New coach is well-versed in TSU history

John Cooper was well-connected in the Kansas City area. He was a car dealer who had ties to the Kansas City Royals. He knew Frank White. He knew U L Washington. The Royals were his team. But his grandson, also named John Cooper, had a bond with him beyond baseball. They loved hoops, specifically NAIA hoops, and the conference has held its basketball championship in K.C. for all but eight years since 1937.

So they would go to Kemper Arena. Head to the national tournament every March and watch the best basketball few discussed on a national level. Back in the day, Tennessee State was certainly in the NAIA discussion. In 1957, TSU became the first all-black team to win an integrated college basketball national championship. The Tigers followed that up by winning in '58 and '59. Five players from those teams went on to play in the NBA.

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LSU No. 3 national seed; Tigers to face Southern Jaguars

LSU was named the No. 3 national seed in the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field that was revealed today. The Tigers (46-16) will play Southern (30-15) at 1 p.m. Friday in the first game of the four-team regional that begins Friday at Alex Box Stadium. The second game at 6 p.m. Friday will pit Baylor (29-24) against Minnesota (38-17) on the first day of the four-team, double-elimination regional tournament.

Southern catcher Michael Thomas tags out LSU Matt Clark at home plate.

The national seed means the Tigers will host a super regional if they can survive the four-team regional that begins Friday at Alex Box Stadium. The winner of the Baton Rouge regional will play the winner of the Houston regional, hosted by Rice. Kansas State, Xavier (Ohio) and Sam Houston State are the other teams in the Houston regional. The LSU regional is the program’s 19th at home — all since 1986. Southern is in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005.

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NCAA Baseball Regional Tournaments

At Gainesville, Fla.
No. 4 Bethune-Cookman (32-26) vs. (8) No. 1 Florida (39-20)
No. 3 Jacksonville (36-20) vs. No. 2 Miami (Fla.) (36-20)

At Baton Rouge
No. 4 Southern (30-15) vs. (3) No. 1 LSU (46-16)
No. 3 Baylor (29-24) vs. No. 2 Minnesota (38-17)

Southern U holds off Alcorn State, wins SWAC tournament

On the last day of what he later called the greatest weekend of his life, Southern shortstop Jesse Olivar woke up with puffy eyes and sore muscles. Actually, he didn’t wake up at all. He couldn’t sleep. Throughout his young life, Olivar had never won a championship — not in Little League, not in junior high, not on summer teams, not ever. Now he was close.

“I was so excited to play,” he said. “I was already tired from the night before. I took a bath and tried to stay loose. Then I got a massage, so I could come out in halfway good shape.” On Sunday afternoon at Lee-Hines Field, near the end of a wild, emotional Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament, Olivar found himself at the center of the storm.

It was ironic: At the climax of the Jaguars’ 12-10 slugfest of a win over Alcorn State — one that capped a wild ride to the SWAC title and clinched a berth in the NCAA tournament for SU, not to mention that elusive first ring for Olivar — his defense helped seal the deal.

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MEAC Sports Shorts: Get out of Town!

Atlanta Football Classic paid FAMU only $255,081 in 2007 is nothing to dance about for Rattlers. TSU earned $287,867.

• McQuay released from FAMU scholarship, eyeing Florida State: Suncoast sprinter Tony McQuay received word today that FAMU track coach Rey Robinson had been fired and was granted a release from his scholarship. McQuay won a gold medal in the 400-meter dash, a silver in the 200, and a bronze in the 100 at the Class 2A state meet earlier this month. He had signed a track scholarship with FAMU, where his parents attended and his sister is now, the week of the state meet. He turned down offers from Clemson, Georgia and Georgia Tech, among others to sign with FAMU. After his performance, McQuay attracted the attention of Florida and Florida State and he said that made him rethink his decision to sign with FAMU but it was too late. All that changed when Robinson was fired late Tuesday.
  
• McELVEEN SEEKS FAMU RELEASE: Blake senior Marissa McElveen, the 3A state champion in the triple jump, is seeking a release from her national letter of intent signed with Florida A&M University after the Rattlers fired women's head coach Maicel Malone, Yellow Jackets coach Shirley Parker said Friday.
  
• Bank of America may punt Atlanta Football Classic title sponsorship: Bank of America Corp. may pull its title sponsorship of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Football Classic. The Charlotte-based bank three-year contract as title sponsor of the college game in Atlanta ends after this year event on Sept. 26. While the bank will maintain some level of sponsorship, it likely will not continue as title sponsor. BofA has been the title sponsor since 2004. The decision comes at a time when financial institutions that have received assistance from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) are coming under increased scrutiny for sports marketing, especially from the U.S. Congress. BofA has received $45 billion in TARP funding.
  
• 100 Black Men of Atlanta Football Classic: According to 100 Black Men of Atlanta 2007 tax returns, it paid $287,867 to Tennessee State University, which plays in the game, and $255,081 to Florida A&M University, Tennessee State annual opponent for their participation in the 2007 Bank of America - Atlanta Football Classic.
  
• Athletes receive scholarship offers from Rattlers: Matt Thompson, 6-0, 175 senior QB from Seabreeze Senior High School (Daytona Beach, FL) has receive scholarship offers from FAMU, Bethune Cookman and Tennessee State. The talented quarterback prospect missed the majority of his junior season with a broken leg. Northern Illinois has expressed interest, but has not offered a scholarship to Thompson.
  
• RELOADING: North Marion High hasn’t missed the regional playoffs since 1999 and with a talented group of rising seniors is a good bet to make it again. According to Colts coach Craig Damon, Florida A&M has offered current NMHS standouts Courtland Thomas (DL), Brandon Carr (S) and Terraine McCullough (WR/DB). Damon said Iowa State has also offered McCullough, who he expects more offers to come in for over the next week.
  
• Player on Radar: Alex DeLeon (6-3, 190), a three-year starter at outside linebacker and tight end, is getting looks from FAMU, Florida Atlantic, The Citadel, Marshall and Duke. DeLeon plays for Belleview (FL) Rattlers Coach Mike Bowe, which returns six starters on offense and five on defense.
  
• Get Out of Town: The Orange & Green received a big shock this week as the University has decided not to renew the contracts of two Head Rattlers. Men's track coach Rey Robinson and women's track coach Maicel Malone were informed Tuesday that their services were no longer needed. Robinson, a former Olympian, has been the men's track coach since 2000. Malone, a former coach at FSU, took over the women’s program at FAMU in 2005. Athletic director Bill Hayes said the changes were necessary as part of his effort to turn around FAMU's athletic program. Both head coach Rey Robinson and Maicel Malone were preparing five athletes -- thee men and two women -- for the NCAA East Regional championships next weekend in Greensboro, N.C. when they were notified.
  
• Joe Taylor impact goes beyond gridiron: Over 30 FAMU Rattlers earned grade point averages in the classroom at 3.0 or better this past semester. The B average of these players represent an important academic accomplishment. Starting quarterback Curtis Pulley's father reported that his son earned a 3.2 gpa for the Spring Semester. The 2004 Kentucky Mr. Football, Curtis Pulley is spending the summer in North Carolina with his uncle Lonnie Pulley, a former player at Winston Salem State who's a high school coach in the area. Pulley will be working out at Wake Forest University with Demon Deacons quarterback Riley Skinner and NFL receiver Anquan Boldin, whose brother D.J. played at Wake Forest. Pulley completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 1,382 yards and 17 touchdowns for Florida A&M last season. He also ran for 887 yards and seven touchdowns.
  
• 2009 Commisioner's All-Academic Team: The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announces the 2009 Commissioner’s All-Academic Team, recognizing 593 student-athletes from the conference’s 12 member institutions who achieved academic success during the 2008-09 academic school year. The team honors student-athletes, including sophomores to seniors, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. “I congratulate and commend the student-athletes who have achieved academic success by maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average during the 2008-09 school year,” said Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “I would further like to congratulate the coaches, institutions, and parents of these academic achievers for their contributions to the student athletes success.” 2009 Commissioner’s All-Academic Award Winners (by institutions):
  
• FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY (30)
  Women (14): Samara Ferraz (VB, Public Relations), Rhianna Green (SB, Health Science), Brittany Wade (W. Swim, Business), Danielle Riley (WT, Graphic Design), Stephanie Foster (WB, Journalism), Gina Davis (BO, Chemistry), Ashley Melson (BO, Criminal Justice), Trishay Bryant (WT, Journalism), Jesseka Forbes (WT, Pharmacy), Kiera Holiday (WT, Criminal Justice), Tifany Morrow (WT, Nursing), Suelyn Pillner (WT, Criminal Justice), Kelle Ransom (WT, Public Relations), Whitney Young (WT, Business)…. Men (16): Eddie Battle (FB, Accounting), Cameron Houston (FB, Criminal Justice), Kenneth Lanier (FB, Pharmacy), Gregory Lee (FB, Undeclared), Phillip Sylvester (FB, Engineering), Jack Dash (M. Swim, Engineering), Gregory Lowe (M. Swim, Spanish), Simbarashe Happy (MT, Business), Forest Jenkins (MT, Business), Paul Paige (MT, Business), Artiom Podgainii (MT, Physical Ed.), Bryant Carlin (GF, Business), Gallop Franklin (GF, Pharmacy), Elijah Jackson (GF, Pre-Med.), Byron Taylor (MB, Economics), Stanley Suber (MT, Graphic Design)

-beepbeep

Sports drives conversation at WSSU

Dr. Donald J. Reaves: "Staying in Division II and returning to the CIAA is a real possibility for RAMS."

Winston-Salem State fans and alumni hoping for a vote of confidence from Chancellor Donald Reaves about the athletics program's move to Division I didn't get one Wednesday night. Reaves, speaking at a public forum, spelled out what WSSU needs to complete its transition to Division I and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

"It's not an expense problem," he said. "We are not having a problem in athletics because it's spending too much. That's simply not the case. If you look at the expenditures of the other MEAC schools, you will see we are not spending nearly as much as they are. "The problem at Winston-Salem State is a revenue-side problem. We simply don't raise enough revenue."

WSSU, in its fourth year of transition to Division I, has lost $6.1 million since starting the move, and charts that Reaves used Wednesday show more losses ahead. Reaves was loud and clear about the key point of his presentation -- WSSU needs to raise nearly $3 million more a year to help offset losses. WSSU currently brings in about $2.9 million a year in student fees for athletics, by far the biggest source of revenue.

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Thou Art Greedy: What price Delaware State's soul?

How much money would you accept to forfeit a meaningful game in order to play another game you will definitely lose?

Holly: Today on our bully pulpit agenda: Delaware State, a I-AA program, is forfeiting a conference game to North Carolina A&T because Delaware State wants to play Michigan instead. And by "wants," I mean they have the opportunity to cash in for a bodybag appearance in Ann Arbor in mid-October. All anyone's saying is the two MEAC schools "could not agree" on a date to reschedule the game, and now NCA&T is 1-0. In May.

What say you, gents? Is a big payday worth it if you're being paid to fall down in front of a powerhouse team? (Or in front of Michigan?)

Doug: Well, you know, that's what everybody thought about Appalachian State, too...

Holly: I was gonna say.

Doc: The ghost of Appalachian State will never die! But I'm not sure it's worth actually forfeiting a win to chase a ghost. Or a gazillion dollars. Or whatever it is.

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On flip side of NFL glory, 'Rock' Dillon strives for his shot

Glenn Rogers stood at the center of 35 football players and rattled through his list. He told them to form a line, sign the waiver and pay the $80 fee. He advised those who were still in college that they would be forfeiting any remaining eligibility if they participated in this scouting combine for the Canadian Football League.

"We got three scouts here, all right?" said Rogers, an assistant coach at Memphis University School and former CFL player. "You impress them enough, they'll want to talk to you about a contract. Or they'll want to get your information. Who knows? They might want to sign a guy on the spot."

Ronald "Rock" Dillon played strong safety and linebacker for Alabama State. He was a two-time all-SWAC first-team selection, and his late interception against Southern clinched the 2004 SWAC championship.

This piece of information rippled through the pool of candidates two weeks ago at MUS, where the late-morning sun bounced molten heat off the artificial turf: professional contracts, there for the taking. Sweat ran in thick streams down the players' necks, soaking jerseys that bore the logos of teams familiar and obscure. They hailed from Lane College and Ole Miss, Lambuth and Cincinnati, athletes hopeful and hopeless, fresh out of college or several seasons removed, all bound by desire.

Ronald "Rock" Dillon began to stretch. The Southwestern Athletic Conference's defensive player of the year as a senior linebacker at Alabama State in 2004, Dillon had spent the past five years drifting through professional football's minor leagues, scrambling for opportunities, searching for roster spots, determined to crush his reputation of being too small, too slow -- words that continued to trail him like exhaust. At 26, he knew his window was closing.

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