Atlanta Football Classic Parade of Excellence

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. announced today that it will, once again, partner with title sponsor Georgia Power to present the annual Georgia Power Parade of Excellence. This marks Georgia Power's fourth year as the Parade's title sponsor and its eighth year supporting the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

The Georgia Power Parade of Excellence focuses on outstanding academic achievement by featuring some of the area's best and brightest students. Students who finish in the top 10 percent of their class in the fourth through ninth grade will march in the parade.

The parade begins on Saturday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. and the route will begin on Peachtree Street at Ralph McGill Boulevard, move south to Marietta St, turn west and end at Centennial Olympic Park, adjacent to the Georgia Dome. Proceeds from the weekend's events will benefit Project Success, 100 Black Men of Atlanta's flagship mentoring, academic support and scholarship program that supports students from the Atlanta Public School system.

This year's parade promises to be even more exciting than before, including more floats and thrilling entertainment from the FAMU Marching 100 and the TSU Aristocrat of Bands along with some of the most talented high school bands from across the nation. Georgia School Superintendent Kathy Cox and Georgia Power Executive Richard Holmes will be the grand marshals for the parade. In addition, "Stomp the Yard's" Brian J. White, "That's so Raven's" Kyle Massey from Disney and "Zoey 101's" Christopher Massey from Nickelodeon will be in the parade.

"100 Black Men of Atlanta, through the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, does a tremendous job educating and empowering the youth of our communities," said Chris Womack, Georgia Power executive vice president for external affairs. "Georgia Power is proud to renew its support of this important event and remains proud of its long-standing support of the events surrounding the AFC.

"Georgia Power has been a long-term partner of 100 Black Men of Atlanta and a friend to our flagship program, Project Success," says John T. Grant, Jr., CEO, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, the weekend's organizers. "By sponsoring the state's only parade that celebrates academic excellence, Georgia Power continues to lead the corporate charge in dedication to educating our youth."

Past grand marshals for the Parade of Excellence have included Mayor Shirley Franklin, Cox, Georgia Power CEO Mike Garrett, Womack and Holmes.

Proceeds from the AFC also benefit students at the two historically Black college participants, Florida A&M and Tennessee State Universities. This event has raised more than $6 million in contributions to the participating universities and almost $3 million for Project Success.

Project Success

Project Success, created by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta in 1987, helps to prepare Atlanta Public Schools' students to successfully graduate from high school and helps to prepare them for post-secondary education. The mentoring program encourages urban youth to be self-motivated and confident while emphasizing the importance of a strong work ethic. Its long-term goal is to create an educated workforce of well-rounded individuals who understand the importance of giving back to the community. With this successful program as the cornerstone of 100 Black Men of Atlanta's activities, the organization continues to build its portfolio of services to improve the lives of young African Americans.

Simpson runs for 3 TDs as Bears tame Savannah State 47-7

MSU Sports Information

Senior RB Chad Simpson ignites the season with 3 TDs and 142 yards against Savannah State on Thursday night.

Boxscore: http://www.morganstatebears.com/Sports/foot/2007/msu01football.asp

NCAA Reported Attendance: 952

BALTIMORE, Md. – Chad Simpson has returned for the 2007 campaign as one of the most exciting talents in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and possibly one of the best in the NCAA Football Championship Series.

The Morgan State running back ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns and the Bears cruised over Savannah State 47-7 on Thursday night at Hughes Stadium.

The All-conference back was selected as the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Harlow Fullwood Youth Day game.

Morgan State rolled up 345 yards of total offense, despite being penalized for a whopping 149 yards. The teams combined for 284 yards of penalties.

Mario Melton looked sharp in the Bears season-opener as he connected on 10-of-17 passes for 112 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Wolfe to push the Bears lead to 30-0 at the end of the first half.

Wolfe, a Preseason All-MEAC selection, finished the contest with five receptions for 42 yards, while sophomore sensation Edwin Baptiste collected a game-high 70 yards on five catches.

Morgan State’s 47 points were the most since it scored 55 points against Savannah State in 2005 at the Proctor & Gamble Classic at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Bears defense held Savannah State scoreless until the 8:32 mark of the 4th quarter when JaCorey Kilcrease threw to Isaiah Osbourne for a 45-yard touchdown strike.

Despite the touchdown, the Morgan defense gave the Tigers fits all night long. It didn’t seem to matter whether it was the first or second team defense, the Bears swarmed to the ball and compiled a total of 12 tackles in the backfield (-46 yards) and collected three interceptions.

Senior linebacker Bryan Wilson returned the first interception of the contest 23-yards for a touchdown to help push the Bears lead to 17-0 at the 8:42 mark of the 2nd quarter. Junior linebacker Jerrell Guyton led the Bears on defense and finished with a game-high 10 tackles, while Mark Hicks and Lamar West added five tackles each.

Kilcrease threw for 111 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers, and Savannah State’s ground attack was limited to 29 yards on 32 carries.

Morgan State will host Towson Saturday, September 8th for a cross-town duel. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Hughes Stadium.

FAMU's Quinn Gray promoted to 2nd string QB with NFL Jacksonville Jaguars

Photo: Jacksonville Jaguar QB Quinn Gray Sr., 5th Year, FAMU, 6-3/246

The story unfolding this afternoon from the offices of the Jacksonville Jaguars indicates that first string quarterback and four year starter, Byron Leftwich will be released or traded by the Jaguars immediately, and that East Carolina's David Garrard has been named the new starting QB for the Jags. FAMU's Quinn Gray was promoted to the 2nd string QB position.

Head Coach Jack Del Rio indicates that Quinn Gray, who played well in the preseason finale after missing most of camp because of a sprained ankle, will move into the No. 2 spot. No statements were issued regarding Jacksonville carrying a third quarterback at this time.

Del Rio further stated that Garrard has played better than Leftwich throughout the preseason, and Gray had played well in last night game against the Washington Redskins. Gray has stayed focused on the task at hand, although his father passed away two weeks ago.

Most in the MEAC remember Quinn Gray for having a rifle arm, running Billy Joe's Gulf Coast Offense to record levels, and getting Florida A&M to the 1999 semi-final round of the NCAA 1-AA Playoffs with Youngstown State.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native is entering his fifth season in the NFL, as the second quarterback behind David Garrard … Possesses strong arm and has displayed ability to make plays … Has played in three games over four seasons and served as backup quarterback in 2006 following injury to Byron Leftwich … Appeared in NFL Europe in 2003 and led the Frankfurt Galaxy to the World Bowl Championship.

2006:
Was third quarterback for first six weeks … Served as backup to David Garrard for the final 10 games … Saw action in the second half in season-finale at Kansas City on Dec. 31 and completed 13 of 22 passes for a career-high 166 yards. Had two rushes for 26 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs … Also saw action on Nov. 5 vs. Tenn.

COLLEGE

Played in 39 games and finished career with 7,368 passing yards and 57 TDs … Started every game as a senior in 2001, completing 210 of 415 passes for 2,717 yards and 19 TDs … Graduated with a degree in physical education.

PERSONAL

Single with son (Quinn Jr.) … Lives in Fort Lauderdale … Attended Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, where he earned All-District and All-Region honors … Father, Otis, retired as head coach at Dillard where he had won two state championships … Lettered in football, basketball and baseball as a pitcher … Participates in a variety of community outreach activities … Served as judge for the Delta Teen Pageant the last two years … Spent time at a local YMCA where he along with other teammates helped pass out sporting goods equipment to the youth … Regular visitor to elementary schools where he reads to students … Attends team sponsored events such as Operation Blessing, Draft Day Fan Fest and Food Drive Kick-off … Participated in the second annual Shop with the Cops sponsored by the Nassau County Police Department … Full name: Quinn Gray Sr.

