Commentary: FAMU-FSU School School of Engineering, Letters to Governor Rick Scott

Mr. Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr., Esq.
B.A. Jackson State University (1967)
J.D. Howard University (1970)
LL.M. University of California, Berkeley (1972)
Photo Courtesy: Indiana University

NEW YORK, New York -- FROM e-mail: Can you kindly post the communications to Governor Rick Scott on your website. This has major implications for all HBCUs -- separate but equal is not equal.  We are posed to revisit Brown v Board of Education on the 60th anniversary of this Supreme Court decision.  Sincerely, Willie L. Bryant, D.D.S.  Attachments.

1. Letter to Governor Scott from "the last original civil rights attorney in America," Alvin O. Chambliss Jr. (See Below)

Alvin O. Chambliss & Associates

3022 South Lamar Boulevard

Oxford, MS 38655
(662) 380-7400


April 7, 2014

The Honorable Rick Scott
Governor
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Dear Governor Scott:

I am writing to express our concern about the impact of any decision to separate the College of Engineering jointly operated by Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Florida State University (FSU), by the State of Florida. This unwarranted return to duplication of a unique and attractive program that places Black and White students within a unitary setting cannot sustain constitutional muster.1  1 United States & Ayers v. Fordice 505 U.S.717(1992)

We do not propose to mince words. We find the position of State Officials shocking and appalling. A return to separate but equal after over 100 years of racial discrimination in Florida’s state-wide system of Public Higher Education will place the state in jeopardy of losing federal funding, moreover, our concerns extend not only to the racial impact this action will have in the State of Florida. It also invites other states that operated de jure segregated Higher Education systems to abandon their affirmative duty under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution and Title IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to dismantle those systems and their vestiges. The so-called Adams States numbered 19 states and the District of Columbia that had segregated policies and practices at the time of Brown v. Board of Education in their Higher Education state-wide systems. [347 U.S.483.](1954). Adams v. Richardson 356 f.supp.92; 480 F.2d 1159(D.C. Cir. 1973).

In the Adams case H.E.W. was ordered by court to develop "Revised criteria specifying the ingredients of acceptable plans to desegregate State Systems of Public Higher Education" (43 FR.6658). The Supreme Court made clear in U.S. & Ayers v. Fordice that (1) a State will not have complied with its Affirmative duty to dismantle the vestiges of segregation if it merely adopts race-neutral policies and (2) "(i)f practices traceable to its prior system that continue to have segregative effects -- whether by influencing student enrollment decisions or by fostering segregation in other facets of the university system -- and such policies are without sounded educational justifications and can be practicably eliminated, the state has not satisfied its burden of proving that it has dismantled its prior system (112 s.ct.2735, 2737). The Supreme Court emphasized that the burden of proof falls on each State to establish that it has dismantled its prior de jure segregated system (112 s.ct.at 2741).

If we understand Senator John D. Thrasher correctly, his amendment establishes a separate FSU College of Engineering solely so that it may be publicly financed for private choice.  

According to reports, Dr. Garnett S. Stokes states FSU’s goal of reaching the Top 25 Public Universities and the desire to develop biomedical engineering degree in conjunction with the John D. Thrasher College of Medicine among other things.

The reasons advanced for closure, Re-segregation and/or racial exclusion of substantial Black students from a unitary environment free of racial discrimination and to make aggrieved individuals whole is telling. Florida cannot prove that it has undone its prior segregation by dismantlement of an existing unitary engineering program. Florida ignored the historic interest of many in the State who desire integrated educational opportunities. In light of the State’s long history of discrimination, and the lost educational and career opportunities and stigmatic harms caused by discriminatory educational systems… the proffered justification for separating the program seem to be a mask to perpetuate continued racial discrimination.

Finally, while we do not desire to be irresponsible or unduly personal in our criticism, we wonder whether the State of Florida has crafted, to FSU’s interim president April 4, 2014 response to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering separation proposal, "Trojan Horse."

