Florida A&M Law student by day, MMA fighter by night (Video)

ORLANDO, Florida -- It is the second day of class as Professor Deleso Alford orders her Florida A&M University law students up to the podium, one by one, to introduce themselves.

She wants them to share an interesting fact as they spend the next several months discussing deep, personal issues about race and society.

One man says he was a high school English teacher in a previous life. Another says he was listed as state witness 48 in the George Zimmerman trial. One woman owns nine dogs and one cat that thinks he's a dog.

A dark-haired man, dressed in a tie and crisp white shirt, waits his turn as he sits in the second row, his yellow note pad open.

"William Kelly," Alford says finally.  Kelly, 29, walks to the podium.

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Albany State gears up for 2015 baseball season

ALBANY, Georgia — If January was a crazy month for you, then listen to how Albany State interim baseball coach Daniel Stockdale’s month went.

Stockdale was hired on Jan. 9 to replace Kenyan Conner, who resigned in December to join ASU football coach Mike White’s staff at Benedict.

Stockdale left his assistant baseball job at Savannah State, had a little more than three weeks to learn his new team and had to trim the roster from 40 to 28 players.

On top of that, Stockdale still hasn’t fully moved and is still living in a hotel.

Yet, when the Rams open their 2015 baseball season Tuesday afternoon against Brewton Parker College, none of that matters to the first-year coach.

“These guys are handling (the transition) well,” Stockdale said. “They needed a little organization and they’ve been able to get that corrected.”

2015 Albany State Golden Rams Baseball Schedule

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'McDonald's Rhythms of Triumph' Awards Honor People of Triad

BILL HAYES

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The 15th Annual McDonald's Rhythms of Triumph awards show honored people of Triad who were chosen for their outstanding accomplishments, contributions and personal sacrifices that have made an impact in the African American community on Friday.

The event took place at Greensboro Coliseum. The winners were Evainna Ross, William "Bill" Hayes, and George W. Clopton.

William "Bill" Hayes' leadership within intercollegiate athletics at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T), North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Florida A&M University has gained much recognition. He is in the Hall of Fame at WSSU, NC A&T and NCCU, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and has the distinction of being named the MEAC and CIAA Coach of the Year. He currently serves on the executive board of his local Boy Scouts of America and is on the board of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.

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TSU Track and Field Wins 11 Events at Ed Temple Classic

COURTESY TSU ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State track and field teams took home 11 first-place finishes on their home track at the annual Edward S. Temple Classic on Sunday.

Sophomore Amber Hughes paced the squads by winning four events: the 55 meter dash (7.04 seconds), 200 meter dash (24.60 seconds), triple jump (12.39 meters) and the 4x400 meter relay (3:53.68). Both her times in the 55 meter and the triple jump are new personal bests.

Senior Diera Taylor who was also a part of the first-place 4x400 team, finished with the top time in the 400 meter dash (59.85 seconds).

In the throwing events, junior Angel Davis’s lob of 13.02 meters won the shot put and her 17.00 meter throw in the weight toss set a new career best.

For the Flying Tigers, Travon Alexander clocked the best time in the 55 meter dash in a blazing 6.40 seconds. The mark set a new personal record for the senior and is currently the 23rd fastest time in the country.

Quamel Prince also had a nice afternoon, winning the mile run (4:31.65) and contributing to the team of Jason Griffin, Jakeenan Guthrie and Perry Stokes that took home first prize in the 4x400 meter relay (3:20.88).

In the field events, Daryl Rice outleapt the competition in the high jump (2.01 meters) and Roc-M Nesbitt placed first in the shot put (14.51 meters).

    Final Results

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

South Carolina State Bulldogs look to land top class in MEAC

HEAD COACH OLIVER "BUDDY" POUGH
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough said lack of consistent offensive production may have keep cost the Bulldogs a postseason appearance in 2014. Thus far, S.C. State seems to be addressing those needs in recruiting, assembling the projected No. 1 class in the MEAC as ranked by 247sports.com.

Pough, who said he’d hoped to bring in at least two quarterbacks this recruiting cycle, has two committed. Charlotte, North Carolina (Providence High School) product Caleb York is a 6-2, 200-pound pro-style quarterback expected to sign on Wednesday. The Bulldogs also look to add two-star dual-threat quarterback Marquane Goodman (6-2, 200) from West Florence.

The Bulldogs also expect a signature from a potential game-breaker at receiver in Charlotte Latin School’s Canyon Tuttle (6-0, 170) and should also add running back Bishop Ford (5-5, 175) of William Amos High in Cornelius, North Carolina.

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler senior quarterback Khaliq Anthony is no stranger to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at South Carolina State. The Trojans occasionally practiced at the venue throughout his high school career.  Anthony is expected to cement his return to S.C. State as a member of the Bulldogs’ 2015 class. Anthony, The T&D Region’s All-Area first-team QB, accounted for 48 touchdowns, throwing for 2,009 yards and rushing for 1,542 as he led H-K-T to a second straight state title in 2014.

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Historic marker to go up at restored home of Florida A&M's Legendary Coach Jake Gaither

COURTESY CORNELIUS JONES
visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Cornelius Jones has not given up. So circle April 11 on your calendar.

That’s when a Florida historic marker will go up at 212 Young Street, at the former home of Florida A&M University football coaching legend Jake Gaither — which has been lovingly restored by Jones.

Jones, 44, is a Tallahassee real estate entrepreneur, who bought the house more than a year ago simply to re-sell. But when he learned the house was the home of the late Gaither — and was still filled with all his photos, trophies and memorabilia — Jones decided to restore it as a meeting place and museum.

Already, the house has hosted several parties and receptions. It will host a grand opening when the historic marker is erected on April 11 — Gaither’s birthday.

A native of Cleveland, Jones played one year of football for FAMU before earning a degree in civil engineering in 1994. He never met Gaither, but saw his name all over campus and Tallahasssee and came to rever his role in local history.

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Albany State take pair of homecoming victories

ALBANY, Georgia -- It was a win that everybody could feel good about.

There’s nothing like beating your rival on homecoming.

Even Albany State women’s basketball coach Robert Skinner had to smile about what he saw Saturday evening.

The Lady Rams kicked off homecoming Saturday with a 74-64 win over Fort Valley State at the HPER Gymnasium.

ASU took an early 4-2 lead after a 3-pointer from Keidra Green. Both teams continued to trade baskets in the first half, with points in the paint being nearly nonexistent. The Lady Wildcats ended the first half with six blocks, while ASU had seven.

A pair of free throws and a basket from Artisha Holston helped the Lady Rams end the first half with a 33-28 lead.



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