Florida A&M's Bass settles in as backup QB

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  During one of the more impressive drives in Saturday's Orange and Green football game, Florida A&M backup quarterback Tyler Bass methodically moved the offense down the field.

The drive culminated with a 20-yard touchdown pass. He'd made throws like that all spring – almost as if he was competing against starter Damien Fleming.

Bass is not. He understands his role but he's got to continually play as if he has a point to prove, Bass said. Quarterback coach Quinn Gray has noticed it, although Bass' role has been spelled out to him.



"That's the kind of kid he is," Gray said. "He wants to compete. He wants to be the guy, but at the same time helping him understand what his role is he's accepted it. He is beginning to move on in terms of trying to get better and helping the team in whatever ways he can."

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FAMU's offense gets job done

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since the first day of spring camp, coach Joe Taylor has been harping on the benefit of reps. So on Saturday when the offense didn't seem to be able to find a spark — whether it was starter Damien Fleming or backup Tyler Bass under center — Taylor just let them keep trying.

"We kept putting them out there until they decided to play," Taylor said after watching the offense eventually getting a 33-18 victory in the annual Orange and Green Game at Bragg Stadium.

For the first time in Taylor's era, both units were intermingled with returning starters, with the offense in orange and the defense in green. The format this year allowed more balance, while giving fans an opportunity to track the performance of both sides — the defense was awarded points for stops, turnovers, and of course returns for touchdown.

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FSU Broncos men's golf team set to begin pursuit of 26th CIAA title

BRANDON JOBE

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - Brandon Jobe's class schedule has him visiting Fayetteville State's Capel Arena several times a week. And when he swings through, he can't help but look up.

Hanging from the rafters above one end of the building is a row of banners, spelling out the school's athletic glories in white type on blue fabric. More than a few of those are commemorating the Broncos' men's golf team.

"If I'm in there running or doing something else, I'll usually stop," said Jobe, a junior who's in his first season with Fayetteville State's golf team. "I see them every day. I think about how good it feels to be with a group of people that produce such results."

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Vanessa Taylor Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at North Carolina Central University

DURHAM, North Carolina - After 11 seasons of continued success at Johnson C. Smith University, head women's basketball coach Vanessa Taylor announced her resignation this afternoon, effective May 31, 2012. In 18 total seasons of coaching, Taylor has an overall record of 298-207 with six seasons of 20 or more victories. Prior to joining the Golden Bulls staff, Taylor compiled an 83-95 record over seven years at Elizabeth City State University.

The three-time CIAA Coach of the Year is moving on to accept a position as head women's basketball coach at North Carolina Central University, a Division I institution in Durham, North Carolina. JCSU President Ronald L. Carter said her departure is a bittersweet moment for the University and the Department of Athletics.

“I am very sad to see Coach Taylor leave JCSU and would like her to stay,” said Carter. “We have been in talks over the past several weeks; however, the opportunity ahead of her is too great for her to turn down. I am extremely excited for her to rise to new possibilities at her growing edge and advance her career at North Carolina Central University. I always speak with our students, faculty and staff about seizing opportunities and embracing possibilities. I extend my congratulations and best wishes for a successful future to Coach Taylor.”

Johnson C. Smith University Head Basketball Coach Vanessa Taylor side-by-side with Director of Athletics Steve Joyner (L) and University President Dr. Ronald L. Carter to receive her 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year Award.  Coach Taylor was selected today, as the new Women's Basketball Head Coach at Division I, North Carolina Central University of the Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference (MEAC).   (Photo Courtesy: Johnson C. Smith University Athletics)

JCSU wrapped up the 2011-12 season with a 22-7 record, a return trip to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament Finals, and a repeat appearance in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. The Golden Bulls debuted at the No. 24 spot in the week 10 USA Today/ESPN DII Top 25 poll. This season, the team was ranked as high as No. 2 in the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional rankings.

Taylor was selected as the 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year; her third time winning the honor (1998, 2000), but first time at Johnson C. Smith. She holds the mark for most wins all-time as the women's basketball coach at JCSU with a school record of 215-112; the next closest coach has 157 victories after 11 seasons. Taylor has never had a losing season at Johnson C. Smith with five seasons of more than 20 victories and no season with fewer than 16 wins.