The utterance of a "gift", the preeminence metrics created by the Florida Legislature and the performance metrics created by the Board of Governors suggest a larger plan to re-establish segregation under the guise of race neutral policies and practices. The "separate but equal doctrine" adopted in Plessy v. Ferguson 162 U.S. 537(1896) has no place in Public Education. In Brown I, the Court said that "separating the races is usually interpreted as denoting the inferiority of the Negro group", 347 U.S. at 493-94. It is too late in our nation’s history to ignore statements, said or silent that is little more than code phrases for racial discrimination. What is it that makes the joint college less desirable than a separate engineering college? Students, more specifically Black students’ exclusion! To paraphrase, they are "undesirable traffic; and, thus a barrier was erected to separate the communities. Whether the proposed action by the State of Florida rises to the level of "incident and badges of slavery", in violation of the 13th amendment is an open question. City of Memphis v. Greene 451 U.S. 100 (1981)

The nation and the State of Florida have worked very hard to ensure that programs of inclusiveness be fair and even handed. It is tragic that at this time Florida is compelled to illegally turn back the clock on equal opportunity.

Sincerely,

Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr.,  

2. Rep. Alan Williams, Chairman, Florida Legislative Black Caucus, April 8, 2014 Letter to Governor Scott and Florida Legislative Leaders (.pdf)

3. FSU's Interim President, Dr. Garnett Stokes, issued the following statement (April 4, 2014) regarding the proposal to separate the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

4. Dr. Willie L. Bryant, D.D.S. letter to Governor Scott, dated April 3, 2014 (See Below).

---------------
April 3, 2014 

 

The Honorable Rick Scott

Governor

The Capitol

400 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

 

Dear Governor Scott:

 

In the beginning there were three state institutions now known as: University of Florida (UF); Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU).  The University of Florida was established as a college for White men; Florida State University was established as a liberal arts college for White women; and, Florida A&M University was established as a coeducational institution for African Americans.

 

During these days of segregation, the State of Florida designated Florida A&M University as a Morrill Act 1890’s land grant institution.  In order for land-grant institutions to retain their land-grant status, they had to include programs in agriculture, engineering (once called mechanical arts) and ROTC.  This designation carried with it the notion that Florida A&M University would be a comprehensive institution, the same as the University of Florida.  The University of Florida carries its land-grant designation from the Morrill Act of 1862.   Thus there are only two land grant institutions in the State of Florida. 

 

In the early 80’s FAMU requested to be given authority to operate an engineering school.  FSU made the same request.  To settle these requests, the legislators passed a bill and the governor signed into law a statue mandating that these two universities work together to create a joint college.  This was in keeping with their respective missions, and their legacies to educate African Americans and women.

 

If the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is dissolved then there can only one engineering college and that college should be established for FAMU based on the embodiment of the 1890’s land grant designation.

 

Also, to allow FAMU and FSU to operate two separate engineering colleges is a violation of the plan submitted by the State of Florida to desegregate its public educational system.  The State of Florida agreed not to produce duplication of programs for the two state schools in Tallahassee.  Senator Thrasher’s actions today to establish a FSU College of Engineering debases this plan and opens the State of Florida up to a dual system of education.  It also tramples on the principles of Florida’s desegregation plan that was accepted by the Office of Civil Rights under the U. S. Department of Education.

  

Clearly Governor Scott, if you permit Senator Thrasher’s amendment to establish a separate FSU college of engineering; the stakeholders of FAMU and the citizens of Florida have no other choice but to believe your will is to implement the once dismantled dual educational system.

 

Secondly, you as governor have ceded to Senator John Thrasher that he is the Governing Body of all higher education in the State of Florida.  That he can completely ignore the established constitutional provisions for governing higher education in Florida.  Already, Senator Thrasher has shown contempt by establishing the FSU medical school, which the BOG did not approve by utilizing his position in the House as speaker, holding out $50 million dollars and bringing it out during conference, taking no objections and allocating it to FSU.  This was a unilateral action devoid of the handprint of the governing system of Florida.  It was allowed to stand and was not vetoed by your predecessor. 

 

Now, we are at another Thrasher occurrence where he is substituting himself as the Board of Governors, the FAMU Board of Trustees, FSU Board of Trustees, the FAMU President and the FSU president by submitting an amendment into legislation for a stand-alone college of engineering program at FSU.  This shows Senator Thrasher’s disrespect and contempt for FAMU and the citizens of Florida.   

 

Mr. Thrasher’s intentions do not embody what is best for all the citizens of Florida.  No matter what gets broken, hurt or how unfair it is, Mr. Thrasher stands to achieve his personal ambition at the expense of Florida A&M University and Florida’s citizens. 

