Five Former Florida A&M University Presidents Issue Statement in Opposition to Split of FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Joint Statement From Five Former FAMU Presidents

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  As former leaders of Florida A&M University, we oppose the move to decouple the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and consider this a sudden and unplanned act, void of discussion and input from the current leadership of the two universities, the university Boards of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. This action sends the wrong message to the citizens of Florida, and other interested parties, about how the Legislature and academic institutions should interact.

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is a strong program that represents a successful collaboration for the State of Florida between two research institutions with elements of their student populations woefully underrepresented in engineering disciplines. Through this long-term collaborative effort, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has received high praise for addressing this nationwide dilemma.

A second program in Tallahassee would compromise the integrity of what is already a very successful venture. Furthermore, one can only look to our sister university, Florida Polytechnic University, to see how expensive it is to support a stand-alone engineering program in today's economy. In fact, a major focus of the Florida Board of Governors over the past few years has been a concerted effort to reduce duplication of academic programs throughout the State University System.

Proposing such a drastic change without any obvious consideration or discussion of the above factors is surprising and not in the best interest of our State University System or the citizens of Florida. As an alternative, we request that the Legislature provide additional support to our existing program, which has produced successful graduates for both Florida A&M University and Florida State University since 1982.

With all due respect to the power and authority of the Legislature to appropriate funding, we respectfully request engagement in a collaborative process to include both academic institutions and our governing bodies to determine how such funding will be used to build on our past successes. We are pleased to work transparently within appropriate guidelines and authorities to create life-changing opportunities for students in Florida to pursue a quality education in engineering through the joint engineering program.

Sincerely,

/s/
Walter Smith, Ph.D. (President 1977-1985)
Frederick Humphries, Ph.D. (President 1985-2001)
Fred Gainous, Ph.D. (President 2002-2004)
James Ammons, Ph.D. (President 2007-2012)
Larry Robinson, Ph.D. (Interim President 2012-2014)


READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Letter from Mangum to Gov Scott_4.10.2014
FAMU calls for $100M for new engineering school 
Commentary: FAMU-FSU School School of Engineering, Letters to Governor Rick Scott
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
Joseph Webster Commentary: No black engineers, please! Just ballplayers

CIAA Baseball Honors: 2014 All-Conference Teams, Top Rookies and Players of the Year Announced

HAMPTON, Virginia  --   CIAA Baseball Player of the Year is Ray Crawford, an outfielder for Winston-Salem State University.  Crawford leads the conference in RBI (59) and has the second leading batting average (.382) in CIAA baseball.  He's scored 35 runs in 44 games and leads the conference in hits with 63.

Chowan University's Tanner Woods is the CIAA Baseball Rookie of the Year.  Woods is a third baseman for the Hawks.  He ranks second in the conference in doubles (14) sporting a .306 batting average in 40 games.

The All-Conference and Rookie Teams will be honored at the 2014 CIAA Spring Sports Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00pm on the campus of Virginia State University.

All-CIAA Baseball First Team
# | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HT | HOMETOWN
Right Handed Pitcher: #14 | Colton Gunn | VSU | SO. | 6'3 | Dinwiddie, VA
Left Handed Pitcher: #15 | Byran Rivera | SAU | Jr. | 6'1 | Puerto Rico
Catcher: #1 | David Markins | VSU | FR. | 5'11 | Colonial Heights, VA
Designated Hitter: #25 | Ryan Moore | CU | Sr. | 6'2 | Chester, VA
Utility: #2 | Tyler Burden | CU | So. | 6'0 | Aulander, NC
First Base: #26 | William Thomas | SAU | SO. | 5'11 | Yorktown, VA
Second Base: #14 | Rafael Gonzalez | WSSU | SR. | 5'10 | Caracas, VZ
Third Base: #11 | Joshua Markins | VSU | JR. | 6'0 | Colonial Heights, VA
Short Stop: #23 | Nicholas Christopher | VSU | JR. | 6'1 | Dinwiddie, VA
Outfield:
#23 | Ray Crawford | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Greensboro, NC
#8 | Leland Clemmons | WSSU | JR. | 5'9 | Chesapeake, VA
#1 | Gavin Culler | WSSU | FR | 5'9 | Clemmons, NC

Player of the Year:
#23 | Ray Crawford | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Greensboro, NC
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, in conjunction with the CIAA Baseball Coaches Association, announces its selections for the 2014 All-Conference Teams, All-Rookie Team and Players of the Year.

All-CIAA Baseball Second Team
Right Handed Pitcher: #12 | Scott Wells | WSSU | SR. | 6'0 | Kernersville, NC
Left Handed Pitcher: #34 | Wes Helsabeck | WSSU | JR. | 6'0 | Rural Hall, NC
Catcher: #30 | Connor Andrus | WSSU | Jr. | 5'10 | Winston-Salem, NC
Designated Hitter: #2 | Darien Hardaway | SAU | SR. | 6'2 | Atlanta, GA
Utility: #9 | Anthony Nutall | WSSU | Sr. | 5'7 | Kankakee, IL
First Base: #24 | John Hunter | CU | Sr.  | 6'1 | Hertford, NC
Second Base: #4 | Calvin Butcher | SAU | SR. | 5'9 | Dewey Beach, DE
Third Base: #6 | Tanner Woods |  | Fr. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA
Short Stop: #4 | Colby Wiggins | CU | Sr. | 5'10 | Gloucester, VA
Outfield:
#7 | Jason Baytop | SAU | SO. | 6'0 | Manchester, MD
#5 | Jamie Scott | SAU | SR. | 5'10 | Hampton, VA
#23 | Clarence Peace | SAU | SR. | 6'0 | Creedmoor, NC

Baseball All-Rookie Team
# | NAME | SCHOOL | CLASS | HT | HOMETOWN
Right Handed Pitcher: #10 | Stephen Hux | CU | FR. | 6'2 | Hampton, VA
Catcher: #3 | Matt Wisniewski | CU | FR. | 5'9 | Williamston, NC
Utility: #4 | Ronald Lashley | LU | FR. | 5'4 | Brooklyn, NY
First Base: #32 | Kyle Cross | CU | FR. | 6'3 | Grimesland, NC
Third Base: #6 | Tanner Woods | CU | FR. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA
Short Stop: #9 | DeVante Parker | LU | FR. | 5'9 | Bear, DE
Outfield:
#1 | Gavin Culler | WSSU | FR. | 5'9 | Clemmons, NC
#22 | Latuan Boggerty | LU | FR. | 5'10 | Dover, DE

Rookie of the Year:
#6 | Tanner Woods | CU | FR. | 6'0 | Newport News, VA

COURTESY THECIAA.COM

Delaware State Names Keith Walker as Hornets' Head Men's Basketball Coach

DOVER, Delaware  -- DSU President Harry L. Williams today announced the hiring of Keith Walker – who served as the interim Delaware State men’s head coach for the last third of the 2013-2014 season – as the permanent Hornet men’s head basketball coach.

In announcing the head coaching appointment, Dr. Williams said that Walker made a strong case for himself by the way he took over the leadership of the team and energized the players as interim coach.

“Coach Walker did everything we asked of him when he agreed to be the interim head coach in last month of the past season,” Dr. Williams said. “He stabilized the team, resulting in a more competitive unit on the court and a higher winning percentage.”

The DSU president commended the search committee, noting that it ultimately came up with a group of strong finalists for the post. “The fact that Walker emerged from this tough search process as the head coach selection reflects well on his most recent interim performance as well as on his long-time dedicated service as assistant coach,” Dr. Williams added.



DSU Director of Athletics Candy Young said the team’s performance under his interim leadership has led to the conclusion that he can move the men’s basketball program in the right direction. “The players responded positively to his coaching during his interim tenure and we believe that trend will continue and result in greater success for the Hornet men’s basketball program with Walker at the helm,” she said.

Walker said that he is “very appreciative” of the head coaching opportunity. “I look forward to getting this men’s basketball program back to the championship level where it used to be,” the new head coach said.

Walker, a DSU men’s basketball assistant coach since July 2000, was appointed as interim Hornet head coach on Jan. 30, 2014. In the subsequent 11 games, Walker led the Hornets to a 5-6 overall record and 5-5 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Prior to the appointment, the team was 4-15 overall and 0-6 in the conference. During Walker’s interim tenure, Delaware State posted a season-high three-game win streak and later achieved an upset victory over the 2014 MEAC Tournament runner-up Morgan State.  

As an assistant coach, Walker worked primarily with the DSU forwards and centers. During the 2013-14 season, Walker’s work with 3^rd-year player Kendall Gray was instrumental in the Hornet center’s team record of 81 blocks that year and being named on the All-MEAC Second Team.

Walker’s defensive coaching was also validated during the 2011-12 season when the Hornets had a school-record 192 blocks, leading the MEAC in that category.

Walker was a part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Hornets to three consecutive MEAC regular season titles from 2004-2007, during which the Hornets posted a league record of 46-8 (.850). The Hornets appeared in three consecutive MEAC Tournament championship games, capturing the title and accompanying NCAA Tournament berth in 2005. The following year, Delaware State defeated Northern Arizona on the road in the National Invitation Tournament for the team's only national post-season win.

Prior to his arrival at DSU, Walker served as head coach at Division II Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., from 1993 to 2000. He posted a 91-102 overall record at Shaw, including a 21-9 mark and the school’s first-ever NCAA Tournament berth during the 1994-95 season.

Before entering the coaching ranks, he enjoyed a playing career of seven years with various European and U.S. professional basketball leagues, including a brief stint with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers during the 1985-86 season.

As a three-year collegiate player at Clemson, he helped lead the Tigers to a 23-9 overall record and an Elite Eight appearance in the 1980 NCAA Tournament.

Walker has a 1981 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clemson and a 1991 master’s degree in Student Personnel Services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The newly appointed head coach and wife Kim have three children – Dockery, Zachary and Sawyer. Dockery is a member of the Brown University men’s basketball team.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Nuggets, still 2nd in NAIA, win 6-3 vs. Southern

NEW ORLEANS -- Brion Flowers and Nour Abbes won in doubles and singles Tuesday to help Xavier University of Louisiana's women defeat Southern University 6-3 at XU Tennis Center.

Also Tuesday, the Gold Nuggets (13-6) remained second in the new NAIA coaches poll. It's the third consecutive poll that Xavier is No. 2.

Flowers teamed with Kourtney Howell for an 8-3 doubles victory against Laura Syori and Kendall Bunch. Flowers clinched the dual with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Bunch at No. 3 singles.

Abbes and Simone-Alyse Ewell won 8-1 against Morgan Taylor and Camara Bunch. Abbes dropped her first three games against Syori at the top singles flight before winning 7-5, 6-0.

Abbes is 13-0 for the season in singles -- 6-0 against NCAA Division I opponents -- and 11-2 in doubles. Ewell has won 14 straight in doubles and is 16-3 this season.

