Texas Southern Tigers will End Spring Training with Maroon and Gray Game on Saturday

VISIT:  ATHLETICS.TSU.EDU

HOUSTON, Texas  -- Three weeks of football spring  training will come to an end on Saturday, April 12^th for the 2014 Texas Southern Tigers and head coach Darrell Asberry.

The Texas Southern Tigers still have three more practices before the Maroon and Gray game.  They will practice today, Thursday and Friday at 4:30 pm at Alexander Durley Stadium on TSU's campus.  The spring scrimmage is Saturday at 1:00pm.  The public is welcomed to come and cheer for the TSU Tigers.

Below is Texas Southern's 2014 football schedule.  The Tigers will play six home games which will be broadcasted live on KHOU digital channel 11.2 The Bounce and replayed on Comcast SportsNet.

TSU kicks off the season with the Labor Day Class against Prairie View A&M on Sunday, August 31st at Reliant Stadium.

 2014 Texas Southern University Tigers Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
8/31/2014	Prairie View A&M University	Houston, TX	4:00pm
9/4/2014	Texas College	Houston, TX	7:30pm
9/13/2014	Central State-Ohio	Wilberforce, OH	TBA
9/20/2014	Alabama A&M	Houston, TX	7:00pm
9/27/2014	Alabama State University	Montgomery, AL	TBA
10/4/2014	Mississippi Valley State	Houston, TX	7:00pm
10/18/2014	Alcorn State	Alcorn, MS	TBA
Homecoming
10/25/2014	Arkansas-Pine Bluff / Homecoming	Houston, TX	2:00pm
11/1/2014	Grambling State	Houston, TX	2:00pm
11/8/2014	Southern University	Baton Rouge, LA	TBA
11/15/2014	Jackson State	Houston, TX	2:00pm

Contact: Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Blanks North Florida 2-0

COURTESY FAMU SPORTS INFORMATION
Visit: FAMUATHLETICS.COM

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Florida A&M (13-19, 8-6 MEAC) recorded its first shutout of the season to defeat North Florida (15-18, 6-6 A-SUN) 2-0 on Wednesday at Moore-Kittles Field. The shutout was the first for the Rattlers since March 19, 2009 (270 games), a 10-0 win over AlbanyState. Bennie Robinson scored both runs for FAMU including a solo home run while going 2-for-4.Starting catcher Jeremy Barlow also went 3-for-4 to help pace the Rattler offense.

The Rattlers scored all they needed with a run in the home half of the first inning. Robinson roped a one-out double into left center and came around to score following a pair of Osprey wild pitches to make the score 1-0.

Florida A&M increased its lead to the final margin of 2-0 as Robinson led off the third inning with a solo home run over the fence in right, his fifth of the season.

FAMU’s bullpen was stellar for the second consecutive game as they only allowed three Osprey hits over the final 4.2 innings. Brandon Fleming pitched 2.2 innings, only giving up two hits, and Blake Quillin earned his first save of the season while working the final two innings with three strikeouts.

North Florida loaded the bases in the fourth as Trent Higginbothem, Alex Bacon and Patrick Ervin recorded three consecutive one out singles for the Ospreys. Florida A&M starter Matt Schaeffer then pitched Alex Merritt into an inning-ending double play to keep UNF off the board.

The Ospreys tried to get things going again in the fifth inning after a double and single put runners on the corners with one out. Fleming would then come in to relieve Rattler starter Schaeffer and retired the side as North Florida again failed to score.

Fleming pitched out of another bases loaded jam in the seventh for the Rattlers. With no outs, UNF’s Kyle Brooks lined into a double play to third as Ryan Kennedy was able to make the catch and tag the third base bag for the first two outs out of the inning. Corbin Olmstead ended the scoring chance for the Ospreys after grounding into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

North Florida starter Bryan Baker (1-3) took the loss for the Ospreys.

Florida A&M returns to MEAC play this weekend as the Rattlers host Savannah State (12-22, 3-9 MEAC), for a three game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00 pm.

Box Score (.pdf)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Uses 8-7 Win over Navy to Sweep Season Series

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland  --  Senior Stephen Bull (Millsboro, Del.) was 5-for-5 to post a career-high in hits as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team posted an 8-7 victory over the Naval Academy on Wednesday afternoon. The win was the second consecutive for UMES over Navy as the Hawks swept the season series with the Midshipmen. The Hawks defeated Navy yesterday for the first time in nearly 20 years.

UMES (6-17) opened the scoring when junior Greg Turlik (Gaithersburg, Md.) registered a sacrifice fly to score sophomore Mike Escanilla (Waldorf, Md.), who reached on an error to start the inning. The Hawks extended their lead to five in the second when Bull singled home a pair, before senior Byron Campbell (Waldorf, Md.) tripled home two more the following at-bat.

