MSU Blue-Orange Spring Game set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26

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BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  Morgan State fans should mark their calendars for Saturday, April 26 as the Bears will conclude its spring football practice with the annual Blue-Orange Spring Game under new head coach Lee Hull.

"We're wrapping up the spring practice season and we encourage our fans to come out and support the 2014 edition of the Bears Football Program," said Hull. "The spring game will be a great opportunity for fans to see all the hard work and effort this program has put in over the last few weeks."

"Fans will get a very good idea of what to expect for the upcoming 2014 season. They'll see a very exciting offense, a very physical defense, and a team that's going to go out there and compete."

Kickoff for the contest is set for 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium.  The admission is free of charge to the public.

The spring game is scheduled for four 15-minute quarters. The clock will stop during the first half and will run continuously in the second half. In addition to touchdowns and field goals, points are awarded on offense for explosive plays, while the defenders gain points for sacks, tackles for loss, three and outs, and turnovers.

Morgan State fans will have a chance to get a glimpse of what's shaping up to be another highly anticipated football season on East Cold Spring Lane.

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Hampton Sailing Finishes Ninth in Maisa Women's Championship

PHOTO COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

ITHACA, New York – The Hampton University sailing team finished ninth in the MAISA Women's Championship, which was hosted by Cornell University this past Saturday and Sunday.

It was Hampton's first time competing in this regatta.

The Pirates finished with 210 points overall. Georgetown won the r

Giuditta Di Laghi and Kitija Megne sailed in the A Division, tallying 118 points after recording three top-five finishes. Veronica Maccari and Ioana Kalfinova sailed in the B Division, recording six top-five finishes – including one second-place effort and four third-place finishes – tallying 92 points.

The Pirates will be in Great Neck, N.Y. this Saturday and Sunday to compete for the America Trophy. For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
egatta with 100 points.

RESULTS

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ASU women's golf team wins SWAC title

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana  -- The Alabama State women's golf team won its second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference championship Tuesday at Links On The Bayou Golf Course.
The Lady Hornets' two-day total of 618 was 50 strokes better than Texas Southern, which owned an 11-shot lead over Jackson State for second place. Prairie View A&M finished fourth, followed by Mississippi Valley State.

Alabama State won its third conference title in four years and will learn its NCAA tournament destination on Monday at 5 p.m. The selection show will be televised live by the Golf Channel.

"As a team, this is a special group," said Alabama State coach Gary Grandison, who won SWAC women's coach of the year honors for the second straight season. "They are good students, and they are ...

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Florida A&M's Retention Efforts Recognized By US News and World Report

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been listed as one of the top "Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Where Freshmen Return" by U.S. News & World Report.

Announced on April 15, FAMU ranked No. 4 on the "Freshman Return" list with an average freshman retention rate of 79.5 percent.

The "Freshman Return" list reveals the top 10 institutions, out of 68 ranking HBCUs, with the highest average freshman retention rate for first-year students from fall 2008-2011. FAMU exceeded the list's average freshman retention rate of 63.5 by 16 percent. The rankings are based on the publication's 2013 survey.

"One of the common challenges HBCU's and many other institutions face is institutionalizing, in a systematic and sustained manner, initiatives to increase student retention, progression and graduation. This is due in impart to economic disparities," said William Hudson Jr., vice president for Student Affairs. "This top ranking by U.S News & World Report is a crucial testament to FAMU's ability to rise to the occasion, despite the odds, and meet these challenges through its tireless efforts to recruit, retain and graduate the nation's best and brightest students."

U.S. News also names FAMU among the top 10 HBCU's in the nation in its 2014 rankings.

name (state)	Average freshman retention rate (2008-2011)	U.S. News Historically Black Colleges and Universities ranking
Spelman College (GA)	88%	1
Morehouse College (GA)	82.5%	2
Howard University (DC)	82.3%	3
Florida A&M University	79.5%	9
Winston-Salem State University (NC)	78.3%	17
Elizabeth City State University (NC)	76.5%	18
Southern University and A&M College (LA)	75.7%	RNP*
Tougaloo College (MS)	74.8%	14
Jackson State University (MS)	74.5%	25
North Carolina A&T State University	74.5%	8

*RNP denotes an institution that is ranked in the bottom one-fourth of its ranking category. U.S. News calculates a rank for the school but has decided not to publish it.

Don't see your school in the top 10? Access the U.S. News College Compass to find freshman retention rate data, complete rankings and much more. School officials can access historical data and rankings, including of peer institutions, via U.S. News Academic Insights. 

Judge, S.C. State tennis hope to find success at NCAA tournament

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Does it ever get old?

South Carolina State tennis coach Hardeep Judge has answered that question numerous times since adding two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships to his office desk at Rowe Hall. With another post-season conference tournament sweep by the men and women this past Sunday at the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center, the trophy count now stands at 24 overall, 20 and counting for the program under Judge.

Yet as S.C. State awaits the announcement of their first-round opponent in the upcoming NCAA tournament, these latest trophies have apparently earned a special place in Judge’s heart.

“Every year has its own challenges and this year we definitely had our own challenges and different challenges,” said Judge, who also claimed his 20th MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach award, 10 on each side. “They asked me that question (see top) ... and I really think this year — the two that we won this year ... meant the most.”

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ASU men, women lead SWAC golf after opening round

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana – Both Alabama State golf teams are in first place after the first round of competition at the Southwestern Athletic Conference golf championships.

The women's team, which have won two of the last three conference championships, hold a 30-shot lead over second-place Jackson State after shooting an opening round score of 306 at the Links on the Bayou Golf Course.

The men's team, which captured conference titles in 2012 and 2013, lead Jackson State by 21 strokes after shooting a one-under 287 at the Oak Wing Golf Course.

"I'm really focused on day two," ASU golf coach Gary Grandison said. "Day one is over. Both teams played well in spurts. They played better than their scores reflect, which is good for us."

The women's team returns all five starters from ...

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Dana Ford Announced as TSU New Men's Basketball Coach

DANA FORD
HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Photo Courtesy of TSU Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Dana Ford was introduced as the next head coach of the Tennessee State men’s basketball team at a press conference on Monday.

“We are going to be in the hands of a rising star,” Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. “Dana is a well-rounded man with wisdom that goes beyond his years. He is the right fit at the right time.”

 

Ford, 29, will take over a program that went 5-25 last season. However, he has shown that he can turn things around quickly, as TSU increased its win total to twenty games during his final year as an assistant (2010-11).

 

“My main goal is to build a program that the current students and the past alumni can be proud of,” Ford said. “

 

"The focus will be about the players; they will be responsible for the wins, while I will be held accountable for the losses.

 

“Recruiting is the life-line of the program and I have a pretty good track record as a recruiter, but any head coach is just as good as his staff. I look forward to bringing together the best personnel.”

 

Ford was also responsible for signing high-profile Tigers Robert Covington, Patrick Miller and Kellen Thornton among others.

 

“The only thing that I can promise is that we will play defense like our hair is on fire and rebound like mad men.”

 

 

 

What others are saying about Ford’s hiring:

 

“I am really excited for Dana and his family. Dana was very integral to our success while I was there in Nashville. TSU is getting a fine young coach who will do things the right way while also leading a disciplined program. I expect Dana to educate young men on and off the court as well as compete for championships in due time.” - John Cooper, Head Coach Miami (OH)

“Dana Ford is a rising star in our profession. I was fortunate to be able to work alongside Dana for the past two years and watch him grow.  His passion, energy, knowledge, intensity and ability to build relationships with people are going to allow Dana to be very successful as a head coach.  We will all miss Dana here at Illinois State, but I could not be happier for him and his family to get this great opportunity at Tennessee State.”  - Dan Muller, Head Coach Illinois State

 

"Dana Ford is a rising superstar in the college coaching ranks. He has paid his dues and prepared himself for this opportunity the right way. His résumé is topped off with an aggressive, charismatic style that is guarded with wonderful humility. The TSU fans can expect big things from this talented coach."  - Stan Jones, Associate Head Coach Florida State

“I have known Dana since he was in high school and I tried to recruit him to attend Indiana State.  The same qualities that he possessed back then to make him a successful basketball player are the exact same qualities that will make him a successful head coach. He is first and foremost a good person who cares about the welfare of others, with a relentless work ethic. He is extremely bright and relates well to all, regardless of demographics.”  - Rick Ray, Head Coach Mississippi State

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