XU beats Point Loma, ends national tournament drought

MOBILE, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated two ranked doubles teams and two ranked singles players Wednesday in a 5-0 men's tennis victory against Point Loma Nazarene in the second round of the NAIA National Championship.

The Gold Rush (18-7), seeded seventh, became the first XU team in 39 years to reach the national quarterfinals. Thirty-seven teams in five sports failed to reach the quarterfinals since then, including 16 second-round losers. The XU men increased their win streak to six and set a school record for victories in a season.

Viktor Svoboda and Loic Didavi won in doubles and singles. Svoboda clinched the dual with a 6-2, 6-2 victory against KC Ensley at No. 3 singles. Steffen Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson rallied from a 7-4 deficit to beat Ensley and Angel Tavera 9-7 at No. 2 doubles.

Ensley is ranked 35th in singles by the Intercollegiate Tnnis Association and 16th in doubles with Tavera. Didavi beat 17th-ranked Tyler Bowman 6-2, 6-3.

Didavi and Zach Taylor, ranked in the top four in doubles all spring, knocked off 11th-rated Bowman and Gregory De Andrade 8-4.

Xavier scored its first point at No. 3 doubles when Svoboda and Corey Huggins beat Michael Zablan and Andrew Combs 8-6. Zablan and Combs broke serve in the 13th game after saving two match points, but Svoboda and Huggins broke back to end the match and record their seventh consecutive victory.

Of the four unfinished singles matches, Xavier led in three of them.

"Big win," XU coach Alan Green said. "Not only to finally get an XU team through to the quarterfinals again, but also to make amends for last year."

A year ago the XU men had a first-round bye and was the higher seed in the second round — but lost 5-3 to a Vanguard team they defeated in the regular season. Xavier entered the Point Loma dual with the same scenario, but a different attitude.

"That loss to Vanguard last year left a bad taste in our mouths," Green said. "We didn't have any intensity, we were probably overconfident, and we got whipped. But today we came out with intensity and maintained it. That was the difference."

Xavier will play second-seeded Embry-Riddle (Fla.), a 5-0 winner against Belhaven, at 1 p.m. Thursday. Point Loma, the No. 10 seed, finished 13-11 and was 0-2 this season against Xavier.

No XU team had won in the second round since the Gold Rush defeated top-ranked and unbeaten Sam Houston State 67-60 in the NAIA men's basketball tourney at Kansas City, Mo., on March 14, 1973. Xavier lost 87-80 the following day to Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Xavier and Embry-Riddle will meet for the third time, but it will be the first postseason matchup. The Eagles won 6-1 in 2004 and 8-1 in 2007.

"We're the type of team that can beat anybody or lose to anybody," Green said. "Hopefully we can take care of ourselves tomorrow and that will be enough."

NOTES: Xavier lost in the second round each of the past three seasons . . . The victory was Xavier's 10th of the season against a ranked NAIA opponent and fourth against a top-10 team. Both are school records . . . The 2008-09 Gold Rush held the previous season mark for victories . . . This was the first time that Xavier won a dual at nationals without dropping a match . . . Xavier is the first men's tennis team from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to reach the quarterfinals.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: GCACSPORTS

CSU's Pioneering NBA referee Ken Hudson dies in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia — Ken Hudson, one of the first full-time African-American referees for the National Basketball Association, passed away on May 9 in Atlanta. He officiated in the league from 1968 to 1972.

During this phase of his career, he interacted with such notable players as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Walt Frazier, Lenny Wilkins, and Jerry West, to name only a few. Hudson became beloved by both players and owners. In 2009 he was recognized by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as the recipient of the prestigious Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he attended Westinghouse High School, Hudson earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he began his refereeing career. He returned to Pittsburgh to teach elementary school students for several years. Ken also attended the University of Pittsburgh. But, after working in other arenas, he found his niche in the world of sports.

The former executive for the Coca-Cola Company successfully negotiated agreements with the Big East, CIAA, SWAC, MEAC, and SIAC Conferences. After moving to Atlanta with Coca-Cola, he was on the committee that was responsible for developing relationships with the NBA.



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TSU's Larry Inman Basketball Camp set for June

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University women's basketball program will hold the inaugural Larry Inman Basketball Camp, June 25-28.

The individual camp will take place Monday - Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon each day at the Gentry Center on TSU's main campus. The camp is for participants in the 4th-8th grade.

The camp will focus on improving individual skills and fundamentals necessary to develop into a great basketball player.

For more information contact the women's basketball office at (615) 963-5903.

CAMP BROCHURE

CAMP INFORMATION
Coach Larry Inman Girl's Basketball Camp

WHEN: June 25-28


WHERE: Gentry Center


TIME: 9:00 a.m. - Noon each day


AGES: 4th grade to 8th grade


COSTS: $60 per individual


CONTACT: TSU Women's Basketball Office, 615.963.5903. 
For more information, click here to read the brochure.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

All-SWAC DE Jackson to test supplemental draft waters?

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern is losing a star in defensive end Marquis Jackson, who requested and has been granted his release from the program. The question for NFL scouts to begin the process of answering is where might Jackson land, and, frankly, should they care?

Jackson, officially listed by Texas Southern at 6-5 and 275 pounds, has earned first team all-conference recognition after each of the past two seasons. This past season he registered 50 tackles, an eye-popping 18.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. His twin brother, Malik Jackson, was just drafted (fifth round, No. 137 overall) out of Tennessee by the Denver Broncos.



