Prairie View A&M's Cooper-Dyke Chooses to Exit UHouston Search

Updated: 4/17/10, 12:05 AM - HOUSTON, TX - College basketball sources told FOX 26 Sports that Prairie View A&M University women's basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has removed her name from consideration to become the next women's head coach at the University of Houston.

Sources told FOX 26 that Cooper-Dyke decided it was in her best interest to remain with the Lady Panthers program where she has done a sensational job since 2005. Prior to her arrival, the women's team at Prairie View A&M had never had a winning season.

(Translation: Cooper-Dyke learned that this opportunity wasn't a good fit for her career path)
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HOUSTON, TX - College basketball sources told FOX 26 Sports on Tuesday that the search for a new women's basketball coach at the University of Houston is picking up steam. Sources told FOX 26 that UH officials will meet this week in Houston with three candidates -- all of them are current head coaches. They are Prairie View A&M's Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Todd Buchanan from Houston Baptist University and Jodi Kest from University of Akron.

Sources told FOX 26 that UH officials are not at the stage where they are labeling these candidates as finalists for the job. Cooper-Dyke, recently elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has been the head coach at Prairie View A&M since 2005. Prior to her arrival, the Lady Panthers never had a winning season. In the last five years, Cooper-Dyke has led Prairie View to three SWAC regular season titles, earning two trips to the NCAA Tournament and two trips to the Women's NIT. Cooper-Dyke is a former star with the Houston Comets. She led them to four consecutive WNBA titles.

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Coach Kevin Nickleberry expected to land at University of Hawaii

Coach Kevin Nickleberry will soon be landing on the University of Hawaii Rainbow staff.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin and ESPN are reporting today, that Kevin Nickleberry is expected to join the staff as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Rainbows new head coach Gib Arnold was hired on March 19, 2010. The former University of Southern California assistant coach (Arnold) is one of the elite recruiters in all of college basketball bringing top-caliber talent to USC. Gibson was the lead recruiter for former Trojan standouts DeMar DeRozan and Taj Gibson, who were selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. View Video

Kevin Nickleberry is currently in Africa--coaching the Libya National Basketball Team. Arnold said he has offered one of his assistant coaching positions to Nickleberry, but details are still be worked out. The former Prince George's County, Maryland product has made coaching stops at seven schools between South Carolina and Massachusetts. Nickleberry is the former men's head basketball coach at Hampton University (2006-09). He resigned after three seasons and has held assistant coaching positions at Clemson, North Carolina -Charlotte, Holy Cross, Monmouth, Howard and Columbia Union. Coach Nickleberry is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University.

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NSU Spartans' defense focuses on safety issues this spring‎

NORFOLK, VA - Backing up Terrell Whitehead wasn’t the most demanding job a Norfolk State football player could’ve had last season. The All-American free safety, who led the team in interceptions and passes broken up and was second in tackles, rarely came off the field. That left few opportunities for the No. 2 man , redshirt sophomore DeVonte Reynolds. “I’d get a couple of reps per game,” he said. “Mostly, I played special teams.”

NSU head football coach Pete Adrian said Dwight Fluker-Berry, 6-2, 200-pound senior, is one of the team’s most versatile players. “He’s not a bad cover guy, and he’s a big physical guy who can come up and make a tackle.”

Reynolds played them well, becoming one of the Spartans’ top kick-coverage guys. Now, he’s in the mix to replace Whitehead, a task that is considerably more challenging than being his understudy. “To replace Terrell, that’s tough,” he said. “He played all over the field and had great instincts. Me, I’m still learning.” The learning curve has been steep for both Reynolds and Dwight Fluker-Berry, who are vying for the starting free safety job. Reynolds has two years in the system under his belt. Fluker-Berry is returning to safety after playing receiver last year.

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Prairie View prepares to defend SWAC championship

The Panthers annual Spring game is scheduled at 5 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010 at Blackshear Stadium.

Spring football is well underway on the campus of Prairie View A&M University as the Panther football team suited up in full pads after several days of non-contact action.
“I think we’re where we need to be as far as team intensity,” said head coach Henry Frazier III. “The intensity level is extremely high as we’re preaching to the guys about not resting on their laurels and giving maximum effort. I’m definitely impressed with the effort we’re displaying right now.”

After an offseason that featured several players receiving individual accolades for their success on the field, Frazier and staff have also spent a considerable amount of time on team unity as the Panthers prepare to defend their title for the upcoming season. “When you return the bulk of your team you just want to make sure everyone is on the same page,” said Frazier. “We don’t want jealousy or anything like it to creep in so as long as we’re together we have the ability to do something special in 2010.”

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Help Wanted (FAMU): Division I Transfer QB

Coach Joe Taylor, looks over his players in the FAMU athletic complex weight room.

If Martin Ukpai is "the man" coming out of Spring football practice, Rattler football fans just as well take out "Help Wanted Ads" in Division I Collegiate newspapers around the nation.

The Rattlers are in trouble--Ukpai is the man with no reliable back up or experience in the quarterbacking corps. Is there another talented strong armed Curtis Pulley type running/throwing quarterback available? What other team in the MEAC could Ukpai, Eddie Battle and Austin Trainor sit at 1-2-3?

It's a safe bet to say not at Hampton; not at Morgan State and definitely not at two-time MEAC champion South Carolina State. Maybe, North Carolina A&T because the Aggies have a Blue Death, lights-out defense. The others, doesn't matter. They are all perennial losers going no where fast toward a conference championship.

But with one bad hit or a high ankle sprain in the season opener at the University of Miami, the Rattlers may be in for a long, losing season, unless transfer quarterback help is on the way. Remember, both Curtis Pulley and Eddie Battle were injured last season and the Rattlers lost 0-25 in a blowout to lowly Hampton (5-6, 3-5 MEAC), whereas, a Rattlers win over the Pirates would have placed a possible 9-2 Rattler team in an at-large NCAA FCS Playoffs spot.

Why risk the 2010 season on a weak quarterbacking corps that may not make it past Miami. Is Coach Joe Taylor becoming a gambling man? I have all the admiration and respect for Coach Taylor, the 3rd ranked winningest coach in Division I FCS football, even though he has not won one playoff game in his career and last won the MEAC championship in 2006.

With a five year contract at $237,000 annually (which is really pocket change for all Division I FBS head coaches at Miami, Florida, Florida State, U Central Florida, S. Florida, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, etc.), Coach Taylor gets paid for winning championships and graduating student-athletes. A career record of 214-84-4 is very impressive; however, with no playoff wins or an NCAA championship on this resume, it doesn't say much to the Rattler Nation. Legendary status in Rattlers lore is gained by winning championships, like previous FAMU coaches named Gaither and Hubbard.

However, Coach Taylor and his staff are to be commended for graduating nearly all of its student-athletes on time in employable major fields of study. Definitely, in the classroom the Rattlers are well on their way to become national academic champions.

As the Marching 100 plays Janet Jackson's "What have you done for me lately," it makes you scream -- "talented Division I quarterback wanted for 2010 Rattler football team that has all other pieces in place for a 2010 MEAC and NCAA Division I FCS championship run." One stud quarterback like Curtis Pulley at FAMU, deserves another....an another.

I am beyond being patient or hoping we make it with one young, talented quarterback named Ukpai. Too much is at stake in 2010; next year is this year and April is like September. Time for Rattler Nation to rise up and demand championships from this highly paid coaching staff. Season records of 8-3 and 9-2 are no longer acceptable if it guarantees a seat at home during the NCAA national championship playoffs.

Aren't you tired of watching other brands named Appalachian State, Elon, William and Mary, Richmond, Villanova, Delaware, Montana, Weber State, McNeese State and New Hampshire in the championship race, while we are not even in the conversation? If you are not, there were more than 6,500 die hard Rattler fans out for the Spring game that want the FAMU Rattlers to join the 2010 championship race.

If we don't join the race soon, upstarts like Old Dominion, Georgia State and MEAC newcomer North Carolina Central will be knocking on the championship doors before our coaching staff can ask, what happened? (beepbeep)

Will Martin Ukpai go where no other Rattlers quarterback has gone since 1978, or will he become just another name soon to be forgotten in Rattlers history? Ukpai will pen his own football legacy beginning on Sept. 4, 2010 against the University of Miami Hurricanes at Landshark Stadium.

We celebrate you winning the starting quarterback role, Mr. Ukpai. This 1978 National Championship Coke drink is for you (with me drinking it) and the 2010 Rattlers who aspire to win championships.

Ukpai earns starting QB role for the Rattlers

With just two more practices remaining before Florida A&M wraps up spring workouts, coach Joe Taylor came away from Saturday morning's scrimmage naming Martin Ukpai as the team's starting quarterback. Taylor said he also saw huge improvements with the rest of the team, which had left several questions after last Saturday's spring game. "I thought we ran the ball better, Ukpai had did a better job, I saw leadership from (Chris) Sands and the offense line communicating," Taylor said. "We really got better as a result of that spring game last weekend."

Ukpai, who spent the spring competing with Eddie Battle and Austin Trainor, looked like the one to beat from the opening series of plays. A part from a high snap to start an 80-yard drive that ended with a deep pass to walk-on receiver Brian Tyms, Ukpai was almost flawless working against the second-team defense. "He has so much athleticism; he just has to learn how to use it," Taylor said. "We have to get him to tuck that ball away. He has to stop dancing because when you start dancing you're 5-5, but when you keep running you're 4-6."

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Jackson State's New-look 'O' starts slow, finishes fast

Coach Rick Comegy's new Air Raid offense did not disappoint, winning 44-18 going against the vaunted Dark Side defense, before about 7,500 JSU fans at the campus practice field.

The first half of Saturday's Blue and White game didn't look much different than recent Jackson State spring games. The defense flew around the field dominating the offense. Positive yardage was hard to come by as JSU quarterbacks threw three interceptions. And there was no "raid" in the new Air Raid offense. The second half, however, was encouraging for those who like to watch offense and were eager to see the new system under offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson.

The White offense rebounded from the ugly start to pull out a 44-18 win over the Blue defense at the JSU practice field."We started off slow and made some mistakes," quarterback Dedric McDonald said. "As the day went on we started to pick it up. "We just started getting in a groove." McDonald went 9-for-33 with 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown pass was a perfectly thrown 25-yard skinny post to Jarrell Young. The walk-on led all receivers with four catches for 78 yards.

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Delaware State Reinstates Women's Equestrian Team in Legal Battle

The equestrian team was the brainchild of former DSU president Alan Sessoms as a means to engage the equine industry and horse culture of Delaware. He saw the team as an “opportunity to recruit different kinds of students,” and to help bring balance to the men-women athletic divide. Sessoms is currently the president of the University of District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Facing scrutiny over possible Title IX violations, Delaware State University has agreed to reinstate their women’s equestrian program through 2010-11 after announcing its elimination earlier this year for budgetary reasons. The move resolves part of a legal battle between the historically Black institution and student athletes who filed suit to have the program continued after the current year, officials said.

In February, the Lady Hornet equestrians filed for a preliminary injunction order to preserve the team and ensure its presence at the school. On Wednesday, DSU lawyers filed a motion in federal district court consenting to a court order that allows the team to compete through the 2010-11 year. DSU officials will fund the team and all awarded scholarships will be honored, according to the agreement.

The Delaware district court ordered that DSU fulfill the team funding and scholarship obligations under the presumption that if budget cuts were to occur the equestrian team would not suffer more than other athletic teams on campus.

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NCCU Adds Seventh Home Football Game‎ to 2010 Gridiron Slate

NCCU Eagles Tim Shankle scored TD against Duke Blue Devils in historic 2009 Bull City Classic game. The 2010 slate will be even more exciting with Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, Hampton and newcomers - Georgia State and Old Dominion.

Durham, N.C. - The 2010 North Carolina Central University football schedule features seven 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 MEAC conference foes, as NCCU announced its updated gridiron slate on Saturday.

The seventh home contest has the Eagles hosting second year NCAA FCS Division I program, Old Dominion University Monarchs at 2 p.m., November 20. In what qualifies as one of the most successful season-ticket launches of a football team in NCAA history, the 2009 Monarchs sold over 14,859 season tickets and sold out each home game in Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, which seats 19,782 for football. The Eagles will get a first-hand chance to see how the Monarchs travel to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. In 2011, Old Dominion will become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for football.

The Monarchs were 9-2 in their inaugural season and is currently negotiating a buy-out with Presbyterian College in order to play the more competitive NCCU Eagles. Both winless Presbyterian and Georgetown University have been dropped from ODU 2010 schedule. Georgetown was replaced with an ODU road trip on October 30 to traditional MEAC power, Hampton University.

In each of the prior three seasons since moving to NCAA Division I competition, NCCU had only four home contests. This marks the first time in school history that NCCU hosts seven regular-season home games. The Eagles also have an entertaining road schedule, facing powerhouse Appalachian State at Boone, N.C., newcomer Georgia State in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, Delaware State and Savannah State.

The 2010 NCCU schedule also includes the continued series with rival Winston-Salem 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 seven games on our campus, which is a big plus. Our kids enjoy playing in front of our student body and our fans.

"Without a question, this is a great home schedule, with the likes of Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Old Dominion 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.

No doubt, this will be an exciting season for Eagle fans and the MEAC.

2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Schedule
Date 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
11/20 OLD DOMINION, DURHAM, N.C. 2 PM

Southern University women dominate in sprints

Friday night, as the first day of the 51st annual Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays wound down, only a few dozen people filled the stands at A.W. Mumford Stadium. By Saturday morning, the west side of the stadium was almost full, packed with parents, coaches, fans and loads of high school, college and club teams who came for the second day, when the event picked up steam. Were anybody so inclined, he could have watched 11 hours of track and field.

One of the day’s highlights, however, came during college sprints, where the Southern women dominated a field that included Grambling, Mississippi Valley State and Southern-New Orleans. One day after sweeping the women’s 200-meter dash, the Lady Jaguars swept the 100 meters. Jazzmin Sims finished first with a time of 12.05 seconds, followed by Lambreche Odeh (12.29) — running in the 100 for the first time. Teammates Sierra Richard (12.59) and Kayante Parker (12.81) were third and fourth, respectively.

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Stump Mitchell Interviews with ESPN

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ESPN's "Outside the Lines" returns to Savannah State

Savannah State University QB A.J. DeFilippis will share his opinion on the upcoming edition of ESPN "Outside the Lines" show that has not finalized a date for airing.

A crew from ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines" made a second visit to Savannah State University on Friday. The crew is working on a story about ex-football coach Robby Wells, who accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter.

The crew attended the Tigers' practice Friday morning. SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon, quarterback A.J. DeFilippis and defensive back Darren Hunter participated in on-camera interviews, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Saturday night. A crew from ESPN's "Outside the Lines" also visited SSU on March 23-24, and interviewed administrators and coaches about Wells.

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Backdrop:

Robert "Robby" Wells ended his first head coaching job with a 5-7 (2008) and 2-8 (2009) record at Savannah State University on February 11, 2010. Wells needs to put away the race card and move on. I didn't think much of Wells when he was hired -- as higher qualified African-American finalists were passed over, like Raymond Gross, Rubin Carter and Kent Schoolfield.

Raymond Gross (former Georgia Southern University All-American QB, won two 1-AA National Championships in 1989 and 1990; QB coach at B-CU for seven years under Alvin Wyatt; OC at Clark-Atlanta); Rubin Carter (former head football coach at Florida A&M University (16-17); current defensive line coach at University of New Mexico; had a storied career highlighted by 12 seasons (1975-86) as a defensive tackle with the Denver Broncos famed "Orange Crush" defense; played on five AFC West championship teams and two Super Bowls; noted recruiter; 21 years of Division I college and professional coaching experience; All-American DT from the University of Miami (Fla.)); and veteran coach Kent Schoolfield (current WR coach at Capital University (OH); former offensive coordinator at FAMU, NC A&T, James Madison during their 1-AA playoff runs; head coach at Fort Valley State (Ga.) with three NCAA Division II Playoff runs; WR coach at Florida State and Pittsburgh; also coached at Temple and New Mexico State). All had better resumes and proven collegiate coaching careers at the time of Robby Wells' selection.

Savannah State University current offensive coordinator Alan Hall left the Tigers program in March 2009, before Spring pratice for the same position at Winston-Salem State University, only to return to SSU after Coach Robby Wells was released on February 11, 2010. Hall, a member of the Miami Hurricanes' 1991 national championship team and a backup to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Gino Torretta, said it was a tough decision to leave the Tigers program in 2009.

Wells, in his allegations, fail to mention that 13 players were ineligible to participate in 2010 Spring practice and 20 players either quit, are in jail or were dismissed from the team. Not to mention the fact that starting quarterback Kurvin Curry, a sophomore last season, was among those missing from Spring drills.

The Savannah Morning News recently reported that five Savannah State University football players were arrested on Feb. 4 and 10, 2010 respectively, and are currently in the Chatham County jail on charges stemming from a Feb. 4 attack on two fellow (non-football players) students, Carl Gee and Karl Arila, on campus.

Sophomore defensive backs Edward Ndem and Patrick Thomas, freshman defensive back Jevontae Jefferson, sophomore defensive lineman Juvaro Goodman and sophomore running back Rashard Russell all are charged with aggravated assault, a felony. All but Russell also are charged with aggravated battery. Their cases will go to a Chatham County grand jury, where prosecutors are expected to seek indictments within 90 days. Chatham County Recorder's Court Judge Tammy Stokes on March 2 denied bond for the five defendants, all recruits of Robby Wells.

Patrick Thomas, from Atlanta, was charged with battery and released on bond. Thomas was rearrested Feb. 7 on an aggravated assault charge. Jevontae Jefferson, a freshman cornerback from Mableton, is charged with battery. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Brent McCall is facing a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute following his arrest on March 14, on campus. The 20 year old McCall also is charged with misdemeanor possession of a drug-related object for use. He was busted "during a routine room check on campus." McCall, a sophomore defensive back from Detroit, came to SSU from East Ridge High School in Clermont, Fla. He played in four games last season and three games in 2008.

Again, Wells resigned on February 11, 2010, while 33 of his players were either being arrested for drug selling, assault and/or battery, and flunking out--all under Robby Wells watch as head football coach. With a 2009 record of 2 and 8, he would have been locked out of the athletic facilities at any school serious about Division I FCS football and student graduation rates.

SSU became a "provisional" member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on March 13, 2010.

If anything is "outside the lines," its the players that Wells recruited to Savannah State that did not obey the rules, his meager Division I coaching experience, and the negative script he and his crew are writing in Tiger history.

It appears someone (head coach and 33 players) forgot about the student, in student-athlete.

Tennessee State's Calvin McNairl enjoys dual role as quarterback, wide receiver

Having already proved his ability to run and throw the football, Calvin McNairl is spending spring practice at Tennessee State proving he also can catch it. The Henry County product started at quarterback eight games in 2009 and led the Tigers in rushing (628 yards) and passing (78-of-147, 920 yards). The junior shared time with senior quarterback Dominic Grooms, which left McNairl on the sideline too often, Coach Rod Reed said.

TSU star Calvin McNairl get shot as dual threat receiver and quarterback in 2010.

When Reed, the former defensive coordinator, replaced James Webster in December as head coach, keeping McNairl on the field was high on his list of priorities. So he moved McNairl to wide receiver for spring drills and expects him to play there next season when he's not at quarterback. "You want your best athlete on the field and the more you can get the ball in his hands the better,'' Reed said. "We'll have a package for him at quarterback and work him in at wide receiver." McNairl (6-foot, 210) had hoped for a shot at receiver since he was a freshman even though he had never played it before.

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Defense shines in NCCU Maroon-Gray game

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University Coach Mose Rison put his N.C. Central football team on display for the public in its annual Maroon & Gray game, and the defense probably won. But the big news of the day was the addition of another game for this fall. The Eagles have added an 11th game — and a seventh home game — on Nov. 20 against Old Dominion, a team that is in its second season of football. NCCU, which has gone 4-7 each of the past two seasons as it transitions into NCAA Division I, has never played seven home games in the same season. NCCU was one of the better teams on the schedule last season for the Monarchs (9-2), who won their first meeting in Norfolk 42-28. “This is huge for this football program,” Rison said. “Our kids really enjoy playing in front of our fans and we play well at home.”

Incumbent starting quarterback Michael Johnson completed six of 15 passes for 74 yards and led one touchdown drive, which ended in a 1-yard scoring plunge by Justin Campbell. “We were just starting to click toward the end of spring ball, so I wish it had gone on a little bit longer,” Johnson said. “Overall it was pretty good. I’m more comfortable coming to the line and seeing everything. Last year I knew my plays and what everyone had to do, but I had no clue what the defense was doing. Now my thought process is much better and I’m seeing the field way better.”

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UMES Lady Hawks Fall; Finish 5th in NCAA Bowling Championship

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Some things just aren't meant to be. With a team that has no seniors, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) will try again next year to claim their second NCAA Championship. They bowed out early, falling to New Jersey City University 4-1, and finishing tied for fifth in the nation. "We always come in with the expectation of winning," said Sharon Brummell, UMES head coach. "I think we got a fresh start this morning after a rough day yesterday. We played well under pressure in our win over Vanderbilt but we made a lot of mistakes and I think the team that makes the least mistakes on this shot will be the winner."

Mistakes may be an understatement, the Lady Hawks (103-37) left 15 open frames in their five games against NJCU (78-45), 10 of which were splits. "We couldn't get Paula going," said Brummell of sophomore All-American Paula Vilas. "She is the key to our engine, she starts us up. She wanted it so bad but as the lead-off we need her to strike and we just couldn't get her, or anyone for that matter, adjusted to the pattern." The pattern, Brummell speaks of, is how the oil is laid on the lanes.

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DSU knocked out of NCAA Bowling Championships‎

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- The Delaware State University bowling team was eliminated from the NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship after suffering two losses in double-elimination play on Friday at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lane. No. 7-seeded Delaware State (98-36) exited the tournament after a four-games-to-two loss to No. 3 Vanderbilt in a Baker format match on Friday afternoon. The Hornets had earlier lost 4-0 to No. 2 Arkansas State in the morning.

In the Vanderbilt match, Delaware State had four open frames en route to a 170-147 loss. The Hornets bounced back to even the match at 1-1 after a 245-178 victory in Game 2. DSU opened the game with five strikes. After the Commodores won game three 241-183, Delaware State evened the contest at 2-2 after a 198-184 victory in game four. The Hornets had marks in each frame, including strikes in the seventh and eighth.

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AD search back on for FAMU

President James H. Ammons, Ph.D., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

The search for an athletics director at Florida A&M is back to square one. FAMU President James Ammons said Thursday he has decided to extend the search by continuing to take applications for a permanent AD. Ammons also shot down reports that interim athletic director Mike Smith will be named the permanent replacement, although he said Smith could apply for the position.

Ammons' announcement during an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat came almost two months to the day in February when he told staff at an athletic department meeting that he'd have a decision within a week. He has since reconsidered but didn't make a statement until Thursday, when he said advertising for the position will resume.
"I want to make certain that we have reached all the talent for this position," Ammons said. "I just want to make sure I have a pool that is broad enough and rich enough to make this important decision."

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WSSU Rams' Davis thinking NBA Draft

Paul Davis, a 6-9 junior center at Winston-Salem State, has decided to put his name into the NBA Draft but has not hired an agent. Davis, who was named to the All-Independent second team last season, led the Rams in scoring at 10.9 points and rebounding at 7.8 a game. Davis, who was one of the Coach Bobby Collins' top recruits, was a three-year starter who shot a team-leading 58 percent from the field last season. Of his 129 made field goals, 42 of them were dunks. He also had 50 blocks last season and is the all-time leader in school history. Davis, from Clio, S.C., is hoping to get a chance to work out for NBA scouts in the next three weeks.

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SSU not rushing to hire AD, football coach‎

Savannah State University has not begun advertising for an athletics director or football head coach, and SSU Vice President for Administration Claud Flythe said there is no rush to do so. Bart Bellairs, who was paid $110,000 annually, resigned Nov. 23 as athletics director, a position he held for 18 months. Robby Wells, who was paid $90,000 annually, resigned Jan. 28 as football head coach, a position he held for two seasons.

"There is no deadline because, I'll be candid with you, I knew at the university I have two good people who can move us along," said Flythe, who oversees athletics. "There is no doubt in my mind." Flythe appointed Marilynn Suggs, SSU's assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator, to interim athletics director the day after Bellairs resigned to become athletics director at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. Suggs appointed defensive coordinator, Julius Dixon interim head coach, the day Wells resigned.

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University of Houston Speaks with PVAMU Coach Cooper-Dyke‎

HOUSTON, TX - FOX 26 Sports has learned that University of Houston officials contacted Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Prairie View A&M University women's basketball coach, as part of the process to find a new coach for the Cougars. College basketball sources told FOX 26 that UH officials conducted a preliminary interview with Cooper-Dyke on the phone. The sources said that the university has also spoken with other candidates in a similiar fashion and that UH is in the early stages of the process.

The Cougars' job opened when Joe Curl resigned because of health issues. Cooper-Dyke was announced on Monday as one of the newest members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is the highest individual honor that a player or coach can receive in the sport of basketball. As a player, Cooper-Dyke did it all leading the University of Southern California to a pair of national championships, winning Olympic gold and leading the Houston Comets to four consecutive WNBA championships. And as a coach, Cooper-Dyke is doing a sensational job at Prairie View A&M.

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Southern U preps for busy home sports weekend

A big athletic weekend is on tap on the bluff, as the Southern track and field, baseball, softball and tennis teams will all be in action. The 51st Annual Davenport/Milburn Pelican Relays will be held on Friday and Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium on Roscoe Moore Track. Friday events kick off at 4 p.m., and Saturdays events start at 9 a.m. Five collegiate women's and men's teams, along with 10 high school girls and boys track teams are set to participate in this annual event at Southern University. Cost for the event is $5 for adults, and children under 10 are free.

It is Throwback Weekend at Lee-Hines Field, as the Southern Jaguars will battle in-state rival Grambling State in a three-game series. Southern has hosted Grambling for its annual throwback weekend in every year but one, and the weekend has grown to include vendors, exhibits and visits from the likes of the legendary Negro Leaguer Buck O'Neil.

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Title is right up UMES Hawks' alley

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Coach Sharon Brummell holds the NCAA National Championship trophy earned by the 2008 Lady Hawk Bowling Team. The Lady Hawks are seeking another championship; however, they must get past 2010 MEAC Champion, Delaware State University Lady Hornets that are also in the NCAA Bowling Championship Tournament.

PRINCESS ANNE -- The top-ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's bowling team is prepared to make another run at a national title this week. Starting today, in North Brunswick, N.J., the Hawks will make their seventh consecutive appearance at the seventh annual NCAA championship. The Hawks, who finished second to Vanderbilt in 2007 before winning a national title in 2008, are looking to recapture their winning ways after placing seventh in last year's championship.

"We've worked so hard at just doing well this year," UMES coach Sharon Brummell said. "We've had a good year, so were back in the tournament -- now the pressure is on us to do well here. Our main concern is making sure that we are still bowling on Saturday."

The tournament features eight teams (Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Delaware State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Nebraska, New Jersey City, Vanderbilt and UMES) squaring off in five-person regular team games to determine seeding. The teams then will be seeded for play Friday based on their win-loss record during qualifying. A double-elimination format then will determine which two teams are still alive Saturday to play for a national title, which will air live on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m.

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