The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and HBCUAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes.
CERVANTES JACKSON COURTESY: ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
ALBANY, Georgia -- For three years at Bainbridge High School, Cervantes Jackson believed in staying in his comfort zone.
On the football field, he was content with playing both ways. He was a wide receiver for the offense, and doubled as a cornerback on the defensive unit. When springtime arrived, Jackson had no problem stealing bases and chasing fly balls in the outfield as a centerfielder.
Additionally, Jackson had another area where he found security. During lunch and between classes, he could always be found performing the latest dance moves.
However, during his senior year, Jackson found himself in a realm where he was unaccustomed.
“I really didn’t want to join the track team,” Jackson admitted. “My coaches Larry and Pat Clark (who are brothers), wanted me to come out there to see what I could do. I really wasn’t feeling it, so I had no CERVANTES plans of going out there.”
Although Jackson had made up his mind about not participating in track & field, there was one other person who would have the final word. CONTINUE READING
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Each team enters the college football season with something to prove in some form or fashion.
This rings true in the SWAC as well.
Five teams stick out above the rest, though, and The Clarion-Ledger will take a look at those teams with the most to prove this fall.
Let's start with a team that didn't make the list.
Honorable mention Alcorn State: Yes, in theory, a back-to-back conference conference champion shouldn't have much to prove. The Braves, which went 9-4 in 2015, lost the architect of their recent success in January when Jay Hopson left to become the coach at Southern Miss. So it will be up to new Alcorn State coach Fred McNair to prove he and the remaining coaches can keep the program's momentum going.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Falling behind and facing a bases-loaded jam with no outs, East Ascension decided to cut the day short for ace Austin Millet, and instead, looked to an inexperienced sophomore named Austin McInnis to stop the bleeding.
McInnis was nervous. He went into the game never expecting to take the mound.
Despite the anxiety, the youngster pushed through and quickly showed what kind of potential he possessed. He struck out 10 Acadiana batters, gave up just one hit and never let the Rams score again.
That performance didn’t just impress his coaches at East Ascension.
“We got on the bus and headed back for Gonzales, and I got a call from a coach named Elliot Jones. I had no idea who he was,” McInnis said. “He told me that he was with Southern University. He really liked what he saw out of me, and he told me he was going to come back and watch some more.”
McInnis’ play that day and the phone call that followed all led to him proudly signing his letters of intent last Tuesday evening.
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Football coaches are a confident sort, but Erik Raeburn seems more optimistic than most. He accepted the Savannah State head coaching job in March, agreeing to take on one of the hardest jobs in college football, in a completely new area of the country for him. But he sees potential and he feels he's uniquely qualified.
"I think this is a great situation. Obviously it's an excellent school, so when we bring recruits and their parents to campus, they can feel like, if my son comes here, when football's over he's going to be able to use his education to get a good job. And the location is excellent. Savannah's one of the most beautiful cities I've been to! We're eight to 10 miles from the beach and eight miles from downtown, where there's constantly festivals and concerts. And there's a ton of opportunities for guys to do internships while they're working on their education.
"And our location from the standpoint of recruiting ... there are so many good high school football players in this area. If you drew a 2.5-hour radius around our campus, there are a million guys that are excellent football players. And we can give in-state tuition to students from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina because they border us. The recruiting base here is pretty fantastic."
All of these things are subjectively true. But they've been true for the previous guys taking on this job, too. CONTINUE READING
SAN DIEGO, Califorinia -- With history already having been made, the Hampton University sailing team competed in the Gill Co-Ed College Sailing Nationals on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the program's first-ever trip to the regatta. The Pirates finished 11th in the Eastern Semifinal, winding up two spots shy of advancing to the finals. Hampton finished with 253 points; ninth-place Fordham had 214 points. Still, the Pirates finished ahead of such schools as Wisconsin (13th), Hawaii (14th), and Florida (15th). Maximilian Kuester and Giuditta Di Laghi sailed in the A Division, as they had all season, picking up a race win and two fourth-place efforts in 12 total races run. The duo accounted for 121 points. In the B Division, Luca Taglialegne, Elisabeth Kuester, and Miles Braden finished second in their first race, while also recording four other top-10 race finishes. The B Division team racked up 132 points. Hampton finishes its seventh season under head coach Alessandro Ambrosi with seven regatta wins – including four in five weeks during the spring – as well as the program's first-ever trip to the College Sailing Nationals. For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com. COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- All-American hurdlerTia-Adana Belle(Jr./St. George, Barbados) of Saint Augustine's University was featured on the WRAL-TV5 and WRAZ FOX 50 newscasts Tuesday. Belle is running for Barbados in the Rio Olympics this summer after a stellar collegiate season.
Belle set the NCAA Division II record (55.82) and the NCAA Division II Championship meet record (56.13) in the women's 400 hurdles. She led the Lady Falcons to a second-place national finish in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend.
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Eighteen Saint Augustine's University student-athletes earned 38 NCAA Division II All-America outdoor track and field honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.
The number of All-Americans reflect the success of the Falcons and Lady Falcons at the outdoor championship meet this past weekend. The Falcons won their fourth consecutive men's crown and the Lady Falcons finished as women runner-ups.
The Falcons led the nation with 18 first-team All-America honors from 10 men. Sprinters Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC) and Daniel Jamieson (Sr./Windsor, CT) were two of four Division II men with three accolades. Ellis is the 200 dash national champion, and he and Jamieson were members of the 4x100 national championship relay squad.
The Lady Falcons led the country with 16 first-team All-America honors from seven women. Ornella Livingston (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica), the 100 dash national champion, was one of two Division II women with four awards. Two-time 400 hurdles champion Tia-Adana Belle (Jr./St. George, Jamaica) was among seven women who gained All-America recognition in three events. She is the D-II championship meet record-holder in the 400 hurdles.
Student-athletes earned first-team honors by finishing among the top eight in their respective events. Student-athletes who placed ninth through 12th gained second-team status.
Below is the list of Falcons and Lady Falcons who garnered All-America honors. To see the complete list, go to ustfccca.org.
NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host the annual Football Press Luncheon, Friday, July 29 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel (235 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510/ (757) 627-4200). MEAC head football coaches and two student-athletes from each team will be on hand to offer an inside view on the upcoming 2016 football season.
A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the press luncheon and can be purchased by calling Natiara Satsatin at (757) 951-2055 or satsatinn@themeac.com. Tickets are $30 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons) and must be purchased by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22.
Media members may obtain a credential for the luncheon and/or one-on-one interviews by completing an application found on www.MEACSports.com. One-on-one interviews will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
The 2016 MEAC football season kicks off on Thursday, September 1 as Delaware State visits Delaware in a non-conference game.
Bethune-Cookman will compete against Alcorn State in the 12th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge also on Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, September 4. Details and ticket information can be found on www.meacswacchallenge.com.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Alabama State coaches, players and fans learned Saturday just how hard it can be to win an NCAA regional game.
With ASU just nine outs from accomplishing a program-defining victory and staving off elimination in Tallahassee, South Alabama scored the game’s final five runs for a 6-3 win that sent the Hornets home.
Saturday was the first game in 37 opportunities this season ASU lost when leading after six innings and the first game the Hornets lost after hitting two home runs. In a season of firsts for the ASU program, going winless in its first NCAA regional experience was a bitter feeling to have as they left Dick Howser Stadium.
“Not the way we wanted to go out,” Alabama State coach Mervyl Melendez said. “We didn’t want to be and thought we were better than 0-2. The players now need to shift the focus from not getting here but doing better than we did this year.”
Melendez is now 1-24 in NCAA Tournament play as a head coach after making 11 regional appearances while at Bethune-Cookman (2000-04, 06-11). The win was in 2002 over Florida International.
Alabama State (39-17) quickly erased the memories from an 18-6 loss to host Florida State from the night before with the help of the home run. CONTINUE READING
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- Lincoln Athletics is proud to introduce its' new Head Women's Soccer Coach Emmanuel Awotula. Coach Awotula comes to Lincoln from Oakland City University, where he was the head coach for the women's soccer program as well as the Intramural Director. While at Oakland City University he posted a record of 16-14-1 and currently holds the highest winning percentage in a single season.
Prior to his time at Oakland City University Awotula coached his alma mater Tennessee Temple five years. Originally from Nigeria, he played for Tennessee Temple University for two years before a career ending injury. He later joined the coaching staff his senior year as the assistant coach for both the men and women's soccer programs. He eventually became the head coach for the women's program. In his first year at Tennessee Temple University he posted the best record in school history. He produced six players that finished top ten in GOALS, assists and goals per game. He also had two players on the all-academic team. While at Tennessee Temple University he also started their track and field team.
The committee was impressed with Coach Awotula's ability to recruit. The institutions he has coached are small colleges not unlike Lincoln and during his time at both schools Awotula was able to bring in good players from around the country and improve on the teams previous records. When asked about his recruiting philosophy Coach Awotula says "I will go anywhere to find students who want to play". During his interview the new coach remarked that he would like to bring in some students from his home country because of the history of Lincoln and Nigeria - he says" there are good student athletes there who would love to come to Lincoln to play where Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of our country earned his degree. Directr of Athletics Dr. Pope believes Coach Awotula will prove to be a valuable asset to Lincoln Athletics upon the coach's hiring he stated " Coach Awotula has the right temperment and approach to recruiting. He is dedicated to education and his sport, thats what we need and look for here" in the Lion's athletic program.
Coach Awotula holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tennessee Temple University. He also holds a Master's of Science in Education degree as well as a Master's of Science in Curriculum and Instruction degree from Oakland City University. He is currently working on his doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Oakland City University.
Coach Awotula and his wife Jennifer have three sons: Noah (7), Isaiah (6) and Micah (4).
Welcome to Lincoln Coach Awotula.
Darryl Pope Ed.D. COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Alabama State knows exactly what mixed emotions felt like Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets left Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday afternoon with the disappointment of a 0-2 performance in the program’s first NCAA regional appearance but also knowing they’ll likely be back as soon as next year.
The message has been changed from the players in their dugout and in the opposing dugout as well: This isn’t the same Alabama State baseball anybody is familiar with anymore.
“The future is bright,” Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez said after Saturday’s 6-3 loss to South Alabama. "We have a lot of freshmen that stepped up and they weren't intimidated. They have a good mindset."
ASU’s lineup Saturday consisted of six players guaranteed to return and three juniors who will have the option to return after the draft is completed next weekend.
“I was doing everything I could for the team,” Alabama State pitcher Angel Alicea said Saturday after a 120-pitch no-decision.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Wayne Brent knew he was under the gun last season. The third-year Jackson State coach had led the Tigers to consecutive 11-win seasons and was working under a contract set to expire at season’s end. But this wasn’t something he shied away from.
"You come into a situation and you have three years on a contract and you start counting," Brent told Jackson’s WJTV12 in March. "Year one, 11-20. Year two, 11-21. You come back your third year and you say okay, if this is going to work, we’re going to have to win. That was something we talked about and I thought our guys responded well to the adverse situation we were placed in."
That pressure may have played a role in a 20-win season that featured the Tigers first postseason victory since 1993. After losing to Southern 54-53 in the SWAC tournament final, Jackson State beat Sam Houston State in the first round of the CIT before bowing out to Grand Canyon on the road. The 20 wins were the program’s most since 2006-07, and represented just the fourth 20-win season since 1977.
Unsurprisingly, Brent was rewarded with a contract extension shortly after the season. He not only has job security going into next year, but also a roster talented and experienced enough to challenge for a SWAC title.
GAINESVILLE, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman’s 15th NCAA Regional appearance ended with a 12-3 loss to Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium at the University of Florida.
Demetrius Sims posted two hits and Nathan Bond drove in two runs for the Wildcats, who erased a 3-0 deficit to manage a 3-3 tie on Michael Cruz’s RBI single in the fourth.
Georgia Tech regained the lead with a three-run fifth, and the Yellow Jacket pitchers would limit the Wildcats to two base runners over the final five innings to remain alive in the double-elimination tournament.
A six-run ninth, highlighted a three-run Tristen English three-run homer, pushed Georgia Tech’s lead to 12-3.
After Georgia Tech took an early 3-0, B-CU came back with two runs in the third. Cruz walked, Danny Rodriguez singled and Bond stroked a two-out double to right.
The Wildcats used a two-out rally in the fourth to tie it with Rakeem Quinn, Sims and Cruz hitting consecutive singles.
Alex Seibold, who had relieved German Hernandez and got the Wildcats out of a third-inning jam and had a solid 1-2-3 fourth, finally gave up a run after three consecutive scoreless relief appearances, including the 1-0 victory over Norfolk State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament final.
Jameel Edney also had a hit for the Wildcats. Ivan Coutinho had two scoreless innings of relief before getting reached for two runs in the ninth.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Alabama State baseball team saw its historic championship season come to an end with a 6-3 loss to South Alabama in an NCAA Tournament elimination game Saturday in the Tallahassee Regional.
The Hornets, who won their first SWAC Championship in legendary fashion in going unbeaten in 28 games against conference opponents in setting a school record for wins (38-17), got home runs from Eriq White and Ray Hernandez, but it was not enough to withstand a late-game rally by South Alabama (41-21).
White's 2-run homer to left field in the second inning, his third of the season, came on the first pitch of the at-bat and scored Hunter Allen for a 2-0 lead.
Leading 2-1 in the fourth, Hernandez hit an 0-2 pitch over the wall in left to give the Hornets a 3-1 lead. It was his 16th homer of the season, adding to his school-record total.
However, Alabama State would not score again. South Alabama chipped away at its deficit, adding single runs in the fourth and seventh to tie the game at 3-3. The Jaguars scored three runs in the eighth to take their first and only lead of the game.
Angel Alicea pitched seven innings for the Hornets, allowing 10 hits and three runs, walking three and striking out five on a career-high 120 pitches. BOX SCORE
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
HAMPTON, Virginia — Hampton University track coach Maurice Pierce hadn't considered the possibility until someone brought it up. But it's true: Senior Trey Holloway became the Pirates' first male athlete to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in four consecutive years.
Holloway, who will be competing in the 110-meter hurdles, is proud of that. But he wants more.
"It wasn't my ultimate goal, but I'm proud to accomplish that by going all four years and making it to the national championships," Holloway said. "I've been taking the best opportunity I have with Coach P and making the best of my training. My main goal is to go ahead and get a national title for the school. The last one hasn't been since Francena (McCorory)."
McCorory won the 400 meters (indoor and outdoor) in 2010. HU's only other national champion was Yvette Lewis, now an assistant coach with the Pirates.
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Standout sprinter Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC) of Saint Augustine's University was named NCAA Division II National Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and legendary Head Coach George Williams of Saint Augustine's University was chosen NCAA Division II National Men's Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
Ellis led the Falcons to their fourth consecutive men's outdoor national crown this past weekend. He won the national title in the 200 dash, placed second in the 100 dash and was part of the national champion 4x100 relay squad. Ellis posted the seventh-best 200 time (20.46) and seventh-fastest 100 time (10.17) in Division II history at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. During the regular season, Ellis ranked first in the 200 with a time of 20.36, which is third-fastest in Division II history.
This is the second national honor for Ellis in two days. On Wednesday, the Saint Augustine's University graduate won the High Point Scorer Award for scoring the most men's points at the outdoor championship meet (20.5). Last week, he was named Atlantic Region Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Williams won his fourth straight USTFCCCA national coaching honor and fifth in seven years after guiding the Falcons to their 15th men's outdoor national title. Williams has captured 18 national coaching honors (men and women, indoor and outdoor combined) since the USTFCCCA first handed out the awards in 1994.
The Falcons scored all their points on the final day to rout co-runner-ups Tiffin University and Texas A&M University-Kingsville 85-36. Saint Augustine's University nearly won the women's team title as well, falling by one point 52-51 to national champion Pittsburg State University. In April, the Falcons claimed their 19th straight CIAA men's title by outscoring Virginia Union University 203-139.83.
Saint Augustine's University has won 38 NCAA national track and field titl
es under Williams. He has won the most NCAA track and field championships of any collegiate coach.
COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- William H. Gray Jr. was born in 1911 to Reverend William H. and Mary Smith Gray. In 1933 he received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bluefield State College and in 1934 a Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He worked seven years as Professor of Education, Principal of the Demonstration Schools, and Field Director of Extension Services at Southern University. In 1942 he received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Education and experience in hand, Gray was later appointed President of the Florida Normal and Industrial College, a private Baptist college in St. Augustine (now Florida Memorial).
It did not take the Board of Control long after J.R.E. Lee’s death to select Gray as FAMC’s next president. Beside impressing the Board during his interview, Gray received support from the prominent Doak S. Campbell, President of Florida State University and D. E. Williams, Supervisor of Negro Education. At 33 years of age there was concern over whether Gray would be mature enough to maintain the role. After a brief background check Gray was appointed at a salary of $4,600.00 a year. Gray was successful in expanding the fiscal boundaries of the college and laying ground for important physical plant expansion. He resigned amid a financial scandal that he was cleared of to take a position he considered to be a higher calling.
ETTRICK, Virginia -- Virginia State University is proud to announce that Trojans' head men's basketball coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. has signed an extended contract with the University and will remain as head coach through 2021.
Coach Blow joined the VSU Trojan family in 2013. During his three seasons as head coach, he led VSU to an overall record of 56-24 and extended his career coaching record to 118-54. Under Blow's leadership, the Trojans finished the 2015-2016 season as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Co-Divisional Champions and clinched the 2016 CIAA Basketball Tournament Title. "Coach Blow is a true leader for our men's team," said VSU President, Dr. Makola Abdullah. "Not only does he motivate them to excel on the court, but in the classroom as well. We are excited that he will remain an integral part of our Trojan family."
Blow's superb coaching skills during the regular season led to him being named the "2016 CIAA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year" and "2016 Mid-Major Coach of the Year." The Trojans advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Playoffs, progressing to the second round. Before falling short to West Liberty University in the semifinals of the NCAA Playoffs, the Trojans went on their longest winning streak of the season with eight consecutive wins. "It is an honor to remain a member of the Trojan family," says Coach Lonnie Blow. "I am excited about the future of our program and look forward to continuing the legacy that we have begun here."
"Virginia State University is fortunate to have a head men's basketball coach of the caliber of Lonnie Blow, Jr.," says VSU Director of Athletics Peggy Davis. "His leadership ability, coaching style, and all around commitment to our student-athletes' academic success makes him the right fit for Virginia State University. We are proud that Coach Blow has made the commitment to continue to lead our men's basketball team."
For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030. COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
COLUMBUS, Georgia – Columbus State University Director of Athletics Todd Reeserintroduced Anita Howard as the next head coach of the Lady Cougar basketball program at a press conference Friday morning.
Howard becomes the third head coach in program history, following Jonathan Norton and Jay Sparks.
"I am pleased to attract a rising star in the basketball coaching profession inAnita Howard to lead our highly successful women's basketball program," CSU Director of Athletics Todd Reeser said. "Anita brings a passion for people and coaching, and her proven ability to recruit and develop young women for success, on and off the court, makes her the perfect choice to lead our program forward.
"I could not be more excited for the future of Columbus State women's basketball."
Howard comes to Columbus State after a pair of winning seasons at NCAA Division II Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. Howard guided the Lady Blue Bears to a 41-14 record achieving a top-five ranking for the first time in program history. In 2014-15, Howard led Livingstone to a 26-2 overall mark, including winning 23 consecutive games to set the longest winning streak in HBCU history.
"I am thrilled to be the new head coach of the Columbus State University women's basketball program," Howard said. "I have to thank God, my family, President Markwood and Todd Reeser for allowing me this outstanding opportunity. Columbus State has a long tradition of success and it is my goal to take that success to the next level.
"Columbus State has a great foundation that has been laid by my predecessors and I'm looking forward to the challenge of building upon their successes and leading the Lady Cougars to the ultimate goal of a national championship."
Before Livingstone, Howard coached at Division III Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C. for two seasons. In her first season, Howard turned around Salem leading the Spirits to a 13-win improvement from the season prior and a 17-11 overall record. She was named the Great South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for her efforts. Just a year later, Howard won Salem's first GSAC Championship with a 22-5 record sending the Spirits to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Overall, Howard's career coaching record is 79-30, a .724 winning percentage, in four seasons.
Prior to her head coaching stints, Howard was an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State University,Shaw University and Saint Augustine's University. She helped each program find success in her tenure. At Shaw, Howard helped the Lady Bears to a CIAA Championship and a trip to the Division II Final Four in 2010-11. As the associate head coach at Saint Augustine's, the Lady Falcons became one of the top defensive teams in Division II while she also help to produce the 2012 CIAA Player of the Year. At her first coaching stop at Winston-Salem State, Howard helped the team transition into the Division I game ushering in a new era in their women's basketball history.
Howard was a stellar player herself in her collegiate days. She played three seasons from 1998-2001 at Fort Valley State willing FVSU to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. She was named the SIAC's Defensive Player of the Year in all three seasons while also earning a spot on the Dean's List twice. Howard wrapped up her playing days at fellow Peach Belt Conference school Armstrong State where she continued her success. Howard helped the Pirates to their first ever PBC title in 2003 with a 27-3 record. She graduated from Armstrong Magna Cum Laude in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts design.
Following college, Howard began coaching at the high school and AAU level in Georgia. She took Savannah High School to the school's first state playoff appearance in 25 years. She served as the head coach of the Peach State Elite travel team, coaching several All-State players.
Howard was born in Montgomery, Ala. and is married to Theo Howard. They have three children – Jason, Thallan and Theo II.
What They're Saying
"Columbus State has found a winner in Anita Howard. She brings a wealth of coaching experience to the table and I know she will continue to excel and raise the bar just as she has on every step of her head coaching journey leading up to this new position. Anita has a passion for the game, relates well to her student-athletes, and is a competitor. I know she is excited to be back in her home state and I look forward to watching her do great things at Columbus State." -Joni Taylor University of Georgia Head Women's Basketball Coach
"Anita is a rising star in women's basketball! Her love and passion for the game is evident when you meet her! She is a great role model and a hardworking coach that will have an instant impact at Columbus State!" -MaChelle Joseph Georgia Tech Head Women's Basketball Coach
"Congratulations to Columbus State University for hiring Anita Howard as its new head women's basketball coach. I've observed unparalleled energy and passion in her leadership. She is a true winner and a great person!" -Dwight Howard (No Relation) Eight-Time NBA All-Star
"Columbus State has made an excellent hire in Anita Howard. Anita prides herself on her faith, family, friendships and the future of the young women that she impacts on a daily basis. Anita is a player's coach! Her knowledge and passion for the game is contagious to all who come in contact with her. Anita is a proven winner and competitor. Her team will play with passion, discipline and a competitive spirit. She is a tireless worker who will continue the winning tradition at Columbus State while embarking on establishing an even bigger winning tradition of her own." -Natasha Adair Georgetown University Head Women's Basketball Coach
"I am very happy for Anita! She is a great coach looking to make a impact on the student-athlete on and off the court!" -Josh Howard (No Relation) Ten-year NBA Veteran
"Congratulations to both Columbus State and Anita Howard on Anita's recent appointment as Head Women's Basketball Coach. I have enjoyed getting to know Anita over the last several years with her involvement in our summer camps. She is a fabulous teacher and a rising star full of energy and enthusiasm for this game we all love. The swift turn-around she led at Salem College was remarkable and I am sure the Cougars will benefit from the guidance of this bright young coach immediately." -Jen Hoover Wake Forest University Head Women's Basketball Coach
"I applaud Columbus State for finding and recognizing what a wonderful coach, mentor, and person Anita Howard is. She has helped Livingstone reach amazing milestones and I know she will do an outstanding job leading the women's basketball team at Columbus State. You have secured a proven winner and rising star in our profession!" -Jackie Carson Furman University Head Women's Basketball Coach
"Anita Howard is the consummate professional. She is definitely a rising star in the women's game. Her passion translates into creating a winning culture both on and off the court. I'm excited to see her footprint on the program at Columbus State. You have a true winner on your hands!" -Charlotte Smith Elon University Head Women's Basketball Coach
"I am excited to learn of Coach Howard's hiring as head basketball coach. Her energy and passion should positively impact Columbus State for years to come." -Matt Doherty Former Division I Head Coach and current NBA Scout COURTESY COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
MIAMI, Florida -- As part of the dwindling offseason, SOTU will preview each game on the Canes' schedule. During the season there will be much more in-depth previews the week before each game, but these will serve to get you ready for what is to come. Enjoy!
The 2016 Miami Hurricanes football season will start as many do for Power 5 teams: by playing and FCS school. This year, the Canes schedule gets started with a team who has been the early season matchup several times in recent years, when the Florida A&M Rattler visit a renovated Sun Life Stadium on September 3rd.
Still Rebuiding
Once a pillar of HBCU football, FAMU has fallen on hard times recently.
The Rattlers have not appeared in the FCS playoffs since 2001, and that streak probably will not be broken in 2016. Coming off a 1-10 season in 2015, the Rattlers are simply trying to become a mediocre team in the 2016 season.
Now, to be fair, the Rattlers played several close games in 2015, losing to Tennessee St 24-14, Savannah State 37-27, North Carolina Central 27-24, and Morgan State 21-7. The above listed team are okay to poor at the FCS level, and FAMU played them close but couldn't win.
Maybe the Rattlers start winning a few of those games in this and future years, but they're quite a way from being the kind of team who can compete with Miami for more than maybe a quarter.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The 2016 SWAC Champion Alabama State baseball team lost its NCAA Tournament opening game to Florida State 18-6 Friday night at Dick Howser Stadium. The Hornets (38-16) will face South Alabama (40-21) in an 11 a.m. CT elimination game Saturday with a live radio broadcast on bamastatesports.com/showcase and a live video stream on ESPN3.com. Florida State (38-20) took advantage of three first-inning errors by Alabama State to take a 7-0 lead. Trailing 10-1 after four innings, the Hornets rallied in the seventh. Ray Hernandez led off with a single. With two outs, pinch hitter Hunter Allen singled to left field, scoring Hernandez. Yamil Pagan then doubled to left center, scoring Allen. Diandre Amion then homered on a 3-2 pitch to right field, cutting the ASU deficit to 10-6. However, two seventh-inning Alabama State errors contributed to seven Florida State runs. Hernandez, Dillon Cooper, and Chris Biocic each had two hits for the Hornets, who will face South Alabama for the third time this season. The Jaguars won 4-3 in 10 innings in Mobile on Feb. 24, while Alabama State won 12-7 in Montgomery on April 5.
GAINESVILLE, Florida — Former Plant High standout Peter Alonso hit two home runs in his first game since returning from a broken hand as host and top national seed Florida beat Bethune-Cookman 9-3 Friday in the first day of the NCAA baseball tournament's Gainesville Region.
Alonso hadn't played since May 13, when a bone in his left hand was broken by a 95 mph fastball from Vanderbilt's Jordan Sheffield. On Friday, Alonso delivered a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth, giving him 11 on the season. He also singled in the eighth.
UF ace Logan Shore (11-0) allowed two earned runs in 61/3 innings. Tyler Norris surrendered six runs, four earned, in 22/3 for the Wildcats, the MEAC tournament champion.
The Gators (48-13), who improved to 31-0 all time against Bethune-Cookman, face Connecticut today at 6 p.m. in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination region. UConn, the No. 3 seed and American Athletic Conference tournament champion, defeated Georgia Tech 7-6. Bethune-Cookman (29-26) faces the Yellow Jackets today at noon in an elimination game.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – South Carolina State head women's basketball coach Doug Robertson announced Friday the signing of three more student-athletes who will play for the Lady Bulldogs in the upcoming season.
Robertson welcomes five-foot-nine forward Schekinah Bimpa (Kinshasa, Congo/Loganville HS (Ga.)), 5-4 point guard Bryeasha Blair (Chicago, Ill./University of Central Florida), and 5-9 guard Chantel Williams (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek HS).
Bimpa averaged 13.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 steal per game as a senior last season at Loganville High School in Loganville, Ga. She helped the Red Devils to a 21-9 overall record during the 2015-16 season and a 12-2 mark in regional play.
"Schekinah is a tough inside player who can score the ball, crash the boards and create turnovers", Robertson said.
Blair played two seasons at the University of Central Florida and graduated with a bachelor's degree in interpersonal communications in May 2015. She will work towards an MBA at SC State and will have two years of eligibility with the Lady Bulldogs. Prior to UCF, she was a four-year player at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Ill., leading her team to the 2008 Illinois State Championship and the Chicago City Championships in 2009 and 2010.
"Bryeasha has previous Division I playing experience that will help us tremendously at the point guard position", said Robertson.
Williams played in 28 games this past season as a senior at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, N.C. She averaged 11.9 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals per game while helping the Mavericks to a 26-2 overall record. As a sophomore, she tallied 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and two steals per game.
Williams Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/7140969/chantel-williams
"Chantel is a quick guard who will create scoring options for us", Robertson said.
Bimpa, Blair and Williams join 6-1 power forward Alexis Scott (Anderson, S.C./West Side HS) who signed during the early period. Scott helped the Lady Rams to an 18-5 overall record and an appearance in the 2015 SC HS Class AAAA playoffs during the 2014-15 season. Scott also led WHS to the Region 1-AAAA title while averaging 14.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in 2014-15.
Scott Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4802227/highlights/244149376
"Alexis is great athlete we were fortunate to sign in the early period," Robertson said. "She will give our game an added dimension in the paint with her ability to score and defend the basket."
COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
HOUSTON, Texas -- The City of Houston has made an offer to the Southwestern Athletic Conference to move its headquarters from Birmingham, Ala. to Houston.
“We’re trying to move them here from Alabama and set them up in the city of Houston,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.
“We have made an offer for them to consider, and they are taking a look at it. Hopefully, we can get them here.
The SWAC headquarters has been located in Birmingham, Alabama since 1999. Before that the conference headquarters was in New Orleans.
“If they accept our offer we have told them where they would be,” Turner said. “Their offices would be in the downtown area. We’ve given them a pretty good deal from a financial point of view, much, much better than where they are right now.” CONTINUE READING
SUMMATION OF LIFE & LEADERSHIP OF FAMU’S PRESIDENTS, SERIES PART 5: JUBIE B. BRAGG, ACTING [1944]
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA -- Jubie B. Bragg was born in Twiggs County Georgia in 1876. He lived with his parents in Macon, Georgia from 1881 to 1886. For that period his parents taught him how to spell simple words. He expanded his vocabulary by using a Webster’s Blue-Book Speller. He attended school on a limited basis until 1886 when at the age of only 10 years old both parents died within ten days apart.
He lived in different places and took on odd jobs that didn’t make much money. He tried to stay afresh of the things he had learned. At twelve years of age he went to live with his uncle and further developed a work ethic on his uncle’s farm. Two months of the year he attended school. After three years he returned to his home town of Macon, Georgia. Later on he was encouraged by young men who had attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to consider going to school there, Bragg discussed the idea of furthering his education with family members. He was discouraged from attending Tuskegee because the family members felt strongly his current education would suffice. Acting against the will of family members Bragg entered Tuskegee Institute on September 11, 1893.
Bragg had no money for tuition or living expenses and relied on the school providing work to pay expenses. He attended night school and eventually chose wheelwrighting as his primary study. He would also take academic courses. As each year progressed he was successfully promoted. About his initial experience in educational leadership J. B. Bragg writes:
