Cy Alexander is fired as TSU basketball coach

Dismissal comes after 67-106 record

Tennessee State fired men's basketball Coach Cy Alexander yesterday after more than five seasons, during which the Tigers program went 67-106. "I'm very close to Coach Alexander," TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. "I hired him six years ago. He and I both had big visions for the program. … We've had success off the court. Our young men are graduating. … (But) somewhere in here we have to have the on-the-court success and that just has not happened."

Alexander will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant Mark Pittman, who will be on the sideline for today's 7:30 p.m. home game against UT Martin. A message left for the outgoing coach at his home was not returned Friday. Alexander, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., took the job on April 1, 2003, after 16 seasons at South Carolina State. He led the Bulldogs to five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and five NCAA Tournament appearances.

He went to the Orangeburg, S.C., campus in 1987 after working 11 years as an assistant coach at Howard. In his first year at South Carolina State, Alexander took over a team that had seen nine straight losing seasons and turned them into a winner with a 16-13 mark. The following year, the Bulldogs went a school-record 25-8, won the MEAC title and played in their first-ever NCAA Tournament game.

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PVAMU Frazier brings in stellar 2009 football signing class

PRAIRIE VIEW, TX - PVAMU Head Coach Henry Frazier III has set the precedent for excellence for the football program bringing another outstanding recruiting class to “the hill”.

The highlight of this year’s class is Quarterback Kenneth Black. Black transferred to PVAMU from Western Kentucky University after being named the starter in 2008 as a sophomore. KJ split time in all 12 games in 2007 and threw for 1,007 yards with eight touchdowns. “KJ is a guy who can go head-to-head with Jay Bluford but he will go into spring camp #2,” said Frazier. “Jay is a fifth year senior who knows our offense and a very capable signal caller that’s not going to just hand over the job.”















The Panthers accomplished their primary goal of filling voids at critical positions where key players were lost such as All-American LB Zack East. The team added three blue chip linebackers with high hopes of developing a core group that will eventually be able to lead the defense. “We definitely did a great job recruiting three safeties and three linebackers,” said Frazier. “Our coaching staff did an excellent job of addressing the needs of our program.”

Coach Frazier has had the luxury of being able to redshirt the past two freshman classes; but three players in this class who are physically ready to play right now are OL Aneus Ruiz, LB Marcus White and LB Raheem Cardwell. Ruiz is a physically dominating and intelligent offensive lineman that registered 40 pancake blocks. White registered 104 tackles and was a highly recruited local talent (Jones HS) who chose the Panthers over TSU, ULL and Kentucky while Cardwell hails from nationally ranked (Dematha HS - MD) where he was the team’s defensive MVP tallying 90 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and an interception. “Ruiz, White and Cardwell are physically ready to play at this level right now,” said Frazier. “When it’s all said and done all of these recruits are going to have the opportunity to come here and compete.”

PVAMU FOOTBALL TRANSFERS & SIGNEES

Kenneth Black,* QB, 6'4/220, Western Kentucky Univ. - Transfer-Louisville, KY
Michael Benson,* WR, 5'10/175, College of Sequoias, Houston, TX
Michael Robinson ,TE , 6'1/220, Steele HS - TX , Scherts, TX
Gabriel Young, TE, 6'4/220, Jones HS - TX, Houston, TX
Marcus White, LB, 6'0/205, Jones HS - TX, Houston, TX
Aneus Ruiz , OL, 6'4/300, North Forest HS-TX, Houston, TX
Christopher Townsend, LB, 6'0 /220, Bishop McNamara HS - MD, Ft. Washington, MD
Jared Williams, DB, 6'1/180, Bishop McNamara - MD, Bowie, MD
Davion Green,TE,6'3/230, Kimball High School - TX,Dallas, TX
Amir Smith,QB, 6'5/200, Lackey HS - MD, Port Tobacco, MD
Eric Moore,S, 6'4/215, City Coll.of San Fran. - CA - Transfer,San Bruno, CA
Raheem Cardwell, LB, 6'2/215, Dematha HS - MD, Alexandria, VA
Breon Johnson,S,6'0/180, Ozen High School - TX,Beaumont, TX
Adrien Grant,S,6'4/187, Carman Ainsworth - MI, Mt. Morris, MI
Marquis Holliie*, Ath, 5'10/175, Warren HS - San Antonio,San Antonio, TX

*Students currently enrolled at Prairie View A&M University

Coach James Webster happy with Tennessee State class

Coach James Webster summed up Tennessee State's recruiting class in just four words.
"I like big guys,'' he said Wednesday after the Tigers signed 19 prospects, including nine big linemen, on the first day of the NCAA national signing period. The Tigers lost several linemen from last year's team, including three starters on offense.

Among the biggest offensive players were Deamarde Dean (6-foot-3, 350 pounds), who is originally from Memphis but played last season at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss.; Jonathan Martin (6-5, 320) from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga.; and James Lewter (6-3, 305) from Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. "Martin is a man right now,'' Webster said. "I think Dean is going to come in and contribute right away and we got Lewter out of D.C. who I think is an excellent player. I was really surprised we were able to go into D.C. and get him."

Lewter is a two-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, who also received offers from Howard and Grambling. TSU also signed Deonte Newsome, a 6-3, 300 pound, offensive lineman from Maplewood who was also offered a scholarship from Mississippi Valley State; and Tyson Kemp (6-2, 290) from Colonial High School in Orlando, Fla.

TSU signees

James Lewter…OL…6-3…305…Washington, DC…Ballou
Jonathan Martin…OL…6-5…320…Columbus, GA…Carver
Michael Murphy…DL…6-4…285…Lewisburg, TN…Marshall Cnty
Ronald Bright…LB…6-4…240…Sarasota, FL…Riverview
Devin Wilson…WR…6-3…190…Nashville, TN…Pope John Paul
Kyrie Harris…DL…6-3…260…McMinnville, TN…Warren Cnty
Calvin Roberts…WR…6-1…190…Nashville, TN…Whites Creek (Scottsdale CC)
David Van Dyke…DB…6-0…185…Miami, FL…Booker T. Washington
Tyson Kemp…OL…6-2…290…Orlando, FL…Colonial
Cory Hall…DL…6-4…280…Chattanooga, TN…Brainerd (Southwest CC)
Terrance Lewis…RB…6-4…235…East Dublin, GA…East Laurens
Teandre Fisher…WR…6-3…190…Nashville, TN…Stratford
George Pulley…LS…6-0…220…Nashville, TN…Hillsboro
Deamarde Dean…OL…6-3…350…Memphis, TN…Ridgeway (Coahoma CC)
Jeremy Pryor…WR…6-3…180…Memphis, TN…Whitehaven
Jarron Guthrie…LB…6-1…210…Nashville, TN…Hunters Lane
Deonte Newsome…OL…6-3…300…Nashville, TN…Maplewood
Donte’e Nicholls…DL…6-3…300…Pompano Beach, FL…Univ. of South Carolina
Toney Gurley…QB…6-1…180…Gurley, AL…Madison Cnty

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FAMU 's National Signing Day Recruits

Head Rattler, Coach Joe Taylor is poised for a championship '09 season with a talented incoming class.

RATTLER RECRUITING RECAP: Florida A&M signed 15 players in their 2009 recruiting class, 13 of whom are from the Sunshine State....... Six (6) of the players are transfers, including five I-A imports from East Carolina, Marshall, South Carolina, Florida State and Illinois - all of whom originally hail from Florida.

COACH JOE TAYLOR COMMENTS: "We used a three-prong approach in our recruiting - Division I-A and junior college transfers, high school prospects, as well as looking within at redshirts already within the program - to give scholarships to....

"We ended up with about 15 or so newcomers total and we are satisfied that we met our needs, particularly on our offensive and defensive lines.... Since we lost only five seniors, we didn't have many pressing needs, but we felt that getting some experienced hands (from I-A ranks) could only be a plus for us....

"We still place a lot of emphasis on high school recruiting, which is the backbone of any successful program, and it is especially important for us to develop and maintain relationships with the high school programs in the state and region."

2009 Florida A&M Football Newcomers

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class. Hometown/High School/College or JUCO
Chirstopher Atkins DE 6-5 260 r-So. Quincy, Fla./E. Carolina
Corey Atkins RB 5-11 193 Fr. Madison, Fla./Madison HS
Jerod Brisbom LB 6-1 215 Fr. Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough HS
Jay Culpepper LS 6-5 290 r-Jr. Madison, Fla./Florida State
Brandon Curry OT 6-6 320 r-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Marshall
Brandon Davis OL 6-3 290 r-So. Jacksonville, Fla./Illinois
Jonathan Ferrell LB 6-1 200 r-Fr. Tallahassee, Fla. / FAMU DRS
Trevon Fleshmon TE/DE 6-2 235 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Forrest HS
Bobby Jackson OLB 6-2 225 Fr. Miami, Fla./Miami Jackson HS
Rodeshawn Joseph CB 6-1 170 Fr. Ft Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson HS
Abraham Muhieze S 6-1 205 Jr. San Diego, Calif./Grossmount College
Jamil Parris DE 6-5 230 r-Jr. Vero Beach, Fla./Kentucky
Harrison Sweeting LB 6-4 235 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Ed White HS
Daniel Walker P 5-11 180 r-So. Wakulla , Fla./Wakulla HS
Jerry Willis DL 6-4 280 So. Chicago, Ill.

Recruiting Class Profile

Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown / Previous School
Chris Atkins DE /LB 6-5 255 Quincy, Fla./East Carolina
Transfer from East Carolina. Graduate from West Gadsden where he was a five-sport letterman and versatile athlete playing S, LB and DE. HS Career totals: 380 tackles, 43 sacks, 114 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two block punts.

Corey Atkins RB 5-11 193 Madison, Fla. / Madison HS
This Madison HS standout has blazing speed and a power clocking 4.4..rated a three star recruit by Scout.com. Atkins rushed for over 1700 yds, 24 Touchdowns and was Second-Team all state in Class 2A.

Jerod Brisbom LB 6-1 215 Tampa, Fla. /Hillsborough HS
This Hillsborough HS product was their top LB for three consecutive seasons… Recorded over 100 tackles for three straight seasons… career stats 316 tackles, 13 sacks, 7 FF…Recruited by Iowa State, Bethune Cookman University, FIU.

Jay Culpeper OL/LS 6-5 290 Madison, Fla. /Florida State
This Madison county high school graduate and was on the state championship team. Versatile offensive lineman and Long Snapper with a great upside considering size….Culpepper will compete in Special Teams for snapping duties in 2009… four-year letterman at Madison HS… played two seasons at FSU, Criminal justice major.

Brandon Curry OL 6-6 305 Lauderdale, Fla. / Marshall University
Transfer from Marshall University. HS: Sun Sentinel & Miami Herald First-Team All County both Jr and Sr Year. First-Team All-State class 6A as a senior. Rated # 14 recruit out of broward county, no sacks allowed for two consecutive years, Army vs Navy all American game, selected for Dade vs broward all star game in 2007.

Brandon Davis OL 6-4 285 Jacksonville, Fla./Illinois
Highly touted offensive lineman from Jacksonville Fl. 4 star recruit, selected to play in Shrine Bowl, All Conference, Captain of Shrine Bowl, Top 5 offensive lineman in Florida. Recruited by FSU, Miami, Illinois, Tennessee, Ole Miss, WVU, FIU and FAU.

Jonathan Ferrell S 6-0 195 Tallahassee, Fla./FAMU DRS
Gray shirt sophomore from FAMU high school. Recorded 112 tackles his sr year along with 3 int, 2 ff and 7 sacks. Versatile player who can also line up at LB, was Second-Team All State in 2007 and also led the baby rattlers to 2007 state championship.

Trevon Fleshmon TE/DE 6-2 235 Jacksonville, Fla./Forrest HS
First-team TE shrine bowl, First-team all county selection, nominated for Army vs Navy all star game, First-team all state selection.4.5 speed TE with Career stats totaling 67 receptions, 17 TDs, 43 pancakes blocks; on defense 63 tackles, seven sacks…considered one of the top wrestlers in Florida, Fleshman only loss three matches in High School…Recruited by East Carolina, FIU, UCF and Arkansas State…Criminal justice major.

Bobby Jackson OLB 6-2 225 Miami, Fla. / Miami Jackson HS
Recorded 103 Tackles, 18 sacks (school record), 4 FF, 2 Ints, Miami Dade All Dade team. Sr season defensive captain, boasts 4.5 speed, honor student with 3.5 gpa….interests by East Carolina , Marshall, FIU and FAU.

Rodeshawn Joseph CB 6-1 170 Ft Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson HS
Aggressive player and lock down corner with great upside. Selected Broward county all star team, and played in Dade vs Broward game. Recorded 73 tackles, 4 int. Defensive captain during senior season….top 100 athlete in state of Florida... Business Management major.

Abraham Muhieze S 6-1 205 San Diego, Calif./Grossmont College
Juco transfer from Grossmont college in CA where he was the team captain and recorded 136 tackles, seven int , one ret for td, two FF, three blocked punts in one game Totaled five blocked punts in his career at Grossmont.. In HS, was versatile athlete who played QB/S… career stats Passed for 4,000 yds and 1300 yds rushing (which is a CA record for total yardages) 56 total touchdowns 43 passing and 13 rushing. At Safety, recorded 118 tackles, 10 Ints (3 returned for a TD)…First-Team All American, First-Team All State, Red Zone Player of the Year…recruited by Idaho State, Montana State, Texas State Major in Kinesiology.

Jamil Paris DE/LB 6-5 245 Gifford, Fla./Kentucky
Transfer from University of Kentucky where he played as a true freshman where he recorded 4 sacks, 23 tackles…recorded sack versus Chris Leak in Music city Bowl 2006…HS Sabastian River High where he was the #1 Wk DE in Florida, #13 in the Nation and Florida's top 100 at # 57….career totals 31 sacks, 113 tackles, 23 tkfls in just two seasons.

Harrison Sweeting LB 6-4 235 Jacksonville, Fla. / Ed White HS
Recorded 6 sacks, 93 tackles and 1 int…career stats 167 tackles 13 sacks…honorable mention all state.

Daniel “Troy” Walker P 6-0 195 Wakulla, Fla./Wakulla HS
Grey shirt sophomore with tremendous leg power…HS 2007 Wakulla High First-Team All State, First-Team All Big Bend as a Punter averaging 42.1 yds per punt… also Rushed for seven TDs, while playing Running Back at Wakulla…Undefeated wrestling title and was First-Team All Big Bend in wrestling.

Jerry Willis DT 6-4 295 Chicago, Ill. /
Who has tremendous upside at DT. Former all conference at FB/DT…Willis also received interest from Kentucky State, Grambling and Tenn State.

Morgan State Announces 2009 Football Signees

MSU Sports Information

BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State University head football coach Donald Hill-Eley announced the signing of nine (9) high school and D-I transfers on National Signing Day. Overall, the nine (9) signees included three (3) linebackers, two (2) defensive backs, one (1) offensive lineman, one (1) wide receivers, one (1) running back and one (1) defensive lineman. The Bears signed seven (7) from high school and two (2) JUCO transfers.

2009 National Letter of Intent Signees

Antonio Brown 6’2 – 290, OL
Dunbar HS - Baltimore, Md.
…50 pancakes…78 tackles…7 sacks…anchored a line that won three State Championships…cleared the way for the state's premiere rusher and scorer in West Virginia-bound Tavon Austin…First Team All-State…First Team All-Metro…First Team All-Digital Sport…Black National Football Scholar of the Year.

Anthony Elliott 5’11 – 180, WR
Friendship Edison HS – Washington, D.C.
…44 receptions…785 yards…11 TDs…5 INTs…Two defensive TDs…4 TD Returns…First team All-Washington Post Independent League…Washington DC All-City Bowl.

Collin Bing 5’11 – 170, RB
Glenn Hills HS – Hephzibah, Ga.
…80 carries…700 yards…20 receptions…325 rec. yards…10 TDs…50 tackles…5 interceptions…3 forced fumbles…Second team All-Area…Three time Offensive MVP.

Zachary Harper 6’3 – 210, LB
Gwynn Park HS – Brandywine, Md.
…90 tackles…11 tackles for loss…16 sacks…4 interceptions…TD…First Team All-Prince George’s County…2009 Crab Bowl…All-Metro…All-State.

Brian Saunders 6’1 – 225, LB
Northern Iowa Community College – West Palm Beach, Fla.
…98 tackles…6 sacks…20 tackles for loss…two fumble recoveries…three forced fumbles…First Team All-Region…First Team All-Conference

Lance Simmons 6’1 – 225, LB
Carman Ainsworth HS – Flint, Mich.
…105 tackles…7 sacks…Second Team All-State…Team Defensive MVP…Ainsworth Big Stick Award.

Montique Allen 6’2 – 285, DL
John Marshall HS – Chicago, Ill.
…36 sacks…104 tackles (39 assisted)…10 tackles for loss…Three time All-City…Two time All-Conference…2008 All-State.

Derrick Kinchen 5’11 – 165, DB
Coral Gables HS – Miami, Fla.
…45 tackles…10 pass breakups…3 forced fumbles…First Team All-Miami Dade…Dade County All-Star Team.

Kirkland Davidson 5’9 – 185, DB
Northern Iowa Community College – Highland Park, N.J.
…30 tackles…5 pass breakups…800 return.

18 recruits bolster DSU on offense and defense

DOVER, DE -- Delaware State University football coach Al Lavan unveiled a list of 18 newcomers who he hopes will put the Hornets back in the mix for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in 2009. The Hornets announced Wednesday that they have signed 13 high school seniors to National Letters of Intent and added three junior college transfers and two Division I transfers to their roster. Lavan seemed pleased with the early returns of his class, which is represented by nine different states, including four players from Virginia.

"This is the strongest class both academically and athletically that we've had," said Lavan. "This is the first year that we have had significant improvement in the quality of recruits entering this program. "We are excited about the ability to stabilize some areas on offense, defense and special teams. The mid-years [students already enrolled at DSU] will come in and add to our team. In the long run, a class like this will help strengthen many of our positions."

The Division I transfers, quarterback Chris Johnson from Boston College and running back Tahree McQueen from Cincinnati, have the promise to fight for starting jobs immediately. Both players redshirted during the 2007 season and did not play in 2008. Johnson (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and McQueen (5-10, 200) are enrolled at Delaware State.

DSU FOOTBALL'S 2009 RECRUITING CLASS

George Bansah, defensive lineman, 6-1, 265, Potomac (Va.)
Aaron Boyd, offensive tackle, 6-5, 325, Fork Union Military Academy (Va.)
Kyle Brown, kicker, 5-10, 160, Laurel
Brandon Cunningham, center, 6-2, 260, Rancocas Valley (N.J.)
Quinton Fortes, defensive end, 6-3, 230, South Lakes (Va.)
Darryl Hicks, offensive tackle, 6-4, 300, Hudson Valley (N.Y.) CC
Geoff Hicks, wide receiver, 6-5, 200, Alfred State (N.Y.) JC
Jadira Green, defensive tackle, 6-4, 300, Oxon Hill (D.C.)
Chris Johnson, quarterback, 6-2, 215, Boston College
Kristian Johnson, tight end, 6-3, 255, Bonner (Pa.)
Ryan Langdon, tight end, 6-4, 235, Father Judge (Pa.)
Byron Lewis, defensive lineman, 6-2, 240, Tallwood (Va.)
Tahree McQueen, running back, 5-10, 200, Cincinnati
Oscar Palmer, defensive back, 5-9, 180, Pierce (Cal.) JC
Aaron Richardson, defensive lineman, 6-1, 230, St. John's (D.C.)
Ernest Robinson, defensive lineman, 6-1, 295, Gwynn Park (Md.)

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Delaware State at Michigan football game set for '09

DSU Coach Al Lavan takes a giant step in facing Michigan Wolverines at Ann Arbor in '09.

Oct. 17 contest gives Michigan a 12th game

ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Michigan football team finalized its 2009 schedule with the addition of Delaware State, a historically black college. Delaware State will fill the Oct. 17 slot in Michigan's 12-game regular season, a source within the athletic department confirmed. Delaware State is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and is a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly Division I-AA, team.

Delaware State's coach, Al Lavan, was an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan and also spent 18 seasons in the NFL as an assistant.

Lavan became coach at Delaware State in 2004. In 2007, the Hornets won 10 games and the MEAC championship, the school's first since 1991. Last season, Delaware State was 5-6. Delaware State will be the second FCS school Michigan has played in three years. Appalachian State stunned the Wolverines, 34-32, in the 2007 season opener.

Michigan's 12-game schedule now features nonconference games at Western Michigan in the Sept. 5 opener, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan and Delaware State, all at Michigan Stadium.

2009 U-M schedule
Date Opponent
Sept. 5 Western Michigan
Sept. 12 Notre Dame
Sept. 19 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 26 Indiana
Oct. 3 at Michigan State
Oct. 10 at Iowa
Oct. 17 Delaware State
Oct. 24 Penn State
Oct. 31 at Illinois
Nov. 7 Purdue
Nov. 14 at Wisconsin
Nov. 21 Ohio State

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The Hornets are making a helluva step-up from Kent State and Central Connecticut State, who beat, DSU 24-3 and 28-10 respectively, in '08. But how many opportunities will the Hornets get to play a $50 million BCS football program (MI 2005/06 football revenue) chock full of Rivals.com 4-5 star recruits--before 111,000 at the Big House? Michigan will pull in $5 million for this home game alone in ticket sales and that's after cutting a check for $400,000 to DSU.

You will have to make this game, as it will be one of the greatest experiences in MEAC history. The Hornets, with a student enrollment of 3,500, average less than 4,000 at their on campus Alumni Stadium that seats around 7,000 for football games.

-beepbeep