Holt Joins ASU Women's Basketball Coaching Staff

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson most definitely has done some changing to her back-to-back championship team, by adding a little more expertise to her coaching staff with bringing in veteran coach Dexter Holt as a new assistant.

Holt just completed his fifth season as an assistant men's basketball coach at Alabama A&M University and his 16th season overall as a full-time assistant coach with the Bulldogs. He has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience with Alabama A&M - 11 seasons with women's basketball and 11 seasons with the men's team in some capacity.

"I am excited with the hiring of Dexter," said Freeman-Jackson. "I have been observing him as a coach for so many years when he was with the women's team over at Alabama A&M. He's a class act he had an opportunity once he left with the women's team to join us, but he decided to stay at AAMU and join the men's team as an assistant coach and that's where I got him from. Dexter had been with the men's team for about five years and I have been watching his professionalism, especially when he's on the road recruiting. He knows his job and I think he will fit right in the scheme of things of what we are doing as far as our quest to continue to win championships here at Alabama State."

Holt is no stranger to the SWAC as his bio reads. He began his career in 1993 on then-men's Head Coach Vann Pettaway's staff as a student assistant. Those teams won three consecutive regional championships and went to three consecutive NCAA Elite Eight appearances (1993-1996).

"One thing I know for sure is that Coach Holt is already accustomed to the SWAC and winning," Freeman-Jackson said. "With him coming from a sister school this will be an easy transition for him as well as for us."

In 2000, then-Alabama A&M women's Head Coach Press Parham sought the up-and-coming young coach to become part of his coaching staff as a full-time assistant. Holt went on to become the top assistant for Parham's final two seasons.

Holt was so dedicated to the university that, in 2002, under a new head coach that she decided to keep him on her staff as her top assistant. Their personalities fit well and the program flourished under their leadership as the team finished .500 or better six out of nine seasons, including several top five SWAC finishes.

During his coaching career with the women's team, Holt recruited and developed many All-SWAC performers as well as two SWAC Players of the Year. Some of those players were guards and they led the SWAC in scoring three consecutive years (2009, 2010, and 2011). Holt is well-respected throughout the Southeast as being a great recruiter. He recruited several state Players of the Year and several under-the-radar players who developed into All-SWAC performers.

"Between Coach Harris (Associate Head Coach of ASU women's team) and Dexter I know that we will be brining in some top notch guards," said Freeman-Jackson. "That's one thing that I am most impressed with about Dexter, when he was at AAMU they have always had great guards and I feel like in the next couple of years that we will have much better guards in place. He can really recruit some guards and I feel like he's a great hire for us."

Athletically, Holt was a standout outside shooter in his playing days at Lee High School in Huntsville, AL, under legendary Head Coach Jerry Dugan and at Snead State Community College where he played for Gid Riddle and Craig Roden. After leaving Snead, Holt decided to work on his dream of coaching so he came back to his hometown, received his degree in 1996 at AAMU and then joined the staff. Holt has always been a person who will go out of his way to help other programs at the university, such as football, volleyball etc.

Dexter and Tabatha, his wife of 17 years, are the proud parents of Diamond Samoan and Dexter Jr. "DJ".

"I am very excited about joining the Lady Hornets it's an easy transition for me coming from Alabama A&M," said Holt. "Of course everyone knows about the rivalry, but this is an awesome experience as well as opportunity for me as a coach and my family."

"I look forward to being part of Coach Freeman-Jackson's staff. I have admired her from a far for a while and I am excited to be working with her and the other members of the staff. She has been around the SWAC for some time and her winning mind-set is one of the reasons why I am here.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Margaret Richards Named Women's Head Basketball Coach at Alabama A&M

MARGARET RICHARDS

NORMAL, Alabama -- Alabama A&M Director of Athletics, Bryan Hicks, has announced the hiring of Margaret Richards as the Lady Bulldogs head women's basketball coach.

"We are excited to have Margaret Richards as our new Head Women's Basketball Coach. Margaret is a rising star in women's basketball," said Hicks. "Her leadership skills, and her enthusiastic approach to the game of women's basketball will serve our program well. She is recognized as an excellent, relentless and proven recruiter, and we are glad to have her leading our women's basketball program."

Richards comes to The Hill after one season at Clemson. Prior to that, she was head coach at St. Augustine College (2008-10); assistant coach at North Texas (2010-11); assistant coach at Weber State (2011-12); and assistant coach at Western Kentucky (2012-15).

"I would like to first thank God for this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank President Dr. Andrew Hugine and Athletic Director Bryan Hicks for selecting me to lead their women's basketball program," said Richards. "I'm truly looking forward to being a part of the Bulldog family and community. This is such an amazing honor and opportunity and I plan to put in the work, time and energy to enhance the program on the court and in the classroom."

While at Western Kentucky, Richards helped guide the Hilltoppers to two NCAA Tournament appearances, two Conference USA tournament titles and one conference regular-season title. WKU won 20-plus games all three seasons she was there, including a 30-5 record in 2014-15. At St. Augustine, the team won the CIAA Western Division title in 2010.

