Remembering Lee Martin, Morgan State Track Star of the Early 1960’s

Services for Martin will be held on May 29 at Saint James Episcopal Church, 1020 W Lafayette Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217 at 10 a.m.

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  S. Lee Martin, a former Morgan State track star and well known member of the Baltimore business and service community, died at the age of 76 on May 17.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Martin was captain of the legendary Morgan State track team of the early 1960’s; during which time, he was rated as one of the top half-milers on the East Coast. He also ran the anchor leg on Morgan State’s championship one-mile and sprint medley relay teams.

Former AFRO sports editor, the late Sam Lacy, referred to Martin as “the ace half-miler,” and wrote that “Lee ranks with the best collegians in the country. His 1:53.1 clocking is more than five seconds faster than Bob Ridley, his nearest rival in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).”

Martin and the other members of the Morgan State’s track team were local celebrities in Baltimore. Even their opponents knew what time it was when the Morgan State Bears were in town.

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Wossman's Collins headed to Southern

MONROE, Louisiana  -- The basketball exploits of Wossman guard LaQuentin Collins are well documented around northeast Louisiana.

Whenever Wossman needed a shot of instant offense the last two seasons, there was no doubt who was receiving the ball. Collins closed his career for the ‘Cats with a 24 point, 12 rebound, six assist senior season that earned him second team All-State honors in Class 4A.

Despite Collins’ laundry-list of accomplishments, there was still one thing he had to take care of to continue his career at the college level; the ACT.

Collins went after the standardized test with the same ...

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Saint Augustine's University Falcons Cruise To 2014 Div. II Men's Outdoor National Track & Field Crown

FINAL MEN'S SCORES

ALLENDALE, Michigan  -- Saint Augustine's University scored 104 points on the final day to capture its second consecutive men's outdoor national crown at the 2014 NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Grand Valley State Track and Field Stadium on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

The title was the 12^th men's outdoor title for the Falcons, who also swept the last two men's indoor national titles. Overall, the Saint Augustine's University track and field program has won 35 NCAA Division II national championships under legendary Head Coach George Williams.

"I am always thankful for a championship," Williams said. "It never gets old. To see young student-athletes develop on the track and in the classroom is amazing."

The Falcons scored 112 points to win by a 45-point margin over the competition. Adams State, who led entering Saturday, finished second in the men's division with 67 points and Ashland placed third with 53 points. In the women's division, Lincoln (Mo.) won the 4x400 meter relay in the last event top edge Johnson C. Smith University 64-59. Grand Valley State was third with 53 points and Saint Augustine's University finished 10^th with 24 points.

The Falcons were once again led by their talented array of sprinters, hurdles and jumpers. The men's squad won four men's events and scored multiple points in several others to win going away.

The Falcons entered the day with eight points and trailed leader Adams State by 25 points with 11 events remaining. They immediately cut into their deficit with a victory in the men's 4x100 meter relay race, the day's first running event. The foursome of Daniel Jamieson (Soph./Windsor, Conn.), Taffawee Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica), Burkheart Ellis Jr. (Soph./Raleigh, NC) and Jermaine Jones (Jr./Wilmington, NC) crossed the finish line first in 39.42 seconds to defend their 400 meter relay national title.

Ty'reak Murray (Sr./Portsmouth, VA) continued the surge with a victory in the men's 110 meter hurdles in 13.89 seconds to pull the Falcons in fifth place with 28 points, which was 11 behind leader Adams State. He earned a national title in the event for the second time in his four-year career. The Falcons moved in front 42-39 over Adams State in the men's 400 meter dash when Joshua Edmonds (Sr./Jacksonville, FL) placed second in 46.03 seconds and Ellis Jr. finished third in 46.06 seconds.

The Falcons padded their lead in the 100 meter dash. Jones was second and Johnson was third to extend the team's lead over Adams State to 56-39 with six events left. Jones nearly won the 100, finishing three/1,000^th of a second behind Tim Price of TAMU-Kingsville, who won in 10.484 to 10.487 for Jones. Johnson ran a time of 10.58.

The Falcons continued to pour on the points. In the men's triple jump, DeJon Wilkinson (Sr./Summerville, SC) finished second with a mark of 52-1¾ and David Shaw Jr. (Jr./Red Springs, NC) placed sixth with a leap of 50-7½ to open a 67-49 Falcons' lead with four events remaining.

The Falcons continued their strong finish down the stretch. Roxroy Cato (Sr./St. Mary's, Jamaica) won the men's 400 meter hurdles national title in 49.75 seconds. Elhadji Mbow (Sr./Dakar, Senegal) was fifth in the event in 51.46 seconds as the duo pushed the Falcons margin to 81-49 with three events left.

The Falcons cemented the title in the men's 200 meter dash as five sprinters competed in the finals. Edwards was second in 20.78 and Jones was third in 20.83. Ellis Jr. placed fifth in 21.054, Johnson finished sixth in 21.057 and Jamieson placed ninth in 21.78. All five sprinters combined to score 21 points for a 53-point Falcons' lead with two events remaining.

With victory already in hand, the Falcons capped the championship meet in convincing fashion. The quartet of Cato, James Quarles (Sr./Washington, DC), Ellis Jr. and Edmonds won the men's 4x400 meter relay national title for the second straight season with a time of 3:06.84.