Success on the football field is nothing new to the brothers. They were named the Co-Defensive Players of the Year by the LA Daily News after starring at Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa, California. Malik signed with Southern Cal out of high school before electing to transfer to Tennessee later in his career. Marquis played junior college football at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita (CA) and verbally committed to joining his brother at USC. When the NCAA levied sanctions against USC, however, Malik transferred to Tennessee and Marquis considered other options, including going across town to UCLA, prior to deciding on Texas Southern.

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Small athletics budgets makes NCAA Division I play a challenge

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- When a leak appeared in Mississippi Valley State's gym roof and warped the floor, basketball practice became impossible just as the 2010-11 season was getting under way.

The displaced Delta Devils — who had made the NCAA men's basketball tournament three years before — loaded into vans to practice at a middle school 20 minutes away.

It took four months to find money to repair the floor. Meanwhile, the Devils embarked upon an early-season schedule that included several of the nation's top hoops schools: Indiana, Butler, Kentucky, Marquette. They lost all four of those games (and many others), but it was enough to earn $800,000 in guarantees. And more than enough for a new floor.

"We are the lowest in the totem pole in resources and finances," says Sean Woods, the departing men's basketball coach at the 2,000-student school two hours north of Jackson, Miss. "We can't compare to anyone else in the country."

INTERACTIVE: How Division I schools make, spend money

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WSSU Collins sees boost in additions from junior colleges

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State and his staff savored the school's first CIAA title in men's basketball for a while. Then they went back to work. Collins signed three junior-college players who are expected to make impacts early and often next season.

"We feel good about the three, and they all bring something to the party," Collins said. The Rams will lose only one player from last season — rising junior center Nequan Melvin, a role player, has decided to transfer.

They'll add Maurice Nash, a 6-foot-4 swingman from Raleigh and Davidson County Community College; Marquez Jones, a 6-3 combination guard from Kinston and Lenoir Community College; and Victor Holloway, 6-7 power forward from Kinston and Arizona Western Community College.

Nash and Jones were prolific scorers in junior college. In two seasons at DCCC, Nash averaged ...

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A look at JSU, the SWAC and the almighty dollar

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Hopefully by now you’ve had time to pick up today’s copy of The Clarion-Ledger, where in it, a USA Today story highlights the plight of MVSU – and to an extent, most smaller D-I athletic programs – in today’s dog-eat-dog college landscape.

I’m generally not a numbers guy, but I found the report interesting.

The story, which you can see for yourself here, offers a glimpse at the day-to-day struggles that smaller athletic programs must overcome for survival.

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Vanguard ousts Nuggets at NAIA National Championship

MOBILE, Alabama — Vanguard avenged two regular-season singles losses and defeated Xavier University of Louisiana 6-3 Tuesday in the opening round of the NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship.

The Lions (10-14), ranked 15th in the coaches poll and seeded 16th in the tournament, will play defending champion and top-seeded Auburn Montgomery (22-2) in the second round at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The Gold Nuggets, ranked 20th and seeded 17th, finished 7-22 after their sixth trip to nationals in eight seasons.

Gabriele Allford and Ashley Tebeau, both straight-sets singles losers in Vanguard's 5-4 home victory against Xavier on April 5, reversed those outcomes to help the Lions hand the Nuggets their first opening-round loss at nationals. Alford beat Nicole DeLoach 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 4 flight, and Tebeau defeated Ashley McGill 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6.

Xavier never led in the dual, and Vanguard took the lead for good at 2-1 when Allford and Tebeau defeated McGill and Jordyn Goody 8-2 at No. 3 doubles. The Lions clinched when Petronella Lindahl beat Goody 6-3, 6-3 at No. 5 singles.

The Nuggets got their points from DeLoach and Kourtney Howell, who beat Ekaterina Gabashvili and Petronella Lindahl 8-1 at No. 2 doubles; Amber Brown, who defeated Gabashvili 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3 singles; and Amanda Materre, who rallied past Nina Pudar 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2.

DeLoach and Howell closed the season with seven consecutive doubles victories. Brown avenged a straight-sets loss to Gabashvili from April. Materre became the fourth Gold Nuggets freshman to win in singles at nationals — joining Dominique Bell (2004), Marian Lang (twice in 2009) and Carmen Nelson (2010) — and earned her sixth straight singles victory.


Howell lost 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6) to Gabriela Bergmanova, ranked second by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, at the top singles flight.

The Gold Nuggets entered the tournament 5-0 in first-round matches. It's the first time they failed to reach the second round.

It was the final collegiate competition for McGill, a fifth-year senior who graduated from Xavier on Saturday and competed at nationals in tennis and basketball. The other five Nuggets are scheduled to return next season.

Xavier's men (17-7), ranked seventh and seeded seventh, had a first-round bye and will play ninth-ranked and 10th-seeded Point Loma Nazarene (13-10) in the second round at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Point Loma defeated 23rd-seeded Mobile 8-1 Tuesday.

NOTES: There were no first-round women's or men's upsets. There were two 5-4 decisions — Indiana Wesleyan's women beat Robert Morris (Chicago), and Belhaven's men defeated Campbellsville. Both duals matched the 15th and 18th seeds . . . The NAIA announced a three-year contract extension with the Mobile Area Tennis Association to keep the women's and men's tournaments in Mobile through 2016. The date of next year's tourneys will be May 14-18.

Results

NAIA National Championship (seedings in parentheses) First Round — 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15 Vanguard (16) d. Xavier (17) 6-3 William Carey (9) d. Indiana Southeast (24) 9-0 Shorter (12) d. Bethel (Kan.) (21) 9-0 SCAD Savannah (13) d. Nebraska Wesleyan (20) 9-0 Lewis-Clark State (14) d. Northwestern Ohio (19) 9-0 Lindsey Wilson (11) d. Spring Hill (22) 9-0 Southern Nazarene (10) d. Missouri Valley (23) 7-2 Indiana Wesleyan (15) d. Robert Morris (Chicago) (18) 5-4 Second Round — 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16 Auburn Montgomery (1) vs. Vanguard (16) Concordia (Calif.) (8) vs. William Carey (9) Azusa Pacific (5) vs. Shorter (12) Oklahoma Christian (4) vs. SCAD Savannah (13) Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (3) vs. Lewis-Clark State (14) Point Loma Nazarene (6) vs. Lindsey Wilson (11) Brenau (7) vs. Southern Nazarene (10) Fresno Pacific (2) vs. Indiana Wesleyan (15) Quarterfinals — 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 17 Semifinals — 9 a.m. on Friday, May 18 Championship — 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19 Xavier at Nationals (5-6) May 17, 2004 (first round): Xavier 8, Lee (Tenn.) 1 May 18, 2004 (second round): Auburn Montgomery 5, Xavier 0 May 16, 2005 (first round): Xavier 9, Indiana Southeast 0 May 17, 2005 (second round): Brenau 5, Xavier 0 May 12, 2008 (first round): Xavier 7, McKendree 2 May 13, 2008 (second round): Vanguard 5, Xavier 1 May 12, 2009 (first round): Xavier 8, Union (Ky.) 1 May 13, 2009 (second round): Berry 5, Xavier 3 May 18, 2010 (first round): Xavier 6, Indiana Wesleyan 3 May 19, 2010 (second round): Auburn Montgomery 5, Xavier 0 May 15, 2012 (first round): Vanguard 6, Xavier 3

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

S.C. State SID Bill Hamilton receives Helms Award

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Bill Hamilton, in his 39th year as sports information director at South Carolina State University, was among four persons honored for contributions to sports in the Palmetto State by the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame during its annual banquet and induction ceremony on Monday.

Hamilton received the Herman Helms Media Excellence Award.

The Baltimore, Maryland, native, who grew up in Chesterfield, is the only full-time sports information director in the university’s history, having begun his career at S.C. State – his alma mater – in 1973. He has earned numerous professional awards during his career and is enshrined in the S.C. State, MEAC and CoSIDA halls of fame.

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NCCU Eagles head into MEAC tourney with high hopes

DURHAM, North Carolina — N.C. Central has earned a spot in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament in its first season of eligibility since becoming both a member of the league and a Division I program

This is NCCU’s first season as a full Division I member with the opportunity to compete for conference and NCAA championships, and that means the Eagles (18-30, 13-10 MEAC) could have a shot at the College World Series if they win the MEAC Tournament.

The Eagles open the conference tournament against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Norfolk State’s Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.

If NCCU reaches the NCAA field, the Eagles likely would be in a regional with traditionally strong North Carolina, the type of team some of the Eagles never counted on playing in the postseason, considering the way they were getting beat.

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BSU's Delano Johnson pushes past tragedy for his NFL dream

MARTINSVILLE, New Jersey — It wasn't the Christmas break that Delano Johnson had hoped for.

He sat in his father's house in Baltimore, Maryland, on Christmas Eve, a college freshman who had typical plans of unwrapping gifts the next morning, catching up with friends from high school during the next few weeks and of course, sleeping in. Lots of sleeping in. It was supposed to be a carefree time for Johnson, but instead what happened next forever changed his life. Johnson was set to lose a person who he called his "hero and inspiration."

The phone rang with a call that came from his aunt's house, telling him that his mother had passed away. He was raised by her along with his three brothers, a woman who he said "put all of us on her back." His mother had succumbed to a "health problem that she had."

Instead of planning his winter break from college, Johnson readied himself for a funeral.



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Bethune sees hike in band tryouts because of FAMU scandal

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Florida A&M University's longtime rival, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, has seen a 10 percent to 20 percent uptick in the number of students wanting to try out for its marching band — a direct result, says the band director, of the FAMU hazing scandal.

Director Donovan Wells, whose Marching Wildcats compete each year against FAMU's Marching 100 during the Florida Classic halftime show in Orlando, said many students wanting to join his band are high school students who probably decided to audition for Bethune-Cookman because of uncertainties about FAMU's band. Tryouts for high school students and college transfer students are from January-May.

Some students wanting to try out are from FAMU. Wells, however, will not take ...



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FAMU band member will admit to hazing Bria Hunter

Aaron Golson (L), Sean Hobson (C), James Harris (R)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University band member Aaron Golson, one of 11 people charged in the fatal beating of FAMU drum major Robert Champion in Orlando, will admit that he hazed a female clarinetist weeks earlier, his lawyer said Monday.

Defense lawyer Craig J. Brown said Golson, 19, will enter a plea to a misdemeanor hazing offense Thursday in Circuit Court in Tallahassee, although he will still deny that he struck Bria Hunter, 18, as campus police claim.

"He was there [when Hunter was injured]. We've never really denied that," Brown said. "It's good that he can get one case done and out of the way."

Brown said Golson, who denies he contributed to the hazing death of Champion, 26, on a band bus after the Florida Classic football game Nov. 19, would not receive a jail sentence but would have to perform community service in the Bria Hunter case.

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Suspended FAMU band grounded for full year

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The president of Florida A&M University on Monday announced that the school's famous marching band, which has been suspended indefinitely since shortly after the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion last fall, will not perform at all through the 2012-2013 school year.

School president James Ammons informed university trustees of his decision during a brief teleconference today.



Meanwhile, the FAMU chapter of an honorary band fraternity that was involved in a student hazing in 2010 will be closed for the next five years, the national headquarters for Kappa Kappa Psi announced Monday. Also, 28 fraternity members, including those who were undergraduate members during the spring semester in 2010, have been expelled.

The fate of FAMU's embattled Marching 100 band — a symbol of the historically black university that has been instrumental in recruitment and fundraising — has been up in the air. School leaders have debated for months whether to allow the group to perform at football games and other events this fall.

Earlier this month, 11 band members were charged with felony hazing in connection with Champion's beating aboard a parked band bus after the Florida Classic football game in Orlando on Nov. 19. Since then, a ...

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MVSU Wins SWAC Title With Thrilling Comeback

IRONDALE -- Mississippi Valley State came from three runs down to beat Jackson State 7-3 and claim their seventh SWAC softball title and first since 2009. A grand slam by catcher Nicole Burr in the top of the seventh inning capped the comeback for the Devilettes, who improved to 34-17. MVSU will find out Sunday night where they will be heading in the NCAA tournament. The selection show will be streamed on NCAA.com at 9 p.m.

Burr was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Kimberly Spivey, Alicia Lorenz. Jackson State had three players on the team. Last year's tournament MOP Wendi Reed, Jasmin Warren and Tayler Nave. Giana Robinson and Rebecca Villarreal represented Texas Southern, while Cassandra Brown (Alabama A&M), Cally Falls (Prairie View), CeCe Kolesar (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) rounded out the team.

JSU threatened in both the second and third innings, advancing runners into scoring position. However, MVSU snuffed out each threat to keep the game scoreless.

Photo Gallery

However, in the fifth inning lightening struck off the bat of SWAC Player of the Year Wendi Reed. After JSU left fielder Jasmine Warren doubled, Reed launched a moon shot over the left field fence for a 2-run blast.

The SWAC East regular season champs wouldn't go quietly. Devilettes loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning. JSU reliever LeEthel Guillory walked MVSU catcher Nicole Burr to drive in pinch-runner Meagan Martinez to make it 3-1.

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TSU's Coach Ed Temple Selected to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- When the United States Olympic Committee announced the Class of 2012 to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame recently, it was no surprise that a coaching legend from Tennessee State University was included as a member of the prestigious group.

Coach Ed Temple will join six Olympians, one Paralympian, one team, as well as a veteran and a special contributor when they are formally introduced and honored July 12 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago.

Along with Coach Temple, the list of inductees includes Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (Paralympic track & field), Gary Hall Jr. (swimming), Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O'Brien (track & field), Jenny Thompson (swimming), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team, James Connolly (veteran - track & field) and Ted Stevens (special contributor).

The Class of 2012 was determined by a voting process that includes Olympians, Paralympians, members of the Olympic Family and a public voting element. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate is one of the only national sports halls of fame that includes fan voting as part of its selection process. This year more than 100,000 votes were cast at TeamUSA.org.

"Over the years, these men and women captured our hearts and inspired us as Americans to strive for greatness, paving the way for today's Olympians and Paralympians who will soon compete in this summer's London Games," said Lisa Cochrane, senior vice president of marketing for Allstate. "Allstate is proud to support such a prestigious, lifetime achievement and extends its gratitude to the fans for their role in determining the very deserving U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2012."

The Class of 2012 is the 15th class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate and will bring the total membership to 96 Olympians, five Paralympians, 10 teams, four coaches, 10 veterans, 16 contributors and two Olive Branch award inductees.

"The Class of 2012 inductees have provided fans of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams with countless inspiring moments, and it's an honor to welcome them to the U.S Olympic Hall of Fame, where both their achievements and impact will be celebrated," said Scott Blackmun, USOC chief executive officer. "Together with Allstate and fans of Team USA, we congratulate them on their accomplishments and thank them for their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements."

A 1950 graduate of Tennessee State University, Coach Edward Stanley Temple served as head women's track coach at Tennessee State University from 1953 to 1994 and became one of the greatest coaches in Olympic history. He helped establish the U.S. as a women's sprinting powerhouse and served as head coach of two U.S. Olympic teams (1960 and 1964), during which time his athletes brought home 23 Olympic medals (13 gold, six silver and four bronze).

His teams also won 34 national team titles and 30 Pan-American Games medals. As the women's coach, Coach Temple laid a foundation for growth in women's athletics, a boom that continues to this day.

Temple's 44-year coaching tenure at Tennessee State University saw him coach and mentor some of the greatest athletes in Olympic history, including Wyomia Tyus, Wilma Rudolph and Willie White. Rudolph was the first American woman of any race to win three track & field gold medals at a single Olympic Games, while Tyus was the first woman to successfully defend an Olympic 100-meter gold medal.

For Temple's athletes, a gold medal was only the start. The impact Temple had on his young female athletes stretched far beyond the track. Among the 40 Olympians he coached (35 of whom represented the U.S.), 28 of them have master's degrees and 14 of them have either an M.D. or Ph.D.

In addition to his 24 national titles, Temple has numerous other accolades, and is a member of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Helms Hall of Fame, Tennessee State University Hall of Fame, Harrisburg Central Area Chapter Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame, Black Athletes Hall of Fame and Communiplex National Sports Hall of Fame.

"I am excited to hear that Coach Temple has been inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame," said former TSU Tigerbelle and current Track & Field Director Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice. "He deserves it. We have put so many athletes into the Olympic games thanks to his hard work and dedication."

The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be formally introduced and honored on July 12 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago. The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Roberts and Alex Flanagan, will air in a nationally-televised broadcast on NBC Sports Network on August 24 at 7 p.m. Central Time.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY NEWS SERVICE

Texas-Pan American, Bethune-Cookman and Fayetteville State capture team titles

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- Drama ruled the day on Sunday at PGA Golf Club, as the University of Texas-Pan American took home the Men's Division I title and Bethune-Cookman University claimed its Championship-record ninth team title in the Women's Team Division at the 26th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management.

Texas-Pan American, the first-round leader, used a furious comeback to claim its fifth overall title.

The Broncs, who finished with a total team score of 904, trailed Tennessee State University by five strokes entering the final round. But the team used a solid 1-under-par 71 by team captain Kevin Kirakossian, and solid play by the rest of the team to win the division by two strokes over Tennessee State.

Bethune-Cookman University and Savannah State University tied for third at 911. Savannah State senior Cedomir Ilic of Serbia took home medalist honors in the Division with a 220 total in the 54-hole event.

"My team has worked hard all year and it really paid off today," said Ofelia Lopez, the director of golf at the University of Texas-Pan American. "They came out with fire and determination and looking to win a title. And it happened."

Lopez was particularly impressed with Kirakossian, a junior from Oregon.

"He has always been our go-to guy," said Lopez. "He plays to win and plays for his team. That's what a leader is all about. That's what being a team captain is all about."

The Bethune-Cookman women's team, which led South Carolina State University by five strokes entering the final round, used a team effort to take home its second consecutive title, this time by eight strokes. The Wildcats finished with a 916 team total.

Hampton (Va.) University finished third at 956.

"We fought all year and it all led to this," said head coach and PGA Professional Scooter Clark. "We needed to come out and respond to South Carolina State, who played great, and we did. It was no doubt a challenge."

Tiana Jones of Alliance, Ohio, was the medalist in the Women's Team Division. The junior opened with an 82 on Friday, but bounced back with a sparkling 68 on Saturday, and a solid 74 in the final round on the Ryder Course.

Jones also earned an exemption from the LPGA into one Symetra Tour event during the 2012 or 2013 season.

"I wanted to play smart but I also wanted to play aggressive," said Jones. "I was dreaming about winning the individual title last night and my heart was in my throat all day. It feels awesome."

In Division II, Fayetteville (N.C.) State University ran away with the title, winning the division by 36 strokes and finishing with an 896 total.

The Broncos were led all weekend by Junior Jake Barge. The Fayetteville native shot a final-round 70 on the Ryder Course, and also claimed Division medalist honors.

"It was great for our team to get back in the winner's circle this year," said Barge. "We haven't won since 2009 so this is really satisfying. We got the job done."

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., finished second overall, while Morehouse College of Atlanta, finished alone in third.

See the final-round photo gallery

See the second-round photo gallery

In the Men's Independent Division, Justin Watkins from the University of Central Oklahoma took home medalist honors after a final-round 78.

Aaron Burton of Adelphi University in New York finished second, two strokes back of Watkins. Casey Foster of Central Oklahoma was third.

"It wasn't exactly the way I wanted to finish but I was still able to close it out with a win," said Watkins. "I am exhausted mentally, but was still able to hold it together. It feels amazing."

In the Women's Independent Division, Ariel McNair of Xavier University closed with a 76 to win the title by two strokes over Mia Campbell of Alabama State University.

Shanequa Valentine of Prairie View A&M University finished third.

"I made a couple of birdies on the back nine which really propelled me to this win," said Campbell. "It was a grind all day, but was satisfying to finish strong like this."

The 2012 Championship was played on the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses at PGA Golf Club, and featured nearly 180 players representing over 40 colleges and universities.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management, which celebrated its 26th edition this year, originated in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament and has elevated golf in minority colleges and universities by providing opportunities to more players to compete in a national championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund. In 2008, the Championship featured a record number of participants, with nearly 200 students from 47 schools, with representatives from 14 countries.

See the first-round photo gallery

See the Welcome Dinner photo gallery

Final-Round Scores

Men's Team Division I

1. Texas-Pan American 294-309-301--904
Kevin Kirakossian 73-78-71--222
Santiago Bueno Bragado 72-73-79--224
Mathew Charles 74-78-73--225
Jonathan Sloss 75-80-78--233
Chris Felix 76-82-79--237

2. Tennessee State 302-296-308--906
Cameron Scitern 74-74-76--224
Ryan Pierson 75-73-76--224
Dallas Hill 79-81-80--240
James Stepp 77-77-80--234
Andrew Warner 76-72-76--224

T3. Bethune-Cookman 306-303-302--911
Matthew Mcknight 77-77-79--233
JaMichael Jones 80-76-73--229
Alex Clapp 74-74-80--228
Emmanuel Petrich 75-80-72--227
Rafael Abad 83-76-78--237

T3. Savannah State 304-308-299--911
Cedomir Ilic 76-72-72--220
Travis Roe 76-79-76--231
Ryan Lassiter 75-82-76--233
Brandon Neals 77-84-75--236
Calib Simons 80-75-81--236

5. Alabama State 301-311-307--919
Scott Benson 77-73-71--221
John Montgomery 74-77-72--223
Jose Rodriguez 85-NC
Robert Grant 73-79-84--236
Joseph Killebrew 77-82-80--239

6. Florida A&M 306-309-308--923
Justin Stills 78-77-70--225
Cody Sapp 80-83-79--242
Randon Holt 87-74-79--240
Anthony Phipps II 76-77-84--237
Shephard Archie III 72-81-80--233

7. Arkansas at Pine Bluff 305-318-326--949
Caleb Ray 75-84-84--243
Nqobani Ndabambi 75-77-77--229
Gregory Robinson 78-76-83--237
Shane Kelly 77-81-82--240
Elliott Rollins, Jr. 86-87-84--257

8. Texas Southern 322-321-322--965
Dominique Worthen 78-80-67--225
Jason Barton 78-73-78--229
Michael Calvillo 87-87-92--266
Quinton Leonard 93-90-91--274
Luis Colon Gonzalez 79-81-86--246

9. Maryland-Eastern Shore 322-329-333--984
Mike Veverka 78-76-79--233
Greg Raad 81-85-83--249
Paul Cecil 82-85-84--251
Christopher Toney 81-83-87--251
Sedrick Bailey 92-98-98--288

10. North Carolina Central 333-343-345--1021
Spencer Jones 78-80-82--240
Ryne Toole 83-85-82--250
Andre Jones 84-86-82--252
Walter Batts 88-92-99--279
Jack Waissen 115-100-108--323

11. Hampton 351-359-346--1056
Geoffrey Napper 100-93-102--295
Curtis Fearrington 79-82-77--238
Mark Irwin 91-88-92--271
Tyler Davis 90-103-94--287
Sean Moore 91-96-83--270

Men's Team Division II

1. Fayetteville State 300-293-303--896
Jake Barge 72-71-70--213
Brandon Jobe 80-74-76--230
Jedidiah Frazier 71-73-76--220
Lincoln Jackson 77-75-81--233
Michael Wallace 81-89-NC

2. Lincoln 313-305-314--932
Steven Mallow 84-74-77--235
Jacob Sandbothe 77-77-76--230
Kyle Brennaman 76-76-83--235
Eric Kosmatka 76-78-78--232
Jordan Morris 93-86-87--266

3. Morehouse College 319-323-313--955
Bryan McElderry 78-75-82--235
Clifton Jordan 81-85-79--245
Justin McElderry 78-84-78--240
Alexander Atkinson 82-84-78--244
Bruce Cousin 85-80-78--243

4. Virginia State 317-338-328--983
Stephen Genchi 70-NC
Rashad Hunt 79-84-83--246
Aaron Bryant 88-88-77--253
Adam Clary 82-80-83--245
Dalton Jolly 86-86-85--257

5. Benedict College 344-328-330--1002
Anthony Wik 83-82-80--245
Eddie Smith III 94-80-79--253
Jordan Buchanan 78-75-84--237
Kelly Willis 89-91-87--267

6. Paine College 341-332-337--1010
Carlos Solis 76-74-75--225
Victor Tapia 82-82-77--241
Patrick Mobley 90-82-85--257
Ralpph Godbee 93-94-100--287
Keith Godbee 123-116-122--361

7. Winston Salem State 341-335-339--1015
Glendon Mabe 75-77-82--234
Zach Sheets 83-78-74--235
Mike Asbury 86-82-80--248
Kyle Collins 97-98-103--298

8. Kentucky State 362-346-360--1068
George Dundon 89-86-96--271
Josh Jackson 83-81-77--241
RhoShawn Johnson 99-82-84--265
Carlton Foreman 104-107-103--314

Women's Team Division

1. Bethune-Cookman 305-311-300--916
Patrizia Trevisan 72-79-74--225
Estefania Acosta 78-75-80--233
Andrea Orozco 74-79-76--229
Marie Bergelin 81-78-75--234
Jennifer Hide 81-81-75--237

2. South Carolina State 324-297-303--924
Tiana Jones 82-68-74--224
Cheryl Chua 79-76-74--229
Carmen Jones 83-87-78--248
Cherie Chua 82-79-78--239
Cabriel Duren 81-74-77--232

3. Hampton 329-314-313--956
Kayla Williams 80-76-81--237
Nicole West 83-76-71--230
Iman Ellis 87-87-86--260
Dionne West 81-85-78--244
Maria Stewart 85-77-83--245

4. Texas-Pan American 329-322-318--969
Sam Garcia 80-82-76--238
Elena Arroyo 84-76-78--238
Blake Peterson 87-82-82--251
Marisa Canales 78-82-82--242
Ashley Garcia 89-83-85--257

5. Lincoln 351-332-312--995
Kaitlyn Schwartze 81-84-74--239
Payton Schooler 84-74-82--240
Shea Colley 87-87-82--256
Sophia Pardalos 100-87-74--261
Kara Harwood 99-98-90--287

6. Texas Southern 337-339-321---997
Kassandra Rivera 78-82-70--230
Adrianna Trevino 89-86-77--252
Bridget Johnston 89-81-89--259
Tyler Lawrence 85-90-85--260
Angela Rafac 85-98-89--272


Men's Independent Division

Justin Watkins, University of Central Oklahoma - 74-74-78--226
Aaron Burton, Adelphi University - 79-75-74--228
Casey Foster, University of Central Oklahoma - 80-76-76--232
Juan Diego Fernandez, Louisburg College - 83-72-78--233
Julio Gonzalez Galvan, Louisburg College - 77-74-83--234
Louis Kelly, Adelphi University - 76-74-84--234
Michael Ferguson, Univ. of Maryland East Shore - 79-81-82--242
Joseph Morrison, Alabama State University - 82-81-80--243
Christopher Davis, Carroll University - 74-87-84--245
Corey Price, Alabama State University - 88-82-75--245
Barry Davis, Alabama State University - 78-89-79--246
Minsoo Soh, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 87-82-78--247
Jacob Mendez III, Calumet College of Saint Joseph - 86-79-83--248
Lawrence McKenzie, Livingstone College - 89-79-81--249
Erik Potts, Hannibal-LaGrange University - 85-83-82--250
Ben Davis, Calumet College of Saint Joseph - 86-86-83--255
Bryan Martin, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 85-90-83--258
Joseph Journey, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 85-89-85--259
Edgar Evans Jr., Southern University Baton Rouge - 87-83-90--260
Norris Brown, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 84-90-87--261
Sean Wilson, Chowan University - 96-90-88--274
Delton Pounds, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - 98-88-89--275
Michael Harden, Clemson University - 97-93-94--284
Richard Sheppard, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 98-91-99--288
Patrick Harris, Methodist University - 98-97-98--293
Dylan Watts, Edward Waters College - 99-95-100--294
William Brown, Prairie View A&M - 100-97-99--296
Richard Fleming, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 102-100-97--299
Charlois R. Fletcher, Louisburg College - 96-105-106--307
Spencer Smith, Edward Waters College - 112-126-109--347
Anthony Long, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore - 89-91-WD--WD
Buddy Senatore, California Polytechnic State Univ. - 80-87-WD--WD
Joseph Sable, Prairie View A&M - 117-88-WD--WD

Women's Independent Division

Ariel McNair, Xavier University - 84-79-76--239
Mia Campbell, Alabama State Univ. - 83-80-78--241
Shanequa Valentine, Prairie View A&M - 88-78-78--244
Whitney Young, Wheeling Jesuit University - 85-89-85--259
Alexandra Uduk, Univ. of Maryland East Shore - 98-87-83--268
Michelle Gifford, Savannah State University - 98-90-93--281
Allison Brown, SCSU - 105-106-96--307
Cheiwah Ferguson, Texas Southern University - 106-103-100--309
Jamie Bruce, Benedict College - 112-119-111--342

COURTESY PGA-AMERICA MEDIA RELATIONS

Bethune-Cookman to face Texas A&M at NCAAs

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M softball team battled through adversity this season to earn a No. 8 seed for the 64-team NCAA Division I Softball Tournament, getting the good news in a fitting way.

A&M watched Sunday night's Selection Show Special on ESPNU at the Denver Airport. The Aggies, who swept a nonconference series at Boise State that concluded Saturday night, had to wait more than six hours for a flight that was delayed.

The players and coaches couldn't find a television at the airport that was showing the show, so they watched it on the computer of softball sports information director Meredith Collier.

"They all screamed [when it was announced]," Collier said. "I'm pretty sure all of Terminal B heard them scream."

It was cold and the air was thick, Collier said, but everyone was smiling for good reason. Their favorable path to the Women's College World Series is lined with familiar opponents with the opportunity to play in one of the nation's best home environments.

The Aggies (39-16) will host Bethune-Cookman (29-29), Louisiana State (34-22) and Texas State (37-15) on Friday through Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex.

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Fayetteville State golfers win national minority tournament for 7th time

PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida -- Fayetteville State ran away with the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship on Sunday, winning by 36 strokes at 32-over 896.  Fayetteville State's Jacob Barge was the medalist, shooting a 70 to finish at 3-under 213.

"It was great for our team to get back in the winner's circle this year," Barge said. "We haven't won since 2009, so this is really satisfying. We got the job done."

Barge is the second straight Fayetteville State golfer to win the individual title. John Michael Cole of Fayetteville won last year but has since transferred to Appalachian State.

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., was second.

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Alcorn State expected to name Armour head coach

LOMAN, Mississippi - Michael Armour will reportedly return to Alcorn State to rebuild the football program as head coach.

Footballscoop.com reported Saturday the Southwestern Athletic Conference school will hire Armour, who was a member of the Braves' staff from 2008 to early 2011 until he followed Earnest Collins III to Northern Colorado to become offensive coordinator.

He coached the quarterbacks and wide receivers at Alcorn State in 2008 and '09 before becoming offensive coordinator in 2010.

The 1996 graduate of Eastern Michigan, where he was a quarterback, also has coached at Lane College, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Texas A&M-Kingville, Norfolk State and Alabama A&M.

Alcorn State has had a long search for a head coach after putting Melvin Spears Jr. on administrative leave in December and then firing him in February. The Braves were 2-8, including 1-8 in the SWAC, in their only season under him last year.

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B-CU wins MEAC championship, off to NCAA softball tournament

ORMOND BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman is off to the NCAA softball tournament for the third straight season after its 2-1 win over Florida A&M in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship Saturday at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

B-CU's conference title is its eighth overall, as it won five straight from 2000 to 2004.


Photo Gallery

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'Cats and Rattlers make MEAC title game

ORMOND BEACH, Florida -- Shamaria Engram went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run Friday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex to lead Bethune-Cookman past Hampton 3-2 and earn a fourth straight berth in the MEAC Championship title game.

Karina Romero went 2-for-3 with a run and Shanel Tolbert threw her third complete game of the tournament for the defending champion Wildcats (29-29), who will face Florida A&M at 1 this afternoon for the championship.

If the second-seeded 'Cats lose, they will play the third-seeded Rattlers (28-28) again at 3:30 p.m.

The Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a two-run double to left by Engram, who is batting .444 with five RBIs and three runs in the tournament. Aurelia Gamch knocked an RBI single in the fourth to make it 3-0.

The Pirates (25-32) cut the deficit to ...

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18 student-athletes, 3 managers receive Xavier degrees

NEW ORLEANS — Eighteen student-athletes received degrees Saturday at Xavier University of Louisiana's 2012 commencement at Lakefront Arena.

Also graduating were three student managers employed by the athletics department.

Student-athletes graduating were:

• Iva Bobkova, Brno, Czech Republic (Ludvika Danka), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Shayla Arnae Boyd, Gonzales, La. (St. Amant High School), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Anna Maria D'Souza, Baton Rouge, La. (St. Michael), women's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Patrice Elaine Hightower, New Orleans (McGehee), women's
volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Joyy Jermaine Joseph, Donaldsonville, La. (Ascension Catholic), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Wanto Joseph, New Orleans (O. Perry Walker), men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Jazmoné Elisse Kelly, Cincinnati, Ohio (Ursuline Academy), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Danielle Louise Kennebrew, Atlanta, Ga. (Archbishop Carroll), women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Jamaan L. Kenner, LaPlace, La. (East St. John), men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Cameron D. Knowles, Omaha, Neb. (Central), men's tennis, doctor of pharmacy.

• Ashley Nicole McGill, Memphis, Tenn. (Northside), women's basketball and tennis, bachelor of science.

• Anastesia Dede Opata, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett), women's tennis, bachelor of arts.

• Celeste Helena Poe, Cerritos, Calif. (Gahr), women's volleyball, bachelor of science.

• Sean Eugene Richardson, Ellendale, Ga. (Stockbridge), men's tennis, bachelor of science.

• Ashley Nicole Taylor, LaPlace, La. (Cabrini), women's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Raymond Anthony Walston III, Atlanta, Ga. (Mays), men's cross country, bachelor of science.

• Christina Leanna Warren, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos), women's basketball and cross country, bachelor of science.

• Jordan Sinclair Wilson, Baton Rouge, La. (Baton Rouge Magnet), men's cross country, bachelor of science.

Student managers graduating were:

• Taurah Nicole Dizadare, women's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Shakiyah Octavia Huston, men's basketball, bachelor of science.

• Herstyn Branford Jones, men's basketball, bachelor of science.

Boyd and Opata completed degree requirements in July. Wilson completed degree requirements in December.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Life in Division I: Q-and-A with N.C. Central’s athletic director

DURHAM, North Carolina - Excerpted from an interview that originally appeared in the Spring 2012 issue of NCCU Now.

In 2011–12, North Carolina Central University entered Division I athletic competition as a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Composed of teams from 13 historically black universities from Delaware to Florida, the MEAC is in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision, the second tier of Division I. As NCCU’s first year of competition at this higher level draws to a close, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, the university’s athletics director, talked with NCCU NOW editor Rob Waters about the rewards and challenges of Division I membership, and predicted a bright future for Eagle teams.

Q. How does it help NCCU to be in Division I?

The biggest benefit is that we’re now aligned with schools that share our academic profile. And it so happens that it is a Division I conference. Our profile – with all of our new programs, including our new Ph.D. program, is similar to that of most MEAC schools. Almost all are master’s level and Ph.D. level. The geographic base of the MEAC is broader than the CIAA – Delaware to Florida – so it gives us exposure and an opportunity to recruit students and student-athletes from a much greater recruiting base.

The four-year transition period when we weren’t in a conference was a difficult time, but it did improve our national visibility. Our teams were playing all over the country – often in front of people who didn’t previously know about NCCU. West of Texas there are no HBCUs, so we were able to reach out to a population of students, some of whom might like to go to an HBCU but don’t have that option in their home states, and show them, “Here’s a school you might consider.”

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Standout DE Jackson leaves Texas Southern program

HOUSTON, Texas - All-SWAC defensive end Marquis Jackson has been granted his release from Texas Southern University's football program. Houston, TX (Sports Network) - All-SWAC defensive end Marquis Jackson has been granted his release from Texas Southern University's football program.

Jackson, from Northridge, California, requested the release heading into his redshirt senior season.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound standout earned All-SWAC first-team honors in each of the past two seasons. Last season, Jackson had 50 tackles and six sacks while also ranking sixth in the conference with 18.5 tackles for loss.

TSU, which finished 4-7 last season...

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