 

If Mr. Thrasher’s actions stand, Mr. Governor, we must by any means necessary make sure our alma mater is protected and not trampled upon by those who wish it harm.  There must not be another engineering school.  The joint program must stand.

 

Governor Scott, we with every bit of hope in our body request that you intercede and prevent Senator Thrasher’s amendment from coming into existence and trust that you will provide the leadership to prohibit Florida from this egregious act.   Along with many, many alumni, I am dedicated to the perseverance and the best for our alma mater.  Out of the desire to make sure that FAMU is not dealt with or mistreated we will do everything within our power to that end.  

 

Finally, I call upon you to use everything within your power to veto this bill if it comes to your desk.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Willie L. Bryant, D.D.S.

Class of 1961

 

CC:

Senator John Thrasher

Will Weatherford, Speaker of House

John Gaetz, President of the Senate

Marshall Criser, Chancellor, Florida SUS

President Elmira Mangum, FAMU

Chairman Solomon Badger, FAMU BOT

Interim President Garnett Stokes, FSU

Chairman Allan Bense, FSU BOT

Sen. Bill Montford

Rep. Alan Williams

Black Caucus

FAMU Alumni

Miami Times

Tallahassee Democrat

Tampa Bay Times

Miami Herald

Orlando Sentinel

Tampa Tribune

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

Office of Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Education

Atty Alvin Chambliss  

 

Note to Readers:
I was unable to post Attorney Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr., letter in its original .pdf form due to technical issues with my Adobe software.  However, the letter to Gov. Scott was signed by Attorney Chambliss.  This is a must read document also -- Chambliss, Alvin O.(1944–) - Lawyer, civil rights activist.  Thank you, beepbeep 


READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Letter from Mangum to Gov Scott_4.10.2014
FAMU calls for $100M for new engineering school
Chuck Hobbs: Analysis of Potential Litigation Regarding the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown Says Separate is Inherently Unequal
Our Opinion: Attack on engineering school stinks

Mississippi Valley State releases 2014 football schedule

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State officially released its 2014 football schedule Friday, consisting of 11 games -- including two non-conference matchups to begin the season.

The Delta Devils will kick off its first season under new head coach Rick Comegy on August 30 when they host University of Faith (Fla.) at 4 p.m. at Rice-Totten Stadium. It will mark the first-ever matchup between MVSU and the University of Faith, which competes in the American Small College Athletic Association.

MVSU will wrap up its non-conference schedule on Sept. 6 at Illinois State, a team that finished 5-6 overall in 2013 and 4-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference. It will mark the first time the teams have met on the gridiron.

In all, the Delta Devils will host five teams: University of Faith (Aug. 30), Alcorn State (Sept. 20), Alabama A&M (Sept. 27), Prairie View A&M (Oct. 18) and Grambling State (Nov. 8). Valley will be on the road at Illinois State (Sept. 6), Alabama State (Sept. 13), Texas Southern (Oct. 4), Jackson State (Oct. 11), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 1) and Southern University (Nov. 15).

The Delta Devils will celebrate homecoming on Oct. 18 when Prairie View A&M comes to town.

2014 Mississippi Valley State University Football Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	SITE	TIME
08/30	University of Faith	Itta Bena, MS	4:00 PM
09/06	Illinois State University	Normal, IL	6:30 PM
09/13	Alabama State University	Montgomery, AL	TBA
09/20	Alcorn State University	Itta Bena, MS	4:00 PM
09/27	Alabama A&M University	Itta Bena, MS	4:00 PM
10/04	Texas Southern University	Houston, TX	7:00 PM
10/11	Jackson State University	Jackson, MS	2:00 PM
10/18	Prairie View A&M University	Itta Bena, MS	2:00 PM
11/01	Arkansas - Pine Bluff	Pine Bluff, AK	2:00 PM
11/08	Grambling State University	Itta Bena, MS	2:00 PM
11/15	Southern University	Baton Rouge, LA	6:00 PM
12/13	SWAC Football Championship	Houston, TX	TBA

*Times are subject to change. Homes games will be played at Rice-Totten Stadium.*



COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five things to watch out for in ASU's spring football game

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State, which hosts its annual Black-and-Gold game Saturday, is coming off its second-straight 7-4 season under coach Reggie Barlow.

