TSU's Cheeseborough-Guice, McMillan, White members of Inaugural National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame Class

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tigerbelle legends Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice, Kathy McMillan and Willye B. White are among the 30 members of the inaugural class of the National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. 

The 2018 class will be inducted during a gala awards dinner on March 8, 2018, at the New York Athletic Club. The dinner will take place on the eve of the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships at the Armory in New York City. Some of the other inductees include legends Jesse Owens, Steve Prefontaine and Jim Ryun, among others.

Cheeseborough, who currently serves as TSU’s director of Track and Field, starred at Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Fla. in the mid-1970s. She went on to star for the Tigerbelles and won three medals, including two golds, for the US at the 1984 Olympics.

McMillan competed for Hoke County High School in North Carolina in the 1970s. She earned the silver in the long jump at the 1976 Olympics.

White, who passed away in 2007, attended Broad Street High School in Mississippi in the mid-1950s and earned Olympic silver medals in 1956 (long jump) and 1964 (4x100m relay).

The Hall of Fame selection committee included noted track and field historians and statisticians Mark Bloom, Bob Jarvis, Dave Johnson, Mike Kennedy, Joe Lanzalotto, Marjorie Larney, Walt Murphy, Jack Pfeifer, Jack Shepard, Jim Spier and Tracy Sundlun. The Hall will honor three categories of inductees:

Athletes: Competitors who have demonstrated exemplary athletic performance while in high school.
Coaches: Leaders who have created excellence at the program level, achieving extraordinary results year after year.

Contributors: Innovators and game changers. These may include administrators or media members who have elevated high school-age track and field through innovative work and tireless dedication.
For more information on the High School Track and Field Hall of Fame or to view detailed biographies of the inaugural induction class, visit nationalhighschooltrackandfieldhof.org

National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Ted Meredith
Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, 1912

Sol Butler
Rock Island HS, Rock Island, IL, 1915

Lee Barnes
Hollywood HS, Los Angeles, CA, 1924

Frank Wykoff
Glendale HS, Glendale, CA, 1928

Betty Robinson
Thornton Township HS, Harvey, IL, 1929

Cornelius Johnson
Los Angeles HS, Los Angeles, CA, 1933

Jesse Owens
East Tech HS, Cleveland, OH, 1933

Helen Stephens
Fulton HS, Fulton, MO, 1935

Eddie Morris
Huntington Beach HS, CA, 1940

Alice Coachman
Tuskegee Prep School, Tuskegee, AL, 1942

Bob Mathias
Tulare HS, Tulare, CA, 1948

Milt Campbell
Plainfield HS, Plainfield, NJ, 1953

Willye White
Broad Street HS, Shelby, MS, 1957

Dallas Long
North Phoenix HS, Phoenix, AZ, 1958

Gerry Lindgren
Rogers HS, Spokane, WA, 1964

Jim Ryun
East HS, Wichita, KS, 1965

Steve Prefontaine
Marshfeld HS, Coos Bay, OR, 1969

Lynn Bjorklund
Los Alamos HS, Los Alamos, NM, 1975

Mary Decker
Orange HS, Orange, CA, 1976

Kathy McMillan
Hoke County HS, Raeford, NC, 1976

Chandra Cheeseborough
Ribault HS, Jacksonville, FL, 1977

Renaldo Nehemiah
Scotch Plains HS, Scotch Plains, NJ, 1977

Michael Carter
Jefferson HS, Dallas, TX, 1979

Kim Gallagher
Upper Dublin HS, Fort Washington, PA, 1982

Alan Webb
South Lakes HS, Reston, VA, 2001

Allyson Felix
Los Angeles Baptist HS, North Hills, CA, 2003
 

COACHES & CONTRIBUTORS

John Dye
Founder, Dyestat.Com

Ed Grant
Journalist

Joe Newton
York High School, Elmhurst, Il

Don Norford
Long Beach Poly, Long Beach, CA

For more information on the High School Track and Field Hall of Fame or to view detailed biographies of the inaugural induction class, visit nationalhighschooltrackandfieldhof.org

About the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation, Inc.

The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation, Inc. (NASF)  is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 c (3) organization founded in 1990 with the mission of supporting high school and junior-aged track and field athletes in the US.  The NSAF conducts national high school competitions, including the New Balance Indoor and Outdoor Nationals; clinics and event-specific development projects as well as various grant programs totaling over $250,000 annually.  For more information about the NSAF, please visit nationalscholastic.org.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION

B-CU's Rodriguez, Maldonado Named Preseason Player, Pitcher of the Year

NORFOLK, Virginia  —  Bethune-Cookman junior Danny Rodriguez was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Preseason Player of the Year and teammate Anthony Maldonado was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year, the conference announced today.

All awards were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Rodriguez was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 MEAC Baseball Championships and a First Team All-MEAC selection at first base. He led the MEAC in slugging percentage at .555, home runs with 11 and total bases with 126, while his 75 hits were second-most in the conference and his 46 RBIs ranked third. Rodriguez was also second in the MEAC last season in doubles with 18, and his .988 fielding percentage ranked eighth in the MEAC.

Maldonado was a First Team All-MEAC selection as a freshman last season, going 8-4 on the mound with a 3.02 ERA. Opponents hit just .222 off Maldonado last year, and he struck out 61 batters in 86.1 innings pitched. A Collegiate Baseball News Freshman All-American in 2017, Maldonado ranked third in the conference in wins, opponents’ batting average and innings pitched, fourth in ERA and tied for fourth in strikeouts. He was also named to the MEAC All-Tournament Team.

Joining Rodriguez and Maldonado on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Bethune-Cookman’s Tyler Norris (SP), Ivan Coutinho (RP), Jameel Edney (3B) and Adonis Lao (OF), Florida A&M’s Willis McDaniel (OF) and Garrett Wilkinson (UTL), North Carolina A&T State’s Adan Ordonez (C), Brandon Melendez (SS) and Myles Sowell (OF) and North Carolina Central’s Corey Joyce (2B).

The 2018 MEAC baseball season begins on Friday, Feb. 16, when seven of the conference’s nine baseball schools are in action.

2018 MEAC Baseball Preseason All-Conference Teams
As voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors

Preseason Player of the Year: Danny Rodriguez, Bethune-Cookman
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Anthony Maldonado, Bethune-Cookman

FIRST TEAM

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Class	School	Hometown
Anthony Maldonado	SP	6-4	So.	Bethune-Cookman	West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tyler Norris	SP	6-1	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Coral Springs, Fla.
Ivan Coutinho	RP	6-1	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Winter Park, Fla.
Adan Ordonez	C	5-7	Sr.	N.C. A&T State	Clermont, Fla.
Danny Rodriguez	1B	6-3	Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Corey Joyce	2B	6-1	So.	N.C. Central	Lexington, N.C.
Jameel Edney	3B	5-8	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	West Palm Beach, Fla.
Brandon Melendez	SS	5-9	Sr.	N.C. A&T State	Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Adonis Lao	OF	6-0	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Elmhurst, N.Y.
Myles Sowell	OF	6-2	Sr.	N.C. A&T State	Greensboro, N.C.
Willis McDaniel	OF	5-9	Jr.	Florida A&M	Tallahassee, Fla.
Garrett Wilkinson	UTL	5-8	Sr.	Florida A&M	Evans, Ga.

SECOND TEAM

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Class	School	Hometown
Devin Sweet	SP	5-10	Sr.	N.C. Central	Greensboro, N.C.
Chase Anderson	SP	5-9	Jr.	Norfolk State	Norfolk, Va.
Justice Sampson	RP	6-0	Sr.	N.C. Central	Lumberton, N.C.
Jacky Miles, Jr.	C	6-0	r-Sr.	Florida A&M	Graceville, Fla.
Brian Davis	1B	5-10	Sr.	Florida A&M	Pensacola, Fla.
Nate Sterijevski	2B	5-10	Jr.	Bethune-Cookman	Clermont, Fla.
Justin Burrell	3B	6-3	r-Sr.	Norfolk State	Newport News, Va.
Dominic Cuevas	SS	6-0	Sr.	N.C. Central	Gurnee, Ill.
Greg White	OF	6-1	Sr.	N.C. A&T State	Greensboro, N.C.
Kyle Corbin	OF	6-1	Sr.	Bethune-Cookman	Orlando, Fla.
Carter Williams	OF	6-3	So.	N.C. Central	Brown Summit, N.C.
Perry "AJ" Hunt	UTL	5-11	Sr.	N.C. A&T State	Chesapeake, Va.

 MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERECE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Delaware State, Bethune-Cookman Picked to Win MEAC Baseball Divisions

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Delaware State and Bethune-Cookman were selected to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern and Southern Divisions, respectively, in baseball this season, the conference office announced today.

The poll was voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Delaware State picked up 13 first-place votes in being tabbed the preseason favorite to win the Northern Division, racking up 67 points. The Hornets finished second in the division last season and advanced to the third day of the 2017 MEAC Baseball Championship.

Norfolk State, which has won the Northern Division each of the last three seasons and was in last year’s championship game, was picked to finish second after tallying five first-place votes and 56 points. The Spartans are entering their first season under interim head coach Keith Shumate, and they lost the reigning MEAC Player of the Year (Alex Mauricio) and Pitcher of the Year (Devin Hemmerich).

Coppin State and Maryland Eastern Shore, entering its first season under head coach Brian Hollamon, rounded out the Northern Division.

Bethune-Cookman, with 13 first-place votes and 84 points, was picked to win the Southern Division. The Wildcats won the MEAC title last season, their 19th, before becoming the first MEAC team ever to advance to an NCAA regional final – where they faced eventual national champion Florida. Bethune-Cookman will be entering its first season under interim head coach Barrett Shaft.

North Carolina A&T State, under the direction of reigning MEAC Coach of the Year Ben Hall, was picked to finish second, edging out Florida A&M (five first-place votes) 64 points to 63.

North Carolina Central and Savannah State rounded out the Southern Division.

The 2018 MEAC baseball season begins on Friday, Feb. 16, when seven of the conference’s nine baseball schools are in action.

2018 MEAC Baseball Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by the leagues’ head coaches and sports information directors

NORTHERN DIVISION

School (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Delaware State (13)	67
2. Norfolk State (5)	56
3. Coppin State	32
4. Maryland Eastern Shore	25

SOUTHERN DIVISION

School (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (13)	84
2. North Carolina A&T State	64
3. Florida A&M (5)	63
4. North Carolina Central	37
5. Savannah State	22

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU's Simmons looks forward to signing day

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Willie Simmons may not know what to do with an extra hour of sleep on National Signing Day.

On the other hand, Florida A&M’s new football coach may find sleep difficult due to the hubbub that continues to build around his program.

“The excitement of not only the local community, but coaches, administrators, teachers throughout the high schools we have recruited, just the excitement that they’ve seen Florida A&M coaches actively recruiting their schools,” Simmons said Tuesday morning from his campus office.

“That’s probably been the biggest compliment that we’ve gotten over the last three weeks is how excited they are that we are back in their schools recruiting.”

Simmons has worked nonstop since his introductory press conference in mid-December.

His lengthy to-do list has included the family’s move from Houston; the completion of his staff that will be introduced to the public during the Rattlers’ signing day party at The Moon Wednesday; the implementation of offseason workouts; and, of course, recruiting.

CONTINUE READING

The business and history behind HBCU ‘Classics’

TOP HBCU CLASSICS BY ATTENDANCE - 2017

5. Southern Heritage Classic: 47,407 Fans, Tennessee State beats Jackson State, 17-15, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee, Sept. 9, 2017. Record Attendance 1997: 61,171. Largest attended FCS football game played in Tennessee.

4. Florida Blue Florida Classic: 47,819 Fans, Bethune-Cookman defeats Florida A&M, 29-24, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida, Nov. 18, 2017, Record Attendance 2003: 73,358. Since its inception in 1978, the game has now seen over 1.8 million spectators attend the game (1,892,687).

3. State Fair Classic: 55,231 Fans, Grambling State beats Prairie View A&M, 34-21, Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX, Oct. 7, 2017. The State Fair Classic is the largest Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football game in Texas.

2. Magic City Classic: 61,221 Fans, Alabama State wins game against Alabama A&M, 21-16, Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama, Oct. 28, 2017. AAMU and ASU has played in the Magic City Classic since 1945 with AAMU leading the series 39-34-3. Economic Impact is $24.3 million.

1. Bayou Classic: 66,550 Fans, Grambling State beat Southern, 30-21, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, Nov. 24, 2017. This game has been nationally televised since 1991 by NBC Network (broadcast costs paid by Southern and Grambling State).




NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Every time the Grambling and Southern football teams descend on New Orleans over Thanksgiving weekend for the Bayou Classic, the plethora of pageantry not only includes the rivalry game, but also a week-long, immersive happening, and a festive social and cultural celebration.

However, underneath the merriment and revelry is economics. By attracting fans, students, journalists and other enthusiasts to New Orleans by the thousands, the Bayou Classic raises tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships.

The game also provides each school’s athletic department with a significant shot of crucial funding that’s used to balance the books for the sports programs.

“It’s critical for us to have these rivalry games,” said Grambling Athletic Director Paul Bryant. “It’s all to generate revenue by putting a spotlight on our kids.”

Fortunately, the annual event has been on the upswing since experiencing dire straits for several years, especially during and after Hurricane Katrina. The Classic’s rebirth was highlighted by a recent annual survey that ranked it as the most-attended HBCU classic of 2017, with 66,550 fervent followers filling the Superdome to witness a 30-21 Grambling victory. The Bayou Classic edged out such similarly significant clashes like the Magic City Classic, the State Fair Classic and the Florida Classic.

In addition, the Southern-Grambling showdown – a rivalry that stretches back nearly 90 years and has formally existed as Bayou Classic since 1974 – claimed the top spot among the 35 most-attended Football Championship Subdivision games last year.

The rankings reveal the significant financial and institutional improvement exhibited by the Bayou Classic; since the management firm NOCCI took over the organizational and outreach aspects in 2017, attendance has shown a marked increase of more than 63 percent.



CONTINUE READING

Toyota SWAC Basketball Tourney coming to Delmar

HOUSTON, Texas – The 2018 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament will be relocating to the newly renovated Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston from March 9-10 in Houston.

The women’s and men’s basketball semifinals will be held March 9 while each of the championship games will be played on Saturday, March 10. ESPN programming will be broadcasting each of the championship games.

The opening rounds of the tournament will be held on campus sites of the higher seeds on Tuesday, March 6.

Houston ISD's Delmar Fieldhouse officially opened in February 2017. The $35.2 million facility marks the competition of a project that started under the district's 2012 bond program.



The 5,000-seat facility, located at 2020 Mangum Road, features a removable maple court, retractable lower level seating and six locker rooms. The court features a star representing the HISD logo and an image of Houston's skyline.

The event will be ticketed by sessions. Session one is for the early Friday semis, session two will be for Friday's evening semis while session three will be slated for the championship games on Saturday.

Schedule
Friday, March 9 Semifinal Games
Session 1

Noon Game #1 Women's (#1/ #8 seed winner vs. #4/#5 seed winner)
2:30 Game #2 Men's (#1/#8 winner vs. #4/#5 seed winner)

Session 2

6:00 Game #3 Women's (#3/#6 seed winner vs. #2/#7 seed winner)
8:30 Game #4 Men's (#3/#6 seed winner vs. #2/#7 seed winner)

Saturday, March 10 Championship Games
Session 3

12:30 Game #5 Women's Final (Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner)
Final-Live on ESPN3
Tape delay-ESPNU on Sunday, March 11 4:00 p.m.

4:00 Game #6 Men's Final (Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner)
Televised live on ESPN2

Ticket prices
$15 for each semifinal session / $20 for the championship session (parking included for both)

$10 for students for each semifinal session (with valid student ID in person at the ticket office) / $10 for championship (with valid student ID in person at the ticket office)

Group rate for 10 or more people
$12 per person for either of the Friday semifinal sessions/ $17 per person for the championship session on Saturday

Get your tickets here now:

https://statechamps.com/clients/swac/?CONTENT_ID=2143442&DB_OEM_ID=27400

Doors Open
Delmar Fieldhouse will be open to the public 60 minutes prior to the first game of each session.

