Jared Walker’s Big Day Lifts FAMU To Doubleheader Sweep Over NC Central

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island – Jared Walker’s offensive outburst lifts Florida A&M (16-22, 12-8 MEAC) to a doubleheader sweep over North Carolina Central (19-24, 12-10 MEAC) on Friday at McCoy Stadium. After having to switch venues due to unexpected field conditions at Jim Rice Field in Roxbury, Massachusetts, FAMU swept NCCU 6-3 and 3-1 at McCoy Stadium, 46 miles away in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, at the home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Walker went 7-for-8 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored on the day. The Rattlers scored three runs in the sixth inning to take game one 6-3 and held the Eagles to just one run in the fourth inning of game two.

Ryan Kennedy and Peter Jackson each added three hits on the day.

The Rattlers scored as many runs in the bottom of the first inning of game one as they did the entire series against NCCU in Durham earlier this season.



Marcus Roberts (1-0) earned his first career win after pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief and didn’t allow a hit with two strikeouts. Kenny McDonald walked the first batter he faced, but struck out the very next batter for the final out to record his sixth save of the season. Rattler starter Chase Jarrell tied a career-high with six strikeouts while working five innings in the no decision. Jarrell allowed three runs on five hits with one walk.

Brandon Fleming (5-1) took the win in game two as he recorded the final two outs of the fourth inning. Alex Carrasco worked the final two scoreless innings for his first save of the season. Game two starter Ricky Page worked 3 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

The Eagles scored first in game one with a single run in the top of the first inning. Eric Kimber led off the game with an infield single and stole second before Mitchell McCary’s sac bunt advanced him to third. Carlos Ortiz was hit-by-pitch with one out, Ronald Thompson struck out and Christian Triplett was also hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Conrad Kovalcik then drew a bases loaded walk to score Kimber from third for the first run of the game. Jacobi Harris would then strike out to end the inning and keep the scoring damage at one run.

FAMU answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Walker led off the home half of the first by ripping a single back up the middle and moved to third as Alec Wong followed with a single through the right side. Walker would score from third as Marlon Gibbs reached on a fielder’s choice bunt back to the pitcher, but an errant throw home trying to catch Walker scoring allowed Wong and Gibbs to go to second and third. Wong then scored the second run on Kennedy’s RBI single to left.

NCCU regained the lead, at 3-2, on Triplett’s RBI double with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. McCrary singled up the middle and advanced to third on Thompson’s two-out double down the right line. Triplett followed with a two-run double down the right line to give Central the lead in what proved to be their final runs of the game.

The Rattlers took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth inning for a score of 5-3. Kennedy led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sac bunt from AJ Elkins. Brian Davis would then tie the game at 3-3 with an RBI single through the right side. Michael Birdsong followed with a single to right to place runners on first and second with one out and Jeremy Barlow loaded the bases with a walk. After a strikeout to Jackson, Walker put the Rattlers in front with a two-run single to center for his third hit of the day.

Florida A&M added one more run in the eighth for the final score of 6-3.

NCCU Starter Cameron Scalzo (2-1) suffered the game one loss, for his first loss of the season, after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

In game two, the Rattlers scored first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Walker led off with a walk and moved to second as Gibbs was hit-by-pitch with one out. After Kennedy flew out to left, Elkins plated Walker with an RBI single back up the middle.

N.C. Central had a scoring opportunity in the top of the third inning with two outs and runners on second and third, but Triplett struck out to end the scoring threat.

Central would tie the game at 1-1 with a single run in the top of the fourth inning. James Dey walked with one out, moved to second on a passed ball before Cory Williamson also walked to put runners at first and second. That forced a pitching change as Brandon Fleming came in for relief of starter Page. Fleming walked the first batter he faced in Theissen and Dey scored next to tie the game as McCrary beat out a double play ball at first base on his grounder to short.

FAMU answered with a run in the bottom half of the fourth inning to take back the lead for good at 2-1. After a Barlow walked and Walker singled to left with two outs, a throwing error by Eagle second baseman Williamson allowed Barlow to come around and score the go-ahead run.

The Rattlers tacked on another run in the fifth inning to push their lead to the final of 3-1. Kennedy led off with a rare infield double as his pop fly was brought back across the diamond by the wind. Elkins advanced Kennedy to third with a sac bunt then Kennedy and Birdsong executed the double steal as Kennedy stole home. Kennedy was in a run down trying to score, which allowed Birdsong to advance all the way to third as Kennedy worked his way out of the rundown to score.

Florida A&M and North Carolina Central will close out the three-game series on Saturday at Fenway Park in Boston. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM and will be televised on the New England Sports Network (NESN). Freshman Ryan Anderson will be on the hill for the Rattlers.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

TSU Stout, Fultz Named to OVC All-Newcomer Team

MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama – Jermey Fultz and Andy Stout have been named to the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer team. The duo became the second and third golfers in school history to receive the distinction. Current senior James Stepp in 2012 was the first Tiger to be selected to the squad.

Stout was second in the OVC for newcomers with a 73.6 strokes per round average. On the year, Stout gained a top five finish, a top 10 finish and three top20 placings. The Manchester, Tenn., native carded his best outing of the season on Mar. 17, as he fired a 5-under, 67, during the third round of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate.

Fultz finished just behind his fellow classmate with a 73.9 strokes per round. The Knoxville product placed in the top 20 three times and shot a career best 5-under, 67, during the first round of the F&M Bank APSU Intercollegiate on Oct. 20.

The Tigers continue play during the second round of the OVC Championships on Saturday at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Gold Nuggets Add Transfers to Increase Recruiting Class to 3

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Friday the signing of Amani Davis of Cypress, Texas, and Caitlyn Spane of Jackson, Miss., to women's basketball scholarships. Both are 5 feet 11 inches tall; Davis is a forward/center, and Spane is a forward/guard.

Davis averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game the past two seasons for McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. She scored in double figures 13 times and had a pair of double-figure rebounding games. As a freshman in 2013-14, Davis was honorable-mention all-region and helped McLennan's Highlassies qualify for the regional tournament.

Davis graduated from Cypress Springs High School in 2013. She was first-team all-district as a senior and won team awards for MVP and most improved player. Her single-game highs included 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Spane will transfer from the University of North Florida, an NCAA Division I member in Jacksonville. She averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds for UNF in 2014-15 and produced a double-double — 14 points and 10 rebounds — against Edward Waters, one of Xavier's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents. She scored 10 points and made 2-of-2 3-pointers against NCAA DI Tennessee State, the Ohio Valley Conference tournament champion last season.

Spane averaged 9.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in two seasons at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss., and helped the Lady Bobcats win the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges state championship her sophomore year. She was a three-year basketball starter and a four-year volleyball starter at Terry (Miss.) High School and had a 32-point game as a senior in which she was 15-of-15 from the floor.

Davis will be a biology/pre-medical major at Xavier, and she hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon. Spane will major in political science. Both were honor-roll students in high school, and Davis made the honor roll multiple times at McLennan.

"Amani and Caitlyn are two nice additions to our program," XU coach Bo Browder said. "Both are versatile players. They will help our inside and outside game next season. We did not have enough of those types of players last season."

The Gold Nuggets have signed three for 2015-16. Guard Mikayla Bates of Baton Rouge, La., signed last week.

Xavier was 18-15 in 2014-15 and finished second in the GCAC regular season and tournament. The Gold Nuggets qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship 18 of the past 21 seasons.

2015-16 Xavier women's basketball signees
Name Pos. Ht. Yr.* Hometown High School (College)
Mikayla Bates G 5-7 Fr. Baton Rouge, La. University
Amani Davis F/C 5-11 Jr. Cypress, Texas Cypress Springs (McLennan CC)
Caitlyn Spane F/G 5-11 Sr. Jackson, Miss. Terry (Jones County JC/North Florida)
* athletic classification at Xavier in 2015-16

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

Vote for XU's Jazmin Taylor in Ebony Magazine HBCU Campus Queens contest

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

To cast your vote, CLICK THIS LINK.

Savannah State Sweeps B-CU For First Place In MEAC South

SAVANNAH,  Georgia – In a battle for first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division, Savannah State softball took sole possession of the top spot with a doubleheader sweep of Bethune-Cookman on Friday.

The Lady Tigers improved to 10-1 in MEAC play with the two wins and 17-15 on the season. SSU and Cookman will close out the series on Saturday with a single game, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Lady Tiger Field. Cookman falls to 8-3 in the MEAC, and 15-27 overall.

Savannah State racked up a combined 24 hits over the two games on Friday. The Lady Tigers held onto a tight lead in game one, curbing a Cookman rally to win 8-5. In game two, SSU spread out 12 hits over seven innings for an 11-6 victory.

The Lady Tigers are on a 10-game MEAC win streak, the longest since the school joined the conference in the 2012 season. SSU won the MEAC Southern Division regular season title in their first year of competition in the conference.

SSU added single runs in the first and third innings of game one. In the fifth, SSU exploded with a four hits, including a triple from Alexis Singleton, racking up five runs for a 7-0 lead.

Junior slugger Torrian Wright blasted her 16^th home run of the season in the same inning, scoring Amanda Hallman, and tying the school record for single season home runs. Wright set the record in her freshman year.

Wright continues to lead all of NCAA Division I softball in batting average (.565), on-base percentage (.750), and slugging percentage (1.304). As a team, SSU is ranked ninth nationally in home runs per game, averaging 1.67 an outing.

Bethune-Cookman broke their scoring drought in the sixth inning, platting three runs on five hits. SSU added a single run in the bottom of the sixth on a double from Amber Hallman that platted Wright.

In the top of the seventh, Cookman scored two runs on two hits, and a costly SSU error. With two runners on and two outs, freshman pitcherAshley Eichenlaub forced a groundout from Mariah Davis to end the game.

Eichenlaub, a Savannah native, pitched a full game to earn her 11^th win of the season. She allowed five runs (four earned) on 13 hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

The Lady Tigers had 14 hits in the game, and were led at the plate by sophomore Ama. Hallman who went 4-for-4. Amb. Hallman went 3-for-4 in the game, while freshman Brianna Harris and Wright each added two hits.

The Lady Wildcats came out firing in game two. B-CU platted two runs on one hit to open the game and tacked on another run in the third for a 3-0 lead.

Wright singled to left in the bottom of the third, scoring Harris who reached on a single. Amb. Hallman singled as well, scoring Ama. Hallman to cut the Lady Wildcat's lead to a single run.

B-CU extended their lead in the next inning with two runs on two hits. SSU stranded three runners in the bottom of the frame as the Lady Wildcats held onto a 5-2 lead into the fifth.

SSU owned the fifth and sixth innings. To open the bottom of the fifth, Amb. Hallman hit her 12^th home run of the season, scoring Wright who was walked.

The Lady Tigers' defense staved off additional scoring from Cookman in the top of the sixth, while going to work in the bottom of the frame. SSU racked up seven runs on four hits, including a three-run homer from Eichenlaub and triples from Harris and Singleton.

After trailing for four innings, SSU took an 11-5 lead into the final inning. B-CU platted a single run in the top of the seventh as Ama. Hallman struck out Melissa Berouty to end the game.

Ama. Hallman earned her sixth win of the season, pitching a full 7.0 innings. She allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Amb. Hallman led the Lady Tigers from the plate in game two, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Harris, Ama. Hallman and Eicenlaub each had two hits in the game.

Savannah State will finish up the regular season with a three-game MEAC home series against South Carolina State May 2-3, before heading to the 2015 MEAC Championship Tournament in Daytona Beach Fla. May 7-9.

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

ASU Track & Field: Pre-SWAC 2015 Outdoor Championship Interview

Florida A&M Wind Symphony provides superb performance at the Annual President's Concert

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University hosted the President’s Concert on April 22, 2015 at Lee Hall Auditorium. The event featured the University’s acclaimed Wind Symphony, which just completed a historical performance at the world famous Carnegie Hall.  Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, Conductor, led the Wind Symphony through a truly stellar performance.

In the playing of "Marche Brillante," the Piccolos and Euphoniums musicianship were purely on point with perfect articulation, intonation and a joy to hear. The composition is the product of the creative genius of The Maestro himself, the late Dr. William Patrick Foster (August 25, 1919 – August 28, 2010), Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands, Florida A&M University (1946-1998).  "Hubba, Doc!"

If you missed the event, here are a few excepts from the President's Concert for your listening pleasure in high definition surround sounds.  As always, watch in 1080p HD, Wide Screen for maximum viewing pleasure.  Go Rattlers!

Xavier Nuggets' Briggs, Keith narrowly miss season bests

VINNIE BRIGGS 

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Vinnie Briggs and Ireyon Keith missed season bests in the women's triple jump by less than an inch Friday at the Southern Miss Invitational track and field meet.

Briggs jumped 10.55 meters (34 feet, 7 1/2 inches) to place sixth out of 11 competitors. Keith placed eighth in 10.27 meters (33-8 1/2). Briggs' season best is 10.57 meters, and Keith's best is 10.28.

It was Xavier's only competition during the opening day of the two-day meet. Xavier's women will compete Saturday in six track events and the long jump. Field events will start at 10 a.m. -- the women's long jump is scheduled for 2 p.m. -- and running events will begin at 1:10 p.m. The Gold Nuggets' first track event will be 1,500-meter run at 2:05 p.m.

Xavier's men will not compete.

Results

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

ASU Baseball Takes Game One Over Alabama A&M In Magic City Diamond Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama State baseball team won for the 13^th time in 14 games with a 5-3 win over Alabama A&M in the inaugural game of the Magic City Diamond Classic at Historic Rickwood Field.

 

Chris Biocic, P.J. Harris and Ray Hernandez each had two hits asJoseph Camacho improved to 10-0 and Armando Ruiz earned his seventh save.

 

"A lot of times, you have to be able to win games when you're not swinging the bat well," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendezsaid. "I thought our pitching was phenomenal. Camacho gave us a lift. He struggled in a couple of innings, but he found his rhythm and did a very good job, keeping a very good offense off balance. I'm very proud of the team and their effort tonight. It was truly a team win."

 

Alabama State (28-12 overall, 16-3 SWAC) erased a 1-0 deficit with a three-run second inning. Waldyvan Estrada and Yamil Pagan walked to lead off the inning. After a fielder's choice forced out Estrada at third, Hunter Allen walked to load the bases.Joseph Estrada was hit by a pitch on a 2-1 count to score Pagan to tie the game. Hernandez then drilled a 1-2 pitch into left field for a single, scoring Harris and Allen for a 3-1 Alabama State lead.

 

The Hornets extended the lead in the third. Waldyvan Estrada singled to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pagan. Harris then singled to center on a 1-2 pitch to give Alabama State a 4-1 lead.

 

After Alabama A&M (22-24, 14-8) added a run in the bottom of the third, the Hornets scored again in the fifth. After Chris Biocic and Waldyvan Estrada walked, with one out both players successfully executed a double steal, with Biocic scoring on a throwing error for a 5-2 ASU lead.

 

Camacho went seven innings, allowing 10 hits (nine singles), three runs with two walks and seven strikeouts. Michael Estevez pitched the eighth ahead of Ruiz' two-ninth inning strikeouts to seal the win.

 

Alabama State and Alabama A&M will play a doubleheader Saturday at 3 p.m. with the live radio broadcast of both games on bamastatesports.com.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Three found guilty on all counts in FAMU hazing trial

Benjamin McNamee, Darryl Cearnel and Aaron Golson are facing 15 years in prison

ORLANDO, Florida -- A jury has found the last three former Florida A&M University band members guilty in the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.

Aaron Golson, Benjamin McNamee, and Darryl Cearnel have been convicted of felony hazing and felony manslaughter. The three were the last of 15 band members charged in Champion's death to stand trial. Most of the others took plea deals.

"A strong message needs to be sent: here are the consequences of what hazing is and what it does," said Pamela Champion (Robert's mother) after the verdict was read. "There's no pride in it."

The jury started deliberating at 3:45 p.m. Friday after a day of lengthy closing arguments. They returned their verdict shortly after 6:39 p.m.



VIDEO: STATE ATTORNEY Jeff Ashton on verdict

CONTINUE READING

Terrence J Donates $100,000 To His Alma Mater North Carolina A&T State University

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- As Terrence Jenkins stepped up to the microphone at his press conference at N.C. A&T on Friday, the TV and film star admitted to something:  Sorry to send it this way. Couldn’t get it posted.

“I never done anything like ... I’m nervous,” said Jenkins, a 2004 A&T graduate who’s better known to audiences as Terrence J.

As Jenkins fumbled with a clip-on mic, something behind a bank of cameras fell off a desk and made a loud clunk.

“At least I’m not the only person who’s nervous,” Jenkins quipped.

Otherwise “Terrence J Day” at A&T seemed to go smoothly. At a press conference followed by a chat with students, Jenkins talked about his transformation from a skinny, goofy kid from Rocky Mount, by way of New York City, to a polished media professional known by millions. He’s co-anchor of “E! News,” an entertainment news show that airs daily.

CONTINUE READING

Press Release

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- Terrence J gave back to his alma mater in a major way. The E! News co-anchor donated a $100,000 endowment fund to his school North Carolina A&T State University which will benefit the institution’s journalism and mass communication department.

In a press release, the former 106 & Park host described his elated feelings on his latest efforts for his HBCU. “I am truly humbled to return to my alma mater and be in a position to give back to the same department and University that helped steer me on this incredibly rewarding career path,” he said. “I’m inspired by the great work that NBCUniversal has contributed to N.C. A&T State and I am thankful to be able to work together with them on these important programs.”

Those programs that Jenkins referenced will include various workshops to provide students with professional development in the media industry and a path to place graduates directly into careers within the media realm.

Recently, the Emmy nominee also partnered with the National Park Service as a Centennial Ambassador. His mission with the organization is to preserve national parks and motivate people to visit as a means to gain that “outdoor experience.”

GRU Augusta Leads By 36 Strokes Thru Two Rounds At MEAC Championships

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  The Georgia Regents University Augusta men's golf team strengthened their lead by 36 strokes as the team shot seven-under par in round two of the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's Golf Tournament Championship at the Crosswinds Golf Club in Savannah, Georgia.

LIVE SCORING

Round two started on the par-72, 6,748-yard course and the Jaguars are 19-over par after their second outing of 18 holes and are in first place over the six other teams. Savannah State and Bethune Cookman share second place after round two at 17-over par, while Florida A&M is fourth (+31), North Carolina Central fifth (+49), Maryland Eastern Shore sixth (+82), and Hampton is seventh (+87).

Shooting a 69 (-3) in his first round, GRU junior Robin Petersson carded a 67 (-5) in round two and is in first place at eight-under par. Petersson had eight birdies on the day – five on the back nine.

Maverick Antcliff followed up his first-round 69 (-3) with a one-under 71 today, carding three birdies on the front nine. He is tied for second overall at four-below par. Broc Everett's 67 (-5) in round one put in good shape for the rest of the event and Everett posted a three-over 75 in round two and is in a tie for third overall.

Viktor Edin had four birdies on the day and is in a tie for fifth overall at one-below par with his round-two, even-par 72. Jake Marriott sits tied for seventh overall after shooting a one-under 71 with five birdies.

The Jags combine for 23 total birdies in round two.

The winner of the MEAC Championships receives an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship. The Division I Men's Golf Selection Show will air Monday, May 4 at 10:00 a.m. on the Golf Channel.

Round three will conclude the event and be played on Saturday, April 25. Live scoring will be available during the match through Golfstat.com.

For more information on the MEAC Men's Golf Championships or other sponsored sports, visit www.meacsports.com.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow GRU Athletics at www.jaguarsroar.com and receive short updates on Facebook at GRU_Jaguars and on Twitter at @GRU_Jaguars.

ESPN Softball: Alabama A&M vs. Mississippi Valley State

Watch Live Here on ESPNU

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Alabama A&M University will travel to Itta Bena, Miss., to face Mississippi Valley State University in a three-game series beginning Saturday, April 25 at the MVSU Softball Complex. The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader will air on ESPNU at 3:02 p.m. CST.

The Devilettes currently hold a third-place position in the eastern division with a conference record of 6-6 (.500) and an overall record of 11-30 (.268). The Bulldogs are fourth in the eastern division (6-7, 16-21).

MVSU finished the 2014 season with a championship game loss to Texas Southern University. That loss ended the Devilettes’ track to three consecutive championship titles – they have had eight in the last 11 seasons.

This year, Mississippi Valley State is being led by Omeshia Moffett, Natalia Covarrubias, Deja Talton and Haley Young. Moffett holds a .282 batting average, a fielding percentage of .967 and has scored 20 runs with 11 stolen bases, while Talton claims a slugging percentage of .482, a RBI count of 19 and six homeruns. Young (6-14) has an ERA of 6.25, pitching 106.1 innings with 80 strikeouts.

Alabama A&M did not make it to the SWAC tournament last season (3-14, 11-33). This year, Coach Nakeya Hall solicits help from Taiya McInnes, Anisa Britt and newcomers, Ariel Smith and Tiana Sanders. McInnes carries a .461on base percentage with six doubles and a fielding percentage of .942. Smith claims a batting average of .374, a slugging percentage of .586, 23 RBI and four homeruns, while Sanders secures a slugging percentage of .535, 41 RBI, five homeruns and 61 stolen bases.

Britt (9-8) registers a 3.94 ERA, pitching 108.1 frames with 56 strikeouts.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Scholar-athlete admires S.C. State's 'fight,' how it values students

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State University’s financial woes and its problems with accreditation have made headlines for months, but through the eyes of some of its students, the university still tops the list in terms of excellence across the board.

First of all, they say the school is a family that values students and makes them feel at home.

“At State, you’re not just somebody who went to college,” Antonio Hamilton said. “You’re somebody special.”

He transferred to S.C. State in 2012 because he liked the school’s “fighting Bulldog spirit,” Hamilton said.

“State really is often looked at as an underdog compared to other schools,” he said. “But we have a lot of fight. That’s what really brought me here.”

CONTINUE READING

Former Coppin State guard headed to Pittsburgh for final season

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh landed a graduate student capable of helping the team offensively Friday morning, as it was reported by multiple outlets that former Coppin State guard Sterling Smith will be a Panther in 2015-16. With Cameron Wright out of eligibility and Durand Johnson (who was suspended for all of last season) having transferred, adding some experience and production on the perimeter is a positive for Jamie Dixon’s program.

The 6-foot-4 Smith averaged 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for Coppin State last season, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc. Smith had a stretch last season in which he scored 21 points or more in four of five games, including two 27-point and one 28-point performance, and he was a third team All-MEAC selection.

Smith will join a backcourt that includes returnees James Robinson, Josh Newkirk and Cameron Johnson, with four-star shooting guard Damon Wilson coming on board.

CONTINUE READING  

HBCU prospects ready for NFL draft

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- The NFL draft is loaded with major Division I prospects. However, there are a number of great prospects from the historically Black colleges and universities available.

It’s quite possible some of these players could hear their names called during the draft, which will be held April 30-May 2 in Chicago. If not, there’s an even greater possibility that these players could sign with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.

OFFENSE
Andrew Edouard, center
Bethune-Cookman
6-foot-2, 295 pounds

Edouard, a former Overbrook High standout, really developed over the last few years. After his scholastic career in Public League, he played two seasons of junior college football at Lackawanna College. Then, he transferred to Bethune-Cookman where he became an All-MEAC selection as well as one of the best offensive linemen in HBCU football. He could play center or offensive guard in the NFL with his quickness and strength.

Robert Myers, offensive tackle
Tennessee State
6-foot-5, 310 pounds

Myers has the size and strength to be a solid offensive lineman in the NFL. He’s a great run blocker. He was selected second-team All Ohio Valley Conference. Myers also played in the Senior Bowl.

CONTINUE READING

Chris Rock answers the question, ‘Why don’t black people like baseball anymore?’

NEW YORK -- Chris Rock describes himself as “an endangered species.” In what way? As “a black baseball fan.”

In a segment for HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” the comedian looked at how and why black players and fans seem to have abandoned participation and interest in what’s long been referred to as “the national pastime.” He pointed out that in the 1980s, black people made up about 20 percent of major league players; a recent MLB study put that number at 8.5 percent for the start of the 2013 season.

When Rock was a young man in New York, the 1986 Mets won the World Series with a roster studded with black stars such as Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and Mookie Wilson. But he noted — amusingly, of course — many ways in which things have changed:

• The 2014 World Series winner, the Giants, had zero black players (and “the closest thing to a person of color in the stands was their mascot, a biracial seal“), nor did their NLCS opponent, the Cardinals.
• Stillman College, a historically black institution located in Tuscaloosa, Ala., has one black player on its 35-man roster.
• Howard University dropped baseball altogether. (“Yeah, lacrosse is black enough for Howard, but not baseball.”)

CONTINUE READING

Alcorn State University selects Courtney G. Pruitt as Women’s Head Basketball Coach

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State University’s search for a new head women’s basketball coach concluded with a seasoned individual with extensive college coaching experience, most recently as the head women’s coach at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.

Director of Athletics Derek Horne announced the selection of Courtney G. Pruitt, a Longview, Texas native, as the new leader of the Lady Braves.

“We are delighted to welcome a veteran coach such as Pruitt,” Horne said. “She has experience turning programs around, recruiting effectively and reenergizing alumni relations efforts.”

Pruitt has 10 years of coaching experience with a career record of 102-23. In her first season as head coach at Wiley College, she turned the program around from an 8-21 record to a 20-9 record and led the team to its first conference tournament in three years. Pruitt led the team to a 29-4 record, its first Red River Athletic Conference title in 20 years, a top 25 ranking and a berth in the NAIA during the 2012-2013 season.



She was also voted 2012-2013 Coach of the Year by Red River Athletic Conference coaches. She led her team to a second conference title in the 2013-2014 season and a Final Four appearance in the NAIA Tournament.

Pruitt earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management from Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. She obtained her master’s degree in kinesiology health science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Pruitt and her husband, Brent, have two children, Kourjyn and Baylee.

“I am beyond excited and humbled for the opportunity to coach at Alcorn State University,” Pruitt said. “Alcorn is a special place and I am looking forward to working with a tremendous group of student athletes.”

Alcorn State University is a premier comprehensive land-grant university that develops diverse students into globally competitive leaders, and applies scientific research through collaborative partnerships that benefit the surrounding communities, state, nation and world.

Benedict Wins 2015 SIAC Men's Golf Championship

BESSEMER, Alabama -- The Benedict College men's golf team won the 2015 SIAC Golf Championship by 29 strokes.

Kelly Allen shot a 71 on Wednesday, the low round of the tournament, to earn medalist honors. Allen shot a 75-73-71-219, six over par, to beat Vitthal Parker of Miles College by five strokes.

Benedict's Rajai Cousley finished with a three-day score of 235 to finish third. Rhaulston Jones, the tournament's first-round leader, finished with a three-day score of
241 to finish in a tie for eighth.

The Tigers shot 303-310-314 over the three days for a total score of 927. Miles moved up one spot to finish second after shooting a 311 on Wednesday, the day's best round, for a three-day score of 956. Morehouse shot a 326 on Wednesday and dropped to third place with a score of 958.

With the victory, Benedict earned an automatic bid into the 2015 Division II men's golf South/Southeast Region tournament, which will be played May 4-6 at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, Florida.

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

GSU renews hoops contracts for men's, women's coaches

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling has renewed the contracts for its men's basketball and women's basketball coaches for an additional year, the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved Thursday at its board meeting.

Men's basketball coach Shawn Walker and women's basketball coach Nadine Domond, who were both hired last July, received new contracts effective July, 29, 2015. The contracts, which were set to expire in three months, are again for one year until July 29, 2016.

Walker and Domond will both make $120,000 with a buyout of $60,000 and no additional incentives.

Walker made the jump from Division II Elizabeth City State to Grambling in 2014 and endured his share of struggles. The Tigers went 2-27, finished last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and failed to beat a Division I team for the second time in three years.

CONTINUE READING

FAMU Baseball Faces NC Central For Historical Weekend Series In Boston (Game Notes)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M (14-22, 10-8 MEAC) travels to Boston, Mass., this weekend to face North Carolina Central (19-22, 12-8 MEAC) in yet another huge MEAC Southern Division series. It will be the first time two HBCU programs will play in a major league venue. The two teams are in a four-way battle for first place in the division, which is big since only the top three teams in each division advance to the MEAC tournament. Originally this was to be the final home series of the season for the Rattlers in Tallahassee before being moved to Boston. FAMU is coming off a tough 3-2 loss at Auburn on Tuesday where the Rattlers out-hit the Tigers 11-4. NCCU has lost four straight, including a pair of mid-week games against UNC Asheville and High Point this week.

Friday’s doubleheader will begin at 11:00 AM ET and will be played at Jim Rice Field in Roxbury, Mass., before the series finale moves to FenwayPark on Saturday. Saturday’s game will be broadcasted on the New England Sports Network (NESN) at 2:00 PM ET.

The New England Sports Network (NESN) can be found on Direct TV channel 628 as well as on Dish Network channels 434 and 5434 (NESN HD). Check with your local cable provider to see if NESN is offered in your area.

This series is apart the first ever Historically Black College and Universities Legacy Weekend Celebration being brought to you by the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Area Church League, Inc. In addition to the games being played, other events over the weekend include a reception on Thursday, a debate hosted by HarvardUniversity on Friday, April 24, and a college career fair hosted by the Boston Red Sox at FenwayPark on Saturday, April 25.

In the first meeting of the season, the Rattlers were swept in the three-game series played at the Durham Athletic Park in Durham, N.C. FAMU was held to just two runs on 13 hits over the three games.

FAMU is 6-3 in their last nine conference games and is led by Alec Wong’s .364 batting average in those games. In the last nine MEAC games, Wong has three home runs, one double, eight runs scored, seven RBI, a .667 SLG%, 22 total bases and was walked nine times. Jared Walker (.316), Ryan Kennedy (.296), Jeremy Barlow (.296), Brian Davis (.296) and Michael Birdsong (.286) have also each hit well in the last nine MEAC games.

The Rattlers lead the MEAC with a .962 fielding percentage, second in walks (159) and is fourth with a 4.92 team ERA. The Rattler pitching staff is tied for third in the MEAC with six saves this season.

Who’s Hot the Last 5 Games

In the last five games 1B Michael Birdsong is hitting .471 (8-17) with two runs and two RBI. 2B Alec Wong hit .450 (9-20) with a home run, four runs scored, three RBI, 12 total bases, 3 walks and a .600 SLG%.

Bullpen Holding Down the MEAC

The Rattlers are 10-8 in the MEAC and the FAMU bullpen has been extremely strong against the MEAC with an ERA of 2.02 in conference games. The Florida A&M bullpen has allowed 17 earned runs against conference opponents.

Record Breaking MEAC Wins

Under head coach Jamey Shouppe in his first two seasons, Florida A&M has won 24 games against MEAC opponents. The 24 conference wins are the most over any two consecutive seasons in program history.

Ricky Page Working Out Well as a Starter

Since moving into a starting role against Troy on March 25, Ricky Page has seemed to have found his niche. Page has a 2.12 ERA as a starter with a 4/1 strikeout to walk ratio. Page has worked 12.1 innings in four appearances, which includes a 2.2 inning, rain shortened, outing against Bethune-Cookman on April 4. In the rain shortened start against B-CU, Page had a then season-high four strikeouts in just 2.2 innings. Page recorded his season-high five strikeouts in his very next start at Savannah State on April 12.

As always, fans can follow FAMU Baseball via Live Stats on FAMUAthletics.com and on Twitter at @FAMUAthletics.

NC Central vs. FAMU in Boston Game Notes

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Lady Tigers Receive NLI From Naomi Bolasingh

NAOMI BOLASINGH
Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Women’s Basketball head coach Larry Joe Inman announced the signing of Naomi Bolasingh to a National Letter of Intent. Bolasingh will join early signees, Jordan Brightwell, Franceska Brown, Tyesha Hood, Tiana Parker and Asia Sims as the class of 2019.

"Naomi is a great addition to an already strong recruiting class,” Inman said. “It has been an exciting time for our program and I believe this group will help the program continue to grow.”

Bolasingh is a 5'8 guard from Long Island, New York and Valley Stream Central High School. Bolasingh averaged 12.5 points per game as a senior for head coach Melissa Thorngren.

As a sophomore, Bolasingh was named All-Conference and followed it up with All-County selection as a junior. In her final year, she was a member of the All-County team and earned MVP honors at the All Long Island All-Star game.

Bolasingh played select ball for Dave Johnson and Tony Jones of the Lady Lions. The Valley Stream native played softball for VSCHS her freshman year and was a part of the Language Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).



The athletic guard chose Tennessee State over Ball State, Georgetown University, University of Richmond, ETSU, North Florida, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Jacksonville University, Indiana University, Colgate University, Canisius University, Utah Valley University, Adelphi University, Central Arkansas and UNC Asheville.

“Naomi is the type of player who can come in and contribute right away,” Inman said. “She loved the chance to come in and have the chance to help the program. She is a great young lady and she felt right at home with our team and staff.”

2014-15 Signing Class
Naomi Bolasingh – 5’8, Guard, Long Island, N.Y./Valley Stream Central HS
Jordan Brightwell - 6’1, Forward, Bowie, Texas/Bowie HS
Franceska Brown - 6’1, Forward, College Park, Ga. /West Lake HS
Tyesha Hood - 6’5, Post, Detroit, Mich. /Detroit Mumford HS
Tiana Parker - 6’4, Post, Chehalis, Wash. /William F. West HS
Asia Sims - 5’9, Point Guard, Paris, Ky. /Bourbon County HS

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jay Butler To Be Named Men's Basketball Coach at Virginia Union University

COACH JAY BUTLER
COURTESY: UDC ATHLETICS

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Lester “Jay” Butler, Jr., will be named the 10th Head Coach in the history of Virginia Union University men's basketball at a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, in the lecture hall of the L. Douglas Wilder Library on the VUU campus in Richmond, Virginia.

One of the top coaches in the East Region, University of the District of Columbia head women's basketball coach Butler has enjoyed outstanding success at the Division II level over a career that has spanned 11 seasons. Since his hiring in 2003, Butler changed both the perception and quality of the District of Columbia women's basketball program. Bringing stability, vision and a love for the game, Butler earned the respect of his opponents and establishing Firebird women's basketball as a competitive force in Division II.

In his 11 seasons as head coach at UDC, Butler amassed 177 wins, two Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) national championships, ECC Coach of the Year, ECC regular-season champions, two ICAA Coach of the Year awards and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

He enjoyed his finest season in 2014-15 when the Firebirds registered a school-record 25 wins and a No. 22 national ranking for the season. Butler guided the Firebirds to their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance last season with a school-record third seed in the East Region.

In 2007-08 and in 2008-09, UDC was a combined 45-13 as it went on to win two straight ICAA Division II National Championships. The team also won a school-record 19 straight games at home, starting with the final six home games in 2007-08 and ending with a perfect 13-0 home record in 2008-09.

