Donna Polk Appointed Interim Athletic Director at BSU

DONNA POLK
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BOWIE, Maryland  -- Bowie State University President Dr. Mickey L. Burnim is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Donna Polk, associate athletics director and senior woman administrator, as the interim director of intercollegiate athletics following the departure of AD Anton Goff. She will assume that role effective July 12.

Ms. Polk is well qualified to lead the Athletics Department until a permanent director is named, having demonstrated effective leadership and a commitment to the university's intercollegiate athletics programs.
 
She has served as associate athletics director and senior woman administrator since 2011, assisting with the department's day-to-day business operations. In that role, she has provided oversight for compliance, student services, sports medicine, sports information, women's volleyball, softball and the men's and women's track and field programs.

Before taking over as full-time associate athletics director, Ms. Polk served as head women's basketball coach and associate athletics director from 2008-2011. As head coach, she compiled a 55-29 record and led the Lady Bulldogs to Central Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (CIAA) finals appearances in 2009 and 2010. She joined Bowie State University in 2005 as associate athletics director for operations.
 
Ms. Polk currently serves as chair of the CIAA's Senior Woman Administrators Association. She is also a member of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, National Association of Athletics Compliance, and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling psychology from Columbia Union College and a Master of Arts degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Winslow says FAMU athletics can’t be fixed

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Newly hired athletic director Kellen Winslow told a group of FAMU supporter that the university has an athletic department that is “broken.”

Speaking Wednesday afternoon at the 220 Quarterback Club’s weekly luncheon meeting, Winslow said the issues that plague FAMU athletics are too many for a quick fix.

“It’s broken,” Winslow said, to a suddenly hushed audience. “It can’t be fixed. Tear it down, start over build it the right way.

“We all know what happens to a house that doesn’t sit on a strong foundation. It doesn’t hold up to pressure. So let’s strip it down, restructure it in a way that it should be done so we can get the value of FAMU athletics that we’re supposed to.”

CONTINUE READING

Former SCSU Bulldog Standout Has PreDraft Workout With L.A. Lakers

LOS ANGELES, California  -- Former All-MEAC performer and South Carolina State standout forwardMatthew Hezekiah was invited to predraft workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Hezekiah was one of 12 prospects that worked out for Laker officials and general manager Mitch Kupchak. Others were, Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), Nik Stauskas (Michigan), P. J. Hairston (UNC), Aaron Gordan (Arizona) and Julius Randle (Kentucky) just to name a few.

The 6-11, 220 pound Jacksonville, Fla. native led the Bulldogs in scoring the past two seasons with 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. The two-time All-MEAC Second Team performer has already been offered several professional contracts to play overseas.

To watch Hezekiah's complete predraft workout with the Lakers click link below:

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU's Aaric Murray awaits fate in NBA Draft

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year Aaric Murray hopes to hear his name called in Thursday's NBA Draft.  

The 2014 SWAC Tournament MVP led Texas Southern University and the conference in scoring (21.3), blocked shots (2.5), and shot 49 percent from the field this past season.  Prior to his arrival at TSU, the Concordville, Pa. native had stints with two previous institutions.   He ended his college career by helping the Tigers claim the 2014 SWAC Tournament Championship and earning a spot to the NCAA First Four.

Arguably his most impressive night came in a one point upset victory over Temple.  He scored a career high 48 points while also setting all-time records for points scored against the Owls and points scored at the Liacouras Center, Temple's home arena which opened in 1997.  His production that night also set the 2014 single-game high-scoring mark for Division I basketball.

His capped  off his performance when he became the first NCAA Division I player taller than 6-10 to score 48 points in over a decade while also becoming the first player to connect on 20+ field goals in a game since 2011 (Jimmer Fredette -  BYU).

Murray completed workout sessions with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers among several other NBA teams.  According to USA Today writer Adi Joseph, Murray could fit the needs of the Detroit Pistons. More  

VIDEO: Comcast SportsNet Feature on Murray

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

 

Monroe-Ouachita Alumni Chapter to Host 12th Annual Evening with GSU Athletics

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  The Monroe-Ouachita Chapter of the Grambling University National Alumni Association will present its' 12th Annual "Evening with GSU Athletics coming up on Thursday, August 7th at 6 p.m. ,The event will be held in the B.D. Robinson Room at the Monroe Civic Center complex.

During the event, GSU Athletic Director Aaron James will speak and head coaches will introduce their staffs. ,The chapter will hold a silent auction and give away door prizes, which will include two season tickets, two tickets to the Bayou Classic and other prizes donated by local businesses.

Additionally, several local alumni, who have made outstanding contributions to GSU Athletics will be honored and GSU season tickets will be on sale at the event. Admission into the event is $15 and ad space in the program is available. ,For more information contact Ezzard Burton at 318-680-9057, Johnny McCaa at 318-366-1077 or any other member of the Monroe-Ouachita chapter.

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

B-CU’s Davis hopes hard work pays off in third season with Jags

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  -- Ryan Davis is wary of compliments.

Point out his faults, though, and he’ll take every word to heart.Davis said that approach keeps him on his toes and prevents him from letting down his guard.

It’s also allowed him to go from an undrafted rookie free agent out of Bethune-Cookman to a third-year NFL veteran defensive lineman with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Since I’ve been here … I’ve really been fighting for my place in the league,” Davis said after a recent workout.

A few minutes earlier, Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley called Davis an “intriguing” defender.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Davis cracked a smile when told of Bradley’s kind words, then quickly snapped back to form.

“That’s great to hear when your coach says something like that about you,” Davis said.“You appreciate that. But you have to let it go in one ear and out the other.”

CONTINUE READING 

Saint Augustine's University Mourns Loss of Coaching Great Harvey Heartley, Sr.

Harvey Heartley, Sr.
Photo Courtesy: SAU Athletics

RALEIGH, North Carolina  -- The Saint Augustine's University family mourns the loss of all-time great Harvey Heartley, Sr., on Monday, June 23, 2014.

 

The funeral will be Friday, June 27, 2014, at First Baptist Church on 101 South Wilmington Street in Raleigh, N.C., at noon. The viewing will be at 11 a.m. The funeral home in charge is Barnes Funeral Home on 325 Camel Street in Clayton, N.C.

 

"My deepest sympathies go out to the Heartley family," said SAU Director of Athletics George Williams. "We lost a great Falcon today. Coach Heartley was a staple of our program for many years, and not only will our university miss him, but our whole community will too. He will be remembered as one of the greatest Falcons' coaches who ever lived.

 

"We are going to miss Coach Heartley's presence because he has done so much for so many of us. We will keep his legacy going."

 

Heartley, 79, was a legendary figure at Saint Augustine's University and in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as an athletic director and head men's basketball coach. As athletic director, Heartley was instrumental in the growth of the ultra-popular CIAA Basketball Tournament and the University's athletic department.

 

A Raleigh, N.C., resident, Heartley played a huge role in changing the by-law to allow every team to qualify for the CIAA Tournament instead of eight teams. Under his leadership, the SAU athletic department grew from three to 13 sports during his tenure.

 

His illustrious credentials as an athletic director are only matched by his accomplishments as a basketball coach. Heartley is the University's all-time winningest men's basketball coach with 371 victories from 1971 to 1994, a span of 23 years.

 

Under his guidance, the Falcons reached the 1984 NCAA Division II men's basketball national finals, making them one of three current CIAA schools in conference history to advance to the men's national championship game. Heartley coached NAIA District 26 Tournament championship teams at SAU which qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1977 and 1980. He led the Falcons to the CIAA Tournament championship game four times.

 

Heartley began his career as an administrator in athletics at Saint Augustine's College, now University in 1971. In addition to serving as the athletic director and head men's basketball coach, Heartley also coached several other sports and taught classes. He was the school's athletic director from 1971 to 1996.

 

His achievements landed Heartley in numerous hall of fames including the CIAA Hall of Fame, the Saint Augustine's University Hall of Fame and the N.C. Central University Hall of Fame. Heartley also received several coaching awards including CIAA Coach of the Year, CIAA Athletic Director of the Year four times and NAIA District 26 Coach of the Year.

 

Before arriving at SAU, Heartley was a stellar high school boys' basketball coach. He coached state championship teams at then-Ligon High School in Raleigh, N.C. and then-Cooper High School in Clayton, N.C.

An outstanding basketball player, Heartley played at N.C. Central (then known as North Carolina College) from 1951-55 and was co-captain his final two seasons. A star in his own right, Heartley played alongside future NBA Hall of Famer Sam Jones in the backcourt during his basketball career at NCCU. A native of Clayton, N.C., Heartley played under legendary coach John B. McLendon.

An All-CIAA player in 1955, Heartley earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education and education administration from North Carolina Central University in 1955 and 1965, respectively.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS