SCSU Spring Practice Brief: Day #12 of 15

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs wrapped up its 12th of 15 scheduled spring workouts, Thursday morning in a 6:15 a.m. session at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs conducted a two-hour lively session in full gear, consisting of an overview of team and individual style offensive and defensive schemes.

"We are done with the installation process on offense and defense, "said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "Our main focus now is getting the players ready for the spring game on Saturday."

Pough stated, "The past few practices we try to get a lot more out of these guys physically and mentally. What we don't want to do is get players hurt during the spring session, but we at least want to make the last couple days more physical than usual."

Despite holding out the more experience veteran players, the Bulldog coaches are getting more familiar with new players during the process.

"We are trying to develop as many new guys as we possibly can so it can provide us with more depth moving forward," said Pough.

SC State in the final stages of spring drills will play an 11-game schedule in 2015. The Bulldogs open the campaign on September. 6 when Pough's team battle SWAC foe Arkansas Pine Bluff in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.

The Bulldogs return to the practice fields Friday (April 10) at 6:15 a.m., for the 13th spring workout. SC State will hold its annual Garnet & Blue Spring game Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. in Dawson Stadium.

LIFT-A-BULLDOG KICKOFF RALLY
The Bulldogs will hold their annual Lift-A-Bulldog Scholarship Fundraiser Seafood Extravaganza Friday, April 10 at the I.P. Stan back Museum, beginning from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $65 per person. For more information or to R.S.V.P call (803) 536-8579. All proceeds and donations will go to sponsor summer school and the football scholarship program.

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Davis and Hayes-Perry get long-term contracts

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern has agreed to new five-year contracts for men's basketball coach Mike Davis and women's coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry.

Both were named SWAC Coach of the Year following the 2014-15 season.

In his third year at TSU, Davis led the Tigers to the SWAC regular season and postseason tournament titles, earning the school's second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

During his stint at TSU the Tigers have won a pair of SWAC regular season titles (2013, 2015) and a pair of postseason tournament titles (2014, 2015).

Davis' new deal replaces his contract, which still had three years left.

His new contract runs through 2020, with a mutual option for an additional year.

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TSU's Lazo currently leads NCAA Division I in stolen bases

Ryan Lazo

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern baseball second baseman Ryan Lazo has quickly established himself as one of the top base runners in Division I this season.

Lazo currently leads the nation in stolen bases per game as he has tallied 25 steals so far on the season.

"We always try to recruit student-athletes that can play in our system," said TSU head coach Michael Robertson. "Ryan Lazo has great instinct, when he is on base and he possesses great speed. Those two combinations I think have helped make him one of the top stolen base leaders in Division I."

This is Lazo's first year on the Tigers baseball team and his work ethic and determination has already helped propel into a leadership role on the team.

"Ryan is an extremely hard worker and a true student of the game," said Robertson. "I haven't coached many student-athletes like him. He is an even better person than he is a ball player."

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Southern U. seeks 6th straight tennis title

Courtesy: Southern University Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- All of Southern’s teams have been under an NCAA postseason ban for more than a year, but none has felt its impact as much as the women’s tennis team.

The Jaguars will go for their sixth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament title this weekend in New Orleans, knowing that even if they win they will be unable to accept the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA’s for a second consecutive season.

Last season there was hope that the university might be able to supply the NCAA with sufficient documentation on student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates to get the ban lifted in time for the NCAAs.

But two days after the SWAC tournament and just a few days before the Jaguars’ annual “watch party” for the unveiling of the NCAA field, coach Jeffrey Conyers told the players they couldn’t go and runner-up Jackson State would go in their place.

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Jake Gaither house marker unveiled Friday

COURTESY CORNELIUS JONES
visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A ceremony to unveil a Florida historic marker at the former home of Florida A&M legendary football coach Jake Gaither will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday. The house and marker are at 212 Young St., the home Gaither lived in the last 40 years of his life. The home was bought in 2013 by local contractor Cornelius Jones, who spent more than $150,000 to buy and restore the home, display Gaither’s memorabilia and open the house to visitors and meetings. Gaither led FAMU to seven black college national championships and three undefeated seasons. Gaither died in 1994. Saturday is the anniversary of Gaither’s birth on April 11, 1903.

