Jackson State offers Therriault an oasis

Therriault's Journey To Redemption

In this unlikely story of redemption, Casey Therriault, a white QB from Michigan finds a home and fans at Jackson State a historically-black university.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."

-- Martin Luther King Jr., Aug. 28, 1963

JACKSON, Miss. -- Scenes from an oasis:

A fence separated the old black woman from the football field, but it didn't stop her. She wanted to meet the young white quarterback. She asked the coach to bring him over. If you don't have a place to go for Thanksgiving, the old woman told the quarterback through the fence, we will feed you.

In the stands in Memphis, Tenn., weeks earlier, a black stranger struck up a conversation with the white quarterback's father. He was easy to pick out, after all, a pale face in a section full of dark faces. By the end of the game, the quarterback's father had been invited to stay at the stranger's house for the next home game.

Everyone wanted to reach out to the white quarterback. He had come hundreds of miles from his native Michigan to this strange place -- to Jackson State University....

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Note: Exceptionally great story coming from the Southwestern Athletic Conference on quarterback Casey Therriault and the Jackson State University Tigers. Beautiful job by Pat Forde, ESPN.com.

Source: Athletic director hit list at Lincoln University (Pa.)?

LU Lions Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee

LOWER OXFORD, Pa. — The mid-December departure of women's basketball coach Andy Haman is not the end of alleged house cleaning within the Lincoln University Athletic Department, several people with direct knowledge of the situation told the Daily Local News.

Two unnamed sources independently confirmed that Lincoln Athletic Director Dianthia Ford-Kee openly acknowledged having an unwritten "hit list" of athletic department personnel she was targeting for dismissal. Former assistant track coach Bobby Young -- reportedly on the alleged list along with Haman and several others -- said that the hit list was common knowledge among Lincoln coaches and administrators.

"I know I was on the list," said Young, who resigned on Dec. 20. "I thought it was inappropriate for (Ford-Kee) to tell everybody about the hit list and who she wanted to get rid of.

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Commentary: Plan B, Tennessee State and FAMU has to work out a deal

Tennessee State has the home stadium that provides infinite possibilities.

Florida A&M has one of the Top-5 premier brands in all of the Football Championship Subdivision football.

Tennessee State was once the most feared football rivalry for the Rattlers.

FAMU has the world-renowned "Marching 100," which is worth the price of admission to any venue.

TSU has the Sophisticated Ladies and the Aristocrats of Bands.

Tennessee State Tigers embarrassed FAMU on national television in the Atlanta Football Classic in 2010, which later denied the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Champion Rattlers an FCS playoff spot.

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., has dropped TSU for the next two years, and is working out a contract with Stump Mitchell's Southern University Jaguars, for all the wrong reasons.

Tennessee State University has the Gentry Center which seats 10,500 for collegiate basketball.

FAMU has a new athletic director, Derek Horne, who's on a mission to help FAMU live up to its national legacy as a championship athletic program. Horne, from Southeastern Conference (SEC) University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is accustomed to big games and large athletic budgets.

TSU athletic director Teresa Lawrence Phillips is in a pickle to replace longtime rival FAMU on its 2011 schedule and find a new revenue source for the $450,508.00 (2008 payout) loss from the Atlanta Football Classic.

What seems like a big problem, is an opportunity for greatness for TSU and FAMU.

Let me say that again...but more slowly, so that it sinks in...

What appears to be a huge problem is an opportunity for greatness and increased athletic income for Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University on a much larger stage.

The Rattlers/Tigers game must go on in 2012.

If a FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman rivalry (Florida Classic) has earn the Rattlers and Wildcats $1.5 million dollars EACH annually, there is no reason that a "Tennessee Classic" cannot earn a greater payout for FAMU/TSU in the capital city of Tennessee, with a statistical population area estimated at 1.67 million people.

The 2010 Florida Classic had 61,712 fans in attendance.  No reason that a "Tennessee Classic" can't exceed the Florida Classic numbers in a few years as this is a more serious football rivalry for TSU and FAMU.  It's more marketable -- OVC Football vs. MEAC Football.

Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State should be all about the maximum money that can be made off of this game for both institutions, annually. With that being said, forget about home and home for this classic match up.

Let us suggest that the universities' administration book it for the next five years at Nashville's LP Field (or equal), the home stadium for the TSU Tigers and NFL Tennessee Titans. LP Field seats 68,800 in a state of art facility.

Using the same self-governing business model used for the Florida Classic, FAMU/TSU should set-up the same type of  consortium for the proposed "Tennessee Classic" and hire an outside management company (like a Florida Citrus Sports) to manage the game affairs for a reasonable fixed fee.

There is absolutely no reason that this type of rivalry game cannot gross each school $1.5 million to $2 million annually, after expenses, when marketed properly, and when based on the structured business model of the Florida Classic. All the physical ingredients that makes the Florida Classic and Atlanta Classic successful are present in Nashville.


Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

More importantly, put the dang game out for bid for additional guaranteed money based on a projected economic impact of $30+ million dollars, based on a projected annual attendance of 52,000 fans or greater.  Let Nashville, Jacksonville (Florida), Tampa (Florida), Memphis, and Knoxville all submit bids for the game to be played in their city and stadium for five years.

What we are suggesting is let Nashville and LP Field earn the rights to host the football game and other events by paying for those rights through the highest bid of cash to be paid to FAMU and TSU and/or reduced hotel rooms, stadium fees and the like for each university.

Let Versus, Fox Sports South and ESPN bid for TV rights to broadcast the game from Nashville, the 29th largest television market in the U.S.   And offer others the regional and national Radio rights for fair market value. The two universities will remain the sole owners of the Tennessee Classic football game, basketball tournament and all of its ancillary events, like the Tennessee classic parade, battle of the bands, step shows, etc. and concerts.

FAMU and TSU products are more valuable than the $450,508.00 each paid by the 100 Black Men in Atlanta.  If anyone knows this better, its athletic director Teresa Phillips, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business education from Vanderbilt University.


Videographer: hbcusportsonline - Excepts from FAMU 's half-time show at 2010 Florida Classic

It is long overdue that athletic directors Phillips and Derek Horne, recognizes the needs of their strong fan base and the financial needs of their respective athletic departments to maximize the earning power of this rivalry game.

Self-management and oversight of this game is the key to maximizing earnings for each university program.

Yes, it will take a little work from the respective athletic departments, but the gain for our student-athletes will be greater than the payouts from a FBS money game or a home game in Tallahassee (13,000 fans) with a strong Division II program, like a Fort Valley State.

The 100 Black Men did both institutions a major favor by giving TSU the boot.

It now forces TSU and FAMU to look beyond guaranteed losses (money games) with Football Bowl Championship/BCS programs; minimum pay days with third parties like the 100 Black Men; or so-called money games with the Division I basketball powerhouses--that buys guaranteed wins from barnstorming Division I programs like the MEAC, SWAC and OVC.

Our student-athletes deserves a fair opportunity to win every game scheduled and adequate financial support for academic excellency.  Horne understands this from this playing days in SEC basketball and having worked in true Division I athletic administration at Ole Miss.

Phillips needs to avoid the "quick fix" solution used by most Division I HBCU athletic directors to raise cash quickly by scheduling FBC or Division II blowouts.  Either way, the loyal fan base is severely short changed.

FAMU vs. Tennessee State rivalry must continue in 2012.

That's what makes our suggested Plan B so intriguing, and invites further study, discussion and consideration.

Schedule the rivalry game the last week of October or first Saturday in November 2012 and take advantage of hosting a season opening basketball tournament at the TSU Gentry Center.  The tournament could operate under the same brand ("Tennessee Classic") and would invite six men and women programs, i.e., TSU, FAMU, Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Southern.  The goal is to earn an additional $600,000 for the two-day basketball events scheduled around the football game, on Friday and Sunday.

Again, thank you 100 Black Men of Atlanta for giving TSU the boot!

Without adversity, TSU/FAMU would continue to schedule the same unprofitable football games with the third party reaping all the benefits.  Now, each institution is forced to go to a Plan B.  Tigers and Rattlers fans must keep the pressure on their respective administrations for a university owned "Tennessee Classic" or some variation of what we are suggesting in this blog.

There will never be a new Bragg Memorial Stadium at FAMU with 45,000 seats, field turf and luxury suites if we continue along the financial pathway created by athletic directors who have long since been fired and forgotten for fund raising and financial management incompetency.

Please, no more scheduled Bowl Championship Series (BCS) blowouts for $450,000 (pay your own expenses) or less. No more home dates with Division II football opponents.  No more 10-12 game basketball tours of the Midwest for only a check and a guaranteed loss for the Rattlers and Tigers men and women basketball programs.

No more painting over the rust in Bragg Memorial Stadium. As we all know,  FAMU is long overdue for a major Stadium upgrade with luxury suites, field turf and 45,000 seats with backs.  It all cost millions of dollars that FAMU has not earned under the past business models.

That's why the TSU/FAMU rivalry is so important and should be developed into a three day event in Nashville. I am reminded of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., always spoke on the urgency of now.  We all have a responsibility to support the continuation of this historic rivalry and NOW is the time to move forward to make this event a reality.

Author: (beepbeep 1/17/2011)

Tennessee State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released the tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent, Florida A&M University.

"The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," said Phillips. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”

The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.

Phillips added, "Considering our long-standing rivalry with Florida A&M, we are looking to negotiate future home-and-home games with the Rattlers to renew and sustain our series."

Tennessee State University Tentative 2011 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Site Event Time
Sep 3 Southern Nashville, TN John Merritt Classic TBA
Sep 10 Jackson State Memphis, TN Southern Heritage Classic TBA
Sep 17 TBA TBA    TBA
Sep 24 TBA TBA    TBA
Oct 1 Austin Peay State* Clarksville, TN    TBA
Oct 8 SE Missouri State* Nashville, TN    TBA
Oct 15 Tennessee Tech * Cookeville, TN    TBA
Oct 22 Eastern Kentucky * Richmond, KY    TBA
Oct 29 O P E N     
Nov 5 Eastern Illinois * Charleston, Il    TBA
Nov 12 Tennessee Martin * Nashville, TN Homecoming TBA
Nov 19 Jacksonville State * Nashville, TN Senior Day TBA

* = Ohio Valley Conference Game
Home games in Bold

Author: Tennessee State Sports Information

TSU out, Southern may be FAMU's opponent in the next Atlanta Classic

Florida A&M and Tennessee State University definitely won't meet in this year's Atlanta Football Classic, while Southern University is the apparent front-runner to replace the Tigers in the late-September game on the Rattlers' schedule.

While both FAMU and Southern athletic officials have been mum about negotiations for both teams to renew their long-time rivalry, several sources have said that the Rattlers and Tigers will meet this season for the first time since 2008.

TSU football coach gets a pass on first evaluation

Tennessee State's football players and coaches will move into a plush new locker room soon and have an indoor facility for practice, which is rare for most Football Championship Subdivision programs.

It might seem odd for a 3-8 team to be rewarded after its first season under Coach Rod Reed. But TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips points out the new amenities are not a reward, but a sign of support from an administration that expects improvement.

Phillips met recently with Reed to give her season-ending evaluation, as she does with all sports, and cut him some slack for the dismal record because he dealt with injuries to so many key players.

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Wild About Bethune Cookman

Boca Ciega (Florida) WR Tyree Green has committed to Bethune-Cookman University, not a bad landing spot for the 6-2, 190-pounder. Green had a good junior season and was hoping to use a bigger senior season to attract some notice. But the Pirates struggled in 2010, and his stock never quite rose. But Bethune-Cookman, which had seen him play in the spring, stepped up with an offer a few weeks ago, telling Green he had a chance to play immediately.

"I feel relieved," Green said. "I feel like I made the right decision. They have some good talent going there next year. It's close to home and they showed the most interest out of everybody." Green had drawn interest from USF, Middle Tennessee State and Iowa State, and he always seemed closest to West Virginia until the coaching changes there last year.



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Conference Pretenders vs. Contenders

Albany State men, women beat Paine

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State Golden Rams, losers of three straight conference games, looked like they were going to make it four in a row as they trailed Paine by as many as 14 points in the second half, but instead of throwing in the towel, the Rams started throwing the ball in the basket and cut the Paine lead to one point (63-62) with 35 seconds remaining in regulation.

This set up for a game-winning drive and score by Demarcus Blunt with just six second on the clock to give the ASU a 64-63 win.

WSSU Rams pound ECSU Vikings 89-63

Shelton Carter got the rout started for Winston-Salem State and walk-on Ricky Bolton finished it. The Rams played perhaps their best all-around game in Coach Bobby Collins five seasons to thoroughly whip Elizabeth City State 89-63 on Saturday night in front of nearly 3,000 at the Gaines Center.

Carter, a 6-5 senior guard, hit his first nine shots on his way to 29 points and the Rams shot a season-best 66 percent from the field. They were an incredible 33 of 50 from the field for one of the highest shooting percentages in their long and storied history.

Bowie State 67, St. Augustine's 54

Host Bowie State (9-2, 4-0 CIAA) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Falcons (3-9, 2-2). St. Aug's led 40-29 with 16 minutes left in the game but made only two field goals the rest of the way. Freshman Joel Kindred scored 13 of his 21 points in the first half for the Falcons. Shaun Washum added 11 points for St. Aug's, and Travis Hyman had 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

CLEMENT, WILKERSON PROPEL NCCU EAGLES TO VICTORY OVER COPPIN STATE

BALTIMORE, Md.- The junior-senior duo of Landon Clement (Raleigh, N.C.) and C.J. Wilkerson (Oxford, N.C.) scored a combined 48 points, breaking open a back-and-forth contest in the second half with a 22-8 run in leading North Carolina Central University to the 77-71 win over Coppin State University on Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore, Md.

North Carolina A&T Aggies Cruise To Win Over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard came into Saturday's men's basketball game with North Carolina A&T with a few injuries. The Bison is in the midst of a rebuilding stage with first-year head coach Kevin Nickleberry. The Bison is also not shooting the ball well.

The Aggies cruised to a 78-65 victory over Howard at Burr Gymnasium. It gave N.C. A&T (8-9, 3-1) just its second victory in the nation's capital in 13 years.


Videographer: dcheston88

Howard Lady Bison Takes Advantage Of Youthful NCA&T Lady Aggies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - When the makeup of the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team is truly studied, senior Jaleesa Sams is the only player who has played more than two years. Junior College transfer Reisha Bullock sat out last season, therefore, she and Sams are the only two players on the team who played on the team that dominated the MEAC in 2009.

Considering those facts, there aren't too many players on the Aggies team who have actually experienced how good the Aggies have been in the conference over the past four seasons.

Hampton U wins Battle of the Bay

Hampton, VA (WAVY) - Kwame Morgan scored a game-high 20 points, and host Hampton held on late for a 63-56 win over Norfolk State before 5,765 fans on Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center. Morgan scored 10 points in each half, and Darrion Pellum added 16 for the Pirates (13-4, 3-1 MEAC). Kyle O’Quinn (Jamaica, N.Y.) led NSU with 19 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.


Videographer: nsuathletics, Recap of Battle of the Bay Basketball Game

Morgan State handles Bulldogs for 3rd straight win, 71-55

BALTIMORE, Md. – Aric Brooks scored a game-high 16 points to lead Morgan State to a 71-55 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday night in an ESPN2 nationally televised contest. The Bears recorded their third straight victory and improved to 8-7 overall and remain unblemished in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record.

Kevin Thompson added 13 points and DeWayne Jackson had nine points with a career-high 10 rebounds for the Bears, who shot 46.3 percent and avenged a 71-68 home loss to the Bulldogs during last season's ESPNU televised matchup.

Another Big Road Win For B-CU; Cats Down DSU 61-60

DOVER, Del. - CJ Reed could manage just six points Saturday against Delaware State, but, boy, were the last two huge for Bethune-Cookman. Reed sank two free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to a 61-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over the Hornets and give B-CU (9-8,4-0) its first-ever 4-0 start in conference play.

B-CU remained in a first-place tie with Morgan State thanks to its fourth straight victory. All the Wildcat wins have come on the road. "I'm going to savor this win for a few hours," said B-CU Coach Clifford Reed, Jr. "This win a great win for our program and we've shown the poise and heart of a champion to win four on the road."

Maryland Eastern Shore Holds Off Lady Rattlers 64-62

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball scored 36 second half points, but it was not enough as Maryland Eastern Shore held on for a 64-62 win over the Lady Rattlers, here Saturday afternoon at Hytche Center.

FAMU (6-9, 2-2 MEAC) was paced by Antonia Bennett with a game high 26 points to lead all scorers, followed by Qiana Donald, who finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. UMES (4-11, 1-2 MEAC) had a pair of Lady Hawks to finish in double figures as both Kwinnyata Mercer and Chelsea Sanders finished with 15 points each. Mercer led UMES in rebounds with eight boards.

UMES notches first conference victory of season

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Junior Dishawn Bradshaw (Baltimore, Md.) and redshirt junior Hillary Haley (Oxon Hill, Md.) each scored five points during the overtime period to lead the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team to an 86-81 victory over Florida A&M Saturday.

The win marks the first of the season for UMES in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the team improves to 4-12 overall and 1-2 in the conference while FAMU falls to 5-11 overall and 0-4 in the MEAC.

WSSU women come up short in overtime

Kenyatta Gill scored 22 points, including five in overtime, as Elizabeth City State won 81-76 at Winston-Salem State on Saturday night. Shaquella Johnson added 12 points for the Vikings (10-4, 3-1 CIAA). Courtney Medley led WSSU (8-6, 3-2) with 20 points, Jasmine Newkirk had 14, and Vontisha Woods 12.

Tennessee State upsets Austin Peay in OT

Wil Peters’ game-winning shot that lifted Tennessee State to its upset overtime victory over Austin Peay was the final nail in the coffin. But there was plenty before then that had the Govs feeling they let an OVC victory slip from their hands with mistakes made late in regulation, and poor play in the first half. The Govs couldn’t hit free throws and were out rebounded in a 76-74 loss to the Tigers on Saturday at Gentry Center.

The loss was the first for Austin Peay (12-6, 6-1) in the OVC, halted its six-game winning streak, and was its second-straight loss to TSU (8-9, 5-2).

SU men edge past UAPB

Julius Ingram was worried. Saturday night, inside a surprisingly lively F.G. Clark Activity Center, Southern’s senior forward had missed three free throws in the closing minutes, and the Jaguars trailed Arkansas-Pine Bluff by two points.

“We were behind, and I’m feeling guilty, because we could’ve been tied at that point,” Ingram said. “But we got a second chance.” And Ingram made up for it with the biggest play of the night.

SU women hold off UAPB

Sandy Pugh praised her Southern women’s basketball team for holding on Saturday against winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff, getting a late layup by Tiffany Foster and two key defensive stops in a 62-59 victory. Past that, she said, there weren’t many positives coming out of the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

“The fans paid money to come watch a good team, and we didn’t look like a decent team,” the Jaguars’ 11th-year coach said. “I was really disappointed in the kids’ effort. They’ve got to pick it up. We’ve got to do a better job. We did too much standing and watching.”

Balanced Attack Leads Panthers To Win Over Grambling

DALLAS, TX - Four players scored in double figures as Prairie View A&M ended its two-game conference slump with a 71-54 win over Grambling State at the Ellis Davis Field House.

Both teams struggled to begin the contest as Grambling State only led 3-2 with 15:04 remaining in the first half. Prairie View’s Brandon Webb ended the scoring drought after a layup at the 12:01 mark but GSU’s Rupert Rose answered with a jumper on the ensuing possession for a 5-4 advantage. From that point, the pace picked up as both teams exchanged leads several times but the Panthers took control and went on a 13-2 run to claim a 24-14 margin with 5:31 left in the half. PV upped its lead to 14 at 31-27 with 3:39 left but GSU made a late run to trim PV’s halftime lead to 35-27.

Tobar, A&M remains perfect with win over ASU

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Whiquitta Tobar took matters into her own hands late Saturday afternoon. With Alabama A&M clinging to a four-point lead over arch-rival Alabama State with just over two minutes remaining, Tobar decided it was go time.

The 5-foot-7 junior guard scored the Bulldogs' last six points of the game as A&M outlasted ASU 55-50 to stay unbeaten in the Southwestern Athletic Conference before an announced crowd of 2,015 at Elmore Gym.

Alabama A&M 75, Alabama State 60

The Bulldogs got 54 points from their bench and snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Hornets with a convincing victory before an announced crowd of 4,368.

A&M improved to 6-8 overall and 3-2 in league play. ASU fell to 5-13 and 2-3. DeMarquelle Tabb and Jonathan Inman finished with 16 points apiece for the Bulldogs, while Desmond Jackson and Casey Cantey scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. A&M shot 53 percent (27-of-51) from the field, limited ASU to 46 percent shooting (22-of-48) and out rebounded the Hornets 35-22.

MVSU defeats Alcorn State 87-70

LORMAN, Miss. -- D'Angelo Jackson scored 20 points to lead Mississippi Valley State to an 87-70 win over Alcorn State on Saturday. The Delta Devils shot 54.1 percent (33 of 61) for the game, paced by 7-of-12 shooting by Jackson. He was 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

MVSU led 41-30 at halftime and started the second half on an 8-2 run to stretch its lead to 49-32 with 17:43 to play. Alcorn State trimmed the lead to 54-48 with 10:59 remaining, but the Delta Devils pushed the lead to 20 points in the final minutes.

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Alcorn narrows down list of head coaching candidates

THE NEW COACH WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 19TH.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University Head Football Coach Search Committee has narrowed the list of candidates for head football coach down to three finalists.

The finalists are Fred L. McNair, Melvin Spears Jr. and Dwayne A. White.

McNair, a Mount Olive native and former Braves standout quarterback and 2005 ASU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, is currently assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the 2009 and 2010 1A State Champion Mount Olive Pirates. He also served a five year stint as quarterback and wide receivers coach for the Millsaps Majors and spent 10 years in the Arena Football League as a quarterback.

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Earnest Collins Jr. finalizes University of Northern Colorado football coaching staff

While the University is still ironing out all the details of the contract for Collins, his base salary will be $95,000, pending UNC Board of Trustees approval. The $95,000 was the same amount that former UNC head coach Scott Downing was making before he was fired. Collins had a yearly salary of $140,000 at Alcorn State University.

University of Northern Colorado football coach Earnest Collins Jr. has completed his coaching staff with an offensive and defensive coordinator and the retention of two coaches from the previous staff, the university announced Wednesday.

Offensive coordinator Michael Armour and defensive coordinator Zach Shay come to the Bears from Alcorn State, where they worked under Collins, the Braves’ former head coach.

Collins also retained longtime UNC assistant coach Keith Grable, who will stay on as recruiting coordinator, and will move from running backs coach to wide receivers coach.

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Head coach in NFL a fate fit for Mississippian Leslie Frazier

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier

For Leslie Frazier, it became a ritual on road trips that required the Alcorn State University football team to travel by air: Just before the plane taxied toward the runway for takeoff, assistant coach Willie "Rat" McGowan would seek out the all-conference cornerback.

McGowan was scared silly of flying, and he always wanted Frazier praying hard that the jet would reach its destination. So out of a plane full of players, coaches, managers, trainers and school officials, why did he choose Frazier?

"When he spoke, people listened," McGowan says. "So I figured ..." Yes, he figured God would listen to Frazier a little more closely than anyone else.

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Success adds to recruiting focus at Fort Valley State

Fort Valley State has gone 7-4 and 8-3 the past two seasons, giving head coach Donald Pittman an impressive 15-7 record. Add to the fact that the Wildcats have only a two-year-old stadium, and it would be easy to think that recruiting is getting a little easier. “Never,” Pittman said with a chuckle. “Never.”

While most fans are tuned in to the heat put on big-name coaches like Mark Richt at Georgia, it stays pretty warm on the Division II level. “The pressures of it is the last two (head) coaches didn’t make it past their third year here,” Pittman said, referring to John Morgan and Deondri Clark. “After the last two years, more is expected of us.”

The 2010 season ended on a sour note with two losses, 12-7 to Albany State and 20-9 to Saint Augustine’s in the Pioneer Bowl.



Videographer: SIACSPORTS

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Johnson-Danner leads TSU men past Jackson State

A balanced group of scorers has been the key to Texas Southern’s strong start in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

That group came up big again in Saturday’s ESPN2-televised showdown against Jackson State.

TSU got double-digit scoring from four players and clamped down on defense in the final two minutes to escape with a 66-62 victory before a crowd of 1,132 at the H&PE Arena. TSU (6-9, 4-0) won its fourth straight game and moved into sole possession of first place in the SWAC.

TSU Tigers Stay Perfect at 4-0

The Texas Southern Tigers stay perfect in conference play after beating their toughest SWAC opponent so far this season before a national TV audience on ESPN2. TSU defeated Jackson State 66-62 to become the only unbeaten team in the conference.

The Tigers took the lead from the tip off and played strong for the first six minutes of the game. TSU held a 13-2 advantage with 14:42 on the clock. Jackson State put together a 10-0 run to get within one point of Texas Southern’s lead (13-12). TSU got back into their rhythm and worked their way to a 12 point lead with 56 seconds left in the first half. The TSU Tigers ended the period up 31-21.

TSU gave up some ground in the second half but kept an 8 point advantage with 9 minutes on the clock. Jackson State made another run and TSU fought back to stay up 57-49. J-State came back again and tied the game 58-58 with just over 3 minutes left to play. TSU fell behind briefly but regain the lead on a layup and follow-up free-throw by Daniel King at the 1:28 minute mark (63-61). The TSU Tigers never trailed again and picked up a 4 point win.

Four TSU Tigers scored in double figures. Lawrence Johnson-Danner led the way with 15 points and four steals. Kevin Galloway had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Harrison Smith had 13 points while Travelle Jones had 12. King finished the night with 9 points and six rebounds.

Texas Southern will host Grambling State on Monday at 8:00 pm in the H&PE Arena.

Author: Rodney Bush, Texas Southern University Sports Information Director

First Annual Cleveland Classic Football Game books North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Central State (Oh.) Marauders

Cleveland, OH – The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced at a press conference on January 12, 2011 that they will launch its first annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s football game on September 10, 2011 when Central State University Marauders will battle North Carolina Central University Eagles at Cleveland Browns Stadium at noon.

The Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s is more than just a football game and will include an entire weekend of festivities and events for all ages while celebrating premier historically black universities.


Videographer: chicagomarchingbands

"I would like to welcome the Cleveland Classic back home! It's another example of people choosing to host their events in Cleveland. Our downtown sports venues, superb theater district and top of the line restaurants are just a few of the amenities that truly offer a uniquely Cleveland experience,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City of Cleveland.

The weekend festivities will begin with a College and Career Fair and a Greek Step Show on Friday, September 9th On Saturday, September 10th, a free tailgate party will energize the community and crowd prior to the noon kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The game will also include a dynamic Key Bank Marching Bank Half-time Show. The Cleveland Classic weekend is estimated to provide an economic impact of several million dollars to the local region.


Videographer: Music213

“The development of the annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s serves as an exciting, catalytic and economically beneficial event for Northeast Ohio. It’s a phenomenal weekend full of events with unique cultural opportunities for all ages. We’re very excited about the match up and look forward to an amazing Classic weekend,” said David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Tickets to the Cleveland Classic football game are now on sale through Ticketmaster and start at $15. FOX Sports Ohio is the official television sponsor of the Cleveland Classic game and will air it live in High Definition. As the area’s leading provider of local sports programming, FOX Sports Ohio reaches more than five million households in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, western Pennsylvania, western New York and West Virginia.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.clevelandclassicfootball.com.

FAMU A.D. Derek Horne's Rattler Progress Report

You will want to watch the exclusive interviews (see below) conducted by Tallahassee WCTV's Elton Gumbel with Florida A&M University athletic director Derek Horne. I can honestly say that the RattlerNation is well pleased with Horne's actions to raise the bar on Rattler athletics.

Yes, we know the Rattlers men basketball program need some serious attention, but that's coming with the completion of the present coaching staff contracts.

When the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., finalizes negotiations with Southern University to be the 2011 classic opponent for FAMU, the football schedule will have some great new flavor, with Fort Valley State (SIAC), University of South Florida (Big East), North Carolina Central (MEAC) and possibly Southern (SWAC).

The FVSU Wildcats finished 8-2 in 2010, and will be an exciting season opener for FVSU's eighth president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers on his return to the hill. Dr. Rivers previously served as one of two FAMU “distinguished university professor” and dean of the FAMU College of Arts and Sciences. We will talk more about the schedule later.

Now, back to Derek Hornes and his perspectives on where he is leading the Rattlers athletic programs.

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Just a few years ago the FAMU Rattlers' athletic road seemed to be full of speed bumps and maybe even a few wrong turns. But now their Wahnish Way is brighter and brighter by the day. For the last 149 days (and counting), Quitman, Georgia native Derek Horne has been settling into his role as athletic director.

Having the Rattlers win a MEAC football title just 4 months into the job helps make the new gig easier... But now that FAMU has transitioned from football and started putting the focus on Winter and Spring sports, the new leader has had a little bit of time to sit back and evaluate the state of the program. Safe to say, he likes what he sees.

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Please Click Each Title below to view WCTV Video Interview

FAMU's Derek Horne on FAMU Optimism
FAMU's Derek Horne Unplugged
FAMU's Derek Horne on Spring Sports
FAMU's Derek Horne on Atlanta Classic Changes
FAMU's Derek Horne on First 4 Months as A.D.

WSSU rallies to beat Chowan

Winston-Salem State’s new uniforms were nearly a bust. The Rams had to rally from a 13-point deficit on Thursday night at a packed Gaines Center but did enough to hold off upstart Chowan 65-62. Chowan didn’t look at all like a team that was 1-9 coming into the game.

“How many times can I tell my guys that every team in this league is going to give us their best shot?” a sweat-soaked Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams said afterward. “(Chowan) was very good, and they made us play their style.”

What the Hawks did to the Rams (9-2, 3-1 CIAA) was use an effective halfcourt trap that had the Rams running in circles most of the night. The Hawks went on a 14-4 run to start the second half and with 16:45 left had what appeared to be a comfortable 13-point lead.

Transfer worked out for Medley, WSSU

Turning around a program is never easy, but junior Courtney Medley, a transfer from Elon, is doing all she can to help the Winston-Salem State women's basketball team.

Medley leads the team in scoring with an average of 14.4 points and has been a big reason Coach Steve Joyner Jr.'s first WSSU team has been able to escape the losing ways of recent seasons.

"She's definitely stepped up to be a leader, especially when you talk about scoring and being aggressive on the offensive end," Joyner said. "I kind of tease her that she needs to do that a little more on the defensive end, but for right now, she's meeting all of my expectations."

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Lady DSU Hornets Go to Overtime to Defeat UMES

Dover, Del. --- Tasia Bristow came off the bench to lead five Delaware State players in double figures with 15 points in the Lady Hornets' 74-69 overtime victory against Maryland-Eastern Shore in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest in Memorial Hall Thursday evening.

DSU won for the third time in four games to improve to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the MEAC. The Lady Hawks fell to 3-11 and 0-2. Kianna D'Oliveira and Brittany Washington had 12 points each, while Kianna Conner tallied 11 and Ashley Thompson 10 for the Lady Hornets.

Latoya Buckner scored a game-high 20 points to lead UMES. Buckner's performance included 5-of-5 shooting from three-point territory. Casey Morton and Shanyce Stewart had 12 points each for the Lady Hawks.

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JCSU Golden Bulls struggle, but put LU Lions away

J.C. Smith's rusty, but resilient.

The Golden Bulls won their sixth straight game Wednesday with a 69-61 CIAA victory against Lincoln (Pa.) at Grady Cole Center. Smith (8-4, 4-0 CIAA) struggled to put the Lions away in a game that was postponed from Monday because of weather.

Ultimately, the backcourt combination of Trevin Parks (29 points) and James Otey (17 points) were enough to compensate for Ronald Thornhill's 0-for-6 shooting and Lincoln's (1-9, 0-3) upset bid.

JCSU Men Slip Past Lincoln, Women Improve to 10-0

Sparked by Trevin Parks and James Otey, Johnson C. Smith withstood a furious comeback to defeat Lincoln (Pa.) in a CIAA contest at Grady Cole Center in Charlotte Wednesday.

Parks scored 29 points, including 16 in the second half, and Otey added 17 points for the Golden Bulls (8-4, 4-0), who built up a lead as large as 19 points (42-23) in the first half. They settled for a 42-26 halftime lead after getting 13 points from Parks and 12 from Otey in that first half.

Women: Johnson C. Smith 68, Lincoln (Pa.) 57

Overcoming poor field goal shooting with tenacious defense, the Golden Bulls stayed perfect on the season by downing the Lady Lions.

JCSU scored 25 points off 28 Lincoln turnovers and also had 21 second-chance points, courtesy of a 23-11 edge in offensive rebounding.

LaQwesha Gamble led the Golden Bulls (10-0, 3-0) with 12 points. Shakeena Cunningham and Shavonda Price each had 11 points, while Brittane Neely grabed 10 rebounds.

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Florida Tuskers done with Orlando and moving to Norfolk

Norfolk Destroyers General Manager Doug Williams will receive relocation Florida Tuskers

The Florida Tuskers organization announced they were relocating from Orlando to Norfolk Wednesday afternoon. The Tuskers (5-3) advanced their second consecutive UFL championship game this season, where they lost to the Las Vegas Locomotives.

Norfolk was originally announced as an expansion team for the UFL, but will now be treated as a relocation with Orlando being the lucky team.

According to a former spokesperson for the Tuskers, Tuskers coach Jay Gruden will remain the head coach. Gruden doesn’t have to look far for a Florida connection as Norfolk’s general manager is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro scouting coordinator Doug Williams. Former Florida Tuskers President and Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann will serve as a consultant to the UFL.

Jay Gruden to Coach the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League

Gruden’s move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when JOE MOGLIA was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. Gruden plans to retain the Tusker’s protected players and bring them to Virginia, which became the league’s newest expansion market in 2010.

“We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia,” said Coach Gruden. “I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.

“I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support.”

HBCU Players on Current Team Roster

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Shoes for Haiti: North Carolina Central basketball coach spurs collection drive

LeVelle Moton, the N.C. Central men's basketball coach, has been haunted by Haiti for much of his life. Moton knows his father, Frankie, was from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but that is about all he knows about his dad. "I wasn't close to him," Moton said. "He was never there for me. To tell you the truth, I've never spoken to him. Your guess is as good as mine if he is deceased."

But Moton hasn't turned his back on his father's homeland. The earthquakes in Haiti one year ago today refocused Moton on his link to the country and his feelings about his absent father.



"As you get older, a certain amount of resentment builds when your father hasn't been a part of your life," Moton said. "I want to give back to the community anyway. Because of my background I know how important that is, and when I heard about the shoes for Haiti, I knew I wanted to be a part. Getting involved with this has helped me let go of the resentment."

Moton was referring to his role as spokesman for Share Our Shoes (SOS), a Raleigh-based organization that collects new and used shoes to redistribute where they are needed. He got involved after seeing a video on the SOS Web site about the group's efforts in Haiti.

"There was this little girl with no shoes - no, actually she had half of one shoe," Moton recalled. "When I saw that, I knew that I had to do something to help. It broke my heart."

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LINK: SHAREOURSHOES

Fort Valley State University In Familiar Territory

The Fort Valley State Women's Basketball team is in familiar territory; sitting near the top of the SIAC standings, after being picked to win the conference.

Lonnie Bartley's team is 6-1 in league play, tied for second with Albany State. The Lady Wildcats returned 10 players this year, including preseason all-conference selection Kendra Evans. That's why coach says his team was picked to win the SIAC.

Bartley isn't so quick to call the conference crown theirs to lose, especially after last year's quarterfinal loss in the SIAC tourney. FVSU has also gotten off to a relatively slow start, at 8-5 on the year.



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Hampton University names Willie Snead III as its new offensive coordinator

Willie Snead III is Hampton University's new offensive coordinator, replacing Fred Kaiss, who was not retained after last season.

Snead comes to HU from Muskegon Heights High School in Michigan. He was head coach there for two years, compiling a 16-8 record with one trip to the state semifinals. In 2008, he coached Holland Christian to a state championship, also in Michigan.

Kaiss was offensive coordinator at HU from 2001 to 2006 before leading the offense at Tennessee State through the 2009 season. His return to Hampton wasn't successful. Last year, the Pirates averaged 17.5 points per game, 103rd out of 117 FCS teams and down from 2009's average of 19.5. HU's average of 301.7 yards per game ranked 93rd, and its 156 passing yards were 94th.


Videographer: snead84; Fast Break No Huddle football by Willie L. Snead III

The Snead file

◦Who: Willie Snead III, 44.
◦What: New Muskegon Heights varsity football coach and teacher.
◦Family: Wife Sofia; sons Willie Snead IV (18) and Isaiah Snead (13); daughter Taylor Snead (15).

◦Coaching background: Snead comes to Muskegon Heights after leading Holland Christian to a 14-0 season and the 2008 Division 4 state championship in his only season with the Maroons. Snead compiled a three-year record of 36-6 at his alma mater, Glades Central High School (Florida), and captured the Class 3A state championship in 2006. He also produced winning teams at Blanche Ely High School (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Mount Carmel High School (San Diego, Calif.) and Lake Forest High School (Lake Forest, Ill.).

◦Playing background: Snead played wide receiver for Coach Galen Hall at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the New York Jets and played two seasons for the Jets and Houston Oilers. He also played in the Canadian Football League and World Football League.

• Notable: Snead employs the exciting spread offense, which should be a nice fit for the athletic players at Hampton University.

Muskegon Heights football coach Willie Snead III resigns, takes job as Hampton University assistant

Muskegon Heights High School has begun the search for a new varsity football coach after Willie Snead III resigned on Thursday.

Athletic Director Keith Guy said Snead submitted his resignation and has accepted a job as offensive coordinator at Hampton University in Hampton, Va. Hampton, a school of about 5,000 students, is a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA).

Snead came to Muskegon Heights in 2009 after leading Holland Christian to a state championship in 2008. At Heights, he compiled a two-year record of 16-8 with two playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2009 Division 5 state semifinals.


Coach son, QB Willie Snead IV has verbally committed to Div. IA - Ball State.

Football coach Willie Snead leaves Muskegon Heights

Muskegon Heights, Mich. (WZZM-TV) - After two successful seasons on the Muskegon Heights sidelines, Willie Snead III is leaving to take an assistant position at Hampton University in Virginia. Muskegon Heights athletic director Keith Guy confirmed Snead's resignation Friday morning.

"I think the program is better than it was two years ago," says Guy. "I think it was a huge shot in the arm for this community and this football program and our school. But life goes on. I think it's been proven over the last couple of years that we have the athletes. We just have to have the right leader and that's my job to go out and try to find the person that can take us to the next level and that's what we're going to do."

Snead led Muskegon Heights to 16 wins in two seasons including two playoff berths and a state semi-final appearance in 2009. He also led Holland Christian to an unbeaten state title season in 2008. Snead's son Willie Snead IV earned a football scholarship to Ball State University in Indiana.



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