Southern (7-8) had five available players and defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. The Lady Jaguars got their points from Darnesha Moore in a 6-1, 6-3 decision against Kourtney Howell, Taylor in a 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-4) decision against Brandi Nelson and Davis in a 6-2, 7-5 decision against Amber Brown. Davis snapped Brown's seven-match win streak in singles.

Xavier has won 10 of its last 12 duals and defeated an NCAA Division I opponent for the second time in three days. Xavier had lost to Southern each of the previous four years and defeated the Lady Jaguars for the first time since Feb. 7, 2009.

It was the final regular-season dual for both teams. Next week Xavier will play host to an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament, and Southern will return to New Orleans for the SWAC Tournament. The Nuggets will compete next on April 25.

The NAIA women's top 25:

1. Georgia Gwinnett
2. Xavier
3. Lindsey Wilson
4. Auburn Montgomery
5. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
6. Brenau
7. SCAD Savannah
8. Vanguard
9. Northwood (Fla.)
10. Oklahoma Baptist
11. Westmont
12. Graceland
13. Coastal Georgia
14. Concordia (Calif.)
15. Milligan
16. Lewis-Clark State
17. Davenport
18. Indiana Wesleyan
19. Cardinal Stritch
20. Northwestern Ohio
21. Campbellsville
22. Marian (Ind.)
23. Olivet Nazarene
24. St. Thomas (Fla.)
25. Warner

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Gold Rush remain at No.10 in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana held on to its No. 10 position Tuesday in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Gold Rush (8-9) have been in the top 10 for 26 consecutive polls -- a streak which began nearly three years ago -- and in 29 of the last 30 polls.

Xavier was 2-0 since the previous poll, winning 8-1 at home against No. 13 William Carey on Saturday and 5-2 at NCAA Division I's Jackson State on Sunday.

Defending champion Embry-Riddle (Fla.) received 9-of-13 first-place votes and remained No. 1 for the sixth time in as many polls this season. There are no newcomers in this week's top 25.

Xavier will be one of three ranked men's teams in next week's NAIA unaffiliated group tournament in New Orleans. Joining the Rush will be No. 3 Georgia Gwinnett and No. 25 Oklahoma Baptist. Matches will be played at XU Tennis Center the University of New Orleans. Tournament winner will receive at automatic berth in next month's NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

The next team rankings will be announced April 29.

The top 25:

1. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
2. Auburn Montgomery
3. Georgia Gwinnett
4. Vanguard
5. Westmont
6. Cumberland
7. Lindsey Wilson
8. Belhaven
9. Aquinas
10. Xavier
11. Bethany
12. Concordia (Calif.)
13. William Carey
14. Graceland
15. Coastal Georgia
16. Warner
17. Northwestern Ohio
18. Bethel (Tenn.)
19. Davenport
20. Lewis-Clark State
21. Pikeville
22. (tie) Olivet Nazarene
22. (tie) Webber International
24. Northwood (Fla.)
25. Oklahoma Baptist

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

Brewbaker Tech G Steven Rogers follows father's footsteps, commits to Alabama State

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brewbaker Tech's Steven Rogers could have gone away to school. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard had scholarship offers from Savannah State, Clark-Atlanta and Arkansas-Monticello.

But instead, he chose to stay close to his family, literally, announcing his commitment to Alabama State, where his father is an assistant under head coach Lewis Jackson, today.



"I've always looked up to my dad and saw all the great things he did at Alabama State as a player and as a coach," said Rogers of his father, Steven Rogers, Sr. , a former two-time SWAC Player of the Year. "I'd like to play under him and coach Jackson and I think it's a good fit for me. I think I have a chance to be successful and that's really all it came down to."

The younger Rogers certainly had success as a senior, averaging 32.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while leading his team to an appearance in the AHSAA South Regional tournament in Dothan. He was a first-team selection to the Alabama Sports Writers Association all-state squad and is a ...

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Florida A&M Rattlers' offense picks up steam

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS



TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Earl Holmes came away from FAMU’s first spring scrimmage feeling that the Rattlers are showing early signs of an offensive identity.

He caught glimpses as running back Keith Stalling pretty much had his way against the defense Saturday morning.

“That’s who we are,” Holmes said afterward. “We’ve got to be able to run the ball. We can’t be one-dimensional. When people have to put eight or nine guys in the box, then the passing game opens up. We are going to run it and continue to run it until they stop the run.”

For the most part, the passing game was on target, too. Receivers caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Carson Royal, who was the most effective of the three who are competing this spring while starter Damien Fleming recovers from foot surgery.

During a break in the 90-minute scrimmage, offensive coordinator ...

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Tennessee State Narrows Basketball Coach Finalists to Six

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Former Whites Creek and Belmont basketball standout Brian “Penny” Collins, now the coach at Columbia State, is among six finalists for the Tennessee State men’s coaching vacancy, according to a source.

Collins interviewed on Monday for the position, which came open March 11 when Travis Williams was fired after leading the Tigers to a 5-25 record in his only season.

The other finalists are North Carolina State assistant Rob Moxley, Illinois State associate head coach Dana Ford, Georgia assistant Stacey Palmore, West Virginia associate head coach Larry Harrison and former District of Columbia coach Julius Smith.

“I’m just excited and glad to even be considered for the head coaching position at Tennessee State,” Collins said. “I thought the interview went well and now it’s in the (search) committee and (athletics director) Teresa Phillips’ hands.”

