Tennis column: Push on to reverse FAMU's decision

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- When Florida A&M University made the announcement in late June that it would suspend the men's tennis program to deal with fiscal restraints and to meet Title IX requirements, tennis advocates swung into action.

This week, David Benjamin, Executive Director of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), sent an email to rally tennis advocates to show support for intercollegiate tennis.

Benjamin penned personal letters to FAMU's President Elvira Mangum, Athletic Director Kellen Winslow and Chair of the Board of Trustees Dr. Solomon Badger expressing their concern with the move and requesting the key university administrators overturn the decision.

Benjamin noted that varsity tennis has become a "prime target for cost-cutting measures" as collegiate administrators face difficult budget decisions.

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Georgia Division II teams could form strong conference

Just start with the football-playing programs: Albany State, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Morehouse, Paine, Shorter, West Georgia and Valdosta State ...

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2014/07/04/3182501/division-ii-teams-could-form-strong.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy

MACON, Georgia  --  On Tuesday, we saw an addition to the ACC the same day the conference lost one of its founding members. And we saw the Southern Conference lose four programs and replace them with three.

Louisville joined the ACC officially Tuesday to replace Maryland, which jumped to the Big Ten. While it hurts to lose a founding member, that’s a win for the ACC considering Maryland hasn’t been relevant in anything for some time, while Louisville in recent years has won a basketball national title and a BCS bowl game while also reaching the College World Series.

The Southern Conference lost Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Elon and Davidson, while Mercer, East Tennessee State and VMI moved into the conference. Some question Georgia Southern’s move up to the FBS and the Sun Belt, but as long as Eagles fans adjust their goals, that’s a solid step up for the program. Mercer’s move is also an overall positive, although the Bears left a terrific mid-major conference in the A-Sun.

It was yet another day of the process of realignment, which has ruled over college athletics for the past few years. Hopefully, that is about to come to an end, although it would be nice to see a little more realignment -- right here in our state on a smaller level.

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Alcorn State Athletics Reflects on the Life of Steve "Air II" McNair

LORMAN, Mississippi  --  Five years ago on this day (July 4), we lost one of the greatest football players to ever play the game at Alcorn State and in the NFL.  Steve McNair lost his life but left behind a legacy that no one will ever forget.

The four years Steve spent at Alcorn was absolutely the most best years of Alcorn football anyone has ever seen.  He shattered evey passing record in the SWAC and NCAA record books throughout his college career.  His style of play as a scambling quarterback kept the Alcorn faithful as well as others at the edge of their seats each game.

Steve is the all-time career passing leader in Alcorn football history passing for a total of 14,496 and threw 119 touchdowns.  Because of Steve's performance he earned All-American honors and finish third in the Heisman Trophy Voting polls.

He was selected as the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft to the Houston Oilers and had an outstanding career with Oilers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens.

His leagacy will forever be remembered and cherished at Alcorn State.  Go Steve!!!  

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Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Morgan State Bears: A Way Too Early Non-Conference Preview

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Morgan State Bears at Eastern Michigan Eagles

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Sat. Aug. 30, 2014

6:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU & WatchESPN

YPSILANTI, Michigan -- The first game to be played at "The Factory" will be between Chris Creighton's Eagles and the Morgan State Bears.  It's the most highly-anticipated game that we're all waiting for: the first game played on the infamous gray turf at Rynearson Stadium. 

The Morgan State Bears will make the trip from Baltimore to play against the Eagles, led by first-year head coach Chris Creighton.

Morgan State Bears 2013 Rewind:

The Bears got off to a terrible 0-5 start last year, but ended the season with a 5-7 overall record. All five wins came against in-conference opponents, and were only 2-6 when playing on the road.

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FAMU Marching 100 Greatest Hits!

Byron Dobson: Dr. Julian White seeks diversity in Goodwill’s band

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  In his 50-year career as a music educator, first on the public-school level and later as director of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100, Julian White has had his share of experiences with students needing access to instruments and lessons to expand their musical talents.

Like a dedicated sports coach who also grooms the playing field and pays out of pocket for unexpected expenses, band directors on the grassroots level search for the right acoustic setting for practices, seek patron partnerships and learn how to strike deals on purchasing musical instruments.

That’s why White, 73, gets excited when he talks about his new environment as director of musical outreach for Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend. It may sound like an odd partnership, but Goodwill is including music classes and the formation of a community band among its many offerings, now that its Prosperity Center is open at its West Pensacola Street campus.

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Former SAU's Brittany Parker Joins MSU Women's Basketball Coaching Staff

MOREHEAD, Kentucky  -- Brittany Parker, a Waterbury, Conn, native, has been named an assistant coach for the Morehead State Women's Basketball program.

Parker spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Niagara (N.Y.), where she was also video coordinator and community service coordinator. 

"Brittany will be a great addition to our staff," MSU Head Coach Greg Todd said. "She has three full seasons as an assistant at the Division I level. She will be an excellent coach on the floor as well as an outstanding role model for our young ladies. Brittany's work ethic and experience will be a great asset to our program."

Prior to her stint with the Purple Eagles, Parker served two years as an assistant at Division II Fayetteville State (N.C.).  While at FSU, Parker was responsible for post player development, scouting, travel, and community service.  She helped the Broncos reach a 20-10 record, as well as claiming the 2010 CIAA Tournament championship. 

Parker coached Deja Middleton, a center who was selected First Team All-CIAA and was named 2009-10 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year.  She also coached Tiffany Haywood, a center who was named the 2010 CIAA Tournament MVP.  She coached Victoria Rampado, the 2013-14 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, at Niagara. 

"We are right in the middle of a great recruiting area here at MSU," Parker said. "I am really excited to be on this staff and at such a great school. Coach Todd and I have some mutual friends in the coaching world here in Kentucky, so through my relationships with them, I was able to have this opportunity here."

Along with graduating in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. Augustine (N.C.), Parker was also a four-year member of the basketball team.    

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