Non-permissible items
The arena management is responsible for enforcing the SWAC’s policies in this area. Patrons shall be encouraged to return non-permissible items to their automobiles, when applicable. An area shall be established for the checking of such articles at the patron’s expense.

Tobacco products of any kind, including smoking and chewing, are prohibited in all seating areas of the arena. A ticketed patron may not bring video and/or camera equipment into the arena. Noisemakers (This includes Thundersticks of any type are prohibited. Intoxicants are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated if a patron attempts to bring them in the arena. Containers, including coolers, thermos jugs, squeeze bottles, etc. may not be brought into the area. Signs, flags and banners are not permissible. Items that can be held by one individual that reflect good sportsmanship and do not block the view of other ticket patrons may be permitted. In no case may a sign, flag or banner be affixed to any structural area of the arena including the fence around the playing floor. Promotional items (i.e. cups, shatters, flags, etc.) with commercial slogans or identification are not allowed on the premises without the permission of the SWAC. Items such as newspapers, handbills, flyers, memorabilia, promotional materials, etc. may not be distributed anywhere on Delmar Fieldhouse premises, including city-controlled parking areas. Radios without earphones are not permitted. A person listening to a radio MUST use earphones when listening in order to not disturb surrounding patrons.

Official Parking
Official parking passes are issued by the SWAC. A limited number of parking spaces will be designated for SWAC personnel, volunteers and media members near the Delmar Fieldhouse entrance.

Public Parking
A 2,500-space parking garage is located adjacent to the Delmar Fieldhouse. Approximately 10,000 parking spaces are located within a few blocks, providing easy access to Delmar Fieldhouse. The fee for parking varies for the garage and the areas within a few blocks of the site.

Bus Parking
Complimentary bus parking is located in the loading dock of the Delmar Fieldhouse for teams competing in the current session.

SWAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Gold Rush move closer to first place in conference

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana'sJalen David continued his hot streak Monday, scoring 18 points to lead the Gold Rush to a 71-61 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
     
The Gold Rush (18-6, 5-2), ranked 23rd in the NAIA, moved half a game behind GCAC leaders Dillard and Talladega. Dillard beat Talladega to move into a tie for first place at 6-2.
     
David led XULA in scoring for the sixth time in the last eight games. He also grabbed eight rebounds.
     
Jeff Dixon and Joseph Williams scored 16 points apiece for XULA. Dixon had five assists to regain the NAIA Division I season lead with 129. Williams grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots.
     
Will Ibeh scored a career-high 27 points for the Tigers (6-15, 0-7), who lost for the ninth time in 10 games. Prince Braynen scored 14 points, and Rasaad Morgan had eight points, 11 rebounds and six blocks.
     
XULA had to right its ship twice. The Gold Rush trailed 7-2 and 12-6 but rallied to take a 37-24 halftime lead. The Tigers cut the XULA lead to 39-37 on an Ibeh 3-pointer with 13:26 remaining, but the Gold Rush answered with a 12-0 run over the next 4 1/2 minutes and clinch a 12th victory in the last 14 games.
     
XULA outshot Edward Waters 42.6 to 36.7 percent from the floor and made 26-of-34 free throws to the Tigers' 13-of-16. XULA had a 39-31 rebound advantage.
     
XULA will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 7:30 p.m. next Monday.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Nuggets explode in 4th quarter to tame Lady Tigers

NEW ORLEANS — Mikayla Bates and Ireyon Keithcombined Monday to make 5-of-5 fourth-quarter 3-pointers — the sharpest daggers in a 19-0 run that carried Xavier University of Louisiana to a 70-62 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against Edward Waters. 

The Gold Nuggets (9-11, 2-5) earned their second straight GCAC victory after dropping their first five decisions.   



XULA trailed 47-46 through three quarters, then took control with seven scores in eight possessions during the first five minutes of the fourth. Keith sank treys at 9:33 and 5:01, and sandwiched in between were Bates 3-pointers at 7:32, 6:31 and 5:45. Gina Smith and DeDe Martinez tacked on 2-pointers.

On the other side of the rally, Martinez and Maya Trench produced steals, and Smith blocked a shot.
     
Bates finished with 14 points, and Martinez, Keith and Taylor Jacob scored 10 apiece. Smith grabbed six rebounds and produced a career-high-tying four steals for the second straight game, and Trench had seven assists. Martinez had three blocks and three steals.
     
Jermisha Collins scored 20 points, Lashe Kirkland 14 and Brittany Thompson 12 for the Lady Tigers (19-4, 4-3), who were denied their first-ever two-game regular-season sweep of XULA. Collins had five steals, and Kirkland and Brittany Rowell grabbed seven rebounds apiece.
     
The Gold Nuggets produced season bests for field-goal accuracy, 46.8 percent, and 3-point accuracy, 57.1. Their eight made 3s tied a season high.
     
XULA will visit GCAC and city rival SUNO at 5:30 p.m. next Monday.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

High-flying Hawks: Maryland Eastern Shore hoops broke HBCU barriers

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- There isn’t much that’s special about Princess Anne, Maryland. It’s a tiny town of about 4,000 people in the state’s poorest county nestled on the Delmarva Peninsula.
But for one remarkable season — in 1974 — it was near the top of the college basketball universe.

That’s the year that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and their high-powered offense went 27-2 and broke a racial barrier by becoming the first men’s basketball team from a historically black college to receive an invitation to one of college basketball’s two premier tournaments, the NCAA and the NIT.

John Bates, head coach of the Hawks, told Sports Illustrated he wanted an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. At the time, the tournament was much smaller, fielding just 25 teams. The Hawks couldn’t crack the NCAAs, but the NIT came calling and the Hawks happily accepted a trip to Madison Square Garden.

An HBCU didn’t make the NCAA tournament until Alcorn State cracked the field in 1980.

But playing in the NIT and breaking down a wall for HBCUs came at a cost for the Hawks. Maryland Eastern Shore was a member of the NAIA, another collegiate athletic association, and it wanted the Hawks to play in its tournament. But Eastern Shore wanted the bigger stage. Bates took his team to the NIT, and the NAIA imposed financial and probationary penalties.

CONTINUE READING

How the $100K 3-on-3 tourney for college seniors held at the Final Four will work

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- This March, for the first time ever, college players will publicly and officially be paid to play basketball.

Back in August, news came down about an enterprising, long-overdue idea that would bring more attention and fanfare to the Final Four: a 3-on-3 tournament featuring college basketball seniors who would be playing for a sizable money prize. Now, less than two months from Final Four weekend, we have the details. Intersport, the marketing company behind the event, released the particulars Monday morning.

It's going to be called the 3X3U National Championship, it's sponsored by Dos Equis, and most importantly every college senior in the country -- who won't be playing in the Final Four -- is up for selection.

Yep, all 32 Division I conferences will be represented, meaning there will be a big bracket, a tournament truly representing every corner of Division I college basketball. Players from the SWAC could bang bodies with the Big Ten, Big East or SEC's best. There will be four players per team (128 total players will be selected/invited for the event) and the tournament will run over three days from Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1. Location: St. Mary's University's Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio. If you're planning on attending the Final Four and want to know the distance between that venue and the Alamodome, it's 7.8 miles away.

Aside from actually playing in the Final Four, this is the coolest sendoff imaginable for college basketball seniors. Only players who have exhausted their eligibility are permitted to hoop. Their amateur playing careers will be over the second their seasons end -- which means they can make money and not put themselves or their schools at risk.

To be clear, the 3X3U National Championship is not affiliated with the NCAA.

CONTINUE READING

Roberts' Game-Winning Free-Throw Lifts TSU Past EKU, 59-58

FINAL BOX 
POST GAME RADIO INTERVIEWS

• TAYLOR ROBERTS POST GAME RADIO INTERVIEW
• HEAD COACH JESSICA KERN POST GAME RADIO INTERVIEW
• TAYLOR ROBERTS THREE-POINTER
• ROBERTS AND 1
• ROBERTS LAYUP

Final Score: Tennessee State 59 – Eastern Kentucky 58
Records: TSU (5-16, 3-9 OVC) – EKU (7-14, 4-8 OVC)
Venue: McBrayer Arena
Location: Richmond, Ky.

RICHMOND, Kentucky --- In a game that went down to the wire, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team pulled off a thrilling victory over Eastern Kentucky, 59-58, Saturday night in McBrayer Arena.

With Tennessee State trailing, 58-57, Freshman Taylor Roberts stepped up to make two crucial free-throws to give the Lady Tigers a, 59-58, advantage with 6.1 seconds left. The Lady Tigers came up with a big stop on the other end to seal the win.

TSU improved to 5-16 (3-9 OVC) while EKU fell to 7-14 (4-8 OVC).

Roberts paced the Lady Tiger offense with 19 points to go with six rebounds while Tia Wooten added 14. Jaden Wrightsell pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds while Maxine Beard dished out five assists.

EKU was led by A’Queen Hayes’ 18 points and 14 rebounds while Abby Wright chipped in 12.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders
• Points: Taylor Roberts – 19
• Rebounds: Jaden Wrightsell - 10
• Assists: Maxine Beard – 5
• Steals: Tia Wooten and Taylor Williams - 2
• TSU shot 75.9 percent from the free-throw line.
• The game had 13 ties and 14 lead changes.
• Tia Wooten tallied 14 points in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a closely contested first quarter, TSU had a slight, 16-15, lead heading into the second stanza.
• Both teams only managed to score eight points in the second period and the score was, 24-23, in favor of TSU at the half.
• The teams played to a 32-32, tie just after the media timeout.
• The Colonels created a little distance after an 8-0 run put them on top, 40-32.
• Two free-throws by Jaden Wrightsell ended TSU’s scoring drought but TSU trailed, 42-36, heading into the final stanza.
• The Lady Tigers were outscored, 19-12, in the third.
• TSU mounted a comeback in the fourth and used an 11-2 run to pull even then capture a 47-45 lead.
• The teams battled from that point.
• TSU was down, 58-54, when a three-point play by Taylor Roberts pulled the Lady Tigers to within one, 58-57, with 30.4 seconds remaining.
• On EKU’s possession, TSU came up with a huge stop to get the back ball with 25 seconds left.
• With 6.4 seconds on the clock, Taylor Roberts was fouled and went to the line to make both.
• TSU was able to get another huge stop on the next trip down the floor to seal the win.

GAME NOTES

• Tia Wooten scored in double-digits for the 21st consecutive game.
• TSU made 22 free-throws in the contest.
• Taylor Roberts scored in double-figures for the fifth consecutive game and made the game-winning free-throws.
• TSU picked up its first road win of the season.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jessica Kern

“I’m so proud of these young ladies…their wherewithal and their composure. Taylor Roberts came through big for us tonight. Tia Wooten came out the game with five fouls with three minutes left on the clock and she (Roberts) put the team on her back. Maxine Beard led like the senior she is supposed to lead. I’m so happy for these young ladies.”
-Overall thoughts on the game

“For us, its one of those mental things. People say it doesn’t bother you but when you don’t have a road win, it sticks in your mind. So we’ve gotten over the hump. It’s the momentum we need going forward. The ladies really, really deserved this one. They fought very hard and I’m so very proud.”
-On getting first road win

UP NEXT

• TSU returns to Nashville to host league leader Belmont University on Thursday, Feb. 8. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Gentry Center.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Extends Winning Streak to Four with 73-60 Win at EKU

BOX SCORE  |  RADIO CALLS

Final Score: Tennessee State 73 - Eastern Kentucky 60
Records: TSU (12-11, 7-5 OVC) – EKU (8-17, 2-10 OVC)
Venue: McBrayer Arena
Location: Richmond, Ky.
Attendance: 1,680

RICHMOND, Kentucky --- The Tennessee State men’s basketball team extended its winning streak to four games thanks to a 73-60 road win at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night at McBrayer Arena in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The Tigers (12-11, 7-5 OVC) shot 50 percent (24-of-48) from the floor and finished with a 36-25 rebounding edge. TSU scored the final four points of the first half to take a 32-28 halftime edge. In the second half, the Tigers outscored the Colonels (8-17, 2-10 OVC) by a 41-32 margin to pull away.

Delano Spencer scored a team-high 20 points, tying a career high with six made three-pointers, while Christian Mekowulu added 19 points and five rebounds. Picking up his first double-double of the season and second of his career was Darreon Reddick with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU LEADERS
  • POINTS – Delano Spencer - 20
  • REBOUNDS – Darreon Reddick - 11
  • ASSISTS – Ken’Darrius Hamilton and Darreon Reddick - 4
• Christian Mekowulu scored in double figures for the 15th time this season (28th in career).
• Delano Spencer reached double-digit points for the 20th time on the year (31st in career).
• Darreon Reddick scored in double figures for the 11th time this season (41st in career).
• It was Reddick’s second career double-double and first this season.

 HOW IT HAPPENED

• There were three ties and three lead changes in the opening 12 minutes.
• Christian Mekowulu scored five points in a row to level the scoring at 19-19 with just under eight minutes to go in the half.
• After TSU fell behind by as many as five points, a three from Darreon Reddick tied up the score at 28-28 with two minutes left in the first half.
• The Tigers closed the half with six-consecutive stops on the defensive end and four points from Mekowulu to take a 32-28 halftime edge.
• Armani Chaney broke the full-court pressure and went coast-to-coast for a layup to cap a 12-4 run to open the second half to stretch TSU’s lead up to 44-32.
• Delano Spencer’s sixth three-pointer of the night put the Tigers up 57-46 with 7:46 to go.
• TSU led by 10 or more points throughout the final four minutes. 

 GAME NOTES

• Tennessee State’s record in the all-time series versus Eastern Kentucky is 29-33.
• TSU has won four in a row over the Colonels.
• The Tigers are 9-2 when leading or tied at the half this season.

 QUOTES

Senior Guard Delano Spencer

“It’s definitely important just to keep the streak going, getting the guys together and staying locked in down the stretch in February. Getting these road wins, it’s very important. I’m proud of the guys. We stuck together to get it done.”
- On winning four in a row

“My teammates kept me involved in the game even when I went to the bench. We all stayed into the game and locked in. They did a great job of finding me off a lot of screens. The guys set a lot of good screens for me to get open and they found me in my spots. I stepped up and knocked the shots down 
- On overcoming early foul trouble

Head Coach Dana Ford

“I thought we played better tonight. We definitely played better in the second half offensively than we’ve played in a long time. Obviously, Delano Spencer made some shots that really helped, but I thought we moved the ball – we had 15 assists. We’re capable of that. We didn’t turn it over in the second half. In the first half, that was the deal, we turned the ball over, and you have to give them credit. They came out and played really hard. They’re really shorthanded, but they do play really hard.”
- On getting the road win

“We were better. Again, we took care of the ball. I think we ran a little more plays in the second half, so guys knew where they were supposed to go, and the right guys got the ball. I thought we had an edge to us in the second half. Our guys know what’s at stake; we’re just trying to continue to move up the rankings.”
- On the improved second half

 UP NEXT

• TSU hosts Belmont at the Gentry Center on Thursday, Feb. 8.
• The 7:30 p.m. game will air live on the OVC Digital Network and can be heard on the radio on 102.1 The Ville.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

A&T: An HBCU powerhouse rises in Greensboro

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — It was the week before Thanksgiving, and Aggie Stadium was awash with blue and gold.

North Carolina A&T State University had just defeated its archrival, North Carolina Central University, 24-10, to earn the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. The bowl was in December, and the undefeated Aggies blew out traditional HBCU power Grambling State.

In winning the national championship, A&T proved to be the best black-college football team in the country. But over the last decade, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University – known for its engineering programs and with a legacy that includes “The Greensboro Four,” Jesse Jackson and Ronald McNair – has moved quietly and resolutely toward its goal of becoming the best black college in the country.

“This is truly an exciting time to be an Aggie,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr.

With 11,877 students enrolled this fall – including a record 2,309 freshmen — A&T is the largest black college in the country, having surpassed Howard University, Florida A&M, Jackson State and Texas Southern. Those new freshmen came on campus with an average GPA of 3.51.

“We are fortunate to have been trending in the upward direction for the last few years,” said Erin Hill Hart, A&T’s associate vice provost for enrollment. “There is no question of where we trying to go and when we are going to get there.”



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