Former WSSU Ram Football Star is Now Living the Life

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. -- Back in his heyday Randy Bolton was a star collegiate running back -- a four-year, Winston-Salem State University letterman who helped the Rams go 11-1 in 1977 and again in 1978 en route to the Division II national semifinals.

Now known as Dr. Randy Bolton, the retired school principal still carries a competitive torch. Which is why 15 years ago, he and Charlotte neighbor Rick Martin decided to contest a golf outing around the Pinehurst area, based out of the Talamore Golf Resort.

In the first year, the "BoMar Open" as they called it attracted eight players. By 2007, their three-day shindig had grown to 80 participants, many of whom return year after year and have started adding an extra day onto the trip, coming from all over the map -- many as far away as New Hampshire and Chicago.

They have enjoyed many of the Sandhills area's most well-known golf designs, including the Rees Jones gem at Talamore, which Golf Digest named Best New Course in the South, and its Arnold Palmer-designed sister layout, Mid South Club.

Bolton says one night they will go out for dinner in the nearby Pinehurst Village, the next evening they will stay on site at either the Talamore Golf Villas or the well-appointed and luxurious Lodges at Mid South and cook their own meal following a fun and boisterous banquet at the Talamore clubhouse. Some play golf the entire time, others take time to relax and fish in the reservoir or play cards in the cabana.

"I could live right here in these condos," said Bolton. "We love Talamore. It's our home while we are here and they are fantastic. They make us feel so welcome."

Retired from General Motors, Jack Ives has been pulling together golf buddy trips for the past three decades, but once he and his group discovered Talamore, it has been their permanent home away from home. Now living in Fitchburg, Mass., about 30 miles northwest of Boston, Ives has resided in several different states during his professional career, and his golfing buddies come from as far away as the West Coast and Canada.

The Ives group comes to the Sandhills for a full week of golf and has grown from four players to a consistent count of 20-plus. "Friends invited friends," said Ives, "and once they came, they kept coming." Ives said his group prepares breakfast at the villas, lunch on the golf course and dinner somewhere in the vicinity of the Village of Pinehurst. Near the end of the week, they have an awards banquet where everyone walks away with something.

"The banquet tends to get lively. We were the floor show at Bonefish Grill one year," Ives said. "We give prizes for low score, high score, you name it. We definitely have a lot of laughs. Mostly, though, we play golf and tell some lies."

Another Talamore Golf Resort regular, John Williams from Richmond, Va., visits with his group of 16 friends in the middle of the summer, when the courses are not crowded and the price is right. "We get a two-bedroom condo that is really nice, and it costs less than a motel room," said Williams. "It is so convenient, of course, because you can be in the (Pinehurst) Village so quickly. We love to go to the restaurants in town."

They are among many golf aficionados who regularly visit Talamore Golf Resort, which dates back to 1991 and first made headlines for its famed stable of llama caddies, along with unparalleled customer service. Today, Talamore Golf Resort has grown to become one of the Pinehurst area's premier golf getaways, which is why more than 90 percent of Talamore's customers return or refer new business.

Talamore's clubhouse, pool and cabana are all conveniently located next to the Talamore Golf Villas, which offer top-shelf amenities and panoramic views, and were constructed soon after the club's opening. The Talamore golf and travel experts offer a wide variety of value-added packages and customized trips that not only include Talamore's 36 championship holes, but also more than 20 other premier golf courses around the famed Sandhills.

For information call (800) 552-6292 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com

COURTESY TALAMORE GOLF RESORT MEDIA RELATIONS

Dec. 1 - HBCU Scorecard

NCAA Division II Football

Pioneer Bowl
Elizabeth City State 28, Tuskegee 13

NCAA Division II Playoffs Quarter-Finals
(13-0) Winston-Salem State 21,  (12-2) Indiana University (Pa.) 17


NCAA Division I Men's Basketball

MEAC
Delaware State 76, Maryland Eastern Shore 66
Hampton 58, Howard 50
Norfolk State 55, Savannah State 45
#1 Indiana 87, Coppin State 51
Florida A&M 75, Bethune-Cookman 67
Morgan State 81, Virginia Military 80 (OT)
North Carolina Central 66, North Carolina A&T 62

OVC
Tennessee State 83, Alabama A&M 72
Jacksonville State 56, Alcorn State 52
SIU-Edwardsville 71, Chicago State 57

SWAC
Oregon 80, Arkansas Pine Bluff 59
Southern 90, Champion Baptist 36

GCAC
Blue Mountain 76, Dillard 66
Florida Memorial 77, Edward Waters 70


NCAA Division I Women's Basketball

MEAC
Virginia Commonwealth 86, Florida A&M 57
Hampton 59, South Carolina State 46
North Carolina A&T 67, North Carolina Central 27
Savannah State 62, Norfolk State 55
Cornell 77, Morgan State 73
Delaware State 76, Maryland Eastern Shore 66

