Xavier Nuggets' relay team sets XU mark at NAIA nationals

GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Xavier University of Louisiana set a school record of 47.10 seconds Thursday in the preliminaries of the women's 400-meter relay at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

Chelsea James, Katelyn McMorris, Clarke Allen and Devinn Rolland were the members of the relay. They broke the previous mark of 47.22 set April 11 by James, Destini Thomas, Allen and Rolland at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships in New Orleans.

The Gold Nuggets had the ninth-fastest time out of 26 teams. The missed the final by three-hundredths of a second.

Thunderstorms washed out some of Thursday's first-day events, including Rolland in the women's long jump.

Rolland will jump Friday in an event in which she has earned All-America honors twice. Also scheduled to compete Friday for Xavier in preliminaries will be James in the women's 100, Joseph Moses III in the men's 100 and Alex Xavier in the 110 hurdles.

The three-day meet will conclude Saturday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Chiefs Legend Bobby Bell Earns Degree from U. of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- Kansas City Chiefs legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Bobby Bell, who will turn the milestone age of 75 in a little bit more than a month, achieved a personal milestone that was 53 years in the making on Thursday night.

Bell, in keeping a promise to his late father, walked across the stage at the Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis for the first time as a college graduate of the University of Minnesota.

"I really wanted to dance across the stage,” he said. “So many people here touched me and they were on the stage. The faculty members, all of them, came up in the back to shake my hand. They grabbed me; they hugged me.

“It's a great feeling. It's just like in the stadium."



Bell left Minnesota in 1962 with nine credits remaining to graduate and instead chose to play professional football while also working at General Motors.

From that point forward, finishing his degree unconsciously became secondary.

“What happened is I kept putting it off,” he described. “I would say 'maybe next fall. Next spring I'll go back and get my degree.' I had a few credits left and I kept putting it off. Then the next thing I know, I'm opening up restaurants and stuff. Then I started working.

“I was traveling all over the country and I kept putting it off. I'd say 'maybe next year.'”

CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M Rattler Cagers Ink Standout JUCO Point Guard and More...

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball program announced the signing this week of junior college backcourt phenom Elijah Mays to a National Letter of Intent to join the team for the 2015-16 season.

Mays, a 6’0” point guard, is a native of Orlando, Florida, where he played on the prep level for University High School, where he averaged 11.0 points and 6.0 assists per game.

Recruited by Pepperdine, Tennessee State and Abilene Christian as well as FAMU, Mays played on the junior college level at Palm Beach (Fla.) State College (2013-14) and McLennan (Tex.) Community College (2014-15).

At Palm Beach State, Mays averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds, shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range, and 75.8 percent from the foul line, while at McLennan CC, he averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds.

FAMU head coach Byron Samuels said of Mays: 

“We are so excited to announce the signing of Elijah Mays. His skills as a point guard will be very important as we continue to work to build the FAMU Basketball Program.

“Elijah is a natural leader, his ball handling and passing skills are exactly what our team needs. He can make the open three-point shot, but what sets him apart is his ability to make the mid-range jump shot.

“We need him to be a hawk defensively, be a good decision maker and command the team. We believe he can do all of those things, and are fired up that he’s a Rattler!,” Samuels concluded.



Coach Samuels also announced the signing of Justin Ravenel and Nicholas Serverado to the Rattlers men's basketball team.

Ravenel is a 6’3”- 175 lb. point guard from Decatur, Georgia.  He was ranked a three-star guard by ESPN. Ravenel’s strengths are both ball handling and defense, while having a solid scoring set. The southpaw has a good vertical, resulting in some thunderous dunks. Additionally he is committed to defense as well, a staple in Samuels’ philosophy. Ravenel is well equipped to drive from the dribble or shoot from deep.

Samuels on Ravenel

“Justin is a terrific basketball player but an even better student and young man. Justin is an excellent shooter and playmaker. His ability to play both guard spots gives our team versatility. He’s the type of teammate every player wants to play with. He exhibits a maturity and poise beyond his youth. Justin is a winner as a student athlete having won two Georgia State HS championships, more importantly he is a winner as a person. He represents all that is good in college athletics, we are so proud to have him join the FAMU Basketball program and family."

Severado is a 6’8” – 185 lb. forward from Savannah, Georgia . He has the physical abilities to be effective in the MEAC. He amassed 80 blocks and 134 rebounds in his senior season playing for Jenkins High School. His shot blocking ability should help the Rattler front line bolster its defensive presence.



Samuels on Severado

“Nick is an amazing sign for our basketball program. At 6’8” he can play multiple positions, point guard being among them. He is long, athletic, adept at using both his left and right hands, and is one of the best passers I’ve seen in a long time. He has the ability to make shots and plays above the rim that you can’t coach. Defensively, Nick can defend three to four positions, and his shot blocking ability is uncanny. Nick is the consummate team first guy, sacrificing his own stats this season to help lead his team to the state championship. We are proud that Nick and his family have signed with FAMU, we are humbled by his commitment. "

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Hughes Named Female Athlete of OVC Championships

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Sophomore Amber Hughes was selected Female Athlete of the OVC Outdoor Championship, announced by the league office on Thursday.

“I am excited for Amber,” said head coach Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice. “She stepped up and carried the team on her back as a leader. We were thinking on using Clairwain (Dameus) in the final relay, but Amber and the squad knew she was exhausted from the Heptathlon and her other events. She showed her true leadership skill as she convinced us they would get it done and save Clairwin from another grueling event.”

Hughes recorded first place finishes in four events and placed third in another as she helped the Tigerbelles claim the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor championships last weekend. The title was the first outdoor trophy for TSU since 2008.

Photo courtesy of Brittney Sparn/Austin Peay Athletics

The Atlanta, Ga. native ran the opening leg of the winning 4x400 (3:44.96) meter relay team with Diera Taylor, Christian Pryor and Kayla Pryor, clinching the team title for the Tigerbelles. Hughes also claimed victories in the triple jump (12.90/42-04.00), 200 meter dash (23.66) and the 100 meter hurdles (13.27), in which she broke a record which stood since 1986.

Hughes also teamed with Clairwin Dameus, India Smith and Taylor for a third place finish in the 4x100 relay team.

“I am just proud to be a Tigerbelle,” said Hughes. “I am more excited we won the team championship. I feel very happy of the accomplishment and to represent the team. We all worked hard to win.”

This is the second consecutive year a Tigerbelle held the honors of top Female Athlete at the OVC Championships as Dameus earned the award for her performance in 2014. The back-to-back selections were the first since Dominque Ward was tabbed with the distinction in 2007.

“It gives us more motivation,” Hughes said of the recognition for her and Dameus. “We just want to keep working harder and pass on the dedication to our teammates so they can win it next.”

Hughes, along with Dameus, I'mani Davis and Flying Tiger Quamel Prince, will compete at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on May 28 in Jacksonville, Fla.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Baseball scholarships becoming elusive for Black HS grads

CHAD HARDY (OF/RHP) is a talented athlete and student.
6'-0/175 lbs., 60 times: 6.65
Batting Average: .459, Fielding %: .958, On-Base %: .560, Stolen bases: 28
PROSPER HIGH SCHOOL/ GRADUATES IN 2015'
2014/15 Team Record: 26-3/District: 13-0
HOMETOWN: MCKINNEY, TEXAS
SUMMER TEAM: DBAT Mustangs (3-years)
Honors: Named to all-district team for 2013-14 season
Lead team in hits, runs scored and stolen bases
Signed NLI: Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas
Courtesy: PERFECT GAME

NORTH DALLAS, Texas -- A typical young, black male in football and basketball glides down a gilded pathway by the time they are seniors in high school in both of those sports. My brother Chet, a blue chip, Parade All American as a senior, had bags of letters from every major university in the nation when he was a senior at Carter High School. You know this story well as you see it play out every year across high schools in Texas: Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, Florida State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Alabama, Miami, Ohio State, Texas, LSU, Nebraska; they all came calling on gifted young black males to help transform or maintain their programs.

Indeed, this is the accustomed stance for young black men: the decision where to lay their roots at many of the nation’s finest colleges and universities. In Chet’s case, all these same schools beckoned him to sign with their program, not only because of his football skills, but his academics were through the roof as well. Those programs that were recruiting Chet obviously know talent, as Chet, years later landed in the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas A&M Hall of Fame, and earning two Super Bowl rings from his time as an All-Madden Safety with the San Francisco 49ers.

Well, I see Hardy as a modern-day version of Chet, but with a major variant in play. He resides in a sport that appears conflicted at all levels (youth, college and pro) about how much leeway to give a young, black baseball player.

In Hardy’s case, he may have arrived before his time in a collegiate sense. It doesn’t appear that deserving kids like Hardy – for all of their merits on and off the field – will be able to entice the “gatekeepers” at college baseball’s highest levels to “pull a Bear Bryant,” where Bryant, in the early 70s, decided all-white football squads were passé. Bryant helped lead Alabama out of the dark ages, taking the entire college landscape (SMU, USC are among the enlightened programs that had previously diversified their squads) with him as his move to black ballplayers finally ushered in widespread acceptance on most campuses and thus allowed blacks to finally compete with the nation’s best and on the best teams in the nation.

Though Hardy has the talent to allow him to play for virtually any school in the nation, he has fruitlessly performed in front of schools like Louisiana Tech University, the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and Stephen F. Austin. For some reason, those schools and others aren’t biting.

CONTINUE READING 

Grambling State to Participant in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Multi-Team Event

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams and schedule for the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. This NCAA exempt multi-team event will feature five teams and take place throughout the month of November.

As previously announced, the first-ever Hoophall Miami Invitational at AmericanAirlines Arena will serve as the culmination of two multi-team events. The doubleheader held the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 27th will feature Kentucky vs. South Florida in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and Ohio State vs. Memphis in the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational. ESPN networks will televise the two games from Miami.

Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame Classic are: University at Albany (Am. East), Boston University (Patriot League), University of Kentucky (SEC), New Jersey Institute of Technology (Independent) and University of South Florida (American).

“For many years the Hall of Fame has hosted a number of competitive early-season contests featuring some of the top basketball programs in the nation,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are excited to expand upon this with the introduction of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic and Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.”

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will serve as the host conference for these inaugural multi-team events. The MAAC has developed a strong partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame, including the addition of a MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational are: Grambling State University (SWAC), Louisiana Tech University (CUSA), University of Memphis (American), Ohio State University (Big 10) and University of Texas at Arlington (Sun Belt). Complete schedule for the Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational will be released at a later date.

Campus round matchup details, such as game times and broadcast information, will be released individually by each host school. Tickets for the Hoophall Miami Invitational are available via Ticketmaster and the AmericanAirlines Arena box office.

For more information, please log onto www.hoophall.com.

Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Campus Round Schedule

November 13

University at Albany @ University of Kentucky

November 14

New Jersey Institute of Technology @ University of Kentucky

November 16

University at Albany @ Boston University

New Jersey Institute of Technology @ University of South Florida

November 19

Boston University @ New Jersey Institute of Technology

November 21

Boston University @ University of South Florida

November 24

Boston University @ University of Kentucky

University at Albany @ University of South Florida

November 27

New Jersey Institute of Technology @ University at Albany

Friday, November 27 at AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Bracket

University of Kentucky vs. University of South Florida


Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational Bracket

Ohio State University vs. University of Memphis

About American Airlines Arena:

Since its opening on December 31, 1999, the 19,600-seat AmericanAirlines Arena has proudly hosted megastars such as Marc Anthony, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, One Direction, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, U2, Justin Timberlake, Phish, Madonna, Maná, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to name a few. In addition, AmericanAirlines Arena is home to family shows such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which maintains a long term, exclusive South Florida run. AmericanAirlines Arena has also played host to several live televised events including the 2004 and 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, the prestigious Latin Grammy Awards and four NBA Finals, each placing Miami in the international spotlight. Private events have included product launches, corporate basketball tournaments, gala dinners and a host of meetings, large and small. For more information, please visit AAArena.com.

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. ANC Sports Enterprises is the league’s marketing consultant and has the exclusive sales rights to the MAAC. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.

For more information:

Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com 

Former Alcorn Coach Luther Riley Moves On To Columbus H.S.

COACH LUTHER RILEY
COLUMBUS (Miss.) HIGH SCHOOL

COLUMBUS, Mississippi -- The Columbus Municipal School District is moving ahead with plans to fill several coaching vacancies at Columbus High School.

Interim Columbus High Athletic Director Ben Moore said Wednesday that former Alcorn State University men's basketball and John W. Provine High boys basketball coach Luther Riley has accepted the job as boys basketball coach at the high school.

The decision to hire Riley was approved May 11 by the CMSD school board. According to the board agenda, Riley is set to make $45,530 as a salary and $9,400 as a supplement ($54,930 total). Those figures are based on the salary schedule for 2014-15 and/or previously approved 2015-16 salary schedules.

Riley, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday night, comes to Columbus High after going 38-91 in four seasons as coach at Alcorn State in Lorman, a Division I school that is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. In January, Riley announced he was taking a personal leave of absence. He told The Clarion-Ledger he expected to return to coaching later in the season. Assistant coach Shawn Pepp led the program in Riley's absence. The Braves finished 6-26 (4-14 SWAC) this past season. In March, Alcorn State opted not to renew the contracts of Riley and women's basketball coach Tonya Edwards.

The contracts for both coaches expired at the end of the month.

CONTINUE READING 

Florida A&M University Marching 100 Summer Band Camp 2015

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MARCHING "100" SUMMER BAND CAMP

Target Audience: Grade Levels 9th - 12th

July 11 - 18, 2015

The Marching 100 Summer Band Camp has been the camp of choice for thousands of high school musicians. Ranging from grades 9th through 12th, these young men and women have shown a sincere desire to better themselves as not only musicians, but as leaders of their respective band programs. Those who have come through the Marching 100 Summer Band Camp have gone on to become section leaders, officers and drum majors in the Marching 100. Be a part of the internationally famous Florida A&M University Marching Band Programs for grade levels 9th-12th. A special invitation is extended to middle school students who will be entering a high school band in the fall 2015. Emphasis is placed on developing music and marching skill. Learn from the FAMU band staff, alumni and visiting directors. Over 100 of the band's present members have volunteered their time and effort in order to make this the best summer band camp in the country! Dates: July 11-18, 2015 Fee: $495.00 Deposit: $100.00 due by May 29th Balance: Due by June 26th Space is limited and reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. Sign up now to reserve your spot! On-line partial pay is available with two payments via credit card. Additional partial payments can be made through the mail. When Saturday, July 11, 2015 8:00 AM - Saturday, July 18, 2015 5:00 PM Eastern Time Zone Where Florida A&M University Department of Music 1660 Pinder Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32307  Fees BAND CAMP REGISTRATION Registration Fee Non-Residential  $360.00 Registration Fee Residential  $495.00 View Event Summary View Event Agenda Registration Deadline Thursday, July 9, 2015

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REGISTER FOR BAND CAMP NOW?

ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Southern Baseball to host summer showcase June 2

LEE-HINES FIELD
COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY and A&M COLLEGE ATHLETICS

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Head Coach Roger Cador is set to host the first of two summer baseball showcases at Lee-Hines Field June 2 on the Southern University campus.

Interested parents and participant are urged to complete an application form listed below to register. Prospective participants may also have their information submitted directly to the Jaguars baseball program.

The Jaguars' High School Baseball Showcase provides an opportunity for high school players (Grades 9-12) interested in playing college baseball to be evaluated by the Southern University Coaching Staff. The showcase will be limited to 34 players on a first-come, first-served basis.

Players can choose pitcher and another position. In this case the player will pitch one inning, receive 3 at-bats, and play in the field at their desired position. The showcase will field 2 teams from the following allotment of players for a 12-inning game.

SU baseball will host a fall showcase at Lee-HInes Field on Sept. 5.

Please submit completed application to: daniel_canevari@subr.edu

June 2 Baseball Showcase Application and Flyer
June 2 Baseball Showcase Questionnaire

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

North Carolina A&T To Face Florida, Purdue and Buffalo in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2015 Tip-Off Tournament

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the field of teams and brackets for the 2015 Tip-Off Tournament. The annual NCAA men’s exempt tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will take place Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut highlighted by eight schools in two four-team brackets with campus round games taking place around the Mohegan Sun Arena schedule.

Teams scheduled to participate in this year’s Tip-Off tournament are: University at Buffalo (Mid-American), University of Florida (SEC), Niagara University (MAAC), North Carolina A&T (MEAC), Old Dominion University (CUSA), Purdue University (BIG 10), Saint Joseph’s University (Atlantic 10) and University of Vermont (Am. East).

“The Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun has become one of the most acclaimed collegiate tournaments in the month of November” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Of the teams who participated in 2014, four of them made it to the NCAA Tournament. We hope this competitive atmosphere will serve as a stepping-stone for the teams contending this year as well.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will continue to serve as the host conference for the annual event. The MAAC has developed a strong partnership with the Basketball Hall of Fame, including the addition of a MAAC exhibit in the Hall of Fame museum in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A pre-sale of tickets to all participating schools will start on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. EST via all Ticketmaster outlets and the Mohegan Sun Arena box office. General public tickets will go on sale Friday, September 11. Game times for Mohegan Sun Arena will be announced at later date.

For more information on tickets, please log onto www.halloffametipoff.com.

Naismith Bracket

University of Florida

Old Dominion University

Purdue University

Saint Joseph’s University

Springfield Bracket

North Carolina A&T

University at Buffalo

Niagara University

University of Vermont

Tip-Off Tournament Schedule

Campus Round Schedule

November 13

Niagara University @ Old Dominion University

North Carolina A&T @ Purdue University

November 15

University of Vermont @ Purdue University

Niagara University @ Saint Joseph’s University

November 16

North Carolina A&T @ University of Florida

University at Buffalo @ Old Dominion University

November 18

University at Buffalo @ Saint Joseph’s University

November 25

University of Vermont @ University of Florida

Saturday, November 21 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Naismith Bracket

University of Florida vs. Saint Joseph’s University

Purdue University vs. Old Dominion University

Springfield Bracket

University of Vermont vs. Niagara University

University at Buffalo vs. North Carolina A&T

Sunday, November 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Naismith Bracket

Consolation Game

Championship Game

Springfield Bracket

Consolation Game

Championship Game

Head Coach Comments

Cy Alexander – North Carolina A&T

“It is certainly an honor for North Carolina A&T State University to be included in the field of teams for the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. The state of North Carolina has such a rich tradition in college basketball. The fact A&T is representing the state in a tournament valuing the origins of basketball is a great step forward for our men's program and the young men who represent our program. Our university administration, department of intercollegiate athletics, alumni, fans and students are looking forward to a great event.”

Nate Oats – University at Buffalo

“It is an honor to be selected to play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off event. This is an outstanding opportunity for our team to be challenged by some quality opponents early in the season and we are looking forward to playing games at a first-class facility at the Mohegan Sun Arena.”

Billy Donovan – University of Florida

“This has been a great event in the past, and we’re honored to be part of it this fall along with a tradition-rich field.”

Chris Casey – Niagara University

“Our team looks forward to playing in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The event has a history of outstanding teams and great competition, which will prepare us well for a difficult conference schedule.”

Jeff Jones – Old Dominion University

“We are very excited about competing in such a prestigious tournament. This is a very strong tournament field which I think our fans will enjoy watching and we will have a couple of home games as well.”

Matt Painter – Purdue University

“We are thrilled to be chosen to play in the 2015 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena. The tournament boasts a strong field and we feel this event will be a highlight of our non-conference season. The games will provide a great opportunity for our team and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Phil Martelli – Saint Joseph’s University

“As a program, we are excited to be affiliated with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. We’re honored to be chosen as a campus host and are anxious to have our players experience quality competition in such a beautiful setting as Mohegan Sun.”

John Becker – University of Vermont

"We are excited to be participating in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off event again. It is a great event and Mohegan Sun is a good location for our fans to see us play. We are also looking forward to playing at Florida and Purdue, two established programs in college basketball."

About Mohegan Sun:

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:

The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference, please visit www.maacsports.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.

The FAMUNAA Raises $203K, Reigniting the Rattler Spirit of Giving

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMUNAA) set a new participation record as more than 450 alumni participated in convention activities in Houston, Texas to raise dollars for scholars during the 2015 National Convention. A total of $203,000 was raised on site, with additional donations flooding in virtually through the portal, www.FAMU.edu/RattlersGive.

“In just a few moments, together we have doubled the amount of money raised at this event last year,” said FAMUNAA President Tommy Mitchell. “This is how much Rattlers love and support FAMU. We give to ensure a bright future for our alma mater so that the legacy will continue to be there for Rattlers yet unborn.”

Alumna Cheryl A. Miller, Allstate Senior Vice President of Sourcing and Procurement Services, set the tone through her stirring keynote speech where she encouraged the alumni to support the new administration because innovative change is critical to FAMU’s future. Miller reminded the audience that history tells the story of several corporations that are no longer present because they refused to change, such as Blockbuster, Kodak Camera, and Borders Bookstore. Similarly, academia has witnessed the demise of several institutions of higher learning. Miller stressed the importance of coming together to protect FAMU’s longevity.

“Industries evolve to meet future demands and FAMU is no different,” said Miller. “FAMU must evolve to meet the needs of today’s students or lose relevancy.” She invited the alumni to be a part of the change by financially supporting the new president’s vision.

FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., delivered a video message thanking the alumni for their continuous support. FAMU Provost Marcella David shared an impressive list of recent campus accolades. The Social Mobility Index ranked FAMU no. 3 in the nation for facilitating economic opportunity for underserved students. FAMU outranked the nation’s leading Ivy League institutions on the list, such as Princeton (360 th), Harvard (438 th), and Yale (440 th). Additionally, FAMU recently awarded two doctoral degrees in physics to two accomplished African American women. The national average number of African Americans awarded the Ph.D. in physics annually is six.

“There is a lot for you to be proud of as alumni,” said David.

Throughout the convention, alumni were reminded that there are several options to support FAMU. NAA Life Membership dues help to increase the university’s endowment, and those attending the conference were honored during the exclusive Doris Hicks Life Members Reception. Football Coach Alex Wood, Men’s Basketball Coach Byron Samuels, Golf Coach Marvin Green, and Tennis Coach Carl Goodman each outlined financial needs to increase team productivity, including a request for monies to send student athletes to summer school.

Professor Charles Magee, Ph.D., gave a history lesson on the significance of FAMU’s status as an 1890 Land Grant Institution. He has several scholarships to give to students who major in the lucrative field of agriculture science, but needs alumni assistance to direct top scholars his way. Alumna Cecka Rose Green, founder of the FAMU 10 for 10 Campaign, gave a presentation on how the fundraiser went viral instantly when she asked 10 friends to donate $10 to FAMU monthly and then ask 10 others to do the same. Within 48 hours, the campaign raised $10,000. To date, the initiative has generated $176,000 and garnered 3,000 first time donors. The next phase of the campaign is #8434. When 8,434 commit to donating $10 a month for 12 months, the collective efforts will raise $1 million annually.

Additionally, the convention hosted the FAMU Foundation Board, which met privately to plan business affairs for the next year. The Distinguished Alumni Awards made its inaugural debut at the convention with a sell-out crowd. Twenty-four phenomenal alumni were recognized for their contributions to FAMU and society, each sharing a touching story of how FAMU helped them embody the leadership skills that they share with the world today.

FAMU alumni from across the nation partied with a purpose throughout the 4-day convention. Many are already making plans to attend the 2016 convention, which will be held Memorial Day Weekend in Tampa, Fla.

“The national convention is essentially a large FAMU-ly Reunion,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, FAMUNAA 1 st Vice President and Convention Chair. “It’s a great time to catch up with old friends, find out the latest news from the university and give back so that the next generation of Rattlers can experience everything that FAMU has to offer. This has been our largest turn out in six years, and I expect even larger numbers as the Rattlers gather in Tampa next year.”

For more information on the FAMU National Alumni Association, visit www.FAMUNAA.org. To donate to FAMU, visit www.FAMU.edu/RattlersGive.


Read all about these campus winners, view their videos and cast your votes for your favorite Queen.

Morgan State signs Williston State guard/forward Phil Carr

PHIL CARR
Courtesy: Williston State Athletics

WILLISTON, North Dakota – Williston State transfer Phil Carr has signed to play for Morgan State University.

MSU head coach Todd Bozeman announced the signing of the forward on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-7, 190-pound guard/forward transferred from Williston State and will be a sophomore on the court and a junior in the classroom.

Prior to Williston State, Carr averaged 8.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and shot 57 percent from the field at Mohawk Valley Community College. He also shot 33 percent from beyond the arc to help lead the Hawks to a 24-6 record last season.

Bozeman says he likes Carr's versatility and scoring ability.

Carr graduated from Transit Tech High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman has led the Bears to NCAA appearances in 2009 and 2010. MSU has won three MEAC Tournaments (1977, 2009 & 2010) and has made six championship appearances in nine seasons under Coach Bozeman.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mitchell Headed to Grambling State

Ervin Mitchell commits to Grambling State University
 to play men's basketball for the Tigers

BATAVIA, New York -- GCC men's basketball guard/forward Ervin Mitchell recently committed to Grambling State University and will join the Tigers' basketball program beginning this fall.

Mitchell leaves Genesee as the all-time leading scorer with 1,476 career points. He became the 10th player in school history to reach 1,000 points and took over the scoring record on Feb. 28. Mitchell received National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American honors this past season as a sophomore and was named to the All-Region III First Team in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.

The Brooklyn native was a part of 46 wins during his two seasons at GCC and helped lead the Cougars to a Region III title and a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament this season, both a first since 2002-2003.

Grambling State is a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in Grambling, LA. The Tigers are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and are coached by Shawn Walker, who completed his first season at the helm in 2014-2015.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation. 

Grambling State University Releases 2015 Football Schedule

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Home games against Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley, and Texas Southern highlights the 2015 Grambling State University football schedule, which was officially released on Wednesday.

The GSU Tigers have two non-conference contests for the 2015 season, the University of California Berkeley and Bethune Cookman University. The schedule features three home games and six road games.

The Grambling State University Football team opens the 2015 season against the University of California at Berkeley on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Next, the Tigers will open its first home game of the season against Bethune Cookman University on Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. On September 19, Grambling State will travel to Montgomery, Alabama, to battle conference opponent, Alabama State University. After that the Tigers will play Prairie View A&M University in the State Fair Classic on Sept. 26 with Grambling as the home team.

The GSU Tigers will travel to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Jackson State University on Oct. 3. On the following weekend, season ticket holders will have the opportunity to return home for the 2015 home conference season opener scheduled for Oct. 10 against Alabama A&M University.

Grambling will hit the road to travel to Lorman, Mississippi, to take on Alcorn State University on October 17. Homecoming 2015 will be played on Oct. 24 against Mississippi Valley State University at 2 p.m. Next up for the Tigers will be SWAC rival Texas Southern on November 7. The GSU Tigers will then hit the road again to take on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

After an open date on Nov. 21, the final home game of the regular season for GSU will be played during the 42nd Annual Bayou Classic against SWAC rival Southern University on November 28 at the Mercedes- Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2015 Grambling State University Football Schedule

Sept. 5 – at University of California Berkeley
Sept. 12 – BETHUNE COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
Sept. 19 – at Alabama State University
Sept. 26 – Prairie View A&M University (State Fair Classic)
Oct. 3 – at Jackson State University
Oct. 10 – ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
Oct. 17 – at Alcorn State University
Oct. 24 – MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (Homecoming 2015)
Oct. 31 - Open date
Nov. 7 – TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Nov. 14 – at University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Nov. 21 – Open date
Nov. 28 – Southern University (42nd Bayou Classic)
Dec. 5 – SWAC Championship

Dec. 19 –MEAC/SWAC Celebration Bowl (Atlanta, GA)



COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

PVAMU Announces Changes In Baseball Program

ASHLEY ROBINSON
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
PVAMU

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson announced today that Waskyla Cullivan will not return as the head coach of PVAMU's baseball program. A national search for PVAMU's next head coach will begin immediately.

Cullivan recently completed his seventh season as head coach of the Panthers as the 2015 team finished with a record of 15-36. A former assistant coach at PVAMU for six seasons before being elevated to head coach in 2009, Cullivan's seven-year record stands at 149-199.

"We very much appreciate the effort and energy that Coach Cullivan has poured
into our baseball program and the student-athletes at Prairie View A&M University," said Robinson. "This was a tough decision but I have decided that it is time for a new direction."

During his tenure as head coach, Cullivan reached the SWAC Baseball Tournament five times as he won the 2012 SWAC Championship in addition to competing in the 2013 SWAC Tournament Finals. Multiple players earned All-SWAC Honors under his watch along with a freshman All-American in 2014.

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jackson State Tigers 2015 Gridiron Gals Clinic

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University football coaching staff hosted the third annual Gridiron Gals Football Clinic on Saturday, May 16.

This was the second year that the program was under the direction of head coach Harold Jackson and he was very excited about this year’s clinic. “We want them to know that they are a part of this team and we need their support.”

About 70 ladies participated in the two part clinic. The first part was clinical where the women learned basic principles of football from the Tiger coaching staff in a classroom setting. They learned the different positions for both offense and defense and dove into rules and regulation of the game. The second part of the day took place on the field where the Gridiron Gals were able to put into action the things that they learned earlier in the day.

“We were really happy with the turnout this year,” said organizer Franshell Fort. “We will definitely need a few more buses next year.”



Gridiron Gals Photo Album

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mississippi Valley State Men’s Basketball Inks Eight

HEAD COACH ANDRE PAYNE

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- The recruitment period allotted for men's basketball is underway and Andre Payne,  Head Men's basketball coach, has been making huge strides in building a solid Delta Devils' team.

Payne stated, "This year recruiting class we have added more scoring from the Guard position. We have signed some very athletic guys that going to allow us to play the up tempo style."

Kylan Phillips, will be close to home, as he travels from Memphis, Tennessee, to join the Delta Devils of MVSU. Phillips is a four-year letterman for Mitchell High School (Memphis), where he played for Head Coach Faragi Phillips, his father. He helped lead the team to a career high school record of 112-29. He also led the team to two consecutive state championships (2014 & 2015) and one runner-up state championship (2012). Four consecutive TSSAA Tournament appearances, three year starter and during the 2014-15 season, he averaged 15 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Phillips scored over 1000 points, had over steals and over 250 assists. In 2015 he was named to the TSSAA State Tournament 1st Team, Regional Tournament 1st Team twice (14 & 15), All-District 1st Team three times (13,14 & 15), 2014 and 2015 City Championship Game MVP, two time Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps in 2014 and 2015.

Phillips was a major cog in the Mitchell High basketball machine. Flanked by two team mates that were prolific scorers, Phillips job was to set them up. As the son of a coach, Phillips has the ability to see the game from another perspective. His basketball IQ is off the charts. Kylan is also a pest on the defensive end. He's the type of aggravating defender that gets under the ball handler and causes turn-overs. This past season, Kylan helped led Memphis Mitchell to the Class A Tennessee State Championship during his junior campaign. Watch out for Kylan Phillips this Summer with the Memphis Hoopers



Rashaan Surles is a 6'5 point guard hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Last season (2014-15) he led McLennan Community College to a 23-8 record.



Dusan Langura, a 6'4 shooting guard transferred from University of Georgia, where he graduated in two and a half years.



Darrel Riley, a point guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, averaged 38 points a game. Riley is a 5'8 Milwaukee City Conference Player of the Year. This honor was bestowed upon him during his senior year, when he averaged 37.6 points per game while playing for the North Blue Devils.



Ronald Strother, 6'5 forward joins the Delta Devils after a successful career at Hueytown High School in Hueytown, Alabama. During his time there he was named to the Birmingham Metro Team and the All-Tournament Team in the Jefferson County Tournament. He averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks per game.



Damian Young, 6'3 wing from Loganville, Georgia. In high school at Grayson, in 2011-12, he was named to the Long Beach High School 2nd Team All-Conference and South Mississippi All-Star game participant. During the 2012-13 school year he was named All County Defensive Players, averaging five steals per game and MVP of Walnut Grove Christmas Tournament. As a participant in the Gwinnett County All-Star Game, Young finished with 17 points. The freshman year of his junior college career, he (Young) had a season high 29 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes of conference play. His sophomore year he had 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and 22 minutes per game and in the final game of the regional tournament finished with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.



Marcus Romain, a 6'2 guard from Brooklyn, New York, who averaged 17.5 points, 5 rebounds and three assists per games while at East Los Angeles College. He was named All State 1st Team twice and has been a conference champion.



Amir Savon, a 6'7 forward comes to Mississippi Valley from Woodstock, Georgia, he averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks and four assists per game. He shot 70 percent from the free throw line and 68 percent within the two-point coverage.



Men's basketball is expecting a couple more post players to join the team, after they conclude their junior college courses.

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION