Dillard Lady Bleu Devils ink four in offseason; look to make a run at GCAC title

Alyssa Washington (left) of Pflugerville High & Shaelynn Moore (right) of

Atascocita High  signed with the Lady Bleu Devils.

New Orleans, Louisiana – Dillard University has been busy this offseason, signing four players to the Lady Bleu Devils basketball team that improved from three wins to 16 wins in just one season. Under the direction of Dillard head coach Norbert Rome, Dillard's 2015-16 signees include Alyssa Washington, Bria Burras, Shaelynn Moore and Teira Nickerson. All ladies will be incoming freshman in the fall at Dillard.

Washington comes from Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas, where she made All-State as well as All-Tournament in the Nancy Walling Classic.

"The first thing you notice when you see her is great size at the guard position," said Lady Bleu Devils assistant coach Norvell Rome. "Her size and ability to shoot the ball is tremendous, and it's a huge plus when you enter college with a body like hers, so she will be able to make a difference on the floor right away defensively, helping to rebound and guard multiple positions as opposed to taking years to physically develop."

Burras attended Helen Cox High School in Harvey, Louisiana, where she averaged 10 points and four rebounds and three blocks per game. Burras' mother is a Dillard alumna and former Lady Bleu Devil who holds various basketball records at Dillard.

Moore comes from Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas, where she made 1st-team All-District, received an Offensive Player of the Year award and landed a spot on the Greater Houston All-Star team.

"I'm really excited to get the season started," said Moore. "I'm ready to meet my teammates and I'm ready to adapt to going to school (college) and being on my own."

(Norvell) Rome says the one word that comes to mind when he thinks of Moore is "versatility."

"She can play the one or the two and she will be able to stretch the floor for us," said Assistant Coach Rome. "It's ironic that we replace firepower from one Shea (Collins) to another Shae (Moore). She knows replacing Collins will not be an easy task and its something she doesn't take lightly but she is up for the challenge, plus her work ethic is second to none," said Rome.

As for Nickerson, she attended West Jefferson High School in Terrytown, Louisiana, where she received Athlete of the Year as well as the Outstanding Athlete Award for basketball and track and field. She was once coached by (Norbert) Rome when she played AAU ball for Angels Basketball so it will be interesting to see how she has developed as she transitions to collegiate hoops.

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N.C. A&T's Robinson Hires Hudson As An Assistant WBB Coach

Dominque Hudson
Assistant Coach Women's Basketball

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Head coach Tarrell Robinson of the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team announced the hiring of assistant coach Dominque Hudson on Monday.

Hudson spent the last three seasons at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C. as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

“It brings me great pleasure and excitement to add Domi
nique to our coaching staff,” Robinson stated. “Although she has only been in this profession for three years, she has proven to be an up and coming rising star. She was one of the best high school players (male or female) to play basketball in the state of North Carolina and one of the best in Gardner Webb history.”

Hudson played under head coach Rick Reeves at Gardner-Webb from 2007-11, where she helped lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010-11 and their first-ever WNIT appearance in 2009-10.

During her career at GWU, Hudson received numerous accolades and was a two-time All-Big South first-team selection and a three-time Big South All-Tournament team honoree. In 2011 she was named the Big South Tournament MVP. She still remains GWU’s all-time leader in assists (579) and is fifth in scoring (1,407 points).

"I'm honored to be a part of Coach Robinson’s staff,” Hudson said. “The Lady Aggies have a family atmosphere that made it very easy for me to transition here after spending seven years at Gardner-Webb University. Regarding his coaching skills and personality, coach Robinson is truly one of the best in the business, and I look forward to learning from him."

She ranks first in GWU’s career record book in games played (129), minutes played (3,545) and free throws made (419). Hudson is second in GWU history in most games started (102), third in field goals made (443) and fifth in three-pointers made (102).

“Dominique brings a competitive spirit and winning mentality to our program,” said Robinson. “Already familiar with recruiting in the state of North Carolina, Dominique will use her recruiting ties to help us lure more of our top in-state recruits to Aggieland. She will also assist with the development of our athletes on and off the court. Dominique was involved with a lot of leadership building at Gardener Webb. I feel she will be able to help our student-athletes continue to develop in that area. This is an exciting hire for our program. I think her energy and excitement for this sport will be infectious to us all.”

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N.C. A&T's Simmons transfers to WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Jerome Simmons is aware of the rivalry between Winston-Salem State and N.C. A&T.

Simmons, a 6-8 power forward, has transferred from N.C. A&T to WSSU in search of more playing time. As for the chance of him wearing any of his A&T sweat shirts or t-shirts at WSSU – that won’t happen.

“No, I’ll be leaving that stuff behind,” Simmons said.

Simmons, who is 225 pounds and says he is a defensive-minded player, is looking ahead to a new challenge. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility and is the third former Division I player who will join the Rams this season.

The two other Division I players who have committed to WSSU are Reyvon Harris of Niagara and Keith Armstrong of East Carolina. Harris and Armstrong have both graduated and have one season of eligibility remaining.

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Jackson State quarterback enjoys Manning camp experience

THIBODAUX, Louisiana  -- Jackson State quarterback LaMontiez Ivy could be one of the most important players in Southwestern Athletic Conference football this season.

Ivy, who was among the nation's best college quarterbacks last season, served as camp counselor at last weekend's 20th anniversary of the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

It was an experience, Ivy said, that he will never forget.

"The experience at the Manning camp has been fun," Ivy said. "We been coming out here playing and interacting with these kids trying to make them better as well as make their visit better. These are a great group of guys that have the same goal to reach the NFL. But the kids are even better just so energetic and eager to learn. It's an honor to be invited and selected among all the quarterbacks in the country."

Ivy said he was able to learn a lot from the Mannings — Archie, Cooper, Peyton and Eli.

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PVAMU bowler Destiny Vélez crowned Miss Puerto Rico 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  – Prairie View A&M University bowler, Destiny Velez, was named Miss Puerto Rico 2015 Saturday, July 11th in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Velez becomes the first student-athlete in Southwestern Athletic Conference history to compete for a Miss America title.

The freshman from Hurst, Texas, entered PVAMU with 13 years of competitive bowling experience. During her first collegiate bowling season, Velez bowled a career-high game of 206 during the SWAC Round Up.

The Panthers went on to win their third consecutive SWAC championship. With a 2015 regular season record of 18-6, the Panthers grabbed a second place conference standing.

"Miss America represents the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type which the American Girl might well emulate." Those words were spoken by Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Frederick Hickman more than 75 years ago, and they still ring true today. Miss America is a role model to young and old alike and a spokesperson, using her title to educate millions of Americans on an issue of importance to herself and society at large.

Today, Miss America travels approximately 20,000 miles a month, changing her location every 18 to 36 hours. She tours the nation reaching out to support her ideals, committed to helping others. Miss America is more than just a title. She is a woman who reflects a tradition of style, sophistication and service.

Preliminary nights for the Miss America 2016 competition will be September 8th through September 10th. The final competition wOill air Sunday, September 13 at 8 p.m. CST, live on ABC. For more information, visit missamerica.org.

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JSU’s five most important players on offense

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State offense ranked eighth in both scoring and total offense in 2014.

But there were times, such as a three-game stretch when the offense couldn’t score more than 15 points against Alabama A&M, Alabama State or Texas Southern, when it seemed like the unit would never find a way into the end zone.

However, it followed that up by winning a 34-31 shootout against Alcorn State, the most potent offense in the SWAC and second-highest scoring offense in the FCS.

In order to find some consistency this season, JSU will have to lean on these five important offensive players.

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Florida A&M Baseball Reaping Benefits of Success

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Jamey Shouppe wrapped up his second season at the helm of the Florida A&M baseball program this season, and what a season it was.

Shouppe's Rattlers won the MEAC Championship, the program's first since 1994, and made their first ever NCAA Regional Appearance. That success, obviously a crucial point when it comes to recruiting.

Shouppe said while he still makes phone calls to recruits, for the first time, recruits are now making phone calls to him.

"We don't have to spend the first thirty minutes in a conversation, at least in the state of Florida, explaining who FAMU is," he laughed. "We kind of have got back on the map a little bit in terms of baseball. The thing for us is, we can't be satisfied as a coaching staff, and we're not, because we still feel like, you know, the baseball at FAMU is a snap shot of FAMU overall. We're getting better, but we still have a long way to go, as a baseball program and as a University."

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