On the women's side, Tia-Adana Belle (Fr./Bridgetown, Barbados) led the Lady Falcons with a second-place finish in the 400 meter hurdles in 57.58 seconds. Belle also was a member of the women's 4x400 meter relay which placed second in 3:37.88. The other Lady Falcons' members were Cherrisse Lynch (Jr./St. Lawrence, Barbados), Brittany Brown (Sr./Akron, OH) and Akeisha Dumont (Sr./Brooklyn, NY).

Shamia Lassiter (Soph./Chesapeake, VA) placed sixth in the 100 meter hurdles in 13.70. Ornella Livingston (Soph./Jamaica) finished seventh in the 100 meter dash.

For final results, go to ncaa.com. Each student-athlete gained All-America honors by finishing in the top eight places in their respective events.

Men's Information
Final Results PDF
Final Results HTML
Declared Athletes
Selected Athletes by Event
Team Rosters
Heat Sheets

FINAL WOMEN'S SCORES

VIDEO: Women's Championship Highlights

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Johnson C. Smith University Women's Outdoor Track and Field Places Second at the NCAA Div. II Championships

Danielle Williams, of Johnson C. Smith University, wins the 100 meter dash in 11.16 at the 2014 NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Allendale, Mich. Williams is in Lane 5 in the yellow jersey. The native of Kingston, Jamaica, also won the 200 meters.

ALLENDALE, Michigan -- The Johnson C. Smith University women's track and field team places second overall with 59 team points at the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted at Grand Valley State University on May 22-24th. This is the second consecutive season the Golden Bulls have been the runners-up for an outdoor national title.

Lincoln University of Missouri won the championship with 64 team points. JCSU recorded 59 points with performances in just six events (100m dash, 100m hurdles, 200m dash, 400m dash, 400m hurdles, and 4x400 relay). The 4x100 relay team of freshman Crystal Campbell (St. Catherine, Jamaica), senior Danielle Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica), senior A'Tyan Kennedy (Rock Hill, SC) and senior Samantha Elliott (Kingston, Jamaica) suffered a conversational disqualification due to an exchange zone issue. The disqualification took away 10 possible team points.

Williams won titles with season best performances in the 100m and 200m events. She clocked 11.55 in the 100m and 23.48 in the 200m. Both first place finishes earn 10 team points each for JCSU. Elliott also won two events to add 20 points to the team total. She won the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles with times of 13.04 and 57.12, respectively to the events. Williams claimed second place in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.05. The second place finish earned eight team points.

Sophomore Tovea Jenkins (St. James, Jamaica) placed fourth overall in the 400m. Jenkins timed in at 53.81 and recorded five points for the Golden Bulls.

In the overall event finale, JCSU trailed Lincoln (MO) by just one point leading into the 4x400m relay. The tandem of Elliott, freshman Domenique Julius-Williams (Ontario, Canada), Campbell, and Jenkins had a time of 3:40.53 for third place. Unfortunately, Lincoln (MO) won the relay event and ultimately the championship. JCSU earned six points, while Lincoln (MO) had 10 points to account for the final overall scores.

At last year's championships, JCSU produced 54 team points and fell just six points shy of a national title. The Golden Bulls cap another extremely successful season.  JCSU won their second consecutive CIAA Outdoor Championship, finished second in the nation for the second consecutive season, and bring home seven All-American honors.

The top five finishers were: Lincoln University of Missouri  – 64 points, JCSU – 59 points, Grand Valley State – 53 points, Adams State – 39 points, and Ashland – 38 points. There were 74 teams in competition.

Women's Information
Final Results PDF
Final Results HTML
Declared Athletes
Selected Athletes by Event
Team Rosters
Heat Sheets

Final Results

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Lincoln University Blue Tigers Win NCAA Division II Women's 2014 Outdoor Track & Field National Championship

Ten Lincoln University Athletes Turn In All-American Performances as Blue Tigers Win Seventh Outdoor Title.

ALLENDALE, Michigan  --  For the seventh time overall, and the first time since 2009, the Lincoln women's outdoor track & field team is the national champion.

The Blue Tigers scored 64 team points on Saturday (May 24) to win their seventh NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championship. Ten Lincoln athletes combined to turn in 12 All-American performances, with both Blue Tiger relay teams winning national titles.

Lincoln, which has also won four indoor national championships since 2003, won their 11th overall championship on Saturday. The Blue Tigers had previously won the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009.

The day began and ended on high notes for Lincoln, starting in the 4x100m relay, where the foursome of Judith Riley, Kimberly Bailey, Yanique Ellington and Janae Johnson won in 45.34. Ellington and Johnson would go on to earn three total All-American honors, which are bestowed upon any athlete who finishes in the top-eight on an event at the national championships. Johnson was the runner-up in the 200m, clocking in at 23.49, and took fifth in the 100m in 11.87. Ellington, meanwhile, placed third in the 100m (11.75) and fourth in the 200m (23.49).

The day ended with the 4x400m relay. Entering that event, Lincoln had 54 team points and was in first place by just one point. Johnson C. Smith was in second with 53 points, and the two teams were going head-to-head in the relay with everything on the line. The Lincoln foursome of Willomena Williams, Jhevere Hall, Donna-Lee Hylton and Tamara Keane stepped up, winning the race in 3:37.29 to guarantee the Blue Tigers the national championship.

