Alabama State football: Favor asks for release from scholarship

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The ongoing drama between quarterback Arsenio Favor and the Alabama State coaching staff has come to an end.

The Montgomery senior asked to be released from his scholarship in order to transfer to another school.

ASU coach Reggie Barlow talked to the senior last week and confirmed on Saturday that Favor and his parents had asked for the quarterback’s release from his scholarship. Barlow said interim athletic director Melvin Hines was scheduled to talk to Favor’s parents early this week, although Barlow was uncertain whether that conversation had taken place.

“They asked for a release, and we will grant him that,” Barlow said on Tuesday afternoon. “Obviously, we wish him well.”

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Ram Ramblings: Lots of upheaval in the last four months in athletics department

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- If there’s one thing about Twitter I like is that I can try to be funny.

After it became a done deal that Bobby Collins, the highly-successful WSSU basketball coach, was taking over at Division I Maryland-Eastern Shore I was wondering where everybody had gone.

In the last four months WSSU has said good-bye to Connell Maynor (now the Hampton football coach), athletics director Bill Hayes (retirement), Chancellor Donald Reaves (impending retirement) and now Collins. I joked on Twitter that the last key figure at WSSU to leave better turn out the lights.

After what WSSU has enjoyed the last four seasons in terms of success that’s a lot of turnover that has taken place.

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MVSU to Induct Seven into Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Seven former Mississippi Valley State University standouts will be inducted into the MVSU Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday during a banquet at the H.M. Ivy Cafeteria on the MVSU campus. The event is slated to start at 6 p.m. and tickets can purchased at the door for $40.

The inductees include: Pauline Banks, Stephanie Gardner, Robin Williams, Roy Hazzle, Rufus Williams, Albert Jo Williams and Larry Harmon.

Pauline Banks was named the Most Valuable Player at Greenwood High School in track and field for a three-year span from 1983-86. She was also a Big 8 champion in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in 1986. She continued her success at MVSU in 1987 by being selected All-SWAC in the 200 and 400 meter dash. She was also selected in 1987, 1989 and 1990 as the MVSU Most Valuable Player for Outdoor Track & Field. Banks was selected All-SWAC in the 400 meters in 1988-1990. She was All-SWAC in the 4x400 relay in 1990. During her employment at Jackson State University, she became the first woman selected as head coach for the track and field team in 2003. The JSU 4x400 relay team was selected NCAA Division I Mid-East All-Region Team. The 2008 and 2009 JSU indoor and outdoor track and field teams earned SWAC titles. Banks moved on with her trail blazing, becoming the first woman selected as head women's track and field coach at Texas Southern in 2009.

Stephanie Gardner arrived at MVSU in August 1991 and graduated May 1995 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology. Gardner was an electrifying standout in basketball at Valley from 1991-95. She was selected as the best Freshman Women's Basketball Player during the 1991-92 season. She was also a major force in helping the Devilettes win the SWAC Tournament Championship in 1993. Gardner was chosen as the Most Valuable Defensive Player following the 1993-94 season and the Most Outstanding Offensive Player after the 1994-95 season. She averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 steals and 3.5 assists per game. She was a member of the 1995 SWAC All-Tournament Team. Gardner is now employed at the Emory Clinic-Emory Healthcare Center. She is a highly-motivated professional with more than 10 years of service in management, project planning, process improvement, and consumer relations in healthcare operations.

Robin Williams is currently an instructor of Health and Physical Education and a seasonal recreational coordinator at MVSU. She also coached volleyball and basketball at the middle and high school levels in Jackson, Miss. Williams graduated from Solano Community College before arriving at MVSU where she obtained a bachelor of science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She continued her studies at Jackson State University where she earned a Master's of Science in Education and a Master's of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a specialist in Education Leadership
(still in progress). At MVSU, Williams was tabbed Newcomer of the Year in 2003 and Scholar-Athlete of the MVSU women's basketball team in 2004. She was
recognized as a top female senior scholar athlete by the Jackson State University Department of Military in 2004.

