lewis Jackson will lead the Tour Team.

The Alabama State Coaches Caravan will reflect on the 2012-13 athletic year, another stellar campaign in the classroom and in competition, and look ahead to the upcoming campaign, highlighted by the first full home football season in The New ASU Stadium.

Hornet student-athletes excelled academically. More than 170 ASU athletes earned at least a 3.0 GPA during Fall 2012, with another 160 earning at least a 3.0 GPA this past spring. In the fall, 23 achieved 4.0 GPAs, while 30 achieved a perfect GPA in the spring.

This season, Alabama State University claimed the women's All-Sports Trophy as the best all-around women's sports program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. It was the first time Alabama State has earned the award in the women's all-sport competition. ASU finished third in the men's all-sport standings, and that combination helped to give Alabama State its third consecutive runner-up finish in the overall SWAC Commissioner's Cup Standings.

Highlighting the in-season competition was the women's track program's second consecutive “Triple Crown”, earning SWAC championships in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track. It was the second straight league title in cross country, the fifth consecutive title in indoor track, and the fourth consecutive outdoor track championship. Both the women's and men's golf programs won SWAC Championships this spring, earning NCAA Tournament appearances. The women's team earned its second SWAC title in three years, while the men's team won its second consecutive league title.



The following is the schedule, subject to change:

Thursday, July 11 – Mobile, Ala.  6-9 p.m.
Grand Central, 256 Dauphin St., Mobile, Ala. 36607

Friday, July 12  - Tuscaloosa, Ala. 6-9 p.m.
Cypress Inn, 501 Rice Mine Road, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35406

Saturday, July 13  - Atlanta, Ga.  5-8 p.m.
Stats Restaurant, 300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30313

Tuesday, July 16 - Dothan, Ala. 6-9 p.m.
TBA
Thursday, July 18 – Columbus, Ga.  6-9 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, 5351 Sidney Simons Blvd., Columbus, Ga. 31904

Friday, July 19 – Birmingham, Ala. 6-9 p.m.
TBD

Saturday, July 20 – Montgomery, Ala. 5-8 p.m.
The New ASU Stadium

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gun, ammunition and Weed found during P.J. Hairston's and ECSU's Faulcon arrest

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina  --  A 9-millimeter handgun, one magazine with nine rounds of ammunition and one bag of marijuana were found outside the rented 2013 GMC Yukon that North Carolina basketball player P.J. Hairston was driving when he and two other men were arrested during a license check Wednesday night, the Durham Police Department confirmed Friday.

Hairston, 20, was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and driving without a license after he was stopped at the intersection of Holloway Street and North Guthrie Avenue in Durham at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday. Elizabeth City State basketball player Miykael Faulcon, 20, and former college basketball player Carlos Sanford, 23, were also charged with possession, and all three men were released on $1,000 unsecured bonds.

According to the police report, which was released Friday, the items taken as evidence were 41.1 grams (or 1.45 ounces) of marijuana in a plastic bag, 2.1 grams (or 0.07 ounces) of marijuana in plastic, three cigars, plastic baggies, a handgun, an ammunition magazine and a rental agreement.

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SSU’s Kyle McGowin Drafted By Angels In 5th Round

KYLE MCGOWIN
(Courtesy: SSU Tigers Athletics)

LOS ANGELES, California – Savannah State RHP Kyle McGowin was selected as the 157th pick in the fifth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

McGowin was the Angels fourth pick in the draft and third right-handed pitcher. The Angels also picked up south paw and 17-year-old Hunter Green out of Kentucky in the first round. L.K. grabbed RHP Keynan Middleton and RHP Elliot Morris prior to drafting McGowin.

The 6-3, 180, Sag Harbor, New York native, pitched the Tigers to their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship in May, and the programs first Division I NCAA Regional bid.

McGowin was named the MEAC Pitcher of the Year after ending the regular season with an ERA of 1.49 in 96.1 innings pitched and a 12-1 record. He led the MEAC in strikeouts (111) and wins, and was ranked sixth nationally after the end of the regular season.

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Hampton University's OC Wilson gets Savannah State head coach's job

Hampton University offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson was named head coach at Savannah State, Pirates' head coach Donovan Rose confirmed Friday.

Wilson had been coordinator at HU for one year, and was chosen from among a list of four finalists to take over the program at the Pirates' MEAC rival.

"I think it's a tribute to the kind of program we have here that he was asked to be a candidate," Rose said. "When he called and told me, I said, 'I wish you the best.' I think he did a good job for us."

Rose said that he is likely to promote from within the staff to replace Wilson as coordinator. He said that he will hire someone to replace Wilson as wide receivers' coach, perhaps as soon as next week.
Rose acknowledged that June is a bit late to replace a coordinator, but didn't begrudge Wilson the opportunity.

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Savannah State names new football coach

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  A new era of Tiger football begins Friday as Savannah State University announces the selection of Earnest Wilson III as its new head coach, effective immediately.

The coaching veteran of 23 seasons becomes the 24^th head coach of the Tigers since the football program started in 1915. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Wilson replaces Steve Davenport who served as SSU head coach for the past two seasons.

Wilson, 48, comes to Savannah State from fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Hampton University where he spent the past year as the Pirates offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. Under Wilson, Hampton averaged 317.2 yards of total offense and 21.7 points per game.

Before joining Hampton, Wilson worked at Jackson State University (JSU) as offensive coordinator, quarterback coach and wide receiver coach for two years (2010-12). While at JSU, Wilson’s offense led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in scoring offense, total offense, pass offense, pass efficiency, first downs and fourth down conversions.

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Tennessee State Tigers Football Season Tickets On Sale July 8

(Courtesy TSU Tigers Athletics)

 

TICKET OFFICE | TAILGAITING FAQ | PARKING & TAILGATING | PARKING & SEATING

 

For Season Tickets - Call 615-963-5841

2013 Season Ticket Information2013 Tennessee State University Football season tickets will go on sale July 8. The Tigers open the season with Bethune-Cookman in the 15^th Annual John Merritt Classic on Sept. 1.  Later on in the season, the Tigers will return to Hale Stadium to face Austin Peay.

 
Season tickets are $85.00 and season parking passes are $40.00. The season parking package will include all four contests at LP Field.  The Hale Stadium game against Austin Peay on November 9 will be $5.00 cash the day of the game.

Season Ticket Price - $85
Faculty/Staff Price - $75
Kids 12 and under - $75 (Parents Must specify at time of purchase, no refunds will be given after purchase)

2013 Football Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all five games will go on sale July 22, 2013. All tickets will increase by $5 on gameday.

Single Game Tickets at LP Field – Range from $15 - $35
Single Game Ticket at Hale Stadium - $15

** Tickets increase by $5 on gameday**

Single Game Tickets go on sale July 22, 2013


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For 3rd consecutive year, XU wins GCAC all-sports trophy

NEW ORLEANS — For the third consecutive year, Xavier University of Louisiana is the winner of the Thomas Howell Cup, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's all-sports award. XU scored its largest-ever winning margin, 14 points, and its most points, 46½, since 2003-04.
    
The Thomas Howell Cup, named for the GCAC's longtime commissioner, is awarded annually to the school with the most points based on order of finish in various sports.

Xavier was boosted by GCAC championships in men's cross country, women's cross country, women's volleyball, women's basketball, men's basketball and women's outdoor track and field. Edward Waters was second with 32½ points, and SUNO was third with 31½.
    
It's the third time that Xavier has won the award. The athletics department finished in the top three each of the past nine seasons.

Xavier is the second school in GCAC history to win the all-sports award at least three consecutive times. Former member Mobile did it 12 consecutive years (1987-99), then won five straight in six years (2003-09; no Howell Cup awarded in 2005-06).      Xavier won the Howell Cup by 11½ points over runner-up SUNO in 2011-12 and by eight points over Edward Waters in 2010-11.      Xavier has won 46 conference/group team championships and earned 34 berths in NAIA national championships during the past seven seasons. Xavier suspended intercollegiate athletics in 2005-06 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In seven seasons since then, the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets have combined for 41 conference/group team championships and 31 berths in NAIA national championships. Thomas Howell Cup 2012-13 standings No. School Points 1. Xavier 46½ 2. Edward Waters 32½ 3. SUNO 31½ 4. Talladega 24 5. Tougaloo 23½ 6. Dillard 23 7. Philander Smith 16½ 8. Fisk 9½

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

Didavi, Montrel, Howell, Flowers are ITA All-Americans

Loic Didavi

Kourtney Howell

NEW ORLEANS — Four from Xavier University of Louisiana — Loic Didavi, Kyle Montrel, Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers — have been named Intercollegiate Tennis Association NAIA All-Americans for the 2012-13 season.

The four earned the honor by being top 20 in singles or top 10 in doubles in the ITA's postseason individual rankings. Didavi, a senior from Cotonou, Benin, and a graduate of Lycée Jean Dautet, La Rochelle, was ranked fourth in singles and fifth in doubles with Montrel, a freshman from Atlanta, Ga., and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Those are the highest-ever final NAIA individual rankings of the Gold Rush.

Kyle Montrel

Brion Flowers

The Gold Nuggets also achieved their highest-ever end-of-season singles and doubles rankings. Howell, a junior from Cypress, Texas, and a graduate of Cypress Woods High School, ranked sixth in singles and was third in doubles with Flowers, a freshman from Lafayette, La., and a graduate of St. Thomas More High School.
    
Didavi and Howell are repeat All-America selections. Didavi made the team for the third consecutive year; he also attained that honor as a sophomore at Auburn Montgomery before transferring to Xavier. Howell is the Gold Nuggets' first two-time ITA NAIA All-American. Montrel and Flowers are Xavier's first freshmen to be named All-America in this sport.
    
Also ranked nationally in the postseason were XU's Nikita Soifer at 21st and Montrel at 36th in men's singles, and the men's doubles team of Soifer and Viktor Svoboda at No. 19. In women's singles, Flowers finished 28th, and Amanda Materre was 42nd. Howell was 15th and Materre 36th in the final singles rankings a year ago.

In the NAIA South Region men's rankings, Didavi was fifth, Soifer 12th and Montrel 16th in singles. Didavi and Montrel were fourth, and Soifer and Svoboda were eighth in doubles. In the women's South Region, Howell was sixth and Flowers 15th in singles, and Howell and Flowers were third in doubles.

Soifer is a sophomore from Beer Sheva, Israel, and a graduate of Hof Hasharon School. Svoboda is a junior from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and a graduate of Vitezna Plan. Materre is a sophomore from Richmond, Texas, and a graduate of Westside High School.

This is the second consecutive year that the XU men have three in the final singles top 50 and two teams in final doubles top 20.

Xavier is one of three NAIA men's programs — the others are Vanguard and Westmont — with at least three singles players and two doubles teams in the final rankings both of the last two seasons.
    
Both XU teams had their best seasons ever. The Gold Nuggets finished 19-8 and were the first XU team in any sport to reach No. 1 in an NAIA coaches poll or reach the semifinals of an NAIA National Championship. They ranked third in the postseason. The XU men (15-8) and reached their highest-ever NAIA ranking, fifth, on three occasions, including the postseason poll. The Gold Rush became the first XU program to reach the national quarterfinals in consecutive years.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

FAMU drum major sentenced

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Former FAMU drum major Rikki Wills apologized to Robert Champion's parents today for his role in the fatal hazing of their son and then received five years probation.

Wills, who was Champion's roommate at Florida A&M University, also was ordered to serve a year of community control, a sanction similar to house arrest.

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He and Shawn Turner, who will be sentenced later today, were two of the six student leaders of FAMU's Marching 100 in November 2011. They insist they were trying to shield fellow drum major Champion from the blows that killed him during the ritual aboard a charter bus parked at the Rosen Plaza hotel in Orlando.

Turner is not expected to draw a prison sentence either, assistant state attorney Nicole Pegues said.

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FAMU Drum Major Sentenced to House Arrest in Hazing Death
 
ORLANDO, Florida --    One of the former Florida A&M University drum majors charged in the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion was sentenced today to house arrest and probation for his role in his bandmate's death.
 
Rikki Wills, 25, was one of the five drum majors who led Champion's funeral march, escorting his casket during the funeral.
 
Champion, 26, was a member of the college's famed "Marching 100" band when he collapsed and died Nov. 19, 2011 on a bus parked outside an Orlando, Fla., hotel after a football game.
 
The death was ruled a homicide and Champion's torso was covered with bruises that were inflicted during a brutal hazing ritual that contributed to his death, according to investigators.
 
Wills was sentenced to one year of "community control"--a formal name for house arrest--and five years of state probation.
 
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Savannah State to name football coach Friday

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State University has scheduled a press conference Friday afternoon to introduce its new head football coach.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference program has been without a head coach since Steve Davenport was fired on April 17 after back-to-back 1-10 seasons.

The four finalists who interviewed for the position are John Hendrick, the special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach at Alabama State; Earnest Wilson II, the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach at Hampton; Ester Junior, the head coach at Central State; and Robert Joseph, who recently joined the staff at Alcorn State as wide receiver coach after serving as Langston's head coach the last two seasons.

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SSU pitcher McGowin a semifinalist for National Pitcher of the Year

KYLE MCGOWIN
(Courtesy SSU Athletics)

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  The College Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that Savannah State junior Kyle McGowin is one of 10 semifinalists for the National Pitcher of the Year Award.

The winner of the Pitcher of the Year Award will be announced June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the annual College Baseball Night of Champions.

The right-handed pitcher finished the 2013 campaign with a 12-2 record, 2.02 earned-run average and a school single-season record of 135 strikeouts. The Sag Harbor, N.Y., native pitched 120 1/3 innings.

McGowin won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year award, made the MEAC all-tournament team and also was a finalist for the 2013 Golden Spikes Award.

In other award news, SSU outfielder Mendez Elder has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team, selected by the Collegiate Baseball magazine.

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Charlotte tourism chief wants CIAA hoops extension

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Charlotte tourism leaders have asked the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for an exclusive 30-day negotiating period to keep the conference’s basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena. The request was disclosed in a letter sent Friday to city and tourism leaders by a Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority executive.

Tom Murray, the CEO of the visitors authority, asked the conference’s board to grant Charlotte the right to propose new contract terms as part of a visit to the CIAA board meeting on May 22. Mike Butts, executive director of Visit Charlotte, the recruiting arm of the visitors authority, described Murray’s pitch as one that would allow “the CRVA, Charlotte Bobcats and the hospitality community to address the concerns that the chancellors and staff have shared as needing attention in order to continue their relationship with Charlotte.”

Time Warner Cable Arena has hosted the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments for the past eight years. The current agreement ends after the 2014 tournament. Visitors authority studies in past years estimated the tournament pumped $50 million into the local economy. Last month, Murray disclosed some preliminary results from analysis of the 2013 tournament, including a decline of 13.5 percent in ticket sales.

Butts, in the letter sent last week recapping the pitch by Murray, said ...

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SWAC Football Media Day Set for July 15

Courtesy SWAC.org

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will hold its annual Football Media Day on Monday, July 15 at the Birmingham Marriott. The event will be streamed live on the SWAC Digital Network beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The annual kickoff to the SWAC football season, this year's media gathering will feature all 10 head coaches and selected student-athletes in an on-line video format.

The SWAC will announce the 2013 All-SWAC preseason teams and predicted order of finish during the occasion as well as the fall conference ESPN broadcast schedule.

To apply for credentials to the event, visit the Sports Systems request link at http://www.sportssystems.com/clients/swac/. Requests will be accepted through 5:00 p,m. on Thursday, July 11.

 

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

With major games gone, Birmingham mayor tries salvaging what's left with SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham Mayor William Bell will meet with officials from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in a late attempt to salvage Birmingham's relationship with the group.

The meeting next week comes after SWAC announced it is taking both its football and baseball championships to Houston.

In response, several Birmingham City Council members are calling to sever financial ties to the organization in the 2014 budget.

The city last year spent $500,000 on SWAC and is set to increase the amount to $550,000 under Bell's proposed 2014 budget. Now, the council is set to hack that funding after SWAC announced plans to move its major events away from Birmingham.

Terry Burney, Bell's chief administrative analyst, said the Bell is scheduling a meeting with SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp to discuss Birmingham's relationship with the college league and the possibility of bringing other SWAC events here.

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UNC’s Hairston facing drug charge; ECSU's Faulcon involved

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina —  Durham police have charged North Carolina leading scorer P.J. Hairston with marijuana possession following a traffic stop, along with passenger and Elizabeth City State freshman Miykael Faulcon.

In an email Thursday, Durham Police Department spokeswoman Kammie Michael said officers stopped Hairston at a license checkpoint Wednesday night.

Police also arrested Faulcon and a second passenger, Carlos Devone Sanford, both of Durham, and charged all three men with possessing a half-ounce of marijuana or less.

They were released on $1,000 unsecured bonds.

Faulcon, 20, just finished his freshman season with the Vikings, and was used ...
 

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