USA Basketball Announces NCCU's Moton as Court Coach

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado  –  North Carolina Central University men's basketball head coach LeVelle Moton has been selected as a court coach for the 2015 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Championship Team training camp, USA Basketball announced Wednesday.

Moton is one of three to be selected as court coaches by the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee, chaired by Syracuse Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim.

The three court coaches (Moton, Donnie Bostwick of Southwestern Assemblies of God University and Kerry Keating from Santa Clara University) will assist the 2015 USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team coaching staff during training camp, which will take place June 13-19 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"It means the world to me to be selected to USA Basketball," Moton said. "I am humbled and honored to have an opportunity to represent my country and impact young lives while doing so. As a kid, we all dream of USA Basketball opportunities, and I thank God that mine has come true."



The 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship, will be played June 27-July 5 in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, where the USA will be led by the University of Arizona's Sean Miller and assistant coaches Ed Cooley of Providence College and Archie Miller of the University of Dayton.

Moton enters his first USA Basketball coaching assignment after becoming the first men's basketball coach in NCCU history to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season champions with a 16-0 record in 2014-15.

In his six years at his alma mater, Moton has amassed a 114-75 record (.603 winning percentage), which includes three consecutive 20-win seasons, trips to the NCAA and NIT postseason tournaments and the school's first MEAC Tournament championship title.

Moton was named the MEAC Coach of the Year for 2013-14 and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) District 15 Coach of the Year for 2014-15, while also being a finalist for the Hugh Durham (Top Mid-Major Coach) and Ben Jobe (Top Minority Coach) National Coach of the Year awards in each of the past two seasons.

The NCCU Hall of Famer joined the program's staff after serving as the boys basketball coach at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina from 2004 to 2007, where he led the Spartans to an overall record of 59-25 (.702 winning percentage) and back-to-back North Carolina High School Athletic Association Cap-7 Conference Tournament championships (2006 and 2007).

A 1996 graduate of NCCU with a bachelor's degree in recreation administration, Moton became the school's third all-time leading scorer with 1,714 points during his historic hardwood career as an Eagle from 1992-96, earning the nickname "Poetry `n Moton."

During his junior and senior seasons, Moton was voted All-CIAA First Team, NCAA Division II South Atlantic All-Region First Team and NCAA Division II All-America Honorable Mention. He was named the 1996 CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Men's Basketball Player of the Year and was inducted into the NCCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

In December of 2013, Moton received his master's degree from NCCU in special education with a focus on learning disabilities.


USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Basketball, chaired by Jerry Colangelo, is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored international competitions, as well as for some national competitions, and for the development of youth basketball initiatives that address player development, coach education and safety.

USA Basketball men's and women's teams between 2012-14 compiled a spectacular 122-4 win-loss record in FIBA and FIBA Americas competitions, the World University Games and the Nike Hoop Summit, and posted a 65-8 win-loss record in official FIBA and FIBA Americas 3x3 competitions.

USA teams are the current men's and women's champions in the Olympics; men's FIBA World Cup and women's FIBA World Championship; men's and women's FIBA U19 and U17 World Championships; men's and women's U18 and U16 FIBA Americas Championships; the FIBA 3x3 Women's World Championship; the FIBA 3x3 Women's U18 World Championship; and the women's Youth Olympic Games. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world-ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.

For further information about USA Basketball, go to the official website at usab.com.

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Albany State Rams anxious to build on 2014

MACON, Georgia — With a disappointing loss in the SIAC Championship game still fresh, Albany State assistant coach Steve Smith said this year is all about finishing.

Smith was present at the 2015 Peach State Pigskin Preview Tuesday at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He said the Rams have a lot to build on this season.

Offensively, Caleb Edwards and Charles Stafford are still fighting for the starting job at quarterback. The two are equally talented in their own ways and Smith said it will come down to “who stays consistent in managing what we’re trying to get done offensively. The guy who stays consistent is the guy who will run the offense.”

Albany State held out a few players during its spring game due to injury, but Smith said everybody’s healthy and moving well. They have 60 players at summer workouts and he said they’re in a good place in terms of health.

The Rams are under the direction of head coach Dan Land this year and Smith said the adjustment period has been smooth thanks in large part to Land’s experience and familiarity with the program.

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WSSU women's program signs 4 players

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- For the first time in his four years at Winston-Salem State Coach A.G. Hall has signed the most balanced recruiting class he could find.

Hall, the women’s basketball coach for the Rams, signed four players who all have something in common – versatility.

“I’m pretty sure you will see all of them contributing next season,” Hall said about his latest class.
Kandace Tate, a 6-3 forward from Homewood, Illinois, is the lone Division I transfer of the four players signed. Tate played one season for Eastern Illinois seeing action in 25 games and averaging 8.1 minutes a game and 1.8 points a game.

Taylor Boyd, a 6-2 center, and Trei Torain, a 6-1 forward, are junior-college transfers who each have two years of eligibility left. Boyd is from St. Louis where she averaged 11 points and eight rebounds last season for Georgia Perimeter College and Torain, who is from Roxboro, averaged 12 points and seven rebounds for Temple College in Texas.

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FAMU basketball coach on NCAA sanctions: 'We're moving the needle in the right direction'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M men's basketball team was hit the hardest after the release of the latest NCAA APR scores, and head coach Bryon Samuels said the team is already making strides to erase the sanctions levied against the team.

APR scores, provided and tracked by the NCAA, take eligibility and retention rates into account and provide team-based scores. Teams need multiyear (taken over four years) scores of 930 to participate in the 2015-16 postseason.

FAMU's basketball team has a score of 905 and is one of four teams nationwide facing a Level Three penalty, which includes financial aid penalties, a postseason ban, penalties restricting the amount of coaches available to the team, a reduction in games and other self-imposed restrictions.

Samuels said with the help of FAMU president Elmira Mangum and interim athletic director D'Wayne Robinson, the team is already taking steps to get out from under the sanctions by recruiting strong, academically-inclined athletes.

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GSU hoops coach has plan to turn around Tigers

GRAMBLING. Louisiana  –  What happened on a normal December road trip to the Pacific Northwest is something Shawn Walker will figuratively clutch between his fingers for quite some time.

Walker, in his first year as Grambling’s basketball coach at the time, endured a brutal three-day stretch where he witnessed Oregon State and Washington beat “the life out of his team.”

“That has to stop,” Walker thought.

The results, a nine-point first half against Oregon State and a 13-point first half against Washington, weren’t too surprising considering the Tigers were less than two years removed from an 0-28 season.

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Ravens pleased they snagged TSU's rookie cornerback Tray Walker

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- When the Ravens drafted Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker in the fourth round of the NFL draft, they understood that he was in demand in the middle rounds.

Although he was regarded as a sleeper after not being invited to the NFL scouting combine, Walker had shined at the NFL super regional combine. A big press cornerback at 6 feet 2, 200 pounds with 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash, Walker had visited the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons. Walker also had private workouts with the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.



The Ravens faced competition for Walker. So, they were pleased to be able to land him where they did with the 136th overall selection of the draft.

"He’s a guy that we had targeted," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who praised general manager Ozzie Newsome and assistant general manager Eric DeCosta. "We really hoped to get him in the draft. He’s a guy that we wanted to get in the mid-rounds. We were looking to try to draft him, and we were able to do it.

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Dismissed Clemson DE Ebenezer Ogundeko transfers to Tennessee State

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Sophomore defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko, who was dismissed from Clemson on May 19, tweeted this past weekend that he’s found a new place to play.

Ogundeko announced he would continue his career at Tennessee State, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision. He will be eligible immediately.

Ogundeko was dismissed from Clemson after he was arrested and charged with one count of financial transaction fraud. According to police, Ogundeko had manipulated the magnetic strip on the back of his own credit card so that it was actually charging a different card number than his own.



Ogundeko’s case is still ongoing.

Ogundeko redshirted in 2013 and appeared in seven games for the Tigers last season, making five tackles while playing on defense and special teams.

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TSU's Cheeseborough to Lead Team USA at Pan Am Game

CHANDRA CHEESEBOROUGH
Director of Track and Field
Tennessee State University

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State track and field coach Chandra Cheeseborough will lead Team USA at the and Pan American Games this summer as one of the squad’s assistant coaches.

The Track & Field portion of the Pan American Games takes place July 20-26, 2015 in Toronto, Canada at CIBC Pan/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium at York University. The third-largest international multi-sport Games, the 2015 Pan American Games will welcome over 7,000 athletes from across the Americas and the Caribbean.

Cheeseborough has coached at TSU since 1994 and has led the track and field program to eight Ohio Valley Conference Track and Field Championships. The titles include: 2001 (outdoor), 2002 (indoor and outdoor), 2003 (indoor), 2008 (indoor and outdoor), 2014 (Indoor), and the 2015 (Outdoor) crowns. She is also a eight-time OVC Coach of the Year.

A regular in the international coaching ranks, Cheeseborough was named the sprinter's coach for the 2008 USA Team that competed in the Beijing, China Olympics. USA captured 23 medals which included 10 gold, eight silver, five bronze medals.

In 2009, she served as the women's head coach for Team USA at the 2009 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany. At the IAAF under Cheeseborough, the team collected 22 medals overall, winning more than any other country to dominate the placing table with 231 points. Team USA registered 10 gold, six silver and six bronze medals along with several outstanding performances.

As an athlete under legendary coach Edward S. Temple, the Jacksonville, Florida native was named to three United States Olympic teams. She placed sixth as a 17-year old in the 100-meter dash in Montreal (1976). She qualified for the ill-fated 1980 Olympic team that did not compete because of a boycott. In 1984, at the Los Angeles games, she made Olympic history by running a leg on two gold-medal relay teams and was the silver medalist in the 400-meters.

The selection as assistant coach for the 2015 Pan American Games will be the first appointment at the event of her career. She previously coached the USA junior team in 1999.

