Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Hot Start Fuels FAMU Rattlers to 6-0 Win Over Troy in Regular Season Finale

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TROY, Alabama – Florida A&M (20-23, 15-9 MEAC) scored all six of its’ runs on six hits in the first inning to shutout Troy (26-23, 14-10 Sun Belt) 6-0 on Wednesday at Riddle-Pace Field. It was only the second time the Trojans had been shutout at home all season. FAMU starter Ricky Page (1-0) pitched a gem for his first win of the season as he worked five scoreless innings and scattered three hits with one strikeout and one walk. Page faced just two batters over the minimum in the win.

FAMU out-hit Troy 8-5 as Logan Seymour led the Rattlers going 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Rattlers scored all their runs in the opening frame as they recorded six runs on six hits and sent 11 batters to the plate, while jumping out to a 6-0 lead. Michael Birdsong recorded his fifth home run of the season to end the scoring outburst in the first. Jared Walker led off by reaching on catcher’s interference, stole second and went to third on Alec Wong’s infield single. Ryan Kennedy started the scoring when he belted a two-run double into left center as Walker and Wong both were able to score. Runners would then be on first and second after Kennedy was held at second base on AJ Elkins single to the shortstop. Brian Davis would follow by reaching on a fielder’s choice as an errant throw to second trying to catch Elkins allowed Kennedy to come around and score. Birdsong then crushed a three-run shot over the 30’ wall in right field to cap the scoring.

Troy starter Corey Childress (3-5) gave up all six runs (four earned) on six hits in the first inning, while only recording two outs. Childress faced 10 batters and threw 24 pitches in the top of the first inning.

The FAMU bullpen held Troy to just two hits over the final four innings with a combined four strikeouts and two walks.

Florida A&M will be off until next week’s MEAC Baseball Tournament in Salisbury, MD. The Rattlers first tournament game will be on Wednesday night, May 13, at 7:30 PM and face the winner of the UMES vs. South #3 Seed. The South #3 seed will be determined after this Saturday’s North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central game. If NC Central wins, they will become the South #3 seed. If they lose, Savannah State will make the Tournament as the #3 seed from the MEAC Southern Division.

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




COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Ferguson Signs Free-Agent Contract With St. Louis Rams

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Former University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Wide Receiver Isiah Ferguson signed free-agent contract with NFL's St. Louis Rams, this past Saturday.

Ferguson, 6-6, 210, wide receiver from Mount Vernon, N.Y., saw action in 10 games this past season in a UAPB uniform. He finished the season with 343 receiving yards on 25 receptions with one TD. He tallied a season high 84 yards on five receptions against Grambling State (10-18-14) and pulled down seven reception for 60 yards and one TD against Prairie View A&M (11-8-14).



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Releases 2015 Football Schedule



PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff  Department of Athletics has released its 2015 football schedule, featuring a five-game home slate, a game in Little Rock, Arkansas and a contest in Orlando, Florida.

UAPB will open up its 2015 campaign against South Carolina State on Sunday, Sept 6 in the 11th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney at the newly renovated Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN in a 3:30 p.m. EST start. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

The Golden Lions then will return to the comfort of Golden Lion Stadium for back-to-back home contests. UAPB will take on Morehouse College in their home-opener on Saturday, Sept 12. This will be the first-ever meeting between UAPB and Morehouse. A week later, UAPB will take on Texas Southern in its conference opener on Saturday, Sept. 19. Last season, the Golden Lions played the role of spoiler as they pulled out a 38-37 win over the Tigers on their homecoming. The Golden Lions have defeat TSU in three of their last four meetings.

UAPB will close out the month of September with a trip to Huntsville, Ala. to take on Alabama A&M on the Sept. 26 in the Louis Crews Classic at Louis Crews Stadium in a 1 p.m. start. Last season, in their season finale', the Golden Lions pulled out a 20-19 win over the Bulldogs.

The Golden Lions will open up the month of October against Alcorn State on Saturday, October 3 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas.  UAPB has won three of its last five meetings against Alcorn State, who is the defending SWAC champion.

After a week off, UAPB will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 against Alabama State at Golden Lion Stadium before closing out the month of October on the road with contests against Jackson State and Prairie View A&M. The Golden Lions will face JSU on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Jackson, Miss. and then PVAMU on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Waller, Texas.

The Golden Lions will close their 2015 home campaign with back-to-back home contests to start the month of November.

UAPB will welcome Southern University to Golden Lion Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, hoping to defeat the Jaguars for the fourth time in six meetings. The Golden Lions will then close out their 2015 home campaign against Grambling State in their annual homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Golden Lion Stadium

In the regular-season finale', UAPB will travel to Itta Bena, Miss., to take on the Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Rice Totten Stadium.

Season tickets for UAPB's home games in Pine Bluff are scheduled to go on sale on May 11.

Date Opponent Stadium Location Time
Sept. 6 vs. South Carolina State+ Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, Fla. 3:30 p.m. EST
Sept. 12 Morehouse College Golden Lion Stadium Pine Bluff, Ark. 6 p.m.
Sept. 19 Texas Southern* Golden Lion Stadium Pine Bluff, Ark. 6 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Alabama A&M* Louis Crews Stadium Normal, Ala. 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 vs. Alcorn State* War Memorial Stadium Little Rock, Ark. 4 p.m.
Oct. 17 Alabama State* Golden Lion Stadium Pine Bluff, Ark. 6 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Jackson State* Veteran Memorial Stadium Jackson, Miss. 2 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Prairie View A&M* Waller Stadium Waller, Texas TBA
Nov. 7 Southern* Golden Lion Stadium Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 Grambling State* HC Golden Lions Stadium Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Miss. Valley State* Rice-Totten Stadium Itta Bena, Miss. 1 p.m.

+- Denotes 11th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney
*-Denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference Games
All Home Games at Golden Lion Stadium Are In Bold
HC – Homecoming
All times and dates are subject to change



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKASAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Hampton Roads players get their shot at NFL

HAMPTON ROADS, Virginia -- Their names weren't called by the time the NFL draft ended Saturday, but several players from South Hampton Roads will be headed to pro camps over the next week.

Linebacker Sage Harold (Ocean Lakes) signed a three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, linebacker Travis Hughes (Kempsville) is headed to the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Phillip Sims (Oscar Smith) is headed to the Arizona Cardinals, and Norfolk State defensive tackle George Riddick (King's Fork) signed with Green Bay.

Old Dominion center Josh Mann, an Ocean Lakes High product, became the sixth Monarch to agree to terms with an NFL team. He'll get a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars, ODU officials said Monday. Mann started three seasons and was named All-Conference USA as a senior.

Riddick, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound Suffolk native, led the Spartans with eight sacks as a senior and added 13 tackles for loss on his way to making first-team All-MEAC.

CONTINUE READING

Former Booker T. star and coach Cal Davidson dies

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Former Booker T. Washington star football player and coach Calvert “Cal” Davidson has died after a long illness. He was 77.

Davidson was an all-state football player for the Bookers. He also led the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore to two CIAA championships.

Davidson coached many sports and many athletes at Booker T. Washington, including NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

Davidson was inducted into the UMES Hall of Fame and the Hampton Roads African American ...

CONTINUE READING

Tuskegee Tigers Burkette Heading To Vikings Rookie Mini-Camp

COURTESY TUSKEGEE U. ATHLETICS
TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- After a year away from football, former Tuskegee University football player Rashard Burkette earned an invitation this week to the Minnesota Vikings Rookie Mini-Camp, which begins Thursday (May 7) and ends on Sunday (May 10).

The Montgomery-native participated in Troy University's Pro Day following his senior season in 2013 and the 6-foot-2, 215 pounder posted the highest vertical leap among players who participated at 40.5 inches. He also did 19 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds and ran a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash. During Pro Day, the former quarterback worked out at wide receiver and defensive back.

"It means a lot to get to get an invite to mini-camp," Burkette said. "Last year I didn't get a shot when I finished my career at Tuskegee,and it just shows you have to keep working. If you keep working and stay consistent, hard work pays off. It means a lot to be able to continue my dream of playing at the next level."

During his last year at Tuskegee, Burkette led the Golden Tigers to the NCAA Division II playoffs by completing 75 of 145 pass attempts for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 296 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries.

In brief duty at wide receiver, he caught four passes for 29 yards.

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuskegee Softball Earns a NCAA D2 Postseason Bid

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Just a week removed from capturing their second consecutive SIAC Tournament championship, Tuskegee (21-20) received their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth as the field for the postseason event was announced by the NCAA Division II Softball Committee Monday morning.

The Lady Tigers join Alabama-Huntsville, Shorter and Valdosta State from the Gulf South Conference in the tournament. Tuskegee will be the eighth seed and will face top-seed and host Valdosta State (46-7) in the opening round on Friday, May 8 at 7:00 pm. The other two teams, fourth-seeded Shorter (36-15) and fifth-seeded Alabama-Huntsville kick off play at 4:30 pm on Friday.

The tournament will take place Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 and will be held at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park in Valdosta.

The South 1 Region features four of the top eight teams in the South Region, while the other four teams from the region will play at the University of North Alabama in the South 2 Region.

For more information on the tournament, click on the links above or check back with GoldenTigerSports.com where tournament information will be released as it becomes available.

TOURNAMENT BRACKET | NCAA DIVISION II SOFTBALL HOME PAGE
SOUTH 1 REGION TOURNAMENT HOME PAGE

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former Lady Hornet Great Barbara Burgess Named New Delaware State University Women's Basketball Coach

Courtesy: DSU Athletics/Rodney Adams
(L) Dr. Harry L. Williams (C) Barbara Burgess (R) Skip Perkins

DOVER, Delawae -- One of the greatest players in Delaware State University women’s basketball history has returned to her alma mater as the new head coach of the Lady Hornets.

DSU President Harry L. Williams and Interim Athletics Director Louis “Skip” Perkins announced the appointment of Barbara Burgess as the school’s ninth head coach during a press conference today.

Burgess, who starred for the Lady Hornets from 1985 to ’89, most recently served as an assistant coach at Delaware State’s highly successful MEAC rival Hampton University the past six seasons. While at Hampton, Burgess helped lead the Lady Pirates to five MEAC Tournament titles, five regular season crowns and six national championship tournament appearances.

During Burgess’ tenure as an assistant coach, the Lady Pirates won a MEAC-record five consecutive tournament championships from 2009-to2014. Hampton posted an overall record of 146-48 (.753), including an 88-8 mark (.917) in MEAC regular season play; and won 54 consecutive games vs. league opponents (including tournament games) while she served with the program.

“We believe that Barbara’s championship experience at Hampton, along with the intensity and passion she developed in her playing days with the Lady Hornets will greatly benefit our women’s basketball program,” Dr. Williams said.

Prior to her time at Hampton, Burgess served one season as an assistant coach at Norfolk State University(2008-09). She was head women’s coach at Virginia Union University from 1999-2001; and head girls coach at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Va. (2002-08) and Huguenot High School in Richmond, Va. (1992-98)

Before entering the coaching ranks, Burgess enjoyed a standout four-year career with the Lady Hornets. A two-time All-MEAC First Team selection, she is DSU’s second all-time scorer with 1,807 points; and fourth-leading rebounder with 817 boards. During her senior year, she helped lead the Lady Hornets to their first MEAC Tournament championship game.

Burgess was a star at Delaware State from 1985 to '89

Burgess was selected as Delaware State’s Female Athlete-of-the-Year in 1988 and ’89; and was inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall-of-Fame in 2000.

“Barbara stood out among some outstanding candidates for the position, not just because she’s a Lady Hornet alum, but because of her highly successful experience as a teacher of the game and recruiter, as well as her commitment to academics and community service,” AD Perkins said. “We believe Barbara will bring a high level of excellence back to the Lady Hornet program she helped to make so successful as a student-athlete.”

