Disappointing finish doesn't dim Alabama State Hornets' optimism

As the Alabama State basketball players gathered their belongings and boarded a plane headed for Montgomery from Arizona last Wednesday morning, there were no long faces. There were no feelings of doom and gloom. There was no sadness.

That seems a bit odd given what had happened to the Hornets in the previous week. They had dropped a heartbreaker in overtime of the semifinals of the SWAC tournament the previous Friday. That had cost them a trip to the NCAA tournament and sent them on a quick trip out West to face the National Invitation Tournament's top seed, Arizona State, on its home floor.

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UAPB gets $500,000 from Angel for complex

Photo: Torii Hunter donates half million dollars to build new UAPB baseball complex. Hunter did not attend UAPB or any other college.


PINE BLUFF, AR — Major league baseball player Torii Hunter committed $500,000 on Friday afternoon toward a proposed $9 million University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball complex, which will bear his name.

UAPB Athletic Director Skip Perkins said Hunter closed the deal Friday morning.

Perkins said the complex will be named the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex. The donation is the largest ever to the school’s athletics department from a single person, Perkins said.

“We are very, very grateful,” Perkins said. “We’re ready to rock and roll now. That was a huge component to our fundraising efforts.” Perkins said the fundraising committee will begin its drive next month, although he wasn’t certain exactly when.

Hunter, a Los Angeles Angels outfielder and a 1993 graduate of Pine Bluff High School, was traveling with the team Friday afternoon and unavailable for comment, said Larry Babcock, a spokesman for the Angels. A message left on Hunter’s cell phone Friday was not returned.

Hunter did not attend UAPB or any other college. He was a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Twins straight out of high school. He played his first major-league game in 1997.

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Osborne in the fast lane at Texas Southern

Having been a key member of the 2005 Marshall High School football team that finished the season with a 13-2 record (state runner-up), it can be said Junior Osborne carried with him to Texas Southern University a pedigree for success.

Osborne has lived up to his billing, and then some, having two recent noteworthy successes — one on the track and one in the classroom.

His time of 21.97 seconds in the 200 meters established a new Southwestern Athletic Conference indoor record — surpassing that of Southern University's Albert Turner (22.29) set in January 2005.

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STANDING OUT: Former WSSU star catches scouts' eyes

Safety Nate Biggs has kept a low profile since exhausting his eligibility at Winston-Salem State last fall. But after his performance at an NFL pro day at East Carolina earlier this month, scouts are starting to take notice.

Biggs (6-1, 190) was a four-year starter for the Rams and had eight career interceptions, including three last season to tie for the team lead. He also had 230 career tackles, including 72 last season to finish second on the team.

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Jackson State's RB Giles stands out at Pro Day

The Jackson State football program welcomed 20 NFL scouts to the practice field outside the Walter Payton Center on Monday for the school's "Pro Day."

Representatives from New Orleans, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Chicago, Jacksonville, Carolina, Indianapolis, the New York Giants, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New England, Green Bay and Seattle were in attendance.

Thirteen JSU players took part with athletes from Mississippi College, Alcorn State and Belhaven.

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FAMU begins spring with high-tempo practice

Each player on FAMU's practice field earned every minute of the short water breaks they were granted Monday afternoon. An extra gulp wouldn't have been too much for a group of linebackers stationed at the sled.

One by one, they took a rapid-fire approach as they slammed into the padded metal sled, jerking it back with every contact. Linebackers coach Earl Holmes wouldn't let a man let up. "Grab and control," Holmes bellowed after every strike. "Run through it. Bring your hips with it."

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Excellent article and comments by Coach Joe Taylor and A.D. Bill Hayes.

SCSU Bulldogs Pro Day: Three Men and a Dream

Photo: Former SCSU QB Cleve McCoy prepares for NFL Pro Day tryouts, today at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at 10 a.m.

Eight grueling weeks of learning, preparing and getting ready to make a push toward a dream that has been in his heart and mind since he was a little boy growing up in Hollywood, South Carolina. Over the span of those past 56-or-so days, Cleve McCoy signed with an agent, took a ride to Charlotte, reunited with former backfield mate and former South Carolina State star Deshawn Baker, and sat about the task of making himself into an NFL prospect.

There were plenty of runs through the 40-yard dash for the pair, plenty of "how many times can you rep out 225" going on and plenty of drills. Six days a week, every week, Baker and McCoy trained alongside the likes of former Louisville tailback Eric Shelton, a second-round draft pick out of Louisville by the Carolina Panthers in 2005and current member of the Washington Redskins. The work is behind them now.

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S.C. State Bulldogs kick off Spring practice

Overall, the Bulldogs remained in good spirits throughout the 2 1/2 hour practice session which was low on heavy contact and high on refining team fundamentals after a four-month layoff.

It was a difficult first day for rising sophomore quarterback Malcolm Long. He did complete a long touchdown pass to Denmark-Olar's Semaj Moody, but the heir apparent to Cleveland McCoy was picked off four times during passing drills against the SCSU secondary. Gaffney teammate and MIKE linebacker Julius Wilkerson had one pick, while the other three came at the hands of two-sport defensive back Phillip Adams.

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SSU Tigers add five to 2008 football recruiting class

SAVANNAH, Ga - The Savannah State football staff has announced additions to the recruiting class for 2008. The Tigers have picked up commitments from five players incluiding three from College of the Sequoias in California.

Inking grank-in-aids to play at Savannah State were Pasa Mohetau (6-4, 330), Sangatua Lelea (6-3, 295), Jackie Crankfield (6-3, 285), Todd Bowden (6-3, 305) and running back Kendall Blackshear (5-9, 195) from Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas.

Mohetau, Lelea and Crankfield are junior college transfers while Bowden originaly signed with Norfolk State in high school but never played with the Spartans. These signees increase new coach Robby Wells first recruiting class to 33 players.

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FAMU's first football practice photo gallery

Please click on blog title to go to "FAMU's first football practice photo gallery."

Coach Joe Taylor looks great in the Orange and Green, and the players appear to be in good shape for spring practice.

Southern U. shuffles assistants as spring work starts today

As Southern prepares to open its spring football practices this afternoon, the defensive coaching staff is making a last-minute shuffle.

Defensive line coach David Geralds has left after three seasons, Southern head coach Pete Richardson said Monday. The move leaves no time for SU to add another assistant defensive coach and bring him up to speed for the spring workouts. Instead, the staff will have to adjust.

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Hampton University suspends three football players

Quarterback T.J. Mitchell is among three Hampton University football players suspended from the team.

HAMPTON, VA - – Hampton University announced the suspensions on Monday of three football players, including starting quarterback T.J. Mitchell. A release issued by the school did not specify a reason, but sources said they were suspended for their involvement last week in a fight on campus.

The others suspended are punter Jahmal Blanchard and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy said that the players' futures will be determined following an internal hearing at the university.

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Hampton U. suspends Smalling for two games to start next season

Hampton University announced that men's basketball forward Theo Smalling, a sophomore, has been suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament in Raleigh, N.C.

Smalling has been suspended for two games at the start of next season and will be required to perform 25 hours of community service before the start of the fall semester, according to HU athletic director Lonza Hardy.

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It's official: Backup QB Quinn Gray signs with Texans

Photo: Former Florida A&M University/NFL Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray signed today with the Houston Texans.

As expected, free agent quarterback Quinn Gray signed a one-year contract with the Texans today. Gray, who played his first five seasons with Jacksonville, signed a one-year deal for the $605,000 minimum and a $40,000 signing bonus.

Gray was 2-2 as a starter last season, including victories over Tampa Bay and Tennessee and losses to New Orleans and the Texans. Gray arrived in Houston on Sunday and he is spending today at Reliant Stadium, meeting with head coach Gary Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

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With Brown leading the way, Coppin State finds consistent success

Photo: Coach Derek Brown celebrates the 2008 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship with his CSU Lady Eagles and fans at the RBC Center.

The low-key coach and his unsung basketball team will huddle one more time today, roll up their sleeves and go to work. When Coppin State meets Maryland at Comcast Center in a women's NCAA tournament game, it will be the Eagles' latest milestone on the road to prominence.

This game marks four postseason tournaments in four years for the Coppin women, three in the NCAA. It marks the end of a golden era for senior guards Rashida Suber and Shalamar Oakley.

As much as anything, it underscores the job coach Derek Brown has done since taking over the team in mid season nine years ago amid a coaching controversy. He has come a long way since working as a jail guard in Camden, N.J., but he's not above mopping the floor before the Eagles practice at 5 a.m. each day.

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ASU FOOTBALL: Things come full circle for QB Engram

Photo: #16, QB Alex Engram

No Alabama State player has been discussed more over the last two years than quarterback Alex Engram. He was hailed as a savior when he first arrived, moved to punter a year later and is now back as a surprise threat to retake the starting QB role.

To say it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride for the senior is an understatement.
"Things haven't been easy for Alex," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "But I'm proud of him and the way he's responded to everything." The way Engram has responded is to keep working no matter what his coaches asked of him. And they've asked plenty.

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Southern can't overcome early deficit

GRAMBLING — Grambling broke out to a 6-0 lead after three innings and held off Southern, 7-4, in Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball action Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers (10-11, 8-4 SWAC West) took two of the three games from the rival Jaguars (7-9, 6-3).

“We lost the game in the first three innings,” Southern coach Roger Cador said. “They had a couple of Texas hoppers and a home run and after that we were playing catch-up.”

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S.C. State Bulldogs: Long's time coming

Photo: #7 - QB Malcolm Long leads a pack of inexperienced signal callers into the Bulldogs Spring training sessions.

For sophomore quarterback Malcolm Long, the time is now.

Since the arrival last fall of the former South Carolina "Mr. Football" winner out of Gaffney, South Carolina State fans have anticipated the day he would take the reins as the starter. The glimpses of potential Long exhibited during spot appearances late in the season only added to the hype.

Now that record-setting quarterback Cleveland McCoy has graduated, the Bulldogs have essentially handed Long the keys to the offense. It's a responsibility Long is anxious to seize hold of and guide in the direction of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.

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UMES Hawks Bowling wins third MEAC Title

#2 UMES tops #11 Delaware State for 4-1 for their fourth overall championship.

HAMPTON, Va. - Two games. That is the amount of baker games the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) dropped during the entire Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship as they topped Delaware State University (DSU) 4-1 in the best of seven baker game format in Sunday's final to secure their third straight women's bowling title and fourth overall. The one game came to the nation's 11th ranked team, DSU in the finals, the other to Norfolk State University (NSU) in the semi-finals. They won every other match via shut out.

The Lady Hawks took on the Lady Hornets in the finals. DSU defeated NSU 4-1 in the semi-final round for the right to face UMES earlier in the day. The Hawks topped the Hornets 169-158, 175-181, 183-181, 153-151 and 190-169 to secure the title.

"It was how it was supposed to be," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "The two teams in the finals were the two teams ranked in the nation. Everything played out correctly and it was a competitive final."

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Tennessee State's signee Parker Smith is star quality

Photo: TSU signee #30 Parker Smith averaged 30 ppg in his high school career.

Times 2008 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Chestatee's Parker Smith

GAINESVILLE, GA — There’s not much that Chestatee High basketball player Parker Smith can’t do.

Smith, who finished his career at Chestatee with 2,038 career points—924 points as a senior — led the War Eagles to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. As a senior, he shot 55-percent on two point shots, and 56-percent behind the 3-point line. He is signed to play next season at Tennessee State University.

The 6-3 shooting guard seems to excel at everything, whether it be in the classroom or on the court. The kid has incredible work ethic in all aspects of his life. It’s impressive enough to think that he’s an outstanding basketball player, but he is a straight-A student, too. According to Smith, the opportunity to play at TSU trumped offers from schools like Air Force, Buffalo and Dartmouth, among others.

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Southern splits with Grambling State

GRAMBLING — Southern pitcher Jarrett Maloy gave up just four hits in going the distance to help the Jaguars salvage a split of a Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader with Grambling State on Saturday.

Southern took the nightcap, 3-1, behind Maloy’s solid pitching performance. In seven innings of work, he struck out six while walking just one.

Grambling scored all of its runs in the third inning of the first game to take a 5-4 win in the opener of the three-game SWAC West series.

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Bethune Cookman baseball sweeps FAMU Rattlers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida A&M Baseball team grabbed an early 2-0 lead before Bethune-Cookman rallied to complete a sweep of their weekend Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series with a 16-6 victory here Sunday at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (2-11, 0-3 in MEAC) struck first Sunday, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Jared Grace, who reached safely via a one-out single, scored from first on a Jared Jeffries infield hit and a throwing error by B-CU pitcher Eric Thomas.

Bethune-Cookman (14-7, 3-0 in MEAC), which outhit FAMU, 9-7, scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead, 3-2, but broke the game open in the seventh, scoring seven runs on two hits and two errors, aided by several Rattler wild pitches, for a 10-2 lead.

The BCU Wildcats won Saturday games against the Rattlers with scores of 10-0 and 9-1, scoring 35 runs in the three game series.

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Maryland survives against Coppin State

Photo: Coppin State University head coach Derek Brown watches action as the Lady Eagles gives the Terps all they could handle in NCAA Tournament game. CSU ends season at 22-12.

Rashida Suber scored 25 points and Shalamar Oakley had 20 for Coppin State, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - The silence in the arena was as telling as the numbers on the scoreboard.

Playing at home against unheralded Coppin State, Maryland found itself locked in a duel with historic ramifications. Only once had a No. 1 seed lost in the opening round, and with 17 minutes left in the game, the mighty Terrapins were in danger of becoming the second such victim.

Maryland finally pulled away to an 80-66 victory Sunday, but the performance was uninspired, unimpressive and hardly worthy of a team that spent the entire season ranked in the top five.

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LSU runs by Jackson State

Photo: Jackson State University guard Carena Easley soaks in the NCAA experience.

Fowles said she believed No. 2-seeded LSU was closer to achieving that more in the final 20 minutes of play of Saturday’s first-round NCAA tournament game which the Lady Tigers administered a 66-32 victory over No. 15 Jackson State before 4,513 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU (28-5) advances to face No. 7 Marist, a 76-57 winner over No. 10 DePaul. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN2. LSU, which has won 17 of its last 19 games, extended its string of NCAA first-round wins to 11, averaging a winning margin of more than 20 points.

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PHOTO GALLERY: http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/16935551.html

ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL: Hornets' offense struggles in scrimmage

Photo: #3, RS Junior QB Alex Engram, 5-10/200, Warren, OH/Western Michigan University.

With just a few minutes remaining in Alabama State's second scrimmage of spring drills, redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Dominguez lofted a perfect pass that fell just over tight end Aaron Wallace's shoulder for a four-yard touchdown.

The play was the perfect representation of the Hornets' scrimmage. It was the only TD of the scrimmage, and it came during red zone drills. It was that kind of up-and-down day for the ASU offense.

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South Carolina routs North Carolina A&T in WNIT

Photo: Lady Aggies 6-0 junior forward Brittanie Taylor-James snared 6 rebounds and scored 16 points against South Carolina.

South Carolina freshman Jordan Jones fires for 31 points thanks to WNIT record nine 3-pointers

If there was any question the Gamecocks were motivated to play in the second-tier tournament, it was answered quickly and emphatically.

The Gamecocks showed they are as healthy as they have been since November as they routed North Carolina A&T 102-74 in the opening round of the tournament Friday night at the Colonial Center.

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NFL Vikings give Frazier contract extension, title of assistant head coach

Photo: Former Alcorn State University football/baseball player Leslie Frazier is now Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings formalized defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier's dual role within their organization, adding "assistant head coach" to his title on Wednesday. As part of the promotion, Frazier's contract was extended through the 2009 season.

Although the additional title is largely ceremonial in the NFL, Frazier said it "kind of makes things official" after he spent much of the past year advising coach Brad Childress on "everything ... from top to bottom, on our roster."

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Quick Bio: Frazier played from 1981-86 with the Chicago Bears and was a starter for the 1985 Bears and led the team in interceptions from 1983-85. He notched 20 interceptions in his 65 career games and scored a pair of TDs on returns. An All-America honoree at Alcorn State University, Frazier was a standout in football and baseball.

Adams reigns as SCSU Defensive Coordinator

Photo: S.C. State new defensive coordinator, Mike Adams

During his two seasons as South Carolina State's secondary/special teams coach, Mike Adams has incessantly preached about being "ready for the moment."

Whether it's a starter or reserve, Adams expects his players to be ready to make a big defensive stop during a game. When that time comes, he does not expect them to back away from the challenge.

Adams is now taking the same approach as the newly-promoted Bulldogs defensive coordinator, replacing John Hendrick who left to become the new defensive line coach at South Florida. With spring drills starting Monday, various defensive schemes Adams plans to cover during the first two practice sessions are scribbled all over his office's chalkboard.

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Norfolk State University Live!!

Norfolk State University Gospel Choir, NSU Live!!!


O Praise the Lord, Norfolk State University Concert Choir
Composer: Dr. Adolphus Hailstork; Conductor: Dr. Carl Haywood


Norfolk State University Gospel Choir - Voices of Inspiration

Norfolk State University, Back at Shiloh "This Lit'l Light of Mine"


Norfolk State University Concert Choir, Psalm 57; Betty Jackson King; Conductor: Dr. Carl Haywood.


Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir, Norfolk State University; Choirmaster Patrick Riddick.

UMES Baseball player receives prestigious technology award

Photo: Tyler Love

Love earns Donald Maley College Scholarship

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) junior infielder Tyler Love is a solid player for the Hawks on the diamond, but recently Love earned recognition for his accomplishments off the field. He was named the Technology Education Association of Maryland's (TEAM) 2008 Donald Maley College Scholarship recipient, recognizing his accomplishments' as a student in the technology field.

Love received a plaque, scholarship and Governor's Citation of Excellence. He was selected based on his excellent academic record and active participation in numerous professional education and extracurricular activities. He has maintained a GPA at UMES of 3.7 and also received a high score on the PRAXIS, the national teacher test.

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More On: Rickards hires former FAMU football coach Rudy Hubbard

If you had questions why Rudy Hubbard would come out of football coaching retirement after 23 years, and take on a South-side high school coaching job, here is insight into his rationale. His decision will be of great benefit to the Tallahassee South-side community, especially on a level that leadership and guidance is needed with our young male students.

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The television was on, and Rudy Hubbard looked up.

On the screen Hubbard saw Rickards High School Principal Dr. Pink Hightower talking about his search for a new football coach. Rickards had been on his mind for a while. At that time in mid-February, Hightower and Rickards athletic director Ken Fearson were announcing the firing of Everett Blakely, who ended his two years with a 4-16 record.

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Hampton U football coach: Let's get physical

Photo: Returning starting DB Sam Pope will anchor the secondary.

Jerry Holmes is confident as he begins his first spring practice as HU's head coach.

HAMPTON - — Jerry Holmes' first day of spring football practice as coach at Hampton University was like a reunion. Enough past and potential NFL talent was on hand Monday to remind Holmes about the legacy he's charged to continue and the holes he must fill.

Greg Scott and Zuriel Smith, HU alumni who played in the NFL, watched from the sidelines. Kendall Langford and Marcus Dixon — All-American defensive ends last season — also dropped by after completing workouts in preparation for likely visits next month to NFL rookie camps.

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College fundraiser to honor Alonzo Mourning and South Florida establishments

Photo: Retired Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning. (Click on related link below for more photos).

The storied Orange Bowl has been smashed to smithereens, but it's signature fundraiser continues.Former Heat player Alonzo Mourning and his philanthropic wife, Tracey, will be among the honorees March 28 at the Orange Bowl Foundation event at the Broward County Convention Center.The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, The African-American Research Library and Tarra L. Pressey will also be honored at the sixth annual dinner, which will feature r&b singer Eric Benet.

The Field of Dreams scholarships will be donated to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Florida Region, whose Fort Lauderdale chapter serves UNCF schools such as Florida Memorial University in Miami, Edward Waters College in Jacksonville and Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach.

Money raised will also provide academic scholarships to African-American high school athletes from South Florida schools who plan to attend a United Negro College Fund institution.

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Related links
Alonzo Mourning through the years Photos

Ekworomadu's three leads Lady Bobcats to improbable win over PVAMU Panthers

Photo: Candice Thomas paced the PVAMU Lady Panthers' attack, contributing 26 of her career-high 40 points in the first half. The 5-9 sophomore guard is from Waco, Texas/University H.S.

SAN MARCOS – Joyce Ekworomadu dribbled right, pulled up and shot a fadeaway three pointer just over a Prairie View A&M defender that rattled in with 1.4 seconds left to give Texas State an 84-83 win over the Lady Panthers and send the Bobcats into the second round of the WNIT.

The win marks the first-ever postseason win for either Texas State men’s or women’s basketball since the Bobcats moved to NCAA Division I prior to the 1987-88 season. It is also the first time a Southland Conference school has won a WNIT game since Northwestern State advanced to the WNIT championship game in 1995.

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Mississippi Valley State, You're No Belmont

In the above photo, taken in the second half of last night's game, UCLA players Kevin Love, Darren Collison, Russell Westbrook and Josh Shipp are laughing as they watch their bench-warmer teammates toying with Mississippi Valley State. UCLA won, 70-29, and Mississippi Valley State's point total was the lowest in an NCAA Tournament game since the field expanded to 64.

Yes, it was an ugly performance by the 16-seeded Delta Devils, a performance that was in sharp contrast to the other little-known squad taking on a college basketball powerhouse last night, as 15-seed Belmont gave Duke all it could handle.

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UCLA makes sure it's not sweet for 16, MVSU Delta Devils

Photo: Mississippi Valley State University head basketball coach James Green.

Josh Shipp wasn't apparent, Darren Collison didn't score in the first half, Kevin Love played with intelligent caution and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute didn't play at all, not that it mattered on this first night of the 2008 tournament basketball for UCLA.

The top-seeded Bruins coasted to a 70-29 win over 16th-seeded Mississippi Valley State on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA West Regional at the Honda Center. The Bruins (32-3) will play ninth-seeded Texas A&M (25-10) in the second round Saturday. The Aggies beat eighth-seeded Brigham Young, 67-62.

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MORE PHOTOS: http://www.pe.com/multimedia/slideshow/2008/20080321_ucla

Highlights: The 29 points scored by the Delta Devils was the lowest total in a NCAA Tournament game since college basketball began using a shot clock in 1985.

UCLA held Mississippi Valley State to just 19.7 percent shooting from the field and 7.1 percent from 3-point range.

The Bruins had 6 blocked shots in the first five minutes and finished with 13 overall, one shy of tying the record for a single NCAA Tournament game.

Coach Ben Howland pulled his UCLA starters from the game midway through the first half and played reserves the rest of the way.

Larry Cox led the Delta Devils (17-16) with seven points.

ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL: New offense has effect on defense

When Reggie Barlow began entertaining the idea of bringing in a coordinator to run the spread offense at Alabama State, he had a couple of concerns.

The first was the ASU running game. The Hornets had a talented group of ball carriers that saved the team more than a few times last season and Barlow didn't want to cut any of them out of playing time. He was pleased to discover that the pass-happy spread wasn't so pass-happy and that the running back was only slightly less important than the quarterback.

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Tallahassee Rickards H.S. hires Rudy Hubbard as football coach

Photo: #12, Former FAMU head football coach Rudy Hubbard with members of the Rattlers 1978 1-AA National Championship Team, at the 2007 FAMU Homecoming game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Leon County Superintendent of Schools Jackie Pons told the Tallahassee Democrat that former Florida A&M University football coach Rudy Hubbard has been hired as the head football coach for Rickards High School.

Hubbard coached the Rattlers from 1974-1985 and ranks second in FAMU history with 83 victories (83-48 career record). His FAMU teams won the Black College National Championship in 1977 and the inaugural NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship in 1978. He was fired in 1985 after two losing season, when his teams finished 7-14-1.

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Excellent move by the Leon County School System. That's what we need--more strong male role models in the high schools, and Coach Hubbard brings exceptional maturity and accomplishments that can inspire students in a positive way.

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Free agent quarterback Quinn Gray to visit Houston Texans

Photo: Former FAMU QB Quinn Gray is seeking a new NFL team and fatter contract.

The Texans have set up a free agent visit with Jacksonville quarterback Quinn Gray on Sunday at Reliant Stadium.Gray, 28, is entering his sixth season. He has played in 11 games, starting four, with the Jaguars.

The Texans have carried just two quarterbacks on their active roster the past two seasons, and both Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels are slated to return.

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Quinn Gray, also visited the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers, and is contemplating which environment suits him best. From the news reports, Gray has already been replaced by fourth-year quarterback Cleo Lemon.

On Chip Silverman: Ailing ex-coach made lasting mark on lacrosse at Morgan State

Even as he lies on a hospice bed with cancer, Chip Silverman perks up when he hears his fiancee, Gail Wolven, answer questions about his days as Morgan State's lacrosse coach. Silverman, 65, has been flooded with visits, phone calls and text messages from former players since he was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma Oct. 5.

The cancer has spread through his body, but Silverman is strong in spirit. He speaks barely above a whisper. "The turnout has been great," Silverman said of the players' response. "It's amazing. I've been blown away by it. I know it's my time."

But Silverman has been more than just a lacrosse coach. He has been the head of the state drug commission and authored several books, including Ten Bears, which he co-wrote with Dr. Myles Harrison Jr., and Diner Guys. He also is an accomplished photographer.

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READ MORE ON THE MORGAN LACROSSE DOCUMENTARY FILM AND VIEW PREVIEW TRAILER: http://meacswacsports.blogspot.com/2008/03/morgan-state-bears-lacrosse-story.html

MVSU Delta Devils understand odds they face tonight

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — No one has to tell the Mississippi Valley State players or coaches the odds they face tonight in the NCAA Tournament.

The stats are right there in black and white in the 2008 NCAA Final Four record book: 0-92. That's the record No. 16 seeds have posted against No. 1 seeds since the tournament field was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The Delta Devils (17-15) would like to change that tonight when they play UCLA, which is 31-3 and favored by 32 points.

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Spelman, Black Schools Hit by Budget Ax as Bush Erases Aid Gain

(Bloomberg)--When it comes to America's more than 100 historically black colleges, the Bush administration is giving with one hand and taking back with the other.

President George W. Bush signed a law in September adding $85 million to the annual support of $238.1 million for Spelman College, Grambling State University in Louisiana and the other schools, saying it would help low-income Americans earn degrees and prepare them to compete for U.S. jobs. The Bush administration's new budget cuts aid to the schools by the same amount, angering Democrats who helped provide the money.

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Virginia Tech tops Morgan State

The Virginia Tech men's basketball team advanced to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament with a 94-62 defeat of the Morgan State Bears yesterday evening.

The victory was the 300th of head coach Seth Greenberg's career and the 20th of his team's season.

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Alabama State Hornets hit spring practice wall

Photo: ASU head football coach Reggie Barlow

Spring practice at Alabama State had gone rather smoothly over the first seven days. The Hornets had spent the week working hard to learn a new offense and push each other along.

While the novelty has somewhat worn off the spread offense, it isn't completely gone. Offensive players still show up at practice each day not entirely comfortable in their usual positions. Defense players, in the meantime, continue to be frustrated by the ridiculous amounts of screens, draws and swing passes in the new offense.

"It's like it's all they run," defensive tackle Clyde Holloway said. "I've never seen so many screens in all my life. It really is pretty strange to watch. They've got so many receivers out there and everybody's running around. It's hard to predict what's coming, I'll say that much."

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SSU's Wells conducts first football practice

Photo: Savannah State University head football coach Robby Wells.

Tuesday morning lights.

It's not the sequel to the movie "Friday Night Lights." It's what Savannah State's football team was practicing under at 5:30 a.m. at T.A. Wright Stadium.

The Tigers had their first spring practice and conducted a variety of drills for first-year head coach Robby Wells and his six assistants until 7:30 a.m.

For the next four weeks, SSU will conduct 11 practices from 5:30-7:30 a.m. The Tigers will have one afternoon practice and two late-morning scrimmages before wrapping up with an afternoon spring game April 12.

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Brooks, SU dominate Coppin State

Photo: SU Coach Roger Candor.

The important part of Southern University’s 19-5 win over Coppin State came in getting a solid, knuckle-down start from junior right-hander Sherrard Brooks.

Brooks, who had struggled in three appearances, settled down after a rocky first inning, got out of a jam in the second and dominated from there until coming out after the sixth.

For a team with two starting pitchers, Chris Donaby and Seth Monaghan, out with injuries and still trying to build its bullpen, having Brooks gain confidence is a big help.

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Florida Classic faces trouble

For a couple of days late last month, it looked like Bethune-Cookman's football team would be participating in two major events in Orlando next season. But the presidents of B-CU and Florida A&M quickly ended that speculation.

On Feb. 26, ESPN Regional Television announced its MEAC/SWAC Challenge game will move from Birmingham, Ala., to Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl for at least next season. The game will be played Aug. 31, which is Sunday of the Labor Day weekend.

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This article title is totally incorrect--It should read: MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Trouble. The Florida Classic is going nowhere with a strong base of 68,000 -71,000 fans making it the largest game in history for the Florida Citrus Bowl facility.

Without the participation of FAMU and BCU, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be seeking a new home regardless of the sponsorship. This is a meaningless "made for cablevision" game. Folks have to remember the product IS the HBCU football teams, not the stadium, or the classic name, or whether the game will be televised.

Jackson State football means as much to Floridians as Delaware State football--they are not on the radar.

-beepbeep

NCA&T Aggies to play at South Carolina in WNIT

Photo: NCA&T Patricia Cage-Bibbs will face a South Carolina team that finished 15-15, 4-10 in the SEC.

GREENSBORO, March 18, 2008 – After heartbreaking loss in the MEAC Championship Game on Saturday, the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team still has one more chance to win a tournament championship. The Aggies will play in their first postseason game in 14 years when they face the University of South Carolina on Friday, March 21 in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament at the Colonial Center in Columbia, S.C.

The brackets were released late Monday night. Game time is 7 p.m. A win could put the Aggies back in Raleigh where they just played three games in the MEAC Tournament because Friday’s winner will play N.C. State at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh NEXT Monday night.

“We had a great season,’’ said head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “I think playing in this tournament will remind people of that. Yes, we would love to play in the NCAA tournament. But in our case, you have to have had a great season to play in this tournament too.”

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ASU Sun Devils scorch ASU Hornets in NIT

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Alabama State played an angry team Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT.

Arizona State, which, along with many NCAA basketball gurus, believed it belonged in the NCAA tournament, took out its snub frustrations with a 64-53 victory at Wells Fargo Arena.

Alabama State, playing its first NIT game since 1983, made it easy for Arizona State to set the tone and build a cozy lead by missing its first eight shots of the game and 15 of its first 16.

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ASU opens NIT with easy win over Alabama State

One down, four to go.

The ASU men's basketball team certainly looked like a No. 1 seed Tuesday night in its 64-53 win over Alabama State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

For the first half anyway.

"The first half we came out with a chip on our shoulder," ASU freshman guard James Harden said. "Second half, I guess we got too comfortable. We had a little lead, got comfortable, then they made a run and picked up the intensity on defense.

"We just had to settle down to come out with the victory."

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