Holmes shares vision for Hampton U football

HAMPTON - There's a new man in charge of Hampton University football, but little else appears to have changed. Jerry Holmes said Thursday during his introduction as the Pirates' coach that his primary goal is to build on the success of departing coach Joe Taylor.

The biggest change on the horizon is a first-ever game against a Division I-A opponent, perhaps as early as 2009. HU athletic director Lonza Hardy listed several schools he's interested in contacting: Duke, North Carolina, Army and Navy.

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Why the change of philosophy by Hampton University to schedule "money games" with Football Bowl Subdivision (D-1A) teams? This did not happen during Joe Taylor's 16 years over the Pirates program, nor does it happen often in Hampton University basketball program. Is Hardy beginning to assert himself as athletic director?

The above mention schools are at the same difficulty level of a Princeton or Southern Illinois at the FCS level; so, why not get paid $250,000 for a road game with them, as we don't expect that Hampton with be seeing the FCS playoffs anytime soon. Before Hamptonites get upset with our statement, let us provide our rationale.

It's the Joe Taylor factor--recruits and D-I transfers want to play for Coach Taylor, not the other guy. Expect the blue chip talent to take the detour to North Florida henceforth, and become Florida A&M University Rattlers.

Hampton without Joe Taylor is like Burger King without the Whooper.

-beepbeep

TSU Lady Tigers rips Morehead State Eagles

Photo: Oby Okafor recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Morehead State University. The 5-9 junior forward from Rolla, Missouri Rolla High School is majoring is Psychology.

Tennessee State shot better than 50 percent from the field Thursday night to help capture a 74-62 win over Morehead State in the Gentry Center. With the win the Lady Tigers move to 5-7 (2-1 OVC) while the Eagles drop to 3-10 (1-4 OVC).

Oby Okafor picked up her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kendra Appling also posted 20 points and just missed her first career double-double with nine boards. Tiffany Jackson nearly recorded a double-double as well with 18 points and nine rebounds.

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Tennessee State wins ugly over Morehead State

Photo: #11 TSU Bruce Price, 6-3/205 junior guard, Minneapolis, Minnesota South High School.

A second-half rally by the Morehead State men fell short as the Tennessee State Tigers defeated the Eagles, 59-53, Thursday evening at the Gentry Center in Nashville. The Tigers continued their domination on defense to clap down on the MSU Eagles, holding the team to only 36 percent shooting for the game. This improved the Tigers record to 5-7, 2-1 Ohio Valley Conference, but more importantly continued the win streak began with TSU upset of Illinois 60-58 on Sunday.

Both teams started the game slowly, with Morehead scoring the first basket at the 18:30 mark of the game. The Eagles gained their biggest lead 7-4 with 14:30 left in the first half but TSU moved ahead 8-7 with 12:17 left. After an 8-8 tie (11:07) the Tigers took control of the half and took a 28-18 lead into the half.

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From a fan perspective, the Tigers do just enough on offense to win but their defense is beginning to jell into championship form.

Norfolk hopes to host 2009 MEAC tourneys

City officials say they plan to aggressively court the 2009 MEAC men's and women's basketball tournaments, which are seeking a new home after Raleigh, N.C., declined to renew its contract with the league.

Norfolk has bid to host the tournaments twice previously; Mayor Paul Fraim said Wednesday that the city would do so again. Although the MEAC hasn't officially told the city it is seeking bids, he said he asked John Rhamstine, director of the city's cultural facilities, to begin preparing one Wednesday.

MEAC commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said the league is seeking bids and that "information is going out as we speak" to prospective cities, including Norfolk. "I think Norfolk is a tremendous city, a very progressive city," he said. "We look forward to their bid."

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Savannah State Tigers get steamrolled by Maryland

Photo: Cliff Tucker and the Terrapins forced 24 Savannah State Tigers turnovers, and scored 33 points off of them.

Last night, the Terrapins gave their coach proof that they deserve a piece of their identity back. Four starters scored in double figures and the Terrapins asserted their dominance with several big blocks in a 75-48 victory over Savannah State at Comcast Center.

The Terrapins (8-6) forced the over matched Tigers (7-12) into 24 turnovers, converting the miscues into 33 points, eliminating any chance that Maryland's only non-televised game of the season would be competitive.

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SWAC names Duer Sharp, Commissioner

Photo: Duer Sharp, SWAC Commissioner

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors – Chairman Ronald Mason Jr. – has announced the selection of Duer Sharp as the new Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Sharp will replace Robert Vowels Jr. as commissioner.

Commissioner Sharp, who assumes his duties immediately, joined the SWAC staff in January 2004 as an assistant commissioner. He was promoted to associate commissioner in June 2005, coordinating the football championship and basketball tournament as well as managing the day-to-day operations of the SWAC office.

The 38-year-old Sharp’s duties also included the enforcement of SWAC and NCAA policies for 18 intercollegiate sports. He also has served as the interim athletic director at Grambling State.

“I am honored and excited to lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and I am grateful to the Council of Presidents and Chancellors for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the exciting future of the SWAC,” Sharp said.

Vowels stepped down in June to become vice president for educational services with the NCAA.

From October 2005 to June 2006 Sharp was the interim athletics director at Grambling State University.

Prior to joining the SWAC, Sharp spent six years as a sports management administrator at the Big Ten Conference. During that time Sharp worked with a number of coaches and administrative groups as a staff liaison.

Sharp received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Afro-American Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was a four-year starter for the Badger football team (1988-1991). He was the recipient of Jay Seiler award for team leadership and was the recipient of Kappa Alpha Psi Tom W. Shick Scholarship awarded for intellectual vigor, concern for social justice and equality.

Tennessee State University athletic historian Kindell Stephens dies

Kindell Stephens, a longtime prominent Tennessee State athletics department employee, died Wednesday after a lengthy illness.

Stephens, 64, celebrated his 30th year at TSU last summer. He spent many years as the Tigers' sports information director and radio broadcaster and was a standout basketball player at Fisk University.

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