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Alabama A&M coach James Spady wants to see more consistency as spring continues

NORMAL, Alabama -- Alabama A&M's offense has shown some of the same inconsistency play that plagued it throughout and rough and tumble 2013 campaign, during which the Bulldogs went 4-8 in its final season under former coach Anthony Jones, this spring.

"I see a bunch of mixed messages right now," AAMU coach James Spady said, following the team's first scrimmage of the spring this past Saturday. "On minute, we break off a 35, 40-yard-run and the next play we get tackled for a 5-yard loss. One minute, our defense is getting up the field and penetrating. The next minute they get pushed around. So, we're inconsistent right now. We gotta make sure we do all the little things right all the time."

Spady, a former tight ends coach at Nevada, took over the reigns in Normal back in late December, taking over for Jones, who had guided the program for more than a decade.

The first-time head coach will have his debut when the Bulldogs take on ...

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Byron Dobson: Mangum speaks frankly with students about FAMU-FSU College of Engineering proposal

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- One of the disruptions playing out behind the scenes of the high-stakes political gamble to dissolve the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is the impact it’s having on current students.

This was evident during a forum last week at the college, where about 100 people, including students, faculty and the curious, showed up to hear Florida A&M President Elmira Mangum’s responses to the pending legislation. It came on the heels of late-night sessions of FAMU engineering students and a previous town-hall forum at Lee Hall, where emotions ran high.

It says something about Mangum’s interest in hearing from students that she would commit more than an hour of her afternoon to addressing their concerns. Two questions quickly surfaced: Why now? And how could this happen without any perceived input from FAMUMangum talked straight and deliberately with the students, who have been developing strategies to get the message across that they oppose a move to split up the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. What they want most are answers and an explanation.

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Lincoln University Introduces John Moseley As Next Men's Basketball Coach

MOSELEY LEAVES NCCU MEN'S BASKETBALL FOR FIRST COLLEGE HEAD COACHING JOB.


Dr. Kevin D. Rome, president of Lincoln University, introduces new head men's basketball coach John Moseley at a press conference on April 14, 2014.

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri --John Moseley has been named as the next head men's basketball coach at Lincoln University.

A press conference was held by Lincoln University president Dr. Kevin Rome and athletic director Betty Kemna on Monday (April 14) to announce the hiring.

"We're committed to building a winning program, like we used to have, but theoseley past doesn't matter if you're not winning now," Dr. Rome said. "With that said, we're excited to bring someone here who we think can do that for basketball. We believe John is the coach who can take us to the next level."

Moseley joins Lincoln after spending the past four years at North Carolina Central University, including the last three as the team's associate head coach. Working with head coach LeVelle Moton, Moseley helped lead the Eagles to a 28-6 record, tying the program record for wins in a season, and both the regular season and tournament Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships. NCCU earned a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, where the Eagles fell in the second round to No. 3 Iowa State.

"I'd like to thank Dr. Rome and his staff, Betty Kemna and her staff and the search committee for this opportunity," Moseley said. "Everything was professional, and I'm excited that I was selected to lead this program."

During Moseley's time at North Carolina Central, the Eagles increased their win total all four years, going from 15 victories in 2010-11 to 17 in 2011-12 to 22 in 2012-13. In each of the past two seasons, NCCU went 15-1 in MEAC play, and in 2013-14, was a perfect 14-0 at home. Moseley was the position coach for two players who went on to earn All-MEAC honors, including a first team and a second team selection.

In addition to the Eagles' success on the court, Moseley helped his players succeed in the classroom, as NCCU earned its highest APR in program history this past year, with the team posting a GPA of 2.85 during the fall of 2012.


New Lincoln University men's basketball coach John Moseley introduces himself at a press conference on April 14, 2014.

Moseley brings 10 years of NCAA Division I experience with him to Lincoln. A 1998 graduate of East Carolina University, Moseley returned to his alma mater in 2008 to serve as the program's Director of Basketball Operations. In 2009, Moseley was promoted to assistant basketball coach, serving as the recruiting organizers. In both of his years with the Pirates, ECU posted double digit wins.

Prior to coaching at East Carolina, Moseley was an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State University in 2007-08, where helped lead the team to its most Division I victories in program history. Before that, Moseley made a one-year stop at Wright State University, working as an administrative assistant on a Raiders team that won Horizon League regular season and tournament championships.

Moseley's teams have enjoyed success at every one of his stops, and he has proven he can win at multiple levels of competition. Moseley was the head basketball coach at Warren County High in Warrenton, N.C. from 2004-06, leading the program to its first state championship in 23 years.

"I'm intrigued by the opportunity to coach in the MIAA, one of the premiere Division II athletic conferences," Moseley said. "I've had a chance to talk to some of the current [Lincoln] players, and they're ready to play. I expect our team to be tough, competitive and relentless. We are the Blue Tigers, and we will be a collar team."

This will be the first head coaching job at the collegiate level for Moseley, who has a bachelor's degree in science, exercise and sport science as well as a master's degree in education and athletic administration. Moseley and his wife, Crystal, have a daughter, Jillian.


John Moseley, the new head men's basketball coach at Lincoln University, answers some questions during his introductory press conference.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Roman Banks puts Texas A&M on hold for NCAA

HEAD COACH ROMAN BANKS
COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERISTY ATHLETICS

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern men’s basketball coach Roman Banks has put his dialogue with Texas A&M on the back burner for a few days.

