Ray Lewis shares powerful message at Lane College inaugural fundraiser event

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Derrick Burroughs still couldn't seem to believe Lane College was able to get Ray Lewis to come to Jackson.

The former star linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens was the featured speaker at Lane's "Dinner with the Pros" banquet Saturday night at Oman Arena, set up to raise money for improved locker room and weight room facilities for the football team.

"It's just a blessing that this guy would come way to Jackson, Tennessee and help us out and have no ties to Lane College whatsoever," Burroughs, the school's athletic director and head football coach, said.

Lewis took advantage of the moment, telling a couple hundred people gathered at tables on the Oman Arena floor about the role of faith, guidance from adults and individual motivation in his life.

Helping his mother, not starring in sports, drove Lewis' desire to work hard and stand out. He recalled being seven years old and seeing his mother beaten by a man and, despite the trauma, quickly preparing to go to work.



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Morgan State's Mason Places Ninth At NCAA Championship; Earns All-American Second Team Honors

JAILAH MASON
 NCAA Division I All-American
Second Team

EUGENE, Oregon -- Morgan State women's high jumper Jailah Mason's run to an NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship came to an end last night at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Mason, who was the only freshman to qualify for the finals, finished ninth out of 24 athletes with a height of 5-11 ¼.

Mason, who would fall just short in her goal to be among the top eight high jumpers, would earn All-American second team honors.

A native of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Mason's run to the NCAA Championship started with a combined 96 student-athletes during the East and West NCAA Preliminary Championships. Mason would capture the NCAA East Preliminary with a first-place tie with Claudia Garcia Jou of the University of Akron with a height of 5-11.50.

Mason's stellar freshman campaign included second-place finishes at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the ECAC championships. She also set a Penn Relays and school record with a height of 6-00.50 to capture the 2015 Penn Relays' high jump-college section.

Mason will now represent Morgan State at the 2015 USATF National Junior Championship held here in Eugene on June 21 through 29, 2015 with an opportunity to represent the United States of America at the 2015 World Junior Track & Field Championship to be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the end of July.

"It was a pleasure coaching Ms. Mason this 2015 season because she is coachable and has the desire to reach her full potential," said Morgan State head coach Neville Hodge. "It is exciting when you have student-athletes who totally buy-in to the program and the coaching staff's philosophy. As a staff we are very proud of Ms. Mason's accomplishment during the 2014-2015 season and look forward toward a bright 2015-2016 season and beyond."

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION  

Walker: Rhythmically named Earl Burl III, a New Orleans native, was thrilled to hear his name called in the MLB draft

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NEW ORLEANS -- The name that Earl Burl III got teased about so much as a kid finally scrolled across the bottom of his iPad screen Wednesday.

All the jokes he grew up hearing, stuff like “Earl Burl the Girl” and “Earl Burl with the Curl,” didn’t matter anymore.

The only thing that mattered for the 21-year-old from Marrero was this: Earl Burl III, 30th-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays.

“It was a relieving feeling, and everybody went crazy in my house,” said the outfielder, who just completed his third season at Alcorn State. “I knew there was a chance I’d get picked, but you just never know.”

Burl is the first member of the New Orleans Urban Youth Academy to be drafted. He could have returned and played his final year of eligibility at Alcorn, but there really was no use in doing that. He has earned a degree in business administration and plans to go to law school eventually.

“Hopefully I can build some great relationships in baseball and eventually work in the front office,” he said.

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Get to Know a DSU Hornet – Edition 1: J.R. ROBINSON

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Hopkins, Shaw go back to the future

RALEIGH North Carolina -- The good times are getting ready to roll for Shaw men’s basketball program. And that’s going to spell bad times for many a CIAA opponent.

Joel Hopkins returns to Shaw University carrying a heavy load on his broad shoulders – some of which he’s bringing on himself.

After being re-introduced to Bear Nation on Tuesday – 13 years after leaving Shaw – Hopkins quickly laid down the gauntlet.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and bringing back a CIAA championship this year to the city of Raleigh,” he said. “This train is already moving, so get on board…Tell James Stinson at Livingstone that I’m coming to see him.”

The Blue Bears are the two-time defending champions.

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NC A&T Running Back Becomes Internet Sensation

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Tarik Cohen is a star running-back at North Carolina A&T. Last month became an internet sensation when a video of him doing a back flip while catching footballs went viral.

Cohen told WFMY News 2's Liz Crawford that he and his twin brother started doing back flips when they were young. Recently, Cohen had another idea and asked his Aggie teammates to help him execute his plan.

Cohen saw a video of someone doing a back flip and catching a football at the same time on Instagram. He tried it and easily mastered the trick.



"Everybody kept saying that the first back flip catch was easy and everybody could do it, they've seen people do it before so I was thinking what can I do that no one has done before so I thought about catching two footballs at one time in the back flip." said Cohen.

Sure enough he did that too and Cohen is still soaking in the instant fame.

"I've been loving it. I'm glad all my friends and former classmates have seen me on Instagram. They saw me on ESPN."

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XU Produces Another Top-50 Finish In NAIA All-Sports Standings

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana finished 50th in the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings of 2014-15 and was No. 1 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and No. 1 among historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

It's the fourth consecutive year that Xavier finished in the top 60 and third time in four years that Xavier was among the top 50. Xavier was a school-record 42nd a year ago.