OVC
Eastern Kentucky 64, Jackson State 56
Montana 71, Tennessee State 48

SWAC
Grambling State 64, Stephen F. Austin 63
#18 Oklahoma State 91, Texas Southern 49
St. Bonaventure 56, Southern U. 36

GCAC
Florida Memorial 77, Edward Waters 76

No. 16 WT Buffs Upset Top-Ranked Colorado State-Pueblo in NCAA Quarterfinal, 34-13; Faces Winston-Salem State Next

PUEBLO, Colorado  –  The West Texas A&M football team exacted some revenge Saturday with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball as it upset top-ranked Colorado State-Pueblo at the Netta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl with a 34-13 win in the NCAA Quarterfinal. With the win the Buffs improved to 12-2 on the year, while CSU-Pueblo ended its season a 12-1.

The Buffs, who avenged a season-opening 44-34 loss to these same Thunderwolves Aug. 30, silenced the announced crowd of 10,217 midway through the first half. However, the Buffs had a nice contingent of fans of approximately 800 who made the five-hour trip from Canyon.

West Texas A&M should find out where and when it will play top-seeded out of Super Region One and second-ranked Winston-Salem State Sunday.

WT was led by junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan who passed for 324 yards and three scores on 24 of 38 passes with one interception. Senior running back Khiry Robinson tallied 181 yards on the ground and had two catches for 14 yards with a score. Junior wide receiver Nathan Slaughter came up with catch after catch after catch as he tallied 170 yards receiving and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Defensively the Buffs dominated the CSU-Pueblo this time as it held the high-powered Thunderwolves' rushing offense to just 32 yards on the ground as CSUP had 265 yards on the ground in the first meeting in August. CSUP quarterback Ross Dausin didn't have a lot of time in the pocket as the relentless WT defense sacked him seven times for 46 yards led by junior defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks who had 2.5 sacks for 21 yards and a forced fumble. He now has a school-record 19 sacks on the season. Junior linebacker Taylor McCuller had 14 tackles in the game including eight solo stops as he broke the school-record for tackles in a season with 155 as Joe Calhoun had 151 in 1995.

WT amassed 517 yards of offense as they had 193 yards on the ground and 324 through the air and held CSUP to just 225 yards of total offense. For the second straight week, the Buffs have knocked off an undefeated and top five ranked team as WT won at No. 4 Ashland last week 33-28.

There was an energy and a confidence from the opening kick on the Buffalo sideline as the teams traded punts for the first three possessions and the Buffs turned the ball over on downs on a 4^th and 1 from the CSU-Pueblo 45 midway through the first quarter.

The WT defense came up big with a stop as junior linebacker Bryan Johnson came up with the first sack of the game forcing a punt.

That's went the WT offense started clicking as the Buffs marched a season-high 94 yards on three plays in just 1:19 of time as Vaughan completed two passes to Nathan Slaughter for 91 yards, including a 74-yard strike on a flea-flicker as Slaughter caught it on the near side and reversed field for a 7-0 lead.

The Thunderwolves went 3-and-out on their next possession as the momentum began to grow and the 800 or so WT fans continued to get louder and louder. The Buffs started inside the CSUP 40 as Vaughan completed pass to redshirt freshman Jarrian Rhone for 3 yards and a first down on a 3^rd and three to the 18. After the change of the quarter, Vaughan and Slaughter hooked up once again for a 14-0 lead on a 13-yard pass and score.

The Thunderwolves went 18 plays in 8:03, but the bend, but don't break WT defense came up huge once again as senior defensive lineman came up with a huge nine-yard sack on Dausin on a 3^rd and six from the WT eight yard line forcing a field goal.

The Buffaloes came right back with an 8-play, 71-yard drive as Vaughan and Slaugher hooked up once again on a 40-yard pass down the CSUP 31. Another 10-yard pass to Slaughter put the Buffs on the 17. On 3^rd and goal from the goal line, Vaughan threw a pass to Robinson in the end zone for a 21-3 lead.

WT took over late in the second quarter after senior defensive back Jordan Smith picked off Dausin for Smith's third interception of the season. The Buffs marched from their own 21 to the CSUP 28 as junior kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr., kicked a 45-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in the half for a 24-3 lead.

CSUP drove to the WT 47 on the opening possession of the third quarter and punter Brandon Kliesen, who ranks second nationally in punting, placed the ball at the WT 1. On the first play from the one, the snap went wide of Vaughan, but Robinson was there to collect it and managed a two yard gain avoiding a disaster.

WT punted from its 22, but CSU-Pueblo return specialist Kieren Duncan returned the punt 46 yards to the WT 27 as the home crowd began to come to life.

The Buff “D” stepped up once again with good pressure on Dausin as he was sacked by Westbrooks and sophomore linebacker Shane Sobnosky for a seven yard loss as the Thunderwolves were on the doorstep. Greg O'Donnell kicked his second field goal of the game for a 24-6 score with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter.

A big pass interference penalty on CSUP kept the ensuing Buff drive alive as they marched to the CSUP 33 where Castillo kicked a 50-yard field goal for a 27-6 advantage.

WT put the game out of reach on the defensive side as Westbrooks sacked and forced a Dausin fumble as junior linebacker LeBrandon Mosley picked up the loose ball and ran in from 26-yards out on the ensuing CSUP possession for a 34-6 lead late in the third quarter. It was first fumble returned for a touchdown by the Buffs since Chris Metcalf returned one 25 yards versus Texas A&M-Kingsville in Cowboys Stadium earlier this season.

The longest run of the game from the Thunderwolves came late in the third as Matthews scampered 33 yards to the WT 42 on the next possession. Following the change of the quarter, CSUP marched down field on the shoulders of Matthews and Dausin connected on an 18-yard strike to Josh Sandoval for a score and a 34-13 Buff lead with 12:01 remaining.

Great clock management by the Buffs followed as they went on a season-high 16 play, 89-yard drive getting to the CSUP 6 as a Vaughan pass was intercepted in the end zone with 4:26 remaining.

Box Score

COURTESY  WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

THE SHOW: Sounds of Alabama A&M University vs. Auburn University

TSU Men's Basketball Defeats Alabama A&M, 83-72

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  -- The Tennessee State men's basketball team won its first true road game of the season on Saturday night against Alabama A&M, 83-72.

Tennessee State (3-5) had a season-low 10 turnovers in the game, but forced the Bulldogs into 14 miscues.

The Tigers made the most of their good defense, scoring 21 points off of Alabama A&M (2-4) mistakes.

TSU had four players finish in double-figures in Robert Covington, Kellen Thornton, Patrick Miller and Jordan Cyphers. Covington led all scorers with 27 points while Thornton added 17.

Tennessee State head coach Travis Williams stressed taking good shots in practice during the week, and it showed, as the Tigers shot 51 percent (26-51) from the field and 79.4 percent (27-34) from the charity stripe.

TSU won the tip and Covington got off to a quick start, nailing his first shot of the game- a long three-pointer. Alabama A&M ran down the floor and countered with a jumper, beginning a fast-paced first half in which neither side took a timeout.

Covington continued to lead the Tigers on offense and scored seven of TSU's first eight points of the game. He finished the half with a team-high 14 points.

Covington may have been leading the charge, but Tennessee State also got strong first half play from Cyphers and Thornton.

Starting from the 15:43 mark, Cyphers canned six straight points for the Tigers during a one-minute span. Cypher's scoring flurry gave the Tigers a 14-8 lead.

Thornton, meanwhile, had eight points for the Tigers during the opening stanza on 4-7 shooting.

TSU finished the first half on a 9-2 run that started with 3:38 to go and led at the break, 39-31.

Both teams shot well from the field during the period, as TSU was 15-27 (55.6 percent) while Alabama A&M shot 14-27 (51.9 percent).

TSU came out of the gates with gusto, and eventually led by 13 when Thornton converted a layup with 17:27 left in the game.

The Tigers kept up the pressure and Miller nailed a jumper at the 8:52 mark to give the squad a 20-point cushion- its largest of the game.

Miller finished the game with 16 points on 4-9 shooting.

Alabama A&M whittled down the lead for the rest of the game, but couldn't get back within seven of the Tigers, and TSU walked away with an 83-72 victory.

Tennessee State had eight players finish with at least 15 minutes played.

The Tigers will go for three straight wins when they take on the Drexel Dragons at home on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Pioneer Bowl: Tuskegee and Elizabeth State both showcased big-time running backs

COLUMBUS, Georgia  --  Saturday's Pioneer Bowl at A.J. McClung's stadium was the final collegiate game for both Elizabeth City State's DaRonte McNeil and Tuskegee's Derrick Washington.

But it might not be the last time you see the star running backs do their thing. There's chance each of them could be selected in April's NFL draft and an even better chance they get invited to camp to audition for a roster spot if they aren't chosen.

Despite finishing their careers at Division II schools, both are Division I talents.

McNeil, who finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries to help lead the Vikings to a 28-13 victory, began his career at East Carolina.

At chiseled 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, he certainly possesses the physique to bang with the big boys.

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Pioneer Bowl: Big strip turns sure touchdown into touchback in Tuskegee's 28-13 loss to Elizabeth City State

COLUMBUS, Georgia---Derrick Washington had done the hard part on the third quarter handoff.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Tuskegee running back had burst through Elizabeth City State's defensive line, made his move and accelerated beyond the Vikings' secondary.

There was nothing between him and six points but grass. But he let off the gas pedal at the 1-yard line where defensive back Josh Brooks chased him down from behind and knocked the ball away to force a touchback on what would've been a 69-yard touchdown in the Golden Tigers' 28-13 loss in the Pioneer Bowl at A.J. McClung Stadium Saturday .

