NSU Men's and Women's Tennis Highlights vs. Delaware

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JCSU bids goodbye to track champions

Johnson C. Smith will say goodbye to the athletes who put its track and field program on the national map Saturday.

Seniors Nada Al-Arahshun, Leford Green, Richard Harkness, Lakaevia Tyler, and Shermaine Williams will participate in their final home meet Saturday at the JCSU Invitational at the Irwin Belk Complex. They will be acknowledged before the start of competition at 10 a.m. Green, who has won three men’s national Division II championships during his career, was named national indoor athlete of the year. Williams has three national women’s titles. Both have competed for Jamaica in international competition.

GOLDEN BULLS HOST 3RD ANNUAL JCSU TRACK INVITATIONAL ON APRIL 9TH

Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams will host the 2011 JCSU Track Invitational on Saturday, April 9th inside the Irwin Belk Complex. This one-day event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Johnson C. Smith will also honor their five senior track and field student-athletes (Nada Al-Arahshun, Leford Green, Richard Harkness, Lakaevia Tyler, and Shermaine Williams) to kickoff the event.

The Golden Bulls are coming off a successful indoor season in which 11 student-athletes earn All-American status at the 2011 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships held in Albuquerque, NM. Several school records and personal bests were set during the indoor season and the squad looks to repeat the efforts in the outdoor campaign

Golden Bulls stand tall amongst Division I competition

Auburn, AL – The Johnson C. Smith University women's and men's track and field teams won three events at the Tiger Track Classic hosted by Auburn University on Saturday at the Hutsell-Rosen Track. Several Golden Bulls student-athletes improved their national rankings with their performances this weekend.

Senior Shermaine Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica) claimed the crown in the women's 100m hurdles with a season best time of 13.40. Williams leads the NCAA DII ranking for this event. Freshman Naffene Briscoe (St. Catherine, Jamaica) hit a personal best and set a new school record with her time of 55.16 in the 400m. Briscoe crossed the finish line fifth and also leads the DII ranking for 400m. Briscoe took 11th in the 200m, clocking in at 24.77.

Complete Results

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Tides find success with NSU in exhibition match

NORFOLK, VA - Sammy Serafine is a second baseman and recruiter. Raymond Morton is a pitcher and salesman. Baseball scouts seek out five-tool players, but Norfolk State coach Claudell Clark sometimes sees six or seven.

"It's no secret," Clark said, "We want local players to help us gain local exposure to help us get more local players and more fans."

The Spartans lost 1-0 to the Norfolk Tides in a seven-inning exhibition game Tuesday - a Tides pitcher threw three innings for NSU to limit the strain to the pitching staff - but for the second straight year, Norfolk State delivered a sizeable crowd to the Tides as the Triple-A team opened its home for the season.

The Tides had often played exhibition games against Old Dominion, but their first against Norfolk State drew 8,509 last season. In the game's second year, on a chilly Tuesday, the crowd totaled 8,804.



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McCloughen FAMU's do-everything man

Naysayers told him he couldn't play football at the college level. He's defied that by becoming essentially a utility player on the Florida A&M football team.

Then, a teammate dared Kory McCloughen to let his hair grow out. That was 20 months ago. McCloughen wasn't sure he'd let his hair grow that long, but he got a little inspiration one day when he was taking a walk through a local mall. He saw a young child who had lost all of his hair because of treatment for leukemia and decided then that he'd do what he could to help.

McCloughen decided to let his hair grow as long as it could by the end of the upcoming season. Then he will donate it to the Leukemia Foundation for making a wig for a patient. His curly blonde hair is at least three inches longer than shoulder length. The cause is worth every inch his hair grows, McCloughen said.



FAMU's Hollinghead to move to defensive end

Coming into spring practice, Nicolas Hollinghead wasn't totally surprised that he was the one called on to fill the void at defensive end for the Florida A&M football team.

Last summer, he was put on notice in a brief conversation with coach Joe Taylor, Hollinghead recalled Monday. So now that Marquiste Ramos and Kendrick Washington have used up their eligibility, Hollinghead is proving he is the one to beat for the position.

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Discover What You Can Become at FAMU: Study Abroad

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CIAA nets big gains in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - After six years in Charlotte, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has made one thing clear: It’s a slam dunk for local hotelsand restaurants.

Economic impact grew to $44.3 million for the CIAA this year, a 19% increase over 2010, according to figures compiled by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The 2011 tournament ended March 5.

“This is a great time for the CIAA,” CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in prepared remarks. “Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year.”

CIAA Tournament Soars to New Heights 

HAMPTON, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) 66th annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament soared to new heights in 2011 by breaking previous economic impact and attendance records.

According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), the 2011 CIAA Tournament accounted for a total economic impact of $44.3 million* over the six-day Tournament period; a 19 percent increase from 2010. Overall attendance for official CIAA and Uptown functions increased to over 190,000** as the multitude of event options continued to bring fans to the area. The Tournament is unique in its ability to draw loyal fans from across the country who continue to support the Conference, as well as, those who just want to be “part of the scene” – much like the Superbowl or NBA All-Star Weekend.


Videographer: SportsGrooveTV

The CIAA increased its ticket revenue to $2 million, a five percent increase from 2010, maintaining the momentum through its loyal fans that view the Tournament week as an absolute must-attend annual event.

“Year-after-year we have seen the validation of Charlotte as a destination for the CIAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament and the reunion of its alumni, friends and family. Charlotte has embraced the CIAA, its history and its importance in the lives of those who attend,” said Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “We are so fortunate to have grown this not only into a $44 million record year in 2011 in terms of economic impact to the Charlotte region, but one that we can truly say has initiated lifelong friendships and memories.”

The week-long Tournament made Charlotte its home in 2006 and together the CIAA and the city of Charlotte have produced a series of successful tournaments for the member schools, its fans and sponsors, and the local community. The CIAA’s marquee event showcased its rich tradition and prestige as the Conference celebrated 99 years of existence in 2011 as a prelude to the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration – February 27 through March 3, 2012 in Charlotte.

“This is a great time for the CIAA. Not only have we reached the goals we set for this year’s Tournament, but we’ve continued to raise the bar to provide our alumni and fans with a new and exciting experience each and every year, none of which is possible without the help of our corporate sponsors and our partners in Charlotte,” says Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner. “The CIAA is excited with the momentum we have generated leading into the CIAA’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2012. We have the support of our loyal fans, member institutions and sponsors. As a team, we’re constantly enhancing the Tournament and affiliated activities to ensure the ‘CIAA Experience’ is as strong as ever.”

The CIAA generated $1.55 million in scholarship dollars, which will be split amongst the 13 member institutions providing educational opportunities for students to attend any CIAA school.

The CIAA welcomed back Winston Salem State University and Lincoln University (PA) during the 2011 Tournament. The Tournament also proved successful from a corporate standpoint, as sponsor support and activation programs remained active with the addition of Toyota as the CIAA’s new automotive partner.

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Coach who twice helped turn Norfolk State University into a winner dies

Charles Christian, who won more men's basketball games than any other coach in the history of Norfolk State University, died Monday. He was 83.

Christian, who served as Norfolk State's coach on two occasions, compiled a career mark of 319-95 in 14 seasons, winning seven CIAA titles.

Known for his trademark toothpick hanging from his mouth, Christian's final NSU team went 27-4 in 1989-90. That team won the CIAA tournament and finished the year ranked No. 7 in Division II. He was named CIAA Coach of the Year four times, and 11 of his teams won 20 or more games. Three of his teams won regional titles and made it to the Division II national quarterfinals.

Christian remembered as father, coach

The man whom generations of Suffolk basketball players called “Coach” died Monday.

Charles Christian, who coached at schools including Booker T. Washington and John F. Kennedy high schools before going on to Norfolk State University, had battled cancer in the hospital for nearly two months. He was 83 years old.

Under Christian, Booker T. Washington’s basketball team racked up a record of 101-1 from the 1962-63 season into the 1967-68 season.  “Everyone knew Booker T. of Suffolk because of his abilities,” said Ronald Hart, who played for Christian until he graduated in 1960. “Our school got recognition because of Coach Christian.”

Christian was known for focusing on defense and stressing intense practices, as well as enforcing strict curfews at Norfolk State.

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