"It has been another excellent year for Xavier Athletics and Team Gold," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn. "We are proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff for their collaboration and hard work to produce this national ranking. We look forward with optimism and enthusiasm to another great year for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets in 2015-16."

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today newspaper. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 12 sports — six women's and six men's. This is the 20th year of the NAIA all-sports standings.

Xavier scored 286 points, its second-highest total ever, after a tie for third place nationally in women's tennis, a tie for fifth in men's tennis, a tie for 17th in men's basketball, a tie for 25th in women's volleyball, 36th in men's cross country, 38th in women's cross country and a tie for 52nd in women's track and field. Seven of Xavier's nine teams scored nationally.

Three other GCAC members were ranked. SUNO was 52nd with 274.25 points, Talladega tied for 136th with 83 points, and Philander Smith tied for 170th with 25 points. Xavier and SUNO were the top two HBCUs, followed by Wiley (Red River Athletic Conference) in 58th place with 249 points and Langston (Red River) at No. 79 with 181.5 points.

Xavier finished ahead of five schools it trailed a year ago.

For the second consecutive year, Xavier was the only HBCU with a top-50 finish from the NAIA or NCAA divisions II or III.

The top three NAIA schools were Oklahoma Baptist with 854.5 points, Lindsey Wilson with 823.5 and Oklahoma City with 802.75. Oklahoma Baptist led for the third consecutive year. Seven top-10 schools were the same as a year ago.

Xavier in NAIA all-sports standings
2014-15 50th
2013-14 42nd
2012-13 56th
2011-12 50th
2010-11 102nd
2009-10 83rd
2008-09 tie-92nd
2007-08 141st
2006-07 156th
2005-06 no teams (Hurricane Katrina)
2004-05 not in top 100
2003-04 86th
2002-03 tie-163rd
2001-02 tie-238th
2000-01 tie-199th
1999-2000 not in top 234
1998-99 tie-210th
1997-98 tie-194th
1996-97 164th
1995-96 146th

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorXULAgold.com
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Gold Nuggets' Volleyball Recruiting Fills a Tall Order

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Friday its women's volleyball recruiting class for 2015. Two of the three signees will be the Gold Nuggets' tallest players in five years.

Signed to scholarships were:

• Ruby Hunt-Thompson, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter and right-side hitter from Evanston, Ill. She was home-schooled.
• Sarah Pitts-Groce, a 6-foot middle blocker and right-side hitter from Atlanta and Atlanta International School.
• Patricia Young Yen, a 5-9 middle blocker and outside hitter from Magna, Utah, Cyprus High School and Otero (Colo.) Junior College.

Hunt-Thompson, Pitts-Groce and Young Yen will join an XU program which was 20-6 overall and 14-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2014. For the fourth consecutive year, the Gold Nuggets won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

"We focused on a little bigger presence at the net for blocking and terminating," third-year head coach Hannah Lawing said. "It was a thorough process of navigating the recruits. There was a lot of good talent, and it took a lot of work to narrow it down. (Assistant coach) Hilary (Lobenstein) and I are confident that these three ladies will make a difference in our program on and off the court. We think that their personalities will further diversify our team in a positive way, and they'll add something to our team coming from different parts of the country."

Hunt-Thompson was a member of the Crossroads Crusaders team which finished second in the gold division of the National Homeschool Tournament. She was MVP of the midwest regional tournament and led her team to the championship. In club she played for Sports Performance's 2014 AAU national-champion team.

"Ruby has always competed and performed at a high level in Illinois," Lawing said. "She has athleticism and technique. She has a big block, and she hits high over the net with a lot of power."

Hunt-Thompson is a multiple honor-roll student and graduated with honors. Her father is LaSalle Thompson, a 15-year NBA center and an All-American at the University of Texas.

Pitts-Groce was a two-year starter at Atlanta International and helped her club team, Atlanta Boom, win a regional tournament in 2014.

"Sarah has a well-rounded repertoire of abilities," Lawing said. "She works hard. She transitions well. She has a decent-sized block and can put a ball away. She will also be a unifying factor with a personality and sense of camaraderie that is hard to find."

Hunt-Thompson and Pitts-Groce will be the Nuggets' tallest players since 6-footer Allison Dawson and 6-1 Sierra Lyons in 2010.

Young Yen produced 485 kills, 195 blocks and 149 digs the past two seasons at Otero. Her match highs included 17 kills, eight blocks, eight digs and two aces. She was Otero's No. 2 attacker in 2014 with 272 kills and 10 matches of 10-or-more kills.

"Patricia is fundamentally well-rounded," Lawing said. "She's got the technique, and she knows how to put a ball away. She will bring to our team collegiate experience and a hunger for the ball."

Xavier will begin the regular season in late August and will announce soon its 2015 schedule.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Ray Belton named new chancellor and president of Southern U.

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Ray Belton will be the new president and chancellor of Southern University, overseeing both the Baton Rouge campus and the overall Southern system, the system's Board of Supervisors determined Friday (June 12).

Belton, who currently serves as chancellor of Southern's Shreveport campus, will be tasked with navigating a new position, as the combined president-chancellor job was only just created. He'll also have to work to breathe new life into an institution that has faced declining enrollment and funding, low graduation and retention rates, and the challenge of finding continued relevance for historically black colleges and universities in a changing world.