Roy Hazzle was a teacher and coach for 36 years in the Aberdeen School District where he taught physical education and coached football, baseball, basketball
and track and field. Hazzle, who also served as athletic director, received numerous awards including Coach of the Year. He was voted National Coach of the Year in 2008. He racked up over 600 wins in 26 seasons in basketball and numerous championships at the county, district and state levels. The high school gymnasium at Aberdeen was named, "Roy E. Hazzle Gymnasium." Hazzle arrived at Valley in 1974 and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was one of Valley's greatest outfielders and was voted MVP twice and considered one of the top players in the SWAC. Following his time at MVSU, he had a short stint in pro baseball in Portland, Ore. He is currently working part-time as a deputy for the Monroe County Sherrif Dept. He is also the director of the Razzle Dazzle Boys Basketball Camp, which he started in 1995.

Rufus Williams graduated from Henderson High School in Starkville, MS in 1967. He went on to earn his Bachelor's of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from MVSU in 1971. Williams continued his graduate work at Jackson State University and the Unviersity of Southern Mississippi. In the mid-1980s, he earned a master's of education and a certificate in Educational Administration from Delta State University. At MVSU, he was named Rookie of the Year in 1967 and was tabbed All-SWAC each year from 1967-71. Williams went on to play in the Word Football League and the Continental Professional Football League. Williams' career as a teacher started in 1972 at North Pike County High School as a teacher, assistant football and baseball coach and head track and field coach. In 1978, he moved on to Greenville High School where he served as a teacher and coach for eight years before taking his talents to Delta State University as a instructor and assistant football coach. He served as assistant principal at several schools including O'Bannon High School in Greenville, Miss.; Callaway High School in Jackson, Miss.; and principal of Lanier High School in Jackson, Miss. In 1996, Williams received the Jackson Public School District Golden Achievement Award.

Albert Jo Williams played football at MVSU from 1962-64 after transferring from Xavier University. Williams graduated from Fountain High School in 1958. He played at Xavier University for one year before following his head coach to, then, Mississippi Vocational College. His most unforgettable moment while playing in Itta Bena was when he caught a pass for a touchdown on a heavily-fogged night against Alcorn State. The president of MVSU requested to meet with Williams following the victory and praised him for his peformance on and off the field. After graduating from MVSU, he took a job in Mendenhall, Miss. as a teacher and coach. However, after a near-fatal accident, Williams became incapaciated for several years. After his recovery, he was hired by the State of Mississippi under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation where he helped individuals with disabilities obtain certifications, high school diplomas, college degrees and to gain employment. He loved and supported Valley for all his life, before passing in May 1983.

Larry Harmon graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1976 and went on to play baseball and football at MVSU. He earned a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from MVSU in 1981 before getting a Master's degree in Educational Leadership in 1997 from the University of Mississippi. Harmon worked in the education field for 32 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and director. Harmon, who previously worked at the Durant Attendance
Center and Kosciusko High School, currently serves as Director of Alternative Programs for the Tupelo School District. As an assistant football coach for 19 years, his teams amassed a 163-67 record, playing in three state championship games -- winning the 1992 Class 5A state championship while at Tupelo High School. In his 19-year tenure, his teams made the playoffs 17 times.

Harmon also served as the head baseball coach. He finished his career with a 509-144 record. In 19 years as the head baseball coach, his teams won 16
division championships, five North State championships and a pair of Class 5A state titles in 1992-93. He was named the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Coach of the Year and the Clarion Ledger Coach of the Year, along with 1993 Region VI National Coach of the Year. He was selected to the NEMC ABB Hall of
Fame in 1994.

COURTES MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Lincoln's 2014 Football Schedule Released

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- The Lincoln University has released its 2014 football schedule and the Lions will host three CIAA conference games along with North Carolina Wesleyan and a season-opening nationally televised contest against rival Cheyney in the "Battle of the First".

The Lions open their 2014 schedule at home with back-to-back home games in the LU Football Stadium. Lincoln will kick off the season with their first ever televised football game on Thursday, September 4 against Cheyney in the annual "Battle of the First". SPORTSfever Television Network will cover this historical event live from the campus of The Lincoln University at 7p.m. After the rivalry clash, the Lions will host North Carolina Wesleyan on September 13 in recognition of "Military Appreciation Day".

This game marks the sixth meeting between rivals Cheyney and Lincoln. The Lions hold a 3-2 advantage in the series including a 33-28 win last season on the road. Next, Lincoln will host the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan of the USA South Athletic Conference. The game marks the first meeting against the Battling Bishops, which went 2-8 during the 2013 season.

The final nonconference contest on the Lions 2014 schedule will be their first road game featuring the Red Hawks of Montclair State from the Skyline Conference. This will also be the first meeting between the Lions and Red Hawks. Last season, Montclair State finished with a 4-6 overall record.

CIAA play begins September 27 when the Lions travel to Raleigh, NC to tangle with Shaw. After two consecutive road games, the Lions return home against Fayetteville State on October 4. Virginia Union is next on the schedule October 11 followed by a Homecoming matchup against Elizabeth City State on October 19.

A meeting with the 2013 CIAA Northern Divisional champion Virginia State is slated for October 26 in Petersburg, VA. Following the battle of the "True Orange & Blue" between the Trojans and Lions, Lincoln will acknowledge their senior's final home game on November 1 against Bowie State. The Bowie State game will highlight Senior/Family & Friends Day on The Lincoln University campus.

Lincoln concludes its 2014 regular season on the road by facing Chowan on November 8 in Murfreesboro, NC. The Lions last defeated Chowan 31-15 back in 2011.

The complete 2014 football schedule for Lincoln follows:

Sept. 4 – Cheyney (Battle of the First)
Sept. 13 – North Carolina Wesleyan (Military Appreciation Day)
Sept. 20 – at Montclair State
Sept. 27 – at Shaw
Oct. 4 – Fayetteville State (Hall of Fame/Health & Wellness Day)
Oct. 11 – at Virginia Union
Oct. 19 – Elizabeth City State (Homecoming)
Oct. 26 - at Virginia State
Nov. 1 – Bowie State (Senior/Family & Friends Day)
Nov. 8 – at Chowan

COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Rod Reed Inks Five-Year Extension with Tennessee State

COACH ROD REED
Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State head football coach Rod Reed signed a five-year extension on Wednesday that will keep the Marshall, Texas native in Nashville until 2018.

“We are very pleased to be extending Coach Reed’s employment contract,” Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. “He has brought TSU football back to where it had not been for the last fifteen years and that is commendable. We’re looking for great things to come in the future, but we wanted to solidify our commitment to him and to the TSU football program.”

The Tigers are coming off of a 10-4 season and an appearance in the second round of the FCS Playoffs, the first postseason appearance for the team since 1999.

“I think that the extension is a credit to the accomplishments of our staff over the past two or three seasons,” Reed said. “I appreciate the commitment from the administration and it is good to know that we will have no worries other than keeping this football program at a championship level.”

Reed holds a 26-21 record over four years, including an 18-7 mark over the past two seasons. His teams have also increased their win totals by at least two games in each of the last three seasons.

The new deal includes a raise and will start during the 2014 season.

Reed has coached 19 All-Americans, and 15 in the past two seasons alone. Also, 42 Tigers have made All-OVC teams in Reed’s tenure, including a school record 12 in 2013.

The Tigers became the first HBCU team to win a playoff game since 1999 with their victory over Butler, allowing them to take home the Black College National Championship for the first time since 1982.

Reed and the rest of his staff will begin year one of the newly inked deal on Aug. 30 when Big Blue takes the field for the John Merritt Classic.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU's offensive line bigger, stronger

HEAD COACH EARL HOLMES
Courtesy: FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Quarterback Carson Royal is getting most of the reps in spring practice with the FAMU football team, looking more relaxed with a much bigger offensive line than he had to work with in the handful of starts that he made for the Rattlers last season.

“They are getting these D-linemen and are pushing them out of the pocket instead of like last year when they didn’t feel as organized,” said Royal, who started the last two games last year and came into spring as the quarterback to beat. “I feel a little more comfortable in the pocket.”

And who wouldn’t be comfortable with more than 1,550 pounds of human protection.

The protection starts with Patrick Dalton, a 6-foot-8 tackle who played last season for Jireh prep school. Add up the weight of the other linemen who could likely start and they total 1,575 pounds, giving FAMU its biggest offensive line in several seasons

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FAMU To Introduce Kellen Winslow As New Athletic Director Today; View FREE Live Webcast on Rattler Vision

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- FAMU president Dr. Elmira Mangum will introduce NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow as the new Director of Athletics of Florida A&M in a press conference on Wednesday.  The 1 p.m. ET ceremony will be Webcast live on Rattler Vision, free of charge.


LINK TO RATTLER VISION WEBCAST

Chuck Hobbs: Analysis of Potential Litigation Regarding the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Charles E. "Chuck" Hobbs II, Esq.

Chuck Hobbs is a trial lawyer and award winning freelance writer. A Tallahassee native, Hobbs is a graduate of Morehouse College, Florida A&M University and the University of Florida College of Law.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Hobbs’ Tuesday Talking Points (Analyzing the Pending Legal Battle over the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Split).

As a Florida native, I have always considered it odd when people that I have encountered from other regions of the country have insisted that Florida, while geographically southern, is not similar to its “Bible Belt” southern brethren as far as culture and customs are concerned. Such observations stem from the fact that since the early 70’s, Florida has become a tourist attraction due to Disney World and many of its other theme parks and with the upswing in immigration from Latin America and the Caribbean over the past 50 years, the image of Florida as something other than its Confederate and Jim Crow past is a direct result of savvy marketing.

But make no mistake, Florida is the “south,” and like the more infamous states of Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, states in which federal troops had to be dispatched to foster integration in the years following the United States Supreme Court’s Brown vs Board of Education decision, Florida, too, was defiant— if not slow as molasses—with respect to complying with the US Supreme Court’s mandate that its schools desegregate “with all deliberate speed.”

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SC State University diverted $6.5 million to cover shortfalls

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  -- S.C. State University used $6.5 million from a federal-and-state program intended to aid poor families to cover its cash-flow problems since 2007, according to a state inspector general’s report released Tuesday.

No fraud was found in the money diverted from the school’s 1890 Research & Extension Program, the report said, adding the college continued to make withdrawals as late as January.

The inspector general “identified a pattern of mismanagement allowing this inappropriate subsidizing practice to escalate out of control, masking SCSU’s financial difficulties for a number of years,” the report said. “This practice has only worsened SCSU’s financial situation by allowing deficits to grow while delaying action to address structural business issues causing these deficits.”

S.C. State agreed this month to repay the $6.5 million to the 1890 program from its accounts.

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Elzey: S.C. State Sports driving deficit

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- While state legislators consider South Carolina State University’s request for $13.6 million, the institution’s administrators are looking at ways to reduce spending and balance next year’s budget.

In February, university officials asked the General Assembly for $13.6 million to meet a deficit and cash-flow shortage that would shortly prevent them from paying the bills.

One driving force behind the university’s financial situation is a $6.67 million deficit in last year’s athletics program, Vice President of Finance James Openshaw recently told trustees.

During fiscal year 2014, athletic expenditures were $9.69 million while revenues were only $3.02 million.

“We are trying to ...

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Winning in the trenches is where it's at with Alabama A&M

NORMAL, Alabama –- One thing every football coach will tell you is if you win in the trenches then you can win the game.

That's what Alabama A&M football offensive coordinator Phil Dorn says as well.

The Bulldogs currently have 15 offensive linemen on their roster. Alan Cruz, Devin Dobbins, James Driver, Winston Hunt and Austin Simmons all started in 2013 on an offensive line that rushed for 1,840 yards and gave up only 21 sacks.



Joining them going into the 2014 season is Akeem Samuels, Courtney Brown, who played fullback last season, Baron Hobbs, Jr. Austin Boyle, Jordan Shelton, Anthony Jones, and Malcolm Johnson. The newcomers are Adrian Saterfield, Nhan Mai, and Chaz Wilson.

The Bulldog O-line has loss a combined weight of 300 pounds over the conditioning period as coach Dorn quotes, "We want to be able to play fast from the first play until the last."

A&M has completed four practices and will return for practice number five on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. at Louis Crews stadium.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former S.C. State safety Rafael Bush will remain with New Orleans Saints as team matches offer sheet from Atlanta

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints didn't let safety Rafael Bush walk away to the Atlanta Falcons as the team matched the Falcons' restricted free agent offer sheet Monday, Bush confirmed via Twitter. Bush's agent Brian Anderson also confirmed the Saints matched Atlanta's offer.

Bush originally received a one-year, $1.4 million tender from the Saints on a no-compensation tender. Bush then signed an offer sheet with Atlanta last week on a two-year deal worth up to $4.5 million.

The Saints had until Tuesday to match the offer, and the team did so Monday.

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For FAMU Rattlers, Winslow quite a catch

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For newly hired athletic director Kellen Winslow Sr., the list of big-picture initiatives could include returning the athletic program to the top of the FCS level, eliminating a multi-million-dollar deficit and even upgrading its football stadium.

But Winslow gave a first-things-first response Monday when asked where he’d start his tenure.

“I need to walk through the locker rooms of all the sports,” the former NFL superstar said during an exclusive telephone interview with the Democrat. “But I will tell you, even without walking through the door, my top priority is graduating our student-athletes; whether it’s football, basketball, tennis or any other sport. We’ve got to graduate our student-athletes.”

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Coaching Carousel: Maryland Eastern Shore to Hire Bobby Collins

Maryland Eastern Shore is looking to change their bleak basketball history and will turn to a former MEAC coach to turn things around.

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Maryland Eastern Shore will replace head coach Frankie Allen with former Winston-Salem State and Hampton head coach Bobby Collins.

Collins was 65-57 as the head coach at Hampton from 2003 to 2006 and then tried to transition Division II Winston-Salem State to Division I in 2007. Collins had just a 37-81 mark at the Division I level when the Rams reversed course back to the Division II ranks. Collins then had success leading the Rams to the NCAA Tournament and posted an 18-11 mark this past season in Winston-Salem.

Maryland Eastern Shore has never made the NCAA Tournament and the Hawks are currently in a stretch where they have never had a winning season spanning back over 35 years.

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Winston-Salem Rams’ Hill fighting through the pain

WINSTON-SALEM, North Caolina -- Winston Hill’s being in uniform for spring football at Winston-Salem State is a minor medical miracle.

Hill, a starting offensive lineman his first two seasons (2010 and 2011), has had two ankle surgeries that have led to two wasted seasons. He originally hurt his ankle early in the 2012 season and never made it back for the Rams’ run to the NCAA Division II championship game.

He had hoped to return last season, but couldn’t — and he had another ankle surgery.

Now scheduled to graduate next month, Hill could have given up on football, but he refused.

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ASU Hornets To Play At Mercer, Host Samford In Midweek Contests

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State baseball team returns to action with midweek games Tuesday at Mercer and Wednesday at home against Samford.

The second meeting in eight days with Mercer begins at 5 p.m., with internet radio on bamastatesports.com/showcase. The home contest against Samford is at 6 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

The Hornets (26-10) got back on track over the weekend with a two-game sweep of SWAC Eastern Division foe Mississippi Valley State with wins of 7-2 and 6-1. The pitching struggled in last week's midweek games, but starters T.J. Renda and Joseph Camacho had strong outings on the mound.

"We addressed a few things on Thursday and Friday, and I thought our pitching was our strongest area this past weekend," head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "It was good to see the guys make the adjustments, and have better concentration on the mound, commanding the strike zone better than we did during the week."

Offensively, despite cool, windy conditions, the Hornets were able to hit three home runs, all at important times over the weekend.

"It wasn't a great day for offense," Melendez said of temperatures in the 50s. "The wind was blowing in at times in cold and condensed air. You get whatever you can on days like that, and we were fortunate to hit three home runs. They were all key, starting with Dexter Price in the first game with the three-run homer in the sixth inning with two outs when we were trailing 2-1 to put us in a good position. In the second game, it was a bit of the same. We go ahead on a two-run homer by Waldyvan Estrada (fourth inning) and then the big two-run home run by Cesar Rivera (fifth inning) gave us a cushion. The long ball helped us this weekend."

The Hornets and Mercer (26-7) meet for the second straight Tuesday. Last week, the Hornets lead 4-3 entering the seventh inning before ineffective pitching and three defensive errors contributed to nine Bear runs in a 12-4 home loss. Mercer has won six straight, and 12 of its last 13 games.

"It will be very important for us to get back on our feet," Melendez said of his teams' play in midweek games. "We know what Mercer is going to bring. They are a very good offensive ball club. We have to do a much better job pitching, especially late in the ball game. That's where we faltered. We didn't pitch well out of the bullpen. We have to find those guys that will be ready to compete at that level when the game is on the line when you are up by one late in the game to give us the innings that we need. We have to pitch very well tomorrow."

The inverse is true of Wednesday's matchup, as the Hornets had season highs in runs (23), hits (19), and home runs (four) in a 23-7 win at Samford March 18. The Bulldogs (19-13) have posted wins over Auburn and Jacksonville State in recent weeks.

"Samford is one of the better offensive teams we've played all year," Melendez said. "We were very fortunate to score a lot of runs and outhit them in that game. It wasn't a pitchers' dual. Eventhough the score was lopsided, we only outhit them 19-16. They still got hits. They just didn't get them when they counted (leaving 11 runners on base). That's a very good hitting ball club, and we have to be ready for them. If our pitchers continue to work, command the zone, and put emphasis on every pitch, we could do very well this midweek. It's important for us to do well midweek, as it's the springboard to the weekend to get the confidence about what you've done offensively and on the mound. We will put a lot of emphasis on these games."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2014 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Should Consider Alabama State's RB Isaiah Crowell in Middle of Draft

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With 10 picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are one of the teams being talked about the most. However, people are mostly concerned with their two first round picks and their second round pick and not focusing on the damage they can do in the mid-to-late rounds with the depth of this class.

Running back for the Browns will be addressed in the draft, but with the signing of Ben Tate the need to draft one in the early rounds will not be necessary. Mid-to-late round running backs have seemed to make names for themselves over the past few years, and it just so happens that is when the Browns could be looking to add another back to their stable.



Names like Zac Stacey (5th Round), Alfred Morris (6th Round), Jamaal Charles (3rd Round) and Ahmad Bradshaw (7th Round) were taken outside of the first two rounds. Obviously these are just a few, but there have been plenty of impactful running backs taken outside of the first two rounds.

This draft there is one name that has the potential to be a great flier pick for the Browns. Isaiah Crowell, the running back from Alabama State, is a name to remember. Crowell was considered the top running back recruit in the country out of high school and made his selection to attend the University of Georgia by bringing out a Bulldog puppy at his press conference.

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Florida A&M Hires Kellen Winslow, Sr. as Athletic Director

KELLEN WINSLOW, Sr.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- President Elmira Mangum has only been in position for about a week, but she has made her first big hire. Mangum has appointed Kellen Winslow, Sr. as the school's new Athletic Director.

Winslow, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, will be introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at 1 p.m., in the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center.

He replaces Mike Smith, who served as interim Athletic Director for the past 10 months.

Winslow previously was the Athletic Director at Lakeland College in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Prior to that, he was the Athletic Director at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

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NOTE: I love this hire!  Winslow graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Education in 1987 and earned a law degree from the University of San Diego in 1993. He is also an in-demand public speaker on economic, social, political and racial issues related to sports, with appearances on Fox Sports, ABC's Nightline, ESPN, and major national radio and television sports talk shows. The former college football captain was a member of the secret honor society QEBH at the University of Missouri.  He was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 1979 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.  In nine seasons with the Chargers, he revolutionized the tight end position. 

Football did not use Winslow -- he used football to elevate his educational level and to prepare him for life's opportunities.  

The last National Football Foundation college football hall of famer to sit in the athletic director chair at FAMU was none other than the legendary coach Alonzo Smith "Jake" Gaither (203-36-4).  Within this hall of fame family are Rattlers: Jake Gaither, Willie "Gallopin' Gal" Galimore,  Billy Joe and Tyrone McGriff.

Welcome home, Mr. Winslow.  We expect great things from your administration for Rattler Nation.

Cole to Transfer from Kansas to Prairie View A&M

#1 LAMARIA COLE
PHOTO COURTESY: UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS ATHLETICS

LAWRENCE, Kansas —  Kansas women's basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson announced Thursday that sophomore guard Lamaria Cole has been released to transfer to another school.

"We support Lamaria's decision to transfer to a school in her home state of Texas and be able to be closer to her family," said Henrickson. "We wish her well in her future endeavors both on-and-off the court."

In 2014, Cole started five games and appeared in 24 averaging 10.4 minutes per game. During her sophomore campaign, Cole amassed 63 points, 28 assists and 26 rebounds. She shot 38.7 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from the free throw line.

In her career at Kansas, Cole appeared in 35 contests and started five. She averaged 9.2 minutes per game, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field. In her two years at KU, she averaged 2.5 points, 0.82 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game.

Cole will continue her collegiate career at Prairie View A&M.

BIO

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Texas Southern Davis Not Top Choice at JU; Tony Jasick emerges as top candidate for Jacksonville University basketball job

Edwards has talked to a dozen candidates about the position, including Texas Southern head coach Mike Davis.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  --  Tony Jasick, who was named the top mid-major coach in college basketball this past season after winning 25 games at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, is the leading candidate for the Jacksonville University basketball vacancy. Both sides continued negotiating a potential contract Monday night without a deal being consummated, sources told the Times-Union.

Jasick, who flew back to Indiana after discussing job parameters with athletic director Brad Edwards in Jacksonville on Monday, has guided IPFW to a 52-47 record the past three years. He took the Mastodons from eighth place in the eight-team Summit League, to fifth, and then a tie for second behind North Dakota State in 2013-14. At the Final Four, he was named winner of the Hugh Durham award, given annually to the top mid-major coach in Division I basketball.

 

JU remains optimistic it can reach an agreement sometime Tuesday and possibly have a press conference to introduce him on Thursday. Jasick, who ...
 

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Southern completes first SWAC home sweep since 2011

Courtesy: David Clark, SU Athletics Media Relations Student Photographer

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Freshman Bailey Rankin stepped into the batter's box at Lady Jaguar Field with the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Southern, eyeing the programs first SWAC series sweep since April 2011, was tied 3-3 with Arkansas-Pine Bluff with runners in scoring position and one out.

Facing an 0-2 count, Rankin connected on a low fastball to produce a bloop-single that carried over third base and dropped just shy of left field. Redshirt Junior Danielle Jackson, who struck out but reached first base safely after UAPB catcher Kelsey Ridgeway dropped the third strike, scored the decisive run.

For a Southern squad which started 0-22 before capturing its first win of the season in late March, Saturday's 4-3 win over UAPB provided the exclamation point for a team in the midst of a dramatic mid-season makeover and now finds itself in the hunt for a SWAC Western division title.

"I really think that these girls are just buying into what we work on in practice everyday and it's the little things," Interim head coach Tayl'r Hollis said.  "I talk about the small victories and I mean these girls came out here and they fought and they battled every inning. We’ve been talking about win each inning, win each pitch.

I talked to our pitchers about when they’re on the mound, they’re ‘one-pitch’ warriors. They’re not making the game bigger than what it is. They’re taking one inning at a time and are just buying into what (Assistant) Coach (John) Garris and I are trying to teach them."

Despite a 6-30 overall record, seven losses were decided by one run in games which came down to the final at bat in most instances. And since defeating Alabama A&M 9-0 in its final game of the SWAC Softball Roundup in Longview, Texas, Southern is 5-1 in league play and hosts Prairie View A&M April 11-12 at Lady Jaguar Field.

Friday's first pitch is set for 3 p.m. with Saturday's doubleheader starting at noon.

With the help of its freshman class, Southern has positioned itself to contend for a division title if it can navigate the conference terrain unscathed over the final six games of SWAC play.

[The play of the freshman class] shows what the future of this program will look like and the journey that we are going to be taking is going to be a positive one," Hollis said.

"I think it's going to be – I was telling the girls yesterday - Jag domination from here on out. Jade Luke really stepped up [in Game 1 Saturday]. Bailey Rankin coming in clutch at the end there, being a freshman in an 0-2 count. I don't think there's much more pressure than she could’ve had on her at that time. Rankin’s game-winning single was a phenomenal moment for her as a player.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Alabama A&M Bulldogs don full pads for the first time

NORMAL, Alabama  --  The Alabama A&M football team put on their full pads for the first time in the James Spady era and showed the 80+ in attendance what the 2014 edition of Bulldog football would look like.

Two drills that always get the players, coaches and the lucky fans in attendance excited were the Oklahoma drill and inside run.

The Oklahoma drill pitted a defensive player against an offensive player with a running back behind the blocker trying score. The object of the drill is for the defensive player to get off the block and tackle the runningback before he scores.  The coaches called out the one-on-one matches based on position and size.



The inside run drill pitted the offensive line versus the defensive line with a runningback trying to get between the tackles.

Both drills allowed major contact between the players who had been conditioning since December 2013.

The practice was held at J.O. Johnson high school as part of Bulldog football giving back to the community tour.

A&M will return to Louis Crews for their next three practices Monday, April 7, Wednesday, April 9, and Friday, April 11 all beginning at 7 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY: AAMU BULLDOGS AT J.O. JOHNSON H.S.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Rolland, Abbes collect more GCAC weekly awards

Nour Abbes

Devinn Rolland

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Devinn Rolland and Nour Abbes were repeat winners Monday of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's weekly awards. Rolland is the GCAC Performer of the Week in women's field, and Abbes is the GCAC Player of the Week in women's tennis.
   
The awards honor performances from March 31-April 6.
   
Rolland is the GCAC all-time leader in women's field awards with eight. This is her second of the year. Abbes tied a GCAC season record with her fourth women's tennis award. She shares that mark with teammate Kourtney Howell (2012) and former XU standout Anastesia Opata (2009).
   
Rolland — a junior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans — finished second in the long jump at the Pelican Relays in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday. Her jump of of 18 feet, 1 inch met the B-qualifying standard for next month's NAIA National Championships.
   
Abbes, a freshman from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, won in doubles and singles Friday in the Gold Nuggets' only dual match, a 6-3 home loss to Southern Miss. Abbes teamed with Simone-Alyse Ewell for an 8-5 doubles victory against Karina Gurgenyan and Kathrin Waidner, and in singles she defeated Carolin Drescher 6-4, 6-3 at the top flight.
   
Abbes is 11-0 in singles this season, 4-0 against NCAA Division I opponents.
   
Xavier's women's and men's track teams will compete Saturday in the GCAC Outdoor Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. Field events will start at 8:45 a.m., track events at 9:30 a.m. The final event of the day, the 1,600-meter relay, will start at 4:45 p.m. The next dual match for XU women's tennis will start at 3 p.m. on April 14 against Southern at XU Tennis Center.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Grambling State players aren't unionized, but walkout made their point

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  —  Grambling State’s 2013 football team perhaps qualified to form a union more than any other college in the country.

Grambling State’s current and recent former players will likely be watching the progress of what may have been a landmark decision by a regional arm of the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago two weeks ago that ruled Northwestern University football players can be treated as employees and unionize. The players pitched their case to the main NLRB in Washington D.C. last week, while Northwestern University itself appeals the decision.

Last season during the week leading up to their Oct. 19 game at Jackson State, Grambling State’s football players, in effect, formed their own ersatz union by boycotting two practices and walking out of a volatile meeting with Grambling State President Frank Pogue and other top administrators.

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TSU Track & Field Concludes Record-Setting Performance in Florida

GAINESVILLE, Florida -- A small contingent of the Tennessee State track and field teams headed down to the University of Florida for the Pepsi Relays over the weekend to go up against the nation’s top talent.

 

Jerome Henderson of the Flying Tigers continued his stellar sophomore campaign with a new record of 10.65 in 100-meter, which ranks as the third-fastest time in OVC this season.

 

Tyler Anderson came in fourth at the prestigious relay in the Long Jump after a leap of 7.32 meters, and Royce Dates notched a top-ten finish in the invite portion of the event (7.04 meters).

 

Freshmen Amber Hughes clocked a 13.56 in 100-meter hurdles, setting a new personal best and fastest time in the conference by .30 seconds.

 

Lastly, the TSU relay teams all set new seasons bests, and both of the 4x400 teams now lead the OVC, as do the 4x100 Tigerbelle team (45.16) by a wide margin.

 

Tennessee State will come home to Nashville on April 12-13 for the Boston/Moon Relays. Admission will be five dollars per adult for each day of the event, kids 6-17 will be charged three dollars and five and under will be free.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION