MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Derrick Washington vividly remembers the darkest point in his life.
His college football career was on life-support and his reputation was in a far worse condition as he endured a four-month prison stint.
Washington was a standout running back at the University of Missouri who had more than 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns during three years at the then-Big 12 Conference school. He was an all-conference selection in 2008 and earned team-captain status following his junior season.
Those accomplishments meant absolutely nothing the day he was accused of a sexual offense against a former Missouri tutor in 2010, a felony deviate sexual assault charge he would later be convicted of in 2011. Washington would be released from scholarship and kicked out school just weeks prior to the start of what was supposed to be his final season with the Tigers.
"It was a real stressful situation," said Washington, who finished his career at Tuskegee and will suit up for the Stars team in Saturday's Raycom All-Star Classic at Cramton Bowl. "From being the starting running back to captain of the team to being at home not knowing what's going to happen next to going through the court stuff – it was real stressful."
Washington, who was 21 at the time, was sentenced to five years in prison. He would serve only 120 days as part of a "shock incarceration" program specially designed for first-time offenders.
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
MEAC Announces 2013 Hall of Fame Class
NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced today the five members of
its 2013 Hall of Fame Class. The inductees will be enshrined during a brunch on
Friday, March 15, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in
Norfolk, Virginia. The Hall of Fame class will also be recognized during the 2013 MEAC Basketball Tournament, March 11-16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia.
"I'd like to applaud the 2013 Hall of Fame class for all of their accomplishments both athletically and professionally," said Dennis E. Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. "They have made significant contributions to their communities, institutions and the conference."
Tickets for the induction brunch are $35 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons). Tickets can be purchased by calling the MEAC office at 757-951-2055.
The MEAC Hall of Fame highlights former student-athletes, coaches, university and/or conference administrators as well as special contributors, who have enriched the legacy of the conference since its inception in 1970. Enshrinees were selected by a 13-person committee made up of administrators and representatives from member institutions.
The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted on May 29, 1981, during a 10-year anniversary banquet in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since its establishment, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 118 people, including the class of 2013.
The 2013 MEAC Hall of Fame Inductees are:
Inducted as Student-Athletes:
John H. Alford, South Carolina State - Alford led a South
Carolina State football defense that ranked among the best in NCAA Division I-AA
(now FCS) during his junior and senior seasons. The Bulldogs won three MEAC
titles during his tenure (1977, 1978, 1980). As part of the 1980 team that went
10-1 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC, the 1980 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year led
his team in tackles and was named an All-MEAC first team honoree and was
selected to the Black College All-Star Team. Alford was also a member of the Bulldog wrestling team. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Alford was inducted into the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named to the university's Centennial (1907-2007) football team in 2007. He is currently a member and Treasurer of the former South Carolina State Athletes Association.
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| LOUIS BREEDEN |
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| YVETTE LEWIS |
Inducted As Coaches:
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| COACH SHARON D. BRUMMELL |
Brummell is a five-time MEAC Coach of the Year (2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010). She won five MEAC titles and was named MEAC Outstanding Coach five times. From 2007-2012, she won 82-percent of her matches and amassed nearly 600 wins. She coached several MEAC Players of the Year, All-MEAC first and second team selections, National Tenpins Coaching Association (NTCA) All-Americans, and MEAC Women of the Year during her tenure.
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| COACH STEVE WILSON |
Wilson in a member of the Black College Hall of Fame and was named a MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legend in 2012.
By MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS
Alabama State hires Ramsey as defensive coordinator
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| COACH KEVIN RAMSEY |
Ramsey joins the Hornets from SWAC rival Texas Southern University, where he spent nearly four seasons with the program. He served in the same capacity for the Tigers from 2009-10, and during most of the 2012 season, after a stint as interim head coach in 2011. Ramsey's Tigers led the FCS in total defense in both 2010 (204.9 ypg allowed) and 2011 (245.0 ypg allowed), and in fewest first downs allowed (140 in 2010, 141 in 2011).
His 2010 squad led the nation in six statistical categories: total defense, fewest first downs allowed, sacks (45), tackles for loss (112), lowest third down percentage allowed (22.5) and pass efficiency defense (78.9).
Prior to Texas Southern, Ramsey spent five seasons as defensive coordinator at Carson-Newman (2004-08), where his units ranked in the top 20 in several national categories each season.
Ramsey began his coaching career at Kansas State (1984-85) as a graduate assistant and junior varsity defensive coordinator at Mission High School in Mission, Texas (1986) before coaching at some of the nation's biggest schools - Kansas State (1987-89, outside linebackers), Northwestern (1990-92, defensive line/defensive backs), West Virginia (1993-94, defensive backs), Tennessee (1995-98, defensive backs), Georgia (1999, defensive coordinator) and Michigan State (2000, defensive backs).
Ramsey, who participated in NFL coaching internships with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, coached three seasons as secondary coach for the Arizona Cardinals (2000-02) before returning to the college ranks at Arizona State in 2003.
Teams that Ramsey has coached have been to a number of bowl games including the Outback Bowl with Georgia in 2000, the Carquest Bowl in 1995 and Sugar Bowl in 1994 with Big East Champion West Virginia and two trips to the Citrus Bowl in 1996 and 1997, the Orange Bowl in 1998 and the Fiesta Bowl National Championship Game with Tennessee in January of 1999.
“Hiring Kevin was huge for our program,” Barlow said. “Here's a guy who has coached on all levels. He has had much success at all stops. He has coordinated an SEC defense, and he was on a staff that has won a national championship. He brings an aggressive brand of football to Hornet Nation, and we're excited to have him.”
Ramsey was a three-time All-Missouri Valley pick at defensive back while playing at Indiana State from 1980-83. He was a second team All-American as a senior and also played baseball for the Sycamores. He graduated from Indiana State with a degree in Physical Education in 1984.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Finalist for FAMU Marching 100 band director job turns it down
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University interim President Larry Robinson says the school will start from scratch in its search for a new Marching 100 band director.
Robinson admitted that North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid was in Tallahassee Tuesday and that Robinson had expected to name Reid as the new band director during a morning press conference. The event was delayed, then cancelled, leaving a room full of FAMU students and supporters buzzing.
Reid ultimately turned down the job after he was unable to come to agreement with the university on the structure of the music department and the role of the marching band director, Robinson said this afternoon.
The university also issued a press release saying the search would be reopened and FAMU would consider hiring a search firm.
A search committee had interviewed four fiinalists for the job. One of them, Pompano Beach high school band director Richard Beckford was later taken out of the running because he failed to meet certain qualifications, Robinson said.
That leaves two finalists remaining: Penn State assistant band director Gregory Drane and Shelby Chipman, FAMU's associate band director who has been groomed to assume the top position.
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2001: A Space Odyssey/ Carmina Burana by FAMU Marching 100;
Conductor: Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands, Florida A&M University
FAMU reopens search for director of Marching 100 band
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- FAMU announced this evening that it is reopening the search for a director of its famous marching band, which was suspended indefinitely after the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.
Florida A&M University had been prepared Tuesday morning to name the new band director but abruptly canceled a press conference when it failed to reach an agreement with the finalist for the job.
Interim President Larry Robinson said Wednesday that there was a last-minute disagreement with finalist Jorim Reid, a FAMU graduate who is the director of bands for North Carolina Central University.
"We thought we were close to a decision on the band director and, turns out, there were some issues we didn't think we could get resolved," he said.
While Robinson did not go into detail about the disagreement, he said it had to do with the way the university was restructuring the music department in the wake of Champion's death in November, 2011.
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Robinson admitted that North Carolina Central University band director Jorim Reid was in Tallahassee Tuesday and that Robinson had expected to name Reid as the new band director during a morning press conference. The event was delayed, then cancelled, leaving a room full of FAMU students and supporters buzzing.
Reid ultimately turned down the job after he was unable to come to agreement with the university on the structure of the music department and the role of the marching band director, Robinson said this afternoon.
The university also issued a press release saying the search would be reopened and FAMU would consider hiring a search firm.
A search committee had interviewed four fiinalists for the job. One of them, Pompano Beach high school band director Richard Beckford was later taken out of the running because he failed to meet certain qualifications, Robinson said.
That leaves two finalists remaining: Penn State assistant band director Gregory Drane and Shelby Chipman, FAMU's associate band director who has been groomed to assume the top position.
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2001: A Space Odyssey/ Carmina Burana by FAMU Marching 100;
Conductor: Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands, Florida A&M University
FAMU reopens search for director of Marching 100 band
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- FAMU announced this evening that it is reopening the search for a director of its famous marching band, which was suspended indefinitely after the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.
Florida A&M University had been prepared Tuesday morning to name the new band director but abruptly canceled a press conference when it failed to reach an agreement with the finalist for the job.
Interim President Larry Robinson said Wednesday that there was a last-minute disagreement with finalist Jorim Reid, a FAMU graduate who is the director of bands for North Carolina Central University.
"We thought we were close to a decision on the band director and, turns out, there were some issues we didn't think we could get resolved," he said.
While Robinson did not go into detail about the disagreement, he said it had to do with the way the university was restructuring the music department in the wake of Champion's death in November, 2011.
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Tuskegee's Buford, Washington added to All-Star Classic roster
ATLANTA, Georgia -- Tuskegee football players William Buford and Derrick Washington were selected to play in the Inaugural Raycom College Football All-Star Classic played Saturday, 2p.m. (CT) at the Crampton Bowl Stadium in Montgomery, AL.
The game, formerly known as the Blue-Gray game, will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network.
Washington, who was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, had a banner year, while leading the Golden Tigers to an 11-1 record and 2012 SIAC Football Championship. The 6-foot 215-pounder from Raymore, MO rushed for 1,679 and 14 touchdowns and was named the 2012 SIAC Player of the Year, in addition to being named to All-Region consensus All-American, among his other accolades.
Buford, a two-sport athlete, was one of the top players on the heralded Golden Tigers defense. As a First Team All-SIAC Defense selection, finished the season with 58 tackles, five interceptions, 10 passes defended, and three interception returns for touchdowns.
The Raycom College Football Classic will be a week long event that features elite college football seniors participating in NFL-formatted practices that are open to the public. Former NFL head coaches Jim Bates and Dan Reeves will also coach the game.
The tandem from Tuskegee will join Lane College cornerback Vernon Kearny competing on the “Stars” squad.
COURTESY SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The game, formerly known as the Blue-Gray game, will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network.
Washington, who was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, had a banner year, while leading the Golden Tigers to an 11-1 record and 2012 SIAC Football Championship. The 6-foot 215-pounder from Raymore, MO rushed for 1,679 and 14 touchdowns and was named the 2012 SIAC Player of the Year, in addition to being named to All-Region consensus All-American, among his other accolades.
Buford, a two-sport athlete, was one of the top players on the heralded Golden Tigers defense. As a First Team All-SIAC Defense selection, finished the season with 58 tackles, five interceptions, 10 passes defended, and three interception returns for touchdowns.
The Raycom College Football Classic will be a week long event that features elite college football seniors participating in NFL-formatted practices that are open to the public. Former NFL head coaches Jim Bates and Dan Reeves will also coach the game.
The tandem from Tuskegee will join Lane College cornerback Vernon Kearny competing on the “Stars” squad.
COURTESY SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Lakeland coach takes job at Hampton University
HAMPTON, Virginia -- Lakeland High School head football coach Glenwood Ferebee has accepted an
assistant coaching position at Hampton University in the MEAC after leading the
Cavaliers to consecutive Eastern Region Division 5 playoff appearances.A formal announcement is expected on Monday, but the coach announced the move to his team on Wednesday, and by the afternoon, the news had spread though social networking websites.
As part of Donovan Rose’s coaching staff with the Pirates of HU, Ferebee will serve as quarterback coach. The chance to move on to the next level was attractive to him.
“When I first got the Lakeland job, I really wasn’t thinking about college football, to be honest. Over the last three years though, it really hit me that was something I wanted to start heading towards,” Ferebee said.
“I talked to a couple of coaches that when they come in to recruit kids, tried to sit down and pick their brain a little and spoke with a couple of the guys from Hampton. They liked some of the things we did on film, complimented me and when the job came available I reached out to them.”
Ferebee, 35, grew up in Hampton Roads and was the starting quarterback at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, where he threw passes to Plaxico Burress, who later caught the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII. Ferebee played college football at Liberty University, transitioning from playing quarterback to wide receiver for the Flames.
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Ram Ramblings: Ziggy having an impressive freshman season
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| Michel-Ofik Nzege Courtesy Winston-Salem State University Athletics |
Nzege, who is most likely the first Swiss-born player to play for the Rams, has been holding his own this season. He’s made the transition from high school, where he played at Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham last season, look easy.
What I love about Nzege’s game is he plays hard – all the time. There’s never much wasted movement from him when he’s on the court. He can hit the 3-pointer, the mid-range jumper and he also has an uncanny nose for the basket.
One reason he isn’t playing at a Division I school is he fell two credits short of qualifying through the NCAA clearinghouse. Instead of going to junior college he elected to sign with WSSU where he could play right away at the Division II level.
“A lot of big schools came after me but unfortunately ...
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