The board voted 13-1 to hire Belton over Ivory Toldson, who began his career as an assistant professor at Southern and now works in Washington, D.C. as deputy director for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The roles of both chancellor and president were vacant because the board opted not to renew the contracts of both system president Ronald Mason Jr. and former chancellor James Llorens.

KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

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ASU Lady Hornets Have All America Performance at NCAA's

EUGENE, Oregon -- Alabama State had an exciting day at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships which concluded with the Lady Hornets 4x400m relay team receiving 2nd Team All-America status after their great run in the day's final event.

The 4x400m relay is always one of the most exciting and entertaining race of any track meet and that was never more a reality than the third and final heat of the relay. The Lady Hornets may not have won, but they gave the crowd which was announced as 10,015, a great race which saw them finish ahead of nationally ranked teams such as Stanford, Kansas State, Arizona State and host Oregon.

The Lady Hornets finished 14th with a time of 3:36.04, but it was their heat, the third, where they put in a great performance coming up just short of qualifying for Saturday's finals. The first eight teams are first team All-America teams where the second eight teams receive the 2nd Team honors.

Final Results

Alexis Ferebee started the relay for ASU and handed the baton off to Tatiana Etienne in second place. Etienne handed the baton off to Williams as ASU started the third leg in the middle of a bunched pack. Williams didn't stay there long as she ran a 52.50 lap, the fastest of the third legs, and had the Lady Hornets in the lead heading into the fourth and final leg.

Kimberly Wedderburn held off the competition until the final 100 meters when the group became bunched with the Lady Hornets finishing the heat fifth. It was another strong performance by the ASU Lady Hornets Track Team on the largest stage of collegiate track the Nationals and before an ESPN national audience.

Their 3:36.04 finish was the third fastest time in the history of the event and the second fastest time this season.

"We knew coming in with the 4x4 our backs were against the wall, but the ladies rose to the occasion," Head Coach Ritchie Beene said. "Having the lead going down with 150 meters to go was outstanding for Alabama State."

"We are pleased we are coming out of here as All-Americans and it is something good we can take back home. It came down to hard work and perseverance and that is what the staff and I have done and that is what the ladies have done and we were proud to be here representing Alabama State Hornet track and field."

Santina Williams ran earlier in the day with her appearance in the 400m run. She ran the race in 53.54 placing her 19th in the three-heat event. Her time was a little off from her qualifying time and school-record 52.56 she ran two weeks ago at the NCAA Preliminaries, but it was not only her third fastest career-time, but the third fastest in the history of the event at ASU.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

SSU Men's Basketball Announces 2015-16 Recruiting Class

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State head men's basketball coach Horace Broadnax has announced his signing class for 2015-16, introducing eight new players who will join the Tigers for the upcoming season.

The class includes one transfer from a NCAA Division I institution, three junior college players, three incoming freshmen and a transfer from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

Chris Martin (5'11", Upper Marlboro, MD) joins the Tigers after playing at Mount St. Mary's last year where he averaged 7.4 points, three rebounds and two assists per game. He started his collegiate career at Marshall. He also played at St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Video: Shooting Drills (ft. Chris Martin Mount St. Marys) - Coach ...

Junior college additions include Troyce Manassa, Teslim Idris and Casey Wells.

Manassa (6'4", Mobile, Alabama) comes to SSU from Wallace Community College where he averaged 19 points and 6 rebounds per game. Manassa won back-to-back Alabama Junior College Player of the Year honors and was a two-time junior college All American. Manassa attended Murphy High School in Mobile.



Idris (6'6", London, England) comes to Savannah State from Miles Community College where he averaged 12.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and two blocks per game. Idris was named Region 9 third team. Idris attended Westminister City School in London where he averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game in his last year of action.



Wells (6'4", Jonesboro, Georgia) played at Georgia Perimeter where he averaged 13.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was named to the Georgia Athletic Association Region 17 all region first team. Wells attended Jonesboro High School.


Casey Wells Basketball Recruiting Video from American Sports Memories on Vimeo.

The high school signees include: Kamil Williams, Isaiah Felder and Ibrahima Diallo.

Williams (6'0", Palm Beach, Florida) played his senior season at Park Vista High School where he averaged 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. Williams was named the Palm Beach Player of the Year and the 8A-7A-6A Player of the Year and made the Class 7A first team.



Felder (5'10", Orangeburg, South Carolina) prepped at Orangeburg-Wilkerson High School where he averaged 19 points, 7 assists and 4 steals per game. Felder was named to the AAA All-State team and was named Region 8 AAA Player of the Year.



Diallo (6'9", Dakar, Senegal) comes to SSU from Boyd Anderson High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.



Rounding out the newcomers is Lenjo Kilo (6'8", Silver Spring, MD). Kilo played at the District of Columbia where he averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was named to the All-East Coast Conference second team during the 2013-14 season. He started his college career at Seton Hill and played in high school Northwood High School.

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Elizabeth City State releases two coaches

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- Elizabeth City State released two of its coaches earlier this week, one of whom coached three sports at the school.

Two sources, speaking to The Daily Advance, confirmed the terminations of interim women’s basketball coach Ron Woodard and assistant Tiffany Tucker.

Tucker had also just completed her first year as head coach for the ECSU volleyball and women’s tennis programs in 2014-15.