Keane also earned All-American recognition in three events, including the 400m hurdles, in which she placed fourth with a time of 59.56. Keane finished seventh in the 400m dash, timing in at 54.22, while Hylton placed eighth in the latter event with a time of 54.91.

Hall was also a multiple All-American honoree, as she placed sixth in the 800m in 2:09.35. Monique Thompson had the best performance by a Blue Tiger in that event, claiming fourth after posting a time of 2:08.76. Lincoln's final All-American award winner was Ladonna Richards, who took fourth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.32.

The Blue Tigers scored 64 points, beating second-place Johnson C. Smith (59 points) by five points. Grand Valley State, which hosted the national championship meet, came in third after scoring 53 points. Adams State (39 points) took fourth, edging fifth-place Ashland (38 points) by one point. Central Missouri, meanwhile, had the second-best finish of any MIAA program behind Lincoln, taking sixth with 34 points.



VIDEO: Women's Championship Highlights
VIDEO: Day 2 Recap
VIDEO: Day 1 Recap

Women's Information
Final Results PDF
Final Results HTML
Declared Athletes
Selected Athletes by Event
Team Rosters
Heat Sheets

Final Results

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

LU BLUE TIGERS: NCAA Division II National Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014.

Eight Lincoln University Blue Tigers Earn All-American Honors at the NCAA Men's Championships

ALLENDALE, Michigan -- Eight members of the Lincoln men's track & field team turned in All-American performances at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, which ended on Saturday (May 24). The Blue Tigers earned 25 team points in the process, tying LU with the Academy of Art for ninth overall.

Romone Hill led Lincoln with three All-American honors, earning individual awards in both the 100m and 200m. In the 100m, Hill finished fourth with a time of 10.58. In the 200m, Hill came in seventh after clocking in at 21.23. To earn All-American recognition, an athlete must finish in the top-eight of an event at the national championships.

Blue Tigers Romone Hill reflects after turning in his third All-American
performance of the NCAA Division II Championships.
Photo Courtesy: LU Athletics

The Blue Tigers had a pair of second-place finishes, including in the 4x100m relay, where Hill teamed with Wesley Best, Romel Lewis and Michael Ashley to finish in 39.85. Lewis, unfortunately, ended up aggravating an injury after that race. Lewis had previously qualified for the finals in the 100m and 400m hurdles, but had to withdraw from both races.

Ashley joined with Jermaine Blake, Roger Blake and Winston Edwards in Lincoln's other second-place finish, which came in the 4x400m relay. The foursome finished in 3:07.99. The other All-American for Lincoln was Orneldo Thomas, who took seventh in the long jump on Thursday (May 22) with a distance of 7.45m.

St. Augustine's scored 112 points to win the men's title while Adams State was a distant second with 67 points. Ashland earned 53 points to rouBnd out the top-three. Lincoln had the second-best finish of any MIAA program, as only Pittsburg State, which took fifth with 36 points, finished ahead of the Blue Tigers.

Final Results

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Wiley College Ampomah wins national title at 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championship

JOHN AMPOMAH
ALL-AMERICAN
WILEY COLLEGE WILDCAT
 COURTESY: WILEY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

GULF SHORES, Alabama  -- Less than a month removed from winning their first-ever conference championship in men's track and field, the Wiley Wildcats continue to earn recognition in athletics, this time on the national stage at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Wiley College sophomore John Ampomah became the first Wildcat male to ever claim an individual national championship as he won the javelin throw Friday. The sophomore from Konongo, Ghana, won the event with a throw of 74.42 meters.
Ampomah's winning mark bested the throw of second-place finisher Andy White of the University of British Columbia by more than two meters (72.35 m). Lindon Victor of Benedictine, Kansas, took third with a throw of 66.29 meters.

"I am very happy to represent my school at the national meet and to win Wiley's first individual event championship," Ampomah said.

A transfer from Neosho County Community College (Kansas), Ampomah's victory in the javelin throw was a fitting end to a very successful first season of four-year college competition. Ampomah won the javelin throw in all but one meet this year. He took third at the University of Texas' Clyde Littlefield Relays, a meet that features some of the best NCAA Division I athletes in the United States.

Ampomah, one of the top African javelin throwers competing at any level of competition, owned the longest throw of any NAIA competitor throughout the year. He finished 1.04 meters shy of breaking the 28-year old NAIA championship meet record.

Ampomah was not the only competitor in a Wiley uniform to enjoy the national spotlight. Fellow Ghanaian Atsu Nyamadi took third place in the decathlon, winning three field events in the process. Nyamadi, Wiley College's 2014 Male Athlete of the Year, won the long jump, shot put and javelin events.

"It is a great honor to represent your school in any meet, and I thank my athletes for giving their best," Wiley College head track and field coach Micah Tirop said. "I am very pleased with the continued success of Wiley College's track and field teams."

In the women's events, Wiley College's Doreen Agyei finished sixth nationally in the 200-meter dash.

FINAL RESULTS

By Alan Wiederhold
WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU To Eliminate Two Sports in Fall 2014

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics has announced plans to reduce its sports sponsorships to 11 sports, as it will drop two sports beginning in the fall of 2014.

 

The discontinued sports are women’s bowling and men's tennis, and affect just three student-athletes monetarily.

 

The student-athletes participating in the affected sports who continue their undergraduate education at Winston-Salem State University will continue to receive their athletic aid for the 2014-15 school year, if they were receiving aid.

 

The Department of Athletics will grant releases to student-athletes who choose to transfer and compete for another university.

 

The reduction results in the elimination of one part time head coaching position.

 

“This is an extremely difficult decision, but it is being done in the best long-term interests of our student-athletes,”  says Director of Athletics, Tonia Walker.

 

"Over the past eight years, our program has grown with respect to the number of staff, sports programs and the means in which we operate.  Since the return to Division II in Fall 2010, we have been fortunate to yield phenomenal program success.  However, we now face the challenge sustaining the program at the same level of operation while working against the challenge of a marked enrollment decline. The reduction of students enrolled in the University has a direct impact on the athletics fee paid by all students and makes up the greatest percentage of the athletics budget“, added Walker.

 

"With the University going through a right-sizing plan, and combining different segments of the University, the Athletic Department felt the need to do the same, as we work to align revenues and expenses in these turbulent economic times", says Walker.

 

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Alexander jumps to All-America honor

ANGELICA ALEXANDER
NAIA DIVISION I ALL-AMERICAN
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
GOLD NUGGETS
 

GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Angelica Alexander became Xavier University of Louisiana's second All-American of the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships when she placed fifth in the high jump Saturday.

Alexander tied her school record of 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches). It's the third time this season that Alexander -- a senior from Shreveport, La., and a graduate of Byrd High School -- cleared that height.

Alexander, who earned her bachelor's degree from Xavier two weeks ago, entered the meet tied for 13th in the NAIA season rankings. Her best jump of 2013 was 1.57 meters (5-1 3/4).

"I'm proud of Jelly," XU coach Joseph Moses said. "This was not unexpected by any means. She got to concentrate on field events this year because she wasn't splitting time with basketball. She worked hard all season, got better and more consistent, and you see the result today."

Alexander was one of eight to clear 1.68 and was awarded fifth place because of the third-fewest misses in that group. Oklahoma Baptist's Akela Jones was the champion at 1.78 meters (5-10), and Westmont's Becky Collier was second at 1.71 (5-7 1/4).

Teammate Devinn Rolland was named All-America on Thursday after placing fourth in the long jump.

This was Xavier's final athletic competition of 2013-14.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Engages Evolution Sports Partners to Develop Strategic Initiatives

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Damon Evans, Founder and Managing Director of Evolution Sports Partners (“ESP”), and former Athletic Director at University of Georgia, has announced that the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has engaged ESP to develop and implement strategies for continuous quality improvement of Conference operations.

“My partners and I formed ESP to drive business results in the world of Intercollegiate Athletics,” said Damon Evans. “Our team delivers highly specialized consulting, technology and data analytics services that garner insights, capture data and deliver outcomes for college athletic departments, conferences and sports organizations. The SIAC is extremely forward-thinking in their approach and strategy for continuous quality improvement, and we’re excited to be their partner.”

ESP’s Consulting Division is a team of highly specialized experts who take an ownership role in the plans and strategies developed for their clients. The team uses technology to ma
nage the engagement process and offers services centered on the four primary metrics of Intercollegiate Athletics: Academics, Strategy, Fans and Revenue.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with ESP to explore ways we can continue to provide outstanding service to our members, ” said Gregory Moore, Esq., Commissioner of the SIAC. “The power of having an outside, expert team review, analyze and develop strategies to drive academic, business and revenue outcomes, then work with us to ensure our goals are achieved, makes for an outstanding relationship. The engagement will develop a number of new initiatives for the SIAC, offering the best academic and athletic experience for student athletes at our institutions.”

About Evolution Sports Partners
ESP, founded by Damon Evans, Tracy Howe and Peter Kraft, offers a new breed of technology, data analytics and consulting to Intercollegiate Athletics. The company has offices in Morristown, NJ and Charlotte, NC.

About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The SIAC was founded in 1913 and the conference still remains as one of the nation’s most viable forces in Intercollegiate Athletics. The SIAC is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), participates on the DII level, and sponsors seven men’s championships and six women’s championships annually. The present membership is composed of fourteen institutions from six states with its 15th member joining in the fall of 2014.

PVAMU Athletics Statement on NCAA APR Release

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas  --  Prairie View A&M University was recently informed by the NCAA's Committee on Academic Performance that its football program has been placed on postseason ban for the 2014 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs for the upcoming season due to low Academic Performance Rate (APR) average over the past four years.  The university's APR score of 908 fell two points short of the 910 filter the NCAA has put in place. However, the team is still eligible for the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Championship and the annual league championship game as the SWAC opts out the playoffs.

Prairie View A&M student-athletes are graduating 17 percentage points higher than the overall student body.  The current student body federal graduation rate is 33 percent while the student-athletes have a rate of 50 percent.  "We have higher academic standards than the NCAA minimums and are penalized when reporting to the NCAA," said Prairie View A&M Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson.  "However, we do acknowledge that football eligibility is an issue and we are providing support and an approved APR Plan to improve their academic performance rate."

 

PVAMU President Dr. George C. Wright has made a commitment to all students at the university, which includes student-athletes, that they have the necessary support to be successful in the classroom.  Dr. Wright's goal is to ensure that the NCAA and its supporters fully understand the unique mission of PVAMU and the students the university serves. 

 

Prairie View A&M Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson and Director of Athletic Compliance Monique Carroll have been tasked with establishing the "Foundation for Future APR Success".  One of the first tasks has been to beef up the Compliance Department's staffing in order to provide full support for the student-athletes.  As a result, Carroll has hired three additional personnel to directly assist in academic support of the student athletes.  With the additional staffing in place, Carroll and her staff have already drafted an extensive APR Improvement Plan, that was approved by the NCAA.  The plan will have a positive impact on future APR scores.

 

"Our 2014 football schedule reflects PVAMU's commitment to academics as the 10-game schedule allows the student-athletes to have ample time to focus on their academic endeavors throughout the season," stated Robinson.

 

Under fourth-year head football coach Heishma Northern, the PVAMU football program has broken a plethora of records both on the field and in the classroom.  Coach Northern has reported the second and third-highest APR scores in program history since APR was introduced in 2004.  The football team posted a score of 925 during the 2011-12 reporting cycle and a score of 912 in 2012-13.

 

During the current APR reporting cycle, nine teams at Prairie View A&M saw improvements in their multi-year scores (baseball, football, men's basketball, men's indoor & outdoor track & field, men's tennis, softball, women's cross country and women's indoor track & field). 

 

With the four-year APR score set to raise to 930 in 2015-16, Prairie View A&M is being proactive in preparing its teams for the higher benchmark.  As of now, 13 (baseball, bowling, men's basketball, men's tennis, soccer, softball, volleyball, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, women's indoor & outdoor track & field and women's tennis) of the department's 18 teams have exceeded the future score.

 

To stay informed on Prairie View A&M's academic progress and NCAA rules legislation, please subscribe to the Office of Athletic Compliance and Academic Advising's monthly newsletter by clicking here..

 

For more information on rules education, APR and compliance related matters, contact Director of Athletic Compliance Monique Carroll at (936) 261-9141 or mvcarroll@pvamu.edu.

 

COURTESY PAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

 

Southern Jags Dawson Odums Golf Tournament set for June 21

HEAD COACH DAWSON ODOMS
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS
Courtesy David Clark, Athletics Media Relations Student Photographer

2014 Dawson Odom Golf Tournament 

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University head football coach Dawson Odums is extending a personal invitation to golf enthusiats to join him at his second annual golf tournament June 21 at the Copper Mill Golf Club in Zachary.

The Dawson Odums’ Golf Classic is sponsored by the Blue and Gold Century Club and includes a continental breakfast and a full course lunch.

Prices for the one-day tournament include $95 for singles and $500 for one-team foursomes, which features hole sponsorship on the course.

For companies interested in entering several teams, the tournament offers All-American and Hall of Fame level sponsorship packages, which include gifts for each member on the team, SU Football season tickets and Bayou Classic tickets.

Copper Mill Golf course is an 18-hole links course located in Zachary La. Teams will not exceed 27 or 108 individual players. All sponsorships and teams must be paid no later than Sunday, June 15, 2014 to secure your spot.

For more details regarding the first annual Dawson Odum’s Golf Classic, contact Craig Pierre at 225-324-7234 or via email at craigpierre@bellsouth.net.

2014 Dawson Odom Golf Tournament

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rolland misses mark in 100; Alexander jumps Saturday

GULF SHORES, Alabama  — Xavier University of Louisiana's Devinn Rolland did not qualify Friday in her preliminary heat of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
   
Rolland ran 100 meters in 12.18 seconds to rank 16th out of 32 competitors. The slowest qualifying time to reach the final was 11.89. Rolland's best time this season was 11.66, which ranked fourth in the NAIA entering the meet.
   
Rolland, who competed in four events at nationals, was fourth in the long jump Thursday and was All-America in that event for the second time in three years.
   
Xavier's final competitor in the three-day meet will be senior Angelica Alexander, who will high jump at 2 p.m. Saturday. Alexander's best jump is 1.68 meters (5 feet, 6 inches), accomplished twice this season. Alexander is tied for 13th in the NAIA entering the meet.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
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Updated 5/23: 2014 HBCU Football NFL Free Agent Signings

POS    PLAYER  TEAM    COLLEGE

T     Terren Jones, Atlanta Falcons, Alabama State
CB  Derricus Purdy, Chicago Bears, Texas Southern
WR Travis Harvey, New York Giants, Florida A&M
DB  Jakar Hamilton, Dallas Cowboys, South Carolina State
DB  Vernon Kearney, Kansas City Chiefs, Lane College
T     Michael Ola, Miami Dolphins, Hampton University
S     Jerome Junior, Jacksonville Jaguars, Winston-Salem State
DB  Courtney Bridget, Washington Redskins, Hampton University
TE  Rashaun Allen, Seattle Seahawks, Southern University
RB  Jourdan Brooks, Cleveland Browns, Morgan State
LB Brandon Denmark, Green BayPackers, Florida A&M
WR Tyler McDonald, New England Patriots, South Carolina State *(minicamp invitee)
S    Kimario McFadden, Atlanta Falcons, South Carolina State
CB Keith Lewis, Tampa Bay Bucs, Virginia University-Lynchburg
LB Carlos Fields, Oakland Raiders, Winston-Salem State
DT Rob Smith, Oakland Raiders, Jackson State
RB Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns, Alabama State
LB Joe Thomas, Green Bay Packers, South Carolina State
DB Justin Blake, Washington Redskins, Hampton
WR Lee Doss, Washington Redskins, Southern
CB Qua Cox, Indianapolis Colts, Jackson State
WR Greg Moore, Indianapolis Colts, Lane College
K/P Bobby Wenzig, Kansas City Chiefs, Alabama State *(minicamp invitee)
CB David Van Dyke, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee State
TE  A.C. Leonard, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee State
DE Francis ("Frank") Mays, Philadelphia Eagles, Florida A&M
OL Karim Barton, Philadelphia Eagles, Morgan State
S    Dexter Moody, Baltimore Ravens, Albany State (Ga.)
DB Deji Olatoye, Baltimore Ravens, North Carolina A&T
WR Eddie Poole, Washington Redskins, Bethune-Cookman *(minicamp invitee)
 S    Nick Addison, Houston Texans, Bethune-Cookman *(minicamp invitee)
WR Jermaine Jones, New York Jets, Saint Augustine's U. *(minicamp invitee)
SS  DeRon Furr, Kansas City Chiefs, Fort Valley State
DT Leon Minto, Houston Texans, Johnson C. Smith U.
OL Nathan Isles, Seattle Seahawks, North Carolina A&T

BOLD: 5/23/14 Updates
*Tryout 

Hampton Pirates' Bridget Signs Free Agent Deal With Washington Redskins

COURTNEY BRIDGET
COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, D.C. --  Former Hampton University defensive back Courtney Bridget has signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins, the team announced on May 17, 2014.

Bridget (Baltimore, Md.) was seventh on the team in tackles this past season, tallying 51 total stops (including 22 solo efforts). He had a career-high 10 tackles (four solo) in the 2013 season opener at Western Illinois.

He also had five pass breakups on the season.

The UNLV transfer was with the Pirates for three seasons, and in 2011 Bridget made five starts, recording 20 total tackles. He also recorded his lone interception as a Pirate that season against Savannah State.

If he makes the squad, Bridget will be the second Pirate on the roster in Washington; former Hampton defensive lineman Chris Baker is entering his third season with the Redskins.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's Rolland is All-America long-jumper for 2nd time

Xavier's Devinn Rolland, third from right, receives her
fourth-place award  in the long jump at the NAIA 
Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

GULF SHORES, Alabama-- Xavier University of Louisiana's Devinn Rolland long-jumped 18 feet, 7 inches Thursday to earn All-America honors for the second time in three years at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Rolland, competing in her third event of the day, placed fourth out of 24 jumpers. The top six individuals and relay teams in each event are named All-America.

Rolland is a junior from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School in New Orleans.

Rolland jumped 19-5 1/2 to finish sixth at nationals in 2012.

Xavier did not qualify for finals in any of its three track events. Rolland was 17th in 24.97 seconds in the 200-meter dash, and Catherine Fakler did not finish in the 1,500. The 400 relay squad of Kailey Williams, Rolland, Tramaine Shannon and Chelsea James was 15th in 47.75.

Rolland will compete in the 100 preliminaries at 3:10 p.m. Friday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Jacksonville Jaguars Sign WSSU's Jerome Junior

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed former WSSU safety, Jerome Junior, after the two-day rookie minicamp that ended this past weekend.

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Junior transferred to Winston-Salem State in 2013 after four years at Connecticut. In 2013, Junior finished as the Rams fourth leading tackler, amassing 41 tackles, 4 tackles for losses, 0.5 sack, one interception, four pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

Jerome Junior was one of two workout rookies signed after rookie minicamp.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

School-Record 89 NSU Spartans Named to MEAC All-Academic Team

NORFOLK, Virginia --  A school-record 89 Norfolk State University student-athletes have been named members of the 2013-14 MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team.

The number is 13 higher than last year's previous record of 76. To be selected, athletes must be sophomores, juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Athletes must have also been in at least their second year at their current school during the 2013-14 academic year.

Only Delaware State (136), Howard (131), Bethune-Cookman (114) and South Carolina State (96), all of which offer more sports programs than NSU, had more athletes selected to the MEAC All-Academic Team than did the Spartans.

Listed below are NSU's members of the all-academic team, including their sport and major.

WOMEN (39): Rae Corbo (WBB, Business), Rachel Gordon (WBB, Psychology), Jazamine Gray (WBB, Exercise Science/Physical Education), Quineshia Leonard (WBB,  Kinesiotherapy), Thea Aspiras (WBO, Fine Arts), Delilah Bethel (WBO, Biology), Courtney Brown (WBO, Education), Ashley Buck (WBO, Sociology), Carrie Hickey (WBO, Social Work), Jessica Overton (WBO, Education), Courtney Williford (WBO, Education), Kelsea Yarbrough (WBO, Electronics Engineering), Taylor Brandon (CHR, Education), Jazmine Copeland (CHR, Medical Technology), Alexis Griffen (CHR, Social Work), Desiree Lewis (CHR, Finance), Kiana Manson (CHR, Chemistry), Bratasia Stephenson (CHR, Sociology), Ashley Woodley (CHR, Exercise Science), Morgan Boyd (WSB, Kinesiotherapy), Alina Moriarty (WSB, Biology), Stephanie Wheatley (WSB, Elementary Education), Whitney Williams (WSB, Sociology), Angie Darcus (WVB, Kinesiotherapy), Jasmin Flowers (WVB, Chemistry), Janay Frazier (WVB, Math/Optical Engineering), Maatra Henderson (WVB, Kinesiotherapy), Jessica Johnson (WVB, Business Finance), Rebecca Graff (WTE, Business Management), Yvonne Kamegne (WTE, Business), Mafalda Lhorca (WTE, Mass Communications), Andrea Macchiavello (WTE, Business), Tiara Davis (WTK, History), Adugna Desalegn (WTK, Kinesiotherapy), Amethyst Edmond (WTK, Biology), Kassandra Irizarry (WTK, Nursing), Tori Lewis-Johnson (WTK, Management Information Systems), Rachel Webb (WTK, Political Science), Charity Wilson (WTK, Kinesiotherapy)

MEN (50): Troy Applin (MBA, Building Construction), Cameron Day (MBA, Electrical Engineering), Jeff Di Fulgo (MBA, Kinesiotherapy), Cody Ellis (MBA, Exercise Science/Physical Education), Ian Horne (MBA, Kinesiotherapy), Chase Kyriacou (MBA, Kinesiotherapy), Justin Lee (MBA, Computer Science), Zach Markel (MBA, Sociology), Ryan Montgomery (MBA, Medical Technology), Matt Outman (MBA, Accounting), Kyle Vaas (MBA, Psychology), Hefeng Sun (MBB, Business Management), Shaquan Bailey (MFB, Kinesiotherapy), Andre Bean (MFB, Physical Education), Joshua El (MFB, Kinesiotherapy), Tanner Fiano (MFB, Mass Communications), Alonzo Fowlkes (MFB, Electrical Engineering), Ramsey Henderson (MFB, Mass Communications), Jamal Hill (MFB, Kinesiotherapy), Louis Humphrey (MFB, History), DeMarta' Johnson (MFB, Health Fitness Instruction), Alex Killam (MFB, Electronics Engineering), Deon King (MFB, Building Construction), Keenan Lambert (MFB, Business Management), Daniel Oladimeji (MFB, Computer Science), Mike Phillips (MFB, Computer Information Technology), E.J. Rogers (MFB, Mass Communications), Dallas Simmons (MFB, Business), Omari-Ali Timmons (MFB, Business), Tevin White (MFB, Interdisciplinary Studies), Michael Witcher (MFB, Kinesiotherapy), Julius Wormley (MFB, Sociology), Kent Austin (MTE, Accounting),  Igor Braga (MTE, Computer Science), Daniel Grauel (MTE, Business), Peter Ramstromer-Pello (MTE, Computer Information Technology), Robin Riethmueller (MTE, Business), Dzmitry Zyhmantovich (MTE, Business), Chad Allen (MTK, Building Construction), Marcus Anderson (MTK, Computer Science), Stefan Battles (MTK, Sociology), Ian Copeland (MTK, Biology), Steven Daniels (MTK, Sociology), Michael Evans (MTK, Sociology), Sammy Kiptoo (MTK, Accounting), Michael Mingo-Dabney (MTK, Business/Finance), Michael Smith Jr. (MTK, Mass Communication), Robert Thrasher (MTK, Psychology), Ryan Turner (MTK, Building Construction), Willard Ward (MTK, Business)

Key:
MCC – Men's Cross Country
WCC – Women's Cross Country
MBB – Men's Basketball
WBB – Women's Basketball
WGO – Women's Golf
MGO – Men's Golf
WSO – Women's Swimming
WVB – Women's Volleyball
MFB – Football
CHR – Cheerleading
WSB – Women's Softball
MBA – Men's Baseball
WBW – Women's Bowling
WTK – Women's Tennis
MTK – Men's Tennis
MTR – Men's Track and Field
WTR – Women's Track and Field

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Howard University lacked institutional control; 4 year penalty handed down by NCAA

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  -- A former Howard University head cross country/track and field coach admitted that he violated the NCAA ethical conduct rules and did not promote an atmosphere for compliance. Additionally, Howard University lacked institutional control over certain aspects of its athletics department, according to a decision issued by a NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions panel.

The university’s violations occurred for more than three years and involved more than 200 student-athletes in 15 sports. The case centered on the misuse of scholarship money, failure to withhold ineligible student-athletes from competition, impermissible recruiting contacts and the provision of $11,500 in inducements and extra benefits to prospects and student-athletes.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY PUBLIC INFRACTIONS REPORT, MAY 20, 2014 (.pdf)

Penalties in this case, which were mostly self-imposed by the university, include four years of probation; a $140,000 fine; scholarship reductions for football, men’s basketball, women’s swimming, and men’s cross country/track and field; recruiting restrictions, a vacation of wins in men’s cross country/track and field; the disassociation of an athletics representative; and a three-year show-cause order for the former head cross country/track and field coach. If the former coach seeks employment at an NCAA member school during that period, he and the school must appear before a panel of Committee on Infractions to determine if the school should restrict his athletically related duties.

This case was resolved through the summary disposition process, a cooperative effort where the involved parties submit the case to the Committee on Infractions in written form. The NCAA enforcement staff, university and involved individuals must agree to use the summary disposition process instead of having an in-person hearing.

The university lacked control and did not monitor the administration of its student-athlete textbook distribution and student financial account system. From 2010-11 through the 2013 summer term, the university allowed student-athletes to spend scholarship money on items not required for their courses and permitted student-athletes to keep any unspent portion of their scholarship that was designated solely for the purchase of required course items, tuition and housing. Additionally, the university did not make sure that a new textbook system operated within NCAA rules, did not incorporate safeguards in the textbook and financial account systems that could have prevented the violations, and did not recognize an NCAA violation. When a violation became known, the university did not properly investigate the extent of the impermissible purchases by student-athletes and any inappropriate credits and refunds to student-athletes.

The university also failed to monitor the men’s and women’s cross country/track and field programs to assure compliance with NCAA financial aid, recruiting and extra benefits rules. While it knew the former coach recruited international student-athletes, it did not make sure that he did so within NCAA rules. Additionally, the university initially awarded athletics aid to an international student-athlete who was determined to be a nonqualifier.

The former coach violated the NCAA ethical conduct rules and did not promote an atmosphere for compliance, according to the facts of the case. The former coach deliberately developed a relationship with the founder of a charity, who the former coach knew could help him recruit several prospects from Kenya. The head coach recruited and held evaluations with four prospects while in Kenya during a recruiting quiet period. The athletics representative promoted Howard in phone calls with two prospects at the former coach’s direction.

The former coach and the athletics representative also knowingly provided or arranged for the provision of $11,500 in inducements and extra benefits in the form of fees for a visa, apparel, university fees, transportation and living expenses to five prospects who later became student-athletes at Howard. The former coach also denied involvement in providing benefits during the investigation, despite being reported by the involved student-athlete.

Penalties and measures self-imposed by the university and accepted by the panel are below:

• Scholarship reductions for football, men’s basketball, women’s swimming and men’s cross country/track and field (self-imposed by the university). The public report further details the reductions.
• A vacation of men’s cross country/track and field wins from 2011-12 and 2012-13 in which ineligible student-athletes competed (self-imposed by the university). The public report contains further details.
• A reduction of recruiting opportunities in men’s and women’s cross country/track and field (self-imposed by the university).
• A reduction of the number of men’s and women’s cross country/track and field coaches who may recruit during the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons from three to one (self-imposed by the university).
• A fine of $140,000 (self-imposed by the university).
• The permanent disassociation of the athletics representative (self-imposed by the university). Details of the disassociation can be found in the public report.
• Completion of a review of its athletics compliance program by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in July 2013 and an external agency during the 2017-18 academic year (self-imposed by the university).

Penalties prescribed by the panel are below:

• Public reprimand and censure.
• Four years of probation from May 20, 2014 through May 19, 2018 (proposed by the university and accepted by the panel).
• A three-year show-cause order for the former head coach. The public report contains further details.

The members of the Division I Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case include Melissa Conboy, chief hearing officer and deputy director of athletics at the University of Notre Dame; John Black, attorney; Lloyd Carr, former head football coach at the University of Michigan; Carol Cartwright, president emeritus at Kent State University; Greg Christopher, athletics director at Xavier University; and Bobby Cremins, former head basketball coach at the Georgia Tech.

 

COURTESY NCAA MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Gold Nuggets in six events at NAIA's national meet

 

Angelica Alexander

5'-10" Jumper

Senior

Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana

High School: Byrd High School

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has eight women entered in six events at the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. The three-day meet will begin Thursday morning at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Ala.
   
NeuLion will offer for a fee approximately 22 hours of live streaming of the meet. Click here for more information.
   
The busiest of the Gold Nuggets will be junior Devinn Rolland, who qualified in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, the 400 relay and the long jump. Rolland's 100 time of 11.66 seconds and long jump of 5.91 meters (19 feet, 4¾ inches) rank fourth on the NAIA's season lists.  
   
Rolland runs the second segment on Xavier's relay team, whose best time of 47.42 ranks 12th in the NAIA this season. The other members are freshmen Kailey Williams and sophomores Tramaine Shannon and Chelsea James. Freshmen Kaylee Moore and Katelyn McMorris are the backups.
   
Also competing will be junior Catherine Fakler in the 1,500 — her best time is 4:42.12 — and senior Angelica Alexander, who twice this season has high-jumped 1.68 meters (5-6).
   
Thursday's schedule will include the long jump at 5:30 p.m., plus trials in the 400 relay at 2:30, the 1,500 at 3:20 and the 200 at 4:50. The 100 trials will start at 3:10 p.m. Friday, and the high jump will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday.
   
The Gold Nuggets did not score in any of the five events in which they competed a year ago. Rolland was named All-America as a freshman in 2012 after long-jumping 19-5½ and finishing sixth.
   
The Gold Nuggets are 31st in the most recent NAIA National Team Computer Rankings and were as high as 14th. They spent five consecutive weeks (April 9-May 7) in the top 25.
   
The national meet includes men's competition, but the Gold Rush did not qualify any athletes. This is the first time for Gulf Shores as meet site, and it's the first time since 1999 that the meet is competed in the Deep South.
 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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