Burgess earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Delaware State in 1990. She also has a 2011 Master of Science in Sports Management and Intercollegiate Athletics Administration from California University of Pennsylvania.

Her appointment marks the second time that a former Lady Hornet player has headed the DSU women’s basketball program. Jackie Devane was head coach from 1995-2000 after competing for the team from 1979 to ’83.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Hampton University Athletics Adding Men's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The Hampton University Department of Athletics has announced the addition of two new sports for the coming 2015-16 academic year: men's lacrosse and women's soccer, both of which have been intramural programs at the school.

Both programs will compete as independents and play modified schedules.

With the additions, Hampton will feature 17 intercollegiate programs – seven men's programs, nine women's programs, and one co-ed program in sailing. Aside from sailing, all programs will be under the NCAA umbrella.

John McNabb will serve as head coach of the women's soccer program, bringing with him decades of experience playing and coaching the sport. He has worked at Hampton University in the Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, and McNabb has also played for Hampton International as part of the Virginia Rush Peninsula Adult League.

Having played for Hampton International since 2008, McNabb has been on several league championship teams, most recently in the fall of 2014. His specialty has been on the defensive side of the ball.

McNabb has obtained licenses from the United States Soccer Federation and Virginia Youth Soccer Association to coach U6-U8, U8-U10, and Under-12 squads. He also served as club coach at Hampton since the spring of 2013.

McNabb holds a doctorate and a Master's in physics from Carnegie Mellon, and he received his bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, and history from Washington and Jefferson in Pennsylvania in 1995.

Lloyd Carter will serve as head coach of the men's lacrosse program after co-founding and coaching the university's club lacrosse team – a capacity in which Carter has served since 2010. A native of Baltimore, Md., Carter lettered in the sport in both high school and college – playing for Morgan State until the program was discontinued in 1981.

Carter's coaching experience began in Baltimore's Northwestern High School in 1999. During his tenure that stretched more than a decade, Carter was a four-time Baltimore City Lacrosse Coach of the Year, and he served as president of the Baltimore City Lacrosse Coaches Association.
U
Under his leadership, Northwestern won two regional, two city, and six divisional championships.

In 2003, Carter founded Blax Lax Inc., a club-level organization where college and high school-level players competed in programs and summer leagues in Howard County, Md. From 2004-08, Carter co-founded and coached club lacrosse at Morgan State.

Carter received both bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

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

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES SPORTS INFORMATION

Monday, May 4, 2015

Rush, Nuggets Returning to NAIA National Championships


NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams held their positions Monday in the NAIA coaches polls, and both received at-large bids to next week's NAIA National Championships.

The Gold Nuggets (15-9) are ranked fifth, and the Gold Rush (12-7) are No. 6. Both received the first of nine at-large bids.

Twenty-four women's teams and 24 men's teams qualified for the national tournament, which will begin May 12 at Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala. The NAIA will announce seedings and pairings by 5 p.m. CDT Tuesday.

Xavier's women qualified for nationals for the fourth consecutive year and the ninth time overall in the last 11 seasons. The XU men qualified for the seventh consecutive year after never reaching nationals before 2009.

"We're happy about earning bids to play in the national tournament again," said Alan Green, in his 12th season as coach of Xavier's women and men. "We're worked hard all year to get to this point, and now it's time to go into the final tournament of the year and look to make a good showing. We just want to compete as hard as we can and see where it leads us."

The Gold Nuggets reached the national semifinals in 2013 and 2014 — the best finish by an XU team in any sport at an NAIA national tournament — and the Gold Rush reached the quarterfinals in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Both XU teams have lengthy current streaks in the NAIA's top 10: 37 straight for the men, 24 straight for the women. Both also are among the NAIA leaders in active streaks of appearances at the national tournament. The Nuggets are one of nine women's programs making a fourth consecutive appearance, and the Rush are one of eight men's programs making a seventh consecutive appearance.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll 
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through May 2)

RankTeamRecordPointsLast
1Georgia Gwinnett (12)8-63731
2Auburn Montgomery (2)19-43632
3Lindsey Wilson15-73493
4SCAD Savannah12-43384
5Xavier15-93275
6Embry-Riddle (Fla.)13-53116
7William Carey12-73057
8Brenau12-52938
9Northwood (Fla.)8-62779
10Cardinal Stritch21-226510
11Arizona Christian22-2246tie-12
12Oklahoma Baptist11-7226tie-12
13Concordia (Calif.)12-1122311
14Northwestern Ohio17-622114
15Lewis-Clark State7-1221215
16Evangel10-320116
17Westmont13-918420
18Cambellsville12-816918
19Graceland8-315219
20Vanguard8-1614417
21Davenport16-1013321
22LSU-Alexandria10-213022
23Olivet Nazarene16-711423
24Southeastern (Fla.)12-510524
25Coastal Georgia9-78925

Others receiving votes:  Indiana Wesleyan 67, Aquinas 41, St. Thomas (Fla.) 37, McPherson 24, Missouri Valley 23, Campbellsville 19, Marian (Ind.) 14, SCAD Atlanta 9, Reinhardt 3

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll 
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through May 2)

RankTeamRecordPointsLast
1Georgia Gwinnett (14)12-23741
2Embry-Riddle (Fla.)18-33582
3Vanguard25-13503
4Auburn Montgomery19-43424
5Lindsey Wilson19-13265
6Xavier12-73146
7Northwestern Ohio18-53027
8San Diego Christian14-72888
9William Carey13-62809
10Concordia (Calif.)12-926510
11Coastal Georgia11-725111
12Northwood (Fla.)10-224112
13Westmont10-1422813
14Bethany (Kan.)11-120514
15Dalton State11-720415
16Graceland12-319416
17Cambellsville15-517918
18McPherson16-517117
19Belhaven16-516719
20Oklahoma Baptist10-714620
21Cardinal Stritch20-713221
22Reinhardt11-312022
23Lewis-Clark State4-1010423
24Olivet Nazarene12-69224
25SCAD Savannah6-77925

Others receiving votes:  Indiana Wesleyan 53, Tennessee Wesleyan 50, Davenport 48, Martin Methodist 29, Asbury 27, Aquinas 24, Marian (Ind.) 10, Middle Georgia 5, Biola 3

KSU's Jacquise Lockett signs contract to join Redskins

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Former Kentucky State University Football standout Jacquise Lockett signed a contract as a free agent with the Washington Redskins in the National Football League on Saturday afternoon.

Lockett, a Fulton, KY native, signed a deal with the Washington Redskins about 10 minutes before Louisville's Gerald Christian was drafted as the last pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

A two time 1st Team All SIAC running back, Lockett has rushed for 2,886 yards and 32 touchdowns in his career. He is the only running back in the SIAC to rush for over 1,000 each of the last two seasons and was the only running back in 2013. Over the past two seasons Lockett has averaged 112 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry for his career.

For his career Lockett has scored 198 points including 32 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown. He also was the leading scorer for the Thorobreds the past two seasons.

Last season, Lockett went over the 100-yard mark five times including a 243 yard two touchdown performance against Central State University in the Circle City Classic.

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kentucky State University Releases 2015 Football Schedule


FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- In the spirit of the Kentucky Derby, The Kentucky State Thorobreds are pleased to announce the 2015 Football Schedule. This year's schedule features several intriguing out of conference match-ups against the MEAC and CIAA, another visit to Lucas Oil Stadium as participants in the Circle City Classic and four home games.

Head Coach Josh Dean, who enters his second season as the head coach, will lead the Thorobreds into action on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. as the Thorobreds visit Hampton University to kick off their 2015 campaign. The Thorobreds will take a second trip to Virginia the following week to battle Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. The home opener for the Thorobreds will be the second CIAA vs. SIAC battle as Johnson C. Smith University travels to Frankfort, on Sept. 19, 2015 with a 2:00 pm kick-off.

SIAC Conference play begins in week four with the rivalry between Central State and Kentucky State being played out during the Circle City Classic in Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 26.

October begins with a road battle vs. Benedict College in Columbia, SC before the Thorobreds return home to face the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University for homecoming in week six.

For game seven of the season, the Breds will travel to Fairfield, AL to face off against Miles College for their homecoming on Oct. 17th. They will then return home to battle the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee on Oct. 24th.  Lane College will be the Halloween match up for the Breds as they travel to Jackson, TN on Oct. 31 and the season will conclude with a battle against Stillman College on November 7 in Frankfort, KY at 1:00 pm.

Season tickets and Circle City Classic Tickets can be purchased beginning May 11, 2015 by calling the KSU athletics office at (502) 597-6011.

2015 Thorobred Football Schedule:

DATE DAY OPPONENT HOME / AWAY LOCATION TIME
9/5/2015 Saturday Hampton University A Hampton Roads, VA TBD
9/12/2015 Saturday Virginia State University A Petersburg, VA 2:00 pm
9/19/2015 Saturday Johnson C. Smith University H Frankfort, KY 2:00 pm
9/26/2015 Saturday Central State University * %
Circle City Classic N Indianapolis, IN TBD
10/3/2015 Saturday Benedict College * A Columbia, SC TBD
10/10/2015 Saturday Fort Valley State University * # Homecoming H Frankfort, KY 1:30 pm
10/17/2015 Saturday Miles College * A Fairfield, AL TBD
10/24/2015 Saturday Tuskegee University * H Frankfort, KY 1:00 pm
10/31/2015 Saturday Lane College * A Jackson, TN TBD
11/7/2015 Saturday Stillman College * H Frankfort, KY 1:00 pm
11/14/2015 Saturday SIAC Championship N Montgomery, AL TBD

* SIAC Opponent
% Circle City Classic
# Homecoming

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU's Trice-Hill Rejoins Columbia U. Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff

TRENA TRICE-HILL
NEW YORK, New York -- Trena Trice-Hill has rejoined the Columbia women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach in April 2015 head coach Stephanie Glance announced Monday morning. Trice-Hill brings over 10 years of coaching experience and 14 years of professional playing experience to the Lions.

Trice-Hill returns to Morningside Heights after a stint as an assistant coach at Norfolk State University over the past two seasons with prior stops at Virginia Commonwealth, Shaw University, North Carolina State and Hampton University.

Trice-Hill served as an assistant women's basketball coach at VCU for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. She helped guide the Rams women's basketball team to the WNIT both years to set a new program record with four consecutive postseason appearances. She was selected to participate in the 2011 NCAA and BCA Achieving Coaches Excellence (ACE) Program, which helps recognize and develop some of the game’s top assistant coaches.

Following a 14-year professional career in the WNBA and with the Federal International Basketball Association (FIBA), Trice-Hill joined the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant at Hampton University in 2002. She helped guide the Pirates to back-to-back MEAC titles and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances before returning to her alma mater North Carolina State for a five-year stint under late Hall of Fame head coach Kay Yow. After her time with the Wolfpack, Trice-Hill accepted an assistant coaching position at Shaw University, where she spent the 2009-10 season.

Trice-Hill has specialized in developing talented post players. She mentored three WNBA Draft selections at NC State in Khadijah Wittington, Gillian Goring and Tiffany Stansbury. At VCU, she coached forward Courtney Hurt, who led the nation in rebounding (13.1 rpg) in 2011-12 and ranked second in double-doubles (23).

Trice-Hill has experienced success at each stage of her basketball career. As a player at NC State, she guided the Wolfpack to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and ranks among the school’s all-time greats with 1,761 points and 984 rebounds. Trice-Hill also led the Wolfpack to a pair of ACC Tournament titles (1985 and 1987) and an ACC regular season title in 1985. She was named All-ACC all four seasons, including a pair of first team all-league honors, a second team selection and was a member of the All-Freshman team. In addition, she was a two-time ACC All-Tournament selection.

Trice-Hill was a Wade Trophy Finalist in 1986, which honors the nation's best women’s basketball player, and went on to participate in the 1988 Olympic Trials. She is just one of seven players to have her No. 15 jersey retired at NC State and was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary team in 2002.

A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Trice-Hill graduated with a degree in speech communication from NC State. She is married to Derrick A. Hill and has one daughter, Kiana.

COURTESY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

GRU Augusta Jags Golf Headed To Chapel Hill For 19th NCAA Regional Appearance

AUGUSTA, Georgia – The No. 49 GRU Augusta men's golf team is headed to the NCAA postseason and will play at the UNC Chapel Hill regional as the eighth seed beginning on Thursday May 14 at the University of North Carolina Finley Golf Course.

Hosted by UNC, the NCAA Regional in Chapel Hill, N.C., will feature a 13-team field. The Jags competed at the UNC Finley Golf Course in their first event this fall Sept. `2-`4 at the Tar Heel Intercollegiate where GRU Augusta placed fourth at even par.

The Jaguars have made 19 NCAA Regional appearances (1993-95, 1998-2005, 2007-2012, and 2014). Last season marked the most recent trip for the Jags in the NCAA Regional when senior Alex Wennstam earned a spot as an individual competitor in 2014. The last time the team traveled for a regional was in 2012

GRU Augusta will be looking to advance to the NCAA Championships for the 14th time in 18 NCAA Regional appearances. The Jags finished in the top 10 in all 10 regular season meets and reached a No. 48 national ranking. The team placed in the top five in six different events, highlighted by a first-place finish at the 2015 MEAC Championship on April 25 to give the jags an automatic qualifying bid.

"We are excited to be participating in the UNC Chapel Hill NCAA Regional," Head Coach Jack O'Keefe said. "The field there is very challenging as are all of the sites, but we were fortunate to have played a preview tournament back in the fall. The guys like the golf course there and we hope to use our experience from the fall tournament to contend for one of the five spots that advance to the NCAA Finals in Bradenton, Florida. I am proud of our guys this year for playing well and earning a berth into the NCAA Regionals. We look forward to the challenge."

Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted May 14-16. Thirteen teams and ten individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals.

The low five teams and low individual (not on those teams) from each of the six regionals advance to the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, taking place May 29-June 3 at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla. Golf Channel will air live coverage of the final three days of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, June 1-3.

View all brackets and selections by clicking here.

NCAA REGIONAL - UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA FINLEY GOLF COURSE – CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA

Hosted by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Teams (seeded in the following order):

1. Florida State University

2. Stanford University [Pac-12 Conference]

3. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

4. Kennesaw State University

5. Wake Forest University

6. Clemson University

7. University of Florida

8. Georgia Regents University [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]

9. University of North Carolina, Charlotte

10. McNeese State University

11. Pennsylvania State University

12. Miami University (Ohio) [Mid-American Conference]

13. Loyola University Maryland [Patriot League]


GOLF CHANNEL NCAA MEN'S DIVISION I GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

Monday, June 1 Final Round, Individual Stroke Play 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET (Live)

Tuesday, June 2 Quarterfinals, Match Play 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET (Live)

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NSU Spartans get 1st no-hitter in nearly 20 years



NORFOLK, Virginia -- After coming oh-so-close to no-hitters in his each of his last two starts, Norfolk State sophomore left-hander Devin Hemmerich achieved the elusive feat Sunday in a 6-1 victory over visiting Coppin State in game one of the teams' doubleheader at Marty L. Miller Field. The Spartans won game two by the same 6-1 score to sweep their final MEAC Northern Division series of the season.

Hemmerich (4-3) threw the program's first no-hitter in the Division I era and fifth in school history to help the Spartans (23-13, 19-5 MEAC North) end their conference schedule in style. The Spartans' last no-hitter came on March 12, 1996, when John Coles (five innings) and Matthew Hemmis (one inning) combined to blank St. Paul's in a 39-0, six-inning win. Hemmerich walked the game's lead-off hitter, Colin Dower, who then stole second. Dower took third on a groundout and alertly took off for home when the NSU defense turned its back on him following the putout at first. Dower slid in safely ahead of the throw home to get the Eagles on the board.

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