"I slowed down. That's my fault," Washigton said. "I think that was the big momentum swing in the game right there and that's all one me. I should've just sprinted to the end zone. I could've eased up and coasted and he came and popped it out right at the 1. It was a good play."

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2-Minute Drill: Elizabeth City State 28, Tuskegee 13 (Pioneer Bowl)


WHY ELIZABETH CITY STATE WON

Elizabeth City State forced three turnovers and did what hardly anybody had anyone had done against Tuskegee--ran the football. The Vikings racked up 227 yards on the ground against the Tigers, the most the SIAC's stoutest defense gave up all season.

KEY MOMENT

Elizabeth City State defensive back Josh Brooks' strip of Tuskegee running back Derrick Washington at the 1-yard line erased what would've been a 69-yard touchdown and changed the complexion of the game. Vikings' running back DaRonte McNeil's 44-yard touchdown with 4:38 to play put Elizabeth City State in the driver's seat.


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NCAA Division II Quarterfinals: Winston-Salem State 21, Indiana (Pa.) 17

WSSU advances by beating Indiana (Pa.) 21-17

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Second-ranked Winston-Salem State lived to see another day in the Division II playoffs.

The Rams needed a late touchdown in front of 5,212 fans at Bowman Gray Stadium to hold off 11th-ranked Indiana (Pa.) 21-17 on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (13-0) advanced to the semifinals for the second straight season and will play West Texas A&M this Saturday.  The #6 seeded A&M (12-2) defeated #1 seed Colorado State-Pueblo 34-13 to advance to the semifinals.

For just the second time all season the Rams trailed entering the fourth quarter but quarterback Kameron Smith, who hadn’t played since the first half of the CIAA championship game on Nov. 10 because of an injury, came in to rally his team.

Smith’s 1-yard touchdown pass with 3:51 left to fullback Ricky Rozier gave the Rams a 21-17 lead after Landen Thayer’s extra-point attempt was good.

The Crimson Hawks (12-2) weren’t done, however, and they came back and had three shots from the Rams’ 5-yard line with 1:07 to go but couldn’t score. On the fourth-and-goal with 34 seconds left quarterback Mike Box of the Hawks threw an incomplete pass when he was pressured and hit by linebacker Carlos Fields.

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Winston-Salem State Advances To NCAA DII Semifinals

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  For the second straight year, Winston-Salem State has advanced to the NCAA Division II Semifinals.

Head Coach Connell Maynor and the Rams beat Indiana (PA) 21-17.

Ricky Rozier put WSSU up 7-0 with the 1 yard TD run in the 2nd quarter.

The Crimson Hawks tie the game up when Mike Box and Terrill Barnes on the 36 yard pass and catch for the touchdown.

With :01 second left in the 1st half, WSSU's Anthony Carrothers rolls out, launches the pass into the air and 6'6 Kenneth Patterson makes the grab and scores.

The Rams lead 14-7 at half.

 

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Turner’s Time? Vikings may be without QB Jones

COLUMBUS, Georgia  --  While today’s Pioneer Bowl in Columbus, Ga. will bring down the curtain on the Elizabeth City State football season, it may also be raising one earlier than expected on the career of Casey Turner as the team’s starting quarterback.

Turner, a junior who lost an intense competition for the starting position to senior Namon Jones back in August and is the likely starter next year, may have to be the No. 1 guy today against Tuskegee (10-1).

“Namon has a bruised shoulder from the CIAA championship game and has not practiced much,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said. “We have Casey Turner and (third-strnger) Tyrell Houghton ready to go if he can’t play.”

While losing a quarterback before a postseason game might be a disaster for some teams, Tillar believes the Vikings (7-4), who are coming off a 34-19 loss to Winston-Salem State in the CIAA title game, will be just fine.

At the end of the duel between Jones, who backed up Creven Powell the previous two seasons, and Turner, a transfer who began his career at UConn, Tillar said that there was little difference between the two.

 

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IUP football faces big challenge on road

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston Salem State is 12-0, finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the D2football.com poll and will be at home today for the NCAA Division II playoff regional final.

Mixed together, it makes perfect sense that the Rams are big favorites against IUP (12-1). But that doesn't mean much to IUP coach Curt Cignetti whose Crimson Hawks have been the underdogs several times this postseason but managed to advance.

"This is the third time in four games we are playing against an undefeated team," Cignetti said. "Winston-Salem is a great team; they have no weaknesses. But we've been able to overcome that and last weekend we did it on the road against New Haven.

"People may count us out or overlook us, but we are a good football team. We play hard, we're going to fight until the end, so we don't mind being sort of the underdog."

Cignetti said he isn't naive, however, and he knows what a challenge this game will be. After all, the Rams are playing at a bit of a higher level than most of the Division II teams because they dropped from Division I-AA to Division II in 2010.

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Morgan State University shooting: Keith Robertson arrested for campus shooting

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  A 20-year-old D.C.man is in custody for the shooting of a football player on the campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says the shooting happened around 1 p.m. Friday near a residence hall. A spokesman for the university identified the victim of the shooting as a football player, and police say his injuries are not life-threatening.

Police also recovered a weapon.

Keith Robertson of the 4900 block of G Street is charged with "attempted first degree murder, assault and various handgun related charges", police say.

Robertson confessed to the crime, investigators add. They believe the shooting stemmed from a previous dispute.

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Lady Tigers battle from behind to knock off Idaho, 69-64

Missoula, Montana --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team shook off a sluggish start and battled from behind to defeat the University of Idaho, 69-64, in Dahlberg Arena at the 32 annual Lady Griz Classic Friday night.

TSU (3-3) trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before outscoring Idaho, 43-34, in the second stanza. The Lady Tigers forced the WAC opponent into 14 turnovers and held them to 26.9 percent from three-point range, a team that usually shoots over 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Simone Hopes led the Lady Tigers and recorded her second career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Kesi Hess also registered a double-double, the first of her career, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Jasmin Shuler added 14 points and six rebounds.
 

The start for Tennessee State was sluggish, as Idaho scored nine unanswered points to capture an early, 9-0, lead. TSU had only made 3-of-17 from the field through the first eight minutes while the opponent was shooting 50 percent from the floor.  

The Vandals increased their advantage to, 19-5, before back-to-back buckets from Simone Hopes pulled TSU to within 10.

Idaho maintained at least a nine-point lead for most of the first half but the TSU defense picked up and the Lady Tigers used a 7-0 run, during the last three minutes, to cut the deficit down to four.

TSU trailed, 30-26, at halftime.

With about five minutes ticked off the clock in the second frame, TSU closed within two behind a three-pointer by Chelsea Hudson. The Vandals, however, answered with consecutive triples and a break-away lay-up to go back up by double-digits.

The Lady Tigers continued to fight from behind and once again rallied to within two, 53-51, after Tanesha Stenson forced a turnover that allowed Simone Hopes to score on a break-away.

Another Hopes' bucket pulled the Lady Tigers even, 53-53 with 6:39 remaining. On the next play, Jasmin Shuler capped a 19-7 run that put TSU on top, 55-53.

With 2:52 remaining, the Lady Tigers managed to build their advantage up to, 66-60, but the Vandals responded with four straight to pull within two.

Idaho had possession with 31.4 seconds left in the game when TSU forced a turnover and got the ball back. Idaho was forced to foul and put Destiney Gaston on the line.

Gaston made the front-end of a 1-and-1 but missed the second to make the score, 67-64, in favor of TSU with 20.7 seconds remaining.

On the Vandals' next possession they attempted two three-pointers but came up empty on them both.

After being fouled, Kesi Hess stepped up to the line and knocked down two free-throws to ice the game.

The Lady Tigers return to action tomorrow against host Montana at 7 p.m. MT to conclude the Lady Griz Classic. The contest can be watched live on the Big Sky Network. 

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

TBR Approves Glenda Baskin Glover as TSU President

Glenda Baskin Glover, MBA, J.D., Ph.D.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  (Nov. 27, 2012) — The Tennessee Board of Regents unanimously approved Glenda Baskin Glover as the next president for Tennessee State University today.
Glover will assume her leadership role January 2 after the contract for Interim President Portia Shields expires.

The Board met via telephone at 1:30 p.m. to consider TBR Chancellor John Morgan’s recommendation for Glover, who currently serves as dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Glover, a 1974 TSU graduate, was selected after an extensive nationwide search that began earlier this year. A licensed attorney and certified public accountant, Glover earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from TSU, an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, the J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her Ph.D. in business economics and policy from George Washington University. Her complete resume is available at http://tinyurl.com/tsuglover.

“I am truly honored and excited about returning to my alma mater, Tennessee State University, in this monumental leadership role,” Glover said after the vote. “It is indeed a privilege to be selected as president of such a historic institution that has enriched the lives of so many students, and empowered thousands of families and communities, and still continues to do so today.”

TSU, Tennessee’s only public HBCU (historically black colleges and universities), is a doctoral/research intensive institution located in Nashville. It recently earned a Top 20 ranking for HBCUs by U.S.News & World Report and has been listed as one of the Top HBCUs in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Washington Monthly named TSU as one of the nation’s top universities in its 2011 College Rankings because of its success in educating and graduating academically talented, low-income students who become service-oriented leaders in their professions and communities.

The TBR is the nation’s sixth largest higher education system, governing 46 post-secondary educational institutions, including TTU. The TBR system includes six universities, 13 two-year colleges and 27 technology centers, providing programs across Tennessee to more than 200,000 students.

 
About Tennessee State University

With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top Universities in the county by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS
 
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Tennessee State Men's Basketball Aims to Extend Win Streak

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  After a brief one game homestand, the Tennessee State men's basketball team hits the road once again for a contest against Alabama A&M on Dec. 1 in Huntsville, Ala.

The Tigers made the most of their first time in Nashville this season, defeating Fisk by the largest margin since the 1998-99 season, 93-52.

"It was really important, especially when you have been on the road for six games, for our players to re-gain some confidence, stay focused and play well in front of the home crowd," Head Coach Travis Williams said about the big home win.

It was a big night for TSU's post players, especially seniors Robert Covington and Kellen Thornton, as Covington had a season-high 29 points and 14 rebounds while Thornton chipped in with 22 points of his own. The duo combined to shoot 21-27 from the field and helped the Tigers edge the Bulldogs 45-28 on the glass.

"It is very important to establish an inside presence if your team is going to be successful," Williams said. "[Covington and Thornton] give us that dynamic."

TSU is deep in the front-court, but the squad also features one of the premier point guards in the Ohio Valley Conference in Patrick Miller.

Miller has done it all for the Tigers this season, tallying 10.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. He also ranks first in the OVC in both assists and steals per game with 6.9 and 2.7, respectively.

TSU's opponent, Alabama A&M comes into the game with a 2-3 record, having just lost to Evansville on Monday night by 26 points.

The Bulldogs feature two players who average ten points or more in Demarquelle Tabb (10.8) and Brandon Ellis (10.0). Tabb also leads the squad with 8.8 rebounds per contest.

Alabama A&M holds a 37 shooting percentage this season, while allowing opponents to drain 47 percent of their shots. The Bulldogs do, however, play a physical and fast-paced style that has allowed them to force 86 turnovers on the year.

"Alabama A&M plays hard and pushes the ball in transition," Williams said. "We expect their guards and forwards to use their athleticism and play aggressive.

"The main thing for us is focusing on what we need to do while making good decisions and taking good shots."

The Tigers square off against the Bulldogs on Saturday night at 7 p.m. and fans can follow the action here.

 

TSU v. Alabama A&M Game Notes

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SWAC title would be fine end to Jackson State CB Cox's year

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Qua Cox already has more interceptions (4) and more tackles (43) than he did a year ago.

But Jackson State’s redshirt junior corner is far from ready to label this season a success as the Tigers approach the Dec. 8 SWAC Championship against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Next Saturday’s game against UAPB presents Cox, who is currently tied for the league lead in interceptions, with a rare opportunity — a championship.

UAPB (9-2) beat JSU (7-4) earlier this season 34-24.

“I’ve never been close to one,” Cox said. “My high school never won over five games. You have a lot of guys that haven’t been to a championship game, including me, that haven’t ever won anything. So you got a lot of guys rising up and getting ready.”



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New Yorkers add spice to Spartans' win in home debut

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The boroughs were represented at Echols Hall on Thursday night.

The visiting St. Francis Terriers hail from Brooklyn. Home-at-last Norfolk State had starters from Brooklyn and the Bronx and four other New Yorkers on the roster.

The game had a Big Apple feel as well, with both teams taking a straight-to-the-rim approach. They combined for 92 points in the paint, although neither had a low-post presence to speak of.

In the end, a point guard from Brooklyn grabbed the game by the lapels and shook it. Making play after heady play over the final six minutes, NSU's Jamel Fuentes steered his team to an 85-79 win in front of 3,376 in the Spartans' home opener.

"He was tremendous down the stretch. He put the game on his back," coach Anthony Evans said.

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Morgan State football coach finds out in accidental email that school is looking to replace him

Donald Hill-Eley

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley said he might soon be out of a job after he accidentally received an e-mail earlier this week outlining the university’s plans to seek a replacement.

Hill-Eley, who has led the Bears to a 54-69 record in 11 seasons, said he hadn’t heard anything official from the university as of this morning despite receiving the e-mail on Tuesday evening.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Hill-Eley said when reached today on his cell phone. A university spokesman said he had no immediate comment about Hill-Eley’s status.

The coach said he has faced greater expectations to win since David Wilson became the university’s president two years ago but said he has not received the bump in resources he would need to achieve that goal. He said four assistant coaches, for example, don’t receive health benefits from the university.

“He said the expectations had changed,” Hill-Eley said, recalling a conversation with Wilson. “But the input didn’t change, so how do you expect things to change on Saturday?”

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Mini-doc chronicles Tuskegee's SIAC title game win against Fort Valley State (video)

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The game was nearly three weeks ago.

But this nearly 14-minute video, chronicling Tuskegee's victory against Fort Valley State (Ga.) in the SIAC title game is well worth the wait. It was produced by the conference and it includes an inside look at both team's pregame rituals and a great narration of the Golden Tigers' 55-24 victory at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta. 

And, of course, the Golden Tigers band's rendition of Big Pokey's "Ball and Parlay" is featured rather prominently.

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Pioneer Bowl Buzz: Tuskegee vs. Elizabeth City State University

PIONEER BOWL BUZZ - Tuskegee vs. Elizabeth City State University WHAT:  Tuskegee (10-1) vs. Elizabeth City State (7-4)
WHEN: Saturday, noon
WHERE:  A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Ga.
TV: None

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: Pitting Tuskegee, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, and Elizabeth City State, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference runner-up against each other means bragging rights will be on the line. With CIAA champion Winston-Salem State, having reached the third round of the playoffs, the winner of this game could at least lay claim to being the second-best Division II football team in the country. Tuskegee, which doesn't participate in the playoffs in order to keep its longstanding rivalry against FCS Alabama State in Turkey Day Classic alive, might think it deserves the top spot.

THREE TO THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. Will Elizabeth City show signs of rust? The Vikings haven't played since November 10^th when Winston Salem State defeated them 34-19 in the CIAA title game in Durham, N.C. Tuskegee played on Thanksgiving Day, earning its 10^th straight win and seems to be getting better with each game. A three-week layoff could adversely impact Elizabeth City, especially early on.

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Ram Ramblings: WSSU fans, students, alumni should be riding this football wave

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  I don’t pretend to know what it was like at Winston-Salem State in the late 1970s when the football team, coached by a young Bill Hayes, was the talk of the CIAA. During the 1977 and ’78 regular-seasons the Rams went unbeaten.

I was 12-years-old then and living in the suburbs of Chicago and I don’t remember seeing highlights from those Rams teams on the Internet. (Insert joke here).

Anyway, my point is that from what folks tell me about that time at WSSU it was considered the best it’s ever been in football. The 1977 team didn't go to the playoffs and wound up losing to S.C. State in the Gold Bowl.



In 1978 the Rams won their first playoff game in a 17-0 win over Cal Poly then lost in the semifinals the next week to Delaware. Those two years are generally considered the bench mark of success at WSSU until recently.

Just like last year’s WSSU team that had a legitimate shot at winning the school’s first national championship in football this year’s team is on the same track.

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HBCU Football Sees Abysmal Attendance

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  In a year filled with band scandals and mediocre football teams, there have been few bright spots in HBCU football. Winston-Salem State has been one of them. The Rams have completed back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, won the CIAA title both years, and made it to the national semifinals of the Division II football playoffs in 2011.

Saturday, the team hosted and won its fourth playoff game in two years, defeating Shippensburg 37-14. This Saturday the Rams will host Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the third round of the playoffs. Despite having earned home-field advantage as a number one seed, however, that may be the last playoff game in Bowman Gray Stadium for a while, even if the Rams win.

The Winston-Salem Journal‘s John Dell reports that should both WSSU and fellow No. 1 seed Colorado-Pueblo both win their games this week, the Rams may be forced to go on the road due to low attendance figures in the playoffs.

Just over 3,200 fans showed up at Bowman Gray Stadium to watch the Rams defeat the Red Raiders. That’s a particularly troubling number, considering that the stadium holds more than 20,000 fans.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Bill Hayes ...

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McIntosh now a BSU Bulldog at the college level

BOWIE, Maryland  -- The last time the Bowie State women’s basketball team played a postseason game, its season ended at the hands of Shaw University in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament last spring.

With the Bulldogs scheduled to play Shaw again in January, are they looking forward to the chance to exact revenge on the Bears? Well, not exactly. Hardly any of the Bowie State players who suited up for that game are returning this season.

With roster turnover being an inevitable fact of life for Bowie State this year, some patience may be required.

One of the nine new players debuting for the hometown team this year is Bowie native and Bowie High grad Jasmine McIntosh. A junior in the classroom and sophomore on the team, McIntosh is excited to begin her second stint as a Bulldog … this time on the college level.

“Besides being close to home, I liked the campus,” said McIntosh, who transferred from East Tennessee State University at the end of the 2011-’12 school year. “I got along with the coaches. Everything just seemed like a good fit for me.”

And McIntosh appears to be a good fit for the team. At 5 feet 11 inches, she brings size to the shooting guard position. But she also provides versatility, as she can play both forward spots as well. She prefers the two guard position, however, which seems to fit her skill set best.

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Lincoln routs Bloomsburg to move to 4-1

LOWER OXFORD, Pennsylvania  --   Don’t look now, but the Lincoln men are off to their best start in nearly two decades of basketball.  

And the Lions’ latest victim, Bloomsburg, came to Manuel Rivero Gymnasium on Wednesday for an intriguing non-conference clash only to exit on the short end of an 81-67 blowout. Lincoln is off to a 4-1 start, and the lone setback came to St. Leo, a top-10 team in Division II. 

The list of impressive victories features a season opening shocker against Division I Howard, but the win over the Huskies certainly stacks up as a quality win. Bloomsburg (2-2) was picked in the preseason coach’s poll to finish third in the eight-team PSAC East.

“(Bloomsburg) is a quality team,” said LU head coach John Hill. “And I’d like to think we are heading in that direction.”

The first meeting between these two in a quarter century played out quite differently than the last, when Bloomsburg blasted the Lions 133-70 back in 1987. This time around, however, Lincoln was quicker, more athletic and exhibited much more depth. The Lions forced 20 turnovers, turned them into 28 points, and had a 23-5 edge in off-the-bench scoring.

 

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RELATED ASSETS

Nuggets' Gaston-Loyd chosen GCAC Player of the Week

Whitney Gaston-Loyd

NEW ORLEANS — Whitney Gaston-Loyd, Xavier University of Louisiana's leading scorer during a 3-0 week which included back-to-back victories against ranked teams, has been chosen Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's basketball for Nov. 19-25.

Gaston-Loyd, a 6-foot junior center from Shreveport, La., and a graduate of Southwood High School, won the award after averaging 10.7 points and shooting 60.9 percent from the floor. Her basket with 6.3 seconds remaining Nov. 19 gave Xavier a 46-45 victory against NAIA No. 19 LSU-Shreveport. Her basket with 14:24 remaining Thursday put Xavier ahead to stay and started an 11-2 run which carried the Gold Nuggets to a 46-38 victory against NAIA No. 14 Langston in the Xavier Classic.

The following day she played just nine minutes in an 84-39 victory against Texas College but made 5-of-5 from the floor to share team scoring honors. For the week she scored 32 points in 56 minutes. The victories against LSUS and Langston marked the first time in Bo Browder's 14 seasons as head coach that the Gold Nuggets defeated ranked teams in consecutive regular-season games.
Through seven games, Gaston-Loyd is averaging 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 18 minutes and is shooting 52.1 percent from the floor and 63.6 percent from the line. She leads the Gold Nuggets in field-goal accuracy and is tied for second in scoring. Gaston-Loyd is in her first season at Xavier after playing for NCAA Division I member Arkansas-Little Rock the past two seasons.

Xavier, 6-1 and ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, will play city rival Loyola next Wednesday (Dec. 5) at 5:30 p.m. at XU's new Convocation Center. It will be a doubleheader that day, with the Xavier and Loyola men meeting at 7:30.


Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Simmons, Gold Rush extend their streaks, hold off Rams

NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Simmons recorded his third consecutive double-double, 17 points and 12 rebounds, to lead NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 69-66 men's basketball victory Tuesday against Mobile at the Convocation Center.

The victory was a third in a row for the Gold Rush (9-1).

Wanto Joseph had 14 points and a season-high-tying eight assists for Xavier, and Denzell Erves had 11 points and a career-high-tying four blocked shots. Joseph and Erves have scored in double figures in every game this season.

Kwame Beard made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points for Mobile (4-2). Chris Richardson scored 14 points, and Dominick Brumfield had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Mobile never caught Xavier after Simmons scored the first two points. The Gold Rush led 35-29 at halftime an extended the lead to 48-38 before the Rams closed the margin to 60-59 with 2:40 remaining.

A Xavier turnover in the final 10 seconds gave Mobile a chance to force overtime, but Chris Richardson missed a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining, and Xavier's Gary Smith rebounded.

Xavier committed a season-low nine turnovers and outshot the Rams 49 to 44.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 33-27. Mobile dominated on the perimeter, making 11-of-24 3-pointers to Xavier's 0-of-8. But the Gold Rush outscored the Rams 19-9 on free throws.

Xavier has won 30 of its past 32 non-conference home games and 49-of-52. It's the sixth time in Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach that the Gold Rush started 9-1 or better.

Xavier's next game will start at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 against city rival Loyola at the Convocation Center. It will be the final Gold Rush home game of the fall semester.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Gold Nuggets beat Mobile for 4th consecutive victory

NEW ORLEANS -- Simon Franklin scored 15 points Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 11 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 58-53 women's basketball victory against Mobile at the Convocation Center.

The Gold Nuggets (6-1), who have a four-game win streak, led for the final 33 minutes.

Franklin also had four assists and five steals. She scored nine points in the second half.

Danielle Tucker and Paige Gauthier scored nine points apiece for Xavier, and Carmen Holcombe grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Gauthier made both her 3-point attempts.

Shontae Dillon scored 16 points and Briana Edwards 13 for Mobile (3-5), which dropped its third in a row.

Franklin, Gauthier, Tucker and Andraquay Quinnine scored six points apiece to lead the Gold Nuggets to a 33-30 halftime lead. Gauthier's basket with 12:45 remaining gave Xavier its biggest lead, 46-34.

Mobile outshot Xavier 48.9 to 36.8 percent from the floor -- the sixth consecutive game the Nuggets shot less than 40 percent -- but the Nuggets had advantages of 41-21 in rebounds and 28-6 in bench points.

Xavier has won 46 of its past 49 home games, including 6-of-7 this season in its new home facility.

Xavier's next game will start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 against city rival Loyola at the Convocation Center. It will be the Nuggets' final home game of the fall semester.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS