B-CU sports complex wins approval

Bethune Cookman University President Trudie Kibbe Reed, Ed.D., said the Wildcat students have a $350 million dollar economic impact on the Daytona Beach area. The proposed Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center will address NCAA Title IX concerns for balancing men's and women's athletics sports facilities at the college.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University has a new addition coming: a 27,000-square-foot athletic facility on International Speedway Boulevard where students can work out and coaches can strategize. Students at the private, United Methodist school also will have a new place to pray together, and someday kids in the neighborhood might have a place to connect with mentors. The city's Midtown Redevelopment Area Board voted Wednesday night to let the $4 million project move ahead. Construction is slated to start in about a month, and should wrap up in roughly a year.

The vote brought smiles to dozens of students who packed into the City Hall meeting room. "Behind me you see a group of young men who probably would not have had an opportunity for higher education without the football program," said Bethune-Cookman President Trudie Kibbe Reed. University officials hope the sports complex will save their NCAA division status, something that came into question several years ago after NCAA inspectors called for improvements to Bethune-Cookman athletic facilities. Preserving that status should also protect the $1.5 million the school gets each year to play in the Florida Classic football game, money that goes toward academic programs.

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Familiarity leads Bell to South Carolina State‎

South Carolina State University Bulldogs have signed Polk State College 6-8/230 basketball center Presano Bell to a National Letter of Intent.

Cracker Barrel, a retail store and restaurant, is an institution in much of American, offering southern comfort food, rocking chairs for post-meal relaxation, and a checker’s table within the dining room for an added country feel. It’s more than just a place to eat and relax for Presano Bell. The former Thomas Edison star developed a bond with South Carolina assistant coach Dwight Evans, talking about why the restaurant chain is absent in New York, one of only nine states in American it doesn’t exit. Soon, the two realized, they were not only both from New York, but from Springfield Gardens, Queens, and raised just a few blocks away from one another.

“We hit it off,” said Bell, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound center who plans to major in nursing and become an anesthesiologist. “That made me feel like I could trust him. That’s the most important thing in a relationship. He got that right away.” As a result of their bond, in addition to the immediate playing time the Bulldogs could offer, Bell signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) school recently. The decision ended a two-year journey for the physically imposing forward.

After helping Edison reach the PSAL Class AA semifinals in 2008, Bell landed at Snead State in Alabama. It was a culture shock, he said, although Bell made the best out of it. Following his one year there, he transferred to Polk Community College (Fla.) and averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds per game. His two JUCO years transformed Bell, as much as a player as a person. He improved academically in the classroom and defensively on the court, one of his shortcomings at Edison.

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Florida A&M Inks State Champion Brittany Jones

A lot of what was said about Brittany Jones’ ability as a runner was like old hat to her parents, as they flanked their daughter Tuesday morning at Rickards High School when she signed to run for Florida A&M University. Joseph and Stephanie Jones have been hearing their daughter referred to as a “phenomenal athlete” and “future Olympian” for several years. The first time the Joneses heard such glowing description of their daughter, she was just a middle school runner.

They got their first glimpse of things to come when Brittany ran the anchor leg to bring her Fairview Middle School team from the back of the pack to a second-place finish. Since then, she’s captured countless ribbons and trophies and even won a state high school title in the 300-meter hurdles for the Raiders last season. Her signing to attend FAMU makes her the third Rickards athlete to become a Rattler within a week. She also had offers from Georgia Southern and the University of North Florida. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” Jones told the audience that included classmates, coaches and several Rickards administrators. “I want to thank my parents. They’ve been very supportive and they’ve been with me from Day One.”

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A Look At The Texas Southern Tigers‎

Texas Southern University head football coach Johnnie Cole has the Tigers moving in a winning direction.

Texas Southern University Tigers of the Southwestern Athletic Conference are coming to Connecticut vs. the U-Conn. Huskies.

When: Sept. 11, 2010, Rentschler Field. First meeting

Last season: 6-5, 5-2 SWAC

Quick facts about TSU: School colors are maroon and gray and the mascot's name is Pretty Baby II. TSU is an HBCU -- Historically Black College and Universities -- located in Houston. Its most famous football alumni is probably former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, but the Tigers have actually produced 15 All-Americans. Some well-know players were Horace Young, Herman Driver, Ernest Calloway and Kenny Burroughs in the 1960s to Mike Holmes and Ernie Homes in the '70s and Donald Narcisse in the 1980s. The 6-5 finish was one of the best in the last 10 years and it included a 42-0 loss to Rutgers. The Tigers are coached by Johnnie Cole, a former quarterback at TSU in the 1980s. He took the job at his alma mater in 2008 (4-8).

Who's gone, who's back: The Tigers will lose four starters – total. In this case, who's gone isn't nearly as important as who's back. So who is back? How about all three leading ground gainers from 2009: running back Martin Gilbert (644 yards, six touchdowns) quarterback Arvell Nelson (325, four TDs) and RB Joseph Warren (142, one) return. Nelson threw for 2,392 yards but also threw 13 interceptions compared to 12 TDs. Most of the TDs went to Joseph Anderson, who had seven TD receptions. Anderson is back, too. Warren also returns kickoffs and averaged 18 yards on 17 returns in 2009. All three leading tacklers are back including linebacker Dejuan Fulghum (88 tackles), defensive back Robert Joseph (80) and Shomari Clemons, also a linebacker who had 63 tackles.

The UConn-Texas Southern rivalry: There isn't one and probably won't be. UConn raced to fill a nonconference void after it had scheduled Northeastern and was left scrambling when the school decided to drop football last year.




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2010 Bowie State Bulldogs Football Recruits and Schedule

2010 Bowie State University Football Recruits

Austin Hochman, Annapolis HS, Annapolis, MD (OL, 6-4, 265) � Team Captain, 1st Team All-Anne Arundel County, Honorable Mention MD/ESPN Rise Big School All-State Football team, NCU Baltimore/Washington Combine Co-MVP Offensive Lineman and Two Star on Rivals.

Rodney Johnson, North County HS, Glen Burnie, MD (OL, 6-5, 290) � 1st Team All-County, 2nd Team All -State, Honorable Mention, All-County, 1st Team All-Metro, BTC Super 22 and BTC All Star Team.

Anthony Kees, Woodlawn HS, Baltimore, MD (LB, 6-2, 210) Baltimore All-County Honorable Mention, Team Captain, 11 game starter (89 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery).

Trevon Bennett, Riverdale Baptist HS, Upper Marlboro, MD (QB, 6-2. 200) 3-year starter, threw for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per carry.

Brandon Miller, Forestville Military Academy, Forestville, MD (LB, 6-1, 215).

Sean Garland, Westlake HS, Waldorf, MD (DL, 6-3, 245) PG/ SMAC All Star game participant

Leroy Williams, Surrattsville HS, Clinton, MD (DL/OL, 6-4, 320)

Delante White, Crossland HS, Temple Hills, MD (DB, 6-0, 180) 4-year varsity player, Team Captain junior and senior seasons, PG Gazette 1st Team DB, All-State Honorable Mention, Attended the All-American Camp for ASA Prep Star in Santa Ana, California

David Brockenberry, Potomac HS, Temple Hills, MD (TE, 6-4, 220) All-Met and All County Tight End

Greg Koepping, South River, Crofton, MD (K/P, 6-0, 160) 4-year HS K/P, averaged 38 yards per punt and over 80% in FG/XPA.

Dominique Johnson, Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, MD (LB, 6-2, 220)

Keith Brown, Suitland HS, Forestville, MD (RB, 5-11 190) Jr year All-League DB, All PG County DB Honorable Mention, All Met DB Honorable Mention and All Gazette Honorable Mention, senior season All-League RB, All PG County RB Honorable Mention, All Met RB Honorable Mention. Rushed for over 700 yards, accounted for 200 receiving yards and scored 12 TD�s during senior season. Also participated in the PG/SMAC All-Star game.



2010 Bowie State University Bulldogs Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
8/28/2010 Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA 3 p.m.
9/4/2010 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD 6 p.m.
9/11/2010 Fayetteville State University Fayeteville, NC 6 p.m.
9/18/2010 Livingstone College Salisbury, NC 6 p.m.
9/25/2010 Virginia Union University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/2/2010 Virginia State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
Western Virginia Education Classic (William Fleming H.S.)
10/9/2010 Saint Paul's College Roanoke, VA 1 p.m. Details
10/16/2010 Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (HOMECOMING) Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/23/2010 Elizabeth City State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
11/6/2010 Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC 12 noon

CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP
11/13/2010 TBD Durham, NC TBA

READ MORE AT: http://www.bsubulldogs.com

Orlando losing out on neutral-site games thanks to rundown Citrus Bowl‎

The Florida Citrus Bowl is home to the Florida Classic played between Bethune Cookman University and Florida A&M University. The 2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge featuring Delaware State University and Southern University will also be played at this venue.

Orlando has taken a double-whammy to the gut in recent weeks, losing potential neutral-site games featuring Notre Dame and Florida State. Nothing surprising there, right? Orlando simply cannot lure marquee college football matchups with its woefully out-of-date Citrus Bowl. You know it. I know it. Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan knows it. While the $10 million in initial renovations is a nice measure, it is going to do nothing to get Orlando into the neutral-site game. Sadly, this is the worst time for the Citrus Bowl to be lagging behind its competitors.

Neutral-site games are in vogue once again. This season alone, there will be some 23 games played outside home stadiums across the country, up from 13 in 2007. The Georgia Dome, new Cowboys Stadium and FedEx Field, are just a few of the stadiums hosting games in 2010. Now University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., wants a piece, too, announcing earlier this week it would begin to court teams to play a neutral-site game there. Fiesta Bowl director of public relations Andrew Bagnato said the game would provide another way to bring money to Arizona. "The tourism industry needs anything we get right now," he said.

Indeed, Orlando is losing anywhere between $30 and $40 million in potential economic impact because it cannot draw teams to play here. While the Citrus Bowl does host the Capital One Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Florida Classic and MEAC/SWAC Challenge, the last time it hosted a marquee FBS regular-season game was in October 2000 when Notre Dame played Navy.

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Bethune-Cookman Wins Fifth Straight MEAC Championship; Beat Aggies 7-4 For Title

Bethune Cookman University head coach Mervyl Melendez was suspended for today's championship game due to ejection from yesterday's game, but Wildcats wins 10th MEAC Title in 11 seasons under Coach Melendez.

Daytona Beach, FL -- Bethune-Cookman won its fifth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 7-4 victory Sunday afternoon over North Carolina A&T. Jeremy Davis was 4-4 with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and Alejandro Sanchez continued his hot hitting with a home run and two hits to pace the Wildcat offense. B-CU starter Roman Lancaro (4-2) pitched six innings for the win and Juan Perez pitched the ninth inning for his tenth save.

"What can you say about Jeremy Davis," said Head Coach Mervyl Melendez. "He has been a good player for us all season and saved his best game for the championship and the big game today. Roman Lancara gaves us a good pitching performance as the starter and we did what it takes to win."

"The comebacks by this team (12 this year) and play of this team all year was special. We talked last year and all this year about winning games and coming from behind. And like Florida's team last year (20 comeback victories), this team has the never quit attitude and we have a lot of baseball to play and to prepare for the regionals. I am very proud of these guys. They are a real team."

DJ Leonard Named Tournament Outstanding Player; NCAA Selection Day May 31

B-CU rallies to make title game

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- In a game that had a little bit of everything, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats provided plenty of drama on the way to a 7-3 come-from-behind victory Saturday over North Carolina A&T at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. A six-run rally in the seventh inning pushed the Wildcats to their 12th come-from-behind win of the season and earned them a spot in today's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.

B-CU (34-20), seeking its fifth straight MEAC crown and 10th in 11 seasons, plays the Aggies again for the title at 2 p.m. today. A North Carolina A&T victory would set up the "if necessary" game at 6 p.m. for the title. Bethune-Cookman trailed 3-1 heading into the seventh, but Jeremy Davis' RBI single provided the go-ahead run and D.J. Leonard's 10th home run of the season -- a three-run shot to left -- capped the comeback.

It was an emotional victory for the Wildcats, who saw head coach Mervyl Melendez get ejected in the top of the fifth inning moments after starting pitcher Ali Simpson was thrown out for pushing A&T's Alex Grubb. Simpson had reacted to a bump from Grubb as the B-CU pitcher covered first base on a groundout. "We've gotta stick up for our players and I thought it was my job to stick up for Ali," Melendez said. "The bottom line is our guys had the intensity to fight the adversity, and we were able to come back, which is a trademark of this team."

TV: Tape delayed at 5 p.m. Monday on ESPNU

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