She was a four-year letter-winner at the University of Nebraska and ranked among the nation's top 25 scorers in her senior season. Richards received her degree in communication studies from Nebraska in 2003.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Richards was an all-state honoree at Louisville Central High School, averaging 35.5 points per game as a senior.

A press conference/meet and greet will be held Monday, June 6 at 11 am in the Clyde Foster Multi-Purpose Room in the school of business on the campus of Alabama A&M University.

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Big Success = Big Upgrades For Florida A&M Baseball

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- College baseball teams kick off Regional play this weekend, but for Florida A&M, the season came to a close when they fell in the MEAC Tournament.

This year was no slouch for the Rattlers, as they boasted their best finish in regular season MEAC play ever, and because of their success, the future is looking even better.

"Athletics are the window a lot of people see a University through, and that window's looking pretty good right now," said head coach Jamey Shouppe.

That window to Moore-Kittles field hasn't looked better, as big success translates to big support, which means the Rattlers are getting some much needed updates. Those updates range from from special seating for boosters, to a locker room, and Shouppe has bigger ideas in the works.

"We're hoping to put a grandstand in, have a covered place that people can actually buy a season ticket," he said. "We're hoping to get a new scoreboard up. One thing we've said from day one is the money that's contributed to FAMU baseball is not my money, it's not the coaches money, but it's money that we'll use to upgrade these facilities."

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B-CU And FAMU Selected as the 2016 All-Sports Award Winners

NAPLES, Florida – Bethune-Cookman University swept both the Mary McLeod Bethune and Talmadge Layman Hill awards, announced at a special dinner ceremony during the annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) summer meetings at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida. The sweep was the first time a single institution has swept at least a share of both awards since Hampton in 2004.

Bethune-Cookman won its third consecutive Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s Award, while the Wildcats shared the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s Award with Florida A&M. For B-CU, it was the first time the Maroon and Gold has ever won the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s Award in school history.

“What a tremendous moment for our program,” expressed Lynn. W. Thompson, B-CU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “These awards validate the shared vision and commitment of our university and the great work of every student-athlete, coach and administrator.”

The All-Sports Award are indicators of the overall strengths of the conference’s men’s and women’s athletic programs. Each institution was presented with a $20,000 check during a reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida on Wednesday evening.

“I would like to congratulate Bethune-Cookman University including President Dr. Edison Jackson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lynn Thompson, and the administrators, coaches, student-athletes and support staff for winning the 2016 Talmadge Layman Hill Award and sharing the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas.

“I also extend congratulations to Florida A&M University and President Dr. Elmira Mangum, Director of Athletics Milton Overton and all of the outstanding individuals including staff, coaches and student-athletes who were involved in the women’s programs sharing the Mary McLeod Bethune Award.”

Coaches present at the awards ceremony from Bethune-Cookman was head football coach Terry Sims, head women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, and director of track & field Donald Cooper. B-CU Associate Athletic Directors Sandra Booker and Robert “Tony” O’Neal were also present, alongside Assistant Athletic Director Reginald Thomas and Faculty Athletics Representative Carla Lester.

Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M totaled 92.8 points to share top honors in the All-Sports tally. The Rattlers won conference titles in Cross Country and Outdoor Track and Field, while the Wildcats had top finishes in Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis and Softball.

North Carolina A&T State took third place with 86 points to edge out Hampton University with 85.5 who finished fourth and Maryland Eastern Shore took fifth with 77.5 points.

On the men’s side Bethune-Cookman continues to strengthen its programs, totaling 94.6 points for its third straight overall All-Sports trophy. The Wildcats earned a share of the football title and finished first in Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field along with a second place finish in Golf.

North Carolina A&T State took second on the men’s side with 74.3 points to edge out Norfolk State who was third with 74 points. Hampton finished fourth (70) and North Carolina Central (62.3) rounded out the top five finishers.

Points are awarded in a descending order beginning with 14 points for champions or first place regular season finishes. The second place team receives 12 points. Tied teams split the point total.

“The Wildcats Nation should be proud of this history-making accomplishment,” continued Thompson.

The Mary McLeod Bethune and Talmadge Layman Hill Awards

The Mary McLeod Bethune Award, named after the founder of Bethune-Cookman College, awards the top overall women’s athletic program during the course of one full academic year. The first Mary McLeod Bethune award was giving in 1987 to Delaware State University. Hampton leads all MEAC schools with 14 Women’s Awards. The men’s All-Sports Award is named after the late Talmadge Layman Hill, a former player and coach at Morgan State, and former Chairman of the MEAC Steering and Planning Committee, as well as the conference’s first President. Howard University was the recipient of the first Talmadge Layman Hill Award in 1972. South Carolina State holds the men’s record with 11 awards from 1973-84.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU's Rudy Hubbard and MVSU's Vincent Brown lead HBCU stars on 2017 ballot for College Football Hall of Fame

COACH RUDY HUBBARD (Aug. 24, 1984) WITH FAMU FOOTBALL PLAYER
Courtesy:  Deborah Thomas Collection

IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2017 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 75 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 95 players and 29 coaches from the divisional ranks.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 5.12 million people have played college football,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names. We look forward to announcing the 2017 Hall of Fame Class on the Friday before the College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa.”

The ballot was emailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Courts, which deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel, include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media.

“Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi. “There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.”



The announcement of the 2017 Class will be made Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site at the press conference to represent the class and share their thoughts on the announcement. The Jan. 6 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. Inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss on Jan. 9.

Coach Rudy Hubbard, who led Florida A&M to Division I-AA national championships in 1977 and 1978, was named to the ballot for the second straight year.  When Hubbard is inducted in the Hall, he will join Rattlers legends -- Coach Jake Gaither (1975), Tyrone McGriff (1996), Willie Galimore (1999) and Coach Billy Joe (2007) in college football immortality.

It is strange that Black College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Bob Hayes is not on the short list for enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame.  Hayes is one of the greatest athletes ever from Florida A&M and is the only man to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl.

A coach becomes eligible three full seasons after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.

Listed on the ballot are the following coaches and players that made their hall of fame mark on the gridiron at Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU):

Rudy Hubbard-Florida A&M (1974-85)-Captured back-to-back national championships, 1977 and 1978, including the inaugural NCAA Division I-AA National Title in 1978…Led A&M to back-to-back SIAC championships.

Joe Taylor-Howard (1983), Virginia Union (1984-91), Hampton (1992-07), Florida A&M (2008-12)-Winningest coach in Hampton history (74%), leading Pirates to four Black College National Championships…Led teams to 10 conference titles and 10 playoff appearances throughout career…Four-time MEAC Coach of the Year.

Dwight Reed-Lincoln (Mo.) (1949-71)-Teams won three conference titles…Coached 93 All-Americans in four sports…The football stadium at Lincoln University was named for him.

Vincent Brown, Mississippi Valley State-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-American, leading the NCAA in tackles in 1986 and 1987…Set NCAA All-Divisions record with 570 career tackles…Three-time All-SWAC selection who led MVSU in tackles his last three seasons.

Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State-Quarterback-1975 First Team All-American and Pittsburgh Courier National Player of the Year…Four-time All-SWAC selection and conference Player of the Year as a senior…Finished career as SWAC’s all-time leader in total offense (7,442 yards).

Billy Thompson, Maryland Eastern Shore-Defensive Back-1968 First Team All-America selection…Four-year letterman, who was named team MVP as a senior…Three-time CIAA All-Conference selection…1984 UMES Hall of Fame inductee.

William Dillon, Virginia Union-Free Safety-Three-time First Team All-America selection (1980-82)…Tallied 16 interceptions in 1983…1983 Black College Player of the Year…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection and Player of the Year (1981-82).

About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.

Bruins earns XU's 6th NAIA Scholar award of 2015-16

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Sha'Nel Bruins has been named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in women's tennis.

Bruins — a junior accounting major from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School — is among 107 from 53 schools in this sport to receive the NAIA honor this season. Bruins is the only representative from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference or Louisiana.

To qualify for Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, student-athletes are nominated by their institution, must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved junior academic status.

Bruins is the fifth XU student-athlete of 2015-16 to be named NAIA Scholar-Athlete. The others were Brent Kitto — a double recipient in men's cross country and track and field — and Jodi Hill, Kayla Jones and Franziska Pirkl in women's volleyball. Sixteen student-athletes from eight XU sports have earned 30 NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards, all in the last 14 seasons. During the past two seasons, 10 from Xavier have received 17 of those awards.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: Summation of Life & Leadership of FAMU's Past Presidents, Series Part 4: J.R.E. Lee [1924-1944]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- J.R.E. Lee was born in 1864 to John and Mary Lee in Sequin, Texas, prior to the end of the Civil War. John and Mary pinned their hopes on J.R.E getting a strong education. To that end he attended elementary school in Sequin and as a young adult became broadly educated. Lee was a brilliant student. At the age of 19 he entered Bishop College in Marshall, Texas as a second year student.

Two years later he was appointed Student Assistant to the Academic Faculty. In 1889 he became only the third person in the college’s 10-year history to receive an A.B. degree, graduating with high honors. Gaining valuable experience that would one day help him in his future role at FAMC, Lee taught for two years at a public school and thereafter was appointed Dean of Men and Professor of Latin and Mathematics at Bishop College.

In 1901 he accepted a teaching position at Tuskegee Institute and after serving two years he became the Professor of Mathematics at Benedict College. In 1805 he returned to Tuskegee and for the next ten years served as the Director of the Academic Department. From 1915 to 1921 he was principal of Lincoln High School in Kansas, City, Missouri. His final stop before coming to FAMC was as Extension Secretary of the National Urban League, a position he held from 1921 to 1924.

Lee was appointed to FAMC at the recommendation of Jackson T. Davis, Secretary of the General Education Board, a philanthropic organization established by John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Davis himself was a reputable individual who dedicated his life to the education and betterment of Africans in the African content and African Americans. He helped steer the Rockefeller Foundation and the Jeanes Foundation, both of which contributed millions toward educating blacks. He also helped to establish the United Negro College Fund.

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