Alabama State football graduate lands on Broadway

MONTGOMERY, AL - The neon lights are shining bright for Alabama State University alumnus (1997) Jeff Calloway (stage name: J. Bernard Calloway) since he landed a major role in the hit Broadway play "Memphis," which recently won four Tony Awards, including best musical. The play already had won the Outer Critics Circle Award for outstanding new Broadway musical.

Calloway's role in "Memphis" marks his Broadway debut. The play is a rhythm ‘n' blues musical set in the ‘50s. Calloway is one of the stars of the show, whose character Delray is a nightclub owner.

Despite his recent successes in entertainment, the Theatre Arts graduate did not come to ASU with plans to become an actor. During most of his college career, Calloway found success making crowd-pleasing plays on the football field as a starting fullback for legendary coach Houston Markham.

Calloway's career was destined for the gridiron until his junior year.

"I came back to campus following surgery – this was 1996 – and they'd changed the offense and tried to get me involved playing tight end," said Calloway. "I didn't like it and I'm sure my coaches were not happy with me."

Calloway said he didn't know that despite the position change, pro scouts were interested in him; so, he made the decision to leave the team his senior year and pursue acting.

He found his first taste of success as an actor when he joined the cast of ASU's performance of "Gospel at Colunus." "I started thinking, ‘Wow, I can do this. I can make a living at this.'"

J. Bernard Calloway (Jeff Calloway) is the first male lead singer on this video.

Calloway credits Dr. Tonea Stewart, now dean of ASU's College of Visual and Performing Arts, with helping him grow into the professional he is today. Discipline, patience, knowledge of the craft - integrity and a strong drive to accept only the best out of myself" are attributes he credits to Dr. Stewart's influence.

In addition to earning his M.F.A. in acting from Brandeis University in 2000, Calloway has appeared in numerous regional theater productions and television shows, including "Law and Order" and the soap opera "All My Children," and has been the voice talent in commercials for Miller Genuine Draft, Tropicana Twister Soda and K-Mart. He also made his movie debut in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," starring Denzel Washington.

"If someone had told me back then that I had a chance to play pro ball, it might have turned out different," Calloway said. "But I'm right where I'm supposed to be and I am fortunate that things worked out as they did. I can thank my ASU family for that."



Courtesy of Alabama State University

Former Texans (Tuskegee) WR adjusts to life after injury‎

End of playing days is only the beginning for Williams

During the ambulance ride to the hospital, Harry Williams asked someone to phone his dad. He knew his parents back in Birmingham, Ala., had been watching the Houston Texans-Dallas Cowboys preseason game that night in the summer of 2008. He knew they'd seen the play, seen him down on the field. He knew they would have noticed his lifeless arms and legs taped into place, seen him carted off the field and loaded into an ambulance.

"My mama is like a lioness when it comes to her kids," Williams said. "No one messes with her kids. For her to see me like that, and for her to be so far away, I knew she was going crazy. "Somebody dialed the phone and held it to my ear. I asked Daddy, 'How is Mama doing?' He said, 'Not too good.' " His dad asked the question he dreaded asking. "I can't feel nothing, Daddy," Williams said. "But, Daddy, don't tell Mama." He'd begun to cry as they loaded him into the ambulance, and almost two years later, some of it is still a blur. Williams is outgoing and talkative, one of those people who likes to laugh. To know him is to like him.














Former NFL Houston Texans wide receiver Harry Williams is at home on the football field as a volunteer assistant for Prairie View A&M University, as he completes his degree. Williams suffered a career ending fracture of the C3 vertebra in a Texans - Cowboys game in August 2008.

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Around the Conferences: CIAA, SIAC, MEAC and SWAC

Albany State University Golden Rams: President Everette Freeman announced administrative and organizational changes as a result of former ASU executive Joshua Murfree taking the reins of the Dougherty County School System as its new superintendent. Murfree, who had worked for ASU since 1999, served in four positions at ASU — executive assistant, administrative chief of staff, athletic director and interim vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. Murfree left ASU June 7 and became the 14th superintendent of Dougherty County since 1885 when he started work June 8. Richard Williams, the third-year chair of the department of health, physical education and recreation, was named ASU’s interim athletic director. The Thomasville native will supervise the management of the university’s 11-sport program which includes football, baseball, softball, women’s volleyball and tennis, and men’s and women’s basketball, cross country and track and field.

“The opportunity to serve as the interim athletics director at ASU is a very exciting and rewarding opportunity,” Williams said in a news release. “Having a grandmother and father (who played football, baseball, basketball and ran track) who are both alumnus, I consider this a huge honor to assist in the great Golden Rams legacy here at Albany State University.”

Williams previously served two years as a professor and chair of the health, physical education and recreation department at Langston University in Langston, Okla. He earned a doctorate of education degree in exercise science/muscle physiology in 2002, master’s degree in education in 1997 and bachelor’s degree in education in 1995, all from the University of Georgia.

Morehouse College Maroon Tigers: The college is mourning the loss of a rising sophomore English major who had recently been named the school's freshman of the year. Police said 18-year-old Khalifah Muhammad and his 20-year-old brother, Idris, were in a car that veered off the southbound lane of Layhill Road (Silver Spring, Maryland) and hit a utility pole Wednesday night in Montgomery County. Idris had been driving, and officials said he and his brother were wearing seat belts. Officials said two women in the back seat did not suffer severe injuries. The men are the sons of Ward 8 ANC Commissioner Anthony Muhammad, a D.C. advisory neighborhood commissioner.

Morehouse College released a statement that said, "The Morehouse family is greatly saddened by the news of the sudden and tragic death of Morehouse sophomore Khalifah Muhammad and his brother, Idris. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Claflin University Panthers: Woodland High School (Dorchester, S.C.) valedictorian Bobbie Blake made her college choice after landing honors scholarships with the Claflin Honors College and a volleyball scholarship. She has about $94,000 in scholarships as she will seek two degrees in biology and accounting. Having all her college expenses paid for "feels awesome," she said. Throughout her process of applying for scholarships, Blake said writing essays was the most difficult part.

"Basically, you have to convince someone to give you their money," said Blake, who received about half of the 20 scholarships she applied for. Blake, 18, said she also was keeping in mind her three younger sisters, who also will need college funds. "I'm really doing my parents a favor," she said. "We won't have to pull out loans." Blake said she and her family finally will get to see all her hard work she's put forth in high school come to fruition. "Everything paid off in the end," she said.

Former FAMU men's Track and Field coach and Olympian sprinter Rey Robinson inducted into Polk County All Sports Hall of Fame.

Florida A&M University Rattlers: Former Sneads High School Pirates (Sneads, FL) running back Mark Lawson, who originally signed with Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., has instead decided to walk on for the Florida A&M Rattlers for the 2010 season. Lawson, who compiled three 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Pirates from 2008-10, originally signed a scholarship to play for Benedict College.

But the speedy running back has since changed his mind. Lawson said location had much to do with his change of heart. “I really didn’t want to go that far, all the way to South Carolina,” he said. “I wanted to go to FAMU before I signed. I just wanted to stay close to home.” There isn’t currently a scholarship available for Lawson at FAMU, or even a guaranteed roster spot. However, he said the Rattlers coaches told him that the next spot that became open would be his. Lawson said the decision to stay in state was a family decision he made with his mother and father.

Jacksonville Mandarin 6-0/225 linebacker Larry Mitchell has signed with Rattlers football program. Mitchell broke former NFL player Sam Cowart's school record for tackles in a season with 104, despite playing in only seven games because of injuries. He also had 3.5 sacks for the 3-7 Mustangs.

Wakulla High School War Eagles (Crawfordville, FL) baseball teammates Jose Linton and Shay Barwick have signed NLT to play for the Rattlers next season. The pair of left-handed pitchers could help bring stability and wins to Rattlers team next season. Barwick and Linton had a major role in helping the War Eagles reach the elite eight in the state high school playoffs this past season. Barwick also has been accepted to FAMU's school of pharmacy. Both have played continuously together since their T-ball days as tiny tots.

Former FAMU Track and Field coach and the one time "world's fastest man" Reynaud "Rey" Robinson was inducted into Florida's Polk County All Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at the Lakeland Center. Robinson came to FAMU from Lakeland High School and participated in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, but he was disqualified from the 100-meter competition after a schedule mix-up (by his coach) had him late to the qualifying race. Robinson, then a 20-year-old sprinter was considered a co-favorite with U.S. teammate Eddie Hart to win the 100-meter gold medal in 1972. The three qualifying races to the final were considered formalities for the duo, who months earlier had tied the world record by each running the 100 in 9.95 seconds.

North Carolina Central University Eagles: NCCU Marching Sound Machine's 2010 Car Raffle Fundraiser--You can Win a new 2010 Nissan Versa automobile while helping the NCCU Marching Sound Machine to participate in the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. For more information, visit The NCCU Sound Machine Booster Club at: http://NCCUsmbc.com

Want to help get the NCCU Marching Sound Machine to Pasadena for the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade? There are a number of ways to contribute.

- You can send a text message to (NCCU) 50555. Each text will mean an automatic $10 contribution to the parade fundraising campaign, which will be added to your phone bill.

- You can make your contribution online, with a credit card, by going to http://web.nccu.edu/tournamentofroses/ and then following the prompts.

- You can call (919) 530-7784 and make a contribution by credit card.

- Finally, you can mail a contribution to NCCU Foundation, P.O. Box 25111, Durham, NC 27702-25111. On the memo line, put TORP (for Tournament of Roses Parade).

Grambling State University Tigers: Athletic director Lin Dawson would prefer to remove baseball head coach James Cooper's interim title immediately, but university policy prevents him from doing so. Cooper was named interim coach in early August 2009 as a replacement for the departed Barret Rey, who accepted the head coaching job at Alcorn State University. But, according to university policy, when an interim coach is in place the position must be advertised to other candidates. Cooper led the Tigers to a SWAC title in the 2010 season and was named SWAC Coach of the Year. The position is his to keep, but Dawson can't make it official until around August 1, when Cooper will have been on the job for a full year.

Time for SCSU to talk, do the right thing

Athletic director Charlene Johnson is now working under a one-year contract and has been totally silent on the ESPN proposed Legacy Bowl with the Bulldogs supporters and fans.

Fans and boosters of South Carolina State athletics spoke loudly with their financial support of the "Lift-A-Bulldog" program. If only the administration and school leaders were not the total opposite in addressing issues with the athletics department. Since School President George Cooper was told in March to make a decision in regards to athletics director Charlene Johnson's future after June 30, both he and the Board of Trustees went silent on the matter. No word publicly was given as to whether Cooper quietly allowed Johnson's contract to roll over for another year, as is his right according to school by-laws, or if he would request a multi-year deal to the board.

On Wednesday, Board chairman Jonathan Pinson indicated the former had apparently taken place with a one-year contract extension for Johnson. According to Pinson, it was handled as an "internal personnel matter" where Cooper did not have to inform the board of his decision. The secretive manner in which this was handled was disappointing to board member Maurice Washington. What had him especially miffed was the news about a second major issue regarding S.C. State athletics.

As reported by College Sporting News, a tentative agreement...

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Rattlers' Coach Taylor vying for FAMU to get turf football field

ALACHUA, FL — Joe Taylor would like to have a summertime football camp like most coaches do. He'd also like to be less concerned when an occasional high school football game is played inside Bragg Stadium, or even when the Marching 100 band puts on one of its leg-stomping shows. One roll of artificial turf would fix his worries, Taylor told a captivated crowd during his final summer fundraising stop at the Alachua Women's Club on Friday night. Since early May, Taylor has been touring the country as he makes his pitch to raise money to replace the grass inside Bragg with man-made turf.

An account has been set up specifically for the turf fund and he's expecting FAMU supporters to pledge enough to get the project completed in time for the Rattlers' first home game Oct. 2, he said. The installation will take 35 days. The turf project will cost an estimated $700,000. Taylor said he's appealed to FAMU's 60 alumni chapters to each contribute at least $5,000 annually to fast-track financing the payment for the new top on the field. Taylor said he's taking the same approach that worked successfully when he raised money to upgrade the team's weight room and provide funding for players to attend summer school.

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RELATED LINKS:
Alumni Affairs - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2010

Washington, DC Florida A&M University Alumni

FAMU New York Alumni Association

FAMU Alumni Association, LA Chapter

Philadelphia Chapter of the Florida A&M University Alumni Association

Florida A&M University National Alumni Association Metro-Atlanta ...

Membership Application - Florida A&M University National Alumni ...

FAMU Boston Alumni

Marching 100 Alumni Band Association, Inc.

Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats Twin Tracking

Two-times All-American distance runner Raven Wilson, Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats had a tremendous season competing with her three-times All-American sister, Portia. The freshman twins are from Carrollton High School, Carrollton, GA and are hitting the books hard in summer school.

In the rare instances in which Portia and Raven Wilson are not side by side, people at Fort Valley State University seem confused. Even shocked. The fraternal twins and Carrollton natives recently finished their freshman seasons with the school’s nationally-ranked Division II track and field team, and were almost always together.

“If someone sees one of us and doesn’t see the other, they say, ‘Where’s your sister?’” Portia Wilson said. “Every time people see us, they always see us together,” added Raven Wilson. “We’ve always been real close.” That closeness — the two often even wear the same outfit — helped the former Lady Trojan track standouts settle in quickly with the Wildcats and earn All-American honors in the spring outdoor season.

Portia Wilson swept the 100 and 200-meter dashes individually, while also being a part of the 400-meter relay and 1,600-meter relay events at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships in April before finishing fourth in the 100-meter final at Nationals in May. She was the lone freshman on the medal stand. Raven Wilson competed with her sister in the relay events, helping Fort Valley State finish fifth in the 1,600-meter relay and sixth in the 400-meter relay at Nationals, breaking school records in the process. “I think we do our best if we are together,” Portia Wilson said.

Tiffany B. Moore, Portia Wilson, Latonya Payne and Raven Wilson: 2010 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships Women 4x400 Relay Final


Tiffany B. Moore , Portia Wilson , Tasha Burke , Raven Wilson: 2010 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships W4x100 Relay Final.

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Kearsley bowler Danielle Hale commits to Morgan State

Danielle Hale selected the Lady Bears over Jackson State and Delaware State University.

Flint, Michigan -- One of the fastest-growing sports on both the high school and college level is bowling and one of the finest bowlers in the area will be taking her game to the next level when the college bowling season begins later this year.

Kearsley High School (Flint, Michigan) senior Danielle Hale signed a college scholarship June 8 to continue her career at Morgan State University in Baltimore. "This is a great thing for Danielle and for all girls bowling in the area," said Kearsley coach Rob Ploof. "Morgan State is getting a very good bowler from Kearsley and she will instantly make that team much better. I am extremely proud of Danielle for everything she has accomplished in bowling at Kearsley."

Hale helped Kearsley to one of its finest seasons ever this past winter. She averaged 186 for the Hornets this season and had a 78 percent spare percentage. "I am really, really excited about bowling in college," Hale said. "I'm ecstatic about the opportunity. I was thinking that I would not get the opportunity to bowl in college and I was so happy when I had the chance." She received an assist in her college recruitment from Flint Northern coach Mike Balentine, who was attending an NCAA bowling tournament in Tennessee when he talked to college coaches and let them know about Hale.

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