Young — both of them — to play college baseball at A&T

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Aggies head baseball coach Keith Shumate signs a set of twins, a pitcher and a catcher from Statesville (N.C.) High School.

North Carolina A&T might have the most interesting battery in the state over the next few years. Statesville seniors Brett and Sean Young, twin brothers, have both accepted scholarship offers from the Aggies. Brett Young was recruited as a pitcher and Sean Young will play catcher. "We didn't really set it up where we both were (intending) to go to the same school," Brett Young said. "That's just how it turned out. It fits both of us the best."

The Youngs are going to a program that has won a lot of conference games lately. The Aggies (22-23, 12-3) are the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament. The MEAC is a conference comprised of Division I schools. "It was a nice Division I offer," Brett Young said. "It's small Division I, but we play against top-notch competition like (N.C.) State and Carolina." Brett Young said the coaching staff intends to pack 30 pounds onto his frame. He expects to likely start out as a relief pitcher and progress from there.

Meanwhile, Sean Young has a shot to contribute right away. He plays his position well and can really swing the bat. Sean Young finished the North Piedmont 3A season with better than a .460 batting average, along with three home runs, against some really good pitchers.

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MVSU Woods not done yet; signs local star forward Falando Jones

Mississippi Valley State University Coach Sean Woods is building upon last year's 47th nationally ranked recruiting class with even a stronger class this year. The Delta Devils return four starters for next season and have signed point guard Jerome Harris, Jr., and Falando Jones.

Mississippi Valley State basketball coach Sean Woods is excited about the future of his program and the part Greenwood's Falando Jones will play in it. Jones, a former Greenwood High School (MS) standout, recently signed a national letter of intent with Valley after two seasons at Mississippi Delta Community College. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 72 percent from the free throw line while shooting 47 percent from the field, including 33 percent from 3-point range.

"Falando is a tremendous talent and can play either the two or three position. He's a tough defensive player. He's my type of player," said Woods. "He will come in and have a chance to contribute on a large scale right away. "He's not just a great player but a great kid, too. He's a great ambassador for Greenwood and will now be the same for Valley." As a freshman at MDCC, Jones averaged 12.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists while shooting 57 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range.

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FIRST ANNUAL HBCU NFL COMBINE CLEARS NEW PATH FOR IMPACT PLAYERS INTO PRO FOOTBALL

Former Director of NFL Football Operations and NFL star, Gene Washington has organized the First Annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University later this month to expose undrafted senior players to 32 NFL Coaches and Scouting Directors. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native and Stanford University graduate has worked previously with the NCAA's Champs Life Skills Program assisting HBCUs.

Standout players from the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) throughout the U.S. are being invited to attend the first annual HBCU & Small College Pro Combine, May 21 through 23, 2010, at North Carolina A&T State University.

The Combine is for draft eligible QB's, DB's RB's, TE's, LB's and Wide Outs. Events include the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, pull-ups, and agility drills. Former Director of NFL Football Operations, Gene Washington, is co-founder of the HBCU COMBINE event.

“The talent level at HBCU’s is stellar. Yet, the selection of only one player in this year’s NFL draft proves there is greater potential that is being overlooked. By hosting an HBCU Combine, our goal is to bring increased recognition to HBCU football programs and amplify the number of HBCU players on NFL rosters,” states Washington.

As an undergraduate at Stanford, Gene Washington was one of 25 black students out of 10,000 students. He attended Stanford because of its concerted efforts to integrate minority students into the college community. During his NFL career with the 49ers and the Lions, he made four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1969-1972. He was Director of NFL Football Operations from 1994-2009.

Florida A&M University standout quarterback (#11) and Kentucky transfer Curtis Pulley (6-4/200) had an excellent college career, but went undrafted and unsigned by the NFL in April. Pulley was 2004 Mr. Kentucky Football and passed for over 3200 yards, rushed for 1768, and scored 29 touchdowns in two seasons as a Rattler.

HBCU players are proven fruitful players for the National Football League. Great players like Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Michael Strahan, Aeneas William and Shannon Sharpe have all come out of HBCUs. While achievements made by HBCU college players were recently acknowledged with the opening of the Black College Football Hall of Fame this past February in Atlanta, Georgia, the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine is creating one more avenue for recognition of players representing historically black colleges.

“Few NFL players come from a historically black college. HBCU players bring an elevated level of pride to the league, knowing that they represent a select group. We wanted to give them a special venue to showcase their talent for NFL coaches and scouts, says Mark Bloomquist, Washington’s business partner and co-founder of the HBCU NFL COMBINE.

Southern University's quarterback Bryant Lee (6-3/205) was passed over in the 2010 NFL draft and free agent signings. The All-SWAC/All-American senior passed for 8,134 yards and 70 touchdowns in a stellar four year Jaguar career.

Mark Bloomquist is the President for The Milestone Team and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1975. Following his naval service, Mr. Bloomquist established himself in the community as a very successful businessman, entrepreneur, and leader. As a former professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, he is very familiar with the university system in general and HBCUs in particular.

For more information on the HBCU & Small College Pro Combine at North Carolina A&T State University, please visit the website: www.procombine.com or call 336-937-5202.

Event Schedule

•Host hotel will be the downtown Marriott
•All Activities will take place on the North Carolina A&T State University campus. Transportation will be provided.

•Tentative Schedule is provided below:
A. Friday: May 21
1200 – 1600 Check-In – Waivers , Eligibility Verified, and Films. Issue Gear
1600 – 1900 Medical Records Review
1900 – 2000 Coaches & Scouts Reception – off site. Bus provided.
2000 – 2200 Nutrition Booth & Lecture. Evening Snacks available for athletes at hotel.
B. Saturday: May 22
0600 – 0700 Breakfast
0700 – 0730 Transport to NC A&T University
0730 – 0800 All Hands Meeting
0800 – 0900 Stretching and Conditioning
0900 – 1200 Stations as Assigned : Bench Press , Vertical Jump & Agility Drills
1200 – 1300 Break – Snack
1300 – 1600 Stations as Assigned: Bench Press , Vertical Jump & Agility Drills
(Transport to Marriott hotel at end of Day)
1700 – 1900 Welcome Banquet at Marriott Hotel
2030 – 1900 Depart

South Carolina State University All-MEAC/All-American running back William Ford scored 35 touchdowns and rushed for 4,676 yards in 764 attempts during a record setting career for the Bulldogs. Ford owns the MEAC rushing record and three 1,000+ yard seasons, but suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament against Appalachian State in the 2009 NCAA FCS Division I Playoffs. Ford went undrafted and unsigned although he was the best running back in the FCS over the past four years.

C. Sunday: May 23
0600 – 0700 Breakfast
0700 – 0730 Transport to NC A&T University
0730 – 0800 All Hands Meeting
0800 – 0900 Stretching and Conditioning
0900 – 1200 Stations as Assigned : 40 yard Dash & Pull-ups
1200 – 1300 Break – Snack
1300 – 1600 Stations as Assigned. : 40 Yard Dash & Pull-ups

•Each school will only be allowed to send 2 Graduating Seniors (verified); selected by Head Coach.

•Each attendee will be issued a t-shirt
•Each participant will provide own transportation to and from Greensboro, NC
•Liability waivers will be signed and filed. No spectators will be permitted
•Milestone Marketing Company will provide all meals and water

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UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman talks about Golden Lions football team‎

The UAPB Golden Lions finished up spring practices with their annual scrimmage two weeks ago. Now Arkansas Pine Bluff is focused on the fall. UAPB lost their last two game of the 2009 season to finish with a record of 5-5. The Golden Lions open the season on the road against Texas El Paso. Friday afternoon head coach Monte Coleman called in to talk to Wess Moore. Click on the video button to see their conversation.

Texas-Pan American jumps out to Five-Shot lead over Tennessee State

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Kevin Kirakossian picked an opportune moment to match his personal-best collegiate round of golf. Making his debut at PGA Golf Club on Friday, the 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas Pan-American knocked home a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole of the Wanamaker Course to cap a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the 24th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship. Kirakossian's seven-birdie, three-bogey performance propelled the Broncs' quintet from Edinburgh, Texas, to a 290 total and a five-stroke Division I lead over defending champion Tennessee State University, a team that arrived at the Championship from flood-ravaged Nashville having lost a week of practice.

Wesley Yates of Florida A&M kept his eye on the ball during Friday's first round. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Jackson State University, which won the last of its eight national titles in 1998, is third with 297 and Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Fla., fourth at 298. A native of Tualatin, Ore., Kirakossian collected four birdies in his final six holes, and credited keeping his round intact by making par on the 215-yard 17th hole, following a 3-iron tee shot to 25 feet. "It's my first time in this Championship and I really enjoyed the course and its design," said Kirakossian, whose brother, Armen, a senior and the 2009 Division I medalist, added a 72. "I knew that we would bring a good team here and hopefully we can keep it going." Texas-Pan American Coach Santiago De Larrea said that there's a difference from last year's squad, which finished third.

RELATED
Return to Championship home Friday photo gallery Tee times and scoring Field list Fact sheet Upbear Career expo Championship preview

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Former UCLA 5-Star Recruit Signs With Mississippi Valley St‎ate

Mississippi Valley State University signed its first 5-star recruit since NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice playing days at the Valley. Chicago's Jerome Harris Jr. was ranked as the number one basketball point guard in the recruiting Class of 2009 by some recruiting services and opted out of UCLA.

Former UCLA recruit Jerome Harris, who left Ben Howland's program early in the season due to qualifying issues has signed to play for Mississippi Valley State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Harris who was expected to be a one and done type of prospect is in route for a huge season at MVSU. Harris who left the program in November spent time at Spoon River Junior College, was rated as one of the top 3 juco point guards in the country.

MVSU Head Coach is former Kentucky standout point guard Sean Woods who spent some time in the NBA. Woods says Harris is a big time talent that can really make a name for himself this season as he has one of the toughest preseason schedules next season. Harris chose Mississippi Valley State over Texas, Minnesota, and USC.

Prior to signing at UCLA, Harris Jr., received offers from Central Michigan, St. Johns, Ohio State, Rutgers, UAB, Arizona, Florida State and Indiana University, among many other major programs too numerous to name.

The 6'-3" point guard, five-star recruit out of Collins High School (Chicago, IL), posses as one of the top players in the Midwest. ''I think I have great point guard skills,'' he said. "It's not rare, but I think I can be one of the ones to succeed. Although Harris is not banking on a future in the NBA, he does consider it a possibility. ''I think about it a lot, he said. I think if it did happen, that's a good life. I just have to work hard. I can never wake up one day and be like, `I'm this' or `I'm that.' "No matter where I'll be, even if I get to the NBA, I'll always keep working. You can always get better.''

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Chattanooga's Gordon Signs Florida A&M Softball Scholarship

Chariah Gordon of Chattanooga (Tennessee) School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) recently signed a college softball scholarship with Florida A&M University. Gordon is a multi-sport athlete at CSAS, most recently as a member of the basketball team that made it to the Class A semifinals at the state tournament in March.

Chariah's signing will make her the third athlete in the Gordon family to compete - concurrently - in collegiate sports. Chariah's sister Ciera plays softball for Howard University. Her brother Channing, a Baylor senior, will play football for Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. Since Florida A&M and Howard University are both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Chariah and Ciera may have a chance to compete against other.

See full size image - Gordan with basketball

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