Jamaica to LA to Cleveland: Browns Karim Barton (Morgan State) continues to defy life’s obstacles

VIDEO: 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s hard to figure out what’s more distinctive:
Karim Barton’s thick Jamaican accent or his treacherous path to the NFL.

It’s a Monday in March during the offseason and Barton is one of the only players in the Cleveland Browns’ building. He laces up his orange cleats and trots out to the indoor practice field. He works out on the artificial grass until the sweat floods down his face like the rain water he grew up drinking.

Barton, a 6-foot-3, 313-pound reserve offensive lineman, just completed his first season on the practice squad. An NFL practice squad is where many football careers come to an end. The Browns made more than a dozen cuts on the practice squad last season alone.

Barton won’t allow anything to die. In fact, establishing himself as a professional football player will be a cakewalk compared to what he’s experienced through most of his life.

Barton stares blankly at the pictures – the ones of his mom, dad and three older brothers. As he slowly thumbs through the photos, the 23-year-old’s face winces with pain. His throat hardens.

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Bill would allow alcohol at FAMU's Lawson Center, Bragg Stadium

AL LAWSON CENTER
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The debt-ridden Florida A&M University Athletic department may get a boost from alcohol sales at Rattler football games under a bill passed in a House subcommittee Wednesday morning.

FAMU Athletics, which has accrued millions of dollars in debt, stands to make an estimated $50,000 in revenue by “providing select fans a premium experience at home football games in Bragg Memorial Stadium in the North End Zone Club,” according to a staff analysis of HB 1163, sponsored by Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee.

The bill cleared the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee without debate.

In the 2014-15 football season, FAMU unveiled the North End Zone Club, where season-ticket holders who pay an extra $65 for a ticket can watch the game from a climate-controlled tent along with a buffet and flat-screen televisions.

Williams’ bill would now allow vendors who get a special temporary alcohol license to sell alcohol at Bragg and the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center for special events.

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Hampton U.'s Holloway, Pierce on national stage

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY COACH MAURICE PIERCE
Courtesy Hampton U. Athletics

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- A week after hurdler Trey Holloway turned in one of the best performances in Hampton University track history, his coach, Maurice Pierce, was recognized by his peers for a coveted position.

Pierce, the director of track and field for the Pirates' men and women, was selected as an assistant coach for sprints, hurdles and relays for the U.S. men's team that will compete in the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in August in Beijing.

"A huge honor," Pierce said. "I wasn't even sure I was under consideration. This is big for Hampton and our program, and for me. The only thing bigger than coaching in the worlds is the Olympics. I hope one day they consider me for a spot on the Olympic team, if not coming up, maybe 2020."

Holloway finished third in the 60-meter hurdles at the recent NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., clocking a school-record 7.72 seconds in the finals and becoming the program's first indoor All-American honor since the athletic department moved up to Division I in 1995.

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Matoaca's Star PG Devin Morgan commits to Delaware State

CHESTER, Virginia -- Matoaca senior point guard Devin Morgan (2-star) committed to Delaware State last weekend. Morgan (5-foot-9/175) was the leading scorer in the Richmond area, averaging 28.6 points per game. He was named the Conference 12 player of the year.

Morgan also had offers from Radford, Northern Arizona and Longwood.

Delaware State finished 18-18 and finished runner-up to Hampton in the MEAC tournament. Also on the roster at Delaware State is Kavon Waller, a freshman forward from Thomas Dale.



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Carter settling in as DSU's football coach

DOVER, Delaware — Kenny Carter has been so consumed in his first two months as Delaware State University’s new football coach that some daily activities take a backseat.

“My strength coach will come in with food in his hand and asks, ‘Did you eat?’” says Carter as he sits on a couch in his new office. “I’ll look at him and be like, ‘I really don’t know. Then he’ll run out and get me some food.’”

While Carter might not be settled in his personal life — he is still sleeping on an air mattress — he has jumped right into football as Delaware State’s spring camp is well underway.



Carter is busy installing a new offensive and defensive system. His new coaching staff includes seven newcomers to go along with one holdover from last year’s staff.

The biggest change is the tempo. Carter wants to play fast and there isn’t much standing around during this camp.

