Former B-CU Wildcat Ronnie Ash Earns a Trip to the 2016 Olympics

EUGENE, Oregon -- A year ago, Ronnie Ash qualified on the Hayward Field track for the IAAF World Championships, then was disqualified in his first race in Beijing on a controversial ruling. When he finished running the 110-meter hurdle final Saturday afternoon in the U.S. Olympic Trials, he called it “a redemption race.” What he can truly call it is a trip to the Olympics.

After posting the best time in the qualifying and semifinal round of the hurdles, Ash finished second with a 13.21 in the final and promptly added Olympic qualifier to his growing résumé. In the photo finish of the race, Ash got second by .001 seconds.

A former OU All-American, Ash earned the honors in the indoor 60 hurdles and outdoor 110 hurdles in 2010, his only year as a Sooner. He owns the school records in the 60 hurdles (7.55) and the 110 hurdles (13.19) and won Big 12 titles in both of those events. Ash transferred to OU from Bethune Cookman.

In addition to his trip to the IAAF World in Beijing last August, Ash has a bronze and a gold medal from the NACAC Under-23 Championships and a silver medal from the IAAF Continental Cup.

CONTINUE READING

Stillman will retain baseball and softball

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- After what was thought to be the final seasons for the Stillman College baseball and softball programs, Stillman athletic director Donte Jackson has announced that the school will retain both programs and continue play next season.

“We looked at softball and baseball as two of the traditional sports that have always been here at Stillman College, and two of the traditional sports that we’ve had a lot of success with,” Jackson said. “So in our efforts to boost enrollment, it was a good to retain softball and baseball.”

In December, Stillman announced the move from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in NCAA division II to the Gulf South Athletic Conference in the NAIA. Stillman made the move to drop all of its athletic programs except men’s and women’s basketball following the 2015-2016 school year. With the new addition of junior varsity teams for both the softball and baseball teams, Stillman will have the financial capabilities to keep both varsity teams.

Rumblings of both the baseball and softball programs being retained began in the late spring, especially after both finished well in the SIAC conference with limited rosters. The softball team finished 14-10 in the conference, while the baseball team finished with 16-5 conference record and made it to the conference championship game.

CONTINUE READING

Jackson 'ecstatic' with new opportunity at Kentucky State

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia — It has been a productive few weeks for Jamaal Jackson. It started with the city of Cleveland finally winning a championship and followed with him being offered his dream job.

It promises to get even better in the near future.

“The last four to six weeks have been great. I am from Ohio and my father is in Cleveland so me and him went to Game 6 of the Cavs series (with the Golden State Warriors) together where they won,” Jackson said. “Then on Sunday on Father’s Day we spent the day together and watched them win the NBA championship.

“Then our basketball camp (at Bluefield State) was really successful. We had a lot of kids there that did a great job and then this happened and then my anniversary is around the corner and my birthday is around the corner so I am on Cloud 9.

For good reason. Jackson has been hired as the new men’s basketball coach at Kentucky State, which is where he graduated from in 2004 and later continued on as an assistant coach through 2008.

CONTINUE READING

New book tells story of HBCU legends of the American Football League

University of Mississippi professor and author Charles K. Ross earned his bachelor’s degree from Stillman College, an historically black college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, before completing his graduate studies at Ohio State.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Buck Buchanan, a mountain of a man, was at the top of his class in 1963.

The star defensive tackle from Grambling State was selected No. 1 overall in the American Football League draft that year by the Kansas City Chiefs. He became the first black player from any college — HBCU or predominantly white — to accomplish that feat.

Buchanan, 6-foot-7, 245 pounds at the time, captured the eye of progressive Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and head coach Hank Stram during a time when selecting players from HBCUs that high in a draft was a foreign concept.

But this was the fledgling AFL — the new kid with new ideas on the new block that went toe-to-toe with the more traditional and staid NFL. The year 1963 was a bellwether time in U.S. history.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated that year in Dallas. A volatile climate of national racial issues was on the frontburner — from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic March on Washington to the assassination of highly respected NAACP leader Medgar Evers to the four black girls killed in the horrific church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. Civil rights marches, especially in the South, were as common as hit records from Motown.

AUDIO PODCAST INTERVIEW OF CHARKES K. ROSS

BUY BOOK AT AMAZON.COM -- $19.95 PAPERBACK

CONTINUE READING

Local stars Manning, Eave inducted into GSU Hall of Fame

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Billy Manning stopped for a brief moment from shaking hands and looked around a room of more than 200 people.

The West Monroe native couldn't help but notice the legendary ensemble and cast of characters Saturday at Grambling's assembly center that had strong enough credentials to start their own NFL, MLB or NBA team.

The group, eloquently known as the Grambling Legends, looked on as Manning and 10 others were inducted as part of the 2016 Grambling Hall of Fame class.



"Got some legends in this room, some great legends — Willis Reed, Shack Harris, Doug Williams. I'm just happy to be a part of it," said Manning, who played football and later coached football at Grambling. "I ain't getting no younger so coming back is a good time."

Manning was one of two local stars honored at the eighth annual event on Grambling's campus, joining Bastrop's Gary Eave, who excelled for Grambling's baseball team in the 1980s.

CONTINUE READING

Virginia State Trojans Basketball Signs Granberry and Corum

ETTRICK, Virginia -- After tallying several accolades during the 2015-16 season, to include the 2016 CIAA Men's Basketball Championship Title, Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. has begun the process of adding A1 talent to his team.

A transfer from Neosho Country Community College in Chanute, KS, Richard Granberry is a 6-8 forward from Chester, PA. Last season, Granberry was a key player for his team in regular and post season play, earning him a spot on the All-KJCCC (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference) and All-Region 1st Team. Along with averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, Granberry helped make history for the Neosho Country Panthers by advancing to the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) National Tournament.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how well Granberry's talent jells with the returners," said Coach Blow. "He is accustomed to being a team player, which helps in not only securing baskets but executing plays."

Coach Blow has also signed true freshman Andrew Corum, a Middleburg, VA native from Middleburg Academy. Last season, the 6-6 forward averaged 12 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Tallying several player of the game honors and the 2014-15 VISAA (Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association) D-III Player of the Year Award, Corum will help solidify the Trojans 2016-17 roster. "Corum has fresh talent that will assist us in playing great basketball this season," said Coach Blow. "The overall objective is to focus on one game at a time and work smart on the court. Corum will surely help the Trojans do just that!"



Both student-athletes will also bring academic and community service enrichment to men's basketball and VSU Athletics as the Trojans continue to build academic and athletic champions.

"These two gentlemen are well rounded and will be a great addition to the team and the department," said Coach Blow. "After losing three seniors from last seasonCs championship team, Granberry and Corum will add depth to our 2016-17 roster."

For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

From Player to Hall of Famer: ‘Cy’ McClairen retires after 55 years of service to Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- When it comes to history, legacy and tradition at Bethune-Cookman University, only the school’s founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, ranks higher than 85-year-old Jack “Cy’’ McClairen.

The longtime Wildcat retired on June 30 after 55 years of service with the institution serving in various capacities.

A small get together was held for him at B-CU’s Center for Civic Engagement last week with both current and former staff, faculty and alumni in attendance.

“It’s just time. I figured it’s time that I take my butt home,” quipped McClairen.

During his time at Bethune-Cookman, he touched many lives.

“I came back to coach football but ended up coaching basketball and being athletic director. I met regular students. I got in contact with not just athletes but students. I decided to use this to influence all students to get an education. I talked with them and let them know the position that they are in, they can do something for their lives,” McClairen told the Daytona Times last week about his long tenure at Bethune-Cookman.



CONTINUE READING