The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
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Greenville, S.C. - Michelin North America is underwriting a Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 at Fluor Field, and the proceeds will go to the United Negro College Fund, organizers said. Two UNCF baseball teams, from Claflin UniversityandVoorhees College, will square off at 7 p.m., said Greenville Drive baseball team spokeswoman Ashley Peden.
The game is open to the public; tickets are $8, she said. There will be local students, church groups, sororities, fraternities, members of the United Way and others in attendance, Peden said. “A high school band will play.”
Herb Johnson, Michelin's director of community affairs, said he and Mike DeMaine, the Drive's general manager, teamed up. Johnson said Michelin is eager to raise funds for UNCF. “It helps us fulfill our diversity goals,” he said.
K.J. Black started his collegiate career with Western Kentucky, he showed promise early but his path eventually brought him to the SWAC and to Prairie View, Texas where he called home while playing for Prairie View A&M, an HBCU team that is up and coming, long improved from its door mat years of ten to fifteen years ago.
Black was a vital contributor to the Panthers and is one of many HBCU athletes who are considered viable draft prospects. Black was the 2009 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year helping lead the Panthers to the 2009 SWAC Championship throwing for 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions his junior year.
Spivery leaves the Jaguars with a 37-87 career record, an
NCAA APR score of 847 and a two scholarships loss.
Southern University has decided to fire men’s basketball coach Rob Spivery — though that’s hardly news to him. The university released a brief statement late Friday afternoon that said Spivery will be terminated effective April 21.
The statement also revealed for the first time that the university informed Spivery of its decision on March 18, eight days after a face-to-face meeting between Spivery and SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur to discuss the direction of the program. The news release, in its entirety, reads:
“Rob Spivery’s tenure as head basketball coach at Southern University and A&M College will end April 21.
2011 Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame Inductee David Bowden or 'Coach'as he is affectionately known, is one of Florida's All-time great High School coaches. Coach Bowden grew up in segregated St. Petersburg, Florida, and later played football at Fort Valley State Universitywhere he was All-SIAC Conference.
Coach Bowden also played football professionally with the Washington Redskins organization.
After moving from St. Louis to Florida, Coach Bowden taught and coached briefly at Blanche Ely HighSchoolin Pompano Beach, Florida, before transferring to Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes.
Coach Bowden guided the "Cobras" of Boyd Anderson High School to six Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships in both cross-country and track and field.
Coach Bowden was selected Boyd Anderson's Teacher of the Year, elected to the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and was honored as the Coach of the Year by the Florida National High School Coaches Association.
The Miami Herald named Coach Bowden "Coach of the Year" for Track and Field SEVEN times, and the Sun Sentinel named Coach Bowden as "Coach of the Year" six times. The New York Based "Children's Press" wrote a book called "Track and Field Fundamentals" about Coach Bowden and his athletes.
Videographer: DistancePreps
Coach Bowden is known as a dedicated runner and Marathoner winning his age group in numerous running events including the New York, Boston, Disney World, Royal Victoria and Montreal marathons with a personal best time of 2:45.20.
Coach Bowden's personal best time in the mile is 4:33 and he is a three-time participant in the Master Division of "The Prestigious Mercedes Mile" held on 5th Avenue in New York.
In 1996 and 2002 Coach Bowden was a member of the Olympic Torch Relay Team.
There is an annual event in remembrance of Coach Bowden's dedication and service every January 13th to honor Coach Bowden as a Coach and Educator affectionately called the "David Bowden Day".
The Annual David Bowden Relays (track & field meet) at Boyd Anderson High School in Florida are named in his honor.
What is 'Coach' doing now? David Bowden, Coach, www.teammannatech.com, as everyone refers to him, has 38 + years as a Coach/Educator. A member of the Lions Club in Kailua, Kona Hawaii, David, steps to the plate and is an incredible community player. Coach of Team in Training for the Honolulu Marathon, David is passionate about inspiring and working with others to manifest their personal dreams… his 2 favorite words….it is doable and obtainable!
There is an annual event in remembrance of David every January 13 to honor David as a Coach/Educator called the David Bowden Day, and the Annual David Bowden Relays (track & field meet) at Boyd Anderson High School in Florida. David has coached at Kealakehe High on the Big Island (Hawaii) and was a Director of Boot Camp at Kahakai Elementary (Hawaii).
The Alabama State University Athletic Department has announced the 2011 football schedule for the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division Champions.
The Hornets will play five home games this season in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. In addition to the traditional matchups, highlighted by the Magic City Classic in Birmingham and the Turkey Day Classic on Thanksgiving Day, the Hornets will travel to face Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference.
“This game will accomplish several things for the program and the University,” Athletic Director Stacy Danley said. “It provides exposure and visibility for Alabama State in a unique geographical area that contains a high concentration of ASU alumni. It additionally gives us the opportunity to recruit a broader range of students and student athletes. As we continue to take ASU Athletics to new heights, it's not only important for us to play up but to win up. This contest also provides us with the opportunity to generate revenue.”
Former Hornet receiver Reggie Barlow begins his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, leading his team into another tough nine-game conference slate of games as Alabama State comes off a SWAC Championship game appearance for the first time since winning the title in 2004.
“I think it's a good schedule,” Barlow said. “As a whole, it gives us exactly what we need when we go out and recruit players of what they will get an opportunity to go out and experience here. You get to play in front of large crowds like we do in the Magic City Classic and Turkey Day Classic, as well as the chance to play a Division I opponent in Eastern Michigan. The SWAC schedule is very competitive as it always is. We're excited about it.”
Alabama State will begin the season with back-to-back road games and three of its first four contests away from home in September. The Hornets will begin the season at SWAC foe Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 3 before venturing to Michigan to face the Eagles one week later in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
The Hornets will play their home opener Sept. 17 when Grambling State and new head coach Doug Williams come to the Cramton Bowl. ASU will end the season's opening month at Jackson State on Sept. 24.
Alabama State will face former offensive coordinator and new Alcorn State head coach Melvin Spears on Oct. 1 as the Braves come to Montgomery. The Hornets will then travel to Houston for a SWAC Championship Game rematch with defending champion Texas Southern, before coming home to host Prairie View on Oct. 15.
Following an open week, the Hornets will face Alabama A&M University in the 70th Magic City Classic, held at legendary Legion Field in Birmingham on Oct. 29.
ASU will play its final road game in 2011 on Nov. 5, when they travel to face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Hornets will play their final SWAC game of the season at home against Southern in Cramton Bowl on Nov. 12. Following an open date, ASU will conclude the regular season with the 88th Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee University on Nov. 26th.
2011 ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept. 3 at Mississippi Valley St.* Itta Bena, Miss. 5 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Eastern Michigan Ypsilanti, Mich. TBD Sept. 17 GRAMBLING ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Jackson St.* Jackson, Miss. 4 p.m. Oct. 1 ALCORN ST.* Montgomery, Ala. 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Texas Southern* Houston, Texas TBD Oct. 15 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m. (Hornet Connection Day)
Oct. 22 open date
Oct. 29 ALABAMA A&M* Birmingham, Ala. TBD (70th Magic City Classic)
Nov. 5 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* Pine Bluff, Ark. 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 SOUTHERN* Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 open date Nov. 24 TUSKEGEE Montgomery, Ala. 1 p.m.(88th Turkey Day Classic)
Dec. 10 SWAC Championship Birmingham, Ala. TBD
Home games in CAPS; * denotes SWAC games; dates and times subject to change
Please help the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets give back to former director of bands, Dr. Thomas E. Lyle. There is a movement that is trying to get Dr. Lyle inducted in the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame (A.B.A).
ASU's former band students, band directors and ANY ASU ALUMNI may write letters requesting Dr. Lyle be inducted into the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame.
It is very important that we as Former Marching Hornets help get Dr. Lyle accepted into this prestige Hall of Fame. In your letter, please include the year you marched, and how Professor Lyle has influenced your life through music.
Your letters are to be sent to:
Dr. John Long
121 Hillcrest Blvd.
Troy, Alabama 36801
Please pass this information on to other former members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets Band.
Texas Southern University hired Johnnie Cole as its football coach because it wanted to win games. It hired Charles McClelland to be its athletic director for the same reason.
TSU also hired McClelland because it wanted to do things the right way. It fired Cole for the same reason. A college football program should be able to do both: win and do things the right way. Even TSU.
"The university's commitment to compliance is undaunted," McClelland said in a Friday statementthat announced the school has parted ways with Cole because of major rules violations that, according to an athletic department official, will be revealed when a report from an NCAA investigation is released.
Texas Southern interim football coach Kevin Ramsey said Saturday that associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Daryl Williams has been relieved of his duties.
Ramsey, the defensive coordinator who was named interim coach Friday after former coach Johnnie Cole was dismissed, informed Williams of the move shortly after being promoted by athletic director Charles McClelland.
Williams was hired by Cole in 2008 after serving as Alabama State’s director of football operations from 2005-07.
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama State football team reached the midway point of its 2011 spring football season with an approximately 50+play scrimmage Saturday morning at Hornet Stadium.
"I was so excited last night I couldn't sleep thinking about getting out there and watching these guys play," Hornets' head coach Reggie Barlow said of his anticipation of Saturday's scrimmage. "It was fun to have them out there to see them tackling. They've been itching at the bit to do that."
The defense was impressive in the session, scoring on a safety while making four sacks and allowing just four-of-14 third down conversions and one touchdown. DE Charlie Long led the defense with six tackles, including four for loss, and two sacks.
Really, just how much better can Albany State’s football team be next fall? It’s seems like it was 15 minutes ago when the Rams were making history, winning the SIAC and marching deep into the Division II playoffs in a season no one in the Good Life City will soon forget.
But could they be better? They sure looked like it Friday night during the annual Blue and Gold scrimmage spring game at the ASU Coliseum, where they made a little April history. That’s what quarterbacks coach Uyl Joyner called it after watching the offense (the Gold) beat the defense (the Blue), 37-19.
“It’s about time,’’ said Joyner, who smiled when he said it. “Defense always rules at Albany State. But the offense finally won. It’s history!’’
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Videographer: rhoward84; ASU Golden Rams Marching Band - Praise Is What I Do
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Apr. 2) - The FAMU Rattlers Football Team put on their annual Orange & Green Game today in Bragg Memorial Stadium. Thousands of fans showed up for the preview of who would be the stars of the upcoming season. Coming off a season that ended on a six game winning streak and a share of the MEAC championship, fans were anxious to see where this team stood.
The green team won the scrimmage 40-0, as several first and second string players on both offense and defense were on the green team. Players looking to earn a role on the Rattlers' 2011 squad were on the orange team.
Austin Trainor clearly led the Rattler offense to its best success. Trainor passed for 129 yards, hitting on 12 of 21 attempts, and had one interception. Showing an uncharacteristic fleet-footedness, Trainor rushed for 51 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards.
Whatever questions coach Joe Taylor might have had about the Florida A&M defense were answered during Saturday's Orange and Green game, which quarterback Austin Trainor used to put a little more separation between himself and Tyler Bass.
Trainor didn't have much of a problem engineering drives that produced points as the Green team defeated the Orange 40-0 at Bragg Stadium. But after the first quarter, the Green defense which is made up of first teamers took over.
Two of the seven touchdowns were scored by linebackers. Brandon Hepburn recovered a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter and the Green's ensuring touchdown came when...
They may not yet remind anyone of legendary runners like Willie Galimore or Rashard Pompey, but the current FAMU running back corps cumulatively hopes to be as effective as the pair of running backs of yore.
James Owens and Eddie Rocker appear ready to take that responsibility as the two ran for a combined 127 yards and a touchdown in the annual Orange and Green game. Both had 11 carries, and Owens may have run for 83 yards, but the redshirt freshman also fumbled.
NEW ORLEANS — Two men from Xavier University of Louisiana — junior Zach Taylor and senior Hassan Abbas — are ranked nationally in NAIA singles and doubles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The rankings, the first of the spring semester, were announced this week.
Taylor is 23rd and Abbas 39th in singles, and as a doubles team they're 15th. In the NAIA's South rankings, Taylor is eighth, Abbas 14th and Steffen Giles-Osborn 20th in singles. Taylor and Abbas are fifth in doubles, and Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson are 10th.
The women's doubles team of Amber Brown and Carmen Nelson is 14th in the South.
Taylor is from Monroe, La., and a graduate of St. Frederick High School. Abbas is from Saltaire, England, and a graduate of Bingley Grammar School. Both are graduates of Ventura College.
Giles-Osborn is a junior from Atlanta and a graduate of Westlake High, and Richardson is from Ellenwood, Ga., and a graduate of Stockbridge High. Brown is a home-schooled freshman from Decatur, Ga., and Nelson is a sophomore from Jonesboro, Ga., and a Faith Academy graduate.
The fifth NAIA team rankings of the season will be announced Tuesday.
Where the NAIA ranks Xavier tennis Men's Singles
Zach Taylor: 23rd nationally, 8th in South
Hassan Abbas: 39th nationally, 14th in South
Steffen Giles-Osborn: 20th in South Men's Doubles
Zach Taylor and Hassan Abbas: 15th nationally, 5th in South
Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson: 10th in South Women's Doubles
Amber Brown and Carmen Nelson: 14th in South
Jacksonville, FL - I can remember it as if it were yesterday.
Joe Livingston, who did public relations for the city, came into the newsroom on the fourth floor of The Florida Times-Union building at 400 W. Adams St. with a release that said in two hours, the city parks and recreation department along with the Florida A&M band would stage a parade downtown to welcome home Bob Hayes.
The Matthew Gilbert High School and Florida A&M football and track athlete was to be welcomed home from the 1964 Summer Olympics in Japan, where he won two gold medals.
Executive Editor John S. Walters happened to be in his office and I took Livingston's release in to him. After glancing at it, Walters told me to put it in the Star Edition's mailbox. The Times-Union started the Star Edition on Jan. 1, 1950, to report on "news for and about the colored people." It was distributed to the city's African-American readers.
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Videographer: jesudomine Bob Hayes (#702) winning the 100m final in a time of 10.0 seconds, equaling the world record. Taken from Kon Ichikawa's documentary Tokyo Olympiad (東京オリンピック Tōkyō Orinpikku) from 1965.
Videographer: sportnotv3
USA wins the 4 x 100m relay at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in a then World Record time of 39.06 seconds. The improbable victory was made possible by the phenomenally swift anchor leg run by Robert Lee "Bullet Bob" Hayes (#702). His leg was quite possibly the fastest ever (8.50 seconds hand timed) according to many pundits. This relay race was Hayes' last race as a track and field athlete, as he permanently switched to NFL football (Dallas Cowboys) after the 64' Olympic games.
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University's Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, has announced the 2011 Thorobred Football schedule. In a campaign that opens against rival Central State University on September 4 in the Dayton Classic, this year's schedule boasts five home games, three non-conference matchups and a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference battle in one of the oldest HBCU classics.
“We are very excited about the upcoming football season and the start of the SIAC East-West Division setup,” said Hendricks.
After opening the season on the road, the Thorobreds return home to take on Lincoln University (PA) on September 10 and then their first West Division game against Stillman College on September 17. On September 24 KSU travels to Owensboro, Ky. to play their final non-conference game of the season against Kentucky Wesleyan.
The 2011 season is highlighted by KSU's matchup against conference foe Albany State in the 2011 Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Following their appearance in the Circle City Classic, the Thorobreds return to Frankfort for a homecoming, conference battle against Fort Valley State. Last year the Breds fell 12-14 to the Wildcats on Senior Day.
“This year's schedule is great for fans to witness Thorobred football on our home turf,” said Head Coach Wayne Dickens, who enters his third season as head coach at KSU. “It's always great to play in front of the home crowd and the new SIAC divisional format allows us to play more home games and not have to travel as far for away games.”
The remainder of the season alternates home and away games with KSU traveling to Miles College on October 15, returning home to play Tuskegee on October 22 and then hitting the road again on October 29 to battle Lane College. The Breds conclude the regular season with a home game against Morehouse College on November 5.
The Thorobreds wrapped up the 2010 season with a record of 3-8 overall and 2-7 in the SIAC, but they are focused on building upon their strong recruiting class. “We had a successful recruiting season and now it is time to see the fruits of our labor,” said Dickens. “We are one team, with one vision and that's to win, first our division and then the conference championship.”
2011 KSU Football Schedule Date Opponent Location Time 9/4 Central State (Dayton Classic), Dayton, OH, 5 pm 9/10 Lincoln (Pa.), Frankfort, KY, 5 pm 9/17 Stillman College, Frankfort, KY 7 pm 9/24 Kentucky Wesleyan, Owensboro, KY, 7 pm CST 10/1 Albany State (Circle City Classic), Indianapolis, IN 2:30 pm 10/8 Fort Valley State (Homecoming), Frankfort, KY 1:30 pm 10/22 Tuskegee, Frankfort, KY 1 pm 10/29 Lane College, Jackson, TN 2 pm CST 11/5 Morehouse, Frankfort, KY 1 pm
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University has added a place-kicker and a quarterback to its 2011 football recruiting class, bringing the total number of signees to 28 under new Eagles head coach Henry Frazier III.
Parent, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and came to the United States four years ago, was a place-kicker and punter at Trabuco Hills High School. He kicked seven field goals and 29 extra-points for the Mustangs as a senior, while also blasting 35 of his 50 kickoffs for touchbacks, to earn all-county second team honors. As a punter, he averaged 42 yards per boot, including a long of 73 yards.
Williams, a two-sport standout who led Northeastern High School to its first state 2-AA football championship game in 2010, set single-season school passing records with 2,473 yards and 23 touchdowns through the air as a senior. He garnered all-conference honors as the Eagles posted 13 consecutive victories to finish the campaign 13-3. On the basketball court, Williams averaged 18.9 points and 9.0 rebounds for Northeastern in 2010-11 to repeat as a first-team all-conference pick after being tagged as conference player of the year as a junior on the hardwood.
For a complete listing of NCCU’s 2011 football recruiting class, CLICK HERE.
By Kyle Serba, Associate A.D. for Media Relations VISIT: NCCU EaglePride
LLOYD, FL — After he'd been on the pulpit at Mount Zion AME Church for about 10 minutes, sweat began to roll down Padric Scott's face.
"Let God step in and show out," he urged the congregation that gathered last Sunday to hear him preach his trial sermon at the small church located about 20 miles east of Tallahassee.
Scott, a defensive tackle on the Florida A&M football team, kept his listeners spell-bound. His father, Edward, a prominent Tallahassee dentist who also is the church's minister, sat at his left and hardly batted an eye. Coach Joe Taylor, sitting at his left, seemed captivated. "We make a big deal out of it, especially when...
Videographer: hhorns2002; Continuing the Legacy: 1996 FAMU Marching 100 - "Knocks Me Off My Feet"
FAMU players set for the spring game
Players hoping to be starters or at least secure a spot on the three-deep depth chart for the Florida A&M football team will get their job interviews today in the annual Orange and Green game at Bragg Stadium.
The questions will come in the form of plays from coach Joe Taylor and his staff. The players will have to respond by executing on the field. "I've told them that all of them will be evaluated and we'd have it on film," Taylor said.
The attraction, of course, will be the quarterback matchup between designated starter Austin Trainor and Memphis transfer Tyler Bass. They will go head-to-head in the first quarter, with Trainor starting for the Green team, while Bass will be the one under center for the Orange team.
HIGH POINT, N.C. – After a tough series of road matches, the Howard lacrosse team fell to High Point, marking their fourth consecutive National Lacrosse Conference loss. Although the Lady Bison (3-8, 0-4 NLC) scored only one goal in the match, the team has one more chance left to gain a win in their six-game road campaign before returning to the nation’s capital on April 9 against fellow NLC opponent Jacksonville.
Cynithia Smalls was the only member of the Bison to post a score in the 19-1 defeat. This match marked the first game all season that last year’s NLC Player of the Year Desiree Cox left the field without at least one goal. Cox managed to be a part of the Howard’s lone scoring play however, as she was credited with the assist to Smalls.
Smalls’ goal came in the first half with 16:27 left on the clock. Prior to her score, High Point had tallied six goals within the opening 12 minutes. Following Howard’s goal, the Panthers went on a 7-0 run to lead the Lady Bison, 13-1 by halftime.
Goalkeeper Amber Meeks tabbed six saves for the Lady Bison in the first half.
Howard was unable to outpace the Panthers in shots as HPU posted 31 compared to HU’s ten. Recording the most shots for the Bison was Cox with five. The Panthers also held the advantage in groundballs over Howard (25-18). Leading HU with the most groundballs was Courtland Lackey with four.
The Lady Bison were kept out of the net in the second half and were unable to slow down High Point’s offensive momentum as they went on to score six additional goals by the close of the game.
The Howard lacrosse team will cruise into their sixth straight match on the road against Davidson at 1 p.m. and will look to gain their first win away from Greene Stadium this season. For more updates on the Howard lacrosse team, visitHoward-Bison.com.
TSU Interim Head Coach Kevin Ramsey Click Here for Bio
Texas Southern University football coach Johnnie Cole was fired Friday afternoon in advance of an NCAA report that is expected to detail major violations committed by the program.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey was elevated to interim head coach, and a permanent replacement will be named after the 2011 season, athletic director Charles McClelland said in a release obtained by the Chronicle.
HOUSTON — Texas Southern University, expecting a report detailing major NCAA violations, says head coach Johnnie Cole will not be leading the Tigers next season.
Athletics Director Charles McClelland said Friday he appreciated the coach's service, however, "we have agreed that Coach Cole's separation from the program is best for all parties." The move is effective immediately. McClelland said the school anticipates "major NCAA violations toward our football program ...
HOUSTON – TSU on Friday said Johnnie Cole is no longer their head football coach, ahead of what they expect will be “major NCAA violations” toward their football program.
TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland said Defensive Coordinator Kevin Ramsey will serve as interim head coach while they search for Cole’s permanent replacement.
"We want to thank Coach Cole for his years of service at Texas Southern, however at this time, we have agreed that Coach Cole’s separation from the program is best for all parties," McClelland said. "We will utilize the next nine months to thoroughly search for a head football coach; one that will ensure that the needs of our students are met, and engage the alumni, employees and the entire TSU community."
Jackson, MS - Desmond Russell arrived in Jackson from his homeland of the Bahamas in August 2009, toward the end of Mississippi's sweltering summer. In his first trip to the Deep South, a couple of things surprised the Jackson State pitcher.
One: "It was kind of cold. It will be cold one moment, and it will be hot right away." Two: "There's no conch."
Born and raised on a tropical island, Russell had to get accustomed to Mississippi's sporadic temperature drops - even in the summer - and its lack of the popular Bahamian sea snail dish. But, Russell seems to be fitting in quite nicely here.
The way Norfolk State's football schedule has worked out the past three years, the team has built hope heading into the next season thanks to late runs against the bottom of the MEAC.
The Spartans are looking to show the strides made under new offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell are legit - and not the product of inferior competition - and that they're ready to join the upper level of the conference.
Doing that will require the team to answer five questions as Norfolk State heads into the start of spring practice today.
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State’s 2011 spring football practice is scheduled to get underway Friday with a late afternoon session at the NSU practice field.
The Spartans are slated to spread their 15 practices over a three-week period. There will not be a typical spring football game, but rather several smaller intrasquad scrimmages throughout spring practice.
NSU is scheduled to return 14 starters off of last fall’s 6-5 team which became the first team in the program’s Division I history to record back-to-back winning seasons. Included among the returnees are quarterback Chris Walley, who completed an NSU single-season record 61.1 percent of his passes last year; and the top five tacklers off the Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s No. 6 defense, led by linebacker Corwin Hammond (76 tackles, 11 TFL) and nose guard Josh Turner (46 tackles, 12 TFL).
INDIANPOLIS, IN - The eight-team field competing for the 2011 National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship was announced Wednesday by the NCAA Women's Bowling Committee and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) will make their eighth straight trip to the event.
"We are very excited," said head coach Sharon Brummell. "This is a very tough field, very strong and we have a lot of work ahead of us to get to our goal of another NCAA championship."
The championship field consists of all at-large participants, including Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Fairleigh Dickinson, Kutztown, Nebraska, Sam Houston State Vanderbilt and the Hawks.
Videographer: UMESHAWKSATHLETICS; Feature story about UMES senior bowler Kristina Frahm from her hometown.
UMES is one of three teams in the field to have made the field in all eight tournaments since the NCAA offered championship starting in 2004; the others are Nebraska and Central Missouri.
The Lady Hawks are coming off of winning the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship earlier this month in Greensboro, N.C. The last conference title for the Hawks was 2008, the same year they won the National Championship. UMES has three players who were on that squad, Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia), Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.) and Martha Perez (Bogota, Colombia). That trio has piled up numerous accolades during their time at UMES, those include a combined seven All-American honors, 11 All-Conference honors and a pair of MEAC Outstanding Performer honors.
"I have mixed feelings," said Perez. "I am excited to go again, but sad that it will be my last NCAA Championship. It is win or go home and we want to go out with a win in our last NCAAs. We have been winning a lot this year, we know we can win, we just have to go out and do what we know."
Detroit Mercy and the Detroit Metro Sports Commission will play host to the championship, which will be held April 14-16 at Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich. Tickets can be purchased by calling (313) 291-6220 before to the championship.
Fairleigh Dickinson captured the 2010 National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. The Knights defeated 2009 national champion Nebraska in the final, needing all seven games in the best-of-seven matchup to edge the Cornhuskers 4-3 and claim their first title since 2006.
A tape delay broadcast of the championship finals will air on ESPN Sunday, April 17 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Dover, Del. -- Delaware State University head football coach Kermit Blount will lead his first spring football camp with the Hornets beginning tomorrow (Friday). Blount says he expects about 80 players to participate in spring drills, including up to 12 newcomers.
"This year's spring camp is critical for our program as we introduce new systems to our players," said Blount, who was introduced as the new head coach of the Hornets on February 4. "The camp will also give our coaching staff a better opportunity to evaluate the conditioning and skill of the players." According to Blount, everyone has a clean slate heading into camp.
"As far as I'm concerned, everyone is fighting for a job," Blount said. "I believe the players understand that and are looking to make a good impression on the new coaching staff. We have to make every minute count as we look to rebuild this team."
Date Opponent Location Time (ET)
Sat, Sep 03 Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, Va Sat, Sep 10 SHAW Dover, Del
Sat, Sep 17 Delaware at Newark, Del.
Sat, Sep 24 South Carolina State * at Orangeburg, S.C.
Sat, Oct 01 Florida A&M * at Tallahassee, Fla. Sat, Oct 08 NORFOLK STATE * Dover, Del.
Sat, Oct 15 North Carolina A&T * at Greensboro, N.C. Homecoming Sat, Oct 29 MORGAN STATE Dover, Del. Sat, Nov 05 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL Dover, Del.
Sat, Nov 12 Hampton * at Hampton, Va. Sat, Nov 19 HOWARD * Dover, Del.
* Conference Games
ALBANY, GA — Steaks or hot dogs? That’s what’s on the line tonight when Albany State holds its annual Blue and Gold scrimmage spring football game.
The game starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $10 for anyone who wants to get a glimpse of what the 2011 Rams are going to look like next fall. The game is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Albany, who will have free T-Shirts for fans who arrive early for the game.
Everybody at ASU should be eating steak after the season the Rams produced last fall when they won the SIAC title and advanced deep into the Division II playoffs. By the time it was over ASU had been named 2010 SBN Black College national champions.
It’s that memorable season that has ignited spring practice, and the progress and promise will both be on the field at the ASU Coliseum, where the rules are simple: Winners eat steak, losers get hot dogs.
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Athletic Department has released their 10-game football slate for the 2011 season.
ECSU will host four games at Roebuck Stadium beginning with the season opener September 3rd against Winston-Salem State University at 6:00pm. In their last meeting during the 2005 season the Rams held on for a 24-23 win over the Vikings at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem.
The Vikings will return to the River City in week seven (October 15th) for Homecoming 2011 when they welcome Virginia State University for a 1:30pm kick-off. Bowie State will visit the following week on October 22nd) and ECSU will close out their home slate with the season finale on November 5thagainst Lincoln University. Both games will begin at 1:00pm at Roebuck Stadium.
On September 10th the 14th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic will feature Livingstone College as the Blue Bears make their first trip to Rocky Mount. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00pm at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.
After the "Down East" ECSU will hit the road for four straight away games beginning with Fayetteville State on September 17th (6:00pm), defending CIAA Champion Shaw University in Durham on September 24th (2:00pm) followed by Saint Paul's College on October 1st. The Vikings will look to play spoiler when they visit Virginia Union University as the Panthers' Homecoming opponent at Hovey Field in Richmond, VA on October 8th.
ECSU will take a short trip to Chowan University on October 29th, their first to Murfreesboro since the Hawks joined the CIAA (football only) in 2008. The Vikings are coming off a 6-4 season (CIAA 5-2) good for third place in the CIAA Northern Division.
The 2011 CIAA Football Championship will take place on November 12th. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.
2011 Vikings Football Schedule Date Opponent / Event Location Time
09/03/11 vs. Winston-Salem State Elizabeth City, N.C. (Roebuck Stadium) 6:00 p.m. ET 09/10/11 vs. Livingstone Rocky Mount, NC (Rocky Mount Athletic Complex) 4:00 p.m. ET 09/17/11 at Fayetteville State Fayetteville, NC (Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium) 6:00 p.m. ET 09/24/11 at Shaw* Durham, NC (Durham County Memorial Stadium) 2:00 p.m. ET 10/01/11 at St. Paul's College Lawrenceville, VA 1:00 p.m. ET 10/08/11 at Virginia Union Richmond, VA (Hovey Field) 1:00 p.m. ET 10/15/11 vs. Virginia State (HOMECOMING) Elizabeth City, N.C. (Roebuck Stadium) 1:30 p.m. ET 10/22/11 vs. Bowie State Elizabeth City, N.C. (Roebuck Stadium) 1:00 p.m. ET 10/29/11 at Chowan Murfreesboro, NC (Garrison Stadium) 12:00 p.m. ET 11/05/11 vs. Lincoln (Pa.) (SENIOR DAY) Elizabeth City, N.C. (Roebuck Stadium) 1:00 p.m
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Thursday that a 4,500-seat Convocation Academic Center will be constructed across Washington Avenue and near the main campus on a site bounded by Short, Palm and Stroelitz streets.
Test pilings were driven into the site earlier this year. Construction is expected to begin in May, with anticipated completion in late summer 2012.
The facility will include a 4,500-seat arena suitable for athletic and other large-scale events. It will become the home of Xavier men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball and replace The Barn, a 1,300-seat gymnasium opened in 1937.
"This new arena will be a tremendous addition for Xavier athletics," XU Athletics Director Dennis Cousin said. "It will upgrade our already excellent programs and take them a notch higher. It will be a big boost to us in recruiting."
The Convocation Academic Center also will contain classrooms, offices and meeting spaces. A regulation-size auxiliary basketball court also will be included to add flexibility in scheduling practices for the basketball and volleyball teams.
Manning Architects'rendering of Xavier's Convocation Academic Center, which is expected to be completed in late summer 2012.
"This is an exciting time for Xavier," women's basketball coach Bo Browder said. "We've been blessed with a lot of fun, a lot of success and a lot of great memories in The Barn. But I'm looking forward to this new arena and creating some new memories."
A pedestrian bridge will be constructed across Washington Avenue to help the Xavier community better access the new building. And for Xavier athletics, the progress does not stop there.
"There also are plans to construct tennis courts in the near future not far from the Convocation Academic Center," Cousin said. "This will give our nationally ranked tennis teams the ability to not only practice on campus but to also host dual matches, something we haven't done in decades."
Florida A&M athletics took off into cyberspace Thursday night with a new website that not only promotes sports but also creates an avenue for advertisers to support the university.
One of the main attraction on the site will be streaming video of live sports events, primarily football, baseball, basketball and softball games. Fans also will have access to videos that feature some of its former greats, including football coach Jake Gaither and Olympian Bob Hayes.
Interim sports information director Vaughn Wilson said those will be added to the site in about three weeks.
"One thing that had frustrated some of alumni and fans from afar is not having a platform that gives them a FAMU experience," Wilson said. "We are going to give them a snapshot of everything that's going on in the athletic department through this website."
During a drill with receivers Thursday afternoon, the ball was being thrown everywhere — long, short and laterally. One of the short passes went to tight end Michael Ethridge. He made the catch and he looked more experienced than a sophomore doing so. He even plowed his way to a few extra yards after the catch.
"The attitude I have is that I have to catch every pass that comes to me; good pass, bad pass, I have to catch it," Ethridge said afterward. Then a few passes later, the maturity of the Godby High School graduate was tested. The ball was thrown around his ankles. He grappled with it for a few seconds before losing control.
Greenville, S.C. - Michelin North America is underwriting a Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 at Fluor Field, and the proceeds will go to the United Negro College Fund, organizers said. Two UNCF baseball teams, from Claflin University and Voorhees College, will square off at 7 p.m., said Greenville Drive baseball team spokeswoman Ashley Peden.