“This has been an awesome experience. I've become a better athletic professional during my time here at Johnson C. Smith University,” said Taylor. “Opportunities such as these don't come around but so often in a lifetime. I'm confident that this is the right time for me to take the next step in my coaching career. I extend a great deal of gratitude to the University Presidents I served under, Dr. Dorothy Yancy and Dr. Ronald Carter; as well as the athletic administrators and our current Athletic Director Stephen Joyner, the alumni, the 100 Club, the outstanding assistant coaches I've worked with, the student-athletes I've coached and all other supporters of the women's basketball program.”

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COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NCCU to Name Lady Eagles Head Basketball Coach by LIVE Webstream Broadcast at 4:30 p.m. TODAY

DURHAM, North Carolina - (http://www.nccueaglepride.com/) – The NCCU Sports Network has announced that it will carry a live video and audio stream of Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. press conference from the Emma Marable Conference Room, inside the William Jones Building on the campus of North Carolina Central University as the new head women’s basketball coach is announced.

Play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks will anchor the coverage live from the conference room giving fans an all-access pass to the naming of the eighth head coach in the Lady Eagles illustrious history.

Hooks will also interview the new head coach along with the Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree.

To access the press conference video or audio live stream, fans can go to the Game Central page on the website and click on the press conference link. Both the live video stream and audio stream are free for all fans to enjoy.

Stay up-to-date with North Carolina Central University Athletics by flying over to www.NCCUEaglePride.com, the official website of NCCU Athletics.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE WEBSTREAM AT 4:30 PM EDT TODAY: NCCU Sports Network Broadcast link (Game Central)

Whatever happened to former Akron East and Lakeland standout Aslea Williams?

AKRON, Ohio - Excuse Aslea Williams if she did not mourn the elimination of Ohio University and Ohio State from the NCAA men's basketball championship chase. She had her own national championship to celebrate.

Williams, who was a two-time Akron City Series All-Star while playing for East in 2007 and 2008 and earned junior-college honors at Lakeland, was a member of the Shaw University team that defeated Ashland, 88-82, in overtime, for the women's NCAA Division II national championship last month in San Antonio.

"I still don't believe it," Williams said in a phone interview from Raleigh, N.C., where Shaw is located. "It's the greatest feeling in the world as far as accomplishments in college basketball are concerned. There's no better way to finish your senior season."

Williams, a 6-1 forward, averaged 15.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for Shaw, which was unranked at the start of the season but finished with a 29-6 record. Shaw had a two-year mark of 54-18 with Williams in the lineup.

Williams averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds at East and in two years at Lakeland before transferring to Shaw, where she is two semesters away from earning a degree in criminal justice. Her father, Donny, is an Akron police officer.

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Streaking Southern Jaguars to host UNO

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Roger Cador had been hard on his players. He saw the potential in his Southern baseball team. Sure, maybe they weren’t going to barrel through the Southwestern Athletic Conference, like some of Cador’s vintage ballclubs. Still, the Jaguars had enough talent to win. They just weren’t doing it.

A month ago, Southern was in an ugly funk, smak-dab in the middle of a seven-game losing streak, and Cador was pressing his players to work more, play smarter, concentrate a little harder.

Cador reminded his men that without tremendous pressure, some of mankind’s greatest achievements — the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Panama Canal, the Great Wall of China — would have never happened.

“Let’s be realistic,” he said. “If nobody ever places demand on you, you’re never going to amount to a whole lot in life, because as soon as you meet up with demand, you’re going to say, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ ”

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ESPNU to televise A&T baseball game

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - The N.C. A&T baseball game against Bethune-Cookman at noon on April 27 will be televised on ESPNU.

It's the first time in five years ESPNU's done a broadcast from War Memorial Stadium, the Aggies' 86-year old home venue. ESPNU’s last broadcast from War Memorial Stadium was April 8, 2007 when the Aggies defeated Bethune-Cookman, winner of 12 MEAC titles in 13 years, 14-11.

The Aggies (15-23, 6-7 MEAC) defeated the Wildcats (25-14, 12-3) on March 25 in Daytona Beach, Fla., by a 5-3 final, marking the first time they defeated B-CU since May 20, 2007.

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WSSU Rams eyeing another CIAA baseball title

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Second baseman German Reyes finds it odd that not a lot of students at Winston-Salem State know the school has a baseball program.  But Reyes, one of the star players for the defending CIAA champion, keeps spreading the word around campus.

"I keep telling people about us — but some don't believe me," Reyes said earlier this week before the Rams left for Petersburg, Va., where they will open defense of their CIAA title Thursday.



The Rams don't have a permanent place to play or practice; maybe that's one reason not a lot of students know about the program, which is in its second year under coach Kevin Ritsche.

"We've had a good regular season and now we are looking forward to the CIAA tournament," said Ritsche, whose Rams are 31-17 and the top seed heading into the conference tournament after finishing the regular season in first place with a 15-3 record.

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Howell is GCAC Player of Week again; Huggins gets first

Kourtney Howell

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's tennis for April 9-15. XU's Corey Huggins won the GCAC men's tennis honor.

It's the third GCAC award of 2012 for Howell — she's the first to win that many in a season in women's tennis since XU's Anastesia Opata in 2009 — and her second in a row. Huggins is a first-time recipient and the fifth Gold Rush player to win it this year.

Howell, a sophomore from Cypress, Texas, and a graduate of Cypress Woods High School, was 1-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles this past week in the Gold Nuggets' 9-0 victory at Tougaloo and 4-1 loss at Alcorn State.

Huggins, a junior from Brooklyn, N.Y., and a graduate of Bedford Stuyvesant High School and Seminole State (Okla.) College, was 2-1 in singles and 3-0 in doubles, with two of the doubles victories against Tulane and Alcorn State of NCAA Division I. Huggins clinched the Gold Rush's 4-0 victory against

Alcorn State with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) singles decision against Maxim Tkachenko.

Both XU teams will compete April 27-28 in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Norcross, Georgia.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Gold Rush again reach highest-ever NAIA ranking, No. 8



Corey Huggins



NEW ORLEANS — Two victories against top-10 teams helped Xavier University of Louisiana climb one place to No. 8 Tuesday in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The ranking matches the highest in the program history of the Gold Rush (14-7). The XU men initially reached No. 8 on March 8, 2011. They were eighth in three additional polls last year, including the final ranking. This year the Gold Rush were ninth in the preseason poll and remained there for four additional polls until this week.

During spring break the Gold Rush won 5-4 at then-No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene on April 2 and 6-3 at then No. 8 Westmont the following day. Xavier is 8-4 this season against ranked teams, with three victories against the top 10.

The XU men extended their streaks of consecutive appearances in the top 25 (38 polls), top 20 (29), top 15 (14) and top 10 (8). The top-25 streak began April 4, 2007. The Gold Rush appeared in the top 10 in 11 of last 12 polls.

Xavier's women are just outside the top 25 for the second consecutive poll. The Gold Nuggets (4-21) are 26th, 12 points behind No. 25 Davenport. Xavier was 24th in the March 20 ranking.

Both XU teams have concluded their regular-season schedules. Next for the Gold Rush and the Gold Nuggets will be an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament April 27-28 at Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Ga. Based on this week's rankings, No. 16 Cumberland and No. 19 Martin Methodist will be the strongest opponents of the Rush at that tournament. The Nuggets' strongest competition will come from No. 17 Martin Methodist and No. 33 Milligan. The men's and women's champions will receive automatic bids to the NAIA National Championship May 15-19 at Mobile, Alabama.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 15)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Fresno Pacific (12) 19-1 312 1
2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 15-2 302 2
3 Oklahoma Christian 14-3 291 3
4 Azusa Pacific 17-2 283 4
5 Auburn Montgomery 13-7 271 5
6 Point Loma Nazarene 12-7 261 6
7 Concordia (Calif.) 8-9 248 10
8 Xavier 14-7 242 9
9 Vanguard 10-9 235 7
10 Westmont 8-8 219 8
11 William Carey 14-3 213 11
12 Lindsey Wilson 16-5 205 12
13 Aquinas 19-1 190 13
14 Bethany (Kan.) 13-3 184 14
15 Belhaven 14-2 172 15
16 Cumberland 12-1 160 16
17 Warner 11-3 152 17
18 Campbellsville 12-4 131 19
19 Martin Methodist 7-4 129 20
20 Lee (Tenn.) 8-7 113 18
21 Our Lady of the Lake 6-6 109 21
22 Northwestern Ohio 16-4 105 23
23 Webber International 14-6 104 22
24 Lewis-Clark State 8-7 74 24
25-tie Shorter 11-14 60 25
25-tie Olivet Nazarene 11-3 60 RV

Others receiving votes: McPherson 55, Spring Arbor 42, Pikeville 36, Northwood (Fla.) 17, Biola 15, Roberts Wesleyan 10, Taylor 1, Asbury 1, SCAD Savannah 1, Davenport 1.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, April 15)
Rank Team Record Points Last
1 Auburn Montgomery (13) 19-2 343 1
2 Fresno Pacific 18-4 332 2
3 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 18-3 321 3
4 Oklahoma Christian 14-3 310 4
5 Azusa Pacific 15-3 299 5
6 Point Loma Nazarene 13-6 286 6
7 Brenau 11-4 279 7
8 Concordia (Calif.) 10-6 266 8
9 William Carey 13-8 255 9
10 Southern Nazarene 7-4 243 10
11 Shorter 19-7 228 13
12 Lindsey Wilson 13-3 227 12
13 SCAD Savannah 9-3 210 11
14 Lewis-Clark State 7-12 199 14
15 Vanguard 8-10 190 15
16 Indiana Wesleyan 19-2 180 16
17 Martin Methodist 8-3 165 18
18 Lee (Tenn.) 9-6 148 17
19 Campbellsville 11-5 144 19
20 Westmont 6-9 127 21
21 Robert Morris (Chicago) 14-2 126 22
22 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-4 123 20
23 Oklahoma Baptist 6-8 93 23
24 Marian (Ind.) 21-6 91 24
25 Davenport 18-5 73 25

Others receiving votes: Xavier 61, Webber International 40, Belhaven 33, Indiana Southeast 32, Bethel (Kan.) 30, Northwestern Ohio 13, Olivet Nazarene 8, Milligan 6, Nebraska Wesleyan 5, Taylor 3, Georgetown (Ky.) 1, \ Northwood (Fla.) 1.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Informatin Director
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Florida A&M Sets New Date For Homecoming

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Florida A&M University (FAMU) has pushed its Homecoming back to November 10, 2012, to ensure that alumni and other supporters will be able to secure hotel accommodations as the University celebrates its 125th Anniversary.

"With this being the historic 125th anniversary of Florida A&M University, we wanted to allow as many people the opportunity to enjoy the weekend of activities as possible," said Derek Horne, director of athletics at FAMU.

Due to the fact that there is another major event in Tallahassee on the original date set for Homecoming, access to accommodations and other resources were hampered on Oct. 13.



"We have been in discussion with alumni leadership on this matter and the University and the Department of Athletics have both agreed to this solution," said Horne. "FAMU is committed to serving the needs of the university, alumni and community, and this change helps to make this possible."

This year, FAMU will celebrate its 125th Anniversary during Homecoming 2012 and will honor 125 Outstanding Alumni during the President's Gala scheduled for Friday, November 9, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Lawson Center. In addition, the Homecoming Convocation is scheduled for Friday, November 9, 2012 at 10:10 a.m.

For more information about the 125th Anniversary activities or ticket sales for Homecoming, log onto www.famu.edu.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE

GSU reacts to Williams' lawsuit

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - A statement was released Friday in reaction to Grambling Football Coach Doug Williams' lawsuit against the university.

The University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett states:

"Grambling State University and the University of Louisiana System have been bargaining in good faith with Doug Williams for almost a year. We have offered him one of the highest salary and incentive compensation packages in Grambling's conference. We believe that we did everything possible to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement without compromising the University's academic core."



Williams is suing the school over his contract and problems that date back to last summer. The attorney for the Super Bowl MVP and college football Hall of Famer says Williams did not want to sue his alma mater, but after three months of negotiations with Grambling and the University of Louisiana system, Williams filed suit in Baton Rouge Friday claiming the school's president signed a contract containing the offer Williams agreed to and then tried to change it after the coach took over the Tigers' football program.

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FVSU Wildcats win SIAC Men's Tennis Championship

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - The Fort Valley State Wildcats are the 2012 SIAC Tennis Champions after defeating Stillman College in the title match. After winning two of the three doubles matches, the Wildcats scrambled in singles play by winning four of the six matches to claim the crown.

The FVSU team of Terrance Jenkins and Brandon Pringle defeated SC's David Torres and Alexsandar Zobec in doubles, 8-6. The Wildcats also got a doubles victory when Nick Hernandez and Dwayne White combined for a 8-4 win over Felipe Farias and Jose Pojasi. The Tigers won the doubles match in which Santiago Robles and Jelffrey Farias downed FVSU's Kelvin Oliver and Joshua Turner.

SC won the first singles match when David Torres defeated FVSU's Terrance Jenkins who suffered cramps and had to retire (7-6 (8-6), Retired). The Tigers notched their second win in singles when Zobec beat Turner (6-0, 6-3).

FVSU got its first singles win when Hernandez defeated Felipe Farias in straight sets (6-3, 7-5). The second Wildcat came when Oliver downed Pojasi (6-3, 6-0).

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Tennessee State names OVC Hall of Famer Larry Joe Inman head womens basketball coach

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State University Director of Athletics, Teresa Phillips, announced Monday that Larry Joe Inman has been named the head coach for the Lady Tiger basketball program.

Dee Stokes, of Stokes Basketball Consulting Firm, helped facilitate the national search.

Hall of Fame Coach Larry Joe Inman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Tennessee State with 30 years of coaching experience under his belt.

Inman, who was inducted into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2009, served as head coach of the Eastern Kentucky women's basketball team from 1988-2008, compiling a 319-244 record and leading the Lady Colonels to two OVC Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances (1996-97, 2004-05).

In being named OVC Coach of the Year eight times, he also directed EKU to five OVC regular season championships. He also led the Lady Colonels to the 2002 WNIT Sweet Sixteen. He is the all-time winningest coach in Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball history with his record of 480-317.

Inman announced his retirement from Eastern Kentucky in April 2008. Prior to his retirement, Inman was the 27th winningest active coach in NCAA Division I.



"Coach Inman brings a wealth of knowledge and success in women's basketball," said Phillips. "We know what he can do and expect to see positive changes immediately. Also, he knows the area, he knows the conference and he knows TSU. He will hit the ground running."

The Gallatin, Tennessee, native began his collegiate coaching career at Middle Tennessee State, an OVC member until 2000. In eight years at the Murfreesboro, Tenn., school, Inman won more than 68 percent of his games, was named OVC Coach of the Year three times, led MTSU to six OVC regular-season championships and won four tournament titles. In his last four seasons on the Blue Raiders' bench, he led the program to four straight OVC regular season and tournament championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances.

He compiled an overall record of 161-73 at Middle Tennessee. Inman went 73-12 in OVC games, losing only four conference games his final five seasons.

"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity at TSU," commented Inman. "I'm looking forward to building a program that the university, community, fans and TSU family will be proud of."

When Inman accepted the head coaching position at EKU, prior to the 1988-89 season, the program had only posted a winning conference record twice in the 11-year history of the OVC. After posting a 6-6 record in league games his second season, Inman led Eastern to winning conference records in 12 of the next 14 seasons.

Three years into his tenure, Inman became the first coach to earn the OVC Coach of the Year award at two different schools. He took home the honor in 1991 after leading Eastern Kentucky to its first winning season in six years.

Inman led the Lady Colonels to their first conference championship in 1995 and won his second OVC Coach of the Year award. The team won 19 games and tied with three other OVC schools for the league title. Two years later, EKU won its first outright OVC regular-season championship and, in the process, established a league record for conference victories with 16, while also setting a program mark with 24 overall wins.

The 1996-97 edition finished 24-6 overall and 16-2 in OVC play. The Lady Colonels defeated Tennessee Tech by four points for their first-ever OVC tournament championship and earned the program's first trip to the NCAA tournament.

The following year, Inman led Eastern Kentucky to its third regular-season conference championship in four years. In 2002, EKU won its fourth conference banner and played in the WNIT.

In 2004-05, Inman earned his eighth OVC Coach of the Year honor while leading the Lady Colonels to both the conference regular-season and tournament titles, and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Inman's coaching career began at Gallatin Junior High in 1970 where he went 51-4 in three seasons. From 1973-78, he went 126-24 (.840) as the head coach at Mount Juliet High School in Nashville. In just five years, Inman led Mount Juliet to five district titles, four regional championships, three Nashville Interscholastic League titles and the 1977 Tennessee Class AAA state title.

He has coached at Lebanon High for the past two seasons.

Inman is a graduate of Austin Peay State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1970. He received his master's degree from Tennessee State University in 1978. Inman is married to the former Bobbie Gene Follis of Shelbyville, Tennessee. They have one son, Jody, and two daughters, Latrice and Tiffany. They also have five grandchildren, Ashlyn, Hailey, Jackson, Austin and Brooklyn.

THE LARRY JOE INMAN FILE
FULL NAME: Larry Joe Inman
HOMETOWN: Gallatin, Tenn.
ALMA MATER: Austin Peay State University, 1970 (Tennessee State University, 1978)
SPOUSE: Bobbie Gene
CHILDREN: Jody, Latrice, Tiffany
GRANDCHILDREN: Ashlyn, Hailey, Jackson, Austin, Brooklyn

COACHING CAREER:
Lebanon High (2010-12) - Head Coach
Eastern Kentucky (1988-2008) - Head Coach
Middle Tennessee (1978-86) - Head Coach
Mount Juliet (1973-78) - Head Coach
Gallatin High (1970-73) - Head Coach

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
Six NCAA Tournament Appearances
2002 WNIT "Sweet Sixteen"
Eight OVC Coach of the Year honors
Six OVC Tournament Championships
10 OVC Regular Season Championships
Ranked 27th Among Active NCAA Division I coaches prior to retirement in 2008
Most OVC coaching wins in conference history



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Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls add versatility, wildcat

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Johnson C. Smith isn’t sitting on last year’s offensive laurels.

The Blue showed added versatility in a 35-15 win against the Gold in Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage, with new offensive coordinator Steve Shipp using the wildcat formation and integrating an upgraded corps of pass-catching tight ends.

“For the first time this fall, we played as a team,” said Golden Bulls quarterback Keahn Wallace, last year’s CIAA rookie of the year. “You can see us kind of molding together with a new coordinator. He was trying new positions and called great plays to get (the defense) into new predicaments.”

“I’ve been concerned all spring because we were banged up (along the offensive line) going into the spring game, but the momentum went to the offense tonight,” J.C. Smith coach Steve Aycock said. “The momentum went in their hands. Our defense didn’t look like our normal defense.”

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UMES Hawks are NCAA Bowling Champions again

2011/12 NCAA BOWLING CHAMPIONS
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE HAWKS

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- It's been an interesting year for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's bowling team, filled with its share of peaks and valleys along with several twists and turns. But the squad certainly saved its best for last, as the Lady Hawks captured their second consecutive NCAA Championship on Saturday night as they downed Fairleigh Dickinson University 4-2 in the best of seven, baker style game.

"It feels amazing," Paula Vilas said. "I mean going out my senior year, leaving with two National Championships. It's really exciting. We did it with two different teams, but it was the same concept so it was really exciting and really nice that I could do that with these girls."

Coming off one of the most successful bowling seasons ever in 2011, which saw the Hawks capture both the NCAA title and the USBC Collegiate Championship, a feat that had never been accomplished before, UMES had to strap in for a bumpy ride in 2012.

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HAWKS SOAR HIGHER; WIN BACK-TO-BACK NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

WICKLIFFE, Ohio - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) became the first school to win back-to-back NCAA Women's Bowling Championships since 2004/2005 with a 4-2 defeat of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in the championship finals aired live tonight on ESPNU from Freeway Lanes outside of Cleveland.

T'nia Falbo (Greensburg, Pa.) was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament and an All-Tournament Team selection. "Words cannot describe the feeling of winning, it's the greatest feeling ever," she said.

With the win UMES claims their third NCAA Championship and fourth National Title in Women's Collegiate Bowling, winning the 2008 & 2011 NCAA crowns and the 2011 USBC Collegiate title. They are now tied with Nebraska for most NCAA championships with three and most final appearances with four.

Head Coach Kristina Frahm becomes just the second woman in championship history to coach her team to a title and the first ever to win as a player and head coach. UMES is the only program to win titles with different head coaches.

Photo Gallery

VIDEO: CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

"All of our work has paid off; the girls put everything into this. I am so proud of them," Frahm said. When asked about the difference of winning as a player and winning as a coach Frahm answered in coach style. "It is great as a player because you put in everything on the lanes and you see it pay off. As a coach I am there to help them, guide them and be on the mental side of things. You are proud of them for what they came together and accomplished together. You just can't describe this feeling to somebody; you have to experience it to know."

The match itself was exciting top to bottom, lasting just over two and half hours and going six games.

The Hawks struck first, winning the first game 222-204. The Knights of FDU seemed to have the slight edge, but an open frame in the eighth allowed the Hawks to capitalize. UMES had opened themselves in the seventh and ninth frames, but five strikes to start the match kept them in contention. FDU threw a seven split in their final frame and that meant a win all fell on Falbo's shoulders. As the anchor she calmly threw a strike, then another and then another to give UMES 222 and her Hawks a one game lead.

In game two the Hawks were clean, throwing eight strikes and three spares to rack up a 236 and put the match out contention before FDU could throw the tenth frame. They would finish with a 214.

Game three saw FDU get the line back and the Hawks lose theirs. The Knights easily rolled to a 249-167 win and finished with an impressive seven strikes in a row.

The Hawks hadn't lost confidence though; they remained calm, cool and collected. They laughed, joked and cheered and the pressure they took off themselves was put onto FDU after a 208-168 win in game four. The Knights couldn't get it together, leaving four open frames. UMES, on the other hand threw five strikes and had the match won in the ninth frame.

Now up 3-1 the Hawks were looking to end it in five. But FDU wasn't. While UMES took an early lead with three strikes to FDU's one, the fourth frame spelled trouble. Mariana Alvarado (Leon, Mexico) threw a beautiful shot into the pocket but the pins didn't carry and the 7-10 split was left. While she got one, and made an effort kicking the seven into the air, it allowed FDU the break they needed. They put a pair of strikes on the board before the TV timeout. Falbo threw one herself to keep the Hawks in it just before the break.

The final five frames were made for TV as FDU threw a seven split, picking up just a pair. So did UMES. With the game tied at 114 and no one building on any marks, drama ensued. Megan Buja (Rockford, Ill.) matched FDU's second bowler with a strike. It was still tied. FDU threw a strike, but Anggie Ramirez (Bogota, Colombia) couldn't, leaving an eight-split. Getting just one pin on her second ball, spelled doom for UMES. The Knights went on to throw two more strikes and a spare. Alvarado struck but by then it was over and Falbo finished with an open in the tenth to give FDU the 223-170 win and cut the Hawks' lead to 3-2.

Game six was another back and forth affair. FDU opened in the second, but the Hawks opened in the seventh to keep the match close. FDU's Joely Carrillo came up in the ninth frame with a chance to give them the lead. She had been striking all match, carrying pins throughout to mark. But this one time wasn't to be. She left a seven split. She picked up just one, trying to force the pins to carry across, knowing she desperately needed it. It was now the Hawks' match to lose. Falbo had been clutch all tournament long and this time would be no different. Still calm, she got all ten pins, throwing a first ball strike and needing only six to secure the win over the next two balls. She got 20, striking out to finish with a 203 and giving the Hawks their third NCAA title. FDU, knowing they had lost subbed in the final frame to finish with a 176.

"It feels amazing to make those big shots," said Falbo. "I know that those seven girls behind me have complete trust in me. There is no extra pressure because of that. They trust me to be in that position so I am going to go up there and do what I have to do."

Paula Vilas (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), with championship hair styled in maroon, was a big factor in the win. As the lead-off bowler Vilas threw six first ball strikes to open each game and threw three strikes and three spares in the sixth frames. Nine strikes and three spares in 12 frames is a far cry from last year's championship when she was replaced early.

"I only threw three frames," said Vilas referencing the 2011 finals. "But it was the right call, this year I am just so happy I was able to contribute to the team. This was such a team win, we won because WE bowled as a team."

All in all the Hawks were on their game the last two days, going 4-0, not taking any losses after the seeding round. The championship match saw a combined 35 strikes from UMES. Ramirez threw five of those in the third frames to add some foundation to the middle of the lineup.

"I was the only lefty today," said Ramirez. "So I was getting some good shots but didn't have anyone else to talk to or watch about how the lane was reacting, so it times it was trial and error."

"Bowling is a game. You have to have fun playing a game. You have to be truly relaxed to strike. If you are tense you will leave that ten pin," said Vilas when asked about the team's approach to the championship.

"You have to have fun," Falbo added. "That is the biggest thing we learned this week. Between yesterday and today all we did is say we have to stay loose and have fun if we are going to win. And that is what we did. It was a great atmosphere. Even when someone missed something we were all standing, we were there to pick each other up."

The Hawks have one more chance at picking each other up this season. They bowl for a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Collegiate Championship next weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are looking to defend that National title as well and winning what would be back-to-back-to back-to-back championships for the first time ever.

As for the NCAA Championships the Hawks return seven of the eight players in uniform. Vilas, the lone senior was asked about following in Frahm's shoes and coaching next year. In true fashion she answered, "I'm just looking for a job man."

The bowling world can just hope that still includes them.

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A look at the four finalists for the N.C. A&T men's basketball coaching job

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - N.C. A&T's men's basketball coaching search is nearing its close.

The Aggies had their four finalists in Greensboro for interviews late last week, and university officials hope to make a hire early this week.

A&T is replacing coach Jerry Eaves, who went 99-180 over nine seasons before being fired March 13.

Here's a quick look at the four candidates the Aggies have interviewed:

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VSU will host the 2012 CIAA Spring Sports Championships

PETERSBURG, Virginia - Virginia State University will host the 2012 CIAA Spring Sports Championships beginning Thursday, April 19th through Saturday, April 21st. This will be the eighth year that the Spring Sports Championships has been held on the campus of Virginia State University, dating back to 2005. Please visit our website for the schedule of events. Virginia State University invites everyone to come support all teams as they compete for the 2012 CIAA Crown. In the case of inclement weather Sunday, April 22, 2012 is the scheduled rain date

The sports include baseball, softball, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's track and field.

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Alabama State baseball: Tempers flare after beaning incident

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Actually, it hasn’t ended. Play in Sunday’s game was suspended in the eighth inning after a beaning incident led to a near-brawl, causing the umpires to walk off the field with Jackson State ahead 3-2.

Southwestern Athletic Conference officials labeled it a suspended game, but in all likelihood will declare the outcome final after reviewing the contest. That’s the message Melendez delivered to his team in the moments following the game as campus police quickly escorted both the umpires and the Jackson State team off the campus.

“I honestly learned more about the opponent than I did about us,” the first-year ASU coach said. “I came into this conference with a frame of mind about how to play the game of baseball, how to go about the game of baseball the right way. I’m very disappointed after this weekend and the weekend that we went up there (on March 9-10) to see how the game is played on their side — which is a lot of taunting, a lot of talking to our players. That shouldn’t be part of baseball and I got aggravated about it when we went over there. This is Division I baseball and it should be played with class.”

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Claflin University and Alumni Engagement: They Get It!

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - Recently, Claflin University, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, reported that 45 percent of its living alumni had given to the institution. Not only is this the highest giving rate recorded by Claflin, it is one of the highest among all colleges and universities. The institution is determined to reach the 50-percent mark in the near future, which would make it the first HBCU to boast an alumni giving rate of 50 percent.

Other HBCU’s, as well as colleges and universities overall, are probably wondering how Claflin achieved its success. We have outlined the institution’s strategy below:

First, Claflin received a $1.5-million grant from the United ...

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