To book a rental or donate to the Jake Gaither House, visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com



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Tennessee State T&F to Host Boston-Moon Relays

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State track and field teams will host their lone outdoor meet of the season this weekend, the Boston-Moon Relays.

The Boston-Moon Relays honors TSU greats Ralph Boston and John Moon and will be the sole chance to see the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles at home this Outdoor Season.

The TSU track and field team will also recognize last season’s OVC Championship team and present the members of the squad their championship rings at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the 4x100 meter relay.

In last year’s Boston-Moon, TSU racked up 13 first-place finishes including Amber Hughes who started the day with a win in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.92.

Jerome Henderson took home titles in the 100 (10.73) and 200 meters (21.20) and Quamel Prince followed suit in the 800 meter (1:53.64).

Admission to the Boston-Moon Relays is $5 for adults and $3 for fans ages 5-17. TSU students and children five and under are free.

LIVE RESULTS

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Second-year running back Hearns expected to shoulder offensive load

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Gerald Hearns is looking to erase memories of Florida A&M’s sub-par rushing attack from last season.

The Rattlers were second-to-last in the MEAC in rushing yards and tied for last in the conference with only five rushing touchdowns – all scored by senior quarterback Damien Fleming.

New head coach Alex Wood said Hearns has stepped up during spring football, and the sophomore running back will be expected to carry the load on offense next season.

“It’s no pressure at all,” Hearns said.

“I take what my coach teaches me and perfect my craft on and off the field. I’m learning the plays and I understand different defensive fronts and gap control from the line. It’s going pretty good.”

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TSU Lady Tigers Honored with Resolution at State Capitol

PHOTO GALLERY

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Wednesday, April 8, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team was honored at the State Capitol for winning the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship.

After roll call, opening prayer and the national anthem, the Lady Tigers were escorted into the House Chambers and celebrated with a standing ovation by the Tennessee House of Representatives. Once the team, coaches and administrators made it to the front of the room, Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr. presented the team with a Resolution for their accomplishments.

“When you talk about student athletes and the achievements that they make on and off court, I think it’s good for us to recognize them,” commented Love. “The Lady Tigers were not slated to win the OVC because of the other teams that maybe had better records or were presumed to be the champions but to have the determination to go into the tournament and not let the other teams intimidate them is a testament to how we should live our lives… Not being intimidated by the circumstances we’re faced with and to keep on striving and pushing to achieve our goals.”



After the Resolution was read and presented to the team. Head Coach Larry Inman addressed the House. “This is such a great honor. The ladies on this team are about more than just basketball. They are good students in the classroom and in life. They are all going to be very successful people serving the communities that they represent. And what representatives they were for Nashville and the state of Tennessee.”

As the Lady Tigers left the Capitol they were met by a number of Tennessee State supporters and alumni that congratulated them. Senator Thelma Harper and Representative Brenda Gilmore were on hand to show their appreciation and took photos with the team after the presentation.

“I’m very proud young ladies who have gone above and beyond the call of duty so to speak,” Inman added. “They’ve worked extremely hard and have been very successful. Their lives have touched so many and I’m so proud of them and what they’ve accomplished. I’m thankful to the Legislative body of Tennessee that recognized that.”

Tennessee State defeated UT Martin on March 7 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship to claim the program’s first OVC crown in 20 years.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tiger Camp Update: DBs

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football team kicked off the final week of spring practice, Monday, inside of the Indoor Football Facility because of rain.

One area that featured a large number of young faces was at defensive back.

At safety, both Daniel Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Vinson are gone, leaving underclassman in their place. Javon Brandon, Laquarius Cook and LaKhalon Holland all saw action last season, but will be asked to do more for next year’s team.

TSU will also be bringing in JUCO transfer AJ Flowers and true freshman Trevion Duncan in the fall to fight for playing time and provide depth.



The cornerbacks will be led by senior Bernell Brooks who looks to continue the line of great players at the position. Taking over for De’Ante Saunders should be sophomore Terrell Bonds, who had a stellar freshman campaign a year ago.

Also in the fold are jack-of-all-trades Ezra Robinson who could be asked to play a variety of positions and David Kamara who transferred from Ole Miss in time for spring practices.

The Tigers will take one day off before re-taking the practice field on Wednesday.

The Blue & White Game will occur this Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.

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Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015

WACO, Texas -- The Texas Sports Hall of Fame announces its Class of 2015 presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. Those to be honored on Thursday, April 9, 2015 include Prairie View A&M and NBA star Zelmo Beaty (deceased), former Dallas Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Gil Brandt, BYU Heisman Trophy QB Ty Detmer, Dallas Cowboys All Pro safety Cliff Harris, former University of Texas swim coach Richard Quick (deceased), former University of Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson, Dallas Cowboys All Pro DB Everson Walls (Grambling State) & Baylor NCAA & Olympic 400m champion Jeremy Wariner.

The inductees are scheduled to appear in Waco for the banquet which will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 6:00pm. There will be a reception at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame before the banquet beginning at 4:00pm. Combination Reception/Banquet tickets are $200 each or $1,500 for a reserved table of 10. The banquet will be held at Baylor University's Ferrell Center. Banquet only tickets can be purchased for $75 each or a table of 10 can be reserved for $675. Tickets can be ordered by calling the museum at 800-567-9561 or securely online through our website.
For breaking news regarding the banquet for the TSHOF Class of 2015 follow us on twitter at @TXSportsHOF.

TICKETS



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Avery Johnson to Be Introduced Wednesday as Alabama's New Men's Basketball Coach

04-07-15 MBB New Head Coach Arrival
 Alabama Men's Basketball Head Coach Avery Johnson  arrives at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Tuesday afternoon.
Photo by Amelia J. Brackin
Courtesy University of Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle will formally introduce Avery Johnson as the Crimson Tide's new head men's basketball coach at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday morning on the UA campus. Johnson was announced as the 20th head coach in the program's 102-year history on Monday night.

"We are very pleased to welcome Avery Johnson as our next men's basketball coach," Battle said. "Avery brings our program an impressive level of experience as a head coach and player at the highest levels of the game. We are confident that he will bring an exciting style of play to Coleman Coliseum and will produce a team that our fans will enthusiastically embrace and support."

As a player, Johnson won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. As a head coach, he was named the 2006 NBA Coach of the Year after his first full season as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson brings a 254-186 (.577) career coaching record to the Crimson Tide after spending four seasons with the Mavericks and two-plus seasons with the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

"I am extremely excited about this new opportunity, to become the men's basketball coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide," Johnson said. "Coaching on the collegiate level has always been a lifelong dream. I am thrilled that I have an opportunity to do it at one of the most prestigious universities in all of America.

 Photo Gallery            Watch the Press Conference

"Our goal is to make Alabama the leader of the college basketball world. Our fans can expect a team that is going to be very exciting to watch, on both the offensive and defensive ends. A team that's well-prepared and plays with passion, with high energy. The type of team that our fans can support with a lot of enthusiasm. We're going to recruit at the highest level, both in-state and out of state. Recruiting in the state of Alabama is a high priority. Our vision is to recruit and develop student-athletes that the University of Alabama and the community can be proud of. Our players are going to be players of high character, people that care about winning and their teammates more than themselves.

"I want to thank Athletics Director Bill Battle for making the trip to Dallas to present this wonderful opportunity to me and my family. I am looking forward to meeting our fans; our former players; our President Dr. Bonner; our boosters; our staff and administrators.

"Get ready for the ride of your life at Coleman Coliseum!"

During his time in Dallas, Johnson led the Mavericks to the postseason in each of his three-plus seasons as head coach. He led the Mavericks to a record of 194-70 (.735) and set an NBA record for reaching the 50-win plateau (62 games) and the 150-win plateau (191 games) the fastest of any head coach in league history. In 2005-06, Johnson led the Mavericks to their first appearance in the NBA Finals en route to earning NBA Coach of the Year honors.

Johnson was appointed head coach of the Mavericks on March 19, 2005, following the resignation of coaching legend Don Nelson, for whom Johnson served as an assistant coach. An immediate success, Johnson finished the season with a 16-2 mark, earning Western Conference Coach of the Month honors for April.

In his first full season as head coach, Johnson led the 2005-06 Mavericks to a 60-22 record and the team's first Western Conference Championship. He was named Western Conference Coach of the Month in November of 2005, becoming the first coach in league history to win the award in his first two full months of coaching. Johnson picked up the award for a third time in January, 2006. As the coach with the best record in the conference, Johnson earned the honor of coaching the 2006 Western Conference All-Star Team.

The following season (2006-07), Johnson guided Dallas to an NBA-best 67 wins. In his final season in Dallas (2007-08), Johnson led his club to its third consecutive season of 50-plus wins, finishing with a record of 51-31. Making the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, Johnson holds a career postseason record of 23-24 (.489). Johnson began the 2004-05 season as an assistant coach with Dallas after retiring as a player on October 28, 2004.

In 16 NBA seasons as a player, Johnson averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 25.3 minutes played in 1,054 career games with seven different teams. Known as "The Little General" for his on-court leadership and diminutive stature, Johnson helped guide the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999. On March, 28 2003, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson became the 75th player in league history to play 1,000 career games. At 5-11, he joined Calvin Murphy (Houston Rockets) as the only other player under six feet in height to reach that milestone.

A New Orleans native, Johnson played his final two collegiate seasons at Southern University, leading the NCAA in assists both years, and was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the SWAC Tournament as both a junior and senior. He still owns several NCAA Division I records, including most assists in a single game (22 - shared with two other players), most games with 20 or more assists (4), the highest single-season assists average (13.3), and the highest career assists average (12.0). As a senior in 1988, he averaged 11.4 points and 13.3 assists per game, making him the first men's Division I player to average double figures in points and assists in the same season.

Johnson earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern University in 1988. He and his wife, Cassandra, were married in July of 1991 in New Orleans. The Johnsons are the parents of two children, a daughter Christianne (22), a 2015 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a son Avery Jr. (19), who just finished his freshman season on the men's basketball team at Texas A&M.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

TSU Athletics to Host "Spring Fling" on Apr. 11

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State Athletic Department is pleased to announce “Spring Fling” for Saturday, Apr. 11.

The festivities will include the Boston-Moon Relays starting at 9 a.m., continue with the football Legends Game at 1 p.m. and conclude with the Blue & White Game at 3 p.m.

The Boston-Moon Relays honors TSU greats Ralph Boston and John Moon and will be the sole chance to see the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles at home this Outdoor Season.

The TSU track and field team will also recognize last season’s OVC Championship team and present the members of the squad their championship rings at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the 4x100 meter relay.

While the Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers wrap up their meet, former football players will take the field at Hale Stadium for the annual Legends Game.

Tiger alums will play flag football and will make way for the current crop of TSU players at 3 p.m.

The Blue & White game will pit the offense (Blue) against the defense (white) with a unique scoring system. The offense will get points by getting into the end zone and by getting first downs while the defense can get on the scoreboard via forcing turnovers or three-and-outs.

The Blue & White game will signal the end of spring practices and be the final chance to see the Tigers until fall camp.

Admission to the Boston-Moon Relays is $5 for adults and $3 for fans ages 5-17. TSU students and children five and under are free.

There is no charge for the Legends and Blue & White Game.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gee & Joseph: The Redzone, State of HBCU Sports (with Filmmaker Intro)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- "The Redzone: State of HBCU Sports," is narrative feature produced by Quintin Gee and Jason Joseph, two broadcast journalism students at Florida A&M University. This version has the filmmaker intro, and as you can see the film was produced to examine and bring to light the continuing struggle HBCU's have with their athletic programs.

Gee and Joseph are award-winning broadcast journalism students and showcased their short films during the revival of the Florida A&M University’s “Artists in Bloom” festival in Tallahassee.



COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Cheerleader Tryouts Set for April 10-11

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The Florida A&M Cheerleaders will be hosting tryouts for the 2015-2016 school year on Apr. 10-11. Individuals interested in trying out for the squad should download all forms attached in order to ensure eligibility to participate in the tryouts.

Related Links

2015-16 FAMU Cheer Agreement

2015-16 FAMU Cheer Checklist

FAMU Cheer and Spirit Welcome Letter

FAMU Cheer Mascot Tryout Application

FAMU Cheerleader Tryout requirements

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIV


















COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mississippi Valley State Releases 2015 Football Schedule

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE ATHLETICS

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – The Mississippi Valley State football team has an action packed schedule, guaranteed to get the fans on their feet during the upcoming season.

The Delta Devils have two non-conference contests for the 2015 season, the University of New Mexico of the Mountain West Conference and Jacksonville State of the Ohio Valley Conference. The schedule features five home games and six road games.

MVSU opens their 2015 campaign in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 5th, against the Lobos of the University of New Mexico. Season tickets holders do not have long to wait for a home contest, as the home season opener is scheduled for September 12th against Southern University.

On September 19th, Mississippi Valley travels to Lorman, Mississippi to battle conference foe, Alcorn State University before returning home on the 26th of September to host the Hornets of Alabama State University.

The Delta Devils will travel to Jacksonville, Alabama to face Jacksonville State University on October 3rd and the following weekend, MVSU travels to Prairie View, Texas, to take on the Panthers of Prairie View A & M University on October 10th.

Homecoming 2015 is scheduled for October 17th against Texas Southern University. The 24th of October will see MVSU in Grambling, Louisiana, squaring off against Grambling State University before returning home to defend their home turf against inner-state and conference rival, Jackson State University on the October 31st.

The final two games of the regular season are scheduled for November 7th at Alabama A & M in Huntsville, Alabama, before wrapping up in Rice-Totten Stadium, hosting the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on November 21st.

2015 Mississippi Valley State football schedule

Sept. 5 at University of New Mexico
Sept. 12 Southern University (H)
Sept. 19 at Alcorn State University
Sept. 26 Alabama State University (H)
Oct. 3 at Jacksonville State University
Oct. 10 at Prairie View A & M University
Oct. 17 Texas Southern University (Homecoming 2015)
Oct. 24 at Grambling State University
Oct. 31 Jackson State University (H)
Nov. 7 at Alabama A & M University
Nov. 21 University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (H)
Dec. 5 SWAC Football Championship



COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kermit Blount Named JCSU Head Football Coach

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith University announced today the appointment of Kermit Blount as head football coach of the Golden Bulls. Blount has head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels.

"Coach Blount comes to us with a wealth of experience on and off the football field," said JCSU Athletics Director Steven Joyner Sr. "He has a history of engaging and collaborating among constituents in higher education and the community as well as alumni and football at all levels. We are very excited about the possibilities of forward movement for our football student-athletes, football program and University under his leadership," said Joyner.

JCSU President Ronald L. Carter said Blount was selected for the position because of his well-documented leadership skills.

"Coach Blount has the leadership s
kills to not only know the University's priorities for institutional effectiveness in our athletics program but also to be effective in sharing and achieving these priorities in the sport of football," Carter said.

Blount comes to JCSU after serving five years at Delaware State University. Prior to his appointment at Delaware State, Blount served as head coach at Winston-Salem State University. While at WSSU, Blount notched a career record of 91-87-3, leading the Rams to an 8-2 record in his final season at the helm. He guided the Rams to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championships and a total of three CIAA championship game appearances. He also led the Rams to two Pioneer Bowl appearances, winning in 1999.

Blount was honored as the CIAA Coach of the Year and as the Washington D.C. Pigskin Coach of the Year, as well as the 100% Wrong Club Coach of the Year in both 1999 and 2000.

Throughout his coaching career, Blount has been associated with programs that have experienced phenomenal success. In all, he has been in a leadership role with teams that have won a total of six conference titles at both the NCAA Division I and Division II levels. He has also served as President of the CIAA Football Coaches Association.

Prior to becoming head coach at WSSU, Blount served as an assistant coach for five seasons at South Carolina State from 1989-1993, coaching the quarterbacks, wide receivers and acting as the Bulldogs' Offensive Coordinator. Blount also coached the quarterbacks at Howard University (1984-1989) and at East Carolina University (1983-1984). Blount started his coaching career at his high school alma mater, Armstrong-Kennedy High School, in Richmond, Va.

Blount earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education from Winston-Salem State University in 1980. While at WSSU, Blount was a stand-out quarterback for the Rams, earning four letters and guiding WSSU to the 1977 and 1978 CIAA Championships. He earned All-District NAIA honors in 1977. In 1978, he was named a Black College All-American.

As a four-year starter at quarterback, Blount sat atop the WSSU record books for more than 25 years before his 3,330 career passing yards were surpassed in 2004.

A native of Richmond, Va., Blount and wife, Ava, have two adult children, April and Bryan.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Former FAMU High stars bring 7-on-7 tourney to Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Leonard Inge, Jr., and Sam Madison were age 13 when they met. They became close friends over the next several years and played football – both were defensive backs – at FAMU DRS.

When they graduated from high school in 1992, Inge signed with Florida A&M University and Madison took the only scholarship offered to him, by the University of Louisville.

Madison overcame the negative stereotypes to his small stature and went on to an All-American career at Louisville before becoming an NFL second-round draft pick and 12-year veteran of the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. He made four Pro Bowls at cornerback and won a Super Bowl in 2007.

Inge, meanwhile, had a successful career for the Rattlers, before becoming a graduate assistant coach under then-coach Billy Joe and winning a black college football national championship in 1998. He later moved to south Florida, where he coached football at Florida Christian Institute, a school for special needs students.

"FAMU High is a small school and it's a family," Inge said.

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Red-hot Southern hosts Jackson State

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana --The last time the Southern baseball team played Jackson State, it lost its fifth straight game.

The Jaguars fell 11-5 on March 24 in Jackson, Mississippi, and there seemed to be little hope for a team that was routinely getting outplayed in every phase of the game.

But just two weeks later, Southern has turned things 180 degrees as it prepares to face the Tigers at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lee-Hines Field.

The Jaguars (10-15) are 7-0 since losing to Jackson State (20-11), and the statistics show just how dramatically their play has improved.

During the streak, Southern is batting .301 compared to .246 during its 3-15 start. It has hit 11 homers in the seven wins compared to six in the first 18 games. Opposing pitchers had a 4.02 ERA before the win streak, but during the streak their ERA is 6.49.

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Durant coach remembered for making a 'great impact'

Jonathan Boyd
Alcorn State vs. Ohio State
 November 10, 2009

DURANT, Mississippi -- Jonathan Boyd embodied the expectations he set forth when he took over at Durant in 2013.

Before being named the boys basketball coach at his alma mater, Boyd led the Tigers to their fifth Class 1A championship in 2005. Durant, now with six state championship victories (the latest coming in 2011), is the fourth winningest boys basketball program in Mississippi history.

Boyd had high expectations for the players he coached over the last two seasons, and delivered a message that manifested itself in the Tigers' turnaround this year.

"Success is uncommon and not to be enjoyed by the common man. I am looking for uncommon people because we want to be successful, not average on and off the court," Boyd said upon being hired.

On March 7, three days after the Tigers fell to Ashland in the boys 1A quarterfinals at Jackson State University, Boyd was diagnosed with Leukemia. After battling the disease for more than three weeks, Boyd died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center on March 30. He was 26

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Walls headed for Texas Sports Hall

DALLAS, Texas -- On the field, Everson Walls was known for taking the ball away from the offense.

The former Dallas Cowboys cornerback picked off 57 passes in his illustrious career, and he and former Baltimore Ravens star Ed Reed are the only two players in NFL history to lead the league in interceptions in three different seasons.

Off the gridiron, Walls’ giving nature has often shined through, most notably in 2007 donated a kidney to Ron Springs and became the first athlete to give an organ to a former temamate.

Walls, who grew up two miles from the Cowboys’ practice facility in North Dallas, was considered too slow to play cornerback in the NFL coming out of Grambling State in the 1981 draft and wasn’t selected in the 12-round event.

He was picked up as a free agent and quickly showed incredible instincts and ball skills that allowed him to overcome his lack of top-end speed and made him one of the league’s top thieves during his 13-year career with the Cowboys, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.

Not bad for someone who lists basketball as his favorite sport and didn’t join the high school football team at Richardson Berkner until his senior year.

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Senator joins bill to save NC's Historically Black Colleges and Universities

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- A North Carolina senator from Mecklenburg County has signed on to a new bill that hopes to generate money to keep Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) alive in the state.

"Many of these Universities, they have been our mainstay," Senator Joyce Waddell said. "They have educated African Americans who are in prominent places, doing great things throughout these United States. So we must be proactive when it comes to this."

North Carolina has ten HBCUs.

Waddell says three of them have been discussed as possible for shutting down: Elizabeth City State University, Winston Salem State University, and Fayetteville State University. The schools reportedly do not have enough money to keep them open and dwindling enrollment numbers.

If approved, Senate Bill 706 would create an endowment that would go to the universities to help increase enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.

WEB EXTRA: Click here to read the bill

WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC

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Landing Johnson would be 'steal' for Alabama, Coach Jobe says

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- When Ben Jobe became head coach at Southern University in 1986, a 5-foot, 11-inch point guard from New Orleans walked into his office with a problem.

"The coach had left and he said he had been promised a scholarship, but he didn't have one," Jobe recalls. "A lot of schools had turned him down because he was too small."

That player was Avery Johnson. Nearly 30 years later, Jobe is still thankful Johnson walked through his office door. Southern won back-to-back SWAC tournament titles in 1987 and 1988 with the 'Little General" running the show on and off the court.

If Johnson winds up at Alabama, Jobe says the Crimson Tide "would be getting a steal." ESPN is reporting Johnson has made a verbal agreement to coach the Tide after reportedly meeting Saturday night with Alabama athletic director Bill Battle about the vacant head coaching position.



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VUU: a different mission

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Derrick Jones Jr. didn’t have a way to get to Virginia Tech for his interview for veterinary school, so his biology professor at Virginia Union University drove him there — in a snowstorm. And then the professor made the six-hour round trip to Blacksburg again to pick him up the next day.

His trip to Alabama for an interview at Tuskegee University was a similar team effort — pooled resources to pay for his airfare and rides to and from the airport.

That’s why Jones, a Maryland resident now in veterinary school at Tuskegee, feels he has many aunts, uncles and grandmothers at Virginia Union.

“My real family always says, ‘Every time you come home from Alabama, you don’t come straight home. You have to stop in Richmond and see those people,’ ” Jones said.

And he said he always tells them that if it weren’t for his other family at Virginia Union, “I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I wouldn’t be in vet school.”

His experiences speak to why proponents maintain that historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, remain a vital part of academia.

Virginia Union was one of six universities Jones applied to and the only HBCU. He was rejected by the five predominantly white institutions, sometimes called PWIs.

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Alabama reportedly hires Avery Johnson as head coach

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Former NBA coach Avery Johnson has verbally agreed to become the head coach at Alabama, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

The 50-year-old Johnson, an ESPN analyst, is from New Orleans and played in the NBA. He coached the Dallas Mavericks from 2005 to 2008 and the Brooklyn Nets from 2010 to 2012.

Johnson, who played 16 years in the league and was a point guard on the 1999 champion San Antonio Spurs, achieved his greatest coaching success with the Mavericks. Dallas won 60 games twice, and Johnson was the NBA coach of the year in 2006 after guiding the Mavs to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat in six games.

His son, Avery Johnson Jr., also plays in the SEC as a freshman point guard at Texas A&M.



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Johnson is a 50-year-old native of New Orleans, was a player at Southern University in Baton Rouge. was the NCAA’s leader in assists his junior and senior seasons at Southern, where he was the two-time SWAC Player of the Year. He made his NBA debut in 1988-89. Johnson played in the NBA from 1988 through 2004 with six different teams and won a NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.

Bowie State: Khari Lee Pro Day Draws Major NFL Attention

KHARI LEE

BOWIE, Maryland -- As the NCAA and NBA sprint towards their tournament finals and playoffs, locally all eyes were focused on Bowie State University football and senior tight end Khari Lee.  On Thursday, April 2, 2015, over 24 NFL team General Managers, Scouts and Staff evaluated everything from Lee's height, weight and flexibility to his agility as the Bulldog coaching staff hosted their 2015 Pro Day.

With a host of supporters, staff, former and current players watching and cheering him on to include Douglas McNeil, III, (Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks), Lee completed running, blocking and receiving routes with crisp precision to the delight of Head Coach Damon Wilson. 

"Khari being our fourth player in the last few years to have an opportunity to continue to play football and make a living is great", said Wilson. "It is very rewarding to be in our current position with graduating over eighty percent of the football players that we recruit and to see a number of them have an opportunity to pursue their dream.  We are building something great here and a student athlete with Khari's qualities continues to be so fulfilling to watch flourish.  This is a young man that walked on to our program and followed the plan that was laid before him without hesitation.  I look forward to watching him continue to grow and represent our University well on the next level."

Aside from being a proud Head Coach and Bowie State alumnus, Wilson lamented that Lee finished up his senior season as a three-time All CIAA selection at tight end; coincidentally as did his head coach.  Wilson also added, "I gave Khari my number (#86) his freshman year because I knew then that he would be something special and was even more proud that he played at my former position."

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION