FAMU Rattlers to the NFL: Hepburn Drafted While Teammates Agree To Terms



Courtesy: FAMU Athletics



TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  One of the most anticipated athletic sports drafts annually is the National Football League’s collegiate draft.  In recent years, it has taken on the pomp and circumstance of two days of broadcasting in prime time, from one of the most historic venues in all of entertainment, Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  The dream of virtually every football player at every amateur level is to have your name called on that stage, indicating your ascension to the top of the sport.

The reality of it is less than one percent of all football players ever get to reach that pinnacle in their careers.  This year was especially difficult for players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), as just two were selected over the seven rounds.   In the third round, Terron Armstead of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff was selected as the 13^th pick in that round.  Armstead was a standout lineman who stands a menacing 6’5” and weighs 306 pounds.  He was a three-time first-team All-SWAC selection and became the first SWAC payer since 2011 to be drafted.

The other player selected was FAMU’s Brandon Hepburn, who turned heads in just two years of playing full-time.  With not much football-playing experience, he walked on to the Rattler squad.  He credits coach George Small with instilling positivity in him on the football field, and position coach Earl Homes with helping him to develop into a standout football player.

Hepburn’s ascent to this point has been remarkable.  He is a model student-athlete, acquiring his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2012, and began the MBA program at the FAMU School of Business and Industry while playing his stellar senior season.  A testament to his well-rounded nature is his selection to the Allstate Good Works team.  This unit is comprised of all the football players in Division I, II and III.  Selected for his play on the field, performance in the classroom and dedication to community service, Hepburn is the first HBCU player to earn that award.

In the seventh round of this year’s draft, general manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz made the choice to grab Hepburn.  His selection was a major step in his realization that he could play on the next level.  The pressure of the NFL Draft had gotten to Hepburn as it was seemingly slipping away.  But then the call came, and since then it has been chaotic to say the least.

Shortly after the draft concluded, Padric Scott got a call from the Arizona Cardinals and Travis Harvey got a call from the Tennessee Titans.  Scott, who started his collegiate career at Stanford University, returned to Tallahassee, because “it felt like the right place to be,” Scott said.  Harvey was hampered by injuries and eligibility issues that prevented NFL teams from having bigger highlight reels to evaluate his talent.  Harvey did have a tape with a spectacular 75-yard catch and run for touchdown over Oklahoma this season.  One of the best things an HBCU player can do to get noticed, is to play well against FBS teams.




We had the opportunity to speak with the three players headed for the NFL rookie camps and asked them all the same questions.

BRANDON HEPBURN: Drafted 7th Round, Detroit Lions

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home in New York with my family sitting on the couch watching the draft.  Toward the middle of the seventh round, I got antsy.  I was wondering if it was better to get drafted or decide where I wanted to go in free agency.  God has a way of working things out.  I feel honored and blessed at the same time.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m feeling ready to work. Along with my position, there is not a lot of job security.  I have to put my best foot forward and be an asset to the organization in order to make the team.  Making the team starts with an opportunity, that part is done.  Now it’s up to me to prove that I can play on this level and make the squad.

Q: What’s next for you?

I have rookie minicamp in a week.  Currently, I am waiting on my itinerary.  I have to visit Detroit and get a footing as I begin camp there. It’s going to be a process.  Training camp is in July and then preseason leads into regular season.  It doesn’t stop, once the ball gets rolling, there no time to catch your breath, you have to be ready to roll with the cycle.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

Not yet.  I think it might when I hit the field and hit somebody, but right now it hasn’t.

Q:  What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

I would like to definitely thank them for the entire process.  FAMU made a man out of me.  I would like to thank everybody from the sports information department who helped to promote me, to Mrs. (Faydre) Hawkins-Brown and Ms (Sheila) Martin.  My position coach and defensive coordinator Coach (Earl) Holmes.  I also want to thank Coach (Jimmie) Tyson for having a sound effect on my life. I know he isn’t there anymore, but we connected.   Coach Small guided me, like a godfather.  Of course I want to thank Coach (Joe) Taylor for trusting me as a captain and being the head coach.  I definitely want to thank my professors and the entire chemistry department.  All my co-neighbors who spent late nights in study groups to get it done.  I can’t forget the students from all those group projects in S.B.I. I’m glad I got to finish my undergraduate degree and get started on my master’s degree.  I’m looking forward to getting down to it on the field an make all FAMUans proud.

PADRIC SCOTT:  Undrafted, Arizona Cardinals

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was sitting in my parents’ (Dr. Ed & Pamela Scott) living room with the family.  When I got the call we all started shouting.  Dad was feeling great, to see the excitement in their faces made me feel good.  I don’t know if I’ll ever outgrow the satisfaction of making my parents proud.  To see emotion made feel really proud.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

Ahhh, Like I’m dreaming.  It really feels like I’m dreaming. God is so good.  My dad said “The Cardinals run a 4-3,” and I said God yes. He put me in this position and it really shows that hard work pays off.  It’s still crazy.  We went out last night and people were congratulating me and I still didn’t feel like they were talking to me.  To be able to represent FAMU and set a path for someone to follow is indescribable.

Q: What’s next for you?

I’m going to spend time with the people I love here.  I fly out on May 9, to report and do my do physical.  From there it’s rookie camp. The Arizona coaches told me to pack a big bag for about a month and a half.  After rookie camp, I will be active in all organized team activities (OTAs) and that’s my opportunity to kill it.  I’ll leave Tallahassee, a town that I’ve been at for so long, and go to Phoenix and wreck shop.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

It’s so surreal. Waking up to tell myself, but I can’t quite come to the realization.  My grandmother today made me have a reality. She usually asks me if I need some money.  I told her no, I have a job now.  I officially have a job, and it’s in the NFL. I will give it all I have to represent FAMU and all HBCUs.  It’s such a special feeling…a special moment.  When I get on that plane to Arizona, I’m sure it will finally sink in.

Q: What would you like to say to the FAMU family?

First and foremost thank you.  It’s been a blessing to be at FAMU.  Going to the west coast for college and coming back here where I feel wanted was just great.  Coach (George) Small my position coach was like a guiding light.  Pretty much all these faces in Tallahassee, I’ve known my whole life.  I feel they were watching me and I couldn’t disappoint them.  People want to talk bad about my school, when there is so much good going on.  The media often overlooks the good.  I want to make the 53 man roster so bad.  And when they introduce me, I can say with pride that I am from THE Florida A&M University and all our people can celebrate and be proud of all the good things that come from our university.  It is great to be a  part of three young men having the opportunity that less than one percent of football players have.

TRAVIS HARVEY: Undrafted, Tennessee Titans

QUESTION: Where were you when you got the call?

I was at home at my apartment in Tallahassee.  I was by myself at the time I got the call.  I wasn’t doing anything spectacular, but I was very pleased to get the call.

Q: How are you feeling right now?

I’m excited that everything I went through paid off.  It was rough getting to this point.  I had more downs than ups to get here, but it was all worth it now.

Q: What’s next for you?

I go to rookie minicamp on May 9^th.  I’m going to get ready for that and make the best impression possible and make the team.

Q: Has it fully sunk in that you have an opportunity to play in the NFL?

I don’t think it has yet.  I think it will kick when I’m finally about to travel to Tennessee.  It will be interesting that I already played in their stadium this year when we played Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic. I kinda got a feel of  what it’s like to play in that stadium already and I’ll try to use that to my advantage anytime possible.

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COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION & FAMU ATHLETICS Release 4/28/2013.

ECSU Athletic Awards: Eure unexpected winner

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  --  Elizabeth City State is well aware that its bowling team is just as competitive as any other sport on campus.

The awareness has shown in the school’s annual awards banquet, where ECSU named its second-straight bowler, Paneisha Eure, as its female athlete of the year.

In a ceremony that had the usual standout suspects of the season receive plenty of hardware — All-American Brad Davis (football) and CIAA Player of the Year Angelo Sharpless (basketball) shared the men’s top athlete honor — it was Eure that best delighted the crowd at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center on Saturday night.

“When Chancellor (Willie) Gilchrist was ...

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Fort Valley State Blue and Gold Game

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  The wildcats are set to return to the SIAC championship this season.  They held the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, so fans could get their first glimpse of the 2013-14 squad.

There was a solid turn out for the spring game.  Defense appeared to dominate the day, stopping the offense just short of a first down on many plays.  They even scored a touchdown from a recovered fumble on a quarterback sack.

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V.I.'s Barry gets full scholarship, chance to shine at Jackson State

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands  --  As a high school senior, Tamisha Barry watched as her teammates on St. Croix Educational Complex's volleyball team received athletic scholarships to universities in the United States.

It took her a little while, but Barry finally got that scholarship of her own, having just earned a full ride to play at Jackson State University, a Division I college in Jackson, Miss.

For at least a little while, it looked liked the day might never come.

"She kind of got left behind and couldn't get a scholarship," recalled Complex coach Ophelia Jackson, who has been coaching Barry since she was in seventh grade. "So I said you have to stay with me and work hard."

For the next several months Barry - who graduated from Educational Complex in 2012 - did just that, training with her longtime coach and refining her game with St. Croix's Youth Volleyball Club team.

It wasn't until January 2013, after resubmitting her college applications and game tapes, that Barry had an opportunity play collegiate volleyball, thanks to Jackson State University Lady Tigers head coach Rose Washington, who also grew up on St. Croix.

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A Great Day for Alcorn Men's Basketball

LORMAN, Mississippi --  The Alcorn State Men's basketball program announces its' 2013 signing class. Head Coach Luther Riley is ecstatic about his signees and has quoted that his new crop is going to make an immediate impact for the 2013-14 season.

Riley introduces seven new faces to the Alcorn family. Two of the recruits who stand out are Dandy Dozen's Rakeem Lehaman and Marquis Vance. Mr. Basketball from 2009, Shaunessey Smith will also make his way down to the “Reservation” to join the Braves this season.

Rakeem Lehaman/6'4-170/Greenwood, MS/Amanda Elzy High
Lehaman is a 6-4, 170 a two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen and All-State First Team select. He led Amanda Elzy to back-to-back 4A State Championships in 2012 and 2013.

Marquis Vance/6'7-220/Tchula, MS/SV Marshall
Vance is a 6-7, 220 forward two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen and All-State select. In 2012, Vance help guide SV Marshall to a 2A State Championship

Isaiah Hill/6'11-270/Indianpolis, IN/Winfrey Academy
Hill is a 6-11, 270 pound center who is very versatile. Hill was ranked No. 91 by ESPN among all centers in the country.

Decarlos Holmes/6'9-230/Millington, TN/Millington Central
Holmes is a 6-9, 230 forward who was selected as one of the top forwards in Memphis by the Commercial's Appeal.

Trey Brown/6'8-215/Brandon, MS/East Mississippi
Brown, a Brandon, MS native who led his team to back-to-back State Championship appearances, and signed with Tennessee Chattanooga out of high school. He is unique and has a great shooting touch at 6-8.

Shaunessey Smith/6'6-220/Macon, MS/Mississippi State
One of the best players to ever come through the State of Mississippi, highly-touted Smith had a stellar career at Noxubee County and was a two-time Mississippi Dandy Dozen select and was Mr. Basketball (Runner-Up).

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Gold Team Defeats Black 24-14 to End ASU Spring Practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama .— Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Cyrus each scored a rushing touchdown and Myles Everett caught a scoring pass to lead the Gold Team to a 24-14 win over the Black Team bringing Alabama State's spring practice to a close.

“This was really a great day,” Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. “We had great weather and we appreciate the fans coming out and they were great. The spring game is an opportunity for these guys to go out and compete and have a good time. Of course we had 14 practices prior to this game to evaluate them on so today we kept them healthy and there were some guys that made some big plays.”

Playing before an estimated crowd of over 5,000, Crowell had 45 yards on nine carries, but none more exciting than his 35 yard run on the first play of the scrimmage, but an interception by Darius Knox of the Black Team halted the scoring threat.

Neither team scored in the first quarter, but the Gold Team added a 35 yard field goal from Bobby Wenzig with 10:20 left in the second quarter and a Malcolm Cyrus three yard scoring run giving the Gold team 10 first half points.

Wrapped around the two Gold Team scores was the Black's lone score of the first half, a four yard touchdown pass from Arsenio Favor to Zach Meadows. The two teams took a short halftime break with the Gold Team leading 10-7.

In the second half Crowell started the scoring on a two yard plunge with 8:45 left in the third quarter for a 17-7 lead. The Black Team came right back down the field to cut the lead to 17-14 on a five yard scoring run from Jahaad Coleman.

The Gold Team ended the scoring when Myles Everett took a short pass from Arsenio Favor, broke a tackle and scampered 29 yards for the final score with 3:56 left in the game.

Favor and Duhart played quarterback for both teams. Favors finished five-for-nine passing for the Gold team, throwing for 130 yards and the score. For the Black team Favors completed four-of-five for 12 yards and another score.

Duhart hit four of his eight passing attempts for the Gold Team for 48 yards and an interception. He completed his only attempt for the Black Squad for four yards.

Sam Gibson had a solid outing with all of his playing time coming for the Black Team. He completed nine of his 11 attempts for 99 yards and an interception.

“I wanted to keep it pretty equal for those guys and give them (Duhart and Favor) an opportunity to play for both squads,” Barlow said. “I though both of them did a good job of running the team and moving the ball down the field. I thought Sam (Gibson) did a good job. He had the Black team playing really fast their at one time and led them down the field. It will be some good film to grade these guys on and all three guys have really done some good things this spring and we are encouraged by that.”

Defensively for the Gold team, Chris Terry had five tackles, including one tackle for lost yardage (-3 yards) and a game-high three sacks (-15 yards).

Melvin Davis added an interception and Deandre Rashada had a fumble recovery and a pass broken up for the Gold's defense.

“We had some guys running around and doing some good things on defense like Maurice Tate,” Barlow said. “Overall we were pleased with what they did today.”

The rushing leaders for the Black team were Rodney Cross who finished with 23 yards on six carries. Coleman had 10 yards on three carries, which included the scoring run.

Kevin Bass was the leading receiver for the Black Team with a 37 yard reception for his only catch. Zack Meadows had only one catch but it was the four yard touchdown reception.

Brandon Slater and Edward Mosley led the Black Team's defense with five tackles each. Mosley also forced a fumble which he recovered. Knox had the interception to stop the first drive of the game and DeMarques Taylor added two sacks.

The Hornets are scheduled to open the 2013 season when they host in-state rival Jacksonville State University on Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. 

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Stillman defends SIAC baseball title

OZARK, Alabama  --  Stillman College won the SIAC Baseball Tournament for the sixth time in seven years after defeating Tuskegee University 12-6 on Saturday.

The Tigers (30-14) scored six runs in the fourth inning and negated a comeback attempt by Tuskegee by adding another six runs in the final innings. Fernando Tanaka finished with three hits, three RBIs, including a solo home run, to lead Stillman.

Tyler Vails came on in relief, pitching three innings to pick up the win. Tanaka faced four Tuskegee batters to pick up the save.

Tanaka was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament and was named to the All-Tournament team along with pitchers Vails and Kyle McNorton.

Tuskegee, making its first appearance in the SIAC championship game since winning its last tournament in 1989, left 15 men on base, including ending two innings with the bases loaded.

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Get to know Brandon Hepburn: Detroit Lions add biochemist-linebacker to the mix with final pick

Brandon Hepburn
Detroit Lions
(Courtesy FAMU Athletics)

DETROIT, Michigan  --  With the 245th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions selected linebacker Brandon Hepburn out of Florida A&M University.

Hepburn is 6-foot-2, 240-pounds. He had 86 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior.

Here's a little bit more on Hepburn:

The path from Division I-AA walk-on to being selected in the NFL draft has been "a process", according to Brandon Hepburn. It was an uphill battle from the start.

In April, Hepburn presented the results of his findings for a cure for cancer to an international audience at the American Chemical Society conference in San Diego, Calif. 

Hepburn redshirted in 2008. In 2009, he mostly was relegated to special teams duties and had 13 tackles on the year. The following year, Hepburn played in all 11 games, recording 63 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. In his final season, Hepburn racked up 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble. 

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SU Board of Supervisors approve Roman Banks’ contract

COACH ROMAN BANKS
(Courtesy Southern University Athletics)

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  A little more than a week after Southern University announced it had come to terms with men’s basketball coach Roman Banks on a contract extension, the agreement became official Friday when the SU System Board of Supervisors approved the new deal for the coach.

Banks, whose original Southern contract was set to expire after the 2013-14 season, has a new five-year deal that will have him making $165,000 per season in base salary.

Banks could make in excess of $200,000 by triggering a number of performance-based incentives included in the contract.

The extension comes on the heels of Banks leading Southern to its first NCAA tournament in seven years and a scare of No. 1 seed Gonzaga in the first round. Banks was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s co-coach of the year after the Jaguars posted a 23-10 overall mark, finished second in the SWAC’s regular season and won the SWAC tournament title.

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Decatur To Host SWAC Softball Championship May 8-11

DECATUR, Georgia  --  The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala., will be the site of the 2013, 2014, and 2015 SWAC Softball Championship Tournament. The Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Decatur’s Parks and Recreation Department will host the event for over 200 athletes and coaches, along with their families, traveling from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The 2,000-seat facility will serve as host venue for the 13 game double-elimination tournaments May 8-11, 2013, May 7-10, 2014, and May 6-9, 2015. The top eight teams in the SWAC East and West Divisions qualify for the championship tournament and teams are seeded based on regular season results among the conference programs.

Daily admission is $6/adult and $3/child and weekend passes are $20/adult and $10/child. Parking is free. Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box and batting cages. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. Located at 300 Beltline Road, the facility can seat over 2,000 spectators with additional seating available. For more information on Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, visit www.decaturparks.com.

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Howard University Bison signs heralded basketball player

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Howard University announces the signing of JT Miller to a national letter of intent. Miller is a 6-3, 190-pound talented guard from Clinton, NC, who brings impressive credentials to the Hilltop. At Mount Zion Academy this past season, Miller averaged over 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game while leading his team to a 19-14 record and the USA National Prep championship.

Before coming to Mount Zion, Miller starred at Clinton High School where he scored over 1,800 points in his career and was named to the all-state team his senior season.

"TJ gives us a guard with the rare combination of size, outside scoring ability and the explosiveness to play above the rim," said an excited Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry. "His leadership abilities, work ethic and family values stood out to me as much as his exceptional talents on the court. We are excited to add him to a great group of newcomers for 2013-14."

Added Rick Lewis from Phenom Hoop Report, "The undeniable adjective that attaches itself to Miller's game is explosive. Without question, Miller is a big time athlete who plays above the rim."

After mulling over several offers from Divison 1 programs including LaSalle, St. Joseph's and Florida Gulf Coast. Miller selected Howard University to showcase his talents and pursue his education.

"After visiting Howard twice, learning the rich history of the University and developing a personal relationship with Coach Nickelberry, I knew that Howard was the place for me, " said Miller. "I fell in love with the school, the people and the basketball program immediately. I realized that there was no school better for me to flourish academically and athletically. A degree from Howard on my resume sticks out like no other and would be a great accomplishment."



Miller joins an outstanding group of newcomers that include James Daniel III, Damon Collins, Kofi Andoh, Keon Hill, Marcel Boyd and James Carlton.

• A 5-11 guard, Daniel was the state of Virginia Tri-Player of the Year from Phoebus High School in Hampton, VA.
• Collins is a 6-5 forward who played at nationally renown Prime Prep.
• Ando, a 6-3 guard, was a Washington Post honorable mention selection from CH Flowers High School.
• A 5-7 point guard from Riverdale Baptist, Hill sat out with an injury and will be a red-shirt freshman this coming season.
• Boyd is a 6-10 center who prepped at Mack Academy this past season after having an outstanding career at Gwynn Park; and
• Carlton is a talented 6-8 forward from Winterville, NC, who sat out last season after transferring from the College of Charleston.

"These newcomers allowed us to address some of our needs which was depth, athleticism and scoring ability inside and out."

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VSU leader: End ‘outdated rituals’

ETTRICK, Virginia  --  Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan Holmes were “young men of promise, young men of potential” whose legacy can serve to help end the type of behavior that led to their deaths, Virginia State University President Keith Miller said Friday.

“Outdated rituals performed in the name of brotherly love have no place in building a better world,” Miller told about 500 people at a memorial service in the VSU gymnasium.

“As an institution, as a community, we will not tolerate this behavior,” Miller said. “We must learn the lessons of Jauwan and Marvell to ensure that these young men’s deaths were not in vain.”

The two freshmen drowned April 20 as they tried to cross the Appomattox River on river rocks as part of an initiation for an unsanctioned social club called Men of Honor. Chesterfield County police on Friday confirmed through the medical examiner’s office that the cause of death was drowning.

Four men, including two VSU students, have been charged with hazing in the deaths.

Miller urged the mourners to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk. We must be the sermon, not just speak the sermon.”

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FSU Womens Basketball to host Skills Camp and Summer Shootout

(CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- The 2013 CIAA Southern Division Champions Fayetteville State women's basketball program will be holding two camps this summer in Felton J. Capel Arena. The Second Annual Lady Broncos Basketball Fundamentals & Skills Camp will be held from June 18-20. A Summer Shootout at the Broncos Corral will follow on June 22.

The Fundamentals and Skills Camp is open to girls from third grade up to rising seniors in high school. The three-day camp will last from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Campers will receive quality instruction from both college coaches and student-athletes. 2013 CIAA Player of the Year Kristen Hanzer and local standout Shuanda "Shaq" Ashford (E.E. Smith) will be on hand to assist with the camp. The two are currently pursuing WNBA opportunities.

The cost of the camp is $75; which includes lunch. Campers will also receive a camp T-shirt and certificate. Discounts are available for returnees and family groups with two or more participants at $60 each.

The Summer Shootout at the Bronco Corral will take place at both Capel Arena and Lilly Gymnasium on the FSU campus. The cost of the shootout is $175 for a team; guarantee of three games. A $50 non-refundable deposit must be made by Wednesday, May 1. Teams must have a minimum of seven players and provide their own jerseys and warm-up balls. Every player participating will have to complete a waiver form.

For more information, contact Assistant Coach Tyreece Brown by phone at (910) 672-2564 or e-mail at trbrown02@broncos.uncfsu.edu; or Head Coach Eva Patterson-Heath by phone at (910) 672-1513 or e-mail at epatters@uncfsu.edu.

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New Orleans Saints select Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead in third round

Terron Armstead

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana  --  Maybe New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton can sleep a little easier on Friday night. The Saints selected Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead with the team's third-round pick, No. 75 overall. The Saints drafted Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro with their first-round pick.

Payton has mentioned several times since returning to the Saints in late January that left

tackle will be an open competition. Armstead will likely compete with Charles Brown and Jason Smith for the left tackle job.

Armstead (6-5, 306) crushed the NFL Scouting Combine with the best marks for a tackle in the 40-yard dash (4.71 seconds), vertical leap (34 1/2 inches) and broad jump (112 inches. He also ripped off 31 repetitions of 225 pounds.

NFL.com's scouting overview on Armstead said ...

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4 Charged in Virginia State University Hazing Death, Student Still Missing

PETERSBURG, Virginia  --  Four men have been charged after allegedly hazing two Virginia State University students by making them walk into the Appomattox River, resulting in the drowning death of at least one of the students.

The body of Marvell Edmonson, 19, was recovered from the river Monday.

Search-and-rescue teams are still searching for a second student, Jauwan M. Holmes, who disappeared during the group's outing in the early morning hours on Saturday, according to the Chesterfield County, Va., police.

The outing consisted of seven males wading through the Appomattox River for initiation into the group Men of Honor, a social club not sanctioned by the Petersburg, Va., university, police said.

Around 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Holmes and Edmonson were carried downstream by the river, and other members of the group called 911 for help, police said. Rescue teams combed the river for signs of the two men throughout the weekend.

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Virginia State student deaths renew debate over hazing abuse

PETERSBURG, Virginia  --  The apparent hazing death of two Virginia State University (VSU) students has renewed the debate over universities’ responsibility to combat hazing abuse.

In Virginia's Chesterfield County, police have charged four men, including two VSU students, with hazing after two students drowned in the Appomattox River on April 20 as part of an initiation rite for the social club Men of Honor, which is not a school-sanctioned group. One suspect is still at large.

Seven VSU students reportedly tried to use a “human chain” to cross the rushing rapids of the rain-swollen Appomattox River around midnight Sunday. A witness told local NBC affiliate WAVY that the water level rose to their chests, and the current swept away freshmen Marvell Edmondson and Jauwan Holmes. The evening was reportedly the culmination of a week-long pledging and hazing process for the group.

Police recovered Mr. Edmondson's body on Monday and are still looking for Mr. Holmes.

Historically black colleges and universities like VSU have struggled with a long tradition of hazing centered on physical abuse. But recent tragedies, including the November 2011 death of Robert Champion, a drum major in Florida A&M University’s celebrated marching band, have brought national attention to the issue, ratcheting up pressure for schools to take stronger action to discourage the practice.




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Paine College Lions to hold Football Tryouts

AUGUSTA, Georgia  --  The Paine College Football program will be holding open football tryouts, for all 2013 high school graduates, as well as players ready for fall enrollment, and current Paine College students, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Lucy C. Laney High School football stadium.

Registration will begin at 10:00 AM at the football field, with drills to start immediately after.

Proof of a current physical is required, and there is a $10.00 registration fee for the tryout. Download registration form here.

Players will need to be in workout clothes, cleats, and gloves.

For more information, contact Coach Greg Ruffin at 706-821-8498 or via email at gruffin@paine.edu.


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Lincoln Blue Tigers holds spring scrimmage

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  --  One concern rose above the rest for Lincoln head football coach Mike Jones.

“Stay healthy,” the second-year head man said following the Blue Tigers’ annual spring game Saturday afternoon at Dwight T. Reed Stadium. “Most spring games, it’s more for the fans than it is for us. You worry about somebody getting hurt the last practice.”

Lincoln appeared to stay injury-free during the two-hour program of team drills and a controlled-situation scrimmage.



“I think it went OK,” Jones said. “We have a lot of guys that we kept out of practice. (Last season’s starting quarterback) Jake (Morris) only took about 10 snaps and then we had the young guys go. We were up and down.”

The Gray team (offense) faced off against the Blue team (defense) in a variety of different situations: two-minute drill, from midfield, deep in both their own and opposing territory, red zone and first-and-goal, among others.

“The first time we ran hurry-up, we ...

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Ram Ramblings: WSSU ends another good season with athletics banquet

William "Bill"Hayes
Director of Athletics



 

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State put the finishing touches on another outstanding athletics season with an awards banquet earlier this week at the Benton Convention Center.

The Rams completed their third season back in the CIAA and once again took home conference titles in football, baseball and men’s tennis.

In the three years that WSSU has been back in the CIAA the school has combined to win 14 conference titles.

In winning the men’s CIAA tennis title this spring it broke an eight-year run that Shaw had on the title.

Athletics Director Bill Hayes was pleased with the success of all the programs.

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MVSU football player killed, 3 others injured in wreck

LEFLORE COUNTY, Mississippi  --  A Mississippi Valley State University football player died and another player was seriously injured following a one-vehicle accident Thursday night in Leflore County.

Kevin Monzon, 19, a junior from Crystal Springs and the placekicker for the Delta Devils, died at the scene, a MVSU statement says. Monzon was the driver, according to a statement from the school.

Marcus Thompson, a junior from Houston, Texas, was airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for treatment.

Other passengers Rogers “Kevin” James Jr., a junior from Evans, Ga., and Joseph Hardnett, a sophomore from Chicago, were treated for minor injuries at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital.

MVSU PRESS RELEASE

 

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Bluefield State Men’s Tennis to Host NCAA Atlantic Region No. 1 Tournament

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia  – After winning their second consecutive WVIAC Conference Tournament Sunday, the No. 1 regionally ranked Bluefield State men’s tennis team was awarded Tuesday with a number one seed in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament Preliminary Round Sunday and Monday.

The Big Blues host Kutztown University and Shaw University, who are the No. 4 and No. 5 seed respectively. The Golden Bears and Bears play Sunday at 11 a.m. at Bluefield City Courts.

Monday, Bluefield State plays the winner between Kutztown and Shaw at 11 a.m.

If weather affects the matches, the contests will be moved to Virginia Tech Tennis Center. All matches are free admission.

In the other Atlantic Regional Tournament Preliminary Round, University of Charleston, the No. 2 seed hosts No. 3 seed West Va. Wesleyan, No. 6 seed Shepherd and Winston-Salem State.

No. 7

The winners of each preliminary tournament advance to the round of 16 at the NCAA Division II National Championship in Surprise, Arizona.

COURTESY BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE BLUES SPORTS INFORMATION