Last year, the Hornets were a marquee team in the FCS, featuring former SEC Freshman of the Year Isaiah Crowell and appearing on national television several times. They remained in the hunt for the SWAC East title along with Jackson State until late in the season and ended their campaign with a 41-28 victory over Division II Stillman College in the new-look Turkey Day Classic.
 

Here are five things to look out for as the Hornets approach a 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday at their new stadium in Montgomery and get one step closer to their 2014 season-opener at Sam Houston St. Aug. 30th. 

 

1. The quarterback battle 

 

CONTINUE READING

Alabama State Football Holds Final Spring Practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State's football team went through its final spring practice Thursday morning looking forward to the annual Black and Gold Spring game scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at New Hornet Stadium.

While there will be a lot going on Saturday for the fans, there will also be a lot going on down on the field as it is a final time this spring the players will have a chance to make an impression with the coaching staff and on both sides of the ball there are going to be several areas the coaches will be paying attention to.

"On defense we are looking for guys to get lined up and do their assignments and we're looking for guys to swarm to the football," Defensive Coordinator Kevin Ramsey said.  "We have had a great spring with a four deep, four different groups and all four of those groups will play Saturday and it will be fun to watch them run around."



The same can be said for the offensive side of the ball as a lot of players are going to get some playing time to give one last look to the offensive coaches this spring.

"Saturday is a fan day and we are going to be very generic in what we are going to do on offense," Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss said.  "I have seen what I need to see.  We are going to have a lot of guys playing and let them get more reps than they have all spring.  I don't want to say it is a dress rehearsal because sometimes we are going to have some guys in there we are taking a look at and get them some live action.  We are going to mix in a lot of guys in certain situations, but we are going to still do what we like to do."

The day will begin with Hornet Fest at noon.  The fans are invited to come out to take part in Hornet Fest and then make their way over to the stadium where admission to the Black and Gold game is free.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Lady Rattlers Get MidWeek WIn 7-3 Over JU Dolphins

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
Raven Moseley carded a three-run homer to power the Lady Rattlers to a win.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Apr.9) – The FAMU Lady Rattlers improved to 15-21, with a valuable mid-week win over the Jacksonville University Lady Dolphins 7-3 at the JU Softball Complex.

The Lady Rattlers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Denise Anderson logged an RBI, scoring Alyssa Weaver.  Christina Robbs would score the second run on a wild pitch by JU starter Jessica Walker.

In the second inning, the Lady Rattlers would add two more runs as the sister act of Amanda Weaver scored as twin sister Alyssa batted her in.  Kenya Pererira scored on a passed ball, making the score 4-0.

Pererira, would pitch two shutout innings before giving up two runs in the bottom of the third inning.  Sable Lee scored the first run for JU, with Codi Kelly scoring after a single to left field.

The game tightened as the Lady Rattlers went scoreless in the top of the fourth.  In the bottom of that frame, the Dolphins carded a solo run as Charli Bradshaw hit a homerun with non aboard, making the score 4-3.

Senior Ashleigh Minter came in the top of the fifth inning and gave up just a single hit the remainder of the way.  Raven Moseley hit a three-run home run to put the game away in the top of the seventh inning.

The Lady Rattlers will return to action on Friday, as they face the University of Florida Gators in a 6:05 p.m. start.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Track and Field Preps for Boston/Moon Relays

BOSTON/MOON RELAYS
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  On Friday and Saturday, the Tennessee State track and field teams will host their sole outdoor meet of the season, the Boston/Moon Relays at the Edward S. Temple Track.

 

Participants from 25 colleges and high schools will take part in the events including members from Alabama A&M, Belmont, Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee State.

 

The Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles are coming off of an impressive showing at the Pepsi Florida Relays in Gainesville in which a handful of student-athletes set new personal bests.

 

Among those who broke their previous marks was freshman Amber Hughes who clocked a 13.56 in 100-meter hurdles, making her fifth in the South Region in the event.

 

Also set to showcase her talents this weekend is Clairwin Dameus who stands in fourth place in the region in heptathlon as she garnered 5,283 points on Mar. 20.

 

Hughes and Dameus will pair with Ashontae Jackson and Quanisha Sales in one of the final events of the day, the 4x400 meter relay. The same team that broke the OVC Indoor Record currently sits at sixth place in the district after an outdoor time of 3:40.25.

 

For the Flying Tigers, Jerome Henderson was a major standout last weekend when he set a new personal record of 10.65 in 100-meter, which gave him the third-fastest time in OVC this season.

 

Also representing the TSU men’s team in the meet will be Daryl Rice and Caleb Carrothers who both rank sixth in the South after high jumps of 2.10 meters at the Baskin Weems Relays.

 

Tennessee State participants will look to set new records at the Boston/Moon Relays which kicks off on Friday at 3 p.m. with the Hammer Throw.

 

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

Gold Nuggets 14th in inaugural NAIA outdoor rankings



DEVINN ROLLAND

NEW ORLEANS -- The women of Xavier University of Louisiana are 14th in the inaugural edition of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Rankings are based only on performances during the 2014 outdoor season and the number of athletes a school has near the top of the descending order list in the various events and how highly they are ranked.

The NAIA does not officially sanction or endorse the rankings but supports them for media and entertainment purposes.

The Gold Nuggets' Devinn Rolland is ranked first in the NAIA in the long jump (19 feet, 4 3/4 inches), third in the 100-meter dash (11.83 seconds) and eighth in the 200 (24.97). Angelica Alexander is tied for fourth in the high jump (5-6), and Hannah Finnegan is sixth in the 3,000 steeplechase (11:09.53). Xavier's 400 relay team of Kaylee Moore, Rolland, Kailey Williams and Chelsea James is sixth (47.54).

Xavier's women and men will compete Saturday in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference 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 relay, will start at 4:45 p.m. Dillard is the host school.

The top 25:

1. Indiana Tech
2. British Columbia
3. Oklahoma Baptist
4. College of Idaho
5. Baker
6. Doane
7. Wayland Baptist
8. Cal State San Marcos
9. Hastings
10. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
11. Westmont
12. Concordia (Neb.)
13. The Master's
14. Xavier
15. Biola
16. Concordia (Ore.)
17. Southern Oregon
18. Vanguard
19. Olivet Nazarene
20. Carroll (Mont.)
21. Siena Heights
22. Wiley
23. Concordia (Calif.)
24. Indiana Wesleyan
25. St. Francis (Ill.)


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

Jackson State University - "Happy" - Pharrell Williams

Commentary: Alabama State assistant coach Jackson's impact goes beyond gridiron

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Dexter Jackson hasn’t found his coaching voice yet at Alabama State.

You’ve got to lose it before you find it.

“I’m trying to lose it, but I’m drinking a lot of water so hopefully I don’t lose it, but the coach’s voice is coming,” Jackson said.

That might not be such a bad thing.

The Super Bowl XXXVII MVP brings a reserved, mellow nature to the Hornets’ coaching staff that has its share of charged-up coaches starting with defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey.

“All of our defensive coaches are ...

CONTINUE READING

The Front Line of the AAMU Bulldog Defense

NORMAL, Alabama  -- The defensive line on a football team is made up of the biggest and strongest guys on the defense. They play the game of football in "the trenches," where they battle with offensive linemen play after play.

How well they play in any given game will have a big impact on the outcome. Their primary focus is to wreak havoc on the offensive blocking and passing schemes.



Over the years, defensive linemen have also increasingly been called on to drop in pass coverage as well, particularly in zone defense. (about.com)

The Bulldogs new leader of the defensive line is coach Bryan Cummings.  He has been instilling a never give up attitude into the Bulldog front four.
Cummings has to replace ...

CONTINUE READING

Pell Grants for Players: Alabama A&M athletes' need-based aid by sport

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  --  AL.com put in open-records requests with Division I public universities in Alabama to learn how much Pell Grant money their athletes received in 2012-13. This is the sport-by-sport data for Alabama A&M.

The federal Pell Grant program is sponsored by the Department of Education, which determines the student's financial need. A standard formula is used to evaluate financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for determining the student's expected family contribution. The maximum Pell Grant award in 2012-13 was $5,550 per year and increased to $5,645 this year.

Alabama A&M athletes received $542,695 in need-based aid, sixth among all public Division I universities in Alabama. Athletes at Troy ($849,143), Alabama State ($678,984), South Alabama ($588,016), Alabama ($566,495) and Jacksonville State ($549,870) received more.

CONTINUE READING 

UMES Starts The Search For A 6th National Championship Today

UMES BOWLING GOES AFTER 6TH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
COURTESY UMES ATHLETICS

Hawks will start the 2014 NCAA Championships today in Wickliffe, Ohio.

WICKLIFFE, Ohio  --  Fresh off a pair of All-America awards, an NCAA Elite 89 Award and a MEAC Championship, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's bowling team will look for a sixth National Championship starting today at Game of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, Ohio.

The team will bowl seven team games today, Thursday, to determine seeding for the start of the double-elimination bracket play on Friday. Both days start at 11:00 a.m.

Hawk fans will have numerous ways to follow the team. Thanks to NCAA.com all matches on Thursday and Friday will be live streamed, UMES social media accounts will be updated regularly and the Mid-American Conference (MAC) will provide coverage via their custom championship page here.

The NCAA will regularly cover the event with expert writing, profiling the inside stories of the event and recaps of the action. That page is located here.

The MAC will also do regular video features and interviews on their YouTube channel here.

The NCAA.com's live stream will be located for Thursday here.

While the Friday broadcast can be found here.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Stump Mitchell has insight on SU Jaguars

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- If the Arizona Cardinals are interested in drafting or signing any of the players that participated in Southern’s pro day Wednesday, they will have more insight into them than any other team will.

Cardinals running backs coach Stump Mitchell was one of 18 NFL team representatives that were on hand for the three-hour workout. Mitchell coached virtually all of the 15 participants during his tenure as Jaguars coach (2010-2012).

“You don’t want to take a chance on a guy you don’t know,” said Mitchell, who was reassigned by Southern after an 0-2 start in 2012. “I can give them all the information they need to know about these guys in terms of their work ethic and what I think they can or can’t do.

“I don’t think there’s any question that some of these guys can play at the next level. We told them that when we brought them here four years ago, and now they’re getting that opportunity.”

CONTINUE READING

FAMU New Athletic Director Kellen Winslow Sr., Press Conference Video (4/9/14)

VISIT FAMUATHLETICS.COM

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Murraine column: FAMU's Winslow 'on the right team'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Kellen Winslow Sr., said all the things that a new athletic director is supposed to say when he met the public for the first time.

Of course, he talked about making student-athletes his priority and graduating them on time. Many of them were there Wednesday afternoon in the Lawson Center, where Winslow outlined some basic points of his plan to begin turning around the athletic department at Florida A&M.

Then, he got to the heart of the matter – he is here to fix an athletic department that has been stagnated for more than a decade.

He knows what’s at the root of the problems. There is plenty of divisions among alums, a situation that clearly is high on his to-do list.

CONTINUE READING

Seventeen Hampton Student-Athletes Inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Seventeen Hampton University student-athletes were inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma during a ceremony held at McGrew Towers Tuesday evening, marking the largest induction class in the Virginia Delta Chapter's history.

Volleyball and women's basketball each had four inductees, while men's tennis and sailing each had three. Softball, women's tennis, and men's golf each had one inductee.

PHOTO COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

The inductees are:

Volleyball
Bibiany Fonseca
Marija Kocevska
Krista Kraskura
Vendula Strakova

Women's Basketball
Brascia Audain
Shellis Hampton
Lauren Johnson
Ryan Jordan

Men's Tennis
Henry Drakeford
Advait Kirtane
Lakshmana Satchithananthan

Sailing
Giuditta Di Laghi
Joshua Gopeesingh
Albert Toledo

Softball
Kerissa Burruel

Women's Tennis
Daneya Charles

Men's Golf
Dawson Hobbs

Sylvia Rose, Assistant Professor of Finance at Hampton University, was the guest speaker.

Chi Alpha Sigma is a non-profit organization established to recognize student-athletes who earn a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 GPA or higher throughout their junior and senior years.

The governing body represents all levels of the NCAA and the NAIA.

Chi Alpha Sigma encourages and rewards high academic scholarship of student-athletes, while also encouraging good citizenship, moral character, and friendship. The organization also mentors and provides leadership to other student-athletes.

For more information on Hampton University athletics, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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 ...

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