Blackwell's out as athletic director at Texas Southern University

Photo: Alois Blackwell

Texas Southern University athletic director Alois Blackwell was officially relieved of his duties on Tuesday afternoon after nearly seven years at the position.

"We appreciate Mr. Blackwell's contributions in his seven years guiding the program," said new TSU President John Rudley in a press release. "Now we must take the TSU athletic program to the next level."

Head football coach and former TSU quarterback Johnnie Cole will serve as the school's interim athletic director, while Blackwell will remain on the staff through the end of the academic year.

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Coppin State tops struggling WSSU Rams

Photo: Darius Floyd, 6-1/185 guard from Gastonia, NC, Ashbrook H.S., was Rams leading scorer with 12 points.

Rams lose 62-44, are 0-9 away from home

BALTIMORE - Winston-Salem State’s road losing streak continued last night in a 62-44 loss to Coppin State at the Coppin Center. The Rams (8-13) are 0-9 this season on the road and have lost 14 in a row on the road during the past two seasons. Poor shooting hurt the Rams last night as they fell behind 11-2 in the early going. They shot 26 percent from the field.

Having one of the worst shooting nights of his career for the Rams was Jamal Durham, who was 0 for 12 from the field. He had 13 rebounds.

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Maryland-Eastern Shore stuns Hampton Pirates

Photo: Ed Tyson was a one man demolition crew of the Hampton Pirates. The 6-2/200 guard is a junior from Walbrook H.S., Baltimore, MD.


Tyson makes a splash on ESPNU as Hawks topple Pirates for first time in eight seasons.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Ed Tyson put on a show for a national television audience and the rest of the Hawks stepped up to play solid defense as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) toppled Hampton University 68-62 in what is arguably the biggest upset in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) this season. Tyson poured in 24 points while the under-sized and under-manned Hawks played with heart and out-rebounded the Pirates 41-24.

Fresh off a win over Howard, the Hawks played with confidence in front of a crowd of almost 3,000 fans. They slowed down a Pirates team that likes to run and forced their own pace, forcing Hampton into long range shots and jumpers and then capturing the rebound, limiting second chance points.

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Michelle Obama Visits University of Maryland Eastern Shore

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, paid a visit to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday, in a last minute stop one day before the Maryland primary election.

About 1,200 crowded into the UMES Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Theater where Mrs. Obama spoke of change, a central theme in her husband's campaign. Another 300 watched the speech in an overflow room in another building on campus.

"We usually don't get too many big names coming to this school," said UMES senior Blair Bruton, who attended the rally. "For me, it was a big thing."

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DSU Hornets pull away after letdown with Howard Lady Bison

DOVER -- With its nasty habit of playing to the quality of its opponent this season, Delaware State University's women's basketball team brought real concerns into its home game against Howard on Monday. Not only was Howard losing a lot of games of late, the Bison were allowing opponents to flirt with 100 points.

What the Hornets were afraid of, happened again. Facing one of the worst teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, they managed to edge the Bison 72-63 at Memorial Hall.

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Jackson State topples Southern University Lady Jaguars

JACKSON, Miss. — The Southern women’s basketball team took a step Monday. Just not a big enough one against one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s better and more veteran teams. Southern crawled out of an 11-point, second-half deficit to take a pair of one-point leads but didn’t score in the final two-and-a-half minutes as Jackson State pulled away for a 61-56 win at the Athletics and Assembly Center.

Jackson State (11-10, 9-2 SWAC), the conference co-champion each of the last two seasons, ended Southern’s winning streak at five.

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Holmes' threes key Morgan State over S.C. State

Photo: Reggie Holmes, 6-4/180 Sophomore guard, St. Frances H.S., Baltimore, Maryland, majoring in Business.

Guard hits 7 to tie school record; Bears win 8th straight

Morgan State guard Reggie Holmes took an aggressive approach in trying to break a recent shooting slump. The sophomore began taking 300 shots on his own after practice the past several days while searching for his outside touch.

The work paid off last night. Holmes tied a school record by making seven three-point shots en route to a 25-point performance that helped Morgan State to an 81-55 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win over South Carolina State before an announced 2,246 at Hill Field House.

Morgan State (15-8, 10-1) extended its winning streak to eight games and remained in first place in the MEAC.

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Not an average 'Morgan State' Bear

Photo: Though his family in Senegal wanted him to pursue soccer, Boubacar Coly came to the United States to develop as a basketball player. He had to come back from three surgeries to return to the court in college.

Drive has carried Morgan's Coly on long journey

He devoted much of his childhood in Africa either to playing sports or watching television, but Boubacar Coly can speak eight languages with ease. He is Muslim by faith but attended Catholic schools much of his life and even a Catholic university for a time. He grew up on a continent where soccer is king, but his heart led him to basketball and the United States.

Incongruous as those facts seem, they are mere snapshots of a young man who forged a life in the United States when everyone back in Ziguinchor, Senegal, told him not to leave seven years ago.

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FAMU coach expresses need for consistency

Photo: Coach Debra Clark has not been happy with this season's injuries and second half collapse by the Lady Rattlers.

Clark unimpressed with win

Florida A&M women's basketball coach Debra Clark has just 10 active players. It took all 10 to get by visiting Norfolk State 77-65. Clark turned to her bench early and often Monday night and the reserves responded with a combined 30 points.

Seldom-used sophomore forward Kirsten Stallings had a big first half with 10 points, while senior forward Thyeis Halley came off the bench in the second half to give the Lady Rattlers 11 points.

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Alabama A&M pulls out thriller over Mississippi Valley

Photo: AAMU Bulldogs Trant Simpson makes drive on Mississippi Valley State on way to 18 point scoring spree. The 5-10/160 guard is a sophomore from Huntsville, AL Buckhorn H.S.

ITTA BENA, Miss. - Evan Hilton hit two free throws with 0.9 seconds left to lift Alabama A&M to a thrilling 53-52 victory over Mississippi Valley State Monday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game. The win, A&M's fourth in its last five games, lifted the Bulldogs to 8-13 overall and 5-6 in league play. MVSU fell to 8-14 and 6-5.

Larry Cox hit two free throws at the 5:08 mark to give MVSU a 50-47 lead and it stayed that way before A&M battled back in the last two minutes. Mickell Gladness' tip-in made it 50-49 and Hilton hit two free throws with 1:18 remaining to give the Bulldogs a 51-50 lead. However, Stanford Speech hit a jumper to put MVSU back up 52-51 with 50 seconds left.

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Bethune Cookman routed by North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies

Photo: Britta Taylor-James led the Aggies in scoring with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists in 22 minutes of action. The 6-0 junior forward is from Evanston, Illinois and transferred from UC Santa Barbara.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman's reward for winning its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game of the season Saturday was a matchup with conference leader North Carolina A&T on Monday. The Aggies (17-5, 10-0) unleashed a relentless zone trap defense that caused 28 Wildcat turnovers and flattened B-CU 89-55 at Moore Gymnasium.

Five players scored in double figures for N.C. A&T, led by Britta Taylor-James' 16 points. The Aggies, who had 20 steals in the game, shot 57.9 percent from the field (33-for-57), while holding the 'Cats to just 29.6 percent (21-for-71).