Aggies head coach Billy Kennedy spoke with Banks twice last week about possibly joining Kennedy’s staff as the top assistant. But Banks said a two-day visit to Southern from NCAA officials that began Monday has taken priority.

Banks was among approximately two dozen Jaguars officials who were standing by in case the NCAA wanted to visit with them as it the university’s process for reporting student-athletes’ academic progress.

Once the NCAA visit is complete, Banks plans to visit with Southern Athletic Director William Broussard and Chancellor James Llorens before resuming talks with Kennedy, with whom Banks worked for two seasons as Southeastern Louisiana.

CONTINUE READING

GCAC weekly honors for XU's Mandlekar, Rolland, Abbes

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Tushar Mandlekar picked up his first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week award, and XU's Devinn Rolland and Nour Abbes added to their record-setting totals Monday.
   
The awards honor performances from April 7-13.

Devinn Rolland

Nour Abbes

Tushar Mandlekar

Mandlekar, a freshman from Bhilai, India, and a graduate of Deepak Nagar school, had his best week of the spring semester. He was 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles in Gold Rush victories on consecutive days against NAIA No. 13 William Carey and NCAA Division I's Jackson State. For the year, Mandlekar is 11-13 in singles and 13-5 in doubles.
   
Mandlekar is one of six Gold Rush tennis players this season to win GCAC Player of the Week.
   
Rolland, a junior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans, was named GCAC Track Performer of the Week for the second time this season and the Field Performer of the Week for the third time. Rolland became a three-time GCAC champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump on Saturday at the conference meet at Tad Gormley Stadium, and she had a personal-best of 11.66 seconds in the 100 which ranks second on the NAIA outdoor list this season. She ran the second segment in Xavier's runner-up finish in the 400 relay.
   
Rolland helped Xavier repeat as GCAC outdoor women's team champion. She increased her GCAC career-record totals for weekly awards to five in track and nine in field.
   
Setting a GCAC women's tennis season record with five weekly awards was Abbes, who won in doubles and singles Sunday in the Gold Nuggets' victory at Jackson State. Abbes, a freshman from Tunis, Tunisia, and a graduate of Lycée Sportif d'El Menzah, became the first Gold Nugget in 10 years to win 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles against an NCAA Division I opponent. She accomplished that in a victory against Angela Condorelli.
   
Abbes is 12-0 in singles, 10-2 in doubles and ranked fourth among NAIA singles players by the ITA. New individual rankings are expected to be announced Wednesday.


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

Hopson has Alcorn State dreaming big in Year 3 of his tenure

HEAD COACH JAY HOPSON
COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

LORMAN, Mississippi  – Getting to Alcorn State’s second practice field requires a steep climb.

And for three hours, coach Jay Hopson dashed up and down that hill, switching between offensive and defensive drills.

Players kept pace with their high-motored coach, whose purple shirt was soaked in sweat.

“These are Jay Hopson practices,” an assistant coach said watching from the sideline.

In fact, since Hopson became coach at Alcorn State, he’s been doing a lot of uphill climbing.

But the Braves, who went 2-8 in the year before Hopson arrived, are now considered Southwestern Athletic Conference championship contenders.

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Scott chosen as Tuskegee new sports information director

LaMonica Scott
Tuskegee University
Sports Information Director

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  A new sports information director has joined Tuskegee University. LaMonica Scott, the former assistant sports information director at Grambling State University in Louisiana, is the first female to hold this post at Tuskegee.

During her time at Grambling, Scott, designed the first media guide in the softball program's history. She also renegotiated the website contract, handled game day operations and served at the helm of the statistical team. Scott managed the office operations in September 2011, after the death of her mentor and supervisor. Because of her vast knowledge, the transition was seamless.

Prior to her stint at Grambling State, Scott began her training in the field at Mississippi Valley State University. Scott's first primary sport (soccer) won its conference title, taking her to Los Angeles for the NCAA Tournament. It was here that Scott had the chance to display her tournament guide. She brings a total of almost nine years of experience in the field.

Scott graduated from Grambling State in 2011 with a Master of Science degree in sport administration and Mississippi Valley in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.
     
COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman Defeats Morehouse, Claims Second Consecutive SIAC Men's Tennis Championship

2014 SIAC MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
STILLMAN COLLEGE TIGERS
PHOTO COURTESY: STILLMAN ATHLETICS

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Tigers of Stillman College defeated the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College, 5-0, to capture its second consecutive SIAC Men's Tennis Championship. Stillman's David Torres earned tournament MVP honors, while Tigers head coach William Riley was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Coach. 

The championship contest was a rematch from a March 27th contest, won by the Stillman Tigers 7-2 during the SIAC West Round-up in Memphis.  This time, the Tigers from Tuscaloosa wasted little time taking command of the match and earning their second title in as many years.

In double competition, the number one team of Jang-eun Lee and David Torres earned an 8-4 win over Kahai Hall and Phillipian Stamps.  Yonwaba Pupuma and Jose Pojasi won the number two singles match 9-7 before Fernando Garcia and Aleksandar Zobec pulled off the doubles sweep with a 8-3 win.

Singles play saw Torres win a 6-1, 6-0 match over Everette Reese and Zobec defeat Jabez Beazer 6-0, 6-2.  Torres and his doubles partner Lee were the two Stillman representatives on the all-tournament team.

The win pushed the Stillman Tigers record to 27-4.  Stillman now looks forward to playing in the NCAA South Regional during the first weekend in May.
 

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP: Stillman 5, Morehouse 0

Doubles Competition:

1. Jang-eun Lee / David Torres (SC) def. Kahai Hall / Phillipian Stamps (MHC) - 8-4 

2. Yonwaba Pupuma / Jose Pojasi (SC) def. Noah Terry / Everette Reese (MHC) - 9-7

3. Fernando Garcia / Aleksandar Zobec (SC) def. Chris Hawthorne / Brandon Sanders (MHC) - 8-3

Singles Competition:

1. Kahai Hall (MHC) vs. Jang-eun Lee (SC) - no result 

2. David Torres (SC) def. Everette Reese (MHC) - 6-1, 6-0

3. Aleksandar Zobec (SC) def. Jabez Beazer (MHC) - 6-0, 6-2

4. Chris Hawthorne (MHC) vs. Yonwaba Pupuma (SC) - no result

5. Noah Terry (MHC) vs. Jose Pojasi (SC) - no result

6. Brandon Sanders (MHC) vs. Edward Symmonett (SC) - no result

Men's SIAC All-Tournament team:

Singles:

1. Jang-eun Lee - Stillman College

2. David Torres - Stillman College

3. Noah Terry - Morehouse College

4. Kahai Hall - Morehouse College

5. Takudswa Muswere - Benedict College

6. Giovanni Plater - Benedict College

Doubles:

1. Jang-eun Lee & David Torres - Stillman College

2. Brandon Sanders & Chris Hawthorne - Morehouse College

3. Justin Payton & Takudswa Muswere - Benedict College

Tournament MVP: David Torres - Stillman College

Most Outstanding Coach: William Riley - Stillman College

Third Place: Benedict College

Runner-Up: Morehouse College

2014 SIAC Men's Champions: Stillman College

 

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman Defeats Clark Atlanta, Captures Second Consecutive SIAC Women's Tennis Title

2014 SIAC WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONS
STILLMAN COLLEGE LADY TIGERS
PHOTO COURTESY: STILLMAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The Lady Tigers of Stillman College defeated the Lady Panthers of Clark Atlanta University 5-3 to win its second consecutive SIAC Women's Tennis title. Stillman's Litia Godinet, the 2013 and 2014 SIAC Women's Tennis Player of the Year, was named the women's tournament MVP while Lady Tigers head coach Will Riley earned Most Outstanding Coach honors.

The championship match was the third installment of the season series between the Lady Tigers and Lady Panthers, with Stillman picking up both wins by similar 5-4 team scores.

The match began with tough doubles competition with the Lady Tigers (31-4) taking two of the three doubles points.  The number one team of Godinet and Carolina Barabas defeated Vonnick Boyogueno and Brionne Bachus 8-4.  Nair Tolomeo and Angela Corredor then defeated Asia Boyd and Ivory Conley 8-3 while the number three team of Rosana Medeiros and Veronika Kalugina fell 8-4.

In singles play, Stillman took a 3-1 team lead when Godinet downed Vanessa Jean Baptiste 6-0, 6-1.  The Lady Panthers won the number two singles point with a straight-set win, closing the gap to 3-2.  Stillman surged ahead 4-2 when Tolomeo won the number three singles match 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.  CAU earned another team point winning the number four match in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.  In the number five singles match, Kalugina earned the deciding team point by defeating Conley 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

While Godinet was named tournament MVP, Tolomeo (singles) and Barabas (doubles) joined her on the all-tournament team.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP: Stillman 5, Clark Atlanta 3

 

Doubles Competition:

1. Carolina Barabas / Litia Godinet (SC) def. Vonnick Boyogueno / Brionne Bachus (CAU) - 8-4

2. Nair Tolomeo / Angela Corredor (SC) def. Asia Boyd / Ivory Conley (CAU) - 8-3

3. Avern Gumbs / Tori Pradier (CAU) def. Rosana Medeiros / Veronika Kalugina (SC) - 8-4

Singles Competition:

1. Litia Godinet (SC) def. Vanessa Jean-Baptiste (CAU) - 6-0, 6-1 

2. Tori Pradier (CAU) def. Carolina Barabas (SC) - 6-3, 6-4

3. Nair Tolomeo (SC) def. Vonnick Boyogueno (CAW) - 6-2, 6-7, 6-4

4. Brionne Bachus (CAU) def. Angela Corredor (SC) - 6-3, 6-3

5. Veronika Kalugina (SC) def. Ivory Conley (CAU) - 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

6. Asia Boyd (CAU) def. Rosana Medeiros (SC) - no result

Women's SIAC All-Tournament team:

Singles:

1. Litia Godinet - Stillman College

2. Nair Tolomeo - Stillman College

3. Tori Pradier - Clark Atlanta University

4. Brionne Bachus - Clark Atlanta University

5. Gabriella Louis - Fort Valley State University

6. Yonelle Arimon - Fort Valley State University

Doubles:

1. Carolina Barabas & Litia Godinet - Stillman College

2. Avern Gumbs & Tori Pradier - Clark Atlanta University

3. Gabriella Louis & Yonelle Arimon - Fort Valley State University

Tournament MVP: Litia Godinet - Stillman College

Most Outstanding Coach: William Riley - Stillman College

2014 SIAC Women's Champions: Stillman College

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU Rams Clinch CIAA Regular Season With Sweep Of Lincoln University Lions

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The Winston-Salem State University swept the Lincoln University on Sunday afternoon, 5-4 and 11-3, to clinch the CIAA Baseball Regular Season Crown heading into Spring Championship Week in Petersburg, VA.

In game one, The Rams used a big third inning to hold off the Lions 5-4.

Leland Clemmons walked to lead off eh game and advanced on an Anthony Nutall ground out. Ray Crawford would bring home Clemmons on a single to give WSSU the early 1-0 advantage.

Lincoln University would bounce back to tie the game in the bottom half of the second inning, as they were able to take advantage of a WSSU fielding error to plate a run and make the score 1-1.

In the top of the third inning, Levi Grassley singled to start the inning, followed by an Eddie Araujo walk. Leland Clemmons would advance the runners on a sacrifice to the pitcher before Anthony Nutall would send a deep fly ball to center field to bring home Grassley on a sacrifice fly. After a Ray Crawford walk, Conner Andrus singled to bring home Araujo, and Colby Keene would single to bring in Crawford to give the Rams a 4-1 lead.

The lions continued to fight and would once again take advantage of a WSSU fielding error and would bring home two runs in the bottom of the third, and would score again in the bottom half of the fifth inning to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the late innings.

But the Rams would put the game away in the top of the sixth inning when Conner Andrus led off with a single and would move over on a Colby Keene ground out. Rafael Gonzalez would single home Andrus to give WSSU the 5-4 lead, that they would hold on to, to take the win.

Conner Andrus went two for four at the plate for the Rams, scoring one run and also picking up a run batted in. Ray Crawford finished one for three with one run scored and one run batted in, while Levi Grassley also finished one for three with a run scored. Colby Keene went one for two with a run batted in and Rafael Gonzalez went one for three with a run batted in. Anthony Nutall also finished with a run batted in and Leland Clemmons and Eddie Araujo each scored a run.

Aaron Hatch picked up the complete game win for the Rams, going the full 7.0 innings, scattering seven hits and four runs, just two earned however. He walked one and struck out four in the outing.

In game two, Winston-Salem State scored early and often and put the game away by the second inning as the Rams rolled to an 11-3 win over The Lincoln University.

In the top of the first, Ray Crawford walked to start the game before he would eventually be brought home on a Leland Clemmons sacrifice fly to center field. Conner Andrus followed that at-bat with a solo home run to left field.

WSSU broke the game wide open in the top of the second as they would score five runs on three hits. After a Levi Grassley single, Rashad Webster and Anthony Nutall would draw a walks, before Leland Clemmons would come to the plate with two outs. Leland Clemmons would clear the bases with a grand slam home run, followed by a Conner Andrus double to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

Ray Crawford would pick up two RBI's in the third inning and Levi Grassley one in the fourth to take a commanding 10-0 lead.

The Lincoln Lions would finally get on the board in the sixth inning when they scored three runs on three hits with one WSSU error.

The final nail in the coffin would be supplied by Rafael Gonzalez whose single to center field scored Eddie Araujo to give the Rams the victory with a final of 11-3.

Leland Clemmons led the Rams hitting attack, gong a perfect two for two at the plate, with two runs scored and a game high five runs batted in. He also homered in the game. Levin Grassley went three for five with a run batted in and Conner Andrus went two for the with a run scored and a home run.

Rafael Gonzalez finished two for five with a run batted in and Ray Crawford scored three runs and also finished with two runs batted in. Anthony Nutall went one for three with a runs cored and Rashad Webster went one for two with two runs scored. Alex Grubb picked up a hit and Aaron Hatch scored a run and also had a run batted in.

Jordan Carlton picked up the win for WSSU, going 5.1 innings, while allowing six hits and two earned runs, while striking out a season high 11 batters and walking three. Devin McLemore pitched the final 1.2 innings, striking out three batters.

The Rams will now head to Petersburg, VA for the CIAA Baseball Championships this week, which are a part of the CIAA Spring Sports Festival.

Box Score

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Lady Rattlers Race To Top Finishes At FSU Invite

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The Florida A&M Lady Rattler track team posted several Top 10 finishes, including personal and school records at the FSU Seminole Invitational at the Mike Long Track.

2013 All-American sprinter, Nakia Linson, took th
e top honor in the 100m, finishing in 11.62.  Linson would add the top spot in the long jump to her weekend, as she leaped 5.72m, to finish first.

Thrower SashaAnn Lebert finished second in the discus throw, but in the process, achieved a personal best performance as well as a FAMU record.  Her toss of 50.08m (164-04) is the best ever recorded at FAMU as well.

Distance runner Effiey Kosgei paced herself to the front of the 5,000m run and finished in a personal best time of 17:51.24, winning the event.

Javelin thrower Jaymee Smith took second place with a toss of 41.39 meters, while thrower Andrea Aaron scored a second place finish as well, with a throw of 13.54m.

Triple jumper Ashley Giacomucci leaped 11.68m, good for a second place finish in the field event.

The Lady Rattlers will next compete in the Tom Jones Invitational in Gainesville, Apr.19, on the campus of the University of Florida.  The MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships are May 1-3 in Greensboro, NC.

FULL RESULTS

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU Announces Tennis Rainout, Track Schedule Revisions

COACH JOSEPH MOSES
 

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis home dual match against Southern on Monday was postponed because of rain. It was rescheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at XU Tennis Center.

Xavier is 12-6 and ranked second in the NAIA.

Track and field coach Joseph Moses announced changes to his schedule Monday. Dropped were the Southeastern Invitational at Hammond, La., on Friday and the Seminole Twilight Invitational at Tallahassee, Fla., on May 9. Moses will bring some of his women to the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta on May 16-17.

The Gold Nuggets on Saturday won their second consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference outdoor team championship and their third in four years.

