Special Feature: Romona Robinson undaunted by risky solo-anchor format on TV

A six-time Emmy Award winning news anchor, Robinson is one of Cleveland's best-known and admired television Broadcasters. The Lincoln University grad is solo anchor at WKYC Channel 3 Television Station, Cleveland, Ohio.

On a June morning filled with promise, a teenage Romona Robinson stood up in her tiny church in rural Missouri to declare what her future would be. Each graduating senior announced their plans and dreams to the congregation. When it was Romona's turn, she said she was going to college to become a television anchor. The bold statement was her defining moment, a first step in a long career. Afterward, a well-meaning church lady buttonholed Romona's mother, Henrietta Robinson, for some frank talk, with Romona listening in the background.

"You tell that girl to get that notion out of her head. She ain't gonna get no job reading the television news. White people never gonna let black people sit next to them and give the news. Tell that girl to study something sensible." After all, in the 1970s, black news anchors were rare. Years later, as the minutes ticked down to Robinson's debut as Cleveland's first black female evening anchor on WUAB Channel 43's inaugural newscast, she flashed back to that well-meaning but narrow-minded advice. Her mind replayed the steps that had taken her from that Missouri childhood to an anchor desk. I've arrived, she thought. I'm here.

Channel 3's anchor Romona Robinson goes solo on evening news

IN THE SPOTLIGHT, ON THE HOT SEAT

Robinson, a statuesque beauty who radiates the warmth and sincerity of a favorite sister, is the only solo anchor in Cleveland news, the 15th-largest media market in the country. She was named WKYC Channel 3's evening anchor after her longtime co-anchor, Tim White, left in December when he and the station could not agree on a contract. Robinson is the first black woman to be the sole anchor of a weeknight newscast here. She joined Channel 3 in 1997. Channel 3 news director Rita Andolsen said the solo-anchor format is a bit risky but Robinson is a proven talent in the Cleveland market. "I would not have tried it with anybody but Romona," she said.

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Shelby running back signs with N.C. A&T

When Shelby High running back Larry Raper didn't announce immediately where he's going to college to play at the NCAA's early signing date in February, the questions started. "Where's he going ... is he going ... who's after him?" were constant inquiries for him and his coaches. The 5-10, 165-pound Golden Lion running back put all that to rest Wednesday when he signed to play for the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Raper has been a three-year starter for the Golden Lions and raked in numerous honors during his career, one in which he played on a state championship (2006) and runner-up squad (2007).

He was a three-time all-conference selection at running back, was an All-Cleveland County choice and was named to the 2008 North Carolina Shrine Bowl team. Raper, who's been clocked in the 40-yard dash as low as 4.25 at football combines, also has been a track standout for the Golden Lions. "He came (to us) right after Van (Eskridge, now at East Carolina) and was able to step right in and play," Shelby coach Chris Norman said of Raper. "He made a lot of good plays for us." Besides his halfback duties in Shelby's double-wing attack, he also ran back kicks and was pressed into service in the secondary when needed.

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North Carolina A&T Aggie women end regular season with win

NORFOLK, Va. — N.C. A&T played without two starters and two reserves on Thursday, but finished the regular-season with a 97-65 win over Norfolk State at Echols Hall. Brittanie Taylor-James led the Aggies with 30 points. Her performance marked the third time this season she has scored 30 or more points. It also marked the first time an Aggies player has scored 30 points in back-to-back games since Malveata Johnson did during the 2000 season. Taylor-James closes out the regular season as the MEAC's leading scorer.
























Brittanie Taylor-James led the Aggies in scoring with a season average of 19.5 ppg.

Junior Ta'Wuana Cook added a season-high 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, while junior Reisha Bullock finished with 12 and freshman center Nakia DeBlanc had 10 points and seven rebounds. The Aggies closed out their regular season 23-6 and 15-1 in the MEAC, despite missing All-MEAC performer Amber Bland and starting power forward Jaleesa Sams. Reserves Brittane Neely and Shantar Waddell also missed the game. "We have so many people that are hurt, but we also have so many people that are willing to step up," said A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs.

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Morgan State spoils finale at Coppin Center

Coppin State guard Tywain McKee is going out just as he came in, still hungry, still driven, still looking to refine his game.

Morgan State got a tournament-type atmosphere in its regular-season finale tonight. The Bears responded to their neighborhood rivalry with Coppin State with a frenetic 68-62 victory that brought down the curtain on Coppin Center. The Bears got a game-high 23 points from Reggie Holmes to notch their second straight 20-win season and head into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament with momentum -- they've won 12 of their past 14 -- and the No. 1 seed.

Morgan (20-11, 13-3) trailed only in the opening minutes and led by 12 points in the second half but couldn't put away the Eagles (12-18, 9-7). "We still haven't hit on all cylinders," Bears coach Todd Bozeman said. "We still have a level we want to get to. You just don't want to finish the season without reaching that level. We aren't where we were, but we also aren't quite where we want to be." On an emotional night that saw Tywain McKee played his final regular-season game for the Eagles and the last men's game on this floor, Coppin got within three points with 23 seconds to play.

Attendance: 1,720.

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SLU comes back to beat Southern University in 10th

Joe Sparacino's two-out run-scoring double in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted Southeastern Louisiana to an 8-7 victory against Southern last night in Hammond. The Lions (6-3) overcame a 7-0 deficit to knock off the visiting Jaguars (3-5). Both teams had a chance to win it in the ninth. Two errors and a walk helped the Jaguars load the bases in the top of the inning, but Toddrick Stevenson popped up to the pitcher to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ty Summerlin singled with one out and moved to third on Brandon Street's single. Josh Cryer was intentionally walked to load the bases. But Chris Franklin grounded into a double play to force extra innings. Southern had runners on the corners with two out in the top of the 10th, but Gregory Whitfield grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Southern jumped out to a 7-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings, but SLU pecked away before tying the game in the eighth on Jordan D'Arensbourg's two-run home run. Edmond Morton's two-run homer in the second gave the Jaguars a 2-0 lead. Victor Franklin's one-out solo shot in the third pushed the SU advantage to 3-0.

Box Score and Play-by-Play in .pdf Format

Box Score and Play-by-Play in .html Format

JAGUAR BASEBALL-MARCH 2009
Date Opponent Location Time
3-1 *Prairie View A&M Prairie View, TX 1:00 PM
3-4 Southeastern Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 PM
3-10 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA 6:30 PM
3-14 *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 PM
3-15 *Arkansas Pine Bluff Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 PM
3-17 +Alcorn State University Lorman, MS 3:00 PM
3-21 *+Texas Southern Houston, TX 12:00 PM
3-22 *Texas Southern Houston, TX 12:00 PM
3-24 University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA 6:00 PM
3-28 *+Grambling State Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 PM
3-29 *Grambling State Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 PM
3-31 Nicholls State University Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 PM

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Pitching presenting problem for FAMU

Rattlers head baseball Coach Robert Lucas

Coach Robert Lucas realized one of his greatest fears about the FAMU baseball team – that his pitchers might have a disastrous day no matter how much hitting the Rattlers do. That became clear Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field, where the Rattlers lost two seven-inning games to Campbell University. The Camels (8-1) took the first game 7-0 then FAMU's pitching collapsed in a 16-6 loss.

Yes, this is the same team that scored 41 runs in the two previous games. That gave Lucas a bit of optimism just four days ago, but inconsistencies by his pitchers spurred Lucas' ire. Pitching coach Brett Richardson was just as furious over what transpired on the mound. What he saw was enough to begin tinkering with the rotation, Richardson said.

"You can talk a whole bunch about confidence, but confidence is something you can't give a guy," Richardson said. "Either you've got it or you don't." Despite their troubles on the mound, the Rattlers out-hit Campbell in both games (9-8 and 15-10). FAMU never led in the second game and it left nine runners on base for a total of 18 in both games.

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Second-half surge puts Tennessee State in semis

Jasmine Smith, who has been the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week six times since January, lived up to her reputation Tuesday for Tennessee State. The transfer from Louisville poured in 16 points and helped the Lady Tigers keep their season alive by providing a second-half boost on the way to a 77-66 win over Southeast Missouri. The victory came in the first round of the OVC Tournament at Gentry Center. It moved No. 3 seed TSU (18-12) into Friday's semifinals at Sommet Center against Eastern Illinois, which defeated Tennessee Tech 71-65.

TSU guard Kendra Appling (5) drives past SEMO forward Rachel Blunt (32) during their game at Gentry Center. (GEORGE WALKER IV)

"I told Jasmine at halftime, if we win this game, it's going to depend on her getting involved offensively and defensively,'' TSU Coach Tracee Wells said. Sixth seeded SEMO (15-15) kept Smith contained for the first half. She came into the game averaging 11.1 points and 9.8 rebounds but was held to just two points and three rebounds by halftime. From the start of the second half, however, Smith was nearly unstoppable. She scored seven of TSU's first 11 points and finished with 14 second-half points and five rebounds.

Photo Gallery: Southeast Missouri State vs. TSU

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