Paine College Appoints Link as Men's Head Basketball Coach

Augusta, GA (March 15, 2011) - Interim Athletic Director, Selina Kohn, announced today that Coach Jimmy Link will lead the Lions Basketball team. He served as the Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach after being appointed the position mid-way during the 2010-2011 Season. Since then, Link has gone on to lead the Lions with an 11-17 record and second round appearance in the 2011 Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SIAC) Tournament.

Link brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a former player and coach. During his basketball career, Link was a four-year letterman in men’s basketball at Flagler College, where he led the team to its first NAIA National Tournament bid as a point guard in 2002-2003. His team was ranked in the NAIA Top 25 nationally in each of Link’s four seasons as a player and he helped lead the team to a Florida Sun Conference Tournament Championship as a senior.



“I’m elated to be a part of the Paine College legacy,” Link said. Being named head coach is a highly regarded position and I am excited to take on the responsibility of successfully growing the Paine College Athletics Program through recruiting and coaching talented student athletes.”

Link sang the praises of several during a press conference, “I am so excited for the opportunity I have been given here at Paine College. I promised everyone, especially Dr. Bradley, that I would make him proud of choosing me to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Coach Ronnie Spry.”

“I am grateful for assistants, Coach Beard and Coach Smith, for helping me to move the team forward this season. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He also shared, “Coach Spry recruited me to work as an Assistant Coach at Paine College.” “He has been an unbelievable influence in my life and I am so thankful that he brought me to Augusta, Georgia. Even throughout this transition, he has supported me as a Coach and as a Person. And, I thank him for that,” he said.

During the press conference, Link shared his goals for the Athletic Program. “We have three main goals for the Men’s Basketball Program. We want to graduate Players; mold men so that after they graduate, they make the Paine College Community proud, and win Games and contend in the SIAC Conference,” Link said.

Link has over eight years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, from Division I to the NAIA. He began his career as assistant basketball coach at Flagler College, an NCAA Division II institution in 2004, during which his team ranked Top 10 in the country and made a Sweet 16 Tournament Appearance in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Florida Sun Conference.

He moved on to serve as assistant basketball coach at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland from 2005-2006. Link helped recruit 13 players to the NCAA Division III program, all of which ended up having a school best record. During this time he also assisted.

After a successful career at Washington College, Link returned to Flagler College from 2006-2008 as assistant basketball coach, where he helped sign one of the best recruiting classes ever, three freshman and one transfer and went on to have 20-7 season in their 2nd year of Division II.

Previously, Link served assistant basketball coach at the University of North Florida, an NCAA Division II institution, and member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. There he served along side long time head coach Matt Kilcullen for the 2008-2009 season. He also served as assistant men’s basketball coach at Newberry College NCAA Division II under Steve DeMeo for the 2009-2010 Season.

Touchingly, Link expressed his appreciation to his family who rendered tremendous support throughout his career. Expressing deep gratitude to his deceased mother, he commented, “To my mom, it was her kind soul and amazing heart that made my life special. And, to my Dad, thank you for raising me into the man that I have become and for supporting me in my career when times were tough.”

Link held a very special announcement toward the end. Referring to his biggest fan and the love his life, Link thanked his wife Jennifer for her support. He commented, “My wife Jen and I are expecting our first child. I am so excited to become a father.”

In closing, he said, “as you can tell, I am a family man, husband, and soon to be father. I have also added these young men to my family. I will take care of them like they are my own. We will go through great times and tough times and learn from our experiences. I welcome all of Paine College into my family and encourage all of Paine’s former athletes and men and women who bleed purple and white to come back to their Alma Mater to support the Athletic Program.

Link earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Flagler College in 2003. Link currently resides in Augusta, Georgia with his wife Jennifer.

By Natasha Carter, Office of Communications and Marketing
Paine College Lions
Visit: Fear the Paine/Lions Athletics

Some Sports Could Be Cut as WSSU Faces Budget Deficit

 

Some sports could be cut as Winston-Salem State University works to recover a $3.9 million deficit in its athletic program. The school went back to Division II this year after four years in the Division I ranks. That saved $2 million, but left the aforementioned $3.9 million deficit.

The downgrade has led to an upgrade in basketball game attendance, increasing by nearly 400 a game this year.

"Attendance was definitely up. It was more support for the team, especially since the basketball team went to the CIAA this year," said Kelsey Mobley, student.

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Red Flash Snap Howard's Three-Game Winning Streak

LORETTO, PA. (March 13, 2011) – The Lady Bison lacrosse team suffered their first loss during the month of March after dropping 19-3 to Saint Francis (Pa.), ending their three-game winning streak.

Howard (3-4) started slow compared to the Red Flash (2-4) who sprinted to a 9-0 lead with 16 minutes into the opening half. Senior Desiree Cox scored Howard’s first goal in the first half with 13:55 left on the clock. The Red Flash limited Cox to only one score, marking a season low for Howard’s leading scorer.

The Lady Bison were outshot 16-31. The Bison recorded six saves while St. Francis chimed in with nine.

Cox and Courtland Lackey led the Bison with five shots a piece, while Cheryse Cox and Cynithia Smalls garnered two each. Chastity Dailey managed to only throw in one shot, but made it worthwhile as she converted it into Howard's second goal during the second half.

Lackey was responsible for the Lady Bison’s remaining goal. Lackey found the back of the net with 1:15 left in regulation to round out the final score, 19-3.

The Red Flash were able to secure the game over the Lady Bison after controlling every major statistical category.

Saint Francis dominated the draw control throughout the game, generating a 13-5 advantage. The Lady Bison were unable to grab ground balls in the second half, as Saint Francis garnered 12. Overall, the Bison relinquished 16 ground balls to their opponents, and only scooped up one throughout the entire game.

The Lady Bison will look to bounce back from their loss as they hit the road to take on Central Connecticut State on Friday, March 18 at 3 p.m.

Visit Howard-Bison.com for more updates on the Lady Bison lacrosse team.

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant
Howard University

Howard Softball Suffers Tough Weekend at Diamond Devil Invitational

TEMPE, AZ  (March 14, 2011) – The Howard University softball team underwent a tough weekend, as they dropped five games at the Diamond Devil Tournament. The Bison suffered losses to Florida Gulf Coast, No. 7 Arizona State, Creighton, Campbell and Virginia Tech. With the weekend skid, Howard slides to 3-13 on the season.

The Bison faced off against tournament hosts No. 7 Arizona State on Friday, in its first game of the weekend slate. HU dug an early hole – giving up six runs in the opening inning. The Bison answered in the bottom half of the frame when Lorae Robinson rounded the bases to put Howard on the scoreboard. ASU proved to be too much for the Bison as they pushed the margin to 11-1 after two complete innings. The Sun Devils recorded two more runs in the fourth for the 13-1 final.

Carly Martin and Samantha Gatson combined for a total of four strikeouts against the nationally-ranked powerhouse.

Following the tough loss, the Bison played Florida Gulf Coast (11-15) for its first of a trio of Saturday games. Howard recorded two runs on three hits to take a quick 2-0 advantage over the Eagles in the top of the first. Christine Sborz led off with a double to left field before a Robinson single to the same side put runners on first and third. Robinson stole second and a sacrifice fly by Marissa Coats drove in Sborz. A ground out to second moved Robinson to the corner and then was knocked in by a Candace Rogers single.

Howard held FGCU scoreless until the bottom of the third when the Eagles scored three runs to take a slim 3-2 advantage. The Bison were unable to regain the lead as HU was only able to manage two hits over the next four innings.

Samantha Gatson took the loss on the mound – pitching a complete game – allowing just three hits while fanning seven batters.

In the second game, the Bison took an 8-0 shutout loss to Creighton (9-12). The Bluejays exploded for six runs in the bottom the second to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Rogers and Sborz notched the only hits for Howard, as the Bison were held scoreless for the fifth time this season.

For the final matchup of the day against Campbell (10-12), Sborz homered to lead off the game – her first of the season. A wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Robinson to score from third to give the Bison a quick 2-0 lead heading into the bottom frame.

The Camels tied the game in the second. Pinch runner Katie Andrews scampered home with the team's first run, and then Katie Hinton walked to drive in Sarah Forgacs from third with the second run.

The Bison promptly took the lead back in the third inning. Coats walked, moved to second on a fielder's choice and third on the overthrow by the CU pitcher on the play. A wild pitch on the next pitch allowed Coats to score the team's third run. The Camels erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the frame and didn’t look back.

The Bison added an unearned run in the top of the second as Sborz drew a one-out walk and dashed all the way around the bases on the single by Robinson and throwing error from the CU first baseman. The Camels kept the offensive show with five more runs in the fourth for the 15-4 final.

Howard wrapped up play at the Diamond Devil Invitational by dropping a 5-1 decision to Virginia Tech on Sunday. Robinson rounded the bases was knocked in on a Coats double to right center to give the Bison their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Sborz saw her seven-game hit streak snapped as she was unable to connect her bat the entire game.

Howard softball now shifts its focus to the Cherry Blossom Classic hosted by George Mason from March 18-20.

By Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information
Howard University
Visit: howard-bison.com

On To the Elite Eight: Shaw Beats JCSU For NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Title

Shaw University Women's Head Coach Jacques Curtis

The best season in Johnson C. Smith women’s basketball history ended a step from the Division II Elite Eight.

CIAA South rival Shaw beat the Golden Bulls 74-54 Monday in the Atlantic Regional Championship in Edinboro Pa. JCSU ends the season 26-5, the most wins in a single season in school history. The previous best was a 22-5 mark in 2009.

“We’ve had a good season, even though it didn’t end the way we would have liked,” said CIAA Coach of the Year Vanessa Taylor, who led the Golden Bulls to a pair of tournament wins – the first in six regional appearances. “Sometimes you give your best and it isn’t good enough, but we have certainly learned more from this experience and will apply these lessons as we prepare for next season.”

No. 8 seed Shaw upsets Johnson C. Smith in D-II regional

EDINBORO, PA -- Eighth-seeded Shaw University, led by D-I transfers Kyria Buford and Demaria Liles, ran away from CIAA rival and second-seeded Johnson C. Smith for a 74-54 victory Monday to win the Division II Atlantic Regional at McComb Fieldhouse in front of 93 fans.

The Bears (24-11), the CIAA tournament winner, advanced to the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo., March 22-25. The Golden Bulls finished 26-5.

The 6-foot 1-inch Buford, a junior forward who played one season at Florida State, had 24 points and five assists, and MVP Liles, a 6-foot 1-inch senior forward who played at Maryland for one season, had 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Bears were 13-1 after Liles joined the team.

"Demaria took so much pressure off of me when she became eligible,'' Buford said.



Lady Bears Earn Berth in D-II Elite Eight With Win Over JCSU

Edinboro, PA - It was a drama in three acts - a game that was the fourth in a series, but had the highest stakes: a trip to the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight Tournament.

In the end, Shaw claimed the first and third act - and the win - downing CIAA rival Johnson C. Smith 74-54 to earn the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Title and a spot in the Elite Eight.

It was the fourth time the two teams had met this season. Johnson C. Smith (26-5) won the two regular season contests while Shaw (24-11) claimed the two post-season contests: the CIAA Championship and tonight's game, held at McCombs Field House on the campus of Edinboro University.

Shaw broke on top early, fought off a furious charge from the Lady Golden Bulls, and then built an increasing lead as the game ended.

"Smith changed their style today," said Shaw Head Coach Jacques Curtis. "They were running the ball, but today they basically took the air out of the ball. We weren't playing well at all."

Shaw's transfers too advanced for Edinboro women

EDINBORO, PA -- There are Division I players transferring to Division II schools all the time, but many of them saw little playing time or didn't fit and did not want to sit out the year necessary to play for another D-I school.

Then there's Shaw University's pair of Demaria Liles, who spent one full season starting on Maryland's Elite Eight team in 2008-09, and Kyria Buford, who played at Florida State as a freshman in 2005-06. Buford was homesick and first transferred to Johnson C. Smith, Shaw's rival and opponent at Edinboro's McComb Fieldhouse on Monday night.

CIAA schools had done little in the Atlantic Regional, to which the conference was moved before the 2008-09 season. They were a non-factor when host California (Pa.) won in 2009 and when Gannon captured the regional in 2010.  Edinboro, which had a magnificent season (26-4) and was top seed and host of the Atlantic Regional, was a victim of bad luck.

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16th-seeded Prairie View women to face No. 1 Baylor in tourney

The Prairie View A&M Panthers’ anxiety over learning their destination in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament disappeared mere minutes into Monday evening’s selection show on ESPN.
Their name appeared underneath first-round opponent and No. 1 seed Baylor on the flat screens at Buffalo Wild Wings in Cypress, and the attendants at the Panthers’ selection show watch party roared in jubilation.

The 16th-seeded Panthers (21-11) will start their NCAA Tournament run against the Bears (31-2) in the Dallas Region at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ferrell Center in Waco. The winner advances to face the victor of Sunday’s earlier matchup between No. 8 seed Houston (26-5) and No. 9 seed West Virginia (23-9).



Baylor No. 1 NCAA seed at home vs. Prairie View

Baylor is a No. 1 seed for the first time and playing at home to start this year's NCAA women's tournament.

The Big 12 champion Lady Bears (31-2) open this year's tournament Sunday against SWAC champion Prairie View (21-11). If they want to make it to the Final Four for the second year in a row, there is the real possibility that they will have to beat Big 12 runner-up Texas A&M for...

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2011 Women's NCAA Tournament Bracket: Hampton Receives No. 13 Seed, Will Play Kentucky Saturday

Hampton University second year Head Basketball Coach
David Six wins triple crown -- NCAA Tournament bid, MEAC
Tournament Champions and MEAC Regular Season Champs. 

The Hampton Pirates have received a No. 13 seed in the Spokane Region and will face the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2011 Women's NCAA Tournament Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

The Pirates qualified for the tournament by winning the MEAC Tournament with a win over Howard. It was Hampton's second-straight conference championship and they lost only one conference game during the regular season.

Kentucky, on the other hand, was arguably the SEC's second-best team behind perennial favorite Tennessee. The Wildcats enter the tournament with an at-large bid with a 24-8 record overall and 11-5 in the SEC.

NCAA TOURNAMENT WOMEN'S BRACKET

LADY PIRATES TO FACE KENTUCKY IN NCAA FIRST ROUND

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University women’s basketball team, fresh off its second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship, will face No. 4 seed Kentucky on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M. in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. EST. Television and ticket information will be announced when made available.

The Lady Pirates erupted in jubilation when their name was unveiled on the ESPN broadcast in the Student Center Ballroom. Hampton (25-6) earned a No. 13 seed in the Spokane Region, the highest-ever seed for a MEAC school in the 64-team championship format.  For second-year head coach David Six, the seeding was validating.

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