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

Jackson gives glimpse of future for Jackson State football

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Harold Jackson didn't show everything on Saturday.

But Jackson State's new head coach did give fans a glimpse of what the Tigers will look like under him this season, even if it was a vanilla version of it.

"We didn't mix up a whole lot of things and we didn't show a lot of stuff because we don't know who's out there on this field filming," Jackson said, adding that he held back both in aggressiveness and with play calling to try and keep fans guessing until the season opener against Florida A&M on Aug. 30.

Fans should expect pass-heavy formations under new offensive coordinator Timmy Chang, a former player and graduate assistant under run-and-shoot guru June Jones.

In Saturday's hour-long scrimmage, the white team threw for 186 yards and ran for 91 more.

"You'll see a little bit faster, a little bit quicker on the football field," Jackson said.

CONTINUE READING

Dillard and Xavier take Outdoor Track & Field Championships

NEW ORLEANS -- It was a great day for the host Dillard Bleu Devils and the Xavier Gold Nuggets as the teams celebrated winning the 2014 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans' City Park. This was the second title in four years for the Bleu Devils on the men's side and the Xavier women earned their second consecutive championship.

The Dillard Men finished with 178 total points in the meet. Edward Waters College followed with 153 points and Voorhees College earned 106 points in their first appearance at the GCAC Championships. Southern University at New Orleans came in fourth place with 101 points as Xavier (34 points) and Talladega College (8 points) rounded out the field.

Dillard athletes earned first place finishes in six events including the 3000 Meter Steeplechase (Jevonte Ezzard), the 4x100 Meter Relay (Wendell Collins, Kermit Buggage, Tobyus Simmons, James Odiboh), 110 Meter Hurdles (Sean Wilson), 400 Meter Dash (Matthew Jones), 800 Meter Run (Emory Nash) and the Triple Jump (Nate Barnett). The Bleu Devils were able to rack up points with their overall consistency across events, as they placed at least two of the top four finishers in two events (100 Meters and Long Jump), three of five in two more (110 Meter Hurdles and 400 Meter Dash) and three of six in two more (200 Meter Dash and 5000 Meter Run) and an impressive four out of the top five in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase.

Voorhees College had an impressive debut at the Championships, claiming four event titles. Stanley Johnson took the 100 Meters while William Suggs earned the Shot Put crown with a GCAC record distance of 13.99 meters. Zaunce Simmons took home a pair of victories in the Long Jump and the High Jump breaking the conference record in the High Jump with a height of 1.96 meters.

Edward Waters tied for second in overall wins with four as well, with Hieden Cummings winning the 200 Meter Dash, Kendal Thompson set a new conference mark in the Hammer Throw with 31.72 meters, and Alonzo Cunningham and Anthony Hannah claiming the Javelin and Discus respectively. Hannah set a new GCAC record with a throw of 44.95 meters.

Southern University at New Orleans won three events. The team of Sanj Powell, Rushain Murray, Sheldon Williams and Alex Saunders set a new GCAC record with a winning time of 8:05.00 in the 4x800 Meter Relay. Powell and Saunders along with Chad Thomas and Bruce McLean claimed the 4x400 Meter Relay championship as well with Thomas scoring and individual title in the 400 Meter Hurdles.

Xavier University finished with two event championships. Brent Kitto made history with his conference record time of 4:13.58 in the 1500 Meter Run and Kwame Jackson won the 5000 Meter Run for the Gold Rush.

The Xavier Women were dominant on their way to back to back Outdoor Championships. Xavier finished the day with 213 points, outpacing runner up Dillard who finished with 168. Edward Waters came in third with 143 points as SUNO (26 points) and Voorhess (19 points) rounded out the standings.

Xavier claimed nine event wins with Catherine Fakler winning three individual titles in impressive fashion. Fakler broke her own record in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase with a time of 12:01.53, set a new mark in the 5000 Meter Run at 19:50.14 and took the 1500 Meter crown as well. Fakler, along with Briana Sims, Ashley Flournoy and Zahri Jackson won the 4x800 Meter Relay title, giving the Xavier standout four total wins. Teammate Devinn Rolland impressed also, breaking her own GCAC record in the 100 Meter Dash, winning with a time of 11.66 and claiming the 200 Meter and Long Jump championships as well. Angelica Alexander broke the conference record in the high jump with a height of 1.53 meters and Terri Cunningham won the 400 Meter Hurdles.

Dillard University finished with six event titles. The Lady Bleu Devils were led by the record breaking performance of Kaitlyn Fortuna, Destinee Showell, India Ware and Courtney Henry in the 4x100 Meter Relay. The quartet finished with a time of 47.15. Henry and Ware, along with Dominique Hardin and Tamara Hundley were also able to win the 4x400 Meter Relay title. Henry picked up her third win of the day in the Women's Triple Jump while Fortuna earned her second victory by taking the 400 Meter Dash. Danielle Glover set the GCAC record with a distance of 28.72 meters in the Hammer Throw and Aaliyah Cumming winning the 100 Meter Hurdle championship.

Edward Waters showed its dominance in the Field in winning three of the seven events there. Lynetta Cook broke the conference record in the Discus with a distance of 44.17 meters. Anissa Martin won two events, capturing titles in the Shot Put and the Javelin Throw.

Mackola Joseph of Southern University at New Orleans won the Women's 800 Meter Run for the Lady Knights only victory.

For all results, click on the following link: Results

COURTESY GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (GCAC) MEDIA RELATIONS