Butler's 2010-11 campaign saw UDC go 19-9 and finish the season by celebrating "Senior Day" with an 84-60 trumping of the Urbana University Blue Knights for third place in the 2011 Independent Invitational Women's Basketball Classic.

The Firebirds finished the 2011-12 season with a record of 21-7 overall and 12-4 in its first season in the ECC. They would also earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed in the East Region before bowing out to No. 1 seed and host, Bentley University.

Butler and the Firebirds enjoyed one of the program's finest seasons in 2013-14. UDC finished with an impressive overall record of 21-8, securing the school's first ever East Coast Conference basketball championship and earning an NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament appearance as a No. 5 seed. Along the way, the Firebirds were ranked as high as No. 20 in the USA Today Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Poll and No. 3 in the East Region. Also, junior guard Telisha Turner and junior forward Denikka Brent were both named First Team All-ECC, Turner surpassed 1,000 points scored for her career, and head coach Lester Butler, Jr. celebrated his 150th career coaching win on Senior Night, February 26th vs. Dowling.


Butler coached five 1,000-point scorers at UDC including Jaime Brown ('06), Lilian McGill ('11) and Lauren Brittingam ('12) in addition to Turner and Denikka Brent in 2014-15. Brown was the first-ever 1,000-point scorer in the history of the program, and accomplished the feat in just three years' time. McGill finished her outstanding four-year career with over 1,400 points and 1,100 rebounds. She was a part of 78 UDC wins throughout her career, which is the most of any player under Butler.

Butler began his coaching career at Virginia Union as a volunteer assistant while he finished his undergraduate degree working with the team's guards from 1996-98. After graduating from Virginia Union, Butler served as head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach at Bladensburg High from 1999-2001.

Prior to becoming head coach at UDC, he served as an assistant coach for two seasons. He was responsible for travel, scouting, working with the guards, pre-season conditioning, academic coordinating, and various other duties. He also served as the recruiting coordinator and signed four Junior College All-Americans, a 2nd-Team All-ICAA selection, and a 1,000-point career scorer in his short stint as assistant at UDC.

A 1998 graduate of Virginia Union University with a degree in criminal justice, Butler played for legendary coach Dave Robbins, and was a key member of the Panther basketball program. He helped Virginia Union capture three straight CIAA championships and make four NCAA Division II appearances. In 1996, Butler's senior season, he guided the team to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Butler finished his career at Virginia Union 107-14 won-loss record. Butler served as team captain from (1994-1996).

A native of Washington D.C., Butler graduated from Archbishop Carroll High in 1992 where he earned All-Metro honors and Honorable Mention All-American.

Butler is a member of various organizations including the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and the Black Coaches Association. He resides in Upper Marlboro, MD, with his wife, Chae, and their three children, Jataé, Sam and Lauryn.

QUOTES:

DAVE ROBBINS SAYS:
"Jay was a complete team player and a smart guard. He never worried about scoring himself, but made the players around him better."

BEN WALLACE SAYS:
"Jay enabled all of us to be not just better players, but a better team. He was the catalyst in our going to the 1996 Final Four, and his success on the court has transferred to the coaches' bench."

TERRY DAVIS SAYS:
"Jay will make a tremendous difference in the program. I feel Jay will bring back the Virginia Union pride and tradition."

COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETICS

WSSU’s Wilhelmi likes his recruiting class

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Coach James Wilhelmi of Winston-Salem State arrived at the Bowman Gray Stadium field house dressed in a suit and tie as if he were ready to coach a game.

There was no game scheduled, but he was more than ready to discuss his latest recruiting class.

“This is a great mixture of guys who we feel can help us and keep us at that upper level of the CIAA,” Wilhelmi said about his second recruiting class as a head coach.

Last season, as a rookie head coach, he guided a team full of seniors to an 18-10 record and the CIAA championship game. The reality is of his top eight players from last season only two – guards Terrell Leach and C.J. Ford – will be returning.

CONTINUE READING

Magic City Diamond Classic to be held at Rickwood Field

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The passionate rivalry between Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University now moves to the baseball diamond as the Inaugural Magic City Diamond Classic will be held this weekend at Birmingham's Historic Rickwood Field.

The Hornets (27-12 overall, 15-3 SWAC) and Bulldogs (22-23, 14-7) will play a single game Friday at 5 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are just $5 each day, with a family four-pack available for just $15, covering both days of the event.

Rickwood Field is the oldest surviving professional baseball park in the United States. It was built to serve as the home park for the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Rather than an empty ballpark crying for attention, Rickwood Field is home to almost 200 baseball games each year. Birmingham-area high schools, Miles College, wooden-bat tournaments and myriad other organizations are still able to play on hallowed ground.

More than 100 professional baseball Hall Of Famers have played at the historic park, a virtual who's who in the annals of baseball – Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Larry Doby, Josh Gibson, Reggie Jackson, Ernie Banks, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige are just a sampling of the legends who have played at Rickwood Field.

Now the Hornets and Bulldogs get to write their chapter in the history of this legendary venue in a Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division showdown between the in-state rivals.



COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION