In the FCS Huddle: Disruptive offseason for MEAC champs

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- They must be sitting back and holding their breath within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Hoping nothing else unexpected, and too often bad, happens.

It was strange enough to have five of the conference's 11 football teams tie for the title last season. Ever since then, the offseason has taken its share of twists and turns for all the champs.

The latest occurrence came this week when North Carolina Central's All-MEAC performer Adrian Wilkins became eligible for the NFL supplemental draft next month, forsaking his final season of eligibility with the Eagles.

North Carolina Central, Bethune-Cookman, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State each finished 6-2 in MEAC games last season to earn a share of the conference title. Morgan State moved on to represent the MEAC in the FCS playoffs for the first time after earning the conference's automatic bid on a tiebreaker.

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TSU Football's APR Score Adjusted, Now Eligible for Postseason

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State Athletic Department received news, Thursday, that due to a recalculation of the football program’s multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR), the team is not subject to a postseason ban or Level I penalty for the upcoming season.

“Although many perceive the APR as purely academic, it is actually more complex than that with retention being an equal part of the calculation,” Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips said. “The athletics department, university and football staff will continue to work together in meeting and exceeding the standards established by the NCAA.”

On May 27, the NCAA published its annual report in which the Tennessee State football program’s rate was deemed to be below the benchmark set by the NCAA.

With Thursday’s news, the Tennessee State athletic program continues its stretch of exceeding the NCAA’s APR threshold for all sports and has never been issued a postseason ban or penalty of any level.

"We are extremely happy for our players, coaches, and the entire University," said Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover. "Above all, we are here to educate young men and women. This has always been and will remain our top priority at TSU."

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JAX Jaguars' pass-rusher Ryan Davis (B-CU) thrives in role he carved out for himself

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Defensive end Ryan Davis was a bit of a misfit when he entered the NFL in 2012.

He was a good player at Bethune-Cookman College, winning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2011, but he had that label that prospects hate: tweener. NFL teams weren’t sure if he projected as a defensive end or an outside linebacker, but they were sure that he wasn’t big enough to move inside.

The Jacksonville Jaguars took a chance on Davis, signing him after he went undrafted, and in three years he has used the fact that he didn’t fit at one position to carve out a role as a pass-rushing specialist. He has become one of the defense’s better players, and if he can duplicate the success he had in 2014 he might be able to secure the thing of which undrafted players dream: a multi-year contract.

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Domond: Let's bring Grambling women's hoops back

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASEKTBALL TEAM 2014-15
Courtesy: GSU Athletics

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- To say that Nadine Domond didn't inherit much last August when she took over Grambling's women's basketball program would be an understatement.

At the time, Grambling had just two players on the roster, neither of which ended up on the team when the season rolled around last November.

"'Where is the team?'" Domond recalled thinking when she took the job. "And my director of operations at the time, Jeffrey Sims, said 'This is what we got coach.'"

Domond ended up churning out an 11-20 record (7-11 Southwestern Athletic Conference) with a roster of seven freshmen, three junior college transfers and five walk-on's.

The 2015-16 season will feature another roster overhaul of sorts with just five returning players, but Domond has hand-picked nine scholarship players to add to the Lady Tigers' rebuilding plan that took a hit last week with news of APR penalties that will limit the team to four fewer hours of practice time a week.

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WSSU Rams making headway as legit contenders in Division II baseball

Coach Kevin Ritsche

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The fruits of victory typically produce sky-high expectations. For teams with national championship aspirations, it comes with the territory. Coming off a history-making baseball season in which it fell two wins short of advancing to the Division II College World Series, Winston-Salem State wants more.

Entering postseason play, the Rams were ranked 21st in the national polls and fourth in the Atlantic Region. Their non-conference mark of 27-14 bolstered their status as viable regional contenders.

“This program has reached a point where it’s now recognized as a legitimate (regional) contender year in and year out,” said WSSU Coach Kevin Ritsche, whose team recorded a best-ever record of 42-15. “With the showing we had from this season, we have the mindset that we can win against the very best.

“Talent is vital for winning, but it will only take you so far. It’s more important to have a group of guys who are committed to the program and committed to each other. That’s the one trait that all the top contending teams have.”

Since baseball’s return to WSSU in 2010, Ritsche has a winning percentage of .661 (182-93) and the Rams have won five straight CIAA Tournament titles and made the same number of trips to the NCAA playoffs. At this year’s Atlantic Regionals, WSSU won its first two games convincingly, but lost in heart-breaking fashion to the region’s top seeds – 2-1 to Mercyhurst (No.1) and 6-5 to second-seeded Millersville.

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UMES' William "Billy" Thompson Earns Nomination for College Football Hall of Fame

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Former Maryland State College defensive back William (Billy) Thompson has been nominated as a possible 2016 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Thompson is one of dozens of football players nominated from all teams, current and defunct, from the FCS division.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Thompson was a standout four-year letterman at defensive back for Maryland State and named MVP in his senior season. His play earned him three CIAA All-conference selections and a First-team All-American selection.

BILLY THOMPSON, DENVER BRONCOS
As a NFL rookie, Billy became the only player in NFL history to lead the league
in punt returns and kickoff returns in the same season.

VIDEO: BILLY THOMPSON INSIGHTS ON CHAMP BAILEY

Thompson was drafted in 1969 by the Denver Broncos, where he went on to become a three time pro bowler as a defensive back in 12 seasons. The Broncos placed him in the team's Ring of Fame, where he sits alongside other Denver football greats such as Floyd Little, John Elway and Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State).

He was named to the UMES Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.

If elected, Thompson would be the fifth Hawk enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Coach Skip McCain who was enshrined in 2006, tackle Roger Brown in 2009, halfback Emerson Boozer in 2010 and tackle Art Shell in 2013.

Voting will continue thru June 20th from over 12,000 National Football Foundation members, with the nominees being announced in January in Scottsdale, Arizona. The inductees will then be enshrined at a ceremony on December 6, 2016 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

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WSSU signs another one-and-done player

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State has landed another one-and-done basketball player.

This time it’s Rayvon Harris, a graduate of Niagara who will use his final season of eligibility at WSSU.

Harris, a 6-5, 215-pound wing, is originally from Raleigh and he graduated last month from Niagara with a sports management degree. He follows Keith Armstrong who committed to WSSU earlier this week and is coming from East Carolina where he’s expected to graduate later this month.



Armstrong and Harris will each have one year of college eligibility left and will give the Rams plenty of experience this season.

Coach James Wilhelmi of the Rams can’t comment on players who haven’t signed the binding national letter of intent because of NCAA rules.

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Wilkins leaving NCCU for pro football

DURHAM, North Carolina -- N.C. Central wide receiver and return specialist Adrian Wilkins declared for the NFL’s supplemental draft Monday, leaving the football program without one of the most integral parts of its offense next season.

Wilkins, a 5-8 175-pound, was not going to be eligible to play for the Eagles for his senior season, coach Jerry Mack said by phone Tuesday.


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“We felt like it would be in his best interest — and he felt like it would be in his best interest — to go ahead and declare for the supplemental draft,” Mack said. “He was not going to be eligible at North Carolina Central for his senior year, so I think that it’s a good move for him and his family to make that decision.”

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NFL Lions move former NCCU Xavier Proctor to offensive tackle

The Lions announced Xavier Proctor's move from defensive tackle to offensive tackle Thursday.

DETROIT, Michigan -- Xavier Proctor will have a different vantage point at Lions OTA practice.

Proctor has spent the last two seasons trying to get to the quarterback as a defensive tackle on the team’s practice squad. Now, he’ll be tasked with trying to protect the quarterback, as the team has moved him from the defensive line to offensive tackle.

VIDEO INTERVIEW

Proctor is a physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, but it was going to be tough for him to crack the 53-man roster as a defensive tackle this season. The Lions are hoping his size and athleticism transfers well to the offensive side of the ball.

 He was an All-MEAC Second Team performer at North Carolina Central in 2012, where he compiled 42 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

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Alcorn State University to celebrate the life of legendary coach, Davey L. Whitney Sr. on Saturday, June 6

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

LORMAN, Mississippi -- The life and legacy of one of Alcorn State University’s beloved coaches will be celebrated during a special memorial ceremony.

Fans, alumni and the public are invited to join University officials and family members of Alcorn’s former Men’s Basketball head coach Davey L. Whitney Sr. on the university’s Lorman campus Saturday, June 6 at 12 p.m. in the Davey L. Whitney HPER Complex to celebrate his life and contributions to Alcorn and the nation.

The program will feature remarks from several of Whitney’s former players, close friends and coaching colleagues.

Notable speakers will include Reggie Minton of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, former Alcorn Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Marino Casem, former Head Coach for Jackson State University Andy Stoglin, former Alcorn Men’s Basketball team members Andrew “Pierre” Tatum, Richard Horton, and Arthur “Moo Moo” Harris, to name a few.

Whitney coached at Alcorn from 1969 to 1989 and 1996 to 2003. Under his leadership, Alcorn beat Mississippi State 80-78 in the 1979 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Whitney led Alcorn to a win against South Alabama in the first round of the 1980 NCAA Tournament, which was the first time a historically black college and university had won in the tournament. Whitney also led Alcorn to NCAA Tournament wins in 1983 and 1984 and six appearances in the dance. Whitney finished his career with a record of 566-356 and 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships.

Whitney was named SWAC Coach of the Year nine times. He was elected to the Kentucky State University Hall of Fame in 1976, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Alcorn State University Hall of Honors in 1993, the Alcorn State University Hall of Fame in 1996 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

A reception will immediately follow the celebration. Alcornites interested in honoring the life and legacy of Coach Whitney may contact the ASU Foundation, Inc. at (601) 877-6693 to make a donation to Davey L. Whitney Sr. Scholarship Fund.

The memorial ceremony will be webcast live via www.alcornsports.com and www.alcorn.edu.

For more information, contact Vice President for Institutional Advancement Marcus Ward at (601) 877-6296 or Director of Athletics Derek Horne at (601) 877-6500.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Davey L. Whitney
Nickname: Wiz

Career: 1952-1954
Positions: ss, 3b
Team: Kansas City Monarchs
Born: January 8, 1930, Midway, Kentucky

Baseball Career Highlights:
"I was chosen to play on the All Star Team in 1954 in Comiskey Park, in Chicago, Illinois."

Professional/Personal Accomplishments:
"I have been a basketball coach all of my professional career. I've coached championship teams at the high school and college levels."

Awards, Honors, Titles, Championships, Schools, Colleges:
• National High School "Coach of the Year" - 1961
• National High School Tournament Championship - 1961
• 3 State Tournament Championships
• 12 Championships in the Southwestern Athletic Conference
• Voted 9 Times as "Coach of the Year" (SWAC)
• Coached First Predominantly Black Team to Play in the NCAA
Tournament
• Coached First Predominantly Black Team to Win the NCAA
Tournament
• Coached the Second Black Team in the NIT Tourney
• Coached the Second and Third Place Winners in the NAIA
National Tournament
• One of Few Coaches to Win More Than 500 Division I Games
• Elected to the Kentucky State University Hall of Fame - 1976
• Member of the 1984 Olympic Selection Committee
• Head Coach of the Olympic Festival South Team - 1984
• Member of the 1985 World Game Selection Committee
• Elected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame - 1991
• Assistant Coach of the CBA Champions - 1991
• Elected to the SWAC Hall of Fame
• Alcorn State University Hall of Honors - 1993
• Head Coach of the USBL Champions - 1994
• Elected to the Alcorn State University Hall of Fame - 1996
 • National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010

Source: NLBM Legacy 2000 Players' Reunion Alumni Book, Kansas City Missouri: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Inc., 2000.

Former Florida A&M University Golfers Featured On Golf Channel's New Show "Altered Course"

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TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Two FAMU golfers will make their television debuts on June 15, on the Golf Channel. Wesley “Wes” Yates and Shepherd “Shep” Archie III, both graduates of FAMU and former members of the Rattler golf team, will be paired together as contestants on a new reality show and golf competition called “Altered Course.”

The show features extraordinary hole layouts, exceeding 700 yards, while racing against time. The show will challenge the players’ golf skills, physical fitness and strength in strategy. The two were in town recently, with a Golf Channel camera crew in tow, filming a preview segment for the show.

VIDEO: Altered Course - Meet the Georgia Boys

Coach Marvin Green was elated to see his former players get the opportunity to showcase their skills on the big stage. “I’m excited for them. They were both really big on golf, playing all their lives. Both of these talented players got golf scholarships and have competed all their lives. They both have aspirations to compete on the next level, and to be on a worldwide stage to showcase their talents and personalities, I think it’s a great opportunity for them,” Green said.

Yates, was a member of the Rattler Golf Team from 2007-2011. Of the pair, Yates’ strength is his driver. He is long and accurate from the tee, which will be his strength on the team.

Archie’s strength is in his short game. Approach shots and chipping are the areas he will lead the duo in. He played on the Rattler squad from 2008-2012. His high school success resulted in being invited to play in the Wal-Mart Open of Pebble Beach. He earned eight wins his senior season.

VIDEO: Altered Course: Georgia Boys boom drives in simulator

Archie and Yates both hail from Georgia, with Yates being from the Atlanta area (Fairburn/Lady of Mercy High School), while Archie resided in Augusta (The Academy of Richmond County). They were both products of First Tee programs in their respective areas. The two were roommates in college, every since the arrival of Archie, one year behind Yates.



The inseparable pair have grown together like brothers. It extends even to a call placed to them for this article, as they were still at the Golf Channel studios after an appearance on the “Morning Drive,” golf channel morning show. Talking over each other at times, it was impossible to distinguish which of the two the comments can be attributed to.



“This experience has been surreal. We kind of were not prepared for all of this, but it has been fun. Playing at FAMU, having to carry our own bags, without the luxury of carts, that prepared us well for this challenge. In college we had to workout at 6 a.m. in the gym. That preparation has been huge for us, as this show certainly challenges you physically, even moreso than a regular round of golf. This experience of being in a situation with the added challenges and different pressure added should prepare us for making a run at professional golf. We’ve been watching social media and we’re seeing an incredible amount of support. From this point we are seeing a lot of support,” Yates and Archie said.

VIDEO: Meet the Georgia Boys (Studio) of 'Altered Course'

Green sees the possibilities of their appearance on the show, possibly bolstering opportunities for recruitment of talent around the country. “I think this will help on the recruiting trail. Every time the guys have the opportunity, they talk about being from FAMU; and people seeing that will wonder where that college is and some will try to find out where this college is and come find out about our great history. I think it shows that sometimes we appear to be under the radar in our own environment, but it seems that other people recognize us. Sometimes other people can see what you do and we are appreciated for that. The skills they learned here at FAMU, even outside of golf, is what probably drew the Golf Channel to them. I think their well-roundedness was definitely an attraction and will propel them to do well,” Green concluded.


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Prospero playing Division I baseball at North Carolina Central

Tom Prospero
SS/ 6'-2"

BATAVIA, New York — Despite playing just one season for Notre Dame (High School), Fighting Irish head baseball coach Mike Rapone knew that shortstop Tom Prospero had what it took to make it to the upper echelons of the next level.

Following a Monroe County All-Star selection as a junior at Batavia High School, Prospero finished his high school academic and athletic career on Union Street, where he tore up opposing Genesee Region League pitching in the spring of 2013.

This past spring, Prospero was one of six former Notre Dame baseball stars who were continuing their careers on the diamond at the collegiate level while excelling at NJCAA powerhouse Niagara County Community College.

Next season, Prospero will be taking his skills even further.

Following a stellar sophomore campaign at NCCC, Prospero recently signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Division I North Carolina Central.

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Pough, Garvin await decision on SCSU cuts

OLIVER "BUDDY" POUGH
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Two of South Carolina State’s most visible coaches are taking a wait-and-see approach to news that their programs may face significant cuts after a university budget proposed Tuesday showed extensive cost-reduction measures.

“At this point, I’m just waiting to see what the final determination is,” Coach Buddy Pough said Wednesday. “I’m still trying to get the best information. We just have to remember nothing is final at this point. There are some things that the board still has to work on.”

Murray Garvin, head men’s basketball coach, echoed his football counterpart’s thoughts.

“It hasn’t happened yet,” Garvin said. “I have confidence in our administration, and at this point, I’m hopeful things work out for the best.”

The university administration’s proposed education and general budget, which has supported athletics in the past, does not fund any sports programs for 2015-16. The budget sets out to cut spending by 20 percent, including $2.5 million in athletic scholarships.

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Howard University Kevin Nickelberry to Host Annual Youth Basketball Camp

Kevin Nickelberry
Head Men's Basketball Coach
HOWARD UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University head men's basketball coach Kevin Nickelberry will conduct his annual Youth Basketball camp from August 3-6 in Burr Gymnasium on the campus of the University.

The camp is designed for youth, ages, 6-18 who have not completed or started their senior year of high school. The camp hours are 7 am until 4 pm on Monday and 9 am until 4 pm from Tuesday through Thursday. Before and after care is available. The camp fee is $150 with a special discounted rate of $125 for Howard University staff and employees.

For more information, CLICK HERE to download the camp brochure.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Janell Crayton Joins Hampton U. Lady Pirates Coaching Staff

Coach Janell Crayton
Courtesy UNC Asheville Athletics

HAMPTON, Virginia – Janell Crayton, who previously served as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina Asheville, has been hired in the same capacity with the Hampton University women's basketball program.

"Coach Crayton is a tremendous addition to our staff," head coach David Six, entering his seventh season, said. "She's very organized, she can get out there and work with the kids and push the kids. We're glad to have her."

Crayton was on the UNC Asheville staff for three seasons, serving as recruiting coordinator on top of handling scouting and post player development. During this most recent season, Crayton saw senior forward Jeannie Buckner earn All-Academic honors from the Big South.

Buckner was second on the team in both rebounds and blocked shots this past season.

Prior to her tenure at UNC Asheville, Crayton was the Director of Basketball Operations for the College of William and Mary. Her duties with the Tribe program included film exchange, coordinating team travel, on-campus recruiting, team promotional activities, as well as other administrative responsibilities.

Crayton joined the William and Mary staff after working as an assistant coach at Colgate University in 2010-11. While with the Raiders, her duties included recruiting, player development, scouting, travel, and special event planning. On the court, Crayton helped develop the Colgate post players.

Prior to Colgate, she worked at Oberlin College, where she served as an assistant coach, interim head coach, and associate head coach during her three seasons. In these roles, Crayton's responsibilities included team travel, scouting, coordinating community service, film break down, recruiting, and player skill development. During her time at Oberlin, five players earned all-conference honors.

Before coaching at Oberlin, Crayton was an assistant coach at Oglethorpe University for a season.

In addition, Crayton was an AAU 15-and-under coach from March to May of 2007, and she boasts international experience that includes a teaching internship in Ghana – as well as playing and running youth camps with Basketball Travelers Inc. in Turkey.

Crayton was also a player-coach for Athletes in Action in the Czech Republic.

Crayton is a 2006 graduate of Davidson College, where she was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats. A two-year captain, Crayton was named First-Team All-Southern Conference and All- Tournament Team in 2006. In addition, Crayton was named to the North Carolina All-State Team in 2006.

Crayton was also a standout in the classroom, twice being named Academic All-Conference.

She is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), as well as the Black Coaches Association. In 2006, Crayton participated in the Nike "So You Wanna Be a Coach" program, and in 2010, she graduated from the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy.

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

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Atlanta-area standout becomes third XU Gold Rush signee

NEW ORLEANS — Kevin Murph, a 6-foot-6 forward from Austell, Ga., and Pebblebrook High School, is Xavier University of Louisiana's third men's basketball signee for the 2015-16 season.

Murph averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds per game this past season for a Pebblebrook team which finished second in the Class AAAAAA state playoffs. Murph was a four-year varsity starter, set a school record with more than 900 career rebounds and helped Pebblebrook reach the state semifinals his junior year.



"We're very excited to have Kevin join Team Gold," XU head coach Dannton Jackson said. "We feel like his athleticism and his skill set will help us right away. We are excited about him coming from a winning program. He has played against some of the best competition in the Georgia area. We feel like he's ready to come in and make a contribution.

"Like all freshmen, he will have a learning curve. But we believe he will make that adjustment quickly. It will be fun to watch him grow the next four years."

Pebblebrook's Falcons were 27-6 in 2014-15 and 24-6 in 2013-14. The school is in Cobb County in the Atlanta suburb of Mableton.

"Kevin is a really tough kid. He displays toughness on the court," Pebblebrook coach George Washington said. "He has a high, high basketball IQ and has played at a high level in high school and AAU with the Southern Stampeders. We were ranked as high as 19th in the country his senior year, and Kevin was a big part of our success."

"He's a funny kid with a great personality. You'll laugh a lot around him."

Murph will major in business at Xavier. He is a cousin of Stacey Augmon, a former UNLV standout and 15-year NBA player who spent two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets.

Previously announced XU signees were Louisiana guards Leland Alexander of Houma and Seth Jackson of Baton Rouge.

Xavier was 24-10 in 2014-15, finished second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament, qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship for a school-record fifth consecutive year and ranked 21st in the postseason poll. The Gold Rush have the NAIA's longest active streak of top-25 appearances, 50.

2015-16 Xavier men's basketball signees
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.*	Hometown	High School (College)
Leland Alexander	G	6-5	180	Fr.	Houma, La.	Ellender
Seth Jackson	G	6-1	176	Jr.	Baton Rouge, La.	Redemptorist (Baton Rouge CC)
Kevin Murph	F	6-6	220	Fr.	Austell, Ga.	Pebblebrook
* athletic classification at Xavier in 2015-16 Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  https://twitter.com/xulagold https://www.facebook.com/

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.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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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