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Hampton ends UMES Lady Hawks' winning streak

Photo: Hampton University senior guard Rachel Butler led the Lady Pirates in scoring with 15 points.

PRINCESS ANNE -- It had to end sometime. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team had stretched its program-record winning streak to seven games on Saturday against Howard University. Monday, when the Hawks welcomed Hampton University, the streak came to a halt with a 68-64 loss, the team's first since a 72-59 set back against North Carolina A&T on Jan. 19.

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Alabama State's Hayles surpasses 1,000 career points in win

Photo: Andrew Hayles, 6-5/195 junior guard from Mobile, Alabama, LeFlore H.S. surpass 1,000 points in his ASU career scoring 18 points in victory over UAPB Golden Lions.

Pine Bluff, Ark. - Arkansas-Pine Bluff shot a dismal 28 percent in the second half as Alabama State cruised to a 69-51 win Monday. The Golden Lions (10-12, 6-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) scored just 19 points in the second half.

Brandon Brooks scored 19 points and Andrew Hayles had 18 to lead Alabama State (13-8, 9-2). Roland Pitch added a dozen points for the Hornets. Hayles surpassed 1,000 career points in the second half. Larry Williams led Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 17 points; no other Golden Lion scored more than 5 points.

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Delaware State gets offensive, rout Howard University

Photo: DSU senior Roy Bright had another monster game--scoring a game-high 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field, with 6-of-10 on 3-pointers, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 28 minutes of action.

Hornets score 29 straight points to rout Howard

DOVER -- Message to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Delaware State still believes it's the "top dog" in the hunt for the league's men's basketball championship. The Hornets exhibited what coach Greg Jackson said was the best offensive effort in his eight years at the school in an 81-55 victory over Howard on Monday night at Memorial Hall.

DSU, coming off a win over Hampton on Saturday, parlayed that performance into an uncharacteristic offensive explosion in the first half, shooting at a blistering 78 percent clip and reeling off a 29-0 run.

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Delaware State is now tied with Hampton University for third place in the conference standing. Norfolk State is playing the best basketball in its history and has its best conference record since moving to Division I, ten years ago. This race is too close to call at this time, but if DSU continues to shoot 78 percent from the field, very few teams will be able to stop their run for the regular season conference championship.

The Hornets will be at Norfolk State on February 16, and this game should be a barn burner with unstoppable power guard Tony Murphy (16.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 stl) shooting the lights out and Roy Bright (18.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) on fire with his long distance 3's.

At stake for the Hornets is a tie for second place behind Morgan State, who is playing on the road at Florida A&M on Saturday and Bethune Cookman on Monday. Neither team (FAMU or BCU) should be able to stop the 9-1 MSU Bears and their talented guards Jamar Smith (18.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.0 stl), Reggie Holmes (13.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.3 stl) forwards Marquise Kately (12.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg), and the MEAC leading rebounder, Boubacar Coly (9.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.6 blk, 1.0 stl).

Delaware State run may be too late with only six games remaining in the season with four at home before the MEAC Tournament.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings

TEAM, CONFERENCE RECORD, TOTAL RECORD
Morgan State 9-1, 15-8
Norfolk State 8-2, 12-10
Hampton 7-3, 13-9
Delaware State 7-3, 10-12
North Carolina A&T 6-4, 12-11
Bethune-Cookman 4-6, 10-14
Florida A&M 4-6, 8-15
South Carolina State 4-6, 8-16
Coppin State 2-8, 7-19
Howard 2-8, 5-19
Maryland-Eastern Shore 2-8, 4-21

-beepbeep

Jackson State overpowers Southern with Caldwell

Jeremy Caldwell had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead Jackson State to a 85-71 victory over Southern University on Monday. The win helps the Tigers (9-15, 7-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hold on to a share of second place in the conference.

Caldwell had only two points in the first half. But he scored 11 points during a three-minute span in the second as the Tigers outscored Southern 13-2 and turned a two-point lead into a 67-54 advantage with 7:44 left in the game. Southern (8-14, 6-5) could get no closer than 12 points after that.

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Opponents hard to come by for the mighty Appalachian State Mountaineers

Photo: Sophomore Quarterback Amanti Edwards, #14 has led Applachian State to two of their three consecutive FCS Championships and a upset of then #5 ranked Michigan.

ASHEVILLE — The cost of success is going up for the Appalachian State football program. A shocking upset at No. 5 Michigan and a third straight Football Championship Subdivision national championship were the bookends to a 13-2 season in 2007 for the Mountaineers, but those accomplishments have made Jay Sutton’s job much more challenging.

According to Cobb and Sutton, the FBS schools that turned down the opportunity to play ASU included North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Alabama and Wisconsin. “North Carolina is interesting. We had the date open and were willing and eager to play them, but instead they scheduled (FCS school) McNeese State,” Sutton said.

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Florida A&M University have two open dates on the 2008 football schedule and only 11 games scheduled, but no reports came from the Rattlers Athletic Department regarding scheduling a home and home date with Appalachian State. What about 2009 or 2011, or are we planning our schedules like our neighbors, the Florida State Seminoles, who scheduled lowly FCS Western Carolina and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, while telling Appalachian State to go straight to H...

FAMU should be knocking Appalachian State door down to get a game scheduled for Bragg Memorial Stadium for the sellout and fan interests that it will generate across North Florida. Appalachian State is an opportunity for a schedule upgrade for the Rattlers, or South Carolina State, Norfolk State, Delaware State or Hampton. FAMU and the MEAC should not pass up this opportunity.

Lady Hawks rout Howard, roll to a 105-87 win

UMES extended its school-record winning streak to seven straight games with a 105-87 win over visiting Howard University on Saturday. The Lady Hawks (14-8, 7-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) led by as many as 41 points and shot 53 percent from the field.

April McBride recorded her seventh double double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Tiffany Reid matched her career-high of 24 points.Josephine McLane scored a career-high 16 points. Freshmen Casey Morton also finished in double figures with 12 points.

With the win, UMES moved into sole possession of second place in the conference.

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Interviews crucial to FAMU's Taylor

Taylor and his staff just completed one phase of the blueprint by signing 16 players to their 2008 recruiting class this past week. FAMU had 13 sign on National Signing Day Wednesday and three more came in the next day. The latest three were place kicker Nicardo Blake and wide receiver Tyrone Brantley out of Boyd Anderson High School in Fort Lauderdale and cornerback Marvin Ross out of Trinity Christian School in Jacksonville.

Taylor and his staff didn't just recruit for need, they recruited for GPA as well. FAMU's 2008 class has brains as well and brawn. Rush, 6-3, 205 pounds, has a 3.4 GPA and scored a 1530 on his SAT. Defensive back Michael Greene, 6-1, 183 pounds, was an honorable mention All-State at Jonesboro (Ga.) High School and cleared 6-feet, 8-inches to finish second in the Georgia Class 4A State meet. Greene came up just as big in the classroom with a 3.3 GPA and a 1460 on his SAT.

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UAPB holds off Alabama A&M Bulldogs

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Arkansas-Pine Bluff made 10 straight free throws over the final 34seconds to hold off Alabama A&M in a 70-65 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory Saturday night. The Golden Lions, who entered the game shooting 60 percent from the charity stripe, made 20-of-25 free throws, all in the second half, to turn back the Bulldogs.

The loss, which snapped A&M's three-game winning streak, dropped the Bulldogs to 7-13overall and 4-6 in league play. UAPB, which snapped its two-game losing streak, improved to 10-11 and 6-4. Trant Simpson led A&M with 27 points. Allen Smith led UAPB with 25 points.

Alabama State University President Resigns

Photo: Alabama State University 11th president, Dr. Joe A. Lee will be stepping down on May 31, 2008.

Montgomery, AL - Alabama State University President Joe Lee has announced plans to resign after a sometimes tumultuous seven years at the school's helm. Lee's announcement yesterday at a scheduled board of trustees meeting caught most of the trustees, administrators and alumni off-guard.

Lee says he will resign May 31st. He did not disclose any future plans. Trustee Herbert Young says he had no idea Lee was going to resign. Trustees voted to move quickly and gave board chairman Elton Dean the authority to begin forming a search panel. Dean says he expects to start the committee within the next week.

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Alabama State Hornets able to get help in the trenches

Photo: Alabama State second year Coach Reggie Barlow opens the Hornets 2008 football season on the road against new Florida A&M University Rattlers Coach Joe Taylor in Tallahassee on August 30.

On the Division I-AA level, recruiting is all about meeting needs. You don't have the glitz and glamour of top-ranked recruiting classes and five-star players. You don't have 12 analysts measuring your recruits' 40-yard dash times or fans clamoring about you missing out on the sure superstar. Instead, it's all about meeting needs and possibly finding a few overlooked gems. But mostly, it's about meeting needs. Especially in Alabama State's case.

The Hornets lost 10 scholarships for three straight years prior to this year. That's 30 players missing from a team. In that situation, there's no choice but to meet needs. And this year, the coaches did an average job of that.

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Morgan State pounds Winston Salem State

Photo: Marquise Katley dominated WSSU with 14 points/9 rebounds in the Bears rout over the Rams.

BALTIMORE, MD - Winston-Salem State’s troubles on the road continued yesterday. Marquise Katley scored 14 points and had nine rebounds and Jamar Smith added 12 points as Morgan State beat Winston-Salem State 63-41 at Hill Field House. The Bears (14-8) won their seventh straight game, getting off to a hot start from the field to build an early lead and were never threatened.

Backing Katley and Smith was Reggie Holmes, who came off the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Three of his baskets came on 3-point attempts. Center Boubacar Coly added eight points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots for the Bears.

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Late Jumper Lifts Norfolk State Over BC-U Wildcats, 78-77 in Overtime

Photo: Michael Deloach hit the dagger shot to lead NSU to an improbable win over Bethune Cookman University. The 6-0/175 junior guard is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Bonner Academy and is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Wildcats watch 24-point lead evaporate late before falling in overtime

Daytona Beach, FL - Michael Deloach picked up a blocked shot, turned around and swished a 15-foot jumper with 0.6 seconds left, carrying Norfolk State University to a 78-77 overtime victory over Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The win completed a 24-point comeback for the Spartans (11-10, 7-2 MEAC). Bethune-Cookman (9-14,3-6 MEAC) committed 22 turnovers after leading by 29-22 at halftime.
Deloach, who did not start, finished with a game-high 30 points. His total included a 15-for-21 effort from the free throw line. Teammate Tony Murphy chipped in with 14 points, and Corey Lyons added 11.

John Holmes paced Bethune-Cookman with 23 points, with Dewayne Pettus scoring 18 and Jimmy Hudson 13.

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B-CU beats buzzer, Norfolk State Lady Spartans

Photo: BC-U Lady Wildcat Demetria Frank hit winning shot to give Wildcats first conference win of the season. The 5-9 freshman guard is from Miami Jackson Senior High School, Miami, FL and is the first member of her family to attend college.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman University's freshman Demetria Frank hit a desperation shot from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded to stave off a spirited comeback attempt by Norfolk State and give the Wildcats a 76-74 win Saturday afternoon at Moore Gymnasium.

It also avoided what would have been a tough loss for the Wildcats. B-CU (4-17, 1-8 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) played on of its better games of the season to snap a 10-game losing skid. The Wildcats had a season-high 76 points. They led by 14 points at the half and by as much as 16 during the second half.

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Harrison, Coppin State defeat S.C. State

Antwan Harrison scored 19 points and Tywain McKee and Vince Goldsberry each had 16 to lead Coppin State past visiting South Carolina State, 79-67, yesterday. Coppin State University (6-19, 2-8 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) never trailed against South Carolina State (8-15, 4-5) and has won two straight conference games after losing eight straight to start the season. The Bulldogs, who are third in the league in scoring, had trouble adjusting to Coppin State's high-pressure defense and committed 17 turnovers.

Jason Flagler had 19 points, Robert Baker had 15 and Julius Carter added 11 points for South Carolina State.

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Savannah State drops Longwood in O.T.

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University dropped a disappointing 69-66 men’s basketball decision to visiting Savannah State University Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville; a closely-played contest that featured 12 lead-changes and 14 ties. The Lancers (6-21) were led by senior Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) who matched his career-high with 23 points, adding a season-high 12 rebounds, while the Tigers (11-16) were led by Chris Linton with 14 points. Longwood will play again on Monday, February 11, on the road at Florida Atlantic University of the Sun Belt Conference in Boca Raton, Florida beginning at 7 p.m.

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Jacksonville Jam owner wasting his money

Photo: Jacksonville Jam Coach Mike Gillespie and several former FAMU and MVSU players may soon become unemployed due to the failure of the Jam owners to cover payroll and travel expenses of the team.

When Jacksonville Jam owner Felix Krupczynski decided to bring the umpteenth minor-league pro basketball franchise to this city, I publicly warned him that he was throwing money away. He brought the Jam here anyway and it couldn't last two seasons, in two different leagues, without running into financial problems.

If you don't have the resources to pay salaries or travel costs, why start this kind of business? Asking the Premier Basketball League to come to your rescue only makes things worse. Krupczynski claims the PBL reneged on promises to help the Jam, but isn't it the responsibility of the owner to cover expenses?

Now that the PBL has severed ties with Krupczynski midway through this season, you'd think he would pack it in for good...

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We are sorry to see the failure of this franchise as it adversely impacts former Florida A&M University coach Mike Gillespie and several former MEAC and SWAC basketball players that played at FAMU and MVSU, respectively. Hopefully, they all will land on their feet and get a true opportunity for pro basketball.

Prairie View women roll past visiting TSU

Photo: Prairie View A&M University head women basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has led the Lady Panthers to a 10-0 SWAC record (15-7 overall) on the first half of their schedule.

PRAIRIE VIEW — After a flat start, Prairie View's Lady Panthers proceeded to flatten Texas Southern University. A 20-6 run midway through the first half at the William Hicks Building was the spark Prairie View needed to rout TSU 75-46 on Saturday and remain undefeated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Prairie View (15-7, 10-0 SWAC) won its 12th straight game behind a suffocating defensive effort that limited TSU (6-14, 4-6) to just 31 percent shooting.

"We weren't as focused as we should have been at the beginning," said Prairie View coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, whose team wore pink uniforms to promote "Think Pink Day" and raise breast cancer awareness. "Once we got going, we did some good things, especially on defense."

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NCA&T 2nd half sinks FAMU Lady Rattlers

Photo: Coach Debra Clark's Lady Rattlers have gone into a nose dive after a 9-1 start and have lost 10 of the past 11 games. Is it the players or the coaching leaders and what will the published excuse be next week?

The second-half collapses continued for the Florida A&M women's basketball team Saturday afternoon as the Lady Rattlers fell to the first-place North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies 69-53 at Gaither Gymnasium.

The Lady Rattlers, sporting their new pink uniforms in support of the "Think Pink" breast cancer awareness initiative, trailed by just a point in the first half but were outscored 41-26 in the second half. The woes sent FAMU to its 10th loss in 11 games.

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FAMU loses to N.C. A&T in two OTs

It was Thomas Coleman, however, who left Tallahassee with the last laugh Monday evening after he sank two free throws to lift his North Carolina A&T Aggies past the Rattlers 80-78 in double overtime. Coleman was fouled by FAMU senior guard Leslie Robinson with 1.1 seconds left in double overtime.

Thomas, who was 0 for 2 on his previous trip to the line, including the air ball, swished both shots to give his team the lead. The Rattlers, who at one point in the first half led by as many 16 points, tried to get off a desperation shot, but junior Joe Ballard's long inbounds pass was picked off by Aggies guard Steve Rush.

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Southern women trounce Grambling

GRAMBLING — Grambling scored the most points of any Southwestern Athletic Conference team against Southern all season. Not that it mattered. Southern, which has struggled on offense all season, scored a season-high for the second time this season against the Lady Tigers, who had 39 turnovers, in an easy 83-61 victory Saturday at the Assembly Center.

Deidra Jackson had 14 points and five assists to lead four players in double figures for SU (9-10, 7-3 SWAC), which won its fifth straight game.

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DSU Hornets seniors savor revenge over Hampton

DSU wipes out streak of four losses to Pirates

Burbage, Collier and Palmer combined for 22 points and Selena Galloway had a team-high 13 points to give DSU (11-12 overall, 6-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) the win. The threesome bonded in the way seniors do, with an unofficial pact to defeat the Pirates, a task they deftly handled in a 58-36 victory at Memorial Hall.

"It feels good," said Burbage, a Seaford High product. "I knew we were up for the challenge."

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Delaware State aces crucial test over Hampton U.

Victory over Hampton keeps Hornets in running for MEAC title

DOVER -- It's been a while since Delaware State's men's basketball team was faced with a game it had to win. That opportunity arrived Saturday.

The Hornets responded to the fate of their schedule, beating Hampton 67-58 in the only regular-season meeting of these schools before 1,231 at Memorial Hall. Over the past three seasons, in which DSU won each Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season championship, it had lost a collective eight league games. This season has been different. The Hornets entered Saturday's game with three MEAC losses.

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Southern loses at Grambling State Tigers

GRAMBLING – The red-hot scoring duel between Grambling State’s Andre Ratliff and Southern University’s Andre Davis was ultimately decided by a guy who didn’t even have a point for the first 37 minutes.

Grambling freshman Duran Diaz, who got all 12 of his points in the final 2:30 of regulation and overtime, scored the game’s final five points, lifting Grambling to a 79-76 overtime win Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium.

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WSSU signs 4 more to complete recruiting class

For the first time in the past 11 years of recruiting, Coach Kermit Blount of Winston-Salem State did not sign a local player. The Rams completed their class of 14yesterday with the addition of four players. The four signees announced yesterday included two teammates from Georgetown Prep in Washington, D.C. - Edgar Sheppard, a 6-4, 305 offensive lineman, and Jimmy Johnson III, a 6-3, 230-pound tight end.

Johnson, is the son of Jimmy Johnson II, a former NFL player who is the tight-ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Also signed was defensive end Akeem Ward, 6-4, 260, from Holly Springs, N.C. and Stephen Young of Woodbridge, Va., a 6-3, 260, defensive end and a state champion in wrestling in the heavyweight division for Gar-Field High School and has a career record of 106-22.

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Signing period's buzz absurd

Each year at this time, the South exacts revenge on the rest of the nation for losing the Civil War. Officially, it's known as the national signing period for college football recruits, but obviously, greater forces are at work. How else to explain why the first Wednesday in February is dedicated to teenagers who can barely diagram a sentence holding press conferences to announce where they will go to school to play a game 12 times a year?

Or adults tailgating at the university athletic complex and taking the day off of work in order to track recruits who land at their favorite — or least favorite — programs? Signing day essentially has become a national holiday for college football fans. Not to be confused with local football holidays that include the home opener, the spring game, fan appreciation day and the battle for the Commonwealth Cup or the Old Oaken Bucket or the Iron Bowl or whatever.

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Florida A&M University releases 2008 Football Schedule

Photo: Gregory Clark, RS Sophomore, 5-8/180 Corner back, Tampa, FL Durant H.S., runs back ball against Hampton University in November 2007 game.

The Joe Taylor era of Florida A&M football will debut at Bragg Memorial Stadium Aug. 30 against Alabama State. The Alabama State game is one of five home games the Rattlers have on their 2008 football schedule released Friday afternoon.

"It's a competitive schedule and features a nice mixture of home and road games," Taylor said. "With three of the six away games on neutral sites, I would say it is a competitive, but balanced schedule."

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2008 FLORIDA A&M FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

August 30 ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY, @ Tallahassee, FL

September 6 at *Delaware State @ Dover, DE

September 13 Bye

September 20 at *Howard University@Franklin Field, Philadelphia, PA

September 27 vs. Tennessee State at Georgia Dome (Atlanta Football Classic), Atlanta, GA

October 4 Open

October 11 *WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY @ Tallahassee, FL

October 18 *SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY @ Tallahassee, FL

October 25 at *Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

November 1 *MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (Homecoming) @ Tallahassee, FL

November 8 at *North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

November 15 *HAMPTON UNIVERSITY @ Tallahassee, FL

November 22 *Bethune Cookman University @ Orlando, FL - Citrus Bowl (Florida Classic)

Bold: home game; * MEAC game


Joe Taylor should go undefeated in his first season as head of the Rattlers program. The most critical game that will determine this outcome will be September 6, at Delaware State. Not that we are taking any of the MEAC opponents for granted, but a Joe Taylor coached team will come prepared to play and will be well conditioned.

The greater disappointment here are no games with Football Bowl Championship programs, no Southern Jaguars game and no game with a ranked Football Champion Subdivision program. Teams are permitted to play twelve games this season and FAMU has decided to fore go a potential home game payday on September 13 or October 4. Why?

MEAC fans will have to satisfy their thirst for David versus Goliath by watching the South Carolina State University games vs. University of Central Florida and Clemson; or Norfolk State University at University of Kentucky and Delaware State at Kent State.

Florida A&M has not signed one football or basketball player from the Atlanta area in the past five years, so what is the reason the Rattlers continue to play Tennessee State at this NFL venue? It certainly has not helped the Rattler recruiting efforts for student-athletes.

Tennessee State University home games are played at the Tennessee Titans venue, LP Field, which seats approximately 68,798 fans. It's time for the FAMU athletic director to work a deal for a home and Florida neutral site (home) game with the Tennessee State Tigers for 2009.

More importantly, FAMU athletic director Bill Hayes need to understand that Rattler Nation is not satisfied with having the dean of black college coaches, Joe Taylor, playing a typical cupcake schedule with no diversity and no Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA) powerhouses on the schedule. Why make Joe Taylor the highest paid football coach in HBCU football ($237,000 annually) if you are not moving the program towards national supremacy?

No doubt, FAMU schedule should have included a Georgia Southern, Wofford, Troy University, Florida Atlantic, University of Alabama-Birmingham or University of Central Florida, schools within a short bus ride to the Rattlers campus.

This football schedule does not make a strong argument for an at-large playoff berth nor does it lay the foundation for multiple teams from the MEAC making the FCS Playoffs in 2008. We would be hard pressed to see a 9-2 FAMU team in the playoffs with this weak schedule, especially if ASU and TSU have .500 seasons. A one loss season in the MEAC should knock FAMU out of the playoffs, as Delaware State, Norfolk State and South Carolina State strength of schedule are superior to FAMU's.

An 8-3 mark is definitely a ticket to stay at home for the holidays, but a great improvement over the 3-8 Rattler record of 2007.

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FAMU baseball team looking for consistency

The offseason got even quirkier when former head coach Robert Lucas was named head coach again, replacing Joe Durant, who took over for Lucas when he initially left FAMU. Lucas, who led the Rattlers to three MEAC titles in 1987, 1988 and 1990, was associate head coach on the team last season after spending a number of years as a scout for the Atlanta Braves.

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Florida A&M University 2008 Baseball Schedule

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
02/16/08 Alumni Game Tallahassee, FL 10:00 a.m. ET
02/22/08 at UCF Orlando, FL 6:00 p.m. ET
02/23/08 at UCF Orlando, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
02/24/08 at UCF Orlando, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
02/28/08 at Concordia Al Selma, AL 3:00 p.m. ET
03/01/08 vs. Savannah State Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
03/02/08 vs. Savannah State Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
03/04/08 at Mercer Macon, GA 4:00 p.m. ET
03/05/08 at Mercer Macon, GA 1:00 p.m. ET
03/06/08 vs. Presbyterian Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
03/07/08 vs. Presbyterian Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
03/12/08 at Edward Waters Jacksonville, FL 6:00 p.m. ET
03/22/08 vs. Bethune Cookman @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
vs. Bethune Cookman @ Tallahassee, FL TBA
03/23/08 vs. Bethune Cookman @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
03/25/08 vs. Alabama State Tallahassee, FL 2:00 p.m. ET
03/26/08 vs. Albany State Tallahassee, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
03/27/08 at Albany State Albany, GA 3:00 p.m. ET
03/29/08 at North Carolina A&T @ Greensboro, N.C. 1:00 p.m. ET
at North Carolina A&T @ Greensboro, N.C. TBA
03/30/08 at North Carolina A&T @ Greensboro, N.C. 1:00 p.m. ET
04/01/08 at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/03/08 vs. Concordia Al Tallahassee, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/05/08 at Savannah State Savannah, GA 1:00 p.m. ET
04/06/08 at Savannah State Savannah, GA 1:00 p.m. ET
04/08/08 vs. Mercer Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
04/09/08 vs. Mercer Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
04/10/08 at Morehouse Atlanta, GA 3:00 p.m. ET
04/12/08 at Delaware State @ Dover, DE 1:00 p.m. ET
at Delaware State @ Dover, DE TBA
04/13/08 at Delaware State @ Dover, DE 1:00 p.m. ET
04/15/08 vs. Edward Waters Tallahassee, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/16/08 vs. Jacksonville Tallahassee, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/19/08 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
vs. Maryland Eastern Shore @ Tallahassee, FL TBA
04/20/08 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
04/22/08 at Alabama State Montgomery, AL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/23/08 at North Florida Jacksonville, FL 3:00 p.m. ET
04/26/08 vs. Coppin State @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
vs. Coppin State @ Tallahassee, FL TBA
04/27/08 vs. Coppin State @ Tallahassee, FL 1:00 p.m. ET
05/03/08 at Norfolk State @ Norfolk, VA 1:00 p.m. ET
at Norfolk State @ Norfolk, VA TBA
05/04/08 at Norfolk State @ Norfolk, VA 1:00 p.m. ET
05/15/08 MEAC Baseball Tournament Norfolk, VA TBA
05/16/08 MEAC Baseball Tournament Norfolk, VA TBA
05/17/08 MEAC Baseball Tournament Norfolk, VA TBA
05/18/08 MEAC Baseball Tournament Norfolk, VA TBA

Schedule Key

@Conference Event

Optimism abounds for Southern University baseball

Optimism is an important ally for any coach in the weeks before his or her season is set to launch. It was certainly a handy companion for LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri and Southern University counterpart Roger Cador on Wednesday when the two men spoke to the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge at its weekly luncheon.

With the college baseball season pushed back to a common start date (Feb. 22) this season, the Tigers and Jaguars both have two more full weeks of practice before they take the diamond for real.

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The Jaguars will again be in a battle for the SWAC championship with Prairie View A&M. However, before the Jags can think about traditional opponents, they must face LSU in a televised game ( Feb. 26, CST Network/Cox Cable Channel 37 at 6:30 p.m.), UCLA, Southern Cal and Tulane. Ouch!

Gladness finds happiness at Alabama A&M

Photo: Alabama A&M University NBA pro prospect Mickell Gladness, 6-11/205 forward, Sylacauga, AL, Lawson State CC .

Center's love of hoops may lead to a pro career

Mickell Gladness arrived at Alabama A&M three years ago with little fanfare. He will leave with a whole lot more. Scouts and agents have come from near and far to get a look at Gladness, who has improved his scoring ability to go along with his shot blocking and rebounding skills.

"My dream has been to play beyond college," Gladness said Thursday before practice. "I love basketball, and I would love to play and get paid for it." Gladness'love for the game has been obvious lately. Over the last six games, the 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior has played as well as he's played during his career. During that stretch, Gladness is averaging 14.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocks while shooting 60 percent from the field.

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Hampton Pirates hoping Justice is served

HU might have a replacement for Kendall Langford in Jalal Gee.

Can Richmond-area lightning strike again for Hampton University? New coach Jerry Holmes thinks Jalal Gee of John Marshall High can become the program's latest Capital City bolt from the blue. Gee, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive tackle, signed to play for the Pirates on Tuesday to little fanfare. Gee, who carries a 3.0 grade-point average, chose Hampton over Old Dominion.
He bench-presses 370 pounds and runs a 5.0-second 40-yard dash. His other attributes are similar to those Langford brought to HU. "He has good footwork and an explosive first step." "He'll clog up some holes and tackle whatever comes through them. "He's that quick and he's that strong."

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Diversity Rule Goes to College

I-A Football Adopts NFL Hiring Practice

A version of the minority-interviewing rule that was the catalyst for the NFL to diversify its head coaching ranks has been adopted by major college football.

A written policy stipulating that any division I-A football program with a head coaching vacancy will interview at least one minority candidate was sent just more than three weeks ago to athletic directors at the 120 schools. The two-page document details what it calls "acceptable standards" regarding diversity in interviewing and hiring practices, and was distributed by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association.

The policy does not include a mechanism for punishing a school that does not comply with the requirement.

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Light Jazz from Howard University

The Flutes of Howard University - "A' Bientot"


Andrew White! Giant Steps and Hey Sexy Chocolate! With the Howard University Jazz Ensemble.


Afro Blue @ A Night Of Vocal Jazz at Howard University in the Blackburn Gallery Lounge - "Oh Freedom"

UMES Lady Hawks sting DSU Hornets 61-55

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- Maryland-Eastern Shore scored the last six points to earn a 61-55 victory over Delaware State University in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball Wednesday. The score was tied 55-55 with 34 seconds remaining when UMES freshman Casey Morton started the 6-0 run by hitting a short jumper and a free throw to give the Hawks their first lead of the second half. Morton added two more free throws with 13 seconds left and Queenique Tyler hit one with one second remaining.

The Hawks won their school-record sixth straight to improve to 13-8, 6-2 in the MEAC.

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Johnnie Cole signs 27 recruits for Texas Southern

Texas Southern coach Johnnie Cole signed a group of 27. Seven members of the Tigers' class came from Mitchell High School in Memphis, Tenn., including quarterback Kenyan Torry, who accounted for nearly 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.

TSU also addressed its needs at receiver and in the secondary, bringing in three wideouts and five defensive backs. Perhaps the biggest defensive pickup was defensive back Kydarian Wilkins of Dallas South Oak Cliff. Wilkins fell off many recruiting charts because of his 5-8, 165-pound size but is a potential shutdown corner. "Our coaching staff did a great job," Cole said. "We came in behind the eight-ball, but they hit the ground running. We wanted to build a foundation of Texas kids."

Texas Southern 2008 (27) Signees

Stephen Owens QB/TE 6-4 220 Alvin, Texas Alvin

Robert Hersh K 5-11 210 Pearland, Texas Pearland

Marc Ellis WR 6-4 200 Missouri City, Texas Willowridge

Samuel Gordy LB 6-1 200 Denton, Texas Denton Guyer

Christian Benard DL/FB 5-9 245 Denton Guyer

Donald Holloway OL/DL 6-3 270 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Kenyan Torry QB 6-2 175 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Darius Green DL 6-4 295 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Lewis McCaster DL 6-3 255 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Justin Toliver DB 6-0 185 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Antonio Harris FB 5-10 210 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Ashton Rucher OL 6-6 315 Memphis, Tenn. Mitchell

Joshua Robinson QB 6-4 200 Clinton, La. Clinton

Ian Williams OL 6-7 330 Pensacola, Fla. Pensacola

Ricky Williams LB 6-0 215 Pensacola, Fla. Pensacola

Wayne Ingram TE 6-3 230 New Orleans, La. John Curtis

Kydarian Wilkins DB 5-8 165 Dallas, Texas South Oak Cliff

Demarcus Washington DB 5-8 160 Dallas, Texas Lincoln

Montgomery Jackson DB 6-0 175 Okl. City, OK. Northeast

Joseph Igboeli DB 6-2 165 Grand Prairie, TX, South Grand Prairie

Andrew Phorne OL 6-6 335 Dallas, TX Carter

Chivas Belton DL 5-10 270 Houston, TX Klein Forest

Harry Brown QB 6-2 175Port Arthur, TX, Memorial

Brian Arnwine LB 6-0 190 Grand Prairie, TX South Grand Prairie

James Davis WR 6-3 200 Lufkin, TX Lufkin

Coach Billy Joe's Miles College Golden Bears signs 12 football student-athletes

Photo: College Football Hall of Fame coach William "Billy" Joe, Miles College.

I know, I know--NCAA Division II Miles College is not a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference or Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Golden Bears are a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), where former FAMU head football coach William "Billy" Joe is in his first season as Papa Bear.

This hall of fame coach has been our long time favorite coach, especially when it comes to recruiting philosophy and his ability to snatch a blue chip player or two.

Coach Joe will be one of five persons enshrined into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Hall of Fame during a reception on Thursday, March 13, 2008 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Marriott Crabtree Valley Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Joe has always be an entertaining ball coach, doing the unthinkable like coaching from the Press Box or saving scholarships for the late July rush of Division I transfers to help his teams. It will be interesting to look in on Coach Joe from time to time, to see how he's doing and his success in rebuilding the Miles College Bears.

Billy Joe signed 12 players on national signing day. The surprise was he nabbed (transfers) former Florida A&M University players Richard Koonce, OT, 6-7/315, Lantana, FL; Dan Henderson, OG, 6-4/330 Columbus, OH; and Carlton Hill, QB, 6-4/210, University of South Florida, Monticello, FL. These guys will be starters in Coach Joe explosive no huddle spread offense and are Division I level players.

Also signed were:

1. Josh Maxwell OC 6-3/305 Nashville, TN Stratford High School Accomplishments: All Region, All Metro and Rival Top 50

2. Steven Randlerson LB 6-0/205 Lake Worth FL Lake Worth High School, Accomplishments: All Area and All Star.

3. Lucius Wade, Jr. RB 5-8/161 Monticello FL Jefferson Co. High School Accomplishments: 2007 All State All Star.

4. DeMarcus Starks QB 6-3/190, Midfield AL Midfield High School,
Accomplishments: 2007 All Metro

5. Cedric Pendeleton OL 6-2/300 Jackson, MS Hinds C.C.

6. Aquantis Mobbley DB 5-10 180 Monticello, FL Gulf Coast C.C.

7. John Wilson DE 6-3 210 Graceville, FL Edward Waters College

8. Larry Johnson DE 6-3 250 Clinton MD West Hill C.C.

9. Justin Chapman OLB 5-9 210 College Park, GA Banneker High School
Accomplishments: Carter School Record, 367 Tackles All Region and All SW Metro

Have you noticed that Michael Strahan and Coach Joe both won Super Bowls with teams that were not given a prayer of a chance of winning. Coach Joe played on the 1969 Jets that won Super Bowl III with Joe Namath at quarterback, who guaranteed the win due to the lack of respect given by Baltimore Colts fans. Sounds familiar--so is the gap that Strahan and Joe's have in their similes. When they smile, you cannot help it but smile too, which is great for the soul. They both have a tremendous sense of humor that will keep you laughing.

The 67 year old coach has a game scheduled with 1-AA new Southern Conference member Samford University on September 6, 2008. Let the Coach Billy Joe era begin or better, the scheduled opponents should get ready for some major beat downs given by the Miles College Golden Bears and the second winningest coach in HBCU football history.

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Prairie View A&M University signs 20 on national signing day

Photo: Prairie View A&M University head football coach Henry Frazier III.

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – After the first day of signing football players to National Letters of Intent, the Prairie View A&M University list of commitments currently sits at 20. The Panthers have inked 16 student-athletes from high school, three junior college transfers and one division one transfer.

“As a staff we’re extremely pleased with our 2008 recruiting class, said Prairie View A&M head coach Henry Frazier III. “As a team we were able to address many of our needs. We were able to bring in a solid group of student-athletes that will be the foundation of Panther football in years to come.”

Highlighting the list of transfers and recruits is Russell Ball a 5-9, 170 pound transfer from Florida State University. Ball's presence in the Panthers backfield should provide an immediate impact.

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2008 PVAMU FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Deon Jones DT 6-1 285 Garland, TX North Garland

Damon Grant LB 6-1 225 San Antonio, TX Robert Cole

Anthony Wilson OL 6-2 260 Flower Mound, TX Flower Mound

Langston Patterson OL 6-2 300 Houston, TX Langham Creek

Elton Holmes LB 6-0 225 Bryan, TX Bryan

Randle Cole OL 6-2 260 Katy, TX James E. Taylor

Ryan Love DT 6-1 310 Houston, TX Langham Creek

Christopher Stanley OL 6-3 280 Jacksonville, Fla. Sandalwood

Antonio Morales OL 6-2 312 Galena Park, TX Galena Park

Spencer Nelson ATH 5-9 170 Jonesboro, Ga. Lovejoy

Marquis Hollie ATH 5-9 175 San Antonio, TX Earl Warren

Joshua Mack LB 6-3 230 Visalia, Ca. College of Seqouias

Anthony Banks OL 6-1 280 Baton Rouge, La. Glen Oaks

Dwayne Chappell DL 6-1 260 Washington, D.C. Dunbar

Charles Alston Jr. DE 6-4 280 Visalia, Ca. College of Seqouias

Russell Ball RB 5-9 170 La Marque, TX Florida State

Jermaine Bluford OL 6-3 320 Compton, Ca. Compton CC

Leighland Koonce WR 6-2 200 San Diego, Ca. St. Augustine

Duriel Harris WR 6-5 205 Channelview, TX Channelview

Thaddeus Wesley OL 6-4 310 Houston, TX Nimitz

UAPB Coach Coleman targets offensive linemen

Monte Coleman is a former Washington Redskin with three Super Bowl rings and plenty of name recognition. That combination certainly helped as he worked to secure his first recruiting class in his first season as Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s head coach.

The Golden Lions signed 22 players Wednesday on the first day of the national signing period, including six from Arkansas. Coleman said he expects to sign 30 players before the signing period ends. “ I am extremely pleased with this class, ’’ said Coleman, who served as UAPB’s defensive coordinator for two seasons before taking over head coaching duties for Mo Forte in November.

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MVSU Delta Devils close day one of national signing day with 22

Itta Bena, Miss.--- Mississippi Valley State head football coach Willie Totten was elated at the end of day one of national football signing day as the Delta Devils inked 22 freshman and transfer student-athletes to mark the largest first day under Totten’s reign.

“I'm very pleased at the turn out, but the best thing is they will all be eligible,” Totten said. “No doubt these are the best numbers since I've been here and we're expecting a couple more junior college guys (today).

“I really want to commend the coaches for getting out there and beating the bushes and getting what we need,” Totten added. “The numbers are a good sign that the program is moving forward.”

2008 MVSU Football Recruits

1. Sandon Nelson LB 6-0 195 Little Rock, Ark. Robinson H.S.

2. Nathaniel Gaines OT 6-3 280 Fayette, MS Jefferson County H.S.

3. Karlos Richardson OT 6-4 310 North Little Rock H.S./Oak Grove H.S.

4. Armon Williams DB 6-0 181 Little Rock, Ark. J.A. Fair H.S.

5. Bruce Nix LB 6-3 220 Jackson, MS Raymond H.S.

6. Jonathan Wilson OL 6-0 260 Batesville, MS South Panola H.S.

7. Cordarrius McMurry OL 6-2 320 Batesville, MS South Panola H.S.

8. Marquis McFadden DB 5-11 180 Little Rock, AR Robinson H.S.

9. Anthony Ester DL 6-2 285 Memphis, TN Whitehaven H.S.

10. Chris Coby DE 6-3 235 Pinson, AL Clay Chalkville H.S.

11. Edmond Box DE 6-2 230 Pinson, AL Clay Chalkville H.S.

12. William Woodard OL 6-4 310 Birmingham, AL Woodland H.S.

13. Oscar Dudley WR 6-4 210 Coffeyville, MS North West C.C.

14. Nicholas Sherman OL 6-1 280 Birmingham, AL Huffman H.S.

15. Johnvonta Brooks OL 6-1 285 Winona, MS Holmes C.C.

16. Joshua Shipp LB 6-1 185 Batesville, MS South Panola H.S.

17. Aaron Encalade QB 6-3 225 Hamilton, LA Coahoma C.C.

18. Javaris Fritz DL 6-1 220 Tarrant, AL Tarrant H.S.

19. Andre Berry QB 6-3 210 Tarrant, AL Tarrant H.S.

20. Cordarius Williams DL 6-5 270 Olive Branch, MS DeSota County H.S.

21. Kealon Kellybrew DB 6-1 190 Little Rock, Ark. Little Rock Central H.S.

22. DeKoven Burrell LB 6-1 210 Birmingham, AL Wenonah, H.S.

32 Sign Letters of Intent to Become AAMU Bulldogs

Alabama A&M head football coach Anthony Jones announced today that 32 future student-athletes have signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent to play football at Alabama A&M University. Jones said he expected this to be one of his most talented and deep pool of recruits since he came to Alabama A&M six years ago. In 2006, Jones and his staff signed 30 players, which was the largest class until today's signing group.

"My staff did a great job of keeping focus on our needs for the upcoming season. We wanted to stress both the offensive and defensive lines, and we did that."

Of the 32 signees, 14 are listed as linemen on either side of the ball. Those numbers split to eight offensive linemen and six defensive. Jones said another key focus for his staff was on the linebacker corps. The Bulldogs signed three linebackers to this year's recruiting class.

As for skill position players, the 2008 class includes two quarterbacks, five running backs, four wide receivers, and one tight end. The class is rounded out with three defensive backs.

Jones added that the 2008 squad will continue to develop throughout spring drills, which begin Friday, February 22.

Here is a look at the 2008 Alabama A&M football recruiting class (a special thanks to Reggie Benson of the Huntsville Times for biographical information).

Terrell Badie • RB, 5-7, 200, Palm Beach, FL/Santaluces HS Was a four-year starter. ... Was the second-leading rusher in Palm Beach County this season with 1,013 yards and 10 TD. ... Was named All-Conference and was an honorable mention All-Area selection. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Citadel.

Antonio Barrett • DB, 6-0, 200, Jonesboro, GA/Mt. Zion HS Was a three-year starter. ... Had 119 tackles this season, including 71 solos, two sacks, three INT and returned one for a TD. ... Also was a two-year starter at FB. ... Was named All-Southern Crescent, All-Clay County and honorable mention All-Atlanta-Journal Constitution. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Georgia Southern, Southern, Tennessee State, Alabama State and Mississippi Valley State.

Jared Bing • OL, 6-3, 240, Augusta, GA/Cross Creek HS

Jamari Brady • QB, 5-11, 160, Mobile, AL/Murphy HS Rushed for 702 yards on 102 carries and 5 TD as a senior. ... Threw for 1008 yards and 5 TD before season-ending injury in game six of his senior season.

Darius Brown • OL, 6-2, 290, Stockbridge, GA/Stockbridge HS Was a two-year starter. ... Was named second-team All-Area. ... Was recruited by Tennessee Tech, Winston-Salem State, North Carolina Central, Tuskegee, West Georgia and Savannah State. ... Has qualified academically.

Markeith Cliatt • LB, 5-11, 225, Phenix City, AL/Central HS Was a two-year starter. ... Had 104 tackles this season, including 61 solos. ... Was named to the All-Region team. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Alabama State, Tuskegee and Missouri Southern.

Rashad Daniels • WR, 6-2, 180, Carrollton, GA/Carrollton HS Was a three-year starter. ... Played WR, SS and CB during his career. ... Earned All-Area honors this season after recording 800 yards in receptions and 10 touchdowns. ... Led Carrollton to an 11-2 record this season and a 44-6 record during his career. ... Helped Carrollton win the 6AAA championship three times.

Mark Dunn • TE, 6-3, 230, Huntsville, AL/Russellville HS

Willie Fuller • LB, 5-11, 205, Lithonia, GA/Lithonia HS Was a four-year starter .... Led the DeKalb County with 164 tackles and played in the All-Star game this season. ... Was an All-Region and All-County selection this season. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Old Dominion, Tennessee State and Alabama State.

Roberto Gonzales • OL, 6-8, 325, Manchester, TN/Coffee County HS Was a three-year starter. ... Led team to a 7-3 record and a berth in the state playoffs this season. ... Consistently graded out in the high 90s. ... Was an All-Region and All-State selection. ... Was rated one of the top 12 players in the state by The Tennessean. ... Was recruited by Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi and Mississippi State.

Lewis Graham • LB, 6-0, 220, Ozark, AL/Carroll HS Was a four-year starter. ... Finished the season with 101 tackles and four sacks. ... Was named All-Area and was a Super 12 honorable mention. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Alabama State, Florida A&M and Stillman.

Richard Jean-Louis • OL, 6-3, 245, Nashville, TN/Pearl Kohn HS Started both ways as a senior. ... Led team to an 11-3 record and to the semifinals of the Class 3A state playoffs. ... Was an All-Region and All-City selection. ... On defense, recorded 60 tackles with five sacks. ... On offense, graded out in the high 80s. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Jackson State, Howard and Charleston Southern.

Trent Johnson • RB, 6-1, 200, Scottsboro, AL/Scottsboro HS Was a three-year starter. ... Only RB in school history to post three straight 1,000-yard seasons. ... Finished his career with 3,874 yards rushing and 42 touchdowns. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Jacksonville State, Harding and West Alabama.

Jamaal Johnson-Webb • OL, 6-6, 310, Atlanta, GA/Mundy's Mill HS

Kaderius Lacey • RB, 6-0, 220, Calera, AL/Calera HS Was a two-year starter. ... ran for 1,400 yards as a sophomore. ... Was the team's leading receiver as a junior and caught 14 touchdowns as a senior. ... Can also played LB. ... Considered one of the top three players in Shelby County. ... Helped team to a 12-2 record and the Class 3A semifinals where it lost to eventual state champion Cordova. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Southern Miss and Arkansas State.

Kyle Lacy • QB, 5-11, 170, Atlanta, GA/Lovejoy HS

Regis Laister • DE, 6-4, 200, Maplesville, AL/Maplesville HS Was a three-year starter. ... Also played some TE and OL. ... Led Red Devils to a 12-1 record and to the Class 1A semifinals before losing to eventual champion Sweet Water. ... Finished the season with 85 tackles, nine sacks and five tackles for loss. ... Recorded 212 career tackles to go along with 20 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, caused seven fumbles and recovered four. ... Was recruited by Southern Miss, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Tennesse Tech, Stillman and Huntingdon.

Parker Marino • DE, 6-2, 245, Mobile, AL/Mary G. Montgomery HS Only started one year and is considered a late bloomer. ... Was recruited by Southern Miss and Memphis. ... Qualified late academically.

Akeem Moore • OL, 6-4, 305, Selma, AL/Southside HS

Clarence Morris • DB, 5-8, 160, Prattville, AL/Prattville HS Played a key role in helping Prattville win back-to-back Class 6A state championships. ... Finished the season with 26 tackles and a fumble recovery. ... Limited Foley High and Alabama commitment Julio Jones to --- catches as Prattville eliminated Foley from the playoffs. .... Was named to the All-Autauga County first team. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Illinois State, Alabama State and Furman.

Preston Nelson • DL, 6-4, 275, Bessemer, AL/McAdory HS Only started one season. ... Led team to a region title and a 10-1 record. ... Was recruited by Ole Miss.

Devron Ownsby • FB, 5-11, 205, Carrollton, GA/Carrollton HS Was a two-year starter at FB/DE. ... Rushed for 737 yards this season, averaging almost six yards per carry. ... Led Carrollton to an 11-2 this season and a 44-6 mark during his career. ... Was named All-Area by the Times-Georgian. ... Helped Carrollton win 6AAA championship three times. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Tuskegee, West Alabama, Stillman and Shorter.

Mike Partridge • OL, 6-1, 270, Riverdale, GA/North Clayton HS Named the team's Outstanding Offensive Lineman as a senior despite only starting one season. ... Consistently graded out in the high 80s. ... Played as a freshman before leaving the team for two seasons before returning as a senior. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Tuskegee, Albany State and Savannah State.

Jordan Peppers • DE, 6-3, 235, Dallas, TX/Labelle HS Was a first-team All-District selection each of the last two seasons. ... Averaged eight sacks per year during his career. ... Has been timed 4.8 in the 40-yard dash and has a 3.0 grade point average. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Rice University, Brigham Young, Texas Tech, Utah State and Buffalo.

Rico Porch • DB, 5-11, 180, Phenix City, AL/Central HS Was a three-year starter. ... Finished the season with 57 tackles, including 36 solos and eight INT. ... Holds career record with 16 INT. ... Named first-team All-Bi City. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Memphis State, Missouri Southern, Alabama State and Tuskegee.

Christopher Smith • OL, 6-5, 335, Gadsden, AL/Gadsden City HS

LaBrodrick Smith • FB, 5-9, 235, Odenville, AL/St. Claire HS

Torey Smith • WR, 5-11, 170, Birmingham, AL/Midfield HS Was a three-year starter. ... Caught 78 passes for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. ... Also returned punts and kickoffs. ... Earned All-County and was an honorable mention All-Metro selection. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Samford, Miles and Stillman College.

Tim Tillman • DL, 6-1, 300, Augusta, GA/Evans HS Was a three-year starter. ... Led team to a 9-3 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals. ... Earned All-County and All-Region honors. ... Picked Alabama A&M over Valdosta State, West Georgia and Savannah State.

Randy Underwood • WR, 6-4, 210, Jasper, AL/Walker HS

Gerald Williams • DL, 6-2, 315, Pelham, AL/Pelham HS Finished his senior season with 43 tackles and five sacks.

Eric Young • WR, 6-3, 210, Miami, FL/Florida Christian HS