Former Howard Bison Pep Hamilton a candidate for Vanderbilt job

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- To no surprise, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is in the running for a head coaching job.

Hamilton, who just completed his first season running the Colts' offense, is a candidate for the Vanderbilt head coaching job, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night. Vanderbilt is looking for replacement for James Franklin, who left to coach Penn State last weekend.

Hamilton, who has college and NFL coaching experience, is a smart coach who the players easily gravitated to.

Did he deserve grief for some of his play calls last season?

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Former B-CU QB Pa'tell Troutman to coach Atlantic football

PORT ORANGE, Florida — Pa'tell Troutman will take over as Atlantic's new head football coach, athletic director Tim Smith said Thursday.

Troutman, 35, is a former Bethune-Cookman quarterback who served as offensive coordinator at DeLand during the 2012 season. He replaces Smith, who stepped down as football coach in November.

“I am a former Seabreeze guy, and I coached with Kerry Cramer back in the mid-'90s when Pa'tell played for us,” Smith said. “I got to know him through that, and I followed him from there ever since. I thought he would be a good fit for the kids.”

Troutman, who did not coach in 2013, said he was happy to land his first head coaching job.

“I was excited, nervous and overwhelmed,” he said of his reaction to the news. “I just had to sit back and think about how my life got to this point.”

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THE PA'TELL TROUTMAN FILE

• 5'11", 200 lbs., Age: 35
• BCU Quarterback 1997-2000: 1998 MEAC Rookie of the Year...In 1999, he threw for 1,042 yards and rushed for 1,023 for a combined 16 TDs...Finished career as the all-time rushing QB...
• Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2001. Was released after rookie mini camp.
• 2002: Slotback, Quarterback with Canadian Football League Saskatchewan Roughriders...Saw action in six games.
• Played in Germany for the Munich Cowboys (2002) and Berlin Adler (2004).
• Spent 2006 on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League.
• 2012: Offensive Coordinator at Deland High School (Florida).
• 2014: Head Football Coach, Atlantic High School, Port Orange, Florida.

-beepbeep

B-CU safety Addison says he will forego senior season to try to play in the NFL

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Although he hasn’t gotten the feedback he had hoped for, Bethune-Cookman safety Nick Addison said Tuesday he plans to forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

“After the season, I did some thinking and I felt I was ready to make the next step,” Addison said. “I want to be able to better my future and help my family financially.”

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior from Rivierview Spoto High was a two-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-teamer. He was named to the Associated Press FCS All-America second team in 2013.

Addison tied for the MEAC lead in interceptions with five this season after intercepting four passes in 2012.

He returned one interception for a touchdown in 2013 and tied for second on the team with 64 tackles. He also had one fumble recovery and forced two fumbles.




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Former mentors say WSSU’s Boulware was destined to be a coach

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- When Kienus Boulware arrived at North Carolina in the early 1990s after a stellar career at Thomasville High School, he wasn’t intimidated by his surroundings, said Mack Brown, UNC’s coach at the time.

Brown, who went on to coach at Texas and recently retired, said he remembers Boulware as a hard-hitting linebacker.

“Perez (the name under which Boulware played in high school and college) was an outstanding player for us,” Brown said in a recent telephone interview from Austin, Texas. “He was a smart player and a good player and … he was even coaching when he was a player.”

Boulware played two seasons for the Tar Heels before a spinal-cord injury ended his career. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Boulware — who was 20 at the time — took up Brown’s offer to become ...

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More votes for Nuggets, but still short of NAIA's top 25

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana received more support Tuesday in the NAIA Division I women's basketball coaches poll but still fell short of the top 25.

The Gold Nuggets (13-6) received 39 points and are 27th overall. They needed 60 points to reach the top 25. Xavier received five points and was 34th one week ago.

Helping Xavier's climb was a 74-52 home victory Saturday against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and city rival SUNO, which was tied for 28th last week.

It's the third poll in a row that Xavier is out of the top 25 after 45 consecutive appearances. The Gold Nuggets were 15sth in the preseason.

"If we keep winning, everything else will take care of itself," said XU coach Bo Browder, whose team has won nine of its last 10 games. "When we're ready to play, we can compete with anybody. When we're not ready to play, we can lose to anybody."

The GCAC's lone top-25 team is Talladega, which climbed from 12th to 10th. The Lady Tornadoes will visit Xavier at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Xavier will play host to Edward Waters at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Vanguard received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the fourth time in as many polls this season.

The next rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Jan. 21).

The top 25:

1. Vanguard
2. Freed-Hardeman
3. Oklahoma City
4. Westminster (Utah)
5. MidAmerica Nazarene
6. Oklahoma Baptist
7. Georgetown (Ky.)
8. Campbellsville
9. The Master's
10. Talladega
11. Our Lady of the Lake
12. Westmont
13. Bethel (Tenn.)
14. Wiley
15. Montana State-Northern
16. Coastal Georgia
17. Columbia (Mo.)
18. Lewis-Clark State
19. John Brown
20. Hope International
21. Baker
22. Cumberlands
23. Benedictine (Kan.)
24. Martin Methodist
25. LSU-Shreveport

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

Gold Rush climb into tie for 22nd in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana continued its progress in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25. The Gold Rush climbed two places into a tie for 22nd Tuesday.

The Gold Rush (14-4) are in the top 25 for the 28th consecutive time -- the longest active streak in the division -- and the 41st time in the last 42 polls.

Xavier is tied with Lewis-Clark State in the rankings and is one of three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference teams in the top 25. Talladega is No. 8, and Philander Smith is tied for 16th.

Talladega will visit Xavier at 7:30 p.m. Monday and will be the second top-10 team to visit the Convocation Center this season. Xavier defeated the other top-10, William Carey, 90-80 in overtime on Dec. 3.

Xavier's next game will start at 5 p.m. Saturday at home against Edward Waters. The Gold Rush have won a season-high five straight and 9-of-10. Xavier allowed less than 60 points in each of its last five games, the first time that's happened since January 2009.

Pikeville received 9-of-10 first-place votes to earn the No. 1 ranking for the second consecutive week.

The next rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Jan. 21).

The top 25:

1. Pikeville
2. Southwestern Assemblies of God
3. Cal State San Marcos
4. Columbia (Mo.)
5. Evangel
6. Freed-Hardeman
7. Arizona Christian
8. Talladega
9. William Carey
10. Concordia (Calif.)
11. St. Gregory's
12. Wiley
13. Culver-Stockton
14. St. Catharine (Ky.)
15. Benedictine (Kan.)
16. (tie) Emmanuel (Ga.)
16. (tie) Philander Smith
18. Georgetown (Ky.)
19. Westminster (Utah)
20. Vanguard
21. Mid-America Christian
22. (tie) Xavier
22. (tie) Lewis-Clark State
24. Wayland Baptist
25. Hope International

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

It’s official: WSSU introduces Boulware as coach

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Kienus Boulware was introduced as Winston-Salem State’s next head football coach at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Bowman Gray Stadium fieldhouse.

Boulware, 40, emerged from more than 200 applicants to be promoted from defensive coordinator, where he spent the last four seasons helping WSSU accumulate a 45-6 record and national-power status in NCAA Division II.

“This is a dream job and I’m at a dream school,” Boulware said. “I’m extremely happy that this day has come.”

Boulware, a Thomasville native and a former player at North Carolina, has spent 14 seasons as an ...


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Ex-FAMU football player's family files lawsuit in fatal police shooting

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Attorneys for the family of a former Florida A&M football player fatally shot by police in Charlotte, North Carolina, have filed a civil lawsuit against several parties connected to his death.

According to the complaint filed Monday by Jonathan Ferrell's mother, the family is targeting the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe and the shooter, Officer Randall Kerrick.

The mother, Georgia Ferrell, said Tuesday that she hopes the lawsuit will lead to changes in the way Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are trained.

"I don't know if it will bring peace, but I hope and pray that (in) doing this ... that they get the proper training," Ferrell said at a news conference, flanked by her two attorneys.

Kerrick shot an unarmed Ferrell, 24, in September after a woman -- home alone with her 1-year-old child -- called 911 and reported that someone was trying to break down her front door.


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Doug Williams Named 2013 Davey O’Brien Legends Award Recipient

DOUG WILLIAMS

DOUG WILLIAMS TO RECEIVE DAVEY O’BRIEN LEGENDS AWARD PRESENTED BY LOW T CENTER

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Davey O’Brien Foundation today announced Doug Williams as the recipient of the 2013 Davey O’Brien Legends Award presented by Low T Center, in honor of his outstanding contributions to the game of football both on and off the field. Williams will be presented with the award at the 37th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 17, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I’m very honored to receive the Legends Award,” Williams said. “It’s a privilege to be included among some of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.”

Established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Davey O’Brien Foundation, the Legends Award recognizes a college or professional quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader and demonstrated exemplary conduct on and off the football field.

“All of us at Low T are proud to see Doug Williams selected as this year’s Davey O’Brien Legends Award winner,” Low T Center Founder and CEO Mike Sisk said. “Doug played an historic role in the NFL and his impact continues today.”

Past recipients of the award include Eddie LeBaron (2012), Jim Kelly (2011), Bob Griese (2010), Dan Fouts (2009), Joe Theismann (2008), Steve Spurrier (2007), Paul Hornung (2006), Len Dawson (2005), Archie Manning (2004), Terry Bradshaw (2003), Bart Starr (2002) and Roger Staubach (2001).

“We’re honored to present Doug Williams with the 2013 Davey O’Brien Legends Award,” Scott Murray, Chair of the Legends Committee for the Davey O’Brien Foundation said. “Doug remains a true pioneer in the National Football League as the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl and we look forward to celebrating his achievements at our Awards Dinner.”

Just five games into his freshman year at Grambling in 1974, Williams became the school’s starting quarterback under the legendary Eddie Robinson. The Tiger would go on to post an 11-1 record and earn the first of three Southwestern Athletic Conference titles in Williams’ four years as a starter.

As a senior in 1977, Williams led the nation in touchdown passes and passing yards and went on to earn All-America honors from the Associated Press. He capped his college career by leading Grambling to a 35-32 win over Temple in the inaugural Mirage Bowl in Tokyo. He left Grambling as the NCAA record-holder for career passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes. A two-time Black College Player of the Year, Williams was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

But it was in the National Football League where Williams made his most lasting impact on the sport, becoming the first African-American quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, when he led the Redskins to a 42-10 win over John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. Williams’ performance that day is still one of the greatest on football’s largest stage. Trailing 10-0 after one quarter, he threw four touchdown passes in the second quarter as Redskins erupted for 35 points en route to the win. Williams was named the game’s MVP after throwing for a Super Bowl-record 340 yards.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Williams in the first round of the 1978 NFL Draft and the Zachary, Louisiana native quickly dug the Bucs out of their expansion-era hole. From 1979 to 1982, Tampa Bay made their first three playoff appearances, won two NFC Central Division titles and reached the NFC championship game in 1979. In five seasons with the Buccaneers, Williams threw for 12,648 yards and 73 touchdowns, numbers that still rank among the best in franchise history.

In 1984, Williams moved on to the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL. Williams was one of the top passers in the wide-open league, throwing for more than 3,000 yards in his two seasons with the team. When the USFL’s brief run ended in 1986, Williams returned to the NFL, signing with the Washington Redskins and reuniting with Joe Gibbs, his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. Despite starting just two games during the 1987 regular season, Williams was named the starting quarterback for the Redskins entering the playoffs that season. He went on to lead Washington to wins over Chicago and Minnesota to set the stage for his Super Bowl heroics.

Following his retirement from football, Williams returned home to coach high school football in Louisiana from 1991 to 1993. He began his college coaching career as an assistant at Navy in 1994. In 1997, he was named the head coach at Morehouse College and spent one year at the school before was chosen to replace his college mentor at Grambling. In two stints at his alma mater, Williams won five SWAC Western Division titles and three SWAC championships.

Williams and his wife, Raunda, have eight children: Ashley, Adrian, Doug, Jr., Jasmine, Laura, Lee, Temessia and Carmaleta.

About the Davey O’Brien Legends Award

Since 1977, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has recognized champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Davey O’Brien Legends Award was established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Foundation and to pay tribute to Davey O’Brien. The Legends Award recognizes a college or professional quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader and demonstrated exemplary conduct on and off the football field. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

About The Davey O’Brien Foundation

The Davey O’Brien Foundation was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away nearly $900,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

About Low T Center

Founded in 2009, Low T Center has quickly evolved into a pioneering and innovative medical practice model. The physicians at Low T Centers exclusively diagnose and treat men with low testosterone. As demand for information about testosterone therapy grows, Low T Center has established itself as a leader in treatment and public awareness. Nationally there are 42 Low T Centers operating in ten states. Cities include: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Denver, Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Nashville. Visit www.LowTCenter.com for more information

ASU Hornets Release 2014 Baseball Schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez and the Alabama State University baseball team has released its 2014 baseball schedule.

The Hornets have a 55-game regular season, which includes 26 home dates to be played at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

ASU 2014 BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Alabama State will open the 2014 season with a three- game home series against Eastern Kentucky University (Feb. 14-16). This season, the Hornets will also travel to the University of Pacific for a weekend series (Feb 21-23), and will culminate this year's schedule with a three-game road series against the University of Miami (May2-4). Also on this year's slate are home-and-home match-ups against UAB, South Alabama, Troy, Samford, Jacksonville State, and Mercer. The Hornets will also play a pair of contests at Auburn.

"Every year we try to play a very competitive schedule to get our guys ready for the conference play. With the schedule we have I believe we will face a lot of quality teams", head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez said. "We have a lot of home games on the schedule that our fans will get to enjoy. We're very excited about the season. It will be challenging and our team will be ready to go."

ASU will open Southwestern Athletic Conference play March 1-2, with a home weekend series against Mississippi Valley State. The Hornets will close-out conference play with two weekend series against archrival Alabama A&M, April 19-20, and eastern division foe Jackson State April 26-27.

Alabama State will host North Carolina Central University for a three-game home series that will kick-off a mid-season stretch that will have the Hornets playing five games in six nights, March 28-April 2, wrapping up with games against Mercer and Jacksonville State.

This year's SWAC tournament is set for May 14-18 and will be held in Fort Worth, Texas at LaGrave Field.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JSU: Local recruiting trail top priority

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State said it wanted a coach who could successfully recruit Mississippi.

The idea was that loading up on local talent could not only help the team’s winning percentage, but also boost sagging attendance numbers.

So what did Jackson State do? It hired Harold Jackson, a 68-year-old first-time major-college head coach who hasn’t been in the college ranks since 2006.

The former Jackson State star most recently coached in the United Football League with the Hartford Colonials (2011) and Sacramento Mountain Lions (2012).

Will this marriage work?

For his part, Jackson said he’d make Mississippi his main recruiting priority.

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Reports: MVSU targets ex-JSU coach Rick Comegy

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy may not be out of a job long.

Multiple reports have Comegy, who was fired in December by Jackson State, as the top candidate for the open Delta Devils job. Mississippi Valley State has scheduled a news conference for Jan. 21 to announce its next coach.

If Comegy is the next coach at MVSU, he would replace Karl Morgan, whose contract was not renewed after he finished with a 8-35 record in four seasons, including a 2-9 mark in 2013. Assistant head coach Terrance Graves now serves as the Delta Devils’ interim coach.

According to WXVT in Greenville, Comegy was one of four finalists for the position, along with former JSU offensive coordinator James Woody. Woody is currently the head coach at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. Footballscoop.com reported Sunday that Comegy would land the MVSU post.

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Questions Loom for Jackson, JSU Football

JACKSON, Mississippi -- As of yesterday, Jackson State University has a new head football coach.

The school announced Dec. 18 that it would replace Rick Comegy and, less than one month later, unveiled Harold Jackson—who played college ball for the Tigers before going on to play and coach in the NFL—as head coach.

During a press conference, Jackson said he had not met with his assistant coaches and was not sure whether he would make staff changes but did discuss his vision for the team.

Offense sells football. We're going to have an offense that sells football games," Jackson told reporters. "Defense wins championships. We're going to have a defense that goes and stops the other team."

Still, several large questions loom over Jackson and the ...

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WSSU Class of 1958 Gives More than $100,000, Makes History

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State University's (WSSU) Class of 1958 made history recently when it donated more than $103,000 to the university.

The class had exceeded their set goal of $100,000 pledged to WSSU by the time it celebrated its 55th reunion. Through the generosity and commitment of individual class members, the last installment of $20,000 was presented during homecoming weekend 2013. The final gift totaled $103,000.

The donation is the single largest gift by a class in the university's history.

"WSSU has done an exceptional job over the years of helping students become career-ready as well as consummate professionals," said William U. Harris, WSSU class of 1958 president. "It needs and deserves the contributions and active participation of its alumni to meet mounting challenges."

The funds will go toward scholarships for students majoring in education.

"We are extremely grateful and pleased with the generosity of this class," said Michelle Cook, WSSU vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the WSSU Foundation. "Now we are challenging other classes to surpass this milestone."

Gifts to WSSU honoring a class's anniversary has been a long-time tradition.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Dr. Elmira Mangum Opens Up to Roland Martin About Being FAMU’s First Female President

WASHINGTON, D.C. (01/13/14) -- Roland Martin talks with Elmira Mangum about being elected Florida A&M University’s first female president.

PLAY AUDIO

Howard U.: A look at two presidential searches

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The last time Howard University was looking for a president, the board of trustees picked a pair of heavy hitters as co-chairmen of the search committee: business executive Richard D. Parsons and retired Gen. Colin L. Powell.

It’s hard for a committee to have more star power at the helm than the tandem of Parsons — who at that time, in 2007, was chairman and chief executive of Time Warner —and Powell, the former secretary of state.

This time, the board made a similar move. Noted Washington lawyer Vernon E. Jordan Jr. — who was a confidant of President Bill Clinton and has deep connections in the capital and the business world — was announced Monday as the chairman of a 19-member committee charged with seeking Howard’s 17th president.

A look at the previous search committee and the new one shows some overlap, some similarities and some interesting variations.

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Ram Ramblings: WSSU will have MLK celebration with doubleheader at Joel Coliseum

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s women’s and men’s basketball teams finished up their three-game road trip on Monday night. Both teams will get back in action at home on Saturday against St. Augustine’s in the opener in the CIAA’s Southern Division.

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is next Monday, the teams will play at Joel Coliseum on Saturday. The women’s game will start at 5 p.m. and the men’s game will follow at 7 p.m.

According to Brian Murrill, who is the athletics coordinator, the WSSU MLK Classic is a celebration as well as two basketball games.

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B-CU Football Banquet Moved to Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Celebrating the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship season, the Bethune-Cookman University football team will hold its annual end-of-year awards banquet inside the 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway. The date for the event is set for Saturday, Jan. 18. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the banquet beginning at 7 p.m.

Originally scheduled to be held at the Plaza Resort & Spa, the venue change was moved to the 500 Club in order to accommodate more people planning to attend.

Only current season ticket holders who confirm with the ticket office will be allowed entry into this exclusive invitation only event. Due to limited seating, only the first 100 season ticket holders will be granted tickets, which must be presented in order to gain access into Daytona International Speedway.

The deadline for confirming your reservation will be Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m. Please either send a confirmation email to Kevin Doherty (dohertyk@cookman.edu), or contact his office directly at (386) 481-2465. You can also confirm via fax at (386) 481-2927.

Recently completing the 2013 season under head coach Brian Jenkins, who just finished his fourth year at the helm in Daytona Beach, the B-CU Wildcats ended the year as HBCU National Champions in the BoxToRow media poll. In addition, several Wildcats were named to numerous All-America teams, while Jenkins received his third MEAC Coach of the Year award in four years – the second consecutive for the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native.

B-CU claimed its second MEAC title in as many years during the 2013 campaign, and the third in four years under Jenkins. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for third time in four years, travelling to Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C.

Fans can keep up-to-date with all B-CU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/BCUathletics, in addition to the official football twitter page at Twitter.com/BCUGridIron. You can also become a fan of the Wildcats on Facebook at Facebook.com/BCUathletics.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Florida A&M Rattlers Solid in 76-66 Win Over NC A&T Aggies

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team won their fifth straight at home, remaining undefeated on their home court, with a 76-66 win over North Carolina A&T, here Monday at the Al Lawson Center.

FAMU (6-11, 2-2 MEAC) had three Rattlers finish the contest with 16 points each in Jamie Adams, Reggie Lewis, and Jomari Bradshaw.  Trey Kellum pumped in 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Coach Clemon Johnson felt it was a total team effort and focus that has resulted in the wins. “First of all, I’m very happy that we won the game.  Secondly, I’m happy we didn’t have to go down to the wire with it, although I coached as if we did.  I’m happy for the young men I have playing under me and I’m just grateful that they’re listening and we’re winning.  They understand that their hard work is paying off and we’ll do even better next time,” Johnson said.



N.C. A&T ( 4-12, 1-1 MEAC) was paced by Lamont Middleton with 20 points, Richaud Pack added 15, whereas  Bruce Beckford finished the contest with a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

In a back and forth first half, where the biggest lead enjoyed by either team was five points, Kellum gave the Rattlers the 19-14 lead with a putback with 6:42 to go in the first.

The Aggies would take the lead at 23-21 lead on a Middleton three pointer with 3:31 to go in the half as A&T would go into the break with a slim 29-27 lead.

FAMU finished the first half shooting 29.4 percent (10-of-34), while A&T shot 34.6 percent (9-of-26).

Bradshaw, felt the Rattlers just needed to remain methodical in order to withstand the Aggies.  “It’s a matter of getting the job done, attacking the rim.  We were able to step up.  We want to work to keep our streak going,” he said.  Lewis, was focused on steadying the ship when Adams got in early foul trouble.  “I’m just staying confident in myself.  When Jamie was out I knew I needed to keep managing the game until he came back.  When he came back, he was managing the game and we were able to get open shots,” Lewis said.

In the second half, a pair of Middleton free throws would tie the contest at 50-50 with 11:29 left in the game.

FAMU would then use a 16-6 run to take a 66-56 lead, capped off by a pair of Adams free throws with 7:34.  The Rattlers finished the contest shooting 41.3 percent (26-of-63), while the Aggies shot 31.5 percent (17-of-54).

FAMU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 18 as they will travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on South Carolina State in another Mid-Eastern Athletic Contest in a 7:30 p.m.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Lady Rattlers Defeat NC A&T 55-51 In Big Comeback

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (8-9, 1-1 MEAC) used a strong offensive performance in the second half to defeat the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T (11-3, 1-1 MEAC), 55-51, here today at the Al Lawson Center on the campus of Florida A&M University.

The tale of the second half was free throws and tenacity as the Lady Rattlers clawed their way back into the game after being down by as many as eight points in the second half.  The Lady Rattlers converted 15-of-17 from the free throw line, an 88.2 percent clip, while the Aggies went only 9-of-19 in the same period.

Head coach LeDawn Gibson was pleased with her team’s bounce back after dropping a heartbreaker to NCCU on Saturday.  “We had a practice yesterday that was more like a talk.  We needed to work out some things mentally and we converted that into a win.  We saw the results of that today as the ladies never gave up,” Gibson said.



Jasmine Grice led the Lady Rattlers in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-20 shooting, including 3-of-6 from the three-point line.  Taneka Rubin would be the only other Lady Rattler in double figures, as she scored 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line.  Tierra Prothro and Ann Marie Harris each grabbed five rebounds to lead the way for FAMU.

Debbie Smith paced the Lady Aggies with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.  Ariel Bursey chipped in eight points, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from the three-point line.  Eboni Ross pulled down a game high seven rebounds.  The Aggies were not very protective of the ball, making 26 turnovers in the game, including two crucial ones down the stretch.

The back and forth game saw 11 ties and eight lead changes.  The Lady Aggies went on a drought for the final 1:15 of the game, relinquishing the lead during that time.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern Jaguars remain unbeaten in SWAC

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Southern men’s basketball team rolled to its fourth Southwestern Athletic Conference victory in as many games in a 60-36 win against Jackson State on Monday night in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Calvin Godfrey had a double-double with game-highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds, and the Jaguars defense swarmed the Tigers offense, holding it to 24.5 percent shooting.

Southern, 8-9 overall, visits Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.  JSU is 5-11 and 1-3.

“We’ve been trying to work hard on our defense since the summer,” Jaguars coach Roman banks said. “I think we have the length and size to be a good defensive team. We’ve been trying to build that up.

“This team is starting to get better.”

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Gold Rush defeat Spring Hill in a Goode way, 65-59

NEW ORLEANS -- Junior guard Anthony Goode scored a career-best 18 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 24 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 65-59 men's basketball victory against Spring Hill.

The Gold Rush (14-4) have won five in a row, a season high.

Goode, who did not start, reached double figures for the fifth time this season. He was 7-of-10 from the floor, made his only 3-point attempt and was 3-of-4 from the line in 22 minutes. Goode scored 11 second-half points.

Lucas Martin-Julien had 12 points, four assists and three steals for Xavier, and Sydney Coleman, Xavier Rogers and Wesley Pluviose-Philip scored nine apiece. Pluviose, a freshman, grabbed 10 rebounds to reach double figures for the third time.

Jackson Fos scored 12 points, all on 3-pointers, for the Badgers (2-13). Jarrett Calhoun scored 11 points, and Alex Looney had nine.

There were seven ties and 16 lead changes. Martin-Julien's basket with 3:57 remaining, part of a 7-0 run, but Xavier ahead to stay, 57-52.

Spring Hill made nine 3-pointers to Xavier's one, but the Gold Rush had an 18-2 advantage in second-chance points and a 20-10 margin in points after turnovers. Xavier outshot the Badgers 48.1 to 46.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 32-23.

Xavier committed nine turnovers, a season low, for the second consecutive game.

Xavier led 31-28 at halftime after Goode and Coleman scored seven points apiece.

The Gold Rush completed a two-game regular-season sweep of Spring Hill and denied the Badgers a second consecutive victory against a ranked NAIA opponent. Xavier has won nine of its last 10 games overall and five straight at home.

Xavier, 3-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, will continue a six-game home stand with a 5 p.m. GCAC game against Edward Waters.

Box score

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

Vernon Jordan to head Howard University’s presidential search committee

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Howard University’s board of trustees announced Monday that veteran Washington lawyer Vernon E. Jordan Jr. will lead a presidential search committee charged with replacing Sidney A. Ribeau, who retired abruptly last year after months of internal debate over the condition of the university.

Howard, one of the nation’s preeminent historically black universities, weathered a series of challenges in 2013.

First the vice chairwoman of the board, Renee Higginbotham-Brooks, warned trustees that the university in Northwest Washington was in “genuine trouble” because of fiscal and management issues. Her letter became public in June. The university’s academic deans echoed some of her concerns in another letter asserting that Howard was in jeopardy because of “fiscal mismanagement.”

Ribeau denied that allegation, and board Chairman Addison Barry Rand has maintained that ...

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VUU Hall of Famer Roland McDaniel Passes Away

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Roland McDaniel, the last surviving member of the 1939 Virginia Union University "Dream Team" and the only CIAA Men's Tennis Champion produced by VUU, passed away on Friday, January 10, in Richmond, Va.

McDaniel won the 1940 CIAA Men's Tennis Championship, will be inducted into the Virginia Union University Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 6.

McDaniel, who is still the only men's CIAA champion to ever attend VUU, was the subject of the article "The Forgotten Champion" written by Virginia Union Sports Information Director Jim Junot. The article was the basis of the television documentary "Bringing Home the Bacon: The Roland McDaniel Story."

McDaniel was also the only surviving member of the 1939 VUU Dream Team, which won the CIAA Championship and the mythical national championship in 1939.

Information on funeral services is pending.

The Forgotten Champion by Jim Junot



"Bringing Home The Bacon: The Roland McDaniel Story" tells the story of how this 1940 Virginia Union University (VUU) tennis champ achieved the honor of being the first and only individual tennis champ from VUU and the unique way he and the Dream Team helped to bring the Belgian Friendship Tower to campus. This 26 minute film includes amazing archival pictures and film footage of VUU, Billie Holiday, and the Harlem Globetrotters as well as interviews with VUU Sports Information Director, Jim Junot and history professor, Dr. Raymond Hylton. The film is based on the Jim Junot article, "The Forgotten Champion."

"Bringing Home the Bacon" (documentary produced by Bundy Films)

COURTESY THECIAA.COM

Jackson State Press Conference Announcing Harold Jackson As New Head Football Coach

Watch live streaming video from jacksonstateu at livestream.com

JSU head coach Harold Jackson will be paid $260,000 per year under his new three year agreement.