Now the rest of the story from the main stream press....

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By Mark Long

Jaguars plan to trade or release Leftwich after 4 injury-filled seasons

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars are parting ways with quarterback Byron Leftwich after four frustrating, injury-filled seasons.

Coach Jack Del Rio said the team plans to trade or release the former first-round draft pick. Del Rio also named mobile backup David Garrard his starter heading into next week's season opener, believing Garrard gives the team a better chance to win.

Garrard outplayed Leftwich in the preseason, completing 36 of 47 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score. But his numbers came primarily against second-team defenses.

Leftwich, who missed 10 games last season because of an ankle injury, was 19-of-38 passing for 226 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games. He misfired on several passes, badly overthrew Dennis Northcutt on two deep routes against Green Bay and continued to show messy mechanics with his feet and throwing motion.

Making the decision easier, Leftwich hasn't played a full season since being the seventh overall selection in the 2003 draft. But the former Marshall star felt he was in the best shape of his life following ankle surgery and a rigid offseason conditioning program.

Del Rio seemed to agree, naming Leftwich his starter in February and backing him every day since - until now.

Leftwich was in the final year of his contract, so releasing him would not cost the team anything extra against the salary cap in 2007.

But it would leave the Jags with little room for injury at that position. Third-string Quinn Gray, who played well in the preseason finale after missing most of camp because of a sprained ankle, will move into the No. 2 spot.

Leftwich has completed nearly 59 percent of his passes for 9,042 yards, with 51 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He started 13 games as a rookie, then missed two games in 2004 with an injured left knee.

He missed five games the following year because of his oft-injured left ankle. He returned to the starting lineup in the playoffs, but played poorly in a loss.

Ten new members selected to UAPB's Hall

Special to the Commercial

TEN NEW MEMBERS SELECTED TO UAPB’S HALL

An Olympic athlete, a pair of women’s basketball pioneers and two of the most respected coaches in the history of Arkansas high school athletics will be among ten new members comprising the 2007 class of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Sports Hall of Fame.

The late Charles “Pop” Spearman came to Arkansas AM&N in 1951 after graduating from LeMoyne-Owen College and quickly became a fixture for over three decades in the Golden Lion Athletic Department. Spearman was the head football coach for the Golden Lions from 1956 to 1961. His ‘60 team went 6-5, the most wins for a Golden Lion team since 1948. He also was a longtime fixture with the Golden Lions baseball team, leading that program from 1954 to 1977.

The late Allie Freeman, Jr. was a football pioneer of sorts. Freeman helped bring football back to the Arkansas AM&N campus after play was suspended during World War II. After a two-year hiatus, the Golden Lions fielded their first team since 1941 and Freeman was an intrical part of that ‘44 squad. In 1946, AM&N exploded onto the scene with an 8-2-1 record and with Freeman, who was captain of the squad leading the way.

Oliver Elders attended AM&N College from 1950-’54 and would later forge one of the most impressive High School basketball coaching careers in the state of Arkansas. When he retired in 1993, he was the most successful high school basketball coach in Arkansas history with 656 wins and 305 losses.

Caesar Belser was one of the first recognized AM&N football players to have a successful playing career in the professional ranks. Belser who was named to the All-SWAC team in both 1965 and 1966 played professionally for the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.

Jesse Mason, a 1960 graduate of AM&N College, was one of the most exciting basketball players of his day. He earned All-SWAC honors in basketball in 1958, 1959 and 1960, was the captain of the Golden Lion basketball team during his senior year and won the scoring title in during the 1959-’60 season.

Roy Wade, who was a two-year letterman and an All-SWAC performer from 1960-’64, carved out quite a name for himself at Little Rock Hall High School from 1969-2005.

Demetrica Thomas, a 1997 graduate of UAPB, was one of the best women’s Track & Field performers in the history of the university. Thomas was a 1995 NAIA All-American in the Long Jump, 4x100 Meter Relay and Long Jump.

It’s ironic that both Susan Weaver-Vasser and Helen Hughes-Smith are inducted together as the pair played important roles on the Lionettes’ basketball squads of the late 70’s. Both led UAPB to Arkansas Women’s Intercollegiate Sports Association championships and both would be drafted by the Women’s Professional Basketball League upon the conclusion of their college careers.

Aaron Harris simply tore up the track in the early 70’s as a member of the successful AM&N/UAPB Track and Field team. He was an NAIA All-American in both 1971 and 1973 as he was honored for his performances in both the 60-yard Dash and the 440 Relay Team. Harris established school records in the 100-Meter Dash, tied the school record for the 200-Meter dash and received the Outstanding Athlete Award in 1973.

Beal joins three other ex-Jaguars in majors

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, San Francisco Giants outfielder Fred Lewis and Chicago White Sox reliever Dewon Day are not the only ex-Jaguars who played in the major leagues this season. Former pitcher Damien Beal on Friday worked third base as an umpire at U.S. Cellular Field as the Chicago White Sox hosted the Boston Red Sox.

“Making it to the big leagues as an umpire, let alone as a minority, is really huge. It’s tough,” Cador said.

Beal, the nephew of SU volunteer coach Calvin Beal, never pitched for the Jaguars but did catch Cador’s eye during intrasquad games.

“He called a lot of the intrasquad, and I said, ‘This guy has some ability,’” Cador said. “I saw something in him and made a recommendation.”

Signees, newcomers

Southern has brought in 17 signees and newcomers this semester. They are:

• Freshman 3B Dominik Almanzar, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Northside honorable mention from Class 3A state champion Dunwoody High in Georgia;
  Junior 2B Romey Bracey of Kankakee Community College after playing at Louisburg College;
  
• Freshman 2B/SS Demario Ellis, a Pasadena (Calif.) Star News All-Area second-teamer from Pasadena High;
  
• C/1B Frazier Hall, an All-District 7-1A first-teamer as a catcher (2007) and infielder (2006) and an All-District 8-2A first-teamer as a designated hitter (2008);
  
• Freshman RHP Joseph Hughes of Murphy High in Mobile, Ala.;
  
• Sophomore OF Ryan Lambert of Chesapeake College and a two-time first-team All-Bayside Conference player at Parkside High in Maryland;
  
• Freshman OF Anthony Langston, an All-Western Conference National Division first-teamer at Middleton High in Tampa, Fla.;
  
• Freshman LHP Darren McKnight, an All-District 23-5A second-team first baseman and a former teammate of SU catcher Michael Thomas, at Thurgood Marshall High in Missouri City, Texas;
  
• Sophomore RHP Seth Monaghan from Spring Hill College and from Mandeville;
  
• Freshman RHP Jeremy Morrison of Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette;
  
• Junior SS Mike Olivar of Cosumnes River College;
  
• Junior C/1B Jordan Palmer, who hit .309 with seven homers and 28 RBIs at Delaware Tech Community College;
  
• Sophomore LHP Chase Richard, who did not play in 2006 or ’07 at Louisiana-Lafayette after helping Central Private to a state title in 2005;
  
• Junior 3B Anthony Savage, who hit .263 with 22 RBIs, 22 runs and nine doubles at American River College;
  
• Junior RHP Jamie Spear, who pitched just two innings last season, his second at Kennesaw State, after redshirting at Troy;
  
• Freshman RHP Kyle Wahl, an honorable mention Pasco County Tribune at Wesley Chapel (Fla.) High;
  
• Freshman IF/OF Stephen Womack, an All-District 23-5A outfielder at Elkins High in Missouri City, Texas.
  “Olivar is a big-time shortstop,” Cador said. “This was a good class.”

Summer ball
Five veterans spent the summer with the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Junior OF Brad McDavid led the Green Team with a .371 average, 22 RBIs, 21 runs, four homers and nine doubles, while senior RHP Christopher Donaby was 1-2 with a save, a complete game and a 3.56 ERA in eight appearances.

Junior 1B Calvin Anderson led the Red Team with a .375 average, 27 RBIs, five homers and two triples while adding 17 runs and seven doubles. Thomas, a sophomore catcher, was .358 with 15 runs, 11 RBIs and a team-high nine doubles. Sophomore right-hander Jarrett Malloy had a 0.55 ERA in 11 appearances, going a team-best 5-0 with one save.

Junior OF Juan Mujica hit a league-best .359 with three triples, 13 doubles, 39 runs and 18 RBIs for his Clark Griffith League team in Maryland and Virginia. He also led the league in stolen bases, with 23 in 25 attempts.  Meanwhile, senior OF Torey Brown, senior RHP Cody Elliott, senior 3B Theo Ycoy and senior RHP Marcus Moore all played in the South Louisiana Collegiate League.

The Howard Bison's 'Micromanager of Discipline'

By Kathy Orton, Washington Post Staff Writer

Bailey Stresses Details As He Tries to Reverse Howard's Fortunes

Howard center Travis Harmon sat with his teammates waiting to meet Coach Carey Bailey for the first time. They were nervous and scared, wondering what their new coach would be like. Bailey walked into the room, took one look around and began to speak.

"His first words were, 'Sit up before you all make me angry,' " Harmon said. "He had our attention from then on."

Ask any Howard player to pick one word to describe Bailey, and they all will pick the same one: disciplined. Since arriving on campus in February, the 38-year-old native of Morgantown, W.Va., has brought organization and structure to the Bison. These days at Howard, you aren't on time unless you are early, and if it isn't done right the first time, it's going to be done again until it's done right.

"I consider myself a micromanager of discipline," Bailey said. "I'm just a steadfast believer that if you're a disciplined football team, then you will not allow the game to beat you, but you can beat the game."

Bailey, whose 14 years as an assistant coach have taken him to West Virginia, VMI, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee State, Oklahoma State and most recently Minnesota, is the kind of guy who eats his chicken first, then his rice, then his peas. He's not going to go back and forth between the chicken and the rice. He craves order and stability, and he's working to impart those qualities on his new team. He doesn't want to see players slouching in their chairs with their feet up. He wants them focused and attentive.

"We're going to focus on the little things," linebacker Endor Cooper said. "The little things are what separated us from being 8-3 to being what we were, 5-6."

When Bailey replaced Ray Petty, whose contract was not renewed after he went 25-30 in five seasons, he reviewed the film from Howard's games last season. What stood out most to him was how close the Bison were to being a successful team.

Take the homecoming game against Morgan State, which Howard lost 18-12. The Bison had first and goal inside the Bears 1-yard line in the second overtime. Push the ball across the goal line, and their six-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference losing streak would be over. Instead, they fumbled away the ball, which was scooped up by Morgan State and returned for a touchdown. Howard went from a confidence-boosting win to a devastating loss within moments.

"It just seemed to me that there's good players, good talent, guys were coached up well, but in terms of the little itty-bitty things, other teams were not beating them, the game was beating them," Bailey said. "You're in a drive. Things are going well. It's first and 10, and somebody jumps offside. Now it's first and 15. So rather than being second and medium or short, now you're still second and long. Defensively, a guy makes a great play, sacks the quarterback, but he has a hand on a face mask. That's a five-yard penalty. Now it's first and five. Things like that, from a self-discipline standpoint, can cost you the game."

Bailey wants to eliminate the mental lapses that prevented Howard from being among the top teams in the MEAC, but he also wants to build team cohesiveness. To that end, he encouraged the players to spend more time with one another this past summer.

"It's been a smooth transition from the coaching standpoint, but it's been a really big transition in the team," defensive back Thomas Claiborn said. "You can definitely see the difference in team chemistry. Our mind-set is different."

Bailey calls it "yarn-ball camaraderie." A single skein turns into a greater force when wound into a tight sphere.

"I tell these guys this: 'You don't play for me.' " he said. "They don't play for me. They don't play for Howard. They don't play for the [athletic director], the president or the alumni. They play for each other . . . for the guys [they] eat, sleep, live, hang out with, play Xbox with, go home for Thanksgiving with. I'm doing this for you. You're doing this for me. Together we do it for everybody. That's the mind-set you have to have to be successful."

WSSU Football Notebook: Two defensive players won't play this year

COMPILED BY JOHN DELL

■ Winston-Salem State has lost two defensive players.

Brian Jones, a redshirt sophomore defensive lineman, has been ruled academically ineligible and linebacker Darrian Bynum has been kicked off the team.

Jones was slated to be a backup, but was ruled ineligible for lack of progress toward his degree.

Bynum, who was a part-time starter the past two seasons, was sixth on the team in tackles last season.

“It was for inappropriate behavior,” Coach Kermit Blount said about Bynum’s dismissal. “We just don’t have time to discipline somebody like that who made some inappropriate comments to a school employee.”

■ Blount will begin his 15th season on Saturday against N.C. A&T at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Blount, who is 81-64-3, is second on the school list for victories behind Bill Hayes, who had 89 career wins.

“No it doesn’t seem that long,” Blount said about his 15th year. “I guess it feels like it physically, but it’s flown right by, honestly. I never thought that I would be at one place that long, but that’s a tribute to the administration and the school for allowing me to be around that long.

“At some other places I might not have been allowed to stay this long.”

■ The Rams had their final scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday morning. The best news was they came out of injury free.

“It went pretty well,” Blount said about the 60-play scrimmage in which the defense scored twice and the offense scored three times. “There were some mistakes but we hope to correct those by the time A&T comes here.”

■ Much has been talked about in regards to the Rams opening things up a little more on offense. Offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta has been about as vague as he can be when talking about the changes.

Blount said that one thing his running backs need to do better is catch the ball out of the backfield.

Blount, who was the offensive coordinator as well last season, has been known to be conservative. He has always believed in the ball-control type of offense that starts with a good running game.

“That was what I knew as a player and a coach was the trap-option offense,” Blount said. “And we still have some of that offense in where we can run the ball, but we are just adding some variations that will make our opponents have to prepare for us a little more.”

■ The Rams’ special teams were one of their strengths last season, but this year that group is inexperienced.

Freshman Matt Mitchell has assumed the place-kicking duties and Jermaine Mack, a junior defensive back, will punt for the first time in his career with the Rams.

“Matt is doing excellent,” Blount said. “He’s going to kick off, and do field goals and extra points and be the backup punter. Jermaine Mack is doing a tremendous job punting for us right now.”

Blount acknowledged that Mack has had his ups and downs. “Jermaine is probably going to hit some good ones and some bad ones,” Blount said.

Stan Wright, who was the team’s long snapper for the past four seasons, exhausted his eligibility and Corey Plummer, a redshirt freshman running back, has assumed those duties.

■ Quarterback Monte Purvis, a fifth-year senior who is 13-13 in his career as a starter, has liked what he has seen so far.

“Offensivewise, we look pretty good,” Purvis said.

“And the defense is flying to the ball on every play just like they did last year.

“Expectationwise, they are a lot higher than last year. We have to finish the games off, something we didn’t do a good job with last year.”

■ Jed Bines, a fifth-year senior running back, has rounded into shape nicely this preseason. He was academically ineligible last season.

“It just feels good to back on the team and practicing,” Bines said.

Bines, who is the sixth leading rusher in school history, said he couldn’t wait to start practicing three weeks ago when camp opened.

“I’m not a secret weapon or anything like that, I’m just trying to get a feel for everything and work my way back in,” Bines said.