The players have noticed the increased intensity of practice.

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Jacksonville's Curry twins sign with N.C. A&T football

Kris Curry (6'-2"/245 4.60 40 yd dash) shared The Daily News player of the year honors after he rushed for a school, record 2,327 yards to go along with 19 touchdowns, last season.  Korey Curry (6'-2"/235 4.65 40 yd dash) was a first-team all-area defensive back after he recorded 42 tackles, 14.5 sacks and eight tackles for losses for 9-4 Northside High School. 

JACKSONVILLE, North Carolina -- The Curry twins of Northside High are taking their football prowess and personable and sometimes outspoken personalities to Greensboro.

Kris and Korey Curry signed national letters of intent Thursday to play at North Carolina A&T University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. They both called it a dream to not only play collegiate football but also to play Division I.

N.C. A&T is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision.

KRIS CURRY VIDEO

KOREY CURRY VIDEO

“I’m both excited and relieved,” Korey said. “I know where I’m going and I’m excited to be out there playing football again.”

Kris echoed his brother’s comments, adding that football gave them a better opportunity than basketball. The twins were key cogs in Northside’s basketball team that this season advanced to the NCHSAA East Regionals for the third consecutive season.

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Privateers Host Non-Conference Foe, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (10-10, 6-3) AT NEW ORLEANS (8-16, 2-7)
GAME 25-27 | NEW ORLEANS, LA. | MAESTRI FIELD AT FIRST NBC BALLPARK
FRIDAY 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 2 PM | SUNDAY 1 PM

GAME NOTES | AUDIO | VIDEO | TWITTER
 
THE SERIES:
The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (8-16, 2-7 Southland) faces a non-conference test to wrap up the final weekend of a 12-game home stand as they take on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (10-10, 6-3 SWAC) in a three-game series. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark.
 
The Privateers are trying to break a season-long five-game losing streak that has extended back to Mar. 17. New Orleans lost to the Loyola Wolfpack on Tuesday night, their first loss against Loyola since 1972. In the losing skid, the Privateers have been held to under five runs in four of five games.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff comes in after splitting a mid-week series against an SEC opponent, defeating Missouri 8-3 on Tuesday and losing to the Tigers 9-3 on Wednesday. The Golden Lions have taken two wins over SEC competition including a win over then-15^thranked Mississippi State on Mar. 3.
 
Carlos James is in the midst of his fifth season with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Last season, James took the Golden Lions to a SWAC West Division title, their first in program history. In 2013, James was named the SWAC Coach of the Year. On the diamond, Andre Davis leads the team in batting average, hits, home runs, RBIS, slugging percentage, and is tied for the team lead in runs.

PITCHING ROTATION:
Friday- UNO: Alex Smith RHP (2-4, 3.11) vs. UAPB: Billy Olson RHP (4-2, 4.41)
Saturday- UNO: Jordan Priddle LHP (4-2, 3.49) vs. UAPB: Blake Estep RHP (2-2, 7.45)
Sunday- UNO: Daniel Martinez RHP (0-2, 5.90) vs. UAPB: Humberto Medina RHP (0-2, 3.98)
 
ALL-TIME SERIES:
RECORD: First meeting
 
NEXT UP:
The Privateers will have their second match-up against the Loyola Wolfpack on Tuesday, Mar. 31. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
ALL THE WAY HOME:
Ryan Calloway has scored 19 runs this season, which leads the team and has been crossed the plate eight times in the last eight games. Calloway's run total currently ranks him in a tie for seventh most in the conference.

SWACCESS:
The Privateers will be playing their fourth, fifth, and sixth games against a SWAC opponent this season. At the MLB Urban Youth Invitational, New Orleans defeated three separate SWAC foes (Alcorn State, Southern, Grambling). In 2014, the Privateers went 4-1 against the SWAC.
 
KNOCK KNOCK:
Ray Veit is currently on a seven-game hitting streak after going 1-for-4 on Tuesday night against Loyola. The longest hitting streak so far this season by a Privateer was accomplished by Ryan Calloway who collected a hit in eight straight games from Mar. 3-17.
 
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS MEDIA RELATIONS