Following another scoreless inning thrown by sophomore Will Turley (Greensboro, Md.), UMES used a sacrifice fly by junior Joshua James (Milford, Del.) to up their advantage to 6-0. Navy got on the scoreboard with three unearned runs in the sixth, but UMES countered the Midshipmen push with another in the bottom of the inning.

The Hawks took their 7-3 lead into the sixth as the two teams went quiet over the next two innings. A solo shot by Navy’s Kash Manzelli in the seventh brought the game to within three.

The Hawks looked to add to their tally later that inning but Andrew Bartek fanned two with the bases loaded to keep UMES at bay.

The Hawks were led in game by Bull’s five hits, but the senior also had two RBI and one run. He was one of three Hawks to post multi-hit games as Campbell and freshman Justin Dattilo (Pittsburgh, Pa.) were each 2-for-4.Campbell ripped his first triple of the year and three Hawks had two RBI.

Turley (1-3) fired seven innings of eight-hit ball, while junior Devin Repine (Salisbury, Md.) threw two innings to notch his second save of the year.

Manzelli led the Mids with two hits, including a homer. Robert Currie was 2-for-3 with one run, while Travis Blue and Manzelli each had two RBI. The Mids had four players register two hits on the day and made two errors overall. Brian Wickoff (0-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing five earned runs in 2.1 innings of work.

UMES returns to action this weekend when the Hawks stay at home to host Norfolk State in a three-game series. The men will open the series with a doubleheader on Saturday with the first pitch set for 1 p.m.

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.

Final Stats

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Appoints College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow New Athletic Director



 FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. and Rattlers Athletic Director Kellen Winslow.
 



TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) has named College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow as the university’s new athletic director. FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., made the announcement today. Winslow will begin work in his new role starting May 15.

“Kellen Winslow brings a track record of success, positive energy and a wealth of experience to FAMU,” said Mangum. “We’ve had several conversations about taking our athletics program to the next level, and I look forward to working closely with him to develop outstanding student athletes and a championship-caliber environment,” added Mangum, who stated that further strengthening athletics is among her top priorities since recently becoming the 11th president of FAMU.

Winslow attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship in 1975. In 1978, he was named Big Eight Player of the Year for his academic and athletic achievements and earned consensus All-American honors. He was the 13th player selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. Winslow enjoyed a prolific nine-year career with the Chargers, earning All-Pro honors five times and setting both team and league records that stand to this day.

Winslow previously served as the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an affinity group comprised of minority members of the National Football League front office, coaching and scouting personnel. Most recently, he was director of planning and new business development at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

“This is a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to working with Dr. Mangum, university leadership and the student-athletes themselves to build upon and honor FAMU’s great tradition, both on the field and in the classroom,” said Winslow.

Additionally, Mangum announced the creation of the President’s Alumni Advisory Board on Athletics (PAABA). This group of hand-selected alumni will serve as a liaison between the president and the athletic director to provide strategic counsel and guidance on various matters pertaining to the general function and development of all FAMU Athletic Department programs. The board will be chaired by Lt. Col. Gregory L. Clark, who also serves as the FAMU National Alumni Association’s first vice-president and is a former student athlete from the three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Rattler baseball team.

“The President’s Alumni Advisory Committee on Athletics is comprised of former student-athletes and business leaders who will serve as an advisement arm to ensure that FAMU’s athletics program receives the attention and resources necessary to nurture an enriching environment for success,” said Clark.

Mangum said she is confident that this leadership combination will start the process of moving the program to championship-caliber status.

“We are building a dream team of staff, coaches, students and alumni that will one day become the model of academic and athletic collaboration,” said Mangum.

About Kellen Winslow

Kellen Winslow is said to be the player who defined the tight end position for the rest of professional football to follow. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1995; member of the NFL All-Time Team, celebrating 75 years of NFL history; All-Pro, Consensus Collegiate All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2002.

Winslow was born November 5, 1957 in East St. Louis, Ill.. He began playing football during his senior year at East St. Louis Senior High School.

Winslow attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship in 1975. In 1978, he was named Big Eight Player of the Year for his academic and athletic achievements and earned consensus All-American honors. He was the 13th player selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. Winslow enjoyed a prolific nine-year career with the Chargers, earning All-Pro honors five times and setting both team and league records that stand to this day.

Winslow previously served as the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an affinity group comprised of minority members of the National Football League front office, coaching and scouting personnel. Most recently, he was director of planning and new business development at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

A firm believer in that academics and athletics go hand-in-hand, Winslow graduated from the University of Missouri receiving a bachelor of educational science in counseling psychology. He returned to school after his football career and earned his juris doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1993.

Winslow continues to parallel his athletic accomplishments with a successful career in the media. He currently serves as an analyst for Fox Sports Net College Football Saturday Studio Show. In past years, Winslow has provided color commentary for NFL broadcasts on CBS Radio, ESPN college football and for University of Missouri football.

Winslow has appeared on ABC’s Nightline, ESPN, Fox Sports and Politically Incorrect among others. He is often called upon to discuss social, political, economic, diversity and racial issues relating to sports.

About the FAMU Athletics Advisory Committee

Gregory L. Clark
Lt. Col. Gregory L. Clark has been a financial advisor for more than 17 years and founded AUREUS Financial Management in February 2008. Clark was featured in the January 2000 edition of Ebony Magazine, in which Ebony highlighted the top careers for African Americans in the new millennium. He was also featured in the September 13, 2004 issue of Newsweek Magazine. Clark earned a bachelor of science in Business Economics from FAMU while a member of the three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion Rattler Baseball Team.

Albert Chester, Sr.
Albert Chester, Sr. served as the quarterback for the FAMU football team from 1975-1978, earning Most Valuable Player honors three times while accounting for more than 3,600 total yards offensively and 43 touchdowns. As a junior, he led the Rattlers to the nation’s only unbeaten record in any division in 1977, as the team finished 11-0-0. In 1978, the Rattlers won the first ever 1-AA national title with a 35-28 win over the University of Massachusetts. Chester currently serves as an investigator with the United States Navy.

Jemal Gibson
Jemal Gibson graduated with honors from the FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) in 1993. After graduation, he served as an infantry officer in the United States Army. Gibson graduated in the top 10 percent of his Infantry Officer Basic Course and also completed the elite U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne Schools. He has spent the last 19 years in the pharmaceutical industry with companies like Pfizer, Parke-Davis and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals where he has managed billions of dollars in sales and received numerous accolades and awards.

Ray Matthews, Sr.
Ray Matthews, Sr. is a member of the Visit Tampa Bay Sports Commission, where he is involved in bringing various high profile events to the area. Among the events are the Super Bowl, NCAA Men and Women Regional Basketball Tournaments. An alumnus of FAMU, Matthews has served as a member of the FAMU Booster Club- Fang Level and as president of the West Coast Rattlers Booster Club.

Sonia Jackson Myles
Sonia Jackson Myles is president and founder of the Sister Accord Foundation. She began her professional corporate career as a buyer in Dearborn, Mich., with Ford Motor Company. Previously, Myles served as director of Global Packaging Purchases at Procter & Gamble, where she managed a $6 billion budget. In 2008, Myles was named one of Essence Magazine’s “25 Women of Power” and was selected as a Bloomberg History Maker. In 2011, Myles was named one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s “Top Executives in Marketing and Advertising.” In 2012, she was named one of Florida A&M University’s “125 Outstanding Alumni” in celebration of the University’s 125th anniversary.

Nelson E. Townsend

Nelson E. Townsend is a retired administrator with more than 30 years of experience, who served two terms as athletic director of Florida A&M University. In addition to his service to FAMU, Townsend also served as athletic director at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the University of Buffalo for 12 years. While at the University of Buffalo, he successfully moved the program from NCAA Division III to Division I in three and a half years. Townsend has been a leader in sports and education administration at the state, national and international levels.

Natalie White

Natalie White is an alumna of FAMU, where she started on the women’s basketball team. Affectionately known as the “Pocketbook” for her record breaking number of steals as a player from 1991-1995. White was inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Hall of Fame in 2010. The three-time All-MEAC honoree guided the Rattlerettes to two regular season conference titles and the 1995 MEAC Championship. White led the NCAA in steals for three of her four seasons and continues to hold the NCAA Division I record with 624 career steals. White currently serves as the director of Ticket Sales and Service for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.

 COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackson State QB spot still wide open going into final scrimmage

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Nearly all of the Jackson State players left the field after Tuesday’s practice ended.

The quarterbacks stayed, working on their throws.

If there’s a chance to get ahead, someone in the bunched-up group of quarterbacks is taking it. It remains undecided who will receive the start when Jackson State opens the season against Florida A&M on Aug. 30.

“It’s a battle you know, but we’re all brothers,” senior Evan Ingram said. “Whenever we’re out here it’s a battle, but coach (offensive coordinator Timmy Chang) is doing a great job splitting it up and being fair.”

Coach Harold Jackson is watching and ...

CONTINUE READING

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.

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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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