Reached on Wednesday, new ECSU Athletic Director Derrick Johnson declined to comment when asked about the firings, directing questions to university spokeswoman Kesha Williams.

Williams also declined comment Wednesday, saying ...

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Bethune-Cookman Mourns Passing Of Raymon Thornton, Athletics Hall of Famer

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Raymon Thornton, Sr., one of the top quarterbacks in Bethune-Cookman history and a member of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural class, passed away on June 2, 2015.  He was 87 years of age.

As a student-athlete, Thornton helped lay the groundwork for the success of Wildcats Football. He was named the program’s second All-American in 1951, and also garnered the top quarterback award from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after setting the record for most touchdowns in a season with 14.

The previous year, he was named first team quarterback on the SIAC in Bethune-Cookman’s final year with that league.

Thornton returned to Bethune-Cookman as an assistant football coach and head basketball coach from 1956-61. As a basketball coach, he compiled an overall record of 43-34 with his best campaign being a 15-4 mark during the 1958-59 campaign.

In 1960, Thornton served as head football coach after the legendary Rudolph “Bunky” Matthews suffered a heart attack before the start of the season. The Wildcats finished the year 3-4 overall.

After Bethune-Cookman, Thornton went to serve as a teacher and school administrator in South Florida.

His contribution to Bethune-Cookman Athletics was so appreciated that he was selected as one of 20 inaugural members of the Hall of Fame in 2000.

He is survived by one son, Raymond, Jr.

A visitation was held on Thursday, June 11 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Royal Funeral Service, 17475 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Fla. The funeral is set for Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Hermon AME Church, 17800 NW 25th, Miami Gardens, Florida.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Savannah State's Cameron Hall Qualifies For NCAA Finals

CAMERON HALL

EUGENE, Oregon -- Savannah State senior Cameron Hall qualified for the finals of the men's 110m hurdles in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Hayward Field.

Hall, had a time of 13.61 in the semi-finals and finished second in his heat. The time tied the school record which was set by Hall in the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships in May.

The St. Mary's, Georgia native qualified for the NCAA Championships by wining the quarterfinals of the East Preliminary championships held in Jacksonville, Florida at North Florida's Hughes Stadium on May 30 with a time of 13.68 in the quarterfinals.

Hall (6-3, 220) will compete in the finals on June 12 at 8:15 EST.

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Edward Waters College Football to Play Jacksonville U. in 2015; Plus 2 TV Games

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Edward Waters College, Wednesday, released its 2015 football schedule which features one game that could have Jacksonville locals buzzing.

The Tigers have scheduled an inner-city match up against the Jacksonville University Dolphins. The game is scheduled for October 17 at 1 p.m. on JU's campus and will be televised on ESPN3.

The schedule is also headlined by games against Kennesaw State, Morehouse College and Concordia College.

"This is one of the tougher schedules in Edward Waters College history because of the exciting opponents we are competing against this year," said head football coach, Alvin Wyatt. "Kennesaw State plays for the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). Jacksonville University is also a NCAA Division I FCS school. Morehouse and Concordia are both NCAA Division II powerhouses."

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EWC Tigers 2015 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time Score Special Event
August 22 University of Faith  Home 7:30 p.m.
August 29 University of God's Chosen  Home 7:30 p.m.
September 5 Morehouse College  Away 7:00 p.m.
September 12 **Kennesaw State University  Away 4:00 p.m.
September 19 OPEN
September 26 Point University Away 12:00 p.m.#
October 3 *Southeastern University Home 1:00 p.m.#
October 10 Webber International University Away 5:00 pm.#
October 17 %Jacksonville University Away 1:00 p.m.  Jacksonville Football Classic
October 24 Concordia College - Selma Home 3:00 p.m. Homecoming 2015
October 30 Ave Maria University Away 12:00 p.m.#
November 7 Warner University Away 12:00 p.m.#

ALL HOME GAMES PLAYED AT STANTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL.
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
SUN CONFERENCE GAMES#
** Game will be televised in Atlanta market on WUPA-TV/CW 69.
% The Jacksonville Football Classic will be played at D.B. Milne Field on JU's campus. This game will be televised on ESPN3.

EWC enrollment increases

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- When classes start this fall, one local college is expects to see more students than they predicted.

Officials at Edward Waters College say they have seen a 70 percent increase in applications over last year. And even more students have been admitted.

Officials say they have really been focused on recruiting, reinventing themselves here in Duval County and also focusing on some of the biggest cities in our state, like Miami, Orlando and Tampa. That's where the majority of the students who have applied come from, here in Florida.

When Andre Stevens first came to EWC, he came to play football. Now, when this math major graduates next year he'll be the first in his family to earn a college degree.

“It's definitely the family vibe here because once you find that close knit feeling, it's like you guys are there forever,” said Stevens. That's why it’s good for him to know more students will be walking this campus next year than expected.

EWC's Office of Admissions is reporting a dramatic increase in the number of applications to the institution for the 2015-2016 academic years. This time last year, the school received just over 1800 applications. This year, the school has more than 3,100 -- a 70 percent increase.



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Saint Augustine's Falcons Sign Two Men’s Basketball Recruits

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Head Men's Basketball Coach MarQus Johnson announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, that Devin Derry and Antonio Watson have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Saint Augustine's University. The two scholar-athletes will play for the Falcons' men's basketball team in the 2015-16 season.

"I'm excited to have these two young men join the Falcon family," said Johnson, who will enter his second season as Falcons' Head Coach this fall. "These two scholar-athletes are not only great players but also extraordinary young men."

Derry is an athletic 6-foot-5 wing player who earned all-state and all-region honors at Furtah Prep in Acworth, Ga. The high-flying Derry, who averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as a high school senior, played in the Georgia-South Carolina independent all-star game.

Watson, a 6-foot point guard, was the conference defensive player of the year and the runner-up for conference player of the year at Knightdale High School in Knightdale, N.C. He averaged seven points, eight assists and four steals his senior season at Knightdale.

"Devin is a great athlete who can really shoot," Johnson said. "His size on the wing is something that we stressed in our recruiting this year. He comes from a good program and his team played a competitive schedule in Georgia. Antonio is a true point guard with a pass-first mentality. He was the floor general for a great Knightdale team, and he led Knightdale to the third round of the state playoffs this year. We are very lucky to have signed both young men."


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Johnson is looking to add more scholar-athletes to the 2015-16 men's basketball roster.

"We are still recruiting a couple of more players to finish out our recruiting class," Johnson said.

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Sentencing set for ex-SCSU chief, trustee

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The men who’ve admitted to being involved in the various schemes surrounding former South Carolina State University Chairman Jonathan Pinson will be sentenced next month.

In the meantime, Pinson has hired new attorneys and they’ve notified a federal court that they plan to appeal Pinson’s convictions and sentence.

A jury convicted Pinson last summer on 29 of 45 federal charges in schemes involving S.C. State’s 2011 homecoming, an effort to sell the 121-acre Sportsman’s Retreat to the university, a Marion County diaper factory and a Columbia-area housing complex called the Village at River’s Edge.

Pinson was sentenced on May 20 to serve five years in prison and five years of supervised release once he’s released. He also has to pay restitution in the amount of $337,843.

Co-conspirators in the various schemes previously pleaded guilty to charges and will be sentenced July 6 in Charleston at the Hollings Judicial Center with U.S. District Judge David Norton presiding.

The men connected to S.C. State who will be sentenced are:

• Florida developer Richard Zahn, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the federal government. Zahn owned Sportsman’s Retreat in Orangeburg County. His hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m.

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SC State University Keeps Its Accreditation

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State University found out Thursday it gets to keep its accreditation, but will remain on probation for up to another year as it deals with financial problems. Losing accreditation would have essentially closed the school, since students cannot get federal financial aid to go to a school that's not accredited.

“SC State University is open for business and we are here to stay,” said acting president Dr. W. Franklin Evans. The school was already on probation for non-compliance on governance and financial issues.

The school's financial problems go back years, blamed on mismanagement, falling enrollment and less state funding. James E. Clark, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the problems and probation caused enrollment to fall even more, making the situation worse. "Yes, it has had some effect, but that's in the past,” he said Thursday. “We're looking forward to the things that we are doing in a most positive way to make this an even more exciting place for the students to come."

The Board of Trustees fired president Thomas Elzey in March, and then state lawmakers passed a bill that Gov. Nikki Haley signed in May to fire the entire board. The permanent board was replaced with a temporary, fix-it board. The newly appointed board has met twice.

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SAU Falcons Announce 2015 Football Schedule

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Five home games on campus and a non-conference road encounter against Division I North Carolina Central University highlight the 2015 Saint Augustine's University football schedule, which was released on Tuesday, June 9, 2015.

The Falcons will play their entire home schedule at the George Williams Athletic Complex for the first time ever. In the past three years, they hosted six games at the stadium including four Homecoming contests and two match-ups against crosstown rival Shaw University. Their record at the stadium is 5-1 including a 2-0 mark against Shaw.

"It is a blessing to have five home games on campus," said Michael Morand, who enters this season as the Falcons' full-time head coach after directing the team on an interim basis in 2014. "The team is really looking forward to playing on its home turf. What a way to start my first full season as head coach."

The Falcons begin the 10-game regular season Sept. 5 with an eye-opening road contest against state rival and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) member North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C., at 6 p.m. In 2013, the Falcons nearly de-clawed the host Eagles in their season opener before succumbing 23-20 in two overtimes. The Falcons topped the Eagles in Durham in 2003 and 2005.

After tangling with North Carolina Central, the Falcons are home for two consecutive weeks against CIAA foes in non-conference affairs. They open their home schedule Sept. 12 against Virginia Union University and Sept. 19 against Elizabeth City State University with both games beginning at 1 p.m. The contest against Virginia Union is a rematch of the "Hurricane Game" in 2011 which was played in heavy rain and extremely strong winds in Richmond, Va. Elizabeth City State will visit the Falcons for the second time in three seasons.

The Falcons open the CIAA conference season with two away games. They travel to Chowan University Sept. 26 for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Murfreesboro, N.C., and visit defending CIAA champion Virginia State University Oct. 3 in Ettrick, Va., at 2 p.m. Last season, the Falcons edged Chowan at home 33-31 on a late touchdown and lost 42-35 to Virginia State after they rallied from a 28-point second-half deficit.

Two key Southern Division home games await the Falcons in mid-October. They take on Livingstone College Oct. 10 and Winston-Salem State University Oct. 17 with both contests beginning at 1 p.m. The Falcons have won their last seven games against Livingstone since the 2008 season including a 31-30 road win in 2014. Winston-Salem State is the four-time defending Southern Division champion, but the Falcons always contest the nationally-ranked Rams when they meet. The Rams won 36-13 last season, but the outcome wasn't decided until the fourth quarter.

The Falcons will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak to Fayetteville State University when the teams meet in Fayetteville, N.C., on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. On Oct. 31, the Falcons will take on Johnson C. Smith University on Homecoming Day and Senior Day at 1 p.m. The Falcons have won their last three home contests against Smith, including a 34-15 Homecoming thumping in 2011 which was the first-ever game at the George Williams Athletic Complex.

The regular season concludes Nov. 7 against Shaw in Durham, N.C., at 1 p.m. The Falcons gained bragging rights after knocking off the Bears 16-9 at the George Williams Athletic Complex last season. This year's contest will be played on Shaw's Homecoming Day.

2015 Saint Augustine's University Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
Sept. 5 at North Carolina Central Durham, NC 6 p.m.
SEPT. 12 VIRGINIA UNION RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
SEPT. 19 ELIZABETH CITY STATE RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
SEPT. 26 Chowan* Murfreesboro, NC 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Virginia State* Ettrick, VA 2 p.m.
Oct. 10 LIVINGSTONE* RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Oct. 17 WINSTON-SALEM STATE* RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Oct. 24 at Fayetteville State * Fayetteville, NC 2 p.m.
Oct. 31 JOHNSON C. SMITH*# RALEIGH, NC 1 P.M.
Nov. 7 at Shaw* Durham, NC 1 p.m.
Nov. 14 CIAA Championship Durham, NC 1 p.m.

* - CIAA conference games
# - Homecoming
Home games in BOLD CAPS at George Williams Athletic Complex

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina to sue Ritz-Carlton over 'CIAA Service Charge'

The CIAA tournament, one of the largest college basketball showcases in the country, draws more than 150,000 people – predominantly black – to Charlotte annually.

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- The N.C. Department of Justice plans to sue the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte over its “CIAA Service Charge.”

Special Deputy Attorney General Harriet Worley wrote Ritz-Carlton attorney Clay Wheeler on June 9 to alert him to NCDOJ’s intent to file suit within 14 business days. The cause, she wrote, was the hotel’s lack of response in providing a resolution to the levy imposed during the week of the CIAA’s basketball tournament three months after complaints surfaced. Among the questions in Justice’s inquiry: When did management decide to impose the surcharge, if it was imposed on all patrons during tournament week and whether similar fees were levied for other events.

“As a result of the lack of progress made in resolving the matter, we feel that we have no choice but to take formal legal action against your client and to seek appropriate injunctive relief, consumer restitution, and penalties from a court,” Worley wrote. … “If the Ritz Carlton world like to try to resolve the issue prior to that time, we are still open to discussing the matter.”

Letter to Ritz-Carlton's attorney

CONTINUE READING

Ritz-Carlton could face legal action after ‘CIAA service charge’

ROY COOPER
ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The N.C. Attorney General’s Office says it will take legal action against the Ritz-Carlton in uptown after the hotel added a CIAA service charge to customers’ bills during the February basketball tournament.

At issue is the 15 percent CIAA gratuity the Ritz-Carlton imposed on customers who patronized the lobby and bar. The attorney general’s office contends the hotel violated state law by failing to inform customers of the service charge. Some of the customers unaware of the charge included an additional gratuity when they paid their bills, according to a draft of the legal complaint.

The agency’s Consumer Protection Division wants a judge to bar the hotel from automatically imposing charges without disclosing it first. The agency also is requesting restitution and refunds for customers who paid the fees.

It’s the first time the state agency – headed by Attorney General Roy Cooper – has sought legal action against a North Carolina hotel for such a surcharge, said spokeswoman Noelle Talley.

CONTINUE READING

Highlights of FAMU Board of Trustee Meeting Impacting Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The following are the excerpts concerning Florida A&M athletics that was exposed during the Board of Trustees meetings held this week at the campus.  I have no personal comments on any of this except -- a collective resignation by this Board would move FAMU forward, FAST!

Dr. Elmira Mangum, the first woman to serve as FAMU's president, marked her first year at the helm in April.

• Dr. Mangum acknowledged the athletics teams for their incredible run of success. Those include: Men's baseball team won the MEAC Championship and advanced to NCAA tournament for the first time in FAMU's history; Women's softball won MEAC Championship; Women's Outdoor Track and Field won MEAC Championship; Women's Cross Country Team won MEAC Championship three years in a row; and Cheerleaders won first place Co-ed Division of MEAC Championship.

• Trustees postponed signing off on a contract for new football coach Alex Wood, so that Wood and his attorney can go over more details. The contract is not expected to be a problem. Wood would be paid $200,000 annually. Trustee Lawson says they hope to have that done in the coming weeks.  (Note: Florida A&M interim athletic director Nelson Townsend confirmed Alex Wood would be the next head football coach at the university on December 23, 2014. The legendary A.D. Townsend passed away on January 8, 2015.  Wood and assistant coaching staff (8) have been on FAMU job for about 6 months).

• Dr. Mangum says, GPA average for all teams combined is 2.87. Men's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, Bowling and Softball all have GPAs 3.0 or higher.

• FAMU’s Chief Financial Officer Dale Cassidy said the proposed budget for athletics for 2015-16 is $8.7 million compared to last year’s approved budget of nearly $9.4 million. Donations to the athletics department are projected at $500,000 for the upcoming year, down considerably from last year’s projection of $1.2 million which never materialized. The projected budget for FAMU athletics for the next fiscal year shows a $100,000 surplus. 

• As for the head of the athletic department, Dr. Mangum says a national search is underway to fill the position. They expect to conclude the search by the end of the month.

• FAMU is one of four schools that was punished in 2015 for low APR scores by the NCAA. The men’s basketball and football teams highlight the group that will sit out this post season.

• Dwayne Robinson, the interim athletic director says the school currently has only three academic advisers while most schools average four or five. The athletic department has applied to the NCAA for a $900,000 grant, which Robinson says will help with staffing issues. Our president made a decision to move the management of our budget into the university which has been a good thing," said Robinson.

• As of May 31st the athletic department has taken in $7,275,685 and spent $9,352,419. That’s a negative balance of $2,076,734.  But FAMU estimates it will still finish the year in the hole between $500,000 or $750,000 after more money is taken in. That includes revenue from the MEAC conference and reimbursements from the NCAA for softball and baseball regional.

2015 RATTLER FOOTBALL TICKETS ON SALE! BUY NOW!

Courtesy Tallahassee Press Reports

Nine SWAC Players Selected in 2015 MLB Draft

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama State relief pitchers Armando Ruiz and Jorge Pantoja, Alcorn State center fielder Earl Burl III, Grambling State center fielder Edwin Drexler, Jackson State infielder Melvin Rodriguez, Mississippi Valley State out fielder Kalik May, Southern ceter fielder Lance Jones and Arkansas - Pine Bluff pitchers Andre Davis and Kevin Walsh were selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.

Ruiz was a 29th round selection by the Oakland A’s and appeared in 88 games during his four-year Hornet career, capped off by receiving his Bachelor’s degree in business management last month. He posted a 5-7 record and a 3.97 ERA with 14 saves during his career, with 111 innings pitched and 125 strikeouts. This season, Ruiz was the closer, appearing in 24 games with a 1-1 record with a 3.63 ERA and a career-high seven saves.

Pantoja was selected in the 30th round by the Washington Nationals and appeared in 52 games primarily as a middle reliever. He struck out 54 batters in 56.1 IP during his three-year career.

Burl III (Alcorn State), a member of the 2015 All-SWAC Baseball Tournament team after producing an outstanding performance last week. He recorded two hits, scored two runs and collected three RBIs during the tournament. He also putout seven batters from the opposing teams the Braves faced in the tournament.

JSU's Rodriguez was taken in the 18th round and was the 554 pick. He is the first Tiger to be drafted since Pernell Halliman was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 40th round in 2008. He was named to the NCBWA All-America third team and the ABCA All-Region second team Wednesday morning. His other honors include being named a Louisville Slugger All-American, a finalist for the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, SWAC Player of the Year, SWAC Co-Hitter of the Year, an All-SWAC first team selection, a SWAC All-Tournament team member and was on the Dick Howser Trophy Watch List.

Drexler (Grambling State) was chosen in round 38 by the Los Angeles Dodgers and was second of the team with 39 hits and let the Tigers 30 runs scored starting in all 38 games this past season.

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Kalik May from Mississippi Valley State in round 33. During the 2014 season, Kalik played and started in all 42 games. In 149 at bats, he recorded 17 runs on 36 hits, six doubles, four triples, one homerun and 14 RBIs. His slugging rate for the season was .356 and a fielding of .941. Kalik started and played in 43-43 games this season. In 179 at bats, he recorded 37 runs on 60 hits, 11 doubles, five triples, four homerun and 33 RBIs. His slugging rate this season is .520 and a .896 fielding rate.

Jones had his name called in round 36 by the Bluejays as well. He finished the 2015 season batting .302 with an on base percentage of .400. He was fourth on the team in runs scored (29), RBI (21), and third in doubles with 10. Jones started in 38 of the teams 43 games.

Davis (UAPB) was the highest player drafted among all SWAC athletes going to the Kansas City Royals in the eighth round. This past season for the Golden Lions, Davis saw action in 38 games, while starting in 37 of them. He finished the season with 51 hits in 140 at-bats for a .364 batting average, while driving in 39 runs and scoring 34. He also tallied 12 doubles, one triple and six homers for a total of 19 hits for extra bases. On the mound for UAPB, Davis made 19 appearances on the mound, while making one start. He finished the season with 2.28 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched for a 2-2 record and five saves, while striking out 35. Davis was a 2015 First Team All-SWAC selection.

Walsh was selected in the 21st round by the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday afternoon during the third day of the draft earned First-Team All-SWAC in 2014 and 2015. After transferring from Gloucester Community College, Walsh compiled a 4-2 record with a 1.70 ERA. He allowed 12 runs (eight earned) on 29 hits over 42.1 innings with 54 strikeouts.

Ruiz and Pantoja (Alabama State) became the ninth and 10th ASU baseball players selected in the MLB Draft, with five players drafted in the past two seasons - Jesse Cleveland (1965), Willie Garrison (1967), William Hardy (1979), Rufas Ellis (1984 and 1985), Adrian Urquhart (2002), and Emmanuel Marrero, Richard Amion, and Richard Gonzalez (2014).

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Chowan University's Burden Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in Day Three of MLB Draft

SECAUCUS, New Jersey  -- Chowan University's Tyler Burden was selected on day three of the 2015 MLB Draft on Wednesday afternoon. Burden was drafted in the 20th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Aulander, North Carolina native was the 602nd overall pick and the 17th player taken in the 20th round.

Burden commented, "I could not have done this without my teammates at Chowan. They pushed me each and every day to be the best on the field."

Chowan University Head Baseball Coach, Taylor Furlough noted, "We are really happy for Tyler and his family. Everyone who plays baseball at this level has aspirations to be drafted one day and to see that goal fulfilled is a great feeling. Tyler really worked hard to develop himself during his time in our program and it is rewarding to see that hard work pay off. During the season, we played most of our games in front of five or six scouts each weekend. Tyler and his teammates did a great job focusing on the task at hand, not letting this opportunity become a distraction and I'm really proud of them for that."

Burden continued, "It was my coaches that really played a huge role in my life and helped me succeed on the field but in life in general. They always knew exactly what to say to pick me up…When it comes down to it, I would not have wanted to play for any other college!"

As a junior, Burden posted a .407 batting average, .731 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage for the Chowan Blue and White, tallying 59 hits in 145 at-bats. He notched 11 doubles, a team-high six triples and belted eight homeruns. The 2015 All-CIAA First Team honoree and NCBWA All-Region First Team member accounted for 39 RBI on the season and was a perfect 19-19 in stolen base attempts.

On the mound, Burden tallied 23 strikeouts in 20 innings of work. He ended the season 2-2 with 17 appearances and a 4.05 earned run average. Burden led the Hawks and the CIAA with five saves on the year.

Over the course of three seasons wearing the Chowan Blue and White, Burden compiled a .376 career batting average with 148 hits, 28 doubles, 14 triples, eight homeruns and 76 RBIs. He tallied 51 strikeouts in 48 career innings pitched.

"Finding a couple of players to come in and replace his production as an outfielder and pitcher is going to be tough, but losing his leadership from the program leaves the biggest void," added Furlough. "The Blue Jays didn't just draft a new prospect for their system; they drafted a whole new fan base in the Chowan University community. We all wish him the best of luck in this new endeavor."

COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION  

Claflin Volleyball Announces 2015-16 Signees

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Claflin University head volleyball coach Vernell Keitt-Capers has announced the signing of seven prospects to national letters of intents (NLI's) to play for the Claflin Lady Panthers next season. There were two fall signees and five spring signees.
Inking pacts with the Lady Panthers in the fall were Jordan Wallace and Di'Ahrah Hall. Jamie Dobson, Jhi Piper-Murles, Courtney Taylor, Kiana Ware, and Gabrielle Williams all signed NLI's this past spring.

Wallace a 6-2, middle-blocker from Charlotte, NC (Cannon High School) earned the best defensive player award and coach's award. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she also received her schools Vulcan Materials award.

Hall, a 5-1 defensive specialist/libero hails from Blythewood, SC (Blythewood High School). She was once named the WLTX Player of the Week and was a WLTX Player of the Year nominee. Hall was named to the North-South All-Star Team of South Carolina and was a nominee for senior of the year.

A Stone Mountain, Ga. native out of Lakeside High School, Dobson (5-9, outside hitter), earned 2014 First Team All-Area 6A and All-Tournament Team honors.

Piper-Murles, a 5-6, Libero, from Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork High School), was named the 2011, 2012 and 2014 Best Defensive Player. She was also named the Dutch Fork Most Valuable Player in 2012. In that same year she was named an All-Region Player. In 2013 and 2014 she was named an AAU All-Region Player and in 2014 she was named the Most Valuable Player for her AAU Season. A scholar student-athlete, she received the Certificate of Academic Achievement for maintaining a 3.8 grade point average.

Taylor, a 5-11 right-side/outside hitter from Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek High School) recorded 125 kills, 35 Aces, 20 digs, 12 solo blocks and 30 block assists as a senior. A well-rounded student-athlete she was the team captain and was the recipient of the Coach's Award. She was also a member of the National Honors Society and Executive Class Council.

Ware, who hails from Killen, Texas (Killen High School), is a 5-6, defensive specialist/libero. In 2014 she recorded 227 Digs, including a 30-dig outing, with 25 Aces. In 2013 she earned Second Team All-District and the Defensive MVP. She was named to the First Team All-District, All-Area Team and the varsity team most valuable player. In 2012 she was named a District Honorable Mention selectee. Academically she was a member of the National Honor Society and AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination).

The final signee, Williams hails from Powder Springs, Ga. (John McEachern High School). The 5-8, right-side hitter/setter was a member of the 2014 Area Champions and in 2013 her team finished as the Area Runner-ups.

"This recruiting class brings the skill set that will replace what we lost in the six seniors who graduated this spring," Keitt-Capers said. "I feel that each of them coupled with the returnees will help us be competitive throughout the season."

The Lady Panthers, who finished with a 23-13 overall record, captured the 2014 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Women's Volleyball Title.

COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION