Harvey steps down as TSU Head Men's Basketball Coach

Harvey ends TSU career with record of 56-72

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern University has announced that head men’s basketball coach Tony Harvey has resigned from his position effective July 2, 2012.  Coach Harvey determined that it was in his personal and professional interest to resign to pursue other goals.

Harvey became the head men’s basketball coach at TSU in 2008. While at the helm he helped orchestrate several significant achievements within the program on the court and in the classroom.

Under Harvey’s guidance, the team won the regular season SWAC Championship in 2011, played in the SWAC Tournament Championship game twice, while also qualifying to participate in the 2011 National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Harvey was named SWAC Coach of the Year during the 2010-11 season and was also named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award.

In the classroom the program significantly raised its APR scores under Harvey’s guidance and as a result of these efforts the team will be penalty free for the upcoming academic year.

“We appreciate the hard work put in by Coach Harvey over the past several seasons and we wish him well in his future endeavors, said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland. “It is our goal to maintain as much continuity as possible within the men’s basketball program as it relates to the student-athletes currently on the team and the coaching staff in place. Moving forward we will name an interim head coach who will serve in that capacity for the 2012-13 season. At the conclusion of the season we will conduct a national search to find a permanent replacement.”

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SEC and SWAC must produce limited TV/licensing documents for Ed O'Bannon lawsuit

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- An Alabama federal judge recently ordered the SEC and SWAC to produce excerpts of their television and licensing contracts to ex-college athletes in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA. But the ruling fell short of what the players sought.

For months, lawyers representing players such as Ed O'Bannon, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Tyrone Prothro and others have wrestled with conferences, schools and TV networks to acquire discovery against the NCAA, Collegiate Licensing Company and Electronic Arts, Inc. The players claim the NCAA and those companies violate federal antitrust laws by preventing players from getting paid based off their name and likeness even after leaving college.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins ruled June 15 in Alabama that within 30 days the SEC and SWAC must provide excerpts from football and men's basketball TV and licensing contracts since 2002. Those excerpts are limited to mentions of publicity or image rights for athletes and must identify the parties and sports involved in the particular agreement.

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Driven Driver: Campus Magnet lineman commits to Alabama A&M

QUEENS, New York - James Driver’s route to a Division I scholarship was as unpredictable as a wild Campus Magnet victory. The mammoth offensive tackle entered the Queens school with zero football experience. After a standout four-year career, he was headed to JUCO Lackawanna, not because of any academic shortcomings but lack of Division I interest.

He entered the Empire Challenge, the annual all-star game pitting the top seniors from New York City against their Long Island counterparts, resigned to his situation. He didn’t feel any better after the city’s lopsided loss to Long Island.

Little did the 18-year-old from South Jamaica realize his life was about to change. A friend of Alabama A&M offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl was at the game and left impressed with the 6-foot-7, 315-pound Driver. Pearl saw film of the game and was equally taken with the offensive lineman. A week and a few phone calls later, Driver had the Division I scholarship he sought.

“Honestly, words can’t describe how surprised I am,” said The Post’s All-Queens first team selection who plans to study criminal justice and forensics at Alabama A&M. “I’ve had a smile on my face ever since [I committed]. It’s really happening. I’m loving this Division I dream.”

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign South Carolina State's Will Ford

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have added import running back Will Ford and import defensive lineman Youri Yenga to the practice roster.

Ford (5-8, 195, South Carolina State, DOB: December 15, 1986 in Travelers Rest, South Carolina) was a four-year starter for the Bulldogs, rushing for 4,688 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-MEAC selection in 2009 one year after taking home the conference’s offensive player of the year award. Ford also spent time returning kicks and averaged 26.0 yards per return with one touchdown.



Twice, he earned All- America honors and was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton award, presented annually to the best offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Ford had a tryout with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in June 2010, but was released.

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Livingstone College names Andre Spring new director of athletics

Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. (L) and Mr. Andre Springs (R)
(Photo Courtesy: Livingstone College Athletics Department)

SALISBURY, North Carolina – Livingstone College President, Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., announced Andre Springs as the new Director of Athletics Monday at an on-campus press conference in the Hospitality & Events Center.

“We had to find a leader with the right chemistry,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Andre has camaraderie with the coaches and staff that will take Livingstone College Athletics to the next level.”

Springs is no stranger to Livingstone College or the CIAA. Springs started his second stint as a Livingstone employee in January 2010 when he was named the head men's golf coach and for the last six months has been working additionally as the Assistant Athletic Director for Fundraising.

“It's an honor and a blessing to be a part of the Blue Bear family,” Springs said. “Dr. Jenkins challenged me with improving this department overall and I stepped up to the challenge.”

Springs first came to Livingstone in 1979 as the head golf coach after playing four years at Fayetteville State and winning four CIAA Championships. Springs coached the Blue Bears for 10 years, helping put together a team that won three consecutive PGA Minority Golf Championships from 1987-89.

“When I left Livingstone the first time, I told myself that when I returned it would be as the Athletic Director,” Springs said. “Two years after I was hired as the golf coach, it's my time to lead this department.”

Springs spoke briefly of his plans to lead and elevate the athletic department by improving facilities and supporting the Livingstone student-athletes in their academic and athletic achievements.

Springs' future plans start with fundraising and during the press conference he received $3,000 in pledged donations from coaches and community leaders.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Price Selected to U.S. Paralympic Team

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Tennessee State University's Markeith Price was selected to the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field team on Sunday. Price will represent the United States at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, Aug. 29 - Sept. 9.

Price, who is legally blind, won two events at the US Paralympic Trials at the campus of IUPUI over the weekend. The rising TSU senior leapt 6.25m (20-6 ¼) in the long jump.

The Baltimore native also claimed the 400-meter dash title in the T13/F13 category with a blistering speed of 51.64 seconds, which ties for fourth best in the world.


This is footage of the first of three 4x100m relay competitions in the 2012 United States versus Canada Visually Impaired Relay Project. The United States team is made up of David Brown, Lex Gillette, Josiah Jamison, and Markeith Price. The United States VI relay team captured the first win and a world leading time in this competition by running 43.90 seconds.

Price holds five other top-10 marks in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rankings: 100m T13 (8th in the world), 200m T13 (5th), long jump F13 (6th) and triple jump F13 (1st).

The selection to the U.S. Paralympic team is a first for Price and the second for Tennessee State. Price joins Ryan Fann, who won a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2004 Summer Paralympic games.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Former Jackson State Tiger Michael Tinsley Makes Olympics

EUGENE, Oregon - Former Jackson State men's track and field standout Michael Tinsley made it to his first Olympics Sunday evening. Tinsley will participate as a member of the 2012 US Olympic team in London, England. The 2012 Olympics start July 27 with the opening ceremony and end August 12.

On day 11 of the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., Tinsley won the men's 400 meter hurdles with a time of 48.33.



While at Jackson State, Tinsley placed his name on the national and world scene in 2006. He recorded with a sixth place finish at the USA Outdoor meet and a win at the NCAA Championships. With the win at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Tinsley became the first Jackson State University track athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. To celebrate his win, JSU proclaimed Thursday, June 15, "Michael Tinsley Day" and publicly recognized him and his family with a reception held in the Walter Payton Health and Wellness Center on campus.

With wins in 2006, at the Texas Relays and the NCAA Championships, Tinsley continued his move up the national rankings (#4), and ended the year with his first ever T&FN top ten world ranking (#10).

In 2005, he gave a hint of what was to come with a third-place finish in the 400 m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was ranked No. 7 at the end of the year, in the U.S. Track & Field News.

Tinsley won both the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles titles at the 2004 SWAC Outdoor Championships. A multi-event athlete, he ran the second leg of the team that captured the 4x400m relay title at the 2004 SWAC Championships.

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS MEDIA