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WSSU gets Division I basketball transfer from East Carolina

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State added some much-needed help on the frontline with the addition of 6-7, 245-pound forward Keith Armstrong.

Armstrong, 22, is a transfer from East Carolina where he played in just 11 games totaling 36 minutes last season. He is expected to graduate from East Carolina this month, and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” Armstrong said Monday. “I know all about the CIAA because my grandmother (Alyce Johns) went to St. Paul’s. So I know how competitive the conference is.”

Armstrong, who will earn his degree in communications, decided to use his final season at a Division II school.

One advantage Armstrong had in the recruiting process was his roommate at East Carolina was Michel-Ofik Nzege, a former WSSU player. Nzege played one season for WSSU before transferring to East Carolina after the 2012-13 season.

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NCCU's Adrian Wilkins entering 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft

NEW YORK, New York -- The 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft is not going to be a one-man show.

North Carolina Central wide receiver/kick returner Adrian Wilkins became the second player to enter this year's supplemental draft, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder is mostly known for his return abilities and averaged more than 20 yards per kick return last season for the NCCU Eagles. Wilkins also added 50 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns as a wideout. His best season might have been in 2013, though, when the speedster had five special teams touchdowns (three on kickoffs, two on punt returns) and led the team in receiving en route to first-team All-MEAC honors.

Wilkins joins West Georgia's Darrius Caldwell in the 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft.

Held in July several months after the main NFL draft, the supplemental draft allows ...



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Livingstone College Senior Quanera Hayes Celebrates her 3rd 400 Meter National Title and Adds 200 Meter Title

ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

ALLENDALE, Michigan -- Senior sprinter Quanera Hayes (Hope Mills, NC) capped her collegiate career by successfully defending her title as the 400 meter National Champion once again at the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championships hosted by Grand Valley State University. This win makes her the first woman in Division II history to win 3 straight Outdoor 400 meter titles.

On the men's side CIAA member St. Augustine's University won their 3rd straight National Championship followed by Findlay University. For the women Central Missouri won their first National Title followed by Lincoln (Mo). Livingstone College finished 11th overall in team standing.

The four day Nationals event began on Wednesday with Quanera Hayes receiving the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year award at a social in front of 1000+ Athletes and Coaches. Racing began on Thursday, where Hayes cruised to an easy preliminary 400 meter, 2nd heat win of 54.89 to qualify for the finals on Saturday. On Friday, Hayes was eclipsed at the line to finish second in her heat of the 200 meter dash running 23.73 but still received an automatic qualification for Saturday's finals.


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On Saturday, the fireworks show was ready to begin starting at 3:05 PM when Hayes was able to once again surpass Carly Muscaro who finished second to Hayes a year ago but entered the meet with the fast time of 51.83. Quanera Hayes' finals time of 51.93 is her 3rd fastest of her career but good enough for her 3rd straight 400 meter National Championship. If that was not enough, just over an hour and a half later she was able to run a new personal best of 22.81 in the 200 meters to win her 4th National Championship of her career as well as her 11th and 12th NCAA All-American titles.

Quanera will now focus her talents on the 2015 USA National Championships and her post-collegiate career.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE  SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State Kickoff Rams in the Roses Campaign for 2016 Pasadena Tournament of Roses

ALBANY, Georgia -- Albany State University is ecstatic about having the only band in the state of Georgia scheduled to march in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1. These exceptional student musicians will place Georgia and the entire Southern Region on an international stage. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Albany State is one of 13 national bands selected to participate in the nationally televised parade, which takes place before the Rose Bowl college football playoff game.

It will cost $3,000 per student to cover food, lodging, traveling, and other performance and event expenses for our 120 members to travel to Pasadena, California. Please help to make this dream a reality for these students and future leaders.

Click here to support.

Approximately 1 million spectators line the parade route, while tens of millions watch the television coverage in more than 200 international territories and countries. The Rose Parade is broadcast on ABC, Hallmark Channel, HGTV, KTLA (Tribune), NBC, RFD-TV and Univision.  Participating bands not only march the 5.5-mile parade route, but also have the opportunity to take a band photo in front of the historic Rose Bowl and perform along with other Rose Parade bands in shows at Bandfest.  Known as America's New Year Celebration, the annual Rose Parade features spectacular floral floats that are completely covered with natural materials.


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The criteria for selection are based on “excellent musicianship, strong performance skills, interesting entertainment value and outstanding directorship,” according to Richard DeJesu, chairman of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

“We are extremely pleased and excited,” said ASU interim dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Marcia Hood. “It will showcase the hard work that our students and faculty have put toward this effort as they do all the time. We are also extremely proud of them and excited to showcase our institution”

Michael Decuir, director of ASU’s band, submitted an application for consideration last spring to the Rose Bowl committee. The application included a performance video and recommendation letters from retired band directors at Florida A&M, Jackson State and Tennessee State universities.

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to participate in that parade,” Decuir said. “It’s the premiere parade in this country.”

2015/2016 Participating Bands

• Aguilas Doradas Marching Band, Puebla, Mexico
• Albany State University Marching Rams, Albany, Georgia
• Allen Eagle Escadrille, Texas
• Franklin Regional H.S. Panther Band, Murrysville, Pennsylvania
• Jenks H.S. Trojan Pride, Oklahoma
• Latin Band Pedro Molina, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
• Los Angeles Unified School District Honor Band, California
• Mason H.S. Marching Band, Ohio
• Mira Mesa H.S. Sapphire Sound, San Diego, California
• Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band & Herald Trumpets, California
• Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, Canton, Michigan
• Punahou Marching Band, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Saratoga H.S. Marching Band, California
• The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band
• Toho H.S. Green Band, Japan
• United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band
• Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band, Lexington, Virginia
• Wyoming All-State Marching Band
• Plus ... the two Rose Bowl Game University Marching Bands to be determined

DONATE TO OUR  RAMS IN THE ROSES CAMPAIGN


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Florida A&M Hurdler Dennis Pugh Qualifies For The NCAA Championship In Oregon

Dennis Pugh will be traveling to Eugene, OR for the NCAA National Championship Meet
Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- FAMU hurdler Dennis Pugh was the lone Rattler to qualify for the NCAA National Championship Track & Field meet in Eugene, OR
. Pugh ran a 51.33 time to make the cut for the Rattlers in the NCAA Regional Championship meet in Jacksonville, Fla., on the campus of the University of North Florida.

Pugh, will join an impressive list of former Rattler greats who participated at the NCAA national championship meet. The last FAMU track stars to maek it to the meet was four ladies from the Lady Rattler track team. The 4x100m relay team of Nakia Linson, Jasmine Smith, Ashley Ivey and Dynasty Jones participated in the meet in 2013.

Coach Marc Small, in his first season as head track and field coach, will accompany Pugh on his trek to place nationally in the hurdles and compete for a chance to be named NCAA All-American.

The NCAA National Championship meet will be held June 10-13 on the campus of the University of Oregon.

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Hampton University Track Sending Three to NCAA Outdoors

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The Hampton University men's and women's track & field teams will send a combined three student-athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships after the NCAA East Preliminary wrapped up on Saturday at the University of North Florida's Hodges Stadium.

Le'Quisha Parker, Chidi Okezie, and Trey Holloway all advanced in their respective events.

Parker (Silver Spring, Md.), who in the indoor season was a Second Team All-America honoree in the 200-meter dash, will compete for an NCAA title in the same event in two weeks after running a 23.16 in the semifinals to post the 10th-fastest time.

That performance matched her best time of the outdoor season.

Okezie (Philadelphia, Pa.) ran a season-best 46.07 in the semifinals of the men's 400-meter dash, ranking ninth among the top qualifiers heading into Eugene.

He also posted the fifth-fastest time in the preliminaries with a 46.18.

Holloway (Chesapeake, Va.), who placed third in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Championships and was named First Team All-American, ran a 13.80 in the semifinals to post the 11th-fastest time and qualify for the NCAA meet.

He was 10th in the preliminary round with a 13.86.

The 2015 NCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Eugene, Ore. – hosted by the University of Oregon – June 10-13.

Hampton has five NCAA Div. I champions in its history; current Pirates assistant coach Yvette Lewis won two NCAA triple jump titles, while Olympic gold medalist Francena McCorory was a three-time NCAA champion in the 400-meter dash.

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

RESULTS

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Florida A&M's rocky NCAA Tournament experience will help next season

GAINESVILLE, Florida | Florida A&M’s returning players won't be dwelling on their two-and-out performance in their first NCAA baseball tournament.

Instead, it will serve as strong motivation for a team that will welcome back 25 of 29 underclassmen for the 2016 season.

“Of course the losses are going to be tough,” said junior left fielder Marlon Gibbs, an Orange Park High (Jacksonville) graduate who had two of the Rattlers’ six hits on Saturday in an 8-1 loss to Florida Atlantic in an elimination game at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium. “But we’re going to take this experience and we’re going to be a better team.”

The Owls (41-18) advanced to an elimination game on Sunday against the loser of Saturday’s late game between the University of Florida and South Florida.

FAMU (23-25) rebounded from a 19-1 loss to the Gators on Friday to battle FAU hard for eight innings. However, Esteban Puerta’s three-run homer and Ricky Santiago’s two-run double blew the game open in the top of the ninth after the Rattlers trailed 3-1.

FAU coach John McCormack said he expected no less from a team coached by Jamey Shouppe, the long-time Florida State pitching coach who has taken FAMU from a 7-45 season in 2013 to the MEAC championship and the school’s historic berth in the tournament.

“He knows what buttons to push,” McCormack said. “They played hard.”

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Bowie State's Khari Lee Living NFL Experience

Khari Lee

HOUSTON, Texas -- The dream fulfilled continues for former Bowie State University Bulldog Tight End, Khari Lee.  Following a Pro Day that brought multiple NFL Scouts to Bulldogs Stadium and several personal try-outs at team NFL team practice facilities, Lee followed in the footsteps of former Bulldogs Defensive End Delano Johnson and signed a Free Agent contract with the Houston Texans on May 8, 2015.

When asked what his initial reaction was when he got the call from the Texans, Lee said, "I was very excited once I got the call. All the hard work I had put in over the years got me to that point. It was surreal! The Texans were actually the first team to come to school and work me out." He then added, "I'm not really sure what the coaches have in store for the tight end position this year; I'm just excited to go out there, give it my all and compete. The Medal of Honor Bowl and East-West Shriner Game were great for exposure during my pre-draft process but now that I have an opportunity, I have to make the most of it."

Since joining the Texans, Lee has spoken with Johnson who was on the Texans roster from May 2012 to August 2013. Having moved on to the Toronto Argonauts, Johnson still had sage advice for the Rookie. "He urged me to pray every night and earn my spot every day.

In January, Bill O'Brien was named the new Head Coach and John Perry was named Tight Ends Coach. We asked Lee what strengths he brought to the table as a Rookie with a fresh coaching staff and going up against the likes of J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork in practice every day? "My versatility is what separates me from a lot of people. Whether it is my route running or run blocking, I think I do a lot of things well and it's a great opportunity to come out and compete against some of the best in the NFL. "

A walk-on student-athlete turned All-American and now college graduate turned professional football player. When asked to recall his most vivid Bowie State Bulldogs memories, Lee said, "My most vivid memory would have to be warming up on game day and hearing that band march down the hill. The atmosphere of it all makes HBCU football one of a kind. Like those before him, Lee will most certainly take Bulldog Pride with him.

 "The article of clothing I'd wear every game if I could would probably be a Bowie State dry fit workout shirt."

 Lee ended with these words for his follow Bulldogs he knows will one day follow him, Delano Johnson, Douglas McNeil, III and Isaac Redman; all NFL players. "Find your why and never stop grinding. If you want something, go get it. Don't listen to the critics or fans just go out and use your God given talent with 100% effort."

 No better words have been spoken. Well done, Bulldog…well done.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UDC Men’s Basketball Standout Quasim Jones Invited to iBall Pro Combine

QUASIM JONES
UDC FIREBIRDS

POTTSTOWN, Pennsylvania  –  Recent graduate Quasim Jones was invited to participate in the prestigious iBall Pro Combine on May 30th-31st at Pottstown Senior High School.

"I'm very happy that he is getting an opportunity to continue doing something that he loves – playing the game of basketball," Head Coach Mike Riley said. "It's great that since he has his degree, he has options."

This innovative, two-day event will feature some of the nation's top free agents as they compete in front of NBA, WNBA, and FIBA scouts for the consideration of contracts at the US and international professional basketball level.

The event will include everything from action-packed tournament-style games and world-class drills to intensive speed and athletic tests all in an effort to demonstrate what it takes to play at the professional level. Data for all registered players is shared internationally before, during and after the combine to inform scouts on key metrics associated with professional evalutation, including: athleticism, reading plays and decision-making, levels of contribution to a winning team and attitude.

iBall United is a full-service player management, marketing and consulting firm focused on building professional careers. The company decided to created the iBall Pro Combine for athletes as an effective and efficient tool for capturing the attention of NBA, WNBA and FIBA scouts in one controlled setting.

Jones has had a terrific two-year basketball career at the University of the District of Columbia before graduating this May. This season he was ranked 3rd in the East Coast Conference in assists (126) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1), 4th in free-throw percentage (81.6) and 16th in steals (35).

For more information about the iBall Pro Combine, please visit www.iballunited.net.

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Maria Thompson Appointed President of Coppin State University

Dr. MARIA THOMPSON, Ph.D.
President
COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY

ADELPHI, Maryland -- James L. Shea, chair of the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents, announced (May 19, 2015) the appointment of Maria Thompson, Ph.D. as president of Coppin State University. Thompson is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at the State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta).

Thompson has held her position at SUNY Oneonta since 2011 after spending 13 years as a leading administrator for research and sponsored programs at Tennessee State University, a historically black institution in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thompson's appointment is effective July 1.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thompson as president of Coppin State University," said Chairman Shea. "Her background as a top-level academic leader at SUNY-Oneonta, and her earlier experience in building a research enterprise at an urban historically black institution, position her well to advance Coppin as a vital institution in Baltimore and the state."

Coppin State University, a historically black institution, is an urban liberal arts campus anchored in northwest Baltimore. Founded in 1900, Coppin State offers 33 majors and 12 graduate degree programs with courses in nursing, business, teacher education, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

"I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to continue the university's commitment to preparing graduates who are analytical, socially responsible and lifelong learners," Thompson said. "Urban higher education plays a vital role in shaping the future of local, national and global communities and I am excited about joining a campus with a rich legacy of community engagement."

As the chief academic officer for SUNY Oneonta, Thompson has led the educational mission for a public, regional comprehensive university offering bachelor's and master's degrees to 6,000 students. She has overseen institutional accreditation, institutional planning and assessment, and professional development of more than 500 full- and part-time faculty members. She initiated the first academic master plan for the campus and implemented a plan for restructuring the division of academic affairs to strengthen the university's long-term strategic position.

"Dr. Thompson has had such an impressive career in higher education," said USM Chancellor William E. "Brit" Kirwan. "In her four years at SUNY Oneonta, she has led an impressive university-wide effort to advance the quality of the institution's academic programs. Her leadership of the research programs at Tennessee State University is equally impressive. Her time at TSU is especially relevant as she assume the leadership of Coppin State University because, like CSU, it is a historically black institution in an urban setting. We are very fortunate to have found a person of Dr. Thompson's quality to lead CSU into the future.

"I also want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the presidential search-and-screen committee. Under the skilled direction of Michael Cryor, the committee of faculty, staff, students, and community representatives worked diligently and effectively to identify a pool of highly accomplished applicants from which Dr. Thompson rose to the top."

At SUNY Oneonta, in addition to the successful reaffirmation of the college's accreditation, Thompson led the implementation of a new budget model for academic programs. She is vice chair of the SUNY Association of Chief Academic Officers, an organization of provosts from all 64 SUNY campuses. At Tennessee State, Thompson developed and executed a plan that increased externally funded projects to more than $45 million by focusing on grants and contracts that provided experiential learning opportunities for students.

Thompson graduated from Tennessee State University and holds an M.S. from the Ohio State University in textiles. She earned her doctorate in textile science and textile economics from the University of Tennessee. She completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in 2011 and, in 2013, completed the Spectrum Executive Leadership Program sponsored by the American Council on Education. She is in the 2014-15 class of the Executive Leadership Academy, a leadership development program jointly developed by the American Academic Leadership Institute, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Council of Independent Colleges.

The USM Board of Regents in July 2013 appointed Mortimer H. Neufville, Ph.D., to a two-year term as president, effective through June 30, 2015. He began his service to Coppin as interim president in January 2013. He played a critical role in advancing the university's future while the board's Special Review Committee conducted a comprehensive review of Coppin State. The board's analysis developed strategies to increase student retention and graduation rates, improve administrative operations and financial stability, and build a culture focused on success.

"I offer my profound appreciation to Mort Neufville for his leadership of Coppin State University during this transitional time in the university's history," Kirwan said. "Dr. Neufville has been a great friend of the USM, taking on appointments as interim president of both University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State before his two-year appointment as CSU president. We are grateful to Mort Neufville for his insight and stewardship."

To learn more about Coppin State University, visit www.coppin.edu

B.C. Lions' backup QB position "wide open", Tedford says

QB GREG MCGHEE
College: Howard University
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Courtesy: B.C. Lions

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia — Football decision-makers have long concluded that having a top-notch backup quarterback is vital.

B.C. Lions head coach Jeff Tedford feels no differently. He just has to figure out who he is.

“After (Travis) Lulay, it’s a wide open competition,” Tedford declared Saturday, after the Lions’ three-day mini-camp for rookies and first-year players ended. “Travis is our starter.”

Veteran John Beck, the presumptive No. 2 quarterback in many eyes, will have to compete for that role, Tedford seemed to suggest, though that opportunity won’t occur right away.

Beck is being quarantined after being laid low by a bug and won’t be on the field Sunday when the Lions open their main training camp at Hillside Stadium.

That means more practice repetitions for holdover Travis Partridge and two Lions rookie quarterbacks, Jon Jennings and Greg McGhee, who move on to the main camp.

The Lions released two more rookie QBs today -- Boise State’s Grant Hedrick and Aaron Wilmer of Delaware Valley -- who simply didn’t have the time to get up to speed with the others.

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FAMU plans to learn from first tournament experience

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

GAINESVILLE, Florida -- Florida A&M head coach Jamey Shouppe said his goodbyes to his five seniors were emotional after the Rattlers’ first-ever NCAA tournament season came to an end.

The Rattlers (23-25) lost 8-1 to Florida Atlantic (41-18) Saturday in the Gainesville Regional, and Shouppe said after the game was over, he and his players said a short prayer for Michael Birdsong, Ryan Kennedy, Marcus Roberts, Jeremy Barlow and Jared Walker.

FAMU has plenty of talent coming back, but Shouppe said there’s no replacing the guys who helped turn the program around when he first arrived two seasons ago.

“I couldn’t be prouder of those five seniors,” Shouppe said.

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There’s a new dog at the top

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Former ACC basketball legend Charles G. “Lefty” Driesell used to use the quote, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day” (actually, that’s not the EXACT way the saying goes, but I can’t use it in its entirety because this is a family newspaper).

What that saying references is that no matter how much time it takes, eventually a new hound finds the shady hole.

It may take a while: just ask NASCAR driver and Sunday’s Charlotte race winner Carl Edwards about ending a 31-race losing streak or the NBA Golden State Warriors being back in the pro basketball finals for the first time in 40 years.

Where I’m taking this is the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association – yes, the CIAA that has been ruled, championship-wise, by Winston-Salem State University since the red-and-white returned to the fold. Some said their advantage was that from 2006-2010 when they were trying to gain membership into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) they recruited a better grade of athlete because they were moving from NCAA Division II to D-I. When they returned four years later to the CIAA, it left their athletic programs leaps-and-bounds ahead of the rest of the schools in the league.

Well, the ‘Ram Reign’ may be just about over; and I don’t think the Chowans and Elizabeth City States and Shaws are shedding any tears.

“Winston-Salem State is not the top dog in the CIAA anymore.”

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Florida A&M Rattlers’ Baseball Season Comes to an End with 8-1 Loss to #21 Florida Atlantic

GAINESVILLE, Florida – Florida A&M (23-25) watched its’ season come to and end with an 8-1 loss to #21 Florida Atlantic (41-18) in the NCAA Gainesville Regional at McKethan Stadium on Saturday. The Rattlers cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth inning on Brian Davis’ leadoff home run to right, but was unable to break through with several opportunities in the final four innings. FAU had the leadoff batter reach in each of the final six innings as the Owls added five runs in the top of the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.

Marlon Gibbs went 2-for-3 with a walk on the day and was 3-for-7 in the two games of the Gainesville Regional for FAMU.

Rattler starter Ryan Anderson (1-4) worked 3 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout. Both runs came on two hits with two walks in the fourth inning.

FAU scored first with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. Brendon Sanger led off the fourth with a single to center and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Ricky Santiago popped up to first, Roman Collins drew a walk to place runners at first and second. Esteban Puerta then doubled to the left center gap to bring home Sanger for the first run of the game. Christian Dicks followed with a walk on five pitches to load the bases with one out. That forced a pitching change as Brandon Fleming came in to pitch for the Rattlers. Collins would come home for the second run of the inning as CJ Chatham reached on a fielder’s choice as he just beat out the throw to first on a double play ball. Fleming would then strikeout Ryan Miller to end the inning.

FAMU cut the lead in half, to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Davis led off the inning by belting his second home run of the season over the fence in right.

Florida Atlantic answered right back in the top of the sixth as Dicks led off with his eighth home run of the season to push its’ lead back to two at 3-1.

The Rattlers had a scoring chance slip away in the bottom of the sixth inning after loading the bases with one out. Peter Jackson reached on a fielding error by Owl second baseman Stephen Kerr and Jared Walker followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second. A great sacrifice bunt from AJ Elkins moved the runners to second and third, while Gibbs walked on four pitches to load the bases. Still with one out and the bases loaded, Ryan Kennedy fouled out to second base. The Owls then made a pitching change as Devon Carr came in for relief and struck out the first batter he faced, in Davis, as the Rattlers left the bases loaded.

FAMU had another chance in the eighth inning and again wasn’t able to score. Elkins and Gibbs recorded back-to-back singles with one out to put runners on first and second. Kennedy then reached on a fielder’s choice, as Gibbs was out at second, putting runners on the corners with two outs. With runners on the corners and a chance to cut the FAU lead to one, Davis went down swinging to strand the two runners.

Florida Atlantic put the game out of reach with five runs in the top of the ninth inning, including a three-run home run from Puerta for the final score of 8-1.

FAU starter Kyle Miller (7-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings and only allowed one run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Miller retired the first 11 Rattler batters he faced as the first FAMU hit didn’t come until the fourth inning.

The Owls will face the loser of tonight’s Florida/South Florida winner’s bracket game, which is scheduled for a 6:00 PM first pitch.

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

BOX SCORE

FAMU V. FAU PLAY-BY-PLAY

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Coastal Carolina Beats Texas Southern, 4-1, to Stay Alive at NCAA Regional

COURTESY COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Andrew Beckwith, making his second career start in as many appearances, produced another outstanding performance to lead second seed and 25th ranked Coastal Carolina to a 4-1 victory versus fourth seed Texas Southern Saturday afternoon in the first elimination game of the NCAA College Station Regional, played at Texas A&M's Blue Bell Park.

Coastal Carolina will now face the loser California and Texas A&M on Sunday at Noon (CT)/1 pm (ET).

Beckwith, who now has 56 appearances in his two years at Coastal, scattered seven hits over a career-high 8.1 innings. He allowed one run in the ninth before exiting the contest to a standing ovation. The sophomore walked one versus Texas Southern and struck out five, which marks his second-best, single-game total in his career. (Beckwith struck out seven in a loss versus Radford on April 7 in 4.0 innings this season.) In his last outing, the Blythewood native led CCU to a 9-3 win in the Big South semifinal versus High Point as he pitched a then career-high 8.0 innings.

Chanticleer shortstop Michael Paez broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as he hit a two-out home run over the left field wall for his eighth round-tripper of the year.

In the fourth, the Chanticleers exploded for three runs to take a 4-0 lead. Zach Remillard and Tyler Chadwick started the frame with back-to-back doubles, the second being an RBI for Chadwick. Jack Curtis then plated Chadwick with an RBI single to right-center field. Anthony Marks capped the scoring in the frame with an RBI single to left field.

Texas Southern avoided the shutout with a run in the ninth. Ryan Lazo hit a leadoff double and Christopher Scroggins walked. Robert Garza followed with an RBI single to bring home Lazo. After a ground out, Beckwith turned the game over to Bobby Holmes. The 2015 Big South Freshman of the Year got a ground out and a fly out to end the game and record his fourth save.

G.K. Young, for the second consecutive game, led CCU's offense by going 2-for-4.

Felix Gomez (4-3) suffered the loss for the Tigers as he allowed five hits and four runs in 3.1 innings

FINAL BOX SCORE

COURTESY COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Rattlers hope to regroup against FAU

Saturday, 1 p.m.: No 2 FAU vs. No. 4 FAMU; TV: ESPN3

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s baseball team isn’t done yet, but it’ll have to improve to survive another game in the double-elimination Gainesville Regional.

The Rattlers were drubbed 19-0 by the No. 4 Florida Gators, and head coach Jamey Shouppe said the team needs to be ready to represent both FAMU (23-24) and the MEAC better when it takes the field against Florida Atlantic (40-18) in the loser’s bracket at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“It was just too much Florida,” Shouppe said.

“They kept putting the pressure on us. I thought early on we showed a chance to stay in the game. In baseball anything can happen. As the game wore on, it was like the tide coming in. Too much orange and blue.”

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Texas Southern Tigers fall to Texas A&M 5-0

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Juniors Matt Kent and Andrew Vinson combined on the shutout as the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies scored a 5-0 win over the Texas Southern Tigers in NCAA College Station Regional Friday evening on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. It marked the Aggies’ first NCAA tournament shutout since a 3-0 shutout against Arizona to win the 2011 NCAA College Station Regional.

With the win, Texas A&M (46-11) advances to play the California Golden Bears, winners of a 9-3 contest against Coastal Carolina, on Saturday evening at 6:05 pm.

Kent (8-1) equaled a career-high with his nine strikeouts on the evening. He scattered six hits and one walk on the evening, keeping the Tigers prolific running game under control. Vinson mowed through 2.0 innings, retiring three with strikeouts and inducing a double play in the ninth to erase the only base runner he allowed.

Nick Banks gave the Aggies a lead in the fourth inning when he delivered a full count offering into the visitors bullpen in rightfield for a two-run home run.



Texas Southern starter Ryan Rios (6-2) would keep the Aggies at bay for the remainder of his 6.2 innings of work. He was saddled with the loss allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four.

The Aggies were able to take advantage of a couple Tigers errors in the eighth to add insurance runs. Mitchell Nau was hit by the first pitch of the frame and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Logan Taylor poked a fly ball to rightfield, but an error put runners on the corners. After Nick Banks was caught looking at strike three for the first out of the inning, Taylor stole second base. Hunter Melton dropped a Bermuda Triangle double down the rightfield line to plate Nau. Logan Nottebrok followed with an RBI single through the left side and an error on a grounder by Nick Choruby to second base plated Melton for the 5-0 lead.

Allemand, Banks, Melton and Nau each logged two hits for the Maroon and White.

With the loss, Texas Southern (31-18) moves to an elimination game against Coastal Carolina at 12 pm on Saturday.


Texas Southern (31-18)

Team Notes

- With the loss Texas Southern will face Coastal Carolina tomorrow at 12 p.m. in an elimination game.

- With the loss the Tigers fell to 0-15 all-time against Texas A&M.

- The Tigers finished with 12 strikeouts on the night, their 9th game this season with double-digits whiffs.

- Texas Southern finished 0-for-14 with runners on base and 0-for8 with runners in scoring position.

- After a first inning doubles the Tigers did not record an extra base hit for the remainder of the game.


Individual Notes

- Christopher Scroggins laced a double down the right field line in the top of the first inning, the junior has now reached base in 13 straight games with a base hit in each of the last four games.

- Robert Garza finished with a pair of singles against the Aggies, the shortstop now has 15 multi-hit games this season. DH Kameron Dukes also managed a pair of singles, his third multi-hit outing this year.

- Senior Zach Welz extended his on base streak to 15 games, current leader for the Tigers, reaching with a hit-by-pitch in the third and a walk in the sixth inning.

- Sophomore Ryan Rios was saddled with the loss (6-3) after allowing a pair of earned runs through 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander allowed eight base runners (7 H, 1 BB) on the day, striking our four after facing 28 batters on the evening.

- Relievers Seth Oliver and Larry Romero each tossed .2 innings to close out the Tiger’s pitching efforts on the night. Oliver allowed a pair of hits and three runs (1 ER) while striking out two. Romero allowed a walk while facing four batters.

COURTESY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS