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LORMAN, MS — In response to recent media reports concerning Alcorn State University’s future involvement with the Capital City Classic, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn, announced the following in a campus staff meeting:
“Recently, at our alumni’s annual mid-winter conference, in Chicago, I was approached by a number of alums with strong concerns about the past and future of the Capital City Classic. Many expressed a strong interest in the idea of returning the annual football contest between Alcorn State and Jackson State back to each school’s respective football stadiums in the game that was fondly known as the ‘Soul Bowl’. I am strongly considering and am in favor of this option.”
According to Alcorn’s Chief of Staff Marcus Ward, “For 15 years, from 1993 to 2008, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University have participated in a spirited, football rivalry that was full of rich and colorful tradition and attracted crowds of 50-60,000 fans on an annual basis. The Capital City Classic is not simply a game – it has been a major economic event for the City of Jackson and the state of Mississippi. For the past three years, members of the Alcorn community have consistently expressed discontent with the Capital City Classic to us.”
President Brown stated, “The truth of the matter is that the Capital City Classic has not been the same over the last three years. The game has lost attendance; alumni and sponsors are losing interest; and quite frankly, the University has lost revenue. While there are other ancillary factors that are attributable to its decline, I have a fiduciary responsibility, as president, to steward our resources in the best interests of Mississippi’s taxpayers.”
Dr. Brown continued, “In an effort to address concerns, I am directing my Chief of Staff Marcus Ward to commission a blue ribbon committee to perform a comprehensive review of the history and future of the the Capital City Classic. The Committee will analyze the Classic thoroughly including the game and auxiliary events and will also develop and present a plan for a “Return to the Soul Bowl”. This Committee will report its findings to me within 90 days and I will then communicate Alcorn’s final position going forward.”
President Brown concluded by stating, “Let me say also, we appreciate and value our powerful partnership with our sister school Jackson State University. This matter, in no way, reflects upon our strong and unique history and relationship that goes beyond football. We look forward to working closely with President Meyers and her able staff to advance higher education and intercollegiate athletics in Mississippi and the nation.”
In 1994, W.C. Gorden, then Jackson State's athletic director, helped start the Capital City Classic as a way to gain media attention and generate more revenue for the participants, Alcorn State and JSU.
So, when he opened his newspaper Saturday and saw this headline, "No more Capital City Classic?" the winningest football coach in JSU history shook his head. "I was very disappointed to hear that," he said Saturday afternoon from his home.
Emanuel Barnes had the perfect spot, seated several hundred feet above the football field, nestled behind the microphone in the Alcorn State University press box.
The school's long-time public address announcer watched a sophomore quarterback named Steve McNair find receiver Marcus Hinton for a game-winning touchdown that gave Alcorn a 42-35 victory over despised rival Jackson State University. Newly opened Jack Spinks Stadium exploded in celebration.
Success should not have been an option for 18-year-old Ulysse Mouton. Statistically, young black men with his upbringing — surrounded by drugs, abuse, poverty and an unstable, mobile family — end up with a couple children, in jail or dead.
Ulysse beat the odds, and on Saturday he wore a gown decorated with a National Honor Society stole and performed his role as Northside High School's master of ceremonies. He looked like any other driven teenager with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships that will allow him to attend Alcorn State University in Mississippi.
Memphis, TN - Melrose High boys basketball coach Jermaine Johnson is considering leaving the Golden Wildcats to accept a university position. Johnson told The Commercial Appeal on Saturday that he has been offered the associate head coaching position at Alcorn State University by new Braves coach Luther Riley, who was hired in March.
"It's the top SWAC school," said Johnson. "I told them I would let them know of my decision by Wednesday."
Johnson has been extremely successful during his time at Melrose, rebuilding a proud program that had stumbled prior to his arrival. His 2010 team finished 38-4 and won the class AAA title, the school's first state crown in 27 years. This past season, Melrose finished 27-8, losing to...
Videographer: charleyhorse30; Adonis Thomas Press Conference @ Memphis Melrose High School 10/28/2010. Coach Jermaine Johnson has produced four bluechip players in three seasons at Melrose High School in Chris Jones (Northwest Florida State College/Tennessee signee), Adonis Thomas (Memphis), Cedrick McAfee (Auburn) and Telvin Wikerson (SE Missouri).
PALM COAST -- Jordan Taylor signed to play baseball next season at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach at a signing ceremony Tuesday at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
But as he did, the 18-year-old also weighed the possibility of being in the Major League Baseball draft. Specifically, he's considering an offer from the Boston Red Sox that's been in place for a while, but Taylor also has heard from the New York Yankees. A team representative left a phone message saying they will match and exceed the bid from the Red Sox.
It's all very heady stuff for a teenager to consider, but Taylor was outwardly as cool and calm as he was mowing down area hitters the past four seasons. Right now, he's a Wildcat. "I got a lot of interest, but no offers. Bethune showed the most interest, so I decided to go there," Taylor said.
THINKING BIG (LEAGUES)
Jordan Taylor has been a four-year star at Flagler Palm Coast. This year, he’s on pace to shatter the strikeout record. He has also caught the eyes of MLB scouts, too.
It’s March 4. The Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs are hosting district rival DeLand.
In the bottom of the ninth, the game is tied, 4-4. On second base is FPC’s Lorenzo Butler. In the batter’s box, Jordan Taylor digs in. One out. Count is full at three balls, two strikes. Taylor thinks, All right, the pitcher is a freshman. He’s definitely going to throw me a fastball.
DeLand’s right-handed pitcher checks second base, then he delivers the pitch. Taylor grooves a deep fly ball. Adios. “Right off the bat, I knew it was gone,” Taylor recalled Friday, March 25, as he pointed to Portable No. 6, located behind Bulldog Field. The ball smashed off the building, though no windows broke. “Everyone in the crowd erupted. It was nuts,” he said.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- As he has done for the last two seasons, Bethune-Cookman catcher Peter O'Brien helped lead the Wildcats to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. O'Brien went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs Saturday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, as beat B-CU beat Norfolk State 9-3 to claim a school record-tying sixth straight MEAC championship.
However, if the 'Cats are to make it seven straight next year, they'll probably have to do it without their star catcher. "It could be the last one for me, so it's a big moment," said O'Brien, a junior expected to be selected in the first or second round of next month's Major League Baseball Draft.
"But this is only a small step in what we want to do this year. We want to go get in a regional, win a regional, (win a) super regional and get to (the College World Series in) Omaha. That's the goal for this year."
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championship title with a 9-3 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The championship crown was the sixth consecutive and 13th overall for the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman extended it win streak to 46 against conference opponents including tournament play. John Rasberry got the Spartans on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first. Matt Wright and Alejandro Sanchez countered for the Wildcats to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Peter O'Brien went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs to lead Bethune-Cookman to its sixth straight MEAC baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Park.
O'Brien earned MEAC tournament Most Outstanding Performer honors, helping the Wildcats (35-22) secure the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I tournament next month. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a solo homer for NSU (24-29).
Unquestionably one of the top sleepers in the upcoming draft. High character and great talent, a steal for any team looking for an impactful person in the lockerroom and on the field.
Championship Game TV Replay: Monday, 8 PM EST on ESPNU
SHREVEPORT, La. — Southern and Alcorn State advanced to Sunday’s SWAC championship game with impressive wins Friday. The Braves continued their roll through the tournament with a 13-0 victory over Texas Southern, while Southern came from five runs down to defeat Jackson State 14-9. The teams will meet at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday in the championship final.
There will be no repeat championship for the Grambling baseball team. The Tigers fell to Texas Southern 6-4 and were knocked out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on the third day of play at Fair Grounds Field. Grambling led 3-0 after four innings but was outscored 6-1 in the final five innings, including a four-run seventh.
Ugly doesn't begin to cover it, but the Southern Jaguars are not complaining. Southern overcame seven errors, wearing out a ragged Jackson State pitching staff to post a 14-9 victory Friday night at Fair Grounds Field to advance to Sunday's 1 p.m. tournament championship game.
There the Jaguars (29-20) will face former SU assistant Barret Rey and the Alcorn State Braves.
"The one thing that matters is the bottom line," Southern coach Roger Cador said.
Texas Southern bowed out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament with a whimper, suffering a 13-0 seven-inning, run-rule beating at the hands of Alcorn State on Friday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field. Alcorn State, seeded No. 1 in the Eastern Division, moves on to Sunday’s championship game, where it’ll face Southern University. TSU, the Western Division’s No. 4 seed, ended its season at 25-29.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Scott Garner scattered eight hits in seven innings as Bethune-Cookman beat Norfolk State 8-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Friday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The freshman from Port Orange, named MEAC Pitcher and Rookie of The Year earlier this week, helped the Wildcats (34-22) advance to the championship game against Norfolk State, which beat Delaware State 9-3. If B-CU loses at 2 p.m. today, it would play a second game at 6 p.m.
Norfolk State (23-28) scored 25 runs in its first two tournament games, but was shut down by Garner and one scoreless inning by Jordan Dailey and Chris Anselmo.
"We wanted Scott for this game," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said. "He's done a good job all season, and he's earned the right to pitch in an important game. Garner (8-2) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third, and Norfolk State left 14 runners on base.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Freshman Justin Bhatti tossed a four-hitter and senior outfielder John Rasberry (Greenbrier Christian) drove in a season-high four runs to send No. 4 seed Norfolk State to today's MEAC baseball tournament championship round with a 9-3 win over No. 2 Delaware State in the losers' bracket final on Friday night.
NSU (24-28) will face top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. The Wildcats topped the Spartans 8-0 earlier Friday. NSU must beat Bethune-Cookman twice today to capture its first MEAC baseball title. The Spartans will be making their fifth MEAC championship-round appearance, and first since 2008.
Hampton, VA - Twenty student-athletes representing eleven of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) twelve member schools have been named to the CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. This year’s team defines the total NCAA DII student-athlete experience with each member excelling on their respective playing fields and courts as well as in their classrooms and communities.
“Being a Division II and CIAA student-athlete means living Life in the Balance,” notes Commissioner Leon G. Kerry. “That means dedicating an equal amount of excellence towards academic pursuits, athletic accomplishment and personal development. This year’s honorees embody that concept and we’re forever proud of them for their hard work .”
Ten CIAA student-athletes were named First Team CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. Those ten student-athletes boasted a 3.76 overall grade point average. The second team also consists of ten student-athletes, averaging a 3.8 overall grade point average. Johnson C. Smith University placed two student-athletes on this year’s team while Saint Augustine’s continued their dominance on the team with four team members, including two on the first team.
First Team Orolando DuffusSAC Track & Field SR 3.92 St. Catherine, Jamaica Business Administration Tricia Gorman CU Softball SR 3.51 Ambridge, PA Psychology Leford Green JCSU Track & Field SR 3.77 St. Catherine, Jamaica Information Systems Engineering Kalada KienkaSU Men’s Tennis SR 3.95 Lagos, Nigeria Computer Science Lolia KienkaSU Women’s Tennis JR 3.92 Lagos, Nigeria Business/International Relations Allie Kolezynski CU Softball SO 3.93 Strongsville, OH Business Administration Allison Sikes SAC Women’s Bskt. SR 3.61 Richmond, VA Psychology Rhon’Neisha Taylor VSU Women’s Bskt. SR 3.44 Nashville, TN Sport Management Travis Taylor WSSU Football SR 3.75 Newberry, SC Political Science Justin ParkerVSU Football/Golf SR 3.76 Chesterfield, VA HPER
Second Team Adidias Arrington VUU Football SR 3.56 Norfolk, VA Criminal Justice Bryan Aycoth LC Football/T&F JR 3.87 Salisbury, NC Biology Christopher CopelandSAC Track & Field JR 3.66 Suffolk, VA Sport Management Sarah DanaherLUP Women’s Bowling FR 4.00 Waitsfield, VT French/Secondary Education Brucelee Sterile LUP Football JR 3.8 Miami, FL Business Management Maximilian Glodde WSSU Men’s Tennis SR 3.98 Potsdam, Germany Economics & Finance Dallin Gray FSU Football SO 3.95 Colorado Springs, CO Chemistry Jasmine Nixon BSU Volleyball SO 3.80 Middletown, NY Psychology Kathryn Tokarski SAC VB/SB/T&F JR 3.81 Saskatchewan, CAN Human Performance Shermaine Williams JCSU Track & Field SR 3.77 St. Andrew, Jamaica Biology
School Legend
BSU- Bowie State University
CU- Chowan University
FSU- Fayetteville State University
JCSU- Johnson C. Smith University
LC- Livingstone College
LUP-Lincoln University (PA)
SAC- St. Augustine’s College
SU- Shaw University
VSU- Virginia State University
VUU- Virginia Union University
WSSU-Winston-Salem State University
Saint Augustine’s ran their way to the top of this year’s team with three student-athletes from each squad represented. Saint Augustine’s College was headlined by Allison Sikes (Richmond, VA) and Orolando Duffus (St. Catherine, Jamaica). Both student-athletes earned spots on the first team. Sikes, a member of the SAC women’s basketball program, was this year’s CIAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and was a three-time All-CIAA selection. She graduated Magna Cum Laude earlier this month. Duffus maintains a 3.92 GPA in Business Administration while also sporting Five NCAA DII Track & Field All American titles. Duffus is a two time member of the CIAA Commissioner’s Scholar-Athlete Team. Duffus was named last year’s CIAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
JSCU’s Leford Green (St. Catherine, Jamaica) was named to the First Team for the Golden Bulls. The All-American Track & Field athlete is a three-time member of the CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The senior, Information Systems Engineering major, has maintained a 3.776 grade point average. He was named an Indoor All-American after winning the 400m National Title and was on the 4 X 400m team that took home the national indoor title.
Shaw University also placed two student-athletes of the First Team in Kalada Kienka (Lagos, Nigeria), Lolia Kienda (Lagos, Nigeria). Kalada Kienka has compiled a 3.95 overall grade point average in Computer Science. He was named Shaw’s Outstanding Student in Computer Science, an award usually reserved for senior ranking students. He was also named to the All-CIAA Men’s Tennis Team after helping his team win their seventh straight conference championships. Lolia Kienka was named to the CIAA Women’s Tennis Team after going 16-0 in conference play and maintains a 3.92 GPA in Business/International Relations.
Allie Kolezynski (Strongsville, OH) represents Chowan on the First Team this year. She was named First Team All-CIAA for softball after helping lead her team to a regular season championship. She has maintained a 3.97 grade point average in Business Administration. She was named All-CIAA for softball two years in a row and is a two time member of the CIAA Scholar-Athlete Team. Chowan’s Tricia Gorman (Ambridge, PA) was also named to the team after being named the CIAA Softball Player of the Year. Gorman led all of NCAA DII in RBI this year and maintained a 3.51 GPA in Psychology.
Justin Parker (Petersburg, VA) led the CIAA’s Field Goal category for the 2010 season. This Presidential Scholar with a 3.76 GPA in HPER, finished 8 for 8 (100 pct.) in field goals with a long of 40 yards. He also ranked 2nd in PAT kicking, 32-34 at 94 pct. Parker won the 2011 CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year and was named to the ALL-CIAA Football First Team.
WSSU’s Travis Taylor (Newberry, SC) was instrumental in the Rams football program’s success this season as an offensive lineman. He helped the Rams roll up more than 2,000 rushing yards and 1,999 passing yards anchoring the offensive line. Taylor has a 3.75 GPA in Political Science.
VSU’s Rhon’Neisha Taylor (Nashville, TN) is a two-time member of the team. She helped the Lady Trojans to NCAA post season play after averaging 17.7 points an outing. She was named this year’s Lowe’s Senior Class Award winner and maintains a 3.44 GPA in Sport Management.
The CIAA Commissioner’s Scholar-Athlete Second Team is made up of ten deserving athletes, led by Sarah Danaher (Waitsfield, VT) who maintained a 4.0 GPA in French/Secondary Education. She was Lincoln’s best bowler this season. Livingstone’s Bryan Acoth (Salisbury, NC) has a 3.87 GPA in Biology and led the Blue Bear defense with 67 tackles. BSU’s Jasmine Nixon (Middletown, NY) led the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team in kills and points this season while also maintaining a 3.8 GPA in Psychology.
VUU”s Adidias Arrington (Norfolk, VA) led the Panthers in total tackles with 85 this season. He was an All-CIAA performer and a two-time member of the CIAA Scholar-Athlete Team. He has a 3.56 GPA in Sport Management. JCSU’s Shermaine Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica earned a spot on the team. Williams helped lead the Lady Golden Bulls to their first-ever CIAA Championship in Track & Field this year. She was an Indoor All-American and this year’s CIAA Outdoor MVP. She has a 3.776 GPA in Biology. Brucelee Sterile (Miami, FL) was named to the team after being named Lincoln’s Male Athlete of the Year. Sterile maintained a 3.8 GPA in Business Management. He was an All CIAA performer at linebacker for the Lions this season and a NCAA Super Region Second Team member.
SAC’s Kathryn Tokarski (Saskatchewan, CAN) was a three-sport athlete for the Lady Falcons and maintained a 3.818 GPA in Human Performance & Wellness. She starred on the SAC volleyball team, softball team, and the track & field team. She was a CIAA First Team member for volleyball and claimed the CIAA Outdoor Championships Javelin title. The Falcons also placed Christopher Copeland (Suffolk ,V A) on the team. He is a five-time NCAA Outdoor Track & Field All-American and claimed both Indoor and Outdoor CIAA high jump titles this season. He has a 3.668 GPA in Sport Management.
FSU’s Dallin Gray (Mebane, NC) rounds out this year’s team. Gray was the starting tight end on the Bronco’s football team this year. He has a 3.95 GPA in Physical Education. This season he caught four touchdowns led the tight end position in total receiving this year.
The CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team is voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors’ Association and is in its 14th year. To be eligible for the team a student-athlete must have completed one academic year at a CIAA institution, earned a minimum 3.2 grade point average, and have excelled as a starter or significant reserve in a CIAA sanctioned sport.
LANCASTER, Pa. -- Nick Gillung struck out 10 batters in the first four innings and allowed just three hits in seven innings Friday as Mercyhurst defeated Winston-Salem State 7-2 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional baseball tournament.
Despite finishing with just four hits, the Rams stayed close through 51/2 innings, trailing just 2-1. Mercyhurst broke the game open with three runs in the sixth, then added two insurance runs in the eighth. In the sixth, Mercyhurst used three consecutive singles to push across one run, then scored two more on an Ethan Santora double, making it 5-1. Rams Open NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional with a 7-2 Loss to #17 Mercyhurst
LANCASTER, PA - The Winston-Salem State Rams (30-24) struggled to get their offense going in a tough 7-2 loss to the Mercyhurst Lakers (40-23), Friday afternoon. The Rams gave their best effort in the game, but the runs were hard to come by for the Rams as the team managed just four hits and two runs in the hard-fought loss.
Though the Rams, took the loss, the game gave a great defensive effort to keep the game in reach, trailing 2-1 through the first six innings, but the Rams were outscored 5-1 in the final four innings of play to take the loss. The Rams struggled against the Mercyhurst pitching with just four hits on the day and 16 WSSU strikeouts in the loss. The Rams were able to get on the scoreboard with some clutch hitting as junior catcher Michael Robbins forced an error to third base with a sacrifice bunt that scored junior second baseman Jordan Graham. Freshman outfielder Andrew Smith added a sixth-inning RBI single that drove in sophomore centerfielder German Reyes. The two runs were all that the Rams could muster, however as the team finished the day with the loss.
ORLANDO — Florida A&M athletic director Derek Horne outlined his strategy for improving attendance and making the Rattlers' teams more competitive, while pleading with alumni for financial support that is necessary to make the programs flourish.
Horne, who eight months ago became FAMU's athletic director, made his pitch Thursday morning during FAMU's National Alumni Association conference at the Rosen Center. He also promised "radical changes," and said he hopes to be the school's AD for the long haul.
Winning championships and improving facilities are two of the major changes he promised. But he warned that a complete turnaround won't happen overnight.
The college baseball post season is underway as the MEAC is having its baseball tournament in sunny Daytona Beach, FL.
An automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament is on the line as the winner of the tournament will advance to the Big dance. Bethune Cookman has won this tournament five straight times and is again the favorite to win it all this year.
The Wildcats went 18-0 in the regular season in MEAC games. On Wednesday they continued to dominate with an 18-5 win over arch rival ....
After 37 years, Rams baseball is reimplemented and succeeding
Winston-Salem, N.C. - For nearly 40 years, baseball at Winston-Salem State only lived on in memories. Perhaps once in awhile those memories would be dusted off by former players, but the idea of the sport ever coming back to life after being dismantled in 1973 seemed unlikely.
Everything changed when the school decided to put the brakes on its transition to Division I. The thing is, to do that, it had to revive the baseball program because the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association requires all schools to offer the sport.
Revive, as it turns out, might be an understatement. All the Rams have done this season is command attention, winning 30 games, taking home the title in the CIAA tournament and punching a ticket to its first ever NCAA Division II tournament.
UPDATE: MAY 19, 2011 -XU volleyball tryouts postponed and will be rescheduled.
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has postponed its women's volleyball tryouts which were scheduled for Saturday. They will be rescheduled for another date.
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NEW ORLEANS —Xavier University of Louisianawill conduct women's volleyball tryouts for the 2011 season on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Barn.
Participants must bring an academic transcript. The tryout is open to current XU and junior-college students and to 12th-graders graduating in 2011.
Driving directionsto The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium, can be found online by using 3999 Short Street and the 70125 zip code.
Contact coach Al'lisa Hale at (504) 520-5344 orallisahale@yahoo.comfor more information.
This will be the fourth season of intercollegiate volleyball at Xavier. The Gold Nuggets finished third in theGulf Coast Athletic Conferencelast season.
Grambling State did both the expected and the unexpected in its Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament opener Wednesday morning at Fair Grounds Field. The Tigers, the West’s No. 2 seed, shut out Mississippi Valley, 4-0, but did something they did not do in their run to last season’s tournament championship game -- commit an error.
“In the first game,” said GSU coach James Cooper, whose team will face either Texas Southern or Alcorn State today at 3 p.m.. “One of the best things a guy can do after he makes a mistake is to get another ball exactly like it to get his confidence (back).”
With the way Richard Bautista pitched, GSU (23-24) never lacked for confidence. The sophomore right-hander tossed a complete-game, six-hitter to improve to 7-2.
SHREVEPORT, La. - Prairie View A&M went toe-to-toe with Jackson State in its Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament opener but came undone in the seventh inning en route to a 6-3 loss Wednesday afternoon at Fair Grounds Field.
Jackson State, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Division, scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to erase a one-run deficit and advance to the winner's bracket. Prairie View, seeded third in the Western Division, will face the loser of Wednesday night's matchup between Western top seed Southern and Eastern fourth seed Alabama State at noon Thursday.
The Panthers (24-20) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Giovanni Angel and Evan Richard. Prairie View starter Michael Listi made that lead hold up through the next two innings but ran into trouble in the seventh.
MOBILE, Ala. — Vanguard's reversal of fortune resulted in a 5-3 victory Wednesday against Xavier University of Louisiana in the second round of the NAIA Men's Tennis National Championship.
The Lions (9-13), seeded ninth in the 24-team tournament, advanced to the quarterfinals for the third straight year and the seventh time in eight seasons. They avenged a 6-3 March 4 home loss to Xavier.
Xavier, seeded eighth, got a doubles victory from freshmen Amir Rahbar and Jonathan Aubrey and singles victories from Zach Taylor and Hassan Abbas, but the Gold Rush (13-10) were eliminated in the second round for the third straight season.
"Vanguard was much more intense, focused and determined than earlier in the season," Xavier Coach Alan Green said.
The Lions' turnaround began in doubles, where they dominated at the top two flights after losing those matches to Xavier in the regular season. Lucas Pereira and Alexandre Piccin throttled Abbas and Taylor 8-0 at No. 1 — the first shutout loss of the season for the NAIA's 15th-ranked tandem — and Yahor Kryvaruchka and Sandro Bucher beat Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson 8-2. It was the first time since March 15, 2003, that XU's top two doubles teams combined to win just two games.
"Vanguard came out and destroyed us in the top two doubles matches," Green said.
Xavier finally scored when Rahbar and Aubrey defeated Nils Iwdal and Robin Wagner 8-4. Abbas tied the dual at 2 with his 6-2, 6-1 victory against Kryvaruchka at No. 2 singles, and Taylor made it 3-all with his 6-0, 6-4 decision against seventh-ranked Pereira at No. 1. But Piccin put Vanguard ahead to stay with a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Richardson at No. 5, and Bucher clinched the dual at No. 3 with a 6-4, 6-4 decision against Giles-Osborn.
"Vanguard was a different team than the one we faced in California," Green said. "They never gave us any opportunity to get into the match. We fought hard in singles but couldn't gain a lead in the overall score."
Still it was a record-setting season for Xavier. The March victory at Vanguard was the first for the Gold Rush against a top-10 NAIA opponent, and it propelled the XU men into the top 10 for the first time. Xavier was top 10 in five of the final six polls and finished at a program-record eighth.
But with high achievements come higher expectations — and the chance of bigger letdowns.
"The season shouldn't have ended the way it did for us," Green said. "This was a very disappointing loss."
NAIA National Championship (seedings in parentheses) First Round — 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17 St. Thomas (Fla.) (17) d. Aquinas (16) 5-4 Vanguard (9) d. Mobile (24) 9-0 Graceland (12) d. Huntington (Ind.) (21) 8-1 Concordia (Calif.) (13) d. Bethany (Kan.) (20) 5-3 Lindsey Wilson (14) d. Lewis-Clark State (19) 6-3 Shorter (11) d. Hastings (22) 8-1 Union (Ky.) (10) d. Brescia (23) 9-0 William Carey (15) d. Olivet Nazarene (18) 6-3 Second Round — 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 Fresno Pacific (1) d. St. Thomas (Fla.) (17) 5-0 Vanguard (9) d. Xavier (8) 5-3 Azusa Pacific (5) d. Graceland (12) 5-1 Oklahoma Christian (4) d. Concordia (Calif.) (13) 5-0 Auburn Montgomery (3) d. Lindsey Wilson (14) 5-0 Westmont (6) d. Shorter (11) 5-1 Point Loma Nazarene (7) d. Union (Ky.) (10) 5-2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (2) d. William Carey (15) 5-1 Quarterfinals — 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 19 Fresno Pacific (1) vs. Vanguard (9) Azusa Pacific (5) vs. Oklahoma Christian (4) Auburn Montgomery (3) vs. Westmont (6) Point Loma Nazarene (7) vs. Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (2) Semifinals — 9 a.m. on Friday, May 20 Championship — 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21
Xavier at Nationals (2-3) May 12, 2009 (first round): Xavier 5, Oklahoma Christian 4 May 13, 2009 (second round): Auburn Montgomery 5, Xavier 0 May 18, 2010 (first round): Xavier 5, Tennessee Wesleyan 3 May 19, 2010 (second round): Fresno Pacific 5, Xavier 1 May 18, 2011 (second round): Vanguard 5, Xavier 3
Shreveport, LA - Grambling baseball coach James Cooper knows first-hand just how good Shreveport has been to his school. After all, it was less than a year ago when Cooper's Tigers stormed through the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament to secure an NCAA regional berth.
The Tigers' chance at an encore begins today at 9 a.m. when they face Mississippi Valley State at Fair Grounds Field in the first game of the 2011 SWAC Tournament.
"Shreveport has been good to the university," Cooper said. "We had the Port City Classic when the football team came and played (Louisiana) Tech last fall and we were able to win a championship here last year. We feel it's going to be a home game since we're right down the road." The Tigers (22-23) enter this year's tournament in a much different frame of mind than in 2010.
Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman has a lot at stake in the first-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at 2 p.m. today. When the Wildcats take the field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark vs. Florida A&M, they will begin their defense of a conference championship they have won five consecutive years.
The Cats' are going for their sixth straight MEAC title and 13th overall.
Bethune-Cookman finished the season 32-22 overall and 18-0 in conference. It is the Wildcats' second straight 18-0 season in conference and their third undefeated season since 2006 when they went 15-0. The Wildcats have only lost four conference games since 2006 and they currently have an NCAA record of 43-straight wins against conference opponents. The last time the Wildcats dropped a conference game was May 2, 2009, at home against Delaware State.
College Park, GA - First Lady Michelle Obama spoke about community service, helping others and overcoming obstacles when she addressed 550 Spelman College graduates Sunday in College Park. "Do big things," she told her audience. "Now it's your turn to repay the favor."
Obama delivered her keynote speech to 9,000 people in the ballroom of the Georgia International Convention Center, saluting the graduating class for one of the nation’s two historically black women’s colleges.
HD Digital Video: First Lady Michelle Obama Commencement Address At Spellman College- CLICK HEREfor CBS Atlanta, high quality viewing.
Read remarks from First Lady Michelle Obama's Commencement address at Spelman Collegehere.
“It is vitally important that you all rise to the highest ranks of every industry and every profession,” Obama said. “As you climb those career ladders, just remember to reach down and pull others up behind you.”
Obama recounted how she took a high-paying job in the high-rise offices of a Chicago law firm. While she welcomed the paycheck, and paying down her student loans, she missed doing more fulfilling work.
Videographer: Mskekemichel; Spelman College -- 2011 Commencement Address by First Lady Michelle Obama.
VANCOUVER, Canada - The BC Lions have added a fifth quarterback for training camp with the signing of Matt Johnson. Johnson played four seasons with Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida where he led the Wildcats to a school-best record of 10-2 and a share of the 2010 MEAC Championship.
The Lions are expected to add a sixth quarterback before rookies report to camp June 2 in Kamloops. BC is talking with University of California-Berkeley quarterback Kevin Riley. Lions coach and general manager Wally Buono says if a team "is going to be in excess at any position, it should be at the quarterback position."
Vancouver - The BC Lions Football Club announced today that quarterback Matt Johnson has signed with the team.
Johnson appeared in 32 games over four seasons at Bethune-Cookman throwing for a total of 3,283 yards on 243 completions as well as 18 TD’s. As a senior, Johnson led the Wildcats to a program-best 10-2 record and a share of the 2010 MEAC Championship. He led the conference in total offense with 2,514 total yards and passing average, connecting on 65.1 percent of his throws (140/215). He also ranked second in the MEAC and FCS in passing efficiency (152.5) and sixth in the MEAC in scoring touchdowns (20).
The Lions also added import running backs Tim Brown and Michael Smith. All three signings will attend BC Lions rookie camp slated to begin in Kamloops, BC on Thursday, June 2nd.
Matt Johnson described as a Damon Allen type
VANCOUVER - Three years ago, the B.C. Lions added a rookie quarterback to their training camp roster who was billed as the next coming of Tracy Ham, a 2010 inductee into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
But the book on Omar Haugabook turned out to be more baloney than prosciutto. The “electrifying” Haugabook short-circuited in rookie camp and was released before the CFL team’s main camp opened.
Thus, Tuesday’s announced training camp addition of a “Damon Allen type” quarterback – Matt Johnson from Florida’s Bethune-Cookman University – must be greeted with not a pinch, but a pickup truck load of salt. Johnson will arrive at training camp in Kamloops 72,381 yards in arrears of Allen, pro football’s all-time passing leader and a four-time Grey Cup winning quarterback.
For now, the only area of comparison is their ectomorphic body types. Johnson is listed at 5-10, 175 pounds. Allen was a will-o’-the-whipish 6-1, 175, and almost impossible to hit squarely because of his elusiveness.
LORMAN, MS — In response to recent media reports concerning Alcorn State University’s future involvement with the Capital City Classic, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn, announced the following in a campus staff meeting: 
