No pitching coach for Southern Jaguars

After weeks of rotten luck and disjointed practice schedules, the Southern baseball team caught a break Saturday afternoon. Rain and snow vanished, the sky cleared and the sun showed up. In the parking lot outside Lee-Hines Field, with the constant ring of aluminum bats in the distance, pitchers stretched and laughed. Right-hander/class clown Seth Monaghan made goofy faces and goofier dance moves. Teammates talked trash. Minutes later, they took off for some running exercises.

With less than a week to go before the Jaguars’ season opener at UCLA, everything seemed in place. Except for the presence of a pitching coach. For the second straight year, Southern will attempt to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship without a full-time pitching coach — something longtime head coach Roger Cador had hoped for this summer when he agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him at least $125,000 per season. Two months after winning his 14th conference title, Cador — who begins his 26th season behind the wheel of the baseball program — interviewed twice with the University of New Orleans (Cador agreed to a new deal with SU, his alma mater, before UNO made an offer).

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SU Jaguars 2010 Baseball Schedule

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

FEBRUARY
19 Friday UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (Jackie Robinson Stadium) 8:00 P.M.
20 Saturday Cal State Northridge, Los Angeles, CA (MLB Urban Youth Academy) 4:00 P.M.
21 Sunday Bethune-Cookman, Los Angeles, CA (MLB Urban Youth Academy) 4:00 P.M.
24 Tuesday University of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
27 Friday Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA (Pete Goldsby Field) 1:00 P.M.

MARCH
2 Tuesday University of Loyola, New Orleans, LA 6:00 P.M.
6 Saturday +Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 1:00 P.M.
6 Saturday University of New Orleans, Thibodaux, LA 4:00 P.M.
7 Sunday Nicholls State University, Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
9 Tuesday Southeastern Louisiana Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
13 Saturday *+Prairie View A&M Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
14 Sunday *Prairie View A&M Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
16 Tuesday Univ. of Louisiana-Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 6:00 P.M.
20 Saturday +Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
21 Sunday Baton Rouge CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA (Pete Goldsgy Field) 1:00 P.M.
23 Tuesday Nicholls State University, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
27 Saturday *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ., Pine Bluff, AR 1:00 P.M.
28 Sunday *Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ., Pine Bluff, AR 1:00 P.M.
30 Tuesday Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 6:00 P.M.

APRIL
3 Saturday *+Texas Southern University Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
4 Sunday *Texas Southern University Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
6 Tuesday University of New Orleans Baton Rouge, LA 6:30 P.M.
10 Saturday *+Grambling State Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
11 Sunday *Grambling State Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
13 Tuesday University of Loyola Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
17 Saturday *+Prairie View A&M Univ. Prairie View, TX 1:00P.M.
18 Sunday *Prairie View A&M Univ. Prairie View, TX 1:00P.M.
20 Tuesday Delgado CC (Exhibition) Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
21 Wednesday FAMU, Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
22 Thursday FAMU, Baton Rouge, LA 3:00 P.M.
24 Saturday Jackson State University Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
25 Sunday Jackson State University Jackson, MS 1:00 P.M.
27 Tuesday Southeastern Louisiana Hammond, LA 6:00 P.M.

MAY
1 Saturday *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 NOON
2 Sunday *Arkansas Pine Bluff Univ. Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 P.M.
5 Wednesday Alcorn State University Lorman, MS 6:00 P.M.
8 Saturday *+Texas Southern University Houston, TX 1:00 P.M.
9 Sunday *Texas Southern University Houston, TX 1:00 P.M.
11 Tuesday Univ. of Louisiana Lafayette Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
15 Saturday *+Grambling State Univ. Grambling, LA 1:00 P.M.
16 Sunday *Grambling State Univ. Grambling, LA 1:00 P.M.
18 Tuesday Alcorn State University Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 P.M.
26-29 Wed.-Sun. SWAC Tournament Shreveport, LA TBA

Bold = Home Games
* = Conference Games
+ = Double Header Games
All game times are Central

Morgan State Bears Knocks Off WSSU Rams for 11th Straight Win

Coach Todd Bozeman Bears continues to roll -- to 19th win of season (19-7, 10-0 MEAC).

BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes scored 26 points in Morgan State’s 79-65 win over non-conference opponent Winston-Salem State on Saturday that extended the Bears’ winning streak to 11 games. “We’re happy about the victory,” Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman said after the Bears (19-7, 10-0) improved to 8-0 at Hill Field House this season. “You value any win you get in Division I, the tough part is playing a team like this (non-conference) in the middle of your conference season. I’m just glad we were able to pull through.”

Morgan State jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but the Rams woke up and trimmed the lead to 13-10 with 12:23 left in the first half. DeWayne Jackson ignited a 10-3 spurt by scoring seven points during a four minute stretch to help give the Bears a 23-13 lead. The Bears went into the intermission with a 42-24 lead. Holmes, who entered the game ranked among the nation's leading scorers (22.2 ppg), dropped in 15 points in the first half, and surpassed Yarharborough Roberts as the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in Morgan State history. The senior finished the contest with 26 points (13-15 FT) and has amassed 1,837 points for his career.

Boxscore

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Warren Central's Collins signs with University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

UAPB Golden Lions signee "ReeRee" Collins maintains a 3.89 GPA and hold school records in the 800, 1600, 3200 and 4000 meter races. Her best recorded times are 400-58:46, 800-2:17, 1600 - 5:14, 3200-12:03, 4K-15:50 and 5K-18:42.

Vicksburg, MS - With a full ride in hand, Warren Central High School track and cross country standout Condrea "ReeRee" Marie Collins is running her way to the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff. Collins signed across country and track athletic scholarship with the Golden Lions on Thursday in front of her parents, Derrick and Connie Collins, and Warren Central’s cross country coach Chad McMullin.

Collins said it was not a hard decision to sign with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Golden Lions won the 2009 SWAC cross country championship for the first time in school history and also earned a bid to the NCAA Division I Cross Country Southern Regional meet.

“They gave me the best scholarship. Coach (Curtis) Pittman has been after me since my sophomore year,” Collins said. “They offered me a full ride, including tuition and no out-of-state fees.” Collins will compete in both cross country and track and field for the Golden Lions. “I loved my visit there,” Collins said. “They are going to work me pretty hard. For cross country, their runners put in 60 miles a week.” Collegiate cross country competes in the fall and track performs in the spring, so Collins will have no problem doing both. She said she expects to run the 800 meters and the 1,600 meter relay for Arkansas - Pine Bluff.

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NCCU Gridiron Slate Includes Six Home Games in 2010

DURHAM, NC - The 2010 North Carolina Central University football schedule features six home contests, including a Thursday night season-opener and the return of rival North Carolina A&T to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, along with four games against conference foes, as NCCU announced its gridiron slate on Thursday (Feb. 11).

The 2010 NCCU schedule also includes the continued series with rival Winston-Salem State, a return trip to Appalachian State, the first home contest against Hampton in 19 years, a game inside the Georgia Dome, and Bethune-Cookman's first visit to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. "It's a very competitive schedule," said Mose Rison, entering his fourth season as head football coach at NCCU. "We play six games on our campus, which is a big plus. Our kids enjoy playing in front of our student body and our fans.

The NCCU Eagles have an exciting 2010 home schedule and road games at Georgia State and Appalachian State.

"Without a question, this is a great home schedule, with the likes of Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton and Bethune-Cookman coming to Durham. Plus, the return of former CIAA opponent Johnson C. Smith and Edward Waters for Homecoming," Rison added. "We're excited." NCCU will become members of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) on July 1, 2010, but will not be eligible for the conference championship during the upcoming season.

2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football ScheduleDate Opponent

9/2 JOHNSON C. SMITH, DURHAM, N.C. 7:00 PM
9/11 WINSTON-SALEM STATE, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
9/18 at Appalachian State, Boone, N.C. TBA
9/25 NORTH CAROLINA A&T, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
10/9 HAMPTON, DURHAM, N.C. 4:00 PM
10/16 at Georgia State, Atlanta, GA TBA , Georgia Dome
10/23 BETHUNE-COOKMAN, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM
10/30 EDWARD WATERS, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM, “Homecoming"
11/6 at Delaware State, Dover, Del. TBA
11/13 at Savannah State, Savannah, Ga. TBA

Complete Schedule in PDF Format

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Savannah State: The Value of a Coach

Savannah State University Head Basketball Coach Horace Broadnax.

Taking a 0-28 team to a 15 win season in less than four years is an accomplishment that is pretty hard to miss. This is something Horace Broadnax was able to do with the Savannah State University men’s basketball program. Something even more compelling was Broadnax’s ability to do this with the second lowest basketball budget in all of Division I (339 out of 340)! But what does it really mean in comparison to the rest of college basketball?



Broadnax’s 2009 season produced argubly the best Dollar-Per-Win ratio in modern college basketball. With 15 wins and a budget of $376,968, it came to roughly $25,131 per win. This may sound like a lot, but when you compare Coach Broadnax to his colleagues it is pretty apparent he may be the best bang for your buck in college basketball. Compared to the likes of big names like Howland, Williams, Self, and Donovan, Broadnax’s productivity is astounding. The bottom line is for less than one tenth the cost of the coaches just named, Horace Broadnax can get you a win.

One point of hot contention is whether completely turning around a program or doing it on such a meager budget is greater accomplishment? Regardless, Horace Broadnax has proved himself amongst the coaching ranks. It is hard to imagine what this guy could do with a little financial support and a program with an already well-established tradition as some of the heavy hitters listed above possess. The only disparity in Broadnax’s case is in the wins columns. His 15 wins is less than the generously budgeted basketball powerhouses mentioned above were able to achieve. This raises the question, how did Broadnax compare to coaches with the same number of wins?

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Savannah State University Responds to Robby Wells’ Resignation Letter

Former Savannah State University football coach Robby Wells has broken his silence regarding his departure from the Tigers football program. Wells’ official resignation letter was sent to University administrators Thursday afternoon from his legal team’s office in Atlanta.




Here is the statement from Savannah State released Thursday at 7:50 p.m. regarding Wells’ resignation.

Feb. 11, 2010

Statement on Robby Wells’ February 11, 2010, Resignation Letter

Robby Wells has submitted his letter of resignation to Savannah State University. Wells’ resignation has been accepted and he will be assigned to other duties within the University until March 31, 2010. As mandated by the University System of Georgia, Coach Wells was given the opportunity to address all of his concerns with SSU President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. He specifically declined to do so. Coach Wells’ decision to go public with this instead of directing them to the University through proper channels is truly unfortunate.

While the accusations in Wells’ resignation letter are troubling, SSU remains a diverse institution that affords equal employment opportunities to everyone in all instances specifically including this one. Savannah State has a strong commitment to diversity, particularly in its hiring practices. Furthermore, President Yarbrough has three diversity goals that he previously submitted to the University System of Georgia:

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As clock winds down, teams jockey for SWAC seeding position

Time is working against virtually every team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference except for Jackson State, and this weekend will have huge implications on the season-ending standings. Each team has seven games remaining except for Prairie View A&M (12-9, 7-3) and Texas Southern (11-11, 7-3), which have eight left. The weekend is huge for the two Houston programs as they get their home shots at JSU. If the Tigers go 0-for-2 on the trip, PVAM and TSU could pull into a three-way tie atop the conference, if they can also dispose of Grambling State (6-13, 4-7), which is making its Houston trip and attempting to hold off Southern (4-18, 2-9) for the last spot in the SWAC Tournament.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8-14, 8-3) quietly sits in the best position this weekend with road games at Southern and winless Alcorn State, who are a combined 2-20 in SWAC play. It beat reigning league champion Alabama State (9-13, 6-5) for the first time in five tries on Monday, and put the Hornets in a must-win situation against in-state rival Alabama A&M on Saturday.

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Injuries bedevil PVAMU Panthers

PVAMU Coach Cynthia Cooper Dyke has the Panthers on pace to win its fourth consecutive SWAC regular-season title.

Prairie View A&M coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke must wonder whether she's running a women's basketball program or an infirmary. The Panthers are one of the most injury-riddled teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, having lost four players for the season. One of those players is senior guard and reigning SWAC Player of the Year Gaati Werema, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament during practice Jan. 29.

Werema joined guards Latia Williams and Dieynaba Toure on the list of players whose seasons were ended by torn ACLs. Guard Trinity Robinson was expected to return from a broken wrist this week, but she'll miss the rest of the season after opting for surgery to repair a broken bone. Werema was averaging 13.5 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds. To make matters worse, guard Candice Thomas (15.7 points per game) is playing with a sprained knee.

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Florida A&M Releases 2010 Football Schedule

Florida A&M University has released its football schedule for the upcoming 2010 football season. To say the least, it has balance for the Northeast Corridor alums and for those that seldom travel outside of Florida and Georgia. The season opens on the road with the Rattlers traveling to Sun Life Stadium to face the University of Miami Hurricanes on September 2. After receiving a much needed $600,000 payoff from Miami, the Rattlers hit the road to face MEAC conference foe Delaware State Hornets on September 11, in Dover, Delaware.

The following week, September 18, the Rattlers are on the road again to play Howard University in Washington, D.C. Then, its off to Atlanta for the annual get together with rival Tennessee State at the Georgia Dome on September 25. in the Atlanta Football Classic.

Only four home contests are scheduled with the Rattlers facing the three challenger for the MEAC crown at Bragg Memorial Stadium. First up is a home date on October 2, with 2-Time MEAC champion, South Carolina State Bulldogs. This game will decide the MEAC championship, not that anyone is looking past the other conference foes. An open date is scheduled for October 2, followed by an October 16, home contest with FCS Independent Savannah State Tigers.

The next home game is scheduled for October 30, with the defensive-minded Morgan State Bears. This is FAMU's homecoming and it always is a difficult contest when the Rattlers and Bears get together. The final home date is November 13, when Joe Taylor's former team, the Hampton Pirates visits Tallahassee for the big payback.

The only surprise on the schedule is Norfolk State scheduling the Rattlers for their homecoming on October 23, at Dick Price Stadium. FAMU will have a tough contest with North Carolina A&T on November 6, in Greensboro, N.C. The Aggies are a few years away from competing for the MEAC crown, but can be the spoiler in 2010.

FAMU closes out the regular season on November 20 in Orlando, Florida, with Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic. With a soft road schedule in 2010, the Rattlers should be primed to do some damage in the FCS Playoffs, starting on November 27. Fans are expecting a regular season record of 10-1 and the MEAC Championship being returned to its rightful place in Tallahassee.

FAMU Rattlers 2010 Football Schedule
9/2 at University of Miami, Miami Gardens, FL
9/11 at *Delaware State, Dover, DE
9/18 at *Howard, Washington, D.C.
9/25 at Tennessee State, Georgia Dome, Atlanta (Atlanta Football Classic)
10/2 *South Carolina State, Tallahassee, FL
10/9 OPEN
10/16 Savannah State, Tallahassee, FL
10/23 at *Norfolk State, Norfolk, VA (Spartans homecoming)
10/30 *Morgan State, Tallahassee, FL
11/6 at*North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC
11/13 *Hampton, Tallahassee, FL
11/20 *Bethune-Cookman, Orlando, FL, (Florida Classic)

11/27 FCS National Playoffs

-beepbeep

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Bill would name Alcorn State baseball facilities for former coaches McGowan and Foster

The legendary Willie E."Rat" McGowan, Sr. (#25 in photo) will be honored with the naming of the Alcorn State University baseball stadium.

JACKSON, MS — Alcorn State University could honor its sports history by naming its baseball stadium and the field inside the stadium after two former coaches. A bill that passed the Mississippi House 116-0 on Tuesday would name the park as the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan Sr. Baseball Stadium. McGowan retired in 2009 after coaching Alcorn State baseball for 40 years. The field inside the stadium would be named for the late William "Bill" Foster, the school's first baseball coach.

Foster was a left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues in the 1920s and '30s and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legendary "Rat" McGowan finished his Alcorn career with 720 wins and was inducted in the Alcorn State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, for baseball and football. The bill moves to the Senate for more work.

Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: William Foster
----------
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Public Property; Universities and Colleges

By: Representatives Holloway, Middleton, Clarke, Wooten, Arinder, DuVall, Espy, Gibbs, Harrison, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Jones (82nd), Thomas, Scott, Clark

House Bill 730
(As Passed the House)
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL PARK ON THE CAMPUS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY IN LORMAN, MISSISSIPPI, SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN, SR., BASEBALL STADIUM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BASEBALL FIELD WITHIN THE WILLIE E. "RAT" MCGOWAN STADIUM SHALL BE NAMED THE WILLIAM "BILL" FOSTER BASEBALL FIELD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The Alcorn State University Baseball Park on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. McGowan.

SECTION 2. The baseball field within the Willie E. "Rat" McGowan, Sr., Baseball Stadium, as designated in Section 1 of this act, located on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place on the William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Mr. Foster.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.

Finally, Norfolk State Releases 2010 Football Schedule

NORFOLK, VA – Norfolk State University released its 2010 football schedule on Wednesday. Highlighting the non-conference slate are another date at Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Rutgers, the continuation of the Spartans’ rivalry with Virginia State and a date at Savannah State to close the season.

The Spartans open the 2010 schedule by traveling to Piscataway, N.J., to face Rutgers University on Thursday, Sept. 2. The schools first met in 2007, with the 13th-ranked Scarlet Knights of the Big East prevailing 59-0. NSU went on to finish 8-3 that season, their best mark since moving to Division I in 1997. The Scarlet Knights finished 9-4 last year, winning their fourth straight bowl game with a 45-24 victory over Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity whenever you get to play an FBS team,” NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. “Rutgers has been an excellent program over the last several years and this year will be no exception. We felt like playing there in 2007 really helped serve as a catalyst to our 8-3 season, and it’s a great challenge to play them again.”

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NSU Spartans 2010 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
9/2/2010 Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ TBA
9/11/2010 *North Carolina A&T (Fish Bowl Classic) Norfolk, VA 4 p.m.
9/18/2010 Virginia State Norfolk, VA 6 p.m.
9/25/2010 *Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach,FL TBA
10/9/2010 *South Carolina State Orangeburg,S.C. TBA
10/16/2010 *Hampton (Battle of the Bay) Hampton,VA TBA
10/23/2010 *Florida A&M (Homecoming) Norfolk,VA 2 p.m.
10/30/2010 *Howard, Washington,D.C. TBA
11/6/2010 *Morgan State Norfolk,VA 1 p.m.
11/13/2010 *Delaware State Norfolk,VA 1 p.m.
11/20/2010 Savannah State Savannah,GA TBA

That was quick: Hayes hires Mebane to replace Stokes at Winston-Salem State

Interim Lady Rams Basketball Coach, Walter Mebane

Less than 24 hours after he fired Dee Stokes for leading the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams basketball team to a disastrous 2-21 mark, Director of Athletics Bill Hayes hired Walter Mebane as interim head coach for the final seven games of 2009-10 season. Mebane served nearly a full season as a volunteer assistant coach with Bobby Collins, head coach of WSSU's men's hoops squad. Prior to that, he spent 11 seasons with the Lady Pirates of Hampton, including five as head coach. At the helm of Hampton, he compiled a 70-77 mark, including a 51-35 record in the MEAC that included a berth in the 2009 tournament championship game.

Rams name interim coach

Walter Mebane, a volunteer assistant for the Winston-Salem State men's basketball team, has been named the interim coach for the women's team. Mebane, 54, replaces Dee Stokes, who was fired Tuesday with seven games left in the season. Stokes had turned in her resignation in November but had planned on finishing the season. Before coming to WSSU. Mebane spent one month as an assistant for the N.C. State women's team. He also spent 11 years at Hampton, including five as the women's head coach. He had a 70-77 record with the Pirates. Bill Hayes, the athletics director at WSSU, said he has had nearly 50 applicants for the job and that he would like to have the women's coach hired soon after the season ends.

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FAMU narrows selection for AD, finally gets off NCAA probation

Florida A&M University President James Ammons, Ph.D. has a very difficult decision to make in the selection of the Rattlers next athletic director from finalist Mary McElroy and Derrick McGee.

A double shot of good news for Florida A&M. University president James Ammons announced that the school had narrowed is search for a permanent athletic director to two candidates. The news came on the heels of another announcement, this one from the NCAA that confirmed that the Rattlers have finished their four-year probation for various infractions and violations. Ammons said that the two finalists for the AD position are Derrick McGee and Mary McElroy.

McGee is currently chief financial officer for the University of Cincinnati Bearkats and is a former Rattler basketball player. McElroy finished a short stint as AD for compliance at SMU. Prior to that, she served three years as athletic director at Georgia State in Atlanta, where she initiated the school's first football program. "I've completed my interview and now I'm working on all of the due diligence that I have to do in order to make the appointment," Ammons said. "I'm hoping that within the week, we will have an announcement to make on the new director of athletics."

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Norfolk State opens 2010 football season at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The BIG EAST Conference and Rutgers University announced the 2010 football schedule Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights play seven home games next season and have four games already set to be televised on ESPN or ABC. Rutgers opens the season Thursday, September 2 vs. Norfolk State at Rutgers Stadium. The Scarlet Knights go on the road in week two of the season for their first visit to Florida International on Saturday, September 11.

Norfolk State was slammed 59-0 in their initial meeting with the Scarlet Knights in 2007. Hopefully, the 2010 game will be more than an easy "light scrimmage" for the State University of New Jersey this time around. The signing of this "money game" contract effectively takes Norfolk State University out of the running for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Florida on Sept. 7, 2010.

From our view, the likely candidate slips to the Morgan State Bears for the challenge. The MEAC's unnamed opponent will have to face the rebuilding Southern University Jaguars under first year Coach Stump Mitchell.

The NSU Spartans have not released their 2010 Football Schedule. But, we have been able to confirm the following dates for that schedule shown below. The MEAC home games will be Delaware State, Morgan State and North Carolina Central. The away conference games are at: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State and Howard.

Norfolk State Spartans "Partial" 2010 Football Schedule
Sept 2, at Rutgers, Piscataway, N.J.
Sept 11, North Carolina A&T, Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA (Fish Bowl Classic)
Sept. 18, Virginia State, 6 p.m., Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA
Oct. 16 at Hampton , Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA (Battle of the Bay Classic)
Oct. 23, Florida A&M (homecoming), Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA

2010 Rutgers Football Schedule
Thursday, September 2 Norfolk State
Saturday, September 11 at Florida International
Saturday, September 25 North Carolina
Saturday, October 2 Tulane
Friday, October 8 Connecticut* (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, October 16 Army (New Meadowlands Stadium)
Saturday, October 23 at Pittsburgh*
Wednesday, November 3 at USF* (ESPN2, 7 p.m.)
Saturday, November 13 Syracuse*
Saturday, November 20 at Cincinnati*
Friday, November 26 Louisville* (ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC)
Saturday, December 4 at West Virginia* (ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC)

*Denotes BIG EAST game

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Stokes fired as coach of WSSU women

Athletic Director Bill Hayes releases Dee Stokes after completion of a 69-142 record in seven seasons as a head coach. Stokes compiled a four year record of 19 wins, 90 losses at WSSU.

Dee Stokes, the women's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, was fired yesterday with seven games left in the season. Stokes had submitted her resignation in November but said she would finish this season to fulfill her contract. Athletics Director Bill Hayes decided not to wait that long, several sources said, after he walked into the Gaines Center on Monday night to see the WSSU women trailing Hampton 60-10. The Rams (2-21) wound up losing 67-26, their 19th straight loss.

"I am disappointed in the results of our season, obviously," Stokes said. "A couple of weeks ago I realized that I wasn't going to accomplish the goals that I set for myself here at Winston-Salem State and that's been troubling to me." Stokes had a 19-90 record in four seasons at WSSU. She was being paid $85,000 a year, with her original four-year contract ending March 31.

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UAPB WIN SNAPS ‘CURSE’ OF HORNETS

During a Sunday practice in preparation for Monday’s game against Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff men’s basketball coach George Ivory reminded his team they hadn’t beaten the Hornets since he became coach prior to last season. The reminder of four straight losses — including one by two points in overtime in Montgomery, Ala., last month — was meant to provide a bit of extra motivation for his team. Turns out, they didn’t really need it.

UAPB Golden Lions Coach George Ivory gets first win against Alabama State University Hornets.

The three seniors on the team who began as freshman in 2006 reminded the coach — and their teammates who have since arrived — that nobody really knows when UAPB last beat Alabama State. They just knew that nobody on the court at the time had ever done it. “It’s been a four-year curse since I’ve been here,” forward Tyree Glass said. Glass, Terrance Calvin and George Davis, the three who arrived on campus four years ago, all played roles in ending the string of losses on Monday. In the slowest-paced game the Golden Lions (8-14, 8-3) have played this season, they outlasted the two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions in a 47-42 win.

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LADY LIONS AIM TO IMPROVE DEFENSE, STAY IN TOURNAMENT HUNT

Gonzalez out as Savannah State football assistant

More bad news coming out of Savannah State University this afternoon, from reporter Noell Barnidge blog with the Savannah Morning News...Talk about dysfunctional, SSU has an exclusive on this when it comes to athletic administration and coach selections. Does the MEAC really want this headache added to the conference?

...Add inside linebackers coach to the list of vacancies Savannah State University is attempting to fill. Jose Gonzalez, an SSU football assistant coach for the past three years, is no longer on the staff, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Wednesday morning. "Coach Gonzalez is no longer on the football staff," Mashariki wrote in an e-mail, responding to an e-mail inquiry from the Savannah Morning News. "He is the full-time head softball coach." Gonzalez previously handled the head softball coaching position with his duties as a football assistant coach. Gonzalez came to SSU from Georgia Southern University, where he coached wide receivers in 2006.

Prior to working at GSU, Gonzalez worked at Metter High School coaching wide receivers and defensive backs from 2004-05. In addition to an inside linebackers coach, SSU is searching for an athletics director, football head coach, football offensive coordinator and conference.

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Elmore County HS's DeJarnett headed to Alabama A&M

After being left to dangle in the air by the University of Memphis, Rashaad DeJarnett signed a national letter of intent with Alabama A&M in front of his peers at Elmore County High School on Thursday morning. As the unquestioned leader for the Panthers this past season, DeJarnett hauled in 59 passes for 927 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior campaign. The 6-foot-1 standout also discovered the end zone on the ground with five rushing scores. The coaching staff of A&M had never seen the senior receiver play in person, but that did not stop the SWAC school from offering him an athletic scholarship.

"With my confidence and with (the players) they lost, I should be able to step in and play right away," DeJarnett said about contributing as a true freshman. "I've been traveling behind him since Little League, and now he finally gets an opportunity to excel -- not only in athletics, but in education and in life," said Mable Lawrence, DeJarnett's mother. The senior become a victim of the recruiting process when Memphis fired Tommy West on Nov. 9 after nine years of running the program and hired LSU assistant Larry Porter later that month.

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AAMU Bulldogs signee RaShaad DeJarnett, Elmore County High School, AL

Note to Fans: We are very happy to see Rashaad DeJarnett sign with a SWAC program. He doesn't realize it today, but he increased his probability of earning a Bachelors Degree by 50-75 percent in signing with AAMU. Yes, the young man is talented on the football field but as a student-athlete he will need to excel in both venues--especially education. Get in the weight room young man, hit those text books hard in preparation for college and forget all that bull---- the Memphis, Western Kentucky, UAB and USM recruiters told you to get your commitment. Recruiting is ov-er!

I certainly would love to observe his first Bulldog practice in pads in the fall, as a few junior and senior linebackers give him his first lessons in humility for his freshman-like statements: "When (Memphis) dropped out and had that coaching change, they didn't want the same guys," DeJarnett explained. "So I had to downgrade to Division I-AA -- that's another reason I know I can go in and play at that level, because of the competition" or “I knew I was a Division I player, but with the coaching change there it was frustrating,” said DeJarnett. “With my ability, I think I can see a lot of playing time as a true freshman.”

Mr. DeJarnett will soon get a memorable lesson that playing in the SWAC is not a downgrade in competition from Memphis. The difference is 63 scholarship student-athletes vs. 85 scholarship student-athletes and 20 preferred walk-on athletes at the Football Bowl Subdivision (1-A) programs. He will learn very quickly that everyone on the AAMU team was a star in high school and was recruited by some big brand FBS or FCS program at some point in their career. The MEAC and SWAC schools receive FBS and FCS transfers every year, and some never make any significant contributions on the football field, if they make the cut. Nothing is guaranteed in college football--other than competition.

We look forward to seeing Bulldog Coach Anthony Jones and staff develop this young man into a productive SWAC and FCS player. 2010 is going to be a fun season in SWAC/MEAC football.

--beepbeep



Description: Truman Franklin hook and ladder pass to Tanner Falk who pitches to Rashaad Dejarnett for a 75 yd TD vs. Alabama Christian Academy

The NFL needs to stop turning its Super Bowl half-time into a showcase for aging rock stars

Nothing against The Who, mind you. Or its surviving original members -- 65-year-old singer Roger Daltrey and 64-year-old guitarist Pete Townshend. Pretty much everyone on The Plain Dealer's editorial board loved The Who -- back in the day. But the day was a long time ago, as we were reminded again during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime. How long? The Browns were NFL defending champions when "My Generation" was released.

Alas, most vintage performers aren't well served by tight camera shots, let alone HDTV. And when Daltrey sang, "Let's get together, before we get much older," there was no arguing with the teenager on the couch who hooted, "It's too late for that."



The NFL's been obsessed with "safe" halftime acts since Janet Jackson's 2004"wardrobe malfunction." Since then, the Super Bowl's gone classic rock: Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and finally The Who -- with guest drummer Zak Starkey, Ringo Starr's 44-year-old son. Enough already. Baby boomers don't need bifocaled rockers to remind them of their age. Next year, how about a nice marching band?

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MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street is in total agreement with the comments posted (above) by The Plain Dealer Editorial Board (Cleveland, OH). Enough already! Here you have a global television audience with 106 million watching and you schedule America's Band--the "Incomparable" Florida A&M University Marching 100 for only a "pre-game" performance.

Unfortunately, only 74,059 fans at Super Bowl XLIV in Sun Life Stadium had the experience of seeing the awesome display of musicianship and precision of the FAMU Marching 100 Band. The Marching 100 has been credited for 30 innovative techniques which have become standard operating procedures for many high school and collegiate marching band programs throughout the nation.This was the FAMU Marching 100 fifth appearance in a Super Bowl, performing a medley of Michael Jackson tunes before the Saints and Colts took the field.

Too bad big business comes first--$2.5 million dollar 30 second commercials and last second football hype by sportscasters who are clueless, to the point that the 10 minute pre-game show was a total blackout. Again, America missed out on the seeing the best marching band in the land--in another electrifying and fabulous performance. Enough already with the over-the-hill rockers who can't give away free CDs.

One suggestion to the NFL....book for the next five Super Bowls the Florida A&M Marching 100, Southern University Human Jukebox, Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South, Prairie View A&M Marching Storm and the Alabama State University Marching Hornets. All of these bands are better than "nice" and will put on a memorable half-time show that will connect with the 106 million audience. FAMU Marching 100--you again made us proud!!

PHOTO GALLERY: FAMU Marching 100 at the Super Bowl
http://www.miamiherald.com/929/gallery/1468143.html

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Bombers Sign Former Delaware State Hornets Running Back Emmanuel Marc

WINNIPEG, MB - The Canadian Football League (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce today they have agreed to terms with import running back Emmanuel Marc. Marc (5-10, 205, Delaware State '06) was in B.C.'s training camp in 2009. He played his College football at Delaware State where he notched 1,401 career rushing yards on 237 carries and added 14 touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for an additional 242 yards. He also returned 29 kickoffs for 633 yards.

In 2006, he ran for 1,230 yards, the fourth-best single-season total in team history, and 12 touchdowns to help lead the Hornets to an 8-3 record. He was an All-MEAC Second Team selection that year. Marc is a native of Spring Valley, New York.

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Bethune-Cookman comes up short vs. Morgan State Bears

Without a doubt, Coach Todd Bozeman's Morgan State Bears are the hottest program in the Mid-Majors. The 2009 MEAC Champion Bears have moved to No. 17 in the latest Mid-Major Poll.




BALTIMORE, MD -- Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman 48-47 on Monday night to remain perfect in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bears trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left, before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats regained the lead, 47-46, on a Jarrell Thomas 3 with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, B-CU had two chances for the win. C.J. Reed missed a jumper with 6 seconds left and Albert Abrahams, who came down with the offensive rebound, missed a layup with 4 seconds left, giving the Bears their eighth-straight win. The Bears shot 34 percent (16-of-47) from the field and the nation's No. 6 scorer, Reggie Holmes (22.8 points per game), was held to six points.

Morgan remains unbeaten in MEAC

Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman, 48-47, to remain undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The host Bears (18-7, 10-0) trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats (15-9, 6-4) regained the lead, 47-46, on a 3-pointer by Jarrell Thomas with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, Bethune-Cookman had two chances for the win.

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North Carolina A&T women now 10-0 in MEAC

Lady Aggies Coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs has A&T rolling with a 10-0 MEAC record.











GREENSBORO, N.C. — Senior guard Tu'Wuana "Tweet" Cook scored 22 points and N.C. A&T forced 26 turnovers as the Aggies routed Maryland-Eastern Shore 76-46 on Monday night in women's basketball at the Corbett Center. It was the 10th consecutive win for the Aggies (16-7, 10-0 MEAC), who held the Hawks to 30 percent field-goal shooting. Lamona Smalley, the MEAC's player of the week, had 18 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. Jaleesa Sams added 11 points off the bench for A&T.

The Aggies went up 9-1 on a 3-point play by JaQuayla Berry at the 15:16 mark. Cook then hit consecutive 3-pointers to push the lead to 20-7 at 8:45. After a pair of Sams free throws, Cook knocked down her third 3 of the half to make it a 25-9 game and A&T never looked back again. April McBride led UMES (8-12, 5-5) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Chena Parker added eight points and 13 rebounds. FINAL STATS

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Grambling State stun Alcorn State

GRAMBLING, LA — The Grambling women's basketball team took down Alcorn State 82-74 on Monday. It was GSU's second win in a row and fourth in five games. Secrett Anderson (transfer from Florida A&M) came off the bench and had a game-high 35 points for the Lady Tigers (8-12, 5-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference). The forward also had a game-high 11 rebounds. In large part to Anderson's play, GSU had 38 points in the paint. The game was tied eight times, but GSU separated itself late in the second half. GSU went on a 9-3 run with 8:56 left in the game. The Lady Tigers had a 34-30 lead at halftime and extended it to 10 — their largest of the game — with 2:02 left in the game. Alcorn State dropped to 13-7 and 7-3 in the SWAC.

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Jackson State Centers help run streak to 6

They couldn't stay on fire forever. The Jackson State Tigers had blown out their last three opponents by shooting them out of the gym early with gaudy percentages. The shots weren't falling Monday, but JSU is quick to remind you the team is built for defense and rebounding first. Oh, and there was the we're-part-of-this-team-too performance out of the trio of Jackson State centers.

JSU made it six straight victories with a 63-53 win over Southern in front of an announced 1,451 at the Athletics and Assembly Center. The first-place Tigers (12-11, 10-1) moved above .500 for the first time and hold a 2 1/2-game cushion going into the most crucial road trip of the SWAC season - Prairie View (12-9, 7-3) and Texas Southern (11-11, 7-3). "We always know we've got to be prepared to play, got to contribute," JSU center Gertavian Blake said. "We basically have to step up."

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No. 20 Morgan State bury FAMU Rattlers behind Holmes, Jackson

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leading scorer, Reggie Holmes, MSU Bears.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes and freshman DeWayne Jackson scored 25 points apiece and Morgan State (No. 20 in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll) extended its winning streak with a lopsided victory by routing Florida A&M 94-68 on Sunday at Hill Field House. Holmes, who entered the contest ranked No. 5 among the nation’s leading scorers, poured in 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.

Kevin Thompson, who entered tonight’s game ranked No. 4 in the nation in rebounding, collected his 15th double-double of the season by posting 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with two blocked shots. Sean Thomas added a career-high 11 assists. Morgan State, who improved to 17-7 overall and 9-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, shot 54.8 percent overall and 58.6 percent during the second half, using a big surge in the second half to extend their lead to as many as 33 points and claim their sixth home win of the season.

Travis Wallace had 14 points to lead Florida A&M (6-17, 2-7) who fell to the Bears for the third consecutive time. Christopher Walker chipped in 12 points and Yannick Crowder finished with 11 points for the Rattlers.

Boxscore

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