Ex-Florida safety transfers to TSU

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Former Florida starting safety De’Ante “Pop” Saunders, who was suspended for four games this past season, has enrolled at Tennessee State.

Saunders, who is from DeLand, Fla., was suspended for a violation of team rules for the first two and last two games of the regular season and was released before the Sugar Bowl. He will be a junior.

“He had a few hiccups at Florida so we sat down and talked with him and he understands what it’s going to take to be a part or our program,” TSU coach Rod Reed said.

Saunders, 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, recorded 18 tackles, had an interception, broke up four passes and recovered a fumble in 2012.

“He’s a very talented player, there’s no doubt about that ...


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Transfers fit in nicely with Fayetteville State women's squad

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  --  Shuanda Ashford and Kristen Hanzer were enjoying productive basketball careers at the NCAA Division I level when changes prompted both to seek a new start elsewhere.

They've found that at Fayetteville State, where the two senior transfers have helped turn the Broncos into contenders for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association title.

FSU heads into Saturday's home game against rival Winston-Salem State with a 7-1 league mark that's tied for the best in the CIAA. The Broncos are 15-3 overall and 1-1 in the Southern Division after an unexpected 83-78 loss at Livingstone on Wednesday.

Two of the key elements in that start have been Ashford and Hanzer.

Ashford, an E.E. Smith High graduate, is averaging 14 points and 6.9 rebounds, while Hanzer leads the CIAA with an 18.9 scoring average.

"They have been great pieces to add. They've brought a Division I mentality to our level,'' said FSU coach Eva Patterson-Heath.

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ECSU Vikings return to Vaughan Center

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  --  There’s a certain comfort in playing home for the first time in 19 days.

At least it carries meaning to Elizabeth City State women’s basketball coach Alico Dunk.

“It’s a good feeling just to sleep in our own bed,” Dunk said. “Those are the things you miss the most after playing in hostile environments.”

While the Lady Vikings have prospered anyway during their five-game road swing, winning them all, Shawn Walker and his ECSU men have been up-and-down no matter the location.

Both get to compete again in the R.L. Vaughan Center today for Winter Homecoming against Virginia State. The Lady Vikings will start at 3 p.m. with the men following at 5.

ECSU’s women (15-3, 7-1 CIAA) have fought off each road challenge and return to Elizabeth city on a tear, winning eight of their last nine games. Oddly enough, the CIAA North Division leader’s last defeat was in its last home game, a 75-70 loss to Fayetteville State on Jan. 7.

For the Viking men (11-7, 4-4), also tops in the CIAA North, the team’s ...

 

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For Henderson, Jackson State passes the mom test

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- Prior to his official visit to the Jackson State campus last weekend, Cornelius Henderson had very few doubts he wanted to commit to the Tigers.

There was just one last hurdle that needed to be cleared.

The powerful defensive line prospect out of Duncanville, Texas — he’s also on the Duncanville High powerlifting team — wanted to see if the school passed the judgment of one very important person: his mom, Sherry Jingles.

“She told me when the whole process started not to worry about how far away I went from home,” Henderson said. “I know when the day comes, it will hit her. When she stepped on campus, she loved it.

“I think she loved it more than I did, to be honest with you,” Henderson said. “She was smiling the whole time. I could tell she enjoyed herself.”

Not 24 hours later, Henderson, ranked a three-star defensive tackle prospect according to Scout and a two-star by Rivals, committed to JSU. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, Henderson is a big, strong, physical player at a position of need for JSU entering 2013. The Tigers are looking to replace all four defensive line starters from last December’s SWAC championship game.



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Rob Johnson helps lead red hot Norfolk State University

Senior known to hit the "big shot"

NORFOLK, Virginia (WAVY) - Once again, Norfolk State appears to be the team to beat in the MEAC. The Spartans will bring an undefeated record to Joe Echols this Saturday for the first of two contests with Hampton. One of the reasons for the Spartans success, the play of senior transfer, Rob Johnson. Sportswrap's Brian Parsons has the story.

Rob Johnson helps lead red hot NSU

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Alabama State Football: Crowell effect: Transfers cut Alabama State's signing class in half

Alabama State running back Isaiah Crowell  made a big impact for the Hornets last season after transferring from the University of Georgia

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Alabama State football coach Reggie Barlow called it the “Isaiah Crowell effect.”

Six months after the former University of Georgia tailback made national headlines with his decision to transfer to Alabama State University, nearly a dozen players have followed suit, enrolling in the school in early January with plans to play for the Hornets in 2013.

“Isaiah Crowell has started a phenomenon at Alabama State,” Barlow said. “Most coaches would say having one transfer is good. We played five games on television this year. I think that was the Isaiah Crowell effect and then there are positive things going on in our program — new facilities, we’re winning, a lot of buzz.”

While all of the transfers are currently enrolled at Alabama State, Barlow did not say all of them were on scholarship. The list includes two players who sat out 2012 for academic reasons, a pair of junior college transfers and seven players who transferred to Alabama State from major college programs.

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Urban Invitational set for return trip to Houston

Four historically black colleges and universities will compete at Minute Maid Park

NEW YORK -- With another season comes another chance to make an impact with the fans of tomorrow. Major League Baseball announced plans for the sixth annual Urban Invitational on Thursday, and the three-day tourney will feature four historically black colleges and universities.

One team -- longtime power Southern University from Baton Rouge, La. -- will be playing in its sixth straight Urban Invitational, but the other three schools (Alabama State University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University) will be back for just the second time.

The showcase, part of MLB's ongoing efforts to highlight the passion for baseball within the inner-city communities of America, will take place in Houston for the second straight season. It will begin on Friday, Feb. 22, and the round-robin tournament will conclude on Sunday the 24th.

All of this year's games are scheduled for the Astros’ Minute Maid Park, but the Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will play host to a youth baseball clinic. Perhaps the best part for the teams involved? Saturday's games will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Frank Robinson, one of the game's all-time great players and MLB's executive vice president of baseball development, said Thursday that the event is noteworthy for a number of reasons.

"Major League Baseball would like to congratulate the four teams and all the student-athletes who will be participating in this year’s Urban Invitational," said Robinson in a press release. "This annual event is an important and special opportunity for the sport to showcase the talent and skill level demonstrated by HBCU programs deserving of national attention. We are proud to work alongside the Astros organization to not only provide a wonderful experience for those playing the games on the field, but also offer opportunities away from the diamond for the Houston community."

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