Pro Day at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Scouts representing the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to Florida A&M to review potential football prospects.

Devonte Terry Johnson, Shaun Ward and Damien Fleming were at the center of the scouts’ attention.

The talent showcase was in Tookes Center. The players were assessed by their vertical jumps and bench press, followed by outdoor testing which included the shuttle run and the 40-yard dash.

Terry Johnson, Defensive Back for FAMU, and recent graduate said he was pleased with his overall pro day results.

“There definitely was a good crowd today, and I would like to thank my teammates and everyone who came to support,” said Johnson.

CONTINUE READING

S.C. State hosts NFL Pro Day

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Ten South Carolina State seniors took the field on Wednesday for the university's Pro Day, hoping to show NFL scouts their abilities to earn a spot on a team's roster.

Inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Kory Brown, Andrew Carter, Devin Flowers, Curtis Hill, Justin Hughes, Dennis Rowe, Austin Smith, Alex Glover, Cephas Wilson and Domanic Wilson each got a chance try to impress scouts, who represented the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals.

"I feel good about my performance, I ran a good 40 and ran a good 60 drill," Hughes, a linebacker, said.

Hughes, who stepped up to replace the former MEAC and SBN Defensive Player of the Year, Joe Thomas, was an third-team All-MEAC preseason selection.

He said that he hopes to impress scouts with his explosiveness and speed.

CONTINUE READING

FAMU interim AD: Rattlers’ game at Fenway a chance at ‘history’

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s April 25 baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston is what interim athletic director D’Wayne Robinson hopes will be the start of something big for all historically black colleges and universities.

The Rattlers will play a 10 a.m. game against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division foe North Carolina Central in the first HBCU Showcase played on Boston’s historic field.

Robinson revealed Wednesday the game will be a part of the Fenway Park Open House, meaning it will be free to attend. He added last year, about 40,000 people came to the Open House.

“It’ll be one of the biggest marketing opportunities we’ve ever had,” Robinson said.

CONTINUE READING

Jackson State hires former Central coach Woodrow Lowe

COLUMBUS, Georgia -- Former Central High coach Woodrow Lowe has joined the coaching staff at Jackson State, the school confirmed Tuesday.

Lowe will be coaching the linebackers.

The Tigers went 5-7 last season and 3-6 in the SWAC.

Harold Jackson is the head coach. Alonzo Lee was hired in February as the team's new defensive coordinator.

Lowe was fired by Central last year after four seasons as head coach with a 33-14 record and one region championship.




CONTINUE READING

FAMU's Award Winning Journalism Students Debut Short Films at Artists In Bloom Festival

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Award-winning broadcast journalism students will showcase their short films during the revival of the Florida A&M University’s “Artists in Bloom” festival in April. Four documentaries will be presented as part of the university’s exhibit of creative works by members of the campus community, including students.

This year’s lineup of the short films is as follows:

The Redzone: State of HBCU Sports
By: Quintin Gee and Jason Joseph.
The Redzone displays the continuing struggle of HBCU sports programs.


WATCH ALL FILMS IN 720HD, WIDE SCREEN


Return to Sender
By: Donovan Long and Majorie Pierre.
Return to Sender, deals with letters from fathers to their African American sons.



Trapped: The Restricted American Dream
By: Brittany Collins and LaCrai Mitchell.
Trapped, exhibits citizens trapped in communities as a result of education, income and other challenges.



Stage 5
By: Jordan Kinsey and Toya Womack.
Stage 5, takes an in depth look on the impact that cancer has on patients and love ones.



“J-school Journals showcases great narrative features that deals with topics that are often times overlooked. The conversations and themes that we deal with in our narrative features pushes envelop and really challenges society to examine ourselves through a different lens,” says LaCrai Mitchell, producer of Trapped: The Restricted American Dream.

Kenneth Jones, professor of broadcast journalism, at the FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, is the major professor who has supervised the student work. Prior to this year’s debut of the student documentaries, the FAMU SJGC had hosted annual short film screenings.

“We are excited to have the School of Journalism continue its collaboration with the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities in this year’s Artist in Bloom Festival. I believe the Narrative Features Showcase and the ensuing dialogue that is inspired will not only add to the wonderful festival lineup, but demonstrate the vision and quality of FAMU students and speak to what the university has to offer its constituency.” say, Luther D. Wells, Professor of Theatre and Artist in Bloom Festival Chair.

J-school Journals will be held at the Lee Hall Auditorium on April 4th from 4pm-6pm. The event is free to the public. For more information on events and performances visit www.famu.edu/ABF. 

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Six transfers help WSSU in spring practice

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- It’s not an exact science welcoming football transfers during the spring but Winston-Salem State has made it work in recent seasons.

There were six transfers this semester, and Coach Kienus Boulware said to compete in the Division II playoffs signing players from junior colleges or transfers from Division I is a must.

“It’s something we look to do but you can’t just take everybody who wants to come who may have played at a D-I,” Boulware said. “You have to kind of be selective.”

The Rams, who are have gone 54-8 in the last five seasons, have been the most successful program in the state of North Carolina during those five seasons, according to Boulware.

“Winning helps you attract those guys that want to play and want to win,” Boulware said.

The Rams held their first organized scrimmage of spring practice on Monday and running back Malik Mosley, who started his career at Old Dominion, had the most impressive runs.

“He was very good and had some good yardage,” Boulware said.



CONTINUE READING

Ram Ramblings: Spring practice going well for young team

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- From all indications Coach Kienus Boulware has firm control of everything surrounding spring football practice except one aspect.

“The weather has kind of messed us up this week,” Boulware said on Friday afternoon after a controlled scrimmage was moved to next week because of heavy rain.

Because the Rams use grass practice fields they have turned into mostly mud because so to save those fields the Rams will stay off them until early next week.

Overall, Boulware has been pleased with the progress his young team has made.

“We lost a lot of starters from defense last season so we’ve got a lot of spots to fill,” Boulware said.

One player who has stood out on defense is redshirt freshman Kyrell Williamson, a linebacker who sat out last season. Boulware likes the way Williamson has picked up the system.

CONTINUE READING